Chapter 17: Drilling
The blow-up of Yang has ruffled our hero! He still cares for her because he's stronger now than before. People also seemed to be confused: Yes, Kali would make Adam into hamburgers. She is a proud Faunus, and Menagerie is near Papua New Guinea. CANNIBALS!
Waking up and finding the alarm clock blaring at him made him feel a small dash of something, as he went through the motions, finding a fresh pair of underwear and his exercise clothing, hopping into the shower for a quick shower, knowing that he'd better look great for her.
She was taking him exercising and had said that she'd like him to take his swim shorts. She was Yang and she was a little emotional at times, but she was still his friend. He didn't know about Blake and Weiss anymore, but Ruby was still his friend. Ruby was a little pushy, but she was his friend and that was all that mattered.
He exited the shower and looked at the bottles of deodorant, spraying some on him. It felt important to do so, because Yang was taking him exercising and that made a thought rise in his mind, a dream that had been half-forgotten, a warm feeling that slithered through his body at the thought.
Yang was someone's girlfriend, but it was pretending to be a boyfriend, not real. He couldn't feel love, but he'd like to imagine that the pressing feeling in his chest and a light fluttery feeling was like his heart feeling those butterflies... Or was that his stomach?
"Hey Jaune. Going for your exercise again?"
His youngest sister asked as he came to the table, his father already seated and looking through the morning paper. The man's eyes glinted with the dark look that he occasionally got, the teeth nibbling on his lower lip not making him look much better.
"Yes. I need to be fit. Ruby's mom will be returning home on Sunday."
His father's eyes looked up from the paper and directly at him as he spoke up, as if noticing him at the table.
"Good morning."
The man's low voice rumbled, a look in his eyes, one that made Jaune wonder if he'd done something wrong. The man's eyes looked pensive, as if he was deliberating something. Dad got like that sometimes, when he needed to think.
"Good morning, dad."
He responded. His sisters continued on, the butter passed along from sister to sister as bread was buttered and conversation had. He'd had a light meal when the clock finally struck eight, getting up from his seat.
"Jaune... Have a good day, okay?"
It was odd to hear that from his dad, but the man looked at him with that look that he'd called 'paternal obligation' whenever he'd seen it.
"I will."
He smiled. Yang was worthy of being called his friend, not just because of the feeling that she gave him, but also because she apologized. She was much better than Cinder. He couldn't have let Blake say that to her, because Yang was precious.
"Knock em dead, son. Show that girl why you're the son of a Marine."
A soft grunt came from his lips, as he thought about it. "But she's the daughter of a Marine too."
"You're still better, Jaune. You're my son and there's nothing wrong with you."
The man's words were hopeful, still denying the truth, but it was good to hear something like that. He gave the man something approximating a smile, before he grabbed his bag and carried it to the door.
"See you tonight."
He was met by a chorus of goodbyes and one 'Don't touch a girl if she doesn't want it, Jaune!' from his second oldest sister, ever teasing him about something. He heard the playful fight start up when his sister was immediately teased right back about her own lack of touching boys.
She picked him up after ten minutes, his eyes catching sight of the top that she wore and the redness around her eyes. She had been crying, he noted. He offered his best smile.
"Hey Jaune..."
She trailed off as he got into the car, the smell of Yang in the air. It was probably just her deodorant, but she smelled like lemons and narcissus, her eyes beholding him with a smile on her face that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Sorry about yesterday, I've not been-"
A deep sigh exploded from her lips, but it was okay, he knew that she was stressed by the situation. Miss Salem had explained to him that people acted differently under stress than in normal situations and that he wasn't at fault, unless he was the one causing stress.
"It's okay. Is Blake okay?"
Yang looked at him as she pushed the pedal down, the jolt of the car starting to move making him rock a little. A complicated look was on her face, her expression never really shifting from that deep concern into something that was more normal. It was after they'd driven for a while that she finally spoke up.
"We're... We're better now."
He thought she was lying. She didn't sound convinced, but she smiled at him. Not a pleasant smile, as her eyes didn't look at him.
"Her mom said that it was best that we do not meet for a while whilst she's in therapy."
He could understand that. It was important that Blake get better. Mrs Belladonna looked serious when she spoke about Blake's issue being important. She was a nice woman who cared for her daughter and her daughter's partner.
"I'm happy for you two."
Yang's eyes looked hollow as she gave a smile that barely seemed there.
"Yes, happy."
As she parked the car on one of the forest trails, she got out her bag and then rummaged around it for a moment, letting her attention slide to that. He went through some of his stretches, making himself warm up a little for the run and the other exercises that they would work on. Yang looked at him for a while, he could feel her eyes on him, as she slowly worked through the warm-up stretches, her eyes looking away before she spoke up. She was probably thinking about things.
"Let's go for a run, Jaune."
Her voice was light and with that usual hint of warmth that she infused it with every time she spoke, her eyes glinting with that zest as she started to jog, waiting for him to catch up. He could see her behind move with every step that she took, every raise of the foot making that fine rump move.
He caught up without difficulty, Yang's body in motion, the sports-bra that she wore keeping her breasts from bouncing too much, the strap visible.
"Come on, robot boy... Let's make it into a bit of a contest. Down the path, fast as we can?"
She sped up, illogically, as if he'd already said so, her pace faster and faster, not stopping with her running for any reason, as he chased after her. If she wanted to test him with speed, he would oblige her. She was not going to get away from him if she wanted to do a little contest.
They chased along each other, Yang in the lead, with him chasing after her. His legs were longer, but he kept the pace, giving her some extra time to move. It was an unwritten rule that you should let girls win, his sisters had told him, as he watched her in motion. Her blonde hair was like a glistening wave of gold as she moved, her body in constant motion, as they reached the end of the path, the path splitting and she stopped.
Sweat glistened on her body and she was breathing heavily, her gaze drawn to him. "Beat ya, robot boy." She smirked at him with that smirk that showed her wonderful self. She stilled for a moment as her gaze remained on his face, her smirk slowly turning to a smile as she pushed her chest out.
"I was going to give you a chance at these babies, Arc... But you blew it! Xiao Long is still faster!"
