Arc 2 - Chapter 11 - Home Is Where the Heart Is

If the gods ever decided to give Jaune one thing, he hoped it would be that he never had to share a bed with anyone. Not even his own wife, if he ever got one. It seemed the gods were eternally his enemies.

He felt annoyed at first—that he woke up with something clinging to him. Then he recognized where he was, who it was, and felt bad for feeling annoyed at all.

Ruby had committed herself to his left side, stuck there strong and uncompromising as hot glue, as if that particular half of his body was hers by bloodright. His own left arm was numb, having been trapped under Ruby all night, while his other arm had secured her close to him, so that her cheek laid on his shoulder, her warm breaths gently tickling his neck. Her left arm rested over his chest, the wrist covered in bandaging pocked with dots of browning red. Like he needed the reminder. It brought back how they'd gotten here in the first place. When Ruby had somewhat calmed , he'd bandaged her arm, the both of them in total silence. He didn't ask her why she did it and she did not try to tell him. He supposed the why didn't matter so much as the fact that it was happening at all. Either way, here he was.

He turned to the clock on Ruby's bedside dresser—the tiny green dots reading seven-thirty. Duty may call in the late evening, a friend in need and hearts to save and whatnot, but Jaune doubted Miss Goodwitch would take those for valid excuses. Meteors could come down and lay ruin to the planet, and Miss Goodwitch would still be there in the crumbled ruins of Beacon, waiting to write up Jaune Arc for being tardy. Jaune imagined with a smile, her standing over his disintegrated corpse, writing him up while sternly scolding on the fact that the end of the world was no excuse for poor attendance. Still, it was best not to test that woman's patience.

Jaune gently jostled the barnacle on his shoulder. "Ruby, hey," he whispered.

She did not respond, her chest rising and falling, the steady thump-thump of her heartbeat echoing through his chest. Slowly he began to ease her hand off, a small hand, delicate, not rough like his own. Fit right in his hand, too. Jaune shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? He managed to pull his numb arm out without waking her, which was lucky. Once he was off the bed Ruby began grabbing at the empty spot, subconsciously seeking something to cling to. He drew the blanket to her and upon seizing and clutching it tight, she stilled, mumbling something. Something about that peaceful form of hers made him feel strange. A good kind of strange that was wrong in every way.

Jaune crept out of the room, was about to close the door, then realized that was the last thing she needed, so left it half almost jumped when he turned around to find Yang standing outside her own bedroom door, arms crossed, waiting. They met eyes and she blinked at him. Before she could talk, Jaune raised a finger to his lips, then gestured for them to head downstairs.

"How is she?" Yang asked.

Jaune sighed. "Not great."

"I guess it's too much to expect her to bounce right back. Thanks for coming, Jaune."

He shrugged. "I gotta get to class."

"You and I both. Come on, I'll give you a lift." Then she stopped at the door, turned to him again. "Dad says he'll keep Ruby home today. We're gonna be at the hospital later. I think… I mean, it would help if… will you come?"

Jaune glanced at her. "Alright."

Yang nodded and they stood there for a moment, her hand on the doorknob. "Okay, well, how would you feel about staying a few more days?"

Jaune blinked. He wanted to ask why. Or to come up with some excuse to go back home. But what other reason could there be? Ruby's bandaged arm was fresh in his mind still, and would be for some time. It wouldn't be very hard to take those bandages off and finish the job, to lock out her family and suffer alone. While she didn't have the knife anymore, there were still some in the house. At least while he was there, he could prevent it, or at least try to convince her against it.

"Fine. I'll take the couch then."

Yang pursed her lips. "Er, the couch is… kinda broken."

"Broken?"

Yang looked guilty and showed her fist, covered in bandages. "Sorry."

"I guess the floor works."

"The floor in Ruby's room is pretty comfy."

Now Jaune's eyes narrowed. "No."

"Please? If you do, she can't lock her door and in case something happens, you're there. Everyone wins."

Except him, but Jaune couldn't say that. He wanted to make Yang owe him something, but then what would be the point? Had he truly expected to come here for one night and comfort Ruby the way he had, thinking it would magically fix the problem? Punching sense into someone could have instantaneous effects, but one hug could not squeeze out all the hurt. He needed to be here for Ruby. For the job, of course.

