"It's a date." Jaune blurted out, a happy look on his face that turned into one of morbid embarrassment. The words struck Cinder harder than any punch or kick or car Jaune had thrown her way before during their time as superhero and super villainess with a bone to pick with one another.
It was stupid of her to think that way, to get so hung up over a few stupid words, but she did. Spoken by Jaune meant they were sincere and genuine, which is more than Cinder could say about herself. She knew he had a right, even if they were just friends, to be angry at what he'd thought her colleague had done. She'd riled him up intentionally, the impatient, cowardly part of her that sought to make what she wanted hers before it could escape her was still hung over what he'd said in the bedroom that he'd let her sleep in for months now, about how he wasn't ready for a relationship yet. She knew he wanted more, that she felt like she did, and she knew that his cretinous bitch of an ex had made him hesitate as memories of the worst overshadowed his belief in what could be.
She annoyed him, and after months of teasing and hesitation and back and forth like a stupid tug of war being fought between the two of them he had finally cracked and said three words that made her brain shut down and a small, very supressed part of her squeal like a stereotypical teenage girl on the inside.
"Yeah. It is." Cinder managed to blurt out back at him, unaware of the wide smile that split her face until he smiled back a grin that was just as wide and joyful. "Let's not be late to it."
"Of course." Jaune said, bowing slightly and gesturing with his arm to the end of the alleyway, the other crooked and offered towards her. "After milady."
"Naturally." Cinder replied imperiously, though it felt more forced than usual. She hooked her arm through his and they walked side by side down the streets of Emerald Vale, making their way to the school their little Snowflake would be waiting at, hopeful for the day to end and wondering who would pick her up.
Normally Cinder and Jaune alternated, though only recently had they had to work around the fact both of them had work to attend to at different hours of different days. This would be the first time both of them picked her up, and the thought made her strangely giddy despite the fact what they were doing was fairly inane and not particularly special. They both picked up Khione before separately, so what if they did it together?
It was about the message. It was about the fact Cinder was hanging off of Jaune's arm in a pretty literal sense of the saying and that, according to what they both said, this was somehow a date.
How was this a date? Why was she simultaneously bothered and unbothered by that? Did Jaune actually mean what he said, or was it one of his poor humour dad joke things?
"How was work?" Jaune asked suddenly, and Cinder found herself staring at him amusedly, one eyebrow raised to add to the effect that made Jaune redden. She savoured his embarrassment for a few short moments before deciding to be merciful and continue the conversation.
"Apart from my co-worker being an ass, like usual, and my bo-best housemate turning up and embarrassing me by being an oath, like usual, then I'd say it was fairly adequate leaning towards bad." Cinder replied, turning away from him as her face reddened at her near slip-up. Get a grip woman! "It was pretty busy and hectic."
"I saw." Jaune said quietly, and Cinder worried she had said something wrong, something that annoyed him. "Do you have many contacts in the...uh...you know?"
"I don't know." Cinder said, giving him a confused look that was returned by one of awkwardness and trepidation. "What are you trying to talk about?"
"Do you have any contacts..." Jaune paused, looking around them and noticing the street was empty apart from a few passing cars before leaning over and speaking in a hushed tone to her. "...in the underworld?"
"I suppose I do." Cinder replied with a frown. "Though I don't know why you would want to know them, or if they would be willing to even talk to me. I've been quiet for a while now, and since my alter ego hasn't made an appearance for a while they will likely assume I'm dead, retired like I actually am, or I fled the country. Why?"
"Just wondering." Jaune sighed. "Something on the news has been bothering me about this vigilante. I just wanted to know if you might know a guy who knew a guy who could tell me if the guy was good or bad."
"That Red Crusader person?" Cinder frowned, vaguely remembering the news sensation that had gripped Vale for the span of a week after foiling a robbery attempt on a dust store. "Jaune, they had even worst homemade gear than you, and Khione helped make that cape for you out of her old blanket. The Red Crusader was worse than that somehow. If they aren't dead they've probably returned that weird corset thing to the Lien store they bought it from."
"I guess." Jaune said, tone one of tentative agreement. "I knew they probably weren't some super evil villain with plans for world domination, but at the same time they're probably just a kid who's getting in way over their head. If I could speak to them, maybe I could give them some advice."
"What? Like a sidekick?" Cinder blinked, slowing down to give him a serious frown.
"I don't know. Maybe? Actually no. I don't have the time for it." Jaune shook his head, though that wasn't what irritated Cinder.
"So I have to stop being the Nefarious Nightstalker but you still get to be the Huntsman?" Cinder asked rhetorically, and Jaune's face seemed to pale. "That doesn't seem very fair."
"The reasons why I became the Huntsman still exist." Jaune replied carefully. "This city is riddled with crime, and the police are either to corrupt or incompetent to deal with it. The few good, decent officers are overshadowed by the significantly worse comrades, and I don't want Khione to grow up somewhere as unsafe as Vale seems to be right now."
"In that case the reasons I became the Nefarious Nightstalker still in exist." Cinder scowled, making it clear what she thought of his justification and opinion. "In fact, I would say they have only grown. Before I had to just look after myself, now it is Khione and you I have to look after as well, not to mention you don't exactly have the best living circumstances."
"That can change if the city becomes safer." Jaune retorted. "If crime goes down then suddenly its safe to invest and do business in Vale again. Businesses will move back in, the competition will lower prices and as more businesses look into expanding into Vale the more the government will invest for things like education, infrastructure and healthcare. It's selfish of me, but I want make sure Khione has the best life she can get. The way things are currently means that won't happen unless something changes. I'm not powerful or influential. I don't have friends in high places that can change things from within the system, and I sure as hell can't become a politician to do it myself since I don't have the money or influence for that. But what I can do is use the powers that I have to make Vale a better place for everyone, and to make sure it seems like a good place for investment into the future, which will mean investment into and improvement of my daughter's prospects."
