[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

Dinner had been chaos.

The long table in the guest dining room of Beacon had been packed with future kids, current students, parents, and enough overlapping conversations to make anyone's head spin. Yang had smiled through most of it—there was something warm and right about the noise, the clatter of plates, the way little hands reached for seconds and bigger ones passed dishes without asking. A big family. The kind she'd sometimes let herself imagine on quiet nights when Ruby was asleep and the world felt too heavy.

But it was also exhausting.

So when the meal finally wound down and people started drifting off in smaller groups, Yang slipped outside into the cool evening air. The courtyard behind the dorms was quiet, lit by a few scattered lamps and the distant glow of Vale's skyline. She spotted Ruby sitting on a low stone bench near the fountain, hunched over her Scroll, silver eyes faintly glowing as she muttered to herself.

Yang strolled up behind her, casual as anything. "Careful, or else your eyes might open a portal to the punch dimension."

"ACK! Yang!" Ruby nearly dropped the Scroll, whipping around with a scowl that could curdle milk. "Don't do that!"

Yang snickered and dropped down behind her sister, leaning back against the bench so Ruby's back rested against her shoulder. "Sorry, sorry…" She gave Ruby's hair a gentle ruffle. "What's got you so ruffled, though?"

Ruby huffed, shoulders slumping. "Just… ugh. A lot of junk." Her eyes dimmed, but the tension didn't leave her posture. "I suck at using my eyes. Jaune's on a date with Pyrrha and Blake right now. And Dad… he's off fighting some dangerous psychopath."

Yang's smile faltered for half a second. Right. Gods, this harem shit is gonna be a nightmare if they can't even be okay with other "dates"… Seriously, what does Blake see in him? If the kids never showed up she would've never even gotten the idea—

Dangerous thoughts. She shoved them down and scoffed lightly. "What do you mean you 'suck with your eyes'? What, are you color blind now? Please tell me I'm still blonde to you."

Ruby deadpanned without missing a beat. "Nah. Barf green."

"Rats." Yang snapped her fingers. "Well, I can probably figure something out."

Ruby groaned and leaned harder against her. "But… ugh. It's just really hard. And I kind of have to figure it out to save the world…"

Yang's brow furrowed. "Okay, who the hell told you that?!"

"All the future kids told me…" Ruby's voice was small. "I'm like… key to saving the world."

Before Yang could answer, a familiar voice cut in from behind them.

"That doesn't mean you should push yourself so hard," Arjun said, stepping into the lamplight with a small smirk. Isabel stood beside him, arms crossed but eyes soft. "Especially when I told you to rest the rest of the day."

Ruby and Yang both yelped. "GYAH!"

Yang recovered first, twisting to glare up at him. "While knock-off Owlman—"

"Knock-off?!" Arjun's smirk twitched.

"—is right," Yang continued smoothly, "I'm gonna have a talk with all these kids who pressured you like this. Because that's just not cool."

Ruby sat up straighter, defensive. "They're not pressuring me! They all say the same thing—I helped save the world!"

Yang nodded. "Yeah. Helped. They said the same to all of us."

Arjun's expression gentled. "It's less that they're pressuring her and more that she's pressuring herself."

Ruby crossed her arms with a huff. "Hmph! You don't have to talk like I'm not here."

Isabel chuckled quietly.

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"Just… nostalgia," Isabel said, a fond but bittersweet look crossing her face. "You remind me so much of Summer."

Yang tilted her head. "It's the hair, isn't it?"

"And the putting too much pressure on yourself," Isabel added gently, "and not listening to people trying to keep you healthy."

Arjun stepped closer, voice steady. "Ruby. I have read through all the reports the kids put together. Yes, you are key to saving the world in every timeline… but that doesn't mean you are the only one involved. Nor that you have to carry all that weight alone."

Yang squeezed Ruby's shoulder. "Exactly. Seriously, who cares what they think? They're kids who see you as their mom or Aunt Ruby and a superhero. But you know whose opinion actually matters?"

Ruby glanced up. "…Mine?"

Yang shook her head, smirking. "No. Mine. And right now, my opinion is that you're being a dummy. Even if you do end up saving the world someday, you don't have to kill yourself over it. That won't work."

