"All we ask is... a little cooperation."
The cafe wasn't as crowded as Blair thought it would be. On a typical day, it would be packed to the brim. The smell of coffee and tea almost sickening. The small chatter turning into shout matches from across the cafe.
Yet, it was actually calm today.
He enjoyed the silence, basking in it for a brief moment. It was nice to be in a peaceful environment for a change.
Without Ruben's tinkering. That weapon was taking forever to be fixed. it was annoying.
Without Winter's ignorance. He knew nothing of true struggle. It was frustrating.
Without Yin's energy. His jokes and fun antics were wearing old. It was exhausting.
He let out a sigh, leaning back in his seat. He looked up at his monkey companion, tapping his nail on the glass table. Sun seemed to be nervous, constantly averting his eyes from the sight of Blair's horns. Or his fangs.
"So," Blair started, turning his eyes to him. he watched as Sun cringed at the rolling of the 'o'. "You want to know about 'The Beast'?"
"Absolutely!" He said with enthusiasm, with nod and wide smile. "You're...You're just...What are you?"
"I'm a simple Faunus." Blair stated, with a soft smile. The monkey seemed enamored by the beast. Star struck.
Maybe he was a fan?
Blair reached up and tapped his horn, nodding. "That's all."
"But..." Sun mumbled, looking over at Blair's arm. He gulped, almost too afraid to ask. "I've heard the stories..." Blair's eyes followed, his smile faltering.
Oh, the arm.
"Of the chain?" Blair asked with a brow raised, raising his arm up to show Sun.
Sun nodded, taking a sip of his tea.
"Yeah..." Sun said, smirking a bit. "The stories of the dreaded chain. Some of us say that you bound them to yourself, as a symbol of slavery and your need to achieve freedom. Others...say you did it to never forget about what...they did to us. To motivate your bloodlust and your rage."
"Well..." Blair started, rubbing his cheeks. With those stories, he hoped he wouldn't disappoint. "To understand my story, I suppose you should understand me. As a Faunus, not a freedom fighter. It all, started when I was young...I suppose. Before the Chain. Before the White Fang. Before...me..."
"The White Fang weren't...notorious...to say the least. It had well intentioned beginnings.
A need for peace.
A need to stop the senseless wars.
We were promised that...but for every step, there was a challenge. We weren't equal. We were still bullied, treated as second rate citizens. Treated like...animals..."
Images of a time long ago seemed to engross Blair.
A time where there was no war, but there were still battles. A time of peace, but there were still hate. A time when he was just a young Faunus, protesting for their rights.
Wanting to change the norm. He wanted acceptance.
He wanted equality.
He wanted...a world where there wasn't fighting.
"I was there. Every rally. Boycott. Anything really...The protests were the battles and I was more than willing to fight. Nothing really changed, despite our call to action. We were still discriminated against. Despite our best efforts..."
A time when Blair was just a boy, protesting the latest scandal towards unsavory treatment of Faunus factory workers. He remembered three young men, much older than he was at the time, coming towards him. Demanding to know why Blair wanted to be equal.
Why a Faunus should be no different that any animal that roamed the streets.
Blair, despite his reasoning that, 'It's not fair', was victimized none the less. He was beaten, without even putting up a fight.
Without any help.
Without any assistance.
The other Faunus, simply watched in horror. They couldn't, or wouldn't, help Blair in the fear of being attacked themselves.
Blair, beaten and bloodied, laid on the cement and watched them walk away unscathed. Without so much as a 'stop'.
And what justice was there?
He was hurt for trying to do something positive, and they walk away after beating him without any sort of punishment.
"That day...As I looked at the crowd...I saw...weakness. We couldn't get freedom...by simply saying we don't like it. All the signs and speeches in the world wouldn't have stopped them from beating me. Didn't stop them from beating me. I knew what it felt like now. That feeling of absolute weakness. From that day on...I promised myself that I will make sure that the 'Bullies' get what they deserve...no matter the cost..."
He could feel the burning. The aching pain. The stupidity. The regret. The day he told the new leaders how he felt. He remembered his very words.
'I am your sword. Make me your weapon against our enemy.'
And they did. They took the chains that an old Faunus leader used as an example of their slavery and wrapped it around his forearm. The jagged blade of the axe forged as the chains were locked to his body. The heavy cast iron seemingly becoming one with him.
The dust that made sure that the chains would never come loose. Would never come off. Would never let him forget.
