Chapter Text
Sprout wasn't a fan of that idea.
Having the most experimented common toons teach the less experienced ones during a two days, two nights run was something Sprout agrees, but taking Cosmo as one of the teachers AND healer of the group (incase something happens) wasn't on his bingo card.
Mains weren't allowed to teach because their abilities were too dependable on and the goal of this 'lesson' or 'school trip' was to teach them how to take care of themselves alone and how to survive a long run with limited supplies.
And... Cosmo is one of the only common toon that often joins the mains, his healing ability is extremely useful when Sprout doesn't have enough tapes or is on cooldown. It saved Vee and Pebble numerous times. (And during Easter, his ability was even boosted by a whole new 4 spots inventory with Bassie in their runs! It was almost like an unlimited cheat code.)
This means basically that Cosmo is one of the most experienced toon in Gardenview besides the mains, Goob and Looey. The strawberry is very proud that Cosmo could gain all of this experience in so little time and be as strong as a main! — ...But somehow it bought uneasiness to his chest, Cosmo, leaving for two whole days in a run with amateurs and toodles?? This was way too risky in Sprout's mind and he managed to find at least sixty-two ways of how it could go south extremely fast in record time!
How could he participate in the sleepovers when his best friend will be in a run fighting for his life!? He'll be alone — without Sprout — with them all!
So, the day Cosmo and the others had to leave for their school trip, Sprout did everything in his power to make Cosmo change his mind...
"Are you sure you want to do that...?" The berry asked in an almost whiny, kicked puppy type voice, overly high for his usual range. With a paw, he lightly held his hoodie. "I don't want you to get hurt Cos'."
The other toon, closing his messenger bag with a soft clink before putting it on, smiled and took Sprout's hand in his, taking away his hold on the Pastry's hoodie. "I am sure Sprout, this is a great way for them to gain experience in a short period of time! Dandy will be there to monitor the whole thing too! If there's any problem, the elevator will re-open... Don't worry."
"Maybe, but do you really trust him...?"
"He never intentionally hurt us." He assures him. "This was his idea also!"
Sprout sighed, "Teach 'em early so they make you gain more tapes? ...He's basically using you!"
"Maybe," He closed his eyes for a second. "but I won't have to heal them as much if they learn how to manage in levels beyond 13, isn't that also thinking long-term? If I don't have to give my own hearts all the time anymore, I will be faster and less tired after each runs with them!" Cosmo smile turned cheeky, proud to have countered Sprout's arguments, repeating himself in a funny voice. "Isn't that thinking long term instead?"
Said toon groans dramatically, hands ruffling harshly his leaves, he couldn't handle his best friend's dumb smile. "URGHH!! FINEEEE....you win!!!!"
"Hehe!" He chuckles at Sprout's dramatics before taking his hands off his poor leaves, he was almost ripping them away! He sighed once again, this time with fondness. "Everything will be fine, Sprout. Pinky swear?"
"Ugh...Pinky swear..! AND Promise you will be back in one piece!" Sprout took Cosmo's pinky, "..."
"...?"
"SAY PROMISE!"
"O-OH! I promise!"
"OKAY, I believe you. Don't die, I'm serious." The patisserie nodded happily. The Main took a second too long to separate their pinkies.
□
While both toons walked to the lobby, the group was saying their goodbyes and checked their inventory and bags, some even just stayed next to Dandy, listening to him talking.
Sprout and him joined the Mains and the other two common and rare distractors, they were all waiting for Cosmo and him to come.
"Ah! Finally there I see, Seedly. You didn't succeed in your goal of stopping him then." Vee's snarky comment already made Sprout want to steal all of her batteries but he kept his cool.
"Tsk! I will never stop Cosmo from doing anything! He's free to do whatever he wants, he's my best friend! AND I know he's capable." Sprout nonchalantly readjusted his apron, looking as comfortable as ever.
"I agree! Cosmo is really kind and careful! He'll do well on this mission!" Shelly chimed in, smiling.
"Yep! Cosmo is a good healer!" Looey soon joined in the compliments, alongside with Goob who was hugging Cosmo. "Goodluck Cos'!!! I believe in youuuu too!" He said with one of his adorable goofy smiles.
