'They sure are taking their sweet time.' Yang sighed as she rolled down the window of her car, letting the breeze cooled by the ocean surrounding them wash over her. The summer was at its height and it felt like it. The sun was high in the perfect blue sky, not a cloud to be seen. Really couldn't ask for better weather, huh?
Her vehicle was a remarkably pragmatic SUV with bright yellow paint and a black decal of her insignia. Four doors, good gas mileage and decent trunk space. Far from what she was expecting to be driving in her youth. Still, it was reliable, safe and utilitarian… Oh great, when did I become my dad?
Annoyed by that revelation, she turned her attention to the house, most intently the door. Ruby's house was beautiful but not too big, it had a single floor and a pretty open layout. Those were some of the conditions Yang and Tai had when Ruby was looking for her own home. Summer had left her a sizable inheritance that Ruby only ever touched to buy that house outright. It was painted white on the outside with a red door, not that it mattered to Ruby much.
It wasn't the decor nor the landscaping nor the paint that drew her attention to Ruby's door. Instead, it was what she knew was inside. Her time living with her little sister and the globally wanted terrorist had left her conflicted.
She watched the door intently, peaking over towards the window periodically, however something she didn't account for when moving in was a rather obvious fact. A blind girl and a faunus with night vision have no reason to leave the lights on much or leave the blinds open. Honestly, I have a harder time getting around the house than those two.
Yang slumped against her steering wheel and rocked back and forth on it as her mind tried to grapple with everything that's been going on in her life lately. The realization that hit her like a runaway train had gnawed at her mind since the night before, when she saw her little sister cuddled up to a violent terrorist. The two were very obviously in love.
With no other recourse to deal with her frenetic emotions, Yang gently banged her forehead against the top of the steering wheel. There was little she could do, but she knew the situation was far more complicated that she had anticipated the moment she decided to stay with Ruby to 'protect' her from Adam Taurus.
Even if I tried to attack him now, or pull Ruby aside and explain how dangerous he is, she'd probably just insist that he changed. She could see it playing out so clearly in her mind that she practically deflated as she gave up on her imaginary argument. And what if he has changed, what then? He's killed people. Can someone like him have a second chance? Will Ruby even care? I can't ignore the fact that he's changed, at least around Ruby, there's no way the wanted terrorist is this gentle towards any other human before this. Everything I've heard and read says he's a faunus rights zealot to the point of being a supremacist. He's been described as paranoid, cautious and spiteful by defectors.
Nothing added up. The more she thought about it the more possibilities and alternatives fell around her, leaving only the obvious; they were indeed in love.
Just as she, for the hundredth time since finding them cuddled up on the couch that night, had resigned herself to giving up on alternatives, she heard the sound of the door opening. Her head shot up and sure enough, Ruby and Adam were leaving the house. Yang watched as, being the perfect gentleman he is, held the door open for Ruby and closed it behind her, with her making some joke about how chivalrous he was. She could barely hear the banter but she knew it was nauseatingly cute.
From the corner of her eye, she watched them walk to the car. It was obvious Adam was making sure his pace matched Ruby's. Ruby smiled at him, chatting away about how beautiful the day was, but though her eyes looked nowhere in particular, her ears were keenly listening to every word Adam said.
Yang forced herself to put on an act of normalcy in the most abnormal situation she could imagine. Adam opened the door for her once again and Ruby's cheeks blushed a warm red as she thanked him and took her seat.
Amongst all the odd things that surrounded her, Yang felt Ruby's acceptance of Adam's doting to be particularly confusing and vexing. When she tried to dote on her little sister, Ruby was always too proud and would get upset at too much help, yet she looked positively elated to be getting such treatment from the wanted terrorist.
"Thanks again for driving us there, Yang. I love the bus but this is nice too." Ruby said with a beaming smile. She was dressed up in her absolutely stunning linen dress that fit her perfectly. Ruby was naturally beautiful with soft features and those striking silver eyes. The outfit complemented her perfectly.
The summer festival wasn't necessarily something you had to dress up for, but if you wanted to dance, it was expected that you look your best. Ruby undoubtedly would be the prettiest girl there.
"No problem. I'm sure taking the bus gets exhausting and there's no need for you to have to wait out in this heat when I've got a nice air conditioned ride right here." So she said, but as she spoke, her gaze wandered over to the man sat beside her little sister and she felt an increasingly common pang of frustration. Not like I'd feel very comfortable taking Adam on a particularly crowded bus. Who knows what might happen if someone recognizes him.
"I appreciate it as well. I've never learned to drive so this isn't something I could do for Ruby." Adam freely admitted, seemingly without a thought, but Yang instantly tensed up. Isn't he being a little too forward with his past? She couldn't help but imagine he didn't expect to say that outloud either as his eyes widened the moment the words left his mouth.
"You don't know how to drive either?" Ruby saved the conversation from awkward silence. "That's a surprise but also a bit of a relief. Now I'm not the only person I know who doesn't drive!"
"Y- yes. It's never been an issue before, but sometimes I think about how it might be convenient to learn, if I ever got the chance." As Adam spoke, his gaze was turned out the window of the car, rather than at Ruby or Yang.
"I obviously can't speak from experience but when dad taught Yang to drive he almost had a panic attack. I remember him saying three separate times that he'd never drive with her again. Now look! She's a fairly competent driver!"
Ruby's joke elicited a smirk out of Adam and Yang breathed a sigh of relief. Looks like my little sister's obliviousness saved the day. I'm glad she didn't pry but I'm surprised how relaxed Adam is… I think I need to watch him closely during the festival before I make up my mind.
Adam watched out the window as the scenery rolled by. The sun was just starting to crest towards the horizon as the day began to wane towards mid afternoon. The scent of the sea air pulled him back to thoughts of distant days. Patch, the island he was stranded on, wasn't too unlike his homeland of Menagerie. Sea birds perched on branches and power lines, fresh fish was a staple food and ships could be seen in the seas, looking so small he couldn't see their features, yet he knew they were truly massive.
Yet, that was where the similarities ended. Unlike Menagerie, patch was much more developed. Industry and trade were thriving and the standard of living seemed to be higher. It was no coincidence to him that the majority of the island's population were humans. That realization acted like billows making the smoldering heat of his rage burn brighter, yet for some reason, it wasn't as hot as before. Those embers were merely vestiges of the depths of his hatred and fury. Still, as he felt the scalding hot in his chest well up, he closed his eyes as though on instinct.
With his sight blocked he took in the finer details of his world without light. It was still warm, in fact, he noted the difference between the shadows cast on him and the sunshine washing over his skin through the closed window. The air conditioning felt nice, not too oppressive, the perfect temperature. Though he was wearing a suit with full length sleeves. As breathable as the fabric of his new suit was, it was still warmer than wearing something with less fabric.
His eyes opened and he immediately found Ruby in his sight. Without thinking, he must have turned to her. She was astonishingly beautiful with flawless skin barely kissed by the sun and big silver eyes that looked nowhere in particular but still gave away her every feeling. It was amusing to him, like reading an open diary, personal yet vulnerable.
"Are you cold?" He muttered softly. He doubted Yang had heard him but Ruby smiled and folded her arms over her belly. It was a very endearing pose, especially with the bashful look overtaking her otherwise placid expression.
A few thoughts passed through Adam's mind at the time. Primarily the thought that Ruby wouldn't say anything about being cold because she didn't want her sister worrying or making Yang turn down the AC her own discomfort for Ruby's sake. He weighed his options and realized that telling Yang to turn down the AC would probably just frustrate Ruby. In a split second, he had come to a conclusion.
Ruby's body flinched and then relaxed. Adam gently leaned against her, hoping to warm her up. It wasn't much but that's all he could think to do. Adam found himself frustrated that he had long sleeves, because he couldn't touch her directly.
This human girl has pushed and pulled me since the day we met. It hasn't been that long since I ended up here but even when I hated her with every fiber of my being, I couldn't help but go along with her current, like a piece of driftwood out at sea. Ironic, considering how she found me. She's truly a terrifying woman. He resigned to enjoying the view, seeing the woman he had come to know so well awkwardly press up against him, the seatbelt pulling on her dress and her hair falling against his shoulder.
