Chapter 22

He could not do this. He should not do this. She deserved better than him. Everyone deserved better than him. Arslan deserved a better friend. Yang deserved someone who listened to her advice. Summer deserved a father who was there from the beginning, a father who put his foot down when it mattered. Maybe then he would have at least been able to say goodbye. Now he would be facing Ruby's visage, not immortalized in photograph but in flesh, his flesh, his blood, his kin. How would he feel? He never gave it much thought. How would Summer affect him should they meet? It was never a possibility to him. He would ensure Summer's safe care until she found a true family, then he would move on, one way or another.

Now Yatsuhashi sat in the lobby of Solstice Modeling, having been invited by Yang. Accompanying him was Arslan, who now sat at his side, a firm hand on his shoulder, anchoring him, calming him, if only enough to prevent his flight. It shamed him to admit that potential, but he had never been a good liar. He never liked lying - lies only brought pain - but so often did the truth hurt, that lies at times seemed the lesser of two evils. Was that how he had reached this point, taking the easy lie over the painful truth?

"Calm Yatsu, calm." Arslan soothed, moving her hand to his forearm, anchoring him, steadying his heartbeat. While they had both been extended an invitation, it was Arslan who had convinced him to come. Since his first visit to the orphanage, Arslan had made sure to keep in constant contact, inviting him back time and again. He had few hobbies, and he had given up his long hours of extra work, so he saw no reason not to humor her. Arslan became a source of warmth in his life, the first true friend he had made in years. The group of friends he had made in university drifted apart without Ruby, who's loving nature had attracted and acted as a social glue for the odd bunch. It was nice to hold casual conversation again, to smile and laugh genuinely, to know someone cared for him.

Eventually Arslan wore him down, and Yatsuhashi began interacting with the children at the orphanage. He felt hypocritical, but Arslan insisted it would be good for him, a form of therapy even. Swallowing his worries, he allowed Arslan to introduce him, and was soon swarmed by the tiny, fragile proto-humans. He was paranoid of falling over and crushing or accidentally stepping on them. Cursed, or blessed, with a naturally large build, combined with a regular exercise regimen and healthy diet, he was a veritable mountain of a man. This gave him as many advantages as disadvantages, mainly due to the intimidation he inspired in others, but apparently the children were exempt from this.

Now, in addition to socializing with Arslan, Yatsuhashi helped manage and entertain the children. He let them climb all over him, read to them, and taught them to meditate (with little success). It was indeed therapeutic. He found his days growing brighter and brighter, no longer spent alone and miserable, barely coping day to day. All was going well, until Yang called:

"I want you to meet Summer." Yang declared.

"Miss Xiao-Long-" Yatsuhashi tried to protest.

"Yang." She cut in. "We're family Yatsu."

"I apologize, you're right." Yatsuhashi allowed. "But you know how I fee-"

"I do know how you feel." Yang confirmed. "But this isn't about you, or me. This is about Summer."

"I...Yang, she deserves-" Yatsuhashi resisted.

"She deserves to have you in her life." Yang cut him off. "She has a right to know her father."

"I haven't been a father to her Yang." Yatsuhashi countered. "I don't deserve the title."

"Right, sending monthly, beefy checks to the orphanage doesn't count as fatherly care." Yang allowed. "Yatsu, I know it's hard, but I think you need to look at the bigger picture. Years down the line, how do you think she'll feel if we keep lying to her? She's been through enough. We're having a gathering at Solstice this weekend, I want you to come, please."

"I...I'll give it some thought." Yatsuhashi relented.

"Fine, good enough." Yang sighed. "Take care Yatsu."

"You too."

Naturally Yatsuhashi had panicked, shutting himself away and brooding, unintentionally neglecting his schedule at the orphanage. Just as naturally, it was Arslan who snapped him out of it, dressing him down, dressing him up, and borderline dragging him along. As scared as he was, deep down, he knew it was necessary. It was just so much easier to hide, and he needed someone to give him the required push.

Hearing footsteps, Yatsuhashi tensed, looking to the hallway. Yang appeared, and his stomach fell, as beside her was Summer. "Miss Arslan?!" Summer cheered.

"Hello Summer, how have you been settling in?" Arslan asked.

"Really great!" Summer exclaimed. "My room is so big now!"

"Well that's good." Arslan chuckled. "I'm glad you're happy. Yang, it's good to see you."

"You too Arslan." Yang responded.

"Who are you?" Summer asked the hulking man beside Arslan.

Yatsuhashi swallowed, staring at his daughter. He had never seen her so close before. He had seen pictures on occasion - birthdays and special events - but never in person. Her resemblance to both himself and Ruby...it scared him. "I'm...I'm Yatsuhashi, but you can call me Yatsu." He finally managed.