"Haha! Thanks guys," Cosmo, once free from Goob's spaghetti arms, he got gifted by Astro a can of pop.
"For your stamina, the first levels won't be calm, I guess. Good luck..." his stars quietly pulled the can into the bag Cosmo was wearing. The toon, so grateful for their support, promised them all a surprise batch of cookies! Sprout also agreed and Cosmo even managed to get away with the idea of giving Pebble a cookie too.
Said pet rock barked and whined until Cosmo patted his head. "Thanks buddy! I should really go now. See ya in two days! Have a great sleepover Sprout!"
"Bye."
"See yaaa!!!"
"Good luck Cosmo, have fun..."
"But stay careful! Bye bye!"
"Bark!"
"Be the best teacher!"
"Goodbye hug!!!"
The sweet toon waved them all goodbye and left happily the group, smiling widely, he came to Dandy and exchanged a few words before he joined the toons. Toodles came jumping in his arms with a box of bandages saying how proud she was to have her first true run!
On the other side, the mains + distractors watched quietly.
Too quietly, Vee side eyed the strawberry before taking in Sprout's even redder face, contorted with a fake expression of nonchalance and wet eyes.
...
"Are you crying?" Vee asks suddenly, dumbfounded.
"....nnO.. ." SNIFFLES. Sprout hid his whole face in his scarf. Rubbing away the tears and start of snot. "I'm not, it's totally not me. I have allergies-"
"Ah yes, A fruit with a pollen allergy...."
"Shut-"
"Shush you two! Let's just go prepare my room for the sleepover, I still haven't moved out the bones I wanted to clean up!" Shelly instantly calmed the situation, taking Vee's hand, she explained how many and what type of bones they needed to get out of the room before the mains could even think of having a sleepover in there.
Meanwhile, Sprout gave one last look over his shoulder like a lost puppy and took Pebble with him. Holding the dog like a stuffed animal.
Astro, who stayed behind and unseen, placed a hand on Sprout's shoulder. "...Cosmo will survive, I'm sure of it... He had enough sleep to be aware of his surroundings... He's fine."
"Tsk, I know he's fine! — He's Cosmo! — He's as strong as me, everything will be fine with him in their team!" Sprout quickly answered with a mask of self control and confidence. Holding Pebble close to his chest, Sprout continued. "No need to remind me how Cosmo is capable, Astro. I believe in him, my best friend's awesome... Anyways, L-Let's go! We'll lost Shelly and Vee if we don't speed up!"
"Uh... Right.." Astro took back his hand in his blanket and watched Sprout leave in a hurry with Pebble, as if he was escaping Astro. — That slightly hurt him, but inside he knew how anxious Sprout has been these past few days, sleeping very lightly and any noise woke him up from stressful nightmares of resentful countdowns and missed saves. Always leaving him gasping for air.
Oh Sprout... That weekend will not be easy for you... It's probably one of the first times you'll be so far away from Cosmo.
Astro sighed, melancholic. He feels saddened and empathetic towards the berry in front of him.
It's never easy to be far from the people we love. Even more so for you, who's always so protective of him. I hope Pebble will relieve your worries while you wait.
He waved goodbye to Dandy from afar and ran back to his friends, Astro prayed the stars above for Sprout's worries to be lightened.
■
Shelly managed to make half of the team carry her bones and tools elsewhere while the second half retrieves the blankets, pillows and comfort objects of the other's in their rooms.
Sprout was in the second one because he knew what each of his friends liked to sleep with and which pillows were their favorites... Vee called it "slightly odd" and Shelly "caring" but he himself believes it to just be observations.
So, going room by room, Shelly and Sprout took in their arms their stuff while having small talk.
Astro's room is dark and always cool, blankets and pillows almost everywhere. He even have small fairy lights that looks like stars in blue and white, him and Shelly struggled for a while in that mess of softness. Astro's blanket was the biggest — and fluffiest — of the Mains and took A LOT of place, it was even harder to look where he walked or even if there's a wall right in front of him, because it is THAT BIG.
Shelly jumped and threw the star pillow (Astro's favorite) as if it was a basketball game. Cheering when she succeeded after three attempts. "I DID IT!!!"