He didn't comment on it, though her mother was faster than her still. Yang was somewhat slower in her movements than her mother, with less ability to keep the pace going.
"Are you okay, Jaune?"
She asked, her face looking more serious as she righted her form again.
"Yes. Why shouldn't I be?"
It was a silly question for him. If he wasn't okay, he wouldn't be doing this with her. He'd been told to say if he didn't feel okay enough to go to school. The pneumonia that he'd gotten when he'd been six was bad enough.
A softness in her eyes lingered as she looked at him for a moment. "You didn't have to buy me the perfume or the lipstick, Jaune. It's just..." She looked guilty, or something like that. It wasn't a sad look, as she looked down.
"It's just-"
He hugged her. Her mom looked like that too and a hug had fixed her. She smelled of sweat and the lemon and narcissus scent was slowly fading away, mixing with her scent. She was warm and sweaty, but she seemed to not mind the hug.
"You didn't have to. I would've been fine if you just hadn't bought me those gifts."
'She's just telling me that it's okay not to give her anything.'
Even if it wasn't true, she was still a girlfriend that he had for the week. He lightly shook his head, looking into her eyes. Lilac looked into his own as she breathed in and out, her chest pressing against his own in a way that made him somewhat happy.
"But you're my girlfriend for the week and for your father's eyes. I said that I would be a good boyfriend."
She looked afraid for a moment when he said that, as her fingers brushed over his side, shivering a little. She moved her gaze away.
"Just a good boyfriend, just a pretend boyfriend."
She mumbled, her voice sounding oddly heavy for a moment.
"Just... pretend."
That was sensible, as she inhaled and exhaled a few more times, her gaze not meeting his again.
"You're still together with Blake. Love is something that shouldn't be broken. Weiss and Ruby are together too."
Yang looked at his face again, her breathing through the nose heavier, her lips pressed tightly together. "You're going to pretend, right? It's not real. It's not real, I'm together with Blake and-" She sounded sad for a moment, as her heartbeat seemed to bump up a notch.
"For as long as you can tolerate me. Your mother just wants you to be happy. She loves you."
Yang's eyes were scared, he could see that. She didn't move away, nor did she push him away. Her breathing was heavy, as she looked away.
"It's just pretend, it's just pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend. There are no feelings involved, I'm not..."
She sounded torn, and his hand brushed over her back. She sighed, her head laying against his chest.
"It's not real, we're not dating. I'm dating Blake and it's not real, it's no feelings, it's not real."
She understood, as he patted her back. He reacted to her, but he made sure that she didn't notice, trying to keep his legs closed. It would be embarrassing for her, but the closeness with her was more than enough for him.
"I understand."
She seemed to settle her head on his chest for a long while, as she just held on to him. She looked up at him, her smile lighter and a little mysterious.
"You're a good guy, Jaune."
She mumbled softly, as she lightly pushed him away. "Thanks for... pretending. How about we finish up this bit of exercise and then get back to dad and sis?"
"Whatever you want, Yang."
She flushed a little, looking at him with hesitance in her eyes. It was that conflicted look that made him wonder for a moment whether he'd said something wrong before the smile was back on her face.
"Careful there, buddy... A girl might catch feelings for you if you keep on laying on the charm."
He wondered about that. He didn't really think that he should feel something for Yang, because she was too good for him.
"You shouldn't. You're too good for me." He'd answered without thinking, and she turned to him. Her finger poked into his chest.
"I can decide that for myself, Jaune. If I think you're good for me, I think you're good for me, and you'd better think that Yang Xiao Long knows what's best for her!"
She gave him a heated glare and then seemed to pause, flushing redder in the cheeks. The poke hadn't hurt him.
"If you say so."
It was a fact that she knew what was best for her, he knew. It was simply the truth, something that made the world a little bit clearer. She was together with Blake, and Yang smiled at him.
"Good. Good. How about we... How about we race back? Same rules?"
She tried to insert something of amusement in her voice, her eyes as bright as they always were, a smile on her lips. "Maybe you'll win and you'll get to lay your hands on these babies, Jaune." She laid her hands on her breasts, giving them a jiggle.
'That would be nice. You're still with Blake though.'
As she started, he lagged behind her, keeping a modest pace whilst Yang ran, her body in beautiful motion once more, the look on her face not even shifting from that wonderful expression of challenge and comfort.
"Come on, slowpoke! You'd better do your best if you want to touch me!"
Her taunting was something that was so Yang that it was expected, as she slowed down just a little, her eyes looking at him, her gaze somewhat deeper, somewhat more interested. She was not like Blake. She didn't love him. Blake and Cinder both knew what they had in him. Someone to produce children with and someone who shouldn't exist. They both loved something passionately, something that he'd never be able to get. He was just a retard, but Yang's faith in him...
He smiled back at her and she sped up a little, her cheeks red from the exertion, her body moving swifter as those toned buttocks bobbed a little, her boxer's physique making her look far better than most other girls. Even comparing Blake's quiet beauty to Yang was like making a stick figure resemble the Mona Lisa, because Yang was someone who lit up the room when she entered.
"I win." She said, though she didn't show much happiness with her minute tonal shift of the voice at the last word. She looked at him, taking him in, her knuckles nudging him in the side.
"You totally let me win, Jaune. You're barely sweating."
She was sweating a little more than he was. It was fairly obvious that she did more upper body exercise than leg exercises, knowing how to work those muscles to optimal effect. She was someone who didn't need much more than that, as she was beautiful in her own respect.
"You won fair and square. I was slower."
It was the truth, though he had let her win. The girl rules always applied. She smirked, as she thrust her chest out, looking at him with her eyes and a slow smile.
"Pity prize! You get a touch."
He shook his head. She was Blake's girlfriend, he shouldn't be touching another girl's girlfriend. That wasn't polite and it would make Blake feel a little bad. He looked at her with a strict look and she pouted a little.
"You're no fun, Jaune. Here you've got a hot girl offering you a free grope of her tits and you're being stuffy..."
He would have liked to. Yang had the biggest breasts out of the entire Rose household. Yang's breasts were something that he could fantasize about, knowing how they looked when they wore a bikini.
