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raebaekaedae · 1 year

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Volume One, Episode Seven: “Extracurricular”

Series: SCWR Rating: PG-13 (Foul Language, Violence against Fantasy Monsters, Violence, Death Mentioned, Prominent Themes, Themes of Racism) Summary: (3,583 words) “Finally healed and ready to return to action, Hadrian ends up trapped underground with Ryder after an extra credit mission goes awry. With no where to go but up, the boys will have to work together to escape the cavern crawling with Creeps. However, Haddy’s unsure of what will kill him first... the grimm or his awkward attempts to get to know his quietest teammate.”

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How could one person be so heavy? Hadrian heaved along with Ryder's torso thrown over his upper back, securing him by his scaled arms as his cheek was pressed into Haddy's shoulder. Sweat, iron, oil, and moldy dirt bombarded his nose. He could feel his fellow faunus's feet dragging along the ground, but he really couldn't help that Ryder was a solid six-and-a-half feet tall. His first day without that stupid sling in over a week, and he had to spend it trapped underground in a musty cave caked in a mildewy smell.

His scroll was secured in his teeth with the flashlight pointed forward, feebly trying to illuminate any obstacles; however, it was mostly just making annoying shadows that obscured said obstacles. When he stumbled over yet another loose rock, he let out an echoing growl of irritation. The sound reverberated quietly off the walls of the cave, slowly disappearing into the darkness behind them.

Haddy grumbled as he readjusted Ryder's weight on his back, pushing on into the cave system. As he sighed once again, he thought back to a few hours ago, before all this happened.

"Field trip!" Robyn excitedly shouted as she jumped up into the air with her arms and legs spread. Ryder caught her on her way down and set her back on the ground with a roll of his yellow eyes.

Monroe sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she asked, "Really? On the weekend?" The other students gathered around the student message board all groaned, some of the older fourth years and even bolder thirds even started to walk away.

"Welllllll, not exactly," the redhead drew out, snatching the flyer from off the poster board and reading it over, "It says here that Mrs. Heather is offering extra credit for each picture of a different grimm that you can take with your scroll by the end of the day."

"Sounds like a pain," Monroe said, linking her fingers behind her head as she sighed.

Hadrian, however, walked up behind Robyn and started reading the flyer over her shoulder. After a moment, he smirked, "It's worth it though. Ten points on your choice of attendance, test, or participation per grimm."

When Monroe again didn't look enthused, the husky faunus nonchalantly expanded, "It'd be perfect for three, unnamed students who skipped out on a class covering regional grimm-- in which their valiant leader had to cover for and tutor them-- and they lost precious attendance and participation points in said class, dropping them to B-averages."

The blonde pirate looked over at Haddy with a raised brow and judgmental frown. Ryder, however, chuckled as he walked over and started to look over the flyer as well. After a moment, the trio looked back to their secret leader and dug into her with shit-eating grins. Monroe huffed out a sigh and rolled her eyes before also joining them to read the instructions.

She pouted as she glanced over the flyer, "If we want to get our grades back up to A's, we'll each need four grimm; two for attendance and two for participation."

"No problemo," Robyn chirped with a smile, "We can easily grab an Ursa, Beowolf, and Boarbatusk in the Emerald Forest."

Haddy rubbed his chin as he thought, "Yeah, but what about the last one? Sure there are Deathstalkers and King Taijitu out there, but they're pretty rare. How about a Nevermore?"

"Too quick and small," the blonde replied, "Goliath?"

"The closest herd is out by Mount Glenn, too far to get there and back before sundown," Hadrian sighed. When his teammates turned to look at him with surprise in their eyes, he nervously laughed, "I might have done a little research after our Goliath fight."

With a laugh, Robyn jumped up and ruffled Hadrian's hair. As he batted her away and started to smooth out his hair, Ryder spoke up, "What 'bout a Creep?"

The trio looked at him, before weighing their options. Monroe remarked, "They are indigenous to the Forest..."

However, Robyn quickly added, "We'd have to split up though. They're usually found underground."

"Not a problem," Haddy smiled, standing on his tiptoes to wrap an arm around Ryder's scaled shoulders, "Ryder and I can go spelunking while you guys find the easy shots."

He honestly just wanted a chance to bond with his fellow faunus...

Almost immediately, Robyn and Monroe looked at each other. He could have been wrong, but the husky was sure that he'd seen concern in their eyes. However, before he could ask, Ryder nodded, "Sound's good t' me."

Robyn hesitated before she reached a hand up to Ryder's forearm and asked, "You sure, R?" The brutish armadillo only nodded.

"Okay," Monroe decided, clapping her hands together before continuing, "Everyone's got their roles. Just make sure to grab pictures from four different angles so we can each use them for the credit."

As his mind cleared and returned to the present, he was reminded of the girls' behavior at Ryder's mention of going underground. He didn't seem apprehensive or frightened, but then again no one suspected his fear of Beowolves until he was half-dead in a field needing to be rescued. His pale eyes turned back to his friend as he slept.

They'd just entered the narrow of the cave when the Creeps came burrowing out of the walls. He didn't have time to even activate his semblance before the ceiling was caving in. If Ryder hadn't thrown himself over top of him, he'd have surely been crushed. Unfortunately, the scaled faunus hadn't been so lucky. Just as the tremor was dying down, a rock struck him in the back of the head and knocked him unconscious... His aura must have broken or gotten too close to it from the debris without Haddy noticing.

He cursed himself briefly for having to be saved, again, before he sighed. At least that meant that he had people who cared about him. As if on cue, Ryder started to rouse as a soft groan echoed through his chest. Immediately, Hadrian stopped, looking back at his friend as he lowered him to the ground. As he leaned back against the cold, damp cave wall, Ryder rubbed his head.

"Wha' happ'n'd?" The armadillo asked, his faunus eyes slowly adjusting to the lack of light.

Haddy sat down indian-style in front of him, propping his elbows up on his knees as he finally took the light from his mouth. He worked his sore jaw for a moment before answering, "The Creeps took out the structural support and caused a cave-in. I think we fell down a level or two."

Ryder sighed and leaned his head back so that it rested against the stone wall as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment. Haddy examined his expression as the same emotionless look stained Ryder's face. After a moment, the armadillo faunus stood up and offered his partner a hand. With a half-frown, the husky joined him.

Without much more, Ryder headed off in the same direction Hadrian had been heading while he was unconscious. Quickly, the husky joined him, shining the light from his scroll ahead in the cave. He watched as Ryder silently examined the cave walls while walking down the claustrophobic corridor. He almost had to lean down so that his head didn't scrape against the jagged ceiling.

Against his better judgment, Haddy swung his arms back and forth awkwardly and slowly drew out, "So... Ryder..."

The scaled faunus glanced back at him, wordlessly signaling that he was paying attention. Hadrian instinctively looked away as he rubbed the back of his neck and continued, "Uh, 'Roe and Rob seemed... kinda... hesitant about you coming down here..." The husky swallowed hard as Ryder remained quiet.

After a moment, he shrugged and turned back forward, explaining, "Yeah..." Ryder briefly paused before sighing, "My paren's died in'a dust mine when I w's a kid."

Great freaking job, Hadrian.

"Oh," he replied with a squeak in his voice, "I'm, uh, sorry to hear that..."

"I's all good, man. Not'chur fault..." Ryder answered solemnly, continuing to lead them through the cave system.

The pair of boys walked in silence for a few minutes, Hadrian too afraid of bringing up any more awkward topics of conversation and Ryder being his usual, quiet self. However, being left alone with his thoughts brought another question to Haddy's mind. He waited another moment or so before he took a deep breath and tested the waters again.

