Some silly little doodles as I figure out how to draw them. Not looking too closely at these to have fun 😌 First pass at an Adrian design, I’m loving the ones where they’re tall and blue though! Collective fandom consciousness strikes again. One of my favorite things is also artists making the stripes on Grace’s shirt and socks the aroace colors and that means so much to me. They put that aroace in aerospace 😭
It’s still Star Wars month technically and Nautolans are sea-dwelling people so they technically count as mermaids sooooo yeah making this my last MerMay for the month. Also the “Mandalorian and Grogu” movie is out!
My oc Ikessi Brilu, part Nautolan, part Theelin. Youngling who was more fond of the Archives than learning combat. Would have been a consular Jedi and apprenticed under Jocasta Nu if not for Order 66. Goes into hiding and becomes a Mandalorian space pirate.
Exploring designs for one of my side stories that’s basically “The Little Mermaid” but found family. These two go from one-sided enemies to mutual best friends. I don’t have a name yet for the girl, but she hates fish and the beach. The last thing she’d ever expect is having a mermaid as a friend. Until Viridis comes along and unintentionally makes her summer hell. Power of friendship and all that. Also I really loved “The Thirteenth Year” as a kid whenever it played on Disney Channel.
Based this on another set of kids I worked with. We trying out different styles. The allergies won y’all. My body’s failing me. 😭 I worked overtime and possibly covering another shift. I’m so tired.
I had this little one at work who loved dinosaurs. Dino crocs, shirts and shorts, backpack, keychains, also a Tails keychain from Sonic which was of course a banger choice. Lowkey based this piece on him, I hope he holds on to his love of paleontology.
Still shots and without the helmet and overlay because what I lack in realism so far I make up for with pretty eyes. Can’t believe I’m enamored by another dorky charming white boy don’t look at meeee.
This scene was the first in the movie to bring me to tears and then it was full waterworks from there. What do you mean they did the pretty pink astrophage with a hose and chicken wire??? I love you cinema. I think I’m slowly getting the hang of CapCut but now I want to try Spine2D I miss you After Effects motion graphics.
Did not expect superheroes to be my current comfort characters but here we are! What a way to end the year, wonder where my 2026 interests will lead next.
I love the hope these guys give, the unyielding kindness and striving to do better, to get back up when life is nothing but punches and god has 2025 been a boxing ring. May 2026 be kinder (also sweet mercy when Doomsday comes out if anything happens to Sam or Bucky you will not hear from me istg—)
When the movie’s so good you have to draw something for it. Two superhero movies in one month and both absolute bangers! Never really was a superhero guy but this Superman is so genuinely kind and I left the theater feeling so hopeful after. Everything’s been doom and gloom, but if people are being inspired by Superman to be kind and help, then maybe things will be okay. Favorite scene had to be with the music rising when he stops that building from collapsing on the bridge and the dust clears.
Also I grew up watching Krypto the Superdog, so seeing the good boy on the big screen was a real treat.
Couldn’t really decide on the colors but I’m really proud of the composition. Experimenting with the lasso tool.
Overview: To the North are the Northern Behemoths. These giants are two times the size of their Southern brethren, usually 20-25 feet in height, absolutely dwarfing the southern giants. While the Southern Giants consider humanity equal to them, and simply a smaller version of their kin to benevolently watch over, the Northern Giants consider them in a much colder, cyclical, and brutal light. The Northern Behemoths consider humans, or “man-swine”, as lesser beings, some even as pests. Ogden, However, is a kind giant who just wants to be happy with his little 2-year-old human daughter Leilani, whom he found in the desecrated ruins of her old village. Now, he just has to make sure she's safe in a world where her kind has never fit into, full of both giants and humans who seemingly want nothing more than to take her away from him. He might have his work cut out for him…
That's right! The silly billies are back for a part 2! I am so happy to be writing about these two again. I missed writing in general after all the stuff that happened this year, with it being the main thing put on the back-burner. But now I'm back and running full speed into writing and drawing again! Life is stable, and I am ready to dive headfirst back into this story. So without further ado, let's go!