"Hello Mister Yatsu." Summer smiled.

"Hello Summer...it's good to finally meet you." Yatsuhashi declared.

"How do you know me?" Summer asked.

Yatsuhashi flinched, but maintained a tight smile. "I...knew your mother...she was a dear friend." He struggled. "I miss her very much."

"Did you know my dad?" Summer asked.

Yatsuhashi paused, Arslan and Yang tensed, watching as he sat staring into Summer's silver eyes. The same eyes that had once filled him with such happiness now inspired only fear and guilt. He slumped, shaking his head. "No, I'm sorry Summer." He lied.

Yang let out a small sigh, closing her eyes and frowning. "Summer, why don't you introduce Yatsu to the others?" She suggested.

"Okay!" Summer cheered. "Come on Mister Yatsu! Nora has heart nipples!" She ran forward, pulling on his arm, slowly dragging him to his feet.

"Oh?" Yatsuhashi asked. "Interesting."

Yang's frown did not fade as Yatsuhashi looked away, dragged along by the little girl. Hearing the footsteps fade, Yang sighed, taking his place next to Arslan and sinking into the couch. "I'm sorry Yang." Arslan apologized.

"Not your fault Arslan." Yang clapped her hand on Arslan's thigh. "Thanks for getting him here."

"He really has come a long way." Arslan insisted.

"I know...just not far enough." Yang sighed.

"Yet." Arslan encouraged.

"Hopefully...it's just...fuck." Yang groaned. "This is gonna' complicate things down the line. We're all lying to her."

"Maybe she'll understand, when she's older." Arslan suggested.

"Yeah, or she'll freak out." Yang countered. "Oh yeah, Uncle Yatsu was your dad the whole time, fancy that." She buried her face in her hands.

"Have faith Yang." Arslan said.

"Faith has been in short supply for me Arl'." Yang scoffed. "All I can do is hope."

Summer introduced Yatsuhashi around, to various reactions. Glynda in particular strongly suggested he make another appointment in the near future, as he had not followed up after their initial meeting. After a few questions - some deflected, some answered truthfully - Summer was abducted by Nora for piggyback rides, and Yatsuhashi settled on the couch with Arslan and Pyrrha for some quiet conversation. Yang distracted herself with more alcohol, though after the breakdancing incident, Winter had elected to sober up for the drive home. They would most likely be taking a taxi regardless, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Ghira and Kali rejoined, less frazzled but more flustered than before. Nora filled up on nuggets with Summer, and eventually they dozed off on some pillows swiped from the props room. Pyrrha and Sun ended up slow dancing when the music changed tempo, joined by Ghira and Kali, along with Blake and Velvet, who were quite drunk. Qrow and Melanie never left the breakroom, though the door remained open, and no noises audible over the music were evident. It was only when the night was winding down, and Glynda half escorted and half carried an inebriated Raven out, that Yang thought to check on them.

"Guys?" Yang asked. She peeked her head into the room, and spotted Qrow sat on the couch, head slumped forward, Melanie nowhere to be seen. Creeping forward, Yang saw numerous empty beer bottles neatly lined up on the coffee table and two paper plates, one holding the remains of a slice half eaten. Then Yang spotted Melanie. "Oh well." Melanie was snuggled innocently into Qrow's side, her usually stoic frown slightly less firm. Yang could not help but smile.

"What's going on?" Winter shuffled in. Yang held a finger to her lips and beckoned her over to see. "Well that's...interesting."

"Not a smidge of lipstick on Qrow." Yang observed. "They've really just been talking the entire time from the looks of things."

"And drinking half the stock." Winter added.

"Not like you can say any better." Yang noted.

Winter scoffed, but grinned. "Well, I'm tired. Should we wake them?"

"Nah, they look...comfy." Yang decided. "I dunno' what's going on, but we can deal with it tomorrow. Don't you think?"

Winter yawned languidly. "Hmm, fine." She agreed. "But if he did anything untoward, he's sleeping in the yard tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah, come on pillow princess." Yang smirked.

"That's pillow Queen to you." Winter declared.

Yang laughed softly as they left the breakroom, sliding an arm around Winter's waist. They stopped to see Ghira lift a dozing Kali into his arms. He thanked Winter and Yang before leaving, with a barely standing Blake and Velvet shambling after. Sun pried a sleeping Summer from Nora's arms, gently handing her over to Yang and thanking Winter before carrying a mumbling Nora from the room. As Sage and Scarlet had long since departed, Yatsuhashi and Arslan were the last to leave, with him stopping to see Summer one more time.

"She looks so peaceful." Yatsuhashi observed.

"When she's out of energy, and not tearing about the place." Yang chuckled quietly.

Yatsuhashi smiled, closing his eyes. "I...know I disappointed you, and I apologize for that." He sighed. "Maybe sometime in the future, I'll be ready."

"Maybe." Yang smiled tightly. "Take care Yatsu, and you too Arslan. Hope you enjoyed yourselves."

"I did." Arslan nodded. "Thank you for inviting me Yang, Winter."

"Have a good night Arslan, Yatsu." Winter bid them farewell. With a final nod and a bow, Yatsuhashi and Arslan departed as well, leaving Yang and Winter to survey the damage. "I expected more mess."

"You always expect the worst." Yang teased.

"It's in my nature, and I'm usually right." Winter noted.

"Well, tonight you're wrong, hooray." Yang joked.

Sighing, Winter smiled. She surprised Yang with a pat on the rear. "Come on love, let's go home."

With a throbbing in his head, Qrow was forced unwillingly into wakefulness. He could already feel it, this was a hangover best slept off. His position was somewhat uncomfortable however, twisted on a couch as he was, no doubt adding to his misery. He was about to get up to stretch when he realized there was a pressure on his lap. Forcing his eyes open and straining against the insufficient light, he looked down. Shit. There was Mel, her head resting on his legs. Winter was going to be pissed. Yang was going to be...well...Yang. If they had done anything untoward...had they?

The previous night was a bit of a blur. He remembered having a long and lively chat with the girl sleeping on his lap, then, nothing. What had they gotten up to? Had they just been eating and drinking, bitching about life until they passed out. There were certainly enough beer bottles lined up on the table to explain the gaps in his memory, but they told him nothing of what else had gone on. Maybe Mel would remember. Shit. Maybe Mel would remember. He had been on the receiving end of more than his share of slaps and punches, but Mel looked like the sort who would really leave him hurting. Worse, there was no way he could extricate himself without waking her. He was going to have to face her. But how?

The matter was decided for him when Mel groaned and stirred.

Melanie felt a warmth and a softness about her head. It was a feeling she remembered, a feeling she relished, curled up on the couch with her head in her sister's lap. It made her want to snuggle in and sleep some more...but that could not be right. Miltia was gone. Then who… Melanie turned and looked up. She saw a nervous-looking Qrow staring down at her. What happened last night? She could not remember exactly, just a lot of drinking, talking, and more chicken nuggets than it was healthy for ten people to eat. Had they gotten up to anything else?

"Morning Mel." Qrow managed, though his voice was a bit weaker than Melanie remembered.

"Mornin'...where…" Melanie started groggily.

"I think we're still at Solstice." Qrow replied. "We must have passed out or something. You look kinda' pale, are you okay? Should I get a bucket or somethin'?"

Melanie did not feel great. The memories of her sister had come flooding back and threatened to drag her down, but she forced them to the back of her mind. "I'll be alright, just not a morning person." She lied. She looked Qrow over. She sat up, stretched, and looked again. "Well, there's no lipstick on you, so I guess we didn't do anything." Melanie breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she had anything against the guy, it just would have been embarrassing to have done something without remembering it."

"That's a relief." Qrow smiled, the nerves seemingly gone. "Should check one more spot though." With Melanie sitting up and out of the way, he lifted up the waistband of his pants and peered inside. "Nope, all clear."

"I should probably be offended." Melanie observed.

"Somebody had to go there." Qrow grinned.

"Maybe we could go there...another time." Melanie winked.

"Uh...I…um…" Qrow stammered.

"Calm down, I'm just messin' with ya'." Melanie chuckled.

"Well then." Qrow struggled to regain his composure. It was too early and he was too hungover to deal with this kind of teasing. Not that he did not love it. "If that clock is accurate, we've been out for a long time. We should probably head home."

"Yeah, I could use a shower." Melanie declared. She bent down to sniff her shirt. "I think I spilled some beer on myself."

"Happens to the best of us." Qrow joked. "I should probably head home and spend some time with my family - precious memories and all that - but how about we meet up later, get some drinks? I don't remember everything, but I think we had a pretty good time, may as well keep it rollin'."

"Well, I live above a nightclub, so when you're ready, just head over to my place." Melanie agreed. "Junior's. If you don't know where it is, ask Yang, she used to work there."

"That's where she had her shitty bouncer job?" Qrow asked.

"Sure is." Melanie confirmed. "Now that I think about it, I should introduce you to one of the bartenders. I think you'll get along famously."

"It's a date." Qrow smirked.

Melanie smiled briefly before her usually bored frown returned. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

END SEASON 2