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[Rue can feel it coming before the words even spill from his mouth.

To their credit, in comparison to some of the other Casey Lore they've learned, the owlbear doesn't jump to coddling or gentle apologies or blinked back tears. But the moment they see the path this is taking, Rue reaches out to take Casey's hand in their paw. Just a reassuring tether, they are right here at his side, listening, offering their strength. He can do this.]

I've heard of magic like that before. He must have been so immensely powerful to have to give up so much of himself in order to use it. That's well beyond anything any fae has ever been able to do. I can see exactly why you speak so highly of him as you always have, he clearly earned those titles.

I understand now. I do. I apologize if my comments about Donnie felt utterly insensitive. Of course, I didn't mean them that way, but I understand if that is how you felt. But I promise above all, Casey, this magic will not hurt you in the same way. It simply isn't powerful enough.

[Casey gives their paw a grateful squeeze. It does make him feel a little better again, that reassurance. Doesn't necessarily help with Donnie, but that's a bridge they can try to cross when they get there. As before, the urgency is different. Unless he starts trying to open portals to New York here, that problem can wait until they all go home.]

Thank you... and I don't think you were insensitive about Donnie, either. I know you'd never want any harm to come to him, or to any one of us. I'm not really sure if anyone would have guessed that portals could do that, since sensei can make them so effortlessly. I'm sorry I kept quiet for so long.

[It's understandable, sure - he hadn't wanted to think about let alone talk about that loss any more than the rest - but it's important that the warning be shared.]

[Let's be honest with ourselves. There's always going to be a Donnie problem. That's just how he is. They have time to figure this one out.]

You never need to apologize for not telling me something, Casey. I'm just so grateful you felt willing to tell me today. It helps me to understand and to be a better parent to you, which is always my goal.

[It's a learning process for both of them, but one that has always been more fulfilling than anything.]

Tell me, darling, how are you feeling now after having spoken?

[They say not to apologize for it, and in his heart he knows, but he still feels compelled. Maybe someday he'll get his head on straight about all of this. Right now it's just not in the cards.

Regardless, at their question, he chews on his lower lip with the snaggle and mulls over his own thoughts a moment.]

...Better? [Maybe try again with less of a question.] Better. Mostly for the fae magic... I'm not worried about practicing it now. Which is nice, I wanted to stay excited about it.

[Some anxieties are easier to alleviate than others, but this one at least was relatively simple. Different rules, different magic... no risk of getting himself wrecked by using it. He's in no hurry to grow up (or become an old man!) due to enjoying a bit of power for the first time.]

[Better is a perfectly acceptable answer.

Rue gives Casey's hand a gentle tug so they can wrap him up in their wings without warning, hefting the boy up into their arms and up off of the ground completely.]

Casey, I'm excited as well! Yet another sign of the bond between you and I. I feel that it grows stronger and stronger every single day. [A nuzzle of their cheek to his, anything to get their boy smiling and laughing and excited all over again. No more sadness, no more worries. Not today.]

Verily, my heart is so very happy.

[He laughs as he's lifted, the enthusiasm he'd started with trickling back into his expression and body language, as if Rue's own shift had given him permission to echo it. His arms sneak above their wings to hold the back.]

I don't know what verily means. [His tone is playful, like that is the least important thing to him right now.] Do you think it'll keep changing? First the owlbear, now this... what else could it do?

It is the same as truly or certainly. [get cultured] Such as, verily, I love you with all my heart. Or, look there, I verily believe that is the ugliest sweater I've ever seen!

[His smile always makes everything worth it. While the rest of the city is staying warm in their homes, Casey and Rue have all of this space alone, so prepare to be just gently spun in the owlbear's arms. They don't mind being silly when it's just the two of them to see it.]

I think the answer is quite obvious, dear.

[Lo, he is cultured. And their examples and casual swinging have him shifting into giggles, protesting playfully.]

Is it obvious? Tell me, you have to tell me!

[Without warning he dissolves into light in their arms, reappearing perched on their shoulders instead, leaning over to hug them around the neck. This new power is just begging to be used for shenanigans.]

[It is enough to drag one of those true, absolutely unfiltered laughs from Rue, their feathery shoulders shaking, giant eyes light up with utter bliss.]

Now that will take some getting used to. [Since he's leaning in for hugs, it only means Rue is in perfect smooching his face position. So they will, a shower of pecked kisses for their son.]

I think the most obvious thing to happen next would be you growing to be even taller than me!

[Silly in the extreme, but since he's already on their shoulders, Rue only has to straighten their posture to full height to make it a reality, at least for this one single moment.]

How's the weather up there?

Aren't I taller than you right now?

[The cheek on this kid, following their lead. His face scrunches in a wiggly smile at the kisses, and he burrows his face into their feathers as if hiding. Embarrassing! So embarrassing! Yet-]

The weather's very... warm.