Also, this does have some character and story building, but it's mainly just pure fluff. Lord knows I needed it to keep me going through this year. I plan for the next chapter or so two have some genuine story building, so stay tuned for that! I hope you enjoy the fluff between these two as much as I did making it 🩵
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Summary: Now that Ogden has taken in the little human child he’s sworn himself to protect, he must face one of the hardest battles any man can ever face…being a dad.
Word Count: 5759
Special thank you to @izatoonist @narrans and @froggieren for being my beta-readers for the chapter!
It had been a few weeks since that fateful day when my daughter, Leilani, came into my life.
Throughout our first days together, I began to realize just how difficult it was going to be, taking care of a child who was no bigger than my fingers. I had to be diligent in taking care of the little one, but at the same time, had to restrain myself from using too much force during any interactions with her. I had to train myself to steady my movements, and for once, worked hard to control my strength, rather than unleash it. Making sure to learn how to be exceedingly gentle with someone so small.
All of it was so that I could be certain that I wasn't going to be any danger to the toddler while caring for her, even by accident. A child as little and as young as her in the hands of a behemoth could be deadly…if the proper precautions weren't applied.
My kin aren't exactly known for being the most…tender of folks…but Leilani, without a doubt, taught me to be gentle.
…and after a lot of research, and a lot of trial and error, we began to get into a daily routine, Leilani and I.
One of the first things I realized was just how fast my human companion was able to adjust to her new surroundings, especially around me. I was quite surprised with Leilani's speedy progress in getting situated here. You know…being in such a different environment; living with someone and in someplace that was so much bigger than her and all…I had heard humans were very adaptable creatures, but Leilani's versatility was just ridiculous! She went from unable to be held for even a few short minutes at a time without bursting into tears, to downright needing to crawl all over me, like I was an enormous playground to her, in only a couple days! This child never ceased to amaze me. I can say that much.
Another thing that I was quick to notice was that she was an incredibly happy baby. I had no idea if human children were supposed to be this excited about everything, but I wasn’t opposed to it in the slightest. The infants of her kin were much fussier than the toddlers, I'm sure. So, I suppose I got lucky there.
Of course, I would have tiring new-parent moments from time to time...Hearing miniscule crying from the human baby on the pillow next to me. Whimpering in the middle of the night, or in the wee hours of the morning…telling me that little Leilani was either hungry, thirsty, or needed a new change of undergarments.
I wasn't used to having to take care of someone besides myself, especially not a child, and a human one at that...but I got up for her every time. Even when I didn't want to. Even when I wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep…I would still be there.
I think she holds the biggest exception to the “don't wake a sleeping giant” rule that any human has ever held over my kind before…
But she was worth every sleepless night spent taking care of her.
Even still, she was one of the happiest babies I think I ever did see. She would laugh at everything I do, and it was almost stupidly easy to get her ecstatic about something, even right after crying. She crawled around everywhere with a big smile plastered on her face. She was so curious and amused by just about everything.
The child was nothing but a pure speck of sunshine. One that could melt even the coldest of hearts with her warmth. Her mind was so keen and bright, like a sponge that soaked up every little thing. I felt honored each and every day to watch it grow with all the bits of knowledge she learned, and it amazed me just how happy she could be in this dark world.
I just had to make sure she survived so it could stay that way…
~~~
I woke up in bed early one morning, laying on my back like I usually do. The sun beams shined through the windows of my rustic home, basking both residents within in the light of the rising dawn. I smelt the air with a groggy, idle instinct, and could already tell it was going to be a nice day. One filled with calm, clear skies, but I smelled something else. As if a special someone had read my mind, not a moment later I was dragged out of my drowsy thoughts when I felt the softest minuscule hands upon my cheek, hearing a delightful tinkling giggle that rung out right next to my ear a second later. That could only mean one thing.
