CLOSURE
Weiss
"What an absolute waste of time-"
Ruby enthusiastically hopped up and down while she wagged in front of Yang, a paper bag with a logo of the gift shop printed on it.
"And?"
Yang, pretending to not be interested, asked Ruby, to which her younger sister could only respond childishly with a song.
"You'll have to wait and see!"
Ruby stuck out her tongue, as Yang tried to snatch the bag away from Ruby, but just before she could, Nora jumped in between them.
"Oh, I can't believe we're taking the train to Argus! The beautiful northern coastline... You really think it's too early for beach season?"
She flashed a bright smile at Ren, who momentarily contemplated on a life in front of the beach before sighing at the thought of his hopes crashing down.
"Unfortunately, but we will be one step closer to Atlas."
I'm sure they see that as a silver lining, but the thought of going back to Atlas is not something I cherish.
"Well, I'm glad you're all excited, but I don't think you appreciate the trouble I went through to leave Atlas."
Ruby leaned forward with a smile on her face.
"I know you're worried Weiss, but trust us. Team RWBY won't leave your side for a second! I promise."
I admit, that does make things a little bit easier, and I guess me not wanting to go is not enough of a reason to abandon the fate of the entire world to a pair of goofy huntsmen named Dee and Dudley, who are starting to cause a scene in front of us.
"Buzz off."
Thankfully, Ruby's uncle Qrow's here to shoo them away.
"So, you kids ready to go? Bike all loaded up?"
Yang raised her arm and flexed, as if she did all the heavy lifting herself.
"Yep."
Everyone looked at each other, with their bags in hand. All of us were ready to load up on the train anytime all that's left is...
"Just waiting on Blake. As usual."
All of us looked up on the platform above us. Blake was reeling against the railing on the bridge while Ezra sat on top of it. In front of them was the woman named Ilia, the faunus responsible for Haven not blowing up. I guess it's only fair that they get to say their goodbyes to her.
I haven't had the chance to hear their stories yet, but judging by how close Ezra and Blake have been these last two weeks, I can only assume a lot has happened. Has to be, if Blake is acting the way she is now. She hated Ezra with a passion, even more so than Yang ever did... than Yang ever could.
Hate and love are often seen as two different things, but in reality, they're one and the same. When Yang admitted to me that she still loved Ezra, I believe her, and when said she hated Ezra back in Haven, I believed her then too. If Yang can feel all these emotions, then is it really that improbable that Blake could have... fallen for Ezra too?
I don't think Yang has quite sorted out what she really feels right now. Which is why I worry for her.
"Yang."
Before I could inquire however, Ruby sensed that something was wrong as Yang fondly gazed at Ezra and Blake.
"Yeah?"
"Are you uh..."
Ruby hesitated at first, knowing the implications of what she's trying to ask, but before she could finish asking her question, Yang looked away and forced a smile.
"I am, don't worry."
I sighed and held on to her hand.
"Yang, please. It's okay."
She closed her eyes and sighed, trying her best to compose herself. It took her a moment to speak, but she eventually mustered up the courage to do so.
"Look, I know everyone's worried about me because me and Ezra used to, uh, date. I admit, there's still some mixed feelings here and there that I don't know what to make of it all, but I what I can tell you is that I've made some changes and decisions since we split up, and so did he. We've changed in a lot of ways."
The sadness in her eyes were evident, though she did look up at us to smile, even for just a moment.
"It's kind of weird to say, but in the months that we've been apart. All of us, not just me and Ez, all of us too. We've all grown, and in a way, we're all completely different people from the time we all left each other. It's just that me and Ezra were a bit more intertwined compared to everybody else."
Ruby placed her hand on her sister's shoulder as the two stared at each other before hugging.
"But you're actually okay right sis? It's okay if you're not."
Yang nodded and held Ruby's hand with a smile on her face, this time around, we could all tell it was genuine.
"Yeah, I'm okay, just a lot to get used to."
Just cause Yang's saying the truth, doesn't mean she's saying everything. Still, I guess this is better than just bottling everything up.
Just then, Ezra dropped from the ceiling, surprising everyone and ruining the moment.
"Did I miss anything?"
Startled, I immediately snapped back and asked.
"Ezra! Don't scare us like that!"
