Chapter 12

I suppose it would have been too easy for everything to magically work out as soon as I decided to take my role more seriously. To be a good partner, husband, whatever you wanted to call it, and whatever that meant. I really did want to improve, to try my best.

Instead, I think I just managed to tear open another rift between me and Ruby.

Right after we fixed the first one.

It really would be nice for everything to work out.

Whether she was cowed by my threat to report them or compliant out of loyalty to me, Ruby dropped the idea of training to become a huntress again. I should have felt happy about it, but instead, I just felt… sick. I forced her against her will, and we both know it. She never said anything, but her quiet resentment was palpable, and it dragged on for days. After what I've done, I can't even blame her. That doesn't make our day to day life any less uncomfortable.

A couple of times I almost relent, but every time I'm struck with a vivid vision of her beaten and tortured, once-bright eyes now dull and lifeless, paraded through the streets as an example to others. Once, it would have been a farfetched exaggeration. Nowadays, with the tension that grips Vale, I'm not so sure.

Maybe what I'm doing is wrong, but if it keeps us safe, it's a villainy I'll bear.

All the same, I'd rather do everything I can to mend our relationship a little more, and about a week later, inspiration strikes. With Ruby out of the house, I'm free to call a number I feel like I've been relying on far too much.

A clear, sharp voice responds almost immediately. "Weiss speaking."

"Hey Weiss. It's Jaune."

"Yes, I can see that. What I would like to know is why you're calling me. Unless, against all my assumptions, what you most desire is simply an idle chat."

I wince. "Sorry, it's not. Um, am I catching you at a bad time? I can call back later."

"Not a particularly bad time. No worse than normal, anyways." She sighs. "If not an idle chat, what is it?"

"Are you free this weekend?"

"I'm never free. What I can do, however, is make time. For what purpose?"

I grin sheepishly. Not that she can see it. "Would you believe me if I said shopping?"

::-::-::

"I cannot believe you," Weiss fumes. We're walking through one of Vale's shopping centers, the midday sun beating down on us mercilessly. A crowd of people also rushing to shop strangled us from all sides. We have no more than a few feet between us and other people. I dodge to avoid a pedestrian that shoves his way down the street just a little too quickly to be considered safe.

"I feel like I hear that a lot."

"Did you consider that maybe if you weren't so unbelievable you wouldn't hear it so much?"

"Fair point." Another dodge. "So what's the issue this time?"

A much larger man roughly shoulders past Weiss, sending the heiress stumbling a few steps, signature white skirt whirling around her legs. She plants a withering glare into his retreating back.

"Let me get this straight. You essentially blackmailed Ruby into doing what you want, and you think that buying her a gift is going to fix everything?"

"Look, I'm not proud of it either, so can we agree that I'm at least trying to improve the situation?"

The withering glare is turned on me. "At a certain point, Jaune, 'I tried' stops being a sufficient excuse."

I return her irritation, her needling finally getting to me. "For Oum's sake, Weiss, this isn't some, I don't know, some stupid school project where we can screw up and redo it. Our lives are at stake, and I'm not–" I cut myself off as I remember there are people around us. Even worse, we're drawing attention. I'm pretty sure I catch the phrase 'lover's spat.' Once upon a time, the insinuation that I would be the lover of a girl as beautiful and fierce as Weiss would have drawn a blush. Nowadays, the only thing a mention of love elicits is an intense desire to punch the person who said it.

"Well," I finish lamely. "Not – You know."

Weiss drops her gaze before I do. "I… I actually understand your point, if that helps. I just think there has to be a better way."

I sigh, suddenly more tired than angry. We stroll on, ignoring the people around us, and they lose interest quickly when it's clear there will be no more drama. "I'm open to suggestions. Wanna swap places?"

"Please. The first social party you'd have to attend would tear you apart."

I blink in surprise. "Social parties? You're still going to those? Even as a huntress?"

"Yes, well, since his brilliant elder daughter joined his rival in a fit of teenage rebellion, father is very eager to leverage his wonderful second daughter's esteemed position as Grimm-bait to make himself out as the nobly sacrificing parent," Weiss spits out. "And if the head of the SDC wants something done, not much other than a Council majority can overrule it."

"That's…" Terrible. Merciless. Inhumane. "Tough. I'm sorry." Smooth, Jaune. Real smooth.

"Don't be. I was born into it. I know how to handle it by now."

Yes, I muse, that's exactly why you sound like you're about to cry every time your family comes up.

I want to give her a hug, but the only thing that would earn me is an elbow to the gut, so I drop the subject, content to follow her expert navigation through the sea of people.

"So," Weiss finally asks as we draw into a clearing in the crowd. "What shop did you want to hit first?"

My response draws one of her eyebrows so far up it's almost hidden by her hair. "A jewelry shop."

::-::-::

We eventually settle on a quaint shop just off the beaten path. When we enter, we're greeted with the sight of a clean, bright room. Sunlight lights up the walls from a series of windows that stretch from the floor to the ceiling. The lone employee – an elderly, balding man – looks up as we enter. After a wave and an incomprehensible mumble of greeting, he returns to swiping a cleaning cloth over the display cases.

I swear I've seen him before. Is it just me, or does this guy work at half the shops in Vale?

Weiss glances around the shop before striding towards a case with a satisfied hum. "I misjudged you. This is… a surprisingly serviceable idea."

I gasp with theatrical exaggeration. "Who are you and what did you do with Weiss?"

She rolls her eyes. "Very funny. I'm sorry I said anything." A pause. "Am I always that harsh?"

"Not usually, no."

"And why do I hear a 'but sometimes' in there?"

"No comment."

"Smart man."

Even though it's nothing but a fast quip, her words give me pause. Smart… me? I wish. Ever since this whole debacle began, I swear it's been nothing from one misstep to another. Any little progress I've made, I wipe out with the next bad decision. Have I done anything right?

But when I look back, what could I have changed? What should I have done differently?

What could I have done differently?

"Jaune?" Weiss breaks me from my thoughts, expression tinged with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah, sorry. Just made me think about how badly I've botched everything."

She's silent for a while, brow furrowed in thought. "Why do I feel like you've said this before?"

"I mean, it's true, isn't it?"

"Have you really made mistakes? Or are you just forced to choose between two terrible options?"

I've made nothing but mistakes almost leaves my mouth, but it doesn't. Maybe because I don't really believe it. It's… it's definitely a nice thought. That maybe all I've done is make the best of the rotten lemons I've been given.

Rather than answer, I make my way over to one of the cases. A neat, organized array of precious metals and glimmering jewelry perches on carpet of purple and scarlet cloth. Before I can comment, Weiss sidles up next to me.

"Something caught your eye?"

I shake my head, then move onto a different case, dissatisfied by what lies before me. "I know a diamond is traditional, and one day I'll get her one, but right now… I don't know. I want to try something a little experimental."

Weiss releases an exaggerated shudder. "And all of a sudden, I'm very nervous."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Free of charge. You're welcome."

I chuckle. "Do you think the fact that half of our conversations are witty exchanges might be a problem?"

"Would you rather I simper like the air headed women – and men, now that I think about it – that I have the misfortune of tolerating at my father's parties?" Weiss asks, eyes shining with a vicious light.

I try to imagine Weiss simpering. The image is nauseating. "Please don't."

"Why, are you sure, Jaune?" Weiss's words drip with toxic honey. "Because it's just such a wonderful experience, and I would so hate to rob a man of your exceptional… caliber."

"Please," I beg. "Please, please, please stop, and never do that again."

Weiss snaps back to her usual cold, controlled self, but I see the glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "I told you that you wouldn't survive the first party."

"And you were absolutely correct."

"Aren't I always?"

"Usually, yes."

A smile pulls at the corner of her mouth. "And why do I hear a 'but sometimes not' in there?"

"Why, I can't imagine why you would hear that, Weiss darling. Surely a woman of your… pedigree shouldn't be inventing things that simply aren't there."

"You're right," Weiss comments off-handedly. "That's disgusting."

"Glad you see it my way."

::-::-::

About half an hour into my searching, I finally find it. It is a small, brilliantly red gem on a simple gold ring. It should be lost among the ostentatious shimmer of much larger, more valuable gems, but it gleams with an inner light that none of them possess. Like it calls out to me, and I have no choice but to follow its voice.

Somehow, it feels very appropriate.

"I assume you found something you like?" Weiss calls out.

"Come take a look."

She strides over and immediately realizes what caught my eye. "A ruby. For Ruby. Are you serious?"

I struggle for words, not sure how to describe the pull the ring has on me. "Honestly, until you put it that way, I thought it was a good idea." But her approval doesn't matter. I know this is the one I'm going with. Awkward, dorky, lame, whatever. It's me.

