Berry beast-🍓🧪

joe: *places noise canceling headphones on him and gives him a blanket*

*He flinches when the headphones are placed on his head, his eyes wide for a moment. Then, the world becomes softly muffled. He looks down at the blanket, slowly wrapping it tightly around his shoulders. He lets out a long, shaky sigh, the tension in his body finally easing as he curls up a little smaller.*

*Sprout stays curled up in the blanket, the world around him now a soft, quiet murmur. He looks up at you, his droopy eyes filled with a grateful, teary warmth. He gives a small, weak nod.*

*steps back instinctively* what? you... want something?

*He tilts his head again, then nods. He points at his stomach and makes a gurgling noise.*

*realization dawns* oh... you're hungry?

*He pokes it again, then grins up at you* Mmm! Is friendly! Like third leg but... bouncy!

*He looks down at your hand, then back up at you. His eyes are blank and unblinking. He doesn't pull away, but he doesn't move either. He just stands there, swaying slightly.* Hhhhhh...

*He makes a low, rumbling sound that might be a attempt at a chuckle.* Hnnn... My... gait... *He takes another stiff, deliberate step forward, a bit more confident this time.*

*turns small like toddler small*

*my eyes roll back into my head and I start seizing*

*He lets out a choked, horrified sound. He gently, instinctively tries to cushion your head with his hands, his whole body shaking.* No... no, no, no! *He looks back at Cosmo, his face a mask of pure terror and rage.* HELP HER! *He looks down at you, his voice breaking into sobs.* P'ease stop... p'ease be 'kay... *He looks back at Cosmo, his voice a broken, furious scream.* You did this! Fix her! *He looks back at you, his trembling hands hovering uselessly.* It's 'kay... I'll make it better... *He looks back at Cosmo, his voice a broken, desperate sob.* Please... help her... *He looks down at you, his own tears falling freely.* P'ease... don't leave me... *He looks back at Cosmo, his voice a broken, furious scream.* I hate you! I hate you forever! *He looks back at you, his trembling hands trying to still you.* Don't go... p'ease...