They had successfully completed the mission, and they walked back to the city in step. The energy between them calmed down, the anxiety and the lack of surety disappeared. It was a comfortable silence.

She broke it, "You don't trust your weapon."

"Hmm?" fuck

"You kept looking to see what dust color you were about to use.

Obviously, I broke a man's face for it about a month ago. "I didn't realize I checked."

"You need to maintain your own weapon. What is it's name?"

"Um…"

She looked at him like he had kicked a puppy, on purpose. "It doesn't have a name?" she all but gasped.

Smoothly, "How about we take it apart in your workspace and you can tell me all about it." He pulled her close by the waist.

His body pressed to hers did not have the intended reaction, "It! Your baby is an It!"

XXX

Ruby had dragged him into her workshop. The first thing he saw was Oscar and a tall older Blonde man looking over a large piece of paper on the table.

Ruby practically screamed, "It's a cruel twist of fate that my soulmate has no name for his weapon!"

The older man chuckled, "You must be Remus," He held out his hand, "I'm Tai, Ruby's dad."

Oscar glared.

Roman still planned to steal that short cane wielder's shit, and then murder him.

Instead he walked up to Tai and shook his hand. He glanced at the paper and saw that it was a map of Patch. He swallowed his disappointment that it wasn't a drawing of armor.

Tai followed his gaze, "Oh yeah, Oscar is looking to build a house out here. I was telling him we'd need to clear out some Grimm first."

Taiyang Xiao Long wasn't exactly famous for being a huntsman, although no one questioned his ability. Roman knew he was face to face with a man who was the best weapons instructor of their time.

"Perhaps you would like to help?" Ruby's voice was light and sweet.

Roman thought it was extremely depressing that Oscar was building a house clearly for a woman he could not have. It might be fun to rub it into the lesser man's face.

Oscar stiffy, "That won't be necessary, I can handle it by myself."

Roman internally, I hope a Grimm swallows you whole.

Tai saw how his daughter looked at her soulmate. Tai turned to Oscar, "Like I'd let you do that kid. Besides I want to get to know Ruby's mate." He gestured to the two men, "You two should try to get along."

Oscar's voice harsh, "I'm going to get lunch. You still coming Tai?"

Roman was left with Ruby and she seemed upset and she sighed. "You should ask my dad to give you some pointers." She was quiet.

"Yeah Yeah." He herded her towards a door with a large silver rose on it, the one that matched his soul mate. "Now how about you tell me all about Kain."

"You named it!" she grabbed 'Kain' and ran into the room.

"Him, Ruby, it's a him." he smiled warmly at his excitable mate.

XXX

Roman had assumed Ruby would have a roommate. He did not expect it to be a guy whom he had forged transcripts for or concussed him at least 3 in a single year. He watched them make a pizza, the counter was too small for a third chef after all.

"You know Red-"

Jaune looked at Ruby, "Red?"

Ruby shrugged, "I like it."

"Of course you do, Red, I give the best nicknames. I assumed you would have a roommate from RORN."

Jaune winced.

Ruby, "I did, but after you and I met. Um I thought it best I moved out."

"I really fucked up your life." Remus looked to himself, did he care?

Jaune slacked jawed, "Remus bro, you're her soulmate there is no way you could do that."

Oh Jaune, did you become naive because of all those concussions?

Roman raised a brow, "Bro?"

Jaune, "To informal?"

Roman glanced down at his 'Remus' outfit. Sweater, pressed khakis, worn leather shoes. He was extremely casual right now. Then he looked to Jaune, a hoodie, wrinkled pants, and tennis shoes that had an 'L' and 'R' written on them. "Just a tad."

Ruby pouted, "I can't find a good nickname for him!"

Jaune offered, "Remy."

Ruby wrinkled her nose.

Roman, "Black?" he patted his hair.

Ruby wide eyed, "Don't be racist!"

Jaune pulled out the pizza, "How about we eat and watch a horror movie?"

Ruby bounced on her toes.

Roman, "NO!"

XXX

She had rolled off of Roman, and he pulled out the handkerchief that she had shoved in his mouth and tossed it aside. He growled, "Red, I do not get off on being gagged."

