As It Turns Out 01

Soul Bonding.

It was a extremely rare phenomenon. It occurred when two people touched each other, while having compatible souls. Their souls would then intertwine, and their lives would be shared, the pair would fall in love. It was said to be a bond closer than anything else in the entire world.

It also came with a variety of benefits, mostly for Huntsmen and Huntresses. They could share their Aura, even share their Semblances, and it was said that they also fought perfectly side-by-side. And so, across history many legendary heroes were pairs of soul bonded Huntsmen. Or Marked, as they were called.

A person could only bond with one other person, and it happened automatically once they touched each other. However, it was also said that a person only had one person who was capable of bonding with them. In the entire world. Least to say it was a rare event.

Roy never expected to see it a Soul Bonding. Much less actually be a participant of it.

He wasn't a Huntsmen. He wasn't training to be one. And he also wasn't looking for a profession that would let him travel across the world. He was just a normal person who would spend the rest of his life in the city of Vale.

So why was it... why was it that he had just stumbled onto someone and accidentally bonded with them?



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In the end the pair quickly rushed to a cafe, without saying pretty much anything.

This was so awkward. "So... Um... What's your name?" If nothing else, the person that he had bonded with was absolutely gorgeous. Way above his paygrade if he was being honest with himself.

A girl with black hair and yellow eyes, and most importantly... she had kind of an amazing body. Just by looking at it he could tell she was a Huntress. Or at least that she really cared about her physical health.

She was also avoiding his gaze. "Blake Belladonna." Belladona? That was also the last name of the leaders of Menagerie... but it was also a somewhat common surname. "What's yours?"

"Elroy Reyne... but you can just call me Roy!" This felt so awkward.

He had tried using mobile apps to find dates in the past, and while he had found some awkward matches, none of them were as bad as this. This Soul Bonding thing maybe was not as great as it was cracked up to be.

A blush appeared on her face. "So... Should I go by Blake Reyne now?"

"W-why?" And he was definitely blushing too.

Her answer reminded him of something he didn't want to talk about. "Since we are Marked, we are married now... I think." She was right. As far the government was concerned, Soul Bonding with someone was the same as marrying them.

Except you couldn't really divorce them.

He flinched. "I guess... We have to go and make that official..." It was required for all Marked to announce what had happened. "B-but you don't have to take my name or anything." This was way too crazy.

Here he was, talking to this woman like a job interview. As if their souls weren't connected now. His life had been changed for forever, and there was no coming back. Hell, if she kicked the dust, he would too! That's how inescapable this was!

Not that he wanted to escape it... but he needed some time to process it.

And she was probably feeling the same way. "I... I wouldn't mind taking your name... Actually, I want to do it." Or maybe she was going into this at 100% speed!

"Oh, okay!" His voice definitely cracked. "You... you're okay with this?"

She hesitantly nodded. "Yes. I-I wasn't really looking for a relationship, but I..." She looked down. "Isn't it just wonderful? Like living in a fairy tale." She seemed sincere. Was he just broken or something? He wasn't feeling it.

Well, maybe he just needed more time. "Yeah." He opened his hand. "But just to make sure, do you have a Mark?" It's where the name had come from.

When two people Soul Bonded, each gained a identical Mark somewhere in their bodies. Elroy's Mark was in his right palm... And if he happened to lose that hand, than supposedly the Mark would move somewhere else.

Each and every Mark was different between pairs. Theirs happened to be some type of black flower.

She frowned. "I do, but... it's on my back. I can feel it... I could show you, bu—."

"I-It's fine!" That wasn't an awful place. He had heard of far worse places where the mark could have appeared. "Sorry for asking you something like this, I mean, I was there, I felt the Soul Bonding happening." Still, he was kind of in denial about it.

It couldn't be helped, it was just... such a massive lifestyle change, suddenly dropped in his lap like nothing. But it was time to stop being such a crybaby about it, in the end this was a good thing. He had lucked his way into finding true love or whatever.

