Chapter 35

"COME ON AMARA! SHOW HIM WHAT YA GOT!" Arthur shouted as Amara successfully landed some hits with her staff. I jumped back and took Guardian of my belt and smiled at her. Amara has progressed well since her first fight in Beacon. She used to be just the girl that could swing an axe, now she's a reasonable deadly fighter. Hell she was giving me trouble.

Amara detached her staff and came at me full speed. I had to raise Guardian so she wouldn't hit me. She did some spinning attacks and at the end she leg swept me and made me bust my ass. I shot Fides to propel myself away from her and stood up.

"Come on Lance. Don't run from little old me." I had to chuckle at how innocent Amara sounded when she said that, I placed Guardian on my hip and held Fides in both hands, "I wasn't running." I sent a smile her way and ran at her. She put her axes together to create her staff and started to spin rapidly. I blocked a swing and kicked her in the chest. It made her stumble and it gave me enough time to place Fides to her head. I was about to pull the trigger when I got shot in the hip by Arthur.

"DAMNIT ARTHUR!" He dropped his pistol and surrendered, "SORRY! FORCE OF HABIT!" I looked back to Amara to see she had frozen me in place. Before I could break free she kicked me in the back and sent me flying face first into a wall. I stood from it and smiled. She's really good.

I spun around and shot at her but she deflected the shot with her staff and ran in. I activated my buster sword and slammed it into the ground, causing rubble to fly everywhere and some of it hit her, knocking her off balance and making her stop do deflect the. I took her confusion as the perfect time to throw Guardian like Pyrrha would. Amara fended of my shield and sent it hurtling back to me. I grabbed it by the sharp edge which hurt like hell, but I was close enough to and slammed it into her knees, making her fall forward. I placed Fides in her path and her chin rested on the end of he barrel. She was giving me look of pure altered. I fired Fides in her face and sent her flying past Arthur and Vik who were watching the fight. She landed in the locker room.

"SORRY!" I shouted as she came out of the locker room flipping me off, "You told me don't go easy on you." I said as she walked over and glared at me. I stepped away from her with a weary smile.

She glared at me for a second then took a deep breath and punched my arm lightly with a smile, "I almost had you." I started to chuckle as Amara crossed her arms and walked over to Arthur, "Almost doesn't count in a fight Amara." Vik stood up and started to crack his knuckles, "Guess I'm up... Of course I can beat him Spawn! I'm the best on the team."

"If we kicked Lance off then maybe." Arthur said as he picked Vitae up off the ground. Vik didn't acknowledge his comment instead he squared up in the other side of me. Vik is probably the most dangerous out of my team simply because of his speed. If I miss an attack, he's liable to send me to the other side of the arena with a broken jaw, and not even from him hitting me hard. He'll whittle my jaw bone down to nothing and then break it.

"Lance do you want to take a break?" Amara asked as she sat down next to Arthur. Amara might be more protective than me sometimes, it just depends on the situation. "No. I need to push myself to get stronger." She nodded and Vik smiled, "So I push you? I'm honored."

I took Fides out of Guardian and set up I my sword and shield stance. Vik activated his electric daggers and put up is set. On Arthur's call we ran at each other and almost instantly remembered why I hate to fight him.

"STAY STILL!" No matter how fast I swung at him he always managed to dodge and counter with a mild shock to the chest. My aura blocked out most of the electrical attacks but some of them seeped threw. It was liked getting static shocked but like fifty times worse.

I started to use my gravity more often, using it to speed up my strikes. It helped even the playing field a little bit but his punches were to quick. I started to use Guardian to bash him in the chest when ever he got ready to swing again.

Vik ducked under one of my swings and punched me in the hand causing Fides to fly out of my it. He made eye contact with me and I quickly brought my shield up and held it in both my hands. He pounded away relentlessly at me shield and since I was deflecting it was just hurting me to do this. I need a different plan. He switched his hands to rocky brass knuckles and was about to bring them both down but I used Guardian's sheath form as a blunt weapon and tripped him up. I jumped over him and grabbed Fides. I tried to turn around in midair and get a shot off but I was met with a wall of flame instead.

