Arc 2 - Chapter 9 - Talking About Family

Jaune scooped up a spoonful of soggy cereal, eyed it with misplaced bitterness, then slowly let it drop back into the bowl where the rest of his breakfast continued to waste away. He was in no mood to eat, plainly. He hadn't been in the mood for a lot of things lately, besides one specific thing.

He glanced up from beneath his brows at Aunt Peach, sat across from him, typing at her laptop, coffee mug steaming, still groggy from waking up. Jaune knew by now that he'd asked multiple times, and knew that the repetition of such questions were starting to grate at his aunt's patience. It didn't stop him from asking anyway, but the ground had been fragile around her the past few days. On account of her taking a more active approach in locating Ruby's Uncle Qrow's key, which obviously had yielded no results. He knew that feeling all too well, failure. He'd been feeling it himself lately, and it was no less a weight, whoever it plagued.

""How's your semblance training, honey?" Peach didn't look at him while she spoke, eyes glued to her work. "Any new developments?"

Oh, that. He'd been so focused on finding Ruby's world that the regular training he and Neptune kept up with seemed almost an afterthought. Like Yang beating on her favorite punching bag, it had become a simple routine. "I can make the barrier bigger. Can take heavier hits, I guess. I fought one of those gorilla things in your Heart World. What'd you call them?" He snapped his fingers. "Beringels, that's it. I can stop one, even mid-charge."

She glanced up at him, a smile grin appeared. "Good. You're improving."

Jaune shrugged and kept swirling his cereal. "Not really. Neptune just hits them with that lightning or water spear and they get vaporized like nothing. Yeah, I can stop them from wailing on me, but once I need to do damage all I have is my shield." Jaune had to admit to a healthy dose of envy at that. While Neptune summoned literal thunderstorms and sea waves, he commanded little to no meaningful attack power, with his current toolset suited better for good for utility and support. It was damn unfair. "I've been trying out some stuff with my semblance, but I guess I just haven't figured out how yet. And lately when I fight, it feels like I have weights on. It didn't feel like that before."

She looked up at him curiously, as if observing his current form, all bedraggled, unwashed, and in his pajamas, as if she could estimate his current power level with only a look. Who was to say she couldn't? "You'll overcome that in time. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're still in the Under-Half state, anyway."

Both of Jaune's eyebrows went up. "Under-Half? What's that mean?"

"I'd meant to teach you and Neptune about this sooner, but of course you were occupied with your mark, then the dinner and all. I figured it could wait. Well, I suppose I'd better tell you now so you have a better understanding of future training." Peach held up three fingers. "Depending on the state of one's own heart and the world they operate in, there are three states of power that a Hunter can assume." Peach briefly pointed at herself with a small smile. "The state I'm in, and all those like me, belong to the highest tier, where we are referred to as Dominions. This means I am in a state where I am technically as powerful as I can possibly be, as I have reached my limits of raw output of force and will. My Alter has been conquered and has not resurfaced for years. As a result, I have access to eighty percent of my power at all times, no matter which world I'm in, except for my own where I have one-hundred percent. Does that make sense?"

Jaune was wondering if she had even noticed what she'd said. "You're as strong as you can be? You mean you can't get any stronger?"

"Only in terms of power. Say I have enough output to level a city block, then that would be the extent of what I can do in terms of pure destruction. I can still refine and create new ways to use my powers, but only within the limits my own powers permit."

Jaune took a moment to process that. "And eighty percent? If you only have that much in someone else's world then you aren't really at full power, right?"

"Yes, but that's where Overshadowing comes in. It's a technique that—"

"Cinder told me about that, actually." Jaune blurted, then immediately regretted it.

Peach frowned like she'd smelled something rotten. "Did she now?"

"It was back in Neptune's heart world. At first, it was nothing but storms and waves and thunder. Couldn't see a thing. Then when I found her," and he snapped his fingers, "she just did that and it all cleared away."

Peach had started tapping one painted fingernail on the table, her mouth working side to side like she was chewing on this new information and debating on whether to swallow or spit. "I see. What else has my old apprentice told you?"

Jaune wondered if he'd just now gotten Cinder in trouble. Or the other way around. "Nothing. That I remember anyway." Except that you could be lying to me, that I shouldn't trust you. None of which is true. Right?

Thankfully, Aunt Peach didn't pursue that line of questions much further. "Well, we are called Dominions because we can use the Overshadowing technique. As Cinder has likely told you, it allows the user to enforce his will onto another Heart World—exemplified by the host world taking on aspects of the user's world. At both times, this gives you access to one-hundred percent of your power, while reducing the strength of the Alter by twenty percent. Unfortunately, this makes the host world more susceptible to Despair, so it's not to be used thoughtlessly." Peach's frown set in deeper, eyes toward the ceiling, lightly shaking her head as if she couldn't believe what she'd heard. "Cinder should know better. She could have caused irreparable damage to Neptune's heart."