I smiled and opened my eyes at the sound of her laughter. The little rascal had somehow crawled across the pillow on the other side of the bed, that she always slept on, onto mine, and was right next to my face.
"Wha’tis it, Lei Lei?" I said, trying to keep all traces of grump and morning sleepiness out of my voice.
I heard the toddler giggle again, with no other response. That could only mean she was up to something. As always, I thought. My smile twisted into a playful grin, when I then felt Leilani’s body hug up against my cheek. Her form so small that her whole body couldn't even hope to crest over the side of my face. The child’s soft skin and warmth caressed my skin with her movements, as she snuggled her face into my cheek whilst holding onto the fuzzy hairs that grew upon it. As if to pull me closer into her little embrace. She gave my cheek a short mid-morning hug, before moving over to my ear, giggling, and touching it with an intense curiosity. You can only imagine how sensitive giant ears are to hearing and touch among my people, so it was quite ticklish under the child's petting. My ear twitched and writhed all around to try to make an escape, which only encouraged her more. To my ear’s immense displeasure, its reactions seemed to be a great source of entertainment for my young companion.
I chuckled with as much grace as I could muster, trying not to disturb the small life next to me on the pillow. She was always the cutest thing whenever she wanted to play.
"Oi! You're very ticklish, yeh little bean!" I exclaimed in a soft, groggy tone as my ear wiggled and jerked some more. That just spurred on her efforts and giggles harder, the toddler now enthralled by my reactions. Rubbing the appendage more just to see how much she could make the cartilage of my ear involuntarily move.
I had no chance of escaping her tickling now, not anytime soon…at least, not if I wanted to deal with her pouting the whole morning. So, I just laid there, and let her have her fun. I closed my eyes tight in effort as I tried my absolute best to stay as still as a statue. So that I didn't move too much and cause her harm, but it was becoming very difficult.
Though, as much as I put up a fight, I couldn't help but laugh right along with her.
I flinched a bit when suddenly, I felt Leilani put her hand inside my ear for a brief moment. Her childish curiosity had likely gotten the better of her that time, since I had told her not to do that before. However, she pulled it out a second later, then heard her lean in and speak.
“Oggie…wake up! Yu-You hear me?” She asked, leaning in to get closer to my ear, since she knew I could hear her better there. Hearing her soft, light voice this close was the most delightful thing. I could hear her as clear as day whenever I was blessed enough to listen to Lei Lei up close.
"Yes, Leilani. I hear you." I whispered back while I opened one eye in her direction. A proud, big dumb grin clear on my face.
She squeaked in joy at my response. Happy that I could hear her so well. The toddler leaned in again to my ear, to tell me something. Like a secret meant only for me. Her new guardian she cherished the most.
“Gud-mornann!” She squealed as she leaned in, so that her small body nuzzled my ear in affection. Her strands of hair now tickling my ear instead of her hands.
My heart ached at the sound. Such love and joy in those little words. Such simple yet unwavering care. Though I have to admit, I did wince a little as the child practically screamed inches away from my ear in her excitement, yet I couldn't bring myself to pull away from her adorable antics. My smile only grew wider as I whispered back to her.
“Good mornin' to yeh, Lei Lei.” Flowed from my mouth with a hushed, amused tone.
The human toddler beamed. I could feel her smile pressed against my ear as my words blew around her form in a gust of hot breath. Even my whispers must have been like a windstorm to her, being so close to me, but she was always somehow trusting in her giant friend. It never failed to impress me with how much trust she put in me, and I prayed to Ymir that the trust between us would never falter.
Leilani then seemed to have an idea, once again moving to my cheek. Her arms reached up above her whilst she smushed herself into the plush skin of my face. She patted my cheek a few times as her hands hung above her head, just like the hug before. This time, however, it was clear she wanted something.
“Climb!”
Her hands grabbed onto my face, saying that one little word as if to tell me “Pick me up, so I can climb on you!” I chuckled, my heart soaring from the request, she wanted to be held.
