"Jaune, the dancing Arc angel" (second part)
"That's the way first match ended." Old Arc finished, his head still filled with the images of that wonderful day.
"It must have been quite an experience for both of you," Pyrrha said, and soon noted how dearly both Adalard and Jaune smiled after her statement.
"Yea, it was," Jaune said and Old pops nodded in agreement.
"But I have to say, you really seemed to have a lot more self-confidence when you were younger." Pyrrha had to note as it was quite unusual to listen to the way how Old Arc described Jaune's past character. Quite different from the way he is now.
Blonde's eyes slightly shifted. "Y-yea….a little bit more." Jaune's gaze was slightly turned sideways.
Pyrrha slightly cocked her eyebrow as she couldn't understand why her partner seemed slightly uncomfortable. Though her gaze soon shifted to her left as she heard Jaune's grandfathers muffled chuckle.
Pressing the side of his fast against his lips, Old Arc's chest moved back and forth as he could barely hold back his laughter from bursting out.
"A little bit more he says," Adalard said as he calmed down "That would be an understatement of the century to say it like that."
Now Pyrrha cocked both of her eyebrows "Understatement of the century? What do you mean….?" She only had one guess to that, but there was no way it could have been true. Sure, a little bit more seemed a bit dishonest, but something far beyond that seemed even more unlikely.
"What I mean young love is that my boy used to be one of the cockiest brats to ever walk this earth. You see, he always used to be a little bit of a show off but after he discovered boxing, and realized how good he was at it, my boy simply couldn't shut his mouth up about how great and mighty he was.
Such cocky, little brat he was."
"Pfff, h-ha ha ha ha ha, I'm sorry but that is just, ha ha ha" Pyrrha just had to laugh on that one as she genuinely thought that Old Arc was joking. Though as soon as she noticed that both Old pops and Jaune were quite serious, her laughter died down.
"That….wasn't a joke?"
Old Arc himself chuckled lightly "Young love, I truthfully understand your reaction seeing how my boy is now, but no, I wasn't joking. As delusion as it may seem, there actually was a time when my son's tongue was as mighty as an army of thousand men. His self-belief and arrogance was just that great. But….you know, since El Jauney could always back up his words with actions, which sometimes even exceeded his sayings I couldn't help but to adore his past character."
…..
…..
…..
Wow….just…wow. Pyrrha honestly didn't know what to say. Looking at him now, it really seemed delusion to think that there actually was a time when Jaune, yes, THIS Jaune, Jaune Arc, her partner, teams JNPR leader and the real counter-part to her plushy with whom she secretly cuddles with at nights-
But back to the point that her blonde actually used to be arrogant.
No words to that.
"And after all, not every youngster can say that they fought for a world title." Old Arc suddenly proclaimed proud fully.
"Excuse me?" Pyrrha questioned as she thought that her hearing went wrong for a few moments.
"El Jauney, my boy, fought for a world title when he was at the age of 16."
Once, twice, a few more times did Pyrrha blink. Slowly but surely it did sink to her what ''world title'' meant. Then she slowly turned to face her partner.
"Jaune…you..fought for a world title?"
"Well, yea but only in amateurs so-"
"As if that matters!" Pyrrha exclaimed in a complete awe and her arms wrapped around Jaunes neck, pulling him as close as she could. Such overwhelming joy she felt in learning that her knight achieved so much in his beloved sport.
(Fighting for a world title in amateurs. It's hard to get any more amazing than that.) She thought to herself. Amazon almost had to hold her breath at the said idea.
Jaune Arc, he truly was full of surprises.
Many people called him a weakling, a complete failure, the black sheep of his own team. Yet there he was. Someone who actually fought for one of the grandest titles in a brutal, tough sport as boxing. No failure or weakling could ever do that.
"Jaune, it's almost unfair that you didn't let me know all this time that you were just…that amazing," She said. And after, if she was this close anyway, since her knight didn't let her kiss him back that one time in a hospital room, she gently pressed her lips against the blonde's cheek and then muzzled back into the crook of his neck.
"You're amazing," She said one more time against his skin.
Jaune on the other hand was simply perplexed at first. He was just so overwhelmed by his goddesses' reaction that it even confused him as to how he should react to that. Okay, he knew that she would be pleasantly surprised about the revelation but certainly not to such a degree. But then again, it was Pyrrha. Someone who genuinely cared about him. And, if his intuition was right, though at this point it would be almost just down right retarded to think otherwise, she cared so much not just out of partnership or friendship.
But something even more beautiful than that.
Wrapping his own arms around his partner's waist, he buried his face in Pyrrha's neck, his warm breaths slightly tickling her skin.
"Thanks.." Was all he said before he would let himself to be drowned into this precious moment he had. Not even caring if his grandfather was closely inspecting them or not, though he could guess that he did.
(Those two….there's no mistaking it, their hearts and souls are united in one.) Old pops even found it to be slightly amusing how two people who were undeniably in love couldn't express it into words. Oh well, maybe this was just new generations thing he could not understand. But whatever the case was, the scene in front of him was truly dear to him so he held his mouth shut and let them be like that for as long as they wished.
Which to no one's surprise came to be quite a lengthy moment.
And this one was on Jaune's account.
He was the one who didn't want to let go of the most. Holding her like that, so closely, so preciously. At such proximity he could even feel her dear scent. And her heart. Even if her chest wasn't from the modest ones he could still count her heartbeats perfectly. Maybe partially due to the fact that her beats were just so fast and strong. Not that his were any less noticeable. In fact, the rhythm of their hearts matched so well together that it almost seemed like they were conversing with each other. Maybe they just tried to express what their tongues couldn't.
Perhaps, it truly was that.
(Maybe, I should just let them be alone.) Old pops thought. It didn't seem like they would be ready to listen further any time soon so he mind as well just let them be in private. Especially since there was only the last third left to tell from Jaune's tale. But it was exactly the one he didn't want to tell the most. The one which ripped Jaune and boxing apart from each other. So Old pops figured he could tell it some other time.
Just barely, but through the corner of her eye Pyrrha did notice that Jaune's grandfather was slowly getting up and ready to leave which she, from one side, could really appreciate since it was a gesture which told "Enjoy your intimacy moment" But as much as she wished to do just that, leaving the story half-finished wasn't the best idea. She listened so far so she should hear the rest as well.
And with that mindset, Pyrrha tried to back off a bit from her partner which seemed to be harder to do than she anticipated it to be. As much as she struggled, Jaunes grip around her waist didn't loosen up one bit so she gave up on that and just tried to get Old pops attention while still being held dearly by her knight.
