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A small knock echoed through the room. Astro's eye twitched for a second before burrowing himself deeper into his warm soft blanket that has never done him wrong. Maybe he was just imagining the sound. Another knock came, but more louder than before. Astro grumbled as he reluctantly pushed his blanket away, rubbing his eye as he blinked them open. Who could possibly be up late at this hour? The only toon on the main floor that would have to problem would be...
He gathered his blanket around him, making sure his arms were covered before he made his way to the door. He shivered from feeling the cold floor beneath him, quickly picking up the pace. His star twirled as it twisted the door knob revealing the a toon he didn't expect to see at night anymore.
"Sprout..." Astro said with a slight rasp in his voice. "Why are you up so late?"
"Hey," Sprout weakly waved, his grin forced. "Can I come in?"
“Uh,” Astro blinked rapidly, looking back at his room and then to Sprout. "…Of course you can."
Sprout quietly thanked him as he awkwardly walked into his bedroom. He eyed the strawberry toon curiously as he closed his door gently, a small click coming from the door knob. Sprout seemed preoccupied with looking at the stars in the ceiling for which he was glad for. It would mean he wouldn't see how fast his heart was racing.
He had to admit, he was nervous seeing him again. Ever since Cosmo came to Gardenview, their nightly conversations had become sparce. He wasn't complaining though. He was grateful for Cosmo's arrival. Sprout had been so lost without his best friend, his eyebags getting worse as the months passed with no news from Delilah and Arthur. He sympathized with Sprout despite not knowing the general feeling of not having your other half since he had Dandy from day one.
Horribly enough, he didn't know if he was being selfish for being happy from seeing Sprout being so open and vulnerable with him compared to the other mains. He must be awful for such a thought, but seeing Sprout laughing and talking to him so easily, his eyes sparkling with mirth, made his heart swell with warmth he’s never experienced before. During the show, or what his memories are, they’ve almost never interacted alone. They were always with their best friends and even if it was alone, it was just to have a small talk with eachother before cutting away to the next scene.
Astro cleared his throat as he walked to Sprout. "You can sit on the bed if you want.”
Sprout snapped out his thoughts, his crossed arms quickly pulled to his sides as he looked at Astro with wide eyes. "Right! Right...yeah. Thanks."
Astro chuckled lightly at the display. "There’s no need to be so nervous. My room is soundproof. No one will hear anything you say. It'll be between just the two of us."
"No, I know! It's just..." Sprout groaned as he fell back onto the edge of the bed. "I'm still...stuck at the same problem."
"...You'll need to be more specific, Sprout." Astro sat beside Sprout, making sure he was far enough so they wouldn't be shoulder to shoulder. He didn't know where he stood with Sprout as of late and he'll be damned if he makes him even the least bit uncomfortable.
"I…I still don't think I'm really myself," Sprout said quietly, fiddling with the end of his scarf as he looked at the floor. "None of this is…I still can't tell if I am who I say I am."
"Have you already asked Cosmo what he thinks of you?" Astro asked curiously. "He knows you better than anyone."
"That’s the worst part. I did." Sprout's shoulders became more tense. "He's the bestest friend I could ever ask for. I even said he was the other half that would make me whole! And he kind of did. But…he doesn't understand why I feel so weird about being…different."
Astro closed his eye as he listened. "Different how?"
"Well, it’s my temper for the most part...or being kind of rude every now and then. I don't know. It's just...Cosmo pointed out how much I've become more easy to get irritate and giving more snarky remarks than before...and then I watched a few episodes with us and he's...he's right!" Sprout tugged at his scarf. "I used to be more amicable. More nicer and friendly to everyone around me. But now? I developed some sort of sour attitude? I know you said the show memories are real...but does that mean I'm not actually Sprout then? I'm just some cheap imitation posing as him?"
"No. No of course not. Oh…"Astro hesitantly moved to hug him, his arms hovered in the air before Sprout grabbed him closer, burying his head into his shoulder as he held onto him tightly. Selfishly, the moon toon melted into his hold, basking in his warmth as he slid his hands to his back. "Did my words affect you that much...?"
