Tyrian had left the little Rose in Oscar's care. He didn't understand why they would not wrap her ribs, it was common practice. Although it did make sense, it could compress the bone and possibly pop it back out of place. Medical care progressed in the next 10 years. He took a shaky inhale.

10 years.

Oscar with a scowl, but committed to supporting Ruby. Dove under the bed. Emerging with a cracked scroll he had hidden, and pulled up a picture of Neopolitan. Tyrian sucked in his breath, she looked like the perfect image of her mother. Except for that neck scarf which belongs to Roman. Or had belonged to Roman?

Roman who was currently sitting on the couch as his little sister snuggled him while she read a comic he brought home.

Tyrian was no father figure by any means, but he wanted what was best for his little family. Unbalanced laughter retched from his tongue. He stumbled to his bedroom clutching his chest. Certain he led his little family to work for Salem, a goddess of destruction. Ruby didn't know and Oscar kept stopping her from saying anything they didn't know as fact. That was smart, not to bog down his mind with conjecture. The little Ruby did provide was enough to leave his mind spinning.

Ruby Rose, he will try to kidnap her, attempt to kill her family and friends, and frame her uncle for murder. He was certain the list goes on, but they stopped on account of the horror on his face. He begged to know if he tried to rape her. She shook her head, but Oscar's face was telling. Maybe the insect tried, maybe he threatened her or some other girl on her team. He covered his mouth as he attempted to swallow the gorge rising from his stomach.

Terrifyingly he could see himself doing all of this, in service to burning a severe and cold world. Tyrian sobbed, it sounded like he taught Roman to be cruel right back.

He didn't see it or hear it, but he felt freshly calloused hands pull down his palms pressing into his golden eyes. He didn't even realize he had them up.

Roman sat next to him, "You lost a patient?" The boy was gentle. So malleable...

Tyrian bit his tongue, he couldn't explain this, "No I broke one of Rose's ribs." Brothers his voice sounded stilted.

The child raised his brow catching the lie, but not calling it out. "Training?"

The scorpion looked aside.

Roman smiled, "You're too soft-hearted. Accidents happen." He smiled turned wicked, "Let me guess you tried asking her out and somehow broke her rib."

Tyrian snapped, "Not everyone is trying to hook up with the cute strangers." He craved to brush his thumb over the crease between her brows when she concentrated. To see again how her eyes would sparkle when she learned something new. He admired her strength to rage yet nevertheless do the right thing. He wanted to pull her in his arms and pray her goodness would seep into him.

Roman elbowed him, regaining the scorpion's awareness. Reminding Tyrian how much of a Rose the boy looked. The Faunus sighed, "You should see what you can about your silver eye with Ruby. It seems like fate that she is here."

XXX

It was a simple matter of asking Ruby for her help. Roman gestured to his silver eye with a raised brow. She laughed and grabbed his wrist, dragging him out of town. Roman knew Ruby wasn't supposed to be fighting, it'd only been a couple of days, not that it stopped her. For more than just breaking her rib, Tyrian had been avoiding her. Just as the scorpion been avoiding his rounds even when Roman offered to help.

Ruby gestured out to a snowy field of Grimm. She moved in front, occasionally slicing those that got too close. She was calm her back straight, "think to those you wish to protect, so they can see all of life's joy."

She reminded him much of his aunt, not that he remembered what she looked like. Roman met her once. It was almost Halloween and she was very pregnant, chatted politely with his mother, looking affectionately at her brother and nephew.

He bounded up to them showing off the pumpkin he carved. A couple days later when she was leaving she tied a scarf around his neck with a small image of a jack-o-lantern like he carved.

Years later when Remus mentioned Summer had died. His father bitterly spoke about how her dumb blonde husband would not let the child go. There weren't many silver eyes left and Remus was livid that he couldn't foster his Summer's daughter.

At the time Roman felt defective and hated his cousin because Dad seemed more interested in her than him. He regretted his pettiness and wished he knew where she was. She would be about 7, he didn't have much but maybe she'd like to hear about the few stories he knew about their family. He touched the scarf at his neck, maybe have this little bit of embroidery by her mother. Wherever she was he wished her safe and that she was surrounded by love.

He blinked, his vision was blurry and there was a squeal.

"You did great Roman!"

Half the field was empty of Grimm, his eyes...eye worked.

Leaning heavily on his cane, he allowed her to pull him into a hug. She didn't ask but guessed she was curious.

He tried to clear his throat, "I thought about my cousin. I don't know who she is or where she is but I hope she is safe and living a peaceful life."

He was startled out of the ache in his heart, by the girl in his arms crying.

He snarked, "look, I assume we're distant cousins or something, but I wasn-" The impossibility of it clicked, "oh fuck I am talking about you." He pushed her away to give her a significant look, "How am I talking about you?"

Ruby rubbed her eyes cutely, "Um time travel?"

Roman, "comic book excuses do not work!"

She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks, "They do when they are the truth!"

XXX

Neo threw pants at Tyrian.

Roman smoothing his hand over his orange hair. "You are not missing your own birthday."

"It's just a museum."

"You've taken this 'In the future we become a bunch of supervillains.' unreasonably hard."

Neo held up a piece of paper, [Adorable super villains]

Tyrian's lip twitched in annoyance. He wanted to yell at the Torchwicks to get away from him. These two did not have his darkness, he had yet to rub off on them. The scorpion sighed, "We both know they are going back soon, maybe you should just take some time with them. When they leave, head to Patch and get to know your little cousin. You're a good fighter now and your education level is passable. We a few written recommendations, Roman you could become a hunter."