"Fine." he puffed. "Fine, but—"

By now, Jaune was so used to the unconsented hugs that it was no longer a surprise. Yang had taken him into her monstrous embrace, the strongest he'd ever felt. But warm, too. Very warm. His instinct was to not hug her back, as usual when it came to things like this, but he compromised and used one arm, gently stroking her back with his hand. Finally, she pulled away. "Thank you, Jaune. Really."

I didn't do anything, that's what Jaune wanted to say. "It's no problem. I guess that's what… friends… are supposed to do."

Yang hopped on her bike and patted the space behind her with a wry smile. "Alright then, friend. Hop on, let's get some bagels before class. My treat."

Jaune might have said it was good to see Cinder again, but the truth of it leaned closer to still having no idea how to feel about her. She managed to seem dangerous even from behind the hospital desk, which was all kinds of ironic. When she spotted him coming up, that conniving glint came to her eye like a predator that had lost track of its prey, then spotted it grazing in the field, unaware that she was upon them. She leaned toward him, fingers interlaced, nails painted blood-red, doubly charming and slightly disarming smirk on her unquestionably beautiful face.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite little patient." She purred, "I do hope you've been a good boy."

Jaune did his best not to rise to that. "I'm behaving."

"No doubt, you are just the perfect little nephew. Always have to do what dear old auntie says."

"She hasn't steered me wrong." There was a pause, Cinder simply eyeing him, face unreadable. "But that's not what I'm here for. My… my friend's uncle is here and I—"

"Oh I'm well aware. Your mark, correct? A miss Ruby Rose-Xiao Long? Lovely name. Pure sugar, that girl," Cinder grinned. "Perhaps too sweet for you."

"What?"

"I mean only to say that young ladies her age are rarely beyond ordinary. Your interest will wane before long, believe me."

"I'm her Hunter, not…" Jaune shook his head. Just do not entertain her. "Who cares, anyway? Just let me up to her uncle's room. Room 301."

Cinder adopted a rare put-out face, like she'd been having the time of her life and he'd stamped all over her fun. "No need to lose your temper, I was only trying to make conversation. Still, keeping on topic of Miss Rose, you have not discovered her key yet, have you?"

Jaune glanced around. There was no one at the desk but her, and the few patients or visitors were far in the back about their own business. No one to overhear, but he still didn't think the organization would be very fond of the workings of Heart Hunting being talked about in a public space. Who knew where their ears were, and above all, Cinder was one of them. The last thing she needed to know was the state of his work. Could not trust her, but he doubted he was a good enough liar to fool her. "I'm working on it."

One finger from her right hand began to rub at the knuckles of the left. "Hm. I assume you've investigated the home?"

Jaune blinked. "Yes."

"Nothing came of your extrasensory?"

He had for a briefest time last night, when Ruby had let go of him for long enough to take a shower and thankfully not taken him with her. It might have been hard to refuse, for one reason or another. He'd sensed for the dive point like Neptune had, but the signal was difficult to track. It seemed to be all around him and yet nowhere specific. He'd focused on a few things, like clothes and baubles, even tried that cursed pocket knife. Nothing. "I'm still looking. I feel it in the house, but whatever the key is, it's not obvious."

Cinder raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? It could be that you're thinking too narrowly."

"What?"

"You've tried the most obvious things in the house, correct? And outside it?"

"Everything I could think of."

"You may want to come at this more broadly. If it's nothing specifically located in or around the house, but the signal is still there, what do you think that could mean?"

"I don't even have time to figure it out right now. I need to get to Ruby."

"Yes I suppose you must." Cinder rose out of her chair. "Follow me, I'll show you the way."

He followed her through the long white hallways that looked and felt and smelled all the same, patients and doctors, nurses and businessmen, families and all such everywhere. Hospitals. They always seemed subtly terrifying to him. Eventually they found the room and Jaune entered first. Ruby and Yang were there and when Ruby saw him, she stood suddenly, looking surprised and relieved. "You came."