Jaune hadn't thought about it like that until now. Had he not been there to subdue the Alter, Cinder's Overshadow would have put him in a much worse state. Not long after his recovery, Neptune had said he'd tried choking himself. He dreaded to think what he might try to do if Jaune had failed. "Sorry, I didn't realize."

"I don't blame you. That girl has a silver tongue. Charming, but far from trustworthy. Don't listen to anything she says, understand?"

Jaune wasn't sure why, when Cinder had told him nothing but the truth, so far as he could tell. Though that in itself seemed somewhat suspicious. He did not doubt in the least that Cinder had her own motives, but how they included him learning it overshadow was something he hadn't quite worked out yet.

Still, he nodded obediently and carried on their initial topic. "So to be a Dominion, you have to have your Alter conquered? Hold on. Then does that mean Neptune is on the same level as you?"

"No. His Alter was only just conquered recently and could still resurface easily. Neptune's Alter has been conquered, but his world needs more time to restore to a healthy state, and to filter out what remains of lingering Despair. This puts him on the second tier, Virtues, which means he has access to sixty percent of his own power."

It was no wonder Neptune had such raw power output. Jaune had effectively given him a massive head start. So damn unfair, but it gave Jaune a dreadful question. "Then, what tier am I on? My Alter isn't conquered." He paused. "Is it?"

"No, and I would know. With your Alter unconquered, no access to your own heart, and having to fight regularly in other people's worlds, you are in the lowest tier, known as the Powers. Sort of an oxymoronic title. In this tier, your maximum accessible power is limited to forty percent."

Jaune's jaw dropped. "Forty? You're kidding. I've been fighting this whole time with less than half of what I'm capable of?"

"Well, this is why Heart Hunting is done on teams. At least on official squads. Lone missions are incredibly rare and are usually taken on by exceptional Hunters. No one is meant to be fighting Alters alone."

That certainly wasn't making Jaune feel any better. He felt weak and helpless even in his happiest moods. To now realize he was in a permanent state of inferiority was extremely demoralizing. And it wasn't as if there was some way to change it, either. No way to just surpass his limits. He was locked at forty. He would need to find his own heart world, he would need to fight his own Alter, to access another twenty percent. Which might have been well enough, but after seeing the dark and personal things in Neptune's heart, he was not keen on seeing what might be inside his own. That was the last thing he needed. "So I'm just gonna stay weak?"

"You're not weak. These tiers just represent the power you have access to. It's the pool from which you draw your strength. Forty percent is average and many well-established Hunters stay on that tier for a multitude of reasons, as it is usually enough, especially in a team. I've been in your state before and have beaten Alters on my own. So have you, remember?"

Jaune had to admit she made a point, feeling his frustrations leak out of him. Forty percent power or otherwise, he'd been able to defeat Neptune's Alter. And she did say that this percentage was normal. Maybe it wasn't worth getting worked up about. Not that, anyway. "What if I learned to Overshadow? Can I, even?"

"It's possible, yes, though it would take some extreme training. Especially for someone in the Powers tier. I've only ever seen it done by three people--Cinder being one of them. So yes, you can."Peach's face grew serious. "But that won't be necessary for you yet, understand? It's a dangerous technique. One which should not be used recklessly. For now, put it out of your mind."

Jaune nodded. He ate in silence for a while, flipping back and forth between the questions he wanted to ask, the finally decided on one. The one he'd been most anxious to ask. "Auntie, when you find Qrow's world, can I go with you? Can I help you?"

She sighed like she knew this was coming. "Jaune, I know you want to help. I know, baby, but I can take care of his Alter on my own. There's no need for you to get involved."

"I'm already involved. Why can't I help?" said Jaune, though they both knew damn well he wasn't.

"Because this is out of your league. You succeeded with Neptune and that is an impressive achievement, but Qrow's and indeed many adults with problems of his kind? Their wounds, their trauma, and with years to fester and grow? The Despair runs deep. More than likely his heart world is on the very edge of collapse. If you dived into his heart, you wouldn't be likely to survive its terrain, let alone the Grimm that spawn. So when I do find his world, I need to be able to take care of his Alter quickly. You, my dear nephew, would just get in my way. I'm sorry. You are not allowed to come with me, is that clear?"

Jaune lowered his head. "Please, Auntie…" he said, "I want to help. I don't care what it is, just let me."

