The girls practically drag Y/N through every clothing store they could find. Right now the group is in the seventh store and the girls don't seem to tire yet. Weiss has already spent a few Lien for some jewelry that could fit the big man who just smiles uncomfortably as he tries on another suit. It's a darker blue with a black shirt underneath the jacket. The material feels alright on his skin as well as the weight. When Y/N steps out of the clothing booth again, the girls all take a good look at him. Yang is smiling widely at the sight as Blake blushes a bit and Weiss and Ruby literally fangirl about the whole thing.

Y/N:" So...what do you think?"

Yang:" I wouldn't say No if you asked me for a dance."

Blake:" It does fit well with your looks. The dark blue fits good with your hair and eyes."

Ruby:" Ooohh, you look so much more professional. You look like you'd go see some higher ups somewhere in town."

Weiss:" It's really good. I like how it envelopes your body while keeping its natural fit. I think all of us reached an agreement."

Y/N:" So it's a Yes on this one?"

Team RWBY nods and then they all pull out their scrolls to see, if they can share the cost of the clothes for Y/N. It looks like they could do it, but then they notice they're missing quite a bit of money. Y/N just chuckles shortly to not strain his body too much and ruffles every girls' hair. Ruby gasps when he reaches Yang and she allows it.

Ruby:" Yang, what's happening? He's touching your hair. Normally you hurt everyone who tries to do that."

Yang:" I know, but...Y/N is a special person. He's not only my favorite musician. He has shown that people are important to him, no matter who or what they are...Also, he's cute."

That just causes Y/N to blush and rub the back of his neck as he walks to the cashiers desk to pay for the suit. He hasn't heard these words in a long time, so he thought nobody would ever use them again, but the blond brawler of the team just proved him wrong. Y/N isn't flustered easily, but today is different after he told all of them about his situation. Although it seems very dark for all of them, the mood changed when they went out and who knows? Maybe Y/N will be a bit healthier when he comes back in time for the tournament. When the H/C haired man is done with paying he gets back to the girls and walks along the streets with them, sighing happily.

Blake:" What got you all happy and fuzzy all of a sudden?"

Y/N:" All of you did. you made the rest of the day much more pleasent. You helped me with my clothes, you've been with me for hours by now and you're willing to come to my shows every time you can. I know I don't ask for much, but can I at least invite you to dinner as a way of saying 'Thank you' to all of you? It's the least I could do."

Weiss:" If you insist..."

Ruby:" I can't say No to that, now can I?"

Blake:" Well, it's an offer I can't resist."

Yang:" Alright, big guy. Let's see where we could eat tonight. It doesn't have to be all fancy."

They all share a laugh and keep walking, trying to find a place to eat. A lot of restaurants seem to be good options, but just a few streets away is the perfect one. The lights in it are inviting and the overall attitude is very friendly. Music is good, the smell is intoxicating and every other aspect proves positive as well. The five walk in and are immediatly greeted by eager waiters and waitresses. One of them shows them to a table specifically for five people, so they walk over there and grab a menu to look through the different meals. The prices don't seem too astronomic, so even normal people can afford spending an evening there.

Y/N:" Did anything catch your eye yet, ladies?"

Yang:" There's just so much to choose from. Fish, beef, pork, soups, salads, steak, burgers, sandwiches...I can't decide."

Ruby:" Yeah, it's hard...Oh, they have cookies as desert too. I know what I'm having."

This causes a round of chuckling between the five as they study the menu further. A few tables away are some people who watch Y/N from the appropriate distance to not raise any suspicion. It looks like the three are up to something nd it's nothing good at all. The whole group consists of two females and one male, making a really peculiar color spectrum.

???:" The guy seems to be alright actually. What do you want with him?"

???:" He intruiges me. His whole story is special, knowing some of the things he talks about in his art."

???:" You call that music art? What about it is artistic in any way?"

???:" Mercury, I will burn your legs of for good, if you don't shut your mouth. There are things in life that you don't get yet...Y/N on the other hand has a really tight grip on them and that is something worth admiring...at least for me."

Mercury:" Right. Sorry, boss."

???:" But Cinder, is there an actual goal for us? Why are we watching him from afar if we could just go to one of his shows and see him perform? It's not like the tickets are crazy expensive."

Cinder:" I know, but...seeing him as himself instead of the onstage person...It's different...I'd love to spend an evening with him as well. Emerald, you and Mercury can go back to the hideout. I will meet you there later."

The group splits up as Emerald and Mercury walk out of the restaurant and make their way back while Cinder keeps glancing over to Y/N's table from time to time. She's jealous of Team RWBY, but her plan doesn't interfere with them yet. When Y/N excuses himself to go to the bathroom, he comes across the same table Cinder is at. In the first few moments he doesn't notice her, but when he looks to the right a bit, the black hair and amber eyes meet his H/C hair and E/C eyes. He blushes shortly before apologizing again and moving on. This causes the woman to giggle in return to her food. It feels a bit strange to be face to face with a stranger for either side, yet Cinder is more pleased with the meeting.

