πΉππππππ πΉπ ππΆ πππ (they/them) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
[Rue is happy with just a little fruit for now, thank you. The fey in general just do not need to eat in quite the same capacity as humans do, so really, this is mostly for him.
But! Since he is their child now -]
Darling, may I make a suggestion?
[Because they are gonna.]
But! Since he is their child now -]
Darling, may I make a suggestion?
[Because they are gonna.]
Edited 2023-10-29 02:27 (UTC)
Mm?
[Rue can always make a suggestion... plus it's their house. He just keeps eating as he watches them curiously, no clue as to what's coming.]
[Rue can always make a suggestion... plus it's their house. He just keeps eating as he watches them curiously, no clue as to what's coming.]
[Putting on their very best mom 'it's your decision, but I just think...' voice.]
You should slow down between your bites. It helps with digestion. I promise, we are in no rush here. In fact, there's nothing I love more than a long, relaxed brunch. When the fey take meals together, sometimes it can go on for hours, between conversing and drinks and catching up with everyone, it becomes quite the event.
[and with a smile, to show they are not mad in the slightest, it truly is just a suggestion]
We certainly don't need to fill hours, but here, I promise that you do not need rush either. Your food will go nowhere. And there is plenty to be had.
You should slow down between your bites. It helps with digestion. I promise, we are in no rush here. In fact, there's nothing I love more than a long, relaxed brunch. When the fey take meals together, sometimes it can go on for hours, between conversing and drinks and catching up with everyone, it becomes quite the event.
[and with a smile, to show they are not mad in the slightest, it truly is just a suggestion]
We certainly don't need to fill hours, but here, I promise that you do not need rush either. Your food will go nowhere. And there is plenty to be had.
[Casey slowly lowers the fork from his mouth, forming it into a silent "oh" as he considers those words, cheeks swiftly turning pink. He didn't really notice he was eating quickly, but when it's pointed out to him, impossible not to notice the difference. That's embarrassing.]
Ah... sorry. Forgot where I was. [Takes a... decidedly slower bite!]
Ah... sorry. Forgot where I was. [Takes a... decidedly slower bite!]
[that darling flush says it all.]
You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Casey. We are family, correct?
[And Rue is just close enough that their wing can stretch to pat a paw comfortingly over Casey's hand.]
Trust me, my Knickolas is exactly the same way and it does not bother me in the slightest. [Though they have brought up the same loving suggestion to him as well. Sometimes slowing down enough to taste the food does make it more enjoyable.] But here, with just you and I? There are no rules for us to follow. I just do not want you to choke or hurt yourself.
You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Casey. We are family, correct?
[And Rue is just close enough that their wing can stretch to pat a paw comfortingly over Casey's hand.]
Trust me, my Knickolas is exactly the same way and it does not bother me in the slightest. [Though they have brought up the same loving suggestion to him as well. Sometimes slowing down enough to taste the food does make it more enjoyable.] But here, with just you and I? There are no rules for us to follow. I just do not want you to choke or hurt yourself.
[Rue why you gotta do this to him- but okay yeah he is making a conscious effort to eat at a reasonable pace now, tilting his head curiously as he reaches for some of the fruit with his free hand, the other turning beneath Rue's paw to pat back. (It's okay, it's okay, he gets the message. And appreciates it. He'll try his best.)]
He ate like I did?
He ate like I did?
[Rue does not know CPR, do not do this to them-]
Oh yes, I believe all goblins do. I presume it is just a part of their culture. Before moving in with me, he lived much more wildly.
[They look just a touch thoughtful before quickly adding in,]
Which I love about him too, I should add. We were very different from one another when we first met, but during our time together, I found that we helped to balance our differences out. I made him just a touch more tame and he helped to remind me that my inner wild was not something to be so afraid of.
Oh yes, I believe all goblins do. I presume it is just a part of their culture. Before moving in with me, he lived much more wildly.
[They look just a touch thoughtful before quickly adding in,]
Which I love about him too, I should add. We were very different from one another when we first met, but during our time together, I found that we helped to balance our differences out. I made him just a touch more tame and he helped to remind me that my inner wild was not something to be so afraid of.
[Casey makes a soft noise of acknowledgement at that, idly poking some egg around on his plate. Wild, huh... uncivilized, some might say. Civilized society kind of requires a civilization, doesn't it? (Or maybe not. Maybe just the luxury of behaving civilized makes it so. He doesn't know, this too is out of his wheelhouse.)
But it is enough to make him finally admit, somewhat sheepishly,]
I guess I'm a little wild, too.
[Wild child left adrift in a modern, socialized world he knows nothing about- twice in a row, even.]
But it is enough to make him finally admit, somewhat sheepishly,]
I guess I'm a little wild, too.