Her eyes softened as she looked at him, like she could feel and indeed understand his desperation. There were times when he felt like this—most notably a day when his little sister was being picked on by an older kid and he had not stopped fuming about it for days. Not even after he'd given the bully a well-deserved beating. Even the drama with Neptune and his father had compelled something in him, which had unfortunately resulted in being threatened by those damn big wig secret organization people. The feeling had returned now and was stronger than ever. The only thing that kept him from doing something stupid was that fact that he could endanger his aunt and family. If it were just him, he would have had no reservations.

But this wasn't about him. It was about Ruby. About what he could do for her. What he had to do for her.

His aunt went back to her laptop, stating her decision on the matter with unchallengeable finality. "You can help me by doing as I say, Jaune. You understand? Finish your breakfast and get to class before you're late."

"I looked everywhere!" groaned Neptune, looking about as disappointed as Jaune felt, which was an accomplishment indeed. "Searched the whole freaking house, everyone's rooms and drawers, the kitchen and living room, the garage and all. Nothing!"

The two of them had met up at his house, which by now had become a regular part of Jaune's schedule. He hadn't given it much thought and wasn't about to do so now, when his every thought was on how their mission could have gone better. Could have searched harder, prodded for more clues and answers. Only to swing right back to the hard truth that there was no chance to do it all over and better. There was little they could do now.

Jaune fell into stride alongside Neptune, who sulked like a teenager who'd gotten his phone taken away. Jaune said, "You couldn't sense it?"

"That's the weird thing. No matter where I was in the house, I could always sense that the dive point was near. Maybe the signal was stronger or weaker depending on where I was, but it always felt close. I swear I tried everything in that house."

Jaune nodded slowly. At the very least, they knew the key was in the house somewhere. It'd just take a second look, if such an opportunity ever arose. Jaune wished he had gone instead, thinking he might have been able to do better, then realized he was probably overstating himself. He was nothing but an unremarkable Power, after all. Neptune had clearly tried his best. It was just their bad luck that it hadn't been enough.

Neptune looked at Jaune apologetically. "I'm sorry I let you down. I know you wanted to help Ruby."

Jaune waved it off. "It's fine. My aunt says we're on standby anyway. Nothing we can do."

"And you're good with that?"

Hell no. "Doesn't matter if I'm good with it. It's Aunt Peach's orders."

Neptune scratched his bare chin. "Fair enough. I was thinking though, if not Ruby right now, then what about Yang? Maybe we should look for her key?"

Jaune shook his head. "I thought the same thing. Apparently, she's not at risk. That's what Aunt Peach told me. Some ability she has that she can sense the levels of Despair in someone. Think she called it Scrying? She was using it at dinner and didn't find anything concerning about Yang or her dad."

"That doesn't make sense. You were there to see Yang basically have a mental breakdown, and Yang's told me herself that her dad still cries from time to time. Neither of them are doing that good. How could they not be suffering from Despair?"

"I guess it's more complicated than that. Maybe the ways they dealt with it aren't the best ways, but it got them through. Yang has… er, her friends. And her dad eventually got back to work. They might be afraid to talk about Summer, and still mourning her, but not so much that it's dangerous for their hearts, if that makes sense. I can't say I really get it, either."

Neptune thought for a moment. "Then, how are Ruby and Qrow different? Because they haven't picked up a fun hobby to keep them busy?"

"Or the ones they did pick up are actually harmful."

"Well I think Qrow's is pretty obvious. But Ruby? Most dangerous thing I've seen her do is watch some gory cartoons."

Jaune nodded grimly. "I guess there are things we still don't know."

Neptune palmed his forehead. "Seems like that keeps happening. The more we learn, the less we know. So what do we do, then? We just go on with life?"

"I guess so," said Jaune, unhappy with such an answer but not seeing an out. "I guess so."

Seeing Ruby at school certainly didn't help any with Jaune's guilt, leaving him in a perpetual state of glancing at her, then away, and back again on loop. She, utterly oblivious to his inner turmoils, had retained much of that jubilance she'd shown during her week-long stay.

That little barnacle who had seemed forever stuck to Yang's side was now engaged with the more excitable, more outgoing members of the group in a way Jaune had not seen from her before. Nora, Yang, Sun, Neptune, he was used to them dominating most conversations. Weiss pitching in some snide or berating comment and Blake, rare though she attended, listening in and putting in her own word from time to time. Even Ren talked more than her, now that he thought about it. Usually, Ruby was in that same tier, or otherwise doing her own thing while the group went on, only occasionally dragged into whatever random topic seemingly by happy accident. They had certainly not been of her own choice, as far as Jaune had seen. Things had changed significantly.

