Arc 3 - Chapter 1 - You Know That I Could Use Somebody
Church bells rang deep and solemn, but they went unheard.
The wind came again, and it spoke of a tale well told. Sang a song sung to death. A story and melody which could only reach the ears of the one, the only, witness.
First, the roaring tempest. The rotted wood walls of his meager shack screeched against its assault, the floors trembled, ice pelted the windows. The cold could not be kept out, and the witness felt it bite at his skin like termites on wood, crawl into his soft flesh, seep into his fragile bones. Strange thing, cold. Merciless to no one and cruel to all, despite no love or hate for any one thing to demand bias.
Second, the laughing gale. The intensity lessened considerably, but adopted a more sinister kind of ferocity, and a partiality to suit. There was a smell in the air now, carried on the air stream. A sickly sweet, like a month old corpse laced with perfume. Then it grew stronger. Strong enough to taste. Rotten yet sanguine. The witness felt something wet and warm trickle out of his nose. Felt almost dragged out by some unknowable force. It seeped into his mouth and did not surprise him that it was blood.
He looked up and knew the moon was there beyond the veil of his ceiling. A great silver eye in the sky, swirling with clouds, pulsing like a living organ. Although, he couldn't actually see it. It was famously difficult to see things without eyes. Having Eyes, the Witness dreamed, must be a very luxurious thing.
Church bells rang deep and solemn, but they went unheard.
Right, war. Easy to forget that there was one going on, even if it was nothing new. There had always been war between his two brothers. The Witness supposed they hated each other, or perhaps loved each other quite fiercely. Maybe they didn't feel anything for each other at all. Or maybe they were driven by base animal instinct to fight. Perhaps, it was simply out of boredom. The Witness had begun to think lately that there was no reason for it at all. Still, it was not his place to question.
The Eyeless Child sat there in that tiny, rickety shack with only himself for company. Nothing around him for a thousand miles but gray sand and dark sea, settled beneath a sky blacker than smoke, and he waited for the war to end. Waited as he had done many times before. Perhaps then, one of his guardians would come and play with him. He didn't mind waiting, even if it could be dull.
Church bells rang deep and solemn. They sounded horrible, and beautiful.
It happened so suddenly. At first, A deathly silence. The wind had stopped. Everything had stopped. Then, clarity. Like a memory suddenly coming to the front of his mind after years forgotten. But it was no memory, as far as he knew. No longer was he waiting to be tended to or entertained. Now, he had an objective. Now, he was very busy. Too busy to play with his warring brothers.
The Child got to his feet and calmly left the safety of his home, feeling for some reason that doing so was wrong. The cold sand sifted through his toes as he walked, venturing on to the far south, where the land stretched on forever and seemingly to nowhere. He walked with confidence, knowing exactly where to go and what to do when he got there. What he'd find when he got there.
Far away, the Wolf and the Apostle warred for reasons the Eyeless Child would perhaps never understand.
While he searched for an open door.
There was only the monotonous scrape and scrub that defied the otherwise quiet morning, as Jaune Arc brushed his teeth. He stared into the bathroom mirror, searching the reflection of his tired eyes for the soul he knew was there, and wondering for not the first time, if that soul was happy.
Jaune had a lot to be happy about. A lot to be thankful for. Things that many other people were not fortunate enough to have. Any reasonable person would agree that he was blessed with a good life, when it really came down to it. And yet, despite knowing that, no appreciative smile came to his face. Only that constant, cursed, miserable frown which had been his staple for as long as he could remember. He did not feel a rush of joy, or the need to sweep his loved ones into grateful embraces, or to shower them with kisses. Only the same feeling of a drained battery at the thought of expressing any semblance of love. There was not even that motivated flame which used to burn so passionately inside him. No more. The fire was gone. Stolen. Destroyed. What replaced it? Defeat and subservience.
Jaune scraped across his tooth a little too hard, causing a bit of blood to ooze out of his gums.
