It'll probably be fine - I mean, it's a book. It's not like anything's gonna jump out and grab you.

[He knows it's the content that's more scary, but he's trying to joke around and ease the mood, and he doesn't feel like he's doing a very good job of it.

Then, the Once-ler is the one to reach out and put a hand on Peter's shoulder, though it's less out of comfort and more to steady him. He saw him start to wobble there.]

Might want to slow down a bit there, buddy. They're a heck of a lot stronger than they taste.

[It's why the Once-ler is still on his first. Aside from the warning though, he doesn't make a real effort to stop him, or to take the drink away. He's already made peace with the fact that he's probably going to be half-carrying Peter back to the mansion at the rate he's going, and the kid's already having a cruddy night as it is.

Besides, no one ever claimed the Once-ler was a responsible adult - the Once-ler included.]