This is a little one-shot going back to a question Eli asked Summer in one of the earlier chapters. He asked her if when he was going through his rehabilitation if it would have changed anything between them, this is obviously before Ruby is born but after Summer leaves Beacon.
I just wanted to explore this a little, this is a rather longish one-shot but things are different but that's meant to be the whole idea. I won't be expanding on this either as I'm focusing on the actual story at the moment, just wanted to do this to get something done and get back into the swing of things.
Summer sighed loudly as she listened to another argument erupt between Tai and Qrow, something in regards to Raven being pregnant.
Honestly, she was beginning to wish Tai and Raven had not gotten together, if this was what she would have to deal with, then it would not be worth it. While she cared for her team deeply it was not worth getting such a headache over such things as Tai and Raven having a child and Qrow taking offence to Tai knocking up his sister.
Of course, it was made worse by Qrow's scroll continuously ringing, which he seemed to blissfully ignore until it became a little too much for her.
"Qrow can you please answer your scroll!" she shouted, "It won't stop until you answer it!" the sheer volume of her voice surprised both men into silence.
Silently Qrow answered his scroll, not taking his eyes off his silver-eyed leader, who he was honestly scared of at that moment in time. A little voice in the back of his head was telling him that she would easily kill him if said or did the wrong thing.
"What!? When?" Qrow barked stressfully at the person on the other end, "How long has he been there? Alright…thank you. Bye." Qrow slumped down onto the chair and looked at Summer with a concerned look.
"That was Vale General…Eli Frost was admitted three weeks ago, suffering from extensive wounds caused by a Grimm attack, he has now been readmitted again after being attacked by a couple of thugs. He's in a coma." Qrow explained, watching as Summer's heart sank with every word.
"What?…" was all Summer could say as Qrow looked over at Tai with a silent look, their argument was officially on the backburner. Qrow had to grab Summer before she took off to Vale, he knew that she needed to stay calm before seeing Eli again. Panicking would not help anyone.
Summer and Qrow headed to Vale while Tai stayed behind with Raven, he would have felt like he was stepping on their toes anyway as Qrow and Summer were closer to Eli than he was.
They did not have to wait long to see the doctor who had operated on Eli, in fact, he had been waiting for them to arrive after the call was made to Qrow.
"Is he going to be alright?" Summer asked, hopeful that Eli would make a full recovery.
"At the moment it's all unclear I'm afraid. We're looking at both physical and mental damage, given how he received his earlier injuries…" the doctor trailed off with a heavy sigh, really wishing that he could have a smoke to calm himself.
"His team…they're dead. Killed by Grimm during their last mission, Eli was the only survivor, but I think the tipping point was after his release…" pulling up the news report on his scroll he showed it to them. "He was cornered and beaten…he has a number of fractures up his spine and numerous internal injuries…which leads to a rather important question." he said, his tone was one of unease.
"What?" Qrow asked, wondering what the doctor was getting at.
"Eli has a remarkably strong aura, it was measured during his last admittance and it had recovered enough when he was discharged. That being said…why didn't he use it? His aura would have protected him, easily." the doctor explained, hoping that Eli had been taken by surprise rather than him willingly leaving it down.
"Can we see him?" Summer asked, "Please…".
"Sadly not at the moment, he has to recover from the surgery first…if you come back tomorrow I'm sure you'll be able to see him. But for now, he has to recover." the doctor said, "I'll let you know if there are any changes…you don't happen to know if he has any family we can contact, do you?" he asked.
"I think his mother and three siblings are still in Vale but I'm not sure if I still have their contact information…" Summer said, her voice close to breaking.
While she and Eli had separated, they had agreed to meet up again after they both left Beacon. She had hoped it would have been just a temporary thing so that she could focus on finishing her final year as a Huntress.
Eli was always loving and supportive during their two years together, all he had to do was smile at her and she felt like agreeing to anything. Many times they had slept in together and she never wanted to leave the calming warmth he always gave her.
She did get looks of disgust when they went out together, just because he was a Faunus, but she always ignored them and enjoyed her time with Eli.
Summer spent the next several hours after getting home trying to remember Andrea's number, or even her address, she needed to contact Eli's mother. If she did not already know she soon would be, but she remembered that she kept a fairly busy life and did not really keep up to date with the news.
Summer had met Andrea several times and the woman was a warm and friendly person. But since separating from Eli she had not had any interaction with her.
"Any luck?" Qrow asked standing in the doorway.
"No…I had it written down somewhere and I can't find it!" it was not hard for Qrow to tell that she was stressing out over what was happening, not that it would help anyone.
"Alright…do you remember where about's in Vale she lives? Maybe we can find her that way?" he suggested.
"All I remember is that it's in a quiet suburban part of Vale and it has a lovely garden out in the front." Summer would be able to spot it once she saw it but it did not help that she could not remember the address.
"Well if you can remember a street name then we can figure it out but if not then we'll have to ask Eli when he wakes up." Qrow said, knowing that they would be looking for a needle in a haystack if she was even still leaving in the area.
