Chapter Text

Waiting

The courtyard of Beacon Academy was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the stone pathways. Jaune Arc sat on one of the benches near the fountain, adjusting his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. His blonde hair was neatly combed, and he'd traded his usual hoodie for a button-down shirt that Ruby had insisted made him look "presentable."

He checked his scroll again. 6:30 PM. She was supposed to be here at 6:00.

"Maybe she's just running late," he muttered to himself, watching students pass by in groups, laughing and chatting as they headed to dinner or back to their dorms. The second-year students seemed more confident than he remembered being in his first year – though that wasn't saying much.

It had taken him three weeks to work up the courage to ask Russet Copper out. Three weeks of watching her in Professor Oobleck's history class, admiring how she took meticulous notes with her elegant handwriting, how her red panda tail swished when she got excited about a particularly interesting historical event. She was kind to everyone, always had a gentle smile, and never seemed to judge anyone – unlike some of the other students who still whispered about his fake transcripts from first year. Her auburn hair caught the light just right, and when she laughed, her dark-rimmed eyes sparkled with genuine warmth.

The actual asking had been a disaster. He'd approached her after Combat Studies, palms sweating, rehearsed words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "Hey, Russet, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go to dinner with me? Like, as a date? If you want? You don't have to, obviously, but—"

She'd tilted her head, her tail curling slightly with what he hoped was interest rather than amusement, and said yes. Actually said yes. Jaune had been so shocked he'd nearly walked into a wall.

For the past week, he'd planned everything meticulously. He'd researched the best restaurant in Vale that wasn't too expensive but wasn't too casual either. He'd asked Yang about what girls liked to talk about on dates (she'd given him conflicting advice about being himself versus being mysterious). He'd even gotten a haircut and bought the shirt he was wearing now with his saved allowance money.

Everything was supposed to be perfect.

An hour passed. Then another.

Jaune's optimism gradually faded as the courtyard emptied and the evening air grew cooler. He'd rehearsed conversation topics, planned the route to the restaurant, even practiced pulling out her chair. He'd wanted everything to be gentlemanly, to show that he'd grown since his awkward first year. The reservation he'd made at that cozy little place near the docks was probably being given away to walk-ins by now.

He pulled out his scroll, thumb hovering over Russet's contact information. Maybe he should text her? But what if she was dealing with an emergency? What if her team needed her for something important? The last thing he wanted was to seem pushy or desperate, even though sitting alone in an empty courtyard while dressed up for a date that wasn't happening felt pretty desperate.

By 8:30, even the most dedicated students had retreated indoors. The only sounds were the gentle splash of the fountain and the distant hum of the academy's evening activities. Jaune finally stood, his legs stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. His carefully planned evening – dinner at La Petite Rose, maybe a walk through the Vale gardens afterward, casual conversation that would hopefully lead to a second date – crumbled into disappointment.

Maybe he'd misunderstood. Maybe when Russet said yes, she was just being polite. Maybe he'd gotten the time wrong, or the day, or maybe she'd simply forgotten. The thought that he might have been that forgettable made his chest tighten.

"Guess that's that," he said quietly, straightening his shirt one final time before heading back toward the dormitories.

The walk back to his team's room felt longer than usual. When he opened the door, he found Nora sprawled across her bed, reading a weapons magazine while Ren sat at his desk, quietly working on homework.

"Jauney!" Nora practically launched herself off her bed, grinning widely. "How did the big date go? Did you sweep her off her feet? Did she swoon? I bet she swooned!"

Jaune paused in the doorway, his hand still on the handle. For a moment, he considered making up a story – something about a lovely dinner, interesting conversation, maybe even plans for a second date. But the words wouldn't come.

"It didn't happen," he said simply, his voice flat.

Nora's enthusiasm deflated slightly. "Oh. Did you guys reschedule or—"

"I'm gonna take a shower," Jaune interrupted gently, already moving toward his dresser to grab his toiletries and sleep clothes. He could feel both his teammates' eyes on him, but he didn't elaborate. There wasn't much to say, really.

The hot water felt good against his skin, washing away the disappointment and the cologne he'd put on with such hope earlier. He let himself stand under the spray longer than necessary, watching the steam fog up the small mirror above the sink.

When he returned to the room, Nora had dimmed the lights and both she and Ren were in their beds. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Ren caught her eye and shook his head almost imperceptibly. Sometimes Jaune forgot how well his teammates knew him.

"Night, guys," he mumbled, pulling his covers up to his chin.

"Goodnight, Jaune," Ren replied softly.

"Sleep tight, fearless leader," Nora added, her voice unusually gentle.

As Jaune closed his eyes, he tried not to think about the empty bench in the courtyard, or the carefully planned evening that never was. Tomorrow would bring new classes, new missions, new opportunities to prove himself as a Huntsman. Tonight, though, he just wanted to forget.

Outside their window, Beacon Academy continued its quiet nighttime rhythm, and somewhere in another dorm room, his date was probably having a perfectly ordinary evening, never knowing that someone had waited for her under the stars.

Chapter Text

Team Discussion

The library was quieter than usual for a Saturday afternoon, with most students either training or enjoying their weekend in Vale. Teams RWBY and NPR had claimed a large table in the back corner, ostensibly to work on Professor Port's group assignment, but the textbooks remained largely unopened.

"Okay, I'm just going to say it," Yang announced, leaning back in her chair. "What's going on with Jaune?"

Nora looked up from the tower of pencils she'd been building, her expression immediately shifting from playful to concerned. "You noticed too?"

"Kind of hard not to," Ruby said softly. "He's been so... quiet lately."

"Distant," Weiss added, tapping her pen against her notebook. "Even during our joint training sessions."

Ren nodded slowly. "We've been worried about him all week. He goes through his daily routine, but it's like he's not really present."

"He barely ate anything at breakfast this morning," Nora said, abandoning her pencil tower entirely. "And you know how much I pay attention to food! When Jaune Arc isn't finishing his pancakes, something is seriously wrong."

Blake closed her book and looked directly at Pyrrha. "Do you know what happened? You two are... close."

Pyrrha's green eyes flickered with something that might have been guilt before she glanced around the table. "I... I have an idea. But I'm not sure I should say anything. It's not really my story to tell."

"Pyrrha," Yang said gently but firmly, "we're all worried about him. If there's something we can do to help..."

The red-haired champion was quiet for a long moment, clearly wrestling with herself. Finally, she sighed. "He had a date last week. With Russet Copper from Professor Oobleck's class."

"The red panda Faunus?" Ruby asked. "She seems really nice."

"She is," Pyrrha agreed. "Or at least, I thought she was. Jaune spent weeks working up the courage to ask her out. He was so nervous about it, kept asking me for advice on what to say, how to approach her..."

"That's actually kind of sweet," Blake said.

"It was," Pyrrha's voice grew softer. "When she said yes, he was over the moon. You should have seen him - he spent hours planning everything. He researched restaurants, asked Yang about conversation topics, even bought a new shirt. He wanted everything to be perfect."

Yang's expression darkened. "Please don't tell me she stood him up."

Pyrrha's silence was answer enough.

"Oh no," Weiss breathed. "Poor Jaune."

"He waited for her for over two hours," Pyrrha continued, her hands clenched in her lap. "He texted me around nine that night, just said the date didn't happen. When I tried to ask him about it the next day, he just... shut down. Said it was fine, that these things happen, but I could tell he was hurt."

"Two hours?" Nora's voice was uncharacteristically serious. "He waited two hours and she never showed?"

"Or sent a message," Ren added quietly. "That's... unnecessarily cruel."

"Maybe there was an emergency?" Ruby suggested hopefully. "Maybe something happened to her team, or family, or—"

"I thought that too," Pyrrha interrupted. "So I... I may have done some investigating." She looked slightly embarrassed. "I asked around. Russet was seen at the dining hall that evening, laughing with her teammates. No emergency, no crisis. She just... didn't go."

The table fell silent. Yang's hands were beginning to glow faintly, and even Weiss looked angry.

"That's horrible," Blake said flatly. "If she didn't want to go, she should have had the decency to tell him, not leave him sitting there alone."

"The worst part is how he's handling it," Nora said, her usual exuberance completely absent. "He's not angry, or ranting, or asking us to help him figure out what went wrong. He's just... accepting it. Like he expected it to happen."

"Like he thinks he deserved it," Ren observed, and the words hung heavy in the air.

Pyrrha nodded miserably. "Exactly. And I don't know how to help him. Every time I try to bring it up, he changes the subject or finds an excuse to leave."

"He's protecting himself," Blake said with understanding. "Building walls so it won't hurt as much next time."

"But there might not be a next time if he keeps this up," Yang pointed out. "I mean, who's going to want to get close to someone who won't let them?"

"So what do we do?" Ruby asked, looking around the table. "We can't just let him stay like this."

"We could confront Russet," Yang suggested, her eyes still glowing slightly. "Ask her what her problem is."

"That would only make things worse for Jaune," Weiss said firmly. "Can you imagine how embarrassed he'd be if he found out we went behind his back?"

"Weiss is right," Pyrrha agreed. "He'd be mortified. And probably angry with all of us."

"Then we focus on Jaune," Ren said simply. "We remind him that he's valued, that one person's poor judgment doesn't reflect his worth."

"But how?" Nora asked. "He's gotten really good at deflecting when we try to talk to him about anything serious."

"We don't make it about the date," Blake suggested. "We just... be there. Include him in things, make sure he knows we want him around."

"Group activities," Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Things he can't say no to without seeming weird."

"And maybe we stop pushing him to come to Vale for a while," Yang added thoughtfully. "That's probably where he was supposed to take her. No wonder he doesn't want to go."

Pyrrha looked grateful. "That's... that's actually really thoughtful."

"We take care of our friends," Yang said simply. "Even when they're too stubborn to let us."

"Especially then," Weiss corrected.

Nora suddenly straightened up, her familiar grin returning for the first time all week. "So we're agreed? Operation Cheer Up Jaune is officially underway?"

"Did Ruby tell you that name?" Yang asked suspiciously.

"Ruby tells me lots of things," Nora said innocently.

"Focus," Ren said gently, though there was amusement in his eyes. "The important thing is that we're all working together on this."

An awkward silence fell over the group as they all looked at each other expectantly.

"So..." Ruby said slowly. "What exactly are we going to do?"

Another pause.

"Group activities?" Blake offered weakly.

"What kind of group activities?" Weiss asked.

"Fun ones?" Nora suggested, though she sounded less certain than usual.

Ren rubbed his temples. "We're supposed to be eight of the brightest students at Beacon Academy, and we can't figure out how to cheer up one sad boy?"

"When you put it like that, it sounds pretty pathetic," Yang admitted.

Pyrrha sighed. "Maybe we're overthinking this? Perhaps we should just... wing it?"

"Wing it?" Weiss repeated incredulously. "That's your strategic plan? Wing it?"

"Do you have a better idea?" Pyrrha asked defensively.

"Actually, no," Weiss said quietly.

Yang leaned back in her chair, internally frustrated. This is ridiculous, she thought. We're sitting here talking in circles when the solution is obvious. Just take the guy out, get him drunk, find him someone to dance with, and boom - confidence restored. One night at Junior's club and Jaune would remember that there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

But looking around the table at Ruby's earnest face and Pyrrha's worried expression, she knew that suggestion would go over about as well as a lead balloon. Sometimes being the most direct person in the room was a real disadvantage.

"Well," Blake said finally, "at least we all agree we want to help."

"That's... something," Ren said diplomatically.

"It's a start," Ruby added optimistically, though she didn't sound entirely convinced.

Nora slumped in her chair. "We are terrible at this."

"Speak for yourself," Yang muttered, but kept her actual thoughts to herself.

Chapter Text

Dance Floor Therapy

"Jaune!" Yang's voice echoed through the locker room as she practically bounced around the corner, her golden hair flowing behind her. "Perfect timing!"

Jaune looked up from where he was putting away his training gear, already sensing trouble from the mischievous glint in Yang's lilac eyes. "Uh, hey Yang. What's up?"

"We're going to Vale," she announced, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"We are?" Jaune asked slowly.

"Yep! There's this great dance club that just opened up, and I've been dying to check it out. You're coming with me."

Jaune's expression immediately shifted to something between panic and resignation. "Yang, I appreciate the invitation, but I'm really not in the mood for—"

"Nope!" Yang cut him off, grabbing his arm. "No excuses, no 'I'm tired,' no 'maybe next time.' You've been moping around for a week, and it ends tonight."

"I haven't been moping," Jaune protested weakly.

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Jaune Arc, when was the last time you initiated a conversation with anyone that wasn't about homework or training?"

Jaune opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"Exactly. So we're going dancing, you're going to have fun, and that's final." Yang's tone brooked no argument, though her expression was warm. "Besides, someone's got to make sure I don't start any fights on the dance floor."

"Since when do you start fights on dance floors?" Jaune asked, despite himself.

"Since creepy guys think they can grab whatever they want," Yang said with a dangerous smile. "But that's what wingmen are for, right?"

Jaune sighed, recognizing the futility of arguing with Yang when she'd made up her mind. "Fine. But if this is some elaborate setup to make me feel better—"

"Who, me?" Yang asked innocently. "I just want to dance. The fact that you'll be forced to have a good time is purely coincidental."

The club was everything Yang had promised and more. The music was loud, the lights were colorful, and the energy was infectious. Yang had dragged Jaune onto the dance floor almost immediately, not giving him time to overthink or retreat to a corner table.

To his own surprise, Jaune found himself actually enjoying it. Dancing with Yang was different from anything he'd done at Beacon – this wasn't about technique or form, it was about letting the music move through you. And thankfully, growing up with seven sisters had prepared him for this better than any formal training ever could.

When the first song shifted to something with a Latin beat, Jaune's muscle memory kicked in. He caught Yang's hand and spun her out before pulling her back in, his movements fluid and confident in a way that made Yang's eyes widen with surprise.

"Whoa!" Yang laughed as he dipped her low, her golden hair cascading toward the floor. "Okay, where the hell did you learn to move like that?"

