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Goob looked around the party room with pride, hand crafted decorations hung from the walls and ceiling, valentine's themed snacks and desserts made by Sprout and Cosmo sat on the center table, all of his friends were having fun and enjoying the thoughtfully made gifts he had prepared for them, and yet something... no someone, was missing.
He knew Shrimpo wouldn't show up, he never showed up to anything Goob invited him to, and yet the dissapointment still weighed heavily on him, as his smile fell a soft comforting voice pulled him from his thoughts "You ok Goober?" Scraps looked at him with concern, sensing her brothers change in mood "Yeah I'm fine, it's just-" his voice trailed off as glanced at the gift he'd made for Shrimpo "I was really hoping he'd come this time" Scraps sighed, she didn't understand what her brother saw in that grouchy red prick, but she cared about her brother more than who he chose to love "I've got everything here under control, go talk to him" Goob perked up "You're the best Scraps" he pulled her into a quick hug before running off.
Shrimpo grumbled as he looked at the poorly made stuffed bear in his hands, just then a knock on the door broke his concentration "Shrimpo, can I come in?"
Shrimpo hesitated before replying "Yeah sure whatever" the door slowly swung open as Goob walked in, his footsteps muffled by his soft fur.
An awkward silence filled the air before Goob finally broke it "I know you don't like parties or holidays but I still wanted you to feel included, so I brought you this" Goob extended a clawed hand holding a bag full of hand made sweets decorated with heart charms "It's nothing special but I made them myself" Shrimpo snatched the bag from his hand "I hate sweets" Goob frowned and turned to leave, but something caught his eye.
"What's that?" he pointed to a ratty looking plush that laid on the floor, Shrimpos posture stiffened "NOTHING, GO AWAY" a mischevious grin spread across Goobs face as he pushed past Shrimpo and picked up a ratty looking stuffed bear "I didn't know you had a teddy bear", "I DON'T HAVE A TEDDY BEAR, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR YOU BUT-" Shrimpo froze "Wait, you made this for me?" Goob turned to Shrimpo, who blushed and averted his gaze "I didn't want to give it to you because it's ugly and stupid" Goob smiled softly "I don't think it's stupid" Shrimpo looked at Goob with a clearly shocked expression "You mean you actually like that thing?" Goob gazed at the teddy with adoration "I like it because you tried your best"
Shrimpo scoffed, "That's a dumb reason" but even after saying that a warm feeling overwhelmed him, Goob liked the gift he made despite it looking like a dead rat that he'd scraped off the pavement, not only that, but he had left all his friends at the party just to bring Shrimpo a gift, a gift he had put actual effort and thought into, not just a half hearted gift because he felt sorry for him "I don't actually hate the sweets you made" he mumbled "You don't?" Goob asked, his eyes sparkling "No, I like that you do nice things for me.. that's why I tried to make that bear for you, because you deserved something nice back"
Goob exhaled and looked at Shrimpo nervously, it was now or never and this was his chance "I know this is probably a bad time but I need to tell you something" Shrimpo looked at Goob curiously before gesturing for him to continue "Shrimpo, I really like you" Shrimpo looked at him with a confused expression "Well duh, you're the only toon who actually bothers trying to be nice to me" Goobs face drooped in dissapointment "No Shrimpo that's not what I meant, I meant to say that I love you, as more than a friend" Shrimpos face turned as red as his shirt "You- you love me?" Goob nodded softly, bracing for the rejection "I don't get it, why would you be in love with me? I'm a bad toon, a bully, there is literally nothing good that you could possibly like about me" Goob stared at Shrimpo with a hurt expression "I don't need a reason to love you" Shrimpo frowned, but not his usually angry frown, one that looked almost like pity "You're too good for me Goob, you deserve someone who loves you more" A depressing silence hung in the air, Goob fought back the tears that had started forming in his eyes, even though he'd be expecting this it still hurt "I'm sorry, it was stupid for me to think you'd feel the same way" he sniffled, the tears he'd been holding back started to roll down his cheek as he started to cry.
Shrimpo tensed up, he wasn't good with talking about his feelings, and he was even worse at comforting other toons, but he couldn't stand seeing Goob like this, he hesitantly wrapped his arms around the fluffy craft and pulled him into a gentle embrace "I do love you Goob, but I'm worried that I won't be enough, you deserve the world and I don't know how to give it to you" Goob smiled weakly and spoke between sobs "You don't need to give me the world, all I want is you, just you and nothing more" Shrimpo smiled faintly, for the first time he was smiling "I think I can manage that" he said softly, Goob giggled and wiped away his tears with the palm of his hand "Can I kiss you?" Shrimpo nodded, placed his hands on Goobs tear stained cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss, Goobs lips were as soft and gentle as the rest of him, and he loved that, he loved Goob, and he was finally willing to admit that.
Scraps couldn't wait any longer, she was worried about her brother and it had been an hour since he left the party, she needed to check on him or she'd go crazy. She slowly crept towards her and Goobs room and peaked inside, she found it empty which meant Goob must be with Shrimpo still, and as the saying goes curiosity killed the cat, Scraps crept to Shrimpos room and cautiously opened the door just a crack, the room was dark but the light from the hall provided just enough illumination for her to see Goob and Shrimpo snuggled up next to each other in Shrimpos bed sleeping peacefully, she sighed with relief and whispered "Good for you little bro" a voice breaking the silence nearly scared her to death "Scraps what are you doing?" She spun around to find Razzle and Dazzle standing behind her "What are you two doing here?" she said with a panicked whisper "We saw you leaving the party in a hurry and just wanted to check on you" Scraps pressed a claw to her lips to sush them and gestured to the door with her head "I wanted to check on them" she whispered as Razzle and Dazzle peaked inside the room "Aww" Razzle whispered "Good for them" Dazzle added, and with that the 3 toons quietly snuck back to the party being careful not to wake the two new lovebirds.