Fandom: Super Mario
.......
Bonds are frail, even when it doesn't seem like it, especially if it doesn't seem like it. The closer, the frailer. Like families, mostly like families.
It is where you have something to lose, something to fight for. Something you either fight to protect or to keep together.
Madison was only two when they announced to her: "You're going to have a little sister!". A new playmate. Most kids get jealous and upset upon hearing that kind of news, but Madison?
Madison was happy and impatient to meet her soon-to-be bestest friend! To greet to the world and teach her everything she gained in her two happy years of life.
She dreamed and dreamed of all the things they could've done together, all the songs she would've teach her to sing together.
When the day finally came, Rosalina didn't hesitate for a second: "Madison... meet Skyler." Madison had to get to the tips of her toes to give her a proper look: Skyler was so tiny and puffy. And she was crying, a lot. Not even that managed to annoy her.
She was perfect.
For some reason their parents decided to let her hold the newborn baby. Skyler observed her with her big blue eyes, and stopped crying.
Little Madison smiled "Welcome to the family!" Skyler seemed to smile at her too, and it was in that moment that Madison promised herself she'd been the best big sister ever, and always protect her and take care of her.
Skyler was her little sister.
That could've easily been the cute vow of an already in love bigger sister and nothing more, but fate had other plans.
With both Rosalina and The Lumas gone, with whom physically and who mentally, the responsibility to take care of Madison fell on Skyler's little young shoulders. In that moment her vow made as a little kid assumed a new deeper meaning.
She accepted it in a heartbeat.
For her Skyler? Anything.
And that became her mantra, her last thought at night and what made her get up in the morning. It was hard but worth it, the stakes too high.
With her family at the edge of collapsing, she was the only thing there to prevent it. She kept on going, got sure Skyler learned everything she needed during her developing years at the expense of her own. It was worth it.
On her way to becoming the best Huntress of her generation, Skyler was finally capable of taking care of herself, and Madison's load got lighter. More time to relax, to find answers. To find Heaven.
There was relief in that, but also grief; because Skyler was growing, just like her. No more play and games, and responsibilities started to grow on them since their arrival at Beacon, slowly turning into something way bigger than them.
Madison embraced it anyway; she was no stranger to lifting weights bigger than her.
But part of her missed the little girl who dreamed to be the hero. "Just like you!" she used to say.
How the tables have turned. Just look at her now, using the same bright eyes who looked up at her to save the world; Skyler was her hero now. And she couldn't feel more proud.
Team RWBY faced it all: war, love, and loss, as the family they didn't realize they already were. The family they'd soon become.
Just like in Skyler's heroic fairytales and Blake's finest literature, as cliched as it sounded, love bloomed in the battlefield, and everything that happened led them to this exact moment: bringing Skyler to the altar.
Weiss is waiting, agitated, beside her bridesmaid Blake, who is encouragingly looking at Madison. The blonde answers to her with a smile.
The ceremony goes on just fine. She still doesn't understand why her father let her be the one to bring Skyler to the altar, but it felt joyful and sad at the same time. Or maybe she does know but it's easier for her to just ignore it, to ignore how it just makes sense since she's been the one who basically raised her.
It's time for the throwing of the bouquet, and Madison's sitting at her table sipping her champagne, being one of the few guests with a ring on her finger already. Blake is quick to join her, being the one who put it there in the first place.
Nora is obviously over the top and its shaping to be a great show.
"Want some?" Madison offers some of her drink but Blake politely declines "You sure? I saw you barely drink anything but water today."
Blake nods. "I'm good. Plus, this is a day I want to remember."
Madison looks back at her sister. Nora bullied her way to the flowers, Weiss is scolding her, and Skyler is laughing to tears. She then notices her and waves.
She waves back. "Yeah, I agree." Her eyes are shining, residue of a promise she made a long time ago, a promise she intends to keep for the rest of her days. She just happens not to be the only one anymore.
Blake can't keep her eyes off her. "You'll be a great mother."
"You say that like I'm gonna be one soon." Madison laughs. Blake doesn't. She stops. "Blake, you don't mean...?"
The Faunus can't hide her smile anymore, and brings Madison's hand to her belly.
She thought this day couldn't become better, or happier. She was so wrong.
There's strength beyond fragility. The strength to protect your loved ones. The will to fight of a newborn, a new life that will bless them with both weakness and strength by its existence alone.
Team RWBY and all their friends are just like that; a partnership that turned into something more. A family, that made them more powerful and exposed than ever, but a family nonetheless. A family more than ready to welcome a new member.
That's what Madison likes to think. How she knows it's going to be.
For all our days.
