Same evening. About two hours later.
No further than this.
…
As his blue roamed about the place they finally arrived to, Jaune couldn't help but to feel somewhat nostalgic.
No, not because he knew the place as he clearly didn't, but rather that sense of familiarity semblance to something he most certainly did. His own place.
"Have to admit, I do sometimes miss this fresher air," She said as she inhaled a mouthful, and he too took a deeper breath.
"It is nice, yea," He agreed and for a few moments to come, indulged himself into this wonderful peaceful feeling created by…All of this. Like the far stretching woods surrounding the area like an impenetrable fortress. The pastel blue sky above with no clouds. The gentle, soothing breeze caressing his face pleasantly. Birds chirping singing and leaves swaying this way and that, and several pair of curious eyes perking up from behind a cover, be it moist moss or line of bushes, other greenery the woods most certainly provided. And the atmosphere of this place…He mused, and felt himself relaxing completely. It was safe and sound peaceful, as if problems disasters of the outside world didn't exist here. Just like at my place. He thought, and took another deeper breath.
"So this is your place, huh?" He more so ascertained than asked.
"Yea."
"I like it. I really do. It reminds me so much of my own place. Even the houses are similar."
"You mean your home is secluded from the problems of the outside world as well?" She asked what first popped into her mind, and he gave her a knowing look and a smile.
"That is quite literally what I was thinking mere moments ago."
She briefly smiled back and urged him to go forward, which he did.
"Have to say though, that was quite a walk we had to overcome to get here," He said just before she unlocked and opened the door, and welcomed him in.
"Sure was." She agreed. "But I'm used to it, believe it or not. I wasn't exactly born with my trusty ol'bike you see, so I actually had to make these walks often, sometimes even more than that," She explained as they were about to enter the main hallway. "Take off your shoes before you enter," She said as she kicked off her own boots.
He did as was told, and a few moments later, both of them were in her room. As he stood there, inspecting the interior, he was rather surprised.
"It's…very normal, actually," He said, and she gave him a look.
"And what exactly were you expecting?"
"I don't know honestly, but certainly not this," He answered, taking a single more step inside the room and stopped. His look still observant, he really did not notice anything even remotely wild about her room, which ironically is exactly the thing he found so bizarre and crazy.
In a nutshell, her room had a single bed, a night-table, poster of some boy-band, a rather huge wardrobe, ceiling lamp hanging just above his head where he stood and some other completely and utterly normal stuff.
A perfectly fine room.
"I like it simple, actually," He heard her say as she passed him, and he briefly nodded.
"So I see, yea," He said simply, his following steps accompanied with the softest of creaks as he moved himself to the window. Peering outside, he noted a brownish clearing and some colorful flowerbeds were lining one side of the house.
"Someone in your family likes to grow flowers?"
"My dad, actually." She answered, her head buried inside the wardrobe, as it seemed she was searching for something.
"Wouldn't have guessed it," He said, peering at her for a moment.
"Can't blame you," She said simply, her searching for something still on going.
He said nothing back and instead pointed his blue downwards, and suddenly stopped. He saw an empty flower pod resting atop of a window-shill, but that isn't what peaked his interest. The neatly knitted napkin beneath it is what made him curious, and he moved the empty flower pod aside and took hold of it. Moving it closer to his face, his lips curved into a smile. Okay, that definitely has to be Ruby's face. He was now certain, and quietly chuckled to himself. His blue hovering above the well knitted pattern with in the napkin, which truly did resemble his best friends face.
"I had to be bored out of my mind to actually sit down and make something like that. Especially considering I was a child when I did that." He heard her voice behind him, and turned himself around.
"You did a good job though," He said with a grin.
"Thanks, I guess," She said simply and waited.
He put down the napkin where it rightfully belonged, and then noticed a towel, two sky-blue towels hanging around her neck.
"I hope you handle water better than flying," She teased him.
"I do." He intoned clearly, then faked being upset and pouted his lip. After she faked an apology, they both snickered and he said, "So we'll go for a swim?"
"At least I'd like to."
"Sure, why not?" He replayed, and soon after, both of them were back outside of the house. As he just briefly casted his eyes upon the bright ball of light what was the sun, felt a few droplets of sweat sliding down his temple and his clothes slowly getting soaked and sticky, he realized he'd really fancy a swim. Being indulged in a fresh, cooling water just seemed so tempting all at once.
