Chapter 14

…

"So then, could at least one of you explain now, what the hell happened?" Tai asked sternly, a firm determination lit in his eyes as he wouldn't give in until he'd get some answers.

Of course, when he first found them unconscious laying in snow, worried, would be quite an understatement of how he felt at that moment. He immediately carried them home, and then proceeded to treat them the best he could. Fortunately, they recovered well and he was so glad that they did. He was gentle cautious with them back then, but fast forward to present moment, and his jaw was set firmly, arms crossed just under his chest.

He wanted to know at least some of it, and he would.

"We got into a fight," She said flatly, and gave Jaune, who rested on the same bed as she did, a look.

He looked back and they nodded in unison.

"One serious fight at that." Tai added, paused, suppressed a glare he wanted to shoot at Jaune, and then continued. "Why?"

"Because we pissed each other off, and things escalated quickly from there." A full stop.

He could see in her lilac that it'd be incredibly difficult to get any more details out of her than that. Therefore, he started to wonder if he knew just enough for now, and eventually, he let out a deep heavy sigh. His hand shuffling through his messy hair.

"Are you at least cool with each other now?" He asked, and involuntarily, he casted a glance to their still linked hands. Ones which he couldn't pry open, and which served as the only reason he put them both on a single bed.

"Yea, we're cool." She answered after she shared a glance with Jaune.

Tai sighed again, leaning back on his chair and letting his head almost dangle in a way. Unsure if he was just tired or actually relieved to hear that. Also wondering how long he could remain cool and collected before he'd potentially do something to that boy, he'd later regret.

"By the way, dad, you lay just one finger on him, and I swear you'll regret it."

He briefly wondered when or how she noticed.

"You're practically shaking inside. Of course, I'd notice."

He grimly smirked to himself.

"I guess so," He said, and then rested his weight on his elbows. "I'll ask it right now, then," He started, his eyes locking with Jaune's. "I need to know, kid. You don't have to explain it in full detail, but I must know why you raised your fist against my daughter." He asked bluntly, his voice a cold venom, but surprisingly enough, Jaune was quick to answer. Even quicker than Yang who wanted to tell her dad to buzz off.

"She said something regarding my dear late teammate," He said, and slowly but surely, Tai's fury started to waver. Eventually, it snuffed itself out.

"I see…Pyrrha Nikos, right?"

"Yes."

Tai nodded to himself. "Okay, Jaune. I understand now. Also, sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."

"I just need to know one last thing, then," He started, paused just briefly, and then continued. "Why are you still here?" He asked, and Jaune began to wonder if there was any different answer from the ones he already knew.

So, did she, and their eyes met as if that different answer was written there, somewhere into their faces.

"…"

They remained clueless still, before he looked down to their linked hands, and for a moment, he felt something. An emotion perhaps, or maybe that different answer he was looking for.

"Because…me and Yang, we have hit similar lows. We're both helpless and weak right now, but maybe, maybe if we remained together, something could change. Perhaps, we could change," He said, and only until after he did, did he realize his eyes were still locked into hers. As if he answered to her, and not Tai. A moment later, him shifting his gaze to her dad, and he noted the older man's face didn't change much. Or at all.

Perhaps he was thinking. Maybe wondering if Jaune was telling the truth. Or even contemplating what that truth meant.

"…I see. Well, I hope you're right," He said, and rose to his feet. "Rest well, you two. I'll check on you later," He said, and soon exited her room.

Jaune turned his look back to her.

"I kinda figured he'd have more to say than just that."

"He probably had, but honestly, he said the most important part. I think he really does hope that you're right. He's just that desperate." She explained, and Jaune figured that sounded reasonable enough. Some moments later, her leaning back and letting her head sink into the cushy pillow.

He did the same, and they remained quiet until she noticed something.

"You know, it's kinda weird, actually."

"What?" He asked, and in response, she lifted her hand and in doing so, lifted his as well.

"That we're still holding hands."

"Yea, it, it is kinda weird."

"I don't mind, though."

"Me neither," He said, and she lowered their hands.

"By the way, were you telling the truth? What you said to my dad, I mean."

"I…I think so, yea," He started, and their eyes met. "Then again, maybe I was just lying to myself, to us. I'm not sure yet, but what I do know is that I really, really hope I was telling the truth," He said, and she mustered an empty smile.

"Hope." She uttered that one word. "That's all we've got right now, don't we?"

"Probably, but there's also a chance we could make something out of it."

"A chance." She uttered that one word, and mustered a smile which looked just a bit honest, genuine. "Now that sounds a bit more promising," She said, and her words gave room for a chance that a voiceless promise was made.

That they'd try to live better, be better. Stop being slaves and victims of their past, but live more so in present moment.

Like this very moment, where they could still feel the warmth of each other's hand.