Moonspell
Part Two
Shaman's don't sleep deeply, and they rarely need eight hours to feel fully rested. It's a habit trained into them from the start of their apprenticeship; they aren't taught their first spells until they can stay awake and alert for thirty-six hours straight on only four hours of sleep. Still, Pyrrha tries for a full night when she can, usually before she has a string of jobs.
At the moment she hovers between that deep abbreviated sleep and full wakefulness. Force of habit. She knows by some unnameable instinct that her alarm clock is about to go off...maybe ten minutes or so from now. She isn't going to open her eyes to check because that will make her want to get up and begin her day before she really feels up to it. Not a great way to start off. Instead she rolls over, her back to her nightstand to remove the temptation, and wraps her limbs around the warm body on the other side of the bed. She smiles against Jaune's neck when she feels a pleasured rumble in his chest and gives him a little kiss, finding herself settling back into that fleeting slumber. It'll take her down without her notice.
When she wakes again she does it to the sound of shuffling around the bed, likely Jaune off to the bathroom or something. She doesn't like the feel of the empty space beneath her hand, unconsciously whining about it. A spark of frustration of the bed feeling too big makes her roll onto her back, back on her side of the mattress, her arm draped across her eyes in case Jaune accidentally flips the light on when he returns. She's almost asleep again when she catches the sound of his footsteps, following them as he rounds the bed. He's trying to be quiet, she can tell, and she has to resist the urge to laugh because it's impossible. She knows his steps like she knows his scent, the particular sound of his breath, all those things that lovers know. Pyrrha can tell he's lingering somewhere in the room, and she wishes he'd just get his ass back in bed so she could have five more perfect minutes before she absolutely has to get up.
She'll get her wish, just not in the way she expects.
Jaune knows she's awake, at least in some form, because he knows her. He knows Shamans don't sleep like other humans, but his Shaman in particular could seamlessly drift between here and there like one walks to and from a room. And he knows it's partly because her Shaman brain is aware of a werewolf in her bedroom, regardless of whether or not he's welcome. A part of him laments that, but he understands; she has her life, and that life has raised her to be ready for anything and everything that goes bump in the night. Like him.
Still he loves her. Still he lingers at the foot of the bed and watches her with an adoration that he feels in his bones, somehow deeper than his soul. Pyrrha is so beautiful, inside and out, and he can't imagine what he would do if she wasn't in his life. He could have been placed with any number of Handlers in any of the four kingdoms, but somehow the powers that be saw fit to deliver him to Pyrrha. How lucky could one man be?
He sighs quietly, his crossed arms pushed upward by his briefly swelling and bare chest. Gods above does he love her. Jaune tucks his lips between his teeth, wetting them with a quick pass of his tongue as he thinks. He'll smile to himself, deciding to take a chance, and bends at the foot of the bed. He'll find the edge of the blanket and sheets and pull them up, doing his best to carefully slip beneath them without Pyrrha's notice. Maybe, just maybe, she isn't too awake.
The Shaman tenses when she feels the mattress shifting at her feet. She doesn't know what to make of it, her awareness too fuzzy to quickly discern a reaction to something she doesn't know is dangerous. Then she feels lips pressing to the top of her foot and relaxes a little, only a little as she anticipates Jaune's poor decision to possibly tickle her. But he keeps kissing instead, working steadily upwards, and she unwinds. She shivers at the scratch of his stubble on the inside of her calf.
"Jaune," she mumbles, half sleepy groan and half interested whimper. He hums behind his lips as he presses them to her skin, making her tremble, "Jaune, I have to get going soon."
"I know." comes his soft response from beneath the blanket. "We've got a little time, and I've already started your tea for you."
"Th-thank you." goosebumps rattle across her skin as a spark of arousal crackles through her core. "B-but,"
"Please," he kisses her knee, the pucker of skin to skin loud enough to hear, "I want to make love to you before you go. May I?"
She exhales in one sudden burst of air as she feels the tight pinch of her skin being pulled into his mouth. He sucks hard with a little teeth, and she knows he's trying to leave a mark. Part of her wants him to. In more ways than one. "G-gods, Jaune,"
Jaune eases forward, marking his path with more kisses as the rest of him disappears beneath the blanket and settles between her legs. He negotiates her thighs against his shoulders, her heels settling near his shoulder blades. He smiles when her hands slip beneath the covers and card through his hair, her touch encouraging him to nip and lick at the silky inner bends of her legs. She jumps again and he hums against her skin. "Do you want me to convince you?"
