Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY.

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Monday morning starts with Jaune waking up alone and instantly lonely- but finding Pyrrha cooking breakfast, wearing an embarrassing 'Kiss the Cook' apron that Ruby once got for him and that he would have worn earlier in the story for the kids. The children wouldn't, so Jaune does- giving Pyrrha a peck on the cheek and thanking her for helping him through last night. Pyrrha was happy she could help, and the discussion turns towards what Jaune intends to do next. Jaune doesn't want to go to work, wishes they could just play hooky for the day, but Pyrrha urges him to do so anyway- to keep moving forward and make the best of the life he has. Jaune regrets that they can't meet up at the bar due to WBY's meddling, but Pyrrha brings up that there are other ways they could meet up- and other places that they could drink. It's not-quite framed in terms of wanting to keep an eye on him after yesterday's near disaster, but Pyrrha's interest in spending time together is clear… and Jaune is looking forward to it just as much.

Starting that Monday and for the rest of the work week, Jaune has a fresh attitude and finally makes progress pushing back at life.

On Monday, when Blake is there to shadow him back home to make sure he doesn't go to the bar, he defies her by going to Pyrrha's gym instead. Blake is torn, since Ruby's request was that he go straight home, but Jaune presses back by arguing he's not violating the spirit of his word because he's doing something other than going to the bar. After she's gone, he and Pyrrha share a cheer… and then, after the workout, leave to go have a few glasses of wine at her place. Not having anyone or anything to return to back home, Jaune gratefully accepts Pyrrha's offer to stay for the night... and falls asleep on Pyrrha's couch.

On Tuesday, when some of the antagonistic teachers at Signal give him grief for the skipping children and his irresponsibility, Jaune hits back with the sort of paperwork and issues he's had to do all this time: damage reports and complaints of unruly students and so on, an indictment of the teacher's own ability to encourage or enforce responsibility on unwilling children. Jaune makes his case using some quote of Pyrrha's, and verbal authority of Remnant's most famous instructor (who Jaune didn't realize she was) wins the argument. When Jaune shares his amazement that Pyrrha is, like, amazing, Pyrrha laughs and flushes and the two bump foreheads. Jaune asks if he's making her lose money by turning away better customers, but Pyrrha dismisses it by saying the privilege of being self-employed and free is getting to choose the people you want to be with. Once again, Jaune stays the night- waving off Pyrrha's concern that the couch might be too uncomfortable.

On Wednesday, as he goes over the mounting travel expenses the children have garnered, including a number of cash withdrawals, Jaune decides to deduct the money they've withdrawn or spent on frivolous expenses from their personal savings. This gets a quick response that very evening, when Pyrrha and Jaune are spending time at her apartment, when the kids call to complain at how unfair it is that he's taking their personal savings. Jaune successfully puts the foot down now that they can't use the cute faces they inherited from Ruby, calling them out on the frivolous purchases, and chastises them for leaving without permission. When they claim that they're in Atlas because it's a matter of family, Jaune falls silent… and (a slightly tipsy) Pyrrha takes the phone on a whim and a funny idea. Introducing herself as the, you know, the world's most successful Champion and professional trainer, she laments that it's such a shame they left. After all, she's friends with Jaune, and he's said so much about them, she'd really been looking forward to meeting them… The kids can't believe it, until they do, and Pyrrha hangs up on them laughing with Jaune as the children light up the phone. This time when Jaune goes to sleep, Pyrrha brings out her bed covers, claiming it's a bit warm so she'll be fine with just the sheets. Jaune agrees that it's a bit hot- and not just the temperature, but he's too tired to care, though not too tired to notice Pyrrha's evening attire.

On Thursday, Jaune and Pyrrha talk history and family. Jaune, in a good mood, talks about how he used to be an Arc, and his wistful childhood dream of fighting Grimm and helping people. In return, Pyrrha opens up about her own past- not just as a trainer, but Champion and the success and all the loneliness that was brought with it. Both are both proud and wistful of their own pasts- but also impressed and interested in the other. Pyrrha makes Jaune promise to tell her more about the Arcs, even as Jaune makes Pyrrha promise to show her the videos of her Championship matches. They agree to do so over the weekend. That night, Pyrrha tucks Jaune in a sweet gesture… but later, after Jaune is asleep, gives him a goodnight kiss on the head. Jaune, not so asleep after all, thinks again that it's sweet… but he doesn't get to sleep for some time afterwards.

