A Good Workout [Open]

[Gidget]

Honest. That was extremely difficult for her, especially so early in interactions with a person. She shifted her weight slightly from foot to foot, the snicker dying on her lips as she thought about what he said.

"Its just that... I don't think I've ever heard that before... about anything. Not even computers, which I'm way better at than this shit... no one has ever told me something like that before."

[Djoser Aneksi]

"It makes sense. Not that you were treated that way, but that it makes you so guarded. If nobody has ever acknowledged you for your talents, capabilities, and what makes you great that is on them."

He would sigh and look a little more solemn, but still happy.

"There is something very special about you Gidget. WR and Drake know it too, and they show it in their own ways. Protecting, giving, loving, all that. Now, I'll choose to uplift and celebrate you, because apparently it's long overdue."

He would chuckle. Having said all of the sentimental stuff with a bit of sass and humor in his phrasing.

[Gidget]

Gidget continued to stare down at her feet, thinking about what DJ said. Sure, she knew she was good at what she did. She knew she was a whiz when it came to technology, that she was a fast learner, that she could do anything she set her mind to... but knowing those things felt empty, in a way.

She sighed softly, crouching down and resting her arms on her legs.

"I... can I tell you something, DJ?" She asked softly, staring at her hands.

[Djoser Aneksi]

"Anything you'd like." He'd say sweetly, tilting his head a bit with curiosity. This was good, and he was glad he could be here for Gidget opening up.

[Gidget]

"I don't... get why. Like... I know they care about me. But I don't know WHY they care about me. That's where it all... comes from." Gidget continued to stare at her hands, meshing her teeth together as she formed tiny, useless fists. "I'm just a computer nerd. I'm not... going anywhere, or doing anything. I'm not nice, and I don't have anything about me that's..."

She stopped. She was about to say special, but DJ had just called her special himself. Very special, in fact. She closed her eyes, tears burning them once more, as she struggled with her words. Her shoulders were shaking slightly, though she tried to pass it off as physical strain from the training she had done... and not her emotions.

Finally, she settled on a word... a word her parents had used, over and over again. A word she knew intimately.

"I'm worthless."

It burned coming out of her throat, and the way she said it was significantly more telling than the word itself. She said it just like how her parents had said it to her: like it was a weapon. She turned her face to one side, forcing the tears not to fall out of sheer willpower alone.

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj would nod and take a step over. He would pull Gidget into a hug. It was soft, and easy, he would give a soft rub to the back and speak in a serious but soothing voice.

"You're thinking too hard. Look at what lengths people go to show you how special you are. There isn't one thing that makes a person special, it is a sum of everything about them. For whatever reason you, not a part but the entirety of you, have made a lasting impact on people. Your talents, your happiness, and even your flaws are a part of why you have such an impact on the lives around you."

Dj would step back away from the hug, not wanting to overstay before continuing.

"Nobody is worthless. No matter whom it is. I view myself as beneath you, and I am not worthless. You feel that way because of the people who hurt you. The selfish people who only assign value by their arbitrary standards. You are valid. You are valuable, you are talented, and you are special. Don't dim your light over what anyone else has to say."

[Gidget]

As DJ's arms wrapped around her, Gidget instinctively tensed, as if she were preparing to be hit. She rarely let people touch her, and the longer he held her, the more he would see one of the reasons why.

Gidget was skin and bones. She looked frail, but she hid just how malnourished she was under baggy clothes and a fierce attitude. DJ could feel every knob of her spine, every dip in her ribs, and every jut of her shoulder blades. It didn't help that she responded to most signs of affection as if there were some sort of ulterior motive, as if kindness were just a ploy.

Gidget stayed curled up around herself, protectively. It wasn't some random awkward position she had taken: she was, in her mind, making herself a smaller, more defensible target.

She took a deep, steadying breath, and pressed her forehead against DJ's shoulder, a subtle way to show she accepted his affection. She swallowed, a noisy sound, and fell silent. Valid? That was something she had never expected.

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj understood the movements in Gidget's body. He understood the malnourished frame beneath him, the tensing up at any sign of affection. His hands seemed to know just where to rest for Gidget to be comfortable.

He did know. And his next words would be the lost honest he'd given yet. Something he knew he needed and now had the chance to give someone.

"I know you are overwhelmed. I know you can barely process all of this, much less believe it. It doesn't push me away, doesn't hurt or affect me. I will be here to keep reminding you how valid and special you are until you believe it. You can push back, lash out, take as much time as you need, I will still be here."

For once his voice would be hesitant, as though it were hard to get the words out without crying. He would give her a soft pat to the shoulder. He would wipe a few tears from his eyes as he did, trying his best to hide it. He barely knew her, but that hit way too close to his heart just when he thought he had it locked back up.

[Gidget]

Her body shook slightly as he spoke. She didn't know what to say for a moment as he held her, trying to comfort her. He didn't ask about her frame, or try to attack her, and his tone was soothing in her ear. She whined softly, the sound of an injured animal, and her weight shifted as she leaned further into him.

WR held her. Drake sometimes hugged her. But this was different. There was no expectation in this. Slowly, very slowly, she slipped one arm around DJ, holding herself against him. For a scary little monster, Gidget was terrified. She couldn't help but wonder if this would all disappear when he stopped hugging her, if his kindness would turn against her. She took a deep, shuddering breath, and then pulled away.

She had to.

Falling back on her butt, she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her cheek on them, keeping her face turned towards the ocean.

"I... want to get better. Will you still teach me, DJ?"

[Djoser Aneksi]

When Gidget pushed away and started to fall, Dj would reach out and catch her. Quickly stepping back to give her space now that she was secure.

When Gidget asked if she could still be taught, he would smile playfully.

"Of course. My training may be a little intense, but it won't leave you bruised or hurt like combat training."

[Gidget]

She nodded, beginning to draw randomly in the sand. She couldn't bring herself to look up at DJ as she asked, "Alright. How do I start?"

[Djoser Aneksi]

"By going home and getting some rest. Call me whenever you are ready for your first session. In the meantime, please do the stretches I showed you to the best of your ability."

He would smile again.

"Want me to take you home? Or are you in the mood for more stretches."

[Gidget]

Gidget nodded. Alright. So she would need to rest. She knew the moment she sank into her bathtub, her muscles would start screaming at her, but it would be worth it.

"I'll head home. I've got to check on Drake and WR, anyway."

[Djoser Aneksi]

"Check on them? Were they doing driving practice again?"

He would with genuine curiosity,l as he starting walking back with Gidget.

[Gidget]

Gidget kept an easy pace with DJ, giving a shake of her head.

"They might have been. I don't know. Drake and WR have both been talking about practicing, and I don't know if its driving or fighting or what."