"Adalard, please, I would like to hear the rest." And after she quietly whispered into Jaune's ear "Hey, I think you should let me go for now."
"Just a little bit more." Knight mumbled.
"I can tell you the rest later, so don't worry about that."
"No, no, I would like to hear it right now." "Jaune, I think that's enough."
"A little bit more…"
"Are you absolutely sure you want to hear it right now?"
"Yes, of course." "Jauuuune…"
Knight held her for just a few more moments but soon let her go since she showed reluctance in this. That, and plus Pyrrha really deserved to hear the remaining bits and pieces of his tale.
"Well…if you so insist." His shoulders slightly sagged down as the mood in the air would soon be changed. But there was no escaping it anyway as he would still be forced to tell her the rest someday. It's just that he didn't want to ruin their moment. But oh well, if Pyrrha wanted to hear the last third right away, then so be it.
His footsteps being slightly heavier, he walked back to his couch and took his place. And as he was ready to start, Pyrrha suddenly interrupted him as she remembered something.
"What is it young love?"
"I…there's something I wanted to ask."
"And it would be?"
"What did…Lilianna think of Jaune being a boxer?"
"She wasn't very fond of that, being as stubborn as she was, her mind was still locked on the idea that he should have walked a huntsman's path but since El Jauney earned great success in the sport, she at least didn't forcefully try to make him quit it. As unpleasant as it was for her, she allowed the boy to do his thing."
(So she at least allowed him to follow his own destiny, even if it was unwillingly.) Pyrrha thought. And to be honest, it was nice to know that she at least had that much good will in her.
"I see." Was all Pyrrha said as she then gestured for Old pops to continue the tale.
And just before he did, Jaune suddenly remembered something. His memory was triggered when Pyrrha asked what his mother thought about him being a boxer, which made him to remember a certain moment relating to the topic. But even more so to his relationship with Lilianna. Why did blonde remember that one night so well? He honestly didn't know. But the knight liked to go back to it from time to time. And right now, he felt like doing it again.
Which he did in a moment's heartbeat.
3 years and 3 months ago.
Arc's residence.
His face swollen, muscles stiff, body hurting all over and completely spent, Jaune helplessly slumbered down in his rooms couch.
It was a very brutal day at the gym.
30 rounds of sparring, tough roadwork and hellish training with the mitts.
Jaune barely pushed a tired breath through his lips and his eyes were already half closed as he was ready to give up on staying awake any longer. The only reason why he wasn't already sleeping soundly being that his body was hurting all over the places.
"Old fart sure didn't go easy on me." Jaune thought. But honestly, he liked that. After all, it was half the reason why he was so great in the ring and was undefeated thus far. And it would soon lead him to the very pinnacle of his amateur career. So there was no way he could complain.
Spreading his legs out just a bit more, Jaune decided that the only thing he could do was to wait until the crashing stiffness and pain in his muscles would fade away, and he could finally get some sleep.
It was late in the night should also be mentioned. Double the reason why he wished he could get his well-earned rest as fast as possible.
Though soon, the calming silence in the room was disrupted as a clicking sound was to be heard. Doors slowly opened and to Jaunes great disliking, Lilianna's figure emerged.
(Looks like I'll be sleeping elsewhere.) Jaune figured quickly.
As much as his body protested, he forced himself up and was ready to leave. Her presence was the last thing he needed right now. For quite some time already.
Ever since he discovered boxing, his stay time at his home decreased rapidly. In a past year or two, it got to the point where he barely was seen at his own place at all. For the most part, he was at the gym, training relentlessly. He would only go home when he needed some sleep and even then it wasn't always the case as he sometimes got a permission to stay over-night at the gym.
So obviously, he rarely saw his mother. And didn't mind that one bit.
Just a few more steps and Jaune was close to walk past his mother, his look directly at the door. Though the moment he was right next to her, his vision just went dark and his body became almost weightless. The reason being that Lilianna grabbed his face with her palm and forced him back on the couch.
"Hey!?" Jaune protested as he tried to get out of his mother's grip, though he failed at that miserably. Partially because he was too tired and also because of his mother's monstrous strength.
"Stay still…" She strongly commanded.
"What do you want?" Jaune asked half irritated, half angry. Though he actually didn't try to get himself free as he knew that there was no way he could.
Instead of saying anything, Lilianna took out a tube. Rolling its top off, she slid her two fingers into the weird mixture it was filled with and then pressed them onto the Jaune's swollen features. Carefully, with utmost gentleness, she started to smear the mixture all over blonde's face.
Jaune of course wanted to know what his mother was up to this time, but as soon as he felt the effects of that weird mixture, his initial thoughts trailed off somewhere.
Whatever it was, what his mother smeared all over his face, it helped greatly to him. The pain his body was filled with, it slowly started to fade away.
"What is that?" Jaune asked, his tone now a lot calmer.
"….A medical mixture," She said, her tone being a lot calmer too, although there were a few notes of irritation audible.
Although it took him some time, Jaune asked "Where did you get it?" Blonde wondered as since he started to box, he got to know a lot of well known brands which made grease's against bruises, swelling, numbness and other negative effects. Yet this one he couldn't recognize.
And it was good too.
Although not right off the bat, Lilianna answered "I made it myself."
Jaune's eyes got slightly wider "Since when did you know how to-"
"Since my idiot son decided to be a boxer." She rushed the sentence quickly, cutting Jaune off short. And then just went back to taking care of his swollen features.
('Since my idiot son decided to be a boxer', heh.) Jaune didn't know why, but that line made him smile, almost chuckle even.
"Why did you pick up boxing anyway? Do you really like to get your head bashed in so much?"
Jaune rolled his eyes. "I don't get my head bashed in all that much. Besides that, I'm really good at it and I love the sport. That's all."
Lilianna heard the answer, her fingers sliding across Jaune's distorted skin. Such a rare sight it was for her. Well, she didn't get to see his face a lot either ways and even when she did, it was for a very short moment's notice. But even so, seeing him like this was a solid reminder of what kind of a sport boxing really was. Even for someone as talented as Jaune.
"…But boxing is a really dangerous sport." She said quietly.
"Yea, because being a huntsman and fighting grim creatures which can literally rip your head off with a single swing is just SO much safer right?" Jaune didn't really try to be mean, but he couldn't understand why would she mention boxing being dangerous when she herself tried to push him on the path which involved risks even more severe than his sport. Not that you couldn't die in a ring but the chances of it happening were surely a lot lower than being a huntsman.
