Archive of Our Own

Cold, monotone flooring seemed to stare back at Cosmo as he fluttered his eyes open. The cold air prickled against his skin but an arm adjusted him closer to warmth. Nestling further into the arms and lap he was on.

Cosmo groaned at the sudden wake from his sleep, the cool-toned white lighting wasn’t helping him either.

“Shhhhh…just go back to sleep. I’ll wake you up once the elevator stops.” A soothing voice that Cosmo was all too familiar with said. Palms rubbed over his shoulders and knees in a soothing motion, warm in comparison to the chilly air.

The noise of the ascending elevator buzzed in his mind like white noise, erasing any thoughts as he focused on it. Snuggling himself closer to his best friend’s chest.

Strawberries filled his nostrils, a comforting scent that belonged only to Sprout. 

They had just finished a run with some other toons. Travelling far beneath with no casualties or grave incidents.

Cosmo remembered that the others were satisfied with their haul of medkits, food, and other miscellaneous items. This would let them survive for at least another month or so—if nothing went wrong within that time of course.

The pastry was a little embarrassed at the affection from his best friend in front of everyone, but it was something they were all accustomed to. All the toons knew they held a special kind of love for one another even though neither of them had declared anything romantic was going on.

He felt his consciousness begin to fade, Sprout pulled him closer, adjusting his grip.

It felt nice, and he would never say it but being this close relaxed Cosmo. Washing away his anxiety easily like shells being softly swept away by small waves.

But the sound of the elevator was getting louder, so noisy that he couldn’t keep his eyes closed. He tried to squint his eyes tighter, as if that would dissipate the sound.

Nothing seemed to work and he finally opened his eyes.

Yet, there was nothing in front of him.

He wasn’t in the elevator. Cosmo was in his bed, the blinds to his room doing little to cover the morning sun from attacking his eyes.

Rubbing at his inner corneas, he blinked a couple times, remembering that he was in the present, not the past.

A present that was without his best friend.

It had been what? Months? A year?

Cosmo wasn’t exactly sure of the timeline, he had stopped counting at some point. Routine felt meaningless, but he forced himself to get up. At least wash his face and eat breakfast, then see what he could do to help around Gardenview.

Icy water shook his nerves awake as he splashed it onto his face, reminding him of the ache in his back. He wasn’t sure when that pain settled in the middle, between his shoulder blades. It had started early on and now was a constant crook that reminded him of where he was.

After getting dressed, Cosmo made his way to the kitchen. Poppy and Boxten were talking behind the counter, having finished cooking up breakfast for the rest of the toons.

It was strange to see them there when he used to manage the kitchen area for years. But that was an old chapter left unfinished.

Currently, there are only barely two handfuls of toons alive: Brightney, Scraps, Tisha, Looey, Flutter, Poppy, Boxten, Rodger, and Cosmo.

Everybody else…well the ichor had gotten the best of them.

“Cosmo! Come eat!” Poppy yelled over the counter, serving whatever was left in their rations.

“Thank you guys.” Supplies were getting dangerously low, Cosmo had noticed a few days ago. Picking up his plate, he walked over to an empty booth. He preferred his alone time now—something he wasn’t accustomed to before but he guessed things could change.

Stabbing into the breakfast sausages, Cosmo ate with unhurried movements. Each bite felt heavier than the last. It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to be with the others, but being with them never filled the void in his heart.

Toons started rolling in, their appearances varying in different forms of exhaustion. Cosmo recalled how Flutter ended up getting critically injured during their last expedition so she wasn’t present with everybody else. Meanwhile, one of Looey’s legs had been torn to shreds during another, leaving him unable to distract.

Things weren’t looking good and while everyone attempted to maintain a calm atmosphere, the undercurrent of worry was present. A stark reminder of what they had to deal with.

Brightney finally showed up to eat, her face groggy and dazed. Out of all the toons, she was the most sensible and calm. However, the stress of surviving each day was starting to etch into her eye bags and creased her mouth into a constant frown.

Many looked to her for guidance during these difficult times, yet she didn’t really know what to say with the uncertainty around them.

Nobody huddled up together except for Poppy and Boxten, many eating in a knowing silence apart from one another. While the air was at a comfortable temperature, Cosmo was hyper aware of it and didn’t know whether he could classify it as too hot or too cold.

It would do no good in moping around so he waited until breakfast was over, watching how each toon left one by one. The morbid atmosphere somewhat lessened with each exit.

Brightney was the very last to stay aside from Cosmo, she was scraping her fork against the plate lightly. She looked to be deep in thought, possibly wondering if she should organize another run.

While it wasn’t ideal, what other choice did they have? They had already started rationing their rations and dividing them in smaller amounts with each passing day that they didn’t do a run.

Cosmo got up from his seat, slowly walking over towards the lamp. She didn’t even notice he had joined her until the squeak of the chair pulling out made her look up slowly.

God, she looked pitiful.

“Brightney.” Her eyes were empty as she awaited for the pastry to continue. The lack of an answer was unsettling but it didn’t bother Cosmo much.

“Let me go on a solo run.”

“No.” An immediate shutdown, he figured that’s what she would say.

“Brightney, we’re running dangerously low on food and medkits. I know I’m not the best person for this but I can do this! Besides, everyone else is so busy spiraling that they can’t even continue to think straight!” He didn’t wish to raise his voice but he was exasperated at their current predicament.

The lamp pursed her lips together before letting out a deep exhale.

“And you think your head is on straight?” He knew exactly what she was referring to, letting out a scoff.

“Better than yours.” Maybe on a day where everyone didn’t feel like their stomachs were crying for more sustenance and their brains weren’t foggy from the lack of sleep, she would’ve definitely gotten upset with him.

But no, she didn’t even blink.

“Look Cosmo.” Putting her hands together tightly in front of her, “You are our healer and an important asset to us. If something were to happen to you then you’d end up just like…” She paused her sentence while Cosmo narrowed his eyes.

She let out another exhale full of stress while rubbing at her forehead, “…I’m sorry but the idea is far too risky.”

Cosmo slumped backwards into his seat, letting out a sigh. Well he tried.

Tisha ended up running back into the room, her face wide eyed with worry.

