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And Hunter. [Somehow he doesn't seem surprised by that.]

I do want you to be my parent, but... can we do it a different way?

If... If that's not okay, yeah, I- get it. [He fidgets with his sleeve absently.] I just kinda left you waiting too long.

Peter - [gently spoken, still holding his hand even as they are settled on the couch.] I told you I would wait however long you needed and I meant it. I do not retract my offer.

Tell me what you are thinking.

Oh- [That assurance at least makes the teenager relax a little.] I know you wouldn't, I'm just- all over the place, I guess.

I don't know what kind of bond you guys did, to be fair. I'm just kind of assuming wildly on my part.

I only ever really did like one bond with Leo.[He only draws his hand out of Rue's to gingerly roll up his sleeve on the other arm, revealing a mark on his arm. A heart meter telling him just how Leo is doing now.]

It's alright, Peter. You have nothing to fear. It is only me.

[And Rue's love for him is endless.]

I would be happy to explain anything you like, you need only ask. [If he does want the particulars, Rue will give them easily, but they also don't want to info dump on him if he's uninterested.]

And another bond of that kind is not something you want, correct?

Well, I want to know what kind of bond you, Leo, and- everyone else has? Is it like different?

Leo and I can kind of tell how the other is doing with this. So if he's hurt or in danger I can tell. [He's obviously not sure how most of the magic in this place actually works for the most part.]

It is very similar to that in a sense. I've picked certain comfort items out with each boy for each of us. So for example - [Rue lifts their wrist and parts some of their feathers to show off the bracelet nestled there.] Leo and I have matching bracelets. Anytime that one of us touches one, both of us are enveloped in a gentle feeling of comfort. So anytime I think of him, I can brush my talons over it and he will know he is in my thoughts.

They also let us know if the other is in danger, as well as leading us straight to one another. When I was attacked, it is the only reason Casey was able to find me in time.

[Peter is quiet as Rue speaks, just taking in the information.] That's really useful honestly. Now I'm like... second guessing myself. [He laughs a little self-consciously.]

Leo and I just- have a soulmate bond. We talked about a familiar and legend bond briefly, but the soulmate thing felt right. I think anyone can have one though? If- you'd want to do that.

Because, I do consider you my parent. I never knew my birth parents, I don't even remember their faces or voices at this point, but... I had May and Ben. I'm afraid I'll lose you too if I'm like... officially your son? If that makes sense.

[They talked a bit about it before, but Peter feels better just laying it out plainly.]

[They huff out a soft laugh.] You are quite right. That was never my initial intention with my asking, but it is quite the added benefit.

[A constant reminder of their love, a way to track them down if things go terribly wrong - the bonds they've made with each boy are so precious to them.

But the owlbear's brow pinches at Peter's words, the same way they always do whenever he brings this one particular fear of his up.]

Peter, I promise I am not trying to challenge you or change your mind, it is not about that. But I do not wish for you to hold back out of fear simply of me getting hurt. Forgive me for being blunt, but I was near dead when Casey found me. I - if he had been only a minute later, I would not have lived. I was not yours then and it still happened. Tragedies can, unfortunately, happen out of nowhere. To refrain from something you want out of fear of some unknown happening, only for it to happen anyway - I just don't want you to be left in regret.

[A feathery palm finds his cheek, cupping it.]

That does not mean I'm asking you to accept my offer. I just want you to reject it because it is not what you want or are ready for, not because you are afraid. As I have told Casey, fae are notoriously difficult to kill and that goes for me. I let my guard down once around a human with iron and I paid the price, but I never will again.

[Peter is relaxed under Rue's paw, just releasing a soft exhale. He's glad fae are hard to kill, but knowing the extent of how hurt Rue was... it leaves Peter's stomach feeling like it's tangled in a knot.

It will always be a struggle against his want to protect everyone and the obvious fact he can't do that. He's not some shield meant to take harm for everyone else. None of them would want that. He wishes he could do more, could help, but he's starting to understand some of his limitations.

He's not sure where he stands as Spider-Man right now, but as Peter.

Maybe he's getting a better idea of being Peter fully. He's not sure yet.] I know tragedies can still happen. I... I'm trying to remind myself that I can't stop those, I can't magically fix everything. I'm not responsible for everyone's well being, even if I feel that way sometimes. [He's just trying for honesty, directness with Rue. He's heard them, he wants them to know that.]

I just wanted to talk with you first, I'm sorry I brought that up again, it felt like- I needed to just say it. So you know why I am saying yes, but, framing it a little differently. I'm just... kind of a tangled mess sometimes.

I want to accept the offer. I am accepting the offer. Just a little differently, if, you're okay with a soulmate bond...?

[Now that all of that is beside them, Rue is just going to draw Peter in close for a proper hug, wrapping him up in their wings.]

You do not need to apologize. For what it is worth, I understand where that fear comes from and I would never say your feelings are not valid. I'm just butting myself in and gently reminding you to not let fear make your decisions for you. That is all. You know all I have ever wanted for you was your happiness, Peter.

[And the chance to grow up and find out just who he wants to become, without all of the pressures of his former superhero life.]

