AN:A few things to note before you read, this chapter in particular will likely feel Out of Character for Nora and Jaune but I really wanted to publish this story that touches on the topic you will be reading about in the second half.
After this chapter I will be keeping the writing closer to Nora's personality , I hope you enjoy it and look forward to another chapter.
—-4 Weeks at Beacon—-—-
The early morning sun shinned brightly as it began filling the room, the chirping of birds and there was a stillness in the air that suggested calm weather.
Hunters normally began early but it was a weekend so students took the opportunity to sleep in when they could. The halls of Beacon would remain quiet for sometime. With the exception of a particular couple this day.
As Jaune stirred from his sleep he felt a familiar comfort, his head cradled in the soft warmth of his partner's chest. The gentle beating of Nora's heart was more soothing than the sweetest of melodies. He ran his hands through the back of her silky mandarin hair picking up the scent of pears. His partner having a love for fruit scented conditioners.
Her legs where tightly entangled with his own so he always preferred to wait for her to wake up first before moving from bed, plus it was one of the few times he could actually embarrass Nora later by describing the various expressions she would make while sleeping.
Juane was surprised at the fact Beacon was allowing them to share the same bed, but his little Viking always had a way of performing the unexpected when she was determined.
At first Glynda wouldn't hear a word of it from Nora when she insisted on being able to share a bed. Shortly after the obvious rejection from the witch; the coming days for team JNPR were met with a dorm room that was now sporting only three beds. In place where the fourth one should be there was just a pile of wood chips and splinters, the diagnosis was always the same, blunt force trauma, poor sapling never stood a chance and no matter how many times it was replaced the same fate would befall it.
At one point Glynda presented the idea of moving Juane out entirely to a new wing, legend has it that it took 7 burly men and a small dog to restrain her.
Much to 's dismay Ozpin decided to allow the two teammates a provisional exception for their relationship, stating that if they were old enough to fight Grimm they were certainly old enough to decide who they shared a bed with so long as they kept illicit relations…limited.
It took some getting used to at first but Jaune had found that waking up with Nora each morning gave him new found strength and purpose, he felt wanted by someone and that he could always rely on her.
Juane realized how much this meant to her when once the Knight had woken up to Nora crying in her sleep. She suffered from vivid nightmares of the day she lost her family. This was something Jaune could never comprehend considering he came from a family that was larger than the average size of almost 3 families' put together. On that night Jaune began holding Nora in her sleep and since then the nightmares and crying stopped.
Jaune had always been more reserved in nature but that began to change, no doubt thanks to the flamboyant nature of a certain Viking. He was no longer embarrassed with his affection towards Nora and her matched enthusiasm and happiness was great encouragement.
Pressing his lips to her forehead he gave her a light kiss, he felt it was best to do this while the others were still asleep. Perhaps feigning sleep her eyes were still closed, he kissed her again…. still no reaction. At this point he was sure she was teasing him but he decided to spoil her anyways. After all the Knight was still honor bound to 'Make up for lost time' as he promised Nora he would for being apart for so long.
Running his fingertips lightly across her back and pecking her neck and collar bone with kisses proved too much for the Viking to bear and she finally opened her eyes, "No fair" she said softly, Nora's collar line was her greatest weakness much to Juane's enjoyment.
"Oh good your awake now, ready to get up?" He replied back, Nora let out a groan and quickly shut her eyes again. Just the response Jaune was secretly hoping for, he continued his exploration of her neck. Nora wiggled and let out the occasional squeak doing her best to keep herself contained.
"Ok ok I'm getting up now; I'll get you back for this later." Smiling as she rolled out of bed falling flat on the floor with a loud thud. "Carry me…."
Jaune held in his laughter, it was hard to believe that someone who had an endless reservoir of energy during the day would be so sluggish in the mornings. As a Knight Jaune was conditioned to wake up ready to start the day early, a nice contrast of their relationship.
Rising from the bed himself he picked up his princess, carried her and sat her down at her dresser. Growing up with 7 sisters allowed Jaune enumerable skills that pertained to a ladies upkeep. Because Nora did not have a sister to play with she lost on the precious experiences she would have shared as young girl; however Jaune was more than happy to help fill in that void by catering to this unspoken desire.
"Dress me in something super cute, something light and lady like, make it yellow, NO blue, No wait something with sparkles NO wait….pink is good." She would always end up with pink.
Jaune picked out a pink flower print sun dress with a white half top sweater and white lace heel shoes.
"Jaune don't forget." She said anxiously, Nora would become inexplicably childlike during moments like these.
"Don't worry I have it right here." He reassured her. Because Nora couldn't wear her combat harness today Jaune fashioned a necklace for Nora during the times she would be wearing regular cloths that centered an Arc crest. Tying it around her neck she placed her hand over the emblem affectionately.