“Brightney! We need you in the infirmary, Flutter isn’t looking so good!” Sweat trailed down her face and her breathing was uneven. Brightney shot up quickly, not even bothering to worry about her dirty dishes.

Both toons left the area, leaving Cosmo to listen to the echoes of their quick footsteps until he couldn’t no longer. This was their reality unfortunately.

If only they had more supplies, both Flutter and Looey could be fixed up in no time. Food could aid them in keeping them alive longer and have a clearer head on what to even do.

Cosmo didn’t want to go against Brightney, but he felt like if he didn’t do something, then who knows how long until they all succumb to the same fate.

He made up his mind, he was going to go on the solo run whether Brightney liked it or not.

Wasting no time, he ran back to his room. Grabbing a hold onto a bag to carry supplies, he would collect as much as he could each floor and then dump everything onto the floor of the elevator. This would continue until he felt like it was enough.

Opening the door to his room, he quickly walked down the hallway to the elevator. He looked around both ways, scanning to see that the coast was clear.

He would take this chance to go ahead and go down with no conflict.

Pressing the button to go down, he watched as the elevator opened up. It was quite loud, but he hoped he could quickly make his way down without anybody interfering. The sound would surely alert the others.

Taking a quick deep breath, he stepped into the elevator.

“Cosmo?”

Fuck, he had gotten caught.

Turning slowly, he saw that Scraps was standing there, confusion evident in her eyes. There was no point in lying.

“Scraps, I’m going on my own. Nothing you say will stop me.” Her eyebrows knitted together, she was particularly sensitive these months after losing her brother.

Instead of confronting him, she began rummaging through her pockets, pulling out a green cap.

“I won’t argue with you Cosmo…but please take this.” She handed over the hat, “…It was the only thing I could salvage from Goob before he…” Her voice wavered slightly before she let out a cough to clear her throat.

“I know you have trouble completing the machines.  This will help you, no doubt about it.” Voices could be heard in the distance, she pulled herself away.

“Please be safe, Cosmo. Don’t hesitate to come back at any point.” Cosmo gave her a nod, she gave him a weak smile. He quickly hit the button to start descending down.

The sound of frantic steps were making their way down the hall as the door was halfway down.

“Cosmo!” Brightney’s voice could be heard but the elevator had shut and started travelling downwards. Silence now welcomed him as he began on his solo journey.

It only took a few minutes until he reached the first floor. For the most part, he could handle this. Four machines and two twisteds were easier to manage at the beginning. It would be when the number of machines and twisteds increased, then he would be worried.

Pulling out his Veemote—a trinket he received after Vee had gotten infected—he completed a machine that was in a vulnerable area. He walked around the entire map, carefully, in order to pick up anything that could be useful.

One by one, he completed the floor and gathered supplies quickly without alerting his former friends, Shrimpo and Teagan.

It pained him everytime he saw one of his infected friends, their red eyes and the constant gurgling in their throats. The way they walked or moved was stiff, painful groans and breaths escaped them as he hid.

Once he was back in the elevator, his safe haven, he dumped everything out. He was now on floor 15 and the supply was good but not enough. There were many mouths to feed and two toons injured, this wouldn’t be enough. Dandy would make his occasional appearance, and Cosmo made sure to buy as much as he could with the tapes he found.

At this point, anything counted in aiding their survival. He didn’t care for the things that would benefit him, he was more focused on collecting enough for the group.

Luckily, he had only lost one heart along the way. He told himself that he would use a medkit if necessary and once he used up all of his second set of hearts, then he would return upwards.

He would last for sure.

At least, that’s what he thought while being optimistic.

However, with each floor, stronger toons started showing up.

Gigi had stolen his medkit on one floor while Shelly had taken a life when he ran out of stamina on another. Running from the mains was no easy task.

Cosmo was now on floor 40 and decided that it was time to call it quits. He would complete the machines on this floor, and then press the button to go back up.

Most of the toons were easy to avoid this floor, but Cosmo knew there was a main lurking around. He could hear heavy footsteps faintly and he prayed it was anyone but Pebble.

What once was the adorable pet rock they all knew and loved was now a violent creature that had no other instincts than to hunt. He had only witnessed him a handful of times and he hoped to keep it that way.

Still, even if it wasn’t the mascot, the other options weren’t exactly a walk in the park. Both Vee and Astro could slow someone down at the worst moments and the pastry hoped it wasn’t them either.

That only left him with two other alternatives. 

Either Shelly again or Sprout.

…

Ding!

Another machine was complete, he only had a few machines left now.

Cautiously, he made his way up the elevated stage of the map. There were a couple machines in his field of vision that needed to be completed there. For the most part, it was safer than the other areas.

The heavy footsteps from earlier sounded like they were getting closer. It was hard to say who it was so Cosmo got off of the machine, peeking through the open spaces of the shelf he was hiding behind.

He held his breath, waiting and watching to see who would come into the area.

As if some sick mockery from the ichor, he swallowed down a gasp. His palms were sweating and his body started trembling, eyes straining as if that would help in seeing who was coming.

Then, silence.

Heavy breathing that wasn’t his own sent a tremor through the pastry’s body, he knew that couldn’t be Shelly. Her breathing was far more gurgle like, these were guttural.

What’s worse was that he saw a different twisted start to enter the area, heading towards Cosmo’s hiding spot. If he didn’t move away, he was sure to be caught.

A demonic form of what he once knew as Yatta was walking in, her red eyes wide as she curled into herself, walking on her strings that acted as haunches.

The piñata was far quicker than the average twisted he would encounter and it was dangerous staying in the same room as her. So, he made his way out, the toon would find other machines in the meantime.

The main outside seemed to have gone away for a bit, so there was that. A machine appeared, it was in an open area near a desk full of computers. 

Cosmo didn’t feel safe staying here, but he might as well get this machine out of the way. Sludge permeated all throughout the machine, making the turning of the valve far more difficult than it needed to be. Finn was definitely on this floor, he hadn’t seen the fishbowl yet and he hoped to keep it that way.

Completion of the machine was near, a wave of relief washing over Cosmo at his ability to keep going on this machine. A ding rang through the air and he wanted to jump for joy, but he piped down.

