Chapter Text
Goob had been to a few beaches before, but none like here. The sun was even hotter than it was back in the midwest some days, but that just made getting in the water even more gratifying.
Scraps always complained when he came home smelling like “wet dog”, but her annoyance was still tinged with affection.
Maybe it was the relief that she didn't have to accompany him everywhere anymore. Sure, Goob still got weird looks, passive-aggressive comments and was denied from most establishments, but Scraps had finally started trusting him to handle these things himself.
He could at least go to the beach with few issues. And that was the most Scraps could hope for. At least people didn't try to hurt him here.
It was a nice kingdom, really. He and Scraps couldn't spend forever looking for the perfect place that would accept them completely, so this would be a good enough home.
Goob wondered what it was like for his parents. Were people even less accepting? Did they choose to leave, or worse? He couldn't remember any of it, and Scraps refused to talk about it.
She didn't think he even thought about things like that. Goob hated it. He'd been told too many times that he looked like there were no thoughts behind his big eyes and friendly face. It felt like people either saw him as a dangerous beast or a dumb puppy.
He shouldn't think about it too long. He had to be his happy self for Scraps, or she would worry. And it wasn't like he didn't want to be positive. He didn't think he could be anything else even if he tried. And it was better to be seen as a silly dog than to be taken seriously and feared.
He blinked, shaking the thoughts away and ran onto the sand, pulling his shirt off. He tossed the fabric behind him, floating in the wind for him to find later. The water cooled off his hot skin and soaked his fur, and without a moment's hesitation, he dipped down to take a drink, the sea salt tingling down his throat. Scraps would've yowled at him about fish pee and whatnot, Goob giggled just thinking about it.
Hearing water ripple behind him, Goob turned to see a familiar fisherman grinning at him.
“Someone's thirst-sea,” Finn teased, stopping his boat.
Goob immediately smiled back, his tail wagging as he swam over the boat.
“Finn! How many fish've you caught?”
“About 9..no, you can't have one. I have to make a living, you know!”
Goob whined softly, a pitiful, pleading look in his eyes. Finn groaned, tossing a sardine to him.
“You're shore-ly gonna drive me into debt, pup.”
Goob scarfed it up happily, and Finn started up his boat again. “Well, I've got fish to fry, I'll ‘sea’ you later!”
“You're gonna fry those fish? I thought you sold them fresh. And you already made a ‘sea’ pun”
“It's a..” Finn scratched his head. “It's a saying.”
Goob knew what sayings were. But they were still confusing, and nobody would explain why people used them or what they really meant! Before he could even ask, Finn was already leaving. He would have to talk to him another time.
After shaking the water from his fur and retrieving his shirt, Goob made his way to the edge of town. The smell of fresh bread and sugar caught his nose, and without even realizing it, he was drawn to the door of a small bakery.
Goob breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing the bakery. He knew the owner of this one, and he was really nice! Even the first time they met, he always treated Goob like a regular person, like any other customer.
Goob's tail swished in anticipation as he checked his pockets. Just enough for a cookie, perfect! He waltzed in, his gaze fixated on the crumbly delicacies in the display case.
But when he got to the counter, it wasn't Cosmo standing there, with his friendly smile and soft voice.
Uh oh.
There was one other person who worked at this bakery, and he did not like Goob.
Goob's ears drooped, and he tried not to make eye contact.
“Hey, Sprout..”
Sprout visibly held back a sigh. “Goob. You haven't tracked in any dirt, have you?”
Goob looked down at his paws, then behind him. There was just a little sand tracked in..but he couldn't stop himself from feeling guilty, heat creeping up his neck.
Seeing Goob’s embarrassed reaction, Sprout grabbed his broom with a groan. “For fucks sake...”
A chocolaty scent entered the room, and Goob lifted his head, his eyes brightening. “Cosmo!”
“Goob! Good morning, what can I do for you?” Cosmo walked over to the counter, leaning on it slightly. He already knew Goob's usual, but he liked to make sure.
“Just a cookie, please!” Goob could feel Sprout glaring at him as he spoke, but he didn't dare turn around.
Cosmo grabbed Goob's treat, and Goob placed the payment on the counter.
Cosmo looked up at him expectantly, and Goob knew what was coming next.
“Aaand the tax?”
Goob half-sighed, half-giggled and bowed his head down to let Cosmo rub his ears, his tail wagging lightly. Once Cosmo was done, he placed the cookie in Goob's mouth with a pleased hum.
Sprout was still staring daggers into Goob's back, but Cosmo shot him a look and he went back to cleaning with a huff as Goob left the bakery, munching on the cookie happily.