#russel thrush

FavouriteGood/Bad/Neutral Character: Russel Thrush and Sky Lark

The liquid in the beaker turned a bright blue. A minute after the colour swirled throughout the entire concoction, it started to bubble. Up and up and up the long tube. It was one of the taller beakers the chemistry lab owned. Sky looked at him for only a second, like if he turned away from what they were doing it’d spontaneously combust. Which Russel could admit was fair. The number of things he made explode- both purposely and accidentally- definitely outweighed the portion that didn’t. Though to be fair he knew Sky enjoyed it too.

“So, how likely?” Sky asked.

Russel shrugged and seesawed his hand. “I’m like 75%? This won’t explode on us.” He added another chemical and the colour deepened into a sea green. The beaker bubbled more, the liquid rising ominously. At it, Sky raised an eyebrow. With a sheepish grin Russel amended, “Maybe 65%.”

Sky nodded and reached for the last chemical. “Well, moment of truth for your calculations, then.” He tipped it in and they held their breath as the beaker darkened even more, sea green turning the colour of pine. It bubbled up only a little this time. They both let out a sigh of relief. Russel picked it up to put it in the cooler. The beaker bubbled more suddenly and he paused to give it time to settle again. Though apparently not enough time. When he started to move the beaker bubbled more suddenly than he was prepared for, like a shaken soda, and suddenly exploded. Green covered both of them, the substance thickening just slightly in the air like a gel. Which, hey, it was supposed to do that so bonus!

“Well, it was close,” Russel said, scrubbing a hand down his face.

“Closer than I thought it’d get,” Sky said.

Russel blinked a few times and looked over at Sky. There was green sludge stuck to his skin and clothes and his hair where it was up in a bun. He knew there was no way he looked any better. A laugh bubbled up in his chest. Fuck, they were a mess. After a moment, Sky began to laugh as well. They were still laughing when Cardin walked into the room, no doubt wondering where he was and unsurprised to find him in the chemistry lab- with Sky. The confusion on Cardin’s face just sent them into more hysterics.

“What were you two doing?” Cardin asked, frowning at them.

“Making slime,” Russel said between laughs.

When Cardin sighed and left, closing the door behind him, Sky and Russel stared at each other for a few, sudden, sober moments. Then promptly lost it once again. By the time they could calm enough to clean the room- and get to the bathroom to clean themselves- their sides were in pain.

I Can Feel You Breathing (stay til the daylight)

Once Qrow had gone, Lazuli turned back to him. Apparently she hadn’t really seen the extent of the damage. Or maybe she had and was just echoing previous thoughts. Either way, she gave a heartfelt quiet “cazzo” before heading for the kitchen. Now, Cardin hadn’t actually seen the damage himself. All he’d done was feel it. Frankly at the time that was enough, burning red hot and melting the numb from his legs like they were made of ice as Qrow did his best. Cardin scooted himself up to lean against the arm of the couch so he could look.

Red made four rings around his legs. Two above the knee; two below. The red spread in a wider band then the actual cuts did. They didn’t seem too deep. But Cardin wasn’t sure and he didn’t want to prod them right now. He did anyway. It’s not like it was the first injury he didn’t want to mess with but had to. Though, he guessed this time he didn’t ‘have’ to. A frown pulled at his lips. Was it bad he wished that it was? That he preferred to be alone. To handle this on his own, to not make anyone else have to deal with it. After all, it was his weakness. It was only right he dealt with it himself. As the pads of his fingers gingerly pressed at skin near the cuts, he hissed lightly. At least the pain was duller now. The blood had dried- it was flaky in some areas, likely where it’d been stuck to the fabric makeshift bandages- and it’d have to be cleaned away.

He grit his teeth to stand. Pain shot up his veins, dull like a heartbeat. For a moment he steadied himself on the couch’s arm. Before he could move for the bathroom, Russel’s mamma returned with supplies. A bowl was tucked under her arm, a rag half in the water already, a second rag was over her shoulder, and in her hand she had both a bottle of something that was most likely neosporin and a roll of bandages. The look she shot him was deadly. “Sit.” Lazuli said firmly. Cardin sat. Well, more flopped.

“I can’t believeyou’d get up-” she stopped herself, a hand up, “No, I can. What were you planning? Head to the bathroom, clean up and leave? Before I returned?” She took a breath and Cardin knew she was calming herself. Calm had always seemed her default. And it seeped into those around her. Like just her presence could clear every head in the room. The only time that ever changed was whenever Russel got hurt. (Something that happened both surprisingly often and shockingly seldom.) And… apparently… possibly when he got hurt, too. That wasn’t something he’d expected. The most worry he ever got about any injury was Russel’s concerned eyes when the boy spotted the scars- especially new scars.

Especiallythe burn. The way the brown flecks had swirled in Russel’s eyes. They’d almost changed colour. Bits of gold swirling through a sea of blue. (… no seas, not right now. Later, he’d be able to drift back, but not right now. Just like when he’d gotten the burn and was left unable to make fire related analogies for a short time, the water related illusion grated across his skin.) Gold streaked through a mostly clear sky, painting the undersides of clouds. Almost distracting from the darkness attempting to swirl within. Almost, but not quite. Russel didn’t ask. But he’d seen the way Russel briefly had to bite his tongue against the questions.

“I don’t want you to have to deal with it,” Cardin said, answering all the questions in one. It was odd to see the way Lazuli’s face twisted, trying to figure out whether it wanted to harden or soften. Eventually it settled. The look on her face was soft but the blue of her eyes took on the appearance of tempered glass.

“You’re my kid. I want to do this.” Her voice was as firm as her eyes. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this… with anyof this alone.”

“I’m fine,” Cardin said.

“Maybe,” Lazuli said and set to cleaning Cardin’s leg. It throbbed as she worked, but the pain was at a manageable level. The water was warm against his skin. Slowly, as she washed away dried blood, the water in the bowl tinted more and more red. Until the blood was gone. And the bowl seemed stained red. The pain returned when she used the neosporin. It cut hot tingles across his nerves and he hissed. “Sorry,” Lazuli murmured, blowing gently against it. Cardin shook his head but she ignored it in favour of wrapping clean bandages around the wounds. When she was done, she pat his knee and stood. Like it was a signal, Cardin heard the door open. They both looked toward it. Simin entered with Russel trailing just behind him. Cardin pulled his legs close before Russel spotted him.

“Cardin!” Russel broke out from behind his papai. Like Cardin had never shown up at night before. Though, he’d admit usually when they hung out at night Cardin came through the window. He didn’t want to disturb Lazuli or Simin so late. And he… didn’t want to answer any questions. Thankfully, Russel was good at not asking. Instead he’d just open the window and let Cardin crawl in next to him without a word. Without making him feel weak. His friend landed on the couch next to him and his eyes immediately locked onto the bandages. Once again, worry swirled golden through hazel irises. Once again, Russel didn’t ask. This time, though, he looked over to Lazuli. Cardin’s heartbeat shot up in response, worried what Lazuli might say. There wasn’t much she could, he hadn’t told anyone how he’d… ended up where he had. Or how he had. She frowned slightly and Cardin had no hope that she hadn’t been thinking about exactly that. It wasn’t often a huntsman showed up at your house, brought you a teen with rope wounds around their legs, and told you he drowned. Or, Cardin hoped it wasn’t often. The feeling- the pain of feeling slowly coming back from pins and needles to skin rubbed bloody and torn- wasn’t something he’d want anyone else to experience. After a moment, Lazuli shook her head and pulled Simin into the kitchen.

“Are you okay?” Russel asked once they were alone.

“I’m tired,” Cardin answered with half a smile.

Russel nodded and left the room. One of the blankets from his bed was in his hands when he returned. It was a thick brown blanket just this shade of the bronze with squares sectioned off by lines of silver thread the same shade as Russel’s hair. The blanket was softer than it looked. But just as warm as its cushy appearance said it’d be. He plopped down on the couch and pulled the blanket over them. Cardin lowered his legs when Russel scooted closer. But that’s the most Russel did. If Cardin wanted physical touch in this moment, Russel was there for it, but he’d have to initiate. A small smile curved his mouth. A true smile- the first of the whole day. Somehow Russel could always tell his tactile mood. Could always tell what he needed physically. Cardin shifted closer to him and settled at his side. For a while, Cardin drifted. He’s not even sure if he falls back asleep. But he knew Russel didn’t sleep. Though he wished he did. Between one moment and the next, Russel’s parents were gone and back. Simin sat on the couch next to them.

“Russel, can you leave the room for a time?” Simin asked.

“I don’t-” Russel looked over at Cardin with a frown. To Cardin’s own surprise, he took Russel’s hand. “want to.”