"You're from Menagerie, right?" He asked. When Ryder nodded in response, the husky quietly remarked, "There, um... aren't any dust mines in Menagerie..."

"Tha's right..." the armadillo replied after a moment, still not turning around to face his friend.

Hadrian was more than willing to let it go, but after a moment Ryder took a deep breath and sighed, "I grew up 'n Menagerie, but I w's born 'n Mantle, like you..."

The husky swallowed the lump in his throat as Ryder came to a stop and leaned back against the cave wall while he crossed his arms.

Haddy halted as well and listened as his quiet friend explained, "My folks weren't 's bad off 's alot'a tha people down 'n Mantle, but'cha know... i's still no Atlas...

"When I w's born, they both start'd workin' f'r tha Schnee Dust Comp'ny. Got trap't in'a cave-in. Coron'r said they prolly died as'a result'a tha residu'l dust 'xplodin'. I don't rememb'r nuthin' 'bout 'em, 'cause I's sent t' live with my uncles 'n Menagerie right aft'r. I w's two."

With a sigh and shrug, Ryder finished, "So, y'know... Cade an' Robby 're less th'n happy when I 'ave ta go und'rgroun'..."

Hadrian listened intently, hanging on every word until he was done. After a minute to collect himself, Haddy asked, "And you're not?"

Again, Ryder only shrugged before replying, "Not really... d'dn't kill me, so I ain't worried."

"That's..." Hadrian started, unable to find the right word.

"Morb'd?" The scaled faunus chuckled. Haddy could only slowly nod in response, so Ryder continued, "Y'know, if ya worry 'bout ev'ry lil' thin' that happ'n'd t' ev'ryone, you'd b' scar'd'a ev'rythin'. Sometime's ya jus' gotta leave tha past 'n tha past or it'll drag ya down in tha pres'nt..."

Something about that struck a chord in Hadrian. Honestly, it reminded him a lot of some of the wisdoms that Tadashi used to tell him and his team in bleak moments. Tall, kind-hearted, stoic, and quiet... he could see the similarities between the two. They could have been great friends in another life. Ironically, they would have had a lot to talk about.

As the boys' short break came to an end, Ryder pushed himself off the wall and motioned for Haddy to follow him. They followed the light from their scrolls through the damp cave system. They were walking on an incline, so it was assumed they were headed back towards the surface. After about another ten minutes of silence, Haddy couldn't take it anymore.

"Why'd you wanna be a Huntsman anyway?" He asked curiously.

They were walking side-by-side at this point, so Hadrian could clearly see the smirk and cocked eyebrow as Ryder smiled, "It w's eith'r th's 'r a dust mine."

The husky laughed, "Oh, so you've got jokes now?"

"Figur'd s'nce I told ya my 'trag'c backstory', I'd light'n up," Ryder replied, still smirking.

Hadrian chuckled as the armadillo elaborated, "I dunno, really. Just seem'd like tha right thin' ta do. I'm strong, an' I'm able t' prot'ct people. So... Huntsm'n Acad'my 't was..." Ryder paused as he looked down at the fluffy-tailed faunus and asked, "What 'bout you?"

"Well..." the husky started, rubbing the back of his neck, "I had this exaggerated idea of what being a Huntsman was as a kid. I thought it was all adventure, glory, and money... and growing up with nothing... well, it just seemed like a dream come true. Honestly though..."

He paused, shaking his head before solemnly repeating, "It really was either this or a dust mine..."

Ryder silently listened as he continued, "Leon-- my brother-- and I crafted our weapons based on designs that our dad left behind before he disappeared doing the job. We didn't use them to fight grimm so much as to hunt and keep our mom fed. We would sell the pelts for more ammunition, but after that we weren't left with much... if any. It wasn't going to work in the long run.

"So, I decided that I was going to apply to Atlas Academy's first-- and only-- Faunus Outreach Program. Leo did too. We were the only two who actually applied through the program. Guess no one else thought they were being serious. We were awarded scholarships and placed on an all-faunus team with the only other faunus in our year; both of whom got in through legitimate-- albeit a little back-handed-- means. Together we were four of the six total faunus enrolled at Atlas Academy.

"If we hadn't signed up, we'd both be at the bottom of a dust mine right now..." Hadrian sighed, finishing his long-winded rant. After a moment he glanced up to see Ryder looking down at him intently, so he quickly added, "Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to carry on like that..."

With a half-smile, the scaled faunus raised a hand up to stop him as he replied, "Don't worry... I like ta list'n."

Somehow, that wasn't surprising. After another few quiet minutes of spelunking, the pair came into a wide, open cavern. There were three, rocky columns holding up the ceiling where stalactites hung and dripped water into a shallow puddle in the base of the cave. It was dark, but light flooded into the hollow from an opening collapsed in the roof. The boys could see the beginning of the evening sky between thick tree trunks and the emerald canopy. The only problem was that their escape was about twenty feet up.

"Well... we can get out through there... if we can make it..." Haddy frowned as he rubbed the back of his head.

The faunus had to slide down a small dip to reach the bottom of the cavern. As their feet splashed into the ankle-deep water, a familiar rumbling started to shake the walls. Before they could arm themselves, Creeps began to burrow into the underground room by the tens. Instantly, Ryder and Hadrian fell back-to-back as they pulled out their weapons. The husky nimbly leaned around his partner, sniping the entering grimm, as the armadillo shifted Allegheny into its minigun form and sprayed down any that got close.

They were quickly overwhelmed though, forcing the boys to switch to melee combat. Ryder swung the extended barrel of his gun up, smacking a Creep on the underside of its jaw and sending it flying, as he transferred it back into its warhammer form. Continuing with his momentum from the swing, he whipped around and smashed into three of the grimm that had tried to take him from behind. As he spun around, the dark-skinned faunus swept downward in an over-head arch, crushing one of the Creeps beneath the face of Allegheny.

Beside him, the husky faunus spryly limboed under the handle of the warhammer before he sunk his picks into the head of an approaching subterranean monster that was poised to attack his partner from behind. He twirled around, flinging the body of the grimm into an approaching hoard, sending them staggering back. Quickly, Haddy jumped up, flipping in the air and using Ryder's shoulder for support before falling into a roll to protect the armadillo's back.

As a Creep crept up from behind and charged, Haddy's instincts kicked in. Just as the grimm came into range, the husky whipped around-- putting all his strength into his riposte-- and met its armored maw with the tip of his ice pick. The black skin of the subterranean monster reverberated with shock waves as it shot backwards and turned to goop. He didn't know he had that in him.

The grimm kept coming though, pouring out of the tunnels they had already dug out. After a few minutes, Hadrian stumbled back into Ryder, who was breathing heavily. He could see the golden specks of the dark-skinned faunus's aura starting to falter. Haddy himself was starting to get a little winded. They needed a new strategy.

Ryder seemed to have the same idea as he asked, "Cant'chu use y'ur sembl'nce ta zip 'round an' t'ke these thin's out fr'm b'h'nd?"

"No," he answered, redirecting a jumping attack from another Creep, "The water is going to put up too much resistance. It'll be like trying to run in three-and-a-half feet of snow."

With a huff, Ryder nodded, bringing his hammer down on another pair of approaching grimm. That did give Hadrian an idea though as his eyes drifted down to the water where his feet shifted in the dark, murky liquid. As the cogs turned in his head, the husky leapt into the air to avoid a sweeping tail attack from one of the grimm. When he landed, and planted his pick firmly behind the thick plating of the Creep's armored hide, his plan came together.

"Ryder!" he shouted, gathering his fellow faunus's attention before he explained, "If you can use some dust to freeze the water and trap the grimm that are already in here, I can close up the tunnels. That should give us enough time to climb out of here."

