Professor Arc

Chapter 59

Jaune didn't think he'd ever seen Roman look less in control, and in some strange way that only seemed to amuse him more. His laughter, more hysterical than anything else, continued on and on. He didn't stop even when Roman dragged him up by his collar.

"This isn't a funny situation!" the crook roared. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Ruined Cinder's plan? That was kind of the point."

"You think this is going to stop her?" Roman gestured at the wrecked machine. "Do you honestly think she cares even the slightest for this White Fang insurrection? Don't be a fool. Those animals are nothing more than chaff to her – a distraction while she accomplishes what she really wants. She doesn't need Atlas' Paladins. They were only ever a distraction. They've already done their job." Roman shook him violently. "She's still going to win, and then she's going to come and kill us for betraying her! That's why we're doomed!"

"We're not doomed yet, Roman. Only if Cinder gets a hold of us." He grinned at the older man. "If we deal with her, she won't be able to. We'll be free of her once and for all."

"Deal with her, just deal with her..." Roman laughed. "She isn't someone you just deal with."

"Well, we'll have to find a way," he said. "There's no other choice now."

Roman growled. "Yes, because you took it away!"

"True..." Jaune shrugged. "But to be fair, it was a stupid choice anyway. Besides, isn't it better to die free than live in slavery? We're in this together now, Roman."

"Kid... you deserve this."

"Deserve wha-?" Jaune cut off as a fist rocketed into his face. His head snapped back, and if it weren't for Roman holding him by his collar, he would have flown back to. As it was he sagged in the man's arms, then fell onto his hands and knees when Roman let go. "Okay," he gasped. "I can see how I maybe deserved that."

Roman rolled his eyes and strode over to a different control panel, running his hands across it. That gave Neo a chance to step forward and drag him up. Her mismatched eyes ran over him. There was a questioning look in her eyes.

"Yes Neo, I'm fine," he said. "My aura blocked most of the damage."

She smiled and tilted her head to the side. It looked like she didn't believe him, or maybe just wanted to make certain for herself. When she was sure he was in one piece, she stepped back and nodded her head.

Then she punched him in the face.

"Ah, Gods, you too?" His hand came up to his nose. "Okay. That was for tackling you, right? I guess I deserv-" Her hand caught his jaw, making his teeth click together. She turned it towards her and dug in her nails to drag his face down.

Warm... that was all he could think. It took him a second to realise she was kissing him, and by that time he'd already leaned into it and closed his eyes. A distant part of him thought she should have tasted of ice-cream, but she didn't. She tasted of cherries mixed with dark chocolate. A heady, dangerous blend. Her hands settled in his coat as she kept him from moving. She wasn't a soft kisser, nor was she uncertain. She held him down and plundered his mouth, pushing him back until his back hit a wall and there was nowhere else to run. Had he wanted to...

Her tongue battled with his and won. She always did, but this defeat was so much better than the others. She controlled the pace, the tempo, everything about it. It was all he could do not to lose himself entirely.

It was over before he really wanted it to be. Neo leaned back, biting his lip at the end. Her lips shone from where they'd been crushed against his own, and he longed to claim them once more. Her eyes had switched colour yet again, both to pink this time. He wasn't sure what to make of the hazy look in them. Or what to make of her. I know Neo is special to me... more than anyone else, but... I'm just not sure. He'd enjoyed that, he knew. He wanted to kiss her again, to have her take control again. At the same time, though... he was already in a relationship.