Chapter 46 - Nicotine

"It's better to burn than to fade away..."


Silence drowned the journey back.

It came as no surprise when Weiss sat him down at the edge of their bed, after they locked the doors and windows and took a long, hot shower. His thoughts swirled as the water scoured the filth off his skin. The suds went down the drain like little snippets of thought caught in the middle of a thunderstorm, along with the shredded remains of the damned picture. He ripped it in half and kept his mom's side for himself. Unlike his father, she did not deserve to join the rest of the filth in the sewers of Vale.

"Nex. Are you alright?" Weiss frowned, running a hand through her tussled hair. The other trailed between the valley of his digits, her callouses rough against his. "You haven't said anything ever since we came back."

Nex licked his chapped lips, reaching for the cooler by the foot of their bed. His throat bobbed as he chugged down the freezing strawberry juice. "Tai showed me a picture of Amariss Shade and Qrow Branwen. My mother and father on their wedding."

"Really?" Weiss said, arching an eyebrow. "You should talk to your father then. It means-"

"I'm not a bastard," Nex said. His jaw clenched as he put down the cooler. "But still, that only makes it worse."

And it did. For fuck's sake, his mother and father were married. Actually married, and not just a one-night stand where one of them forgot the condom. Which meant Qrow Branwen should have been there.

Through the dark winter nights they spent huddled in a corner of their shack, the wind howling through the paper-thin walls. Through all the times he pestered his mom asking where his father really was. And through all the times his mom hobbled back home, bleeding all over the rat-stained mat even as she grinned and told him she was alright and it was only a flesh wound.

Where the hell had his father been in his mom's life? Or even theirs? Or his?

He should have been there.

He should have.

He should have never left.

"I'm here for you," Weiss said, placing a hand on his forearm. "I can't say I understand completely, but I'm here."

Nex chuckled, cupping her chin. "I know. I promise. I won't ever leave you."

Because Nexus Shade was no Qrow Branwen.

Leaving the woman by his side was no longer an option, even if it caused his brain and his semblance to recoil at the sheer irrationality. No fucking way he was going to turn out like his father. Not even a little. Screw it. Even if it made him dozens of enemies. Fuck Roman Torchwick and Cinder Fall. To hell with Raven Branwen's offer. The White Fang had to be dealt with, so the Schnees' and the SDC's greatest enemy no longer posed any threat.

He had a new goal. A new mission. And far be it from him to let anything stand in his way.

After all, he never let anything or anyone stop him before.

Huh.

Nex blinked. When did he get so reckless? Thinking about taking on the world while lost in his girlfriend's eyes... But then again, maybe love had that effect on people.

It took a few more blinks to snap back into reality, the air-conditioner humming in his extra pair of ears.

Weiss beamed, her pale cheek burning on his palm. "You know, when you say things like that while staring at me so intently..."

"It makes you want to kiss me, right?" Nex said, matching her smile. "Unfortunately, Miss Schnee, you and I have work to do. Business before pleasure as the saying goes."

"Oh?" Weiss said, leaning in.

Her soft chest pressed against his. His back sank into the toasty sheets, vanilla and baby blue suffusing his nose. Her heart thumped in his extra pair of ears, speeding off like one of Argus' trains.

"What could possibly be more important than me, Mr Shade?" Weiss asked, winking.

She wiggled her thighs in the way she definitely knew he liked. A smirk lifted the edge of her glistening, pink lips.

"Weiss..." Nex groaned, the blood rushing to his groin like lava.

He squirmed as her arms fenced his head, the mattress sinking under her elbows.

Trapped. Again. Why was he always the one at the bottom?

"You know it's not like that," Nex mumbled. "I love you. But I really have to report to Ironwood, then we need to do some jams and then we need to go-"

"Shhhh... I love you too," Weiss whispered, pressing her lips against his.

She pulled back and place a finger on his chin, her polished nail brushing his lower lip.

"Just for ten minutes, Mr Shade," Weiss said, "stop thinking about the rainclouds and think about the woman straddling you."

When she phrased it like that, maybe ten minutes was... Ten minutes was... Ten minutes was...

Well, they did survive almost being poisoned to death via unfair semblance. And stopped a couple more faunus kids dying. They probably deserved a little reward.

