A/N: Topsy has definitely reached his breaking point.
Cera has noticed a definite change in her dad's behavior; and it wasn't one she liked. She had asked him what was going on; and he told her that she was too young to understand. Despite dropping the subject, it still didn't make Cera worry about him any less.
"You haven't been eating much, lately," Cera pointed out.
Topsy sighed.
"I've got too much on my mind to even work up the appetite; and that's all you really need to know until I'm ready to talk to you about this; I don't even feel comfortable talking about this with most of the grown ups; and when they're all together, talking in front of a crowd; especially on a subject that's personal; I know that you all care; but, I would still feel better if there was a grown up I could talk to, one who can understand why I've been feeling so uneasy lately," Topsy explained.
"Well; you could talk to Littlefoot's grandpa about this; he seems like the type who can keep a secret; I don't think confiding such a personal issue with Kosh or Ducky and Petrie's mothers is such a good idea," Cera responded.
Topsy thought about this for a few moments before nodding.
"I understand that you felt bad about getting us stuck in the fire; but, that was months ago," Cera added.
"I know; but, I can't help it," Topsy admitted.
Cera nodded and nuzzled the adult's right forepaw as an attempt to cheer him up. Topsy managed a small smile despite how deeply affected he was by the fire incident. As if on cue, the elderly male longneck showed up; he then lowered himself to the ground and then looked at Cera.
"How have you been doing?" Cera asked.
"Eh, could be better; but, there are some things I would like to talk to your father about; it's just boring grown up stuff; I think you'll have more fun playing than lazing around here and listening to us talk; I didn't usually stick around to listen to grown ups talk when I was your age," Grandpa told her.
"I heard all that before; it's just a translation for get lost kid, the grown ups need to talk; I like your explanation better than what some other grown ups have told me and the other youngsters," Cera stated.
"Heh heh; some grown ups are so rude *cough* Kosh *cough*," Topsy sneered.
"Yeah; see ya," Cera stated while walking away.
Once Cera was far enough away, Grandpa glared down at the threehorn.
"That...was unnecessary," Grandpa told him.
"Can ya blame me? I know Kosh cares about me; but, he gets on my nerves and can come off as rude," Topsy retorted.
"Look who's talking," Grandpa sneered.
After an awkward silence, the elder spoke up again.
"If there's anything you need to get off your chest, feel free to talk about it; me and you are the only ones here right now since I told Cera that she might have more fun playing with the other young ones; and I could sense that you want this to be between us," Grandpa said.
"I'm fine," Topsy replied.
"No you're not; I've seen how the fire incident has messed up your self-esteem and your mental state; and the fact that holding in any emotions is affecting you physically; I know that you've been suffering from headaches, stomach pain and vomiting; so, don't give me crap about how you just ate something that didn't agree with you; 'cause I won't believe you," Grandpa added.
Topsy sighed.
"You forgot chest pains and shortness of breath; I'm actually surprised that I haven't started suffering heart attacks or started hyperventilating," Topsy pointed out.
"Why didn't you tell somebody sooner? Don't you see how bad this is affecting your health?" Grandpa asked.
Topsy sighed.
"I was ashamed," Topsy answered.
"Ashamed of what?" Grandpa wondered.
Topsy sighed and turned his head away from the elder. Soon enough, Grandpa turned Topsy's head around with his left forepaw so he could face him.
"I'm ashamed since threehorns are supposed to be tough; especially the males; but, I-I-I-I feel like I'm falling apart; I-I-I-I just didn't want to discuss this in front of the herd," Topsy stated while breathing heavily.
Despite being on the verge of tears, Topsy still managed to speak clearly, even though he was stuttering a bit. Grandpa understood that Topsy was usually a tough nut to crack and that he was one of the most stubborn dinosaurs who ever lived. However, since they got to know eac h other due to Littlefoot and Cera being best friends, the elder has gotten to a point where he cares about Topsy's wellbeing like he did his own daughter.
He thought back from the time where his daughter first hatched up until the time she and Littlefoot got separated and she succumbed to her wounds from the battle with Sharptooth. Even though, he didn't see her die, the memory of Littlefoot telling him about her death gets him choked up every time. However, he managed to keep himself from shedding tears for Topsy's sake.
"You know I care about you, right? What I'm saying is that being tough doesn't mean that you shouldn't feel pain; I understand that you want to appear as a tough parental figure for Cera; but, by holding in your emotions, you could get very sick and possibly die; what use could you be if you were dead?" Grandpa wondered.
Soon enough, Topsy felt his eyes filling with tears. He turned his head away once again and covered his eyes with his right forearm.
"Topsy, look at me," Grandpa pleaded.
The threehorn turned his now teary gaze towards the elder.
"I...I've been...having...nightmares...Cera dies...every time...every night...I wake up in a cold sweat...feeling sharp pains in my chest, sick feeling in my stomach...why do you think I haven't been eating much lately?" Topsy asked.
Grandpa nodded.
After hearing that explanation, Grandpa knew that Topsy needed comfort and offered him a shoulder to cry on, which was a gesture that Topsy gratefully accepted. Despite the sad sight, Grandpa was managing to keep his emotions in control. He then rubbed his chin up and down on Topsy's back to console him. He repeated the process while waiting for Topsy to let go of his repressed emotions.
"I'm so sorry," Topsy muttered.
"I know; it's just the way you were raised, that's all," Grandpa assured him.
After a few moments, the two males broke away from the embrace and Topsy dried his tears.
"Do you feel better now?" Grandpa asked.
"Yeah; thank you being there for me when I needed someone to lend a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on; I had no idea that you cared for me that much," Topsy admitted.
"You're my best friend, even if you're stubborn and can be a pain in the ass," Grandpa claimed.
Topsy smiled.
Now that he has managed to let go of his repressed emotions after many weeks, he can now get more focused on getting back to normal.