Treasured Silver

by Devlin Dracul

Jaune Arc and Ruby Rose, two heroes who saved Remnant from Salem fifteen years ago. Both are living their lives happily, both with someone they love. However, a certain treasure will bring them together... and cause them to butt heads. What could be so valuable to make these two old friends fight? Come and see.

15 years have passed since Salem's defeat. Remnant was at peace, the kingdoms rebuilt after Salem's war, the schools back in order, the next generation of Huntsmen being prepared for the challenges ahead.

Oscar went back to his farm, Ozpin finally at peace with Salem freed of her curse. Ren and Nora wed not long after the final fight, and Yang and Blake followed suit soon after. Surprisingly, Ruby married Weiss, all of the couples happily married and enjoying their lives.

And what of Jaune?

On a secluded estate, behind a beautiful home, the sound of wood clashing against wood was heard.

"Again," a tall and powerful looking man said, holding a wooden double edged sword.

"Yes, sir," went a ten year old boy. He had golden hair like the man's, fair skin, and silver eyes.

While the man was only using one arm, the boy was holding the sword with two hands. The boy gave a yell of exertion as he swung at the man.

"One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three. Guard," the man said.

The boy held up his sword in time to block the man's swing, but it was still powerful enough to send the boy flying, but he was still able land on his feet.

"Very good. You're learning quickly, Argent."

The boy gave a toothy smile. "Thanks, dad!"

If it wasn't obvious before, the man was Jaune Arc himself, tall, handsome, muscular, and bearded. He allowed his hair to grow out, tied into a Warrior's Wolf Tail. A now legendary Huntsman and known as one of the Heroes of Remnant, the Knight of Vale spent most of his days training his son, knowing that even with Salem gone, there would still be threats in the world to handle, and he wanted his son to be ready.

"Now, show me your form practice."

"Yes, sir!" Argent turned towards the woods, picked up his wooden shield, and took his stance.

"One day, you will have to do this with one hand, since the other will be holding a shield. Your the next wielder of Crocea Mors, after all."

"And after that, I'll get to fight with Nimueh, right," Argent asked with an excited smile.

Jaune chuckled as he placed his hand on the hilt of his partner. "Once I am ready to step down as the Vale Knight, then yes. Until then, you need to grow stronger with Crocea and your Semblance, understand?"

"Understood. Still, I really want to fight with Nimueh."

"I can't say I blame you. She is an amazing partner."

"That I most certainly am," the spirit said as she materialized due to her name being said several times, the beauty resting on Jaune's head.

"Now, just like we practiced."

Argent took a deep breath. "Shield up. Keep your grip tight. Front foot forward."

"Good. Now... thrust!"

"Ha!"

"Slash!"

"Ha!"

Jaune noticed the small gust of wind his son generated. "Mm. Now swing!"

"Haa!" It was a larger gust this time.

"Very good. You can rest now."

"Thanks, dad."

"You're improving exponentially well. You're far more skilled than I was at your age."

"Huh? But dad, I thought you were the strongest in the world."

Jaune chuckled. "I wasn't always strong, son. Everyone has a beginning. Mine started much later than yours."

"Why?"

Jaune looked down, a melancholy smile on his face. "I didn't have anyone in my life who believed in me back then. I had to do some... less than honorable things to get where I am."

"Like lying," Nimueh asked with a cheeky smirk.

"Yes, Nimueh. Like lying."

"But dad, Aunt Weiss said lying was bad."

"And you should listen to her. She is a wiser Hunter than even I. I am truly happy that you will not make the same mistakes I have." Jaune then looked up sadly towards the blue sky. "At least... I hope not."

"Dad?"

Jaune looked at his son, walked up to him, and ruffled his hair, making the boy giggle. "I'm proud of you, son. In no time at all, you'll surpass me before you know it. Especially if you keep up your training."

"About that, why do I keep repeating the same form practice every day? I wanna learn your other moves, like how you use Crocea as a boomerang! Or those cool moves you do with the Greatsword function!"

"Don't dismiss the form practice just yet." Jaune walked past Argent, standing in front of the trees. "Keep it up, and in due time, you'll be able to do this easily." Jaune then took his stance and swung his wooden sword with a mighty grunt. Moments passed before a powerful blade of wind sped past the top of a tree, scattering all the leaves in the line. A few moments passed before the tree next to Jaune's target fell. "Hm, seems we have some firewood.

"WOW! DAD, YOU'RE AMAZING!"

Jaune laughed as he turned towards his son. "It's not as impressive as you think, kiddo (of course, I'm the only one among my old teammates who could do this). Soon enough, you'll be doing this without even trying. You won't even need a gun with this skill, meaning no need to spend lien on bullets."

"COOL!"

"I can't tell if he's excited about the technique or of the lack of spending," Nimueh laughed.

"Probably both. He never was fond of guns. Broke Ruby's heart when he said he didn't want to learn how to make a gun. Just wanted to be as strong as his dad," Jaune said.

"Yeah! I'm an Arc, and Arc's don't need guns! We have muscle," he said as he adorably flexed his still skinny arm.

Jaune chuckled. "That's my boy. Hm?" Jaune looked up. "Huh, that's unexpected."

Nimueh and Argent followed Jaune's gaze. The boy's eyes lit up. "IT'S AUNT RUBY AND AUNT WEISS!" The boy then used his Semblance: Aura Enhancement, his body glowing from his massive Aura rivaling his father's, easily jumping over his two story house to reach the front yard to greet his aunts.

Jaune chuckled. "He gets so excited whenever family comes to visit. Hm? Something wrong, Nimueh?"

The Spirit of Destruction had her arms crossed, not looking nearly as ecstatic as the boy. "It's nothing. I'm just not as fond of them as Argent is."

"Well, just bare with it, for him at least."

She sighed. "Fine, but I'm staying inside the Sword."

"Shame... but fair." He then tapped the sword, Nimueh disappearing back within it.

"Right then. Here we go," Jaune said as he walked to greet two of his old friends.

Argent was practically bouncing as the Atlas ship landed. When it opened, he was excited to see who would come out. He gave a beaming smile at the first person who walked down. "Aunt Weiss!"

"Hello, Argent. I see you've gotten bigger since we last visited," Weiss said with a genuine smile.

Argent gave a toothy smile in response before his eyes practically sparkled at who came down next.

"Hey, Argent."

"AUNT RUBY!" Argent lunged at her, using his Semblance to close the distance.

Ruby easily caught him and was spinning him around while laughing. "I missed you, too, lil' Arie (Argent's nickname)." She then began to smother him with kisses.

Argent was laughing before he pushed her away. "Gross! Mom Cooties!"

Had he not been laughing so hard, he would have noticed the split second look Ruby had before she went back to playfully trying to kiss him. "Come on. You know you love the cooties."

"No way! I'm not Silber!" Argent then noticed something. "Where is she, anyway?"

"With her Aunt Winter."

Argent looked at Weiss. "Geh." Her cheeks were puffed up.

"You seem more excited to see Aunt Ruby than me."

Argent looked at Ruby before pushing out of her hold and respectfully bowing before Weiss. "Sorry, Aunt Weiss, but you always seem annoyed whenever I hugged you. You never seemed to enjoy them as much as Aunt Ruby does."

Weiss looked up with her arms crossed. "That doesn't mean I shouldn't get one. Oh!" Weiss looked down and saw Argent smiling back up at her.

"You asked for this. No complaining."

Weiss smiled down at the boy and hugged him back. "I guess I can't."

"What a nice sight." Everyone looked to see the approaching Jaune. "Yo."

"Hey, Jaune," Ruby went.

"Hello, Jaune," Weiss went.

"Mind telling me why you're at my house?"

"What? We can't just come and visit," Ruby asked.

"You can, but you usually call first. Last time I saw you was for Argent's birthday three months ago."

"Well, we thought we would surprise our adorable nephew," Weiss said with her chin up and eyes closed.

Jaune stared at her. "You just wanted to get away from the stress of New Mantle, didn't you."

"Urk."

Jaune chuckled. "Alright, Ruby, start spilling."

She sighed. "Why can't you be easy to fool like the old days?"

"The old days are long gone, Mrs. Schnee-Rose."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Weiss has all but rebuilt the Schnee Dust Company and helped Winter rebuild Mantle. It's arguably more advanced and prosperous than when Ironwood was General. With Winter in charge as General, the academy is better than ever, with the soldiers keeping the peace and helping everyone this time. The slums are a thing of the past, with fair work environments and comfortable living for everyone. I've also been busy being one of Atlas's best Huntresses. I have to overtake your spot as the #1 Huntsman, after all."

Jaune chuckled. "Good luck with that."

"Hey, we can't ALL have one of the Four Relics as our partner and weapon," Ruby said.

"Just like we all can't have Silver Eyes?"

"Ooh, good comeback," Ruby went.

"I have Silver Eyes, dad," Argent went excitedly.

"That you do, son."

"And you're going to show me how to use them, right?"

"Yeah. That's what your old man promised, right?" Argent smiled.

"Wait, are you planning on taking him on a mission," Weiss asked.

"No. There are a few Grimm deeper in the forest behind my house. I'll take him with me, find a Beowolf or something, and try to do what Maria did to Ruby."

"You're going to put a ten-year-old through a trial by fire," Weiss yelled.

"Hey, he's ready. He's grown a lot in his training. He won the Vale Regional Tournament, didn't he?"

"That was in a controlled environment! Fighting Grimm is completely different!"

"I can handle it." Weiss looked at Argent. "I'm ready. I want to start my journey as a Huntsman, and be a hero like my parents."

Ruby's hand twitched.

Weiss looked down at Argent. "Oh? You think you're ready, do you?" She then smiled. "Then why don't you show your Aunt Weiss what you can do?"

Argent's eyes began to sparkle. "I get to spar with you, Aunt Weiss?"

"If you want to convince me you're ready to fight Grimm, then yes."

"Alright! I'll get my practice sword."

"Oh, no." Argent stopped and looked at Weiss. "You have access to your Aura, which means you get to use a real weapon against me."