To which he could do nothing but flash that childish smile of his, while scratching the back of his head.
"I swear! Where is Blake anyways?"
He crossed his arms and pointed his thumb back at the platform above us without ever looking that way.
"Still talking to Ilia. The two have history and their first reunion didn't really go so well. I left them alone so they can make up in peace. It shouldn't be long."
Satisfied with his answer, Jaune recklessly jumped over the couch I was sitting on, before landing right next to me, causing my whole body to skip along with my heart. I can feel the blood rushing to my face when my entire being realized that Jaune was sitting right next to me, a sight that Ezra so keenly- annoyingly noticed. After our last conversation, I knew exactly what he was implying.
The two of us exchanged stares while he cheekily grinned and I pouted, but thankfully, Jaune himself was curious of something else to ever notice the silent skirmish me and Ezra were having.
"Hey, Ez, are you sure you can get on the train with all that gear? You know, since you're still kind of wanted?"
He does bring up a good point, but Ezra only stared at him dumbfounded, before he pulled out his scroll and flashed a huntsman license at us.
[Name: Haunter Haze - License Number: 44998700 - Place of Registration: Shade Academy]
"Is that a?"
Oscar, Ruby, and Nora leaned forward, amazed at what Ezra was holding.
"A fake huntsman license."
Ezra proudly spoke with his chest out, though I don't think that's something to be proud of, if Qrow's groans weren't obvious enough.
"The cashier didn't even notice. I should know, I hacked her console to make sure she didn't report me."
E-excuse me.
"You're just blatantly going around doing this with no shame now?"
I jokingly asked, but just then, Blake intervened, chuckling.
"Does it really matter at this point? Haha. We got our tickets right? Sooo?"
Ezra paused for a second as the two stared at each other, making me even more suspicious of the two's relationship. Thankfully, Ezra's trance wouldn't last very long as he pulled the tickets out of his pockets.
"Yeah, of course. I bought tickets for three rooms. Two with bunks of fours, and a smaller one for Qrow and Oscar. I hope that's okay?"
That's
"Perfect!"
Ruby eagerly grabbed the ticket off of Ezra's hands.
"Gives the teams a chance to catch up! Uncle Qrow and Oscar can stay in cabin three, Team RWBY can stay in cabin one, and-"
Ezra waved the remaining ticket in front of everyone before handing it Jaune.
"Team JNPR can stay in cabin two then."
Right, Ezra's with JNPR now. I guess this too is a change we're going to have to get used to.
Yang
[Motorcycle Monthly]
I guess there are worse things you can buy from a gift shop than a magazine. Really wouldn't have minded a necklace to replace the one I have on me right now. Then again, I could have easily taken it off.
Pushing off all that sappy stuff to the side, I still think that me flipping through the pages of these magazines brings a lot of memories back from Beacon. Especially where we are now. It kind of just gradually happened, me and Ruby climbing up on top our bunks, and Weiss and Blake just casually accepting the beds on the bottom.
Even Ruby complaining about how bored she is, is very similar to how things used to be. She childishly lifted her legs up and enthusiastically raised her voice.
"All right, girls! I think it's time for an official team exercise. Who wants to play video games?"
Sure why not? I've pretty much flipped through every single page of this magazine twice over anyways, might as well.
"I mean, if you want me to kick your butt, yeah sure. Let me grab my scroll."
I jump down to grab my scroll on the shelf, but before I could, Blake already had my bag in her hand. I know she's been wanting to reconnect since she left, but I don't see any reason for her to be this excessive.
"Blake, you don't have to do that."
Blake began to frown, and her ears started to droop down her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I can tell a part of her is still worried about me, that she still thinks of that night I lost my arm, and that she still feels guilty. Honestly, a part of me blames her for it, and a part of me is still conflicted about her relationship with Ezra. But...
"I'm fine. We're gonna be fine. It's just gonna be a bit before things are back to normal. But, I am glad we're all back together."
Hearing me say that brought a smile back on her face. Looking at her like this is making me wish I could go back to the days we had in Beacon, only thing we're missing now is...
"Hey yo!"
Is Ezra barging in.
"Ezra!"
Ruby raised both her hands up, as Ezra leaned against the room's doorframe.
