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

[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.]

[fraternal]

[ this isn't like dealing with a ten year-old girl. he couldn't lie to protect her, then do everything in his power to keep her safe. things were much more crazy here - so much more unpredictable.

and he just lied to Once-ler about it.

he feels like garbage.

very quickly, he'll pull Once-ler into a hug, his breath hitching as he tries to find his words. ]

There's- there's something there- no legs... it just wiggled around. Like a mass of something. Organs. I'm sorry.

[triggeringbiggering]

[The hug is a bit surprising, but he misses the hitch in Garry's words. Instead, he gives him an awkward squeeze in return, grateful for the contact but also not used to having that kind of comfort here.]

... S-sounds gross. Let's just... k-keep an eye out, okay?

[fraternal]

Yeah. I wont- lie to you again. I promise.

[ and he'll draw away again, looking determined as he grips Once-ler's hand. ]

Lets get going?

[triggeringbiggering]

[He shines his torch carefully over the shelves, his breath huffing out through his mask much too loudly for his own comfort. His grip on Garry's hand becomes vice-tight.]

Okay.