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[ruevealing]

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[ruevealing]

[Rue can feel the weight of the letter they'd been given in their pocket. There's no doubt they'll read it enough times to memorize the whole thing one day, something so special from the son they never had the chance to truly get to know.]

I don't think it would mean any less coming from you, dear, but I'm happy to do it either way.

[All of their children have come pre-named, so it would be a little special to pick it out for themself.]

How are you feeling now, my love?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter sniffles a bit, rubbing at his face. ]

Better. And - a little stupid?

[ He bows his head. ]

I worried so much for no reason.

[ruevealing]

[Time for another big squeeze and kiss. There's no shortage of motherly affection here.]

Never stupid, dear. Being scared often overrides absolutely everything else going through our heads. We try to do our best, but no one can blame you for struggling as you did. I wish you'd come to me sooner, only so that I could remind you of how much I love you and how that will never change.

Who else will come make messes in my home and eat all of the snacks in my fridge, hm?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter manages a laugh at that as he leans into Rue's feathers and nuzzles them back a lil. ]

I guess the guard could? But only if I somehow napped at your place.

[ Although - speaking of which. An idea occurs to him. ]

Do ... you want to talk to him?

[ruevealing]

[oh. the chance to speak to him? that would be so incredibly kind and wonderful but -]

Later, perhaps. I came here to speak to my Hunter and I will not waste a single moment of our time together.

[If he is so fearful of replacement, Rue will do all they can to prove how much he himself means to them.]

[pyrighteous]

R-right! I don't mean right now. I don't even know how I would do that.

[ Seems like a BAD IDEA if he's being honest. ]

I just meant ... if you stay with us tonight, he'll probably be awake.

[ A glance back towards Casey to confirm that's okay. He ASSUMES that inviting Rue over is always okay, but he gonna check. ]

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's quick to nod, of course.]

I don't mind. He's definitely due for some conversations... especially before this all happens.

[It would feel weird to just shove him into the bird bot without checking in for fine-tuning the plan.]

[ruevealing]

[Within that big, feathery chest of theirs, Rue's heart just swells up with love for these boys.]

Please, I would love to stay. You both know I'm a bit of a night owl - [heehee] - So nothing would make me happier than to sit with him all night, talking. I'd be able to pass along any messages you might need me to.

[Will it be a little weird? Sure. But soon the guard will have his own body and everything will be back to normal-ish]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter was having much the same thought himself. Like - the Guard would cope? But also.

He laughs a little at the night owl comment, relieved to have Casey's approval too. He had a good idea!! Honestly he needed a bit of a win. ]

Then - stay. Please. We can make it a sleepover, and then you can talk to him all you want.

[ruevealing]

As if I could ever turn down a sleepover invitation from you two. Of course I'll stay. [For all three of their boys, the guard included.]

And when you wake up in the morning, we'll make a breakfast feast!

[pyrighteous]

I really like the sound of all that.

[ Hunter really relaxes now, shoving his face in Rue’s feathers. ]

… I’m sorry it took so long to tell you. I’m - really glad you brought them the letter, Casey.

[apuckalypse]

[It takes so much self-restraint not to burst into relieved tears on the spot.]

Really? You're not mad...?

[He'd been so worried.]

[ruevealing]

[Time to be fully wrapped up in all of those feathers. There's still much on the owlbear's mind, but so much of it doesn't need to be spoken aloud. So they'll give Casey and Hunter a chance to speak while they sort out their own feelings.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter blinks a little at Casey at that. It hadn’t occurred to him. ]

Why would I be mad…?

[apuckalypse]

I knew you were putting it off for some reason... but I stole it, and went behind your back.

[pyrighteous]

I. I let it sit for a month.

[ Like, Casey is SO valid for worrying and Hunter is very touched but also. ]

I'm pretty sure the guard is the one who should be mad, and not at you.

[apuckalypse]

Well- ...okay. But I'm still happy you're not mad at me.

[He scoots a little closer, winding his arm around Hunter again.]

I really didn't want to end up in another fight. I just- I couldn't sit by and watch you hurting anymore.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter shifts a bit closer to Casey. Between the Casey's arm and Rue's feathers, he is completely surrounded by love and it is amazing. ]

... Thank you, Casey. I'm sorry for making you do this.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey just shakes his head.]

It's okay. I'm not angry, either... I'm just glad it's done now.

[So neither of them have to keep stressing about it, finally.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter nods at that, thunking his head back down against Rue's feathers. ]

How close is the robot to being done?

[apuckalypse]

Almost there. Technically it's finished enough to be usable, I'm just attaching the last of the feathers and fine-tuning it to make sure it moves properly. And, uh. Installing artificial lungs? [That part's a newer feature, but he's mostly figured it out by now.] A few days at most, and we'll be good to go.

[As far as he knows now, the biggest complication is picking a ritual date and actually getting everything together to pull it off.]

Did you and Draxum figure out the palistrom tree?

[pyrighteous]

A few days ...

[ That's all, huh? It feels like it's been forever, but also no time at all. ]

I need to talk to him again about that. He sent me a letter about it, and I already have the seed, so... it's just picking a spot.

[ Here, Hunter turns to Rue. ]

Is there room in your garden?

[ruevealing]

[Rue doesn't have a clue what is going on, sorry.]

Of course there is room in my garden. What are you thinking?

[pyrighteous]

I got a palistrom tree seed from home. And Draxum can grow it into a full tree with magic? So - we can use some of the wood to give the guard's new body a little more life to it.

[ He taps his own chest. ]

Grimwalkers are mostly made out of wood.

[ruevealing]

[A gentle tap to Hunter's chest before he's smothered with a kiss again.]

I see. Well, if Draxum needs any help, I am able to do the same. And of course my garden is yours, just the same as the cottage. I would be happy to grow such an important tree there.