"But I like that in you. You know boundaries... And this is just pretending."
She looked at him, biting her lower lip and sighing deeper. "Just a few more days and it'll be over..."
"You can be free again." He said, knowing that they'd all go back to normal once Weiss and Blake were back. Summer would return from where she'd gone and there would be normalcy again. Yang didn't respond, and he caught her looking at him, her eyes not moving one millimetre with their gaze.
"Sometimes, a girl wants to be locked away, you know?"
Her voice was soft, as she turned around, putting the key in the car door and turning it, unlocking the car.
"They want to be tied down, held down and rescued by a strong knight."
He could imagine that. Some books had that as a theme. His oldest sister enjoyed those, and he'd read about how the knight received thanks from the princess. She'd been embarrassed when she'd found him reading it, though he had been at the part where the bedroom scene had started to go into the marriage of the two people. It had been a lot of sex.
"You're too pretty to be locked up. I'd free you anytime if it made you smile."
She didn't turn out, but she laughed softly at that. It took perhaps five seconds, but that laugh was like the tinkling of bells.
"Charmer... I didn't expect that I'd be getting flirted with by robot boy today... I should've worn my sexy outfit."
She turned around, the door opening up, her smile warmer than it'd been. He couldn't help but respond.
"You're sexy in anything. That's because you are beautiful. Blake is lucky to have you." Yang looked at him for a moment and her eyes looked really sad.
"Blake can be honest about stuff... I can't. Look at you, always honest. I just..."
She sighed, letting her attention slip to the car again. "I just have to lie a lot. About who I am, about what I enjoy. Dad doesn't understand at all. He's great with Ruby but with me it just..."
"It's okay. You don't have to lie to me. I can handle the truth. I will protect you even if I die."
It was silly, it was stupid, but what value did he have compared to her? She was a beautiful girl, someone who made his days even brighter than before he'd noticed her warmth.
"..."
She didn't respond, but her eyes looked at him. She looked small and fragile, like he'd said something wrong. He'd probably said something wrong, girls never liked to be bullied. He'd probably said it wrong and she'd taken it in the worst way.
"You're special to me. Ruby is my best friend, even if she's trying to make me do things I don't really like, and you're her sister."
Yang didn't respond, looking at him as if he was something alien and strange. He continued anyways, he had to make things right. He didn't want her to dislike him.
"You're someone who makes the day shine brighter and your smile makes my chest hurt. It's warm and accepting, and-"
She looked away, leaning against the car, taking a few deep breaths. He touched her back lightly with his palm, a shuddering exhale.
"It's just pretend, Jaune. I'm pretending to care for you, all for... all for Dad. I'm-" She paused and the reflection of her face showed that she was squinting a little.
"I'm..." She swallowed heavily.
He rubbed over her back, just like his sisters enjoyed. "I'm just pretending to like you. I'm just pretending to like you, because dad would throw a fit if I was... gay."
He knew that. She was just pretending, but that didn't make the pleasant feelings go away. It didn't make him stop caring.
"I'll be a good boyfriend until your father leaves. After that, we'll be just Yang and Jaune." She swallowed again, the soft sigh from her lips.
"But what if I don't want you to?"
She said, seemingly to herself. He frowned. It was something that he'd undoubtedly get. She was disgusted with him, just someone who didn't understand love. He'd make sure to stay away from Ruby's house if she didn't want him around anymore.
"I'll be your boyfriend until your father leaves and your mother returns. I don't go back on my word, Yang. I'm not going to leave you alone."
She froze up for a moment before she moved, nearly stumbling away, her body having pressed against the car for a moment as she'd half-tripped, a few wet droplets on the window that she'd leaned against.
"Just get in the car, Jaune. I need... I need a cigarette."
She said, as she staggered away before remembering that she'd probably had her cigarettes in the car and returning. She plucked them out, as he got in, the smell of sweat and Yang in the air as she stood a slight way's away.
The sunlight lit her features up, the smoke puffs like the signals of the native Americans to their people, or so the book had said, though that apparently was incorrect, his eyes watching her silhouette as she looked up to the heavens.
She extinguished the cigarette on the ground, picking the butt up and then walking to him. Her eyes were still a little red, undoubtedly from the meeting with Blake. It hadn't been a happy meeting, as she got into the car again, smelling of cigarette smoke and sweat. For her, it was bearable. It was Yang.
"Let's go home, Jaune."
Her voice was heavier, as she looked at him, a look in her eyes that was contemplative, broody. Not a look that he liked to see on her face, but it was something different at least.
They arrived at her mother's home without a word spoken, Yang merely looking at the road and not at him, which was fine with him. She smacked his ass when he got out, a smile that was a little warmer than before, obviously an act for the benefit of the father that was within the house.
"Come on Jaune... let's get that shower. You did good today."
He smiled at her, as a boyfriend would do, her eyes lighting up with a spark of joy. He could see the spring in her step, as she acted for his benefit like a good girlfriend should. He wanted it to be real for a moment, but the reality that it was just a pretend-boyfriend situation was like the cool grip on his heart and senses.
They entered through the front door, Sandy standing in the kitchen, preparing something for breakfast. A cool look she gave to him and to Yang, as her father sat at the table, reading something on his phone, his eyes looking at him for a moment.
"Any plans for my daughter today, hm?"
The man said with a smile, looking at him with amusement in his blue eyes, his fingers bumping against the phone's display for a moment, typing something slowly. It was an odd question, but he looked at the man.
"Or are you going to let her decide what you'll be doing today? She'll run away with you, just like her mom used to do when she was..."A sigh, as the man shook his head.
"We're going to get him tanned up and sexy, dad. He's going to be getting the Xiao Long tan, so he'll be dropping these panties like it's a Brand Hopstone concert."
The man's frown wasn't too severe, as he looked at his daughter, shaking his head lightly before laughing.
"That's something your mom would've said, alright. Sometimes I wondered whether there was a lick of sense between Raven and Summer, but then they'd just pull our ass out of the hot griddle and we'd be getting lectured for not watching our six and needing bad-ass bitches to pull us up like sissy boys."
