[Tonic continues to cling very tightly for a while, as his internal systems slowly acclimate to the idea of openness above him and around him. Tek's words are much easier to focus on, reminding him that normalcy exists outside of his vacuum of uncontrollable terror. once he is led forward a couple of uneasy steps, he is able to start assuring his own reptile brain that he is not going to fall into the sky, which seems to break the spell enough for him to finally let in a big, controlled breath.
the rest of him starts to follow suit with every step. his hold on the other becomes less of a death grip and more of a safety precaution, and he finds enough rhythm to follow along at a casual, meandering pace, and eventually he even begins to look around, try to identify things that Tek points out, try to read signs and look at the ground and slowly take it all in, one detail at a time.
would he like anything...? he makes a small mumbling noise as he thinks, but it speaks to his good progress that he's able to form a sardonic response.]
A lobotomy would be nice.
[even in this state, Tonic is still Tonic, and he is fully aware that Tek is being incredibly kind to him when he doesn't have to be. he is becoming deeply indebted with every passing second, and even though he logically believes that Tek doesn't intend to do him any serious harm, he also feels that he is taking an incredible risk in trusting him not to all the same.
so he is vulnerable and grateful and embarrassed, and enamored with the graciousness way he is being treated, but he doesn't want to admit it out-loud for fear of this kindness becoming more of a bargaining chip than it already is.]
But thank you, darling. Whatever you'd like is fine by me.
no subject
the rest of him starts to follow suit with every step. his hold on the other becomes less of a death grip and more of a safety precaution, and he finds enough rhythm to follow along at a casual, meandering pace, and eventually he even begins to look around, try to identify things that Tek points out, try to read signs and look at the ground and slowly take it all in, one detail at a time.
would he like anything...? he makes a small mumbling noise as he thinks, but it speaks to his good progress that he's able to form a sardonic response.]
A lobotomy would be nice.
[even in this state, Tonic is still Tonic, and he is fully aware that Tek is being incredibly kind to him when he doesn't have to be. he is becoming deeply indebted with every passing second, and even though he logically believes that Tek doesn't intend to do him any serious harm, he also feels that he is taking an incredible risk in trusting him not to all the same.
so he is vulnerable and grateful and embarrassed, and enamored with the graciousness way he is being treated, but he doesn't want to admit it out-loud for fear of this kindness becoming more of a bargaining chip than it already is.]
But thank you, darling. Whatever you'd like is fine by me.