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A choice!

[Rue does not ever truly raise their voice, but there's a certain sharpness to their tone.]

Peter - [and somewhere in their bubbling fury, Rue realizes Peter is growing anxious and lays a gentle paw to his shoulder, squeezing softly.] You must never apologize for caring about your partner and being offended and hurt that some - [oh, they are angry now, feathers ruffling up around their neck and face.] -sleazy, small-minded man spoke so cruelly out against someone who does not look like him. I will not stand for it.

[and because they can not get over it:]

A choice!!!

I told Mr. Stark Leo isn't a 'choice', and I don't care if he 'minds', I just... [He stops his fidgeting under the gentle paw, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.] I don't want anyone else from my world treating him weird, or me making it weird by over thinking it?

[Rue sighs, letting their anger cool as they press in closer to Peter, allowing themself to shake off their own irritation to soothe him instead.]

And you did wonderfully, darling. Thank you for speaking out against your own mentor. I can not imagine that was very easy.

I can not speak for Leo, but as someone who has experienced the same heartless bigotry the whole of their life, I understand why that would be a fear for you. I too wish that when anyone looks upon Leo, they see his caring, generous heart over fixating on the fact he is not human. We both know what he is matters so little in comparison to who he is.

[The direct contact seems to actively take the nervous fidgety edge down several degrees. Peter releases a short breath as he tries to relax a little.]

It was awkward, yeah, but, I didn't really like how he was talking about Leo. I wasn't going to just let it happen. [Its a simple sentiment on his part.] I know, he's a turtle, but that's- not the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Leo.

I'm sorry you guys have to deal with any of it. It's- stupid and unfair, but, I'm just stating the obvious.

[good. the very last thing they want to do is stress this sweet boy out. peter has already had this weighing on his mind, clearly. he does not need to carry rue's fury too.]

It is quite unfair, but the people like you more than make up for it. Even though I can be quite intimidating to behold, I have never once seen fear in your eyes and that means more to me than you will ever know.

[a quiet pause, rue reaching up to brush peter's hair from his face]

I think my advice would be to ask Leo what would make him most comfortable, in regards to how to approach Tony or any other future incidents. He will tell you honestly how he would like them to be handled, whether that is dropping the subject completely or standing up for him.

I mean, you're not scary to me. You're just Rue. [He says with a half of a shrug given Rue is holding onto him.]

Yeah, asking is... a good idea. I just worry he's going to want to protect me from stuff. [He manages to not outright fidget again and ruin more of the stitching in his sleeve.] Sometimes he just keeps stuff inside and I don't want to push him super hard about things.

Speaking as someone married to someone quite similar, I know what a stress that can be.

[It was all too easy for Hob to bury his own hurt and insecurities down and simply follow orders. It took Rue some time to know just what was an appropriate line for them to cross when bullying the man to stand up for himself. Peter will get there in time too.]

Just don't forget that sometimes the ones we love need a little push at times. We both know that Leo would thank you for it. And open communication, even if it feels like an uncomfortable conversation to have, will always end up better for everyone. Leo likes to hide his hurt, but being able to feel and understand the full of one's emotions is a gift. Burying that down just leads to resentment and anxiety and, sometimes, a deep feeling of loneliness.

[Peter listens with an uncertain frown, wishing he was as confident as Rue is about this. He feels like he isn't really helping Leo with a lot.]

I feel like, when I do push it doesn't work...? He just takes it as a reason to bury everything more and focus on me. After he learned I died back home when we were in the ADI, he kind of changed a little. Like- changed how he treated me, I mean.

[Peter isn't sure if this is too private of a detail to talk about, but their brief argument about Leo's nightmares is still something on Peter's mind. Something that doesn't feel completely resolved. Leo still isn't sleeping that well at times.] I tried asking him to talk with me about the nightmares he was having, and it just... made everything worse for a little while I think.

[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?

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.

[oh peter, you break rue's heart a little.]

Would Leo say that you are worrying too much?

I dunno. I don't want to assume or anything, I know I'm just... prone to being kinda anxious. [He is aware of his own tendencies at least.]

[At least there is power in knowing why one feels the way they do.]