Yang smirked, as she pushed against him, ushering him out. "Boyfriend and I need a shower. If you hear me screaming the anthem and about god, expect that I've found religion." The man gave him a look. That look was universal 'dad' for 'do not touch my daughter or I'll tear your arms off and make you go through life as 'Stumpy Moose' for what'll be left of you'.
"Geez, don't look at my man-toy like that, dad. You're going to make him into you with that look. He's going to go in after me, because I smell worse. The lame brain let me win at the sprinting contest too." She brushed past him, standing on her toes to give him a light kiss to his cheek.
"I'll leave you to get something to eat, Jaune. Keep that nice ass tight for me, soldier boy."
She was gone and he followed her, a little hum from her like a siren's lure. That kiss had been nice, even though it was all fake.
"Take a seat, son."
The man patted the seat next to him, the man's wife looking at him with a look of distaste, the man's blue eyes looking serious. "What are your intentions towards my daughter? Well, daughters, given that Ruby's just about chatting my ear off about how nice a friend you are."
He blinked. He was talking with her dad now about her and Yang was taking a shower. He tried to formulate things in his mind, probably taking a bit too long, the man giving an impatient sound in the back of his throat.
"Ruby is my best friend. She understands me, even though I'm not as smart as she is. She doesn't always make sense, but she's a good friend."
He knew that it was the truth, and he saw it like that. Ruby was someone that should be protected and cherished, even if she didn't always make sense.
"Good, good. She needs a friend like you, I'm-" Sandy made a sound in the background that was a little like a scoff. He could imagine her distaste for the subject. She didn't seem to like Yang very much.
"And Yang? Are you just using her for sex? Be honest, son. I don't like liars."
There was a dangerous tone to the man's voice, something that seemed to be like a threat in its own regard, the man's eyes looking like they held the danger within them that had made Summer distinct.
"I haven't had sex with your daughter."
It was the truth, as he looked into the man's eyes. There was a cold glint in them, the man's eyes not moving. A knife was in his other hand, twisting and turning. He recognized it faintly as something similar to what his dad had, marked with initials.
"She decides what she wants with her body. I'm lucky to be able to hug and hold her. When she's sad, I will try to make her happy."
The man's eyes were still that same cool focus, different from Mister Frank and Summer. There was something like his own father in those eyes, as the man's lips pushed into a smile. It didn't meet his eyes, as Sandy put a plate in front of him, the knife piercing through the bacon and making a sharp twist, the man's look turning more emotional.
"Good."
The word was spoken with that tone that said that he'd better make it so, or things wouldn't be great. "She's the last thing I've got left of my first wife, and I'm not going to let her be hurt. She was crying last night."
That was not surprising. She'd been hurt by Blake's admission. Yang shouldn't be hurt by Blake, that just wasn't fair. It was okay if he was hurt. He didn't really count as human.
"So you'd better put a smile on that face, or I'm going to take you out on a little trip. One-way only."
The look that had been in Summer's eyes before was there too, that protective instinct. He could see Sandy look at the man, as she laid a hand on his face.
"Hurt my daughters and they're not going to find your body. I know what guys your age think about hot girls like my daughter."
He nodded. Autistic people always had the problem of being interpreted differently by people.. It wasn't something that he'd like to talk about, but Ruby was precious. She blurted out things without intending to, but she was getting better. She'd hurt people in the past without meaning to.
"Get the guy something to eat, Sandy. He looks hungry."
The smile and warmth was back, as his wife looked at him, the look on her face still cool. Undoubtedly she'd been kept up by Yang crying too. He was sorry for making things be as messed up.
The egg on bread was just something that he ate to fill his stomach. It didn't have the warmth that Summer gave to her food, as Sandy just put it on his plate. He smelled lemons and something sweet in the air, feeling someone hug him from behind.
"Nice egg sandwich, Jaune? How'd you want to make my eggs in the morning, huh? Scrambled, sunny-side up or fertilized, hmm?"
Her tongue licked along his ear, and he caught sight of Sandy giving a death glare to him, or rather, to Yang, whose teasing tone was soft, her father's laugh enough.
"I'm not sure whether fertilized eggs taste great. Dad said that it was some sort of Filipino dish, but then he started talking about the hookers there trying to get a piece of him and mom got really mad at him for talking about that." He didn't get it, as Yang kissed his cheek again.
"Eat up and hop in the shower. I've made sure that it's nice and warmed up for you... Don't go and stay in too long, honey. I don't like prunes." He nodded. She liked cherries. That was something that he knew well.
"I'll do that, Yang."
He smiled at her, her smile in return making his heart beat a little faster.
He finished his food and then got up, feeling a pinch to his butt. "Nice and tight ass, Jauney... Gotta make this girl happy with your darn sexy looks."
He smiled again, looking at her. "You're much prettier than Weiss." Yang looked amused by that.
"She's cold. She doesn't like me like you like me."
It was a turn of phrase that meant more than he'd intended. Weiss was gay so she didn't like him and probably would never like him. She wasn't going to ever like him in any way and Yang probably didn't either, but he would keep his word.
"Darn straight, I like that cute tush of yours, Jaune. The rest of it meets the Xiao Long board of approval... well, the Yang section at least."
He got into the shower and washed himself, the fresh clothing that he'd brought fitting well. The swimming trunks he put on as well as a shirt.. Yang had said that he should be prepared to go and be at the pool, so he did. As he joined them again, he could see Sandy and Yang glaring at each other.
"That's not a nice way to talk to Sandy, Yang. She's still your stepmother." Yang looked angry, as she looked at her father and then turned to him.
"Let's go to the pool, Jaune. My stepmother seems to be of the sensitive sort."
She mumbled something that sounded a little 'and a stupid bitch' under her breath, but he didn't really want to think too much about that.
"I put on my swimming shorts."
He said, as Yang grinned, winking at him.
"Good boy... I'll be right back."
She moved upstairs with two steps at a time, easily managing that and getting up, the sound of the door opening and being shut loud. He went to get himself a little more comfortable outside, checking the grass. It looked like it was time to go and mow the grass once again.
"Do you want me to mow the lawn?" He asked the man, who looked at him and then gave a short nod.
