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The Beacon courtyard was bustling with the usual mid-afternoon chaos-students rushing between classes, the distant roar of combat drills echoing from the training fields, and the occasional song from the birds in the trees. Taiyang Xiao Long had timed his visit perfectly: right after lunch, when Ruby and Yang were both free. He stood near the fountain, arms open wide as his daughters barreled into him.
"Dad!" Ruby squealed, nearly knocking him over with the force of her hug. "You didn't say you were coming!"
Yang grinned, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "What, you finally get tired of patching up the house after Nora's last visit?"
Taiyang laughed, ruffling Ruby's hair and pulling Yang into a one-armed hug. "Can't a dad just want to check on his girls? Besides, I brought cookies. Your mom's recipe."
Ruby's eyes lit up like silver stars. "You're the best!"
Yang rolled her eyes fondly. "Yeah, yeah. We love you too, old man."
Coco Adel stopped mid-stride nearby, designer sunglasses perched on her nose, beret tilted just so. She'd been heading to the library with Velvet when she spotted the tall, broad-shouldered man with the easy smile and the artfully tussled hair. Her lips curved into a slow, appreciative smirk.
She didn't waste time.
"Coco?" Velvet asked, concerned.
"Not now, Bun-Bun, getting laid," Coco stated, heading forward. Velvet sighed.
"Oh no," she muttered.
"Excuse me," Coco said, voice smooth as silk. She lowered her sunglasses just enough to give Taiyang a deliberate once-over. "Are you single?"
Ruby and Yang froze.
Taiyang blinked, still smiling politely. "Oh, hi there! I'm Taiyang Xiao Long. These are my daughters, Ruby and Yang. And you are…?"
Coco grinned, sliding her sunglasses the rest of the way off and tucking them into her jacket. "Coco Adel. Fashion icon, fashionista, and apparently the only person here with taste." She stepped closer, hips swaying just enough to make it clear this wasn't a casual chat. "And I asked if you're single, Mr. Xiao Long. Because if you are… I'd love to take you out for breakfast. Or dinner. Or both. Your choice."
Ruby's jaw hit the ground. "COCO!"
Yang's hair flickered with the first sparks of her Semblance. "What the hell?! That's our dad!"
Coco didn't even glance at them. Her eyes stayed locked on Taiyang, one manicured hand resting lightly on his forearm. "Still not an answer. So… single?"
Taiyang's smile never wavered. He glanced down at her hand on his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Oh, that's sweet of you to offer, Miss Adel! I'm flattered. And yes, I am. But I've been out of the dating game for a while and I'm a little old for you. I'm just here to visit my girls and make sure they're not causing too much trouble."
Coco's grin sharpened. She leaned in a fraction closer, voice dropping to a playful purr. "Trouble's my middle name, handsome. And you look like you could handle a little. That jacket's vintage Mistral leather, isn't it? Very rugged. Very… capable. Much like the owner."
Yang made a strangled noise. "COCO, I SWEAR TO GOD-!"
Ruby was hiding behind her dad now, peeking out with mortified silver eyes. "Dad! She's flirting with you! Say something!"
Taiyang chuckled. "Flirting? Aw, that's nice of her. Kids these days are so friendly." He patted Coco's hand gently. "You've got good fashion sense yourself, Miss Adel. That beret really brings out your eyes. My wife used to wear something similar."
Coco's eyebrows rose. "Wife?"
"Late wife," Taiyang clarified easily, still smiling. "It's been a while. But thank you for the compliment. Means a lot coming from someone with your… style."
Coco's grin returned, twice as bright. "Late wife, huh? Tragic. My condolences. But that just means you're available for a charming, successful, incredibly stylish woman to sweep you off your feet." She gave his arm a light squeeze. "Tell me, Taiyang-can I call you Tai?-what are you doing tonight? I know this little café in Vale that serves the best strawberry shortcake. My treat."
Yang looked ready to combust. "Dad! She's hitting on you! In front of us! Make her stop!"
Taiyang finally seemed to register the tension. He glanced between his outraged daughters and the very forward fashionista, then let out a warm, laugh. "Well, I appreciate the offer, Miss Adel. Really, I do. But I'm just here to spend time with my girls today. Maybe another time?"
Coco pouted dramatically, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Another time, then. I'll hold you to that." She slipped a small card into his jacket pocket with practiced ease. "My number. In case you change your mind about breakfast. Or dinner. Or both."
She winked at Ruby and Yang. "Ladies. Always a pleasure."
Then she sauntered off, hips swaying as she made her way back to the mortified Velvet.
The moment she was out of earshot, Yang exploded.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
Ruby nodded furiously, face still red. "She asked if you were single! In front of us! Dad, she was flirting so hard I thought my eyes were going to melt!"
Taiyang scratched the back of his neck, looking genuinely confused. "Flirting? She seemed nice. Complimented my jacket. That's all."
Yang threw her hands up. "She slipped her number into your pocket, Dad! That's not 'nice.' That's hunting!"
Ruby nodded again. "Yeah! I mean, we don't need an evil stepmom!"
Taiyang chuckled and pulled them both into a hug. "Relax, you two. I'm not going anywhere. Besides…" He glanced at the card Coco had given him. "I've got my hands full with two very protective daughters already. No room for anyone else right now."
Yang grumbled but leaned into the hug. "You'd better not call her."
"I won't!" Taiyang insisted.
Ruby peeked up at him. "Promise?"
"Promise," Taiyang said.
"So, throw away the card?" Ruby prompted. Taiyang hummed.
"Well, it would be rude to throw it away in front of her, don't you think?" He tucked it into his jacket pocket.
Coco, with Velvet, grinned.
"Ohhh yeah, he's hooked. And now I'm gonna reel him in~."
Velvet sighed.
"Not again," she muttered.