For a moment Simin just looked at them. Then the tiny smile curled his lip. “Alright.” He moved the table closer and sat on it, Lazuli joining him on its edge. “So Cardin, tell us what happened.”

Cardin looked down at his lap, unable to really meet Simin’s earnest red-brown eyes. There was a squeeze around his hand and he glanced up out of the corner of his eye to see Russel smile small. It was encouraging. Though not in the way Cardin knew he’d meant. It was meant to help gently nudge the truth out of him. “Nothing,” he said clearly, though he still didn’t look Simin in the eye.

“You know.” Simin rested his arms against his knees. “Wounds like those don’t usually come from drowning.” The truth behind those words had Cardin flinch, if just barely. “Whatever it was we won’t think lesser of you for it.” He didn’t say anything, just pulled at the skin between his thumb and forefinger. “Filho. Please.” 

He… was really worried about him. A glance up told him they all were. It caused a sensation to creep along his skin, rankling his nerves. All while a very different heat spread out from his chest, different from the instinctual distaste at worryatweakness, filling his stomach and tingling at his fingertips. Embarrassment,

Words slowly clogged his throat.

I was thrown in.

I was tied up.

“I don’t have a semblance.” It came out more tired and less bitter than he’d expect. After all this time, he must’ve accepted it without even realizing. Russel’s parents looked at each other.

“We know,” Simin said.

Cardin looked at them. Vaguely he remembered what Lazuli’d told Qrow. ‘ Low aura. His ma was the same way. ’ (‘Weak.’ Barked. Scoffed. ‘Just like your mother.’ ) “… How did you know about my aura?” How’d you know about my ma’s wasn’t asked, but he thought she heard it.

Instead of answering, Lazuli looked at him. Really looked at him, it seemed. Light blue eyes traced his features. Like she could suss out any lies or half truths. “Is this what thisis about?” She asked gently, gesturing to his knees. Cardin didn’t answer. She sighed. “It’s a part of my semblance. I’m able to track aura.”

Cardin frowned and looked down again. “Then, do you.” There seemed to be a lump in his throat. He swallowed past it. “Do you know what’s wrong with me?”

“Absolutely nothing. Some people are simply born with less aura,” Lazuli said and though the words were soft, they were firm.

“So that’s why-”

“Yes. You just don’t have enough to support a semblance, no matter what happens. And your healing is…” Lazuli gestured to his legs, still under the blanket and tucked close to his chest. “delayed.”

“Like ma,” Cardin said, and he couldn’t help but think of finding out she’d collapsed when she was getting food. About how she’d apparently been sick and how her body had failed to heal. Because she didn’t have enough aura.

Lazuli nodded. “Like your ma.”

And just like that, he’s told he isweak. That he’ll never be strong. Some part of him had already known he was like his ma. That he’d never have a semblance. But it was one thing to feel it inside of you and another for someone to tell you it was true. Before, he thought the weight on his chest would lift with confirmation. He’d be told he’d never get a semblance and the weight would dissipate. It’d fade like it hadn’t really been there, a mess of words untangled to float away. The pain would still be there, of course. With the confirmation it’d probably increase. But the weight would be gone and that’d be enough. Except the weight didn’t leave. It didn’t fade, it didn’t unravel, it didn’t float away to never come back. It simply shifted. Like a cat, finding a new place to settle and get comfortable. A little closer to his lungs. A little snugger against his throat.

A hand squeezed around his. “But that doesn’t make you weak.”

Right. Cardin wanted to scoff, but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get the sound past his throat.

“I knew your ma. And she was one of the strongest people I ever knew. Even without a semblance. I’ve also seen you. You’re strong Cardin. And you might not believe me now. Or in years. But it’s true. You’re determined and protective and that’s where your strength lies. Now! That’s enough heart to heart for me, you know that’s more Simin’s thing anyhow.” Lazuli clapped her hands on her thighs and winked before she stood up. “Get some sleep, you were dead on your feet when you got here and you were being carried.” 

Cardin stared at her but didn’t argue. There was no point. It was true, he was tired and they both knew it. He tried to hold what she said in his mind and think on it then but it slipped from his grasp. With it, a bit of the weight at his throat.

“Thank you.”

She smiled. “Of course.”

In the morning his body wasn’t on the couch where he’d left it. He wiggled out of Russel’s loose grip, almost rolling off the edge of the bed before he caught his feet under himself. The action hurt his wounds but he gritted past that. Who’d moved him, he wasn’t really sure. (Though he had the feeling it’d been Simin.) Unlike his house, when he woke someone was always already in the kitchen. The smell of bacon wafted out from where Simin stood at the stove. Further down the counter, Lazuli was making chocolate chip waffles. It was Simin who noticed him first.

“Good morning, Cardin,” Simin greeted with a bright smile that he hesitantly, and a bit forcefully, returned.

“You’re awake early,” Lazuli said. “It’s a nice change. Usually I have to drag Russ out of bed.” The smile became a little smaller. A little more forced. This was the first time he’d ever spent the full night. Previously, whenever he visited Russel after the sun had fallen it was through his window and he’d left before the sun had risen once more. As far as they knew neither of Russel’s parents even knew he was ever over at night.

“Though that’s to be expected. You’ve always been an earlier riser, haven’t you?” Simin asked with a twinkle in his eye. He had the feeling those secret nights weren’t as secret as they thought. A bit of panic spiked through him. It wasn’t given time to grow. The spatula waved toward him, flat part twirled in a dismissive circle. “It was never a problem.”

Cardin stared at him, mouth agape. So they hadknown? And said nothing. His mouth clicked shut before they could fully catch his shock. Once again he was hit by just how different his father was from Russel’s parents. He swallowed. If they hadn’t been awake, he would’ve snuck out to return home. Now, though. At least he’d have breakfast before he left. The walk wasn’t far, but his legs still smarted so he wanted to take it slow while he could and it’d be easier to do after eating at least some food.

Russel came out of the room looking wide awake almost the minute breakfast was finished being made. A smile was shared between Cardin and Russel’s parents. The other boy had spectacular timing. “It smells great out here.”

“Thank you, filhinho,” Simin said with a smile and Russel gave him one just as sunny.

“Now that you’re awake, help Cardin get out the juice,” Lazuli said.

“Alright, mamma,” Russel nodded. Cardin already had out the cups, juice, and ice tray which he was twisting to loosen. He grabbed the juice from the table. “You do the ice and I’ll pour?”

Cardin nodded. Together the work went quickly and before Cardin knew it, four cups of juice had joined the plates and silverware. The food was set down right after.

It was… nice, to eat breakfast with others. The table was partly quiet; hazy and soft with the start of the day. The only true noise was Russel’s soft chatter. It filled the spaces between them, made them fluffy with noise. Until Cardin couldn’t really focus on anything but the food and the words and the people. He smiled and breathed easily. Eventually he would have to return to his house. But this was nice while he had it.

‘Eventually’ came with empty plates. It came with helping clear the table and washing the dishes. It came with humming from Simin that eventually morphed into whistling. Cardin looked at the three moving together through the kitchen, a morning dance that each knew, and felt a pang in his heart that he pushed down and away. A part of him didn’t want to leave. He wanted to learn that dance. Wanted to stay for the mornings and the quiets and the colours that weren’t actually there but could be felt in every soft look and unspoken action. But it wasn’t his place. The time had come to go and he closed his eyes. “I'll… go home now.” There’s a pause as Cardin took a moment to get the word out. Because there was more than just this morning. There was last night too. There was Qrow and Lazuli and blood and bandages and half believed encouragements. They’d helpedhim. Lazuli helped him. Simin helped him. Russel helped him. And it was respectable to say after that. It wasn't… out of place here. Not like it would be at his house. But it still wasn’t completely normal for him, not like this when it was basically an admission that he’d been given help. That he’d been weak enough to need help. To accept it without question. “Thank you.”

Worry lit up Russel’s eyes and he averted his own to ignore it, hand still awkwardly gripping the back of the chair. In his peripheral he noticed Simin and Lazuli share a look. “You’re not… going back,” Lazuli said gently. That made him pause, blinking hollowly.

“… what?” His heart started again- it had stopped?- and his first word felt distant, fair from his own ears like it was in a tunnel- but his next were better. Louder; more there. “I have to go back. My father- I have to.”

But did he really?

Of course he had to. It was his father. Since he lived, had an obligation to return home. He’d help the wounds as best he could, wait for them to scar, and continue with training. Just as he always did, nevermind his own desires. The obligation of a Winchester. The destiny of a Winchester. Be strong. Have a strong semblance. Become a strong huntsman.

…

His fingers worried at his sleeve. Of course, he’d already failed at one of those. Failed just by being born, presumably. Too low aura. Not even the capability to develop a semblance. ‘If this doesn’t work don’t bother returning.’ “I have to.” The words sound weak and doubtful, even to his own ears. What would even happen if he returned? Surely he’d still have to follow the rest of the Winchester legacy, even if he failed at one of the most basic steps. Be strong. Become a strong huntsman. But could he even do that, without a semblance? ‘Weak. Just like your mother.’