She almost says no, biting her tongue to stop herself. Her better judgment made her want to do it because she had responsibilities and schedules to keep and a train to catch in two hours and...and...sweet gods above. His canine catches the tendon along her inner thigh and she can't hold back the throaty squeak that emerges.
Jaune rises on his elbows. "Is that a yes?" and he's all but purring. She swears he almost purred even though the full moon is three weeks away yet. He laughs against her navel, his hot breath spurring more goosebumps, and then kisses her there. His lips linger on her skin as he sinks down again, his teeth grabbing hold of the waist of her cotton boy shorts just long enough to make it snap when he lets go. Though it's dark under the covers, his above average eyesight makes out the beautiful flutter of her pale belly.
He's laying on his chest again and rests his head against her thigh for a moment. Her scent is starting to stir his hunger, but the wolf in him only stretches and rumbles comfortably instead of the usual snap and slaver. Jaune's hands move around her hips to splay across her stomach, pulling back towards him with a gentle scratch of his nails, and he relishes the drawn out groan his lover gives him in return. "I want to taste you, Pyrrha," he kisses her clothed center to make her jerk again with another taught mewl. "I want to be inside of you. But if you say no, I'll stop."
While she tries to think she scratches his head, knowing he likes it. Pyrrha knows she should say no. She should say no because she has so much to do and places to go and because it's always harder to leave if they make love first. It's harder to leave and it makes her want to rush her work to get home sooner -something she never ever considered until Jaune came into her life. Sometimes she wanted to hate him, but never could. She just loved him too damn much.
"Please," she finally relents, "please make love to me."
He's more than happy to oblige.
Jaune stays between her legs a moment longer, playing with her with his mouth, his teeth sliding oh so gently over the cotton barrier to graze her stiffened clit. He also pulls on the fabric, letting it snap back into place like before. At one point she threatens to correct him in order to spare her underwear from being ripped, a warning he chuckles at. It isn't until he feels a telling clench in his own loins that he decides to move things along, rising up between her thighs and tossing back the blankets. Even in this poor light he can make out her flushed cheeks and glinting green eyes, the way she looks up at him makes him swallow loudly. He just looms above her for a moment, letting his mind fill up with memories and fantasies of her naked and panting and begging. Gods above, she's so beautiful no matter what, but seeing her vulnerable like this -like no other man has seen her- takes his breath away. He just wants to swallow her whole.
Jaune stalks up her body, his hips settling against hers, his stiff cock nudging her through his sweat pants. His hands splay across her stomach, pushing her thin tank top higher and higher until her breasts are uncovered. He wets his lips before giving one stiff peak a little kiss, smiling against her skin when she shudders beneath him. He'll meet her desperate eyes for a moment, one blond brow raised to compliment his almost smug grin, and then takes the nipple fully into his mouth.
"Yes," she exhales, her entire body responding as her limbs wrap around him. She has the clarity long enough to pull her shirt the rest of the way off and toss it aside, but then her arms are back around his neck and shoulders. Her hips are bucking smoothly, rhythmically against his without her realizing it. "Right there. Just like that." Maybe it's him, maybe it's the shock of the spontaneity, or even the haze of the morning, but she's just so hot for him right now. It's taking every ounce of control she has not to demand he take her this instant.
Jaune hums contentedly against her breast before switching his mouth to the other, little jolts of pleasure running through him as she sighs and grips his hair. When he chances to lift his head she's got him by the cheeks and pulls him up into a searing kiss that quickly deepens, her tongue all but shoving its way into his mouth. He meets her with equal enthusiasm, but resists when he can tell she's trying to roll him on his back. "Hey now," now he's got her by the shoulders and he isn't letting go. The look she's giving him is priceless and he can't help but smile at her helpless confusion. "You asked me to make love to you. Are you going to let me do that or not?"
Pyrrha sputters, fumbling on anything and everything she tries to say. She's just drawing blanks, her loss for words and baffled expression only complimenting the sleepy mess of her hair.
"Just relax, okay? Who knows," he chuckles, "you might like it." And she'll resist his grip a little before relenting, rolling her eyes and shaking her head, but there's a smile trying to pull the corner of her mouth. She knows it's all in fun.
When he's certain the debate is over, he presses on.
