Chapter 62: Let Me Hold You

The speaker was on blast. The sound shook the floor, the walls, the furniture, the entire house. Blazing guitars, bass and electric, acoustic drums, clashing cymbals, heavy snares. The lyrics were not sung, but roared. Epic stories on drugs and alcohol, sex and love, submission and revolution, petty little people and skeevy bigwigs. All swirling together to create a great concert celebrating youthful rebellion against miserable adulthood and social conformity. So Blake felt quite confident admitting that she loved Metal.

Blake whipped her hair up and down, danced across the floor in her socks, and rocked her hips as she cleaned the kitchen. Wiped down the table in time with guitar strums, used a cleaner bottle as a microphone and butchered the lyrics without an ounce of shame. She couldn't sing to save her life, but damn if it didn't feel good to sing anyway. Who wouldn't, when life was so so good?

A dozen songs, a dozen stories, a dozen places in time. Blake grabbed her head with both hands, flung her hair side to side, bopping to savage guitar slaying. She danced about the living room, swaying, spinning. She felt on fire, despite the fact that the air conditioner was on blast and she wore nothing but a tank top and underwear. Were the curtains open? It'd be pretty embarrassing if someone passing by saw her like this. Then again, who the hell cared? Let them look. Let them see how joyous she was. Let them envy her! She'd draw the curtains open herself!

Blake was barely halfway through a guitar solo when the music stopped suddenly. Out of her trance, she spun around and saw Adam standing by the stereo, wearing a heavy frown, pinching the bridge of his nose. So, less than pleased.

Normally, that look would have her frozen, wordless, and sorry, but now she was only happy to see his handsome face back home. She practically skipped over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Morning, my love!" She chirped, "How'd you sleep?"

"I was sleeping well," He remarked as she strutted off to finish cleaning the dining room, "Until I heard your little solo rave in here."

"Sorry," Blake said, still with a giddy smile. "I just wanted to listen to something while I cleaned."

"There are these things called headphones. Very useful for not waking people up early in the morning. What are you even listening to?"

"Gigadeath."

"Giga-what?"

"Gigadeath! It's a metal band."

"And since when do you listen to metal?

"Since a week ago!" said Blake, feeling her smile widen as she rummaged through the cabinet for the stove cleaner. "Jaune introduced me to it!"

"Jaune did?"

"Yeah! It's so good, Adam. You should listen to some. There's this one song that—"

"You shouldn't listen to it anymore."

Blake's smile slipped for a moment, then came right back once she found the cleaner. She sprayed down the stove and began to scrub the build-up away. "I shouldn't?" she asked, innocently.

"All those songs glorify death and violence. It's poison to the mind. All that screaming and whining. It's like they're trying to hurl into the microphone. Grown men throwing a tantrum about life being unfair. It's childish."

Blake nearly frowned, but Adam was looking so she controlled herself. "It's not all like that. A lot of them have really good lyrics and messages. It's way deeper than it seems. I promise you'd like it if you'd—"

Adam's voice came out even and smooth. No emotion. The stout order of a commanding officer. "I don't want you listening to that garbage. It's not good for you. Understand?"

Blake immediately nodded with the biggest smile on his face. "Yeah, no problem. I was only really listening to it because Jaune asked me to. It's not that good."

Adam did not nod or show his approval. Not even a smile to show he was pleased. He just moved on to sit at the table, and Blake saw now that he was dressed, but not in his work attire. "Want some coffee?" she asked.

He yawned. "I always do."

Right. Blake started his coffee and got right back to cleaning. She was content to work in silence, but Adam was in a rare talkative mood. "So Jaune showed you that music, huh?"

"Yeah. He plays it at the center sometimes."

Adam shook his head in disapproval. "No wonder he's so messed up. Surrounds himself with things that feed his anger. If he keeps that up, it won't be long before he's a delinquent."

This time her frown was harder to disguise, so she turned toward the sink so Adam wouldn't see it. "I don't think Jaune is like that."

"I'm not saying he is, but it's possible. It doesn't help that there are bad influences he surrounds himself with. Give an angry kid the tools to take out his anger and he'll use them. He's involved with that old group you used to be in, isn't he?"

"Er, yeah. I think."

"Even worse. He's surrounded by toxicity. Even his own girlfriend from what he's told me. Jaune's a good kid, but he does not know how to make the right friends."

Blake pursed her lips to restrain a sudden reaction and thought her response through for a moment. "I mean, maybe some of them are bad. But—"

"Honestly, it might be best that you distance yourself from him."

