Chapter-55

The day of Amity's launch was upon them.

Until this moment, its existence had been a well kept secret but now that it was mere hours away, General Ironwood began informing key individuals about what was to come. At the strike of noon, the world would be connected once more, and it was up to Atlas to inform the other kingdoms of the happenings within its border, and to usher in a new age; an age which acknowledged the existence of Salem, Queen of the Grimm.

Jaune watched as technicians scrambled around the studio, hauling cable, setting up cameras, positioning lights, the room filled with chatter. A large desk had been constructed, long enough to seat several key personnel, chief among them the upper brass of the Atlesian Military, the sitting members of the Atlesian council – and the newly elected voice of Mantle, a new position created to facilitate swift communication between the two cities who shared Solitas as their home, two sides of the coin that made up the Kingdom of Atlas.

That elected individual? Robyn Hill, of course. There was no one else more suited for the job.

The council ordinarily held five seats to avoid a hung vote and that remained true. General Ironwood held two of those seats by virtue of being Headmaster of Atlas Academy and General of the Atlesian Military. Councilman Sleet held the third position while Councilwoman Camilla held the fourth. The fifth spot had been the seat that Jacques Schnee had attempted to steal with his alliance with Arthur Watts but now belonged to Robyn Hill, the role changed to encompass Mantle as a whole and could only be held by a representative from the lower city.

If there was any time to bring about such a change, it was now. Understanding between the two cities was at an all time high and when the news was announced, it was met with almost no push back. A couple of months ago, this would have been unthinkable.

It was a cunning move by Ironwood – and in Jaune's opinion, the right call.

Robyn Hill was due to make an appearance soon. It also meant that Fiona Thyme would be present.

It was one of the main reasons why he was here.

"Look at them go," Ruby said with awe, watching the mad scramble alongside him. A stressed out personal assistant nearly tripped over the newly laid cable and spilled the tray of coffees they were carrying but managed to correct themselves at the last moment, simply stumbling awkwardly as they regained their balance. Her cheeks burned furiously as she scuttled away, knowing that Jaune and Ruby had seen it happen. "I feel sorry for them."

Jaune chuckled. "Yeah. Me too."

Audio engineers were positioning microphones and testing their equipment while the camera operators made sure everything was working as intended, eyes glued to the screen. Set designers were debating the positioning of key stage props and the color scheme, feeling that the sterile white was too cold and unfeeling while a person placed information packets on the desk, arranging name plaques to designate where everyone would be sitting.

"This is pretty intense," Jaune added.

Ruby smiled at him. "What are you going to do when communications are back up?"

"I think... I better call my folks," Jaune sighed. When was the last time he had spoken to his parents? Heard the loving warmth in his mothers voice? The stern but concerned rumble of his father? "I can't remember the last time I spoke to them. They'll be worried sick." They weren't the only ones. "And my sister's... I need to call Saph and the others, or I'll pay for it the next time I see any of them."

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, I need to call my dad. He must be pretty worried by now." She paused for a few seconds. "I also need to tell him he is going to be a granddad."

Jaune's face twitched, something that didn't escape a certain pair of silver eyes.

"Do you... have to tell him?" Jaune asked unreasonably.

Ruby snorted. "Sure. Maybe I can just show up with a swollen belly. That would be much better."

He'd managed to continue avoiding Qrow but Winter Schnee had already made it clear that his life was forfeit if he hurt Weiss. Taiyang... well, he didn't know much about Ruby and Yang's father but something he did know was that the man was very protective of his little girls. Little girls that Jaune had ruthlessly knocked up, back to back.

"Yeah, no – don't do that," Jaune revised. "That will just make it worse. Maybe we can just... never see him again, so he doesn't know..."

Ruby giggled. "You're so silly."

"I'm just trying to ensure that my head stays where it is."

"You'll be fine," Ruby slapped him on the butt. Jaune jumped. "He'll just... beat you up a little."

Jaune sagged. "Thanks. That is filling me with a ton of confidence."

"Hey, you should have thought of that before you stuck that fat thing inside me," she teased, poking him in the hip. "Then you wouldn't have to fight my dad to the death for my hand."

"Wait, what?"

"Custom on Patch," Ruby nodded sagely. "Since you dishonored me – and Yang – you have to fight our father to the last. Ancient tradition, no way around it. Didn't we mention that already?"

"Haha, very funny," Jaune deadpanned as Ruby snickered. "I'll totally beat your dad, anyway."

"Uh huh."

"I will!" Jaune said defensively. "I'm like... totally strong now and stuff."

"If you hurt my dad, I won't let you fuck me ever again."

Jaune arched an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you abstain. That would be hilarious."

Ruby frowned. "What do you mean? It'll be a piece of cake! Don't get a big head, mister. You aren't all that."

"Well, whatever," Jaune shrugged, looking away. "I'm sure Weiss would be more than happy to keep me company."

Ruby pouted. "Hey, no fair."

"Totally fair. If you're holding out on me, it's only natural that I go to my other girlfriends, right?" Jaune nodded. "Yep. Blake will look after me. She's a good girl."

"I'm a good girl!"

"Hmm," Jaune gave her a considering look. "I don't know... you try to appear all cute and innocent, but I don't believe it."

She scowled. "Just wait until Blake's parents find out about what you've done."

Jaune cringed. "Ah... shit."

Ruby giggled at his pained expression. "Now that I think about it, what customs do they practice on Menagerie? I know Blake said that we can all get married there but do you think her dad will be okay with that? Maybe you will have to fight someone to the death but it'll be Blake's dad, not mine."

Jaune jabbed her in the side, causing her to squawk. Several pairs of eyes briefly darted their way and Ruby flushed scarlet.

" Don't do that ," she whined. "Now they're all looking at me!"

"Good," Jaune sniffed. "You deserve it."

"What does she deserve?"

Turning towards the familiar voice, he was met with the amused face of the new voice of Mantle, Robyn Hill. A sudden hush came over the room as staff stared at the newly elected councilwoman. By her side, Fiona Thyme peered at Jaune with wide expressive eyes.

Suddenly his mouth felt very dry.

"Humiliation," Jaune managed to get out. "It's good to see you, -- uh, Councilwoman Hill."

Robyn pulled a face.

"You know – I thought being called that would be fine, but it makes me sound stuffy and old," she then sighed. "Guess I'll just have to get used to it. This is what I've been trying to accomplish all this time. It would be pretty poor of me to shirk my duty now, wouldn't it? It's good to see you as well, Jaune – and fully recovered, I hope?"

Jaune nodded. "Yeah. No lasting damage."

Robyn gave him a once over. "Well – I think I'm not the one you need to be talking to. I'll borrow Ruby for a few minutes, give you two some alone time."

"Uh, sure. She's all yours."

Ruby gave him a subtle wink as Robyn led her away, jerking her head at Fiona before giving him the thumbs up. He wasn't sure exactly but Jaune was confident that Ruby had just given her blessing. How far that blessing extended, he didn't know – but seeing as it was Ruby, it probably went as far as possible.

She really was enjoying this, wasn't she?

"Hi Jaune," Fiona said softly, her pale cheeks pinkening as they were left alone.

"Hey Fiona," he replied. "Uh – we should probably go somewhere a little more private, huh?"

When she nodded, he reached out and grabbed her hand. She blinked at him, startled – and didn't fight him as he pulled her along, her palm warm and soft against his own. Leaving the main studio area, they walked down a series of halls, passing by rooms filled to the brim with various equipment. Taking a set of stairs to the next floor, it was a lot less hectic here. Passing through an open office where journalists and reporters hurriedly wrote, re-wrote and then triple checked their work before starting all over again, faces filled with anxiety and stress, Jaune led Fiona to an elevator.

When the doors closed and they began ascending, Fiona leaned against his side.

"I"m glad you're okay," she whispered. Jaune squeezed her hand gently.

"How much does Robyn know?" he asked.

Fiona shook her head subtly. "A little. Not everything."

He waited a beat.

"I know about the pregnancy."

Pulling away, she peered up at him. Jaune met her eyes and saw little surprise.

"I figured someone would tell you," she mused. "I... the boy said he was really Headmaster Ozpin from Beacon, but I didn't believe him at first. But then I spoke with the others..."

They hadn't mentioned that they'd spoken to Fiona.

"He told you about the Temptation?"

She nodded.

"And... how do you feel about that?"

