Chapter 20

Secret's Out

If William's scroll rang one more time, Victoria was going to rip it, and the charging cable out of the wall and use it to strangle her partner.

Oblivious to her silent threats, it continued to buzz, rather aggressively on their shared nightstand. William didn't respond to it, head buried in his pillow, sleeping seemingly peacefully, or in the least, restfully.

A spark of hope appeared in her heart as the phone suddenly stopped, likely going to voicemail, but it died just as quickly when it started buzzing again.

She groaned, reaching across the nightstand, stretching as she just barely placed a finger on the device. She slid it towards herself, the pulled it into her palm, swiping the- "Accept" button and bringing it to her ear.

"Ah my favorite little wolfie is finally awake!"

"William's asleep." She muttered, stretching slightly and cracking her neck. "This is his partner."

There was silence on the other end of the line for only a moment, then a soft hum. "Victoria right?"

"Mmm." She grunted. "What can I do for you?"

Another pause, and she had the distinct feeling that this caller was meant specifically for William, and no one else. "Well I just wanted to check in on my favorite little nephew," her knuckles curled around the phone case as the connection registered, her teeth gritting together sharply. "and see how he was after our outing last night."

William's uncle. The dark twisted man that made William who he was. Victoria swallowed down the boiling bubbling rage in her throat.

"He passed out once he got back." She replied. "Seemed pretty exhausted," the lie slid easily off her tongue as she adjusted herself in bed, putting her back to the wall, her eyes on William's sleeping form. "So, I'd say you wore your little wolf out." It might have been a sweet endearing statement, except for the harsh snap of her voice into the receiver.

"Good to know." There was a pause, and she could practically hear the smile on the other end of the line as his uncle asked, "Did he tell you?"

"Maybe." She replied. "Maybe not. All I know is you're his uncle and he just loves doing your dirty work."

The man on the other end of the line chuckled before it drawled out into a sigh. "Well that's good to know. Tell William he should be careful what he tells his bitches." That word sent a bolt of fury down Victoria's spine. "Or else he'll get a double dose next time I see him." There was a pause. "And I still have the Siren."

The line clicked off, leaving Victoria with a sour feeling in her stomach and wondering if she just made William's life harder instead of easier. She swallowed it, returning his scroll to his desk.

She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts and trying to hold them all in the confines of her mind. William's uncle called him this morning. Which meant something was happening tonight.

He had mentioned Siren. Sandra had been spliced with a Siren. Which meant he still have Sandra, one way or another. She had been an experiment, the lab, back…

Victoria's eyes flicked up to Sandra's bunk. Her chip. The lab's explosive chip. It was still active. William's uncle was bargaining over Sandra's chip access.

She swallowed, slowly coiling her knees up to her chest as her gaze fell back to William.

Was this the kind of thing William juggled on a daily basis?

Running missions at night to save Sandra's life, or even hers or Leo's?

How… How did…

She scrambled out of bed, shoving her feet into the first pair of shoes she could find, William's boots, and slipping out of the door.

Her tanktop from the night before, and her music note pajama pants weren't appropriate attire, but she didn't want to risk waking William or anyone else up by changing.

Certainly not William.

It was still early morning, and the dorm hallways were empty as she tromped down them, stopping at the end to lace William's boots up so she could rush down the steps and out the door.

She wasn't sure when she started running, only that it was hard. It was hard with William's boots, the heels plates with steel, the hard leather steel keeping her ankles braced. It was hard to run with the weight of Sandra and William's life in the back of her head.

She wasn't even sure if she was making the right decision as she pushed through the main door and took the elevator to the top floor, to Ozpin's office.

Her nerves rattled as the door dinged and she stepped through, expecting an empty office, but hoping for Ozpin, or Glynda, or anyone that could help her. She got a bit of both in that matter.

Four people stood gathered around Ozpin's desk. Ozpin and Glynda naturally, but there were two additional men that Victoria didn't know. One she recognized from forums and pictures. General Ironwood, and he looked the part, clean shaven with his hands clasped behind his back, he regarded her with a military-like examination before turning his eyes back to Oz.

The other man was utterly out of place in the room, in a ragged coat and a flask loosely held in his hands, but Victoria truthfully didn't care what she was interrupting, and certainly not who was in the room.

All eyes were on her as she took a few steps forward into the room. "Professor Ozpin. I need to speak with you."

Ozpin regarded her with a long look, eyes calculating something she couldn't begin to understand. Finally he nodded. "Of course."