Lilianna too, couldn't deny how much truth the statement held in itself. Oddly enough, it even almost made her chuckle with the way how boldly Jaune stated it.
"That is true, but a huntsman doesn't have to fight on his own. You can always have a partner with you to help you out."
"Yes, because it will be very useful to have someone with you to get your detached head and place it back on your shoulders. Add a little bit of magic dust and you'll be back on your feet like a new one." This time around, Jaune just genuinely tried to be funny.
And it really worked as Lilianna couldn't completely hold back all of the laughter and a few muffled giggles here and there escaped in the air.
Jaune of course heard them and noted just how….how…..there was just something to them. Since her laughter was short and not very clear, blonde couldn't figure out the right way to describe those few giggles which did escape, but whatever that word could be which he was searching for, one thing he did know for sure.
The few notes of her laughter which he did hear, whatever the reason could be…..but they made his heartbeats skip in some way.
And he really wanted to know why.
But not giving him any more chances to think of the reasons was his mother's voice as he heard her say "So I assume that you won't change your mind and are still against the idea of being a huntsman."
Now being slightly more serious Jaune answered "I think I have said it plenty enough times. No. I won't be. I will keep boxing." He stated them as a fact.
Being quiet for a bit she said "So you're as stubborn as I am."
After a short pause himself Jaune responded "I guess."
With those words exchanged, they kept quiet for some time. Lilianna continued to take care of Jaunes swollen features while blonde kept himself still, his gaze somehow ending up on his mother's face. Her flamish eyeballs darting from side to side as she kept looking intently at his wounds and treating them carefully.
Which she did splendidly well, Jaune had to admit.
And he really, really liked that.
Mostly because how rare it was for her to be so gentle and motherly. Not that she was physically violent to him. She raised her hand against him just once and even that one time it wasn't unbearably bad. Her calling him useless was what hurt him the most. Partially because of that fact alone and partially because it had some truth in it since he wasn't blessed with the talents the rest of the Arcs were.
So it truly wasn't about her being physically violent to him but about her being able to be like this. She, who was so strong and rough around the corners to be able to display such care and gentleness. With nothing but the help of her fingertips too.
It really was mind perplexing.
Yet even more so it was pleasant to Jaune.
And who knows, maybe he shouldn't be that surprised that Lilianna could be so soft if she wanted to. Maybe it was just something all mothers could do. But whatever the case it would be, he really liked this side of her. But at the same time felt saddened that she wouldn't show it more often to him. Though it all the more worked as a reason for him to take this moment the best way he could too.
So with his gaze still strongly locked on his mother's features, he allowed her to treat his wounds as long as she found it to be necessary. And as Lilianna kept doing just that, she had to note just how intently her son was staring at her. She noticed it right away but didn't pay it too much attention, though since his gaze didn't turn sideways for quite some time she decided to question if there was something blonde wanted.
"Do you need something?" She asked as her hand slid across Jaune's cheek.
The first response she got was a blink. Then a continuous, silent gaze as it seemed that Jaune was running through his thoughts.
(Do I need something?) He asked himself too.
It was rare of him to ask anything of her but could it be that right now he needed something from his mother?
Anything?
Maybe. Maybe there really was something. Though that something in this case was really important to him. So he mind as well could give it a shot.
"There….is something…." He started slowly.
"…..And it would be?" Her thumb ran over his eyebrow.
"In a few months, there will be 'Golden gloves' tournament. Winning it is every amateur boxers dream. I'm gonna take part in it and win so…." Jaune's resolve wavered slightly.
…..
…..
…..
"Do you want me to be there?"
Jaune slightly shook his head "It's not about whenever I want you to be there or not, you just have to be there."
Lilianna didn't say anything right away. For one more time, she ran her fingers over her son's features. Sliding them over his forehead, she pushed his hair away to have a better look of his face.
His gaze, she couldn't really tell what kind of emotion was hidden in those blue orbs he had. Most likely because there was more than one right now. Maybe determination, perhaps excitement. Some hopefulness? Even desperation? Or just all of them at once.
She really didn't know. But still, about one thing she was sure, those emotions were strong and were not to be taken lightly. Turning them down didn't seem like an option she had.
"I'll take it as my duty," Lilianna said, and just before she turned away she noticed how emotions in Jaune's eyes slightly shifted.
Placing the tube with medication on the table, she then proceeded to march out of the room.
Blonde's eyes followed his mother's figure right till the end. Then he turned his look on the table. Wrapping his fingers around the tube, he picked it up. Sliding his finger over its still warm surface he said "You have to be there. To see me become great in my own way ya know."
And shortly after, he tried to apply the medication himself. To his great surprise though, the moment his fingers made contact with his skin, he had to slightly wince as he felt sharp pain.
So it takes some time for the medication to have its effects work. But of course it does. It can't just magically do wonders right away. So then why was he surprised?
Gazing at the doors Lilianna walked through, he soon remembered why.
Getting as comfortable as he could, Jaune's eyelids got unbearably heavy as tiredness seemed to finally win over his consciousness. Not resisting it one bit, he allowed himself to completely close his eyes and was ready to get some well-earned sleep.
And just before he did exactly that, he quietly mumbled to himself "When she did it, it didn't hurt…..at all."
(Didn't hurt at all.) Jaune said to himself, slightly pressing his fingers to his cheek. Even after all this time he could still remember, even feel just how different it was when he tried to apply the medication himself and when Lilianna did it. Such seemingly mundane, unimportant detail but there was just something truly special behind it. And for one reason or another, felt really dear to him. And probably that's why he could still remember it so well.
Though this wasn't really the right time to drown himself in that moment as he wanted to pay attention to the Old pops and Pyrrha. Luckily he didn't miss much and could easily listen further.
"…..by the end of his amateur career, my boy's record was 165 fights….165 wins and with 135 of them being early stoppages." Old Arc smiled proud fully.
"That's a near perfect record." Pyrrha smiled too, her gaze shifting to Jaune's side for a short moment. Even if she didn't say anything, knight could perfectly read from her expression alone. "You're amazing" Is what it said.
"Indeed it is," Old Arc agreed wholeheartedly.
"And it all eventually came to the point where my boy only had but one high to reach in the amateur grounds. 'Golden gloves' cup. The very pinnacle of what you can conquer before turning pro."
"So that's the world title Jaune fought for, correct?"
"Indeed."
Pyrrha went silent for a short moment. She did know about such an event, although not much since she wasn't the biggest boxing fan. It was one of the more anticipated sport related events happening in Remnant. If she remembered correctly, it happened once a year, each time in a different continent, though she could have been wrong about that.