"That...I thought you were just a goody two shoes." Cinder blinked. "You actually have a reason beyond being a good guy for doing this?"
"Well yeah." Jaune replied, blinking as well. "Helping people is just another side benefit, like how making Vale better means more investment and so on. Everything I do is for Khione. I don't care if that's selfish of me or not."
"I see." Cinder said, looking away and genuinely seeing what he said. It made sense, and there was a clear logic behind his explanation that very well could work. Things wouldn't be as easy as he had made it seem, Vale had a reputation now and even if crime rates fell it would take time for that reputation to ease away. But what he said...what he hoped...it was possible. "You can continue to be the Huntsman, if my permission and opinion is worth anything. Just...Just be careful."
"Of course I will." Jaune smiled warmly, squeezing her hand gently. "The only real danger I had was you, and I don't think we'll be having anymore city-destroying battles anymore."
"Not so long Khione would be angry at me for doing so." Cinder replied jokingly, though in her mind she saw Jaune in his hospital bed and the hurt on Khione's face when she realised she had put him there.
"Fair point." Jaune chuckled, shaking his head. They continued their walk together, making her relax once more as they neared their destination. "I know we're supposed to be her parents and all but it's clear as the day she has us wrapped around her finger."
"I hope you only just aren't realising that now?" Cinder replied teasingly. "I've known this since the moment she managed to drag us both into lunch despite us being mortal enemies who loathed one another."
"I wouldn't say I loathed you exactly." Jaune said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "I found you annoying and frustrating, but the reason I was so standoffish then was because I was worried you'd hurt Khione to get to me. It's obvious to me now that you wouldn't do that, but back then I didn't know you at all."
"Fair enough." Cinder shrugged, though her cheeks reddened slightly with embarrassment. "I wish I could say the same about my opinion towards you back then. You were annoying, frustrating and I wanted nothing more than to kill you slowly. I...I'm sorry."
"I mean...you don't want to do that anymore right?" Jaune asked, earning a sheepish nod. "Then I suppose I can forgive you. You can wash the dishes tonight though."
"An adequate punishment for planning your painful demise." Cinder acquiesced, falling silent as they turned the final corner and entered the bustling street leading to Khione's school. Dozens of parents and their children walked out of the school, forming a steady stream of people. Cinder and Jaune managed to work their way through the crowd towards the iron gates and squeezed through them, with Cinder shooting a dirty look at a mother and her son who arguing in high-pitched voices in the middle of the gate, blocking part of it and causing a traffic jam of sorts.
They wound up outside the doors to Khione's classroom, where a throng of parents stood waiting. Cinder could hear yelling and shouting within, until a brief silence fell and the door opened, revealing a haggard looking teacher.
"Khione, John, Juan, James, Jane, Jenny!" The teacher called, and out came the children who quickly hurried over to their parents or guardians or family. Khione bounded over to them, a look of surprise in her face before a joyful smile split her face apart and she stood in front of them, staring at the two of them with adoring eyes.
"Hello!" Khione exclaimed happily, making Jaune chuckle and Cinder smile fondly.
"Hello to you too kiddo." Jaune replied, beating her to the punch and ruffling Khione's hair. "How was your day?"
"Pretty cool!" Khione smiled. "We saw this video about lions that was awesome. Can I have a pet lion please?"
"I'm afraid not kiddo." Jaune replied, and Cinder agreed with a nod, even if part of her had been planning the logistics behind robbing a zoo.
"Aww…" Khione pouted, twiddling her thumbs together sadly before staring at them with watery eyes. "Well…since I can't have a lion…and since lions are related to cats but are smaller…can I have a cat please?"
"We don't live in a cat household Khione." Jaune chuckled, sharing a look with Cinder. Her attempt had been valiant but doomed.
"Oh...okay." Khione smiled, though to Cinder it seemed almost devilishly sly. "Can we get a dog then? It's my birthday soon too so you have to say yes!"
"Maybe." Jaune said, giving Cinder a deadpan look that was returned by one of shock. When did Khione become so cleverly manipulative? "She takes after you now. You've corrupted my daughter."
"Excuse me?!" Cinder protested hotly. "She certainly doesn't get her stubbornness from me!"
"Just her bullheadedness then."
"That's the same thing as stubbornness!"
"Can we get ice cream?" Khione asked suddenly, pointing to the ice cream van parked outside the school gates, a large line across the street next to it. Cinder stared at Jaune, more than willing to put their argument on hold until their joint enemy had been defeated.
"We have ice cream at home." Jaune reminded with a patient tone, earning a fierce pout.
"That ice cream isn't proper ice cream!" Khione protested, as if she was being forced to eat cruel instead of a different type of ice cream. "It comes in a tub and doesn't have a cone or a flake!"
"It has chocolate flakes on it." Jaune retorted, and Khione huffed.
"Those aren't proper flakes-they're tiny!" Khione pouted. "I won't ask for a dog for my birthday if you let me get some ice cream."
Cinder turned to Jaune, shaking her head subtly. Her feet ached after working all day, and the queue for the ice cream hadn't even moved an inch during their time arguing over whether to join it or not. Unfortunately for her the prospect of not having to look after an additional life was enough to sway Jaune in Khione's favour, she could see it in his eyes even before he spoke.
