✦ SLEEPING ✦

Astro tended to fall asleep like this often—and, honestly, Dandy didn’t mind one bit. If anything, he welcomed it. It gave him the perfect excuse to ramble on and on about his day without interruption, while holding Astro snugly in his lap like a weighted plush. Cozy for both of them, if Dandy were being honest. He loved to talk, and Astro? Astro was the only one in years who actually listened without rolling their eyes or shuffling away halfway through. No groans, no complaints. Just soft breathing and the occasional sleepy hum. It had been a long day.

The museum was a bustling storm of chatter and tiny footsteps all morning—rowdy kids, questions flung like candy, and all the Toons forced into their brightest grins. It wore everyone down. Even Shrimpo, who, miraculously, hadn’t started a single fight that day. A win, honestly. So by the time the clock struck 10PM, most of the Toons were practically crawling to their rooms, ready to crash. Everyone except Dandy.

Instead, he grabbed Astro’s hand and gently tugged him along, murmuring something about "needing just a little more company." Astro didn’t complain, even though he was clearly half-asleep on his feet—clumsy and dazed, nearly tripping over his own legs more than once. Dandy caught him every time, offering a soft chuckle and a reassuring,

"Gotcha, bud."

When they finally reached Dandy’s room, it was exactly what you’d expect from him: cluttered but warm. The space wasn’t any bigger than Sprout’s, but it had personality. Crayon drawings were scattered like fallen leaves, old training manuals with bent corners piled high on the nightstand, and VHS tapes labeled in messy marker circled around a dusty old TV. The room felt lived in, in the most nostalgic way.

Dandy padded over to the bed, still holding Astro’s wrist, and gave the pillows a few enthusiastic puffs to fluff them up. He plopped down with a dramatic huff, tugging Astro with him gently. Within moments, Astro was curled up against his chest, blanket tucked around him like a burrito, his breathing already slow and steady. Dandy’s arms wrapped around him protectively, and he grinned—this was nice. More than nice, actually.

He started talking again, voice quiet and warm, like a bedtime story with no end.

“And then—get this—a kid actually asked me what Shelly’s name was. Shelly! Can you believe that? I mean, sure, not everyone remembers her anymore, but still! I nearly dropped my clipboard, I swear—”

His voice was soft, not loud enough to disturb, but just enough to let his thoughts spill out into the air. There was something comforting about the sound, like white noise with personality. Astro didn’t respond—of course he didn’t—but that was the charm. Dandy didn’t need him to. Just being there was enough.

And if Astro nuzzled in a little closer, his fingers curling slightly into Dandy’s shirt? Well… Dandy would take that as the highest form of thanks.