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[ 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?

[ Hunter nods a little at that. It's most of the answer, but not all. ]

Yeah. And so - so I can prepare for it? In my mind? Like - I'm sure if it actually happened it won't be as bad as what I'm picturing as a worst case scenario.

[ Belos. ]

[oh, their poor traumatized son.]

How about this? If I ever find myself angry with you, I will state it plainly and we will talk about it. I will not lose my temper with you or shout or threaten. It will be calm and it will be dealt with in that moment.

Now, I can hardly imagine why I would ever feel angry with you, you are such a wonderful, kind boy, but if this is an agreement we can make that will ease your worry now, then I'm happy to.

[ An agreement is good. An agreement is, practically speaking, the best option. Does he really want to see Rue in a rage? Would it even be real enough if they tried? Maybe, maybe not ...

But an agreement doesn't quite get at the heart of his fears, either. ]

Of course it makes me feel better. But - but I'll still be a little nervous. I think.

[ A pause as he struggles to explain - oh. ]

I feel much better after fighting with Casey, honestly, because I know what that looks like now.

[...is he asking?]

Hunter - [And Rue pulls away just enough so that they can look down to catch the teen's gaze, a talon hooked delicately beneath his chin. There is no judgement in their big eyes, they simply need clarification.]

Sweetheart, are you asking me to get angry with you here? Right now? So that you know exactly what to expect?

I - uh -

[ Rue isn't judging, but Hunter sure is. Does he want that? Really? When everything is happy and peaceful?? ]

I-I don't know! I don't know...

[Rue tips forward to bump their forehead to his, cooing softly. It would be near impossible to miss the panic in their son's eyes.]

My darling, you need only tell me what you want. There is no judgement here. My only wish is for you to feel more confident in you and I moving forward.

[ Hunter goes a little quiet at that. Thinking hard, trying to figure out what he DOES want here. Wouldn't it feel better? It had been better with Casey having fought ... ]

Just a little then? Just so - I can see. If that's okay.

Alright, if it will help, I will try my very best to be as convincing as possible.

[Let them just dig deep for that performance skill of theirs, staying there with their forehead pressed to Hunter's for just a moment longer, sucking in a deep breath and slowly exhaling it out-]

[Time to act.

Rue's big eyes narrow at Hunter as they pull away to gently set the teen back to the couch. It's hard to pretend to be angry when they were both still cuddling.]

I'm deeply disappointed, Hunter.

[That is the mother of all mother voices.]

Have I not proven myself to you? I have given you the whole of my heart and still it is not enough! All I have ever asked of you is your honesty, that if nothing else, we always be transparent in our feelings and thoughts. But still you leave dirty dishes beside the sink - not even in the sink - and I can barely stand to look at you anymore.

[Sorry, Hunter, mom's going off on some fake drama and absolutely adding their own dramatics to it. Rue will just turn their head away with a gasp, clutching a paw over their heart.

This is probably not what he was asking for but.]

Edited 2024-03-19 02:02 (UTC)

[ Well. It starts off VERY convincing. There's a little wince right at the start as they start with the lines about proving themself - that sure is a Belos line right there - and his eyes go wide.

And then thankfully Rue derails it with the dishes comment, which immediately cuts through the tension in his shoulders. Acting. Right. Phew.

-- in any case it did what he asked for and you know what! He DOES feel a little better! ]

You - uh - you really had me for a second there!!

[okay back to cuddling, thank you thank you]

I imagine if we ever fought it would be over something very silly, don't you? I fear Knickolas is the only one I ever truly fight with.

[and even those times are very far and few between, thankfully]

I would much prefer it if we simply talked our feelings out in the future, but hopefully that gives you something to work with.

I-I think so too. Yeah.

[ He's quick to bury his face back in their feathers again. ]

... Thank you. I know it's weird, but ... this way I don't feel like I'm waiting for it to show up one day.

Hush, my love. There is nothing weird in asking for help from someone you love. I'm proud of you for being upfront about it.

[Rue is all too happy to wrap Hunter up again, wings fully engulfing him until he is nothing more than two horns popping up beneath a mountain of feathers and fur and the soft fabric of Rue's dress.]

Now, is there anything else on your rule list that you'd like from me? I don't want to leave anything out.

[ He laughs a little as he get swallowed up by all the fluff. His two cute tree horns wobble a bit as he works his way back up out of the feathers. ]

I - I think those are the important things? Honestly, not being Belos is a great start no matter what.

[no, stay down and let mother nest, thank you very much]

Well! That will never be an issue for either of us. I am only myself.

And you're amazing, Mom.

[ He nuzzles back in again. ]

I really am sorry I didn't tell you. I won't let it happen again.

Not nearly as amazing as my sons.

[No one will ever be as proud of their children as delloso de la rue]

Thank you, darling. Why don't you go clean up and I'll get our dinner ordered? Then, we'll start on our pillow fort for tonight.

I - I will. Yeah. Sounds good.

[ He reluctantly extracts himself from their wings, but not before giving them a lil kiss. ]

[a son kiss!!! Rue's absolute favorite!]

I love you, Hunter. And I'm so very happy to be your mother.

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