A/N: It probably wasn't as clear as I wanted it to be last chapter, but that one bandit was Shay D Mann. The one Yang punches at the gas station. I thought it'd be funny for both sisters to knock him around.
This had been a really rough day to say the least. They had managed to find the second town. It was only half built, abandoned before it even had a proper chance. They were leaving the almost town when they were ambushed by a crazy scorpion faunus. Jaune is still haunted by the encounter. He wanted to take Ruby from them. The implications of the attempted kidnapping make his blood run cold. He very nearly lost her today. It's a terrifying feeling, knowing she is now a hunted woman. Jaune casts a long look to her sleeping bag, it's empty for the moment.
Ruby is currently at her uncles side checking him over. The dark haired girl has been up checking on the man every half hour. That man doesn't deserve her concern, if you ask him. Sure he threw out some lame excuse about having a bad luck semblance, but to Jaune it still felt like he had used Ruby as bait. That was absolutely unforgivable. He would keep his anger to himself though. Ruby loved the man deeply. He is her family and he wouldn't hurt her by voicing his misgivings again. Ruby walks over and settles down beside Jaune. She looks absolutely exhausted and so very worried. He softens his face and tells her it's going to be okay, though he honestly isn't sure.
She rests her head on his shoulder and he leans his head into hers. He wraps his arm around her understanding she is silently seeking comfort. A small selfish part of him is glad she turns to him looking for it. He squeezes her shoulder and sends her to her sleeping bag. As much as he wants to indulge in the one on one time, she needs to try and get some sleep. He promises her he will keep an eye on the injured man and Ren is on watch next so she doesn't need to worry too much. His promise seems to relax her enough and she finally sleeps. Ren takes over watch a while later, Jaune succumbs to sleep out of sheer exhaustion. The morning comes and Qrow has taken a turn for the worse, only waking briefly before passing back out.
They fashion a stretcher and head out. Ren offers to carry one end but Ruby insists on carrying one end. The level of her loyalty is something that Jaune has always been in awe of. The walking is slower going as expected and he can't think of much to talk about to distract her from her worry. Qrow worsens as the day drags on the man begins talking in his sleep. "Tai, she's not coming back." He stammers out. The connection is clear and Jaune can't help but silently curse the man. That statement must be like a knife to the heart for Ruby. They have come to a crossroads. Ren is insistent on avoiding the villiage, Jaune wants to agree with Ren but it would likely mean the end of Qrow. He may have a deep seeded dislike of the man, but he can't stand the thought of Ruby losing another person.
They split up Ren and Nora head one way, he and Ruby head to the village. "They'll be okay." She says as much to comfort herself as him. "You don't know that." The barb is quiet he doesn't realize how it hurts her. The village is like nothing he has ever seen, destruction everywhere, even the tree twisted and lifeless. She tries to make small talk to distract them both. They set the ailing huntsman leaning against a tree. Jaune is on edge jumping at a far off sound hand on weapon ready to strike. "It's far away" she calls gently trying to sooth his nerves. "Yea, but Ren and Nora are still out there." He keeps his eyes towards the path.
"I'm sorry." Her voice surprises him in how small it sounds. He takes her in when he turns around. She looks tiny, defeated and impossibly fragile. "This is all my fault,I shouldn't have dragged any of you along." Somewhere in his mind he had always known that the tiny girl shouldered too many burdens on her own. This was the first time he had ever seen her so close to breaking under the weight of them. "You didn't know about Tyrian, or" She was going down a rabbit hole of blaming herself and he couldn't stand to see that happen so he interrupts. "We.. we lost Pyrrha, you lost her too, and Penny, and your team, and in a way your sister. Despite everything you've lost, and everything you still could lose, you're still out here because you feel like you can do some good. You didn't drag us along. You gave us the courage to follow you. If it wasn't for you."
He sighs. "Ren, Nora and I we were hours away from splitting up. You asking us to come with you? I don't think any of us can properly express how grateful we are to you. There's no place in the world I'd rather be than by your side." He places his hand on her shoulder. She smiles gently the relief she feels causes her to shed a few tears. He pulls her into a hug and nestles his chin on top of her head. "Thank you" She whispers. He shakes his head. "No, thank you." They separate and he immediately misses her warmth. Qrow coughs and moans in pain worsening still.
Ren and Nora are suddenly in the village with them. A look of relief on the dark haired boys face confuses them. Ren falling to his knees confuses them even more so. A hissing, wheezing sound sends chills down their spines. The beast of nightmares arrives for them. The monster screams at them but turns towards Qrow. He may not like the man but there's no way he's going to let him die on his watch. He manages to drag the man to safety with the help of Ren's semblance. He is moving the man not only for his own safety but for theirs as well. The beast will be tough enough to best without his bad luck interfering.
