Chapter Text
Sprout was lying in his bed, hair and pajamas disheveled as he turned around to see the time on the clock. 1:39 AM.
“Urghhh…” he groaned, as he turned on the other side and pressed a pillow on top of his head.
It was a very stressful day after all, constant adrenaline from the run earlier still kicking him in the ass. Continuous pressure from having to see everyone’s hearts, watching them being hurt, was really stressing him out. Usually it wasn’t such a big deal, but lately it has been growing on his nerves. That was just a part of who he was, he was made to be like this, yet if he was to trade this ability for literally anything in the whole world, he would do it. It’s not that he doesn’t like being the healer, he adores baking for everyone. It actually takes him almost all of his free time just because there’s something so… soothing about it, it helps him to take his mind off things and just enjoy the moment as it relaxes his brain. He liked to be around and be the one who helps everyone, but his other ability made it really hard to like it. Yet, he did.
He tries to go to sleep, not moving for a while until he turns on his back, spreading himself in a starfish position and staring at the ceiling helplessly. With no other thing to do, he gets up, throws on a shirt and decides to go to the only person he knows that would help.
. . .
“Seedly?”
A sleepy figure was standing in the doorway, covered by a blanket, rubbing their eyes. They tilted their head curiously, while the pompom on their nightcap carefully bounced around back and forth because of their movement. Soft, blue light could be seen from their apartment, because of the countless nightlights that illuminated the hallways.
“You look like a mess, what brings you here so late?” they say, knowing the exact reason, but acting as surprised as a just woken up person could be. What other reason could he have at 2 in the morning, in front of their front door? Without waiting for an explanation, they nodded inside. “Come in.”
Sprout followed shortly, walking just half a step behind.
Astro took him to their guest room and gestured to sit on a beanbag on the floor, while they sat not so far away from him. Sprout quietly observed everything there–-a cute star-shaped nightlight, some clothes stacked on one of the armchairs that were folded with extreme care for some reason, a telescope, some leftover tapes, probably left by Dandy, all sorts of stuff.
“What’s been bothering you?” They asked in a half-whispering tone as they yawned, their voice soft and calm, not rushing.
“Did you hear about today's run? Like, the one where I was participating?”
“Oh? I think I heard Shelly chatting about it with Vee earlier, though I didn't really pay attention. Has something happened there?”
Sprout could feel his shoulders getting more tense, remembering each thing that was still maliciously circling in the back of his head. He started fidgeting with his hands, a nervous habit of his, while he tried to unscramble his thoughts and form a coherent sentence.
“Well… it was really tough and… I just can't stop thinking about it. I mean, it's not really anything new, but lately I’ve been dealing with much more, um, stress than usual… I’m just really afraid of what could've happened.”
“I’d definitely go crazy if I could see everyone's hearts, it's no surprise that you're stressed.” Astro chuckled as they playfully rolled their eyes, trying to lighten up the mood, while also trying to make Sprout feel better. “You have an insane talent of controlling everyone and managing yourself all at once, and you never seemed unbothered at all. I’m honestly a little bit surprised that you came here to talk about that, I thought something happened with Cosmo. But anyway, I'm pretty sure you did well!”
That commentary alone made Sprout’s cheeks a shade darker than they should be.
“Yeah, but... what if I didn't? What if I missed, or just didn't throw on time? It could seriously injure someone!”
“This logic can be applied to anything, like, what if you hadn't been born? You would've been non-existent!”
Sprout’s face froze in fear.
“...But you did a good job, didn't you?”
“...Yes.”
“Well, then I think you're being too harsh on yourself. Things happen, and it definitely would not be your fault if someone got hurt. You have to be more gentle with yourself because I can feel how much it hurts.” Astro tilted their head and made eye contact with Sprout, while also having a reassuring, soft smile on their face. Their dreadlocks carefully fell down on their left cheek, hiding their slightly darker cheeks. One of them had a pearl beaded into it, and Sprout could see in its reflection how… stupid… he looked right now. Their freckles looked like stars, dancing around on their beautiful chestnut skin and their nubian nose, forming a constellation Sprout was really flabbergasted by. Astro moved their hand on top of Sprout’s shoulder, to comfort him physically, which made Sprout stop staring, something he hadn’t noticed he did. “I'm here for you, just like everyone, and even if you make a mistake I’m sure everyone will forgive you... Well, maybe except for Shrimpo, but I don't think he knows what forgiving means.”
Even though physical contact and the way Astro looked at him made him melt right into the beanbag, that joke got a genuine laugh from Sprout. The first one in days, which relieved both him and Astro and helped them to set their minds at rest. They chatted for some time, with each word Sprout becoming more and more preoccupied, at some point even forgetting why he came to them in the first place. After a while, he noticed that his surroundings started to become lighter, a little bit more light reflecting off of them than usual. When he got up to look out the window, he could see that the sun had started to rise.
