Moonlight
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3rd Pov
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As the dark night unfurled its velvet cloak, Sprout stood by his bedroom window, bathed in the silver glow of the moon. Its beauty was unrelenting, a radiant beacon in the abyss of the night. He rested his chin on his knees, arms wrapped around his legs as he sat on the wooden windowsill. The room was quiet except for the faint creak of the floorboards as the house settled into its stillness.
The moon had alwayss been a comforting sight to Sprout, but tonight, it felt like an unspoken promise a connection to something far beyond the village walls. His thoughts, as they often did these days, wandered to Cosmo.
He sighed, pressing a hand against the glass. “Follow the moon’s light,” he whispered, repeating Cosmo’s words from their last meeting. The phrase had taken root in his mind, like an anchor keeping him tethered to hope.
Sprout’s heart ached as he recalled their parting. The pain in Cosmo’s voice, the sorrow in his eyes it all felt so fresh, as if it had happened moments ago instead of days. And now, despite the fear of hunters and the watchful eyes of his father, Sprout couldn’t shake the longing to see his friend again.
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Meanwhile with Cosmo
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Deep in the forest, Cosmo sat outside his family’s den, his tail curled around his legs, ears twitching at the symphony of nocturnal sounds the hoot of owls, the distant cry of a fox, the gentle rustle of leaves in the night breeze. The moon above shone brightly, casting a soft silver glow across the forest floor, illuminating the delicate patterns of the trees and the scattered wildflowers.
Yet despite the beauty surrounding him, Cosmo felt a deep detachment, as if he were an observer in a world that continued to move without him. The forest, alive and thriving, was in stark contrast to the stillness within him. His thoughts drifted to Sprout as they often did his laughter, his shy yet determined smile, the way his eyes lit up when they shared pastries in their secret spot.
Cosmo sighed, his breath visible in the cool night air. A faint smile tugged at his lips, bittersweet and fleeting. He stood, shaking off the dirt from his fur, and padded back to the cottage nestled in the heart of the woods. Inside, the warm, earthy scent of herbs and aged wood greeted him.
On the kitchen counter sat a small basket he had prepared earlier, filled with neatly wrapped pastries he’d baked that morning. Beside them was a soft woolen blanket, carefully folded. Cosmo gently picked up the basket, his claws lightly scraping against the woven handle, and began to turn toward the door when a voice stopped him.
“Where are you going, Cosmo?”
He froze, his ears twitching. Slowly, he turned to see his sister, Gigi, lounging near the hearth, grooming herself. Her sharp eyes gleamed with curiosity, catching the glint of the moonlight streaming through the window.
“I’m going out to look at the moon,” Cosmo said casually, though his voice wavered slightly.
Gigi raised an eyebrow, her grooming momentarily paused. “At this hour? With a basket full of pastries and a blanket?”
Cosmo faltered, clutching the basket a little tighter. “It helps me think,” he said, his tone carefully neutral.
She tilted her head, her gaze lingering on him. “You’ve been acting strange lately, little brother. Going off on your own, distracted during meals, staying up late. Something’s on your mind.”
“It’s nothing,” Cosmo said quickly, perhaps too quickly.
Gigi’s expression softened, but her tone remained probing. “You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready. But be careful out there, Cosmo. The forest has been unpredictable lately.”
“I will,” he replied, his voice quieter now.
Satisfied for the moment, Gigi returned to her grooming, her tail flicking lazily. Cosmo let out a small breath of relief and slipped out the door, the basket swinging gently in his grasp.
The moonlit path felt familiar yet heavy with unspoken emotion. Cosmo’s paws padded softly against the mossy ground as he made his way toward their secret spot. Every step brought a mix of anticipation and melancholy. It had been days since he’d seen Sprout, and though he told himself he was only here to clear his head, a part of him held onto the fragile hope that Sprout might somehow appear.
The clearing came into view, bathed in pale moonlight. The soft hum of crickets filled the air, and the towering trees seemed to stand as silent guardians. Cosmo set the basket down and spread out the blanket. He sat cross-legged, his tail curling around him, and pulled out one of the pastries he’d baked earlier.