Before Ruby could protest, two more voices piped up from the shadows.

Julian scowled as he and Xia stepped into view. "Hey! I'm not a kid! I'm as old as Mom!"

Xia rolled her eyes. "And we're the same age, Mom!"

Ruby jumped. "GAH! What, are you also Owlman?!"

Yang's eyebrow twitched dangerously. "OI! Quiet! Look at what you guys did to your poor auntie/mother. For shame!"

Julian shrugged. "Which one? Robby Patterboy or Chris Bailingwire?"

Ruby blinked. "Eh? The Dusk Vampire guy and the guy from Valean Psycho? They become Batman?"

Arjun actually looked mildly impressed. "They survive the War against Salem? Huh. Go figure."

Yang just muttered, "Oi…"

Xia moved closer, her voice softer. "The thing is, Aunt Ruby… you do save the world. You're like, one of our heroes. But you don't do it alone."

Yang gave her daughter an approving nod. "Better."

Julian grinned. "Yeah! So please stop being dumb! Um… Mom."

Ruby pointed at him. "You can't call your mom dumb! You're grounded!"

Julian crossed his arms. "Nuh-uh! You already grounded me!"

Ruby puffed up. "Well you're double grounded!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

Arjun sighed, long-suffering. "And they're both as mature as Summer."

Isabel nodded. "Yup."

Yang turned to Isabel with a wicked little grin. "Hey, just wondering—I know parents aren't allowed to have favorite children, but am I allowed to have least-favorite nieces or nephews from fellow wives?"

Isabel's eyes widened. "What?!"

Yang waved a hand. "Ehhh, don't worry about it, I'll figure it out. Look, Ruby, there's a reason we're in teams, y'know?"

Ruby huffed. "Well, I don't like Xia!"

Xia's eyes immediately went shiny, lower lip trembling. "Aunt Ruby…"

"Ah!" Ruby gasped, going over to her and hugging her. "I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry!"

She saw Xia's grin, and scowled. "HEY!"

Yang fake-sniffed dramatically. "You're perfect…"

"Thanks Mom!" Xia sang happily.

Julian just crossed his arms with a hmph.

Before the chaos could escalate further, Arjun cleared his throat. "I have news about your father, girls."

Ruby and Yang both straightened. Arjun smiled. "Don't worry. It's good news."

Yang narrowed her eyes. "Us, or hers?" She nodded toward Xia.

Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Why would I have news about Jaune?"

Yang smirked. "You're telling me you don't have spies stationed, watching over him in case something goes down?"

Arjun's lips twitched. "…Clever girl."

He continued, voice steady. "Tai. He's all right. Lionheart escaped, but he left a massive bomb that would have blown up Haven—"

Ruby's eyes went wide. "WHAT?!"

Arjun held up a hand. "But Qrow's Semblance disarmed it."

Isabel let out a breath she'd clearly been holding. "Oh thank God…"

Yang frowned. "That doesn't sound right."

Ruby nodded. "Yeah… wouldn't it have sped up the timer instead?"

Yang pointed at her. "Yeah, that sounds more like what would happen to Uncle Qrow."

Arjun chuckled. "Well, 'disarmed.' It's more that his Semblance ensured the detonator malfunctioned and burnt out before it went off."

Yang relaxed a fraction. "Ah."

Ruby's voice was small again. "S-So… he's coming home soon?"

Isabel sighed. "I've told Qrow his Semblance may have depended on his mood. Many probability Semblances can respond to mental states."

Yang muttered under her breath, "He needs to get laid."

Arjun ignored that with practiced ease. "No. They're tracking Lionheart down. But they have backup. And I've assigned my most powerful warrior to aid him." His smile returned, warmer. "He saved my life a number of times. And we know Lionheart's abilities—what he's hidden from us. He will be fine."

Ruby looked down at her hands. "I… I still don't know why it took so long for you to talk to us. I'm sorry about this—"

Arjun shook his head. "No. A few conversations and a miracle of time travel won't erase all that pain. I understand, Ruby."

