Chapter Text
It was a cold, dreary day.
The stone streets were bustling with the morning rush, people rushing to get to work. The artificial rain clouds of steam drizzled lazily on the people-cramped intersections, the buildings swaying as the gears of the city creaked and groaned.
It was like any other day in the poor district of the moving city. Busy, tiring, and full of smoke from the city’s engine.
Sprout cautiously made his way down the street, carrying a stack of boxes as he made his way back to his bakery. He made his way around people, being careful not to drop anything, grumbling about how he should’ve brought a cart.
He wasn’t aware of the guy running up behind him, who was not paying attention.
The man crashed into Sprout from behind harshly, leaving Sprout tumbling forward and crashing into the ground hard with a grunt, his glasses slipping off his face and clattering against the stone. The man stumbled, huffing and stepping to the side before he continued running.
Sprout groaned as he pushed himself up and looked up, squinting. All he could see was a blurry figure running off. He scoffed, “Asshole! Watch where yer goin’!”
He watched the figure get smaller before he huffed and he looked down. Grumbling, he scrambled to find his glasses, the wet stone soaking through his jeans and biting coldly at his palms as he felt around for his glasses.
Then, he felt a soft, warm hand gently brush his. He blinked, looking up at the new blurry figure right in front of him.
“I saw what happened,” The figure spoke, their voice feminine and quiet, “That was rude of him.” They gently grabbed his hand and put something that felt an awful lot like a familiar pair of glasses in his palm before pulling away. “Are you okay..?”
He hesitated for a moment, feeling the glasses slightly, before he realized and put them on. “Yeah, I’m okay..-” He looked up to her as he spoke before he paused, his words catching in his throat. His heart fluttered with butterflies as his cheeks suddenly started warming up, pathetically stammering out, “Uhm- Yeah, uh, t-thank you, miss…”
He immediately internally cursed himself for seeming like such a loser in front of her.
The mysterious woman smiled sweetly, it not quite reaching her eyes. “Of course!” She then went to go pick up what she could of the scattered boxes.
The woman stood out against the crowded, ruined streets. She, obviously, wasn’t from this district of poverty. Her nice dress and hat simply just screamed wealthy. Her nice long brown hair with white noticeable strands of hair ran down over her shoulders, white freckles coating her chocolate brown skin. She had one baby blue eye, however… when Sprout saw her other eye, he noticed an off-putting, familiar discoloration around it, which was hidden in the shadow of her hat.. The skin around her eye was a darker, almost purple-yellowish color, which stood out against her unblemished skin. Sprout realized he couldn’t see her other eye from how much it was puffing up.
He stared at her for a moment, he hesitated to ask, he didn’t know her, after all. “Are ya-..” He cleared his throat, “Uh… Are you okay, miss..?”
She blinked and looked up to him, seeming a little startled, as if she wasn’t expecting to be asked. She hesitated for a moment.. “Uh, yeah..-” she paused, furrowing her brows a bit before clearing her throat. “Sorry, yes, I am fine.”
He frowned slightly, grabbing a box. He hummed in thought, “Y’know, just cus we’re from different worlds, it don’t mean I can’t tell when sumthin’s wrong Miss..” His expression softened as he reached for the other boxes, before he got up. He offered her a hand up.
She hesitated a bit before she shifted the boxes she was holding into one arm, taking his hand, letting him pull her up. “Is it really that obvious?” She mused a bit, smiling a little as she looked up to him.
He chuckled softly, patting her shoulder when she was on her feet. “O’ course, yer way too nice fer someone on this side a’ town. Thank ya, by the way.” He smiled softly, admiring her.
She smiled a little more softly, handing him the boxes. “Oh, don’t thank me. It’s really just human decency.” She hummed.
He hummed as he took them, balancing them with the other boxes. “Well, yer definitely betta than most on this side o’ tha city..- Uh, say! Fer yer troubles how ‘bout I make ya sumthin ta eat?”
She blinked. “Oh, you really don’t have to, it’s okay.” She said a little nervously.
