Archive of Our Own

The crown was definitely going to slide off. And how could he work with a cape? What if it caught on something?

“Oh come on, you look good!”

Sprout kept himself lowered just enough for Cosmo to mess with the clasp of said cape. It felt weird, being so dressed up. His leaves sprayed gold, honestly his entire outfit had more gold than he'd ever imagine wearing.

His own week.

He wasn't sure to be flattered that all his work and time was finally getting acknowledged, or to shrink up and refuse to even step out into the light with such an over the top get up.

When Cosmo made sure everything look nice, Sprout stood to his full height again. He loves his friend, but man does leaning over for a while do a number on his back. His mattress already isn't the best due to time. Maybe they could find another one some day.

“Look at you, Mr. Golden Strawberry! Give us a twirl.” Cosmo laughed.

It made Sprout go a bit red from embarrassment. Still he twisted his waist just slightly to see the swishing cape. He did feel rather important. Like he was finally getting some type of attention.

Was it bad to somewhat enjoy the idea?

To want to be seen more for all he does? Would that be selfish?

Sprout shook the idea off in favor of focusing on his friend digging through a makeup bag on the counter nearby. He was surprised to know Glisten let them borrow it with no hesitation. All the mirror did was hear about the event plan and instantly agree, already offering different colors and shades to “make Sprout stand out more”. The strawberry had worn bits and pieces of makeup before. But they only came in light eyeshadow or halloween.

“What colors were you thinking? Maybe a warm maroon? Or bright white?” Cosmo asked as he pulled out a few items that Sprout didn't know the names of. He barely knew anything about all the pens and sponges and lashes that came with decorating a face.

“Whatever you think looks better, Cos. You're the one doing this.” He trusted Cosmo would always make anything look good. The swissroll was the best at everything.

Cosmo hummed before pointing an eyeliner pen at Sprout. “Nope. This is your big week, so you have to pick what you want. Don't back down.”

That earned a tired chuckle from Sprout.

“Maybe we can try-”

Ringing made them both pause. They forgot they had been setting everything up in the kitchen of all places since it was closed for now. Usually between meal times, the kitchen is off limits to everyone so the two bakers could focus on getting everything ready for later. It takes a fair bit to actually prepare all the food, so many toons with different preferences and diets. Even if some of them don't, or can't, eat.

Cosmo motioned Sprout to stay while he went out to go check who arrived. Promises of returning to the makeup topic after he came back.

Shifting a bit, Sprout leaned against the counter and picked at his sleeves. He just left, everything was okay. Alone with his thoughts was never a good thing. Sprout was so used to hearing others instead to busy himself. To let his mind be empty enough to only focus on his job. His internal debate blurred but present.

Was Cosmo and the rest of the mains right? Was it a good idea to try a whole “toon of the week” so everyone could get some acknowledgement for all they do? Sure, Sprout doesn't doubt for a moment that some toons around him would love to have their work appreciated. Especially the ones doing everything they could to keep Gardenview still up and running after everything. To bring up moods by pointing out all someone does for an entire week. The whole custom outfits Glisten was working on proudly. No doubt the weeks would raise morals.

But why was he first? Was it just because Cosmo asked? Was it that no other main wanted to go first? Surely Vee would've jumped to it as Glisten and her are better friends than he and the mirror.

Was it drawing too much attention to Sprout?

Was it too much? Did he look egotistical for being first?

The strawberry continued to pick at the ends of his sleeve in more and more frustration.

Until

“Oh! You look.. wow.”

Sprout stiffened. His head snapped to the entrance of the kitchen, only to find a certain balloon. His face flushed a bit. This was supposed to be a surprise that only a few toons knew about until Sprout's outfit was officially done.

Sprout looked away, making Looey blink in realization. The clown quickly stepped in and waved his hands out in defense. “Wait nonono- I mean like-! You look uhm.. You look nice, I promise!”

