Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shrimpo hates feelings.

It's not like he CAN'T feel, he literally feels anger and hatred everyday.

It was just annoying to deal with, especially since these feelings are for someone he literally cannot hate.

It was a pleasant day at Garden View, well at least somewhat pleasant since Shrimpo never really enjoyed his days in this godforsaken place.

Shrimpo was just laying down in his "bed" (A mattress to be more accurate), bored out of his mind since he wasn't apart of the elevator-goers list today.. I mean he's barely on that list anyway.. but every once in a while when that annoying rainbow flower thinks that the angry "useless" crustacean has been sitting around for too long and puts him on the damn list.

And then they get mad at him for not being the most useful toon in the fucking team? It's not like he had a choice.

He hated the toons, he hated dandy, he hated everything!

Well not everything, most things.

As of late, he's been contemplating about this feeling he has been developing towards a suspiciously kind healer. No it's not sprout, that berry can go fuck himself honestly. It was someone sweeter, better, and braver.. someone who was unfortunately written to be "best friends" with that poor excuse of a main.

So yeah, he doesn't really hate everything. He just likes one thing, and that's terrible news for Shrimpo. Out of everything he could've had an interest in it was a goddamn toon.
And a really cute one too god damnit!

...

Maybe Shrimpo could do something productive today, not like he has anything better to do.

Chapter Text

Unlucky day for Cosmo? you can say that again.

It was floor 12, Goob was on one, Poppy was on one, Pebbles was on one, HE was on one, only a quarter of the group was on two (and they aren't even the survivalists), and Sprout isn't even here!

If this wasn't the last floor all of the toons were doomed.

Pebbles barked in pain, the other toons were panicking, looking at each other in search of what to do if there was another floor to go through with soft whimpers and dialogue filling the room.. and just when Cosmo shut his eyes tight and lost hope.. somehow, miraculously, by the mercy of the toon handlers themselves, the elevator started ascending instead of descending down to another floor with a survival rate of 0% based on their current state.

 Cosmo sighed in relief, clasping his hands together with a warm and cheery (yet nervous) smile like they weren't at the brink of death.

"..G-Good job everyone. Uhm- Let's continue that hard work and effort and try our best to live another day yeah?"

Cosmo wasn't the best at giving closing and reassuring remarks at the end of the shift, usually Rodger and the mains (mostly Shelly) were the ones in charge of that.. but on rare occasions when they weren't on the list, Cosmo would be the one to do it usually. Everyone left the elevator tired.. Cosmo, Sprout, and Shelly tended to everyone's wounds with their supply of spare bandages and health kits.

Anyway, Cosmo can feel his eyes bulging out of exhaustion and his gut ache after all that ruckus this shift.

There's only one toon that can make Cosmo feel better instantly, and he's quite unconventional for that matter.

"Finn, have you.. maybe seen Shrimpo today?" Cosmo greeted the fishbowl that was sitting right next to a tired Goob and a Worried Scraps comforting her little brother.

"Nope, haven't sea-n that guy in a while actually! But if I were to guess.. he'd be in his ha-bee-tat!"

"Well, that's new.."

"I've been experimenting with other jokes, you'd be soup-rised!"

Cosmo chuckled slightly.

"Don't encourage him Cos, He's been starting to make really unfunny cat jokes." Scraps playfully whined.

"Hey I thought you found them funny! Was that one of your other nine lives talking?"

"Corny!" Scraps stuck her tongue out pretending to barf.

"It was kinda funny to me heh.. Anyway, I should get going now." The roll cake smiles once more, before Scraps interjected his departure.

"Why're you looking for Shrimpo anyway? I'm not the best gal to judge but.. y'know how he is." The cat craft queried curiously with hand motions to emphasize how Shrimpo.. is Shrimpo, no malicious intent whatsoever (despite the unnecessary comment about the shrimp's demeanor).

Cosmo pauses for a second, finding for excuses to even be interacting with Shrimpo.

"Well.. I'm just finding for taste testers for the new batch of cookies I made and I thought even he would want a taste." He said, I mean it wasn't inherently false or lying.. he did have a new batch of cookies.

"Taste testers, Cookies?" Goob's eyes lit up. "Can I be one!?"

"Of course Goob.. here you can have one right now." Cosmo hands him over a freshly baked cookie straight out of the oven.

"Thanks Cosmo!!" The craft gleefully took a bite.

"Well I'll see myself out now, bye."

"Bye Cos, if Shrimpo refuses to taste test just know I'm right here!" Scraps yelled, waving goodbye.

Cosmo took the elevator up to the rooms, He asked Boxten what time it was and he said it was around 3:00 pm. Based on that interaction earlier it's probably around 3:10 pm.. that's still plenty of time. So just a quick glance, run, and the roll cake will do his chores, easy peasy lemon squeezy right?

No.