Turning around, that happiness began to fade as he saw who was now in the room with him. He wasn’t sure how he hadn’t noticed before, too focused on getting that machine done.

He tried to run but his movements were slowed from the sludge of ichor that pooled beneath his feet.

What was once his former best friend now was stalking around, growling as he made his rounds in the room. Sprout hadn’t spotted him just yet, so Cosmo got on his hands and knees and attempted to crawl out of the sticky substance.

Pulling and slightly thrashing, he was able to get his left leg free from the ichor. Using the strength of his three limbs, he pulled himself out, tumbling slightly away.

The act has caused his socks to rip and the skin on his knees burned against the flooring, he hissed as he touched the sensitive skin.

Before he could soothe his wound, Sprout had walked right in his vision. Looking forward, he didn’t notice the toon on the floor, and then he turned his head.

Cosmo froze for a second before his instincts kicked in.

Run.

Leaping onto his feet, Cosmo stumbled as he attempted to run out of the room. The twisted let out a roar before following right behind the swiss roll.

Poor Cosmo didn’t get very far when a tendril sprouted from the floor, making him trip over the damn thing. Gasping, he fell to the floor as the appendage wrapped around his ankle, pulling him back towards the main. His backside scraped against the flooring as well.

“No, no!” Cosmo shrieked as another tendril grabbed onto both wrists, holding them against the floor. He struggled against the restraints, attempting to get out anyway he could, but all he accomplished was exhausting himself.

The twisted now stalked towards Cosmo slowly, the chocolate pastry shut his eyes tightly before whimpering.

“..Please, don’t hurt me,..Sprout.” He whispered, awaiting for some sort of pain to shoot through him.

But nothing came.

Cosmo peeked through his lashes to see what was going on.

Sprout’s face was right on top of him and Cosmo jolted against the tendril, the grip tightening. His former friend was looking at him as if he was trying to concentrate, the red in his eye and ichor dripping down terrified him.

Looking up closely, Cosmo had only seen Sprout from a distance during the past several runs. Ichor covered most of his body except for his right arm, right side of his face, and a little bit of his chest. His left arm was noticeably larger and the leaves on his head were overgrown, long enough to cover his left eye. Ichor slightly tinged the edges of his leaves, perhaps if he cut them the strawberry would appear closer to his old self.

Everything about him was larger than before, the toon was the tallest amongst everybody in Gardenview, and that remained true even in his infected form.

Maybe he had gone mad from the sheer horror and survival of everything, but the sight of his beloved striped pink and white scarf made Cosmo smile. He remembered a time when it was freezing cold in his room before all of this .

The strawberry had stopped by to check on how he was faring in the winter—it was an unspoken knowledge that the handlers favored the mains and gave them far better resources and treatment. Commons like himself were given what could be spared and his room was no exception.

Nobody ever resented the mains for it, except for maybe Shrimpo, but most of them understood that they couldn’t control that. Besides, all the mains helped out the others when they could.

A draft that he couldn’t find anywhere kept it unbearably icy, so he could do nothing but cover himself with a thin blanket.

When Sprout had arrived, he scolded Cosmo for not asking to stay in his room. Though the pastry said he didn’t wish to bother him so much, the taller toon assured him that it wasn’t a nuisance.

“Here! This will warm you up until we get to my room!” He held a smile as he retracted his scarf from around his neck and placed it around the shorter toon’s neck. Cosmo breathed in the scent of strawberries, the smell of his best friend always comforted him.

“Thanks Sprout.” The affectionate gesture made him grow much warmer than the scarf did.

“No problem!”

For a while, they just stared at each other. The pastry was breathing erratically, while the overgrown strawberry continued ogling him.

Suddenly, Sprout’s scarf started wagging furiously, similar to a dog. Instead of the constant deep breathing or gurgling, he began purring and pushed his head onto Cosmo’s chest, nuzzling against him.

Well, at least, he recognized him.

Though Cosmo was still quite terrified of the giant strawberry, he tried to relax his rapid heartbeat. The restraints holding his wrists now loosened, allowing him to rub the sore area.

Seeing a twisted, a main no less, act in such a manner was daunting. None of the others infected ever acted friendly towards them, especially never this… affectionate .

Cosmo brought his trembling hands to Sprout’s head, caressing the hair softly. With languid movements, he combed his digits through the green, crinkled leaves. The twisted began purring nonstop, he surely recognized the pattern of Cosmo’s habit. Stroking the blades at the top of his head when they used to cuddle during their sleepovers.

“…Sprout, it’s good to see you buddy, but could you let me up? You’re sort of heavy.” His best friend picked himself up, sitting back on his legs before helping the pastry to his feet. Hooking his hands underneath the swiss roll’s armpits, he lifted the toon with ease. It was intimidating to be so close to the giant twisted, his strength far greater in this form.

When he had Cosmo standing, he noticed the scrapes on the pastry’s knees. Placing his non-ichor infected palm against it, rubbing it softly.

Cosmo winced slightly at the touch, “It doesn’t hurt that bad!” Trying to feign strength, “What about you?” Looking at the strawberry all over, he felt a little shy keeping eye contact with his best friend, “Does it hurt being like…this?” 

Sprout merely looked at him, it looked like he wanted to speak. However, the ichor gurgled in his throat through any attempts of speech, so he stuck to nodding his head.

“I see…” Cosmo walked closer, brushing the leaves out of his face, “…I wish I could…stay down here with you-ah!”

Cosmo yelped, his tail was pulled abruptly. Something that the taller of two would do when he either wanted his attention or he had said something outrageous.

He looked upset at what Cosmo had said.

“Okay, okay! Turning into a twisted wouldn’t make you happy, I get it!” It was funny though, although Sprout didn’t utter a single word, he could still understand him. Every physical action was entirely made up of the reactions he would expect.

Sprout went back to wagging his tail , his expression happier. Cosmo couldn’t help but giggle at the cute display in front of him. Leave it to him to find his friend adorable even as a giant monster.

He couldn’t help but tackle the other into a hug, wrapping his arms around the chest of the main. It had been so long since he had last interacted with Sprout, the pain of losing him welling up in his eyes.

“I’m not dreaming right? You’re really here with me?” The pastry nudged himself against his best friend’s chest, tears threatening to spill out.