"When the old leaders backed down, a new one took their place. With a new way of handling our problems. We fought back...Blood for blood. And the funny thing? We got our equality. Through blood, we were equals. We had...what we worked so hard for. We used...violence to get what we needed. And...foolishly enough...I believed it...I believed this was the way of the world. Or at least, my world."
Blair place down his tea, lacing his fingers together, shutting his eyes. "I lost myself in my rage. I finally came to terms with what I had done...when I lost...the one thing that truly mattered to me."
Blair could still see the look of disgust on her face, the last time he saw her. The look of someone who didn't even recognize the person before them.
It was painful to see her look at him like some sort of...
"Beast. That's what they started calling me. So here I am. 'The Beast'. At Beacon. Trying to become a Hunter to...hopefully...make up for all the pain I've caused."
"Blair..." Sun said, crossing his arms. He looked surprised. He looked hurt. He was wide eyed. Pale in the cheeks. His knee wouldn't stop shaking. Tail wouldn't stop swaying.
"I can't imagine what you've done. How it made you feel. but..." Sun looked away, clicking his tongue. "Your friends...seemed to care about you. They embraced you, regardless of your past."
"They wouldn't have accepted me-"
"You didn't even try to tell them." Sun counted, watching Blair's eyes break away for a brief moment. Sun tapped on the glass, letting out a sigh. "You never know what they might have done."
"Blair!" Ruben shouted, walking down the street. He brushed past several people, ignoring their harsh words as he looked all around. His hands coned around his mouth, his voice starting to get hoarse from all his yelling. "Blair!"
"Buddy!" Yin bellowed, his voice echoing. He scratched his head. "Where is he?" Yin looked around, stepping off the edge of the building he was standing on and onto the roof. He looked around, seemingly misplacing the ladder. "How do I get off?"
"Blair!" Ruben shouted again, turning down the street. He saw Winter, his arms crossed and his back against the wall of a nearby shop.
Hand still on his bruised cheek.
Ruben walked up to him, his hands retracting to his pockets. "Wi-"
"Don't even start." Winter started, turning to Ruben. His eyes were bloodshot, his tone was flat and his voice was hoarse. "I don't need you calling bigot. I know what I am."
"Winter," Ruben started, rolling his eyes. Ruben glanced about, wondering if Blair would be in a nearby bookstore? Or library? Or something.
"We need to find him. Who knows where he is?"
"Jail, most likely." Winter remarked, the idea of Blair in cuffs more appealing by the second.
"Not funny." Ruben walked past him, eyes forward. "You are partly to blame here, you know."
"For calling a, 'White Fang Extremist' a friend? Fine. I'll take the blame for that one." Winter said, stepping off the wall. He extended his arms, waving them up into the air. "But not helping find the ruffian after he punched me in the face?" Winter pointed to the purple bruise on his cheek. "That's not my problem. That's all Blair."
"Blair was pushed into a corner." Ruben explained, reckoning he'd do the same had he been talked to as such. Treated as such.
"He was afraid."
"Of me?" Winter asked, raising his brow. Winter narrowed his eyes, wondering if Blair was really afraid of him.
"Who knows?" Ruben continued, his hands buried in his coat's pockets. "All I know is-"
"Ruben! Ruben! Ruben!" Yin shouted, running up the street with a wide grin on his face. Ruben could have sworn the street lit up. "Look who I found!"
"Thank goodness, I was starting to get wor-" Ruben turned to Yin, only to see him push Penny towards Ruben, before quickly grabbing Winter by the hand.
Penny waved softly, her ever present smile and up beat attitude meeting with Ruben's disgruntled groan and frown.
"Hey Ruben." Penny said, her smile as warm as the morning sun. Ruben slumped his shoulders, turning to Yin. To explain there are more important matters to attend to.
"Me and Winny will check the upper part of town! Have fun lovebirds!" Yin said, dragging Winter up the street with him. Ruben watched him go, scratching the back of his head.
Ruben couldn't catch a break.
"We aren't even..." Ruben growled it out, turning to Penny while cursing under his breath. Despite the importance of finding Blair, seeing Penny was nice.
She was always so happy looking, and so bubbly.
A nice change of pace, Ruben couldn't help but notice. He smiled softly, his hands returning to his pockets. "Hey...Penny."
"Morning." She said, her hands moving behind her back. Her chest protruding forward as she rocked to and from on her feet. "What are we doing today?"