But he still had his family, didn't he? His father and sisters who all loved him. Some people don't have that. Orphans, for one. How can I be sad when I have what they likely have always wished for? He had his little group of… friends, too. Even if the word was still not quite comfortable even in his own thoughts. But how can I deny it? I'd have happily parted ways by now if I truly wanted nothing to do with Neptune, or Sun, or Yang, or anyone else. You do have friends, Jaune Arc. Whether it was unintentional or not. Be thankful or something.
And there had been a pretty significant addition on top of his newly acquired clique. He had a girlfriend now. And isn't that a strange thing. Jaune had always figured he'd get a late start to his romantic life, assuming he ever started it at all. But here he was, a full two weeks into this new relationship, and he couldn't say at all that he was used to it. It was disarming to think about. That a girl, and in fact a girl like Ruby, could have ever found something in him likable enough to want romantically. It felt good being wanted that way, Jaune could not deny it. And he very much did not mind the alone time they spent together. Thinking about her did make him happy. He supposed. Why not revel in it? Why not be happy?
He still had Aunt Peach. Sort of.
Jaune spat in the sink and wiped his mouth. Threw water in his face to wake himself up a bit more. Positive thoughts, Ruby had been telling him lately. Having all these good things didn't necessarily mean life itself was good, or that nothing was wrong. Getting a girlfriend made him happier, but it wasn't some end-all cure for the other aspects of life. That much Jaune felt he was mature enough to understand. Nothing was, nor could it ever be, perfect.
Jaune palmed his cheeks. Yes, life was not perfect, but it wasn't bad. Which meant there was still a chance for it to get better. His Hunter training was on the back burner for now — kind of a given, after everything he'd put his aunt through. So all he had to focus on was school. Easy enough. A total cakewalk. Positive thoughts, Jaune. Positive thoughts.
Jaune toweled his face dry, checked over his uniform to ensure it was in proper order, then exited his bathroom. He snatched his backpack off the floor and made for—
Velvet was in his room.
There she stood. Right in front of his curtains. Only just enough morning light in the room to give away that it was her. Stared at him. Her big brown eyes, serious and yet strangely compassionate, as if privy to some secret that she wished for Jaune to know, but could not tell him. She almost seemed to smile at him, but it was as if she were fighting against her own face, trying to make it happen, and losing. Velvet did not say anything. She never did when he saw her. She only ever appeared to watch him. Who knew what she did when he was not aware of her.
No, Jaune knew. Velvet could not be there unless he was looking. Because, sensibly, she was not real. Not this one. The real one was…
Jaune tightened his grip on his backpack, took a breath, swallowed. It was okay. He was okay. Nothing to worry about. Once he walked away from her, this would be little else but a minor inconvenience to his day. Out of sight out of mind, right? Family, friends, girlfriend, aunt. Sort of. He had all these things. He was lucky. Blessed, even. Nothing could ruin that.
Jaune yoked up some courage and set for upstairs, doing his best not to look in Velvet's direction. Her eyes did not follow him as he moved past her, and he awkward;y skirted around her, hoping like hell he did not brush up against her and feel her there. Jaune forced himself not to look back, because if he did, she would surely follow him. He made sure not to rush as he made his way upstairs, where Peach was not there to greet him, then out of the door and on the short walk to school.
Today would be okay, Jaune assured himself. Though his quaking heart refused to agree with him.
Multiple times a day, Jaune checked his phone to find, with little surprise, no new messages. Or more specifically, no new messages from Mystery. He had not received a response since the rather anticlimactic ending of their last argument, leaving him in a constant state of wanting. For her response. For her forgiveness.
Jaune leaned against his locker, feeling that same disappointment that had not in any way faded with time, but instead made him numb. He supposed that's what guilt did to you. A constant torture occupying the space between pain and relief.
Why did Mystery not understand? He'd tried on multiple occasions, come at it in the best light possible. Then again, how exactly do you say that the reason you ignored one girl was because you had been pursuing another? And are now in a committed relationship? That was a yikes just thinking about it. Sure, they hadn't been dating, technically. They hadn't exactly had that specific talk, but there had been this sort of unintentional promise of exclusivity to one another. I am yours and you are mine. Before all this Heart Hunting business, he'd been happy having her as his only special person. Now that he had a special someone else, how could he blame her for feeling slighted? For feeling betrayed? Jaune certainly wouldn't want that to happen to him. So the answer was obvious, right? Give her some space. Respect her feelings. In time, she'd come around. Or not and they'd go their separate ways. Never to speak again.