I could see my shield getting red hot and it began to seer my arm, thank god for aura, but if it's hot enough to do this to my shield then what about...

"YOU MELT MY PAINT, I'M KICKING YOUR ASS!" The flames stopped and I looked at Guardian. It was slate black from the flames and the paint was chipping. I can't paint and I know Grey worked hard on my shield. I'll have to ask him to do it again. I snapped out of blacksmith mode and glowered at Vik who was standing there with an innocent smile.

I threw Guardian at him and shot behind me with Fides. I caught up to it and began to spin with it in hand. I smacked Vik on the head with my shield and fired the opposite direction and hit him with the hilt of Fides. I kept up my attack and leg swept him, I swung Fides upwards before he hit the ground and sent him flying to a wall. He smiled widely and activated a new feature on his jacket. The usually white stripes glowed purple and a burst of gravity pushed him back to me. He switched back to rock and I raised my shield.

A loud ringing noise rang out as we connected. The punch reverberated through my arm and made my teeth rattle, it even made me stumble backwards. I turned the fall into a backwards roll and stood to face Vik who was triumphantly smiling, "I added a gravity dust crystal to my jacket. It only works in short bursts but..." He started to shoot at me with icicles. I chopped each icicle that came my way and blocked some more flames. He is getting aggravating with that. I heard him laugh maniacally as the flames stooped I looked up from my shield and saw he was about to touch the newly formed water, that was currently at my feet and had even dampened my clothes. He was edging to touch the water with his electric dagger.

I quickly threw my shield on the ground and put my shoes through the straps that would usually attach to my jacket. The water around me electrified and Vik smile wasn't there anymore, "I'm not going to lose to something I taught you!" I began to fire gravity dust behind me,my shield working as a sled and at the speed I was going I glided across the water like I was surfing. I flew forward and used the shield as a buffer for my feet and his face. My combined weight and the momentum of the the shield sent him into the ground, cracking the tile around him.

"VIK'S OUT!" I heard cheers and I turned around to see team's RWBY, JNPR, and CFVY cheering for us. I ran over to Vik and helped him up, "Sorry, you kinda burned my shield." Vik chuckled and I could see some birds flying around his head. He stumbled a bit and spread his arms out to keep himself balanced.

"Don't worry man... I think you knocked Spawn out too." I started to laugh as I dusted him off, "Well tell him I'm sorry too." Vik nodded and went go sit down with Amara. Me and Arthur headed over to see the team leaders were all discussing something. Since it was a team leader discussion I may as well take part right?

"Am I included in the conversation?" I asked casually. Ruby giggled and Coco nodded, "I want all the leaders to spar. It'll be a good way to..." Once I realized she had stopped talking I commented. "A good way to what?" Jaune seemed to be asking the same question internally.

"A good way to have fun? Besides, I want to make sure you kids aren't gonna go to the Vytal Tournament and get your teeth kicked in. And an all out brawl seems like a good way to test that." I shrugged and I glanced over to Jaune to see he was shaking from fear and Ruby who was shaking from excitement.

"Oh umm... Not sure how to process that." Jaune patted me on the shoulder and sighed loudly, "Me either." I looked to Ruby and knew what she wanted to do, "I'm game!" I chuckled and looked over to Coco.

"I'll fight." I agreed, if only just to have some fun. Coco smiled and looked over to Jaune, "What do ya say kid, you in or out?" Jaune looked down and then over to Pyrrha who was nodding rapidly, giving him two thumbs up. Does he seriously not know Pyrrha likes him?

Jaune rubbed the back of his head and sighed, "I... I guess, just don't break anything okay?" Well at least we can see how good Jaune is with his weapons, I ain't seen him fight in a while. Coco nodded and walked off, I still had questions though.

"When, tomorrow?" She shook her head and pulled her glasses down so I could see her brown eyes, "In about... 2 hours. Better get ready." My eye started to twitch at the thought of only having 2 hours to rest from 2 back to back fights.

"Don't worry Jaune, I'm sure you'll be fine." Ruby patted Jaune on the back who seemed visibly scared. Ruby walked over to Vik and I stayed to talk with Jaune.

