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[Casey's cheeks go pink at the praise, and he's grateful to be behind Rue where he can get away with it unseen. Taking note of the way they're tipping their head into his hand, he gives that spot extra attention.]

You're welcome. I'm just glad it's something I can do.

[If it'd been something really out there, like a magic feather-fraying illness or something, he'd be essentially useless, and he really doesn't like that. Something natural is much more easily managed.]

Who helped you before? Besides Hob.

[Casey manages to break free a particularly stubborn feather and Rue hums out in a mix of relief and delight, unintentionally ruffling their new feathers out until they are puffed up around their head and neck.]

Hm? [Relieved as they are, Rue nearly misses the question, their eyes finally fluttering back open.]

Ah well, before I knew Hob, I only had one true friend in my life. She helped me in absolutely everything for a very long time, the only who knew my secret. Her name was Wuvvy. She was a satyr. [a beat, before Rue quickly corrects themself] Is a satyr.

[They don't want to mislead or worry Casey. At least speaking about her does not hurt nearly as much as it once did.]

She was very good to me, caring and attentive and more generous than I deserved.

[Oh! They're puffing up! Casey stills his hands in the midst of the feathers for a moment, watching them sort of disappear in the middle of the fluff. Once they're done, he moves his hands to a fresh spot, continuing the process. There's a stubborn bit of casing clinging to one feather that he has to gently coax free.]

She sounds nice. What's a satyr? A kind of faerie?

[He's wordlessly grateful for their clarification; as someone who's getting used to referring to everyone he's ever known in past tense, the distinction is. Very important.]

[Rue reaches up to gently coax their feathers back down again. Sometimes they just get excited and can't help themself.]

A type of fey, yes, though more of a beast, like myself. If I were to describe her, I would say her torso and head were very humanoid-shaped, while her lower half was that of a goat. She had sweet goat-like ears and horns, and the most wide, startled eyes I'd ever seen.

[He tries to envision this, but is stalled by the fact that he's never seen a real goat. Beast-esque fey, though, got it. Ears and horns.]

You must've really trusted her, if she was the only one who knew your real self.

[He passes his fingers through the freshly-freed feathers in the space he'd just finished, helping to settle them down. Together they close up some of the gaps Rue had been worried about, covering the bare patches that had been previously too-visible.]

[Rue will be overjoyed by the time they finally arrive back in front of a mirror, to see the magic that Casey's perfectly small, nimble hands have cast over them.]

Indeed. [There is a silence then, intentional but not at all awkward given how comfortable the owlbear feels with the young teen, but still Rue hesitates on saying more. Casey, however, has proven time and time again that he deserves all of their trust.]

She was from another court than mine, but she left hers to follow me. At the time, it was to become my assistant, I thought that her interest laid more in the work than anything else, but - Well, we grew very close. I let her in on my true form and she was my most trusted confidante from then on. We were quite the team for nearly a millennia.

Whoa... that's so long to be together. No wonder you're missing her right now. Bet she'd have done all this in record time.

[His unpracticed hands surely pale in comparison to how Wuvvy might have done this, but at least Rue seems to approve of the job he's doing regardless. Feeling around, unless he's missed a spot, he thinks that most of the neck feathers have been uncapped. He leans forward, draping carefully over their shoulder, and reaches a hand down. ...Oh gosh, those feathers are so soft and tickling, though. Like the nicest, downiest pillow.]

Comb, please?

To be perfectly honest, you are speeding along quite quickly for your first time. Truly, I can not thank you enough. All of it, but especially the back of my head, would have taken me forever on my own.

[Forgive them, Casey, but with him leaning over their shoulder, the owlbear is just going to lean in to nuzzle the side of his head affectionately as they slip the comb into his hand, another happy trill at their beak.]

I hope I am not stealing you away from any other plans this afternoon.

[No forgiveness required, as the gesture makes him chuckle under his breath - the feathers tickle! - and, feeling an ounce of boldness, he goes ahead and nuzzles them in return, before the shyness takes over and he scoots to the feathers at their back again. It feels almost like home; the communal contact of hugs, head rubs, nuzzles, all of it- is a love language of his family, and it warms his heart to experience it again, however unexpectedly.

Very carefully he runs the comb through the fresh feathers, testing the waters to ensure it can travel smoothly without damaging or pulling too hard on the new coat. Once he's satisfied, he begins combing through in earnest, smoothing down the ruffled parts until they're laid flat and orderly, more in line with the appearance of their previous coat.]

I didn't have any plans- I was just thinking about what I was gonna do. Now I don't have to- you're today's "one new thing".

[He's definitely never helped tame a molt before.]

[It is the happiest day of Rue's life. Open and easy affection like this is exactly what has been missing in their life since Hob disappeared. To be able to experience it with anyone again, especially someone as dear as Casey, it fills their heart with such joy.

Perhaps they really have been more lonely than Rue was willing to admit, especially during this past week alone.]

You mean to say you have never helped another owlbear with their molt before? [Rue clacks their beak together teasingly, but doesn't otherwise move, not wanting to interrupt Casey's attention to their soft, glossy new feathers.] I can hardly believe it!

