A Little Bit of Trust Cpt. 7

Colfax arrived home and placed his keys on the side table. But he didn't sit at his windowside desk, instead going to his bookshelf. He stared blankly at the bindings, thinking about how all of his studies of biology and veterinary science couldn't have prepared him for his discovery. Or rather, Adrian's discovery. He had to be cautious; he didn't want to alienate Adrian, but he had to learn more. If little people really lived among them, he wanted to learn everything he possibly could.

He narrowed his dark eyes when the idea came to him. If he couldn't look at the one Adrian had bonded with, he'd have to find his own specimen. Resolved, he picked a random book and flipped through it, reading right at the shelf. Even as he did so, he spared a few glances around his kitchen/living room, finding a few nondescript spots that he wouldn't have noticed if he didn't know what to look for. But with his eyes opened, Colfax smirked at his book to think that at least one of them must be an entrance for one of the little people. A plan began to form in his brain.

Sawyer hummed a merry little tune to himself, the sound echoing slightly down the tunnel through the wall in which he was walking. It had been a good day. His human had been called away suddenly to help a friend in the neighborhood, leaving him with an uncommon opportunity to pop out and grab some supplies he needed- safety pins, tape, the kinds of things that Colfax kept on his desk. They were in the sack on his back at the moment, clanking together faintly as he climbed up the nails that led to his rooms in the walls.

Colfax was one of the easiest humans Sawyer had ever lived with. He was quiet, almost to the point of creating his own silence, and was habitual in just about every part of his routine. The apartment was always kept neat, but not so neat that little things going missing would be noticed- just neat enough that Sawyer always knew just where everything could be found. Taking the little odds and ends he needed was almost too easy.

Setting down the bag in the area he called his kitchen, Sawyer took a look around and pulled a face. He hadn’t gone on a food run in a while, and his cupboard was practically bare. A run to the cupboard in the human’s kitchen was definitely necessary. Humming to himself once more, he climbed back down the nails and into the tunnels again. Colfax was back in the apartment already, but that didn’t matter. He had been in the middle of a scientific research paper when he had been called away, and would certainly be back at his desk continuing his work. Sawyer could get in and out of the kitchen without him even noticing. After all, Sawyer knew that nothing could keep Colfax from pursuing a line of scientific inquiry once he had begun.

The book Colfax had picked up was about small mammals, and happened to have good information on how to predict some of their habits. He knew there were going to be several differences, but in an environment like this there had to be certain constants. Access to food would be the most well-used and important pathway for any creature. With his book still in hand, he went into the kitchen area. His plan, though formed quickly, should be enough to have a measure of control over where any little people entered his kitchen. With that in place, he'd stand a better chance of catching one off guard.

He didn't need to pretend to be distracted by his book. Colfax actually did take interest in the passages, but he was multitasking. Casually, and absently, he moved some of the items around on his counters and in a few cupboards. If anybody was watching, they'd think he was distractedly looking for something to eat in his kitchen, while studying intently from the book in his hands. He was, in fact, studying his book. But he'd also ensured that only one of his kitchen cupboards remained unchecked. He didn't open the last one. While moving things, he had blocked any potential openings in all other areas of the kitchen except for this one, which contained cereal and crackers.

Now came the wait. Colfax had plenty of book left, and his patience was notorious. He casually leaned against the counter in front of the untouched cupboard, losing himself in the next chapter; it actually had some information he could use in the paper he was working on. But standing where he was, he was able to listen for any telltale sounds of movement inside the cupboard, sounds that before today he'd never have a reason to notice. Maybe he'd catch something, maybe not. But Colfax waited patiently, for all intents and purposes too absorbed in his book.

Making his way quietly along the tunnels in the wall, Sawyer swore under his breath. While looking for something to eat his human had unknowingly blocked many of his entrances to the cupboards, leaving only one open; and that one was where he had decided to stop and read whatever book it was that he was sucked into now. Briefly the smaller man considered going back to his rooms and forgoing the whole thing until later, but his stomach growled and impatience won out. It was a bit risky, but not nearly as dangerous as things Sawyer had attempted before, and Colfax wouldn’t notice anyways. He was prone to being completely oblivious to the world around him when doing anything remotely studious. It was part of why Sawyer had chosen this particular apartment to live in (well, that and what few friends he had lived nearby).

