Omgoodness I am so grateful for the sudden influx of comments, I've been having a hard time remotiving and y'all letting me know what you like or where you are curious has inspired me! Thank you!

Tomb456- you are beyond kind, and yes I'm big on couples communicating.

Seriouslazy- Cinder's nickname is Fire Twat…LOL.

Brotien- prepare for more conversations about how couples can be good to eachother

Jud- Yup Roman is a drug sniffing dog but for dust

At the entry ramp to a plane, Pyrrha bowed slightly, "Without you, I don't think the Wyvern could've been slain. I am grateful to have fought beside someone so skilled."

Oscar smiled at the girl he had never had the chance to meet before, "A team effort. Are you sure you are leaving?" With Pyrrha alive, JNPR did not have a purpose to travel to Mistral.

Nora deflated, staring at her feet, "We were accepted at Atlas academy." Oscar imagined the spunkiest of the group would loathe the military structure.

Jaune shoving his hands in his pockets, "I wish I could have saved Weiss."

Oscar gripped the blonde's shoulder, "You had no idea your semblance could amplify one's healing ability." Oscar made great use of his inherited magic. But, no matter how he tried, it had no ability for healing. Pyrrha took Jaune's hand, "Who knows what would have happened to Yang if you didn't heal her."

Oscar bit his tongue, trying not to consider all the places he went wrong. He had some hindsight, yet all he did was get Weiss killed and Blake kidnapped. He urged his jaw to relax at the taste of blood.

Ozpin rumbled in his mind, Wyvern drew the Grimm. Without it, people won't die to rebuild

Oscar could feel the strain it took for the old wizard to form sentences. Pyrrha gave him a glance, knowing that she dodged something awful. He smiled effortlessly, hoping he eased her concern while waving her off.

Ozpin, Yes, our personal losses are grave. I've cataloged through your memories of newspapers. While I'm concerned about your intense interest in foxes.

Oscar chuckled audibly, then internally, I became a fox breeder, after you passed in my timeline, it was a part of my farm.

Ozpin pausing on the idea of death took Oscar's breath away. Ozpin continued, My point was your choices saved thousands of lives. If we don't sever Salem's connection to the Grimm pools, all will die.

He…they walked through the reconstruction in Vale. Without the Wyvern and the city's new defeated calm, the remaining Grimm had been slain. Finding his way to where the whore's cottage had been. He hadn't seen it, but it had been smashed apart by a Griffin's rough fall. Through the broken stone, there was a shock of pink hair. Oscar combing his fingers through it, "You can't get anyone to clear the rubble of the inn?"

Neo's fist on her hip and her other hand gestured broadly.

Gently he cupped her cheeks, "Oh, no one answers to you now, so none to honor the favors they owe you." The Torchwick empire was gone. "What now then?"

Sniffling, she gave a long glance to where the body of Matron likely rested. Neo twirled her parasol. The flames burning in her eyes did not stop the tears. Hugging her tight, "And so we fight." Resting his chin on her head, "The question is, do we follow Qrow to Mistral? Or Atlas to their labs?"

Neo spun away, her fingers snapping an illusion of Ruby portrayed.

"I know we need to wait for Ruby to wake up. She will." He paused, "You didn't use your illusions to communicate before."

She gave a lingering look to the top of the nonfunctional CCT tower, then gestured to the ferries.

"Yeah, we should head back to patch. Maybe Roman's heard back from Perry."

Neo slipped her hand into his back pocket.

Kissing her lightly, "And maybe this lab will have your test results back."

XXX

Yang had yet to wrap her mind around Ronald. He had fitted a prosthetic arm on her. Her baby sister's hoplophilic boyfriend was Roman Torchwick. Somehow he was an even bigger weapons nerd than her sister. Now he stood, in her backyard, with a notepad watching Yang curiously. Ruby's tools, on a bench beside him. Her brain was still fuzzy on all the changes in the past few days.

Sun decked her in the face.

Yang returned to her surroundings. Her childhood home turned campsite for kids waiting for ships to take them back home.

Sun, "Come on Yang, I have only a few more hours."

Yang cocking her weapons, "sorry, I was wondering what Roman had to do to get me this."

Roman deadpanned, "I had to beat a man who refused to pay back a favor." Then, smirking, "so I believe that voids the warranty," his hand gestured, "practice firing."

Her eyes widened. Part of her wanted to throw the stolen tech away. But it would take time to get one legally, time which Blake didn't have.

Yang was tripped by Sun's golden clones as she tried to shoot him with her arm.

Roman's brows pinched together as he marked his notepad. Her father walked out with a briefcase, pausing beside Roman. Tai, "I guess I should be grateful that my daughter is dating a crime lord."

"I'm at best a thug now." Roman twirled his pen.

Yang weaved around Sun clones striking and shooting and forcing the mimicry to fade.

