#really thinking about the fact that ruby despite everything despite how hard she tried is responsible for two genocides

[blookmallow]

so much blood on your hands you're gonna drown in it

[itsclydebitches]

Young girls and women who had the Maiden powers cannonball into their souls WITHOUT CONSENT or KNOWLEDGE and were then told by a stranger that the only way to get rid of them is for them to be killed AND that there are people out there who want to do that AND that they have to leave whatever life and family they had behind and never see them again, watching Ruby complain about her "burden": 😐🙄🙁😒🤨🙃

You know, that adds an interesting spin to the age-old Pyrrha debate that I'd never considered. Fans have long dragged Ozpin for (supposedly) manipulating her into taking the powers, citing everything from someone her age being unable to make an informed choice (despite everyone else her age being an adult capable of leading this war), to the lack of information negating any true ability to judge the decision (but information isn't necessary for other characters, like Ironwood). As my asides showcase, I've always felt that this is hypocritical nonsense and does a huge disservice to Pyrrha, both in terms of acknowledging what a hard choice that was and taking into account her own, fatal flaw of feeling like she has to be the hero. (If anything, Pyrrha should have gotten a "Being a leader is so hard and I'm crumbling under the pressure" arc, not Ruby.)

But all that aside, you raise a good point about how terrifyingly passive most Maidens are in this process, with the exception of those who steal the powers (Raven) or are in a highly coincidental position to willingly accept the powers right when a Maiden is dying (Penny). The fandom tried to paint Ironwood as "forcing" the powers on Winter, manipulating her into becoming a tool, but no one wants to acknowledge that Penny would have then done the same thing? At least Ironwood asked Winter, whereas Penny decided on her own who could safely wield the power, giving that to Winter whether she still wanted it or not. The fact that the story frames this as the correct decision by having Winter currently need the power to save herself from Ironwood doesn't erase the fact that she still wasn't given a choice during the actual transfer. Hope you're happy being responsible for the entirety of your Kingdom now, Winter, because you're literally the only one with the power to protect them from the grimm army your friends dropped them into.

Based on the historical implications, most Maidens have not chosen this, have been forced to grapple with all the horrors you've laid out, which puts things like the otherwise morally ambiguous aura machine into a new light. Yes, it still goes against the "natural" state of things according to Remnant culture and yes, Pyrrha was not given a perfect segue into this choice (for various reasons), but at least it was a choice. Regardless of what you think of how Ozpin went about it, that's MORE of a choice than most other Maidens get. Do you want to be somewhat prepped beforehand, given time to decide, have a support system in place to help guide and protect you... or do you want to have these powers slam into you one day with no context? Hell, if we go by what we know about the Maidens as a whole, Pyrrha was the best candidate according to the Inner Circle and the magic itself. It things had gone differently with Amber and Cinder's bug theft, the power might well have gone to Pyrrha anyway, simply by virtue of her being a young, powerful, heroic woman with a Fall-like aesthetic.

Then yeeeeaaah. Look, Ruby has been through it. I'm not denying that. But the show really failed imo to both highlight the appropriate tragedies and allow her to navigate that grief in a way that didn't come across as incredibly selfish. Her actively striving for authority since Volume 4, becoming arrogant in her abilities, losing things and people due in large part to her own stupid mistakes (you kept the Lamp out, Ruby, you lied to Ironwood, you had the bright idea to turn Penny human and therefore vulnerable), the fact that she's surrounded by cursed Maidens and cursed immortals and cursed hosts and cursed aged-up allies and an entire dead village... and then the breakdown is, 'Woe is me, cheering people up is so hard'? Not that the story would ever go there, but I WISH Oscar had been in that scene, just so he could side-eye the hell out of her. "I'm sorry, which of us has been forced to participate in this war and burdened with the responsibility of leadership? Who is slowly losing themselves in the process, to the point where they're no longer recognizable from who they once were? You? Are you sure, Ruby?"

The writers really aren't aware of how that comes across in a story with so much horror going on, or they do and they just didn't bother to acknowledge and grapple with that limited, child-like perspective. We could have simply gotten an arc where Ruby is grieving Penny and, as a result, thinking on all the other people she's lost/how she might have failed those of Atlas and Mantle. Introducing these failures through the lens of her leadership really muddled things though. You chose this. You've supposedly been making decisions as a group. There's too many inconsistencies and retcons attached to Ruby's leadership - and too many other characters going through Objectively Horrific Things - to write the breakdown that way without Ruby coming across as completely oblivious to anyone else around her. And yes, I say that for a character who has been ignored by her team all Volume. She's also ignoring Jaune understandably grieving a whole village of people! All of them are awful nowadays! I miss when the group was actually kind and considerate and fun to watch lol

[iamafanofcartoons]

Rabbit aka PhonyMangaka Debunks Hbomberguy’s “RWBY is Disappointing Video” and explains why the Critics are wrong about RWBY.  Part 2 of 2

Insert Monty Fight Here Spends a bit talking about how the animation and the writing of the show is set up between Monty, Miles, and Kerry.

Kind of hard to tell if he likes the general idea of it, because he's using an example of Ruby vs Roman and the Club thugs.

Seems positive

Alright so a problem he listed out was how disjointed the scene of the two teams getting the relics and "Running to live another day towards the cliffs"

But it just cuts to another fight were the teams have to engage with the Deathstalker and Nevermore.

And he got it very wrong

He claims it doesnt connect, but Ruby clearly says "make it back to the cliffs" and you can obviously see that's what they're going to do.

It's the deathstalker and the nevermore that are clearly chasing them that they are forced to fight. Just didnt pay attention?

"Character arcs tend to start and stop...  Weiss was annoyed at Ruby being made a leader...  During the test Weiss said she was going to be nicer."

I do agree with this somewhat.

The Weiss racism plot was mostly offscreen, and I would have liked for the friction between Ruby and Weiss to have lasted an extra episode, but I'm not too hung up on it.

However, this reading can be a bit surface level.

Yes, Weiss agreed to be nicer to Ruby however that was done bc SHE thought she'd be made leader bc she believes she is better than Ruby both bc of her age and her status as the heiress of the SDC.

So no, it makes perfect sense why she's annoyed, it's just dishonest of you to really paint that picture when all it takes is just watching episodes that aren't even 15 minutes long.

And another thing is. It's not that Prof Port told- her to just "stop it" as he puts it.

He basically dresses her down and shows her how childish and unreasonable she is.

Weiss does let her feeling's and headstrong way of thinking get in the way of her, but it's not like she WOULDN'T reconsider her ideals/values. This is the same- person that was okay with Blake being a former terrorist in the end despite the things that the White Fang did to her family and her social life growing up.

"All Weiss needed was a man in a position of authority to tell her off"

If Glynda did the same, the same thing happens??

Like yeah...

This is the same person that wanted to call the police and trusts them to do their jobs, of course Weiss listens to authorities and values their opinions moreso over her peers.

"Her character arc is about her dealing with her abusive and controlling father so it- comes across as gross that they would let this happen."

.......................

Are you seriously comparing Professor Port to her Father??

Is that what we're doing?

That makes literally 0 sense lol?

Miles and Kerry talk about how they view RWBY as cool kids and not just female- mcs.

And the reason why he brings up those clips is to basically... idk call them a hypocrite because they made jokes about Yang?

He mentions the time Miles tweeted the Yang vs Tifa fight and says "My money's on the hot one" and also Kerry saying "Yang is the happy joyful on  Everything you want in a girl."

So basically using those two instances were they

1. Promote a Deathbattle video so they can get more views.

2. Have to explain who each character is on the team RWBY

Also please credit who you use for fact checking!

https://youtu.be/EmHM_0Mfe3g

That video was from  @NerdCaliber  from way back in 2013, not a bad interview and even if it was from way back then, i suggest giving it a like!

He now goes into Jaune and the Jaune arc. Which ok, once again I admit that a lot of people do have it's gripes with it. Gripes I can-

Very much understand.

If this volume was longer, and the episodes were too, I very much do believe that so many people wouldn't be so upset by it as they are.

The writing for Jaundice isn't bad either.

It's about a kid who gets bullied because he's weak but tries to deal with it on his own, despite the fact that he very much DOES need help.

We get to see his struggles and with the pep talk from Ruby and with him ACTUALLY standing up for himself in the end, it isn't as simple as "kill a monster that's threatening the bully and that's how you solve it"

As hbomberguy puts it.

It's

"You have to find the inner strength within yourself to stop being a doormat and stand your ground."

Jaune stands his ground, he gains that confidence, and he tells Cardin to never mess with his friends ever again.

He was determined and the facial expressions really hammered home to Cardin that Jaune isn't going to fold to him or his team anymore.

For the last time, I agree that it's weird to put it in the middle of an already short volume with very small run time.

Honestly RWBY SHOULD have had more to do in this Volume-

That I think could have been spent with Weiss's racism and her preconceived notions about the White Fang and those in it as well as just Faunus in general be explored in seeing how she deals with it.

That WOULD have been better and I admit to that fully.

"Penny and Sun just appear... Nothing you could have cut to establish these characters."

Tbcf, Their introduction is fine.

Sun hopping off of a boat that he illegally boarded?

Just Sun things.

Penny getting knocked over for standing in the middle of an alleyway?

Just Penny things

Like he said. it's the last two episodes.

They can be built upon more in the next few volumes.

It's like saying "Why is Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury are in the last episode.

Surely you couldn't have cut an episode or two to introduce them" those are ACTUAL side characters.

JNPR actually has importance over any of the tertiary cast.

Says things I agree with, like production being disjointed.

Don't really agree with the sentiment that the show isn't cohesive.

If anything, I feel like the volume is just too short. If CRWBY were to redo it today Most of the complaints would be nonexistent, obviously of course.

But that's what happens when you have more than when you first started out with.

"Lets not assume this is author self insert wish fulfillment... It's just really weird you picked Neptune... gets into love-triangles with female characters that you write... Just feels weird."

Like... Just say you think it's author self insert wish fulfillment.

That's obviously the picture you're painting.

You're literally not doing ANY amount of nuance to even dictate that you think differently.

The pussyfooting is just lame.

Like also implying Kerry is a creep because "Neptune hangs out with Yang" going back to that old interview were he calls Yang "anything everybody would want in a girl" with then a cut of him saying "she's 17".

Bro just stand your ground and call him a creep.

Because that's LITERALLY what you're trying to get at, at worse or Calling in his behavior as questionable at best.

Both of which, is so demented.

Considering it was Monty (the guy you're dedicating this video too btw) told them which character they'd voice.

Raises points about naturalistic exposition in regards to the prom and how it's all about prom (ignoring the B plot with Yang and Blake too I might add).

Major complaint though is that he feels like there's no plot going on... Which is the actual point?

The "plot" is being halted because Yang basically getting Blake to stop overextending herself with the White Fang and to chill out.

They're still KIDS, much like how Ozpin told Glynda.

They can have a moment where they're embroiled in small scale drama of love triangles and prom.

Besides, the end of the episode is still a thing, where the CCT is broken into and Ruby discovers a certain shadowy figure in that room.

Things are still happening.

The prom was a great excuse for the protagonists to chill for ONE night before a mission and the antagoinsts-  to do some dastardly devious machinations.

Claims Ruby fell into the plot, ie Mount Glenn, but also conveniently ignoring the worldbuilding (the same thing he harps on about earlier in the video) that explains Elder Grimm and what happened to the people of the settlement.

And the narrative reasons is that it's an old decrepit settlement, so of course their would be sinkholes.

Though, it's moreso a flimsy defense so yeah I could see why he wouldn't like how that happens.

But it also bugs me that he never mentions what happens BEFORE Ruby fell.

I don't really see the need to really complain about "it has a working rail system?!?!?!"

I mean yeah?

We don't know how long they've been planning this sort of invasion, but with all the material they gathered and the helping hands around them.

It's not farfetched to think- They could get it working.

Especially since the railroads weren't really messed up.

It's just, a nothing complaint imo.

And it definitely is organic??

Like what's more natural than

"Hey uh theres a bunch of terrorists and Roman Torchwick getting on a train leading to Who knows where. How about we board it and try to stop them?"

I mean that's a pretty damn good reason to get on the train.

One thing I can say about hbomberguy.

He will praise the ever living fuck out of Monty and Shane's animation.

(deserved mind you).

But will leave no room- for Miles and Kerry to even BREATHE.

This man has his foot on both of their necks and just keeps applying pressure like, damn dude

"It's objectively an awful song."

YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH THERE WILL BE NO CAFFEINE SLANDER AT ALL YOU VILE BEING!!

IT'S ONE OF THE BEST RWBY TRACKS AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR YOUR NEEDLESS MUDSLINGING!!!!!!

Also, if we REALLY wanna talk about side casts...

CFVY, depsite how fucking cool they are, are the literal definition of a side cast.

They came in, kicked ass and took names like fucking bosses.

They didn't need a whole biography before they came and what is it with people- mainly critics and youtubers, who believe every single person in the universe needs whole entire episodes and dialogues to understand every single character in existence.

Like damn maybe we should give Tock a backstory too

"Who is this guy, what are his-"

Bruh it's not THAT deep

"That's the story????"

Huh???

The... The story is that they "stopped" whatever plans that the White Fang and Roman have cooked up.

Like, this is all a set up for the end of Volume 3 where the complaints you're bringing up DO have consequences.

Because of the Grimm invasion- Atlas is allowed to bring in it's robots and even more of it's warships...

Know what happens next???

Exactly.

It's bread crumbs.

A domino effect.

Where things are leading up to the bigger picture.

"There is no build up for Velvet to put away her weapon at Coco's request bc-we haven't seen it".

No it's to keep the audience in suspense/garnering hype to what exactly Velvet's weapon could be. It's not supposed to be revealed just yet, but later on in the story.

It wasn't meant to be a joke or a play on OF a joke.

It's just a story beat/reveal.

"It doesn't feel right to speculate."

But spends a minute and a half speculating that Coco and Velvet were supposed to have bigger roles in the story because of how long and how much effort it took to rig her and fan submissions too.

Uhhh... Maybe that's just... How rigging- goes???

I'm pretty sure there were efforts similar that went into RWBY, JNPR, Sun and Neptune, Neo, etc.

Not everything has to be this big/large grandiose purpose you're trying to place on these characters.

And even if they were, ideas and plotlines DO get scrapped many times   Through production, either because it doesn't fit, or because they wanted to do something else entirely.

But this is ALL speculation.  You and me both are doing that.

He ends off this segment by saying that this was all production and execution angle and how the fights are great and everything else sucks and how it's mismanaged and poorly connected.

Even though I've gone through his "connections" and just found that he wasnt paying attention to most of the scenes and the dialouges is both funny and frustrating.

"Two full seasons of teething problems" yeah that's true.

I mean yeah lol, not gonna fight that there.

Are... We really comparing this too Jojo's??

Oh.. We are?? Aight then

And now we're comparing it to Cowboy Bebop.

just about the first robbery scene and characterization and things like that...

But... Have you ever considered that... maybe, just maybe, they were doing two different scene. If you're going to sit here and try to rag on- RWBY for "not understanding how the robbery scene works."

Then that sort of point can be used across every single piece of media that has a robbery scene in it. And even then you still were able to get basic things out of her "it's not much" and??

You still have about, 9-   volumes worth of content to get to know more about her.

"It's all coincidence driven story."

There isn't just one way to write a story bomber. literally, if you want to watch Cowboy Bebop so much then go rewatch it.

These shows set out two different types of vibes.

Not- Everything is 1 to 1. Just a lot of nitpicks mainly.

Nothing really substantial is said here besides just ranting about Ruby's lack of characterization. Blank Slate, making a stab at her for liking books.

Like, I dunno man, it's just cumbersome at this point.

So remember when I said it's going to be a 2 parter. I lied.

I only got through 27 minutes today and I'm already tired of this video.

SO part 3 tomorrow and that should be the end.

Goodnight Night City!!

https://twitter.com/PhonyMangaka/status/1654286207021457410

[alcottsangel]

Stranger Things Library

when the party’s over

everyone in high school knows him as the guy with a big house and parents who are rarely around. but what happens when he can’t leave that role behind?

Sweet Caroline

Billy Hargrove is a California bad boy with a tough exterior and rough history. He is frustrated, angry, and feels the need to bring back some sense of control in his life. If he is going to be his dad's punching bag, then he needs a punching-bag of his own. His stepsisters, Caroline and Maxine, are weaker than him. When Caroline starts to get a backbone and stand up to him, all hell breaks lose.

took a hard left (but we’re alright)

the two lines are unexpected, but you and steve have a village of support

unless it's you

The thing is, Mike wasn't planning on not telling his friends about the whole- having a baby thing. He really wasn't. How was he going to hide it in the long run anyways? He just...wasn't going to ever tell them who the father was.

oh you kissed me, just to kiss me (not to make me cry)

Billy and Steve had… something. Steve’s not quite sure what it was, doesn’t know if he ever really agreed to it. And then the Mind Flayer happened and Billy died and Steve got beat up by Russians and the mall burned down. And Eddie showed up, all flashing smiles and sure hands, and Steve can’t take his eyes off of him. There’s just that pesky, niggling possibility that maybe everything with Billy fucked him up more than he’s ever willing to admit.

The Joke

"Steve Harrington never says no to anyone." When he first heard someone say it, he thought maybe it was just a weird way for people to say that Steve was too nice, which made sense to Lucas. Despite the fact he used to be a huge public facing douchebag, Steve was nice. Almost painfully so. Sure he called them shitheads sometimes and argued with them like he was their mom, but he was always there when they needed him and always saving them from the end of the world at the expense of his own physical safety. Steve Harrington was nice, and Lucas thought it was cool that other people were realizing that. But the more he heard that sentence, the more it felt like that wasn’t what anyone was implying. The more he heard it, the more it kind of made Lucas’ skin itch.

Baby on Board

It took less than a day after the news that Steve Harrington had gotten Tammy Thompson pregnant for his friends to all but abandon him. It took less than a ten minutes after finding Eddie Munson under the bleachers for Eddie to adopt Steve into his merry band of outcasts.

