I do not own RWBY

Kids were not allowed in bars. It was one of the only things he'd stuck to when posting the rules outside. Unfortunately the brat Cora had left behind followed Neo everywhere. Like a lost puppy. The worst part was that Neo was enamored with the kid. Apparently something about similar semblances. He didn't really understand seeing as the kid turned invisible and Neo was an illusionist. The two sounded nothing alike in his opinion. Rolling his eyes as Neo led her little shadow around the bar he turned to Russel who'd was cleaning off tables.

It was a fact the boy had taken to wearing the red sash his leader had worn around his waist. It contrasted well with the dark green coat and black pants he wore. Still, not even a change of clothing could hide the hatred he felt toward Ruby. Watching the other man Roman knew that Ruby would have to deal with Russel alone since nothing he could say would change the boy's mind about everything that happened. Still, if he could focus the boy's rage toward a productive goal then perhaps it wouldn't be as bad when they met again.

"Mr. Roman is there any news on my mom," Eliza whispered tugging on his sleeve to get his attention. His heart dropped. The large brown eyes staring up at him begging for an answer other than the one he would give her. This was why he didn't like talking to kids, they always manipulated people with their eyes.

"No," he said his eyes cutting to Neo who was staring back at him. It took all his resolve just to say that one word. He knew she wanted him to lie but he wouldn't. Lying to kids wasn't something he did often. Hearing a knock on the closed door of the bar he tensed saying, "kid do me a favor and hide."

Dropping her hand from his sleeve she nodded. Her mom had always had her hide when some strangers showed up. Within seconds she had vanished and he was nodding at Russel to open the door. At least her semblance was good for something. The green haired boy opened it slowly without even looking out the window to see who it was, something that Roman was going to scold him about later. Neo had her umbrella thrown over her shoulder and was waiting for the slightest hint of aggression.

The first thing she noticed was green. Green coat, green eyes, dark green pants. The black haired man really had a thing for the color green. She hadn't seen so much green since that trip Roman had them take across Anima. Narrowing her eyes she saw the guarded look in his eyes. Great, another broken person decided to walk into their bar. Removing her umbrella from her shoulder she cut her eyes to Roman waiting for his judgment.

"I would offer you a drink, but we're closed," Roman stated his instincts telling him to be wary. Taking his cue from the older man Russel moved toward the back subtly motioning for Eliza to join him. Feeling the girl's hands clutch the back of his shirt he frowned. Cora had asked him to protect her daughter and he would. Laughing the stranger pushed the dark hair from his face.

"You must be Roman," he said causing Neo to tense. He could feel the bloodlust leaking off her. Glancing at her he smirked saying, "what a loyal companion. All I had to do was say your name and she's ready to kill me."

"Yeah Neo's like that. Who are you and what do you want," Roman asked walking around the counter to stand beside her and tapped his cane on the ground. When the man simply smirked Neo shattered. The broken illusion falling to the ground as she appeared behind the stranger. The man barely moved when her blade touched his neck. Amusement flashed through his eyes.

"I wasn't born in this world," he said watching the other man's eyes widen. Realization crossed Roman's mind glancing over at Russel he sighed. He really didn't want to explain things to the boy. Neo saw the silent order in his eyes when he looked back at her. Stepping away from the man she slid her blade back into the umbrella.

"Russel take the kid and go upstairs," Roman ordered causing Eliza to fade back into view. The girl looked between the three adults and Russel not knowing what to do even as the boy glared.

"I should be a part of this talk too," he argued stepping forward. Roman wanted to punch the kid. Clenching his fists Russel said, "I went to battle too! Just like you. I can't be thrown into a war then told I'm not allowed to know what the hell is going on!"

Roman slammed his cane onto the ground not caring if he startled Eliza. Stumbling back the girl moved away from Russel. The boy flinched back surprised at the amount of rage on the older mans face.

"Yes you fucking can," Roman roared his knuckles turning white. Neo moved placing her hand on his shoulder. Stiffening he tried to calm down. His anger wasn't helping at the moment. Looking past his foolish helper to the kid he groaned. Eliza was covering her head her hands pressed firmly over her ears. Taking a deep breath he said, "Take the girl upstairs."

Russel did so silently his mouth pressed into a white line. Roman moved behind the bar slowly. Resting his head in his hands he groaned. The first thing he was doing when he saw Qrow again was punching the man in the face. Teenagers were annoying. Knowing what he was thinking Neo rubbed his shoulders as their guest took a seat.

Tossing his emotions to the back of his mind Roman looked up at the other man studying him. Right before Haven Ruby had told them all about her reincarnation. He had no details, the only person who could have had those was Cardin. Instead, all he had was a man sitting at his bar claiming to be from another world. Was he reincarnated like Ruby or just sent from another world to this one. Either way, he was tired of magic and other worlds screwing with his head. He was a thief turned bar owner not a half way house for lost souls.

