[ Dominic is glad that Callum is being honest with him, it feels like a little step towards being trusted. It's also nice to be able to actually talk about it without raised voices and name-calling. ]
I think it's just instinct. There's a lot of reasons why a cat scratches something up. Sharpening claws, boredom, exercising, stretching, and more. I haven't seen you shift since you got here, and some of that energy is just pent up inside you.
[ "Getting attention"... He won't say which ones he hopes it is. That he'd like it if Callum was starting to feel like this was his territory and had to claim it or that he wanted Dom's attention. ]
So how about this: we'll get you some things that you can scratch on. Both here and in the pack house.
[ Nothing is said about getting Cal to shift, to push him on doing that. Just giving him other outlets. ]
[He reluctantly lifts his head enough to look at Dominic. With a touch of wariness, he nods.]
... Okay.
[Callum makes a point of keeping all of that side buried; the ears and tail just give too many of his emotions away. And he still hates the color... Hates the attention it always draws. He wishes there was a way to just... become human.]
What if that doesn't help? What if there's just something wrong with me?
You've been hurt, but there's nothing wrong with you. It's everyone else that couldn't accept you that has something wrong with them. If this doesn't help, then we look for a different solution. One that does work for you, because if there's not one out there that already exists, then I'll make one for you.
[ Dominic lifts a hand, it's slow to move towards Callum so the tiger can avoid it if he wants. But he's making his movements known, that hand is coming in for a headpat. ]
Pain is pain, I don't see why we have to compare whose is worse. What I know is that you're here, in front of me, and I will do everything I can to help, if you'll let me.
[ Dominic can't save the world, he can't even save all of the shifters that exist. But this place, this little town - anyone who comes here is who he can try to reach out to. ]
Wanting to be who you feel you are isn't selfish. You're allowed to want to feel safe, especially in your own home. That's why I took over this pack.
[Despite how he's still looking away, despite the brief tremble, he subtly leans into the touch.
A soft anxiety spike thankfully doesn't grow into something more, and it's clear he's maybe a little starved for more positive forms of touch. The hint of tears are belatedly hidden by pressing his face against his knees, once again. Quietly, he mutters the next words.]
[ Seeing that small reaction, he keeps his hand there, gently rubbing Cal's head. Dominic is making a note to himself to touch Cal more in positive forms. Head, shoulder, back pats - and then work their way up to hugs.
He hears that deflated tone, and can smell the hint of salty tears in the air. ]
Okay.
[ Accepting those sulky deflated words as an answer. ]
Now, there's a cartoon of ice cream melting in the kitchen. Want to come help me eat it and find something to watch on television?
[ Ice cream - a reward and a comfort food for most people. Dominic will use it to help associate talking about problems with good things. ]
[After taking a moment to fully process the question, to accept that this is genuine - not some trap, like it was with other people...
He gives a hesitant nod, almost like he's reluctant to move his head; he maybe, just maybe can admit to himself that he wants the hand to stay there a little longer. Something he'd wanted so much more of, as a cub.
It almost feels like too much, even pushing himself in this way, but something keeps nagging at him. He doesn't want to do something - he... needs to, in a way.]
Can... [Asking for literally anything has been something he tries to avoid. But this is different.] ... I learn how to... cook?
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no subject
I think it's just instinct. There's a lot of reasons why a cat scratches something up. Sharpening claws, boredom, exercising, stretching, and more. I haven't seen you shift since you got here, and some of that energy is just pent up inside you.
[ "Getting attention"... He won't say which ones he hopes it is. That he'd like it if Callum was starting to feel like this was his territory and had to claim it or that he wanted Dom's attention. ]
So how about this: we'll get you some things that you can scratch on. Both here and in the pack house.
[ Nothing is said about getting Cal to shift, to push him on doing that. Just giving him other outlets. ]
no subject
... Okay.
[Callum makes a point of keeping all of that side buried; the ears and tail just give too many of his emotions away. And he still hates the color... Hates the attention it always draws. He wishes there was a way to just... become human.]
What if that doesn't help? What if there's just something wrong with me?
no subject
You've been hurt, but there's nothing wrong with you. It's everyone else that couldn't accept you that has something wrong with them. If this doesn't help, then we look for a different solution. One that does work for you, because if there's not one out there that already exists, then I'll make one for you.
[ Dominic lifts a hand, it's slow to move towards Callum so the tiger can avoid it if he wants. But he's making his movements known, that hand is coming in for a headpat. ]
You and me, we'll figure it out together, okay?
no subject
Wasn't hurt that bad. [A lie, followed up with a shrug of his shoulders.] Other people've had it worse.
[He looks away.]
Dad usually just told me to stop being selfish.
no subject
Pain is pain, I don't see why we have to compare whose is worse. What I know is that you're here, in front of me, and I will do everything I can to help, if you'll let me.
[ Dominic can't save the world, he can't even save all of the shifters that exist. But this place, this little town - anyone who comes here is who he can try to reach out to. ]
Wanting to be who you feel you are isn't selfish. You're allowed to want to feel safe, especially in your own home. That's why I took over this pack.
no subject
A soft anxiety spike thankfully doesn't grow into something more, and it's clear he's maybe a little starved for more positive forms of touch. The hint of tears are belatedly hidden by pressing his face against his knees, once again. Quietly, he mutters the next words.]
Yeah, right...
[It's said in such a sulky, deflated way.]
no subject
He hears that deflated tone, and can smell the hint of salty tears in the air. ]
Okay.
[ Accepting those sulky deflated words as an answer. ]
Now, there's a cartoon of ice cream melting in the kitchen. Want to come help me eat it and find something to watch on television?
[ Ice cream - a reward and a comfort food for most people. Dominic will use it to help associate talking about problems with good things. ]
no subject
He gives a hesitant nod, almost like he's reluctant to move his head; he maybe, just maybe can admit to himself that he wants the hand to stay there a little longer. Something he'd wanted so much more of, as a cub.
It almost feels like too much, even pushing himself in this way, but something keeps nagging at him. He doesn't want to do something - he... needs to, in a way.]
Can... [Asking for literally anything has been something he tries to avoid. But this is different.] ... I learn how to... cook?
no subject
They're taking small steps, Dom doesn't expect giant leaps of progress. All he wants is some forward momentum. ]
Of course, I'll teach you anything you want to learn.