"I assume you have at least heard of it, yes?" Old Arc questioned.
"Yes. If I'm not mistaken it happens once a year, each time in a different continent. "
"Correct." Old pops confirmed "Since you already know that, I will simply go briefly through the rules of the event.
First, and probably the most important thing to note is that it follows pro boxing rules and regulations, with an additional single tweak to it. What that means is that combatants participating in it don't use headgear and the size of their gloves is 10 oz, instead of 12. The number of rounds is 12, just as in pro championship. As for the single, unique tweak I spoke of, well, it would be that the referee can't stop the fight. Only the corner can do it, or if the fighter can't make the ten count."
"Isn't that….a bit too brutal, considering that it is amateur boxing?" Pyrrha wondered as it even seemed slightly odd to her.
"Brutal it is young love" Great Arc agreed "As for the reasons why it is, then the only thing I could say is that maybe because of the mentality of 'Golden gloves' tournament. For the most part, it is sort of looked at as this harsh, tough test for the fighters to see which of them would be ready for the pro boxing world. At least so I believe. Whenever or not it is the correct way to do it, that's up to each individual to thin but one thing is for certain. As brutal and hard as it is, every young, promising boxer wants to achieve it and we, obviously, were not an exception.
Pyrrha slightly nodded. Being a four time champion herself, she could actually understand such thinking. And after all, the harder the road to your goal, the all the more you will enjoy getting to the end of it.
"So, since my boy achieved everything he could, besides 'Golden gloves' cup, we wasted no time and went straight ahead for it. Our hearts filled with hope that we would be victorious like every time before. But…." Old Arc took a deep breath "Life sometimes isn't as simple as you could wish it to be. And that day truly proved it."
His words now being heavier in tone, Old pops could already see all the scenes right in front of him. He did not miss a single detail from that day. Unfortunately, he had to share them with Pyrrha. As much as he did not want to, she deserved to know what happened those 2 and a half years ago. So with that mindset intact, he painted that day with his words so Pyrrha would finally learn the truth as to why his boy left boxing.
Day of the championship.
"Ready for this?" Old pops asked as his body hair was standing upright from the excitement he felt at the moment.
"As ready as one can be," Jaune said with confidence. His body too, filled with unspeakable thrill and anticipation.
"As you should be." Old pops stated "Then there's only one more thing for me to add."
Leaning slightly closer, he pressed his forehead against his son's "Remember, all the hellish training and struggles you fought through, all them were so you could earn your place to be here. YOU. Deserve to be here. And this whole event, all of it, it is your moment. It has always been ever since you took up the boxing gloves. Just remember that."
"I know," Jaune said without the slightest hesitation or doubt.
And with that, Old Arc locked his eyes right directly in his child's for those few seconds he had left.
Slightly narrowed, sharp, filled with determination and will, his gaze was so much different than couple of years ago. Many thought that he would be a failure when he would grow up. Nothing but a black spot on Arc's family. Even his own mother doubted if he would achieve anything. And yet here he was. Standing proud and unfazed by all the troubles life threw at him. Ready to prove all the naysayers that he was above the usual crowd.
There was no failure in that. Nowhere.
Instead, this will become the moment he will show his greatness to the whole world.
"Then off you go," Old Arc said after which he lightly kissed his son's forehead and allowed him to march off into his own forged destiny.
And soon, the bell rang signaling that the first round had just started.
"And what a first round that was young love. Even if there weren't many clean hits, the sheer thrill of seeing the punches pass by their heads was more than enough to shake your boots. Simply put, it was a masterclass from both of the fighters."
"Then I assume that Jaune's opponent was quite something else too."
"Oh indeed he was. 220 fights, 216 of those were victories and 210 of them were early stoppages. And I should mention that more than half of them were clean ko's. Just like El Jauney, he was overwhelmingly blessed with the right tools for boxing. And he perfectly showed that right from the beginning of the first round.
"Bullet like left jab was fired from Jaune in hopes that it would land on his target, what happened instead was that blondey's insides were almost turned into a flat pancake as a terrifying body blow just missed his ribcage.
(Damnit, have to admit, that bastards head movement is amazing.) Jaune thought to himself as it was annoyingly difficult to land something on the guy. Not only that but there was always a chance to receive an immediate counter as his foe's dash speed was first class.
(Single attacks ain't gonna cut it, have to use com-) His thoughts quickly trailed off as he was forced to use a sudden step to his left as a razor sharp right hook grazed his cheek and managed to disconnect a few strands of hair from his head. Well, rather that than disconnect his head from the shoulders.
(Damn, the guy won't give me even a second to re-) And Jaune's sharp instincts and his footwork again saved him from the hospital visit assuring punch.
Which made him realize for sure. This wouldn't be an easy night for him. Not one bit.
"For the first time ever, El Jauney was challenged so greatly in a match. Forcing him to be so defensive, making him move around a lot more than he usually would, punishing my boy for the very few mistakes he made. And just not letting him relax for a single moment as it would cost him greatly. Truly, he was a rival to the very core. But that isn't to say that we were losing it. In fact, we had a slight edge on our side. You see, those few losses the guy had on the record, all of them were coming from the guys who could move around splendidly. And since my boy's footwork was his best both offense and defense, it gave us a slight advantage so the future seemed hopeful. That is….until something happened."
Pyrrha immediately noticed how Old Arc's stature tensed just from the sheer mentioning.
Forcing himself to continue, Old pops said "In the closing seconds of the first round, something unexpected occurred, something, which shouldn't have…"
Yet again Jaune dived under a razor sharp left hook. Even the sound which slashed air apart made his danger sensors go full throttle. Those definitely were not the kind of punches he could afford to take.
(There's no mistaking it, hooks are definitely his 'Sunday' punches, the left one specially so.) Jaune figured rather quickly. Every single time he tried to move in, that left hook was always there, ready, ready to blast his head off.
Every. Single. Time.
And with that knowing, the colors on Jaunes face became slightly brighter. A single, effective, but rather simple strategy was quickly formed as Jaune figured out his opponent's habit. That one punch he always used when he was in danger himself.
(It's definitely worth a -) Jaune dived under a right hook (-shot) He finished the sentence as he hopped a few times in the same place before making that rare occasion of him moving in himself. With few, lighting fast skips he closed the distance to his foe and was in his firing range. And exactly the moment Jaune was in, yet again he was in a way of his opponents left hook.
As he was expecting it. Bingo.
Moving his right glove a bit higher, Jaune blocked the incoming attack and right immediately after, delivered a blow of his own.
