The end of summer was steadfast approaching, the once everlasting heat gradually dying out, and in its place a mute weather began to set in. Leaves began to coil into themselves, the winds began to pick up gradually, harvest was gradually setting in. He allowed his eyes to wander towards the open window, where soft puffs of air caused the house to gather a certain chill. The male frowned as he stepped forward, hand settling upon the window as he readied himself to shut it closed, though… he paused, eyes narrowing as he gazed into the gardens just below.
Roses were dying, wilting as summer gradually ended. Among all those dying plants, a single rose stood. Quivering and shaking against the onslaught of wind that gradually picked up.
The last rose of summer.
He shut the window with a bite, a raspy breath leaving his lips as he shut his eyes, lowering his head. He turned his body away from the window- away from the outside world as he leaned against the sink.
Pain clawed at his chest, dread and darkness threatening to grip his heart like an iron glove. He could feel the very frame of his body feel… muted in a way. Like everything around him was slowly weathered down. Blue eyes slowly raised from his position, landing on a framed photo that sat next to a chair. Despite the severe lack of energy within him, he set his hands upon the sink and pushed off of it, treading across the room, he eased himself into the chair, hands grasping the frame as he pulled it towards his lap.
Four individuals stood within the old photo, all smiling towards the picture brightly. They looked happy..at ease, like they could take on the world and do so without a worry in sight.
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A fist met the snout of a particularly large Beowolf, the cracking of its skull ringing within the forest as the beast barreled from the force of his strike, being sent through a tree from the impact. Bright eyes and an even brighter grin scanned the area as he hoped from one foot to the other. "Aw c'mon, that's all they got? And here I was hoping for a workout.."
The words were uttered with peak confidence, like he knew the opponents they faced couldn't hold a candle to their abilities. Truthfully; he was right, the horde of Grimm that had surrounded the village they were sent to protect seemed utterly incapable of standing a chance against them. A snort a few meters to his right caused his gaze to shoot in the direction of the noise.
"Don't get too cocky Tai, you just might summon an entire new breed of Grimm."
The words were spoken with a playful glint, as the hooded girl- no, woman, dodged a nevermore before effortlessly cleaving the beast into two. The words still earned an even brighter grin from the blond, as he set his hands to his waist. "Oooh! Don't make me hope, Sums. Maybe it'll be a dragon?" He asked with a wink, bouncing off his right foot to the left of an incoming leap from behind, before his other foot met the ground and popped him back in, he then used his right foot and rammed it into the side of the creature's neck, a loud cracking noise erupting upon impact. His blows always did hit particularly well- a mixture of both precision and power that allowed him to hit with devastating ability.
"You shouldn't fight so carelessly! If you get hurt, Ray will kill you!"
The sudden image of bright red eyes and abyssal dark hair popped into his mind, causing a broad smile to form across his lips at the thought of his loved one, though the thought was replaced by a shudder at what she would do to him should he have gotten hurt.
"Heh...eh...maybe you're right."
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The memory stung. Like a needle torn through his skin. It was a blade to his heart, one that pierced him to the very core. Memories had a tendency to have both good and bad after effects, and the smile that was once thick on his lips gradually dropped..
"Daddy!"
His heart froze. Eyes gradually raising towards the sight of twin silver eyes that stared right back at him. Deep, deep red hair framed a pale face that beamed up at him, a white cloak wrapped around the small figure like a bundle. The sight was enough to blow the air out of his chest, his hands rapidly shaking as he raised them gently. For a moment..a much older face stared back at him, but that was soon replaced by his daughter's bright smile.
"Daddy, look I found Mommy's hood! I want to be a huntress! Just like mommy!"
The words blew into him like the barrel of a shotgun. His breath was knocked from his lips as he lowered his face into his hands, fingers digging into his flesh as his eyes shut solemnly. The rapid beating of his heart refused to settle..and he was instead forced to sit there and bare it.
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"I'm just saying! What if all the boys start crushing on her and she can't defend herself!"
Dark blue would meet silver eyes as he made his case with crossed arms. The woman simply laughed, caressing the bundle tightly within her arms.
"Tai… she was born an hour ago, it's not enough that the boys will have to deal with an overprotective father and uncle, but dealing with a shotgun is…"
"Perfect."
"-crossing the line." She smiled gently, fingers treading across fine, dark hair. The baby was fast asleep in her arms… and the sight of the woman he loved… and the newest addition to the family..
It was enough to make his eyes water.
He sighed, treading towards his wife as he settled into the hospital bed with her, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders. She merely beamed back at him, her gray gaze sealed with love.
"She'll be okay. Tai. There's nothing to worry about."
"I know...I know." He sighed, placing a gentle kiss about her temple as he pulled back.
"I just… I worry you know? What if… what if something happens?"
The woman did not reply with a roll of the eyes at his worried state, she did not chastise her caring husband for his words. Instead, she simply smiled.
"Then we'll deal with it together, just like with Yang, okay? We're a team Tai, so don't go doubting your own proclaimed 'super mom' just yet okay?"
He chuckled, she always did hate it whenever he called her that, but it was true… she was just…
So awesome.
"Alright, alright… and if I'm in luck, then this little one will end up just like her mommy. Isn't that right Rubes?" He asked gently, trailing a gentle head across her slumbering face.
The door would gently peek open, Qrow peeking inside with an excited Yang wrapped around his arm. He chuckled, and gestured for them to come inside.
This… this was his family.
He could get used to this, for a long… long time.
I want to start off by apologizing to you all, for some dammed reason I cannot access the Doc for both my omake and my Lancaster fic. As such I made this for the week to try and work as an appetizer. I'm also pretty ill and such so I doubt this is the best quality, but I hope you all enjoyed.
I'll work diligently to try and get both of my other stories out by the end of December,
I'd also like to thank you all for one hundred comments on 'In His Kindness'. Each and every comment means a lot to me, so seriously- thank you all.
For now I'll try and fix the issue.
Until then, that's all folks.