"I suppose an ice cream won't hurt. But you have to eat all your dinner!"
"I will!" Khione cheered, grabbing onto Cinder and Jaune's hand before pulling them along to the queue. "Come on! Come on!"
Cinder's feet wept.
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Cinder frowned as she worked away at the dishes, scrubbing away the red remains of that nights spaghetti bolognaise. It was delicious, like everything else concocted by Jaune in the kitchen, and she didn't mind cleaning up as much as she thought she did, as it consigned Jaune to watching over Khione, who was in turn watching that dreaded show about that dreaded dog.
Even now, if she stilled and listened quietly she could hear the dreadful theme tune of Pancake the Preposterous Dog jingle down the hallway and into her kitchen sanctuary. She shook her head and went back to work, scrubbing vigorously not just to ensure the plate was left spotless but also to make splashing noises that drowned out Pancake's song.
But that left her with nothing to entertain herself with but her thoughts, and her thoughts inevitably swung back around to Jaune. They had done little else beyond take Khione home, eating ice cream whilst they did so, before embarking on their usual evening routine. Jaune cooked whilst Cinder helped Khione with her homework and if her little Snowflake had none then they would just play together whilst they waited for Jaune to complete the magic he was working on in the kitchen. Nothing they had done was date-like, and yet she kept thinking back to his little comment about it being a date. It clearly wasn't, but at the same time they had walked romantically side by side and he had purchased ice cream for her.
It was a date…but wasn't. It was a pseudo-date, and the questionable nature of their questionable date left her with nothing but questions about what they were. Were they boyfriend and girlfriend? Were they housemates? Parents? Friends? Friends with benefits?
Cinder jumped as she accidentally slammed a plate down against the dish drainer with unneeded aggressiveness, and she feared for a moment it had cracked. She checked to make sure it hadn't broke, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that it was fine. She heard footsteps and turned to see Jaune peek his head into the kitchen.
"Is everything okay?" Jaune asked worriedly, though it was blatantly obvious from the look on his face that he wanted there to be something she needed help with in order to avoid watching anymore of Pancake and his ridiculously annoying antics.
"All quiet on the western front." Cinder quipped, shaking the plate before sliding it into place carefully to let it dry. "Stupid thing just slid out of my fingers. Too much soap."
"Oh." Jaune blinked, as if trying to communicate 'Help me!' through Morse Code. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Mhm." Cinder hummed, smirking cruelly when she heard Khione calling for Jaune distantly. "Sounds like duty calls."
"Sounds like something's calling." Jaune muttered grimly before sighing and plodding down the hallway, muttering things about a certain 'stupid mutt' under his breath.
Cinder chuckled and turned back to her task, before pausing for a moment, hands wet and soapy and hovering over a dirty plate. She looked up and stared at her own reflection through the glass of the wide kitchen window. Was she a coward? A fool? No, she was the Nefarious Nightstalker, she was Cinder Fall, and she would not be scared of some goody-two shoes and her own stupid feelings for his own stupid self!
"Jaune!" She called. "We need to talk."
Jaune hastily jogged down the hallway, eager to escape from the horrors of Pancake. She wiped her hands clean and leaned against the kitchen counter, turning to face him fully. He hesitated when he saw the look on her face.
"Are you ready for a relationship now?"
"W-What?" Jaune blurted out, and Cinder raised an eyebrow in response, managing to keep up her appearance of calmness despite her heart thundering so loudly even a deaf person could hear it and a whirlwind of fear and embarrassment storming inside of her.
"Because if you are...I wouldn't object to going out on that date with you." Cinder continued, steadfastly staring at Jaune and ignoring the way she felt her cheeks flushed red, betraying her attempt to stay calm and suave. "You are...You are handsome and kind and smart and loyal and genuine and I would very much like to be your girlfriend, and not just for Khione's sake either. I...I...I-I genuinely like you. Like-Like you..."
Cinder swallowed nervously, and the kitchen sounded quiet, the weight of everything that could happen or might happen drowning out the sounds of Pancake the Preposterous Dog. Like? Was she a teenage girl? Cinder steadied her nerves and swallowed her fear and pride.
"By like I mean love." Cinder blurted out, and she saw his eyes widen to the point they seemed as large as the plates she had been cleaning. "I really love you."
"I...I...Uh..." Jaune mumbled, blinking rapidly. It looked like he had completely shut down and was undergoing a system reset, which only told her he was astonished by what she was saying. As the silence dragged on, and as Jaune just stood their awkwardly, she started to realise he very well may be planning to reject her, and fear swallowed her hole as she envisioned losing everything she had gained over the past few months to be confined to loneliness, misery and crime. "I love you too."
Cinder dropped the towel she was holding.
"I...You're awesome, like awesome to the point I'm pretty jealous of you. You're an awesome mom for Khione, and she idolises you like you are her mother, which you are. But beyond that you care. You hide it well, but you I know you care because of how you act. Despite you tendency to be sly, you're very honest about what you want, and although you can be vengeful it's always towards people who have directly wronged you or those you care about. You...You're pretty handsome yourself as well. I'd love to be your boyfriend, I mean, we've kinda skipped a lot of steps to the point we already live together and you're the mother of my daughter...so...yeah..."
Cinder's knees almost buckled and gave out due to the relief she felt in that moment. Instead every ounce of her urged her on to move forward, and so she stepped forward carefully until she was right in front of Jaune. She hooked her arms over his shoulders and relaxed when he reciprocated the hug, his arms wrapping around her waist and resting against the small of her back. She stared into his impossibly dark, deep blue eyes as her hands trailed up and down the back of his neck, toying with the longer strands of blonde hair that fell there.
