Chapter 1
Jaune Arc was always weak. Even when he was younger he always fell back to his sisters for help, even his younger ones. Maybe it was just the way his body was, or maybe lack of motivation. This, however, proved very unfortunate for him come twelve-and-a-half, when he finally decided what he wanted to do in life.
Become a hero.
More specifically, a Hunter. He actually wanted to become a hero, like his father, from a lot younger age, probably due to fantasy books his older sisters would read to him at night. Back then though he thought being a hero was something cliché, like saving a princess by kissing her while she sleeps. Yeah… that didn't turn out well. Of course, even after he grew out of that stage, he never even dreamed of being a hunter. It wasn't until his mother and father sat him down in the living room for a "talk."
"Am I in trouble? I swear that was Hazel, not me!" The twelve and half Jaune asked with a small frown on his face.
"No, of course not. Wait what, never mind that can wait till later." The older man, probably in his forties replied. "We just brought you in here because we would like to know what plans you have for the future."
"Plans…"
"He means like a profession, something where you can make a steady income and get married and have a nice family and such." It was his mum this time, talking about things he hadn't even given any thoughts about.
A profession. This was one of those questions they ask you in school, like "What do you want to be when you grow up?" or "Where do you see yourself later in life?" He remembered some of those questions, though not the answers.
I probably said I want to be a hero.
"I want to be… a hero… like Dad! A Hunter!"
"Now son, there are plenty of other well-paying professions out there that would not require you to put your life in danger like that.
"But, you're a Hunter…"
"What your father is saying is we don't want you to become a Hunter. This is the reason we called you here." Juniper Arc said quite seriously. It was never a good sign when she called his dad "father" in speech. It was like calling him Nicholas, or something like that.
But, not a Hunter, why? It was true that it was a dangerous job, but it was very noble, very… heroic. It had an appealing affect to it. Living on the edge, fighting off bad guys, saving girls in need. And guys too, of course.
"Bu-"
"We are not going to let you become a Hunter and that's that." His father cut him off with a threatening roar.
He was fighting off tears at this point. It was always his dream to become a hero. And now, when he was asked, when he felt most passionate about his dream, it was crushed. He wasn't sure why he felt so passionate about it now. It was like he had a revelation, a premonition even. He saw it in his mind, Jaune Arc the Hunter, slayer of Grimm and protector of the innocent. He saw himself fighting, enlarging Crocea Mors to block claws that threatened to grind him to a pulp, and then strongly thrusting the generations old longsword into to an Ursa Major. He ran out of his parent's room.
He burst open the door to his room, not even noticing his twin sister in the hall who was eavesdropping. He lied down on his bed, clenching his fists hard enough to draw blood. Tears that overpowered his self-control flowed out from his azure eyes and onto the tip of his chin, before letting gravity dampen his sheets. He still wasn't completely sure why he was upset, why he was crying. He had never been this upset about wanting to become a hero before, of course, no one ever explicitly said to give up on his dream either.
Knock. Knock. It was his twin sister, younger by twelve minutes, at this time, who came to comfort him.
"Jaune, are you in there? Can I come in? I-I heard your conversation with mum and dad. Can I talk to you?"
"Go away Coral"
"Jaune? Just let me in. P-please?"
There was no response. 30 seconds went by, and then a minute. He heard the faint jiggling of the doorknob, Coral trying very hard to be as quiet as possible.
"If you gonna be like that just come in." He said calmly, having finally gained his composure. The tears had dried up on the side of his face and the dryness of his throat had cleared up.
Coral gasped a bit, perhaps surprised that he finally decided to talk, but didn't respond or even hesitate to open the door. She tiptoed in and saw him curled up in a ball, handsome blond hair draped over his face, shaking a bit with a darkness over his eyes. It seemed his voice had returned to normal, but his body still was shaken up. She walked closer, and then gently placed her hand on his face. He flinched a bit when Coral touched him, almost as if he was seizing.
"Hey. You okay?" she spoke softly, at the same time brushing his hair from his face.
He sat up. His hair covered his eyes once more with slow wet tears trickling down below the strands. The first one threatened to fall, but Coral caressed his face with her thumb, wiping the tear away.
"Hey Coral, have you ever thought about running away from home?" he said, his voice crackling a bit, finally deciding to acknowledge her.
Her eyes widened at this. The shock finding its way to her. She strongly pulled him into her embrace.
"No! Y-you can't leave. I won't let you." Her voice lowering in volume at the end perhaps realizing that the others might hear them, though not even answering the question.
His eyes also widened a bit behind her. He suddenly felt very sad, depressed. Not anger, or dissatisfaction like before, but just plain sorrow. It was because he could hear the worry in her voice, feel her tears on the nape of his neck, and all he could feel was sadness.