Work Text:
Waxwell sat on the couch outside of the toon rooms, yawning out of boredom. 'I swear I can never find anything to do here.. doesn't help with those annoying goody-two-shoes always being grateful for my schemes.' He thought, tossing a ball back and forth in his hands.
Waxwell had never enjoyed the company of other toons, and decided to take on an 'antagonist' role to fill his time. It only ever ended up backfiring though, and Waxwell had honestly thought about giving up until someone told him otherwise..
Shrimpo stared at the candle from across the elevator, a seemingly judging expression on his face.
"I HATE HOW SAD YOU LOOK." He yelled, startling Waxwell.
"Wha- huh?" Waxwell muttered.
"YOU HEARD ME, I KNOW BECAUSE I YELL."
Waxwell scratched a finger on his face, still confused.
"Yea, but, I'm more surprised that you're concerned. I thought you hated me.." The candle said quietly, flushing slightly.
"I DO HATE YOU, I JUST HATE YOUR STUPID FACE MORE." Shrimpo clarified, turning his head away.
'Right.. why did I think he was concerned? Shrimpo hates everything. Why would I be the exception?' Waxwell thought glumly.
Waxwell heard the shrimp grumble.
"I HATE THAT YOU WON'T TELL ME WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU!" Shrimpo continued.
Waxwell's eyes widened. "Wait.. Is he actually concerned?' He looked up to the toon on his right.
Shrimpo was standing with his arms crossed and foot tapping on the ground. Waxwell stared, mind filled with awe. 'Did Shrimpo always look like that?' He wondered, mouth slightly oped, eyes still wide.
Waxwell's cheeks heat up, and his candle began to burn, remembering that Shrimpo wanted to know what was up.
"OH, uh.. Just kind of sad my evil plans never work. I honestly kind of wanted to give up.." He admitted, a frown spreading across his features.
Shrimpo snarled, sharp teeth showing in his mouth. "HMPH, I HATE THAT YOU WANT TO GIVE UP. THAT'S SO WEAK. I.." Shrimpo paused, smelling the strong pang of Waxwell's candle.
Waxwell watched as the toon in front of him grew visibly calmer, arms no longer crossed and eyebrows relaxed.
"..Shrimpo?" Waxwell's wick remained lit.
Shrimpo raised an eyebrow, gazing at his palms. "I feel.. I'm not angry?"
"What..? How?"
"I'm not sure, I smelled your candle and all of a sudden felt better." Shrimpo placed a hand on his chin deductingly.
Waxwell's face grew hot again, blinking rapidly as if that would make the blush go away.
He dared to speak, placing his hands in front of his face. "I think, maybe.. The smell of it makes you calm?" He winced, expecting Shrimpo to lash out from the response.
Shrimpo stayed silent for a moment, considering the thought. "I think you're right. Can I smell it again?" He asked.
Waxwell grew hot.. again. 'God damnit.. Why does this stupid crustacean make me so flustered?' He gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath.
Still, his voice came out wobbly. "Mn.. um.. SURE!" He stumbled, a drip of waxy sweat falling down his face.
Shrimpo slowly leaned in to smell the flame closely, painfully unaware of how flustered the candle was.
Waxwell's heart slipped, mind flying dangerously, imagining the fellow antagonist in ways he never had before.
Waxwell let out a shaky breathe, and Shrimpo inhaled his scent, eyes widening at the scent.
"Damn, that shit smells good!" He backed up and half pointed at the flame.
"Really? I've actually heard a couple people say it smelled kind of weird." Waxwell let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah! It smells like gasoline, pretty calming, I think." Shrimpo said, grinning awkwardly.
Waxwell couldn't help but laugh. The cheesy grin and Shrimpo thinking gasoline was calming was WAY too funny to him.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Before I go back to angry mode, or whatever, I want you to know that even if you fail your awesome plans, I still think you're pretty evil." Shrimpo told him, and maybe Waxwell was imagining it, but he swore he could see blush on Shrimpo's cheeks.
Waxwell smiled remembering the interaction, Shrimpo might not know it, but that had helped him a lot.