Chapter Text
Siffrin’s hair always stuck up straight. It wasn’t something people often noticed because his long, wizard-like hat had always been covering it. Now that it was gone, however, it was quite obvious (to his dismay).
“I never noticed that your hair was like that.” Mirabelle commented, and they unconsciously tried to flatten it against their head to no avail. “No, it looks nice, I’m just wondering how I didn’t notice before?”
Siffrin nods, “Well I always had my hat on. I generate a lot of static electricity, so it sticks up a bunch.”
Bonnies head tilted as they turned from the dish they were making over the campfire, “But you’ve never shocked me though? Or any of us, actually!”
He shrugs, “You guys don’t really touch me that often. I noticed in the loops, but because I’m an idiot, I didn’t ask about it or anything.”
(You totally did, you just don’t want to ask for their touch now, wondering if they’d offer it on their own.)
”We all assumed that you disliked it because you’d flinch when we did so.” Odile explained, “If that wasn’t the case, then why the flinching?” Siffrin could tell she felt guilty.
Siffrin mumbled, “I can’t remember the last time someone willingly wanted to come in physical contact with me, so I guess I was just unused to it? Now that Bonnie knows I’m okay with hugs as long as I’m warned, I guess that can to the same for you guys too, if you want.”
Isabeau squealed, and held his arms open wide. They chuckled and walked into them, slightly flinching at first, but then enjoying the warmth and pressure that their buddy’s arms provided.
”But he didn’t get shocked?” Mirabelle pointed out.
Siffrin smirked, “It wasn’t skin-on-skin contact, silly. Why do you think I wear gloves?” Slowly, he fumbled them off. His hands were small, stubby, and incredibly soft, and got some reason, he hated that about himself. Why couldn’t his hands match the things he went through? Or at least, callous at the whittling he did?
Odile’s long pointer finger entered his vision as she spoke, “Consider this an experiment.” Slowly, he notched his fingers towards her. The shock that followed was so loud that everyone jumped.
Thay both flinched back and shook their hands like that would fix the sudden ache in their muscles or the burning sensation their fingers still had. Siffrin groaned, “Ow. I haven’t done THAT in a while.”
Mirabelle’s hands shot out instinctively shot out to cover Siffrin’s own in concern, only to get similar treatment, with a little less noise. She yelped, and he apologised profusely, ashamed. “It’s okay!” She reassured, “I just hadn’t expected you to still have an extra charge.” She laugh softly.
He sweatdrops, “It’s so bad that sometimes, I have to take off a glove and touch the ground just to get rid of the underlying electricity that lingers.”
Bonnies eyes sparkled as they yet again tore them away from their cooking, “Really?! I always thought that was weird, but when I asked about it, you said you didn’t remember doing it!!”
(Well, it has gotten to be an action done unconsciously? You figure that you don’t notice the pauses you make just to make the pressure under your skin go away.)
”OH!” Isa shouts, “THAT’S WHY I WAKE UP RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT???”
(Well NOW YOU FEEL EVEN WORSE.)
“I was awaking you up?” Siffrin frowned as they put their gloves back on. Best not to shock anyone else, yeah?
Isabeau made a so-so motion with his hand. “I was waking up, but didn’t know why. It was a good think I do usually, because half the time, I need to use the restroom anyways.” His ears go red as he bashfully goes on to say, “I think when we sleep, our arms sometimes brush against each other, which shocks me awake? N-not that I ever feel it!”
Bonnie finally finished, and Siffrin’s mouth watered at the spectacular food. It wasn’t like anything they’d had in the loops, and it was a good change.
Apparently, the conversation was dropped, because nobody talked about it again, not that there was much else to say. He felt satisfied knowing that his family supported him, even with his… electrifying qualities.
And hey! Now they get casual hugs!!
(You count that as a win-win.)