#nonbinary dandy

[thetoasterthatszee]

🌈💚{ Supposed to Hate }🌼📺

(valentines day special!!! Fun fact, this oneshot is based off the roleplay i was in that got me to ship flowervision in the first place!

Also its really really long)

The questions about their rivalry were becoming far too frequent, and much too confusing to answer.

Did they still hate each other? Did they ever hate each other in the first place? Are they still rivals? If their rivalry was only for an audience, what were they doing now???

Vee hated it, she hated questioning it. Yet the more Dandy asked about it and the more they hung out, the more she found herself LIKING their presence. It made her want to rip her antenna out, but also…not do that at the same time. She found her fans kicking up in speed every time she was around them, but not out of anger. She hated how being around them made her screen burn and coolant bubble under her skin. Yet neither felt inherently bad.

She waved at them as they left for a run while smiling, then realized what she was doing and buried her head in her hands. Glisten came over and tapped her shoulder. “Vee, darling! Why are you screaming into your hands again? What happened today?” he asked, looking rather smug. “Something’s wrong. I shouldn’t be feeling like this,” she replied. Glisten leaned towards her, asking in a teasing tone, “Oh? Feeling what? You can tell me, girl!” Vee sighed, “I don't know… my fans are whirring real fast, my screen feels so hot and is probably really bright, and I feel as if my core is beating in my antennae!” she explained. Glisten poked her antenna, “Ah, and your bent antenna is curling into a little heart! How cute!” he added. Vee looked up and smacked his hand away. “Not important! I think something's wrong. Should I go to Brightney?” she asked. Glisten placed his hand on her shoulder, “Vee, darling, nothing’s wrong with you! You’re simply…..in loooove!” he declared. Vee sputtered. “In LOVE?? No! You're kidding! I can’t be in love with Dandy-”

“WITH DANDY?!”

Glisten beamed. He looked overjoyed, and jumped up. “YES!!! I was right!!! SOOO many toons owe me money!!!” He exclaimed. Vee burned bright green. “It's not- there's no- YOU WERE BETTING ON IT?!” She stumbled over her words. The mirror held his finger to her mouth on her screen and shushed her. “Shh, shh, shh, that's not important darling!! What's important is that YOU'RE in love with your own best rival!!! Let's go tell Brightney!!” he announced as he began to pull Vee towards the elevator. “WHOAH, GLISTEN- I DON’T THINK WE SHOULD-” Vee tried to protest, but it was too late, and Glisten was set on dragging her along to tell Brightney.

“Saving your tapes? That's ok! I’ll uh..I’ll be back in a bit!”

Dandy watched as the toons began to file out of the elevator, and called for Astro. “Hey! Buddy! Mind hanging back for a minute?” they asked. Astro looked skeptical, but hung back. The elevator door closed as the rest of the run continued. “What’s going on, Dandy? Are you going to tell me more stuff about the ichor I'm not allowed to disclose again?” he asked. Dandy shook their head. “Oh! No, no, no, no! Nonono! I’ve been feeling weird lately…” they said. Astro tilted his head. “How so?” he inquired. Dandy began to explain, “You know how I've been hanging out with Vee lately? We played music, and talked casually, and, uh…I don't think I hate her anymore?” Astro nodded. “I have seen that…but that's good, isn't it? It means you won't argue anymore,” he said. Dandy protested, “No, no! It's not like that! It’s nice, yes, but I've been feeling something else. I feel warm and fuzzy looking at her, and I smile around her! My heart beats really fast! I find myself feeling kind of bad when I call her things like ‘idiot box’ and such! I keep asking if we’re still rivals and we’re drawing blank!” Astro nodded, and asked, “This means what..?”

“I think I'm in love with Vee.”

The moon stared at them with a wide eyed expression. “Uh… congratulations, Dandy..? What do you want me to do? I’m not interested in romance!” he asked. Dandy replied, “I-I don't know! I don't know who to tell or what to do! We’re supposed to be rivals! You know, neck and neck competition! How do I deal with this?!” Astro sighed. “How about you talk to Dyle? He’s older than us, and he’s more of a mentor than I am, even if it's about topics like romance,” he offered. Dandy snapped their fingers. “Oh! Good idea, Astro!”

Meanwhile, back with Glisten and Vee, Brightney was with a few other toons. Specifically Shelly, Shrimpo, Sprout, and Cosmo. They were all in the library. Glisten rushed in, dragging Vee behind him. “Ohhhh Briiiiightneeeey~!!! Vee has news! Vee has news~!” he called in a sing-song voice. Brightney looked over. “Oh! Vee! Good to see you! You have news to share?” She asked. Glisten bumped Vee’s shoulder. “I’ve been feeling really strange lately… and Glisten thinks-” Vee began, but was quickly interrupted by Glisten, “She’s in love! With Dandy! You all owe me money~!!!” The toons’ jaws went agape. Shrimpo ran up to vee and shook her by her jacket collar. “WHAT!? WHAT!? WHAT!? VEE!!! YOU HATE THAT FLOWER!!!” they screamed. Vee shoved them down. “Take it easy, Shrimpo. I don't KNOW if I can really say I hate them all that much anymore?” She explained. The shrimp narrowed their eyes.

Shelly looked over and tilted her head, “Well? What makes you say that?” she asked. Vee replied, “Well, we’ve been hanging out more… I've been enjoying their presence… I've found my fans spinning fast when I'm around them… my screen heats up pretty badly too.” she counted the reasons on her fingers. Sprout ran his hand through his leaves, “Oh my gosh you’re actually in love with your rival…” He said in disbelief. Cosmo smiled. “Oh! Well that's great! You two won't argue anymore! And that means you’ll be able to be around each other both on and off runs without bickering! It’s also so good to see you in love vee!” he cheered and gave vee a thumbs up. Vee smiled softly, and looked down. Shelly nodded and added, “Hey! Maybe you can get Dandy out of their room and hang out with us more often? It’s been great seeing them around Gardenview playing music with you! Go for it vee!” Vee felt her screen glow bright. “You think I should?” She asked. The toons around nodded, except for Shrimpo. “NOT BEFORE I TALK TO THEM!!!” They hissed, and crossed their arms.

“Heyyyyyy Dyle! Haha!” Dandy approached Dyle’s shop with astro. Dyle looked back. “Dandicus? Aren’t you supposed to be hosting a run right now?” he asked. Dandy waved a hand. “Oh they’ll be fiiiine!! The elevator will bring ‘em back up once they complete the floor!” They reassured him. Astro interrupted the topic, “Eh… Dandy has a little dilemma, it's why they’re here.” Dyle inquired, “Oh? I could try and help. What’s bothering you Dandicus?” Dandy fidgeted with their overall buttons. “I think I have a crush on Vee.” they were straight to the point. Dyle’s usually half lidded eyes widened into a full gaze, making him appear much more cartoonish than usual. “You?” he asked. Dandy nodded. “With Vee???” he asked. Dandy nodded again. “Funny right?” they said. Dyle shook his head. “It’s so out of character for you. I would’ve never expected it!” He said. Dandy winced. Dyle’s gaze softened, “Well. You have been getting out more often, I think it’s good for you. You should go for it.” he said. Dandy beamed. “Wow Dyle! You mean it? You really think I should??” They asked. Dyle nodded, “Well why not? I don’t see any reason you two should keep up your rivalry, and i’ve seen how you two have been looking at each other.” he explained. Dandy smiled. “Well! That’s great but… what if she… what if she still...”

“What if they still hate me?”

Vee was walking into the elevator, and said that off handedly to Glisten. Glisten crossed his arms. “I don’t think they do, darling! After all, you two have been hanging out much more frequently! And you even said that you two enjoy the presence of each other! Don't give up because of the past!” he said, vee quickly corrected him, “I enjoy THEIR presence. I don't know if they fully enjoy mine. Besides…”

“We were written to be rivals.”

Dandy leaned against Dyle’s shop counter. “But you said-” Astro began, but was interrupted, “It doesn't matter what I said! Look Astro, we’re still characters! We still have plots and personalities written for us!” They explained. Dyle patted their shoulder. “Dandy, neither Arthur nor Delilah are here telling you who you have to be for the sake of the show anymore. You are free to break character, like Tisha and Brusha did.” He said. Dandy shook their head. “Their characters are still lingering, especially with Brusha, and Vee and I were written to hate each other! Sure we’ve been getting along right now! But why would she want to be with me in the long run? Because… why….”

“Why would she love someone she’s supposed to hate?”

“Why would they love someone they’re supposed to hate?”

Dandy walked into the elevator before Astro or Dyle could say something, they did not want to hear the same idea repeated to them.

Vee closed the elevator door before glisten could reply, she didn’t want to hear an answer.

