I am afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you

[alotofnerve]

The surrounding area was quiet as Red peeked out of the hole they were in, the last cover before they left the tunnels of Fraggle Rock entirely to step out into Outer Space. Even though she had agreed to start traveling with Gobo and Mokey, she had yet to actually do so.

And even now, looking out at the dark open area just ahead of them, she hesitated a moment. "I...I dunno about this, Gobo," she said after a moment. Then she cleared her throat. "N-Not that I'm scared or anything! It's just...so sudden."

Comments

[alotofnerve]

She snorted. "A little? I beat you by a mile!"

[gobetween]

He laughed again, and shoved her with one hand. Pause-

Then the same hand just pushed her the whole way back into the water.

[alotofnerve]

She gave a startled cry, flailing as she fell back into the water and reaching out to grab whatever she could.

- which in this case happened to be Gobo's tail.

[gobetween]

There was just enough time for him to realize she'd grabbed his tail before the momentum yanked him down with a sharp cry, which got choked off by the actual splashdown. Coming back up, he spat out a mouthful of water, and jerked his head to flip some hair back out of his eyes.

[alotofnerve]

With pulling Gobo down with her, Red ended up a bit farther underwater and had more to swim to get back to the surface. Once she broke through, though, she shook her head a bit to get the water from her eyes before looking around to see where Gobo was.

And once she found him, she sent a wave of water his way.

[gobetween]

He looked up in time to get that face full, flinching back and spitting out water all over again. Then he snorted and laughed, and swept both hands to send a return wave right back.

[alotofnerve]

Raising her arms to block most of the water, she laughed before jumping at him, trying to dunk his head back under the water.

[gobetween]

She got him down some before he was able to move back and grab her arm, pulling her over and trying to dunk her down by her shoulders as well.

The waterplay continued for a good while yet until, tired but still laughing, he heaved himself out and onto dry land, flopping over onto his back and letting his arms spread out to either side. Snorting some, he shifted his head so he could see Red, watching her.

[alotofnerve]

Though she would never admit to being tired, it was easier to get out of the water once Gobo did so first. Pulling herself out after him, she shook the excess water from her body before flopping onto the ground beside him.

[gobetween]

A half flinch back when she shook herself, then he looked back with a smile. Once she had joined him on the ground, he scooted a bit closer until they were touching, and rested his tail across her legs.

[alotofnerve]

Glancing over at him, she returned the smile, resting one hand on top of his.

[gobetween]

His smile widened a little at that, and he rested his head against hers, sighing softly. After a moment, he tilted up some to look at the sky, letting out a soft breath.

"It really is pretty up there, isn't it? All those stars. Some places in the city, you really can't see them that well but here in the park? It's dark enough at night to practically let you see them all..."

[alotofnerve]

Glancing up at the sky, she nodded. "Yeah...there are so many of them."

She paused a moment, glancing back at Gobo briefly. "...doesn't it make you feel kinda...small, though?"

[gobetween]

He was quiet for a little while, just staring up at the sky. Then, he nodded.

"Yeah, but... I'm kinda used to it? That feeling is why I was first so scared to go into Outer Space, even just to get the postcards. It seemed so much bigger than anything I'd ever seen before. Then I started hearing about Uncle Matt's travels, and I started seeing more and more of it, and I felt smaller and smaller..."

His voice trailed off, and he shifted his hand under hers so he could lace their fingers together. Then he glanced alongside at her, and smiled gently.

"But I figured out that feeling small is okay. It's gonna be like that from time to time, especially since out here we kinda are pretty small." A bit of a giggle in his throat, and he continued. "That just means you've got so much to do, so much to see. If you're feeling small... that's because there's so many big opportunities waiting for you."

[alotofnerve]

She gently squeezed his hand, glancing at him. "But do you ever get worried about...getting lost? Like, being so small, you'll just get...swallowed up by everything bigger around you?"

[gobetween]

His answer was almost immediate. He gently squeezed her hand in return and leaned over, nuzzling the end of his snout against hers, before planting a soft kiss near the corner of her mouth.

"No. Not as long as I have you, all of you."

[alotofnerve]

She visibly relaxed at that, her expression softening as she turned more towards him, and her tail twining with his.

"That's really enough?"

[gobetween]

He smiled softly, sliding his snout in underneath hers, lingering there.

"It's always been enough before. I don't see any reason why that'd change."

[alotofnerve]

That pulled a smile from her, and she nodded, gently nuzzling her snout against his. "I guess that's true."

[gobetween]

He swept his tail around hers in kind until they were both completely twirled together, and his hand gave hers a little squeeze. As a gentle breeze blew over them, he sighed in contentment, almost willing to spend the rest of the night right here, like this.

[alotofnerve]

She would have too, especially as she snuggled into him. But the chill of the breeze only reminded her that they were still a bit wet, and she couldn't help a slight shiver.

"We better go find somewhere warmer to stay."

[gobetween]

Couldn't they just keep each other warm-? Oh, alright. He chuckled softly and nodded, though it wasn't without that little pang of regret that he moved away enough to sit up.

"Alright. I think I know a good spot, c'mon."

[alotofnerve]

Once he was up, she stretched her body a bit before pushing herself up as well and following after him.

[gobetween]

He watched her, smiling, then started headed away from the pond, scooping his vest back up and slipping it on on the way. Lightly resting his tail around her back he led her away, across a path that went past the pond and deeper into the park.

At first, ahead of them seemed to be just looming shadows in the dark, but as they came closer they were clearer in the moonlight, large structures that seemed made out of many, many twisted trees and branches making little hovels and shapes one could walk in and out of. He walked over to one that had a window crafted into it and climbed up, finding a seat. Turning back, he held out a hand to help her up.

[alotofnerve]

Glancing at him, she smiled herself, following where he led her through the park. As they neared the strange looking trees, though, she couldn't help blinking a bit.

"What are these?" she asked, even as she grabbed his hand to hoist herself up.