i was walking in the forest of truffula trees when i saw a thneed boy wearing tiGHT pants

[fraternal]

[ WHO ]: Garry and Once-ler
[ WHERE ]: at the maaaaaaaaaaall
[ WHEN ]: Daylight hours
[ OPEN/CLOSED? ]: Closed until further notice
[ RATING ]: PG maybe worse later
[ WARNINGS ]: sexy gasmasks

So Garry had taken that tv program seriously, and had went out and got himself a gas mask - Once-ler was being nice enough to indulge his worries by getting one for himself, too.

"Are you sure you can put it on without it hurting? Want me to help?"

Comments

[triggeringbiggering]

[It slithers off under the shelves. Once-ler pushes himself back up, his breathing harsh.] Sh-sheesh...

[fraternal]

[ when it's out of sight, Garry curses, kicking the shelf before he turns to run back to Once-ler's side, a hand on his arm. ]

Once-ler- are you alright?

[triggeringbiggering]

Yeah! [He swallows, straightens down his shirt. He isn't really, though - too nervous.] Just gave me a fright was all. Heh.

[fraternal]

Are you sure? Let's go back-

[triggeringbiggering]

No way. [He's pretty firm about it, even in his nerves.] We have to get the stuff we came in for.

[fraternal]

...-okay. Stay close, alright?

[triggeringbiggering]

[He nods. As he stands close, his hand brushes Garry's, his pinkytip raising up to hook close to his.]

[fraternal]

[ Garry doesn't say a thing - he'd grab his hand, but he's not sure how Once-ler would feel about that.

so he simply hooks his finger with his, and carries on along beside him. ]

[triggeringbiggering]

[Even though it's through his gloves - it's calming to feel that little bit of contact. He breathes a bit more easily.]

It's probably still around...

[fraternal]

I wont let it grab you again.

[ i'll protect you. ]

[triggeringbiggering]

Heh, sorry... Actual wuss Once-ler, huh? [He tries to inject humour in to mop up how freaked out he is.]

What else do we need...?

[fraternal]

You're being very brave, Once-ler. [ his tone is very sure of that fact. ]

Sleeping bags and...a radio, right? Oh, and lets go back for those other flash lights, now that we have a bag for them. Ropes-

[triggeringbiggering]

[Appreciates the note of confidence and smiles at Garry. His pinky jumps a bit against his, but he keeps them linked.] Ropes, yeah. Those are pretty important, and the flashlights again. I think I found a couple before that thing grabbed at me.

[fraternal]

[ when he feels the jump he's first to tighten his grip. ]

Its back this way - [ he'll shine the light from his own flashlight back the way they came, before starting to move. ]

[triggeringbiggering]

[He nods and follows Garry, adding the beam of his own light to his. To his dismay, the shelves look like they're bleeding.

Not covered in blood.

Bleeding.]

Eurrrgh....

[fraternal]

Ngh...

[ he's been through this before - and he needs to be strong, for Once-ler. he has to get him through all this in one piece.]

It's okay. Just... look ahead. Look at my back.

[triggeringbiggering]

[Sounds pretty good actually. He follows behind Garry, just looking straight ahead at him. He's a weirdly calming sight and presence in a situation like this.]

[fraternal]

[ he'll shift his hand slowly as they walk, to properly hold his hand. once they finally get back to the aisle with flash lights he'll crouch down, still holding Once-ler's hand as he does, to grab the remaining ones. ]

[triggeringbiggering]

[He doesn't think anything of the handholding. He just feels grateful for it. When Garry starts grabbing the rest of the torches, he kneels down too, carefully unslinging his bag for Garry to pop them in.]

[fraternal]

[ in they go with one steady hand. he'll tilt his head to check the back for any extras, craning a bit to see behind. he just sees a mass of what looks like something bloody and carefully breathing.

he's careful not to change his facial expression as he stands up, not wanting to alarm Once-ler. ]

I think that's all of them.

[triggeringbiggering]

You sure? [He gets to his feet, unaware of the thing Garry had seen under there.] I guess we should get the other stuff then. Maybe some utility knives if they're there, too...

[fraternal]

Yeah I think I... saw some over here.

[ its a lie, he never saw them, but he wants to lead Once-ler away from... whatever that was as soon as possible. ]

[triggeringbiggering]

[He looks at him, frowning in concern.]

Is... something the matter?

[fraternal]

...no, lets get moving, yeah?

[triggeringbiggering]

... Garry.

[He stops walking with him, but gives his hand a squeeze.]

... You have to tell me if things need... to be aware of. Okay? We can't keep things from each other. Not in this place. Not when we're a team, right?

[There's a slight tremour in his voice; the banked fear is finally leaking through.]