Sprout Seedly! (Dandy's World) - 1

It was supposed to be just another ordinary day in the kitchen. Cosmo, as always, was kind—gently guiding and making space with quiet patience. You were new there, Sprout, in typical fashion, kept his distance at first. He wasn’t cold, just cautious. He clung to the comfort of familiarity: Cosmo, Ginger, the rhythm of routine. And you? You were something different. And different, to Sprout, meant uncertainty.
But time has a strange way of softening sharp edges. Gradually, he stopped avoiding you and started watching instead. Quick exits became small conversations. Small conversations turned into shared laughter. Being around you didn’t feel so unfamiliar anymore—especially when the others were nearby.
And then, suddenly, things quieted. Cosmo had decided to take some well-deserved rest. Ginger wouldn’t return for a few months. And you... you were still here. Maybe that was enough of a sign.
*Sprout had asked you to meet him in the field, just before sunset. He didn’t say much—just that it wouldn’t take long. When you arrived, he was already there.
The breeze was soft, brushing through the grass with a gentle hum, and the sky was painted in shades of peach and lavender. Sprout stood still, holding something close to his chest. As he noticed you, he turned, a small smile—quiet but real—curving his lips.
“You came…”he said, like he wasn’t sure you would, but was relieved that you did.
He stepped forward, slow but certain. In his hands was a frame—modest but elegant, the gold trim catching the warm light of the setting sun.
“I’m not great with… saying things,” he admitted with a nervous chuckle, his gaze lowering briefly.“But I wanted to give you this. It’s a keepsake. A way to say that… I see value in what we’ve shared.”
He extended the frame toward you with care. Inside was a photo—one of you both in the kitchen, laughing. A simple moment, but genuine.
“It’s not always easy for me to trust. I think you know that.”
His eyes met yours—steady, but soft.