Chapter Text
︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶
"𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫."
...
Sprout sat cross-legged on the worn rug in the corner of his room, the soft afternoon light filtering dimly through the narrow, high-set windows of the Gardenview quarters. He hummed a quiet, absentminded tune under his breath as his fingers worked carefully with the colorful beads and charms spread out before him. The room smelled faintly of strawberries and the faint sweetness of baked goods he’d snuck back earlier—little treats he always imagined sharing.
He held up the nearly finished friendship bracelet, turning it slowly in his hands. One was clearly meant for himself: vibrant red beads mixed with leafy green charms, simple and sturdy like a fresh strawberry picked at its peak. The other was more intricate, a careful balance of warm brown tones, soft teal accents, gentle lavender, and those same leafy greens. Tiny star-shaped charms dotted the pattern, just like the adorable freckles that dusted Cosmo’s cheeks. They looked so similar when worn side by side, almost like they belonged together. Perfect matches.
Sprout’s cheeks warmed with a quiet giggle as he pictured it—Cosmo’s pastry-soft smile lighting up when he saw the gift. The way his eyes would seem to sparkle just a little brighter. He could already imagine the bracelet sliding onto Cosmo’s wrist, fitting just right against that gentle brown skin. Everything about Cosmo was so... right. Warm. Sweet in a way that made the whole world feel softer.
He set the bracelets down gently and reached for another small charm, a tiny strawberry he’d shaped earlier. His room felt especially peaceful today, tucked away from the usual bustle of the halls. No loud footsteps echoing down the corridors, no handlers knocking with their schedules. Just him and these little creations. The time was his.
Of course, there had been that meeting earlier—something about group coordination with Delilah, Arthur, the other mains, and all the handlers. Sprout had simply stayed here instead. It would have dragged on forever, pulling him away from what really mattered. He’d ignored the summons, kept the door shut, and focused on this instead. They hadn’t been happy about it. In the end, they’d taken Cosmo off to one of the farther common areas for some activity or other, separating them from their usual spots near the garden exhibits.
It left an uneasy twist in Sprout’s chest, but he pushed the feeling aside. It was fine. Messy situations happened sometimes. He’d make it up to Cosmo later with these bracelets and maybe some fresh-baked sweets.
Sprout leaned back against the side of his bed, staring at the half-woven threads. His mind wandered easily, replaying small moments. The way Cosmo moved so carefully when arranging pastries, always making sure everyone got a piece. How his voice got shy and soft when complimented. Those star freckles that looked like they’d been dusted on by the universe itself. Sprout sighed contentedly, a fond little smile tugging at his mouth. Cosmo really was the best. The absolute best. No one else made everything feel so complete.
He picked the bracelets back up, carefully adding the final charm to Cosmo’s. They were going to look wonderful together. Maybe they could wear them while exploring the quieter exhibits or while Sprout baked something special. Just the two of them, like always. The thought made his chest flutter slightly with quiet excitement.
“Cosmo...” he murmured to himself, barely above a whisper, eyes fixed on the star charms once more. He didn’t linger on the word, just let it hang softly in the still air of the room as he continued his work, completely absorbed.
Sprout sat nestled in the corner of his room, the soft hum of distant Gardenview activity barely reaching through the walls. Thin shafts of light filtered down from the narrow windows above, illuminating the colorful beads and charms spread across the rug like tiny treasures. He worked with steady, gentle hands, weaving the second bracelet with extra care. His own—bright red and leafy green with sturdy accents—rested beside him. Cosmo’s was far more detailed: layers of warm brown beads, soft teal and lavender threads, and a scattering of delicate star charms that mirrored those sweet freckles on his cheeks. When held together, they looked like two halves of something perfectly matched.
A fond, distant smile played on Sprout’s face as he turned the bracelet slowly. Sprout’s leaves shifted with quiet warmth. No one else made the world feel so balanced and bright. He didn’t linger on why his thoughts returned to Cosmo again and again. It was just natural.
Unfortunately for him, his thoughts were cut short when he heard a sharp knock at the door. Sprout frowned, then quickly smoothed his expression into a forced smile. “It’s open!” he called out.
