Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was yet another day in high school. Maybe not.

Sprout leaned against his locker, Cosmo right by his side as he spoke to him, pretty loudly to be honest, more than necessary. He's talking about a big party he's planning on doing, and he's going to invite everyone. Nice, right? Well, before Sprout came into this very hallway, Astro was quietly speaking to Brightney, one of his book club members.

At this point, hearing the berry’s damn voice echoing through the hallway was annoying Astro, and not a little.

“Could you be quiet?” He said, side-eyeing Sprout, his voice still quiet like always.

He turned his head to face whoever called him, smirking when he realized it was none other than Astro himself. “Or what? Gonna whine and cry?”

It wasn't the first time they spoke to each other like this, the two were the opposite of the other. Sprout was always loud and full of energy, Astro was always quiet and out of energy. Opposites. Which made them argue a lot, they never threw hands though.

“I'll make you whine and cry.” Astro said, his voice slightly louder, not matching Sprout's yet. “Oh, yeah? Is that a threat?” Sprout raised his voice even more, walking in the middle of the hallway, Cosmo right behind him, watching.

The irritated moon handed Brightney the books he was holding, walking towards the berry as they made eye contact. Sprout smirked, hands in his pockets as he leaned his body forward, his face now close to Astro's.

“Think you can beat me just ‘cause you're a freak with four arms?”

That was it.

Astro's hands turned into fists, all fours of them, and suddenly, to everyone's surprise, he punched Sprout with one of his hands, getting him right on the cheekbone, almost making him fall to the side. His knuckles are a darker blue, the berry's cheek now even more red. Meanwhile, a crowd was made around them, watching the start of the fight.

“You motherfuckin’—”

Sprout quickly got up on his feet, moving his hands towards Astro, just to be stopped by two of his hands, their fingers intertwining as they pushed each other. Anyone watching yelling “Fight!” continuously or recording.

Astro's other pair of hands held Sprout's waist, which made him confused, but then he was met with a knee in the gut. Making him fall backwards, to the ground. His head hitting hard against the floor.

Well, this is weird.

Astro was pinning down Sprout, their hands still together, his other pair of hands on the ground to keep himself up, his knees next to Sprout's thighs. His cheeks turned a bright blue, almost like little stars on his face, looking down at the berry, who had his eyes barely open from the hit.

“Fuckin’... asshole.”

Sprout was about to get a hit on Astro's member with his knee, but he was stopped by the principal’s call.

“In my office. Now.”

And there they went. Sprout was sitting in one of the chairs across from the principal's desk, basically laying on it, one of his legs up, his foot resting on the base of the chair, his elbow on his knee and the other arm just lazily by his side.

Astro, who was sitting in the seat next to him, was completely frozen, all his four hands on his lap, patiently waiting for the principal to tell them something, anything.

“Tell me, what should I do about you two? Because no matter what, you're always in my office.” Delilah, the principal, said with anger. They've been in her office at least five times already.

“Mrs. Keen—”

“I don't want to hear it. You're both in detention.”

Astro's eyes widened, as if he was shot in the chest; meanwhile Sprout wasn't even listening. The guy was at least once a week in detention.

“Uh? Aight.”

“Mrs. Keen! Please, I-I can't be in detention!”

“Cry baby.”

“Could you please be quiet—”

“It’s two weeks of detention.” Principal Delilah Keen said, crossing her arms, definitely not changing her mind after seeing them actually fight in a hallway.

“T-Two… weeks?!” Astro immediately panicked, he has never been in detention before, he didn’t know how to tell his parents. As for Sprout, well, he was also worried about his parents’ reaction, since he never got two whole weeks.

“... Mierda.”

They left the office right after, passing by the nurse to get checked up. First, it was Sprout, getting a bandage on his cheekbone; there was no blood leaking from behind his head, so the nurse just gave him a painkiller. Then Astro, getting the knuckles of the hand he punched Sprout with all bandaged up.

Later that day, the two stayed in an empty classroom for about two hours after their classes. Astro did the homework given by the teacher who was watching them, and even more, meanwhile Sprout was just being there. Unluckily for them, it started raining, both alone as the teacher went in his car, not caring about the two teens. The unlucky one is actually just Sprout, since he was the one without the umbrella. Astro was prepared. Both of them were now at the entrance of the school, still inside the building, backpacks on their shoulders. The moon opened his umbrella, it was pretty big so it covered him and his backpack too, but only now he noticed the berry looking up at the gray sky, no umbrella in hand. Even though the two of them fought, he had a heart, so he held the umbrella towards Sprout, getting his attention.

“Need a hand?”

The other looked at him, like he thought it was a joke. “Yeah, one. Not four.” he said, with his usual smirk on his face, but that didn’t stop Astro. “Listen, I’m sorry about today… just let me help.” The berry’s gaze softened for a moment, but then he rolled his eyes, a small chuckle leaving his lips. “Ay, sí. Mi héroe.” He joked, getting under the umbrella either way, holding his backpack straps a bit too tight.

They began walking together, usually on the way back home the two would be arguing about the dumbest things, making their friends listen like they were some old married couple, but now it's quiet, too quiet for Sprout. So, he suddenly pushed Astro's shoulder without warning.

“Tag, you're it!” He said, running forward, away from the other, who froze in place, confused.

“Tag? Why—under the rain?!” Astro followed, picking up his speed, trying to stay behind, but he didn't want to get wet or fall. A minute passed and he was just too cautious, not running in any puddles or anything, also busy keeping the umbrella on his head. So busy he didn't stop Sprout from yanking it away to close it up.

“Ay- you're no fun.”

And so he ran, but with the umbrella, getting Astro and his school uniform soaking wet. “... Hey!”

The two students ran under the rain, sometimes even laughing at themselves or the other for tripping in small puddles of rain water, or small rocks. They were having fun.

“Vale, vale… calmate un rato—” Sprout said, catching his breath as he stopped, but Astro didn't. Finally, the moon caught up to the berry, holding his wrists with his lower pair of hands. Also breathing heavily. “... You're it.”

There was a moment of silence, before Sprout let out one of his biggest laughs yet, louder than any other day at school, and this time, Astro didn't mind it at all.

“Ah- you're so damn confusing, y'know that? First you punch me and then you play tag with me.”

“... I could say the same about you.”

“True, true.”

Sprout looked at Astro. Astro looked at Sprout. His two other free hands moved to the berry's shoulder, and the bandaged cheekbone, caressing it with care. The two of them leaned closer and closer to each other's faces. And then,

they kissed. A soft, sweet, and very hesitant kiss. A kiss to test the waters.

