A few weeks had past since Jaune had finally buried the hatchet and got back together with his previous girlfriends, not counting Weiss for reasons he completely understood. It was now a normal sight for teams RWBY and JNPR to head down to, what was known to most of the school now as, Rien's place after classes. Which did bring up many questions to the student body and the professors that were not aware of it being Jaune under the mask.
He had to make up an excuse for that when he was asked to give another lecture about the information he had learned from his battle with the last Draco. He originally didn't want to do it, mostly out of not having too much information, but he did it, nonetheless. Which was when some of the students started to ask him about why the two teams kept going to his place. He easily lied by saying that Ozpin had asked them to help him out when it came to the possible extermination of Drakes and Dracos. Which the eight easily agreed since he wasn't technically lying. Who else was Ozpin going to send to help him out on those missions with them now knowing how involved Salem was with them?
The lecture went with him showing them a holographic image of the Draco he fought and pointing out the two energy based attacks it had used along with revealing that the only weak point that the Draco had carried on from its Drake state was the area at the base of the skull, considering how the beast was gloating at them for not going for. He also revealed that it had a unique ability to possess people but made it clear he didn't know if that was just a power of this specific creature or not. He did also make a comment saying that the Dracos may not look identical like most archetypes of Grimm do. He said that as he compared that image with the one he had first seen but never fought while in the badlands.
In his opinion, this lecture was much less informative than the first since he had little confirmed information besides that the Dracos are hunting for aura. Although he knew it was just Ozpin helping divert any questions on why a fully-fledged Huntsman was still hanging around Beacon after returning from the badlands.
Away from prying eyes though, the two teams had turned Jaune's temporary abode into their new hangout location. They used the time to just enjoy their company and have a quieter place to do their homework. Honestly, all the time just hanging out made them feel like they were back to before the Fall ever happened and all nine of them couldn't be happier with that. Although as soon as they got there, his four girlfriends would have a mad dash to see who would have the right to have the seat next to him. Jaune quickly decided to not be in the living room when the teams would show up to lessen the amount of possible damage.
During that time Jaune would start to catch up more and more with them all. Along with getting closer to his girlfriends once again. Having them back in his life like they were before his 'death', just made it clearer just how much his life was lacking without them. Holding them close and just knowing they were there brought more joy to him than anything else.
Since they were all back together for the most part, Jaune started to take his girlfriends out on dates. They weren't too extravagant, but they were all excited for them. The only problem for them was trying to sneak out of Beacon since seeing Rien leaving with one of the girls and coming back close to curfew would just bring up a lot of assumptions. Not to say anything was wrong with that but they didn't want to deal with people sticking their noses in their business, especially with Jaune still trying to hide his identity. But they managed to make it work and they were all happy with it. With enough practice, they could have it down to an exact science.
Jaune and Yang also kept their training going throughout that time. On her days of light classes, she would come down and Jaune would help her further her Pseudo-Maiden abilities. She still couldn't manipulate fire per se but she was getting a better grasp on creating, extinguishing and controlling the intensity of her flames. It took her a second or two to ignite or smother her flames but she no longer had to concentrate as hard to do so. She was improving so quickly that it was astonishing to the swordsman. He honestly believed she could learn to control fire in a month or two; not at the same level as himself but he had most of his life to train in controlling the elements. Regardless, she would be a force to reckon with.
On those days, Yang would usually stay at his place for the night. She would still become mentally and physically exhausted after her training but hopefully that would only be a temporary condition. So it was just easier for her to stay than to make the trek back to Beacon. And neither of them were really complaining about that. But that just make the others just think it was giving the two an excuse to sleep with each other. Which they were half right. They did sleep in the same bed but over the weeks, they only had sex once or twice since their first time. Both were willing to indulge but neither wanted their relationship to become reliant on the physical side.
Yang wasn't the only one training, however. Jaune would work on his elemental control practically any day he wasn't checking in on the Grimm in the Emerald Forest and Forever Fall. But those days were becoming less and less. Since they killed a Drake not too long ago in the forest, the amount of cannibalistic Grimm had been decreasing exponentially. So Jaune was using more and more of his time to reestablishing his control over his Semblance.
Mostly learning how to swap between his elements more efficiently and trying to use two elements simultaneously. The former was coming along much better than the latter. He could swap elements much more quickly now that he didn't have to purge his aura of the energy before swapping to another. It was harder for him to use two different elements because it was difficult for him to tap into two of the 'pools' of energy inside himself without overriding one. Although with a bit more time and meditation, he could achieve this once again. Honestly, things were looking up for the once Elemental Swordsman.
It was partially through the week and the other eight members of his little group were currently in class considering it was the middle of the day. This was the perfect time for him to go down to Vale to pick up a few things he needed, mostly food. He quickly ran through his supplies since he was now catering to nine people for dinner most nights.
He was making his way to the airfield to get a bullhead down to Vale. He was in his full Rien outfit, not counting the armor though, with his hood up and mask on. It wasn't completely necessary since mostly everyone in the school was probably in class or out keeping themselves busy. Because of that, he probably could've gotten away with changing his hair and eye color using Void but he didn't want to risk it. He didn't want to damage himself more than necessary, especially if there was no need for it.
As he was nearing the airfield, he started to hear voices coming from them. Almost nearly shouting and he could easily recognized on of them as Weiss', "I thought there was an important reason you pulled me out of class, not this. I made it perfectly clear that I was not going back."
The second and unknown voice soon responded, "And I believe I made it clear that I am done letting you run around doing what you like in an act of rebellion."
"Rebellion?" Weiss practically hissed and Jaune quickly started to make his way towards their voices, "I'm doing what I feel is right. I'm training to help the people of Remnant as a whole. Not just trying to help people who will just line my pocket."
"Don't take that tone of voice with me, young lady!" The voice said as Jaune finally got close enough to see what was going on. He saw a very fancy and obviously expensive airship sitting in the airfield. It was a usual Atlas make and the two Atlas soldiers standing on either side of the door to it also added to that fact. Ten feet or so from the ship was a man wearing a pure white double-breasted jacket with a red handkerchief in the breast pocket, underneath was a blue shirt and vest with a grey-white tie and dress shoes. He also had gray-white hair and a large gray mustache, a pale complexion and his eyes were a cold blue color. Jaune had a good idea on who this was and he just knew this wasn't going to go well. "You weren't saying that when you were happily using that Lien anyway you wanted."
Weiss had an even glare at the man as she stood across from him in her Beacon uniform, "Mostly because I didn't have a choice in the matter. But I haven't gotten a cent from you since my first year and I don't need it, Father." That last word had so much venom in it.
Jacques Schnee had a snarl on his face, "You think you can just do whatever you want? You have a name and a reputation to hold up."
"Are you really talking to me about reputation?" Weiss angrily asked her father. "The SDC used to stand for something. It used to be respected and honored. But you sold its soul just so you could gain more money for your selfish reasons. You've made it into a company people fear and hate. And I'm not just talking about the Faunus. So, I'm going to redeem that name my own way, by being a Huntress." She looked her father in the eyes as she uttered her last sentence, "You have no right to decide how a name you married into should be seen or remembered."
Jaune smiled under his mask at that. Glad to see her standing up to her bastard of a father. That smile fell and his eyes under his mask widened at what he saw next. Jacques just slapped her across the face and his world turned red.
Weiss whipped her head back to her father in shock before she held her red cheek and glared at him, "You bastard!"
His scowl did not move as he pulled his arm back for another smack. Weiss' whole body tensed but she didn't have to worry. Jacques' arm was quickly and painfully pulled backwards and was pinned to his own back. The man screamed in pain and quickly looked behind himself to see the glowing green eyes of the mask of Rien. And in a distorted voice that did not hide the anger behind it, he said, "Try that again and the arm comes off."
Jacques quickly grit his teeth to the pain, "How dare you! Do you have any idea who I am?!"
"Yes." Jaune spoke up easily. "And it's because you're Weiss' father, even if only by name, that I didn't kill you for what you did." With that said, he pulled his arm a bit more and making the 'patriarch' scream again, "Although, breaking your arm is still a very real possibility, Gelé."
Jacques looked at him with a fury he had rarely seen before looking past him to the soldiers that were watching, stunned, beside the ship, "You idiots, help me!" They quickly shook themselves of their shock and aimed their guns at him. Jaune simply tapped into his earth Semblance and stomped on the ground, creating a curved wall of stone to erupt three feet behind him. That stunned the soldiers again. Jacques looked stunned before he tried to get control of the situation, "If you do not release me, I will make sure you are expelled from this academy."
Jaune just looked at him for a bit as the 'Schnee' smirked in victory. That was until Jaune started to laugh, "Maybe that threat would work in Atlas but you don't have as much pull in Vale. Besides, I can't be expelled since I'm a Huntsman. And before you think about complaining to the Vale Council, I work directly for Ozpin and they can't order me to do anything. Plus, I'm the leading expert on a new species of Grimm and I have been supplying all information to the Kingdoms to better prepare. Do you really think they'd want to alienate me?" Jaune wished the man could see the smug smirk under his mask.
"Now, here is what's going to happen." Jaune spoke with deathly serious tone. "You are going to get back on your overpriced airship and head back home. You are going to leave your daughter alone and not speak to her unless she starts a conversation. Otherwise, I'll show you just how powerless you really are, Gelé." As an added touch, Jaune tapped into his fire Semblance and was making the air temperature increase until the man he was holding started to sweat.
Jacques just stared into the lens of the mask as the heat around him kept increasing. He then reluctantly nodded. Jaune cut off the heat before he lowered the stone wall, revealing the two soldiers again. He shoved the businessman towards them with him nearly falling to the ground. Although he managed to catch himself before he could find himself sprawled in the dirt. With him momentarily distracted, Jaune made sure he was partially between him and Weiss. Gelé turned back and angrily looked at the Huntsman as he started to fix his tie. "You'll regret that." He tried to threaten but that just got Jaune to flip him the bird.
Jacques looked past him to his daughter, "As for you, if you think running off like your sister will make the Schnee name stronger, you're wrong." He then gained a small cruel grin, "I am revoking you as the Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company and will now name Whitley the Heir. Until a time where you prove, you are worthy of that title again."
Weiss just looked in shock as a gasp slipped form her lips. "I don't think you'll be doing that." Jaune chimed in.
Jacques turned back to him, "And why would I do that?"
Jaune pulled out his scroll, "My mask records everything I see. Including this." He showed him the screen and the video of Jacques smacking his daughter. Jacques froze. "I can easily send this to some news stations, imagine the stories they could tell. Or I could upload it directly to the CCT and let everyone see it easily. I can see it now: Jacques Schnee abusing his daughter because he does not agree with her honorable goal of protecting the world as a Huntress. Tell me, exactly how much backlash will this have on the company? How much money you'll lose out on?"
"Are you threatening me?" Jacques hissed.
"No. I'm telling you. You take the position of Heiress from Weiss and this goes up. Or maybe I'll just do it now and save myself a headache." His thumb neared the send button to further push his point forward.
"You have no right to stand between me and my daughter!" he shouted.
"Please, you're no father. You have no right to that title." Jaune told him. "As far as I'm concerned, you are a failure of a father and husband. Along with a piece of human garbage in a suit."
Jacques just stood there and snarled at Jaune as his hands clenched at his side. "This isn't over." His eyes then went to Weiss. "This may have bought you time, but you will return to Atlas and behave."
