AN: Ahh that was a nice vacation/ falling into another fanfic pit lol. Now let us get back to kickass robots and hunters. Hmm ok, my notes are saying something. Oh, that's neat. It's time to da-da-da-dance!
CHAPTER 21
'Oh, crapbaskets' Jaune stared at a rather angry-looking Tai and ran possible scenarios in his head. 'This is a code yellow ok time to defuse this bomb.'
"Is it so wrong for a couple to cuddle from time to time?" Jaune started. "She just looks so peaceful when she falls asleep and I don't want to ruin that by making her get up and go to her bed. Clothes stay on at all times." Tai looked like he didn't believe a thing that he said.
"Jaune I know how teens are don't go lying to me." He growled.
"Now, now, I can't prove that has never happened but you have my word as an Arc that it has indeed never happened and I am not pushing her towards it. Hell, we haven't even kissed yet." Jaune said arms in a defensive stance.
"AND WHY NOT IS MY BABY GIRL NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!?" Tai roared. Jaune looked over to Yang who was trying not to laugh.
"We've been busy with school, and have only been on a few dates. I want our first real kiss to be special that's all." Jaune prayed that would appease Tai.
"Hahaha! Why didn't you say so? I can get that, I still remember my first kiss with Raven. It happened right over there as the sun was setting." Tai pointed towards the statue in Beacon's courtyard. Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. "But if I hear you've done anything you shouldn't…" Tai let the threat end there, though Jaune didn't need him to finish it.
"Well Tai maybe you should say something to Yang about her infatuation with a certain Cat Faunus on my team," Jaune smirked. Tai took a second before walking over to Yang.
Ruby stumbled off the Bullhead and yawned. She would never ask Coco for fashion advice again. Draping the dress bag over her arm she carried the shoebox in her other and made her way to the dorms. Coco had stayed behind to as she put it 'spend some quality time with the girls' Ruby knew what she meant and was not going to even mention it. The sun was setting and all she wanted to do was put this stuff up and cuddle up with Jaune for the night. She got closer to the dorm and heard a voice she hadn't heard in a while.
"Yeah this was totally our dorm see here Qrow craved his name in the closest where Goodwitch wouldn't find it. Oum if these walls could talk they'd tell you all about our crazy days like the skirt incident." Her father was in the room. Ruby rushed through the door dropping her stuff as she tackled him.
"DADDY! I missed you so much!" Tai chuckled as he pushed himself up with Ruby dangling from his neck. "Why are you here?"
"Can't a father just visit his little girl?" Tai asked.
"I'm not little anymore! I'm a huntress in training." Ruby boasted.
"Well if we are pulling rank then I'm a teacher and a full-blown Hunter so yes you still are my little girl," Tai stated and Jaune started laughing. Ruby looked at Jaune then smirked. Deciding to get the last word in she picked up her stuff sat them on the bed and made her way to the restroom.
"You're going to love my surprise tomorrow night Jaune," she whispered loud enough for her dad to hear.
"What just happened?" Jaune asked dumbfoundedly.
The dance was but an hour away and Jaune stood outside his dorm in his maroon-colored suit. The jacket was open reviling a black vest with gold buttons and a tie over a white dress shirt. In his front pocket rested a handkerchief with the Arc family logo. He had a pair of chestnut brown dress shoes over black socks. Ren stood on the other side of the hall wearing a dark green blazer with blue trim, dark green pants, and black dress shoes. Nora had asked Ren to take her to the dance while Jaune had asked Ruby. Right now they waited for their dates to finish up.
"You ready for the dance?" Jaune asked his friend.
"I guess. I'll have to keep Nora from the punch bowl." Ren shrugged.
"Yeah, Nora and sugar don't mix. I had bruises for half a year after that incident in Argus." Jaune chuckled.
"Why didn't you heal them with your aura?" Ren asked.
"Char said doing so would lead to an overreliance on aura for defense and healing. The guy was strict when it came to training." Jaune moaned.
"I get that. Amuro wouldn't let me leave the gun range until I could hit all the targets blindfolded." Ren chuckled. The two boys burst out laughing at their stories and had smiles when the door opened. Nora wore a light pink skirt with a vibrant pink heart-shaped top. Ruby wore a short, red, sleeveless dress with a thick black sash and laces on the chest with a transparent mesh that ended at the collar. She had a pair of calf-high black boots with a flat elevated heel over black stockings.
"Ren let's go!" Nora grabbed a stunned Ren and dragged him away.
"So? How do I look?" Ruby asked.
"You look amazing. Coco knows exactly what makes you, well you. Though…" Jaune broke off his thought and went up to her. "You're a little taller now."
