Chapter Text
Shrimpo was startled awake by someone shaking him. "Shrimpo!! Wake up!!" Shrimpo slowly opened his eyes looking over at the intruder, not feeling sick anymore. "Finn... It's so early in the morning" He looked at the clock and was surprised to see 7 AM shown.
"Whale! Just wanted to sea you and make shore you were awake because it's your special day today! Happy birthday Shrimpo!" Finn smiled grinning ear to ear, happy that today was Shrimpo's birthday.
Shrimpo was kind of surprised that Finn remembered his birthday, no one really greeted him a happy birthday so he was really happy that someone remembered.
"Thanks! I can't believe you remembered!" Shrimpo hugged Finn tightly which made Finn smile so brightly.
"No Worries! I'm just glad I was the first to greet you a happy birthday!!"
They both hugged again before Finn spoke. "We should go out, it's breakfast time because Sprout changed the schedule for some reason." Finn slightly grinned because in reality, Finn devised a plan with everyone to celebrate Shrimpo's birthday.
He peeked out of Shrimpo's room and saw Tisha waving 'no'. Finn realized he had to stall a little bit for Shrimpo and tried to think of multiple ways.
"Actually, Sprout hasn't called us yet so we should check out the gifts you haven't checked yet, why did you not check though?" Shrimpo had to admit, he was nervous when he stared at the gifts yesterday and couldn't bring himself to open it.
"Well... It felt weird opening it by myself so... We can open it now!" Shrimpo smiled at Finn and grabbed one of the gifts left on his desk.
"Open it!" Finn coaxed the Shrimp to open it quickly and Shrimpo complied, ripping the dinosaur covered wrapper open, revealing it to be a Crocheted Shrimpo. "Woah!! I look awesome!!" Shrimpo jumped up and down at the gift. Really liking it's similar design to himself.
"I'm glad you liked it! Now come on, there's still 3 more gifts before Sprout calls us." Finn HOPED it was only after 3 gifts opening that the preparation was finished.
Shrimpo grabbed another gift that looked like a box of some sorts. Opening it, he sees a lot of soft blocks that resemble Shrimpo's bricks. It also came with a letter! "Hey Shrimpo! Hope you get better soon, I thought of this because you keep on getting hurt by the brick you have so... I thought of getting you safer bricks to throw around! Hope you like it! -Looey"
Finn looked at the gift impressed that Looey even found soft bricks in the vicinity of gardenview. Shrimpo felt thrilled after seeing the multiple soft bricks and threw them around his room, feeling triumphant for having a 'powerful' set of bricks.
He looked at the next gift which had alot of sparkle-like effects on the cover, (Huh... I can already tell who it's from...) Shrimpo felt a bit disgusted by the absurd amount of glitter and... Make-up on the box? Well, a gift is a gift so, yay!
He opened the gift carefully, not wanting any glitter or make-up on him. He saw... A mirror that's themed specifically for Shrimpo. "Wow! I like the colors but I don't really know when I'm supposed to use this..." Shrimpo walked over to his desk and placed it down.
Finn looked over at the door thinking that, now, the preparation is ready. "Hey! I think Sprout called us over because I heard someone walking to the elevator." Shrimpo nodded and walked out of his room alongside Finn.
Finn looked at Tisha who looked back and gave a quick wave. Finn understood and urged Shrimpo to go to the diner. "Shrimpo! We should hurry to the diner so that we can return and finish up the other gifts." Shrimpo nodded, running to the elevator holding Finn's hand.
They reached the diner floor but it was purely pitch black. Shrimpo was very confused while Finn hid a grin on his face.
"Huh...? Did they forget about us..." Shrimpo looked at Finn who ahook his head and walked closer to the darkness.
Shrimpo felt a bit scared looking at the dark slightly reminding him of his handler. But he overcame his fear when he remembered that Finn will always be there for Shrimpo! He stepped closer and was blinded by the lights turning on and everyone saying ''Happy Birthday Shrimpo!"
Shrimpo was taken aback by the sudden change in atmosphere but excitement covered his face more. "Oh my gosh Oh my gosh!! Thank you guys!!" Shrimpo ran over and hugged Sprout and Tisha who in return hugged him back.