"Well that was interesting," the man said causing Roman to roll his eyes.

"Who are you? How did you get to this world," Roman asked not wanting to deal with small talk.

"I'm Loki god of mischief and lies, I was brought to this world by a death god," he answered amused. Raising an eyebrow he waited for them to freak out. Instead Roman straightened, reaching behind him the man picked out a random bottle from the shelf behind him. Matching her lover's stance Neo got out three glasses. Laying them on the bar she hopped up onto the counter. Watching the two pour liquor into the glasses Loki felt his lips twitch. He could see why he was sent to these two instead of someone else. At least they weren't loud like his buffoon of a brother. Passing him a glass Roman motioned for him to continue talking. Allowing himself to smile Loki said, "In return for my help, Ruby promised me her loyalty."

"Shit he's been adopted," Roman said without thinking. Taking a long drink he ignored the confused look on Loki's face. Neo however smirked.

"I have not," Loki argued once he got over his stunned silence. Roman snorted. Deciding to allow the man more time to come to terms with everything, because even if he didn't know it yet Loki belonged to the same mistress he did.

"What are your abilities," He asked. Neo raised an eyebrow at the subject change. Shrugging in her direction he waited for the god to talk.

"Illusions, enhanced abilities, shapeshifting, healing, conjuration, ice manipulation, dagger fighting," Loki listed his voice tinging with disinterest. Roman hung onto one word. Glancing at Neo he watched her shake her head already knowing what he was thinking.

"Can you heal anything even old injuries," he asked noticing the way Neo shook her head looking away from him.

Loki looked between the two. He'd learned to heal from his mother, could he even still call her that, and she was capable of re-growing severed limbs. After all, when having two rowdy children she had to know how to heal injuries. He'd learned so he could patch up his brother and the four idiots. But why would this man be asking about that? Tapping the god on the shoulder Neo motioned for him to wait a few moments.

Neo shook her head hopping down from the bar to drag her lover out of hearing range. Glaring at him she waited for an explanation. Roman touched her neck his eyes meeting hers. She knew what he wanted. How much he'd blamed himself for what happened. But she was fine with living this way. Nothing could have been done to change the past so she'd accepted her new reality. What he wanted to do could change everything.

"It's been so long," he whispered softly. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pressed her forehead to his silently telling him that it was okay. She was fine as she was. Pulling away from her he met her eyes saying, "please just one more time lets hope."

It would hurt if this didn't work. She knew that. Still was taking a chance on a god the right move here. They knew nothing about this man past what he said. They shouldn't trust him. Ruby wasn't here to confirm his story. There was nothing to let them know he was who he said he was. But looking into Roman's eyes she knew how much he wanted this. Nodding she pulled away allowing him to make his choice.

"Prove you're a god," Roman said turning to face the man who'd been watching him. Tilting his head back he said, "heal every injury Neo's ever had."

Neo cut her eyes to him but did nothing to change his words. Loki raised an eyebrow but motioned the woman forward. Straightening her shoulders Neo walked toward him without fear. Either it worked or it didn't she would be fine either way. Stopping in front of the man she watched him warily her mismatched eyes changing to white when he touched her shoulder. Taking one last look at Roman she closed her eyes.

Loki pushed a light layer of his magic over her body. At that moment he knew about the scars layering her back. The long marks along her ankles from shackles. The bullet scar along her shoulder that seemed to have happened at the same time as the long cuts on her palms. An old stomach wound that tore away her ability to have children. And finally the jagged scar along her vocal cords. Light green smoke surrounded her body as he drew on the power inside of him to heal it all.

Neo gasped jerking away from him as the smoke sank into her skin. Roman moved his arms wrapping around her shoulder to stop her from crumbling to the floor as every subtle illusion she'd wrapped around herself fell away like broken glass. Unable to look away he watched the angry red scar across her neck fade until it vanished completely.

"She'll be unconscious for quite a while," Loki stated leaning back against the bar. He pretended that healing her hadn't winded him. He wasn't completely back to full strength yet and this took a lot out of him. Roman nodded picking her up gently.

"You healed everything," he asked holding her close to him. Loki watching him seeing the vulnerability in the man's cracking mask. Nodding slowly he was unprepared for the gratitude that flashed across Roman's face as he said, "you can take the second room to the right. Russel's room is across the hall to ask if you need anything."

Not waiting for an answer Roman vanished up the stairs leaving behind the god. Loki sighed allowing his exhaustion to show. He'd barely had a moment to rest since the Bifrost. He didn't even have a home anymore. Closing his eyes at the thought his face twisted in pain. The single tear that dripped down his face was enough to make him reach for the glass still sitting on the counter.