The door swung open, and several main Toons stepped inside. Dandy led with his usual bright energy, though it looked a bit dimmed. Astro trailed close, clutching his blanket like a shield. Vee marched in with sharp confidence, arms already folded, while Shelly fidgeted anxiously beside her.
“Sprout…” Astro sighed, his voice soft but heavy as he hugged the blanket tighter. “We just came from the meeting.”
Sprout kept his tone casual, eyes fixed on the beads in his hands to avoid their stares. “Hey guys. How was it? Did they go over the new schedules again?”
Vee cut straight to the point, her voice sharp but steady. “Sprout. Why do you keep doing this? You’re making things harder for everyone, you know.”
Shelly gasped and lightly swatted Vee’s arm. “Vee! Be nicer about it!” She squealed before turning back to Sprout with a worried frown. “Sprout… Ms. Delilah was really upset this time. She said this is the fourth meeting you’ve skipped lately, and she’s starting to lose patience. It’s always the same reason…”
Vee rolled her eyes but continued more bluntly. “She’s tired of you throwing these little tantrums every single week just because you can’t stand being away from Cosmo for a few hours. It’s disruptive. The handlers are frustrated, we’re frustrated—it’s getting old fast.”
Sprout’s fingers slowed to a stop. He stared down at the bracelet in his lap, the star charms twinkling faintly. His smile remained plastered on, tight and unreadable. “’Kay,” he said coldly, the single word dropping like a stone.
Dandy tilted his head, his usual cheer cracking into confusion. “Is that seriously all you’ve got? Come on, Sprout… aren’t you going to at least try changing things up a bit? We’re all supposed to be a team here.”
Astro added quietly, shifting on his feet, “It’s not fair to Cosmo either if this keeps causing problems…”
Sprout ignored the weight of their words. Instead, he lifted the bracelet with both hands, holding it up so the warm colors and delicate stars caught the light. In his mind, he could already picture it perfectly—wrapped around Cosmo’s wrist, complementing his gentle pastry tones, bringing out that soft, happy little smile. The image filled his chest with warmth, pushing everything else aside. “You think Cosmo will like it?” he asked, his voice suddenly soft and genuine, completely bypassing their concerns.
“I added extra star charms because they remind me of his freckles. I tried really hard to get the colors just right…”
He turned the bracelet admiringly in his fingers, a real, dreamy smile creeping back onto his face. The others exchanged uneasy glances, but Sprout barely registered it. His thoughts had already drifted back to quiet shared moments, to Cosmo’s warm presence that somehow made every ordinary day feel special and complete.
“Sprout, for the love of—!” she started, voice rising sharply.
Astro quickly reached over and covered her mouth with his blanket-covered hand, muffling the rest. “Sprout… it’s beautiful,” he said instead, the compliment sounding a little too careful and forced. Even Sprout could tell.
“Thanks…” Sprout replied, his voice dipping into a slightly shaky tone. He glanced around the group, a quiet restlessness settling in. “Hm… where’s Cosmo?”
Shelly shifted on her feet, mumbling awkwardly, “Uhh… I think I saw him earlier, coloring with the craft siblings in the side of the art gallery. You know how much he likes those big shared art sessions.”
Sprout hummed softly, a spark returning to his eyes. He rose to his feet in one smooth motion, carefully gathering both finished bracelets and slipping them into a small pouch at his side. With quick, precise movements, he adjusted the leaves on his head, straightening them until they looked neat and presentable. He brushed a few stray threads from his scarf and headed for the door without another word.
Vee groaned loudly the moment he stepped out, throwing her hands up again. “Unbelievable. When has he ever fixed himself up like that for any important meeting or event? Not once!”
Shelly leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. “He must really love him…”
Astro glanced to the side, rubbing at his eye with the corner of his blanket. “Yeah… he really does, doesn’t he?” He paused, tone turning thoughtful. “It’s honestly a bit unhealthy, don’t you think? The way he gets whenever Cosmo isn’t right there with him. It’s like he can’t function properly anymore.”
Shelly tilted her head, looking between them with a mix of concern and confusion. “I mean… they’ve always been close, but well lately it feels like Sprout’s whole day revolves around him. Skipping meetings, making all these special things… I don’t know if it’s cute or kind of worrying.”
Vee crossed her arms tighter, leaning against the wall. “Worrying is putting it mildly. Delilah’s already talking about separating them for some of the group activities just to get Sprout to focus. But good luck telling him that. He’ll probably just smile, ask about Cosmo again, and wander off like he did just now.”
︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶
"𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞! 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠... 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭?!"
...
Sprout lingered in the doorway of the sunlit room for a long moment, his eyes fixed solely on Cosmo. The cheerful grin he’d been wearing slowly tightened, then faltered completely.
Cosmo sat cross-legged on the little chair, peacefully scribbling away with a handful of crayons on a large sheet of paper. His star-freckled cheeks were dusted with soft concentration, and every now and then he’d tilt his head in that gentle, endearing way that always made Sprout’s chest flutter. Scraps sat nearby, chatting animatedly about something Sprout didn’t care enough to listen to. But what really made his chest tighten was Goob.
The craft was curled up right behind Cosmo, arms wrapped snugly around him from behind in a deep, sleepy hug. Goob’s large claws rested heavily on Cosmo’s soft, plush waist, gripping in a way that looked far too comfortable and possessive. The sight made something sharp twist inside Sprout.
He blinked hard and gave his head a quick shake, forcing himself to stay composed. Be nice. Don’t ruin it, he told himself. Taking a slow breath, Sprout walked forward, his steps measured and deliberate. His focus remained locked on Cosmo, even though it was difficult with Goob practically draped all over him like that.
“Hi, Cosmo…” Sprout mumbled when he got closer, his voice coming out softer and a little shaky, betraying the emotions swirling underneath.
Cosmo looked up immediately, his expression brightening like a fresh pastry pulled from the oven. “OH! Hi Sprout!” he exclaimed warmly, as sweet and welcoming as ever. “How are you?”
Sprout’s gaze flicked sharply to Goob for just a second. His teeth clenched tightly behind his smile. He drew in another slow, deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady and bright. “I’m good… A lot better now that I found you.” A shy, genuine smile crept onto his face as his fingers brushed over the small pouch holding the bracelets. “Um… I actually have something I made for you.”
“Aww! What is it, Sprout?” Cosmo asked, tilting his head with a curious little smile and resting one hand softly against his own cheek.
Sprout’s heart did a warm flip at the sight. He wanted this moment to be perfect — just the two of them. No extra voices, no wandering eyes, and definitely no one else hugging Cosmo so tightly.
“Uh…” He coughed awkwardly, shifting his weight as he glanced between Scraps, who was still watching with interest, and the slumbering Goob, whose claws hadn’t loosened at all. “Can I show you in private? It’s kind of… special. I worked really hard on it.”
Cosmo let out a soft, melodic giggle as he reached behind his back and gently took hold of Goob’s large claws. With careful, patient movements, he unwrapped the tight embrace from around his plush waist. The sudden shift caused Goob to stir awake with a sleepy, pitiful whine. The bigger toon immediately tried to lean forward again, hugging even tighter as if refusing to accept the separation.
Sprout stood there watching, his expression twisting into a clear grimace. A hot flicker of irritation flared in his chest. Why the hell does Goob have to be so damn clingy all the time? Those oversized claws looked far too comfortable wrapped around Cosmo like that. It made something ugly twist inside him, even though he tried to push the feeling down.
Scraps, who had been quietly observing the whole thing, must have caught the sour look on his face because she suddenly blurted out, “What’s with the face, Sprout?”
Sprout quickly turned toward her and forced a soft, polite smile onto his lips. “Nothing…” he whispered, keeping his voice as even as possible.
Scraps frowned, clearly not believing him for a second. She hummed thoughtfully before turning her attention back to her little brother with a sweet, coaxing tone. “Goob, come on, let him go for now, okay? Cosmo will come back and hang out with us later, I promise!”
Goob let out a long, dramatic sigh, his fluffy body slumping in exaggerated disappointment. He clung on for a few more reluctant seconds, nuzzling closer, before finally loosening his arms and releasing Cosmo with visible reluctance.
Cosmo giggled again, the sound light and affectionate, and reached down to give Goob’s fluffy head a gentle, reassuring pat. “There we go. I’ll see you guys later,” he said warmly.
Only then did he stand up fully, brushing a few stray crayon shavings off himself. He turned toward Sprout, giving him his complete, undivided attention. Those eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity and kindness, and just like that, the rest of the room seemed to blur into the background.