She smiled. "It's okay... You're shocked, aren't you? I'm pretty shocked too." She let out a sigh. "This is going to be hell to explain to everyone else..." Ah, he hoped her parents wouldn't be too troublesome about it.

Not everyone was just okay with their daughter suddenly mixing her soul with a stranger. Even if they were compatible or whatever.

She shook her head. "But let's forget about that for now. We should... get to know each other. And I have to confess something. Something really, really important."

"Is this the time where you say you're a serial killer?" He said it as a joke, but that was a scary thought.

Surely his soul wouldn't be compatible with a murderer?

She flinched at his joke. Not a good sign. "No! I'm not!" Oh boy. "I just wanted to say, I'm a Faunus. A cat one. I keep my ears hidden with a ribbon." A Faunus...? A cat Faunus...?

His neurons had activated. "Oh, okay." Suddenly all his concerns had evaporated. Yes, he would spend the rest of his life with a girl who he barely knew. She was hot and had cat ears. What else could he ask for?

"Is it really okay? You don't have any issues with it, do you?" She was caressing her arm, clearly embarassing.

But he really didn't care. "No, it's totally okay." It felt weird that she even had that. "Honestly, I'm more worried about why you are hiding that in the first place." Was Vale really that bad? This shit wasn't Atlas.

"I don't really need to hide it, I just feel comfortable with it." She crossed her arms. "The White Fang has been pretty active recently, and so I... I just don't want any troubles." Oh, that just sucked.

So he decided to change the topic. "Alright then. Back to the learning about each other, how old are you? I'm nineteen." Hopefully the age gap wasn't too big. She didn't look too old or young though.

"Seventeen." Oh thank fuck. She was almost his age. "So, um, here's a second bombshell, I guess. I'm a Huntress-In-Training. Does that bother you?" It was a reasonable question.

If she died, he died. She was seeking a pretty dangerous profession. "It's okay. Thanks for warning me though." It's not like he could do much about it anyways. "Honestly, I had kind of figured out already."

Blake's eyes widened. "Really? What gave it away?"

How did he put this...? "You're way too hot to be an average girl." Probably not like that!

Thankfully she just smirked in response. "Thanks, you're not too bad either..." She tilted her head. "What are you up to though? College?" And now it was time for him to look like a loser.

"I work as a supermarket cashier, actually." Would it be okay to run away from his partner? "I didn't really have the cash to go to college or anything like that." Though he also didn't really have anything he was interesting in anyways.

Not that it mattered. If a better opportunity came around he would drop his shitty job in a heartbeat. It just so happens that such an opportunity had yet to come around. Didn't make him look like any less of a loser though.

However, maybe he was being a bit too harsh on himself, because Blake didn't seem too bothered. "I see... So, you like books?" Or maybe she was bothered, considering how awkward that question had been.

Then again, everything about this had been awkward. "Y-yeah...? I read occasionally." Not as much as recommended, but whatever.

"I read pornography." Where did that come from!? "BDSM stuff." Seriously, why did she suddenly dump all of that into his lap!?

He almost fell out of his chair. "Blake, too much information!" That was certainly a mental image he wouldn't be forgotten anytime soon. Then again, she was now wife. He was probably gonna see... better things, eventually.

She sputtered, as if suddenly realizing what she had done. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me!" He could actually see her bow twitching. "Normally I would deny it to hell and back and...! I mean, I don't read that sort of stuff, I just read mature content, and normally they have it, but I just care about the plot and—!"

"Blake, it's fine, really. I just wasn't ready for it." Was this the Soul Bond at work?

He didn't truly understand what it meant to share his soul with someone. Nobody really did. Hell, people barely understood how Aura and Semblances worked, and there were plenty of people with them running around, contrary to something as rare as a Soul Bond.

Her lips trembled. "O-okay... Wanna roleplay eventually?"

Now it was his turn to sputter. "We are moving maybe a bit too fast for my tastes!" Wasn't she seriously horny!? "I mean, I... think before we talk about stuff like that, I should meet your parents or something." That was going to be terrifying.