"My hair please." She chimed, "Any requests." Asking as he twirled a comb. "Surprise me." she said smiling.
Nora loved to close her eyes as Jaune got to work. It was a therapeutic experience to feel the soft brushing and gentle tugs as he meticulously brushed and styled her hair. A pin snap here, a twirl there, he was done in minutes, she often wished he was a bit slower to further immerse herself in the session.
"Aaaaand done, what do you think?"
Slowly opening her eyes she gazed in wonderment, a braided crown of her own hair lay on top with the tail end of her hair rested straight down her neck. "I love it, thank you Jaune." Her smile was all he needed.
"I can do my makeup; I'll let you get ready so we can leave…..thank you Jaune, this….means everything to me." Her words were strained; she was struggling for the words to say. Jaune knelt down and kissed her softly before leaving her side.
The pair walked the empty halls of Beacon hand in hand, Nora was cradling a bouquet of blue Iris flowers in her arm, she did not know what would have been most appropriate but they were her favorite so she was sure they would not mind.
Her grip tightened as they made their way past the courtyard and into a secluded area of Beacon. There were flowers adorning many stones, some with portraits, others lay with pieces of armor or keepsakes held by hunters from years past. They approached a large memorial that was inscribed with numerous names.
Jaune was going to allow her a moment alone but she tugged lightly. "It's ok, I want you to stay….please. Mom and Dad are not actually buried here but I am sure they can hear me, they are always looking out for me." The tears began to well up.
"I will stay by your side, I'm here for you." Placing his arm around her shoulder, giving her the comfort she was needing.
Nora paused a moment.
"Hey mom and dad, it's your little girl here, well not so little anymore you know, I doubt my baby clothes still fits hehe." She let out a nervous laugh.
"I know your probably worried sick about me, wanting to become a huntress and all, but….. its that ..I know that I can help other families just like you did. I can protect people from the Grimm and save parents from… being taken by from their children."
Nora's tears fell like rain drops, she knelt down and laid the flowers. "I want you to know though that I'm doing great, I have so many friends here, I'm never lonely and everyday is so much fun. Ren is having fun also, he won't say it but he is happier than I have ever seen him, And of course there is Jaune to, were still together and really happy." Jaune bowed when she said this.
"And such fine hunters they will be someday."
A familiar voice echoed behind them and they turned in surprise.
"Ozpin, what are you doing here?" Jaune asked.
"I came to pay my respects to some old friends of mine ," nodding to Nora " ."
"I was well acquainted with your parents, their dedication as hunters and devotion to each other was truly remarkable. I have never met a happier couple. Well that may change in the coming years though, looking at the two of them."
"I thought I might find you here so I brought something with me that might interest you , he handed her a small booklet.
Nora opened it and was surprised by its contents, "Bu-bu-but I thought."
"One of my associates recovered it some time ago from the fire and restored it as best she could, I decided to keep it in my possession until you began attending Beacon , as I knew you would, and thought it would help you in the coming trials ahead."
Jaune glanced over her shoulder and it appeared to be a journal. One of the pages had a picture of beautiful mandarin haired girl with her arm over the neck of a tall green eyed man adorned in a knight's armor. They looked wonderfully happy.
"Guess it runs in the family." Nora said looking to Jaune. He was relieved to see her spirits lifting a bit.
"Thank you Ozpin!" Nora speared Ozpin into a hug.
"AARrUGH , Your very welcome ." Nora released Ozpin as he gasped for air.
"I see you inherited your father's extraordinary strength." Ozpin smiled "Well, I shall excuse myself."
Jaune and Nora stayed behind reading the journal; the tears she would shed were longer of sadness but of pure joy from feeling so closer to her parents.
"Alright Jaune, lets head back now, can you make me those pancakes in the shape of bunnies you're so famous for?" She said while tugging on his arm.
Jaune was pleasantly surprised at her emotional resilience, "I'll make anything you want."
Nora stopped in place for a moment. "Anything…"
Jaune looked confused, but firmly said "On my honor as a Knight."
Nora's eyes lite-up with excitement, she turned around to the memorial and shouted "Mom, Dad I promise to make lots of kids for you to see someday!" She kissed the petrified Knight on the cheek and ran ahead. "I'm going to get changed, I'll see you at cafeteria."
Still in shock he could only think of one thing "Maybe I should get my own bed after all….."
AN: So like I said I'm sure this feels ooc for Nora considering she was pretty calm the whole time but I did my best to incorporate her personality where it seemed appropriate. Hope you enjoyed, thank you for the support. At some point in this pairing I'm going to write a segment on Jaune's sisters coming to visit so look forward to that, it'll be hard giving character and dialogue to 7 additional people so I might break it up into parts.