Jaune sighed heavily. He winced as he rolled his shoulders and looked around his office. He had been left alone to do some paperwork, which he supposed was nice. On the other hand, he had to do paperwork.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" He called. The doors opened, and Yang strode in with a smile.
"Heyah, Ladykiller! Saw your speech today," she said. She sat down in a chair. "Though it was nice. Very short."
Jaune smiled back at her.
"Thanks. It's like everyone forgets the inaugural speeches of Councilmembers used to be like ten to twenty minutes," he chuckled. Yang shook her head.
"You knew that history but not the Faunus Revolution?"
"Er, well," Jaune rubbed the back of his head, "I always paid more attention to Nana Arturia's stories because they were a lot more exciting." He beamed. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm on your security detail for tonight!" Yang said cheerfully. "Pyrrha needed to do a photoshoot, Weiss is meeting her sis, Blake is meeting her parents, Ruby got detention with Oobleck, and Ren and Nora are..." She shrugged. "Got me."
"They do their own thing on the weekends," Jaune confirmed. He smiled warmly. "Thanks. I appreciate it. You always cheer me up."
"Well, someone's gotta keep you from getting too full of yourself," Yang winked, "Speaking of, you eaten dinner yet?"
"I was about to order something," Jaune said, turning back to his papers. "I gotta finish up this report to the press tomorrow-"
"Bah," Yang scoffed, putting a hand over his, "Come on. You gotta get out of here."
Jaune looked up in some surprise.
"You're acting... Well... I mean, friendly," Jaune said. Yang shrugged.
"Well... I did realize you're actually pretty cool, once you get past the awkward nerdy parts," she said with a smile. "And you're Ruby's best friend, and she'd have my head if I didn't make sure you were taking care of yourself."
Jaune smiled. He squeezed her hand back. Yang leaned forward.
"Besides, living a cushy life as a Councilman's Wife might be nice~," Yang teased. Jaune flushed.
"Y-Yang!"
"Aw, come on," Yang cooed, leaning forward with a sexy wink, "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it~. At least once? Unless you're into slim girls like Weisscream."
Jaune flushed.
"I mean... If I'm being honest? I thought you were out of my league," Jaune admitted. Yang blinked.
"Eh? But-But you went for Weiss?"
Jaune shrugged.
"I mean... That was kind of a pride thing, though I do think she's incredible. But you? You just... I love your smile, your energy, your eyes. You light up the room. If you rejected me... I dunno. It would hurt more." He smiled. "Plus, I mean, I didn't want Ruby to think I was her friend just to get your attention."
Yang flushed. She slowly nodded.
"I, yeah... Well..." She cleared her throat. "You really gotta get some air if you're getting all mushy like this, Stud. Come on! We should hit a diner, get some real food."
Jaune frowned.
"I dunno..."
"Come on," Yang winked, "I promise, I'll be your cute little bodyguard. I'll protect you. In and out of bed, if you'd like~."
"Yang," Jaune groaned, bright red. She giggled, and pulled him up to his feet. He sighed, but nodded as they headed out.
"All right. There's a diner close by. Let's hit it up, quickly."
"Relax, Councilman," Yang chuckled, "What could possibly go wrong?"
- - -
They came to a small diner in the historical Old Town part of Vale, near the massive towers of the government center. It was called "Just Right", and was run by a formidable looking bear Faunus woman in a blue dress and white apron. She stood at the entrance to the cozy, clean diner, chewing on a wooden spoon as she looked Yang and Jaune up and down.
"Hey Ma!" Yang greeted her with a happy smile. Jaune himself had pulled on some sunglasses and a hat to try and disguise himself, but still smiled politely.
Ma looked him up and down, chewing on her spoon. She nodded in approval.
"Welcome, ya little Spitfire. Usual table is open."
"Thanks!" Yang grinned and dragged Jaune off to a booth far from the windows, and near the jukebox. Yang had Jaune slide in first, before she slid in across from him. Ma was along shortly, setting down some menus, glasses of water, and a candle, which she lit.
"Knew you'd find a good man someday," Ma stated. Jaune coughed and shook his head.
"Ah, no, I mean, we're not-!"
"Thanks!" Yang said cheerfully, grabbing Jaune's hand and squeezing it hard. He got the message and shut up, smiling with a slight wince at Ma. Ma chuckled.
"Keep your wits about you. She's gonna be rough. Gotta take her in hand," Ma stated. Jaune slowly nodded.
"I-I'll keep that in mind," he mumbled, as Ma headed off. Yang loosened her grip on Jaune a bit, but didn't let go. Jaune sighed and scowled at her.
"Seriously?"
"Hey, it keeps her from asking too many questions," Yang said. She pouted. "Unless you don't like the idea of me being your girlfriend?"
"No! I mean, that's not it!" Jaune insisted quickly. "I just... A lot's happened and I'm trying to get a grip on things, ya know?"
Yang shook her head.
"You literally figured out how to use your Aura an hour after getting it unlocked," she said, "How much time do you need, anyway?"
"I just... How does that relate to this?" Jaune asked. Yang giggled.
"I just like seeing you flustered. You're kind of cute that way," she winked, "And besides, it keeps you from getting too big a head. You wouldn't want to turn out like Councillor Valkoran and become so divorced from reality you destroy your empire, right?"
