*Mayo's POV*
The next morning, Mr. Chair woke up, crying because his ankle hurt. "Ohhh Piggeh sweetheart! I can take it!," he sobbed. Piggeh sat up, and held Mr. Chair's hand. "Oh no, honey," he whispered. "It's probably swelling so it can get better."
Stephano came over, and took off Mr. Chair's loafer and sock. Piggeh was right about the ankle swelling; it was a mess of black and blue. It looked really painful, like it hurt to touch. {Name} came over to him with two, nice cold ice packs. "Th-thank you, my son/daughter," Mr. Chair squeaked, wiping his eyes. Stephano smiled. "Sank yeu, {Name}," he said. "Yeur daddy will be fine. He just need to have his foot nice and elevated, and on somezing cold."
Piggeh got a pillow off of the couch in the corner of the room, and placed Mr. Chair's ankle on it. Stephano took {Name}'s ice packs, and wrapped Mr. Chair's ankle with it. "Now, relax, Mr. Chair," Piggeh whispered. "It's rest that'll make it all better, honey." He leaned over, and gave Mr. Chair a peck on the lips.
As that was going on, I stored myself on the other side of the room. The only people awake were Mr. Chair, Piggeh, Stephano, {Name}, and myself. Pewdie and Cry were still asleep, and it was kind of quiet since it was early in the morning - only 8:00am.
I was sitting there, thinking a lot about Gonzales. Why did he scream? Did Barrel hurt him? Will he be alright? I'm sure he can't stand being locked up with that stupid Barrel.
"I think I should go save him," I said out loud. I had no idea I did until I also said "You guys should stay here with Mr. Chair and make sure he gets better. I'll go." Mr. Chair started to sit up. "A-are you sure, Mayo? I-I can go with you," he said. "I-I'm sure th-there's something we can use t-to make crutches."
I gently pushed down on his shoulders to make him sit back down. "No, no. It's alright, my cousin," I reassured him. "You need to keep that ankle up and wrapped in that ice. I'm sure I'll be fine."
Stephano jumped with a start as Pewdie snored a little, and rolled onto his stomach, then his side, pushing Cry out of his sleeping spot. Stephy smiled, and giggled a little at his boyfriend. "Alright, Mayo. Yeu can go out," he said. "But if yeu have any troubles at all, or yeu are chased, yeu come right back here, okay?" I nodded. "I will," I said before turning and heading out the door.
It was a cloudy day. I walked the streets, looking at my surroundings. Luckily, Barrel would most likely still be asleep. I told myself that I would have time to save Gonzales while Barrel was asleep.
Once I got to Barrel's base, I took a deep breath, and pushed the door opened. Unluckily, Barrel was standing there at the bottom of the stairs, sipping from a Dr. Pepper can. He was shirtless, and had dark circles under his eyes. "Ahh, good morning there, Mayo," he hissed pervishly. His voice was somewhat nasally as if he had recently woken up. "What brings you here?"
"Where is Gonzales?," I demanded.
"Oh, here for your friend, I see?," Barrel said simply, crushing his Dr. Pepper can in his fist, and threw it out. "I get it. Stand over there by there staircase, and I'll happily unhand him." For some strange reason, I believed Barrel, so I did what he said, and turned my back to the staircase.
For a few minutes, Barrel went upstairs. I assumed he was coming back down the stairs when I heard the clicking of combat boots on the stairs. I expected Gonzales to pick me up, and cradle me in his arms, hugging me, and telling me he missed me.
Instead there was something cold and metal tightly clamped around my wrists, and an arm thrown around my neck. Someone's sweaty, bare chest was pressed up against my back.
"I'll gag you," Barrel purred into my ear.
"W-why?," I asked, my voice shaking.
"You fell into my trap. My sweet, sweet trap, my little one," he said.
"Wh-what trap?," I squeaked.
Barrel's grip on my throat tightened. "With every idiotic question you ask like that, I'll squeeze tighter," he growled.
"Stop Barrel. You're scaring me," I gasped, starting to cry.
"Shh, shh, shh, shh. Don't cry, my little one," Barrel whispered. "I don't mean to scare ya. If it makes you feel any better, I'll tell you where Gonzales is."
"Alright," I sobbed.
"Gonzales...is on the BarrelArmy," Barrel purred. "If you want to see him again, you're more than welcome to join."
All of a sudden, I was fighting a random urge to throw my arms around Barrel's waist, and give him a hug. My heart was beating, telling Barrel how much I loved him. It felt like he had been my best friend for a very long time.
"I love you, Barrel," I whispered. "I love you so much. May I please join the BarrelArmy?" Barrel smiled sweetly, but sadly. "Of course, little one," he whispered, letting go of my neck, and un-handcuffing me. "Now, give Barrel a hug. I love you too, Mayo."
We threw our arms around one another's waists, and squeezed tightly. I felt very safe in Barrel's arms. They're muscled - very muscled - and they feel even warmer when they're bare. It made me feel like I was in a safe bubble as they pressed me into his chest. If I closed my eyes and concentrated hard, I could hear his gentle heartbeat.
"I love you," I sobbed. "I really love you. You make me feel safe." Barrel stroked my back. "It's alright, my little one. Don't cry," he whispered. "I"m right here. Barrel's gonna take good care of you. Shhh, it's okay. It's going to be alright. No need to be sad. I've gotcha, little one."
And I believed him with all my heart.