The next day Qrow and Summer returned and saw Eli, bandaged up and hooked up to an IV drip and a heart rate monitor. Summer struggled to look at Eli at first, what parts of him that were not covered were dotted with dark bruises, but the tattoos on his wrists looked discoloured because of the bruises.
Summer gently took his arm, being careful not to hurt him and gently ran her fingers over the deep blue rope design that he had gotten when they were dating, looking at her own wrist where a similar style was done but in an endless knot.
She had gotten it after Eli had his wrists done, she wanted to show how much he meant to him, and wherever they were in Remnant they still had something that linked them together.
"Who the hell would do something like this?" Qrow questioned, reading through the list of Eli's injuries, wondering how he was even alive considering he had not used his aura.
"Hopefully the police will find them and that I never do…" Summer mumbled bitterly as she never took her eyes off Eli, "Qrow…do you mind if I stay here? I want to be here when he wakes up." Summer asked getting a nod from her team-mate.
Qrow knew Summer very well, and while she was very positive and friendly person there were times that she could become so angry that any seasoned hunter would rather face down hordes of Grimm than deal with her.
"Be sure to call me when he does…it's been a while since I talked to him." Qrow said but knew he would have to give Summer and Eli their space when he awoke, they had a lot more to talk about then Qrow had with his drinking buddy.
Several hours passed and Eli had yet to wake up. Summer had asked the attending doctor if Eli was showing any signs of waking up soon, but he could only say that he would wake up when he was ready.
"Maggi…run…" Eli suddenly groaned, his head rolling side to side as his heart rate began to increase rapidly.
"Damn it…they're everywhere…" his breathing became shallow and rapid as Summer was forced to try and wake him, firmly shaking him to try and stop his memories from causing him harm.
"Eli! Wake up please!" she called out to him as his familiar amber eyes finally shot open and darted around the room.
The sound coming from the heart rate monitor became more steady as Eli settled down.
"Summer? What's going on?" he asked wondering why he was in the hospital again and why the love of his life was sitting next to his bed.
"You were attacked by a group of thugs…the hospital called Qrow. We learnt that you had already been in earlier in the month…" Summer explained as Eli looked away. She noted the ashamed look on his face as he did.
"Yeah…my team was killed in a Grimm ambush." he said slowly coming around into a more sober state, regaining his focus.
"So many Grimm, they just didn't stop coming…I don't know why I'm still alive." he said which shocked Summer but she tried not to show it.
"Is that why you didn't use your aura? You were going to let them kill you…" she guessed and Eli's silence was all the answer she needed to hear.
She leant over and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder, "Eli…don't ever think that. Please." she begged, "Never think that. You're not alone, please remember that.".
Eli did not say anything, honestly, Summer was not going to push him either. What else could she say to him after hearing that he wanted to die.
"This was the one time I hoped I was wrong." the doctor said taking a sip of his coffee, "I was hoping he would have made enough of a recovery before we discharged him and by all means he had done.".
"He said that he should have died…he was close to his team doctor. They were his second family. He lost part of himself, I think that's why he didn't use his aura when he was attacked, he just wanted to be with them again." Summer said sadly, she was friends with team ENGM and they were all very warm and friendly people.
"I see. Well, that would certainly explain it…I believe the best course of action, in this case, would be to simply keep an eye on him and talk to him. His wounds will heal but I think we can both agree it is the wounds we can't see that will require the most care." the doctor explained and Summer agreed.
"Excuse me Miss Rose?" a nurse asked walking up to them, "Mr Frost would like to speak with you. He said it's important." Summer thanked the doctor and headed back into the room to see Eli sitting upright.
"Summer…" he began to say but lost the words in his mouth as she came and sat down next to him, "What I said…I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking…" Summer just held up her hand.
"It's alright Eli…I'm just going to be here. I'm not going anywhere." Summer wanted to reassure him that she was not going to be alone, but she also knew that the next few weeks and months were going to be an uphill battle.
"Summer…You know I did what I did, right? I think it's safe to say I need help…" Eli said looking down at his hands, his voice sounded hollow as she took his hand in hers.
"Eli, I'll help you, however, I can, but you can't punish yourself. Do you think that your team would like seeing you try to do this to yourself?" Summer knew it might be a little bit of a low blow but she wanted to make sure that Eli knew he did not have to be alone.
He could not stop as he wept into his hands. Summer could only wrap her arms around him and hold him. Eli was certainly wounded but she would be there to help, however long it took.
Seven weeks later…
Eli sat at the end of a set of bars in a wheelchair, Summer had been by his side pretty much since he woke up and while he had been rather distant, part of him was still thankful that she had decided to stick around.
"Alright, Eli when you're ready. Just hold onto the bars and just focus on getting your footing and your balance. Don't try to walk just yet." the physiotherapist said, she had been very patient with Eli, who had been less than cooperative.
"Fine…" he said through gritted teeth as he grabbed hold of the bars and lifted himself up, with Summer helping to keep his balance, he struggled to stand under his own weight. It did not last long however as his legs buckled and he had to hang onto one of the bars to stop from falling down completely.
