Breaking Through the Bottom of the Bottle
/
Five years after Beacon, Jaune's still going home alone as often as not. An unlikely encounter with Yang may have just the solution- drinks, company, and a hell of a lot of pickup lines.
/
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Duh.
/
/
"Hate me in the morning," Yang whispered.
He wouldn't. There was only one thing she could do to make him even think that. But before he could say it, she-
/
/
Sunlight, the song of birds, and the distant sound of an airship taking off were the first things he noticed. Despite the pounding in his head, it didn't bother him much. Aura made the hangover a pittance- the morning air on bare skin was worse.
Jaune didn't complain. Instead, he yawned, and stretched, and reached around for what he knew he'd feel. Cast off blankets. The wet spot in the middle. And-
Empty sheets and the morning after.
Jaune opened his eyes and sat up without expression, and turned towards the brightest thing in the room. No fiery hair or sunny smile awaited for him- just dim curtains blocking out a long-risen sun, and the sound of the latest departure from the local airport. A quick look confirmed- he had the entire bed to himself, no one to hot sheets or take up space or accidentally kick him in the middle of the night.
He didn't smile.
Jaune reached beneath the bed and found his pants where he'd last kicked them. The rest of his clothes were where he remembered them- but none of the clothes he'd taken off were to be seen. Only the jacket, that she'd- that they'd- never quite taken off even after he'd torn her shirt and-
Only her- his- jacket remained, neatly hanging on a re-righted chair.
"At least she left me my jacket," he said to no one as he mechanically put on his pants. At least he wouldn't have to go hunting for it. At least he wouldn't have to go across a hall, and ask, and find a room of friends and nothing more because-
"Heh," Jaune said mirthlessly as he looked out the window, and in the direction someone no doubt sleeping on the last flight to Haven.
"How can I hate you if you're not even here?"
Aura helped with the hangover, but there must have still been alcohol in his system as he stumbled out his bedroom and towards the restroom. He wasn't hoping to find anything- wasn't looking for anyone- and why should he? Hoping led to disappointment.
He cursed under his breath even before he stubbed his toe. He should have known better. He had known better. People like her- people like them- didn't go for guys like him. What had he been expecting- to find love in a bar? Someone to stay not just the night, but the morning after? That a chance meeting might lead to anything more than a momentary dalliance?
Stupid, stupid, stupid. An old friend with an old flame she wouldn't name? It shouldn't have surprised him. Shouldn't have fooled him. He didn't care what anyone said- he was the dumb blonde. He'd let himself forget simple things, things that he should never have forgotten if he didn't want to hurt again.
Like, never do anything drunk you wouldn't do sober. If anything seemed too good to be true, it probably was. And most of all, never, ever fall for the flirtations of an amazing woman out of your league. No matter what they say, they can always do better than you. And eventually, they'll always do. It's just a matter of how long.
He looked at the mirror to see what she could do better than, and flinched at what he saw. It wasn't the messed up hair, or the miserable expression- it was the countless bruises starting at his neck that had migrated down. Dust, she'd marked him- wouldn't even let him pretend it was just a dream if he wanted to.
Why? Why had she done that? He could have understood if she'd just left- could see the sisterly resemblance- but why mark him? Even her sister hadn't done that physically. Even she hadn't made him unable to pick up anyone else if he wanted to.
("Either way, I'll have a great story to share with everyone.")
Was that it? Was that all he was? A boast, a brag, a booze buddy to get for something more? A curiosity fuck, a contingency lay, a warm bed on the side whether things went right or wrong? Had she really just had him because she could, and left him marked so he'd be available just in case she couldn't?
Was he even a friend with benefits, or was she right now looking back and thinking 'well, that was a thing'?
No wonder she'd been dancing around things all night. He'd known there was a point behind their meeting- no way she'd been hanging out in his favorite bar by chance. She'd as much as said she'd been looking for him. He'd thought she was just there to get him for the reunion, make him face Ruby. But no, she'd been looking for him- hunting him- for her own reasons. Just so she could- she could-
Anger began to fill him. His fingers clenched as his mind whispered dark thoughts and accusations he'd never say aloud. He only just resisted the urge to shatter the mirror as his vision began to darken. Jaune Arc left the restroom in desperate need for a drink.