Still, Sawyer was cautious as he entered the cupboard, moving as quietly and stealthily as he could; which was practically silent to even the sharpest of ears. He appraised his limited options with a grimace. Cereal and crackers weren’t his favorite things to eat, not to mention the fact that getting either of them out of their packaging tended to be a bit noisier than he would like. A nagging instinct in the back of his mind urged him to just go back home, but he ignored it. Even crackers would be better than whatever stale crumbs he had in his rooms, and he wasn’t patient enough to wait for nightfall and move the items blocking his access to the other cupboards. He would just grab a cracker and make do with that, he decided, spotting a half-empty and open sleeve lying close by. Low risk and instant gratification, how hard could it be?

Creeping over to the sleeve of crackers he grabbed the nearest one, sliding it out of the plastic with a small wince as the packaging rustled slightly. It wasn’t terribly loud, though, and Colfax had ignored much louder noises of his. Hiking the large, circular cracker up under his arm awkwardly he turned to go.

After a few minutes, Colfax wondered if his plan was too simple, too silly. How could there really be little people living in his walls? But... Adrian had found one. Why shouldn't he be able to as well? Even if it meant looking somewhere else. He was about to dismiss his current stance when his ears pricked to a sound. It was faint, and he knew he had no reason to believe it had actually occurred. It was definitely the kind of thing he would ignore as unimportant on any other day. But today was different; today there was something to be gained from paying this much attention to the faintest sound.

Despite his excitement, his movements were steady as he turned abruptly and opened the cupboard. He abandoned his book on the counter as his eyes quickly scanned the situation in the small space. Even Colfax, unflappable as he normally was, had to pause and take in a quick breath; unless he was experiencing a very long-lasting and specific hallucination, there was a little person raiding his cupboard, carrying a whole cracker. But he didn't dwell on this; no, if he stared like an idiot, that gave it a chance to escape the way it had come, and if that happened his chances of finding another one would dwindle. So, before anything else, Colfax shoved a box of cereal to the back of the cupboard, between the creature and its barely-visible exit. His face became a neutral mask then, his eyes settling on his catch with scientific interest.

Sawyer froze as the cupboard became suddenly flooded with light, his expression a mix of shock and incredulity. That sound should never have caught Colfax’s attention, definitely not enough for the human to go investigating, so why on earth was he being stared at right now? The thought only flashed through his mind for a fraction of a second, before he ditched the cracker and made a mad dash to get back in the wall. He skidded to a halt as a large box of cereal crashed in front of him, cutting off his escape route. With a short yell he became unbalanced and fell over backwards, sitting on the floor of the cupboard with a small thud. Frantically he glanced around, looking for something, anything that could help him get away. There was nothing of course, just a blocked hole and a set of too-large eyes boring a hole into his back.

This could not be happening. Running a shaky hand through his hair he ran over the events of the last few minutes. Colfax had been acting unusual, which was so uncommon for him that it really should have raised more red flags for Sawyer now that he thought about it. Ever since he had come back from his sudden house call he had been acting weirder than usual. Suddenly, part of his behavior clicked for Sawyer. All of his entrances to the other cupboards being conveniently blocked, Colfax deciding to read his book just outside of the only option left… how could he have been so stupid? He’d fallen hook, line, and sinker for an obvious trap, all because he wasn’t expecting to ever run into one. The real question, though, was why Colfax had set it in the first place. It was like he knew that Sawyer existed… Hesitantly, and only after mustering up quite a bit of courage, Sawyer turned around to look up at his captor.

Colfax noted a number of things from the creature's reaction. The flight response, he expected. However, the little guy ran directly for his door instead of panicking, even abandoning his precious food for better mobility. A lot of rational thought went into that decision. That meant that these creatures were intelligent as well. That was an excellent discovery by itself.

Now came the really interesting part. Colfax had made eye contact with his startled quarry. He could tell that it understood how trapped it was at the moment. A cornered creature, no matter how intelligent, could be unpredictable. He had to be sure to prevent any desperate actions. Remembering that Adrian's little friend had understood English, he took a chance and spoke.