"Seven sisters!" Jaune called back over the music, spinning her again. "They used to practice their dance routines on me! Said I was the only brother tall enough to be a proper partner!"

"Remind me to send them all thank-you cards!" Yang grinned, letting him lead her through a series of turns that had other dancers stopping to watch.

The next song was faster, more electronic, and Yang took the lead this time, showing off her own moves. But Jaune kept up effortlessly, his sisters having taught him that dancing was about reading your partner as much as knowing the steps. When Yang threw her arms up and let her body move to the heavy bass, Jaune matched her energy, the two of them creating a dynamic that drew appreciative glances from around the dance floor.

"You're full of surprises, Arc!" Yang shouted, impressed by how naturally he moved, how he seemed to anticipate her movements before she even made them.

"My sisters would kill me if I embarrassed the family name on a dance floor!" he responded, catching her as she spun back into his arms.

They danced through several songs, Yang's infectious enthusiasm gradually breaking through Jaune's reserved mood. She was right – it was hard to stay gloomy when you were spinning around a dance floor with someone who radiated pure joy.

Eventually, they made their way to a small table in a quieter corner of the club, both slightly out of breath and grinning. Yang flagged down a waitress and ordered them each a drink – something fruity for her, beer for him.

"So," Yang said once their drinks arrived, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile. "Having fun yet?"

"Actually, yeah," Jaune admitted, taking a long sip of his beer. "Thanks for dragging me out here. I needed this more than I thought."

"Good! Now finish that drink so we can get you another one," Yang said with a grin. "You've been way too serious lately."

True to her word, Yang kept their drinks coming throughout the evening. They talked about training, about their teams, about anything except what Yang really wanted to discuss. She watched Jaune gradually relax as the alcohol loosened him up, his shoulders losing their tense set, his smiles becoming more genuine.

By his third beer, he was laughing at Yang's stories about her and Ruby's childhood adventures, and by his fourth, he was actually initiating conversations instead of just responding politely.

"You know," Yang said, signaling for another round, "this is the most I've heard you talk all week."

"Have I really been that quiet?" Jaune asked, his words just slightly slurred around the edges.

"Jaune, yesterday you said 'good morning' to Nora and that was literally the only thing you said until dinner."

Jaune winced. "Oh. I didn't realize..."

Yang studied his face, noting the way his usual defenses seemed to have lowered. Now seemed like the right time.

"So, how are you really doing?" she asked gently.

"I'm fine," Jaune said automatically, but the response lacked his usual conviction.

Yang waited, sensing there was more.

"I mean, how are you really doing? With the whole Russet situation?"

Jaune's smile faltered slightly, but he shrugged. "I'm fine. Really. It's been easier to move on than I thought it would be."

Yang waited, sensing there was more.

Jaune stared into his beer for a moment before continuing. "I guess... maybe part of me in the back of my head knew she would never go out with a guy like me. Most girls probably wouldn't."

"Jaune—"

"No, it's okay," he said quickly. "I think I should probably give up on romance for now. At least for a while."

Yang's heart sank at the defeated tone in his voice. "What do you mean?"

Jaune took another sip of his beer, choosing his words carefully. "Weiss wasn't the first girl to reject me, you know. She was just one of the nicer ones about it. And Russet wasn't the first to stand me up either." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Maybe the universe has been trying to tell me something all along, and I should finally get the message."

The words hung in the air between them, and Yang felt a surge of protective anger toward everyone who had ever made Jaune feel this way about himself.

Jaune seemed to realize how heavy the conversation had gotten and straightened up, forcing his usual smile back onto his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring down the mood. We could go back to the dance floor if you want, or call it a night if you're tired."

Yang studied his face for a long moment, noting the way he was already trying to deflect and move on. Part of her wanted to tell him exactly how wrong he was, to list all the reasons why any girl would be lucky to date him. But she could see in his eyes that he wouldn't believe her right now.

Instead, she drained the rest of her drink and stood up, extending her hand to him with a grin.

"Come on, Vomit Boy. Let's dance a couple more songs before we head back. I'm not done showing off my moves yet."

Jaune looked surprised but grateful as he took her hand. "You sure?"

"Absolutely. Besides," Yang said as she led him back toward the dance floor, "someone's got to teach these other people how it's really done."

As they rejoined the crowd of dancers, Yang made a mental note to have some very serious words with the rest of their friends about their approach to helping Jaune. Clearly, they needed to do more than just be supportive – they needed to actively rebuild his confidence.

But for now, she focused on making sure he had at least one night where he felt like the amazing person she knew he was, even if he couldn't see it himself yet.

Getting Yang Home

Three hours later, Yang was definitely more than a little drunk.

What had started as a fun night of dancing had gradually evolved into Yang challenging other patrons to increasingly ridiculous dance-offs, followed by her insisting she could drink anyone under the table. Jaune had tried to pace her, suggesting water breaks that she'd waved off with increasingly slurred protests about how she was "totally fine" and "barely even tipsy."

Now she was swaying dangerously as she attempted to put on her jacket, missing the armhole entirely on her first two tries.

"Okay," Jaune said, steadying her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I think it's time we called it a night."

"Noooo," Yang protested, though she leaned heavily into his support. "We're having so much fun! And look—" She gestured vaguely at the dance floor, nearly losing her balance in the process. "There's still so many people to show up with our amazing dance moves!"

"Yang," Jaune said patiently, catching her elbow as she wobbled again. "You just tried to high-five that guy's girlfriend and ended up hugging a potted plant instead."

Yang blinked slowly, processing this information. "The plant was very friendly," she said seriously. "We bonded."

Despite his concern, Jaune couldn't help but smile. Growing up with Saphron—who had gone through her own experimental party phases—had prepared him well for managing drunk friends. His family's Southern Valean heritage meant wine with dinner had been normal since he was old enough to hold a glass properly, giving him a tolerance that had served him well tonight.

"Come on," he said gently, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her steady. "Let's get you back to Beacon."

Yang didn't resist, but she also didn't make it easy. She kept stopping to wave goodbye to people she'd apparently befriended throughout the evening—the bartender, a group of girls by the bathroom, someone's boyfriend who looked deeply confused by her enthusiastic farewell.

Getting her onto the Bullhead was an adventure in itself. Yang had suddenly decided that Jaune was the most comfortable pillow in existence and had draped herself across his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his neck in a way that made walking difficult.

"You're really nice, you know that?" she mumbled into his ear as they found seats in the back of the transport. "Like, really, really nice. And you smell good. Why do you smell so good?"

"Thanks, Yang," Jaune said diplomatically, trying to position her so she wouldn't fall off the bench when the Bullhead took off. "How are you feeling? Any nausea?"

"Nope!" Yang declared, then immediately contradicted herself by pressing her face against his shoulder. "Actually, maybe a little spinny. But it's a good spinny. Like a fun ride at a carnival."

"Okay, just try to stay still," Jaune advised, keeping one arm around her to make sure she didn't slide off the seat. "We'll be back at Beacon soon."

Yang hummed contentedly, apparently deciding that Jaune's shoulder was indeed the perfect place to rest her head. "You're such a good friend, Jaune. Do you know that? You're like... the best friend. Everyone should have a Jaune friend."

"I'm glad you think so," Jaune said softly, touched despite the circumstances.

"That Russet girl is stupid," Yang announced suddenly, her voice muffled against his shirt. "Super duper stupid. Like, weapons-grade stupid. You're amazing and she's missing out and she's stupid."

"Yang—"

"No, no, I'm serious!" Yang lifted her head to look at him, her lilac eyes bright but unfocused. "You're funny and sweet and you can dance and you have really nice arms. Have I mentioned your arms? They're very... arm-like. In a good way."

Jaune felt his cheeks warm. "I think you're a little more drunk than you realize."

"Maybe," Yang admitted, settling back against his shoulder. "But that doesn't mean I'm wrong. You're a catch, Jaune Arc. A big, blonde, adorable catch."

The Bullhead touched down at Beacon's landing pad, and Jaune faced the challenge of getting Yang from their seats to her dorm room. She seemed to have decided that walking was optional and that Jaune was perfectly capable of supporting most of her weight.

"Okay, Yang, I need you to help me out here," Jaune said as they made their way through the corridors. "Just put one foot in front of the other."

"My feet are being rebellious," Yang informed him seriously. "They don't want to cooperate. I think they're staging a mutiny."

"Well, tell them to knock it off," Jaune said, pausing to readjust his grip as Yang started to slide again. "We're almost there."

When they finally reached Team RWBY's door, Jaune knocked gently, hoping at least one of Yang's teammates was still awake. He heard movement inside, then the sound of the lock turning.

Ruby opened the door wearing pajamas and a concerned expression that immediately deepened when she saw her sister's condition.

"Oh no," Ruby said, taking in Yang's disheveled appearance and the way she was clinging to Jaune. "How drunk is she?"

"Pretty drunk," Jaune admitted. "But she's been a good sport about it. No fights, no property damage, and she hasn't thrown up on anyone."

"Yet," Yang added helpfully from where she was still attached to Jaune's side. "The night is young! Well, actually it's pretty old now. What time is it?"

"Late," Ruby said firmly, moving to take her sister's other arm. "Come on, Yang. Let's get you to bed."

"Ruby!" Yang exclaimed, as if she hadn't seen her sister in months rather than hours. "You're here! This is perfect! You should meet my new best friend Jaune! He's wonderful and his arms are very strong and he smells like... like..." She paused, trying to think. "Like good things!"

"Yang, I've known Jaune for over a year," Ruby said patiently.

"Have you?" Yang asked, genuinely surprised. "Well, that's convenient! You should definitely keep him around. He's quality people."

Between the two of them, Jaune and Ruby managed to maneuver Yang into the room and onto her bed. Yang immediately face-planted into her pillow, mumbling something about how comfortable it was.

"Thank you," Ruby said quietly as Jaune helped her remove Yang's boots. "For getting her home safe. And for... you know, taking care of her."

"Of course," Jaune said, pulling Yang's blanket up over her shoulders. "She did the same for me tonight. Fair's fair."

Yang rolled over, her hair spread across her pillow like spilled sunshine. "Jaune?" she called out, her voice already thick with approaching sleep.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for dancing with me. And for being awesome. And for having excellent arms."

Jaune couldn't help but smile. "Thanks for dragging me out tonight. I really did need it."

"Good," Yang mumbled, already half-asleep. "Tomorrow we're gonna work on your confidence issues. And maybe get you a haircut. Your hair is very... hair-y."

Ruby stifled a giggle. "I think that's our cue to let her sleep it off."

As they quietly left the room, Ruby walked Jaune partway back to his own dorm.

"How was she tonight?" Ruby asked. "I mean, before the drinking got out of hand."

"She was great," Jaune said honestly. "Really great. She got me out of my own head for a while, made me remember that I actually know how to have fun. I owe her for that."

Ruby smiled. "That's Yang for you. She's got a gift for helping people feel better about themselves. Even if her methods are sometimes a little... unconventional."

"Unconventional but effective," Jaune agreed. "Though I think I'll be the designated driver next time."

"Probably a good call," Ruby said with a laugh. "Good night, Jaune. And thanks again for taking care of her."

As Jaune made his way back to his own room, he found himself thinking about Yang's drunken proclamations. Maybe she was right about some things. Maybe he was being too hard on himself. And maybe one failed date didn't mean he should give up entirely.

He'd probably never admit it to Yang, but her unconventional therapy session had actually helped. For the first time in a week, he felt more like himself again.

Chapter Text

The Morning After

By eleven in the morning, Team RWBY had reached their limit.

Yang had been unconscious for nearly twelve hours, and despite their increasingly creative attempts to wake her naturally—opening the curtains, playing music, even having Ruby "accidentally" drop her weapon maintenance kit—their teammate remained dead to the world, buried under a pile of blankets with only her golden hair visible.

"Okay, that's it," Weiss announced, marching over to Yang's bed with a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and a glass of water in the other. "Yang Xiao Long, get up right now or I'm dumping this water on your head."

"That seems excessive," Blake observed from her spot on her own bed, though she made no move to stop Weiss.

"She's been unconscious for almost half a day," Weiss replied primly. "We have things to discuss."

Ruby bounced over and started gently shaking her sister's shoulder. "Yang? Yang, come on. We made coffee. The good coffee, not the cafeteria stuff."

A muffled groan emerged from the blanket pile, followed by what sounded like several very creative curse words.

"I can hear you swearing in there," Ruby said cheerfully. "That means you're awake enough to drink fluids and answer questions."

Yang's head finally emerged from her blanket cocoon, her hair sticking up at impossible angles and her eyes squinting against the room's lighting. "Why," she croaked, "is everyone so loud? And why does my head feel like Nora used it for hammer practice?"

"Because you got spectacularly drunk last night," Weiss said, offering her the water glass. "Drink this. All of it."

Yang accepted the water gratefully, draining half the glass before coming up for air. "Right. The club. With Jaune." She paused, blinking slowly. "Please tell me I didn't do anything too embarrassing."

"You told him he had excellent arms," Blake said dryly. "Multiple times. And you hugged a potted plant thinking it was a person."

"Could have been worse," Yang said philosophically, accepting the coffee mug from Weiss. "At least I didn't start any fights."

"The night is still young," Ruby said with a grin. "It's only eleven AM."

Yang nearly choked on her coffee. "Eleven? In the morning? How long was I out?"

"Long enough for us to get tired of waiting for you to wake up," Weiss said, settling onto her own bed. "We need to know what happened last night. Specifically, what Jaune told you about... everything."

Yang's expression sobered slightly as the memories came back. "Oh. Right. The Russet situation." She took another sip of coffee, organizing her thoughts. "Well, I got him talking eventually. The alcohol definitely helped."

"And?" Ruby prompted.

Yang sighed, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "It's worse than we thought. He told me he thinks he should give up on romance entirely. At least for a while."

"What?" Ruby's voice pitched higher. "That's... that seems a bit drastic, doesn't it?"

"That's what I thought too, but..." Yang paused, choosing her words carefully. "He said some things that made me realize this isn't just about Russet. He told me that Weiss wasn't the first girl to reject him, just one of the nicer ones about it."

Weiss winced visibly. "Oh no."