Losing Sprout had happened so unexpectedly and he remembered the way it happened. The two of them were already in the elevator and everyone had decided they were done for the day. Everything was fine, nothing out of their usual routine.

However, Rodger was missing. Sprout volunteered to quickly see what was going on and found him being chased by his former lover, Teagan.

It looked like he was attempting to get her to recognize him, but to no avail. He was getting closer to the twisted, about to throw himself at the risk of his own life.

“Rodger!” Sprout yelled out, grabbing a hold onto his arm and pulling him out of the twisted’s sudden lunge. Rodger resisted heavily, shouting profanities and saying he was going to “fix” her.

“Get a grip, man!” The strawberry hoisted the magnifying glass over his shoulder, sprinting back towards the elevator.

However, Vee was around the corner and slowed his pace down. The strawberry was almost there but the seconds dwindled.

“Sprout!” Cosmo leapt in order to help him, but upon realizing this, his best friend threw Rodger right into his arms. Throwing both of them into the elevator as the doors came shutting down, sealing their fates. The slam of the door was the only thing he heard, Brightney had already pushed the button to go up.

Rushing to the lamp, he grabbed onto the collar of her shirt.

“We have to go back! We have to go back!” She pushed him off of her, so he turned to the buttons. Pressing them in a random order, his fists ached from being slammed down so hard.

Goob pulled him back, wrapping his arms around his frame to prevent any more outbursts. Pressing them both to sit on their bottoms at the elevator’s walls. All Cosmo could do was cry, sobbing violently as nobody knew what to say. Scraps had sat beside him, unwrapping the pastry from her brother’s tangled arms.

He collapsed onto her lap, his head resting there as he curled into himself. Her and Goob rubbed his shoulders and back, not saying anything.

No amount of words would comfort him.

Sprout’s arm pulled him closer, resting his head on top of the other. Their communication and affection for one another couldn’t be erased, no matter how long it had been.

Ichor spilled out from Sprout’s eye, resembling tears.

The chocolate roll looked up toward him, he was still taller than Cosmo even while sitting down. Wiping at his own weeping eyes, before swiping the ichor that fell out of Sprout’s.

Truthfully, he should be more careful with the twisted as he could get infected but he didn’t care. All he wanted right now was to be with Sprout.

Sprout maneuvered them both in a different position, he picked Cosmo up and placed him on the desks with computers on top. Pushing them out of the way so Cosmo could sit comfortably on it. 

Then, he sat beneath, Cosmo now slightly taller on higher ground. Using his tendrils, he lifted the pastry’s leg, seeing how the stocking on Cosmo’s leg ripped around the knee. The skin underneath flushed red from the friction, he grunted in disapproval.

“It’s okay! It really doesn’t hurt!” Despite the fact that Sprout couldn’t verbally communicate, his face was very expressive. And right now he looked like he didn’t believe a word coming out of his mouth.

“Seriously Sprout, I’m okay!” His words reflected a difference in how he really felt, when Sprout put some pressure on the wound. Cosmo hissed, while his friend’s eyes flickered an emotion that was all knowing.

“Well it didn’t hurt until you touched it!” Attempting to kick the appendage and hand away, but Sprout kept his palm on his leg. This was the strawberry the pastry remembered, always worried and overprotective over the smallest things.

Massaging the area, Cosmo clenched. It didn’t hurt too bad, this was only a minor injury. This was nothing compared to what Looey and Flutter was going through.

Stinging in his backside reminded him of earlier, how his back and bottom slid against the flooring. A burning ache now spreads across, making him uncomfortable in sitting.

Sprout eyed him questioningly, “Your thing…” pointing to the tendril floating from the ground, “…pulled me too hard earlier so now my back hurts.” An apologetic look now showed on the twisted’s face, Cosmo chuckled, he felt entertained by how passive the large toon was acting.

“It’s okay, Sprout!” That did little to comfort the giant, “Uhhhhh…do you want to check?”

Sprout perked up instantly, nodding his head. The shining in his eyes eager to aid the pastry in any way he can.

Cosmo now felt shy, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling in his gut that this was a little intimate. But it’s not like this was any different than the past!

It’s just that now Sprout was covered and infected with ichor, but still his best friend nonetheless!

The pastry rolled over onto his stomach, hiking his hoodie up to the middle of his back. Anticipation made him wriggle a bit, he could feel the toon behind him boring holes into his skin. After some rustling, Sprout was now towering over the smaller toon.

Cosmo shivered when one of his hands smoothed over the plains of his skin. Freckled stars of different pinks, greens, and blue were scattered throughout Cosmo’s skin. The strawberry hadn’t seen it in so long, but the stars remained prominent and as vivid as he remembered, reminding him of a night sky.

Tracing over them, he saw where the reddened skin had been scraped, down the middle of the pastry’s backside. Trailing down until the path stopped due to Cosmo’s shorts, he felt a little bold in what he wanted to do next.

Summoning more tendrils, he controlled them to lift the pastry onto his hands and knees on the desk. Looking over his shoulder, Cosmo’s face started blushing.

“Umm, Sprout?” Sweat began forming on his neck, this position made it look like something it shouldn’t. A hand and another tentacle hooked onto the rim of his shorts, Cosmo began panicking.

“W-W-Wait! You don’t need to check there!” Squirming in Sprout’s hold, the heat and slick of the appendage wriggling against him was burning against his skin.

Sprout’s face looked genuinely worried, he was only trying to see what the damage was. Nothing more. Besides, they used to change clothes in the same room—well they would face away from each other but still!

They were best friends, nothing could ever make the strawberry feel like this was a nuisance. He grunted in concern to show that he was just going to check.

Cosmo felt a pang of guilt at his friend’s concern, it didn’t help that he was feeling hot from this situation.

“…Fine, but just check quickly!” Arching his back, he allowed himself a check up from the twisted.

Sprout made a sound of approval, being careful as he hooked both hands onto the band at the top. His tendril was rubbing soothingly at the hip of the toon, and slowly, he pulled the shorts down, but leaving Cosmo’s underwear on.

It was just what the toon had thought, Cosmo’s bottom had also gotten scuffed. Although it definitely wasn’t as bad as the smaller’s back, it was still noticeable.

