ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

No! It's darling! Don't be embarrassed, you look so cute.

[He gives his neck an idle scratch under the ribbon, but refrains from taking it off at least.]

It was supposed to be cute for the owlbear, not me.

[Once the store is fully locked up, Rue takes Casey's hand again and begins to walk towards his apartment, smiling to themself along the way.]

Well, it was very cute for the owlbear. What I need to do is make another flower crown for that form, think how cute you'll look!

[He accepts their hand, walking alongside them down the path they know well by now.]

A flower crown and a ribbon might be too cute a combination.

[oh NO]

Next lesson! We must take a dozen photographs!

That's a lowball estimate. Two dozen at least, and you should wear one too.

[Casey saying the magic words.]

Matching outfits. [That isn't what he said at all but go off, rue.] I will start on them immediately.

...Are you trying to dress up my owlbear form?

[Mom,]

You can't possibly object!

[Look at them, Casey! Why wouldn't an extremely fashionable owlbear think another owlbear could wear clothes?]

[He does look at them. And even with his new wardrobe it's hard to imagine wearing anything so fancy... on the other hand, he does trust them.]

I guess not. I'll leave myself in your capable hands, then.

Easily my favorite words every spoken. Just wait, you'll love what I come up with.

[Ruffles and laces and florals, oh my!]

[Rue's lucky this one's leaning into the genderfluid side of fashion these days, he'll probably wear anything.]

At least you'll be working with a similar, uh, shape.

[Just scaled down a bit? ...Okay, more than a bit.]

I do have much experience creating to my, ah, shape.

[Teasing, naturally. He didn't use the words big or giant or strange so Rue is perfectly content.]

You see my struggles as a cub even better now, don't you? Just imagine wearing your regular clothes on your owlbear form.

[They did just play with building blocks. All different shapes and sizes.]

I really can't. My shoes and gloves would end up with holes and my mask wouldn't fit at all.

[Running a shop is fulfilling and profitable and honestly very fun, but Rue's heart will always be in providing clothing for those struggling to find things that fit them.

There should never be another baby owlbear squeezing into human-sized clothing.]

I can't wait to surprise you with something fabulous.

[Once they come to a pause at the front door to Casey's apartment building, they give his hand one more squeeze before releasing him.]

Thank you again for the lovely surprise. I can't wait to get home and read my letters.

[Casey glances down at that, quiet for a moment as he shuffles from foot to foot, then moves to give them another big hug, one final for the road.]

Thank you for everything else. I had a lot of fun... and I can't wait for the next lesson. I love you.

And I love you. [Rue is all too happy for that hug, squeezing just a touch tighter than normal.] Give Hunter my love. I'll see you both soon.

Of course! [Sorry Mom did you just give him an excuse to hug the (secret) boyfriend? Hello? Thank you, he will give Hunter some love.] See you later, Mom!

[And off he goes. He even takes the stairs this time.]

[Once Rue gets to the second note Casey gave them, it reads as such:]

I think we can both agree this week was bad. Some good things happened, too, and I'm grateful for that. the other letter is for the good. this is for the bad. I don't want to ruin our nice letters with this.

I got sent back there a few times. The thing we talked about came up again, kind of. I'm working through it, and I don't have much else to say about it, but I said I would tell you so I'm keeping my word. I came to you for lessons but also mostly for one hug to boost my mood. I'm sure you gave me dozens. thank you for loving me. recognizing I can be loved despite knowing what I did makes life worth living.

I'm doing good. if I don't follow up, assume that continues to be true. Love you always.

[Rather than his usual signature, the letter concludes with two clawed pawprints in ink: a pangolin, and an owlbear. The claws are touching, almost like holding hands.]

[They do not text or call or anxiously show up to his apartment that night, even if the thought certainly occurs to them, but Rue will sit holding this letter of Casey's right against their heart for some time, lost in thought.

He'll be alright. Their boy is strong enough to withstand this. They just have to believe when he says he'll keep seeking them out, that he won't isolate himself and let the thoughts linger longer than they have to.]

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