The toons gathered for a meeting in Sprout's room. Everyone in Gardenview was there. At this point, everyone knew it. Vee and Dandy loved each other, but were too scared to confess to each other. Glisten frustratedly grabbed his hair. “She's so STUBBORN!! Still lingering on the past! Goodness, I knew vee was one for nostalgia but this is RIDICULOUS!” He complained. Dyle sighed, and added, “Dandicus believes because of how their characters were written, they could never truly love each other.” Cosmo sat on the table between them, “Okay okay! They both think they secretly still hate each other and that's what's keeping them apart! We just need to make them see they don’t!” he announced, “Anyone got ideas???” Brightney sighed and rested her head on the table, “Oh this is like an enemies to lovers story… and we’re left on the rising actiooon…” She whined, Tisha looked over, and said, “Hey… Before we jump to ‘this is a cute love story’ can we think for a moment about them???” The toons looked over. Tisha continued, “I mean, do we TRUST Dandy? Will we just be setting the Ichor Operation aside for the sake of the plot??? AND how do we know they’re not right? They’ve been rivals for over a decade!” Shrimpo crossed their arms, “I SURE DON'T TRUST DANDY!!! THEY'RE A SKETCHY FLOWER!!!” Rodger nodded a bit, “There's still a lot we don’t know about the operation, and having three toons working on it won’t be good.” he said. Shelly exclaimed, “Whoah whoah guys! Come on, you’re not saying they shouldn’t get together right???” Shelly waved her hands. Sprout winced, “I mean… the worst case scenario in this case isn't one saying no… it's more of… what if they say yes and suddenly Vee’s working IN the Ichor Operation too?” he said. Tisha nodded. “That’s my exact worry.” The toons in the room were now talking about the things that could happen. Glisten looked distraught, and tried to reassure the crowd.

“That won’t happen.”

All eyes turned to Astro. He was sitting next to Brusha on a table, who was nodding in agreement. “Dandy is sketchy and has been acting weird since the shutdown, yes, but they won’t just wrap toons into the operation. The only reason Dyle is helping is because he is a lethal twisted as well. That makes runs dangerous for him and Dandy.” He explained, “Besides, he talks to me all of the time but I'm not working in the Ichor Operation. I just go on runs, and collect ichor and that's it. Just like everyone else.” Brusha nodded, then spoke up, “For anyone worried about their characterizations, you’re missing the point of this meeting.” She stood up, “We’re here because they are in love with each other and don’t think they can. They do love each other. Whatever hate or rivalry was present obviously isn't relevant anymore.” she explained. The conversations died down, and they began to look at each other. Tisha looked away and picked at the feathers in her feather duster. Shrimpo’s scowl softened. Toodles put her hands on her hips as Rodger didn't meet eyes with either of them. Sprout sat more straight and looked a bit guilty.

“So, back to the drawing board, What do we do about this?” Cosmo asked again. Razzle’s hand shot up. “Oooh! We set them up in the toon rooms! Maybe in the tables in the kitchen!!!” he offered. Sprout asked, “Vee can’t eat, a dinner date’s not really that practical.” Dazzle spoke up, “Actually… I have an idea for that. Instead of setting them up at dinner, we still set them up tonight, but not for a dinner date. Let's pretend we’re inviting them to a party in the toon rooms so neither of them get suspicious. Then in the kitchen, we try to get them to talk to each other.” Shelly clapped, “Oh! Great idea!” she exclaimed. Goob looked up, “Scraps and I can set up the toon rooms like it’s a party! We’ll make the decorations!” he proposed. Scraps nodded, “We’ll make some streamers and confetti and all that fun stuff!” Cosmo clapped, “Oh great ideas!” he said as more toons offered to help.

“O-oh! I’ll set the s-scene with music! I’ve got a-a few cassettes with some softer jazz!” Boxten offered.

“ILL BRING CANDY!!! LOTS OF CANDY!!!” exclaimed Yatta.

“I’ll make some balloon hearts! It’ll look so cute!” Looey offered.

“I’ll make sure shrimpo doesn't krill dandy before they get the chance to talk!” Finn said, wrapping an arm around his partner. Shrimpo hissed angrily.

“I’ll make sure there’s a good arrangement of tea that fits the mood. I know Dandy loves hibiscus tea.” Teagen said, and skimmed through the teabags in her purse.

It was honestly a beautiful sight seeing all the toons working together again. It almost brought the mains to tears seeing it.

The plan was set in motion.

“I’ll go tell Vee about the ‘party’ now.” Brusha offered. Shrimpo raised their hand, “I DEMAND TO BE THE ONE TO TELL DANDY!!!” they yelled.

Vee was in her room, and lay against the side of her bed. Her back was against the ground and her legs were on her mattress. She was lazily strumming her guitar. The tune of the strings prevented her from overthinking the events of earlier, and recently. She kept her focus on changing chords and listening to the music instead of thinking. Brusha opened the door to her room. “Hey Vee. How’s it going?” she asked. Vee stopped playing. “Eh, it could be better.” she replied. Brusha sat down on her bed while Vee continued. “Your guitar skills are okay.” she said, trying to ease the tense mood, only making it worse. “I’m not in the mood to bicker…” Vee said and continued playing. Brusha sighed, “Okay I get that… All right, let me just get to the point. There's a party in the toon rooms today. You’ve got to come.” she said. Vee stopped playing and opened her eyes to look at Brusha, “Do I have a choice?” she asked. The paintbrush shrugged, “I mean everyone is gonna be there, do you really want to skip out?” she asked in response. Vee sighed. “I’ll be there.” Brusha smiled. “Great, oh also it's going to be real casual so you can drop the gameshow gear. Think of it like a slumber party.” she said. Vee nodded and got up to get ready.

Dandy was at their shop. Where was everyone??? The run returned, Dyle’s not in his shop, and the lobby was empty. Did they miss something?? They didn’t hang out with the toons much anyway so it was probably fine. Then Shrimpo came out of the elevator and towards their shop. “Shrimpo! Shrimply wonderful to see you! Heh see what i did there? Finn taught me that!” they teased. Shrimpo slammed their hands on the counter of Dandy’s shop. “YOU!!! TOON ROOMS PARTY!!! YOU’RE COMING WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!!!” The shrimp screamed at them. Dandy chuckled nervously. “Toon rooms party? I’m invited? Wow! That's really nice Shrimpo, but uh, who’s gonna run my shop??” they asked. Shrimpo narrowed their eyes, “NO ONE!!! BECAUSE EVERYONE'S GONNA BE THERE!!!” Dandy laughed at their response. “Come on, this is such a sudden party! What's it even for?” they asked. Shrimpo’s eyes darted around the room, they dug their hands into their jacket pockets trying to think of a response. “Uhhhhh…” their eyes landed on the calendar. February. It's February. “EARLY VALENTINES DAY SLUMBER PARTY OR SOMETHING!!!” Shrimpo yelled back. Dandy looked at the calendar behind them. “Oh! Well golly! I didn’t even notice it’s valentines day this weekend! Look at that!” they said. Shrimpo crossed their arms, “WELL?!?! YOU BETTER BE THERE!!! I’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE PARTY!!! TOON ROOMS!!! BE THERE OR I'M DRAGGING THERE YOU MYSELF!!!!”

Cosmo was setting up some snacks on tables. The whole floor was transformed into a hearts themed party. Smooth jazz music rang in the air, making the environment feel welcome. Everyone was in pajamas and hanging out. Several toons were sitting on crates in the halls and drinking iced hibiscus tea. Yatta snatched one of the cake pops from Cosmo's tray as he set up the snack table. “Yatta! Don't eat everything at once!” he scolded. She just giggled and hopped off. Dyle walked in with his unicorn pajama pants on with matching unicorn slippers. He lazily went over to cosmo. “Are they here yet? How’s their table looking?” he asked. Cosmo pointed over to Scraps, Goob, and Looey finishing up a cute little balloon heart arch behind the table. “Looking good! All that's missing is-” “Where are they???” Glisten and Sprout asked Dyle and Cosmo at the same time, interrupting him. “I’m LITERALLY shaking with excitement!! I can't keep myself together any longer, darling! Where are they???” Glisten dug his hands into the chair. Sprout was pacing, “Are they skipping??? Come on, they can’t skip this!” Cosmo chuckled and reassured them, “Don’t worry, I think they’ll be here soon!”

Right on time, the elevator opened, and vee stepped out. It felt so wrong to dress so casual around other toons. She was wearing a dark green shirt with the word “RADIO” printed across the front in bold black text, and some black boxer shorts. She was fidgeting with the zipper on her dark magenta jacket with light cream colored sleeves, which matched her pink slippers. Her guitar case was slung around her shoulder. Brusha walked beside her, and guided her to the kitchen. Sprout got up and ran over as Brusha joined the crowd around another table. “VEE!!! You took forever! I know you walk a bit slower since the shutdown, but-” He looked her up and down. “Is… is this just the colors of your jacket but in random clothes you found in your closet?” he asked bluntly. Vee dug her hands into her boxer shorts pockets. “Nooo why would I do that? Heh!” she responded awkwardly.