Nothing About The Way That You Were Treated Ever Seemed Especially Alarming 'til Now

Hopper Lives, he doesn't go to russia but he is held by the russians for a bit before he's rescued by Murray and Joyce but he isn't moved to RUSSIA, that plot was kind boring and I didn't love it so we aren't keeping it lol. Steve Harrington knows Vecna is going to get him soon, with the headaches and nose bleeds and visions he's been having. But has he said anything? No? Will he say anything? Probably not. So what happens when everything he's tried so hard to hide comes out. His parents, the russians, his insecurities.

Sweet Child O Mine

The worst part is it was supposed to be a quick run. (Ruby Munson is 16 when she sneaks out of her house in the year 2005 and somehow ends up in the 1980s looking at a young version of her Dad and all his friends.)

I Can('t) Live With This

Unsure how to deal after the Upside-Down, Steve starts a bad habit of taking out his depression on his body. With each battle that passes, it gets harder and harder for Steve to cope. Coming to terms with his feelings for his straight friend Eddie does not make things better. Steve begins to play a dangerous game with death. How many times can he pass out in his own blood before he doesn't wake up? How long can he live with this? When Eddie finds him one night things take a drastic turn. Steve doesn't think Eddie should try and save him. Eddie doesn't think Steve gets to make that decision.

[lieutenantbiscute]

You totally don't have to answer this but I was going through you Shell Shocked Au tag, and I just adore Sersi (I don't think I spelled that right). Do have any more headcanons about her or maybe her and Donnie 👀? (they make a really cute ship)

Aww thank you and it’s Seri since I reinvented her around the actual canon triceraton Seri!

With her I originally envisioned her as a more bubbly ‘Renet 2012’ version of Donnie. Very much an avid talker and over sharer of sorts. Now though it’s moved to a more pragmatic; matter of fact tone for her.

(Early designs)

HC about her,,,

She’s a massive star geek! One of her wishes is to go topside (she doesn’t out of respect for her father Cliff) to see the stars. Her way of decompression is to read up about comets and star formations; she finds it wonderful how something so massive and awe inspiring can be made from something as simple as gasses and gravity. She herself meets Donatello when the boys are searching for a cure for Mayhem in the mystic library; he’s their chaperone of sorts since he wanted to head to the library.

One bump in later and a small intro while Donnie tries to have his nephews not frozen and the two and introduced!

Relationship wise the two are massive info-dump people. Seri will take great interest into Donnie’s own fixations since she herself seeks to learn more about topside sciences and Donnie loves learning more about Seri’s alchemy and mystic magic. The two are workaholics but hate when the other isn’t taking care of them selves (pot calling the kettle black /j) despite everything Seri doesn’t mind Donnie’s massive scarring; she sees it as his ultimate sacrifice of sorts to his family and completely understands it.

Donnie was willing to do anything for his nephews and that full body scar is proof of it. I do picture the relationship taking time to actually blossom since Seri is an alchemy friend first and frowns into a love interest second; Donnie himself doesn’t wanna force his feelings on her (he cringes hard over how he reacted with April as a teen) and Seri just,, buries her feelings deep cause dammit girl act civil!! Ye his eyes kinda are like rubies but every girl says that about her guy friends eyes, right??

Ye right!!

[solardragun]

v7/v8 made me dislike ruby a lot but v9 made me really side with her. i've been in her shoes, with having to put on a strong happy face for everyone because their problems always seem to be bigger than mine.

but to see yang walk ahead of blake to shield her from ruby really broke me. like?? do you not know your own sister?? do you genuinely think she'd harm her own teammate??

blake doesn’t need protection, and it’s weird how yang tries to shield her like ruby is about to hurt her. i get bumbleby's whole thing is "we're protecting each other"

but that doesn't mean go and protect blake (who has shown she can hold her own in a verbal argument anyway) against your own sister, yang!

sorry for the rant, i just am in shock that this was written and executed this way with no one thinking of how ruby would feel from this. ruby was somehow more effected by jaune's rant (which, while valid, doesn't change the fact that jaune basically held a whole town hostage for 10-20 years) than by yang shielding blake.

i also grew to dislike ruby in v7 and 8 because of her hypocrisy (that got half addressed before dropped) and her attempt to talk down all the adults and take over before making situations way way worse. however i do agree that i also began to sympathize with her in volume 9, and it felt like her actions were finally being addressed while also showing that maybe she isn't suited to be the leader like she and everyone else thought.

the whole yang vs ruby thing angered me. i'm sorry, but YANG? the actual hothead who trashes clubs, assaults grown adults, destroys government property, charges into battle headfirst. that yang? meanwhile ruby is the kindest, sweetest person, who despite being socially anxious, tried her best to make friends and impress others. the kind, quirky girl who loves cool weapons and adores the adults in her life and wants desperately to be like the heroes in fairy tales?

yes, as I addressed, she started fumbling as the weight of the world finally started to get to them, she charged through situations half-baked, thinking she knew what was best because it's what everyone expects of her. but at her heart she's still a kind, simple soul who is meant to see the light in every situation, and yet the moment she started losing sight of that, wondering if she truly made mistakes, the friends that propped her up as the best leader and someone they looked up to, they let her fall.

yang, who grew up with her sister, who knows her inside and out. yang, who went into this FOR ruby, insisted she only took part to make sure her little sister was safe. that same yang turning against that said sister she fought so hard to find is astounding to me. her sister is falling apart at the seams, having panic attacks and an identity crisis and struggling with guilt and shame and the horrifying thought that she made the world worse and helped salem grow closer to victory. and yang instead steps up to defend blake.

ruby has never been a threat, not like this. ruby screaming and crying and having a reasonable and justified meltdown after everything she's been through should not be met with yang putting herself between her sister and girlfriend, nor should it have been brushed aside.

it bothers me because the show and fans insist adamantly that yang is the greatest big sister, but then say that yang doesn't have to always be there for ruby and that she's allowed to make time for blake. nobody said that yang wasn't allowed to spend time with blake, the issue was this. the issue was that yang sensed her own sister as a dangerous threat and stepped between her and blake as if ruby is the one with anger issues who flies off the handle and attacks anyone and anything with said anger. it's ridiculous.

yang sat there while her sister fell apart and did and said nothing beyond limp "are you okay?" the person who actually tried to be there for ruby was weiss, despite the flawed writing of her character. i'll give her credit there. but imagine your team partner trying to comfort you over your own sister who is too busy making googly eyes at her girlfriend or defending said girlfriend against you.

i didn't watch the last two episodes so i'm not gonna touch on that, but yang throughout this volume showed where exactly her priorities lie.

[justmenoworries]

Volume 9 Rewrite Idea, I Guess? (Part 1)

This isn't really a rewrite per se, but just an idea I had to improve Volume 9 a bit.

What if, instead of reuniting the girls anticlimactically in the first episode, they're separated for about half of the volume? The Volume already established that the Ever After has a mind of its own, kind of.

What if the Ever After keeps RWBY separated on purpose? Not for any malicious reasons, but because it acts as a sort of Sink-or-Swim mentor? It "senses" that the girls need to take a good look at themselves. Over their past adventures, they've become intensely self-righteous and stunted in their emotional development, keeping them from being the heroes they could be. And them just constantly affirming to each other that they haven't done anything wrong isn't helping. So the Ever After prevents them from reuniting at first. Before it allows them to find each other again, they'll first have to actually work through their issues, actually acknowledge their mistakes and grow.

(Also, because this volume is supposed to be RWBY-focused, Jaune actually makes it out of the portal realm and doesn't fall.)

(You can find part 2 here.)

And to support them in that endeavor, the Ever After "gives" them companions in the form of its natives, who will sort of lead them toward that conclusion. Think the Train Denizens in Infinity Train.

Ruby is paired up with Little, an idealistic mouse who grew up in a harsh environment, in a society that was centered around survival. Despite having been dealt such a bad hand in life, Little remains optimistic and continues to see the good and wondrous in their homeland. In fact, it's their dream to travel the land and see things no mouse ever had before, which makes them sort of an outlier in their gruff and hardened village. Ruby, seeing some of her old self in Little, begrudgingly decides to grant their request to join her. As their journey goes on, Ruby finds herself growing more and more annoyed with Little's perpetual cheerfulness and (as she sees it) naiveté. Eventually, Ruby snaps at Little, telling them that the world isn't as wondrous as they think. The real world is cruel and cold and all it does is take. Much to her surprise, her outburst doesn't push Little away. Instead, Little just looks at her funny for a few seconds, then asks: "Did it take... something from you?" And that finally gets Ruby to break out of her repression and burst into tears. She vents to Little about everything that happened to her and how she tries so hard to help, but only ever seems to make things worse. Little is unsure of what to say, so they just sit by Ruby's side to provide her a metaphorical shoulder to cry on and get it all out. Little then says that they don't one hundred percent understand everything Ruby's been telling them, but it does sound like Ruby was "trying to be big". Ruby is confused by Little's choice of words, and Little explains that when they were a young child, they once attempted to harvest a huge piece of cheese all by themselves. But by that point they weren't tall or strong enough to get it out on their own and instead ended up tearing the cheese apart and hurting themself. Costing their village valuable food and some additional hands. The village leader scolded them for trying to do a job for grown-ups, "trying to be big". Ruby begins to understand what Little is getting at. She thought that she could handle the whole Salem-thing her way and that it was somehow her responsibility, when it really wasn't. She might be a Huntress, but she's still a child, who was only recently informed about Ozpin's and Salem's secret war. No one should expect, let alone ask her to just take over and miraculously solve a conflict that other adults, like Summer, Qrow, Ironwood and Ozpin, have struggled with for years. Including herself. Because she tried to tackle a problem that was just too big for her and, really, the entirety of Team RWBY, by stubbornly forcing everyone to go along with her plan and her plan alone, Atlas ended up paying for it and the staff and lamp might or might not be in Cinder's and therefor Salem's hands. Being able to lay out her issues this way helps Ruby a bit with working through them. She apologizes to Little for snapping at them and just assuming she knew better than them, even making a tiny self-deprecating joke that she seems to be doing that a lot lately. Little accepts the apology with a smile. Ruby then resolves that, once she finds the rest of her team and they return to Remnant, she'll make an effort to actually share the burden, so that something like Atlas will never happen again.

Weiss is paired up with the Curious Cat, a mysterious feline whose favorite hobby is asking a billion questions at once. Weiss quickly gets impatient with how easily distracted the Cat is, but since they're her only chance to find her way around the Ever After, Weiss deicdes to humor them, if only reluctantly. As they travel, the Cat asks a dozen questions about Remnant and Weiss herself, all of which Weiss answers rather unenthusiastically. Somehow the conversation shifts to Atlas, which dampens Weiss' mood even more. It gets worse when the topic of family comes up and the Cat, being really fond of dramatic stories, demands to know all about Weiss' different family members. This finally causes Weiss to snap, yelling at the Cat that this isn't important. The Cat innocently asks: "Family isn't important? Huh. I had quite the different impression." This causes Weiss to stop in her tracks, realizing what she just said, if unintentionally. She tries to backpedal that of course family is important. The Cat says "But just now, you said they were not." Weiss: "No, I didn't mean--! Not them, I just--" She sighs, slumping a little. She tells the Cat that things between her and her family are complicated, but of course that doesn't mean that Weiss doesn't care about them. She begins to talk about them, starting with her admiration for her big sister Winter and her grandfather Nicholas. She begins to stumble when talking about Willow and Whitley and finally goes quiet when mentioning Jacques. The Cat picks up on her discomfort and asks what's wrong. Weiss, after some hesitation, tells the Cat that her father was not a good man. He was arrogant and thought himself above others. He would discard anyone he couldn't use and just assume he knew what was best for the Schnee family. The Curious Cat agrees that Jacques sounds like a thoroughly unpleasant man. Then their face scrunches up in confusion and they ask: "Though there is one thing I'm.. curious about. If you dislike this man so much, why do you imitate him?" Weiss is baffled by this statement. Flustered, she tells the Cat that she is nothing like Jacques. She left her family and became a Huntress specifically so she'd never become the kind of person Jacques was and to repair the damage his actions have done to the Schnee family name. The Curious Cat points out, not unfriendly, that every negative trait of Jacques' Weiss has pointed out, she has herself demonstrated during their travel. She was rude and callous to them, until she realized the Cat could help her find her way. She acted like answering the Cat's questions was a nuisance and beneath her. And just a few minutes ago, she was yelling about how family was not important right now. And when she talked about Whitley and Willow, she was dismissive and almost apathetic, like the two of them didn't really matter. Weiss' face becomes more and more horrified as the Cat talks. She realizes the Cat is completely right. In her desperate effort to distance herself from her father, she not only pushed the rest of her family away too, she also adopted more and more of his mindset, without even realizing it. Weiss is at a loss for a long moment. Here she thought she'd left her Ice Queen days behind her, but really, she hasn't changed at all. When she tells the Curious Cat as much, the Cat simply tells her: "So change now. Times change and so do we when it's time for us to change. Don't you?" Weiss gives the Cat a smile and agrees. They continue walking and Weiss asks the cat if there is anything else they want to know.

((This going to be continued in a part 2, since apparently text posts have a word-limit of 4092. Who knew.))

[yams-here]

(Small epilogue for this because I had an idea but I' too lazy to draw it)

It was over.

It was all that Ruby could think.

It was the only thing making her feel slightly better after... Well, a LOT.

Beacon has fallen. Her friends are hurt. JNPR is but a broken team now. So many broken teams without their teamates to complete them anymore.

She sees that despite their tragedies, team RWBY came out remarkably lucky compared to everyone else.

She could at least take the small victory of not taking out one, but two people that had been, in the least, a pebble on her boots for a while.

Roman Torchwick is gone. He really is gone. Swallowed whole by a remarkably huge Griffon.

Maybe it got attracted to the despair Roman felt when Neo floated away.

That was one thought of many. Someone died and it was her fault. She was doing her best to rationalize it.

At least that someone was Roman Torchwick, and he wouldn't bother her again.

That's what she thought.

Until,

"Hello little Red."

She turned around quickly, to the voice that was oh so familiar, if now more raspy, pushed out of his lungs with an effort that wasn't there before, but with the same attitude as always.

Annoying.

But right now, it just felt like she was seeing a ghost.

A very ragged, dirty, mangled, and bowler hatless ghost.

It took her a second to realize that, logically, roman shouldn't be here, right in front of her.

"WHA- YOU- HOW??"

"So surprised to see me! You really have such little faith in your first arch nemesis?" He brings his hand to his chest, in mock offense.

He approches, limping. Now actually needing his cane.

He escaped the Griffon (which is quite impressive, she'll give him that.) But not unscathed. She doesn't even ready her weapon. If he tried using Melodic Cudgel as a gun right now he'd probably fall over.

"Now, little Red, as you can see, your little stunt did quite a number on me." He gets even closer. "But I'm not here to seek revenge."

"Wait- Huh?"

He hums, mockingly. "That's right Red, it's water under the bridge. I have a proposal you won't be able to resist."

The fact that he still kept up his showsmanship shenanigans even when he's in the brink of collapsing annoyed her, but she couldn't lie about being interested in what he had to say. She crosses her arms and gestures for him to keep going.

"You see, working for Cinder has been an annoyance at best and an actual health hazard at worst. I hate her and her minions- I don't hate them that much actually, but I couldn't care less for their plans."

Now THAT, got her attention "....Which are?"

"Ah, now that's the catch, isn't it red? I want something in exchange for that info. I'll even sweeten the deal, if that's what you need."

"....What could a guy like you want so much that he would just sell out his-" Friends didn't feel right. "...coworkers this easely?"

"I want her back."

Oh.

"That's right red. You may not have seen her face when she floated away- far where I can't reach her- but I did. And I want to know where she is. I want my best friend. My-" he pauses. He bites his lip. She swears she sees him tremble a little. "I want my partner in crime back."

Oh.

Ruby... definitely didn't expect that, but in hindsight, she feels a little stupid for not assuming they had a closer relationship than "coworkers".

But still... Roman? Loving Neo (seriously, NEO.) So much that he was willing to sell out everything just to have her back was... unexpected. If a tad sweet.

"So, will you take it?" He extends his hand, which he is clearly having a hard time holding up.

"...It's a deal, Torchwick." She shakes his hand, if only to put the man out of his misery. She was getting awkward.

"Good! Good. Then what are we waiting for? We have much to do." He walks ahead of her, as if he already had a plan for after she accepted his deal. He probably did.

She stares at the back of his head, thinking.

"...So is it really water under the bridge?"

"Hm?"

"Yknow...me being the reason Neo floated away in the first place?"

And what she doesn't expect, is for him to laugh.

A loud, mocking cackle, if a bit painful sounding from his internal injuries. She assumes some of his ribs didn't come out of his battles whole.

"Hard feelings? Oh, little red..."

Then he turns around.

Where once there was white in his eyes, there was a deep, dark color instead. His irises, small and focused, a deadly shade of green staring right at her, and his eye that was always covered, looked at her with an aim.

She knew he was looking at somewhere that would hurt.

"I'm fucking pissed about it."

Despite besting him in combat multiple times, she gulps.

"But a liar, cheater, stealer and survivor such as myself understands the concept of self defense."

And he starts walking foward again.

Foward to where Neo is.

Whatever state she is in.

And despite herself, she follows.

the one where roman didn't die because canon isn't there I Do Not See

[rachetmath]

Jaune vs Ships

Jaune was at a bar. He was staring at an empty glass and a bottle of whiskey. Jaune knowing what he was doing, pores the whisky out from the bottle to the glass until it was half full. He then proceeds to grab the cup and swirls whisky around until he saw it to be easier to drink. He was about to take sip until a certain blonde, using her metal arm to block his mouth. It was Yang along with everyone else who showed up to help the knight. However he was not amused to see them.

Jaune: What do you all want?

Yang: We don’t want you to make a mistake.

Jaune: I think I’m fine.

Yang: Look Jaune there are plenty of woman who would love to date you. You just got to-

Jaune: I’ve been talking to everyone here. I’m fine.

Yang: No you’re not.

Jaune: Yang, I come here everyday. True I smell like alcohol when I get home. But never get drunk.

Ren: That’s not the problem.

Jaune: Explain then.

Weiss: Jaune I know it’s hard. But look at me. I’m single and I’m happy.

Jaune: Ruby’s your girlfriend.

Weiss: Wait how-

Jaune: You sleep together. You know her preferences. What else?

Oscar: Jaune come on, I’m single but-

Jaune: Kid, for right now I surprised no person hasn’t thought of you to be crazy. Considering the Ozpin situation.

Oscar: Rude.

Emerald: Look Jaune I-

Jaune: You. Don’t talk to me. We still looking for your boyfriend.

Emerald: *blushes* He’s not my boyfriend!

Jaune: Cap. Anyways you guys are talking like your relationships make sense.

Nora: That’s because they do. We’re a match made heaven.

Jaune: Eh… not really. Ever relationship has flaws. And may not be as romantic as you think.

Nora: Oh please you didn’t even notice Pyrrha’s feeling towards you. You have no right to-

Jaune: Nora, I have both parents, but my childhood still sucked. Does that not explain something to you.

Nora: Oh.

Jaune: Plus, the fact I was trying to get you and Ren off Pyrrha’s back after Ruby already pressured to win the Vytal Festival. Did that not show that I cared about her? Like why else was I mad at Ozpin and Qrow besides maiden powers, relic and Salem’s immortality?

Nora: Oh my god…. You actually started liking her.

Jaune: Yeah. And unlike your boyfriend I was ready to make a move.

Guest: Oooooo. Burn.

Ren: Well at least I earned my credit.

Jaune: I cheated my way into Beacon, yet I was more prepared to do my job than you who was complaining despite his years of training.

Guest#2: Damn man, he’s really disrespecting you. In front of your girl no less.

Blake: Well me and Yang are okay.

Jaune: Mm.

Yang: What?

Jaune: I mean I get what I was doing with Weiss was wrong but Yang down bad.

Yang: Excuse me?!

Blake: Jaune, you are stepping out of line.

Jaune: I mean I’m just saying what has Blake done for you? I mean you got her out of her funk with the White Fang. You risked your arm for her. And saved her when Adam came looking for and was about to kill her. What has she done specifically for you Yang?

Yang: She came back to me.

Jaune: And that’s it. Yang she came back. Then brought trouble. We went to Atlas. You and her told Robyn everything and caused us more trouble. She then went with your sister instead of being by your side. Are you not seeing this?

Blake: I tried to save her.

Jaune: And you failed.

Yang: Well at least I don’t carry a sash of my dead not girlfriend.

Jaune: At least this proved I could have had a girlfriend. It took you taking another man’s life to get you’re girlfriend.  Guess your red line of fate is pathed in Adam’s blood.

Guest#3: Oh now that is dark.

Yang: … … … …

Blake: … … … ….

Weiss: Um Jaune-

Jaune: Good luck. And I’ll pray you don’t die.

Weiss: Look I know Ruby can-

Jaune: She is reckless as all hell. You know it to be true.

Qrow: Look kid-

Jaune: Like Emerald, don’t talk to me. You barely have nor can hold any relationship with anyone. Like Ozpin.

Qrow: *silent*

Oscar(Ozpin): Mr. Arc, like you youngster say, “We can throw these hands.”

Jaune: Look the sad truth is ya’ll just lucky you even have someone to care for. I lost that due to Ozpin and Salem silent divorce war. I had to kill Penny, who might as well have been an innocent person, due to the fact she thought Ruby was gone. She never saw me as a friend and even if she did, it still hurt. Especially if I just got over Pyrrha.

Ruby: Jaune I’m sorry-

Jaune: Bitch I don’t need your apology. That is worthless for the crap you’ve done. Listen, Ren and Nora, your relationship is descent, but if Ren ain’t bringing nothing to the table and is as thick headed like a tree then ya’ll should have stayed friends, especially since you’ve been together all your lives. As friends. You telling me about these girls and women out there, but there are plenty of guys too, willing to date you. Ren doesn’t have to be the only one.

Nora: Hm. *thinking*

Guest#2: Ah oh. Good luck man. She’s thinking.

Jaune: Yang, I get Blake coming back was good. But the problem is what has she done for you after bringing her bull shit towards you. Like has she come in your time of need? Has she ever helped you physically and emotionally? I’m just saying, Weiss can do you better.

Yang: … … … Um. Wow.

Guest#3: Oh my gosh, this man….

Jaune:  Now, let me drink in peace. I only here for 30 minutes and I have 15 left.  

[thornedrose44]

Prompt: "Do it. Take a chance, I'm begging you. You don't want to spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been."

Read on AO3

“What is it?” Kara huffed out, her frustration finally reaching critical mass.

“What’s what?” Alex replied, playing dumb by pretending to study the DEO’s monitors far too intently considering Kara had literally just dispatched the rogue villain of the week.

Kara crossed her arms, hip cocked forward slightly as she leant against the central console, blue eyes observing her sister's profile closely.

“Whatever you’re not telling me because you think it will upset me.” The superhero clarified bluntly, her social hesitation and uncertainty having dampened over the last few years.

She had learnt the hard way how important it was to never shy away from the truth and avoid speaking around the heart of the matter. It was a lesson she had absorbed completely, and it was one she refused to forget - needing to prove she had evolved, had bettered herself from the version that had required teaching in the first place.

“I’m not…” Alex refuted, shrugging dismissively but keeping her gaze trained forward, “There’s no-“

“Look, I’m asking you out of courtesy,” Kara cut in, “but you and I both know that I could just as easily ask Nia, and she would fold almost instantly.”

Alex grumbled irritably under her breath - Nia still had yet to build an effective resistance to Kara’s puppy dog eyes and this particular weakness had caused no small amount of trouble for Alex over the last five years.

“It is Lena related, right?” Kara checked, though it was completely unnecessary.

For Alex to actively try and keep a secret from her, it couldn’t be about anything else. And it had been more or less confirmed by her sister's reaction to her threatening to go to Nia.

“Just because I’m keeping a secret, doesn’t automatically mean it’s to do with Lena.” Alex tried, though the conviction behind her statement was weaker than wet tissue paper.

The redhead side-eyed her and Kara merely had to arch an unimpressed eyebrow in return for the DEO director to deflate.

“Okay maybe it’s a little to do with Lena.” Alex admitted with a wince, rubbing the back of her neck in defeat.

Kara threw her hands up in exasperation. “It’s been over five years, okay? I’m fine!”

Her bellowed declaration of stability, made the nearby DEO agents look over with a mix of curiosity and concern. Kara grimaced at the reaction and as such didn’t resist when Alex grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the central room and into her private office.

Alex turned to face her fully, lips pressed tight together and hands firm on her own hips (it had always annoyed Kara that Alex managed to make her signature superhero pose far more intimidating than her own attempts).

“Yelling I’m fine, definitely helps your case.” Alex retorted, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kara had the good grace to look suitably embarrassed for a moment before launching into the same variation of the speech she gave every time there was a morsel of Lena news to be had. “I screwed up, okay? Big time screwed up - ‘regret it for the rest of my life’ screwed up!” Kara declared prompting a beleaguered sigh from her sister who knew the blatant lie that was coming next. “But I’ve made my peace with it. I won’t spiral into another depressive episode when I hear how happy she is.”

Alex shook her head, not even remotely convinced - not that Kara could blame her, the last time Alex had been pestered into telling her a Lena update, Kara had spent a weekend on a drinking binge that had successfully proven that there were limits even for a kryptonian.

“I don’t think-“ Alex began.

“What is it?” Kara demanded. “Is she getting another medal from the president?”

Alex shook her head, jaw clenching and unclenching. “Kara, you don’t want to know this.”

“Her and Kal save the world again?” Kara barrelled on, her lips curling into a jealous snarl. “The greatest Luthor and Super duo continue to make the world a better place?”

That particular news article had been printed and burned by Kara’s heat vision more times than she dared admit to anyone.

“Kara, please-“ Alex begged, expression crumpling as Kara relentlessly pushed.

“Tell me, I can take it.” Kara proclaimed, voice coming out high pitched and strained. “Is she dating someone again? Another famous actress? That Olympic male gymnast? What-“

“She’s getting married.”

A bomb must have gone off, Kara thought to herself.

A kryptonite bomb.

It was the only thing that could explain the ringing in her ears, and the way everything just… hurt.

A shard of kryptonite must have pierced her chest and cut her heart into jagged pieces. That was the only thing that could explain it.

“What?” She questioned, barely above a whisper. She didn’t quite recognise her own voice - it sounded shattered and unfamiliar. She also didn’t know what she was asking.

Didn’t know what ‘what’ was all about.

What just happened?

What did you say?

What post-apocalyptic reality are we living in now?

“Next week, she’s getting married.” Alex explained, giving Kara answers she no longer wanted. “Sam, Ruby, Kal and Lois are invited.”

She knew it should sting. Not being invited even though they hadn’t spoken in nearly five years. That she should feel something about the fact that Lena had omitted Alex, Brainy, Nia and J’onn as well - it further reinforced how Lena believed them to be Kara’s friends and never hers (which was one of the things Kara regretted most - how her poor treatment of Lena had infected and destroyed everyone else’s friendship with the youngest Luthor).

“To who?” Kara asked, tone cold, hollow… empty.

“Kara,” Alex murmured softly, reaching out to comfort her sister, “this clearly isn’t good for you.”

Kara jerked backwards so fast that the papers on Alex’s desk shot into the air, fluttering down around the sisters like snow.

“Just tell me!” Kara ordered, hands turned into white knuckle fists at her sides that would be capable of tearing through the strongest of metals. Her eyes heated but she managed to stave the fire in them as she glowered at her sister.

Alex slumped back, leaning heavily against her desk, running a frantic hand through her short hair. “Does it matter?” Alex muttered defeatedly, brown eyes filled with pity and sympathy as she stared up into Kara’s eyes.

“Of course it fucking matters,” Kara snapped in outrage before she had a chance to stop and think , “because it’s not me!”

The admission hung heavy and rotting between them. It wasn’t a revelation to either of them, though the fact that the intensity of Kara’s feelings hadn’t dampened despite the separation of half a decade was.

“Kara…” Alex breathed, standing back up and moving towards the blonde with the obvious intent of hugging her.

“I should get back to CatCo.” Kara mumbled, cheeks a fiery red with shame. She stepped hurriedly away from her sister and was already halfway out the door before she halted, turning back to call out a sad yet sincere. “Thanks for telling me.”

Xxx

“I genuinely don’t get why you love these films so much.” Lena remarked, hands cupping her just made cup of cocoa, nose adorably scrunched up as she snuggled back down on the sofa beside Kara, who didn’t hesitate to wrap an arm around her best friend’s shoulders.

“They’re sweet and romantic.” Kara replied with a happy sigh, turning to nuzzle into the side of Lena’s head for a fleeting moment as the film’s lead started her joyful march down the aisle. “It makes me hopeful.”

“Hopeful?” Lena repeated curiously, leaning away slightly so she could meet Kara’s blue eyes.

Kara shrugged, ducking her head bashfully, “It’s stupid.”

“Hey,” Lena murmured gently, freeing a hand from her mug so that she could interlace her warmed fingers with Kara’s, “you could never be stupid, especially not about something like this.” Her best friend asserted, before asking seriously, “You want the classic big white wedding?”

“Uh…” Kara blushed, cheeks pinking as her mind struggled to kick into gear.

She didn’t know how to tell Lena that the reason she loved weddings more than any other event is because they so closely resembled Kryptonian Bonding ceremonies. That the exchanging of rings, polished everlasting metal, reminded her of wonderfully crafted bracelets clasped on wrists. That it was an occasion for family to join together across generations, for the rare flashes of art and music on Krypton to take centre stage over cold science.

She didn’t know how to tell Lena that after being alone, abandoned and lost - ripped away from her home in the cruelest of ways - that the idea of belonging to someone else, of having a home in someone else regardless of time or location was what Kara wanted more than anything else.

She didn’t know how to tell Lena because it would require admitting the truth of who she really was, it would require taking accountability for years of lies.

She didn’t know how to tell Lena without losing her forever.

“Yeah.” Kara coughed awkwardly, “I want the whole thing. Beautiful dress, surrounded by family… the love of my life at the end of the aisle. Everything.” She shot Lena a side-long glance, “I’m guessing you don’t?”

“Never really been my thing,” Lena admitted readily and Kara’s heart twisted at how Lena didn’t hesitate to bare herself, how she gave all of herself when it could be argued that Kara - at best - only gave half, “probably because I can’t imagine I have enough people in my life to invite and feel ‘surrounded’.” Lena pursed her lips thoughtfully, “I also don’t get the need for the spectacle. Just the idea that there’s someone out there that would want to…” Kara watched her best friend deflate, expression wistful and pained, “be with me, love me like that… that’s more than enough.”

Kara’s eyes stung with barely suppressed tears at how little Lena thought of herself. Whoever had the privilege of marrying her best friend would be the single luckiest and most fortunate person in the universe and Kara wished Lena knew that, wished she believed it. But when she opened her mouth to say it, to proclaim it, her breath faltered and her courage abandoned her… like it always did with the youngest Luthor.

“So no white dress?” Kara muttered instead, voice meek and lacking the lightheartedness that should have carried the question.

It didn’t matter, though, Lena let out a quick exhale that resembled something on the edge of laughter. Kara’s escalating heart rate settled at that, however, it did little to alleviate the pang of regret that was steadily accompanying all her interactions with the CEO.

“Well, I guess I could be convinced by someone special.” Lena teased, shooting Kara an overtly salacious wink that wouldn’t - on the surface - be considered genuine.

“Anyone that marries you will have to be special.” Kara replied, the statement tumbling out instantly.

It wasn’t the heartfelt confession that Kara wished it to be and it wasn’t quite light enough to be dismissed as a friendly reassurance. Instead, it was yet another thing that fell into the ethereal greyness that lied between them, something to tuck away and think back on late at night when they tried to work out if the other meant it the way they wished they did.

“Yeah?” Lena whispered, piercing green eyes studying Kara’s face closely.

Kara swallowed thickly, “Yeah.”

Xxx

Lena found out less than six weeks after that movie night. They defeated Lex and Kara had been on the edge of breathing easy, of being able to simply relax back into her life when it all came crashing down.

They had been at Games Night and Kara had been antsy, waiting for her best friend to arrive. The thought of pulling Lena into a hug had been what she had been looking forward to most all day.

Kara was at peace, laughing and drinking with her friends - her family - when Lena had arrived. Kara had beamed up at her immediately and for a second Lena’s entrancing green eyes lit up in return before turning dark and distant.

Kara’s smile faltered, crinkle appearing between her brows when-

The wine bottle smashed into the wall behind Kara’s head.

Deathly silence fell over the area.

Kara looked into hollow, emptied out versions of her favourite green. She would have preferred anger, fury, rage… the defeated nothingness staring back at the Kryptonian was far worse.

Lena turned and left, grinding Kara’s heart to dust and taking the sand particles left with her.

She knew.

She knew because Lex had told her.

She knew because she had gone to stop her brother, intent on saving the world like always only to find out that those she was saving the world for didn’t view her as their equal. That the people she treated as family had kept her on the outskirts. That her best friend had lied, had manipulated, had-

xxx

It was Lois that found out everything from Lena.

When the fallout had happened, as Kara and the Superfriends realised what they had lost, the blonde hero sent notice to her cousin that his identity was probably known as well (mostly because she remembered how hurt she had been when Kal shared her secret without her consent). Kal and Lois had arrived almost immediately, frantic and terrified (especially with baby Jon to consider) at the concept of a Luthor knowing their identity.

Kara, joined by all the Superfriends, quickly put their minds to rest, sharing Lena’s actions from before, her dependability, kindness and inherent goodness. Kal and Lois were convinced their secret was safe but they were horrified to hear how Lena had been isolated and kept at arms length after her considerable good deeds. Alex and the others had squirmed uncomfortably and tried to weakly talk around their hesitancy.

Kal and Lois had simply looked at Kara for an explanation but she had none. Yet again the words would not come.

It was Lois, therefore, that had sought out the youngest Luthor and through her incredible tenacity was able to gain access where everyone else was rebuffed and harshly rejected.

It was Lois that comforted Lena, gave her support and sympathy.

It was Lois that relayed Lena’s demand that they give her space.

It was Lois that suggested Lena return to Metropolis - presenting it as a way to celebrate how L-Corp, after Lena’s repeated sacrifices and heroism, was fully rehabilitated and ready to reclaim its once home.

It was Lois that encouraged Lena and Kal to work together becoming an unstoppable force that Kara and Lena had always danced on the precipice of.

A Luthor and a Super. Saving the world.

xxx

Kara did as asked. Gave Lena space. Or at least the semblance of space.

She checked in constantly, hovered nearby throughout the days and nights leading upto L-Corp’s departure and Lena along with it. She followed Lena’s jet to Metropolis, a sentinel ensuring safe passage.

She kept her distance for three months. Three months of stony silence before she broke.

Snapped, more like.

Landing on Lena’s new balcony in Metropolis that had been specially built for Superman this time - not for her, though Kara, at the time, had hoped that she had been considered consciously or unconsciously as well.

Kara couldn’t remember the exact words.

She remembered crying from beginning to end.

Remembered ‘I loved you’ - past tense.

Remembered finally breaking through Lena’s cold, hardened shell to the raw, bleeding wound hidden underneath and regretting it almost immediately.

Remembered how seeing Lena’s agony was worse than kryptonite, worse than watching Krypton burn…

Remembered Lena saying she needed time to heal, for Kara to stop hovering nearby - because she knew, she sensed Kara’s presence even without seeing her once - and to give her time to stop thinking of Kara and feeling only pain when she did so.

Remembered promising to do just that.

Remembered a timer starting to count in her head - the seconds that she would be condemned to purgatory.

Remembered the hope that just refused to go out - the hope that whispered give it time, give it time, give it time with every beat of her heart.

Remembered thinking that given enough time Lena would reach out and they would get the chance that Kara had almost destroyed for them.

Remembered flying zig-zagged and dangerous to Alex where her endless stream of tears returned to full flow as she sobbed into her sister’s shoulder using words and phrases like ‘heartbroken’ and ‘I love her’ and ‘I can’t survive this pain’ and ‘what do I do?’ and ‘I can’t breathe’.

Remembered a hollowed out shell of Kara Danvers moving through the motions for a year, for two, three, four… five...

Remembered taking up drinking to excess whenever she saw Lena’s life flourish and grow - not because she didn’t want Lena to be happy, that was what Kara wanted and wished for more than anything - because she wasn’t there with her for those life-changing events.

Remembered Alex and Kelly’s worries growing with each occurrence, intervening more and more to such a degree that they encouraged Kara to consider AA meetings - she did eventually, and found destroying entire junkyards to be a healthier coping mechanism, external destruction rather than internal.

Remembered Brainy at the behest of Alex, setting up Kara’s phone and computer to prevent searching for any keywords affiliated to Lena and to alert Alex if Kara ever managed to stumble upon a news article.

Remembered listening to Kal and Lois skipping large parts of stories where it was clear that Lena was involved - it was nice in some way to know Lena was getting the credit she deserved, but it hurt when Kal’s stories started to involve gaps at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year (events that made Kara’s loneliness even more acute and her longing intensify).

Remembered her life without Lena.

Remembered regret and guilt and loss.

Remembered-

“She’s getting married.”

xxx

Kara shouldn’t have been there. Shouldn’t be anywhere in the vaguest vicinity of where she currently was.

The bride was dressed in a simple silky white shift, sipping intermittently from her champagne glass as she stared contemplatively up at the designer white dress hanging off the door in front of her. Raven locks were pinned up, so tight and intricate that it made Kara wince sympathetically at how it must tug and pinch at the bride’s scalp - she’d always preferred it down, loose and curling… soft and inviting. The bride’s make-up was artistic with a dramatic edge that would captivate but made her look… not like herself in Kara’s opinion.

Or maybe after five years it made Lena look more like herself - the version of herself she had become once free of Kara and all the pain she brought into her life.

She was hovering outside the dressing room window, trying to work out how far she was willing to take this. If it would be better to leave without saying anything, to try and leave some part of Lena’s life unspoiled.

It was the fear that she had always given into when she was best friends with Lena that made her decision for her. Like speaking her truth and learning to ask for what she wanted - Kara had also promised herself that she would never allow that bone deep fear to stop her ever again.

The window was open and it was as good an invite as Kara was ever going to get.

“Lena?”

The beautiful bride-to-be jerked in her place, champagne glass nearly tumbling to the floor but saved at the last second.

She didn’t turn around for a beat… then two…

Kara was just about to escape back through the window when Lena exhaled slowly and pivoted round to meet her.

“Kara?” Lena breathed out, green eyes closed off and wary.

The kryptonian studied the love of her life for a moment, taking in every little detail - soaking it all up as if accepting that this would be the last time she might ever get to see it again. That the timer that had counted past five years would stop after this moment, the hope powering it gone forever.

“Don’t marry them, please.” Kara requested, no flowery language, no build up. Just the honest truth.

“What?” Lena’s jaw dropped and the champagne glass didn’t survive the second shock, crashing to the ground - released by trembling fingers.

“Don’t marry them.” Kara repeated, uncaring of how the carpet below them soaked up the amber liquid.

Lena’s expression flitted through an array of emotions before settling on indignant rage, “And why the hell not?!”

Kara didn’t flinch, didn’t retreat, instead she stood taller, the crest of her super suit catching the early afternoon light. “Because it should have been me. It still should be me.”

Lena scoffed in disbelief, “You can’t be serious. Now? You’re doing this now?”

Kara pursed her lips, fighting back the regret that always came with the reminders of countless missed opportunities. “Yes.”

The straightforwardness of Kara’s answers seemed to be throwing Lena, leaving her wrong-footed, clearly expecting the blonde to talk around and hint and imply like she used to.

But Kara had learnt. (The lesson had been too painful not to.)

“You had years, Kara!” Lena argued, “Years where I…. I threw myself at you. Practically begged you to love me… to trust me…”

“I know.” Kara replied sadly, wanting desperately to reach out when Lena’s pretty green eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. “I know. But I’m here now.”

“I don’t want you to be.” Lena muttered, arms crossed over her chest and head ducked downwards to hide her expression.

“I know that too.” Kara assured, fingers twitching with the desire to make contact, to comfort and coax - even after all these years her body remembered, the pathways of hardwired instinct related to her best friend were still there, still active even if temporarily closed for service.

“Then why are you here?” Lena murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

“Because I’m in love with you.”

Lena’s head snapped up at that, green eyes like saucers.

Kara’s single biggest regret was that she had never said those words to Lena before, had alluded and pointed at them during their final interaction but had never outright said them. And Lena had deserved to hear them then and deserved to hear them now to forever vanquish the doubts that had always been with her.

“Because I’m in love with you and we didn’t get our chance.” Kara affirmed, taking a half step closer to the bride, her red heeled boots and Lena’s bare feet meaning the younger woman had to tip her head ever so slightly back to maintain eye contact. “We didn’t get our chance because of me. Because I was afraid, I was so afraid of losing you. Of doing even the slightest thing that could mean you weren’t in my life. And in the end every action I took out of fear of losing you ensured just that. I’ve spent five years without you, Lena, and I can’t bear a single day more.”

“Kara,” Lena whispered, “I’m getting married.”

“I know.” Kara smiled sadly before adding, “Don’t.”

“What are you suggesting? Seriously?” Lena sighed, shaking her head mournfully and Kara knew she was losing her then.

“I’m suggesting that we have our chance now before it's gone forever.”

Gathering the small amount of courage Kara had left, she tentatively let her hands nudge forwards, brushing against Lena’s cool, pale fingers. That small contact was everything. Made it easier to breathe, made the colours of the world more vibrant, made everything just more.

“I let fear hold me back from the person that made me happiest in the entire universe and I won’t let it hold me back again.”

“Kara…” Lena whimpered, glancing back over her shoulder at the closed door that her wedding dress was displayed on, though she didn’t pull her hand away from Kara’s touch, didn’t flinch or retreat.

“Do it.” Kara pleaded, stepping across that final slither of distance between them, her forehead leaning forward to rest gently against the side of Lena’s, “Take a chance, I’m begging you. You don’t want to spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been.”

Lena inhaled shakily, head returning to forward facing - foreheads pressed against one another, breathing in the same air - and then… and then…

Lena’s hands slipped fully into Kara’s, fingers intertwining together.

[sparklingchan]

Ruby Eyes|| Seo Changbin (Stray Kids)

Pairing : Reader(fem.) X Changbin

Word count : 7.3k+ 

Warnings : Mention of an accident, cuss words, divorce, a single kiss.

Genre : Romance, Soulmate AU, fluff, angst, best friends to lovers.

Description: Seo Changbin has done everything in his capacity to remove and replace you, yet fate seems to have different plans for the both of you.

A/N : Hello everyone ahhh I know it’s been so long y’all. So many things have been going on including exams and internships and I just didn’t have the patience to write :(( This one shot was written as a part of a collab event by wonderful, dear Ro! 

I hope y’all like it!

"So, how's it being back, y/n?"

Your dad looks older now than he did the last time you saw him - probably two years ago, when you were leaving the country.

You missed him, really. You missed his warmth and his wisdom and how he was a sharp contrast to your mother, more calm and composed. Sometimes you wonder how your mother had even managed to get your custody after their divorce.

"Okay, I guess." You lie.

You didn't want your father to know how your feelings are all over the place, ranging from sadness to anger and longingness.

It's a weird thing to be experiencing such a cocktail of emotions when you'd convinced yourself these feelings had disappeared the day you left the old neighborhood, seven years ago. You had not felt any attachment towards the new neighborhood that you and your mother then went on to live for the next two years before you moved abroad for your studies. Yet you feel nostalgic now, as your father drives you through your old old neighborhood.

"How's mom?" He asks, taking a left to a road all too familiar to you, "Is she still going to therapy?"

You nod, "She's getting better, I think. The new country seems to have changed her. The therapy is helping too. She has many friends there now. "

At first when you were offered a job at one of the biggest publishing companies in the world, you were ecstatic. But everything soon died down when you found out you were posted at a branch in the country you'd left behind. It was your mother who'd convinced you to take it.

"I know you don't like being back, y/n." Your dad smiles sadly when he pulls over infront of your old house.The house that contains years of secrets, tears, lies and whispered confessions in front of the mirror stands in front of you, as grand and pretty as ever. It looks different but similar enough to make you tear up a tad bit.

"But I'm glad you're here. I really am." He says, "I renovated the house a little when you told me you were moving back. I hope it's okay."

You smile at the old man, wrapping your arms around him, "Thanks, dad. I missed you. I'm glad you're here, too."

He pecks your forehead, "I missed you, too, love."

Moving in doesn't take a lot of time since your dad had already set up everything. You just had to get some of your stuff and you were ready to kick start your stay.

That evening, your father leaves after making you promise to call him if anything happens at all and when the front door closes, you find yourself in the company of your old room.

You lie on your bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as you hum an old tune to yourself. And without meaning to, you find yourself thinking about him; The man you hadn't seen or talked to for a whole seven years. The man who'd tried his best to stay in touch with you yet gave up when you didn't reciprocate the same.

A horrific realization then dawns on you,

He'd obviously replaced you now.

The familiar clouds of grief loom over you, threatening to engulf you any moment now.

No. Not now, please.

Getting up from your bed immediately, you shake your head as you make your way to the mirror- the mirror that had encountered more honest tears and smiles and words than any human ever had. You stare at your reflection as tears escapes your eyes, the bright red iris of your right eye staring back at you when you rub your tears off.

You shiver.

"Shit, I forgot to wear the contacts."

Quickly grabbing your lenses from your bag, you put them on, concealing the scary blood red color of your right eye. You take two long strides across the room and pulling your favorite black hoodie over your head, you walk out of the door.

By the time you manage to leave the house, it's already 10:30 in the evening. A quiet calmness has fallen over the town, as the shops and restaurants near the market square slowly start closing up. Your feet are as if on autopilot, taking you to that one place you know would still be open; Yang's Café.

And rightly so, the smell of freshly brewed coffee reaches your nostrils when you walk through their main door, past the group of chatty teenagers waiting outside. This place hasn't changed much, you realize, the brown and golden hues of the place and the vintage coffee cups collection in the far corner of the Cafe are still the same. The only difference is that you're no longer here with your best friend right after school, you are here all alone on an evening too quiet for your liking.

"Y/n? Is that you?"

When you turn around to face the owner of the voice, you are stunned.

"Jeongin?"

Jeongin's family has owned this Cafe for three generations now, from his great-grandparents, his grandparents, his parents and soon enough it'll pass down to him. As a kid, you remember often playing with Jeongin at the park and teaming up with him during quiz competition. He was always sweet and always smiley.

But the handsome young man that stands in front of you doesn't resemble the Jeongin you once used to know, not even a little bit.

"What..what happened to you!" You exclaim, taking his face in your hands, "Where are the braces! And the specs and wow, would you look at the blue hair!"

Jeongin can only let out a few giggles as you continue squishing his face and complaining how big he's grown in only over seven years.

The customers give you weird stares but only the heavens above know how genuinely happy you are to see Jeongin, albeit the fact you almost couldn't recognize him there for a second.

"What have you done to my child?" You mutter when you've finally calmed down and Jeongin takes you to your seat.

"I have a mother, y/n, thank you very much," he laughs, taking a seat opposite to yours, loosening the Barista apron around his torso, "And I missed you too."

You attempt to pinch his cheeks but he is quick to dodge.

"So how have you been?" He asks through giggly breaths.

You sigh, "I'm good... I feel weird being back here, honestly but I think I'll get used to it soon. What about you?"

"I've been good. Graduated a few months back, now I'm working here full time." He ushers over a waiter, "What would you like, y/n?"

You don't even think for a second while responding, "An iced Americano, please."

The waiter notes your order and walks away before Jeongin pinches your arm teasingly.

"Ouch. What?"

"Old habits die hard, huh? You always used to drink an iced coffee whenever we hung out here. I am glad to see nothing much has changed," Jeongin laughs, "You and Changbin, too!"

That one name sends your entire mind into a frenzy. Changbin. Seo Changbin. The love of your life. The man who you wouldn't even go to school without, the man who had saved you from a terrible accident, also the man who probably no longer even remembers you.

And you realise, despite everything, your heart yearns for him, still- for you wouldn't be in so much pain at the mention of his name otherwise.

Jeongin seems to have noticed your discomfort because he immediately changes the topic, "Anyway, you have to try our new chocolate cake. It's heavenly, I'm telling you."

Your reason to leave the neighborhood wasn't a secret, really. It was public knowledge that your mother had blamed Changbin for the fatal accident you almost had.

You're grateful for what Jeongin does, and try your best to engage in conversations about the neighborhood and old gossip you'd missed out on. Yet all you want to do is drive out of the damn Cafe and find changbin.

"Y/n?"

Or maybe, Changbin will find you.

Behind Jeongin, you see the blurry image of a man that had once caused you great misery yet you had never felt as happy as when you were with him.

"Hi..hi, Changbin." You stammer as you see the said man walk towards your table.

The seven years have as if done some magic on him, because the Changbin that walks towards you in no way resembles your high school best friend.

With thick buff arms, new ear piercings and silver jewelry gracing his wrists and fingers, you have a hard time actually accepting the fact that Seo Changbin is really there, in front of you.

"Been long, huh?" He grins, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes and somewhere in the depths of your conscience, you realize it might have been your fault. You'd done everything in your capacity to break apart from this friendship, ignoring his calls, changing your number, even going as far as blocking him on all social media.

So, did you really expect him to welcome you back with open arms when you had caused him so much pain?

Jeongin brings an extra chair for Changbin to sit on and soon, the three of you are talking, maybe not like the old, happy days but it's still better than nothing. Changbin looks at you everytime you throw your head back and laugh, your eyes squeezing shut as his heart clenches in his chest.

You are really back home.

"So what have you been doing? I told you guys about me." Jeongin says, stealing a bite off of Changbin's cheesecake.

"Oh..you know," Changbin giggles, the tip of his ears turning a light pink shade.

You raise your eye brows in confusion.

"Been busy with the wedding and all."

Your heart drops. "Wedding? W-whose wedding?" You try to laugh it off but it's very evident from the way you're gripping your glass of iced Americano that it has affected you. A lot more than you actually thought.

"I'm getting married, y/n," Changbin smiles, "I'm so glad you could be around for the wedding."

*

Your grief stricken self has not gotten up from the bed since last night and you're thankful to Jeongin for finally checking up on you or else you would have gone deeper into the spiral hole of despair.

"Are you really going to be like this, y/n?"

You hate being miserable on the very second day of your stay. You hate depending on Jeongin. But you can barely move without bursting out into tears,so it seems as though there's no better idea than have someone take care of you at the moment.

"I'm sorry, Jeongin. " You manage to speak when he places a bag full of snacks and drinks on the dining table, "And thanks."

Jeongin chuckles, "Don't thank me, just yet. Guess who wants to meet up with you?"

Your eyes widen for a split second as you sit up on the couch, "Who?!"

No, he wouldn't, would he?

"It's not the person you think, y/n. Calm down." He laughs, "It's Bang Chan. Your senior, you remember?"

Oh, yes, the infamous Bang Chan. Shy smiles, dimples, curly hair, angelic eyes. Yeah, you remember the school's heartthrob. Very clearly.

"I was talking to him this morning and he said he'd be very glad to catch up with you again." Jeongin settles beside you, "It's not a date, y/n. He's an old friend. It wouldn't hurt, would it? You can't possibly sit here all day long crying about him."

You open your mouth to argue, but only air slips out and you realise you don't have anything to defend your miserable state with. You knew this was coming; when you cut off all ties with Seo Changbin, you knew this was coming.

Jeongin is right; you need to go out and meet new people.

You roll your eyes before pinching Jeongin's cheeks, "Fine. Give him my number."

He responds by pulling your cheeks as well.

*

The first day of work is weirdly gut wrenching.

You hadn't expected yourself to be this nervous but here you are, muttering under your breath as you make way towards the office.

"You'll be okay, y/n," you breathe in, "You've worked hard for this." And breathe out.

A few more minutes of self pep talking and you see all your hard work and expectations go down the drain as you feel a few droplets of rain fall onto your head. You look up and the dark, heavy clouds greet you.

Bloody brilliant.

You see the office goers around you jog quickly to the nearest shelter but you're short on luck today as your gaze falls on your watch and you realize you don't have enough time to wait for the rain to pass.

So you grab your office bag, cover your head with that and make a run for it.

The sole of your high heel shoes dig into your feet and a throbbing pain shoots through your body, as you wince. Note to yourself - never wear heels to office again.

You also secretly pray to the gods that your contact lens don't get washed off. Turning up at your new office on the first day with a blood red iris doesn't feel too fun, really.

"Do you need a lift?"

You had been so busy running to your office that you don't notice when a black car drives toward you and the driver rolls down the window, offering you a smile.

Seo Changbin.

Your heart skips a few beats.

"Y/n, do you need a lift?"

You blink back to reality when he clicks his fingers in front of you, "I-I mean if that's okay with you."

Changbin smiles, pointing to the passenger's seat, "Come on in."

When you're comfortably seated in his car, using his spare towel to wipe off the water from your face and hair, his questions start-

"So.." He steps on the break when the traffic light turns red, "How have you been?"

You look at the digital clock displayed on the cars' LED, and sigh. You're late to work and you're stuck in traffic with the one man you'd rather not be stuck in traffic with. Brilliant.

"Good." Your eyes are focused on the cars outside the window, "You?"

There's a moment of silence before he speaks again, "Fine."

Fine? Just Fine? Shouldn't he be over the clouds, now that the wedding is finally around the corner?

"Okay.."

"Actually, I meant to ask you earlier, y/n." He turns to you, a gentle smile playing at his lips, "I am throwing a party this weekend. I'd love it if you could come by. And I could introduce you to her."

You sink back into your seat, biting your lip, wondering if you want to ever know who her is. Your peace of mind is more important than meeting your ex crush's fiance, right? And if you do end up going to the party, whom would you hang out with? It's not like you know any of his rich friends and cousins and there's no way you'd hang out with Changbin and the said fiance.