"Don't tell anyone I told you this but... I got your back in the fight." Jaune looked at me with a big smile, "Seriously?!" I put my hand over his mouth and nodded

"Yeah, I just finished fighting and I'm tired, I'm not going to be useful at all if I have to fight either of them alone." I really can't. I can maybe take Ruby on by herself but even then that's pushing it. The safest bet would be to get Jaune to back me up, if only slightly. How do I know he'll watch my back? Because he doesn't want to get hurt.

Jaune nodded and was about to walk away when I called him back, "Oh and Jaune... Don't think just because I'll help means I'll take it easy on you if it comes down to us." He nodded and headed over to his team, I did the same and was met with motherly worry.

"Lance I don't think you should be fighting." I sat down next to Amara and sent Vik to get me a drink, "Why do you think that sis?" She looked at me and placed a hand on my rib section and I winced from pain.

"That's why... You just finished to back to back fights and another one isn't going to help your current state." I chuckled as Amara took a paper towel and rubbed it above my eye to show a small cut that slowly went away.

"Don't worry Amara... I'll be fine, just cause I'm tired doesn't mean I won't give this fight my all." She punched me in my shoulder hard enough to make me cover it from her.

"Lance that is the problem, you're going to push yourself too hard and end up either hurting yourself or others around you." Her concern made me smile. It was good to see she was worried about me, "Thanks for your concern, but I already said I'd do it so I'm not going to back out now." Amara shook her head and went tell Yang, who quickly walked over to me.

"Amara... Did you just rat me out to my girlfriend?" Amara nodded and watched as Yang picked me up and started to carry me away, "PUT ME DOWN NOW!" I hate when she does that. She put me down and I looked down at her with anger. She had her teasing grin and arms crossed underneath her breasts.

"What did I tell you about doing that!?" She started to laugh, "It didn't hurt your ego did it?" I growled in a low tone until Yang kissed my cheek, "If you're going to fight, I won't stop you, but at least be careful." I nodded and pecked her lips.

"I'm always careful." Yang shook her head and looked into my eyes, her smile still there, "No you're not." I laughed, she definitely ain't wrong, "Neither are you." She giggled and held my hand as we walked over to the rest of team RWBY.

"Hello Lance." I nodded to Weiss and Blake and looked to Ruby to see she was going through some weapon checks. She glanced up to me and then back to my sword and sheath, "Better make sure Fides is loaded."

I nodded and pulled Fides out of Guardian and then put it back in. I heard a click sound and looked back to Ruby, "Locked and loaded." She nodded and continued her weapon checks. I heard Yang gasp and then she tugged on my arm to get her attention.

"What Sunshine?" She looked red and kind of worried for some odd reason. That was the face o her abut to ask me something important. Ruby started to giggle and she spoke for her older sister, "See, me and sis are going home to Patch for a day or two and Yang wants to ask you if you'd come with." I looked at Yang to see she was nodding rapidly with a big grin on her face. I looked at my feet and thought for a while.

"Is that a no?" Yang asked quietly, I quickly shook my head. "I'm just not sure that your dad would agree if I stayed at your house for two days." Yang looked at her scroll and started to make a call.

"Hey dad... We got a guest coming over with us... Yeah you know'em... It's a surprise...Yes you'll like him... Alright, see ya later!" Yang looked up to me and smiled, she had taken away my out. "Well I guess that I'm going to your house for a few days."

Yang squealed in joy and wrapped me in another hug, "Thanks!" I patted her head and spoke softly, "You're welcome. Hey... Do you think your dad remembers me?"

Yang looked up at me and smiled, "You were my crush at Signal so yeah, probably." I cocked an eye and smiled, "I was your only crush?" She nodded and frowned.

"You were the only guy who was at least polite and not a dog. You also could stare into my eyes instead of anywhere else." I blushed slightly and rubbed my neck, "You have beautiful eyes how could I not look at them?"

Yang pulled me close so she could kiss me, "Thank you." I nodded and looked over the rest of the girls who were awing at our affection, "I think it's cute that you two used to like each other in Signal and then met up at Beacon." Blake said from over her book.

