Adam Taurus never remembered a time when the world didn't look at him with either fear or disdain.

Born into a world that saw Faunus as less than human, he learned young that silence was often safer than speaking. Words could be twisted, hopes could be crushed, but..

Anger—anger was simple.

It burned in his veins like a steady flame, a whisper in the back of his mind that never faded.

He grew up in a city that barely tolerated his kind. Mistral was full of masked courtesies and hidden cruelties, and Faunus like him—orphans without status, without money—were either ignored or used. Adam was the latter.

By the time he was twelve, he was already running errands for people he shouldn't have been involved with—smugglers, gangsters, and sometimes, even Huntsmen willing to break a few laws. It was never anything major at first. Delivering messages. Passing small packages. Looking the other way.

But the work grew darker. The packages became weapons. The messages turned into threats.

And the looks?

The looks people gave him—humans and Faunus alike—told him exactly what they thought he was: Just another street rat.

He was barely fourteen when the first real crime caught up to him.

A botched job. A stolen cache of Dust. A dead enforcer bleeding out in an alley. Adam never even saw who made the first move—all he knew was that one second, he was backing away, and the next, he was covered in someone else's blood, standing over a body he hadn't killed.

It didn't matter.

The authorities swarmed the place faster than he could think.

He ran.

And for the first time in his life, he wasn't fast enough.

The Arrest

The cell was cold, but Adam didn't feel it. He sat in silence, shackled hands resting in his lap, staring at the wall, his left eye still soaked with blood and a cruel reminder of how much he hates humanity. The scar of property.

Their property. And he hates that more than anyone could imagine.

After he escaped from where he was enslaved, he had been doing dirty jobs to make a living. And now, look where it got him.

The guards talked about him like he wasn't there. "Another Faunus punk thinking he could get away with it."

"A shame. Maybe if he were human, he'd get a second chance."

Second chance.

Adam clenched his jaw. 'What chance?'

A day passed. Then another. Eventually, someone came to see him.

Not a guard. Not an interrogator.

A lawyer.

She was human—middle-aged, professional, with sharp eyes and a sharper voice. The way she looked at him wasn't with pity or scorn.

It was with calculation.

"Adam Taurus," she began, flipping through a folder. "You're lucky."

He didn't respond.

She didn't seem to care.

"Technically, you should be facing trial. There were witnesses, stolen goods, a body at the scene. But..." She closed the folder. "...some very powerful people are interested in solving this quietly."

Adam finally looked at her.

"What do you mean?" he asked, voice quiet.

The woman leaned forward. "You're young. That gives you a shred of leniency. And considering Mistral's current relations with Menagerie, the Council has decided they'd rather not make a spectacle out of a Faunus teenager being locked up for life. Bad optics."

His hands tightened around his cuffs. "So what? I just go back to the slums?"

"No." Her expression remained unreadable. "You're being given an opportunity. A transfer to Menagerie. Think of it as... an attempt at rehabilitation."

Adam narrowed his eyes. "That's it? You're just shipping me off?"

"It's not a request," she said, standing up. "It's either that or you rot in here until someone makes an example out of you."

He didn't argue after that. The attorney turned on her heels as she proceeded to the door, leaving Adam alone in his thoughts once again.

Now, Snowy Biome

The cold didn't bother him. Not anymore.

Adam walked alone through the snowy wilderness of Argus, his boots crunching against the frozen ground. Behind him, the ashes of fallen Grimm scattered into the air, carried off by the wind. Their bodies lay in heaps, fading into nothingness.

It wasn't even a fight.

It was a nuisance.

He rolled his shoulder, brushing stray embers off his coat, his breath visible in the cold air. A faint groan escaped from his lips as he paused when he saw Vol 1 Blake in the distance.

His eyes perked. He gritted his teeth: Blake, the girl who betrayed him. The girl who he thought would understand, the one who ruined his goal, their plans against humanity.

His hands clenched at his sides. The grudge burned within his heart.

He dashed as he swung Wilt to slice Blake's neck.. But all it hit was a tree.

It was just an illusion. The tree fell and leaned into the snow as it hit the cold floor.

"Blake..." Adam sheathed back Wilt as he looked at his gloved palms. After a few seconds of staring, he clenched it.

"If I were to cut their heads off.. Will you come back with me..?"

Team JNPR

Jaune shifted nervously on his feet, glancing up at the house before him. It was modest but well-kept, with a garden lining the front walkway and a polished wooden door that practically radiated warmth. The dim glow of evening lanterns flickered through the windows, casting long shadows against the quiet street.

"So... this is really it?" Jaune asked again, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Your house?"

Pyrrha chuckled beside him, her arm still looped around his. "Yes, Jaune. For the third time, this is my home."

Jaune let out a shaky breath. "Right. Okay. No big deal. Just, you know... meeting my partner's parents for the first time." He turned to Pyrrha. "Who, by the way, probably think their daughter is some kind of noble champion who only associates with people of her caliber."

Pyrrha smiled fondly. "Jaune, you are of my caliber."

Jaune opened his mouth, but Nora slapped his back before he could protest.

"Don't be a wimp, Jaune!" Nora grinned. "Pyrrha and us are here to back you up!"

Ren, standing beside her with his arms crossed, raised a brow. "You say that as if we're walking into a battlefield."

Nora gasped dramatically. "What if we are, Ren?! What if Pyrrha's parents are super scary warriors who can smell weakness?" She leaned in, poking Jaune's chest. "And what if they see our fearless leader as a big ol' ball of nerves?"

"Okay, okay, you're not helping," Jaune muttered, rubbing the spot where she poked him.

Pyrrha giggled. "You'll be fine. My parents are kind, I promise." She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "They've been dying to meet you."

Jaune stiffened. "Dying? As in... really eager, or as in 'sharpening their weapons in anticipation'?"

Pyrrha laughed. "Relax, Jaune. They don't bite."

"That's exactly what people say before someone gets bitten!"

Nora snorted. "C'mon, fearless leader! What's the worst that could happen?"

Before Jaune could come up with at least a dozen worst-case scenarios, the front door swung open.

Standing in the doorway was a tall, elegant woman with deep crimson, short hair. Her emerald eyes lit up as she took in the sight of them.

"Ah! You must be Jaune!" she said warmly, stepping forward.

Jaune immediately stiffened. "Yes, ma'am! I mean—uh, yes, that's me! H-Hello!"

The woman's smile widened as she clasped her hands together. "Oh, how wonderful! Pyrrha's told us so much about you!"

From behind her, a deep chuckle rumbled as another figure stepped into view—a broad-shouldered man with dark auburn hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His sharp green eyes studied Jaune for a moment before he smirked.

"So, this is the boy my daughter keeps writing about," he mused.

Jaune went pale. "Writing about—?"

"Jaune Arc, right? short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it?" Pyrrha's father teased.

Pyrrha let out a tiny, embarrassed squeak. "Father!"

Her parents chuckled. Pyrrha turned to Jaune as she gestured her hands to her parents, "Meet my parents, Jaune. My mother, Helen Nikos,"

"Hello~!" Helen playfully waved her hand.

"And my father, Darius Nikos." Pyrrha finished as her father nodded with a smile.

Her mother merely laughed, stepping aside to gesture them in. "Come in, come in! It's far too cold to be standing outside."

Nora elbowed Jaune. "See? No weapons drawn yet."

Jaune groaned. "I hate you so much right now."

"Love you too, fearless leader!" Nora chirped.

As they stepped inside, Jaune swallowed hard.

This was going to be interesting.

As Jaune stepped inside, the warmth of the home instantly enveloped him, a stark contrast to the cool Argus evening outside.

The interior was elegant yet inviting—polished wooden floors, walls adorned with beautifully framed paintings and medals, and a fireplace crackling softly in the living room.

Helen Nikos closed the door behind them with a smile. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll bring some tea."

"Ah, let me help, Mrs. Nikos!" Jaune offered, eager to make a good impression.

Helen chuckled. "That's very sweet of you, Jaune, but please, relax. You're our guest."

Jaune hesitated before nodding, trying his best to appear at ease. Meanwhile, Darius Nikos settled into a chair near the fireplace, his keen emerald gaze studying Jaune with an intensity that made the young huntsman straighten his back on instinct.

"So," Darius began, leaning forward, "you're the one who's been fighting alongside my daughter."

Jaune swallowed. "Y-Yes, sir."

"And you're also the one she's chosen as her partner—in combat and otherwise."

Jaune felt his entire body tense. 'Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.'

Pyrrha, standing beside him, blushed furiously. "Father!"

Darius merely smirked. "What? I'm just making sure he's aware of the weight that comes with it." His sharp gaze returned to Jaune. "So tell me, Jaune—why do you fight?"

Jaune blinked. "Excuse me?"

Darius leaned back, crossing his arms. "Every warrior has a reason for stepping onto the battlefield. Pyrrha fights to uphold her ideals, to use her strength for those who cannot protect themselves. What about you?"

Jaune hesitated. It was a question he'd asked himself before—'Why am I doing this? What am I fighting for?'

He glanced at Pyrrha, who gave him an encouraging nod.

He took a breath.

"I fight because... I want to be better," he said. "When I started, I didn't even deserve to be at Beacon. I had no training, no skill—just a dream. But I met amazing people who helped me realize that strength isn't just about skill or talent. It's about what you do with it."

Jaune clenched his fists. "I fight to protect my friends. I fight because I refuse to stand by and let the people I care about suffer while I do nothing." His blue eyes met Darius' without wavering. "And I fight because I made a promise—to myself, to Pyrrha, and to everyone counting on me—that I'd be someone worth standing beside."

Silence filled the room.

Then, Darius chuckled, low and approving. "Good answer."

Jaune blinked. "Really?"

Darius nodded. "You remind me of myself when I was younger." He glanced at Pyrrha with a smirk. "A little rough around the edges, but full of heart."

Pyrrha sighed in relief.

