Beacon Academy, Outside Team CFVY's dorm

"Okay." Link exhales calmly, as he knocks on the door.

"I got it!" Coco's voice is heard very clear when she slowly turns the doorknob peaks through the small crack of the opening door, "Oh, it's you."

"Yes, it is me." Link nods

"You look..." Coco approvingly nods, "Very nice, nothing new but at least you don't look like you're going to cut someone's head off anytime soon."

"Thank you?" Link chuckles

"Velvet is just combing her hair, she'll be out very soon. I would invite you in but our dorm isn't in it's best state." Coco chuckles, "We've been down all day, and Velvet keeps asking Yatsuhashi and I if we need anything. So please Link, you better not bring her back even more stressed out."

"Whoa now you're just piling on more pressure. Is this a date or a mission?" Link smiles

"Just for that sass? It's both." Coco sticks her tongue out at Link and retreats back into the dorm

"She really is taking it well, good on her." Link backs away and nervously rubs his hands together, "Remember the plan, keep Velvet smiling, laughing, whatever it takes for her to maintain a positive mindset."

"Link?" Velvet's soft tone is heard as she emerges out from the dorm

"Velvet." Link nods, promptly looking at her from head to toe, their agreement to keep it casual was slightly broken by her as she wears chocolate brown boots that go all the way up to her knee, followed by her usual black leggings that lead up to her now hidden shorts, "You look nice."

"I am so sorry." Velvet shyly smiles as she pats down her coat that covers her shoulders down to her thighs, with the last edition being a yellow scarf around her neck, "I'm a bit chilly is all." She nervously smooths out the scarf as it hangs down to midsection.

"Nervous and cold, those are not good combinations, are you sure you'd like to go o-"

"Yes!" Velvet eagerly nods, "It has been so long since you and I spent time together. I do not want to keep passing on it, especially when it is just you and I."

"I am happy to hear that." Link warmly smiles and extends his hand, "Shall we?"

"Gladly." Velvet reaches out and takes Link's left hand with her right.


Courtyard

Moments later after a slow walk to exit beacon academy, Velvet and Link stroll down the courtyard, neither makes a single remark about it being nighttime, nor do they mention... anything else as they simply walk in silence.

"I just thought of something..." Velvet frowns, "Unless we're just talking a walk around the courtyard-!"

"How do we get to Vale when it is just us?" Link nods, "I didn't plan everything, but I think I can pull some strings."

"If it involves anything to do with violence." Velvet nervously shakes her head, "Don't even think about it."

"..." Link smiles as they approach the end of the courtyard, and 3 Atlas ships are lined up next to one another, each with about 10-15 feet of space in between. "None of Beacon's ships huh, alright then. Stop right here Velvet, I'll talk with those guys."

"Talk?" Velvet sighs, "Link please."

"I promise it won't get physical." Link gives Velvet's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he steps back and away from her.

"Okay." Velvet mumbles, and takes a step back as well.

"Ironwood really stepped all over Ozpin's feet with this, not a single one of Beacon's usual ships is here, what is his endgame with all of this?"

"Halt!" One of the three men extends his arm at Link, "We are sorry to inform you that we cannot transport anyone else that isn't Atlas personnel."

"Don't you kids have a curfew too?" The man in the middle speaks up too

"Never heard of a curfew as I myself, am a tad bit of a rebel." Link speaks with a calm tone, "My friend and I need to take a... little jaunt into the city."

"No can do." The third man shakes his head, "Unless this is approved by General Ironwood or Beacon headmaster Professor Ozpin, we cannot take any students into the city, especially this late at night."

"Oh yeah, Ironwood can now lay down rules on Beacon Students, how odd." Link rubs his chin dramatically

"Odd? How so, General Ironwood should have the authority to implement rules of his own, all for the safety and well being of you kids."

"After he almost killed a Beacon student?" Link shakes his head

"You actually believe those rumors? Don't just take word of any stranger as fact kid."

"Considering I was there when it happened..." Link raises an eyebrow, "I think my word holds some value."

"Wait a second, you're that kid." The final member on the right get close to Link and tries to size him up, "General Ironwood recently changed the status on the mission to capture this kid. It was promptly suspended, but not closed."