"W-Woah! You sure this is stable Shelly?" Sprout asked while trying to manage the size of a singular blanket and pillow, bringing everything closer to his chest.
"Don't worryyy~! I know you can do it! And if you fall, you won't get hurt with all that!" The fossil joked but eventually guides her friend to the door. She had to slide away a few blankets and stray pillows but they both left the room unharmed, so it was a big success!
Once in the hallway, Shelly stopped.
"Should we get to your room then? It's the closest, no?" The toon looked at the nameplates on the walls.
"Oh! Yeah, it is. Let's go!" She answered her own question before he could speak.
Oh no...
"...Ay ay Captain! Tell me what to take!" He forced a smile and marched.
□
On the other side of the hallway, far from the duo, Pebble, Vee and Astro are the ones with the mission of putting away the bones. But before that they have to check if everything is there with the list Shelly gave them. So, on the floor, they're slowly sorting the fossils and bones.
The task was mind numbing and slow, but that's what they both preferred. — Vee will overheat under those blankets and Astro can't hold their blankets and his own at the same time!... While Pebble is too hyperactive to not make a mess in the toon's rooms. — Said puppy was happily bringing bones every few minutes from all over the room.
"The femurs are all there... I think?" Astro asked, counting them one by one.
"They are, I already checked. We can put them in the second pile. Pebble! Come here, boy!" Vee pats the small dog and placed the bones in his mouth. "Second pile, the clean ones!"
"Bark! Bark!" The little puppy ran as fast as he could to the piles. And once he came back, Astro also petted his rocky head.
After a while, Astro saw that Vee was thinking about something. Like she wasn't sure if she could speak her mind.
"..." he waited patiently for Vee to make up her mind. Quietly resuming his activity.
"Astro?"
"...Hmm?"
"What do you think about Sprout's attachment issues, specifically with Cosmo? Am I the only one that finds it unhealthy or just... weird?" She blurts out. "No offense."
Astro's eye grew wider.
"Well... Cosmo is Sprout's best friend..."
"Affirmative." She cut off. "But- since he was created and since I've known him, he's always been like this. Even before Cosmo's creation! He's a tall.. fruity glue stick."
Astro bought his knees to his chest, deep in thought.
"At the start, Sprout had this fear of never getting Cosmo, even if he was born with those memories of a best friend. That Delilah will never make him and scrap him from the show since the pilot's release," his stars quietly continued to work. "Do you remember how Delilah sometimes scrapped whole episodes and characters ideas? Her own art often frustrated her... Without Arthur, some of our friends wouldn't be here with us..."
"..."
And without letting the other toon cut him off again, he continues. "Do you remember how often he would suggest his creation? Or even re-watch their episodes late at night?"
"Yes, yes. I remember.. He would even try to corrupt Arthur with his sad face...." Vee smirked, fond of the past. "But now- Cosmo is alive and well now. He literally cried earlier."
"Hmm..." Astro sighed, "Sprout's always been... sensitive... I remember how he always needed guidance from us as a freshly made toon and how 'dependent' he was at first... I remember how he got told he needed to do all of those things alone, as a Main Character, we had responsibilities and work to do. We couldn't hold his hand forever and he had to learn his role and be more independent and confident... So-... When he learned that Cosmo was going to be the first secondary character and was finally able to place words into that hole in his chest, he was thrilled to know that he'll have someone to share his worries and his joys with!... Someone who's his best friend and will never judge him for his mistakes or insecurities..." Astro's mind flashed an image of a blurred rainbow toon smiling.
He sighed, "Vee, If you learned that one day after months of feeling so alone and missing... something. that soon this missing part of yourself will finally be filled with the exact piece you need to feel complete, won't you get protective of that piece too?..."
Astro watched Vee's face move in thought, she was intensely thinking about the uncharacteristically long monologue the moon shared with her. He was absurdly metaphorical with it. She thought, pensive but still a little confused.
Missing piece? If I had a missing piece inside too my motherboard wouldn't work properly... Is it like this? Or more like missing someone since he got metaphorical earlier...?