"Grass keeps on growing, son. It'll keep you from my daughter, at least..."
There was some familiarity in his voice, as his father often sounded gruff like that. "You know where Summer keeps the stuff, right?"
He did. He'd done it before, last week. It wasn't something hard to do, he knew.
"Yes. I'll get started."
With his hands pushing the lawnmower, the lawn started to look somewhat neat and orderly again, looking like it needed only a little bit of trimming of the edges later on to look presentable, his eyes looking at the sight of the cut lawn and smelling the freshly cut grass in the air. He'd stripped down to his swimshorts, which functioned well as a sort of replacement for his shorts. He was going to go swimming.
"Hey there partner, going my way?"
A voice that held a bit of an exaggerated southern tone to it came from behind him and he felt something warm and soft and round press against his back, arms wrapping around his waist, as someone laid their head against him.
"Or am I going to have to ride you like a bull at the rodeo?"
He let go, the lawnmower forgotten, as he saw Yang look at him with a confident grin. She wore a bikini that looked a bit small for her, as the bold blue and red with stars stood out. He recognized it as the Virginia Battle flag, Yang's lips pressing into a smirk, her finger stroking over his chest.
"Or do we have to pretend like we're cousins first, Jaune?"
He shivered, as he looked at her, her challenging look making him feel warm. The heat from the sun was warm enough, but Yang was... something else.
"Mow the lawn, Jaune. Get yourself washed off and then come to the pool."
Her voice was soft, as her eyes looked up at him, and he could see the look in those eyes be warm and comforting, like she cared. His hand fell on her hip and he squeezed it a little, her breathing quickening softly.
"You're gorgeous."
Her eyes widened, as he caught her father looking at them through the window. He rubbed over her hip, stroking over the flesh and she shivered. She pressed herself against him, two nubs pressed against his chest.
"Hey, it's just pretending, Jaune."
She whispered, as he raised his hand a little. She smelled good, and she was close to him. "It's..."
He leaned down low. "Your father is watching." His eyes held the man's position, as she leaned up, pressing a light kiss to his lips.
It felt wonderful. She moved away a little, before her lips pressed against him again, her breathing loud in his ears as she took deep breaths. The man moved away and she pulled away.
"He's gone."
He said at a low tone, but her lips pressed against him again, holding him in a kiss, her tongue pushing into his mouth. He felt the pressure, as he reacted to her, her tongue duelling with his own. She pulled away, and he just stared at her. She gave a hesitant smile, as she looked down.
"Just... Just for the image, okay? He might've come back."
Her eyes looked at him and he smiled. He hoped that she didn't look down. He was harder than he'd ever been, all thanks to that kiss.
He arranged himself out of her view, as he pushed it down. She was marvellous. She was with Blake though and it was pretend, as she'd said. It was just to give them the image that she wasn't with Blake.
'She's with Blake. She'd never be interested in me because she's into girls.'
"I'll be at the pool when I've gotten the lawn done." He smiled at her and she smiled back, a touch shy in that smile.
"G-good. I'll... I'll get the sunscreen. You can rub me up and... and I can rub you up."
He noticed the two nubs poking against the fabric. She must be a little cold. His nipples hardened too when it was cold. He was sweating though. She probably was just feeling a little different.
"Thank you."
She disappeared, a little quicker than before. He watched her, the bikini looking wonderful on her. A toned back and a tight rump, moving in motion. She was like her mother, minus the scars that had made Summer Rose look weathered, but it would be something that he could love.
He continued, because he had a job to do. Yang was too beautiful for someone like him. He was just a dumb retard, not smart like Ruby was. He was just what Cinder had said. Someone would have to be sick to like him as more than a friend.
"Good job, son."
Taiyang Xiao Long said as he sat at the table still, tapping away at his phone, undoubtedly getting more information from someone about something. The man was someone who'd fought for America, so he'd keep in contact. Perhaps he knew where Mister Frank had been? He'd washed up after he'd gotten finished with the mowing of the lawn at the tap outside the house, washing his feet and legs. Cleanliness was important.
"Thank you sir." There was a look in the man's eyes, something that made him look dangerous.
"She cares more for you than you think. She's always had a problem with showing her love for people, just like her mom... But still. Hurt her and I hurt you."
The threat was just something that he'd grown used to. Cinder had hurt him more, and anything else was less. He'd actually cried when Yang had said that he didn't have feelings yesterday. Compared to that, whatever the man would do to him was nothing.
"She's my girlfriend, sir. I'd rather die than hurt her."
Retards should be happy to die for a worthy cause, after all. Dying for a worthy cause and those that you loved was a core tenet of the armed forces.
"Good. Enjoy your time with your girlfriend, kid. She sees something in you, which is great."
He could see the disapproval in the man's voice, as he was watched as he left for the door leading outside to the pool. He could see Yang already draped over one of the chairs, the towel below her already spread out, her blonde hair looking as beautiful as it'd had before, those mountainous curves looking proud as the sunglasses that she wore were tilted in his direction.
He walked slowly, watching her. She laid there like she wanted him to come closer, the glint of her eyes entrancing him, her tongue sliding over her lips slowly, as her gaze seemed to go up and down his body.
"Got you, Jaune!"
He was unbalanced as someone tackled him, falling into the water with a loud splash, thrashing in the water's grip as someone held on to him. He surfaced and saw Ruby there, her hair flattened against her head as she smiled at him broadly.
"Got you, buster! I woke up thanks to you!"
He felt sorry for waking her up. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, and he caught sight of Yang smiling with some amusement at him and Ruby. Ruby was such a bright girl.
"No, don't be sorry. It's okay, I needed to stop being asleep anyways. Yang kept on making sounds through the night. She's not so very quiet. Mom doesn't. Her room is silent all the time. Do you want to cuddle?"
He blinked a few times, the water droplets falling off his eyebrows and Ruby's smile increasing. "Weiss said that she's going to meet with me tomorrow. We can cuddle today and then we can go out together with the three of us as a date. It'll be fun!"
