[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

Radian, Gallia, Vale
Six years after Salem's Defeat
- - -

Emerald Arc stood over the crib in the softly lit nursery, one hand resting on the rail as she gazed down at their daughter. Baby Amethyst slept peacefully, tiny fists curled near her cheeks, rosebud mouth pursed in dreams. She was so precious, so sweet, so impossibly cute that sometimes Emerald's chest ached just looking at her.

And yet, tonight, the ache had twisted into something darker. A fleeting, horrifying impulse had flashed through her mind. A vision of her little girl going out the window into the dark night... By her own hand.

Tears slipped silently down Emerald's cheeks as she stared at the innocent little face, wondering where that came from.

A happy ending... I don't...

The front door opened and closed with a familiar quiet click. Jaune's voice drifted through the house, low and careful so as not to wake the baby. "Em, I'm back."

He hung his coat by the door and padded through the rooms until he found her. The sight of his wife crying softly over their daughter's crib made his heart clench, though it wasn't the first time he'd come home to this.

Without a word, he crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling the back of her mint-green hair. She stiffened for a moment, then melted into him.

"J-Jaune…" she whispered, voice thick.

He held her tighter. "What's wrong?"

Emerald bowed her head, shoulders shaking. "I… I'm sorry…"

A sob broke free. "I just… for a moment… when I looked at her…? I wanted to throw her out the window!" The confession tumbled out in a horrified rush. "I… I'm still a monster… even after everything…!"

Jaune's arms didn't loosen. He turned her gently until she faced him, cupping her tear-streaked cheek and guiding her eyes to his.

"A monster?" He gave a soft, fond huff. "You're no monster." His thumb stroked her skin tenderly. "A monster wouldn't have hesitated. A monster would not cry over what they thought. Monsters don't feel remorse, and they certainly don't regret." He rested his forehead against hers. "So no—you are Emerald Arc. My wife, my love, my greatest treasure, and the mother of our child. You found your way back from being lost. You redeemed yourself. You became a hero the world will always be grateful for."

A watery laugh escaped her through the tears. "You… you always have to sound so… so corny?"

Jaune's smile widened, warmth lighting his tired blue eyes. "I'm a knight, a doctor, and—according to reliable sources—the world's greatest thief. I think I'm allowed to be a little corny."

Emerald sniffed, indignation cutting through the sadness. "Hey! I'm the world's greatest thief, thank you very much."

He looked away with exaggerated thoughtfulness, then turned back with a Cheshire grin. "Eh, I don't know about that. I did manage to steal your heart, didn't I? Pretty sure that makes me the better thief."

"You… you dork," she muttered, but she was laughing now, soft and genuine.

Jaune simply held her closer, resting his head atop hers as they stood in the quiet nursery. Amethyst slept on, undisturbed.

After a long moment, Emerald murmured against his chest, "…I stole your heart first, idiot."

He chuckled. "You can't steal what was already yours, Em. No matter how many times you say otherwise."

She flushed, burying her face in his shirt. "You… ugh. Why do you frustrate me so much? I was sad and depressed and you just… interrupt me…"

"If I can't get my wife out of a funk, then I'm clearly not doing my job right," he teased gently.

Emerald leaned into him with a quiet sigh. "…Part of me still doesn't think I deserve any of this. A happy ending. I keep waiting for something to take it all away."

Jaune nodded slowly, gaze distant for a moment. "Waiting for the other shoe to drop. I get it."

She licked her lips, eyes drifting back to the crib. "When I look at her… I want to kill anything that tries to hurt her." A pause. "Is… is that normal?"

"Yeah," he said without hesitation. "I'd say so. Just thinking about someone trying makes me want to bury them so deep not even tree roots would remember them."

"Good," she whispered. "Good."

She reached into the crib and gently stroked Amethyst's soft cheek. The baby whined faintly, then settled again under her mother's touch.

"She's so beautiful," Emerald breathed.

Jaune's smile softened as he watched them both. "Gets it from her mother."

Emerald snorted, but leaned in to nuzzle his jaw. Then, quieter: "…Take me to bed."

She pressed a tender kiss to his cheek.

"Of course," he murmured, brushing his lips against her forehead before scooping her up in a bridal carry. She wrapped her arms around his neck without protest as he carried her down the hall to their bedroom.

The room was humble, but warm—filled with wedding gifts they hadn't had the heart to pack away, and walls covered in photographs: Amethyst's first days, the two of them exhausted and glowing in the hospital, family portraits with Jaune's sprawling clan and the friends who had become chosen family.