Roman huffed, "Right now I'm going to spend as much time as possible with Red and Oscar. You should too. Not that Red is coming to the museum tonight. She realizes you don't want to see her."

"Just go, I'll be here when you get back."

"Fine, we are all just going to hang out here and loudly play card games."

Neo pouted.

"I will absolutely cheat and you cannot stop me."

Tyrian hung his head, he didn't want to waste whatever precious few memories he could make with this family. "Get out of my room and let me get cleaned up."

XXX

Oscar felt slightly annoyed and largely thrilled as Roman pulled him through the hallways of a museum.

"We really didn't just abandon Tyrian after you guilted him to come to his own birthday excursion?" Oscar hissed.

Torchwick carefully peered around the door and pulled his boyfriend in.

"Torchwick!" Oscar was pushed roughly against the door and pulled into a soft kiss. Running his fingers through orange hair he pulled his partner in tighter. Breaking the kiss and used his thumb to forcibly turn Roman head he moved in to nip at the exposed neck.

The ginger bit back a moan, "I knew you liked this."

The farm boy growled and sucked a little harder. Then he felt his belt buckle go. Suddenly shy and bashful, "Ro-man we haven't-" Oscar's hips jerked as a long finger slipped under his waistband. His hazel eyes fluttered shut.

Roman groaned, "I could stop"

Oscar, still bucking his hips, "I want you, but don't want our first time to be in a supply closet."

A wicked grin, "I was just offering to jerk you off, but good know sex is on the table" Purring, "In a more comfortable location." Oscar moaned and fumbled with Roman's pants.

"But back to the matter at hand"

Roman lightly thumping his head on the wall, "Really puns in a moment like this?"

"Perfect op-pun-tunity."

"You're lucky I'm so into dimples."

Oscar grinned stupidly

XXX

Tyrian was walking back holding Neo's hand. She pointed to the tavern and grinned brightly. "I'll make you some dinner. I don't...want to bother Ruby."

Roman threw his arm heavily over the scorpion's shoulders, "Come on it's your birthday you shouldn't cook."

Oscar smiled sweetly, "My treat."

Neo bounded forward, twirling a key ring around her small finger.

Tyrian patted his pockets, "You little thief." He chased after her and with a silent giggle she vaulted through the open window of the tavern, and he heard her delighted clap.

Tyrian threw open the door and then there was no one. It was silent, the light was very dim and Tyrian adjusted his vambraces.

"SURPRISE" bodies popped out from behind counters and pillars. The townspeople laughed and pulled out cake and food, clapping his back.

The bartender handed him a pint, "Now that you are 21, I can finally serve you a drink." Elbowing the Faunus, "At least legally."

Tyrian felt numb and his throat was tight. People just kept coming up to him and thanking him. For the bones he set.

For the Grimm, he hunts.

For the children, he helped birth.

His heart throbbed and he wiped away a tear [or several]. The town was grateful for whatever goodness he was able to muster. The evening was a blur and he'd see a little Rose in the corner of his eye. There was no doubt she organized this. He pulled her into his arms, looking into those silver pools before she bounced up on her toes to close the distance.

There was a wolf whistle and his Rose broke the sweet kiss. "Oh fuck you cousin!"

Roman, "Somebody's gotta!"

She whispered desperately to Tyrian, "Why are all my relatives so embarrassing."

The fans decided that it was fortunate that she didn't see Oscar raise his hand.

XXX

Tyrian had just tucked Neo into bed, she was already passed out. He smiled, still feeling the warmth of his neighbors and their care. He could try to be better. He had to try.

When there was a knock on the door and a very embarrassed Rose.

"Um hi, so my fake brother and my real cousin are doing the deed in my room… so can I crash on your couch?"

He admitted her in, "you can have Roman's bed, I suspect he won't need it tonight."

"Could you text him? I don't have a functional scroll."

He nodded and walked back into his room. He emerged with his scroll and he handed her a t-shirt. Awkwardly, "the bathroom is there if you want to change."

Fidgeting with the shirt she nodded, "um later." She laughed a little nervously.

Rubbing the back of his head, "you want a drink?"

She smiled slyly, "trying to get me drunk?" He decided sultry was a good look for her.

He shook his head, "No, besides, I'm 13 years older than you."

"Right now it's 3." She pressed her palms on his chest.

He leaned away, "Rose, I'm not a good guy." Not yet...he didn't deserve her yet.

Her head tilted and her black hair fell across one of her eyes."Right now you are." That asymmetry made her look confusingly cruel.

Blinking rapidly trying to get his head straight. "No I'm not, I can see myself doing all those things. I would adore making this brutal world burn to ash." He couldn't see straight between the pull of his desires and his shoulds.

She backed away and he was grateful there were words to push her away. She hugged her arms, "that girl did you help her because you thought it's how someone should act or did you want to help her?"

"I wanted to help her, but that cafe that would not allow Faunus in I'd have burned it down gleefully."

"So you have parts and they duel viciously. I'm sorry for that, I can't imagine how hard it is. You're still choosing to do good."

"I but I hurt you."

Ruby shrugged, "so we know which part wins in the end. We have right now we can have a moment." she took a step closer.

Internally he screamed to himself to maintain the distance. He suddenly had empathy for the flame that drew the delicate moth. Abruptly "You're going to leave." She was going to leave him with his madness and giggles flew from his throat.

Ruby wrapped her arms around him. Both her eyes shine softly, "That's a problem in a week. But right now?" Inhaled deeply to imprint her scent, to memorize how she pressed up against his body. Her mouth pouted enticingly.

And he dipped his head to her, after all, Tyrian Callows was a weak man.