"Are you sure?" She asked quietly, remembering what he had said mere weeks ago. He nodded.
"I am." He replied huskily, and Cinder liked the way his chest rumbled as he spoke. "Are you?"
She nodded in return, tip toeing upwards as he leaned down. Their lips pressed together, chaste at first, before Cinder nibbled at his lip and before she knew it their tongues were crashing together. She stepped backwards, Jaune pushing against her, until they came to a stop against the kitchen counter, Jaune's hands slowly trailing downwards as she tangled her own in his thick locks of hair, a moan threatening to spill from her lips as-
"Dad! Dad! Pancake just-what the heck!" Khione exclaimed, freezing in the the doorway to the kitchen, her eyes wide in shock and horror as Jaune and Cinder hastily pulled away from one another. "Ew! Eww! Ewww! Bad touch, bad touch, bad touch!"
Khione slammed her hands over her eyes and ran away screaming, leaving Jaune and Cinder to awkwardly stare at one another.
"Bad touch?" Cinder asked quietly, earning a sigh from Jaune.
"There was a prolific case of bad-touchers where we used to live. Schools had to roll out a few seminars as a precaution, even for the younger years." Jaune explained, scratching the back of his head. "This place may be a dump but at least it's safe for Khione to live without fear of that kind of predator."
"A fair point." Cinder conceded, blood boiling at the thought of anything like that happening to any child, let alone Khione. "I believe Khione is in need of an updated seminar. I bagsy not it."
"I...Damnit." Jaune sighed, slumping before plodding away dejectedly. "I can't believe I have to give my little ball of innocent sunshine a child friendly version of the talk without any help from anyone at all. I held her in my arms when she was just a baby and now I must do this grievous task all on my own because no one loves me and I am but a single father raising my child all by my lonesome-"
"Fine." Cinder groaned, stepping after him with a quiet huff. He immediately stood up taller and sent a beaming smile her way. "That won't work every time you know?"
"Of course it won't." Jaune grinned in an annoyingly knowingly way, before swooping down to kiss her cheek. "Thanks dear."
Cinder grumbled, but she made no effort to wipe away the kiss nor to hide the blush on her cheeks.
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Two days had passed since Jaune and Cinder became officially together-together, and Cinder was hard pressed to know of any time in her life when she was happier than she was then. She had a daughter, a boyfriend, a home. She had family again, and that was something more nicer than she ever believed to be possible.
Jaune had informed his family of their relationship, and Cinder was dreading the day they would meet, knowing they fully intended to interrogate her to ensure she was the opposite of Jaune's former lover. She wanted to meet them, but she knew they would be just as eager to meet her for all the wrong reasons. She had agreed to his decision, but she very quickly came to regret it after a slew of messages from protective Arc sisters, matriarch and patriarch.
"Yeah..." Jaune said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm the only son, so they kinda get protective over me since I'm the only boy. It doesn't help I'm younger than a lot of my sisters so they see me as a baby...or a doll."
Cinder's worry was mollified by the pictures of a young Jaune in a dress that she wrangled out of him. In return, she graciously allowed him to sleep in his own bed again.
"Good night." Jaune mumbled, and Cinder stayed completely still and silent, hugging a pillow to her chest, muffling her mouth as her face turned redder and redder.
"G-Good night." She squeaked back, slamming her head in her pillow with embarrassment. Jaune merely chuckled.
He wasn't chuckling when he woke up the next morning to find himself the little spoon.
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Weeks passed by in a blur. Work was easier now that people there knew she had a mountain man at her beck and call, and it helped that Jaune stopped by frequently to share his lunch break with her whenever they could. They would talk and eat and enjoy one another's company before Jaune's co-workers arrived to drag him back reluctantly to work. Afterwards they would pick up Khione and walk home together. Some would find the routine monotonous and dull, but it was soothing for Cinder in a way. It was constant and steady and always there. It was reassuring.
Then the school holidays arrived, and all of a sudden they both had work but Khione did not have school. The solution popped up close to home, in the form of a short, peppy girl who was in a high school with similar holidays to Khione's.
"Morning Mr Arc!" Ruby Rose greeted cheerfully, eyes widening when she saw Cinder answer the door for once. "Uh...I mean morning Mrs Arc!"
"Ruby." Cinder greeted with a nod. She didn't dislike the girl, but the thought of Cinder leaving Khione alone with a stranger, albeit one that lived next door, did not sit well with her. "Jaune is making breakfast before we leave."
"Awesome." Ruby grinned, fist pumping the air slightly before flushing with embarrassment. "Uhm...He make's good food."
"He does." Cinder nodded, and she wasn't so threatened by the innocent statement, even if her hackles started to raise. A girl wheedling her way into Jaune's life and eventually his bed struck too close to home for her however, but she bit down her instinctive paranoia. Years as the Nefarious Nightstalker had left her always fearing and thinking of the worst so she could plan to avoid it.
That said, she made sure to give Jaune a good morning kiss that left him flustered and Khione whining when she strode into the kitchen with Ruby Rose at her heels.
"M-Morning Ruby." Jaune stammered upon seeing the flustered bystander. Ruby waved awkwardly and took a seat next to Khione, starting a quiet conversation with her.
Cinder tried not to look too smug as she remained at Jaune's side, wrapping her arms around his hips and draping her head against his shoulder whilst he buttered the toast that would join the breakfast meal he'd concocted. The both of their jobs together paid well enough that Jaune had started to spend more on food to make sure they all ate well, and Cinder was certainly not going to complain, even if it did mean their savings were increasing much slower than what she hoped.