He stepped away from his desk, coming around it to join her at the front of the room. "What is this about Miss Violet?"

"William's uncle called this morning." She said. "Actually a few moment ago."

Ozpin cocked an eyebrow at her. "Oh?"

"William was… sleeping." She muttered, giving General Ironwood a suspicious stare. The man had his eyes set on her, as if she was a criminal all of a sudden. "I uh… Answered for him." Oz responded with silence, and she took that as a sign to go on.

"He didn't tell me anything, but asked what I knew. So I told him I may or may not know anything. And he laughed. Then he said to tell William he still has the Siren, which I believe means Sandra's explosive chip. And… that he'll give William a double dose next time."

Ozpin nodded, pressing a finger to his lip as he cupped his chin. "I see. That's… rather grave."

"Is this the child you were speaking of earlier Oz?" General Ironwood's tone was rough, a deep baritone that made Victoria whip her head around to stare at him. "The…" He regarded Victoria for a moment, then continued. "Interesting case you spoke of?"

Ozpin's response wasn't directed at Ironwood, but back at her. "Miss Violet. Has William told you who his uncle is?"

She stared at him, then shook his head. "No sir."

"I see." He took his hand away from his chin, clasping it over his cane. "Well. I would suggest informing William that his uncle called, but not to mention the double dose or the Siren. It's likely William is already bargaining for it."

"You're going to let a child deal with all of this?" Ironwood snapped suddenly.

"The kid is already dealing with all of it Jimmy." The fourth man barked, drawing all eyes to him, where he had drapped himself over a chair, inspecting his flask. "He's been dealing with shit you would wage war over since he was twelve, and he's been handling it like a champ." He blinked suddenly, staring owlishly at Victoria. "Or something."

She paused, then considered the man. "Since he was twelve?" She took a step towards him.

The man grunted. "Ooooooooh yeah." He shook his flask, a grimace appearing on his face. "He's good. I wouldn't call him a kid. Not with the blood on his hands. More of a monster if you ask me."

Victoria felt the blood roar in her ears, felt the sharp pop as her semblance flared, air pulsing around her. Her hands were wrapped around the man's collar before she could think better about it and she snarled the next words she spoke. "William is not a monster." She hesitated, suddenly aware of what she was doing. She gritted her teeth, then shoved him back in the chair and stalked away from him. "And he's a damn better man than you are."

The man snorted, a dark chuckle coming off his lips that stopped her cold. "Oh but I'll tell you a secret little one." She turned back around, finding his eyes focused on her. "You know who he first killed little miss?"

"Qrow!" Ozpin's voice was sharp and abrupt as he interrupted. "This is neither the time, nor the place for that." He stepped in front of Victoria. "And that isn't something Miss Violet is ready for."

Qrow stared at Ozpin for a moment, a lazy grin on his expression. Then he shrugged, leaning back in the chair again and tilting his flask up, emptying the dregs of his beverage into his mouth. "Suit yourself."

Victoria pursed her lips, suddenly very aware who's company she was standing in. She crossed her arms over her chest, then glanced at Glynda. "I think William's uncle is planning something. Tonight. I just wanted to let you know. That's all."

She turned on her heels, marching back to the elevator.

"Miss Violet." Ozpin's calm voice made her look back over her shoulder. He gave her a smile, "Thank you for the information."

"Just don't let him get killed." She replied. "He's…" The elevator dinged, opening it's doors for her. "Special."

Ozpin nodded. "I'll do my best Miss Violet."

William's eyes cracked open, glaring at the oak slats across Leo's bed above him. He huffed, closing his eyes again and stretching slightly. The room was bright, which meant it was past morning, not unusual in itself, but odd that he'd woken up late.

He stretched, throwing the covers off and sliding his feet to the floor. He pursed his lips, wondering idly if there was any chance of coffee that morning. He could always ask Coco, but… he shook his head, unwilling to open up that can of worms.

Last time he really saw her he was trying to strangle her.

He flexed his toes into the carpet, humming softly at the friction.

Something felt off about this morning.

He sniffed, yawning as he cracked his neck and back.

Then he realized.

Victoria was gone. And so were his boots.

He jerked, eyes flying up to Sandra's bunk, to find the part-Grimm part-human girl still sleeping. He stood up, and found Leo in the same state. He paused, looking around the room for a clue. She was gone.

He glanced down at his nightstand, the scroll still there, a text message on the screen, a few minutes ago. He tentatively picked it up, swiping to look.