He'd never forget those rules again, he swore it. Even if she'd made sure he couldn't forget her well after the bruises healed, and then some, he could still forget himself now. Tomorrow, maybe, he'd be up for thinking again. He could figure out how to get out of his lease, move what little he had out, and be gone before the first flight from Haven could return. And if he couldn't, he'd just walk right out with Crocea Mors. He'd given his word he'd be here- but he'd never said where 'here' was. If she wanted him to keep his word, she'd have to find him first.
Good luck to that, though. He could drop off the net so far that even Weiss and all of SDC wouldn't be able to find him. He didn't need to be there in person to send Ren and Nora letters. Ditch the scroll, change the number, and… and don't tell Ruby. Remnant was a big place. They probably wouldn't meet again. All he'd need to do to never be found was to never, ever go back. On his word, to Beacon, and to those- those-
To anyone on Team RWBY. It might not be fair to Blake and Weiss, but they'd understand. Or maybe they wouldn't- by the sounds of it, they had someone to call their own. Someone who didn't leave in the middle of the night without a word.
He'd leave. And then- and then…
And then it wouldn't matter. It'd be no different than where he'd been last night- hurting, alone, and lonely. He'd probably make the same mistake again. He was dumb like that. But it'd never again be with someone he knew from before. No one who could hurt him quite like that. No one else like them, ever again.
Fuck, what had he been thinking when he let her in? That's she'd stay the morning rather than run off and see her dear sister with whom had so much in common? That she'd stick around for him, rather than go to some guy he'd never known? That she'd-
That's she'd-
That's she'd… be in his kitchen, wearing nothing but an apron?
"Morning, Jaune," Yang greeted from his stove, so focused on cooking eggs and sausage that she didn't turn around. "Hope you don't mind that I borrowed your washer- what's left of my clothes were pretty messed up after what we did, and-"
Jaune didn't care.
"You're here," he whispered, collapsing into the door way as everything that had been building in his mind fell in disarray as certainty and assumptions were swept out from under him once again.
Yang pursed her lips, and brushed some hair behind her ear. "I thought I'd make us some breakfast," she explained without turning around. "If you're up for it? I know I'm not the best cook, but-"
Jaune didn't care. She could burn water as far as he cared, so long as she was around to do it herself.
"You're still here. You didn't leave," Jaune marveled, voice cracking.
Yang looked at him, a hint of hurt, before seeing his face and understanding.
"Jaune… I'm not Ruby," she reminded him simply.
He almost fell to the floor in thanks.
"Why?"
Yang couldn't help but laugh. "There are so many ways I can answer that, I don't know where to start," Yang said, before giving an awkward but endearing smile. "But are you really going to ask me that, after last night?"
"But… you missed your flight. You're going to miss the reunion," Jaune realized, thinking of that last airship to Haven.
"But I won't miss you," Yang said, setting the frying pan down on the stove and moving towards him, reaching out with her prosthetic hand. He flinched, but not at the metal.
Never the metal.
"They'll understand. You wouldn't have," she whispered.
"But… why?" Jaune asked again as her hand fell on his shoulder.
Yang gave a lopsided grin. "Are you really going to make me say it, Jaune?" she asked. "Because I've been trying for years."
Jaune leaned forward, eyes closed and forehead on her shoulder.
"There's… no guy at the Reunion, is there?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question anymore. Just a reassurance.
"I never said there was," Yang said softly. "Only that he should be. But he hasn't shown up for years, and wasn't going to this year. Believe me- I checked."
"So when I told you to not give up…" he said, reaching for her hand on his shoulder.
"I followed a good friend's excellent advice, and tried something other than talking," Yang said, letting his fingers interlock with her metal digits. "So… how'd I do?" she asked, letting her aura glow.
[What do you think?]
His aura glowed as well, and his free hand drifted to her side.
[HopeDoubtHesitance. I don't know.]
She guided that free hand to her arm, where metal met flesh.
[Did I- is it-?]
He stroked her gently.
[YangInherentFavor. It's you. It's fine. You're fine.]
Yang reached to cup his cheek.
[Then?]
Jaune's eyes narrowed, just a tad, as the all-too familiar sensation returned to his heart. A sensation so ingrained the scar didn't need description.
[Empty sheets and the morning after.]
She lowered her eyes.
[I'm sorry.]
His free hand reached for her-
[HurtAbandonmentFear. I thought you left me.]
-and found hers reaching back.
[I wasn't far. I've never wanted to be.]