"I actually have a pond near my house."
"You do?"
"Yep"
"Lucky. I don't but there's a tiny river not too far from here."
"And that's where we're heading?"
"Mm."
"Okay," He said simply, and followed her along on a narrow trail, which lead through the forest. It was barely spacious enough for them to walk alongside each other, meaning they squeezed closer together. He didn't mind of course, and giving her a glance, she didn't as well it seemed. Her features calm and relaxed, she looked peaceful, and whenever their gazes would meet, she'd smile. Every single time, and he'd always smile back and wish the trail was even narrower.
"Do you need something?" She decided to ask.
"No, not really."
She waited a moment, and then shrugged and looked straight ahead. He tried to as well but it didn't work very long and his eyes were glued back to her face. He of course, knew why. She's so beautiful. Words echoed repeatedly with in his mind. From this close, and beams of light perfectly wrapping around her face, he could make out a few imperfections she had. Like rather large pores across her nose or some white heads scattered about on her forehead. Even some freckles across her cheeks and her lips were cracked too, yet instead of taking away, these small details added more to her beauty. She seemed more human this way, if that made sense, and he realized then and there that his warm feelings for her, perhaps, had also something to do with how gorgeous she looked to him.
"I'm pretty, I know," She said, snapping him out of his reverie. He blinked, and his cheeks started to redden.
She hummed, amused.
"Sorry, I…I didn't mean to stare like that."
"I didn't say I minded," She said, but her briefest gaze at his lips told even more than that.
He was unsure for a moment, but then his expression softened and he smiled. "You really are pretty…The prettiest girl I've ever seen, I mean it."
"You know, this coming from you, it actually means something to me. Not that I wasn't happy when other guys complimented my looks, but I do have a special place in my heart for you, Blondey," She said, and a sudden desire was lit behind his closed lips. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, and then just barely but did manage to hear a distant youthful and brimming with energy cry of "Banzai!"
In unison, they turned their heads left and through a wall of trees, the duo noticed splotches of blue and she immediately knew what it was.
"We're almost there. Let's go," She said, and a second later, they resumed their walk. Clearing that last distance, their gazes were met with a glistening river.
"That cry from before, I know who it was," Yang said, and sure enough, she soon found her. "Hey, Ruby!" She exclaimed, waving her hand.
The floating mass of hair turned itself around and truthfully, revealed a pair of silver eyes staring back at them. Two seconds later, her face grew red and she submerged herself under the water completely.
"What?" She said to herself, but then noticed a pile of clothes, Ruby's clothes lying about. Everything clicked right in her mind and just as she was about to face him and not so politely ask him to turn the opposite way, he did it himself.
"Now that's a good boy. A proper gentleman." She patted his shoulder.
He didn't reply and truth be told, felt quite embarrassed and out of place.
"He's not looking, Rubs! It's safe to go out!" She exclaimed, perhaps ignorant to the fact Ruby most likely didn't hear her, no matter how much she would raise her voice. Be it as it may though, she still needed to breath so eventually, she or rather the top of her head along with her silver eyes appeared from above the water.
"There you are," Yang started, "as you can see, he's truly not looking. Right, Lover boy?"
"Y-yea."
Ruby rose above the water just a bit more. "You should have let me know…" She said.
"About what?"
"About you two coming over." She explained, her gaze pacing between her sister and him.
"Yea, sorry about that, but it's not like we planned this or anything. It was more of a moment's spark type of thing, you know."
"But it doesn't take much to send me a message, right?"
"…Sorry, Rubs. I guess I just messed up," Yang said, realizing it really was an error on her side.
"It's not like I'm mad or anything, it's just…well…" Her sentence trailed off, her silver now firmly fixed only on him.
"I can leave, you know," He said, seemingly able to sense her peering at him. "You can enjoy yourselves while I, well, wait at some place or something."
"N-no, it's alright, you don't have to go." There was a tiny oomph to her voice, she rose above the water even more. "Just…j-just give me one moment, okay?"
"…Sure."
Hearing that, her face brightened and despite still feeling sheepish, her determination would prove stronger than this predicament. And just as her chest was about to be exposed above the surface, she sent a firm look to her sister.
"You turn around too."