Blake's heart was already pounding. "You think so?"

He nodded. "I hate to say it, but Jaune is just a little too much for you to deal with. I'll spend more time with him. He needs someone who can point him in the right direction."

"Well, I could help. I think Jaune and I starting to get along and—"

"Get along? How, by bonding over school shooter soundtracks?"

Blake's hand was starting to tremble as she scrubbed the sink. You were the one who introduced me to Jaune. You were the one who said we should spend more time together. Now you want me to stay away? Make up your goddamn mind. These were the things Blake thought, but knew better than to say.

"He's a well meaning kid. But well meaning and good are two different things. The kid is gonna snap one day. And when he does, I don't need you getting hurt."

Blake wanted so badly to tell him he was wrong. Jaune was violent, but never toward anyone who didn't deserve it. Sure, he'd been rough with her once, but even she had to admit it was deserved. Jaune had otherwise been very kind to her. During training, he was understanding and patient, yet pushed her to be better. He even sat with her at lunch, away from the usual table so she wasn't alone. How could he be dangerous?

Maybe she just had to come at this the right way. Convince Adam against it. It was doable. She hoped. "I'm sorry, Adam… but I think you're wrong."

A long stretch of silence. Even the world outside seemed to pause, as though a great universal law had been broken. "What's that?" Adam eventually said.

"I…" Blake swallowed. "I don't think Jaune is that kind of person. He's a jerk sometimes, but I don't think he'd ever hurt me. O-or anyone, for that matter. Maybe you don't need to worry. That's just what I think."

Another long moment of silence. Blake was on baited breath as Adam scanned her with his bright blue eyes. Hawklike and suspicious. "You're awfully defensive of him. You didn't like him much at all in the beginning."

"I didn't like him at first but, I don't know, maybe I judged him too quickly. I was trying to be more understanding. Like you." Blake added, hoping that sounded good. "You said we should try to be friends. I was just doing what you said."

Again Adams voice came out even. "Then do what I say now. It's for your safety, Blake. And his, too. It's better for you both that you stop spending time together, at least until I've helped him get his head on straight. Then all three of us can spend time together. Does that make sense?"

It really didn't. Blake wanted to protest but couldn't find a point to argue. Like it even mattered, even when Adam was wrong, he was right. "Okay, I get it."

"You get it?"

"I mean, I understand."

"I'm doing this for you, my love. And for Jaune too. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Blake nodded. He was right, of course. Adam was always right. It was why he made the decisions, because she was too foolish to think for herself. He simply wanted to protect and take care of his woman. It didn't sound that bad when she put it that way. So why did it still feel like a punishment? Jaune was the only friend she had at the moment. She wanted to keep seeing him. He made her laugh. He made her feel good about herself. How could that be bad? How could that be wrong?

That's when Adam stood. "Forget the coffee. I'm gonna be gone all day."

"Oh. Work?"

"Just seeing an old friend."

Blake felt a pang of pain but smiled through it. She came up and touched his chest. "Okay, my love. See you tonight?"

He gave her a smile. And for a moment it convinced her that he still loved her, but of course, the moment was fleeting. It always was now. "Of course." He looked down at her attire. "And put on some pants. You can take them off later when I come home, eh?"

Blake tried to feel excited for that, but couldn't muster it. She never could these days. She reached up and kissed him on the lips. "Be safe. I love you."

"Yes you do." Adam chuckled, And he headed out the door.

Blake waited a few minutes, then peeked out the window blinders. She wasn't sure why she did, but it always left her more relieved to see Adam pull out of the driveway. But Adam wasn't pulling out. Not in his car.

Trifa was in the driveway, smiling up at Adam as he slid into the passenger seat. He leaned over and she did too, and they kissed for a very, very long time. Seemed like they were sucking each other's air. And all the while, Blake's heart sank lower and lower. Finally they parted, and that was something of a relief, until they pulled out of the driveway and vanished down the road, leaving Blake to imagine with near certainty what they'd be getting up to.

But, none of that was a surprise, was it? When you say, I'll do anything if you take me back, then agree to the conditions presented, what right anymore do you have to be upset?

So Blake closed the blinds. Out of sight. Out of mind.

She'd have to tell Jaune that she couldn't see him anymore. That they could no longer be friends. Maybe she'd have to give up Heart Hunting, if it would make Adam happy. It was fun while it lasted, but nothing was more important than Adam's happiness. Not even her's.

Blake resolved herself to tell Jaune… eventually.