Argent's eyes widened before he looked at his dad. "What? You didn't think I was going to let you hunt with me using a stick, did you?"

"Does that mean-"

Jaune nodded. "Crocea Mors is yours, son. Take your weapon," he said as he motioned towards the house.

Argent was still for a second before his grin grew. He then cheered with a jump before speeding into the house with a gust of wind following him due to his incredible speed.

Moments later, Argent was holding the sword and shield of Crocea Mors, analyzing the heirloom weapon. Since he was only ten, the shield was almost as big as he was, with the sword being almost as tall as him, but he was able to move the sword and shield as easily as his practice weapons, showing off how strong the young boy really was. He then took his stance.

"Very good posture, Argent. Your father has taught you well."

"He taught me a lot of things, Aunt Weiss, and I plan to use it all on you to make him proud."

Weiss giggled as she took her stance. "Fight well, then, little knight."

As they were preparing to start their sparring session, Jaune was watching them through the window in his kitchen, a smile on his face at the excited look on his son's face. He then heard the familiar boots walk up to him. "I thought you'd be outside cheering."

"Hm. Which one would I cheer for," Ruby asked.

Jaune frowned at the tone in Ruby's voice and sighed. "What is it, Ruby?"

"Does he know?"

"Know what?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Arc," Ruby said angrily.

Jaune was quiet for a bit. "No. He doesn't."

"Then why did he say he wanted to be a hero like his parents? Why didn't he just say you, his dad?"

Jaune was silent again. "Because... I told him about what his mother was like, but never told her who she was. When he asked where she was, I just said she was in a better place. He accepted it, not even asking for a name. I'm grateful that he never wanted to know."

"Jaune, that isn't fair. He deserves to know."

"To know what? That his mother is alive? That she can't live with us? That she belongs somewhere away from him?"

"Jaune, that's not fair."

"What's fair is that he isn't hurt by the truth. That he doesn't find out that he can never really have his mother fully in his life." Jaune then turned towards Ruby. "Besides, what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to sit him down, and say: Argent, your Aunt Ruby is more than just your aunt." He then bent down towards her, looking right into her eyes.

"She's your mother."

Jaune and Ruby glared into the other's eyes before Jaune scoffed and turned to open his fridge.

"He has a right to know, Jaune. He DESERVES to know."

"He HAD a right," Jaune said as he took out a bottle of water and began to guzzle it down.

"What the hell do you mean 'had'?"

"He had a right..." He then looked at Ruby with sharp eyes. "When he was THREE. He had a right to know when he was 4. When he was 5! Hell, it would have been the right time to tell him WHEN HE WAS SIX! Ten years, Rose! TEN YEARS, WE'VE BEEN KEEPING UP THIS CHARADE! Not even Yang or Ren know the truth! Your sister or my best friend! My goddamn brother," Jaune yelled as he threw the bottle empty bottle across the room, still getting it into the trash can.

Jaune then took a deep breath. "If it weren't for that three year long mission I went on, hunting Leviathans, Ren for sure would have figured it out."

Ruby looked down. "Yeah. A silver eyed warrior in the obituary. What are the odds? . . . She was pretty."

"No. . . She was beautiful."

Ruby looked up at Jaune's back. "You loved her, didn't you." It wasn't a question, and Jaune didn't answer. That still answered Ruby. "What was she like?"

Jaune was quiet before he looked up. "She was brave, strong, kind... and feisty. Kept punching me in the chest, saying stuff like 'it's my win, hero'; 'looks like the big bad knight needs a damsel to save him'; or my personally favorite; 'you owe me a drink, noble knight.' She was always smiling, always trying to keep our team safe, and always trying to compete with me. She... shouldn't have died on that mission."

". . . What was her name?"

". . . Platina. The second bravest Silver Eyed Warrior I had ever met... and the second one I ever loved." Jaune then looked down and chuckled darkly. "No wonder I lost her."

Ruby looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please. I'm basically cursed, Schnee."

"Schnee-ROSE."

"SCHNEE," Jaune doubled down as he looked at her. "I have never been with the woman I loved. I fell in love with Weiss at first sight, but she thought I was after her name and prestige. I didn't even know who the hell she was. I just saw a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice who moved like an angel. Shallow... which is why it was probably for the best I grew out of my feelings for her. Now, I can only see her as a friend."

"Then... there's one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. If I wasn't so stupid, if I wasn't so dense, if I wasn't SUCH A WEAK, STUPID, USELESS, GODDAMN IDIOT; SHE WOULD HAVE-"

"Jaune, STOP!" He looked at Ruby, seeing the tears well up in her eyes. "That's enough. Please. Not her. Please don't bring her up. It still hurts, even after all these years."

Jaune stared at her before looking out the window, seeing Argent activating the greatsword mechanic of Crocea Mors and clashing with Weiss's White Knight. "At the very least... her legacy lives on... protecting my son."

"OUR son." Jaune looked down at Ruby. "He's my son, too."

Jaune scoffed. "You just gave birth to him. That's it. You're his aunt, his SECOND godmother, and a family friend; but you're not his mother."

"Jaune, that's not fair!"

"WAS IT FAIR TO SEE YOUR FIRST BEST FRIEND AND THIRD LOVE WALK DOWN THE AISLE, PUTTING ON A FAKE SMILE AS SHE WAS MARRIED AWAY TO YOUR FIRST CURSH!"

Ruby's eyes widened. "What?"

"I... I loved you, Ruby. But it was plain as day that I could never have you. Honestly, I thought for the longest time that Oscar would win your heart, but I should have know it would have been Weiss in the end. You were the third love I've lost." Jaune then looked down. "Platina was the fourth."

"Jaune... I... I didn't... I didn't know."

"Hmph. Well, you found out 11 years ago. To think all of this could have been avoided if you had went on that 'boring business trip' with Weiss instead of coming to that stupid housewarming party Yang threw here. I didn't even want a damn party. I still have no idea how she found out before I told anyone."

Jaune then leaned over the sink, looking down into the drain. "What we did, we did drunk. It was a stupid, drunken accident... but I don't regret it. Not because I got to sleep with you." He then looked up in time to see Argent defeat the White Knight, the boy cheering before he was covered in snow, adorably shaking it off his head, blinking in confusion at what happened. "It's because we made him. You gave me the greatest treasure imaginable, and I'll always be grateful for that."

"Gave?" He looked back at Ruby. "Gave?! Jaune, you convinced me I didn't have a choice! I cheated on my wife! I got pregnant with a man's child OUTSIDE of surrogacy! This isn't like what happened with Silber! Weiss and I went to a clinic, chose who we thought was the best donor, and had Weiss carry the child! What we did was a drunken mistake! I was afraid, and YOU jumped on that fear!"

"Jumped?! If I hadn't done anything, you would have ABORTED Argent!"

Ruby slapped Jaune. "Is THAT how little you see me?! That I would abort MY baby?! I WOULD HAVE KEPT HIM! I would have been able to convince Weiss! I would have... I would have... I would have been his MOTHER! But you! You convinced me to keep it a secret! Convinced me to lie to my wife! And because of you, Argent grew up without a mom!"

"No. He didn't."

"What?!"

"He had a mom."

Ruby looked at Jaune like he was crazy. "What are you talking about? You're a single father! You've never been married! In all the ten years you've raised Argent, you've never even dated! Ren and Nora had Lyra! Yang and Blake have Verde! I couldn't even be there for my own son because I was helping Weiss raise our daughter! Who could have possible been a mother to him?! Raven?!"

Ruby then heard a tapping. She then looked down to see Jaune's hand on the hilt of his sword, tapping the hilt.

"Nimueh? Nimueh?! NIMUEH?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! A SWORD RAISED MY SON!"

"No," Nimueh went as she materialized next to Jaune, taking a human form as she leaned against him, her arm on his shoulder. "I raised MY son."

"Your son? YOUR SON?! YOU'RE JUST A SWORD! I'M HIS BIOLOGICAL MOTHER!"

"YOU JUST GAVE BIRTH TO HIM! I WAS ACTUALLY HERE TO RAISE HIM!"

"Oh, that's just great," Ruby says as she swings her arms dramatically. "A spirit is trying to take my son from me. What, is Jinn his godmother, too? Is Ambrosius his godfather?!"

"No, but they could be his aunt and uncle," Nimueh said with a smile.

"IS THIS A JOKE TO YOU?!"

"No. But you claiming to be his mother is. You had ten years to tell him the truth. Instead, you were content with being his aunt. Why?"

Ruby's eyes widened. "What?"

"Why now? You could have come back when he was a baby, or when he started to walk and talk, or when he was five. Why do you want to be his mother now?"

"That's a good question. Why now, Ruby," Jaune asked.

Ruby looked away. "What does it matter? Is it that bad I want my son to see me as his mom?"

"It is. Especially since he sees Nimueh as his mom. So much so that he calls her that by accident."

Ruby's eyes widened before looking at Jaune. "What?"

"It's true," Nimueh began. "He's called me mom on numerous occasions. One time, when Jaune couldn't get anyone to look after Argent when he needed to go on a mission, he had me take on my human form so I could care for him. One day, when he had a nightmare, he ran to me for comfort. I let him sleep on my lap while petting him. As he was drifting off to sleep, he said this: I love you, mom. That was the first time he ever called me that. And yes, it brought me to tears. I had gotten a son."

"The first time he ever did it and realized it was when Jaune and I had to go on a mission together, and we were able to leave them with Ren and Nora. Right as he was running towards them, he turned back, waved at us, and yelled: Bye, dad! Bye, mom!" Nimueh then giggled. "He looked so embarrassed when he realized he called me is mother, his face completely red before running and hiding his face in Nora's skirt. I could still hear his embarrassed scream, Nora giving me the funniest smile before going, huu-huu." Both Jaune and Nimueh snickered at the memory.

Nimueh sighed in content. "He's called me mom more than Nimueh these days. I'm so used to being called mom by him that I can't imagine anyone else being called that by him." Her gaze then sharpened as she looked at Ruby. "Certainly not the woman who comes around once a blue moon for visits. You're just his aunt, not his mother."

Ruby stumbled back and fell onto a chair, her head in her hands. "I can't believe this. I'm being deprived of my own son's love by a spirit. A spirit than can destroy the entire world if she wanted to. I'm losing my son to a weapon."

Jaune then groaned. "Why are you so hung up about this, anyway? You're already a mom. You raised Silber, didn't you? You have a fifteen year old daughter. Why are you so hung up on my son?"

"It's different."

"How? What could possibly be so different? What makes my son, whom you WILLINGLY gave to me, so much more special than your daughter?!"

"BECAUSE I GAVE BIRTH TO ARGENT!"

Jaune and Nimueh were taken back by that.

"Weiss was Silber's mom, not me. She carried her, not me. But I carried Argent. I made him with my own flesh and blood. I felt him grow inside me, kick around, develop." Ruby looked up, showing Jaune and Nimueh that she was crying. "I was the one who MADE him. He grew inside of ME. And I gave him up." Ruby buried her face in her hands again. "I gave him up," she choked out. "Do you have any idea what it's like, creating a life, cultivating it, watching it grow inside you, only to get rid of it at the last second?"

Jaune stared at Ruby before looking away. "No. I can't imagine that, and I never want to."

Ruby looked down. "I love Silber. I really do. But the love I feel for Argent? It's so much stronger. So much purer. I feel so... connected to him. It hurts so much, every time I leave him... with you." Jaune didn't respond to that.

"I still remember it. The day he was born. Here in Vale. It's like the gods themselves wanted him to be born in secret. All of our friends and family were off on some sort of mission, or in Weiss's case, a business trip; with Winter taking care of Silber. It was just you and me with a doctor and nurse in that room, me pushing with all my might, in the most pain I've ever felt. Then, the crying. His first sound, and it was crying. He only stopped when I held him, that peaceful, content look on his beautiful face," she said through a breaking voice.

"And then... he giggled... when YOU held him. It was like he chose you over me, his mother. Was that why it was so much easier to give him to you? Why I signed away my first born son, my first CHILD away? Why his name isn't Argent Schnee-Rose, or even just Argent Rose... but Argent Arc? Because I convinced myself he loved his dad more than me?" Ruby then began to sob.

Jaune and Nimueh just stood there, watching her cry. Jaune reached out to her but hesitated. He... didn't know what to do. Nimueh then gently placed her hand on his arm, pushing it down. Jaune looked at her and saw that she had a look of... pity... and sadness. Before them... was a broken mother, who had her treasure taken away from her, and it took her years to finally figure that out.

The door then swung open. "Dad! Did you see me?! I was able to beat all of Aunt Weiss's summons! They didn't stand a chance against-" Argent's smile went away when he saw Ruby crying.

When Wiess walked in, her proud smile vanished before she glared at Jaune. "What did you do, Arc?!"

Jaune never took his eyes off of Ruby. "Spoke the truth."

"Spoke the- Huh," Weiss went with a raised eyebrow.

Argent walked up to Ruby. "Aunt Ruby," he went as he gently put his hand on her shoulder, making her jump before she looked at him with a tear-stained face. "What's wrong?"

Ruby's lip began to quiver.

"Wha-whoa," Argent went after Ruby surprisingly hugged him.

"I'm so sorry."

"Huh?"

"I'm so sorry, Argent. I love you. I love you so much. Forgive me."

Argent looked confused before looking at his dad. "Dad, mom, why is Aunt Ruby- ow," he went after Ruby squeezed him.

"Please. Don't call her that. I'm begging you. Don't call Nimueh mom."

"Eh? What's going on? Why is she so sad? Why doesn't she want me to call Nimueh mom?" He began to tear up before he looked at his "parents".

"Dad, what's going on," he asked on the verge of tears.

Jaune stared into his son's eyes before he sighed. "Argent... we need to talk. . . . All of us."

Jaune, Nimueh, and Argent were sitting on the same couch, with the boy in between his parents. Weiss and Ruby were sitting on the opposite side of the living room, sitting on arm chairs, with Weiss crossing her arms and legs, looking angry after seeing her wife cry. Ruby's eyes were hidden by her hair, the woman not moving at all.

"Alright, Jaune, explain to me why you made my Ruby cry."

Jaune sighed. "Argent."

"Huh?"

"Do you remember what I told you? About your mother?" Argent looked up at Nimueh, making Ruby tighten her grip on her skirt, close to causing it to tear. "No. Not Nimueh. True, there is no better woman in the world I can say is a better mother for you than her, but I meant your birth mother."

'Just stab me with a rusty sword, why don't you,' Ruby mumbled. Weiss didn't catch what she said, but knew she mumbled something, but continued glaring at Jaune.

"Um, you told me she was a hero."

"That's right. The greatest hero I've ever known. Beautiful, strong, brave, and kind. I trusted her with my life, and considered her one of the best partners I've ever had. Someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, but it wasn't meant to be." Ruby bit her lip, using all of her willpower to not cry.

"Wow, Jaune." Everyone looked at Weiss. "I know you were gone for three years, but I didn't think you would grow so attached to Platina. What did you two go through," she genuinely asked.

"Platina? Is that my mom's name?"

Jaune looked at his son before sighing and taking out his scroll. He then took out the pictures and showed it to Argent. "This is Platina, the woman who helped me destroy an entire pod of Leviathans that would have destroyed Argus."

"That's where Aunt Saphron and Aunt Terra live with Adrian!"

"That's right. If we hadn't done anything, we might have lost them."

"Wow! My dad really is a hero," Argent yelled excitedly as he smiled at his dad, getting a chuckle from him. Argent then looked back at the scroll. "But... is that really my mom? She's pretty, but it feels like I'm not related to her at all. She has silver eyes like I do, but her hair is black. Mine's yellow."

"You get that from me," Jaune said as he rubbed Argent's head.

"She's also so much more tanned than me. Shouldn't I at least have a tan like hers?"

"You should... if you were her son."

"Huh?"

"Argent, Platina isn't your mother."

"What," Weiss went. "But, who else could be?"

Jaune was quiet before he sighed. "I don't mind telling, but it's not entirely my place to say unless given permission."

"Permission? Who's going to give you permission to tell your son who his mother is?"

Jaune didn't answer Weiss immediately. Instead, he looked at Ruby. "Should I be the one to tell them, or do you want to do it?"

Weiss's eyes widened before she looked at her wife. "R-Ruby?"

Ruby was still for a bit before she looked up, tears in her eyes. "Weiss, I love you. I really do. Please believe me when I say that."

"R-Ruby... You... You cheated... on me?"

"It wasn't on purpose. We were drunk."

"Drunk? DRUNK?! HOW DID YOU GET DRUNK?!"

Ruby jolted, looking down. "It happened when Jaune got back and purchased this house. When Yang found out, she convinced everyone to throw Jaune a surprise house-warming party. Jaune... wasn't particularly happy, but he let the party happen anyway. There was food, cake... and a lot of alcohol. It was just supposed to be a few drinks and some reminiscing about the past. It was just supposed to be a party. Not what happened. I'm sorry, Weiss," Ruby said as she covered her face.

Weiss looked at Ruby in horror before looking at Argent. The boy looked shocked. "You mean... Aunt Ruby isn't my aunt? She's my mom?"

Ruby looked up and tried her best to smile, but it was forced and pained. "Yes. I'm your mom."

"But... you live with Aunt Weiss. You're MARRIED to Aunt Weiss. You're not married to dad, so why are you my mom?"

"Sweetie, it's compli-"

"Am I a mistake?" Everyone's eyes widened in horror when Argent asked that. It got worse when he began to tear up. "Was I... just an accident," he asked as he began to sob.

Before anyone could react, Jaune firmly grasped Argent's shoulders, looking right into his son's eyes. "Argent, don't you EVER call yourself either of those."

"Eh?"

"What your mother... what Ruby and I did was most certainly an accident, but what came of it was no mistake, nor will it ever be seen as one. I love you, son, and I thank whatever god is listening every day for letting me create such a treasure. You're my son. You are no mistake, and you are not an accident. You are Argent Arc, my greatest pride and joy. Your mine and Nimueh's son. Don't you ever forget that."

"At the very least," Nimueh began as she hugged the boy from behind. "Remember that there will always be two people in your life who will always love you, no matter what. I may not have given birth to you, but I AM your mother, and I will always love you as my son."

Argent couldn't hold it in. He began to cry as he hugged his dad, enjoying the feel of his mother's hug.

"This isn't fair." The family looked back at Ruby. She then stood up, a torn expression on her face. "You're making it sound almost as if I'm the bad guy! You wouldn't even acknowledge me as his mother!"

Jaune sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Aunt Ruby?" She looked at Argent. "Why... didn't you want me?"

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"Isn't that why I live with dad? Why you didn't raise me? Isn't that why I'm an Arc?"

"N-No. That isn't-"

"That isn't what happened." Argent looked at his dad. "We... did it to protect Ruby's marriage. We didn't know how Weiss would react to Ruby cheating on her, involuntary or not. There was no reason to possibly jeopardize a happy marriage. It was easier to just say that your mother died. It... It was my idea. I know that's incredibly selfish, but we were desperate and afraid. In a way, it's my fault Ruby never got to be your mom. I'm sorry, son."

"So that's it." Everyone looked at Weiss, who was looking down at Jaune with the coldest eyes. "You thought I would be angry at Ruby, huh? That's why you took MY son?"

Jaune looked confused. "Your son?"

"Yes. MY wife carried him. MY wife gave birth to him. As far as I'm concerned, you're just the sperm donor who took MY son."

Jaune glared at Weiss before standing tall, towering over Weiss. "You are NOT pulling that, Schnee. Ruby didn't make him alone. He's my responsibility, and she chose to let be care for MY child."

"That child should be a Schnee! Not an Arc! As far as I'm concerned, he should have been a part of my family! I would have forgiven Ruby and raised him as my son!"

"I wasn't about to take that chance. Besides, you have as much of a right to him as Silber's biological father has a right to her."

"How DARE you?"

"How DARE you even THINK of taking my son?!"

The two glared at each other, the room getting tenser by the second.

"Get out," Jaune went.

"What?"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE! NOW!"

Weiss was actually frightened a bit. She was strong, but she knew that even without Nimueh's help, she couldn't beat Jaune. He was much stronger than she was. As such, she roughly grabbed Ruby's hand and stormed out. Ruby gave one last look at Argent before she followed her wife out of the house.

Jaune glared at the still open door, watching the ship fly away, before he heard hiccupping. He looked to see that Argent had been crying the whole time, with Nimueh trying to comfort him. Jaune's gaze softened before he bent down and hugged his son.

"I'm sorry."

The fly back to New Mantle was awkwardly quiet. Weiss hadn't even glanced at Ruby, staring out the window the whole time.

Ruby was twiddling her thumbs before looking at Weiss. She wanted to say something, but kept hesitating. "Weiss?" No response. "I'm sorry. I really am. Believe me, I never wanted to cheat on you. If you can't forgive me, I'll understand."

"It's fine, Ruby."

Ruby stared at her wife before looking down sadly.

"Ten years."

"Huh?"

"Ten years... we could have been raising a son together. I loved him, but not nearly as much as I should have."

"Weiss, you were under no obligation. The amount of love you gave him is more than I could possible ever deserve to ask of you."

Weiss didn't respond. "I went too far."

"Huh?"

"Calling him my son... in front of his father, no less. The man who raised him for ten years while I was oblivious. I was so selfish in that moment. So angry. So spiteful. So... much like HIM."

"Weiss Schnee-Rose, don't you EVER say that! You're nothing like your father!"

Weiss didn't respond again. "There are times when I'm terrified that I am even remotely like him. I hate that man and his very memory, but I need to remember him so I can NEVER become him. At that moment, when I was arguing with Jaune, I felt such a rush of rage and power flowing through me. When it was over, I thought... was that what it's like to be him? You have no idea how disgusted I felt when I thought that."

"Weiss," Ruby went sadly. She then got up and hugged her. "I promise, in the fifteen years we've been married, I've never thought you were even a fraction like that man. And if by some evil twist of fate you became just like him tomorrow, I would still love you and be at your side. I promise."

Weiss was still for a bit before she placed a loving hand on Ruby's. "I love you."

"I love you more."

---

3 Weeks Later.

Jaune and Nimueh were in the kitchen, Jaune making pancakes while Nimueh was cooking scrambled eggs. Moments later, a lazy yawn was heard. "Good morning," Argent went sleepily.

Jaune and Nimueh looked at him. Nimueh stifled a laugh while Jaune chuckled. "Nice bedhead, kiddo."

"Huh?" Argent brushed his hand up his hair and felt it was a bit spiky. "Shishishi," he went in embarrassment.

Jaune continued to smile until he noticed something. 'His hair kinda looks like Ruby's when we were in Atlas,' he thought.

Argent then jumped when he heard banging on the door.

"What the-" Nimueh went.

"Who could that be," Jaune went.

More banging occurred. "JAUNE!"

"Aw, crap," Jaune went with half-lidded eyes.

"Aunt Yang," Argent asked with a tilted head.

"OPEN THIS GODDAMN DOOR! JAUNE 'VALE KNIGHT' ARC! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR! HOW COULD YOU?!"

Jaune sighed. "It was either Weiss or Ruby. Either way, this should be fun," Jaune said with a roll of his eyes walked to the door.

"Is dad going to be alright?"

"Honey, it's your father."

"Good point."

Jaune then opened the door, activated his Semblance to its max, and caught Yang's fist; the act making a loud boom.

"Tch, I liked you better when you were a pushover."

"Why are you here, Yang?"

She then grabbed Jaune by his collar. "YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHY! YOU OWE ME TEN YEARS OF NEPHEW QUALITY TIME," she yelled, shaking Jaune with nearly every word

"Wait, what," Jaune asked with a raised eyebrow. "You got plenty of quality time with him."

"THAT WAS BEFORE I KNEW HE WAS MY ACTUAL, BLOOD NEPHEW! THIS WHOLE TIME, I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST YOUR KID! INSTEAD, I GET A CALL LAST WEEK FROM RUBY TELLING ME EVERYTHING!"

"Wait, you're not mad about me... you know."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm absolutely livid about that," Yang said calmly, her eyes temporarily turning back to its lilac color. It then immediately turned back to red. "BUT I'M WAY MORE PISSED ABOUT THE FACT I DIDN'T GET TO BE AN AWESOME AUNT TO MY ACTUAL, FREAKIN' NEPHEW!"

"Uh, Aunt Yang?"

"Hm?"

"Am-Am I in trouble?"

Yang released Jaune, her mouth wide open and her eyes wide as dinner plates. "Oh. My. Gods. I am an idiot." She then sped to Argent so quickly that you'd think she used a speed Semblance. She then stretched his cheeks. "You look JUST like your mom! How come I'm only NOW seeing it! I mean, dye your hair red and black, and you're gender-bent mini Ruby!"

"Please don't talk about dying my son's hair."

"And ruin these gorgeous, blonde locks?! No way I could do that! Besides, this hair might as well be proof of his Xiao Long blood!"

"Or his Arc blood," Jaune went matter-of-factly.

Argent then grunted after Yang unintentionally buried his face into her bosom with a bear hug. "Oh, Arie, I'm so sorry! I should have noticed sooner! I always knew you were a cute kid! I should have been a much cooler and awesome aunt for you!"

Argent tapped her metallic arm. "Can't... breath," he muffled out.

He then took a deep breath after he was yanked out of Yang's gasp.

"Please don't suffocate my kid," Nimueh went in an annoyed tone.

Yang laughed nervously. "Sorry. Got a bit too excited to see my nephew." Yang then turned to look angrily at Jaune. "And you! If you think I'm mad, you haven't seen anything yet!"

"Seriously? Who's angrier than the mighty Yang Xiao Long?"

"YOU!" Jaune looked behind him, only to be tackled to the ground. He looked up to see a graying Tai, holding him by the collar like Yang did. "YOU OWE ME TEN YEARS OF GRANDFATHERHOOD!"

"I owe you what?"

"YOU TOOK AWAY TEN YEARS FROM ME! TEN YEARS I COULD HAVE SPENT BEING THE COOL GRANDPA! OR THE GRANDPA, PERIOD! GIVE ME BACK MY TEN YEARS WITH MY GRANDSON! EVERY KID NEEDS A GRANDPA," Tai yelled with every shake.

"My dad's not dead, so he does have a grandpa," Jaune struggled to say. When Tai stopped shaking him, Jaune could see stars and the world rolling around him.

"But is he a COOL grandpa?"

"Well, Argent likes him, but he never called him co-"

"I KNEW IT," Tai went as he unceremoniously dropped Jaune.

"Ow."

"I'm sorry, Argent!"

"Uh-oh," he and Nimueh went.

Before either could react, Argent was out of Nimueh's arms and into Tai's.

"I should have noticed my daughter's features from miles away! I'm sorry, kiddo! I promise to be the best grandpa ever!"

Jaune sighed as he dusted himself off. "So why are you here?"

"Hm? To see my grandson, of course."

"Great," Jaune went unenthusiastically.

"Also to punch you in the face for getting my daughter pregnant while she was married."

Jaune sighed. "Oooof course."

"So, mind lowering your Aura," Tai asked with a raised fist and a sickeningly sweet smile, his own Aura flaring.

Jaune stared at him before complying and closing his eyes. He then felt a heavy fist slam into his face, making him skid back a bit. He then groaned as he held his face. With a hiss of pain, he stood up to see Tai hugging Argent, rubbing his face against the boy's cheek, making the child laugh due to how ticklish he was and how fluffy his grandpa's beard was.

"So, are you going to leave now?"

"Ten years, Arc. Ten years of no grandson energy."

"You have a granddaughter."

"And I get... adequate amount of granddaughter energy, but no grandson! Let me have this."

Yang then grabbed Jaune in a choke hold. "You owe us for this, Arc."

"What are you complaining about," Jaune strained. "You spend time with him all the time! You and Blake babysat him!"

"All those times, I thought he was your cute kid, NOT MY CUTE NEPHEW," she went as tightened her hold.

"I give, I give! That's enough," Jaune went as he tapped Yang's arm.

"No, it's not."

Jaune looked to see Blake walk up, a thirteen year old Lion Faunus girl walking next to her.. "Hey, Verde."

"Hey, Uncle Jaune," she went with a wave, her ear twitching a bit.

"Alright, Blake," Jaune went as he yanked Yang's arm off of him.

"Whoa. Uncle Jaune is the only one I know who can do that to mom," Verde said.

"Yeah, he's strong alright," Blake sighed with her ears drooping.

"Yeah, yeah, what did you mean it's not enough?"

Blake then looked angrily at Jaune. She then walked up to him and smacked him. "You and Ruby kept Argent a secret from all of us for ten years. What Yang was doing just now was too kind, if you ask me."

"Why am I getting all the abuse," Jaune asked as he rubbed his cheek.

Blake held up her fingers. "1. Ruby is my sister-in-law 2. She's still my team leader 3. Hiding the truth from everyone was your idea 4. I ALREADY gave her one hell of a lecture over the scroll, and finally and most importantly... you're closer to us."

"Oh, lucky me."

The sound of Tai crying was then heard. Everyone looked to see him on his knees, head on the ground, pounding the floor, crying comedically. Argent was trying to calm him down, looking flustered. "I'm sorry, Great Uncle Tai. I didn't me-"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" He then began to sob again. "I'm your grandpa," he sobbed. "Look at what you did, Jaune! He's too used to calling me Great Uncle Tai! I'm his grandpa! Call me Grandpa Tai," he sobbed.

"Aw, see what your lie did," Yang went. "A grown man is crying because of this mess!" Jaune groaned as pulled his hand down his face.

"Um, I'm sorry, Grandpa Tai."

Tai hugged him. "He's an angel! He really is my Ruby's son! That's right! I'm your grandpa! Ow," he went after Nimueh punched him over the head.

"Stop smothering my kid, already!" She then picked Argent up and walked away.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Yang went. "YOUR kid?!"

"What? I raised him, he calls me mom, I love him, he's mine."

"Are you kidding me?! Jaune, you're letting a sword be Argent's mom?! A SWORD?!"

Jaune shrugged. "How many kids can say they have a literally spirit created by an actual god for a mom? Besides, she's the only mom Argent has ever know. I've never dated since he was born, and Nimueh has been there for him all his life. It's not like Ruby could have been his mom."

"And why not," Blake asked.

"Because she was already married with a happy family."

"Is Nimueh being my mom really that bad," Argent asked.

"Sweetie, you already have a mom," Yang said.

He nodded. "Mhm. Nimueh." She held up a peace sign.

"GAAAH," Yang went as she ruffled her hair. "LOOK WHAT YOU DID," she yelled as she pointed at Jaune. "He should be calling Ruby that, not a sword!"

"Look, what's done is done. Ruby may have been his mother, but she wasn't his mom. It's the same with you and Raven, right?"

"Wha- NO! Raven ABANDONED me! You TOOK Argent!"

"After Ruby agreed it would be best if he was with me."

Yang was about to say something, but couldn't think of a comeback. She then sighed before glaring at him. "I hate you."

"I can take it. Ruby and I messed up. I'll admit that. It would be easy for me to just blame you, given you threw a damned house warming party, even though I didn't want one."

"Wait, that's when it happened," Yang asked.

"Ruby didn't tell you?"

"Uuuh."

"Yang?!" She looked at Tai. "YOU caused this?!"

"Uuuh. Well... about that."

"Oh, Yang," Blake went as she rubbed her forehead.

"You sure do cause a lot of problems, mom."

"Ah! Verde?! Kitten, you can't turn on mom like that," Yang went, her cowlick turning into a broken heart.

"Well, even though your party had unforeseen consequences, I don't regret what came of it."

"Huh?"

"I have an awesome son because of it," Jaune said as he smiled at Argent, who smiled back.

Yang stared at the father and son before she sighed. "I'm still not happy about this."

"Hm?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see my nephew is happy, but this still hurt my baby sister pretty bad."

"Did something happen?"

"She and Weiss are on speaking terms, don't worry. She just got an earful from Winter. Willow was way more understanding, though. Guess a recovered alcoholic will see things differently."

"We also see a bit more."

Jaune shuttered. "Oh, crap."

Blake stepped aside when she heard the voice, Qrow walking past her, hands in his pockets as always, slouching. His hair was almost totally gray now, much shorter than Jaune, even without the slouch, and definitely looked more grizzled. Still, he was an intimidating Huntsman.

"Hey, Great Uncle Qrow," Argent and Verde went in unison, Argent a bit more excitedly, considering Qrow was one of his favorite "family members" due to all of his great stories.

"Hey, kids," he said with a genuine smile before it vanished as he looked at Jaune.

"H-Hey, Qro-" Qrow then punched Jaune in the face, making him skid back farther than even Tai made him.

"That... was for getting Ruby pregnant, hiding Argent, and for making Ruby cry... A LOT."

"Please let that be the last punch today."

"Sure. I would have gone after your legs, anyway."

Jaune looked up to see Nora, Ren, and Lyra at the door. Nora was popping her knuckles, Ren looked disappointed, and ten year old Lyra (about two or three months older than Argent) waved happily at Jaune and Argent.

Argent... hid behind Nimueh.

Nimueh giggled while Jaune sighed. "It just keeps getting better," Jaune said.

Jaune was sitting on the couch, legs and arms crossed, looking away from his old team. Argent was sitting next to him, stiff as a statue, a light blush on his face. He looked up a bit, only to quickly look away when Lyra smiled at him, the girl snickering when he looked away as quickly as he did. Nimueh smiled down at him and leaned in close to whisper in his ear.

"Still have a crush on her?"

Argent turned bright red and angrily whispered in his mom's ear. "I do NOT have a crush! I just don't want to look at her... because I'm still made about losing at Soaring Ninjas 4 last week. Yeah, she totally cheated."

"I totally did not!"

"Hey! No eavesdropping!" Lyra stuck out her tongue at him, Argent sticking his tongue out back.

"That's enough, Argent," Jaune said as he gently placed his huge hand on his son's head, making the boy grumble 'she started it'.

"Lyra, that is very unbecoming," Ren said.

"Sorry, father," Lyra went, her personality taking a total 180.

"She still didn't cheat, though," Nora said.

"THANK YOU! This is why you're the best mom ever!"

"Aren't I?!" The women of the Ren family giggled at each other while Ren himself sighed.

"Speaking of unbecoming, Jaune." He sighed at Ren's words. "It was quite unpleasant for Ruby to call us, telling us about Argent's TRUE parentage."

"Yeah! Why did you keep something that big a secret? Did you think we'd think less of you or something," Nora asked.

"I thought it was the best move. Ruby was already married to Weiss when we... you know."

"Still, that action prevented Ruby from being a mother to her biological son," Ren said.

"AND ROBBED ME OF BEING A GRANDPA TO MY BIOLOGICAL GRANDSON," Tai yelled. "Not to say that I don't love my granddaughter, but COME ON! ARGENT IS AN ACTUAL XIAO LONG!"

"He's an Arc," Jaune and Nimueh said in unison.

"I'm an Arc," Argent said with a peace sign.

"Besides, it wasn't solely my decision. Ruby chose to give me sole custody of my son."

"And I am disappointed in Ruby as well. Trust me, I already spoke with her about my feelings."

"Boy did he. His lecture was LOOOOONG," Nora went.

"What's there to lecture about? She made her decision, she lived a happy life, and I think Nimueh and I raised Argent pretty well, all things considering."

"True. Argent grew up to be a fine young man who has great potential as a Huntsman. I dare say he could surpass his father." Argent gave a toothy smile at that.

"He's so cute," the Xiao Long (Blake took Yang's last name) Family went in unison.

"Still, Ruby could have still been in her son's life and given him the love of a mother."

"But I have a mom. Nimueh."

"I'm his mom," she said with a peace sign. "Besides, how many kids can say they were raised by the literal Spirit of Destruction," Nimueh asked as she held up a blue ball of flame, a symbol of her destructive powers.

"She's got a point, Renny. Argent's got bragging rights for years for having her as a mom," Nora said.

"True, but that is also proof of Ruby's inability to be in her biological child's life. She has lost all right to be known as Argent's mother in all but birth. As such, he is not a Rose, Schnee, or Xiao Long. He is, in every sense of the name, an Arc. It's time Ruby and everyone in this room realizes that."

"Aw, come on," Tai went. "He's still my grandson! Can't I treat him as such?"

"You can, but it's about ten years late to form a meaningful, lifelong relationship."

"But that's Jaune's fault! He made sure no one knew Argent was his and Ruby's son! No one knew! Wait, Qrow, did you know?"

"If I knew, what makes you think I wouldn't tell anyone else?"

"Good point."

"That was a really crappy thing to do, Jaune," Yang said. "I would have been the world's greatest aunt if I knew he was my nephew."

"You. Have. Silber," Jaune went.

"And I love that girl, but I meant a great aunt to Argent! Arie, who's your favorite aunt?"

"Huh? Um, Aunt Ruby."

"GAAAAH," Yang and Tai went in unison.

"Kid, she's not your aunt," Qrow went. "She's your mom."

"Oh, right. I guess that still hasn't sunk in yet. I still see her as Aunt Ruby, not my mom."

Yang was ruffling her hair before she took a deep breath. "Alright. At least we know you love your mom."

"Aunt."

"Don't push it, kid."

"Sorry."

"Now, let's try this again. Who's your favorite aunt?"

"Oh. Um... Aunt Nora." Yang's jaw drop.

"AWWWW, YEAH! WHO'S BAD! WHO'S RAD! WHO'S NEVER BEEN HAD," Nora cheered as she began to dance and chant: "I'm the best aunt. I'm the best aunt. I'm the best aunt." She finished with, "That's why I'm godmommy! Whoo!"

"Honey, please."

"Sorry, Renny, but this is just too good! Team JNR for the win forever more!"

"GAAAH! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"

"Pardon," Jaune went.

"You had Ren and Nora babysit Arie more than me, his bio aunt!"

"You didn't know. Plus, they were closer and more like family to me than anyone else."

"ENOUGH EXCUSES! I KILL YOU," Yang went with a lunge.

"WHOA," Jaune went as Yang tackled him over the couch, the sound of them scuffling heard behind the couch.

Ren sighed. "Argent?" He was watching his dad fight his aunt. "Argent?"

"Huh?"

"I know this is a lot for you, but I'd like to make a suggestion."

"Um, yes?"

"It may be too late for Ruby to be your mother, but I think she can still get some closure."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm thinking she gets one day with you, just the two of you. The first, and if you choose, the last day of mother-son bonding. For the two of you to air out any past grievances. Maybe for the first time, you two can truly connect. If you choose to be a... unique family, that's just fine. However, if after this, you decide that you prefer your familial dynamic as it is, that's also fine. At least Ruby will know and be able to make peace with herself. Is that acceptable?"

"ENOUGH ALREADY!"

The sound of a loud punch was heard.

"WHOA," Yang went as she was sent flying across the room, landing behind the Ren Family. "Again, I liked him better when he was weak." She pulled herself up, rubbing her cheek. "Guy's got a monster left, and I had my Aura up, too."

"They don't call me the Strongest for nothing, Mrs. Xiao Long," Jaune said as dusted himself off, straightening his clothes. "Now, Ren, what are you planning?"

"I made the same suggestion to Ruby. She agreed. I suggested they spend the day together at Vale Land." Argent's eyes sparkled.

"Of course you'd suggest Argent's favorite theme park," Jaune sighed.

"Of course. He's not exactly fond of Schnee World, due to the crowds and long lines. It's not the right time of year for Vaccuo's Water World, either. Mistral's museum is nice, but Nora convinced me that it wasn't the best place to take Argent."

"I love you, Aunt Nora," Argent said with a thumbs up.

"I know," she said with a thumbs up.

"So, what do you think, Jaune?"

"I think it's not my decision to make. Not this time."

Everyone looked at Argent.

"Hm? Hm? Hm, hm, hm?" He then pointed at himself. "Hm?"

"So, son? Do you want to spend the day with your bio mom," Jaune asked.

He looked down. "Honestly... no."

The Xiao Long family and Qrow looked sad and disappointed when he said that, almost heartbroken. They even looked ready to give up.

"But... I would like to spend the day with my Aunt Ruby," Argent said before giving a sheepish, shy, toothy smile.

---

"Hey, isn't that Ruby Schnee?"

"She's one of the best Huntsmen in the world! I didn't know she was in Vale."

"But seriously, what's the wife of the Schnee Dust Company President doing here? I thought she'd be too busy being New Mantle royalty."

"Um..."

"Hm," Ruby went as she looked down in confusion.

"M-Mrs. Ruby? Can I have your autograph," a cute Faunus girl asked.

Ruby smiled, knelt down, and signed the blushing girl's notebook. "You want to take a photo, too?"

The girl beamed. "Yes, please!" The girl gave her father her scroll, the man taking a photo of Ruby smiling beautifully next to his daughter. The girl was practically bouncing away, holding her scroll like she had gotten a trophy.

Ruby waved happily at the girl before she remember why she was at the park to begin with, the woman going back to looking nervous.

---

Week prior:

"He agreed," Ruby asked excitedly.

"Yeah. He wants to spend time with you. But... don't get your hopes up, Rubes," Yang said through the scroll.

"What do you mean?"

"He... doesn't want to spend time with his mom. He wants to spend time with his Aunt Ruby."

"Oh," Ruby went sadly, looking down. Her vision began to blur. She wiped the tears out of her eyes, sniffling a bit. "Well, better than nothing," she said with a small crack in her voice.

"Y-yeah! Baby steps, sis. We can just blame Jaune for-"

"No. No, we can't. Yang, I could have gone to him at literally any time. It's easy to blame Jaune, but I didn't even try to be his mom these past ten years. This is every bit my fault as it is his."

"Oh. . . Yeah. Y-You're right. Sorry. Just... go out and have fun with your kid, alright?"

"Yeah. I'll try."

"But I get him next week."

"Huh?"

"I have ten years worth of keep up to do! Did you know he called you his favorite aunt?!"

Ruby's eyes shined. "I'm... his favorite?"

"Yup! Guess even when you're not mommy, kids can still tell who there mom is!"

Ruby couldn't stop her tears this time, even if she wanted to. "I'm so glad."

"But listen to this, Rubes," Yang went, her voice comically on the verge of silly crying. "When we told him you couldn't be his favorite aunt since you're his mom, sniffle-sniffle (yes, she actually says that), HE CALLED NORA HIS FAVORITE AUNT! SOOO-HA-HA-HOOOOB!"

Ruby couldn't help but laugh at her sister's antics. "Well, I guess you should have been a better aunt," Ruby said jokingly.

"I'm getting my nephew's love! Don't you worry! I'll be the number one aunt to both my kids, my nephew AND my niece! How is my little Icepick, anyway?"

"I'm just fine, Aunt Yang."

"ICEPICK! Oh, you're so lucky I'm not there, or else I would have hugged you with enough heat to melt Solitas!"

"Please, don't."

"Well, sis, thanks for telling me. Talk to you later."

"By, Rubes. Good luck on your mother-son date."

Ruby giggled. "Couldn't you have called it something else?"

"Probably, but that was the first thing that came to mind."

"I wish it wasn't," Weiss said.

"Ah, you'll get over it. Later, Schnee! Don't catch a cold! Can't have you Schneezing all over my cute nephew."

Weiss and Silber groaned while Ruby giggled. "Bye, sis," she said as she hung up.

Ruby sighed. "Next week, huh?" She turned to Weiss and Silber. "Are you two sure you're okay with this?"

"Ruby, I'm going to be honest with you, I had a TERRIBLE relationship with my parents. So much so, I didn't even realize my father was dead when we couldn't find him in Vaccuo. I didn't even care that we couldn't find him. It took us years for me, Winter, Whitely, and mother to become a proper family. I don't want Argent to have a family life even remotely like that. If possible, I want him to have a good relationship with his mother."

Ruby looked down and rubbed her arm. "We... did have a good relationship."

"As a nephew and aunt. It's time he learns to love his mother," Weiss said.

"Besides, I like my cousin." Silber then sighed. "Or, now, I guess I should say step-brother. I don't want things to be awkward or weird. I know they're rare, but he still visits New Mantle every once in a while. I don't want him to feel awkward or unwelcomed in our house. If he comes here, I don't want him walking on eggshells or trying to avoid his own mom."

Ruby smiled at her daughter. "You truly are a mature woman, Silber."

"As the Schnee heir at fifteen, I would hope so. Besides, if you haven't noticed, Argent is oddly mature for a ten year old. I can't let myself be outdone by a kid five years younger than me," Silber said with a smile, arms crossed beneath her... adequate breasts (definitely takes after her bio mother).

"I hate to admit it, but that dolt raised his son well," Weiss said with her arms crossed.

"His son, huh," Ruby asked with a raised eyebrow and smile.

"Look, what I said at his house was a stupid, heat-of-the-moment thing. I can admit when I'm wrong. I still hate him, though."

"I'm not exactly pleased with Uncle Jaune, either," Silber said. "I still respect him, but he really did make a huge mistake."

"You're just defending him because you still have a crush on him," Weiss said to her daughter with bored eyes.

"I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM," Silber yelled, beet red.

Ruby laughed at her wife and daughter, a bit more calm now than before.

---

Present Time:

"Wait, that car coming up-"

"No way. I-Is that who I think it is?"

"By the gods, it's him. It's really him!"

Ruby looked up to see a pure white car (that looks like a Lambo) with golden streaks on the sides that made it look exactly like Crocea Mors drive up.

Ruby then took a deep breath. "Here we go."

Jaune parked his car, he and Argent getting out. As soon as he did, fans started screaming.

"THE VALE KNIGHT!"

"AND THE CHAMPION OF THE VALE TOURNAMENT! THE NEXT VALE KNIGHT, ARGENT ARC!"

"HE'S SO CUTE!"

"The next Vale Knight? Is that what I'm called?"

"I suppose. Do you not like it?"

"Actually, I think I'm gonna be something cooler! The Vale Paladin!"

Jaune laughed as he rubbed his giggling son's head. "That's my boy!"

"Mr. Arc?!"

"Hm?" Jaune looked down to see a group of kids who looked no older than Argent, some younger.

"Can I have your autograph?!"

Jaune knelt down with a smile, took the kids' pens, and started signing, the kids cheering.

"Hey, Argent!"

"Hm? Hey! I remember you! You were my last opponent in the tournament!"

"Yeah, Bronze. Didn't expect to see you here, but I'm glad. I get to tell you that next year will be my year! I've gotten stronger since then, and I'll be ready to kick your butt before heading off to Beacon!"

"Beacon? Oh, right. You're four years older than me."

"And just because you're the son of the Vale Knight doesn't mean you're going to be on top forever! I'll be sure to get my champ title and surpass even the Vale Knight! Count on it!"

Argent gave a snicker, not a malicious one, but a laugh of sportsmanship that accepted the older boy's challenge. "I won't make it easy for you," he said as he held out his fist.

Bronze punched it in a sportsmanship manner. "I'd be pissed if ya did." The boy then walked off to join his family.

Argent watched... and saw Bronze talking to his dad... and mom.

Jaune placed his hand on his son's head. "You did well, son."

"Yeah. Thanks, dad... But I think I'd rather fight him than deal with what comes next."

"Arie, I know this is an awkward moment, but try to act as you normally would. You're not here to reconnect with your long lost mom. You're here to have fun with your Aunt Ruby."

Argent looked down and took a deep breath. "I'm here to have fun with my Aunt Ruby." He then looked up towards the park and smiled. "I'm here to have fun." He then looked towards... a nervous looking Ruby. He gulped. "With my Aunt Ruby."

Jaune groaned... in pain.

Argent looked up towards his dad, seeing him squeeze his eyes and bare his teeth in pain before looking to see he was accidently squishing his father's hand using his Semblance. "OH! DAD, I'm sorry," Argent went quickly as he released his father's hand.

Jaune held it up, using his Aura and Semblance to heal it back to normal. "You're the only one I know who can hurt me to this extent. Hm, maybe you do have some Xiao Long in you."

"HELL YEAH, HE DOES," Yang and Tai went in unison behind some cars before Blake and Qrow yanked them down.

Jaune and Argent looked in the direction with blank eyes.

"Did they... follow us here," Argent asked.

"So it would seem." Jaune sighed. "I'll deal with them later. Let's get you to your aunt."

"MOM," Yang yelled before Blake yanked her down again.

"I'm going to kill them," Jaune went with a twitching eyebrow.

"Please don't. She's still my second favorite aunt," Argent said with a blush.

"SOON TO BE FIRST!"

"NO WAY! I'M THE FAVORITE," Nora yelled.

Jaune face palmed. "Sometimes, I hate my family."

Argent snickered. "That's what family's for." He then cleared his throat. "OH, MY GODS! IT'S FLAME GODDESS YANG XIAO LONG AND THUNDER GODDESS NORA REN! FIRST THE CRIMSON HUNTRESS AND THE VALE KNIGHT, AND NOW THEM! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"

"BY THE GODS, IT'S TRUE!"

"MRS. XIAO LONG, CAN I PLEASE HAVE A PICTURE!"

"YOU'RE MY HERO, MRS. REN!"

"That's my boy," Jaune chuckled as he carried his laughing son away from the mob of fans surrounding the uninvited guests, the six of them trying to escape so they could watch over Argent and Ruby's bonding.

When the father and son reached Ruby, she was plenty embarrassed. "I had no idea they would be here," she pleaded.

"I know," Jaune sighed. "I'd be furious if you did. Still, this is between you and Argent."

"Thank you, Jaune."

"Mm." He looked at his watch. "It's noon. Six hours should be more than enough time to do everything, right?"

"More than enough. Though, can it be eight," Argent asked.

Jaune looked at him before looking at his son's favorite attraction. "Ah. You always did love looking over the park at the highest point of the Ferris Wheel around that time."

"The Ferris Wheel," Ruby asked.

"You'll see. Fine, I'll see you at eight, kiddo."

Argent hugged his dad. "Thanks, dad."

When they parted, Jaune and Ruby looked into the other's eyes, Jaune's expression being unreadable while Ruby looked nervous. Jaune then held out his hand. "Good luck, Ruby."

Ruby stared at the hand and grabbed it. After they shook, Jaune was confused as to why she didn't let go. "They're bigger."

"Hm?"

"Your hands. They're way bigger than I remember." She stared at his hands with sad eyes. "I... have a lot of regrets. Decisions that I would do anything to go back and change." Jaune didn't respond. Instead, Ruby looked up at him with determined eyes. "I'll make sure this time with Argent isn't one of them."

Jaune stared at her before he smiled. "Good luck." He then walked away, hands in his pockets, leaving the mother and son alone.

As he walked away, his scroll rang. He took it out to see he was offered new missions. "Mm, good timing," he said as he got into his car and drove away.

Ruby and Argent watched him disappear.

Ruby then took a deep breath and looked at her son. "Well... shall we?"

Argent looked up and her... and smiled. "We shall." The two snickered at that tiny exchange before going towards the entrance, ready to start their day in Vale Land.

"Y-You're the Crimson Huntress," the ticket booth clerk said.

"That's me," Ruby said with a smile and wave.

"W-What can I do for you, Mrs. Schnee?"

"Schnee-ROSE. Why does everyone keep forgetting MY part of the name," Ruby asked as she looked down at Argent.

"Mhm-mm," Argent went with a shrug.

"T-THE VALE REGIONAL CHAMPION, TOO?! IS THE VALE KNIGHT HIMSELF HERE?!"

"No, no. Jaune's not here. It's just me and Argent."

"O-Oh. I see. I suppose the Vale Knight asked one of his closest friends to help his son have fun while he's off on a mission, right?"

"Mm, kinda. On that note, one adult and one child, please."

"Oh! Oh, no, it's on me. I can't charge one of the top ten Huntsmen in the world, let alone one of the Heroes of Remnant that defeated Salem. Please, enter." The gates then opened.

"Um, should we," Argent asked.

Ruby sighed. "No sense in arguing with fans. Trust me, your dad and I both tried." The two then walked into the park.

They first went to shows, then on rollercoasters, next to tea cups, before going on more relaxing rides. They then went to some of the games, the first being a strength tester.

"No Semblances allowed," the clerk said.

Argent laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head. "You're going to hold that over my head the rest of my life, aren't you?"

"A six year old beating a Strength Tester that easily? You made my game into a joke, especially when others began using their Semblances, too. You cost me a LOT of prizes, kid. But don't worry, this is the toughest one yet. I bet even with your Semblance, it'd be tough," the man said with a proud smile.

"It's rigged," Ruby asked.

"Wha- NO! It's IMPROVED to deal with monsters like the Arc family! Don't you know that kid's dad is strong enough to hold back a Nuckelavee with one hand?"

"He can throw it with one hand, too," Ruby added.

"See what I mean?!"

Ruby stared at him for a bit. "Yeah, I kinda do."

"Good. Now, kid, try your best," he said as he handed Argent the hammer with a smirk.

Argent took the hammer. 'It's light,' he thought. He then looked at the trigger and took a deep breath. He held the hammer over the trigger, analyzing and planning his next move. He then took another breath.

"Today, kid," the clerk said.

Argent then began to twirl the hammer before it began to spin.

"What the heck is he doing," the clerk asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I think... he's trying to win," Ruby said.

Argent then flung the hammer into the air, jumped after it, and spun down towards the button.

"Aaaaaw, shi-" The clerk began before the trigger was smashed into, the bell skyrocketing past the clerk's metal bands inside the machine and slamming through the bell.

When the dust cleared, Argent coughed a bit before opening his eyes. "Did I win?"

The clerk was staring at his damaged machine with his mouth wide open. "Two years down the drain." The man then coughed, but not before saying "Take whatever the hell you want."

Nora screamed at the top of her lungs before running up, scooping Argent into her arms, and squeezing the life out of him. "THAT'S MY NEPHEW! YOU SHOWED THAT MACHINE WHAT HAMMERS CAN DO!" She then began to smother Argent with kisses. "I am SO getting you your own hammer on your next birthday!"

"But... I... already... have... Crocea," Argent strained.

"You can have two weapons! I'm so freakin' proud of you!"

"Nora, you're choking him," Ruby went in worry.

"NORA," Ren yelled as he grabbed his wife by her collar and yanked her away with a run, the energetic beauty going "whoa" before she unceremoniously dropped Argent with an "oof!".

"Ow."

Ruby helped her son up. "You okay?"

Argent shook his head before rubbing the back of it. "I thought the point of sneakily watching someone was not being caught."

Ruby giggled. "Well, your Aunt Nora was never that stealthy. Neither was your Aunt Yang."

"YOU'RE CRAZY!"

"Speaking of."

"THAT WAS XIAO LONG STRENGTH!"

"NUH-UH! THAT WAS FROM YEARS OF ARIE SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAVORITE AUNT! JAUNE PRACTICALLY RAISED HIM TO USE A HAMMER!"

"THOSE ARMS ARE FOR PUNCHING, NOT SWINGING!"

"NO! THEY'RE MEANT FOR SWINGING!"

"PUNCHING!"

"SWINGING!"

"PUNCHING!"

"SWINGING!"

"Let's go, while they're distracted," Ruby went with a sneaky smile.

Argent gave the same sneaking smile as he grabbed Ruby's hand. "Yeah." They then ran off.

"COME ON! HE'S JAUNE'S SON ANYWAY! HE'S AN ARC! ARC'S SWING SWORDS AND HAMMERS!"

"WELL, HE'S NOT JUST HIS SON, IS HE!? ARIE SHOULD LEARN FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE FAMILY, NOT JUST FROM HIS DAD!"

Both Ruby and Argent heard what Yang said. They looked a bit sad at first before they just continued running.

They were now going through an attraction ride called Grimm Forests. It was more of a cute, fun, show of a ride; various types of Grimm popping from various corners, trees, and bushes to excite the riders.

"Hey, an Ursa! Dad told me that was the first kind of Grimm he ever killed on his own! I can't believe he was able to beat something that big in his very first fight."

"And he looked amazing while doing it," Ruby said.

Argent looked up at his mom. "You were there?"

"Yeah. I watched him cut the monster's head off to save a bully."

"Huh? A bully?"

"A real jerk who used to torment him."

"Why would dad save someone like that?"

Ruby looked to see a Boarbatusk roll out and into another bush. "Because your dad was a hero. Has been as long as I've known him."

Argent stared at his mom, seeing the genuine smile on her face. It made him... a bit sad. He then felt a gust and looked to see a Nevermore fly. "Hey, dad told me about that, too."

"Hm?"

"He said that was the first Grimm he ever saw you beat. The very first time Team RWBY was in action."

Ruby looked at her son in shock. "Your dad... told you stories about me?"

"Mhm. His stories about you were some of my favorites, second only to his stories about him and my... mom." Argent looked down, sadly cupping his hands together. "My mom. If you're my mom... then who were those stories about?"

Ruby looked down at her son in sadness before doing the same thing as him, cupping her hands together sadly as she looked down at them. 'Who were they about, Jaune,' she thought.

After the Grimm Forests, things were a bit awkward between the mother and son. It was really bad when they went to a shooting booth next. Argent... only hit three out of ten targets. Ruby was able to hit all of them.

Because of his father and Argent's victory at the Regionals, the Arc's were known to be one of the few warrior families who didn't rely on guns. They were actually famous for relying on pure skill and strength, with Jaune's "Wind Blade" being famous. People have even been trying to imitate it using Wind Dust, but could never get to the "Arc Level".

As the two were walking, Argent help up his Vale keychain, the consolation prize, while Ruby was walking next to him, holding a life-sized plushy of Crescent Rose, of all things.

Argent sighed as he pocketed the prize. "Guess no one will guess I'm your son anytime soon, huh," Argent went.

"Arie," Ruby went sadly. She reached out to him, about to put her hand on his shoulder, but hesitated, not knowing what to do or say in this situation.

'Dammit, Jaune. This is your fault,' Yang whispered as the group watched the two.

'How is this his fault,' Nora whispered back.

'He never taught Argent how to use a gun! That game would have been the best way for Arie to bond with his mom!'

"But Jaune never used a gun before," Ren spoke in a normal tone, earning a hissing shush from Yang and Nora.

"Kid could use some firearm training. Would give him a leg up on his dad," Qrow said in a normal tone, also getting shushed by the two women.

'I'm more curious about his punching power. Hopefully they'll go to the punching game next, gauge my grandson's strength,' Tai whispered, but still getting shushed by the two. 'Why?!'

'Um, shouldn't we be watching those two instead of planning Arie's training,' Blake asked.

"Ah," they all went, looking back at the pair.

The two were walking through the park, Argent looking down with Ruby looking at him in worry. She then heard a growl and followed it to Argent's stomach. The boy looked up with a blush before giving his trademark smile, trying to brush the situation away.

Ruby snickered before she looked up and realized they were by one of the park's restaurants. "Let's get something to eat. I'm sure they can make anything better than what me or your dad can make."

"Actually, dad's a great cook."

"I didn't know your dad could cook."

"Mhm. Uncle Ren taught him." The group looked at Ren, who held up a peace sign. "He also got some recipes from Aunt Saphron and grandma, so he knows how to cook a lot of different things."