"A good man does, in the proper time." said Cinder, glancing sideways at Jaune. He had to resist sighing.

He was about to say Yang asked him to come, but figured that wouldn't sound very good to Ruby. It might make her feel like a burden, like she needed to be babysat. She did, but not for the reason one might first think. "I wanted to. Not sure what I can do, but… I'm here."

"That's enough." Ruby said. She looked at Cinder. "Um, thank you ma'am, for taking care of my uncle."

Cinder gave her a smile that almost didn't look right on her. Wooden, like a carving, a front put up. "It is no trouble. I shall leave you to your visit, but I'm afraid you only have a few hours today." Cinder looked at Jaune. "I'm looking forward to visiting you again, Jaune. Between you and I though, I'd answer next time with your clothes on. They can always come off later."

Jaune had a rare moment of completely embarrassed bluster, getting out an unintelligible splutter as Cinder sauntered off, just loving herself. Only divine intervention could have prevented Yang and Ruby from hearing her, and as always, the gods were not on Jaune's side. Yang looked confused and suspicious, looking at the door like she could see Cinder beyond it, then back at Jaune, the wheels turning. And Ruby just stared at him, concerned, maybe a little disgusted.

"Do you know her?" asked Yang.

Jaune buried his face in one hand. "Sort of. A little."

"Enough to answer the door naked though, apparently." said Yang.

"That's not what happened." He paused. "I mean, well it was, but I was… it wasn't for…"

"Relax. I'm not judging you. Nothing wrong with liking older women. It's the other way around that's usually the issue."

"It's not like that." He wasn't worried about Yang though, ironically enough. But Ruby had stared at him for a long enough moment that he was starting to wonder what she was thinking. The last thing he wanted to look like was some horny skirt chaser. There was no way to explain himself out of it either. Especially since he still had no idea why Cinder had visited him so late in the night in the first place. Damn that woman.

Still, as if none of that mattered, Ruby took his hand and drew him to sit beside her. Left side, just like last night, her touch so soft as to almost be criminal. "Thanks for… everything. I'm glad you're here."

All Jaune could do was nod, but he hoped Ruby could see that he meant it.

In movies, in those melodramatic moments of great sadness thrust upon the protagonists, the rains would come down hard and brutal, the angels weeping at this specific tragedy among thousands, while the side characters cried and roared their misery and rage. Probably some sad violin music in the background, just to titillate an emotional response from the audience. The power of literature, cinema, and storytelling—to enhance the experience of real life. To give meaning where there probably was none inherently. Real life, though, was not at all like that.

With the big curtain drawn back, bright and hot afternoon light peered into the room, warm and highlighting drifting trails of floating dust. It almost gave the spacious room a comfy feel, which Jaune supposed was for the best, since they would be here for as long as possible. Yang and Ruby took their turns telling stories about their bedridden uncle, of the good and bad variety, and were never short on surprises.

"He'd bring all his cases home. We used to joke that he may as well live at the station," Ruby said with a smile. "Yang and I were always trying to help too. We actually helped him bust this illegal dust drop once, it was so cool. Dad always hated that."

"Especially when it was about murders. You should see the pictures. Some gnarly stuff," added Yang, shaking her head at Qrow like he was a wayward child, naive to reality. "I guess he had a thing for dark stuff. Always taking on the worst kinds of cases, new and old. He was one of them on the search for that Scorpion Killer. He was on it for months."

"Was?"

Yang nodded. "His drinking had been getting worse, even before everything with mom."

"Why does he drink so much? Do you know?"

Ruby answered. "He's never said, but it's probably a lot of things. Never really talked about his parents, just his sister. Yang's birth mom. They have a rocky relationship and even though he says he doesn't care about her, he doesn't mean it. Qrow seems all hard and stuff," Ruby looked at his motionless form with a weak smile. "But he's a big ol' softie, really."

Yang mouthed the words, "Like you" at Jaune with an entertained grin and he didn't even try to argue with her on that. "And it's probably his job too. Again, he took on the worst cases possible. Unsolved murders, serial killers, traffickers, trying to bust high-profile crime lords. He was a great investigator, the best, but even he couldn't solve all of them. Couldn't always get justice for the victims. He'd always beat himself up for failing. I remember some girl got killed and he was sure one of her co-workers did it, but he wasn't able to build a case strong enough to convict him. That messed him up for weeks."

And it did make sense, in a way. To escape the pain and disappointment, he drank himself numb. So basic an answer that it almost made the mystery seem banal, but life was like that. Perceived complications and misunderstandings turning into underwhelming logic with the simplest of answers.

They told stories like that for a while. The girls managed a few laughs, which almost felt strange when they were all sitting around Qrow, having no idea when or if he'd wake. Jaune supposed that was realistic though. It was only natural to seek some measure of joy when things seemed the darkest. Even he was no exception, retreating into the safety of solitude, with his only company being an online girl he'd never met once in his life. Eventually, as the hours passed with them playing games or watching a movie on that tiny TV, Yang had fallen silently asleep on Qrow's chest, breathing steady, mumbling. That left Jaune and Ruby on the small couch at the end of the room, in the middle of their board game, watching them

A question had been nagging at Jaune's mind since he'd arrived, and he'd so far done well to not speak on it. Still, curiosity gone unsated only increased the need for an answer. "Ruby, do you ever… blame him? Your uncle? You know, for what happened to your mom?"

Ruby glanced up at him, considering the question, then back down at the board. "Sorta. It's his fault it happened. But it's also my mom's fault. I'm not angry at either of them, though. At least, not for that. Uncle Qrow and mom were best friends. I guess for him, she was the sister he'd always wanted."

Jaune nodded. "I'm sorry for asking. Didn't want to pry."

Ruby gave him that smile again. "I trust you."

That felt strangely good to hear. Surrounded by so much skepticism, secrets, unknown motives, and hidden organizations that killed people, it was nice to feel like he was having somewhat of a positive effect on even one person.

"You've never told me about your mom," said Ruby.

Jaune jolted. "I haven't?"

"You've told me about all your sisters, and your dad, even your grandma. Not your mom."

"She's… in the hospital too. She's been there a while."

"A while?"

"Yeah." Jaune chewed over the words, still finding them hard to say, even though with Ruby now it was easier. "She's not sick, like physically or anything. She's got some problems up here." He tapped his head. "That's why they keep her in the hospital, so they can help her get better. I'm surprised they haven't sent me with her."

"You?" Ruby tapped her skull. "Up here?"

Jaune nodded a little. "That's what I'm here with my aunt for. She's helping me get better. I guess."

"Better? How bad was it before?"

Jaune paused for a moment. It came in flashes, but he remembered times in his youth where his problems had become so erratic that his dad wouldn't know what to do. Constant fights at school, arguing with adults, random fits of crying and rage. It had been a trying time, as his dad had told him. Over the years Jaune calmed due to therapy, but that wasn't enough apparently. There were still some things he needed to work out, as Aunt Peach had said. "Really bad." Jaune answered simply.

They continued their game in silence for a while. The sounds of the fluorescent lights, the muffled city outside the big window, the shuffling feet of staff and patients beyond the door creating a calm ambience around them. The world ever moving even while their lives were temporarily still.

"That woman, that nurse," asked Ruby. "She's not your… you know, girlfriend, is she?"

Jaune sighed. He'd had a bad feeling that would come up. "Hell no. She's… she just likes making fun of me. Don't believe anything she says. She's a family friend."

"Okay," Ruby paused. "Then, do you have a girlfriend?"

He immediately thought of Mystery. That was who he always thought of in the rare instances where he thought about romance and relationships. They'd always joked about how they'd date if they ever met one day, in a sense she probably counted, but since he did not intend to see her for a very long time, he gave Ruby a different answer. "No. Not me. Never had one actually. You?"

"Me neither. Not the girlfriend thing. I mean, I like guys. I mean, not like there's anything wrong with girls…"

Jaune almost grinned. Almost. "I get it. Don't get worked up."

Ruby blushed a little. "Sorry, I know I ramble a lot. I'm not good at telling when I'm being annoying. "

Jaune shrugged. "You aren't. Not that I've seen, anyway."

Ruby seemed to glow at that. "You're just being nice."

"Me?"

"Yeah you. You act like you can't be nice to people but you haven't been mean to me one time yet."

"Maybe I don't want Yang to punch me."

"Or maybe you like me," Ruby leaned closer to him with a challenging smile. "I think you like me," she whispered.

Again, Jaune almost grinned. It was getting hard not to around her. "I'll let you believe that for now."

They stared at each other for a while, a moment which couldn't have been long, but unmistakably intimate. Her big silver eyes, glistening with gemstone purity, seemed to look at all of him at once. There was no twitch of the eye of annoyance. No curl of the lip to imply discontent. Again, it was that strange look. The most valuable treasure she'd ever laid eyes on. The most incredible thing in the world. Of course, this had to be wrong. Because she was looking at him.

"Jaune," Ruby already had a gentle voice, but this came out soothing, and she seemed to draw him in. Sort of like Cinder, only it didn't make him feel like he was in danger. Quite the opposite. Ruby had pushed aside the board and scooted closer to him, invading his space and not the least bit sorry as she looked directly into his eyes and commanded him not to look away. All without a word.

Jaune found himself leaning toward her, utterly drawn in for some damn reason. "What is it?"

"I was thinking…" She reached out and took his hand in hers. Or had he done that? Couldn't tell. "I was thinking that, if you wanted…" She moved closer now. Her breath was terrifyingly close again, like that morning when he woke up with her clutched to him like a lifeline. Strange thing. He wouldn't have minded being in that position again. And that was coming from him, who very much liked his space. Couldn't help but notice her lips too. Pink. Full. Wet. No doubt there was a taste to them. No doubt at all. "You and me. Maybe we could…"

The door opened, and just like that everything was cold and Jaune was back in his right mind, sitting upright and focused. Ruby must not have realized their strange moment was over and had not pulled away, indeed still keeping his hand in hers, but she did look toward the sudden intruder like they had just dropped her birthday cake, and was not on the forgiving side either.

Fittingly, it was the inciter of chaos, Cinder, who strutted in without shame, a clipboard clutched to her chest, glancing over at Qrow to start checking him. But Jaune was not fooled, she'd had her eyes on them the moment she entered. She'd been watching them. Perhaps even listening. "Don't mind me. Far be it from me to disturb a budding romance."

Only then did Ruby and him finally separate their hands. Ruby pursed her lips like she wanted to say something, but didn't.

After a few minutes of checking up on her patient, she gave them her full attention. "I'm sorry," said Cinder, not looking sorry in the least. "But I've come to inform you that visitation will have to end early for today."

Ruby gawked, glancing at the clock. "It's not even eight."

"Believe me, I would permit you to stay as long as possible, but I've simply come to inform you what the doctors have told me." Cinder stood there while they sat, still with that smile, but very clearly not intending to leave until they did first.

Ruby got up then and shook Yang awake, helping her up. "Come on, Jaune. I'd better go with Yang so I can keep her up. You can take the bus and meet—"

Cinder cut her off with another apology that she did not mean. "That won't be necessary. Jaune, you'll need to stay with me."

Jaune blinked, but it wasn't him who questioned her.

"What for?" asked Ruby, her eyebrows drawing in suspiciously.

Cinder glanced at her sidelong with that evil grin. "I'm afraid that is something I cannot disclose. Rest assured, I will ensure he is returned to you. Once I've had enough of him, of course." She chuckled at her own joke, then gave Ruby and her sister her wave with her fingers. "Goodbye now, little girl. You need your rest for school, do you not?"

It was like she was saying get the hell out, but in the fake nicest way possible. Which was probably worse. Ruby glanced at Jaune, then Cinder, then Jaune again. "You're coming back tonight?"

"I'll be there," Jaune promised.

Biting her lip, Ruby turned away, taking a confused Yang out with her, Cinder watching her all the way. The door clicked shut, and Cinder rounded on Jaune, some strands of her dark hair swinging. She smiled at him, but it was not like Ruby's, so he did not smile back. "Don't look so put out. Can you blame me for wanting you all to myself?"

"Stop flirting. It's not funny."

"The idea was to amuse myself, not you," Cinder said, then her smile fell and she pulled something from her pocket. A small device, a pager, pressed her thumb on the small gray button. "You should be thanking me. You certainly won't find much amusement out of the next few minutes."

Jaune was about to question her, but minutes later his questions were answered with even more pressing questions. More people began to shuffle into the room. It was a surprise enough seeing Aunt Peach, but then Doctor Oobleck came in behind her, followed by two big men in dark suits. In silence, they seemed to scan over the room behind their black sunglasses, so smoothly, so methodically. It was clear they'd done so before. It was clear that this was their job. One of them looked at Jaune, eyebrows drawing in suspiciously, and Jaune did not have the guts to challenge him, for the simple fact that the gun holster on his belt was not empty. Eventually, they deferred to Oobleck, whispering into his ear. At the command of Oobleck's courteous nod, they slipped quietly out of the room and stationed themselves dutifully outside the door, looking ready to guard the inside with their very lives. Jaune instantly swallowed, especially when Oobleck glanced at him through his glasses.

"Mister Arc," he said, "It has been some time. Are you doing well? I trust you've kept out of trouble?"

No smartass comments or jabs here. Some part of him knew that with his peers or others that the worst he could get was being beaten up for saying the wrong thing. He may not fear dying, but he still did not want to. These people could and would kill him and his aunt and his family if he stepped out of line. "Yes sir." he said, shakily.

"Why is he here, Cinder?" Aunt Peach asked, glaring at her former apprentice. "I told you to send him home."

"You did," Cinder grinned. "However, I informed Doctor Oobleck of your request and he deemed it unnecessary. He is your apprentice. It is important he learns the circlings of our world."

Peach looked just about ready to slap Cinder across the face, but instead she stalked away from her and toward Jaune, pitching up the best smile she could, even though her eyes spoke of an anticipating fear. She touched his face, just the usual way she greeted him. He thought she might explain things, but instead she just sat beside him, making sure to take his hand firmly, like she might have to hold him back in a moment.

"What's going on?" Jaune asked, directing it at his aunt, then at everyone else.

Oobleck, glancing down at Qrow, gave a frown most grim. He did not answer Jaune's question, and instead directed his own toward Cinder. "Has the spillage slowed?"

Cinder shook her head grimly. "It has gotten worse, I'm afraid."

"That is unfortunate." He glanced at Peach, the lenses of his glasses struck by sunlight blocking out his eyes. "And what is the status of his heart world?"

"I've come up short on that," said Peach. "Qrow is very secretive. He's told me nothing I can work with."

"You've worked him for months, Victarine."

"It often takes far longer and you know it, Bartholomew."

Cinder looked at her nails like she was not at all impressed. "My master loses her touch."

Peach ignored her. "What is my timeframe?"

"A week, perhaps," said Oobleck. "Maybe only a few days."

"Can someone explain what's going on?" Jaune cut them all off and they all looked at him. "What do you mean timeframe? What the hell is spillage?"

They stared at him for a moment. Or rather, just Oobleck did. Peach looked like she had been caught for a serious crime, while Cinder looked like the investigator who'd finally got her culprit. Oobleck must have caught up now, and he turned to Peach with a hard glare. "He does not know of spillages?"

It was a rare moment where his aunt gave pause. "I planned to teach him about it soon. I've been busy. I certainly had not expected—"

"You were busy? Please, do not insult us with such juvenile excuses. You must have anticipated the possibility. If not, then why is your apprentice's mark amongst your mark's kin? You put your apprentice within range of the spillage."

"Even if I had known, which I did not, it has clearly not affected him."

"That you know of. This is utterly irresponsible, Victarine. How can you have allowed this?"

"What's going on!?" Jaune roared. "I don't understand! Tell me what's going on!"

It was Cinder who came to his rescue, and looked proud of it too. "A spillage can best be described as Despair leaking out of one's heart world and spilling into those around him, hence the name. This infects other hearts, hastens the spread of despair, and puts other people in danger."

Jaune froze. His coming out utterly baffled."What? How the hell does it spill out?"

