Wow- it's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry for this chapter taking SO LONG to post; but I hope you're all still interested in the fic! Thank you for all the support that you've been giving in comments and such. Even though I may not always say it I appreciate it.


"One, two, three!"

The two heaved the large chest up, awkwardly waddling it to the other side of the room. It dropped with a loud clunk!, Opal doubling over the top of it,

"Brothers I haven't moved that thing in…. Forever." She wheezed, her voice muffled by her hair.

"I can see why," Adam huffed, leaning against the chest.

Opal insisted that they rearrange the room, per Westley's request. While there wasn't much he saw the need to change, at least it got him moving.

"When we visit Westley and Adrien how about we pick you up some bedding and such? Unless you enjoy pastel green floral?" She snickered, quirking a brow.

"Black would be preferred."

"Of course!" She laughed, pushing her hair to the side, "You edgy bastard."

"It's a minimalistic color- I don't see how it's 'edgy'?"

"You're not good with jokes are you?"

Adam frowned, nose scrunching at her comment. Opal stuck her tongue out at his eye roll before crossing her arms. He offered a sigh, planting himself on top of the large chest they'd just moved, head tilting back as he closed his eyes. Though he didn't want to admit it, the comfort of knowing his space and exits made him feel… well, safe.

Opal leaned against him, humming,

"It's strange… seeing you so calm," she teased, poking at him playfully.

"Mm…" he murmured, eyes fluttering open.

She smiled before pushing off the chest, giving him a pat on the back,

"Alright, enough lazing around! We gotta get ready to head into Argus."

Adam offered an annoyed snort, rolling his shoulder. Opal stuck her tongue out, prompting him to do the same in response. A laugh escaped her as she covered her mouth, shaking her head,

"Brothers, you big baby!" She scolded before shrugging it off.

Opal tapped her chin as she looked around the room, humming,

"Maybe we can make this a whole project? Have some true bonding time," she mused, punctuating with air quotes.

Adam let out a groan, letting his head tip back,

"If only I could roll my eyes to the back of my skull."

"Oh don't be so dramatic!"

"I'm not being dramatic, you're just being cringe inducing."

Opal laughed, turning on her heel as she headed for the door,

"Okay okay, enough stalling, we have to get going."

Adam grunted, grabbing his coat as he followed her out. She glanced behind her, humming,

"Once your hair grows out, I don't think you'll even need the hood anymore, you know."

He frowned, unconsciously reaching up to his hair. It was practically covering the nape of his neck now, almost all of his original red faded out to a pale pink color, the majority of his hair now back to its natural brown. A sigh escaped him as his fingers traveled to his scar, eye twitching.

"Your horns have gotten a lot bigger too; if I didn't know it was you I wouldn't-"

Opal glanced back at him, frowning. Adam bumped into her, jolting at the sudden stop. He glared a bit, staring back at her knit brows and concerned eyes,

"Stop giving me that look."

"Adam if something is bothering you-"

"I'm fine, Opal. I'm fine."

"Adam…"

"I said I'm fine!" He snapped, nose scrunching.

Opal put up her finger, staring back at him,

"For one, don't you snap at me; that may have worked on others but it won't fly with me," she put her hand on her hip, quirking a brow, "And two, we've talked about this. If something is bothering you, don't just bottle it up. I want to help."

Adam sighed, shaking his head,

"I'm… trying." He forced out, ignoring the alarms ringing in his head, "I… prefer not to be seen."

She slowly reached out, gently tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. He twitched away at the contact, eyes shifting to the wall,

"That's okay, we don't have to take any steps that you don't want."

Adam offered a lack luster shrug, grumbling,

"Don't we need to get going? I want to get this over with."

Opal let out an exaggerated sigh, punching his shoulder,

"Fine let's get going, you sourpuss."

"I'm a what?"


Their trips to the city had become routine at this point; stay close together, Opal occasionally acting affectionate to dissuade looks. It was still cool outside, the spring breeze offering a comfortable chill. Opal happily chattered on; her plans of this years garden, recruiting a certain faunus to help her- much to his distaste.

They made their turn into the quaint neighborhood, the disapproving looks mostly absent now that Adam and Opal's presence was so common. While the faunus didn't frequent Argus, he'd grown to not mind the couples presence; regardless of Adrien's constant smothering. He'd even learned more about the older faunus's involvement with the White Fang, as well as his own experiences with humans. It was even more shocking when Westley explained his younger volatile nature. The therapist had hinted at his rebellious past, never mentioning anything too specific or noteworthy.