You never knew when something would go wrong, and it paid to be prepared.
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It was later that same day Cinder found herself staring out over the restaurant whilst she ate with Jaune. They were both tired, and Jaune had made a valiant effort to cheer her up after a longer day than usual before eventually falling silent, realising she needed some time to herself and her thoughts. She quickly grew bored of that however, and since she felt too awkward to restart the conversation she had accidentally shut down she instead took to people watching, and her eyes drifted over to a much younger couple, who looked like students on their lunch period. They were laughing and smiling and for all the world looked more than content with one another.
She stared for a while, before realising the reason she was staring was because despite the fact they lived together, despite the fact they were boyfriend and girlfriend, despite the fact his daughter willingly called her mom...they still hadn't gone on a single date.
"Hey Cinder?" Jaune asked quietly, breaking her] from her reverie. He looked troubled but determined, and she realised he had followed her attention to the happy couple not too far away. "Want to go on a date? We can get Ruby to baby sit Khione now, so we won't need to rush."
Cinder hesitated for a moment. She still had her doubts about Ruby, too many of the mother's forums she frequented for advice suggested it was likely she'd attempt to host a party at their house whilst she and Jaune was out, but she pushed aside her petty fears and nodded, a bright smile growing on her face.
"I'd love to." She said, and when he took her hand in hers she squeezed back.
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Cinder was not used to feeling fear or panicking. She was powerful, beautiful and intelligent enough to manipulate those that could not be influenced by her first two primary skills.
Now she might as well have been the teenage girl she never truly was. They were going to dinner at a fairly posh looking restaurant, but did that mean she needed to overdress or just dress? She had plenty of dresses she was more than willing to wear to highlight her beauty in order to fluster Jaune and ensure his eyes did not trail from where they belonged, though that was something she doubted he would do even if intoxicated or under the influence. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.
But posh did not mean overly eye-catching, it meant elegant. Graceful even. She could pull off both looks, but she did not know which she would need to achieve. She needed help, but she certainly couldn't enlist Jaune's aid and definitely not Khione's. She wanted to surprise Jaune and she did not want to taint Khione's eyes and mind with some of the more risqué outfits she was considering as her panic grew.
"Just where this." Ruby shrugged, picking up a simple red dress with a golden trim at the hem of the fairly short skirt and down the sleeves to the wrists. "It looks super cool, and the gold will bring out your eyes. Just don't wear heels. They suck."
When she turned to Ruby Rose for help out of desperation she did not know what to expect, though her expectations were incredibly low. Now she was even more befuddled and panicked and confused, because Rose could offer surprisingly insightful and clever advice only to follow it up with the most inane thing she had ever heard. Heels were a a pain, yes, but they had their uses, one of them being that Jaune wouldn't simply tower over her.
Cinder considered the dress, and although she hated the thought of doing so, she agreed with what Ruby was saying. The dress was good, with an elegant air to it whilst at the same time showing plenty of her legs but little else.
Swallowing her pride, which was already brushed thanks to her own childish panic, Cinder reluctantly nodded.
"I agree, but your opinions on heels sorely need correcting." Cinder replied eventually, earning a disrespectful eye roll that would have warranted a severe punishment once upon a time. "I need to get changed now. Tha…Thank you for your help."
"No problem Cinder!" Ruby said cheerfully, giving her a thumbs up before stepping out of the room a conspiratory wink. "Have fun on your date!"
"I most certainly will." Cinder grinned to herself. If all went well Cinder and Jaune would not be returning that night, with Cinder having secretly booked a hotel room for them to spend the night…uninterrupted. Ruby would be sleeping over to ensure Khione's safety, a final test for the girl before she was marked as 'Okay' in Cinder's book.
Cinder was really hoping the date went well.
She slid into her dress and forgo the lacy black panties in favour of something more covering due to the length of the dress' skirt, which leaned towards the shorter side but would be considered acceptable to most. Instead she settled for wearing black hot pants over them instead. She headed over to the dresser, bursting her long locks of dark hair and curling them slightly to give them a more luscious, lively look. Afterwards she applied dark eyeshadow dark eyeshadow and curled her eye lashes to perfection. She dabbled some blush to cover some of the small scars, perfecting the few imperfections on her face, before applying crimson lipstick with the intention of seeing it contrast sharply against the paleness of Jaune's skin.
A knock at the door startled her as she sifted through her handbag to make sure she had everything she needed, and she called to let whoever it was in. She struggled to see who, on account of the massive bouquet blocking his face, but he lowered it to reveal his smiling face which quickly fell into one of shock.
"R-Ready to go?" Jaune stammered, face heating up as his eyes distantly trailed up and down her body, leaving Cinder preening. "The taxi's outside."
"It's a good thing I am ready then." Cinder replied, taking the flowers and ignoring the urge to crush them against her chest an squeal. She settled for smelling them before settling them in a vase that she now realised Jaune must have brought out on purpose. "Thank you for the flowers Jaune."
"No problem." Jaune said, looking flustered and ashamed by him checking her out so shamelessly. Cinder wiped away his doubts with a kiss to the cheek, one light so that only the faintest outline of her lipstick remained there. He didn't wipe it away, much to Cinder's quiet approval. He blinked before shaking his head. "We should say goodbye to Khione before we leave."
"Obviously." Cinder snorted, the thought of leaving without saying goodbye having never crossed her mind. "Let's get going then darling."
"D-Darling?" Jaune flushed, and Cinder felt herself blush with embarrassment.
"Yes, you are." Cinder felt herself warble internally. "Darling."