Where is that shrimp? He's not in his room, he's probably not in that activity the mains hosted after that dreadful shift.. and damnit, Cosmo was worried.

Did he get kidnapped? DID HE GET TIRED OF EVERYONE AND LEFT THE BUILDING SOMEHOW?

While the pastry was pondering on why the toon was no where to be seen, the "missing" shrimp was walking back to his room with a paper plate in hand.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEAR MY ROOM!?" Shrimpo yelled out across the room.

"Ah- Sorry!-" The pastry jumped, almost losing balance and lose grip of his tray of baked goods.

"WELL?? ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF OR DO I NEED TO FORCE YOU OUT OF THE WAY!?" Shrimpo said with the best scowl he could make at Cosmo (not his best).

Okay Cosmo, awful second impression.. this is only the second interaction you've had with the guy! My, why did he have a crush on this toon again..?

"Uhmm.. I just wanted to see if you wanted to taste my new batch of cookies..?" Cosmo said with a very nervous smile.

"I- what?" To his surprise the crustacean's voice softened for a second (Or was that his imagination?), before returning to his regular tone. " WELL I-..I DONT WANT ANY OF YOUR COOKIES AND I DONT WANT YOU HERE!! I HATE COOKIES AND..JUST GET AWAY!!"

He stared in disappointment. "Aww but.. They're a new recipe and.." the pastry sighed in defeat.

"...WHY ARE YOU BEING SO PERSISTENT ANYWAY?! I THOUGHT YOU KNEW WHAT NO MEANT!!!!!"

Cosmo takes a step back and reevaluates his action, a quick pause lets silence fill the room before Cosmo heats up, flustered with realization. "..You're right, I'm sorry I'll get going now..!"

...

The hell was that reaction?

Did he turn red?

No, no what the FUCK. This doesn't mean what Shrimpo thinks it means, right?

Was he obvious? Oh god, he probably just embarrassed himself infront of Shrimpo!

Cosmo sighed, well he softened his voice once.. that was, rare. His face was getting itchy, are there ants near? (He knows what's causing it.)

Cosmo walks away to kitchen, surprised it smells good despite thinking no one was using it.

He realizes the plate he prepared here was missing, did Shrimpo cook something?

That's new.

Chapter Text

Is anything even real, is he real? Maybe we're the twisteds and they're the toons and we're the monsters and- fuck who cares!

Is it obvious Shrimpo was going insane? Yes, super.

It's been days since that one interaction, and Shrimpo hasn't got a lick of sleep.

Is his gut feeling right or is he being a dumbass?

Well today's the day he'll find out, since him and Cosmo are on that stupid list.

He's been having hallucinations, is that obvious?

He punches his wall out of pure frustration, the shift was gonna be rolling soon and the shrimp somehow gained the ability to unfocus his eyes willingly due to his insomnia. "I HATE DWELLING ON YOU COSMO!! CURSE YOU!!"

"THAT STUPID ROLL CAKE, WITH HIS STUPID COOKIES, WITH HIS ABSURDLY STUPID CUTE.. FACE.." He pauses for a second, keeping his tone down for the first time in forever, someone might or might've heard him say that.

He goes outside of his room, inspecting his surroundings before letting out a sigh of relief. It was early, Shrimpo could really use a nap.

"Everyone, Listen up. Be careful this shift. It's been brought attention to us that todays shift will be longer than usual.. reaching 20 floors or more. If I could have everyone's consent to this, I say we all be split into groups of 2." Rodger walked around the elevator, gathering everyone's eyes on him.

Taking charge as usual.

It annoyed Shrimpo, what authority does Rodger have over all of us other toons to act all bossy? It earns Rodger a long and obvious eye roll from the crustacean.

Rodger didn't care what the shrimp thought of him anyway, clearing his throat. The magnifying glass busies himself by observing the group, how everyone immediately started causing a ruckus.. calling 'dibs' on certain toons.

"Now everyone, I know most of you want to group up with your little friends and close associates, but grouping ourselves into efficient and advantageous pairs will be the smart move."

Multiple groans and sighs of relief fill the elevator shack, the toons now focusing back on Rodger.

As the group huddled around, conversing what could be the best strategies. Since there were 8 of them, it was easy to split in pairs without leaving one behind.

But obviously Shrimpo didn't know that, he wasn't listening, he would never listen to anybody!

"Sprout can focus his heals on Looey and stay close whilst still doing machines to save up tapes, and Cosmo can stay with Shrimpo just in case he loses a heart."

What?

"Sorry?"

"WHAAT!?"

Chapter Text

The elevator shack fell silent, small talk and bickering coming to a sudden halt as Sprout grabbed onto Rodger's shoulder- his stare almost boring holes into the detective due to the intensity, for whatever reason.. Shrimpo didn't care anyway.