Sprout's hands went to Astro's waist, holding it ever-so-gently, kissing him back, both their eyes closing. Only then they both pulled away, Sprout's face was more red than ever and Astro's was a very deep glitter blue. A small light blue glow coming from the moon, lighting up the scene.

Sprout then realized what just happened, and before Astro could speak he spoke first.

“Coño.”

He walked backwards, the umbrella falling from his hand as he ran away, just like that.

Astro stood where he was, watching Sprout run away from him, confused, scared… but he couldn't stop blushing. He picked up the umbrella from the wet ground, opening it, covering himself even though he was no longer dry.

“... Co—what?”

Chapter Text

Sprout ran, as much as he could. Luckily his place is near the school. He took the house keys out of his pocket, his hands shaking as he opened the door. Closing the door behind him, hanging up the keys and taking off his shoes at the entrance he ran up to his room, his parents weren't there anyway. They never were.

He slammed the door shut, heavily breathing, not only because of the running this time.

“Fuck, fuck! Maldita sea—why the carajo-!” He took his scarf off, letting it pool on the floor, he felt like he couldn't breathe, he was choking with air. “I don't like him. He's- he's a damn freak, a stupid monster!” He fell to his knees, holding his head, tears forming in his eyes, eventually falling down his cheeks.

“... And I love him.”

Meanwhile, with Astro, he got home just now, opening the gate and then the front door, taking off his shoes, his umbrella now closed as his mom came to greet him before he could move from the entrance. “Dear? Is that you–oh my stars!” The older woman rushed to her son's side, cupping his face, which made him whine at the usual clingy behavior. “Mom… I'm fine–” “I'll get you a towel, and make you a hot bath, wait here.”

Before he knew it, he was in his very own fancy bathroom, the tub filled with his favorite bath bomb, fizzing in the warm water, closing his eye at the feeling. His head tilted back, his first pair of arms resting on the edges of the tub, the other pair staying by his sides. His lips were so soft. It was a thought that has been stuck on Astro's head even since Sprout ran away, his cheeks going blue at the memory.

After getting in his pajamas, he was stopped by his mother yet again, who talked to him about the detention he had to go through. She wasn't mad, she was extremely worried that he got hit too hard during the fight. Only then, finally, he fell on his bed, facing the ceiling, the sun already went down outside. He couldn't, not at all, get that damned kiss out his head. Sprout's touch, his lips, how soft his cheeks were to hold…

His cheeks are now all a glittery blue again. He turned to lay on his stomach, two of his hands holding the pillow from under, the other two held the sheets tight, kicking his legs in the air the more he thought about it. Before he knew it, he fell asleep with that thought, a few glowing blue stars around his head as he slept, his mom pulling a blanket over him, turning off the light, and closing the door.

…

Astro opened his eye, looking down at himself. He had a black suit on, a red flower on the jacket pocket, definitely not something he had in his closet. “... What?” he whispered to himself, and then, the most famous wedding entrance song started playing, which made Astro look over where it was coming from, his jaw dropping to the ground at the sight.

It was Sprout. The one and only. Wearing a white suit, a blue flower on the jacket pocket, holding a white bouquet. His face is so red, so handsome.

Astro was so focused on looking at the berry that he didn't notice a small child, whose name is Toddles if you really want to know, throwing flowers from a basket around while the two walked towards him. When Sprout got in front of Astro, Shelly suddenly grabbed his bouquet, and then Dyle started speaking.

“Sprout Seedly–”

“Shut up.”

“–will you take Astro Novalite as your spouse?” Astro's eyes widened at the question, looking at Sprout anxiously, his face colored like the deep sea. “... I do.” Dyle turned to the moon, now asking him.

“Astro Novalite, will you take Sprout Seedly–”

“I told you to shut up-!”

“I'm just doing my job—will you take him as your husband?”

He froze, his palms sweaty and shaking, was this really happening?

“I do…?”

“Rings!” Dyle called, Vee suddenly appeared from the side, holding a small red pillow with golden edges, three rings on top of it. Astro, with one of his shaking hands, grabbed a ring, Sprout's left hand already up towards him, so he put the ring in his ring finger, holding the hand with two of his.

“W- Why three rings?” Astro asked, watching as Sprout held his upper right hand, putting the second ring on his finger.

“Because ya got two pairs of arms, cariño.” The berry grabbed the third ring, putting it in Astro's other right hand. Vee suddenly disappeared as Dyle spoke again. “I now pronounce you husband and spouse.” An audience suddenly started clapping, Sprout got closer, his hands going to Astro's sides. The moon's bottom pair of arms holding his hips, his other two hands holding his cheeks. They leaned closer, and closer. And then a very loud slam of doors opening could be heard, along with a beeping sound.

“I object!” Dandy's voice echoed around, Astro snapping his head towards him angrily since they were about to kiss. The beeping got louder, and louder.

Gasp!

He woke up, the sound of his breathing filled the room for a moment, his face a really deep blue, his natural skin color gone. The door gently opened, revealing his mother, looking worried about the color of his face.

“Honey? Is everything okay? You look sick–” She said, which made Astro shake his head. “I'm fine mom! I'll–I’m going to get ready now.” He got up from the bed, scanning the room to do his usual routine:

Get up, put on his school uniform, put in his backpack what he needed and unplugged his phone, since it was charging like every night. He went down stairs, backpack on his shoulder just to then set it down on the front door. He walked to the table, immediately smelling the breakfast his mother made. The classic scrambled eggs, bacon and toast, something Astro ate countless of times. He sat down on his usual seat, eating his food, careful not to make a mess. His mom sat across from him, his dad, who had to go to work, kissed him and her on top of the head, saying goodbye as he left, going to his own car.

“I left you alone yesterday because I was worried, but now…” Astro started to sweat. What did she mean? It was obviously about the detention–two whole weeks!

“Tell me, are you okay? I know you wouldn't have fought back unless whoever called you names said something really bad.” Oh. Not mad. That's lucky.

“... I'm fine, mom. And, yes, I let anger take over me, but I won't let it happen again.” “Do you want me to drive you to school, dear?” “No, no, I'll walk like always.” After his breakfast, school started in thirty minutes or so, but Astro put his backpack on, wanting to get early, like always. He finished putting on his shoes, his mom kissing him on the cheek as goodbye.

“Tell me if that kid bothers you again!” “Yes, mom…”

The moon walked on the familiar street. The kiss, that dream… he was starting to think something was wrong with him. Anyway, he put every thought about Sprout aside, getting to school, entering inside his first class, his best friend, Dandy, waiting in his chair.

“Hey, bud!” Dandy got up, hugging Astro tightly, and he, of course, hugged the flower back. It was weird after that dream he had though.