“Ya sure? It’s really no big deal, it’s tha least I can do fer yer kindness!” He looked at her softly, smiling gratefully. He then stammered, “O-only if ya wanna o’ course- I won’t pressure ya..”
The woman looked away for a moment, before she looked back to him. “Well, since you’re so adamant, I suppose I'll take you up on that offer… Thank you, sir.” She softly spoke, giving him a small smile.
He took a second to admire her, before he smiled softly and nodded. “S’no problem! Oh- God, where are my manners? ‘M Sprout! I would shake yer hand, but er, I ain’t got one left..”
She smiled and laughed softly, “Hehe.. I’m..” There was a brief moment of hesitation, “..I’m Cosmo. It’s nice to finally meet you, Sprout.”
He hummed, staring at her softly… He felt he was staring at her for too long, he blushed as he tore his eyes away. “Cosmo, hm? That’s a nice name, suits ya!”
Cosmo blinked, her cheeks flushing. “Really..?”
“Mhm!” He smiled, glancing at her again, before he looked forward, “We should get movin- Wouldn’t want ya ta catch a cold..” He started to walk before he looked back at Cosmo, waiting for her to walk with him.
She hummed and went to go follow besides him, glancing around before looking back to him. “Do you need help carrying anything?”
He smiled softly and shook his head, “Nah, it’s alright, Cosmo! I got it, and we ain’t too far anyhow.”
“If you’re sure..” Her expression softened before she looked ahead. “Where are we headed?”
Sprout hummed as he glanced around before turning a corner, “Oh, right! We’re goin’ to my bakery actually. All o’ these boxes are uh.. More equipment..” He hoped none of them broke.
She blinked. “Oh! You’re a baker?”
He smiled and nodded, “Yup! Been one my whole life! It ain’t as easy as ya would think though..”
Cosmo giggled, looking up to him. “Good to know. I’ve always wanted to be a baker.”
He blinked, looking at her with his eyebrows raised a bit, he smiled. “Oh, really?”
She smiled a little more sheepishly. “Yeah..”
“Hehe, that’s cool! Maybe we could bake together sometime?”
She paused at his words, staying silent for a moment. “..Maybe.” She weakly smiled. “I would like that.”
He smiled more, opening his mouth to say something else, but he noticed something when he glanced around. “Oh! ‘Ere we are!” he walked over to a two story building, carefully shuffling boxes around to get his key.
She looked ahead, looking up at the bakery that.. Surprisingly looked rather nice for being in the district of poverty. “Oh, how lovely.” Cosmo awe’d softly.
He nodded, finally getting his key, he slowly brought it over to unlock the door. He then kicked the door open, making his way in and finally putting down the boxes on a table. Sprout sighed, wiping his forehead, He smiled at Cosmo, motioning her to come in.
She followed him inside, looking around. The bakery was cluttered, and yet neatly arranged. It was rusticly charming, and somehow cozy despite the cold copper metal wrapping the place. And immediately, a warm pastry scent filled the air.
He hummed, smiling softly as he watched her, he walked over to close the door. “Yer free ta look around if ya want! I- Know it ain’t whatcha used ta..” He rubbed the back of his neck.
Cosmo looked back to him and smiled softly. “Well, I think it’s very cute.”
Sprout chuckled softly, walking back to the boxes to unstack them, “Thank ya, I try..” When he was satisfied, he clasped his hands together and turned to her. “So, food! D’ya have any preferences? I can make anythin’!... er- thats cheap..”
She giggled. “I’ll take anything, really.. I don’t mind…” she trailed off a bit, hesitating. There was a slight shift in the air around her, something seemingly somber. “Maybe.. Something small? I’m not that really hungry.”
He hummed, nodding. He walked over to the kitchen, “Alrighty! Well then, come, take a seat right ‘ere, makes it easier ta chat!” He smiled as he walked around the counter.
“Alright,” She said softly, walking over. She hummed softly to herself as she went to go sit at a table by the kitchen window. She looked around the homey-like bakery once more, taking in the cozy interior.
Sprout whistled as he walked over to the fridge, “So, what brings ya over on this side a tha city anyways? Gettin’ some ‘fresh’ air?”