It was commonly accepted that Huntsmen came from Huntsmen families. Sometimes that wasn't the case of course, but it tended to be like that. So Roy was going to have to face the challenge of looking into a super soldier's eyes and saying he married his little girl because their souls were compatible.

He was not going to survive.

"You can't meet them!" Huh? "B-because... because..." She looked around, desperation on her face. "I'm an orphan..." Oh.

Oh! "I'm so sorry I brought that up."

"It's alright—."

He put a hand on his chest. "It's not. I know it hurts when someone brings them up, I'm an orphan too after all."

She paled for some reason. "R-really!?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I am. I lost then when I was super young, so I don't remember them, but it still hurts... I'm guessing you're in a similar situation?" Or maybe she had lost them more recently. Either way it sucked.

"L-let's not talk about it." He was totally fine with that. "So you live by yourself?"

"Yeah, I found a pretty cheap apartment... Somehow." It sucked. Like really sucked, but considering he was living in a big city, the fact that he had found some place he could afford was sort of a miracle. "So what about you? Where do you live?"

She let out a sigh of relief, probably happy to drop the parents subject. "In Beacon. They let you stay in dorms there... And honestly, pretty much everyone takes the offer. Commute to it would be a hellish experience." So she was a student of Beacon?

He knew she was a Huntress-In-Training, but he guessed that she was being mentored by a Huntsmen or something. Rarely did people actually get into one of the big schools. They either went out to make a name for themselves right after Signal, or got mentoring from family.

The fact that she was actually going to Beacon meant that she was the elite of the elite. It made him look even worse in comparison.

She continued. "And speaking of apartments, you know eventually I'm gonna start going on missions with my team, and I'm gonna get paid for it..." She blushed. "I could help you with your finances—."

He immediately waved her off. "No need for that. You keep your money." He didn't need a sugar mommy, he could handle himself. In fact, he felt kind of offended that she had even offered it.

"Our money." Her reply was swift. "We are married."

"E-even so... I... Let's think about that in the future okay?" Holy shit, he was married to her... It was like his brain would explode everytime he was reminded of it.

She pouted. "That's fine, but I will bring it up. I don't want to come off as a controlling person or whatever, but I won't let you struggle if I can help it." She looked away. "We were meant for each other. Literally." He couldn't deny that.

He didn't want to. "Yeah, you're right, thanks. It's just taking me some time to process all of this." He scratched his cheek. "Do you want to start planning an official ceremony though?" In the eyes of the law they were already husband and wife, but that didn't mean they couldn't have one.

She squinted her eyes. "Aren't you broke?" He totally was... "Let's leave that for the future as well. And honestly, I don't really want a big event or anything like that." Really? Well, he didn't mind that.

However... "Okay, but I will at least buy you a ring."

"Why?"

"Because I want to." It would be way to embarassing to say it was to show the world that they belonged to each other.

Especially when the Marks already existed. However, while his Mark was in a pretty visible location, her wasn't. So even if it was foolish, and probably a waste of money, this would be something he would not back down.

Thankfully she didn't argue. "Then we'll get a pair when we have the money for it." Lots of pressure. "By the way, we should probably go register. I have a feeling it will be a long and tiring process."

Now that she said it, he was dreading. "Ugh, you're right..." They had to do it though.

He had to go and officially let the government know that Blake Belladonna, a woman he had just met, was the love of his life. According to his soul at least.

Life was pretty crazy.



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Naturally him and Blake had exchanged numbers and agreed to meet the next day. And that next day had quickly come.

Honestly, he did not know if he should be terrified of it or looking forward to it. Probably the latter, since it concerned having a date with his wife. And she was very much his wife, they now had the papers and everything. Though their Marks were greater proof than any legal document.

However, as he got closer to the spot where they agreed to meet, he decided to settle on terrifying.

Why? Because she was not alone. She was surrounded by three other girls, who were hounding her as if they were guard dogs. He could only assume they were her teammates, who she had barely mentioned. He really hoped there would be no troubles, tomorrow he had work, so this was his last chance for now to spend time with her.