“Alright, alright…Yeh remember what Oggie told’ya ‘bout bein’ picked up?"
The skin on Leilani’s face rubbed against mine as she nodded. She let out a soft, happy hum, signaling to me that she remembered at least some of what I taught her, which was all I needed.
Her whole body was engulfed in shadow when my hand came upon her, but just as she had learned before, she stayed calm. Her body relaxed, going somewhat limp so that she didn't struggle and potentially get hurt in my palm. Leilani squawked as my hand surrounded her, but she kept her form still as she was gathered up into a relaxed fist. No matter how used to the feeling I had gotten, shivers still shot down my spine as I felt the toddler wriggle within the soft, fleshy confines of my hold, but she didn’t seem to mind…at least, not too much.
To my immense pride, she kept her composure while within my grasp. She was getting better with every time we'd done this, I must admit! My hand’s inhumane warmth encompassed her in my touch, like being wrapped in a blanket during a warm summer afternoon. Thick pillars of flesh supported her form, as if I was holding the most delicate piece of glass. The awkward position lasted only for a moment, however, as I moved my fingers out of the way, letting her see the world around her as she was placed right above my heart.
Once deposited and safe on the wide expanse of cloth and flesh beneath her, I began to pull my hand away so that she had free roam of my chest. The child squealed in delight as her body rocked from both the resounding thumping in my core, and the rising and falling from my breaths. A combination that surely made her feel like a piece of driftwood in a restless ocean. Despite that, Lei Lei beamed in her spot. Settling into her favorite play place.
However, as my hand attempted to leave, the little tyke held fast onto my thumb, wrapping her arms tight around the base, and smushing her face into the crux of the finger.
"Oh, yeh want ta’hold my hand?" I questioned with a lighthearted huff. It was amusing to see her grab onto something just about the size of her with such determination to keep it close. It hardly felt right to deny the child what she wanted.
A faint muffle vibrated into my thumb in agreement, encouraging my hand to drape over Leilani’s form, not only bringing her closer to my heart, but bringing me closer to hers. Her breath, though barely perceptible, fanned over my leathery skin as she used my thumb as a pillow, and my hand as a shelter from the outside world. The child let out a small content hum, the vibrations tickling my thumb as she snuggled up.
“Warm Oggie.”
An amused guffaw escaped me at her little observation. At least she didn’t seem to mind my body heat all that much. I’m surprised the poor thing wasn’t melting in the fleshy furnace I was creating around her, but if anything, she seemed ready to go back to sleep.
I stayed like that for a while, keeping my hand from twitching as much as possible as I let the toddler rest. It was always a good morning when she took her naps. It was much easier to get things done that way. However, Leilani seemed to have other plans when she wiggled out of my hold shortly after I thought she had fallen asleep. This time crawling upwards towards my collar bone. Of course, it wouldn’t be that simple, I mused to myself.
Despite not wanting her to explore further in risk of her hurting herself, I instead kept my hands close to her to accommodate her movements. Finally, she plopped down to sit right at the base of my neck. I had no hope of seeing her from this close even if I tried, so I stayed put, curious to what the little child was planning. It didn’t take too long for me to find out, though, when I heard her faint voice let out a question.
“C-climb, Oggie? Please? Up! Up Oggie!”
I could just imagine her hands reaching above her head as she pleaded for uppies, making me smile. However, my brow furrowed in thought as I considered her request. Did she…want to climb my face? She had never done so before, so I’m sure she was curious…but such a task while being so young could be treacherous. Knots started to form in my stomach in fear at the thought of her in danger because of my ignorance, if I allowed her to climb the unusual terrain of my face.
Yet…I was increasingly becoming aware that if Leilani were to stay with me, then the girl would have to learn to traverse such obstacles, to get around on her own. In such a massive environment, the child could only rely on me to get anywhere. Which would be true whether I was a giant or not, with her being so young, I suppose. Regardless, I knew she would soon grow out of this, wanting her own freedom to go wherever she pleased within the house, the second her tiny legs decided to gain enough strength to support her. I had considered at one point in time constructing human sized stairs and passageways so she could get around much easier, but that was a project reserved for much later down the line. Once I was confident in her ability to walk, of course.