‘I knew your ma. And she was one of the strongest people I ever knew.’

He breathed. 

Even without a semblance, he could still be a huntsman. It wasn’t what he wanted, wasn’t the strength he thought he had. But he had to be, so he would be. There was no other choice for him. The name ‘Winchester’ cemented him there. So he would return. He would become a huntsman like it was required of him and then… And then maybe next time he wouldn’t be saved.

“We talked to Oliver,” Lazuli said and Cardin looked up at her. Something passed through his body. But he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. An omen, maybe. A cocktail of worry and fear and questioning why they’d even do that- a sudden wish that he hadwoken up early like he’d planned to. That he was home already, in his bedroom like he’d never left it and mostly ready for the day. Curiosity to what his father even said and a deep dread at what the words might’ve been. “He said we could- keep you.”

Cardin swallowed. What? Just like that he’d been… given up? Given away? A problem that had no solution, that could only be moved and forgotten about. There was a lump in Cardin’s throat. He didn’t even have the choice to return now, did he? Weak. Unwanted. Unusable. Part of him wanted to curl into a ball. Take that stupid cape with him and sink back to the bottom of the lake where he was warm and floated higher and higher, thoughts far away and unnecessary. His fingers dug into his sleeve and his teeth bit into the inside of his lip. He blinked, and his eyes met red. It was like Simin could see past him, yet he didn’t. Simin looked like he could but he chose to look right at Cardin instead.

“It will be different,” Simin said and the words sounded kind. “But we hope it’ll be a good kind of different.”

He blinked. And the other half of the sentence, the other half of the meaning filtered in. ‘We could keep you.’ They- But he was broken and weak. A future huntsman without something as basic as a semblance. Someone who could never even develop one.

A glance over at Russel, who smiled small at him and kicked his ankle under the table. Not meanly, just… there. A simple touch, a small connection, so Cardin knewhe was there.

‘We could keep you.’

They wanted to keep him. Against all odds they actuallywanted to keep him.

“Why?” Cardin asked. He wasn’t sure where to look, who to look at, but he had to know. “Why?”

Simin put a hand in front of Cardin, for him to take if he chose to. Cardin didn’t move. “You’re a part of this família. We care about you, Cardin. And we want you here. For more than just a night.”

 It felt like he was reeling. Like he’d been tossed into the sky to fall only to be thrown back upwards before he could hit the ground, again and again. If he hadn’t just woken an hour ago, he’d go back to bed. Russel reached out and this time, he took the hand offered him.

“I think it’ll be nice, to have you. It’ll be fun, we’ll be brothers!” Russel smiled at him and even now, his joy was a bit infectious. Soothing. He swallowed.

“Why would I want to give you more opportunities to annoy me?” Cardin asked, tightening his hold on Russel.

“Because you know I enjoy it,” Russel said. “And because you know you’re not getting rid of me at this point. No matter what you do, you’re stuck with me.”

And Cardin knew it was true. There was no uncertainly there- not with the rare show of stubbornness on Russel’s face. He was stuck with Russel. No choice given. It was comfortable and warm, suddenly. “Alright.”

“Alright?” Lazuli asked.

“I’ll… stay. Past the night,” Cardin said. All three seemed to breath at once, something relieved that still left Cardin confused. But maybe for right now, that was okay. Right now he had someone he knew truly believed he would stick by him. Right now, he believed it too. And maybe that was all that mattered. 

Maybe one day, it would be okay. And next time, he wouldn’t have to be saved.

Russel didn’t- 

Okay, no. That was a lie. Russel did care that he couldn’t see colour. It was completely that he wanted to meet his soulmate- though he did! He definitely did. But he knew the world was so full and he couldn’t help it, the world felt empty when it was only in shades of black and white and grey. All of them were named for colours. His parents, his friends, his brother, and he couldn’t see a single one. It saddened him sometimes. He wished he could look at a shirt and know for sure. He wanted to be able to look at the sky and be able to say it was blue and see and know that it was truly blue . Bright and brilliant and maybe even as soft as he imagined it would be.

The Vytal Tournament was fun and their spirits were so high when the team won the first round. It was a clutch and it was exhilarating. There were so many people here, too. Teams of students from other schools. People he’d never met before. Russel was a social butterfly, he couldn’t really deny it. He fluttered from student to student, wishing he could see the colours. See where their name came in. That one was named Mint- did they have pale, green eyes? Their name was Topaz- was their hair more orange or brown? It looked light, more grey than white. Almost silver. She introduced herself as Aurea- which part of her was golden? Her personality, or was that the true colour of her dark eyes, her dark hair? He said his name was Fuscia- was that the dark colour staining his nails as a reflection of his name? Did that mean he’d found his soulmate?

By the time Russel removed himself, put himself in a corner that was more quiet, his mind was swirled with colours he couldn’t even see. There were two new numbers in his scroll. Some part of him had to admit he’d hoped to find his soulmate in the crowd of the fairgrounds. It wasn’t terrible that he didn’t. He was glad to have made not just one, but two friends. But he still found himself staring up at the awning of the building next to him and wondering what that black translated into. He’d bet it was red. If he could, he would ask Cardin. But Cardin didn’t like crowds and he didn’t want his brother to worry. So he sat and he stared.

He had no clue how much time passed before someone else stepped over. Russel didn’t bother to look at them. Some part of him was tired right now. The part that cared about the colours. That was fascinated with the idea of what the world would look like. How bright it would be. And he closed his eyes, sure that looking over would mean nothing but more grey. More black. More white.

“Can I sit here?” The person asked and Russel nodded.

“Sure! The seat’s open.”

“Thank you,” the person said. Their voice was soft and it sounded tired like Russel was. Russel took a breath, because he could feel that feeling itch up his chest. The almost need to be a little more peppy than he felt. To be happy, so that the person around him could be happy too. There were so many people. He didn’t think he had the energy.

It was a hard instinct to fight.

“I’m Russel! He/him.” He said and he put pep in his voice that he knew would convince anyone that wasn’t Cardin, but he kept his eyes on the sky above. His mamma was blue. She’d described it before and he liked the way it sounded. Even without colour, his mamma’s hair looked bright and dark and beautiful. Sometimes he looked at it and wondered how the colour could ever really translate correctly. He wanted to know. Though there was a lot he wanted to know, that was definitely high on the list. The sky. His mamma and papai- Lazuli and Simin- blueandsilver. 

His soulmate was on that list too. There would so many colours. Which one would he embody?

“I’m Neptune. Also he/him,” the other boy, Neptune, said and Russel nodded wordlessly. The chair near him creaked when Neptune sat down. “There’s so many people here, I’m not quite sure how to keep up,” Neptune chuckled. It was nice sound. It made Russel smile.

“There are! It’s nice, though I think even I’m a little people’d-out,” Russel joked. Even a social butterfly had limits, Russel knew. Though he enjoyed the crowd and the noise and the people, there was a point where it became just a little too close to ‘too much’. A little too close to overwhelming. At least Russel felt he knew himself well enough to know where that limit was. It didn’t mean he always listened to it. But at least he knew.

“Oh,” Neptune made a worried noise. “I’m sorry, should I go? I can find another empty spot somewhe-”

“No!” Russel interrupted him, quick to reassure. He sat up so fast his head spun a little bit. Neptune stretched out to steady him. “Thanks,” Russel said. “No, you don’t have to m-” Their eyes met, and Russel stuttered. He lost track of his words as… As something bled into his vision. Eyes, bright and deep like how his papai described the ocean. There was a gasp, but Russel did not know who it came from. Too preoccupied with how full his world suddenly was. Bright and warm and dark and colourful. So fucking colourful. Russel smiled and his cheeks hurt because it was too wide but he couldn’t stop. The hands on his forearms that Neptune used to steady him tightened. For a long moment, Russel ignored them. He looked back up.

The awning was still dark, but it wasn’t grey. He thought it might be red. It looked vibrant, like red. The was more bright, more soft, than he’d imagined. So, so blue. There were more colours- things he had the words for but couldn’t quite connect. That was bright and warm, maybe orange. Leaves were normally green now and there was a tree there- that bowl matched the colour though it was darker. The tables were wooden and brown. A loud swallow brought his attention back and the tight grip filtered in. Was it bad that he hoped it left imprints in his skin? That there would be bruises- pin pricks of what he’d been told would be blue and purple in the flesh that he could now see properly. Tan.