Next, the elevator opened to Shrimpo and Dandy. Dandy felt weird to actually join a party post-shutdown. So casually too. They were wearing a white Gardenview branded sweatshirt that had all the mains across it in little colored squares. The sleeves were a bit longer than their arms, but they didn't mind. They put on a long and flowy pink cotton skirt with a white stripe at the bottom. They had some rainbow mismatched socks on as well. Shrimpo turned to them and grabbed their sweatshirt before they continued. “You hurt my big sis’s feelings and I'll kill you and cut all the film in your Dandy’s World: Season 1 tape collection…” they snarled and pulled the flower right to their face. Dandy walked into the kitchen with a traumatized expression as Shrimpo joined the crowd. They had no idea what that was about.

They tugged on Vee’s sleeve, and Vee turned around to them. Her eyes opened in surprise to see the flower. “Dandy! Hey! I didn’t expect to see you here.” she said, and her antenna curled in their direction. Dandy smiled. “Oh you know, I just couldn't miss it!” they said. They both stood there awkwardly afterwards. The silence replaced what were usually witty insults at each other. Cosmo went and took both their arms. “How about you go sit at the table back here?” he said and guided them to it. Vee looked around at all the decorations as an empty cup was handed to her. Dandy’s was full of tea. There was a little plate with a handful of sweets and candies. They sat down and looked at each other. The toons at the other table quieted down their conversation to listen to them.

Vee made the first move. “How’d that run go?” she asked. Dandy waved their hands. “Oh heheh! I had to take it back early! Not much happened.” they said. Vee nodded. “Okay… okay…” she replied and they sat awkwardly. The softer lighting made the energy feel so strange. Why is it getting awkward now??? They had such a decent time hanging out other times! It had to be all the hearts in the room. It made this whole interaction around 10 times more awkward than it needed to be. “I see you brought your guitar! That's great! I wish my piano was that portable!” Dandy leaned over the table and pointed to the case. Vee smiled, “Yeah, I brought it in case toons wanted to hear a song. Maybe Boxten has a keyboard you can borrow?” she said. Dandy simply nodded and kneaded their hands into their skirt awkwardly. Vee gritted her teeth and nodded as well.

The silence that followed made Vee want to implode her own cathode ray tube.

The toons at the table beside them were getting impatient. Glisten, specifically. “They’re just sitting there… staring at each other! We’ve got to get them talking about each other!” he said. Brightney looked at him as he got up. “Wait- you shouldn’t try and force it-” she tried to say but he was already up.

Dandy looked behind Vee as Glisten was furiously scribbling something on a piece of paper. He held it up to reveal the words “TELL HER YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL EYES” scribbled crudely into the paper. Dandy looked shocked. Vee looked confused. “Are you okay?” She asked. Dandy nodded softly. What was Glisten doing??? Did Glisten KNOW about their whole ‘having feelings for your rival’ dilemma they were having. They barely had time to question before glisten furiously tapped the paper and mouthed the words “LET ME HELP YOU” to them. Dandy took a deep breath in, and said with utmost confidence.

“I have beautiful eyes.”

Vee looked a bit taken back, and nodded. “Yeah, yeah they're nice. I do like your eyes.” she said. Glisten hurriedly held up another piece of paper that said “HER EYES HER EYES” in the same crude handwriting. Dandy quickly corrected themself, “YOUR eyes! I mean mine are great but YOURS! It's like you can see right through them!” Vee grimaced and nodded. Dandy picked up a chocolate off of the plate in front of them and began to eat it when they spotted Astro push glisten aside and held up a much nicer sign that said “Just tell her how you feel” in blue crayon. Dandy began, “Vee.. there's uuhhh… s-something i want to tell-” They began but were still eating the chocolate and began to choke on it. Vee wasn’t looking at them. “You’re getting all choked up…” she looked up and opened her eyes in shock, “OH! OH YOU’RE CHOKING!!! GEEZ!!!”

Glisten and Astro went back to the table and watched as Vee performed the heimlich maneuver on them to get them to stop choking. Dyle buried his head in his hands. “They’re hopeless…” he said. Brightney mimicked an explosion with her hands. After Dandy recovered, Poppy ran in and yelled, “GUYYYYS we’re playing games in the lounge! Come on! We’re still deciding!!!” Glisten looked like he wanted to strangle her. Vee set Dandy down, and asked, “Do you mind if I head to the lounge?” she asked. Dandy nodded, “yeah yeah go ahead! I’ll be there in a second! I’m getting some more tea to help clear my throat a bit.” They said and smiled. Vee picked up her guitar case and walked over to the lounge. Brightney gasped and whispered something in Glisten’s ear. He gasped as well and clapped. “You guys make sure Dandy heads over! Brightney gave me an idea~!!!!” He called in a sing-song voice and skipped over, using his mirror trick to make it before Vee.

Dandy sat down next to Vee and Astro in the lounge. They were sitting in a small circle of toons sitting on the rug in front of the television.. Vee was opening up her guitar case, but Glisten stopped her. “Just wait a moment darling, this is a slumber party, and what sort of slumber party is it if we don't play ‘truth or dare’ at LEAST once?” he announced. Vee chuckled, “truth or dare? What are we? Children?” Glisten stared her dead in the eyes. “We’re children’s cartoon characters, and I'm NOT taking that from the toon who can’t physically swear!” He snapped back. Vee shrugged and nodded. “Eh, touché.” she replied. Glisten sat down in the small circle. “All right, let's start!”

Glisten didn’t want to unveil his plan immediately. He needed a minute for Dandy and Vee to settle down after Dandy choked. A round of a few truths, and one dare of eating shampoo (in which Yatta happily obliged). Glisten was chosen by Poppy. “Glisten! Truth or Dare?” She asked. Glisten got excited, and quickly said, “Truth!” Poppy thought for a minute. “Is it true you have over 20 pairs of leg warmers?” she asked. Glisten leaned back and giggled. “Guuuuiiilltyyyy~! I have around 74 pairs in total!!!” he cheered, and immediately looked over to Dandy. “Dandy! Truth or dare?” he asked a little too quickly. Dandy looked up. “I’m feeling brave! Hit me with a dare Glisten!” they cheerfully responded. Glisten smiled, and took a deep breath in.

“All right, kiss the toon to your left.”

The chatter died down, and eyes turned to Dandy. They looked to their left. Vee was already looking back down at them. They grew red, and stuttered. “A-a bit much for a kids game huh?? Gollyyy….” Their voice sounded really shaky. Vee and Dandy were caught in this gaze. The quiet movie playing on the television in the back felt so loud in the silence. The gazes of each toon on the flower made them feel incredibly small. Vee tilted her head as she continued to gaze at them in soft silence. Her silence felt threatening. The whole silence felt suffocating. Dandy was burning red, and couldn’t take all the eyes on them. How on earth did Glisten catch onto them??? This had to be a setup. Was this some sort of setup??? They hated it, they hated it so much.

They ran out and into Boxten’s room.

Nothing but silence filled the tense room.

Vee stood expressionless for a moment, her eyes were open and wide but showed no signs of change.

She stood up and turned around. “Hey… Glisten… Can I borrow your vanity mirror for a minute?” She asked in a softer voice. Glisten nodded. “Eh! Go right ahead darling!” he replied. Vee closed her eyes and gave a shaky smile. “Great. Thanks.” She simply said, and walked into his room.

Both doors locked with two clicks that rang out in the room.

“What on EARTH was THAT Glisten?!” Shelly exclaimed from the couch. Glisten reasoned, “I thought it would play out like in those romance books Brightney showed me on the computer! Where they would passionately kiss each other or something!” he said. Astro buried his head in his star hands. Brightney looked guilty. “I did offer the idea… but I thought you were gonna ask one of them for a truth or something? You know like in the books where it's like ‘tell us who you have a crush on’ or something like that!” she explained. The toons in the lounge started to also speak up against Glisten’s plan. Finn and Sprout walked into the lounge holding trays to the bickering. “What’s going on?” Sprout asked. Astro sighed, “Glisten intervened again and messed the whole plan up again… Now Dandy and Vee locked themselves up in the rooms.” he explained. Boxten nodded. “Dandy went in mine, vee i-is in Glisten’s room.” he added. “He tried to get them to kiss for a dare!!!” Shelly exclaimed. Finn looked surprised, and crossed his arms. “WOW! This shore went south reel quick! I’m surprised it got this bad!” he said. Dyle looked over to Finn, “Wait a moment… Finn? You and Shrimpo are dating, right? How did YOU two confess to each other?”

