Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY.
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Follow-up Disclaimer Author Note:
Here's a heads up of what you're about to read.
This is an unconventional story style in that I leave most of the dialogue and imagery to you, the reader. If you've read my story 'An Affair or Something', this is the exact same sort of thing: something a bit too detailed to call a mere summary, but not your typical prose. If you read Writer Games, you know exactly what you're getting. Not least because this originally was from Writer Games.
This is the much longer re-do of the already large fill 'Meet the Arcs.' If you haven't already read it... don't. Mega spoilers for most of the plot are that way, and you should read this first. And if you have... well, you know the rough outlines of what you're getting, but not what's improved. And a lot has been added- enough to stand alone as it's own story.
Without further delay... the start.
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Title: Meet the Arcs
Summary: Ruby thought the hard part of dating Jaune was long over. They'd gotten their friends' approval. They'd gotten Yang's approval. They'd even gotten Dad and Uncle Qrow's approval, which had been only slightly more trying than confessing to Jaune in the first place. So meeting his family should be smooth sailing… right?
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It's the senior year of Beacon, and the semester before graduation. Jaune and Ruby have been dating for years, starting sometime after the Cinder/White Fang crisis of their freshman year. It was a Ruby-initiated courtship with the typical romcom-worthy backstory which they look back and laugh at, including Jaune's obliviousness to Ruby's initial interest and the trials of winning the approval of Ruby's team and family.
Things have been comfortable and good, and with finals already in the bag and graduation right around the corner Ruby has started to think about the future and wonder and hope that Jaune will be a part of it. Though neither of them have broached the topic, Ruby's thoughts are turning towards marriage- even though she and Jaune still haven't culminated their relationship. They're still both virgins, something that was has gotten Ruby increasing teasing and disbelief from her more sexually active friends and teammates. While Ruby has no problem being the last virgin of Team RWBY, she doesn't want to be an internal one or treated like a kid, and while she doesn't doubt Jaune loves her she occasionally fears he doesn't find her attractive or want her. These are passing thoughts, but put an edge of uncertainty in her dreams for the future.
Despite this, Ruby stills sees progress on the horizon. Having not returned home since leaving for Beacon, and after his family learned of the Lancaster relationship, Jaune is all but obligated to go home to a family reunion. With all of his seven sisters there, it will be the first time since Jaune ran away that the entire immediate Arc family will be reunited under one roof. Ruby, naturally, goes along- practically inviting herself before Jaune can extend the invitation. Despite her eagerness to introduce herself to his family, both Ruby and Jaune are excited and nervous.
For Ruby, it's the chance to clear that final hurdle that she sees between her and Jaune culminating their relationship- it's her chance to impress (and be accepted by) the family. Jaune had insisted on and suffered through her family's hazing when they first started, but she's never had the opportunity to meet his. Impressing them and getting their blessing could be just what she needs to push Jaune towards the more normal, sexually active, and completely committed relationship that her friends have. Disappointing them…
Jaune, though- Jaune might be more nervous than Ruby. Jaune ran away from home to come to Beacon. While he's been in contact with his family ever since competing in the Vytal Festival made his location public, he hasn't returned in years. It's something that clearly weighs on him. Jaune wants his family to be proud of him and what he's (almost) accomplished in passing Beacon, but he's weighed down by guilt over how he left them. It's a big bundle of 'it's complicated' that's only grown bigger the more he put this off. This has led to the gradual emergence of a 'Family First' mentality by Jaune, someone who may not be the best son but has appreciated his family all the more because of his absence and failures. If Ruby needs this reunion to go well so that she can cinch her relationship with Jaune, Jaune needs it in order to reconcile with his family. They both want and need this week to go well.
The Saturday night before they're to arrive, Jaune and Ruby share a hotel room where these dynamics are laid out. A cellphone call with RWBY establishes the chaste romance angle. Ruby and Jaune are both excited, and both worried, and both reassure and support each other. Ruby reminds Jaune of how far he's come since he arrived at Beacon, and Jaune has no doubt his family will like Ruby. When Ruby expresses doubt, Jaune reminds Ruby of the hazing he got from Yang/Uncle Qrow/Taiyang when they first started dating. If he won her family's approval over seven months, then the far more amazing and impressive Ruby Rose can win over his family in a week.
It's sincere and supportive, but Ruby's niggling insecurities catch on what isn't said. Jaune doesn't say what would happen if she doesn't win them over, or if they don't approve. She doesn't ask either, afraid she knows what the answer would be.
'Family first,' after all, means 'non-family last'- something driven in by an old and unappreciated joking tease in which Jaune makes a reference about wishing how his entire Top Ten could be here. Ruby is his number nine girl. Ahead of Pyrrha, but behind his seven sisters and Mother. The closest she can be without being irrevocable family.
With this on her mind, wanting something, anything, from Jaune that could approach that sort of commitment, Ruby subtly initiates an opening for sex. It fails, as always, as Jaune gracefully passes. He doesn't address it now, but they've talked about it in the past.
Their chaste relationship started reasonably enough. Ruby was a minor when they started going out, neither wanted an unplanned pregnancy to ruin their school plans before graduation, and there was the protective inclinations of Team RWBY. It started out of propriety, and it's been kept by habit. Though they share a bed and cuddle, and have even had 'accidental' exposures and light petting, Jaune's never taken it further. It was charmingly chaste at first, but frustrating now that Jaune isn't making the move she wants him to.
But it's a part of Jaune, and Jaune's words about needing rest to handle his family ring sincere, and so instead of being annoyed Ruby sees it as another obstacle to be overcome. Ruby resolves to make this family reunion go well, to move her and Jaune's relationship forward to the next level of familial approval, so that they can take it to the next level of commitment after that.
With an exchange of I-love-you's and sharing a goodnight kiss, Ruby and Jaune fall asleep together in the same bed, dreaming of the week to come.
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End Saturday
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Author Notes:
Welcome, readers new and old.
I'm the sadly typical sort of writer who has lots of long ideas I'll never write in full. Unlike a lot of people, however, I still enjoy planning and sketching them out- which means summaries longer than a lot actual fanfics. If you're worried that this is story is going to be a measly short, don't- we're looking at over 14 thousand words. That's longer than most actually written fics... and it's complete to boot. Cheers to that, and to longer chapters going forward.
If this story were ever to be released in full, one of the points of the design is that it would be released on a day-by-day parallel to the progress of the story events. This story begins on a Saturday, and each chapter tells the events of a day in the week (and a weekend) that follows. Which means nine days, nine chapters, and a nice sort of pacing. The real-world pacing is meant to emulate the in-setting pacing, and the drama (and effect for the reader) should be increased by the same. A gradual progression, rather than a rush of time acceleration.
So if you're a reader who's just starting this after it's initial release- I highly encourage you pace yourself. One chapter a day, starting on a weekend, and you'll have something nice to tide yourself over for a week.