With a smirk, Ryder gave him a thumbs-up as he shifted Allegheny back into its gun form, whacking another Creep on his way. He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out a large dust cartridge, snapping it into the underside of the minigun. Hadrian had just enough time to jump up and sink one of his picks into a column before the armadillo opened fire. Suddenly, hundreds of icy shards were pelting into the water and freezing it solid. The bipedal grimm didn't have time to react as they were stuck in the ice.

Haddy didn't have a lot of time to close off the tunnels before they would be flooded with more Creeps. He checked his dwindling dust supplies with a heavy heart as he pulled several of the cartridges out. There were five tunnels total, so he'd have to exhaust pretty much everything he had. In an instant, he assembled Sleigh into its rifle and pushed in the first magazine of dust.

He shot his remaining two ice containers, his last two earth, and had to get creative with his incendiary shot to collapse the final tunnel. With each discharge, he flicked the guard of his rifle down and reloaded with another set of elemental ammunition. When he was done, he lowered Sleigh and waited to see if his plan had worked. When nothing happened, Hadrian breathed a sigh of relief.

When he turned to look for his partner, he watched as Ryder took the last picture needed for their extra credit. In all honesty, Haddy had completely forgotten about the reason they were even in the cave. The scaled faunus smiled as he awkwardly tried to slide towards his friend on the ice. With a chuckle, Haddy clicked his heels together and allowed a set of thin blades to jut out from the soles of his boots, transforming them into crampons.

Ryder watched with an interested gleam in his eyes as Hadrian hiked over to him and took an arm to help guide him towards their exit. Before they made it to the base of the rocky wall, the armadillo remarked, "Ya got any more Atlas trink'ts ya wanna show me?"

With a devious smirk, Haddy replied, "Not right now."

It didn't take nearly as long to climb out of the cavern as they'd originally thought it would. That didn't stop them from only making by the skin of their teeth though. As soon as Ryder pulled himself through the cave entrance, the shaking started back up and new tunnels were drilled into the cavern. The pair watched as even more Creeps flooded the hollow expanse they'd just been trapped in.

The faunus exchanged a glance before they laughed and shared a celebratory fist bump.

Hadrian started walking back towards Vale when Ryder initiated a conversation for the first time since they'd met, "Uh, Haddy?"

"Yeah?" the husky replied, turning back to see that the scaled faunus hadn't moved yet. He stopped with a confused look on his face.

Ryder sighed as he remarked, "Ya said sumthin' 'bout a scholarsh'p back 'n Atlas?"

Oh, he did not like where this was going. Hadrian rubbed the back of his neck as he quietly answered, "Uh, yeah."

"An' y'ur family not havin' alot'a money," the armadillo continued.

"Yeah..."

"Then... how're ya affordin' all tha expenses of bein' a Huntsm'n-'n-trainin'? Like ammo, dust, an' repairs?"

Haddy turned away as he nervously laughed back, "Well, uh... I'm not?"

Ryder frowned as he closed the distance between them and crossed his scaled arms. Quickly, the husky clarified, "I'm looking for a part-time gig though. I figure there's enough stores in Vale that could be looking for an extra set of hands."

The dark-skinned faunus was quiet for a long time before he rolled his eyes with a half-smile and clapped a strong hand on Hadrian's shoulder. With a chuckle, he said, "I got a buddy who owns a stall in tha market. He us'lly works week'nds. 'E could use tha help."

With a half-hearted smile, Haddy shrugged, "I dunno, man. I'd rather find something without any help."

Ryder laughed as he wrapped his arm around Hadrian's shoulders and the pair started back towards the city, "Tha great thin' 'bout havin' frien's is that they're gonna help no matt'r what..."

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vicciouxs · 2 months

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Love is nowhere . . . and everywhere you are.

thank u sm @elderwisp for the tag, this is the sweetest tag game ever 😭💐 tagging: @veone @minimooberry @bibliosims @fizzytoo @wldestluv-rs @rottengurlz and @and who hasn't done it yet 🪻

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ghostfacebunny · 10 months

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Fav thing about Resident Evil lore is how Leon gets the same reaction every time he gets sent on a mission: whoever he’s sent to work with never believes he’s as qualified as people say he is.

That’s the specialist ??? The raccoon city survivor ??? The one with the pretty hair and blue eyes ??? You mean he’s not here just to serve cunt and look pretty ???

#leon s kennedy #onyx high thoughts #resident evil #resident evil leon #Leon kennedy #leon scott kennedy

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venterry · 4 months

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ive gotta finish & publish my works asap bc in that last post first favorite women to come to mind were all my own characters

#haze & leon & mezzo cataract #avalanche & viper & heaven & spine & envy wallow #razzmatazz & onyx & jet & patch & flare & flac & sable & amber & pelerine & widget etc etc etc skyrocket #ember & miral & dina firekeeper #odea & esfal desiderim #rouh & arendi & rekkida & arnari eriron #samira & tamara mysteritas #you get the picture.#venspeaks

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theeboyracer · 1 year

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Catwoman vol 1, Dangerous Liasons

#catwoman #harley quinn #onyx #black mask #tini howard #nico leon #bengal #jordie bellaire #veronica gandini #tula lotay

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sylphella · 1 year

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#my cat #Elliot Onyx Leone

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rottsonrosen · 2 years

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Oh my gods I'm not dead. Anyway have some Hunter's Moon memes.

#vill makes an art tag #hunter's moon #!! Rubrum Esdoorn #!! Gin #!! Leon #!! Onyx #!! Morganite Eyrr #hunter's moon is my favourite collection of queer men #anyway yeah hi hello I'm back #it's been a year whoops #to be fair I stopped making art I wanted to post so like #y'know #but I'm better now #Also we (as in me and my friends) are working on more Hunter's Moon stuff so yeah that's all I'll be posting really

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ghmvsings · 1 year

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muses pt. 6

carter spence // boone hayes // onyx jones // adra mongkhon // leon ruiz // ronnie costa // sienna uriz // battle frances

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meiluu · 10 months

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Leon S. Kennedy NSFW Drabble

Leon / Reader(Afab) cw: SMUT 18+ MDNI, A LITTLE BIT DARK(he infects you with the plagas)!!, Plagas! Leon.

Tears rolled down your flushed cheeks, dark love bites mar your neck leading a bruising trail down to your thighs. A blend of bites and scratches accompanied with all too familiar hand prints

You didn't know what had come over him, ever since Leon had gotten back from his most recent mission he has been acting different. At first you had suspected that the classified mission had been rougher on him and Leon was just having a hard time with the aftermath. Comforting him seemed to help that, but over time his mannerisms began to change. He was so much more possessive of you, protective to an extreme. And now you've come to the devastating conclusion that something was wrong- something had happened to Leon while on his mission and he had brought it home.

You had gone out with a couple of your friends to one of the small local bars around where you work, hoping to catch up with them. But about an hour in as you were getting up to get some more drinks, a man had started to hit on you. You had tried to politely decline his requests and advances, but he just wouldn't take no for an answer. Then he was being thrown down to the ground, chair tumbling down with him. Leon, at first, relief had filled your body at the familiar sight but your heart dropped into your stomach when you got a look at his face. Rage didn't even begin to cover the emotion that plagued his face- he looked like he was going to kill the man. But that wasn't even the worst part, Leon's beautiful sky blue eyes where now a bloody red and you could see the faint outlines of black veins beneath his skin. Thinking as quickly and clearly as you could you had nearly dragged Leon out of the bar, hastily apologizing to your friends for leaving so soon. Afraid of what would happen if you didn’t get Leon out there.

The moment the door to your shared home slammed behind you, you've been in Leon's tight embrace. Time has completely slipped from you, mind blurry with pleasure and fear.