'Your partner is lovely.' Unknown Number.

Roman.

'You touch her I'll murder you-' William hesitated, message half written, staring at the words. He'd… kill Roman?

Over Victoria?

She was just his partner.

She was part of the act.

The act to kill one Ruby Rose.

But…

William stared at the words, slowly deleting them until he was staring at the blank box and a blinking cursor. He tucked the scroll into his pocket, padding out of the room and down the hall.

He stopped in front of the door, tracing the handle before his fingers drummed softly against the wood.

A groan responded through the wood, and he could hear a bed creak as someone got up.

Soft bare feet padded over, and with a click, the door swung open and two unseeing eyes stared at him.

"What do you want William?" Fox asked.

"I think I need help." William replied, confused at his own words. "I…" He hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't… I… Can.."

"Do you want some coffee?"

William blinked, staring at Fox before slowly nodding. "Is… is that okay?"

"Let me punch you and yes."

William didn't have much time to reply before Fox's fist was buried in his gut and he was doubled over the man's fist, half choking on his own spit as Fox held it.

"We're good now." Fox muttered, leaving William at the door as he walked back into the room.

William coughed, swallowing as he got to his feet. He grimaced, rubbing his stomach as he got up. That hurt. Actually hurt. Still. He grasped the doorframe, easing himself into the room.

Fox was at the desk, pouring grinds into a coffeemaker. Coco was still in bed, cocooned in a dark brown comforter that William had his suspicions didn't belong to her.

"So what's this about?" Fox's voice was low, carefully so, and it was then that William realized neither Yatsuhashi or Velvet were in the room.

"I…" He pursed his lips, licking them as he awkwardly pulled his scroll out. "My uncle… isn't my uncle."

Fox cocked an eyebrow at him. "Alright. I'm listening."

William huffed, rolling his eyes as he took to leaning against the wall by the door frame. "I still can't tell you anything about him… but. Let's say this not-uncle is someone everyone wants to capture."

"A criminal." Fox put in.

"Crime lord." William corrected.

Fox grunted as the coffee started to boil. "Alright. Let's just suppose then."

"A hypothetical."

"Exactly." Fox agreed.

"And lets just say this person has lots of dark evil plans that I might have been tied up in because my father sold me to him to pay off debts."

"Point being?"

"And what if I don't know if I can do the last thing he assigned me to do anymore?"

Fox crossed his arms, "what are the consequences of not doing it?"

William pursed his lips, mulling the words over in his mouth. "He might kill everyone on my team."

To his credit. Fox didn't move. They both sat in silence for a time, Fox staring at William, and William staring at the wall. The coffeemaker beeped, and Coco groaned, rolling over in her cocoon of blankets and warmth.

"Sugar?" Fox broke the silence.

"Just a pinch. Maybe some creamer."

Fox grunted, producing a small bottle of hazelnut from the fridge under the desk, along with two mugs. He poured them both a glass, giving William his before he produced another mug, pouring a small portion into it before easing over and setting it on the nightstand closest to Coco.

William just looked at him, and Fox naturally didn't look back.

"So." Fox finally muttered after William had taken his first tentative sip of coffee. "All of them?"

"All of them. Maybe even you guys."

Fox hummed slightly at that. "What was your mission?"

"Kill or recruit Ruby Rose."

Fox just looked at him, milky eyes staring into William's. "Was that all?"

"All I can properly tell you." William replied.

"He wanted to you kill that new freshman girl?"

"Said she was dangerous, and she kept meddling in his affairs."

Fox processed that information just as William expected him to. "Roman Torchwick."

"Can't confirm or deny." William replied. "And you shouldn't spread rumors."

"Why are you telling us this now?" Coco's opening statement was punctuated by a yawn, her chocolate brown eyes peering out of her blankets to glare at William.

William shrugged. "Because I can't tell my team. So…" He huffed. "I guess I came to you."

Coco grunted, shifting in the blankets before her arm came free, pulling the cup of coffee closer to her.

"Is that why you attacked?" She asked. William flinched, actually flinched at that. He nodded, and she continued. "I was prodding you too hard then anyways. What made you decided to talk now?"

"Because there's nothing you can do about it now." William replied. "Except get your team out of Beacon today."

"Something's happening tonight?"

"Nothing we can stop." William assured, turning his eyes to his coffee. "Not unless you kill me. And I can't let you do that, because I can't let R-… him. I can't let him kill my team."

