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Teagan watched Shrimpo from afar.
He was currently yelling at Scraps. Over what? She wasn't quite sure.
She noticed something.
Shrimpo seemed tired.
He had eye bags and kept slurring his words. He looked like he could pass out at any minute.
She didn't have to think long to figure out why.
He and Astro had gotten into a fight a few days ago. And Astro brought Shrimpos handler into it.
It's well-known Shrimpo didn't have the best Handler. But clearly it was worse than anyone thought.
Because Shrimpo started wailing on Astro.
It took the combined effort of Goob, Vee and Dandy to get him off. And Astro was very beaten up.
He must've been avoiding the nightmares that awaited him.
She felt a bit of pity for him.
Eventually Shrimpo finished yelling at Scraps and walked away angrily.
And than he passed out.
Everyone stopped and looked at him. Most surprised or horrified.
Teagan immediately ran over and checked his pulse. He was alive.
She picked him up. Slinging him over her shoulder. "He passed out. Probably from exhaustion."
She turned back to the other Toons. Most of who looked relieved. She continued. "I'll take him back to his room. No one pick on him for this in the morning."
She walked into the elevator and descended down to Shrimpos floor..
She hadn't ever actually seen his room. She had of course been on this floor. But she hadn't looked inside the rooms.
She recognized Shrimpos room. And was stunned.
Wholes on every wall, broken punching bags on the floor.
The only furniture was a dresser and his bed.
She was stunned for a moment. Before walking over to Shrimpos bed and laying him down.
She flicked off the lights. She'd definitely have to get him some proper furniture.
~~~
Teagan was in the only kitchen in the building. The one on the same floor as Shrimpo.
It was dark out. Every other Toon was fast asleep.
She was baking Cookies for a tea party with Toodles in the morning.
She had just taken them out of the oven when she heard a sudden shrill scream.
It came from Shrimpos room.
She paused from surprise. Before quickly putting the tray down and taking her mittens off before running to Shrimpos room.
She took a mental note of how no one else went to check on him.
She stood in his doorway. Evaluating what was going on.
Shrimpo was clenching his blanket hard. Tears rolling down his cheeks as he sobbed silently.
Damn it Astro.
Teagan flicked the light on. Making Shrimpo hide under the covers like a child.
Hmm..
She sat on the foot of the bed. "It's only me, dear. There's no one here who'll hurt you."
Shrimpo didn't move from underneath the covers. He was shaking like a leaf.
Teagan thought for a moment. "...Would you like some Cookies? I just baked them."
Shrimpo peeked out of the covers. He still looked scared. But interested.
"Their chocolate chip. I can go get you a plate of them."
Shrimpo paused. "...Thank you..." Teagan paused. Caught off guard by the politeness from the usually spiteful Shrimpo.
She also noticed something. His voice was high pitched and almost childish. It reminded her of days she'd take care of a regressed Poppy.
"Of course." She patted his head. Usually he'd fight against it. But he seemed to not mind the attention "I'll be right back."
She walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a plate. Before putting 3 cookies on the plate. She also grabbed him a cup of milk.
When she walked back into his room a box that seemingly was tucked under the bed was now beside it.
Shrimpo was holding a stuffed cat. A blue and red one. He was holding it close and seemed to be trying to hide his mouth. Which she could see a pacifier in.
Maybe he was just embarrassed.
She handed him the plate and the cup "Here you go Shrimpo."
Shrimpo discreetly removed the pacifier from his mouth and took the cookies and milk. "...Thank you."
Teagan smiled warmly at him "Of course, dear. Would you prefer if I left or stayed?"
Shrimpo spoke with little hesitation "...Stay please..." Teagan didn't mind stayed with Shrimpo. "Of course."
She took a peek inside the box. It had a few childish items including a coloring book, crayons, a fluffy blanket and some other knick knacks.
She was a bit surprised. She was usually the go-to caretaker. So she thought she knew every regressor.
Well maybe now she does.
Shrimpo ate his Cookies silently. But Teagan was a bit worried.
"Would you like to talk about your nightmares dear?" Shrimpo tensed a little bit. But spoke.
"I... Was running away from a monster. They looked like my Handler. Everyone else could run... But I was too slow... They caught me and..."
Shrimpos voice cracked.
"...Hurt me..."
Teagan was silent. She wasn't sure what to say. But she knew she had to say something when Shrimpo started tearing up.
She sat next to him and set a hand on his head. "I'm so sorry that happened Shrimpo. I promise I wouldn't leave you behind like that."
Shrimpo sniffled. Trying to hold back his tears. "...But everyone else would..."
Teagans heart broke. Both for the fact Shrimpo felt this way, especially when I'm such a vulnerable state of mind.
And the fact he might not even be wrong about that.
Teagan, despite knowing it may not be true reassured him. "If it came down to it no one would ever leave you to get hurt."
Shrimpo fell silent. Still silently munching on those Cookies.
Once he was finished with the cookies he drank the milk. Starting to feel sleepy again. But he was too scared to go back asleep.
Teagan noticed this. He was almost struggling to sit upright. "I think it's bedtime..."
Shrimpo huffed. "...No... I'm not tired..."
Teagan sighed, she wasn't upset. It was actually a bit endearing. She was used to dealing with stubborn of fussy littles.
"I think you are. And I don't blame you. You haven't been sleeping well."
Shrimpo glared at her. "...I'm not a kid... I can handle myself..." Teagan raised an eyebrow. Did he really think she didn't know?
She chuckled. "I know a little when I see one, Shrimpo. It's okay." Shrimpos eyes widened and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
She handed him his Pacifier. "Here. If you'd like I can stay with you until you fall asleep." Shrimp9o took the pacifier. Not putting it in his mouth.
/
"I- No. I don't wanna have another nightmare..." Teagan pat his head "Astro is asleep. He can't give you another bad dream... You'll be ok."
Shrimpo didn't seem convinced. Hugging his cat tighter. Rocking back and forth slightly.
Teagan, thankfully had an idea. "What if I stayed with you? I can read you a bedtime story."
Shrimpo looked up at her. "...You promise you'll stay the whole time? Pinky promise?" Teagan chuckled. "I pinky promise."
Teagan was many things. But she'd never be a liar. Shrimpo laid down. Putting the pacifier in his mouth.
Teagan peeked inside Shrimpos box. And as a book titled "Gus was a friendly ghost." She picked it up. "Would you like me to read this to you?"
Shrimpo smiled behind his pacifier and nodded. And so she opened the book and started reading.
As she was reading she noticed him slowly drifting off. Which was reasonable given how tired he had been.
Towards the end of the book he fell asleep. She smiled and took the pacifier out of his mouth so he didn't choke. Setting it inside the Ziploc bag he kept it in.
She also quickly took the dishes to the kitchen before walking back into the room. Sitting down on the floor.
She quickly texted Rodger. "Sorry dear. I won't be in bed when you wake up. Someone needed my help."
She set her phone down and leaned against the wardrobe. Deciding she'd try to get at least a little sleep.
She'd probably have a very strongly worded conversation with Astro in the morning.
One Toodles should not attend. Unless she wants to learn a vibrant new vocabulary.