Second Summer
Qrow Branwen doesn't have many good days. He doesn't have many surviving friends, he is an alcoholic, and most of his time is spend hunting down and killing people.
But today... today should be a good day.
After too many years of being away from home at long last he has time to visit his nieces again. The two loud and obnoxious little balls of energy that always try their best to drive him completely insane. They are noisy, brash, and tend to cover him in some sort of paint every time he visits. Sometimes it seems their goal in life is to make his is difficult as possible when they are around.
He wouldn't trade them for the world.
A hunter's life was is a dangerous one. Living to middle age is a miracle in this profession. Over the years Qrow has slowly watched from afar as friend after friend either faded away into obscurity or died doing their job.
It makes him appreciate the little moments and occasional weeks he gets to spend with what family he has left all the more.
His most recent mission was one of the hardest he has ever had, and they show no signs of getting easier. He hopes it won't be so, but in his heart, he knows every time he sees the kiddos it's more and more likely it will be the last.
So he is going to enjoy the hell out of seeing them again.
The walk through Patch is calming. The small sleeping town is so isolated from the rest of the world. Between the waters and forests barricading them in against outsiders it's an easy place to settle down and lose yourself in. It's why so many hunters that are either too damaged to continue their duties or have children of their own to raise choose it as a place to settle down.
A hunter never truly retires. Even the grizzled old men bearing a hundred scars and missing limbs are ready to give their lives at a moment's notice in the fight against humanities eternal enemy.
But it is a great place to rest in the meantime.
Qrow considered buying his own home on the island once upon a time. His old teammates Summer and Tai spent every waking moment pestering him to do so before... before. But after her death he just couldn't bring himself to entertain the thought anymore. His semblance always made him antsy about remaining in one place too long lest some misfortune fall upon someone he cares about. As more and more hunters of his generation fell, he felt he had to pick up the slack the losses made.
Pretty soon the days he wasn't off hunting each year could be counted on a single hand.
It changed for a few years after Summers death. Tai pretty much imploded under grief, guilt, and the pressure of raising two girls by himself so Qrow had to step in and give him a hand for a year before he got back on his feet.
Tai was more than capable of raising the two though. So after that Qrow went right back on out hunting. Although he took a bit more time out for the little munchkins.
Qrow turns off the stone paved path onto a thinner dirt track into the woods, it wasn't the fastest way to Tai's house but it provided a very specific cliff top view Qrow had to visit every time he returned.
By the time Qrow gets to the cliffside grave the sun is high overhead. He could have gotten their in a few short minutes if he used his gift but he enjoyed the winding meandering path the game trail took through the woods. It gives him time to think and reflect on the better days when team STRQ were all together.
The gravestone itself is the same as always. A solid rectangular slab set into the ground far away enough from the cliffs edge that it won't erode away in the near future. They chose this spot because Summer used to love sitting on the edge of the cliff watching the waves as a child. Over the years they accompanied her to the spot more than a few times and it grew on all of them.
They didn't visit it other than to pay their respects anymore though.
"Hey Summer." Qrow starts the same as every time before, and like all those times everything he thought of saying leaves his head as soon as he does. He rubs the back of his head and leans back to stare into the clear blue skies.
"You know I'm no good at these things. You would think I would have started writing this crap down or something after so many times. Couple of people died since I visited last. Don't worry though they weren't anyone you knew. Still hurts to see them go though you know? Ozpin is just as cryptic as ever, and Ironwood has actually somehow managed to shove that stick even farther up his ass in the last few years. I would be impressed if it wasn't so incredibly annoying."
He rocks back on his heals and kneels down to wipe some stray leaves from the grave.
"I haven't visited your girls yet but I'll be seeing them in a few. I'll make sure to stop by again before I go. Might bring one of them along or something. Fuck if I know."
He gets back to his feet and turns away from the grave.
"See you in a few."
Qrow made the trip to Tai's house in his bird form to save time. Now that he has gotten the first part of his trip over he is in even more of a rush to see his nieces smiling faces.
But not too much of a rush. If either of the two knew how much he wants to see them he would probably die of embarrassment.
So instead of rushing to the house and kicking down the door he instead alights upon a branch in the backyard where he has a good view of his extended family go about their day.
The first he sees is the elder of the two girls. Yang storms out of the house, clearly upset with something, and slams the door behind her hard enough to dislodge it from its hinges.
"THAT FUCKING BASTARD!" the blonde yells before sprinting forward and slamming her fist through a fully-grown tree.
Qrows bird eyes widen in shock. Maybe she is just a tad beyond merely being upset. But what on earth could have angered his niece so much? The Yang he knew from years ago was hotheaded sure but she wasn't one to lash out in anger.
Yang keeps up her destruction of the local flora, gradually approaching the tree Qrow is using as his roost. Lost in thought the hunter almost forgets to take off and get out of the tree before she destroys it too. The bird formed man glides through the air to the roof of the modestly sized house.
Perhaps from this vantage he will be able to hear what Tai is up to.
"Aaah yes! Take it!"