Missing someone... I can feel lonely without Shelly's fact and hugs. Sometimes. Or without Glisten's sarcasm... He's the only one to understand my jokes too. Maybe without the both of them I would feel pretty lonely...
Astro stayed with his knees to his chest watching Vee figuring out what he said. The silence only permitted him to think once more...
Because deep down, he knew Sprout's anxiety of Cosmo's absence at the start really bruised him deep. He also knows that inside, Sprout felt lonely. Misunderstood or "too much". Other toons and even the Mains sometimes gave him even more stress along with the exhaustion of the runs as a tape healer. — He will get agitated and even moody when other toons would reject his help. — He only has good intentions but the circumstances made that he's often clumsy with his own choice of words.
To Sprout, Cosmo is his anchor.
The only toon that doesn't get mad at him for being clingy and anxious.
Sure, Cosmo sometimes had to remind the strawberry of the fact that he's an adult and can handle it. — But he's never pointing fingers at him or even arguing. He knows Sprout and understands his fears and even reassures (very) often the Main gently. He's so kind and patient with him that he's at the same time his safe haven and best friend.
Even better, the same goes to Cosmo's shyness and more sensitive personality. He also needs Sprout as much as Sprout needs Cosmo. His support is overwhelming and when things go south, he knows Sprout will always be there for him, letting him cry and listen to his woes.
In a way, Astro understands Sprout. The two are truly made for each other's, to be together, a duo created to not be separated. Their personalities feels unbalanced when one of them is far from the other, even Cosmo who — probably unintentionally — becomes introverted and quieter himself. As if losing their spark.
Kinda like him and Dandy...
Nobody will understand what it's like expect themselves...
"Astro, wake up! Don't fall asleep on the floor there. The sleepover didn't even started yet." Vee shook lightly the moon. Once she saw him gain consciousness, she says "I thought you were staring off into space first while your stars did everything but then I realized you were falling asleep... I get it, though. That task IS boring, even for me."
"Bark!" Pebble's cold rocky snout touched Astro's feet and he yelped.
"S-sorry! I'm awake, I'm awake..." he mutters quietly. "...Let's just continue with this, alright? I'm sure the others will be done soon."
"Alright." Vee nods before fumbling with her mic.
"Astro?"
"Yes, Vee...?" He looks at her.
"Thanks, for uh, the explanation. I will make sure to replay it to fully understand it."
The moon smiled, laying his legs on the floor.
"Anytime..."
□
Meanwhile, Sprout and Shelly were almost done. The two Mains greatly struggled with the blankets and pillows. Two arms weren't enough to hold that many soft but heavy blankets. Alongside with Vee's portable charging port, portable for a human maybe... because those are HEAVY with only one toon hand, he had to stop every few meters to rest.
During one of those breaks, Sprout thinks back of what happened in his room when Shelly was about to search for his stuff.
He didn't want her to find the weighted brown labrador stuffed animal Cosmo sew for him. It looked like him with its cotton icing and plastic sprinkles and any resemblances to him was totally intentional.
He wanted Sprout to feel less lonely at night as the Main would often want to have sleepovers with his best friend instead of properly sleeping because he had such stressful nightmares that only the presence and hugs of his best friend could calm him down.
This was his most prized possession and largest embarrassment too. Imagine if one day, all of the other Mains found out!? Vee will be the first one to tease him about it and mock him openly in the elevator! In front of everyone!...
Just thinking about it made him want to explode and melt like Cosmo's Soufflé.
Luckily, his tail caught the stuffed animal from behind and stayed unseen until Shelly left his room. Quickly throwing it out before leaving and silently apologizing to it. Sorry Cosmic Brownie!
It all ended without any problems but Sprout still couldn't stop feeling stressed since he came to his room.
The first concern was that it reminded him of Cosmo and how he's all alone in a run full of amateurs (and Dandy....)!!! He's probably hurt and tired and in pain and-
The second one came with the realization he had to sleep for two nights straight without Cosmic Brownie. 8 months passed since the gloomy afternoon where the neatly packaged stuffed animal was gifted to him by Cosmo, he got used to sleeping with it since then!
So used that alone, if he lost it, he'll rearrange the entire bedroom layout until he could find it. Or just silently stare at the ceiling until morning comes. (The first option will always be the one he'll take. He will NOT let Cosmic Brownie all alone somewhere on the floor getting dirty because of his inattentiveness.)