In the meantime, Sprout was looking at his bare arms, he was shaking. Badly. The poor guy had bruises, purple and black spots over his limbs. His hand went to his cheekbone, where the bandage from the day before was, where Astro touched him.

“... Me odio.” He whispered, rubbing his eyes, putting his long sleeved shirt on, lazily putting on his scarf. He quietly left his place, careful not to wake up his parents. He was now on his way to school, his peace slow, there were a few minutes until the first class started anyway, he was going to be fine. He walked to the school's gate, but he was then jumped by Cosmo, who hugged him from the side, really tightly.

“... They hit you, didn't they?” Cosmo asked, like he knew it all already. Like he knew the answer. “I–” “If you're gonna say bullshit just let yourself be hugged.” And Sprout got quiet, tears forming in his eyes, but not letting them fall, side hugging his best buddy, letting him comfort him.

Class started, Sprout and Cosmo getting in just in time. Astro's eye immediately landed on the berry, his cheeks blushing slightly at the memory from the day before. During the whole class, as some slept and groaned from the early hour, Astro took notes, like always, but he found himself drawing, as best as he could, small doodles of Sprout with different expressions. He would even look directly at the berry, smiling to himself, his face covered in glitter each time. By the end of it, Astro’s notebook was full of hearts and Sprouts, smiling to himself as he looked at them. He was now packing his stuff away, but that was until Dandy slammed his hands on his desk, waking him up.

“Astro! Did you hear me? Do. You. Wanna. Come. Over. To. My. Place.” The moon stared at the colorful flower, immediately closing the notebook on the desk with his second pair of hands, the other two closing the backpack once everything was inside. “Well, I wouldn’t know, I should ask my mother first–” “BULL-crap! She lets ya do anything mate, ya don’t gotta ask!” Dandy wasn’t wrong, his mom’s the nicest, especially when it was about hanging out with friends. But still.

“I don’t know… especially after the fight I had yesterday–”

“What? Ya won! So why worry.”

Chapter Text

“I won-? Dandy, are you hearing yourself? I hurt him!” Astro said Astro, feeling bad just thinking about it, wanting to apologize to Sprout over and over again.

“You HAD to. It was self-defence. Plus, everyone is glad you punched that jerk.” Dandy didn’t like Sprout, at all. And it may, or may not, be because the moon and berry spent so much time fighting that it’s like they’re hanging out at this point. Astro noticed this jealousy time ago, but let it slide, since he knew the flower could be a bit… childish.

“C'mon! Just a few hours over my place won't hurt.” Dandy said with a big smile, one that split his face in half. How could Astro say no? By just saying no, damn it!

“... I suppose it won’t hurt anyone.”

What the two buddies didn’t know is that Sprout was listening, his back against the doorframe outside the class, sprinting away when he heard Astro get up from his chair. So, minutes later, the berry was with Cosmo, writing one of the many bad words on a post-it, something like “freak”, “pussy”, and one even said “4x4”. Right now he was quickly writing “dumbass” and his best friend looked at him concerned.

“Are you sure this is okay? You might get suspended again.”

“So what?” Sprout immediately said, sticking the post-it on the locker. He was about to write something else, but then he saw Astro and Dandy, hand in hand… hand in hand? He felt his blood boil, not even knowing why, why was he acting like this? They always held hands! The berry roughly grabbed Cosmo’s wrist, dragging him away.

Now, the moon and flower stood in front of the locker, which was full of post-its. Damn.

“Who– WHO DID–”

Astro immediately held one of his hands up, silently telling Dandy not to make a scene. Tears were in his eye though, since, well, what Sprout wrote wasn't nice at all. He ripped off all the post-it notes, his four hands making the process quicker.

The rainbow flower stared, obviously knowing how Astro was feeling. He held a hand towards his best friend’s upper shoulder. “Bud? I can tell the principal if you…” He stopped himself, his hand staying in the air while he watched the moon walk away. The center of his pupils turned red.

…

The school day’s over, Sprout and Astro are sitting far from each other in the seats that were in that area of the library they were in. The teacher, Mrs. Teagan, was simply reading a book at her desk. But not even ten minutes in, she suddenly got a call, and with her phone to the side of her ear, she left. Just like that, leaving the two teens confused.

Sprout took advantage of this, immediately jumping off his chair, making it fall to the wooden floor, suddenly running away, somewhere deep in the library.

Astro sat there, confused as hell. And, of course, he followed the berry, curious. Maybe too much. He walked carefully, watching his step, luckily for him he's naturally quiet. He even spooked his parents once as a kid.

As he followed, making sure to stay behind shelves not to be seen. Just in case. He knew this could increase his punishment, but that wasn't important, not now.

Sprout eventually found a corner, sitting down on the floor against the bookshelf. He rolled up his sleeves, elbows on his knees as he looked at his forearms, purple and black spots everywhere.

“Mierda... eso no se ve bien.” He whispered, hiding his face on his knees.

“Is he crying?” “Is he okay?” “Astro that doesn't look okay.”

Astro told himself in his head, slowly leaving his hiding spot, kneeling down next to Sprout. One of his hands hesitated, but eventually sat on his shoulder.

“Ay!—”

The berry got scared by the moon's sudden touch, his head jerking up.

“Fuck–you followed me?!” He immediately covered his forearms with his uniform sleeves.

“I just, I thought–”

“You thought wrong.”

Astro couldn't believe this guy. First, they have a very romantic moment under the rain. And now he just threw all that away. Why? He needed to know.

“You–you kissed me. Not the other way around!” He said, all his hands turning to fists. “Are we going to pretend that didn't happen?”

“YES! WE ARE.”

“… we are?”

Now his dream felt like a deep stab in the heart. He didn't even realize he was crying, his tears falling to the floor. Sprout didn't seem like he regretted anything, like he was just telling the honest truth.

“... Listen, I know your faggot ass definitely liked it. But, I was obviously mistaking you for Jennifer Lawrence.”

…

“Are you seriously going to cry in front of me because I'm not gay?”

…

…

… ?

“Fuck you.”

Astro gave Sprout the middle finger, or, well, all four of them. He got up from where he was kneeling, his upper hands holding his face and rubbing his eye, the other two just hugging his sides.

This is new. Did the moon ever swear before? No, he wasn't one who swore. At all. Did he feel bad? No. No way. That kiss was a mistake and Astro is… too.

The crying moon went to yet another corner, which was honestly more hidden than Sprout's. He knew his way around the library. He sat down, his bottom pair of arms holding his knees close to his chest, his other two just holding onto his nightcap for dear life. As he sobbed without anybody's comfort.

Later, when they began walking home, Sprout subconsciously looked at Astro on the other side of the road. Not talking to him. Just staring quietly. His eye is still red from the crying, making something stir in the strawberry’s chest.