Sprout stiffened for a bit before nodding as much as he could while still buried into his shoulder. "It's dumb, I know...but...this whole situation makes me feel sick..."
"It's not dumb at all. I'm so sorry I caused you so much distress." Astro started to rub his back. "It's okay. It’s understandable why you would feel this way.”
"Have you felt this way before?" Sprout said as he moved back to look at Astro.
"...Look," Astro lowered his eye as he moved his hands out of his blankets to grab Sprout's. "How about instead of comparing yourself to the past…you focus on your heart."
Sprout tilted his head, his eyebrow raised. "My heart?"
"Whatever it tells you, just follow it." Astro squeezed his hands gently. "You know…for me, even if you doubt yourself, I for one know that you are Sprout. Even if you've changed, your kind heart always speaks the loudest."
"Really?" Sprout raised a brow as he tilted hos head. “I'm kind?”
"Even when you're mad at Dandy you still make sure he's not hurt, you make sure Shelly's food is at least dinosaur-shaped, and you check on Vee to see if she has her batteries on her." Astro smiled fondly, his eye shaped like a crescent as he stared back at Sprout. "You didn't need to do any of that. You never seemed forced either. It just came naturally from what I've seen. You're still kind and attentive to everyone's well-being.
“You're still the Sprout I enjoy having as a friend. Just be who you want to be, not what the show told you to be.” Astro gently placed his left hand to the middle of Sprout’s chest. “Follow your heart."
Astro stared at Sprout who seemed to be at a loss for words. The strawberry toon’s hand laid loosely in his firm grip, causing the moon toon to grow even more nervous than before. He never realized how close they were, how intimate it was to be holding hands in a dark room only illuminated by his light on top of his bed, his sanctuary…while also placing his hand on his chest.
Was he being weird?
His stomach dropped the moment tears sprung from Sprout's eyes, his left hand quickly moving away from his chest. "Sprout…?"
Sprout rubbed his eye harshly as he laughed. “Sorry! I just—I just really, really needed to hear that.”
Astro sighed in relief. "Oh. Well, I’m glad I could help. You should really head back to bed now or you'll be too tired to bake tomorrow."
Sprout nodded, his legs hanging off the side of the bed. Astro tilted his head curiously when he still didn’t move, watching the strawberry toon as his eyes shifted in different directions before landing on him. The strawberry toon smiled sheepishly, his hands crumpling the blankets beneath him. "Hey...so..."
Astro's heart rate sped up, but kept his face as neutral as possible. "What is it?"
Sprout’s eyes shifted from the floor to his eye, his face darkening as he played with the end of his scarf. "Would it...and just putting it out there, this is just...a totally normal thing to ask. Would it be okay…if I slept here for tonight?"
Astro's eyes widen. "Really? But your room is close by. Are you that tired...? I can help you get to your bed if you want."
Sprout shook his head frantically. "No, no, no it's not that. I just kind of miss when we all used to sleep next to each other. Even if it was on the floor with horrible sleeping bags."
Astro lightly chuckled, his glow becoming brighter. "We kept waking up with one of your limbs on top of us. Do you really miss being kicked?"
"It's about being near everyone! I could handle being kicked...except from Vee. I can still feel the bruise. God, that was awful." Sprout fake-shivered, his hands rubbing his arms.
Astro fully laughed at that, his eye closed as he leaned forward. "The size of it was terrible and yet you still slept close to us."
Sprout's grin grew wider at his laugh. He almost even looked smug about it. “Again, it’s knowing everyone is there with me! And, and, it’s not my fault my sleeping bag was uncomfortable!"
"Okay, Sprout. I believe you.” Astro said as he finally stopped laughing, a smile remaining on his face. “Now let’s go to sleep.”
Sprout huffed as he shuffled up to lay down on the pillow, flinching a bit when his head started to sink lower. Sprout commented on the quality of the pillow, complaining about his as he rolled his head. Astro shook his head fondly as he moved to the other side of the bed next to the wall. He climbed on top of the mattress, grabbing a pillow nearby and placed it between them, patting it down to make it more fluffier. Sprout made a face at the barrier. Astro decided to not pay it any mind not think about it longer than he should be.
