[Rue's aim may rarely be to intimidate, but they can't deny it certainly comes in handy at times.]
Ah, I see. [Returning to a place you lived in and finding strangers making home there instead? The very idea tugs at Rue's heart, especially when, by their estimate, Tim looks quite young for a human. They suddenly have so many more questions (how long have you been on your own? how did you leave and then return back to this place? what must be done to make this new space feel more inviting for you?) but they can tell he's overwhelmed as it is. The questions can wait. They'll have plenty of time together in the future.]
Then of course, you shall stay here with me, for as long as you like. I can assure you that I am a neat, quiet, respectful housemate, though I must tell you that my fiancé is over most days since his own living situation is... [A claw taps idly beneath their beak. They so hate to be rude.] A much too boisterous space for me.
[It's been a little over a month and already Rue is unable to count on one hand the amount of times they've been over while the other men of the apartment have been lounging around shirtless or getting into physical brawls in Rue's presence. It's too much.]
But we tend to simply take dinner most evenings and watch television together. You are most free to join us. [And maybe just a touch cheekily:] And you have my word that we won't do anything uncouth in shared spaces.
And, yeah, that's his ears starting to turn red at the tips and this is Tim swearing he's not some perv- he's just like that. Adult that he is (holy wow when did that happen?) and experienced in sh...ared spaces..., he waves a hand in front of himself to feign casualness. Somewhere in Gotham, Stephanie Brown howls in laughter and knows not why.
"It's cool," he says, and what he means is, "that's fine. I keep to my room, mostly,"
unless he's harassing Meredith or Malcolm over seven-AM yoga but that's not a concern here, now. Right? Right.
"and I don't know what department I'll be working in. So I don't know my shifts just yet. I..."
He wants to ask about the fiancé. Of course he does. He feels a swell of suspicion of the man just on principle, like possession of Rue is a thing and he must combat it. That's some serious introspection for later.
Tim tries for a smile and succeeds. Livelier, he gestures behind to the living room. "You wouldn't happen to be big on Monday Night Football?"
Honestly, that little touch of pink to his ears? Adorable. Rue will have to gently tease Tim more later on to bring it out again.
"Please don't feel that you need to hide in your room. I would love to make this space into something that reflects both of us. Though please know, if you would like to have guests over, I'm absolutely capable of making myself scarce for your sake. You only need to ask, little one."
Tim won't have to wait too long to meet said fiancé, though he may be surprised when he does. K.P. Hob is a furry, dog-earred, and fanged goblin of a man, with a stiff military posture and a verbose, rambling manner of speech. And for his size and general intimidation, he's adorably awkward. Perhaps both Tim and Hob can play cutely awkward together while Rue brightens up the room with their easy charisma.
"No!" And for not knowing, Rue looks absolutely delighted at the very prospect of it. "I've never even heard of it! But if you like it, I'd love to experience it with you. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone and try everything, at least once. That is a sport, yes? I imagine so with the customary 'ball' attached to the end."
He's about to protest the little one tag, much like he would protest at Lieutenant Arroyo calling him 'kid'. It's always a gotcha he knows he's playing into, but habits often override false pretenses of maturity.
But then Rue is chirping happily along and Tim is helpless to hold back the last lingering remnant of fight-or-flight excitability and he's coaxed into a coughing sort of laugh. Aborted sort of laugh. He's exhausted mentally and physically and emotionally and he's drained, he is done.
He just promised Monday night football to a... Rue. It's bizarre. It's bizarre because he understands Jack a lot sometimes. Understands his dad, he means. There's a lot promises being made that weren't supposed to be promises and,
smiling placidly into his tea he says,
"Yeah, football is basically the most popular sport in this country. It's not my favorite, I haven't watched a game in a while. I haven't watched any game in a while."
like he's promising to not set someone up for disappointment. Don't be a jerk, he pleads to himself. Shut this down.
"If we ever catch a game I wouldn't mind explaining the rules and everything to you so it's easier to keep up."
Coming from the duplicitous Feywilds, meeting someone like Tim is just fascinatingly different from all that Rue has ever known. There's just something so naturally genuine in his countenance, even as he's trying to navigate such an unexpected situation. Even this little into their new friendship, Rue likes the young man a great deal.
"Well, I shall keep my Monday afternoons free then. If you would ever like to -" Their big eyes blink over at Tim, watching the way he smiles into his tea. Their gaze smiles back. "Ah, catch a game with me." Look at them! Learning the lingo!. "I'd be delighted, Tim."