Shrimpo didn't care about that lingering warm feeling every time Cosmo's name was uttered, he didn't care when the pastry called out for Shrimpo asking for favors from time to time (which he always REJECTED MIND YOU), HE DIDN'T CARE! He so definitely didn't care to the point everything else in his surroundings became filtered out background noise.

He was so lost in his own world of 'ew yucky yucky personal feelings' that for a second, the world froze around him.

Right when both Shrimpo and Cosmo are in a run, they both get paired together to stick close. Shrimpo's gut feelings SCREAM at him that something's off, they should've just let him go solo. His only job was to do the second closest machine to the elevator and stay near the hoist for the rest of the floor anyway. Did they.. find out about his secret?


Unfortunately, things started crashing down when Goob bonked his heavy claw at the shrimp's head. " Shrimpy, Elevator's open! Pay attention!"

" DON'T TOUCH ME!! I HATE YOU AND YOUR STUPID HUGS!!!!! " He scowled, pushing the stupid fluff thing's hand away as he examined the aftermath of whatever argument just unfolded while Shrimpo (SUCCESFULLY!!) dealt with his stupid thoughts.

The main healer stormed into first floor map clearly ticked off, keeping an eye on Looey to seemingly keep his mind off whatever was bugging him this time.. Shrimpo could laugh at the irony, ha ha ha! while Rodger silently walked off to a near machine— Dumbfounded.



" IDIOTS!! " He yelled out without a second thought, loud enough for the berry to hear. Sprout cursed under his breath, not bothering give that annoying sushi topping a second glance.


The pairs flowed outside, careful not to rush out until Looey gathered all of those twisted clones of everyone.

Except..

One certain pair were left standing awkwardly inside the lift; The two toons glanced at one another with mutual confusion.

Unfortunately for them, they did not know eachother well enough to naturally start a conversation.

After a palpable amount of time flew through, Shrimpo's impatience grew with it.. plus his undeserved confidence. Taking the silence and practically shattering it to the ground— Shrimpo glared at Cosmo with an expecting yet irritated gaze.


" SO?? ARE WE JUST GOING TO STAND HERE ALL WILLY-NILLY OR GET BACK TO WORK? " Shrimpo yelled, his volume surprisingly lower than usual- yet still ear-shattering to an extent.



The crustacean crossed his arms, disgruntled expression stuck on his face as he tilted his head towards the outside of the elevator. Seriously was that roll cake just gonna stand there and do jack squat!?

Though his words fell on deaf ears as Cosmo stared off to distance with an.. unusual wide eyed confused expression.

'IT DIDN'T FIT HIM.' The crustacean thought; It was embarrassing to seemingly gaze at the roll cake for no apparent reason so he'll just look away until he makes a move.

" I swear to the toon handlers Rodger, are you just trying to TEST my patience? Lately it seems like you're just trying to piss me off! "

The strawberry held onto Rodger's shoulder's like a hawk's grip, gritting his teeth before letting out an exasperated sigh.

" Get ahold of yourself, Mr. Seedly! "

The magnifying glass immediately stepped back, trying his best to escape Sprout's grasp. Cosmo was left defenseless to watch the scene crumble infront of him, his hands having nothing to do but fidget with eachother.

" Seedly?? SEEDLY?? "

The elevator shack gasped as Sprout tried to swing at the detective absentmindedly— luckily Cosmo took it upon himself to pull and calm down the strawberry. He was acting unusually irrational..

Maybe those half-assed 'I'm good don't worry' excuses Sprout made didn't make up for the lack of rest he was having. The stress building up really.. it concerned Cosmo.

"Sprout, Chill out...! I'll be fine with Shrimpo— Rodger's just helping out like per usual!"

The main toon bit on his lower lip so hard it almost drew ichor; His fist was clenched— you could see a vein growing before he unwillingly relaxed.

"...Sorry everyone. Temper got the better of me, haha."

Thank Arthur the elevator dinged close or else that would've escalated further.

Shrimpo seemed zoned off too.

Fuck, what was Cosmo thinking... A fight broke out with his best friend as the main contributor and all he can think about was that stupidly cute crustacean.. God he was pathetic.

"HELLO? SHRIMPO HATES SILENCE. SHRIMPO HATES BEING IGNORED. SHRIMPO ESPECIALLY HATES BEING IN THIS ELEVATOR!!"

The roll cake quickly snapped out of it, seeing the elevator about to close as Dandy shooed them away.

"Never thought I'd agree with Mr. Shrimpson, but darn diddley doo! Gotta boot you two out! See ya!"

Before Cosmo could even let a word out from his dry lips, the multicolored-flower pushed a shiny red button— a comedically sized punching glove sprung out his desk as it pushed the two toons away.

"...WHATEVER, GUESS I'M STUCK WITH YOU OUT OF ALL TOONS."

"Yeah I— I guess so."