Weiss listened to the rhythmic whisper of Adam's breathing.
Moonlight poured onto their bed, illuminating the bedsheet covering their bare bodies. Adam had an arm wrapped around her shoulder, embracing her in the protective heat of his body.
"What do you plan to do after this?" Weiss asked him, running a hand down his pecs.
"Well, continuing to help Robyn is a given," he replied. "I don't think the Military will let me stay here rent-free, so I'll stay in Home Base until I can find a place to live."
"I'm sure Whitley can help with that," she assured him. Given how much her brother looked up to him, he'd be happy to buy him a brand-new house.
"I don't want to use his money unless I have to. I want to try and figure this out by myself first," he insisted. "I've always wanted a place of my own."
Weiss wondered what kind of place he'd settle down in. Would he live in a small apartment close to work? Or would he prefer to live in a house?
She was also curious about what furniture he'd decorate his place with. Given his clothing style, he'd likely go for a modern, clean aesthetic with a dark colour palette. His belongings would likely be intricately organised and cleaned under a strict schedule. Would she live long enough to see it in person?
"What about you?" Adam turned the question back on her.
"I'll be travelling the world fighting Salem."
"I meant after."
Assuming she'll survive the ordeal.
"I want to continue fighting for Faunus rights. Maybe I'll join the Silver Robins like you or focus on reparation efforts for the victims of the SDC. Or I'll do both. There's still so much to do. I'm not sure where to start."
"What about your personal life?"
"I never gave it much thought," she confessed.
"Isn't there anything you want for yourself?"
"I want you."
He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead. "I know I'm irresistible, but consider thinking outside the box for a moment."
"I have no idea. Father's always controlled my life, but now that he's no longer a factor…I have no idea what to do."
"We could try painting a rough picture of your ideal future." He turned to his side to face her. "It might help you figure out what you're interested in."
"It's so much easier said than done." She mirrored his position. "I don't even know what I want."
"I can start if it helps," he offered. "I want to settle in Vale one day."
"Vale?" Weiss hadn't expected that answer. Of all the places he'd want to live, Vale was at the bottom of her list.
"It's still one of the more Faunus-friendly Kingdoms. I want to live in a small town or a city with a tight Faunus community."
"Why not the countryside?"
"It's too quiet. I also like the idea of being around a tight-knit community. Alright, your turn."
Weiss thought for a moment. Her mind always returned to one part of the world, no matter how much she thought about the issue.
"I like Mistral. I'd want to live in a village like Violet's. It's like you said, I also enjoy having a tight community around me."
"See? It isn't that hard." His hand found hers beneath the covers. "Alright, so you've settled into your dream neighbourhood in Mistral. Do you live in a castle or a mansion?"
"I'm not going to live in a massive castle by myself." She frowned when he laughed at her curt response. "I'd like…a spacious cottage. "
"What does it look like?"
"It's not going to have any white or blue walls," she decided at once. "It reminds me too much of the Schnee Manor. I want something colourful and warm."
Once again, Violet's humble home popped into her head. She could still smell the scent of burning wood in her fireplace - remember its warmth when the three of them gathered for dinner.
"It needs a cosy fireplace," she added. "I want to have homecooked meals in front of it after a long day at work."
"That sounds like a nice home." Adam smiled. "I'd want a house as well. I don't care about the size, but the kitchen has to be big. I want two – no, three ovens! I'd love to grow fresh herbs by the windowsill, or I'll have a garden in the back for vegetables and herbs."
"Do you secretly want to open a restaurant?" she teased.
"No, I just enjoy cooking. After the whole waterfall scare, Violet kept me busy by experimenting with new recipes. I loved it ever since. I've always cooked for myself, but it's a nice change of pace to cook for others too."
"If your dream kitchen ever comes true, everyone will flock to your house for free meals. Your food is delicious."
"You really mean that?"
The joy in his voice left her grinning from ear to ear.
"I still remember what you made at Sapphire's place. It was one of the best things I've ever had."
"When you come back, I'll make it for you again."
If she came back.
Weiss nodded, kissing his cheek.
"I still think about that dinner sometimes…" he confessed in a much more quiet voice.
"Why's that?"