"What're you doing here?"
Blake asks with a slight blush on her face.
"Ugh. If I have to listen to Nora talk about pancakes for one more minute, I'm going to lose it. I have no idea how Jaune can sleep through it OR how Ren can tolerate it!"
Ruby chuckled at what he said.
"Yeah, Nora does tend to do that a lot."
"Anyways, do you mind if I hang out with you all for a bit?"
Everyone fell silent after Ezra tossed the question up in the air, but not because of their own indecisiveness, it was because of me. I can just feel all that emotion up in the air, that and all of them are staring at me.
"UHHH. Sure! Yeah go on right ahead!"
As soon as I said that, the team collectively sighed, confirming my suspicions. Ezra nodded and patted Blake on the head as he made his way in.
"Here, Ez, you can sit right he...re."
Weiss courteously slid to the side and patted the mattress right next to her, but Ezra already made his way to Blake's bed, who wasn't far behind. Before Blake and Ezra sat down, the two of them awkwardly stared back at Weiss who was surprised at how casual the two tend to just stick together.
Not wanting to be rude, Ezra quickly stood up and took Weiss up on her offer.
"Sure, I can sit with the Ice Queen."
Weiss tilted her head away, pretending to be annoyed when I can really tell that she doesn't mind at all. Still, I guess my relationship with Blake ain't the only that needs attention, Ezra needs some taking care off too.
"Hey Ez, we were about to play games too?"
I raised my scroll up and waved it, but Ezra shook his head.
"Sure! After you beat the rest of the competition. If I remember correctly, you've yet to beat me. Might wanna practice a little bit before fighting the final boss."
Oho!
"Talking smack are we? Fine, Ruby open up the lobby so I can kick your butt real quick."
As I make my way back up my bunk, Ezra pulled out a metallic ring. It was raggedy and all scratched up, with a few mechanical instruments on its rear end like a pair of goggles. He then pushed a button on its side, causing it fold up, revealing his OWL helmet with a big gaping hole on its right eye socket. The sight of which caused everybody to fall silent.
Well, except for Ruby.
"Coooool..."
Ezra smirked as he flipped his helmet up in the air.
"Glad you think so too, Ruby."
But Weiss had the opposite reaction to my sister's.
"That tech is way too advanced for the resources available in Vale or Mountain Glenn. Really, your whole outfit is very... Atleasian in nature. Is it because they're-"
Before she could finish, Ezra interrupted her.
"Stolen, yes."
Which shocked Weiss, but not me.
"Yeah, I figured. Even your 'license' is fake. I'm sorry, but I thought you're-"
Ezra cut me off too, which was fine and all, but what bothered me was his confidence and lack of shame for committing a crime outright.
"Repenting, yes." He looked at Weiss with a smirk. "And yes, my tech is from Atlas."
He pulled out a small bag and pulled out a couple tools and began rewiring the innards of his helmet, while he talked.
"I know this all looks bad to all of you, but it was me pretending to be who I'm not was what cause all of this to go haywire to begin with. So, I just thought I should be honest with myself and not deny the things that made me... ME."
He grabbed a couple of black metal tubes, and used his semblance to heat it up and reshape them to follow the contour of his helmet before screwing them in, fully repairing his mask. As best as he can at least.
Ezra placed both his hands on his helmet and raised it up to his face, as he stared at it eye to eye.
"Good as new."
He whispered and smiled at the irony of calling his silver mask with a mismatched colored right eye socket, 'good as new.'
"Don't you wanna steer clear of who OWL is? To the people of Remnant, it was OWL that caused all that disaster in Vale, one would think you wouldn't wanna associate yourself with that?"
I ask, but Ezra could only smile while never losing eye contact with his helmet.
"And why would I? OWL is me, I caused the fall of Beacon. I was the one that hurt all of you, but the person that wanted to change, the person that spent time with you all, the person that fell in love, was also OWL."
Ezra raised his helmet higher, handing it over to Ruby, who was more than happy to take it off his hands. She twisted the helmet around and examined it with her big bright eyes, as Ezra continued to speak.
"Don't get me wrong, I understand what you're trying to say, Yang. I really do. For the first couple of months after Beacon fell, I tried to do just that: separate myself from OWL, but I soon realized that doing that is the same as running away... shifting the blame on another person."