Jaune felt his nails bite into his palm at the mere consideration of that. Give her space? Yes, it sounded reasonable and mature, and yet somehow crushed his heart like a mallet flats an insect. What am I, a child throwing a tantrum? I have no right to be mad at her, and yet I want to punch something. Why won't she just talk to me? Why won't she just let me explain?
Jaune managed to successfully swallow his anger and turned to pull some books from his locker. It was not worth getting upset about. The truth was plain and he was being too stubborn to face it. It was over between them. Maybe once they had been something, but no more. Besides, he had Ruby now. Even if Ruby was not at all like Mystery. Which was fine. Great, even.
Speaking of Ruby, here she came now, strolling down the hall and through the shuffling school traffic, smiling like world peace had finally been achieved.. Jaune attempted to put up a smile - generally getting halfway these days which was some progress - but instead settled on a short wave. Even though he was still pretty happy to see her. Ruby really had no idea how beautiful she really was.
But that fact was not lost on everyone else, either. And Jaune saw the proof when he found Ruby was walking beside someone and cracking up at something they said. That he said.
He'd seen this guy before. Knew of him. Roy Stallion. Which is, without a doubt, the most fuckboy name I've ever heard. And that's not a word I use often. Probably chose the name himself. Begged for it for his birthday. Oh Mommy, Mommy, please? I don't like the name Melvin!
Nonetheless, he was walking rather close to Ruby, which Jaune decided was an offense punishable by an ass kicking rather than death. A rather generous sentence, he thought. He knew of Roy primarily due to him being on his initial list of marks during his investigation of Neptune. Roy had taken a particularly bad wrist injury that affected his volleyball performance. And that had apparently started a pattern of depressive behavior, according to Aunt Peach. The guy probably would have been his first mark, if not for Neptune or Octavia, the latter of which he was still working on. Jaune did feel some pity for him.
That was until the bastard smiled down at his girlfriend. A smile that seemed to say, "I can't wait to get you undressed." An offense which definitely was punishable by death. Or worse, a painful castration. Jaune was not in a merciful mood, so the latter would have to do..
Ruby saw Jaune and smiled more broadly than she had at whatever Roy said—an action which she could not have known had saved Roy's second head—then hurried on toward him. To his credit, this did not ward Roy off at all, and he approached at a casual pace, that half-smile spread all confidence like a hunter who was sure he had his mark caught. And wasn't that a timely metaphor?
"Hey," Ruby chirped, rushing into his arms for a hug.
"Hey yourself," said Jaune, securing one arm around her and pressing her to him just a little more tightly than normal, all the while giving Roy the most testing glare he could give.
Roy flinched, which Jaune could not say he disliked, but recovered quickly enough with a friendly smile. "I guess you're Jaune." he said, "Rubes was just telling me about you. All good things, I swear."
That's unfortunate. Had she told you all my bad qualities, you might have thought twice about picking her for your next conquest. Jaune didn't say anything though, which Ruby happily and ignorantly covered for.
"Roy's one of my old buddies from middle school. He actually introduced me to Runaway Cowboy!" She grinned up at Roy. "That's what we're watching now."
Roy lit up at that, looking right at Jaune. No doubt feigning interest in him so he didn't look interested in Ruby. "You watch anime?"
"A couple," Jaune said.
"Have you seen Shinigami Ink yet?"
Ruby double palmed her forehead. "Oh man, that's what I should have had him watch first!"
Roy threw a playful grin at her. "Ruby, you started him on Pirate King. You screwed up already!"
And they were off. Talking this and that, back and forth about this anime or the other. While Jaune exchanged things between his bag and locker, pretending to be uninterested. He didn't know anime like Ruby and Roy apparently did, so there wasn't much room to introduce himself into the conversation.. Ruby and he really didn't have that many similar interests. He'd only started watching Pirate King in order to get into Ruby's heart. Which worked, I guess. Just a lot better than I expected.
Then Roy said something that nearly made Jaune bite his tongue off. "Am I gonna see you later?"
"Yeah, I'll be there." said Ruby cheerily.
Roy gave the both of them a smile and wave, then sauntered off to wherever the fuck. Jaune took care not to slam his locker door, glaring at the back of his head through the corner of one eye, wondering whether to kill Roy slowly or not. "Later?" Jaune asked.
Ruby, once again, answered ever so innocently. "Yeah, for Anime Club. You should come."
Right, that. Ruby had joined that group some time before Jaune had dived into her heart. She'd mentioned it in off conversations, but they hadn't seemed important at the time. Certainly seems to be the case now. "Can't. I start community service today. Did you forget? You said you'd come."
Ruby gasped. "Yeah, I… forgot. It's okay, I can bail on the club today and —"
"No." Jaune cut her off, then quickly covered himself. "No, it's fine. You have fun."
"Maybe when you're done you can join us. Or maybe if you ask your aunt, she'll change your schedule."
Jaune doubted that. The thing was that Peach would probably say yes, but he was trying not to pester her these days. He'd put her through enough. Too much. Besides, an anime club didn't sound like his style. Though it was looking like he'd have to join eventually, if only to keep an eye on Roy. And learn his home address, just in case.
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked, giving him a concerned look. She reached up and touched his cheek, her thumb tracing under his eye. "Did you sleep last night?"
"Yeah," Jaune answered. He technically wasn't lying. It was just that he fell asleep for an hour, then suddenly woke up, fell asleep for another hour, woke up, all throughout the night for the past week. It didn't take a sleep doctor to know that wasn't normal. "Did you get my message last night?"
"Sorry. I was busy with my Dad. I kinda passed out when I got home."
"It's fine," And it really was. He trusted Ruby. He was just very used to Mystery's quick responses. He'd never really had to wait before. It wasn't a big deal, even if it was annoying. It wouldn't be fair to make it a bigger issue.
He felt Ruby slip her smooth, warm hand into his. Felt her thumb gently rub his knuckles. "Sorry for forgetting. But you'll be fine. It's only for a few weeks, right?"
On that note, she was right. Aunt Peach's decided punishment for all the trouble he'd caused was to have him participate in community service. Jaune had no protests about it since he used to help with things like that back home. The punishment was honestly light, considering everything that happened. All the lives he'd risked. All the lives taken.
That's when the bell rang, and by then the hall was mostly empty.
"Sorry for making you late," Jaune said.
Ruby beamed up at him. "I'm not. C'mere."
She gently pulled him down by his collar and kissed him. She always surprised him like that. And Jaune could not say he wasn't glad for it. It made him tingle every time. And he did not use the word tingly often.
She pulled away, not at all aware of just how badly he needed to kiss her again. "Call tonight?" she offered.
"I'll keep you booked." Jaune offered something resembling a smile. Ruby had asked him to try smiling more and he was, just for her.
"Be good, okay?"
"I always am."
And Jaune watched her stroll merrily off, as if there was not a single flaw in her perfect routine. Of course, he knew better. Ruby was just strong. Stronger than he could have ever imagined. Even with her life all mangled and ruined because of him, she was still trying to be happy. He admired and envied that. It made him want to be better. But wanting to be better was not the same as knowing how to be.
Jaune let out a surrendering sigh. Maybe this community service adventure would be just the thing to turn him from a bad kid into a good one.
Positive thoughts, right?
Jaune supposed his best start at improving his behavior was to sit there and seem in need of guidance, while Aunt Peach spoke with the manager of the Vale Youth Community Center. So that's what he did.
The lobby had a look of recent refurbishment. Brown painted walls decorated with elaborate paintings and crafts, reminding Jaune a lot of the refrigerator back home, tacked with dozens of Scarlett's drawings. Gave the place a strangely homey feeling. There were fake plants in the corners, and an assortment of old, color-faded furniture that, instead of clashing horribly, seemed to give the lobby a distinct identity. Jaune did not doubt the furniture had been cheaply bought or recycled, and yet that was entirely fitting for a community center. Finally, a long receptionist desk at the end, with a big task board in the wall behind it. In messy alternating colors of red and blue, the phrase, He who secures the good of others, has secured it in himself, hung above the board for all who entered to see.