"Pf, please, like I haven't seen what you look like butt-naked."
"Yang!"
"Okay, okay, jeez," She obliged and turned herself around.
Seeing this, Ruby slowly got out of the water, and tip-toed her way to her clothes. She quickly dried herself up and then proceeded to stealthily put on her clothes. For some reason, she felt the need to do it as quietly as possible.
"You know, this actually makes me feel better," He said in hushed tone.
She got the cue quickly and nodded. "I hear you. This actually reminds me how stupidly shy she is about her own body," She said, and glanced back. "She's quite cute, really. At least I certainly don't see any problems with her body proportions or anything-"
"I said no looking!"
Yang raised her arms as if found guilty of a crime and looked away.
He snickered, and she followed suit. Some moments later, Ruby letting them know it was okay to look.
"Hey, Jaune." She waved him a hand, her cheeks still carrying some fluster.
He, of course, felt a bit sheepish still, but as he noticed that so familiar quirky smile of hers, his doubts started to waver, and he quietly exhaled.
"Hey, Ruby…and sorry about this whole thing. It really made everything so awkward, didn't it? I mean, even for a socially awkward duo like us," He said, and they both giggled.
"No, I…I was overreacting as well, probably," She said, and they both eased up even more. Meanwhile, Yang dropped the towels she was carrying around her neck. She then unbuttoned her jacket and dropped it as well, then slipped out of her boots and took off her long socks. Her fingers hooked behind the edge of her top, she wanted to take it off as well, but then noticed those two giving her weird looks. The moment they were aware of her looking back, they looked away.
"What?"
"You're not wearing a swimsuit, are you?"
"No, but I am wearing my underwear so what's the big deal?"
They still refused to give her a look.
"What?"
"…"
Yang snorted and took of her top regardless, her black shorts fallowing suit.
"Sometimes, you dorks puzzle me."
"But there's nothing wrong being a dork!" They both exclaimed in unison, then exchanged a high-five and proudly folded their arms under their chests.
"I never said it was." Yang stated flatly, then shook her head and smirked. "Anyhow, I don't know about you two, but I'm outta here," She said, and a second later sprinted away, over the wooden footbridge and jumped right into the water. She made a big splash and briefly disappeared under the water.
Jaune and Ruby exchanged a look.
"Do you want to?" She asked.
He shrugged. "I don't mind staying here for now," He said, and noticed a hopeful spark in her eyes. "Let's just stay here for now." He made up his mind and she nodded.
"This is your first time here, isn't it?"
"It is."
"How do you like it so far?" She asked, moving over to her knapsack, then kneeled down and opened it.
"I like it a lot. Especially the atmosphere. It's just so peaceful and nice, and it also reminds me of my own place."
"It does?"
"Totally," He said with a nod, and noticed how Ruby stealthily fished out a plastic food container, keeping a watchful eye on her sister.
"Rubs, what are you doing?"
"I have chocolate chip cookies in here." She explained in hushed tone.
"And?"
Her brows furrowed. "Yang keeps telling me that I'll turn myself fat if I continue to eat them the way I do. It's so irritating!"
He chuckled. "I'm sure she's just teasing you."
"Well, it's annoying anyways," She pouted her cheeks, and Jaune found it quite cute she was upset about such trivial thing.
"So what's the plan then?"
"Obviously, we eat these without her noticing."
"What a great plan."
"Shut up!"
He chuckled again, louder. "Give me the container then. We'll use my back as a cover so that Yang wouldn't see us eating these," He said, and she was quick to oblige. Sitting down on the ground, he made extra sure Yang wouldn't see the container, and as he did, he opened it. Before he even managed to properly turn his head back, she was already munching on two, three cookies.
"You sure are quick," He said, but wasn't surprised in the least.
"Of course," She replied, and took another one.
He smiled and decided to take one himself. For some moments, they did no more than just that, happily eating and sharing proximity, before she remembered something and decided to ask.
"By the way, is it true that you've starting boxing this summer? And at my dad's gym?"
"Double yep."
Her eyes turned worrisome. "I hope he isn't giving you too hard a time. I know how he can be when it comes down to that sorta stuff."
"Thanks, but I'm doing alright. I'm an Arc, after all. There is no challenge we fear, nor is there any too great to overcome." He toothily grinned, and she was relieved.