"It's alright Eli, let's just take a breather and try again." the therapist said helping Summer lift Eli back into his wheelchair.
"Yeah…same thing again and again. Face it, my legs don't want to work." Eli said as he adjusted his legs back into place when he was back in the wheelchair.
"Eli, don't say that. Your spine did suffer damage but it has healed, there is no medical reason why you can't walk. You just have to keep trying." the therapist explained but Eli just scoffed and wheeled himself out of the exercise room.
"I'm sorry I have to say this, I know you care for him, but he needs a kick up the arse. He will not recover if he just gives up." she sighed getting a reluctant nod from Summer, "Talk to him, he's likely to listen to you rather than me. To him, I'm the bad guy.".
"I don't think I can do that much we're still reconnecting after being apart for a few years. But I think I know who can do it though…if he doesn't light a fire under Eli, I never will." Summer said pulling out her scroll and calling someone who could rile Eli.
"So this is where your hiding?" Qrow said walking into Eli's room, "Shouldn't you been out on your way terrorising the neighbourhood with your off-key singing?" he teased getting a rare smile from Eli.
"That was one time…and if I remember you were there too." Eli said as Qrow took a seat next to him, "So what brings you around here?".
"Well, I heard you were giving people attitude because they are trying to help you. I thought you'd like to get out of here?" Qrow bluntly asked taking a small sip from his hipflask.
"Qrow…I can't walk. It's not something I can just spring back from. My aura can't fix it…" Eli looked more dejected as Qrow let out a sigh.
"Can you be any more pathetic? Summer has been here by your side since you woke up, are you blind to that or just ignoring it?" Qrow asked, "I get why you're shutting down like this Eli, you lost your team and honestly, I'd be the same way if I was in your position.".
Eli was completely blindsided by what Qrow was saying, not expecting his friend to be so blunt.
"And honestly, would your team be happy to see you like this? Just giving up? Where is the Eli that fought me to a draw, that fight lasted over an hour and we were both at our limits by the end." Qrow said taking another mouthful, "Because if you are just going to sit by and just give up then I don't know why Summer is even bothering to waste her time…" he did not get to finish as Eli lashed out and slugged him on the jaw.
Qrow had said all that on purpose hoping to get a reaction out of Eli, but he was wondering if he had gone a little too far. Because the look that Eli was giving him could have easily killed him.
"Qrow…get the fuck out before I throw you out on your drunken ass. My legs might not work but my arms still do." he said through gritted teeth, seething at what Qrow had said.
Keeping the act up, he got to his feet and headed for the door. "Before I leave, let me ask you something." he said looking back at him over his shoulder, "Are you going to give up? Or are you going to do it for Summer, because it's not fair to have her waiting for you forever.".
"See you around Eli…" Qrow said leaving the room and giving a wink at Summer who was waiting outside. Of course, she was stunned at what Qrow had said to Eli, and was now fighting back the urge to strangle him.
'Does Summer still love me? I know it's only been a couple of years but after everything that's happened to me, would she still want me?' Eli thought as he tried and failed to get some sleep.
'Should I try and ask her?' he shook his head as he rolled over, 'Yeah great idea just ask the love of your life, who split up with you if she still loves you? Eli, you're a fucking idiot…' he let out a sigh as he reached for his scroll and checked the time.
'She'd still be awake…' he was torn between calling her and letting her go about getting ready to go to sleep.
However, his answer was given when his scroll received a message.
Summer: Are you awake Eli?
Eli thought for a moment, wondering if he should just call it a night and get a fresh start in the morning. But his fingers were already typing out a reply.
Eli: Yeah, can't sleep.
A moment later a call came through. He felt his finger freeze over the accept button, something in the back of his mind saying that everything was going to just fall apart around him.
"Eli…" he heard Summer and was actually happy to hear her voice, "About what Qrow said, I'm sorry…".
"It's alright Summer, it was actually something I needed to hear. In some weird way, Qrow was right." Eli said, "I know that I've been acting distant and I've been difficult, but that's still no excuse to push away people who are trying to help." Eli explained, "I know for a fact Maggi would pull my ears if she could see me now.".
Both of them chuckled softly, the young rabbit Faunus had been a bundle of seemingly endless energy and was often attached to Eli's hip. They had been close friends and people had often thought they were dating but that stopped once Eli had started dating Summer.
"Summer…I know this isn't really the ideal time to ask this but… What we had? Is it still there?" Eli asked hopefully but he was actually readying himself for if he was wrong if he had been looking at things all wrong.
"I don't think it ever went away Eli." Summer admitted, smiling even though Eli could not see it.
"When we split up at the end of your last year at Beacon I was wondering if I had made a mistake. I almost missed missions because I was thinking about it so much. You were the best thing to happen to me, I was so happy when I kept bumping into you all those times because I got to see that smile again." Summer said trying to not sound like a love-struck schoolgirl.