Jaune felt nervous and her careless shrug did nothing to assure him.

"A little scared," she admitted quietly, looking down so he couldn't see her face clearly. "Everything moved so quickly and you might not believe me, but I'm not the type of woman to just sleep with someone on a first date," she then laughed dryly. "Not that it was a date, exactly. We kidnapped you. You were our hostage. That is so much worse."

Jaune waited as she gathered her thoughts, giving her hand another squeeze, one she returned with equal strength. She might have been a tiny little thing but her hand was strong, firm.

"I needed time to process everything. I'm sorry I didn't visit you in the hospital," when she looked up, her olive eyes shone with regret. "I should have come but I didn't know what to say, what to do..."

"I know you've been busy," he soothed. "Mantle needed you."

"Even so, I had some spare time," she shook her head, her lambs ears swaying. It was very cute. "I should have come. I'm really happy that you're okay, Jaune. I was frightened that you were going to leave us alone."

"If you want me around," he said slowly. "Then you have me. I won't ever abandon one of my children."

She smiled, her entire face lighting up. "I know. I... don't really feel any different. Ozpin mentioned that my feelings may change after what happened to you but... they haven't."

Jaune swallowed. "He told me that it might have... influenced attraction that already existed. I know you mentioned that you would keep an eye on me whenever I had a mission in Mantle, watching me for Robyn..."

Fiona flushed cutely. "That's why I know that this is real. I remember having those feelings of admiration before. I thought you were handsome and kind for doing what you were doing, and that hasn't changed. I might have acted unlike myself that night but... I don't regret it. I would do it again."

"Even though it would mean getting pregnant again?"

This time she didn't answer with words. Rising up on her tippy toes, she leaned in and kissed him, her lips warm and soft. One of his hands fell to her hip, pulling her slender body against his front as he kissed her back, drawing a sigh from her mouth as he licked at the seam of her lips. They opened happily and their tongues twirled together, their lip-lock quickly becoming heated. Sloppy wet smacks filled the elevator as devoured one another with hunger, Jaune drawing her tongue into his mouth before giving it a suck.

Her body quivered, her soft moan going straight to his shaft. His cock swelled as he pawed at her ass, squeezing it as her small body rolled against him, her hot little panting breath stoking his lust.

"Mmnn~! Mmhnn~! Hnhh~!"

Jaune felt the elevator come to a stop as they reached the top floor, the doors sliding open. Two young interns blinked, taken aback at the sudden sight of two people passionately making out. Hearing their gasps, Jaune reluctantly pulled away, Fiona mewling in disappointment. She blinked at him with hazy eyes, her lips glossy with saliva, reddened from their kiss.

"Why did you..." she trailed off, only now noticing that they had an audience. "Ah!"

"Excuse us," Jaune said, leading Fiona out of the elevator. He felt their eyes follow them but he continued walking, face stinging a little from embarrassment.

"Oh my god," Fiona groaned, mortified.

He wasn't sure what this floor was for until he came across the open dining area, tables occupied with workers on their break. The view from the window was magnificent, overlooking the entire city but Jaune didn't stop to admire it. Fiona followed with hurried legs, almost skipping behind him as they continued on. Beyond the dining area was a lounge, and then beyond that were a series of well furnished rooms meant for hosting.

Jaune picked the first one and pulled her inside, quickly closing and locking the door before staring at Fiona uncertainly.

He'd brought her here without thinking, on instinct more than anything else. His cock throbbed between his legs, and there was no mistaking what it wanted, but Jaune was no longer ruled by his lustful impulses. Sharing a kiss was one thing but he was in a relationship now, and while they had accepted that these other women were going to be in his life, he wasn't sure how far that extended.

It was at this moment that he felt his scroll vibrate against his thigh and when he pulled it out, Fiona watched him curiously as he opened it up.

He had a message from Ruby.

It was in the new group chat they'd started, one just for Jaune and Team RWBY, a place they could communicate about relationship things without bothering Ren and Nora.

It was blunt and to the point.

Crater Face: Fuck her brains out.

Jaune blinked.

It didn't take long for someone to respond.

Black Cat: Who is he fucking now?

Ice Queen: Ruby, what is going on?

Crater Face: He's with Fiona. I'm just giving him some friendly encouragement.