"So this is the infamous kid, the one called Link?"

"This kid is who we've been after this entire time?"

"Why would such an honest and dedicated man like your general lie about what happened on that day Vale got attacked by Grimm?" Link smirks

"Those rumors actually had some truth behind them?" The first man to speak up looks to his colleagues. "No way, surely this kid is lying."

"ALLEGEDLY, the general hit a student with a shot from point-blank range, the student survived, but for a moment her body was lifeless."

"Allegedly?" Link frowns, "The real story must have been covered up then, because if the real details were publicly stated there is no way Ironwood keeps his job."

"What 'real' details?"

"If Ironwood went out of his way to bring me down on the scale of priorities for Atlas military, then I suppose the only think I can do to repay the guy is to not say what really happened. I knew there was a reason for you Atlas soldiers being so passive towards me after Winter and I fo-!" Link stops himself, but it's too late.

"So he commits those crimes, constantly pesters the general, fights Schnee, and we don't arrest him?"

"Let's take it back to allegations now that we're here, shall we?" Link growls

"Oh great, this isn't the first time you have denied-!"

"Just stop." Link narrows his eyes, "Tell you what, I just thought of a great idea."

"Oh no..."

"I should pay Ironwood back by not revealing what he did but because you have this urge this bring up certain crimes that I know you Atlas snakes falsely pinned on me, you..." Link grabs the shoulder of the man sizing him up, who was actually an inch or two shorter, "Are going to take Velvet and I to the city. If we're not there in about ten to fifteen minutes, maybe vivid details will get out about Ironwood almost killing a student from Beacon, when that student was valiantly fighting grimm off... a student who is actually one of my closest friends."

(That's not even the real story.) The cold voice rings throughout Link's head

(I know but I have them on the ropes.)

"You're full of it." The man doesn't back down, "Only conspiracy theorists will take your word."

"Oh really?" Link's smile fades just as quickly as it arose, "You have no idea what I can say, do, and achieve in twenty-four hours, you don't know me at all besides a file you have on me. Which I guarantee has absolutely zero true information, with the rest being full of nonsense and false crimes that I didn't commit. Imagine the headline, 'eyewitness who was only inches away from the alleged shooting of a Beacon student, opens up about that day in this exclusive piece'." He shakes his head and stares down the Atlas soldier, "Uproar, chaos, protests, you name it, all to get Ironwood out of his position, all because you, you, and you..." He points at the three atlas soldiers, "Refused to simply take my friend and I into the city? Is that really worth losing your job over, is it worth causing tension between Atlas and Vale? Or worse, Atlas and the rest of the world? Seems like you really want the White Fang to succeed with how crooked your entire organization really is."

"Y-you..." The soldier backs away and glances at his comrades, who both remain silent.

"All I ask is that you take us to the city and then bring us back; easy delivery and an even easier pick up. Then we can forget this conversation ever happened, unless..."

"ALRIGHT!" The loud shout from the first member is heard as he steps forward, "Where to, sir?"

"Such a polite gentleman, the City of Vale please." Link smiles and turns around, then nods at Velvet

"I heard shouting." Velvet whispers to Link when she catches up

"Oh they could not believe I scored a date with you." Link nods

"Oh you..." Velvet flushes as her head shakes, "I doubt that happened, but I'll take your word for it."

Link and Velvet enter the first ship on the far left, and both of them get dirty looks from the remaining two soldiers outside whom remain put in the courtyard, as their comrade leads the first date couple into the ship

"Now I want to doubt you." Velvet nervously smiles, as she and Link sit down next to each other. "Those soldiers didn't look happy that we were boarding their ship."

"Envy." Link shrugs his shoulders, "Forget them Velvet, they are no longer our priority."

(They might be your priority in the future but no you want to find true love.)

(Right now my focus is making Velvet happy, none of which requires you.)

Velvet's smile becomes less tense and more innocent when she stares out the window. The rabbit faunus admires the view of what separates Beacon and Vale.

"Hm..." Link smiles and keeps his eyes on Velvet, unknowingly staring at her for a short amount of time, but those few seconds are enough to make his smile fade. The visual beauty of Velvet slowly morphs into a smiling image of his old friend Ray as her eyes turn green, the rabbit ears fade, and the smile on her face grows even wider. "No, this isn't fair to Velvet." He wipes his eyes and tries to get rid the illusion consuming his mind and vision.

Minutes pass, Velvet and Link sit in silence as the latter presses his hands on his head, trying to suppress what should usually be a good part of his memories.

"Link, are you okay?" Velvet scoots closer next to him and lays her hand on his knee, "Whatever is going on, you can always tell me, yeah?"

"Of course." Link massages his own temples and nods, "I know that, you've always been sweet to me so it's only right that I trust you. But, I am okay, thanks."

"Good, because we are almost there, but you had your hands over your ears the entire time, are you afraid of flying?" Velvet looks around them, the cold empty ship is completely silent.

"No, it's just... nothing. A bad memory came back but it's gone." Link smiles and puts his hand over Velvet's

"O-oh, that's good." Velvet blushes as her breathing picks up

"Hey, relax... Coco isn't here to make it any more awkward." Link chuckles and interlocks his fingers with Velvet's.

"R-right, it is just you and me." Velvet's big smile reaches its limit as she rests her head on Link's shoulder

More silence consumes them both as the short trip feels like nearly an hour before making an abrupt landing

"W-whoa!" Velvet clings onto Link's arm as the ship lands awkward before taking a small crash

"Guess he's not a big fan of us." Link shrugs as they ship comes to a full stop and the soldier angrily walks towards them

"Forty-five minutes, then I'm out of here."

"Make that one hour." Link narrows his eyes

The disgruntled soldier sighs and slowly nods

"Fifty-five minutes."

"Is that the game we are playing?" Link frowns, "Make it an hour and a half now, or else thought twenty-four hours turn into twelve."

"Grr, fine." The soldier shrugs

"Thanks." Link smiles as they both stand before leading Velvet off the ship, "Actually, go ahead Velvet, I have to do one more thing."

"Link please." Velvet tugs on his arm

"I promise, nothing violent." Link slips his hand off Velvet's and walks back towards the pilot

"Cold feet already?" The soldier smirks

"No, here." Link reaches into his pouch and offers his hand to the soldier

"Okay?" The soldier shakes Link's hand and when they pull away, he notices a generous amount of lien in his hand, "I don't need your money kid."

"You already brought us here and even thought I don't like you Atlas folk, it's the least I can do since I blackmailed you to bring us here." Link shrugs

"You damn merc, you have no idea what to do with your money now do you?"

Link stares at the soldier and puts aside the desire to find his mother and brother to politely answer his question

"...Not at all." Link nods and walks back towards his date.

"So generous even when you don't see eye to eye." Velvet smiles as walks with Link side by side

"Yes I supposed being generous can't hurt anyone." Link shrugs as he leads the way

"May I ask where we are going?" Velvet quickens her pace and grabs onto Link's arm

"Considering the state of your dorm I assume you have not eaten." Link stops as they approach the end of a sidewalk, checking their surroundings as people roam the streets with many still celebrating over the spectacle that is the Vytal festival tournament.

"Great assumption, we only had coffees in the morning."

"Good because we are near." Link crosses the street with Velvet right by him as they walk by the infamous Tukson's Book Trade which was now boarded up and visibly shut down.

They reach the end of that street too before taking a sharp right and within seconds of turning the corner you could see two notable buildings. A loud but very swanky nightclub on the left side of the street and a prestigious restaurant right across from it.

"No way." Velvet gasps and lets out an excited giggle.

"I sure am glad you said to being my date tonight, I would have hated to cancel the reservation." Link smiles as they get closer to the restaurant, the booming music and bright lights of the nightclub were much more eye catching. The big line outside the nightclub seem to be mostly Vale natives, with some recognizing the Beacon students.

"Hey that's Velvet from team CFVY!"

"AWESOME!"

"What? Why is she here now? This is so cool."

"No way is that really them?! THEY STUNK! Yatsuhashi got emasculated by a scrawny kid half his size!"

"H-huh?" Velvet frowns and emotions were quickly building up inside her

"Seriously?" Link's head snaps towards the one voice that had to be negative

"Don't." Velvet pulls on Link's arm in a pleading way, "He wants to get a rise out of you."

"I cannot just let him get away with saying that." Link looks at the line, trying to identify the person who now conveniently went silent

"It's ok, they're trying to get us to react." Velvet sighs and keeps pulling on Link's arm until he turns around.

"You're right." Link shrugs and opens the door to the restaurant for Velvet, "After you."

"Thank you." Velvet enters first and promptly removes her scarf as a hostess looks at them with a puzzled look

"Welcome to Parlay Liaison, how can I help you two on this fine evening?"

"Reservation for two." Link steps forward and smiles at the hostess

"Oh it's you again, you're the young man who-!"

"Please don't." Link hides his face

"What is it?" Velvet mumbles

"He was inquiring about reservations because he was going to bring a date and it seems like he delivered, you look very beautiful."

"Oh..." Velvet blushes from the sudden compliment, "Thank you."

"Follow me, you are our last reservation for the evening." The young hostess walks gingerly around the many tables of two, four, six, etc. until slowing down near a very set up table meant for a married couple celebrating an anniversary, roses set up in the middle of the table in a glass vase half filled with water, pedals scattered on the table, two pristine candles, and was slightly secluded from all the other tables

"I definitely regret mentioning it was a date now." Link rubs his temples and shakes his head

"Relax and make yourselves comfortable, a waiter should be here shortly." The hostess smirks and promptly walks away

"Right." Link nods and pulls out a chair for Velvet

"Thanks." Velvet sits and takes off her coat, revealing her usual outfit

"Of course." Link sits down and hesitantly moves the candles away from the roses

"Hello hello." An enthusiastic waiter walks up to the table with a big smile on his face, "My name is Charles, I will be your server tonight. Can I get you two something to drink?"

"Water."

"Water."

Both Link and Velvet chuckle as they speak at the same time

"Good coordination for a young couple."

"We are not-!" Link stops when Charles abruptly walks off.

"Does it make you uncomfortable?" Velvet asks

"Me?" Link sighs, "No, I thought it would make you uncomfortable is all."

"No no, not at all." Velvet smiles, "Even if we aren't, it sounds..."

"Right?" Link asks

"In some way, yes." Velvet reaches across the table with her hand extended

"Very well I'll stop being awkward about strangers calling us a couple." Link reaches and squeezes her hand

After a few awkward seconds of staring they let go of each others hands and hide their faces with the menu's.

"Here are your waters." Charles sets them down on each of Link and Velvet's right hand side, "So are we ready to order or do you need a few more minutes."

"I am ready." Velvet closes her menu, "I would like the fruit salad followed by the vegetarian lasagna."

"Simple but VERY excellent choices, and you?" He turns to Link

"No appetizer for me since I did have some lunch so why don't I go with the rabbit st-!" Link freezes as he notices Velvet's rabbit ears, "Never mind that, how about the special for the evening?"

"Ah yes the special of the day today is a rabbit pie accompanied with creamy mashed-!" Charles also rapidly quiets down

"Yeah..." Link hides his face in embarrassment

"Ahem." Velvet clears her throat, "How about for him we get the carrot soup to start and then the mushroom miso risotto?"

"Perfect. We'll work as fast and efficient as possible." Charles takes their menus and hurries off from the awkward scene.

"Yeah." Link sighs, "I have no words."

"Why would you crave the rabbit stew tonight of all days?" Velvet's soft smile actually makes Link blush for once

"What are you implying?" Link narrows his eyes

"Um..." Velvet chuckles nervously


Flashback, exactly thirty minutes ago.

"You really like him?" Coco asks Velvet as they sit across each other on separate beds

"I cannot say 'really' but I do like Link yes." Velvet nods and lets out a soft giggle

"Even his name alone gets you all giddy, how cute, cliche, and vomit inducing." Coco smirks

"H-hey!" Velvet frowns

"I'm kidding." Coco sighs, "But seriously, if you wanna really let him know that you like him. You have to be more assertive, you know... show him the cards you're playing."

"What are you getting at?" Velvet crosses her arms

"I don't know, start flirting with him? Try not to have deep conversations about serious topics throughout the whole date and please Velvet don't leave him hanging." Coco takes off her shades and lies back on her bed

"What does that mean?"

"Ah what does it mean?" Coco shoots back up to face her teammate, "You can't avoid serious topics with Link, he's been through a lot and I really don't think he's as ok as he says he is, so if it does get to that point where he is down for whatever reason, don't just be that shoulder he can lean on... be that person to get him off his ass and back on his feet."

"But what if I can't relate?" Velvet nervously fidgets with her fingernails, "What if I try to help but only make it worse?"

"What if, what if, what if." Coco rubs her forehead, "You can't know everything at all times, all you can do is your best."


"Are you in the mood for..." Velvet recoils as she pushes through her awkward line, "More than rabbit stew?"

"If you're offering." Link chuckles as Velvet's faces turns completely crimson red, "Relax, you don't have to say something you're not comfortable with saying."

"Oh my goodness, I am sorry." Velvet hides her face, "Coco said I should try flirting and take initiative."

"Hey," Link reaches across and grabs one of Velvet's hand, uncovering her hidden face, "Just being here with you has made my day."

"Really?" Velvet's blush takes a slight tone downwards from embarrassed to infatuation

"Of course, between everything that happened in Vale with the grimm attacks I've been distancing myself from everyone. After everything that happened that day you guys raided my room it's been amazing to get this much time with you."

"Link, I..." Velvet nods and wipes a tear away

"I'm glad to see things are going great again." Charles seemingly appears out of nowhere with both of their appetizers in each hand.

"Yes I made up for my blunders." Link chuckles, "Although she broke the tension."

"I would imagine so." Charles puts down both plates with fluid motion, "Anything you two need, call me over right away."

"Of course." Velvet nods as the interested waiter hesitantly walks off.

"I appreciate that he cares but..." Link shrugs

"Hard same." Velvet smirks and breaks the tension once against by digging into her salad, "I'm sure you have been asked this a lot but are you excited for your next match?"

"W-what?" Link chokes on his soup and wipes his chin with a napkin, "Oh the tournament? Yeah... I guess it's exciting."

"You guess?" Velvet raises an eyebrow, "Is there something I don't know about?"

"Probably." Link nods

"Wow you really try to stay honest all the time huh?"

"I try yes, it kills me to lie or hold secrets but sometimes it has to be done." Link sighs, "Truth is, Coco told me I should get your mind off the tournament, more or less your teams defeat but the tournament as a whole too."

"Oh Coco." Velvet puts down her salad fork and glares at Link, "Nothing you try will get my mind off my team, it's just how I am; every time I see a hurt friend I want to be there."

"Respect." Link drinks another spoonful of soup, "I should have known however, this date could have literally been perfect but the moment you get back to your dorm you'll be right back to comforting them."

"Thanks... I think?" Velvet slowly nods

"No need to hesitate, that was supposed to be a compliment. Coco gave us tips and advice but we are who we are. We're both awkward and anti-social; our priorities are often set on the well being of others, and we-! Scratch that, I am stubborn."

"No I'm right there with you." Velvet sighs, "Being flirty isn't my thing and distractions aren't your forte."

"She has her best interests in you, that's what matters."

"You mean us?" Velvet asks, "She would not have given us both advice if this was just about me."

"I suppose so." Link nods as he makes quick work of his soup, "We should thank her, it's not going to plan but who needs a script?"

"We probably do but it is not possible." Velvet reluctantly smiles and trails behind with finishing her appetizer.

"Just on time as well." Charles makes his way over to the table with two plates on a pristine silver tray, "Vegetarian lasagna for the young lady and a mushroom miso risotto for the gentleman. And... one time only for the special occasion, a free dessert on the house. What do you say?"

"Oh! Well um..." Velvet scratches her head, "I did not really get a good look at-!"

"Easy, the carrot cake to go please."

"But of course." Charles takes their empty plates and replaces them with their next meals before taking off once again

"Did you plan that?" Velvet glares across the table

"Lucky guess." Link shrugs, "The hostess and rabbit stew was enough embarrassment for me to embrace it so why not risk it again?"

"It was a bold move but very excellent at the same time."

"Thanks." Link nods and digs into his entree, which was really a second appetizer.

"How have you been as of late?" Velvet puts down her fork and stares at Link, "I know you're here making me happy, but I feel like none of us ask you enough about yourself."

"Me? I'm great. Ever since you guys made that breakthrough I've been more social with my friends. Or at least I have been trying to get together with all of you. It is a work in progress... I don't know, opening up about my past has made me more paranoid about everything around me but at the same time has opened my eyes.

"Opened in what way?"

"There's nothing I can't say to you now that will make me question my decision later on. I trust you Velvet, more than ever before."

"Wow Link I... thank you." Velvet smiles, "I am happy you were able to open up, all those bottled emotions could have led to a catastrophe if someone ever pushed your buttons too much."

"I still think about it every now and then." Link sighs, "I will always linger at the back of my mind that I could have saved Ray, she didn't deserve to go the way she did."

"You did everything you could." Velvet's hands shake, "The thought of that poor girl being killed for a misunderstanding hits deep and I never met her."

"Oh man you would've resented her at first, imagine Yang, Coco, Ruby, and yourself meshed into one."

"That sounds... insane." Velvet giggled

"Yeah, she sure was." Link makes quick work of his meal as he does everything in his power to hold back tears, "I also question my desire for revenge. I want to find the man or woman. Scratch that, it was definitely a man, the man who specifically shot Ray, because he was the one who got away. I got revenge for almost all of the villagers of Garanda except Ray."

"What do you question about that?"

"Is it worth it?" Link pushes his plate aside and rests his elbows on the table, "Sorry for bringing the mood down."

"No it's okay." Velvet leaves very little leftovers as she finishes, "The more I get to know about you, the closer I feel."

"The closer..." Link shakes his head, "Draw a line Velvet, people who get too close-!"

"No." Velvet furiously grabs Links hands, "Do not finish that sentence. I refuse to ever draw the line or put up walls to keep you away, I like you for who you are; no matter how unfortunate your past has been, that will not scare me off."

"Why?" Link doesn't pull back, instead he squeezes

"You deserve to be happy. Being alone with only your thoughts and regrets will only rot you from the inside." Velvet leans all the way across the table and pauses inches away from Link

"You're too good for me, you know that?" Link smiles

"No way, I'm perfectly happy with you right now." Velvet nervously gulps and kisses Link's forehead before squirming back in her seat

"You're getting better. Velvet at the beginning of the year would have fainted."

"S-shush!" Velvet blushes as Charles returns for the last time with a boxed up dessert

"One delicious slice of carrot cake, I assume for the young lady courtesy of the young man, yes?" Charles smiles, "Here is the bill, may you two have a wonderful rest of your evening." He quickly picks up their plates, utensils, and empty glasses before strolling back to the kitchen.

"Link you should not have to cover the bill all by your-!"

"I invited you." Link reaches into his pouch, a last second re-addition after removing all of his weapons, "Phew, I'm glad I did not leave this behind." He pulls out four lien cards, sneaks three inside the checkbook, and slides the fourth under the vase of roses for Charles

"Link aren't you overpaying?"

"Weiss was right about this money I carry around, it's mercenary money. The least I can do for doing dirty jobs back then is give back to those who need it or could put it to better use than I ever could." Link stands and walks around to help Velvet out of her chair

"Oh, thank you once again." Velvet grabs her coat and stands with ease, as Link slowly pulls the chair

"No problem." Link looks towards the kitchen and sees Charles staring intently at them but instead of giving him any sort of dirty glance, he smiles at the waiter.

"Looks like everything went well." The bubbly hostess acts like a giddy schoolgirl and nearly gasps when she sees Link reaching for Velvet's hand, "You two are so cute, please come back anytime."

"We might." Link nods at the hostess before opening the door and allowing Velvet to exit first

"I hope so too." Velvet mumbles as they exit the restaurant, only to be met with heavy rain pouring down on them

"Oh joy." Link laughs, "Ready to go home? It could get even colder with the rain."

"Unless you have something else planned, absolutely not." Velvet embraces the rain with open arms

"Glad to hear it, nothing else is planned on my part but let's wing it." Link nods at Velvet as they both walk in the rain, with their date to be continued.


(So I totally didn't disappear for the year or anything :P. School took up all my time but here I am with an end of year post to at least let everyone know I'm not dead lol.)