What a nightmare! Those two days will be the longest days of my life!...
"GASP! We'll have to go to Dandy's bedroom and take Pebble's bed!' Shelly yelled, scaring the lights out of Sprout at the same time before a wave of annoyance crashed through him at the mention of Dandy. His tail wiping the air behind him.
"Well... You go, I can't carry this all around Gardenview." The berry lifts the charging port and blankets in his hands, showing it to his friend.
"Oh! Right. Sooo... Let's go to my room then, I will drop your stuff there and I'll go get it."
"O-Kay! I'm following you then!" Sprout nodded, already moving to the opposite side of the hallway to join the others.
■
"We're back!" Shelly announced their arrival in a joyful singing, she was skipping and hopping all the way down to her bedroom.
"Welcome back..."
"Hello again you two."
"BARK BARK!"
Vee helped Sprout with her portable charging port and he placed the sheets on Shelly's bed, where she already placed the other's blankets. "I'm gonna go get Pebble's bed!"
"Oh, don't forget his squeaky toy. He likes to bite it when he's sleepy..." Astro reminded, he knew very well that Pebble had a favorite toy with how often he presents it to him when he's in Dandy's room.
"Really? What does it looks like?" The fossilian questioned, thinking really hard of which toys (of many) he was talking about.
"...Just search for a small version of Dandy that squeaks."
"...Hmm... Oh well! I'm just gonna try them all! See ya!" Motivated, the yellow toon ran with the pet rock towards Dandy's room. (Yes, Pebble invited himself.)
As Shelly and Pebble left, the three other toons cleaned and prepared the room for their sleepover. Moving the computer from next to her bed to the opposite side of the room. Her cardboard cutout also moved away while her plushie got placed near her bookshelves.
Navigating easily in her closet, Sprout found the sleeping bags behind boxes of winter/autumn clothing and Astro layed them all with his blue stars on the floor efficiently, close enough to hangout but far enough to not be in each other's spaces.
Vee, with the blankets near her on the bed asked, "So, where is everyone going?"
The two stopped in their tracks, "Huh..."
Sprout heartbeat quickened, he didn't know where to sleep and if he chose wrong, he would have no other choice than suck it up. He wasn't able to think about it truly and now that there was a choice it reminded him of how far away from Cosmo he was and how Cosmic Brownie wasn't allowed. "Um... I guess anything is go-"
Astro, seeing Sprout's expression changed into some sort of disconnected discomfort, decided to help his friend. "I would like to sleep next to Sprout... I'm a little scared- not used of sleeping outside my room...Sorry..."
Sprout turned his head rapidly, eyebrows high. "–Really? You're anxious about tonight Astro? Well- Don't worry! I will protect you tonight!" He smiled warmly to his blue friend, radiating the strong caring energy he always has. Proud to be seen as a protector by his friends.
Astro grins too, "Thank you Sprout. That's very kind of you..." I will also protect you in your dreams.
■
When Shelly came back, almost everything was set up. She placed Pebble's bed between Vee's and her bed. Sprout sighed. He won't be able to hold on the pet rock it seems.
"Now we're done!"
"Great. But something is clearly missing... My database is convinced there's supposed to be something else." Vee tapped her tail-mic, pensive.
"Movies!" — "...board games..?" — "sweet treats?" — "BARK!"
All of them spoke at the same time, turning all of this into a wave of laughter.
"Alrighty-o! I have a suggestion!" Sprout was the first to regain his composure. "Since it's only 10am, let's meet up tonight at 6 with everything we need for an awesome sleepover!"
"Good idea. You're still needed in the kitchen for lunch and supper after all."
"Yup...! It's more busier all alone. Ha." Sprout scratches his neck, avoiding Vee's piercing screen eyes.
"True! I still have to help Dyle organize the new arrivals since I'm replacing Dandy this weekend. And Astro has to help Brightney in the library for their lighting problems!" Shelly chimed, noting point by point everyone's duty.
"And Pebble needs to take a bath with Finn and Shrimpo..." — "BARK..!"
