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Broken Bonds Can Mend Hearts

Sun whistled as he and Neptune entered the hallway leading the their charge's room. The sight of Scarlet and Sage sleeping in chairs on either side of the door pulled his usual smile down into a frown. Yeh sure it was a fairly boring assignment but it was still and important one, they could at least take these things more seriously. To be fair anything Qrow assigned them was to be taken seriously. Gods help them if he caught them slacking, it actually sent a chill down his spine thinking about it. Neptune only shrugged at his friend's questioning gaze, he wasn't too fussed about how slow things were going. It was clear the other two were getting bored though.

Sun lifted his foot, bringing it down on Scarlets chair, tipping the redhead over onto the floor. His squark of surprise woke Sage. "Bloody heck Sun, you trying to kill me!"

"You're supposed to be guarding this room and here I am watching the two of you sleep away like babies."

Sage leaned back in his chair, head resting against the wall. "Sorry Sun but even you have to admit this is a lame duty. How much longer will be assigned here?"

Neptune helped his fallen teammate up. "I'm not sure, just be glad it wasn't Qrow who found you."

There was an audible gulp from the other two men as Sun turned back to the room. The Faunus took a look over at the blinds covering the windows. He paused, brow furrowed. "Has any of the Nurses come by yet?"

Scarlet had just finished replacing his chair and looked over. "No, it's been rather quiet tonight. One of the Nurses said they'd pop over in the morning."

Neptune turned to his blonde haired friend. "What's the matter Sun?"

The Faunus lad's tailed whipped up in fear. "Has 'anyone' been in the room since we left?" Two head shook in confusion. "Only I remember leaving the blinds open before we left, remember Neptune?"

"That's right, because you wanted to be able to see easily into the room." The other boy turned to the door, his hand slowly reaching for the weapon he kept strapped to his side, Sun doing the same and Sage and Scarlet moved away from the door.

Sun being a Faunus had slightly better developed senses then that of an ordinary human and he used those senses now to feel out a difference in the air. Unfortunately a hospital was full of scents and it was hard to make out a unique difference, the smell of Faunus was also very strong. That said he slowly and silently moved towards the door knob, his hand just hovering over the handle.

Tyrian's hand had barely touched Velvets neck when caught on to the presence of another Faunus. His hearing picking up the conversation outside the room, the sound of a chair falling startled him, pulling his hand away from its target. He couldn't be caught here!

The scorpion looked down at the bunny's face, pinched with pain and deeply sleeping. He hesitated, it was only a matter of time before they came in to check on her, not enough to kill her without it looking like anything other than murder. He didn't want them picking up that anyone had even been in the room, less they move her.

It worried him though, if the Faunus woke up he was damned, if he was found here he would have no way out other then to fight and that would put them on higher alert. No it would be better for him to get out now and return another time, before she woke to finish her off. The presence of four bodies outside the door alerted him as Tyrian silently snarled and crept over to the far window. His bandaged hand ached as he slid it open and hurt even more as he clambered out of the opening. His yellow eyes taking one last look at the young woman laying deathly still on the bed before using his tail to shut the window behind him as he let go of the ledge and fell down to the ground.

Everyone always went on about how great a Soul bond was, how magical it was to find your mates and how happy people were with their bonded love ones. No one ever really talked about the repercussions of a rejected bond and now experiencing it for herself Ruby couldn't shred an ounce of thought about how her father had lived through this, how he had come back from something so agonising. She would have felt a new found respect for Taiyang had she been able to feel anything other then pain and literal heartbreak from having her bond to Roman turn white and broken.

Ruby lay in the bed Qrow had carried her to, her tears never ending causing the sheets underneath her to soak up the pain that ran in rivers down her eyes. She couldn't sleep, had tried to, tried to do anything so as to not feel this aching pain deep in her chest but everytime she closed her eyes her memories of what happened mere hours ago sprang in front of her.

"Shh, it's okay. I've got you, it will be okay." Qrow held her tightly as she whimpered and cried in pain. Her eyes sought out the mark on her wrist, watching the wisps of red, so pale and untendered burn. They grew whiter and whiter, like all semblance of colour and life faded from them until they nearly blended with her milky skin, as though they had never been. Ruby sobbed louder, burrowing further into Qrow's arms, hiding her face in his chest. It hurt so much.

