Cane tucked under his arm, he strode through a lovely part of town, a place with cute restaurants and charming little shops. A neighborhood he was certain his Red would adore. Whistling a jaunty tune, tapping his cane on the sign as he entered.

'The Autumn Blossom Inn.'

Expectantly an older woman tackled him into a hug. "Oh little RoRo! You've come to visit!"

Muttering, "Amethyst-"

With a narrowed gaze, "Excuse me young man?"

Quietly as could be, "Matron."

Giving a dramatic sigh before spinning away with a flip of her hair, sash-shaying towards the bar. "You know you used to be an affectionate boy." She poured him some whiskey, a mellow kind.

Taking the partial message, he didn't have to put on airs, "Ice?"

She rolled her eyes and dropped a cube. A signal that they could speak freely.

Taking a sip, "I did grow up."

"Not like you had a choice. You here to let off some steam?" She pulled out her scroll to look at her ledger. "Your favorite is working the streets-"

Snapping, "I don't like my girls or boys out there."

Raising an annoyed brow, "I know, but with Adam? Junior is doing what he can, but we don't have a lot of options to keep our ears open."

"You got Eyvind nearby?"

She gave him a flat look. "Who do you think I am? We both know he'll keep them safe. So why are you here RoRo?" Matron leaned forward, elbows on the bar.

"You probably already know." He met her bright purple eyes.

"I've some guesses, most likely to do with that girl visiting your favorite safe house weekly. Or because of Neo with that creep, honestly, I expected her tastes to run more like yours. Adorable but aggressive."

Roman gritted his teeth, "Oscar he's-"

"Oh I know. Our counter surveillance barely detected the guy following you. Yet he had a whole lot of information."

"He's more than he seems."

She bobbed her head, "Now that we see him, you can handle a man like that with your arms behind your back."

"He isn't why I'm here." Then, he scratched his cheek, "I need some advice about my girlfriend." With some effort, he forced away from his blush.

Amethyst let loose a low whistle, "Oh my dear boy. Look at you talking to your head pimp about girls."

"You're more than that, Matron."

She gently gripped his hand, "Oh I know, I raised you after all."

Glancing around, "Maybe growing up in a brothel wasn't the healthiest.."

She shrugged, "You came out of Vita Xiong. You were not destined for a good childhood. Now tell Ol' Matron about the problems a sweet little girl is giving you."

"Red-Ruby... she's young and." He bit his lip.

"Not ready to have sex? You're feeling a bit pent up?"

He shrugged.

Matron finally picked up and swirled her drink, "You are 18 who can charm a starving man out his lunch. Yet you are surprisingly wordless."

Grunting, "She's exploring, and she is 15. I will go at her pace." Unable to stop his face from heating, "Red just makes noises, and I know exactly how to make both of us feel good."

She watched him for a bit, fiddling with her drink, "You care about her happiness?"

His eye widened, "Of course! How could you-"

She waved her hand dismissively, "Roman, I don't know what kind of man you are going to be yet. You were a gentle boy who cared more about gadgets than getting what you wanted. I've seen you become exacting and cruel. A Don I am proud to call Boss."

"I can't be both."

"You most certainly can, if that is what you want. The question is, what role do you want this girl to play? You want to make her yours? Have her life in service to you? Or do you want a partner?"

"Doesn't it matter what she wants?"

"No." seeing him flinch. "At least I don't care about Miss Rose's happiness. I care about yours and Neo's, and I will put everything else a distant second."

He saw that in Matron after his mother was murdered. Amethyst with Junior held the underworld in an iron fist for a whole year while Roman and Neo settled into their power. And even now, she offered advice and guidance or the occasional swift kick in the ass. He swallowed, "I care about Ruby. I think I love her."

Matron snorted, "Honestly, you grew up in a brothel, and you still think romantic love is of value?"

He looked sideways, feeling the reprimand, "She can be my equal. Just not yet."

"Does she know you're a criminal?"

He nodded, "I don't know if she would ask me to walk away."

She patted his hand, "You're both teenagers, you don't have to have those answers today. Just enjoy."

"But-"

"RoRo, I made sure that everything you did. You did well. I got you an education from scientists, warriors, and prostitutes. While it meant no one had a reason to laugh at you behind your back. You did miss out on one thing."

"Which was?"

"The joys of fumbling around. Teenagers working up to sex is supposed to be frustrating. You had a rare childhood. At 12 you got tossed into a room with a male prostitute. You were shown exactly how to please a partner. And then later the same with a female."

"Some would call that sexual abuse."

"Oh it absolutely was. Your mother also didn't have a companion and that Torchwick of your father was a major disappointment. Vita and I knew she was going to orphan you early." Amethyst slammed her glass onto the bar. "So I made sure you had every tool you could have to fight for what you want." Amethyst tenderly brushed his bright orange bangs out of his face, "Good, you're wearing the contact. I hope his family never finds you. I do not want to have that battle again." She glanced at the clock, "The lunchtime patrons are coming soon. Just RoRo, with the girl if you want her as a partner. Be honest with her about your desires and let her know when you need to stop."