I think that Leo would tell you that your feelings are as important and valid as any one else's. Truth be told, he likely would not hesitate to tell you that your feelings mean even more.

[Rue can not help the warmth in their face at that. Leo cares so deeply for those he loves.]

He loves you, Peter. He trusts your opinion, wants to be a good partner to you, and I truly believe he would want to hear if anything he was doing, intentional or not, was causing you anxiety.

[Peter is quiet for a moment, mulling over the owlbear's words.]

I know he loves me, I also know he loves me enough he's trying to shield me from how he's feeling sometimes. He doesn't like worrying people, so he tries to just avoid it-? [Peter knows his words aren't perfectly articulated here, but it is just him trying to get his thoughts in some kind of coherent order.] He redirects to hype everyone else up, but...

[He shakes his head a little, sighing at himself.]

[Peter gets the point across perfectly well.]

It is very much like Leo to do exactly that. I have seen the same to some extent since we first met. But I think that we can both agree that avoiding his own feelings does not help him or us, correct? He thinks that he is protecting you, but clearly, it is only digging the hole deeper.

Trying to force the issue just makes it worse, I think? But waiting doesn't help either?

[He drags a hand through his hair, feeling strongly enough about the issue to manifest his wings. The web like cape curls around him, a comfort against his own uncertainty.]

I don't want to tell him, 'I'm worried' and have him try to make it about me instead. I just need to think about it and work with him on it if I can.

[to be quite fair, it would be a lot for anyone to deal with, especially a couple of teens going through a lot on all ends. but relationships can struggle to survive without full honesty and trust in one another. neither boy deserves a life of holding in secrets from the one they love and living in such constant worry about the other's state of mind.

above all, they deserve peace and happiness together, the chance to live normally as teenage boys.]

Of course, Peter. I did not mean that you must rush into the conversation. I only wanted to give my own perspective. And, I suppose, to offer my help if you would like me to speak to him about anything either. Otherwise, I shall hold all of this in confidence. I do not wish to dig my beak into your business without your permission.

Yeah, that- yeah. Not a conversation to rush into. [He says quietly back, wishing they could go back to talking about him being taller, but... here they are now. A conversation Peter feels unequipped for.

It's stupid to even want to go back. This is something serious. He needs to figure this out.

He wants to actually do something. Peter wants to help Leo. He wants Leo to trust him enough to be honest, even if things are ugly, even if they're not picture perfect. Peter knows he's a fuck up, and Leo... Leo just made honest mistakes in an awful situation. Mistakes that Leo is still trying to piece together.

Peter wants, needs, Leo to understand he doesn't need as much protection as the turtle thinks he does. Peter isn't delicate, he died, but he's here now, he isn't fragile, ready to crack in half at the wrong thing. He can be someone Leo can rely on. Someone worthy of that trust completely. He needs to prove to Leo he's strong enough to help, to actually do something.

He can shoulder that burden too, so Leo isn't alone.

His halo glows a little brighter as he sorts through his thoughts, his feelings, the web pattern on it rotating slowly. The webbing plucks and shifts like a spider is walking across it. The web shivers, shaking across the halo, before large uncanny eyes similar to Peter's spider suit flicker into existence. Then another, and another- all blink in unison, staring straight ahead unseeing before disappearing from the halo entirely. If Rue blinks, they likely could miss it.

He blows out a short breath, pulling himself together. Squaring his shoulders slightly. He doesn't have Leo's ability to camouflage his feelings, but he can push things aside. He can focus.

Spider-Man always gets up.]

Help, wouldn't be a bad idea. I... I'm going to try again, if it goes really badly, I'll reach out to you.

[Truly, Rue expected that their advice would be politely taken - because it is Peter, and he is always so very polite, even when he might not agree - but that he would not yet be ready to take it further than just listening. And to be perfectly fair, Rue knows how terrifying a thing it can be, to confront someone you love, especially when their biggest offense is hiding their hurt in order to protect you.

So Peter not being ready to follow through with it would make sense, giving himself some time to think the situation over, to maybe make a plan of attack before fully committing to the confrontation.

So it is with utter awe and immense pride that Rue watches the way that Peter accepts what must be done. He does not shy away, does not try to hide behind his nervous nature, does not brush aside his own feelings or say the whole situation could simply be imagined in his head. He owns it all, fully, and even just looking at him, Rue can tell that he would do absolutely anything to help Leo.