Her once soft and quiet tone had given way to peals of joy and excitement. Gasps and hoots, squeals and cheers, her arms waving in such an expressive way that she almost seemed like a cartoon character given flesh. None of this went unnoticed by the others, either. In a rare case out of character behavior, Nora was not the one talking, but instead listening with rapture to the story Ruby was telling. Weiss had always been attentive, but even she seemed a bit more drawn to what Ruby was saying now, perhaps simply enticed by the fact that Ruby was stringing so many words together with very little breaths in-between. Ruby perhaps hadn't noticed this difference, which was probably just as well. High on life, brimful of boundless joy. Why come down from the pure ecstasy of it all if only to return to cold reality? Or maybe Jaune was just being dramatic again.

Still, when he looked at Ruby, when he saw that impossibly big smile that turned her cheeks red, when he heard her laugh or squeal about whatever, he did feel… something. It wasn't bad. The very opposite, actually. Only that was the bad thing. He had no right to feel… this... when nothing he did had helped her. When the moment came for him to do right by her, he'd fallen short. He'd allowed himself to be the one comforted. As rookie a mistake as there could be.

So Jaune sighed, content to occupy his little corner at the end of the lunch table, trying not to let his thoughts wander anywhere they didn't need to be. He needed to go back to normal life, after all. He pulled his phone and checked his messages.

"Hey handsome," His heart fluttered to find Mystery had messaged him, then quickly deflated when he realized the message was from four days ago. If there was any air left in his wilting heart, it was sucked out like he'd been thrown in a space vacuum. There was more than one message from her.

"Hey. Are you awake?"

"You there?"

"At least tell me if you're busy."

"Sorry if I'm being annoying. But I haven't heard from you."

"Just… get back to me when you can."

Oh damn it all. How had he missed her messages? He had a specific tone for her so he'd always recognize it. For years he had never missed any of her messages and always got back to her, at most within the hour. All these messages were from days apart. From last week, in fact. During Ruby's stay. How in the world had he gone for almost a week without talking to Mystery? Jaune sought to rectify that right away, only for a wholly new cause to interfere.

"You seem to be in a good mood lately." It was Weiss. She'd managed to escape Ruby's captivated audience and slid down to the seat opposite him. She glanced over at the group again for a moment and Jaune wondered if he caught the trace of a grin. "So is Ruby, I've noticed."

Jaune turned his phone's screen dark. He'd just get back to Mystery later. He made a mental note to ensure he did. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm in no better mood than usual."

Weiss shrugged. "I disagree."

Jaune wanted to unleash his latest batch of smarmy comments on her, but lately that had been getting more difficult. Not because he didn't have any, for he certainly was never short of them, but because something about this group made it harder. Suddenly, people's feelings came into account, and he was more considerate about saying things out of turn or that might simply be mean. Only why was he? This was what being a loner and a jackass was for. To keep people away. As the lion roars to scare off the hyenas that dare to steal his kill, or something like that.

"Whatever," he said, frowning. Not at all happy with that response, since it only seemed to egg on Weiss's sudden curiosity into his business.

"So what is this about?" she asked.

"What's what about?"

"Don't play the fool. You and Ruby. I can't say I could have expected you two to start spending time together. You both are much too different."

Jaune grumbled. "I can't say I expected a high class rich girl to hang around this kind of crowd, either."

"My case is well settled. Let's talk about that another time. My observations stands, does it not?"

He had to give her that. Damn Weiss. "Maybe I'm just a manipulative asshole who wants to take advantage of her."

"Don't flatter yourself. You couldn't be that cruel even if you wanted to be."

He frowned. "It wasn't my idea. Ruby asked to play games together."

"And you said yes."

Jaune paused, and he was sure the corner of Weiss's mouth curled upward a bit. "I mean… yeah. Just because I pitied her, that's all. Aren;t you all always telling me to be nice?" Weiss's near-smirk did not slip an inch. "Why the hell do you even care?"

"No need to be so defensive. I'm not suspicious of you. Actually, it's a good thing you've been spending time with her. She's been happier because of you."

Jaune scoffed. "I doubt it. She's just broken out of her shell. It happens."

"No one just breaks out of their shell. They usually need some kind of help, whatever form that may take." said Weiss, sagely. "But I'm not here to convince you of that. I just want to thank you."

Jaune was puzzled by Weiss now more than ever. "For what?"

"For doing what you do, whatever it is." And Weiss scooted on back to the group, like she hadn't just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. For doing what you do? The hell did that even mean?

