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[Let's be real, Casey is still one of the very best things to ever happen in Rue's life.]

How wondrous! The ones I've seen on television are called polar bears because they live in the polar ice caps. Their fur is entirely white, to help them blend in, and it must provide even better insulation than mine, because they often swim in the freezing water, surrounded by ice! I was utterly fascinated.

[The feeling is deeply mutual.]

Huh... I wonder if there are different kinds of owlbears, the way there's different kinds of owls and bears.

[He only knows the kind of owlbear that Rue is, and since his is modeled after theirs he's the same.]

[.....

Casey, you have just blown Rue's mind.]

A polar-owlbear? A sun-owlbear? A panda-owlbear?! I have never once even considered but there must be!

[His eyes go so wide, they've almost got stars in them.]

I want to see a panda-owlbear...!

[these two having a moment in this booth while everyone else simply eats their breakfast and reads the paper in silence]

I simply must! Wouldn't they be so absolutely darling?! Those sweet ears and paws!

Next time we're at your place we need to watch a panda documentary.

[he demands it.]

At least two of them!

[Rue will raise that demand!]

I wonder what kind owl would pair up well with a panda.

[Hmm...]

I don't know many owl species. We better watch owl documentaries, too.

I think this calls for a panda and owl slumber party this weekend. We have much to learn.

Sounds like a plan!

[One of the best kinds of weekends.]

[look. not to be dramatic. but rue is PLOTTING]

Would you like it to be just us or should we invite our beaus along?

[Plot away, he is here for it 100%.]

Hmmm.

[Genuinely feels weird to demand a party with just them when Hob literally lives there. But also Casey happens to like said beaus. (He does not know what a beau is. He's guessing from context clues.)]

We can invite them. As long as they don't mind if we don't surrender the TV until we've satisfied our owl-and-bear documentary thirst.

[That's fair, Casey, it is a little awkward, but Hob knows the importance of Rue getting time alone with all of their children, just the two of them, and he's been so generous in offering to give them space.

But having said that, sometimes getting to include Hob just makes it that much more fun for Rue. Even if it is just the three of them, to see the way their husband interacts with their boys, Casey especially, thrills the owlbear endlessly. He's a long ways from it in regards to all of Rue's boys, but they would like to believe he's stepping into the role of father effortlessly.]

It is still our party, we are just being generous in allowing them to join us. I had a thought, that if it is to be a proper owl-and-bear party, we should get costumes.

[Casey doesn't envy Hob the journey he's taking- adopting Rue as Mom had been relatively easy, but all of them seem to have hang-ups about various father-figures. Probably the only one ready to grant him a title is Hunter at this point (and really, none could blame him), and some of them may never be able to. Still, he admires Hob's determination to get on well with all of them. His heart is in the right place for sure.]

Some... owl-and-bear costumes, I'm assuming?

[He can see what they're putting down, yeah. Though now he's imagining Hob the bugbear dressing up like a regular bear...]

[Honestly, just to be allowed to be the new step-father would mean the world to Hob, but from what he's whispered to Rue in the night when they speak about their future here in Folkmore and the family they've built up, he readily accepts the journey ahead of him.

It helps that he already loves each one of them, Leo included.]

I saw this on an online video -

[Give Rue a moment to fiddle with their relic, it takes a little bit longer to navigate with their talons, before they are flipping the device around to show off a panda onesie.

Look, does it help if he's dressed as a panda instead of a regular old bear?]

Isn't it darling!?

[Oh no, he just coos. That is one precious costume.]

It's so cute! I love it... it looks so fuzzy, too...

[Dammit Rue you know he has a huge weakness for soft warm things. He's instantly on board.]

We should totally have those!

[What's the point of having a son if you both don't just hype each other up over everything all of the time! Rue knew Casey wouldn't say no.]

I can do two pandas and two owls. Which would you like?

[Decisions, decisions...]

Mmm... I think we should both be pandas. If you're up for it.

[Because how funny would it be if the two owlbears were bears and the others were the owls-]

[Rue looks delighted.]

I was going to suggest the very same! That whatever you picked, I would match you, and make Hob and Hunter pair off with the other. Oh, Casey, I love how you always know exactly what I'm thinking.

[He grins.]

Must be meant to be, then! Will you need help putting it all together?

[Where they never would have ever asked their kids to come help them with a project Rue knows they could complete fine on their own, this time, Rue does not hesitate.]

Would you mind? I could use some help on the faces, mostly. The bodies will be simple enough, but the detail work could benefit from your sharp eye.

Oh, sure! I could do that.

[Detail arrangement is probably a good job for him; he's still quite rudimentary for sewing, only good for mends and patches, but putting parts in the right place is right up his alley.]

It will be fun, don't you think? To make them together before we surprise Hunter and Hob.

[And with how much work they've put into things, the other two will never say no.]

I think so, too. You don't mind showing me what to do? [Hardly a question; he knows them well enough to know the answer.] I might need to learn how to sew a little better.

[The time has come: he's admitting (at least partial) defeat.]

[the time has COME]

Would you like setting up some time with me at the shop to come in and practice? You know it's never any trouble on my part.

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