I would hate for her to grow up and feel like she was a burden because she had to depend on me for everything, even though I didn’t mind offering her help. Either way, she needed at least some independence, but when to teach a young human these things? That was the true question. And if not now, or soon, then when? She needed to, at the very least, get used to climbing so she could have that skill early on. So...I decided, with shaky confidence, that I would guide her through attempting this feat. Besides, experience is the best teacher, is it not?
“Aye, you can climb up…just b’careful, Lei. My hand’ll be right here if ya need me, alright?” I sighed in resignation. I heard her blow bubbles with her mouth in glee, babbling things incomprehensible to my senses as she began her trek up the soft skin of my neck. I was lying flat on my back, so it was pretty much an easy crawl in a straight line all the way to the underside of my chin. Still, I made the extra effort to hover my hand close by just in case she needed any assistance.
I hoped my decision wouldn’t come back to bite me, especially not her. No matter how ridiculous my fussing seemed. She was completing such a mediocre task, climbing around, playing. I was right there, so why was I so worried? Still…she was such a frail human baby. I know that humans are their own people, capable of doing things like anyone else, but they’re just so…small. Such delicate creatures…One simple mishap could be deadly for her!
I could never fully grasp the concept that such tiny people existed as a young lad, and even now as an adult I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. Their existence fascinated me, yet terrified me all at once. Having Leilani so close to me reminded me how big I was, how deadly I was to a human such as her. Giants, Northern Behemoths like me, to be specific, were the clear tyrants of this mountainous, cold, and unforgiving land we called home; I was very aware of this. Hunting and terrorizing the little folk, merciless brutes driven by instinctual carnal desire, the gluttons of human flesh and blood. Maneaters……Monsters...Yet here I was, an apex predator of humanity, of life itself, raising a human child. Part of me thought it was just silly, another saw the cosmic irony of it all, but the part of me that really caught my attention was the part that thought maybe…just maybe…I could redeem myself. Free myself from my past and my kind's transgressions, and finally have a happy future to look forward to, a family. I liked that part, no matter how far-fetched it seemed.
I was then snapped out of my thoughts as I felt the sudden movement of Leilani tripping over my Adam's Apple. My hand instinctually swooped in close, to make sure she didn’t fall off my neck, but to my relief she managed to keep balance on the top of my throat just fine. She still fell in the most toddler way possible, her little body draped over the lump in my throat like a sack of potatoes. I had to stop myself from snorting out a laugh, which I did with minimal success.
“Yeh alright, Lei Lei?” I questioned the child as I attempted to reign in my laughter. She wasn’t crying from the fall, at least. She seemed more confused than anything.
I felt tiny hands grip the sides of the fleshy lump as she readjusted herself to a sitting position, her legs flopping out on either side of the Adam’s Apple. I could almost hear the gears in her head turning, as she reached down once again, touching it curiously like she'd just tripped on a rock.
“Oggie, wat ‘dis?” Leilani inquired, patting my Adam's Apple now. Clearly wondering why I had a lump in my throat. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her innocence, the air vibrating around her with the low, thunderous hum.
"Why, that littl’thing in my throat is called an Adam's Apple! Well…I suppose I has a much bigger one than you seen, for meh big voice…heh.” I muttered out, my voice tapering off in growing embarrassment as I tried to explain in the simplest of terms so that she might grasp the concept easier. Calling the lump in my throat “small” even though it was just about half the size of her teeny body. I’m sure she’d never seen an Adam’s Apple scaled up to such a huge proportion before, making me a bit more self-conscious than I already was.
Though, I had to wonder. I recalled that, just like giants, human men have prominent Adam’s apples, didn’t they? If this was her first time learning about one, then why hadn’t her human father taught her about it? Did he just not get around to it? Did she even have one?
