"Aww isn't she the cutest drop of sunshine in the world?"
All of team STRQ was gathered in the living room, surrounding Raven and the newest family member sleeping in her arms.
"Careful, Summer, you might wake her up." Raven chided softly. "It took us forever to calm her down."
"Huh, must take after her father." Qrow pointed out, earning him a punch to the shoulder from Tai.
It's been several years since the team reformed. Throughout that time they've continued their work for Ozpin, risking their lives time after time for new information. When they weren't away on secret missions the team found work in their local town. Tai and Qrow got hired as part-time professors while Raven and Summer took up hunting jobs around the local area.
With a steady flow of cash coming in it was only a matter of time that Raven and Tai finally decided to start their family.
"Does she have a name?" Summer asked.
"Yes, her name is Yang."
"I was the one who chose it." Tai beamed proudly.
Raven rolled her eyes just as baby Yang stirred from her sleep. Summer wanted to jump with excitement when Yang's big purple eyes met hers.
"She'll also be taking on Tai's last name...for obvious reasons." She glanced up at her brother. "If you ever have a kid you should do the same thing."
He snorted," I'm not interested in having a miniature version of myself."
'Damn, that's a shame.' Summer found herself thinking. 'Wait, what am I even saying?!'
Baby Yang giggled loudly at Summer's reddened face. Tai noticed her flushed reaction but chose to stay quiet about it.
"That's why I said if you have a baby. Gods know that no woman is crazy enough to reproduce with you."
That earned a chuckle from Qrow," it's good to see you again, sis."
"So how did the last mission go for you two?" Tai finally asked, sitting on the armrest of Raven's chair. "Did you guys find anything new?"
Seeing as Summer was too busy making faces at the newborn, Qrow answered," we came across a new lead and informed Ozpin about it. I suspect we'll be leaving for another mission soon."
"Already?" Tai's brows raised with surprise. "But you guys just got back home."
"I think Oz let us come home early to see your baby." Summer explained, regaining her serious composure. "As much as we'd like to stay longer there's still a lot of work to do."
"Aren't you two getting tired of running dangerous missions for him?" Raven challenged. "If he was so concerned about the threats to our world then why doesn't he go out and fight himself?"
For the last few months, Raven has been questioning everything Oz has told them. She'd openly challenge the threats and ideas he introduced and went as far as to stay home instead of helping the team on a mission.
Tai shrugged most of her behaviour off as pregnancy hormones, even if her agitation started long before she had Yang.
"You're forgetting that he's in charge of an entire academy, sis. He doesn't have time to disappear for months on end."
"According to your logic, Tai and I should no longer be allowed to go on missions now that we're full-time parents. It's dangerous for us to get more involved in this shit show, yet we all know he'll want one of us out in the field once Yang is a bit older."
Baby Yang cuddled closed to Raven before fluttering her eyes shut. Raven held the infant closer to her chest and added," there's too much at stake now."
"We understand, Raven, but as hunters and huntresses we protect the world from harm." Summer explained, the passion she has for the job shown with every single word. "We put ourselves in more danger than most to protect our loved ones. It's a sacrifice we make to ensure everyone lives a safe and happy life."
"I...suppose you're right."
"Even after all these years, you're still the inspirational leader we all know and love," Tai's comment brought a smile to her lips.
"Or she's just being overly emotional again. I heard babies do that to people." Qrow piped in jokingly.
Summer shot him an icy glare," you jerk." She tried to kick him in the shin, a habit she developed from her prolonged time spent with him, but he dodged just in time.
"Better luck next time, pipsqueak." He winked. Summer folded her arms and stuck her tongue out at him.
"We leave you two alone for several missions and Summer comes back more violent than ever." Tai was grinning from ear to ear at their exchange.
"Not to mention more childish," Raven added with a smile of her own.
"It's not my fault Qrow is such a bad influence."
"Hey, stop blaming me for your own childishness."
"You know I wouldn't be like this if somebody was a little more responsible."
"I'm not a babysitter and no one asked you to see me as a role model."
