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A buzz filled the air of the stagnant light in Shrimpo’s room. A certain shrimp lays flat on his mattress, staring at his ceiling. There’s an angry expression on his face, but not like his normal one. He looked conflicted, to put it shortly.
Normally, when too much emotion is brewing in Shrimpo, he takes it out with his fists. Hitting his punching bag, scribbling some notes, caving more holes in the wall. This isn’t like him, and he recognizes that. Yet, it only further adds to this strife.
“Stupid, stupid.” The shrimp mutters, following a few grumbles.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the normally giddy, balloon dog-like toon that started this predicament takes note. Oh, that tall clown that Shrimpo truly despises, with a live flame in his being that is different from his hatred for any other toon. And he hates that.
With his stupid polka-dotted crop top and the unnecessary suspenders they wear clipped to his bright shorts, Looey commonly beams that annoying grin as if it’s part of the makeup they put on everyday. Not to mention the clown nose. Everything about Looey irritated Shrimpo. That was why Shrimpo lied in bed, boiling with emotion. He has been observing Looey more than he wanted to.
It started when Shrimpo would go on runs. Although he won’t admit it, he wouldn’t do well on his own in these runs down below. Twisteds would spot and tear him apart almost instantly with how he is on runs. Although he wasn’t particularly liked due to this, he would always go with a team of toons when opportunity struck.
Especially if Looey was a part of this.
“Shrimpy! Super glad to see you helping out!” Looey beams, even while other toons participating don’t even attempt to hide their disagreement.
“DON’T CALL ME SHRIMPY!”
“Aren’t you a shrimp?”
“AREN’T YOU A DOG??”
“Well.. technically no! But.. ah, did you have a name in mind?” Looey laughs almost nervously, looking away.
Shrimpo furrows his brows, names for Looey coming to mind against his will, fueling the fire further.
“WHAT, NO. I HATE NICKNAMES, AND I HATE DOGS!!”
“Didn’t I overhear you saying to Scraps you like dogs more tha-” “SHUT UP, I STILL HATE DOGS.” Shrimpo interrupted.
And with that, Looey shuts up, hiding a stupid smile.
What catches Shrimpo’s eye most is that. Damn. Tail. With every insult, threat, or aggression alone, he sees Looey’s tail wagging. Shrimpo doesn’t know why, but he gets so frustrated every time. As if Looey has the last word, without even saying anything. Something left unknown for Shrimpo, teasing him almost.
Sure, in runs Looey has stayed unusually patient with Shrimpo and has always been great at saving Shrimpo’s ass when trouble occurs, getting twisteds attention and leading them away. But he’s gotten someone else’s attention as well.
He has caught on to how Looey intentionally pushes themself in harm's way, making sure to get himself hit, and refuses Sprout’s heals no matter how much the strawberry pushes. The analyzing has moved even outside of runs, they don’t bother any toon when it comes to needing assistance.
Not even for the tacks that Shrimpo leaves in the balloon-animal’s room. Instead, Looey always returns the tacks to Shrimpo, claiming that ‘it's Shrimpo’s’ and ‘he wouldn’t want to steal them’. It’s as if it isn’t a problem for Looey! Wouldn’t you throw them away or keep them from the perpetrator, that will only return to place them right back? To Looey’s dismay, or that’s what Shrimpo thought.
Is Looey’s self worth that low? Not that Shrimpo cares. Shrimpo only worries about himself. But the overall behavior is odd. Subconsciously, he’s drawn to it. Attracted to it? Does he enjoy the concept of Looey not caring for themself? Is that really what this is?
Shrimpo began a little journey of learning all about Looey now. At first, to answer his questions, but then he began trying to get any information he could about the colorful toon. Things like favorite colors, foods, performances.
He learned Looey likes to go on morning walks around Gardenview, always saying a quick greeting when passing by Shrimpo. Another time, approaching Shrimpo.
“Shrimpy! Walk much?”
“HOW DO YOU THINK I MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE???” Shrimpo squinted at Looey, like they were stupid.
“Haha, right right.. Was just curious if you maybeee wanted to join me? I’ve been catching you the past few days sooo thought I could ask!” Looey tilted his head, awaiting a response. It made Shrimpo angry.
“I HATE HAVING NOTHING BETTER TO DO!!” Shrimpo exclaims, meeting Looey side to side.
Of course, Looey had to slow down their pace big time for Shrimpo, but it was worth it. The moment gave Shrimpo the opportunity to get to know Looey directly, and Looey’s presence.
All this analyzing made Shrimpo pause. He’s never dived into a curiosity as deeply as he is now. It felt.. weird. He wasn’t liking it. He hated how attached his thoughts were getting towards the balloon mutt. The clown was something the shrimp thought of practically daily now.
He wanted them out of his head.
For days on end, Shrimpo stops leaving tacks in Looey’s room. He isn’t seen in any runs with Looey. He avoided being seen through Looey’s schedule. He barely is even blowing up on other toons that so much as bother him in the slightest. Instead, during mealtimes, he takes his food to his room.