You are about to respectfully reject the invitation when a sudden, seemingly good idea pops into your head.

Bang Chan.

You nod, shrugging, "Okay. I'll be there."

You clasp your hands together as he continues driving and you look out the window, unable to suppress the bubbling excitement.

"Great, then." He replies, suspiciously.

*

The evening of the party finally arrives, much to your dismay, you find yourself seated next to Chan. He's just the same as the guy in your memory; a gentleman.

"You look pretty, y/n." He had greeted you as he held the car door open for you, "I'm glad we could meet up."

His words turn your cheeks into a darker shade of red but your heart doesn't beat quite as furiously as you'd expect it to.

Muttering a small thank you, you seat comfortably in the car while Chan drives towards Changbin's family's old Farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. You've been there before - during summer holidays, he would take you there with his family. That place was only filled with happy memories of sunshine, swimming pools, watermelon juice and bonfires.

You swallow the grief that comes along with these memories.

"Are we here already?" Chan pulls over in a familiar driveway not even ten minutes later, jogging up to your door and clicking it open, like the gentleman he is.

"Yeah, we're here." Chan smiles, "Very less traffic tonight."

You guys walk through the huge metallic gate, making your way through the main door of the house.

"Uh..." People are crowded mostly around the front door and in the front yard, so you and Chan have to push and squeeze your way into the Farmhouse. You hate the feeling of sweaty bodies pressing against you (or holding Chan's hand for stability) but desperate situations call for desperate measures.

"I hate it here." You mutter when you later find yourself by the pool side, swirling the drink that you don't even plan on drinking and looking at all the flushed faces having the time of their lives.

Thankfully, Chan happens to be on the same boat as you.

"I'm sorry I dragged you here, Chan. We could have just gone for a movie."

Chan giggles, "Hey, it's alright. I don't mind, I'm glad I could spend some time with you after so many years."

His eyes shine and dimples deepen.

You whisper, "Yeah, me too."

Chan is a handsome man, good at all kinds of sport, good at arts, very smart and intelligent yet there's a part of you that knows you'd never be able to reciprocate his flirtatious words. It's sad, really, but that's just how life is.

"Wow, those two seem to be having the time of their lives." Chan chuckles, pointing at someone behind you.

It's quite dark outside, the only source of light being a few decorative fairylights hung at random places haphazardly.

Hiding behind a huge, tall bush, you see a couple, kissing each other like it were the last day on the planet.

The guy's hands roam all over the woman's body and the woman is so loud that even you could hear her sighs and moans. When she pulls away to catch her breath for a second, Chan asks you, "You know her?"

"Nope. I don't know either of them."

You look away; what kind of creep looks at a happy couple like that? (Not a creep, just a lonely and touch starved person)

"Should we check out the dinner table?" Chan suggests and you agree with a nod, "I hope there's no crowd there."

As expected, there actually isn't a crowd there - there's only Changbin, sitting and nibbling on a pizza slice while scrolling through the phone.

The moment your eyes land on him, your feet as if stop on their own and your heart bangs furiously against your chest.

He's breathtakingly gorgeous.

By the time you debate in your head whether or not you want to sit there and fill your stomach, Chan has already made his way to Changbin.

"Hey, Bin!" He greets him with a smile.

Changbin looks at Chan with an unamused smile, the same one from your high school days, when these two were named the biggest rivals on campus. You wonder if somewhere deep in his heart, Changbin had still not let go of that rivalry.

"Hey, Changbin." You manage to whisper before sitting beside Chan.

He looks almost angry.

"You should have the pizza. It's good." He mutters, turning to pass you a slice of pizza on a plate, "Help yourself, Chan."

Yup, there it is. The Seo Changbin that would kill to be on top. You feel worse about dragging Chan here now when neither of you were having a good time.

"Thanks, mate. " Chan replies.

Your ears ring with the sound of approaching footsteps, and when a pretty girl comes walking in and takes Changbin in her arms, your heart stings. Like a fresh wound.

"Y/n.." Chan whispers to you as you watch the two collide in a loving embrace, Changbin smiling at her and running his fingers through her hair.

Your heart hurts at how happy and content he looks.

You could have had that, a part of you thinks, if you weren't such a coward, it would have been you instead of her.

"Y/n," Chan calls you again.

"What?" Your tone is harsher than you intended, "What happened?"

You think Chan is about to give you the whole it-is-time-to-move-on talk but he doesn't, instead he points at the girl and whispers,

"It's her. The girl we saw earlier."

The rest of the night is blurry to you, all conversations, all gazes, all thoughts just feel ....like an awkward dream.

"We have to tell Changbin."

You're sitting at Yang's Cafe at 1 am the same night, watching Jeongin's brother guide his staff to clean the place up.

"I agree." Chan says, biting the inside of his cheeks.

While you, on the other hand, are completely zoned out, staring at the glass of water placed in front of you and watching the droplets on its surface race each other.

"Y/n, what do you think?" Jeongin asks when you don't take part in their discussions.

You sigh, "I don't know. I really don't. As much as it troubles me that Changbin is being cheated on, I don't want to get involved in their personal relationship. "

"Let's not tell anyone for now, then. But someday in the future, before that goddamn wedding, we have to tell him. He deserves to know." Chan agrees.

You purse your lips and close your eyes.

Chan is right.

Changbin deserves to know the truth.

*

"So, how's it being back in town, y/n?"

"It feels good. Weird, but good." You smile at your old teacher, "How have you been, Miss Oh?"

Your teacher adds sugar to the cup of tea in her hands and then looks at you, smiling - the same old smile, except with more wrinkles now, "I've been good. I'm retiring next year so I'm glad I could see you before that, huh?"

You nod your head, "I'm glad too. The school hasn't changed much, unlike what I had expected."

Other than the addition of some new labs and libraries, and the change in color of the walls, everything was still the same. No place in this old school building feels foreign to you.

"Ugh, these administration people I tell you, y/n, they're cheap idiots. They won't spend a single penny on infrastructure unless it's absolutely necessary." She complains as you giggle in response,

"They've always been like that."

Miss Oh gulps some tea from her cup, "Anyway, y/n, I have a class now. I would have loved to stay and chat, really, but I'm afraid that might get me in to trouble."

"No issues, Miss Oh. Go ahead. I'll just roam around the school a little more though, if that's okay."

After Miss Oh leaves, you step out of her cabin and walk the familiar corridors, reminiscent of the memories you have here. Studying a few minutes before tests, bunking classes, running to class when you're late, hanging out with your friends- these corridors have seen you grow in love, in friendship, in life. There's absolutely nothing that could ever replace these memories.

Mindlessly, you wander around the third floor, walking toward the end of the corridor before stopping in front of an old door, way too familiar to not try and push open.

While a part of you tells you it might not be a good idea to go into that room again, there's also a part of you that thinks it's a bloody brilliant idea.

Pushing the door open, you walk into the old dusty room, sighing in relief when you see a particular set of letters still carved on the wall.

CB and YN were here.

You finally let your tears run free, as you crouch down to touch the letters.

Your heart aches at how much you miss Changbin being an important part of your life and how much you miss being his top priority. And your heart aches for Changbin, who is so in love with his fiancé and has no idea he's being cheated on.

You almost want to leave this town and go back to your mother, away from this terrible mess. Yet you don't find it in yourself to act on those thoughts.

Maybe, it is your fear of abandoning him once again that stops you. Or, maybe it is simply the unconditional love you harbor for him.

* Surprisingly, Yang's Cafe is near empty that afternoon.

"Did something happen, y/n? You look really worried." Changbin has his arms crossed over his chest, looking at you with a tense frown.

"Um..it's kind of complicated." You sigh. For a second, you see the genuine concern and innocence on his face, and you wonder if it is worth telling him the truth at all because it would kill you to see him lose his smile but then, his engagement band shines on his ring finger and your stomach turns unpleasantly.

He has to know. From you. In person.

"Changbin, that day at your party...I saw something. " You whisper, "Something I shouldn't have. I should have turned a blind eye really but I can't. My conscience won't allow it. I'm sorry, Bin."

"Y/n, it's okay, just tell me," he reaches over and wraps his fingers around yours, soft and gentle, "You're scaring me."

"Changbin, your fiance is cheating on you. I-I saw her kissing another man that night. Chan saw it too." You feel sick even having to say this to him, "I think you should confront her."

He sucks in a deep breathe, his face completely void of any emotions as he extracts his hands from yours.

"I know." Is all he says.

His eyes drill into yours, as if accusing you of a crime. He looks angry. Just how he looked the day you brought Chan to his party.

"Why are you still marrying her then?" You question.

He sits up straight, "Y/n, I wish I could explain. But I can't. I'm sorry. And please, stay out of this, okay?"

"Why? Why should I stay out of it?" Your voice threatens to break, "I cannot watch my best friend marry a woman who's not loyal. You deserve better than this, Bin."

A sarcastic chuckle leaves Changbin's lips as he taps his foot against the floor, "Let me correct you, y/n. You were my best friend. Seven years ago. You're not anymore."

Your heart shatters.

A part of you knows you deserve this after ghosting him for seven long years. You were the center of each other's world at one point of time.How could you have been so selfish to ever think that your absence and lack of communication wouldn't hurt him?

"Changbin, I'm sorry for everything I did okay. B-but I never stopped thinking or worrying about you. Even for one second. And I still do."

Changbin pushes his chair back and stands up while you stay frozen in your seat.

"It doesn't seem like that though. "

"What do you even mean!"

"Chan. I mean Chan, y/n." He grabs his phone and purse, "Goodbye, y/n. I hope Chan turns out to be a better friend than I ever did." With that, the love of your life walks out of Yang's Cafe.

And for once, he doesn't even look back.

* "Y/n, don't let go of my hand!"

Changbin is panting heavily, his voice shaking with fear as he desperately tries to hold onto you.

He should have known it would be a bad idea to play badminton near the infamous cliff in your town yet when you had showed him your innocent smile and pleading eyes that day, he just couldn't say no.

Your sweaty hands clutch his, legs dangling over the edge of the cliff. Your free hand grabs the rough surface of the rocky cliff to keep yourself from falling.

You want to cry; but you're too traumatized to even let out more than a few terrified grunts. "Y/n," he yells, "I'm going to try and pull you up one more time, okay?."

You don't even remember how you had ended up in this situation; one second you were happily giggling, playing badminton with Changbin and in the next second, you found yourself hanging by the cliff, praying for your dear life.

With all the energy he has left, he tries to pull you up onto the surface.

"Y/n, you have to free the other hand. Let go of that rock." He pants.

You shake your head vigorously, you know you would not survive if you let go of the rock, you'd fall thousands of feet below into absolute nothingness.

"Y/n, please listen to me." Changbin pleads, now crying, "Please. I'll catch you, I promise. I'll not let you die. Just..please."

Changbin sounds like he's about to give up and in all honesty, you couldn't blame him really. Everytime your eyes fall on what's beneath you, a part of you loses hope.

"Please, come on, y/n," he's still pulling at your free hand, while his right hand awaits desperately to grab the other hand. A mixture or sweat and tears grace his face, making him shine under the bright afternoon sun. Your heart aches at the mere thought of never seeing him again- your friend, your childhood crush, your partner in everything.

Well, here goes nothing then.

You suck in a deep breath and let go the Rock, immediately reaching for Changbin. He is quick to grab both of your arms and in one swift movement, he pulls you up onto the surface.

You fall onto his chest, "Y-you saved me."

Changbin let's out a sob mixed with a relieved giggle, pulling you into his arms.

Your eyes feel heavy, as darkness slowly begins to engulf your vision.

"Oh God, I am so sorry this happened, y/n. It's all my fault." He cries, rubbing your back softly, "I'm so sorry. I thought I was going to lose you, oh God. Fuck!"

You want to tell him that it was never his fault, and that you wouldn't even be alive if not for him but your body betrays you and your body goes limp against his.

*

"I'm not leaving this neighborhood."

Your hands rest angrily on your waist as your mom frantically walks from your closet to where the suitcase is spread open on your bed, shifting all your clothes. She dumps them inside the suitcase, not bothering to fold them even.

"You will do as I say! That Seo Changbin tried to push you off of a cliff and heaven knows what he might do next!" Your mom yells back.

You sit at the edge of your bed, trying to keep yourself calm, "Mom, I told you it was an accident. I fell because I was going after the shuttlecock and didn't notice the cliff. Moreover, why would my best friend want try to kill me!"

Your mom let's out a sarcastic laugh, closing the suitcase roughly. She looks at you with eyes full of contempt and a part of you knows that there's no point in trying to convince her. Her mind is already made. Yet you refuse to go down without a fight.

"You're just sixteen, sweetie. You don't know anything about the cruel world, " your mother sighs, "Rich people are not friends with anyone. Changbin may be nice to you but he only sees you as a pathetic poor girl."

"Mom, we're not even poor!"

"Yes, I know. But those filthy rich businessmen consider everyone below their economic status poor. His family probably doesn't like him being friends with you which is why they asked him to get rid of you."

You think of Mrs. Seo's face in your head, always smiling and always welcoming. You remember Changbin's sister and how she'd promised to let you borrow her dress for this year's winter prom. And you think about Changbin- his face, his smile, his passion for music and his protectiveness towards you. Why would these people ever want to hurt you?

"Mom, you're being ridiculous right now! Do you even hear yourself!" You stand up from the bed, now beyond frustrated.

She walks upto you and grabs your arm tightly, nails digging into your skin as you whimper slightly. "You will listen to me. I am your mother and you will listen to me. " she growls, "Pack the rest of your stuff. We're leaving tomorrow."

When she finally walks out your bedroom, your first instinct is to dress yourself in your black hoodie and track pants, and quietly slip out of the back window of your room.

The cold air nips at your skin, goosebumps slowly appearing on your arms and legs but you're too preoccupied to pay too much heed to it.

You reach Changbin's house and like always, walk up to the backyard and climb upto his room through the emergency staircase.

When Changbin hears knocks on his window, he quickly removes his headphones, "y/n?"

He walks upto the window and let's you in, his heart more at peace now than it's ever been the entire day. The guilt from the accident you had earlier was clawing at his conscience.

His room is mostly dark except for his table lamp. You notice the lyrics notebook lying on the table, open with some scribbles and random phrases on the pages.

"How are you feeling?"

You sit at the edge of his bed, cross legged while he kneels on the floor to get to your level. His hands find yours naturally.

"Fine," you swallow the tears that have been accumulating since you left the house, "Changbin, I- we're leaving tomorrow."

Changbin is taken aback; his heart shattering into billions of pieces at your words.

"Leaving? What do you mean Leaving?" his voice trembles.

You lick your dry lips and tell him everything your mom had told you earlier. When his face twists bitterly, a part of you wishes you'd held your tongue yet a bigger part of you wants Changbin to know the truth now; you didn't want him sending you off with lies in his mind and the fear of him finding out some years later just killed you inside.

"I'm so sorry, Changbin. Mom's just not been okay after the divorce." Your voice breaks when Changbin refuses to look at you, "I know she's speaking bullshit. But there's absolutely nothing I can do to change her mind, I've tried I swear. I'm sorry, Changbin."

When Changbin finally does look at you, even in the dim lit room, you see the tears glistening on his face, mirroring the ones that roll down your cheeks. "Why are you sorry, y/n? I don't blame your mom." He mutters, "It was partly my fault. I should have taken more care, I-"

You cup his cheek, "Shh. Bin, are we really going to spend my last night here crying and blaming ourselves? We might never see each other again."

The words sink deep into his soul, and he nods. He wills his tears back in as he grabs your hand tighter.

"Okay. What do you wanna do?"

You smile a little, "You're not gonna like it though. "

"Stargazing it is then." He giggles a little as the both of you make your way to balcony attached to his room.

It is quiet outside, unlike the noise in your head and you feel the calmness spreading to you when you look up at the stars.

Changbin brings a picnic mat from inside and spreads it out on the floor, along with two pillows and a blanket.

"We'll stay in touch, yeah? If you ever need anything, I'll be right here." He reassures you, lying beside you, hands behind his head.

You smile yet you cannot bring yourself to promise him the same because you know your mother would do everything in her power to push the two of you apart, even to the point of physically hurting Changbin. You would never want that so you'd rather distance yourself and let Changbin forget about you. And maybe, just maybe fate would be a little nicer to you and decide to bring you into his life again. Many years later.

He presses a soft kiss to your head, "You'll always be my best friend, y/n. I don't care how far we are."

It takes everything in your being to not repeat the words.

*

"Changbin, come on we're getting you to the hospital this instant, okay?" Mrs. Seo is furious next morning, running from room to room, looking through the list of doctors she'd saved just in case of emergency.

When she looks at her son, sitting on the sofa with one of his eye irises turning a glowing red, she is reassured that this is an emergency.

"How did this even happen, mom? I swear I didn't try to do anything funny with my eye." He murmurs, scared, "It feels so itchy, gosh!"

Mrs.Seo looks at him with concern just when the doctor picks the call, "Oh, hello Dr.Lee! Thank god you picked up!"

After his mom walks out of his room, Changbin quickly types you a text,

Binnie: Hey. Did you leave already?

Y/nnie: No not yet. We've stopped at the doctor's.

Changbin's eyes widen in alarm.

Binnie: What why?

You look at your face in the decorative mirror at the doctor's waiting room, one of your irises burning into a bright shade of ruby.

Y/nnie: Mom's running a cold.

You close the messenger app before he even replies, deciding to change your number and deleting all your old contacts as soon as you move into your new house. And as much as it hurt you, this one text turned out to be the last time Changbin and you ever talked.

*

It has been raining all day, which means you were stuck in your goddamn house with nothing to do but cry about Changbin and your lost friendship and your broken heart.

After you manage to get some food into your body during dinner time, you crawl back to your room and look into the mirror as you comb your hair and moisturize your skin.

(Self care is important, y'all)

Your red iris stares back at you, taunting your mistakes and calling you a coward.

If only you had still tried to keep in touch with him, if only that stupid accident wouldn't have happened in the first place, if only.