"Too bad he forgot me like half way through Signal." Yang commented and it instantly reminded me of something we needed to talk about and from the smile on Ruby's face she wanted me to tall them what she already knew.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about that. I-" I was hushed when I heard the sound of a whistle. I looked over to see Coco in the middle of the arena with her purse in hand.

"Lovey dovey time later!" Ruby jumped of the bench and used her semblance to get in front of Coco, I simply walked over and Jaune slowly walked up with Pyrrha who patted him on the back and walked back to her team.

"Alright so I think everyone is ready. Let's fight." Within seconds her mini gun was pointing at me, "Umm you mind letting me get over there before you fire that thing?" She shook her head and I quickly moved back.

Fox ran into the middle of us and raised his hand, "BEGIN!" He quickly moved out of the way and I shot a round at Ruby, who quickly used her semblance and started to fight with Jaune. I saw Coco's gun spin up and I cursed as she let a storm of bullets come directly at me. I raised Guardian and hid behind it until the bullets stopped flying, when it did I started to shoot at her. Even though she had that big gun on her she easily moved out of the way and started to shot at me again. This time I raised my shield and ran at her. Her bullets deflected of my shield and hit Ruby a few times in the back, giving Jaune enough time to shield bash her back.

I ran my shield into the barrel of Coco's gun and smiled at her. She cocked a grin of her own and switched the mini-gun into a purse and started to swing it at me. I used my shield to block the sings and slashed with Fides. she leaned out of the way and kicked off of my shield, she mid air started to shot at me.

I rolled out of the way and through Guardian at her, she moved out of the way and fell back to the ground. I started to unleash my magazine at her, I wasn't going to stop until I ran out of ammo. I looked out the corner of my eye and saw Jaune get kicked in the mouth and sent flying towards me. I jumped back and caught him.

"Thanks man." I shook my head and threw him to the ground. I had to make it look like we weren't helping each other. Ruby ran over and started to fight with me. I had to step back as her swings were a bit too fast for my liking. I fired a gravity round at her feet and it sent me flying back. I took aim and fired while I was soaring backwards. I saw the bullet connect with Ruby and send her sprawling to the floor. Jaune saw his opportunity and golf swung Ruby into the rafters. I fired two explosive dust rounds at Ruby and sent her out of the ring. I didn't break her aura but she stayed out anyway. Jaune ran over to me and I thought he was about to thank me when he swung his sword at me. I rolled under the swing and brought Fides up for an attack.

When I was about to slash Jaune in the chest I felt myself get thrown out of the ring by a volley of bullets. I had completely forgotten about Coco. I was out now and had to watch as Jaune helplessly hid behind his shield. I walked over to Pyrrha and could see she was getting angry and frankly, so was I. Jaune doesn't have any range capabilities so as far as I know he is stuck there.

I looked at his shield and saw his emblem was being dented and his shield was chipping away. I was getting furious because Coco was smiling as she demolished his families heir-loom. I pointed my gun and fired at her. She dodged out of the way and looked at me with pure hatred. I placed Fides in my sheath and ran over to Jaune to make sure he was okay.

"I told you I had your back." Jaune fell backwards from tiredness. Now for my next problem, Coco, who was storming over to me, "Why did you shot at me when you were out!?" I looked at Jaune's shield and picked it up from the ground and showed her.

"Any longer and you would have destroyed his shield." Coco still seemed pissed, "And why do I care?" I gripped his shield tightly and looked into her eyes, "YOU don't have to care. I do and I hope THIS won't happen again."

"Well then Lance who won the fight?" I looked at her as if she was stupid, I placed my fingers on the bridge of my nose and sighed. Why is the only thing that she cares about is who won the fight?

"You won because he had no other choice and over the sound of your gun fire we couldn't really hear him tell you to stop so he was going to sit there and let you demolish his shield because YOU WOULDN'T STOP AND THINK OF MORE THAN A GOD DAMN WIN!"

"Raise your voice again kid." I saw Coco grip her weapon tightly. I activated my shield and eyed her down, "I suggest you think before you act, because if this happens again. I will make it my personal mission to destroy that damn weapon while you watch." Yang got in between us and started to drag me away.

