An entire week passed, shrouding the Xiao Long household in a somber quiet. The days bled into one another as Taiyang sank deeper into his grief, withdrawing from his children and the world around him. He had taken an open leave from Signal Academy, unable to summon the energy to teach or even face his colleagues. His presence in the house was little more than a shadow, a reminder of the man he had been before Summer's death.
Ruby and Yang, still grappling with their own loss, spent most of their time in their shared room. Ruby occasionally ventured out to sit with Crimson, seeking comfort in her brother's calm demeanor. Yang, however, kept her distance, her sunny personality dulled by the weight of sorrow.
Throughout the week, Qrow remained a steady presence. He would arrive early in the morning and stay until the children were asleep. He stepped into the role of caretaker, his gruff exterior softening as he looked after the children. Mornings often found him in the kitchen with Crimson, who took the lead in preparing meals. Despite his youth, Crimson exhibited an unnerving composure, seamlessly filling the gap left by Summer. He had memorized her recipes, down to the smallest detail, ensuring the food carried a semblance of comfort. Even Summer's cookies, a favorite of the girls, found their place on the table.
"You've got a talent for this. You could become a famous chef one day," Qrow remarked one afternoon as Crimson carefully shaped cookie dough. The boy's movements were precise, his focus unshaken.
Crimson didn't look up but offered a faint smile. "All thanks to Mom. She always said food could bring comfort when words fail."
Qrow studied him for a moment, a pang of sadness tugging at his chest. The boy was far too mature for his age, bearing a burden no child should have to carry.
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By evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the home in the soft glow of twilight, Yang came looking for Qrow. She found him sitting with Crimson on the porch, the older man holding a flask of whiskey, lost in thought.
"Uncle Qrow?" Yang's voice broke the silence.
Qrow glanced up, his expression softening as he motioned for her to sit beside him. "What's on your mind, kiddo?"
Yang hesitated for a moment before sitting down. "It's been a week. Dad… he's still…" She paused, searching for the right words. "I know he's hurting, but he's an adult. Ruby and I need him," she stopped for a moment and glanced at Crimson, who was listening as calmly as ever, "Crimson needs him. I thought maybe you could talk to him."
Qrow sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy hair. "Tai's not the easiest person to reach when he's like this, he is the most emotional person I know. But you're right… he's gotta snap out of it. The kids need their dad, not just a ghost sulking around the house."
"Then you'll help?" Yang's tone carried a note of hope.
Qrow's lips quirked into a small, sad smile. "I'll try. But, kid, you should know something about your dad. This isn't the first time he's lost someone he cared about."
Crimson's eyes moved to Qrow without a change in expression, while Yang tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her lilac eyes. "What do you mean?"
Qrow's gaze turned inward, memories surfacing that he'd long tried to bury. "Before Summer, there was Raven. My sister. She… she was your mom, Yang."
The revelation hit Yang like a bolt of lightning, while Crimson narrowed his eyes. He had known Yang's birth mother was not Summer but had no other details about her.
"I don't understand," Yang said carefully.
Qrow took a swig from his flask, though the liquid did little to ease the ache in his chest. "Raven… she left. Walked out on Tai and you when you were just a baby. It broke Tai, he felt betrayed, his chance to make a family was gone but he pulled himself together for you, Yang. Then… Summer came along and decided to be your mom. She was… she was his second chance at having a normal family."
Qrow's voice grew quieter, tinged with guilt. "Summer was a close friend and now she's gone too. I think he's scared. Scared of failing you kids, scared of losing what's left of his family."
Crimson absorbed Qrow's words, his expression unreadable. After a moment, Yang asked, her voice full of doubt, "I'm not Ruby and Crimson's sister? My real mom left me?"
Seeing her like that, Qrow knew he had made a mistake. He shouldn't have told her, but before he could reply, Crimson spoke. "You are a half-sister at birth, but you lived with us and called our mother 'Mom.' That makes you my full sister, just like Ruby. That's all that matters."
Hearing him and seeing his smile, Yang felt reassured. She smiled again, then turned to Qrow and asked, "Where is my first mom?"
