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[That manages to make him smile again, briefly.]

I'd wonder who you were if you didn't worry. There's still a lot to be done before then, though. We'd have to find a doorway. But... we'd come back, after. At least, I know I would.

[He cares so much for Hunter, and he deserves a happy, peaceful life as much as any of them. But his priority has always been his family. The Boiling Iles will be an interesting place to visit, after they save it, and maybe make for a fun vacation- but afterwards, he's going home.]

I have clearly become too predictable.

[Just... let them reach over and hold Casey's hand. It's silly, he isn't going anywhere right now, and Rue will cling to the promise that he'll come back to them for every second they are apart, but for now, they just need a little support to pack that worry of theirs down. To be reminded their baby boy is right here, healthy and safe and happy, and for now, that he isn't going anywhere.

And Hunter, well - Rue would never deny him a thing. Besides, they meant it when they said they would be his mother no matter the distance between them. They'll love him always, even if they won't have these daily visits. That will never change.]

You're a good boy, Casey. [no, no, let them backtrack, they are trying to do better. Boy can sound so condescending.] I mean, you're a very good young man. You're hardly a boy, anymore. I just can not help but see you as my youngest always.

[Casey accepts the hand without complaint or resistance, curling his fingers around their talons. It's such a familiar grip now, full of warmth and reassurance. It's so strange to think back to that first time where he'd hesitated to reach back, when now he can't imagine ever refusing this.

He doesn't even protest the 'boy' part, though their amendment makes him laugh a little.]

I can be both. I can be all of those things. Won't I be your little cub when I'm old and grey?

[Just the sound of his laughter cuts through any of that lingering tension within Rue. They'll be just fine.]

Oh yes! That is non-negotiable. You will always be my little cub, long after you've had cubs of your own.

Wouldn't they just be normal ki- ah, wait! We don't even know if I'd have any!

[He only just got a boyfriend like two weeks ago, this threat is too big for him. (It does very effectively cut the tension, though.)]

[Casey Jones, were you about to use the term normal to describe human children! Your family of anthropomorphic animals is deeply disappointed.]

Call it a mother's intuition.

[Shhh no one saw that, it's 6am ~~and player is tired~~]

Can your mother's intuition at least wait until we're adults to think about grandkids?

[erasing it from memory uwu]

Oh hush! I am not starting a countdown! Believe me, as excited as I am for our future, I have learned to appreciate the joy of the present. Besides, you deserve the chance to simply be a teenager. Nothing makes this old heart of mine happier than to see you and the others being able to shed responsibility and just be young.

I do kinda like that. [Getting to be young and all. He grins, shoving a chunk of pancake into his mouth.] How'd you manage to pick so many of the least teenage teenagers as your kids, anyway?

I like to think of it as the least teenage teenagers picking me.

[They don’t quite let go of Casey yet, but Rue will pop a few more potatoes into their mouth.]

We’d all been ripped from our worlds in one way or another. Perhaps we all saw something within one another that felt like it could be home. Somewhere safe to land, even amidst all of the bullshit we’ve been put through.

[Aww you turned his dumb joke into sweet sincerity, Mom. How dare.]

Probably a bunch of lonely people realizing they could be less lonely together, I think.

[Rue apologizes for dropping the bit]

I can not think of better company.

Same here. [He looks down briefly, as if his breakfast will somehow bring him guidance, and then looks up, the silliness fully replaced with sincerity this time.] It was you, though. You know that, right? The one in the center was always you. You brought us together. You're the home.

[It feels like way more credit than they deserve. So many of them were a family before Rue ever entered their lives, to try and claim any credit seems silly.

But Casey's words still strike a chord within the owlbear, their expression going soft in that way that he would be able to see them purposely keeping themself composed so they don't sob right into their potatoes. It's so touching, isn't it? For the always orphaned to become a home to others.

Rue does not think anything anyone has ever said to them has meant quite this much.]

Where did you learn to have such a way with words! [Rue will not apologize for leaning in to peck a quick kiss to his cheek before working to keep themself composed.]

I swear, you are so grown from the young man I met so many months ago.

[He needs no apology. As always, a kiss from Mom is most welcome. Though perhaps he'll keep his touching commentary to a minimum while they compose themselves.]

Well, I am a whole year older now... [Lies, it's been six months and his birthday came in four. Timing was convenient.] Oh, and I've been learning to write fancy with a penpal of mine.

Sixteen! [They exclaim with a soft laugh, beaming down at their son with just slightly wet eyes, Rue is managing those tears well.] That is, as I understand it, the sweetest year for humans. And I hope that remains true the entire year.

[Should he be learning to drive? Television sitcoms would say this is the year to start!]

Ah, have you now? I imagine you've much improved if you've been writing letters with this penpal since August. I can only hope they're a good influence.

I heard that too, but I don't really get it. I don't feel different or anything.

[Someone show this kid a spoiled rich sweet sixteen party, it'll blow his mind.]

And yeah, I think they've been a good influence on me. Just a little mischief, sometimes.

[to be perfectly honest, rue too.]

I don't know, I think you look more sweet than ever. The most handsome sixteen year-old human that I've ever known.

[rue juggling all of their children's ages and species to not overlap on most handsome awards.]

I imagine that you've been an even better influence on them. I'll agree on the mischief though.

[His cheeks turn pink. That feels a bit like a loophole - just how many 16-year-old humans do they know? - but he'll take it. He can be handsome in Mom's eyes.]

W-well... it's just call it mutual... good benefit. I won't be giving up sending letters any time soon.

[A mother's loopholes.]

You still enjoy it? It hasn't become tiresome?

[He's quick to shake his head.]

Not at all! That might be the downside of living together when we go back... it'd be silly to send letters to the same place, when we'd see each other every day.

Not in the slightest. We'll just need to get more creative about it.

[Surprise post-it notes stuck to his bathroom mirror. Little thoughtful notes tucked into a book he's reading. A full on letter hidden in his cereal box... Rue is ready to make it fun.]

...And perhaps, while you are away, you can send me letters with updates. As often as you're able.

[Hmm... challenge accepted, then.]

Oh, I wonder. If the doorway is close to where we're working, we could just pop back to mail a letter or two. Or maybe Donnie could invent a communicator that works across dimensions.

If anyone could, it would be him.

[Rue has total faith he could whip it up in no time.]

But truly, it is only if you are able. I wish to add no stress to either of you.

I'm sure we can figure something out. Even in my world we had downtime once in a while. Time enough to write a letter.

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