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[The way that the tension leaves Rue's shoulders the very moment that Donnie dares to reach out to them, his touch curling around their talon.
It doesn't matter what has happened or what may happen in the future. Rue would do anything for this boy. Not just to keep Donnie safe, but to make sure he's happy as well.]
So prove it to them, Donnie. Show them how sorry you are. Prove your words through action. I don't believe it will be enough for you to simply say this will never happen again, you need to show them that you mean your word. Forgiveness will happen, my love, but this time, it needs to be earned.
It doesn't matter what has happened or what may happen in the future. Rue would do anything for this boy. Not just to keep Donnie safe, but to make sure he's happy as well.]
So prove it to them, Donnie. Show them how sorry you are. Prove your words through action. I don't believe it will be enough for you to simply say this will never happen again, you need to show them that you mean your word. Forgiveness will happen, my love, but this time, it needs to be earned.
[They don't dare draw attention to the shift. This is Casey's time. Besides, it will be good to make some real food for April as well.]
Waffles it is. Will you track down a mixing bowl then? I'll grab the eggs and milk and butter.
Waffles it is. Will you track down a mixing bowl then? I'll grab the eggs and milk and butter.
[Hope you like waffles, April, because he's about to make way too many.]
Sure. [He starts poking through cupboards, searching for a big bowl. He's cooked in Peter and Leo's kitchen before, but not the apartment where April, Raph, and Donatello share, so it takes a bit longer.] Oh. How do you make the shape?
[It occurs to him he's never made waffles before, he has no idea how it works.]
Sure. [He starts poking through cupboards, searching for a big bowl. He's cooked in Peter and Leo's kitchen before, but not the apartment where April, Raph, and Donatello share, so it takes a bit longer.] Oh. How do you make the shape?
[It occurs to him he's never made waffles before, he has no idea how it works.]
I imagine he'll be grateful to be free of my hovering for a little while.
[Rue takes a step forward, hesitating just briefly.]
You're certain? Truly?
[Rue takes a step forward, hesitating just briefly.]
You're certain? Truly?
Edited 2025-03-28 03:56 (UTC)
[Who doesn't like waffles!!!
Casey turns to his task and Rue turns to theirs, gathering wet ingredients before arranging them out on the countertop.]
It's a waffle iron. There's one just under the cupboard there. I gifted it to the boys for exactly this purpose.
[Surprise mother waffle party.]
Casey turns to his task and Rue turns to theirs, gathering wet ingredients before arranging them out on the countertop.]
It's a waffle iron. There's one just under the cupboard there. I gifted it to the boys for exactly this purpose.
[Surprise mother waffle party.]
[Casey pokes around after finding the bowl, emerging a moment later with the iron.] Oh! Look at that. [He sits on the floor and just kinda open-shuts it a few times. Distracted? Maybe a little. Let him zone out with a waffle iron, he's had a weird week.]
Oh, come on. [ Sharon takes Rue’s feathery paw, pulling them inside before shutting the door behind them. The burrow feels warm and lived-in, and the air carries the rich, inviting scent of freshly baked treats.
She leads them to the kitchen, where the evidence of her latest baking endeavor is scattered across the counters—dirty dishes in the sink, a dusting of flour clinging to the stove, and a plate of cookies sitting temptingly on the table. Setting the kettle on, she grabs a pair of tea cups before casting a glance at Rue. ]
You're always welcome here, Rue. [ Emphatically. ] Even if I'm being pissy. If you come over, you're coming in.
She leads them to the kitchen, where the evidence of her latest baking endeavor is scattered across the counters—dirty dishes in the sink, a dusting of flour clinging to the stove, and a plate of cookies sitting temptingly on the table. Setting the kettle on, she grabs a pair of tea cups before casting a glance at Rue. ]
You're always welcome here, Rue. [ Emphatically. ] Even if I'm being pissy. If you come over, you're coming in.
[...Honestly? He deserves a chance to just zone out in peace.
So Rue will do a quick little inventory of ingredients, measuring things out and preparing them to be dumped into the mixing bowl, but waiting right before that last step to finally drop a paw on top of Casey's head, ruffling his hair.
And then there's a peck of a kiss to his cheek from behind.]
Shall we plug it in? I have an inkling it works better when the griddle is hot.
So Rue will do a quick little inventory of ingredients, measuring things out and preparing them to be dumped into the mixing bowl, but waiting right before that last step to finally drop a paw on top of Casey's head, ruffling his hair.
And then there's a peck of a kiss to his cheek from behind.]