For now though…

Gigadeath filled the living once more. The drums battered like battering rams against city walls. The guitars summoned lightning and fire and smoke and raged with fury. Blake banged her head to it, flung her hair to it, stomped around to it. She poured all her feelings into it. Her confusion, her sadness, her hope, her fear, her anger, all of it.

For at least as long as the music played, Blake had no time to think or be sad about anything. And that was a relief. If a temporary one.

"Shoes off at the door." she heard Jaune say as she entered his room.

The sound of his voice made her smile. "Hello to you too."

During the start of her training, Jaune had decided to make his room their meeting place, so it was often where they were outside of class. She kicked off her shoes, tossed herself onto his couch, and gave him a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?"

He lay there on his bed, an uninterested look on his face like the world was just a nuisance to him. She liked to call this form of Jaune his sulking state. There didn't even need to be anything wrong for him to sulk. He just did it naturally. It was actually one of the funniest things about him, and so she couldn't help but giggle.

"Nothing," said Jaune, "Who are you laughing at?'

"Well, someone's cranky. Who says I'm laughing at anyone? I could just be remembering a joke. Don't be so sensitive."

"Screw you."

"No thanks. I like men."

"Don't flatter yourself. I like mature, complicated women, not annoying little girls."

"So you're into your aunt?"

"I'd take her over you."

"Shut up."

"You shut up."

They glared at each other, first deadly serious, both pretending to be greatly irritated. Only Blake couldn't keep up the facade longer than him, so she burst into laughter, then Jaune would come somewhere close to a laugh with a roll of his eyes and the slightest twitch of a smile. Jaune didn't crack easily, which was at times fun, other times frustrating. Still, she didn't hate that about him. If nothing else, it made squeezing those rare bits of emotion from him quite rewarding.

"Well get on up." Blake advised, "Time to train."

"Ten minutes," Jaune said.

So they sat there for a while, with only the sound of Jaune's TV breaking the silence. The channel was simply a stream of ocean waves, gently washing against a gray shore.

"Why waves?" Blake asked.

"Helps me think."

"About?"

"Stuff."

Blake rolled her eyes. "No, really? I mean, what specifically are you thinking about?"

"Is there a reason you're so nosy?"

Blake propped her elbows in the backrest, then rested her chin in her palms as she grinned at him. "Just tell me. I can be a good listener when I want to be."

Jaune turned his back to her, but Blake wasn't put off. She went up and crawled onto his bed, laid down beside him, stared him right in the face. "Either talk or train. I'm not here just to keep you company."

Up close, she could see how blue his eyes were. Strangely bright for someone so glum. Not at all unlike Adam. He frowned at her, that kind that suggested he was considering smacking her, but that only made Blake grin wider. He wouldn't do it, no matter how mean he presented himself. They stared at each other for a long moment, Jaune seeming to search her face for something. Blake found herself hoping he found her lips at some point. She had been wearing more lipgloss lately. Though that was only after Adam was gone. He'd never know about it.

Blake scooted a closer. Their noses almost touched. She could smell his breath. "There some reason you're staring at me?" she goaded.

Jaune snorted derisively. "Trying to teach myself not to puke every time I look at you."

"I'd say you're doing well. I don't see any puke."

"Give it time."

And she saw that slight smirk of his rise just a bit, and that made her feel all warm inside, biting her lip excitedly. She wasn't sure why she and many others saw this cold, hard shell and thought that was all there was. Doubtless, it was an aspect of Jaune's facade. A shield against the world's judgments. But Blake thought it obvious that there was more to him. It was very well buried, but at times this charming, awkward, goofy guy beneath this great iceberg would pop up, and Blake was chipping at it with every interaction. Loving every second of it, too.

"Why are you such an asshole?" she laughed.

"Why are you such a bitch?"

"Keep that up. I might have to spank you."

"You? Spank me? That's rich."

"What? I could do it."

"Try it and see what happens."

"What are you gonna do? Spank me?"

"You're bringing up spanking quite a lot. Is it some newly awakened fetish for you?"

That's how they went on for a while, and by now it had become natural, thoughtless. Seven days in the Public Domain left them plenty of downtime between training sessions, so they often spent it talking. They never seemed to run out of anything to talk about. It never got overly personal, which Blake was glad for, as she could simply enjoy someone's presence without tiptoeing around answers. She imagined Jaune felt the same way, as he rarely if ever pressed her for personal information.

Blake wrapped her arms around one of Jaune's jabs as she broke into peals of laughter. "Stop! You're so annoying. I hate you."

