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.
[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.
[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.]
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.]
[oh, casey. forgive rue for the amusement that shines so brightly in their big eyes.]
Of course, of course. It doesn't need to be a thing. But I'd be happy to help aid in whatever piece is causing you some struggle. But I have no doubt you'll pick it up quick, my darling. Besides, I'll just show you how, the project can still be fully your creation, I will not touch a thing.
If you end up needing to take over, I think I'm at a point where that has to be okay. It's silly to not ask for help, right? I was just being stubborn.
It's what family does. They overlook all of our moments of absolute stubbornness and just graciously sweep in to help us either way. The same way you did when I was molting and refused help. I thought I could handle it myself, but the moment you showed up, I knew I would have been miserable for more days than I needed to be if I'd denied you.
[Finished with their meal, Rue settles back into the booth cushions with the rest of their coffee, smiling down at Casey.]
So if you would allow me, I'd be so very happy to help.
[Humbling as ever. Casey smiles a bit sheepishly, cutting up the last of his pancakes.]
You got me there. And that ended up being a pretty great day... [Kind of magical, really. He can't think of a moment more integral to their early bonding. The trust Rue had placed in him had been deeply touching.] So, yeah, I'll take the help. As long as you don't mind the dorky rambling about it.
[There will be zero hesitation to call Casey up the very moment their pinfeathers are ready to be shed this next time.]
If you believe me to be anything but utterly excited for all of your adorable ramblings, you do not know me half as well as I thought! Please, you must tell me.
[Won't they be surprised when molting season rolls around.
He does brighten at the invitation to ramble, though. He doesn't get into his projects a lot, but he has plenty of enthusiasm for them.]
Well...! I'm trying to replicate my cloak. It was a gift from Uncle Tello, and it used to generate a field of invisibility around it. It was torn the day I was sent to the past, so the tech doesn't work anymore, and the cloak itself isn't in great shape. I've been trying to fix it, but as it is... I don't think it's salvageable.
[He doesn't wear it all the time now, but he still uses it enough for it to be a known part of his gear. Anyone can tell by looking at it however that it's been through a lot and getting threadbare.]
[Oh, Rue can not help the way their heart-shaped face just softens with fondness.]
I fear you may be right. But having said that, we can still make something with what's left of your former cloak, whether that is sewing a match of it into the new one or even turning it into something new completely. Either way, I'd be so very honored to help you with that.
I appreciate that... not sure what I'd do with the old one, yet. Besides not throw it out. [That's a given.] Feels weird to turn it into anything new, but it'd be a waste to just put it in the closet, too.
[He slides away his empty place and rests his elbows on the table, hands supporting his chin as his brows furrow.]
...Actually... all my battle gear really needs replacing. But it's hard to let go of it, too. It's all I've got left.
[Of home, of those who gave them to him. Of course his mask and grapple are fine, and Donnie replaced the chainstick. The rest of it though, he should have replaced back when he noticed how threadbare it was getting during the fae attack.]
[The last pieces of home. Of the family Casey left behind. Rue rests a paw gently at the teen's back, soft and reassuring.]
I can not promise anything, I'm afraid, but with my natural sewing skill and a little magic, I can at the very least try to salvage what I can of all of your gear. Bring it in this afternoon and give me a week or so to see just how significant the wear is.
[Casey glances over, looking for a moment reluctant to add more to Rue's plate, but he knows they wouldn't offer if they didn't want to help. And if he objected they'd probably insist. If he's going to keep telling people it's okay to ask for help, then he needs to keep walking the walk himself.]
If you're sure, then... thank you. Even if it can't be saved, duplicating them would be, um. It would be good. It's better that I be safe than get caught up in memories.
[He'd feel foolish if he insisted on using defective gear and got hurt for it. But he trusts Rue to do their best, whatever the result ends up being.]
[Wow he gets rewarded with new gear and a kiss? Clearly people ought to ask for help more often, no idea why everyone seems so allergic of it-]
Um, not hungry so much. [It was a big breakfast, very filling. And it really was a big glass of juice. ...He does lower his voice a little, though:] Do people ever get dessert at breakfast?
Whenever their server makes contact with them again, Rue will politely request a dessert menu, which she is all too happy to bring over, sliding it across the tabletop to Casey. The owlbear will just peek over him at the menu, scanning for something sweet to bring back to their husband.]
Paar-fay- [they gently correct.] You'll absolutely love that, dear. And a slice of cake to go, please. Thank you.
