The next morning, we both wake up a little early, relaxing in each other's arms.
"I'm hungry," Yang says, slipping into a tank-top and shorts.
"I'm still tired after all that," I say.
"Throw these on then," she says, tossing a similar outfit onto the bed.
I dress quickly and we both go downstairs. Qrow is in the kitchen, eating some of the food he made for breakfast.
"I had a bit of trouble sleeping last night. I kept hearing these voices for about an hour straight. I don't suppose you two would know what it was?" he asks.
We both look at each other and I can't help but laugh. "We must've lost track of time," I say.
"Birthdays just aren't our days" Yang says.
"Clearly not," I say, sitting down to eat.
"It is a little strange how okay you are with Qrow's reaction," Yang says, joining me.
"Yang, I went up there with one thought in mind 'These walls are not soundproof.' and they were not," I say.
Now Qrow is laughing a little. "I love having the two of you around, but I like getting sleep too. Got it?" he says.
"Sounds fine," I say.
"Besides, my house is empty far more often than yours," I whisper to Yang.
"When did you get to be like this?" she asks, kissing me on the cheek.
"I don't know," I say, "but you calling me 'Momma Gray' says you don't mind."
"I thought you said that was weird," she says back.
"Weird to call you that, but I think I could get used to it," I reply, smiling.
A half hour passes and I realize that I need to go home. I run back to Yang's room and change, then say goodbye as I leave. I'm greeted by my parents as soon as I open the door.
"So how did it go?" my mother asks.
"It went… well," I say.
"I would ask for more, but I don't want to know how that was," she says.
"Three months and you still won't accept it," I say, going to my room for my clothes.
"You're always going to be my little girl," she says.
"And you're little girl is getting older," I say, entering my room to change out of my old clothes.
"I'm always going to be your mom which means I'm always going to worry about you," she says through the door.
"Mom." The word sends a slight shiver down my back, reminding me of the previous night. I slip my clothes on quickly and leave the room. I'm about to say goodbye to both of them and leave for school when my father stops me.
"Wait a minute, we didn't get a chance to give this to you yesterday," he says.
I wonder what he could be talking about until he returns with what I recognize as the crystal nodachi that sat in our living room. "Must've inspired me," I think. "What's this for?" I ask.
"Another tradition. This one is a bit more involved, so don't lose it. It's also not your typical sword, so you'll have to figure out the other uses," he says.
"Thanks," I say, hugging him before I take it.
"We're done teaching you now. Go learn about life. That doesn't mean we won't still keep an eye on you though," he says, releasing me and pointing me towards the door.
From the moment I step back into Signal, Yang and I become almost inseparable. It lasts too.
Epilogue
Until the end of the school year we enjoy our time together like we're the only people in the world who matter to each other. It's perfect, but not in the fairy tale sense. We argue occasionally, but it always works out in the end, and that is why. We'll never be perfect matches, and that difference keeps us far enough apart that the only thing we need is devotion.