"That's something we have in common." Jaune said.

"You don't hate me. Or you'd better not."

"Or what?"

"Didn't we go over this already? Don't make me get my belt."

Jaune raised one hand in surrender. "Fine. You win."

Eventually their chatter died down, which might have left things in an awkward silence, but it was never like that between them. They lay there, listening to the endless waves, and Blake laid her head into Jaune's shoulder, relishing his warmth, his touch. She realized they were holding hands now—an accident, honestly, but not an unwelcome one. His hand was big, rough, warm, and made her feel like the safest girl in the world.

"So…" Blake whispered.

"So, what?" said Jaune.

"Are we training today?" and she squeezed his hand just a little tighter. "Or are we doing something else?"

Jaune stared at her for a moment, then finally sat up, pulling his hand away. "Let's skip training today."

Blake had to admit to being disappointed, not only for skipping training, but because she'd really been enjoying their moment. "What, so I came all the way here for nothing?"

"I wouldn't say so. Want to go somewhere?"

Blake blinked. "Where?"

Jaune shrugged. "Anywhere. I'm bored. Let's just explore the city or something."

"Just us?"

"Who else?"

It had been a while since she'd gone into the city. She'd used to go all the time with Sun and Yang, but those days had long dried up. Adam and she used to go on dates downtown once in a while, but those days had long dried up, too. So Blake found herself oddly excited. "Yeah, let's do it!"" Blake hurried to get her shoes on, smiling at Jaune all the way.

"What are you smiling at?" He frowned.

Blake pulled the door open, threw her arms behind her back, swayed her hips as she strode on ahead of him. "Your beautiful face, of course."

She heard Jaune follow after, saying, "Don't compliment me. It sounds weird coming from you."

"So you want me to talk dirty to you? Let's save that for tonight. After you buy me dinner. If you're lucky, that might get you to third base."

"The only reason I'd put my dick in your mouth is to shut you up."

Blake punched him in the arm, and only hurt herself in the process, while he barely reacted. She shook the pain out of her hand while Jaune's eyes glittered with smugness.

"So where do you want to go?" Jaune asked as they fell in stride together toward the bus stop.

"You invited me out. Shouldn't you already know?"

"Consider me generous enough to give you a choice. I'm waiting."

Blake gave it a moment of thought. "Do you read?"

"There's a face I haven't seen in a while!"

It surprised Blake that she had forgotten about Tucson, despite the fact that it was his bookstore that she frequented. Used to frequent. He would call her when new installments of her favorite series would come out, and would even reserve special volumes for her. He always had this big teddy bear kind of aura to him, and so found herself hurrying over.

"Yeah, same.," she said, "How are you?"

"Great now that my number one customer is back." Tucson chuckled, resting his massive arms on the desk. "But look at you. I swear, you look more like your mother every day. How have you been, girl?"

Blake shrugged. "I'm hanging on."

"A lot of the time, that's the best we can do. That your boyfriend?"

Jaune was occupying himself at the comics and manga shelves, which was all kinds of funny since she'd never have guessed him an anime fan. Then again, it could only have been a matter of time since he was dating Ruby.

The thought of Ruby made Blake feel a mix of disgust and shame. And she wasn't sure if it was toward Ruby or herself. But she pushed those thoughts down. Ruby and she were not friends. Yang had probably told her all kinds of stories that painted Blake in a shitty light. That was why no one spoke to her anymore. So Blake pushed any hesitations down and tried to think only of herself and what she wanted. Rather than what someone else would want her to do. Today it was about her and Jaune. No one else mattered.

"I'm working on it," Blake said.

"Ah. You've got a stubborn one on you, huh? Well, he looks your age so he's a sight better than that other man you used to come with. Guess he finally left you alone, eh?"

Oh… right. Tucson knew about Adam. It really had been a long time if she'd forgotten that. Now she remembered why she hadn't returned, so that she could avoid this very question. She put up a smile and said, "Yeah, uh, he moved on."

Tucson blew out a huff of relief. "Thank God. Let's hope he's found an actual adult to follow around."

"Yeah, let's hope. So, what's new in stock?"

Then, Blake was off like usual. Perusing Tucson's forest of bookshelves, which apparently he'd built himself. It had been a while since she read anything new. What was she in the mood for? Fantasy? Mystery? Horror? Maybe she'd finally read one Sci-fi book, like she'd dared herself to do a million and one times.