He took a bite, but It tasted bland, lacking the joy it once held when shared with Sprout. His ears drooped slightly, and he set the rest of the pastry aside.
As the minutes stretched into an hour, Cosmo tilted his head back, gazing at the moon. The silver light reflected in his golden eyes, and a pang of longing struck his heart.
“I wonder if you’re looking at the moon too, Sprout,” he murmured softly.
The words hung in the air, carried away by the night breeze. Cosmo’s thoughts turned inward, to the countless moments they’d shared Sprout’s laughter as they experimented with baking, the way he’d hum under his breath when he was deep in concentration, and the way he’d smile, so wide and genuine, when Cosmo told him stories about the forest.
He sighed, his ears twitching at the distant call of an owl. A part of him felt foolish for holding onto the hope that their bond could withstand the dangers that now surrounded them. But another part of him a quieter, deeper part refused to let go.
“Follow the moon’s light,” Cosmo whispered, repeating his own words from that fateful evening. It was both a wish and a promise, one he desperately hoped Sprout would remember.
The night deepened, and Cosmo remained in the clearing, his thoughts a tangled web of longing, fear, and hope. Somewhere in the distance, the forest stirred, its shadows dancing under the watchful gaze of the moon.
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Meanwhile with Sprout
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Back in the village, Sprout’s resolve was Back in the village, Sprout’s resolve simmered beneath a surface of hesitation. The moonlight spilled through his bedroom window, pooling in soft silver on the wooden floorboards. He sat on the windowsill, knees drawn to his chest, staring out at the glowing crescent in the sky. It was as if the moon was calling to him, urging him to make a decision.
“I have to see him,” he whispered, his voice trembling as if saying the words aloud would solidify them into an unbreakable promise.
The thought had consumed him all day, a constant tug-of-war between fear and longing. His father’s stern warnings replayed in his mind like an unrelenting drumbeat: Stay away from the forest. It’s too dangerous. The hunters’ traps, the stories of wolves, and the unspoken rules of their village all of it felt like a barrier, an invisible cage meant to keep him in place. But then there was Cosmo gentle, understanding, and unwavering in his care.
Sprout sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “I don’t want to upset him,” he murmured, the words laced with guilt. The idea of disappointing Cosmo made his chest tighten. “But I’m scared… What if something happens?”
His gaze flickered to the small cookbook sitting on his bedside table. The worn cover and dog-eared pages held more than recipes; they held memories laughter, companionship, and the warmth of a friendship that had become his lifeline.
That decided it.
Sprout slid off the windowsill, his bare feet touching the cool floor. He grabbed his boots, the familiar creak of the leather grounding him. He hesitated, fingers lingering on the strap of his lantern. The night was dark, and the forest darker still, but Cosmo’s words whispered in his mind: Follow the moon’s light.
Taking the lantern, he steeled himself, his heart pounding like the beating of distant drums. He paused at the door, glancing back at his room the safe, familiar confines of his life. The faint hum of the village beyond was comforting in its quiet monotony, but it felt suffocating now.
With a deep breath, Sprout slipped out into the cool night air.
The village lay still, its narrow streets bathed in moonlight. Shadows stretched long and thin, dancing with the faint flicker of candles in a few distant windows. Sprout moved like a ghost, his footsteps careful and silent as he stayed close to the walls of the cottages. He could hear the faint rustle of the wind and the distant creak of a weather vane, but the world around him seemed to hold its breath.
At the edge of the village, he paused. The forest rose before him like a great, looming shadow, its towering trees swaying gently in the breeze. Their dark silhouettes against the moonlit sky seemed both inviting and foreboding.
“Follow the moon’s light,” he whispered again, gripping the handle of his lantern tightly. The words gave him courage, a tether to something solid amidst his swirling uncertainty.
Memories of his father’s stern face and commanding voice clawed at his resolve. “You don’t understand,” Sprout muttered under his breath, as if addressing an invisible ghost of his father. “You don’t know Cosmo. He’s not like what you think.”