[Wild child left adrift in a modern, socialized world he knows nothing about- twice in a row, even.]
[The look that blossoms across Rue's face is positively radiant.]
I confess - [and it is so silly because they are, as Rue mentioned, just the two of them in this house, but they tip in close and lower their voice to a whisper for just the two of them.] I think that is part of the reason I adore you, just the same as I do him. I love both of your wild sides. I would not have caught that fish for you if I did not long to be at least a little more free. Hob knew how to tease it out of me better than I have been able to manage without him.
[Funny to think at that time they were learning to swim, Rue and Casey had been near strangers to one another. Look how far they have come since.]
But let me just say, dearest, I am not trying to tame or shape you into someone you are not. I just don't want you to choke. I believe as your new parent, I should be entitled to that much.
[a squeeze of his hand at their tease, before Rue is pulling away to drink their own coffee]
I confess - [and it is so silly because they are, as Rue mentioned, just the two of them in this house, but they tip in close and lower their voice to a whisper for just the two of them.] I think that is part of the reason I adore you, just the same as I do him. I love both of your wild sides. I would not have caught that fish for you if I did not long to be at least a little more free. Hob knew how to tease it out of me better than I have been able to manage without him.
[Funny to think at that time they were learning to swim, Rue and Casey had been near strangers to one another. Look how far they have come since.]
But let me just say, dearest, I am not trying to tame or shape you into someone you are not. I just don't want you to choke. I believe as your new parent, I should be entitled to that much.
[a squeeze of his hand at their tease, before Rue is pulling away to drink their own coffee]
[That sure does feel like a secret, and he subconsciously ducks his head and leans in as if that will somehow make it more hidden. Their mention of the fish makes him think back and realize he'd never taken a moment to ponder how they'd caught it in the first place, but they'd had him close his eyes while they did. Because... they'd been too wild in that moment? They hadn't known each other very well at the time, so it makes sense, only in retrospect. Knowing that, and that they'd taken the chance on him seeing despite their misgivings, makes the gesture that much kinder. The 'new parent' comment makes his cheeks go pink again, wearing a softer fluster this time, as he recognizes their sentiment. It's okay to be wild and weird, just don't choke? He can manage that much, surely.
He debates for a long moment, chewing on a stick of bacon, before feeling brave enough to speak up on the topic again. Or at least to confess:]
I grew up eating rats. In... in the future. Everything that used to be good to eat was dead, but there were always rats. [He takes a big bite of the bacon, as if to purge the sense memory from his mind- the unpleasant, plain taste, the smell of burned fur.] And...! We did okay! I mean, I grew up okay. [Stunted and skinny but alive, which is more than can be said for most people of his time.] But there was always something that needed doing, or it was dangerous to sit around stuffing your face, and it wasn't... nice to eat. Just kind of a chore to get over with.
[It sucked. It was gross. He did it to live, not for the joy of it, and he takes no joy in laying it out on the table like this. But as his... parent... they ought to know what his other parent knew. Because they like him and want to know him better, even the messy parts. Even if he's embarrassed about it.]
...That's why I eat fast.
He debates for a long moment, chewing on a stick of bacon, before feeling brave enough to speak up on the topic again. Or at least to confess:]
I grew up eating rats. In... in the future. Everything that used to be good to eat was dead, but there were always rats. [He takes a big bite of the bacon, as if to purge the sense memory from his mind- the unpleasant, plain taste, the smell of burned fur.] And...! We did okay! I mean, I grew up okay. [Stunted and skinny but alive, which is more than can be said for most people of his time.] But there was always something that needed doing, or it was dangerous to sit around stuffing your face, and it wasn't... nice to eat. Just kind of a chore to get over with.
[It sucked. It was gross. He did it to live, not for the joy of it, and he takes no joy in laying it out on the table like this. But as his... parent... they ought to know what his other parent knew. Because they like him and want to know him better, even the messy parts. Even if he's embarrassed about it.]
...That's why I eat fast.
[Donnie does finally detach once they're seated, if only because he absolutely does not want to accidentally get a mouthful of feathers while he's snacking, but he's more than happy to talk about all his fashion desires with Rue. There are many. Some of very questionable taste.]
[Rue does not try to hide the way their feathery face pinches, big eyes narrowing in concern. Very quickly their paw finds Peter's shoulder, giving the teen a reassuring, but gentle squeeze.
None of this sits very well with Rue, not the news that Leo has been treating Peter differently nor the news that he is having terrible nightmares.]
If you do not feel it is productive and you do not feel comfortable pushing, then please, my dear, ignore my well-meaning, if sometimes pushy advice. But, Peter, may I ask what has changed in how Leo treats you? Does Leo have difficulty sleeping most nights?
