ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

[tony, why do you keep doing this to rue, they want to like you so much!!!]

I think however you want to handle it would be the correct way. Moving them between places, I can see the benefit to that plan. Would that make you feel more comfortable?

[Peter fidgets with the glasses case. Eventually he does close it, and seems to relax now that it's not in sight.] Yeah, I- I think it would. I know I can trust you.

You can tell Hob too, so he knows why these are like around your home sometimes. [Peter intends to keep moving the glasses back and forth. Paranoid about losing the sunglasses.]

I will let him know and we will both keep it safe. Would you like me to take the first shift?

[They hold out a paw, offering to take the glasses for now until Peter is ready to make the next changing of hands.]

[There is a guilt there, a guilt at giving up the glasses so quickly when he promised. But the guilt doesn't last long. Not when Peter looks at Rue, and knows they wouldn't hurt him. They wouldn't turn on him in the way Quentin Beck did. They wouldn't mock him for being trusting, or needing other people.

That has never been Rue. That will never be Rue. They have only ever fostered trust and caring.

He's not giving up responsibility. He's sharing it. There is a difference therein.

He places the glasses case into their paw. His fingertips stick to the case absently before he refocuses enough to properly let go.] Please. I trust you.

[He hesitates for a long moment.] Do... you think, I'll ever grow into it?

[Its a nervous kind of question. A teenager, a child, seeking some kind of assurance.]

[The moment Peter fully relents the glasses to Rue, they slip them into a pocket - out of sight, though never quite out of mind - before their paw is moving to rest at the teen's shoulder instead.]

I don't think you will, I know you will. There is no doubt in my mind that you can grow into them.

But Peter, there is more to growing up than simply being obedient. Doing what others ask, though sometimes difficult enough in it's own right, can often be the route of least resistance. If you want to grow into these glasses it is one thing and you know that I will support you every step along the way, but there's never just one path.

What you do, I want it to be your own choice, not Tony's, not mine. Though I can't the stop world from pressuring you one way or another, I can always remind you that your voice matters.

[Peter is quiet, just mulling over Rue's words. His expression is thoughtful, uncertain at the edges.]

The reminder, definitely helps. [He says with a soft sigh, shoulders slumping somewhat.] Back in my world, everyone wanted me to be like Tony.

The glasses came with a note from Tony saying something like, 'For the next Tony Stark, I trust you.', but... I dunno if I could be that. I don't know if I want that.

[Of all the awful things to put in a child's head...]

Then that is not the path I or Leo or any of the people who matter want to see you take. You do not need to become the next Tony Stark. There's already enough of that man going around.

I much prefer you to be my son, Peter Parker. The boy who loves to dance and bake and sew, and sometimes will sit with me and suffer through my terrible reality shows just because he cares so deeply. That's what the world needs more of.

[The soft assurance on Rue's part makes Peter's lips quirk into something of a smile. He rubs at his arm absently, able to curtail his urge to pick at his shirt's hem sleeve.]

Suffer feels like a strong word. I don't understand the shows, but, you like them and I wanna be with you. [Just kind of proving Rue's point.] Would it be okay, if... I didn't care about what the world wanted, for a little while?

[Rue is just going to press a paw to Peter's back and gently push him over towards the living room, where they will be dragging the boy into their arms to cuddle on the couch, the glasses out of sight.]

Don't understand! [Rue says with a tease, but it falls so short in the face of his sweetness, which leaves the owlbear pecking a kiss to his cheek and tugging him close.]

For what it's worth, as fun as they are, my favorite thing will always be getting to spend time with all of my boys. And of course, Peter. I'd be so proud to support you taking some time just to be you and you alone.

I mean, its so dramatic all the time on those shows! [That is as much of a protest as Peter musters as Rue nudges him along further into his own apartment. He has no qualms about being wrapped up in Rue's arm for a cuddle. He settles against them with a slow sigh. This time the sound is more content.

It is still occasionally surreal to be held like this so easily by someone. He had outgrown May being able to wrap him up ages ago. It feels safe, nice, reassuring- he is afraid he'll outgrow this one day too.]