Where do I go after this is over? I still feel rage but it's not enough anymore. Thanks to Ruby, I can't summon up enough spite to fuel my desire to put humans in their place, to give them what they deserve for everything they've done to us. Now, when I think about it, I just imagine her laughing and all my righteous hatred dies.
His fist tightened until his knuckles turned white and his nails dug into his palm until it hurt, though that was his free hand. The other had come to rest on Ruby's thigh and he found himself torn between the pain and the comfort.
It wasn't long after that Adam noticed the scenery outside shift. People were gathering and walking along the sidewalks and the beaches and shops that he had come to be familiar with were closed and their proprietors and workers were eagerly leaving. He say the boutique where he and Ruby were fitted with their outfits.
A strange feeling overcame him. A kind of dissonance between two realities, each one he felt was fake beyond belief. A life as a hostile and violent terrorist fighting to the death for his cause with the White Fang… and a peaceful domestic life where he lived like a normal person with Ruby. They were both so wrong he almost wanted to laugh.
If it wasn't for the soft weight of the body leaning on him for warmth and support, he wasn't sure he would have been able to hold himself together.
"We're here." Yang spoke abruptly, snapping him out of his thoughts. He didn't miss the split second lingering look the big sister cast at them from the rear view mirror. She looked displeased. Adam never had an older sibling so he could only imagine this was something he wouldn't understand.
Stepping out from the air conditioned car, Adam was surprised to find that the temperature was beginning to steadily decline outside. By the time the dance rolled around at dusk, it would be completely comfortable.
"I'm so excited! The food smells so good." Ruby took in a deep breath through her nose and let out a contented sigh.
She was right, the air was heavy with the smells of food. Some of which were familiar to him, and others which must have been local cuisine. The site of the festival was on a clearing just off the beach. There were tents set up along the beach, interspersed with families laying on towels and children splashing in the waves. He noticed that, while the population was mostly human, there was a fair number of faunus too and everything just seemed so jovial.
Yang locked the car and pocketed the keys and gave a long stretch, her hands reaching towards the sky and curling into firsts as she extended her muscles. Her dress was a bit more understated than Ruby's, but she clearly had an eye for fashion as it suited her well, and her long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail and her makeup was very well done.
The three of them followed the throngs gathering in the festival grounds. Adam felt his anxiety increasing as he came shoulder to shoulder with absolute strangers. His thoughts immediately descended into worst case scenarios and escape plans. He scanned the area and the only route of escape seemed to be the forest bordering the festival grounds that led deeper into the island's interior. If he had to flee there, he knew that there would be little chance of him getting off the island as the ports would be sealed rapidly.
Even as he imagined fleeing and his fears ran rampant in his mind, he found himself gravitating towards Ruby until her side brushed against him and it pulled him from his fears.
He looked around. No one spared a second glance at him. Ruby produced her cane to navigate but Yang stayed firmly in front of her so no one could get in her way. A few people looked their way, but not at him. All eyes were on Ruby. As much as he knew it was the novelty of seeing a blind person that attracted their attention, a part of him believed they were just as captivated by her as he was.
The tight stream of people diverged and spread out into the festival grounds proper. Adam's eyes widened at the sight. There were easily thousands of people and more still coming. The whole island must have been in attendance. There were games and small rides and lots of food. They even seemed to be preparing a bonfire as volunteers stacked wood carefully in a designated spot, like to be lit at dusk.
"I've been so busy with assignments I missed the last couple festivals. This is so nostalgic." Yang grinned, her eyes darting around from stall to stall.
He knew she was a huntress, though he wasn't familiar with her. She must not have been of any renown but still, his instincts as a seasoned fighter made him wary of her.
"Yang and I used to come here every year when we were little. Dad would carry me on his back and walk me wherever I wanted to go. I'd point in a direction, not knowing what was there and he'd go that way. If we stopped at a game, he and Yang would play it and try and get me a prize. If we stopped at a food stall, he would get me it if I said it smelled good.
"You've always had a nose for good food. I don't think you ever made a bad call." Yang affirmed her sister's skills.