"I don't know," Qrow answered honestly.
"Why did she leave me?" Yang asked.
"She…" Qrow sighed. "You'll find out when you grow older."
Yang didn't look convinced; if anything, she seemed more doubtful than before.
"Yang! Where did you go?" Ruby's voice came from inside the house.
Hearing her little sister calling her, Yang gave her uncle one last look, then went inside. "I'm coming, Rubes."
Seeing her leave, Crimson turned to Qrow and said, "Uncle, you talked too much."
Qrow lowered his head, not wanting to meet Crimson's eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Don't get drunk while you're here. Dad is already a handful," Crimson sighed tiredly.
Qrow felt ashamed. He had come to help and take care of the kids, but right now, he felt he was doing more harm than good—and it wasn't his Semblance's doing.
Crimson waited for a few moments before speaking again. "Try to convince Dad to leave the house. Go to a café or work at the school. Anything will do as long as he's not sulking in his room."
Qrow nodded silently.
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Later that night, the house was eerily quiet as Qrow approached Tai's room. The door was ajar, revealing Tai sitting on the edge of his bed, his shoulders slumped and his hands clasped tightly together. He didn't look up as Qrow entered.
"Tai," Qrow began, his tone firm but gentle. "We need to talk."
Tai didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. Qrow sighed before stepping closer.
"You've been like this for a week, and I get it. Losing Summer… it's like losing a part of yourself. But you're not the only one who's hurting. Your kids need you, Tai. Ruby and Yang need their dad, and Crimson…" He sighed again, remembering the boy. "He's been holding everything together while you've been falling apart."
Tai's shoulders tensed, and his hands clenched into fists. "I failed her, Qrow. I failed Summer. I should have…" His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his hands.
"You didn't fail her," Qrow said quietly, taking another step forward. His voice was calm, steady. "Summer made her choice to go on that mission. She knew the risks, and she still went because she wanted to do some good in the world. You couldn't have stopped her."
Tai looked up, his eyes filled with anguish. "You don't understand. I've known her for years, since we were at Beacon. Yet, I didn't notice her odd behavior or unease. Meanwhile, Crimson saw right through her. And… and I took my grief, anger and insecurity out on him for that. I failed as a father."
Qrow's gaze softened as he said, "Children can be more perceptive than adults… and Crimson isn't holding it against you. Your son is worried—no, all your children are worried."
Tai's eyes shook with more guilt, and he couldn't help but lower his head again. Qrow placed a hand on his shoulder and continued, "You're not alone in this, Tai. We're family, and we'll get through it together. But you've gotta meet us halfway. You can still be a good father."
For a long moment, Tai said nothing, his expression conflicted. Then, slowly, he nodded, a tear sliding down his cheek. "I'll try," he whispered.
It was a start—a fragile step forward, but a step nonetheless.
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Qrow sighed again as he stepped out of the house. He had been sighing a lot lately. He walked forward, wondering if there was a way to make things better. Was waiting for time to heal the wounds all he could do?
"Uncle Qrow," Crimson's voice came from behind, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Why not stay the night? You leave every night only to come early in the morning. We have an extra room for you to use," Crimson spoke earnestly.
"Thanks, kiddo, but I'd prefer not to," Qrow replied with a smile.
Crimson, unconvinced, asked, "Why?"
"Personal preference," Qrow replied, maintaining the same smile.
Crimson frowned, then asked again, "Is there something preventing you from sleeping? Something worrying you?"
Qrow's smile faltered for a moment but recovered quickly. "None of that. Go to sleep, kiddo."
But that moment didn't escape Crimson. He asked, "Is it the same reason why you try to keep your distance from us?"
Hearing him, Qrow froze in place, looking at Crimson. The latter narrowed his eyes and spoke again. "I noticed that you keep moving to the farthest from us whenever you can. I thought it was a strange habit, but now it doesn't seem to be the case."
Qrow opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, the words surprising him. Finally, he gave a defeated chuckle. "Your perception is abnormal. There is a reason for that. I'll tell you when you're older."
Crimson's stare eased into a smile "I will be waiting. Good night, Uncle Qrow."