Shrimpo got up. “It was EASY! I BLEW HIM AWAY WITH MY AWESOME MUSCLES AND COOL PUNKY DEMEANOR!!!” They announced, and struck a cool pose. Finn laughed, “I do admit they did charm me! But because we knew each other for so long, well, let me just tell you what happened. So, we were in Shrimpo’s room, and we were a lil’ tense from some stuff that happened on a run earlier! Yet, the quiet, the gentle exchanges of apologies from what happened… The way their eyes looked in their dimmed room lights hadn't changed since the shutdown. Well I couldn't kelp myself! I told them how I had been feelin’ for a long time. Then, their gaze softened…” Finn explained, shrimpo wrapped it up, “I couldn’t take his STUPID handsome and PATHETIC face, and I told him I loved him too. Plain as that. The truth. Then we started dating. I felt so STUPID at the moment, but it turned out all right i guess i dont HATE it!” they crossed their arms. Finn wrapped an arm around Shrimpo. “Love ya too Shrimpy.” he said. “So that means…?” Glisten asked. Finn and Shrimpo grinned. “You let ‘em talk it out! They can’t keep it inside forever! BUT you can’t force it. You saw what happened when you tried to force ‘em!” Finn replied. Glisten sighed. “You’re right. I'm sorry for getting a little ahead of myself! Let’s just try and get them to talk to each other!” he said. Finn nodded, “If you want ill talk to Dandy. I’m on pretty good terms with ‘em!” he offered. Astro got up. “I’ll talk to Vee then. I’m pretty good at reading her emotions.”

Finn went up to Boxten's room and knocked on the door. “Heya Dandy! How’s it going? Wanna open the door for a pal?” he asked. Dandy opened the door. They looked very pathetic, like they had been crying into the pillow. Finn knelt to their level. Dandy asked, “Do you know what happened and what's been going on with me?” Finn nodded, “Everyone informed me what happened and I know ‘bout your lil’ CRUSHtacean on your buddy Vee.” he responded. Dandy started to tear up again. “She hates me doesn't she? She probably never wants to look at me ever again!” they cried. Finn patted their back. “No no! It’s nothing like that Dandy! Come on, don't start cryin’ again! I promise she doesn’t!” Dandy pushed him away. “No no! I ran away like a coward! I could’ve told her I loved her and kissed her but I got scared! I got scared she would reject me! I’m such an idiot!” they exclaimed, and pulled their petals over their face. “Dandy, don’t say that. Glisten shouldn’t have done that to try and force you two together. You two obviously need time, and hey! Don’t be upset if today ain't the day you wanna confess to her! Take your time, but you’ve gotta talk to her sometime.” Finn explained, he was very patient with them. 

Astro went to knock on Glisten’s door. Vee called from inside, “I'm not ready yet! Please stand by!” Astro sighed. “Vee, it's just me. Mind telling me why you’ve locked yourself in your friend’s room?” he asked. Vee drummed her fingers on the desk. “It's a stupid reason… I guess I felt a bit hurt when they just ran away like that...” she replied with a gentle sigh as well. “Isnt that stupid? They probably didn't even like me in that way, yet I still felt hurt by it. So stupid…” she continued until her voice trailed off into a staticky mumble. Astro softly replied in a hum. “Glisten shouldn’t have tried to force you two together, you two need to take your time. You have every right to feel hurt. Dandy is just as upset.” he spoke calmly. “You two need to talk sometime, it doesn't have to be today, but you need to talk. Tell them how you feel about them.”

“Besides,” Finn and Astro said at the same time.

“I don't think Vee will react how you think she will.”

“I don't think Dandy will react how you think they will.”

Dandy went to Glisten’s room, and knocked on the door. “Vee? Are you in there?” they asked, cautiously. Vee looked at the door and opened it. “Hello Dandy.” she said. They smiled a bit shakily. “I’d uh- I’d like to talk. If that's all right! I mean we don't have to!” They asked. They were so nervous, but Vee gently placed her hand on their shoulder and calmed them down. “That’d be good. Come in, Glisten’s got a couch in here.” She offered. Dandy didn’t know what they were feeling.

Glisten’s room was always very neat and tidy, a stark contrast to both of their rooms. Neither one was ever truly organized. Dandy sat down on the soft pink couch beside Vee. Their hand gently felt the soft pink velvet that lined the cushions. The soft jazz music started up again, but it was muffled by the closed door. The lights were dimmed a lot, leaving the room with a gentle energy. Vee leaned back lazily, and Dandy sat anxiously. They softly turned towards the other. “Look Vee, I'm sorry for running out like that… I shouldn’t have done that.” They began. Vee nodded, “It's fine, thank you though. I mean, yeah I guess it hurt but I forgive you.” she replied, and fidgeted with the strings on her jacket. Dandy nodded back, they were kneading their hands into their skirt. “Great! Awesome!” they remarked.

The tension melted away, leaving only a warmer feeling. Vee looked at them, and how their eyes were still a bit puffy. It didn't matter. They were still so… beautiful to her. She had to say something, she might not get a chance like this again. A chance in the silence. “You know, I do really like your petals.” she began. Dandy looked over. “You mean it? I mean- I haven't really been caring for them as well as I should be.” They replied. Vee gently ruffled their petals. “They’re still as soft as every other time I've done this. I’ve always liked looking at them when I watch old episodes. You always kept them so bright and colorful.” She said. Dandy felt their face grow red. The delicate green light from Vee’s screen seemed to grow brighter. The flower spoke after a brief moment of silence, “I did like coming to your shows, despite how much I said I didn't.” They gently leaned towards vee. She leaned towards them as well. “Did you? I knew it! I knew you liked trivia!” she replied. Dandy playfully punched vee in the shoulder. “Oh stop it idi- …cathode! But, I admit. I adored being in the crowd more than on stage. The way you would carry out every performance was incredible.” They talked rather softly. Vee gently opened her eyes to look at them. “Thanks, I never thought I'd hear something so sweet from you.” she said. Dandy nodded with a grin. “I could say the same.”

The quiet finally felt welcoming.

Vee took a deep breath in, and turned to them. “We’ve been rivals for many years. For many of those years, I thought you hated me, and I hated you back.” she began. Dandy turned to face her. “I'll just get to the point, recently I've been questioning what exactly we are now. Every time we’ve been able to get along, every time I hear you beside me playing the piano, every time I watch you start a run and find myself smiling and hoping you return safe… I realize, I don't hate you. I’m not even sure if I ever truly hated you in the first place.” Her voice was so gentle, and so calm. Dandy gently nodded, and began to explain themself, “I’ve been feeling really similar. We’ve been enjoying each other’s presence more than we ever did when Gardenview was open. I realize that I don't hate you either. It's getting harder and harder to keep up that rivalry we used to have like we used to.”

Dandy’s hand twitched as they softly reached for Vee’s hand. She took it.

“I… I don't think we’re… exactly rivals anymore. I mean, the show’s no longer running! What's keeping us from putting that aside, and… and getting closer.” they said, and looked directly at her. Vee blinked, and softly said, “No.. no you're right, we’re not really rivals anymore...” Dandy felt their heart rate jump as they gazed at her softened expression. Vee felt warmth blossom from her chest to her shaking hands as she maintained a gaze with them. “Dandy… I…” she softly held their hands and leaned closer to them, her voice was shaking, so quiet. It was so unlike her. So out of character for her to be like this.

 “Dandy, I love you.”

She said it quickly, and braced herself for a rejection. Dandy gasped, their eyes lit up brightly, and they smiled.

“I… I love you too Vee. I.. I have loved you for a long while.”

Vee softly started to laugh, with light joy. Her eyes welled with tears. They were red like rose petals that bloomed at the corners of her eyes. Dandy began to laugh as well. Their eyes filled with tears like delicate little opal beads. Vee picked them up and spun them as they laughed. They loved each other. They truly did. Dandy held her tightly as they spun. “I was so nervous! I thought you still hated me!! Because of the show!” they cried out. Vee cried back, “I thought the same thing!!!” The two crashed on the foot of Glisten’s bed, still smiling, still laughing. Dandy wrapped their arms around her neck. Vee gently set her hands on their back. They gazed at each other, warmly. “Well, do you want to… fulfill that dare?” she teasingly asked. Dandy softly smiled, and leaned in to her. “The show must go on.” they said, before leaning in and pressing their lips to her screen. Vee leaned in to the kiss.

To them, everything else melted away as they kissed.

They gazed at each other, and smiled. “So… so does this mean we’re not rivals anymore? Heh!” Dandy asked, and gently brushed Vee's antenna out of her eyes. Vee gently chuckled and pressed her screen against their forehead, mimicking a forehead kiss. “Guess not. What a shame, guess we’ll have to be partners instead.” She replied, teasingly. Dandy laughed and wrapped their arms around her again. It was warm, it felt welcoming and warm.

“Should we head back out to the party?” Dandy asked. Vee nodded. “Yeah, besides, I'm sure they’re waiting for us.” Dandy offered their hand. Vee smiled and took it. “I saw a few keyboards in Boxten’s room. Do you think Boxten will lend me a keyboard so we can play a song together?” they asked as Vee opened the door. “I’m sure he’d be up to let you borrow one.” She responded. They maintained a steady gaze at the other, and held each other’s hand so tenderly. It was almost too sappy and sweet.

It was too sappy.

