Work Text:
Scraps never really questioned Shrimpo. Like at all. She had her own responsibilities: doing machines, helping distractors, setting up little events with the other toons.
And Shrimpo had his own responsibilities: starting up worthless arguments, yelling for absolutely no reason, cornering younger toons just to bully them, and going ballistic on his punching bag (something Scraps despises because of the loud noise while she tries to sleep).
It didn’t really cross Scraps mind that Shrimpo was dressed differently. He wore a skull shirt with ripped sleeves, chains and buckles which pieced through his clothes and fins. He wore spiked cuffs on each of his limbs which looked dangerously sharp. His skin was duller and thick heavy eyeliner and powder which ran down his pale white face.
Scraps never really questioned Shrimpo.
Her brother was different. Scraps would question Goob whenever she has the chance. Whenever they were separated the first thing Scraps did was question him as soon as they were reunited. Because she was older. She needed to know these sorts of things!
“How are you? What was that run like? Are you hurt?”
“Goob?”
“Goob? What’s wrong?”
Scraps questioned Goob one afternoon. He didn’t answer. Retreating to their shared bedroom and curling in his bed on his side. He didn’t even offer to craft with the calico like the usually did before dinner.
That night both Goob and Shrimpo were absent from the cafeteria. Cosmo giving Scraps a small take out container knowing that Goob loved his spaghetti and would eat it later.
After that Scraps started to question.
Goob stopped hugging. It took a while for Scraps to notice. Some weird feeling stirred in her gut whenever she saw her brother because he didn’t hug her and she didn’t know why!
No hug when he came back from the elevator. No hug before dinner. No hug after dinner. And no hug before bed! This was unheard of!
And scraps was getting irritated because she had no physical contact with her brother all day, her responsibilities were piling, Cosmos food was getting cold, and Shrimpo won’t stop punching!
Scraps scowled hands balled in a fist as she knocked heavily on the Shrimps door. It opened a while later framing the bully toon. Sweat glistening off his forehead a borrowed brow and a deep scowl. He’s wearing his new clothes. Knuckles red and bleeding. He raised an eyebrow at Scraps almost daringly. “What do you want?” He bit. Scraps hesitated.
“Can you stop that? It’s 1am, some toons need sleep!” She huffed almost as loud and angry as Shrimpo. Shrimpo’s scowl stretched down to the corners of his face. Eyebrows comically slanted down. Scraps sighed pinching the space between her brows. Paper bristling with anger. “You were with Goob today?” She asks. Shrimpo looks away bitterly.
“So what?”
“What happened in the run? Did you two run into twisteds or-“ She cuts herself off noticing the flicker of sadness in Shrimpo’s eyes as he shakes in the doorway. Scraps blinks as she watched the toon cry for the first time. It almost felt wrong and invasive. She swallowed bringing him into a hug that she selfishly needed more. Surprisingly, Shrimpo hugged back. Fists twisting in her dress as his tears fell onto her shoulder.
“We broke up.” Shrimpo’s voice cracked out. “I-I broke up with him- I’m sorry-“ he sobbed.
The paper craft felt as if their world had been flipped on its axis.
Goob and Shrimpo were together?
Scrap’s jaw fell open. Why didn’t Goob tell her? Did she need to ask more questions?
Glisten must of heard the noise as well. Coming up to Shrimpo’s side to calm him. Metallic hands helping Shrimpo back to bed. Glisten didn’t seem put off by the crying and Scraps felt guilty for not being as close to Shrimpo as she should have been.
Scraps was back at her bedroom door, tail flicking with annoyance. She softly entered. Goob was lying down back facing her, letting put small sniffles. She came to his side, hugging him from behind. Goob hugged her back. Long arms crushing her paper as he let out small whimpers.
“Why didn’t you tell me you guys were together.” Scraps whispered. Goob shook his head.
“I wanted to…” He cringes looking away guilty. “Shrimpo wanted to keep it private.” He said. Voice breaking at the mention of the other toon.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t tell family! I’m your sister for craft’s sake! I can keep a secret!” Scraps said shaking Goob a small smile flickering across her face. Goob just laughs softly; hugging her tightly.
In the morning Scraps and Goob help Cosmo make breakfast. Goob didn’t hug as much but Scraps was just happy they were talking again.
Shrimpo had entered the kitchen. He was wearing his regular red shirt but it was awkwardly died black. His skin was even duller than last night. Almost like the colour was drained from his body leaving him a sickly grey. Goob turned and stilled his movements blinking at Shrimpo. Shrimpo turned on his heel moving back to his bedroom. Goob looked like Pebble with his glassy eyes and sad pout.
“Go to him.” Scraps mumbled at Goobs side. Goob shook his head.
“No, uh, I’m helping you guys with this.” Goob gestures to the bowl of pancake mix which Goob had frantically drenched the table in milk and egg shells which Cosmo hurriedly tried to fix before Tisha could see. Scraps just smiled softly taking Goobs hands in hers.
“He needs you more.”
~
When Scraps was in the elevator later that day she couldn’t help but smile watching the colour flush back into Shrimpo’s skin as Goob hugged him. He even started distracting even though Pebble was with them.
Scraps found it cute watching as Goob ran around the floor, twisteds chasing him, smiling at Shrimpo goofily down hallways and through windows.
Shrimpo was also doing machines surprisingly fast. Scraps wasn’t complaining.
They made it to floor 7 before retreating back up the elevator. Proud of the research and ichor they collected for Rodger and Dandy respectfully.
At dinner Goob sat next to Shrimpo. Hands touching and hugging him, unable to keep to himself. He looked so happy for the first time in days. Scraps was even surprised to see Shrimpo smile back and patted the fluffy toon’s arm softly.
Rodger’s eye was blinking with shock, Glisten just looked on knowingly and Finn just openly stared with his jaw and mouth comically wide.
Scraps didn’t ask any questions. Smiling on with her head in hers hands.
Everything was going to be fine.
~