Leon had you on your stomach, hands caging your body in, as your hands tightly held onto the sheets trying to keep yourself steady with Leon's harsh thrusts. Your cunt stretched around his cock, his cum dribbling out of you making a mess on the sheets. Teeth latching onto skin where your shoulder and neck meet, a cry of pain mixes in with your moans. Leon had broken the skin, sharp canines digging into you as he lapped his tongue on the open wound. Harsh mumbles continued to tumble from Leon’s lips, a mix between ‘mine’ , ‘I love you’s. In your peripheral vision you can see the onyx veins beneath his skin. Part of you feared for what Leon was, but that only lasted for a moment before ecstasy took control. With another particularly mean thrust a moan falls from your bruised lips, then you feel the familiar touch of Leon’s hand against your throat. Pulling you up into his chest, there you are able to look down at your self. Black veins had started to spread down your chest from where Leon had just bit you. A sob retches it’s way out of you, Leon halting his thrust at the sound. Seeing what you were upset about he is quick to comfort you. “No baby, don’t be sad- this is a good thing. You’ll be just like me now.”

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violettduchess · 4 months

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A/N: This year, as I deal with a far more limited amount of free time, I want to focus on writing things that really spark something for me. These headcanons, which I started almost 6 months ago, recently came roaring back into my imagination and I decided to go for it.

This is imagining how these suitors would react to their small child entering their bedroom in the middle of the night.

Leon, Sariel, Jin, Keith and Gilbert

WC: 2.2 k

The child's white bedroom door, painted with a silvery moon and twinkling stars, opens slowly, a whisper in the still of the night. A small head pokes out, knuckling sleepily at eyes still heavy with the remnants of dreaming. A look left, then right.

The hall is empty.

Tiny bare feet tiptoe across plush carpeting.

One hand clutches a stuffed animal, the other reaches for the curved handle of your bedroom door and which, on a quiet exhale, opens.

Leon

He is awake the moment the door opens. A light sleeper, he never fails to hear when his daughter enters your bedroom, no matter how quietly she tries to. Even now, he pushes himself up, running a hand through his cacophony of dark hair, watching his offspring step as quietly as possible as she makes her way towards the bed. She’s so concentrated on not making noise that she doesn’t notice he’s already up and watching her until she arrives at the foot of the bed.

“Papa!” Her gasp is half surprise, half disappointment when she realizes he has, as always, heard her. Leon laughs softly, the sound still rough with sleep as he motions for her to come over to his side of the bed.

“I was trying to be extra, extra quiet.” He offers her his hand and she takes it, climbing into the bed and then into the circle of his arms where he cuddles her close. “You were, peanut. You were very quiet but your father has very, very good ears. Especially at night.”

Perhaps someday she’ll learn why. How good hearing and light sleeping could mean the difference between life and death in the slave pens. But not tonight. Tonight she snuggles into his embrace, clutching her brown bear with his black and red cape to her chest.

“Shall I bring you back to your bed?” He brushes several dark locks of hair that have escaped her braid away from her plump cheek, his golden eyes warm with affection. His daughter stifles a yawn. “Can I stay here tonight, with you and Mama?”

How can he say no? “Of course.” He shifts her, tucking her in close against his side where she curls up like a kitten, warm and content. Leon sighs, his heart fuller than he ever imagined it could be, before closing his eyes and drifting back to sleep.

Sariel

He looks up from the paperwork on his lap when the bedroom door slowly opens. One glance at the clock on his nightstand and he knows exactly who dares enter his room, unannounced, in the middle of the night.

His son, hair dark as onyx, eyes as bright as violets, peeks around the door to see his father sitting up in bed, reading by the soft light of an oil lamp.

“I see you, little one.” The child gives up stealth and hurries into his parents’ room, climbing up the foot of the bed and crawling his way across the velvety covers up to Sariel, careful not to jostle you while you are sleeping. He settles in next to his father, peering at the sheaf of papers still in his hands. “Why are you still up, Papa? It’s so late.”

Sariel glances down at his son, his lips curved in a soft shadow of a smile. “You know what? You are correct. It is very late.” He carefully removes his glasses, placing them in a safe spot on his nightstand and then sets the missives and letters and parchments beside them. He extends his arms and his son happily accepts the silent invitation, burrowing into his father’s embrace, clutching his soft, stuffed snake with the onyx eyes close to his little chest. “We’ll go to sleep together, ok Papa?”

Sariel reaches out, extinguishing the warm light and then shifts, dipping his head to press a kiss to his son’s midnight hair. “A sound plan, son.” He closes his eyes, contentment flowing through him like the soft waves of the ocean. “A very sound plan.”

Jin

He freezes, lifting his head from your neck, his large hand going still on the sensitive skin of your hip. As involved as he may be with you, he has excellent hearing and the opening of the door is as loud in its whisper as a gust of howling wind. He feels the soft huff of air against his cheek as you reign in your galloping heart. Things were just getting good.... With a groan, a mixture of disappointment and the dying embers of desire, he sits up as you adjust your nightgown and tilts his head at the small outline in the doorway.

“Yes, Princess? What is it?”

“I heard a noise. In my wardrobe. I think there’s a monster in there.” Her voice is small, almost tentative as it floats through the darkened bedroom. Jin pushes back his covers, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed. He reaches back, squeezing your hand, a gesture that says I’ve got this, before getting up and walking toward his daughter. "Alright little lady, let's go investigate." She slips her small hand in his, clutching her stuffed baby eagle close as they make their way back to her bedroom.

Stepping inside, she pulls her hand away from his and points to the white and lavender closet. “In there, Papa.” Her garnet-colored eyes are wide as Jin clears his throat, fixing a scowl on his face as he faces the wooden doors.

“Listen up. This is Prince Jin speaking and any and all monsters hiding in this wardrobe better leave RIGHT now or else you’ll have to answer to me!”

“Yeah!”, she adds helpfully, eyes narrowing as she glares at the wardrobe, a mirror image of her father.

Jin reaches forward and flings open one door, then the other. Inside are all her dresses and coats. Her shoes all lined up neatly along the bottom. A few stockings peek out of small drawers and her wooden training sword and shield with Jin's crest lean against the side, askew. Jin searches through the clothing, stands on his toes to check the top shelves. He makes a show of it, incredibly thorough and yet serious. Then he turns around to face his daughter. “Looks like any monsters are long gone. And they won’t be coming back.”

A smile like the dawn breaks over her face and she rushes towards him. He leans down and catches her in his arms, holding her tightly against his broad chest. “Thank you, Papa. No monster would ever be stupid enough to come back now!”

Jin carries her back to her white four-poster bed, grinning as he lays her down amongst her fluffy pillows and pulls the soft covers up to her chest. “Nope, not when they know they have to deal with me.” He glances over his shoulder at the wardrobe. “But how about tomorrow, we go to the knights training grounds and you bring your sword and shield. We can work on your swordsmanship so any monster knows to be just as afraid of you too.”

She grins, nodding eagerly. “Good idea!”

Her enthusiasm has him returning her grin and he leans down, running a large hand over the soft chestnut of her hair. “Alright then. Get some sleep so you’re ready for tomorrow.” She snuggles down into the warmth of her blankets, stifling a yawn even as she rolls over. “I love you, Papa.” He swallows for a moment at the lump of emotion that suddenly swells his throat. “I love you too. Princess. So much.”

Keith

Little feet whisper across dark green carpeting, continuing their journey to his side of the bed. “Papa,” she whispers, tugging on his covers, her stuffed deer dangling from her grip on its antlers. Keith inhales, his handsome face frowning in his sleep as her voice cuts through the fog of dreaming. But he doesn’t wake up yet. However, his daughter is nothing but insistent. She pats his upper arm, clearing her throat and speaking again, this time louder. “Papa. Wake up.”