Qrow and Summer held playful smiles through their exchange, it was yet another habit that the two picked up after Raven and Tai stopped going on missions with them.
"I knew my brother was a bad influence but I didn't think it was this bad." Raven piped in light-heartedly just as her stomach let out a rumbling growl. "Tai, make yourself useful and cook me some soup. I'm feeling a bit hungry."
"Geez, you don't have to be so rude about it. I thought the pregnancy hormone wore off after the baby is born." Raven's eye twitched with annoyance but that went unnoticed by her lover.
"Summer, wanna help me out?"
"Oh, alright." Summer followed Tai out to the kitchen, leaving the Branwen twins alone to do some catching up of their own.
"So," Tai began mischievously as the duo began to prepare the ingredients. "You and Qrow have been spending a lot of time together."
She instantly regretted agreeing to help him out with the food.
"Well, that's what happens when we're assigned to the same missions." She giggled awkwardly.
"Still, it must've been nice to spend so much alone time with him. Especially at night." He nudged her arm and winked. Within seconds Summer's face resembled that of a tomato.
"T-Tai, we're not like that." Summer pulled her hood up to hide her face. "W-we're just friends."
Summer hastily turned on the sink to wash the vegetables, even then she could feel Tai staring down at her.
"Really? You still haven't told him?" He sounded genuinely disappointed.
Tai was the last person she thought she'd be having this conversation with; still, she was grateful he was there to listen.
"I-I mean...he knows and all but it's complicated."
It's true that they are nothing but friends, though ever since their meet up at the bar they've been awfully close to one another. That only escalated once it was just the two of them going for missions. Qrow has been spending a bit more time with her and during those moments he'd have no problem invading her personal space. From playful punches to resting his arm on her shoulder. At one point they even had to share a bed, Summer's thoughts didn't let her have a good sleep that night.
"So he's still hung up about the whole semblance thing, huh?" Tai shook his head." Some things never change."
"I-I mean...we've gotten a lot closer lately," she elaborated, turning the tap off and moving to the chopping board. "I-it doesn't change anything about us but I'm really happy that he's willing to spend more time with me.
"But don't you want to be with him?"
"It's...confusing, Tai." Summer started dicing the ingredients. "When I think we can finally be more than friends he turns around and proves me wrong. I don't know if moving to the next step is a good idea anymore."
"I would tell you to move on but it's kinda hard when you two are constantly seeing each other." Tai glanced at the pot on the stove and back at her, brows furrowed with worry. "I don't know what you see in him, Summer, but this isn't good for your mental state."
"I-I know," she paused midway through dicing a carrot. "I want to set things straight soon, but I'm scared it'll affect our friendship. What should I do?"
"You're asking me?" He asked incredulously. "I straight out confessed to Raven in the worst circumstance ever, I think you need to find someone else to talk to."
Summer laughed and proceeded to chop again," maybe it's better if we stay this way. I'm fine if we continue as just friends."
"Are you sure about that?" Tai pressed on. "It's painfully obvious you want more out of...whatever you two have."
"It's better than having nothing, Tai." Summer paused as she nearly sliced her finger. She exhaled and readjusted her hand," it's because I like him that I need to respect what he wants. If he thinks being in a relationship is a bad idea then I won't pursue, but I'll always be here when he's ready."
"I just hope you know what you're doing." Tai's voice dripped with concern. "I don't wanna see you hurt in the future."
"Thanks for worrying about me, Tai, but I'll be okay." She exchanged a brief smile with him before proceeding to dice the next ingredient. "Besides, I know a lot about him now. I know how he is and I think things will change for the better with time."
"Always the optimist." Tai chuckled.
The next few months were the best for team STRQ. Raven and Tai gave their daughter every ounce of attention and love they could muster while Summer and Qrow continued to work for Oz and further strengthened their friendship.
During those rare occasions where the team was reunited, they'd cook and dine together—well almost everyone did. Qrow would only join the group once Yang was safely tucked away in bed, he wanted to ensure nothing bad happened to the infant. When he did join them Tai would bring out the alcohol and they'd drink like they were teens again.
Those happy days were like a rose. Beautiful yet quick to wither away.