A/N: So, yea the last chapter kind of took on a life of its own. Jaune can tend to make rash decisions when his emotions run high. I thought it was pretty cute.
The meeting with Professor Lionheart hadn't exactly gone as planned. Qrow had sent them back to the house so they see no harm in some light exploring on their way. Jaune marveled at how despite Ranger having two official couples nothing seemed too different. He decides it's a result of traveling together so long, a natural progression of everyone's feelings. The group were currently browsing one of the towns little book stores. Knowing they will be in Haven for a while, and no immediate threats to concern themselves with, Team Ranger take the opportunity to just be teenagers.
Jaune was enjoying watching Ruby browse the rows of comics hunting for a certain title. Her eyes light up finding it. "Yes!" She exclaims holding up her treasure. Jaune laughs, he had pegged her as an action adventure fan. The volume she is proudly displaying appears to be a slice of life romance. Then again he always knew she was a bit of a hopeless romantic. "Remnant to Jaune." Ruby waves her hand in front of his face. He hadn't realized he had spaced out. "Welcome back space cadet!" Ruby chirps enjoying the flustered look on his face.
"So, what were you thinking about?" She teases. "Just how cute you looked holding that girly comic.." Jaune quite enjoys the embarrassed blush that colors her face, before she hides behind her book. Nora and Ren are close enough that they witness the whole display. Nora can't help but "awww" at the sight. They leave the store, Ruby being the only one buying anything. They have lunch at a little outside bistro taking time to just generally enjoy each others company. It feels kind of nice not to have to correct the waitress when she asks if they are on a double date. That very thing had been a constant awkward conversation on their travels. This little bit of exploration wasn't intended as a date, but why not go with it?
After lunch they browse a few stalls in the outdoor market. It's a nice change of pace from travelling the wilds. Though there have been a few times Jaune catches someone looking at Ruby just a bit too long. It's unnerving and his mind always goes back to Tyrian. He moves Ruby to the center of the group noticing a shady looking guy eyeing her. She looks up at him confused. "I'll tell you when we get to the house. I just don't feel safe out here right now." He explains, Ren, Nora and Ruby nod at him. They stay on alert until they get to the house. Jaune explains what he was noticing. Ren and Nora have amused looks on their faces.
"What?" Jaune asks confused.
"Oh, nothing." Nora sing songs. Ren has an amused look on his face.
Jaune and Ruby look at each other confused.
"You guys are being weird." Ruby half accuses half laughs. "I'm going to read my comics for a while." She gives Jaune a hug and heads upstairs.
"Okay, really what?" Jaune asks again.
"Don't you think you're maayybe being a little overprotective?" Nora teases, Jaune's feverent denials just encourage Nora to keep teasing. She does let up after a while and they do end up seriously discussing the likelihood of another kidnapping attempt this soon. It's highly unlikely, especially concidering the state her last attacker ended up in. That does reassure him a bit. The three relax and just chat amongst themselves enjoying the evening. A knock at the door puts them on edge. Jaune answers confused when there is a young innocent looking boy on the other side.
"Is there a Ruby Rose here?" He asks looking sheepish.
The three are instantly on guard and in protective mode. Their nerves are soothed when Qrow stumbles in, drunk. The newcomer Oscar Pine, it really was weird to know Ozpin was also in his head. The kid seemed nice enough though. Nora took to him instantly pretty much adopting the boy. Ozpin charges them with ensuring the safety of the Relic of Knowledge. Suddenly their mission is expanded, they don't mind, the very nature of missions evolve and change at a moments notice. They're going to start training tomorrow as well. Ruby needs to work on hand to hand combat. Jaune needs to focus on unlocking his semblance and Oscar needs trained from the ground up.
The coming days promise to be interesting to say the least. It's all a lot to process and Jaune finds himself wide awake. He's given up on sleep and decides to go down to the living room. He's surprised to find Ruby already there tinkering with Crescent Rose. She turns her head hearing Jaune coming down the stairs. He smiles and settles next to her. "Couldn't sleep either?" He speaks just above a whisper.
"No, it's just a lot to take in. Relics, a boy with two souls, gathering an army of huntsmen." She rambles, turning a screw on her weapon.
"I mean, yea it's a lot all at once, but we'll be doing it all bit by bit, and we aren't all by ourselves this time eather. We have Qrow and Ozpin with us now." He counters logically.
"I know you're right." She clips a dust cartridge to the weapon nodding at her work. "Done." She smiles at her baby and folds it back in its compact form. Just being around her eased his mind, the two of them talk for a long while before deciding to finally go to bed. Jaune really doesn't like her being in another room, but upon learning that Ren and Nora were an official thing as well Qrow insisted on the boys and girls sleeping in separate rooms. The logic was understandable but they didn't have to like it. Several days pass as Qrow attempts to track down huntsmen and Oz works on training them.
Qrow had been getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of leads on huntsmen to recruit. They had high hope for today and rather than training, Ranger and Oscar spent time cleaning the house and cooking a feast. The huntsman had arrived home a minute ago calling for Ruby. Ren, Nora and Jaune continue their work in the kitchen. A crashing in the living room catches their attention. They are pleasantly surprised to witness the reunion of Ruby with Yang and Weiss. Jaune is so unbelievably happy for Ruby. With no huntsmen to feed the six of them have a ton of food to eat and catching up to do.
The group all swap stories as they eat. Jaune prepares to launch into a story that Ruby finds completely embarrassing. She launches herself at him clamping her hand over his mouth. Undaunted, he reaches up tickling her causing her to yelp in surprise. She attempts to retaliate with a tickle attack but thinks better of it and grabs his hood pulling it over his head and face. Ren and Nora laugh, apparently used to the shenanigans. Weiss and Yang share identical confused looks that Ruby notices when she turns triumphant from winning her little game with Jaune. Ruby quirks her eyebrow at her sister.
"What was that all about?" Yang is seriously confused.. if she didn't know better…
"Is that normal?" Weiss points To Jaune whose fixing his hood back as Ruby continues tugging it down.
Nora shrugs. "What? That's typical Team Ranger for ya." Ren's eyebrows shoot up, Ruby and Jaune look to Nora who has mischief all over her face. There is silence in the room for a beat when Team Ranger burst into laughter. Weiss and Yang don't understand what's so funny but shrug it off. The rest of their dinner feast is just as lively and spirited all around. Qrow and Oscar call them to the living room and they learn even more new information. Their heads spinning with all the new knowledge they settle into quiet chat. They discuss their journeys and adventures, share every bit of information they know between them and begin trying to make sense of it all. Oscar isn't excluded from any of it and actually quite enjoys getting to know the group some more.
Through the course of the evening Ruby and Jaune end up sitting next to each other and out of habit Ruby leans her head on his arm. It's been a long day and she's getting tired. Nora notices pretty quickly the strange looks Weiss and Yang share at the sight. She leans her head on Jaune's other arm and yawns loudly for attention. "Boy, I'm beat!" She calls out. Nora's yawn is contagious causing Ruby to yawn as well. "Yea, me too." She agrees. Ren and Jaune yawn at the same time. "We should all probably get some sleep." Ren offers. The entire group are in agreement and filter up the stairs. Yang and Weiss are the last ones up the stairs.
"Hey, Weiss, is it my imagination or do Ruby and Jaune seem a little.. closer than you remember?" Yang whispers.
"I mean, yea.. but they've been travelling together for months so it's only natural." Weiss offers back.
A/N: These next few chapters will be fun.