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Dandy skipped down the hallway. Today he and Astro finally had enough free time to hang out together! Dandy was so excited, he could hardly wait! This hangout needed to be the greatest, most fun, most memorable hang out ever! After all, it’d probably be a while before both toons were free again. But what to do to make today that amazing?
Dandy slowed down to think, placing a hand on his chin. Maybe Sprout and Cosmo could make some cookies Dandy could give to Astro? No, this is too short notice for that duo. Although, baking ain’t too bad of an idea. It can’t be too hard. Nothing is impossible for Dandy, the star of the show!
The flower bolted for the elevator, eager to bake some sweet treats for him and Astro to share. He stood there rocking back and forth on his heels as he waited for the elevator to get to Sprout’s floor. There was a nice kitchen there that Dandy could use.
Ding!
The elevator’s doors glided open as Dandy excitedly ran out. He quickly gathered any ingredients he thought he might need for cookies, and he placed them on the kitchen counter. Dandy grabbed a bowl, but realized he had no recipe. He has no idea what to do. Dandy sighed. He really got everything out only to have no recipe. He set down the bowl next to the stove. Maybe he could find a recipe? Maybe Cosmo stuck one to the fridge with a magnet? One quick glance answered that question. The fridge was blank. Maybe Dandy could just eyeball it? But what if he messed up and the batch was a complete waste? Dandy was already cutting into his hangout time making these cookies. Being late and having nothing to show for it? Now that wouldn’t do!
Dandy opened the fridge. Maybe there’s a sweet treat already waiting for the flower? What luck would that be!? Dandy chuckled to himself at the idea. Much to his delight there was a small plate of brownies on the bottom shelf. Perfect! Just what Dandy needed! He reached for the plate before noticing a small note. It read: “Arthur’s, do not touch.” There were maybe nine or ten brownies. Surely, Arthur wouldn’t notice if two went missing, right? Dandy carefully scooped two brownies into his hands before fleeing the scene.
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“Dandy? Where have you been? I thought-“
“I know I’m late but look what I brought! For you!”
Dandy cut Astro off as he presented the brownies to the moon. They got a little smushed in the hurry to get to Astro’s room, but they were still edible. “Brownies? Dandy, you shouldn’t have.” Using his magic, Astro brought a brownie to his mouth, and he took a bite. Astro took a mental note of the taste. It seemed a little off. Must just be a quirk of Dandy’s baking. Astro ate the rest of the brownie with a smile.
Dandy ate his brownie in one bite. Crumbs tumbled out of his mouth as he messily chewed. Astro raised a hand to clean the flower’s face. “Slow down! You’re making a mess.” “But I’m trying to go fast to make up for lost time,” Dandy laughed. Astro put Dandy’s hands in a set of his own and smiled. “Don’t worry. We have plenty of time.”
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It had been around a half hour since the two met up. They’d watched cartoons, watched some of Vee’s gameshow, and now they were taking turns playing Swimmy Barnaby together. Dandy was close to beating Astro’s high score of 108. Only ten more points. Nine more… eight. Dandy took a quick glance away from the arcade cabinet. Things seemed a little slow around him. Weird. Dandy looked back at the game. He was too slow hitting the button, and Barnaby hit a piece of seaweed. “Awww…” Dandy groaned in defeat as he backed away from the cabinet. Dandy waited for Astro to start his turn, but Astro never did.
Instead, the moon was busy watching a butterfly through a window. “Astro… are you okay?” Dandy rested a hand on Astro’s shoulder, startling the moon. “I’m fine…” Astro turned to face Dandy, revealing an ever-so-slightly red eye. “Buddy, your eye’s red.” Dandy pointed out the obvious. “Yours are too,” Astro said. The two looked at their faces in the reflection of the arcade cabinet. Sure enough, both had red eyes. “That’s weird…” Dandy placed a hand on his cheek, dragging his bottom eyelid to examine his eyes. Astro stretched his arms out and yawned. “I think I’m gonna take a nap… Wanna join me?”
Dandy leaned away from the arcade cabinet. Whatever this weird eye thing was would have to wait. This was meant to be his day with Astro, and nothing was gonna get in the way of that.
“Yeah.. sure.”
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A stumble into the elevator, a few odd looks from toon handlers, and a lot of laughs at seemingly nothing later the two made it back to Astro’s room. Astro quickly got under the covers, ready for bed. Dandy started making his own bed out of pillows before Astro stopped him, saying: “Just get in my bed… it’s comfier.” Dandy didn’t think much. Just listened, and hopped in bed with Astro. Dandy curled up next to the moon, who happily wrapped his four arms around him. The flower let out a small laugh and blushed. Astro was right. This is a lot more comfortable than the floor. It was a lot warmer too.
“What’s so funny?” Astro asked with a smile.
“You’re very comfy…” Dandy buried his head in the crook of Astro’s neck.
Astro let out a quiet gasp. He didn’t really expect that, but Astro wasn’t opposed to it. The moon reached a hand to Dandy’s petals and began fidgeting with them. Astro ran his fingers across each petal, noting how soft and delicate they are.
The two laid there in each other’s arms for hours. Both fell in and out of sleep, but neither got up. They enjoyed each other’s presence until Arthur eventually found them together. He never realized Dandy took two of his edibles from the fridge.