Neptune had backed just the slightest bit away, but Russel could still see his eyes so clearly when he looked. The other boy flinched back further when their eyes met again but Russel couldn’t focus on that. Didn’t have the capacity to care about that at the moment, to reassure and talk. It felt like he’d been mute. They were definitely blue. When compared to the sky, they were a much darker blue, but they were blue. So very blue. If that really was the ocean, Russel thought he wanted to go to one immediately. Or as close to immediately as he could. The double rounds still had to be done. Maybe the singles after that. Until then, this was a good replacement. They were deep and Russel had been in deep water before and it felt like he could drown and be happy. He forced himself to look past them, to see skin just a touch paler than his, to see hair a lighter blue than Neptune’s eyes. There was black in his jacket, but the colour there that made up most of it looked like the awning, just lighter. More vibrant. The lenses of the googles in his hair looked darker, but they looked like the sun. Yellow. His hands reached up- or maybe they were already there- and he gripped Neptune’s arms in return and a laugh bubbled up in his chest till it exited his mouth. Till it filled the air with floating sound. There was so much blue and Russel could remember being a kid and thinking that would be his favourite colour as his papai described it. As he talked about seeing his mamma’s hair for the first time and the way it shone in the sun. How he wished that blue would be his first colour, too. And maybe his laugh turned a little hysterical. Maybe Neptune’s expression turned worried in response.

Russel, somehow, couldn’t find it in himself to care. Even as it occurred to him that he was probably crying. They were tears of joy, anyhow. So who really cared?

Apparently Neptune did. The words didn’t fully reach him. There was too much laughter, he couldn’t control it. But he tried to anyway. Because Neptune sounded concerned. Looked concerned. (That was the colour blue turned when it was tinted by concern- a little wider, a little darker.) Tried to choke it down until it simmered to just giggles, popping out every so often. “I’m sorry,” Russel managed to get out, half gasping for breath between words. Before he went to Beacon, he’d gotten his mamma to help him dye his hair. So that when he met his soulmate- he’d hoped, he wanted colours, he believed but he wasn’t sure it was enough. it was enough and he could barely believe it, could barely contain it- his hair would be more colourful than silver. She described the dyes to him as best she could. Together, they chose green. He wondered how it looked to Neptune.

“Are you okay? Is it too much?” Neptune asked. Sometimes, when people talked about getting their colours, they talked about how overwhelming it could be. When Cardin got his it’d given him a headache. Russel was too happy to be overwhelmed. His chest felt too warm, too big. The world was full. And he was giddy.

“Is my hair green?” Russel asked instead of answering. Neptune blinked at him and Russel repeated himself, a little clearer. There was so much noise in his voice that he couldn’t quite keep down.

“I… guess?” Neptune said. He looked around, found a tree close to where Russel had, and looked back at Russel. He squinted and the blue changed again, shadowed by the way Neptune’s head tilted down slightly. The other boy was taller and Russel hadn’t even noticed. “It’s lighter than the trees, but yeah, I would say that’s green.”

Russel smiled again- smiled more?– and a few more bubbles of giggles escaped. He breathed deep to try and control it. “That’s so cool,” Russel said, because he didn’t really know how else to put to words all the fullness that he was feeling, finally being able to see colour. Finally having one of his greatest wishes– a world that was vibrant, and bright, and full – being able to experience blue first, deep and beautiful– come true. Cardin had always been better with words than he had been, even though he spoke more than Cardin ever did.

“So you’re… okay?” Neptune asked and Russel nodded firmly, once, then twice, and then a third time just for good measure.

“I’m good. I’m really good. Thank you. Thank you so much,” Russel said. It felt like he might be crying again. The giggles bit back, his body released the overflow a different way. “ Thank you, ” Russel said again just to make sure Neptune really got it. The boy looked confused, and Russel didn’t think he did, and the only thing Russel knew to do about that was ramble. So he rambled. “I’ve wanted colours since I found out colours existed- The world’s always been so empty, I’ve been looking and waiting so long for colour. For you. You’re beautiful. You found me. You’ve given me my greatest dream. Thank you. Thank you so much. You gave me colours, thank you. ”

Neptune blinked and blinked and blinked. The grip on his arms softened and then tightened. “You’re… welcome.” His voice sounded breathless. He smiled, small and still a bit confused, but sincere.

“Thank you,” Russel repeated. “Thank you for colour.”

“You’re welcome,” Neptune repeated. “You’re welcome, you’re welcome, you’re welcome.”

Russel’s cheeks hurt again as he smiled. He didn’t look away from a blue as deep as the ocean for the rest of the day.

He couldn’t.

There was so much colour around him.

His world felt bright. It felt colourful and warm. Neptune let him wear his jacket. He gave him his hoodie in return- it was green, like the grass in the shadows. When he did, Neptune smiled at him and Neptune’s eyes brightened just a bit. Russel held Neptune’s hand and saw the black leather more than he felt it against his skin. He snuggled into the jacket- into warmthandred. His papai always described red as vibrant. If Russel had to describe it, he thinks he’d describe it as warm instead. The jacket’s zipper was hidden, but it was silver. But deep blue was his favourite. He watched as Neptune’s eyes changed in the sun and in the shadow and inside under the artificial lights. How they darkened once the sun went down.

His world felt bright, and vibrant, and it felt full. He was so thankful for Neptune.

Soulmates: Icarus (Team CRDL/Team SSSN)

Cardin never had to find his soulmate. He’d just always been there, seemingly from birth, though he knew they’d been five when their parents- also soulmates- had met. And he considered himself lucky. As he got older, he learned just how long some had to wait to meet their soulmate. The years or decades they had to wonder- who would share my semblance? When all he’d had to do was follow his máthair to find his other half.

Going to Shade was strange, in a way. He hadn’t really had the desire to be a huntsman. But Russel had wanted to go, and he had followed. Followed all throughout schooling; through Oscuro into Shade.

There was never a question that Russel Thrush was his soulmate. That he had a bright boy who he sometimes didn’t feel like he deserved, who rambled and smiled and valued other’s happiness above his own. It had just never occurred to Cardin that Russel wasn’t his only soulmate. That the two of them would run into more.

Sky Lark is… fun, in a way. He reminds Cardin of Russel. Smiling and rambling. A class clown in all ways minus funny shoes and red nose. Sometimes he questions Sky being made leader, but then he sees the way Sky’s eyes flick between them and he thinks he understands. It’s Russel who realizes that Sky is their soulmate. He’d come barging into the room, eyes wide and brown swirling almost widely in blue. It was rare for Russel to get too worried. Usually that was Cardin’s job. After all, he’d kept them both from dying throughout their childhood. But Russel didn’t notice the role reversal, just rushed up to Cardin and grabbed onto his forearms. If not for their size difference, Russel would likely be shaking him. The boy certainly gave a valiant try. “Cardin- Sky- I saw- semblance!”

Cardin blinked down at Russel, trying subtly to remove himself from the grip before his brains were scrambled. “You saw Sky’s semblance?” He didn’t understand why that was important.

“Yes!!” Russel said emphatically. His whole face lit up as he smiled, every bit of worry melted into excitement like it hadn’t even been there.

“Okay…?” Cardin said, still not understanding.

“He rewound time,” Russel said, trusting Cardin to understand. And he finally did. It felt like his heart hammered to a sudden stop. He wasn’t sure what emotion he felt at the moment. They had a third soulmate.

Russel had a third soulmate.

Had he not been enough?

In front of him, Russel’s face dropped, and he cursed himself for apparently being too obvious. Being raised together did him no favours with hiding his emotions. Immediately Russel’s hands squished his cheeks and he leaned his forehead down against Cardin’s. “Absolutely not,” Russel said with certainty, with the rare tone that left no room for arguments. The one that was serious and said he was right- The one that Cardin couldn’t help but trust even on his worst days, when his brain really had it out for him, because he used it with Cardin and Cardin alone. Cardin wondered if that would change, now. “You’re always enough. Fate just knew our hearts were big, that they’d have so much room it’d be a shame to share between only two soulmates.”

Cardin snorted despite himself. It was dumb and cheesy. He knew it was almost exactly what he himself would say, in the quiet between the two of them. Especially about Russel. Cardin had never known anyone with a bigger heart. That was one of a hundred different things he loved about Russel. His hands came up to cover Russel’s. “Fate knew we could love multiple people.”

“Exactly.” Russel smiled and kissed him. After they parted, Cardin gently pushed him away.

“Worry and being poetic, you’re taking my jobs today,” Cardin said and crossed his arms. Russel grinned at him.

“I guess this means you have to smile more, then,” Russel said.

Cardin rolled his eyes. “I smile plenty.” Russel took his cheeks again and pushed them upward into a faux smile until the faux faded to real at Russel’s ridiculousness. His soulmate- one of his soulmates? first soulmate? - always had a desire to make everyone happy. Something that seemed to go double for him. He wondered how much a third soulmate would change that.

