Jaune Arc was in over his head. Here he was, lying on a broken pavement with no one to help him as he vomited up spirits and a pill he thought would be nice. Clearly it wasn't aspirin he'd been given. He thought of all the times he had walked past the homeless alcoholics begging for one more bottle of beer smiling sadistically and mockingly thinking how could they be so stupid to get so plastered? He'd decided that it would be a good idea to attend Yang's family gathering. All of RWBY and his team would be attending. And besides, Yang was not the person you say no to. Not unless you wanted your private parts decorating the floor. He lay on this ground and felt himself fading out of existence..

…Earlier…

He walked in the front door of Ruby's house to be greeted by Yang's father, Taiyang. Jaune had once suffered from crippling social anxiety and a constant emptiness within his chest as though he never truly belonged. This was before he realised that he avoided so many situations instead of systematically confronting them. He learned that he rather enjoyed people and the loneliness faded. The kids at school used to mock his Atleasian accent and would tell him to go back there where he came from. And so he simply avoided interactions until he started fearing them altogether. He shook his head to the present. He did his best to look directly in Taiyang's eyes and smiled sincerely. "Jaune Arc, I'm sure Yang has told you lots about me. It's a pleasure to finally meet you".

"Nope, never heard of you. Not get out". Taiyang said with hostility in his voice.

Jaune was surprised to say the least, but he didn't show it. Instead, he said simply, "Are you sure? You mean to say, after all, this time, she never mentioned her boyfriend of five years?"

Taiyang flinched at this news giving a look of surprise and then betrayal. "You mean she didn't tell me…" he whispered, his words were tinged with sadness

Jaune simply stepped past shaking his head in amusement at the buffering buffoon (perhaps he'd spent too much time around Cinder).

He walked through the house into the backyard to see the barbeque cooking and saw an energetic Ruby cooking at the barbeque.

"Jaune! You made it! I knew you would. Weiss here said you wouldn't as you were out of town, but I told her you would make it."

Ruby raced toward Jaune and hugged him, then attached herself to his right arm. Jaune unused to the physical contact tensed up, feeling uneasy about the closeness. He then relaxed letting his senses take over. He found it hard not to notice that fresh rose scented perfume she was wearing and how her closeness.. would almost make him forget the hell he'd gone through. Also, how her breasts touched… He quickly shook his head and then said.

"It's good to see you too Ruby. Not that I don't enjoy the hug, but I think Yang might get the wrong idea if she were here right now".

"Huh, she's receiving a stern lecture by Taiyang. Something about some boyfriend.."

Jaune guiltily looked to the side then said "I may have had something to do with that…"

"What do you mean…?" Confusion and sadness evident on her face.

"The thing is.." Jaune muttered…. Before Weiss exploded in anger "What the HECK Ruby. You had one JOB! Now the sausages are all burnt and unless you want to eat grass for dinner, we're all out of food."

Ruby started sobbing and apologising frantically. No one seemed to be willing to step in. Jaune didn't want to make a scene, but everyone else was reluctant to intervene. He paused and said, "Where were you this whole time, Weiss? And also, she made a mistake there's no need to abuse the living hell out of her. And guess what, I don't mind, grass doesn't sound too bad anyhow. What does everyone else think about having grass for dinner?"

Everyone murmured their assent and a few cheered. Although most were drunk and would cheer at anything. One guy with an unusual accent going so far as to say "In the far south, we eat rock mix with snow for breakfast. Grass would be very nice change of menu. "

"Sorry about her Ruby, I didn't mean to distract you either. I'll let you get back to it. And if she gives you any trouble you know who to call."

"Urgh, you're starting to sound like Yang. I'm fifteen years old. Fifteen! I can take care of myself." She gave a really cute pout.

"I'm sure you can, but some of us have to at least look like we care even if we don't" he said jokingly.

"Hey! That's not very nice you big meanie" as she playfully punches him on the shoulder.

Jaune simply smiles then goes to the fridge. He grabs a bottle of beer and sits down on the nearest couch enjoying the moment.

"Hey Jaune" said a mellow voice.

"Hey Blake, it's good to see you! I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been? Read any good books lately? Meet any great guys? I can totally hook you up you know." Like me for instance, he thought.

He hadn't really known what to think of Blake at first. She was so mysterious, so unreadable. But as time grew on he recognised a kindred spirit if he'd ever seen one. A fellow book lover and someone who didn't speak a lot but when she did. It was with a fiery passion and you felt as if she listened to your every word. She was also the world's biggest cynic and her witty remarks could always make him laugh.

"It's good to see you too. Actually, the newest edition of ninjas of lo…" She tensed and her voice made an unusually high note rather than her usually mellow voice.

"Were you about to say Ninjas of love, Blake? Who would have thought? Blake's into reading smut!"

"Shh not so loud. Do you want Yang to hear? And it's not Smut!" Its Art. she murmured more to herself than anyone else.

"Hey, it's fine. I've actually already read the newest copy. I can tell you what happens if you like…"

"NO! Don't tell me what happens to Acuitio. He didn't deserve to have his whole family turn their backs on him like that."

"Yeah you should read the part where…"

She then covered her ears chanting "na.. na.. na.. Can't hear you, It's the eye of the tiger.. It's the thrill of the fight". Onlookers looked at her and she blushed at the sudden attention realising how loud she'd been singing.

Yang returned. Her eyes flicking between a red and blue colour. Her hands grabbed Jaune's shirt and shoved him hard against the wall. "So you just claim to be my boyfriend and think there won't be consequences, huh!?"

"I…" He gathered himself to focus her more clearly. "Look I'm sorry okay, I know it was bad and it was the wrong move, but your dad obviously thought I was someone else. Maybe he thought I was one of your ex-boyfriends or something. Because he said for me to leave. TO LEAVE BEFORE I GOT HERE. SO I'm sorry, but if you expect me to get on my knees and beg for my life then you thought wrong."

Yang stood there tensely staring him down. Until she relented, smiling simply and said, "You've got balls, I'll give you that much. I know, I just thought it would be funny to watch you squirm a lot. Besides, the only boyfriend I'm having is a guy who can best me in a fight. We all know that's not going to happen, is it Vomit boy?"

Jaune simply sighed in defeat. "I guess not. But perhaps I can woo you with my devilish charms..?" he said questioningly.

Yang simply smiled, amused at his logic. "Because that worked out so well with Weiss, huh?"

He flinched, remember how naive he'd been. He then smiled thinking that thank god he'd learn that lesson. "Well, gotta go. Got a play date with kitty cat over there. She can be pretty clawsome though, huh?.. Eh, Eh?" She said with her elbows hitting his chest with a playful smile on her face. She then walked over toward Blake who'd taken up residence in the opposite end of the room.

"You're terrible" he said simply and walked toward the fridge.