Sprout felt the tension in his shoulders melt away almost instantly. A deep, warm rush filled his chest as he looked at Cosmo standing there — so sweet, so gentle, so perfectly himself. He smiled shyly, fingers brushing over the pouch that held the two matching bracelets, heart fluttering with quiet excitement. This moment was finally theirs...
“C’mon!” Sprout said warmly, his smile soft and eager. He gently took Cosmo’s hand, fingers intertwining with his, and led him away from the activity room.
Cosmo started chatting happily right away, his voice light and full of energy as he recounted every little detail of his day. Sprout walked beside him with a fond, content smile, nodding along even though he wasn’t really absorbing the words.
He loved hearing Cosmo talk — the gentle rhythm of his voice, the way he got excited over small things — but deep down, none of the details mattered. All that truly mattered was that Cosmo was here, walking hand-in-hand with him. The rest of Gardenview could fade away completely.
They eventually reached one of Sprout’s room/map: a cozy, restaurant-style lounge area designed to feel like an outdoor café patio. Fake ivy climbed the decorative walls, soft lighting mimicked warm sunlight, and plants, rocks, and trees (all artificial but beautifully maintained) created a peaceful little corner away from the main flow of traffic. It wasn’t really outdoors, but the gentle ambiance made it feel close enough — their own private little escape within Gardenview.
They settled down together at their usual spot in the corner, nestled between two large decorative planters. Sprout sat especially close, his leaves twitching with nervous excitement. He gulped, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words.
“Uh… sooo… haha…” he mumbled shyly, cheeks warming. “I might’ve gotten in a little trouble while making this, but it’s okay! Hopefully you like it, Cossy.”
Cosmo leaned in closer, his face full of genuine curiosity and anticipation, eyes bright and focused entirely on Sprout.
Taking a steadying breath, Sprout finally opened his hand. Resting in his palm were the two handmade friendship bracelets. The sturdy red-and-green one for himself, and the beautifully detailed one for Cosmo — warm browns and those delicate little star charms scattered throughout.
Cosmo gasped, one hand flying up to gently cover his mouth. “Oh… Sprout…” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. He carefully picked up his bracelet, turning it slowly between his fingers to admire every bead and charm. “It’s so pretty… The stars match my freckles perfectly… and the colors… I love it so much! Oh thank youuu!”
His eyes shimmered with happy tears as he clutched the bracelet to his chest, clearly touched.
Sprout felt his own chest bloom with warmth. Cosmo had always been so sensitive and open with his feelings. It was one of the countless things he adored about him.
Before Sprout could respond, Cosmo suddenly moved forward, half-pouncing into his lap as he threw his arms around him in a tight, grateful hug. Sprout let out a surprised but happy huff, quickly wrapping his arms around Cosmo in return. He held him close, savoring the warmth, the soft plush feel, and the way Cosmo’s star-speckled cheek pressed against his shoulder.
Cosmo stayed curled against him for a long while, his hug warm and clinging in the best possible way. Sprout gently rubbed his back in slow circles, savoring every second. When Cosmo finally pulled back just enough to look at him, his eyes were still misty with happiness.
“Help me put it on?” Cosmo asked softly, holding out the bracelet.
Sprout perked up immediately. “Of course.” He took the bracelet with careful fingers and slipped it around Cosmo’s wrist, fastening it securely. It looked even better than he had imagined — the colors glowing softly against Cosmo’s pastry tones, the tiny stars catching the fake sunlight like real ones. They matched perfectly with the one now resting on his own wrist.
Cosmo turned his arm this way and that, admiring how it moved with him. “We match now… everywhere,” he said with a delighted little laugh.
Sprout could only nod, warmth flooding his entire body. We do. And we always should, he thought, the idea settling deep and comforting in his chest.
They spent the next while sitting close together on the padded bench. Cosmo kept leaning against Sprout’s side, occasionally bumping their wrists together so the bracelets clicked softly. Sprout listened as Cosmo started describing what he wanted to bake next — maybe strawberry tarts to match Sprout’s colors, or a big batch of star-shaped cookies. Every suggestion made Sprout’s smile grow.
Everything. Was. Perfect...
Perfect.
𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭… 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞—𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐢𝐬.. 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭.
𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐢𝐭?