"Eyebrows curved disappointingly."
Pyrrha smiled to cease his fears. "I think your mother will appreciate the results of your effort." She tenderly pressed her lips to his.
…Or else I swear that bitch will regret it. However, a miniscule glimpse in the corners of her eyes showed a contrast to her otherwise serene, soothing emotions. That mother of his certainly deserved more than that, but Jaune's well-being was a lot more important. If he so strongly desired to reach out to his mother, then Pyrrha would only oblige. Little bit for Lilianna's sake, but so much more for Jaune's one.
"Could you be here…While I give her a call?" Redhead just barely managed to hear his plead as it was just above a whisper.
"Of course I could." She reassured firmly, a scolding smile curved in her lips as he seemed way too reluctant to ask. But then again, perhaps it wasn't a reluctance to ask, but the anxiety felt towards the trial he was about to face. Pulling herself up, redhead moved to the further corner of bed. A perfect distance so that Jaune could have some privacy, yet still would know that she's there for him.
Fixing himself to a sitting position, Jaune's fingers firstly only brushed against the pocket, but upon drawing a deep breath, they sneaked in and pulled out the scroll. Drawing another deep breath, blonde's stiff fingers pressed the screen numerous of times. From the sight, Pyrrha cocked her eyebrow in confusion as she found it slightly odd that he'd have to tap the screen number of times. Though as Pyrrha quickly recalled what sort of relationship Lilianna and Jaune used to have, it soon dawned on her. His mother's number wasn't saved in his contacts. He had to tap it in manually.
With few more taps, Lilianna's number was on display, his finger hovering over the call button. Before he would press it, Jaune turned his head to look at his love. He immediately found himself to form a weak smile as she showed a reassuring grimace, signaling with her head that he should venture forward. With a single moment passing by, Jaune did.
…
Nothing, but buzzing sound came from his scroll for the first few seconds. Truth be told, Jaune couldn't deny that there was a faint hope that she wouldn't pick it up. But with his grip hardening around the device, blonde braced himself and came to wish that she would. His desire to hear her acknowledgments came to overpower the fears and anxieties which lurked in his heart.
"Hello?" A feminine voice suddenly reached out from device, elements of surprise audible in tone.
Jaune closed his eyes for a brief moment. Nodding to himself, he soon started.
"Hey…" Jaune winced, cursing himself for his voice coming off as a whisper.
"Is that you Jaune?"
"Yea…" 'Cough.' "Yea, it's me." Jaune triumphantly nodded as his tone sounded about normal.
…
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Why did you call me?-'whack'"
Jaune thought that he heard some sort of slapping sound.
"How's your day so far?"
"Quite cool I guess."
"Glad to hear that."
"Mm. You?"
"Okay I suppose."
"That's fine too."
…
Awkward. Both of them stayed quiet, their sheer incompetence to move the conversation forward embodying itself into stiffing silence.
"Ps…" Jaune slightly tilted his head as he heard a reaching sound from his partner.
"Talk about your boxing training, upcoming match, maybe huntsman stuff or…having me as a girlfriend and then move the conversation to where you want to." She advised, her features showing few wrinkles as Pyrrha just barely stifled a cringe. It was almost physically painful to experience in person the communication gap those two had. But for the sake of this conversation's success, she hoped that they could diminish it. Surely, Certainly, probably, just maybe.
Blonde weakly nodded back, running her topics through his mind. Boxing training nah, huntsman stuff boring, than perhaps he could…Yea, he could give it a shot and as Jaune was ready to speak up, his blue caught a glimpse of glowing notification on the display.
Request for video image.
Uncharacteristically, Jaune pressed the display before he could think it over.
Perhaps he should have.
Or not. Even if her unnerved face was first to appear, it quickly faded away and folded into a calm, soothing grimace.
"Hi Jaune." She greeted him.
Being slightly taken aback, blonde soon realized her intent and even welcomed it.
"Hi." He timidly waved her.
"How was your day?"
Jaune shrugged. "It was cool. Started the morning by having a look at the gift I got just yesterday; it's awesome by the way. And then had a decent roadwork."
"A gift?"
"Yea," He affirmed. "I can…yea, I can show you if you want."
"Wouldn't mind."
"Give me a sec." He asked of her and reached for Yang's-his Ember Celica's. "This." Jaune showed his new weaponry through the camera.
