Chapter 22

…

Jaune and Yang were having a warm meal in her room, as well as a mug of coffee. And even though this wasn't the first time he'd eaten her cooking, he was still mildly impressed how delicious it was. Then again, she was pretty much a mother figure to Ruby, and mothers knew how to cook, and it probably was about as simple as that.

Once he had finished eating, he let out a content sigh, and his lips curved into the smallest of smiles.

"Thanks," He said.

"You're welcome," She said, and then took a fine sip of her coffee. Thereafter, setting it down and onto her lap, and she then realized her lilac was trapped into his minuscule smile.

She didn't know why.

After all, it wasn't special. It didn't feel meaningful, and there seemed to be nothing extraordinary about it, yet she found it mesmerizing anyhow.

Could it be because we're closer now?

She entertained a sappy thought like that, and even though there could be some merit to it, she figured that wasn't the case this time. And so, she continued to brainstorm her way to the most plausible reason.

"…"

She continued her endeavor still, but just couldn't figure it out, and eventually, she merely shrugged her shoulders.

Eh, whatever. At least he's happier unlike couple of months ago. She thought, and then found herself cracking a smile. Her lilac momentarily parting from his face, and she then looked down to her mug of coffee. Lifted it up and close to her lips, and took another fine sip. Let out a quiet exhale, and set it back down onto her lap. Her lilac then set into his lips once again, and she noted his smile had disappeared. Leaving behind a neutral expression.

"Do you want any seconds?" She nonchalantly asked.

"Do we have any?"

"Actually, we don't, but I could make some if you want."

He briefly pondered. "…To be honest, I wouldn't mind if you would," He said, and looked so sheepish while doing so, she couldn't help but find it adorable.

"Okay, then. I'll go and make some," She said, and then, for a briefest of moments, but she could swear his eyes lit up. His lips curving into a minuscule smile, and he thanked her in advance.

"Sure thing, lover boy. Just make sure my engagement ring is solid gold when you'll eventually propose to me." She figured it'd be amusing to tease him a little, but didn't expect he would tease her back.

"Sure, but don't expect it any time soon. I'm kinda broke right now," He said, and she was taken aback for a moment. Before she snorted, and then nodded sideways.

"Gosh, at this rate, you'll be one helluva shitty husband, you know?" She said, and after he faked an angry glare, she was ready to exit the room. Just before she did though, she noticed his fake angry glare had faded, and then he again, thanked her.

"You're welcome." She decided to be sincere this time, and then, as she walked and reached for the door-handle, she stole one last glance of him.

He was sitting on the edge of her bed. His back slightly hunched, elbows comfortably resting atop of his knees, and his face pointed to the window. Also, his shoulders slack and loose, and his chest heaving in slow, gentle motions. Fingers crossed and he was softly, quietly breathing just through his nose.

"…"

She merely observed him for short, few moments. Before she, just briefly remembered how he looked when he first entered her room. Moreover, how miserable he was, and it truly seemed like he would never be able to crack a smile ever again.

However.

Fast forward to present moment, and all it took for him to crack a good, honest smile was a warm, delicious meal. Just that, and she immediately knew it to be the reason she found his minuscule smile mesmerizing.

She opened the door and exited her room. Determined to cook the best meal she could with the ingredients they had.