What the hell was he thinking and blabbering about?

Nex grinned. He wrapped his arms around her lithe shoulders and held her close.

Maybe Weiss had a point. Almost as if the whole I discovered a cracked White Fang mask in your pocket thing never happened. It was amazing how quickly she had forgiven him.

Fuck. Here he was again. Thinking instead of living.

"Quick, brain. Stop thinking and come up with a coherent and cool reply and..."


When did ten minutes turn into an hour?

Nex shook his head, gazing down the city. It glowed red under the scorching sun.

Weiss lied on their bed, her eyes scrunched shut. Apparently, the entire ordeal with the White Fang and his godmother had sapped whatever energy she had. He would let her sleep in, of course. Doubtful Ironwood needed Weiss to report in as well.

Nex held his scroll up to his ear. He half-considered placing it back in his pocket.

Fuck it.

Ironwood was probably going to be pissed, but there really was no point hiding from his now-employer.

"Developer Shade. Report."

Nex sucked in a breath. He went over everything that happened yesterday, down to the assassin recognizing Oathkeeper. Which Ironwood took in stride. Of course, excluding the part where his godmother saved their ass, and she may or may not have said, "Hey, I want you to stay here and live like a cowboy or something. You'll get to do whatever you want whenever we want it. Funsies. Marshmallows and singing around campfires not included though."

"I doubt the assassin would stir up more trouble, having already been discovered," Ironwood said. "It's a small victory."

Nex grinned. "What's next then?"

"Exfiltrate, continue attending Beacon, and await further orders."

Nex shrugged. "What about the White Fang?"

It suited him just fine, standing by for orders. At least then there would be no need to risk their necks. He did it yesterday and look where it got him. It almost got his team killed if not for his godmother. Green huntsmen-in-training thought the world was their oyster. But the reality was, oftentimes, vastly different.

"It is no longer your battle to fight. You recklessly endangered a group of Beacon students. Teammates or no, what you did was still a breach of Atlesian military protocol."

Nex frowned, squeezing the cold railing. "I simply used the resources I had. Besides, I got the job done, right?"

"We are the Atlesian Military, Developer Shade. Not a band of ruffians. You'll be put under probation if this happens again. Understood?"

Fuck.

Was Ironwood not the one who told him he could do whatever he wanted on his mission?

But there was no point in arguing with his employer. Certainly not when the big man was the one paying his wages.

"Understood," Nex said, heaving a sigh.

"You're dismissed then."

Nex shoved his scroll back into his jeans and padded into their room, sliding the glass door shut. He slipped under the blanket and wrapped an arm around Weiss' waist, drawing her close.

Gods.

She had always been so warm. And even now, as she snuggled deeper into his chest, her hair drawing a curtain over his nose. He sucked in a breath. Vanilla. Fresh ones, straight from her bottle of SDC shampoo.

"How did it go?" Weiss yawned.

Nex propped his chin on her scalp, twirling a lock of her silky hair. "Has anyone ever told you your hair's pretty?"

"Oh, but all the time, Mr Shade," Weiss said, breathing a soft sigh. "That's actually quite tame compared to what I've heard before, you know."

He chuckled. Right. She probably had hundreds of admirers or something. Hundreds of heirs from other companies. But still, out of all the hundreds of rich guys, she chose him. And he was nothing but just an average guy eking out a living. What she saw in him, he definitely never asked before. But then again, it never really mattered.

"Ironwood took me off the case." Nex stroked the back of her head with his thumb. "The authorities are probably gonna take care of the White Fang and the dust robberies."

Weiss hummed, shifting on her side. "That's it then?"

"Yep." Nex licked his lips. "What, you wanted more?"

"It's just that..." Weiss whispered. "I've come to realize something."

"And what's that?" Nex asked, glancing at the crook of her neck.

"We can't just sit here, talking about change," Weiss said. "I guess our little outing opened my eyes, especially when I was handing out those packs of goods."

To be fair, it probably did. Doubtful Weiss even stepped down Mantle before, which was the closest equivalent Atlas had to the Valean slums. Seeing it for herself was definitely different than just hearing about it. Waking up in the midst of marauders and outlaws in the frontier, even more so.

