ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

Believe me, I will follow you boys anywhere. I have no fears there.

[Whether that is to remain in Folkmore, to return to New York, or to journey on forward to another realm entirely, Rue will be right there following at their heels, dragging Hob behind them.

But then Casey asks the most important question and the owlbear doesn't even hesitate in answering.]

In the life I lived before, I was completely untethered. An honored member of a court I had no love for, raised in a place that never once felt like home, with fae who never felt like family. I thought of myself as orphaned, forever drifting between parties so that I never had a single moment to myself to realize how I felt like a stranger within my own home. After thousands of years of wanting nothing but family and connections, I found I was still bound to no one, adrift with nowhere to land.

And then, out of pure luck during a Bloom, I met Hob and finally I had a single tether to cling to, someone who understood, how lost and aimless and alone I'd felt the whole of my life. And then I lost him too.

But in the wake of that, I realized my connections with Donnie and Leo and Peter had grown stronger than I ever thought myself capable of, and then there was you and Raph and darling Hunter. Then suddenly, I had not one but six ties stretching back to me, a cottage of my own but one that I could share with each of you, a place made into a home by all of the love you all brought into it.

[It's a very roundabout answer, but Rue feels the history is important. Rue did not grow up like the Hamatos or Casey, deeply loved and cared for. For many a millennia, Rue was just simply alone.

Their talon hooks gently under Casey's chin, angling it up just enough where Rue can meet his gaze. It must be no surprise that they are radiant in their joy getting to answer this.]

You all are my heartbeat, my every happiness, the very reason the sun rises each day in my life. There is nothing I wouldn't do for any of you. I can not think of a single thing more important.

Edited 2023-12-22 09:01 (UTC)

[Rue returning to New York with them admittedly makes the idea of going back there far less daunting. Leo, Donnie, and Raph want to go home and see the rest of the family, but Casey doesn't have a home there, and the family aspect is nebulous without this place and the memories made here. Rue and all the connections gained in this world could make it a home, if they all go together.

He listens to their words with wide eyes - though he was clearly asking for it, placing such a question at their feet to be considered - his mind spinning with how much of an answer it was. It takes him a long moment after they finish to remember what the heck he meant by that question.]

W-well... think about all of that, and imagine it's us feeling it instead of you. A lot of us have lost people, or been isolated, or gone through terrible things. We came from different worlds, different timelines. Now we're connected to you, and to each other. It's... overwhelming. So we don't always handle it like we should. And maybe sometimes we freak out and have to run away, or we have to think about it before we let the connection stick. And...

[He trails off, quiet for a long moment.]

...And, I forgot where I was going with this. [A fluster rushes to his cheeks, and he covers his face with his hands.] Everything you said was too good! I should've gone first! Um- I just wanna say we love you!

[It is a kind sentiment to think of their own feelings reversed, but Rue can't quite believe it entirely.

They know their place in their children's lives and they have happily accepted it. With the exception of Hunter, the rest all have families of their own who they would return to in a heartbeat if given the chance. Rue knows it is not the same for them because for Rue, they have no one else. Their children will always be first.

But really, they do not mind coming second. It is such a great honor to rank at all in their lives, to be able to share anything with them, to be part of their family and be allowed to call them sons.]

I know you're right. And, if I have not been clear, I must say that I do not blame Peter for his reaction. It - [a gentle pause, their talon slipping away from where it was curled under Casey's chin, beak clacking together thoughtfully. they do not like to admit it, but they want to be as honest as possible]

It only hurt me briefly, that is all. I want the best for him, whatever that ends up being.

[But they will beam and brighten at that slightly bashful reaction from the son cuddled up with them right now.] Forgive me, I didn't mean to steal the spotlight like that. It is one of my very few flaws. But know that the love that you each shower me in daily is so deeply returned. I'm honored to be a part of all of your lives.

[Even a brief hurt sucks, but maybe there's no helping it. What Rue feels, what Peter feels... both are valid. Doesn't make it necessarily right - a lot of what Peter said isn't all that healthy, he thinks - but he feels what he feels and that's that. They can only work with, and around those feelings, until or unless they change.

With a quiet sigh he lowers his hands and slumps against their side instead, arms sliding around them. Brief hurts get long hugs, that's the rule.]