"Okay, enough." Jaune closed the space between him and Jacques. He placed his hand on his chest, "Goodbye." He said cheerfully. He then used his wind Semblance to blast him backwards and towards his ship. Jacques released the shrillest scream he could as he flew and disappeared into the ship with a crash. The soldiers and Weiss were just stunned as Jaune just chuckled under his mask.
The two then turned to Jaune, not exactly sure on what to do now. Considering they hadn't tried to stop him all that much, he had assumed there was little love lost between them and Jacques. "Do you two really wanna do this or would you rather just take the blowhard and go home?"
They looked at each other before the one on the Jaune's right spoke, "We may get into some trouble for not stepping in."
Jaune nodded before holding up his scroll, "I also recorded him flying through the air. How about I send it to you? Let you do what you please with it."
They looked at each other again before the one on the left this time spoke up with a smirk, "That seems like a fair trade."
With that, Jaune quickly sent a copy of the video to each of their scrolls. With a thanks, they got onto the airship and shortly after that, it took off back towards Atlas. He turned back around to Weiss who still looked stunned with a myriad of other emotions filtering through her eyes. Jaune walked over to her and condensed his mask down to being sunglasses. He took them off to look her in the eyes. "Are you okay, Weiss?"
She just looked up at him until she nodded, "Yeah. I'm okay."
Jaune just frowned slightly as he put his arm around her shoulders. "Come on. I'll make you some coffee at my place and you can relax." She just nodded before looking down. He took that as a go ahead and he gently started to lead her away from the airfield. She didn't say much at all as Jaune just walked her back to his place. He didn't feel like he should break the silence, he knew she probably had a lot to process. Instead, he took out his scroll and sent a message to Ozpin. It was just to let him know that Weiss may miss her next class because of the confrontation she just had with her father. Ozpin quickly sent a reply telling him that she should take as much time as she needed.
By that point, they were in front of his place. He quickly opened it with his scroll before he ushered her in. She walked in and sat down on the middle couch like she was on autopilot. He just shut the door and took off his cloak to hang up. He watched her for a couple of seconds before he quietly made his way to the kitchen to prepare the coffee he had promised her. When it was done, he walked into the living room with the two mugs. Weiss was still sitting in the same position he left her in.
He held the mug close to her face and that made her snap back to reality. She looked at it before turning up to look at him. He just gave her a small smile and she gave him a tinier one in return. She took the mug and gave a quiet 'thank you'. He gave a little nod before he sat down on one the couch to her left. They sat in a silence as she slowly drank her coffee.
Jaune took out his scroll and started to go through it as she sat quietly. He knew she'd talk to him when she was ready and until then, he'd wait patiently. And if she didn't want to talk, he'd just be there for her. That way she wouldn't be alone. On that note, he made sure to save the video of Jacques hitting her. He wasn't lying when he said he would upload it if he tried anything to Weiss again. Could be a way to get the bastard out of the controlling position of the SDC but he wasn't completely sure that Weiss was ready for that responsibility yet. And she would try to take on all that responsibility whether she was or not. He knew that much.
"Thank you, Jaune." Weiss spoke up quietly. He looked up from his scroll and saw she was now staring into her coffee. "For the coffee and the assistance. I really needed help there."
Jaune knew she could've easily dealt with him. But he also knew that no child ever wanted to fight their parent, no matter how much they hated them. He just gave a nod, "Don't mention it, Weiss." She gave him another smile and both fell into a silence again. There was a question burning in the back of his mind but he wasn't sure if he should ask it or not. Before he could come to a decision, his mouth made it for him, "Weiss… has he ever… hit you before?"
Weiss froze, her mug halfway to her lips. She sighed before she placed it on the coffee table and placed her hands in her lap. "No. That was the first time." She looked down at her own hands, "I've known for a while that he only married my mother just for her family name. He admitted it when I was ten, on my birthday no less. I think I knew before that but hearing it… there was no chance of denying it then. But, I guess a part of me just wanted to believe that he cared for Winter, myself and Whitley despite not caring about my mother. As stupid as that is."
