Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a rather chilly morning in Gardenview research center, toons were wearing thin coats over their regular attire, the halloween toons had just arrived, and Toodles had caught a cold.

Dandy was by the train station impatiently waiting for the supplies to arrive when he spotted Dyle. “Hey, Dyle, when are the supplies arriving?” Dandy asked Dyle as he put his hands in his apron’s pocket and smiled softly at the pocket-watch. Dyle looked at Dandy with the same serious expression he seems to always have on.

“It is supposed to arrive in about 2 to 3 minutes.” Dyle replied.” Why, Dandicus? Are you impatient?” Dyle jokingly asked as he fixed his tie.

“Yeah!” Dandy giggled as he took his hands out of his pocket and started fidgeting with his hands. “You won’t believe how much Tisha has been avoiding Brusha lately.” “It is quite sad since Brusha has been trying to befriend Tisha.” Dandy gossiped to Dyle. Dandy kept glancing over at the tracks, checking if the cargo had arrived yet.

“Really?” Dyle asked. ” Wow, that sounds quite tragic.” Dyle stated.

Finally, the train arrived. Dyle went on the train, got the cargo, and got out of the train. “Finally!” Dandy exclaimed and ran over to Dyle. “Great! Say, Dyle, do you mind if I help you distribute the items?” Dandy smiled and asked him.

Dyle set the box down and went over to the panel, pressed some buttons, and sent the train away. “Don’t you have to set up the shop?” Dyle asked. “The others will worry about your whereabouts.” Dyle reasoned.

Dandy’s smile faded. “Pretty please?” “I love spending time with you!” Dandy avowed.

Dyle sighed and looked quite annoyed for a moment but then his expression softened. “Fine, Fine.” Dyle finally agreed to Dandy helping him. Dyle sat down on the cold, hard ground and opened the box of goods. Dyle pulled out a thing of eggs. “Give this to Cosmo or Sprout.” Dyle told the flower and handed him the eggs.

“Okay!” Beamed Dandy as he walked away, on his journey to find Cosmo and/or Sprout.

As soon as Dandy left, Dyle chuckled. But not because he saw Dandy as a joke; it was because he liked him. Dyle liked it when Dandy wanted to help, he found it cute when Dandy was impatient, and he liked seeing Dandy happy. He wanted Dandy, he wanted him very much, but he knew that the chances of Dandy liking him back were minimal, but even if Dandy liked him back, how would he explain his attraction to Dandy to Delilah? Would she support them? Or would she not? Those questions roamed around Dyle’s mind for the whole day.

—

At the end of the day, as the toons were getting ready to head to sleep and Dyle was throwing away the now empty box.” Hey, Dyle?” Dandy shouted . Dyle turned around to see Dandy speed-walking towards him. “Thank you so much for letting me help you today!” Dandy thanked Dyle, stood on his tippy toes, pulled him down, and gave him a hug. Dyle just stood there, not knowing what to do; should he hug him back? Or should he just stand still and wait ‘till Dandy let go? Dyle didn’t really enjoy physical contact, and Dandy knew that. Had Dandy forgotten? Or did the flower just not care about boundaries? Either way, as much as Dyle liked Dandy, he couldn’t help but still feel a little uncomfortable.

“You’re…welcome.” Dyle thanked Dandy and blushed slightly. Finally, after what felt like forever, Dandy finally let go of him.

“Good night, Dyle!” Dandy exclaimed as he walked away.

“We should spend more time together.” Dyle paused. “You’re pretty amazing, Dandicus.” Dyle complimented Dandy .

Dandy froze, turned around, and stared at Dyle for a moment. “O-of course!” Dandy smiled. “See you tomorrow, Dyle!” Said Dandy before heading to an elevator.

“See you tomorrow…” Dyle whispered as he, too, headed to an elevator.

Chapter Text

The next day, when all the toons were getting ready for their runs, and Dandy had already set up the shop, Dyle decided to go talk to Delilah about something.

Dyle reluctantly knocked on the door to Delilah’s office.

“Come in.” Delilah yelled.

Dyle gently opened the door (DDLC REFERENCE?!?!?) and sat down across from Delilah, whom was clearly unhappy.

“Why aren’t you at work?” Delilah asked, her voice as sharp as knife. “You better have a good reason to not be at the control panel right now.” Delilah spoke.

Dyle was nervous, very nervous. But he was already there so he had to say what he wished to say. “There’s something that has been bothering me lately.” Dyle stated. “I didn’t think I would ever feel this way,” Dyle mumbled. “God, this is so ridiculous-“ Before he could finish his sentence, Delilah cut him off.

“Spit it out, Timesly.” Delilah sounded and looked extremely annoyed and impatient.

“You see, I…” Dyle paused. “I think I am romantically interested in Dandicus.” Dyle whispered ,quickly looking away as a shade of pastel red appeared on his face.

a disgusted look went through Delilah’s face before quickly going back to looking annoyed. “Male toons cannot experience attraction towards another male toon,” Delilah explained. “You must be confused.” Delilah deadpanned. “Now, leave.” Delilah took out a sheet of paper and began writing something down.

Dyle looked at Delilah , the light red blush fading from his face. “Miss, I’m sorry, but I don’t believe I’m confused. I truly-“ and yet again, Dyle was cut off by Delilah.

“No more.” Delilah interrupted. “Leave. Go do your job.” Delilah raised her voice.

Dyle’s eyes softened. “…yes ma’am.” Dyle said before he stood up and left.

—

When Dyle was done with work for the day and was heading to an elevator, so he could go to his room, he saw Dandy, who was still packing up the shop. “What are you doing up this late, Dandicus?” He asked, raising a brow.

Dandy looked up. “Heh, there’s a whole lot of stuff to pack up today!” Dandy smiled wide.

Dyle’s eyebrow went back down. “Huh, that sounds rather… tiring.” Dyle said.

“Wooooow, you’re not even gonna offer help?” Dandy giggled.

“No,” Dyle paused. “Not today.” Dyle looked down as he stepped onto the elevator.

Dandy’s smile faded a little. “Hey, what’s up with you today?” He asked.

Dyle looked at Dandy and took a deep breath. “Look, I’m just not having a very good day.” Dyle stated.

Dandy looked at him with a mix of pity and something that looked like understandability. “Gotcha. Well, I hope you have a very good day tomorrow!” Dandy’s smile grew back up.

“Thanks, you as well.” Dyle pressed a button and the elevator door closed.