"Don't get too caught up in the metaphysicality of it. The point is, when a heart world is almost completely consumed by despair, it starts to overflow and spill out, infecting others. Especially family and loved ones. In a simplified sense, think of how a person in a foul mood, simply by virtue of being around others, can inflict negative emotions on those around him. Humans tend to mimic and reflect and empathize with each other. It's within our nature. And this takes shape in a more sinister form in the heart world. Naturally, it works the other way around. Positive outside influences can lower the despair, or even eliminate it altogether, and in some cases tame the Alter before it goes out of control."

"And… that's what's happening to Qrow?"

"It is. His heart is close to complete collapse, and it has no doubt been affecting his family for a long time. Months, perhaps. Misfortunes make victims not only of the afflicted, but of the afflicted's loved ones. It is possible that the family's hearts are in entirely worse states due to Qrow's heart going unchallenged for so long." Cinder glanced at Peach with a victorious smirk. "And you, my dear old master, have seemingly no qualms about unnecessarily endangering your apprentice."

"Do not claim to understand my motivations," said Peach calmly. "My nephew is strong. If the despair had begun to affect him, I would have stopped it. As it goes, he has been a great help in protecting the rest of the family from Qrow's spillage. You should be thankful. It is because of him that this situation is not worse."

"And yet the situation we find ourselves in is dire nonetheless," Oobleck said, "This spillage is one of the worst I've seen. His readings are worrisome at best. You must find his key, Peach. If you do not and he wakes, regardless of his state of awareness, simply his family being in his presence will be too dangerous. He will destroy them along with himself. If you do not do it, then the Whispers will step in and end it before it becomes a problem."

End it? Jaune went cold. "You're gonna kill him?"

"I would rather we did not, but our laws are absolute." Oobleck frowned. "A threat of this measure of potential must be neutralized, in whatever way is necessary."

They couldn't. He couldn't allow it. Only he'd never be able to stop them. "Please, don't. I-I'm doing my best. I'll help Aunt Peach. I can—"

"You can do nothing, young man. I'm afraid it is beyond your capabilities." Oobleck said. "This is Victarine's job and it falls on her to see it done. Soon."

Peach had looked away from Oobleck now, staring at the floor with cold narrowed eyes. It was a lot like how Jaune felt when he knew he'd done something wrong and had to accept punishment.

"End this, Peach. Conquer his Alter, or kill it. The Superior permits you one week."

Peach did not look up, and when she spoke it sounded like she was begging. "That is not enough time."

"It will have to be. As for you, Mister Arc. I suggest you stay away from that family for your own benefit. You may not be affected now, but the despair will leak into your heart as well, as the effects could be devastating."

Jaune lowered his head. He would never abandon Ruby or the family. Ever. "Yes, sir."

Peach took that chance to pull Jaune up and lead him to the door. "I suppose I should get started then, shall I? Have a good evening, Bart, Cinder."

"Take care," said Cinder sweetly.

Oobleck said nothing, simply falling into conversation over some paging device, talking to who knew what. Peach and Jaune went around them. And the whole time, Cinder looked at him specifically. Without words it was like she was reminding him of something. Of that conversation they had weeks ago. About not trusting his aunt.

Out in the hall and a fair distance away, the men in black now far behind, Jaunetried to pull out of Peach's grip. "Aunt Peach!"

"Not here, honey. It can wait until we get home."

"But—"

"Jaune, I said not now. This has nothing to do with you."

"The hell it doesn't!" Jaune snatched away from her. She did not turn to him, simply stood there with her back to him, kneading at her brows like he was the one starting to work her last nerve. Jaune did not give her the chance to talk over him. "Spillage? Despair infecting other people's worlds? Why am I only learning about this now?"

"There was no time, Jaune. I didn't want to overwhelm you or make you feel pressured."

He had to give her that. If he'd known about spillages, he might have been more reckless in seeking Ruby's heart world. "I guess I'm lucky I wasn't around Qrow that much, but Ruby and Yang were!" Jaune heaved for breath. "And now their hearts could be in danger of ending up as bad as their uncle's? We've got a time limit now? What if Ruby's heart is in a worse state than we think it is? If I'd known, I would have tried harder." Jaune heaved. "Why didn't you tell me? Why?"