Isabel stepped forward and pulled Ruby into a gentle hug. "Yes… And some people just don't change, no matter what…"

The bitterness in her voice was quiet but unmistakable. Yang knew exactly who had caused it—Raven. She'd talked to her again, huh?

Yang scowled and turned away slightly.

Xia's small voice was worried. "Mom…?"

Yang forced a smile back onto her face, bright and a little too sharp. "Hm? Oh, sorry—running down the list of who would be willing to give Drunkle Qrow a shot and remembered that Glynda isn't… available. Which is so weird to think about. Got any ideas?"

Isabel deadpanned, "Well, if we could get Willow to stop ogling my husband for five minutes…"

Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Or yourself."

Isabel rolled her eyes. "She is not. You're ridiculous."

Yang barked a laugh. "HAH! That'd be hilarious. Weiss and Winter would blow a fuse. Can we make that happen?"

Ruby groaned, disappointed. "Yang…"

Yang held up her hands. "W-What? I'm just saying…"

Ruby turned to Julian. "Who does she end up with in our timeline, Julian?"

Julian beamed. "Uncle Qrow!"

Arjun actually looked pained. "…That's a disaster."

Julian shrugged. "I dunno, they seem happy."

Xia added helpfully, "She ends up with some Arminusian dude in mine."

Yang grinned wider. "See?! So it's possible! And it'd be entertaining."

Isabel sighed, long-suffering but fond. "Anything to make her stop ogling my husband."

Yang's grin softened into something warmer. "See? This is why you're my favorite mother-in-law."

Isabel gave her a flat look. "I'm your only…"

Yang's voice was quiet but sincere. "And I wouldn't trade you for a different one."

Isabel blinked. For a moment the older woman just looked at her—really looked—then a soft, genuine smile curved her lips. "Thank you."

The fountain bubbled quietly between them. Ruby leaned back against Yang again, tension easing just a little. Julian and Xia exchanged glances, the earlier chaos settling into something almost peaceful.

Yang let out a slow breath and wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders.

One step at a time.

- - -

Things had gotten weird with that paparazzi ambush, but they'd kicked the guy's ass and weren't going to prison, so Jaune was calling it a win. Still, the evening had veered far from the quiet, normal date night Pyrrha had hoped for. He walked with her toward the airship field.

Behind them, Penny and Xander followed.

"Pyr, again, I'm really sorry for how things turned out," Jaune said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know you wanted a nice quiet normal evening, but—"

Pyrrha turned to him with a radiant beam, her green eyes sparkling. "Well… Honestly? I had fun."

She leaned in closer, still grinning. "Being with you was fun, and fighting the paparazzi was great! I mean, it wasn't as exciting as actual combat but it was so satisfying!"

Jaune blinked, surprised by the enthusiasm. Pyrrha's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she realized how eager she sounded.

"Oh… Oh. Sorry. I guess I got a little carried away…" She glanced away, a touch sheepish. "Fighting always gave me a rush, and fighting that jerk was… fun…"

He felt a matching rush himself. The memory of them moving together in that chaotic scuffle—her grace and power complementing his raw determination—sent a warm flush through him. Jaune scratched the back of his neck, a small smile tugging at his lips as he blushed.

"Well… I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the fight."

Pyrrha grinned wider. "Yeah… Oh, Mother's probably going to be upset with me but… Worth it~…" Her voice dropped, playful and warm. "Especially for this."

She leaned in and kissed him. Hungrily. Jaune's thoughts scattered as he kissed her back, lost in the moment. He liked assertive Pyrrha. He liked assertive women, period.

The kiss broke too soon. Jaune instinctively tried to chase her lips, nearly stumbling before catching himself. Pyrrha's mischievous expression made it clear she knew exactly what she was doing—and that she loved the effect.

"Wow…" he muttered, dazed.

"HEY GUYS!"

They turned, still grinning. Nora approached, still holding all their festival prizes. The small family scanned around, along with Penny.

"Where's Ren?" Pyrrha asked, worry entering her voice.

Ren rounded a corner, slowly. At least they think it was Ren, given all the stuffed animals in his arms.

"Apologies," Ren said, "I didn't want to drop any."

