It had been a week already, and still, they'd hardly gotten a word out of Nora nor Ren. Jaune was actually beginning to wonder if they couldn't speak, though even he had to admit that was silly. He wasn't the most perceptive person when it came to feelings, okay he was pretty dense, growing up with a lot of sisters did that to a guy. But, even he could tell something was wrong, his parents still hadn't told him what had happened, though they had apparently mentioned it to Rouge and Saphron if their gentle care of the new duo was anything to go by.

Still, Jaune knew it wasn't his place to pry, instead he opted for a simple approach. He would often times sit near them, not next to them, no he'd make sure to give them space. He noticed that when anyone but his parents approached originally they'd flinch, so he studied how close he could get. To his amazement though, he was able to get just a bit closer each day, and soon he was sure they'd let him sit next to them.

The two had been stationed in his room, since he was originally the only boy he thankfully had a room to himself. Which allotted him the most space, and room for another bed. His parents had no problems letting the two sleep together, they recognized that they needed one another.

Slowly; Jaune closed the door to his room, it was always around this time of night when the two would break down. The strong facade they put up no longer able to hold up as weariness began to take hold. He slowly made his way to the dining room, however he stopped once he heard hushed voices.

His father Charles spoke first, "I think we need to train them." That was a surprise.

Though Jaune didn't know the context, he was pretty sure he could piece together what they were talking about. While his family had originally been a family of Warriors, his parents had opted for peace after their retirement, refusing to train any of their children. It wasn't what they wanted, they didn't want their children to risk their lives in this dangerous world. Jaune himself, had taken issue with this, he wanted to be a hero! He wanted to be the one to save the damsel in distress, the hero who was cheered by the masses.

"I... I don't know, I'm just so scared. It's dangerous out there, I just don't want them to get hurt." His mother Jeanne was the next to speak. Her voice was ragged, and desperate. They must've been having this conversation for a while now.

"I know that, I know we agreed not to train them! But... you saw what happened to that village! If... if they had more huntsmen, or more people that could fight it could have been prevented." His father paused, his breathe short and from creaking that Jaune could hear, his fist must have been pressed firmly against their wooden table. "We... we never know what could happen. What if we're not here anymore?"

This thought, this one thought caused Jaune to seize up. He couldn't imagine a world with out his parents, with out his sisters.

"I... I look at Ren and Nora, and I can't help but see our own children. This world is cruel, it's hateful. Maybe we were wrong, we wont' always be here after all." He paused again, Jaune could hear heavy breathing.

"Yes..." His mother's tone was morbid, she must have come to a horrible conclusion. "I refuse to put our children through that. We'll start..." She paused once more, "Ren and Nora too... they only have us now. Ren lost his family, and gods knows what happened to Nora's or if she even had one to start with."

Okay, so once again, Jaune was dense, but even he could piece together what had happened. His right hand clutched his chest, his heart beat becoming rapid. He was already in terrible pain imagining something happening to his family, but Ren and Nora, they DID lose theirs.

He dropped all forms of subtlety, turning around he dashed back, he could barely make out the startled sounds of his parents as he made his way into his room.

There they were, still crying and huddled together, too caught in their grief to notice Jaune close the door behind him. Slowly he approached them, his presence still unknown to them. As he reached the bed, they began to shift, though this time they didn't flinch away. He took this opportunity to gently wrap his arms around them, as he did the first time they met.

He could feel them flinch underneath his touch, but they didn't make any effort to move away.

What was wrong with him? He wanted to be some kind of hero, some kind of glory hog? No that wasn't what he needed to be, he'd be a hero, but not all heroes needed fame. No he'd protect those around him, he refused to let Nora and Ren go through whatever it was they went through again. He refused to put his parents through that, his sisters, he would protect everyone in his reach. He would defend those that needed it, he'd be a shield.

Soon, he began to tear up, though oddly the tears which flowed from Ren and Nora stopped. "I promise... I promise I'll be here for both you. I'll protect you."

And then, for the first time since they had arrived, Jaune heard them speak, their voices low.

"Thank you."

And with that, the trio began to doze off to sleep, ya, he'd protect them. They were family now.

Unbeknownst to them, the Arc parents watched silently from the doorway. Soft smiles on their faces, they too would do what it takes to protect their children.