"A pair of bracelets." Lilianna confirmed. "Wait," She peered keener at the items. "Those aren't just for decoration, are they?"
"N-no its…it's a pair of combat arms." He gulped, fearing where this reveal could lead. Thinking if maybe he shouldn't have showed her after all.
"You got gifted a pair of combat arms?" She questioned. Inheriting them, yes, that wasn't uncommon. But receiving one as a gift; that was rather peculiar.
"I-I know, kinda weird, isn't it?" He placed them over bed.
"Quite so, I'll admit. But I believe that they are from-Pyrrha was her name-correct?"
Jaune shook his head. "No, actually from someone else."
Lilianna's eyes widened slightly more. "Well then, this someone else must be a great friend to you to gift something so generous."
"Yea." And a huge pain in the ass. He almost grinned.
"So then," Her tone sounded chastise, yet grimace showed resignation. "Should I assume that Crocea Mors won't be of use to you anymore?"
Jaune's body squirmed. "Well…I mean its n-not like I have to abandon it c-completely you know…just…use it less?" Jaune grinned nervously.
"It's alright." She shook her head. "Admittedly, I don't approve of your decision wholeheartedly. You know how I feel about spreading out a positive word for Arc's legacy. Weapons we use being an important part of it."
Jaune weakly nodded.
"But…it's blatant as a day that your new weapon set suits your natural fighting style more than Crocea Mors ever could. So there's nothing more to be said."
Jaune faintly smiled, letting out a breath of relief. However, his blue soon showed a glimpse of somberness. "I wonder what old pops will think of it."
"That you shouldn't worry about. If anything, I think that your grandfather will be ecstatic to know that your new combat arms go so well with boxing."
"Now that you say it like that…" He pondered, soon nodding once in agreement. "He just might not be as upset as I thought he would be."
"Trust me Jaune, he won't be. If only slightly at first, but it will wear off really quickly."
Jaune's head tilted to side, his gaze hovering over the wardrobe where his former combat arms bided. "Then I guess…my days with Crocea Mors really are over." Even if not a lot, he did reminiscence on the experiences shared with it. In the end, Crocea Mors didn't bring him a lot of glory-scratch that-barely any victories at all, yet somehow, it still managed to grow fondness on him. Maybe it wasn't even the weapon itself which he would miss. Perhaps those were memories connected to it which he kindly mused over. Like bringing down the first Ursa, all the sparring sessions with Pyrrha, a few successful slashes at Cardin, and slightly more.
"So it seems." Jaune turned his head back, hearing his mother's voice. "By the way, with your sweetheart, Pyrrha, how are things between you two?"
How did she know? Jaune mentally questioned his mother's knowledge that Pyrrha was his girlfriend. For now, he would just write it off as some psychic level mother's intuition.
"We're cool." He started blandly, yet his cheeks soon showed a blush. "Well…there is something though." He timidly scratched his head.
"Which would be?" She ever so slightly tilted her head to the side.
"Me and Pyrrha we…well, we'll get married next year."
Even redhead found herself internally squealing as Jaune voiced that confession.
Despite knowing that it was only a matter of time, Lilianna still found herself taken aback. "I…that's wonderful." She faintly smiled. "Pyrrha's a beautiful soul I believe, though one which can handle herself in a battle better than many." Lilianna's nose itched as she said it. "And you too, I think will do fine as a husband."
Jaune kindly narrowed his eyes, timidly grazing his cheek. "You think..?"
"One which has a lot to improve upon," She wasn't hesitant to admit. "But a kind, loving husband none the less. So I believe."
Jaune's grin seemed to try and reach his ears, heart pounding with joy. "Thanks…"
"I'm just speaking my mind." She said, her own grimace showing a spreading, self-contained smile, allowing herself to fall quiet for a moment. It was something of a blessing to know that Jaune was able to smile like that for her…because of her. She would treasure such moment in her hearts deepest corner. Letting herself to indulge in this joy just a little bit longer, she breathed out and made a more serious grimace. "I have to say though, don't make such decision lightly Jaune. Both of you in fact, think it over carefully. Marriage is not something you should strive for unless both of you are absolutely sure of it. Not even the age of 20 you are, a whole life still being ahead of you. If either one of you is not ready, wait and think it over again."
"We will." He nodded, understanding her concerns.
"One more thing. With marriage, you'll face a new responsibility, perhaps even faster than that. Children. That too is something you must be certain about. I'd say even more so than marriage. Making a child is something everyone can do, but offering them a healthy upbringing, teaching them, loving them, it's something which requires patience and effort. Completely different one than chasing a dream or being a huntress." Her grimace fell, anguish running through veins. At this point, running her mouth about how it should be was all Lilianna could do. "Child is a blessing to a world, so he should be treated and loved like one. Otherwise you might end up hurting him over and over again. Never listening to his needs or ideas, forcing your ideals on him and not caring about his own. Eventually you just…break him apart, crush what he held dear to and just-"
"I get it." Jaune rebuked, wanting her to stop. It was easy to tell that she strayed off the subject and just started to beat herself down with words. "I get what you're saying." His tone came softer. "Besides…me and Pyrrha, we don't have children yet so…" And Jaune just abruptly stopped.
Lilianna shook her head. "That may be so right now, but one night is all it takes to give life to one."
Jaune blushed sheepishly, finding it increasingly difficult to maintain eye contact with her. "I-I know, but we…don't have that one night yet so that's…that."
Honestly, Lilianna wasn't expecting to hear that. From how close she viewed their relationship to be. "You haven't made love to her yet?" She frankly asked.
…
"No…"
"Then your bond isn't complete yet." She explained it almost like a lecture. "Only through making sweet love do you reach the very epitome of physical, emotional and spiritual connection."
Jaune weakly nodded, indicating that he at least pretended to listen. Truth be told, he was more fascinated by the escalation of their conversation. Starting off as an awkward greeting and stiff silence, now reaching the point where his mother explained why sex was truly important aspect of relationship.
"Of course, that isn't to say that you have to rush it by any means. I'm simply saying that making love is the closest you can get with one another. It's beautiful, and holds great value in both strengthening, and keeping the bond together. Not something to be so flustered over or be ashamed about." She faintly smiled, finding it a little bit amusing how shy her son was about it. But then again, perhaps she was simply too open. Something Lilianna would have definitely learned from her father as he was anything, but shy to tell about his 'Glory nights.'
"I-I'll keep that in mind." He nodded again. Somehow, Jaune had a gut feeling that Pyrrha was peering at him with great intensity. For reasons.
"I'm sure you will." She trusted him. "And Jaune, allow me to add that the reason why I earlier stressed the importance of healthy child's upbringing, isn't because I believe that you and Pyrrha will fail to deliver it. I simply want to remind you how important it is, and that it comes with great deal of responsibility and effort necessary…That's why."
"Hey."
"Mm?"
Jaune pulled his scroll just a bit closer to his face. "I don't regret my upbringing." Was all he said.
Lilianna half opened her mouth as she had plenty of reasons why he should. Her being behind just about any of those reasons, yet somehow…looking at Jaune's honest, meaningful smile she instead quietly bit her lip. Did she really deserve this kind of kindness from him..?
"Jaune…"
"Yea?"
"…Thanks…"
He simply shrugged. "We're family."
She bit her lip again. "Yes…yes, we are."
"How was your day?" Jaune just casually asked upon remembering that he hadn't yet.
Lilianna drew and exhaled a breath before answering, setting her emotions in place. "Truth be told, not much to say really. Most likely so because it was rather boring, although the morning was enjoyable."
"Something good happened?"
"You could say so."
"Mind telling me what?" Jaune decided to insist a little bit.
Lilianna pursed her lips. She definitely wouldn't admit that she again was enjoying herself over the two messages he had send her. That would not be only embarrassing, but perhaps even creepy for Jaune. Second option then.
"I did something I hold dear to my heart." And she briefly stopped.
Jaune didn't press on any further too. He wanted to, but restrained himself seeing that she was reluctant.
"I sang." She revealed it. Lilianna came to realize that she was content with her son being the first one to know it. That she slowly came back to her dearest activity. One which Lilianna considered to be her…still consider to be inseparable part of herself. Despite how many disagreed with it.
Jaune's mind suddenly sank into the deepest recesses of his memories. He…no, he couldn't even remember a word, just some abstract haze of images. And despite being absent from reality, Jaune still managed to auto-pilot his lips and pleaded, requested, or simply asked for her to sing for him. Not even knowing the reason why. "I want to hear you sing." Jaune hollowly voiced his desire again, still trying to grasp something seemingly fictional. However, try as he might, blonde couldn't succeed.
"…time."
Jaune shook his head, eyes regaining focus. "Sorry, I spaced out for a moment. What did you say?"
