A/N: Hey everybody! Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoy this chapter (' ⏝ ')-b
Clover thought it was going to be a beautiful day. The sun had finally peeked out of the clouds and its warmth was beginning to drive away the chill of the previous night. She did a little twirl in place, careful not to spill the bundle of firewood she was cradling in her arms.
Yep. Today was looking to be a good day. The sun was shining, the stream was babbling, the snow was giving satisfying crunches beneath her feet, and there was a body floating down the stream.
Clover paused, going slack-jawed as she stared at the body peacefully bobbing up and down in the water, the current carrying it further away.
"Wha…" Clover said as she continued watching the body float by, eventually slipping past her.
Her mouth abruptly clicked shut as she dropped the firewood in her arms, her mind finally catching up with what she was seeing.
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!" Clover called out as she chased after the body in the water.
And it had been such a nice day too…
Jaune woke to an unfamiliar sensation. It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. Quite the opposite actually. For the first time in a long time, Jaune Arc was warm.
He almost cried. Almost.
A thick quilt covered him in its warmth. It was not a high-quality quilt, stitched by expert seamstresses and made out of the finest cloth. This was a simple, cheap, hand-woven quilt out of leftover rags and thread.
It was heavenly.
For a brief moment, Jaune thought he had finally died, and had somehow found his way into heaven. Common sense prevailed in the end however, as he heard the pitter patter of footsteps approaching his room.
"Ah, you're awake!" a young woman said as she walked in with a fresh pile of clothes.
Jaune almost missed her words, his eyes instantly drawn to the things she was carrying. 'Pants…' Jaune thought longingly as he gazed after his fabric beloved.
He snapped out of his thoughts as he realized the young woman was still talking, briefly embarrassed that he had been distracted by pants of all things!
"Thought you were a goner for a second there! When my dad fished you out of the stream, I could have sworn your heart wasn't beating!"
Jaune let out an uncomfortable cough. 'It probably wasn't...'
"My name's Clover by the way, it's nice to meet you!" Clover said with a smile, before placing the pile of clothes onto the bed Jaune was currently resting in.
'Okay, we're not going to screw this up like last time, right? Keep it simple stupid!'
"Jaune Arc. Thanks," he said in regards to both the save and the clothes, giving a smile in return.
'Nailed it!' His inner-self fist pumped in victory.
Clover giggled, a sound that Jaune hadn't heard in what felt like years. Then again it may have actually been years for all he knew.
"No problem Jaune, it's not like we could have just left you floating in the water right? Oh! I should probably go get my dad! He'll be glad to know you're awake. I'll be right back!"
Clover turned and walked back outside of the room. Jaune decided to use the chance to look around.
It was all… simple. Old wooden floors scuffed from years of use, plain wooden furniture that Jaune knew was built to last, and a simple bed made of a cheap mattress on a simple wooden frame. There was nothing fancy or out of place. It was a home, put together through years of living. Jaune loved it.
It reminded him of his own home, distant as those memories were.
Jaune's thoughts briefly turned to Qrow, wondering if he was safe, but instantly knowing not to bother worrying about the mysterious man. He was sure Qrow was fine. Granted he had only known the man for less than a day, and … he had smelled suspiciously of booze, but Jaune knew that Qrow was a force to be reckoned with.
No way some stupid giant-gorilla thing was going to take him down.
Jaune sighed as he stretched, settling back into his bed. Him being separated from Qrow certainly complicated things, but anything was preferable to the lab. Nothing was really going to make Jaune start worrying, short of falling into a volcano or finding himself in another torture funhouse.
Footsteps indicated the return of his hosts, prompting Jaune to sit back up in the bed. Clover came back into the room, this time with a man that Jaune assumed was her father.
"Jaune! You certainly gave us a scare there, but it's good to see you up and about! You can call me Verdan!"
Verdan wore a simple cloth tunic, a belt, and brown trousers. His balding head was kept warm by a dark bushy beard, and his face had a twinkle in its eye complimented with a jolly smile.
"Sorry for all the trouble sir,"Jaune said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
Verdan let out a hearty laugh as he walked up and gave Jaune an even heartier slap on the back.
"Ahaha! Don't mention it boy! And please call me Verdan! What kind of people would we be if we just let you drown?"
Jaune felt the wind getting smacked out of his lungs, letting out a slight wheeze as he tried to catch his breath in order to respond.
"Whatever kind of people you are, thanks for the help. I'll try to get out of your hair as soon as I can."
"You take as long as you need Jaune."
Jaune looked down nervously. "Um… I'm sorry, but I don't know how to repay you both…"
Verdan let out another hearty laugh and smack, leaving Jaune wheezing once again.
"Don't you worry about it Jaune. All you need to do is pull your weight while you're here and we'll call it even. It's just me and Clover here, and I wouldn't say no to an extra set of hands!"