"Very well then dear." Jaune replied, and Cinder felt herself relax when she felt him do the same and knew he was not mocking her as he had called her that numerous time now. She had struggled for own pet name, but darling seemed to fit Jaune, as he truly was one.
They were in sync as they stepped down the hallway together to the living room, where Ruby was watching Pancake the Preposterous Dog next to Khione without so much as an inch of protest or regret at accepting being their babysitter. Did...No...It wasn't possible for any over the age of ten to enjoy this show.
Cinder could only watch as Ruby happily hummed the theme tune under her breath, before turning to wave at them. Khione drew her eyes from the television and suddenly raced over to them, her tiny arms wrapping around their legs desperately.
"Don't go!" Khione pleaded, eyes watery. "I haven't done anything wrong, I promise! I've been good!"
"This isn't a punishment Khione." Jaune soothed, falling to one knee and running a hand through her hair. Cinder did the same rubbing soothing circles into Khione's back. "You get to have a late night hanging out with Ruby and by the morning me and your mother will be back. We'll even give double bedtime stories tomorrow to make up for us not being here tonight."
"I don't want double bedtime stories!" Khione protested. "I want normal bedtime stories! I've been good, why are you leaving me?"
"We'll be coming back later." Jaune said, kissing Khione's head. "We promise."
"Pinkie promise." Cinder added, tweaking Khione's nose. "We'll make your favourite breakfast tomorrow as well, and you can have breakfast in bed."
"You mean I will be making breakfast." Jaune teased. "Last week you burnt toast Cinder."
"That was not my fault and you have no evidence to prove it."
"You were right there Cinder."
"No I wasn't."
"You were waving a towel around trying to fan out the flames like a crazy person."
"Lies and fake news."
"When you saw me there you literally pooped you pants. You should've seen the look on your face-umhp!"
"Your father is a fool." Cinder told Khione, one hand pressed against Jaune's mouth. "Do not believe his idiocy. We will make your breakfast in bed tomorrow, it's just we'll be out late so we can't tell you a bedtime story. We will come back. I swear it."
Khione's giggles at their antics died down, before she nodded slowly, hiccupping sadly with tears still in her eyes.
"Okay." Khione conceded with great reluctance. "But I want eggs...and bacon...and sausages...and jam toast...and chocolate and bagels..."
"We'll do our best." Cinder smiled, hugging Khione tightly before stepping aside to let Jaune do the same.
"See you later kiddo." Jaune said, kissing Khione's cheek before standing. "I want her in bed no later than eight Ruby."
"Aye, aye Mr Arc!" Ruby saluted, though she winked at Khione, making the girl giggle.
Cinder rolled her eyes at the girl before stepping out of the door to the house, giving one last wave to Khione as Jaune shut the door and locked it. Ruby had a spare key for any emergencies like a fire, though Cinder had also put a tracker on the spare key should Ruby prove untrustworthy. If Khione was harmed in any way, shape or form then Ruby Rose would enjoy a pleasantly slow death filled with pain, misery and hopelessness.
Jaune opened the taxi door for her and she gratefully slipped inside. Jaune settled in next to her and the taxi sped away, the driver being a chatty one who exchanged a back and forth with Jaune whilst Cinder sat quietly, though listening attentively. She shuffled closer to Jaune, looking out the window idly as they drove through Vale. Her eyes narrowed when the driver started talking about it was never too late to save a relationship, though thankfully for him he arrived at their destination before he could dig himself into a hole that led to Mistral.
"That was rather pointed." Cinder noted, scowling at the taxi as it drove off into the traffic.
"He meant well...I hope." Jaune defended weakly, before shaking his head and offering her his arm. "Who care's anyway? Shall we milady?"
"We shall." Cinder nodded, smiling as she slid her arm through his. They walked a little further down the street before plodding up the stone stairs leading to the restaurant, where they stepped through glass doors to be greeted by a smiling waitress wearing a dress shirt, skirt and waistcoat with the restaurants name and logo blazoned on it elegantly.
"Greetings, and welcome to Les délices du four à arc." The waitress smiled, and Cinder nudged Jaune raising a brow when she heard his last name. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Mr and Mrs Arc." Jaune replied, and Cinder felt her face flush, her hand tightening around Jaune's.
"My!" The waitress smiled happily. "What a pleasant surprise no? Follow me please."
Cinder and Jaune followed the waitress to a round table covered in a white cloth with cutlery, a numbered stand and a wicker basket filled with an assortment of condiments and napkins. Jaune moved ahead of her suddenly, and she blinked before seeing him pull out her chair for her. She flushed again and sat down with a smile, a long supressed part of her squealing like a little girl at his chivalry. He took the seat opposite her, and the waitress laid a set of menus neatly between them.
"Starters and mains are here, and deserts and drinks are here." The waitress said, gesturing to the different menus. "I'll be nearby, so just wave when you have your order."
"We will, thank you." Jaune smiled, and the waitress bowed before hurrying away. Jaune gave her an awkward look. "Sorry about the Mr and Mrs Arc thing, they do discounts for married couples this week."
"Are you sure it's not because you own the place?" Cinder teased, and Jaune let out an awkward chuckle.
"Yeah...neat coincidence huh? I honestly didn't know until I was looking for a place for us to go, so I'm afraid this isn't where I reveal I'm some billionaire or part of a big family business thing."
"Good, since I don't like competition." Cinder smirked at his confused look. "I technically am a millionaire after all."
"That doesn't count now though." Jaune pointed out, and Cinder rolled her eyes at him in response.
"No." She conceded. "Are we getting starters?"