"No, but..." Jaune blinked rapidly and stared at her. "Wait... That's from Space Quest 5!"
Yang flushed and glanced to the side.
"Er... Ya know, Ruby was all into that stuff..."
Jaune smirked a little.
"Really? So you don't think the fifth season was a rushed add on?"
"N-No! I mean, there was a fifth season?" Yang giggled, trying to play dumb. Jaune smiled warmly. He squeezed her hand back.
"You don't have to put up any fronts with me, you know," Jaune said kindly, "Take it from me: It sucks. I-I mean, I know you're not like, fake or anything. I like that about you. But well... You can be totally honest with me."
Yang stared at him for a long moment. She brushed some hair from her shoulder.
"Well... As long as you, I dunno, keep it a state secret."
"If I have to," Jaune said with a nod and good natured rolling of his eyes. Yang shook her head.
"Still... How did you even hear about that show? You live out in the sticks!"
"My mom's hospital had a direct link to the CCT repeater tower," Jaune explained, "So I hung out there a lot to watch stuff."
"Your mom owns a hospital?" Yang asked in disbelief. Jaune nodded.
"Yeah. She worked as a Huntress combat medic to pay for medical school, and turned the old castle in our town into a hospital. I mean, we still live on a farm and all but we did help out there too..."
"Huh," Yang said, "My dad just got a free CCT antenna direct thanks to my uncle Qrow. So we saw everything for free. Well, when the weather was cooperating. You ever watch Professor Paradox?"
Jaune grinned.
"Yup. My Nana is a huge fan of it, since she's from Albion. Well until the last few series."
Yang rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, yeah. Freaking Thirteenth Professor is so lame..."
They chatted about many nerdy things. Then they got into their childhoods... And after a while, they just talked. Nobody forced anything, nobody was pretending. After having to deal with politicians and reporters for the last few weeks? It was a balm for Jaune's soul. And he found himself studying her face, and her eyes.
"Get out! GET OUT!"
Which was interrupted when there was a loud disturbance out front. Ma was standing at the doorway, holding a fist up and shaking it, as a couple of White Fang goons in masks and leathers stood in the diner door.
"I told you, you punks can't come in!" Ma growled. The lead White Fang tough laughed in her face.
"You can't hold us all off, you old sow," he sneered, "You're either gonna pay up for us not wrecking your place, or we're gonna burn it to the ground! Especially since you've been letting humans in!"
"Anyone who can pay and show respect is welcome!" Ma snarled. "You don't get to-ACK!"
The leader back handed her and sent her to the floor. Jaune and Yang immediately stood up, meal forgotten. The White Fang punks laughed.
"Oh, what's this? Some human bimbo and her boy toy are gonna try to mess with-?"
They flared their Auras. The punks, save for the leader, all gasped or winced. Yang punched her open palm as Jaune clenched his fists.
"You wanna rephrase that?" Jaune asked angrily. The punk, a bit intimidated, still sneered.
"Should I have called her what she really is? A slut-?"
The leader lost his speaking privileges, along with most of his teeth, as Jaune's fist met his jaw.
The scuffle was extremely short. Two Hunters-in-training against a few street punks was no real contest. However, Yang got a little too enthusiastic and sent one flying through a window. That got the cops to arrive quickly, and they stormed in.
"Drop to the floor, now!" The cop shouted, gun raised. Jaune held up his arms.
"Hey! He was stopping the bad guys!" Yang shouted angrily.
"DROP DOWN ON THE FLOOR!" The cop repeated.
Yang snarled.
"YOU-!"
"Take it easy, Yang!" Jaune shouted. He sighed as he pulled off his sunglasses and hat. "Look, we'll sort this all out and-"
The cops all gaped in shock.
"Councilman Arc?!" One cried.
Jaune coughed. Well, that made things easier.
"Yes, uh, I was just here when these guys came in and-"
"And he and his girlfriend saved me from these-these punks!" Ma Bear said happily, slapping Jaune on the back, "Thanks, Kid! You and Yang can eat here free from now on!"
"No, really, I'll pay for-!"
A camera drone flew into his face, shining a bright light. A familiar woman with lavender hair and a purple pantsuit rushed in, holding a microphone.
"Councilman Arc, I'm Lisa Lavender with VNN! Getting into fights with White Fang now?"
"I defended myself and the people here!" Jaune stated, irritated at the reporter, "With Yang! A bunch of assholes don't get to push people around!"
"You tell them, Stud!" Yang laughed, wrapping her arms around his, "Especially if they insult his lovely girlfriend!"
"That's right-Wait no-!"
Lisa grinned like a hungry shark as she leaned in with the camera drone. The cops all watched in a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Ma Bear laughed.
"So? You're no longer single, Mister Arc?"
"That's not what I-You-!"
Yang took pity on Jaune, and grabbed him.
"No comment!" She announced, "Gotta fly!" She fired off a shot from Ember Celica, launching herself and Jaune out the window. They landed on Bumblbee and she gunned it, practically flying down the road. Jaune held on for dear life.
"WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?!" Jaune shouted.
Yang shrugged.
"Spur of the moment! And just relax! In like 24 hours, nobody's gonna remember this!"
"SOMEHOW I DOUBT IT!"