"I've never cooked for friends like that before, let alone Human friends. I didn't expect to feel so…happy about it." He paused for a moment. "It gets me thinking sometimes…"
When he didn't elaborate, she rolled him onto his back, observing him from on top of his chest. He turned his head away in a sudden display of shyness.
"What does it make you think about?" She combed her fingers through his hair.
"It makes me wonder what it feels like to cook for a family."
His quiet words rang in the air between them.
She kissed the scarred half of his face. "Is that what you'd like one day? A family?"
"I don't know," he confessed to the side of his pillow. "I'd really like to have a family again, but I don't know if I'm cut out to be a dad. And with my past…I don't want my kid to be ashamed of me."
"I think your kid would be proud of how far you've come," she assured him, continuing to massage her fingers through his scalp.
If anything, his past made him understand the importance of family. He'd give his children everything he's never had. She was sure of it.
"What about you?" He turned his head to look up at her. "Do you want to start a family in the future?"
"I've never thought about it," she said honestly. "Between you and me, I'm in the most danger of being a bad parent."
"Don't say that." He rested his hands around her waist.
"I didn't exactly have great role models growing up. Mother became a neglectful alcoholic, and you know my father…I don't know if I'd be able to act any differently."
"You're not your parents, Weiss."
But the possibility of ending up as horrible as Father was still there. She didn't want to subject another generation to the same thing he put her through. At least, that's what she thought now.
"Would you care if I decide to never have a kid?"
"That doesn't matter to me. We can be a family with or without a kid."
A lump formed at the back of Weiss' throat. All the things they'd discussed felt like a dream she could never have.
But she wanted it. Weiss wanted to see Adam achieve his dreams and figure out how he'll build his future. She wanted to live to see the future they were all so desperately trying to protect.
Adam wiped the tears off her face. He smiled sympathetically, guiding her head down to his chest. He kept his comforting hand on the back of her head. She closed her eyes, listening to the beat of his heart. The ache in her chest grew with every precious second that slipped between her fingertips.
"I'll come back," Weiss promised. She wasn't sure if she was speaking to Adam or herself. "I'll do everything in my power to come back. It's not going to end here. I won't let it."
"I know." He ran small circles on her back with his other hand. "I'll be waiting for you. No matter how long it takes, I'll be right here."
Weiss squeezed her burning eyes shut.
"You should sleep. It's late," he said.
"No. I don't want to sleep tonight," she sniffled. "Keep talking to me. Tell me more about your fancy kitchen. What do you want to make in there?"
And so he did. Adam shared his ideal kitchen set-up, the elaborate dishes and desserts he wants to try, the house parties he'd host for all their friends, and the meals he would cook for her.
Weiss told him about all the essentials she needed in her dream home, the piano room where she'd play all her favourite songs, a garden of roses she'd like to walk through every evening, and meals she'd share with him in front of the hearth.
They weaved their dream lives all through the night. By the time sunlight trickled into their window, their dream scenarios were so interconnected that it was impossible to tell them apart.
They all met at a cafe down the street for breakfast. Despite the early morning hour, Whitley got up early to join them for one last meal.
They were the loudest table in the entire cafe. Yang tortured them with dad jokes after her first cup of coffee while Nora and Ruby ate as many sweets as they could. Qrow didn't make a move to stop their horrible decision, choosing instead to watch the chaos unfold.
Weiss was on her third cup of coffee when Adam let the others know about his plan to stay in Mantle.
"I'm sorry this came out so suddenly," he said with his attention locked on his coffee cup. "I didn't have any intentions of changing my mind until last night."
"There's no hard feelings." Ruby smiled assuringly. "The work Robyn's doing is equally as important. I'll be cheering you guys on no matter where I am!"
"Thank you." He smiled, holding his head up again. "I wish you all the best of luck on your journey."
"You better kick some corrupt ass on our behalf in the meantime," Yang said. "Once we're done with this mess, I'll come back to have a crack at it too."
"In that case, I'll leave a few bastards for you to beat to a pulp." He played along. "So you all better come back alive."
"Don't you worry about that! It's going to take a lot more than a few robots to defeat us!"
"Alright, that's enough coffee for you." Blake confiscated Yang's second coffee mug. That led to another debate about the benefits between coffee and tea.