"I figured we might just get a main and some desert." Jaune shrugged. "I'm fine with starters if you want one, but otherwise I'd rather not fill myself up before the main course."
"A fair point." Cinder nodded. "A main and a desert it is."
It did not take them long to decide on a meal. Cinder chose a fish platter and red wine, whilst Jaune chose something with beef and also asked for a red wine after some prodding from Cinder.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Jaune teased, gesturing to her dress. "You do seem to like Red, even more so than Ruby."
Cinder scoffed and waived away his teasing. Ruby had worn a red cape the very first time they met, and she had also worn it sporadically since. She claimed it was made by her mother, but something about it seemed familiar to Cinder, though Jaune did not seem to recognise it from anywhere either. She was about to retort his baseless accusation when someone interrupted her.
"Jaune? Is that you?"
Jaune stiffened and his eyes widened visibly. He stared behind her, and Cinder turned to see a short girl a few years older than Ruby. It took a moment for Cinder to recognise her, and she blinked when she realised it was none other than Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. How in the hell did Jaune know the heiress to the SDC?
Then she noted her hair. Her eyes. The shape of her nose. It all seemed familiar. Too familiar.
"Weiss." Jaune nodded, smiling weakly. "I didn't expect to see you here. How long have you been in Vale?"
"Two days." Weiss Schnee replied, stepping over to their table despite the awkward look on her face. "Father wants me to learn more about business and sent me to conclude a deal with a company trying to play hardball. They're caving already."
"I'm not surprised." Jaune replied, and his smile seemed a little fonder now. "You always were a force of nature."
"How do you two know one another?" Cinder blurted out, and Jaune tensed in a way that made her worried. Weiss Schnee turned to her with undisguised curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
"Who are you?" Schnee demanded, and Cinder felt her anger rise at the blunt question.
"Weiss is Khione's aunt." Jaune said suddenly, reaching for Cinder's hand and squeezing gently. "Weiss, this is Khione's stepmother, Cinder."
"Stepmother?!" Schnee exclaimed, and Cinder felt herself rise as her suspicions of Weiss' possible relations were disproven. This particular Schnee girl was not one she needed to worry about...or need to kill.
""A-Aunt?" Cinder blurted out, the implications of what Jaune said catching up to her suddenly. "Khione is a Schnee?!"
"She's an Arc." Jaune replied bluntly, and she felt his hand squeeze hers tightly. She realised how uncomfortable he was, and she pushed through her befuddlement enough to turn her hand around so she could hold Jaune's. "Winter...we parted unfavourably."
"From what I heard nothing about Winter Schnee was favourable." Cinder grumbled, earning a harsh look from Weiss.
"Do not speak about what you don't know about." Weiss snapped, shooting Cinder a hostile look. "What do you do? How much money do you make? Can you provide for Jaune and Khione? If you hurt them in any way, shape or form I will utilise every SDC asset to hunt you down and make your life miserable-"
"Weiss!" Jaune protested, though he smiled weakly. "There's no need for the interrogation. Cinder...She's good. For Khione. For me. She also didn't know everything, so don't take offense. I admit that I might not have presented much of what Winter was before...before."
"Very well." Weiss conceded, folding her arms over her chest before turning back to Cinder, a frown on her face despite her words. "You do work do you?"
It took every fibre of Cinder's being not to harm the impudent wench. Thankfully Jaune stepped in.
"She's a wai-"
"CEO of a local business." Cinder interrupted, shooting Jaune a pointed look. "I am more than capable of taking care of Jaune and Khione."
"What local business?" Weiss demanded.
"One worth nearly one hundred and twelve million."
"I do not know of any local businesses valued that highly."
"How ignorant of you."
"That's enough." Jaune interjected. "Weiss, I appreciate it but the fifth degree isn't necessary here. We're trying to have a nice night for a few hours before we go home to Khione, and my family have more than enough questions for her as it is. Cinder, I know you've just met but Weiss is Khione's family. Please...just stop."
Cinder stared the white cloth, whilst Weiss looked away at the bystanders watching them.
"Very well. I will leave you two to it." Weiss said, before half-turning away from them. "It's good to see you are well Jaune. I hope I can see you and Khione again in future."
"Likewise." Jaune smiled weakly. Cinder stared at Weiss Schnee's retreating back until she left the restaurant. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect to see her here."
"Khione...Why haven't I heard of her before?" Cinder asked forcefully. "Why aren't the Schnee supporting you? What's the deal with Winter Schnee? You told me Khione's mother was imprisoned, but Winter Schnee died. It was all over the news."
"Khione...Winter tried...tried to kill her not long after her birth." Jaune forced out, speaking reluctantly but knowing she had a right to know now. "We had kept things quiet at the time because of the White Fang. They were stepping up their attacks on the SDC, and we were worried if they knew Winter was pregnant they would target her. It wouldn't have done them any good, but there's no telling what might have happened in a fight with them and we didn't want to risk Khione, so we lied low. After...Winter tried to do what she did she was sent to a private prison, an off the books black site where the Atlas military keeps high-ranking terrorists and the likes. The SDC faked her death so that what she tried to do wouldn't come to light, and Atlas gets to keep an eye on Winter, who has...powers, like us, but worse. I divorced Winter in private, but Jacques didn't want to support me with money. He wanted custody of Khione, and I wouldn't let him, so he cut us off entirely."
"I...I'm sorry." Cinder replied, squeezing his hand. "I didn't mean to force you."
