Glynda was exhausted. It was ridiculous. She was a Huntress for brother's sake! In her younger years she had often stayed up late into the night on watch, fought grimm through the night and into the next day. Now as a teacher oftentimes she would stay up late going over last minute lesson plan changes, grading papers, add on top of all that her duties as a deputy headmistress and her life was packed. But still none of that had prepared her for the duty of being a mother.
It had been a full month since she adopted him, and now she sat in her living room at 3am bags under her eyes and exhaustion in her brain. Jaune struggled to sleep through the night. She felt this might be related to the kind of faunus he was, as a Hyena he might be more naturally adept to the night. Or maybe it was just a coincidence. Oftentimes she would be forced to wake at all hours of the night and rock him back to sleep. She couldn't help but sigh as she watched some late night program while gently cradling her baby in her arms. Of course she didn't have the sound on so as to not disturb him, but she needed something to do while coaxing him back to sleep. She had his paci in his mouth and she could tell he was starting to drift off. But putting him back in his crib was an art, if she put him back in too soon after he fell asleep he would wake up and start crying again, if she waited too long the sudden movement would also wake him up. She had to be perfectly timed when he could still be moved, but wouldn't wake up.
Currently she shared a room with him, while she had the room to give him his own room in the future when he was older, for now his cradle was at the end of her own bed. She told herself this was for convenience since it would be easier to get to him in the middle of the night if he needed her. But if she was more honest it was because she was terrified to be away from him, she loved him far too much to let anything get to him before going though her.
All the thoughts of the world's dangers weighed heavy on her mind at times like this. The times when all was quiet and it was only her and him. She started watching tv at times like this so as to not let her mind wander too far. But she couldn't help it, she watched his sweet little face as his pacifier fell from his mouth. She could just see the already sharp teeth inside, she couldn't change the fact. Her son was a Faunus. Of course to her that didn't matter, she loved him regardless. But the world wouldn't be quite so kind to her baby boy, it was a painful fact she would have to live with. Too many people held onto frankly archaic ideals that humans were in some way superior to Faunus.
They would hate her son not for anything other than the fact his teeth were different from theirs. To Glynda his teeth only made him more beautiful, unique, and wonderful. She refused to let her son believe he was anything less than equal to anyone else. She realistically knew she couldn't always be there for him, yet she couldn't bear the thought of the world telling her boy he was nothing but an animal. She could only hope for the best, and while he was still under her care she would protect him fiercely. And anyone who dared to point their prejudice at him, would face the full wrath of the Witch of Vale.
Sturred from her thoughts she felt the little boy… Her little boy snuggled closer to her with a quiet and content sigh. She could only smile, despite how tired he made her, she wouldn't trade moments like this for anything in the world. She softly picked up his paci and smiled seeing the little teeth marks on it. As gently as she could, she got up and slowly made her way to her room. On her way she didn't turn on any lights. Sudden changes of brightness would cause discomfort for her eyes, but for Jaune it could damage them since his naturally adjusted for the night to take in as much light as possible.
Entering her room a little dim night light clicked on detecting her motion. It gave her enough light to see the room and lay Jaune down in his Crib. Glynda was never very good with affection, yet Jaune brought something out in her. She kissed her baby's head and whispered
"Goodnight Jaune, I love you."
She could have sworn that at that moment she saw him smile. But he was only a baby and she was probably just tired.
Thankfully Jaune slept through the rest of the night allowing Glynda to catch up on a little sleep. And in the morning when it was time for her to wake up, surprisingly she was the first to wake up. She got up and showered, she was more than prepared to jump out if she heard even the smallest whimper. Once she finished she got out and dressed for the day. That meant yoga pants, a loose sweater, and a high ponytail in place of her usual bun. She was still currently only a stay at home mom. That would change the next day though. After that her maternity leave was over. She would be sure to savor this day with her son.
Walking back out into her room, she made her way to the cradle. Looking down at her sleeping son she could only smile. It was such a shame to wake him, he was very cute while sleeping. Though she had to wake him up, otherwise he wouldn't sleep that night. Reaching down she gently picked him up. As expected the boy wasn't all too pleased to be awoken and began to cry.
"Awww poor baby." she cooed cradling him to her chest, gently bouncing him gently and softly patting his back. "I know honey, it's so hard to wake up in the morning. But you have to wake up now or mummy will never get you to sleep tonight."
She rocked him around kissing his forehead and cooing at him, and soon he calmed down. She brought him to the kitchen and began heating up a bottle for him, setting him down in a little baby bouncer she went about collecting her own breakfast. A half a grapefruit would do for herself. She ate while waiting for the bottle to heat up. She occasionally took the bottle from the heat and touched it to her lips making sure it wouldn't get too hot.
