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Astro let out a large breath he had been holding in for who knows how long. He had been waiting outside of the kitchen entrance for 10 minutes now and hadn't even managed to move an inch, I mean that's if you don't count shaking from fear.
He knew that sprout wasn't going to judge him. or at least that's what he had hoped. The two had been together for about a year now, it wasn't like sprout was going to cut him off now, right?
Astros mind filled with even more anxiety. More thoughts of everycpissible thing that could go wrong. Every form of rejection he could possibly get. He recalled the previous night. Where the dysphoria had gotten so bad.
His mind had been running a similar 1 million miles per hour speed it was now. Though then it was because everything felt wrong. Every time someone called him a boy, it felt wrong. Every time someone addressed him as “mister” or “sir”, it felt wrong. Every time sprout referred to him as “hos boyfriend”, it felt so terribly wrong. It's not like he didn't love sprout, in fact he cared about that sparky strawberry more than any other toon in gardenview. It was just… he didn't feel male. That being said he didn't feel female either. He was sort of… in between?
He had called shelly about, and of course he felt awful for going to someone other than his partner for advice or care, but this was different. And Shelly had really given him the comfort he had needed.
“Astro, that's a perfectly valid feeling to be having,” Shelly had assured him. He had sat on the edge of her bed, his cheeks stained with hours worth of tears as he clenched his knees.
“But I don't know what to do, it's not like I want to be a girl, I just don't want to be a boy.”
“Well, have you ever thought about identifying as non-binary?” He had given her a confused look.
She had gone on to explain that a lot of other genders existed besides the typical 2. And astro was most likely non-binary, Meaning that he wanted to go by they/them.
He was so thankful for the support Shelly had given him that night, honestly he needed to find a way to repay her soon, but that wasn't his focus right now.
He needed to tell Sprout about his feelings. About his identity. How he didn't want to be a “boyfriend” anymore.
Sprout could often be… rude. To say it bluntly. It wasn't always on purpose. In fact most of the time he was just trying to do what was best for his friends. But what came off as helpful in his eyes, Often came off as pure rudeness to others. Of course astro was helping him get better at finding alternative things to say instead of his normal unintended ego crushing statements. Or being able to read social cues better.
Even though Sprout acted the way he did, he knew there was a high chance he wouldn't immediately reject Astro for who he was.
He couldn't dwell on it anymore, I mean look where that had gotten him last night and just now. He needed to just go through those stupid double doors and talk things out like he always did.
Astro took one last deep breath before pushing through the double doors that lead to the kitchen.
He smiled as his non-existent nose was filled with warm smells of different spices, oils, Veggies, and other delicious foods he would have the honor of tasting. It was a comforting environment, mainly because it was Sprouts Happy place, the area he felt the most like himself in. Astro loved just watching sprout do his magic cooking up all sorts of flavorful dishes.
Sprout stood, humming to some sort of catchy pop song that was playing in his headphones as he flipped some asparagus That he was cooking in the pan.
This is it. You can't turn back now. He loves you, he won't reject this. Astro huffed before making his presence Known by tapping sprout on the shoulder.
Sprout jumped, nearly dropping the pan filled with burning hot oils over him and His partner. Astro jumped back, not expecting the sudden reaction
Sprout Turned around, locking Eyes with astro.
“Babe! You can't sneak up on me like that!” He said in a jokingly annoyed tone. Astro however, only replied with an awkward laugh. His mind to hyper focused on his task at hand.
“Sorry… sprout. I uh…"Astro rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.
Sprout didn't let this go unnoticed, “Hey, you good?” He asked, placassua reassuring hand on astros shoulder.
“I… in have something important i want to talk to you about… like… now.” Astro looked up at sprout, a serious key nervous look in his eyes.
Sprout looked confused but nodded, “Alright, talk to me!” He smiled, leaning up against the kitchen counter.
Astro took a deep, he just had to get the words out, “so last night I got into a sort uncontrolable spiral of my own thoughts and I had these feelings that I didn't know how to handle and I felt weird coming to you with them- not like you aren't great at helping me with my feelings or anything- but I went to shelly for advice and she helped explain stuff to me and helped me realize that ti don't Want to be your boyfriend anymore-” astro, who was talking the fastest and most sprout had ever seen, was cut off by the taller strawberry man.
“Wait are you… are you breaking up with me?” Astros eyes widened as they realized how terribly they had worded that.They internally face palmed as they tried to retract their terrible statement.
T
“No no no! Thats.. that's not what I'm saying at all. I would never… You're the love of my life.. i.. “ they took one last deep breath, “i don't want to be a boy anymore. I think- well… i know.. I'm non binary and I would prefer they/them and other genders neutral terms from now on.”
Astro Closed their eyes, tensing up as they awaited sprouts reaction.
“O-okay. So no he/him, no boyfriend, do you want to be called by a different name?” Astros eyes Slowly opened as they heard sprouts…. Understanding words.
“You… you aren't mad?” Sprout chuckled, Standing up to place his hand on astos cheeks.
“Of course not, baby. I love you for who you are. And if you identify as non-binary, then I'll respect that.” Sprout gave them a soft smile. Astro felt tears come to. Their eyes was they pulled Sprout into a tight embrace. Silently thanking him for understanding.
Sprout patted them on the back, “so, still Astro, or no?”
Asttro laughed, wiping their tears, “Astro is just fine……. Thank you. Sprout.”
Sprout hugged Astro back, “of course, babe. I'll love you forever, no matter what..”
Astro Smile, finally, truly feeling Like themself.