Chapter 42
…
It was a late evening, and the pair was in the kitchen. She was making a snack, and he patiently waited as she did.
"…"
More minutes passed in a relative, comfortable silence. She was quite focused on the task before her, while he found it to be quite amusing that she displayed a greater sense of responsibility while making a snack, than she did to studying back at Beacon.
Priorities, I guess.
He humored himself with a silly thought like that, and a minute or two later, she put the plate down on the table.
He cracked a smile. "A plate full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, yet Ruby's not here to eat them. I've never felt so sorry for anyone before in my entire life." He figured it'd be harmless to joke a little bit about that, and it was since she cracked a minuscule, but also an honest smile.
"She's missing out big time, yea." She even added, and then sat down beside him. "Especially because I'm pretty damn good at making them," She said, and a moment later, she slightly shook her head, and let out a soft, quiet chuckle. "Gosh, she'd always get so ridiculously excited whenever I would make chocolate chip cookies. I mean, I can practically see her drooling lips and her big, sparkling eyes as I say it."
He hummed, amused. "Oh, trust me, I believe you. Ruby's never been good at being subtle about the things that she likes."
"Totally." She agreed, and he then grabbed his first cookie. Bringing it close to his face, he was quick to notice the sweet, almost captivating aroma which tremendously strengthened his urge to take a bite. And after he did, his eyes noticeably widened, and a spark of delight channeled through him.
"This is delicious!" He said with an elevated voice, earning a grin from her.
"I told you. I'm pretty damn good at making them."
"You are!" A wholehearted agreement, and after he ate the cookie he had in his hand, he reached not for one, two, but three cookies at once.
She grabbed one herself, and after taking a bite, she nodded satisfied.
"Yep, it tastes exactly like love I'd say." She nonchalantly dropped a bomb like that, and he was soon grinning like an exuberant child.
She felt her heart melt at the sight.
Honestly, at this point, she wasn't embarrassed to say even the corniest stuff to him. In fact, she wanted to because it pretty much guaranteed that he would beam at her with a child-like grin she simply loved to bits.
"Maybe something to drink?" She asked.
"Like milk?" He inquired, and she figured it'd go very nicely with the chocolate chip cookies.
"Milk it is then," She said, and a few minutes later, two glasses of milk were put on the table.
He took a healthy sip, and then continued to devour the cookies.
She enjoyed some herself, but most certainly didn't eat them with the kind of vigor he did. Obviously, he wasn't a monster like Ruby was, but for a mere mortal, he showed a rather impressive appetite. It actually took him half a plate before he finally stopped, and then let out a satisfied sigh.
"Man, that was good," He said, and then lazily finished his glass of milk.
It was pleasant to hear him being thoroughly satisfied, and she put a hand over his, and the other one supported her head. Her cheek sunk into her prosthetic palm.
"…"
For a while, neither of them said a word. She simply gazed into his eyes, and noticed how utterly peaceful his expression was. Perhaps even tranquil, or just a little bit distant, although the gentle glimmer she saw in his blue seemed to hint he was fully present, but she was curious still.
"What is it, blondie?"
"Hmm?"
"It's just, you have this almost dreamy look on your face. I thought that maybe you were daydreaming about something."
He nodded sideways. "I wasn't. I was just happy, is all."
She heard him say, and after giving it a very brief thought, she leaned closer to him, and then kissed his forehead. As well as she caressed his cheek, and then rose to her feet.
"If you say so," She said, and then moved herself to the kitchen countertop. "I'll make us some coffee. Or is it another glass of milk that you want?" She asked in a lighthearted, playful tone.
"Coffee will do," He said simply, and a minute or two later, she started to pour water into the kettle.
"I can make some sandwiches if you want. Even your favorites, if you'll ask me kindly enough."
He leaned back on his chair. "You know, it seems like you want to spoil me today."
She finished pouring water into the kettle. "There's nothing wrong with that every once in a while, right?"
"Well, I certainly don't mind that."
"So?"
"To be honest, I'm stuffed so I guess I'll pass."
