#So I very carefully disturbed him by turning his feeding enclosure around to get a better shot

[sysig]

Pepper is the chunkiest little guy

[raindrenchedstories]

Forever home Pt. 7 G/t fluff, pet tiny.

   A resounding crash shocked Richter awake. This was the third over two days, causing Richter a bit of anxiety. Bear would just fall over from time to time, without moving. After a bit, he'd get up shake it off, but remain shaky for the rest of the day. It had Richter worried. Clearly feinting was by far abnormal. And Bear had only just started his medication.    If this was the side effect now... What would it be in the long term? What happens if Bear... No. Richter shook those thoughts away. Waiting in silent worry for Bear to return. In a few moments, the giant arrived. Steadying himself on counters, tables, any thing he could hold. Soon enough he reached for an orb from the table. Speaking to it this time.    It was a long conversation, between he, and some other giant through the orb. Bear made a list, sent a memory orb, then another after reading the bottle for his medication. Soon enough Richter could hear his masters voice raise slightly. "Wha- It can't be that bad. Can it? ......Side effects you say... Well. Alright. I'll see if I can find a house sitter then."    In a moment of frustration, the giant pounded his fist on the table, standing slowly. "Richter... I'm sorry bud, but breakfast will be a little late. I have to do something very important."    As the giant moved in a painfully slow pace, he made his way to another orb. Sending it away. Soon enough a somber knock came to the door. "Come in." Bear raised his head smiling softly. The door opened slowly Archibald hesitantly stepping through. A large bag held over his shoulder. Some sort of crest sitting on the middle of it.    Richter leaned back and forth looking around the two of them to see what was happening. Archibald gave him a brief glance, a sheepish smile flicking over his features. Instantly turning to Bears side the two seamed to bounce back and forth a while.    "Thanks for this, I know you're busy." William looked much different to Archibald, tired, weak, far more frail than he'd ever seen the man. It had only been a few days since his last visit, but things looked like they took a bad turn.    "No worries. I'm just glad you actually took your health into your own hands for once." Archibald set his bag down, giving it a judging glance. He just KNEW he was missing something. Probably something small. It wouldn't matter however, he could run back and fetch it at any time.    William gave him a sort of, sarcastic smirk. "Well, it's not just my life anymore. I have someone counting on me now." He gestured to the enclosure. Turning to pack his own bag of tricks for his time in the hospital. Not noticing the tiny wince from Archibald. "Don't spoil him absolutely rotten while I'm gone. You can find his feeding chart in the journal by his enclosure. He gets one, maybe two treats once in a while. No people food."    Archibald folded his arms in a defiant stance, glancing back at Richter a moment before looking in the direction Bear was headed last. "You know I can't cook, right?"    "There's pre-made foods in the freezer, just heat them up. I planned for this sort of thing." Was his reply, only, from a much different direction. Soon enough the bearded menace arrived with a small pack. Not many items were in it, a few changes of underwear, toothbrush. And woolen socks. Same as the last few trips to the hospital most likely.    There was a clear discomfort in Williams eyes a moment. Just pleading for Archibald to comfort him. The earth giant heaved a sigh. "Hey, it's alright. It'll most likely be overnight. And HEY! I'm not dragging you this time."    The weak smile he'd received only made Archibald more tense. "Will, it's really going to be okay. When you get back, we'll be waiting for you. And you'll feel better for having done this." He gave the man a reassuring pat on the shoulder, only to find himself wrapped up in a tight grip around his middle. Suspended a little off the ground.    Soon enough Archibald was returned to his feet, feverishly readjusting his glasses over and over whilst trying to ignore the flush to his cheeks. And in one moment, all that recombobulating was ruined once more. As a large mitt of a hand rattled his head from side to side, normally neat, well groomed hair now frazzled in every direction.    With that, William leaned on Richters enclosure, bidding the little fellow goodbye for now and listing care instructions. Not long after he left. Leaving Archibald to hug his shoulders with a tiny sigh. "You always had someone counting on you...." He turned his gaze on Richter, who seamed uncomfortable at best. Outright fearful in reality.    