She turned back to her baby and watched amused as he moved his little arms around.
"Look at you, what a big boy." she coos gently taking hold of his small hands "trying to figure these things out huh?" In response he just made happy little baby sounds.
"I know, they're very hard to master." she says with a smile bringing the little fingers to her lips kissing them. "Even Mummy can't use them right sometimes." She kissed his nose and returned to check on his bottle. This was definitely a side no one else would ever see, at school she had a reputation to uphold. She was a strict disciplinarian and her very presence demanded respect. But at home when it was just her and Jaune she was free to spoil her little boy with all the affection he deserved. After all, she couldn't help but adore him.
Giving him his bottle she was happy to see him eagerly finish the bottle. That was good, the doctor said at his last checkup he would hopefully begin to grow in weight within the next few weeks. It was good that he had an appetite if he didn't then it would be concerning. After she finished feeding him, of course she burped him and eventually changed his diaper. After that she simply sat on the couch making faces at him trying to make him smile, she enjoyed playing with him. But she was rudely interrupted in the middle of a round of peek-a-boo. With a sigh she put him in his bouncer again and went to answer the door that was currently having its bell rung by a maniac.
She wasn't stupid of course and grabbed her weapon before looking though the peep hole on her door. At that moment her heart froze. Every worst fear had come to pass in that moment and she was horrified. What stood outside her door was something she would never wish even on her worst enemy.
"Helllooooo!!! Glynda!!!!! Let your dear mummy in!!!!" the woman on the other side said in her overly cheerful sing-song voice. That was right… It was her mother. Circe Goodwitch.
Circe Goodwitch stood in the hallway, she was a tall willowy woman slightly taller than Glynda actually. Long blond hair tied in a tight braided bun, her eyes a stunning green. Her skin is as pale as her daughter's though her age showing a few wrinkles. Her apparel as eccentric as always. Well mostly, she wore a simple pair of black combat worthy pants, a button up red shirt with golden buttons, and blue heeled boots. While the colors were a bit odd the outfit itself was fairly normal. But the eccentric parts were her coat and weapon. Her coat was primarily white, but the designs were the mindblowing part. Hundreds of red rose designs with golden stems. All interconnecting. It would be hard to not notice her in a crowd. And her weapon, it was an umbrella. Not a parasol, if you called it a parasol to Circe's face she would most likely stab you.
"A Parasol is for some prudish rich girl who can't handle the sun not a weapon" she would say
The umbrella shared the same design as her coat but was instead primarily black. The handle of the umbrella was not curved, instead it had a tsuba a few inches from the end. The blade of the chokuto concealed nicely in the umbrella.
Reluctantly opening the door, Glynda was immediately embraced by her energetic Mother. Circe Goodwitch was nothing like her daughter. She was wild and energetic, a Huntress by trade zoologist, and archaeologist by hobby. Growing up in the Goodwitch home was certainly interesting. Her mother is a crazy woman constantly going on adventures bringing back new and exotic animals both alive and dead from each trip. She was lucky she grew up on a ranch otherwise no home could support the sheer amount of animals they had. It was basically a zoo.
With her mother gone quite often on a new hunt or expedition, Glynda was primarily raised by her father Merlin Goodwitch hence why she never truly picked up her mother's heavy Argus accent. He was a retired Hunter medic. Nothing like her mother at all Glynda took after him, typically quiet, well mannered, stern but fair. Her father was her hero, yet sadly he passed away a few years ago. After that her mother stopped going on so many expeditions and managed to build a healthy relationship with her daughter. Though Glynda was still not used to her mother's chaotic personality.
"And how is my darling Daughter?" Circe asked, pulling back from the hug looking her daughter over. "You look simply glowing my darling, have you finally snagged yourself a man?"
Glynda rolled her eyes, but in a way she wasn't wrong. There was a very important boy in her life now.
"I'm fine mother, and you really must stop asking me about my love life. I'm perfectly happy with my relationship status as is."
"Oh come now Glynda, surely you must be lonely out here in Vale all by your lonesome. And besides, you're not going to like hearing this. But I'm your mummy isn't getting any younger. And I do so wish to hear the pitter patter of little feet upon the ground when I come to visit."
"Mother…" Glynda says with a sigh before Circe cuts her off again.
"Glynda dear, what about that Atlas General you've told me of. He's handsome enough isn't he? You would make lovely children." Circe said her face lighting up
"Mother!" Glynda says scandalized. Perhaps at one time she might have considered it, but not now. He was just a trusted friend now.
"What!? I'm right, you would make adorable children… if not stern looking ones." she says with a playful smile.
"I'm not having this conversation with you." Glynda says rubbing her temples. "Besides I have other re-" she starts
"Oh hush now dear, aren't you going to invite your dear mummy inside? After all, I came all the way to Vale looking for you at Beacon, only to have that headmaster of yours tell me you moved out into the city. At first I was of course concerned you quit, that being the only explanation for you leaving since only a fool would fire the witch of Vale." her mother begins not letting Glynda continue while slipping past her daughter into the apartment. "The witch of Vale, aah I remember what they used to call me, Kitsune it was. Ah oh to be young again." she says strutting into Glynda's house casually tossing her umbrella and coat onto a chair.
Taking a look around the room she . Her inspection however was quickly interrupted when she stepped on something that squeaked.
"Oh what's this?" she said with surprise bending down and picking up the little stuffed animal, a little tiger.
"Thats-" Glynda started accepting it from her mother's hand.
"Glynda, I had thought you had grown out of such things," Circe says with a teasing grin, "Or perhaps you've gotten a small furry companion? Has my love for animals finally been inherited by my little girl!?" she continues grabbing her daughter's arms happily.
With a frustrated sigh Glynda rubs her forehead, she would never understand what brought her father and mother together, polar opposites.
"No, I do not have any furry companions mother. If you would let me finish speaking I would happily explain who's toy that is."
"Oh sorry darling, it's just been a few months since i've been around actual people." Circe says with a giggle. Of course Glynda knew that, after all it wasn't like she was actually trying to keep Jaune from her knowledge. Her mother still had the bad habit of dropping off the face of Remnant for months on one of her expeditions. But she was admittedly getting better about not doing that.
"Yes Mother I know. As I was saying I do have someone here I believe you should be introduced to." she says, turning to the kitchen.
"AH! So it is a man!" Circe says joyously.
"No Mother…" she says, picking up her little bundle of joy. She walked back to the living room, and the look on her mother's face told her everything. Her eyes wide, mouth agape. "Mother, I would like to formally introduce you two, This is Jaune. He is your grandson." she says with a smile holding her little boy out slightly to show Circe his face.
"WHAT!?" Circe yelled after a few seconds. The loud sound startled Jaune, while not having an extra set of ears like other faunus, his were still very sensitive. The little boy started to cry as Glynda held his head against her chest, careful to cover his ears before glaring at her mother. But before she could scold her Circe was already there scooping little Jaune out of Glynda's arms.
"Oh oh my darling little boy, Nan is sorry. You just surprised her my dear. Come now, quiet down for me love." she says rocking the roughly 3 month old back and forth in a gentle and soothing way. Soon all that was heard was small sniffling and whimpers. "That's it dear, I'm sorry dear. But in all fairness would it have killed you to inform your dear mummy you were even pregnant? How the bloody hell did you even hide this from me? Even when you don't wear that school attire of yours I would have to be daft to no notice." she reprimands.
"Mother, if you would let me explain instead of just jumping to conclusions" Glynda says exasperated.
"We shall start with that then. But first would you be a dear and fix us a nice cup of tea? But none of that Atlas rubbish, I swear everything from that frozen wasteland tastes like some dirt has been rubbed into it."
"Fine, yes of course mother." Glynda says she would give her mother some of the good mistral tea she had, but nothing but a hot toddy would help her get through this visit.
After fixing their respective drinks, she returned to find her mother adoring her Grandson. She sat on the couch blowing raspberries on his stomach.
"Here mother," she says, placing the tea on the coffee table before sitting next to the older woman.
"Thank you darling," she says, adjusting her hold on Jaune so she could take a sip of the tea while still holding him. With a satisfied hum she speaks again "of all the things you inherited from him i'm glad you gained your daddy's tea making skills," she chuckles "To think a native of Vacuo knew anything about tea."
"He always said a good cup of tea beats even the finest whiskies." Glynda says with a smile thinking of her late father.
"Yes, I do believe he was addicted to the stuff." Circe smiles "But now back to the point. This little one in my hands. Who is the father dear? What filth must I skin alive for abandoning you two." she says a cold glare on her face.
"Mother, hand me my baby!" she says disterbed that her mother's first choice was violence. Especially while holding Jaune. Circe reluctantly gave Jaune to Glynda and sat back with the dark look still on her face. If anyone had seen an angry Glynda next to an angry Circe they would definitely know where she got it from.
"You haven't answered the question darling." she hisses "what daft little bitch would walk away from a gorgeous woman and a beautiful baby boy. If he thinks he can get away with it, I'll make sure the fool spends eternity in his own nightmares."