She found an interesting cover. A typical erotica-romance novel with a depiction of a naked man and woman in a passionate near-kiss, a binding of chains linking them together. It titled something stupidly horny—The Body's Flame. The blurb on the back said, Anastasia was to wed Richard, the finest, richest, most powerful man in all of Poisonburg. Her family approved of it. Her friends approved of it. Even she found herself thinking it was a perfect match. He seemed to be the perfect man. But she would soon discover that there were great and terrible secrets beneath that handsome face. Secrets she could go all her life never knowing.

"Is that porn?"

Blake startled at Jaune, who looked over her shoulder to see the cover. He then passed her an accusatory eyebrow.

"It's not porn!" She grumbled. "It's erotica."

"So porn but for bibliophiles."

"Ha ha. I wouldn't want to look at your search history. What was it you said? You'd rather bang your aunt before me? Is that why you're in your room all the time? Jacking off to auntie's panties?"

"That's oddly specific. Sure those aren't your fantasies?"

"Hush." Blake went back to looking at the book. "Alright, yes, it's basically porn. But with a plot. Which makes it literature."

"There's lots of porn videos with a plot. Guess that means they count as cinema."

Still, Jaune, rather than being put off, continued to look at the cover. She fully expected him to adopt a disgusted look and toss it away, like Adam had when he told her to get rid of all her erotica books. He'd said reading such things would make her a sexual deviant. Which was an irony on several levels. Jaune however just read the cover, then passed it back to her.

"There a reason you like porn with a plot?" he asked.

She blinked. She'd never been asked that. "Er, I mean yes. That's why I read it."

"So tell me."

Blake took a moment to think, hugged the book to her chest. "I guess… maybe I just like the idea of two people in love having sex. The passion, I suppose. Regular porn doesn't do that very often. And yes, I am admitting that I watch porn, go on and judge. Most romance novels cut away during all the action, but I like to read the sex scenes. Not just because it's hot, but also because when it's people who are in love, I think it's beautiful. I mean, what could be better than making love to the one you love? That's why I like it. If that makes sense."

Jaune stared at her. Perhaps weirded out, perhaps wishing he had never asked. Now Blake simply felt embarrassed. Why the hell had she told him? No one would believe that crap, even if it was true. Jaune was more likely to think she was just a pervert. Like Adam did.

"Do you want it?" he asked.

"What?"

"The book, Blake."

She looked at the novel. "Oh! Uh, yeah… but I'll get it some other time. I can't afford—"

Jaune took the book from her, and along with a few comics and manga of his own, brought them to the desk. "Anything else?"

"Jaune, it's fine. You don't have to buy me anything." Blake said.

"I know."

"Then why are you—"

"Just pick out some more." Jaune left the books on the counter and started searching the shelf she'd been looking at. "And try to find me one of your little porn stories too. One with a good story. I want to see what the hype is about."

"You want to read erotica?"

"That a problem?"

Blake burst into a big, stupid smile. "Not at all! There's so many good ones you can start with. Here, I'll show you!"

So she pulled him along as they perused the books for Jaune's first foray into lascivious literature.

Evening was creeping up on them when they entered the Vale Art Museum, but for Blake that was perfect timing. Plenty of people were leaving by now, filing down the great staircase in waves. Blake weaved through them, ignored the doorman stating they would be closing in an hour, before finally noticing she had lost her companion.

"Hurry up, Jaune!" She called.

Jaune slogged up behind, shoes scraping as he ambled up the stairs at the pace of a slug. A heavy bag full of books was slung over his shoulder. "Will you chill? The paintings aren't going anywhere."

They headed into the great hall together. The walls were tall and white, branching off in three directions, which then branched into more, and on and on. Spiral stairs led up to higher floors, elaborate tapestries hung from the balustrades, seen with historic symbols. Of course, the paintings themselves were the main attraction. Portraits so massive that they seemed to have been painted by giants. Golden plaques told of their history, creation, creators, and symbolism. Kings, queens, battles, parties, animals, gods, furniture, dreams. Depiction of any and everything from classic to modern. It was like stepping into the world of a record book, surrounded by thousands of years of human ingenuity and creativity.

It had been a long time since she'd been back and it felt a lot like the first time when Adam took her. Their very first date. And even recalling it years later, it still felt like a storybook event. A fantasy of a date. Perfect in every way. Back then, she had believed Adam was an angel blessed on her.

But before that could put her in a sour mood, she took Jaune by the arm and led him on. She pointed to various paintings, explained their history, and geeked about the artistic process. He kept up, surprisingly. No one ever showed half that much attention when she talked about art, not even Sun or Yang.