“Wow, it sure has been a while. Thank you for taking your time and talking to me. If it wasn't for you, I’d probably still be staring at the ceiling in my room.” Sprout said, turning around from the window to face Astro. "I guess I could just start with that instead of having a heart-to-heart.” Sprout awkwardly chuckled, as he rubbed his neck and looked away, seemingly embarrassed. It wouldn't be so bad to stare at the ceiling in their room, he thought to himself. Maybe with them by his side-
“Don't worry, I don't mind.' Astro quickly interrupted his thoughts. "I assume you're feeling better now, but just in case, I could give you one of my spare duvets. Do you remember when Looey got constant nightmares because of one of their shows?”
“I think I remember something about it?” Sprout said, prolonging the words as he was trying to remember more vividly. “Cosmo was with them a lot at that time, so he was telling me about it.”
“Well, they came to me just like you did, in the middle of the night and stuff. I gave them one of my duvets just to try, and I don't really know how it works myself, but since then they haven't seemed to have any nightmares at all, as far as I know.” Astro turned around to face their closet, where they kept everything that had to deal with sleep. Blankets, covers, pillows, plushies, more blankets, stuff that hasn't even been invented yet but works for sleeping. “Maybe it's because of the Merino wool, or the magic moon dust, who knows.” They softly chuckled as they shrugged and turned around to Sprout. “You want?”
Sprout never noticed how mellifluous, delicate Astro's voice is. And how damn good they looked right now.
“...Moon dust?” Sprout tilted his head curiously.
“Just kidding, nevermind that part.”
“Ohhh, right… Well, if it helped Looey, I should try as well! If I’ll even fall asleep at this point, haha.”
“I’m sure you will! Hope you’ll have a good night, Sprout!” Astro said, as they put the duvet in his hands.
“Good night, Astro.” Sprout nodded as he moved the duvet onto his shoulder and waved with his hand, the other one reaching for a doorknob. “Seriously, thank you so much, I really needed someone that isn't Cosmo to talk to.”
“Ah, it's nothing. Visit me any time!”
Sprout nodded as he opened the door and waved again, closing the door behind him. As the door locked, he leaned with his back against the same door, looking at the duvet on his right shoulder. Did they really just give it away to him without asking to bring it back? Was that his now, theoretically speaking? Could it be considered a gift? Sprout's head began flooding with questions. He turned around once again, ready to knock on the door to ask Astro all of them, but after some hesitation he decided he could talk about it tomorrow. Astro is probably sleepy, after all Sprout came out of nowhere and talked almost all night, taking away all of their time, one they cherish the most. They should rest, and so is he.
Sprout deeply exhaled as he approached his room, walking while fidgeting his hands once again. Dim, teal light could be seen from the windows, barely lighting up the hallway, but enough to see everything.
‘I wonder, how should I act tomorrow… I guess I could just give the duvet back to them nonchalantly? No, I can’t do that. I should show that I'm grateful… I could say something like, “Yoooo here’s your stuff” no that’s stupid… Does Astro even like me? Or have they felt like they had to help since I was already at their front door? I’m glad that they didn't close the door on me, at least. What if I looked miserable, and all of this was an act just so I left them alone? We don’t talk that much anyway, I can’t tell what they actually feel towards me. What if I had the connection, but I ruined it with how much I mentioned Cosmo? Do they feel jealousy towards me or hatred? Or maybe they are normal about me and I’m just thinking nonsense… Does all of this make me a bad person? I think I’m losing my mind.’
The sound of jingling keys could be heard, loud as it bounced off the walls of utter silence. Sprout opened the door to his apartment and went straight to his bedroom, where he found everything exactly as he left it. Messy bedding, pillow on the floor and the digital clock, now showing 3:27 AM. It sure took a while.
Sprout put Astro’s duvet on the armchair nearby, the same place where his apron was lying folded with care, though with not the same amount Astro’s clothes did… Astro, Astro, Astro… There was something about them so… charming, that made Sprout fluster every time that he thought of them. Their lovely black hair with a pearl beaded dreadlock on the front, their luxurious lashes, their slate eyes… The way they smiled when they chuckled, the way their nightcap fitted them so much, everything about them felt so… mindblowing. Sometimes Sprout can't even believe that someone like Astro actually exists, and more so that he can talk to them whenever he wants. And that they lent him one of their duvets, something that was basically a part of them, and it was lying right in front of his eyes. If only Astro themselves was right in front of his eyes again, looking the same way they did just a moment ago. That would’ve sent him to the moon.
Sprout lazily unbuttoned his pajama shirt as he was ready to get into bed, throwing Astro's duvet all over himself.
And, oh boy…
It is the softest thing his body has ever experienced.
The wool fabric felt so gentle on his skin, far better than his blanket, because even though it was warm and cozy, it also felt itchy. The duvet made him feel the ideal temperature, it didn't feel too warm or too cold, it was perfect. Just like Astro.
‘God, why do I keep thinking about Astro so much? They are just my friend helping me overcome my sleep issues. Nothing wrong with this. Nothing else. I am heterosexual. I don't like them. I mean, I do, but not in ...that way. Surely. I like them like I like everyone.’
Sprout can't help but think that something has happened tonight, something that changed how he feels about them in ways he can't describe. Or maybe it is too scary for him to describe. He continued convincing himself that everything was normal and that he was not in love until he fell asleep, which happened fairly quickly, thanks to the duvet. I guess some things take time to admit…