Astro got home, face completely covered in tears, avoiding his mother, straight up going to his room. He cried, and not a little. He sat on the center of his big bed, hiding his face on his knees, two of his arms hugging his knees, the other two holding the back of his head tightly. His sobs echoed through the whole room, his breathing unsteady.

His phone vibrated on the night stand thanks to the many notifications. It bothered him.

It bothered.

It's annoying.

So DAMN annoying–

Before Astro knew it, he held the phone with his telekinesis, almost throwing it towards the wall, but a specific notification made him stop. It’s Vee, his best friend! Or, well, yet another one of them.

“Sup”

“R u okay?”

The moon looked up at the screen, holding it gently with his top pair of hands, texting back with trembling hands:

“No? Why are you texting me if I'm okay?”

“Jus now heard the news abt the fight”

“congrats on winnin”

He didn’t win. He really didn’t. And it wasn’t a fight in the first place! Was it? He just threw a punch–

“Ur knuckles alr?”

“Yes, Vee. They’re fine. Could we not talk about that?”

“Y?”

“Nvm Idc much”

That’s… wow. How are they best friends again? He swore Vee is way nicer in his eye.

“Look at ts a sec”

The computer sent a screenshot of a post, it was Sprout’s account

… Thecoolest_berry? What kind of name is that–?

Ignoring the user, Astro looked at the actual post. It was a photo of Sprout smiling as Cosmo just stood there, his hand holding two fingers up to do the peace sign. A locker full of post-its behind them. That was obviously his.The description saying:

“Got this dumbass locker a new look”

The moon felt like crying again. The notification from Vee barely distracts him.

“I could beat his ass jus ask”

“Don’t.”

“Suuuuureeee”

“Well jus dont tell Dandy he might crash the fuck out if he finds ts somehow”

“I know. Thanks, Vee.”

“No prob”

Now, as you could guess, Astro cried. His face buried in one of his many pillows, his tears soaking it, his phone being held tight by one of his hands. He rolled over on his back, his cell right against his chest, his other pair of hands holding onto the sheets beneath him.

Why? Just why did he fall in love with… with–

“Ugh! I hate him!” He groaned loudly, slamming his phone on the night stand, turning back on his stomach just to yell in the pillow under his head,kicking his feet in the air out of anger. Sure, he looked pretty much like a child, but he couldn’t help it. He stopped just to breathe, looking at the headboard with a plain stare.

“He kissed me. Why? Maybe it was just to make the joke more painful.” He laid on his back again, his eye gazing at the ceiling.

“It’s not fair. It’s– It’s all his fault. He’s the reason for my punishment, he is the one who’s making me suffer so much. He…” His cheeks flushed blue a moment, but that immediately turned into anger, his four hands turning into fists.

“I should’ve beat him up until he bled!”

Chapter Text

Sprout laid in his small bed, staring at his own post from a few hours ago. He didn’t regret it, did he? I mean, why would he?

… Still, a friend’s opinion would be nice. So who other than Cosmo?

He typed, slow and steady, like he was doing anything but sending a message

“Dude”

“Is it bad if I called Astro a fag and made him cry”

…

“HELLO???”

“ARE YOU SRSLY ASKING???”

Now that Sprout thought about it, it sounded really bad.

“Yes?”

“I'm going to kill you”

“APOLOGIZE”

Apologize? Why would he do that? He meant what he said, he just… didn't find a nicer way to say it.

“Why would I do that”

Before Sprout knew it, in his phone there was the picture of Cosmo looking straight at the camera. It was so serious that it was funny.

“Do I have to do EVERYTHING for you?”

“Fym?”

“WAIT”

“DON'T”

Too late, Sprout thought, not even imagining what Cosmo would do.

The Swiss roll immediately searched for Astro's contact, after all, almost everyone in school had his number. Just because he's really smart and is in the student council in their school who actually did their job when needed.

And this is an emergency.

Cosmo wrote probably the longest paragraph of his life, pointing out Sprout’s personality and flaws, how he DEFINITELY didn’t mean the harsh words he told Astro. He didn’t care if the message was too long, or too desperate, after all, the moon doesn’t really mind longer texts; in fact, all their previous chats were all pretty long paragraphs. And it was actually nice not to have someone type something in a thousand messages!
Later on, just five minutes or so - which Cosmo spent them all staring at the screen - Astro was typing back.

“It's okay, really. I understand.”

Oh no.

He didn't use any emojis? Anything at all? He always used them to seem nice! But now he didn't.

Sprout fucked up.

Speaking of which, the berry just laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling, one hand on his heart, as if it was in pain. An aching pain.
He stared at the white wall for who knows how long, doing nothing useful. Nothing important. His empty thoughts went to not thinking at all, to thinking about Astro. Oh, why him? Why, out of everyone he didn't like, why him?! He hated the Toon! Hated his dumb face, dumb nightcap he always wore, the dumb, perfect, way he put on the school uniform, his really handsome personality, his beautiful care for others, his… everything! He hated everything! His eyebrows furrowed, violently grabbing the pillow under his head, keeping it close to his chest, his leg going over it. It's something he did when he was stressed. Or just needed a hug.

Sprout pulled back just to look at the pillow, imagining it being… Astro? The moon was smiling at him, chuckling, but no actual noise came out. He didn't know what his laughter was like, but he wished he did. He moved his hand to the side of Astro's head, only for his vision to go away, and turn back into the pillow he was holding.

“Mierda.”

… if only he wasn't so stupid.

The very next day, in the morning, Sprout yawned, getting up from his small bed after not getting enough sleep. Again. He went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face, his cheekbone stinging up at the contact with the cold water. He applied a new, small bandage, hoping that would heal it up quicker. Putting on his long-sleeved shirt for school, he actually bothered to put the ends of it inside his pants, looking decent as his belt showed. He slowly sneaked out his own house, not wanting to wake a certain someone.
It’s so damn cold outside, why the fuck does autum end so early?! The berry kept his hands in the pockets of his pants, hoping that was doing something to his cold hands. Before he knew it, Cosmo came up by his side, bumping his hip with his own.

“Hey, dumbass! Got… any sleep at all?” The Swiss roll asked when he got a good look at his best friend. The Toon’s shivering! And he still refused to wear the school’s jacket uniform. Is he really that stubborn?

“Oh, you know it.” Sprout answered sarcastically, yawning yet again, not bothering to cover his mouth, leaning forwards, his back in a really bad posture to walk in.

…

“Dude, I saw your asshole from how wide your mouth opened to yawn.”

“WHAT–?”

Meanwhile, at school, a duo is already in class, even though the teacher wasn’t even there, since it’s so early. Dandy looked over to his friend, watching him with a pout. Astro looked tired, not the usual tired, but–tired. He did basically cry himself to sleep after all.