"I'm going to take you out of there in a second. I suggest against panicking. It could cause you a potential injury." He tried to keep his voice down, but it didn't occur to him how cold and calculating he could sound.

Scrambling to his feet at the words, Sawyer kept eye contact with Colfax, a feat that took no little amount of bravery. His next actions took even more, and he surprised himself by shouting, “Don’t you dare! You… you keep those big hands to yourself, you hear?” Even as he yelled the words he was shaking, the fear making adrenaline rush through every part of his body. It was all he could do to keep his knees from buckling under him. He had known Colfax was the type to study things with keen interest, but Jesus he hated being the one under such scrutiny.

Every instinct he had was screaming that this whole thing was wrong, that he should be running, hiding, anything but standing there and looking back at the human that had him cornered. Curse the foolish confidence that had landed him here! He was going to get an earful for this from the others, for sure; that is, if he survived this encounter long enough to see any of them again.

Colfax raised an eyebrow at the brave words. He could hear the quaver in them, and he could see that every nerve in the tiny person's body was primed. He also heard the faint sound of a southern drawl... that was interesting. Perhaps these creatures were more widespread than he had imagined. Perhaps he'd even find more such information from the little guy himself. Maybe. He knew his powers of persuasion were lacking.

He pursed his lips before answering. "I have no interest in hurting you. But judging by your current situation I would say your threat is empty." He brought a hand up, resting it on the edge of the cupboard and drumming his fingers lightly. "Again, don't panic," he advised, right before steadily moving his hand into the cupboard, creating a sort of wall with it to corral the little guy in until he had a clear shot at getting a hold of him.

Sawyer winced, knowing the truth when he heard it. Of course his threat was empty, how could it not be when he was literally a fraction of the size of the human in front of him? The little person was beginning to seriously regret moving in with such an intelligent human. He watched the hand warily as it rested on the edge of the cupboard, scrambling away from it quickly as it moved towards him. Even a human with the best intentions couldn’t convince Sawyer that human hands were harmless, and at the moment he doubted Colfax had the best intentions.

“Don’t panic,” Sawyer scoffed quietly to himself, shaking his head slightly at the advice. Easier said than done, that was. “You try not to panic when a giant starts getting all grabby…” The words were mostly muttered to himself, a continuation of the brave façade he put on to distract from his own fear. Still, the fact remained that he was for all intents and purposes trapped, and quite a bit of panic was beginning to well up inside of him. Captured, with nowhere to go and a human reaching out for you… it was everybody’s worst nightmare.

Colfax almost hesitated and drew his hand back. The fear on the tiny face was much more expressive than the mice and other little critters he had dealt with for so long. This guy understood all of his words and still feared his grasp. Colfax took a deep breath; he had to find out more. It wasn't like he lied about hurting the little guy.

Once he reached the little guy, he slowly wrapped his fingers around the smaller body. His training kept his hand steady, and he was gentle with the motion. But he also made certain that his grip wasn't too loose, as he started to draw the creature out into the light. He felt the tiny heartbeat, and was surprised to feel his own heavy heartbeat. Even Colfax couldn't help but adopt an expression of wonder at what he held.

“N-no! Don’t-!” Sawyer stammered, the complaint cut short as fingers wrapped around him and he stopped breathing for a moment out of pure fear. His heart pounded madly against the wall of flesh that now imprisoned him, encasing him loosely enough not to hurt but definitely tightly enough to be intensely uncomfortable. Sawyer immediately decided that the sensation was just as terrible as he imagined it would be, and boy did he have a vivid imagination.

He drew a sharp breath as he was moved out into the light, which reminded him that he should probably keep breathing even if his lungs didn’t feel as if they could fill up quite enough. Luckily he had kept his head enough to make sure his arms stayed free as the human grabbed him, and at the moment they were clinging desperately to the fingers in front of him. He was by no means afraid of heights, but there was a big difference between being up high of your own accord and being held feet above the ground with only a human between you and falling. “Put… put me down,” he gasped, his hands still scrambling for a hold and his eyes wide with fear.