"And I know things aren't ideal right now. But I do still love you, Eli, I just didn't want to put you on the spot…" Summer admitted her voice breaking as she started to cry, "Eli, please say something…" she asked when Eli did not reply.
"Summer…".
Several months later….
"Well, well. Look's like your making leaps and bounds." Qrow said as he saw Eli walking out of the kitchen with the aid of a walking stick.
"Not going to be doing any leaps for a while yet. Have to build up the muscles again in my legs." Eli chuckled as he eased himself down onto the sofa of his house. "What brings you around here anyway birdbrain? Let me guess your sister being pregnant is scaring you away?" he teased as Qrow failed to answer.
"It's alright Qrow you can hide here." Summer said coming downstairs, "We won't rat you out." both laughed at him as he just drank from his flask.
"It's bad enough Tai is running around like a headless chicken but add that to my sisters snoring and endless shouting and demands…it's enough to drive a man crazy." Qrow said letting his head flop back onto the top of his chair.
"But I'm happy to find somewhere else, I don't want to step on any toes. I mean you two have been joined together at the hip…" Qrow trailed off when he saw the smug grins on their faces, "Okay you two that's gross.".
"Well I can't answer for Summer but I'm catching up after missing a few years…should have never let you go." Eli said nuzzling Summer affectionately as she sat down next to him.
"Besides Qrow…rumour has it that a certain Huntress has been catching your eye." Summer teased as they watched Qrow spit take, "She misses you dearly, you really left an impression on her.".
"Come on you two…enough. I like her alright but…you know me…" Qrow said looking down at his own hands as Eli and Summer just shook their heads.
"Your semblance is bad luck, that's true. But she already knows that right? And if she is still interested after knowing you're pretty much a walking bad luck charm then what's the problem?" Eli asked he was still waiting to get back at Qrow for what he had said back when he was still in the hospital.
"Look what Eli is trying to say is that Glynda is obviously willing to try so why can't you?" Summer asked as Eli's head moved so fast it looked like he gave himself whiplash.
"Wait you didn't say he was dating Glynda, as in Glynda Goodwitch? Wow…it's the riding crop, isn't it? You are such a pervert." Eli teased as Summer punched him softly in the shoulder.
Two weeks after Yang is born…
Eli was panting heavily as he ducked inside as the rain hammered down. He had been outside doing his stretches to get the muscles in his legs working again when a storm came out of nowhere.
"Next time I'm doing it in the yard and not by the river…" he sighed as he went to grab a towel to dry himself off.
"Eli? Is that you?" Summer called from upstairs, "Do you need a towel?"
"Read my mind. I don't know where that came from." he said as he watched everything go black, the towel landing on his head, "Weather forecast said it was meant to be sunny all day.".
As he began drying his hair, being careful of his ears he heard a knock at the door, when he opened it he came face to face with Tai-Yang, carrying Yang in his arms.
"Tai…what are you doing here? Get inside before Yang catches a cold." Eli said pulling Tai inside as the rain continued to fall.
"Summer can you grab another towel!? Tai's soaked!" he called up as wrapped his own around his neck, not noticing Tai's vacant expression.
Summer came downstairs carrying two warm towels, one for Tai and one for Yang, "What are you doing out in this storm Tai? Did you get caught in it?" she asked only for him to mumble something that neither one caught.
"What was that?" Eli asked, "What's wrong Tai?".
"She's gone…she left us." he said, "I woke up to Yang crying. I called out for Raven but she had left a note." reaching into his back pocket he pulled out said note and showed it to Eli.
Tai
I can't stay anymore, I can't be tied down by a family now. My tribe needs a strong leader, Yang has you and that is all she needs. Do not try to find either.
Raven
Eli was furious, but he stopped himself from yelling so he would not upset Yang. "Summer…can you get Tai and Yang dried off, I need to call Qrow." nodding she took the two into the kitchen while Eli headed upstairs to get his scroll and call his friend.
"Come on Qrow…" he said as he waited for Qrow to pick up.
When he finally did pick up he was clearly just waking up from a nap, "Yeah what do you want Eli? I was sleeping.".
"Don't give me lip Qrow. Did you know that Raven's left? Tai just showed up with Yang." he explained.
"Wait? What?" Qrow asked sounding more awake, "When?".
"By what I could tell it has been a few hours. Tai looks distraught Qrow, he just looks completely empty. Why would Raven just get up and leave like this?" he asked only to get silence from his friend, "Qrow…" Eli warned him.
"My sister and I…we came to Beacon to grow stronger. Not to be hunters. But while things changed and we stayed…I wanted something more than leading a band of thieves and murderers. I thought Raven did as well, guess I was wrong there…" Qrow let out a tired sigh, it was clear to him that he had hoped not to speak about their pasts to anyone.
"Damn it Qrow…do you know where this tribe is at the moment?" he asked hoping that they could at least catch up to her and talk about what she was doing.
"Not really…they move around a lot Eli, if they don't want to be found then you won't find them…" Eli felt the urge to throw his scroll against the wall just out of pure rage, not at Qrow but at Raven.
