It was a freak ice storm in the middle of March that started everything. Snow and ice covered the park, with just enough on the ground to make walking hazardous. Which is why Mordecai and Rigby groaned so loudly when Benson assigned them the job of salting the sidewalks and stairs of the park.
"Aww, what, that's totally lame," Rigby complained loudly, with Mordecai nodding his head in agreement.
"Yeah, like, what if we break our necks out there trying to do it?" the blue jay questioned.
Benson put his hand on his glass head, sighing angrily as his color changed from pink to red. "Then you won't have to worry about me breaking them for not doing your jobs." He kept the threat contained, but obvious to the duo.
And so, Rigby and Mordecai were out in their winter coats and gloves, dispensing salt onto every walkway they could think of.
"Ugh, this is taking a million years," Rigby groaned, dragging the bag behind him as the two friends walked carefully back to the house.
"Dude, whatever, we're almost done," Mordecai countered, emptying the last of his salt bag behind them. "We just have to get back to the house and put your bag away, and then we can stay and play Strong Johns all night."
"Nah, man, I got plans tonight."
Mordecai stopped. "You've got plans?" He asked in disbelief. "With who?"
Rigby smirked. "I got me a movie date with Maaaaaargareeeeeeet!" He spun in circles away from the blue jay, slipping on the ice and falling on his ass, making Mordecai snicker.
It had been a few months since Mordecai and Margaret had called it splits for good. When asked about it, Margaret would say they were better friends than boyfriend and girlfriend, and Mordecai would blush and agree, nodding his head, refusing to say anything else. He had nothing but care for his friend, and wished her the best on her road to love.
Still, he wasn't sure Rigby was the best choice, but that was for Margaret to decide.
"Dude, are you sure you're okay with this?" Rigby's question made Mordecai snap out of it.
"Yeah, dude, I told you, we're just friends," he said defensively. Rigby looked distrustingly at him when Mordecai smiled back at the raccoon. "I hope you guys have an awesome date tonight."
Rigby gave him a rare smile of trust. "Thanks, man. Now let's get this taken care of so I can get ready for my DATE!" He shouted the last part and Mordecai shook his head laughing as they approached the house.
Still, as they dump the bag of salt next to the porch, Mordecai can't help feel as though they're forgetting something.
"Dude, why is this bag still so full?" He asked Rigby, who frowned and shrugged.
"I don't know man, guess we just didn't need it all-"
The front door opens, revealing Benson in his winter garb. He has on his brown leather jacket and crosses his hands in front of his chest, in a way to keep the cold away. He waves to someone in the house before beginning towards the stairs when Mordecai has the sudden realization:
Shit. We forgot to salt the steps of the house.
He tries to call out to Benson, but it's too late. He slips on the top ice-covered step and goes hurtling down to the unforgiving ground.
Mordecai stares on in horror as Rigby turns, wide-eyed and afraid.
"I guess that was why the bag was still kinda full-" the raccoon mumbled.
Mordecai fled to Benson's side, too nervous to even worry about punching Rigby in that moment. "Benson, are you okay?" he asks worriedly.
The gumball machine man turns around angrily, his cheeks a flaming red.
"DO I LOOK LIKE I'M FU-"
He tries to stand and suddenly he's back on the ground, slamming his fist into the ice in pain, as he tries to hold up his right foot the best he can.
"Benson, my good man? Whatever is the matter?" Pops appears from the front door, with Skips following behind him, concern etched on both of their faces.
Mordecai feels even worse now. "Me and Rigby forgot to salt the steps and Benson slipped," he explained worriedly to the two older men above him. "I think something's wrong with his foot."
Skips carefully makes his way down the stairs and wordlessly touches Benson's leg. Benson sucks in air while squinting his eyes, clearly in pain, but trying to be strong. The yeti looks gravely at Mordecai.
"He has to go to the hospital."
"What, no, Skips, I am perfectly fi-"
Benson tries to convince the elder man, but instead gasps as he attempts to put any weight on his right leg at all.
Skips looks at Mordecai while Pops looks on in anxious worry from the top step and Mordecai swallows grimly and nods.
"We'll help you out, it's the least we can do", he promises.
Rigby frowns, anticipating his date in the process of being ruined, and Benson is helpless to the trio as they load him into the cart and drive to the hospital.
Been a long time since I wrote anything, but here is the newest story my mind has thought of. Little boring in the first chapter, but I promise it'll get more interesting in the future.