"Just...looking for Blair. That's all." Ruben explained, before beginning to walk up the street. She watched him, her head shifting to the side.
"The Faunus?" Penny asked, trailing him. Ruben nodded, shutting his eyes as he rubbed his eyelids. Bookshops. Libraries. Other places.
"Yeah. Him. He went missing." Ruben stopped, raising a brow. Faunus? "Wait." He turned to Penny, looking over her. He let out a 'Ahh?' noise as he turned heel. "How did you know?"
"The horns?" Penny suggested, her finger making a curl over her head to signify Ram horns while shrugging. "The fangs? Plus all the hair."
"How..." Ruben narrowed his eyes, before shaking it off. He didn't have time for twenty questions. "Never mind. Let's just go." He took off down the street, Penny right behind him.
"So..." Sun started, his hands behind his head as he and Blair walked the docks. The crashing of the waves against the ships were calming. The sound of seagulls were annoying peaceful. "What's the plan?"
"I want to find out about the White Fang are up to. I need to know, for a fact, that they are the ones hitting these Dust stores." Blair stated, his eyes narrowing as he leaned over the railing. He stared out into the sea, his hands hanging down in loose fists as he let out a growl.
"You miss it?" Sun asked, only to see Blair's eyes shoot to him immediately. Their cold gaze terrifying. Sun jumped, arms out defensively as he cowered slightly. "Don't ya?"
"Not exactly." Blair started to say, before giving off a simple shrug. He thought of her smile, her always warm hugs. Her kind words. "I mean, some days...were better than most. That's for sure."
"Why?" Sun asked, Blair waving him off. He didn't want to explain.
"Forget it." Blair murmured, before turning to Sun. "You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"
"Well..." Sun scratched his head, tongue in cheeks. He kicked up his foot, leaning back on his tail as he let out a grown. "I heard a little something about the docks. And about the Dust coming in. A huge ship!"
"It's a great place to start." Blair noted, smirking to himself darkly. He clutched his fists. "Let's go greet some old friends."
"Thank you!" Yin said, waving goodbye to the shopkeep before shutting the door. He followed Winter out onto the sidewalk. Winter waited patiently for him outside, his foot tapping on the cement.
"Let's go please." Winter grumbled, his eyes turning away from Yin. Yin let out a huff, his hands moving to his hips. Yin lost his smile, his eyes growing cold once more.
"You don't really care, do you?" He asked, his thumb cracking his fingers as he waited for Winter's answers. Yin felt his chest getting heavier with every passing hour. Blair was strong. And very tough.
Didn't stop Yin from worrying, however.
"I do." Winter admitted, turning away from Yin. He let out a groan, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But...the White Fang?" Winter looked down the street, looking at all the happy people. The children's smiles, the lover's gazes, the families holding hands as they crossed the street. "They've done nothing but hurt people. Innocent people."
"Blair is different." Yin stated, letting out a sigh. He clutched his fist, walking towards Winter. "He isn't like them."
"You don't know that..." Winter mumbled, crossing his arms. He could hear that shot, the very same that took his uncle away from him. All he could see was Blair's smirk filled with bloodlust at the sight. "You don't know what they are capable of..."
"I don't." Yin said, laying a hand on Winter's shoulder. "But that doesn't change the fact that my little brother was attacked by, who people think, are the same guys who have been hitting the Dust stores."
"Ruben might have mentioned that."
"He," Yin let out a sigh, the thought killing his nerves. "He could have been just another notch on one of their weapons, would things not have gone the way they did." Yin bit his bottom lip, his eyes narrowing. "I don't plan on just calling things out as I see them. But..." He turned away from Winter. "If the White Fang did attack Ruben, and Blair still is keen on working with them, I won't stop you from calling the police."
"Glad we're on the same page." Winter said, before taking off down the street. Yin watched him, his eyes filling with sorrow. He glacned towards the floor, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Yin said in a hush, before jogging to Winter's side.
"Ruben?"
"Yeah?" Ruben stopped, turning towards Penny. There had been a silence for the past few blocks. On her admission, not his own.
She just seemed to like to be near him, not talking or even looking at him.
Penny's arms were out by her sides, her face plain and her eyes wide open.
"Out of curiosity, why did your brother mistake me for your 'girlfriend'?" She asked, her head turning to her side. Ruben smirked awkwardly, letting out soft 'ha's. He rubbed the back of his neck, barring his teeth.
