Love and Trust

Sylvia opened her eyes, sitting up within an instant of coming back to consciousness, and looked around even though it hurt her head. She was a little disorientated as she looked around, no longer in the tent or even in the Emerald Forest, she appeared to be in a bedroom. Taking in all her surroundings she got out of the bed and walked over to the desk in the corner of the room.

Looking on the desk she found a picture of a much younger Celica with the smile that always warmed her heart and her parents. The sight of her parents had a saddening effect wishing Celica didn't have to lose them knowing they would've helped her. There was no sound to be heard in the rest of the house and figured Celica had got her to safety then left.

She sighed, going for the door she found it unable to open, the handle was locked but the door itself would not budge an inch, it was like a powerful force was keeping the door shut. It was most likely a heavy piece of furniture or a lock of some kind stopping her, looking for another way out she only saw the window open but she was on the 2nd floor, if she was going to jump out she figured to heal her aura first.

Sitting back on the bed her mind began wondering how Celica got her here in the first place. It was obvious that she used her semblance but the question was did she put her in her room and then barricaded the door or was it already barricaded? Unsure she just laid back on the bed thinking if Celica would come back or not, she had done a massive favour that she didn't need to do.

Lying on Celica's bed she could smell a faint trail of Celica's perfume and Sylvia started crying, not trusting Celica and blindly listening to Arthur and Luca had really messed things up. She was really second-guessing her actions now, after all, she was still trying to deal with Luca's death, Celica seemed like she wanted nothing to do with her and felt responsible for what happened to Celica and not being there for her.

As she lay on the bed she cried herself to sleep thinking as soon as her aura is restored that it might be best to cause Celica less pain and head back to Menagerie, she owed Luca's parents an apology, an explanation, and told herself to move on before she drifted into sleep. Sleeping through the night she woke up finding just herself in the room, Sylvia checked the door and it was still barricaded and it appeared that nobody had come into the room while she slept.

She grabbed everything that was hers and picked up her scroll, under her scroll was a note telling her to call when she was ready to leave. A little confused about it she chose to call anyway, Celica picked up and just asked if she was ready, Sylvia cautiously said yes and in an instant, a portal opened up by the door of the bedroom. Sylvia stepped into the portal and came out finding herself in another room with Celica sharpening her gauntlet blades.

Sylvia just stood there as Celica didn't bother looking up as she sharpened her weapons, finally, Sylvia spoke by thanking Celica for looking after her. Celica looked up and nodded before responding by thanking Sylvia for caring for her when she found her on the boulder a couple of days ago. Sylvia wondered how she had gotten there and just to try to get Celica talking asked exactly how Celica came to be there.

Celica sighed and stopped sharpening her weapons and looked at Sylvia blankly stating that she had taken on job after job while waiting for her to leave Vale, mentioning she had gone to different towns across Anima and even did a Search and Destroy job in Vacuo. Sylvia put two and two together and it was obvious that Celica never fully recovered after each job and just kept pushing herself to the next job.

Sylvia looked down and asked if she completed her recent mission, Celica nodded stating the day that she stumbled across her was just after she completed her last mission, the horde of Grimm almost brought her down and after completion, she had used her semblance to get out of the area. Sylvia listened on but then had to ask when Celica finished as she mentioned how Celica's semblance worked as she only could portal short distances while they studied at Beacon together.

Celica just raised an eyebrow thinking why Sylvia would ask a stupid question but she shook her head and answered that just like Sylvia in the time they spent apart she had grown with her fighting skills and strengthened her semblance discovering she doesn't need to see the location physically but she could mentally think of a location, So places she had been before or most precious to her were ideal.

Celica sensed Sylvia's next question and before she could ask it she just snapped telling her she chose the boulder because it was special to her as it was the day she met the love of her life when life was simple. It made a silence in the room, the two girls still loved each other but both had been apart for a year and they had both felt betrayed but really Sylvia was the one at fault.

Sylvia teared up, looking at Celica right into her eyes she had to ask if she wanted her to leave, Celica was taken aback, she thought that Sylvia would just be defiant, stubborn, and would just stay and try to win her back, she had no idea if it was Sylvia's new tactic to try to see how she felt or if she had given up on trying to get her back, Celica could only ask why.

Sylvia let the tears flow down her cheeks taking full responsibility for betraying Celica's trust, not listening to her, and for not being there for her, and wondering if she was causing more pain being around her again. Celica just stared at her, she didn't want Sylvia to stop but clearly, this was affecting Sylvia just like it did her, Celica smiled softly hoping she would be believed as she shook her head telling Sylvia that she rather her stay.

Sylvia stared at Celica in shock, she asked if Celica trusted her, and Celica just shrugged answering yes and no, in the fight she could trust her but it may take time for them to be back to normal, Celica mentioned they had a lot to talk about and it would only work to get a friendship let alone a relationship back if they were both serious about it as she couldn't have love without trust.

The two just kept staring at each other until Celica opened up a portal and told Sylvia to get in. Worried Celica was pulling one over her she grabbed her hand as she stepped into the portal, she didn't feel any resistance as Celica followed her into the portal. The portal opened up back in the small clearing by the boulder they had met on. When the portal shut Sylvia reluctantly let go of Celica's hand, taking a few steps she looked around wondering why Celica brought her back there.