He somehow didn't think Weiss would imagine it being so very fun. He didn't want to upset her. She'd smell of smoke and ashes and death if she let her opinions on him out. Cinder and Weiss were the same in nature. Not good. Cinder had been... perhaps, wrong, but he was sure that Weiss had not faked her emotions.
"No, Ruby."
He denied her, as Ruby's hands slid down, grabbing a hold of his groin. "I touched myself thinking about you. It was so nice. You're really nice for a boy." He sighed softly, as he shook his head, trying to muster a smile. He didn't like Ruby when she was talking like this, all stupid silly stuff.
"Ruby, it's not okay to do that."
He said, as he looked into her silver eyes. She didn't understand. She didn't even seem to want to understand.
"If it feels good, then why bother denying it. Mom keeps on mumbling about how she should've said something about love, but she wasn't really willing to answer my questions."
He sighed, as he grabbed her hand, moving towards the steps and pulling himself out. Ruby exited, water droplets hitting the ground as he moved towards Yang, who tilted the sunglasses down, looking at him.
"Ooh, looks like you've made my little sister wet, Jaune." A giggle came from Ruby as she grabbed his arm, looking at him for a moment.
"He gives me happy feelings, Yang. We're going to be boyfriend and girlfriend soon. I just have to convince Weiss!"
'No. Not with you.'
He looked at Yang, giving her a smile. She needed the encouragement to be happier. She'd been sad and it'd all been because of him. She'd cried because he'd been stupid and he couldn't understand her feelings at all.
"Well... Until that time's here, I'd like my boyfriend to give me a good rub-up."
Those proud breasts stood there for his eyes to see, as she licked her lips slowly, letting her gaze rest on him for a moment, teasing with an expression. A bottle appeared in her hands suddenly, picked up from somewhere, as his gaze had rested on her expression.
Fingers slid over the bottle, dragging slowly.
"Come on, Jaune... Squirt that white stuff on this gorgeous body."
He'd seen porno's. Imagining Yang like that was... nice. He tried not to react, as he tried to take the bottle. The moment their fingers touched, she let go of it. His other hand caught it, as her fingers wrapped around his hand, taking it.
"Hmm... Good touch, Jaune."
He pulled his hand free, aware that she was probably just teasing him, his hand squirting a glob of the sunscreen in his handpalm, rubbing it together.
"Put it on me, Jaune... I want that goo all over me."
She smelled nice, as he rubbed it against her stomach, slowly caressing those hard abdominal muscles, Yang's breathing a little louder, as he worked slowly over the skin. Ruby was already getting comfortable on her own pool chair, rubbing sunscreen into her skin.
"Bit higher, Jaune."
She said, as he stopped at the base of her breasts. He looked at her and then raised his hand, to go for her neck. She grabbed his hand and then pushed it under her bikini top, letting him feel a round full tit in his palm.
"Now... slowly rub it into the skin."
A soft pant came from her lips, as she looked at him with those eyes that judged him. It was just pretending, she said. He slowly worked the flesh, noticing the hard nipple that pressed against his palm.
"That's a good boyfriend..."
She was flushed, but it was all an act. She couldn't be enjoying this, because he didn't have feelings. The warmth of her flesh was like a warm fire, as she looked at him with eyes that hid secrets and thoughts.
He switched to her other breast, the fabric distorting due to his hand, having added a little more sunscreen to his fingers. The nipple was hard against his palm as he stroked over it, a low guttural sound coming from her throat, her breathing heavier.
"G-Good."
She looked at him, and then he felt a tug. He turned around to see Ruby, sans top. A smaller set, smaller than her mother's, pinkish nipples exposed to the air.
"Do me too!"
Yang's face fell slightly, as she closed her eyes.
"You heard her, Jaune. Do her too."
He massaged the breasts, though with Ruby, there wasn't that near-electric touch, that little hint of something more. The blissful look on Ruby's face was something that was nearly angelic, but he knew that she wasn't a very good friend at this moment. He didn't feel comfortable around her. Weiss didn't deserve to be around him, she didn't like him at all.
That was freeing in its own way to realize. If he could just ignore Weiss, everyone would be happier. Ruby would like to be with Weiss, Yang would like to be with Blake and he would be alone, maybe with Summer.
Ruby slipped her bikini top back down, looking at him with a smile on her face as she went to her pool chair and settled in, humming a light tune.
"Want me to rub you in, Jaune?"
Yang's voice came from close by, her eyes glinting with the light of the sun. She was like the sun, warm and kind. She cared a lot and was defensive of her friends.
"Please."
He said, taking a seat on another chair. It was important to give girls their space, as he sat there. Feeling Yang's hands on his back rubbing the cold lotion into his skin made him feel tingly, as she exhaled slowly.
"I can see why mom keeps you around. You've got quite the muscles below the skin, Jaune."
He was one of the strongest people at his own home. They just had him open up the pickle jars and other stuff, because dad's fingers were a little injured from something, so his grip wasn't as strong with a twisting motion.
"Your mother said that she'd make me into someone who'd be respectable."
He said, attributing the growth to Yang's mother. He had certainly felt the pressure on his muscles, Summer's exercises being tougher than Yang's.
"Yeah... Mom's good with that."
Yang's voice was soft, Sandy striding out of the house on some slippers. Not quite Summer's size, but the look that she gave to him and Yang was one that was disgusted. The comment Yang had made must've struck her harder. "Mom always told me that I was the chief of the house when she wasn't there. Take care of Ruby, make sure things are safe..." There was a wistful tone in her voice, as Yang's voice was barely higher than a whisper, as Sandy sat down, opening up the paper.
"Your mother is smart."
Yang's expression wasn't visible to him, but she chuckled softly.
"She cares for you too, y'know? I think she sees some parts of dad in you. A strong man, protecting us."
He could imagine that. He'd rather die than to let anything happen to his family.
"You're strong too."
He said, and he felt Yang's head brush against the back of his, a soft whistling in his ears.
"Not as strong as I would like."
She said, as her hands continued to move after having fallen silent. "Even I can be weak and girly, Jaune."
He shook his head. "You're stronger than me. You are the prettiest girl in this house."
