ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

I can do it, no problem. I'll be super quick.

[He untangles himself from the embrace, stepping back, though not before giving them both a lil cheek kiss.]

You guys stay here and keep comfy. Mom, is the shop locked, do I need your key?

[Perfect, then Rue can stay here cuddling Hunter until Casey returns.

Just let Rue wiggle a paw around to slip their shop key into their son's palm.]

My bag is in the backroom, just under my desk. Thank you, darling. Are either of you hungry? I'll order in dinner, since we already have dessert taken care of

Dinner sounds great right now.

[ Hunter stays cuddled up against their feathers. ]

-- You brought dessert?

I could eat. Order whatever you want, I'm half-full of cheese as it is.

[Both figuratively and literally, in this case. He grabs his staff from where he typically rests it against the wall, heading for the balcony.]

Text me if you want me to pick it up on my way back. See you guys in a bit!

[Don't look, Rue, he's just jumping over the railing like usual. Have fun, he'll be back later <3 ]

[A little kiss blown Casey's way before Rue is dragging Hunter in for a proper cuddle and kiss, so they can affectionately preen his hair with their beak. Give them a moment or two to fuss and he'll be set free again.]

We did! Casey and I stopped by the bakery near by shop, have you been there before? They have the most delicate pastries.

[ Hunter laughs a little; that preening tickles. As far as he's concerned, Rue can fuss all they like.

(Casey gets a small wave as he goes. Thanks boyfriend, you're the best.) ]

I haven't been IN it? But I've seen it. Everything looks too pretty to eat.

I'm afraid you are going to be hooked after you try them, just the same as I am. But after dinner. Tell me what you are feeling like and I'll make it so.

Oh - uh -

[ CHOICES. Hunter really has to think about that. ]

What about the toasted cheese thing?

[...Toasted cheese, hmMM]

Do you mean a grilled cheese sandwich?

Yeah, that's it! With the bread and cheese in it.

Grilled cheese it is! Come, let us cuddle and I'll order us all grilled cheeses for dinner.

[One last little nuzzle of their cheek to his.]

I love you, Hunter. Please don't ever forget that. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you.

[ Hunter ducks at that, leaning into the cuddle. ]

I - I know. I always know that, I just ...

You just..? [Rue gently prompts, trying for casual, but unable to pull away from squeezing their son around the shoulders affectionately.]

[ Look, Hunter doesn't mind that AT ALL. He buries his face in their feathers a little. ]

You're amazing. You're the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever met, and I don't want anything else, and -

[ How does he phrase this? The words feel clunky in his mouth. ]

I'm - I'm still getting used to how that works. What the rules are.

[good. then they will stay right here cuddling him all night long, putting every ounce of their love into the hug.

And it helps, to hear it from Hunter directly. To be reassured that he does want them in his life.]

Would it help to name them directly, so that both you and I know for certain? That way there would be no confusion in the future.

[ Hunter bobs his head up and down. ]

Please? I - I know that's weird but it would make me feel so much better.

Truth be told, my darling, I don't think it's weird in the slightest. Those are important conversations to have. Being honest with one another about boundaries and needs is so important to the strength of any relationship.

[A gentle brush of their talons over his horns.]

Knickolas and I have to revisit such things as the two of us grow and change, to make certain the other knows exactly what we need. It is natural and normal, I promise.

What about you, Hunter? Are there any rules or expectations that you have for me that you want to be clear about?

[ Hunter leans into that gesture, horns clicking gently against their talons in turn. ]

I - uh - I guess I don't know what I have for you? Other than um - can you promise you'll tell me if I'm doing something you don't like? I don't want you to pretend and then hold it against me later.

[ A beat. ]

-- Which you've never done! I want to be clear! Just - Belos -

[Just Belos.

It will take a long time for Hunter to heal from the wounds that Belos left behind, but Rue knows there will come a day when that man will not haunt so much of his life. But for now, of course they understand. It isn't a reflection on Rue themself, just Hunter's past traumas.]

I understand.

[and they do, Hunter does not need to apologize or explain a thing. Rue gets it.]

And of course, I would never keep a thing from you. My life has been full of secrets for long enough, that is not the kind of relationship I want to build with any of you boys. I will not deny that having this kept from me for so long hurts deeply, to know others are involved and plans have been made and followed through upon while I was kept in the dark. But beyond that, I can think of nothing else.

[ Oh. Yeah. That's ... a fair point really. Hunter droops visibly as Rue (gently) does exactly what he asked him to do: tell him when he's done something wrong. (It's good, it's good. He'd rather know, truly.) ]

I'm sorry. It - it won't happen again. I just ... got so tangled up with my feelings about the guard's letter that I couldn't tell you about anything else without having to also admit how long I didn't deliver it. It just got worse and worse.

[No drooping for too long while mother's around. Hunter visibly deflates and Rue is right there to drag him in closer for cuddling and affection, their talons brushing through his hair. They are right here with him, they aren't going anywhere.]

I hear you and I understand, Hunter. It can be so difficult when that happens, to face something that has grown so much bigger than you ever intended. I only hope that next time it will be easier. But I still want to promise you - [A gentle bump of their head to his] - No matter what, even if it happens again and again, nothing could ever make me not want you in my life.

The promise I made with you was forever. You are my very heart.

[ Hunter gladly buries his face in their feathers again. This will never stop being comforting to him. ]

Thank you. I - I believe you. I'm sorry you have to keep promising it.

[ But there's gratitude too. He needs to hear it. It's his greatest fear: that somehow he will do something bad enough to prove that his new family's love is conditional after all, and he'll get abandoned in the end. ]

Can ... can I ask one more thing?

[It doesn't matter how many times he needs them to repeat it. Each time will be just as calmly spoken as always, full of all of Rue's love. He'll never have to fear hearing them annoyed at having to repeat themself.]

Absolutely. You can ask me anything.

[ He knows this is a weird question. A weirder request. But - ]

If you were angry with me, what would that look like?

Oh! Hm, that is a very good question.

[Rue has never really had a reason to be angry with any of their children, so they can't quite pull from past experiences, but let them think.]

Are you asking so that you will be able to identify it?

inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject