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 Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2022 8:06 pm
Todd was... confused. He wasn't sure what was going on, exactly—every time he got close to Zac, close enough to smell the kind of shampoo he used, close enough to touch, close enough to—to be doing something to his heart and body. His heart, specifically, raced in a way he usually associated with fear, with running away. His palms got sweaty, something he usually associated with anxiety. His throat closed up in the way that it did when he spoke for too long. But none of it... truly felt... as negative as previous experience would say it should. Especially when every cell of his being desired to be closer to Zac, to spend more time with him, to... be close enough to touch him all the time. It made him blush, and he didn't understand it.Naturally, he decided the best idea for it was to simply explain to Zac what was going on and ask him if he knew what happening to him. Because he had no clue. "Zac?" he called out quietly as he approached, feeling awkward for reasons he didn't quite know, like he was... too long and gangly in his body, which didn't make sense; he knew he was comfortable with his body. Everything was so strange, and he wanted to know what was going on, so once he had Zac's attention, he just plowed forth. "I think... something wrong. With me." He laid a hand on his chest for emphasis. "Confused. Want to be near you, all the time. But... my heart races like being chased. Hands sweaty. Hard to—hard to talk. Moreso than normal! You... make me feel... funny." His face burned with shame that he couldn't place, reasons he couldn't name, and to his utter shock, a tear fell down his cheek. "I am confused! And scared! But all I want is to be near. I don't.... understand."
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2022 6:00 pm
If Zac noticed anything weird about Todd, he didn't actually notice it, because Todd was weird and he’d just accepted that a weird man was living in his house with him.
Mostly, he gave Todd his space. He’d check on him, have little conversations, but he figured Todd was just closer to the others than him. Zac wasn’t always the friendliest person or the easiest one to get along with, so he didn’t take any of it personally. He didn’t go out of his way to try and accommodate him the way the others might have, but he still wanted to make sure he was taken care of.
When Todd approached him today, he expected it was to ask about some contraption around the house, or to ask him if he brought home any good food for dinner (he did, there was takeout on the counters), or to–hell, he didn’t know, play fetch in the back yard or something.
He did not expect…
This.
And Todd looked like he was crying.
Zac leaned back a bit to scan the room, as if he expected Soleiyu to be hiding somewhere so he could go grab him and shake him until he gave Todd some answers, but it seemed like they were home alone.
‘Uhhhh’ was not an appropriate response, so he just stood there in silence for a moment while his mind tried to piece together an answer.
“...Well, that’s probably because I’m scary,” he said after a moment. “So it’s natural to be uncomfortable around me. But I also feed you. So it’s natural to want to stick around to make sure you get the best food. That’s normal, you’re fine.”
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Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:03 pm
Todd's ears twitched with anxiety as he waited for a response, but he knew Zac had to think about it. It couldn't have been an easy question to deal with, especially when it dealt with Zac himself. ... Still, when the answer came, he wasn't as... settled as he thought he would be, on the matter. He scrunched his nose up in more confusion, head tilting to the side as he considered this. "Doesn't... sound right," he said slowly. "Feels like... more? But... am not sure. Todd is—I am. Not best, with feelings. Comp-li-licat-ted." He shrugged. "Hard to... to piece... life, like puzzle, when..." He sighed a moment, trying to find the right words. "When life was... never comp-li-cate-cated. Before. Hunt, trade, sleep. Feelings... never matter. Before. Earth is hard. So many... feelings. People. Much of... everything."
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 9:57 am
Zac nodded, as if with understanding. “Emotions are complicated. They layer, too. Sometimes it’s not easy to get to the bottom of them because you’ve got six different kinds all stacked together.
“Here,” he said, pushing one of the containers closer to Todd. “It’s food. Good food. Helps you think and sort things out. I’m always better after I’ve eaten, maybe it’ll help you, too.”
He leaned against the counter and tried to find a comfortable position. He wasn’t the best person for any conversation about emotion, and he wasn’t even particularly good at sorting things out and giving advice, either. “You’re doing pretty good, though. I mean, all things considered, I know things are complicated but you’ve been working really hard to settle in.” And, so far as he knew, no ne outside of the house knew–or suspected–that Todd wasn’t human. “It’s sort of the human experience though, you know? Feelings. They say that all sentient, knowing creatures are capable of them. It’s what separates us from the animals.”
Oh, but Todd–
Well, was Todd.
“You’re supposed to be more than just hunt, trade, sleep, right? I mean, you’re a Senshi. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices. Sometimes feelings come into play. But they’re not all bad, right? I mean, you’re happy when you’re playing, you’re excited when you’re outside, you’re curious about new things–those are good feelings, yeah? You like those?”
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:10 pm
Todd hummed in appreciation when Zac pushed a container of food towards him, and he picked it up to begin eating, very proud of the way he'd finally learned how to use eating utensils with a high rate of accuracy. "Food always good," he informed Zac with a bright smile. He listened intently to Zac's explanation, ears twitching. "Mm. More, don't know. Must be. Am Senshi, like you say. But... was child. Had nobody for long time. Village did not know, kept secret. Instinct. Not safe. Never... felt fully safe." He shook his head. "Too many bad thing happen." Sighing a bit, he shifted and shovelled more food into his mouth. "Not all feelings bad, though. Earth feels good. Happy, curious, excited. All good. Think... feel safe. In this home. With pack. Yes." His tail suddenly wagged furiously, smacking hard against the counter. "Pack safe. Pack home. Have pack."
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:12 am
Zac relaxed a bit when it seemed like Todd was in a better mood–or, at least, the tail seemed to indicate as much. And, food tended to solve most problems in this house. Especially the emotion based ones.
“Yeah, well you’re not alone right now. You’ve got people looking after you. People who care about you and want you to stick around and be okay. I know Destiny City isn’t perfect but for as long as you’re in this house, you’re safe. And if you did get into trouble,” he shrugged, “Well, you know you’d have us to come bail you out.”
Zac wasn’t sure he’d call them a pack or anything, but he knew things were different for Todd. Even if Zac had a tendency to push people away, he still had a family and he still had people who cared about him. For some reason. Of course they’d want to look after Todd, too–and, better he be here than out there where the Negaverse could hurt him.
“So you can relax a little, okay? It’s all good. You don’t have to worry so much. And if you need anything, you can ask any of us. Nobody’s going to make you go out there and deal with anything on your own.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 1:05 am
Todd nodded. "That's what pack does," he said sagely, "Would do same. For all of you." He gave a very small smile, feeling like that was appropriate, even if it felt awkward on his lips. He didn't smile very easily; being sociable and expressing his emotions and how he felt wasn't... Something that he did very well. But he wanted to try. Wanted to learn what he was talking about, because lingering fear still didn't sit quite right in his gut. Wanted to make sure his pack knew he loved all of them. Perhaps he could ask someone else to help him... Google what he was thinking about Zac. He didn't think asking the same question twice of the same person was very smart. A worry for another day. Right now, he was happy. Zac gave him food and tried to help. Assured him he had a place here. Without even thinking about it this time, his gaze became soft, and a warm smile traced wider over his face as he gazed at Zac through half-lidded eyes. Yes. He felt loved here. Good pack. Good pack leader, too. His heart thudded in his chest, but he was content to just... be, for the moment.
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