Coco was at a loss for words as Yang dragged me out of the sparring room and out to the courtyard, Yang didn't say anything, she only kept her shoulder on mine as we walked, "You're pretty violent for a quiet guy."

I sighed and felt e bit of guilt, "I only say things like that to get my point across." Yang started to laugh, "I know that." I leaned my head on hers as we walked. I do love how soft Yang's hair is.

Yang moved her head from under mine and looked up at me with a curious face, "Hey what was that earlier about something you have to tell me?" I smiled and looked to my feet, "Right, I have something really important to tell you."

Yang stopped walking and looked me in the eye with a bit of a worried smile, "What's up?"

I took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, "I remember. I remember the first time I met you, I remember the conversations we'd have, I remember my life."

Yang's eyes started to twinkle and she wrapped her arms around me, "That's great! Ummm, I'm gonna test you." I nodded and got ready for her questions.

"My dogs name?"

"Zwei, the corgi."

"Age when we met?"

"13... And a half."

"What is my favorite song?"

"I Burn, by Jasey and Keff Williams"

Yang started to laugh and smile at my ability to answer her questions. She wrapped her arm around me as we walked. I was just happy that I could safely say I remember Yang, but know I have to tell her about my mom. I'll save that for when we get to her house.

Yang gasped and punched me in the arm, "GO GET READY!" I nodded and took off to my room. When Igot there, my team was doing what they usually do when I'm not around. Vik was at the work bench and Amara was trying to teach Arthur to draw. Arthur was now able to draw a good leaf.

"Guys I'm going to Yang's house for two days. Don't destroy anything!" They looked up at me in shock as I began to pack a small amount of clothes for when I go, "Why are you going to her house?"

"Because she wants me to meet her dad... Again." Arthur's jaw dropped but he quickly regained his composure and smiled, "I wonder if her dad is a stereotypical dad who hates any man that looks at his daughter funny." My gaze widened at the thought of me being in a house with a man who hates me for two days. I looked at Arthur and stared him down for making me this worried.

"Don't worry! If he's anything like Yang then you have nothing to worry about." I nodded and placed some clothes in a back pack and waved them goodbye.

"Peace bro."

"Have a great time."

"I CALL HIS BED!" I chuckled as I walked away from my room and headed to the landing pads so I could go see Yang. When I arrived I saw Yang and Ruby without any bags. Well that makes sense, they do live there after all. The both grabbed me by the arm and we boarded a Bullhead to Patch.

"Lance you are going to LOVE it in Patch! I know that you don't like people so this place should be perfect for you." I chuckled and patted Ruby on the head for her mistake.

"It's not that I don't like people, it's just that they do a lot of stupid things that I don't agree with." Yang started to laugh as she looked out the window, "Then why do you like me so much?" Yang asked as she leaned in close to my face with her lilac eyes.

"I think it's because I've gotten used to your stupidity and now I love it and can't help but laugh with you." Yang blushed as she looked out the window again, "Do you have to make everything so sweet."

"No, but it's fun to see you blush for a change." Ruby started to giggle but then her giggle stopped and she went serious, "None of that lovey dovey stuff when we get to my house." I nodded and completely agreed.

While under Tai's roof I will not be doing anything that would seem disrespectful in any way, Yang already knows this, "It's like you forgot who Lance is. I'm probably not even gonna get a kiss on the cheek while we're here."

I nodded and laid my head on my girlfriends shoulder, "Sorry Yang, no kisses, no hugs, and NO s-"

"I got it, I got it. Can we still cuddle?" I shook my head and sighed, "That's like an advanced form of hugging so no." Yang looked down and sniffled. I put my hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"I still love you though." Yang kissed my cheek and smiled at me, "I love you too, but I think we should cut down on the 'I love you' stuff until we leave." I nodded and looked down. I could feel myself getting tired and I just wanted to get some sleep before I got to their house.

I had my eyes closed for what felt like two seconds when Yang genitally pushed my head and made look up at her, "We're here." I nodded and stood wobily. Yang placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me steady as we got off the Bullhead.