His golden eyes open slowly and he blinks as he returns to the here and now. The sight of her, with her ashen blond hair and your intelligent eyes, has him sitting up in bed, the last misty tendrils of dreaming vanishing like fog in the sunlight.

“Yes, darling? What’s wrong? Is everything ok?”

She glances to your empty side of the bed. “I miss Mama.” Those words send his heart spinning, leaving a trail of ache inside his chest as he nods slowly. “I do too. But you remember how she had to go back to Rhodolite. I promise, she’ll be home again soon. Just a few more days.” He reaches for her hand, his thumb running soothingly over her knuckles, marveling at the tininess of her fingers, the softness of her skin. She speaks again, her voice compressed by sadness. “I still miss her.”

He sighs as she hangs her small head, curls covering her face. Then he has an idea. Slowly he gets out of bed and leads her by the hand across the room to the heavy glass doors of the balcony off of the bedroom, his favorite place in the palace to stargaze. Keeping a secure hold of her hand, he slides open one heavy glass door and then walks with her to the large brass telescope. “Take a look in there,” he murmurs, kneeling as he adjusts the eyepiece for her. He wraps one arm around her middle, holding her close. “Can you see it?”

She leans forward slightly. “It’s blurry.” Carefully he adjusts the focuser until he hears her breath catch. “Oh it’s so pretty!” She stares through the telescope in wonder at the bright star, brilliant in its silvery-blue light.

“That,” he says softly, almost dreamlike, “is your mother’s favorite star.” Gently he pulls her away from the telescope and points upwards. “You can see it without the telescope just there, see the three stars just in a row?” She nods emphatically. “It’s the one all the way to the right.” He pauses, resting his chin tenderly on her small shoulder. “When you miss Mama at night, like you do now, you can look up at the sky and find her favorite star. It may make you feel better.”

She turns around and wraps her arms around Keith’s neck, hugging him with all her might. “Thank you, Papa.” He hugs her close, this walking embodiment of his heart, and smiles.

Gilbert

He is already sitting up when his daughter approaches the bed, her stuffed tiger tucked under her arm. He heard the opening of the door and knew who it was immediately. No one else would ever dare to enter his bedroom in the middle of the night without fearing for their life.

“It’s past midnight, Mäuschen. Why are you wandering through the shadows?” His voice is a gentle that only you and those very close to Gilbert have ever heard. A genuine softness like the blanket of dusk as it falls over the land, the protective moon whispering as it cradles a favorite star. His daughter sighs, pushing away a stray lock of dark hair. “I’m hungry.”

He laughs quietly, his chin tilting down as he regards her. He speaks quietly, not wanting to wake you. You need rest after all, so close to the birth of your second child. He gets up, slipping on his black silk robe and then holds out his hand. She takes hold of it, wrapping her cool little fingers tightly around him and then pauses. “Wait a moment, Papa.” Turning back to the bed, she carefully places her stuffed tiger next to you where you sleep. “Watch out for Mama,” she orders sternly and doesn’t notice the bright gleam in Gilbert’s eyes as he smiles at her protective gesture. She turns, grabbing his hand and nods. “Ok Papa, fertig.” Ready.

He leads her out of the bedroom and a short walk down the hall to his office. Once inside, he walks over to his massive wooden desk, made of the finest dark walnut, and leans forward, turning on the desk lamp. He settles into his chair, into the crimson velvet cushioned seat and motions for her to join him. The Obsidian princess climbs into his lap, eyes bright as she looks at him expectantly. “Shh…this is our secret,” he murmurs, tapping his finger on the end of her nose. She grins slowly and nods. “Versprochen, Papa.” I promise. One arm holds her close as he leans down and opens a bottom drawer. Inside is a small round tin which he takes out and sets on his desk, next to the missives and parchments waiting for him come morning light.

“Go ahead,” he says encouragingly and she leans forward, carefully working the lid off with chubby fingers and then he feels her straighten up in excitement when its contents are revealed. She reaches in and pulls out a hearty oatmeal and raisin biscuit. The cookie is nearly at her lips when she pauses, thoughtfully. Shifting in his lap, she turns to face him and then holds it up. “Do you want a bite, Papa?” Her generosity has him smiling, a warmth like no other brightening his heart as he pretends to consider. “You don’t mind sharing?” She shakes her head, several loose, dark curls framing a face that is the youthful echo of yours. He leans forward and bites off a tiny corner, then leans back with a satisfied sigh. “Mama makes the best biscuits.”

She bites into the same cookie with much less restraint and then smiles, chewing happily. “Mm hm.” She leans back against his chest and he wraps his arms around her as she continues munching. “Just this one and then it's back to bed with you, little mouse.” She nods, mouth too full to answer and focus far too lost in the pleasure of her treat to respond verbally. Gilbert sighs, turning to rest his cheek against the top of her head. He is utterly and completely at peace.

Tagging: @xbalayage @alexxavicry @queengiuliettafirstlady @rhodolitesrose @ikemen-writer @bellerose-arcana @thewitchofbooks @aria-chikage @redheadkittys @tele86 @dear-mrs-otome @curious-skybunny @rhodoliteschaos @kpop-and-otome @writingwhimsey @mxrmaid-poet @silver-dahlia @wendolrea @otomefoxystar @nightfoxqueen @myonlyjknight @portrait-ninja @ikesimpleton @ikemenlibrary @mastering-procrastinating @namine-somebodies-nobody @greatstarlightstarfish @queen-dahlia @scorchieart @nightghoul381

For Leon content: @leonscape

For Gilbert and Leon: @ozalysss

For Keith: @drewadoodle-dandy

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nfcomics · 7 months

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CATWOMAN no.41 • cover art • Sozomaika [Mar 2022]

With Batman out of the picture, Catwoman would be wise to remember that there are more than bats in Gotham’s belfries. Speaking of bats, Onyx returns to her home city to bat cleanup and make sure Catwoman’s not letting any strays into her city…and with no big Bat in the shadows, those pesky no-killing rules are off the table. Let’s see if Catwoman and Onyx can agree on a target…

(W) Tini Howard (A) Nico Leon (CA) Sozomaika

#Catwoman no.41 #Sozomaika #Tini Howard #Nico Leon #Catwoman #Selina Kyle #Gotham City #Gotham

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raebaekaedae · 1 year

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Volume One, Episode Thirteen: “Snow”

Series: SCWR Rating: PG-13 (Foul Language, Minor Violence, Violence Against Fantasy Monsters, Drug Use Mentioned, Themes of Racism) Summary: (5,026 words) “A look into the past shows what Hadrian’s first few days at Atlas Academy were like. Just how did he meet the other faunus of his grade and his greatest rival; Vince Delgatto? Did Solitude’s first fight go as well as Security’s?”

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He awoke with a start, shooting up as he looked around. He half-expected someone to jump out at him with a knife as he flung his arm around, frantically trying to silence the loud scream of his alarm clock. His ears were pinned to his hair as he snapped at the shrill, whining clock. He finally found purchase and hit the button to turn the annoyance off. With a sigh, he flopped back down in bed and pulled the blankets over his head.

Unfortunately, he could feel the eyes staring at him. With a huff, he rolled over with his back to the wall as he lowered the covers just enough so he could see out. The blurry form of Hads smiled at him, sitting up in his bed and already dressed, of course. He was almost jumping up and down as he sat cross-legged on his quilted blankets.

Leo groaned as he rolled back over and tried to ignore him. "Hadrian, I swear if you even think about dragging me out of here, I will shoot you."

"Awwwwww," Hads smirked, hopping down from his bed and flopping down right on top of Leon, "You can't tell me that you aren't even a little excited!"