"What's the plan, Miss Schnee?" Nex said. "You do have one, right?"

After all, between the two of them, she was definitely the one who was better at planning out stuff. He tended to wing it. Make plans at the last moment and all.

"I want to expose my father," Weiss said, her shoulders stiff against his chest. "Ferret out every single corrupt deal he's made and put him behind bars."

Nex blinked, his thumb stilling. "What? Sorry. Must've heard you wrong."

Weiss huffed. "You're mocking me. You think I'm being ridiculous."

"You don't say," Nex said, snorting. "Even if you do find evidence"–which was probably fucking impossible since Mekel and Jacques hid their secrets like a pro–"I don't think the jury's gonna side with you on this one."

Weiss spun in his arms to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Elaborate."

Pareidolia cackled. Now that was something he could definitely do. It was practically his specialty by now, even.

"What would happen if Jacques Schnee ended up in jail?" Nex asked. "Think about it, will you?"

It was definitely a question for the headlines. Had he been a two-bit journalist instead of a technician, he would have probably written an editorial advocating for Jacques Schnee's retirement and subsequent incarceration.

Not that it would actually happen. No. Of course not.

But it never actually cost anyone anything to dream, right?

"The SDC won't be involved in illegal businesses and faunus labor anymore," Weiss said.

Nex smiled. "Well, assuming there's an SDC left after we hang its dirty laundry. And... let me see... that'd also be assuming the public doesn't tear the SDC apart, Atlas doesn't pull some bullshit to seize your assets, and all hell freezes over. Voila. Congratulations. You get to sit in your father's spinny chair. While I get to bend you over the table whenever you're feeling stressed-"

He wagged his eyebrows.

She giggled, flushed pink as she slapped his arm.

But then she smoothed her face into her this is serious business face.

"Continue." Weiss coughed.

"You know how to run a company, right?" Nex smirked.

Weiss scoffed. "Of course. I'm the heiress of the SDC. I've trained and studied for it."

"Tell me how the SDC became a corporate giant."

"Simple. We hold monopoly over dust, a miraculous substance that powers the four kingdoms, arms huntsmen and huntresses, and provides the means for various technological and scientific advancements. More eloquently put, it is the lifeblood of Remnant, and the light of humanity on its road to pave the way through the darkness."

Nex snickered, palming his forehead. "Oh, gods."

Weiss' eyebrows furrowed. "What's so funny?"

"You stole that off a brochure somewhere." Nex grinned.

Weiss' lips twitched into a smile. "The point still stands, doesn't it?"

"Well, yeah." Nex bobbed his chin. "Now, tell me how the SDC managed that."

"That's..." Weiss' breath hitched. A sudden, sharp slap in his extra pair of ears. "The faunus labor camps."

"Right. Other companies use bots to do their menial labor, which ain't exactly cheap," Nex said. "Thus, the SDC rakes in more net cash, pulling ahead of its competitors. Cold, but efficient." And something he would probably do, had he been in Jacques' place. "It's why you're filthy rich, partner. You're really giving that up?"

"Nex." Weiss frowned. "I can live with less money."

"Maybe," Nex said. Maybe not. "You still wanna expose your father?"

Weiss nodded. "That hasn't changed."

Stubborn. It was probably one of her strong points. But, whatever happened to making peace with their respective dads?

"Oh, what the hell," Nex said, shooing the thought away. "Let me just put deposing a corporate tyrant on my to-do list and I'll get back to you asap-"

His scroll buzzed against his thigh, crooning the acoustic guitar to a song called Thief.

Right.

Ugh.

"Work. Downtown Vale." Nex rolled his eyes. "An hour at least. Rain-check?"

Weiss snuck in a quick kiss, her rough lips brushing his chin. "Go, Developer Shade. I've got some composing to do myself."


When Nexus Shade arrived at the alley of one of Roman's hideouts, the sun already plunged past the brick walls of the Valean square, casting the city into darkness. Stars blinked in the ashen sky, the bite of smoke stinging his nose. He ducked down an alley. His eyes darted from the civilians in dresses and suits to the shadows hanging over the dumpsters.

A cat curled up over the box of steel, mewling, the sound carried over the clacking of shoes and the whooshing of bikes and cars. The city's symphony in the stillness of the night.