James went to Ozpin, holding the older man in his arms as he sank to his knees in despair. The mumbling words asking the 'whys' over and over broke his heart. James felt guilty being unable to lessen the pain in his mates and while his soul did cry out the injustice, the physical aspects of his rejected bond didn't surface like they did with Ruby and Oz. Ozpin clutched tighter his unassuming strength pulling the smallest of gasps from the General but he remained silent. His mates needed him now.

For Oz it was his worst nightmare, being rejected by the ones he had waited decades no, centuries for. The pain of realising his kindness and generosity had been used in the most vilest of ways was enough to cause his stomach to turn. Roman had used him from day one and he had been too disillusioned to see it, only wanted, needing his mate to love him he had opened his heart, his home, everything. He had pushed Penny away when she tried to tell him, he would have let James and maybe even Ruby be pushed away to keep one loving mate. To know everything had been a lie left him in more pain then any death he had suffered in the past.

Ozpin felt James tighten his hold around his shaking body did relieve some of his hurt. Gods what if he had rejected James or Ruby for Roman? Perhaps that had been part of Roman's plan. Oz didn't know what to do anymore, he just wanted his mates. The sound of Ruby's sobs pulled his face from James shoulder. She was suffering the same as him, she needed him now, more then ever but seeing her crawl into Qrow Branwen's chest sent another pang of sorrow through him. Would she ever want from him what she already had with Qrow?

His voice was hoarse and low but Qrow obviously heard him. "She needs to rest, take any room for her." Even his words were choked and heavy with tears but the slender man nodded to him and effortlessly lifted his small bundle up with him and headed towards the direction of the stairs.

Penny came out from the other room, leading Qrow up to the nearest room which happened to be only two doors down from Ozpin's. After thanking the smaller girl Qrow climbed onto the bed, still holding onto Ruby. He settled them both in the center of the bed, holding her tightly to him as she sobbed. Her little hands clenched into his shirt and wished with all his heart that things had been different.

Ruby's eyes hurt from all the crying, the sheet and Qrow's shirt were both soaked from her tears but she couldn't drum up the energy to do anything else. Her eyelids slowly slid down until just the faintest of silver could be seen beneath her thick wet lashes. While her mind was still on the events from earlier her crying had seemed to finally slow and with it her functions. Slowly she found she had less strength in her body, laying lax in arms that always held her safe and happy.

Qrow never said anything, to be honest he wasn't entirely sure 'what' to say. What did one say when part of your soul was literally torn from the inside. He remembered Tai going through this after Raven had rejected his bond. The man was a wreck for weeks nah months, living almost a half life. Without Summer to hold him Tai shriveled up, he face drew back, he barely ate, slept and only came out of his stupor long enough to ensure his daughters were safe, clean and fed. Qrow dearly hoped Ruby wouldn't end up in that state, he wasn't sure if 'he' could take seeing her like that.

The urge to suck down a drink was strong but he pushed that away, Ruby needed him sober. He was still amazed about Roman Torchwick, of all people to be Ruby's third soulmate he hadn't been expecting that one. That man didn't deserve anything as pure and wonderful as a Soulmate and now, he thought darkly, he never would. Once a bond has been rejected there was no repairing it. He just wished it never had to happen the way it had.

Qrow felt Ruby go lax in his arms, her trembling lessened as did the tears and quiet sobs. She was finally falling asleep, probably too exhausted from the effects of a rejected bond. Still even as she fell into a slumber he stayed with her. He didn't want her to wake alone and somewhere deep inside him he simply didn't want to leave her either.

When James woke that evening he hadn't expected to find Ozpin standing in front of a window in his room. Both hands on the cold glass as he stared out into the dark night. After carrying Oz, much like Qrow had done for Ruby to bed he found himself not wanting to leave the other man alone. Whether it was because he himself was still feeling the effects of their broken bond or because Ozpin begged him to stay with him he wasn't sure. So instead of returning to his own room he had lay down next to the greying man and together they had fallen into a almost peaceful sleep for what he assumed was several hours.

Quietly shifting up from the bed James made his way over to Oz, the other man's eyes never straying from whatever he was focused on. "Oz?"

The slightest movement from Oz's hand was the only indication James had that he was heard at all before he let out a long breath and spoke. "You know, I feel so stupid really."

"How so?"

"I've lived all these lives, seen so much, good, bad, worse than bad and still I let myself be blinded." Oz's shoulders shook once.