Jaune stared bewildered at one of the ceiling paintings. A great domain of angels soaring above in a ring of clouds. Some were naked, or wore drapes of white cloth, or wore shining golden armor. They flew in a great spiral, inviting arms spread wide like they were calling for the humans below to join them. Thousands upon thousands of angels vortexing toward the very center of the painting, where a single tall chair sat before a burning white sun.

"What the hell…" he said, "One guy did all of this?"

Blake nodded up at it. "Yep. All by himself. He worked on it every day and it took him a full year. He set scaffoldings, but didn't have any harnesses or safety measures. He considered it his life's work, which turned out to be true. According to his wife, the moment he declared that the painting was complete, the scaffold broke and he fell to his death."

Jaune let out an impressed breath, utterly spellbound by the epicness of it all. "You sure know a lot about paintings," said Jaune.

"Sorry if I'm boring you."

"You're not. It's cool. I suppose."

Blake lowered her head and blushed a little. Adam was often bored by her talk about art so she never brought it up with him. It was nice to have someone again who cared enough to listen. "Sure you're not just saying that?"

"I don't care enough about your feelings to lie."

"Shut up."

"You shut up."

They moved on to another section. The room was decorated with depictions of an old war. With old muskets, swords, banners, and military outfits hung about the room.

Blake found herself staring at Jaune for perhaps the hundredth time, and not just because she liked looking at him. Their last conversation made her think, made her want to tell him something she didn't talk about much anymore. Maybe it was worth trying. If he didn't want to hear it, then she was already used to that.

"I've always wanted to get good enough to get my paintings in a museum." she admitted, "I guess I've always wanted something like that. To be a full-time artist."

Jaune looked around. "Heard those jobs are super hard to make work. And you're not quite on this level yet, but you could do it. I don't get art, but I know talent when I see it. You could make it happen."

"You think so?"

"Don't quote me on it, but sure. Why not?"

Blake wished Adam thought so. God why did he keep coming up at every turn. Tonight was about her and Jaune. For the first time in a while, what Adam wanted did not matter, only Blake's wants and needs. Only hers!

"Well, I think they're closing now." said Jaune, hiking a thumb over his shoulder. "Want to get something to eat? I'll treat you."

Blake gave him her most coy smirk. "Gifts, museums, and dinner? You are really trying to get laid tonight."

"I wouldn't take you to bed even if it'd keep me out of hell."

"Oh you're funny. Has anyone ever told you how enormously funny you are?"

"It's been mentioned."

Blake took Jaune by the hand and led him out of the museum. "Come on then, casanova. What's your idea of a romantic dinner?"

It was a humble looking burger stand in the city. Too small for a big post of its name, yet too big to be a grab and go. By all reason, the stand had only the merits of its food to keep itself afloat, and by God they didn't disappoint.

Old chairs and tables were set out before the stand, with only the lights of the city to keep the night at bay. People milled about by the hundreds, a collectiveness of city sounds creating an oddly calming ambience. Cars revved and honked, people shouted and laughed. Open bars were full of drunkards and dancers, street corners and alleys filled with dealers and courtesans, performers and tourists on their way to the square for the chance to hit it big. A million lives and dreams all going on all at once. Jaune and she were just a small part of this massive world.

Still, Blake liked to think she was having the best night out of all of them.

Again, she was looking across at Jaune as he ate and was very aware of how she was smiling like an idiot. In many ways, it felt like being with Sun and Yang again, the insane fun they had together, memories they'd made. Times that were not so long ago, yet felt like ages. Sometimes, it was hard to believe they had ever existed.

Where had it all gone wrong? When did things change? It had always seemed like they would be friends forever. That nothing could tear them apart. Sun, Yang, and Blake. The power trio. Incorruptible. Inseparable.

Of course, that had been before she'd met Adam.

That's what she'd given up so much for. For her true love. Her one and only. At the time it had seemed entirely worth it. It was supposed to be worth it. For the longest time, Blake had tried to reason that it had still been worth it, no matter what downsides had come up. Friends were temporary and fleeting. Love was supposed to be forever. She wanted to believe that she had made the right choice.

So what was she doing here, on a date with another girl's man?

"Blake, you alright?"

She snapped out of her thoughts to see Jaune wearing a face she had never seen on him. Pure, unmistakable concern.

Blake felt something on her cheek and wiped it away. Her eyes stung with tears and she blinked them dry. Sniffled down her bubbling emotions. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you, Jaune. For tonight."