Suddenly, a knock on your balcony door makes you jump in your place.

Shit. Is it a burglar?

You grab the closest thing that could be classified as a weapon - which happens to be an umbrella.

The knocking continues.

"Y/n, it's Changbin." He yells, "Can I please talk to you?"

You freeze in your spot.

Why in the world is he here? Does he have anything worse to say? Is he here to invite you to his wedding? But why would he sneak in through the balcony when he can easily ring the main door bell.

"Y/n, are you in there?"

You quickly walk upto the door and slide it open, revealing Changbin, completely drenched in the rain. His wet hair stuck to his face and "Shit. What the- God, come inside!"

He obeys and tiptoes inside your room, a guilty expression plastered on his face.

You guide him directly to the bathroom and offer him a towel.

"What are you even doing here, Bin?" You lean against the door frame, hands crossed over your chest.

He is drying his hair with the towel when he looks up at you as if to answer your question but he stops. His mouth hangs open as his eyes remain glued to your face.

And that's when you realize why he looks so surprised.

"Shit- fuck." You turn around immediately, "my lenses," you mutter to yourself.

But before you can even walk upto your dressing table, Changbin has caught your wrist and spun you around, pulling you closer to his body.

"Your eye." He let's out a shaky breath.

"Yes, I know. Please don't freak out. It's always been like this after -"

"After the accident." He finishes your sentence, "I know."

Your mouth runs dry as his face draws in closer, "What do you mean you know? What do you know?"

He let's go of your wrist and takes a step back, turning around so that his back faces you.

And when he turns to look at you again, you swear you could have passed out there and then.

"Y-you have it too." You whisper, weak in the knees, "You have a red iris too."

Changbin gives you a small smile, "Yes, y/n."

"But why? What does this mean?" You say, "Is it a symptom of some chronic illness?"

"It's a soul mark."

"What's a soul mark?"

"It's a mark that exists on the bodies of soulmates."

You feel a pang in your chest; like someone was squeezing your heart out of your chest.

"Right," You fall back onto the bed, dazed with the sudden piece of information, "And how do you know all this?"

Changbin kneels down in front of you, hands finding yours. He looks more relaxed than he did since the first day you come back to town.

It almost feels like you had been given back your old friend.

"I've been doing my research, y/n. After you left, this is all I've been doing." He says, "This is also the reason why I had gotten engaged. By that time, I had given up on finding a soulmate. So I just settled for whatever I got. I didn't even feel bad when I found out my fiance was not in love with me. For the world, we might look like a happy couple, but truly, it was just a marriage of convenience for our parents' business."

You bite your lips wondering how to respond to these words. He'd laid bare his heart in front of you, something you never thought he'd do ever again.

"What now?" You say, tired.

He intertwines your fingers, "Also, I'm sorry for yesterday. I shouldn't have said all that."

You nod, "It's alright. I know you didn't mean it. And for the record, I and Chan have nothing going on."

"And for the record, I also broke off my engagement."

Your eyes widen as a gasp leaves your lips, "What? Why?"

"Because when I told my parents that I do not love my fiancé, and that I have only ever loved you, they said my happiness was more important than their business."

When you don't reply to his words, he looks worried, "Hey, you don't have to feel burdened to like me back and all okay? Literally, if you want me to leave you alone, I will. I understand-"

You pull him by the nape and place the softest, gentlest, most sincere kiss on his lips.

"I feel the same way, dumbass." You sigh as you pull him into your arms.

He muzzles his face in the crook of your neck, playing with your hair from behind, "So what now?"

"Let's start with a date." You say, "Let's take it slow."

Changbin wraps his arms tighter around you, kissing your cheek, "As you wish, my love. "

[caramelcuniculus]

Number. Phone number. Des looked at Simon with such disbelief that it was sharp yet subtle like a knife. Kind of like the antiquarian's own statement, in a way. This wasn't the first time someone tried to reach out to them to such a degree; they've passed through a few one-night stands in their thousands years of walking and longing. And yet, there was something about Simon being the one saying it that caught the golem like a deer in the headlights. They stared at him for a time, deciphering whether or not the flirt was really a flirt. Given the neutral, minuscule expression Simon gave them, Des was able to relieve some of the tension out of their shoulders. They couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed, however. "We'll just have to see on that. Now, where were we?"

Simon started taking the two of them through the miniature museum. The lack of some elements while presenting plenty of information gave the place the right feel. Enough was here to keep you stranded for the rest of your day, but it didn't overwhelm with information, either. Despite what she remembers from both of their lifestyles way back then, she knew that Simon was a mixed bag whether or not something was organized. Des let out a happy sigh as the antiquarian continued directing her forward. Just right.

The golem did feel relaxed, or rather, more at ease than he was before. It was hard to not be worked up seeing the best friend you have to hide everything from after so many years of seeing him just insane as you are only to be reverted back to sanity. Somewhat sane; Des couldn't possibly imagine what all was going inside Simon's head. Still, even he could tell that something was lingering under the surface, and that started to put a detriment on the thespian's mood. Be calm, be relaxed, be happy. Another fit of joy was displayed on Des's features, but this time, it only lasted for a few moments.

"You'd keep it a secret? How awfully kind of you. Unfortunately, I have no intent to touch or misplace anything here. Viewing from afar is plentiful for me." Des's head moved to fully face the antiquarian. "Why, thank you for the devious offer, though. If I plan to cause any trouble, I'll be the first one lining up to your door. Perhaps taking that number of yours wouldn't be such a bad idea after all." Des couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't like they did anything bad enough to keep secret… anymore. He could keep a secret, couldn't he? Too bad for him, the deepest darkest secrets of them all were locked away behind chains that didn't have a key.

Both of them eventually entered the artwork room. Des let out a small, yet very present gasp at the remarkable view. So many portraits that he did in fact recognize; they were all key aspects to his life at some point too. Simon couldn't see, but his eyes were wide and expressed such a raw emotion that hadn't been seen in awhile. Or, felt, anyways. Nobody ever saw anything, but Des knew Simon would be able to catch up on some of his hints. He also knew he would be delighted to know that the whole exhibit had the thespian starstruck. Speaking of… one particular painting of a night sky beckoned Des closer, and this was a calling he couldn't ignore. Moving away from Simon for the first time they'd reunited, he stepped up to the living representation and recreation of one of van Gogh's finest masterpieces.

"I always had a soft spot for The Starry Night. A wordless story that promises both everything and nothing. It can really be whatever you want it to be, Simon. Just like all artworks if you think about it." One of the golem's hands reached out to the portrait, but didn't go far enough to touch it. She couldn't. It felt blasphemous, like somebody or something would rip her apart right then and there if she touched this world's one and only. And just after seeing Simon again too… Des didn't; she forced both arms and hands to her sides, but her gaze was ever-apparent, the concealed ruby reds getting lost in the swirls of sapphires. "To me, it represents The Before, a period right before The New Day."

Des turned back to face Simon, a melancholic look forming on the visible half of their features. "There's always tomorrow, isn't there?"

A gentle quiet echoed and bounced off the rest of the relics in the room. "I'm quite entranced by this place. Thank you for bringing me here. I wouldn't have wished to share this with anyone else. Well, except for…" His voice died in his throat. Simon would remember Aurora, wouldn't he? Or would he? Des coughed into his hand. "Anyways, are there other exhibits such as this one? You simply must show me them if there are."

Natural habitat... sure, Simon had a point in that. The thespian had only seen bits and pieces of the historic displays around the Human City (virtually none, outside of the vague time periods that the general public seek interest in and nothing outside of it), but from what they've caught sight of, nothing gave the true story from those times. A house or home would; it's the most natural outside everything else. Des wondered what the antiquarian's at-home "exhibit" displayed; the mundanes of life and nothing tied to the text preserved in history books. If history books even existed anymore. Wow, Simon had a lot on his shoulders, didn't he? Too bad Des could already make the assumption that the local humans have little interest to the past and strive towards the future. They're not aware that they need to know the past to not repeat it. If anyone knows that statement, it'd be them. Never repeat the past. Never. "At least you could present history right out of the comfort of your home. I hope the people were fascinated. This sort of opportunity isn't something that comes around often, you know." His free hand reached over to pat Simon's shoulder. "The circumstances weren't favorable, that I can already tell, but for their sake or my own, I must thank you for telling ou..." The hand on Simon's shoulder immediately retracted to hold up to the golem's mouth. "Your period's story. It may have very well been lost to time if you were not here to recount it." The truth hurt, but that was the absolute truth. "That must mean something to you, too, Doctor Petrikov?" Des couldn't help but snicker lightheartedly at Simon's attempt to fix his hair. It reminded him of their own history together, their story. Simon Petrikov and Desmond Sycamore, grand explorers searching for treasure believed to be fantasy and blasphemy. The antiquarian had moments like these, too. He'd get embarrassed over something minuscule and have the absolute sweetest reaction to it. There was no real way to hate him, even now, after a thousand years had gone and most of it was spent in an snowy purgatory. Even this, even now, how so much yet so little had changed about Simon and Des himself, they were both able to fall back in place as if no time had passed. Like they were still college students that didn't know any better. Like they were two young fools seeking out the Enchiridion and the Az-- Simon spoke and Des snapped out of it. The golem blinked aimlessly under the mask. Did he remember their interest in theatre? They were about to respond, but then the antiquarian added his comment regarding the Phantom of the Opera. No, no he didn't. The thespian scoffed. "That you have, I presume. What a lucky day it's been for you. You find your friend and see their doting attire. Plan to turn me into one of your attractions? Keep me here forever, even?" If Simon was going to bite, Des was going to bite back. Playfully, of course. This sort of teasing was also apparent within their past together... Or was that just one of their many fabrications with Simon as their item of fascination? Hopefully he won't think anything of it. Besides, the last thing Simon would probably want is the display of Jean Descole up in a positive light... if anyone here even knew who that was. They wouldn't want to take the risk regardless. Anyways! "I'd like to see this exhibit, still. I'm positive I'll see the love poured into preserving the ancient arts, even if they're mere recreations." Des assumed most of them were by his hands anyways, meaning they would be in impeccably quality. That made her just a pinch more excited for what Simon would introduce to her. Oh, that reminded her... "If you ever do need help in developing a Phantom of the Opera exhibit, feel free to ask... if you can find me, anyways." It would be fine. Maybe they would meet again, maybe they wouldn't. Time was their biggest friend and their biggest enemy. "Lead the way to the classics, Simon."

[hes-writer]

Confessions: A ‘Favourite’ Extra

Summary: beatrice graduates and dad!harry is not invited

Warnings: angst!

Word Count: 3305 words

A/N: this is part of the ‘Favourite’ universe :D this scene takes place sometime between the first and second part! please read them before reading this.

Part One | Part Two

_____

Graduation.

Through Beatrice’s 18-years of living, she did not think that the celebration of liberation would be so sour. The day started off like any normal day. That is, except, she did not have to deliberately avoid the areas of the house that her dad, Harry, was in. It was strange that she had to feel uncomfortable in her own home.

For this special event, Beatrice had initially bought only three tickets for Ruby, Caleb and her mum, Y/N. Her dad had a packed schedule of promoting his newest album anyway so Beatrice thought that it wouldn’t even matter. She didn’t think he would want to come anyway. If Beatrice knew anything about her father is that he never really cared much about what went on in her life.

Beatrice supposes that it was okay. She had a whole lifetime to get used to it. A full lifestyle living on the edge because she didn’t know when her dad would clap-back with an insult for no reason. However, it didn’t mean that the spike in pain hurt any less. Don’t get her wrong; she was grateful for Y/N being around and involved. But Beatrice sometimes wondered how it would feel like to be wrapped in a fatherly embrace or be guided with wisdom and courage.

She really couldn’t remember the last time Harry did anything that made Beatrice feel like his daughter. Aside from the family photos they took on during the holidays or when celebrating whatever work achievement he managed to snag--that was the only time where Beatrice would feel Harry’s hand resting on her shoulder.

___

“Can I get one?” Ruby asked, tugging on the coloured strings of Beatrice’s cap. Her small body was being held by her older sister while Y/N took photos of the three siblings.

“Caleb, put your phone away please,” Y/N requested, shaking her head at the way the young boy groaned. Nonetheless, he followed the instruction.

"You’re lucky I love you or I would not have shown up,” Caleb grumbled, offering a sweet smile afterwards to suggest that he was joking. The three siblings posed for the camera, Beatrice trying hard not to let Ruby tilt her square cap.

Between a plastered smile, Beatrice replied, “Probably why dad isn’t here,”

Caleb widened his eyes significantly. Though, it seemed conspicuous to Y/N who was busy figuring out how to brighten the screen.

“That’s not true, sissy. He’s just busy,”

Beatrice chuckled, shrugging off the comforting hand of her younger brother, “Always busy but never when one of you have something going on,”

“It’s just a coincidence,”

“Yeah, sure,”

Caleb frowned at her response, focusing her attention on Ruby’s babbles. He almost spilled the surprise that their dad was going to watch Beatrice cross the stage. Caleb knew how his sisters felt about Harry and he hoped that his appearance would help patch things up between them.

Caleb walked over to Y/N, “Are you sure that Dad’s coming?”

Y/N nodded, “Yes, he said he’s looking for parking now,”

Caleb bit his lip nervously, “Do you think she’ll be surprised?”

——

“Graduate with honours, Beatrice Y/LN,”

Applause filled the venue as Beatrice walked up the steep steps of the stage. A shy smile was placed on her lips when she caught sight of the projector screen showcasing her achievements for her senior year.

In the audience, both Harry and Y/N were confused as to why Beatrice used her mother's name to be announced. The cinch in Y/N’s brow smoothed out when the principal continued speaking. Harry, however, couldn’t help the questioning frown.

“Top Chemistry. Top Biology. Overall Best Science Student. Gold Volunteer Badge. Level 4 Music Theory. Beatrice has been excelling both academically and musically while serving the community,”

Beatrice squinted at the bright lights, placing her diploma and speech on the podium. She had never been good at public speaking. However, her announced name gave Beatrice newfound confidence. It’s just her. All her achievements wouldn’t be credited to her father just because he was Harry Styles.

“Hi, uh,” She cleared her throat, “I’m Beatrice Y/LN and I’m very honoured to be standing in front of you today,”

Her speech was short and to the point; thanking her fellow classmates even though there were very few to thank personally. There were a few jokes in between and some nostalgic memories about various school events throughout the year. Beatrice mentioned remarks to her teachers who helped her achieve high grades. Lastly, she thanked her family for supporting  her

“I’d like to thank my family. My brother, Caleb. My sister, Ruby and my Mum. You guys have been so wonderful to me and I hope that I made you proud,”

Y/N was tearing up with a hand clasped over her mouth. She could not believe that her oldest daughter was off to university in a few weeks. Beatrice’s work ethic was unmatched and it showed in her getting the recognition that she deserved.

There was a pregnant pause before applause filled the space again. Despite switching her name last minute, everyone in her school knew that Beatrice was a Styles kid. They were probably waiting for her to mention him in her speech. But Beatrice felt no need to mention the man that had done nothing for her. He wasn’t even here.

“Thank you and congratulations, everyone!”

Harry slumped lower in his seat. He could feel Y/N’s worried eyes and Caleb’s observant gaze inspecting his face.

____

Beatrice stood beside her family, watching Harry a few metres away who was currently busy attending to the fans that recognized him. Even with his graying hair, many parents greeted him with a reminiscing statement about how they ‘saw him in concert back in the day’, to which he would chuckle at and proceed to converse for a few minutes until their child--Beatrice’s age--tugged them away.

All that Beatrice wanted to do was to get home and interact with her online friends. She had mentioned that she was graduating today and they were all very proud of her. Beatrice would rather take the peace and quiet of her own room than a bustling party.

“You’re invited,” Emma, a popular girl, stated while handing her a piece of paper with all the details of the party. Beatrice mumbled a hushed ‘thanks’, despite knowing that she wouldn’t even attend it in the first place.

“Are you going, Tris?” Y/N asked, holding Ruby’s hand so the youngest child would not get lost in the crowd.

Beatrice shook her head ‘no’, explaining that there was no point.

“I don’t know anyone there anyway,”

She was kind of a loner, but Beatrice was happier by herself anyways. “Besides, I don’t think dad will agree. It’s way past curfew,”

Y/N nodded in understanding. The curfew set for their eldest child was at nine in the evening. Y/N was sure that Harry would be lenient to let Beatrice go; it was her graduation after all. Sooner or later, Beatrice would be leaving for university.

____

Beatrice should be grateful. She should be happy, yet somehow those emotions were non-existent to her brain right now. She should be smiling, eyes brimming with tears because her dad actually cared to throw a party for her. But all she could feel right now was a pure disappointment and agonizing anger because Beatrice knows that he was trying to make up for years of mistreatment.

At this moment, the rowdiness of the party only proved that Harry really did not know anything about Beatrice. She did not know over half the people here, aside from the few relatives they see during the holidays; her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. The rest were recognizable from Harry’s industry. Beatrice swore she saw Lizzo sipping a cup of liquor in their kitchen.

Aside from the initial greeting of ‘congratulations’, paired with the large banister taped on the foyer of the house, this party wasn’t much of a celebration based on Beatrice’s milestone in life. If anything, it looked like a regular get together for celebrities and industry people. Frankly, she had no interest in interacting with them. As rude as it may sound, the swirling turmoil of emotions beginning from her stomach made Beatrice push past the packed crowd with a tight-lipped smile in order to get to her room.

She felt like she couldn’t breathe, especially knowing that these people in her house absolutely adored Harry. They saw him as a family man, loved and appreciated by his kids. It wasn’t a complete lie, per se. Beatrice just didn’t have much experience to confirm that he was, in fact, a lovable and caring person.

If she had to put a finger on it, Beatrice was feeling utter disgust. She was disgusted because Harry was the perfect person in their eyes when everything he had shown her was that she was someone that didn’t deserve any of his attention. It felt like this was a celebration of her dad’s façade--he was not actually proud of her. He was just making it seem like he is so he wouldn’t be perceived as the dead-beat dad.

A knock at her door sounded. It was almost as if Beatrice could sense her dad’s presence without turning around to look at who just entered the privacy of her room.

