Chapter Text
Astro is in front of his mirror of his room, staring at himself as tears roll down his cheeks. Why was he crying you ask? Well, see, here at Gardenview it’s hard to express yourself. Many toons here are lead to believe that furries are rather..immoral to their beliefs.
Unfortunately for Astro, he IS a furry. Another thing to add to his plate of disappointment. From his extra arms to that star on his face, and now this?
Astro sniffles and wipes his tears, looking down at the fake wolf ears he made. He reaches out for them and places the black fluffy head piece on, along with a black tail!
Each accessory had a bit of blue in it, on the end of his tail and even on the inside of the ears. Astro smiled in contempt, finally being at peace with how he saw himself.
He knew he couldn’t show anyone this or else he’d be shunned by the Gardenview crew and loose all his friends. Even Dandy, his bestest friend.
He heard his doorknob jiggle and his eye shot open with concern and fear. Astros heart rate accelerated in pace as he quickly began to take the furry equipment off.
Though it was too late, his door opened to a familiar flower with that beaming smile of his.
“Astro, you here bud? I’ve been looki-..”
Dandy spoke with a chipper tone, then cutting out mid sentence with a horrified look plastered on his face.
What was Astro doing?! Dressing as if he was some animal?! No, this couldn’t be, Astro was committing a SIN to their religion. The flower stood there, his jaw wide open.
“D-Dandy!! No, it’s not what it looks like!! It was for a Halloween costume I swear, you out of all the toons know I would never go against the Gible (Gardenview bible).”
Dandy blinked a bit before stepping into the moons room with a sigh. He closed the door behind him hearing a click as he did so.
The rainbow petaled toon approached Astro, a glint of fear in his eye but also with kindness too. Dandy grabbed the paws Astro crafted himself and giggled as he slipped them onto Astros cyan hands and smiled at him.
“I know it’s hard to express yourself here, but you know you can always be yourself around me.. I don’t care if you’re a furry or not, I only care if you’re happy”
This brought ecstasy and relief to Astro, did Dandy really mean it?
“You’re..not mad..? You’re CRAZY about our religion, why would you be so easy to forgive me?”
Dandy felt sorry for that poor toon, he couldn’t imagine how long Astro had to hide his true self from everyone there. Dandy wrapped his arms around Astro and squeezed him tightly, reminding Astro that Dandy will always have his back no matter what.
This made Astro tear up and eventually sob a bit, it felt so nice having someone by his side and accepting him.
“Of course not, even if I’m religious it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. You’re my best friend and no matter what happens I’ll always be there for you, alright?”
Dandy rubbed his hand up and down Astros back, feeling Astros skinny frame shake in his hold as he sobbed. Astro just nodded his head on Dandy’s shoulder, making sure Dandy knew he understood him.
The two always seemed to be comfortable and happy together and it’s been like this for YEARS.
Dandy would always defend Astro and Astro would attempt to do the same and they wouldn’t stop now even when Dandy knew Astros deepest secret.
Would Dandy be committing a sin for accepting this? Well, if he was he’d rather do it in spite of his friends. Especially Astro.
Dandy broke the hug and cupped Astros face, brushing his thumb over his cheek and wiping off those tears that poured out of his eye.
“You don’t have to change yourself for anyone, just be yourself! If everyone doesn’t accept you, then it’s their loss.”
Astro nodded with a smile in Dandy’s hand before he spoke up.
“Thank you, you’re really the bestest friend I could ever ask for.”
Chapter 2: Wuh oh…
Chapter Text
> WEEKS LATER
Astro and Dandy were chatting in the diner and sipping on their beverages, the usual for a Saturday morning.
Neither of them dared to bring up his furryness, especially in public. They were both fine with not bringing it up too, it didn’t bother them in any way to talk about it.
I mean, what’s there to talk about? Really nothing, him being a furry just felt natural after these past weeks and Dandy even tried on his furry stuff.
Astro tensed up when he felt a hand come up on his shoulder with fur brushing against his cheek. His eyes widened as he he looked at his shoulder only to see his makeshift paw.
Astro quickly looked up at the toon, it was Sprout. Sprout seemed angered, upset, and resentful. Astro knew the rules yet he broke them anyways, how crazy of him to do.
Everyone knew Sprout had a passion for his beliefs and it was hard for him to let go of them.
“Are you kidding me?! You’ve committed a sin, you didn’t think anyone would find these, huh? You disgust me, Novalite. Now everyone will know about your sick twisted thoughts.”
Astro was quick to stand up and shake his head in protest. A few tears leaked out in fear, he knew Sprout was actually to tell everyone.
Panic set in fast and heavy as he looked over at the flower with a desperate look. Dandy narrowed his eyebrows and stood up to face the strawberry toon, becoming more serious than he’s ever been.
“Seedly, if you dare tell a soul then-“
Sprout scowled at this, Dandy thought he could tell him off? He shoved him back and gritted his teeth.
