Chapter Text
“ Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get— only with what you are expecting to give— which is everything. ”
Almost tripping, Dandy finally put up the last decoration upon the shelf in his shop. He dusted his hands off with a sigh escaping his smile before looking over at the shop across from his. Dyle was also setting up decorations, but he was much more uncaring about how organized it was. Seems like he wasn't a huge fan of Valentine’s day. Maybe Dandy could pay Dyle a short visit, perhaps talk about their plans for the upcoming holiday.
“Heya, Dyle!”
Dyle jumped slightly and shot a small glare at the shorter toon. Dandy leaned against the wall with a hand on his hip.
“Yes, Dandy..?”
“Ya got anyone in mind for next month?” A grin spread across Dandy’s face as he teases the watch. Dyle huffs, swooping his chain over his shoulder and rolling his eyes. “No, I do not,” He crossed his arms, “I am still used to the old rule before our handlers left… No toon shall find a valentine, but celebrate the day with decorations for the visitors.” He glanced outside his shop and at a couple of others, Yatta and Blot, speaking enthusiastically to each other, then took a slow breath in before speaking. “... I suppose since they are gone, we could make up our own rules, correct?” His eyes flickered back down at the flower toon. Dandy’s look trailed up in thought, the hand on his hip coming up to stroke the fur on his chin. “We could… But, what will we—”
“YOU TWO SHUT UP!”
Oh man. Here we go.
Shrimpo points between Yatta and Blot, his eyebrows lowered, and an intense frown on his face. “I'M NOT ASKING ANYONE TO BE MY VALENTINE! I HATE VALENTINE’S DAY, AND I HATE ASKING!!!”
Both of the toons in front of him let out giggles. Yatta leans forward. “C’monn, Shrimps! Why not ask Astro? Finn?” She bites her tongue with a grin.
“NEVER, I HATE THEM BOTH!!”
As Dandy and Dyle watch the situation, Dyle raises an eyebrow, and Dandy shakes his head. “Can’t have Shrimpo ruinin’ the day made for love.” He glanced up at Dyle. “We gotta do somethin’ about that fella.”
Dyle waved his hand dismissively while turning the other way to adjust some decorations. “You can figure that out yourself, I prefer not to deal with that… maniac.”
Dandy smiled softly at Dyle’s decision, and turned to leave, exhaling. He headed back to his own shop.
Finn sat at Shrimpo’s bed, watching as the shrimp practiced hitting his punching bags. He spoke up. “Did ya know, mantis shrimp are the strongest species of shrimp?”
Shrimpo threw a rather harder punch to the bag, his focus mainly on throwing his hands.“WRONG! SHRIMPO IS THE STRONGEST SHRIMP!” He announced, making Finn chuckle. “Whaallee, we’re talkin’ a-boat species - if we were talkin’ a-boat shrimp in general, yes, you are the strongest.” Finn leaned back against the pillow on Shrimpo’s bed, not really caring about the brick that laid underneath it.
The soft noise of something sliding on the floor followed along with a knock. Both Finn and Shrimpo perked up, looking down at the floor in front of the door.
Shrimpo huffed in annoyance and walked over to pick up the piece of paper someone had slid under the door. The note read; “Good morning Shrimpo! Please meet me in my shop at lunch time, thank you! – Dandy”.
“UGH, I DON'T WANT TO GO!!” Shrimpo crumbled up the note and tossed it towards his trash can, though it missed and bounced off the edge, hitting the floor. Finn reached down off the bed to pick up the crumbled note, uncrumbling it to read it himself. “... Hm. You shoal-d probably go, Shrimpo. Sea-ms important!” He suggested. “WHAT WOULD HE EVEN NEED ME FOR!? HE’S JUST GOING TO WASTE MY TIME!”
“Just go! Maybe he needs help? Y’know, from ‘the great Shrimpo’?”
“.. FINE!!!”
“Good.”
Shrimpo went back to his punching bag, bouncing on his feet a little to get himself pumped up, then throwing a few more punches.
Lunch time came. Shrimpo rode the elevator alone, and once it reached the lobby, he stepped out as the door slid open, stomping his way towards Dandy’s shop.
He stood in front of the shop - no one was inside, as it looked. He rolled his eyes when he remembered that Dandy said to meet him IN his shop. He went towards the door that led into the room next to Dandy’s shop, opening it and stepping inside, yet again seeing no one. “... DANDY!! I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY THIS STUPID GAME, WHAT DO YOU WANT!?” Shrimpo yelled out, with no answer. He turned around to leave, but his eyes widened as he almost stumbled into Dandy, who was… holding a crowbar? “WH-WHA—” Before Shrimpo could react, his vision went black.