"-No that wasn't me, that was OWL- It sounded like an excuse. It didn't feel right."
Ezra leaned back on Weiss' bed and crossed his arms behind his head. Ruby lowered Ezra's helmet down and passed it to Weiss, which she reluctantly accepted.
"I am OWL, and OWL is me. That's how it should be, and I'm at peace with it."
At peace? Hearing him say that made me look down on my metallic arm and ponder the meaning of what he just said. I kinda get it, being at peace with who you are.
"I see. Still doesn't mean stealing and faking licenses is right."
Weiss whispered as she curiously inspected the helmet. She sighed and recklessly dropped the helmet on Ezra's belly, causing him to flinch in pain.
"OW!"
The sight of which made us all laugh.
"There is one thing bothering me though."
Weiss asked. Ezra raised his eyebrow and urged her to ask.
"You didn't just come up with all this yourself didn't you? You had help from someone, did you?"
Weiss curled her lips and furrowed her brows, curiosity starting to get the best of her. She raised an eyebrow as she shifted her gaze back and forth between Ezra and Blake.
"So, are you two gonna tell us what happened in Menagerie?"
Not wanting to feel left behind, Ruby slouched down from her bunk, letting one arm hang freely, annoying Weiss.
"Yeah, you two seem awfully close. Like close CLOSE. Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Blake laughed awkwardly, then shifted her gaze at Ezra, as if she was asking his permission. Ezra smiled back and shrugged his shoulders.
"Might as well."
He whispered, as he made his way towards her. The two of them smiled, as Ezra wrapped his hands around Blake's shoulder, who was more than eager to lean her head against his.
"We, uh, we're together."
Blake nervously announced. Ruby and Weiss had their mouths open in shock, but not me. I kind of already knew. Still, hearing it out loud. I'm not gonna lie, it's stirring up some tough emotions out of me right now.
"Oh, congratulations!"
Ruby smiled while she clapped.
"I knew it!"
Weiss snapped her fingers with a smug look on her face.
"Congrats."
Though their joy wouldn't last very long, as Weiss and Ruby began to shift their concerned faces at me. Once again, the tension in the room started to rise in anticipation of what I had to say. Seriously, why is it all on me again?
"I, uh, yeah! Yeah! Congrats you two. Y-you two make a cute couple."
And when I said that, I mean it, like truly, I do. But that doesn't make it any easier for me. For crying out loud, a few weeks ago, I just admitted to Weiss that I still love Ezra. Can I really blame her that's she's staring at me with that somber look she has right now?
"Back in Menagerie..."
Blake began to speak soon after.
"I was kind of upset that Ezra followed me. I kicked him around and said some things that I wanted to take back now. I felt alone, weak, and ashamed for leaving all of you behind. I was afraid, those first few months, was absolutely crippling."
Blake looked up and stared at Ezra with a tender smile on her face.
"But Ezra never gave up. He fought, crawled, and got hurt every single day, dead set on trying to do the right thing. The things I was too afraid to face. Those months that I spent with him in Menagerie, I was finally able to see who he really was as a person, and he helped me discover my own path."
She turned her head towards us and whispered.
"The path back to all of you... back home."
Once more the two of them looked at each other and snuggled close to one another.
"I'll be forever grateful to him because of that."
Hearing Blake say all those things towards Ezra are stirring up memories I thought I already came to terms with, and it's honestly getting to add up to be a bit too much. Just watching the two of them is emotionally suffocating.
"I, uh, that sounds great! Happy for the two of you. I, uhm, gonna go get some fresh air."
Hearing me say that startled Ruby a little bit.
"Yang, in this weather?"
I guess fresh air wasn't really the best excuse.
"Y-yeah, I mean it's getting hot in here. Woah. You two really need to keep that hot couple stuff under control!"
It didn't take much after that for my legs to drag me outta there. Soon I found myself running with tears flooding down my eyes, even when I reached the balcony at the end of the train, it felt like I was still running.
"HAH... HAH... HAH..."
I don't know what to really think about all of this. My mind's too blurry, my chest feels like it's on fire, and my knees weak, dragging me down on the floor. Without even thinking, I pulled out the necklace Ezra's grandmother gave me and held it tightly in my hand, lifting it up and thought about throwing it into the forest.