Rue settles back carefully into their chair - reinforced certainly, but they still don't completely trust furniture made with the human-form in mind - holding their dainty tea cup carefully between both paws, letting the fresh smell floral scent rise up to their beak.
"I must admit, I've never shared a space with another before, so if I overstep on any boundaries, please simply let me know. I'm quite happy to have you here. I think you and I will make this into a lovely space together. And, if I may be so bold, I'm excited to get to know you."
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no subject
Ah, I see. [Returning to a place you lived in and finding strangers making home there instead? The very idea tugs at Rue's heart, especially when, by their estimate, Tim looks quite young for a human. They suddenly have so many more questions (how long have you been on your own? how did you leave and then return back to this place? what must be done to make this new space feel more inviting for you?) but they can tell he's overwhelmed as it is. The questions can wait. They'll have plenty of time together in the future.]
Then of course, you shall stay here with me, for as long as you like. I can assure you that I am a neat, quiet, respectful housemate, though I must tell you that my fiancé is over most days since his own living situation is... [A claw taps idly beneath their beak. They so hate to be rude.] A much too boisterous space for me.
[It's been a little over a month and already Rue is unable to count on one hand the amount of times they've been over while the other men of the apartment have been lounging around shirtless or getting into physical brawls in Rue's presence. It's too much.]
But we tend to simply take dinner most evenings and watch television together. You are most free to join us. [And maybe just a touch cheekily:] And you have my word that we won't do anything uncouth in shared spaces.
no subject
"It's cool," he says, and what he means is, "that's fine. I keep to my room, mostly,"
unless he's harassing Meredith or Malcolm over seven-AM yoga but that's not a concern here, now. Right? Right.
"and I don't know what department I'll be working in. So I don't know my shifts just yet. I..."
He wants to ask about the fiancé. Of course he does. He feels a swell of suspicion of the man just on principle, like possession of Rue is a thing and he must combat it. That's some serious introspection for later.
Tim tries for a smile and succeeds. Livelier, he gestures behind to the living room. "You wouldn't happen to be big on Monday Night Football?"
no subject
"Please don't feel that you need to hide in your room. I would love to make this space into something that reflects both of us. Though please know, if you would like to have guests over, I'm absolutely capable of making myself scarce for your sake. You only need to ask, little one."
Tim won't have to wait too long to meet said fiancé, though he may be surprised when he does. K.P. Hob is a furry, dog-earred, and fanged goblin of a man, with a stiff military posture and a verbose, rambling manner of speech. And for his size and general intimidation, he's adorably awkward. Perhaps both Tim and Hob can play cutely awkward together while Rue brightens up the room with their easy charisma.
"No!" And for not knowing, Rue looks absolutely delighted at the very prospect of it. "I've never even heard of it! But if you like it, I'd love to experience it with you. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone and try everything, at least once. That is a sport, yes? I imagine so with the customary 'ball' attached to the end."
no subject
But then Rue is chirping happily along and Tim is helpless to hold back the last lingering remnant of fight-or-flight excitability and he's coaxed into a coughing sort of laugh. Aborted sort of laugh. He's exhausted mentally and physically and emotionally and he's drained, he is done.
He just promised Monday night football to a... Rue. It's bizarre. It's bizarre because he understands Jack a lot sometimes. Understands his dad, he means. There's a lot promises being made that weren't supposed to be promises and,
smiling placidly into his tea he says,
"Yeah, football is basically the most popular sport in this country. It's not my favorite, I haven't watched a game in a while. I haven't watched any game in a while."
like he's promising to not set someone up for disappointment. Don't be a jerk, he pleads to himself. Shut this down.
"If we ever catch a game I wouldn't mind explaining the rules and everything to you so it's easier to keep up."
no subject
"Well, I shall keep my Monday afternoons free then. If you would ever like to -" Their big eyes blink over at Tim, watching the way he smiles into his tea. Their gaze smiles back. "Ah, catch a game with me." Look at them! Learning the lingo!. "I'd be delighted, Tim."
Rue settles back carefully into their chair - reinforced certainly, but they still don't completely trust furniture made with the human-form in mind - holding their dainty tea cup carefully between both paws, letting the fresh smell floral scent rise up to their beak.
"I must admit, I've never shared a space with another before, so if I overstep on any boundaries, please simply let me know. I'm quite happy to have you here. I think you and I will make this into a lovely space together. And, if I may be so bold, I'm excited to get to know you."