Chapter Text
Shrimpo had already managed to squirrel himself away in some corner of the warehouse, and Goob was peeking around every corner he saw. It didn't take long for Goob to find him, however. Constant mutters and grumbles usually gives away a hiding spot pretty easily.
"Heya, Shrimpo!"
Shrimpo was given a rude awakening as blue and red paws twisted around his torso and yanked him from his- in his opinion, quite clever- hiding place. Shrimpo couldn't even get out an indignant yell before he was squeezed tight in the unwarranted embrace, breath knocked out of him. After a moment of struggled wheezing, he finally choked out a response.
"What.. do you want, Goob."
Goob grinned widely and then gently placed Shrimpo back on his feet in front of him, lightly dusting his maroon shirt off with both paws as he spoke.
"Well, I noticed how you always tuck yourself away on these floors! I just figured you'd like to come along with me and explore, I'd protect you!"
Shrimpo looked unamused. He rolled his eyes at Goobs frighteningly hopeful expression, then looked away and put a hand on the back of his neck.
"Sure, I guess."
Goob made some sort of excited squeal noise, then wasted no time in grabbing Shrimpo by his left wrist and skipping off with him being dragged after. Shrimpo clenched his jaw, unwillingly keeping up with Goob's fair pace. At one point, they passed by a machine that was being worked on by Glisten. Goob skittered to a stop at the machine.
"Hey Glisten! Need a jumper cable? I've got one!"
Glisten froze, then turned around, slowly dragging his gaze over Goob, and then Shrimpo. With a faint smirk, he shrugged, then stepped back from the machine.
"Go ahead, I don't have time for these machines anyway. Looks like Shrimpo is enjoying your company as well."
Glisten made a point to mockingly smile at Shrimpo, making his face turn red with embarrassment as Goob let go of Shrimpo and toddled over to the machine, starting to turn the valve. With a huff, Shrimpo turned away from Glisten's gaze and made tight fists with his hands. This earned a chuckle from Glisten. Strangely enough, Glisten casually strode to Shrimpo's side and laid an arm over his shoulders, his other hand being carefully inspected by himself. He leaned his head in, not making eye contact with Shrimpo but still beginning to mutter.
"How long are you going to let that craft step all over you? A few too many toons suspect.. things, between you and Goob."
Shrimpo froze up, then shoved Glisten away from him roughly. He stumbled back for a moment, then raised his hands in a mock-surrender pose.
"Well, alright then. Goob, you can finish that machine. I'm going to go find Teagan."
As if he hadn't just almost fallen over, Glisten turned and started walking away. Just before he rounded a corner, out of Shrimpo's sight, he was sure he heard him mutter something like "Teagan was always right about that brat." This just made his face get redder. He turned back to the machine just as a ding was heard, and the light above turned green. Goob blinked, and then looked towards the source of the sound just as a loud crash was heard in the distance. Within a few seconds, rapid footsteps could be heard approaching the hall that he and Shrimpo were in. Shrimpo promptly wished he hadn't agreed with Goob to explore the floor. When the volume of the steps crescendoed, Finn quickly dashed through the hall, past Goob and Shrimpo, with a twisted tailing him.
"Come on you two! That was the last machine, get to the elevator!"
Goob's eyes widened with realization, and he quickly scooped Shrimpo up without warning and started running after Finn. Shrimpo shouted a complaint at Goob, but he seemingly paid no mind, rounding a corner and swiftly tumbling into the elevator, losing his grip on Shrimpo so he slid across the floor of the elevator for a moment. The elevator door slammed shut before any twisteds could come in too. With a groan, Shrimpo started to pick himself up off of the floor and dust himself off, trying to ignore the snickers that came from Teagan and Glisten in the far corner of the elevator.
"Ugh.. I'm a fish. I shouldn't be doing all this."
Shrimpo muttered to himself as Finn passed him, and Finn suddenly stopped, looking at him with wide eyes.
"What? Wait, shrimp aren't fish. You know that right?"
Finn looked genuinely shocked, and maybe even a bit giddy. Shrimpo finished dusting himself off and responded.
"Well, yeah. Fish live in the water, shrimp are fish."
"No, no. That isn't right. For one, shrimps are usually called shellfish, but I prefer the term crustacean. Like what crabs are. Second of all..."