But for all his defiance, fear still lingered. He thought of the traps, of the hunters, and of how much danger Cosmo might be in every single day. The thought sent a pang through his chest.
“I can’t let you face it alone,” he said softly. “Not after everything you’ve done for me.”
With that, he stepped into the forest.
The canopy above whispered softly, the leaves brushing against one another as the wind passed through. Sprout’s lantern cast a warm glow around him, pushing back the encroaching darkness. He followed the moon’s light filtering through the gaps in the trees, its silvery beams lighting his path like a guiding hand.
Every rustle in the underbrush made him jump, his breath hitching with each unfamiliar sound. “It’s just the forest,” he told himself, though his voice wavered. “It’s alive, just like Cosmo said.”
As he ventured deeper, the forest began to feel less intimidating. The sounds became familiar, almost comforting, like a melody he was learning to hum along to. And with every step, the memory of Cosmo’s face his smile, his golden eyes shining with warmth drew him forward.
“I’m coming, Cosmo,” Sprout whispered, his voice carried away by the breeze. “I promise.”
As Sprout moved cautiously through the forest, the world around him felt alive in a way he hadn’t experienced before. The trees whispered secrets to each other in the breeze, and the soft glow of moonlight bathed the forest floor in an ethereal light. But it wasn’t just the beauty of the forest that held his attention it was the traps.
At first, he thought his father’s warnings were exaggerated. But now, as he stepped over snares and spotted glinting metal teeth hidden beneath the foliage, a cold shiver ran down his spine. His stomach tightened as the reality of the danger pressed against him like a heavy weight.
“Cosmo wasn’t lying,” he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He crouched low to inspect a particularly nasty trap, its jagged edges gleaming in the moonlight. “How does he live here with this everywhere?”
A branch snapped somewhere behind him, and Sprout’s heart leapt into his throat. He spun around, clutching the lantern tightly, his breath quick and shallow. The forest was still, the shadows unmoving. It was just an animal, probably a squirrel or a bird.
Shaking his head, he forced himself to focus. “Just keep moving. Look at the moon,” he reminded himself, tilting his head back to gaze at its pale, glowing face. It hung high in the sky, its light cutting through the darkness like a guiding hand.
The more he followed its path, the more it felt… surreal. “A moonlight guiding me,” he said, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and disbelief. “It sounds ridiculous. Something out of a story.” He hesitated, staring up at it again. “But it’s real, isn’t it? You were right, Cosmo. You’re always right.”
He stepped over another trap, careful not to disturb the delicate mechanism. “This is insane,” he muttered, his voice trembling. “But if you can live with this every day, then I can handle it for one night. I have to.”
The forest grew denser, the canopy above closing in until only patches of moonlight peeked through. Sprout clutched the lantern tighter, its warm glow providing a small comfort.
“What if I don’t find him?” he asked himself aloud, the fear creeping back into his mind. “What if something happened? What if ”
He stopped himself, shaking his head firmly. “No. Cosmo wouldn’t break his promise. He’s waiting for me. I know he is.”
A faint breeze rustled the leaves around him, and for a moment, Sprout swore he could hear Cosmo’s voice in the wind: Follow the moon’s light.
Sprout smiled faintly, despite the fear still clawing at him. “I’m coming, Cosmo,” he whispered.
As he pushed deeper into the forest, the traps became less frequent, and the air felt lighter, less oppressive. The moonlight grew brighter, illuminating a narrow path ahead. His heart leapt as he recognized the trail leading to their secret spot.
“You really were guiding me, weren’t you?” he said softly, looking up at the moon again. It felt almost alive, like an unspoken promise had been made between them.
His steps quickened, the fear and doubt fading with each stride. “I’m almost there, Cosmo,” he murmured, his voice firm now. “Just wait for me a little longer.”
As Sprout pushed through the last curtain of trees, his breath caught in his throat. The clearing stretched out before him, bathed in silver light. The moon hung high above, its glow spilling over the soft grass, the scattered wildflowers, and most strikingly, over Cosmo.