"Yeah. And apparently Russet wasn't his first time being stood up either." Yang's voice grew quiet. "He made it sound like this has been a pattern for him. Like he's been collecting rejection after rejection and finally decided to get the message."

The room fell silent as the implications sank in. Blake was the first to speak.

"That... actually explains a lot," she said softly. "The way he approached dating at Beacon, how he seemed so desperate with Weiss at first, why he was so nervous about asking Russet out..."

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.

Blake set down her book, her expression thoughtful. "Think about it from his perspective. He comes to Beacon with fake transcripts, already feeling like he doesn't belong. Then he starts getting rejected romantically on top of that. Each rejection probably felt like confirmation that he's not good enough, that he doesn't deserve to be here in any capacity."

"But that's not true," Ruby protested.

"Of course it's not true," Blake agreed. "But when you're already struggling with self-worth, rejection hits differently. It's not just 'this person isn't interested in me,' it becomes 'I'm fundamentally unworthy of love or acceptance.'"

Weiss was staring at her hands, her expression guilty. "I had no idea my rejection was part of a larger pattern. If I had known..."

"You couldn't have known," Yang said gently. "None of us could. He's gotten really good at hiding how much this stuff affects him."

"So when he says he's giving up on romance," Blake continued, "to him it probably feels like self-preservation. Why keep putting himself out there just to get hurt again?"

"But if he gives up entirely, he'll never find someone who does appreciate him," Ruby said, frustrated.

"Exactly," Yang agreed. "That's the problem. He's protecting himself right out of any chance at happiness."

Weiss looked up from her hands. "What else did he say? You mentioned he thought my rejection was 'nicer' than others?"

Yang nodded grimly. "Yeah, that stuck with me too. Made me wonder what the hell other people said to him if he considers being told 'no' politely to be the nice version."

"People can be cruel," Blake said quietly. "Especially when someone's being vulnerable. And Jaune... he wears his heart on his sleeve. That makes him an easy target for people who want to feel superior."

"So what do we do?" Ruby asked, looking around at her teammates. "We can't just let him give up on ever finding someone."

"First, we need to rebuild his confidence," Yang said. "Not just about dating, but about himself in general. Last night helped a little, but it's going to take more than one fun evening to undo years of rejection."

"And we need to make sure he knows his worth," Weiss added. "All of his worth, not just as a potential romantic partner."

"Agreed," Blake said. "He needs to remember that he's valued as a friend, as a teammate, as a person. Once he believes that again, maybe he'll be open to the idea that someone could want to date him too."

Yang drained the rest of her coffee, already feeling more human. "Operation Cheer Up Jaune just got a lot more complicated."

"Good thing we're up for a challenge," Ruby said determinedly.

"Though maybe next time we should come up with a plan that doesn't involve me getting blackout drunk," Yang added.

"You weren't blackout drunk," Weiss corrected. "You were just... very enthusiastic about everything."

"Including Jaune's arms, apparently," Blake said with the slightest hint of a smile.

Yang groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Please tell me I didn't say anything too weird to him."

"Nothing he won't forgive," Ruby assured her. "But maybe stick to coffee for the next few interventions."

Blake suddenly looked thoughtful, then concerned. "Wait. There's something else we need to consider. How exactly are we going to explain all of this to Pyrrha?"

The room went quiet as the implications hit them.

"Oh no," Ruby said softly. "Pyrrha's been waiting for him to make the first move, hasn't she?"

"For over a year," Weiss confirmed. "And if he's decided to give up on romance entirely..."

"That's not happening," Yang said grimly. "At least not anytime soon."

Blake nodded. "Which means we need to be very careful about how we break this news to her. Pyrrha's been incredibly patient, but learning that Jaune has essentially taken himself off the market because of what other people did to him..."

"She's going to be furious," Weiss realized.

"Murderously furious," Yang agreed. "And I don't know about you guys, but I've never seen what Pyrrha looks like when she's truly angry, and I really don't want to find out. The woman can control metal and has polarity powers. Do you know how many ways that could go wrong for everyone involved?"

Ruby shuddered. "She could turn every piece of metal in Beacon into a weapon."

"Every locker, every weapon, every piece of jewelry..." Blake listed off, looking increasingly worried.

"Okay, so we're agreed," Yang said firmly. "We tell Pyrrha what we learned, but we do it very, very carefully. And we make sure to emphasize that we're working on fixing this."

"Maybe we should have Ren nearby when we tell her," Weiss suggested. "You know, for emotional regulation support."

"Good thinking," Blake agreed. "Because the last thing Jaune needs right now is his partner going on a revenge rampage against everyone who's ever rejected him."

"Deal," Yang said, though she was already mentally planning their next move. Jaune Arc deserved to know how amazing he was, and Team RWBY was going to make sure he figured it out—one way or another. They just had to make sure Pyrrha didn't accidentally level half of Vale in the process.

Chapter Text

Breaking the News

Team RWBY had requested to meet with Team NPR in one of the study rooms in the library, ostensibly to discuss their joint assignment for Professor Port. But when Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren arrived to find all four members of RWBY looking unusually serious, it became clear this wasn't about academics.

"Okay," Nora said, dropping into a chair with her characteristic lack of ceremony. "What's with all the long faces? Did someone die? Please tell me no one died."

"No one died," Ruby assured her quickly. "But we need to talk to you about Jaune."

Ren and Pyrrha exchanged glances, immediately alert. "Is he alright?" Pyrrha asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Physically, yes," Yang said carefully. "But Yang took him out last night, and he... opened up about some things. Things we think you should know."

Pyrrha straightened in her chair, her green eyes focused intently on Yang. "What kind of things?"

Yang looked around at her teammates, silently asking for support. Weiss gave her an encouraging nod, and Blake moved slightly closer as if ready to intervene if necessary.

"He told me about how he's been handling the whole Russet situation," Yang began slowly. "And it's... more complicated than we thought."

"Complicated how?" Ren asked, though his tone suggested he already suspected this wasn't good news.

Yang took a deep breath. "He's decided to give up on dating. Completely. At least for the foreseeable future."

The words hung in the air like a physical weight. Nora's eyes widened, Ren's expression grew thoughtful, and Pyrrha went very still.

"Give up?" Nora repeated. "Like, entirely? That seems a bit extreme for one bad date."

"That's what we thought too," Blake said gently. "But it turns out it wasn't just one bad date. Jaune told Yang that Russet wasn't the first person to stand him up, and that Weiss wasn't the first to reject him either."

"He said my rejection was one of the nicer ones," Weiss added quietly, guilt evident in her voice.

Pyrrha's hands, which had been resting on the table, slowly curled into fists. "What do you mean, 'nicer ones'?"

"We don't know the details," Ruby said quickly, noting the dangerous edge that had crept into Pyrrha's voice. "But it sounds like he's been collecting rejections for a while now, and they haven't all been... kind."

"So he's decided that the universe has been trying to tell him something," Yang continued, watching Pyrrha's face carefully. "That maybe he's just not meant for romance, and he should finally listen to that message."

Ren leaned back in his chair, processing this information. "That would explain his recent behavior. The withdrawal, the way he's been avoiding social situations..."

"He's protecting himself," Blake said. "From his perspective, if he doesn't put himself out there, he can't get hurt again."

Nora, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly slammed her hand on the table. "But that's stupid! He's amazing! Those other people were just too dumb to see it!"

"We know that," Weiss said. "But Jaune doesn't. Not right now."

Throughout this entire conversation, Pyrrha had remained silent, her expression carefully controlled. When Ruby finally addressed her directly, her response was measured and calm.

"Pyrrha? How are you... how are you handling this news?"

Pyrrha's lips curved into a smile that looked perfectly pleasant and didn't reach her eyes at all. "I'm fine," she said, her voice steady and warm. "Thank you for telling us. It explains a lot about his recent behavior."

Yang felt a chill run down her spine. She'd seen Pyrrha disappointed before, had seen her frustrated during difficult training sessions, but this controlled composure was somehow more unsettling than any outburst would have been.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ruby asked uncertainly.

"Of course," Pyrrha replied, her smile never wavering. "I'm just concerned for Jaune's well-being, as we all are. It's unfortunate that people have treated him so poorly, but I'm sure with time and support from his friends, he'll regain his confidence."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Ren was studying his partner with a worried expression, clearly recognizing the warning signs of Pyrrha's carefully controlled anger.

"Pyrrha," he said gently, "perhaps we should—"

"I'm fine, Ren," Pyrrha interrupted, her voice still perfectly pleasant. "Really. Though I do think it might be helpful if we could get more details about these previous... incidents. You know, to better understand what we're working with."

Blake shifted uncomfortably. "Pyrrha, I'm not sure that's—"

"Oh, I'm not suggesting we interrogate Jaune," Pyrrha said with a soft laugh that somehow managed to sound threatening. "That would be inappropriate. I was thinking more along the lines of... independent research."

Yang and Weiss exchanged alarmed glances. This was exactly what they'd been afraid of.

"Independent research?" Nora asked, looking confused by the sudden tension in the room.

"Nothing dramatic," Pyrrha assured them, though the smile on her face had taken on a distinctly predatory quality. "Just gathering information. After all, if we're going to help Jaune rebuild his confidence, shouldn't we understand exactly what we're working against?"

Ren placed a hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. "Pyrrha, perhaps we should focus on positive reinforcement rather than—"

"Of course," Pyrrha agreed readily. "Positive reinforcement is definitely the priority. I'm simply suggesting that a little... context... might be helpful."

The way she said "context" made everyone in the room nervous.

"Right," Yang said slowly. "Well, maybe we should all just... focus on being good friends to Jaune right now. You know, low-key support while he works through this."

"Absolutely," Pyrrha said, finally letting her smile fade to something more natural, though her eyes remained distant. "Good friends. That's exactly what he needs right now."

As the meeting began to wind down, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that they might have just created a bigger problem than the one they'd been trying to solve. Pyrrha's calm acceptance was somehow more concerning than any dramatic reaction would have been.

When Team NPR finally left the study room, Nora chattering obliviously about training schedules while Ren kept a careful eye on Pyrrha, Team RWBY remained behind.

"Well," Blake said finally. "That could have gone worse."

"Could it have?" Weiss asked doubtfully.

"She didn't actually threaten anyone," Yang pointed out, though she didn't sound convinced by her own words.

"Yet," Ruby added ominously.

Outside in the hallway, Ren caught up with Pyrrha as she walked toward the dormitories, her posture perfectly poised and her expression serene.

"Pyrrha," he said quietly. "What are you thinking?"

She paused, considering her words carefully. "I'm thinking," she said finally, "that some people need to learn that actions have consequences."

Ren felt a familiar sense of foreboding. "And by 'some people,' you mean...?"

Pyrrha's smile returned, bright and beautiful and absolutely terrifying. "Oh, I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Ren. I'm just concerned about our team leader's emotional well-being."

As she walked away, Ren made a mental note to keep a very close eye on his teammate for the foreseeable future. He had a feeling that Team RWBY's intervention had just set something in motion that none of them were prepared for.

Chapter Text

Classroom Suspicions

Professor Oobleck's classroom was buzzing with the usual pre-lecture chatter when Pyrrha Nikos entered at exactly one minute before class was scheduled to begin. Her timing was, as always, impeccable—but it was the expression on her face that made several students do double-takes.

Pyrrha was smiling. Not her usual warm, genuine smile, but something that looked like contentment mixed with... satisfaction? It was the kind of smile someone might wear after completing a particularly fulfilling task, and it was utterly unsettling on the face of Beacon's golden girl.

She took her seat next to Jaune with her characteristic grace, folding her hands neatly on her desk and maintaining that eerily serene expression. Even Professor Oobleck, as he zipped into the classroom in his typical caffeine-fueled fashion, paused for just a moment when his eyes landed on Pyrrha before continuing with his preparations.

"Alright, class!"Oobleck announced, his voice rapid-fire as always. "Today we'll be discussing the socioeconomic factors that led to the Faunus Rights Revolution! I trust you've all done your readings and are prepared for a stimulating intellectual discourse!"

As students settled into their seats and opened their notebooks, Yang leaned slightly toward her teammates, keeping her voice low.

"Is it just me, or does Pyrrha look... weird today?"

Weiss glanced over at Team JNPR's table, where Pyrrha sat with perfect posture, that strange smile still playing at her lips. "Weird is one word for it. She looks almost... predatory."

Blake's pen paused over her notebook as she observed Pyrrha more carefully. "She looks satisfied. Like a cat that caught a particularly bothersome mouse."

Ruby, who had been scanning the classroom, suddenly straightened up. "Wait,"she whispered urgently. "Where's Russet? She's always here early, and she never misses Oobleck's class."

The members of Team RWBY exchanged meaningful glances. Yang felt her stomach drop as she remembered their conversation from that morning about Pyrrha's barely controlled fury over Jaune's situation.

Weiss discretely tore a small piece of paper from her notebook and quickly scribbled a note before sliding it toward Blake:

"Russet's missing. Pyrrha looks creepy. Coincidence?"

Blake read the note, her cat ears twitching slightly under her bow, and wrote back:

"Look at her smile. That's not normal. Something happened."

She passed the note to Yang, who read it and immediately began writing her own response:

"Do you think she actually... you know?"

When the note reached Ruby, her eyes widened as she read the accumulating fears of her teammates. She scribbled furiously:

"You really think Pyrrha KILLED Russet?! That's insane! Pyrrha wouldn't hurt a fly!"

Yang took the note back and wrote:

"Look at her face and tell me that's the expression of someone who 'wouldn't hurt a fly.' She looks like she just solved all her problems in one fell swoop."

Weiss added her own contribution:

"She said yesterday she thought 'some people need to learn that actions have consequences.' What if she decided to teach that lesson personally?"

Blake's response was disturbingly detailed:

"If she did eliminate the problem, she'd need to dispose of evidence. Incineration would be cleanest - her semblance could compress the remains into metal containers for easy disposal. Though dismemberment might be more practical given time constraints. I could help relocate any... remnants... if necessary. I know several locations where organic matter decomposes quickly and thoroughly."