Black Cat: ...that thieving bitch.

My Number 1: I'm so fucking jealous right now.

Jaune was confused for a second before realizing that at some point, Yang must have gotten hold of his scroll and changed her contact details. When or how she did that, he had no idea.

Ice Queen: Wait, aren't you two at the news studio?

Crater Face: Blake sucked his dick in an alleyway. This is better than that, right?

The next few lines were just Blake spamming angry face emoji at Ruby, and soon the chat was moving so quickly, he couldn't keep up, blowing up his scroll with a constant stream of messages.

A sudden giggle drew his attention and when he looked at Fiona, he saw her smiling at him with affectionate eyes.

"You look happy," she said.

"Do I?"

She nodded. "Did something good happen?"

He looked back down at the screen.

"I guess you could say that."

Black Cat: After you fuck her, you march your ass back here to Atlas Academy and fuck my brains out, got it?

Loud and clear.

Yet even though they appeared in agreement, Jaune felt a sliver of hesitation. Where once upon a time, not even that long ago, he wouldn't have even bothered to think about it too much and dived right in, it seemed that all he could do now was overthink things.

"Fiona..."

She noticed the change in his tone immediately. "Jaune? What's wrong?"

"This might sound a little strange but... what exactly do you want from me?"

She blinked, a little startled.

"What do you mean?"

Her voice was a little defensive and he realized that his question had sounded a little too much like an accusation. As if she was trying to get something out of him against his will.

"Sorry, I wasn't – I didn't mean for it to sound like that," he shook his head, annoyed that he'd made her think that, even for a second. "I just mean, what do you want us to be? I know we're having a kid together but – well, do you want more? Do you see us being together? You know about the others, so... you know this isn't exactly normal, right?"

She looked down, fiddling with her hands as she thought it over.

"I did just kiss you right now, you know?"

Jaune smiled. "Yeah, I know."

"But... I don't really know what I want," she sighed. "My first priority is this child growing inside me," she cupped her belly, still flat and trim, no hint of the life growing within – yet. "And I know you'll help in any way you can. Even if you hadn't said anything, I like to think I know you enough to understand you would never let your son or daughter grow up without a father. I've seen you with those other children. You're great with kids. Only death would keep you away."

Stepping towards him, she took both of his hands in her own. Her fingers were so small and delicate, slender, her palms soft and warm. Fiona caressed his knuckles with her thumb, rubbing his hands soothingly. Peering up at him, she smiled.

"As for us , as for a relationship... I do like you, Jaune. I like you a lot. I want to kiss you again," she admitted, eyes settling on his lips. "I'd even like to... do more . So much more. Having sex with you was amazing..."

He could hear the but coming.

"But... you're right, this whole situation isn't very normal, is it?" she giggled softly. "I think I need more time to think about it. As much as I would love for you to rip my clothes off and ravage me, that is the sort of thinking that got us into this mess in the first place, right?"

Jaune nodded. "Right."

"And I really want you to do that," she squeezed his hands. " Really . But maybe this should wait. I think I need to talk with the others and see how they feel about this before we make a decision."

Fiona was being very mature about the whole thing, and Jaune wasn't surprised at all. She was older than the rest of the women he'd been with – the only exception being Cerise – and despite her timid nature, she had a very good head on her shoulders. She was thinking about this seriously and while Jaune knew that the others were also treating it seriously, he could see how the members on Team RWBY could get caught up in the moment.

All four of them were very passionate people. Yang was wild, while Weiss and Blake may have projected a facade of calm and poise to the rest of the world, it only concealed their emotional core, something that both of them struggled to control when properly coaxed. Strangely enough, the youngest of them seemed to be the most level headed when it came to matters of the heart but Ruby was... something else entirely. She had zero qualms about sharing, and he wasn't sure if that stemmed from her family situation – her mother stepping in after Yang's had left – or what, but she was far from the norm in that regard.

As for Neon and Cerise... the former could get carried away, just like Yang. Their personality types weren't far off from one another. The latter... well, her greatest fear had been abandonment. In a way, she shared that with Yang as well... but it was a different type of abandonment. Not that of family but that of a lover. She had already been set aside once before, pregnant and young. The mother of two, soon to be three or even more, did not wish for that to happen again...