Bullet fast, precise left jab was ready to hit its mark right in the center. Unfortunately, Jaune's opponent's instincts were so damn great that he was able to half evade the attack. While his cheek was grazed, the punch didn't interrupt his rhythm as much as Jaune wished to. Not that it mattered to the blonde knight greatly as the jab was only the start of his attack. The real finisher was the canon like right straight which fallowed right after his left. As Jaune anticipated, his second blow hit the target perfectly…
Somewhere where it shouldn't have…..
Old Arc in pure horror watched as his boy drilled his mighty right hand into his opponent's concreate hard forehead. Since 'Golden gloves' cup followed pro boxing rules, they weren't wearing any headgear. Curse that and Jaune's opponent's evasion skills. Since the left jab didn't interrupt him as much as it should have, he was able to start the defensive movement but wasn't able to get out of the punches way completely. And it honestly would have been so much better if he would have.
Either ways, there was no question about it, Jaune's right hand was broken. Even without having a single look at it, Old pops could tell just from the amount of pain his son's face showed to him. Fortunately at least, blonde's foe couldn't attack right away as his knees buckled quite a bit and luckily, since the incident happened in the nearing seconds of the first round a gong soon ringed signaling for the end, and it seemed that for the end of the match as there was no point in continuing it.
With his teeth gritted tight, Jaune marched back to his corner. Old pops by that time already took out the stool so his son would have a place to sit. With a heavy thump, Jaune took his seat, his left hand on top of his right as he tried to stop it from shaking so badly. Taking deep but short breaths, he tried to calm himself and collect his thoughts.
Old pops didn't even dare to touch his boy's hand. Instead, he tried to muster all of the willpower to suggest that the match should be stopped since there was no point in continuing it.
His look lowered down, he placed the hand on top of blonde's knee and slowly started to form words. Each one stinging baldy at his heart.
"Jaune…I-I know you won't accept it but….the match…..we need to sto-"
"Match isn't over!" Jaune fired back before he could even think "No…there's no way…"
"My boy, you know this isn't an easy decision for me to make either but with just one hand….even you can't do it. It's a suicide." Old Arc said, yet hidden in some deeper corner of his heart was a mighty scream which declared that there still is a chance.
But feeling that there is a chance and thinking there is one are two completely different things.
"I don't care…." Jaune said after a sharp breath. Slightly turning his head, he ran his eyes over a crowd in search of a familiar womanly figure. Right now, he couldn't find it but he still knew that she was here, somewhere. Her arms most likely crossed, stature tall and proud. Her blonde, beautiful hair perfectly hanging by the waist, those flamish eyeballs of hers following his every move, most likely judging him.
Jaune knew she would hold her word so her presence was definitely among the crowd. So there was no way he could back off like this, especially after saying that he would win this.
Losing was not an option for him.
Jaune turned his look back to grandfather's side.
"That…useless hag, she is watching me right now. I know. She's waiting. Waiting until I would show her my greatness. So please, Old pops, let me continue." He raised his head to the grandfather, even his eyes screaming with a plead 'Let me continue!'
"El Jauney…" Old pops entire figure tensed.
He knew, so well did he knew that there was no point in letting this match advance any further.
Victory was simply not attainable for them anymore.
And yet he couldn't bring himself to stop it.
Such resolve to fight on, his spirit still demanding a chance to prove himself. The eyes of his boys were still lit on passionate fire and will. The determination to carry on was still as strong as ever.
And much of that was thanks to Lilianna.
So badly did the boy want to prove that he could achieve greatness in his own way. And old pops could understand that very well. With such complicated relationship as they had, to finally show to his mother that he was well worth her affection even despite the fact that he wasn't talented in the ways Arcs were. It must have been a goal he could not by his life give up on.
And with that, even despite all the creeping odds they, and especially Jaune were facing, Old Arc had but one, only option.
And it was to pray for the greater beings above that they would grant Jaune a chance to perform a one in a lifetime miracle. So much struggle, training, blood and guts went into preparation for this….yet now it all turned into one, almost unwinnable bet…
"Do your best." Old Arc hugged his child before he would send him off.
"Thanks," Jaune said with utmost appreciation to his grandfather before he would pick himself up. His gaze now strongly locked on his opponents figure, he didn't hesitate one bit before he would move himself forward.
Forward into the uncertain destiny ahead of him.
"B-but that one in a lifetime miracle d-didn't happen." Old Arc struggled to say more as he still felt the guilt of what happened that day even till now. "Instead…..my own, dear son was a moving sandbag for three, long, painful rounds. Since 'Golden gloves' tournament had that unique tweak added to it, a referee couldn't stop the fight. And not making the ten count was not an option too as El Jauney was too tough for his own good that night.
So all the responsibility was placed on my shoulders.
And yet…w-what did I do? Really. What did I do?" Old pops entire figure shook, his pale blue eyes almost daring them to take a guess of what he did that night, or one could even say didn't do.
Jaune of course knew what his grandfather dared them to say but he obviously kept his mouth shut. Pyrrha too didn't say anything, her features were not mixed with unsettling disturbance as she didn't like to see Jaune's grandfather being like this.
Seeing that none of them would say anything, his look went to the floor, fists clenched tight, struggling to say anything more as his throat got choked up "I…I just kept watching…..that's it. All I did was keep watching how my dear child was getting pummeled with punches which could have taken his life away. Just…..just how useless…c-could I be…" Old pops stopped temporarily, covering his face with his hand as he didn't want Jaune and Pyrrha to see the shameful display of him being close to tears.
Without any more waiting, Jaune leaped to his grandfather's side, immediately taking him into a hug, his words which came from the bottom of his heart trying their best to convince that what happened back then wasn't his fault.
"But I had all the power to stop it….yet I didn't."
"You didn't because I asked you to. You knew how much it meant for me to continue the match so please just stop blaming yourself, please. I don't want to see you like this." Jaune embraced him just a little bit tighter, his own throat choking up as Old pops was genuinely one of a few people blonde couldn't bear to see like this.
Pyrrha while greatly hesitated at first as she wasn't sure if she should get herself involved into this, approached Old pops side too seeing just how much it meant for Jaune. Giving him a comforting pat on the shoulder she said "I think you should listen to your son right now. Is it true that you could have stopped the fight? Yes. But even so, I think you didn't do that because you knew better that for Jaune it would have been the greatest regret if the match would have been stopped. So instead of that you did what you believe, I believe, and I am sure Jaune believes was best for him. You let him finish the fight on his own accord.
'The scars on your body will eventually subside and disappear, but the pain hidden in your heart may never heal.'