Cosmo looked back over to him, hesitating a bit. “Yes, you could say that,” She looked out the window, “Though, I fear I've gotten.. a little lost. I’m not quite sure where I am.”
He nodded as he started to get out some ingredients, “I see, well, yer lucky ya found me then! I know my way around pretty well I’d say!”
She looked back over to Sprout. She smiled a little sheepishly. “I’d assume so.. do you think you can help me get back to my part of the city, then..?”
Sprout smiled and nodded, walking over to the counter closest to Cosmo. He pulled out a bag of flour. “O’ course I will! I’d be more than happy ta!”
She smiled a little more softly. “Thank you, Sprout.”
He hummed softly, sprinkling some flour onto the counter, “Yer welcome, Cosmo! But while yer ‘ere.. Ya don’t mind a bit a’ small talk d’ya?”
Cosmo blinked and shook her head, “Oh, no, not at all.”
“Good! Then, let’s start off with.. Hobbies! Whaddya like ta do in yer free time?”
She hummed in thought, tapping her nails against the table. “Well… I like.. Reading, I suppose. Baking, too.”
“Oh yeah! We have that in common!” Sprout smiled as he started to roll out pre-made dough.
She smiled, “yeah, we do, huh?” She chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair, looking out the window. “How long have you been baking for?”
Sprout hummed, looking down at the counter, “Well, since I was a kid! It uh, ran in the family.. ‘Nd I enjoy makin’ food fer others!” He smiled softly, he looked back up at her, “And ya?”
“I guess.. I’ve always been into it,” Cosmo said softly, looking down to her hands, a fond look in her eyes. “I used to bake a lot with my cousin when I was younger…” She spoke a little somberly. “I haven’t had the time.”
His expression softened as he watched her talk, “Makes sense, sometimes we just don’t got the time.. But hey, if ya eva wanna pursue it again, my offer still stands! ‘Nd, I wouldn’t mind just hangin’ out either.” He smiled softly, “If- ya got time, that is..”
She blinked and looked up to him. She reached up to softly tug the rim of her hat down, shadowing more of her face. “I’d love to…”
Sprout chuckled softly, “Wonderful!” He cut up the dough into long triangles, humming. “Would ya like sumthin ta drink, by the way?”
“Just some water, please..” she smiled a little nervously.
He nodded, stepping away. Sprout quickly rinsed his hands, reaching over to a cupboard. He hummed as he grabbed a glass, “One glass o’ water comin’ up!”
Cosmo sat there, watching him for a moment as she wrung her hands together. She then glanced away, turning her hand over to check her nails.
He whistled a tune, filling up the glass with water before he walked back to Cosmo, reaching over the window and held it up for her. “There ya go, Cosmo!”
She blinked and looked back up to him before she smiled softly, taking the glass. “Thank you..”
“Yeah!” Sprout pulled away, going back to the dough. “Oh- And hey, if ya eva need a breath o’ fresh air, or just ta like.. Ta get away, ya can always come here! ‘Nd we can chat! If ya want, I won’t ask questions ‘nd all that. Unless yer open to them.” He mused as he brushed butter glazing on each triangle.
Cosmo paused for a moment, staring at him for a moment. “That’s sweet of you.” She said softly, lowering her glass and putting it down a little cautiously. “..You barely know me, though.. So why?”
He shrugged softly, going back to the dough, “Stranger er not, I like ta help anyone I can. It ain’t fair to call myself a good guy if I don’t offer help when I can, y’know? If someone needs genuine help, then I’ll be there!”
She blinked, watching him. “How admirable,” she said with a soft smile. “You really are a good guy, Sprout.”
He stared at her softly, blushing slightly before he caught himself, looking down, “H-ha, thanks, Cosmo.. I try ta be..” Sprout rolled up the triangle pieces before putting them all on a tray. He adjusted his glasses as he looked back up at her. “W-well- Enough ‘bout me, I haven’t even asked ya a simple question! How are ya?”
Cosmo giggled softly, “I am well.. How are you?”
He hummed in thought, before smiling, “I’m pretty good myself! Oh- Gee I forgot ta ask- Ya ain’t allergic ta anythin’, are ya?..” He asked nervously as he picked up the tray.