--- Timeskip ---

Later, the girls and Y/N are almost done with their food as they wrap up the evening. Y/N enjoys every moment as good as he can, knowing that maybe it is one of the last times. The diagnose on this morning is of course a terrible experience, but he'll make it work as well as possible. Before the group leaves the restaurant, he catches another glimpse at Cinder who just waves him over.

Y/N:" Alright, girls. You should just be in time to get back to Beacon...I can't bring you to the bullhead landing space, because someone here would like to talk to me. I'll make sure to text you in the morning. Is that okay?"

Yang:" Fangirls, huh? You just can't catch a break from them."

Blake:" It comes with the business. We shouldn't stop you any longer."

The four then say their goodbyes to him and walk off while Y/N walks back in and sits down across from Cinder who was eagerly waiting until now. Her eyes are focussed on the man in front of her. Normally his fangirls aren't that classy or calm when they meet hi, yet she seems far more mature.

Y/N:" Tell me: what is a young woman such as yourself doing in a nice restaurant all on her own?"

Cinder:" I was treating myself to something nice once in a while. It's not often that I get the chance to do so."

Y/N:" I'm sure you're deserving it. Aaaand I saw you looking over at me a few times. May I ask your name?"

Cinder:" My name is Cinder Fall. It's a pleasure to meet you, Y/N L/N."

Y/N:" A lovely name for such a beautiful woman. You seem like a very nice person to talk to."

Cinder:" Flatterer. But you are a nice man and I know why you put others before yourself.  I think it's something to admire."

Y/N:" Do you really? It means a lot to me to hear these words from my fans. which song got you into my music, if you remember?"

Cinder:" Fine Again has hit close to home for me. I know how young people struggle these days and I understand how relationships can end. Whether good or bad, you shouldn't abandone hope. There is someone for everyone out there and I know there is even someone for you and me."

Y/N:" Such good observation skills. I have to say: you have good eyes and a good mind. But I never expected a woman like you to get caught in my ways."

Cinder:" And what are your ways?"

Y/N:" I'd let you find out, but I have to fly over to Argus tomorrow morning. That means I can't allow myself to sink into any distractions...Not that you're a distraction to me."

Cinder:" I'm sure we will see each other again. your tour cycle isn't as full as it was a few years ago, right?"

Y/N:" Yeah...Unfortunately I had to cut back on going out for shows. I went to a doctor this morning and the diagnose wasn't as promising as I expected. And since I'll have a short showing at the Vytal tournament, I have to be in my best shape the way my body allows it to be."

Cinder:" That doesn't sound good at all....Now I'm actually worried about you."

Y/N:" You don't need to be worried: I left a legacy for everyone. People can pick up my records in the nearest store and they can cover the songs however they want. Music is a universal tool, it's a language that anybody can easily understand. The message you wanna send is entirely up to you though."

Cinder:" Wow...Music is more complicated than I thought.......How can I repay you for spending time talking with me?"

Y/N:" Your company is enough for me. I don't wanna be indebted to people because I know I can only pay them back with music most of the time...Miss Fall, I know you and every other fan I have will be crushed when I leave this planet, but...I want you to know that you can keep me alive in many different ways. You can write, paint, make music yourself or something. It's your decision. it's your way of expressing yourself and let's be honest: good tools for it aren't that expensive anymore."

Cinder:" I see...I have to go now. Have a good night and a good tour, Y/N. You're important."

And so Cinder gets up and walks around the table. She stops in front of Y/N and leans down, giving him a hug. It's more of a friendly hug than anything else, but she follows that up with a kiss on the cheek. That leaves Y/N a bit confused and he tries to stop her when he notices that she already disappeared. His mind is filled with many questions as to why these things come up and what really Cinders' intensions are. Y/N decides to walk back home and when he arrives, he closes the door and sits down in his bedroom. The H/C haired man has a blank sheet of paper on his desk and an acoustic guitar on his lap. Knowing that it may be one of the last songs he would ever write, Y/N decides to make it different.

Y/N:" 

Hold me now I need to feel relief

Like I never wanted anything

I suppose I'll let this go and find a reason I'll hold on to

I'm so ashamed of defeat

And I'm out of reason to believe in me
I'm out of trying to get by

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all

I can't face myself when I wake up and look inside a mirror
I'm so ashamed of that thing
I suppose I'll let it go till I have something more to say for me
I'm so afraid of defeat

And I'm out of reason to believe in me
I'm out of trying to defy

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all

Hold me now I need to feel complete
Like I matter to the one I need

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all

Now I'm ashamed of this
I am so ashamed of this
Now I'm so ashamed of this
I am so ashamed of me "

It feels very different from what he originally wrote before, but it seems to fit good enough. As a musician, Y/N always accepts his own creations as good as he can play them and as good as they can sound. It's not about being always as dark or as gritty as can be, but to make sure many different feelings are incorporated. Maybe he can prove the world wrong and maybe his sickness isn't as severe as the doctor said.