None of this sits very well with Rue, not the news that Leo has been treating Peter differently nor the news that he is having terrible nightmares.]
If you do not feel it is productive and you do not feel comfortable pushing, then please, my dear, ignore my well-meaning, if sometimes pushy advice. But, Peter, may I ask what has changed in how Leo treats you? Does Leo have difficulty sleeping most nights?
I dunno, it could help, depending on the topic. His nightmares are... iffier, I think. [He doesn't explain what Leo's nightmares are of. Erring on the side of some privacy for his boyfriend.]
As long as we've been together, neither of us really- sleep a lot? We'll get comfortable, he'll wake both of us, or I'll wake both of us up. It's been Leo more often, though. It just feels like it's gotten worse for Leo recently. [He can't really lie about his own issues. Rue would likely get it out of him anyway. The owlbear has a talent for that.]
He's more protective, I guess? [Peter shrugs a little uncertainly.] He's always really worried about me. So, it's nothing bad. I just... notice? Sometimes he just wants to protect me from how he's feeling.
None of it is bad or anything, I'm probably worrying too much.
As long as we've been together, neither of us really- sleep a lot? We'll get comfortable, he'll wake both of us, or I'll wake both of us up. It's been Leo more often, though. It just feels like it's gotten worse for Leo recently. [He can't really lie about his own issues. Rue would likely get it out of him anyway. The owlbear has a talent for that.]
He's more protective, I guess? [Peter shrugs a little uncertainly.] He's always really worried about me. So, it's nothing bad. I just... notice? Sometimes he just wants to protect me from how he's feeling.
None of it is bad or anything, I'm probably worrying too much.
[Alright, Casey wins, he does not have to show manners at the breakfast table ever again.
Rue's expression does not pinch or go too sad, but there is a certain sorrowful look in their eyes that can not be hidden.
Rats for food. A future where everything else is dead, so all that was left to feast upon was rats. Poor Casey. No wonder all of this is so new to him, not just the food at the table, but Rue liking to sit down and enjoy a meal together at all. It must have been so much easier to choose to go hungry or to eat everything down in the few moments of quiet you had to yourself, then to plan such extravagant dinner parties like Rue does.
They can not help it - without a word, Rue is adding another slice of quiche to his plate, just because.]
I know that it is what you were used to, but I'm very grateful that you are here with us right now, Casey, and that food should never be a worry again for you. Still, even knowing that, if it worries you or makes you uncomfortable to eat like this, I ask that you do what feels best. I understand now, truly.
Rue's expression does not pinch or go too sad, but there is a certain sorrowful look in their eyes that can not be hidden.
Rats for food. A future where everything else is dead, so all that was left to feast upon was rats. Poor Casey. No wonder all of this is so new to him, not just the food at the table, but Rue liking to sit down and enjoy a meal together at all. It must have been so much easier to choose to go hungry or to eat everything down in the few moments of quiet you had to yourself, then to plan such extravagant dinner parties like Rue does.
They can not help it - without a word, Rue is adding another slice of quiche to his plate, just because.]
I know that it is what you were used to, but I'm very grateful that you are here with us right now, Casey, and that food should never be a worry again for you. Still, even knowing that, if it worries you or makes you uncomfortable to eat like this, I ask that you do what feels best. I understand now, truly.
[Casey glances down at his once-again-full plate, still idly chewing on his bacon, then shovels one big forkful into his mouth. Quiche with extra bacon? Yes? Yes.
-He does swallow before:] So much better than rats.
[It is the lowest possible bar, but it's the bar he has, so there it is. And he still makes a conscious effort to take slower bites, just one or two more before he gives a real response.]
I think... the reminder's good. Maybe that's how I used to live, but I want to be able to let go of that. Food is so good here... if I slow down, I can taste it, I can enjoy it longer. [He looks over at Rue, his expression apologetic, though he does not directly do so.] Just... if you tell me, and I can't listen, try not to get mad? It's not on purpose.
[Sometimes eating feels like a chore again, or the idea of it makes him sick, and he has no control over that. Better to eat it fast than not at all.]
-He does swallow before:] So much better than rats.
[It is the lowest possible bar, but it's the bar he has, so there it is. And he still makes a conscious effort to take slower bites, just one or two more before he gives a real response.]
I think... the reminder's good. Maybe that's how I used to live, but I want to be able to let go of that. Food is so good here... if I slow down, I can taste it, I can enjoy it longer. [He looks over at Rue, his expression apologetic, though he does not directly do so.] Just... if you tell me, and I can't listen, try not to get mad? It's not on purpose.
[Sometimes eating feels like a chore again, or the idea of it makes him sick, and he has no control over that. Better to eat it fast than not at all.]
