A/N: Hey all. Been awhile since I last updated, but here it is. I honestly admit I don't have a solid long-term plan for this fic; this is one of those things that I'm going to write for until I run out of ideas. So if this fic eventually gets dropped, you all know why.
Also, my bad for the massive hiatus. I didn't mean for it to happen, I swear. Put the pitchforks down…*ducks as one is thrown* Hey, that's the opposite of what I said!
The Thief's Knight
Summary: He took pity on her, and decided to take her in off of the streets. Being her knight in shining armor wasn't something he planned on.
*Chapter 3*
The trip to the Vale Council was rather intimidating, Jaune found himself admitting. He and Emerald had just finished their lunch at Velvet's shop, and the drive to the Council Hall seemed to take a lot longer than the twenty minutes it supposedly did. Jaune had never been to the Council except for the average court appearances whenever he issued a ticket for something, and he honestly did not want to have to spend any more time than he had to.
The marble building loomed ahead, menacingly so, and Jaune sighed before he started to make his way up the smooth steps, one hand gripping the metal handrail tightly in case he slipped and fell.
Emerald clutched onto his other hand firmly, her red eyes nervously darting back and forth at the various officials and lawyers who briskly walked ahead of them.
"Nervous?" Jaune asked.
Emerald nodded, and Jaune gave her a gentle pat on the head. "Don't worry; it shouldn't take too long." He noticed the way she flinched when he made a move. It was a bad sign; it showed that she was far too used to abuse and torment.
Getting her to not instinctively flinch was going to be one hell of a work in progress. It would take months, even years, to undo the mental scarring that being neglected had done to her.
Jaune gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Everything is gonna be okay." At least, he hoped it would. He knew how hard it was to adopt children from the foster homes, but taking in someone off the streets would make it more difficult.
Jaune frowned and stopped at the top of the stairs. He was already set in his decision to take her in, and would fight tooth and nail to make sure he succeeded. But the court process could take possibly months, and even then it might not go in his favor. 'Can I really put her through that kind of anguish?'
He shook his head. His heart wouldn't let him do it.
"Emerald, come with me," he said quietly. "Screw the damn Council."
She looked at him in confusion, fear creeping into her eyes. "W-what do you mean?"
"Emerald, the Council is known for being corrupt," Jaune explained. "The official adoption process in Vale is probably the most difficult in the world, even more so that Atlas. I can't in good faith put you through that. So, to hell with them. I'm taking you in regardless."
Emerald gave him a tight hug, quietly sobbing into his chest. "I was so scared you were going to change your mind…"
Jaune ruffled her hair, holding her against him. "Hey, I promised I'd take you in. An Arc never goes back on their promise, no matter what." Only one member of the Arc family had ever tried to go back on their word, and that was Jaune's uncle Felix. He had broken the oath he took in the military and became a mercenary, fighting for whoever had the most money.
Felix was the only member of the family currently disowned and Jaune had no desire to follow in his footsteps.
"Now, what do you say we go home?"
For three long years, Emerald only knew life as living on the streets of the city like the rats, barely surviving each day. The winter was by far the worst; she would be kept up awake at night from shivering underneath the dirty ragged coat she would use as a makeshift blanket.
But now, she wouldn't have to worry about that for now she had a home to live in and someone to care for her as if she was their own child. She couldn't put how grateful she was into words.
"It's not much," Jaune said, looking around. "But, it's home."
"It's the best place I've ever been," Emerald whispered. She leapt at him, tears of happiness flooding from her eyes like a rainstorm. Jaune patted her back, giving her a friendly smile.
He was honest, Emerald decided. He was nothing like the people who did occasionally glance at her with leers and eyes filled with malicious intent. His blue eyes were warm, encouraging.
"Take a look around," he invited. "Make yourself at home. Bathroom is two rooms down the hall on your right. Second bedroom is next to it."
"Two bedrooms?" Emerald asked. "I thought you lived alone."
"I do." Jaune nodded. "That used to be the guest room, for whenever a friend of mine would come over and spend the night. Or my boss. I have a feeling you'll feel the same way about him as I do."
"What's that?"
"A pain in the ass, but overall a decent person. He was made police chief for a reason, after all. Even if it fails to come to me at this moment."
Emerald laughed. Not only was he friendly, but he had a sense of humor to him too. Seeing as he was a part of Vale's police force, it wasn't something she expected from him. Emerald expected a firm, no nonsense personality. He almost seemed too gentle for his line of work.
His radio crackled, startling her, and the blond man sighed and answered it. "This is Jaune. Go ahead."
"Kid, it's Qrow."
Emerald watched as Jaune pinched his brow with an annoyed huff. "What do you want now, Qrow? I'm kinda busy here."
"Care to tell me why my niece is in jail?"
Jaune frowned. "But Ruby's at the office."
Emerald could hear the exasperated groan. "I mean the other one. Yang. She came in kicking and screaming about how she was going to make you pay. Coco tried to explain it to me, but she was too busy laughing at the temper tantrum. So, I figured you could be able to tell me."