The way their heart swells up with pride, Rue is fearful it may just burst.

But they meet his gaze with a warm, adoring smile of their own, happy to lend Peter whatever strength he may need.]

I will be ready for the moment you need me. Always. We can help Leo as a family, not a single one of us needs to be an island and that goes for him as well. We will always be stronger together.

[The paw at his shoulder squeezes him reassuringly, as a reminder that he does not have to walk the path ahead alone. Not when so many are right here and ready to help.]

I'm very proud of you, Peter. Before you go, may I show you something?

[He blinks a little, fully pulled from his thoughts by Rue's words. Rue being proud of him feels... good, nice- surreal. Peter still isn't used to anyone but May or Ben saying that kind of thing to him.

His halo dims and his wings seem to fade at the edges, looking more like loose webbing spread across him than wings.]

I- [He aborts his initial thought, settling on something simple.] thank you.

Sure, what is it-?

[Rue fishes out their phone from their pocket. Not their relic, but the phone they received nearly a year earlier from ADI. They fumble with a few buttons, artfully using their talons, before Rue is sweeping forward to Peter’s side to show him.

It is a video from their wedding of Leo and a much shorter Peter dancing together. Even if the music and chatter of the crowd make it impossible to hear what they are saying, there is just no missing the joy and absolute adoration in their expressions. A rare happy moment from that place, where even the most burdened could let themself shake at least some of their worries free for the night. It had felt like ADI could not touch them.

Rue presses the phone into his hand, making a swiping motion in the air.]

I have so many of the two of you from that night. You both look so handsome and happy. Oh, the next one over has Leo making the sweetest expression!

[The sight of an actual smartphone surprises Peter briefly before Rue sweeps in to hold it out in front of him. He takes the phone carefully in his hands, wary of somehow dropping it.

The tension he was carrying drops away as Peter takes in the clip of just... him and Leo. Both of them are just happy, enjoying each other's presence. Peter's hand settled at the lapel of Leo's suit to fuss at it absently as the turtle smiled at him. Peter remembers the conversation they were having at the time.

Peter looks back at Rue. Resisting his urge to flick to the next video.]

Did you take a lot of pictures and videos of everyone there?

[When Peter looks back up at them, Rue is positively beaming. They have done little else but fawn over everything left behind in their phone since getting it back.]

I did. I wanted to capture as much of the day as I possibly could. Please, you can look through all of it. I so very deeply wanted to share it all with you.

[They reach forward to tap the back button and sure enough, the album laid out before him is all of the memories of every single guest in attendance, those who are still with them in this place and those who never followed. There's Donnie with his headphones working as the DJ of the evening, dozens of shots of Leo and Peter, both together or with Rue themself, and likely just as many that Rue had Hob take of the owlbear dancing with each boy as well.

It helps to look back when the days are feeling particularly lonely.]

Oh- wow- [He blinks at the breadth of the album on display. Curiously he skims through it, just taking in guests and sights laid before him. It is... strangely nostalgic in a way. Peter can't put a finger on why. Things weren't any simpler in the ADI's grasp, but, the wedding had been a beautiful time in a stressful place.]

Are you going to keep taking more photos here too-? Build some new albums? [he opens up a picture of Rue and Leo, just gazing at it for a moment.] Are you going to print any of these out to frame or anything? Or put in a physical album?

I know, my dad apparently liked doing that. I never saw those albums, but, he made some a long time ago.

I have!

[They dig out their relic this time and flip through to the album there, which is a perfect highlight of Peter's birthday, the lakeside picnic, their trip to Tides and back, interspersed with finished products of the various clothing they've been working on.]

I've been speaking with Casey. He said that Donnie was helping him get a printer and that he would help me print everything off of both devices. I wanted to put many of them around my home, to fill up the space with my favorite faces, but I think a photo album would be a perfect idea too. During one of our sewing nights, we should take a break from clothing and play with putting the perfect album together instead. I so very much appreciate your creative input.

Also please, if there are any pictures you would like a copy of as well, you only need to ask. I have been assured it is a very simple process.

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