The overwhelming need to comfort his mate overrode everything James had taught himself, his clothed arms went around the other man's waist. "This wasn't your fault Oz, Roman Torchwick is a vicious and cruel being. He lies, cheats and manipulates people for a living. I should have seen through his disguise, maybe if I had, you would have never been hurt like this. For that Oz, I am so so sorry."

"It's not your fault James. I let him in, enabled him to hurt us. I think it was his intention to eventually split us up." Before James could protest Oz carried on. "I know we aren't together together but I always wanted to be, with you that is but I didn't want to push you away." When he felt James' arms tighten Oz dropped his own to rest on his hands, the feeling of cold metal and flesh was comforting.

"You could never push me away Oz." Ironwood leaned down, drawing breath by his mates hair, the scent of Oz invading his senses, familiar and kind.

The sound of the door pulled their attentions back as it opened to Penny. "I'm sorry for disturbing you Father but Ruby and Mister Branwen wanted to come by."

The two men separated as Ruby and Qrow were ushered into the room. Ruby going straight to her mates while Qrow lagged a few steps behind her, his eyes casting over the room in fascination. For a man with so much money and power his room was rather quietly impressive. Dark woods and thick carpets, lots of greens and ivory, the blending was very earthy looking but the quality of the furniture didn't escape him. Qrows attention went back to the three other people in the room just as Ruby enveloped Ozpin into her arms with a hug.

Seeing the taller man nearly crush her to him hurt more then he would ever admit. These were the people Ruby was bonded to, seeing them comfort one another shouldn't hurt as much as it did.

Ruby's arms hardly reached around Oz's back as she hugged him, there was the slightest tremble from his body and it only served to want to hold him tighter. She felt James run his metal hand over her arm. "Did you rest?"

She nodded opening her other arm for him in silent permission to cuddle. Qrow was the one to break their silence. "Mind if we talk a minute?"

Oz immediately shot his head up. "Of course, I'm sorry about that."

"No worries, just lets sit down." Almost as a unit they sat on the love seat in the corner of the room. Seeing as Qrow took the armchair and not feeling up to cuddling on his lap Ruby grabbed a cushion and slid down to the floor on Oz's side. Her body curled up to his leg while James sat on the other side of the couch. Deep in her bonds she felt Oz's subconscious request for support. Being the one who was closest to Roman, or as close as Roman obvious let Oz feel for him meant that his betrayal of them hurt the copper eyed man the most. Ruby rested her head against his lap, feeling the soft thanks through their bond and looked up sleepily at her Qrow.

Qrow watched as the three of them snuggled deeper into their respective positions "How about I go get us something to eat."

"I can do that Mister Branwen." Penny dipped her head to him and left the four to speak alone.

"Alright thank you." Qrow said as she left. He sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair. All his training as a Companion couldn't have possible prepared him for the severing of soul bonds between them. His gaze sought out Ruby, curled up against Oz's leg. Part of him wished she'd come over to him, the other part could see that Oz needed all the body contact he could get. "How do you all want to move forward?" He finally asked.

Ozpin shank in on himself, he had been so blind. "I don't know." He uttered softly.

James pursed his lips while looking over to Qrow. "I, I would like to talk about what we… discussed. Qrow."

Oz looked over to him confused. "What?"

"I'm a registered Companion, I've also been Ruby's lover for several years. I approached James earlier and offered my services as a Companion to him. I've always been able to see he needed help, him ending up Ruby's soul mate was just the instinctive I needed to get involved. After a few talks James… how to put this." Qrow bit his bottom lip and looked to Ruby again.

"I could see a love, that neither of us have for Ruby in Qrow. They belong together Oz, Qrow has been helping Ruby with us since he found out. It's not our place to break them up Oz." James said moving over to Oz and reaching out.

Ozpin recoiled from James's touch. "How can you say that? She's our soulmate."

"I have been pushing her at you. Do you honestly think I would take her from you?" Qrow said and pulled up his sleeve showing them the void mark. "I never even had a chance for a soulmate, there is no way I would take that opportunity from Ruby."

"Or us." James said, he hesitated for a moment then took Oz's hand. "Look he helps alright? He's already been helping me with…"

"Why he's really been keeping his distance from you." Qrow said helping James move forward.

"What?" Ozpin asked looking sharply over to James. His stomach turned that James would see a Companion but not him.