His brother let out another groan as he feebly tried to push him off. Before the boys could start tusseling, their mom opened their door and peeked in. With a slight smile, she said, "Breakfast is almost on the table, boys. Come and eat."

Hadrian pushed off of his brother as Leon politely replied, "Thank you, Ms. Snow."

She smiled sweetly before ducking out of their room. Once she was out of sight, Hadrian cracked a devilish grin. He whipped around to Leo and jumped back on him, pinning his torso to the bed as he messed with his brother's hair, face, and ears. Leon howled with anger as he tried to fend off his terror of a brother. Once he was satisfied that Leo was too wound up to go back to bed, Hads snickered and rolled on to the floor with his tail wagging.

The supposed younger of the pair shrugged the covers off in a huff and got up, slipping his glasses on before moving towards the closet where his and Hadrian's clothes were stored. On his way, he ran a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes as he secured it behind his ears with a clip. Hads turned around on his butt, pulling his weapon case from under his bed as he began to rummage through it for the remaining ammunition he had from their last hunt.

As Leo gathered his jacket and shirt, Hadrian sighed, "I hope the entrance exam isn't too bad. I've only got six shots left."

"That's better than me," his brother replied, pulling off his pajama shirt, "I've only got two..."

When he'd finished getting dressed and went to retrieve his own weapon, he found that Hads was holding out a set of cartridges. He smiled, "Four and four seems pretty fair to me."

Leo scoffed as he pushed his arms through his coat, "I'm not taking your ammo, Hads." When his brother pouted, he continued, "Seriously. It's my fault for not taking down that Sabyr quickly."

"Nah," Hadrian smirked, pushing the bullets into Leo's hand, "Without you pulling that caribou back, the whole trip wouldn't have been worth it. I should've been watching closer."

"We can't keep relying on my semblance to get large hauls back to Mantle when we go out far," he said, leaning down to pull his boots out from under the foot of his bed, "I don't like getting stuck out there at night."

"Hey, that's why we're gonna become Huntsmen!" Hadrian smiled, shifting Sleigh into its picks and clipping them to his belt.

"Yeah, yeah," Leo replied, rolling his eyes, "That's the reason."

When Hads deadpanned over to him with a frown, Leo conveniently turned back to getting ready. After another few minutes, the boys walked into the kitchenette where their mom was cooking eggs over the stove. Hadrian gathered plates and napkins while Leon placed the tarnished silverware. Once everything had been set, Ms. Snow came to the small, round table with two plates, one full of scrambled eggs and the other piled high with pancakes.

As she set the platters down and his nose was blessed with the pleasing smell, Hadrian exclaimed, "Wow! Mom!"

She chuckled as she gave him a kiss into his hair and replied, "Banana Egg pancakes for my two, handsome Huntsmen."

"Thank you, Ms. Snow!" Leo said with a toothy smile, almost immediately digging into his breakfast.

As Hadrian and Leo ate, she smiled softly. For a moment, he thought he saw the faintest of tears in her eyes, but when she blinked they were gone. Hads knew his mom wasn't a fan of them going to the Academy, but she wouldn't let them know that. She wanted them to be happy, even if it meant going away. Thankfully, Leo hadn't caught on. It'd break his heart just as much as hers.

After he finished chewing on a mouthful of eggs, Hadrian reached over and squeezed her hand gently. He half-smiled, "We'll write to you every day."

She squeezed back, "I know, sweetie."

In no time at all, they were waving down to her from a window on an actual Atlesian Airbus. Their packed bags and weapon cases were resting on the floor in between their legs. All of their neighbors had come out to wish them off. The brothers smiled as the ship's engines roared and started to ascend. The windy backlash rocketed his mom, but she stood firm, smiling up at them as she waved. Hadrian couldn't help but notice the wet sheen of a tear on her cheek as she called one last "I love you" up at both of them. Several of the faunus below cheered and cried for joy. He watched as his rundown neighborhood got smaller and smaller until his mom was nothing more than a graying dot on the landscape.

Reluctantly, he pushed away from the window, picking up his duffel of clothes and beat-up gun case. When he turned around, he saw Leo urgently ushering him over to another window on the opposite side of the aircraft. His ears were perked high as stars twinkled in his eyes. The boys awed at the Atlas skyline, seen from the air for the first time. Buildings as tall as cliffs that were made of glass and steel shone in the frosty, fall air. Lights of all colors sparkled from windows like crystals. There were towering pillars reaching up to protect the city with hard light shields, unlike the material ones down in Mantle. There was no snow on the ground, no smog in the air, and no grimm in sight.

Sure, they'd snuck aboard cramped, windowless shuttles to get to the city before, they had seen its underside constantly from Mantle, and they had caught far-off glimpses from their hunts in the wilds of Solitas, but this... this was different. Their first real look at the utopian metropolis. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming.

Soon after that, the base of the imposing tower of Atlas Academy came closer and closer. With a slight jostle, the airship touched down and landed. The brothers exchanged one last look before the sealed doors opened, flooding the cabin with bright light and dozens of new smells. Hadrian had to shield his eyes with his arm to keep from being blinded. When his eyes adjusted, he looked over to see Leo clutching the strap of his bag as he bit his lip into a thin frown.

With a confident smile, Hads shifted his pack up further on his shoulder and grabbed his weapon case before striding out of the airship.

"Wait!" he heard his brother call as he shuffled to get his things.

It was amazing. He'd never seen so many different people in one place before. Hundreds of students shuffled out of airships, greeting old friends and starting up conversations with the new. Everyone was wearing something unique, some were flashy while others were subdued. Some people wore colors and others just browns and blacks. So many new smells danced around in his nose. What really amazed him were the hundreds of weapons, each unique in their own way. The one thing he didn't notice was that there were no other faunus besides Leo.

As he walked towards a gaggle of girls, his eyes transfixed on crossbow and sickle hybrid, he stumbled into another student. They both hit the ground before either had the chance to recover. Quickly, Hadrian set his bag down and got to his feet to help the other boy up. However, as the black-and-white-haired teen reached up for his extended hand, his dark eyes ran across Hadrian's tail.

For a brief moment, he just stared before he smacked the husky's hand away and got to his feet. He stood a good, few inches over Hadrian's head as he sneered down, "Watch where you're going, mutt."

If there was one thing Hadrian hated, it was racist, Atlesian assholes. As he opened his mouth to snap back at the jerk, Leo's hand pulled on his shoulder as his brother quickly interjected, "Sorry, we're new here."

Hads shot his brother a dirty look, but the asshat crossed his arms and frowned, "I can see that. The help doesn't usually enter this way... servants' entrance is down a level." He smirked as he motioned down with his finger as if they couldn't understand.

"We're not 'the help'," Hadrian snapped, pulling his shoulder free and taking a bold step towards the Atlesian jerk, "We're students."

He laughed, angering Hads further, before he scoffed, "Wait. Are you serious?"

"Yes," the husky said proudly.

"Well, you're not now," he said with a smirk, "I'll have my parents pull some strings. You'll both be gone by noon."

Hadrian took in a sharp breath. He wasn't going to let this bastard take away everything he and Leo had worked so hard to get. However, as he inhaled, the sharp smell of tobacco invaded his nose. He looked up at the bully and took another subtle whiff; sure enough, the stench was wafting off of him in waves.

With a smirk of his own, Hadrian replied, "Oh yeah? I'll make sure that you come with us, skunky." He paused before he gestured to his nose and confidently added, "Smoking isn't allowed by students, especially those who are underage; and, it's punishable by expulsion according to the student handbook."

The monochrome Atlesian's eyes widened as his brows rose, which only got Hads smirking more. After a moment, the bully's eyes angered as he pushed a finger into Hadrian's chest and nearly snarled, "Are you threatening me, mutt?"