"Exactly. And I am asked to help the Circus troupe with their special effects." Her screen changed into a to-do list and a new point got added, written 'meet up with Mains @ 6 for sleepover.' Before her eyes came back into frame.
"...So this is settled, We'll meet up tonight. Have a good day..."
"See ya y'all!"
"Have fun!"
"Bark Bark!"
"See you all tonight."
The group separated peacefully, each walked in their own direction and some waved goodbye.
This was going to be fine, Sprout had to remind himself. Everything is fine. Don't panic.
You shouldn't panic.
■
After a whole day of tremendous cooking for the residents of Gardenview, the afternoon slowly came into colorful shades of pink and yellows with hints of playful purple. Clouds on top of the glass rooftop looked like cotton candy with their soft gradients of warmth.
The Main toon in the kitchen finished cleaning the counter of wasted spaghetti sauce. He decided for lunch and supper to make a huge batch of spaghetti with meatballs for the toons, with all of those mouths to feed and only two hands. The toon needed a meal that was also liked by everyone, he wanted to have enough time to bake white chocolate chip and raspberry cookies and brownies with the leftover cookie dough as a base before the sleepover.
The sugary treats still in the oven smelled divine and even calmed Sprout's nerves for a while and even made him floaty.
Because it smelled like Cosmo.
The familiar rhythm of the kitchen permitted the berry to turn off his brain for a while and just focus on what he loved to do.
"I will keep two of each for Cosmo... He'll probably want something sweet after that run." Sprout said to no one, he was humming their show's theme song. The thought comforted him in some way, it promised him that his best friend will come back. — something to look forward to- It always helped him.
He liked basking lazily on the counter thinking of Cosmo's reaction to his surprise...
Oh, Sprout! My two favorite things in the world, You and this! Thank you! You're the best! — He would say before hugging him and praise him about his cooking skills and he would say how love was his secret ingredient and Cosmo would giggle. — Oh you sap... I...-
—BEEP BEEP BEEP
Shit- The oven! His eyes widened, his heart almost bursting out of his ribcage as he ran to the oven to turn it off, a small amount of white smoke came from the oven. When he quickly put on his mittens, he took the sweets with both paws and quickly checked them for any burn marks.
Luckily, he wasn't daydreaming for too long because the cookies were only shade darker than their usual golden look. It wasn't noticeable and smelled absolutely delicious. — Like Cosmo only after a few hours in the kitchen, he always picked up the scent of freshly baked cookies for some reasons. And he would hug tightly Cosmo just for that, teasing him about how delicious he looked. But Sprout never lied during those moments, he absolutely made his mouth water and skin warm with envy.
Sprout blushed at the thought, giggling to himself. His tail wagged wildly behind him. "Noooo~! Eeee..."
"You look like a housewife waiting for her husband to come home from war." Someone said.
That someone was Vee of course. Sneaking behind Sprout and scaring the seeds out of him at the same time...
"EEK—!" He turns. "VEE!!! Don't sneak up on people like that!" The toon yelled, silently thankful to always have red skin. Groaning, he places the sweet treats on the counter and closed the oven before turning it off. "Shhiii- What do you want?"
"Nothing edible. I heard from a little birdy that you've lost your mind, apparently. Ignoring toons and talking to yourself since you've entered the kitchen. I got curious when I finished helping Blot, Yatta and Looey."
"Curious...? — Don't you mean concerned? Vee... Don't tell me, did your robotic heart finally started beating?" Sprout asked in fake niceness, already defensive.
"Ha. Ha. Ha." She deadpanned, tapping her tail-mic. "No, I got curious. It is the longest time you've been without Cosmo since his creation. I think. — not even kidding your last argument lasted twenty minutes. And y'all wailed until sunrise. — Just found it 'curious' that our Berry Boy stopped talking to the others and instead isolated himself in the kitchen."
Okay, maybe curiosity was a stretch- She really got concerned about him when toons reported to her that Sprout lost himself in the making of meals, disinterested in any other conversation or just barely saying "Hi! Have a good meal!" to them, his own presence was apparently sufficient since he only talked to himself.