"Okay, then. And remember, you can always come to me for help if you need any."
His eyes widened a bit. "You know how to box?"
She giggled. "That's not what I meant, silly. If you're having a bad day or something and feel frustrated, just come to me and I'll listen and comfort you." She explained, and he felt silly for a moment.
"Oh yea, right."
"I mean, I do know some boxing, but you're far better off asking Yang about it and not me."
"Figures," He reasoned, and they both savored another cookie. As they did, a recent event popped into his memory. "This kinda reminds me, I've already had my first fight in the amateurs. Today, actually."
"Already?" She asked, surprised. "But didn't you start boxing just recently? Like literally just couple of days ago?"
"I did but, well, long story short, I mean it isn't that long of a story really, but you know-Okay, your dad set me up for it and I agreed."
"That wasn't a long story at all." She flatly remarked. "But anyways, how did it go?"
"It went well. I…I actually finished it with a knock-out," He said incredulously, as if hardly believing it himself.
Her eyes lit up. "You did? That is so cool! That's like the best way to win a fight, right?"
"I suppose so, yea. Didn't feel bad at all."
"And that was your first fight to boost!" She exclaimed, rising herself up on her toes. Her silver eyes brimming with joy for her best friend.
"Thanks, Rubs," He said with a softer voice, a pure smile embellishing his lips.
She sat herself down on the ground, and the joy in her eyes seemed to fade just slightly. "Also, I would have loved to be there and watch your first fight. To cheer for you and see you win…"
He, of course, knew why she was getting upset and somber. "Sorry." He didn't just say it but truly meant that one word.
She sighed and curved her lips into an empty smile. "Eh, it's alright. Just let me know the next time, okay?"
"I give you a promise on that. An honest Arc promise," He said, and her face brightened. Her smile more genuine now.
"I just…I wish I had been there to see you all happy and stuff. You seemed quite down last two months or so, so it'd have been awesome to see your happier face."
"It wasn't that bad for me, right?" He inquired, though knew there was lots of truth to her words.
"It kinda was, but by the end of the year, you seemed to get better and better." She reflected, and he involuntarily glanced back to Yang. For a moment, he got a bit worried since she was nowhere in sight but a second later, she leaped out of the water, then back into it again. And repeated it many times over.
He turned his look back to Ruby.
"I did struggle quite a bit, I admit," He started, "but just like you said, I gradually got better and better so it's alright in the end. I'm happy and content at the moment," He said, and for a moment, her silver studied him.
"So you're alright?" She asked him, and he nodded back. His blue truthful as far as she could tell. "I'm glad," She said so kindly and cheerfully, he felt guilty for a moment. At first he wasn't sure why but just a moment later, realized or rather remembered the reason.
"Listen, Rubs, I know I've apologized so many times already, but…I'm sorry. I really am. You know for what," He said, and it took her a moment to figure out what he was talking about. Once she did, she said, "you shouldn't, dummy," and taking the next cookie, she divided it in two halves and gave one to him.
His lips curved upwards just slightly. He knew this silly quirk of hers to be a sign she was truly okay, and neither was mad or upset.
"Okay, Rubs." He accepted his halve.
"Besides, now that I had plenty of time to think about it, I'm sorta glad you lashed out at me like that. I mean, not when it happened, I actually wanted to cry and later did, but once I calmed down I…I guess I just realized you had so many emotions bottled up in yourself. Letting them out must have felt good or at least refreshing."
"It doesn't make it right, though." He argued, his blue low cast for a moment. "Sure, losing to Cardin that time felt utterly frustrating, and I was super pissed about it. But I had no right to hurt you like that, nor was it worth it," He said, and she briefly allowed to rest her hand atop of his clenched fist.
"Okay, okay I get it. You did a bad thing and regret it. Now shut up and just finally let it go," She scolded him, and his blue met her silver. He still wore an apologetic look, but her intense and demanding glare managed to snuff it out eventually.
"Okay, Ruby. I'll let it go," He said, and she waited a moment. Once his hand was no longer a fist, she believed him.
"Forever, Jaune. Let it go for eternity."
"Okay," He said with a nod, and wholly desired to talk about something else. "Anyhow, how's it been for you, Rubs? Maybe you're up to something new and exciting adventurous or just anything at all?"