He placed his palm over the shivering skin, rubbing at the mounds in a soothing matter. The tendril from earlier was doing the same to the other side.

Cosmo was trying to stay calm, but he couldn’t help the pool of heat gathering at his core. It was hard to think straight as Sprout’s palm began massaging his bottom. He found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on staying somewhat sane when the tendril flicked across his skin, too close to his clothed entrance.

Then, he felt the tentacle grab onto his underwear as well and stiffened. A part of him knew he should tell Sprout to stop because although they were close , the toon would see such a deplorable side of him. Yet, another side really wanted this to happen, he could already feel his own wetness against his underwear. His airways constricted as he succumbed to his depraved thoughts.

Before this, he had locked away those feelings for Sprout when they had lost him, both romantic and lustful thoughts that used to invade his every waking day.

But now, he felt ashamed that he was feeling this way towards his friend who merely wanted to aid his scratches. Those old emotions were erupting like a volcano, the sweat that was running down his body felt like lava.

Slowly, his underwear came down, cool air made him shrink within himself. Shifting side to side, his face burned with embarrassment and want as the thin fabric was pulled all the way down to his knees.

The strawberry didn’t say anything—not like he could anyways. He paused his movements only to go back to caressing the bruised skin, Cosmo softly groaned at the touch.

Sprout didn't know what to do, he had expected to find more scratches and while he did, there was a glistening trail of fluid dripping down from his best friend’s entrance. He knew of Cosmo’s downstairs situation but he never expected it to…look so tempting.

Sure, Cosmo had made him feel many things before he had turned into a twisted, but this was a whole different playing field for him.

“…Sprout, are you done?” The pastry was looking at him, eyes glossy and mouth parted. Just seeing him like this and hearing the pastry’s weak voice was making the twisted’s head feel lightheaded.

For once, he was thankful for this wretched form because if this were the old him, no doubt he would’ve stumbled over his words and made a fool of himself. Losing the ability to speak clearly was now viewed as a blessing in this moment.

Cosmo’s breath was ragged, the heat that radiated from him seducing the larger toon to continue testing the waters.

With his right hand, he moved his hands upwards to the swiss roll’s tail. Rubbing it gently, Cosmo seemed to enjoy the sensation as he let out a gentle sigh and moved his ass closer to the twisted. More fluid dripped out, droplets collecting onto the desk below.

Such a lewd sight made the strawberry gulp, a hunger settling itself in the pit of his stomach. He really should put a stop to his actions, this was not the place to enact his perverse thoughts. Nor was he in the proper conditions to mate, but the sight of Cosmo underneath him, presenting himself in such a vulnerable way was tempting him to do the exact opposite.

He wished to continue, so he began lowering himself while several tentacles now wrapped themselves all around Cosmo’s body. One of his appendages slithered up until it reached the pastry’s mouth, asking for permission to enter. Rubbing over his lips and around his jaw, the toon opened his mouth.

Cosmo felt ticklish, sliding tendrils exploring the soft folds of his body. This was definitely not what he had in mind when he decided to go on a solo run, the way the tentacle in his mouth thrusted gently made him embarrassed.

It was slimy and slithered around similar to a cobra snake. In all honesty, it should disgust him, but since it was a part of Sprout, he didn’t care. Every inch of his figure felt like it was getting fondled as he flicked his tongue weakly around the appendage.

He shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he did, but he reveled in the way the other black slithering limbs caressed the rest of his body. One had found a way inside his hoodie and ran itself over his nipples, sending a shudder throughout his frame. 

Soft moans were muffled slightly, but he instinctively spread his legs wider, desperate to have more.

It was like Sprout had read his mind, because another tendril travelled much lower, down to his crotch. At first, it remained near his pulsing heat, unmoving. The anticipation of pleasure was driving him crazy, his clit twitching at how unbearably close the tip of it was. But no movement was sensed, it was so close yet denied the chocolate toon any ease.

“Sprout,..please keep going.” A muffled plea begged the twisted. He had never been one to forwardly express his desires, but now he couldn’t care less.

The tendril finally progressed closer, giving a gentle touch to his clitoris. A lento pace beganas it gave circular motions to the sensitive bud, Cosmo cried out.

“J-Just like that, Sprout.” Encouraging the twisted to continue, “…A little faster.”

Picking up the pace, it obeyed Cosmo’s wish, making him keen. Slick covered the ichor tentacle in copious amounts, he could only imagine the sight that Sprout was witnessing.

Without warning, he felt something warm slide against his aching hole. He turned to look behind him, only being able to see the green leaves attached to the strawberry’s head. His ass was obstructing the toon’s face, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what he was doing.

The tongue from Sprout’s mouth pushed its way inside, delicate but naughty. Tasting greedily at the twitching walls inside, savoring the flavor that was entirely of Cosmo. Chocolate and vanilla quenched his thirst, growling and sending vibrations that made the pastry shiver around him.

Turning him beyond comprehension, he was delighted when Cosmo began rocking back and forth onto the slick muscle. Salacious yearning shot down to his lower regions, he wrapped his hand around his erection, pumping it as he continued consuming the toon below him.

Never would he have thought that they would partake in love making, the longing that had been built before their separation made him so desperate. He missed Cosmo so much and even if this was unconventional, everything about their existence was such. So who cares if this is how they reunite together in such an amatory way.

Cosmo arched into his mouth when the twisted grazed against a certain spot inside. The strawberry began acting as a carnivore, stimulating the same area again. High pitched mewls hung high in the air, he couldn’t get enough of hearing such slutty sounds escaping his friend.

“Sprout! That place is—!“ Needy whines huffed out increasingly, gasping for air at the intensifying pleasure. It was too much for Cosmo, the tongue pressing against his sweet spot along with the tendrils and their spiraling journey; he wouldn’t be able to last if this kept up. He hadn’t thought the twisted even had a tongue but here it was, long and eagerly claiming his insides.

Even with such vehement movements, Cosmo still leaned into the prodding. Pressing his pussy against the slick muscle, his fingers gripped onto the desk tightly. Just a few more rocks, and he could already feel himself coming undone.

Juices spurted out, signaling that he was getting closer and closer to the edge. Every erogenous zone on him was being stimulated, his upper body pressing lower onto the desk as he submitted to the sensual gratification.