Ruby stared at Blake's note in horror before writing back:

"BLAKE! We are NOT talking about hiding a body! And you're being way too specific about this! Also, do you really think Pyrrha could kill someone AND hide the evidence in the half hour between when we saw her leave the library and now?"

The note made its way back to Yang, who glanced once more at Pyrrha's unsettling smile before writing:

"Yes. Absolutely yes. Look at her - she's been trained by the best fighters in the world since she was a child. Plus, polarity semblance = unlimited weapons. She could probably do it in ten minutes if she was motivated enough."

Weiss nodded and added:

"And she WAS motivated. You saw how angry she was yesterday. Plus, she's been trained in strategy and efficiency. If anyone could plan and execute something like this quickly and cleanly, it would be Pyrrha."

Blake's next addition made Ruby's blood run cold:

"Compressed metal containers could easily fit in storage lockers throughout the school. No one would think to look there, and her semblance would make moving them effortless. The real question is whether she acted alone or if Ren helped - his semblance would be useful for staying calm during cleanup."

Ruby's response was increasingly frantic:

"Stop talking like this is a real possibility! Pyrrha is our friend! She teaches orphans how to fight! She donates to charities! She doesn't MURDER PEOPLE!"

Yang wrote back:

"Russet hurt Jaune. Pyrrha loves Jaune. Do the math, Ruby."

From across the classroom, Jaune leaned over to whisper to Pyrrha. "Are you feeling alright? You seem... I don't know, different today."

Pyrrha turned to look at him, and her smile softened into something more genuine, though still tinged with that satisfied edge. "I'm feeling wonderful, Jaune. Absolutely wonderful. Why do you ask?"

"You just seem... I don't know, really happy about something,"Jaune said, though he was clearly pleased to see her in such good spirits.

"I am,"Pyrrha replied simply. "I had a very productive conversation with someone earlier, and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

This exchange was clearly audible to the nearby teams, and Yang felt her suspicions intensify. She scribbled quickly:

"'Productive conversation' = murder confession?"

Ruby was growing increasingly agitated:

"She said CONVERSATION, not HOMICIDE! You're all being paranoid!"

Blake added another disturbingly practical note:

"If she did act, we should consider our alibis. We were all together in the library, which provides cover, but we need to make sure our stories align if questioned."

Weiss wrote:

"Blake, the fact that you immediately started planning alibi strategies is genuinely concerning."

Yang's next note was grimly amused:

"I love how Ruby's trying to convince us Pyrrha's innocent while Blake's already planning our criminal defense strategy."

Ruby's handwriting was getting increasingly messy with stress:

"BECAUSE PYRRHA IS INNOCENT! She probably just had a good training session or got a letter from home or something normal like that!"

At that moment, Professor Oobleck's voice cut through their clandestine conversation.

"Miss Nikos!"he called out, his tone curious. "You seem particularly... pleased today. I trust this means you're especially excited about our discussion of revolutionary tactics?"

Pyrrha's smile became positively radiant. "Oh yes, Professor Oobleck. I've been thinking quite a bit about how effective direct action can be when more subtle approaches fail to achieve the desired results."

The professor nodded approvingly, but several students in the class—particularly those who had been following the note conversation—felt a chill run down their spines.

Yang grabbed the note and wrote:

"Okay, that settles it. She definitely did something to Russet."

Ruby's response was getting desperate:

"REVOLUTIONARY TACTICS REFERS TO THE LESSON TOPIC!"

Blake added:

"Though her phrasing about 'direct action' and 'subtle approaches failing' is... concerning in context."

Weiss wrote:

"Should we tell someone? Or just... pretend we didn't notice anything?"

Yang's final note was pragmatic:

"What are we going to tell them? 'We think our friend committed murder because she's smiling weird and someone's late to class'? Let's just... keep an eye on the situation."

Ruby stared at the accumulated notes in horror, then wrote one final, desperate message:

"I cannot believe we just spent an entire class period planning how to be accessories after the fact to a murder that PROBABLY DIDN'T HAPPEN!"

As Professor Oobleck continued his lecture about the importance of decisive action in achieving social change, Pyrrha continued to smile that mysterious, satisfied smile, completely unaware that half the class was now convinced she had committed the perfect crime.

And somewhere in the distance, very faintly, the sound of someone banging on metal could be heard echoing through the halls—though it was far too quiet for anyone in the classroom to notice over the professor's enthusiastic lecture.

Chapter Text

Lunch Interrogation

The cafeteria was buzzing with its usual lunchtime energy, but Team RWBY and NPR had claimed a corner table that felt more like a war council than a casual meal. Russet Copper's continued absence had not gone unnoticed—her usual spot at a nearby table remained conspicuously empty, and her teammates had been seen asking other students if anyone had seen her.

Pyrrha sat with perfect posture, delicately eating her salad with that same mysterious, satisfied smile that had been unsettling people all morning. Jaune was recounting something about Professor Port's latest hunting story, oblivious to the tension radiating from literally everyone else at the table.

Yang kept shooting meaningful glances at her teammates while Nora chattered nervously about her latest weapon modifications. Weiss was picking at her food without really eating, and Blake had barely touched her lunch at all, too busy studying Pyrrha's face for any tell-tale signs of... well, murder.

"You know what?" Jaune said, standing up suddenly. "I'm going to hit the bathroom before next class. Be right back."

The moment Jaune was out of earshot, seven pairs of eyes turned on Pyrrha with laser focus. The casual conversation died instantly, replaced by a silence so heavy it could have been cut with a knife.

"Okay," Yang said, leaning forward with her hands flat on the table. "What did you do?"

Pyrrha blinked innocently, tilting her head with a pleasant smile. "I'm sorry, what do you mean?"

"Russet," Weiss said bluntly. "She's been missing all day. You had that... expression... all morning. What. Did. You. Do?"

"Yeah," Nora added, her usual exuberance replaced by genuine concern. "You've been acting super weird, and it's kind of freaking everyone out."

Ren nodded slowly. "Your emotional state has been... unusual. There's an underlying satisfaction that's quite pronounced."

Blake leaned forward, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Pyrrha, if you did something to her, we need to know. I can help with... disposal... if necessary. I know places where organic matter breaks down quickly and thoroughly. Remote locations where no one would think to look."

Ruby's eyes went wide. "Blake!"

"What?" Blake said defensively. "If Pyrrha acted to protect Jaune, I'm not going to let her face the consequences alone. We handle problems as a team."

Pyrrha stared at them all for a long moment, her expression cycling through confusion, realization, and then what could only be described as delighted amusement.

"Oh my," she said softly, a genuine laugh escaping her lips. "You all think I killed her."

The table fell silent except for the sound of Ruby choking on her drink.

"Well," Yang said defensively, "you've been acting incredibly suspicious, she's completely disappeared, and you look like someone who just solved all their problems permanently."

"And you did say yesterday that some people needed to learn that actions have consequences," Weiss added.

Nora nodded vigorously. "Plus you've got that scary calm thing going on that you do when you're really, really angry but trying not to show it."

"I did have a conversation with Russet," Pyrrha said, still smiling with what now appeared to be genuine amusement rather than sinister satisfaction. "And I did ensure that she learned a valuable lesson about the consequences of her actions."

"See!" Yang pointed at her. "That's exactly the kind of thing someone says after committing murder!"

Blake pulled out a small notebook and a pen. "Do we need to establish alibis? I can create a timeline that places us all together during the estimated time of... incident."

"Blake, stop planning our defense!" Ruby hissed.

Pyrrha held up a hand, still chuckling. "I didn't kill anyone. Russet is perfectly safe."

"Then where is she?" Weiss demanded.

"In a locker," Pyrrha said simply.

The table went dead silent again.

"In... a locker?" Ren repeated slowly.

"Yes. After our conversation about why she decided to stand Jaune up—which was, by the way, because she thought it would be 'kinder' than rejecting him directly and would teach him to stop asking girls out like he did with Weiss—I may have used my semblance to... encourage her into one of the storage lockers near the courtyard."

Yang blinked. "You stuffed her in a locker?"

"I compressed the hinge and latch mechanisms," Pyrrha explained matter-of-factly. "She's perfectly safe, just... confined until someone with the proper tools can cut her out. Which could take several hours, depending on how quickly maintenance responds to her eventual rescue."

Nora's jaw dropped. "That's... actually kind of genius."

"It's poetic justice," Blake said approvingly. "She trapped Jaune in emotional isolation, so you trapped her in physical isolation."

"Exactly," Pyrrha beamed, and suddenly her smile made perfect sense—it wasn't the satisfaction of someone who had committed murder, but of someone who had delivered perfectly proportional revenge.

Weiss slumped back in her chair. "Oh thank god. I was genuinely starting to worry about what we'd do if you'd actually killed someone."

"Although," Yang said thoughtfully, "I'm kind of impressed that you went full vigilante justice on her. Very direct."

Ruby looked around the table in disbelief. "Wait, so you all really thought Pyrrha was capable of murder?"

There was a long pause.

"Yes," Yang said.

"Absolutely," Weiss nodded.

"Without question," Blake confirmed.

"Oh yeah," Nora added cheerfully.

"The possibility seemed... non-zero," Ren admitted.

Ruby stared at them all in horror. "What is wrong with you people? This is Pyrrha! She teaches self-defense to orphans! She donates to charity! She helps old ladies cross the street!"

"She's also a world-class fighter who was trained from childhood to be the perfect warrior," Yang pointed out. "And we saw how angry she was yesterday about the Jaune situation."

"Plus," Blake added, "the most dangerous people are often the ones who appear completely harmless. Pyrrha has the skills, the motivation, and the emotional control to commit the perfect crime if she chose to."

"I'm actually a little disappointed that she didn't," Weiss said, then quickly added, "Not because I wanted Russet dead! Just because Blake's murder cleanup plan was surprisingly thorough."

Blake looked pleased. "I've done a lot of reading."

Pyrrha was watching this exchange with growing amusement. "So just to clarify—you all genuinely believed I was capable of murdering a fellow student in cold blood?"

"When it comes to protecting Jaune?" Yang shrugged. "Yeah, honestly, I could see it."

"You get a very particular look in your eyes when someone hurts him," Nora observed. "It's kind of terrifying."

"The fact that you're not even offended by the accusation is honestly making me more convinced you could do it if you wanted to," Ruby said weakly.

Pyrrha laughed, a bright, genuine sound. "Well, I'm flattered that you all think I'm capable of such... efficiency. Though I prefer to think of myself as creative rather than homicidal."

"Creative?" Ren raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yes. Russet wanted to avoid direct confrontation, so I gave her plenty of time to think about her choices in a nice, quiet, confined space. She'll have hours to contemplate the difference between actual kindness and cowardly cruelty."

"How long do you think it'll take maintenance to find her?" Blake asked with professional interest.

"Well," Pyrrha said thoughtfully, "those particular lockers are in a section that's not used very often. And I may have... adjusted... the lock in such a way that it won't be immediately obvious that someone is inside. Could be quite a while before anyone investigates the source of any... muffled sounds."

Yang grinned. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Just don't hurt Jaune and we'll never have a problem," Pyrrha said sweetly.

As if summoned by the mention of his name, Jaune returned to the table, sliding back into his seat with a smile. "What did I miss? You all look like you were having a really intense conversation."

Seven guilty faces turned toward him with varying degrees of forced casualness.

"Oh, nothing important," Ruby said quickly. "Just... discussing homework."

"Homework about... creative problem solving," Yang added.

"Very creative," Blake murmured.

Jaune shrugged, accepting the explanation without question. "Cool. Hey, has anyone seen Russet today? Her teammates were asking around earlier."

Pyrrha's smile returned to its earlier mysterious quality. "I'm sure she's... around somewhere. Probably having a quiet day to herself, thinking about things."

Under the table, Yang had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the understatement, while Blake made a note in her notebook about the effectiveness of Pyrrha's methods for future reference.

Chapter Text

Consequences

The cafeteria had mostly emptied out after Pyrrha's revelation about stuffing Russet in a locker, leaving Team RWBY and NPR clustered around their corner table in stunned silence. Yang was the first to break it.

"Okay, but like... walk us through it," she said, leaning forward with obvious fascination. "Start to finish. How did you even get her alone?"

Pyrrha's smile returned—that same satisfied expression that had been unsettling people all morning. "Well, since you're all so curious about my methods..."

She settled back in her chair, clearly prepared to tell the whole story.

"It started when I saw her organizing her books after Professor Oobleck's morning lecture yesterday. The timing was perfect—most students had already headed to their afternoon classes, so the hallway was nearly empty."

Blake pulled out a small notebook, as if she was genuinely planning to take notes on Pyrrha's technique. "What was your approach?"

"Direct but polite," Pyrrha said, her tone taking on the same pleasant quality it had during her actual confrontation with Russet. "I simply walked up to her and asked if we could speak privately for a moment."

"And she just... agreed?" Weiss asked skeptically.

Pyrrha's smile widened slightly. "Well, the way I phrased it didn't really leave room for refusal. Sometimes it's all about tone and body language—making it clear that declining isn't really an option without actually threatening anyone."

Ren was watching his partner with a mixture of concern and professional interest. "Where did you take her?"

"One of the smaller courtyards. High walls, single entrance, very private." Pyrrha's voice carried a note of satisfaction. "Perfect for a conversation where we wouldn't be interrupted."

"You planned this," Ruby realized, looking both impressed and slightly alarmed.

"Of course I planned it," Pyrrha said matter-of-factly. "Jaune deserved justice, and justice requires proper execution."

The hallway was nearly empty as Russet Copper finished organizing her books for Professor Oobleck's afternoon lecture. Her red panda tail swished idly as she sorted through her notes, double-checking that she had everything she needed. The auburn-haired Faunus was known for her meticulous preparation, and today's class on the Faunus Rights Revolution was one she'd been looking forward to.

She closed her locker with a soft click and turned around, only to find herself face-to-face with Pyrrha Nikos.

"Oh!" Russet startled slightly, pressing a hand to her chest. "Pyrrha, you scared me. I didn't hear you coming."

Pyrrha's smile was radiant, the same warm expression she wore during interviews and public appearances. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was wondering if we could speak privately for a moment?"