She shook her head.
Sprout sighed deeply in relief as he put the tray in the oven. He put a hand over his heart dramatically, closing the oven door with his foot. “Oh phew! That’s good!” He turned on the oven.
Cosmo chuckled, softly watching him. “You’re so silly..”
He laughed softly, playfully sticking his tongue out, “Hehe, I know..” He stared at her for a few moments, his expression softened. “...Uh, it ain’t really my place but.. How’d ya get… that..?” Sprout motioned to his eye.
She paused and lowered her head a bit, tilting the brim of her hat down more. “I fell.”
He hesitated, staring at her softly… He felt like that wasn’t the truth, but he didn’t want to push her… “It’s real gnarly- I hope ya didn’t like, suffer some sorta trauma wit’ that.”
She gave a weak smile, waving it off. “It wasn’t that bad, it looks worse than it is.”
Sprout hummed softly. “I see..”
An awkward silence washed over them… Until eventually, a ding rang out from behind Sprout.
He jumped slightly, before he quickly turned around, grabbing some mittens. “Well… Nothin’ like some good ol’ croissants ta ease the pain, right?” Sprout put the tray down on the stove, getting a plate out and putting one of the croissants on it. He walked over to Cosmo, putting the plate in front of her.
She blinked and looked back up. “Oh, wow! This looks amazing!” Cosmo said with a happy smile.
Sprout smiled as he took the mittens off, “Oh, it ain’t much.. Just a classic croissant, I hope ya like it.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m sure I'll love it.” She said as she picked up the croissant and happily took a bite.
He blinked, his eyes widened slightly, “Oh- Careful it’s hot!-”
She paused as she swallowed, noticeably tensing up. “Oh.. Yeah, hot.” She placed it back down on the plate.
Sprout stared at her for a moment. “...Did- Didja not feel that?” He asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
Cosmo gave a dismissive shrug, looking down at her food. “...Well, it’s really good?” She said after a moment, giving him a sheepish smile.
He continued to stare, before he laughed softly in disbelief, he ran a hand through his hair as he smiled at her. “I- Thank ya?? Haha, sorry, sorry! That just caught me off guard!..” He hummed as he leaned over the counter, “Ya really think so?”
She smiled and giggled, relaxing significantly. “Yes! It is rather good.” She hummed, going to pick up the croissant once more to take a bite.
Sprout watched her softly, sighing softly in relief. He hummed happily, “How ya feelin’?”
Cosmo hummed softly in response, going to speak before she paused, lowering the croissant. She suddenly felt warmth surge through her, and she now felt lighter, like she was floating in cloud. The lingering pain she had felt before was slowly being overtaken by the warmness. Before it faded away all together. Her black eye faded, the dark purple and greenish-yellow blending into her skin, the puffiness, that once blocked her vision, absconding.
She felt… better?
Cosmo blinked, slowly setting the croissant down. She tilted her head down, brushing her hand off before reaching up to brush her once injured eye. “Oh.”
Sprout smiled softly, chuckling lightly, “Better?”
She hesitated before she looked back up to him. “Did.. you do that?”
He smiled happily, shrugging as he looked away as if he had no idea, “I just baked some classic croissants. Nothin’ too special..” He looked back at her softly.
She raised an eyebrow before a small smile grew on her face. “Well, thank you..”
Sprout hummed, staring at her for a few moments longer… He noticed something new. Now that her black eye had faded away, Sprout could see her other eye, which was soft blossom pink. His eyes lit up, before he realized he was staring too long. He leaned back and nervously chuckled, nodding, looking away. “Mhm!- O’ course, Cosmo…” He blushed softly, glancing back at her. “...Yer eyes are real pretty..”
Cosmo blinked and gasped softly in realization. She straightened up, tilting her hat down so the rim was covering her eyes. “I’m so sorry..-”
He faltered, frowning and reached over slowly, allowing her to pull away if she wanted to. He tilted her hat back, “N-No no, don’t be! I mean it, they’re real pretty!..”
She hesitated, slowly looking up to him. “...Really..?”
He stared at her softly, nodding and giving her a small smile, “Mhm, the prettiest eyes I ever did see..”
Cosmo shyly averted her gaze. “Oh, thank you..” She smiled a little weakly. “I fear my fiance would disagree with you.”
He stared at her for a moment, letting that sink in… He shakily breathed out, standing up straight. She had a fiance… She had a fiance!? Sprout felt so stupid..! He was mentally smacking his face. “O-oh..” He stuttered, before he pushed out those thoughts momentarily, it wasn’t important right now! “Well- He’s blind then!-”
She chuckled softly as her gaze drifted off to the side, deep in thought. “You’re so sweet…” She said softly… before then, her eyes widened and she shot up. “I- oh dear, i- i should- go-” She stuttered out, her voice weak. Her hands trembled as she clumsily pushed the chair back underneath the table. “I- I am so sorry-”
Sprout blinked, stammering before he reached out to her, “I- W-wait dont-! Y-ya got nothin’ ta be sorry fer, Cosmo!-”
“My fiance doesn’t like it when i’m out too late..” she muttered. Almost like there was a switch flipped in her, she seemed more skittish, scared almost.
He frowned more, he walked out of the kitchen, slowly approaching her. “I- See.. Well, y-ya.. Still need a guide, right? I’d still be more than happy ta, if ya want..”
Cosmo hesitated, unsure. She then gave a small nod. “Okay..”
Sprout gave her a small smile, “Alright, let’s head out!. Ya don’t mind if I still make some conversation, dya?” He asked softly, walking over to an umbrella rack and grabbed one of many. He walked back to her.
“I suppose not.” She said softly.
He hummed softly as he opened the door, opening the umbrella and looked at her softly. “Oh, that’s good! I was worried I made ya uncomfortable.”
“Oh, it's alright.” She weakly smiled, walking out the door.
He held the umbrella over them, closing and locking the door. “Ta the richer side then.. ‘M hoping we could uh.. Meet again?”
Cosmo paused and glancing to him. After a moment she gave a small smile. “I’d like that.”
He smiled softly, he started to walk, of course waiting for Cosmo to walk beside him. She followed besides him, wringing her hands together anxiously.
Sprout stared at her softly, he saw her ring… He hesitated, but he was curious, “So… Uh, ya don’t gotta answer me if ya don’t wanna but, how long ya been engaged fer?”
She hesitated as she twisted her engagement ring around her finger. “Uhm… A couple years, now..”
He nodded softly, “That's nice!.. And he makes ya happy?-”
She paused, looking at him. “Of course he does.”
He stared at her, before stammering, realizing he's asking a lot of personal questions, he just met her! “Aha- Sorry that's.. probably real personal.. Uhm- That’s good! Ya deserve goodness..”
Cosmo looked away from him, hugging herself. “Mhm.”
Sprout hesitated, frowning softly. “Are.. you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She said quickly before she changed the subject. “It seems that the rain is finally starting to lighten up, is it not?”
He hummed, looking up at the sky, he nodded. “It is, are you cold by the way?”
Cosmo blinked, realizing how she had been rubbing her arms. “Ah. A little bit, but I will be fine. I believe we’re almost to my place, yes?” She gave Sprout a small smile.
He smiled softly and nodded, “Yeah! Warm up by a fireplace fer me, wont’cha?” He nudged her gently.
She couldn’t help but give a more real smile, giggling as she spoke, “Okay.”
Sprout smiled more as he watched her softly, before glancing around, thinking of something to say.. Or ask, “Say, do ya have a favorite dessert?”
Cosmo blinked, thinking about it for a moment. “Oh, I don't know.”
He hummed and looked back down at her, “Well, maybe if ya do decide ta come around again, we can figure it out together! No pressure though.”
She blinked and shyly averted her gaze, playing with some of her long hair. “I’d like that..”
He chuckled, smiling brightly, “Wonderful! I’ll be lookin’ forward ta that!”
Eventually, they reached the Upper-Class district. The air was cleaner, the sun beaming down on the clean streets. It was brighter and warmer, almost welcoming- to those of wealth. There were no drunk beggars on the sidewalks, no littered trash covering the streets. It was nice and clean, a clear contrast from the lower-class District. It almost felt like a different universe, one where everything was right.