"Oh...that. Well, Yin is a jokester. You know...just...says things to be funny. Ha...Ha...Ha..." Ruben explained, crossing his arms. Penny still kept her quizzical look, still confused by the whole idea.
"But...what did we do to make him joke like that?" She questioned, crossing her arms. Ruben looked around, wondering what exactly she was asking about.
Maybe she wanted to know if Ruben had done anything to insight the idea of Penny and Ruben being together?
"Um...I don't know." Ruben shrugged, letting out a soft chuckle. He went for the reasons why Ruben could never have any girl friends. "I guess you were just talking to me-"
"So it was my fault?" She asked. It didn't sound at all angry, or even surprised. It sounded as if it was a simple question. Like it was an answer to a question in class.
"No! No! It was mine! He would have said any girl was my girlfriend if I knew them and he didn't-"
"I see." Penny said, simply nodding and uncrossing her arms. Ruben looked at her. He wanted to say she was offended. Or even hurt. Maybe she thought they could have looked like a couple. Maybe she did want them to be a couple. "I can see how that can be funny."
"Yeah..." Ruben let out a sigh, wondering if she really did understand the joke. Maybe she was hiding her hurt feelings behind this stoic delivery. "I bet."
"Ruben?"
"Yeah?"
"Is Blair your friend?" She asked out of the blue, her eyes darting towards Ruben's. The eccentric green meeting the dashing silver.
"Well...Yeah." Ruben said, shrugging a shoulder. "Of course. We're on a team, and we work together. Laugh together...sometimes-"
"But he left. Because of the team?"
"No." Ruben said, shaking his head. "He left after he punched...Winter. And after...and after Yin tried to calm him down." Ruben's voice lowered, his confidence dying with it. The whole situation did spiral out of control.
"I see." Penny said once more, nodding her head. "I think he might be angry a little bit."
"Me too." Ruben said, starting to walk once more. "Me too, Penny."
"This is the place you said they would be?"
"Yeah." Sun said, smiling to himself. He munched on a piece of apple, standing beside the prone Blair.
The docks were deserted, or as deserted as a dock can be. The moon was high in the sky, possibly midnight or one in the morning.
Blair was itching for a scrap.
Needed to a fight.
Wanting to lay into some fake Fangs.
His hand ready to reach for his axe, as he laid on the rooftop of a nearby hanger. The crates of dust were untouched, just waiting out by the rest of the cargo boxes. He squinted, the crates were just out in the open.
Just...sitting there.
"They unloaded the Dust an hour ago. Now...it's just there." Blair said, letting out a soft yawn. He remembered when Belle would tell him stories of when she was a young girl while they worked together. He missed those stories. "Recon wasn't my favorite job."
"I bet you get bored a lot." Sun mumbled, sitting beside Blair. He looked over the sight, letting out a sigh. "Should have brought a book."
"You have no ide-" Blair started before hearing the sound of a Jet flying by. Blair ducked down, laying low. Sun followed him, arms folded behind his head as he curled into a ball.
Blair steadied his breath, listening to the aircraft land below. He peered over the edge, seeing several men jump off the vehicle and begin moving towards the Dust.
What he saw next hurt his pride, hurt his spirit.
Broke his heart.
Filled him with grief.
The symbol of the White Fang adorned their armor. Those were his old brothers and sisters down there. They wore the White Wolf proud.
"You really didn't think they'd do it, huh?" Sun asked, looking over at Blair. Blair nodded, letting out a sigh. He knew the revolution was hitting hard times, but this was petty crime lord-syndicate-mafioso business. Not a freedom fighter's.
"I just...I just hoped-" Blair started to say, his eyes seeing a familiar looking cigar and bowler cap. Blair flicked his wrist, his weapon sliding into his hand. The blade dragged against the roof tile, his growls mixing with the scrapping of steel. "White Fang don't work with humans!" Blair jumped, his teeth barred and his roar echoing.
Roman was just about to light his cigar the moment he heard that animalistic roar. He lowered his lighter, turning his eyes up towards the sky. He saw a blur homing in towards him. As he dropped his lighter to reach for his cane, Blair was already behind him, his arm around his neck.
"What the-"
"White Fang!" Blair shouted, raising axe up and pointing it at them. He flicked his wrist, the axe switching into it's pistol. "You were a group devoted to the Equality of our people! To gain independence and to be respected! This is not the way!"
