Major shoutout to merendinoemiliano and youngsavage for commenting so much! I really enjoyed seeing your reviews after each new chapter!

And of course, thank you to everyone who took favourited and followed the story till its end. I hope this fanfic was enjoyable and worth your time. Without further ado, I present the second last chapter to this story :)

Summer woke up with a massive headache. If she didn't know any better she'd be sure someone plunged a knife into her skull. As she slowly returned to consciousness she noticed that she was currently being carried on someone's back. Their breaths were laboured and they walked with a slight limp.

"Qrow?" She muttered, blinking her eyes open. She could see nothing by darkness.

"Rise and shine, shortcake." He greeted lightheartedly. "I'm surprised you woke up so early."

"Where...where are we?"

"According to the map, we should be headed straight out of the mountain's core."

Vague memories of their battle played in her head. The more she tried to recollect her memories the worse her headache grew.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you use those silver eyes." He explained as if sensing her confusion. "You took care of all the Grimm in that coliseum, might've even scared off the people who were in charge of them too."

"That explains the headache..." She mumbled.

He laughed softly," sorry you had to use them. I know it can be exhausting."

'As long as you're safe it's all worth it,' she answered mentally. Even now it felt so surreal to have him back, just hours ago she was worried about finding his dead body. At least one good thing came out of the chaos.

She could vaguely make out the light at the end of the tunnel. From the dim lighting, it was easy to determine that it was nightfall.

"Are...all the Grimm gone?" She asked tiredly.

"There's a few lurking around in the halls and there are probably more near the mountain. It's not enough to cause the town any threat though."

A cool evening breeze slithered past the duo. Summer found the air unusually cold against her skin. She instinctively hugged Qrow tighter.

"I'll come back tomorrow to clear out what's left." He continued.

"Can...I come with you?"

"All you're doing is staying in bed and recovering," he objected sternly. "You took some pretty heavy hits. We can't have you over exhausting yourself."

"Says the guy who was tortured."

"So you found that room huh?" He laughed dryly. "Sorry you had to see that."

"It's not that hard to figure out," she desperately tried to wipe away the images of his injuries. "But...I did stumble across that room. There was another Hunter in there." Her stomach churned at the thought of his body rotting alone in that cell, forever lost to friends and family.

"I know, and I'm pretty sure I know what became of him."

"I'm sorry."

He carried her through the remainder of the tunnel in silence. She noticed the air was getting colder and her eyes were growing heavier with each step. She had a distinct feeling of what was to come next but she desperately tried to ignore it. As long as they were still moving there was still hope.

They stepped out from the darkness and into the starry night. Under normal circumstances, she would've requested him to sit with her and enjoy the celestial beauty.

Qrow looked at the narrow path leading down the mountain. He then looked at the vast wilderness spread below them. She could feel him tremor but he didn't dare speak a word.

'So this is it,' the thought, though morbid at its core, gave Summer a weird sense of comfort.

"H-here's the plan." He tried to keep his voice steady and calm but she could still pick out the panic hidden beneath his facade. "I'll fly back to the town and get help. You wait here and-"

"That's enough, Qrow." Her voice came out weaker than she'd expected.

"What do you mean?! We need to get you help right now! Look it'll only take me a-an hour at most-"

"Please." She felt her heart aching at his words. "We both know it's impossible...even if you get help I'm weak...defenceless..."

"But-"

"How can you get up here in time?" She continued to challenge. "Save yourself the trouble, bird brain. We both know it's impossible."

He collapsed, nearly dropping Summer along the way," dammit, Summer. Of all the times you choose not to be optimistic..."

Summer bit her quivering lip and peered up at the heavens. Despite their grief, the stars shimmered with all their might as if trying to compensate for their smothered hope. She attempted to unwrap her arms but her small movement further irritated her open cuts, she grimaced and would've collapsed in pain if Qrow hadn't caught her.

"Summer, you're in no condition to move." He chided lowly. Qrow looked around the small ledge and frowned," h-here, maybe this will help you feel more comfortable."

He shifted his body until it was comfortable enough for her to lean against his chest, his arms locked gingerly around her. Though her wounds continued to burn she felt perfectly at peace.

"They're beautiful." She said, looking up at the sparkling night sky. "Doesn't this remind you of Beacon?"

He tensed at her question but didn't answer.

"Y'know I'm surprised none of us fell off the roof during those sessions. You'd think that would happen to someone so unlucky like yourself."

"I didn't stick around for too long for anything bad to happen." He sniffed.

"Except that time we spilled our drinks and it landed on someone's head." Summer reminded him with a soft giggle.

"Yeah," he snickered. "We almost got our asses busted."