Peach turned, then came up and took his hand again. "Sweetheart please, let's talk about this later. We have to go. People are listening."

Jaune was not happy with that answer, but she was right about people listening since his yelling had got people looking their way. Begrudgingly, he obeyed and followed, all while his head spun with this new information. If Qrow's heart was not found and his Alter defeated, this Superior would want him killed. Then the spillage wouldn't matter, the family would produce enough despair from his death alone to finish them all off for good and make all their efforts to heal worthless.

A searing fire came alive in Jaune's chest, desperate and furious. He could not allow Ruby to lose more than she already had. If Peach would not let him help, then he wouldn't. He'd find Qrow's heart world on his own.

First he had to find Ruby's heart and put it in a better state. And he needed to do it now. He thought about what Cinder said. Had to think more broadly. What could that mean? And could that same advice apply to Qrow's heart? An idea came to him. One that he instantly felt stupid for never once considering.

Once he was in the car with Aunt Peach and they drove off, he texted Neptune when and where to meet him.

Later that night, Jaune crawled out of Ruby's bed after she'd fallen asleep and met Neptune outside in the driveway. The night was warm, peaceful, a night to sleep away one's problems. Not tonight though. Not for the next few most likely. He made quick work of catching Neptune up on everything.

Neptune had seized his head with his hands. "Holy shit… is this for real? These organization guys will really kill him?"

Jaune nodded grimly. "They don't play around with this stuff. Not even me and my aunt are safe and she's supposed to be a big shot among them. Or was." Jaune was beginning to realize there was a lot about his aunt that he did not know, and that was a scarier thought than he thought it would be.

"What do we do?"

"What we have to do hasn't changed. We need to find Ruby's heart world. Now more than ever."

"But we've searched everywhere in the house. We couldn't find anything."

Jaune looked toward the house, gave it a scrutinous glare. "Yeah, we tried everything in the house and outside it… but we missed the bigger picture. There's a reason we can feel the signal everywhere here."

Neptune blinked, looked at the house, then jaw dropped with newfound realization. "The house itself? The house is the entrance to her heart world?"

"Home is where the heart is," said Jaune. And in a very literal sense. Even standing out here, Jaune could sense it. No different than before, but with perspective, the whole house seemed to encompass the entirety of his senses. He did not doubt that this was it.

"So we know what to do now. Alright, then let's tell your aunt and figure out a plan."

Jaune shook his head. "No, we have to go in now."

"Why?"

"Because we can't wait another day. Ruby needs us now!" Jaune had looked at Neptune with anger, but then saw the worried look on his face, the slight fear. "I'm sorry, just… please, Neptune. I can't let this go on any longer. And I… I need you. Please."

Neptune held his eye for a moment, and Jaune saw that pity he hated so much. Strange, how he was banking on its use now. "Alright. I mean, I signed up for this. Can't back out now. I'm with you, man."

Jaune nodded, more thankful than he wanted to admit. "Ready?"

"No, but let's go anyway. Try to keep me alive, if you can." said Neptune nervously.

If anyone was to live, then it would be Neptune, Jaune would make sure of that. The two of them faced the house together, all buried in shadows. No moon tonight, and even the stars seemed absent. It was almost like they were about to dive into an abyss, rather than someone's tortured heart. Who was to say such things were mutually exclusive?

With a breath, Jaune held his hand out and put Ruby at the front of his mind. The air before the house split, tore open like a wound from a sword cut, suspended impossibly before them. Then something began to leak out. Small and red, floating on a breeze that did not exist. A rose petal. Then more, they spilled out by the dozens, then hundreds, then exploded out of the hole like a mighty wind had blown through a great meadow. The petals flapped and fanned around them, sounding like a thousand beating bird wings, a distant screeching came from the darkness of the portal, as if someone from beyond was screaming for help.

Jaune would be damned if he did not answer such a call.

The portal began to suck them in, and they allowed it, coalescing into a swirling vortex, surging toward the deep unknown.

Not much to say about this chapter, other than that this sets up a whole lot more than you might initially think. Later!

ISA