Indeed, Ruby dragged them around from stall to stall, following her nose and not a single one was a miss. The vendors knew her by name and some even gave her extra without saying a word. Of course, Ruby noticed immediately and insisted on paying for the extra she was given. Was it the weight that tipped her off he wondered?
Another thing he noticed is that the vendors gave him knowing looks and smiles. One woman even gave him a thumbs up and a wink. Never before in all his years, with more battles under his belt than he could count, had he ever felt more uncomfortable or nervous. Still, he never strayed far from her side.
Ruby adored food, he learned that much from living with her. She was a very active person but when she ate she savored every bite. Before living with her, food was a necessity and nothing more. Fuel for the furnace to keep his body moving. What did it matter what it tasted like? That memory struck him as he took a bite of a funnel cake coated in powdered sugar, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
Suddenly, Ruby came to stop halfway through a bite of a strawberry parfait. Her eyes were fixed on nothing, but her right ear turned and she immediately turned with it. He looked to the older sister who simply shrugged and followed quickly along. Ruby used her cane to navigate and in such a crowded place, it was clear that she was out of her element.
The sounds, the smells, the vibrations, the obstructions and of this environment was antithetical to Ruby's way of life. He'd known her to be meticulous, clever and tenacious to make her way in a world that was hostile to her. Now, she willingly walked into a situation where her skills and tricks for surviving were hampered and yet she didn't hesitate. Once again… I'm impressed by this girl.
With a smile pulling at his lips, he followed after her.
Soon enough, they found the source of Ruby's interest. It was a stall with boxes and flashing lights and music. He wasn't much known for his enjoyment of the simple leisures in life, so it took him a few moments to identify the attraction as an arcade set up right near the beach.
"Adam, Yang look! It's my favorite game!" Ruby rushed over, to the sound, retracting her cane and holding out her hand. She didn't notice but there was someone between her and the machine but they quickly moved out of the way.
Adam approached out found some sort of two player fighting game. The arcade machine had two sets of controls on a very wide shared screen. Ruby carefully patted around the seat and, satisfied no one was using it, sat herself down and perfectly reached the controls.
"Oh no, I know better. She's all yours, Adam." Yang waved off the unstated challenge and took a step back with a silly grin on her face.
"Come on, Adam! Play with me!" She beamed, though her sense of direction was even more off than usual. Through the sounds of the games and the people around her, she was inhibited from her normal capabilities. Still, she looked so happy he could only relent, even knowing it was probably a trap.
He took his seat beside her and she explained the game, somehow guessing he was unfamiliar with it. It was a simple fighting game with seemingly simple controls, but the more she spoke, the more complex it became. Combos, chaining, juggling, parry, ults. Adam tried taking it all in but he had forgotten about half of what she said by the time they started playing.
Up A, Up A Up A, B-B-B-B, Down B. No wait, I was supposed to Up B!
"Play 1! Victory. Player 2… Defeat!" The game praised the winner and mocked the loser.
"Sorry, you did really good though. Was that really your first time playing?" Ruby smiled.
Adam felt a tinge of bitterness as he almost interpreted that as pity But that's not like her at all.
"She's not kidding. You've got serious reflexes. Ruby's been playing this game since she was little so even lasting that long against her is impressive." Yang chimed in with a firm nod.
"I'll have to play more often so I can be a worthy opponent." He smirked, feeling a spark for battle in a context he never could have expected, and indeed, he wanted to be a good opponent for her.
The trio made their way from stall to stall, however soon it became clear that some games just weren't meant for someone like Ruby. She enjoyed games of chance but those that required sight were beyond her. She shrugged it off and said something to the effect of "You can't win them all.", however, he found this frustrating. She had been looking forward to this for so long, but about half the games were not meant for her to even be able to play. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt indignation on someone else' behalf, and a human no less.
Then, something caught his eye.
"There!" Two voices said in unison.
…
…
…
He and Yang looked at each other and their eyes hardened. The air around them crackled from the intensity of their auras and each refused to back down.
"Step aside, Adam." She glowered.
"Why don't you back off." He glared.
There was no going back now.
"How many points to win that prize?!"
They shouted at the same time, terrifying the vendor of the game's stall. They both pointed at a strawberry plushy that had a tag on it reading 'strawberry scented Fruit-A-Friend!'