“Sprout, I’m close!” White flashes of light corrupted his vision. The strawberry toon didn’t let up, attacking his insides with more ferocious hunger.

Cosmo felt the coil in his stomach getting tighter, his body tensing. All the combination of sensations drove the swiss roll to neglect the tendril still in his mouth. It began writhing inside, so he began to suck on it as best as he could. Lapping as if it was a lollipop, strangled wails exited his mouth as his orgasm hit him tenfold.

Were it not for the tendrils detaining his body, he would’ve collapsed onto the table. His hole twitches violently as fluid ran down his thighs, Sprout still had his mouth attached to him. The twisted’s grunts riding him through his high, the hot muscle licking him continuously.

He moaned hotly, the tendrils retreating, but still held onto his bottom half. The appendage that was in his mouth popped out, saliva dripping from it. Panting harshly, he clenched onto Sprout who was pulling his tongue out. A delicious feeling had the pastry craving for something more.

Sprout was going to go insane, the swiss roll’s release tasted far sweeter than any of the baked goods they would create. His shaft longed to be buried inside that cunt, but he refrained from doing so. His size wasn’t exactly small , it surprised him that other areas of himself grew alongside his height.

Finally removing himself from his best friend’s walls, he looked towards the pastry only to be met with hazy eyes pleading at him. He merely shook his head, trying to reason with Cosmo. There was no way he was going to fit his monstrous length inside. Even with preparation, it would surely hurt and the toon wasn’t sure he could control himself if he managed to enter him.

“Please, I want you to feel good too.” Swaying his ass in the air like a treat, Sprout’s teeth grit at the vulgar performance. The erotic, low vibration of Cosmo’s voice had him on edge, enticing him to an irresistible decadence.

Shaking his head again, he didn’t want to injure the pastry in any way. Not when he still had bruises and scratches throughout his body.

A pout showed onto the toon he was smitten with, but he stayed firm.

“Fine, but let me get up.” Retracting all the tendrils now, Sprout stepped back, allowing the other to shift around. He was a little confused as to what Cosmo was doing because he had maneuvered to wrap his arms around his shoulders. His height had the other stretching upwards on his tiptoes in order to secure his grasp.

A smile stretched across the pastry’s features, the fruit’s confused stare watching him with curiosity. 

“Pick me up?” Something about this felt suspicious but Sprout went along with it. Placing both his normal and ichor hand onto the bottom of Cosmo’s thighs, lifting him up into the air close to his face. Sprout could feel his face reddening, thank god he was already red in color.

Cosmo kept the same grin before moving his head to Sprout’s neck, biting the skin. He twitched at the sensation when the toon pulled back only to lick at the mark. His head was going in circles at the indecent drag of that small tongue, setting fire in its path.

The pastry placed a small kiss on the indentations, sending a shiver up the twisted’s spine. A hum of approval was heard before he felt a mouth in his ear.

“Sit me down on top of you, please?” In his past life, Cosmo must’ve been a siren. The racy drawl that left his lips felt like a command he couldn’t refuse. Instead of setting him down in a decent manner, he followed those orders, like a dog obeying his owner.

He carefully sat himself on the desk with Cosmo delicately on top of his lap, his legs off the table. It was hard to ignore the ass pressed against his bulge, waiting for any sort of action. Attempting to calm himself, he looked elsewhere—up at the ceiling, to the entranceway, anywhere that didn’t have Cosmo in his view.

That proved to be in vain because the pastry guided his face back to face him, soft palms stroking his jawline and cheeks. Coming face to face with a soft smile that didn’t match their raunchy position.

“Sprout, do you not like me?” He immediately shook his head.

Of course he liked Cosmo! Who wouldn’t?

“Do you just not want to then?” He wanted to do so desperately, but he couldn’t say that, so his eye remained wide, unsure of how to answer. 

He hissed when he felt a hand lightly squeeze at the tip of his cock. Growling loudly as he made an effort to keep his patience from thinning any further. Though, it was really only like a small twig in the wind.

“…Are you scared of hurting me?” He thanked their bond for transcending verbal communication, nodding his head in agreement.

“I’m not made of paper, you know?” This back and forth was going nowhere, but Sprout wasn’t sure how else to convey his prudence. Playing charades with his hands didn’t get the message across either, it only seemed to confuse Cosmo.

Perplexity and an awkward silence rested in the air before Cosmo spoke up.

“Let me try something then. I promise I won’t hurt myself.” Curious, Sprout went along with the toon’s ideas. Hands glided to his chest and pressed down on the heated area, “Can you lay down for me?”

Dipping himself almost all the way back, he rested on his elbows, keeping a watchful gaze. Cosmo let out a small laugh, “I’ve never seen you listen so well to anyone before.”

‘It’s only because it’s you,’ is what he wanted to respond with but luckily for him, and his pride, the ichor didn’t allow those words to pass. He merely growled in embarrassment as it was the truth. Even before the infection happened, he would obey the handlers begrudgingly. He had enjoyed his job but not all the boring tasks and responsibilities that came with it.

Cosmo rotated himself, now facing the other way, and leaving his reddened backside to face the twisted. Scooting lower until his opening was centered, above  the member.

Sinking down, his cunt melted onto Sprout, biting his lip from wailing at their heated connection. His size was intimidating, he wasn’t even sure it was going to even push its way inside, but there’s a first time for everything.

His cheeks burned as he began moving his hips, grinding in circular motions. Cosmo’s clit spasmed when the toon beneath him slowly began bucking. They both stayed at an easy rhythm for the first few minutes, growls and whimpers exchanged between the two.

As time went by, the sound of their privates against each other only got sloppier. The pastry couldn’t help but start teasing the crown of the strawberry’s cock. Rubbing insistently as it explored his folds, it was going to slip inside if he wasn’t careful.

However, his movements became still, mind hazy about what could’ve interrupted them. He looked down only to see the tendrils from earlier gripping onto his thighs and wrists, preventing any activity.

“Sprout…stop teasing me.” Sprout was shaking as he tried to regain his composure, but the toon was being served to him on a silver platter.