"Awww!" Nora cried. She grabbed him in a hug… And all the stuffed animals fell to the ground. "AH! OH NO!"

Penny, Jaune, Xander and Pyrrha scrambled, catching them all. Ren sighed.

"Sorry," Ren said.

"Aw, it was my bad," Nora said, leaning in and kissing his cheek. He flushed. Jaune and Pyrrha shared a warm, goofy smile. Xander's smile was nostalgic… Until Nora kissed Ren on the lips.

"Oh no," he groaned, looking over at his parents, "Please… I'm scarred enough for life from you two…"

"Heh," Jaune chuckled, "I guess you know how I feel then?"

"Worse," Xander agreed.

"Ahem."

Jaune jumped and turned around. Blake stood there, looking stunning in a more purple, abbreviated version of her old Beacon dance dress. It hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating every elegant line. Her parents were behind her, smiling encouragingly.

Blake herself was staring intensely at Jaune, her cheeks light rosy pink.

"Hey Blake! Hey Mister and Mrs. Belladonna!" Jaune greeted on instinct.

"Hello Jaune," Blake said, her tone warm.

"Oh… Hello, Blake," Pyrrha said politely, though her tone carried a competitive edge.

"Hello, Pyrrha…" Blake replied, her voice silky. She strutted—slinked, really—right up to Jaune, taking his arm and holding it tightly against her. "I trust you had fun?"

"Oh yes… So much fun~…" Pyrrha purred.

"We'll have plenty of fun too," Blake shot back smoothly.

"I'm sure you will."

Nora opened her mouth, but Ren put a hand over it. Jaune shot him a grateful look, as Nora pouted.

"You look like you had a fun night," Kali observed with a small smile. Jaune and Pyrrha coughed.

"Ah, well… We got into… A fight or two."

Blake glanced at Pyrrha. "You got into a fight?"

"Oh… Just a little one. But Jaune and I handled it just fine~. Like proper partners."

"I see…" Blake's eyes narrowed slightly. Don't be impulsive, Blake. Don't be impulsively jealous over your future husband…

She took Jaune's hand and deliberately moved it over one of her breasts.

Squeeze~

"Ahn~…" Blake let out a soft, deliberate sound.

Jaune's eyes widened. "!!!"

Pyrrha's did the same. "!!!"

"Friend Blake!" Penny's eyes glowed with alarm. "I must object! This is not allowed! You are approaching the virginity threshold!"

Blake smirked. "What? Jaune is just touching what is his. Why shouldn't he touch me in whatever way he wants?"

"I'M ALSO HIS!" Pyrrha protested, narrowing her eyes.

"You had your chance."

"For now~." Pyrrha's voice carried an ominous promise.

"Mom! Aunt Blake! Don't make a scene!" Xander cried.

"Aren't you supposed to be at school, young man?" Ghira asked wryly. Xander coughed.

"Uhhhh…"

Leandra and Leander teleported in right on cue.

"Sorry Grandpa! We're getting him back, promise!" Leandra said quickly.

"Please don't punish us more, Dad?" Leander added.

Jaune sighed, extricating himself from Blake's hold. He crossed his arms, giving his children a stern dad-glare. "Take your brother and head back home. No—and I absolutely mean—no detours. If I find out you weren't in bed by curfew, I'll have your grandfather run you through his version of burpees for the whole rest of the afternoon. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Dad!" the three chorused.

They teleported out in a hurry.

Penny clapped. "Wow, Friend Jaune! Your voice modulation when addressing your children is most impressive! How do you affect such a change?"

Jaune blushed and looked away. "I was just doing what my dad normally does with us. Did… Did my voice really sound all that different?"

"Yes~…" Blake purred.

"Very much sooo~…" Pyrrha echoed.

Blake grabbed Jaune's arm again. "My date now."

Pyrrha scowled. Jaune laughed nervously and cleared his throat. "Uh, Pyr, I'll leave disciplining our son up to you. While I'm more than thankful for his help, he still left Beacon grounds when he was explicitly told not to. I don't want the other kids thinking I'm showing favoritism because I let him slide on this. They need to understand that, despite us being the younger versions of the parents they knew, they should still listen to us."