"Listen," Roman mumbled, before clearing his throat. He swallowed, feeling Blair's forearm pressing down against his neck. "Me and The Fang? This is a joint project. We all win."
"Shut your mouth." Blair warned, narrowing his eyes. He pressed the blade against Roman's cheek, shaving off a few hairs. "Or so help me, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Roman asked, chuckling. He shifted in his spot, smirking. "Face it, Kid. You're out of your league," At that moment, the sound of more Jets flew overhead and landed onto the docks. "And I would right about now, outmanned!" Roman reeled his head forward, before swinging it back and smashing into Blair's chin. Blair stumbled back, holding his hurting chin as he raised his weapon.
"Goodbye!" Roman shouted, his cane aiming towards Blair's chest. With a devious smirk, he pulled the trigger. Blair felt the shell blast against his stomach before exploding. He was propelled back, his shoulders scraping against the concrete before he pushed himself onto his feet. He felt his skin scarred and rubbed raw, his demeanor still furious.
He spun his weapon before him, shut his left eye and took aim. Roman fired another shot, cackling as the White Fang took up arms.
Blair's eyes shot open, not wanting to get another chest full of explosive. Blair rolled to the side, the shot hitting the ground beside him. Blair got onto his knees, and fired several shots at Roman. Roman dodged the first few, only feel a single bullet graze his cheek.
"You!" Roman shouted, withholding a curse as he began rushing towards Blair. Blair spun his weapon around, letting out a chuckle.
Blair swung to the left, Roman ducking under it. Roman swung his cane's hook around Blair's ankle, caught it and pulled back. Blair felt himself pulled up, landing onto his back. Blair, in the blink of an eye found himself staring up into the barrel of Roman's weapon.
"Eat explosion, you little sh-" Before Roman could finish his sentence, a heel smashed against his cheek.
The monkey cackled in response.
Roman was knocked back, holding his bruised face. He turned to Sun, who slowly walked towards him. He cracked his neck, narrowing his eyes.
"You and me, now." Sun said, reaching behind his back and pulling out his weapon. The staff extended in his hands, the end of it inches from Roman's chest. Roman swatted the staff away, before charging.
Blair growled lowly, only for a stray bullet to whiz past him. He turned towards his attacker, one of the White Fang crosshairs on him. Blair whipped his arm forward, the butt of his axe slamming into the man's throat.
Blair swung back his way, pivoting on his heel and swinging it towards a group of White Fang. The weapon's chain wrapped around one of their ankles, knocking them off his balance. The chain wrapped around the man's calf and began dragging him with the axe.
Blair, with all his strength, swung the man into another. The two White Fang crashed into each other, their masks breaking on impact and rendering them unconscious.
Blair, with a swift tug, brought his weapon back into his hand.
He spun it around, the gun in his hands as he quickly pulled back on the slide of his gun, taking aim at Roman. He heard the more gunshots, the area around him in a dust of cloud and debris. Blair ran towards some form of cover, anything to avoid the onslaught of gunfire.
Roman slammed his elbow in Sun's cheek, followed by a swift knee into the gut. Sun was knocked unbalance for a moment, before jumping over Roman and disassembling his weapon staff broke into three chained together pieces.
Each of them held together by golden chain links. Roman narrowed his eyes, side stepping away and sizing up this Faunus.
He was quick.
Rambunctious.
Reckless.
Worst off, he was random. He had no pattern.
"I don't have time for this." Roman mumbled, flicking his wrist towards Sun and walking away. "Take care of the Faunus."
Sun raised a brow, before shifting in his spot and seeing several White Fang charging him with swords in hand.
"Blair!" A voice shouted, almost unheard amongst the gun fire. Blair blinked, the wall he had used for cover riddle with bullets as he scanned the area.
Blair turned to the faint noise, his sight on a roof of a nearby hanger. There stood Ruben, his weapon unfolding in his hands.
With the biggest smirk on his face.
"Oh," Roman chuckled, turning towards Ruben. He saw Ruben and his was taken back.
He clasped his hands together, a smile forming on his face. "Well isn't this a surprise. Hey, Red! Where's your girlfriend to bail you out of another fight!?"
"I don't need her this time. I can take care of you myself!" Ruben shouted, taking aim with his gun. He cranked the lever, squinting his left eye. Ruben looked over his shoulder, towards Penny. "Get out of here, now."