Coco sat up in bed staring at him. "So we're supposed to run away when Roman Torchwick is threatening to kill us?"

"No, you're supposed to run away when Roman Torchwick decides to kill you out of spite for my actions." William replied.

"Roman Torchwick is a common thief. Nothing more. He smuggles dust. Ironwood has him locked up."

William snorted. "Which is right where Roman wants to be."

There was a pause. Then Coco swung her feet, still wrapped in blankets, out of bed. "Explain."

"No." William stepped a bit further into the room, setting his coffee cup on the desk. "Here's the deal. You get out of Beacon, you stay off the radar. I'm not asking for much. Two days. Till the Vytal Festival is over even. Just. Let this happen, and when you come back, I'll be off my leash, and I'll tell you everything."

Coco stared at him. Weighing her options no doubt. "What will you tell your team?"

"Same thing."

"What will you tell Victoria?"

"Why would it be any different?" William asked.

"Because she's your partner." Coco replied, setting her own coffee mug down and getting up. She shimmied out of her blanket cocoon, revealing a spaghetti strap that Victoria would have looked nice in, and some of Fox's boxers. "And because she gets through your masks like no one else."

William shrugged. "Doesn't matter. There are somethings I can't tell her." Her father's death flashed in the back of his mind.

He died thinking about her.

The least William could do was not hurt her any more than he already had.

"Like?" Fox prompted.

"Things I won't tell anyone." William cut off that line of conversation. "Thanks for the coffee." He glanced at Coco. "Did you order my team's combat uniforms yet?"

Coco pursed her lips, obviously disapproving of his course of action, but unable to do much to stop it. "I did. It's coming in late today."

"I'll pick it up then." William affirmed. "Just wanted to check." He ran his finger around the rim of the cup. "Get out of town, please." He hesitated, unwilling to look either of them in the eye as he let his hand drop back to his side.

He turned away, forcing his gaze to remain firm as it passed over them and he headed to the door. He got as far as twisting the knob before Fox's hand dropped onto his shoulder.

"Is that it?"

William bobbed his head. "That's it."

"So, you're letting Roman win?"

William shrugged. "If I don't, he'll kill Sandra. And then he'll go after everyone else. And there hasn't been a fight that I've won yet against him. Or his little shadow." He grimaced, considering the last time him and Neo sparred. Her semblance was just… unfair.

"So, you're going to dance his little tune?" Coco asked, but there was something in her voice that made him turn. She was smiling at him, peering at him over the steaming edge of her coffee with a devious grin on her lips.

He cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Surely I don't have to spell it out for you my sweet little Alpha." Coco teased. "You know his plans better than anyone." She grinned. "So why don't you follow them to the letter?"

William frowned, then he realized her point. "The how. That's what…"

She nodded. "I have faith in you William. You might have your hands behind your back, but I doubt even Roman can tie you up."

William hummed, nodding more to himself at this point. Then he smiled, "This is why I came to you." He confessed.

Coco rolled her eyes. "I wish you came to me for a lot more. Like how to get into Victoria's pants." William blinked, then closed his eyes for a moment, doing his best to try and forget that sentence ever was said.

"Get out of here." Fox said, patting his back. "We'll trust you. But you have to trust your team too."

William nodded. "Yeah. Well." He shrugged. "I think that'll be the hard part." He pulled the door open. "Thanks. For everything."

Both of them smiled at him, tipping their coffee cups at him. "Anytime." He shut the door, but paused outside it, burning that image into the back of his mind.

Coco and Fox's smiling face, framed by the mid-morning sun in the window. It was… a happy memory. And it took him a moment to realize how few of those he had.

All because of Roman.

William turned on his heels, rushing back through the hall. He came back into the room and found Leo sitting up in bed, Sandra hunched beady-eyed over the railing of her bunk, staring at the clock on the nightstand. And Victoria…

Victoria was huddled up on his bed, eyes staring at the floor even as he walked in.

"Hey guys." He said slowly. They glanced at him. "I think it's time I trusted you a whole lot more with myself."

Victoria was the first one to react, giving him a questioning look, but he didn't mistake the flash of something in her purple eyes.

Or the fraction of a smile that tugged at her lip that made his chest ache.

Well this is weird.

I updated a dead story twice in three days. Huh.

I guess I did want to write William and Victoria. They're a fun thing to do. And I love their interactions with CFVY and Oz. I hope yall enjoyed it.