He squeezed, as willing as her not to let go again-
[ReliefForgivenessQuestion. You didn't leave. Why?]
-and she intertwined those fingers as well.
[Because I-]
Her glow faded, aura retreating from the prosthetic.
Jaune looked up at her.
"You, Yang," he said with all due seriousness, even as he squeezed her fingers and increased the shine of his aura instead, pushing past servos and down conduit wires to touch hers instead, "are one hell of a dumb blonde."
[BeliefUnderstandingPatience. You don't have to say it now. Not until you're ready.]
She squeezed back, letting her aura seep back in. "Takes one to know one," she retorted, throat tight.
[Thank you.]
"At least I'm not burning the food."
With the reminder, Yang's awareness widened along with her eyes. The sound of sizzling grease and once appetizingly brown sausage links had been replaced with the sight, and sound, and even the scent of char.
"Crud, crud, crud," Yang cursed, breaking the link as she hurried to take care of it. Jaune appreciated the sight of her domestic side, and her back side, as she tried to prevent the kitchen from becoming a disaster area, and not just an inedible mess.
"There goes breakfast," he eventually chuckled, not at all inclined to help out.
Yang growled, glaring at the misshapen black and now soggy lumps. "It was supposed to be a surprise," she muttered, explaining an unspoken question from earlier. "Something sweet."
"Sweet?" Jaune echoed.
By the way Yang startled, she might not have meant to say that part aloud. She certainly reddened a bit, and not from the shame of already wearing nothing but an apron that said 'kiss the cook.'
"I was going to wake you up," she said, without specifying how. "Then, after we were done, I was going to ask you a question."
She held the plate of unappetizing food before her, and leaned forward to give a dazzling smile.
"Morning, Lover Boy," she acted out, with a cleavage shot that would have made him wondering if he were still dreaming. "What would you like first- breakfast, a bath, or-" she gave a sultry grin that would have no doubt made his morning, "me?"
Jaune just stared at her for a moment, and Yang started to get self-conscious. "Maybe it worked better in my head," she admitted, "but I-"
"I'm not awake enough for this," Jaune said, shaking his head. "I'm going back to bed."
"Wha- Jaune!" Yang began to protest, but Jaune looked back at her and she saw the hint of a smile.
"This must be a dream, and if it is I want a redo on waking up," he claimed. "No breakfast. No baths. Only you. And I want you waking me properly this time."
Yang stopped protesting and adopted a dirty grin instead. "And how should I do that?" she asked, hand on her hips and both a relieved and cocky smirk on her lips.
"From beside me," Jaune answered. "Or beneath me. Or on top of me. Your choice, as long as you're there," he said, smirking back. He reached out, grabbed her, and pulled her close enough to whisper in her ear and make her shiver once more. "Get in my bed, woman."
Yang's eyes smoldered. "Want to start the day off with a bang, huh?" she said, voice deepening with desire.
"No," Jaune said, looking hungrily right back. "I want to start my day off with a Yang."
She could have swooned then and there. "I have trained you well," she said with real satisfaction.
"I want more lessons, Mistress," Jaune teased.
"I'll see what I can do," Yang promised airily. "Anything else?"
Jaune stilled for a second, and the cocky grin faded just a bit. "I never want to wake up thinking you left me again," he admitted.
Her hand touched his chest, brushing a bruise still above his heart. It didn't need to be aura-laced metal to be understood.
[You won't.]
"'Never' is a tall order, but I'll see what I can do," Yang claimed before sauntering forward and invading his space with all the confidence a returning conqueror. "You want anything to drink before we start?" she asked, even though neither of them were looking at the kitchen.
"I seem to remember someone last night promising me a screaming orgasm whenever I wanted," Jaune said with a grin.
Yang flicked his nose with her prosthetic. Aura took the blow. "Before we start, I said," she said with a smile.
"Ah, but I really want one," Jaune whined. "You made the best ones last night…"
"Men," Yang muttered with a pleased flush and a bigger grin. He knew just how little she'd been faking it, and vice versa, as flesh intertwined with metal and squeezed. "I guess I've got no choice but to get right on it, then," she said, using his hand to pull without pinching as she brushed past him. Soon she was pulling him back towards his bedroom, and their bed.
"Come on, Jaune- if I'm going to wake you up, I'll make this dream as dirty as I want."
"Don't you mean as I want?" Jaune asked, not minding being pulled along.