[It only takes a moment for the server to gather desserts and bring them right back to them, Casey's parfait heaping with various fruit and whipped cream.]
no subject
I can do two pandas and two owls. Which would you like?
no subject
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-]
no subject
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.
no subject
Must be meant to be, then! Will you need help putting it all together?
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[And with how much work they've put into things, the other two will never say no.]
no subject
[The time has come: he's admitting (at least partial) defeat.]
no subject
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.
no subject
[He's definitely noticed his boyfriend's new special interest. Their living room is often scattered with patches.]
I'm working on a project, and it needs sewing. I wanted to do it myself, but my skill level is sooooo not up to par.
no subject
Of course, of course. It doesn't need to be a thing. But I'd be happy to help aid in whatever piece is causing you some struggle. But I have no doubt you'll pick it up quick, my darling. Besides, I'll just show you how, the project can still be fully your creation, I will not touch a thing.
no subject
If you end up needing to take over, I think I'm at a point where that has to be okay. It's silly to not ask for help, right? I was just being stubborn.
no subject
It's what family does. They overlook all of our moments of absolute stubbornness and just graciously sweep in to help us either way. The same way you did when I was molting and refused help. I thought I could handle it myself, but the moment you showed up, I knew I would have been miserable for more days than I needed to be if I'd denied you.
[Finished with their meal, Rue settles back into the booth cushions with the rest of their coffee, smiling down at Casey.]
So if you would allow me, I'd be so very happy to help.
no subject
You got me there. And that ended up being a pretty great day... [Kind of magical, really. He can't think of a moment more integral to their early bonding. The trust Rue had placed in him had been deeply touching.] So, yeah, I'll take the help. As long as you don't mind the dorky rambling about it.
no subject
[There will be zero hesitation to call Casey up the very moment their pinfeathers are ready to be shed this next time.]
If you believe me to be anything but utterly excited for all of your adorable ramblings, you do not know me half as well as I thought! Please, you must tell me.
no subject
He does brighten at the invitation to ramble, though. He doesn't get into his projects a lot, but he has plenty of enthusiasm for them.]
Well...! I'm trying to replicate my cloak. It was a gift from Uncle Tello, and it used to generate a field of invisibility around it. It was torn the day I was sent to the past, so the tech doesn't work anymore, and the cloak itself isn't in great shape. I've been trying to fix it, but as it is... I don't think it's salvageable.
[He doesn't wear it all the time now, but he still uses it enough for it to be a known part of his gear. Anyone can tell by looking at it however that it's been through a lot and getting threadbare.]
no subject
I fear you may be right. But having said that, we can still make something with what's left of your former cloak, whether that is sewing a match of it into the new one or even turning it into something new completely. Either way, I'd be so very honored to help you with that.
no subject
[He slides away his empty place and rests his elbows on the table, hands supporting his chin as his brows furrow.]
...Actually... all my battle gear really needs replacing. But it's hard to let go of it, too. It's all I've got left.
[Of home, of those who gave them to him. Of course his mask and grapple are fine, and Donnie replaced the chainstick. The rest of it though, he should have replaced back when he noticed how threadbare it was getting during the fae attack.]
no subject
I can not promise anything, I'm afraid, but with my natural sewing skill and a little magic, I can at the very least try to salvage what I can of all of your gear. Bring it in this afternoon and give me a week or so to see just how significant the wear is.
no subject
If you're sure, then... thank you. Even if it can't be saved, duplicating them would be, um. It would be good. It's better that I be safe than get caught up in memories.
[He'd feel foolish if he insisted on using defective gear and got hurt for it. But he trusts Rue to do their best, whatever the result ends up being.]
no subject
I will do my very best, but either way, I promise the final product will be aimed towards your safety.
[Though maybe with just a touch of that nostalgia attached, alright.]
Are you still hungry, my dear? Need another glass of juice?
no subject
Um, not hungry so much. [It was a big breakfast, very filling. And it really was a big glass of juice. ...He does lower his voice a little, though:] Do people ever get dessert at breakfast?
no subject
[It's a special morning with their son, why not?
Whenever their server makes contact with them again, Rue will politely request a dessert menu, which she is all too happy to bring over, sliding it across the tabletop to Casey. The owlbear will just peek over him at the menu, scanning for something sweet to bring back to their husband.]
What sounds good to you, Casey?
no subject
[He scans over the menu. A few he's heard of, a few he's tried... and then...]
What about the fruit par... fah... it?
[the heck is that. It looks tasty.]
no subject
[It only takes a moment for the server to gather desserts and bring them right back to them, Casey's parfait heaping with various fruit and whipped cream.]
(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)
(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)