Though regardless, it was another brick in the bridge Westley had been working to build. The man had been slowly working his way to Adam's trust, regardless of the faunus's severe skepticism.

"So why are we here, anyways?" Adam grumbled, tucking his hands in his pockets.

Opal offered a small shrug, turning on her heel to walk backwards,

"Not sure! Westley just asked if we could come see him today; said it was important."

He bristled at that, hands fisting in his pockets. Opal cocked her head as she walked, confident enough with her familiarity of the streets,

"Alright- what's bothering you?"

"Let's just say I don't like... " he thought back to Vale, his breath catching in his throat.

Smoke, fire, burning-

"Surprises."

She frowned, stopping in front of Adam. He skidded to a stop, glaring down at her,

"Can you not be in my way at every turn?" he snapped, nose scrunching.

"When you stop trying to run away from your problems."

Adam opened his mouth to retort, before snapping his mouth shut. He silently fumed as he crossed his arms. He would not lose his temper here. Not where others could see him. She grumbled back at him before pulling him into a hug, his body going rigid,

"What… are you doing?" He forced out, the hairs on his neck standing up.

"It's a hug, Adam."

"I know what it is; why are you doing it?"

"Cause I think you need it."

Adam sighed, resting his chin against her hood. He didn't reciprocate, but Opal didn't expect him to. She knew how he was by now, so it wasn't taken personally. Opal pulled away sheepishly, gently patting his shoulders,

"So uh. Yeah- there you go." She laughed awkwardly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Adam quirked a brow, clicking his tongue. He watched her cheeks slightly darken, his own heating as he scratched his chin. They continued their trek, making their way up the familiar steps. The once barren pots that lined the porch had been tilled, small sprouts poking out of the soil. The wreath on the door had been changed, the whole entrance now giving off the welcoming feeling of Spring.

Opal gave the door a solid knock, the muffled tapping of webbed feet coming from the other side,

"Oh you two made it! I'm glad!" Adrien chirped as he opened the door, ushering the two in, "Wonderful to see you again, Adam. I heard from Westley you've been doing much better!"

He grunted at that, offering a half hearted shrug. They began unlacing their boots, Adam's eyes traveling to the two extra pairs of shoes on the rack. His eyes narrowed as he slowly placed his boots next to them, glancing into the living room. He quickly started scanning the small foyer, looking for any signs of unfamiliarity. Adrien hummed, leading them out of the hall into the kitchen,

"Now just let me get Wes-"

"Are you sure that it's alright for me to be here? I don't want to disturb anythi-"

The unknown voice promptly stopped, Adam locking eyes with the unfamiliar man.

No. With the familiar face.

Adam felt his body go rigid, vision going red. He could hear Opal's voice, muddled by his own thoughts telling him to stop,

"YOU!" Adam snarled, wrenching Xander forward by his coat.

His aura crackled aggressively, his semblance desperately trying to take hold of any input to inflict some sort of damage. He felt hands on him, trying to pull him back.

"THEY'RE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" He screamed, his fist being held back by Opal,

"Adam stop! What are you doing?!"

Adam's teeth were bared as the three did their best to separate the two, his socks sliding against the wood floor. That face, that human-

"HE KILLED THEM! YOU KILLED THEM!" He howled, trying to pull himself free from Opal, "YOU ACT LIKE SOME HERO BUT DID NOTHING!"

"Adam! Calm down! Let us explai-" Westley started, grunting has he wrenched Xander free.

"I trusted you!" Adam snapped, growling at the man, "I should have never trusted a human!"

Opal had her arms wrapped around his midsection, her feet awkwardly planted to compensate for his pull,

"Adam stop-Westley what's going on!?"

Westley had Xander behind him, his hand out to Adam,

"Adam, just let me explain-"

"I'll kill you! I'll burn Atlas to the ground like I should have in the beginning!" Adam screamed, teeth bared.

"Adam Taurus, that's enough!"

He went rigid in Opal's grip, his eyes hesitantly traveling to the voice. Rose had her hand on her chest, her red curls framing her distraught face. Her ears were flatted to the sides, lips quivering as the two stared at each other. His eyes were wide, his voice catching in his throat,

"No….no you're- you're not-" he choked out, his grip on Opal loosening.

"You're dead- you died- I left you because they-"

Adam could feel his head spinning, the room closing in around him, his words jumping together,

"You're not- you're not-"

"You can't…"

"Adam...I…" Rose started, the words dying on her lips.