With the back of his hand, Hadrian smacked the finger away and puffed out his chest as he answered, "That depends. I don't think the Headmaster has to know, so long as you leave me and my brother alone."

He knew Leon was facepalming and that a small crowd was forming around them, but he never broke eye contact with this uppity, Atlas dick. Suddenly, with a snap of the lanky bully's fingers, Hadrian felt his arms being ripped behind his back. In a panic, he flicked his head around to see two more students-- just as tall but twice as bulky as the threatening Atlesian-- were pinning his wrists against his shoulders.

With a growl, Leo jumped forward to help. However, one of the new students elbowed him so hard in the chest that he was sent rocking backwards with the air thrown from his lungs. Hadrian could only watch as his brother caved forward, grabbing his torso as he fell to his knees. With a new found anger, he tried to break free from his grapple, but he couldn't fight against the combined strength of these jerks.

The Atlesian bastard rolled up one of his sleeves as he pulled back his fist. Hads pulled all his aura forward, hoping to lighten the blow, as he squeezed his eyes shut. Before the bully could plant his fist into the husky's gut, a sharp sound cracked through the air. He heard the bastard shout as he opened his eyes to see a rope-like whip wrapped around the pulled back wrist of his attacker.

The smell of fresh hay danced in his nose with the appearance of his savior.

He followed the rope back to a fiery-haired girl with anger written all over her scowling face. She was wearing a pair of thick, baby blue overalls over a pink plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up past her elbows. She had on a pair of heavy-duty, winter boots that were caked in mud. A bandanna was tied into her ombre hair, cut to reveal her canine ears, both of which were pinned to her head.

Another faunus...

"Hey, asshole!" she snarled loudly, "Why don't'cha fight with some class, 'stead'a havin' y'ur cronies do it for you!"

When the Atlesian tried to yank his arm free, the rope tightened, causing him to sharply inhale. The collie girl snapped, "What's it gonna be, Delgatto..."

Hads took the opportunity to search for Leo. His blue eyes scanned the crowd of students until they rested on a towering figure with one of his brother's arms resting across his shoulders. Leon was gripping onto his chest, taking in a few ragged breaths as the pale-haired giant supported him. Hadrian was just as surprised to see this boy was also a faunus. An akita inu by the looks of his fluffy, curled tail.

As the skunk-haired bastard-- Delgatto, that's what she called him-- finally managed to wrestle his wrist free, the rope of the whip retracted back into the long shaft of a pitchfork, which the fiery girl twirled around and slammed onto the ground. The brutish, Altlesian bully pulled back and motioned for his goons to release Hadrian and circle the girl instead.

Release is a nice word. He was shoved into the pavement and just barely managed to pull his arms in before they were stomped on.

Before they had gotten even halfway to her, the bell rang. The students who had stayed to watch the fight were hurried away by their friends who didn't want to be late for the Headmaster's speech. Delgatto grumbled under his breath and started off towards the auditorium, his friends at his side.

"This isn't over, bitch." He snapped at the girl as he passed. She, however, only stuck her tongue out at him and started off in a different direction.

Hadrian started to move after her to thank her, but was stopped by Leo, who grabbed his arm and started pulling him towards the school, saying, "C'mon! We'll see them later, but if we're late on our first day, that jerk will have all the more reason to get us kicked out."

He hated it when Leo was right. Together, the brothers quickly made their way towards the auditorium.

A few hours later, it was dark. As expected, the Headmaster's speech was little more than a boring explanation of things Hadrian already knew. He half expected that they would be put into dorms right away, but that wasn't the case. Apparently, each student would be put on a four person team and bunk with them. He would have been worried about being separated from Leo, but the Headmaster had met with them after and stated that they would be put on the same team since they were the only two applicants from the "Faunus Outreach Program".

That begged a question in the husky's mind though... if he and Leon were the only applicants, who were the other two faunus they'd met earlier? How did they get in without going through the red tape he had to fight against? Did they go to combat schools? Are their parents some kind of influential high risers or something? What are their names??

He stared up at the cloudless sky, watching the stars as airships passed by. Leon laid next to him, curled up on his side with one of his new school books open in front of him. They were outside in the courtyard. That Delgatto guy and his goons kept bothering them, so to prevent a fight, Leon ushered him outside so that they could sleep with their bed rolls and packs. It didn't surprise Hads at all to find that Atlas was never cold, even in what was supposed to be the chilling hours of the night.

After a moment, Hadrian sighed, "Y'know, I wanna complain about basically being kicked out like a stray dog, but... it's honestly warmer out here than it ever was back home."

"Yeah..." Leo replied, looking up from his book to see Hads still laying back and staring up at the sky, "But, hey. Just think about how amazing the dorms are gonna feel."

Optimistic as ever. Hadrian smiled half-heartedly.

They remained quiet for another few moments before a new voice called out, "Hey! Mind if we join ya?"

The brothers looked back to see the two faunus from before walking towards them with their bags thrown over the shoulder of the pale-haired goliath that helped Leo up earlier. They weren't wearing the same clothes as before, they changed into their pajamas as well. The collie girl was wearing a pink Pumpkin Pete tee with red shorts, and the akitu boy was wearing a plain black tank top and pale orange sweatpants.

"Sure," Leon replied, motioning them over, "Make yourselves at home."

The pair sat themselves down, unpacking some sleeping bags and blankets from their packs as the brothers watched. Hadrian spoke up, "Uh, thanks for earlier. I owe you guys one."

"Nah, don't worry 'bout it!" The girl smiled, fluffing a pillow before she threw herself down onto it, "I went t' tha same school 's Vince, so I know 'e's a jerkwad. I'm Ollie, by the way. Ollie Ombre."

Hads smiled, "I'm Hadrian Snow. This is my brother, Leon Onyx."

"It's nice to meet you, Haddy," Ollie smiled.

The husky raised a brow as he asked, "Haddy?"

"What? Has no one called you that before?" the collie replied, shrugging as Hadiran shook his head, "Well, I think it suits you."

He smiled as Leo reached over and softly punched his arm with a grin. They might have made an enemy of Delgatto, but it seemed that they were making friends as well.

Leo turned to the brutish akitu inu, who was rolling out his sleeping bag beside Ollie, and asked, "I didn't catch your name earlier?"

"It's Bēju, Tadashi Bēju..." he replied quietly without looking up.

As the group started to settle down to go to sleep, Ollie turned over on her stomach and exclaimed, "Hey! I got'an idea!"

The boys turned to look at her as she smirked, "We should totally make this'a trad't'n. Sleepin' under tha stars. Wherev'r we go; f'rst night, we have ta sleep outside."

From his other side, Leon scoffed, "What if we're put on different teams? We probably won't see much of each other."

Ollie rolled over on her back with a toothy smile, linking her fingers beneath her scalp as she stared up with the stars reflecting off her eyes, "I gotta feelin' we'll always b' togeth'r..."

The next morning was filled with hustling and bustling excitement. Because the group of faunus had slept outside, they woke up with the sun's rise and managed to slip into the locker room first to secure lockers right beside one another. Their first real day of class was reserved for team assignments according to the Headmaster's speech from yesterday. What that entailed was revealed to them only moments before.

The General addressed them and told them that the teams would be determined by a race to an Atlas Academy outpost four miles from where the students would be dropped off. Their times would be counted and the four students closest together would be teamed together. They would have to navigate using only their wits and whatever supplies they had brought with them when they arrived, fighting off grimm and the bitter cold.

So, Leo and Hads found themselves standing side-by-side towards the edge of an airship, soaring hundreds of feet in the air. They held onto handles secured to the roof, but were still nearly thrown out by the rushing winds that tore through the cabin. All of the first years had been split into small groups and pushed into ships, headed out towards the wilds of Solitas. The brothers found themselves with a group of eight other students that they hadn't had the chance to meet yet.