“Tris?” Harry whispered, hesitating on mumbling the nickname. He had never done it willingly before, much less not as bitter as the previous times.

Beatrice swore that she could practically see the venom slithering on his tongue every time he said her name. But maybe that was just her skewed perception.

The chair that she was sitting on creaked as she shifted her weight, leaning her elbows on her desk.

“Why did you even throw a party, dad?”

It was merely a genuine question that held so many underlying meanings. Why now? Why not earlier when there was still hope to fix whatever sort of broken and fucked up relationship they had with each other?

Harry fully stepped into the room, observing the walls decorated with art and artists whom he recognized were his friends. He didn’t realize that she was a fan of Florence Pugh.

He cleared his throat with a fist to his mouth, “I wanted to celebrate your graduation,”

Beatrice internally rolled her eyes, “Did you really? Because you haven’t been there when I needed your help with my homework or assignments or anything. Now,  suddenly you want to act like you were a big part of how I achieved my accomplishments?”

It was a sour realization. It was accurate that Harry refused to help her with schoolwork. He swore that he was busy looking over new options for his upcoming projects. Retrospectively, he might have subconsciously spewed out excuses so that he wouldn’t be able to help his dear daughter.

Beatrice sighed, flattening the balls of her palms against the edge of the sleek wood, pushing the rolling wheels of the chair back. She stood up.

“Just admit it. You threw the party because you felt guilty and you think that somehow, everything will magically be okay between us?” Beatrice shot him a questioning look, chest-puffing when Harry’s lack of words confirmed her theory.

Beatrice propped her feet in the middle of her room, twisting her body so that her back was facing away from the closed-door; from him. She breathed heavily through her nose, lungs rising up and down as she gathered her thoughts.

Unbelievable.

Harry stood with his arms by his sides, staring at his daughter with curious compassion. He did not know what to say, nor did he know how to act because he didn’t take the time to get to know her. He didn’t spend time with Beatrice; nurturing, caring, calming or comforting her because he simply couldn't get over the fact that she was once a person that caused calamity in his life.

“Tris,” Her dad spoke, earning a pinch of her facial expression from the familiarity of the nickname. Yet, it was unfamiliar because Harry used it mundanely.

Beatrice cut him off, “I’ll be leaving for university in a few weeks. You can quit pretending like you care. You say this graduation party is for me but I don’t even know most of the people here!”

The volume of her voice reached a threshold that should warn both of them to keep quiet. However, Beatrice knew that with the hustle and bustle of the celebration going on downstairs—no one would hear her honesty except for her and Harry.

Harry blinked twice, mouth dropping slightly agape. Why did he throw this party? He knew his intentions; he was proud of his daughter. He wanted to show her off to everyone he knew about how intelligent and well-rounded Beatrice was.

The girl continued speaking as if reading Harry’s train of thought.

“This is for you,” She spoke bitterly as if her tongue was left with an odd taste in her mouth. “Showing off a ‘trophy’ daughter who graduated with honours but that doesn’t matter, does it? Nothing I ever do will match what you’ve done.”

The accompanying laugh—albeit, sarcastic— left Harry confused.

“What? No, this is for you. I’m proud of you,” Harry quickly disagreed with Beatrice, gesturing his large hands in a wave to emphasize his words.

She turned around with gentle disbelief; her features were hardened yet Beatrice’s eyes gleamed with hope. She wanted so badly to believe her dad, but his lack of attentiveness to her led Beatrice to roll her eyes at him instead.

“Cut the crap, Dad,”

“Language,” Harry added, pursing his lips when Beatrice scoffed.

“I can’t believe this,” Beatrice muttered, she stared at the ground as if picking out the words to say.

As bad as it sounded, she wanted to hurt her dad the way he did to her. Years of being treated like an unwanted child slowly built up inside of her and Beatrice wanted the pain to end.

“You wanted to be everything so bad that you forgot to be my Dad,”

“I am your dad, Tris,” Harry watched as she walked over to her desk. Fingers cascading the glass picture frame which held a still of their family.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Beatrice turned around, throwing the edged frame on her bed in a fit of anger.

Harry’s brows shot up to his forehead, watching his daughter’s eyes well up with tears.

“You are my dad but you’ve never been one to me! Why is that? Huh?” Beatrice pressed, crossing her arms and digging her fingernails on the skin of her bicep.

“I’m sorry that I took those opportunities away from you. You got movie deals, You had an album coming out. Tours, shows, money—you had everything and I ruined it, didn’t I? As you said, it would’ve been better if I wasn’t born,”

Harry was no stranger to not interrupting someone when they spoke. However, he couldn’t let Beatrice believe the words she spoke.

“Don’t say that! That’s not true,” He stuttered over his words, heart-shattering under the weight of Beatrice’s truthfulness. Sure, he had everything, but it didn’t mean that he was satisfied.

“But you thought about it right? You wondered how different it would be if I wasn’t born at the wrong time. Maybe you would’ve loved me more—like you do Caleb and Ruby,” Beatrice smiled sadly.

She was glad that at least her siblings would not have to experience the searing pain of being unappreciated. They did not deserve to be seen through like a ghost.

“Maybe you would’ve paid more attention to me. Maybe you would have cared that I was hurting every time you showed me nothing but disdain,”

Beatrice used her forearm to wipe away the tears beginning to soak her reddened cheeks. She sighed, plopping down at the foot of her bed, watching Harry look at her with an unreadable emotion on his face.

“You know, It’s not my responsibility to ask why,” Beatrice whispered. Though, she wondered what would have happened if she did question her dad why he looked at her as if she was a burden in his life.

Beatrice’s monologue crescendoed as utter pain cracked her voice every now and then. Her figure slouching as she truly experienced what it was like to let go of the turmoiled affliction soaring through her body.

“I’m your child! You’re the one who’s supposed to be looking out for me. You’re the one who’s supposed to show me what love is supposed to feel like. I’ve always wondered how you’d react if I came home with a boyfriend like all the movies and books talk about. But, all you’ve shown and made me feel was my first heartbreak when you’re supposed to be the one nursing me from it,”

At that point, Harry could not remain the eye contact he shared with his daughter, gazing down at the floorboard in shame.

“You were supposed to scare guys off because I’m your eldest daughter. You’re supposed to protect me from everything that could hurt me, even when it’s irrational because that is what Dads do,”

That same bitter laugh that pierced Harry’s ears earlier echoed again.

“But I guess you never really wanted to become one to begin with. Or maybe just not with me.”

Harry took a few steps back. Her words figuratively churned and twisted his gut. He caught his balance on the doorknob that moved feverishly under his weight. Sure, he didn’t want to be her dad at first. And he had many chances to fix a strained relationship, but he never took them. So really, he had no shield at denying the truth. He was simply a father who failed to be the dad to Beatrice.

“I-I do! I want to be--if you'd let me,” He hated the way his voice became weary.

Despite their differences, Beatrice and Harry both mutually hated the way his tone pinched. The way he had to plead and beg for his daughter’s forgiveness when it seemed to be too late. This could have been avoided if Harry took the chance to become the dad that Beatrice deserved to have. The dad that her siblings--Caleb and Ruby--saw and spent time with while Beatrice watched behind, wondering why she was never treated the way they did.

“For years, I wondered what was wrong with me. I listened to the music that you liked. I asked mum what you enjoyed doing because you never talk to me. I wanted you to see me as a daughter instead of this--this invisible speck that you shrug off your shoulder every time I needed you!” Beatrice cried out, hugging herself for comfort.

The worst part was that she could see Harry’s legs buckle in hesitation to come closer to her or not. He shouldn’t even have to think to comfort his daughter, but he did.

“I wanted you to like me as if I even have to do that in the first place! You’re my dad, don’t you get it? Because I didn’t. I spent so much time being the perfect child in hopes of you giving me an ounce of your attention aside from the face you put on when I walked into the room. Why did you have to treat me this way, huh?”

Tears spilled from her forest-green eyes, identical to Harry’s glazed ones. His mouth parted in retaliation. As if he was plopped in quicksand, Harry had no idea how to defend himself.

“I know that you didn’t want me in the first place but--,” Beatrice sniffled, wiping the salty liquid to her damp temples, “I just wished you treated me like I wasn’t a burden to you,”

_____

[itsclydebitches]

The thing about Ozpin in volume 6 is that he doesn't get angry, he doesn't defend himself, he doesn't point out that he's known most these people maybe a year at most. He just accepts everything because... well, trauma, but that trauma is never properly addressed by the show. I feel if there had been a proper argument that could've at least HELPED explain the group's hostile feelings towards him while also giving us more of a direct insight into his reasoning. Like, his acceptance of blame /1

This precisely, anon. By not having Ozpin defend himself and by not having anyone speak up on his behalf, the message becomes that yes, he is as awful as he believes himself to be. Yes, Qrow is correct that he’s only made things worse. Yes, Ozpin is the only one making mistakes, just ignore the incredibly obvious parallels to Ruby and the reasoning the audience is able to easily infer. Due to this lack, Ozpin’s reintegration into the group is framed around how #good the heroes are for forgiving this unforgivable man, rather than anything about Ozpin's growth: working through trauma, learning healthier coping mechanisms, finding a balance between admitting fault and embracing self-love, etc. Ozpin was never a character that needed to be taken down a peg; they never properly built him up as the arrogant, shady mentor. One of his most famous lines is telling Ruby that he’s made “more mistakes than any man, woman, or child” on Remnant. Ozpin is implied (very, very heavily) to be someone who hates himself, whose feelings of responsibility are far deeper than what he actually has control over (thanks, God of Light, for making him literally responsible for the fate of the world). He needed a scene—multiple scenes, really—like the one between Ruby and Yang on the steps, where someone tells him that he’s loved even if he makes mistakes, that no one expects him to fix everything, especially not on his own. He needed to be told that he never should have been saddled with that responsibility in the first place and it's understandable that, after so long and so many betrayals, he wouldn't trust easily anymore. We don't trust easily either and we've been in this war less than a year! But here's how we can move forward together.

So the fact that we instead got this arc of constant punishment on top of his one equal/friend telling Ruby she’s better than him for going down the same road is just… awful. It’s an arc that teaches Ozpin that everything he hates about himself is true. Which, again, wouldn’t be such a problem if he was as bad a person as he believes himself to be. It's one thing to say, "Yeah, they're awful" when the character is an actual awful person. It's quite another thing to say, "Yeah, they're awful" when this is just a flawed, traumatized, horrifically betrayed person who has been taught to think they're awful. What's the takeaway for anyone who sees themselves in Ozpin? Yes, hating yourself is good and if trauma has made it hard to trust, you're a terrible person for struggling with that? Much like the treatment of Ironwood's PTSD/amputations and Penny's move to being a good, flesh-bodied person, Ozpin's arc is not something I'd ever want to show a kid without a planned discussion afterwards. Despite RWBY's veneer of love and acceptance, the actual messages it has wound up sending lately are not what people should be internalizing without a critical look to back things up. ("Critical" here meaning to question your media and not take what it says at face value, not "critical" as in "negative.")

This is a far from perfect comparison just due to the different circumstances, but bear with me here and imagine that Jaune lands on the island and admits that he helped kill Penny. Everyone is furious. Everyone is shouting at him. Yang punches him straight into the nearest tree. Then we start a three volume arc where Jaune is keeping to the background because the group straight up told him he wasn’t wanted anymore and each time he’s tried to come back—dipping in to, say, save someone with his shield—he’s yelled at again for basically daring to exist in their presence. There’s a single scene where Ruby acts more sad about Jaune’s choice than angry, but she doesn’t do anything about it. She never tries to reach out to him, or speak up on his behalf. The fandom is filled with claims that Ruby is totally going to be the one to bridge this emotional gap... but it never happens. In fact, half a volume later, she mercy kills someone else and everyone around her jumps to reassure her that she’s nothing like Jaune. Her mercy kill was completely justifiable, but Jaune remains the worst. We get to a point where Jaune is just not a part of the story anymore, where everyone ignores his existence and is, seemingly, very happy to keep it that way. It’s only when circumstances force them to interact that the group grudgingly works with him again, but first Jaune has to apologize for his mercy kill without anyone else acknowledging that Ruby did the same thing, or just how extreme and drawn-out their reactions were, or even the circumstances that led to him doing that in the first place. (I'm ignoring for the moment the fact that I think said circumstances were badly done lol.) While this is happening, the group is laughing along with Cinder who randomly showed up and says she’s over trying to kill them. She gets the happy reaction due to a quip she's made, Jaune gets the wary looks because really, can we trust you anymore after all you've done? We can trust one of our enemies, but you're still a wild card.

Would that feel satisfying? Would we think that Jaune learned anything here? Or would it feel like the show was just Jaune-bashing for three volumes, had him shoulder all the responsibility for this drawn-out conflict, and the show is now drawing ridiculous comparisons between him and a villain?

Funnily enough, I think this kind of group reaction makes more sense in response to a teammate killing a friend than it does in response to learning that the woman you only just decided to fight is immortal. I could more easily buy the group turning on Jaune for that kill—especially since none of them saw it and only have his word that Penny chose this—than I do Ozpin for keeping a secret when, frankly, this group loves keeping secrets themselves. Even a hypothetical scenario that I think would be unwarranted (to that extent) and very unsatisfying fits better than what we actually got with Ozpin’s arc. Especially since much of this conflict stems from the group being written as, well... stupid. They know Ozpin has been around for generations. They know Salem has been around for generations. They know he’s been fighting her this whole time. Yet they somehow come to the conclusion that they’ll just pop over and kill her easy peasy? She’s obviously either immortal, reincarnates like Ozpin, or has something else going on that keeps her from being defeated for the entirety of Remnant’s existence. The big reveal of Salem’s immortality shouldn’t even be a thing given what they learned in Haven. Your protagonists should have at least the most basic of critical thinking skills and should want to discuss the world-shattering events they’re a part of, leading to these kinds of revelations. The shock of this reveal—and the claims of Ozpin “manipulating" them into this fight—relies entirely on the group being either stupid, or willfully ignorant.

Anyway, totally agree, anon. That’s why, comparatively, I like the beginning of the snow scene more than what came after it. At least at the start Ozpin was allowed to call Yang out on her narrow perspective, saying that a) telling them about the Relic’s grimm draw (which has now disappeared. Another example of how none of this is a deliberate, well-structured story on RT's part) would have made things worse and b) she knew Lionheart for a single fight and isn’t the arbiter of what his memory deserved. The scene started by presenting two sides of a nuanced disagreement… and then it became clear that no one was willing to back Ozpin. Not Weiss and Blake who have both dealt with abuse. Not Ruby who had the most bonding with him back at Beacon. Not Qrow who has supported him for years and just watched his own niece turn on him, drawing her weapon because he said “Hey.” Not even Oscar who is, literally, sharing Ozpin’s thoughts. The situation took a sharp turn from “Complex debate where both sides make a good point” to “Let’s turn this into a three volume arc about how Ozpin is The Worst, which requires ignoring each character’s individual past, ignoring their relationships with him, and ignoring the high-def movie they got of the insanely traumatic life he’s led.” It was never meant to be a story that absolved Ozpin of every mistake because ~ trauma~. As said, he is always the first to admit when he’s messed up. Rather, it should have been a story that helped Ozpin improve despite that trauma, taking it into account and extending compassion as a matter of course. Trust love, right? It still boggles my mind that this is the show that said the heroes absolutely had to steal military equipment from an ally because the alternative would be sending Weiss alone to the city where her abuser is. That’s just too hard and dangerous for her. Trauma means something and we can’t expect her to do the hard thing as a result. But watching their headmaster’s death, resurrection, manipulation by the Gods, betrayal, losing his kids, murder, and then multiple generations of incredible hardship while he tries desperately to keep others safe… nah, that has absolutely no impact on how he’s treated. Why would it? Ozpin should have totally done the hard thing of trusting everyone despite generations of betrayal because trauma isn’t an excuse. Trauma absolutely exists as an excuse for some characters in RWBY, which really undermines any claims that they did a good job of avoiding trauma as an excuse in others. This isn't a deliberate look at responsibility despite hardship, it's just a flip-flopping morality depending on which characters RT likes and which characters need to be forgiven to move the plot forward. It's about the convenience, not the message.

[peterneptune16]

Why I love RoseGarden (Full Essay[?, Idk what to call it])

Reason 1: How They Support Each Other

Okay so this is probably the biggest part of this all but I really wanted to talk about this because- Oscar and Ruby have supported each other A LOT, so of course this gonna be the 1st reason I discuss, but enough of my rambling, onto the reasoning:

Let’s take a look at the past 4 Volumes real quick and do an alaysis of 7 scenes in particular

-Volume 5-

Scene 1: Dojo Scene (V5 Ep5)

In the scene that all RoseGarden fans, including myself, love so much. We have Ruby comforting Oscar and being there by his side to give him support and encouragement to keep pressing onwards, to keep going on cause he will get stronger and that just by being there, it already says alot about him. This shows that Ruby does believe in Oscar and knows he can do this, he just needs a little help along the way. A little push.

Scene 2: Ruby is Hurt Scene (V5 Ep12)

In this scene that all RoseGarden fans ALSO love, Oscar immediately rushes to Ruby’s side whenever she is hurt by Emerald and knocked down. Kneeling down and encouraging her to get back up and keep fighting, telling her that they need her. This shows that Oscar has already developed pretty strong feelings for Ruby atleast as a friend by this point in time, despite them not knowing each other for very long.

-Volume 6-

Scene 1: Ruby reassuring Oscar (V6 Ep4)

In this fairly short scene, we see Ruby return Oscar’s cane back to him and comfort him after what just happened with Jinn. When Oscar asks her if he is just another one of Ozma’s lives, Ruby is quick to reply saying that he isn’t, that he is his own person. Even putting her other hand ontop of his, showing that she does genuinely care for Oscar and doesn’t want him thinking that he doesn’t matter, that he’s not just another Ozma, that he’s Oscar Pine and that wasn’t changing.

