Flowers, flowers 2
The diner's not super busy. It's pretty much just after rush hour, and there are only a few people sitting now.
A group of people approach the counter.
Cosmo watches from the kitchen, peering through the doorway at Sprout, who's handling the counter right now. He usually does.
"Hi, how can I help you?" says Sprout with a smile.
The group produces a flower for him in an extremely shy matter. A pretty red carnation.
Cosmo doesn't know what this feeling is.
The flower wouldn't fit anywhere in the diner, so Sprout would probably take it home. Don't those people know that, if they're such big fans of Sprout? They must come here often.
Sprout thanks them. One of the group shyly orders something while the others find a table nearby. He takes their order and turns around.
Cosmo looks away.
A moment later, he hears a voice.
"Hey," Sprout says gently, smiling. "You okay? Rush hour was a lot today, huh?"
"Oh. Yeah. No, I'm okay." Cosmo tries not to look at the carnation in Sprout's hand.
Sprout seems to make a decision. He steps forward and holds out the flower. "Here."
Cosmo stares at it. "Wait, really?" His legs feel like the jelly he used to make tarts earlier that day. "Sprout, it's yours. A gift. I really shouldn't..."
"But I want you to have it," Sprout says with a shrug, still smiling. "Please?"
A wave of joy rises up inside of Cosmo. He hesitates a moment longer, then accepts the flower gently. The matching charms on the bracelets he and Sprout each wear clink together briefly.
He holds the flower in both of his hands, staring at its crimson petals. "It's beautiful," he murmurs.
Sprout smiles, though he might not be looking at the flower. "Yeah." So are you when you're happy.