“Astrooo? Are you okay, bud? You look so sleepy!” Dandy questioned, feeling Astro’s forehead with the back of his hand, trying to feel if it was too warm or not. The moon just let him check, not minding his best friend’s behaviour. He’s just worrying about him, and he couldn’t say anything, or thank him enough.

“I’m alright Dandy, just… the usual tired.” The flower, obviously not happy by that answer, hugged him tight, bringing him in a warm, soft embrace. And his best bud obviously hugged him back, one pair of arms around his shoulders and the other around his waist. Embracing the smaller Toon.

“Okayyy… but you can tell me anything! Y’know that, right?”

Slowly pulling away from the embrace, Dandy stared at Astro, their faces dangerously close. Dandy leaned in. Astro didn’t. Everything seemed to be a blur, the quiet classroom almost disappearing, their lips so close.

“Hello?”

The teacher, who just walked in, greeted the two Toons, who quickly broke the hug, if it could be called that. The flower’s face was red, Astro’s was just confused.

What just happened? Well, it didn't matter, school’s finally starting, and Astro needed a distraction from everything. Everyone. Unluckily for him though, it only lasted a few hours, because then he had detention. With Sprout.

Just thinking about his name - him. It made his blood boil in his veins.

Eventually accepting this, he sat down on the desk right in front of the teacher, not wanting to see, to hear, or notice the berry, who now sat at a desk behind him. Sprout stared, his cheek resting in his palm as he did, a bit of guilt in his eyes along with… concern? No, that wasn’t it. Right?

“You look really gay right now.” He imagined his best friend saying, which he would if he was here with him, watching him stare at Astro with “heart eyes”.

Yeah, sure.

He found himself drawing random lines on the paper the teacher gave him for work, which he obviously didn’t do, unlike the moon, who had already finished writing on the first page, turning the paper to write more. The words “apologize” kept ringing in his head. Apologize, apologize. Apologize—

Before he knew it, he wrote sorry.

Sorry?

Mhm, sorry.

He folded the paper with fast and messy folds, making a messed up paper plate with the message inside. Childish? A lot. But it was worth the small laugh. He threw the plane, which miserably fell on the floor, but, by Astro's leg, so he noticed. Grabbing the paper plane, not even taking a good look at it, the moon crushed it. Curling it up in a ball with his fours hands. It made Sprout's heart ache, but it was immediately covered by anger. The not ruined origami stayed by the edge of Astro's desk, continuing his homework like nothing. He wasn't actually mad, could he even feel that emotion? He was just… giving the strawberry the cold shoulder, yeah. Totally it.

When they left school, the two were on sidewalks next to each other, only the street separating them.

Astro's on his phone – definitely not on his weather app just so he wouldn't have to notice Sprout nearby – he could never. Little did he know the berry's doing the exact same thing, not daring to look at his eye. His eyes caught his reflection a moment, his free hand resting on his cheekbone where there's the bandaid. Did they really become enemies and not simply two guys playing around with each other–? Teasing each other?

That hurt more than any detention or talk by the principal.

He didn't want Astro out of his life, did he? Oh– no! He loved the play fight, why would he want it to stop? Before he knew it he was standing in front of the front door of his home, slowly opening it, quietly stepping in. The went to his room, threw his backpack somewhere - he didn't care - and sat down on his bed, took off his shoes as he held his phone in hand.

He's going to do something stupid, isn't he?

Chapter Text

Astro whined, his full-of-tears eye buried in one of his many soft pillows. He's crying again, a plate with cookie crumbs and an empty mug on his nightstand. His room is cold, just how he liked it, but even under the covers with multiple pillows, his tears were the only thing warming him up.

He wished the one he loved wasn't so stupid! That he'd hold him close, whisper gentle words, kiss his forehead and apologize with flowers and chocolates. But he knew that wasn't going to happen. I mean, maybe Sprout is right– maybe this is a one-sided thing, after all, Astro isn't really good looking, is he?

He slowly got up from the bed, holding his heavy blanket around his body like armor as he walked inside his bathroom. Looking at the mirror, he saw his tear stained cheek, his eye red and puffy. He didn't look too good. He took off his nightcap with his top pair of arms, - the other busy keeping the blanket around himself - lines on his forehead from how long it's been there on his head, rubbing the lines as if they'd disappear if he did hard enough. He stared at the mirror like it insulted him in every way possible, he almost thought about punching the damn thing– but, y'know, that'd be behold crazy. Putting the nightcap back on, his hand fell on the left side of his face, on the diamond star softly glowing more at the contact.

Sure, he may not have been the most normal Toon around. He was born in a very extraordinary way in space after all. But that was something unique about him, right?

His parents told him so. He loves them dearly.

Even so, he doesn't feel like their words were the whole truth.

He knew he was clearly weird, not that it was necessarily a bad thing, he knows… but then why did Sprout not like him—

Was he so hard to love? To care? To be close?

Obviously not, or he wouldn't have any friends at all. But romantically? He had no one. And the one he did want literally offended him, made his blood boil, his knuckles white, and made him cry at night. But then again, why did he still want him? Make him understand how much he meant to him and prove it?

“Perhaps I am… too stubborn.”

…

“I'm not doing that”

Sprout rolled his eyes at the message on the screen.

“Why not? It's literally jus u tellin him to talk to me”

“Exactly”

“I'm not ur sorry letter”

“Say sorry yourself if you really care darling”

He rolled his eyes again, why the fuck did this dumbass mirror not understand?

“You dumb? I CAN'T he fuckin hates me now”

“ONE MORE REASON TO DO IT YOURSELF”

“FUCK U???”

“Love you too berry boy<3”

Sprout groaned, throwing his phone on the mattress, rubbing his eyes as he collapsed on the chair behind him. It hurt a bit, it's a wooden chair after all, but it didn't hurt more than… y'know what? Fuck that. He ain't no pussy. He was going to apologize, make it good, and then start annoying Astro again. That'll definitely work.

Never-fuckin’-mind.

It was now the next day, the end of school. Glisten's a gossipy Toon, everyone knows, and he couldn’t help but watch Sprout and Astro during the day and, well, it’s bad. To be honest, he ships them, but damn. They are stupid as hell. When he saw the strawberry just going into that empty classroom, ready for two hours of boredom without a word towards the moon, that made his blood boil. As if he was deeply into this. The mirror walked around, searching for Astro, wherever he was, finding him against one of the lockers, talking to the most famous couple in school.