Looey stood a few feet away, eyes scanning over everything from the cufflinks, to the cape, to the polished crown atop his leaves. “Sorry for walking in without warning. Cosmo sent me back to grab some cookies he promised. Energy for our next performance hahhaa..ha.”

Sprout realized the bag they were after was near him. Cosmo did mention treats he made for a few toons. Thus, he held it out while still avoiding eye contract. Sprout pulled his hand away fast when Looey took the bag. Such a small, brief touch of fingers. But Sprout felt his hand was burning.

“Thanks! And uh..is there a reason for the new outfit? Not to sound mean or anything! It's a nice change!”

“It's an event.” That got Looey's ears perked up curiously. Might as well share a bit since every toon was getting their own soon. “I’m starting it off. Sort of thanking everyone for all they do by giving them their own week. New outfits and special treats. The latter by Cosmo and I, of course.”

Without thinking, Looey took Sprout's hands and smiled. “Really? That's amazing! Can only imagine how it feels being the first one on the list! You kinda look like a king too!”

“Well, if I'm the king, then you're the court jester.” Sprout added back. Honestly thankful the balloon was easily able to lighten the air.

Another laugh from Looey. They let go before lowering into a partial bow. “I do live to entertain.”

The balloon's eyes drifted to the counter, spotting the familiar pink bag. Hard to not realize who it belonged to when Glisten's name was stitched over the side in gold thread. They never knew Sprout was into that stuff. Not that Looey could speak as they almost always had their face painted.

Sprout's attention followed. As if he forgot the bag existed for a minute. “Yeah.. Cosmo wants me to go through that, but I don't know enough to make sure it matches-”

“I can help!”

A pause.

Looey went pale pink. “I mean-!! I'm really good at this kind of stuff, so I could give you some tips or..maybe teach you some things. If you want, of course. Not to force you to accept. Or let me try. Or…yeah.”

Quietly, Sprout shifted the bag closer. Was it a bad idea? Maybe. Was there also a part of him that wanted this temporary moment of just the two of them to last longer? Sprout didn't want to answer that. Seeing Looey's tail start to wag in excitement definitely didn't help.

Still, the action gave Looey the okay to shuffle through the various brushes and pens. They sat out a few that caught their eye. Mostly golds and white to match the color pallet the outfit already had going on. But also a single cyan for some reason.

Looey then held a hand out in a silent question. It took a second for Sprout to understand before he nodded and leaned in. His chin settled atop a gloved hand. “Assuming you don't want it too flashy, so I'm just bringing out your features a bit! If that's okay.” The balloon got a hum in response.

In all honesty, Sprout was barely hearing what the other was saying. He's had other toons touch his face before. The occasional cheek grab or flick. Or the hands against his forehead when he wasn't feeling well. Or even Cosmo smushing his face against the other to be annoying. The two really didn't have boundaries, any time one was looking at something, the other had to see too.

But Looey's touch was different. Even under the glove, their hands were more callous than the rest of them. The occasional texture of a bandaid or two under the fabric. Not surprising given how busy the clown always is. Looey's schedule may rival Sprout's and Cosmo's with how often they bounce around and stay on their feet.

Despite the rough feel underneath, Looey held Sprout's chin far too gently. Delicate as if the strawberry were made of glass. Patient enough to pull away easily if he got uncomfortable. Yet also close enough to have their presence be known while Sprout had his eyes closed. A warm pressure joined with the faint humming as Looey worked felt like a lure. To get Sprout to lower his guard, but the balloon didn't realize. They simply worked.

It tickled a little when a pen went over some parts of his skin. He felt his freckles be marked over, both under and over his eyes be pressed. A soft brush at his cheeks.

“Do you do this a lot? Someone's makeup?” Sprout risked cracking open an eye, only to semi-regret it. Their faces inches away as Looey zoned out fixing up details on the strawberry. Their eyes switched back and forth particularly on his cheeks. Barely visible, Looey poked his tongue out as he focused.