"Maybe I'll sing to you sometime."
"It would be awesome." He didn't mean to, but it came off as a plead.
"Mm." She weakly nodded. Truth be told, it wouldn't be that bad to have a little audience listen to her singing. Just a tiny one.
With an appreciative smile, Jaune fell silent. His heart beats gradually ringing louder, Jaune's thoughts started to halt at a single point, topic to be precise. Perhaps-no, it was about time he would tell her what he both most wanted to, and didn't. Waiting any longer would simply end up in failure…untaken chance actually.
"Hey…"
"Yes?"
"I-I…" He lowered his look, drawing one deep breath after another, thumbs pacing all around.
"Jaune?" She couldn't understand why he suddenly looked nervous.
"I just…wanted to tell you something…"
"Then go ahead." She reassured with a simple gesture.
"Yea," He turned his head away from her for a brief moment.
"Go for it." Pyrrha said in a hushed tone.
Alright. Jaune turned his head back.
"I…last week we had a combat class." Jaune rolled his eyes. "I mean we have it every day."
"So?"
"I had a duel with one of the strongest students. Well, in my year at least. Anyways, it…it was a good fight. I held my ground well and did my absolutely best, but in the end, I lost." Jaune paused briefly, peering at his mother's features. So far she seemed fairly neutral, so he continued. "But then she-quite ironic I think-asked me for a rematch. I agreed and that time around I…I won." He stopped with a gulp, eyeing her keenly.
Her grimace was still rather neutral.
"Why was it that she asked for a rematch?"
Jaune simply shrugged. "I don't know really. Well…she did say it's because I fought unarmed while she had her weapons. Oh, and in the end she used her semblance as well."
Lilianna had to make sure that she heard right. "So if I understand correctly, you fought a student unarmed while she not only used her weapons, but semblance as well?"
Jaune grinned nervously. As heroic or awesome it may sound on paper, he knew that it wasn't the sanest idea to follow through. "Kinda…reckless, wasn't it?"
"Since it was only a sparring match, I won't fume over it much, but-" Her grimace hardened, her red glowing as if on fire. "You try a stunt like that in a life endangering situation….I assure you that the consequences you'll face will be severe in their own right. Did I make myself clear, Jaune?"
All he could do was rigidly nod back. Even Pyrrha curled up in a tinier ball, cold chill running down to the very tips of her toes. It was my idea. She gulped, rather thankful that Lilianna didn't know. With Jaune at least, he had a guarantee what he wouldn't receive a physical punishment. Not a direct one at least. For her however, no such promises were written in stone. And outside of situations where Jaune was involved, redhead wasn't terribly interested in trading blows with the Arc woman. Much less sword swings. Pyrrha knew from the experience that in her current state, her ass would be grass if Lilianna would want it to be.
Lilianna breathed out, her features calming. She was sure that Jaune at least would consider her warning. So for now, she would leave it at that. However, as reckless and stupid his decision to combat someone like that was, Lilianna looked at it from the other side too. To think that Jaune could so capable. She would hide her smile for now, not wanting to encourage him for such action. Only to herself she would admit that such a feast could be achieved by few, only.
"So the first fight this student managed to win. Albeit not easily?" She gave their conversation a second wind.
Jaune took a little bit of time before answering. "Yea."
"How did you fight the second time?"
"We both were unarmed though…she still used the semblance."
So he still faced unfair circumstances.
"But you won the fight."
Jaune assured with a nod.
"Was it a close call?"
Jaune winced, hesitant to admit the truth. "It…no, it wasn't." Even if Yang's name wasn't said aloud, Jaune still felt uncomfortable to talk about 'Owning her ass' as she would say. It just felt too peculiar to his personality for now.
"So you dominated is what you say."
"…Yea…"
"And this student is one of the strongest in your year?"
"Mm." Jaune would weakly nod, waiting anxiously what she would say next.
Still, she didn't say a word. Only moved her eyes away from his.
Her silence only made him more nervous. Feet tapping the floor fervently, his expression only darkened as the time slowly crawled forward. He didn't like it.
Her head hanged lower.
He didn't like it.
So did her shoulders.
He didn't like it.
Lips a pursed, cold line.
He didn't like it.
She still refused to look at him.
He didn't like it.
Eyebrows curved disappointingly.
This was it.