Ruby got the depressed aura. 'Meanwhile I burn anything I make and Weiss can barely make tea. Poor Klein,' she thought.

"Something wrong, Aunt Ruby," Argent asked.

Ruby jumped. "No, nothing at all," she waved away with a nervous laugh as the two walked into the restaurant.

"So Jaune never thought of hiring a cook," Ruby asked as they were waiting for their food.

"We don't even have a house cleaner."

"WHAT?! BUT YOU TWO LIVE IN A TWO STORY MANSION!"

Argent shrugged his shoulders. "It's pretty easy for the three of us to clean."

"Three?" Ruby took a moment to think. "Nimueh?"

"Mhm. Dad incorporated cleaning into our training. He once said to me:"

- Jaune held out Crocea Mors. "Argent, one day, this sword will be yours. Just the same, when I am no longer able to fight, and when you are truly ready, Nimueh will be your partner. However, before you can even call Crocea yours, you must have discipline. We are Arcs. We can't always depend on the easy way, in or out of situations. The life of a Huntsman, a warrior, a knight, and yes, an Arc is full of hardships that we must be prepared for. That's not to say that you can't take the simpler path if it is the best, but if you have the power to complete a task on your own, use it." -

'Wow. Jaune really has become more amazing,' Ruby thought as their food was brought to them. Ruby looked down at it and thought to herself: ' . . . Have... have I changed as much as he has?'

Ruby and Argent walked out of the restaurant, the two realizing it was getting darker. Ruby looked at her watch. "It's almost time for your dad to get you."

"Huh. I didn't realize." Argent looked up, his eyes glistening. "We have time for one more ride, right?"

Ruby looked at her son before following his gaze, seeing the Ferris Wheel. She smiled. "Yeah. And what better way than to finish with your favorite?"

A while later, the two were riding up the wheel, looking down at Vale below them.

"Wow. No wonder you love this ride. Vale looks so beautiful from here."

"It's like a sea of lights, right," Argent asked.

Ruby smiled at the sight before turning to her son, a possibly inappropriate question popping into her head, but she needed to know. "Arie?"

"Hm?"

"Those stories your father told you. Can you tell me some?"

". . . Abooout," Argent asked, a knowing looking in his nervous eyes.

". . . About your mom."

Argent looked down, looking nervous, but smiled when he realized how much he loved the stories. Jaune never once mentioned a name, so maybe Aunt Ruby would know who he was talking about, and finally tell him the name of the woman his dad loved enough to call her Argent's mom.

Right as they began to reach the very top of the wheel, Argent began to tell Ruby the stories about his mother.

Stories of how they fought side by side, how she was able to take down powerful Grimm on her own, how she turned a Leviathan to stone, and how heroic Jaune always thought she was... and how beautiful she was as well.

With each story, Ruby began to silently cry... her smile never leaving. If anything... she looked even happier with each story.

It was at the halfway point of the wheel that Ruby began to audibly cry, catching Argent's attention. "A-Aunt Ruby? W-What's wrong?"

Ruby didn't answer immediately. She was busy wiping the tears off her face.

Argent felt bad. "I-I'm sorry. D-Did you know her?"

"Yes, I knew her. I'm so happy."

"H-Huh?"

"All of those stories. Each of them..." Ruby smiled beautifully at Argent. "They were about me."

Argent's eyes widened. "Eh?"

"That dad of yours. He made sure all the stories he told you involving me were with Team RWBY, didn't he?"

"Um, not all the time. He told stories of you with Aunt Weiss, you with Aunt Blake, or you with... Aunt... Yang," he said as he slowly realized that none of the stories where his dad used Ruby's name was just Ruby. She was always with a member of her team. "It was never just you."

Ruby sniffled. "Those stories of your mom... all he did was not use my name. That sneaky jerk. Telling his son stories about his mom, and I never once thought of telling you stories of me and your dad. Jaune, you idiot."

"So... all this time... you were my second favorite hero?"

Ruby smiled. "I guess I was. Hurts to know that your dad is your favorite, but I guess it makes sense."

Argent looked down before looking up. "So... did you REALLY jump down the barrel of a giant robot's cannon?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Cordovin. She was an angry old lady, and Maria didn't make it much better. Did you dad mention how he was able to take a punch from that giant thing?"

"He what!? Why did he never mention that part?! That's awesome!"

"Right?! I bet he also didn't tell you this part."

Moments later, Ruby and Argent got off the ride, laughing as they were holding each other's hands.

"Yeah, no way my dad would want me to know about that nickname."

"Well, it's payback for him telling you about the Craterface name. Just make sure you don't become the next Vomit Boy."

"I won't, mom."

"That's my-" Ruby and Argent both froze, the two realizing what the boy said. Even though Ruby has been called mom before by Silber plenty of times, being called mom by her own flesh and blood son hit differently. It was also a tad bit... embarrassing. The two were now beet red as they walked away, heading towards the exit.

'DID YOU HEAR THAT,' Yang excited whispered to Blake as she hugged her. 'He called her mom! MOM! I don't know what happened in that wheel, but I'm so glad it did!'

'I can see it now! The day I get to be called grandpa by my grandson isn't far off at all! Now I get to have a beautiful granddaughter AND an adorable grandson,' Tai whispered excitedly.

'THAT'S what's got you excited,' Qrow whispered.

'All that matters is that their bonding trip was a success,' Ren whispered.

'I'm so happy for Ruby,' Nora said.

The mother and son left the park, just in time for Jaune to drive up. He got out of the car to greet his son and friend.

"Hey, dad!"

"Hey. Did you have fun, kiddo?"

"Yeah. It was..." He looked up and smiled at Ruby. "It was a lot of fun," he said with a smile, Ruby happily smiling back. "Did you do anything fun, dad?"

Jaune thought back... and remember how he took on a Tyrant Rex (T-Rex Grimm), catching the beast's jaw as it tried to bite down on him, using his superhuman strength to toss it into another charging Tyrant Rex before using a Wind Blade from Crocea Mors to cut the two beasts in half. He then glanced back and took out Nimueh when an entire pack of Beowolves charged at him after he took out the Rexes, the other Huntsmen running in to help him as he charged into the flood of Grimm.

"Nah. It was pretty uneventful."

"Oh. Well, I had a lot of fun with my mom. We went on nearly every ride, played a few games, ate a tasty meal, and she even told me a few stories."

"Did she? Your MOM did all that with you?"

Argent's eyes popped open when Jaune emphasized the M word. "Oh, I did it again, didn't I?"

"Again, huh?" Jaune chuckled. "Well, you certainly made a couple of blondes happy. Speaking of, you lot didn't cause to much trouble, I hope," Jaune called.

"Hey, I resent that remark," Yang called from behind a ticket booth. "Ooh," she went in realization before Blake dragged her back behind it.

Jaune sighed before looking at Argent. "So, anything you'd like to say before we leave?"

Argent looked down and turned towards Ruby. "Can we... do something like this again?"

Ruby smiled, knelt down, and placed a hand on Argent's shoulder. "Any time you want, sweetie." She then kissed her son's forehead. When she parted, she realized something. "Jaune, what's with the shield?"

"No pictures, please," Jaune called.

Ruby peaked over the shield to see a nervous paparazzi. "Oh," she went with bored eyes. She then sighed as she stood up, looking up when she heard an engine. "Well, my ride's here." She then bent down, hands on her knees, and ruffled Argent's hair. "We may not be living together, but know that I'll always love you, Arie. You're my son, after all."

Argent smiled. "I love you, too. And you know what... I'm glad you're my mom."

Ruby smiled, a single happy tear rolling down her cheek before she turned and used her Semblance to get onto the open hanger of the ship, which already began to close and she turned back and waved.

The father and son watched as the mother's ship flew away before they entered the car, Jaune driving away.

"So, calling her mom now, huh?"

"It just kinda happened. Nimueh's still my main mom, though."

"Damn right, I am," she said from the sword.

The family had a laugh at that.

"Oh, dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Were you really nicknamed Vomit Boy?"

Jaune swerved a bit before he groaned. "Goddammit, Crater Face."

---

Omake:

"What's with you," a photographer asked his colleague.

"The Crimson Huntress was with the Regional Champ at Vale Land yesterday.

"Yeah? And? Plenty of people got pictures of both of them. Hell, there are even some pictures of them going on a few rides. The Vale Knight lets her babysit his son when he's on missions. What's your point?"

"When the Vale Knight picked his son up, the Crimson Huntress was about to kiss the RC's forehead."

". . . Huh?"

"And he called her mom."

"A-Are you saying what I think you are?"

"I almost had proof. The longstanding theory of Argent Arc being the lovechild of the Vale Knight and the Crimson Huntress was this close to being proven true, but the Vale Knight blocked the shot with his shield."

"I heard that."

The two looked up. "CHIEF!"

A Black Heron Faunus was standing over his employees. It looked like he had a black coat draped over his shoulders that's great for hiding in the shadows to get perfect shots, but they were actually his wings. "I've loved that theory ever since that subscriber sent in her Similarities Picture between Argent Arc and Ruby Schnee."

'Schnee-ROSE,' Ruby yells from within a comic bubble.

"That picture would have gotten you one hell of a raise." That made the photographer comically sob on his desk.

"Still, we now have a goal again, people. The news room has gotten dull. If not boring. The world's almost at too much peace ever since the Vale Knight became the living legend he is now, taking down hoards of Grimm with that magic sword of his and being an unofficial diplomat for all of Remnant. A juicy take like this, two heroes of Remnant making a powerful next gen warrior, will get our pages rolling. And the added juicy drama is that one of them is married to another said hero, and mama was the one who left baby boy with daddy dearest."

"Uh, sir, that sounds a bit like slander."

"Who cares? People will eat it up like Grimm eat up negativity. And besides, we live in Vale, one of the four great Kingdoms, and we have the Vale Knight himself to take care of any Grimm if this blows up too much. Now, get me proof that Argent Arc is actually Argent ROSE Arc."

'OH, SO YOU REMEMBER TO PUT THE ROSE IN MY SON'S NAME,' Ruby comically yells from another comic bubble.