The cat's amber eyes blinked.

For a moment, the cat stared down the wolf.

"Meow," Nex said, chuckling as he skulked deeper into the alley.

Believe it or not, the symbolism did not escape him. Right now, the ghost-ninja was probably licking her wounds in the confines of her room. Metaphorically of course, as it was doubtful she really was injured. Certainly not with her semblance.

The cat yawned and closed its eyes.

Admittedly, it looked comfy. Just like their first date. But just like that night, he had something else to do before he could close his eyes and just fall asleep.

"I know you're there," Nex said, shooting the brick wall a glance. Dub, dub, dub. "You're mute, but your heart ain't."

The bricks peeled off like a sheet of dry paint, mismatched pink and brown eyes glinting in the dark.

Neo pursed her lips tight, twirling her pink parasol over her shoulder.

"What's the deal with tonight's hangout?" Nex asked as they made their way to the end of the alley. "Roman doesn't normally call in favors."

Nope. His fellow thief hoarded favors as dragons did with their gold. It was probably because the underworld ran not solely on lien, but on connections as well. And, as Roman Torchwick once said, favors were another type of currency entirely.

Honor among thieves and all.

Well, only among thieves and only up until someone had to cut their arms off or something. In hindsight, Roman Torchwick would have been the image of a smart and classy underworld tycoon, if not for his inclination to get hands-on with their jobs. And getting those hands dirty and sometimes cuffed in the process.

Neo raised her index, dragging the tip of her nail across her neck.

"Someone's got you two in a bind?" Nex raised an eyebrow, fingering Oathkeeper's hilt. He tugged on his hood and adjusted his mask.

Last time, he got his ass kicked. It was a damn shame, but it would not happen again now that he knew what he was up against.

Whoever that assassin was, he was good. Really good. If not for the assassin's air-based semblance, then they could have probably had a great fight. Maybe he could bring a gas mask next time they saw each other. Doubtful it was the last he had seen of the man, if his grandmother was to be believed.

Still, it raised a question. What exactly was his mom's history with the Resolutionists?

Digging through the files Ironwood gave him produced no answers other than the ones he already knew.

Maybe if he went to Auntie Raven and asked...

Nex chuckled as he rapped on the steel door. "All is quiet by the wall, all is silent in the city."

"Wrong code, kid," the same woman from before said. "Try again."

Nex raised an eyebrow. "Roman's never changed it before."

Something was wrong. Did Ironwood already make his move?

Neo strode forward, scratching the steel with the tip of her umbrella four times.

The woman wrenched the door inward, the rusted slab of steel creaking.

"Get in," the White Fang woman said as she shoved a blunt of cigar into her jean's pocket. The bite of after-smoke lingered in the cool air. "You're a sight for sore eyes, kid."

"Nice to see you too." Nex nodded. He reached into his pocket and tapped his scroll.

Neo slid through the doorway, grinning as she bowed and waved for him to come in.

Just like old times, huh?

Roman Torchwick stood at the end of the long tables, waving his cane around. He barked something at the throng of goons. They shuffled along the tiles, lifting crates of dust and loading them into steel boxes. Probably to be moved to one of the dilapidated trains later, if the information he gave Ironwood was correct.

"Well, well," Roman said, sweat dripping down the side of his temple. Not even the thick mascara he wore concealed the black rings around his eyes. "I'm sure we both know why we're all here."

Considering how irregular everything was and the number of people who could strong-arm Roman into doing something...

Nex grunted. "Your friend?"

Neo sauntered towards the fridge by the corner, six or so goons parting away from her.

"Time's running out," Roman said, tapping the rug with the blunt of his cane. "Cinder's not a very patient friend."

"I need another month." Nex shrugged. "Atlesian tech ain't exactly easy to crack."

Of course, he already had what Cinder Fall wanted. But stalling for one more month would hopefully allow Ironwood to deal with Torchwick and the White Fang. By then, he would have no obligation to help Fall. She was Torchwick's friend.

Not his.

And if he had his way, the number of friends he had would have stayed at the manageable number of I can count them using ten fingers. It was honestly easier.

Roman scoffed and fixed him a look. He lowered his voice as he said, "Not for the average joe. But you're not average at all, are you, developer?"