Weiss's response is probably as close as I'll get to her approval. Or at least her tolerance. "It's so cheesy that it might actually work." She waves one perfectly manicured hand over at the shopkeeper, who strolls over obediently. After a quick word, he unlocks the case and gently places the ring in Weiss's open palm.

"You can do that? Like, that's allowed?" I gawk.

She shrugs. "If I want it done, it's done. Simple."

That is simultaneously the most logical and the most unfair statement I've ever heard. Or at least for today.

Weiss examines the ring with a critical, expert eye. Apparently she likes what she sees, because she gives an approving nod. "You may be interested to know that this isn't a completely natural ruby. I'll spare you the details, but it's basically grafted with a specifically manufactured core of giant fire dust crystals. It's an experimental process, but the quality is exceptional. You have a good eye."

"Thanks. It was developed by seven–" I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. "Seven sisters. I can't help but pick things up. Although I can't imagine they would approve."

"When you see them again," Weiss says. When, not if. "Feel free to tell them that the SDC heiress approves of their taste."

I manage a small smile. "I'll be sure to do that."

::-::-::

After I purchase the ring and a case – a little pricey in total, but much better than I feared – I spend a little more time perusing the store's jewelry. When a much, much lower price tag jumps out at me, I turn back for a second look. The price is for a pair of simple, silver rings – maybe not even pure silver, possibly a cheaper alloy or imitation metal. A simple, winding design of intertwining vines is carved into both of them.

I read the description carefully, right as Weiss leans in to take a closer look.

"Friendship rings? That's a thing?"

"Apparently. It wouldn't surprise me if they were repurposed wedding wings that just didn't sell." She hums in curiosity. "Want to buy one for me?"

I…

Uh…

There's no way I heard that right. Right? Right. So I'm just going to casually pretend I didn't hear anything–

Weiss suddenly sighs, one hand coming up to punch the bridge of her nose. "I said that out loud, didn't I."

"Yes. Very much yes." Hello, gears in my head. Please start turning again. Thank you. "Um, you're not serious, are you?"

"Of course I'm not serious," Weiss snaps, words slurring together in an uncharacteristic rush. "It was a poor attempt at levity that I briefly considered in a sleep deprived lapse in judgement. And apparently said. I'm sorry it slipped out."

"Are you– are you blushing?"

"Of all the impertinent– I do not blush!"

Oh, you were totally blushing, don't even try to deny it.

Before I can fire off a retort, a brief chime signals the entrance of another customer. Weiss and I both pull our attention to the door. Two heads poke over the display cases, one black haired, one blonde.

Well. Isn't this quite the coincidence?

"Blake?" I gasp. Her gaze snaps to me in an instant, her heightened hearing picking up my voice across the whole store.

"Jaune?" Her face lights up in a beaming smile – or at least a wide grin, which is pretty much the same thing for Blake – and she rushes over to meet me, only to stop dead in her tracks when she notices the other girl in the shop.

"Schnee."

Weiss's response is no less frigid. "Belladonna. What a… surprise, to see you here."

"Trust me, I'd love to minimize our meetings."

I interrupt, desperate to reinstate some facsimile of peace. "I, uh… so you two know each other?" It was a lame attempt at defusing the situation, especially because I already knew that yes, they did in fact know each other, but the palpable tension between the two girls honestly caught me off guard. I was always under the impression Blake had a favorable opinion of Weiss. Apparently, favorable in this case was only relative to her family. Which just meant 'barely tolerable' instead of 'detestable.'

"Oh yes. We keep meeting." Weiss comments acerbically. 'Unfortunately' barely, barely goes unsaid.

"Careful. You wouldn't want to be caught associating with a dirty faunus, princess."

There's something wrong here. Both of their responses are so passive aggressively inflammatory that I have trouble believing that Weiss and Blake, two of the most outwardly controlled people I know, have resorted to needling each other in a public storefront. Are tensions between the White Fang and the SDC unusually strained right now? It would explain the outright hostility I'm currently witnessing.

Right before the passive aggression turns into – well outright aggression – the most unlikely of heroes steps in to save the day.

"Ladies, ladies, is now the time to be fighting?" Sun drawls. He lays one muscled arm across Blake's shoulders, and when she shrugs him off, he only chuckles. "I mean, look, you have one incredible hunk of a man right in front of you, and he's all for you to enjoy."

"You," Blake cries in exasperation, her spat with Weiss temporarily forgotten, "are such a dork."

"Someone has to balance you," Sun counters with a sly wink.

Oooh, that was smooth.

