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Shrimpo punched at the punching bag incredibly focused. The chain holding it up rattled as it swung back and forth, it was holding on by a thread. This was the fourth punching bag Shrimpo had to get due to all of his anger being let out on them. Some scattered the floor and others filled Gardenview’s dumpsters.
Shrimpo punched at the punching bag once more, the red boxing gloves on his hands, and a slight scowl on his face. His focus was interrupted by a knock of his door.
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK !!*
The annoyed crustacean rolled his eyes. Probably just another toon coming to complain about how loud he was punching again. What was the point of having punching bags if he couldn’t use em? He waited for the punching bag to stop moving before calling out to whoever was at the door.
“WHAT.” Shrimpo called in aggravated tone.
“Shrimp!! Open up, quickly!!!” A voice called out.
Shrimpo’s eyebrow raised in confusion. It was Finn? It wasn’t unusual his boyfriend would come to his room every now and then, but their movie night wasn’t until tonight, so what could Finn be doing here right now?
Despite his confusion, he took the red rough and slightly torn boxing gloves off one by one and sat them down on a nightstand.
He walked towards his door and turned the handle.
“hm.?” Shrimpo said as he swung open the door to reveal an excited looking Finn holding… something black and furry?
“Oh thank cod you’re here, Shrimpy!!” Finn said quickly shoving his way past Shrimpo and into Shrimpo’s room. The black furry thing was now more visible and it seemed to be.. a cat? Where on earth did Finn get a cat?!
“Finn.”
“Yeah buddy?” Finn said as his eyes practically sparkled as he petted the Kitty he was cradling in one arm.
“Where the fuck did you get a cat..?!” Shrimpo said as he glared at the cat in Finn’s hands and then back at Finn with confusion and the same scowl he always wore. (It slightly softened with Finn.)
“Right! About that, I have no time to explain.. can you take care of it while I run and get it some stuff? I can explain more when I get back!!” Finn said as he quickly rushed his words out.
“What?!” Shrimpo crossed his arms and put his head down in disbelief, what the hell was his extremely odd partner talking about? “There is no way in hell I’m gonna-“ Shrimpo opened his eyes only to see Finn’s signature puppy eyes.
“Fine..” Shrimpo said with a soft sigh and a roll of his eyes as he uncrossed his arms and held them out for the cat.”
“Oh thank you thank you thank you, Shrimpy!! Your amaze-fin !! I promise I’ll be back in a flash!” Finn said as he placed the cat in the shrimp’s arms and left a kiss on the shrimp’s head tail before rushing out, a little water spilling behind him.
Shrimpo looked at the cat that now sat in his arms. He glared at the cat before walking to sit on his bed.
“Stupid cat.” Shrimpo mumbled as he looked down at the cat. He slowly put one fuzzy hand or the cat’s fur. Slowly, he pet it. He never thought he would be sitting here petting a random kitten. Shrimpo was the toughest toon in Gardenview! But hey, if Finn wanted him to take care of this stupid cat, he would do it.
He had noticed himself becoming a lot softer ever since that day they got together. He didn’t want to be softer. But it was just so much easier when Finn was there. It was like all these walls he had built up, were immediately taken down when Finn was introduced to Gardenview.
Shrimpo shook the thought off and continued to slowly stroke the cat.
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Finn rushed into the library, the water in his head still sloshing and threatening to spill.
The library ceiling was tall and many bookshelves were stacked to the top of it. Finn pushed open the door and quickly ran in.
“Woah, Woah, Woah!! Slow down Finn. I don’t need you getting water all over the floor?! Again…” Brightney said quickly, making sure to mumble the last part.
“Sorry, Brightney! I’m just in a bit of a.. a rush!” Finn apologized, panting from running from the second floor to the elevator and then to the library.
“Anything specific thing you’re looking for in such a rush? Fish puns, Fish books, Shrimpo’s favorite comics, fish documentaries?” Brightney guessed as she looked at the sweating, panting fishbowl put his hands on his knees. He regretted wearing that big light blue and pink striped sweater that day. At least he wore shorts today.
“Nope! I need a book on cats!” Finn said as he caught his breath and finally stood up. Brightney rose an eyebrow at the unusual request. Despite not being used to Finn ask for something like this, she pointed over to the animal section. “Over there..?”
“Appre-sea-ate it!” Finn said as he walked quickly to the bookshelf, being careful not to spill any water. He skimmed through the many books before stopping on a book called “How to Take Care of a Cat”.
“Ah-ha!” Finn exclaimed as he pulled out the book along with the shelf marker he had put in. He stared at the book cover with amazement before waking back over to Brightney.
“How to Take Care of a Cat huh? Do you.. have a cat, Finn?” Brightney asked slightly confused.
“NO!” Finn said quickly as his head started to bubble. Toons weren’t allowed to keep outside animals because some places were incredibly dangerous in Gardenview. The only exceptions were for any pets designed for specific toons.(For example, Finn’s fishes in his room’s fish tank!)
“I can tell when you’re lying, Finn. Your head is bubbling like crazy!” Brightney said as she crossed her arms.