“I wish to know why he acts like this. I know he’s hiding something.” The real tired Toon said, both his pair of arms crossed, speaking to the couple next to him. The perfect couple he’s talking to are Vee and Boxten, mainly known because Vee is famous on her own and Boxten is a nerd with glasses. Literally. The two were against each other, the girl’s arm around the boy’s sides, gently keeping him close, sometimes squeezing his side to let him know she was there with him too even though she’s talking to another.

“Y’know that having him as a friend is an option, right? It ain’t a life changer.” The computer said, but before Astro could answer to that, the music box spoke, looking up at his girlfriend, his hand going over her own.

“Vee, I think I'm going to go now, is that okay?” He’d ask softly, not wanting to seem rude by asking to just go home, his square glasses slightly falling down.

“Mh? Yeah, sure.”

Vee used her index to put his glasses back on nicely, and then guess what. They kissed. Right next to someone who’s crush probably hated him. And the happy couple didn’t stop there.

“I love you.”

“I love ya too, ‘Ten.”

With a final side hug, Boxten walked away, waving at them with a smile, even though it was obviously meant for Vee only.

“Are you serious?”

She turned around at the sudden question, a confused expression popping up on her black screen. “... What? I’m just sayin’ bye to my boyfriend– oh.”

“I thought robots were intelligent.”

Glisten suddenly jumped in, standing right in front of the Toons, who looked at him confused.

“Excuse you–?” Vee immediately got defensive, but got interrupted by the mirror.

“Calm down! I’m here for the sad moon.” He pointed at Astro, grabbing his wrist and dragging him into a corner of the hallway, a finger pointed at his chest.

“You are the dumbest Toon- no, wait. Actually the second dumbest Toon I- wait, no.”

The mirror held his chin between his thumb and his index, actually thinking about how many dumb Toons he knew as the moon looked at him really confused. A few seconds pass after that.

“No matter! What I mean is, how did you not notice Sprout’s signs?”

“...”

“Ever read a book about enemies to lovers?”

“...”

“No? Don’t you always read books?”

“...”

“... Darling?”

What? Signs? He must be joking. Or what kind of sick signs did Sprout give him?

“Sorry, I don’t think I understand.”

Glisten loudly groaned, rolling his eyes, quickly grabbing his phone, showing the chat to Astro.

Must be fake.

He held his bottom pair of hands together, the other two fidgeting with the end of his sleeves. “Glisten, please stop. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

“But this isn’t a joke!”

“Oy.”

The mirror suddenly felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, and when he turned around, it was Vee, making him turn around towards her.

“Fuck off will ya? Don’t tell him shit like that.”

“Fuck off–? I thought we were best-gossip-friends–!”

“We are– but don’t fuck with my friends.” She pointed her thumb at Astro, who was now looking down. He heard them argue, which brought him bad thoughts. Bad thoughts…

Before the two - who are still arguing - knew it, Astro was gone, ready for his detention.

They say. Next to each other. It's to learn your lesson, the teacher Rodger said. But this was just awkward. Sprout sat with his legs wide, feet at the base of the seat, an arm resting on the back of the chair, but not his own chair, Astro's chair. Which made the moon sit down on the edge of his seat. And, to make it worse, the teacher wrote on the whiteboard:

“School on Saturday
8 AM
Don't be late”

“Goddamn it.” Sprout whispered, looking at Astro a moment, and when the look wasn't shared, he rolled his eyes. Which made Astro's twitch in annoyance.

The worst two hours ever.

The tired Toon had no homework to do, not even the extras, and the berry just… sat there. Like he owned the damn place, like he did nothing wrong. They’d sometimes look at each other, and when their eyes did meet, they’d awkwardly look away again. Sometimes, Sprout’s eyes would go to Astro’s lips, or to the dark bag under his eye. His finger scratching the burning wound under the bandage on his cheekbone.

After that detention - that seemed to last forever - Astro took another turn, walking the longer path to his home, just so he would walk along with Sprout.

He walked slowly, slower than when he didn’t sleep for three days in a row, rubbing his eye that would close on his own. His body’s desperate to sleep, to shut down. He luckily made it home, his shoes off by the entrance, completely ignoring his mom’s greeting, his backpack by the door of his room, not even taking off his jacket as he fell onto the soft mattress, letting it sink him whole, a groan leaving his lips against the pillow.

What if Glisten told the truth?

What if Sprout did want to apologize?

Would that be good or bad?

He turned to lay on his back, hands on his torso, trying to calm down, to not cry again. But his throat burned, his chest ached with emotional pain and a tear slipped away, and then another, eventually getting down the covers, sobbing yet again. The only thing lighting up the room was him, lighting up with a soft blue.

How long has it been? Minutes, hours? He couldn’t tell, or care enough to check. His eye's red and sore, a huge headache from crying.

A soft knock could be heard on the door, a second later a more violent one.

Oh, It's Vee.

Chapter Text

Not even given the time to answer, the door slammed open, a whispered “oops” could be heard right before the click of it being closed again.

“Astro, are you at least comfortable underthere?” Vee walked up to the big bed with heavy footsteps, trying not to show her worry. She took the blanket off Astro, letting it fall on the edge of the bed, his curled up body shivering at the sudden cold.

“Go away…”

His voice cracked, making it obvious he was in pain. “Only if you make me.” Vee wasn't really going to insist if he did tell her to leave. Specifically using that word. Leave. But when no other words came out, Vee walked to Astro's closet, getting out his night clothes, throwing them right on his head.

“Change.” She demanded, turning around and then— sudden black. Her screen is now pitch black. She just… turned off her screen, to give Astro privacy. Speaking of which, he slowly got up, taking off his school uniform, folding it and putting it in the closet. He knew Vee wasn't seeing anything, he trusted her, he trusts her, and this wasn't the first time she turned off her screen so he could change.

One hand rubbed his sore eye, using the other three to undress and get in those comfortable clothes. After just three minutes or so, his school uniform was neatly folded in his closet. He immediately went in front of Vee, staring down at the floor, his four arms wrapping around the girl's body, making her screen turn on.

“Hello—? Astro, what are you…”

He didn't move, he squeezed her tighter, which didn't really hurt, since, y'know, she's a robot.

“... Whatever.” She hugged him back, just lightly, enough to feel it. Vee never told anybody, but even if it's just a hug, she got scared. Scared she might hurt Toons with her artificial strength.

“Call me not updated if you want,” She started, even though she'd definitely snap if anybody ever called her that. “but I didn't realize until now your, well, situationship. With Sprout.”

“Mh.”

“You mad at me?” A question mark flashed on her screen for a second.

“Mh-mh.” Astro shook his head on Vee's chest. He could never actually be mad at her.

“At Sprout?”

“Mhm.” He slowly nodded.

“Are you also sad because of him?”

The answer’s obvious. Too obvious. But she wanted him to admit it.