There was something in Pyrrha's tone—perfectly polite, but with an underlying current that made Russet's ears twitch nervously. The red panda Faunus glanced around the hallway, noting how empty it had become as students headed to their afternoon classes.

"I... well, I have Professor Oobleck's class in twenty minutes," Russet said, clutching her books a little tighter. "Could we perhaps talk afterward?"

"This won't take long," Pyrrha assured her, her smile never wavering. "Please?"

Something in Pyrrha's emerald eyes made it clear that this wasn't really a request. Russet felt her throat go dry, but she nodded slowly. "Of course. Where did you want to...?"

"There's a quiet spot outside," Pyrrha said, gesturing toward the doors that led to one of Beacon's smaller courtyards. "More private."

Russet followed, her tail bristling slightly with an unease she couldn't quite name. Pyrrha Nikos was Beacon's golden girl—kind, talented, beloved by students and faculty alike. There was no reason to be nervous about talking to her. Yet as they walked through the doors and into the secluded courtyard, Russet couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap.

The courtyard was bordered by high walls and had only one entrance, making it feel more like a cage than a peaceful garden spot. Pyrrha stopped near the center, turning to face Russet with that same perfect smile.

"Now then," Pyrrha said, her voice maintaining its pleasant tone. "I wanted to ask you about Jaune."

Russet's ears flattened slightly against her head. "Jaune? I... what about him?"

"Well," Pyrrha continued, tilting her head slightly like she was simply curious, "I was wondering why you stood him up last week."

The question hung in the air like a blade. Russet's grip on her books tightened until her knuckles went white, and her tail curled around to press against her leg—a defensive gesture she'd never quite been able to break.

"I... I don't know what you mean," Russet said weakly.

Pyrrha's smile grew a fraction wider, and somehow that made it infinitely more terrifying. "Oh, I think you do. You accepted his invitation to dinner, made plans to meet him in the courtyard at six o'clock, and then simply... didn't show up. He waited for you for over two hours."

Russet's face went pale, then flushed with shame. "How did you...?"

"Jaune is my partner," Pyrrha said simply. "I make it my business to know when something is hurting him. So I'll ask again, and I'd appreciate an honest answer this time: why did you stand him up?"

Russet looked around desperately, as if hoping for an escape route or someone to interrupt them. But the courtyard remained empty, and Pyrrha stood between her and the only exit.

"I..." Russet started, then stopped, then tried again. "Look, it wasn't personal, okay? I mean, Jaune seems nice enough, but..."

"But?" Pyrrha prompted, her tone still maddeningly calm.

"But he wouldn't stop asking!" Russet burst out, the words tumbling from her lips in a rush. "Every day after class, he'd find some excuse to talk to me. He'd ask about my notes, or if I wanted to study together, or if I needed help with anything. And I kept being polite because I didn't want to be mean, but he just wouldn't take the hint!"

Pyrrha nodded thoughtfully, as if this was a perfectly reasonable explanation. "I see. And standing him up was your solution to this problem?"

"I thought if I said yes and then didn't show up, he'd get the message and leave me alone," Russet said, her voice growing smaller. "Like what happened with Weiss. After she rejected him, he stopped bothering her."

"So you decided to hurt him deliberately," Pyrrha said, her voice still pleasant but somehow colder. "To teach him a lesson."

"It wasn't like that!" Russet protested. "I just... I didn't want to be cruel to his face. I thought this would be... kinder."

Pyrrha laughed, a sound like silver bells that sent chills down Russet's spine. "Kinder? You think leaving someone alone in an empty courtyard for two hours, dressed up and hopeful, is kinder than simply saying 'no thank you'?"

Around them, the metal fixtures of the courtyard—the decorative railings, the brackets holding the light fixtures, even the buckles on Russet's belt—began to emit soft creaking sounds, as if they were under pressure.

"I... I'm sorry," Russet whispered, finally understanding the magnitude of her mistake. "I didn't think—"

"No," Pyrrha agreed, her smile finally fading. "You didn't think. You didn't think about how he'd feel, waiting there alone. You didn't think about how he'd blame himself, wondering what he'd done wrong. You didn't think about how it would affect his confidence, his self-worth, his ability to trust people."

The creaking grew louder. Russet looked around nervously, noticing how the metal around them seemed to be bending slightly, as if it were straining against invisible bonds.

"Pyrrha," Russet said, her voice shaking. "I understand you're upset, but—"

"Upset?" Pyrrha repeated, and for the first time, her mask slipped slightly. Her green eyes blazed with a fury that made Russet take a step back. "Oh, I'm not upset, Russet. I'm furious. Do you have any idea what your little 'lesson' did to him? He's given up on dating entirely because of people like you who think it's acceptable to treat others as inconveniences rather than human beings."

"I said I was sorry!" Russet's voice pitched higher with panic as the metal around them continued to groan and bend. "I didn't mean for it to go this far!"

"But it did go this far," Pyrrha said calmly, her composure returning as quickly as it had cracked. "Actions have consequences, Russet. Something you should have considered before you decided to toy with someone's feelings."

The creaking stopped abruptly, and the sudden silence was somehow more ominous than the noise had been. Pyrrha smiled again, bright and beautiful and terrible.

"Thank you for your honesty," she said pleasantly. "I appreciate you taking the time to explain your reasoning. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a class to attend."

Russet watched in confusion as Pyrrha turned and walked toward the exit, her step light and her posture perfect. For a moment, she thought that was it—that she'd somehow escaped the consequences of her actions with nothing more than a terrifying conversation.

She was wrong.

As Russet hurried to follow Pyrrha out of the courtyard, eager to get away from the oppressive atmosphere, she had to pass by a row of lockers that lined the wall near the exit. She was almost past them when she heard the distinct sound of metal hinges creaking.

She turned just in time to see one of the locker doors swing open, seemingly of its own accord.

Before she could react, she felt a sharp tug at her waist as the metal buckle of her belt was yanked forward with impossible force. The pull was so sudden and strong that she stumbled forward, her books scattering across the ground as she was dragged toward the open locker.

"Wait—" she started to call out, but her words were cut off as she was pulled bodily into the narrow metal space. The locker door slammed shut behind her with a resounding clang, and she heard the distinct sound of the locking mechanism engaging.

"Pyrrha!" she called out, pounding on the inside of the locker door. "Pyrrha, let me out! This isn't funny!"

But there was no response except the sound of footsteps moving away down the hallway, growing fainter until they disappeared entirely.

Russet was left alone in the dark, cramped space, with nothing but her own panicked breathing and the slowly dawning realization that maybe, just maybe, she should have thought twice before deciding to toy with the feelings of Pyrrha Nikos's partner.

In the hallway outside, Pyrrha walked calmly toward her next class, her expression serene and her smile genuine for the first time all day. Some lessons, she reflected, were best learned the hard way.

Behind her, the faint sound of muffled shouting could be heard from the vicinity of the lockers, but Pyrrha paid it no mind. After all, she had a class to attend, and she'd never been late to anything in her life.

She certainly wasn't going to start now.

Chapter Text

The Apology

It had taken maintenance nearly six hours to cut Russet Copper out of the locker. By the time they'd finally managed to extract her from what the maintenance crew had described as "the most comprehensively jammed lock mechanism they'd ever encountered," Russet was cramped, exhausted, and had spent considerable time thinking about her recent life choices.

The next morning, she found herself lurking near the dormitory hallways, waiting for her chance to catch Jaune alone. She'd spent most of the night rehearsing what she wanted to say, though her prepared speech kept getting derailed by memories of Pyrrha's terrifyingly calm voice and the sound of metal creaking under invisible pressure.

When she finally spotted Jaune walking down the corridor with his backpack slung over his shoulder, she took a deep breath and approached him quickly.

"Jaune!" she called out, causing him to pause and turn toward her with a look of mild surprise.

"Oh, hey Russet," he said, his tone polite but noticeably cooler than it had been during their previous interactions. "How's it going?"

"I... I wanted to talk to you," she began, wringing her hands nervously. "About last week. About our... about the date that didn't happen."

Jaune's expression grew guarded. "Okay?"

"I wanted to apologize," Russet said, the words coming out in a rush. "I should have told you I couldn't make it instead of just... not showing up. That was wrong of me, and I'm sorry you waited for so long."

She was getting into the rhythm of her prepared apology when movement in the hallway behind Jaune caught her eye. Pyrrha Nikos had just emerged from a classroom, her familiar red hair making her immediately recognizable. What made Russet's blood run cold was the fact that Pyrrha had clearly spotted their conversation and was now standing perfectly still, watching with that same pleasant smile she'd worn yesterday.

Russet's voice faltered slightly as she tried to continue her apology while keeping one eye on Pyrrha. "I, um, I realize that what I did was hurtful and—"

Pyrrha caught her eye and made a small, elegant gesture with her hand—a little rolling motion that clearly meant "continue." The smile never left her face, but her green eyes were sharp and attentive.

"—and I should have been more direct about my feelings instead of trying to... to send a message that way," Russet continued, her voice becoming increasingly strained. "It was cowardly and cruel, and you didn't deserve that."

Jaune was listening with a thoughtful expression, completely unaware of the silent exchange happening behind him. Pyrrha had moved closer, now standing where she could observe the entire conversation while remaining just outside of Jaune's peripheral vision.

"I know this doesn't make up for it," Russet pressed on, very aware of Pyrrha's continued presence, "but I wanted you to know that it wasn't about you personally. I just... I handle social situations poorly sometimes, and I made the wrong choice about how to deal with the situation."

Behind Jaune, Pyrrha tilted her head slightly and made another small gesture—this one encouraging Russet to be more specific. Her smile had taken on that satisfied quality again, the same expression she'd worn after their "conversation" in the courtyard.

"What I mean is," Russet said, her tail twitching nervously, "I should have just told you directly that I wasn't interested in dating instead of... instead of thinking that standing you up would be somehow kinder. Because it wasn't kinder. It was worse."

Pyrrha nodded approvingly and finally seemed satisfied with the apology, stepping back slightly but not leaving entirely.

Jaune was quiet for a long moment, processing her words. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but distant.

"I appreciate the apology, Russet. Really. At least now I know what happened instead of wondering what I did wrong." He adjusted his backpack strap, a gesture that somehow managed to convey finality. "But I think... I think it's probably better if we just avoid each other from now on. You know? Nothing personal, I just don't really want to risk any more misunderstandings."

Russet felt her heart sink, though she couldn't tell if it was because of Jaune's response or because of the way Pyrrha's smile had widened with what looked like approval.

"I... yes, I understand," Russet said quietly. "That's probably for the best."

"Okay then," Jaune said with a polite nod. "Thanks for apologizing, at least. That was... decent of you."

He turned to continue down the hallway, and as he did, his eyes landed on Pyrrha, who was now openly visible and approaching them with her usual graceful stride.

"Oh, hey Pyrrha," Jaune said, his entire demeanor brightening immediately. "Perfect timing. Ready for Professor Goodwitch's class?"

"Absolutely," Pyrrha replied warmly, falling into step beside him. As they began walking away together, she glanced back over her shoulder at Russet with that same pleasant, satisfied smile.

"Have a wonderful day, Russet," she called out cheerfully.

The words were perfectly polite, but they carried an unmistakable undertone of "I'm glad we understand each other now."

Russet stood alone in the hallway, watching them disappear around the corner, and found herself genuinely grateful that Jaune had decided to avoid her. Something told her that as long as she stayed far away from Jaune Arc, she would never have to experience another one of Pyrrha Nikos's "conversations" about consequences and appropriate behavior.

As she headed toward her own class, she made a mental note to find a completely different route through the academy. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally cross paths with Pyrrha again and discover what other creative lessons the champion might have in store for people who hurt her partner.

Behind her, the sound of Jaune's laughter echoed down the hallway as Pyrrha said something that amused him, and Russet found herself walking a little faster toward the safety of her next classroom.

Chapter Text

An Unexpected Realization

The RWBY dorm room was filled with the comfortable sounds of friendship—the soft shuffle of cards being dealt, the electronic beeps and music from Ruby's handheld gaming device, and the occasional burst of laughter from the pair sitting cross-legged on Ruby's bed.

Yang was sprawled across her own bed, supposedly reading the latest issue of "Weapons Weekly," but she found herself glancing up from the magazine more often than she was actually reading. Jaune had become a regular fixture in their dorm room over the past few weeks, ever since the whole Russet incident had blown over. He and Ruby had bonded over their shared love of strategy games and terrible action movies, creating an easy friendship that filled the room with warmth.

"No way!" Ruby exclaimed, throwing down her cards dramatically. "You can't possibly have another royal flush!"

"I'm not even trying to cheat," Jaune laughed, spreading his cards out on the bedspread. "I think your deck might be broken."

"My deck is not broken!" Ruby protested, though she was grinning. "You're just unnaturally lucky at cards. It's probably your semblance or something."

"My semblance has nothing to do with card games," Jaune replied, gathering up the cards to shuffle for another round. "I'm just—"

"Insufferably good at this, yeah, yeah," Ruby finished, flopping backward dramatically. "One more round, then we're switching to video games. I need to restore my honor."

Yang smiled at their easy banter, but something was nagging at her. As she watched Jaune deal out another hand, she found herself really looking at him for what felt like the first time in... well, maybe ever.

He'd certainly changed since first year. The awkward, gangly boy who'd thrown up on her shoes had filled out considerably. His shoulders were broader now, his movements more confident, and there was something about the way he carried himself that spoke of real strength rather than desperate bravado. His laugh was genuine and warm, and when he smiled at Ruby's terrible jokes, it reached his eyes in a way that made something flutter in Yang's chest.

More importantly, though, was how he treated her sister.

Yang had watched a parade of boys try to get close to Ruby over the years, especially since she'd started at Signal. Most of them were transparent in their attempts to use Ruby as a pathway to Yang herself. They'd compliment Ruby's weapon or ask her about training, but their eyes would always drift toward Yang, waiting for an opening to shift their attention to the "real target."

Jaune had never done that. Not once.