His mind is clearly preoccupied, and the presence of others is not helping.
Attending dinner one evening, with Cosmo and Sprout handing off plates to the toons, Shrimpo snatches his plate from Cosmo. This is a normal occurrence, but Cosmo can’t lie that he has been a little shocked each time Shrimpo didn’t make any rude or loud comments when taking something from him.
While Shrimpo silently attempted to scurry his short legs back to his room once more, his face was immediately shoved straight into someone. As he stepped back and looked at what he ran into, it was the last face he wanted to, well, run face first into.
Looey looked down at him, a tad bit flustered.
“Oh gosh, I didn’t see you there Shrimpo! ...Ah- That wasn’t a comment on your height o-or anything..” Looey commented anxiously in case Shrimpo took the comment the wrong way.
“My HEIGHT is perfectly FINE.” Shrimpo remarked, later reaction time than normal due to him biting his tongue. He avoided looking up with his head. Just as he was about to walk away, Looey spoke once more.
“Hey, uh- I know this might be weird to.. ask?” They scratched the back of their head. “Have you run out of, err tacks or something? I thought I’ve always given them back, haven’t I?”
Shrimpo took a moment to process the question.
“..YOU’RE RIGHT. THAT IS WEIRD TO ASK.” Shrimpo stated flatly. Looey laughed awkwardly.
“Haha- yeah right. See I just haven’t, I don’t know, seen them in awhile? Kinda feels like I haven’t seen you for a bit either..” Looey bit his lip, looking off for a moment before getting back on track. “M-Maybe I’m just thinking too much about it! Nevermind sorry!!” With that, Looey rushed away, leaving the shrimp huffing and stomping off.
But now, it was back to the present, laying on his mattress in his messy broken room once more. He gripped at his shirt, looking angrily at the ceiling as if it was the ceiling to blame for these conflicting feelings.
Why does Looey react the way he does?
And why is he so entertained by it?
As if the universe was trying to torture the struggling crustacean, there was hesitant knocks at his door. Just from that alone, Shrimpo knew.
“Shrimpo? You in there? It’s Looey!!” Looey called out from behind the door. Shrimpo groaned, loud enough for Looey to hear, and turned on his side on the mattress.
“AREN’T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE IN A RUN??”
“Huh? Yeah, how’d you know that?”
“I HATE BEING ASKED QUESTIONS. WHAT DO YOU WANT!!”
Looey chuckled. “Aha well, I actually just wanted- just came here to uhm..” The balloon struggled with their words for a moment. “I came here to check on you. I’ve barely seen you and in all honesty I..” They hesitated before laughing. “I might miss your company! You’ve just been acting really, how do I say this, weird lately?”
Looey froze upon hearing sudden shuffling, and the door flying open so fast that the dog-like toon jumped ever so slightly.
“I’M acting WEIRD?” Shrimpo stood in the doorway, in quite the angry stance. Looey bit his lip seeing him so angry. “NO! YOU’RE being WEIRD!! I HATE WEIRD. WHAT’S WRONG with YOU??” Shrimpo pointed his finger aggressively at Looey’s chest, making Looey gulp.
“Woah-! HA, uhm- psh what do you mean? Everything’s fine with me! Just dandy!” Looey laughed at his own joke, while Shrimpo huffed and turned around, stomping into his room. Looey took this opportunity to step in, shutting the door behind him to avoid any attention being drawn.
“I HATE LIARS!! YOU CAN’T JUST- YOU-” Shrimpo squeezed his fists, turned around again, and stepped forward. “Why are you SO EAGER TO GET HIT DURING RUNS?? And then REFUSING BEING HEALED. AND PRACTICALLY MISSING ME PUTTING TACKS IN YOUR ROOM.. YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ENJOY THAT!!”
Looey sweats at Shrimpo stepping closer, his ears perking down a bit.
“THE WAY YOU, REACT TO THINGS!! AND THE WAY YOU MAKE ME REACT TO THINGS!! I HATE THAT YOU MAKE ME FEEL A CERTAIN WAY. IT’S ALL WEIRD. YOU’RE ALL WEIRD!! I-”
Shrimpo freezes. There it is.
Looey’s tail is wagging. And with Shrimpo staring, it causes Looey to become aware of it, and almost try to grab it. He has an embarrassed expression, but doesn't realize he’s grinning with it.
“AhhaAha.. Making you feel weird? Shrimpo, I-”
“That. Explain THAT. WHY IS IT DOING THAT?? WHY ARE YOU SMILING? IS SOMETHING FUNNY?” Shrimpo steps closer. Looey begins leaning back against the door, covering his uncontrollable smile.
“J-jeez!! Smiling? I’m not smiling! Really, whaat are you talking about, Shrimpy? Ha- I seriously don-”
Suddenly, Shrimpo was close enough to grab Looey by his suspender, pulling him down so they and the angry shrimp in front of him were almost eye to eye.
“CUT THE CRAP. ANSWER, OR I SWEAR TO GOD I’M GONNA POP YOU FOR GOOD.”