Jaune rolled his eyes. "Oh. That one. Well, she was an idiot and tried to steal my wallet. When I told her to stop she fled the scene, so I ran after her and used stun rounds on her. Send my thanks to Ren, by the way; they're really good at stopping dumb blondes in their tracks." Emerald tried not to snicker as she remembered the events from earlier today.
"Well, fucking great. Now Tai's going to bite my head off for this. Well, I'll make sure to tell him what she did to deserve being thrown in a cell. He won't be happy about it, but he'll agree with us about it teaching her a lesson," the man replied. "Anyway, are you coming back in? Sun's got his hands full with that last case the two of you were working on."
Jaune frowned, and his eyes met Emerald's. "I'm not sure. I need to make a phone call to my sister first. I'll call you later. If not, I'll see you in the morning bright and early tomorrow, Qrow."
"You got it, kid."
The call ended, and Jaune let out a sigh. "Well, Emerald, that's your second look at what I do for a living. There are times when I regret it a little."
"Was that your boss?" the green-haired girl asked quietly. "He sounded…well, drunk."
Jaune nodded, a hint of exasperation in his eyes. "Yep. Qrow Branwen, the chief of police. Also a lover of alcohol of any kind. I think twenty-five percent of our budget goes to parties and the resulting damage."
"…please tell me that's a joke."
"I wish. You should've seen the New Year's party."
Emerald relaxed a little more. This was someone who she could be at ease around and not have to worry about hitting her for their own sick pleasure. "What do did you mean when you said you have to talk to your sister?"
"My sister Saphron lives here in Vale," he explained. "I don't have any clothes that fit you, and I know she'd be more than happy to send some. I just have to give her a quick call."
He walked over to the fridge, pulling out a bowl of pasta and sauce. "Are you still hungry?"
Emerald opened her mouth to reply, but her stomach did it for her with a loud growl. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, and she clasped her hands over it. "Y-yes…" Today was the first time she had eaten anything so far in the week and it was Tuesday.
Jaune smiled and went to ruffle her hair. Emerald squeezed her eyes shut instinctively, but relaxed when she remembered that he was someone she could trust. 'Calm down. He's not going to hurt you. If anything, he'd hurt those who tried to hurt you.'
His hands were slightly calloused, but not too rough. They were like those of a father.
Emerald couldn't remember her father.
Her mother had told her that he died soon after she was born. However, she never told her how he passed away; she would always change the subject and refuse to talk about it.
Her mother tried her best to take care of her as a single parent, working two jobs to put her through school.
Then, three years ago, her mother succumbed to a horrible bout of sickness and things took a turn for the worst.
None of her relatives wanted her, calling her a bastard child. They refused to take her in, and she was eventually forced onto the streets where she lived like a rat. Until now.
She'd never be able to say just how grateful she was to Jaune.
He placed the bowl in the microwave for about two minutes. "Alright, while that's heating up, you want to keep looking around the house? It is yours too, now. Don't be shy."
Emerald nodded, and she began to take a walk around.
The living room was spacious, with a large black leather couch and footrest and a decently sized television. The few lamps that sat on night tables were more than bright enough to light it up.
She doubled back and took a look at the bathroom next. Smooth tile lined the floor and half the wall. It was home to a full bathtub and shower, and the sink was sparkling clean.
Her ears perked up when she heard the microwave ping, and she darted back into the kitchen.
Jaune was already waiting for her with the bowl steaming hot. A fork was in his hands, and he placed it on the table for her. "Here you go. Dig in, but be careful; it's still pretty hot."
Emerald picked up the fork and began eating. How long had it been since she held silverware in her grasp?
Too long.
She savored every bite, and with a soft chuckle Jaune went to make his call. "Don't get sick, now."
Seeing Emerald's eyes light up as she got to be in a house instead of shivering under a worn jacket warmed Jaune's heart, and he reached for his scroll to call his eldest sister, Saphron.
It rang a few times, but she still picked up. "Jaune? It's been awhile. How's my favorite baby brother doing?"
Jaune rolled his eyes, but a smile was still on his face. "I'm not a baby, sis. I need to ask you for a favor."
"Go on. I'm listening."
"Well…do you happen to have any spare clothes that don't exactly fit you, as in they're too small?" he asked.
"I never took you as the type to cross-dress, Jaune. I'm a little surprised. Imagine Mom's face if she finds out about your new hobby. Bad enough I'm married to a woman." Saphron laughed.
The blond officer sighed and face-palmed. "Haha. Real funny, sis. No, it's…it's a little hard to explain over the phone. Can you just come over with some clothes?" 'Nice to see she hasn't lost her awful sense of humor. To be honest, I probably need it dealing with the bullshit I do at work.'
"No problem, little bro. I'll be there in ten minutes; just let me put Adrian to bed. See you in a bit."
Jaune hung up, and he shook his head with a chuckle. "Thanks, Saph" He could always count on his favorite sister to lend him a hand when he needed it, being the main one who supported her relationship with her wife Terra.
All he had to do now was wait for her. He was sure she would positively squeal with happiness when she saw Emerald.
A/N: I know, this took forever to come out. I'm sorry! *ducks more pitchforks* Ack! Would you quit it? I didn't mean for the massive delay to happen.
Discord: C. Strife #5371