"Of course I will, Jaune~…" Pyrrha walked up and kissed him again—deep, with plenty of tongue. Jaune knew he shouldn't be doing this in front of Blake, but damn it, he was just a man.

Penny's eyes glowed brighter, her virgin alarm clearly on the verge of activation.

Blake yanked Jaune away. "That's enough of that!"

"I-I was just saying goodbye!" Pyrrha protested.

"I'm saying hello!" Blake yanked him into a fierce kiss. "Mmmm~…" Her hand guided his right back to her chest.

"Now now!" Kali appeared like a shadow, gently but firmly pulling Jaune away from her daughter. "Easy, Blake! Don't wring him dry on your first date!"

"Huh, wha—?" Jaune blinked, thoroughly dazed.

"Mother!" Blake pouted.

Pyrrha managed a small scowl before softening. "Thank you, Mrs. Belladonna."

"Don't mention it, Pyrrha! And call me Kali! We're all family, after all!" Kali pulled her into a warm hug. Pyrrha, unused to such effortless motherly affection—even with her own mother's recent changes—practically melted into it.

Ghira appeared behind Jaune and clapped him heartily on the back. "Hahaha! Well… Would you indulge us a bit, Jaune? A picture?"

"M-Mom, Dad…" Blake flushed.

"Of our precious little girl going on a proper date with a good man?" Kali finished sweetly.

Jaune raised an eyebrow, still a bit flustered. "I cannot be the standard for a good man. I mean, I'm literally dating multiple people at once right now!"

Kali smiled. "Compared to Adam Taurus?"

Blake flushed deeper. "Jaune… You are a good man. Believe it. Even without that comparison." She took his hand gently.

Pyrrha glared. Blake winced. "Ah… Oh no… The dramatic reveal… It's too soon!" She groaned. "I messed it up—"

Jaune looked between them, sensing schemes but unsure of the details. "O-Okay, um, I guess I'll see you later, Pyr." He offered her a reassuring smile.

"Yes, you will." Pyrrha smiled back. "Partner." She walked off with a deliberate swing in her hips.

Blake scowled harder. Kali clapped her hands. "Now… Let's get that photo, hm?"

Jaune straightened up, still blushing from Pyrrha's exit. He squeezed Blake's arm close, offering her a caring, genuine smile. Blake blushed in turn and smiled—small, rare, but breathtaking.

He couldn't help it. "Seeing you smile like that… I can't help it. Your smile makes me happy. It's beautiful!"

Blake turned bright red and looked away, flustered. Kali cooed happily. "You're just so adorable!"

"M-Mom!"

Ghira chuckled warmly. Jaune scratched the back of his neck bashfully. "Hehe, too much?"

"Just enough, I think," Ghira said.

Jaune watched Blake become a blushing, blubbering mess under her mother's teasing and felt a quiet warmth settle in his chest. "You know, there are times where I ask myself how all this could come to be. Me falling in love with Blake, Pyrrha, everyone… But it's times like these—the little moments in between—where I just watch and, for a while… I can see it." Doubt crept in, and he looked away anxiously. "Or maybe it's just me deluding myself so I don't feel guilty about all this."

Ghira's expression softened. "Mm… I can see how it would be overwhelming. Some young men would just take advantage of it. Others would run for the hills."

"You're sticking around, despite your uncertainty," Kali added gently.

"Well, yeah, they're my kittens—Kids! I meant kids!" Jaune sputtered, blushing furiously. He took a deep breath. "They're my kids. What kind of father would I be if I just abandoned them for something as little as time travel?"

Ghira nodded approvingly. "It's the hardest thing you will ever do… But the best."

Jaune smiled a little, the doubt easing. "Wouldn't trade it for the world."

"So," Nora called, "Can Renny and I get a ride back home or what?"
"Of course!" Ghira laughed, "We'll even help you take your prizes back!"

"WOO HOO!" Nora cheered. "Have fun, Blake and Jaune! Don't do anything we wouldn't~!"

"That's… A loaded list," Jaune observed. Ren nodded.

"Yes. It is."