Jaune kisses her slowly, deeply, and gradually works his way down the column of her throat, pausing only to close his mouth over the swift pulse he feels there. Lower still to her collarbone, he bites down just a touch, just enough to make sure she's paying attention because she has a thing with possibly visible hickeys. Then he's back at her breasts, giving them a fraction of the attention he had before. He hates that they don't have all morning for this, but it's better than nothing. It's worth maybe missing her a little less.
He grips the waist of her boy shorts when he arrives there, but this time he endeavors to pull them down, only using his fingertips to help when she lifts her hips. Jaune lets her knees hook his shoulders, holding her up as he works towards the apex of her thighs. She doesn't expect him to take her like this, reflexively bucking against him when his mouth closes around her now bare center, his big hands cupping her ample backside. Even though the house is empty aside from them, Pyrrha pulls a knuckle to her mouth, biting down against a sudden scream. She watches him, just able to make out the pink slickness of his tongue as he leisurely laps at her dewy folds. She can see how much he's enjoying himself, unconsciously striving to do the same as she palms her breasts. A spike of white hot arousal lances her when she realizes he's watching her too. Their eye contact is solid, unbreakable and piercing, completing the circuit of their bond without word or gesture.
Pyrrha can feel her impending orgasm and tries to focus enough to reach for her bedside table. She's halfway to grabbing the handle of the first drawer when she withers, losing herself for a moment at the sensation of his smooth lips closing around her tender clit. All thoughts shatter as he steadily draws the bud into his mouth, suckling. "J-Jaune," she pants, feverish, "Let me-oh god," he hummed against her, the vibration making her head spin and her core clench hard.
Jaune bends, letting her rest on the bed again so he can free up his hands. He takes a second to push his sweat pants down, the cooler air a shock against his heated erection. She tries to squirm away from him, still reaching for the nightstand, and he tugs her back before she can get free of his mouth. He's hardly aware of her light, stuttering chastisement as her scent blurs everything around him. Without warming he works his hand beneath his chin and slowly but purposefully slips two fingers inside of her. Pyrrha almost bucks off the bed, the noise that tears itself loose something between his name, a scream, and a carnal moan. It's a noise that morphs and repeats, almost matching the rhythm he finds with his tongue and fingers working together.
"Jaune," she's given up, both hands now in his hair instead of hopelessly struggling. "Y-yes...yes..."
This time he growls against her, shattering her.
Jaune sits back on his heels when she finally comes down, watching her pant and shudder as his thumb draws lazy circles on her trembling thigh. He's smiling, pleased with himself and admiring her in equal measure. His free hand absently strokes his erection, tiding himself over until he's given leave to proceed. Surprise skews his face when she opens her arms to him, beckoning. Almost cautiously he crawls up to her, lining their bodies with their hips coming together with a jolt of uncertainty. She pulls his lips to hers, demanding and hungry, her legs circling his waist unexpectedly. "I just want to feel you," she whispers, breathless. "Please. Just for a moment."
Jaune thinks he understands, hopes he does, and slowly rolls his hips. The broad of his cock slips between her pillowed folds and rubs her just right, both of them shivering with a shaky groan that's strangely harmonious. He does it again, an electric charge shooting beneath his skin and making him bristle. Gods above, does she feel good.
"Inside,"
He pauses, momentarily tense, and all the while he just looks at her. They've been talking about it, talking about her getting used to the idea of them going further, so it isn't so much that this is coming out of nowhere. It's just that he wasn't expecting it like this. He was expecting smaller steps, or at least nothing like this until much later. Months at the very least. Still, if she wants it...
"You're sure?" but he won't accept it when she just nods. "Look me in the eye and say it."
Pyrrha meets his gaze as requested, hoping against hope that he can see how certain she is even though she doesn't feel it entirely. She knows for a fact that she's safe so long as he doesn't climax, but knowing and applying can be two different things. Before she gets too caught up, she squirms a little and finally gets hold of the drawer. With a surprising quickness she snatches a condom from the box and palms it out of sight. "I want you inside me, Jaune. Just as you are." and she says it as steadily as she can.
Jaune takes a breath, partly bracing himself. He smiles to reassure her. "Alright."
"I love you." she half blurts, looking almost surprised that she said it.
"I love you too." and he kisses her forehead, maintaining eye contact as he shifts his hips. Then he captures her lips as he slowly presses forward. He swallows the high pitched whimper that rattles through her when he slips passed her entrance and nestles the first tense inches of himself into her, pausing and breaking contact to ask if she's still okay. Pyrrha just pulls him into another soul searing kiss and tightens her thighs around his waist, burying him to the hilt before he's ready. Now he's the one groaning and she loves it. For a long moment he's still, trying to focus, because she's amazing and he adores her and if he can't get it together he'll lose himself right now.
All Pyrrha can think to do is kiss him; his lips, the tip of his nose, his cheeks, all of it because it's the only thing that keeps her distracted from all the blaring sirens in her head that are going off. All of them are screaming in warning and demanding she stop right this second even though that's the last thing she really wants. This feels too right, even if it's terrifying.
"Pyrrha," he pants against her throat, his tone a mixture of caution and pleading. "Gods, Pyrrha." She bites the tender lobe of his ears and his hips pitch reflexively, he shakes as her core clenches tightly around him. "It's...it's almost too much."
"We can stop," she says quickly.
"But I don't want to." he chuckles breathily against her neck. "You feel so good."
Pyrrha squeezes him, embraces him with her whole body like it might be the last time, then sighs. "We should stop."
"You're right...right." but he hates that she's right. It's a rarity, but he does. With obvious reluctance he eases back, withdrawing, holding in a disappointed groan only until she sets hers free. They both hate it.
He takes the condom with a nod of thanks and quickly rolls it on. Jaune eases over her again, showering her in quick kisses until she's giggling, dropping the serious air of the moment so they can both relax a little better. She accepts him again, taking his entire length with ease and a quiet gasp. Jaune pulls her up, his arms snug around her waist as he leans back and lets her settle in his lap. It's deeper like this, so deep, and they both need a moment to catch their breath and stabilize. All she has to do is rock her hips to find the delicious friction they both need, his hands cupping her backside to dictate the pace. She'll come first, him following swiftly after.
Jaune stays close to her throughout the rest of their morning, helping her finish packing -he tosses his Pumpkin Pete's hoodie into the suitcase when she's not looking- and getting breakfast on the table. He'll brush his hands against hers whenever he's able, hugging her from behind as she stands at the stove or fixes herself a cup of tea, wishing she could just wear him like a favorite shirt. Maybe it's just him being hopelessly in love, maybe it's the wolf seeking whatever its lover would give, at this point he didn't care; Pyrrha is everything to him and it guts him to think she's going to be gone for...no knowing how long.
They eat together with only a little conversation, he knows by the look on her face that she's trying to focus on the work ahead, to get in the right head space, so he doesn't push it. When the time comes he follows her to the garage to help load up her bike for the trip.
"I've arranged for Ren and Nora to watch you for the full moon."
"Oh, okay," he seems pleasantly surprised. "When are they actually coming?"
"In about a week or so, I left a little extra money in the usual place so you can get the groceries you're going to need."
He smiles. "You know I have a job."
"I do," she smiles back, pulling on her leather riding jacket and zipping it up, "but it doesn't pay you enough to feed you, Ren, and Nora."
His face stretches. "You're right, that's fair." and he nods. "Would it be all right if I had my mom over?"
"Of course, Gypsy is always welcome here." Then she eases herself into the seat, one leg swinging over to the other side of the bike with her foot pulling up the kickstand. She watches Jaune step away and crossing the garage to pull up the door, her head rattling with the metallic racket. Early morning light floods the room, making everything a shade of gray. She pulls the helmet off the handlebar and props it in her lap as he comes back. "I'll call you when I get to the hotel."
"Okay." he nods once, smiling again in the hopes of covering up the sad puppy look he has in his eyes.
Pyrrha looks ahead, her eyes following the pavement to the highway at the end, her teeth worrying the edge of her lip as her brow furrows. "Jaune I'm...I'm sorry."
"...What for?"
"For," she leans her head back, gesturing towards the door that leads into the house. "For...you know...earlier."
He shakes his head once he understands. "Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong. We've talked about it already. We won't do anything sooner than you're ready."
"I know, but..." she's trying to find the right words. "I must be making this so difficult for you. I know you want...that."
"Yes, I do." he shifts a step closer, maintaining eye contact as he reaches out and cups her cheek with his hand. "But I don't want anything you're not comfortable with. If we're to take that step...I want us to take it together."
For a moment she just stares at him, her expression unreadable as her hand slides unconsciously over his and grips it. Then she decides it's best not to dwell on it now, she had a schedule to keep after all. So she smiles and kisses his hand before giving it back to him. "I love you. As soon as I know how long I'll be gone I'll let you know."
"Okay. Love you too. And drive safe." he reluctantly steps back, flinching only a little as she starts the engine and it roars to life. He'll watch her until she pulls the bike out onto the highway, disappearing behind a wall of trees. After closing the garage door again he hurries back inside to get ready for work. He'll text a brief invitation to his mom before he leaves, reminding her where the spare key is should she arrive before he does.
Sure enough, when his truck rolls into the driveway early that same evening, he eases it into place beside his mother's peach colored Cadillac. It's old but obviously well kept, and he has to laugh every time he sees the "my other ride is a broom" bumper sticker -he always thought it was a little on the nose, but his mother found it hilarious.
Stepping inside he doesn't bother calling out to her, she likely knows he's here already. He can hear a lively sort of music coming from the living room, recognizing it as a style of Vacuo, his mom's favorite. Likely she's got the television on one of the few music channels. He passes it by and goes straight for the kitchen.
"That sounds like my boy walking," and she would know, not just because she's his mother and mother's know everything, but because of the lapin ears standing erect atop her head. They're tilted back, fixed on Jaune's light footsteps as he comes into the kitchen, his sneakers squeaking on the tiles. When she turns her head away from the open cabinet she cuts a big smile. "There's my baby."
"Hey, momma." Jaune sets his keys on the counter once he's close enough, opening his arms to put them firmly around her as she reciprocates. She squeezes and squeezes, showering the side of his face with countless kisses. "Thanks for coming."
"Thanks for the invitation. I'm to assume that woman of yours is off fighting the good fight, then?"
"Yeah, Pyrrha left this morning." He nods as they separate. "I actually wanted some advice, and it isn't really something I felt confident talking about with her around."
"Oh?" genuine surprise pulls her features, one long ear cocking at an angle. This didn't sound like his usual self; her son was prone to a lot of things, but keeping things from Pyrrha is certainly not one of them. "Is something wrong?"
He thinks for a minute, shuffling back towards the small dinning table on the other side of the counter, his hands in his pockets. "No, I wouldn't say it's wrong. It's...well, if everything goes the way I want it to, I want it to be a surprise."
Gypsy's ears flatten outward, one dark brow rising. "But Pyrrha hates surprises."
"I know," he shrugs, deciding to sit. "She's gotten better though. I think...if it gets to that, I'll give her a heads up, she usually takes it a little better if I do. I don't have to tell her what it is, only that it's coming, you know?"
"I see." she nods, understanding loosening her confusion and letting her smile again. "But before we get into it, don't you have anything to eat in this house that isn't microwavable or instant?"
"Ah, well," he quails when he sees her standing there with her fists on her hips, the way mothers do when they already know the answer to their question. "I forgot to go to the store on my way home."
"You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached," though the chastisement is gentle, with a bit of love because she isn't actually angry, just inconvenienced. "So what do you suppose I make my boy for dinner?"
"You know you don't have to, I'm a grown man." he tries not to roll his eyes, smiling instead.
"A grown man that clearly doesn't know how to properly feed himself."
He chuckles, lilting his shoulders because she's right to a point. "How about take-out? There's a nice Mistrali place that delivers. Let me treat you."
"You know how I feel about it, it isn't right for a mother not to cook for her son."
"It isn't right for a guest to serve their host, either." and he watches her expression change again, turn to something like shocked. "Your words, momma."
"Cheeky ass kids of mine." She scowls playfully and shakes her head. "Have it your way, then. Is this the same place as last time?"
"Yeah, but they've got new owners."
"Oh, well then if that's the case." she nods this time. "If my food's cold again, I'm hexing the whole block."
Thankfully that wasn't the case, and the two of them would enjoy their meal alongside a movie on the sofa. Once the credits rolled and the trash was tossed out, they sit together under a strain of quiet. Gypsy can tell he's thinking, looking for the right words. He'd always been that way, slow to speak, but by the same token what he had to say was usually worth hearing.
"You know," he starts, hesitating a moment, "me and Pyrrha have been talking a lot lately...about taking it a step further."
Gypsy's ears snap upright. "You mean...?"
"I want to marry her, momma. I want her to be my mate."
