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[ruevealing]

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[apuckalypse]

[Oh noooo smooches, how terrible. He handles the bump and nuzzle better than the first time! It nets a cheery peep from him, instinctively.]

Inventor... of birds? That's a thing?

[ruevealing]

[It is not quite the full body cuddle they have with human Casey or the preening trills of his owlbear form, but even this small, Rue will treasure every darling nuzzle they get. Even if it's just a bump of a tiny, feathery head.]

It was certainly a self-given title, but he was indeed the originator of birds. All birds - at least those from the world I resided in - descended from him.

[apuckalypse]

[Sometimes little snuggles are also peak. Casey could probably straight up disappear in the thickest parts of their feathers, with how little he is.]

If they descended from him wouldn't he be more of a grandpa? Like a great-great-great- uh, Gram-Gram. [A beat, then,] Gramp-Gramp.

[ruevealing]

[Gramp-gramp? Oh no, that's too darling.]

The great Gramp-Gramp of birds instead? Hm, I'll have to talk to him about it, but it is quite fitting, isn't it? To think, he would have millions upon millions of children and grandchildren.

[apuckalypse]

That's even more kids than you have.

[His tone is so very cheeky.]

[ruevealing]

[OH MY GOD CASEY JONES]

I can not believe the sass on you! [Time for a little Mother Dramatics.] I have devoted my life to giving you children the very best life possible and this is the thanks I get! Sass!

[apuckalypse]

[He's giggling, oh he's giggling.Just a series of little peep-peeps as he bounces from claw to claw.]

Kids are supposed to misbehave! How else do we learn that moms can yell?

[ruevealing]

[Even if Rue was ever capable of truly being mad at Casey, those darling giggling peep-peeps would be the immediate end of it! Look at their son!!!!!! He's so precious!]

Is it terrible that I enjoy it? I have told Hunter nothing would make me happier than to have you boys throw your stuff around on the floor and make a mess. I will even fake exasperation!

[apuckalypse]

That's so weird to me. Is that why our apartment's getting messier? You're a bad influence!

[He's still teasing, though.]

He even wants me to yell at him for it! I should remind him that's your job.

[ruevealing]

[Oh no, it is enough to leave Rue in giggles, their big eyes just bright with delight]

I suppose that really is all my fault! But please, tell him that is only for the cottage! If he is messy at home, I will happily come over and raise my voice to a proper level before speaking to him.

[apuckalypse]

Next time I find mouldy cocoa mugs I'll call you over and we can scold him together. I think he'd weirdly enjoy that.

[Growing increasingly aware of how strange his boyfriend is. At least it's a fun sort of weird! (Mostly. Usually.)]

[ruevealing]

It's a deal. Anytime you find a stray sock in the living room, I will fly over to help put that boy in place!

[a beat]

Lovingly, of course.

[apuckalypse]

Of course.

[As if they're capable of being anything but with regards to their kids.]

Is there anything else I should know about the, uhhh... painted bunting? From the book.

[ruevealing]

[It is a curse!]

Let's see.

[Turning their attention away from their darling hopping son feels like a crime, but Rue returns to the book, big eyes roving over the information provided.]

"This species is locally common in the Southeast, around brushy areas and woodland edges. It is often secretive, staying low in dense cover. However, males sing their bright warbling songs from higher in the trees, partly hidden among foliage or sometimes out in the sun on an exposed perch."

[apuckalypse]

[Secretive and hiding? How very ninja! He hops over to Rue's other paw, closer to the book text. Hmmm.]

Wonder if that's why I keep getting that instinct to sing. It's weird.

[His tone implies he doesn't mind said instinct, though.]

[ruevealing]

[A gentle turn of their paw just so, for Casey's ease at seeing the page.]

Perhaps there is a little bard in you! Becoming a bird, do you immediately know many bird songs and calls? I realize I don't know how it works.

[apuckalypse]

[He tilts his head, viewing the text briefly, but Rue has covered the relevant details already so he's quick to hop back on their paw, making himself comfortable in their feathers.]

Not sure I know how it works yet, either. I did kinda know the one song instinctively. I had to focus to learn a different one. But it's much easier to do it like this than when I'm human.

[Not that he does much singing as a human anyway.]

[ruevealing]

[Their son is so cute burying into their feathers like that...]

Now that you say it, I have never heard you sing as a human.

[apuckalypse]

[A very comfy and warm Mom nest. Perfect place for resting tiny tired bird feet.]

Um, yeah, you don't want to.

[No formal singing lessons in the apocalypse, and he did not inherit those fantastic Ben Schwartz pipes.]

[ruevealing]

[Rue is already thinking what outfit would fit well with a colorful bird son nesting on top of their head as an accessory.]

Well, that sounds like a challenge, my love.

[apuckalypse]

[He flails, wings fluffing up a bit, heedless of his future accessorizing fate.]

I mean it! I don't know how to sing.

[ruevealing]

[hehe!! look at that fluff! no one tell rue they look like that when they poof up]

Then I shall teach you! Simple as that. Wouldn't that be so fun to learn? Something new!

[apuckalypse]

...Only if you promise you won't laugh when I sound awful.

[He absolutely knows they won't be mean about it, but Mom, please, he's so preemptively embarrassed :( ]

[ruevealing]

Say the word and I shall make a faerie vow, just to prove to you that I will not laugh.

[Rue will amp up the stakes for this very low stakes conversation if it will make him feel better!!]

Besides, everyone starts at the same level. With practice, you will be an expert!

[apuckalypse]

Ahhh... [He fluffs up again, a full body shiver, before his feathers settle once more.] Fine, fine! No faerie vow, I trust you. I'll give it a try.