slightly straightens his posture a bit as the other steps closer. he’s still not sure what to expect of them, he’s never seen them around before. maybe this was just another restless soul who couldn’t sleep, seeking solace in the cool night air and the promise of adventure under the stars, much like him. and while most logic would tell you to be wary of strangers you meet in the darkened woods, slightly found himself more intrigued than scared of the fellow before him. one hand lifts to adjust his glasses, fingers nudging the frames further up his nose. he’d decided earlier that contacts were too much effort for a late night bout of stargazing, at least he could fall asleep with his glasses on.
slightly cocks his head to one side when barrel speaks again, nose scrunching a moment before “is it a bug? i don’t mind them.” he assures, thinking perhaps that was what he had started to tell him. and then barrel is smiling and- oh. slightly can feel his lips quirk into a smile of his own as any previous apprehension melts away. “barrel,” he repeats, “it’s very nice to meet you. fuck ‘real names.’ a real name is whatever name you’re most comfortable with. that’s how i look at it.” he says with a shrug. and he nods at barrel’s observation. “yeah. been goin’ by it since i was a kid, it feels kinda weird to be called by anything else ‘less it’s by my parents.”
an understanding hum leaves his lips as barrel explains themself. “i get that. i couldn’t sleep, ‘s why i came out here. i dunno what i was expecting to find but you definitely weren’t it.” he says with a laugh before flashing a toothy smile. “most of my nightly star gazing trips end in either me going home and passing out in bed or literally falling asleep under the stars, so. interesting turn of events. can’t say i’m disappointed.”
barrel laughs a little to himself— “no, it’s not a bug. i think i’d quite like it if it was. bugs are really cool. i love those guys. just some leaves,” they explain. slightly smiles back, which is good. they know they haven’t scared him too much, then. or maybe they haven’t scared him at all. even better.
“yeah… that’s right, actually. it’s funny ‘cuz the whole nickname thing— at least for me— it’s ‘cuz of my siblings. there’s three of us, and waaay back… someone just started callin’ us lock, shock and barrel… i think it’s an old phrase, y’know. an expression… means all together. complete. i think it’s actually supposed to be stock, though, but…—” he stops himself. is barrel selick — of all people — nervous rambling? he can’t think of a time he’s ever done that in his entire life, and he’s not really sure why it’s happening now. “b-but yeah. you’re right, fuck real names. you got it, i’ll call you slightly.” he already said it a moment ago, yet he’s uttering the name again, as if confirming he heard right… but really, he just wants to hear the sound of his own voice saying it for a second time.
“you don’t sleep either, huh? well, actually, i coulda’ guessed that,” he says, eyes lingering on the other’s smile for a moment. “can’t say i’m disappointed, either. nice to find someone else who nerds out about the night time.” he takes off his jacket, lays it on the grass and sits down on top of it, leaning his back up against a tree stump. “falling asleep under the stars… now that’s something i’ve actually never done. tell me some other things about yourself, slightly. you seem interesting. oh, and—” big, green, wild eyes peer at the other with curiosity, and suddenly he’s tempted by the thought of just… staying here all night, learning about the other, getting to know him. something about him is captivating. “…you don’t mind the company… right?”