They all greeted Shrimpo a happy birthday again and told him that it's okay to change! He gratefully followed the advice and swore to let his past be abandoned because now, he realized that there are people who care about him alot!
He grabbed a nearby party hat and put it on his head. He felt accomplished with his very awesome outfit. He walked around the diner being met with more balloons and confetti.
Sprout and Cosmo felt alot of warmth in their stomachs and slightly cried happy tears. Grateful that Shrimpo was truly happy.
Shrimpo felt a slight tug on his arm and looked back to see Brightney. "It's time for you ro blow out the candle!" Brightney led Shrimpo to the central room where a cake with a candle in the middle was waiting for him.
After the candle was lit, the lights dimmed a little and everyone started to sing the 'Happy Birthday' song they all memorized back then when Gardenview was still open.
When the song ended, the lights came back on and Shrimpo blew out the candle with happy tears in his eyes.
They all felt happy that Shrimpo showed another emotion other than forced hate. After they all grabbed the food they were gonna eat, they all sat down on a long table with Shrimpo on one end.
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Shrimpo felt satisfied and happy after finishing his food, he looked at everyone who was staring back at him before giving out a speech.
"I uh... I just wanted to say that I'm really grateful that you guys spent your time for me today and that I am very truly deeply grateful for those who stood by my side even at my worst." Slowly, every toon started to applaud and cheer for Shrimpo.
Finn shed a tear in the process, feeling truly happy for the shrimp and running over to hug him. Shrimpo hugged him back and started tearing up too.
After a while, Shrimpo and some others are playing board games while the others are talking to each other about how today was special for Shrimpo.
As expected, Shrimpo won by 'luck' and felt lucky himself today. "Yay!! Congratulations on winning Shrimpo!" Looey cheered for Shrimpo while also noticing that instead of Shrimpo carrying his normal heavy brick, he carried a soft brick.
The others joined Shrimpo's group and they formed a circle laying down on the grass chattering together. "Well, I'd just have to say, I'm proud of you Shrimpo." Rodger didn't have any tone in his voice other than pure, proud father tone.
"Thanks... Rodger." Tisha chimed in with a speech of her own. "I'm also proud of you Shrimpo! I noticed your room isn't as dirty as before and that's an improvement!" Shrimpo felt slightly flustered after being exposed just like that but it's okay Shrimpo!
They all stood up leaving Shrimpo confused and screamed all together. "It's alright to make food Shrimpo!!" Shrimpo realized they all knew from the start and helped him from the sidelines. Feeling so happy and overjoyed, he hugged everyone and they all hugged in a large circle.
After a while, Shrimpo excused himself to have a breather and noticed Astro followed him. "Oh hey Astro!" Astro nodded in affirmation and approached closer.
"I just wanted to say, I am really proud of you changing for the better. I hope you know that I was always watching you and know that we will always be here for you okay?" Shrimpo nodded and slightly teared up, hugging Astro who in return, hugged him back.
"Thanks Astro-" "Shrimpo! You're gonna miss the piñata!" Shrimpo glanced at the direction of the voice before looking back at Astro who quickly shushed him. "It's fine, go and enjoy today, think of it as your very awesome day."
Shrimpo nodded and thanked Astro before running off and reaching the group who was waiting for Shrimpo to hit the piñata. He grabbed the bat and swung, releasing tons of candy everywhere, of course, Looey and Blot was comforting Yatta in the background who was scared from the idea of a piñata popping right infront of her.
They all cheered for Shrimpo and grabbed some pieces of candy and walked away. Finn tugged Shrimpo's arm and looked at him. "Hey, we should return to your room yeah? Finish the other presents?" Shrimpo nodded at the idea and waved goodbye to everyone who in return, waved goodbye too.
They both reached Shrimpo's room and saw a little letter left by Dandy himself. The letter read: 'Happy birthday Shrimpo! Just wanted to say that I am proud of you to be capable of changing and I hope that you continue to be like that. Just remember, it's alright to make food Shrimpo!' Shrimpo smiled at the letter and placed it near the mirror Glisten gave him before returning to his presents and grabbing the next one.
. . .
The tape from the tv automatically shoots out and Dandy catches it, reading the title one more time. 'It's alright to make food Shrimpo!"
"Well, that marks the end of the story folks!" Dandy said in his usual cheerful tone. "Hope to see you again next time hehe!"