Another breeze brushed by, causing Summer to shiver. She felt his arms tighten around her.

"Summer, I'm sorry." She heard his voice crack from the tears. "This is all my fault. I'm sorry."

"Stop that...you know I hate it when you do this." She scolded gently. "Besides...I chose to come here and fight. If anything...this is my fault. I willingly threw myself into danger...you've done nothing but look out for me."

"It wasn't enough."

"It's more than enough," she tilted her head back to look at him. He was staring out into the distance, jawline tense with fresh tears falling from his eyes.

"This is the first time I've seen you cry. It doesn't suit you." She planted a gentle kiss on his salty cheek. His expression changed from angst to shock in a split second.

"Summer, I know we're in some extreme conditions but this is wrong." He said all the while avoiding to look her in the eyes. "It isn't fair to Tai."

"Qrow," she felt butterflies in her stomach. Even in death, she was deathly afraid to come clean with him. "I...I'm so sorry."

Now it was her turn to break into tears.

"What?" He peered down at her curiously.

She couldn't speak under her heavy sobs. All she could think about at that moment was their beautiful daughter, growing up without her true parents ever by her side.

"I lied to you," she hated herself for needing to say that in the first place. "About Ruby a-and Tai...I lied about everything."

"Slow down there, Summer. What on Earth are you talking about?"

Her weak hand reached out from under her bloody cloak and cupped his face. The lump at the back of her throat seemed to grow bigger.

"Ruby isn't Tai's real daughter, Qrow. She's our daughter."

Her hand fell to her side and she tore her eyes away from him. She felt ashamed, unworthy to face him.

"S-Summer, I'm down for jokes b-but this isn't funny."

"It isn't a joke," she cried. "You're Ruby's dad."

"Then why?" He questioned tightly. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was afraid you'd leave forever." She retorted weakly. "You were already so terrified of hurting Yang that you did everything you could to avoid her. I could only imagine the worst if you found out Ruby was your daughter...It didn't help that I got pregnant with her after spending that night with you. You probably would've blamed yourself even if I was ecstatic to have our baby girl."

There was a moment of silence. Summer wasn't sure if he was seething with anger or was simply too shocked to comprehend what she just told him.

"I won't lie, Summer, but I'm pretty fucking pissed that you kept something so big from me." He paused for a second. "I wish you would've told me before..." He choked up before finishing his sentence.

"I'm sorry," she kissed him again. "I-I wanted to tell you but I was afraid. I-I'm so sorry, Qrow."

Summer noticed it was getting increasingly difficult to stay awake. Even when she was free from her lies she still didn't want to leave. She wasn't ready to be seperated from him again.

"Ruby...how is she?" He asked.

"She's got a serious sweet tooth," Summer pictured their little girl searching the house for extra cookies. "She'll do anything for sugar...I think she gets that perseverance from you."

"Let's just hope she's as compassionate as her mother."

"Oh please, I think you're definitely more compassionate than me." She corrected softly. "That's what I love about you." His embrace tightened.

"I hope you won't laugh at me for being too emotional again." She teased.

"Not tonight, shortcake." He pecked her on the temple. "You get a freebie."

She smiled and snuggled closer to him," I know you might not be able to forgive me...but can you do me one last favour?"

"What is it?" He rested his chin on her head.

"I know you're going to try and avoid the girls, it's what you do to keep them safe...but I want you to try and be in their lives more often. Play with them...look after them...be their mentor..."

"I..." his breath hitched," okay. I'll try. Is...is that all?"

"I also know it'll be difficult to get me home..." Her voice broke into a sob. "So...burn my body...a-and bring me home...f-from there scatter my ashes somewhere a-and set me free. And..."

She wasn't sure if it was because of her tears or her injuries, but it felt almost impossible to breathe. "A-and...thank you...f-for always looking after me a-and for all the happy memories. I-I don't know what's in store for you in the future...but know that I love having you in my life. Don't you dare forget that."

It hurt to say those words but she knew it was even more painful for him to hear it. He lifted his chin from her head and buried his face into her neck, she felt warm tears hitting her skin.

"I love you, Summer" she heard him whisper. Though her body was readying itself for an eternal sleep, her heart leaped with joy.

She kissed his head," I love you too, Qrow...I always have...and I always will."

Some may say death is a cold, heartless force that snuffs out the beautiful flame that is life. Others may see it as a cloaked figure, looking for the perfect prey to cut out of this world.

To Summer, who was locked in the warm embrace of her lover, death was an angel that descended from the sea of stars. It stood by them just as she shared one final kiss with the love of her life. Then, when her hourglass was empty, it gently took her out of Qrow's arms and carried her to the other side where she'll wait to meet him again.