“You think this is ok, Dandy?! Going against our commandments and disobeying everything we know? You’re as bad as Astro. I don’t care, I’m letting everyone know.”
Astro tried to stop Sprout in his tracks by grabbing onto his wrist.
“SPROUT, wait..please.. we’ve been friends for years! You wouldn’t do this to me, right?”
Sprout ignored him and pried his arm away from Astros grasp. Astro was freaked out, he hated being stared at, but now everyone will stare at him. This time with hate and disgust, seeing him for who he REALLY was.
Dandy watched Astro break down and he trapped him in another hug. He felt so bad for him, he couldn’t believe Sprout would do this to a friend. They shared so much memories with each other, yet he still did this to him for his religion.
From across the diner, the two could hear a booming voice that belonged to none other than Sprouts, holding up the “contraband”. Dandy and Astro ran over there in an attempt to possibly defend Astro in some way, even if that was to lie.
“ATTENTION TOONS, YOU SEE THESE PATHETIC THINGS?”
Sprout held up the accessories as the audience around him gasped and looked like they’d seen a murder scene. Astro and Dandy came to a halt as they blended into the crowd to see what Sprout would say about said paws.
“We ALL understand that wearing these is a sin and is punishable, right?”
The audience murmured and nodded along to Sprouts words. Astro gripped onto his blanket and hid his face from sight. Sprout saw Astros blanket and night cap and had a great idea. With a snicker, he kept his eyes on the crowd and started to speak up once more.
“Well, it looks like the toon who had these in their room is here with us!”
Astro tried to back up, but Poppy and other toons were behind him to stop his movement. He started hyperventilated as he felt frozen with fear, he felt betrayed and it was by someone who he thought cherished their friendship.
“Astro thought he could hide these things from us without punishment. I know he won’t come up by himself, so will you toons move him out into the open so we can see how shameful he is?”
Gasps were heard all around along with angry shouting and curses to Astro. He shook his head as Rodger, Shrimpo, and Looey started pushing him out into the open.
Astro was then pushed out with a harsh shove and there he was, in public’s eye at Sprouts feet. Sprout placed the ears on Astros head and pulled him up by his blanket to stand up and humiliate him.
“We TRUSTED him and he committed one of the worst sins imaginable. He needs to be punished, but how?”
Toons spoke to one another about what punishment was deserved for him.
“Send him to the lower levels!!”
“Send him away!”
Shouts and yells echoed against the wall, this was all too much for Astro to handle. He broke down in front of everyone and was spared no sympathy. This hurt Dandy having to watch him, he barged through the crowd as he shoved toons out of his way.
“The lower levels sound great! What’cha say, Astro?”
Astro looked at him, tears streaming from his eye.
“NO..No you can’t DO THIS!! You’re a monster, YOU’RE ALL MONSTERS!”
Sprout grit his teeth and gripped onto his shoulder, about to smack him. He raised his hand and-
“THERE’S NO WAY YOU GUYS ARE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS, ASTRO IS OUR FRIEND!”
Dandy shouted as he finally reached the center of everyone’s attention. Sprout lowered his hand as he let go of Astro, shoving him to the ground and moving towards Dandy.
“Dandy, you know this should be done. You know that this NEEDS to be done, it’s what’s right.”
Dandy shook his head.
“But it’s NOT right. You’ll put him in danger for expressing himself? He’s been here for you, he’s been there for ALL of us!”
Dandy yelled back, then looking over at Astro who seemed to be walking away to the elevators that lead to the lower levels of Gardenview. The lower levels contained the twisteds and they were relentless with their movements. Dandy shoved Sprout away and started to chase Astro.
“ASTRO, wait!! You can’t do this! You can’t leave!”
Astro turned to him, wearing the ears Sprout put on him. He swiped away his tears and looked at Dandy with a distressed expression.
“Dandy, you heard Sprout, it’s what’s right. I can’t argue or else.. you know what happens.”
Dandy rushed to him and hugged him.
“Then I’ll go with you, I can’t be here without you..”
Astro hugged him back with his magic.
“Only if you’re careful around the twisteds..”
Sprout didn’t like how Dandy got in front of Astros punishment and then tried to follow him to the lower levels. He had to stop this! He gathered a few toons and marched over to Dandy and Astro. Sprout and Vee held Dandy back as Goob pulled Astro near the elevator and shoved him in.
“NO, LET ME GO WITH HIM!!”
Dandy screamed as he fought in the twos grasp, but it was too late. Astro was sent down there forever and was never allowed back up. Vee and Sprout threw Dandy to the ground as soon as the elevator left.
Dandy scurried onto his feet and ran towards the elevator and banged on the door, crying and screaming for them to open the door for him.
He didn’t know what he would do without his best friend, everything just seemed to already be so miserable without him. He couldn’t believe everyone went along with this sick idea and didn’t feel guilty about it in any way.
Knockidy_Knock on Chapter 2 Sat 06 Sep 2025 03:08AM UTC
Last Edited Sat 06 Sep 2025 03:09AM UTC
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