[A/N: i tried to write something relaxing, but it's not as relaxing as i wanted it to be. It's definitely not as angsty as many of my other wip stories, so i guess that's a plus. I'm going to try to make a better sequel at some other time, because this isn't quite what i wanted for that.

TW/CW: sadness, disappointment, crying, moping, venting, comforting, pep talk, cheering up, (literal) petting, food stuff, plants, dirt/soil, a couple kisses, lil bit of suggestive stuff?]

He saw Chowder in the garden, kneeling in front of a wilted plant. He looked disappointed.

"What's the matter, Pudge???" He walked over to Chowder.

"Hey Gorgonzolaaa." He didn't look up. "I've been having a really rough day. First, i couldn't find the right ingredients for a recipe. Then when i decided ta do something different, just ta pass the time until tomorrow when i COULD get my ingredients, THAT recipe wasn't turning out either. I tried it like a billion times, but it just wasn't workin. So i decided to do some gardening, since i need some fruit for my recipe anyways. I figured, i've been bumblin all day, maybe that would help the bumbleberries grow. But there's nothin here yet. So i started crying, and thought that it would help the cryberries grow, but that wasn't workin either. And now, my grabble tree is wilted. Today is just the pits." He fell on his face and lay disheartened in the dirt.

Gorgonzola listened to his concerns. Sometimes, just being a shoulder to cry on would be enough to pick Chowder up to keep going, but it looked like that wasn't enough this time. He glanced around to see if anyone was nearby, but it looked like their apprentices were off somewhere else right now and that nobody was in the kitchen this evening. Gorgonzola was always shy about trying to help when there were too many people around.

He squatted down next to Chowder and patted his head. "There there, Pudgey. Things'll turn out. They always turn out for you. Tomorrow will be better."

"I don't know…" His voice was muffled by the soil in his mouth. Chowder tilted his head up. "Yesterday there were three different customers that weren't satisfied with their orders. I thought i followed the recipes right, but they said that i did somethin wrong in each of them! And i spilled all of the milk all over the fridge. And if i can't get these fruit and the rest of the ingredients, then tomorrow's going to be awful, too!" He dropped his head again and spoke through the dirt. "Things just aren't going right for me." He started crying again, and it seemed like the water was going straight to the plants he was lying in front of.

Gorgonzola considered his concerns. He toughened up his demeanor to his usual self. "Who cares what those customers think?!" Chowder looked up at him with big eyes and tears still watering the plants. "They probably just asked for a different ingredient or something, IF THAT, and decided to make a big stink about it instead of just taking what you gave them. You always try your best on your dishes, and you always follow the directions that the customer gives you. It was their fault for not being clear enough." He threw his hands up. "Besides, if they tried the dish before complaining, they'd know that you always make it delicious, with or without the ingredients they asked for. They act like they're the chefs here: YOU'RE the professional, not them!"

"I tried really really hard on those dishes." He glanced away.

"I know ya did, big guy. You always try your best." He pet him again.

Chowder sighed. "Thanks Gorgonzola. But i'm still worried about getting all of my ingredients for tomorrow." He turned to his side so that his face wouldn't be buried again.

"Ah, Chowder." He sat down and pulled his head onto his lap, petting him and brushing off some of the dirt from his face. "We could always take a trip ta Tofu Town and see if they have what you need there. They usually have a HUGE variety of stuff, don't they???"

"Yeah…" Chowder liked feeling Gorgonzola's lap underneath him and his hand brushing his fur. He wasn't usually the type of guy to be giving pep talks, and he didn't always offer physical comfort like this. Being here right now should have cheered Chowder up, but he was still feeling down in the dumps. "I don't know if it's even going ta work. What if it turns out like the dish i was makin today???"

Gorgonzola spoke uncommonly softly. "What if it doesn't, though??? What if it turns out even better than you imagined???" He pet him slowly and gently with both hands.

Chowder looked up at him again. Gorgonzola offered a smile that reflected his tone and touch. It was such a rare and heartwarming face that Chowder couldn't help but give a tiny smile in return. He wasn't completely happy yet, but he was much better than he had been a few minutes ago. "You're right, Gorgonzola. I should try ta stay optimistic about this. Being negative is the thing that's gonna ruin this dish."

"Yeah. Your food tastes even better when you make it while you're happy. That's why all of your dishes are amazing, and why i should never set foot in the kitchen while you're working." He rolled his eyes. "Only one of us can be so positive at a time, and you're much better at it than i am."

"Aaaaaww!! But it looks so pretty on you!!!" Chowder fluttered his eyes cutely.

Gorgonzola grinned and shook his head. "Oohh, quiet you." He craned his neck and kissed Chowder on the forehead, making him giggle. They lovingly smiled at one another. "It's gonna turn out great, Pudge."

Chowder lifted himself to a kneeling position again. "Thanks, Gorgonzola. I feel a lot better now." He leaned forward and kissed his husband's smiling cheek.

Out of nowhere, Chowder felt something squeeze his butt. His eyes got wide and he blushed. "Hey! I told ya not ta get handsy like that unless i ask for it!"

Gorgonzola made a confused face. "What are you talking about? My hands have been here this whole time!" He held them up so Chowder could see.

He yelped when he felt another grope on his behind, and then another grab at his tail and his back. He turned around to see what it was, and saw a few round, green fruits latching onto him.

Gorgonzola leaned to take a look as well. "Huh. I guess your grabble tree wasn't completely wilted after all."

"Yeah, i guess it just needed some tears and positivity ta perk it back up." He turned to Gorgonzola. "I just wish it chose a better time and place to bear fruit. This is uncomfortable."

He shook his head. "Yeah, i don't know what to say to try to make this better. Sorry."

"It's okay."