It was the truth. Summer had that charm around her, but Yang was the prize of the show. She made him feel better than Summer had by sheer presence and he felt guilt go through him at those feelings and sensations, the guilt that seemed to curl and twist inside his belly as well. It wasn't the easy guilt, nor was it the hard guilt that one got when you saw injustice being done... but it was a guilty feeling that he felt because he shouldn't feel like this.
'I think I like you more than like allows.'
"Weiss wouldn't like to hear that..." Yang said, her tone wistful.
"My boyfriend making comments about how I'm the prettiest one would make Snow White shriek."
He wasn't her boyfriend, but she acted like a girlfriend. The kiss of earlier played through his mind and he turned his head to look at her. She looked into his eyes with that spark in hers that just made him get thoughts that were un-autistic. He wanted to kiss her, just as he'd kissed Summer. He wanted to look into those eyes for as long as he could, because it just made him feel happy.
"Jaune?"
Her voice spoke his name and the pain in his chest was stronger now, her fingers running a circle over his skin. She smiled, even as her eyes looked at him with a warmth that made the sun feel cold. If this was the feeling of what it was like to have a girlfriend, then he'd want to feel that feeling every day.
"Yang?"
He spoke her name, a shiver going through her body. She looked like she was going to say something, but her eyes never left his. Her hands turned him around and then pulled him closer, her lips pressing against his own suddenly, as the kiss came and he felt stunned by the intensity.
"My boyfriend deserves something for being cute."
She said, though her eyes flickered to Sandy. He could understand that, and he kissed her lightly. Their lips parted entirely too soon as she just breathed in and out. The tube of sunscreen was squirted on his stomach as her fingers brushed up and down over the muscles that were present.
"Now roll onto your front, Jaune..."
She said it with direction, as he gave a low grunting sound to affirm that, and then rolled on his back. He felt her fingers rub over his lower back, rubbing the sunscreen into his skin, straddling his back. She was warm, she felt warm and her fingers massaged his back slowly. It was a feeling that he liked.
"Good boy..."
A cough from the side came and he turned his head.
"Do you kids want a drink?"
The sour-faced woman asked, looking at Yang with a look that his oldest sister had described on another woman as 'cold-faced jealousy', though he wasn't sure why it meant that he'd be chasing after other cats. Since when did men chase cats?
"Gimme a coke, please."
Yang's words were light and on the surface, not giving the woman the attention that she'd get from her. "What do you want, Jaune?"
"I'd like a Pepsi, please."
It was a soft tone of voice that he used. He didn't want to offend someone by being too rude. You'd better speak softly and carry a big gun... Or was it a stick?
"And you, Ruby?" The sweet tone of voice that the woman used didn't fit her expression, even as Ruby's excited little sound made Yang flinch a little. "Pepsi, second mom!" He caught the faux expression on the woman's face, the faked caring and forced cheer and felt happy for a moment that Ruby didn't bother herself with such things. Ruby would be happy all the time thanks to her kindness and her joy for life.
"She's such a dear, isn't she?"
Taiyang spoke up as the man sauntered in, squeezing his new wife's side, the woman flushing a little. Yang's expression wasn't the happiest, as the woman smiled.
"She is a dear, Tai."
There was a softness in the voice that told him that the woman was lying. It was a tone that everyone used when they lied. They could speak words and they'd lie at everything. He'd commented on the politicians more than once, speaking about the democratic presidential candidate, some 'Triumph' guy. At least that man didn't seem to lie too much, though his sister had commented about the guy being mentally unfit to drive. He didn't mind that too much though. At least it was better than that Republican Harmony Clitton. She'd been indicted for giving boys looks that were 'bad', but nothing had come of it.
When they were in the car on the trip back, Yang spoke up after pulling over after having left the driveway, her white shirt not hiding the bikini that she wore below, not having changed much from her swimming gear, the sun fading slowly in the distance.
"Want to drive a little? I think it's a bit still before you're due home and... I'd like to show you something."
He nodded, a smile on her lips. With the car's engine rumbling like a good engine should, they continued, driving further into the woods, coming to a spacious area that had a wonderful view. The lights of Vale could be seen in the distance, as she parked the car, getting out of the car. He followed after her.
"I like coming here to think. Mom and I used to do this when Ruby was young and still in school... Different classes, due to me being two and a half years older..." She gazed at him and he stared back.
"Funny, I never thought about it until I-"
She paused, looking at him and then looking a little saddened for the moment. He didn't know why she was sad.
"Don't be sad."
He tried to make her cheer up a little, and she looked like she wanted to say something but faltered, sitting down in a comfortable patch of grass, just looking at the distant lights.
"Come on, take a seat. Let's just... Sit."
She leaned against him, her hair brushing against his side, a light fluttering of the heartstrings inside him. Her eyes looked into the distance.
"I never took her here."
She started to speak, as she took a deep breath. "She is a great girl, but... I never took her here."
She'd said it as if it was a sad thing. He watched her and wondered whether it was something he should feel sad about.
"Didn't think it right, not yet. We're..."
She looked at him and then shivered, his arm wrapping tighter around her. Her hand rested on his chest and she breathed in.
"I didn't want to take her here yet. I didn't feel... right."
He could understand that, as he looked into the distance. He brushed his fingers over her back, as she inhaled deeply through her nose. Her breathing was a little louder now, as she seemed to try to get herself under control. Blake had not been nice.
"She was wrong."
He said. His gaze went to the flickering lights in the distance, seeing them pop on and off.
"Who?" Yang asked, and he wondered about that as well. Was he talking about Cinder?
'Cinder was wrong and yet right.'
"Blake. I would never do such a thing to anyone, the least of all you."
He didn't want to look at her. If she looked at him with horror in her eyes, he would shatter and break. He didn't want to feel like that.
"You're someone who makes me happy."
He said it, not even intending to say it. It was a secret, something that he felt inside of him.
"O-Oh. Oh."
She made a strange sound and he didn't look at her. That was probably disgust, pity or something else, as she'd undoubtedly find him disgusting for even voicing such a thought. Retards didn't dare to be happy with the people who were better than them, because that would get them erased from history.
"You're like a flame that makes the day brighter for Ruby. She looks up to you and she likes it when you pay her attention. I like you because you're making me feel wonderful whenever you're around."
