[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

The arcade was loud, bright, and full of cheerful chaos — exactly what Ruby had hoped for.

After she'd learned that Jaune used to be a pretty big gamer before Mia came along, Ruby had made it her personal mission to drag him and Mia out for a "rediscovery day." Jaune had been hesitant at first, but the moment Mia heard "video games," her eyes lit up like Crescent Rose in scythe mode.

Now the three of them were deep in the arcade, moving from station to station.

They started with fighting games. Jaune and Ruby went head-to-head while Mia cheered from Jaune's lap. Ruby won most rounds, but Jaune managed a few surprise comebacks that had Ruby yelling in delight.

Then came the rhythm games. Mia insisted on playing with them, standing on a box between Jaune and Ruby. She stomped and clapped with wild enthusiasm, missing almost every beat but laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

Shooter games came next. Jaune and Ruby teamed up in co-op mode while Mia "helped" by pressing random buttons and shouting "PEW PEW PEW!" at the screen.

By the time they took a break, all three of them were smiling and a little sweaty.

They wandered over to the small café attached to the arcade. Ruby ordered the most ridiculous sugary dessert she could find — a towering ice cream float with extra whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Jaune got a sensible sandwich. Mia had a healthy lunchbox Jaune had packed, but she kept eyeing Ruby's float with open longing.

"Can I have some?" Mia asked, ears perked hopefully.

Ruby grinned. "Sure!"

Jaune gave her a pointed "Dad Look."

Ruby flushed instantly. "I mean… one bite. Just one!"

Mia took her bite, eyes widening in pure bliss. "It's so good! More please!"

Ruby glanced nervously at Jaune, feeling the full weight of his parental energy. "Sorry, Mia… that's all for now."

Mia's lower lip immediately wobbled into a world-class pout.

Jaune leaned over and gently wiped a bit of whipped cream from her cheek. "If you're good for the rest of the day, we can get a big dessert back at Beacon tonight. Deal?"

Mia sniffled but eventually nodded. "Deal…"

A few minutes later, Jaune stood up. "I'll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom. Ruby, can you watch her?"

"On it!" Ruby said, giving a determined salute.

The moment Jaune disappeared around the corner, Mia turned those big blue eyes on Ruby again.

"Auntie Ruby… pleeeeease can I have more float?"

Ruby hesitated, biting her lip. "Mia, your dad said—"

"But it's so yummy!" Mia whined, giving the most effective puppy-dog eyes in Remnant.

Ruby lasted about ten seconds before caving. "Okay… just a tiny bit more."

Five minutes later, Jaune returned to absolute mayhem.

Mia was running around the arcade like a sugar-fueled goblin, cackling wildly and weaving between game machines. Ruby was desperately chasing after her, arms outstretched, clearly trying (and failing) not to use her Semblance in a public place.

"Mia! Come back here!" Ruby called, voice cracking with panic. She jumped ahead of her with her Semblance, reappearing right in front of Mia... Who turned and dove between the arcade cabinets to the next row. "AH! HEY! GET BACK HERE!"

Ruby leaped over and landed, trying to catch the little half-Faunus girl, but Mia had dashed away again between some claw machines.

"MIA!"

Mia darted straight for the ball pit, scrambled up the nets surrounding it with surprising agility, and perched at the top like a triumphant monkey.

Jaune's voice cut through the noise, firm and stern. "Mia Arc. NO. Down. Now."

Mia froze, ears flattening. She looked at him defiantly for a second… then her face crumpled when he added, "If you don't come down right now, no more dessert for a month."

Mia gasped.

"No!"

"Yes!" Jaune insisted. "And no more game days with Ruby!"

"Th-That's right!" Ruby added weakly.

She sniffled, eyes filling with tears. "I… I can't get down…"

Jaune sighed and stepped in front of the ball pit, holding his arms out. "Jump. I've got you."

Mia hesitated only a moment before dropping into his arms. He caught her easily and held her close as she buried her face in his shoulder, still sniffling, the sugar rush winding down.

"Excuse me you two."

Which is when security found them.

- - -

Five minutes later, they stood outside the arcade on the sidewalk, the noisy honks of mid-day traffic filling the air. The owner made things clear: Don't come back for two weeks, or get a permanent ban.

Which felt like a death sentence to Ruby.

Looking utterly mortified, she turned to her friend. "Jaune, I'm so sorry! I only gave her a few more sips, I swear! I didn't think she'd turn into a hyperactive gremlin!"

Jaune shifted Mia to one arm and gave Ruby a tired but gentle smile. "It's okay. She's very sly and cute… and that makes it really hard to say no to her." He raised an eyebrow. "Without experience."

Ruby groaned, covering her face with both hands. "I ruined everything…"

Jaune chuckled softly. "Not at all. I'm actually glad you dragged us out today. I'd almost forgotten how fun this stuff could be." He glanced at the chaos around them and smiled wider. "Plus… watching you try to catch her was pretty funny."

"It was not!" Ruby pouted.

"It was," Jaune chuckled, as Ruby covered her face.

Ruby peeked through her fingers, still blushing. "You're not mad?"

"Nah." Jaune adjusted Mia, who was already calming down in his arms. "I appreciate how hard you try with us. And honestly… I think you'd make a really good mom someday."

Ruby turned scarlet, eyes going wide. "Wha- I- That's-!"

Jaune just laughed warmly as they started walking back toward the exit, Mia already dozing against his shoulder, sticky hands clutching his hoodie.

Ruby trailed after them, heart racing and mind spinning with way too many thoughts she definitely wasn't ready to examine yet.

But one thing was certain: arcade days with Jaune and Mia were going to become a regular thing.

... In two weeks.