The Bird and the Garden 3: The Final Adventure

Chapter 15: The Festival of Light

Tim and Chuck were enjoying the first day they had off together in months. Hand in hand, they walked among the crowd, still wearing their armor proudly. Tim had an ice cream cone in his hand, his tongue dragging across the cold treat happily. "Are you sure you didn't want one, Chuck?" He asked. "I would have been more than happy to pay."

"You know me, Tim," Chuck chuckled. "I need to lay off the sweets. I'm getting a bit big again..."

Tim just smiled at him. "You know I don't care abo- God of Light above."

Chuck raised a brow. "What is it?"

He followed his best friend and partner's gaze, his jaw dropping open. Tim pointed a shaky finger forward, his ice cream already melting from the late summer heat. "Ch-Chuck... Is th-that..."

Not far away at a fruit stand, Vao was talking with someone. They recognized her as the witch from his party, and knew the two were best friends. But the way Vao smiled and laughed reminded them of themselves. Tim and Chuck shared a curious glance before approaching.

"Hey! Vao!" Tim called out. Vao looked around before spotting them, his face falling to despair.

"I-I didn't do it," he whimpered. "Th-the safe was empty when I got there... Please, arrest me tomorrow..."

"Wait, what?" Chuck started. But quickly the chubby man shook his head. "Ugh, forget it. What's going on here? Don't think we've seen you this happy before."

"I'm... U-um..." Vao's face was turning red. Tim smirked mischievously.

"Is the town delinquent on a date?"

The witch choked on her water, coughing violently. Her reaction and Vao's sudden uncharacteristic silence was all they needed. Chuck pat the thief on the back, smiling at the femboy for once. Usually he'd be shaking his head in disappointment because he was usually the one arresting Vao. "Hey, good for you, kid. I'm happy for you two."

Tim beamed. "Oh, I just had a great idea! What if we did a double date?"

Chuck stopped smiling. "... Tim, we haul Vao to a cell every weekend. I'm sure he wouldn't even want-"

"I don't actually mind," Vao said. "If it's fine with Verde, that is."

The witch looked up, her face as blank as ever. "... I don't mind. Who are these people, Vao?"

Vao grinned, introducing the two guardsmen. "These guys are Chuck and Tim. They're usually on shift, but it looks like they got the day off for the Festival."

"Then it's a double date!" Tim cheered. "It's nice to meet you, Verde! This is Chu... Wait..."

Tim sniffed the air. He looked confused, leaning closer to Vao and sniffing deep. "... I don't smell alcohol..."

Chuck laughed. "Good one. Vao's the only one who can out-drink the entire town aside from Qrow!"

"Actually," Vao said. "I quit drinking a few days ago."

Chuck and Tim thought the world was going to end. The skinny guard was trembling. "H-huh!? But you love drinking!"

Verde's cheeks were pink, her face still expressionless. Vao just laughed. "Verde didn't like it, so I threw it all out," he explained. "Honestly... Feels kind of good. I don't wake up with headaches as much, and my body is already starting to feel better."

Tim and Chuck were beginning to see Vao in a new light. "You gave up drinking for her?" The chubby man said in disbelief. Vao just nodded.

"Yeah..."