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One thing Gideon had learned on that god-forsaken train is be careful with what he decides to break, and be careful of his surroundings; if you didn’t, they took their anger out on you for whatever you broke and it wasn’t nice at all, it was a painful thing. That’s how it went.
And so, Gideon had learned to be cautious with whatever he was near, especially in the home of someone he knew. He understood that it was usually the PTSD thinking, but Gideon was afraid that if he broke something, those wretched Hobgoblins would come and punish him.
So he’s reasonably (in his opinion) distraught when he bumps into a desk, knocking an old, unstable desk lamp to the ground. He reacted immediately to the grating noise of shattering glass hitting the floor, panicking being the first emotion he felt, cursing himself. One of the panes had broken half and the base had fallen away, exposing the inner circuitry of the lamp.
Immediately he gathered the glass pieces as carefully as possible in order to not break them any further. He set them on the desk gently and picked the lamp from the ground, truly taking it in. white and gold with a flowery pattern The white turning Gray from age and the gold color losing its shine, the once even plates of the lamp set slightly askew from the breakage, the circuit visible from the bottom. Gideon set the base of the lamp down on the desk, putting the desk lamp back on it before he began to truly fret.
Before he could fall completely down the rabbit-hole of fear, Shepherd Ran in, concerned. “I heard glass breaking and things falling, is everything okay?” the Shorter fretted, glancing around hurriedly. Gideon froze with fear, his face contorting into forced resignation. Shepherd noticed the lamp, and Gideon knew it. He could see the disappointment and annoyance on his face. “Oh, is that what fell?” The Genasi nodded stiffly as he closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable..
“Well, at least it’s just that.”
Gideon’s eyes popped open in surprise, “Just that? I- I broke the lamp and you're not- i’m not being punished for it?” He stammered; Shepherd’s eyes snapping over to him in shock, “No, of course not. Accidents happen, why would I punish you for it?” He seemed distraught at the suggestion of it.
“When I broke something, they- they used to punish me for it. Usually not feeding me or hitting me, or dehydration..” The Genasi murmured, making the Tiefling’s gaze contort into barely controlled fury, but it wasn’t at the bigger man.
“Why would they do that?! Oh, Gideon..” Shepherd didn’t seem to think when he put his hands on the sides of Gideon’s face and tugged him down to be eye-level and he.. Hugged him. “I don’t know who ‘they’ are, but I promise what they did won’t happen to you ever again, not while I'm here.” Gideon was surprised but slowly melted into the hug, “the lam-” He started, “Don’t worry about the lamp. It can be replaced.”
Gideon just nodded and fell silent, leaning into the embrace of the shorter.