And at lunch, he only took the strict minimum time to converse to anytoon willing to talk to him before dismissing himself with his full plate and wash the dishes for two hours straight. Humming that stupid little song from the show on repeat. — The craft siblings tried to talk with him for a while before Scraps decided it was enough of dry responses and left with her brother paw in paw. (And reported the issue to her. Although she wasn't the first-, Brightney knocked her head on a bookshelf and needed a replacement for her bulb. He told her he didn't have any in the kitchen and told her to search elsewhere in a "odd way", as if absent. Gigi also came with scrapped knees after a failed attempt at stealing from Shrimpo's room, he commented on her behavior and just vaguely showed the fridge for ice packs... ect... ect...)
Vee's words seemed to impact more than they should have usually, the TV looked at the way his right eye twitched nervously. As she finishes explaining the toon's complaints, Sprout's face contorted. Confusion, shame and something explosive to spice this awful smoothie of emotions.
"Well- yeah I did, sorry to not waste my time on common issues instead of doing my actual job, I'm sorry that I ignored them," He started, his frustration dig his eyebags even more. "Sorry that I wasn't available 24/24h! I only have two hands and so much time in my hands. I had to make sacrifices, running out of bandages or any sort of materials could easily be fixed if they decided to skeddadle to DYLE instead of ME. If they bumped their head somewhere or scrapped their knees, ice packs are in the fridge and available freely without asking me first! — I'm sorry that I wasn't able to be emotionally present today but I had FIVE whole cooking pots on the stove and seven bowls of raw meatballs to cook after the pasta AND MAKE FROM SCRATCH SIX OTHER BOWLS OF HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE! — You know, you especially, Vee, that I am not the best with the stove and oven and- And I had to juggle between everything..." he breathed in, trying to calm himself down.
"And to reassure you, I am fine-. As I've (probably) said earlier that day... I am fine! The kitchen was very busy today, I am alone with a job of two people that was even barely possible even with Cosmo! Oh, and I am SO sorry that I wasn't the most attentive to everyone's needs and sensitivities but those tomatoes weren't gonna peel themselves and running all the way back to Dyle's shop for olive oil, meat and spices wasn't that pleasant since I need LARGE quantities to have enough for 35+ toons AND make it two meals with two portions each for seconds! Do the math!" Sprout quickly answered, almost yelling at his friend, "So no. 'I haven't lost my mind', just busy making sure no one starves for the next two days. This is insulting at this point, Vee... I- I swear I didn't mean to be seen as aggressive to them..."
Sprout took a sharp breath, fidgeting with the hem of his dirty apron. He looked away from the other Main who's not talking and just staring.
He swallows.
"I'm just stressed- ...The pressure- I guess-! Everyone can get like that sometimes, no? it's- Vee, I swear I care about them!" He gripped his apron tightly in his fist, trying to make the fog go away from his mind, his own voice sounds like an echo. "I'm so sorry... Please tell them that I'm sorry and I will.. work on that next time. I'm not someone to be scared of, Gosh- Brightney probably was scared of her light running out...."
Shame weighted like bricks in his stomach, He wanted to throw up his apologies as proof of his sincerity. The green toon in front of him couldn't even place a word between his rambles.
The berry looked like a mess and Vee felt like she needed to de-escalate his angry-to-stressed spiral urgently. Was Sprout even looking at her?
"..." The robotic toon stayed quiet for a moment, her face unreadable. She lift her palm up as a proposal of peace. "OK, OK- Calm down. I Got it 5/5, um, I- I'll tell them, Sprout, alright? — See ya in 30 minutes for the sleepover by the way, don't forget."
The spiral cut short, Sprout stayed dumb for a moment. Looking at his own feet. Vee wasn't the best with emotions but he didn't prepared for her to actually escape. His eyes open wide, he looked uncertain and even lost.
"...Right. Thanks. ...See you later." Sprout crossed his arms, waiting for her to leave with the attempt of a reassuring smile. And when she does, closing the door behind her. His demeanor flattened too quickly, he held himself to the counter with a hand and the other on his forehead. "Cosmo..." he exhaled, tears shining in his eyes.