"Ruben, why are you fighting this man?" Penny asked, raising a brow. Ruben let out a groan, bitting his lip for a brief moment.
She had to leave.
And she had to leave now.
"I have unfinished business. Now, find some cover and I'll-" Roman didn't hesitate. He fired a missile towards...Penny.
Ruben blinked, and without hesitation, dropped his weapon and moved in front of Penny. He shut his eyes, prepared to take the brunt of the attack.
Arms crossed before him, teeth barred as he pulled his body together.
"I hope Glynda doesn't mind saving me twice..."
He heard the explosion go off, then the continual sound of loud gunfire.
Some small caliber.
Others much louder.
Ruben wondered if this is what Heaven sounded like?
Then it irked him if this was Hell.
That he was dead and he still can't escape the sounds of war.
He opened his left eye slowly, only to find several odd mint colored swords forming a sort of shield before him. They staggered and weaved, but took the impact.
He opened both eyes, his heart beating in his throat. He patted his chest, feeling himself still together in one piece.
"Don't worry, Ruben, my friend." Penny's voice spoke out, sounding oh so calm amongst the gunfire and battle cries. So helpful. So happy. "I'll take care of this."
He blinked, and saw Penny descending onto the dock below. Like an angel descending from the heavens. He ran towards the hanger's edge, his eyes wide and his mind going haywire.
Penny was going to face the horde of White Fang head on.
"What..." Ruben whispered, watching her. She raised her hand, several swords spinning rapidly before her, blocking the oncoming gunfire. They ricocheted and bounced away from her.
Ruben turned his attention towards Roman, who was making a break towards a nearby Jet. Ruben coiled his hands into fists, letitng out a roar.
He wouldn't escape.
Not again.
Ruben ran ahead, grabbing up his scythe and jumping off. He spun his weapon into Scythe form, his heart beating fast in his ears.
"Let's get out of here." Roman ordered, waving his hand towards the pilot. The pilot 'OK'ed the order, and began preparations of lift off.
That's when Roman heard the roaring.
Not the roaring of battle or bloodlust. This was vengeful.
Angry.
Furious.
He turned towards the battle that waged on the docks, only to catch a glimpse of Ruben charging towards him. With his scythe behind him, he pulled the trigger.
Roman couldn't even blink.
"Roman!" Ruben roared, his eyes darkening and his teeth out. Roman's eyes went wide for a brief moment, finding himself unable to draw his cane before Ruben's forearm crashed against his throat. Ruben landed on top of him, his face inches from Roman.
Roman could have sworn those eyes were the same as hers. The same intensity and vigor. They were terrifying. "You're dead!"
"You really need to get ahold of yourself." Roman smirked, staring into Ruben's eyes. He squinted his eyes, letting out a sigh. "Because if this is already too much, wait till later..."
"Wha-"
"So long, Red!" He shouted before he knocked his forehead against Ruben's nose. Ruben was knocked back slightly, before feeling the heel of Roman's boot crash into his stomach. The swift kick to the gut knocked him off the Jet, and onto the cold hard ground.
He blacked out the moment the back of his head met concrete.
It wasn't really the sirens that got to Ruben.
It was the flashing red and blue. They were blinding and irritating his eyes.
He sat against the trunk of the cruiser, his wrists cuffed and officers on both sides of him.
"We have a White Fang in custody-"
"He isn't one of them!" Ruben shouted, his hands out before him. He jingled the chains as he stared the officer in the eyes. "He's just a Faunus!"
"Well, we still need to take him in. Along with yourself. You both still caused plenty of property damage." The officer said, crossing his arms.
That was a good point.
Ruben turned to Blair, his eyes darting to the cuffs around his wrists. Blair glanced at Ruben, slumping his shoulders as he stared into the pavement.
He seemed disgusted. As if he smelled something foul.
"It's not fair!" Ruben shouted, his finger against the officer's chest. The officer laid a hand on his baton, squinting his eyes at Ruben. "If you don't let him go-"
"Ruben! Take it easy." A voice spoke out, all eyes turning to the source of the sound.
Winter walked towards the Officer, his hands in the pockets of his vest. Tongue in cheek as he flashed a smirk. "I'll handle this."
"Listen, Kid. You don't have the au-"
"'Kid'? Do you know who you are addressing?" Winter asked, his hand against his chest. The officer shrugged, Winter's smirk contorting into a frown. "Winter. Frost. Of the Frost family."