I know Mr. Stark will be disappointed, but... I don't know what to tell him.

[Nonsense, what's the point of having a wingspan this big if it's not for cuddling your giant children.

So Rue waits until Peter is well and cuddled in their wings before they peck a kiss into his hair, feathery chin dropping to nuzzle against him.]

Would you prefer if I spoke to him?

[because they are gonna]

I dunno. I don't want you to feel like you're stuck in the middle.

[He is absolutely unaware of what is to come. Woe.]

Mr. Stark can be a little... abrasive sometimes. [Absolutely the meanest thing Peter can muster about Tony.]

I have gone head-to-head with every single court's archfae at some or other. I have stood down Queen Titania of the Seelie, the Queen of Air and Darkness of the Unseelie, and my former court's own golden Chorus.

[An affectionate squeeze around him.]

I do not fear a mortal man like Tony Stark. I would be happy to speak with him.

I doubt you'd ever be afraid of him or anything, I know he wouldn't hurt you or anyone whose not like attacking a city. [Peter really trusts Tony's sense of control a little too much. The teenager tends to think the best of everyone. Tony especially gets that grace.]

I just dunno what you'd even say. 'Hey, Tony, don't... give peter those glasses?'

[Rue has no reason to distrust Tony. To be quite honest, outside of his interaction with Leo and some of this questionable parenting with Peter, he's a charming and incredibly fun to talk to.]

Don't worry about a thing. We'll have a very adult conversation about it. Just leave it to me, my darling.

[Peter isn't completely thrilled with the idea, but... if anyone can make the conversation work, it's Rue.] Okay, I just...

[And he sighs softly again.] I'm just gonna try to take things one day at a time, I guess. Not think about EDITH.

I will keep it safe and out of sight. One day a time, my love.

[It doesn't make the problem or the heavy weight of responsibility disappear completely, but hopefully Peter will be able to find some peace with it safely tucked away with Rue.]

Now, why don't we watch one of your favorite movies while we wait for Leo to come home? Hm? Then perhaps you and I could cook him dinner together.

That sounds... really nice right now. [He agrees with a softer smile. He feels safe, comfortable in Rue's hold.]

Leo will be really happy to see both of us here. It'll be a good surprise too since it's his night to cook. [Peter is more than happy to take it over with Rue, just for something to do.]

Ah, so he shall be extra happy to see me simply because he'll be off kitchen duty. I see how it is.

[But clearly Rue doesn't mind in the slightest, they are happy to stick around as long as Peter needs them, and maybe just a touch longer than that just to be certain.]

[Peter laughs a little at that. He presses a little closer into Rue, just hugging them gently.]

You know that's not what I mean. He's going to just be happy you're here at all, probably pile on both of us in some way.

[Rue will never turn down the option for cuddles.]

I certainly hope he will! Now, why don't you put on something you enjoy watching on and we'll cuddle while we wait for him to join us?

Normally, I'd pick Star Wars, but now it feels weird when people from that universe are here. I've met a few of them too. [He is honest about that much.]

So, I honestly don't even know if I'm allowed to watch it or what.

Perhaps something else then? When my Knickolas and I don't know what to watch, we do enjoy a nice nature documentary.

A nature documentary sounds good right now. [Perfect compromise since his usual preference now feels Very Weird.

Peter shifts in Rue's hold, intending to grab the remote. Only for it to just be slightly out of reach. He can graze his fingers against it, but not get a hold of it.

Peter should just ask Rue to grab it. Instead he sticks his fingertips to the plastic, bringing it back over.] Lemme see what channel its actually on...

[Rue you chose this.]

[OH STUBBORN SILLY TEENS

Rue laughs to themself, but the moment Peter has that remote in hand, Rue is dragging him closer for more cuddles.

After the stress of earlier, Rue will be all too happy to give Peter a relaxing, happy afternoon.]

gently wraps here

heyunderoos - 2024-01-13 21:45 (UTC) - Expand

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gently wraps here