“Mhm.” He nodded again.

There was a silence, not an embarrassing one, just a heavy one.

“I'll never fully understand love,” Vee said, even though she literally has a boyfriend. “I'm not exactly programmed to do that. Don't get me wrong, I love Boxten, but it's still complicated, and it's hard not to think that I might emotionally hurt him one day.” A small, rounded caret sign (^) appeared instead of her mouth, a circle also spawning connected under her right eye, as if she held back digital tears. But, this isn’t about her.

“But I do know that you’re a good Toon, a nice one. Like– top ten.” That made Astro let out a small, weak chuckle. “And if Sprout doesn’t see that he’s just an emotionless asshole. There’s other Toons in the world, y’know? Not only the berry boy. So go for it! When you’re ready, of course.”

Move on…

Oh, Astro wished he could so easily.

“An afternoon with Glisten at the mall and you’ll fall in love with the first Toon you see in the library.”

“Vee—!”

“You can't say I'm lying”

There was a moment of silence, not an uncomfortable one, the opposite, since a moment later the two started laughing, still holding each other, still there for one another. But nothing lasts forever, because Vee had to go home two hours after. Leaving Astro all alone. Yet again.

He laid in his bed, trying to drown in the soft pillows and covers. His phone suddenly lit up. A message.

“If even one singular tear slips out of your eye because I left you alone with your thoughts I'm beating Sprout up”

… How would Vee know if-

“I WILL scan yo face and don't you dare try to cover it.”

Astro chuckled out loud as he read the text. It was a reminder that someone did care, Vee cared, and that was enough.

…

The next day, he woke up with a groan, using his bottom pair of arms to sit up and the other to swat away some… glitter… that seemed to be around his head the whole night. Giving him, let’s say, interesting dreams.

“6:30 A.M.” His phone showed.

Why did he have to wake up so damn early?

Astro did his usual routine, walked down stairs, and sat in his usual seat at the dinner table. His mother made him lovely pancakes, a dish he loved as a child, and still loves very much, though not even such sweetness could really give warmth to his heart. Not after everything. He ate slowly, there was no need to rush, so he took his time. By the time Astro was in that building once more, on a Saturday, the first Toon he saw was Sprout, who looked like he didn’t wake up in time, his green leaves all messy and barely put together. But, I mean- who cares, right? Astro shouldn’t waste his time staring at his rival, the student who ruined his reputation… who kissed him. So, he turned around, a small - almost childish - pout on his face, as if he wanted Sprout to see it, to see him.

But that dumbass didn’t.

Before he knew it, they were both back in the library. The teacher that was there genuinely looked like he didn’t want to be there, the arrows inside his head moving slowly while he wrote in his notebook, as if time itself was mocking Astro. The moon let out a yawn, his body trembling gently. Sprout yawns too right after, which means he is, indeed, staring at him. But why? Just to bother again? To say… such words, again? With a blink of an eye, Astro quietly gets up from his seat and starts walking away, to the Astronomy section, obviously going to read a book he already read about five times.

He sat on the wooden floor, immediately cracking under his weight. He held his bottom pair of hands together, the other holding the book.

And then he walked in front of him. Who else could it be? It was just them and Mr. Dyle after all.

“Uhm… so, uh—” Sprout cleared his throat, staring down at Astro, who didn't dare to look at the berry's face.

“Ay, coño– I just wanted to say that, well, what I said before wasn't cool.”

“...”

The strawberry Toon rolled his eyes at the silent treatment. He doesn't like silence as an answer. So a cold shoulder made him snap quickly.

“At least tell me to fuck off if you're just gonna ignore me—”

“Do you mean it?” Astro said, looking up, right into Sprout's soul, wanting confirmation of it. “Did you really think it wasn't… cool?”

The taller Toon rubbed the back of his neck, breathing through his teeth, as if it hurt to admit it. “Well, yeah. That was too far. Even for me.”

There was a moment of silence between them, unspoken words, feelings, and also pain.

Sprout has a feeling– a feeling that Astro didn't fully forgive him. Sure, it wasn't the end of the world, it was just fair. The berry didn't even expect a conversation to start! But he still felt guilty, unsatisfied, and something else deep down his heart he couldn’t express in simple words. Something he knew he wanted to spit out already, but couldn’t. After a minute of silence, he sat down next to the glowing moon, not too close, not too far, watching him read that Astrology book he always saw him with.

“Pft– you still a nerd ‘bout Astrology?” Sprout tries to crack a joke with his usual grin, to break the ice, to fill that guilt still inside.

Astro side-eyed him, a weak smile on his lips, almost forced. “Yes, I am. I… I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the topic of space and the infinite number of stars there.” He looked up at the ceiling, proving his point.

The Toon next to him leaned closer, his cheek - colored in light yellow freckles - dangerously near other’s. “... You know we’re in a closed space, right?”

That made Astro chuckle quietly, his eye back on the book in two of his hands. “Shut it…”

“Make me.” Sprout said, not realizing the impact it gave to the reader next to him. The moon pressed his lips in a thin line, thinking of a comeback, anything to answer the strawberry Toon’s teasing. He almost forgot the death threats towards Sprout just the night before, I mean, even he didn’t know if he meant what he said. He just knew that he was mad, angry, frustrated.

“Maybe next time.”

Chapter Text

Sunday, a day where almost nobody works, nobody worries, and nobody wakes up early.

Except Sprout.

Who’s now at his best friend’s front door, expecting that he woke up just for him, now spamming in their chat multiple stickers with a bothered look, as he stared at the door. Eventually, it opened with a soft click, a tired Cosmo in pajamas standing in the way.

“What the fuck do want.”

“Wow, you gonna greet your best friend like that–?” Before Sprout could finish that sentence Cosmo yanked him by the hoodie, dragging him inside, the door closing as Sprout quickly took off his shoes by the entrance as he was dragged further into the house.

“You better have a good reason for waking me up this early on a Sunday or I’m crashing out.”

“CALM DOWN— I, I HAVE A GOOD REASON.” The berry panicked, letting his friend shove him down on the couch. He looked down, the tips of his index fingers pressing against each other. Trying to look all cute and innocent.

“I may or may not want to, uhm, bake… cookies?”

The swiss roll’s eyes widened slightly, his face showing confusion. “Yeah, I mean, sure. W- Why are you tellin’ me that like it’s a sin though?”

Sprout clicked his tongue, running a hand through his green leaves, a light - literally not noticeable - blush growing on his already red cheeks. “Because it’s an apology gift. For Astro.”

…

Astro?

ASTRO?!

“Oh. My. Bakery.”

“Don’t start–” But it was too late. Cosmo began pacing back and forth, already thinking multiple things at once.