Not much, turns out. Which Cardin really should have expected. Looking at Russel now, Cardin felt bad for ever doubting Russel. Because Russel was right, despite what his brain wanted to say, they really did work well in a group.

And Fate just seemed to want to keep that going.

Now, if he wanted to, Cardin could deny that Sage Ayana made his mouth go dry. But as stated, that’d be a denial. Sage was tall and seemed to be built like a tree and had neck tattoos and Cardin felt his chest stop and go hot just seeing him, like he was some protagonist in a cheesy romance novel. It was a purely aesthetic attraction, really. Though the way his heart seemed to want to stutter the longer they got to know team SSSN and the longer golden eyes looked at him was scarily reminiscent of the effect Russel had always had on him and Sky had long begun to have. When Cardin saw him use his semblance, it seemed fitting. He’d have to tell Russel their little group got larger.

From the way Russel brightened, he didn’t seem to mind.

Somehow, Cardin managed to find the next one as well. Dove Bronzewing. Somehow it only seemed appropriate their team was seemingly fated to be together. Though Cardin wasn’t sure about the strategic advantage of having a team built up of the same semblance. Dove seemed convinced they could use it, though. And Cardin found he believed him.

Russel did as well. Which Cardin wanted to say was a good sign. But he knew it wasn’t. Ever since they were kids, he saw the good in everybody even to his own endangerment. So Cardin had to make sure he was more wary in his views of those around him. He wasn’t sure if it was the soulmate thing or not, but as he said, he found himself trusting Dove even despite the boy’s prickly nature.

Scarlet David was next, discovered by Russel. Cardin began to wonder what they would do for a bed. Or beds. Multiple would be better- there were some nights he felt sure Russel would feel more comfortable alone. Though the idiot refused to say anything. Too kind for his own good. That was one reason he liked Scarlet. The boy was stubborn and confident in a way even Sky wasn’t. He was good for Russel, even when Cardin worried about his influence on him— because not only was Scarlet confident, he was chaotic in a way that matched Russel perfectly. Something that was beautiful yet terrifying nonetheless.

During a training exercise Russel found Sun Wukong. The boy saved him from what would’ve been a nasty wound by rewinding time a few seconds to provide him with enough to move out of the way. Whether or not the grimm almost got him because he wasn’t paying attention, he wouldn’t answer. (Which was an answer in itself.) Either way, Cardin was eternally grateful to Sun for saving Russel. He was incredibly kind and bright like Russel. But he also had the foulest mouth Cardin had ever heard (and that was saying something) and was a spitfire- though not as much as Scarlet was. Nobody could out spitfire Scarlet. (It was probably a safety measure for the world.)

They figured out Neptune Vasilias together. One semblance tying two complete teams together. Somehow, Cardin knew they were done now. And Russel agreed with the feeling. The boy was quiet and a serial flirt. Especially after the soulmate realization. Cardin personally had been flirted with multiple times and winked at more times then he could count- his face heating treacherously with each. It was unfair that the others didn’t seem particularly prone to blushing except on the rarest occasions.

Injury: Ruby and Russel

It was a clear day. A nice day, cool (though, maybe Russel wasn’t the best judge of ‘cold’, growing up in Vacuo) and sun shining. Because of that, Aang had brought them outside for semblance training. Not that he didn’t usually take them outside, weather permitting. But it was just so nice outside. Russel absolutely could not focus. And it seemed like he wasn’t alone. Ruby- the leader of the team of the same name, he wondered if that ever got confusing for her- also seemed antsy. Weight constantly shifting from foot to foot, hands swinging by her sides. He walked over to her.

“Hey, wanna have a race?” Russel asked. He knew she had a speed semblance- he’d seen her using it to get to class. Everyone else was doing other semblance stuff right then, anyway. She looked at him and she seemed confused. Which was fair. Their teams didn’t exactly interact and her team was friends with Jaune’s.

“What?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“A race,” Russel said. “We both have speed semblances and there’s a hill over there, wanna see who can reach the bottom first?”

Ruby looked over to the hill and her gaze turned calculating. It was a carpet of dark green with weeds taking up maybe half of it. The trees were a distant thing, leaves green. She turned back and her fidgeting seemed to calm for a moment. “Sure.” 

Russel and Ruby smiled at each other with smiles that promised trouble. While everybody else was focused on doing the breathing exercises Aang had them do to warm up, they snuck further off to the top of the hill. From here he could get a good perspective of the sheer Size of it. It had to be a good few feet, definitely taller than Russel had thought. This would be awesome.

“So, semblance on?” Ruby asked.

“Yeah,” Russel nodded.

They counted to three together, just loud enough for them both to hear. Then they were off. It started out fine. Russel on the left and Ruby on the right. Practically neck to neck. Pushing their semblances to their limit to speed down the hill. Each overtaxing their semblance to come out first. Until they used too much. And then their auras broke.

And their semblances faltered.

Both teens crashed into each other hard. Arms connected and they let out simultaneous pained noises. Their bodies spun, head over heel, done the rest of the hill at speeds that were frankly a little insane. At a speed that almost achieved that move Russel had been working on. And likely would’ve, if he’d had the presence of mind to curl. But right now his mind was on pain . It was like a constant stream of tingles went up his right arm. Like he’d fallen asleep on it. His body came to a stop at the bottom of the hill and let out a groan, Ruby next to him echoing it.

“Owww,” Ruby groaned. Russel let out an agreeing noise.

Russel let out a wordless yell. Ruby- it had to be Ruby, it sounded like her- echoed it.

Panic shot cold through Cardin’s veins and he almost missed it when he bit down, holding it back. There was no reason for panic. Miss Goodwitch was with them. She- probably- wouldn’t let them get hurt. They were huntsmen in training. Russ could handle himself. It was probably just something stupid. Maybe he saw a snake and freaked.

“Merda,” he cursed and ran toward where the shout came from.

As Russel lied there with Ruby in maybe a bit more pain than he could really shove down- it felt like he’d broken something again- Cardin crested the hill. He was upside down, but that was likely more in the way Russel was looking at him. It still caused him to snort. Ruby looked over at him to see what’d caused the humour. He simply pointed upward. The second she noticed Cardin she giggled.

“He’s upside down,” Ruby said.

“Yeah,” Russel agreed.

“Oh he looks annoyed,” Ruby whispered. It didn’t quite sound like a whisper, but they were pretty far away. Though Cardin did turn on his heel pretty soon after she said it. She clicked her tongue. “I think he’s leaving us here.”

“He wouldn’t,” Russel argued, squirming to sit up. A jolt of pain went through his arm and he looked over to see it bent at an angle he was pretty sure arms weren’t generally meant to bend. So yeah, definitely broken. Damn. And it’d been years since he’d last broken something, too.

Ruby waved an arm- oh, her other arm looked to be broken too. “Then where’s he going?”

“To tell Aang?” Russel suggested.

“Oh, I hope not,” Ruby lied back with a sigh. “Yang’s gonna be so angry.”

“Aren’t you team leader?” Russel asked.

“Yeah, but Yang’s my older sister,” Ruby said. Then she mumbled, “I guess even if Cardin didn’t snitch she’d figure out.”

Russel nodded understandingly and took her cue, lying back down. “Yeah, that’s probably why Cardin looked annoyed.”

“What?” Ruby looked over at him. “Cardin’s your older brother?” Russel nodded. She looked back up at the sky. “Huh. I didn’t know that.” He shrugged, though she couldn’t see it.

“Our teams aren’t exactly friends,” Russel said.

“Yeah,” Ruby agreed. “Weiss’ll probably yell at me for ‘fraternizing with the enemy’.” They both laughed at that. When Aang got there, he ran down the hill and fluttered around them like a worried hen before their teams helped them back to Beacon and to the nurse’s office. Where they were both given a cast for their broken arms. Ruby her left and Russel his right. Both their dominant arms. It was unclear who broke who’s. Ruby and Russel privately agreed that the answer was ‘both of them’. Had his dominant hand not been relegated to a cast, Russel would’ve offered to take extra notes for Ruby in the classes he could. But he couldn’t. He apologized to her nonetheless and she laughed it off and assured him that somebody on her team would probably do it.

“But what about you?” Ruby asked.

“Don’t worry,” Russel said. “I’m sure someone on my team will take for me! Plus, I don’t have any leadership classes like you do so I think I’m getting off a little easy.”

Ruby smiled. “Yeah, I guess you are.”

“Well, it was a fun race,” Russel said.

“Yeah.” Ruby snorted. “It really was, even if it ended terribly. We don’t even know who won.”

“Both of us,” Russel said with a firm nod. After all, they landed at likely the same time. It was a little hard to tell given how badly his head was spinning.

“Wedid fall together,” Ruby said. She held out her hand and Russel took it. “Alright, tie.” They shook on it.