She shrugged. "I'm doing okay and no, not really. It's only like four days into our summer break, I'm simply relaxing for now. Well, there is this one book that I'm reading right now," She said, and he had a knowing look on his face.
"A hero's book, right?"
"Of course. And this one's super awesome and cool! It's called 'My sword-arm is lighting, my shield-arm a sky'"
"Sounds pretty cool."
"It totally is! And the main hero he, he actually reminds me of you, Jaune," She said, and he wanted to roll his eyes but didn't.
"So you mean to tell me he gets stuck in a tree as well? And then waits for someone to get him down?"
"Ass!" She grabbed him by a cheek and pulled on it.
He begged her to let him go and eventually, she did.
"Okay, okay I get it. I'm super awesome and stuff," He said as he treated the red spot on his cheek.
"Yes, you are," She said with intensity, and then her features relaxed and she smiled.
He briefly wondered if he could ever match the image of himself she had in her mind. As a huntsman, most probably not, but what if…"Say, what if I…what if I found something else? Something other than a huntsman to be what I'm really passionate about and want to improve as much as possible. How would you feel about that?" He asked, and was somewhat surprised he did.
"Like being a boxer?"
"Only as an example but sure."
"Well, I'd obviously be happy for you," She said simply.
He paused for a moment, and then decided to word it a bit differently.
"And what if…what if this something became more important to me than trying to become a huntsman? What then?"
Before answering, she observed him for a few seconds.
"I'd still be happy for you," She said, and he was mesmerized by how honest her smile looked. "Of course, if you were to leave Beacon in order to pursue this passion of yours, it'd be a bit lonely for me," She said, and her silver looked just a bit somber. "But…what matters the most is whenever or not you're happy. I mean, if you left Beacon because of your self-esteem issues, yea I'd be mad. Like super, super mad and upset! However, if it was you simply realizing there's something else you want to do with your life, well, it's your chose. It's always been, Jaune, and I trust you to make a right one," She said with such unwavering confidence, he felt truly blessed he had someone like her in his life.
"Okay, Rubs," He said simply, but with a smile which bolstered the appreciation he showed in his blue. "Also, I'm not planning to leave Beacon."
"I know. I was just making an example," She said, took the last cookie and offered it to him. But you have thought about it, haven't you?
"Divide it in two."
"Nope, you can have it." She insisted, and after a moment or two, he obliged.
"And here I was, believing you'd never give up your last cookie," He said as he shook his head. "Honestly, I'm quite disappointed in you."
She smacked him across the shoulder. "You ass."
He chuckled, and she followed suit.
"And that's that I guess," She said as she looked at the empty container.
"Guess so." He replied, divided the cookie in two and offered one halve to her.
"But-"
"I'm stuffed."
She knew he wasn't, but accepted the offer anyways. And as the pair enjoyed the last bit of their snack, a certain thought started to bug Ruby relentlessly. At first, she tried to ignore it yet it helped very little, and her curiosity grew only stronger. The convenient situation didn't help either, and in the end, Ruby lost the mental battle. She really, really wanted to know, after all.
"By the way Jaune, is it true that..is…is it true that you're an item with Yang?" She managed to utter, and fell silent and patiently waited for him to answer.
He wasn't quick to do so, but after somewhat collecting himself, he answered, "Rubs, me and Yang, we're…well…I mean," and he couldn't finish. In spite of giving it some thought, he wasn't sure what to say. What are we, exactly? He even asked himself, and helplessly shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," He said in the end.
"How can you not know? I mean, have you two, well, kissed?"
"No, we haven't."
"…Would you want to kiss her?"
His cheeks reddened and heart skipped a few beats. "I think so, yea. I mean, she's pretty and stuff, you know," He said, but then realized how shallow it sounded and wanted to correct himself. "Also, she's an awesome person and I like her a lot and, well, she's special to me. I don't know how exactly, but I know that she is, and it means a lot to me," He said, and the smile embellishing her lips was just wholesome.
"I think you'd do well as an item. She's a good person, you're a good person and two good persons should make a good couple."
He hummed. "That's an awfully simple logic you have there."
She crossed her arms, confident. "Of course. Simplicity is the key in life."
"You know, I could totally picture Yang saying something like that."