...yet she had tried to step aside.

For him.

And now Fiona was taking a more measured approach and if Jaune was completely honest, it was for the best. As much as he would like nothing better to bury his cock in that tiny, feminine body and make her wail her pleasure for the entire floor to hear, he needed to be smarter.

Like she already said; it was this type of thinking that got them into this mess in the first place.

"Okay," he said and she looked surprised that he had accepted it so easily. "What?"

"No, it's just..." she struggled to find the words. "You aren't mad or anything?"

"Why would I be mad?" he asked, perplexed. "You're right. I think it would be better if you talked to the others and had a serious conversation about all of this. Sometimes I feel like... that they tell me what I want to hear, not necessarily what they truly feel, you know? How far that extends, I don't know... but I think they would be more honest with you."

"We spoke a little, already... about things," Fiona bit her lip. "Not so much where we go from here, but about what happened to you. They were more welcoming than I thought they would be. Ruby seemed almost too pleased."

Jaune snorted. "Yeah, that sounds like Ruby."

"I thought... Weiss Schnee would be difficult," Fiona admitted, face falling. "I made some very unkind assumptions about her, based on her family... but she was also very accommodating and willing to talk. She was nice," Fiona then sighed. "I felt like such a bitch for thinking those things after that."

"You aren't the first one," Jaune assured her. "The actions of her father – well, they follow her and will continue to do so for a long time. But when people meet her, they'll quickly realize how amazing she is and how unlike her father she truly is."

She nodded. "Yeah. Yang was also pretty nice, though not as enthusiastic as Ruby and Weiss. I think she was still a little miffed that we kidnapped you."

"Yang can be very protective. She practically raised Ruby after their mother died."

"...Blake doesn't like me at all."

Jaune groaned. "Yeah... I don't know what to say about that. She told me she can be a jealous girl, once. Strangely, it only seems to flare up when it comes to other faunus women."

Fiona made a face of understanding. "Oh! That makes sense, I suppose. I should have thought of that earlier."

"What?"

"Cats can be very territorial," Fiona told him. "It can be an area, or a person they mark. After that, they can be prone to attacking those that get too close. Sometimes, though, it isn't everyone. Certain people or animals they consider family are allowed close, while strangers are rebuffed."

"Oh," he hadn't really thought about it that way before, mostly because... well, as much as they teased her, Blake wasn't actually a literal cat. Right? "Um – isn't she just a cat faunus, though? Does that apply to her?"

Fiona gave him a look that clearly said 'are you really questioning me about faunus?' that immediately made him feel foolish, but then she snickered at his contrite expression.

"A lot of faunus will claim that we aren't animals and they are right," she said. "Obviously. But they will also try and ignore the fact that we take many traits from the animals we resemble, not just physically. Some more than others, of course – but it isn't unusual for certain faunus to exhibit more powerful alignment to their animal side."

"Huh – I didn't know that," he learned something new every day.

"I know why they try to distance themselves from it. Humans have used it in the past to diminish us, reducing us and calling us purely animals as a way of discrimination and insult," Fiona looked sad. "Even so, it is a fact that we should not ignore – and it can explain certain behaviors. Even I – um, don't really like dogs or other canines. My instinct is to run from them, even when I know they are friendly. Because I'm a sheep faunus."

"Blake doesn't like dogs either."

"It might be just because she doesn't like dogs," Fiona admitted. "But it is more likely driven by instinct that she feels that way."

They'd gotten a little off topic, so Jaune steered that back on course.

"Maybe we could set something up. So all of you can meet and talk, I mean," Jaune said. "Neon and Cerise, as well. Did you meet them?"

Fiona shook her head. "I've heard of them. Ruby said there were others."

"When we get some time, I'll talk to them and set something up."

Fiona beamed. "Great."

Jaune had been fearing this conversation in particular, her absence making him nervous but in the end, it had worked out rather well.

"We should probably get back," he said. "I sort of pulled you here... er, without thinking."

Fiona smirked. "I think a different organ was doing the thinking."

He couldn't argue with that.

She suddenly looked shy, looking down. "Um – before we do..."

"What's up?"

She shuffled on the spot, her boots tapping together. "Could we... kiss one more time? In case it is the last time..."

He wouldn't say no to that.