Work Text:
Aquarium floor.
Shrimpo can feel when someone approaches where he's sat. The sun was setting, he didn't think anyone would come get him but he was wrong.
He feels the familiar presence sit next to him.
—What are you thinking a-boat?— He asks, glassy hand setting on Shrimpo's.
He sighs and looks down. —Was I made just for this?
It takes both by surprise. Shrimpo for saying something so personal. Finn for he had never heard Shrimpo confide him (or anyone) something so deep.
—I don't think I understand fully.— Finn smiles awkwardly, caressing his hand using his thumb, looking at Shrimpo's face.
—I just wonder, every once in a while. You know. Was I made... just for this? To be the antagonist? The butt of the joke? You're the only one who has the decency to talk to me. You look at me like I'm worth something.
Finn looks at him softly. He's so desperately in love with the shrimp. The toon gives him a warm smile, one that's so warm it makes Shrimpo look away, antennae drooping.
—You are.
Silence. Complete silence between them as Shrimpo bathes in the words that he just said. He can't allow himself to believe it, to think those words are true, to be vulnerable, lest he wants to be crushed.
—Don't say shit like that. I might believe it.— He mutters, and yet, squeezes Finn's hand.
—You are worth something to me.
His shoulders tense and he feels his throat closing up, eyes itching and feeling suddenly too warm, his vision blurry.
—What am I supposed to do? How do I move forward? I no longer have a meaning. I'm supposed to be the asshole. The bully.— He tries to explain, to push him away by letting out all the self doubt he's been having.
Yet Finn gives him a smile that makes his heart stutter.
—You can... Find yourself.
He says, voice soft, gentle, treating Shrimpo like he's not worthless.
—How? I'm just the bully. Hell, you shouldn't even be around me. It says so in the information posters. Nobody likes a bully.— The toon chuckles self deprecatingly.
—I know what it says. But it's been twenty years... Perhaps some more.— Silence after it, his thumb never stopping the soft caresses.
—I know.— He admits after a while, looking up at one of the tanks.
—I think the next step is...evolving. Growing.
Finn makes it sound so simple. Shrimpo doesn't understand though. Why does he treat him like he's not useless?
—I don't know how.— He finally admits, voice quieter than what anyone would expect from the angry shrimp.
—Neither do I.— Finn admits, optimistic as ever. He uses his free hand, the right one, to cup Shrimpo's face. —Please. Look at me.— He softly caresses it, guiding him to turn his head around.
—No.
Despite it, he ends up doing so, cheeks and eyes full of tears, warm liquid falling down to his hand. Shrimpo's shoulders shake, and his free arm (the left one) comes up so he can hold Finn's arm in his place, not letting go.
He stays that way for a while, sniffling and hiccuping while he sobs. He can't stand it. He can't stand the kind gaze Finn holds for him, how he's nonjudgmental, despite it being Shrimpo the one who's crying.
He goes as far as placing a kiss under his left eye. Then his right one. Then he kisses his eyelids, then his cheeks, and finally he places a warm kiss in his mouth.
—I love you.
A whispered confession. It feels way too surreal, it makes Shrimpo flinch and stare like he's grown two heads, because it'd be more plausible than anybody loving him, much less the kind toon that's holding his face so tenderly.
—You shouldn't.
It's honest, earnest, and too soft to be Shrimpo's voice. Unbelievably, it is.
—I do.— Finn insists.
—Don't.
Shrimpo scowls, making Finn smirk.
—Do.
He resumes his caresses to Shrimpo's cheek.
—You'll regret it.
Finn shakes his head. He won't let him think that way. He wants to be with Shrimpo, he's wanted too for so long it's too blurry to remember when his crush started.
So he insists. —Won't.
—You will, I know it.
Shrimpo looks away, turning his head around once again, yet pulled back to look at Finn with such softness, one he doesn't deserve.
The glances are unspoken words, feelings they both share, then Finn closes the distance between them, kissing him again. It's too sweet. Shrimpo doesn't deserve it, but he'll be damned. He wants it. He wants him, he wants his lips on his own, he can't help but be selfish.
When he pulls away, they remain together, nestled against the other, foreheads resting together in an intimate gesture.
—We'll grow. Together. If you let me.
It's an unbelievable offer. Shrimpo knows he doesn't deserve any chances. He's had too many and blown them all.
—I...
He shuts up before he can stutter, so Finn takes it as a clue to talk. He's not going to force his help on Shrimpo, that's for him to choose.
—Not that you have to.
He says, whispering, and the other toon is too fast to reply.
—I do.
Comfortable silence sets upon them, their foreheads separating. The crustacean rests his head on Finn's chest, snuggling hesitantly, while feeling ashamed. Shrimpo shouldn't be feeling like this. Much less acting like this.
But he is.
And he's enjoying it.
Finn holds him with his left arm, right hand going to Shrimpo's tail connected to his head and caressing it as well.
After too long of a silence, there's a very quiet whisper.
—I love you too.
Finn beams, smiling widely and squeezing him in a hug. There's no more words needed. No reason to make it uncomfortable for the shrimp, who already has a hard time expressing half of his mind.
—Let's head back up. Dinner must be almost ready, and I dunno a-trout you, but I'm starving, man!
They pull apart. Finn stretches, and he notices in the corner of his eye how Shrimpo's mouth allowed a traitorous smile on his face and he shook silently.
—Oh! Sea, I knew you'd like the puns!— He can't help but feel excited, although he gets nervous when Shrimpo seems self-conscious and hides his mouth behind a hand, scowling again.
Shrimpo glares at Finn without real intent behind, and then groans, admitting it. —They're okay.
—FUCK YES!!!
The other toon jolts at the sheer volume of Finn's voice, frowning.
—SHUDDUP. YOU'LL NEVER HEAR THAT FROM ME AGAIN.
He blushes, completely flustered, getting up and stomping away, followed by a very happy toon that holds his hand once he reaches the shrimp.
—Oh! That reminds me, did you know...
Shrimpo glances at Finn as they get into the elevator, listening to him ranting about how there's a specific shark that is still alive and has been alive for 400 years.
He pulls his arm to bring him in for a kiss, leaving the fishbowl giddy and smiling foolishly in love.
—Are we a couple now?— Shrimpo asks, digging his nails in the palm of his free hand.
Finn looks at him, coming back to reality and smiling wider than it should be possible. —Yes! I mean-, if you want to, I'd for shore love to be!
Shrimpo lets out a hum. —Okay.