"Oh uh, you just have to shoot enough targets. As a single player game, you'd need 25 points. However, with two players and one prize, policy is whoever scores the most in one minute wins the prize." The man seemed a bit intimidated by the sudden fiery enthusiasm of his patrons, but nonetheless, he was keen on customer service.
Adam and Yang each took up their arms. It was a pneumatic pistol powered by pressurized air that fired a plastic pellet at cardboard targets. The Targets had a perforated circle in the middle and shooting it out counted as a point. The targets were moving along metal wires and swinging back and forth with a constant stream of wind from a fan tucked below the stand. It was a rigged game if ever they saw one. However, they were no normal players.
"What's gotten into you two?" Ruby asked, perplexed, tilting her head.
"Just you wait, Sis. I'll get you something you'll love!" Yang looked down the pistol's sights and got into position.
"I'll be winning that prize for her. Just give up now, you don't stand a chance." He anchored the gun firmly in his hands and leaned in with deadly focus.
POP-POP-POP-POP!
Shots rang out and the score counter went up and up and up and up and up. Not a single pellet missed their target. Both combatants were dauntless, in a zone of complete and total focus. The shots penetrated the sheets of flimsy board with so much power the whole stand vibrated. Their auras flared and clashed, sending rippling energy through the air!
Yang's firing was wild and confident while Adam's was cold and diligent. Neither wanted to let the other win.
Diiiiiing!
The clock's timer rang out and both players stopped firing their guns.
The final score;
Adam at 257 points.
Yang at 259 points.
"C-c-congrats kid. Y- you won the p- prize. Please leave now." The proprietor cowered behind his stall.
"Hmmrph." Adam grumbled as Yang got the coveted prize.
She handed the gift to her little sister and as she did so, she turned around and stuck out her tongue to the world renowned violent terrorist. Still, all Adam did in response was roll his eyes… and then watch Ruby's face light up as she pressed cheek again the cuddly toy, taking in a deep breath of its strawberry scent.
"Thank you, Sis! I love it!" Ruby cooed warmly, hugging the prize tight. "And, Adam, I know you did your best to win this for me too. Thank you."
How can I feel bad about my defeat with that as the end result? He laughed internally, shaking his head.
I still feel so conflicted. Yang sighed as she trailed behind the lovey dovey totally-not-a-couple. The festival was winding down along with the sun and soon the final traditions of the night would take place, the bonfire and the dance.
Her time with Adam and her sister at the festival had done anything but clear up her worries. Adam was, well… In a word, he's normal.
That revelation alone annoyed her. He wasn't bitter, he wasn't spiteful and he wasn't aggressive. He never treated Ruby with anything but care. She thought for sure losing to a human adversary would trigger the him that the world knew, but instead he had merely smiled fondly at her little sister.
Ruby is a cutie, no doubt about it. My little sister is beautiful, strong and kind, I guess if anyone were able to change him, it would be her. She nodded to herself, feeling pride in her little sister.
Wait, that's all wrong! Yang ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. It was true that they both seemed happy but he was still lying to her. She pondered what to do.
All around them, stalls were closing down and the excitement and bustle of the day had given way to an evening calm and soft chatter. The sun dipped over the ocean in a beautiful display of gold, pink and blue.
Before she realized it, Ruby had led them all towards the sound of soft music playing and by the time she brought herself back to reality, they were at the dance floor. The dance was important, according to island tradition, it was a way of thanking the summer for the migration of a really important fish which came to Patch's shores this time of year and was a major source of food on the island back in the day. There was some deity or another involved, but the various tales had gotten muddled over the generations and they conflicted somewhat.
The floor, constructed of flat wooden planks stretching from the beach to the lapping waves, was wide enough for dozens of couples to whorl and dance freely. It had seen a lot of use but the thick beams and tough wood handled the elements and the hundreds of feet it saw every year with little more than surface level blemishes.
Around the platform, there were pedestals that were brought out specifically for this occasion. On each of the man pedestals was a vase and an arrangement of flowers. Yang recognized them immediately as the ones she helped pack for Ruby, the ones her little sister had made. They looked beautiful and a pang of sadness welled up in her chest as the bitter notion that Ruby could never see the fruits of her labor came to the forefront of her mind.