For some reason that soured his mood even further. He was just about fed up with this recent influx of people physically touching him, praising him, and thanking him, as if he'd done anything even remotely special. He deserved none of it and, most importantly, wanted none of it. Still, as he heard the group laugh, as he listened to their stupid stories, he felt that frustration begin to melt away, making it exceedingly hard to stay in the comfortable familiarity of a bad mood. Especially seeing how completely happy Ruby girl glowed like a star.

Only how long would it last? While Peach searched for Qrow's key, Jaune had to sit on his haunches, hoping for some kind of lead that would allow his own investigation to continue. What was Ruby's key? There was something he was missing, he was sure of it. The family was in a limbo of sorts, and with no one willing to address the problem. In a way, it felt the same with his own family. When mom had first been sent away, he'd been given promise after promise that she was soon to return. Over the months, he'd begged to know exactly when and only gotten vague answers, having bursts of outrage when the answers did not satisfy, wondering and wishing that one day they could talk about mom and finally visit her. There hadn't really been a resolution to that sad period, just a slowly trudge forward through life, the answers dangling ever out of reach. Eventually, he'd come to accept that he had to get better in order to see her, as apparently all his other sisters had, even the youngest. The last was him and once he was fixed, his family would be whole again. That was how family was supposed to be. Together. No one left behind or forgotten.

So. Fittingly, there was nothing that bothered him more than a family falling apart. There were few people he could feel easier empathy for than someone like Ruby, who tried desperately to put everything back together, and failed. He looked across at Ruby, who was laughing with Nora at some video they were watching. In a way, it was kind of self-serving, wasn't it? Wanting to save Ruby's family because he had no idea when he'd be ready to fix his own. Be that the true motivation behind his desperation or not, it didn't change the fact that he'd promised to help Ruby if he could. So what options did he have? What could he with his measly forty percent force and will possibly do to piece the Rose Family back together?

He'd been avoiding it, but there was one thing he could do. It seemed to be the only option left. Why not take that shot? There was little to lose if he missed… except for his own comfort and emotional stability, of course, which we're at risk of becoming forfeit anyway. Once more in the flame, he supposed.

Jaune pulled up his phone again, remembering Mystery's unanswered messages and pursed his lips. He'd get back to her later, absolutely. Apologize over and over if that's what it took. Right now, he had to take care of the things in front of him. He had to help Ruby in whatever way he could, even if it might be at a cost to himself.

He messaged Neptune instead, asking for two favors. For him to take the Ruby out for a couple of hours after school.

And to send him Ruby's address.

People said it often, at the cusp of an encounter or event which they knew had to be confronted, that once that proverbial precipice was reached, it was then too late to turn back. For years, that trope had seemed pretty stupid to Jaune since it seemed quite easily avoided. He saw now that it was closer to reality than he thought. So, as he bitterly admitted like many a punishment-seeking primary character: it was too late to turn back.

Jaune brought his hesitation with him as he approached Ruby's house. A quaint little home that seemed something between a cabin in the woods and a modern suburban dwelling. It was sectioned a bit away from the neighboring homes, hemmed in by a white picket fence, high white wood walls, and a dark roof. Very much embodying a space fit for a family. As he climbed the porch steps, he saw that the deck had even more evidence of it. Some old chairs covered in leaves, yard tools left out and perhaps unused for a while. It reminded him of his own home, how he and his sisters would run around in the yard in summer with the water hose, spraying each other. He wondered if Ruby's family did the same. There were a couple of beer bottles on the edges of the steps, most finished but a few left half-full, flies crawling inside them, as though whoever had been drinking had gotten bored midway through. Or passed out in the process. I never understood the fascination with liquor. Why do drunkards want so much of it so often? Is it the taste, the burn? Is the painful hangover afterward entirely worth it? How do you become so dangerously dependent on a simple drink? I really don't get it.

Now he stood before the door, which had been painted colorfully with badly drawn flowers and animals. Hand prints were put on it as well. Three big hands, two small, all in a united circle, which was at both times adorable and sad. In a way, that felt like a warning. A sign that he had no idea what he was about to walk into, what he was about to dredge up. Did he really have to do this? No, not really. That should have stopped him from knocking, but it didn't.

He hadn't been sure who he was expecting, but it was Ruby's father that answered. His blue eyes blinked in surprise. "Jaune. This is a surprise. Are you here for Ruby? She's not back yet, but you're welcome to wait here if you—"

"Um, no sir. That's not why I'm here," Jaune had lowered his head and he wasn't sure why. "Ruby doesn't know I'm here. I came because… I wanted to ask you something, actually."

"Me?"

"If you have time, sir. Sorry for just showing up."