“Are you finally gonna confess–? Oh, I gotta be there. What time are you planning it? It better be AFTER school, with the sun doing its thing and everything. Hold on, you both have detention still, right? Then maybe…”

“I’m not gonna confess, dude.”

“Wait what.”

There’s a moment of silence, the awkward type of silence.

“Can we just start bakin’?”

“AND IGNORE YOUR LOVE—”

“SHUT UP.” Sprout got up from the couch, heading to the kitchen as Cosmo followed behind.

“Soooo… What type of cookies are we makin’? My parents went grocery shopping yesterday, so we should have all the ingredients. No matter the cookie.” The swiss roll informed, already grabbing two bowls, setting them on the kitchen counter.

“Maybe some salted caramel cookies? They’re pretty good.” Sprout suggested as he began grabbing the all-purpose flour and sugar, setting them next to the bowls.

“Are you sure? That’s like, a BIG sugar bomb. Remember last time we tried them?” Sprout shivered at the thought, the sweetness hitting him yet again.

“Yeah. Don’t remind me.”

“What about…” Cosmo suddenly has his phone in hand, scrolling with his thumb on the screen, definitely on a site full of cookie recipes. “This?” He turned the phone around, so it faced the berry, comically too close, making Sprout move the phone back so he could actually read.

“Strawberry shortcake cookies?”

“Yes, dude! It’s totally you, they’re fruity and sweet just right!” Cosmo smirked at his own words, letting out a chuckle. “Pun unintended.”

…

“Fuck you.” A laugh came out of the swiss roll’s mouth, almost dropping the baking tools he just grabbed.

Sprout grabbed the other ingredients needed: salt, butter, vanilla extract, milk and strawberries. As he put two cups of flour, sugar and a dash of salt in the bowl, while Cosmo cut the butter. As he hardly mixed things in the bowl and his best bud mixed water and the vanilla extract before adding it to the crumbs.

“Okay… now we cover it and put it in the refrigerator for two hours.”

“Two damn hours?”

They took a nap on the couch. No alarm set whatsoever.

“Honey? Honey, wake up.” Cosmo’s mom slapped her son’s cheek softly, which woke him up. He barely sat up on the couch, panicking the second after, slapping Sprout’s leg. Which woke him up with a shake.

“Sprout, the damn dough-!”

“Ay, fuck–”

They rushed to the fridge, taking out the dough as the sweet mom followed behind them. “Do you boys need help?” She asked, watching the two Toons look inside the bowl.

“It looks alright.”

“I mean, yeah.” Sprout walked to the over, heating it up for later on.

“We’re fine, mom! Sorry for wakin’ you up.” Cosmo said, hugging his mom as a greeting. Sprout saw it. “Good morning to you too. Just a question, dear, why’s Sprout here?” The swiss roll froze, looking at his best friend who also stared at him with widened eyes.

“Uhh, surprise visit?” The red Toon said, a nervous smirk on his face, which made the other want to slap him right in front of his mom.

“Okay… I’ll let you two to it. Don’t burn the kitchen down.” Cosmo’s mom said as she walked away. “Not again.”

The two teens stood next to one another and, as soon as the elder woman was out of view, they started to playfully smack each other, as if they were in kindergarten.

“Fuckin’ dumbass! If it wasn’t for my mom the dough would’ve been ruined.”

“Shut the fuck up! How was I supposed to know I had to set the alarm?”

“YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WANTS THESE COOKIES—”

After that really childish fighting, they got back to work. They rolled out the dough, used a round cookie cutter and set the result onto the baking sheets.

“Fifthteen minutes or so for them to bake.”

“... So, do we sleep again?”

“Are you stupid? THE FROSTING–”

They got another bowl, put butter in and planned on using the electric mixer to cream it. Sprout’s currently keeping the mixer standing inside the bowl, fidgeting with the switch.

“Is this shit broken? It won’t turn on.”

“Because I didn’t plug it in, dumbass.” Cosmo spoke from where the nearest power outlet was. Plugging it in without warning, which made a sudden, sickening loud noise come from the machine, as it went full speed.

“AH- COÑO—”

The strawberry - now with the hoodie front covered in splashes of butter - lowered the speed, looking down at the butter while mixing it like it just offended him. In the meantime, his best friend started cutting the strawberries, while trying not to laugh. Some of them were cut in tiny pieces, the rest cut in big ones to put on top of the cookies later on.

“Some of these berries are really fucked up. I wish it was summer…” Cosmo whined under his breath as he put the cut strawberries in the bowl where Sprout stopped mixing. He could feel his best friend’s stare burning the side of his baked head, and when he did look back at him, they both bursted out laughing.

“What’s with the stare?”

“You insulted strawberries. I feel so offended right now.”

They kept laughing, and with the strawberries now in, they put the milk. Sprout mixing yet again until everything seemed combined. Cosmo looked at his phone, at the recipe, his face full of confusion.

“Dude, what the fuck is… ‘confectioners sugar’–?”

“I’m literally the last person who you should ask that.”

There’s a moment of silence. And then-

“MOM! WHAT’S, uh, CONFECTIONERS SUGAR?”

Another moment of silence.

"POWDERED SUGAR!” The mom answered.

“Oh, yeah, makes sense–” Cosmo said, his index and thumb holding his… chin?

“Why the fuck didn’t you just search it up?” Sprout said, sounding almost scared since his best friend just yelled to his mom and got no punishment.

“Good question.”

Anyway, they gradually added the powdered sugar, the frosting now done. And then, just in time, the fifteen minutes were over. The swiss roll took the cookies out, and the berry grabbed a knife to spread the frosting onto the golden brown sweetness. With the ending touch of the left over strawberries, the cookies were beautifully done.

“Man, they look good.” Cosmo commented, his mouth almost watering at the sight. Poor guy didn’t have breakfast yet.

“They sure do.” Sprout held his hips, smiling down at the result. But, as soon as he blinked, his friend was reaching for a cookie.

“Don’t. They’re for… they’re a physical apology.” He said firmly, making the swiss roll immediately yank his hand away.

“You mean confession right?”

“Shut the fuck up. Just help me find a nice box to put them in.”

…

The very next morning, the two besties were - for once - early, but for a reason that had nothing to do with school. Cosmo’s holding a small white box, with the strawberry shortcake cookies inside. He’s shaking slightly, the frosting on top of his head dripping down.

“What the fuck are you doing–?” He asked, his voice shaking as he watched Sprout with the side of his head right against Astro’s locker, slowly turning the combination lock.

“Shut up.”

Cosmo gulped, continuously looking around, not knowing how it didn’t come into his mind to ask his friend how he planned on giving the cookies. “If we get in trouble - I swear on my future bakery - I will kill you—”