Cosmo stood near the center of their secret spot, his back to Sprout, his fur catching the moonlight in a way that made it shimmer. He looked almost otherworldly, his ears twitching slightly as if attuned to the whispers of the night. His tail swayed lazily behind him, and his posture, though relaxed, held a quiet strength.
Sprout froze for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. Why does he look so… beautiful? The thought surprised him, but he couldn’t deny it. Cosmo seemed to belong to this place, as if he were part of the forest itself a creature of the moonlight, untamed and yet warm and inviting.
He took a hesitant step forward, the sound of his boots crunching softly against the grass. Cosmo’s ears perked up, and he turned, his golden eyes catching the light as they locked onto Sprout.
“Sprout,” Cosmo said, his voice soft but filled with relief. A small smile spread across his face, and in that moment, it felt as if the weight of the world had lifted from his shoulders. “You made it.”
Sprout nodded, his throat tight. “I told you I would,” he said, his voice quieter than he intended. He took a few more steps closer, his eyes never leaving Cosmo’s. “I followed the moon… just like you said.”
Cosmo’s smile grew, and he glanced up at the moon. “It never lies. It always leads you where you’re meant to go.”
Sprout hesitated, then looked down, fiddling with the edge of his shirt. “I was scared,” he admitted. “There were traps everywhere. I thought… maybe I wouldn’t make it.” He raised his eyes to meet Cosmo’s again. “But I kept thinking about you. I couldn’t stay away.”
Cosmo’s ears flattened slightly, and his expression softened with guilt. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them. “I shouldn’t have let you come. It’s too dangerous. If anything had happened to you…” He trailed off, his gaze dropping.
“But nothing did,” Sprout said firmly, his voice steadier now. “I’m here. We’re here.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the forest filling the air the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, the gentle hum of crickets.
“Why were you looking at the moon?” Sprout asked, breaking the quiet. His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
Cosmo looked back up at the glowing orb, his expression thoughtful. “It helps me think,” he said. “When I look at it, I feel… connected. Like it understands things I can’t put into words.” He glanced at Sprout, his golden eyes searching. “And tonight, I was thinking about you.”
Sprout’s breath hitched, and he felt his cheeks grow warm. “Me?”
Cosmo nodded, his voice quiet but sure. “I missed you, Sprout. More than I thought I would. This place it feels empty without you.”
Sprout’s heart ached at the honesty in Cosmo’s voice. He took a step closer, the space between them shrinking further. “I missed you too,” he admitted. “I felt… lost without you. Like something was missing.”
Cosmo’s tail swayed slightly, and he smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I know the feeling.”
For a moment, they simply stood there, the moonlight wrapping around them like a gentle embrace. Sprout glanced down, his fingers fidgeting with his lantern. “Do you… do you think we can keep this?”
Cosmo tilted his head. “Keep what?”
“This,” Sprout said, gesturing between them. “Us. The forest. Everything.”
Cosmo’s expression turned serious, but there was a softness to it a quiet determination. “I don’t know what the future holds, Sprout. But I know one thing.” He reached out, resting a paw gently on Sprout’s arm. “I’ll do everything I can to protect this. To protect you.”
Sprout’s chest tightened, and he blinked back the stinging in his eyes. “I’ll protect you too,” he whispered.
Under the watchful gaze of the moon, the two stood together, their bond unspoken but unbreakable. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if bearing witness to a moment too precious to disturb.
The full moon had become a sacred promise between them, a light that guided their steps toward each other. As weeks turned into months, Sprout found himself moving through life with a lighter heart, the shadows that once clouded his days lifting slowly but surely.
By day, he laughed with his friends Shelly, Vee, Astro, and Dandy finding joy in their antics and adventures. He baked more frequently, pulling recipes from the precious cookbook he had yet to return. The kitchen became his sanctuary, even if his mother’s scolding was a regular accompaniment. Sometimes she would watch from a distance, her sharp words softening as she saw the happiness radiating from her son. Though Sprout tried to hide the bruises and aches from his father’s rough training sessions, the evidence was often too clear to ignore.