"It's nothing," he said.

"Not to me. I haven't had this much fun in… a while."

Jaune nodded slowly, understandingly. "Why not? Adam doesn't take you for nights on the town?"

She knew he was just poking fun, but this time, Blake did not have the wit for a comeback. She stared down at her half eaten sandwich and slowly, sadly shook her head. "Not anymore. I think we're past that point in our relationship."

"So what point are you two at?"

What Adam had told her, long before things had fallen apart was that he planned to marry her once she turned eighteen. They would move to Mistral together. He would work and provide their every need, and she would take care of their children. That was his plan for their lives. He hadn't exactly asked for her input in the matter, but Adam tended to know what was best. But that had been before her betrayal, and right now she is trying to prove to him that she was still wife material. Doing her damnedest at it…

"I'm not sure." Blake said, not entirely lying. She frowned. "Why are you suddenly so interested in my relationship?"

"I thought the point of this was to save Adam's heart."

Right, Blake had forgotten about that. She sucked her teeth. "Well, I meant to tell you, but I realized that there's probably nothing wrong with his heart. I was wrong, okay? Let's just forget about him."

"I can't. Not now that you've brought it to my attention."

"What do you mean? I just said he's fine. Can we please talk about something else?"

"Why can't we talk about it? What's the problem, Blake? You always avoid it every time I bring Adam up."

"No I don't."

"Prove it. Let me come to your house so I can find his key. You can't just stir up all this trouble, force me to get you involved in my work, then keep me from doing my job. I can't help you or Adam if you won't let me."

Blake's jaw fell open. Then Her fingers curled into fists. "Oh, I get it. All you care about is him."

"What?"

"That's what all this was for, huh? The gifts and hangout? To butter me up so I'd tell you my every little secret. So that's how you Heart Hunters do things? With manipulation and lies?"

Jaune waved her down, looking around to make sure no one overheard. "Keep it down. You know that's not—"

"You don't give a damn about what I need. You just want to help Adam!" Her cheeks felt swollen, like she'd been slapped. "You're both the same. You always know what's best for everyone else, but once it's turned on you, you suddenly have a problem. Who cares what I want, right? I'm not allowed to have anything!"

Jaune hadn't tried to interject anymore, just watched her with surprise. Somehow that made her even more angry. Blake was sure people were looking at them now, but she focused only on Jaune. She'd had enough pretending.

"Do you think I didn't try? That I don't care? I've been trying every day to make things better! I try and try but it gets me nothing!" Blake practically spat it all out. Like it was puke she no longer had the strength to keep down. "Who cares what Adam wants? He's off spending more time with his mistress than his would-be wife! He has everything he could possibly want!"

Cold silence. Someone across the way looked up at them, but quickly found another table to occupy.

Jaune's eyes widened. "He's cheating on you?"

Blake burst into laughter. But no longer the joyous kind. Now it was a sad, defeated laugh. "If only! It'd be easier to leave if he was cheating. That's just one of the conditions I accepted if he took me back. He could mess around with whoever he wanted and I'd have to be okay with it. Not me though, no. I had to stay home and clean the house all day. I had to prove myself as wife material again."

Jaune stared at her like she was crazy. And Blake didn't blame him. Said aloud, it sounded like the twist to some shitty romance novel. Surely no one would allow such a thing in their relationship, right? No one was that desperate. If that's what he thought, he was severely mistaken.

"Yeah, I get it." Blake sniffled, "Pathetic, right? Blake the cuckold girlfriend? It's fine. You can laugh. It's always fine to laugh if it's at me."

"I'm not laughing, Blake. Listen, I—"

But Blake was far from done. Her mood was ruined. Her night was ruined. Why not go all the way and destroy everything else? "And what do we even do anymore? All Adam ever wants is to have sex!" How stupidly ironic. She'd wanted that passionate, love-driven sex so badly, but now any love making between her and Adam was empty and lifeless. That's what she had to look forward to tonight. "We don't go out anymore, we don't even watch TV together anymore. Oh but if I put on makeup, if I try to paint or read or do anything I enjoy, suddenly it's a problem." She began to mock Adam's deep voice. "I know what's best for you, my love. Listen to me, not yourself. He makes me feel so stupid! But you want to help him, right? Not me?"

Jaune looked about to reach for her, but stopped. "I do want to help you. But I can't without—"

"You know what? Forget it. Adam just told me today that he doesn't want me seeing you anymore. He says, you could be a bad influence on me, all because I was listening to metal. Imagine that! That also means we should stop training too, so it was fun. Thanks for all the horrors and existential dread, but that's over with now. I can finally get out of your hair, since all I am to you is a problem. Have a nice life."