Scene 2: Oscar reassuring Ruby (V6 Ep10)

In this also fairly short scene, we see Ruby looking doubtful about the whole plan she has involving Cordovin’s Mech. Obviously having a hard time believing that it’ll work out, to which Oscar steps in and reassures her that it will work. His confident smile during this all, shows that he does believe in the plan and isnt just saying he does for Ruby too feel better, but that he trusts her and knows that it’ll all work under her leadership.

-Volume 7-

Scene 1: Ruby trusts Oscar to keep the lamp safe (V7 Ep3)

In this scene, which is somewhat short, Ruby hands the lamp off to Oscar, cause she is going down to the Tundra. She knows that Oscar will keep the lamp safe and out of the wrong hands while in Atlas, which he does, all the way until he ends up getting ambushed by Neo and the lamp is stolen. (Not focusing on the Oscar side of this scene here, but we will discuss that in the next scene analysis) The fact Ruby shows no restraint when handing the lamp off to Oscar, despite the fact Ozpin is in his head and could return any minute for all they know, shows that she really does trust Oscar as Oscar. She knows that he knows the right thing to do and isn’t worried about what choices he’ll make.

Scene 2: Oscar takes the burden off Ruby’s shoulders (V7 Ep9)

In this scene, which gets build up in the previous scene with Oscar asking Ruby if hiding Oz’s secrets from Ironwood was a good move or not, we see Ruby and Oscar, very nervously, talking about how they feel about telling Ironwood. In which they both reveal that they both think they should tell Ironwood. Which I think is all well and good, and really cute, but I’m more focused on what comes after. Ruby says that she’ll tell Ironwood what Jinn told them, but upon seeing she is needed elsewhere, Oscar immediately steps up to take on the burden of telling Ironwood what Oz was hiding, no matter what Ironwood’s reaction would be. He is willing to take this huge burden off of Ruby’s shoulders because she needs to do something even more important at the moment, and he doesn’t wanna hold her back from doing it. Despite how Ironwood may react, Oscar shows no fear or hesitation and is more than willing to do this for Ruby, in place of her.

-Volume 8-

Scene 1: Ruby going to find Oscar (V8 Ep1)

In this scene, which is an absolute gold mine for all us RoseGarden shippers, a good amount goes on. First off, Ruby goes out to find Oscar, though she likely is unsure if he is even alive, and eventually does find him. When she does, she is visibly very happy too see him again, alive and somewhat well. Oscar and Ruby are then seemingly talking about what happened in Atlas, with Oscar claiming that every choice he made was the wrong one. She then reassures him that he just did what he thought was right, that they all did, and that she is just glad to see him alright. Too which he blushes upon being touched by her and told that (Boy definitely crushing but more on that later). This whole scene was just really cute and wholesome too see how Ruby does care about Oscar alot, and that she is happy too see him alright. Which is really just- pure. While also reassuring him that he isn’t too blame for all that happened, that he can’t be beating himself up over this all and it isn’t his fault.

So basically, I just like too see these scenes because they show that the two have alot of trust in each other, and are always there to reassure each other through anything, that they’re there for each other, and are always a support for one another. That one can always lean on the other for support if needed, they’ll be their rock. Also if the pattern keeps up, possibly another Oscar supporting Ruby scene coming this volume! Cause those are always in the later half of the volumes, while the Ruby ones are always in the earlier halves.

Reason 2: How They Inspire Each Other

How Oscar inspires Ruby: While he may not inspire her as much as she inspires him, Oscar still does inspire Ruby in a few ways. She seems to be genuinely impressed with how he handles things despite being so young. Like when he successfully lands the airship despite being just a fourteen year old farm hand. She seemed geniunely surprised and impressed, and this probably isn’t the only time he has made her feel that way, so it seems safe to say that Oscar in some way does inspire Ruby.

How Ruby inspires Oscar: Ruby inspires Oscar in a whole multitude of ways. Ruby is the inspiration that gave Oscar a reason to keep pressing on and keep fighting despite everything, despite how scared he was. She made him realize his true inner strength and bravery, made him realize that he can do this. After that talk she had with him in Volume 5, he seemed much more confident and ready for the road ahead. She also inspired him to see himself as more than just the next Ozpin in Volume 6, or atleast, tried too. It was hard with how much others were kind of holding him back from doing so due to their frustrations with Ozpin at the moment, but It seems Ruby was in some way able to help Oscar realize that he is more than just Ozpin part 2.

Reason 3: Oscar’s (Hinted at) True Feelings

Something that was pretty much confirmed this volume is that Oscar does have some deeper feelings towards Ruby, most likely a crush, whenever he blushes at her just putting her hand on his shoulder and saying that she is glad too see him alright.

But this was not the first hint that Oscar may have some feelings towards Ruby, as there have been a few sprinkled throughout the series if you look close enough. Which is something that I really like about this ship, there have been small subtle hints too it for a while now, in reality, since the very beginning. When Oscar first even meets Ruby, the first thing he seems to notice about her is her eyes, and says the quote “You have silver eyes” but the way he says it and the look on his face, gives more the impression of him finding them unique and beautiful, rather than a source of power like most other people would. (A girls eyes are also often one of the first few things a guy notices about her and finds attractive, which seems to be the case here for the young pine tree)

There was another moment when they first met that also gives the impression Oscar may have started having some sort of feelings for her right off the bat, keep in mind though, I’m not saying this was a crush just yet, rather he just found her pretty and/or attractive in some way. This was that whenever the two first met and Oscar saw Ruby smile and giggle, he immediately blushed and became a little bit nervous around her in an adorkable way. (A smile is often another thing a guy first notices about a girl he finds attractive, as is her laugh)

Another thing I wanna mention is that he almost always looks at Ruby whenever the two of them are in a room together, she doesn’t even have to be saying or doing anything and his eyes will still drift towards Ruby without fail. Which could just be a cute subtle way of showing his growing emotions towards Ruby as the series progresses. And if he ever sees her in any sign of danger he is always quick to call out her name and usually reach out towards her.

Aswell, the next point I’d like to mention in this segment, is how Oscar changed up his outfit to have bits of red in it. But, this red doesn’t really make much sense at first glance if you look at it, as it seems to just be there cause it looks kind of cool on his outfit, but this is RWBY and almost everything has some kind of significance too it, especially colors, so this could be one of those cases where a character adds a color to their outfit too show a fondness or closeness for another character. To show a closer attraction towards them, as it was confirmed people in Remnant do that. But who could this red be for- none other, than Ruby Rose herself. The only one with red as their main color and the one Oscar has grown the closest too across the course of the series. Like how Jaune has red in the form of Pyrrha’s sash, to show he still has a close bond with her, even after her untimely death. Or how Ren and Nora both wear pink, idk if that counts, but I think it does dang it. Anyhow, I think this is possibly a cute little way of showing how Oscar has grown stronger feelings for Ruby, add onto it she was the first one too comment positively on his new combat gear, saying it looks good. Aswell it looks like the exact same shade of Red as her combat gear.

For the final point I’d like to mention this segment, is one that I will spoiler warning the whole post for because of the fact that it just really does mean alot for Oscar’s character. It’s that Oscar was the one to offer a hug to Ruby, not the other way around, when they met up again in Atlas. Ruby has been the one too offer a hug to everyone else but never really the one to get offered a hug, and Oscar has always been the one to recieve hugs from others but not offer them himself. So seeing Oscar offer a hug to Ruby and seeing his smile just seeing her again- my fucking heart y’all-

So I think CRWBY has been dropping small hints all along that Oscar would grow feelings for Ruby somewhere along the way. And he just now is starting to see those feelings as more than just close friends, but rather that he has a developing crush on Ruby.

Reason 4: It Isn’t Really One Sided

Though Ruby may not exactly feel the same way about Oscar that he does her and we don’t have as much evidence for her as we do for Oscar, we do have some small pieces of evidence here and there that suggest Ruby could possibly start feeling similar feelings for Oscar that he does for her.

The first thing I would like to point out is that Ruby seems to look out for Oscar in alot of ways, and she seems to keep an eye on him whenever they’re in a fight or whenever he is in any sort of danger. The first time this happened was during their sparring match where she was quick to call back to Oscar after she knocked him down, like she was asking if he was alright, and then again in the same sparring match when she rushed too his side when Ozpin handed back the controls and he seemed hurt and exhuasted, a clear look of worry across her face. She also kept her eye out for Oscar whenever Hazel went after him during the Volume 5 fight and was quick to let the others know that he needed help, which shows that she was worried for him during this fight despite the fact Ozpin was also there, she was worried for Oscar nonetheless. She was also the first one to ask Oscar if he was okay in Volume 6 when they saw him again, which was honestly adorable. She also kept her eye out for him during the Volume 7 Mantle fight, whenever he killed that sabyr and didn’t notice another jumping up to strike him from behind, she was quick to be the one to respond by shooting it and giving a nod and smile to Oscar, almost as if showing she was proud of Oscar in some ways for how far he’s come as a fighter over such a short time actually fighting, and also reassuring him that she had his back in this. It was also cute how in the first episode of this volume, she was the one who went out to go find Oscar, she was the one who reached out too him when they saw each other again, and she was clearly happy too even just see him again, she likely didn’t even know he was alive or even down in Mantle, but she was still going to go look for him. Then of course there was this past episode, where she noticed that Oscar was right beside Emerald and she immediately went to draw her weapon before Oscar stepped in to stop her, showing pretty much an identical expression and reaction to the one Oscar had whenever he noticed her get knocked down during the fight at Haven. Which, these just seem like really cute and sweet moments on Ruby’s part, how she kind of is always there looking out for Oscar whenever he is possibly in any sort of danger or is hurt in any way and she is actually there to help prevent it, like she’s protective of her farm hand Cinnamon Roll.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that she is a bit awkward around Oscar at times, sort of like he is around her. She seems to hug herself a bit whenever she is around him and it’s just the two of them together, as she did this both in Volume 5 and Volume 7, like she is a little bit nervous, and she gets a little gigglgy and awkward, making it seem like she has some part of her that does have some kind of awkward dorkish feelings toward Oscar, similar to how he can get kind of awkward and nervously flustered around her aswell, she’s just better at not showing it.

Like I said, there are less pieces of evidence for Ruby’s side of things than there are for Oscar, but she does seem to have a few hints here and there that she may at some point reciprocate the feelings he feels for her, just towards him.

Reason 5: Extra Little Details

These are just small things here and there honestly, just cute things about these two that could possibly hint at them being a possible thing in the future. Or maybe they’re just purely coincidental, who knows? I still pretty much just find them cute regardless, needless to say, this is my weakest of the five points. But I still wanted to mention these things cause they do contribute a little bit.

Oscar and Ruby’s main colors are complementary. This is a point that is extremely obvious to anyone who just knows well- anything about colors. Red and Green are complementary colors, and these two have the main colors of Red and Green. This is a bit of a weak point, but it’s still cute none the less and given how important colors are in RWBY, ya never know.

This next point is really pretty weak and honestly just for fun, but, their eyes do complement each other a bit. Light Green and Light Yellow are colors that complement Silver. Though this is probably unintentional, It’s just something cute I wanted to note.

There are other things that could be considered cute small pieces of evidence, like how Oscar has an Aunt and Ruby has an Uncle, or that Miles has defended RoseGarden saying that the ship is fine with the age difference stuff. But those things are pretty much well known by anyone else who ships RoseGarden and more than likely just to RWBY fans in General, so I’d feel a bit wrong putting them here and giving them too much attention. I did want to mention them but that’s about it. Anyways, onto the conclusion.

Conclusion

So in Conclusion, There are quite a few reasons that I ship RoseGarden, but hey, this is just my personal opinion. Honestly I’d love too hear anyone else’s opinions on the ship aswell! And if there are any reasons that you ship these two that I didn’t list here, feel free to tell me, I’d love too hear them! Just please be respectful in replies, after all, these are just ships. We all ship for fun so may aswell just keep discussions about ships fun. But that’s all for now and hope others like this post and like the ship for these reasons aswell! Hope everyone has an amazing day ^^

[kitkatopinions]

While other people have pointed this out before, I think what gets me the most about RWBY is the way having a differing opinion is portrayed? I grew up in a household where…yeah, generally you had to agree, and it’s not healthy. I don’t know why the writers seem to think that has to be a thing? It’s just pushing toxic behavior and it’s made like…even viewing RWBY to make fun of the flaws with friends unbearable. I don’t know how I didn’t notice it earlier, if anything.

This is absolutely one of the most frustrating things about the RWBY group.

Qrow doesn't agree with Ruby and Jaune about stealing a plane. That is framed as absolutely wrong and he is point blank told to either fall in line with what they want, or leave. Before this, Yang, Blake, and Weiss all are very quick to draw their weapons on him when they want to summon Jinn and think he might protest. The idea here is that they only are willing to have Qrow even in their team when he agrees with everything they say, and will even get ready to fight him the moment he really protests. Yang, Ren, and May all protest the actions of the general group or challenge them, only for that to be treated as wrong and surprising and they're treated as problematic at the least, terrible friends at the worst. Falling back in line and deciding that the team is totally right and that Ruby doesn't have to change made May and Yang totally fine. And as for Ren, he doesn't become 'fine' until he not only gives in and decides that Ruby and her team were one hundred percent right, but totally gives in with Nora too in their relationship and decides Nora is one hundred percent right. Emerald, Winter, and Whitley were all considered various levels of bad until they switched to Ruby's side, and on top of that, the writers specifically had Winter give tons of horrible dialogue in her fight with Ironwood that basically says "actually I never believed any of the stuff that I said and acted like I believed in the last volume, now I agree with Team RWBY on literally everything we disagreed about." Ozpin must beg forgiveness for having not trusted Team RWBY with everything within months of knowing them (despite the narrative of the story proving his hesitance well founded over and over and them having Ruby just as free with lies and hesitant with trust herself.)

There's more even than that I'm sure, but the point is that the mentality of everyone agreeing is uncomfortable to say the least. If I'm being generous, I might consider this writing a reflection of their inability to write fleshed out character dynamics and their struggle to write Ruby as a convincing or good protagonist. It's also reflective of their struggles with follow through and pay off. They have people challenge Ruby, but they don't have Ruby actually grow or change and they have her friends instead realize they're wrong. There's no pay off to Ruby being challenged because the end result is still "Ruby is right, Ruby is good, Ruby doesn't have to change how she acts." So instead it just looks like everyone is forced to follow the group mind frame, think and act the way they do.

The mentality of people being bad if they don't agree with or like the protagonist is prevalent in the treatment of Ozpin, Whitley, and Emerald. Ozpin's crime was keeping secrets from Team RWBY. Whitley's crime was wanting Weiss's position as heir and being snide. And yet both of them actually put in more work towards 'redemption' than Emerald, literal murderer who willingly tried to help Cinder kill Penny again mere episodes before her 'redemption.' Because the crimes didn't actually matter all that much. It just mattered that they proved they were on RWBY's side, and Emerald's actions weren't as personally against Team RWBY directly. Whitley made Weiss mad, so he had to prove himself at least as much as Emerald the murderous terrorist. Ozpin acted against Team RWBY, so he has to ask forgiveness and explicitly state that he was wrong and he has to bow to Ruby's will, let her make the standards, let the others make the choices, despite the fact that he has every right to dismiss Ruby as an inexperienced and ineffectual leader doing more harm than good. Emerald didn't even have to apologize, and she didn't even have to admit she was wrong, in order to be accepted.

Just look at the differences in the reactions when Emerald says she 'switches sides' and says 'you've been getting your asses kicked, some of that... by me,' which is as close as she's come to admitting she was wrong or apologizing, versus how they respond to Ozpin starting to admit he was wrong to not trust them.

Reactions to Emerald

Reactions to Ozpin

It doesn't matter that Emerald's actions were much worse, more serious, more deadly, and done with horrible intentions. It matters that Ozpin's actions made Team RWBY mad and sad, and it's treated much more seriously than Emerald's literal murder because of the mind frame carried out in the narrative of the show.

The show acts like disagreeing with Ruby and her goals is literally morally wrong, and anyone who doesn't fall in line with her all the time is in the wrong and needs to either change or apologize or get lost. You're right that it's full on unhealthy. Imagine how much better RWBY would be if people were allowed to disagree, if Blake was allowed to consider it wrong to steal a plane or if she stood up for Ozpin after they all see his memories that are eerily similar to her own past situation. If Yang didn't draw her weapon on Qrow in the snowstorm and instead got angry at Weiss and Blake for doing so, if she'd been allowed as a character to be on Ironwood's side, and then actually see through her concerns about Ruby as a leader. If Winter had been allowed to turn on Ironwood without throwing everything she'd believed in away so there could be later tension between her and Team RWBY or they could get across the message that disagreeing with some things doesn't make you evil. If Qrow had been allowed to be on Ozpin's side, or insist that Team RWBY shouldn't steal a plane unnecessarily (maybe causing the team to go behind his back or something,) or could be on Ironwood's side in V7. If Ironwood was allowed to have a 'save the many over the few' mentality instead of their 'risk the deaths of everyone on the off chance we'll be able to save everyone' mentality without being turned into a puppy kicking dictator. If Ren was allowed to be angry at Nora and to still disagree with the way the group was running even if he felt like he had no choice but to follow them and maybe took to looking to Ozpin as a mentor. If May was allowed to be committed to her demands that Team RWB actually choose something and try to help, and didn't throw it away later to comfort Ruby, instead letting her face hard truths. If Whitley and Weiss made up, but there was still tension and he still was acting resentful of his mother. If Blake and Yang were allowed to actually fight and argue and come out the other side stronger and still committed to each other. If Ozpin was allowed to come back angry at Team RWBY and not apologizing and instead being hurt by their actions and even more hesitant with them and feeling like the world is crashing down around him and expressing all that.

Idk, I just feel like the very worst thing you can do for your cast of characters is have this 'assimilate to our way of thinking or you're wrong,' mentality. Some of the characters don't feel like they have room to breathe and actually be full characters, other characters feel like they're hurting in-show and just acquiescing out of fear of abandonment or repercussions, and meanwhile it's hurting other characters in the originality and development department because the dialogue they have and their mentalities feel so copy and pasted that you can interchange a lot of lines and have it still feel the same.

In short, this is one of the most annoying writing flaws in RWBY.