“Can I still call you idiot box and not mean it as an insult?” Dandy questioned, and looked up at her. Vee laughed and playfully punched their shoulder. “Of course! Just because we’re dating now doesn’t mean we have to stop teasing each other, Dan!” she cheerfully replied. Dandy beamed. “All right cathode! If you say so!” they remarked, and continued down the hallway.

The toons in the living room got up to see what happened, and how they were doing. Glisten shoved toons aside to get a good look at them. “Well??? How’d it go, you two?” he asked cautiously. Vee looked at Dandy grinning, and they grinned back at her. “Went fine, I'd say.” Vee said with a soft shrug. Dandy nodded, “I think so too cathode.” Glisten squinted his eyes at them, then noticed they were holding hands, genuinely. He pointed to them and screamed, “YES!!! AH YESS!!! YEEEEESSSS!!!” he jumped up and skipped around, rambling on how he “Knew it would work out” over and over. Astro looked over at them. “So… are you two officially together now?” Dandy nodded. “It's official now!” they declared. The crowd of toons began to clap and cheer. This took them by surprise. “Wait- hold on… was this party a setup?” the flower asked. Cosmo was the first to admit it. “Well… kind of? We intended to try and bring you two closer with this party, BUT someone was a BIT impatient.” his eyes went to Glisten.

Glisten sighed and apologized, “I am really sorry about all that… I tried to help but in the end I got a little impatient!” Vee laughed a bit. “Don’t worry it’s all right now Glisten. Thank you for apologizing though.” She stated. Dandy nodded, and added, “We did complete the dare in the end.” Glisten gasped and began to squeal. The toons clapped again. Vee looked over to Boxten, and asked, “Do you think Dandy can borrow a keyboard for a minute? We’d like to play something together.”

Astro watched as they set up the keyboard and guitar, as well as how they would lean in to each other now. It was nice seeing them get along so well. Brightney stepped beside him. “It’s sweet isn't it?” she asked. Astro nodded and answered, “It almost doesn’t feel real to see them getting along, or holding hands, or even seeing how sweetly they look at each other. Yet they still tease each other…I guess some things never change.” he watched as dandy playfully tackled Vee after she said something. Vee grinned and tried to shove them off. Brightney smiled as she watched them as well. Dyle came from behind them. “They’re a bit more affectionate than I expected, but maybe it's from the confession and they’ll tone it back eventually.” he said, and took a sip of tea. Finn came over. “Ain’t that sweet? Guess that advice worked out! They’re shrimply adorable together!” he remarked, and bumped Shrimpo’s shoulder. Shrimpo was grimacing. “They’re gonna play DAISY BELL! I HATE how affectionate they are!” they complained. Finn laughed as the toons around snapped to the attention of the music.

The familiar music had a newfound spirit behind it. It sounded different yet still familiar. Maybe it was the fact that Vee and Dandy were singing together without trying to one-up the other. Maybe it was the fact that they played an old timey love song. Maybe it was the nostalgia around Vee's guitar contrasted with Dandy's borrowed electric keyboard.

But for right now..

It felt right.

 It felt warm.

It felt like the air was filled with love.

It felt like even with everything, the shutdown, the operations, the twisting.

Just for this moment.

Everything was going to be okay.

(the oneshot collection)

[thetoasterthatszee]

Is it really cannibalism if one of them is a robot?

TW: Gore, Cannibalism(?), eyestrain, & nonsexual nudity

Reference

PLEASE IGNORE THAT I FORGOT DANDY"S TAPES

Lyrics are from LUNCH- Billie Eilish

[thetoasterthatszee]

Valentines Day Oneshot outfits

These are the outfits these two were wearing in the fic! i thought i'd share it

PLEASE IGNORE THAT VEE'S GASTER HAS NO BUBBLES I FORGOT

(edited because i fixed vee's anatomy)

[thetoasterthatszee]

Flowervision Doodle!

(using a pallette often used by @midnightsartcorner!)

[thetoasterthatszee]

📺💚{ I'm getting old }🌈🌼

(i saw tenna getting old doodles and now i need to make that crt suffer)

2007.

The years had gone by so quickly. It felt like yesterday that Gardenview had shut down. Dandy looked at the fading paint on the walls with a deep sense of sorrow. The nostalgia from the once bright walls plagued their mind. The way each toon had changed as they walked past them in the lobby felt so foreign. 

Every time Shelly showed off a crack on her shell she got from surviving a twisted.

Every time Astro and Brightney walked past and made a comment about what would be the most optimal team.

Every time Pebble ran around with Looey to practice catching twisteds’ attention.

Each one a punch in the gut to the Dandy. They would watch the toons from their shop and sigh with longing. Longing for before the shutdown. Longing for the good old days again.

One afternoon, Dandy was sitting at their shop, humming along to the radio’s old songs when the elevator opened. They looked over as Vee stepped from the elevator. She slowly walked over to the group of toons near Dandy’s shop. Brightney waved as she joined the group. Dandy prepared a witty tease for her when they paused. Vee was struggling to tie her bowtie. Dandy watched as her stiffened hands struggled to tie the ribbon, and eventually failed. Her face scrunched into frustration as she gave up.

Dandy’s brow furrowed as they watched her, and were about to offer to help. Brightney turned to them, “All right Dandy! I think we got all the toons we need for the run!” She said. The flower snapped from their thoughts, “Oh! Right! Head on down! I’ll see you soon!” they cheerfully exclaimed. The toons loaded into the elevator. Dandy kept their eyes as vee slowly walked into the elevator. Their eyes held mild concern as the door closed.

Dandy opened up their shop to the party still talking. Light conversation buzzed throughout the elevator. No toons approached Dandy’s shop. That’s fine, it's only floor 2. Their eyes softly wandered to the toons. Brightney was talking with Connie, Looey was getting lectured by Cosmo for having one heart already, Yatta was teasing Shrimpo, and Astro was helping Vee tie her bowtie. Their eyes remained on vee as she was frustratedly trying to push him away. Astro, however, was determined and tied her bowtie anyway. Vee turned away from him afterwards, and Astro headed to the shop. Dandy put on their signature grin as Astro approached. “Heya Astro! Got a few tapes for a flower like me?” they asked. Astro shook his head. “Ah, no, I'm saving them this floor. Sorry dandy.” he responded. 

Dandy assured him, “Oh no problem buddy! I've gotta ask though, what's up with vee? I know since the shutdown she’s gotten slower but it's almost… eh…” They began. Astro finished their sentence, “Concerning? Yes… Vee has had a bit of trouble lately with movement and doing precise things with her hands, such as tying a bowtie…” Dandy’s smile faltered to a face of concern. “It’s hard to even think this, but I think all of this is age related…” Astro said, which made Dandy blurt out, “It can't be that! Vee’s a robot, she should be the one who withstands time better than all of us! Right??? You're not saying she’s old, right?” the moon toon looked down a bit, and said “She has been walking slower since the shutdown, and you know that most technology has a limit before it st-”

“Don’t say that Astro.”

Dandy’s voice darkened when they said that. Astro stopped and began to walk away. The flower dug their hands into the table. Time couldn’t be the reason for her slowness right? It couldn’t be.

Vee was struggling.

Her joints ached when she ran, she found it difficult to open the pop cans to replenish her stamina, along with various other things with her stiff and achy joints. It was humiliating. Vee had to be more careful than ever around twisteds, because now it started to hurt to run.

After a handful of floors without buying a single thing from Dandy, the haunted music box began to play. The elevator opened to one of the rainbow floors. Vee pulled out her microphone and tapped it. “Is this thing on?” she said out of habit. Her voice felt like it held more static than usual. Illuminated by her dim green light was Dandy themself, twisted looey, twisted teagen, and twisted connie. A fine batch of twisteds. Vee only had three to worry about. Brightney looked over to vee as the other toons began to walk out. “Vee? Hey… are you sure you're going to be all right on this floor? You haven’t been doing too well recently.” She asked. Vee’s antenna flattened. “I’m fine, I'm perfectly capable of completing the floor on my own.” She responded with a soft hiss from her air vents. Brightney nodded. “I know vee I guess I just worry about you! You’ve got to be careful Vee!” The lamp responded. Vee turned away and slowly walked off to find a machine.

God she hated being such a slow runner.

Most of the time when she saw a machine in the distance, some other toon would beat her to it before she even got there. Her legs were killing her as she ran around, finally getting onto a free machine. Sure the placement was close to the broken elevator, meaning if the last machine was completed as she completed this one, it would be tricky to run to the elevator in time without her body giving out. She barely noticed she finished the machine while thinking. The last machine wasn’t done! She could take her time-

Dandy was right there at the doorway, heading for the completed machine.

Vee yelped and turned around quickly, running into the hallway to go around. Dandy followed her, close on her tail.

Her legs burned from all the running she was doing earlier.

Her fans hummed loudly in her antenna, it didn't feel like they were doing anything to cool her down.