I remembered back to Leilani’s demolished, charred home. Her poor mother on the bed inside. Was she all alone in raising the child? Would someone come looking for the young human if they discovered Lei Lei was alive? Her family, perhaps? Or was she truly alone in this world, with me being her only company? Only time would tell, it would seem…
A strange feeling swelled in me at the thought of having to give Leilani away, even if it was to her own blood relatives. She deserved to be with her own kin, but…I was starting to feel quite protective of the girl. I didn’t even know if I’d be able to let her go if they came asking for her…though, I suppose I wouldn’t have much of a choice now, would I? I opted to push away these thoughts, focusing on Leilani petting my throat instead.
The little toddler, who felt my Adam’s Apple move with each syllable and letter of my words, was now infatuated with the thing. She squealed in surprise at it's movements, making her whole body bob up and down with the plush mound. The tyke fell onto her belly again, sprawled over my neck from all the ruckus, and she laughed. Even more curious about my Adam’s Apple after what just happened. Forgetting her whole mission to get to my face in favor of exploring the new discovery on my throat. Leilani called up to me:
“Oggieee! It move!” She cried with joy, holding onto the mound as if bracing for it to move again. Hugging my Adam’s Apple with her whole body like she was trying to ride it like a horse. Or more akin to a bucking bull, if I’m being honest with myself…Despite the poor thing being knocked about, she was having the time of her life. Laughing and cooing as she played about on my neck.
Now, I was feeling quite relaxed after getting over my initial fear of having Leilani climb on me like this, but hearing her little tinkling giggles ring out only encouraged me further. “It moves when I talk, Lei.” I respond, chuckling with a voice full of mirth. My grin suddenly turning devilish as I got the urge to tease her more. I was going to make sure she was safe and sound while she was exploring like this, without a doubt…but that didn’t mean I had to make it easy for her. I wanted in on the fun too.
I cocked a brow as I looked in her direction, still unable to see her from her proximity as I posed a question, knowing she’d take the bait.
"Yeh wanna know deh other neat thing it does?"
Though her delighted babbling, I heard her manage to get out a “Wat?” in clear interest. The child fully invested in learning more about the Adam’s Apple directly beneath her. My grin twisted into a full-blown toothy smile as she fell right into my little trap; I had her now.
"Well…it moves when I swallow!"
I swallowed, this time making the Adam Apple's movements a flourish of playful dramatics, an action I tried to exaggerate as physically as I could. The squeals of laughter that followed causing delighted chuckles to surface from the depths of my throat. The vibrations of my voice surrounding Leilani only made her cackle harder, all while I attempted to reign myself back in, so that she wasn’t at risk of going tumbling off my neck.
However, after a moment, she got quiet. I couldn’t see her, but I could tell those inquisitive little gears in her head were turning once more. I decided to prompt the child to speak her thoughts, wanting to know what’s going on inside that bright mind of hers.
“What’s goin’on in that littl’ noggin, hmm? Yeh’all good, Leilani?” I questioned with a slight teasing lilt to my voice. I was only met with more silence, so I decided to encourage her with a finger and a gentle tickle to her side, being mindful of my nails as I heard her giggle at my antics.
She tried to push away the large digit in between her high-pitched snickering, yelling “Oggiieee!” with a playful, yet annoyed huff. As if reprimanding the colossal man all around her for goofing off. The slight indignant tone in her tiny voice made an amused hum escape me once more, but I pulled away, giving her space as I continued.
“Go on, little bean.” I coaxed, my voice firm but not unkind, as I tried to get a response out of her. A second later my encouragement was rewarded when Leilani finally spoke up, interest clear in her voice.
“Oggie? I have atom appol?”
Leilani’s hands left my neck to, I assume, start searching her own for a similar bump. The bright child had already begun associating the things I’d taught her about my person in general, albeit a much larger one than what she'd been used to, with her own to piece questions she had together. I was quite proud of her at how fast she was able to pick these things up, being so young.