She watches him blush and lets an almost smug grin lift her cheeks. Being a Witch has it's perks; incredible power, extended youth in some cases, innate protection against anything weaker than yourself -but for Gypsy in particular, she was privy to a great deal of information that no one else had access to. With all the clout that came with it, she made certain Jaune got housed with the Handler he needed. And not just because Pyrrha was the best, either. "Have you told her?"
"Yeah."
"Is this the surprise you were talking about, you want to propose?"
"Not really." he shakes his head. "I think if I do it now, she'll say no."
"Why's that?"
"I have theories, and that's the best I've got because she hasn't come right out and said what's bothering her." he shifts in his seat, facing his mother and propping himself against the arm of the sofa. "I don't know if you've noticed, but Pyrrha's kind of a cynic."
Gypsy buzzes her lips. She's noticed. "It's a Shaman thing, I've met enough of them to know. Not that I blame them,"
"I don't blame her either. I mean, it's her job to be suspicious sometimes, right? Sometimes it's the only thing standing between her and coming home alive." and for a moment he's caught up in just how heavy and real that fact is. "Anyway...I think she's waiting for the other shoe to drop with us. If that makes sense."
"It does, but can you elaborate?"
"I think," he worries the corner of his lip between his teeth, "I think she might not believe I'm in it for the long run? Or maybe she's got it in her head that I only love her because she's a woman and she's available and I have regular access to her-,"
"She thinks you love her because she's there? She's worried you might turn tail the second you sniff someone else?"
"I guess so, yeah, but I'm exposed to all kinds of women at work and I don't feel anything like that for them. And I think she worries that it's all instinct. She knows the wolf wants her, but she might not be so sure that my heart does. And that doesn't even take into account everything else that would come along with going through with it." Everything would change. From life here at home to what jobs she could take and where she could go and so on. Her whole world would go bottom's up -even without the potentiality for children.
"It's a big step, son. Awful big, even for her." she nods slowly.
"And that's one of the reasons I called you."
"Oh? Are you saying you have an idea as to how you can reassure her?"
"Yeah. And I'm going to need your help."
Something about his tone when he said that doesn't sit well with her. It's stirring her maternal instincts in a wholly uncomfortable way and it shows in the way her face twists. "Before I agree to anything, you need to tell me -in excruciating detail- exactly what you want to do." Because she would do almost anything for her children, but even she had her limits.
Jaune swallows and takes a breath, hoping against hope she won't shoot him down.
(-)
What should have been a two week job turned into almost two months, and Pyrrha is far from pleased about it even as she begins packing to finally return home. Her body aches, bruised and pinched by the pull of medical tape on little wounds. She's physically and spiritually tapped, and all she wants is to sleep in her own bed and smell herself on the linens. She wants to shower in her own shower and loaf on her own couch and not eat food out of a box. She wants Jaune to wrap her up in his arms and run his fingers through her hair, his heartbeat lulling her to sleep.
In just a few more hours she would be able to have all those things and she can't wait.
Pyrrha catches the earliest train she can, the sun having barely come up by the time it starts rolling out of the station. She'll try to sleep through the trip but can't, feeling strangely too tired to relax. So she does her best to rest at least, bundling herself up in Jaune's coat and using her saddlebags for a pillow as she spreads out over the otherwise empty seat. Before she gets too settled in she fishes her scroll from her pocket and starts tapping out a text.
On the train home, should be back just in time for dinner. If they're still there, you should invite Ren and Nora to eat with us.
Once she's sure it was sent she lets her hand rest against her chest, now trying to focus on the steady racket of the train and the tracks beneath it, anything to keep her from thinking about how crappy she feels. It seems like she just might doze off when she feels her scroll buzz. A text from Jaune.
They left for a job, but mom will be here if that's okay. Do me a favor and text me when you're almost home? I have a surprise for you.
Pyrrha feels her face scrunch like it always does when she gets a certain uneasy feeling.
Jaune, you know I don't like surprises. And I'm exhausted, can't it wait?
I mean, it could, but I really want to do this tonight. You don't have to do anything except show up, I promise.
Pyrrha stares at the screen for a moment, not the least bit comforted. Then the indicator for an incoming text pops up on the screen before the message arrives with a little jingle.
If it makes you feel any better, I'm not proposing.
It's probably awful for me to say it, but it does. I'm sorry.
Don't apologize, I get it. But will you let me know when you're close?