Shall we plug it in? I have an inkling it works better when the griddle is hot.
[He turns bright red and nearly drops it, hastily scrambling to his feet. Right, waffles! They are making waffles. He's a perfectly put-together young man and he's fine, because fine people make waffles.]
Sure does!
[And he will do that now! Plugging in the waffle maker, look at him go.]
Got everything else?
Sure does!
[And he will do that now! Plugging in the waffle maker, look at him go.]
Got everything else?
I don't know where to start. [And there's the other question that he's too afraid to ask; if Rue is one of those people too, whose forgiveness he'll need to earn. The only thing he knows to do, the only thing he's good for, is building. This project was such a resounding failure...
What could make up for that? What little trinkets or toys could he make or fix to make up for all of this? Donnie's fingers tighten around Rue's talons, clinging like a child.]
What could make up for that? What little trinkets or toys could he make or fix to make up for all of this? Donnie's fingers tighten around Rue's talons, clinging like a child.]
[It's so silly, but Sharon's come on absolutely breaks the tension between them, Rue letting loose a trilling little laugh while they are tugged inside.
They quietly admire Sharon's home - the warmth, lived-in feeling of it all, how it feels so much like the young woman, just caring and lovely and always comforting.]
Then I supoose I'll simply have to invade your space more often, hm? Thank you, Sharon. Your friendship means so much to me. You are someone I can not imagine losing.
They quietly admire Sharon's home - the warmth, lived-in feeling of it all, how it feels so much like the young woman, just caring and lovely and always comforting.]
Then I supoose I'll simply have to invade your space more often, hm? Thank you, Sharon. Your friendship means so much to me. You are someone I can not imagine losing.
How come it hurts your feelings? [Cloud doesn't sound dismissive with the question, at least. More curiously confused than anything, but...there's a lot about the world he still doesn't understand, and that's just back home. Figuring out just what his own hangups are about this will make...some things, at least, a little easier. Maybe Rue's reasons will be enlightening.]
[As much as Rue may want to just scoop Casey up and smother him in kisses, they know how desperate he is to feel normal after everything that's happened. So instead, they'll just drop a comforting hand to his shoulder, smiling down at him as he plugs the waffle iron in.]
What about chocolate chips? Shall we put them in today? I feel as if we deserve an extra treat.
What about chocolate chips? Shall we put them in today? I feel as if we deserve an extra treat.
[Okay but counterpoint: being swept up and smothered in mom-kisses is completely normal for him now!!
He does brighten at the mention of chocolate, though. Nailed by the sweet tooth again.]
I think so, yeah! And how about, um... cinnamon sugar?
[This is turning out to be more like dessert than lunch but maybe today's the day to get away with it.]
He does brighten at the mention of chocolate, though. Nailed by the sweet tooth again.]
I think so, yeah! And how about, um... cinnamon sugar?
[This is turning out to be more like dessert than lunch but maybe today's the day to get away with it.]
[It's sweet, in a way, that Cloud even trusts them enough to ask.]
You'll have to forgive me if my explanation is poorly worded. I've never had to explain why I felt this particular way before, so I'm putting my former experiences and thoughts into words all at the same time. Please, I'm happy to clarify anything that doesn't make sense.
I believe if I was only nonbinary, it would be might easier to brush that unintentional hurt aside after all of these years. It's no surprise that I know exactly who I am. And the perception of those around me could never change that. But the fact is that I'm not only nonbinary, I am also a beast.
So even if others do not outright say as much, it feels impossible to not take any misgendering as an insult against what I am as well. To be seen as only what I was born as, not the incredible individual I've become, it reminds me that sometimes the way I see myself in the mirror is not the way others see me at all.
You'll have to forgive me if my explanation is poorly worded. I've never had to explain why I felt this particular way before, so I'm putting my former experiences and thoughts into words all at the same time. Please, I'm happy to clarify anything that doesn't make sense.
I believe if I was only nonbinary, it would be might easier to brush that unintentional hurt aside after all of these years. It's no surprise that I know exactly who I am. And the perception of those around me could never change that. But the fact is that I'm not only nonbinary, I am also a beast.
So even if others do not outright say as much, it feels impossible to not take any misgendering as an insult against what I am as well. To be seen as only what I was born as, not the incredible individual I've become, it reminds me that sometimes the way I see myself in the mirror is not the way others see me at all.
[Across there bond, while Donnie trembles and clings to their talon, terrified of what might happen next, he would feel Rue's love settling over his shoulders, like a wing shielding him from the world.]