"That means you'll be able to keep training with me," Whitley gasped, staring at Adam with wide eyes.
"It'll depend on how busy I am, but yeah. I'll try to squeeze in as much time as I can to teach you."
"You better train hard," Jaune said to Whitley. "The next time we meet, I want to spar with you."
"Me too," Weiss piped in. "We can even invite Winter to see which one of us is strongest."
Whitely nodded, promising they'd meet on equal footing the next time they saw him.
"I hope you take your own advice, Jaune," Adam warned. "Just because you're travelling doesn't mean you can neglect training."
"H-hey now, don't you think going on a crazy life-threatening journey is enough training?"
"No. That's called being lazy. If you keep up with your usual routine, you should find it easier to control your sword. Blake can help you if you want an extra challenge."
"Aww man, I'm not even in school, and I'm still getting homework," Jaune groaned dramatically, earning a laugh from Adam.
"I'll look forward to fighting with you again someday," he added in a more serious tone.
"Yeah, me too. Take care until then."
Their time in Atlas was over when Winter came to pick them up. She walked them to Atlas Academy, where their airship was waiting for them, packed with fresh provisions and medical supplies. Ironwood was also waiting to see them off, wishing them all the best of luck with their mission.
Weiss turned to hug both Winter and Whitely when the others climbed on board. This departure was so different from the first time she ever left Atlas. This time, she was being seen off by her family.
"I don't know what you're facing, but I hope you stay safe," Whitely said as she let go. "Call us whenever you get the time."
"He's right, we're both going to be cheering you from home," Winter agreed. "I'm so proud of you, Weiss."
Winter's praise left a large smile on her face.
"You two take care as well." Weiss wrapped her arms around them. "I love you guys."
"Love you too, Weiss." Whitley sniffled, hugging her back tightly.
"I love you as well," Winter whispered, gently tousling her hair. "Take care out there."
That it was the first time the three of them ever exchanged a single I love you with each other. Weiss' chest filled with bubbly warmth at hearing those words. It made letting them go that much harder.
When she finally let go of Winter and Whitley, Weiss searched for Adam. She caught him in a middle of a group hug between himself, Jaune, and Blake. Weiss felt it was only appropriate to sneak up behind him and squish him between the three of them.
"This is flattering and all, but I can't breathe," Adam complained. They laughed, tightening their collective hold around him.
"It's been really good seeing you again," Blake said when they finally released him. "Take care of yourself, alright? Don't let all the SDC mess get to your head again."
"Of course." He smiled. "You and Yang take care too."
To Jaune, he added," Keep me updated with your training sessions. I've never tried to teach someone long distance before, but I'll try to give advice the best I can."
"You better update me on how Whitley's doing too. I'm not about to get beaten by some kid." Jaune playfully punched him on the arm. "I'll catch up with you later, man."
Then, it was just him and her.
Weiss simultaneously had so much so wanted to tell him yet so little to say. Everything she wanted to tell him was already said last night.
"Weiss–"
She crashed into his chest with one final hug. His arms wrapped her, clutching her so tightly she wondered if he could ever let go.
"Remember your promise?" she whispered.
"I do," he answered just as quietly. "Come back, alright? I mean it when I say I'll wait forever for you."
"Okay. Goodbye for now."
Very slowly, the tension in his arms relaxed. He didn't remove his hands from Weiss, holding her loosely until she was ready to leave. Weiss lingered in his arms for a bit longer before pulling away from him.
Weiss stopped right before she could completely slip out of his hands. A different kind of warmth welled in her chest when she looked up at Adam.
It wasn't hot like the passion that burned in her blood last night or dizzying like the heat that touched her when he first kissed her.
It was a warmth that stemmed from the fake lives they weaved so intricately together, from the hundreds of gentle touches and caring words he'd spoken to her throughout their time together.
It was the same warmth she felt from Violet's fireplace. A place where the smell of burning firewood tangled with the scent of home-cooked meals – where the fire crackled and danced even in the darkest of nights.
It was where she saw herself sharing a meal with him every single night.
Weiss cradled his face, guiding it down to her lips. She poured as much of that wonderful warmth into her kiss, giving him one last message before she slipped out of his hands.
I love you.
Big thanks to BrazeRancor and a Guest reader for the reviews!