What had just happened? Bear just... left them. Left Richter alone with this strange giant, and left the giant alone in his home. A giant who, from Richters point of view, was still new and needed much more time to get handling rights. His attention was pulled to the titans voice however.    "So... Will said not to spoil you absolutely rotten. But he and I have different views on absolutes. So~ Where does he keep your cookies eh?"It was strange to see someone other than Bear wander around the home, opening cupboards until he gave up. "No treats? Richter, my heart bleeds for you. But no worries."    The stranger returned to his bag and pulled something from it, a box. On it was a painted design of a human like himself, full scale but cartoony. The drawing made the person look as though they were enjoying one of the advertised treats inside. Richter only shuttered a moment before heaving a sigh.    Opting to talk to himself, Richter sat down on his sofa. Having moved to the living room while waiting for his breakfast. "No choice but to put up with it... I guess."    He jolted back a bit when the access hatch clicked open. Something that hadn't happened since last bath day. Flattening himself against the furniture, the human looked for a way out. Any way to avoid being grabbed. As Archibalds hand made it's way into the room, Richter vaulted over the back of the sofa and attempted to hide there.    A soft laugh quaked over the enclosure, followed by a hushed tone. "Hey, it's alright. Just look. Look at what I'm holding." Given the lack of moving sofas and aggravated noises that usually followed a catching, Richter peeked his head over the love seat. Sure enough, Archibalds hand rested nearby, but open, flat. With what looked to be either a very small cake, or an over sized biscuit resting just at the tips of his fingers.    Slowly, Richter crept from his hiding place. Hunger overtaking fear. He'd taken rewards from Bear before. But never quite in this way. Normally it would be pinched between the mans fingers, and was rarely anything more than the small cakes he'd made. This was new, in all too many ways.    Carefully he placed a hand over the treat, then pulled back in case Archibald was baiting a trap. After no such attempt to grab was made, Richter lifted the new thing off of Archibalds hand. Backing away slowly and making his way to the sofa again. "There now, see? No harm done. Just a cookie."    Examining the strange new food, Richter broke off a small piece, sniffing it before taking a tiny bite. It was by no means amazing, but it was better than the foods from the shelter. And so, he dove in. Nibbling at each bite. Richter could hear Archibald kick up into a soft breathy laugh. The kind reserved for small animals that were not to be disturbed.    After he polished off what was left of the small treat, Richter found himself leaning back casually in his sofa. Placing a hand on his stomach and enjoying the tidbit for breakfast. It had been a while since he'd last gone hungry. And the idea of it was jarring to say the least.    That said, Richter was starting to worry about Bear. He'd only just started to actually trust the guy, and now the big fuzzball just left. Judging by the set of bags both Bear and Archibald had... It would be a while before he saw Bear again. The idea made his heart sink.    Despite the treats, Richter only seamed sad now. Archibald heaved a sigh, pulling the feeding tray out and finding Richters actual breakfast. Warming up the first thing he could find, Archibald spooned a few dabs of hot pudding onto the tray and scooted it back in place. "Don't worry pal. He'll be back soon. You'll hardly notice he's gone."    Richter seamed to acknowledge his words, but give them little care. Standing slowly, the tiny creature made his way to his breakfast and dug in at long last. The amount of gusto the little fellow gave was surprising to say the least. But sort of uplifting. As Archibald leaned on the wall of the shelter he began to settle in.    There was always that feeling of discomfort when he house sat for anyone. Staying in a strange bed, trying not to make a mess while simultaneously trying to make himself comfortable. He gave a slow groan. staring at his wrists a moment in some form of distraction.    Several scars dotting them in a circular pattern. He heard the faintest of noises from the enclosure and blinked down towards Richter. The little fellow seamed to scramble out and Right up to Archibalds hands. Giving him a little surprise.    When the tiny being reached out to place a hand on his scars, Archibald chuckled slightly. "You're smarter than you're given credit for. It's fine. These happened a long time ago." He pulled his hands back, out of Richters reach. There was no reason to hide them really and no reason to lie about, or deny their origin.    "You probably don't understand me. But that's okay. These happened during the war. Magic sealing cuffs. It was the elves best way to keep someone like me contained." He explained. Though he was sure his words were falling on deaf ears, Archibald learned that recalling the situation made it easier on him.    He rolled up his sleeve to show off smooth and polished stone resting like great guards on his shoulders. "They wanted this. I guess you don't know, but the stones that grow on earth giants can be used to make a magically conductive powder. Forge it into a blade and enchant it, you have a magic sword that never runs out." He gave a sigh.    "Anyways. It can only be harvested from my kind of giant. So they attempted to keep us alive to mine us. I still can't stand the feeling of them being chipped at. They keep growing though. So I have to deal with it." He smirked, reaching down to try and pet the little being. Only to find him shying away when his fingers came close to Richters head.    "Don't like having your head touched eh?" He lay his hand nearby and attempted to scratch at Richters back. Only to be rejected again. Apparently he wasn't familiar enough. This made the man sigh, How could this frightened little thing win Will over so fast when he'd been working at it all his life?    Looking around the room Archibalds gaze landed on a picture near the back wall, just entering the living room. "No way! How'd I not notice that?" He gingerly approached the photo, picking it up off the wall and staring at it for a while. Just keeping his eyes on the figures in the photo for a while. Entranced by the fact that it even existed in Williams home.    "ey...hey HEY!" Archibald snapped out of it, turning back to see Richter waving his hands and jumping at the far end of the enclosure. Snickering, he approached the little fellow with the photo in hand and held it down for Richter to see. The tiny man instantly gravitated to it.    The figures in the photograph were as big as him. Making Richter sort of laugh a bit. It looked like a typical group photo, several men clustered together in a friendly way. One thing Richter found off was the matching uniforms, and strange harnesses some of the men wore. Basically like shoulder straps with some sort of bubbles running over each one.    He could recognize Archibald in it but almost missed Bear if it weren't for the arm thrown over Archibalds shoulder. The beard was gone, leaving room for a broad, open face. One thing that drew his eye was a ring on Bears left hand. What looked like a wedding band.    He pointed at it, looking up at Archibald for feedback. The giant paused, looked at the picture and groaned when he saw what Richter was pointing at. "Ugh. I hated that bitch. Pushed him so hard to fight in a war he wanted no part in... Then left him when he came back damaged."    Without warning, Richter was scooped in a loose grip, causing him to flail and shout a moment before he was placed on the table. Archibald brought another memory orb forward, keeping his hand on it. From it's surface, images of a young woman began to play up in soft light. Drawing Richter into it.    "She was a user. She'd find a kindly gentleman, push herself on him, then sponge off his lively hood. The moment he rose up, or raised issue, she'd break the relationship." The woman in the image flicked over several men, landing on Bear. Memories of the woman from Archibald showing up in front of Richters face.    "Both William and I came back scarred from the war, but he showed it more than I ever will. Beloria took one look at his dark, worn... kind face and left him. Just left him. And she's the one who sent a pacifist to war in the first place." Richter could tell something was wrong with Archibald, seeing a few small tears forming in his eyes.    "She just used him. And when she was done, she tried to move in on me... And I threw her out on her ass." The giant looked proud of himself, yet, a little disappointed at the same time. Richter tilted his head, reaching out and patting the giants Ring finger. He payed attention to the orb once more.    Seeing the woman standing in the rain, suitcases in hand. She was saying something, but Richter couldn't make it out. He did, however, see a small red light, a glowing ruin in what looked to be Archibalds door frame. The woman tried to force her way in, only to be pushed back. Archibald pointed to the ruin, then the door slammed.    The image cut out after Archibald raised his hand off the orb groaning. Said hand ducked into the treat box again and offered another biscuit out to Richter. Hesitantly, he took it with a small thank you and nibbled away. Taking another look at the photo, Richter started to put things together. The uniforms, Bears actions, the medication, it all brought him to the same conclusion.    "So, you're both war vets..." Richter brushed the remaining crumbs from his little snack aside and stared Archibald in the eye a moment. "So, what does that make me?"    With that, Archibald smirked. A large shape moved behind Richter, catching his attention briefly before he just leaned back. Allowing the gentile petting this time. One difference Richter noticed was how slim and soft Archibalds hands were in comparison to Bears. As though he tried to keep them more delicate than the other mans. In fact, everything about Archibald just looked groomed.    The observation was only re-confirmed when Richter was once again scooped. Giving a meek, halfhearted flail, the man settled into the hollow of Archibalds palm. Watching lazily as the world passed by on the way to his enclosure. Sliding carefully to the grass, Richter found himself left to relax. Though Archibald checked in on him every hour, bringing another biscuit each time. And spoke to him the whole day. He hadn't been handled too much.    The day more or less continued like that. Asside from perhaps eating more than Richter normally had. The only point that stood out was lunch. The man found himself outright staring at Archibald as the giant just casually pulled what looked to be several boulders from a compartment in his bag.    He'd done some complex things to each stone. Like grinding them, or cutting them with a specialized knife. He placed them in a skillet also from his pack, and added sauces of sorts, and seasonings of odd origin. Finalizing things by scorching them on the first burner of the stove.    Shortly after the odd actions, Richter found himself in awe as the titan began wolfing back the strange mixture. As though it were just... the norm. Blinking in confusion, the human stepped forward to examine things a little better. Skittering back when he'd been noticed. The feeding tray was filled and Richter had to test it to make sure he wasn't eating pebbles. Giving the food a judging look, and poking it cautiously.    "Pfft. What's with the expression? Not hungry?" Archibald returned to his plate of stones with a snicker.    The day wore down at last and as far as Richter knew, Archibald had slept on the couch. And took a long time to do so. Basically causing the human to flop about several times over on his bed groaning. Archibald apparently had no concept of sleep schedules. Or at least, no consideration for Richters own. Or no knowledge of it. And even when the lights went out, Richter was severely lacking in sleep.    His first clue that something was off was when he'd heard Archibald talking in his sleep. Things he knew to be the giants word for 'no' and 'stop'. It ended in the kitchen light flicking back to life. The giant leaned over the sink, desperately running water over his face. Said giant took a few more moments, collecting himself with shaky breaths.    Archibald was talking to himself, clearly trying to calm down. Richter assumed he'd had a night mare, probably similar to Bears. The part he'd found odd was that Archibald had been for the most part, ignoring him. For the first time that whole day, he'd been ignored fully while Archibad was in the kitchen.    Groaning, the human pushed himself up from the mass of pillows and blankets he'd made into a nest for himself. Wriggling from their warmth and out of the room. Staggering down the stairs and out the door. If Richter was going to sleep, he needed Archibald to calm down first.    Standing in the grass and glaring over the wall lining his enclosure, Richter took a deep breath in. "HEY YOU!" He began jumping up and down, making as much noise as he could. When Archibald finally noticed him, Richter stood still. completely still. Archibald extended a curious hand to the human.    Without much thinking, Richter dragged the hand to himself via Archibalds middle finger. Standing in the squishy spot between the fingers and the palm of the hand. Though Richter would never tell another human this, that was his favorite spot in any hand. He kept old of one finger, hugging it as best he could, and effectively trapping Archibalds hand in his enclosure.    "You get it back when you feel better." The smaller man smirked.    Archibald just stood there, baffled. Without his glasses, Richter was a mere blur. That said, Archibald knew he'd just been taken hostage by the little brat. If he lifted his hand, the little guy would come with it. If he left his hand, perhaps Richter would just get tired and go back to bed soon. Or, were these little runts nocturnal?    Eventually, Archibald curled his fingers around the little one groaning. "Ah, I woke you, didn't I? Look it was just a nightmare. Okay?" He attempted to pull his hand away. The little beings grip tightened and the small one bent his knees. Ready for lift off.    "Way too smart. Alright, alright. I'll talk." Archibald groaned. Pulling Richter fully out of the enclosure and sitting with the being cradled in his palms at the table.    "I-sigh-I dreamed is was my son, who was captured. Not me. It's ridiculous. He's only one third giant. And well, isn't much bigger than you in reality. And... In my dream, I was unable to help. It's normal. And... I know it's a dream. I'm just worrying about the lad." Archibald glanced into his hand. The little being splayed casually in his palm, arms folded, legs crossed, and a firm scowl on his face.    The giant could feel his eyes widen at the sight, now that he actually COULD see the expression. "Still no? Richter, you drive a hard bargain." He groaned. All Archibald wanted to do was go back to tossing and turning on the sofa, and missing his bed. Still, this was probably for the best.    "Look, what do you want me to say? That I'm sorry for what happened during the war? That I wish I'd never signed up? Richter, I'm a GIANT. More importantly, I was never on the front lines. Yeah, I was captured, but I got out not a day later. You want trauma, talk to Will." He could feel himself get angrier and angrier as he spoke. Though, it wasn't directed at Richter.    "HE's the one they wronged, not me. Our side never shed blood. We're giants, if we want something to stop, we can make it stop. Just shove the runt in a metal box and poof, problem gone. War over. They were the ones who..." He gave up after that, running his free hand through his hair.    "They were the ones who shot the trebuchet. They were the ones who managed to kill first. And... who pushed Will into it." He closed his eyes a moment pinching the bridge of his nose.    "And I was the one who had to pick up the pieces. When Bell left... I was the one who had to hold him on those bad days. I had to drag him to the hospital...He's doing better now that he has you though." With a weak smile, Archibald squeezed his hand around Richter carefully. As a sort of hug.    The little fellow squeaked a bit, before settling down. "You probably don't understand me, so I don't mind saying, I'm a little jealous. I just wish the fuzzball would...Well, that he'd think of me as more than a friend at least. I haven't told him yet though. I... Haven't told him yet for a few hundred years." A light blush dusted his cheeks.    Archibald thought he'd heard a faint jingle, but ignored it. "Maybe I'll tell him when he gets back though... You know."    "Tell who? And what?" Archibald found himself almost throwing Richter over his shoulder in a startled frenzy. Clapping the other hand in a dome over the tiny being instead and looking in to make sure he was okay.    Asside from a frazzled expression, Richter was fine. Good. Now then. "WILL?! I thought you were-"    "Completely fine. They had to do a few blood tests, and a LOT of uncomfortable examining. But I'm not having the reaction they thought I was." William smirked while setting his bag down. Leaning on the door frame with a sigh.    "So~ What did you want to say?" Those bushy eyebrows raised in a way that implied suspicion. Suspicion of something Archibald suddenly wasn't ready to own up to quite yet. And so. Lie. Lie like a rug.    "It's just, spending the day with Richter like this.... It's nice. I think you've convinced me to get a pet myself!" Archibald pased the tiny fellow to William and began making his way to the living room. "He's been a little prince for me all day! Um... I'll pack my things."    Asside from the flip flopping of Richters internal organs, he was no worse for the ware. Sprawled out in the familiar rough palm belonging to his master. Giving a cautious glance upwards, Richter could see Bear eyeing him with a smirk. Giving a knowing wink and carefully transporting the human back to his enclosure.    "Do you need help making an enclosure then?" The giants voice was raised, but not ear splitting. Thankfully. "We could make a date out of it." The giant had a look of pure mischief now.    Richter could hear a funny sort of squeak before Archibald showed up carrying his bag over his shoulder. "NO! No I'm- well... Maybe."    "You're going already? I was kind of hoping you'd stay the night. I'm supposed to stay up and detox the other medication. And well... I need company." Richter slid off the palm a little slower than normal, trying to gather his surroundings again and regain the ability to walk.    He could hear the uncertainty in Archibalds voice as he spoke. "Um... sure. You could give me tips and tell me how you hand tamed Richter so well. Just... Give me a moment."    The other giant vanished and Richter could hear Bear chuckle. The big guy gave the human a slow, steady smirk whispering to him. "Don't tell him." He moved his jacket pocket, allowing Richter to see just the tip of something pink.    "....You were outside the door. Weren't you?"