Chapter 37
…
It was a late evening, and Yang was outside, training by herself.
Tai knew this to be as good a chance as he'd ever get to have a one on one talk with Jaune, and so he used it. Hence, the two of them were now in the kitchen, sitting by a table, and across each other. The small talk which they shared was indeed, very small, and Tai was quick to decide he'd simply get straight to the point.
"Jaune."
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say, please, continue to take good care of my daughter. It's the most I'll ever ask of you," He said.
"…"
For a moment, Jaune was taken aback and speechless.
Tai was quick to notice that, and he then cracked a minuscule grin. "Your reaction implies that you definitely didn't expect to hear something like that."
Jaune blinked, and was back to his senses. "Actually…I had no idea what I expected to hear. But still, that did surprise me, I admit," He said, bits of sheepishness scattered about his face.
Tai nodded once. "I think I understand. After all, it's no secret I wasn't fond of you being here at first. I was confused, doubtful, even jealous at times, but above all else I…I was hurt. Because she allowed you to be close to her even when I, her own dad, wasn't allowed that," He said, and there was a hint of sadness and pain to his eyes.
"I'm sure there was a reason for that." Jaune answered with an uncertain, meek voice as he remembered how rocky Yang's and Tai's relationship seemed to be when he first started to live with them.
"I know, kid, I know," Tai said with an empty smile, paused for a moment, and then continued. "Anyhow, it's exactly because she allowed you to be close to her that I never asked you to leave. I…I knew that her being alone, she'd have a very, very difficult time to get better. And so, I figured, since she allowed you to be close to her, that's what mattered the most, and I would accept that," He said, and then, as he continued to stare into Jaune's eyes, he cracked the tiniest, honest, good smile. "And now I know I made the right choice. You proved yourself to be exactly that someone she needed, and at the time when she needed that special someone the most," He said, and Jaune couldn't help but to muster a tiny smile himself.
"Thank you."
Tai nodded sideways. "I'm the one who should be thanking you."
"Oh, no, it's alright-"
"No." Tai interrupted. "Nonono…thank you, Jaune. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you." He voiced his sincerest gratitude, and since Jaune was at loss for words again, he continued. "I just want you to know that I really, really appreciate everything you've done for her. And know, if there's anything you ever need, I'm more than willing to help you." He finished, and figured he picked his words just about right.
Jaune finally found his words too. "Honestly, all I ever did was try and do what I can. And so, did she, and together…well, together we managed to do more than we first thought we could. That's why, I don't think I deserve as much credit as you give me. She, no, we started to get better because we were there for each other," He said, his blue truthful to its core.
"You know," Tai started, nodded a few times to himself, and then he continued. "that sounds about right. You two just click together in all the right places."
"Somehow we do." Jaune agreed, and then they shared a brief smile of acknowledgment.
Moments later, Jaune realizing this to be as good a chance as he'd ever get to ask Tai something. One thing though, it wasn't exactly the easiest thing to ask, and hence, he started to brainstorm the best way to go about it.
Tai was quick to notice that Jaune was thinking hard about something, and it got him curious.
"Everything's okay? It just seems like there's something weighing on your mind."
"Everything's okay, I was just…I was just thinking, really." He gave an ambiguous answer, and Tai decided to be patient. He'd simply let Jaune figure out himself if he wanted to tell more or not. And it seems that he did, because moments later, he parted his lips and slowly started.
"You see, I was actually wondering if you could help me with something."
"I told you, didn't I? I'd be more than willing to offer you help if you ever needed any."
"That's right."
"So?" Tai inquired, and Jaune briefly went quiet. Before he gathered enough courage, and then exhaled an even breath.
"So, the thing is…"
And he went on to explain the kind of help he needed.