Brainy hated being confused.

He found it hard enough to socialise with other smurfs at the best of times. One wrong move he'd be yelled at or thrown out of the village and walking on eggshells was exhausting. It was easier when he knew what 'ticked off' certain smurfs and actively avoiding everysmurf certainly helped. This situation was not one that he chose to be in anymore and so he was trying to not say anything at all. Then he couldn't say anything wrong.

"So...What have you been doing?" Gutsy asked after an awkwardly long time. He was making the not talking quite hard.
"Not much," Brainy mumbled. "You?" Maybe getting Gutsy to talk would give him a couple of moments of not having to speak.
"Not much, just the usual," Gutsy said. "I helped Handy with his project the other day. Well... just held something in place. It isn't quite finished yet though. If the spinner gets to fast it overheats or something." Part of Brainy was curious on what he was making, the bigger part of him knew better to ask. Last time he had shown an interest he had been thrown out the village. Really doing anything resulted with that. "It's a pity it isn't working though; it is some kind of automated cart to make collecting smurf berries more effective." That did sound interesting... He still didn't comment though. Last thing he needed was to say the wrong thing.

It was still raining but only a very slight drizzle. He didn't mind the rain that much. It made things grey and he liked grey. If life was going to be a dull mess then the environment may as well reflect it. He was quiet then noticed Gutsy staring at him, not just looking. It was quite awkward.
"Um...Something wrong?" he asked, warily. Had him not saying anything angered him?
"It's just...A few years ago you would have asked a million questions about it and had loads of ideas. It's weird you not doing that." Good weird? Probably good weird. Gutsy still seemed to be waiting for something. Brainy wasn't really sure what.

"Any ideas?" Gutsy finally asked, seemingly giving up on getting Brainy to break the silence. He got a very quick shake of the head, even though Brainy with the small bit of information on the project did have an idea. "Are you sure, laddie?" Brainy nodded but he couldn't quite make eye contact. He was not a very good liar.

Gutsy didn't push it though. At least not verbally.

Before long though they came across Handy working on it and from the smugness across Gutsy's face it clearly wasn't an accidental. Brainy wanted to run back to his mushroom away from interaction but he also didn't want to be rude to Gutsy.
"Hello Gutsy," Handy greeted with a smile. "Brainy." Brainy was pretty sure he wasn't imaging the lack of enthusiasm.
"Afternoon Handy," Gutsy greeted. "I was telling Brainy about your project."
"Not much to tell," Handy grumbled. "The stupid thing still isn't working."
"Well Brainy has an idea," Gutsy said, giving him a grin. Brainy gave him an incredulous look. Had he been that obvious and why was he doing this? He felt the cold wash of anxiety wash over him at the sceptical gaze from Handy and his chest tightened slightly but painfully.

"I don't," he mumbled. Handy and Gutsy exchanged looks which, to Brainy, were incredibly judgmental. The concern he saw on both of their faces must be imagined.
"You sure you don't?" Handy asked. He didn't sound angry or mocking like Brainy had been expecting. His voice was almost gentle. Reassuring. "Because at this point any idea is better than none." Brainy swallowed, wondering for a moment if this was some kind of trap. Being thrown out though would be a valid way to prove to Gutsy that he didn't belong with everysmurf else.

"Some kind of internal fan?" he quietly suggested. Handy stared at him for a long moment, then face palmed.
"Ugh...It always is something simple," Handy said. "I will give that a try. Thank you." Thank you? Somesmurf thanked him? That was weird. What was he meant to say?
"Um...No worries?" he guessed. Yes, that was what other smurfs said to each other.

He still wished that it hadn't happened though. It was a risk and not one he appreciated. He only agreed to go on the stupid walk because he thought smurfs wouldn't be around.
"Well I'm going to get supplies to try that. See you two around."

As soon as Hefty was gone Brainy tried to walk off, faster than before hoping that Gutsy would leave him alone.
"Wait!" Gutsy caught up with him quickly. "Are you annoyed at me?"
"Yes," Brainy said since Gutsy suddenly seemed to want honesty. "I don't like giving smurfs advice, Gutsy. It doesn't end well usually."
"I was trying to give you a confidence boost, Brainy," Gutsy said, quietly. "I didn't think. You're the smart one."
"I'm not really," he muttered. He didn't even understand others.
"Yes you are," Gutsy insisted, putting his hands gently on his shoulders. "The smartest smurf I know. Look I wouldn't have done that with Hefty but Handy is always reasonable." That was an annoyingly good point.

Brainy sighed.
"Okay..." he mumbled. "Can you just not do that again?" He couldn't cope with it, especially if it ended the way it always did. Although maybe he would get lucky and have an injury that meant he would never have to come back to the village again.
"Okay," Gutsy agreed. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"It's fine." Brainy didn't exactly expect to ever be happy anyway.

Somehow the walk lasted long enough that he had no way out of getting out of going to dinner. He swallowed the hard lump in his throat, trying not to panic but failed. Hopefully nosmurf would notice him, he was too tired of everything for any more drama.