When he looked at Ruby, he was genuinely focused on her. When she talked about weapon modifications or tactical theories, he listened with real interest. When she made one of her adorably dorky jokes, he laughed because he actually found it funny, not because he was trying to score points with her older sister. He treated Ruby like she was interesting and worthwhile in her own right, not as a stepping stone to someone else.

It was such a rare quality that Yang had almost forgotten to appreciate it. But watching him now, seeing the way he genuinely enjoyed Ruby's company without any ulterior motives, she felt something warm and unfamiliar spreading through her chest.

"Yang!" Ruby's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Jaune asked you something!"

Yang blinked, refocusing on the pair looking at her expectantly. "Sorry, what?"

"I asked if you wanted to join us," Jaune repeated, holding up a controller. "Ruby's about to get absolutely destroyed in 'Fighters of Remnant,' and I thought you might want to witness her humiliation firsthand."

"Hey!" Ruby protested. "I've been practicing! I'm definitely going to beat you this time!"

"Sure you are," Jaune grinned, and Yang felt that flutter again. When had his smile become so... attractive?

The realization hit her like a Nevermore to the face. She was developing feelings for Jaune Arc. Jaune, who she'd dismissed as "Vomit Boy" for over a year. Jaune, who was kind and funny and had been nothing but respectful toward both her and her sister. Jaune, who had strong arms and a genuine laugh and who had danced with her like he actually wanted to be there rather than like he was doing her a favor.

"I..." Yang started, then stopped, her brain scrambling to catch up with this revelation. She could feel heat rising in her cheeks, and for once in her life, it wasn't because of her semblance. "I was actually going to... I think Blake wanted to... study stuff. With me. Together. Study things."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Blake's in the library with Weiss working on their history project."

"Right!" Yang said, perhaps a bit too loudly. "That's where I was going! To help with... history... things."

She scrambled off her bed, nearly tripping over her own feet in her haste to get to the door. Both Ruby and Jaune were staring at her with matching expressions of confusion.

"Are you okay?" Jaune asked, genuine concern in his voice. "You seem a little—"

"Fine!" Yang interrupted, grabbing her jacket from its hook. "Totally fine! Just remembered I promised Blake I'd help with... historical... research stuff. Very important. Can't keep her waiting!"

She was at the door now, her hand on the handle, when she made the mistake of looking back. Jaune was still watching her with that worried expression, his blue eyes soft with concern, and Yang felt her heart do something acrobatic that definitely wasn't normal.

"Maybe next time?" she said weakly.

"Of course," Jaune replied with a small smile. "Have fun with your studying."

Yang practically fled from the room, closing the door behind her with more force than necessary. She stood in the hallway for a moment, pressing her back against the door and trying to process what had just happened.

She had a crush on Jaune Arc. Jaune Arc, who was sweet and funny and had never once treated her like a prize to be won. Jaune Arc, who was currently bonding with her little sister over card games and had probably noticed that she'd just acted like a complete lunatic.

"Oh no," she whispered to herself. "Oh no, oh no, oh no."

From inside the room, she could hear Ruby's voice: "What was that about?"

And Jaune's response: "I have no idea. Maybe she really is excited about history?"

Yang groaned quietly and pushed off from the door. She needed to find a place to process her thoughts. the library should be good, not many poeple at this hour.

As she walked toward the library, Yang found herself thinking about dancing with Jaune at the club, about the way he'd moved with confidence and grace, about how he'd taken care of her when she'd gotten too drunk. She thought about his laugh and his kindness and the way he'd grown into himself over the past year.

And then she thought about Pyrrha, and her stomach dropped.

"Oh no," she said again, this time with feeling. Because falling for Jaune Arc was complicated enough without having to navigate the fact that one of her closest friends had been pining for him for over a year.

This was going to be a problem.

Chapter Text

Literary Connections

The library was bathed in the warm golden light of late afternoon, dust motes dancing lazily in the sunbeams that streamed through the tall windows. Blake Belladonna had come here seeking the familiar comfort of solitude and books, her usual refuge when the dormitory felt too crowded or her thoughts too tangled.

She paused in the entrance, scanning the familiar space for the perfect reading spot, when her gaze landed on something unexpected. There, in one of the comfortable reading nooks near the fiction section, sat Jaune Arc. What caught her attention wasn't his presence—plenty of students used the library for studying—but what he was reading.

Instead of the usual textbook or comic book she'd seen him with before, Jaune was completely absorbed in what appeared to be a proper novel. Blake's faunus hearing picked up the soft sound of pages turning as she moved closer, her curiosity piqued.

The thick volume in his hands bore the distinctive cover of "Noble 24601," and Blake felt a small flutter of surprise. It was one of the most emotionally complex novels in Remnant's literary canon—a sweeping tale of redemption, social justice, and the power of compassion to transform lives. Not exactly light reading, and certainly not what she would have expected from someone she'd categorized as more interested in comics than classic literature.

Blake found herself hesitating. Usually, she would have simply found another spot and left him to his reading. But something about the scene—Jaune's complete absorption in the story, the way his brow furrowed slightly during what she recognized as one of the more intense passages—made her reconsider her usual approach.

Maybe this was an opportunity. Yang had mentioned Jaune's recent struggles with self-worth, and Blake had seen firsthand how the Russet situation had affected him. Perhaps a simple conversation about books could be a way to help, to remind him that he was interesting and worthwhile without the weight of romantic expectations.

Taking a breath, she approached the couch where he sat.

"That's a beautiful choice," she said softly, not wanting to startle him.

Jaune looked up, blinking as he refocused from the world of the novel to the real world around him. When he saw Blake, his expression shifted to mild surprise.

"Oh, hey Blake," he said, glancing down at the book in his hands. "You know this one?"

"Noble 24601? It's one of my favorites," Blake replied, settling into the chair across from him. "I don't think I've ever seen you reading novels before. Usually it's textbooks or..."

"Comics," Jaune finished with a slightly embarrassed smile. "Yeah, I know. I probably don't seem like much of a reader."

"I didn't mean it like that," Blake said quickly. "I was just... surprised. Pleasantly surprised. It's a complex book to choose."

Jaune marked his place with a finger and leaned back against the couch cushions. "I used to read a lot more, actually. Before Beacon, I mean. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with the classics—adventure stories, tales of heroes and redemption, that sort of thing."

"What changed?" Blake asked, genuinely curious.

Jaune shrugged, his expression growing thoughtful. "Life, I guess. When I was at home, I was always helping take care of my younger sisters. Then when I got to Beacon, between trying to catch up in classes and..." He paused, a brief shadow crossing his face. "Well, and trying to figure out the whole getting a date thing, I just never seemed to have the time anymore."

Blake nodded slowly, understanding more than he probably realized. "And now?"

"Now I'm away from home, caught up in my classes, and..." Jaune's voice took on a slightly rueful tone. "Well, I'm taking a long break from the romance department. So suddenly I have time to remember why I loved getting lost in stories."

There was something in his voice—not bitter, exactly, but resigned—that made Blake's chest tighten with sympathy. But before she could dwell on it, Jaune's expression brightened again.

"What about you? Any recommendations for someone getting back into reading?"

And just like that, they were off. Blake found herself discussing her favorite novels with an enthusiasm she rarely shared with anyone except perhaps Ruby during her more literary moments. Jaune was an engaged listener, asking thoughtful questions about themes and characters, sharing his own interpretations of the books he'd read.

"I always thought the best part of Noble 24601 was how it showed that people could change," Jaune said during a discussion of the main character's journey. "That your past mistakes don't have to define your entire future."

"The idea that everyone deserves compassion, even when they've made poor choices," Blake agreed, thinking of her own complicated history. "Though I think my favorite theme is how small acts of kindness can ripple outward and change everything."

"Like when Valjean helps the bishop, even after..." Jaune paused, clearly trying not to spoil anything for her.

"I've read it before," Blake assured him with a smile. "Multiple times, actually."

"Oh good," Jaune grinned. "Because I was dying to talk to someone about that scene where he lifts the cart to save that man. The symbolism there is incredible—the physical strength representing his moral transformation..."

Blake felt something warm unfurl in her chest as she listened to him analyze the literary symbolism with genuine passion. This was a side of Jaune she'd never seen before, and it was... refreshing. Attractive, even. He had insights she wouldn't have expected, a depth of understanding that spoke to a thoughtful, contemplative nature he usually kept hidden beneath his more outgoing personality.

They moved from Noble 24601 to other classics—Blake recommended "The Garden of Thorns" for its complex female protagonist, while Jaune suggested "Tales of the Storm King" for its exploration of duty versus personal desire. Their conversation flowed naturally from book to book, touching on themes of heroism, redemption, love, and the complexity of human nature.

"I think that's what I love most about reading," Blake said as they discussed the way literature could offer new perspectives on familiar problems. "Books let you live a thousand different lives, understand viewpoints you might never encounter otherwise."

"Exactly," Jaune agreed, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "And sometimes you find a character going through something similar to what you're experiencing, and suddenly you don't feel so alone with it."

Blake studied his face as he spoke, noting the genuine passion in his expression. This wasn't someone putting on an intellectual act to impress her—this was Jaune genuinely excited to share something he loved with someone who understood it.

The conversation continued to evolve, touching on philosophy, morality, and the ways that stories shaped their understanding of the world. Blake found herself sharing thoughts and interpretations she'd never voiced aloud, while Jaune offered perspectives that made her see familiar stories in new ways.

"You know," Blake said during a lull in their discussion, "I always assumed you weren't much of a reader because you never talked about books with the rest of us."

Jaune looked slightly embarrassed. "I guess I figured most people would think it was boring. Yang's more about action, Weiss prefers her scholarly texts, Ruby's usually focused on weapons and technology... It's not exactly the most exciting hobby."

"Are you kidding?" Blake said, genuine surprise in her voice. "Literature is one of the most important ways we understand ourselves and our world. The fact that you engage with it thoughtfully makes you more interesting, not less."

Jaune's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and Blake felt that warm feeling in her chest intensify. When had she started finding his modest reactions so endearing?

Their conversation had meandered through multiple topics when Blake suddenly noticed how the light in the library had changed. The golden afternoon sun had deepened to the rich amber of early evening, and the shadows had grown long across the floor.

"Oh," she said, glancing toward the windows. "It's getting late."

Jaune followed her gaze and blinked in surprise. "Wow, I had no idea we'd been talking for so long." He looked back at her with a warm smile. "Thank you, Blake. This was... really nice. I'd forgotten how much I missed having someone to discuss books with."

"Thank you too," Blake replied, and she meant it. "I really enjoyed this. You have wonderful insights—I'm looking at some of these stories completely differently now."

They both began gathering their things, the easy intimacy of their conversation giving way to a slight awkwardness as they prepared to return to their separate lives.

They both began standing, and Blake found herself hesitating. The afternoon had been unexpectedly wonderful, and she didn't want it to end on just a polite goodbye.

"Jaune?" she said, gathering her courage. "Would you... would you like to do this again sometime? Maybe we could read something together and discuss it?"

Jaune's face lit up with genuine surprise and pleasure. "Really? You'd want to do that?"

"I'd like that very much," Blake said, surprised by how much she meant it. "Maybe you could recommend something for me to read next?"

"I have the perfect book in mind, actually," Jaune said, his enthusiasm evident. "It's about a reformed thief who becomes a protector, fighting against corruption and injustice. I think you'd love the main character—she's complex and morally ambiguous in all the best ways."

"That sounds perfect," Blake said, and realized she was looking forward to their next conversation already.

They parted ways at the library entrance, Jaune heading toward the dormitories while Blake took a different path, ostensibly to get some fresh air before dinner but really because she needed a moment to process what had just happened.

As she walked through the evening-kissed campus, Blake found herself feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The conversation with Jaune had reminded her of something she'd almost forgotten—the pure joy of connecting with someone over shared interests, of discovering unexpected depths in a person she thought she knew.

More than that, though, she'd seen a side of Jaune that made her understand why Pyrrha had been so patient with him and why Ruby enjoyed his company so much. Beneath his sometimes bumbling exterior was a thoughtful, passionate person with genuine depth and emotional intelligence.

Blake paused on a small bridge overlooking one of the academy's gardens, watching the last light of day paint the sky in shades of purple and gold. She was definitely looking forward to their next literary discussion, and if she was being honest with herself, it wasn't just because of the books.

Jaune Arc, she realized, was far more interesting than she'd ever given him credit for. And that realization brought with it a flutter of possibility that both excited and complicated her feelings in ways she wasn't quite ready to examine.

For now, she was content to enjoy the memory of their afternoon together and look forward to the next chapter of whatever this friendship was becoming.

Chapter Text

Unexpected Apologies

The training courtyard was mostly empty in the late afternoon, with most students having finished their combat practice for the day. Weiss approached quietly, her heels clicking softly against the stone as she spotted the figure she'd been looking for.

Jaune was in the center of the courtyard, moving through a series of sword forms with focused precision. His hoodie was draped over a nearby bench, leaving him in just a fitted training shirt that showed off the considerable changes a year at Beacon had wrought.

Weiss paused at the edge of the courtyard, momentarily caught off guard by what she was seeing. Gone was the gangly, awkward boy who had serenaded her with such painful enthusiasm. The young man moving through his practice forms bore little resemblance to that earlier version of himself.

His shoulders had broadened significantly, and there was real strength in the way he handled Crocea Mors now—not the desperate flailing of someone out of his depth, but the controlled movements of someone who had earned his place here through dedication and hard work. His stance was solid, his footwork precise, and when he transitioned from defensive blocks to offensive strikes, there was a fluid grace that spoke to countless hours of practice.

When did this happen? Weiss found herself thinking, watching the way his muscles moved beneath the fabric of his shirt. When did Jaune Arc become... this?

It wasn't just the physical changes, though those were certainly striking. There was something different about his entire bearing—a quiet confidence in his movements that had been completely absent during his earlier attempts to win her attention. He looked like he belonged here now, like he'd grown into his role as both student and leader.

The realization made her stomach flutter with something that might have been nervousness. This wasn't going to be as simple as she'd thought. Apologizing to the eager, hopeful boy who had asked her to the dance would have been one thing. But this version of Jaune—competent, attractive, clearly no longer in need of her validation—was something else entirely.

