Work Text:
April 9th
The noises of the party on the other side of the wall are muffled. Cosmo is curled up on a sofa in the next room, fidgeting with his socks and pulling at the fabric while trying to calm down from his overstimulation high. Cosmo had never done well with bright lights. He becomes more sure every day that he has a sensory processing defect.
These walls aren't calming, but the sad beige of the crumbling wallpaper is better than eyestrain that would most likely give him a migraine had he to endure it for another half hour.
The sofa would be too small for him if he weren't curled into a ball. He should be lucky that the fetal position is the most comfortable for him, otherwise he'd have to sit up, and that sounded extremely unideal right now. Especially because he has half a mind to fall asleep right here right now.
He stretches his sock heel back and lets it snap against his foot before the door handle jiggles. He would've sat up out of politeness in any other occasion, but doesn't seem to bother because he already knows exactly who's at the entrance.
"Cosmo!"
"HI, Sprout." Cosmo says, trying to sound soft rather than exhausted. He seems to work every bone in his body just to sit up properly.
"Cosmo, I've been looking everywhere for you! You ditched out of nowhere. I almost went back to your house to find you."
"Sorry.."
There's a beat of silence between them before Sprout gently pushes the door shut. He makes sure it's properly closed by lightly pulling at the door handle, which would then come right off into his hand and cause him to stare blankly at the knob.
"Seriously? I swear everything I touch is cursed." Sprout deadpans, and shoves the doorknob back in. Which falls out again. And clatters onto the floor in a fashion that makes Cosmo laugh a little. Sprout doesn't bother to pick it up.
Instead he strides over to the sofa and sits down on the edge just next to him.
"Is it okay that I'm here?" Sprout asks softly, and Cosmo feels his hand gently slide into his hair. He nods fast. Too fast.
"Yes. Please stay." Cosmo wouldn't rather him be anywhere else. He doesn't even care if any of the other Mains come looking for him and find them together. He leans his head on Sprout's shoulder, who then turns his head to kiss his hair.
"Too loud?" He asks.
"Too bright." Cosmo corrects. "But.. Yeah. Loud too."
"You okay with touch right now, love?"
".. Yeah."
Cosmo inhales slowly and, almost on cue, feels Sprout's arms wrap around his waist and hold him. He buries his face in Sprout's scarf and sighs into him.
"Is this okay?"
"Sprout, I'm okay with anything you do right now.. you don't have to ask for permission anymore."
A few more moments of comfortable silence pass before Sprout speaks again,
"What's even the point of a party anyway?"
"Hm?"
"The point of a party. Like, yeah, you have fun, but why memorize the loud moments when the quiet ones are so much more meaningful?"
"Oh.. I guess I didn't really think about that. I just don't like parties."
"Think about it," Sprout says, taking one of Cosmo's hands. He leans down to kiss it and then intertwine their fingers together. "Wouldn't you rather have this than be a party animal? Wouldn't you rather have conversations like this than be taking shot out there?"
Cosmo sighs fondly. He loves when Sprout overanalyzes things and this seems to be one of those times.
"I wouldn't judge them. It's a rare opportunity to let loose. To just have fun."
"Yeah, but, I'm already exhausted. I would rather rest than exhaust myself more just to go back to work tomorrow. I'd rather stay here with you-" He pulls back to boop Cosmo on the nose. "..my angel."
Cosmo can't help but smile at that. He looks up at Sprout and leans up slightly to kiss him on his lips, a quick but loving gesture. Sprout, in return, deepens the kiss and traces shapes on his hands.
"Well, we can't stay here forever, can we?" Cosmo looks away, still smiling, still slightly flushed.
"Then let's make the most of the time we have." Sprout sinks them both to the mattress of the bed, lightly kissing a trail on his neck before sighing contentedly and holding Cosmo to his chest.
As Cosmo drifts off he can't help but think that Sprout was right. Why should be be out there when he can he right here instead?
He'd never party for the rest of his life if it meant just this.
Just him and Sprout.
Forever.