The next morning there was a knock on Roman and Summer's bedroom door. Summer dragged herself out of bed and to the door. She hadn't figured out why he locked it every night when Raven would knock on it anyways to hang out with her so late. Summer unlocked the door and pulled it open to see a smiling Neo.
"Oh! Neo!"
[I wanted to tell you I was leaving.]
"Already? I figured you stay for lunch at least!"
Neo sighed silently and hugged Summer, surprising her.
[Listen… I don't exactly belong here. I'll be fine on my own after all… I know my limits in the world. I'll see you after summer break is over. I'll make it into Beacon. Please be safe because I would like to fight again in the future. If you don't mind… I'd like you to be my rival.]
Summer's eyes widened, "What?"
[I don't really have a lot but if I have something to look forward too, it'll help move forward.]
Summer held out her hand, "I'd love to be your rival."
[Good. I'll see you. Maybe if you can, return to Beacon early and we can have some training sessions.]
Summer followed her down the hallway and down the stairs to the door. Jinex stood there beside of the car that would take Neo wherever she wanted to go. Neo stood there unable to move any. She didn't want to leave Summer- the only person who believed in her abilities as a fighter but Brunneis was no good for her and this was not what she wanted for her life. Neo looked up to see Summer had tears in her eyes.
[Why are you crying?]
"I just want you to be safe ok?"
Neo nodded.
"Can I hug you?" Summer asked with a goofy smile.
[Sure]
The two girls hugged and Neo got into the car. Summer waved at her as the car went down the dirt road out of the woods.
X
X
Summer sat slumped down in the chair in the library and stared at the wall of books surrounding her. She wondered where Neo would go and if she would be ok after all. She did want an all out battle against her when the time was right. Maybe after they both graduated but she wasn't sure if she would be around after that. That immortal Grimm lurked in her mind like a nightmare.
"You ok?" Raven asked entering the room.
"Hmm? No."
"You miss the little girl?"
Summer smiled, "I guess you saw the whole thing already?"
"More or less."
Summer sighed.
"It's funny thinking you of all people have a rival."
Summer made a face at her, "Thanks for the confidence."
"I always thought Qrow was."
Summer raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well… You two always fought all the time. Not screaming but it was constant battle. In that moment, he didn't care about his feelings for you or if you noticed them at all. In that moment… it was about besting each other. You two are rivals. For life."
"I guess that's true. I do miss that."
Summer smiled.
"Ozpin said Qrow will be back two weeks late for school and we should keep notes for him and collect work so he can catch up without making up next summer."
"That sounds good. Can I ask you something?"
Raven nodded and opened her bottle of water.
"Why is Roman on edge?"
Raven snickered, "Because he wants to have sex with you and I keep cock blocking him."
Summer's mouth dropped open.
"Why are you surprised? He is a guy and he cares about you. Taiyang and I had sex."
"Oh my god!"
"He is great in bed… And… I love him."
"Awwww!"
Raven blushed.
"I'm so happy for you two!"
"Thanks."
"Hey guys!" Taiyang said walking in, "Are you hungry? It's a sub lunch day don't you think?" the blonde asked and the girls laughed.
X
X
"How are you holding up?" Roman asked.
"I'm fine."
"Did you like her?"
"No," Brunneis answered, "I knew she was talented but she deserved better."
"You're a dickhead."
"I know."
"You really are."
"I know that."
"Then why are you moping in your bathtub full of fizzy bubbles and wine bottle all over the place?" Roman asked.
Brunneis rolled his eyes and looked at him with blood shot eyes.
"You're a horrible liar."
"I know."
"She won't be back."
Brunneis snorted, "I know that. She likes you."
Roman stared at him.
"Don't act you didn't know… She was always hanging with you. It was very obvious."
Roman glared at him, "I only need Summer."
Brunneis rolled his eyes, "You never had a girlfriend. Do you really think being with Summer will last forever?"
"Shut up asshole."
Brunneis sank into the water some.
"I can only hope she does better on her own than being here. She's a strong girl."
Roman nodded.
"Yea."
X
X
Instead of leaving like Raven said she would, they decided to stay much to Roman's dismay. For some reason, he was afraid Raven had known of his intentions and she was staying just for that reason alone. Though, he didn't want to push things on her and try moving to fast. He felt like she had some lingering feelings for Qrow not loving ones but just feelings.
He looked over at Summer who sat there reading another book. She really enjoyed Brunneis' library- it had to be her twentieth book since she had been there. It had almost three weeks since Neo had left and Brunneis was still moping around like his life was over. He wanted to take her out and have a date but Raven was always there behind her.
"I want to take you out. Can we go to Vale and eat out. Maybe to a dance club?" Roman asked.
Summer looked up mildly surprised.
"I'd love too!"
Roman leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Even though she was smiling and talking, she looked distracted. She had been that way for a while now. He had noticed she would get out of bed at night sniffing or she would pace the floor muttering to herself. He looked at the top of her head as she leaned on him. Her hair was becoming more and more red.
"Summer... Is everything OK?"
"Yea, just a lot to think about."
"Do you wanna tell me?"
Summer looked like she was in deep thought for minute.
"I want to tell my team and you at the same time. I have to wait until Qrow returns."
Roman made a face.
"You know, I can't just not talk to him. He's stuck by my side until the end of Beacon and it depends on what career path we take afterwards."
"You mean you would still hang with him after Beacon?" he asked feeling angry.
"He's my friend of course."
Roman just stared at the wall. Summer pulled away from him and stood up.