She took a moment to catch her breath, "I don't like it either, but you're noisy and I have a roommate."

"I'm loud because I like you." He snarled.

She giggled cheekily, "And because of the thing I do with my hips."

That was nice, "That too." damn he couldn't stay mad, "How are you so quiet."

"Ren, Nora, Oscar, and I lived in a 4 bedroom for years. Oscar and I just learned how to be quiet out of respect."

Scratch that, he was livid.

"Oscar this and Oscar that. You had a life. Why are you even bothering with me?" He was about to get up when she pushed him down and straddled him. Her hands on his chest.

He could feel both their mark hum this

"I went through hell, when Beacon fell I didn't know if my sister was alive for months. I watched people die protecting me while I fixed someone's equipment and so they could go off and die." She took a shaky breath, "I fell in love with Oscar who was going through all of that with me. That care, that respect and admiration will always be with me." A tear landed on his mark. "The moment you kissed me, I would not have anyone other than you."

He was stunned by the intense love practically burned through their connection. He was hers. "Ruby, I'm Rom-"

Her mouth descended on his needily. Snapping him back to the reality about what he was about to say. These feelings were making him a simple minded fool. There was no way Roman Torchwick wanted to spend his life with a one wonderful woman. He needed to get a hold of himself.

He flipped her over, nails digging in her hips, eliciting a gasp.

He had a job to do.

XXX

The next day it was the longest 15 minute ferry ride Roman had ever had to take. Ruby had taken Oscar aside and between punched arms and a single kick to his shin. Oscar came back and asked meaningful questions. Such as,

"So you fight?"

Remus, "Yup. What's your weapon's name?"

"Long Memory. Yours?"

"Kain."

"But it's a spear."

"Yes."

Roman absolutely stole all the cash in Oscar's wallet.

Oscar hadn't noticed, "So we're fighting together. I have a shield for a semblance. Yours?"

"I attract cats."

"What?" Oscar blinked.

Ruby giggled, "Remus be serious. I assumed it was a passive semblance, cause I didn't see you use it."

He figured the boat would have some cats. He fed his Aura into his semblance.

'Mraow?' A calico jumped onto the railing and looked at Roman expectedly. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away from the adorable creature.

Oscar scratched it under its chin and it purred appreciatively.

"I've met people with emotion reading semblances, metal manipulation, mirror effects, speeds, some really cool things." Ruby squealed and patted the cat. "This might be the best one."

"I don't own cats Red, so don't get any ideas." He muttered.

She looked up at him sadly.

Oscar chuckled, "Come on, lets go, the boat is docking."

Roman didn't expect it to be such a large house, five bedrooms at least. It felt like an empty promise, like Tai had planned on having more kids than he did. Ruby jumped into her fathers arms and with a oomph he dropped his coffee cup and Oscar deftly caught it.

As if it happened all the time.

Tai chuckled, "You literally just saw me yesterday."

"Yeah but I was distraught yesterday."

The older man looked to Remus, "I assumed you named your weapon?"

"Kain and it's a he."

Ruby released her father, "Oh Oscar I had left a drawing here and I wanted your thoughts." She zoomed inside.

Oscar handed Tai's cup back, "I guess she wanted to give you two a moment." The younger man strolled inside.

Tai sipping his coffee, "How old are you Remus?"

"26." He rubbed the back of his head and pushed forward a blush. "I wanted to ask-"

Tai deadpanned, "Don't do that."

Roman confused, "Ask a question?"

"Faking embarrassment. I'm a teacher. It's my job to read people and what they are capable of." He took another, this time threatening, sip, "Remus, Ruby is not a guarantee mate for you. I'm surprised she didn't outright reject you and let Oscar Steal her."

"Steal?" he thought Who does that fuck think he is, steal from me?

"Do you not know what that is or did you not know Oscar was one?"

"I don't know the rules. The way I understand it that those with a black hand mark can bond with those with a rejection on their mark."

"Both parties have to consent so it isn't really stealing. I imagine it can seem that way to an outside observer."

"What's your point Tai?"

"My point kid. She trusts my judgement, be honest with me."

Roman seriously considered leaving, it couldn't be worth being surrounded by all these people who would love to arrest him.