"I'll be over as soon as I can. I think Tai is going to need all of us to get him through this." Eli agreed with him and ended the call, letting out a grunt of frustration as he set his scroll aside.
A year and a half after Yang is born….
Eli was returning from his morning run around the town of Patch, stopping by the river to cool himself off before returning home. Things hadn't exactly been easy for anyone for the last year or so.
Raven had disappeared off the face of Remnant, leaving Tai to raise their daughter pretty much by himself, of course, that was after he got himself together. The following weeks after she left, he and Summer had taken Yang off his hands until he got back on his feet. The man was not in a stable condition to look after a baby, he was barely able to look after himself.
Thankfully he soon found his footing again and was able to take care of Yang, of course, no one would say anything to him about it but if Raven ever came back there would be some very choice words for her and maybe even a smack in the face or two.
Summer was waiting for him as he returned and he saw the large smile plastered on her face, meaning she was either up to something or it was very good news.
"Enjoy your run?" she asked as she handed him a towel to dry himself off. While he had managed the run rather well he was still sweating a fair bit.
"Very. Feels so good to go the full distance again. You should join me. It'll be fun." he suggested only for her to shake her head, her smile not fading.
"Not going to be able to for a while…" she said trailing off as she planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Why?" Eli asked only for Summer to take his hand and held it to her stomach.
"Because in nine months, we'll have some company." she said waiting for Eli's reaction as she watched what she had said to him click into place.
"You mean…I'm going to be a dad?" he asked before she felt lifted off her feet and twirled around. Summer knew that Eli would not leave like Raven had, something that had been nagging her in the back of her mind for a while.
Even though they would not say it or even agree to it, both Eli and Raven were quite similar in terms of personality. They could be extremely stubborn and headstrong if pushed into a corner and were often very blunt with their emotions.
Nine months later…
"Push Miss Rose! Push!" the doctor called out as Summer screamed in pain as she tried to push their child out into the world, "Almost there! I can see the head!".
Eli had been dragged off to one side because he was worried about Summer's condition and getting too agitated, though he had been allowed to stay if he stayed out of the doctors and nurses way.
Hearing Summer give one final push before they heard crying, Eli let out a sigh of relief as the doctor began checking over their newborn child for several minutes before finally handing Summer her daughter.
"Congratulations Miss Rose, you have a healthy baby girl." the doctor announced as Summer smiled warmly at her before Eli sat down next to her, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"She's beautiful…" she said smiling as Eli gave her a kiss on the cheek, "What are we going to call her? She's just so adorable isn't she?" Summer beamed.
"Well, we did agree to name her Ruby if it was a girl." Eli said as he looked at Ruby's obvious feature, the wolf ears atop her head. They had both talked about what if Ruby was born a Faunus and Summer had flicked him on his ear, saying that it did not matter because they would love her no matter what.
"And she'll look as cute as you do…" Summer smiled, "Ruby…our Ruby.".
When Ruby finally opened her eyes she dazzled them both with her bright silver eyes. It was at that point they knew they had something wonderful to experience in their future.
Two years later…
Eli sighed heavily as he walked in from a long hunt, he had been tasked along with a few other hunters to clear out a number of Beowolf dens up in the hills. Sadly some of them were empty and they had to track them down, it was a very long and tiring three-day hunt.
"How did it go hun?" Summer asked as he rested Shadow Claw against the sofa as he sat down, "You look exhausted.".
"Half the dens were empty, had to track them down…no one had eyes on the packs before we arrived so half of it was down to guesswork and tracking what we could, that storm the other day removed most of the tracks." he groaned and wanted to just sink into the sofa for the rest of the week.
"Well Ruby was missing you deeply." she chuckled as she looked down at their now two-year-old daughter who was sleeping on her back on the floor, having fallen asleep playing with her toys.
"And she didn't even hear me come in…" Eli sighed and leant forward, reaching down and gently tickling Ruby's ear.
Her eyes slowly opened and while she was still sleepy she saw her father smiling down at her and quickly rolled over and got to her feet, "Dadda!" she cried joyfully as she gestured to be picked up.
"Eli…I have some good news for you though, something you'll enjoy." Summer said rubbing her husband's hand and patting her stomach with her other hand.
Eli took a moment to look at her then at her stomach and then chuckled, "I'll have to start using protection…".
Three years after Luna is born.
Ruby had just celebrated her fifth birthday, and while Luna is three they are both very energetic. Eli and Summer had their hands full dealing with the two girls, and while they did continue with their hunting jobs they always made sure that their children took priority.
"Ruby don't touch anything! Summer, I'll get the door!" Eli called out as Luna dangled off his leg, giggling wildly as she tried to climb up his leg and onto his shoulders.
Opening the door he was forced to temper his reaction as his daughter was right next to him, otherwise, he would have caved the visitor's skull in.
"Well look who decided to show up? What's wrong Rae? Here to destroy more lives?" Eli asked keeping his cursing aside until Luna was out of earshot, and while Luna did not notice his tone, Raven certainly did.