See, this is why life is so unfair. My brother dork somehow gets blessed with the smoothness of melted chocolate, and I –

Let's not talk about me. Let's just say I don't.

Isn't that ironic? The guy who's actually married can't say something romantic to save his life, and the actually romantic one isn't even –

Wait a second.

"So, uh," I gesture vaguely to the jewelry around us. "Are you guys here to buy…?"

"Absolutely," Sun crows, a huge smile nearly splitting his face.

Blake rolls her eyes. "As friends. I promised I would go along with his whole 'friendship ring' thing if we survived twenty missions."

"Ah come on babe. All this time and you still haven't succumbed to my charms?"

"Every time you call me babe, you get further away from succeeding."

Sun says something else, probably jokingly mournful, but it goes unheard, because my mind is still whirling at one of the first things he said.

Twenty missions?!

There was a joke I once heard, if you could even call it that. It was something along the lines of "a good hunter measures their life in days. The best hunters measure it in weeks."

To survive twenty missions…

Incredible. The White Fang deserve their reputation.

"And by the way, ma'am," Sun protests. "Maybe have a little more faith. Not if we survived twenty missions. When. There was never any doubt."

"Whatever."

I look at Blake, a small smile playing around her lips, then at Sun, eyes dancing with glee, his sole focus on the girl next to him.

I wonder if they have all the same relationship problems that Ruby and I do.

And before I can stop myself, a poisonous, jealous voice continues. Why does everything go so well for Sun?

I'm immediately ashamed. Sun and Blake risk constantly risk their lives to a degree that I can barely comprehend. They deserve any scrap of happiness they can eke out of their lives.

But I can't control the thought.

Weiss's icy voice breaks me out of my reverie."If you're here for such a purpose," she sniffs, "these so called 'friendship rings' are right here. Jaune and I were about to leave, so I'll be happy to leave you to it."

"Much appreciated," Blake fires back, not the slightest bit warmer.

I look at Sun. He looks back at me.

"Have fun?" I offer with a weak grin.

"Thanks brother. Appreciate it. Say hi to the missus for me!"

I hope he's talking about Ruby. I also hope he never, ever calls her that again.

Missus? Really?

::-::-::

We step out onto a quiet road bathed in soft orange sunset light, leaving the two lovebirds (love Faunus?) to their fun. I turn to the girl next to me. Weiss scans the road, sharp as ever, but she relaxes when she notices my gaze.

"Yes?"

"Thanks so much, Weiss," I say, words painfully earnest. "Seriously. For everything. I can't ever repay you, but please let me know if there's anything you need."

"Forget it. I don't demand repayment from paupers." She manages to hold a straight face for a moment, but then is overcome by a subdued chuckle.

How did I every make such a good friend?

"For what it's worth," she continues, once again serious. "I… I hope this works for you. You and Ruby… well. You know. I think you're both – both right, in a way."

I take a deep, shuddering breath. "So do I. That's what makes it harder. I understand why she feels the way she does."

"But you don't think it can happen. Training, being hunters, and everything else."

"No. I know it can't. No matter how much we might wish otherwise."

She stares into the sunset, quiet, pensive. I match her.

"Good luck, Jaune. If nothing else, you're a… well, a good guy. Mostly."

"You told me that 'I tried' isn't good enough," I comment, suddenly exhausted. "But that's all I have to offer."

"Then do so. Tonight."

I laugh, the irony of the situation suddenly apparent. Weiss glares at me, eyes dangerously narrowed.

"And just what do you find so funny?"

"Sorry, sorry," I say. "It's just that for all that you hate each other, you and Blake offer really similar advice."

Weiss sighs. "What an unfortunate coincidence."

A/N:

IT'S A ME, MARIOOOOO

So yeah, I'm not dead, and neither is this story. I'd apologize for the long update gap, but you're probably all tired of that song and dance; so here's the deal. I'm working full time now (oh boy adulting), which means putting a lot of time into writing is difficult, but I also really want to finish Eugenics before I'm 70. What this means is that you guys get (cough much cough) shorter chapters, but you also get them more than once every 8 months. Good trade? I hope so.

With the new chapter length, I'm aiming to update every 3 weeks or so, but no promises.

For those of you who left reviews or PM'd me to check on the story status, thank you. You're a large part of the reason why I'm back.

Also a big thanks to everyone who stuck around, and welcome to all the newcomers. Buckle in, cuz the only speed we have from here is 'faster.'

Please review! Putt putt.