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Being bedridden sucked. Yang was home from school, which should’ve been great, but she was alone. Her father was at work, and Summer was at work. Ruby could’ve been an option, but she was at some smarty-pants summer camp for future engineers. That meant Yang was all alone… With a broken leg. Upstairs. Great…
Her stomach grumbled and she tried to stand up, only to wince as her leg hurt. “Here, let me help.”
“Thanks, Jaune.” She sighed with relief as he picked her up with surprising ease. “Wait, Jaune! What are you doing here?!” Oh gods, he’d seen her messy room! Her comfy nightgown… Yang groaned into her hands.
“Your dad called and asked me to look after you for the day. It is summer break, after all.” Jaune explained as he gently carried her downstairs.
“Yeah, but don’t you have, I don’t know, winery stuff to do?” Yang asked, crossing her arms and glaring at him. She wasn’t upset, not at all, but she was embarrassed that one of the richest kids in Vale was inside her middle-class family’s cabin while she was in her nightgown.
He was even dressed casually! Well, casual for him, at least. A short-sleeved, button-up shirt and khaki slacks was basically casual for him. “No, that doesn’t start until next week. Gramps wanted me to see about starting an orchard here on Patch. I was in a meeting with the mayor when Mr. Tai called.and told me you were injured. Obviously, I came as soon as I heard.”
“Won’t your grandfather be mad?” Yang had only met the old man once (when Charles Arc donated an obscene amount of money to Beacon High). He was incredibly intense… He seemed to scrutinize everyone in their friend group and found them all wanting.
“Nah. He likes you! He thinks you’re a good influence on me.” Jaune smiled brightly before setting her down in a kitchen chair.
“I find that hard to believe.” Yang commented, watching with amazement as Jaune put on an apron and got busy with making breakfast. “Almost as hard as believing that you’re cooking breakfast for me.”
“Yang, I was raised on a farm. Literally. I didn’t know that my weird grandpa who always gave me adventure novels every time he visited was the richest man in Vale. My father wanted nothing to do with the family business, so Gramps gave him an old farm to tend as he saw fit. As it turns out, though, I have a good head for economics and business, so my father reluctantly let Gramps take me under his wing.” Jaune explained.
Honestly, that was the most Yang had ever heard Jaune say about himself. She was a little shocked that he was as open with her as he was. “That explains a lot, honestly.” She stumbled over her words a little but she was trying to sound relaxed. In reality, though, she was freaking out.
‘He’s totally my type…’ It might’ve just been her exhaustion or some kind of secondary effect, but she was falling head over heels for Jaune Arc. He’d seemed like some kind of rich kid when they’d met; just like all the others at Beacon High, but now it all made sense!
He was isolated there. The only boy who hadn’t grown up in the lap of luxury. They were alike in that regard. Yang was only a student because her birth mother, Raven, had set aside funds for Yang’s tuition. His awkwardness now became unfamiliarity; his brashness was just old-fashioned friendliness.
Honestly, there was something there Yang hadn’t seen before… Jaune dropped everything to come and care for Yang. A guy like that didn’t come around very often. ‘I guess… I guess I could enjoy this while it lasts. My personal Prince Charming…’
Yang blushed before looking down at her wrinkled nightgown and frowning. “I think I need to change—”
“Nonsense.” Jaune smiled. “You look as beautiful as always.” Yang’s blush deepened at that. Jaune’s face turned bright red as well. “W-Well. Here’s breakfast.”
Yang quickly dug into her food, enjoying how amazing it tasted. Like a little slice of home, despite the two of them not sharing a home. ‘Maybe someday…’ Her traitorous, longing mind thought as she took in the boy before her and imagined the man he’d become.
That could wait though. She could wait. For now, she’d just enjoy his company.
The End.