I'll always be there for you, Richard. Always, okay? And you are not your father. You're you. And I'd really like it if you could be you. I know it's hard, I know the whole biology of it and things you can't help. But I'm your pack, Richard. I'm your family now. And I don't love Howard, I love Richard. The Richard who makes that surprised huffy laugh when I make a joke, and the Richard who rolls his eyes so hard you can hear it, and the Richard who is like scarily smart. That is who I love. That is who I want as my mate. I don't want someone who frightens people.

[Her voice is soft, and she just snuggles in closer to him, slotting together against his chest like it feels like she's always meant to.]

I don't want the Richard that frightened me like today. I want you.

And yeah, my parents weren't like this. At least my adopted ones weren't. I don't remember much about my biological mother.

But I do know that you're funny and strong and smart too despite Howard and what he tried to do and make you.