"Everyone likes your flowers." Adam's voice cut through her melancholic mood. She did a double take… he was right. Many of the people who were gathered around in anticipation of the dance wandered to the pedestals to look at the arrangements Ruby had worked so hard on.
"That makes me… so happy." The florist's voice wavered, her big silver eyes shimmered like the sun over the ocean as tears pooled in them and her throat tightened. A smile so beautiful not flower could ever compare graced her visage and all the bad feelings Yang had felt burned away.
"Don't doubt yourself. Stand proud, you've earned it." Adam affirmed, tenderly placing his hand on her shoulder. His voice was so gentle and warm. Yang didn't expect that his words, which were usually gruff and cold, could sound so sincere and soft.
At Adam's words, Ruby stood a little straighter and her chin held just a bit higher. She looked so strong, so grown up. It was like Yang blinked and suddenly, the little sister who she practically raised was a beautiful and capable adult woman. A strange mix of pride and wistfulness flooded her heart. You won this round, Adam.
"The- the dance is about to start." Ruby sniffled and dried her happy tears without staining her dress.
"I-"
"Sis, how about you let me have your first dance." Yang cut off Adam before he could make his move and she deftly took her little sister's hand.
Ruby looked perplexed but didn't struggle. After all, up until now, Yang and Ruby always danced at the festival.
Yang looked back only once, to see Adam's reaction. He looked disappointed, but nothing more. No aggression or frustration. Despite her last attempt to make him show his true colors, he did merely resigned to letting the sisters have their fun, and wait patiently for his turn with her.
Many people accumulated on the dance floor. Mostly couples, but also singles, parents with their younger children and friends danced together. The music was something distinct to the island, it had energy but also could be danced to in many ways, from slow to fast, accommodating anyone who danced for any reason.
Yang held Ruby's hand as they spun and stepped around. Despite not being able to see, this hampered Ruby exactly zero percent. She was light on her feet and even when the two parted for moments at a time, Ruby seemed to find her way back, likely using her memory or perhaps tracking the steps in the last direction she remembered her sister being.
When they came back together again, Yang pulled Ruby closer to her and started stepping in time with her. This caught Ruby off guard a little as she blinked in curiosity.
"So, Sis… you in love with Adam?" She grinned, but it was her playful, teasing tone that Ruby picked up on. Either way, Ruby's cheeks instantly burned a bright red and her grip around her sister's hands tightened.
"I- I- what do you mean?" She breathlessly retorted.
"Come on. You've never shown interest in a man before. I tried to set you up on a date with a friend of mine and you turned him down. Now you're sharing your house with a man, sleeping on the couch together, cooking meals. He opens the door for you and you let him, without putting up a fuss. When I dote on you, you just get mad at me. When he does it you're on cloud nine. So, be honest… are you in love with him?" Her tone now was so much more firm and serious Ruby looked taken aback. She was never good at hiding her feelings.
They danced as Ruby mulled over the question she'd been forcibly given. Of course, Yang knew what the answer was. Still, there was nothing she could do if her little sister stayed in denial.
Finally, Ruby's expression hardened and her eyes held a conviction that she always got when she made up her mind and nothing would stop her. Whatever answer she gave, Yang knew there would be no going back.
"Yes. I am in love with him."
Those words left her lips and only moments later, the music stopped. Even though Yang knew the answer was coming, the certainty in the answer made her flinch. I guess there's only one thing left to do.
"Hey, sis. Would you mind if I borrow Adam real quick? Don't worry I won't tell him what you told me, I promise!" Yang parted from her little sister and began to walk towards the edge of the stage where an unwitting Adam was waiting.
"Please don't make this a big deal. I know you're protective of me but he's a good guy, I promise!" Ruby insisted but Yang had already jumped off the stage.
Sorry sis, but I have to be sure for myself. I love you too much to let this go.
"When is the next song?" Adam looked eager to join his companion who was still on stage looking rather anxious.
"That will have to wait, come with me for a sec." Yang grabbed Adam's shoulder and she felt him resist for a moment… before relenting.