He cautiously approached them. "Hey Blake...?"

She looked like she hadn't gotten much sleep. "Hey—."

"So you are the teammate poacher!" And she was cutoff by the shorter girl of the group. One that looked younger than the rest. "You are now being evaluated, if you are considering unsuitable, I shall... make you suitable!"

The white haired girl of the group glared at her. "We weren't supposed to tell him he was being evaluated. Moron." He could figure that out even if she hadn't said anything...

Immediately the short girl glared back. "Well, I personally happen to think surprise interviews are nerve-wracking and unfair." This was still totally a surprise interview! And it was indeed nerve-wracking and unfair!

The white haired girl's eye twitched. "What is nerve-wracking is how you always decide to change plans on the fly! Improvisation has its limits, and you're not even supposed to try when I made a perf—."

The blonde of the group cut her off. "Yeah, you two should stop. Blake looks like she's considering if she could get away with murder."

Blake sighed. "I am." She pinched her nose. "I am so, so sorry about this, Roy. These are... my teammates. They learned about you, and decided to butt-in. I couldn't stop them."

The blonde snorted. "Can ya blame us!? I mean, you were acting all... weird and being even more quiet than usual, and refusing to say why... And then when you finally crack, you casually drop the bomb that you went and got married!"

Blake grit her teeth. "I-It's not like I went out trying to get married! I just want to buy some books and—." She suddenly gasped, looking at him with an apologetic face. "Not that I'm implying marrying you was a bad thing or anything, but...!"

He chuckled. "I get, I get it. And I understand this situation too." Sort of. "So allow me to introduce myself to everyone here, I'm Elroy Reynes, Blake's husband... since yesterday. Hopefully we'll all get along."

The short girl gave him a thumbs up. "Since you Soul Bonded with Blake, I'm sure you're ultra cool!" She then squinted her eyes. "And probably made out of a darkness, and sadness, and quite possibly, smut—."

The white haired girl stepped on her foot. "That's enough. Do not embarass us in front of Blake's husband, please."

The short girl groaned. "Right, just take your foot off!" She now had tears in her eyes. "How can you talk about embarassment and then do stuff like that!? Do rich people just like common sense!?" The answer was yes.

She shook her head. "Anyways, my name is Ruby Rose! Leader of team RWBY!" She gave him a smug grin. "That means I own your wife, by the way!"

The white haired girl rolled her eyes. "That's not how anything works." She put a hand on her chest. "And I'm Weiss Schnee. Yes, that Weiss Schnee, please do not scream. Although you may ask for a photograph."

He raised an eyebrow. "T-thanks...?" He didn't recognize her at first, but now that she had said it his memory had been shaken into remembering her.

Alas, suddenly getting married was way more shocking than meeting a billionaire. So he didn't really care all that much. It's not like she was about to dumb a million dollars on his lap or anything like that.

Blake crossed her arms. "My husband does not want your photograph."

Weiss responded with a grin. "Your husband needs my autograph." He decided to ignore them.

The blonde laughed. "Ah... I'm gonna have to experience hell for a couple of weeks huh? Seriously, I sleep with these people." What a nightmare. "By the way lucky man, my name is Yang Xiao Long. It may be a bit confusing, but I'm Ruby's big sis."

She walked closer. "I'm also Blake's partner according to Beacon's system... This would be the moment where I threaten you to treat her right, but I'm probably lower on the hierarchy of Blake's heart huh?" She pat him on the back. "Still, I—!"

They both glowed, just for a second.

He felt it again, the thing he had once felt with Blake. A indescribable feeling running through his body like lightning, and eventually settling on a part of his body. Somewhere in his abdomen there was a new mark.

Yang jumped back. "Woah! You're...!" There was a red blush adorning her face, and most importantly, a tattoo in her neck.

They'd just Soul Bonded.