"Look I lied about not being drawn to you. In Atlas," James shuddered. "I don't even want to think about what would happen if it got out that my soulmate was male. I didn't know how to deal with it, or my own feelings on the subject. My talk with Qrow was the first I've ever had about being anything other then straight. I hate not knowing things, not being in control of a situation. While I know you could have taught me, would have understood and helped me. I was afraid."

Ozpin looked between James and Qrow, he still didn't like the red eyed man even if he had been helping James. As evidenced by them even having this conversation. "And now?"

"Less so, I'm still ignorant but slowly relaxing into what the truth of myself is." James traced over the back of Oz's hand and the other man let him weave their fingers together. "If you still want to?"

Oz smiled for the first time, it was small and it was shy but to James it was like a bolt of sunlight, warm and willing. Allowing himself to feel anything for Oz at all helped.

"What about Romu- Roman?" Ruby asked not looking up from the floor.

"I put in a call to Vale's police force. He won't be any trouble to any of you ever again." Qrow said.

"Thank you." Ozpin said. "I don't think I would have been able to turn him in."

"You are not to blame Ozpin." Qrow said. "Roman is good at what he does. Try to focus on what you do have left, not what you've lost."

Ozpin couldn't help but chuckle. "You defiantly talk like a Companion."

"Comes with the job." Qrow took a deep breath. "James has agreed to allow Ruby and I to be together. I would also like to continue my sessions with James. If you are willing I would like to help you all with… everything that has happened."

"Out of love for Ruby?" Oz asked.

"Yes."

"You won't take them from me?"

"Ozpin, it was me pushing Ruby at you to begin with. I know I'm not a soulmate to any of you, I know it's not my place to bud in." Qrow said.

"But you should." James said. "I've seen enough of you, to know and I can't believe I'm say this. But I want you around. Ruby loves you, like you gave her to us. I think it's only right we don't take her from you. Maybe we could all work together." James leaned over and kissed Oz's cheek. "We were meant to be a quartet, think of it as just one instrument has changed Oz."

Oz closed his eyes and leaned into James, his first soulmate. "I… I will try."

Neo held a crippled Roman as they hid in their bunks aboard a ship to Vacuo. The tickets had already been purchased under one of their alises since Roman had planned to run with Oz's laptop and as much information as he could steal. Unfortunately during the fight Neo had chosen to go for her ginger haired friend, leaving said laptop behind. Not that it would have done much good since Qrow FUCKING Brawen had shot the damn thing. Everything, all their planning, the weeks Roman had used in getting behind Ozpin's walls, it all lay in ruins on her lap. Roman's body shuddered in silence, jerking every few moments as though he were in pain but her friend and longtime companion remained silent. Neo had pushed away the sleeves of his coat, seeing the chard and blackened remains of his bonds to his soulmates was horrifying. The willowy wisps of colour that had been so pale and faint now resembled brands of black raised burned skin. The marks of rejection.

As soon as they had escaped from Ozpin's estate Neo had grabbed their bags from their vehicles and used every ounce of stealth and strength she had in carrying Roman to the boat. Getting him into the boat had been a little tricky as the pain of breaking the soul bonds was reflected thrice over onto him. He didn't care about the broken bonds. None of it had ever been about love for him, if anything it was a form of freedom to him. Or at least that was what he kept repeating in his head even as the places his bonds had been burned like a fire that threatened to consume him. All it had ever been was an opportunity, one that Qrow fucking Branwen had destroyed for him. The boat hummed under them and Roman knew they were free of Vale.

Neo stroked a gloved hand through Roman's hair, the ginger roots coming through again. At least now he could get rid of that horrible colour, still even as she tried her best to comfort her friend she couldn't help realising that everything had changed now. They wouldn't be able to return to Vale anymore.

The ship jerked suddenly sending Neo scrambling to catch herself and Roman. The green eyed man blinked as shouts of dismay rose in a cacophony outside of their room. "Whats-?"

BANG.

The sound of screaming metal reached their ears, followed by gun fire. They both jumped as huge black claws sank into the metal wall opposite them. Neo grabbed Roman and pulled him to his feet. The side of the ship was ripped away with another horrendous screech and the pair looked up to a huge Sea Feilong roaring at them. Just as it was charging up it's lightning blast Neo hugged Roman tight and he was just aware enough of what was about to happen to return it. The Grimm fired off it's lightning blast…