Please, consider these words." Pyrrha said, slightly squeezing old man's shoulder.
Of course, few simple sentences couldn't wash away grandfathers regrets but, and it maybe really was only so he could feel better about himself, yet the old pops couldn't deny how much truth those words held in themselves. Knowing how strong Jaune's resolve was, it truly would have damaged him, maybe even beyond repair if the match would have been stopped forcefully. It surely would have haunted him many nights after knowing that he didn't give it his very best so…..maybe it was not a mistake to let his boy continue.
Or maybe it was. Old Arc really wasn't sure but since he didn't want to embarrass himself any further he decided that he had to get his act back together. That and of course since Old pops always found it to be his duty to show the better examples for the newer generation, him being sulky like this surely wasn't the best display of what a strong individual should be like.
"I am truly sorry that I just…"
"It's okay," Pyrrha said reassuringly and went back to her corner since Old Arc seemed to be better now. Jaune though still kept himself close to his grandfather's side.
"I'll be fine El Jauney."
"You sure?"
"Give you my word." He tucked his lips in a simple but honest smile.
Jaune kept himself close for just a few more seconds but then decided to retreat back as well.
"Okay." Jaune kissed his temple and went back to his seat, right beside Pyrrha.
"Okay, I will continue the tale since there isn't that much to tell." And after really getting his bearings back together, Old pops continued.
"As I said, El Jauney was a moving sandbag for three, whole rounds. You see, his opponent too knew that my son's fist was greatly damaged and he couldn't use it anymore. With such a divine advantage on his side, his attacks became much more relentless and fearless than they were ever before. He didn't really care about dodging Jaune's left since his head movement was first class, and even if he would have to take a risk of enduring a few lefts that wouldn't bother him much either as his chin was on par with his defenses.
So it really was a grim situation on our side.
The only thing we had left with were my boy's wings yet even those were torn off eventually. See, my son's opponent targeted his midsection right from the beginning but it was just difficult to land them cleanly. Though now, with my boy having nothing but his left fist, those bone crushing body shots started to land and in great numbers. By the second half of the fourth round, even the last beacon of hope we had on our side was stripped away.
With his wings gone, from then on all my boy could do was eat shot after shot, with full force behind them. Until it all ended in the fifth round.
Jaune's head viciously snapped sideways, his bloody mouth guard flying over spectator's heads, making some of them cover away.
"Will that boy be okay?" some of them even dared to ask, wondering whenever or not the blonde combatant would walk out of this alive.
Yet as concerned as some of them could be, there was nothing they could do but to keep watching the horrific onslaught happening in the ring. Though with more passing seconds, even that was becoming near impossible to do with how one sided the match had become.
His left hand wrapped around the ropes for support since he didn't have enough strength to stand on his own, his right limb was hanging by the waist as he wasn't even able to put it as a guard.
And with punches coming from the all angles, the only thing Jaune could do was to endure them all. Yet with how past limit he was, even that wouldn't last for long.
Though it shouldn't have lasted this far in a first place.
Yet something still held him upright. But what? Some invisible force? A miracle? His own will? His dreams?
No.
This time, the answer was much simpler than that.
It was a promise he made that one night. A simple statement to his mother that he would win this is what still held him on his feet, still let the blonde to endure the punches he shouldn't have and finally, gave him a single ray of light in his otherwise pitch black surroundings.
(Win…..win…..prove…m-myself) Jaune muttered to himself as he tried to muster every ounce of strength he had or didn't have, just so he could lift up his broken limb and throw it out at least one more time. The last chance of his to try and win this thing.
But before he was able to move even a finger, everything just suddenly disappeared. The crushing pain, his thoughts, the muffled heartbeats and even the last ray of light he had. Nothing of that was evident anymore. A simple abyss of nothingness. And even if Jaune himself didn't quite understand what just happened, from the outside spectrum it was a simple answer.
He was finally knocked out by his opponents left hook.
And just like that, completely hopeless, blonde knight was falling face first to the canvas. Though since the left hook was only half of his opponent's best combo, Jaune's jaw was smashed with the right hook as well, making him ragdoll through the ropes.
Heavy thump vibrated through-out the arena as blonde's nape crashed against the judges table, his whole body following shortly after.
From the sight, audience started to gasp loudly and make some other noises. Perhaps a call for help or something else. But it hardly mattered anyway. What truly was important is the end result of it.
His first loss, and a false statement he made.
That is what mattered the most in the end.
Old Arc stopped shortly, giving everyone a chance to collect their thoughts. Pyrrha looked at Jaune, inspecting closely how he felt at the moment. Blonde soon returned the gaze and smiled reassuringly. "Yes, it was hard to get over it but I'm fine now, trust me okay?"
Pyrrha slightly shook her head and returned to old pops, waiting until he would continue.
Seeing that they were ready, Great Arc spoke.
"Such a colossal loss effected El Jauney to no horizon's end. Yet as devastating as it was, it wasn't just the loss itself which damaged my boy's spirit. Remember, El Jauney was a fighter with a loud mouth which he liked to use quite often. Even before 'Golden cups' tournament had started did my boy already talk mighty how he would win it with soft breeze. Towns locals and people from the other lands viewed him as a cocky type which he unmistakably was, but also a lovable one too since he could always back up his claims, or sometimes even exceeded them.
That is of course until finals happened.
After such a disastrous loss, some of the public's views changed. Few started to doubt him and some even went as far as to call El Jauney a weakling. And since he had a complex with people doubting him, it affected my boy more than it should have."
"But why? Didn't they know that his hand was injured?" Pyrrha couldn't understand why would people start doubting her knight just after one loss. Especially since his right fist was broken.
"Oh that they did. But you see young love, cocky, strong fighters while greatly loved in boxing world, are also the ones who dance on the sharpest edges. Most of the time, they receive double the treatment if they fail to deliver their promises.
Though that isn't to say that other combatants have it easy either. For you this may sound disgustingly cruel, but there have been times when even pro champions have been called weaklings or 'bums' by some of the boxing folks and critics. Of course, I would like them to taste a true boxer's fist before stating something like that but….that's boxing world for you. Tough like almost no other, physically, but even more so mentally.''
Just as Old pops predicted, Pyrrha truly found it disgusting to learn that people who work so hard for their dreams and goals could be called all kinds of names for some twisted reason. And in such a tough sport like boxing no less.
And to think that even pro champions could be called 'bums' and weaklings. That truly was too much, especially since she knew the struggle of improving yourself so well. So even as composed and calm as Pyrrha was by nature, her eyebrows twisted and mouth corners hardened as she said "Adalard, if you ever decide to teach those filthy scums a lesson, please call me in."