Get yourself together, Weiss, she told herself firmly. You came here for a reason.

She waited until he finished his current sequence, not wanting to interrupt what was clearly serious training. When Jaune lowered his sword and reached for his water bottle, she took the opportunity to make her presence known.

"Jaune?" she said, stepping forward with what she hoped was appropriate confidence despite the unexpected nerves dancing in her stomach.

He looked up, slightly out of breath but not winded, and smiled when he saw her. "Weiss! I didn't know you were there. How long have you been watching?"

"Just a few moments," she replied, surprised by how steady her voice sounded. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Not at all," Jaune said, setting down Crocea Mors and reaching for a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. "I was just working on some new techniques Professor Goodwitch showed us. Still trying to get the timing right."

Of course he's being modest, Weiss thought, noting how his training shirt clung to his frame in ways that were definitely distracting. What I just watched looked like the work of someone who's moved far beyond basic technique.

"Could I... could we talk for a moment?" she asked, her carefully rehearsed words suddenly feeling inadequate in the face of this new version of Jaune.

"Of course," Jaune replied, setting down his cleaning cloth and giving her his full attention. The simple gesture—the way he immediately focused on her completely, without any of the desperate eagerness that had once characterized his interactions with her—somehow made this both easier and infinitely more complicated.

Weiss took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something difficult. "I wanted to apologize to you. For how I treated you when you were... when you were trying to court me."

Jaune blinked, clearly not having expected this conversation. "Weiss, you don't need to—"

"Yes, I do," she interrupted, moving to sit on the edge of the bench, maintaining some distance but showing she was committed to this discussion. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately, especially after what happened with Russet. I was unnecessarily cold to you. Cruel, even."

"You weren't cruel," Jaune said gently, settling beside her on the bench with careful distance between them. "You were clear about your feelings. I was the one who kept pushing when you'd already said no."

Weiss shook her head, noting how even this simple gesture—him sitting near her without any of his previous nervous energy—felt different now. More mature, more controlled. "That's just it, though. I could have been kinder about it. I could have explained myself better instead of just... dismissing you. You were putting yourself out there, being vulnerable, and I treated it like it was an inconvenience."

Jaune was quiet for a moment, considering her words. "I know I was annoying," he said finally. "I kept asking even after you'd made it clear you weren't interested. I should have respected your answer the first time."

"You were persistent, yes," Weiss agreed. "But you were never disrespectful. You never made me feel unsafe or threatened. You just... hoped. And I made you feel foolish for hoping."

There was genuine regret in her voice, and Jaune felt something soften in his chest. "I appreciate you trying to make me feel better about the whole Russet thing, but really, you don't need to apologize for not wanting to date me."

"This isn't about making you feel better," Weiss said firmly. "This is about me recognizing that I handled the situation poorly. You deserved better than the cold shoulder I gave you."

Jaune managed a small smile. "Well, thank you for saying that. It... it does mean something, coming from you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Jaune's expression grew thoughtful, then slightly guilty.

"Actually," he said, "since we're apologizing, I owe you one too."

Weiss looked surprised. "For what?"

"Neptune," Jaune said simply. "Convincing him to ask you to the dance. I thought I was being helpful, being a good wingman, but..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't think it would turn out as badly as it did. The whole thing was a disaster, and you got hurt because of my meddling."

"Jaune—"

"I guess it just goes to show I really wasn't built for romance," he continued with a self-deprecating laugh. "Can't even play matchmaker properly."

Weiss felt her heart clench at the defeated tone in his voice. "Don't say that," she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "Don't sell yourself short like that."

Jaune looked at her with surprise at the intensity of her response.

"You made a mistake with good intentions," Weiss continued, her voice gentler now. "That doesn't mean you're not capable of love or that you don't deserve it. It just means you're human."

"Maybe," Jaune said, though his tone suggested he didn't really believe it. "I'll... I'll think about that."

The lack of conviction in his voice was obvious, and Weiss felt a surge of frustration—not at him, but at the situation, at everyone who had made him doubt his own worth.

"Jaune," she said carefully, "what happened with Russet, with me, with whoever else... that's not a reflection of who you are as a person. Sometimes things just don't work out, and that's nobody's fault."

"I know that logically," Jaune replied, standing and gathering his cleaning supplies. "But when it keeps happening..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but he didn't need to. Weiss understood what he meant—when rejection becomes a pattern, it's hard not to see it as a personal failing.

"For what it's worth," she said as he prepared to leave, "I think any girl would be lucky to have someone who cares as deeply as you do. Even if I wasn't that girl."

Jaune paused, looking back at her with something that might have been gratitude. "Thanks, Weiss. That... that actually helps more than you know."

As he walked away, Weiss remained on the bench, watching his retreating figure with a mixture of regret and concern. She'd accomplished what she'd set out to do—apologizing for her past coldness—but she couldn't shake the feeling that Jaune's self-worth was more damaged than any of them had realized.

It would take more work to remind him of the truth: that he was worthy of love, even if he couldn't see it himself right now. Because the boy who had just walked away wasn't the same confident—if misguided—young man who had serenaded her months ago. This Jaune was wounded, and healing those kinds of wounds would take more than just time.

Chapter Text

Arc Family Lunch

The outdoor café buzzed with afternoon chatter, but Jaune's attention was focused entirely on the small chaos unfolding at their expanded table. Azure and Celeste were engaged in an animated debate about which huntress academy had the coolest uniforms, while six-year-old Lily carefully arranged her sandwich into perfect triangles.

"Azure, don't lean back in your chair like that, you'll fall," Jaune said automatically, reaching over to steady her chair. "And Celeste, finish your vegetables before you touch that cookie."

"But I hate carrots," Celeste whined.

"They're good for your eyes. You want to be a huntress someday, right? Sharp eyesight is important." Jaune cut her sandwich into smaller pieces without being asked. "Here, try eating them with the sandwich."

"More juice, please!" Lily announced, holding up her empty cup with both hands.

Jaune was already reaching for the pitcher before Terra could respond. "What's the magic word?" he asked gently.

"Please and thank you and I love you, Jaune!" Lily beamed, making him smile as he refilled her cup.

"Not too much or you'll need the bathroom in ten minutes," he warned, but his tone was fond.

Terra watched this interaction with obvious amusement, nudging Saphron with her elbow. "Does he always do that?"

"Do what?" Saphron asked, though she was smiling as she watched Jaune automatically wipe a smudge of jam from Lily's cheek.

"Parent them. He's like a second dad."

Jaune's cheeks flushed slightly. "I'm not—"

"You totally are," Azure interrupted, grinning at him. "Remember when I scraped my knee last summer and you carried me all the way home?"

"And you taught me how to braid my hair," Celeste added, unconsciously touching the neat braid that was already starting to come loose.

"You read me bedtime stories when Mom and Dad were at that conference," Lily chimed in, climbing into Jaune's lap without invitation. He settled her there naturally, one arm wrapping around her small frame.

"They're my sisters," Jaune said quietly, as if that explained everything.

"It's sweet," Terra said warmly. "But it also makes me wonder..." She glanced at Saphron meaningfully.

"Wonder what?" Jaune asked, though he had a sinking feeling he knew where this was going.

"Well," Saphron said, settling back in her chair with the expression of someone preparing to dig for information, "you're clearly great with kids, you're protective, caring, responsible... so what I want to know is why some lucky girl hasn't snapped you up yet."

The atmosphere at the table shifted immediately. Azure and Celeste exchanged dark looks, while Lily's small hands curled into fists against Jaune's shirt.

"Because girls are stupid," Lily declared with the absolute certainty that only a six-year-old could muster.

"Lily—" Jaune started.

"They are! They made you sad, so they're stupid and mean and I don't like them."

"What about that girl from your old school?" Azure asked, her voice taking on a distinctly hostile edge. "The one with the weird laugh who said you were 'too nice'?"

"Or the one who said you looked like a 'puppy dog' and it wasn't attractive," Celeste added, her young face scrunched up in disgust.

Jaune winced. "You guys remember that?"

"We remember everything," Azure said fiercely. "Especially when people are mean to you."

"They weren't mean, exactly—"

"Yes, they were," Lily interrupted, turning in his lap to face him with serious eyes. "Making someone sad on purpose is being mean."

Saphron's expression had shifted from playful curiosity to something much more protective. "Wait, back up. How many girls are we talking about here?"

"It doesn't matter," Jaune said quickly, but his sisters were having none of it.

"There was Rebecca who said he was too eager," Azure began counting on her fingers.

"And Madison who laughed when he asked her to the spring dance," Celeste continued.

"And the mean one who said he tries too hard," Lily added, her voice getting angrier with each name.

"Girls," Jaune said firmly, but there was no real authority in his voice. "That's enough."

"No, it's not enough," Saphron said, her voice taking on the dangerous quiet that meant trouble for whoever had upset her family. 

"How long has this been going on?", Terra hesitantly asks.

"Since forever," Azure said bluntly. "Jaune's really nice and he always tries to be a good boyfriend but girls just... don't appreciate him."

"They don't deserve him," Celeste declared with the absolute conviction of an eight-year-old who had seen her beloved brother hurt too many times.

"That's not—" Jaune started, then stopped, running his free hand through his hair. "Look, maybe I'm just not... maybe I'm not the kind of guy girls want to date. That's okay. I've got you guys, I've got my team, I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Lily said quietly, her small hand patting his cheek. "You get sad when you think we're not looking."

The table fell silent except for Adrian's continued babbling from his high chair. Terra reached over to squeeze Saphron's hand, while the twins watched their brother with worried expressions.

"So what happened at Beacon?" Saphron asked gently. "Because something obviously did."

Jaune was quiet for a long moment, unconsciously tightening his hold on Lily, who settled more firmly against his chest in response.

"My luck hasn't exactly changed," he finally admitted. "So it's probably best if I just... shelf the whole idea for the foreseeable future."

"What do you mean?" Terra asked, though her tone suggested she already suspected.

"I mean I tried asking someone to a dance, it didn't work out, and I think I should probably focus on just being a huntsman for now."

"Just one someone?" Azure asked suspiciously, in a tone that suggested she already knew the answer.

Jaune's silence was confirmation enough.

"How many?" Saphron's voice was carefully controlled.

"It doesn't matter—"

"Jaune Arc," Celeste interrupted with the authority of someone who had seen this pattern before, "if you don't tell us, we're going to assume it was lots and lots and then we'll be even more upset."

"And we'll tell Mom," Azure added threateningly.

"You wouldn't."

"Try us," both twins said in unison.

Jaune looked around the table at his family's expectant faces and realized he was completely outnumbered. Lily had twisted in his lap to give him her most serious expression, while Saphron was clearly prepared to sit there all day if necessary.

"Fine," he said, surrendering. "But can we at least agree that whatever I tell you stays at this table?"

"Deal," Saphron said immediately.

"We already promised not to tell Mom and Dad about the other girls," Azure pointed out. "We can keep more secrets."

"Pinky promise," Lily added solemnly, extending her small finger toward him.

Jaune linked his pinky with hers, then looked around the table and sighed in defeat. "Okay, look... there was this girl on my team. Weiss. I asked her to the dance and she... well, she said no. Pretty firmly. But honestly?" He shrugged, adjusting Lily's position in his lap. "Compared to some of the other rejections, that one wasn't even that bad. She was direct but not cruel about it."

"What do you mean not that bad?" Azure demanded, her protective instincts clearly activated.

"I mean she just said no and explained she was going with someone else. No laughing, no insults, no making me feel like an idiot for asking." Jaune's voice was matter-of-fact. "It was actually kind of refreshing."

"But that's not the end of the story, is it?" Saphron pressed, her big sister radar still pinging.

Jaune was quiet for a moment, unconsciously running his fingers through Lily's hair. "There was... someone else. A girl from another team. Russet. I thought maybe..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Let's just say that one went about as well as you'd expect."

"What happened?" Celeste asked, though her tone suggested she was bracing for the worst.

"Nothing dramatic. Just... the usual. I misread the situation, made assumptions I shouldn't have, and ended up looking like an idiot." Jaune's voice carried a weariness that made all his sisters frown. "Same pattern as always."

"But you're okay now?" Lily asked softly, her small hands framing his face with the serious concern that only little sisters could manage.

"I'm fine, Lily bug. Really." Jaune managed a genuine smile for her. "I've got good friends, I'm doing better in my classes, and I get to see my sisters more often. That's more than enough for me."

"But seriously," he continued, looking around the table, "I'm good focusing on other things right now. Being a huntsman, keeping up with school, making sure you three don't get into too much trouble when I'm not around."

"We don't get into trouble," Celeste protested.

"Uh-huh. That's why Mom called me last week asking if I knew anything about why the neighbor's garden gnome ended up on the roof."

The twins exchanged guilty looks while Lily giggled into Jaune's shirt.

"The point is," Jaune said firmly, "I'm fine. Really. Sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to, and that's okay. I'd rather focus on the relationships that do work - like being the best big brother I can be."

Saphron watched him carefully, her expression softening. "You know it's okay to want both, right? You can be an amazing brother and still find someone who appreciates what an amazing boyfriend you'd be."

"Maybe someday," Jaune said diplomatically. "But for now, I'm good where I am."

"And afterward," Saphron added with a hint of her returning mischief that suggested she wasn't quite ready to drop the subject, "we're going to figure out how to fix this."

"There's nothing to fix—"

"Oh, little brother," Saphron interrupted, while his younger sisters nodded in agreement. "When it comes to the Arc family, there's always something we can fix."

Chapter Text

Outside the Diner

"—and then Professor Port said the Grimm actually complimented his mustache before he killed it, which I'm pretty sure is impossible but—" Ruby's animated retelling came to an abrupt halt as she nearly collided with a group leaving the diner.

"Whoa, sorry!" she called out, then brightened considerably when she recognized the familiar figure. "Jaune!"

Yang looked up from checking her scroll, her expression shifting to something more complex when she saw who they'd run into. "Oh, hey Jaune."

"Ruby! Yang!" Jaune's face lit up with genuine pleasure. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Just grabbing some food before heading back to Beacon," Ruby replied, then noticed the small crowd gathered around Jaune. "Are these...?"

