Bumbleby Week DAY 6 - Meet The Parents
Day 6 prompt for @bumblebyweek-blog, and I finally get to do Taiyang, man my feelings on this man have swirled a lot, but I kind of like this version I end up writing.
Honestly for how close they all were, it was somewhat surprising that none of them had actually interacted with their teammates parents, Blake mused as she caught sight of Taiyang Xiao Long stumbling his way into Dustbound Legends, the local bookstore that she had made a bit of a haunt of hers when she needed quiet time. Yang sometimes kept her company, when she wanted to lounge. Blake did love her, but she knew Yang preferred action for relaxation, which to be fair was quite enjoyable at time.
"Hi um Blake was it?" Tai finally stated as he reached her seat, after nearly asking the two other dark-haired faunus that were there. It was…interesting to finally see the father of Yang and Ruby.
"Yes Mr. Xiao Long I presume?" she led, closing her copy of Knights of Passion, a cheap imitation of her usual, but considering the state of the world there were little new volumes being produced.
"Ah yep, good to meet you too, um so books eh you like action?" he started, and instantly so many questions were answered for Blake.
"Occasionally, I tend to prefer emotional tales," Blake answered.
"Oh drama girl gotcha, so soap or pie?" Taiyang asked, as Blake blinked in surprise.
"Pie?"
"Yeah like homely dramas, about daily life stuff, with funny moments,"
"Comedy?" Blake poised.
"Ah no more down to earth stuff, sure they got funny moments, but is more about just regular life," Taiyang answered.
"Oh slice of life, honestly I tend to more fantastical elements," Blake stated
"Now I see how you and Ruby became friends," Taiyang joked, "she did like her fairy tales…"
"…I believe she still does," Blake started from the awkward silence that filtered between the two individuals.
"That's good, that's good," Taiyang replied, though his tone wasn't entirely sure on that. Blake took the moment to study the man. Yang hadn't said much about him in their travels, and Ruby only mentioned him sparingly. Obviously he was a tired man, after all he had lost so much, but there was still an awkward air around him, like he just didn't want to be in this situation at all. Both sitting with her, and the state of the world. Blake could see why he wasn't really brought in, as from what she could tell he just wanted a regular life.
"Yep, honestly never really considered much other than slaying Grimm and marrying." Taiyang answered.
"I guess my stare was obvious," Blake summarized as Taiyang chuckled.
"Its very similar to what Ruby's partner gave me, Weiss right?" he answered as Blake nodded. "I definitely wasn't exactly in this business for the greater good, I was just a good fighter and well looking for a partner."
"I see," Blake responded diplomatically, to which Taiyang belted out a sardonic laugh.
"Ah I can see why Yang enjoyed your company, she really did enjoy dry wit," Taiyang started as he leaned back. "I've messed up so much…I guess I still am,"
"Is that why you've been circling around your daughters, instead of actually talking to them," Blake pushed.
"Yep, not sure how to say hi I've been ensuring that one of the artifacts to an ancient legend is safe, and sorry I didn't follow after you all, but I really just wasn't sure if you wanted me around." Taiyang mused.
"…A valid point, considering how dangerous carrying such artifacts are." Blake stated. After all her own experience with transporting the lamp had hardly been comfortable. However once Taiyang had been relieved by Prof. Goodwitch, his avoidance was more suspect. "They still would like to be with you though."
"I'm sure they would…I just—"
"Feel like you brought this on them, that by staying away it wouldn't have gotten worse?" Blake queried.
"Perhaps, but they're tougher than me…Yang especially," Taiyang started as he finally locked eyes with Blake. "I've lost my heart twice, and gave up, but she rallied after the first break."
"That she did…I was lucky—"
"Right, you kids have been lucky…but also determined," Taiyang cut her off. "you'll didn't give up, made it work, took the steps to be there for each other."
"We nearly didn't." Blake stated as Taiyang groaned.
"But you did, if it was old Team STRQ in that Ever After…well there probably be more legends in the tales," he quipped, "A chance to change yourself…I don't think any of us could have resisted that."
Another oause stretched on as Blake observed the man again. She had always had several scenarios of this meeting, ever since she and Yang had their first intimate night. Sure Yang had waved it off, stating that he would be fine, probably glad to have another face for family cook off, but Blake had concerns. After all she had hurt Yang so much, and while Taiyang did seem to appear as a lax adult in most of the tales she was told, it was hard not to imagine how he would react to someone who directly hurt one of his girls emotionally, not too mention the indirect association with Yang's missing limb.
Still all those scenarios fell short to now, as Blake saw the mess of a man. One who was still held together by thoughts and promises in the past. She almost wonder if this is what she would become if she didn't reunite with her teammates, with Yang. Just someone who held onto the what's of the past.
"You still also are trying," she started gently, "the fact that you are finally here, and well talking to their partners."
"Ah the Schnee warned you?" Taiyang asked with a small grin as Blake nodded.
"Weiss mentioned that you were testing the boundary, I heard she gave you quite the talking to,"
"Yeah oh still amazed how Ruby was able to work with her at first."
"It was touch and go, I certainly didn't help either," Blake concluded, as she stood up, "would you like to join me for lunch?"
"Ah," Taiyang started in surprise, "I mean I wouldn't want to intrude—"
"Yang's still out on patrol, and Weiss is with Ruby today, so I have an opening, besides I do have some things to discuss with you." Blake cut him off sliding a brochure she picked up, causing Taiyang's eyes to widen in surprise.