Soon enough, the airship descended and came to an abrupt halt. The entire cabin jerked as the pilot shouted back at them to jump out and start their trek. As the students filed out, they each took off in a different direction, eager to be first to this outpost so that they would be paired with other like-minded and high-scoring students. They didn't even take the time to look around.

Hadrian and Leon watched as they all scattered like snow in the wind, waiting until the airship was completely out of sight before pulling Sleigh and Sled from their backs with smirks. It was like this test was built for them. Hads took his eyes to the sky, determining the east from west as Leo examined the terrain. Steep, rocky walls on either side of them and a frozen stream running through the valley.

After a moment to gather their bearings, Leon smiled, "Looks like we're in Amphisbaena Gorge."

Hadrian shifted his weapon into its picks and replied with a grin, "And the nearest Atlesian outpost just happens to be four miles from here. I'd bet that's where we're headed."

With their route planned out in their heads, they took to their climb. With no effort at all, the pair gritted their teeth and scaled the icy cliff. Once they reached the top, it was easy to see the snaking trail of the creek leading the rest of the students in either the opposite direction of the outpost or straight to a dead-end. The gorge had gotten its namesake from its multiple river heads slithering and interconnecting through the region. It was nearly impossible to navigate from the valleys below.

"Hey," Hads asked, "Do you think that with our scholarships, we could create some kind of retractable climbing spikes in our boots?"

"Dunno," Leo replied with a smirk, "But if they will, I'm totally tinkering around with a heated jacket."

The brothers clinked their picks together before Hads took Leo's hand in his, activating his semblance through them both to slide off towards the outpost. It drained his aura to do this, and he couldn't do it for long, but it would be worth it if they were the first students back, proving that they did deserve to be here.

After about an hour of hiking and skating, Hadrian was too drained to continue, so the brothers walked alongside one another. Traveling on top of the cliffs meant that they hadn't run into any grimm yet. They had heard plenty of shots fired throughout their trek and the smell of gunpowder practically wafted off the crevasses below them, meaning that their classmates hadn't been as lucky. If he had to bet, he'd guess they had been dealing with Centinels.

By the Brothers, he hated Centinels.

However, they hadn't heard anything in a while. That was either a really good sign or a very bad one. He hoped that it meant that they were so far ahead of the other students that the brothers would sweep them off their feet and secure the best teammates possible. In the back of his head though, he knew it could mean trouble.

As Leo and Hads came to another crevasse they would have to pass through to continue, they heard a cry that shook the ground from below. They both immediately looked down to see Ollie backed into a dead-end with Bēju beside her and a massive serpent grimm snaking towards them. Its head was shaped like a bony knife and marked with red. Sharp spines arched down its back and sparked with electricity. It was nearly twenty feet long and rising up.

A Haietie.

It opened its maw and a bolt of lightning burst down its back and from its head to strike the cliffs above the faunus, sending a slew of rocky debris raining down on them. The pair ducked and dodged, avoiding the boulders as the serpentine grimm snapped at them with its jaws. Hadrian and Leo exchanged a quick nod before diving into the gorge.

Using the iced walls as stepping stones, the brothers shot down the crevasse on opposite sides. They used the momentum of their fall and bladed picks to tear four long lines in the beast's sides, two mirrored on each side, causing the grimm to cry out in agony. They tumbled to the powdery snow below and knelt in front of Ollie and Bēju. The Haietie screamed in pain but was undeterred.

Hadrian smiled as he jumped up, "Need a hand?"

Before anyone could reply, the snake struck forward, splitting the group apart with its body. Hads caught a glimpse of Bēju's bladed katars as the goliath stood above him and deflected the scaled grimm's teeth from impaling him. Curiously, as soon as the Haietie's fangs came into contact with the akitu's weapon, it was sent flying back. Hadrian studied him for just a moment as he fought, before bringing Sleigh up into its rifle.

He lined up a shot with the grimm's eyes, pulling back the trigger and flicking the guard down twice, each time the bullets ricocheting off into the gorge's walls. Hads stopped himself from wasting any more ammo as he shouted, "We need to regroup! Make a break for the tail, but watch out for the spines!"

"Roger that!" Leo called back, presumably making his escape.

The grimm seemed to be focused on him and Bēju for the moment. The blond brute nimbly rolled into a dodge as the Haietie's scales burst with another electrical shock, taking Hadrian with him as he tucked the lighter faunus into his chest. He gave Bēju a brief nod before he shifted his rifle into picks and used his semblance to skate directly up to the beast's torso.

Hadrian sunk his picks, one after the other, into the serpent's chest, climbing its body until he was firmly sticking into its faceplate.

As he nearly slipped, he harshly whispered to himself, "C'mon, Hads. They need you. You're not gonna let them down. You can do this."

From his vantage point, he could see Bēju sprinting towards the tail end where Leo and Ollie were slashing and whipping into the Haietie's side, trying to draw its attention. Knowing that his brother was safe beside the collie gave Hadrian enough time to look around and come up with an idea.

His eyes scanned the cliff, spotting a rocky bridge linking the two sides of the plateaus together. That was their best chance.

The husky pulled his pick free, skating down the back of the colossal serpent as he danced around the charged spines and upturned scales. As he crested the remainder of the beast and flew through the air, he flipped around and landed with a flourish. He didn't have time to react as the snake tried to whip him into the wall with a flick of its tail. Thankfully, Leo pulled Sled up and shot the beast off target just in time.

Before the Haietie could slither around in the cramped crevasse, Haddy turned to his friends, pointing up at the rocky pathway, and shouted, "We can use the bridge to crush it; but, we have to get on the other side first!"

The group took off towards the other end of the gorge, desperately trying to race back before the serpentine grimm could rearrange itself. They weren't quick enough as the beast flipped around and fired another burst of lightning at them. The faunus were nearly struck as the bolt exploded in the snow at their feet, throwing them all to the ground. As they picked themselves up, they could only watch as the Haietie dashed for them.

"It's too far!" Ollie exclaimed, pushing herself into a sprint, "We ain't gonna make it!"

"I got it! I got it! Just be ready to bust that bridge!" Haddy cried back, slowing and grabbing hold of everyone by their backs.

Just as the collie was about to object, Hadrian pulled his aura past his limits and used his semblance to push them along. His lungs felt like they were on fire and his legs were going to give out. Leo must have realized because he linked his arms with Ollie and Bēju and began to sprint forward, relieving some of the work from his brother as he activated his own super-powered semblance. With this new burst of speed, the team tumbled past the bridge and into the snow once again as Hadrian's aura broke into pieces, causing him to crash into the snow unceremoniously.

Leo and Bēju quickly flipped around on their backs, aiming up at the supports on the rock walls of the cavern before Ollie jumped up between them and let out a long scream. Her voice reverberated off the gorge, a ripple of sound waves visible as the boys grabbed onto their ears. The sonic wave of energy boomed through the air as it tore into the bridge, collapsing it just as the grimm was about to strike at them one more time.

As the echoing faded away, the Haietie gasped and sputtered beneath its rocky tomb. It buckled and fell to the ground, quickly dispersing into black ash as the team watched on.

After a moment to catch their breath, Ollie shouted, "Dude, that was awes'me!"

"What??" Leo called back, just as loud, rubbing his canine ears.

They helped each other up, wiping the snow off themselves as they smiled. It wasn't long before Hadrian navigated them to the outpost. There weren't any other students present, just like he'd predicted. The four of them walked up to the timer, placing their hands on top of one another and pushing down simultaneously-- registering the same times and scores, guaranteeing that they would be placed on the same team together.

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