"My sisters," Jaune confirmed, his voice taking on that particular tone of pride mixed with fondness that always appeared when he talked about his family. "Everyone, these are my friends Ruby and Yang from team RWBY. Guys, this is Saphron, my oldest sister, her wife Terra, and their son Adrian."

"And I'm Azure!" the eight-year-old announced, not to be left out.

"I'm Celeste!" her twin added.

"And I'm Lily and I'm six and are you really huntresses?" The youngest Arc sister fired off her introduction and question in one breath, her eyes wide with excitement.

"We're huntresses-in-training," Ruby corrected gently, crouching down to Lily's eye level. "We're still learning."

"But you have weapons, right? What kind of weapons? Are they cool? Can I see them? Do you fight lots of Grimm? What's the scariest one you've fought? Are you friends with Jaune? Is he a good fighter? I bet he's a good fighter because he's really strong and—"

"Lily," Jaune interrupted gently, placing a hand on his youngest sister's shoulder. "Let them breathe."

"Sorry," Lily said, though she didn't look particularly sorry. "I just have lots of questions."

"That's okay," Yang said, offering a smile that seemed genuine enough, though there was something slightly nervous about the way she kept glancing at Jaune. "Maybe we can answer some of them another time."

While the adults made polite conversation, Azure and Celeste had positioned themselves where they could observe Yang carefully. The twins exchanged meaningful looks as they watched the blonde girl's behavior—the way her cheeks flushed slightly when Jaune smiled at her, how her hands fidgeted with the hem of her jacket, the careful way she seemed to be measuring her words.

"So you're friends with Jaune?" Azure asked Yang directly, her tone polite but noticeably cooler than it had been with Ruby.

"Yeah, our teams work together a lot," Yang replied, seeming to relax slightly at what appeared to be normal conversation.

"That's nice," Celeste said with the kind of perfectly neutral politeness that only an eight-year-old could manage to make sound vaguely suspicious.

Azure nodded sagely. "Jaune talks about team RWBY sometimes. He says Ruby's really good with weapons and strategy."

"She is," Yang agreed readily. "Ruby's amazing."

"And he says his partner Pyrrha is really strong and helps him train," Celeste continued.

"Yeah, Pyrrha's great too."

The twins exchanged another look, noting how Yang's enthusiasm seemed to dim slightly when Pyrrha was mentioned, though she was trying to hide it.

"What about you?" Azure asked innocently. "What does Jaune say about you?"

Yang blinked, clearly not having expected the question. "I... well, I don't know. You'd have to ask him."

"We did," Celeste said simply. "He says you're really fun and that you helped him when he was sad."

Something in the way she said it made Yang's expression soften, though the twins continued to watch her with those sharp, assessing eyes that seemed far too perceptive for children their age.

Meanwhile, Saphron had maneuvered herself closer to Ruby, who was enthusiastically answering Lily's rapid-fire questions about weapons and Grimm fighting.

"Ruby," Saphron said quietly, interrupting a detailed explanation of Crescent Rose's transformation sequence. "Could I talk to you for just a second?"

"Oh, sure!" Ruby replied brightly, stepping aside with Saphron while Lily immediately turned her attention to pestering Terra about Adrian's baby carrier.

"Here," Saphron said, discretely pressing a folded piece of paper into Ruby's hand. "My number. I was hoping we could talk sometime about... well, about Jaune. You're close to him, aren't you?"

Ruby glanced down at the paper, then back up at Saphron with confusion. "Yeah, we're really good friends. Is something wrong?"

"Not wrong, exactly," Saphron said with a knowing smile. "Just some sister stuff I'd like to discuss. Sister to sister, you know?"

"I... okay?" Ruby said, though she looked completely bewildered. "Should I be worried?"

"Not at all," Saphron assured her. "I just think we might have some things to talk about. Maybe give me a call later tonight?"

Before Ruby could ask any more questions, Terra announced that they should probably get going before Adrian got cranky.

"We should probably get going," Terra said diplomatically, bouncing Adrian slightly when he started to fuss. "The girls have a curfew, even on vacation."

"Aw, but I want to hear about the Grimm fighting," Lily protested.

"Another time," Jaune promised, then looked back at Ruby and Yang. "It was good seeing you guys. I'll see you back at Beacon tomorrow?"

"Yeah, definitely," Ruby said brightly, still clutching Saphron's number and looking thoroughly confused.

"Sure," Yang added, though she seemed relieved that the conversation was ending. The twins' polite but probing questions had clearly made her uncomfortable.

As the Arc family began to move away from the diner, Azure and Celeste hung back slightly, flanking their brother.

"Jaune?" Azure said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Yang seems... nice," Celeste said carefully, the word 'nice' carrying about as much enthusiasm as if she'd said 'adequate.'

"She is nice," Jaune replied, completely missing the subtext. "All of team RWBY are great friends."

The twins exchanged one final look over his head—a look that clearly communicated their shared skepticism about Yang's intentions and their determination to keep a close eye on any developments in that particular area.

"Bye Ruby! Bye Yang!" Lily called out, waving enthusiastically as they walked away.

"See you later," Jaune added with a friendly wave.

"Bye," Ruby called back, waving until they were out of sight.

Yang watched them go with an expression of relief mixed with something that might have been disappointment.

"What's that?" Yang asked, noticing the piece of paper in Ruby's hand.

"I honestly have no idea," Ruby admitted, tucking the paper into her pocket. "Saphron wanted to talk about 'sister stuff' but she was being really mysterious about it."

Yang felt a flutter of something—concern? curiosity?—but shrugged it off. "Weird. Come on, I'm starving and they close the kitchen in an hour."

Ruby followed, but her hand kept drifting to the pocket where she'd stashed Saphron's number, her mind racing with questions about what exactly Jaune's older sister wanted to discuss.

Ruby's Private Call

Ruby sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at the number Saphron had given her earlier. Yang had gone out for her evening training run, giving Ruby the perfect opportunity to make the call privately. She still wasn't entirely sure what "sister stuff" Saphron wanted to discuss, but her curiosity had been eating at her all day.

Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button.

The screen connected to show Saphron sitting in what looked like a hotel room, with Terra reading in the background and no sign of the younger sisters.

"Ruby!" Saphron said warmly. "I was hoping you'd call. Thanks for getting back to me."

"Of course," Ruby replied, though she still looked confused. "So... what did you want to talk about? You were being pretty mysterious earlier."

Saphron glanced over her shoulder to make sure Terra wasn't listening, then leaned closer to the screen. "I wanted to ask you about Yang, actually. You two are close, right?"

"Yeah, she's my sister and teammate. We tell each other pretty much everything." Ruby's expression grew curious. "Why do you want to know about Yang?"

"Well," Saphron said carefully, "I noticed she seemed a bit... nervous around Jaune today. Is that normal for her?"

Ruby tilted her head, considering. "Actually, now that you mention it, Yang has been acting a little weird lately. She's been asking about what Jaune likes to eat, whether he has any hobbies outside of training... stuff like that. I figured she was just trying to be a better friend since, you know, the whole Russet thing."

"The Russet thing?" Saphron asked, her tone sharpening slightly.

"Oh, um..." Ruby fidgeted with the edge of her blanket. "I probably shouldn't talk about it. It's Jaune's business."

"Ruby," Saphron said gently but firmly, "I'm his sister. If something happened that hurt him, I need to know about it."

Ruby bit her lip, clearly torn between loyalty to Jaune's privacy and understanding Saphron's concern. "There was this girl, Russet. From another team. Jaune asked her on a date and she... she said yes."

"But?" Saphron prompted when Ruby paused.

"But she didn't show up," Ruby said quietly. "He waited for over two hours in the courtyard, all dressed up. He'd planned everything perfectly—researched restaurants, bought new clothes, even asked us for advice on what to talk about."

Saphron's expression darkened. "She stood him up?"

"Yeah. Never even sent a message to cancel. We found out later she was at a party that night instead." Ruby's voice grew sad. "He was so excited about that date, Saphron. He really thought maybe things were finally changing for him."

"What do you mean, finally changing?" Saphron asked carefully.

Ruby sighed. "Jaune hasn't had the best luck with girls. There was this whole thing with Weiss—she's on my team—where he kept asking her to the dance and she kept saying no. Though honestly, Weiss turns down pretty much everyone, so I don't think he should have taken it so personally."

"But he did?"

"Yeah. And apparently there were other girls before Beacon who weren't very nice about rejecting him either. He doesn't talk about it much, but sometimes things slip out." Ruby's expression grew troubled. "After Russet, he told Yang he's giving up on dating entirely. Said maybe the universe was trying to tell him something."

Saphron was quiet for a moment, processing this information. "Are there other girls at Beacon who might be interested in him? Anyone who treats him well?"

Ruby brightened slightly. "Oh, there's Pyrrha! She's his partner and she's super nice to him. They train together all the time, and she's always helping him improve. She's probably his best friend at Beacon."

"Just friends?" Saphron asked with a knowing tone.

Ruby opened her mouth, then closed it. I probably shouldn't tell Jaune's sister about Pyrrha's massive crush on him. That's not my secret to share, and it would be super awkward if it got back to Jaune somehow.

"I think so?" Ruby said, trying to sound casual. "I mean, Pyrrha's really focused on being a huntress, and she's so famous that guys are probably intimidated by her. But she and Jaune get along great—no awkwardness or anything." Ruby paused thoughtfully, grateful to change the subject. "Actually, now that I think about it, my other teammates have been spending more time with him lately too."

"How so?"

"Well, Weiss has been asking him to study with her, which is weird because she usually prefers to study alone or with Blake. And Blake's been lending him books and having these long conversations with him about stories and stuff. Even Yang's been..." Ruby trailed off, her eyes widening slightly. "Oh."

"Oh?" Saphron prompted.

"I just realized Yang's been finding excuses to be around him more. Working out at the same time, sitting next to him at lunch, that kind of thing." Ruby's brow furrowed. "You don't think...?"

"What do you think?" Saphron asked diplomatically.

Ruby shook her head. "No, they're probably just trying to be supportive friends. We all felt bad about what happened with Russet."

Saphron studied Ruby's earnest expression and seemed to make a decision. "Ruby, can I ask you something directly?"

"Sure."

"How do you think Jaune's actually doing? Not what he tells everyone, but what you really think?"

Ruby was quiet for a long moment, her usual cheerfulness fading into something more serious. "I think... I think he's more hurt than he lets on. He smiles and jokes around, but sometimes I catch him just staring at nothing with this really sad expression. And he's stopped talking about the future the way he used to."

"What do you mean?"

"Before, he'd talk about becoming a great huntsman, about making his family proud, about maybe having a family of his own someday. Now he just talks about getting through the next assignment or the next mission. It's like he's stopped hoping for things."

Saphron's expression grew pained. "That sounds like our Jaune. He always internalized rejection more than he should have."

"The thing is," Ruby continued, "he's actually amazing. He's kind and funny and he works harder than anyone I know. He'd do anything for his friends, and he's getting really good at tactical planning. Any girl would be lucky to have someone like him."

"You really think that?" Saphron asked, something calculating in her expression.

"Absolutely," Ruby said with conviction. "I just wish he could see himself the way the rest of us see him."

Saphron smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Me too, Ruby. Me too." She paused, then added, "You know, hearing how you talk about him... you're a good friend to my little brother."

Ruby blushed slightly. "He was my first friend at Beacon. He helped me when I was feeling overwhelmed and out of place. I'll always be grateful for that."

"Just a friend?" Saphron asked gently.

"Of course! Jaune's like... like a brother or something. Someone I can play video games with and complain about homework to. It's comfortable, you know?" Ruby said earnestly. "Besides, I'm way too young to be thinking about romantic stuff. I've got to focus on becoming a huntress first."

Saphron nodded slowly, though her expression suggested she was filing this information away for later consideration. "That's very mature of you, Ruby."

"Plus," Ruby added with a nervous giggle, "can you imagine? Me and Jaune? That would be so weird!"

"Would it?" Saphron asked mildly.

"Yeah! I mean, no offense to your brother—he's great—but we're better as friends. We can just be ourselves without any of that complicated romantic stuff getting in the way."

"I see," Saphron said, though her tone suggested she saw perhaps more than Ruby was saying. "Well, I'm glad he has a friend like you, Ruby. Someone who values him for who he is."

"Always," Ruby said firmly. "Jaune's stuck with me whether he likes it or not."

Saphron laughed softly. "I'm sure he's grateful for that, even if he doesn't always say it."

"So... why all the questions about Yang?" Ruby asked, circling back to the beginning of their conversation.

"Oh, just big sister intuition," Saphron said vaguely. "The twins seemed to notice something, and I wanted to follow up."

"The twins are really protective of him, aren't they?"

"All of us are," Saphron confirmed. "Jaune spent so much time taking care of us that he sometimes forgets to take care of himself. But we're always watching out for him, even from a distance."

"That's really sweet," Ruby said softly. "Family's important."

"The most important," Saphron agreed. "Which is why I wanted to make sure the people around him have his best interests at heart."

"We do," Ruby assured her. "All of us. We just want to see him happy again."

"Good," Saphron said with a warm smile. "That's all I needed to hear. Thank you for talking with me, Ruby. And for being such a good friend to Jaune."

"Anytime," Ruby replied. "And Saphron? Don't worry too much about him. Jaune's stronger than he thinks he is. He'll figure things out eventually."

"From your mouth to the gods' ears," Saphron said softly. "Goodnight, Ruby."

"Goodnight, Saphron."

As Ruby ended the call, she found herself thinking about their conversation. Something about Saphron's questions nagged at her, like there was a subtext she wasn't quite catching. But she shrugged it off—adults were always seeing things that weren't there, especially when it came to romance.

Still, as she thought about Yang's recent behavior, and Weiss's sudden interest in studying with Jaune, and Blake's long literary discussions with him... Ruby felt like she was missing something obvious.

Nah, she decided, flopping back on her bed. They're just being good friends. That's all.

But even as she tried to dismiss it, a small part of her wondered if maybe—just maybe—Saphron had seen something she hadn't.