Chapter 35
Hey everyone hope you're all healthy and well. I missed the anniversary of the story which I'm sorry about but here's the chapter. A month late anniversary chapter.
These past few days have brought up some horrible thoughts I haven't considered for a long time. When Ruby's sister came here it brought back memories of my own sisters. Then when Ruby said she hasn't seen her in over five years reminded me that I haven't seen my own in three. Also how I was the one that abandoned them and have refused to contact them… just like Yang with Ruby.
After seeing how Ruby reacted to this it made me think about how my sisters would react if I tried to get into contact with them. I'm sure like with Ruby they'd be happy to see me at first, but after the initial shock they'd be unsure of me. Would I actually stay? Would I abandon them again? Would we even discuss why I haven't seen them? Would they be able to forgive me?
All these questions flew through my head today at breakneck speeds. I could barely focus at work today. I'm pretty sure my shift is just about over, but it all just felt like a blur.
Mercury and Emerald have been quiet, and Cinder hasn't called me in to help. In fact she hasn't been doing that as much as before. Not going to question why, and I'll just enjoy this time.
"Hello Jaune" a voice called to me that I recognized but couldn't put my finger on. Turning around to see it was a familiar face of a woman wearing her trademark black bow, Blake. The last time I saw her was when... Well I didn't exactly see her when her husband attacked me.
"Oh hey it's been awhile" I stated while looking around for said monkey Faunus. He was nowhere to be seen so I think I'm safe.
"I just wanted to apologize for how my husband…" She trailed off unable to finish.
"It's fine" It really wasn't, it was terrifying, but right now I'll just accept it.
"It's really not, I just want you to understand that…" She sighed "No, there's no excuse for how he treated you" Well this is definitely something I wasn't expecting at all today, or ever really. "I promise he won't ever do that again, I'll make sure of it"
"Well you don't have to go that far" I'd rather not be the reason for a couple to fight, which if anything would put a bigger target on my back, from her husband.
I decided to change to subject before this went on any longer "Do you need my help with picking out-"
"No, I'm here for other reasons" She stated ominously. Probably meeting up with Cinder for something, I have no part in it.
Blake said her goodbye before walking out of the store. So she wasn't here to meet with Cinder, then what the hell was she here for?
xXx
"Did you do it?" I asked into my scroll.
"Yup, everything's been taken care of" Sun said proudly.
"Good, did anyone see you?" I quickly asked
"Nope I was so stealthy that it would put you to shame" Somehow I seriously doubt that.
"Alright I just hope we'll find something out from all of this"
xXx
Getting back home was no different from any other day. Check the mail, which there was none like always. Climb up the ten flights of stairs, avoid the Faunus gang and sit down and wait for the time to go to sleep.
I wasn't sure if Ruby would be coming to see me today. She said her sister might be seeing her today. Which could imply they spend the day together, it also could mean her sister never comes. In which case I'm preparing myself for that, just in case.
All of this brought me back to my sisters. Kim, Nancy, Beatrice, Vicky, Audrey and Danielle. I have no idea where any of them are, how they're doing in life or if they want to even see me. Audrey and Danielle I think would like to see me since I know them the best. But the rest are so much older than me I think they might be a different story.
Of course I want to see them too, but would I be able to fix things? Are they as mad as I think they are? I don't even know how any of them feel about me ghosting them for three years.
I'd be pissed if any of them did that, but would they still be pissed now? I don't know, and I'm afraid to find out.
It's just what could I ev-
My thoughts were cut off when I heard a knock on my door. I already know it's Ruby, and I can't prepare for anything going off the knock. Since it's how she always knocks, softy. I really hope things worked out between her and Yang.
Opening the door to see she wasn't crying but also didn't look happy. In fact she looked disappointed. I gestured for her to come in and closed the door behind her.
Ruby took a seat on my couch and I poured a glass of water as she settled. Handing the glass to her which she graciously took a long drink from, I decided to break the ice.
"So, did she come?" From how she's been acting I really have no idea. It wasn't good, that much was clear but I didn't know why she's acting like this.
"She did" Ruby said simply as she put the glass down.
I was a bit afraid to ask "How did it go?" better to rip the bandaid off right?
Ruby shook her head "Not good" I let her have a moment to collect her thoughts. "It was fine at first, I was so happy she came and then it all went wrong" She finished her glass before beginning again. "She asked why I didn't use my aura, and I explained what happens to those who fail" Memories of the facility came back to me and I quickly pushed them back, now is not the time.
"She had no idea?" I asked.
"None whatsoever!" Ruby exclaimed. "She got really angry about it and... I just got angry about her being angry" Ruby sighed in annoyance "It felt like she was trying to make up for not being there for me when I needed her, you know?" She asked rhetorically before ranting again. "She could never understand, because she wasn't there, she didn't feel them take away part of you. She's never felt the horrible pain of part of your soul being ripped away from you!" Ruby took a deep breath. "Because she'll never know that feeling. Because she's so much better than me in every way" She finished with tears in her eyes.
