[OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

[pyrighteous]

[ Instead of a welcome message, there's just muffled noises as Hunter tries and fails to get his comm to do what he wants it to do. ]

Comments

[apuckalypse]

[No one can blame him for keeping it to just Ciel. Heck, no one could blame him if he wanted to omit Belos entirely.]

Here's the thing about family... you always get to choose it. It's not where you're born or who you're related to. It's okay to look at those parts that are bad for you and just...

[He reaches down and traces a line up from Hunter and Ciel, where Belos would be, and draws an X with his finger.]

...Cut them out.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter stares down at the lil chart for a moment. Lifts his pen? It's just a mark on paper, but ...

But it feels like a lot. It IS a lot. Hunter's come a long way, but he's always referred to Belos as his uncle. He's never denied their relationship, as cruel as it was.

He gulps in a deep breath. Then scribbles out Belos's name. ]

[apuckalypse]

[Casey watches quietly, waiting for him to decide, fully prepared to not judge if Hunter decided he wasn't ready. It's one thing to decide Belos is evil, it's another thing entirely to cut him off.

When Hunter does cross the name out, he smiles gently and offers his arms out. He's with you, BF. Time for a hug?]

[pyrighteous]

[ It is ABSOLUTELY time for a hug. Hunter throws himself into Casey's arms and clings. ]

You're - right. I can just cut him out. He's not family any more.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey wraps him up, holding tightly.]

Yeah, exactly. He doesn't deserve you. [One hand lifts, brushing soothingly through Hunter's hair.] I'm really proud of you.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter just keeps clinging for the moment. Nods against him. ]

Yeah? You are?

[apuckalypse]

Uh-huh. I've never had to do what you've done, but if I did, I dunno if I'd have the courage. You had to look at your whole life and change your perspective to get where you're at now. Admitting that things were wrong, when you always thought they were normal... that takes a lot of strength.

[He kisses the top of Hunter's head.]

That's the kind of strength you've got.

[pyrighteous]

[ Oh. That's all true, of course. Things he has thought in fact!! And yet it's different hearing Casey lay them out like that.

He nods, sniffling a little. ]

I never thought of it as a strength... just that it was hard.

[apuckalypse]

It is hard, but you did it anyway. That's part of why you're strong.

[He keeps petting through Hunter's hair, holding him close. It's good to be strong but also okay to need to be coddled sometimes, too.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter is more than happy to keep clinging. ]

Thank you - um - thank you. And sorry.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey tilts his head questioningly at that.]

Sorry for what?

[pyrighteous]

For being a lot of work in general??

[apuckalypse]

[His eyes widen at that.]

You're not! Not even a little work!

[pyrighteous]

You can say I'm a little work. Because I'm definitely that.

[apuckalypse]

Well. Okay. But we're both a little work, in that case.

He's had his share of breakdowns and disaster moments too! Mutual non-destruction, it's part of why they function well.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Oh. That - gets Hunter to relax a little. ]

I don't mind putting in the work for you if you put in the work for me.

[apuckalypse]

I don't mind at all.

[Casey smiles brightly.]

So, should I apologize for being work, too?

[pyrighteous]

-- no! Of course not!!

[apuckalypse]

[The expected answer, which Casey is pleased by. (Trap caaaard)]

Then you don't need to apologize, either! We should be saving those for when we actually mess up.

[pyrighteous]

...

[ Oh. he gets the point. it took him a second. ]

I ... I guess you're right, huh...

[apuckalypse]

I think maybe you still worry too much about being imperfect. But we're both messy, and that's okay. I'd even say it's good.

[They probably wouldn't have bonded so well if they weren't.]

[pyrighteous]

My uncle -

[ No. Not his uncle. Not his uncle EVER AGAIN. ]

... Being perfect seemed good. I'm glad it's not.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's arm around him tightens a little, a squeeze of a hug.]

He wasn't perfect, either. For him to expect you to be is crazy.

[pyrighteous]

... I guess it is crazy, huh.

[apuckalypse]

[He winces a bit. He should ease off on the Belos issue, if Hunter wants to avoid talking too much about it.]

Sorry. I'm supposed to be helping, not making you feel worse.