"Right," Nex said. "Of course you'd know about that."

Roman clicked his tongue, stroking the blunt peeking over his suit's pocket. "Gotta say you're milking the Schnee for all she's worth. Money and connections, as well as a warm body to stave off the cold and lonely nights? Why, I'd say you've upped your game while I wasn't looking."

Nex tightened his jaw, his eyes narrowing. "Ever heard of the saying: let sleeping wolves lie?"

"None of that now," Roman said, the thief smiling and reaching out to pat his shoulder, dusting it off. "We're all friends here. Aren't we?"

"You sold me out, didn't you?" Nex hissed, placing a hand on Oathkeeper's hilt.

"Oh, please. What was I supposed to do?" Roman asked, rolling his eyes. "Should I wait until she sets my ass on fire?"

"We have a pact," Nex said, glaring at the thief.

"That we do." Roman nodded. He raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you want an apology."

Nex sighed, shaking his head to clear it all up. Not like Roman Torchwick stabbing him in the back was anything unexpected.

"She doesn't know. About me," Nex said. "Right?"

"If you need it to stay that way, you best watch your step." Roman shot a pointed glance at the far door. The room where he last met with Cinder. "Do what she wants and we all get to see another day. Think of it as a business opportunity."

Nex strolled past Roman, sneering as he stopped beside his fellow thief, craned his head, and whispered, "Coward. Who cut your balls off?"

"The pot reminds the kettle he's black," Roman said, sucking on his cigar. "You haven't told her, have you? She's got you squirming by the balls, eh?"

Nex scoffed, loping towards the backroom. "Do your part and we're square."

"No worries on that front," Roman said, puffing out a cloud of smoke. "Just remember whose side you're really on."

Weiss. Her side. Their side.

Nex grinned as he turned away, Oathkeeper creaking in its nondescript scabbard. "I know. I'm not stupid."

"Let's hope you aren't..." Roman grumbled. "To be dumb and in love..."

Nex paid the thief's mumblings no mind as he reached the door.

"In for a penny..."

He pulled the door open, slipping inside the backroom. A couch there, some boarded-up windows lining the flaked walls, and a woman garbed in a red dress. Her legs were stretched out in front of her, her heels resting on the desk. Two wine glasses sat on the blackened wood. A bottle of good ol' Mistralian Nightshade completed the set.

"It's you," Cinder Fall said, her eyes twitching even as an easy smile lit up her face. "You're the one?"

Evidently, she still remembered what he said last time.

Nex shrugged. She honestly looked liked she prepared for his visit, if it could be even called that. He deepened his voice like before and said, "What? Want me to put on a name tag? Or maybe you want me to shout my name from the rooftops?"

Cinder gave a low chuckle, sounding like it came from the bottom of her throat. She patted the red cushion beside her, the cotton thumping. "Let's talk business, shall we?"

Nex plopped down on the couch across Cinder, leaning against the armrest. "I believe we haven't been introduced."

Cinder's eyes narrowed for a split second. "Cinder Fall. But please, call me Cinder. There's no need to be so formal between friends, after all."

"Are we friends now, Miss Fall?" Nex said, a smirk lifting the edge of his lips. "We've only just met." He chuckled. "After all."

Cinder arched her back, jutting her chest out like a swan. A red swan trimmed with gold, but a swan nonetheless. "Please. Don't play coy with me." She stared at him. "You have something I need."

"The keys to Atlas," Nex said, licking his lips.

Now they were getting somewhere.

"Not just the keys to Atlas," Cinder said. "The keys to the four kingdoms."

Nex hummed. She was right of course. Still, how exactly should he play it?

"What's your agenda?" Nex said, cracking his neck side-to-side. "You see, I can't help but feel concerned."

"Ah," Cinder said, nodding. She reached for the Mistralian Nightshade and poured the two of them a glass each. "My little venture won't get in the way of your business."

The as long as you don't get in the way of mine went unspoken of course. And if he failed to hand over the virus, he would have been definitely getting in the way of hers.

"As a show of sincerity," Cinder said, raising one of the glasses. "I propose a toast. To the Artificer. To the man behind the mask."

Nex rolled his eyes behind said ceramic mask. "I don't drink. Got this disease off my father. Sorry."