"Probably," She said, and rose to her feet. "Anyways, I'm going home. See you later, Jaune!"
"Already? Come on, at least stay here just a bit longer or we can go for a swim if you want to."
She wagged her finger at him.
"My sister's coming," She said with a wink, shouldered her knapsack and wanted to leave, but then noticed his look. That blue of his which looked utterly confused right now. Leaning lower, she whispered, "You dummy, this is your chance to confess your feelings for her," she explained, and then truly did turn to go.
"You leaving, Rubs?" Yang asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Yep! I want to lay down in a bed and read some book," She said, and happily skipped away. Not waiting for any reply and Yang, while tad bit confused, didn't think much of it.
Jaune stared at Ruby's back. Confess my feelings…He wondered about that, and then gazed at Yang. His cheeks reddened as he did.
"So how was the water?" He asked half-heartedly, much more interested and excited by the sight of her figure. The fact she was wearing nothing but wet underwear.
"How about you find out yourself?" She replied coyly, and then noted that all of a sudden, he wasn't shy to look at her. "And now you can look?" She even questioned him about it.
"While Ruby was here it just, well, it felt wrong to do so."
"I don't get it," She said, but brushed it off quickly. "Whatever, though. Come on, let's go for a swim." She urged him, and helped him to his feet.
"Okay, okay just give me a sec," He said, and undressed himself down to his boxers.
She ran her eyes over his body a time or two, and then whistled.
"Looking quite good, Blondey." She complimented, and he tried to muster an alluring smirk. When she began to giggle, he settled down for a simple smile.
"Trying to be hot, are we?" She slyly said, and then grabbed hold of his arm.
"Kinda, but it seems I-"
"Let's go!" She exclaimed at the top of her lungs and started to sprint. He of course, had no other choice but to sprint after her.
"Bazooka splash!" She lively cried out, he roared something as well and their bodies soon hit the water like enemy bombs. Making two huge splashes as they did, the duo briefly disappeared under the water. And then reappeared, their faces adorned with a smile.
"Heh." She exhaled satisfactory, moving away some wet locks from her face.
He exhaled as well, so satisfied how cool and refreshing the water was.
"This is quite good." He uttered pleasantly, and then leaned backwards so only his face would remain above the water.
"Isn't it?" She said, and started to make slow circles in place.
He closed his eyes shut, and enjoyed the summer heat warming his face while most of his body was engulfed into a pleasantly chilly lake.
"…"
Brief moment of silence, they felt no need to exchange any words. His eyes opened, he squinted from the bright summer light and then turned his look to her.
"Do you often come here?"
"When I have a chance to do so, I do. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Ruby and other times all three of us. We all fancy this spot."
"It is nice," He said simply, and then slowly started to breaststroke in a random direction.
She followed him, only did so while swimming on her back.
"…" He made a few strokes, and then glanced to his right or rather to her.
"…" She made a few strokes, and then glanced to her right or rather to him.
He lips curved into a grin.
So did hers.
He increased his tempo just a bit.
She did as well.
He did it again.
She didn't.
"Sucker!" Instead, she rolled over to her stomach and started to speed down at full throttle.
"Oh no you don't." He grinned wider and started to chase after her.
Holy crap! She was surprised, within mere seconds he was already speeding along side her. You've got to be kidding me! A moment later, he was inching in front and she had to admit, that blonde sucker knew how to swim. No matter her earnest attempt to keep up with him, she couldn't. He truly and definitely was a better faster swimmer than she was. I won't give up though! However, she wouldn't give up regardless. Not until she managed to notice just how far ahead he was, and him tauntingly waving his hand, pretty much mocking her. She stopped then and there.
"Jerk…" She started breathlessly, and focused on getting her breath back. Once she was breathing normally, she raised her fist up to the sky and cried out, "Jerk! Get your ass back here!"
He laughed haughtily.
"What is it, Yang? Not that great of a swimmer, are you?"
"I'm actually good. It's you who's ridiculously fast."
"Nah. I think you just suck some major ass," He felt like teasing her just a bit more, and she stuck out her tongue and flashed him a middle finger.
He laughed even harder than before.
"Hey! Now that was just vulgar!"
"Put a sock in it, you dork." She replied, and slowly started to make her way over to him.
He slowly backed off.