She has to think about it, but eventually sends along her agreement. Okay, I will. I'll see you in a few hours. Love you.
Love you too, be safe.
Pyrrha glares at the device for another moment, eventually shrugging in hopes of dissipating a little of her anxiety. It doesn't help, but she makes due.
It's late afternoon when she's back on her bike and headed home, a ride which will take another hour and a half, maybe a touch longer as she stops by the bank on the way to deposit her earnings -she got double her usual rate for this one seeing as it went so far beyond the estimated time frame. Whoever said a host of gargoyles could be cleared in two weeks needed to have their head examined. Before getting back on the highway she fulfills her promise and texts Jaune, and all the while she's on the road she agonizes over what he could be up to. It could literally be anything, especially since it isn't a proposal.
It isn't that she doesn't want to marry him, it just doesn't feel like the right time. There's too much she needs to consider, too many options to weigh before she can give him a confident answer.
When she's at the last traffic light between her and home she quickly taps out one last text, giving him the cross streets so he knows exactly where she is. She won't be able to check his response until she's in her own driveway again, after walking the bike passed Gypsy's Cadillac and into the garage, and taking a moment just to accept the fact that she's home. When she reads his answer her face twists with confusion.
Come around back.
What the hell is he doing?
Give me a minute or two, I need to get out of my travel clothes. Because she doesn't know if she can handle whatever this is going to be until then. She'll haul her saddlebags in with her and heads straight for the bedroom. Pyrrha takes her time getting into her pajamas, taking a moment once she's dressed just to lay face down on the bed and breathe. Pyrrha then fishes out her sandals from beneath the bed because she's sick of shoes and makes her way outside.
Almost immediately she bristles, anxious. The shelter door is open. As tired as she is, Pyrrha breaks into a half run, hurrying across the grass because she knows in her gut that something is wrong and she's praying it isn't terrible and...and why is Gypsy walking out of it? Oh gods, did she unravel the wards? She could if she wanted to and Pyrrha's guts hit her heels thinking about all the work she put into them and why does she look so damn happy to see her if she unraveled the wards?!
"There you are," Gypsy is striding comfortably across the grass towards the younger woman, mentally bracing herself as she watches all the color leech from Pyrrha's face. "Good to see you, dear, though you look like a half mile of bad road."
"G-Gypsy, what's going on?" she's panting, she's frantic, and once she gets in reach of the Witch Gypsy has by the arms, almost having to hold her up. "Did something happen? Where's Jaune, is he all right?"
"Easy does it, child, our boy is fine, I promise."
"What is this? Where is he?" her wide, green eyes dart downward to the other woman's hand. "Why do you have his scroll?"
"He's just inside, waiting for you."
Pyrrha's expression clearly telegraphs her confusion, her mouth working wordlessly in an attempt to articulate how lost she's suddenly feeling. "B-but...but it's the middle of the evening...the sun is still up for gods' sake, he doesn't need to,"
"Honey, take a breath, okay?"
"But none of this makes any sense,"
"It will if you take a second to listen." she assures her. "Just breathe, girl. Now, just like you said, it's barely dusk. The sun's still up. And tonight's a new moon to boot, yes?"
It takes Pyrrha a moment, but she eventually nods.
"I just want you to keep that in mind when I walk you inside, okay? You need to trust me on this one, and you need to trust Jaune. Alright?"
She tries to talk again and fails, stopping herself when she realizes all she can think of are questions she's already asked. So she resigns to nod again, partly grateful when the Faunus lets her go. The two walk into the shelter together.
Pyrrha had expected to see a countless number of things when she walked through that door and her eyes adjusted, but she can't process a single one of them when she actually accepts what she finds after coming to a freezing halt just inside the doorway. Every other dreaded idea flies right out of her head, making room for the reality that greeted her.
In the middle of the room, outside of the cage and unbound, is a fair furred and very large Alpha male werewolf with piercing blue eyes.
Author's Note: I can't help myself sometimes, hence part two. Part three is coming too, so, you know, be on the lookout. I'm really grateful for all the praise you folks have thrown my way in spite of this being barely more than self-indulgent smut. For anyone who isn't familiar, Gypsy is from my RWBY fic "Embers of Autumn"; I love her so much and she's the only mom I can picture Jaune to have. You can check out some artwork of her on my Tumblr or my DA if it pleases you. Now, off to write the ending!