"Sapphire!"

She turned as he jogged over, slightly out of breath. She gave a warm smile as he caught his breath.

"You good?" He nodded rather weakly. They headed to class before he spoke.

"I was wondering if I could stay over." She glanced at him. "There's a little bit of struggle at home and I want to stay out of the house-" She smiled.

"I'll text my mom, but I'm sure it will be fine." He thanked her for that before they entered the classroom.

~~~

Ruby was glad he packed some spare clothes since Sapphire got the ok. He joined her as they arrived at her place. Her mother greeted him before showing him where the guest bedroom was. He thanked both before Sapphire helped him get settled.

Later, he overheard the two females talking. Clearly they shared sharp senses with what they were talking about.

"Is he suicidal?"

"I know why you're asking. I don't know. I do know he's had those bandages for a few days now." He paused as her mother hummed.

"Abusive family?"

"He did mention that there were problems at home. So maybe."

"Do you know much about his family?"

"No, but from what I overheard from the Competition teacher, his mother's not a nice person."

"It would be funny if she ended up in a body bag."

"If you say that any louder, it might actually happen."

"I'll defend you in court."

Ruby was taken aback by that. Pardon?

"There's a performance at school on Monday. His family might be there."

"Casually dives to them like a hawk."

"You would. Dad would flee the scene while you falcon dive in."

"It's a bad habit. You do it too."

"Yes, but I do it because you do it. I am your child after all."

"Curses."

Ruby gulped softly. Were they comfortable with him? Or was it just because last time Sapphire was busy helping him last time?

"Here's the plan. Monday, if anything is out of place, we hawk dive."

"Falcon."

"Same thing."

"Falcons are faster. That's the difference."

"Oh- Ok. Got it."

"Mother-"

"Sorry. I'm a lawyer. There's a big difference between me and your father." He could hear Sapphire's sigh.

"So... Monday?"

"Monday."

~~~

When it came time for dinner, he was surprised by the size of the meal. Sapphire giggled at her mother's reaction to his own.

"Sorry. It's a bad habit of mine when there's guests." Sapphire smiled.

"Don't worry, mom. Dad'll swoop in like an owl and steal whatever is left. Whether he eats it or gives it to his co-workers is another question in itself."

Her mother smiled as he sat down. They didn't force him to eat too much since he didn't have much of an appetite, but he did get enough bravery to ask for the recipe of the vegetable dish. She smiled.

"You liked it?" He nodded as she got the recipe book out.

"I normally don't eat a lot of vegetables. But it was good." It had been a small, three part dish that covered carrots, green beans and corn. And while they weren't connected entirely, they were good. She pulled out a notebook and wrote it down.

"I have family on my mother's side who have split allergies. Carrots, green beans and corn. No one person has all three as an allergy. So these can easily be made on their own. I just make them together whenever I'm dealing with my mother's family so that I don't single anyone out." He nodded softly as she handed him the paper. "If you want, you can take some home with you." He smiled.

"Thanks Ma'am-"

~~~

Sapphire overheard him on the phone with someone. And no, it didn't sound good.

"No- I'm not answering that. I don't want t- No!" She instantly neared the door, locking eyes with her mother before he stuttered. "I'm not stupid. I don't have to if I don't-" He seemed to try to steady his breathing before his tone turned violent. "If you were a good parent, I would actually be there! Leave me to my life! I don't want to be near someone who doesn't respect my boundaries! I will not have this! There's a reason I prefer living with dad over you!" Something was thrown before she went in, instantly pulling him into a hug as he collapsed to the ground. She spotted his phone on the other side of the room, a yelling sound escaping it.

"Shh..." She managed to get him to calm down before slipping over and turning off the call, silencing the other line. She then placed the phone on the bed before returning to the hug, rocking him as he trembled.

"I-" She hushed him again before a soft hum escaped the phone. She slipped it into her hand before seeing his father's contact. She let him see it before he gently took the phone, answering the text. She kept him in a hug as he calmed down fully.

"All good now?" He nodded as he rubbed his face. She helped him to his feet before he sat down on the bed, shaking dangerously.

~~~

She asked him later, but he wasn't in the best of moods. He finally answered just before the lights went out.

"She wounded me a lot... Practically enforcing my life how she wanted it... I couldn't fight back... and now her damage is my life... I only know pain..." She rubbed his back as he trembled. "I try so hard to fight back- but even when she's not home, her damage tears me apart-" Sapphire's mind went to the bandages. He had done that because of her. She didn't need to touch him. "I just want to be free of her- I want my life back-" He broke down again as Sapphire pulled him into a hug. A frown covered her face as every murderous thought swept through her mind. Her mother said she would defend her and her mother had never lost a case. Or... they could go another route.

~~~

At the concert, Sapphire spotted Ruby's father. How could she tell? He looked exhausted. Ruby definitely got most of his genes from his father since he looked nearly identical to his son. There was also a large scar on his face, which suggested that the mother also hurt him. She gulped before finding her mother in the crowd. She must've seen where Sapphire was staring as she too was looking at the male. They locked eyes before nodding. They had to approach afterwards.

After the concert, they went over to the two. Ruby was leaning against as they spoke in soft voices.

"You need to relax a bit. I could see your folder."

"I'm fine, dad-"

"Ruby." That tone change made Ruby go quiet, indicating that this was not the first time. The two ladies went over as Sapphire smiled.

"That was amazing Ruby." He pulled away from his dad before smiling.

"Thanks..." While he was responding, her mother instantly introduced herself to his dad and they almost dove into a full blown conversation. The two children paused before Sapphire huffed.

"Lawyers-"

Her mother shot this look at her before continuing on with Ruby's dad, who was trying to wave off the offer for help. Sapphire smiled before Ruby leaned against her, steadying his shaking. She gently gripped his hand before her mother managed to pull the conversation over to the seats, allowing Ruby to sit down. While the younger male practically dozed off, the two females were able to talk his dad into accepting their help. He hummed.

"Are you sure? It wouldn't be too much trouble-" Her mother smiled.

"Sir, I heard him scream at the phone. I've seen the bandages on his arms. My husband is a doctor in many fields, so I have learned to pick up the signs. I can also see you've taken some hits." He kinda looked away as she continued. "You should not have to be with someone that's ripping your family apart. Especially when it looks like CPS could get called." There was silence from the older male before he nodded.

"Alright... but I don't really have a backbone of proof against her. She has the advantage of being his mother." Sapphire frowned as her mother chuckled.

"Yes, but that's the fun thing about me also being a mother. Especially one with a daughter who has to get pulled out of trouble often." Sapphire knew where she was going as she shot an argument back.

"I wasn't the one who threw a guy into the river."

"What's your point?"

"I'm not the only one getting in trouble." The two females glared before the father paused.

"Are you sure?" Her mother smiled at his concern.

"Trust me. It only takes a friendly smile to handle this. We'll keep in touch." He smiled as he shook her hand before glancing at Ruby, who was practically out like a light.

"I better get him home and pray his mother's not there." Sapphire purred as he picked up the boy and headed out.

"I will beat her ass if she's there."

"I'll give you an alibi."