Jaune just smiled at Verdan, the man's jolly grin infectious. It looked like his luck was finally turning around.
For a few days, it did look like Jaune's luck had turned around. His hosts were kind enough not to pry on why he had been floating face down in a stream, noting that whenever they hedged on the subject Jaune seemed hesitant and pained. Consummate hosts that they were, they let him be and did not press. Everyone had things they'd rather not talk about after all.
He had started helping out around the first day, the least he could for his hosts. The tasks were simple; chopping wood, running to the nearby village to pick up supplies, and helping with the laundry to name a few.
Jaune's personal favorite however was helping Clover with the cooking. It reminded him of cooking with his own mother for his own family. Clover and her father had been on their own for awhile, Clover's mother having passed away when she was young. With her father being absolutely rubbish at cooking, Clover had taken it upon herself to handle the family meals.
And handle them she did. Jaune still remembered that first meal.
Jaune was setting out the bowls and cutlery at a table, Verdan was already sitting at the table reading a book, and Clover was putting the final touches on their meal for the night.
"All ready!"
Jaune sat expectantly at the table, his excitement barely contained. His first taste of real food in over two years! All the lab had was tubes. Tubes going in… places… Needless to say the thought of finally eating real food was almost enough to make Jaune cry.
Clover set a large pot of soup down in the center of the table, a cloth underneath it to prevent any burning. Steam rose from the uncovered pot, its aroma tickling Jaune's nose pleasantly.
Clover slowly doled out the portions, enjoying the almost childlike look of glee on Jaune's face. She might have been a bit cruel with her teasing but she couldn't resist! He looked so cute, fidgeting with excitement.
She took her time walking over to her seat, noting that Jaune was still had enough self-control to wait until she had seated herself to start eating. Just barely however, as his spoon stood poised at the ready.
When Clover sat down, Jaune didn't immediately stab his spoon into the bowl in front of him. Instead he was slow, almost reverently getting some stew in his spoon as he slowly raised it to his face. He didn't notice the amused glances that Clover and Verdan were shooting each other as they watched their guest prepare to take his first bite.
Jaune took one last whiff to savor the aroma, before finally indulging himself in that first bite. The spoon went slowly into his mouth, laden with its hearty fare.
It was a simple stew, using simple spices and nothing more than potatoes, carrots, and beef. Jaune would forever remember that stew however as the best meal he had ever eaten.
He slowly closed his eyes in enjoyment, luxuriously chewing the food in his mouth. The taste of actual ingredients, the visceral joy of biting into the meat and potatoes; it was all too much.
"Uh… Jaune?"
Jaune opened his eyes to the muffled giggling of his two hosts. He briefly wondered what they were laughing at, before he felt something wet on his cheek. Reaching his free hand up, Jaune brushed his face and wiped away what he realized were tears.
His face grew hot as he felt himself blush under their gaze.
"... ...Can I have the recipe?" Jaune managed to mumble out as his hosts finally couldn't bear it anymore and laughter escaped from their mouths.
Jaune let a smile grace his face as he tried to sneak his hand back up to his face to wipe away another tear.
It was warm.
His hosts had not let him live that moment down, but he didn't mind. He had gotten the recipe after all.
The last few days had been full of moments like that, Jaune doing something so simple in their eyes, but still somehow managing to burst into tears. Of course Jaune did not feel any less manly. A man should be comfortable with his feelings after all.
Today was also looking out to be another peaceful day. The three of them were heading to the nearby village to pick up more supplies. The path was a meandering forest trail, surrounded by trees on both sides. A lovely view, especially at this time of year with snow still on the ground.
Jaune thought calling where they were going a village was a bit of a stretch however, more of a hamlet really. There weren't many people, but just like Verdan and Clover's household everyone there was content with their way of life.
The three of had settled into a comfortable pace, kept mostly warm with their jackets. Verdan carried with him his ever present hunting knife strapped to his leg, as well as his trusty shotgun hanging from a strap on his back. The shotgun was well cared for, oiled and polished to a sheen. The lacquered wood and the dark metal had seen many years of use, and only through Verdan's tender care had remained in such good condition.
The village hadn't seen any Grimm in practically ages however, so Verdan and Clover were not especially worried. But It never hurt to be prepared, and Verdan always took his shotgun with him when he walked this path.
Verdan walked in front of Clover and Jaune, the two of them chatting slowly about nonsense and trivial things. The only person who Jaune had available for small talk while he in the lab was himself. It was good to get another perspective on things.
"I'm going to have to disagree with you Clover. Breathing fire would be way better than shooting lasers from your eyes."
Clover rolled her eyes back at Jaune. "Please Jaune, who wouldn't want to shoot lasers. Lasers! What do you think Dad? ...Dad?"
Up in front of them, Verdan had slowed to a stop. He motioned Clover and Jaune to stay quiet as he drew his shotgun in front of him.