[It's nice and cozy, this Mom-hugging.]

The sass on you. I can only imagine where you learned that from.

[Leo. Duh.

But he's right, isn't he? Even in the cold weather, all Rue can feel is the warmth beneath their feathers, the happy flush at their cheeks, the familiar tiny face burrowing so sweetly against their plumage. Every single day there are more and more memories for Rue to keep close to their heart, more reasons to make their previous hurt feel like so much smaller in comparison.]

I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with you. United, the chill can not touch either of us. The power of our love overpowers even the weather!

[Definitely Leo.

He hums his agreement, hugging them a little tighter, resting his head between their tufts rather than burrowing. Even if the wind is a bit chilly, there's no denying the truth of their words. He feels very warm, and more importantly, safe.

That's no surprise, though. He's always felt safest, perched on family like this. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet.]

This is... really okay?

[He's not a little kid anymore. Big and strong as Rue is, this isn't really a thing he's done much, and even close to the end sensei had almost started to show his age and feel the difference in Casey's growth. But- maybe, for a little bit longer...]

[Casey's voice goes quiet from where he is perched atop their shoulders, his chin resting on their head, hands buried into feathers, but in turn, Rue's only gets stronger with the affection running through their strong frame.]

What is the point of having an owlbear for a mother if you do not let me baby you just a little like this? You can be a sassy growing teen for the rest of the world, but with me, you shall always be my darling boy. My little downy cub. [It helps that he's already so tiny in comparison, but Rue would still be coddling him if he was a foot taller too.]

Besides, it is a perfect fit upon my shoulders, isn't it? I barely feel a thing.

[Their answer warms his heart even more, and he can only hug more, eyes closing, limbs curled around them affectionately and gladly. Some teens might protest being babied, but him... yeah, he's good with this. It's a respectable babying. If that makes sense. (It does to him.)]

Okay... okay, good. [He had to be sure. Now he can truly be settled.] There's perks to staying human, too. My owlbear couldn't cling on half as good as this!

[Certainly not yet, at least.]

So you think! Have you ever seen a bear climb a tree? It's quite the impressive and terrifying display!

[If you can ignore how silly they look wiggling their way up the trunk.]

But to be totally honest, I love having you exactly like this. You are just small enough that when I hug you, you completely disappear within my wings. I love that feeling.

I've never seen a bear climb a tree. Are you volunteering?

[He's lucky they like him, he's practically begging to be thrown off. His feet wiggle back and forth a bit.]

Maybe I should be grateful that I'm short. Just embrace that everyone keeps saying it.

Keep it up, young man, and you will be dropped right back to the ground.

[He knows them too well.]

You should, though I say so in partial selfishness. But if it's something you have no control over, why not embrace it? It's the same as my claws or my feathers - why fight what I am when I can just accept it and move along with my life?

[Okay okay he'll behave.]

Guess that's true. Being small is useful, I can hide or sneak into lots of places others wouldn't fit. Like wings, sure, or ventilation shafts.

[Good ways to bond with vaguely parental figures! And this time he's not even chasing his breakfast.]

I would like to hope you've grown out of wiggling into ventilation shafts, unless there's a real reason behind it.

[No rats!

But with Casey so secure on their shoulders, Rue is just going to start wandering back towards his apartment, but taking their time, a very casual stroll, so the pair can enjoy this evening walk together.]

Another benefit to staying your size is not having to have your clothes remade every other month, like some boys.

Never say never.

[But not for rats, no.

Casey settles in comfortably for the trip, ignoring the odd stares and waving at the less-gawky neighbours.]

You mean Peter, right? He's getting huge!

[They only stare because they are jealous!]

He is, isn't he? Every time I try to bring it up, he refuses to even humor me that he's getting taller, but then like clockwork, two weeks later, he comes in needing me to hem his jackets again!

I swear, that boy. [But Casey knows exactly the kind of tone Rue's using, that feigned exasperation that can barely hide the warmth beneath.] He's too silly.

Silly, and kinda superhuman. [Yeah, he knows that tone.] I've never seen anybody grow like that.

[Meanwhile his jacket still fits great and he's drowning in the green coat. At most he's fitting his clothes better now that he's filling out into an actual, normal weight thanks to a proper diet.]

Neither have I! [except, probably, themself back in the day.]

But it's quite fun to watch it happen in front of us. And to see how how desperate Leo is to catch up.

Leo shouldn't worry at all. Maybe it'll take longer, but sensei was so big as an adult!

[Not as big as Raph, but who the heck is, really.]

I think we both can agree our Leo's greatest trait is not always his patience. But he'll get there, certainly. And then you will outgrow them both!

[Rue is clinging to this idea, if only to keep making their son laugh.]

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