Blake stormed off, so boiling with anger that she wanted to run and run and never look back. It seemed she wasn't even allowed that. Jaune grabbed her wrist and she did not bother to fight him. He was too strong for her anyway.

"I do care about you, Blake." he said firmly. "You think I'd bother to spend my time on people I don't give a shit about? All I want is to help, but I can't unless you help me. Please, just let me."

Blake was so emotionally frayed that she barely had any restraint left. She had already begun to cry, and her body shook with every sob. "You want to help?"

"I'll do anything."

Blake sniffled. "... then, kiss me."

Silence. People shuffled all around them in two pedestrian rivers, leaving them enclosed alone, as if no one was allowed to enter this space but them.

Jaune let out a low gasp. "What did you say?"

Blake turned to face him. She probably looked disgusting with tears in her eyes, nose running, lips trembling. But she didn't care anymore. She threw herself into his arms, she clawed at his shirt like it was her lifeline, she looked up into his eyes with a desperate need to be touched. "Kiss me. Take me home. I'm all yours. I don't want Adam anymore. I want you. Don't you want me?"

Jaune looked down at her with pure shock. "I…"

"I'll do anything you want, whenever you want. All I want is you. Please, Jaune. Kiss me."

And she reached for his lips. Had to push onto her toes. Heart thumping in her chest. Desperate for him like a dog needing water. They'd be so happy together, she was sure of it. She'd never felt so close to anyone. Jaune was her true love. Her one and only. The one she'd been waiting for all these years. This was it. At last, they could be together…

But then, she felt Jaune's hand on her shoulder. Not rough. But firm. Like a guard advising a tourist from entering an unmarked area. She let out a choked sob, knowing what it meant, and could only look down, even as she clung to Jaune's chest.

"Blake," he said, "That's not something I can give you."

"Why?"

"You know why."

Fury replaced heartbreak, if only for a moment. "Ruby? Oh come on, you two are not going to last! What do you even have in common? She doesn't understand you, Jaune!"

Jaune just looked like he pitied her. Like she was a puppy he'd accidentally kicked. "Even if Ruby and I won't last, I won't hurt her. Not for you. Not for anyone."

Blake's heart shattered at the bottom of her stomach, and she felt ready to cry her eyes out. Rejection hurt, yes, but also the burning envy of Jaune's loyalty. Ruby was a lucky girl and no doubt deserved him. And now Blake reflected that she had been ready and willing to be unfaithful tonight, she despaired at his far she'd truly fallen. A betrayal of her own morals. A willingness to hurt someone who had never hurt her. That was the point she was at now.

Maybe trash like her didn't deserve something good. Adam was who she deserved. And all she'd ever have. Just like he'd said when he took her back. No one else would ever want her. Adam really was right about everything.

Blake refused to leave with no dignity. She would tell Jaune she never wanted to see him again. That he disgusted her. She'd slap him. Yes, that's what she'd do. She would not go out pathetically. She didn't need Jaune or anyone. All she needed was Adam. Everyone else could go jump off a cliff for all she cared. Yes, she would do all of that. Any moment now.

I stead she hugged Jaune as tightly as she could. Desperate for someone to help her, to save her, to love her when she felt so lost. "What do I do, Jaune?" she wept. "I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so trapped."

Blake felt Jaune fold his strong arms around her, and she cherished every ounce of his warmth. She had lost all the good things she'd used to have. She had preyed on Sun's and Yang's love for her. She'd tricked herself into loving Yang in an attempt to escape Adam when their relationship had first started to crumble. That was her betrayal. Then she'd gone right back to him and only dug the pit deeper. A string of awful, stupid, insane decisions. It was all her fault and she knew it.

But she couldn't lose more. She couldn't.

"Jaune, you're all I have. I have nothing else." Blake pressed her cheek into his chest as she sobbed. "Please… don't leave me. I don't want to be alone anymore."

Jaune held her tighter. Took her hand and squeezed it tight. A wordless promise. "I'd never." he said.

And Blake believed him. It was all the assurance she needed to let herself weep without reserve. She cried for her broken heart, her broken friendships, her broken life. She didn't believe things could get better.

But here, with her only friend in the world, Blake wanted more than anything to believe otherwise.

Y'all have no idea what's about to come next. So, buckle up. From this point on, things are about to get wild.