It's hard... not being able to do more. When there's no easy cure or fix for this stuff.

[Especially when he wasn't actually supposed to hear any of that. Even if his excuse is a good one!]

What should we do?

[There will be zero complaining from Rue at being gifted that long hug, the owlbear all too eager to return it with enthusiasm, pecking a kiss into Casey's hair.]

We give him space to calm down and brush away any lingering embarrassment he might feel. And then, I suppose the best thing we can do is simply show him we love him. Prove our words with action, without overstepping the way that I already have.

[They can see it now more clearly. It doesn't make what happened any less surprising and hurtful, but Rue will know better than to make the same mistake again.]

Peter will get there. We just have to keep proving that his trust in us is worth it and that we are all here to support him.

[He nods slowly. That's the sensible option, going slowly and carefully to avoid a repeat of that panic. Meeting him on his level and working on his fears at a gentle pace. It's more what Rue and Leo can do than the rest - they are the closest to him - but as his friend, Casey can try to do his part, too.]

If you need me for anything, please tell me? I'll be there right away. If not me, at least someone... you carry a lot on your own already.

[Leo would be the best candidate, admittedly, but he can't volunteer anyone else, only himself. Rue deserves support too, and there are definitely things he can do.]

[Rue hardly knows what to do with that offer, it surprises them.]

Casey, you are so generous and caring. [The best of them all, Rue thinks, so young and so wounded, but still so good.] But I promise, I am just fine. Shouldering anything with you boys is never a burden. I am only taking enough to help you all breathe easier.

[Their wings settle around Casey like they always do, long feathers trailing down his back, engulfing him in their soft warmth as Rue squeezes him.]

What Peter needs is friends too. Not just this family that has elbowed their way into his life, but friends willing to have fun with and do different teenage activities together. Peter and I can have fun, certainly, but it's impossible to erase how much more of a parent than a peer I am. And Leo and Peter can do things certainly, but Leo is his partner, it paints the whole interaction differently.

If you do not mind it, maybe offering to hang out more often with planned activities might be good for him.

[He shakes his head at once.]

I don't mind at all! I like hanging out with Peter. He's really nice, and it's fun... he doesn't even get annoyed when I ask a million questions.

[Nobody does, technically, but Peter tends to get the bulk of his dumb inquiries about past/modern Earth, since he lived the human-on-the-surface life. He has insights even the turtles wouldn't be able to provide.]

[Even wrapped up in their arms, Casey can probably tell his parent is squinting above him.]

Has anyone gotten annoyed with you for simply seeking clarification?

[Casey's eyes widen. He can smell danger in the air.]

Um. No?

[And they relax just as easily, right back into the cuddle.]

Good! I'd be terribly cross if anyone had. Asking questions is never something to be shamed for.

But either way, I'm glad. If that's the case, just keep going forward with how you've already been spending time with him. That's the best way to remind him that he doesn't have to face this alone, he has an entire community, ready to lift him up.

[Thank goodness, his nonexistent critic is spared their wrath. And at their continued suggestion, he smiles brightly.]

Yeah... yeah, got it. Okay. Teamwork!

[They can do this together. Smash those anxieties, collectively. It'll work out somehow, surely. They all deserve to be happy.]

Want to stay over? We can have dinner, and Hunter'll want to see you when he's up. You're always hosting us, we can finally return the favour.

[oh!!!!

Rue pulls away just enough to beam down at Casey, as if afraid they might have misheard him.]

Truly? Are you certain he wouldn't mind?

Not at all! He'd be happy for sure. He loves the heck out of you too.

[He's not subtle about this. Neither of them are, really. Any time spent with Rue is a good time.]

[It's true. Their boys are fairly obvious in all things, but Rue adores it.]

Then I would be delighted to stay. I can not remember the last time I was a guest anywhere. I hardly know what to do!

You don't have to do anything. Just let me do it all! I learned from the best already!

[He's gonna host the heck out of this. You will be soooo hosted.]

[Rue can not wait! To sit back and see exactly what Casey has learned from them, their heart may just burst!

After the earlier hurt with Peter and the hunt from before even that, a touch of easy conversation and good companionship would be a perfect way to spend their day. And Rue can think of no one they'd rather spend time with.]

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