[Rue appreciates his directness and the fact that he does not just simply apologize as if anything he's been doing is bad. It's just like starting all over again for him, having to learn how to live without such intense conditions hanging over his head. And really, having better manners while eating is incredibly low on the list when it comes to urgency.
Truly, he's already impressing everyone with how well he's been acclimating.]
As if I have ever been mad at you before! [Rue? Mad? Okay, it does happen, certainly, just it's never directed at sweet, gentle, always considerate Casey.] Of course, dear. You know I would be more understanding than that. More than anything, I simply want to see you eat your fill and discover new dishes that you like. The rest is vastly unimportant in comparison.
Truly, he's already impressing everyone with how well he's been acclimating.]
As if I have ever been mad at you before! [Rue? Mad? Okay, it does happen, certainly, just it's never directed at sweet, gentle, always considerate Casey.] Of course, dear. You know I would be more understanding than that. More than anything, I simply want to see you eat your fill and discover new dishes that you like. The rest is vastly unimportant in comparison.
[Honestly as soon as the words were out of his mouth he was wondering if angry Rue had ever existed around their gaggle of teenagers. It's a hard thing to envision. But at the same time he can't shake the mental connection that Mom = loud/yelling. Weird.]
...Thank you... I really appreciate it. Um, but in return- if you ever want to be a little wild, just let me know. I won't judge.
[Since etiquette is somewhat wasted on him and he is, indeed, wild at heart. He doesn't know what counts as being wild for Rue, but he'd try to catch fish with his teeth or whatever with them if it's what they wanted.
(He also then plucks a waffle from the pile and starts eating it plain. Still better than rats. Please introduce him to maple syrup or something.)]
...Thank you... I really appreciate it. Um, but in return- if you ever want to be a little wild, just let me know. I won't judge.
[Since etiquette is somewhat wasted on him and he is, indeed, wild at heart. He doesn't know what counts as being wild for Rue, but he'd try to catch fish with his teeth or whatever with them if it's what they wanted.
(He also then plucks a waffle from the pile and starts eating it plain. Still better than rats. Please introduce him to maple syrup or something.)]
[It's such a sweet offer to make, leaving the owlbear chuckling into their coffee mug before they are gently nudging some butter and syrup across the table at him.]
You are too dear. Thank you. Truth be told, I would hardly know where to begin, but if the feeling ever arises, you shall be the first to know.
[One day maybe, but it's still such a fear for them, without Hob pushing them, it feels a little impossible.]
What do you think so far? And please, try the syrup if you haven't already before, it adds so much sweetness.
You are too dear. Thank you. Truth be told, I would hardly know where to begin, but if the feeling ever arises, you shall be the first to know.
[One day maybe, but it's still such a fear for them, without Hob pushing them, it feels a little impossible.]
What do you think so far? And please, try the syrup if you haven't already before, it adds so much sweetness.
[He's fine with non-committal (not like he expected them to go out and frolic in the wild right now, and he's fine if they never want to, so long as the offer is on the table), pausing mid-bite to watch them slide the syrup over. The butter he's familiar with, but the other is new.]
It's already delicious...
[It can be even better?? With syrup?? Give him a moment to spread some butter and syrup on, take a bite, chew thoughtfully with eyes growing increasingly wide.
...And then he pours syrup onto everything on his plate. Waffle, quiche, fruit, everything is now sugar. IT MUST BE TESTED, IT MUST BE CONSUMED- sweetness is an understatement.]
-Ish sho good...!!
It's already delicious...
[It can be even better?? With syrup?? Give him a moment to spread some butter and syrup on, take a bite, chew thoughtfully with eyes growing increasingly wide.
...And then he pours syrup onto everything on his plate. Waffle, quiche, fruit, everything is now sugar. IT MUST BE TESTED, IT MUST BE CONSUMED- sweetness is an understatement.]
-Ish sho good...!!
[Soon as Leo sees the light flicker on and stay on the screen he gives a celebratory WOOP before landing somewhere on the floor with a laugh.]
And we did it without Donnie's know-how. Oh, we are so big brained, Casey. But yeah, whatever you got on your relic, you can watch on the big screen now.
And we did it without Donnie's know-how. Oh, we are so big brained, Casey. But yeah, whatever you got on your relic, you can watch on the big screen now.
[sorry that their relic background is probably just cycling selfies of the boys but also with like a few really bad blurry, out of focus pictures that accidentally got into the album.
Rue looks amazed.]
You are both the smartest boys alive! Thank you so much!
Rue looks amazed.]
You are both the smartest boys alive! Thank you so much!
[Casey's beaming. Factually incorrect, but Rue somehow makes it believable. (No one tell Donnie.)]
You're welcome! Thanks for the portal, Leo.
You're welcome! Thanks for the portal, Leo.
I suppose I would not be opposed if that is an offer!
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