Cinder raised the glass to her lips. "How unfortunate. Fine. I'll help myself then."

She placed the half-full glass back on the desk.

"You seem rather fond of this vintage," Nex said, glancing at the Mistralian Nightshade.

"It brings back memories," Cinder said, her ruby lips tightening. "Now. Name your price."

Nex shrugged. "I'm not hurting for lien. You should see my bank account. What I want is information."

He seemed to be missing a lot of those lately. Important ones too. The irony was definitely thick.

"Of course you aren't," Cinder said as she took another sip of her wine. "What do you want to know?"

His, of course, was left untouched, droplets of waters shimmering under the dim light as they dripped down the sides of the glass.

"What are you planning to do with the CCT?" Nex said. "You don't strike me as the type to be interested in tech, Miss Fall."

"Not technology," Cinder said. "Change."

Change. There was that word again. Weiss wanted change. Blake wanted change. Now even Cinder wanted it too.

"Change?" Nex asked, steepling his fingers.

"Call it the new world order," Cinder said as she leaned back into her couch. "Of course, one that will be favorable to my friends."

And unfavorable to her enemies. The woman's plan was, undoubtedly, to overthrow each of the four councils and install her own. With the CCT, she could hold contact between Vale, Vacuo, Atlas, and Mistral hostage. With the White Fang, she had her own army of fanatical faunus ready to fight the system. And with the amount of dust she stole using Roman, she had enough to strip the kingdoms of their walls and arm the White Fang.

Still, with the dust about to be removed from the picture, what exactly could Cinder Fall do?

"An ambitious plan, Miss Fall." Nex smirked. "Give me a month and I'll have what you need."

In a month's time, Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan would be behind bars drugged with aura-suppressants. The White Fang's abandoned train filled with dust explosives would be confiscated by the military. Cinder Fall's plan would be foiled to no fault of his. And Nexus Shade would be home-free, living the normal life of an average, inconspicuous, and most definitely unassuming huntsman-in-training slash budding developer.

"You're a reasonable man, Artificer," Cinder said, nodding. She raised her glass. "A toast, then, to the future."

"To friendship." Nex chuckled as he clinked his glass with hers. "To success."

Pareidolia squirmed at the back of his skull, like something was wrong with the woman in front of him. No doubt related to her supposed Maiden-magic.

"Ah, so we're friends now," Cinder said as they put down their wine. "But friends don't need to wear masks around each other."

His pores were oozing out sweat, seeping into the sleeves of his jacket. Since a few minutes ago. Probably before he even took one step inside.

Heat manipulation.

It was definitely her semblance. Threatening him all the while.

Fitting. But ultimately useless.

"If we're to be working together, a modicum of trust is to be expected," Cinder said, chuckling. "Don't you agree, Artificer?"

Nex clicked his tongue and stood up, strolling towards the door. He twisted the knob and said, "The mask is the real me. My face is nothing but a disguise, Miss Fall. Or should I say Maiden?"

Cinder Fall flinched, her glass shattering in her grip.

Nex grinned and slammed the door shut. He hightailed it past a chain-smoking Roman, plucking the poor blunt from the thief's fingers.

"Hey!" Roman yelled.

He took a whiff of the nicotine, his grin turning into a smirk.

Maybe, just maybe, there was truth in fiction after all.


Author's Notes:

I believe that moments like last chapter's reveal should spur characters into actually developing as people instead of just being there for the shock and the drama. Mom and dad being married isn't there to make things better at all. Nah, we don't do better here (queue evil laugh). Astute readers will also notice something not quite right with our protagonist. I reckon most of you boys and girls already have a handle on how he works after almost fifty chapters or so.

A note on updates: I've decided to update Artificer on a monthly basis, meaning once a month. But why, Eretein? Surely you can write at least one chapter in two days. Well, the reason why is that I'm currently spending this month writing one of my unpublished stories, and I'm honestly having a blast. Next month should be devoted to Guardians of the Unknowing (f'ing finally, more random fun). And September should be Artificer's turn in the writing spotlight. It's like this so I don't get burnt out and hyper-focused on one cast of characters.

Anyways, big thanks to the people who left reviews. It personally means a lot to this gal.