Her joints were aching from all the use.

She slowed down and stopped sprinting, instead leaning against the wall then crumpling to the ground. She sat with her back to the wall. Wincing at the ache in her legs. Dandy stopped completely, staring at her. Vee turned her head to them. “Well?? What are you… what are you waiting for, trash heap?! Get on with it! Just redraw me in the lobby already!” She spat. Her loud fans mirrored heavy breathing. They didn’t budge, instead asking in a more raspy voice, “Why aren’t you running? You still have stamina left and I know it!” Vee looked down with frustration. She hated having to admit this. “I can’t run like i could back when gardenview opened, heck i cant run like i could when the operation began! It-” She buzzed and rested her head on her knees.

“It hurts to run.”

Dandy’s petals quivered as they began to lie down beside her. Vee looked defeated. Their head rested right beside her. “It’s terrifying to me Dan. I feel like im… slowly failing.” She said, and one of her hands went up to her screen. It took dandy time to notice how her signature grin had burned into her screen just faintly, or how the light of her screen would waver every now and then. Signs of age they had seen from other CRT TVs around Gardenview. “Sometimes I wonder if the ‘upgrade’ was actually a good idea in the end. I mean, right now I'm not even sure I have a lot of time-” Vee began, but dandy interrupted her with a snarl, "Don't say that!!! I don’t want to hear some spiel about you being outdated or something! You’re going to be fine! You hear me?!”

She turned to them, and her eyes softened. “I didn’t expect that out of you. What changed Dandy? Heck I would've thought you’d be in favor of the ‘upgrade’.” She said, They looked visibly offended. “In favor- NO! You know well that vee version 2 wasn’t an ‘upgrade’ it was a replacement! Just because you're my rival doesn’t mean I want you dead!” they snarled. Vee scoffed, “don’t want me dead? You were literally just chasing me to kill me.” she said. Dandy snarled, “Not the same! I can redraw you! Plus YOU didn’t buy anything at my shop! It was coming for you! Not the point!” they snapped.

Vee couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “Vee, you may be my biggest rival, but I don't want you thinking that about yourself.” Dandy said. Her antenna drooped. Vee said after a brief moment of silence, “thanks for that Dan. Geez you're the last toon I expected to do this for me.” Dandy gently nudged their head against her. “Hey, the only one who can tease my best rival is me! Besides, our rivalry doesn't mean I don't care about you cathode.” They said. The tv smiled softly.

The elevator door opened.

Vee began to get up, leaning against the wall still. “Are you still going to kill me Dan?” She asked. Dandy gritted their teeth, “Oh i cant kill you after that sweet talk we had! It doesn’t feel right!” They sounded so frustrated. Vee laughed and waved. “Then I'll see you when you open up shop!” She said, and turned, stumbling a bit as she got her balance back. “Can you get to the elevator on time?” Dandy asked behind her. Vee shrugged and responded, “I’ll be fine.” As she hobbled, she heard a sudden loud burst behind her. Before she could turn around, she felt Dandy take her hand. They were back in their toon form. “You could do that this whole time?” Vee said, a little taken back by the sudden shift in form. “Don’t worry about it cathode. Come on.” they said, and held her hand so gently. Vee’s gaze softened and she looked away. “Geez quit being all sappy…” She said, and dandy smirked. “Oh come on! Lighten up! Not like we have to be all snippy with each other anymore. It's been quite a long time since the shutdown.”

Vee’s eyes opened and widened at that sudden realization. It had been years since Gardenview shut down. What was keeping their rivalry up anymore?

The toons in the elevator looked stunned as Dandy let go of Vee’s hand, and she entered. She barely was able to wave and say thank you before the elevator slammed on them. “What was up with that Vee??? Did I see that right?” Cosmo asked her cautiously. He went over to check if she was hurt. “I’m fine Cosmo. It was really nothing.” vee said. “I thought you guys HATED each other!! What happened???” Yatta exclaimed. The tv shrugged, “I don’t exactly know, I guess the best way to describe it is...” Vee hesitated before saying,

“It was a friend helping another.”

(the oneshot collection)

[thetoasterthatszee]

Its Dandy the Flower's Wedding Day

This is technically for @cl34nbrows3rh1story as a jokey, but decided to post it earlier. Consider it a late valentines day gift!

i will be drawing them walking down the alter maybe soon.

[thetoasterthatszee]

📺💚{ Push Your Temper }🌈🌼

(Hey guys! This is part an AU for my flowervision oneshots called "The Fork In the Road!" AKA the lethal vee timeline!!!

Warning for gore, fighting, and body horror

a description has been updated as of 04/06/26)

Vee was doing amazing.

It was like she hadn’t been sick at all. She was walking around gardenview with a smile on her face, and waving at every toon she saw. Even if she knew they didn't trust her yet.

Nonetheless, this means she wanted to go on runs again.

“Are you sure Vee? I mean- I mean you JUST recovered from getting poisoned and all that!” dandy said as they were organizing the run groups. Vee was persistent. “Come on Dan! Look! I’ve been better since you did that thing! Can you at least send me on one run?” she asked. Dandy looked behind her. Dyle was glaring at them. Dandy sighed and nodded. “Okay okay, Here, I'll put you on this run.” they reluctantly obliged. Vee pumped her fist triumphantly. “Yes! Thanks Dan!” She exclaimed and leaned over the counter. She bumped her screen to their head. “Then I'll see you on the run! Love you Dandy.” the tv remarked and headed with the rest of the run to the elevator. “I love you too vee! S-see you there!” they nervously called back.

“You need to be ready to explain yourself,”

Dyle’s words rang in Dandy’s mind as they popped up in their shop. The words were like a warning. Vee was like a ticking timebomb.

The worst part was that Vee was completely unaware.

It was agonizing to watch her stand there, and wait for the moment she’d lose it. Would it be in the elevator? On a floor? Up in the lobby? Anxiety welled in dandy’s chest. Vee was slightly at a distance from the toons in her group. They still didn’t completely trust her. Which, with what they’ve done, was probably for the best.

Vee meanwhile, was more excited than ever. She missed going on runs. It made her feel important and needed. She went over to the elevator as it opened and waved to Dandy as they closed their shop. The tv walked out with the other toons.

They maintained a steady distance from her, which she expected from her work in hosting runs, but it still hurt a bit. She shook it off, flicked out her microphone, and tapped it. The twisteds were highlighted. They were on a deeper floor, it had been a good while since they started.

Twisted Sprout was their only worry.

She would’ve made a witty remark, but the run toons had already left. Vee sighed and headed to a machine.

As Vee was doing one of the machines, she suddenly heard parts of a conversation.

“Look, I’m just saying that I don't think we have to trust her. At this point, she’s a traitor.”

Tisha’s voice came through.

“You guys seriously aren’t meaning this right?!”

Shelly’s voice next.

“Look, Darling, as close as I am to Vee, Tisha’s right. I'm not sure I fully trust her anymore after this! I mean, it was very out of character for her to do something like that.”

Glisten.

“Glisten isn’t wrong. I know those two have gotten closer, but is Vee really working in the operation? I couldn’t believe my eyes when she popped up in their shop!”

Goob.

“Look, I heard Sprout and Cosmo directly tell me that she is not working in the operation. She acted like a stand in and… should be done… but…”

Brightney.

“But what, Brightney?”

Goob asked.

“... I checked on her tech after she got really sick. Apparently she got ichor poisoning from… reviving toons. Although, she was just fine after dandy… ‘took care of it’”

The toons started to buzz with conversation, vee carefully got off her machine and tried to sneak behind a crate to look into where she heard the voices. The rest of the run was in this area with two other half finished machines. It's clear they got off to talk about this.

Brightney looked concerned, “Well, I didn't mention this to her, but… Vee’s got one heart. Permanently one heart. Two cracked ones, one unit of health. Just like Dandy and Dyle.”

That sentence got Vee to freeze and clenched the handle of her cane in shock, as well as getting the toons around the lamp to gasp.

“Oh Brighteny, you’re not saying-” Tisha asked. Brightney nodded fearfully. “When they said ‘take care of it’ I believe they meant turning Vee into a… Lethal Twisted…”

As toons gasped and exclaimed in horror and shock, vee anxiously pulled up her health.

A single beating heart was in her health bar. Two cracked ones, one unit of health. Just like Brightney said.

Vee’s entire world felt staticky and dizzying. She felt sick, frustrated, all kinds of emotion all at once. It felt like the ichor under her skin was boiling inside her.

Why didn't Brightney tell her that?!

Why didn't DANDY tell her that!?

She pulled at her antenna, she was so angry. Furious even. She stormed into a clearing and demanded,

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!?”

The toons snapped their heads over to her and gasped. 

Vee looked livid. “You told me I was PERFECTLY FINE!!! You told me NOTHING was wrong!” she screamed, storming into the clearing the other toons were in. “I-I didn’t know how to break the news to you! Or- well- rather i… I thought you knew!” Brightney said,

“I thought that was what you wanted!”