"Will do," He chuckled lightly "Though to cool your heart a little bit, I want you to know that most of the people still expected great things from my son. They did know, after all, that his hand was injured and the achievements he had before still held him in the air. But you see, the one who was most affected by the loss obviously was El Jauney himself. Him having such a great ego as he used to have, it ripped his insides out to lose in such a colossal way, hand injured or not. And name calling and other people doubts didn't help either.
But, the one who added the most salt to the injury was his mother, as you maybe could guess at this point. After all, she was there, at the finals to which I am sorry I didn't mention earlier, and saw just how badly my son lost.
And since she wasn't fond of him being a boxer to begin with, such an unsettling spectacle truly didn't change her mind."
5 days after the finals.
Jaune's residence, Adalards living room.
His ribs still cracked, hand barely healed, eyes puffed and head double the normal size, Jaune's state was still sad to be looked at. His battered body resting on the bed, Old Arc sitting on the edge while Lilianna stood close by her father.
"Should have just went for the huntsman's path as I always told you to." Her usual stubbornness kicked in.
"Just go away." Jaune quietly mumbled as he didn't feel like arguing with her one bit.
"'Go away' he says." She hissed. "Then at least explain to me what was that sad performance about anyway. Honestly, it was so pathetic that I couldn't bear to watch it till the end." And just as she remembered the second half of the fourth round, she wrapped her hands around the torso, her fingers slightly sinking in the clothing of hers.
"His hand was broken," Old Arc protested angrily "With a disadvantage like that there's no way he could have done any better."
"And you too…" Lilianna turned her gaze to her father "Did your mind just went blank? If the situation was that hopeless when why did you send him off?!"
To that, as much as Old pops wanted to say something back, he didn't have an answer. Instead he lowered his look and clenched his fists in frustration and shame.
"I asked him to so leave Old pops out of this," Jaune said in his grandfather's defense as he didn't want him to be dragged into this as well.
While it didn't ease up her anger on her father, she did turn her attention fully to Jaune himself.
"Whatever. Why would you continue the fight if you knew that it was impossible to win?"
"So I could show you how great I am in boxing and you would finally shut the hell up!"
"You do know that I'm not very fond of you being a boxer."
"That isn't my problem anymore." Jaune shifted slightly further away in his bed.
"Even with that being said, you sure as hell didn't show me greatness there. It was just sad to look at the fight."
With a bare minimum strength he had, Jaune clenched his fists.
"I…will start over and win this time."
"Will you now?"
"I said I will."
"And what if you will fail again, and just as badly as this time? Do you even know how much fun public will make of you?"
"I won't fail again."
"So you said the first time too yet look what-"
"Just piss off!" Jaune just had enough. "I'll start again and win….that's it." He silently said before rolling on his side, or at least trying to but since his ribs protested against that, he stayed the way he was.
With that, Lilianna left the room saying nothing. Only leaving a single scoff after her.
With her out of the way, Jaune finally had some peace and could close his eyes. Yet as tired as he was, this new, disturbing sensation of the loss didn't let him relax just yet. And it seemed that the only way to get rid of it would be to start over and win this time. So even if he had just tasted the sour flavor of the loss, Jaune wanted to get back on his feet as fast as he could and pick up the gloves again. And this time, for sure, the victory would be on his side.
That was for certain.
"To see Lilianna so disappointed was the greatest fury to El Jauney. He just wanted to show her that we Arcs could can be great in other ways, not just being huntsman and huntresses. And yet look what fate brought to him.
Though as badly as he lost, his spirit was still alive and strong. But at the same time too furious as well which made him to be way too impatient.
As he promised, he started over again.
But too soon he did that.
You see young love, since my boy was greatly injured, it was required of him to take a long break from boxing. 5 months at least. But my son didn't wait. Being so enraged by his mother's disappointment, he waited only 2 months before picking the gloves up again. While on the surface he looked okay, his ribs and hand were definitely not ready for a match.
I of course, protested against the idea on him boxing so soon again and tried to convince him the best ways I could. But he just didn't listen. He even went as far as to say that if I won't train him, he will find a different couch. So much did he want to turn down any doubts the public and his mother had about him.
Was it his hurt pride? His massive ego? Mother's disappointment? I couldn't really tell, not then and not now. But that's just the way he used to be.
Though the most important thing is that I couldn't stop him. Again.
As I mentioned earlier, my son picked up the gloves again shortly after 2 months. We had a fight scheduled with a local champion. The boy was honestly nothing special, his tools were averagely good besides his chin. That was his only trump card. So in all honesty, even despite my boy starting over too soon we were quite confident in our victory. As we had every right to be.
But El Jauney….he just….turned everything to worse. Though not that I could blame him much about it. I only needed to witness first few seconds of the first round to tell that this wouldn't go well. And it truly didn't.
Haymaker after haymaker, Jaune kept assaulting his opponent. His foes back heavily sank into the ropes since he did the best to survive the non- stop onslaught Jaune gave to him. Blonde's wide shots shaking his boots. But it honestly started to bother him less and less. Even if this was only the second round, the blonde's strength started to noticeably fade away. Probably due to the fact that he didn't take a break even for a second. That and the fact that Jaune seemed uninterested in dodging the attacks his foe threw at him. He instead took them head on and delivered his own blows. A tactic which could have worked if his body was fully healthy and if the opponents chin wouldn't be made of steel, yet since fate seemed to turn the bad side to him, the more seconds passed, the all the more everything just went the ways it shouldn't have.
"My boy, he just…didn't box. He simply used pure violence. For the first time ever, he let his emotions take the better of him and threw his fists without any technique what so ever. Perhaps, if the opponent wouldn't be that sturdy it could have worked, though since his chin was made of steel, he was able to survive El Jauney's relentless assault and even worse, later come back with the attacks of his own.
I screamed my lungs out, tried to give him some instructions on what to do, but he didn't listen. It was simple. My son was too drowned into his own rage. Which in the end costed him too much.
Round after round, he kept attacking but not effectively. Either missing shots or wasting them on his opponent's mountain like guard. And so it continued until the last round. Though as I said, my boy's body wasn't ready for a match, and it really showed in that final stretch. Since his foe could later come back with counter attacks, Jaune wasn't able to withstand them and eventually, in the last seconds of the fight he was knocked out cold.
And that is the way his last match ended." Old Arc stopped shortly.
Pyrrha looked to her right, her eyes now locked on Jaune's expression. It was almost indifferent but his eyes were sagged down slightly so he still felt the pain from the misfortunate event.