Only I couldn't.
I still love him. I still do, but how am I supposed to move on from this? It took me a really long time to work out my feelings for him after Beacon, the courage it took to resolve myself to face him again and tell him everything, only to be met by fate as cruel as this.
Cruel not in a way because somebody meant me any harm, but cruel because I was faced with a situation where I couldn't do anything but accept what's in front of me. I had no say in what's in front of me, and the feelings I have will forever be left unanswered, and that is the most painful part.
-WHOOSH-
I quickly tuck away my necklace and wiped away my tears, sniffling and struggling to get up as the door behind me swung open.
"Ruby, I'm okay, no-"
Actually, it'd be more logical if Weiss was the one that came, like last time, but the voice that beckoned me, forced me look back.
"Yang..."
It was Ezra. The last person I wanted to see me like this.
"Oh, hi Ez. I was just-"
Ezra somberly smiled and cut me off.
"Stop it. Please. I know you're hurting... I've spent enough time with you to know that much at least."
I scoffed not at what he said, but at the thought of me thinking I could talk my way out of this. He's right, if there's anybody in this train outside of Qrow and Ruby who can see right through me, it'd be Ezra.
"Listen, we have our history together, and I know this isn't easy for you. Believe me, I thought about you every single day since we broke up. You were my motivation, my sun to guide me through the darkness even if you didn't know about it."
I held on to the balcony railings a little tighter. I know his words were meant to comfort me, but in reality, they're making my pain just a little bit more unbearable.
"It was you that made me want to change in the first place, and it was you that kept me going after Beacon fell."
Something about this conversation is really familiar. The absurdity of it all, him flirting with me while spending time while romancing another woman. No, that's not right. At first I just thought that, but I soon realized that that's just who he is, he's not flirting, he's sincere to a fault.
Which makes want to ask...
"Then Blake? If what you just said is true, then why didn't you come back to me? When did Blake come in... as a replacement?"
It even hurts to say it out loud, but I have to know.
"Blake didn't replace anybody, Yang. Blake was in a similar hole as I was, and I- we found comfort in each other for our sufferings. You were my guide throughout all of this, but I never held out hope that we'd be together again, not after I hurt you that way I did."
That's a lot to process...
"Then why even try to do all this, to redeem yourself, if you never believed that WE can happen again."
Ezra leaned closer and reached out his hand. My eyes began to widen in shock, not knowing what it all meant, I just knew that my mind is telling me not to reach out, but my heart is... slowly wavering. It was only the fingertips at first, but feeling off his skin rubbing against mine felt so warm and familiar that it wouldn't take much for me to give in and hold on to his hand tightly.
"Because I made a promise to the people I've hurt that I would do right by them."
The grip we had on each other's hand slowly loosened and distance between our hands grew further and further, till they both sat squarely on our hips.
Ezra and I stared into each other's eye, with no words spoken between the two of us.
When I first ran out here, I had no purpose, and I think when he chased after me, he didn't have any either, but after hearing him say all these things from his heart, and me finally being open to them had made it very clear what this was.
Closure.
It may not have ended the way I wanted it too, but finally, I can close this chapter of my life away and move on. I see now that it's a necessary step, to close my heart so that I can open it up once more and start the process of healing, and eventually, forgive.
But still... I don't think I can just change how I feel about him.
"I hope you find happiness in Blake, and I'm sorry you couldn't find it in me."
Ezra stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me.
"Oh, Yang. I was happy. I still am."
Ezra began to let go, as the door behind us slid open.
"Yang?"
It was Blake, Ruby, and Weiss. It seems the three of them finally lost their patience and couldn't wait for me and Ezra to return anymore, so they went ahead and went after us.
"Everything alright?"
Ruby asked.
I nod and smiled at her, separating myself from Ezra.
"I am now."
Ruby leaned in for a hug, or at least she tried to, but the sudden shaking of the train was enough to freeze her in her tracks.
"What was that?"
Blake asks, to which Weiss sassily responded.
"What do you think?"
Grimm. Of course.
"Let's go! Protect the passengers!"
Ezra yelled while we all took off, unaware of the horrors awaiting us on top of the train.