"No, no, it's no problem. You managed to catch me on a day off. Come in, son."

Jaune followed Tai inside. A short hallway with stairs to the upper floor on the right expanded into the living room. It was all warm and earthy colors—yellow walls, brown floors and furniture laid with red and orange pillows, a chalky fireplace at the far end. Jaune noticed that above it a decoration streamer had yet to be taken down, spelling Happy Birthday in bright colors and no doubt hanging hung there all this time. A constant reminder of the party that never happened. And suddenly it was like Jaune was missing Summer too. Like her spirit was in these walls, looming like a shadow, her restless ghost left unacknowledged by the family left behind.

"Have a seat, Jaune. Anywhere you like." Tai gestured about the living room. "You want a drink?"

Jaune shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."

Tai sat on the couch, leaving plenty of room for Jaune to sit beside him. He didn't see any chairs that directly opposed that choice, but then sitting across from Ruby had not stopped her from hugging him. Had not stopped him from allowing it. Still had no idea why he'd done that. So he sat next to Tai, but left a decent amount of space between them, hoping this unexpected meeting would not end the same way. Tai's expression was nonjudgemental, patient, and attentive. Like his own dad in a way. Less familiar and comfortable, naturally, but far from uncomfortable. It did not feel as awkward as he'd expected it to.

Tai cleared his throat. "So what's wrong, Jaune? Did something happen?"

Jaune chewed on his thoughts for a moment, rubbing his palms on his knees as he tried to summon the courage to speak. Was there any way to come at this other than honestly? If there was, he couldn't think of it. "I wanted to ask… how you go on?"

"Go on?"

"Like, when you lose someone you care about." What are you doing, Jaune? "When they leave or… pass away. Your family, and all."

Tai's eyes widened. "Jaune, I can take you to your aunt if you want. It might be better if you talk to her."

"I can't." said Jaune. "I'm scared to." That was meant to be a lie, but now that he gave it some thought, Jaune wondered if it was true. He had no idea, but did not doubt he'd be thinking about it long after this conversation. "And I don't have anyone else to talk to about it. I guess, I thought you'd get it."

He could tell Tai was uncomfortable, but he let out a breath and said, "Is it about your mother, Jaune?"

Jaune found it hard to swallow. The mere mention of his mother stirring an uncomfortable feeling. You know to avoid this. Stop, while you still can. It was difficult to do—by the gods was it—but he nodded his head.

"It's hard, isn't it? Being without her? It's hard because you can't stop missing her. You don't know if you can stop."

He nodded, his words ringing painfully true in his heart.

"I'm sure it still hurts. It feels unfair. And a lot of the time, it feels like it's your fault."

Jaune nodded again. Maybe losing a wife and losing a mother were different things technically, but when it came to how you felt, the difference probably wasn't too significant. It was comforting, somehow, to know that there were adults who felt how he did, when at times it felt like he was just some overly emotional child. It was strange, to be embarrassed to cry over missing his mother. To want to feel strong and unaffected and just be able to accept things as they are. To transcend the pain like it was but a hurdle. How silly it seemed now.

Tai touched Jaune's shoulder, his hand strong. "But it'll get better, Jaune. I promise you. The most we can do is take things a day at a time."

"Is that what you do?"

"I… Well, being honest, I could be doing better myself."

"Same. Ruby said she wants that for you, too."

Tai looked at him with confusion. "Ruby? Did she talk to you about me?"

"A little. I guess, both of us kind of went through the same stuff."

Tai smiled sadly. "Even the loss of a loved one can bring people together."

"Or tear them apart."

"Right. Or that."

Jaune made sure to persist. No plan for what to say. "You know, all I want is for my dad to… I just want to talk about mom. You know? I think I'd be less sad if we just talked about what happened."

"Is not that simple, Jaune. Not for you. Not for any of us."

"I know," Jaune said, his eyes strangely wet as he forced himself to look at the older man. Again, like he was talking directly to his father. "But why can't we try? Why can't we just try to talk about it, even if it hurts?"

Tai had closed his eyes like he wanted to keep himself from weeping. "Because it hurts too much, Jaune. Some of us aren't strong enough to take it. You understand?"

And Jaune did understand, so he nodded. But he couldn't accept it, so he also shook his head in denial right after. "My aunt says we have to have courage. So, I keep trying to. My dad says when I get better, I can see my mom again, so I've really been trying to get better. Don't even know if it's working."

"Heh," Tai chuckled. "You're stronger than me, then."

"I'm not," Jaune's voice came out as a shiver. "But if I don't try, then I'm gonna lose more than I already have. I don't want that. I don't do it because I'm brave, sir." Jaune's lip quivered. "I do it because really… I'm just scared."