They were alone here. He could say it, he could be brave and say what he thought. He didn't want to look at her, but he should be honest. Honesty was the best thing. She swallowed, heavily.
'No, I don't think that we're friends now. I said things that'd be bad. Cinder said that I'd never find love, that she'd make sure that I die when I go to prison. I don't want to leave you alone, I don't want your sister to be alone, or my family.'
"That's sweet, Jaune."
Rejection, with the quiver of her tone. She sounded like she was going to cry, but he wouldn't look at her. Seeing her cry would make him feel sad, because he'd hurt her. Why had he said that? Why had he been so stupid as to say something like that?
She hugged him, and he didn't look at her, as her head brushed against him.
"It's just pretending. I'm with Blake, I'm with Blake."
He stroked over her hair, her head rubbing against him, and it felt alright. She needed this. He'd messed up again.
"It's just pretending, I'm..."
She started to cry, and he just held her, watching the lights flicker on as the sun slowly sank away and the purplish hues turned to starlight. She'd stopped crying, but he hadn't let go. She felt warm and pleasant in his arms, but this was as far as it would go, he knew. It was just pretending, after all. She'd said that she was just pretending.
'This is okay.'
"Why does your stepmother not like Ruby?"
He asked aloud, trying to make her not think about the hard things like acting like his girlfriend would.
"She's... She's not able to get a baby yet. Dad and her have been trying, last I heard, but it hasn't taken yet." There was a pause as she looked up at him, her hair in her face.
"Do you..." She trailed off, her eyes looking into his for the longest period, her eyes trying to connect with him, the faint whisper soft as she stopped mid-sentence, swallowing softly.
"Would you have given Blake a baby?"
She whispered, softly. She sounded like her mother, fragile and yet brittle. "If she'd asked."
'No. That's for something between couples.'
Blake and Yang wouldn't get a baby between them, they were both girls, but with someone to give a donation, it would be achievable. It was not something that he thought about, though he knew that Adrian was a baby.
"If you would be happy with it. She can want a lot, but if it hurts you, I wouldn't let her. She was wrong for suggesting that too. You don't deserve to be treated like that. She's-"
He paused, as he'd overstepped his bounds. He'd talked about a relationship that was not his business.
"Go on, Jaune."Yang's voice was soft, her hand rubbing over his back.
He felt bolder, as she spoke to him with that confidence in her voice.
"It isn't right to look at someone else when you're with someone you love. I don't like it, I don't think she's good for you. She wants more than you can give and she's hurting you. I know I'm not capable of feeling emotions very well but that's wrong."
She just remained very quiet. She seemed to think. He did that too, when he needed to reach a decision. She didn't seem to bright anymore.
"We should head back, before it's too late."
She said, her eyes doubtful as she rolled her shoulders. He felt like he should say something. She deserved better, even if that was a wrong thought.
"I'll be your friend for as long as you want me to be your friend. I'm not going to give up on you."
He said. She looked at him and then closed her eyes. She sighed deeply, and he could see an expression flit across her face in the half-darkness.
"Thank you, Jaune."
The quiet of the place was making their steps awkwardly loud, her body turning towards the car. The rustling of the grass around them was a symphony of sounds as he heard her whisper something, his ears attuned to the silence enough to hear that whisper.
"I'd like to stop pretending..."
She wasn't speaking to him, he knew, but he knew what she meant. She wanted to be with Blake again, this was undoubtedly something that was hard on her. Fighting against love was an impossible battle, because she'd never like him like that.
She whispered something even lower, muffled by the rustling of her feet through the high grass. She was a bright shade of yellow against a dark background, her head turning around in the shadows as she looked at him, a faint smile on her lips that looked very sad, just like her mother's smile at those moments when she needed a hug.
"Get in, Jaune. Time to get you home and me... too." He did as she asked.
She'd never be his girlfriend, and he'd understand perfectly if she just wanted him to stop pretending to be her boyfriend. She hadn't asked him to stop yet, so he would continue. Summer had asked him to keep them safe and sound. He would do that.
She remained silent until she pulled over, the light on the dashboard casting her face in a faint light, as the overhead light flickered on, her hand on his shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow at eight, Jaune. Let's pick up where we left off. Have..."
She paused, though he didn't know why. She looked sad for a moment, as she looked at him and then seemed to come to a conclusion.
"Have a good night, Jaune."
Her smile lit up her face, as he smiled back at her. She looked conflicted again, complicated emotions that he didn't fully feel.
"Sleep well, Yang. Please don't cry. You're too pretty to cry about someone like me making a mess of your life."
He saw the stunned look on her face, as she undoubtedly had hoped he wouldn't have noticed or heard. He knew that he was just a nuisance, that he was someone who needed to be put down like an animal, but...
Yang shouldn't cry. It wasn't allowed to happen, especially not by him. She should smile and laugh and be happy. He would make sure that Summer came back and saw Ruby and Yang at least somewhat happy. He wasn't the best with those things, but he would try his best to make them smile, even if Ruby asked uncomfortable things.
He entered his house after shutting the door of the car, Yang just looking at him, an expression on her face that he couldn't place, but it was complex and she just looked at him. Entering through the front door he could hear the news on, hearing about the search for Mister Frank, with several hints about mob-related killings in the news anchor's voice.
'Mister Frank was a good man.'
He hoped that the man was alright. Summer would be back soon. Everything would be alright.
Writing an autistic perspective is a challenge. I hope people like it though. Any comments on it would be appreciated, because not every autistic individual is the same. Jaune misses a lot of the social cues that people give, or just misinterprets them. Ruby is decidedly different. I'd like to hear thoughts on how they act and whether it's accurate... or at least, somewhat relatable. I try my best.
About Mr. Frank: Check chapter 6, note who Jaune's father's superior was. Francis Castiglione. Those who know a little bit about comic book 'heroes' know about him. Frank Castle is also an alias used. There also was a cameo of a certain eyepatch-wearing director of SHIELD. The comic book version, yes.
Leave a review if you'd like to! I always enjoy reading people's opinions on the happenings in the story!