Jaune finally noticed what had made Verdan pause. It was quiet. And at a risk of sounding cliche, Jaune thought it sounded too quiet.
Verdan dropped a hand off the shotgun, and slowly undid the strap to his hunting knife. He tossed the sheath and knife at Jaune. Jaune snatched it out of the air, strapping the sheath to his thigh as he drew the knife.
Jaune held the knife awkwardly, unused to its weight but still feeling like it wasn't heavy and long enough for whatever was watching them. Verdan and Jaune made eye contact, an unsaid agreement passing between them.
Whatever was out there was not going to touch Clover.
Jaune knew that Verdan was willing to give his life for his daughter, and while Jaune didn't think that he could do the same he'd still at least try. Immortality be damned.
Clover meanwhile was warily watching the treeline around them, trying to find what was keeping everyone on edge. She reached down to her hip and drew her own hunting knife, a mirror of her father's.
Silence stretched and for a moment Jaune wondered whether they were overreacting to a bit of woodland peace.
Then he saw it.
It was hunched over on all fours, it's dark skin standing in stark contrast to the white snow. Bone of pale white covered its back and head, with multiple sharp and dangerous looking spikes coming out of its back.
'And it's HUGE' Jaune thought as he stared at the giant bear like thing.
"Ursa Major..." Verdan cursed under his breath as he too saw the Grimm. Clover took an unsteady step back as Jaune and her father both moved protectively in front of her.
Noticing that its prey had spotted it, the bear Grimm let out a beastial roar as it burst from the treeline, charging straight towards the trio.
Verdan stepped forward, firing round after round into the charging beast. Chunks of flesh were blown clean off the ursa major, but its rampage was unstopped. It closed the distance closer than the three had thought possible, backhanding at Verdan as it finished its charge.
Verdan barely managed to get his gun up in time, the metal warping as it failed to stop the blow. He flew through the air as Clover called out in fear.
"DAD!" Clover screamed as she ran to his side, somehow forgetting about the incredibly dangerous and pointy beast in front of her.
The Grimm turned to chase after the father and daughter. Jaune clenched his jaw as he jumped after it. There was no way in hell that thing was going to touch them.
Jaune landed on the claw that the ursa major had lifted for Clover's imminent disemboweling. The hunting knife in his hand had been painstakingly honed by Verdan, and its blade cut deep into the creature's paw. Jaune hung on by the knife blade, as the ursa major swung its arm to and fro in an attempt to dislodge the blond nuisance.
Holding on for dear life, Jaune didn't notice the bear Grimm's other arm before it smashed into him. He and his knife were dislodged as Jaune's world went spinning, before he came crashing down into the snow.
Jaune stood up with a wheeze and a slight gurgle, blood already pooling in his mouth. He visibly favored his right side, his left feeling like it would crinkle in moments. The bear had turned away from him and was about to start up after Clover and her father again.
A low growl rumbled in Jaune's throat as he ignored the pain in his side and sprinted back at the bear. Clover saw him running, Her mouth open in horror thinking that Jaune had lost his head and had actually gone crazy.
"You'll have to do better than that you big fur coat!" Jaune yelled as he charged back within reach of the bear's arms.
So it did.
This time when the sentient fur coat swung at him, Jaune raised the knife and his arm in a block. He thought was a good idea, trusting his instincts. It was not a good idea.
The swing snapped Jaune's arm like a twig, and it was only through sheer grit that Jaune managed to hold on to his knife. He was knocked to the side, his arm uselessly flopping in the wind. He didn't even notice the bear's other arm swinging forth and tearing his head off his shoulders.
"JAUNE!" Clover screamed as she watched her new friend this time literally lose his head. She began to sob as Jaune's body began to spurt blood over his would-be killer. The headless corpse fell to its knees, as the ursa major turned away.
Her sobs stopped however as black wisps also began to ooze out of his wounds along with the blood. The black particles surged forth, spreading out tendrils until one of them touched Jaune's head.
"Jaune?" She asked, this time confusion evident on her face and in her voice.
The black particles dragged Jaune's head back to his body, slamming it into place. His arm stopped its useless flopping, instead tightening on its grip on the knife in his hand. Jaune stabbed his knife forward into the side of the ursa major, the blade biting into the hide of the bear.
He grabbed with both hands and ripped the blade to the side, ducking and rolling underneath the bear's swing as it turned back to face him with a roar of pain. Jaune rolled to a standing position to the side of the bear, closer to Clover and her still groggy father.
Clover almost called out Jaune's name again, but his name got caught in her throat as she got a look at his face.
His mouth was curved up into a twisted grin, straining the corners of his mouth and threatening to split his face in two. The manic grin was complimented by an equally insane glint in his eyes.