You're not a mess, tangled or otherwise. You are my darling boy and I appreciate you speaking so openly with me. I would like to call you my son, but if that makes you uncomfortable, I will refrain. Tell me how you would like me to navigate this relationship and this new soulmate bond, because I would be so joyful for anything you would be willing to offer me.

[Peter peers up at Rue through the embrace, but returns it readily enough. He misses May, desperately at times. Other times he can forget he'll never see her again. Rue's presence helps, a comforting figure who listens to him in the way May does.

Shakes him out of funks in a similar way too, though May has less patience for it than Rue does.]

I do want you as my parent, I mean, I keep calling you my parent, or mom, which I'm sorry if that's like unnecessarily gendered or something, it kind of just happened like a few times. I think a soulbond thing would make me feel better too.

[He is now getting a little sidetracked.] I think I like accidentally convinced Steve Rogers, the bigger one, that you're like actually my mom, so, I don't know how I'm going to explain that, because I don't super know the guy. He's Captain America, an Avenger back home and its like weird, since he doesn't know I'm Spider-Man, and I know who he is, its-

[Good luck, Rue.]

[Let's be honest, Rue being accidentally mistaken as Peter's true mother is about the highest compliment they could be given.]

Well - [politely cutting him off.] I'm happy to let Steve believe it as long as possible. [Look, it could be real!!!] Speaking of, I do not mind the term mom or mother at all. That is what Casey and Hunter have taken to calling me and I adore it dearly. If you should like to call me the same, you may.

[Rue imagines that Hob's great, fuzzy ears must be unintentionally listening in and he is likely melting on the spot at Peter referring to Rue as 'mom'.]

Then that is what we shall do. A soulbond.

[Peter seems actively a little relieved Rue cut him off at the pass.] I'm not like super inclined to correct him, honestly. He's done enough emotional damage to me with those dumb PSA's my school made us watch that he was in. Him being a little confused is fair.

Okay, that's- good. I'd really like to call you mom. [He manages to not ramble, so, he's at least got that together.]

A soulbond feels right too. Even if I don't know how it'll manifest between us.

Edited (enter button betrayal) 2023-12-18 06:24 (UTC)

[Peter gets to watch Rue melt at being called mom in realtime.]

I would be so honored if you did, Peter. And if it feels right to you, then I am happy to accept.

[Actually seeing Rue all but melt like that just leaves Peter feeling more emotional than he would expect.]

Thank you, mom. [He tests it out gently, half nervous in a way he can't articulate. May has always been May, and never mom, even if she stepped into that role. Here and now, Rue has settled into that same niche. A comfortable safe presence that won't let him fall.] I- I'm really glad its good, and working out, I mean.

[Alright, he's getting owlbear nibble kisses now, an affectionate preen at his cheek before Rue is nuzzling his head with their own cheek.]

I am so happy to call you my own, my darling son.

[The feeling of the preen startles a little laugh out of Peter, but he's still smiling up at Rue.

He leans into Rue, just content.] I'm really happy you're my mom. Thanks for- listening to me.

['Thank you for indulging my anxiety'.]

Always. Nothing gives me more joy than getting to listen to all of my brilliant boys.

[Really, even as a non-participant, Rue could just sit and listen to them all chatter and banter about anything and they would be in heaven.]

You'll stay, won't you? Hob and I have nothing else planned for the day, we could all spend some time together, maybe playing a game or watching a movie.

Yeah, I'd like that, if Hob doesn't mind. I know you guys were spending time together before I messaged you. [Peter doesn't want to interfere with Rue and Hob having time together. He knows he kind of just monopolized a lot of Rue's time.]

Trust me, he would be absolutely delighted to spend more time with you. He is beside himself with how enthusiastic he is to get to know all of you boys. And I could not be happier with it.

[A bump of their head against his.]

I would never ask any of you to call him father, but I hope one day you all see him as family too. He's a good man.

[The conversation is making Peter wonder if he should ask Hob if he wants to build something. He mentally just sets that thought aside for now.] I'm glad he's excited, I definitely know we can all be... a lot.

I think I will. I, dunno about father yet, but, family, yes. [That is easy enough to say, he still needs to get to know Hob.]

[Every single time they get together, it feels as if Rue and Peter relax even more around the other. It's been a wonderful progression, leading the both of them right to Peter's big decision today.]

Not to go against my own husband, but for the runaround you gave me before allowing yourself to call me mother, you had better not turn around and start calling him father. Make him earn it!

Runaround feels like a stretch- [It is not.] but okay, fair enough. Here I thought you'd be rooting for Hob to win dad title fast.

Oh, I'm absolutely on his side. But I would be deeply offended to have him just walk into the role after all of the work I had put into becoming your mother first.

[Rue gives Peter another hug, bumping their head to his gently.]

I love him endlessly and one day he would be a lovely father to choose, but he deserves to squirm first.

[Peter finds himself laughing again, pretty much enveloped by Owlbear embrace as Rue bumps their head against his. Peter has definitely gotten taller with time, but he's still easily overtaken by Rue's soft feathery presence.]

I didn't intend to make anyone squirm in the first place. [He just needed to think about everything first, okay, okay.] But, I guess I'll take my time thinking about that too?

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