The coming weeks afforded many trips out into the forest for Bluebear, in which he and the Bacteria became fast friends. He – or they, as Bluebear began to refer to himself ("We're just going for a walk, Avriel. No- I mean, me! I am.") – went out to the same log increasing frequently and for a long time they forgot that they had resolved to do anything. They talked and chatted and whiled the time away playing word games, discussing the meaning of life and the novels Bluebear had recently read. The Bacteria was a supreme fan of Optimus Yarnspinner and regaled the chromobear with the stories he'd learned off by heart, and it was as pleasant as pleasant could be.
Until-
"Bluebear?"
"Yes, my dear," he replied, turning to face her.
"Are you going walking again?"
"Yes, my dear. I'm going to go and look for Muggrooms," the lie was easily told. His eyes shifted and gazed out of the window over Avriel's shoulder.
"Look at me," she said, eyes full of hurt. "Where do you go – where have you been going? All those times you go off into the forest?"
It was at that exact moment that Bluebear realised he needed to get rid of the Bacteria.
It was good while it lasted, Comrade.