Jaune knew many things. He knew he was slow. He knew he wasn't strong. He had no skill with the knife in his hands and he really had no place fighting an ursa major. He knew he had to protect Clover and Verdan from the spiky bear thing in front of him.
All that he knew was was inconsequential to how he felt right then. He felt alive.
He didn't bother raising the now bloody knife in his hands, slick from both his blood and the ursa major's. He had seen that blocking wouldn't matter much in the face of such an enemy, so why bother?
The path to victory was unclear and for some reason that made Jaune even more excited. It looked like he would have to do the same thing that he had done in math class back home.
Guess and check, and keep on guessing until you finally found the right answer.
Jaune did his best to resist the cackling laugh that threatened to bubble up from his lips. Instead it came out as a demented giggle but Jaune paid it no mind. Jaune charged forward into the breach once more without a care in the world.
All Clover could do was watch.
Jaune charged forward with reckless abandon, that same face-splitting grin locked onto his face, only to be sent flying away by another swing from one of the ursa major's claws. Jaune rolled into a crumpled heap as the Grimm fell upon him, its first paw stamping down upon Jaune's chest.
His chest caved in with nary a bit of resistance as blood flew from his lips, only to be covered as the other paw descended and crushed his skull. The Grimm ground its claw into the ground before letting out a howl, as the black mist coalesced once more. This time reforming Jaune's head and chest cavity where the grimm's claws were currently resting.
Clover watched as the black particles seemed to eat away at the bear's claws as Jaune's body pulled itself back together. The bear flinched away as Jaune finished reforming and Jaune launched himself into the bear's body.
His knife this time bit into the Grimm's belly, the knife not long enough to cut deep enough into it's body but still drawing blood. It's claws tried to pry Jaune away, but Jaune drove closer to the Grimm's belly, slicing away with his knife.
Finally growing tired of the many lacerations on its stomach, the Grimm simply belly-flopped onto Jaune.
"Hrgk" was all Jaune managed to get out before he was crushed underneath it's girth.
The Grimm clambered back up onto all fours and looked at Jaune's twitching and crushed body. It seemingly let out a snort of approval as if to say "good riddance". The snort of approval quickly turned into one of annoyance as it noticed the black particles once more coalescing themselves on Jaune's body.
This time it got up onto it's hind legs and positioned its hindquarters directly over Jaune's head.
Jaune's consciousness came back as he saw the bear's butt descend upon his face.
'This bear is going to tea bag me to death!' Jaune thought as he let out out a yelp that was quickly muffled by the big bear booty.
The bear slammed it's ursine hindquarters over and over into the ground, each hit an insult at Jaune and his way of life. Each time it crushed Jaune however, the black particles still gathered themselves and put Jaune back together.
Finally the particles were fast enough and Jaune rolled out of the way of his next death, ending his roll behind the bear. Jaune didn't give the Grimm a moment's rest as he dove back in close to the bear's body and continued slashing away.
The cycle must have repeated itself over a dozen times. Jaune would slice away at the bear only to be crushed or beheaded, only to rise up once more and repeat the same process.
Each time however, Jaune's slashes would get a little bit more accurate, seeking the more tender and fleshier areas of the bear.
Each time Jaune would last longer and longer between each death, seconds growing into minutes.
Each time the ursa major would grow slower and slower, it's strikes becoming weaker and weaker.
Each time, the bloody painting on the snowy canvas would grow and grow.
Until the final time, the ursa major could no longer raise its limbs. Jaune stood over it, his knife still clenched firmly in his hand.
His clothes were torn and bloody, painted in both his and the bear's blood. He himself was also drenched in blood, almost as red as the snow surrounding them.
Jaune let out a sigh as he finally relaxed, the ursa major in front of him taking its last breath and beginning to dissolve. He sheathed the knife as he turned and smiled at Clover and Verdan. He could see the shock on their faces but he was just glad they were fine.
He started towards them, "Whew! Are you two al-"
He stopped in his tracks as Verdan raised his shotgun and pointed it at Jaune. The warped metal shook as Verdan fought to steady his hands.
"Stay back!" Verdan gasped as Clover grasped him protectively, the two shaking.
Jaune rocked back as if struck, finally noticing that it wasn't shock that was on their faces. It was fear. They feared him.
Jaune took another step back, the pain and anguish evident on his face before being replaced by a sad smile. He should have known this would happen.
"I'm glad you two are alright," Jaune said as he turned away from them and slowly walked away. The same sad smile stayed on his face as he reached up a hand and wiped away a tear cutting a path down his blood covered face.
And so Jaune Arc walked off, with naught for company but his footprints.
That same sad smile stayed on his face however as he continued walking.
At least Clover and Verdan were safe. That was enough for him.
A/N: Poor Jaune :\
Things'll start looking up for him soon though!
As always thanks for reading and please review! Lemme know what y'all think!
