What a lovely day for a walk. It was just getting into mid-autumn, the Vytal Festival was in full swing, and the tournament was right around the corner. Today, however, was a free day. No classes, no plans for the festival, no homework, and nothing was trying to kill us for once. It was just me, a comfortable skirt, a nice warm jacket, and the cool breeze. No combat gear, no weapons, no ceremonial crown.
I had woken up early, before the rest of my team. It's a rare morning when I'm up before Ren. That man has a serious love for morning calisthenics. Jaune would probably be next, but he wouldn't awaken for a few hours yet. Nora could and would sleep all day. I knew from previous, first-hand experience that any non-pancake-related attempts to rouse her would be met with an angry, aura-infused pillow strike to the abdomen.
I walked slowly along the path. I wasn't going anywhere in particular. The autumn colors in Vale were lovely and heartwarming. Oranges, reds, and yellows filled the trees of the campus. A few holdouts still had streaks of green, but it wouldn't last.
I heard the sound of running footsteps behind me, and I casually turned to see it who it was. I was surprised to see Jaune.
"Pyrrha! I saw you leaving and decided to catch up." he called out to me as he came running up. I couldn't help but smile. Since the dance he'd been finding excuses to spend time with me. He still hadn't tried to ask me out or anything like that. It's so strange, he meets Weiss one time and he won't take no for an answer. He wears a dress for me, wont ask me to the movies, yet he tries to spend as much with with me as he can. Guys are so hopeless sometimes. Still, I always enjoyed his company.
"Hello, Jaune," I said, smiling warmly at him. He ran up next to me, and met my smile with one of his own. Be still my beating heart.
Wordlessly, we both turned and resumed walking in the same direction. Whatever our 'relationship' was didn't really matter. At this very moment, I wanted nothing more from him than his simple presence next to me on this beautiful day.
I could tell by his fidgeting that Jaune was feeling awkward about something. I decided to let him get it out in his own time. We do have all day, after all.
"Oh, right!" he quipped suddenly after several minutes of silent, leisurely walking. He stuck his elbow out at me, his face beaming. I looked at his elbow in confusion. What was I supposed to do with that?
"Uh...Pyyrha? Your arm?" he said after a moment, helpful tones in his voice.
My what? I looked down at my arm. What did he want?
After a moment of watching me struggle he laughed softly, took me by the wrist, and looped my arm through his. My heart leapt into my throat. Of course that's what he'd wanted! I can be so dense sometimes. Stupid, clueless Pyrrha! I was all at once embarrassed and enchanted; mortified and excited. The warmth on my cheeks told me I was blushing mightily. I quickly turned my head away in embarrassment. We continued walking. I couldn't bring myself to look at him again, so strong was my nervousness and embarrassment.
I waited for the well-meaning sarcastic quip, or soft laugh, but it never came. As my embarrassment subsided I found myself arm-in-arm with Jaune, who was being usually sweet; taking a long, slow walk through the beautiful autumn leaves on a beautiful day. If this wasn't paradise, you could surly see it from here. I took a deep breath to steady myself, and chanced a look in his direction. He met my gaze with a wide smile. My heart flew into my throat again, and I instinctively turned away. Damnit, heart, stay where you belong!
I was totally at his mercy. I could defeat any student at this school in one-on-one combat. I've stared down Grimm a hundred times my size and won. I've won every tournament I cared to enter. All this, but this one blonde baffoon can reduce me to a blushing gibbering wreck just by smiling at me. It is indeed a cruel world.
We walked like this for several beautiful minutes until he spoke up. "Uh...Pyrrha?"
"Yes, Jaune?" I replied evenly, putting effort into keeping my cool. My breath caught. My heart thundered in my chest. Damn him, I actually felt light-headed!
"We should catch a movie sometime. Just the two of us..."