It wasn’t hard to get Cardin to take notes for him after the lecture he half tuned out. Really, he had a feeling Cardin would’ve done it whether or not he asked. But it was nice to ask and Russel did. At the end of the day, Russel met back up with Cardin after his leadership class. There were two packets in his hands. A thick one that he handed to Russel and a much thinner one that he handed to Ruby, who’d come out slightly before him. Russel smiled at him. “Thanks, Car!”

“You can thank me by not stupidly breaking your arm again,” Cardin said. An exact repeat of what he’d said when Russel initially asked. When Russel just smiled at him- they both knew he wouldn’t promise anything- he rolled his eyes and walked off. Russel skipped behind him, easily keeping pace.

Ruby flipped through the packet she was handed. Surprised that it was the notes she couldn’t take. By the time she looked up the boys were fully gone.

“Was that Cardin?” Jaune looked away from them, down to her, loose paper in his hands. Probably more notes. She hadn’t even seen him walk up.

“Yeah…” She looked back to the empty hallway. “He took notes for me.”

“He did?” Together, they looked curiously to where Cardin and Russel disappeared behind a corner.

“That’s weird, right?” Ruby asked.

“Definitely,” Jaune said. Neither of them questioned it past that. They weren’t sure how to. For the rest of the time, until Ruby’s arm healed, Cardin took notes for her in their leadership class. Despite Ruby never asking him to. She was thankful since his handwriting was a lot neater and easier to read than Jaune’s. (Though she didn’t tell Jaune that.)

Familial: CRDLPWNS (Cardin, Russel, Dove, Sky, Penny, Weiss, Nora, and Velvet)

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

photoqueen: do you guys want to see something?

We’re_Soar’n: Velvet no

photoqueen: velvet yes

photoqueen:so?

Official_TeamMom: I already don’t trust this.

photoqueen: how dare. this is the thanks i get for being your loving older sister?

Official_TeamMom: I definitely don’t trust this. Don’t say yes.

We’re_Flying’n: now im curious

There’s_NotAStar: me too

BLACKMAIL PICTURES ‘JUST INCASE’

Dove, photoqueen

Dove: Velvet Scarlatina don’t you dare

Dove: You know they’re not supposed to see these

Dove: This is a breach of contract

photoqueen: you know i never sign anything baby boy

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

We’re_Soar’n: You’re dead to me

photoqueen: such sweet words

photoqueen:[weissiconicclass.jpg]

winterhatsunemiku: EXCUSE ME?!

We’re_Soar’n: I’m disappointed in you

We’re_Flying’n:…

hereforthememeories: how do you even have that?

winterhatsunemiku:Howdare you have that, you’re not even in our class!

winterhatsunemiku: And what I do while we wait for Professor Peach is my own business

There’s_NotAStar: i don’t think we want to know how

Official_TeamMom: Definitely not.

photoqueen: i see all

photoqueen: i know all

photoqueen: you fuckers cant hide shit

We’re_Flying’n: oh fuck

We’re_Flying’n has changed ‘photoqueen’ to ‘psychoqueen’

psychoqueen: hahahahah

Official_TeamMom: You guys never listen to me.

hereforthememeories: we apologize for our transgressions mom

We’re_Flying’n: wait dove seemed to know about this too

We’re_Flying’n has changed We’re_Soar’n to Traitor

There’s_NotAStar: wait but the shared name T.T

We’re_Flying’n has changed Traitor to We’re_Soar’n

There’s_NotAStar: : D

We’re_Flying’n: youre lucky i love that movie

There’s_NotAStar: only the movie? :(

We’re_Flying’n:yes

There’s_NotAStar::(

There’s_NotAStar: but i didnt do anything

Official_TeamMom: I hate you all.

electricslide:Really?

Official_TeamMom: Amended: I hate all of you except Pens.

electricslide:｡^‿^｡

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

winterhatsunemiku : i can’t stand him

winterhatsunemiku : he’s like a music man

winterhatsunemiku : and i hate it and that’s coming from me

winterhatsunemiku : miss ‘won a singing award at eleven and hosted multiple concerts before escaping to beacon’

We’re_Flying’n: hes a what? (hes a what?)

Official_TeamMom: He’s a music man and he sells clarinets to the kids in the town with the big trombones

We’re_Flying’n: and the ratta tat drums

Official_TeamMom: And the big brass bass

hereforthememeories: WHAT just happened?

psychoqueen: cardin musical theatre real?

There’s_NotAStar: definitely not, car couldnt sing to save his life

Official_TeamMom: Which is why I do it.

There’s_NotAStar:no!!

psychoqueen:no!!

hereforthememeories: sooooo what happened?

winterhatsunemiku : jaune serenaded me to try to get me to go to the dance with him in the middle of the damn hallway! people saw!!

hereforthememeories:Oof

psychoqueen:f

We’re_Soar’n: If you finally ask out Pyrrha I bet he’d stop

hereforthememeories: we all know thats not gonna happen

winterhatsunemiku: Nora we both know you haven’t asked your crush to the dance yet either

hereforthememeories: rude but true

hereforthememeories: but if i did it will you do it?

winterhatsunemiku: You know what, sure. If you manage to do it, I’ll do it

hereforthememeories: @electricslide go to the dance with me? (edited)

electricslide:Me?

hereforthememeories: yeah. if that’s okay

electricslide: I’d love to, Nora!

hereforthememeories:yeeeeeeeeeees

hereforthememeories: well have the best time ill make sure of it penny!

electricslide: I know you will! I’m excited! o(^▽^)o

hereforthememeories: me too!!!

hereforthememeories: and now its your turn weiss

winterhatsunemiku: Fine. A deal is a deal

winterhatsunemiku: I am happy for you, Nora

hereforthememeories: i know

hereforthememeories: and im always here if you need strength!

electricslide: Me as well! ୧(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)૭✧

winterhatsunemiku:…

winterhatsunemiku: Thank you, Nora, Penny

winterhatsunemiku:Genuinely

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

hereforthememeories: f in the chat for sky’s butterfingers

There’s_NotAStar:f 

hereforthememeories:f

We’re_Soar'n’ : F

electricslide: Oh no, what did he do?

We’re_Flying’n: i didnt do anything!

hereforthememeories: cut his thumb on a knife

hereforthememeories: hes bleeding all over the counter now

Official_TeamMom:What?!

winterhatsunemiku: The summons

We’re_Flying’n: nora sprained her hand last week and never said anything about it and didnt go to the nurse!!

Official_TeamMom: Nora did WHAT?!?

hereforthememeories:BETRAYAL????

psychoqueen: sky prepare yourself he comin

hereforthememeories: oh lordy he comin

winterhatsunemiku: Aren’t you in the kitchens too?

hereforthememeories: ive moved to the corner

There’s_NotAStar: smart but also very very dumb

hereforthememeories:?

We’re_Soar'n’: You are much quicker to forget betrayal than I am

hereforthememeories: OH SHIT

hereforthememeories is offline

There’s_NotAStar: its been pretty quiet for a while now

psychoqueen: no it hasnt 

psychoqueen: i can hear the scolding from here

electricslide: Are they okay?

winterhatsunemiku: Probably not

We’re_Flying’n: IVE ESCAPED

There’s_NotAStar: what happened??

electricslide: Is Nora okay?

We’re_Flying’n: wow yes thanks im fine

winterhatsunemiku: Don’t be rude

We’re_Flying’n: youre being rude by letting your lesbianism blind you to the true worry: me

winterhatsunemiku: EXCUSE ME?

We’re_Flying’n: also i dont think so

electricslide: ＼(º □ º l|l)/

We’re_Flying’n: he brought ren with him

psychoqueen:[youreindanger.jpeg]

We’re_Flying’n: why do you have such a specific one?

psychoqueen:cardin

There’s_NotAStar:cardin

winterhatsunemiku: You realize you’re just delaying your own scolding by running?

We’re_Flying’n: oh i made sure to smile and nod until he was done and turned on nora with ren

winterhatsunemiku: Of course

hereforthememeories: SKY YOU FUCK

hereforthememeories: YOU LEFT ME

hereforthememeories: COME BACK AND FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT

We’re_Flying’n: i did!

We’re_Flying’n: having to listen to him scold me for something dumb is punishment enough

psychoqueen:oooooo

We’re_Flying’n: which reminds me. i have to do something for our mom

We’re_Flying’n is offline

winterhatsunemiku:Hm

Official_TeamMom has added Ren to group chat

Official_TeamMom has named group chat to PARENTS

Ren: why’ve you created a group chat for us?

Official_TeamMom: What? I didn’t do anything.

Official_TeamMom:Wait.

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

Official_TeamMom:SKY!