"I'm not here to talk with you Eli. I'm here to talk to Summer." she said, her voice void of almost any emotion. All she did was look at him with empty eyes, Eli had seen that look before but he was beyond caring at this point.
"Well, I'm sure you'll at least what to talk to Tai, considering he's been raising your daughter by himself." Eli said leaning against the doorframe. Luna was looking up at Raven with curiosity but Eli told her to go and play with Ruby.
"Raven…my weapon is nearby, give me a reason why I shouldn't use it and beat the living crap out of you?" Eli asked as he stayed blocking the doorway once Luna was out of earshot, "Why should I even let you inside our home?".
"Because I need Summer's help…something I'm guessing your well acquainted with?" she asked, tilting her head slightly with a knowing smile.
"Seriously? You've been spying on us?" Eli questioned as Summer walked up carrying Luna as Ruby hugged Eli's leg. He knew Raven was lucky that his daughters were there otherwise she would get a front row seat to see what his semblance was really capable of.
"Raven…what do you want?" Summer asked, her calm tone was only for her daughter's sake, she was far from impressed to see her old friend.
"Can we talk in private?" Raven asked, her eyes darting over to Eli briefly.
"Whatever you want to talk to me about Raven, you can do so in front of my husband." Summer said firmly as she stared her down, "I'm not going to drop my life just to help you out after you left us all. And for what? Leading your so-called tribe? I see what they do in news reports.".
It was true, seeing reports of bandits and raiders attacking isolated villagers and making off with supplies, burning down buildings and all but leading Grimm right to them.
"Do those villagers insult you that much that you lead Grimm right to them? They don't often have the luxury of having a hunter on hand to protect them." Summer was clearly furious but what Raven said next surprised them both.
"They overthrew me…I was driven out." she admitted, "I have nothing left.".
Eli was the first to react and just shook his head, "You had something but you gave it up for a bunch of thieves and murderers. I'll take the girls out into the backyard…I don't think I can trust myself around you." he said to Raven as he picked up Ruby and Luna and left the two women alone.
"I didn't think you would have had two children…" Raven started to say but was stopped by Summer holding her hand up. Her silver eyes narrowed at her former team-mate, warning her not to say another word.
"You don't get to speak about my daughters…Eli was right, you had your own to look after and you walked away. Now I'm guessing you want me to go and talk to Tai on your behalf, right?" Summer asked, really trying to contain the rage that was building inside her.
"Why should I? That would be my first question…" Summer said, "You broke Tai when you left, we had to look after Yang for nearly a year before we could trust Tai to take her again." Summer sighed as she looked in the direction of Tai's house.
"Raven if you are going to do something then you have to do it yourself. With the bridges, you've burnt you'll have to fix things yourself, and it's up to Tai if he forgives you." Summer said firmly, "But honestly I'm more worried about Yang, to have her mother suddenly show up it's going to turn her world upside-down." Summer turned back to Raven with an empty expression.
"Summer…please, I need help. I can't face Tai again…not by myself." Raven pleaded only for Summer to shake her head.
"Raven…just go and see him. Yang is at school at the moment so she won't be there. But if you really want to try and fix things, then go see him. He tries not to show it but he does still miss you." Summer stepped back and slowly closed the door on Raven.
While she still wanted to see Raven as her friend, the last seven years made it extremely difficult.
It has been a few days since Raven reappeared and Eli was training out in the backyard, he had been wanting to focus more on his sword training rather than focusing on using his polearm configuration.
However, he stopped mid-swing when he saw a familiar set of red eyes looking at him from the trees.
"Raven…stay the hell away from us." Eli growled, "You know I'm wondering if Qrow was wrong about his semblance, he's not the one with bad luck. You are!" he seethed pointing his sword at her.
"All this time barely anything bad happens around Qrow, and yet everywhere you walk you leave nothing but pain and suffering in your wake." resting his sword onto his shoulder he turned his back to her and began walking back to his house.
"I know you haven't spoken to Tai yet, so until you do, I'll say this again. Stay the hell away from us." at this point, Eli's semblance began to leak out, black wisps began to rise from his shoulders and arms.
"I didn't come here to fight Eli…please, I need help." Raven said simply, part of Eli still thought she was hiding something from everyone but could not prove anything.
"Raven…Summer already said that you won't get any help from us until you talk to Tai. The longer you leave it the harder it will be, and if Yang's there how hard do you think it will be?" Eli asked, wondering just how much she had thought this through, or if she was just expecting everything to go back to how it was.
"I lost everything I had Eli, does that mean anything to you?" Raven asked, before realising what she had said was likely one of the largest mistakes she would ever make.
She barely had time to draw her weapon before Eli slammed his sword down in a powerful overhead strike, with enough force to dig her into the ground slightly. She would likely have been injured severely if she hadn't drawn her sword or lost an arm.
"You want to say that again!? I lost my team, my friends, my family! You just turned your back on yours!" he growled, his semblance dangerously close to losing control completely.