Jaune whistled appreciatively as he stepped inside. "You know, looking at all this again, I'm starting to worry we'll run out of wall space for the rest of the kids."

Emerald arched a brow, lightly scolding. "Hm? Rest of the kids? You're already planning on more?"

He flushed, glancing away. "W-well—I mean, given my family's track record, I wouldn't be surprised if we somehow beat my parents."

"And when exactly were you going to ask me?" she pressed, but the familiar sly smirk tugged at her lips.

Jaune's embarrassment melted into a sly grin of his own. "Yes, but you never know. These things do just… happen."

Emerald paused, expression softening. She took a slow breath. "Jaune… I grew up all alone. I don't want that for Amethyst."

His cheeks colored deeper, but his eyes were steady and warm. "Then we'd better make sure she never has to feel that way, shouldn't we?"

She smiled—small, hopeful, real. Then her gaze flicked down to her post-baby body in the simple T-shirt and jeans. "Though… um… I know I'm… chubbier than I was—"

Jaune cut her off gently. "I'm gonna stop you right there, Em. If you think a few extra curves are going to turn me away, you must be mistaking me for someone else." His hand slid to her thigh and gave a playful squeeze. "Newsflash—I'm very into that."

Emerald's breath hitched, a slow, heated smile spreading across her face as she pulled him down toward the bed.

- - -

Written with RedDragonEmpress's help.

 

[TheFabulousCustodes]

Thicc Emerald is good civilization....

 

[AndrewJTalon]

After the meal, May and Jaune walked out of the restaurant. The sun had set and the stars and moon were shining overhead as the sun slowly slipped behind the mountains. They held hands, walking together along the street. They wandered into a nearby park, May shivering a bit. Jaune, concerned, looked at her and made to remove his jacket. She shook her head and smiled warmly back at him.

"This… This was great," she murmured. "I-I'm really happy right now."

"So am I," Jaune admitted. He sighed softly, as May looked at him in concern.

"Are you all right, Jaune?"

"Just…" He shook his head. "Just tired, I guess. Like I can't be scared or nervous, so… I'm just tired. Not because of you!" He added quickly, holding up his hands. "Not you. Just…"

May slowly nodded, smiling gently.

"I know what you mean," she said softly. "This was fun though. I-I've never had fun like this before."

"Yeah," Jaune smiled warmly. "It's a good tired."

A mugger popped up, brandishing a knife.

"Hey! Hand over your money and nobody gets hurt!" He growled.

The two teens passed by him. The thief blinked.

"Huh?"

"And well, even with all this craziness," May chirped, "I'm glad of everything. Still… Ten children?!"

"HEY!" The thief shouted, running after them. He got in front of them again, "Give me your damn money!"

"My mom had eight," Jaune reminded her, absent mindedly handing the thief a few lien, "She's just fine."

"True," May hummed, "And she became a doctor too! That's really impressive!"

"She did cheat with her Semblance a bit," Jaune said.

The thief, outraged, ran up in front of the couple and waved his knife under their noses.

"HEY! Are you not getting this?! If you don't give me all of your money, I'm going to stab you!"

"Hm? Oh, do you need more money?" May asked, concerned. "You poor man! You're so dirty and thin! You must need some food!"

"I don't need food! I need to rob you both!" The thief snarled. He thrust his knife at Jaune's chest… And Jaune caught it in his bare hand. He tightened his fist, and the blade snapped in half. He let his hand open, the blade falling and clattering on the sidewalk.

The thief blinked. His mind slowly put the dots together, far, far too late.

Oh, they're Hunters in training… From Beac-

May's fist impacted the side of his head, and he stopped thinking entirely as he slammed into the grass, out cold. May scowled down at him.

"That's no reason to try to stab someone! In Vacuo you need to declare a duel first at least!" She sniffed. "So rude!"

"Uh, yeah," Jaune nodded. May flushed.

"Oh um… Did you want to knock him out? I'm sorry…"

"No! No, that's fine," Jaune said quickly. "Honestly, it's been a while since someone tried to mug me. Now that my Aura's unlocked, it's like, I don't even notice it."

Maybe that said something about his ability to register threats? Was he getting better or worse? Honestly though, someone without Aura trying to mug people in Vale was probably more of a danger to himself than anyone else.

"I know right?" May said with a smile. "Despite everything… That part of our lives is pretty amazing."

"It is," Jaune agreed with a nod. He squeezed her hand tightly. She beamed, blushing brightly. She leaned in, trembling a bit, trying to keep her eyes on his.

