6, or when Bunsen and Beaker come to feel equals
.
- ... And finally, the rook goes that way. In any direction, but not diagonally.
Honeydew placed the two last pieces of the chess box and moved one of them on the set to show him. Beaker nodded, taking notes mentally. After all, he was the one who insisted for his boss to stop working so hard on a way to separate them, he'd better felt lucky that he succeeded at convincing him to take a break. And maybe asking what was in this dusty box have been the best thing he had done since he came up to live here.
- It might be difficult at first, but I will show you.
Ultimately, Beaker took the white pieces and it didn't go that bad, as he early felt comfortable with the game. It was purely mental and he liked it. He even get used to the fact of always having to deal with his left hand instead of the glued one, and only moved the other one sometimes to prevent it from aching.
What he was still not accustomed to, however, was the penetrating look that his boss was giving him from the other side of the chessboard. His lack of expression was disturbing, like if he always had to exanimate things without sharing any of his results. The assistant did his best to not take it too personally and stay focused on his moves. Silence after silence, he realized, as he was carefully watching his boss while he was taking one of his pawns, that he felt less and less anxious around Honeydew. Not that he trusted him, but he sure was on the way to it.
A few turns later, he finally moved his knight and took the rook he had an eye on since a few minutes, causing Bunsen to not even look upset but excited. The scientist really had a talent for hiding his thoughts, while he, on the other hand, couldn't help himself but had to show every single feeling that passed through him. Like his nervousness as Honeydew clapped his hand on the table, to give him an applause.
- That is really impressive, Beaker ! He exclaimed with a smile. You really are good for a first time.
The assistant, who really didn't see that compliment coming, felt like his cheeks were already as red as his hair and he immediately tried to hide it in his collar. Things got even weirder for him when he heard his coworker giggling in response. Not in a cruel way like when he was getting hurt on stage. A real laugh.
With a sigh, the scientist moved one of his bishops and smiled again. A totally new and sincere smile.
- Isn't that funny that the bishop looks like you ? I never realized that.
He slowly turned the piece to show him, revealing its sort of curved mouth which indeed could remind of Beaker's when he gasped.
- You know, in French the bishop is called the jester. And given that the audience makes fun of your bad luck, I'm afraid it suits you in some way. Except the fact that you are unique, of course.
Though he could feel offended by such a comparison, the assistant couldn't help but nod, still intimidated by this surprising friendliness, the fact that this person, who made him feel what the worst physical pain could be for the sake of science, was now inviting him to have a simple talk with him. He was feeling kind of safe, but also was wondering where was the trap.
Honeydew was a bit like fog, beyond understanding from far and even more disturbing once you get closer. The red-headed muppet still didn't know what to think about him, but what seemed sure was that it seemed much easier to just hate him like he always did since he got hurt by that robotic rabbit back then. Because now he just couldn't, torn in two by his fear for the coldness he have seen in his non-existent eyes when they worked, and the strangely and touching clumsiness he was reflecting when they came to be in a more personal moment. Maybe his boss just needed some company after all. And despite the fact that he should be giving priority to his own good, he considered to give that theory a shot.
So, trying to relax, he laughed at his turn while moving a piece almost randomly, and finally added that if he was like the bishop, Bunsen, who was sending him on the battlefield every week, should be more like the king.
The scientist remained silent. And then he cleared his throat.
- Tell me, Beaker... Can you do me a favor ?
He may have suddenly changed the subject, but the smile he allowed to be for a second showed to the assistant that he had feel moved. And that was enough to make the latter curiously nod without even thinking.
Which he almost immediately regretted when the scientist sighed, in a solemn way that could scare anybody who happened to know him.
- I noticed that your dialect is getting easier for me to understand. Let's say that considering the circumstances, I came to really listen to you closely, and as I pay attention to that kind of details by now, I would like a thing to get a little bit different, if you don't mind...
Caught off guard, Beaker felt like he was blushing again and silently cursed at his timidity. Fortunately, Honeydew didn't pay attention to him but to his last rook instead, which had succeeded in making its way to the other side of the chessboard.
- Check. Please, call me Bunsen.