It's Been a While
Jaune looked out towards the gates of Beacon. A figure managed to jump over the gates, avoid the security. That slight pep in her step. It wasn't as strong, but he knew it. It was her. Definitely her.
He rushed to meet her, a knot curling up in his gut. How long has it been? Weeks? He didn't remember or didn't care exactly. All he knew was she'd come back. Finally.
"Nora."
He didn't shout. He didn't want to seem agitated. He just called her name. Like he was calling a friend. A dear friend. So very close to his heart. Her hair was ruffled, a bit longer, a bit unkempt, a duller shade of orange, from what he remembered.
She looked at him. Her eyes were different. She smiled. It felt like forever since he saw her smile. Felt like forever since Ren left, without a word, without telling anyone. Felt like forever since she broke down, not being able to handle him being away for so long. Felt like forever since she up and ran away to find him, leaving everyone worried. Leaving him worried.
It was a bit forced, if not comforting, that smile of hers. It was real, actually. You can put on the biggest of smiles for the right people, despite looking broken.
She, in fact, was not broken. There was a little wear and tear, here and there. But she's a strong girl. She just panicked, is all. Who wouldn't? A friend, all her life, just disappeared on her. And he didn't even say a word to her. He just, went on his way.
"What's up?" she said through her smile. Magnhild was strapped to her back. It had seen some action. She'd tried to pursue Ren, wherever he might've gone. She might have even caught up to him, Jaune thought. She might have talked to him about why he left, and if he was coming back. But he wouldn't ask her about it. There wasn't a need to, if she decided to return.
"You look horrible," he said.
"Is that really what you say to a lady after all this time?"
"I call it like I see it, batter-brain."
She nudged him lightly on the arm.
"Meanie," she pouted. "This is why Weiss doesn't like you."
She rested her head against his chest. She heard the steady thump of a heartbeat, slowly, getting faster. She smiled into his shirt. "It's a good thing she doesn't, too. I may have to break some legs."
He placed one arm protectively around her back, and the other gently stroked her hair. She smelled like gunpowder and strawberries. As cliché as that sounded she did. He had no idea how or why. "You must be hungry."
She looked up from cuddling his shirt. "The usual please," she grinned.
He smiled "I've got a recipe with your name on it."
She stuck out a hand and touched his nose lightly. "Bop."
Not the other one. The other one was reserved especially for Ren. But this was good. They'd wait for him to come back.
As he lead her back, she held on to his hand. They both enjoyed the warmth.
