ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

[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?

[And he always will be!]

It is my only request as your mother. That and that you'll come cuddle with me and share any good gossip you hear.

[the most important pieces of being a mom.]

I don't think I even have good gossip...? [He blinks up at Rue.] What counts as good gossip anyway? Like, Steve and Mr. Stark are sharing a lot of weird looks at the garage sometimes?

[concern?]

What kind of weird looks? As if they're about to fight?

Oh, no, I've seen them fight before. Mr. Stark had me fight Steve before in an airport. [Another sentence that even with context sounds bad.] If they were both mad, there would be stomping and shouting.

This is like, Steve has a weird look on his face and keeps lingering around the garage staring at Tony. I don't know why.

[OH that kind of look.]

I see. Well, I'm certain it's nothing you need to worry about, Peter. They're both adults. They can figure it out on their own.

I guess not? As long as they don't start fighting, it's fine. Steve punches pretty hard.

[Ignore the fact he and Donnie are planning on committing crimes. It's fine.]

[...squints]

You do not know that from experience, I assume.

[This is a long pause.]

Nnnnnno?

[Nailed it.]

inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2