Here's the second and final chapter of this story I've had fun working on. Hope you enjoy!
Mordecai and Rigby stopped banging on the door when they heard Benson's voice from the other side
"Who's in here?" The doorknob was jiggled from Benson's side.
"It's Mordecai and Rigby. Someone locked us in here," Mordecai said. "Can you get us out?"
"How did you two even get stuck in there? You know what, I don't want to know."
Mordecai glanced down at Rigby as they heard Benson sigh. "Let me go find my keys."
Footsteps could be heard moving away and the two friends were relieved.
Mordecai picked up his phone and shined the light on Rigby.
The avian was once again worried when he saw the scared look on Rigby's face.
"Mordecai," Rigby said hoarsely, "I feel trapped again."
Mordecai quickly got down on his knees before pulling the raccoon into a hug.
He calmly pressed Rigby's head against his chest as he rubbed his friend's back with his own wing holding the phone.
"You're gonna be okay, Rigby. We'll be out of here soon," Mordecai whispered softly.
Rigby wrapped his own arms around the bird's waist as he listened to the heartbeat against his ear.
The two stayed as they were for about two minutes before they saw the doorknob turning.
Mordecai made a move to stand up when he felt Rigby's arms tighten around his waist.
"Don't leave me," Rigby said quietly.
Mordecai gently pried Rigby's arms off of him and looked in his eyes.
"I'm right here, dude. You're okay." The door opened and the two turned around.
"Get out here," Benson said pinching his nose, not even looking at the duo.
Mordecai stood up and gave Rigby a light push when the raccoon made no move to go.
Rigby bolted out of the closet and took in big breaths as he bent over, hands on his knees.
Mordecai walked over to the raccoon's side as Benson cracked the closet door.
Benson turned around and saw Mordecai crouch to Rigby's level and talk softly to him.
He frowned a little. "Mordecai, is he okay?"
Mordecai gathered Rigby in his arms and pressed his head to his chest.
"Yeah, he'll be fine. He was having a panic attack but he'll be alright," Mordecai said.
Benson then remembered that Rigby was claustrophobic. "Oh, okay."
Mordecai pat Rigby's back a few times and murmured something in his ear before looking back at Benson.
"How did you two manage to get locked in there?" Benson asked as he crossed his arms.
Mordecai gave a small chuckle. "Well, we were trying to get of work and someone didn't know we were hiding in the closet."
Benson rolled his eyes. "I bet it was Muscle Man. He was twirling his keys on the way outside with his earbuds in."
Benson's gumballs turned the lightest shade of red. "He also knows to never lock this closet. I always tell you guys to leave it cracked."
Mordecai blinked in surprise as he watched Benson get mad.
Rigby looked up and narrowed his eyes as someone walked in the room. "Speak of the devil," he muttered.
Mordecai and Benson saw Muscle Man walk in.
The green man smirked at them. "Hey, losers. Why weren't you at work to-"
The smirk fell form his face when he noticed his angry boss and the two best friends glaring daggers at him.
"What's up with you guys? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"You locked the closet door I always tell you to leave cracked!" Benson said gesturing to the closet.
Muscle Man held his hands up in front of him. "Whoa, I'm sorry-"
"You also managed to lock Mordecai and Rigby in there. How did you not notice them?"
"I was listening to my music too loud I guess. Sor-"
"You shouldn't listen to your music so loud that you can't hear everything around you," Mordecai said tersely.
Muscle Man scowled. "It's not my fault you two were in the closet," he said indignantly.
"Well it is your fault we got locked in there, idiot. You know not to lock the door," Rigby suddenly said irritadedly.
Muscle Man opened his mouth before Benson cut him off. "You caused Rigby to have a panic attack."
Rigby shuddered then opened his mouth to say something as the two disputed.
Mordecai noticed the shudder and he pressed Rigby's head to his chest again. "Relax, dude. Let Benson handle it."
Rigby sighed in resignation and closed his eyes as he blocked out the arguing with Mordecai's steady heartbeat.
Mordecai smiled softly and gently rubbed Rigby's back again before turning to Benson.
"We'll be upstairs if you need us. Thanks for finding us," he said.
Benson nodded with a small smile before Mordecai carried Rigby up the stairs.
The gumball machine's calm face turned to frustration again as he continued to lecture a perplexed Muscle Man.