Vee felt the ichor under her skin boil,

“NO!! NO I DIDN’T I DIDN’T KNOW AT ALL!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WOULD KEEP THAT FROM ME!!! AND-AND SAY ALL THOSE THINGS BEHIND MY BACK!!!” Vee lividly yelled.

The toons all looked guilty, or most of them.

“You know what, then let's say it to your face! WE. NO. LONG-ER. TRUST. YOU.” Tisha snapped back, clapping at each syllable. “YOU worked in the ichor operation on YOUR OWN WILL!!! And NOW you’re a LETHAL TWISTED!! What makes you THINK we can EVER trust you again!?” She was just as agitated as Vee. The television clenched her cane’s handler even harder. She could practically feel the ichor pounding in her antenna. “I AM NOT WORKING IN THE OPERATION!! I WAS JUST HELPING DANDY!!!” vee snapped back to her, “I can understand why you don’t trust me, but i KNOW i am NOT working in the operation!”

Vee felt the world around her start to blur in anger. The toons no longer looked guilty. Tisha’s angered expression, as well as the other toons, shifted into horror and fear.

Why were they scared?

Shelly stepped forward, Tisha tried to pull her back, but only grabbed her shoulder. The fossil called out, “Vee!! VEE!!! You need to calm down!!!”

That did it.

“Calm down?! CALM DOWN!? YOU ALL JUST SPOKE ABOUT ME LIKE IM A TRAITOR!!! THEN TOLD ME I AM A LETHAL TWISTED!!! I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE UPSET!!!” Vee screamed back.

“VEE LOOK OUT!!!”

Before Vee could react she heard a loud screech.

Something shot right through her chest. Agonizing pain shot throughout her entire body.

Twisted Sprout’s tendril was pierced through her chest.

As the toons ran to lead sprout away, and finish the machines to get off this floor, Vee was left crumpling to the ground. Ichor and coolant was pouring from her chest. She should be dead. The world however wasn’t going dark. The familiar feeling of death was replaced by something she couldn’t quite describe.

Why wasn’t she dead?

Why did her entire body feel like it was burning?

Why couldn’t she see?

Why did she still feel so angry?

She could barely comprehend her surroundings, but knew despite losing the only heart she had that she was for some reason still alive.

Why was she still alive?

Vee sat up, the pain ceased. She still couldn’t make out what was around her. The television looked around. Where was everyone? She wandered around, barely able to make out the world.

She spotted Glisten and Shelly finishing machines.

They looked weirdly small.

They both suddenly flinched and turned around, then screamed in horror. It was loud in her antenna.

Yet, something inside her compelled her to run after them as they ran away.

Like anger boiling in her chest.

Dandy opened their shop early, they suspected something happened. This floor took longer, and it couldn’t have been because of the twisteds on that floor. As the elevator opened, they popped up their shop.

The toons were running in terror.

“MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!”

“WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!?!”

“WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THIS!!!”

Glisten, Goob, and Tisha ran into the elevator.

That's when Dandy saw it.

Saw her.

Vee had twisted on this floor.

Poor Brightney was running away from her into the elevator. Yet, she didn’t make it in time. Goob tried to reach for her, but Vee crushed her under her claws. All three hearts were lost in an instant.

The elevator slammed shut.

Vee had to have killed every other toon in that run. There were 8 toons when they got on this floor. They left with three!

Glisten turned to the flower and stormed over, grabbing them by their overall straps. “YOU!!! YOU DID THIS!!! YOU DID THIS TO MY FRIEND!!!” he screamed and shook them. Goob ran over. “Glisten! GLISTEN!! Hey! Don’t shake them like that! Come on!” he tried to pry glisten away from Dandy with his big paws. Dandy couldn’t speak. They couldn’t say anything. All the words were caught in their throat. Tisha had her hands on her hips. “You! You better have some good explanation for this!” she demanded. Glisten dropped Dandy back in their shop. No toon has ever looked this hostile towards them for a while.

Dandy swallowed before saying,

“L-Look, I’ll fix this! I promise! I just- I’ll go calm her down!”

Dandy walked into the floor. Their heart was pounding in their ears. They knew sometime they’d have to try and calm her down soon, but they didn't expect it to be so soon.

What could’ve possibly ticked her off so much?!

Suddenly loud mechanical footsteps caused them to jump in shock and run to hide.

They finally got a good look at Vee’s twisted form, yet it was hard to describe.

Vee’s form was quite similar to Dandy’s form. Large front claws shaped a bit like paws. Her hind legs were akin to hooves, cleft hooves in specific, like a deer. Her form was a mix between muscular and chubby. Her antenna were longer and billowing much like fabric. She had three tails. Three tails. They were shaped like connection cords used on many televisions around gardenview. Were those wings made of ichor? What they could only describe as black feathers and claws coated her neck to chest. Not to mention half of her toon form was still stuck on the neck of this mutated form. When they said "neck to chest" they meant her neck on her toon form to the chest of this mutated body. The hands on her toon half were claws as well, large and colorful.

A beautiful mess of biology and ichor.

It would’ve been the coolest experience of their life if they didn’t have guilt hanging in their chest.

Vee’s head suddenly turned in their direction as they ran out in front of her.

“VEE!!! HEY VEE!! Come on, I know you still have your mind intact! VEE?!” They yelled while waving their hands. Hoping she’d get some sense snapped into her. She couldn’t be too mad at them right?

As vee hummed, she suddenly raised her claws to try and attack them.

She very much was.

Dandy yelped and ran off. How could they calm her down now?! Vee didn’t know how to un-twist on her own! Did they have to wait until they exhausted her enough where she would do it automatically? She seemed rather energetic, but it could work.

Despite not going on runs, Dandy and Dyle did have toon abilities as well.

Dandy didn’t dye each of their petals rainbow colors just for their show character after all, they had a use. They raised their hand and spun their petals. 

Their yellow petal stopped at the top of their head, leading to their movement speed increasing heavily. They could now outrun and outwalk Vee.

Or at least they hoped.

Vee shouldn’t be too fast right?

They just had to exhaust her enough for her to forcefully transform back.

They just-

CRUNCH!

Dandy was crushed under her claws the moment they stopped running.

Dandy couldn’t describe what happened next.

They had transformed as well, due to loosing all their health. It was a blur of blind fighting. They felt claws digging into their side as they bit down into metal. The taste of coolant burned in their mouth. Howls, buzzing.

Eventually they both got tired, and collapsed.

Dandy opened their eyes to see Vee lying a few inches away from them. Her screen flicked on, and she gazed at them. Dandy sighed in relief, and sat up a bit. Wincing at the deep claw marks in their side. Vee sat up and also winced at the bites in her shoulder. After a brief moment of silence, dandy broke it, “Hey… vee… i realize i forgot to tell you something important-” Vee’s expression snapped to anger and she climbed over, punching them straight in the face. “YOU MADE ME A LETHAL TWISTED AND DIDN’T TELL ME!?” She screamed, punching them again, and again. The straight metal to their face hurt worse than anything they’ve ever felt. Ichor poured from their busted lip and nose. They grabbed her fist before she could punch them again and rolled over to the side to get her off of them. “I DID IT TO SAVE YOU!!!” They screamed and kicked her in the stomach. Vee grabbed two of their petals and pulled them. “YOU TURNED ME INTO A FREAK!!! WHO KNOWS HOW MANY TOONS I JUST KILLED!!!” she screamed through tears. Dandy grabbed her antenna and pulled them. “YOU WOULD’VE DIED IF I DIDN’T DO THAT!!! THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO BRING YOU BACK!!!” They continued rolling on the ground, punching, clawing, biting at each other. Shouting back and forth until…

“DANDY! VEE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Dyle stormed in as they were caught in a tussle. Dandy was biting Vee's leg and holding her antenna. Vee was holding their green petal and looked like she was about to break their arm. Dyle rushed over and pulled them apart. “I assume you know what they did to you, Vee.” he remarked. Vee nodded, glaring at them with a look of such anger and hatred that they hadn’t seen in months. The television muttered, “They’ve ruined me. They’ve turned me into a freak.” under her breath. Dandy gazed back guiltily. “I did it so save you-” They began, but vee cut them off. “Was the consequences worth it!? Was it really worth ruining me!? I can’t even face the toons after this! What happened today is going to spread like WILDFIRE and I will be shunned by toons for the rest of my LIFE!! DO YOU THINK IT'S WORTH IT!?!” Dandy went quiet. Vee mumbled after a moment of silence,

“I’d rather be dead…”

Dandy felt tears pour from their eyes as Dyle wrapped vee’s jacket around her again and handed her cane back to her. She was crying. Dyle ushered for her to come with them into the staff only stairwell. Dandy got up and followed.

There wasn’t really any silence.

Vee’s light sobs echoed throughout the stairwell as they walked back up.

Dandy’s sniffles also rang out through the empty walls.