She turned around to see Celica extend her Gauntlet blades as she pointed to Sylvia initiating a challenge. Sylvia was confused, she just stood there not knowing what to do or say, she didn't want to fight Celica but it seemed Celica wasn't going to take no for an answer. Seeing the confusion on her face she announced to Sylvia that before anything if she was going to stick around then she'd better be able to keep up with her.

Sylvia was reluctant to do so but understood, she grabbed her Longsword and got ready, the two looked around, no Grimm were in sight and Sylvia used her heightened hearing abilities knowing the coast was clear for now. The two faced each other, Celica stood at the ready not moving thinking of all the directions Sylvia could attack her from. Celica was the first to dive in against Grimm but against an opponent of a Human or Faunus she always let the other combatant make the first move.

Sylvia switched up positions thinking Celica would attack first, they both stood there staring at each other, as seconds, minutes went by Sylvia was beginning to doubt if Celica was serious about this skirmish and so she lowered her guard and was about to ask Celica what exactly was she doing. As soon as she dropped her guard Celica launched her attack with a clear opening and closed the distance coming with her first strike.

Sylvia managed to block it in time as Celica stared into her eyes saying 'Rule 1. Never drop your guard' the two broke apart and Celica pushed on the attack by shooting at Sylvia with Snake's Echo. Sylvia dodged the shot and barely had enough time to block Celica's next attack as Celica once again stared into her eyes stating 'Rule 2. Always be cautious of your openings' Celica backed up and went for another strike but this time Sylvia was more prepared parrying and attempting her own strike for the first time in this altercation.

She had caught on to what Celica was doing, they had discussed these rules of Celica's back when they were studying at Beacon. Celica smirked knowing Sylvia was following Rule 3. See an opening, go for it. The two kept fighting, Celica had improved much greater than Sylvia, it was clear Sylvia was no match but she still kept up especially introducing her new fighting style as she split her swords into two.

Celica smiled and yelled out 'A challenge' as the two kept fighting, as they both ducked and weaved, blocking and parrying strikes. They both hadn't used their semblance, it was unspoken but this was a fighting skill challenge and both knew they always couldn't rely on their semblances all the time. Tired they both went in a final slash, their swords hit each other causing sparks, both were panting as they stared into each other's eyes.

Celica smiled and stepped back withdrawing her gauntlet blades, Sylvia relaxed and that's when she was staring down the barrel of Snake's Echo as Celica told Sylvia to never let her guard down even after the fight. Sylvia nodded as the night she fought Arthur and Luca came flushing back as Arthur continued the attack even after having his aura buckled.

Celica put Snake's Echo away as the two stared at each other, Sylvia's turn to step toward Celica who had her guard down, instead of turning her weapon on her she dropped her two blades and passionately kissed Celica. Celica kissed back, both teared up as they kissed, they only stopped hearing an Ursa growling at them, they both pulled apart and worked together easily taking down the beast.

- 2 Months later-

Within the last two months, Celica and Sylvia had worked through their issues, even though the trust-building was still ongoing they had unpaused the spot on their relationship and dating once again. The two had started working together, taking on jobs around Vale, Sylvia had made Celica rethink her attack strategy and was determined to make her rest and recover fully after big missions.

With this method of Sylvia taking charge and calling shots had helped the trust build faster and could do their jobs more effectively, with some convincing and a few missions to prove herself Sylvia was granted her Huntress license. Sylvia decided to stay with Celica in Vale as they repaired their relationship but after a month she brought Celica along on a trip she knew she couldn't pull off any longer.

They arrived in Kuo Kuana, she headed straight for home with Celica by her side. Her Mother had seen her through the window as she approached the house and she flew out the door hugging her daughter she dearly missed. Sylvia started crying as she apologized for everything, after a while Brie's eyes looked over to Celica, now knowing the truth she pulled Celica who was standing there nervously into the hug she was sharing with her daughter.

After getting to know Celica and quick rest at home Sylvia, Brie and Celica headed to the Hunt family home. Celica hung back as Brie and Sylvia knocked on the door, they were greeted with a smile but although there was a sadness still there. The families talked and even introduced Celica, Luca's parents apologized to her knowing what her son had done which Celica accepted but did tell them that it wasn't their fault.

The trip to Kuo Kuana helped Celica lay back a bit, she had been strung really tight before Sylvia went to find her but now Celica began to relax as she could start letting things go. Sylvia showed Celica around the places she grew up, what they didn't expect was to hear that Arthur had written letters to everyone including Celica, Celica didn't open hers, she put it away and said maybe someday she could open it but not today.

He was still imprisoned in Mistral but from what he had told everyone he had been reflecting on his actions and wished he could do things all over again. Celica had once again started looking after herself, she kept her hair long but cut and styled it giving her a much welcoming appearance and not to mention quite beautiful in Sylvia's eyes. They had hung out with Team CVFY throughout the month and they were happy to see Celica smiling once again and happy now being back with Sylvia.

Things were looking up for the pair, living in Vale in the house Celica grew up in, at first it was only Celica's room they shared but soon enough she cleared the doorway into the rest of the house. She left her parent's room explaining to Sylvia that when she lost them the whole place was a constant reminder that made her depressed. Now that she could live there once again and only time will help her before she tackled the emotions with her parent's room.

The two had gone on a job as soon as they returned from Kuo Kuana and with lien, not an issue they worked out to visit Kuo Kuana every two weeks or so or even pay for Brie to visit them in Vale. The two sat on the couch curled up together, they were watching a show they had found together and made sure to watch it only together as they snuggled up, that is until they saw the emergency broadcast as they listened intently to Ruby Rose...