She didn't need to see that her father's jaw was tight, and Tai minced what he truly wanted to say, "So if you are not ruling from the city bottom-up, what next?"

Roman taking notes and looks at his watch while Yang pulls the trigger. His tongue clicked, "Do something to prevent Grimm ash from pervading the air? Help make it so people can be immune to Grimmification?" Then, giving the father a sideways look, "Right now, I'm trying to help my girlfriend's sister."

Tai pressed on, "No, I mean, with your life if you didn't have a war to fight?"

Yang was flipped over a golden clone's shoulder, and she twisted herself to punch the actual Sun in the throat.

Roman took notes as he flushed, "I'd like to tinker with weapons. Maybe design them?"

Yang suppresses a squeal for her sister's sake. Sun kneed her in the ribs.

Tai blinked, "you know I thought Ruby's picker was broken. Then you just proved me wrong." the father shook his head. "I have to head back to Signal. A ship to Shade will be docking soon."

Sun paused, "That gre-" Yang decked him in the jaw. Devastating all of the clones.

Roman, "I'll keep everything organized here."

Taiyang gave a bright smile that both of his daughters inherit, "That goes without saying, Son."

Roman blinked back tears, and Yang remembered that the people who raised him were likely dead. Tai opened his mouth and closed it, tossing his daughter a bottle of water as he headed out. Roman shook his head to clear it.

"Yang, hand me your arm."

Removing her prosthetic, she held out her fleshy stump to him. He rolled his eyes and examined it, "The skin looks fine. I think I changed the pressure spots well enough."

"It doesn't feel like it's chafing anymore."

"There is a bit of a lag with when you pull the trigger to when it actually-"

"Roman, I'm not Rubbles. So I don't really care."

Sun muttered, "You probably should care if you are going to traipse off on your own after Blake."

Yang snapped, "She's your friend too, I can't believe you're abandoning her!"

Sun held up his hands, "We joked around a few times, but it's not like we fought beside each other. I can't abandon my team for her."

Yang growled, and Roman sighed, "Stumpy, you can't expect everyone to care as much as you do about your priorities."

Sun spared a confused glance as Roman took apart the prosthetic. Then, Sun tilted his head, "Just be careful working with a new weapon, much like new semblances they can be…turbulent."

She sniggered, "Yeah, when I unlocked my semblance I burned down a chessboard and left Uncle Qrow's cloak in tatters."

Roman puts down Ruby's tools, "You saw something in Yang's arm?"

Sun dismissively waved his hand, "Other than it is stronger than a normal arm? Nah. Just thinking about when I unlocked my semblance, and then my clones started to move off my instincts."

Neptune came out with a tray of sandwiches, "Oh yeah, that was freaky. I'd find a clone glowing and snuggling me in my bed."

Sun flushed violently, "It took a bit to control them."

Yang flexed her hands, "New power, new responsibilities. Square up Sun. I want to be ready to chase after Blake soon."

Roman, "If you are leaving with the next ship, Sun, you should probably pack." Then, twirling his cane, "I take it from here." While the team SNNN was meandering away, Roman bombarded her with flurry of strikes watching how Yang's prosthetic withstood. Finally, he tutted, "Blondie, come on, stop using your arm as a conduit for your Aura. I need to see how it handles without."

"Thanks." Reigning in her natural protection, "It must have been weird to beat a man for it" she felt a chill up her spine.

Grabbing and twisting a metal digit, "You earned it." Tutting, "And besides, it wasn't the first time melodic cudgel made a man sing."

Yang flinched at the idea of torture. Adam was probably torturing Blake and calling it love. Roman spun under her swinging fist, foot at her ankle, sending her face-first in the dirt.

Drawling, "Do you think you could fight Adam, as you are?"

"He has Blake! I don't- I can't leave her with him!" metal hand to the ground, she kicked both feet at Roman, who caught her ankles and twisted her face again into the dirt.

"You at your best can give me a hard time. Right now?" Snapping his cane against his palm, "You need to wait for your sister to wake up."

"And when will that be! In the meantime, what will Adam be doing to Blake?"

"Adam is more than just a skilled man with a blade," frustrating pushing back his bright hair, "He took possession of an army for a single girl. Then abandoned said army once he had that girl in his arms." He took Yang's arm, "Since you won't be listening to me, at least allow me to make a few more alterations."

Yang grumbled, "He killed Weiss. He has something worse plan for Blake."

"I understand. The longer Adam has her, the more harm he will cause. You're stupid, but I won't stop you."

XXX

Roman continued to trust Neo and Oscar to do what Vale needed. He helped repair what he could in various Hunters' weapons. Some went back into Vale. Most, after the Grimm were slain, chose to return home. He did not mind the slow transition to quiet. Walking back into the house, there was the hasty goodbye note from Yang, and it looked like Tai went off to pursue her in a hurry. Roman sighed, Tai will come home to only one daughter. For now, it was still early. Roman feeling incredibly selfish, tucking himself into Ruby's bed pulling her against him, so her head rested against his chest. He could pretend she was sleeping rather than…this. Resting his cheek on her head, he swallowed. Wishing Matron had a chance to get to know her or for his Uncle to even meet her.