"No," she denied. "You haven't dreamed about this nearly as much as I have. You've got years of catching up to do." She verbally paused for a moment. "Though, when we get out of bed this afternoon, we are going to call in to the Reunion, and you will say hi to everyone you can," she said firmly, even if the squeeze of her metallic hand was softer, beseeching.
He squeezed back. "I think I can manage that, if you're there with me," he said. He paused. "And you take credit for all the hickies," he added, rubbing his neck. "Was this your way of letting them know we're-?"
"Maybe," she admitted with a chuckle, realizing he'd seen right through her plan without any insight, but gripping his held hand harder. "But deal. And maybe next year-"
"Maybe next year, we'll see Ruby and not just talk to her," Jaune said, as much an agreement as a possibility. It'd be hard- it wouldn't have been something he could do on his own- but he'd always said that when he could smile and mean it-
And maybe next year, or the one after that, they'd see something else- maybe there really would be another addition to the next generation, to be the friends of children of friends and reforge bonds left to fray.
Maybe. She'd- he'd- they'd talk to friends and see if they could be patient a little while longer. See if this would go as they both hoped.
"Thanks," Yang said for now, beaming like the morning sun as she led him by the hand around the corner from the hallway into the bedroom. "That'll be a thing. Until then, though, are you ready to pick up where we-"
She stopped moving forward when he did, pulled to a stop. Briefly she realized she was standing where he had last night, even as his arms encircled her waist this time. She wasn't the only one glowing now.
"Yang, you love me, right?" he whispered into his ear, though there wasn't much doubt in his voice.
Her fingers fell back between his, an increasingly familiar arrangement. "It's usually the guy who says it first, you know," she chided.
[You know the answer to that.]
He should, at least.
He ignored that. "That might not be so long, because… well, you know me." And boy, didn't she? "When I get serious, I don't do half-measures. Catch me when I fall? For you?"
[RiskBeseechEverything. I'm putting my heart in your hands. Be careful?]
"I said I would, right?" Hinted, at least, when she'd asked him to trust her.
[I will.]
"Yeah. Thanks." A chuckle.
[MirthJoyUncertainty. ?]
"What is it?"
[Tell me.]
"I just- I've got no idea what to do with you after this," Jaune admitted. "We can't exactly pick each other up at a bar again."
[MemoryCherishEternity. I wish… I wish last night was forever.]
"Who says we can't?" Yang asked, before pulling him forward once more, towards the bed. "And maybe next time I can drink too. But that's later. You've got a lot of missed time to make up for, buster."
[We can, as many times as you want.]
He sent a pulse of aura into her arm, making even the metal seem to shiver with anticipation.
[GratitudeAcceptance…Completion. Thank you. For staying with me.]
That was a bit too serious for her for now, even if it was sweet. So instead she tried to make him laugh.
"Don't worry about it. I've got a lot of ideas of what we can do together," Yang suggested.
[Some of them we can do in public. A few we can do with our friends.]
"Yang?" he said, refusing to laugh.
[MirthInsincereCondemnation. Bad girl.]
"Yes, Jau-"
[Yes, lo-]
She was shut up when she was dragged into a kiss from behind.
"Show me," Jaune asked, opening his heart to her fully.
[Warm smiles, filled sheets, and the morning after.]
"Of course," she promised, before reaching out and pinching him.
He woke up.
And then she did.
/
Begin Morning After
/
/
Fin
/
/
Author Note:
And that's how you write an ending open to interpretation. Thanks, grammatical ambiguity!
Yes, that's the end- see the 'Fin'? That's what I put at the end of the writing when I'm really done. Well, that and change the tags to 'Complete.'
And probably romance, tomorrow- after the meta-gag subsides. (If you read this later- this final chapter was posted under the 'Angst' tag, to fool alert readers. Most probably never noticed.)
Story's over, folks. There will be a post-story analysis/response to people's questions coming, which is becoming a trend of mine. It will be called the Hangover- I'll write it up sometime in the next week. If you have questions, feel free to ask, cause that's where direct responses to reviewers will go, as well as some meta-context and stuff.
Otherwise, if you don't have questions, how about leaving a review? Happy? Sad? Optimistic? Convincing yourself it's really miserable? Leave a thought, on this chapter and the story as a whole, and who knows? Maybe the muse of fanfiction will favor you in reward. I'll be grateful at least.
Cheers,
C.F.