“Huh? Ah, sometimes! It's mainly Blot and I that switch between doing everyone's. Though, Blot does it for performances so I can make sure the acts themselves are ready. One less thing on my to-do list haha. I do my own most days, especially before runs. Sometimes toons come to me themselves wanting to see what I could do.” Looey tilted their head for Sprout to copy. “Little to the left, please.”

Sprout kept quiet, listening as Looey talked about what type of designs and colors each of their friends liked. Understandably, Yatta was prone to as many neon tones as she could fit on her face, along with just as many stick-ons. Blot kept it mostly normal with mime makeup and the occasional pop of color to go with different looks. Looey themself had no real preference. Apparently, they had been borrowing books from Brightney about various older clown pictures to experiment every once in a while. Favorite designs included wide smiles, and anything green and purple.

As Looey pulled back, Sprout didn't want to admit he was half tempted to chase the warmth again. Something about relaxing to hearing the balloon ramble off about anything and everything made his heart pick up. Glad it had always been hard to see when his face heated up.

“I think it's done! Hope it isn't too much. I tried going more highlight focused so you didn't have to wait for so long.” Sprout was handed one of the various mirrors from the makeup bag.

His eyes widened. The pop of cyan under his eyes to make them brighter. The vibrant freckles contrast against his more rose cheeks. Even gold at the edges of his hairline to make the leaves look fuller. Sprout couldn't narrow in one part at a time. It all worked together to make the strawberry himself pop out.

“This is..really good! In so little time too.” Awe in his tone that he didn't bother hiding much.

Looey flushed more, shoulders falling in ease. He was panicked to see the reaction given it wasn't one of his personal best works. Or maybe he was being too hard on himself. Yatta said it was a habit. “What can I say? You learn to move fast when you're always on the edge of being pulled off to acts.”

“Oh wait,” The clown's brows knit at something. “Hang on-”

Sprout flinched internally when a hand took his chin again. A thumb rubbed under one of his eyes as he fought the urge to melt under the touch.

“I think one of the brushes had glitter stuck to it. One second-”

It was not the sight Cosmo was expecting when he entered the kitchen. He initially was going to check on Looey as the balloon had been gone for too long and Yatta was getting bored. She offered to go in herself, but Cosmo softly declined as he didn't trust her in a recently cleaned area. Blot noticed what the swissroll was trying to do and agreed with letting him go. Much to the piñata's huff.

And when the doors opened, both toons froze in place. Looey leaned far too close into Sprout's personal space with one hand cupping the strawberry's cheek and the other at some point found Sprout's forearm. Sprout himself leaned with his back against the counter. Both more red than they were a few minutes ago.

Cosmo's gaze shifted between the two. He cleared his throat and turned away.

“This isn't-”

“Sorry, take your time.”

“What-??”

Looey and Sprout separated fast when the doors closed and Cosmo vanished. “Oh Qwel, I'm never hearing the end of this.”

The balloon let out an awkward, half snort. “I'd help, but no doubt I'm in the same boat now. Sorry about...that.. If you want, i can try explain-”

Sprout cut the other off with a sigh. “Don't worry. Just- i probably made that look worse to him. I hope this doesn't drag you into anything. But, maybe your friends are more willing to listen than mine.”

“Have you met Yatta and Blot? Those two live for chaos."

Looey moved to grab the discarded bag of baked treats he forgot he sat down when everything happened. “I should hurry before these get too cold.” Neither toon could fully meet each other's eyes. “Thanks.. for letting me do that. If you ever want something more extra, my room is always open. May be able to test more since you wouldn't have an outfit to stick with.”

A nod back. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Looey went to push the doors open, he turned back for one more thing.

“Good luck, your majesty.”

And just like their first meeting.

Looey winked.

They vanished fast, leaving Sprout fully alone.

. . .

Sprout groaned, pushing his face into his hands. The makeup was already set so he didn't worry about ruining the work.

He was so doomed.