Ruby grabbed me by the arm and began to drag me through the forest not even worried about any potential Grimm threats. Soon there was a clearing in the trees and in it stood a two story log cabin with a patio going around three sides of the house. It was definitely big enough to raise a family in, maybe even two. I saw Yang run over to some sunflowers and poke them with a sad face. I guess she was hoping her father would tend to them.

"So this is where you guys grew up? I like it." Ruby's excitement grew more and more as we got closer to the door, but for me, I was getting so scared as we approached to the door. Yang bolted in front of me and stood there, most likely to stop her father from breaking my neck, but if what I do know about him is true, Yang wont be able to stop him.

Ruby knocked on the door and I stepped back a bit. Moments later the door opened and Tai stepped out . He looked at both of his daughters and smiled.

"GIRLS!" I stepped back further and let them hug it out, "IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU TWO AGAIN!" I watched as Yang latched onto her father and held him tightly, I'm not sure how he's doing it right now but I would have died if Yang hugged me like that, let alone both of the girls at the same time.

"Now who's this guest-..." Me and Tai's eyes made contact and we gazed at each other for a moment, I was the first to look away. Under normal circumstances I could easily stare someone down, but this wasn't normal circumstances.

"Is that... Lance?" I nodded and started to lower my gaze to the floor, I wasn't sure what to say. It had been awhile since I had actually seen Tai, and even longer since I had a conversation with him.

"Wow Lance, last time I saw you you could barely even hold your own sword, now look at you!" I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly as Tai approached me to get a closer look.

"A lot has changed sir." I heard him chuckle as he patted my shoulder, "Maybe not everything. Your still introverted as hell." My eyes widened and Yang punched him in the arm.

"DAD?!" I laughed at the two and finally looked into Tai's blue eyes, "It's cool Yang. Sir you will find that I'm a lot more talkative from the last time we spoke. You can thank the years of endless torture with Arthur for that."

Tai started to laugh as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into a choke hold, "It's good to see that you've finally broken out of your shell. Come inside, I'll happily let you into my home."

I smiled at Tai's acceptance and gladly let him choke me before I couldn't breath anymore, "Sir... If you... Could please..." Tai understood and let my neck go. He patted me on the back but it felt more like a punch.

"So Lance, what have you been up to since the last time we talked?" I looked over to Yang who nodded so I began to talk, "Well as you know I joined Beacon soon after I left Signal, Ozpin has got me leading a rag tag group of misfits, my brother included and now I'm training for the Vytal Tournament." Tai looked at me and cocked an eye.

"You lead a team?" Ruby stepped in for me with a giant toothy grin, "Yeah! He leads team LAVA! There's Lance, Arthur, Amara, and Vik." Yang nodded and continued to add on Ruby's statement.

"Yep, they're one of the best teams at Beacon right now and Lance is one of the best fighters I've ever seen." I started to shake my head and rub the back of my neck, "Yang seriously, you don't have to say all of that, we're just a good team."

"But you guys are one of the best teams at Beacon, especially after what happened to your leeeeeft HAND!" I face palmed and looked over to Yang who was starring daggers at Ruby.

"Your left hand?" I nodded and looked to my hand, "Ummm, a while back I was in a tight situation and need to use Fides when the lever was broken, it ended up stabbing me in the hand." A cheesy grin formed on Yang's face and she nodded rapidly.

"And your team grew from it?" Tai tilted his head and stared me down, it was hard to lie to him for some odd reason. Maybe it was because I had a lot of respect for him as one of my teachers or maybe because hes Yang's father. It might be a combination of both.

"No... What happened was I-"

Yang stepped in front of me and made me look at her, "Lance you do not have to tell him." I smiled and moved her genitally out of the way, "It's fine Yang." I lifted my pants leg up to reveal my robotic leg.

"I was in a fight with a very powerful drug lord and I lost my leg." Tai's gaze settled on my leg with a mix of shock and worry, "Lance you sure have been up to a lot since you left Beacon." I laughed and let my pant's leg fall.

"You have no idea." I smiled at Tai to reassure him that I was fine, he sent one back as he gestured for me to follow. We went upstairs to a room that was past what I assume was Yang's room and down the hall to a spare bedroom. He opened the door to reveal a big bed with a reasonable sized widow next to it.