"Suit yourself," She said, as she placed the kettle on the stove, turned on the fire and waited for the water to boil. "And here I thought I would even add three slices of ham. And extra mayo."
His eyes perked up. "Well, on the second thought…"
She hummed, amused. "I'll make you one," She said, and then moved herself to the fridge to get what she needed.
He bent forward, and let most of his upper weight rest on his elbows. And he quietly watched her, but not for long because he felt a growing urge to move himself closer to her. To hug her, and kiss her hair. And then simply let her be in his arms for a while.
In the following moments, he did exactly just that.
She looked back, perked her eyes up to meet his, and then, since he didn't say anything, she figured this was just a small token of appreciation.
So instead of being a huntress, I'm more suited to be a housewife, I guess.
She humored herself, and some moments later, she finished making the sandwich, as well as the coffee.
"It's done, blondie."
"Okay," He said, and then both of them sat down by the table.
He was rather quick to finish his sandwich, but not so much his coffee. He sipped it slowly, and merely enjoyed the bittersweet taste it left in his mouth after each sip that he took.
She, on the other hand, finished hers rather quickly. And after she did, just a couple of moments later, her lips parted wide as she yawned, and he could see her eyelids started to grow heavy.
She's probably tired and wants some sleep.
He figured, and then gently squeezed her hand, and he wanted to suggest that she'd better get some rest now. However, right before he would, she sealed his lips with her own. And then she leaned back, and he noticed that even though he was sure she was tired still, she masked it perfectly with a simple, but loving smile. Not a hint of exhaustion left on her face. Only that loving smile, and a pair of lilac eyes which were focused solely on him. As if to say; it didn't matter how tired or sleepy she was, if there was something, anything she could do to make him happier, she would. Simple as that.
His heart skipped a beat.
"Yang?"
"Yea?"
"Give me a minute, I'll be right back."
"Sure," She said, and was somewhat surprised that before he would leave, he'd kiss her. But it was a pleasant surprise, and she then waited for him to return.
"…"
Truth be told, it actually took him quite a bit of time to return, but eventually he did.
He walked into the kitchen, stopped, and stood still and quiet for a while.
She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Jaune?"
Hearing her voice, he blinked, and started to randomly look around the place. Before his blue stopped on her, and a moment later, he sighed.
"I just…well, I wrote something for you, and I wanted to read it to you."
Well, that's kinda sudden, but whatever. "So, what's stopping you?" She asked him, and then noticed he had a piece of paper in one of his hands.
He mustered a sheepish smile. "I'm not exactly a professional writer, you know?"
"And?" She inquired, and then dismissively shook her head. "Jaune, it really doesn't matter how good your writing is. As long as it's something you wrote yourself, I want to hear it. it's really that simple. Besides, the worst thing that can happen is me laughing my ass off," She said with a perfectly even voice, and he genuinely couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
Oh, what the hell…if I'll be a laughing stock, at least it will be her laughing at me. He wryly thought to himself, and then figured he might as well give it a shot.
"Okay. I just have to read it, right? Nothing difficult."
"Exactly. You just have to read it."
"Right," He said, and then cleared his throat. Took a deep breath, and then exhaled. A moment later, his lips parting as he started to read.
'It's true that I want to be a hero. To do heroic deeds, and be someone whose name would be written down in history books. To be that person who can stand in the light without casting a shadow. Or cast a light in the darkest of times.
However.
I'm well aware that even the greatest heroes eventually succumb to the absolute force that is time. So, no matter if just a simple, average person or the greatest of heroes, I too would eventually be just an old, powerless man. My memory barely a ghost, I would struggle to remember what my life was really like. Even my name would eventually be forgotten to me, and I would become mere remnants of a life what once used to be.
But.
During my last moments in life, if I were to see your face, and then hear your voice, I'd finally remember. I'd be able to remember my name for one, last time.
And yours.
Yours I never forgot.'
He finished reading it, and then hesitantly focused his eyes on her.
"Jaune?"
"Yea?"
Her eyes shined brilliantly, and for a moment, just a single, perfect moment she looked so gorgeous, the world around him faded into the nothingness, and all he could see was just her.