[Casey is quietly, internally preening that he just got away with it. Maybe... maybe he will do it again! ...At some point. It's in his back pocket, this new knowledge of permission.

But he laughs at that, still working the comb gently with one hand while the other moves down to scratch at a new area yet to be cleaned up. Luckily it's a simple job and he's a fast learner, so it's getting much easier the more he does it.]

Never have! But maybe I'll be an old pro by the time we finish. If we're still here next year, you'll know who to call.

[Give them a month or so, and there is no doubt these two will be openly nuzzling and cuddling all of the time.

It's such a simple touch, the scratch of human fingers through new feathers just itching to be freed, but it is more than enough to draw a gentle, almost reverberating coo out of from the owlbear, the sound hauntingly soft and absolutely joyful at the scritching.]

You shall be the very first one I call! And I know now not to stubbornly wait for so long before asking for help.

Good! You better.

[An empty threat, said with love. And they hecking DESERVE open cuddles, let it be their fate-

Casey leans in a bit, wanting to listen more closely to the noises Rue keeps making. He's never heard an owl before, so it's all new and pretty fascinating, on top of being cute as heck. He should keep his mouth shut at least, to not embarrass them, but...]

It's not the same thing, but I used to do something similar with the turtles- their future selves, I mean. Their shells can get itchy too, and there's spots that're hard to reach. Don't tell him you heard it from me, but... [He lowers his voice, conspiratorial.] Sometimes, sensei made noises like that, too.

[Oh dear. Getting called out like that is rather embarrassing, especially since Rue was so unaware that they were even doing it. As close as he is, fingers against their skin, Casey would be able to feel the gentle flush of embarrassment there, but at least Rue shakes out of it quickly enough.

The secret that he has shared is well worth a little gentle shame.]

Truly?

[It does not matter that it is Rue's own home and no one else is nearby. They follow Casey's lead, lowering their tone to a near whisper, angling their head just so to lean in closer towards the young teen and his secret.]

I did not know their shells were capable of becoming itchy. You helping them out in such a way must have been such a great relief then, the very same as you are doing for me now. [a gentle pause, Rue's big eyes blinking slowly] I can only imagine how darling Leo must have sounded. And in case it needs to be said, your secret is very safe with me. I shall say nothing, not even under threat of turtle pile.

[His brows lift a bit at the comment of how it might sound. That he can do! One day Rue might hear an authentic version, but he has a pretty solid imitation at least.]

Oh, um. I'm a little rusty, but it's like...

[Casey shifts a bit closer still, resting his chin on their shoulder so he can be close to their ear tuft as he utters a quiet chrrrrr noise, somewhere between a squeak and a purr. It's the kind of sound that is definitely testing the limits of human vocal chords, but through the blessing of a decade of practice, he nails it.]

[Casey drops his chin against their shoulder and then proceeds to make the most adorable little chirping purr that Rue has ever heard.]

That is so dear! Casey, we must get Leo to make it again here!

[He grins again, feeling secretly victorious for pulling it off. It has been months and months after all, but considering it's almost like a second language to him, it would have been embarrassing if he hadn't gotten it at least mostly right.]

You'd probably have a better chance of making that happen. We're doing okay but I don't know if I've earned shell-scratching rights yet.

[Not the sort of thing you just come out and do without a satisfying hint that it's allowed. Sort of like how he wouldn't currently be preening Rue's feathers without permission.]

[Though Rue would never speak it aloud, they are extraordinarily proud of Casey for being able to admit to something so vulnerable without immediately following it up with a sad puppy face or a tinge of sorrow to his tone. Because even if his relationship with Leo is not quite there yet, Rue believes that he knows it will get there in time.

It will happen and it sounds like Casey finally believes that himself.

So Rue turns their head just enough to press a quick, peck of a kiss to the side of Casey's head while he is so close.]

If I do, you shall be the very first I tell. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming memory with me. And for your warm presence in general. I was so sullen earlier, but now I feel as if I have been smiling all day long with you.

[It's as much that he's in an excellent mood and not allowing himself to overthink the situation, but yes, a grand accomplishment. He hopes to have many more moments where the gaps in his relationships with the turtles isn't secretly soul-crushing. Progress is happening, slow and steady. (How very turtle-like.)

The little kiss makes him burn scarlet, a startled little noise (an accidental chirp? It's very quiet) escaping as he ducks back into place behind them, though for a moment his hands are paused and rested against the feathers instead of combing or scratching. O-oh... that was... nice.]

...I'm glad for that, too. Um- you really didn't look like yourself, when you opened the door. And not because of the feathers, either. [A beat, and then, hastily,] Not that you aren't allowed to be sad! [God knows they've let him be sad around them plenty.] Just... I'm happy I could do something to cheer you up.

[If they notice the flushing color of his cheeks or the darling little chirp (which they absolutely do), Rue is at least polite enough to not acknowledge it as they turn their head forward again, giving Casey space to finish combing through their fresh pin feathers.

But it seems that now Rue has two dear boys to keep working on dragging darling chirps from.]