But at night, when the full moon rose, it was Cosmo who became his sanctuary.
One such night, Sprout trudged into their secret spot, his movements slower than usual. The moonlight illuminated his pale face and the faint bruises on his arms. Cosmo, already waiting with his basket of supplies, immediately noticed.
“Sprout,” Cosmo said, his voice tinged with concern as he stepped closer. “What happened this time?”
Sprout shrugged, trying to downplay it. “Training,” he muttered. “Dad says I’m still not strong enough.”
Cosmo’s eyes narrowed, his ears flicking back as his tail stilled. The frustration in his voice was evident, but beneath it lay an unmistakable thread of worry. “Strong enough for what? To fight? To hunt? You’re not a soldier, Sprout. Why does he push you like this?”
Sprout sighed heavily, lowering himself onto the soft grass with a weary slump. “I don’t know,” he murmured, his voice edged with fatigue. “He just… expects so much. And when I don’t measure up, he gets mad. That’s just how he is.”
Cosmo watched him, his heart aching at the sight of Sprout’s slouched shoulders and the bruises marring his red? Pinkish skin. He knelt down beside him, already reaching for the herbal salve he had packed. “That doesn’t make it okay,” Cosmo said firmly, though his touch was soft as he uncapped the jar. “You shouldn’t have to go through this, Sprout.”
Sprout winced slightly as Cosmo dabbed the cool salve onto a particularly tender spot on his arm. “It’s not so bad,” Sprout said with a shaky laugh, but his voice cracked, betraying the truth.
Cosmo froze mid-motion, his golden eyes locking onto Sprout’s. His voice softened, but the intensity in his gaze didn’t waver. “Sprout,” he said quietly, “you don’t have to pretend with me. I can see it hurts.”
Sprout’s facade cracked, and he looked away, his hands balling into fists against the grass. “It’s just… he wants me to be someone I’m not. No matter how hard I try, it’s never enough.” His voice broke on the last word, and he squeezed his eyes shut, ashamed of the tears threatening to spill.
Cosmo set the salve aside and placed a paw gently over one of Sprout’s clenched hands. “That’s not fair,” he said, his tone a mix of sorrow and anger. “You’re not supposed to be someone else for him or for anyone. You’re enough as you are, Sprout.”
Sprout let out a shaky breath, finally meeting Cosmo’s gaze. “It’s easy to believe that here,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “When it’s just us, everything feels… lighter. But out there…” He glanced toward the trees, where the village lay beyond, and shook his head. “Out there, it’s different.”
Cosmo’s ears flattened, and he shifted closer, the fur along his tail bristling slightly. “You shouldn’t have to carry all of this alone,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every time you come here like this… it scares me. I’m always afraid you’ll come back hurt worse than before, or ” He stopped, his words catching in his throat.
Sprout stared at him, his heart twisting at the worry etched into Cosmo’s expression. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, guilt creeping into his voice. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Cosmo said quickly. “I just… I wish I could do more. I wish I could protect you from all of it.”
“You already do,” Sprout said, managing a small smile. “You don’t know how much this being here with you helps.”
Cosmo’s ears perked slightly at that, and his tail gave a hesitant wag. “Good,” he said, his voice lighter but still tinged with concern. “But you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Promise me you’ll tell me if it gets worse,” Cosmo said, his gaze unwavering. “Don’t try to hide it. Don’t just brush it off.”
Sprout hesitated, but the sincerity in Cosmo’s eyes made it impossible to refuse. “I promise,” he said, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat.
Cosmo nodded, relief softening his features. “Good. Now, sit still. I’m not done patching you up.”
Sprout groaned playfully, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re worse than my mom sometimes.”
Cosmo chuckled, his tail wagging more freely now. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
As Cosmo resumed tending to Sprout’s injuries, the tension between them eased, replaced by the familiar warmth of their bond. In the quiet of the forest, under the watchful light of the moon, they found solace in each other two hearts leaning on one another, healing together, one gentle moment at a time...