"You can stay in this room. I better not catch you out of it after midnight." I looked back at him to see he was being dead serious about that last part, "Understood sir." I tossed my bag on the bed and plopped into it.

"Umm Lance, you don't wanna come eat?" I made a noise that let him know that I didn't want to eat. I heard the door shut behind me and got comfortable by taking off my jacket and sweater to reveal my blue undershirt and then I took off my pants, I had basket ball shorts underneath. I got under the covers and passed out. Never will I have three fights back to back like that again.

"Dad wheres Lance... Don't tell me you killed him already!" My dad put his hands up to fake surrender and he smiled, "I didn't... He went to sleep." I nodded and went up to his room to see Lance passed out in his bed.

"Sweet dreams Lance." I sighed and closed the door quietly. When I tuned my back to the door my dad was directly behind me.

"Sooo, how long you two been dating?" My heart almost jumped out of my chest at the question, "DAD?!" My dad laughed and left down the steps as he spoke, "You don't have to act so repulsed by the idea of me knowing about it."

I sighed and followed him into the kitchen and saw Ruby putting some spaghetti on a plate. I smiled and took it out of her hands, "Thanks sis." I smiled and patted her head, "That wasn't for... UGH!"

Ruby begrudgingly turned around and went make herself another plate of food, "So when did you know I was dating him?" Ruby almost dropped her plate when she heard me ask our dad the question.

"I knew as soon as he was at my doorstep." My dad made himself a plate of spaghetti and went sit down by Ruby, "Well what do you think of him so far, dad?" Ruby spoke with her mouth full as she ate fork loads of pasta.

"Well... I've seen the other type of guys that go after her sooo." I looked up from my food and stared him down, "I like him... He's a lot like a brother to me and he would probably protect Yang from her own shadow if it tried to attack her."

"The way you say it makes him sound like he's overprotective." I stated dryly as I continued to eat, "I would rather him be overprotective than under protective, besides he only gets like that when he knows something is wrong." I hummed in agreement as I took another bite of my food.

"I just want to know if he can protect you." I looked over to my dad and put my food down, "I can protect myself." My dad looked me in the eyes and put on a warm smile, "I know that sweetie. I just want to make sure."

I was getting angry with this conversation, "YES he can." I started to eat my food angrily as my dad kept talking, "And if he can't?"

"Then he'll die trying! He would never give up on someone no matter how bad thy're situation is!" My anger was rising and my dad could tell, so he simply put his fork down and looked into my eyes.

"Yang I have watched Lance go from open and nice to closed and scared in the blink of an eye. I'm just scared when the weight of the world is pushed onto his shoulders, he'll crumble." I slammed my hands into the table and was about to shout when Ruby placed a hand on mine. She smiled up at me and looked over to my dad.

"Dad, I can't explain to you what type of person Lance is... So I'll let you watch this video instead." Ruby pulled her scroll out and showed my dad the video of Lance stopping the Hydralisk and sacrificing himself to save others. My dads eyes widened when Lance told his team to stay put.

"Lance has grown." I smiled and giggled, "That's why I... Care for him." My dad squinted at me for my pause in word choice but he looked back to the video and saw Lance's weapon go off in the distance and soon Lance walking into the light and passing out.

"He almost died that day." Ruby said quietly, "He almost died when I saw him." I added in which earned a snicker from Ruby.

"Alright... I trust him BUT... I'll still need his word." I nodded and smiled as I stood up, "You can ask him in the mourning."

"Why is he so tired anyway?" I sighed and looked to my feet, "Lance had three back to back battles today. He won two and lost the third because he was tired." Ruby nodded quickly, "You need to see him fight dad! He beat me when it was a battle against the leaders!" My dad chuckled and ruffled Ruby's hair.

"I'll ask him tomorrow, for tonight he can get some rest. Like you guys should do." I nodded and ran up to my room. I closed the door behind me and hopped in my bed. When I closed my eyes I could only see Lance's cobalt eyes looking at me and for some reason that seemed to calm me down. I'm glad Lance decided to come.