Qrow immediately takes back off and flees at the sound of flesh smacking against flesh. Last thing he wants to hear is his best friend Taiyang Xiao Long getting it on with whoever he brought home.
Gah. He wants to vomit just thinking about it.
What kind of dad does that anyway? It's the middle of the day!
At least give your kids money to go to the movie theatre or something to get them out of the house or something.
Qrow circles above the still raging Yang for a few more minutes before she calms down and the trees are once again safe to stand on. He lands upon a branch just a few feet over the blonde's head out of her sight.
"Damnit. Just a few more days..." The teary-eyed girl mumbles under her breath almost too quiet for Qrow to hear. What could possibly make her this upset? Her dad bringing home "guests" in the middle of the day would be shocking sure. But this reaction is nothing near that.
As if on cue the elder sister breaks down crying against the tree.
The unseen raven takes back off and circles the property before heading up the road towards town.
Where is Ruby?
A few hours later the sun is just starting to descend towards the horizon when Qrow is walking up the frost steps of the Xiao Long household. He already put off seeing them long enough, may as well get the awkward re-introductions over with quickly.
Not that he regretted putting them off of course, especially after learning how... indisposed Tai was earlier.
He knocks on the door. A minute later it slowly opens to reveal Yang looking far better than she did earlier. Her eyes arn't puffy from crying at least so she must have gotten over it.
"Hello how can I- QROW!" The girl shouts. Her eyes light up like fireworks at the sight of her favorite, and only, uncle finally returning after so long. With speed that would make a seasoned hunter jealous she launches herself forward and latches onto his chest.
"I missed you so much! It's been like years! Howhaveyoubeendoinghashuntingbeengoodhaveyoubeenstayingsavehowareyourweaponsdoingdidyouhearthatiamgoingtobeaconinafewdaysohmygoditsbeensolong!"
Qrow chuckles at returns the rambling girls tight hug.
"I've been doing just fine firecracker. How are things here?"
Yang flinches and goes stiff. That... certainly isn't normal.
"Just fine. Excited to leave to Beacon next weak though." She replies in a stiff almost wooden voice. Where did the excited fiery girl go, Qrow can't help but think. So different from the non-stop ball of energy from a few years ago.
She almost sounds like she is resigned to something.
"Yang, who's at the door?" a deeper man's voice comes from inside the house. A moment later Taiyang steps into view.
He looks almost the same as last time Qrow saw him. Same short blond hair. Same ruddy fashion sense. Maybe he has a few more lines around his eyes. Overall though, pretty much identical.
"Holy sh- Qrow! You look like shit."
Qrow face palms. Yup, same old Tai, just as dumb as ever. You would think over the last 20 years he would have learns some tact, but he is just as boneheaded as ever somehow.
"Thanks for that Tai. Really needed the reminder."
Yang takes a step away from them both and retreats back into the house. Tai stares blankly at Qrow for a moment longer before chuckling and hugging his old friend.
"Sorry bird brain. Just didn't expect you. if it wasn't for Ozpin giving us updates we wouldn't even know you were alive!" He gives Qrow a heart thump on the back, "Now come on inside. Dinner should be ready soon."
Both men step across the threshold and move to the dining room. Yang is already seated on one side of the table, places already set. The girl avoids both men's eyes and simple stares out the window blankly.
"Tai? Who is that, do we have a guest for dinner?" A light musical voice comes from the kitchen.
Tai clears his through and his eyes flick to Yang. "Yes Rose. Your Uncle Qrow is visiting."
Qrow looks between the two blondes. Something is going on here and he can't for the life of him understand it.
A blur of white, too fast for the eye to track blasts through the kitchen door and slams into Qrows chest and the grizzled hunter finds himself being squeezed to death my yet another niece.
"Oh, my goodness Qrow! I missed you so much bird brain!"
The girl leans back and stares up at her uncle with huge glistening eyes. Qrow stares down at her, a wistful smile on his face. She looks so much like her mother its almost painful, memories of a long-lost friend bubbling up in his head. He already visited Summers grace though, so he quickly forces them back down and hugs the girl tight to his chest.
"I missed you too kiddo."
Ruby gives him another tight squeeze and steps back. "I'm making dinner so just sit down anywhere. I'll get more utensils for you!"
And in a burst of speed the cloaked girl is gone.
Qrow chuckles. Ruby really hasn't changed a bit.
But as the girl rushes about the room getting's things prepared for her family's meal he can't help but wonder.
Why is she wearing Summers cloak?
An hour or so later the family is finishing up dinner.
Qrow chose to sit next to Ruby with Yang across from him and Tai at the head of the table on the other side of Ruby. Ruby really seemed to enjoy the proximity to her uncle because throughout the entire meal she constantly peppered him with a thousand questions about his hunts.
Conversely, Yang had hardly said a word.
Now the two blonds and the bird were leaning back in their chairs after cramming their stomachs full of Ruby's delicious cooking. Qrow couldn't remember the last time he had food so good. Certainly not sense he went back to hunting full time at least.