But of course he would.
Pyrrha pressed her head against Jaune's cheek and wrapped her arm around his shoulder.
"So this is the way it all ended," She said in low tone.
"…..Not quite." Old Arc was a bit hesitant to admit.
Pyrrha turned to Old pops "There's more?"
"The very conclusion."
Pyrrha honestly didn't even want to hear it but it would be stupid to turn back now so she signaled for the Old Arc to finish it.
"Yes, it all ended in the next day's nighttime."
Completely motionless, Jaune sat on the living room's couch. Although he didn't look as battered as after the first loss, his aura was a lot more miserable second time around.
So much for starting over. Jaune still found it hard to believe that he really lost again. And in a colossal way as well.
With him, Old pops too was sharing his presence which too, wasn't from the best ones either.
And as they kept sitting in their places still, a clicking sound was made. Through a frame, Lilianna emerged but both Jaune and Old pops didn't even do as much as to acknowledge her presence.
After a few footsteps, she found herself in front of Jaune. Without a word spoken, she dropped a newspaper on his knees.
"Read the first page," She said shortly after.
Since Jaune didn't feel like arguing what so ever, he took the newspaper and read a few titles he could see there.
Even if slightly, but his expression did change after reading some of the headlines.
'Shameful display to boxing'
'Colossal loss yet again'
'Jaune, the dancing Arc angel' greatness or carefully crafted victories?
After reading them, Jaune dropped the newspaper but kept himself silent.
"So this is what you call 'starting over'." Even if Lilianna's tone was rather calm, it was more than evident that she was ashamed.
"Well, now you're basically a laughing stock. People most likely call you all kinds of names. Even what you achieved before your two losses is now doubted."
Jaune's only answer was silence and half assed blinks.
"Such shame you have brought on me Jaune. You're honestly just a…..just…you're a disgrace not only to the Arc's but me as well. And I always warned you that Arc's don't have dreams of their own. Perhaps now you will truly understand what I meant by that." She said, and shortly after walked away.
'Such shame you have brought on me Jaune' 'Arc's don't have dreams of their own' 'You're a disgrace not only to the Arc's but me as well' For some reason, after hearing that something just broke or disappeared altogether within blonde. But whatever it was that something, Jaune felt growing emptiness inside of him.
So, so hard did he work for that 'Golden gloves' cup. So much effort went into every single second of his harsh training. So much effort and talent, yet he still failed. His chance to finally prove to his mother that she was wrong about Arc's having only one path to walk. It slipped away. And now he was nothing but shameful dirt on the name of Arc's, laughing stock for public eye and…probably the worst, good for nothing son.
In an overly long motion, Jaune picked himself up and dragged his body to the exit. A single pair of eyes following after his figure intently, the owner of them obviously being Old pops.
So much did he want to comfort his son. Say something, anything to help him. Just do anything!
Yet since he was so hurt himself, the only thing he did before Jaune's figure disappeared was stretching his arm out in his child's direction.
That's it.
Couple of hours later.
Midnight.
Even if Arc didn't know what to do or say, the least he could do was to check upon his child's well-being. See if he was anywhere close to being called 'okay'.
His figure now standing at Jaune's room entrance, he slightly hesitated at first but braising himself up, old man carefully took the door knob and slowly moved the door away from him. Through the gap, he soon noticed that Jaune was sitting on the edge of his bed. Since it was really dark in the room, Great Arc couldn't make it out if his son was simply sitting there or doing something else.
"El Jauney?" He carefully called out.
Since there was no answer, Old pops peeped in just a little bit deeper. Soon, in the dark shadows Jaune was covered in, Old Arc noticed that his child was holding something. Adalard couldn't make it out right away what it was, but as soon as a few rays of moonlight projected the items surface, Old pops realized that it was a sword.
(A sword. What for would El Jauney need a-OH NO!) Old Arc's heart almost gave out as he couldn't help but to think of the worst in the state his mind was. Without a wasted moment, he moved his body as fast as his old muscles allowed him to. In less than a second, he was by his child's side, his arms not taking any more time before they would cover Jaune's shoulders in a tight grip.
"Please! I know it's hard for you right now but taking your life isn't an answer!"
"I am done…" Jaune's voice was almost lifeless.
"No my child! Don't give up on your-"
"I am done with boxing…."
"…What…?" Old Arc's hysteria stopped for a moment.
"I am done with boxing, I don't need it anymore.
"El Jauney…" Old Arc slightly tilted his son's head up so the moonlight could reflect his face yet all it revealed was that Jaune's features were a teary mess.
"Oh my boy…" Old pops caressed his son's cheek, his own eyes glazing with tears as his child's state was just heart breaking to look at.
"I was thinking…a lot….and I realized that we Arcs have only one path to follow so…I don't need boxing…I don't need dreams of my own…I will just become a huntsman." Jaune forced his lips to move upwards.
"I am done with boxing." Was the last he could say before his voice just broke. His heart following shortly after. The hot tears which ran down his cheeks washing away all of his hopes and dreams. Falling down from his skin, they found themselves on the family sword he was holding. Making their way down from there, in the end they ended up on the floor. The same place Jaune was at. The very, very bottom.
Old Arc's knees gave out. Collapsing next to his own, dear son, he wrapped his arms around Jaune's figure and pressed the face against his child's chest. The heartbeats which used to be so full of life and joy were now barely hearable. The melody they produced now being full of sorrow and regret. Letting his own pain wash away, Old pops just like his son didn't mutter a single word. Only kept leaning against each other and await for the tomorrow.
See what a new day would bring in their lives.
Such is the closure to the tales of a young boy who was once known to be 'Jaune, the dancing Arc angel.'
Authors notes: So it was a long wait again…..Damnit, does it even surprise anyone anymore? I mean I know I said that chapters would come in a snails speed but this one really shouldn't have taken this long. Almost feel slightly guilty about that. But oh well, at least it is quite lengthy. Which is only a good thing if you will enjoy the content so I will really hope that you'll do.
Anyways, besides that I also wanted to know something. A few questions if you don't mind. How do you guys feel that my OC characters are getting quite a bit of attention right now? Does it bother you? Do you honestly think that they should just be pushed away and used were sparingly? And last but not least, what do you think of the idea that my OC's would continuously get at least decent amount of attention?
Truly, I would really appreciate if you would take a little bit of time and answer any of those. But that is of course up to you.
Now besides that, don't have anything to say really.
With the last bit being the obvious one.
Like always guy's, until the next time comes-
Have a nice one;)