Pushing her away he quickly pushed her as Raven tried desperately to keep herself from harming Eli if she did then Summer would never forgive her. Nobody would. So she did something that was beyond risky for her to do, she put as much distance between them as she could and dropped her weapon, holding her hands up in the air.
She felt the tip of the blade on her throat, and opening her eyes she saw a furious looking Eli glaring at her with nothing but hate.
"Pick up your sword Raven…you might get a kick out of attacking unarmed people but I actually have morals. Pick your sword up." he said, his rage barely being held back.
"Eli…" a woman said firmly, looking over his shoulder he saw Summer standing there with her arms cross, "Leave her to me…go and check on Luna." Eli took a moment, looking back and forth between Raven and Summer before lowering his sword and turning away from Raven.
As Eli walked past Summer she gave him a small kiss on the cheek before he disappeared back into the house. The moment he was out of sight, Summer rounded on Raven and slapped her, hard.
"I told you, Raven. We both did. And before you say anything I heard what you said to Eli and whether you meant it or not you have no right to say something like that." Summer said sternly before letting out a small sigh, "But since you won't do this yourself, it seems like I'll have to force your hand." Summer said wrapping her arms around Raven and activating her semblance.
Raven fought back the urge to empty her stomach as her senses came back to her, opening her eyes she saw the house she had been dreading to visit for the last few days.
Summer let Raven go and firmly guided her towards the front door and knocked on it several times, thankful that at least Yang was not there at the time.
"You had a choice in the matter, Raven, now this is happening whether you're ready or not." Summer said as they heard Tai start unlocking the door, "So be strong and face your choices.".
"Raven…" Tai said simply before becoming overcome with emotions as he struggled for words.
"Tai…Raven here, has a lot to talk to you about. Though I must apologise that Eli almost killed her when she said the wrong thing at the wrong time." Summer said before turning to Raven, "You are going to stay here and talk with Tai. If I hear otherwise, I'll let Eli deal with you.".
Summer disappeared in a swirl of white rose petals, hoping that things would work out between the two and that maybe Yang would have both her parents in her life.
Summer was curled up next to Eli as he stared at the ceiling. He had been so angry when Raven had spoken to him about loss, he had just lost control, he should have rained in his emotions better, as losing control affected his semblance.
"Just forget what she said Eli, just focus on me for the moment." she said smiling as she gently stroked her fingers up and down his stomach, her almost feather-like touch was enough to make his skin tingle.
"It just got under my skin Summer. I really wanted to beat her senseless, am I that much of a loose cannon?" he asked her getting a shake of her head as an answer.
"Raven has a lot to answer for. Both with us and especially with Tai, it's going to take a long time to forgive her for what she has done. But while I know things will be different around here now she still committed crimes with that bandit clan of hers." Summer was still angry but also disappointed in Raven.
During their time in Beacon, Raven always came across as someone who did not lack intellect. She was strong, intelligent and had the willpower to use it. But the fact that she simply disappeared shortly after giving birth to Yang, made her wonder if she had been wrong all along.
Qrow had certainly let his anger be known as he drunk himself into fight after fight, looking for an outlet of his anger. They had both left the tribe to learn and better themselves but Qrow lamented that he must have been the only one who actually wanted more from life than leading a group of thieves, murderers and bandits.
"Well, all we can do is help Tai…he wears his heart on his sleeve and he's gone through a lot by himself. No-one should go through what he's been through." Eli said hugging Summer closer, "If he needs us then we've got his back.".
Hearing a knock at the door they went to answer it and saw Tai with Yang, who looked far from happy.
"Hi…I know this is short notice but could you…look after Yang for a few days? She came home early because of school being closed due to an emergency and saw Raven…" Tai let out a tired sigh, "It went about as well as could be expected.".
"Sure thing Tai, come on Yang lets put your stuff away and we can sneak you some food when Summer isn't looking." Eli said in a joyful tone as he took Yang into the house to get her settled, even though she was clearly upset.
As much as Eli loved his daughters he did adore Yang's positive attitude, she always believed that she could do anything if she put enough effort into it. She always looked over Ruby and Luna if they were left alone for even a little while and treated the two like her sisters. Something that made both Eli and Summer very happy.
Once Summer and Tai were alone she asked him how things had gone. And honestly things could have been worse, but they could have been better.
"We talked…I honestly don't think she can give me a reason why she left anymore, I don't even think she knows. But then Yang came back and there was yelling, she threw some stuff at her before I could calm her down." letting out a weary sigh he slumped against the doorframe.
"She said she would hate me if I let her live with us. I said that I wouldn't be doing anything at the moment…" he explained as Summer gave him a reassuring pat on the arm.
"Just take things at your own pace Tai, you have nothing to prove to Raven. If she really wants to make things right, she'll have to prove it." Summer explained getting a look of gratitude from Tai.
"I really don't want to leave Yang here all of a sudden but it's not going to make things easier if Yang is letting out six years of frustration on Raven for not being there." Tai explained, "Even though she has every right to do so.".