Jaune glanced over at Peach and the manager, unable to catch anything they were saying. His thoughts made up for that. See that boy over there? He's a menace. I should never have taken him in. Can you just keep him busy for a while so I don't have to see him? The manager nodded at that convenient timing, glancing over at Jaune briefly before turning back to Peach. This little shit? He seemed to say. You want me to take in this troublemaker? This vagabond?
Jaune shook his head to ward off those intrusive thoughts. Positive thinking. He didn't find himself curious about what he'd be doing, so long as it kept him busy. He was ready to serve his time, do it right and without complaint, and get back in good graces with his aunt. He owed her more than he could ever repay, but this was a start.
That's when Peach came up to him, a weak smile on her tired face. Made her seem a little older somehow. More… frail. "Alright, Jaune. I leave you in Andrew's capable hands, okay? I'll pick you up at eight. Be on your best behavior, understand?"
Jaune nodded obediently. Then looked down. "Aunt Peach?"
"Yes?"
Normally, she would say "Yes, honey" or "Yes, baby" or something. That had gotten on his nerves his first few days with her. Strange how now by missing just one word, it felt like she was disowning him. You are no longer my honey, he imagined her thinking. You are no longer my baby. Jaune thought to say he was sorry again, but that wasn't what his aunt needed to hear. He owed her actions and obedience. He would give her space and do as he was told. It was all he could do.
"Nothing, bye." Jaune said.
Peach gave him another weak smile, then headed for the exit. Jaune watched her go. The back of her head was so incredibly familiar as she got further and further away.
"It's nice to meet you, Jaune."
Andrew took her place now. A tall man, even compared to Jaune. The top of Jaune's head just barely touched the bottom of his chin, and that came with a rare kind of intimidation when he looked up at him. He wore a long sleeve white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, unveiling athletic looking arms. He stood straight and high, like it had been harshly disciplined into him. His face spoke of a great degree of experience, with just enough hardness in his eye to command immediate respect. I strongly recommend you do not test me. I am not the one.
Jaune swallowed. "Nice to meet you, sir."
"Have you done community service before?"
He had a deep voice, but didn't sound antagonistic. "Sort of. I did some volunteering. I'd do some odd jobs on some of my neighbors' farms."
Andrew nodded, giving away no indication whether he was impressed or not by that information. In a way, it felt like Jaune was being interrogated. "Not volunteering this time though?"
"I kinda got in trouble before I could."
"So your aunt told me. Well, don't be nervous. We're pretty relaxed around here. The work is hard, but it's going somewhere good. It's leagues better than prison, I can promise you that."
That sounded like it came from a place of experience, which if true, then the irony was laying thick today. Still, it would hardly paint him in a good light to question a community service manager on his troubles with the law. Jaune simply nodded, like an obedient child would.
Andrew turned and gestured for Jaune to follow. Jaune noticed his palm was heavily calloused. "Well, let's give you the tour. Then maybe we can get you started on something productive. Get an idea what you're good at."
Positive thoughts, Jaune told himself as he followed after Andrew, determined to make things go well. Positive thoughts.
Jaune flapped out another paper bag and began filling it with canned goods.
It really wasn't too different from odd jobs he did back home. Except that he was often on people's farms, helping to sort through the good and bad crops, learning to herd the cattle, feeding the animals and such. Nothing strenuous, but nothing boring either. It was work, and like Andrew had said, it was going somewhere good. In this case, donated goods were being sent to homeless shelters and orphanages around town. Keeping that in mind, at least, made the monotony more bearable.
Someone tapped his shoulders and Jaune turned to look into the face of the elderly woman beside him, sorting through the donations. "Did you hear me, young man?"
"Sorry. What did you say?" Jaune said, hoping she would let the topic go. Andrew had left him with her for the moment while he went to make a phone call.
"Goodness, you have worse hearing than me. You young ones and your loud music. I asked how old you are?"
Jaune pushed aside the filled bag and pulled a fresh one. "Seventeen."
"Oh, still a baby. I remember when I was your age. Things were quite different in my day, you know."