She started to glare at him. Whenever upset or angry or combination of both, he couldn't tell from a distance. He didn't stop though.
"Seriously! I don't wanna race you anymore."
He slowed his pace just a bit.
"Didn't feel like a race to me." He grinned toothily.
She didn't reply, and now he could see she was clearly upset.
"Okay, okay jeez," He said to himself and started to swim towards her. "Rubs wasn't lying, you really are a sore loser," He said, yet she still refused to exchange a word with him. In silence, they swam towards each other and soon were close.
"Got you!"
And the moment they were, she leaped to his side and got a hold of him. "Who's the sore loser now, Blondey?" She asked cockily as she held his entire body under the water. At first, he did struggle to get himself free but surprisingly quickly, decided to give up and seemingly relaxed instead. She figured he was taking a moment to formulate an escape plan. It was Jaune, after all, what else could he be doing?
Well, to be honest, this isn't so bad.
However, little did she know he was actually quite enjoying this. His face firmly buried in between her nice breasts.
It just doesn't feel bad at all.
…
A few hours later. Around midnight.
"So what do you say, Blondey? Think this is romantic enough?"
He playfully pinched her arm and then said, "it is," and continued to voicelessly enjoy this seemingly magical moment.
The shattered moon's brilliant silver light perfectly captured in the still water's surface. The countless of fireflies turning night into a colorful splendor. Shimmering curious eyes blinking in and out in the darkness. The croaking of frogs, other nightly songs uniting and mixing, creating a symphony, which belonged to no place but this. Leaves crushed under the weight of unknown and gentle wind whistling all about.
And in the midst of all this, there was them. They too momentarily belonged here, and he was so glad they did.
"This is so beautiful," He said, their weights leaning against each other.
"It is." She wholly agreed. "I remember that when I was little, I used to sneak out of the house and come here. I would just lay down and watch."
"I can see why," He said simply, marveled at the sight before him, and then decided to give her a glance. She looked peaceful relaxed just like she did when they walked on that tiny trail to the river. He wanted to take her hand into his but then realized he already had. He softly smiled, quietly breathed in and then out. She tilted her head to her left, and he felt just a bit nervous from how close their lips were.
That of course, wasn't a bad tension.
"Have something on your mind?" She asked simply, and he could swear her lips were even closer than before. That, or he only now noticed how pleasantly her warm breaths wrapped around his closed lips.
"No, not really. Why?"
"You have this look in your eyes, like you really want something. I was just wondering if maybe you did."
"And if I do?" He asked in a tone too bold, got flustered and moved back a few inches.
She moved those same inches forward. "Then tell me."
"…"
A brief moment of silence, except for the sound of his heat-beats. He audibly exhaled through the nostrils and smiled. The beats of his heart slowing.
"I was just thinking, really."
"You were?"
"Yea."
"About what?"
"About today. The match and the people, and how they reacted."
She heard him say, and didn't utter a word for now. She could see from his half open lips he wanted to continue.
"It was…it was so nice to hear them applauding like that. Hearing some of them even calling my name I, I haven't experienced anything quite like that in a very long time," He said calmly evenly and his blue seemed joyful but the way he refused to meet her eyes spoke of something grim. An emotion or doubt he, perhaps, wasn't too willing to share.
"…"
She continued to voicelessly search for his gaze while he quietly breathed. Each new one however, seemed to grow heavier and more taxing.
"Let's do it again," She said simplest of words, his eyes shuffled just a bit more, then slowly returned to hers.
You think I can? He wanted to ask, but his words were snuffed out by her gaze. That incredibly encouraging trusting gaze of hers.
"For sure," He said with a smile, and she could see it was genuine. "Also, there was something else on my mind."
"What?"
"This," He said as his lips met hers. Just that and nothing more. Their lips coming together, their eyes closing and him holding her tight, while she fully allowed him to do so. No worries or doubts weighing him down as nothing but this one exact moment mattered right now.
When their lips parted, she immediately noticed how happy and content he was. As if suddenly, everything was right in his world.
"Quite a bold move, Blondey."
"I know. I'm learning from you, after all. The most courageous and boldest person I've ever met in my life." He grinned toothily, and she grinned back. Suppressed the cowardice within her, and pressed her lips to his.
No, I'm not, Jaune. She knew the truth, but in this one very moment, she wanted to believe he was right.