Dyle remained quiet, only wrapping an arm around Vee to help her walk up the stairs.

The flower felt regret well in their chest. It ripped them apart from inside. Regret like spilling ink on a sheet of paper.

Regret like never before.

(the oneshot collection)

[thetoasterthatszee]

📺🌈{ Hope can Bloom, Trust can Wilt ||| }💚🌼

(The last chapter is a bit shorter :( but its setting up for the next installment to this fic! fear not, this wont be the last time vee works in the operation.. :]

TW for vomiting and blood/ichor)

It had been roughly two weeks since Vee started hosting runs.

The toons in the elevator were waiting for Vee to appear. They’d gotten used to seeing her now. Yet, running the shop again was Dandy themself.

“Whew! Sorry about that folks! Golly! That took a while!”

The toons all sighed with relief at the sight of the flower back in their shop. “Dandy! Oh it's good to see you, Dandy!” Goob cheered and ran up to the counter. Dandy smiled. “That's great! Aw you guys missed me! Don’t worry, I’m doing better. Sadly I can't twist for now, so you guys can get away with not buying this time.” There was a bit of uneasy air. Dandy spoke up to try and clear it, “I won't let something like that ever happen again!” Shelly went over and asked, “So Vee’s not gonna host runs anymore?” Dandy’s smile faltered as they shook their head, “nnnnnOPE! HAHAHA!! No never again! I don’t plan on it….! Heheheh…”

The tone they used was difficult to read.

Meanwhile, Vee was in the lobby. She found it nice to return to normal.

Mostly to normal.

It took Vee a minute to pick up on it, but toons were looking at her differently now.

She walked into the lobby and immediately was met with strange gazes. Vee was confused. Why were they looking at her so… coldly? She caught the gazes of Tisha and Yatta, who looked almost angry with her. Some toons like Finn and Scraps looked uneasy. While a small handful looked either sympathetic or afraid.

It reminded her of…

How toons looked at Dandy when they first began the operation.

They didn’t trust her anymore.

It took Vee by surprise how quickly toons stopped trusting her with some things. Such as when she asked Brightney if she needed help, the lamp shook her head and said she got it despite usually being upbeat and enthusiastic for help, or when she asked Glisten if he wanted to gossip to which he just awkwardly laughed. On the other hand, a handful of toons like Rodger and Sprout came to question her.

Either way, it was a very strange experience for her.

She didn’t know how to feel.

Should she regret impulsively volunteering to help out like that? If she didn’t agree to help, toons would still trust her, and she wouldn’t have ever learned how to revive a toon.

And god she hated learning how to revive a toon.

If she didn’t the elevators would’ve shut down, or worse dandy would’ve stubbornly tried to continue hosting runs.

However, this doesn’t mean she should be happy she did that. After all, both choices lead to equally bad consequences she didn’t think ahead of time.

It hurt either way to walk past toons she used to be on much better terms with look at her like she had committed a crime.

Maybe it was just the fact that her head hurt quite badly.

Astro knocked on her door. Vee raised her head from staring at her shaking and tingling hands. She got up and opened the door. “Astro? Hey there, anything I can help you with?” She asked a bit too excitedly. She hoped this wasn’t more questions about her work in the operation. The moon looked at her, and asked in reply, “Hey, could I talk to you for a bit? Inside your room so we’re alone?” Vee’s antenna drooped. “... yeah sure, just come in…” She said.

Vee’s room was never that bright. She kept her lights dim. Papers were scattered across the ground filled with letters or music notes. There were boxes haphazardly shoved in corners. Her bed was a mess. Vee set her cane to the side and invited Astro to sit with her on her bed. Astro sat down beside her and looked at her. “So… Have any toons given you a tough time since…. You know?” he asked with some caution. Vee sighed in frustration. “No one’s really come up and argued with me yet… The most I get are questions. From Rodger and Sprout specifically.” She began. Astro commented, “They were very concerned for you.” Vee continued, “I’ve noticed that toons don’t really look at me the same way. It's like they don’t trust me anymore! I mean I understand why they wouldn’t but it… it does hurt.” Vee lay back in her bed. Astro followed. “Have any of your friends talked to you today? Or have they avoided you too?” he questioned. Vee sighed, “Brightney and Glisten both didn’t want to talk or hang out. When I saw Sprout, he kept asking me about what happened…” She said. Astro asked further, “What about Shrimpo or Shelly?” Vee shook her head, “They just looked at me with sympathy in their eyes.” She sounded frustrated.

Astro gently hummed before he remarked, “You know… It was just shocking, and I'm sure most toons will loosen up after a bit… Don’t worry.” Vee smiled, but astro added, “but, you know there are some toons who no longer trust you, and I know they won’t come around…” Her smile faltered and she turned away. “...I guess it's the price I pay for helping out Dandy. They know I’m not actually working in the operation, right? I helped out Dandy because I love them and I don't want them to strain themself.” she explained. Astro sighed. “A lot of toons who don't trust you have already been uneasy before about both you and your relationship with them. I think it’s rather silly really.” he said.

They sat in silence for a bit, before Astro remarked.

“A lot of toons were so worried and so uneasy because you reminded them so much of Dandy themself.”

Vee looked over to astro, and actually started to laugh. She laughed really hard. “HAHAHA!!! ME?! LOOK LIKE THEM?! OH ASTRO!!!” she had to collect herself, she was laughing so hard her voice was lagging. Astro looked unamused. “I’m serious, Vee! You acted so closely to Dandy toons got nervous! You smiled at the elevator like they would, you left a note like they would, you were secretive like they are, and- and-” the moon toon was frustratedly scolding. Vee held her hand to his lips in a “sh” motion. “Okay okay! I get it, I acted like them a bit. That’s not really a big deal. Come on, our characters mirror each other, it shouldn’t be that surprising.” she explained. 

Astro still gazed at her with concern in his eyes. “It's just- it worries me too. You’re the first toon that was actually on the show that got fully wrapped into the operation…” He spoke cautiously. Vee picked at her antenna. “Come on, you’re saying Dandy never told you anything about the ichor? You’re their best friend! They wouldn’t keep that from you.” astro protested, “They did tell me some things but I don't know how to revive toons and you do! I was never called to host runs instead of them but you were! And I’ve never touched raw, unfiltered ichor but YOU have!” He paused, “Vee, you can see why everyone’s uneasy… and I just came to tell you that… I worry about you.” Vee’s gaze softened. “Astro.. I-”

She felt sharp pain in her abdomen, and hunched over on herself.

It felt like she was being torn apart from inside.

Astro jumped as Vee sat up suddenly, groaning and pressing her hands to her stomach.

“Vee!! VEE!!! Vee are you okay?!” he called as she suddenly pressed her hands against her videocassette player right under her screen. Vee shakily tried to shake her head. Astro was panicking as she gagged, and hunched over. Condensation formed on her chassis as she suddenly threw up, making astro jump in shock.

Staining the ground was a mixture of black and bright green.

A mixture of coolant and ichor.

Astro’s eyes were wide with horror. “V-Vee?! What’s wrong- Do you need me to-” Vee stopped him before he could continue. “Get o-out… j-just get out Astro…” she said through static. Astro protested, “vee you just vom-” vee grabbed her cane and stood up. She was trembling, but managed to shove them off and out of her room. “J-just go-o I’m FINE! I’m ju-ust fine!!” her voice sounded like a mix of anger and pleading. Before astro could do anything, the door slammed in front of him. He stood there for a moment with a gaze of horror. The moon quickly turned around to tell someone, anyone.

Vee felt more sharp pain spread throughout her arms and legs as she fell to her knees, she clasped her hands over her videocassette player as she vomited up more ichor and coolant.

The silence that followed after she stopped throwing up was deafening.

She was shaking, and staring at the puddle of bright green and black. Her hands were tingling like static. Her head hurt more than ever.

“What the [----] is happening to me…?”

Dandy returned from the run much later. Everything felt like it returned to normal. As they walked towards their shop, they caught some conversation between Dyle and Astro.

“I don’t know what happened… she was just fine!”

“You said both ichor AND coolant fluid?”

“Yes! Both ichor and coolant fluid!”

Coolant? The only toon with coolant was…

“What happened to Vee?” Dandy ran over to the counter. Dyle looked over. “Oh, Dandicus. Welcome back.” he said, but his expression was solemn. “Astro was telling me something about vee.” he then nodded to the moon. Astro looked worried. “Vee’s not well! I was just visiting her and suddenly she threw up both ichor and coolant fluid!” he exclaimed. Dandy looked shocked. “WHAT?! Why!? Do you know what's wrong with her?!” he asked. Astro shook his head. Dyle cleared his throat. “I can’t be certain, but with what Astro told me… it reminds me of something.” he remarked. Dandy demanded, “Well what?! Spit it out! Don’t be vague!” Dyle looked over, and said,

“Her symptoms line up with Miss Keen’s sickness.”

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 ]

(the oneshot collection)