Work Text:
... what?
"Im a valuable piece of property so hes actively concerned about the condition im in!"
Gorgug blinked down at the coffee table with all the cookies on it as conversation flew around him. He wasnt always great at keeping up with his friends- whirlwinds more like- but it was even harder to concentrate on whatever they were all talking about with Adaine sitting there.
Sitting like a completely normal person, perhaps a little embarassed now that Gorgug knew about her previous home? But he wasnt good at reading people.
Goldenhoard was a dragonborn, maybe it was just a cultural thing. Kids belonged to their parents kind of?
Maybe especially ADOPTED kids? There was a little more active choosing involved, as well as more paperwork probably. Gorgug didnt think his parents really OWNED him though. He didnt actually like that idea.
They loved him and cared for him like Goldenhoard did for Adaine though... but that... WASNT the same thing. Right?
Gorgug briefly entertained the idea that... possibly... Goldenhoard might be his dad. The more he thought about it the more ridiculous and the more plausible it seemed. There was paperwork for him to be attending the school, all the permission slips from his parents and all.
Did all paperwork mean ownership of some kind? Did Goldenhoard own everyone at school?
Questions ran through Gorgug's mind as he waved bye to his friends. He turned around slowly to not accidentally hit his head on the ceiling to face his parents, who were practically buzzing about starting a new project for a power source.
"Mom, Dad..." wires were connecting in Gorgug's brain. "Am I your property?"
His parents both stopped what they were doing and looked up at him with their big concerned eyes. They immedietly darted over to him, hugging him and fussing.
"Of course you aint our property, bud!" His dad said gently, taking one of Gorgug's hands and patting it. "Were incredibly proud to call you our kid of course-"
"But youre our family, not our thing," his mom finished, pulling him over to the couch. Gorgug's shoulders only hit the shelves twice on the way. "Even if were different it doesnt mean we own you. Why do you ask, bud?"
"Adaine, our wizard," Gorgug scratched the back of his head as the couch created under him and his knees came up to his chin. He rested his head on them, still thinking. "She said something about being glad she was Goldenhoard's property now, after getting adopted, so..."
His parents shared a worried look with eachother, before squeezing into the last bit of space on either side of Gorgug on the couch.
"Well... your friend lives a very different life from you," his mom nodded slowly after a bit. "She lives with a dragonborn, they may have different values and ways of talking about children and parents and ways of talking about that relationship-"
"But if youre concerned, trust that feeling!" His dad cut in, putting a hand on his knee. "Do you think shes getting hurt? Because your mom and I have a lot of projects we'd be willing to try out on her dad if you think shes-"
"I dont think shes in danger or anything, dad," Gorgug shook his head, wincing as he squished his ear on the wall briefly. "She seems happy at least, and she likes it, I just wanted to make sure I wasnt your guys' property or anything... I dont know, maybe its just a turn of phrase or something."
His dad hummed. "Well, bud, your instincts are there to tell you when something might be amiss. Theyre not always right, which is why when you get a gut feeling like that, you gotta figure out why and look into it some before acting."
"And you said you got a bad feeling because your friend said she was property," his mom said, level and chipper. Gorgug's parents were very open minded- VERY open minded- to other cultures and different... bedroom practices, but even his mom had a distaste for the term. "So we already know the first part. I'd say keep an eye on your friend there if youre worried, bud, but remember that its her business."
"And we are so proud of you for telling us!" His dad, and his mom a second later, leaned in for a hug. "Its important to tell an adult if you notice anything off. Remember youre a kid like her, and its important to not carry a weight like that by yourself!"
"Thanks mom and dad..." Gorgug carefully got up off the couch and went towards his room.
Adaine's words made him... uneasy, and while his parents were definetlt a help, he couldnt quite shake the feeling something was off.