Jaune had never told anyone that before. Not even Mystery. None of it was necessary for Tai to know, not in the slightest. So why had he told him this? He'd come here to tell him to get his shit together and help his daughter, he'd come to force the family back together. He'd come to punch someone, if it came to it. Yet he'd done precisely none of that. Instead, Tai was on the verge of tears and he was not far behind himself. Just two fools lamenting their losses in an empty living room, where a reminder of the family's downfall still hung untouched.

Tai seemed to take a moment to consider his words. "Here, Jaune. Let's get you home, alright?"

He'd said all that could be said. Most likely it wouldn't do anything, but he tried to take solace in the fact that he tried. Jaune wiped his face, nodded, then followed Tai out of the house.

Returning home was never the happiest affair, but at least for now, Ruby didn't feel too badly. Neptune had surprised her by taking her and the others to get burgers, which was well enough to spend an afternoon. The sun had set already and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed. Yang was throwing her rain cover over her bike, and Ruby saw no reason to wait. She walked into the house and was about to dart right upstairs, if she hadn't heard her dad's voice calling.

"Girls? That you?" he called.

"Uh, yeah?" said Ruby, right as Yang was coming through the door.

"Can you both come here? I…" There was a pause. "We need to talk about some things."

Yang sent a questioning eyebrow down at Ruby, and in return the best she offer was a shrug. Something like this wasn't out of the ordinary. Though with their dad specifically it was. Toss-up between some elaborately planned but no less lame joke he came up with or something incredibly serious. There was no predicting on that score, though Ruby leaned closer to the latter since his happier side had withered to almost nothing. Ruby went first into the living room, saw him sat in the middle of the long couch, big hands clasped together. His eyes were puffy and red, there were dry tracks in his hollow face. He'd been crying, and by the looks of it a pretty heavy cry too. He looked up at them, posting on that lame attempt at a smile, then patted the spots on either side of him. "Have a seat. Don't worry, you're not in trouble or anything. It's nothing like that."

Ruby might have preferred they be in trouble, that might have been easier to deal with. Often as it was, it did not hurt any less to see her father cry. Still, Ruby went over and sat on his left side, while Yang took the right. A familiar pattern. Nothing that had been arranged or set as a rule, but Ruby had always found herself on her father's left and Yang on the right. It was like having your body shape in a form-fitting bed. It is simply your place. It was where you belonged.

Yang asked, "So, what's up? You finally lose to Qrow at darts?"

Their father chuckled. "For your sake, you'd better hope not. I'd be bawling like a baby. No, I think… it's about time we talked about your mother."

Ruby had to blink twice, just to be sure she heard it right. "You want to?"

He nodded. "About your mother. About my wife. About our family. Things… they haven't been the same since your mother passed, have they?"

Yang pursed her lips, then said, "I guess not. I mean, not really."

"I think I knew it all along, that this is why you two haven't wanted to be here at home in a while."

"It's not like that…"

"Yeah, it is." said Ruby, and they both looked at her as if they hadn't expected it from her. "He's right, isn't he sis?"

Yang glanced at her father, eyes misty like she was sorry to betray him, then nodded regretfully.

Their father looked about to reach for his ring, but stopped before touching it. "Girls, I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing just getting back to work. Just trying to move forward. I figured we all knew what happened and we simply needed to get back to our lives, and everything would just… continue. Without your mother, I felt I had to step up. I thought I needed to be strong for you both." He chuckled. "But your dad's been pretty stupid. I wasn't being strong. I just couldn't admit that I was scared. That I am scared. Your mother always knew what to do, no matter what situation we ended up in. She always had the answer. She made my life easier that way."

Ruby thought about mom then. How everything had seemed to revolve around her. She'd always felt like the one in charge, the one who knew everything, who could defeat anything, who could not be beaten. Life had been easier with her. There had been no need for anyone in the house to be strong so long as they had her. She had been the warm and secure blanket which everyone huddled under. Now that it was gone, the cold was merciless, and instead of everyone pulling together for warmth, they drifted apart to seek their own fires.

Her father nodded, like he agreed with Ruby's very thoughts. "I'm sorry, to both of you. I could have done better. I should have."

"W-we all could have!" said Yang, then looking at Ruby. "I just kind of ran away too."

It felt good to hear Yang admit it, especially when it felt long ago like such a thing would never happen. That's when Ruby realized her own guilt she'd been hiding. "I could've… tried to talk about it more, too. But you and Uncle Qrow were always fighting."