"Is that a good thing? I said no heels but these boots were too good to pass up." Ruby showed off her boots.
"Well, I won't have to strain my neck as much looking down at you." Jaune smiled.
"I'll remember that," Ruby smirked and they went to the dance.
The ballroom was filled with students and Tai and the Arcs kept a watchful eye over the students. Ozpin and Glynda were chatting with Ironwood while Sini and Violette helped Yang at the front welcoming students. Classical music filled the room as Yang tapped the podium hoping her dad would replace her soon so she could go have fun as well. Weiss had come alone which was surprising since Yang was sure she would ask Neptune. Ren was dragged straight to the snack table by Nora and the two Arc girls looked concerned. Pyrrha had shown up alone in a rather cute red dress and bronze necklace, Yang felt bad as all the guys and girls of the school saw her as some untouchable warrior goddess. Surprisingly Sun accompanied Penny of all people and Yangs' nosey older sister instincts were telling her there was something there.
"Hey, brats what are you doing here?" A Blonde girl in a green strapless dress asked.
"Big Sis Olivia! I thought you were at shade?" Violette asked.
"Hello, big sister is that your date?" Sini asked motioning to a tan man with red hair who was almost as tall as their dad.
"Yup this is Gailan!" Olivia smiled. "Vacuo students arrived a few days ago. Remember Vytal isn't far off. We're going to win this year!"
"Why hello, you must be Liv's little sisters. It's a pleasure to meet you." Gailan said with a smile.
"Do mother and father know your here sister?" Sini asked.
"Nope. Why are you two here? Did you guys join Signal or something?" Olivia asked.
"Negative we are here because mother and father wanted to see Jaune and Ruby since they are a couple now," Sini explained.
"Yup they're so cute together!" Violet exclaimed.
"Hey, Yang. I'll take over now. Go have fun." Taiyang came from the stairs. "If you don't want Johnathan to see you and him I'd get to the dance floor, Olivia."
"Thanks, dad/ Mr. Xiao Long." The two girls said.
"Aww, you're just so beautiful Ruby! One second I have to get a photo." Tai gushed over his daughter and pulled out his scroll and started taking photos. One of just her, one with Jaune, and finally he handed his scroll to Jaune. "Here get one of me and her."
"Alright." Jaune took the scroll and took a few of Ruby and her dad before handing it back.
"Not bad kid if being a huntsman doesn't work out you could easily become a professional photographer," Tai said looking at the pictures. "Well don't let me keep you any longer go and have fun but not too much you got it." The couple made their way to the punch bowl and got their cups. Ruby noticed Weiss fixing a flower.
"Hey, Weiss over here!" Ruby waved at her friend.
"Hi Ruby, hey Jaune are you guys enjoying the dance?" Weiss greeted them and asked.
"Could be better, had to deal with my dad. Where's Neptune I thought you were going to ask him to the dance?" Ruby asked.
"I did but he turned me down. But that works someone has to make sure this dance goes perfectly." Weiss sighed. Jaunes eyes narrowed when he saw Neptune chatting with sun and Penny.
"That's terrible, I'm sure Jaune and I can find you a partner to dance with. Right? Jaune?" Ruby saw Jaune walking towards the group. "Uh oh."
Jaune grabs Neptune by the shoulder and gestures that he wants to talk but it's too loud. Neptune looked confused but followed Jaune towards the balcony. Jaune notices Pyrrha running towards the CCT center but shrugs.
"Huh, she must really need to call someone. Guess it's her agent or something huh?" Neptune asks.
"Maybe. Could be her parents. So Neptune how's the dance treating you?" Jaune responds.
"Oh man it's so great the music is great, I know not many love classical but it kind of fits the occasion. Not to mention all the cute girls." Neptune sighs.
"I guess your right. But I'm one of the lucky ones coming with one of the cutest girls here." Jaune says. "Still confused on the Sun and Penny thing, I thought he had a thing for Blake."
"I know man same here. One day he just comes back to the dorm and introduces me to that Penny girl. She's kinda odd but oh well as long as Sun's happy." Neptune shrugged.
"Yeah and he doesn't have to fight Yang for Blake's attention." Jaune chuckles before looking at Neptune. "Though there's one thing bugging me."
"Oh? What's bugging you man?" Neptune asks.
"I could have sworn you had a thing for Weiss so why did you turn her down?" Jaune asks.
"Oh that. Look man it just didn't work out." Neptune sighed.
"Really? Because I'm certain she's got a thing for you. I should know she's not the most subtle when it comes to affection." Jaune says.