"If you can't respect that he is my friend whether you like him or not then maybe I'll just leave until you decide to be a grown up about it. A lot of teams stay together for a few years after school because they work best together and that's the way they stay alive. I won't give up on them just because you can't get over your feelings. What he did to me was wrong, but if I can get past it then so should you."
Summer marched out of the room slamming the book on the side table on the way out. She ran up to their room and started packing her things. She wasn't gonna deal with petty jealously. She could hear footsteps coming into the room and don't care if it was Roman or not. She made up her mind and maybe if he had time alone, then he could make up his mind on what he wants.
"Please don't leave, I'm sorry."
Summer sighed, "I want to visit Aunt Claire anyways. Then return to Beacon to readjust..."
"Are you... Breaking up with me?"
She stopped what she was doing and turned around to see the ex-criminal looked so hurt.
"No. I never said that."
"Ok," he said looking relieved.
"You think Jinex can give me a ride?"
"I'll drive you myself. I'll feel better knowing you made it back safely."
"I gotta go to Beacon first then to Aunt Claire's. I have to call her anyways. I gotta get Raven and Taiyang."
"Alright. I'll be outside waiting."
Summer finished packing and carried her stuff downstairs. Raven and Taiyang were already waiting for her with their stuff. She smiled. Oddly enough she never found it creepy she already knew what was happening. They walked outside together feeling the afternoon sun.
"He is a good guy," Raven said, "He's just stubborn and wants you to himself."
Summer laughed, "Thank you for understanding."
Raven nodded and they got into the car for their way back to Beacon.
X
X
"You think I can come over?" Summer asked sitting on her bed back at Beacon.
"Of course. How long do you want to stay?"
"I got about two weeks left… Can I stay for a week and a half?"
"Of course! Can I get you tomorrow?" Claire asked with excitement in her voice.
"I'll be ready just send me a message when you're on your way."
"I sure will. Love you Summer."
"I love you too Aunt Claire. Bye, bye."
"Bye."
Summer hung up and looked at the wall with a smile.
At least I can have one summer break with my family, even if it is one person.
It felt strange to stay at Beacon after spending so much time at Brunneis large mansion. Summer felt like she didn't spend much time with Roman after Neo left. She felt bad because it was like she was seeing herself. She didn't look upset that she had to be alone though… Summer wished she could go back to that. Back to when she didn't have to worry about anyone else.
She never wanted people to get hurt because of her.
She flopped back against her pillows. Everything she had experienced up until was just straight up survival. Summer didn't need Beacon to teach her anything because she knew everything about being out there all alone. She fought off Grimm with her bare hands for a long time. Everything she learned in her classes, she already knew. She could graduate if she wanted and she would pass with flying colors.
She had told Roman she wouldn't abandon her team. So, she wouldn't. The three of them probably knew she didn't need them to live. She made a pained face.
She was afraid that Grimm would find her and hurt her friends. She wanted to leave but she couldn't bring herself to wander off to leave everyone worrying. Summer threw an arm over her face trying not to cry. She didn't wish this upon herself but what is done is done. Lily needed her help now but it may come down to abandoning her friends and her boyfriend in the end. Would she even make it to her fourth year of Beacon?
X
X
"Hey brother. How is training coming along?" Raven asked painting her toe nails bright blue on the roof of Beacon.
"It's fine I am surprised that you called. You hate calling people."
Raven smirked, "You know me so well. Actually, I called because Ozpin said you wouldn't be here until two weeks late."
"It's true. I'm holed up here until my job is done."
"Can I ask why you're doing this?" she asked, "I mean, you could always train with us."
Qrow stayed silent.
"Did you hang up on me you, asshole?"
"No."
"Then what is the big deal?"
"I had been thinking lately."
"Interesting."
"Are you sure you don't already know why?"
"I am sure."
"After knowing you kept me safe all this time and did everything for me… You and Summer saving us from the spiders. Then went that small village was attacked you made me stay behind. I began to feel like a disappointment. Then Summer told me if I didn't get myself straight, I would kill us all. I allowed my feelings to get in the way of everything.
"I had Summer and I lost her because I was selfish. I wanted everything my way… but that wasn't the way to go. Summer is a free spirit and she has always been that way. When… you told me about the future I had lost, it crushed me. I realize I can never have her back no matter what I do but I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death. I want to be the man I need to be."
Sniff, sniff.
"Raven, are you crying?" Qrow asked in disbelief.
"No, shut up stupid I'm not!" Raven said unable to fight back the tears.
"Damnit are you on your period!?"
"No dumbass! It's nice to hear you're ok! You're my only family member idiot!"
Silence.
"Mom and Dad… left us on this day years ago. I can't remember too much but I always remember the date. Is that why you're so emotional."
"Probably."
Silence again.
"I'll see you soon Raven. I love you."
"Love you too. Bye Qrow."
The line went dead.
She set the scroll onto the concrete and looked at the sky. Raven wasn't upset that her parents had left her that day. She had gotten a letter from those people wanting her to go back. Raven gave up murdering and everything else when she decided for Beacon. She knew they would be after her again. She refused to do it because of her friends and her brother.
No matter how many times those people apologized for her last mark, she could never forgive them. She wouldn't kill her brother.
Hey, hey! I'm sorry if updating is slow and it isn't because of my other story. I know the main and exciting points of my story and how it'll end in the end but the in between to get to that point sometimes is difficult. I guess my head is full of so many ideas I need some time to gather myself. I'll try to update again this weekend. Thanks for the reviews and favorites guys!