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[ruevealing]

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[ruevealing]

[They must look absolutely ridiculous like this, but Rue only has eyes for their boy, pausing in their walk to tip their head just to meet his gaze.]

Of course I knew! I'm certain I knew long before you even did. You're my son, I know you better than anyone.

[apuckalypse]

[aaaauuuuuuugh]

So you were waiting to see if we figured it out?

[ruevealing]

I knew you both would eventually. It was only a matter of time.

[best to let it happen naturally, just the way it did.]

But Casey, dear...

[apuckalypse]

Hmm?

[He settles back down, resting his chin on their head once more.]

[ruevealing]

[Their paws squeeze affectionately at the skinny legs hanging over their shoulders.]

You're happy?

[apuckalypse]

[That makes him pause, and he stews on it for a moment- not because he doesn't know the answer, but because he doesn't know how to express it.]

I... I think so, yeah. It's new, and a little scary because I don't know what I'm doing, I don't want to mess it up. But I'm really happy to be with him. I wanna do whatever I can to make him happy, too. And I really like him...

[ruevealing]

[While Casey thinks, Rue resumes walking, politely passing by a couple on the path heading the opposite direction.]

Then that is what matters the most, my love. I'm so very happy for the both of you. You deserve to be overwhelmed with your joy.

[apuckalypse]

Overwhelmed is a good word for it.

[Sometimes it feels like he's drowning, just filled to the brim with this happy, bubbly feeling. It's similar to when he was adopted, but from a different direction, one he genuinely hadn't expected.]

Is that how it's supposed to feel?

[ruevealing]

Sometimes, yes. Not all of the time, but especially in the beginning, it can feel like a tidal wave is crashing down, like you are constantly under assault of these feelings you have absolutely no control over.

That will change in time, and it will settle down into something softer, but no less wonderful. I know it is still so early and you are not asking for any advice, but allow me to say this one thing:

There will come a time when Hunter's presence feels like an unshakable constant in your life, when you can reliably know he will always be there when you call him. He will feel as routine as anything else in your life, as constant as homework from school or the mail arriving daily. Break the mold in those moments, remind him you care in new ways, surprise him, never let him think you've taken his presence for granted for even a second.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey listens quietly to all of that, taking it in with a contemplative noise. Routine, constant... to him those still kind of sound like alien concepts, after so many years of watching people come and go throughout his life. The only true constant he could remember was sensei. Here, things are beginning to shift, and Rue has made a considerable dent in that uncertainty, and he's beginning to feel similarly with Leo and Hunter, the rest falling into shifting places around him. But that unease is a truly difficult thing to shake. Is it possible? To lose that, to gain that certainty with someone else at last? His new family?

He hums again, softly, chewing on the words over and over.]

...I won't... take him for granted. I can't. Every day is so important...

[Every day he could lose everyone again. He won't live in fear of it, but he'll never let himself forget, either.]

[ruevealing]

Every single day is the most important.

And I know you won't, you're such a sweet boy. I only wanted to give the perspective, since this is your first relationship. But I have faith you both will be just fine. And anytime you need advice or someone to listen to your worries or hurts or even just your excitements, there is nothing more important to me than coming when you call.

[Rue wants to be that positive, supportive parental force in his life. Which means Casey better prepare himself for the day Rue comes over to talk to him about the birds and the bees.]

[apuckalypse]

Right, um... I appreciate it. Especially knowing how much you love Hob, even with the troubles you both have had to go through. Who would have better advice than you?

[They're both so devoted and happy, surely they've overcome any obstacle! He's gotten advice from Leo, too, and he seems to do great with Peter. Casey has wonderful people in his corner. He just has to manage to not screw up so badly that advice can't save him in the aftermath.]

[ruevealing]

Problems are only natural. No matter how much you care about someone, you're still two entirely different individuals. Even my Hob and I butt heads on occasion, though only if I end up pushing him enough.

[It's a push he often needs though, to seek out his own place in this world, without simply trailing along at Rue's heels. He did not leave one oppressive court just to follow Rue around and wait for new orders. They want him to find his own happiness in this newfound freedom without them, just as Rue has done in his absence. It's a lot of learning on both ends.]

Don't shy away from those kinds of conversations, no matter how frightening they may seem. You'll only become stronger for it. I fully admit, I am no expert, but I will always tell you exactly how I feel and what I think.

[apuckalypse]

I think I understand... a-and I think we're pretty good at talking through stuff so far. I'll do my best to remember all that.

[It's a lot, but if it mostly boils down to "listen" and "share your feelings" they've kind of nailed that so far. It gives him some relief, in truth. This is so new that he's trying not to be immediately afraid of losing it, but when you've lived a life like his, loss feels inevitable sometimes. He can't help clinging and fretting.]

[ruevealing]

[It's a lot to take in, especially when feelings are already so through the roof, but Casey's already doing great and Rue has utter faith they'll be just fine.]

You're going to be an amazing boyfriend, Casey. You're already the perfect son, so it just feels like a natural progression.

[apuckalypse]

[Mom... so embarrassing... he wants to hide his face again, but that would be to obvious, so he settles for a quiet voice,]

That feels like such a high bar... I hope you're right. It's what he deserves.

[Hunter's had a hard life. Casey wants to be a part of the happiness he gets to enjoy in this life going forward.]

[ruevealing]

You know it's what you deserve too.

[And it hardly need to be said but...]

And if he ever hurts you-

[apuckalypse]

[Casey waits to see if they continue. And when they don't-]

...What?

[Entirely unfamiliar with the concept of a shovel talk.]

[ruevealing]

[CASEY you need to watch more tv with mom]

If he hurts you, I'll ground him for a decade.

[apuckalypse]

[Show him a few more dramatic protective romances and he'll get it.]

Oh. Isn't that kind of severe? What if it's just like a bruise during training? and this one time he poked me in the neck with his horn during a cuddle...

[Right over his head.]

[ruevealing]

[alright, that does just leave rue laughing because holy fuck, their boy really is oblivious.]

I meant if he breaks your heart. A decade seems rightly deserved in that case.

[apuckalypse]

[There's a quiet ohhhh above them as that sinks in. Heartbreak. A very mysterious new ailment has entered the field.]

That doesn't sound like the kind of thing he'd do on purpose.

[ruevealing]

I don't disagree, but I'm letting you know my threat now, just in case. It also goes in reverse, if you break his heart, just so you know.

[when you both have the same mom, they have to get creative]

[apuckalypse]

[He saw it coming, and yet.]

A decade is definitely too severe.

[He also has no intentions of breaking Hunter's heart but COME ON]

[ruevealing]

Then you'll just have to be good to him or else!

[see, now he really will be the perfect boyfriend, under mother threat]