However, because of this association…the human had begun developing another viewpoint that would prove to be a...problem. Leilani had yet to connect the dots that we were two completely different species. Even worse, she didn't seem to consider me a giant at all, only that I was a very big person, or a “big man” as she called it. Despite the size, and all the differences in appearance between us, she saw me as human, or just a larger version of her kind. At first, I thought it was endearing and quite the breath of fresh air, not being thought of as a lumbering monster by a human for once…but I’ve since realized the dangers that thinking can have on her. If she can’t distinguish me, or other Behemoths from being different, potentially dangerous creatures to her…than Leilani could become much too trusting of giants. The same giants who wouldn't even hesitate to hurt her, or worse. That will only spell conflict for her later down the line.
The fear of my kin was an unfortunate one…but it was also a very real, valid fear to have. One that had saved countless lives, I’m sure. Though it’s a fear I may not have wanted her to have…it was one the child needed to survive.
That would be a talk we’d need to have…but one that would come later, once I was ready to try explaining it to her again. She was very adamant on believing I was like her…I shook my head, focusing on the task at hand as I smiled. Remembering her earlier question, my grin widened at her curiosity, prompting her with one of my own. “Yeh most certainly do, littl' ma’am. Can ya find it?” vibrated around her, as I waited for an answer.
Silence followed as she continued to feel around her neck. I know since she was only a little girl, she would lack that distinct "adam's apple" bump like I had, so it would've been a bit of a challenge to find. Still, I wanted her to observe, and to see if she could make a connection to the inner workings of her own neck, compared to what she'd learned from mine. Sure enough, a second later I heard a tiny voice excitedly call up to me.
“I find it! It not big, but I find it!” She said as she swallowed to mimic what she saw her large companion do, feeling a tiny bump in her throat as it moved up and down at the action.
"Good job Leilani! Yeh found yours!" I announced with pride. I could tell how proud she was of herself by the excitement in her voice - it always brought me immense joy to teach her these things, to see her grow bigger and smarter and stronger every day. The way she got so happy whenever she’d make new discoveries was something I would never tire of.
I heard her giggle and felt her shimmy on my neck, delighted by the praise, before patting my adam's apple a few times. She seemed to finally remember her mission to get to my face, bidding my adam's apple adieu. “Bye bye atom appol!” The child declared as she continues her journey crawling on my neck, until she got to the underside of my chin.
Tiny hands grasped the base of my chin as Leilani rose to stand on my neck, trying to deduce how to scale such a towering obstacle. I chuckled at the series of “up up up”s that chanted below my face, the little girl demanding my assistance as if commanding reality itself to her will. Bapping my chin to with those teeny hands just to make sure she was making herself perfectly clear what she wanted. "Almost there, Lei Lei."
With a gentle prod of my fingers, I helped her up onto my chin. Assisting her while still giving her the opportunity to feel like she accomplished the task herself, only needing a little help at the end. I could tell she was bewildered by the new angle, seeing my face at this strange of a perspective. Her immediate interest soon became drawn to my mouth. I tensed as I felt a stubby hand pat my bottom lip, hearing her giggle. My eyes widening in shock as I then felt a little bap as she rubbed the tusks that slightly protruded out from my upper jaw. “Teef!” She squeaked out, my tusks a detail she seemed determined to investigate no matter how hard I tried to hide them from her before. Despite my panic, she not only seemed unfazed, but ecstatic about being this close to me. Giddy babbling escaping the little girl as she looked around.
“I'm here! Yor face so big, Oggie.”
Her comment brought a surprised smile to my lips, only motivating Leilani with her snickering and probing. I mumbled in amusement and caution, trying to keep my mouth from opening too much and risk her doing something perilous. “Indeed it is. Much bigger than other folk like you, yeah?” Came out in a gentle but prompting tone, trying to at least ease into a conversation about our differences. Maybe to at least encourage her to see me as “the other” no matter my good nature, but she only patted my tusk again and nodded with a hum. The cue going right over her little head.
