Sammy groans as his sheet music is smudged yet again.
He didn't understand the need for the pipes flowing everywhere. Or why he needed a damn ink machine. The man hadn't even told them what it does. For now, it just sits there, his favorite record sitting on a shitty ass pedestal for no reason. Just to add 'pressure' as his boss claimed.
Henry winces as Sammy rubs at his face tiredly, feeling really bad for the man, for all the humans working.
The borrower had been appointed as head animator. And while he was unable to make story boards and the different animation lines, the rest of 'his' team had to. And as Joey commanded for more and more films faster and faster, some of the human's frustration were getting aimed toward him.
Not that he minded it, considering he was considered their superior. But, when someone who's growing angry toward you is an essential giant, one tends to fears for their life, hence why he's on Sammy's desk trying to get another filing of ink. He didn't mean to go back to his borrowing ways and was taking ink without permission, but he couldn't help it. Henry had tried to ask a few humans if he could use some of their supply. Had been polite and asked them before even getting close to their bottles and pens. But...
Let's just say the outcome almost got the borrower swiped off the desk more than once.
Sammy doesn't notice the tiny teenager gathering ink, head still down as he tries to take calming breaths. The musically talented man did, however, feel a presence hovering near him. Immediately thinking it was Joey demanding for yet another damn theme song, his head snaps up, the African American growling angrily.
"I swear to God, Joey. Get the fuck out of my office, and-!"
"SHIT!" Henry yelps, falling back after precariously perching on the rim of the bottle of ink. He just wanted the damn black liquid! He didn't want to die! He just wanted to help!
"Don't fall," Sammy chuckles, carefully snagging the teenager's shirt before gently lifting him back onto the desk.
"Sorry, Mr. Lawrence, sir! I didn't mean-!"
"What? Didn't mean to take my ink?" Sammy smirks, though it falls at seeing Henry's horrified expression.
"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!"
The borrower couldn't take it anymore. Even though Wally and Joey had been gracious and kind, Henry had no fucking clue who the hell Sammy would turn out to be. And with the price on his head by every other human, all wanting him to just fuck off and leave them alone, even though they're the ones asking for his goddamn help.
The music director blinks down at Henry as he curls into a frightened ball. He had heard stories of an attitude worth hearing if you pushed him enough, but cowering in fear?
"Why the hell are you so scared, Ross?"
"Everyone else wants to kill me!"
"Everyone..." Sammy's head snaps up toward the stairs, growling as he realizes why the kid didn't even want to be around Joey. The man had gotten anxious at having Henry wondering around more and more, no longer coming back to the studio owner's office at the end of the day. "Alright, Ross. We're taking a trip."
The words left Henry confused, his head lifting in fear only to scream as Sammy's hand descends on him, scrambling away from getting crushed. He then sprints toward his escape route, almost reaching where the jar of ink stood before the palm of the director's hand smashes down on his path way, forcing the borrower to stop short. "I WON'T-"
"Die, I know. Jesus Ross, I'm not going to kill you."
The borrower hesitates at that, breathing heavily as he looks up at the man. The African American still looked bored, as if he had better things to do than sitting there, but there was something in his eyes, something that told Henry the human would never hurt him.
"You really won't?"
"I'm waiting, Ross," Sammy grouses, his bored expression turning into a glare as Henry suddenly smirks up at him. "What the fuck is that thing on your face?"
"It's called I win."
The music director doesn't validate that with a comment, simply sweeping the teenager into his hand before trudging up the stairs. He nearly freezes when miniscule hands grasp at his fingers, instinctually bringing his occupied hand closer to his chest for security.
"You okay, Ross?"
"Just been a long time since someone's held me in a flat palm instead of a fist," Henry responds, surprise covering his features as he watches the world pass by.
"Would you rather I...?"
"I'm okay. But thank you." Sammy couldn't help but smile down at the borrower.
"You know. You're not as annoying as the other idiots down in this hell hole."
"Right back atcha, Sammy."
The human rolls his eyes at that, mouth opening to make some smartass comment, only to snap it shut with a growl as the door to the first floor suddenly opens to reveal Joey Drew himself.
"Sammy, I need-!"
"Can it, Drew. What you need is to talk to your sorry excuse for an animating department."
The studio owner crosses his arms at that, glaring up at the African American with defiance.
"And just what the hell would I be talking to them about?"
"The way they're treating their lead animator."
"The way they're..." Joey's gaze suddenly locks onto Henry in horror, scanning the borrower as a light bulb seems to go off inside him. "You're not hurt, right? They haven't tried to-?"
"Joey, I'm fine. They're just being assholes," the borrower shrugs as he glares up at Sammy.
"More like barely keeping themselves from smashing him like a cockroach."
"Lawrence!"
"I will talk with them," the man states, glaring at both his music director and his lead animator. "But I expect a report on everything you have accomplished and working on. Including everyone else on your team.
"And no, Sammy. I'd like you to assist Henry."
The two simply look away as their boss then quickly leaves through the door he just entered through. Leaving the stairwell silent, Henry then turns back to his now silent companion.
"Thanks for snitching on me."
The music director glares down at the borrower before hesitating, hearing the genuine gratitude behind the rather insulting phrase being used as a 'thank you'. "Thanks for stealing my ink."
"Hey! It's called borrowing!" Henry grins, unable to help himself as Sammy smiles from the comment. He quickly sobers up, though, offering a grateful expression as those brown eyes bigger than his head watch him. "Thank you for telling him about the others. Joey's just a bit-"
"Overbearing? You're not the only one who thinks so." The African American shrugs before scowling the borrower. "If you ever need anything, especially with Drew, just let me know."
Henry nods at that, watching the world rush by before he smirks rather smugly.
"You know, I did leave my grappling hook in your office..."
"It's mine now."
"Fuck you, Sammy!"