And she was off again about herself, as she had ever since they started talking. Not that he minded. It was much easier to listen than to talk, and there's nothing most people like more than being listened to. And in this woman's case she went on for a good while, allowing Jaune to pursue his thoughts without much trouble.
Neptune wasn't available too often lately, and that had been tough to adjust to. Officially, he was spending more time with his family, but in reality, Aunt Peach had taken a firmer hand with his Hunter training. Apparently, he'd approached her asking for it, which seemed out of character, but neither Neptune nor Peach hadn't given Jaune more information on the matter. And Jaune did not press them, even if he felt like he should be in the know.
Added to that, Peach was now also training Ruby AND her Uncle Qrow. The fuck? Jaune asked his aunt over and over about it and her simple answer was that it was a combination of individual choices and necessary protection, in lieu of the Organization's recent interest in Ruby's heart world. He knew absolutely nothing else, and Ruby was prohibited from telling him. It made Jaune grind his teeth together just thinking about it.
But once again, he did not argue. He owed Aunt Peach too much to stress her more than he already had. If he wanted to be trusted, then he had to prove himself trustworthy.
Still, it sucked to have his own training sidelined. That was the real punishment in all of this. No chance to work on Octavia's heart. No chance to help people. Still, this wasn't forever. He would soon be back to work. Having earned his Aunt's trust again, and having learned to mind his own business, he would prove himself. He just had to work all this out and his life would be back in order. Positive thoughts.
Once Andrew returned, and Jaune waded through a talkative farewell from the old woman, they moved on. Jaune had almost forgotten about Andrew's questions though, but he was quickly reminded.
"What year are you? A junior?" he asked.
Jaune nodded.
"Nearly graduated. That's pretty big. Do you have any ideas on what you want to pursue afterward?"
Jaune paused. "You mean like college?"
"For some. You could take up a trade school as well. Others may want to get right into work, depending on their situation."
Jaune thought about it. He hadn't really thought about it. His family wasn't poor, but his father certainly wasn't saving enough money to send eight kids to college. Saphron was the luckiest in that regard, being the oldest. His other older sisters were in college now for various professions except for one, who just took up working at an animal shelter. "I… haven't really thought about it." Jaune admitted.
"Not at all? You haven't thought about what you could do with your talents?"
"What talents?"
"There has to be something you're good at."
Jaune shrugged. "I'm good at getting into trouble."
Andrew gave an amused smirk. "I'm going to assume you're not insane enough to dream of being a career criminal."
Let's make a list, then. Breaking and entering, home invasion, destruction of property, assault on multiple counts. Oh, and I'm also a witness to several murders. "I'm trying not to be."
"It seems you need to try harder. So what do you dream of, Jaune? You can't plan to live off your Aunt forever?"
Jaune gave it a longer thought, frowning when he still couldn't come up with anything. "I really don't know."
Andrew gave him a considerate look, as if gauging whether Jaune was being honest or not. "Well, don't get too worked up. It's a good thing to start thinking about, but it's alright to not know right now. Having a dream, something to aspire toward, it's what helps keep a man grounded and responsible."
"I didn't know I came here to be coached about my future."
"You didn't. Still, you're not the first troubled kid to come through our doors. I prefer them to leave having learned something, whether they use that knowledge or not is up to them."
Jaune frowned. He already kind of knew how to get himself together, he'd just made a few, or many mistakes. He certainly wasn't keen on listening to this guy prattle on and on about being an upstanding member of society. But, this was what Peach wanted. He'd just play along and agree.
Andrew showed him more things about the center. Different rooms for different groups and activities. In one, people were sorting through donated clothes and washing them. In another, they were assigning groups to clean up vandalized property, building houses, and even collecting strays to bring to the animal shelter. Jaune could say he found some of those activities interesting at least.
It was in all this explaining that Jaune ended up with some questions for Andrew. "How old are you?"
"Oh, you're curious about me?"
"I decided I want to be a detective. Figured I should get some practice."
Andrew chuckled. "Glad to see you got your career path set. I'm twenty-four."
"You're not that much older than me. How long have you worked here?"