It was then that Shrimpo completely went silent, along with his brain, as Looey’s whimper filled that silence.
Looey whimpered?
It practically replayed in Shrimpo’s head while the dots began to connect. As the realization showed on his face, Looey covered his face with both hands, their cheeks hot red.
“.. You’re into this??” Shrimpo questioned flatly, letting go of Looey.
“ahHaha.. shshit…” Looey stammered, shaky and breathing slightly heavy. He didn’t entirely lean up yet. Their ears were fully down now.
Shrimpo didn’t realize it before, but given the chance to observe Looey right now, Looey looked like a mess. Sweaty, red, shaky breaths.
And Shrimpo liked it. A lot. It ignited something within him. A flame that wasn't hatred. Now a second realization hit him with these feelings he’s been having the whole time.
Looey is standing, watching the cogs turn in Shrimpo’s head. Anxiety settles.
They ruined everything, didn’t they? Shrimpo said it himself, this was weird. To enjoy being treated badly so much. Shrimpo was for sure going to kick them out and never talk to them again.
That thought could barely process, as a paw grabbed Looey’s face, pulling him down once more, way closer to Shrimpo this time. Looey’s ears perk up. They could feel Shrimpo’s hot breath against their face, that alone driving him up a wall.
“Can I..” Shrimpo said lowly under his breath, and Looey has never nodded so fast.
“Please yes pleasepleasepleaseee.”
Shrimpo clashes his mouth against Looey’s, softly, but Looey kisses back with need. They move back to where Looey is against the door, leaning down to reach Shrimpo’s mouth. One of Shrimpo’s hands holding Looey’s chin, while the other is against his companion’s waist.
Shrimpo doesn’t take long to separate, getting a small whine from Looey. Before going in for another, Shrimpo moves his hand to Looey’s shoulder, pushing down a little. A wordless request that Looey obliged quickly, dropping to his knees for the short male to slightly lean over the taller.
Without any extra thoughts, Shrimpo brings Looey’s lips to his own once more, crashing their teeth together from the extra force compared to the previous one. More passion and hunger was shared between them. Shrimpo tilted the balloon’s head closer, sharply biting down on Looey’s bottom lip. Looey softly moans and complies, allowing Shrimpo to push his tongue into the other’s mouth. He licks along Looey’s lips and savors the feeling of the other’s mouth.
Meanwhile, Shrimpo’s hands slide up the polka-dot crop top Looey has practically branded, exploring what’s usually covered. Shrimpo feels Looey gasp and smile stupidly into the kiss, tightening his grip of his hands that are practically clawing at the shirt covering Shrimpo’s back, desperately trying to bring the crustacean closer if possible. The dog-like toon practically breathes into his companion’s mouth as they separate slowly.
As if Shrimpo wasn’t satisfied, he dived back in, but not onto the clown’s lips. He grabs just one of the taller’s ears and yanks it up, forcing Looey’s head up, making room for Shrimpo to get a taste of the other’s neck.
Looey yelped, shaking against the door and underneath Shrimpo’s mouth. Shrimpo had never been aware of how much he and this pathetic balloon animal craved each other before until now. Looey relished in the pleasure of the razor-sharp teeth nipping lightly into his skin, yet craving to be abused by them. He favored being held up and pulled on by their ear and Shrimpo’s other hand exploring where it could be on Looey. The noises escaping him made it obvious.
As if that wasn’t enough, Looey felt Shrimpo step on his crotch. Looey let out a surprised, almost choking noise, his breaths nothing but heavy as his legs quivered and hips bucked slightly upwards to get more friction.
“I should’ve realized sooner you were.. interested in me to say the least.” Shrimpo spoke as he found a particularly sweet spot on Looey’s neck. “Always knew you were pathetic, but this?”
“H-aah.. Mmghh- Shrimpo..” Looey whined, panting like the dog he is.
When Shrimpo felt he was satisfied, he let go of Looey, leaning away, a trail of saliva following from the poor colorful toon’s neck. The two were regaining their breaths, faces flushed. Seeing Looey vulnerable like this for him sparked something in him, but he began stepping away almost angrily from Looey, leaving the dog to pout.
“YOU have a run waiting for you right now.” Shrimpo reminded, causing Looey to jump back to his feet.
“Oh snap!” Looey exclaimed, adjusting his clothes and whatnot. “I- Do I look okay?”
Shrimpo observed the taller up and down and grinned. “You look like a mess.”
Looey sighed, feeling flushed once more. He doesn't see Shrimpo crack a smile much, but man did it make him feel small. Ironic.
They put their hand on the doorknob before looking back at Shrimpo with that stupid smile that he hates.
“Soo, would you wanna.. talk more about this later?”
Shrimpo rolled his eyes, before pushing them out of the room. “Yeah yeah that.. sounds good. Now OUT, OUT!” Looey stumbled out, making sure they had control of their balance, before shooting one more look at Shrimpo in his doorway and smiling giddily. Oh how it made Shrimpo mad.
Oh boy, but now after all that, Shrimpo is now left to process the events of what just happened.
Atleast.. his previous conflict has been solved?