ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

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.]

[He does laugh, so mission accomplished.]

I have to catch up! What foods are good for growing tall?

[their heart is just so happy]

Looking at Peter, I'd say absolutely everything. Just in greater amounts.

Oof. If I have to eat like Peter, there's no chance.

[Love you buddy but he genuinely has no idea where you fit it all. His wilty apocalypse stomach is just too small.]

I don't think even I could eat like him. I don't blame you. But that's just fine, you will always fit right on top of my shoulders and together we beat them both every time.

This sounds like nothing but perks for me.

[He's so coooozy. This is a magical new (old) luxury for him, and it's difficult to fully express how content he feels. Hopefully his tone and body language is conveying it well.]

[Rue sees it completely. And Casey can no doubt tell just how reluctant Rue is for this moment to end with how meandering and slow their pace has become.]

Me too. [a soft stretching silence, but between them, it's as comfortable as anything, before,] I can hardly believe this is our future together. Every single day full of this happy family of ours.

Yeah...

[The pace is truly meandering and slow, something he can recognize even in his own relaxed state. His hands curl idly in Rue's feathers, just as reluctant to let go.]

Want to stay? We can all have dinner.

[Double the sons and extra cuddles are on the table.]

[It takes everything Rue has to not try and peek up at Casey and send him tipping from their shoulders.]

You both won't mind?

I know I won't, and we both know Hunter loves the heck out of you.

[Yeah he's pretty confident that Hunter won't mind this particular surprise dinner guest.]

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