ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

[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.

[Somehow Peter isn't too surprised Rue has more pictures and is getting help from their other gaggle of children in getting things printed out. He watches as Rue shuffles through the photos, smiling a little more at the variety of pictures.]

Oh- sure, I'd like that. I'm not really very creative or anything. [His creativity led Peter to calling himself Spider-Man as a superhero. He's sure that is as basic as possible.]

I wouldn't mind like... pictures of you and I at the wedding, or pictures of Leo and I from your wedding. [He offers a bit more shyly.]

[Rue is so very lucky how patient said gaggle of children are with their technological illiteracy. But look just how far they've come! Once upon a time just some months ago, they would have never known what to do with a television. And now here they are, the biggest the Bachelor Superfan of all time.]

I would be so happy to get those for you.

[And it's so silly, but it makes them so incredibly happy that Peter wants pictures of the two of them together as well. Those are some of Rue's favorites.]

And I think together we can create something beautiful. [And there is no doubt in their mind their album will be amazing.] Thank you for staying and indulging me on this, darling. Can I get you any snacks to take home with you? I have some fresh fruit and bread from the market, if you'll allow me to pack some up for you to take home.

Thank you, I appreciate it. [He offers back, genuinely happy at the prospect of having those pictures.] It'll be nice to have some pictures around the apartment, honestly.

[Would that be too serious? Were they already too serious for a pair of teenagers? The thought is fleeting, but it is there for a brief flash before Peter shakes it off. It should be okay. He shouldn't scare Leo off with this.] I think it'll be fun to make an album together. May tried scrap booking once, I thought it was kinda neat looking, but she kinda gave up after a month.

[The offer distracts him from the thought.] Oh- only if you have stuff to spare I mean. It'd be nice, but I don't want to take anything away from you.

Then let us try it. I'll get some supplies in town before you are over next.

[And since he has agreed, Rue is just going to disappear into the kitchen, raising their voice only enough so that Peter can hear them while they bustle about in the other room.]

And of course, darling! I have plenty. To be quite honest, I always have far too much food here considering it is simply only myself residing here. So I'm happy to share.

[Rue returns with a basket full of fruit and bread, with a little floral ribbon wrapped around the handle, handing it to Peter.]

If you want me to bring anything, or help, just tell me. You know I'm happy to help you. [He turns to watch Rue go, managing to not trail after them like a lost duckling.]

Oh- [A whole basket does a fair job of surprising Peter. He half expected like a handful of pears or something. A whole basket feels like a lot.] Thank you- I appreciate this, I know Leo will too.

[a sweet little parental beaming at their favorite teen]

Anytime. And thank you, it is so nice to know that we all are so eager to help one another. Our family is such a generous one.

Well, that's what family does for each other, help. [Peter says easily with a gentle shrug, trying to figure out how to hold the basket without dropping it.] And I like helping you anyway.

[Really, Rue could not look more delighted!]

Just as I love helping you. Here, I will walk with you out. Unless you need a hand getting home, I do not mind the walk.

I wouldn't mind having more time with you, but you're already doing a lot for me. Fixing the varsity jacket, and now you gave me food. [Peter answers, smiling brightly back at Rue as he manages a better hold on the basket. His concerns from earlier about Leo have been eased, even if there is a conversation to be had later about it.] I don't wanna take up too much or your time or impose or anything.

[Peter barely gets through his sweet little hesitations before Rue pops over to grab a thin shawl to wrap around their shoulders. They are ready to go!]

Oh hush! It is a gift to be able to spend the time with you, Peter. And if you are willing to allow me to trail along at your side, then I will run at the offer. Perhaps, if you'd be so inclined, we might stop in a shop or two once we're in the city? I would be happy to buy you lunch in exchange for the company.

Edited 2023-11-14 23:20 (UTC)

[It shouldn't surprise Peter as much as it does that Rue wants to join him like this, yet it does.

He's still not completely used to people who aren't May or Ned wanting to spend time with him like this. He's surprised, then happy all in one fell swoop.] Oh- I, I think that sounds really nice? Its been a while since we've really hung out-hung out.

I don't wanna just... show up and be sad at you and stuff. Even if that's my specialty I guess. [He's trying for a joke, given how their conversations dip into serious things so often.]

[The joke lands, but the owlbear's almost musical laughter is not at all teasing, just delighted.]

That is what family is for. But I think you and I deserve an afternoon to enjoy ourselves too. Do you have any favorite shops near the apartment? Any fun places to, ah, hang out? I should love to see them all.

[Rue's laughter makes Peter brighten a bit further. Rue's easy affection warms the teenager considerably.]

There is this one ice cream parlor, and a really cool crepe place... I mean, if you're hungry. I guess I eat a lot?

[Oh, teenagers.]

[Oh, teenagers! Rue does not mind in the slightest.]

I will follow wherever you would like to take me, darling. It is our day.

[:)]

There is also a nice couple of clothing stores nearby both places, but, I haven't looked in them that much? [He's noticed them though, a positive given Peter's own habit of dressing in a looser fashion. His growth spurt might change that.]

[Do you see their eyes light up like that? Do you see how happy you are making them, Peter!!!]

I would love to pop in there. Just to peek around. Maybe grab a thing or two.

[or ten]

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