…What day was it anymore?

He was so far under…he had no way to keep track of time. He had grown to just follow his natural rhythm, wandering the space themed floor he now considered his home endlessly.

Astro wondered if there was anything he could've done to stop this. If he had changed one action in the past, could he still have remained his old self? Or was this whole thing a cruel, inevitable fate from a higher force?

He worried about his friends…all the other toons…were they ok, at least? It made his heart ache to think about them suffering this same fate…

…What about the holiday toons?

…

What about Bobette?

Bobette…oh, how he missed her the most. How his heart ached every year when the Christmas season ended, having to say goodbye to his dearly beloved. The months they'd have to spend apart felt like eternity.

His mind swirled with the dread of imagining what fate the others could have befallen, the ichor mixing with the tears he shed.

He was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard the soft crinkle of a wrapper underneath his feet, looking down to notice he had stepped on a candy left on the floor. He took the moment to recompose himself, wiping away a few tears with a small sniffle as he took a deep breath.

He moved to rest against a wall, sitting on the floor. He felt so cold…he missed his blanket, but now all that was left of it was a small piece torn from it that remained draped over his shoulders. He sat there for a good while, breathing deep and trying to keep his composure.

His attempt to calm down was cut off as a rush of fear suddenly rushed through his veins. The elevator. He could hear it, but something felt…off. Since he was very deep down, it wasn't very often that people made it this far down in the first place. Instead of hearing the elevator open as normal, he could hear the crushing of metal as the elevator was apparently forced open.

Astro rushed to his feet, moving to hide. This was unlike what he would normally witness, he had no idea if whatever it was could be dangerous. For all he knew, it could be Dandy himself even.

He held his breath, hearing the sound of footsteps…they didn't SOUND like Dandy…they weren't heavy enough…and it was too quiet…no music that Dandy always seemed to produce in his monstrous form.

He kept stuck to his spot, trying to stay quiet as he heard the unknown intruder wander the room. After a bit, he decided to try and move to another hiding spot without being noticed.

Unfortunately all the items strewn on the floor worked against his favor, hearing a small crunch of plastic breaking under his foot, having stepped right onto a tape left on the floor.

He froze up in fear as the footsteps suddenly quickened, growing closer. He forced himself forward, trying to rush and hide, but in his panic misstepping and losing his balance, falling to the floor with a thud. He shrunk back, shaking as he heard the footsteps grow closer, a figure in the distance growing larger…he covered his face, bracing for what he thought was an inevitable attack as the footsteps were heard right in front of him.

But nothing happened, a few good seconds of silence, no noise, no attack...Astro carefully moved his hands away from his face, nervously looking up to see whatever could be in front of him.

His racing heart beat faster as he took in the looming form over him. Arms and legs covered in ichor, a red glow of a single eye staring down at him…

A familiar green sweater, now stained with ichor, and the rosy red skin of…

"B…Bobette?"

He felt himself tremble, it didn't feel real at first. Like this was some sick joke being played or some dream…but there she was. She wasn't the same sweet toon he'd last seen her as…but still, it washer. Even with the changes, how large she'd become, how damaged she'd gotten when she twisted…as he stared up into her eye…he could feel it. It really was her. The way her expression softened as she realized who it was she was in front of…the hesitance and trembling of her hands as her posture changed from aggressive to a calmer one, slow, deliberate breaths of trying to keep herself from completely losing composure. And that same voice he remembered…

"...Astro?"

In the spur of the moment, Astro was overtaken with a surge of excitement and joy, pushing himself to his feet and running to the larger twisted, embracing her tight.

"Bobette! I-It's you…i…it's really you…" Astro sniffled a little, burying his face into her sweater…it was still just as warm as always. "I…I can't believe it's really you…"

He felt trembling hands carefully embrace him, a soft sob escaping from the larger twisted. Astro looked up at her, smiling warmly. Bobette smiled shakily, a few tears forming in her eye.

"Astro…I…I thought I'd never find you again…" She choked out between sobs, suddenly picking up Astro and yet again embracing him tight. Once Astro shook off the initial surprise of being picked up, he yet again wrapped his arms around Bobette, gently planting a small kiss on her cheek.

"I thought I'd lost you too…" He smiled up at her, gently cupping her cheek in his hand. "Oh, my love…you're still just as beautiful as the last time I saw you…"

Astro could feel her grow warmer with a soft blush, a small giggle escaping her.

"And you're still just as precious as before…" She gently nuzzled him. "You always know just how to make me smile…"

Astro hummed softly, resting his head on her chest. A moment of silence followed between the two, just enjoying having each other's company once again.

"I was looking for so long for you, Astro…" Bobette softly whispered, moving to sit down with Astro still held close. "...I hope it didn't hurt too much…"

"The pain's long since faded, dear." Astro replied. "I'm much more concerned about you. After all, I'm still mostly the same…but you…" His look changes to one of concern. "I can't bear to imagine how much pain your change must have been…"
"...It was…rather awful to go through…" Bobette sighed softly. "...But, oh, it doesn't matter now." She smiles warmly, holding one of Astro's hands. "I have you again…that's all that matters to me…"

Astro calms, nodding in understanding. "Yeah…we're together again…that's what matters now…" He moves to kiss her gently, purring softly as Bobette happily returns the affection and kisses them back. "I couldn't ask for anything more…"

"And now there's nobody to keep us apart…we can be together all year…I don't need to go away anymore…" Bobette says happily.

"Yes…and I promise…" Astro looks up at them warmly. "Now that we can…I'll never leave your side again…"

The two remain in their spot, embraced closely as they share affections back and forth. Snuggles, kisses, words of love…all shared between the two. Now since they were back together, they would be sure nothing could pull them apart, ever again.