"May?" Jaune asked softly. May shook her head rapidly and pulled back.

"S-Sorry," she mumbles, "I'm… I'm trying to… I'm trying to…!"

"Hey, it's okay," Jaune said quietly. "I mean… I'm pretty freaked out too."

May looked up from under the brim of her hat.

"Am… Am I… Am I not attractive?" May asked gently. "I-I mean… When Winter kissed you and all, I… Um…"

Jaune shook his head. He leaned in, reaching up to cup her chin. May's face turned an even brighter red.

"No! No… May, I swear," he whispered, "You're absolutely gorgeous. I just… I'm afraid of starting this war up all over again."

May slowly nodded.

"I… I get that," she murmured. "It's all very complicated. But I… I don't think we have much of a choice. And…" She looked determined, and leaned in, "And I… I-I want everyone to win… But I want to really win…!"

"Win?" Jaune murmured… As May leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Her warmth flowed into him, and his arms went around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Winter's kiss was more experienced, strategic, almost machine like in its power and efficiency-Not in a bad way though! Just very aggressive, like a soldier staking her claim. May's was inexperienced, gentle, and shy, but sweet. Jaune held his hand up to cup her cheek, and she leaned in. The warmth was so comforting, and so electrifying...

Jaune's Scroll went off with a loud, fast paced tune from a Fuujin anime series he loved. He pulled back from the kiss and winced, as May jumped back and tried to hide in her hat again. He sighed, and pulled out his Scroll. His eyes widened a bit at the ID name, and he opened it up.

"Professor Goodwitch-I mean, um, Glynda? What is it?"

Glynda heaved a soft sigh.

"It's actually policy to contact the parents of students who severely misbehave," Glynda said. Jaune frowned.

"Oh? Uh, I guess that makes sense… So… Um… Who misbehaved? And how?"

"All of them, save for Mister Arc-Sarkara," Glynda said. Jaune's eyes widened in disbelief.

"And… What did they do?" Jaune asked slowly.

"Blew up Mount Glenn," Glynda stated, sounding exasperated. Jaune blinked several times.

"… Even Dorothy was in on it?"

"She helped cover for the others," Glynda stated flatly. "We're gathering everyone in the headmaster's office."

Jaune sighed.

"I'll be there soon," he said, looking regretfully at May. She was still blushing and shy, but she nodded.

"Thank you," Glynda said quietly. "See you soon."

The call ended. Jaune looked over at May and shrugged.

"Sorry."

"I suppose that's, um, how it is to be a parent," May admitted, her eyes lightly glowing. She shook her head. "August! You can come out now!"

August dropped down from a tree, sighing heavily. He stood up and held his hands up.

"Sorry Mom, Dad," he apologized, "But you know… I wanted to make sure everything went well."

"I get it," Jaune said, only slightly annoyed. "Still, did you know anything about Mount Glenn?"

"Not about Theodore's plan to blow it up!" August said quickly. May and Jaune stared at him intently. He coughed. "I probably shouldn't have said that. Or that Grandpa and Grandma are watching us too!"

Arjun and Saia emerged from behind a tree behind Jaune and May. Jaune flushed as May turned bright red.

"M-Mother! Father!" May squeaked.

"Now now, we're just keeping an eye on you," Arjun said kindly, holding up his hands with a small grin. Saia nodded.

"Just to keep you safe," she added.

"And you didn't interfere with the mugger because?" Jaune posed. Saia shrugged.

"Violence can help bring couples together. Worked for Isabel and Nick, after all!"

"And us," Arjun chuckled.

May blushed brightly.

"I… I guess I can't argue with that," she mumbled. Jaune sighed.

"Let's get back to Beacon."

"Quickly," August emphasized.

"And where's Penny?" Jaune asked, scanning around.

Arjun's eyes glowed as he swept around.

"Ah. She's distracted," he observed.

"By what?"

- - -

On the rooftop overlooking the park, Penny Polendinia was looking through coding by a certain Schnee heir. She sighed happily.

"So sublime, the way he writes his functions," she shook her head. "Maybe I could let him look at my basecode? At some point..."

"PENNY!" Jaune bellowed.

Penny yelped. She looked down at the park. She flew down, landing nearby Jaune with a smile.

"Salutations friends! Apologies: Did I miss anything?" She looked down at the unconscious mugger. "Who is that?"

"Never you mind," Arjun chuckled. "Let's get back to Beacon, shall we?"

Penny hummed thoughtfully, but nodded.

"If you say so!"