In response to the lack of one, Cosmo brought the tendril wrapped around his wrist to his mouth, turning his head slightly to mouth and suck on the side. Showcasing such lewd actions had the twisted imagining him copying those laps onto his shaft.

The swiss roll knew what effect he was having on the large toon, so he started letting out vulgar whines. Half lidded eyes pleading with him to give him what he wanted, “I want you inside me, Sprout…”

Well there went his self restraint, that luscious tone in Cosmo’s voice called out to him in ways he couldn’t resist. Not when we looked so delectable on top of him like this, enjoying the sight of  wetness as it dripped from his pussy and onto his dick. The scent of both of their arousal mixing in the air and dulling his previous apprehension.

Nodding his head at the pastry, Cosmo gave a kiss to the tendril as it released him. The others pulled away as well but started wriggling in other parts of the shorter toon’s frame.

Using both hands, Cosmo lined the throbbing member underneath him, right at his moist lips. He was a bit fearful at how girthy the strawberry’s cock was. The shaft was wide and hefty, bulging veins proclaiming how monstrous it was. Precum slid down the head, the light shining right on it, he gathered his thoughts to relax himself.

With no more squander and a few deep breaths, Cosmo slowly impaled himself, splitting his tight walls around the beast of a cock.

The stretch was painful, he wanted to cry in pain when he only managed to get the tip inside him. Okay, maybe Sprout was right, but he wasn’t going to chicken out now. Taking a small break, he eased down sliding past the thick head and onto the base. Making it about halfway before he stopped again to give himself a second to adjust.

His eyes rolled to the back of his head, Cosmo felt so full. The member pulsed within him, causing his vision to blur. Forming words was an impossible task when the cock inside prevented him from any semblance of thought.

Once he felt fine , he pushed himself down on the rest of the length. Cosmo’s head threw back as the cock was right up against his pleasure spot, aggressively hard and scorching hot.

“Give me a…hah…second.” He breathed out laborious inhales and exhales, unable to form a continuous sentence. Glancing down, his stomach was protruding outward from how stuffed he was.

Sprout was also having a tough time but in a different way, the walls that engulfed his cock were snug and wet. He let out low, throaty vibrations from the near death grip. His cock had somehow managed to fit compactly in the pastry, observing the way it disappeared inside that body. The sweltering heart fluttering around him made him wonder why he had never confessed to his best friend sooner.

It had not been that long ago that he was wandering around the floor in a mindless haze. And now, he was balls deep inside of Cosmo.

Cosmo’s body gradually loosened, his mind clearing the fog about halfway. Tendrils stroked along his responsive skin, tremors reverberated as it aided in releasing the tension within him. One gripped at his breast, emphasizing its clutch as it coiled around tighter.

In an experimental roll, he lifted his hips partially before bringing them back down. Cosmo grimaced at the shot of liquid pain down his lower back, a cry of discomfort vocalized from his lips.

While any sane toon wouldn’t ever be caught in this predicament, anybody else would’ve probably gotten off. But instead, he pressed forward, raising his ass in the air before meeting Sprout’s pelvic area. Maybe it was due to the tentacles, but it felt better than the initial thrust.

“D-Don’t move.” Sprout knew better than to be selfish with his desires, jaw tightening as the pastry kept hoisting himself up and down. That cunt was swallowing his cock whole, he furrowed his eyebrows at the squeeze as he croaked in pleasure.

A steady rhythm followed suit, giving Cosmo time to adapt to the massive cock. Pained whimpers slowly transcended into needy whines, bouncing up and down with more fervor. White blinding spots appearing behind his eyes as the engorged head hit against his sweet spot.

Setting a new pace, Cosmo bobbed up and down at a rougher speed. Drool spilling out of his mouth as he angled himself forward, placing his hands in the space between Sprout’s legs. The grip helped him be intentional with his riding, tumbled cries spilling out of him.

Sprout’s groans were getting louder, wet noises filling his ears like music. He couldn’t stop watching the way Cosmo’s ass slammed all the way down, the ripples of soft skin and quivering walls inflamed the passion in him.

He was far too scared to buck his hips upwards but he wanted to occupy himself.

“Hah…” Cosmo moaned out, giving Sprout a dazed look over his shoulder, “…You’re so big…” Seeing how he was being used like a dildo sent a surge of arousal like no other. Inching his right hand closer to the toon, Sprout put his hand around the base of Cosmo’s tail.

Pulling at it as he brought the pastry down to meet his hips, a loud cry escaped Cosmo. He didn’t realize the toon was so sensitive at his tail—though he only gave quick grabs here and there back then. Provocative mewls began playing as Sprout kept his hand there, playing with it as he plunged Cosmo back on his dick.

“T-Too much!” The multiple sensations of having both his pussy and tail fondled, plus the tendrils on him was making him lose his mind. Naughty sounds followed as his bottom slapped against Sprout’s thighs, the sweet bundle of nerves inside were trembling.

Since everything seemed to be mostly pleasure, Sprout snapped his hips upwards, earning him a choked scream from the other toon. The only thing he didn’t like about this position was that he couldn’t see Cosmo’s facial expressions, but the lewd view behind made up for it.

Cosmo screamed out in pleasure, he was hardly controlling his own lower half now. Sprout had begun railing into him, his inner muscles sending shockwaves throughout his body. His back arched, essence flooding their carnal connection.

“Right there!” Wailing in overstimulation, the sloppy slapping sounds of skin meeting skin attested to their brutal lovemaking. Sprout’s cock had hit at a particularly good angle, frantic mewls let the twisted know that the swiss roll was close.

Without any warning, Cosmo’s pussy tightened around his member, release coating Sprout’s firm organ. He steadied his hips still, clenching his eye at the death grip.

Cosmo let out a string of gasps and huffs, his cunt still dripping from his orgasm. Sprout pressed his lips together, remembering how it tasted earlier.

He let Cosmo catch his breath before he used his tendrils to lift him off the still rock hard erection. Turning his body to face the strawberry now, his body still reeling from his climax.

Tendrils sank him back down on Sprout’s cock, the pastry grunted at being filled to the brim once more while Sprout groaned to be nestled in that warm entrance. Eyes glossed over and his lips glistened with drool. A light layer of sweat encased the pastry, it made him look so inviting as his thighs shook from the aftermath.