She gave a sniffle and continued to look down. She was shocked when Jaune reached over and his gloved hand took her left one. She looked up as he was now leant over to do so. He had this look of understanding in his eyes, "That's not stupid, not in the slightest." He sighed, "Your parents are supposed to love you, that is not supposed to be an option. I'm just sorry that someone like that had to be your father and hurt you so much." He gave her a small smile, "He did do two good things as far as I know."
She tilted her head slightly, "And what would those be?"
"Well because of him, you and Winter are in the world, right? I would consider you two to be the greatest things he has ever done." He looked to the side and scratched his cheek, "Would say the same for your bother but I don't really know him enough to make an opinion."
He quickly looked back when he heard her sniffle again. What he saw broke his heart. There she was, the tears she was barely holding back before were now rolling down her cheeks. She quickly used her right hand to try to wipe them away but more just kept coming. Jaune couldn't help but panic a bit, "Oh man. I'm sorry, Weiss, I didn't mean to make you cry."
A sad sound escaped her as she shook her head, like she was trying to say something but just couldn't. She then stood up and walked from the couch to Jaune, where she quickly sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around him as she continued to cry into his shoulder. Jaune's hands were to the side when she did that, just completely blindsided by it. He soon wrapped his arms around her to hold her and try to make her feel better.
Through her sobs, she started to speak to him, "E-even after all this time… you still c-care for me… so much…" She sniffled, "W-when we found out you were a-alive, I… I felt so hurt and I just w-wanted to h-hurt you the s-same way you hurt me. But… but even after all that… you came to help me… why?"
Jaune just started to rub her back, "I was never angry with you. You had every right to be mad at me. To hate me even. That is why I never tried to make you forgive me. Why I never tried to be with you again. I broke your trust, something you don't give out easily. Along with that trust, I broke your heart." He took a deep breath and continued, "But I told you before: Even if you don't love me, I'll always be here for you."
Weiss kept crying for a few more seconds or so, until she pulled back from him. Before he could say anything else, she planted her lips onto his. His eyes widened, blindsided again. She pulled back before coming forward to kiss him again and longer. She pulled back again after a few more seconds for a breath before she kissed him again. Jaune the entire time was just staring wide eyed at her.
She pulled away again and started to pant as she looked into his eyes again. Tears were still rolling down her cheeks but less than before. Her eyes now held a happier light in them. Once she regained enough air, she started to speak, "I should've given those to you a long time ago."
Jaune blinked a couple of times before he swallowed, "Weiss?"
She shook her head slightly, "I was angry at you. And hurt. But I never stopped loving you, Jaune." She said with full conviction. "When I found out exactly why you did what you did, that anger and pain went away. Not instantly but eventually. The reason why I didn't try to be with you again wasn't because of that." She shook her head slightly again, "Maybe they were a small part of it. But it was because of my pride."
Jaune's hands gently cupped her cheeks and started to wipe away her tears. She placed her hands over his and gently squeezed, "I love you. I love you more than anything." She said, trying to convince him that she wasn't lying. But that wasn't necessary, he knew it was the truth regardless.
"Weiss." He said gently. "Are you sure this is what you want? As much as I don't want to, it is a real possibility I will hurt you again. I may break your heart by trying to protect you. I may eventually make you hate me."
She quickly shook her head, "You won't make me hate you. Because I know the mistakes you may make aren't to hurt me intentionally. They are just you trying to do the right thing." She lowered her hands, which were still holding his own, to her lap. She looked down sheepishly. "That is, if you still want me by your side again."
Jaune gently squeezed her hands and she looked back up to him. He gave her a small smile, "That's all I ever wanted. But... you're absolutely sure."
She smiled at him, "I am, my Knight."
His smile grew at hearing her call him that old nickname, "Than I have no problem returning that love, Snow Angel." She blushed but her smile didn't waver. She leant forward and kissed him again. This time, he had no problem kissing her back with another void in his heart being filled with love.