A month had passed without Shrimpo’s troubles. Everyone had been thinking of him - some thankful, some yearning for that loud shrimp to come back.
Finn stood under the doorframe of Shrimpo’s room, taking in the emptiness of it all. It’s been so long since he’s seen his best friend, or so HE called his best friend. He never knew Shrimpo’s view on him, but Finn always told himself it had to be somewhat positive if he was tolerated. Suddenly, he heard a gentle man’s voice.
“Still missing the loudmouth..?”
Finn looked over to whoever had surprised him. It was Astro. Or, Nova, as he prefers to be called.
“Heh… Surprisingly, I've been missing the rants he shared with me.” Nova added, “I promised not to tell anyone, but he has told me goodnight while leaving my room before.”
Finn smiled softly.
“Reel-ly, huh? That’s cute.”
“Mhm.”
“I’m sure he'll come back soon.” Nova turned to leave. “Anywho, I’ll be in the lobby with everyone else.”
“Alrighty, sea ya!” Finn replied, waving Nova goodbye, then giving Shrimpo’s room one last outline with his eyes, before sighing and following far behind Nova towards the lobby.
It was dark and cold, sounds of water dripping slowly from the ceiling where the pipes were, spiderwebs across the abandoned or unused items left down here. Shrimpo’s eyes slowly flickered open, his hand going up to rub his face. “Hmngh…” He grumbled, sitting up and looking around. He was slightly light headed from being out for a while.. How long was he even asleep for? Why was he asleep? And more importantly… Where was he? The basement? But even in this unsettling moment, he wasn't scared. He wasn't angry. He felt content, and curious. It was odd… He’s never felt this way before. Shrimpo’s gaze travelled around the basement, before his eyes landed at the ichor on the bed at his feet. “Oh..!” He moved away, bending his knees to his chest to prevent his feet from touching the ichor. He should probably get up and find out how to get out of here, he thought to himself. Getting up from the medical bed, all of his limbs almost gave out. He stumbled, catching his balance, then standing up straight and doing a large stretch of his arms out into the air. It felt amazing, as if he hasn't moved in a month.
… How long has he been down here again?
Whatever. He needs to find a way out. As he walked around the room, he spotted a mirror, and from his point of view, he could see his tail. But… His tail was pink. His uropod was less sharp. He stepped further into frame. He was so much more pink. He put a hand up, looking at his paws, which were now white instead of black. He had a pink facial crest, and his eyes were uneven, right being his normal eye, the left black, dilated, with a heart as his pupil. His new look was so… interesting… so… pretty.
A grin spread across Shrimpo’s face. He turned his body to the side to observe his new form more, biting his lip with excitement. “How fascinating.” He hummed.
Shoot, he was getting distracted.
Shrimpo caught himself, and looked to the side, spotting a door. That had to be the exit. He stepped his way to the door and turned the knob. Ah, it was locked. He unlocked it, and pulled the door open, being met with stairs that led up to another pair of doors. The hallway the stairs were in was darker than the basement, since the lights were off. He slowly went up the stairs, his steps careful to make sure he wouldn't trip in the dark, until he reached the two doors. He opened one.
Light entered the hallway, making Shrimpo put his hand over his eyes to shade them from the brightness. It felt like he hadn't seen this kind of light in so long. As his eyes adjusted, slowly removing his hand from his forehead, he noticed two benches with a tree between them, and a large rainbow carpet in the middle of the floor. Shrimpo’s eyes brightened. His legs seemed to start moving on their own. He felt… Happy. Excited. Thankful.
Toons were hanging around the lobby’s tree, as usual. Gigi and Flutter were making laps around the tree together, the circus trio joked around with each other, Glisten and Rodger argued about stupid stuff, and Nova was sitting at a bench, watching everyone. Finn made his way to Nova and sat down next to him. “Boring day, once again.” Nova glanced at Finn and smiled reassuringly. “I know, I know… It’s always a flat day without Shrimpo around.” Finn nodded, looking at the others with a saddened look. “I just… I miss him so much, ya know?”
Nova could agree with that. He’s been thinking about Shrimpo a lot. He could even say that they had a bond together, since Shrimpo would tell him secrets he hasn't even told Finn. It was nice knowing that Shrimpo trusted him more than the others, knowing how isolated he was with any feeling other than anger. “... I get you. He.. Means a lot to me. I'm sure he means a lot to you, too, Finn.”
Finn gave another nod, his eyes flicking down to his feet.
Shrimpo moved fast. Not running, just walking quickly. His legs had a mind of their own, his excitement of seeing his friends took over. As he saw a few toons he recognized, he stopped right at the stairs, his smile beaming, his tail wagging, and his arm up to wave.
“HAI, everybody!!!”