He nodded, standing after draining his glass. "Back door?"

"You can, or stop parading around as an easily identifiable criminal in the middle of the day."

He tossed her his white jacket and slicked back his bangs, folding his weapon and tucking it into his belt.

"Brothers look like your father, and you have your mother's awkwardness."

Flashing a sly grin, "I thought I was a suave criminal."

"Only because I drilled it into you."

After kissing her on the cheek, he walked out the side door of the brothel. Held it open for a broad straight back older gentleman with a gray hoodie and sharp white slacks, "Have a good time General." The green-eyed youth smirked at the shock. "You should try bangs if you want a disguise." Roman whistled as he walked down the pavement wishing he could twirl his cane. Then a worried male tone drifted into his ears.

"Who is Ro? What kind of boy is he?"

Ro nearly tripped over himself.

A blonde man towered over his girlfriend, who was clutching a carton of strawberries to her chest. Her father nervously combed his fingers through his graying yellow hair. The ginger swallowed and squared his shoulders, wishing he wore something other than a black tank top under that white jacket. Removing his neck scarf and tying it around his wrist, and then moved next to Red.

"Ro's name is Ronald." His arm wrapped around her shoulder. Feeling how urgently she pressed into him, he forced his gaze to remain carefree on the blonde man.

"Ro!"

"Sorry I'm late...I unexpectedly had to drop off my jacket."

She blinked up in surprise and blushed a little at the sight of his bare arms.

Confusedly, "I didn't realize you were joining us."

"Didn't realize I'd be here until...now" Roman held out his hand and produced a boyish nervous smile, "You must be, Taiyang."

The blonde, "Ruby, were you trying to organize something?"

Ruby squeaked, "I just didn't want to disappoint you. Ro... is pretty busy."

A short, sweet answer that might not even be a lie, it made the criminal's chest flutter. Then, smoothly, "There is a great cafe there. Lunch?" His stomach rumbled loudly.

Taiyang clapped the young man on the shoulder, "Typical teenager, always hungry." The father flicked his eyes from his youngest to the tall boy next to her. Then, slowly, "I'll get a table and give you two a moment."

Ruby whispered when her dad disappeared into a building, "We could run?"

Wrapping his arms around her, "You want your family to tolerate me?"

"Dad's a huntsman."

"Not just any Huntsman, and fortunately for me, he lives on a little island."

"I don't want you two to fight."

Gently tilting her chin up, "Then we won't. Just remember to avoid lying Red. It makes a messy web." Her fingers laced at the back of his neck to tug him down into a kiss. Surprising him she hated public displays then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw that her father was watching through the glass. The couple moved inside and 'Ronald' felt the father appraise him. Heavy eyeliner, slicked-back hair, and Tai's eyes rested on the green contact. Roman reminded himself he was 18, and he was not in charge right now. Technically the hunter was on his turf, but it'd go better if Tai didn't feel that. Although the elderly clerk had known Roman since he was a boy and knew his favorite sandwich, it almost immediately appeared in front of Roman. The boy blushed.

Tai laughed, "Come here a lot?"

Roman gave a curt nod. As Ruby and Tai made their order.

"So where do you go to school Ronald?"

"I don't. After my mother died, I took over the business 3 years ago."

Tai winced in sympathy, "I'm sorry for your loss...how old are you?"

"18."

Tai sucked in his breath and looked at his daughter, who was stealing chips from her boyfriend. "You were 15? You don't have any other family?"

"Just my twin sister... my uncle and a family friend look out for us when they can." He followed the paternal gaze. "Sir, I know I'm a bit older than her."

The father's eyes darkened and Torchwick wasn't sure what was going through the blonde's mind. Red seemed to have guessed.

"It is not like Ro is," Her voice dropped suddenly, "pressuring me."

It was an awkward conversation in the middle of a cafe he uses to launder money. Then rose petals began nervously falling from her. Her involuntary semblance was lovely.

Taiyang glared and was ready to call bullshit, "Ruby, you got an STD test."

There was suddenly a pile of rose petals that reformed into a precious girl.

Roman steady, "We talked about it, just talked. Whatever we decide, I would consider her safety first."

Tai bit his lip, "You're clean?"

Roman suppressed a smile seeing where she got that nervous tick from, "I finished a round of antibiotics, but yeah."

Taiyang rubbed his chest. Roman knew that look. It came from those who had expected to see a boy. There was a watery warmth in Taiyang's eyes, a relief when he looked at his girl. One that the criminal knew could rightly vanish in an instant.

Ruby softly, "How'd you know about my test?"

Roman, "Red, you're a minor. I believe the school has to inform your father of all things medical."

She hissed, "You know about the IUD?"

Roman shot his brows high.

Tai louder than he intended, "You were at Signal, and you complained so much about traipsing around the forest with pads. I wasn't surprised when the doctor told me."

Ruby realized people were staring and turned into a puddle of rose petals.

Tai, "Just so you know, that's normal."

Roman, "I've noticed. It's endearing."

Tai beamed, "Right!"

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly with the occasional floral explosions that were nervously eating her strawberries.