Gardenview shut down years ago. No studio, no employees. It was as simple as that. They no longer had a use for the Toon Handlers, Sam was no exception. But they were never told about what happened to the Toons.

Sam may not have looked it, but that little strawberry that barely reached their shoulder was important to them. They'd been his handler since he was first created, basically a child.

Now? All they had to remember him by was a stupid plush with a printed smile that glowed when you pressed its hand, repeating classic phrases like a taunt. Even then, Sam held it gently just as they would have with the real Sprout, sitting on their bed, hitting the button over and over again until their eyes stung.

"Dumb strawberry," They huffed to mask the sound of their sniffles, nose aching and shoulders shaking.

It would be so fucking embarrassing for Sam's partner to see them crying over a damn cartoon character years after they got fired. It's not like they raised Sprout, took care of him, spent years with him and got emotionally attached. No way, they weren't like that.

But it was hard to deny it. "I miss you."