"Really?!" Neptune coughs. "Yeah, I heard about all of that. Look man it just won't work!"
"From where I'm standing it sounds like you're a coward," Jaune smirks.
"Neptune Vasilias is no coward!" Neptune growled and grabbed Jaunes collar.
"Then go and ask Weiss for a dance." Jaunes calm demeanor doesn't drop. "Unless that is you can't dance." Neptune's gaze flicks away and he loses his grip. "Oh did I hit the nail?"
"*sigh* Yes you did. I can't dance. That's why I turned down all the girls that asked me. I don't want to make a fool of myself." Neptune slumps against the railing.
"You know Weiss wouldn't care. She just wants to be near you." Jaune places his hand on Neptunes' shoulder.
"You think so?" Neptune asks.
"I don't know. What do you say, Weiss?" Jaune smirked as Neptune spun to see Weiss and Ruby standing there.
"Thank you, Jaune. Now get over here you!" Weiss grabs Neptune and drags him away.
"That was kind of you Jaune." Ruby smiles.
"I made her cry once. So this was my way of apologizing. He just needed a little push, kinda like me and the night on the docks." Jaune walked up to Ruby. "How about a dance?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
The night was perfect. Sure there was a slight bump with Neptune but after Jaune had a talk with him Weiss and he were seen dancing even if he kept stepping on her feet. Ruby was having a blast the music finally changed from classical to more modern songs and her favorite song was playing, Red Like Roses. Jaune and her danced till their feet got sore and made their way to the punch bowl where Ruby saw something that made her giggle. Her sister Yang was leaning on Blake lightly snoring. Ruby pulled out her scroll and took a quick picture before grabbing some punch and sitting down. They decided to talk about the upcoming missions as they learned those who would be testing for pilot training and those who passed the tests earlier would be starting at the same time.
"So what do you think will happen with the teams?" Ruby asked. Blake was the only one from Team ABVR to refuse to take the test while Ren was the only one from PYSL to be doing the training.
"Maybe they'll let Blake tag along with Pyrrha's team?" Jaune theorized.
"So what like a Team NBXS(Nexus)?" Ruby asked.
"Could be. This hasn't happened before." Jaune shrugged. They saw that Jaunes' Parents had found Olivie and her date and were in the process of taking pictures.
"Let's go back and dance Jaune." Ruby shot out of her chair.
"Sure but let's not get carried away again, my feet still sting a bit." Jaune followed. They got to the dancefloor as a slow song came on and Jaune held out his hand. "May I have this dance milady?"
"Of course Sir Knight." Ruby giggled and took his hand. He pulled her in close and they started swaying to the music. It was as if all others were gone and they were the only two there. Keeping rhythm with the music they continued to stare and dance. Finally, Jaune spun her and pulled her in close. Ruby's eyes met his and they leaned in and there on the dancefloor their lips met and it was as if the universe came alive. *Click, Flash* The moment ended when someone took a picture. Ruby and Jaune Turned to see Johnathan and Amelia Arc and the motherly woman Pulled Ruby into a Hug while Jaune's dad patted him on the back.
"MOM, DAD!"
Mercury watched the whole event unfold from the upper level. He was annoyed that someone like him in his mind actually had a good relationship with their parents. His old man was a thieving bastard and he never knew his own mother. Disgusted he turned and found Cinder standing there with a few strands of hair out of place. He quickly fixed her hair to Emerald and Cinder's displeasure.
"So did it work or were you too busy?" Mercury smirked as he implied that.
"Get your mind out of the gutter you buffoon. Of course, it worked else I wouldn't be here. That damn Nikos girl had to interrupt me though so I had to run, there's no alarms so obviously Watts knew what he was doing." Cinder scoffed.
"See I knew it Watts is working with the Queen! We should go and arrest those three now!" Ironwood slammed his fist down on Ozpins desk.
"Now, now let us not be hasty. They believe their plan has succeeded and we have a way to know all their plans now. Let us make our own trap." Ozpin stated sipping his mug. "Though first off let us congratulate our hero of the night. Glynda could you bring in Miss. Nikos?" Glynda Goodwitch escorted an armed Pyrrha through the door.
"Hello, sir. Sorry for causing a scene." Pyrrha bowed.
"No need to apologize Miss. Nikos. You helped us out tonight." Ironwood said with a smile.
"Indeed." Ozpin saw the confusion on her face. "I see you are curious. Before we answer any questions let me ask you one. What is your favorite fairy tale?"
AN: This was a fun chapter to write. Jaune and Ruby had their first kiss, Olivia is there for the tournament, and what is Ozpin thinking?