Just for this once I wasn't available to EVERYONE'S desires sure, but did I really ignored some of them...? I don't want them to feel like a burden... Sure there's a lot more to do even with less toons to feed but still... I should've taken more time with them. — I can't remember what I did during my meals, did I even eat? — I shouldn't have snapped at Vee... — why am I like this — I know this was her way to show concern, shit... I'm such a terrible friend.
What will everyone think?
I need to apologize.
I shouldn't have neglected the others. — I'm the only one left in the kitchen right now after all and some toons might have been waiting all morning to come see me...
Fuck... I need to get it together and not let Cosmo's absence get to me like this...
I miss him, he's better suited than me with the emotional stuff... Tears he couldn't let fall quickly hid back in his eyes. He didn't want to cry, he wasn't weak.
Sniffling in his scarf Sprout took a tupperware from the cabinet under one of the counters, taking each cookie one by one before closing it off. The cheerful vibe in the kitchen turned into something sinister, heavy on his shoulders. It made him cut the brownies in a imperfect set of lines.
He sighs, it's fine. It's only brownies and they will taste the same.
He broods in his corner for a while before someone else comes in. He quickly turned to the door with this stupid little spark of hope for it to be Cosmo.
Spoiler alert it wasn't, it's Scraps and Goob.
"—Scraps! Hello."
"Hi... I-...Sorry I got mad earlier." The feline-like paper toon started with the thumbs-up of Goob next to her, supporting her.
Sprout, confused at first, quickly remembered Vee's words... oh.
"No- no, wait- don't be sorry." He approached the siblings, it was his chance to be better. "It's my fault, I got carried away and ignored the both of you, now- don't be shy, tell me what you want!" He smiled the best he could. He wanted to move subjects quickly.
"Um, the boxes, there." Scrap points out a bunch of wood crates behind him against a wall, for some reason Goob was already there. "It's for our art project!" He said.
"Oh, take them! I was about to throw 'em away anyway, haha!" Goob took the crates in his huge paws and easily carried them over to his sister, grinning with adorable goofiness.
Scrap giggled and petted his head. "Thanks! We needed them for...."
A wave of uneasiness washed over Sprout, as he's watching those two talk happily about their art project, he couldn't help but feel envious. Scrap always has her brother with her... How lucky.
"...So yup! We're going to do it with pink and orange paint! Do you think it'll look good?"
...
He wants to be lucky too.
"Sprout? Are you okay?" Goob finally asks after a moment without a answer.
"-Ah! Yes, it will look wonderful! And are YOU okay? Because I am!" He quickly came back to himself. Leaning himself agaisnt the counter, he looked confident.
"Oh! We are okay!!! Right sis?? Right?"
"Mhm! We're fine too!"
"Well that's what I like to hear! Now shoo! I need to broom the floor before closing." He said, already moving to guide the siblings to the door.
Once everyone left, Sprout took a deep breath. At least that's done... That was fast. Exhaling slowly, he took the broom and began to swipe the floor full of bread crumbs and uncooked spaghetti residue.
When he managed to broom until Cosmo's side of the counters, he found his plate high up there, in the shelves where he puts his favorite mugs. Confused, the strawberry took it and saw his entire meal untouched and cold. Perhaps a little dry also-.
...Guess I forgot to eat.
Sprout placed the plate in the nearest microwave, waited a few seconds before taking his plate back. Barely warm, he ate 5 mouthful of spaghetti before feeling nauseous and ended up throwing away the rest of the content in the trashcan, washing the plate before finishing brooming.
"I'll just eat more sweets at the sleepover..."
The sleepover... the moment he dreaded the most. It took all the free space in his mind and made him queasy and clumsy with nervousness. He wasn't ready- but he couldn't wait any longer before he'll be called fashionably late.
It made him want to throw up the small amount of spaghetti he managed to keep in the nearest toilet.
He wasn't ready to sleep while Cosmo was actively risking his life.
He needed to know if he was alright.
He craved to check Cosmo's body for injuries and feel the scratchy feeling of bandages between his fingers as he rolls Cosmo's injured arm or leg with it. Protecting the wound from the outside world and its diseases. — To keep him hidden from everyone and make sure he's safe forever.
Because if Cosmo wasn't safe... What will happen to him? Everything can go wrong when he's not with his best friend...
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