“Comfortable?” Astro asked as he laid the blanket across the bed, making sure that Sprout was fully covered.
Sprout nodded. “Yeah. Also…”
“Yes?” Astro hummed as he pulled the blanket up to get into bed properly.
“Yeah, this’ll sound kind of weird but…can you put your hand on my head?” Sprout said quickly, his eyes shutting tightly with tense shoulders.
“…Can you at least give me an explanation?” Astro asked, his eye quickly shifting left and right before landing on Sprout’s nervous expression. “I won’t judge.”
“Well, it’s just—I know I’m asking a lot tonight, but I want to know that this? Me? Whatever I’m doing here…is…real? No, I just think I could sleep better if just feel you there next to me, that’s it.” Sprout admitted, his eyes still closed but his cheeks were a dark tinge. “Is that wierd? No, it is kind of weird. Forget I sai-“
“I believe I can fulfill that request. Especially since it is sleep-related.” Astro said as he cut him off, an amused smile painted on his face. “Relax. I’ll give you a good dream tonight.”
Astro watched as the strawberry toon let out a loud sigh of relief, his shoulders and eyebrows becoming less tense as he sunk into the cozy mattress and pillow. The moon toon studied his expression for a second, his heart threatening to jump out his chest as he mustered his courage. His hands shook, pulling back multiple times before finally reaching his hair, laying his hand on top to gauge the toon’s reaction. Sprout flinched for a second before relaxing again, his eye closed but a smile slowly forming on his face.
His hair was surprisingly…soft. He expected a smooth texture, like the top side of a leaf. But it felt like wool, very, very soft wool. He couldn’t help but card through his hair, mesmerized by the feeling. His pillows, blankets, and bed sheets are still by far the softest…but this reaches fifth place! Fourth place would be Goob’s fur…or what he could imagine from his “memories” anyways.
He must’ve been so immersed in the texture that Sprout had to gently grab his wrist, his grin wide as he stared at a flustered Astro. “Didn’t you say it’s time to sleep?”
“Yes…I did say that.” Astro said sheepishly as he moved to lay down, his hand still remaining on top of Sprout’s head. “Is this good?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you for everything you’ve done, Astro. Genuinely.” Sprout moved on his side to look at Astro. “I’ll make you something extra sweet tomorrow.
“There’s no need. I’m just doing what any good friend would do,” Astro said quietly, moving onto the other side to block the view of his face. “Good night, Sprout.”
Astro scratched and caressed Sprout's hair softly for a few minutes, his fingers careful to not irritate his scalp as he helped him fall asleep. Sprout yawned, unconsciously chasing and leaning into his hand for a few minutes before he finally drifted to sleep. The moon toon smiled fondly before removing his hand, bringing it underneath his pillow as he burrowed his face into it until he was comfortable.
To his surprise, and only a second later, the strawberry toon's face started to twist and contort. His hand started pat anywhere he could reach, the pillow becoming dented as he “ruthlessly” attacked. Astro barely caught the hand that was close to smacking him in the face, his eye wide with shock. He pushed himself upright and placed Sprout's arm by his side. He eyed his hair, tapping his fingers against his own cheek. Would it...? Again, and very slowly, he places his hand gently on top of Sprout's head.
Sprout stopped moving, his face smoothing out immediately and his limbs became slack as he relaxed under his touch. Astro’s face warmed as he carded through his hair carefully. Just close company and physical touch was enough to quell this “ferocious” beast. He must really miss being near everyone.
Maybe he should suggest a sleepover to everyone tomorrow. He doubts that Sprout would be willing to ask himself, seeing that the toon had complained about it earlier. Astro shuffled back into the blankets, making sure that his hand was still on Sprout’s head. He took one last glance at the peaceful strawberry toon, smiling to himself as he closed his eye.
Tonight, he’ll have a pleasant sweet dream.