Helen returned from the kitchen, setting down a tray of tea and pastries. "I see Darius didn't waste any time interrogating poor Jaune."

"Interrogation? Nah," Darius said, grabbing a cup. "Just starting a conversation, that's all. "

Jaune exhaled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He wasn't sure if he passed whatever test this was, but at least he didn't crash and burn.

Nora suddenly clapped him on the back. "See? Told you it wouldn't be that bad!"

"Speak for yourself," Jaune muttered.

Ren simply shook his head as he accepted a cup of tea. "Thank you for having us, Mrs. Nikos."

"Please, call me Helen," she said warmly.

As the group settled in, Pyrrha beamed at Jaune, squeezing his hand under the table. He had survived meeting her parents.

And honestly?

It wasn't as terrifying as he thought it'd be.

Arc-Cotta Residence, Evening

The door creaked open, and a wave of warmth spread through the Arc-Cotta home as Saphron and Terra stepped inside, shaking off the evening chill. The golden glow of the living room lamp bathed everything in soft light, creating a cozy contrast to the cool Argus night outside.

Laughter rang through the space—Adrian's laughter.

Across the room, Selene sat with the baby nestled securely in her arms, a rare gentle expression on her face as she carefully fed him. Adrian, in turn, beamed up at her, his tiny hands reaching playfully toward her pristine white sleeves.

As soon as he caught sight of his mother, his energy soared. His little hands stretched outward, fingers wiggling excitedly.

"Adriaaannn~!" Saphron cooed as she rushed forward, her arms outstretched. "Mommy's home!"

Adrian let out a delighted squeal as Saphron scooped him up, spinning him around in a playful twirl. The baby giggled uncontrollably, tiny hands grasping at her blonde hair.

Selene, still seated, gave a small, polite chuckle as she carefully smoothed down her uniform. "He was an absolute joy."

Terra, standing beside her wife, gave a knowing chuckle. "I think we already know it went well."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Saphron grinned, shifting Adrian onto her hip. "But I wanna hear about Selene's babysitting experience. How'd my little guy treat you?"

Selene's lips twitched slightly in amusement. "He's quite the handful—lively, curious, and surprisingly clever for his age." She glanced at Adrian, who had now taken an interest in tugging at Saphron's scarf. "But... I must admit, I was a bit unprepared for the whole semblance situation."

Saphron paused, raising an eyebrow. "Wait.. Did He vanish?"

Selene nodded.

"Didn't I tell you to keep him held?" Saphron sighed, bouncing Adrian slightly. "He won't blink out of existence if someone's holding him or if he's asleep or when I'm around. But the second he's awake and moving? That's a different story."

Selene's eye twitched, 'You should've told us that before you left.. Or maybe you shouldn't have left in the first place...'

She sighed.

"Noted." Selene inclined her head, her expression unreadable, though there was the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes, forming a small smile as she watched baby Adrian within Saphron's arms.

Saphron looked around, suddenly realizing someone was missing. "Wait—where's Oscar?"

Selene's small smile faded. She hesitated. "...In the mini-shack out back. He said he wanted to work on his cane."

(A/N: Just a minor change. Let's imagine Saphron has a little backyard behind her house and a mini shack where they put their tools and stuff.)

Terra and Saphron exchanged a glance.

Terra sighed. "Well... alright."

Selene didn't elaborate further, but in truth, she had noticed Oscar's shift in demeanor since earlier that evening. He had been unusually quiet, more so than usual, his normally nervous yet determined energy replaced by something... heavier. She could sense it in the way he moved—like he was carrying something he didn't know how to put down.

'I didn't mean to make him feel THAT bad...' she thought to herself, keeping her unreadable gaze locked forward.

Before she could dwell on the thought further, the sound of the front door opening drew their attention.

Team RWBY entered the house.

"Auuughh..." Yang groaned, stretching her arms above her head as she walked inside, her muscles sore from a long day's work. "Man, I hate conscription duty."

Weiss rolled her eyes as she stepped in, dusting off her gloves. "It's called responsibility, Yang. You should try embracing it sometime."

"Yeah, yeah, I embraced it all day long," Yang grumbled, flopping onto the couch. "And now I'm ready to embrace sleep."

Blake let out a tired sigh, removing her combat boots near the door. "We're all exhausted, Yang."

Ruby, bringing up the rear, yawned into her sleeve as she stepped inside, setting Crescent Rose down beside the wall. "At least Cordovin's not breathing down our necks tonight. That's a plus."

Terra closed the door behind them with a soft smile. "Rough day?"

"You have no idea," Weiss muttered, rubbing her temples.

Selene stood silently, observing the exhausted Huntresses-in-training as they settled into the house. She took a moment to study Ruby, noticing the subtle stiffness in her posture—the tension she carried, even now.

They were all weary.

They had been pushing themselves hard ever since making the deal with Cordovin, since giving up the Relic in exchange for safe passage to Atlas. Since after Rinko's recovery.

Selene's eyes flicked toward the backyard.

She wondered how Oscar was holding up.

[End]