Then I will be there with you every step of the way, Donatello. You and I will find out where to start together. How does that sound?
Then I will be there with you every step of the way, Donatello. You and I will find out where to start together. How does that sound?
[ Sharon sets down a row of carefully jarred teas for the owlbear to inspect, then settles into her seat. ] Don’t worry, Rue. You’re not losing me anytime soon. No one is—not if I have anything to say about it.
[ For all the griping she does about Folkmore, the truth is the good far outweighs the bad. She has no plans to go back to Trench—not now, maybe not ever. That life belongs to a different version of her. ] I’m... surprisingly fucking happy here. [ The words feel strange leaving her mouth, so she lowers her voice to a near whisper, like she’s sharing a secret. ]
[ For all the griping she does about Folkmore, the truth is the good far outweighs the bad. She has no plans to go back to Trench—not now, maybe not ever. That life belongs to a different version of her. ] I’m... surprisingly fucking happy here. [ The words feel strange leaving her mouth, so she lowers her voice to a near whisper, like she’s sharing a secret. ]
[Shhh, sometimes your adorable son deserves to suck down as much sugar as possible.]
Wonderful idea, Casey! Would you like to work on the batter while I find their cinnamon? Start with the dry ingredients, then add the wet.
Wonderful idea, Casey! Would you like to work on the batter while I find their cinnamon? Start with the dry ingredients, then add the wet.
[Oh, delightful! Rue will give a quick little inspection before making their choice, talons carefully wrapped around the jar.]
I feel much the same way. I am happier in Folkmore than I ever was back home in the fae realm. Though our ultimate goal is to leave for New York some day, until then, I'm quite content to remain here, thriving in this place.
I feel much the same way. I am happier in Folkmore than I ever was back home in the fae realm. Though our ultimate goal is to leave for New York some day, until then, I'm quite content to remain here, thriving in this place.
[Whether he deserves it or not, it's happening today.]
Got it! Okay, that's easy.
[He'll do just that, mixing everything thoroughly as directed. The good thing about him being the main cook in his household for more than a year now is that he's gotten pretty good about following recipes and mixing things.]
It already smells nice. [A handful of chocolate chips go into the batter! ...And then a little one goes in his mouth. Mixing man perks.]
Got it! Okay, that's easy.
[He'll do just that, mixing everything thoroughly as directed. The good thing about him being the main cook in his household for more than a year now is that he's gotten pretty good about following recipes and mixing things.]
It already smells nice. [A handful of chocolate chips go into the batter! ...And then a little one goes in his mouth. Mixing man perks.]
[ With the tea chosen and the kettle whistling, she pours water into each cup, then sets out milk, honey, and sugar. She reaches for the honey herself. The mention of New York catches her off guard. In hindsight, it makes sense, especially considering where her children were from, but it still surprises her. ]
I didn’t know you all planned to leave one day [ She pauses, stirring her tea slowly before hesitantly asking: ] Is that what he was trying to figure out?
[ How to get them to New York. ]
I didn’t know you all planned to leave one day [ She pauses, stirring her tea slowly before hesitantly asking: ] Is that what he was trying to figure out?
[ How to get them to New York. ]
Doesn't it? Nothing smells quite as wonderful as breakfast.
[Waffle batter? That's simply too easy for Casey Jones, baker extraordinaire!
Though when Rue finishes finding the cinnamon hidden in the cupboard, they lean in close to Casey and open their beak, waiting for a chocolate chip of their own.]
[Waffle batter? That's simply too easy for Casey Jones, baker extraordinaire!
Though when Rue finishes finding the cinnamon hidden in the cupboard, they lean in close to Casey and open their beak, waiting for a chocolate chip of their own.]
[He doesn't even need to look, just sees that beak in his peripheral, and in goes no less than three chips. No stinging for mama-san!]
Did I tell you I tried to eat cinnamon one time? Like, on its own.
Did I tell you I tried to eat cinnamon one time? Like, on its own.
If I'm being perfectly honest, I would have no problem remaining here in Folkmore with them for the rest of our lives. But the boys have been missing their brother and their father for so many years now, and I would so happily follow them anywhere they went.
[The idea isn't as scary as it once was, but their love of their sons will push them to do just about anything.]
Yes. As foolish as he was and as cruel as his actions might have been, in the end, it was all for us.
[The idea isn't as scary as it once was, but their love of their sons will push them to do just about anything.]
Yes. As foolish as he was and as cruel as his actions might have been, in the end, it was all for us.
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