"Well, it's not my job, managing this center. I don't get paid for it at all. But I've volunteered here since I was sixteen. Eight years in all."
"And you just ended up in charge?"
"Not exactly. You could say I earned my way up. The last manager wasn't very keen on letting me take over. But I won her over in the end, while she moves on. It wasn't without its sacrifices."
"Sacrifices?"
"My apologies, that's a pretty big word. Need me to define it for you?"
Jaune glared up at him and Andrew only gave him a sort of playful grin. Poking fun. Well, at least that proved this guy was not all tough and serious. Most people couldn't get away with poking fun with Jaune this casually.
"I mean, what kind of sacrifices?" Jaune said.
Andrew looked up, like he was searching his memories. "One was college."
Jaune blinked at him. "Really?"
"Yes. I went to a trade school instead. Chose to pursue a career welding and, well, that's my real job. It's not the job I wanted, but again, sacrifices."
"What job did you want?"
"I'd hoped to teach swordsmanship." Andrew said, "I learned from my father, and I used to practice all the time in my youth."
"You don't do it anymore?"
"Not often, no."
"Lack of interest?"
"Lack of time."
Jaune thought to ask why he didn't still pursue getting a teaching license, but figured he'd be around to bug him about it another day. He had a more pressing question anyway.
"So, community service over teaching people how to sword fight?"
That smirk again, followed by a shrug of one hand. The callouses made sense now. "Why not? Most jobs do some measure of good for us all, as a community or individual, but some work makes a more immediate difference. Those goods you packed will go right to people who need them. My welding job keeps the lights on, and I dedicate my free time to, well, this."
"Hm."
"I suppose you might think that pretty banal."
Not to Jaune. He actually found it admirable. And he sort of understood it, in a way. Andrew could still do something he loved, even if it wasn't the passion he'd had in his childhood. "I don't even know what I want to do, so I can't say anything about your choices."
"That's mature of you, Jaune. Perhaps you're not a lost cause, after all."
"You thought I was?"
"At first. But I'm glad to be proven wrong. So long as you can prove me wrong."
Jaune took that as the challenge it very clearly was. "I won't let my Aunt down."
"That's good to hear. Well, let's see if we can get you helping out with a few more things. Follow me."
They bounced around from different activities throughout the day, meeting most of the staff, some regular volunteers, even some faces Jaune knew from school. Andrew never seemed to run out of questions, or ways to poke fun at Jaune, having himself that stoic chuckle every time he caught Jaune off guard. It felt like being teased by his older sister, just with more challenge in it, like Andrew was trying to toughen him up. He was a smooth man, it had to be said. Calm and collected, wise beyond his years, and completely devoted to his work and the people working with him. He was strangely infectious in that way. Jaune found himself working a little bit harder when he was looking.
Andrew squeezed out his sponge in a bucket, gave the wall they'd been scrubbing a look over, then hummed. "Good enough for now. Looks like we're done for today."
Done? Jaune pulled his phone to check the time. Ten minutes to nine. How had that gone by so fast? He felt like he'd only just arrived. "Er, looks like it." he said, a bit disappointed.
"Something wrong? Most kids your age are excited to be done at this point."
"Just surprised it went so fast."
"So you enjoyed yourself?"
Jaune froze, then stammered out the answer. "I never said that."
"You didn't have to. You don't smile much, but you took to the work without complaint. You seemed like you enjoyed it."
Jaune looked at the wall they'd cleaned. Once colored over with the white and red spray paint of some gang, now had returned to the faded red brick it used to be, suds peeling off. Jaune felt a rare surge of pride.
Andrew took up their buckets. "Well, maybe I'm reading into it too much. Either way we are done for today. Good job today. Go on and get your things, your aunt should be here soon. I'll clean up here."
It felt somewhat anticlimactic, that the day should end so successfully. He was too used to screwing things up. Then again, there is still time. Days like this are exactly what I need to stay out of trouble. nodded. He made his way to the door back inside, then stopped midway. Wrestled for what to say. "I guess I'll be here tomorrow."
Andrew gave him a small smile. "I suppose I will be too. Come in with a better attitude. Smile. You can relax here and not think about everything else. Try to put whatever it is you're angry about aside while you're here."
"I never said I was angry."
"You didn't have to say it."
Jaune stared at Andrew. The guy didn't know him or understand him. He was just some stranger, barely having known him beyond a few hours of questions. After a few weeks, Jaune would never have to see him again.
But… for some reason, Jaune did not snap back at him, or even tell him he was wrong. Those eyes of his. A soft blue, he now saw. Tranquil, melancholic, like a warrior who'd lived his war and had made peace with himself. Or was trying to. A hard and unkind face. You would not think he was the kind to care about helping others. It kind of reminded him of a weird combination of his dad and oldest sister. He knew things that Jaune didn't know. Things he suddenly wanted to know. For Andrew to teach him.
Jaune was, weirdly enough, looking forward to coming back tomorrow.
Jaune pointed at his frown. "This is my smile."
Andrew burst into laughter, and for the first time in a while, Jaune had to cover his mouth to keep himself from doing the same.
He sat waiting outside, night mostly settled in, the streetlight already humming with life. Today had been interesting, he reflected. Not nearly the slog he'd suspected it to be. Jaune couldn't stop thinking about it. He thought of the proud nod Andrew would give him throughout the day for doing a job well. It felt so warm. Jaune had to admit to wanting to keep making him proud.
That's when he saw a car pull into the parking lot, which he almost thought was his aunt but the dark color proved otherwise. Andrew's ride, perhaps? There weren't any other cars. Jaune went back to looking at his phone as the driver exited the car and made for the entrance, but Jaune's attention was quickly drawn back.
It was Blake.
Jaune almost got past his initial shock, but then their eyes met, and she froze. Quite as if she'd been caught stealing. She stood there in the light, spotlighted by the street lamp so there could be no misunderstanding, her normally sharp eyes wide with shock and fast-growing horror. Jaune did not doubt they were both thinking the same thing. Is that him? Why is she here? What is going on here?
Then Blake's eye found something else, stiffening up and putting on a smile like a dog on command. Jaune looked behind him to see Andrew locking up. Jaune blinked, looking back and forth between the two of them. Her brother? His hair was mostly red, which didn't really disprove the idea, but Jaune got a feeling these two were far from siblings.
Andrew turned, seeing Blake, smiling, then at Jaune. "Jaune, your aunt's not here? Do you need a ride home?"
Jaune stammered for an answer."Er, no, she should —"
He jumped at the honk of a horn and saw his aunt's old car pull into the lot. Jaune got up with some haste and headed right for her, passing Blake in the process. He did not miss the way her dark eyes followed him, a kind of terrified suspicion, as if accusing Jaune of knowing a secret that could very well get him and her killed.
Only after he was out of her line of sight did Blake go up to Andrew, both talking too quietly for him to overhear. Jaune got into his aunt's car, watched Andrew and Blake leave together toward the car. He did not miss the way their hands were linked. Fingers interlocked. The same way his and Ruby's often were. Not the way many siblings or simple friends would hold each other's hands, that was for sure. Before he could glean anything else, Peach pulled out of the driveway and Andrew, Blake, and the Vale Youth Community Center were gone.
It took Peach a while to ask, as if she was afraid of the answer. "How was your day with Mister Adam?"
Jaune's eyebrows rose. "His name's Adam?"
Peach raised a brow at him. "What did you think it was?"
Well, we're back. Welcome to the next arc of Game of Hearts.
First, I'd like to let you all know I spent time cleaning up the last arc, just to fix some mistakes. Nothing major. The biggest change was chapter 45, where I toned down the intensity of the last scene. Nothing worth rereading but easier swallowing for some who did not like how far it went.
Besides that, a forewarning, while this arc is not nearly as insane as the last one, it will delve into more serious topics like many forms of abuse and depression. There will be happy moments obviously and not every chapter will be a cryfest. But if you've come back looking exclusively for fluff and good times, this story is not it. I'm diving into some heavier topics now and want to do them justice. I respect if that's not what you want to read and advise you steer clear.
Right now, this arc is 25 chapters long. I plan on either sticking to that or shortening it. We'll see how it goes.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
ISA