"I loved it. In fact, I'm almost angry you didn't want to read it to me."
"It's not that I didn't want to read it, really. I just…hesitated."
"Well, hopefully you won't the next time," She said, and then wanted to get up and closer so she could give him a kiss. However, he stopped her.
"Wait!...Wait. There's something else that I wanted to do. What I have to do," He said, and she was quick to notice just how serious he was. In other words, even if she genuinely had no clue what it could be that he needed to do, she knew it was really important to him.
"Well, go ahead then. I'm waiting," She said, and decided to give him a reassuring smile.
He stared at it for a moment, and then managed to muster a minuscule smile of his own. Or rather, his entire expression softened tremendously. His blue speaking of nothing but love he felt towards her.
Here it goes then.
A thought to himself, and then he took a knee.
Her eyes ever so slowly started to widen.
He put the piece of paper away, and then put his right hand in his pocket. A moment later, him pulling it out to reveal…
For a moment, she genuinely lost her breath, and stared at his hand in stunned silence.
He placed his free hand on her knee, and then gently squeezed it.
She seemed to go back to her senses. And the moment she did, she blinked a couple more times, but just like before, all she could see were two, golden rings.
"Jaune, you…" She tried a sentence but failed. However, a moment later, she tried it again and succeeded. "It…it almost feels like a dream that you would propose to me so suddenly." She quietly uttered.
"Well, I guess today's the day it became clear to me that I want to," He said, and she could feel her heart pound in her chest. As well as her face becoming incredibly warm.
"Today, you say…" Her voice quiet and soft still, her state of absolute wonder started to cease a little as time moved on. In fact, she even chuckled a little, and then gave him a look which spoke of something akin to wry amusement. "Wait…Wait a second. So basically, what you're saying is that after everything we've been through together, it was a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk that finally convinced you to propose to me?"
"No, but yes. I mean the sandwich you made me was incredible too!"
She lost it.
"Buwhahahaha!"
She just couldn't take it, and burst into the liveliest laughter he'd ever seen from her. Including the Beacon.
She laughed so hard, she almost fell out of her chair several times, but he was always quick enough to prevent that.
"This is just, hahaha!" She tried a sentence, but failed. And instead, she continued to laugh for quite a while longer.
He genuinely couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not.
Well, she's clearly enjoying herself, so I'm doing at least something right…right?
He wasn't sure still, but if nothing else, to see her be so thoroughly amused by his quirkiness was absolutely endearing.
"…"
A couple more moments passed, and her exuberant laughter finally started to fade. Once it had settled down completely, she was heaving like she'd just ran a marathon.
"Oh, I…I just…I can't believe this." She barely managed a sentence, and even her eyes were watery from how hard she was laughing before.
He scratched his head. "…Well, I did want to surprise you."
She let out a brief, quiet chuckle, and it seemed that her breathing started to even out. "That you did, Jaune. Your timing's so awfully awkward, I love it," She said, and continued to wipe away her tears.
Meanwhile, he was patient and wanted to give her all the time she needed in order to fully compose herself. Before he realized that even though she continued to wipe away her tears, they grew anew and bigger.
He now knew she was actually crying.
But even as she did, her lips were a quivering smile, and it gave him that little bit of extra courage he needed.
"Yang." He softly uttered her name, and then took her hand into his, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Would you be my wife?"
Yes! An attempt to muster her voice, but at this point, she was crying so hard that she simply couldn't. However, what she could do and did, is collapse to her knees, and then snuggle into his chest. Embrace him, and do so as if he could disappear at any given moment.
He of course, embraced her back, and this time, he truly would give her all the time in the world she needed.
"…"
Unsurprisingly, it took her quite a while, but eventually, she was both emotionally and physically spent enough that her tears finally stopped. She felt somewhat empty, but not in a bad way. In fact, she felt refreshed, and as if the weight of her world became much lighter.
"Jaune." She uttered his name, and realized her voice was back. Somewhat hoarse probably, but that didn't matter.
She leaned back just a little, so she could perfectly see his face. And then gently caress his cheek, and see how his lips curve into a beautiful, precious smile.