Adam took a hesitant step towards her, any words he could possibly form dying on his lips. Opal looked at Westley, eyes wide; he had his arm in front of the other man as he watched Adam. Rose gulped, her ears tucking back further as her son eyed her. Her son stared at her in disbelief, examining her as if… as if she wasn't even real.

It hurt her more than anything, seeing her son look at her as if she was a stranger; but she was. She hadn't been there for him, wasn't there to comfort his sorrow, to right his path. Adam's hand darted forward, grabbing a hold of her sleeve.

Xander jumped at the sudden action, only to have Westley grab him before he could move forward. Rose squeezed her eyes shut, silently bracing herself.

Her son had every right to hate her. While he was suffering, alone- she was living a cushy lifestyle in Atlas, receiving the best help both mentally and physically in the country. She'd been selfish; choosing to take the easy way of thinking 'what's done is done' rather than pushing herself to find the thing most precious to her. The last thing she expected to receive was open arms.

Yet that's what she got.

Adam's frame towered over her, her face pressing into his chest. She could hear his heart hammering against his ribs, the slight tremble his arms had as he held her close. Rose felt her eyes water, her hands coming to rest on his back as she held him close. His voice sounded broken, as he forced words past his lips,

"Is it really you?"

"Oh Adam, I'm… I'm so sorry!" She choked out, her voice cracking as her fingers combed through the hair on his neck, "Yes, mummy's here now- I'm sorry it took so long!" She sobbed.

Adam shook his head, his face buried in her short curls. It was nostalgic; red, unruly hair tickling his nose, his mother's voice cooing to him lovingly. He could feel his eyes watering, holding her as if she'd disappear as soon as his grip loosened. She pulled away slightly to cup his face, pushing his hood back slightly,

"You really do look just like your father." Rose smiled fondly, sniffling.

He smiled back at her, leaning into her touch as he closed his eyes. Opal herself looked on the brink of tears, Adrien pulling her into a hug as the group watched the two. Westley hummed, looking a bit disheveled by the encounter,

"Would you two perhaps like to take my office? I can only assume you'd like some time alone."

Rose smiled, offering a small nod before looking to Adam,

"As long as that's alright with you, dear."

Adam offered a wordless nod, hesitant to pull away from the small woman. They looked to each other, offering a small smile before following Westley into his office.


"Mum I-"

"Hush Adam, don't." Rose shushed, cupping his cheek, "You shouldn't be apologizing to me of all people."

They sat next to each other on the leather couch, his mothers delicate hands gently holding his own. Her fingers traced over the scars across his knuckles, her brows knit,

"I… I'm so sorry, Adam."

"Mum just… What happened? Where did you go?" Adam croaked out, his eyes downcast.

Rose bit her lip, closing her eyes,

"That right… they drug me back to the camp. Your father- they…" she covered her mouth, shaking her head.

Adam pulled her close, resting his chin on the top of her head. He knew what she meant. Even at the age he was all those years ago, he knew what choice his father had been making. He felt her arms wrap around him, her tears beginning to soak into his undershirt.

Rose cleared her throat, wiping her eyes,

"They told me you were dead… that they'd caught you and I just… I just believed them."

He wouldn't lie- he was hurt. That his mother blindly believed the men that had lied to them their entire life. Adam pushed his resentment aside, brows furrowing. He held her hand, thin fingers tightening around his own.

"After that I just… I just fell apart. I gave up;" Rose shook her head, "I should have never given up on you- there's no excuse for what I did."

"You… couldn't have known." Adam forced out.

"You're right; but that isn't an excuse," she cupped his face, "I never should have believed them, gone or not it's my duty as a mother to keep you safe. To believe in you no matter what happens."

His eyes watered as he stared at the floor,

"Mum I've done… horrible things-"

"I know, Adam. And it's my responsibility as your mother as well."

"I made the choices on my ow-"

"No, Adam. You didn't have to grow up by yourself. You didn't have to be trapped alone and believing you had no one left in the world; I should have been there for you, searched for you to the ends of the Remnant." Rose kissed his forehead, brushing stray hairs from his face, "You did make those choices, just as I made mine."

Adam's breath hitched as his eyes watered, tears streaming down his cheeks. His head rested on her shoulder as she held him. Her face was buried in his hair as soundless sobs escaped him, soft words cooing to him,

"You'll always be our son, Adam. Always."