A/N: I've had this entire story outlined for the past 1.5 years, but I've never found the inspiration to actually write it. It's literally been on my computer since before I even thought up Laws of Attraction. I find the women of Yang's life fascinating (and find Yang the character with the most potential for actually interesting character growth, although god knows I hate the way RT's handled her) and thus wanted to dedicate something to them. Well, here it is- consider this first little bit a reminder to myself to actually, finally write this dang thing.

Let me know what you think!

Metal Hands, Patchwork Hearts

Yang Xiao Long was a happy girl.

She was bright, energetic. Her friends often laughed at how ridiculous she could get, maintaining her composure in any situation. She knew exactly how to make everyone around her smile (or, at the very least, groan at her puns), and she took on the role of a mood-maker with pride. If she could make the people she loved happy, that was all that ever really mattered.

She was beautiful. She knew that, without a doubt- it wasn't overconfidence or narcissism speaking, either. One look at her lilac eyes, unblemished skin, perfect curves, and- her greatest pride- her breathtaking golden hair, and anyone could become smitten. She knew she had that effect on others. She also knew that she was worth more than any casual suitors could offer her. She wouldn't ever let someone unworthy be by her side.

She was strong. Her father's fists were no match for her sheer power, and whenever they sparred, the pride and joy in his eyes as she bested him again and again over the years filled her with such delight. Her little sister watched her grow with admiration and love and warmth, and her strength was the perfect tool to keep that perfect little girl safe. And, keep Ruby safe, she always would. That was her unconditional promise, the one thing she'd do forever, until the day she couldn't fight anymore.

Life for Yang Xiao Long was wonderful. She was wonderful.

Or… at least, she used to be.

But now, life was different. As the stump on her arm began to ache once again, left fist clenching into bedsheets as flashes of red sparked behind her eyelids, a searing pain scorching up her nerves where her hand used to be, she wanted to vomit. The tingling sensation in her body wanted her to move her right hand. But there wasn't anything there.

She closed her eyes, sighing as she leaned back against her pillow. Her brain hadn't figured it out yet. Her right arm wasn't magically coming back.

She just… needed some quiet.

"Yang?" a low voice called hesitantly from downstairs.

Her eyelids shot open once more. She stiffened in her bed, a cold sweat breaking out instantaneously over her body. The red sparking in her vision mutated, transforming into a solid form, and she whimpered as burning red hair and crimson, Grimm-like slits through an ivory mask flashed through her mind. Wrapping herself within her blankets, she burrowed her head underneath her covers, shivering, hiding herself away.

It was fruitless, but on the most base level, she couldn't be found. Not again. Her heart hid away.

She heard the door creak open. "Sweetie? How's it going?"

She knew it was her father. It was just Tai, that was it.

Quiet whimpers, the light padding of paws on hardwood. Zwei was with him.

She was safe.

But when she closed her eyes, shutting out the pain and the phantom sensation and the presence of another, Adam Taurus' face refused to leave her mind.

He had smiled when he cut off her arm.

"Sweetie," she heard Tai whisper sadly. Their corgi whined pathetically from the floor.

She didn't respond. She didn't want them to see her. Not like this.

"I love you, Yang. Let me know if you need anything, okay?" her father murmured. She knew that he meant every word. Still, she couldn't raise her head, couldn't stop the shaking.

It had only been a week since she had awoken after everything had changed. The Fall of Beacon… the breakdown of the CCT… the loss of Vale…

And the crumbling of her team.

She knew it was cruel to him. Her father had already lost too much. In her heart, it destroyed her as she realized why he sounded so broken. He couldn't lose her, too.

She heard Tai bend down, his knees cracking in that way she used to always tease him for- but now, the sharp sounds caused her to freeze. She heard him picking up the items littering the floor before him.

"This… Ruby gave you this, Yang…"

She knew what he was talking about- a little blanket the girl had sewn for her big sister, clumsy and wonderful, from when Ruby was nine.

Yang didn't care. It was on the floor, along with everything else.

Every ounce of red in her room had been stripped to the ground. That was the one productive thing she had done that day. She had squeezed her eyes shut and torn every bit of vermillion and blood and fire and Grimm to the ground, hiding it all from view. It was just… too much.

One hand fumbled with the sheets. The other… wasn't there anymore. The bandages protecting the stump on her right side constricted her movement. She said nothing.

"Goodnight, Yang. Love you." Another whimper from Zwei. Then, she heard the door click close, and all was still in the lightless room. Yang knew why Tai's voice had been so broken when he collected all of her fears in his hands, taking them away.

She couldn't look at red anymore.

She had yet to look at Ruby, too.

The thought brought a hoarse, choking sob into her throat, and she gagged. Her body automatically wanted to clench her fists, throw the sheets off herself and go out and scream into the world to vent her frustrations. But she didn't. She couldn't. She refused to pull herself out of bed. The red was everywhere, behind her eyelids. She wasn't safe.

That was the thought which broke her, more than anything. She used to be strong, and beautiful, and proud, and happy. And, more than anything, she could make sure Ruby was safe, forever and always.

How could she protect her baby sister ever again, if she couldn't even keep herself safe?