Ruby looked at me and I felt her pain. I felt every bit of it. I pulled her in close as she began to cry. My shoulder soon was a wet mess but I didn't mind, it's clear she's needed to get this out for a long time.
"I know how you feel" I said when the tears stopped.
She looked up at me hopefully.
I nodded and gave her a weak smile "Yeah, after I failed to get in to Beacon, and they took my aura away, no one knew what that was like" Of course they wouldn't because they've never failed at anything in life. "My dad was a huntsman, and two of my sisters Audrey and Danielle are also Huntresses" I sighed "My dad sorta understood since he was there when it happened, but Audrey and Danielle were busy at school. So when they heard the news they just got angry and like you said it felt like they were trying to make up for not being there when I needed them. They could never understand, that feeling of your soul feeling like it was ripped in two…" I finished and before I knew I was starting to cry.
Ruby pulled me in and it felt so good. It felt so good to let that all out, for too long I've had no one I could share that with. Not only because there are very few people I trust here, but no one else would understand.
We stayed that long after I stopped crying just holding each other in a silent embrace. It was nice, until today I never realized how much Ruby and I had in common. It's kinda insane. I felt her grip me even tighter and I did as well.
Ruby was the first to break the silence but she didn't break her grip. "It's hard…" She seemed like she wanted to say more but just left it at that.
"It's hard being the kid who fails" I said without even thinking. I felt Ruby nod in agreement.
"Yang was always better than me. At everything, making friends, grades, being a huntress..." She trailed off as we pulled apart. Her eyes were still red and I had no doubt mine were as well.
"Yeah, all of my sisters were amazing at whatever they tried, me I was just average. But when you're average next to greatness-"
"You look awful" Ruby finished. "Yeah, I know that feeling"
We shared a weak laugh. It was nice, even if it wasn't really funny.
"My dad was so proud of his girls, but me… I was just the disappointment" I explained.
Ruby looked at me in shock "Did he ever say that!?"
"He never said it… but it was pretty obvious with how much time he spent with them over me" I tried to laugh but it died before it started.
"That… must have been hard" It was clear Ruby wasn't sure what to say. I don't blame her. I nodded in response. "What about your mom?" She asked hopefully.
I couldn't help but smile at the thought "My mom babied me, well she babied all of us. But at least she believed in me" Mom, always said I'd find something I was good at. "When I told her I was gonna work at a woman's clothing store she was actually proud of me" My smile grew even more.
"Really?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, mom always said I was good at it. She was happy I swallowed my pride, and made a career of it" I explained "That was one of the last things, she said to me"
It was nice to actually think about the good times with my family for a change, it felt nice to share. Looking at Ruby she was holding back tears.
"Y-you alright?"
"No it's nothing I'm sorry-"
"Ruby, it's clearly not nothing so don't apologize" I cut her off with a smile wiping a tear off her face.
"It's just you I didn't want to… it doesn't matter" She took a deep breath "It's just you got me thinking about my mother"
"What was she like?" I asked. All I knew about her was she had a strong resemblance to Ruby.
"My mom was amazing, she was supermom. Baker of cookies and slayer of monsters. She was a hero in and out of the home. She was always there for me, and even though she was afraid of me becoming a huntress, she fully supported it" Ruby's smile dropped. "I tried my hardest to be like her. I got the cookie baking down... just wish I got the rest down"
"She sounds great, I wish I could have met her" I said honestly, not knowing what else to really say.
"Yeah, she would have loved you… and not just cause you're blond with blue eyes like my dad" Ruby said laughing and for once it sounded real. It was nice.
I couldn't help but smile. It soon disappeared as Ruby's laughter turned to tears.
"I miss her so much" She exclaimed and once again I pulled Ruby in so she could let it all out. "If she was still here things would be so much better" She mumbled into my shoulder while I stroked the back of her head.
"I don't want to lose anyone else Jaune" Ruby said pulling away to look me in the eyes. I knew she was talking about me… I wasn't sure if I could make that promise.
"Ruby I…" Struggling to find the words as Ruby looked at me with fear in her eyes. It was damn near heartbreaking. Suddenly before I could even think "I don't want to lose you Ruby"
Ruby's face went from looking like she was about to cry to filled with joy "I don't want to lose you either Jaune!"
We embraced each other fully like if we let go now we'd never see each other again. Each time it felt like one of us was going to pull away the other brought us back, there were no complaints from either of us.
Still holding on, Ruby broke the silence again with a nervous laugh. "There's something I want to tell you, but I'm" She laughed nervously again "Afraid"
"Ruby, why would you be afraid to tell me something?" I asked pulling away to look her in the eyes.
"It's a stupid reason" I gave her a look saying I didn't believe that. "It is!" She said defensively.