Jaune's thumb hovered right over the red image resembling a phone. He wanted her image to disappear from his sight. Jaune enjoyed everything till this topic was brought up with warmest of fondness. He liked to talk to her, enjoyed her company and caring presence she displayed. But he knew how it would end. And for that very reason, he simply wanted her to disappear because…because…Jaune's eyes widened a bit.
Her red showed grief and sorrow.
Why?
Lilianna shook her head ever so slightly, pulling her grimace back to face him. Her eyes shining just for a split second, Lilianna smiled to him. "You did good Jaune. I'm proud of you."
For a briefest of moment, world around him disappeared.
"I didn't hear you…"
"I said that you did good Jaune. I'm proud."
"…The connection or something is bad on my end, could you say it again…"
"Give me a second." She quietly mumbled and broke the eye contact with him. Her pupil's slowly moved to the side as she typed something down. "There." Lilianna signaled that she send him a text. Then, clearing her throat, she moved her lips closer to speakers and said it once again. "I said that I'm proud of you Jaune. You did good."
Jaune's figure jerked. "O-oh…oh…that's what you said." He sheepishly scratched his head. "Yea I, thanks. I put in a helluva lot of effort so it's…it's nice to know that you appreciate it."
Lilianna eyes flickered with shininess again, but with a blink it disappeared. "You did your best and even managed to win the second time around. Against a strong student no less. It deserves some credit no matter how you look at it."
Jaune lightly chuckled. "I guess. Well, at least everyone around me was praising me. Like jeez, I felt like a superstar."
Lilianna quietly snickered from his comment. "Perhaps you are. Though do remember, don't settle with success you have now. Appreciate it, yes, be proud of it, that too, but slowly strive for more."
"You bet I will." Jaune hit his chest with the side of fist.
"I'll pray for your success then."
Jaune kindly narrowed his eyes. "Would appreciate it."
"Mm."
…
Pause. Both of them fell silent, their eyes locked together. Staring at each other, they sort of half opened their mouths to say something, yet nothing came out. Just silence. Seemed that if there was something more to be said, they did it through eye contact instead.
Jaune timidly scratched his head, light chuckle distorting the serene quietness. "I don't what to say really…"
Lilianna smiled in agreement. "Me neither."
…
"I think…I think that this could be a good-bye for now." She suggested.
Even if one side of him didn't want it to end, Jaune knew that this was a good stopping point. "Okay."
"Then good-bye Jaune." She would part their ways with a gentle grimace.
"Bye." He waved his mom off, her image disappearing from the display.
"If I would say so myself," Pyrrha moved herself to his side, crossing fingers with his. "it went wonderful."
Jaune's blue was still hovering over the scroll. Relaxing his hand, he let his palm dangle with the device. "No." He just slightly shook his head. Wording it like that would be a huge understatement. "It went better." Jaune didn't know how to describe it himself, nor did he care. His smile, it soon turned into a jovial grin as Jaune caught himself wanting to call her again-right now. "It went better." He chuckled, pressing his head against Pyrrha's.
Redhead inaudibly agreed to his statement. Her lips folding to a barely visible smile, Pyrrha was sure that if she concentrated just enough, her ears could pick up the melody her lover's heart was playing.
Authors note: I'll start with the reviews-'Looks that there is only one.'-review I meant.
Jkdelta38-And as always, I'm really glad that you enjoyed it. Yea, I think that after witnessing them sleeping together and then finding out that Yang gifted him her combat arms…yep, I think she would be quite worried now, wouldn't she:D And as for Yang, yea, she's awesome:D
Anyways though, thanks for the review and until the next time;)
Besides that though, I have something you could call an update to tell. And that would be that starting the 9th of January, I'll be attending two, online writing courses. Pfff, a pleb like me attending writing courses?! Yea, I know, ridiculous right?:D But anyways, it's true though. And not only that, but I also will be working full time starting around 17th of January. So with that being said, I am not sure how much time I will have on my hands to write this story. Now, don't take this the wrong way either. I'm not saying that I will abandon it, I simply won't have as much time to write it. For as long as those courses will go at least. So yea, that's that.
Anyways though, must say that I'm quite nervous about the writing courses. I've never been to ones so it will be a new experience for me. I do look forward to them, but feel a little bit anxious as well. So…wish me luck or something I guess:D Just saying, if you would however, would appreciate it;)
Now, with that off my chest, all I have left to say is that I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and will look forward to more:)
Have a nice one;)