"Calm down mother, there was no man." she says rolling her eyes, her mother was much too chaotic. "I found Jaune while on a mission." She then tells her mother the entire tale of how she came to be Jaune's mother.
"I see," Circe says, taking a sip of her tea and reflecting on all her daughter had told her. "How unfortunate. I do find it truly distasteful what humans are capable of." she says with a sigh, "You would think with the grimm killing us by the hundreds we wouldn't assist them by doing their job for them."
Glynda shakes her head in silent agreement.
"But while the circumstances of it are distasteful, I'm very pleased this little one is now part of your life. I must admit you look quite natural holding him." Circe says with a smile looking at her daughter cuddling her grandson, "While I may have not been the greatest of parents… I can tell you with certainty your father would be so proud if he saw you now."
"Thank you Mummy." Glynda said softly, the complement meaning more than her mother could ever know.
"Now then dear. If you would be so kind, let me hold my grandson."
After their conversation mother and daughter spend a few hours talking and adoring the little boy. Before long it was lunchtime and they ate together. After which a new topic of conversation came up.
"So dear, you never really answered me about Beacon. Did you leave it to be a full time Mother?" she asks bouncing Jaune's toy tiger over him pretending it was dancing.
"No, I didn't leave Mother, I was simply granted a longer than usual maternity leave to get Jaune all settled."
"Oh, then when are you returning dear? Surely you're not moving back to the school dorms anytime soon."
"No, we'll live here until Jaune is old enough to safely live at Beacon. But I'm returning to work tomorrow." she says finishing washing the dishes from their meal.
"Oh how grand, then you'll need a sitter, yes?" she asks with a bright smile on her face.
"Thanks for the offer, but I already have a daycare arranged." she says feeling a little guilty as Circe's face drops. "Had I known you would be around and willing, I would have happily let you care for him." Glynda says with a sigh.
"Hmm, perhaps I should move to Vale then dear. Then you can end this silly daycare rubbish and let him bond with his loving nan." she says with a smile reforming on her face. Glynda sweatdropped.
"Surely there is no need for that. After all, who will take in all of your pets?" Glynda counters
"Oh come now dear. I'm not such a young lady anymore, it's about time I find new homes for my pets anyways. I would rather see them off happy than sad and tormented when I can no longer care for them. " she says, becoming more engrossed with her idea.
"But what about your digs and adventures?" Glynda tries
"Same thing applies dear. Unfortunately soon I'll be unable to hold off the Grimm like I used to. And I'd rather not have some young tag along steal all my glory."
Glynda panics a little. She loved her mother, she truly did. But their visits were already chaotic enough, she didn't need them to increase daily.
"In fact I might as well go looking for real estate right now." he mother says giving Glynda Jaune and in a hurried pace retrieving her coat and umbrella "Ta ta my darlings I'll be sure to keep you updated on my living situation!" she calls happily before closing the door behind her.
Glynda simply faces palms. Seriously, how was she related to that woman.
Later that night Glynda had prepared both herself and Jaune for bed, she was gently rocking him in her arms. The little boy obviously tired as he gave a tiny toothy yawn. She smiles and kisses his forehead.
"You've had quite the exciting day haven't you?" she asks smiling as he yawns again "I know your Nan is a lot to take in. but give her a chance. She's really not so bad when you get to know her."
Jaune makes a cute little sound and reaches his little hand out. Glynda takes it and smiles as the little digits wrap around her much larger finger. As he begins to nod off she sets him in his crib. Tonight she knew he was tired enough that he wouldn't make a fuss.
"Good night Jaune. Mummy loves you." she whispers, flicking the already dimmed lights off with her semblance. With that she crawls into her own bed, equally as tired from her mother's visit. Before she nods off herself a few finally thoughts go through her head.
Tomorrow she will return to Beacon… It would be her first full day without Jaune in a month.
She fell asleep already dreading the next day.
A/N: Hey there. It's me! I'm alive!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for not updating… anything actually in a while but life is life and it's busy. Anyways I hope you liked this chapter as it's more of what this fic will look like from here on out. Mostly fluff. I'm gonna do it where there will be a few chapters that are at the same age, then skip a few years and repeat. I hope that makes sense. I hope yall leave a fav, and a review. I'll be honest, those are what make me write more. I like hearing what you guys have to say. So until next time Aqua out! Wait nevermind Syke! If anyone noticed I deleted a few fics I didn't see going anywhere. So just expect me to replace them with different stories sometime in the future. Thanks! Have a good life, be good people.