The conversation slows once the food is gone. Yang still hasn't said a word and Tai just keeps glancing between Qrow and his daughters for some reason. Ruby would still be pestering him for answers on every little detail of his hunts if she hadn't had to get up to take care of the dishes.
She asked more than enough questions for them all. Almost as if she was trying to fill the empty space with inane conversation.
"So Qrow, how long do you think you will be staying this time?" Tai finally asks once Ruby sits back down at the table.
Qrow takes a moment to think. He really shouldn't be gone from work too long, but nothing immediately pressing needed his attention so he could spare... a week?
"Maybe a week. Depends on if I get anymore news from Oz I guess. You know how he is."
That gets a chuckle out of Tai and the two hunters both spend the next minutes trading jokes about their stuffy boss much to Ruby's enjoyment.
Eventually the jokes turn into stories of the many hunts Qrow has taken part in over the last few years, and finally Yang begins to gain interest in the conversation.
"You killed a GOLIATH!?" The girl practically shouts. Those are incredible powerful, even fully trained hunters usually go after them in packs due to their high intelligence. They are just as likely to use pack tactics and ambushes as the hunters after them are.
Killing one by yourself is one hell of an achievement.
"Yeah not to brag, but I'm kind of a big deal." Qrow barks out a laugh and tilts his head cockily.
"Oh really, the same Qrow Branwen that got eliminated from the Vital tournament by tripping over his sword and falling into a fire trap? That Qrow Brawnwen?" Ruby piped up from his side.
"Oh my god Tai, what horrible stories have you been telling your kids? I'm trying to be the cool uncle here, it takes a lot of work even without the sabotage!"
Tai chuckles at his antics and turns to address Ruby, "Dear, could you please fetch us the bottle of whiskey Yang things she has hidden in her room?"
The pint-sized girl nods and takes off.
"Finally, something good to drink. I've been coasting on some Mistralian crap for the last few days. It's a wonder the country hasn't collapsed considering how terrible their alcohol tastes."
Ruby comes back down the stairs carrying a large rectangular bottle of dark brown liquid. Poor Yang. It looks like expensive stuff too.
She sets it lightly on the table between the two adults, a healthy distance from Yang, and steps over to the cabinets to search for some glasses.
"I'm not trying to sabotage you Qrow, I'm just making sure they have a well-rounded view of-"
CRASH!
The three turn to see Ruby standing over a shattered glass.
"Damnit Summer what have I told you about-" Tai freezes.
Qrow stares at Ruby. The entire family is completely still.
Poor Yang looks like she is about to cry.
Qrow turns towards his old friend and looks at him. Really looks at him. For the first time he notices the nervousness in his movements.
His eyes harden.
"Yang." The elite hunter says in a no-nonsense tone, "Take your sister outside and go to the road. You father and I have to have a... talk."
Yang nods her head and practically drags her sister, who is now complaining about not bing able to clean up the mess, out of the room.
Just as they leave, she sees Qrow slowly drawing his sword.
Yang sits next to her sister for what feels like an eternity. Her heart feels like it's going a mile a minute. As if at any moment it will explode from her chest or choke her to death.
Ruby on the other hand is completely unfazed. After a few minutes of waiting, the petite girl started humming and started fixating on her sisters long blond hair, brushing it out over and over until it was perfectly combed.
Eventually, soft footsteps approach. Yang jerks her head towards them in fear. What if he is coming back for them? She wouldn't let him take Ruby, not this time. She was too weak before but now she wasn't letting her out of her sight for anything in the world.
But it's not him. It's her favorite uncle Qrow. The hunter's white shirt, usually only stained with alcohol has fine lines of blood training across it now. The man himself looks unwounded as far as Yang can tell.
"Thank god." she mumbles and finally breaks down into tears. Qrow would never let anything happen to them.
"Come on Yang. Ruby. We're going to Vale."
Yang gets to her feat, but Ruby just sits their staring off into the woods.
"Ruby?" Qrow asks, his normally nonchalant voice laced with worry. "Earth to Ruby?"
Yang shakes her head.
"Mom? Come on, were going."
Ruby perks her head up. "Oh. I'm sorry. I zoned out for a moment." She sounds just as cheerful as ever.
And so, Qrow leads Yang and Summer to Vale.
For a very unpleasant conversation.
Welcome to the bottom.
So... that was a thing.
For anyone who cant read between the lines (their is always one). Tai basically replaced Summer with Ruby, making her the replacement Summer.
And yes. Tai was having sex with Ruby.
I thought of this a while back when I was reading... god what was it... its a popular fanfic where Ruby runs away because Tai is overprotective and sees her as Summer and it destroys their relationship. Its a good fic.
So of course my brain was immediately going, "Yes, but how can I make it more fucked up?"
The writing isn't really up to par in this, but I dont want to go back and rewrite things in it because it makes me feel bad.
I might write more of this. Basically Ruby going to Beacon as Summer, and with all the fucked up confusion and awkward cringe involved.
Or i might just pretend i never wrote this.
Either one really.
In the meantime, if you enjoyed it... thanks i guess? It is quite poorly written and not about a decent topic so you probably didn't, but to each their own i suppose.