Sprout felt like a pervert, looking everywhere in front of him to burn this memory into his mind. His pupils must’ve looked alarming because Cosmo took notice.

“Don’t be impatient,” Caressing the abdomen below him, “I’m not going to make you lay here forever.” A chuckle purred out, Sprout shook his head to try and say that’s not what he was thinking—forgetting his lack of speech only obscured his message.

Though laying here forever with Cosmo didn’t sound like a bad idea. If he was asked beforehand that the pastry wanted to sit on his dick for hours, then he’d pathetically jump at the opportunity.

There was no denying that he had held onto feelings you shouldn’t necessarily hold towards your best friend. Everyday before the shutdown of Gardenview, he tested those boundaries with Cosmo. And every single time, he left the kitchen at the end of the day with his face heated and heart even more obsessed than before. It was obvious to everyone but the pastry on how much he cherished those moments together.

“Can you ummm…help me move?” Cosmo’s lips quivered from his past highs, his breath and legs shaky from exhaustion.

Sprout responded by wrapping the tendrils around Cosmo’s waist and legs. Now having a firm grasp, he drove the pastry up and down.

It didn’t take long for a viscous tempo to build, Cosmo was still sopping wet so the process went much smoother this round. Only and few thrusts in and Sprout placed his hands on Cosmo’s hip, bucking upwards. His accommodation in taking things as slow as he could was dwindling, pushing himself even further inside.

Cosmo leaned back, his hands behind him as a crutch as he opened his legs wider. The adjustment accentuated the bulge in his stomach and gave Sprout a view of his length as he pumped himself inside.

“Sprout…” Cosmo’s voice jittering as he was bouncing up and down, “I want you to cum inside me.” Meeting one of his thrusts halfway.

He knew penetration wasn't a good idea, especially when the pastry was pushing his buttons. Sprout couldn’t reason with himself as he sped his thrusts up, his shaft twitching.

Slutty gasps from the toon above him were bringing him close to the edge, pent up from the years of pining for the other. He was hitting Cosmo's cervix, no doubt bruising it from the excessive force. Chasing his own climax clouded his mind, the only instinct in his mind was to breed like a wild animal.

The pressure in his stomach was overwhelming, beginning to overflow with the need to burst. He shoved his cock in as much as he could, clenching his muscles as he let out a howl.

His seed erupted in thick spurts and painted the inside of Cosmo’s walls. Ceasing his hammering as Cosmo’s cunt tightened around him once more, coaxing him through his orgasm.

Short and ragged breaths were shared amongst them, the tendrils now disappearing into the floor and out of sight. His chest heaved up and down, stars swirling around his vision.

Added weight collapsed onto this chest which he knew was the pastry. Wrapping his arms around Cosmo so he wouldn’t fall to the side, they laid there for a bit, processing everything. Sprout didn’t know when the last time he felt so… alive.

Post-sex cleared his mind from his crazed lustful one and his monstrous tendencies. During his wandering, he could barely distinguish what was a threat and what wasn’t, showing the same treatment to everything in his path.

Now, Cosmo was right here with him and he was real and not some figment of a dream.

“Come with me.” Snapping his head up to look at the chocolate toon who was grinning, his questioning eyebrow lift caused another sentence.

“Come with me.” His face pressed against the chest below him, eyes rimmed with exhaustion, “Up the elevator.”

Sprout was apprehensive, but it’s not like there is another option. He’d be damned if he was separated from Cosmo again. And not when they just had mind blowing sex together.

So he agreed, collecting himself as he helped the pastry off of his spent member. A mixture of ichor and semen spilling out, Cosmo squealed at the feeling.

Cosmo wiped what was obvious off of his thighs, pulling his underwear and shorts over the cum. He would worry about a shower after they arrived at the top, and after he had some explaining to do with the rest of the toons.

With shaky legs, he picked up his discarded bag full of a few more items. Sprout followed him, casting a menacing look at the other twisteds who noticed them. Cosmo had forgotten about them, he wondered if they even heard or saw what they did.

Well, if they did, he wouldn’t know because they seemed afraid of the main behind him. Cosmo came across the last few machines that needed to be completed.

Finishing them quickly now that he had a distractor with him. Feeling at ease, the elevator soon opened and he went bounding alongside Sprout.

The twisted was surprised at the amount of supplies Cosmo had collected. A satisfied grin from the toon at the relief of coming back in one piece as he slammed the button to go upwards. Doors slammed shut behind him and memories flooded back of the countless runs he had gone on.

Cosmo sat on the floor, patting at the ground for Sprout to do the same. The strawberry felt far too outgrown for the elevator, funny considering that was never a worry that crossed his mind. Bringing himself down to the floor, he opted to just lay across, his head on Cosmo’s legs that were outstretched.

“Brightney’s going to yell at me when we go up.” Another eyebrow lift came from Sprout, “Well because I left against her wishes, but we needed supplies so I think I’m justified!”

Sprout let out an exhale, if he could speak then he would scold the toon with the lamp, “You have to be on my side because I’m bringing you back!” A toothy smile was directed at him, while smaller fingers pinched at his cheek.

Silence passed over them as the uncertainty of their future hung on a tightrope, “Sprout, I don’t know what’s going to happen but we’ll find a way to reverse this. I’ll explain everything to everyone, don’t worry, I'll protect you.”

Swooning, his heart pounded rapidly, he wanted to stay in the moment but his body felt entirely too burdensome to stay awake. His eyelid fluttered, lashes obstructing the harsh lighting that used to annoy him.

“Are you tired? Get some rest.” Cosmo’s hand combed through the dry leaves on his head, the comforting massage had him purring. “I’ll wake you once the elevator stops.”

Sprout weakly nodded, sleep claiming him as his breathing slowed down. He couldn’t remember if he ever dozed off on any of the floors, murderous instincts overtook his brain and fogged his past.

Cosmo placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, he huffed at the sight of the main as he looked so peaceful. Tracing the contours of his face, he couldn’t believe this is how his solo run turned out.

Brightney would definitely give him an earful but now there was hope. Seeing that Sprout was devoid of his previous harmful impulses, it meant there was still a way to regain everybody back.

Back to Gardenview.