She smiled back, and her lilac looked the softest it had ever been. "Jaune, of course I say yes. I would love to be your wife," She said, and their eyes brightened immensely.
"Can I kiss you now?"
"No."
A very, very confused look, and she almost burst into a laughter.
"I'd say we first have to put on our rings."
He blushed, and his gaze momentarily went astray. "Oh, wait…yea, yea I guess we should start with that."
She quietly chuckled, and didn't mind at all his clumsiness. "Let's do it then," She said, and then, as she reached for one of the engagement rings, her eyes widened just ever so slightly. A sudden realization in a form of recognition, as well as connecting some dots struck her true, but fortunately, she recovered very quickly.
That's okay.
Quickly enough he didn't notice her very brief, odd reaction and just a few moments later, both of them were wearing their rings.
"…"
For a moment, they simply appreciated the wonderful fact they were officially engaged. Before he inched his face ever so slightly closer to hers.
"So, can I kiss you now?"
"No."
He gave her a look, as if he didn't understand a thing in this world anymore, and she let out a lively chuckle.
"Gosh, you're so easy to mess with."
He blushed embarrassed, and then pinched her cheek hard enough that she actually yelped a little.
"Okay, okay, sorry about that."
"I can't help it, you know. You're all the color I need in my world. My sweetest sugar cube in a cup of bitter coffee. My best shield and my mightiest sword, and the only star I'll ever need to see in the night-sky. I take what you say deeply to my heart."
She heard him say, and she then blushed, embarrassed.
He couldn't help a grin.
"Oh. Oh, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Yes," He said with unwavering confidence, and during that second when she was at loss for words, he sealed her lips with his own. Before he pulled back a little, and asked her again.
"Can I?"
"You just did, didn't you?"
He shyly smiled. "That's because you were messing with me."
She gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry," She said sincerely, thought for a moment, and then continued. "And of course, you can. I'd never say no to your lips." She added, and when his eyes shimmered like a child's who just received the best birthday gift ever, she knew she did just the right thing to redeem herself.
"Now that it something I'd like to hear more than just once," He said with an exuberant grin, but moments later it softened, and came to be a warm, precious smile.
Then followed a kiss, and she of course, kissed him back.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her as close to himself as he could. She wrapped hers around his neck, and deepened the kiss.
A moment of bliss. A moment of love expressed through solely voiceless means. A moment of invulnerability by being completely vulnerable to the other. And then…then a minuscule, subconscious realization that something was slightly different this time.
Perhaps they kissed each other with a new found vigor. Maybe the torches they carried for one another became just a bit brighter, warmer. Or it could the simple case of the excitement bubbling inside since they now kissed each other as a couple which was officially engaged.
Whatever that difference was, when they finally parted their lips, both of them were genuinely out of breath and panting. Their faces just ever so slightly reddened, and they refused to break the eye contact, as well as wouldn't let their lips be apart for more than an inch. Before they both smiled, a tiniest bolt of sheepishness striking them both, and that was enough to wear the spell down.
She did kiss him again, but it was just a quick, simple peck on his lips, and she then buried herself into his chest.
He in return kissed her hair, and then let his head rest atop of hers.
"…"
A moment of quiet peacefulness. They enjoyed it. They loved it.
He kissed her hair once again, and then buried his face into it.
She inwardly smiled, and the open palm which she rested against his chest closed, and was now a harmless fist. She slightly turned it, and her lilac locked onto her ring.
There's no doubt about it. It must have been hers.
She concluded, since she could recognize the one Jaune was wearing used to be her dads.
It must be.
She thought to herself, and for a briefest of moments, a rush of conflicted feelings struck her true. Before she closed her eyes, and shifted her attention towards the sound of his heartbeats.
It doesn't matter who it belonged to before me.
A simple truth, but she did know it would take her some time to fully accept it.
And that's okay.
Because eventually, she'd not only learn to fully accept that simple truth and her ring, but she'd love it too.
You're the one who gave it to me, after all.
Her lips a lovely smile, and she continued to listen to the sound of his heartbeats.