"What is it?" I asked seeing Ruby really wanted to tell me something "Listen even it's a stupid reason I won't care, I promise"
"You promise?" She asked, and I nodded in response. Ruby took a deep breath. "It's just that everyone I've ever...loved has left me at some point" Wait a second she said 'loved', what does that have to do with me? My heart began to beat faster.
"My mom... died, my uncle left soon after. My dad wasn't there for me for years after she was gone. Yang left me for five years without even saying goodbye!" Ruby yelled in anger which she took a few breaths to calm herself.
" So, I don't want to say, I love you" Ruby mumbled out so quietly I barely heard her. She loves me?
… SHE LOVES ME! My heart began to beat even faster
"You love me?" I asked doing my best not to freak out.
"B-but… but I didn't say I-I love you"
"You did" I said nearly laughing.
"I did!?" She shrieked out.
I couldn't help but laugh, even though I shouldn't "You did, you said 'I don't want to say I love you'" I repeated for her sake, cause clearly she was either denying it, or didn't realise she said it.
Ruby's face quickly turned to panic, and fear "I'm so sorry, we haven't known each other for very long, but it's the truth I do love you and I don't want to ruin things between us, if you don't feel the same way that's fine!" She flailed around wildly unable to quite meet my eyes.
Would it ruin things between us? Do I feel the sa- "I love you too, Ruby" Without even thinking it through I said it and my heart began to slow down.
While I wasn't sure what kind of love it was, I knew I loved Ruby. That's all that mattered.
Ruby's panic and fear shredded off her face replaced by joy and disbelief. "YOU DO!?"
"I do" I stated calmly and firmly, making sure I wasn't lying to myself.
Wasn't I right all along?
Shut up not now!
Seeing the pure joy on Ruby's face made my heart soar. "I love you Ruby" No hesitation again. I was so sure, I haven't been this sure of anything in a long time. It felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
"Oh Jaune, I love you" She finally said it confidently and it made my heart flutter even more. Ruby pulled me, she tilted my head to the side and placed her lips on my cheek. I know it isn't much, not even a full blown kiss but it was perfect. Perfect for this moment and perfect for Ruby.
When she pulled away her face was bright pink. She looked like we did kiss on the lips, it was so adorable, she was always adorable but this was just too much.
"I'm sorry" Of course she would apologize for that, so sweet. "If I was taking things too far" I nearly burst out into laughter, only Ruby would think a peck on the cheek was 'too far'.
"No, no it's ok" I assured her as I wrapped my arm around her. She didn't fight it and quickly took a position using my chest as a pillow.
Almost instinctively I found myself fiddling with her hair, which was so soft it was unbelievable. She seemed to like it as she moved into my hand.
Now this isn't the first time I cuddled with a girl, Pyrhha and I had done it before, but we were just friends. This was… well I'm not sure what to call Ruby right now. I mean I do love her but do I love her in a romantic way? Does she?
Pretty obvious how she feels idiot. Especially by how she acted about that peck on the cheek.
Ok, fair enough, but do-
You do.
I do!?
I do, I do love her in a romantic way. At least enough to give it a try.
"Hey, Jaune" Ruby said getting me out of my thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"Can we stay like this for the rest of the night?" Ruby asked as she nuzzled into me even more.
Looking over at the clock I saw it was around 7:00. Even though I haven't had dinner tonight. "Of course" I said before kissing her forehead
Ruby's face lit up again as she looked up at me but her smile was so infectious.
I didn't think tonight was going to go this way. It's honestly kinda amazing, but I'm not complaining. This is the happiest I've been in a long time, and I hope I'll be able to say that again very soon.
xXx
"So what do you think?" My simmian husband asked.
"I don't think he's a threat" I answered truthfully.
"You sure?" Sun asked
"You heard all of that didn't you!?" I still don't like having to do this. It feels wrong… but it's for the mission. "He's either the best actor ever or innocent" Plus why would he lie to Ruby? Why does he even know Ruby? What are the odds?
"I'm still not sure" Of course he wasn't, but I can't blame him too much. Better be safe than sorry. "We'll keep recording him, he might give some useful information"
Yeah like his love for Ruby. Which was well and good for them, but it wasn't my place to hear any of that. "Ok, good idea Sun" But I won't be listening anymore.
Alright so I did it! Ruby and Jaune are a thing. I know cuddling and pecks on the cheek/forehead don't automatically mean that, I mean I've done that with plenty of friends.
I just wanted this whole thing to be in line with them being a bit awkward and not assertive/ready enough to go for anything else.
So I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was a blast to write, I didn't plan to have them confess to each other but as the chapter continued it only felt right. Plus I don't want to drag this story on forever. With me writing it for four years I felt it was time to do this.
Anyway, thanks for reading, hope you've enjoyed, review if you wish, and have a great day.