Yang led him further and further from Ruby, from the dance floor, from the bonfire now being lit, as was customary to do after the first dance of the night. Neither said a word until they had retreated into the forest, away from the prying eyes and ears of others.
It was so dark she could barely see him. Of course, as a faunus, he could see her perfectly. The disparity made her anxious but she wasn't going to back down with her little sister on the line.
"Adam Taurus, I know who you are." She spoke so matter-of-factly. The rage she expected wasn't there, her tone was almost unreadable.
"..." He remained silent for a long moment and Yang saw his silhouette move, his hand reaching for something on his hip, presumably the sword he had long ago lost. "What are you going to do?"
"Are you in love with Ruby?" That question made him visibly flinch. Yang sighed, she wasn't going to get anywhere with him this guarded.
Sure enough, he didn't answer.
"Ruby is my little sister. I love her more than anything in the world," Yang began. "We lost our mom when we were little. Ruby adored Summer, idolized her. When she died, Ruby was lost. Dad and I became so protective of Ruby, she couldn't see and she was so young. The more we tried to do for her, the more she tried to do for herself. She'd say 'Mommy could do it, I can too.' before she would fall on her face or walk into a wall or bump into someone in a crowd. Dad was heartbroken after losing his wife, so I would always chase after her, pick her up and dust her off. I lived my life to see her happy, but I failed. I never saw her truly happy, sure I could make her smile but I knew she was frustrated."
Yang's voice wavered. Tears pooled in her eyes. She couldn't see Adam anymore through the darkness and the haze washing over her vision. Softly, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could hear Adam's breathing, the pounding of her own heart, the distant music and the waves washing up against the shore.
"Things are different now. I can tell. I finally got to see her happy, but it wasn't because of me. I wasn't the one that made her cry with happiness with just a few words. It was you, Adam Taurus, one of the most wanted men in the world. So, I'll ask you again, do you love Ruby?" Her aura burned bright and her eyes turned a scathing red, both casting a glow over the darkness of the forest and she could clearly see the man before her.
He looked… so improbable. She had seen him as a monster in disguise but now, he looked like a scared little boy afraid to jump into a pool. He shifted and averted his eyes but then, his fists balled up at he fixed is gaze unflinchingly into hers.
"I love her." He affirmed, no longer looking like a child or a monster, but a man.
A soft release of breath escaped her lungs and her aura faded away. It was what she was expecting but still, hearing it out loud from him felt like a rogue wave had crashed over her.
"Then you have to tell her everything," Yang's shoulders slumped and her eyes looked over to the dance floor in the distance, where Ruby waited. "And you have to turn yourself in."
"What!?" He growled defensively.
"Do you expect my little sister to go on the run with you? To constantly have her life endangered? Would the radicals of the White Fang accept you or her now? What if you have children? Would you raise them in constant fear and danger?" She knew he would resist. But if he's unwilling to do even this, then he doesn't deserve her anyway, and I'll put him down right here and now.
"I-" He faltered. Which was more than she expected from him.
"Adam, you-"
"Give me one more night with her. If she feels the same way, it wouldn't be right to make this decision without her. If she doesn't feel the same way, I'll disappear… and put this island and everything that happened on it behind me." Without waiting for a response, Adam walked away back to the dance floor.
With a sigh, Yang followed closely behind him. That went better than I thought. Damn Sis, what did you do to this man? He might be willing to turn himself in for you. Am I wrong for encouraging this? I don't know. Still, if I never get to see Ruby that happy again, I'll have failed as a big sister.
The pair found Ruby waiting in the last waning moments of dusk. Her body was lit by the roaring fire and the artificial lights surrounding the dance floor. She looked so small and worried amidst the crowd and her hands were held together against her stomach, an anxious pose if Yang ever saw one.
Adam, without hesitation, approached Ruby and her entire visage immediately brightened. She took his hand in hers and smiled. Adam, likewise, smiled back at her.
"Ruby, there's something I need to tell-"
"ADAM TAURUS!" A voice screamed over the music and the waves and all eyes turned to the beach where two figures stood. A woman with long white hair raised her rapier and icicles formed around her out of thin air. "I've finally found you."