We’re_Soar’n: What did you do?

hereforthememeories:sky

There’s_NotAStar:sky 

psychoqueen:sky

electricslide:Sky.

hereforthememeories: @winterhatunemiku j o i n

winterhatsunemiku: What are we doing?

hereforthememeories: shaming sky 

hereforthememeories: or summoning him back

winterhatsunemiku: … Alright

winterhatsunemiku:Sky

We’re_Flying’n: ive never done anything wrong ever in my life

Official_TeamMom:Bullshit

There’s_NotAScar: oh shit, hes cursed!

psychoqueen: hahaha were terrible influences

winterhatsunemiku: Yes you are

psychoqueen: you curse more than he does

winterhatsunemiku: Yes and I never did before I was put in a group with you rapscallions

winterhatsunemiku: Hence you are a terrible influence

hereforthememeories:rapscallions?

electricslide: It’s an archaic word that means mischievous!

hereforthememeories: thanks pens!

hereforthememeories: also thanks weiss!

winterhatsunemiku: It was not a compliment!

Official_TeamMom: She’s calling you villains and I’m inclined to agree

We’re_Flying’n: old woman weiss strikes again

We’re_Soar’n’: I’ll take it as one

PARENTS

Official_TeamMom, Ren

Official_TeamMom has renamed group chat to ONLY SENSIBLE ONES

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

winterhatsunemiku: You guys are terrible influences

There’s_NotAStar: whatd we do?

winterhatsunemiku: I cursed in front of team RWBY

winterhatsunemiku: I think Yang almost had a heart attack

We’re_Flying’n: doesnt yang curse?

winterhatsunemiku: Yes but apparently since I haven’t done it before and am an heiress it’s not expected of me

winterhatsunemiku: Which is fair, I’d never expected myself to use such uncouth language as well

winterhatsunemiku: Then I had to get tricked into being friends with youassholes

hereforthememeories: you love us

winterhatsunemiku: Unfortunately it would appear so

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

We’re_Flying’n: so weiss tongue is purple

hereforthememeories: why is her tongue purple?

winterhatsunemiku: Well Pyrrha and I had slushies

winterhatsunemiku: I had a red one

winterhatsunemiku: And Pyrrha had a blue one

hereforthememeories:…

hereforthememeories:OH

electricslide: You drank each other’s slushies?

hereforthememeories: oh honey no

electricslide:No?

electricslide: How else would Weiss’ tongue become purple if they didn’t share?

We’re_Flying’n: oh they shared alright

hereforthememeories has changed electricslide to confused_quarter

We’re_Flying’n: win wink nudge nudge

winterhatsunemiku: Sky I’m not sure I appreciate those… Whatever they are

winterhatsunemiku: Implications, I suppose

We’re_Flying’n: oh you made all the implications yourself

We’re_Flying’n: im just drawing light to them

confused_quarter: I don’t understand

hereforthememeories: pyrrha and weiss drank slushies then made out

confused_quarter:Huh

confused_quarter: Oh! I see

confused_quarter: Congratulations, Weiss!

winterhatsunemiku: Thank you Penny

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, hereforthememeories, and 4 others

We’re_Flying’n:@Official_TeamMomslut

Official_TeamMom:W

Official_TeamMom: What did you just call me?

We’re_Flying’n: oh im sorry you must notve heard me

We’re_Flying’n: S L U T

winterhatsunemiku: Don’t call your team leader that

psychoqueen: yeah dont call your mom that

Official_TeamMom: Thank you!

Official_TeamMom:Velvet.

psychoqueen:cardin

Official_TeamMom: How many times do I have to say: I’m not their mom!

psychoqueen: bold words for someone with that username

Official_TeamMom: Anytime I try to change it it ‘mysteriously’ turns back!

We’re_Flying’n: haha bet

confused_quarter: You’re not?

Official_TeamMom:Uh

We’re_Flying’n: uh oh

Official_TeamMom: Copper and Valkyrie get a pass

hereforthememeories: haha im a chosen!

hereforthememeories changed name to kidone

confused_quarter:｡^‿^｡

psychoqueen: i feel like a kid is missing

winterhatsunemiku: I give my permission

Official_TeamMom: And Schnee.

winterhatsunemiku: So why’d you call him that?

We’re_Soar’n: We passed Jaune in the hallway

winterhatsunemiku:And?

We’re_Soar’n:…

There’s_NotAStar: how long have you been a part of this group?

winterhatsunemiku: A little less time than Nora but I don’t know what that has to do with my question

Official_TeamMom: Nothing and there’s no question.

kidone: ABD YOU HAVENT BOTICED???

winterhatsunemiku: Nora that looks atrocious

winterhatsunemiku: And apparently not

kidone: geez i thought penny was bad with pyrrha and you

Official_TeamMom: You and Pyrrha

winterhatsunemiku: What’s that supposed to mean?!

kidone has changed winterhatsunemiku to confused_snowflake

confused_snowflake: Excuse me??

We’re_Soar'n’: You’re excused, heiress

psychoqueen: cardins liked jaune since he saved his ass in forever fall

There’s_NotAStar: sorry but thats wrong

There’s_NotAStar: cardins liked jaune since teams were made

Official_TeamMom: You’re all dead to me

psychoqueen:all?

Official_TeamMom: Correction: You’re all dead to me except Valkyrie and Copper

We’re_Flying’n:whipped

There’s_NotAStar: blatant favouritism

confused_snowflake: You have a crush on that imbecile?

psychoqueen:yup

confused_snowflake:Why?

Official_TeamMom: I don’t know! Just drop it!

psychoqueen: ‘don’t know?m

psychoqueen: he’s so bright he outshines the stars on the darkest night

There’s_NotAStar: his eyes are like the ocean on a cloudless sunny day

We’re_Soar'n’: They change shades, too, with his emotions. Did you see the other day, while training? The blue darkened like a thunderstorm and lightning zinged through them whenever he did something right 

We’re_Flying’n: outside, when the sun hits it, his hair shines like a halo formed around him

There’s_NotAStar: and have you heard him sing? its like the god apollo blessed his very voice

confused_snowflake:…

confused_snowflake: What was I just forced to read?

Official_TeamMom:Nothing!!

psychoqueen: a portion of what weve been forced to listen to for the past year

kidone: this is great

kidone: im saving all of this

kidone: it is screenshotted now

Official_TeamMom: I change my mind I hate all of you

Official_TeamMom: Except Copper

Official_TeamMom is offline

psychoqueen: running from it doesn’t change it

There’s_NotAStar: nora how did you know if youve never heard any of that?

We’re_Flying’n: and how did you escape hearing it? asking for a friend. the friend is me

kidone: oh ive just seen the way he moons at jaune when jaunes not looking

kidone: its probably cause jaunes my team leader

We’re_Flying’n: is jaune taking in any new team members?

kidone: i dont think thats allowed

kidone: plus jaune looks at him like that too so im not sure its much better

We’re_Flying’n: as long as he doesnt wax poetic i dont care

There’s_NotAStar: wait jaune looks at him too???

kidone: love works in mysterious ways

We’re_Soar'n’: Has been for a few months

There’s_NotAStar: dove!! youve noticed??

We’re_Soar'n’: Hard not to

There’s_NotAStar: and youve never mentioned it??

We’re_Soar'n’: Don’t care enough to

There’s_NotAStar: >: (

confused_snowflake: Surely you all must be exaggerating

psychoqueen: not as much as youd hope

We’re_Flying’n: pray you never have to hear it

There’s_NotAStar: hes not.. thatbad

There’s_NotAStar: and its nice to hear him talk

confused_snowflake:?

There’s_NotAStar: there were a few years he didnt

There’s_NotAStar: he was completely mute when we met

psychoqueen: fuck, sometimes i forget about that

psychoqueen: like hes naturally more quiet then us. but he still talks even if its just to tell us not to do something stupid

There’s_NotAStar:yeah

There’s_NotAStar:@Official_TeamMom come baaaaaack were sorry

psychoqueen:yeah

There’s_NotAStar: or atleast some of us are

kidone:mooooooom

Official_TeamMom: It’s fine, guys.

Official_TeamMom: I’ll try to be less annoying.

There’s_NotAStar:car

kidone:mom

confused_snowflake:mom

confused_quarter:mom

psychoqueen:car

There’s_NotAStar: dont worry about it youre not annoying

psychoqueen: and even when you are it’s not like were much better

psychoqueen: we’re a family. we’re annoying together

Official_TeamMom: How can you guys be so reassuring and exhausting at the same time?

psychoqueen: our special talent

Official_TeamMom:Yeah.

Official_TeamMom: … thank you.

There’s_NotAStar: of course! <3

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, kidone, and 4 others

Official_TeamMom: I am so done today (edited)

We’re_Flying’n:boner

psychoqueen:boner

kidone:boner

confused_snowflake:Boner

We’re_Soar’n:Boner

There’s_NotAStar:boner

confused_quarter: What are you doing?