The officer's face went pale. Along with every other officer's.
"Do you have any idea how much of a fit my father will throw if he found out his beloved son's friends was arrested for false accusations and affiliations?" Winter asked, raising a brow. The officer stammered as his eyes bolted all around him.
"I-"
"Or what he'll do to this department if you do this? Do you have any idea what he is capable of? Maybe I should call him-"
"No!" The officer shouted, already unlocking Blair's cuffs in a huff. He stepped away, holding the brim of his hat. He pulled it over his blushing cheeks, stepping away from Blair. "I apologize."
He left soon after.
Ruben felt his cuffs loosen from his wrists, falling onto the ground as he stepped towards Blair.
Blair watched Ruben out of the corner of his eye, before turning his sights onto Winter.
"Well," Ruben said, shrugging. He turned to Winter, letting out a chuckle. Winter held his hands to his hips, nodding his head towards Ruben. Looking him over as if expecting him to take a knee. "Good job." Winter simply nodded, turning to Blair.
"Blair."
"Frost."
"They didn't hurt you, did they?" Winter's question surprised Blair, to say the least.
The Winter who woke up this morning would have made sure to have done worse to Blair.
Not this Winter.
Blair averted his eyes, letting out a sigh. He rubbed his knuckles, his gaze fixated on Winter's shoes.
"No." He grumbled out. Winter rubbed his cheek, smiling to himself. He glanced at Yin, who nodded and motioned his hands to elaborate.
"I'm sorry." Winter said, letting out a scoff. He sounded disgusted.
Surprisingly, with himself.
"I'm an idiot. I...messed up. I shouldn't...I was wrong to put all my hate I have towards the White Fang on innocent Faunus...and you.I won't mistake the White Fang for representing all Faunus again." Winter held out his hand, before clutching it into a tight fist. "But... I can't forgive you."
"Winter!" Ruben shouted, only to have a hand rest on his shoulder. He snapped his neck, feeling Yin pull him back.
Yin held a finger to his lips, turning back to Winter. Winter undid his fist, letting out a sigh.
"You should have trusted us. Like we trusted you." Winter clarified, nodding his head. He stared into Blair's eyes, straightening his back. "You're our friend...my friend."
"I'm sorry." Blair said, his lips curling to a frown. Winter watched the frown form, before chuckling softly.
Winter lightly punched his shoulder, smirking in response.
"Also, you hit like a bag of feathers."
"Shut up." Blair said, with a soft smile.
They began to small talk as Ruben looked over the two reconciling.
Ruben smiled, his team back together and well.
Sure, they were divided.
Sure, they attacked a nefarious gang.
Sure, they were almost killed by a brutal criminal.
Sure, they were arrested.
But they were together now.
That's all Ruben cared about.
Then he remembered Roman's smug grin as he chuckled. His cigar chomping lips curled into a smirk as his orange hair-
Wait.
He turned his head, realizing something was missing. He was here. And Blair.
"Hey? Where's Penny?" He asked, looking all about. He was busy getting Roman that he must've forgot to check on Penny. Yin rolled his eyes.
"Keep track of your girls, Ruben!" He joked, walking over and wrapping his arms around both Blair and Winter. He pulled them together, his biceps against their necks as he chuckled. "On that note! The team is back together again! Yahoo!"
"Yeah..." Ruben said, looking all around. His hands rested on his hips, shrugging his shoulders. "Ya-hoo." Ruben looked up into the night sky, the broken moon above him.
He smiled a sweet, turning back to his team. They turned to him, smiles on their faces and their arms wide open.
Accepting their leader into a group huddle.
"Well...Considering how long I've been here, and counting how many times I've almost died. I can honestly say now that being here at Beacon, isn't all that bad."
"Well," Ruben started to say, walking towards his team. He pat his hands against his chest, nodding his head softly. "We're alive."
"That we are." Yin said, smiling to himself. He walked over to Ruben, his hands on his hips. "You aren't too shabby at this leading thing."
"I try my best." Ruben mumbled, crossing his arms and smirking to himself. We looked over at Blair and Winter, nodding his head. "Let's head back to Beacon. We should probably let Ozpin know what we saw."
"Ruben." Yin mumbled, his nose bleeding as he went wide eyed.
Ruben looked over his shoulder, his heart coming to a stop. The lovely face of Glynda Goodwitch shone in the darkness.
And she looked all but pleased.