You have cheered me up considerably. There is no doubt in my mind, I would still be wallowing if you had not offered your help. I would have been stubborn and insisted on keeping to myself and quietly grieving in my own self-imposed loneliness. I - [a pause, their beak clacking shut for a moment in thought. There are things that Rue will not worry the boys with, adult problems they would brush it off as, things their boys don't need to know. But talking to Casey and Leo is so easy at times, they nearly slip.

But Rue breathes deeply - and perched where Casey is, he will feel the full of it as they exhale out - and change direction.]

It was silly of me to not reach out before, but I am grateful I did when I did. And that you rose to help me. Your fingers are so nimble! I think you will easily surpass Hob's record.

[Thanks, Rue. He appreciates the courtesy. He doesn't have that much cause to be embarrassed about the noise - he'd just done it voluntarily after all - but he can hardly help his fluster. No one's done that in... a very long time. And no one's made him do that in a long time, either.

As he works, he listens to them speak, glad to hear that they're feeling better than before, and that his presence had really made a difference. He recognizes the shift in subject however, the sudden evasion of whatever else they might have said. He remains in place after they finish, quietly debating for a long moment as he slides his hands listlessly through the last lingering pin feathers: to follow where they're steering, or to tilt sideways? When he discards the final caps he decides, leans forward again, and wraps his arms around their neck - or as far as he can reach, anyway, still quite small in comparison - hugging them gently. His voice is half-muffled in the fluff.]

We're here for you. Anytime, okay? Don't even have to say why.

[He knows he's still young, and there's plenty that an adult isn't going to share with a kid. Sensei, and his uncles, all had plenty on their mind that they felt they had to shield him from. But there were plenty more conversations he eavesdropped on - some he felt he deserved to hear about, some he really shouldn't have heard at all. He couldn't resent them for protecting him, or... in some cases, protecting themselves. It's a balance he knows must be hard to maintain.

Support without explanation is easy to give, though. And so are hugs.]

[Oh.

There is no denying that the hug takes Rue by surprise, a soft hoot slipping from their beak at the unexpected touch. But Casey is not left to wonder for even a moment whether the touch is received favorably or not.

His skinny arms slip around Rue as far as they will go, and after a moment of gentle shock, the owlbear's massive paws rest over Casey's arms, holding him in place, bumping their head back affectionately into his.

Going from a busy home with Tim to the handful of perfect months living with their husband to being completely on their own has been such a challenge. If Rue does not keep busy all night long, the grief and loneliness and all-consuming fear just envelops them completely. It is just more difficult than they would ever like to admit, to live on knowing Hob is still lost out there in the human realm, maybe hurt or captured or even worse, while they sit in their quiet, peaceful home filling the time with pointless hobbies.

When it is too quiet, the guilt feels like a constant weight on their chest. But what is Rue to do but box it up during the day and just carry on?

Their paw pats at Casey's arm, a sigh shuddering through them as Rue blinks back a few stray tears. What did they ever do to deserve such a sweet presence in their life?]

You are such a good boy, Casey. I love you, dearly. I hope you know that.

[He squeezes them a little tighter as they hug him back, and he closes his eyes, more than content to rest like that as long as Rue needs. Hugs aren't a cure-all by any means, but god have they ever helped him, all his life. He's been held and coddled and told so many times, it'll be alright, we're here, I've got you, Case. Love you, kiddo. The warmth of being clung to, of having one's pain perceived. It's so important.

So he clings, and he perceives Rue's pain, even if he doesn't understand it. He's not owed a reason. And when they speak up at last, he lifts his head (so his voice won't be muffled, because they deserve to hear it openly) and responds in kind.]

I love you, too.

[He's never hesitated with his family back home. It's just how they are. He told Leo already. Why shouldn't those important to him know? There's no shame in love. Hope might be a ninja's greatest weapon, but love is their greatest shield.]

[Even with the sorrow that sits in their heart, Rue knows their current life is so full of joy and affection and friendship, more than they can ever remember it having been before. No other time in their life have they been hugged and touched so easily, had others speak plainly about how much they care, have had their days so filled with pleasant company and fun. Whatever grief still lingers, it is easier to face now when their life is full of genuine love.

Their composure snaps back together almost immediately, just one last long, shuddering sigh, and Rue is straightening up against Casey, a paw reaching behind them to politely ruffle his hair. (But just barely, they don't want to mess up his hair.)]

How am I looking so far? Do you need a break, Casey? I do not want your hands to cramp.

[Casey hums quietly, accepting the hair ruffle without complaint, and shifts away carefully to give their back feathers one last brushing with the comb. It really looks lovely now, much neater and fluffy, no longer scrunched and showing gaps. It really is just like new.]

No, it's okay. I can do this kind of thing for hours. [And has in fact done so, many times in and out of the workshop back home. There were plenty of little tasks that small dextrous five-fingered hands could do that were more difficult for giant mutant turtle hands, and Uncle Tello was always happy to put him to work. This is nothing.] I think I'm done back here, though... want me to come around and work on the front? Or anywhere else that itches?

[His tone is light and curious; he's clearly having a pretty good time here, even if it might seem like work to some. He likes to keep busy and help out, so this is good for him. And the feathers are quite soft to touch once freed.]

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