Official_TeamMom: Annoying me

kidone: making fun of moms typo

Official_TeamMom: Other people in this chat make typos too and you never mock them! Why is it always only me?

We’re_Flying’n: other people arent the mom

psychoqueen: it’s how we show are love

psychoqueen:*our

Official_TeamMom:Are

We’re_Soar’n:Nope

We’re_Soar’n: Not the same

There’s_NotAStar: not the same

There’s_NotAStar:jinx

We’re_Flying’n has renamed group chat to boner

Official_TeamMom: I hate you all

confused_snowflake: Yang’s done this to me before

confused_snowflake: She’s right, it isfun!

confused_quarter:Hm

confused_quarter:Boner

There’s_NotAStar: thats the spirit pens!

confused_quarter: (* ^ ω ^)

—-

boner

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, kidone, and 4 others

Official_TeamMom: Fine, that’s it, im the mom?

Official_TeamMom: Then the ones in my class, you’re in time out

kidone: GET ON TOP OF THE FRIDGE GET UP THERE

We’re_Flying’n: THIS HOUSE IS A FUCKING NIGHTMARE

psychoqueen:?

psychoqueen: what happened?

confused_snowflake: One of us got Cardin in trouble during class

We’re_Flying’n: ‘one of us’. i saw you shoot a rubber band too miss ‘im so much more mature than you’

confused_snowflake:Iwasn’t the one who got our matriarch in trouble

We’re_Flying’n: youre still included in the time out

There’s_NotAStar: that was me

There’s_NotAStar: sorry about that

Official_TeamMom: Was it? Or are you just saying that so everyone else won’t get in trouble?

We’re_Flying’n: i did!!

Official_TeamMom: You didn’t hit the teacher

We’re_Flying’n: hoe do you know?!

Official_TeamMom: It doesn’t really matter, anyway. None of you should’ve been shooting rubber bands during class

Official_TeamMom: Which one of you idiots even started it?

confused_snowflake:Rude

Official_TeamMom: Actually nevermind, I’m pretty sure I know

Official_TeamMom:Sky.

We’re_Flying’n: why are you pointing fingers at me asshole?!

Official_TeamMom: Because it’s usually you

We’re_Flying’n: ey fuck you!

We’re_Flying’n: its true

We’re_Flying’n: but fuck you!

We’re_Flying’n: and it wasnt me this time

kidone: it was me

Official_TeamMom:Nora

kidone: wait no plaese dont say it

Official_TeamMom: Say what?

kidone: that your disappointed in me

Official_TeamMom: I won’t?

Official_TeamMom: Nora, there are very few things you could do that would disappoint me

kidone: there are?

Official_TeamMom:Yeah

Official_TeamMom: I might be disappointed if you stabbed someone

Official_TeamMom: Especially during class and more if you didn’t stab them properly

kidone:oh

kidone:okay

Official_TeamMom: You good, Nora?

kidone: yeah im good

kidone:genuinely

Official_TeamMom:Good

kidone:good

We’re_Flying’n: does this mean we get out of the timeout?

Official_TeamMom: Absolutely not

We’re_Flying’n:damn

—-

CHAOS FAMILY

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, kidone, and 4 others

There’s_NotAStar : okay who keeps stealing my cheetos?

There’s_NotAStar: because im usually willing to share but its jusy mean at this point :(

kidone: you had cheetos???

There’s_NotAStar:idid

There’s_NotAStar: a whole brand new bag too

We’re_Flying’n: someone please fess up

We’re_Flying’n: hes pouting and not even kissing is saving it now

confused_snowflake: That’s worrying

We’re_Soar’n: Not really, it’s more worrying when it doesn’t work on Sky

We’re_Flying’n: its still worrying!

We’re_Soar’n:True

There’s_NotAStar: a whole bag

There’s_NotAStar:just

There’s_NotAStar:gone

There’s_NotAStar:woosh

psychoqueen:fuck, i forgot to ask

Official_TeamMom: Smooth, Scarlatina

psychoqueen: dont ‘scarlatina’ me asshole, you were part of this

There’s_NotAStar:betrayed?

There’s_NotAStar: by my own siblings?

psychoqueen: im sorry russ, we’ll buy you more

psychoqueen:right, cardin?

Official_TeamMom:Yeah

Official_TeamMom: We’ll buy you a bag of those spicy ones you like along with the regular

There’s_NotAStar: thank you!!

—-

boner

We’re_Flying’n, We’re_Soar’n, There’s_NotAStar, kidone, and 4 others

kidone has renamed group chat to CLOWN BRIGADE

psychoqueen: not that i dont agree

psychoqueen: but why?

kidone : well i was trying to figure out what out team name would be

kidone:andobviously mom has to be the leader

kidone: because mom

confused_snowflake:Obviously

kidone: so iwrhought itd be easiest to put crdl fiest 

kidone: so crdlpwns

kidone: but autocorrect wanted to change it to clowns and i thought it was fitting!

confused_snowflake: I see

psychoqueen:fitting

Friendship: Russel and Velvet

Okay, so maybe it was, perhaps, not the best idea. And maybe had Velvet thought about it for more than two seconds, she would’ve realized that. Maybe Russel would’ve if he’d bothered to think on it for more than two seconds. But neither of them did. So contemplating the validity of the idea really didn’t do anything for them at this point aside from giving them the very real (and accurate) impression that if Cardin had known about this he’d be telling them both ‘I told you so’ right about now. That or asking them how they possibly thought this was a good idea.

(Answer: They hadn’t really thought at all, duh . Not past 'oh, this’ll be cool.’)

Where were they? Handcuffed together, of course.

“Are you sure you don’t remember where the keys are?” Russel asked.

“I don’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning,” Velvet said. Though now that she said it, she was thinking about it, and after a minute her brain provided her the answer she neither needed nor really wanted. Toast and fruit. (Strawberries and raspberries.) She sighed to herself, ignoring her brain’s sudden desire to be helpful for something that was definitely not what she wanted it to be helpful for, and tried to pick the lock again. “We don’t need it, anyhow. One of us’ll be able to get it.”

They both could pick locks, honestly, it shouldn’t be this hard. Why did Cardin’s shitty house lock have to be easier than these handcuffs?

“Maybe I should try again?” Russel said. Velvet handed over the lock pick and dropped her hand into his lap.

“Good luck,” she said and meant it. Would she prefer to be the one to get them out? Yeah. That was kinda the whole point of this little 'exercise’, after all. A small competition to see who could get them out faster. Except they put them on and that has been an hour ago and here they still were. At this point who won mattered quite a bit less than the getting out. Unless they wanted to spend the rest of their day together. And while she loved her brother, she didn’t treasure the idea of having to follow him to the toilet.

“Hey, if you don’t get it, maybe Scarlet can. I’m sure you’d love to watch him work,” Velvet said, waggling her eyebrows and moving her shoulders. Russel fumbled, almost dropping the lock pick.

“No,” he lied. Poorly. Velvet hummed. Russel repeated it stronger, “ No . I don’t want to see those long fingers anywhere near my wrists or hands, shut up.”

Velvet gasped dramatically. She tried to make it sound as fake as possible, just to drive the point home. And because she knew it messed with him when people were genuinely upset with him, especially when he couldn’t do anything about it. What can she say, she needed him to know she was fucking with him or it just wouldn’t be funny. “How dare you tell me to shut up. Your loving older sister who’s just trying to look out for you and your crush on tall, British, and dumb.”

“Velvet ,” Russel whined.

“Sorry, not dumb, fabulous,” Velvet said with a smirk that perhaps said she’d spent too much time with Cardin since the three of them quite literally ran into eachother in the hallway.

“I will leave you behind,” Russel threatened.

“If you can get out,” Velvet said. Not like he would actually leave her here, anyway.

Russel groaned. Velvet closed her eyes and rested against the wall. She could hear the scrape of the lock pick against the lock. It was clear he still wasn’t having much luck with it. She let him work silently for a few minutes. Though it had been a joke, Velvet did actually consider getting Scarlet. The boy had a weird set of random skills. And lock picking really was one of them. If neither of them got out, he was definitely the last resort.

Finally, a small, metallic click actually resounded in her ears. She was so surprised that she didn’t even really register it until Russel gave a triumphant noise. The cuff around her own wrist jangled as the cuff that’d been attached to Russel’s dropped.

“Fuck yeah!” Russel said and Velvet opened her eyes. He had his cuff off, rubbing his wrist where it’d gotten a bit sore from being held for so long.

“Nice, Russ!” Velvet said. “You won!”

Russel beamed at her. It still took him maybe fifteen more minutes to get hers off.

4KIDS: RUBY GIRLS! - Part 2