Settling into one of Ruby's books, amusing himself that his girlfriend had a thing for zombie novels. Marked all over the margins were her chicken scratch. Pointing out inconsistencies within the world the writer had created. He kissed the top of her head. Loving his dorky Red.

She made a little whining noise. Holding his breath as she opened her pair of silver eyes. "R-roman?" Blinking around her room and then back at him. "Are we dead?"

"No." That was a reasonable question, wasn't it?

"Then why is a boy allowed in my room?" smiling as she nuzzled her face into his side.

"Your dad left me here." lifting her chin up to peer into those silver moons.

"Oh." Shaking her head. Slipping out of the covers, she stood rubbing her eyes, "I'm going to take a shower. I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Red, you've been unconscious for a couple of days. So I'm staying here," awkwardly clearing his throat, "and don't lock the bathroom."

Her cheeks flared, but she nodded and wavered over to the bathroom. Except for her footsteps, it was silent, then hearing the water turn on. Something heavy fell.

"Red?"

Only the sound of water.

Slowly he peered into the bathroom Red, naked, curled onto the floor of the shower. Then, turning off the water and tenderly, taking a towel to the stunned girl down until she began to sob into his arms. "Weiss! Blake-Blake is gone! Yang! Is she okay?"

Tying the towel around her, "Yang is alive… she's out. I got her a prosthetic. It's working well for her." Carrying her to her bed, he curled up next to her. She shook and gasped while he rubbed her back.

Unexpectedly, her mouth bruised against his. If she wanted to use him as a distraction, he'd let her, his brain going numb, getting lost in where her towel slipped and matching her fervent tongue. Soon, she was pushing his shirt off. His hand stopped hers groping at his belt.

Breaking the kiss, "Ro- fuck me."

Recoiling, if she didn't sound too desperate, he might have admonished her for swearing. "Red-Ruby, this isn't-" Her body urgently pushed against him, and feeling her modest breasts press tightly against his bare chest made him groan. Then moving her away. "We talk these things out Red."

Flinching, "I'm sorry Ro. You're right. I just…."

"Want to feel something different?" He covered her with her blanket, fingers moving into her wet hair.

Biting her lips, "I'm going to be angry and terrified." Her eyes glowed, "We witnessed devastation, and you and I didn't fight together." small hands clutched his shoulders.

Catching onto her thought process. Roman continued, "You and I could have died any moment."

Her hand cupped his cheek, "I love you. I just don't want to miss experiencing everything I can with you." Lowering her gaze, "I regret not letting Weiss dress me up like a little doll." Her voice quivered, "Or Blake, I put off reading that book and- and. If I never see her again, I'd regret not talking to her about it." Her face pressed into his chest. "I'm sorry for pressuring you."

Kissing the top of her head, "I didn't understand why Red. I want to love you every way I can."

Booping her nose to his, "If you want, I can put on my underwear, and we can just snuggle."

His hand wandered down to her ass and gently squeezed. "Your IUD still in?"

Looking up at him through heavy lashes, "It should be, but I can show you how to check."

Pulling her thigh across his hip, "Are you asking me to finger you?"

Rocking against him, "For Science! I mean educational purposes."

Pressing his forehead against hers, "Red, you're a terrible liar."

"Shut up and kiss me, you thief." She giggled when he simply kissed her cheek, then her neck, hands gliding down her body. He doubted she truly wanted this. Her laughter turned breathier when his fingers splayed between her thighs. Wriggling against him, she became radiant. The brightness eliminated any fear that Red would regret this…regret him. "Roman, please, I can't wait." Moving his hand and spreading her thighs.

Suddenly the anguish of delaying was unbearable. Red seemed to agree as she clumsily slid against him. He couldn't slow himself, pushing inside, Ruby whispering how wonderful he was between soft moans. Then, he was gone, lost in his beloved, who rolled in the same ecstasy that gripped him.

She whined, "Rom- oh. I'm not going to make it."

Sensing her nerves, his arm around her waist, "that's okay, remember the last time I almost got you here?"

Fingers digging into his back, she panted, "I'm safe with you." Her back arched gorgeously, and losing it to her soft heat clenching all around him, he lifted her hips while he spilled into her.

Then find the strength to rest on his side, he kissed her, soft and lazy. "You okay, Ruby?"

Her eyes unfocused, she smiled, "Perfect." she wrinkled her nose, "ewe I feel you spilling out."

"felt better going in?"

They snickered immaturely. Ruby's glow swept away quicker than it came. Burying herself into his arms and with a sob, "Weiss."

Maybe they rushed this.

But if they had to separate again, he was grateful for it.