Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was now officially Valentine’s Day in LazyTown and one look inside town hall made that obvious. There were two tables, one small and one large, each covered in a white tablecloth that was patterned with pink hearts. The smaller table had various snacks laid out, from apples to chocolates, while the larger table was surrounded by several chairs. Heart shaped balloons in various colors sat in the corners of the room. Stephanie was standing on a ladder and hanging up the finishing touch, a banner of paper hearts attached to a string.

Stephanie hopped off the ladder and took a step back. “Uncle Milford, does the banner look crooked to you?”

“It looks wonderful Stephanie, everyone will love it.” Mayor Meanswell said, and picked up the ladder.

“Thanks Uncle Milford. Oh- Be careful!” Stephanie called out as Mayor Meanswell began to lose his balance carrying the heavy ladder.

Steadying himself, he disappeared out of the room and Miss Busybody appeared in his place. She put a large bowl down on the table with the other snacks. “These decorations are simple adorable dear! Well done.”

“Thanks!” Stephanie said. She leaned over to try to get a look inside the bowl that Miss Busybody just brought. “What’s in there?”

“Oh, these?” She said, and picked up a small heart shaped piece of candy out of the bowl. “They’re sweethearts! You know, those little candies with the messages on them? I thought they’d be perfect for your little get together!”

Stephanie walked over and grabbed a piece for herself. It read ‘kiss me’. “Uhh, yeah. Perfect.” She threw the piece of candy in her mouth and ate it. Chalky.

Mayor Meanswell returned with glasses of water that he sat on the larger table. “I think It’s almost time for the guests to arrive, isn’t it?” He pondered.

As if on cue, a knock was heard at the door. Stephanie grinned at Milford then hurried over to answer it. “Sportacus! Come on in!”

Sportacus bowed his head slightly and stepped inside. “Thanks Stephanie! I’m not too early am I? I didn’t want to keep anybody waiting.”

“You’re right on time. I’m sure everyone else will get here soon!” Stephanie said.

Sportacus walked around the room, admiring all the hard work Stephanie must have put into getting everything ready. After a few minutes, someone else could be heard at the door.

Stephanie opened the door. “Hi Stingy! Glad you could make it.”

“Of course! And I assume my car will be safe outside during the party?” He said, peering behind him.

“Yes Stingy, It’ll be fine. Now come inside.” He did so, letting Stephanie shut the door.

Another minute or two passed by before someone else arrived. Ready and waiting, Stephanie swung the door open.

“Hi Stephanie!” Ziggy said excitedly.

“Hi Ziggy, come on in!” She replied. Stephanie pointed to the smaller table in the room. “The snacks are over there.”

Ziggy smiled and ran off. “Thanks Stephanie!”

Before she could even shut the door this time, another guest appeared. “Wait, don’t shut the door yet!” Pixel yelled, jogging up to the door way. “Sorry, I was in the middle of a game and almost lost track of time! I’m not late am I?”

Stephanie picked up a glass of water. “Not at all. Glad you could make it Pixel. Here.” She said, handing him the glass.

Pixel took a big sip before setting it down. “Thanks.”

Another couple of minutes passed and everyone settled in. Finally, another knock was heard at the door. “Trixie! Hi, come inside!”

Trixie nodded and followed Stephanie. “Nice decorations Pinkie.”

“Thanks! I worked all morning on it.” Trixie gave her a thumbs up before walking off. Stephanie went over all the guests in her head. The only one left is…

A single, solitary knock was heard on the other side of the door. Stephanie smiled and opened it, ready to greet Robbie. Surprisingly it seemed that Robbie didn’t dress up for the occasion, but someone with an observant eye would notice that his usual cufflinks were in fact replaced with small heart shaped ones. “Hi Robbie!”

“Hello.” He replied awkwardly. His posture was terrible and he was slightly shuffling in place like he wasn’t sure if we was allowed inside or not.

Stephanie gave a sympathetic look and grabbed his hand, dragging him inside. “I’m so glad you’re here, we're gonna have tons of fun! Everybody will get to hang out together and relax, and there are plenty of snacks to choose from! There are chocolates, marshmallows, pretzels, and sweethearts-” Stephanie looked over at the snack tabled and realized the bowl of sweethearts was missing. She looked around and finally spotted it in Stingy’s arms. “Stingy! Put those back!”

Stingy jumped back in surprise “B-but they say ‘Be Mine’ on them! It’s only right that I take them!” Stephanie pouted angrily. “Fine, fine.” He said, and placed them back on the table. “I’ll just take the ones that are left when the party's over…”

Stephanie simply shook her head and let go of Robbie’s hand. “Well, I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy. Thank you for coming Robbie!”

“S-sure.” He replied.

Stephanie skipped away to talk to the other guests, leaving Robbie alone at the snack table. He stood there nervously for a few moments before finally at least leaning against the wall he was near. He thought that if anything, it would make him appear more relaxed and less like he was screaming internally.

Ziggy bounced up to him. “Hi Robbie!”

Robbie simply waved at him in response. Frankly it was less of a wave and more of a strange gesture where he immediately put his hand up then back down. Oh well.

“Are… you having fun?” Ziggy asked.

Robbie opened his mouth but before he could answer a bright pink paper airplane hit the side of his head. “Sorry Robbie!” Trixie yelled from across the room.

“...Peachy.”

Not really knowing what else to say, Ziggy smiled at him and trailed off, leaving Robbie alone once more.

He stood there. Waiting. Quietly he began tapping his fingers on the table. How long had he been there, he wondered? Ten minutes? Fifteen? Had a single minute even gone by at all? Maybe he should talk to somebody, why’d he even come if he was just going to stand there like a decoration?

Absentmindedly, Robbie grabbed a snack off the snack table and began eating. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Sportacus staring at him. Swallowing quickly, he turned to see that he was looking at him with a big dorky grin on his face. “What are you looking at?” He sputtered.

“Oh, sorry Robbie! I just think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you willingly eat sports candy!” Sportacus said. He took a few steps closer to Robbie so they weren’t talking from across the room.

Robbie thought for a moment. Sports candy? Did he really just eats sports candy? He was so nervous he really didn’t even think about what he had grabbed but it sure didn’t taste like sports candy. Suddenly he realized what he actually just ate. “I-It was a chocolate covered strawberry! Don’t look so smug.”

Sportacus just kept smiling. “A strawberry is still sports candy, chocolate covered or not.”

“Yeah well, I couldn’t even taste it.” Robbie mumbled, shifting his body away from Sportacus’s general direction.

Sportacus noticeably softened in response. “Sorry Robbie, I hope I don’t sound like I’m teasing you! I’m just glad to know that you’re willing to eat healthier things if you can make them appeal more towards your personal preferences.”

“It was a single strawberry Sportakook! Don’t go over-analyzing.” Robbie slinked away from the snack table.

Having overheard the conversation Stephanie walked up to Sportacus’s side. He looked at her and sighed. “Baby steps.”