To his credit Jaune does set the man down carefully. He glares down at the man and turns to walk away. Jaune is surprised at the strength of Qrows grip on his arm. Turning to face the huntsman Jaune is struck by the silent plea in his red eyes. There is so much emotion that Jaune softens his expression just a bit. Though no words are spoken a promise is passed between them. He hears the words in his very soul. "Keep her safe." The unspoken words resonate so deep within his very being he suddenly understands. Qrow kept his distance but protected them the entire trip.. protected her. Jaune nods a small nearly impenetrable nod accepting the promise gladly. The huntsmans head drops as does his hold of the knights wrist.
The fight with the grimm horseman is brutal and by some miracle they manage to win. The airships arrive as if by divine intervention. Jaune stays by Ruby's side the entire time. The hospital is bright and feels so disconnected from their travels so far. It hasn't escaped Jaune's attention that Ren and Nora have a new closeness. All it takes is a look between them for Jaune to know Ren and Nora are together-together he's honestly very happy for them. Ruby has noticed no such thing as she paces the waiting room floor. It's been hours since they arrived and the current state of Qrow is still unknown.
Thinking quickly as Ruby passes by for the tenth time in as many minutes. He grabs her hand to get her attention. "Hey, he's going to be okay, they said we made it just in time. Sit down with us, you're going to wear yourself ragged." He expects an argument but she sits sighing. "Thanks" She breathes out. It's not much longer when the doctor comes out and tells them that Qrow is stable, they can go visit while they prepare to discharge him. The venom while especially potent was equally as easy to treat. Qrow will still be weak and they'll need to keep an eye on his fever. Qrow is released, the y are surprised to learn that he keeps a house in Haven. For now though they are setting up in the nearest hotel until he's in condition to travel.
The hotel stay lasts several days, they are finally leaving for Haven tomorrow. Jaune is feeling restless, with Ruby staying in the same room as her uncle and not with them he just feels off. Ren and Nora just give knowing smiles when he complains. Jaune has too much nervous energy and decides to walk around the hotel's lobby and restaurant. He is surprised to see Qrow at the bar nursing a drink. Qrow sees the boy and motions him over, reluctantly he makes his way over and pulls up a seat.
"Hey, Kid, I wanted to say thank you. You stepped up and made sure Ruby was safe when my sorry butt was useless." Qrow starts.
"You don't have to thank me for that." Jaune states simply. He has gotten over many of his misgivings with the man, but not completely.
"I know, you'd be out there protectin' the girl you love with or without me askin'" Qrow points out as Jaune sputters, flustered.
"Ho… how?" The young knight finds his brain and mouth have stopped functioning.
Qrow laughs and fakes offence. "What? you've forgotten our little chat in the park?
Jaune's eyes widen. "That was you?"
"Yup." Qrow quips. "So, tell me, when are you gonna let my niece in on your little secret?"
Jaune quirks his eyebrow. "You mean, you'd be okay with that?"
Qrow humms. "You're a good kid, besides that this world can be pretty dark and scary. You lot have seen that first hand unfortunately. The way I see it, you kids need to take whatever happiness you can. I kind of hate to say it, but from what I see, Ruby is happiest when you're around. So, yea, I guess you can say I'm okay with it."
"I don't know what to say." Jaune searches Qrow's face.
"I'm not the one you've gotta tell. I'm gonna be down here for a while, do with that information what you will. Oh, and uh.. if you break her heart, you're a dead man." Jaune nods and makes his way back to the rooms. He stands in the hall for several minutes indecisive between the two rooms. He takes a breath to calm his nerves and knocks on Ruby and Qrows door. He stares confused as there is no answer. he door across the hall opens and Nora sticks her head out. "Hey Jaune, we're all in here." She greets him. So much for his grand plans confessing tonight he thinks glumly.
"Hey Jaune!" Ruby beams up at him when he enters the room. Nora sits next to Ren and Jaune smiles. They are all together and safe and for a few magical minutes in this crazy scary world everything feels safe and right. "Hey Ruby?"
"Yea?" She asks confused.
He smiles looking her in the eyes. He's the most at ease he has been in months. "I love you." Ren and Nora stare, eyes wide, mouths hanging open. Nora points trying desperately to register what just happened. Ren has completely forgotten even how to breathe.
Ruby blinks several times eyes never leaving Jaune's. The few seconds of silence feel like an eternity. Ruby turns her head to the side looking his face over inspecting it. She sighs and smiles. "That's good because I love you too."
Ren and Nora sigh in relief. She squeezes Ren's hand and they share a sweet smile. Ruby and Jaune have identical goofy grins on their faces. "Hug her already!" Nora shouts impatiently earning her a gentle elbow from Ren.
A/N: Well, that's one way to confess Jaune.