Then he heard her laugh inside, he turned his ear towards it.

Oscar could be heard exclaiming, "Ruby that is a brilliant solution!"

Of course it was, it was a Ruby Rose design. Pulling from the soft emotion in his chest he looked to Tai, "I wanted to ask for you help while we are clearing out the Grimm. I'm more experienced fighting humans. I could use some education if you are willing to help."

Seeing how Remus reacted to Ruby's laugh made Tai relax slightly, "Of course, I'm happy to help." He opened the front door and they went inside.

Roman figured out his own feelings weren't weak, but a powerful tool to get the job done. If that meant he got to see a beautiful woman light up whenever she saw him, he could live with that.

XXX

Ruby had waved them off, holding a sketch pad. She wanted the day to draw what the hunter's that contracted her were asking for.

Oscar had walked off first, giving Ruby a chance to pull Remus into a quick kiss.

Tai and Remus were catching up to Oscar. The older man rolled up his sleeves and flexed his hands.

Roman's eye caught the soul marks on the man's forearm. One blacked out and next to it was a silver rose, one that was incredibly similar to the one of Roman's chest. "Um Tai, your soulmark."

Please don't let this be some gross twist of fate.

Tai looked at his arm and chuckled, "I've gotten that a lot. It's Ruby's mothers, Summer. I usually keep my sleeves down, except when I fight."

Oscar yelled at them, "Come on! Grimm aren't going to kill themselves!"

Roman telescoped his spear out, throwing it, Oscar rolled sideways. Not that spear would have hit him, it landed belly deep into a boar tusk behind him.

Remus pulled his weapon free and walked on.

Tai, "That's not the direction we're going."

Go ahead, ruin his cool walk off into the forest moment.

There was very little written or reported on about Oscar Pine. Usually if he was referenced it would be about an armor design and he would be overshadowed in the article by Nora/Ren Dust invention or Ruby. In the reports about Salem, he wasn't the face of the fight like team JYBN. Roman assumed the man was a skilled blacksmith, and that was it.

Until Oscar's 'shield' flew across a field of Ursa cutting dozens in half. There was enough Grimm to keep Tai and Roman busy, but Oscar needed no help. Oscar weaved through Grimm his cane smashed them apart into ash as if he was idly dancing about.

Now the men knelt, sat, or laid on a field of ash panting.

Tai, "Remus you might do better with a shorter weapon."

Oscar, "You had a cane the night of our company launch."

Remus, "I only have that when it isn't appropriate to have a weapon."

Tai looked him over, "You do seem pretty vain."

What the hell, I'm never this casual

XXX

Roman was covered in bruises in the apartment he shared with his sister, he was taking apart the spear and oiling some gears. Neo was cooking and looking at him worriedly.

"I feel your worry Neo. Ruby would kill me if she knew I wasn't taking care of this thing." His eyes longingly lingered on Melodic Cudgel.

Neo huffed.

"I know I know this is taking longer than I thought, she is meeting clients the rest of this week. I hope to pop by late next week and see what she is drawing up. I found some chemistry formulas for Dust, but I have no idea what I'm looking at. I wouldn't trust my contacts with it though-"

Neo clapped her hands and signed, -Stop this, you love her-

Roman gritted his teeth, "So what. I'm going to do what I do best. It's what I've always done."

-Tell her who you are. She is a kind person, you haven't betrayed her trust yet.-

He flipped his black bangs

-You're Roman Torchwick, she'll understand why you were dishonest about that. You will never have a chance with her if you steal from her.-

"I don't want a chance! I don't want to be tied down."

-Then why have we been in Vale all these years?-

They did well in Atlas, yet every time he saw a map his eyes were drawn to Vale. Vale was smaller with a weaker government, he said they could run the criminal underworld there. They did, although Neo had been running it the past couple of months.

His scroll chirped.

His threw his head back, "Fuck I need to get an apartment. Red wants to visit me later this week."

Neo gestured around them.

"You think a two person team of hunters could afford this?" Neo and him exchanged glances, "I'm not telling her, she wouldn't want Torchwick anyway."

-Will you stop trying to steal from her then.-

"No"