ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

[ Not jealous of his brothers being formally adopted or resentful that they've added a whole other parent to the party, but a secret third thing: extremely guilty (and slightly insecure) about all the stuff he missed by just... not being there with them.

It's a weird feeling to have, because being the one who's there is like his whole thing. At least it feels less terrible with someone's big warm paw on his face. Raph is pretty sure the novelty of not being bigger than everyone who matters will never wear off. This is insane. He can't even remember the last time his face was little enough to be fully cradle-able. If he turns his face into it a tiny bit, that's his business. ]

Okay. [ Or as much of an okay as he can feasibly manage. He knows trust has been a whole thing for him, historically. And the learning to lean on people. And the overinflated sense of responsibility. And the helicopter de facto parenting. A bunch of stuff that's felt like he took one step forward only to end up two steps back after the Shredder.

But that's all on him.

Trust has to be a choice for a while before it comes easy. People can't prove it's worth getting there if he doesn't actually try. And they knew it was wrong, and they apologized, and it's not really their fault that they don't know how he gets.

Anyway Barry got a chance when Mikey started shoving him into the family unit whether anyone else liked it or not, and he literally tried to kill all of them. Compared to that, Rue should get at least fifty chances. That's just science. ]

It would be nice to have another wrangler on deck.

[ He can say that because his brothers aren't in the room to Perceive any theoretical spiritual tiredness. ]

[The smile Rue aims at him is all warmth, their big eyes squinting with affection for the way Raph ever-so-gently turns into their touch. More than anything, they think Raph deserves a chance to just be a kid, just the same as the rest of their boys do. He's spent too long living beneath the burden or leader and older brother and pseudo-parent. Let a teen just be a boy and a brother and a peer for once.]

Believe me, it is sorely needed. It's not just Donatello and Leonardo anymore, after all, now we have a whole circus of rambunctious, mischievous boys!

[And really, Rue could not be prouder.

They lean in to peck a kiss to the middle of Raph's forehead before pulling back again just to beam down on him.]

Of which you deserve the chance to join them while they play too. You're still young, my darling. Don't make yourself grow up before you have to.

[ Forehead kiss... the greatest armor against any circus of rambunctious boys (future tense). Raph makes a sound that's not quite a snort. More of a chuffing, gentle and amused.

It's fighting dirty to be, checks notes, very likable and sincere and kind and openly devoted to his brothers, wow??? Cheater.

He doesn't know enough about growing up to agree with or dispute that. So he'll just let it hang out in the wisdom pool where he puts all the stuff no one's said to him before. ]

I'm the last turtle you gotta worry about around here, alright? We all get our reps in.

Nonsense.

[They give his cheek a little pat, all affection and warmth behind the action, not at all condescending.]

You are my family and I will worry about you just as much as everyone else. Yes, even Leonardo and Donatello.

[Raph may not get into as much mischief as those two, but he's still son-shaped and therefore, he'll live in Rue's head forever now.]

You're a lovely young man, Raphael. I'm so proud to know you and your warm heart.

I'm proud to know yours, too. Thanks for, uh.

[ Being like emotionally mature and apologizing and listening to him and stuff. To put it eloquently. ]

For the whole talk, I guess.

Come to me anytime, darling. [And Rue laughs softly, before adding,] I can only hope the next time is not under quite so dramatic of circumstances!

Heh. With the Hamato track record, I think that gives us about three months to get it in there.

[ Then someone will probably almost die again, realistically. ]

[When he's right...

Rue leans in to peck one more kiss to Raph's forehead before offering him their paw.]

Come, let us go fuss over our darling Leo until he forces us out of the room.

[ He refuses to ever get over the free affections on principle. So to that end, he will in fact take Rue's offered paw. ]

Skill worth puttin' to use.

[ Leo deserves all the fuss he can handle. And then more on top of it, just because. ]

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