[How perfect for him to lean into them just as Rue was going to settle a wing carefully over his shoulder, giving Casey a gentle squeeze against them.]
And I am glad it is you. Every single day I feel that our bond grows even stronger. I'm beginning to believe there is nothing we can not overcome together.
[All too easy to cozy up to them, at least until it's time to leave.]
That's just asking Thirteen to throw something terrible at us again.
[Ha ha wouldn't that be crazy... he's in good spirits about it, though, clearly. The promise of a good future and stability in their own world has him feeling stronger than ever.]
After November? Hardly! Thirteen would have to be very cruel indeed to throw something like that on us again. No, she must see the break we need from such drama!
Stop, stop! [He lifts his hands to try and cover their beak, laughing.] She'll hear you and get mean ideas. Say something like, I'll become my best self by making a hundred perfect parfaits.
[If only they could stay here teasing one another and eating parfaits for the rest of the day, but Rue does have a shop to open. One more big side-hug before they slide out of the booth.]
Would you hold onto Hob's cake while I take care of our check?
[He'll pull on his coat and hold on to the package, though pardon him sneaking a glance at it to try and decipher what kind of cake it is. There's probably still loads of flavours he's never seen before and he's curious. (No tasting, though! It is not his.)]
[whatever is inside looks covered in delicate whipped vanilla frosting, topped with fresh berries
And while Casey is sneaking that peek, by the time that Rue returns to him at the door, they have an entirely different to-go box in paw. Not so sneaky son!]
Here, I'll trade you.
[surprise, rue quickly added on two more slices of cake for casey to take home for him and hunter to enjoy. might as well go all out for such a special day]
[look!! if anyone deserves a little extra spoiling, it is darling apocalypse boy, Casey Jones. Rue doesn't think an extra sweet or two is going to spoil him too much.]
Something sweet to enjoy together later, my treat.
I am! [There's never going to be a hug that Rue won't eagerly return before they are holding the door open for Casey and leading him outside. What a relief to see the city is much more awake now, bright and sunny, busy with noise.]
I have quite the long day today, but you know nothing would make me happier than to see the two of you come visit. No need to bring anything but yourselves.
[He shivers a bit at that first nip of cold air, but his coat is warm and he's full of food, so it's an easy thing to shrug off. He'll be home again soon enough.]
If you're busy, we'll stay out of the way. But if we bring something it'll be our surprise, so you'll just have to live with it.
[Rue protests but all of the boys know how excited they'll be to receive anything from any of their sons. Hopefully it will be more leaf art!!!]
I don't know how I'll suffer through, but if I must, I must! [they can not even say it without a soft laugh] Tell me, my dear, what do you have going on at school today?
Oh, today's lessons? I think we're expanding on the code lessons from before, trying to incorporate the test codes we've been writing with some basic engineering we've assembled. I'm still trying to decide what I want to actually build, so right now it's just a stick with a head.
[A bit silly, but that's just how it is when you have too many ideas and are too indecisive to pick.]
Any suggestions? Besides a spider or a bird, our apartment's got those.
[Their genius boy! No matter how often they hear the boys speaking on codes and builds and such, Rue still struggles to conceptualize it with their too visual brain, so what Casey does impresses them every single time.]
[do it for your mother!! think of how elated they'll be to come over and cuddle with both of their boys and a cat! Dream fulfilled.]
Oh - [Rue looks awed] If you can manage, such a companion would be so darling in your apartment! And they wouldn't shed much if the fur was fake! That's already a step up from my Knickolas.
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And I am glad it is you. Every single day I feel that our bond grows even stronger. I'm beginning to believe there is nothing we can not overcome together.
[until like next week but]
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That's just asking Thirteen to throw something terrible at us again.
[Ha ha wouldn't that be crazy... he's in good spirits about it, though, clearly. The promise of a good future and stability in their own world has him feeling stronger than ever.]
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After November? Hardly! Thirteen would have to be very cruel indeed to throw something like that on us again. No, she must see the break we need from such drama!
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Stop, stop! [He lifts his hands to try and cover their beak, laughing.] She'll hear you and get mean ideas. Say something like, I'll become my best self by making a hundred perfect parfaits.
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I'm afraid my darling Casey will only become his best self if he is forced to eat a dozen salads!
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You're gonna see me be my worst self if you try to make me eat leaves.
[never again means never again!]
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Forgive my teasing, my darling. No salads, only parfaits and breakfast potatoes from here on out.
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Proposal accepted!
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Would you hold onto Hob's cake while I take care of our check?
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[He'll pull on his coat and hold on to the package, though pardon him sneaking a glance at it to try and decipher what kind of cake it is. There's probably still loads of flavours he's never seen before and he's curious. (No tasting, though! It is not his.)]
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And while Casey is sneaking that peek, by the time that Rue returns to him at the door, they have an entirely different to-go box in paw. Not so sneaky son!]
Here, I'll trade you.
[surprise, rue quickly added on two more slices of cake for casey to take home for him and hunter to enjoy. might as well go all out for such a special day]
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[He trades of course, and peeks inside this box too. Oh, the delight in his expression, Rue. Your child is so spoiled.]
Oh! We get cake, too? Thank you, thank you so much! Hunter's gonna love it.
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Something sweet to enjoy together later, my treat.
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Lucky us. You're going to the shop, right? Maybe we can bring you something after school later.
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I have quite the long day today, but you know nothing would make me happier than to see the two of you come visit. No need to bring anything but yourselves.
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If you're busy, we'll stay out of the way. But if we bring something it'll be our surprise, so you'll just have to live with it.
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I don't know how I'll suffer through, but if I must, I must! [they can not even say it without a soft laugh] Tell me, my dear, what do you have going on at school today?
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[A bit silly, but that's just how it is when you have too many ideas and are too indecisive to pick.]
Any suggestions? Besides a spider or a bird, our apartment's got those.
[Also no goo monsters.]
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A little cat, perhaps? That could be quite cute.
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Ohhh, a cat! That would be so cute. We could cover it in fake fur, program it to meow and knock things off tables...
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[He raises his hands, flexing his fingers demonstrably. The wheels are turning in his head, though. He could probably do it...]
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Oh - [Rue looks awed] If you can manage, such a companion would be so darling in your apartment! And they wouldn't shed much if the fur was fake! That's already a step up from my Knickolas.
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That would be really cute. [aaaaa] Actually I don't think I've ever seen Hob's familiar form.
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You must come over and see it! He is so shy about it, but he's about as big as you are as a cat! It's the cutest thing I've ever seen.
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