Tiny hiding behind a giant's leg
I could end this post right there but I wanna talk about a specific scenario.
I'm not entirely sure about the circumstances that lead to the scene I have in mind, but let's say that the tiny and the giant are traveling together. Not traveling as in going on vacation but as in walking from one town to another.
Maybe the tiny is someone important and the giant was paid to bring the tiny to a certain destination or the tiny heard that a giant was traveling to the same destination as them and chose to accompany them because it would be much more dangerous (for the tiny) to travel by themself.
Just giving a few examples here, there can be numerous reason for them to travel together, the why isn't all that important.
What is important though is the fact that they just met.
They are basically strangers.
That and... the tiny prefers to walk on their own.
(don't ask me how that would work if they are traveling together. You can easily change the set up if you want to. The travel part is not needed for the scene I have envisioned to make sense)
As I'm writing this I realize that I'm digressing (like so often). Sorry. The tiny just needs to be on the ground for this to make sense... duh. The rest is not really important. A reason why they can't/won't go their separate ways would be neat tho.
Where was I going with this?
Ah, right! Tiny hiding behind giant's leg~
This scenario works great if...
1. The giant can't stand the tiny, but the tiny is very insistent and won't leave the giant alone (kinda like an unwanted/annoying sidekick)
2. The tiny is deathly afraid of the giant + the giant is trying very hard to gain the tiny's trust.
In both scenarios a threat in form of another giant appears. Said giant is only a threat to the tiny though (Has no good intentions! Would 100% snatch the tiny up. To do what or why? Your choice).
Our giant could be on edge because of said "threat" or not fazed at all, either way neither of the giants has the intention to throw hands with the other, but our giant still stands their ground in a way (you know what I mean?)
So while the other giant won't harm our giant they definitely could and would harm the tiny, if it weren't for our giant.
And the tiny knows that (does our giant know that as well? Or do they react based on the tinys reaction/body language? Maybe even just subconsciously?)
What happens in both scenarios is that the tiny is hiding behind our giant, grabbing their pant leg, the whole shebang, maybe slightly peeking out from behind to see how the scene plays out.
Our giant handles the situation like a pro (calm and confident) and the other eventually leaves.
What's different is how the giant and the tiny react. The threat may be gone but the tension is not.
The tiny notices the threat before the giant does and darts behind them and grabs onto their leg. Holding on with all their might, hoping the giant won't try to shake them off immediately.
The giant is about to say something, probably something along the lines of "get your grubby hands off of me before-", when they notice another giant approaching them. While they talk the giant notices that the other's eyes keep drifting towards the ground and they (our giant) subconsciously straighten up, preparing themself for.... something. There's something off about the other giant.
When the other giant eventually leaves they don't say anything. They don't do anything. They still stand their ground. They still feel tiny fingers digging into their pant leg. They can feel minuscule quivers.
They may not like the tiny but they aren't heartless. So they wait for the tiny to calm down and to let go on their own.
Once the tiny does, neither of them acknowledge what just happened. Maybe the tiny apologizes curtly.
But after that the giant can't help but wonder how desperate for shelter and protection the tiny must be to be seeking that from them. Someone who's made it very clear (multiple times) that they (the tiny) are not wanted.
Doesn't the tiny have someone else? Don't they have family? Friends? Are they... all alone?
Our giant could be in the middle of trying to convince the tiny to please let them help. To do this they crouch down a couple of steps away from where the tiny is standing. (To be closer to the tiny in a way but still giving them enough space.)
If you're still on board with the traveling part, here are some examples.
Maybe the tiny is obviously tired and they offer to carry them for a bit. Or they set up their camp for the night and it's getting cold and they tell the tiny they are welcome to come closer to the bonfire if they want to. Or they bought a treat for themself at the town they just passed and offer a piece to the tiny.
But the tiny won't take any of it :(
Our giant is trying. So. HARD.
Out of the corner of their eye (because the tiny has their full attention) they notice another giant approaching. What they also notice is the tiny freezing up (even if it's just for a second). They rise from their crouched position and step between the approaching giant and the tiny.
They immediately have a bad feeling about this giant but decide to stay polite, asking if they can help them.
Their gut feeling turns out to be correct. The other giant asks them if they need help... dealing... with that tiny. How they would gladly take the tiny off their hands.
The other giant steps closer, intentions clear.
In that moment our giant feels a tiny weight slamming into their ankle from behind. Thin arms wrapping tightly around it. Tiny fingers holding on for dear life.
They freeze for a second before they tell the other giant off. Their voice dangerously low, something very out of character for our giant.
Once the coast is clear they want to reassure the tiny, to tell them the threat is gone now. But they are too afraid to break the spell. Selfishly wanting this tender moment to last a little longer.
Before they can get the words out the tiny lets go of them as if they have been burnt. And sprints out of reach.
The giant's heart sinks, but at least they know now that the tiny will come to them if they ever are in danger. It's a start.
I hope you find any of this chaotic chunk of text... idk... inspiring? useful? Fun to read?
Because maybe it would have been better if I made this post short and cutesy after all.
Alternatively: Tiny hiding behind their giant's leg, because they are shy around other/new giants and the giant is their safe space.