“Finee.. I just found him… or her? but I’m not sure how to take care of a cat since they aren’t really my specialty.” Finn admitted as he placed the book on the counter.
“I see.. and where’s the little kitty now.?”
“Oh, I just left em with Shrimpo!”
Brightney’s eyes widened as she picked up the book to scan it. Finn left the cat with Shrimpo?! SHRIMPO! The roughest toon, the bully, the one who boxes all day and all night!?? She could only imagine what could be happening to that poor kitty.
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“PUNCH KITTY, PUNCHHHH!!! MUAHAHAHAHAH” Shrimpo laughed manically as the kitty wore tiny boxing gloves on two of its paws and stood on its other two with the help of Shrimpo.
“You will now be my tiny evil companion.” Shrimpo said as he continued to help the kitty punch. The kitty meowed in worry.
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The thought sent a small chill down Brightney’s back. She shook it off and handed the now checked out book to Finn.
“Alright, just have it back to me in 2 weeks, alright? Not sure if this will help, but there’s some blueberries and other fruits you could feed them in the kitchen. You could borrow a bowl and fill it up with water for the cat, too. I don’t think we have normal cat food there though…” Brightney said as she looked up in thought, but Finn had already been halfway to the door after Brightney had said the word water.
“Thank you, Brightney!! You’ve been a big help! Remember, tell nobody!!!” Finn said as he walked quickly out the door with a push. Brightney sighed and giggled a bit as she turned her computer back on that revealed a compilation of funny cat videos.
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“I’m back my beautiful koi-friendddd!!” Finn’s said in a singsong voice as he opened the door with one hand, the other holding a plate of fruits to his chest and on the rim on his head, balanced a bowl filled with water.
“You look ridiculous.” Shrimpo said while sat on the bed while the cat was now curled up in his lap.
Finn laughed playfully at the comment. “Seems you and the cat are getting along well, huh?” Finn said as he sat the bowl of water and plate of fruits down on the floor.
“Everyone loves Shrimpo.”
“I know I do.” Finn said as he sat down next to Shrimpo on the bed and planted a small kiss on his cheek. A smile tugged at Shrimpo’s lips, any other toon probably wouldn’t see it, but Finn did.
“So where did you find it..?”
“I was just exploring the aquarium for a bit of nostalgia when I heard this strange noise coming from behind the counter! I don’t remember anything ever being behind the counter before, so I’m not exactly sure where it was before I found it.. Anyways, the cat was just looking all lonely, and I couldn’t just leave it there!! So I came to your room, and you know the rest!” Finn said with a smile as Shrimpo just nodded, unsure of what to say.
“So what should we name it..?” Shrimpo asks filling the silence.
“Hmm.. well I’m actually not even sure the gender yet.. this book should help me though!”
Finn said as he picked up the book and flipped to the contents page. He skimmed before finding the page he wanted and then started to turn the pages.
“Alright, would u lift up the tail for me, Shrimpy?” Finn asks.
“Do I have to..?”
“Do you want to know or not!!?”
“Fine” Shrimpo says before gently lifting up the tail.
Finn glances at the book and then back at the cat.
“Hmm.. it looks like it’s a male!” Finn exclaims as he shuts the book.
“Hmmm alright…” Shrimpo says in thought while also putting the cat’s tail down.
Instead of thinking of a name himself, Finn was thinking of what Shrimpo might be picking.
“What do you feel like it should be named? Explosive kitty? Executioner? City destroye-“
“Milo.”
Finn stares at Shrimpo in surprise. The name not being scary or insanely crazy was really shocking.
“I’m gonna be so honest, I was not expecting that! Where did you get that one?” Finn stared at his boyfriend who had a completely blank expression as he looked down at the cat.
“Captain Milo. It’s the first comic you ever bought me. You’re probably the only reason I ever thought to try a comic.” Shrimpo said as he slowly looked up at Finn who was now blushing dark blue. The fishbowl quickly hid in his hands.
“Are you oka-“ before Shrimpo could finish his sentence, he was pulled into a giant hug by Finn. The sudden movement made the cat leap out of Shrimpo’s lap, immediately heading over to the new food that Finn had just brought in for him.
“You’re so cute, Shrimpo!!” Finn squealed. Shrimpo’s eyes went wide before returning the hug and relaxing. However, it was quite hard to relax when he was in the tightest hug he had ever got. (Even Goob never dared to hug him this hard!)
“You’re gonna squeeze all the air out of me, Finn !!’ Shrimpo squeaked.
“Oopsies!!” Finn said as he quickly pulled away from the hug. He squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment, dark blue blush still covering his cheeks.
Shrimpo placed one last small kiss on Finn’s dark blue cheek before grabbing Finn’s hand.
“We’re not gonna be able to hide this cat forever.. wanna go see if we could convince Dandy to let us keep it? You have pretty good bargaining skills don’t you? How’s your fake crying?” Shrimpo questioned playfully.
Finn looked up at Shrimpo who was now standing up and holding his hand. Finn playfully giggled before answering.
“They’re both fin-tastic. Just like you.”