He nodded. "And we never should have let it get to that point. I never wanted to put you two through whatever grievances your uncle and I had to work through. What we're still working through. I've just been failing as your dad."

Yang punched him in the arm. And it had to hurt, for their father started rubbing his shoulder as he faced her with shock. Yang was already in tears. "Don't you ever say that. We don't think you failed, dad. This… all this has been affecting all of us. None of us blamed you for shutting down. We all lost mom. You're allowed to screw up a little."

Ruby took a gentler approach than her sister and took her dad's hand, saying nothing, but trying to ensure he knew that she still loved him and that hadn't changed. He could be too hard on himself and the last thing she wanted was for him to be more miserable than he was already. The bad shape their family was in. It could still get worse.

Their father looked at them, tears in his eyes. "I had an idea. I'll take a few days off work, then we'll talk about this more. And… we'll visit your mother's grave. It's been too long since we've gone. Much too long. She's probably missing us."

"What about Uncle Qrow?" asked Ruby.

"Him too. We'll sit him down to talk and make him listen. Tomorrow, even. I'll follow him around all day so I can keep his dusty old ass from drinking anything but water."

Ruby chuckled, but it came out more like a sob. The joke wasn't funny, but this whole situation was, in a way. Had this not been what she'd wanted? And here now it was happening, seemingly unprovoked. Finally, they were talking about this. They were starting to put their family back together. She could help her Uncle Qrow. Things would be right again.

"Girls, I'm so sorry that it's taken me this long." He squeezed both of their hands, and Ruby made sure to take her sister's free hand in the other. Not all of the family, not yet, but more than it had been in a long time. "I'm going to do better from now on, I promise. No more ignoring what's happened. Your mother would be pretty upset if she saw us now, and the last thing I've ever wanted was to be on her bad side."

Again, Ruby chuckled, nodding and sniffling as she felt her dad squeeze her hand just a little tighter. Yang had broken into full on weeping now, her face buried in their father's shoulder. Happy tears or sad? Both most likely. Ruby couldn't say the ones coming from her were any different.

"I miss her, dad. I miss her. Why did we have to lose her?" Yang wept, her voice high and weak, bumbling.

"I miss her too, honey. I miss her more than anything." Dad took Yang in his arm, pressed her to his side as she cried, then took Ruby into his other side, letting her rest her cheek against his broad chest. She felt warm there. It felt like home. "But we're going to be okay, you hear? We will get better. I promise."

And Ruby truly did believe him when he said it. Fixing the family wouldn't happen in a day, and it sure wouldn't be easy, but this was a start. They couldn't go anywhere but up. Things would be okay from now on, she was confident in it.

"Dad, what brought this on? Not that I'm not glad, but I didn't think you'd ever want to talk about mom again."

"I didn't think I would, either. But your friend came over today. Jaune."

Ruby blinked, trading glances with her sister, their collective surprise reflected back. "Jaune?"

"I was surprised too. But he showed up and we had a talk. He's a tough boy, tougher than your old man."

Ruby had a hundred questions. Why had Jaune come to talk to her father? She couldn't think of a reason. Not unless…

The moment was somewhat diminished when her father's phone began to ring, making them have to pull from that long needed family embrace. He got up to answer it, and Ruby chose to clutch to her sister then, knowing she needed it. She had to ask Jaune about this. Tomorrow if possible. For now, she was just happy her family was making a better turn. It didn't feel foolish to believe that things would be okay from now on.

"Yes, hello?" Ruby's dad answered.

Silence for a moment, and a substantially long one at that. There was no sound in the house, nothing but Yang's sniffling and the unintelligible speaker on the other end of their dad's phone. He wasn't facing them, which might have made it hard to guess what he was feeling, but then Ruby saw that his hand was starting to tremble. Like it might drop the phone in the middle of whatever conversation was going on. His voice came out weak and hushed, just like the night that Ruby remembered from long ago. The night mom died. "When? How?"

She couldn't make out the voice over the phone. All Ruby and Yang could do was sit there in silence, holding each other.

"I'll be there. Yes. I'm coming now!" he said, urgently. And he hung up. The phone looked ready to break with his hand clutched around it. Finally, he turned to look at Ruby and Yang with pure, unrestrained sadness in his eyes. The look of the heartbroken. Just like the night mom died.

"What happened, dad?" Ruby asked, fearful.

"It's your uncle," he whispered with dread. "He's in the hospital."

Yeah this chapter is pretty late. Had to do some replanning for this arc, but we've made it over the halfway point of the arc now so that's rad. Thank you everyone for the support and I'm gonna try to keep my writing pace up. This chapter is a bit all over the place, but hopefully it came out right. Later.

ISA