You're still excited when you gets back to your house. Since you only moved here a few days before, many of your things were still in boxes scattered around in several different rooms, so it takes you a few minutes to find your sleeping bag. You eventually find it in a box that is filled with, of all things, glassware. After packing some toiletries and a change of clothes, you're out the door and back on your way to Tidas' hangar.
On the drive back, you can't help but marvel at how quick your everything has changed. A few hours ago, you didn't even know that Tidas existed, and now you're planning on spending the night with the giant teen. Thinking about it all for a moment, a thousand questions you'd like to ask the giant pop into your mind. You make a note to ask him whenever you can.
All in all, the trip to and from your house takes a little over half an hour, much shorter than you thought it would. Since you told Tidas to wait an hour, you're actually surprised to find the giant sitting next to the hangar, waiting for you to arrive. When Tidas catches a glimpse of Daniel's headlights, he springs up to his full height in excitement. "Happy he's as pumped for this sleepover as I am," you mutter to yourself, followed by a brief chuckle. As you puts your car into park, you look over and start to fully realize just how big Tidas is. one of his feet could easily crush your mid-sized SUV. You're happy he's so amiable as you start to appreciate just how awful it would be if he fell into the wrong hands or under the wrong person's influence.
He walks over and kneels as you unload the few things you'd packed. You worry that you might have to take a second trip, but eventually rearrange things in your arms enough that everything fits. Tidas notices how weighed down you look and says "I can help with that, if you'd like." Not wanting to be rude and realizing that to the 100 foot teenager what you're carrying is probably light as a feather, you agree. He lowers his hand, and you think he's going to hold it out for you to unload your stuff or something. Instead, you wraps it around you and carries you inside. At first you're shocked, unsure of how to react to what feels like an invasion of personal space. Once again you are reminded of just how big Tidas is. By the time he drops you off inside, you actually sort of miss the warmth of his hand as it surrounded your body.
"Thanks for that," you say, trying to be a good guest.
"No, thank you for staying with me!" Tidas replies with much enthusiasm. He's sitting up in the hangar, his head about 10 feet from the roof, and you are on a catwalk about level with his chest that runs on either side of the hangar. "It...gets really lonely in here sometimes."
"So...how does the town treat you?" you ask, putting your stuff down and segueing into what you hope is a happier topic.
"They've been really nice to me so far. They provide all the food and water that I need, as long as I help out with a few things around town."
"Like what?"
"Stuff that someone as big as me can do pretty easily. Mostly construction work, honestly. It's actually really easy, so I'm really grateful for how nice they are."
You can't hold yourself back from asking the next question, as much as you might want to. "And you don't remember anything before six months ago? Or how you ended up 100 feet tall?"
"Nope. Well, occasionally I remember snippets. Very vague memories of things that I think I did when I was much younger and slightly more regular sized. Nothing major, though, just little things like playing a jungle gym or looking out the window of a car. Nothing that's been of help in finding out who I am or how I got this big, basically."
"So, do you like it? Being big, I mean," you add as you realize the word 'it' might need some clarification.
This question makes him stare off into the distance, clearly thinking over his answer. Eventually, after a few moments consideration, he says "yes and no. When I first came across Redwood Bay, I couldn't believe how small everything was. It definitely took some adjustment, and a lot of times the good comes with the bad, if you know what I mean. For example, I'm really powerful, and it's exhilarating sometimes to know that I am the strongest and fastest human being that has ever lived, even if they are both just because of how large I am. At the same time, though, that power comes with a need to be constantly conscious of what I'm doing so I don't do anything that might hurt anything. The first few weeks, before I got a hang of how to do that, there were a few...accidents."
"Like what?" You don't want to push him into thinking of things that he's clearly uncomfortable with, but your curiosity is too strong at this point.
He shifts a little and gives a brief sigh. "Mostly just property damage. A few cars and buildings suffered some damage from my footsteps before I learned to soften them a bit. And...there was an incident with a person. I wasn't paying as close attention to where I was going as I should have, and so I ended up almost stepping on an older woman who had stumbled from the shaking of my footsteps. Luckily enough, I heard her scream before I lowered my foot, but...things could have gone much worse. It's why most people around here keep their distance--they know that I wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone, but they're still worried, even if only subconsciously, what I might do if I slip up, even if only for a second." You can't help but notice that his eyes are starting to tear up.
There's an uneasy silence before you ask your next question. You don't want to push him much further, but once again you can't stop yourself from asking "Has anything else happened since?"
He wipes the tears from his eyes before he answers. "No. Honestly that even shook me up enough that I'm always on alert when I'm in town. The people who live here have also learned to keep their distance, which has probably stopped anything further from happening, but-"
"Has also made you feel lonelier," you finish for him. You're starting to really feel for this kid. "I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but I can definitely promise that I will always be here for you if you need me."
Tidas raises his eyebrows in astonishment. "Really?"
"Really," you say. You were not prepared for what happened next. He grabbed you with his right hand and pulled you close to his chest. So close, in fact, that you could feel the beating of his massive heart. You figure it's the closest that he can come to hugging someone your size, and even though you'd rather he asked before just picking you up out of the blue, you're touched by his enthusiasm.
"Thank you," Tidas says as he lies down and puts you on top of his abs, "for everything, really. I'm happy we met."
"No problem," you reply. "Just, next time you pick me up, would you mind asking me first?"
"Will do," Tidas said, a little mortified. "Sometimes I just get a little overeager..."
"There are definitely worse things to be," you say with a laugh.
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