But Sprout knew otherwise.
“Thank you for helping me… But I do know the rest of the way, so i should be okay...” She stopped walking, turning to face him. She smiled softly. “I’ll.. maybe, see you again?”
He glanced around, before looking back at her and smiling softly, nodding, “Yeah! Hehe, I’ll be waiting then, er, maybe- Y’know..” He stammered slightly, he didn’t want it to seem like he was eager to see her again…
Cosmo smiled softly, going to say something else, before suddenly…
“Dulcie!”
Cosmo’s eyes widened a fraction as she tensed up, looking over to be met with a man striding towards them.
“Where in God's name were you?! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” The man growled as he stopped next to her.
The man was rather tall and well-defined. His graying hair was slicked back and his salt and pepper flaked stubble was neatly trimmed. He wore a well-tailored suit, and well… he just looked like the definition of a white, rich asshole.
He also seemed… older. Much older than Cosmo.
Sprout faltered, his eyes narrowed the moment he saw him. He crossed his arms, keeping quiet for now, but he seemed aggressive..
“I- I’m sorry, my love–” She said quietly, hunching in on herself.
Sprout frowned when he saw Cosmo, he then decided he should speak up. “Don’t yell at her like that.”
The man paused and looked over to Sprout, raising an eyebrow. “Oh?” He looked Sprout up and down before he scoffed. “And who are you to tell me what to do?”
Cosmo shifted nervously, looking between them. She softly grabbed his hand. “Johnathan, he’s just a friend..” She murmured quietly. “Come on, lets go, honey…-”
He hesitated, he knew he shouldn’t pick a fight… But Sprout already can’t stand his face, “Someone who knows ya shouldn’t be talkin’ ta yer fiance like that.” He glared at him. He wanted to see how fast this one got angry.
Jonathan, supposedly, growled. “Oh shut it, you miscreant.” He gripped Cosmo’s hand harshly, making her wince. “Do you know who I am? You are beneath me, you low-class skint. You have no right to speak to me like that!”
“Johnathan-!” Cosmo cried out, distressed.
Sprout scoffed, glancing down at her hand. He huffed, “Yer rank means nothin, ta me. ‘Nd yer bein’ rough with her, it’s hurtin’ her.” He glared at him, but stayed at least somewhat calm..
She desperately shook her head to Sprout, mouthing ‘stop’.
Jonathan pointedly ignored Sprout’s last remark. “Listen here, you piece of shit. If I see you anywhere near my woman again, mugger, I will get the authorities to hunt you down.” He snapped, pulling Cosmo into his side.
He clenched his fists, growling slightly at that remark. He opened his mouth to say something, but he glanced at Cosmo.
“Johnny..!” Cosmo whined, wrapping her other hand around Johnathan’s tight gripped one on her wrist, lifting their hands up as she turned more to face him, speaking softly. “Please, my love.. He was only helping me..”
Sprout huffed softly, glaring at him.. But, he saw the desperation from Cosmo to end this dispute… He sighed, “Mhm… I.. gotta get goin anyways…. Have a good day, Miss..” He said softly, before hesitantly turning and walking away.
Jonathan growled. “How dare you address h-”
“T-Thank you-!” Cosmo called out to Sprout, cutting off her fiance before he could cause another scene.
He sighed, running a hand down his face. Why would he say all that? He just had to pick a bone with him…. As he walked away, he could hear them…
“You bitch! Running off with some other men now? What, am I not good enough for you?”
“N-No! No, m-my love, please- I’m sorry..-"
Sprout shakily breathed out in anger, he clenched his scarf tightly. He felt horrible for her, he didn’t want to just leave her with that man. He seemed so bad for her! He’s a prick, he’s aggressive, a rich snob! Sure, it ain’t right to assume, but he could guess what he’d do behind closed doors.. That made him angrier. He groaned in frustration as he looked down at the ground, kicking a rock. He faltered, taking a deep breath to calm down…
He hoped he would be able to see her again…