Naturally, his jaw hit the floor. "But that's...!" Impossible. People could only Soul Bond with one person!

Their little outburst had put a stop to the argument between Blake and Weiss, and it had also gained Ruby's attention. It went without saying that they were just as shocked as he was.

Ruby was the first one to react, pointing at Yang. "Did you just Soul Bond with someone!? With a married man at that!? I'm telling dad!"

Yang covered her red face. "I don't know if I just Soul Bonded with someone! I was just touching him and..." She slowly lowered her hands. "Oh, I'm thinking of how many children I want to have with him, I totally Soul Bonded with him."

Her eyes might as well have had heart pupils. "Dude... I like... fucking love you, man." Did she have to say it like that!?

Thankfully, his wife came to his defense. "Yang Xiao Long!" She said her full name... as if she was her mother... "What did you do to my husband!? I'm going... I'm going to kill you!" She looked like a tiger ready to pounce.

But surprisingly, Weiss pulled her back. "Oh please Blake. Did you really not expect something like this from her?" She rolled her eyes. "Obviously she's pranking us somehow."

"I am not!" She began muttering to herself. "I'm going to be a mother..." Wasn't she skipping a few steps!?

Weiss ignored her. "I imagine that little glow around her and Elroy was a bit of Aura manipulation. Impressive, for a gorilla." She looked at her nails, contrary to her words, she was unimpressed. "And the tattoo... something, something Dust. It's always Dust."

That seemed convincing. And he totally wasn't just accepting it because he just saw every rule about Soul Bonding being broken.

Although... There was an old legend. One of a ancient hero named Ozma. One who had multiple partners, and had saved the world, amassing incredible strength from Soul Bonding with multiple women. But that was just an old legend... It couldn't be happening to him.

Ruby was as pale as a ghost. "I-I don't think Yang of all people would joke about something like this, Weiss."

The one to answer was Blake, who had now calmed down. "Why not? Now that Weiss said it, this is totally the type of prank Yang would pull." She let out a sigh of relief. "I'll have my revenge for this childishness later. Somehow." Elroy wasn't sure if that was right.

He wanted it to be, but... Yang was giving him an expectant look, as if awaiting for him to save her. And he did indeed feel the Mark. He couldn't really deny it.

Weiss smiled. "I'm glad you see sense, Blake. Perhaps marriage has matured you?" She walked closer to him. "And my apologies, Elroy. As you can see, Yang is a brat who never grew up past middle school."

"Um..." He looked down. "She's not... lying. I feel the Mark."

"Hah?" Weiss glared at him. "You sure adapted fast, accepting and joining her prank like that." She then poked him, probably with the intent to intimidate. "I'll have you know—."

He felt it again. A feeling spreading across his body, and finally concentrating under his eye.

She jumped backwards, even farther than Yang had, in a display of what a Huntress could do. Sadly, her face ruined any semblance of elegance. "The butt!? Why is it on my butt!? Why is it on me at all!?" Oh no...

Blake gasped. "This... Is this really happening, or is this all a prank because I got married? If it is... I'm changing teams."

Ruby immediately interjected. "You can't!" He doubted Blake actually meant that. "I'm sure everyone is gonna come out and apologize right now..." They did not. "I order you to apologize right now!?"

Yang was crying, and not out of sadness. Hopefully. "Together. Together forever and ever."

Meanwhile Weiss was biting her nail. "This... this makes no sense..." Oh? Maybe she was seeing some sense? "I can't share the love of my life with two savages... I have to get rid of them." Actually, she was making way less sense than even Yang.

Ruby screeched. "I'm scared! I need an adult please!" And for some reason he could not fathom, she decided that adult would be him.

The small girl dashed at him, accidentally knocking him to the ground. She was far faster than the eye could track, so he hadn't managed to do anything about it. Thankfully, she didn't fall with him.

But they did touch, and that was enough. He felt that feeling again, it concentrated somewhere along his left leg.

Ruby looked on his downed body. "Oh. I guess we are married now."

"I guess so." What the hell was happening!?