"It's alright." Jaune smiled sadly. "I was planning on telling you, not tonight of course, but soon. I didn't mean to hide it from you, but at first I was worried if you found out about Khione's heritage you might try to ransom or use her. I know you wouldn't now...but it's happened before. Or tried to."
"I see." Cinder said, and although she couldn't really she did. She was used to using that card, using influential figures' family to get what she wanted when she had started her career as the Nefarious Nightstalker. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Jaune replied. "It's not your fault. You're embarrassed about your job aren't you?"
"Compared to someone who owns the largest company on Remnant-yes-I'm embarrassed to just be a waitress." Cinder retorted defensively, crossing her arms.
"You don't need to be." Jaune sighed, shaking his head. "Being a waitress is a perfectly fine job, and just because you work as one now doesn't mean you will forever. You...I'm not sure if I should tell you actually."
"Tell me what?" Cinder asked curiously, unable to stop herself from taking the obvious bait.
"...Do you promise not to get angry?" Jaune asked, and Cinder felt her hackles rise. "It was before we met...long before we met."
"Tell me." Cinder demanded, softening her tone and face slightly. "I won't get mad. I promise."
"When I first came to Vale I was dirt broke." Jaune explained, an embarrassed smile on his face. "I was pretty much...made to be a househusband before then, so I had little in the way of work experience. No one would hire me, and I had to find a way to make money quick since I was burning through my savings and what little my family could afford to send me trying to look after Khione and myself. Khione...she was in a bad place back then. She was traumatised by what had happened with Winter, and I think she's just completely blocked that part of her life of as a coping thing. I haven't confronted her about it because she's still young, and I want her to be happy. But...She needed support to get where she is now. I didn't mind paying a little extra for therapy, and her therapist was nice enough to offer a discount where she could, but it piled up all the same. Since I couldn't get...work-work...I looked elsewhere."
"Where?" Cinder asked breathlessly, wondering if he had been part of a gang, or a mafia, or something else along those lines.
"I...Uh...I was a dancer." Jaune replied, face turning crimson. "Of the exotic sort."
"Oh." Cinder blinked.
"Oh indeed." Jaune nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't have much choice, but it paid well and wasn't too demanding. The worst I had to deal with was a few handsy bachelorettes before security dealt with them. It even gave some experience I used against you as the Huntsman."
Cinder blinked again, remembering to some of their fights. Jaune liked to tank blows, in order to minimise damage to their surroundings and others, but when he couldn't had had proved surprisingly acrobatic, capable of ducking or dodging out of the way with ease. A few times he had even jumped in the air with his legs spread likes he was doing the splits to avoid fireballs.
She didn't know whether to be impressed he'd used his past experience to use as fighting techniques against her or be angry at herself some of them had been so effective against her.
"Are...Are you angry?" Jaune asked quietly, and Cinder shook her head. She couldn't blame Jaune for doing what he had to in order to survive, and it wasn't like he was moonlighting as a stripper now, so she could live with it.
"No. Just surprised." Cinder smiled teasingly. "I would have though you were too much of a goody two shoes to be a stripper."
"Ah...well...It was okay I guess." Jaune shrugged. "My sisters made me dance when I was younger, and it wasn't too hard to learn. Sometimes it was kinda fun too. The money helped."
Oh I'm sure it did." Cinder snorted, though in her mind she couldn't help but envision a rather scantily clad Jaune twirling around a pole, sweat covering his body, muscles flexing and threatening to break what little he did wear... "Can I have a show?"
"For you?" Jaune winked. "You can have one for free."
Cinder smirked, cheeks flushing at the thought but also with self-recrimination. The hotel room she'd hired didn't come with a stripper pole, and she lamented her lack of foresight despite this being something she could not have known.
Dinner was served soon after, and it was delicious. Desert followed shortly after that, and it was equally delicious, but it was not the desert Cinder was looking to the most. As they exited the restaurant after splitting the bill between them, Cinder guided Jaune into an alcove.
"Wha-oh!" Jaune blinked as she pressed her lips against his, kissing him fiercely and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her level. "Cinder-we-I-hah!"
Jaune was turned to putty as she pressed her lips against his neck, slumping against her as she marked him with hickeys and lipstick so that it was clear to all that he was hers.
"I have hotel booked, Ruby knows." She whispered huskily in between kisses. "We can be back in the morning like we promised Khione, but there's no need for us to go back tonight."
She kept kissing him, letting him utter his half-hearted protestations before silencing him with a finger to his lips.
"Well?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow. He stared at her for a moment, before nodding firmly. She smirked. "Good."
She was not disappointed by the Huntsman's performance that night.
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Ruby carefully peered into Khione's room. The adorable little girl was sound asleep, so Ruby sighed a sigh of relief and silently backed out. She waved at Yang, who was playing on her phone on Jaune's sofa. Her sister waved lazily at her, shooting her a wide grin.
"Have fun with your boyfriend yeah?" Yang teased. "Remember to wear rubber and to organise your dates better next time, since I'm not going to look after your babies all the time. Oh, and for this you owe me. I want to meet your boyfriend."
"Sure." Ruby smiled awkwardly, hurrying to the door. "Won'tbelonghavefun-byeee!"
"I saw those crossed fingers!" Yang yelled after her, and Ruby hurried away. She didn't know how much longer she could keep her secret from Yang and her parents, but she would for as long as she could. She herself could keep a secret, she'd kept Jaune's afterall, even if he didn't know it. Besides, if the Huntsman was busy raising a family then someone would have to step up to protect Vale.
She wrapped the red balaclava around her face and tightened the cape over her shoulders. It was time for the Red Crusader to take names and kick ass.
A/N: Next update 05/10/2023