“Yah! Bigg man!” She squealed in excitement, stating it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I grimaced at her blatant lack of recognition. I couldn't quite fault her for her innocence. She was only a child, in an entirely new situation. I’d have to keep prying sometime later.
However, I soon felt Leilani move as she seemed to be interested in something further up. It’s then that I finally got to see her, but closer than ever before. A tiny hand grasped the tip of my nose before her toddler waddles padded across my cheek, straight towards my eye. Her journey coming to its victorious end when she came into view.
Her face brightened when she looked down to me, for once, clearly overjoyed from finishing her quest. I could only imagine what was going on in her mind as her eyes widened, observing my every minute movement in wonder. The eye filling her entire vision crinkled at it’s corner when I smiled, calling up to her.
“Ya made it! How’s the weather up der’ ma’am?”
The comment made her laugh “We not even outside Oggie!” She exclaimed as the teasing alluded her, the response bringing out an amused snort from me.
“Right. How silly of me. I forgot.” I muttered with clear sarcasm, knowing the toddler wouldn’t pick up on it. Suddenly, I caught her just in time as she was reaching her hand towards my eye, closing it shut. “No, Leilani, you cannot touch my eye, littl’ rascal.” I scolded tenderly with a grin as I heard the telltale petulant whine of a toddler after being told not to do something.
“But I wanna…” She tapered off with a whimper, her bottom lip jutting out as if she were about to cry. I sighed as I attempted to explain it further.
“I know yeh do…but it would hurt Oggie if ya did that. You don’t want ta hurt me, no?” I questioned as the eye below her squinted open to gauge her answer.
“No…”
“Then you got your answer then. Haven’t yeh?”
“Yeah…” Murmured from the child’s lips along with a pout.
Entertained by her pout, Leilani took me by surprise when she then laid down on my eyelid, apparently finding the surface comfortable enough to rest upon it. She yawned, before cuddling up and promptly drifting off back to sleep.
I laid there as still as a statue, bewildered by her close contact. This was the closest the girl had ever gotten to me, warming my heart at the clear trust she put in me, despite thinking I’d never be able to get this close to her on account of my size. Moving her seemed like an impossible task now, no matter how tiny she was…I found myself unable to move. The daily schedule that was made to accommodate was now being disrupted by the very human it was created for. Though I wasn’t angry by a long shot, drifting off myself in the soft early morning serenity. Straying from the routine every once in a while wasn't so bad, I suppose…
This just in giant dad figures out how to interact with tiny toddler HE'S DOING IT GUYS HE'S LEARNING!
But seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart to anyone taking the time out of their day to read my silly story. All the comments, reblogs, and general encouragement on the first chapter really helped me be more confident with my writing, and overall blew me away by just how supportive everyone was for more. I'll definitely be working on more stuff for this story (and perhaps others 🫣) in the future!
Also, I saw some other folks doing this on their stories, but if you want me to make an @ list on the next chapter so you guys can be updated when it comes out let me know if that's something you think you'd like me to do.
I highly appreciate any feedback, comments, or support that you'd like to send my way, and these two characters are free to send asks to anytime!
Thank you again everyone who got this far to read this at the end, you're amazing. Have a great day everyone!
Artfight's about to end and it's neck and neck right now, best of luck to everyone! Benn busy but managed to get three animations to attack this round to build my animator muscles back up! Let's go fossils!
Acolyte doodles I spent way too much time on and just got tired ft. The Good Place and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia references. I’m so used to Manny Jacinto as himbo Jason Mendoza that I was completely caught off guard when Qimir did all That.
Plsssss go watch the Acolyte the fight scenes are so cool and storytelling it may be a little rough around the edges but it has so much potential you guys! Practical sets! Hot evil couple guyssss! Space witchcraft! Space lesbian witches! Come onnnnnn