"She's still young Tai, she'll soon understand. Given that Raven actually gives a sound reason for leaving in the first place." Summer said as Tai went to leave, saying that he would come around and check on Yang later.
"Yang!" Ruby and Luna said before throwing themselves at the older girl, which succeeded in putting a smile on her face.
"How are my two favourite puppies?" she asked getting giggles from the two girls as Eli showed her to their room.
"I didn't know you were coming!" Ruby said hugging Yang as tight as she could.
"Yeah…I'm staying for a few days…" Yang said suddenly looking dejected, "My mom came back…after she abandoned me and dad…" as if everything was catching up to her she could not stop herself from crying.
Both Luna and Ruby wrapped Yang up in a big hug, hoping to cheer her up and stop her tears.
"Yang…try not to worry about things. Tai won't just let Raven move in again, he just doesn't want to upset you by having Raven around while they talk. I know it seems a little odd but he just wants you to be happy." Eli explained, ruffling Yang's hair.
"Eli…Why did she leave? Why did my mom leave?" Yang asked and Eli really wished that she had not, because it was not something that he could honestly answer.
"I really don't know Yang, but Raven has a lot of questions to answer. Hopefully, we'll all get some answers at some point. Just focusing on having some fun here with Ruby and Luna. Take your mind off it for a few days and relax. Think of this as a holiday." Eli explained hoping to take Yang's mind off Raven.
It was far from a normal time while Yang was with them, she was unusually quiet which worried Summer and Eli a lot.
As Tai had said, six years of pent-up frustration and anger had to go somewhere and just being exposed to Raven returning out of the blue had obviously been more on the extreme end of things.
"So…day off today." Eli mused as he sat on the sofa with Summer curled up next to him, as Ruby and Luna played with Yang in an attempt to cheer her up, she had still been asking why Raven had left and why she had come back, but again neither one of them had an answer for her.
They both knew that they had to find a way to cheer Yang up otherwise she would be focused too much on Raven coming back. And while it was normal for her to ask questions she needed to understand that she could not focus so much on it at her age, after all, she had nothing to prove to Raven.
"Hey, Yang…why don't you pick what we do today? Anything you want to do?" Eli asked hoping that she would cheer up.
"Well…I don't know…" she mumbled looking out the window, "Dad's been busy…and I really wanted to do it…".
"Do what sweety?" Summer asked, "It's alright, we can do whatever you want.".
"I really wanted to go camping. Dad only took me once and we had a lot of fun, but I guess with…mom back, he won't be able to take me for a while." Yang said really finding it tough to call Raven 'mom'.
"That's a good idea Yang, and I know the perfect place. What about it girls? You want to go camping?" Eli asked his daughters as Ruby's eyes lit up and Luna just cheered, likely not understanding what camping actually was.
"Well I'll go and grab the tents, should be still in the storage room. Why don't you girls go and get ready and we can head off." Eli said getting to his feet as Summer went to grab some snacks knowing that the girls would be hungry very quickly once they go out into the forest.
Once Eli had grabbed the tents he took Shadow's Claw and went to wait out front, while the girls got ready.
"Outside in five minutes girls, otherwise I'm heading off without you and going to get the best spot!" he teased before closing the door.
Turning around his good mood quickly soured.
"What do you want?" he asked letting his hand fall to the hilt of his blade at his hip, "We're about to enjoy a nice happy day out. All of us.".
Raven stood there, clearly unsure as to what to say but she did not have her weapon on her.
"Tai said I should talk to Yang…and I think its time I did." Raven admitted not meeting Eli's gaze as he took his hand off his sword, "If she stills hate me, I'll have to live with that. But I'm not going anywhere…not anymore." she said which honestly surprised Eli by the genuine tone of her voice.
"Your serious, aren't you?" he wondered, "Fine…I'm going to go out on a limb here, but if she doesn't want to talk to you then that's the final word. I'm not going to have her getting upset by you trying to force something along." he warned getting a nod from Raven.
As everyone stepped outside together, they saw Raven waiting for them and they saw Yang freeze as she stared at her mother.
"Yang…can we talk? Please?" Raven asked hopefully, "I know you hate me, and I know things won't be the same between us but can we at least talk?" there was a silence in the air as Yang clearly put on a brave face before nodding.
"Eli's taking us camping. You can come with us." she said before walking off with Ruby and Luna, as Summer guided the way to the campsite.
"Well, that certainly went better then I was expecting it to go." Eli said as Raven watched them leave, "I was actually expecting her to go back into the house." picking up the tents he handed one to Raven to carry, "Come on let's go.".
Raven did not say much as they walked through the woods towards the campsite but she was actually happy that Yang had not shot her down straight away, she knew that the chances of her and Yang having a normal relationship after everything was still slim but as long as she could still have a chance at being in Yang's life again, it would be worth it.
Alright, so I'll be leaving this here. I'll let you come to your own conclusions when it comes to what happens between Yang and Raven, I've already had this go longer than I originally planned so I wanted there to be some sort of conclusion to the story. Plus if I made it any longer then I have a feeling I'll have to do another chapter and make this a two-shot.