On Friday, Jaune goes straight home after school (much to Yang and Blake's surprise, and relief) so that he can gather some of the Arc mementos to show Pyrrha, including the heirloom Crocea Mors that he's never given to the children. When he steps out the door, he finds a car waiting- Pyrrha's, and she has a surprise offer. They could go to her apartment for drinks and review- or, if he trusts her, he could let her show him something that she's never shown anyone else before. Jaune does trust her, and agrees to go along with her idea- and it's not until they're outside the Vale limits that she tells him she intends to show him something that only Hunters see: a star-filled sky away from the cities. Driving/flying far away before making camp, Jaune sees the first night sky without the City's light pollution that he's seen in… since before he was married.

Seeing the stars of the night sky is a tender scene, beautiful and awe-inspiring for Jaune who's lived in the city for so long that he hasn't seen the stars since he was a child. Looking at the constellations- the Hero, the Huntress, the Lovers, he briefly wonders if Ruby sees this every day she's away, and wonders if she might even now be looking up at the same stars thinking of him… even as he remembers it was Pyrrha, not Ruby, who showed him this. Pyrrha is watching him watch the stars, smiling and beautiful and close and is it him or she who is leaning in? For the first time Jaune is flustered by their closeness. Making a hasty excuse he tries to end the awkward moment to by going to bed- only to realize that he and Pyrrha are going to be in a two-person tent, sleeping so close together that they might as well be sleeping tog-

Jaune ends the night a bundle of nerves.

On Saturday morning, Jaune wakes up still nervous and wondering what's next. The answer is- keeping his word as the two enjoy a lazy camping experience, complete with fishing for lunch (Jaune catches the bigger fish, much to his pride). Pyrrha brought the videos of her championship to watch with Jaune, which awes him even as he wants Pyrrha to show him her moves. Jaune tells the tales of his family and sisters, who Pyrrha actually knows one or two of and compliments the Arc family, much to Jaune's pride. Despite the easy atmosphere, Jaune picks up that Pyrrha is a bit nervous, thinks it's lingering awkwardness from last night, and tries to make light of it and ask what she has planned for the evening before the stars come out. Pyrrha plays along, a bit coy, and suggests they play of an innocent game of Hunters and Grimm. The way she says it is anything but.

The next chapter, of the preparation for the 'game,' is sizzling with sexual tension. Pyrrha dresses in her old Huntress uniform- and Jaune is suitably dazzled. The seductive undertones are obvious, even as the two trade words that are superficially innocent. Jaune isn't sure he can play Hunter, he doesn't have the training and hasn't had much practice with the family sword over the last many years (what with Ruby gone so often). Pyrrha says that's okay, she can show him what Ruby wasn't around to- or, if he prefers, he could be the Grimm, and she'll hunt him. Jaune is a bit nervous about his first time (in a sparring match). Pyrrha says that she's sure he'll do fine, after all she's an excellent hands-on instructor. Obvious sexual tension in everything, with Pyrrha disappearing into the woods after promising to hunt him down and take him (not down- simply take him).

Saturday afternoon of the game is tense, and not just in terms of hide-and-seek. Jaune's adrenaline is pumping and he's not at all ignorant about the subtext- and not sure of how he should feel either. He's married, even if not happily. But with Pyrrha right now, he's more than happy- he feels energized, alive, optimistic. They're doing something, doing things, that Ruby would never do with him despite all the things she'd do for him- not risk the wilds to see the stars, or talk about family pasts that Ruby prefers to leave in the past, or teach him to fight. But even if he's not happy with his life with Ruby, he doesn't want to hurt her. But Ruby isn't here- she's with Cardin- and Pyrrha is here, and she- he's not sure what she thinks, why she's willing to do this, if it's just a one-time thing for a friend or just a game, but she-

There's a shuffling in the bushes. And it's not Pyrrha.

It's a lone Beowolf. Jaune, alone with just Crocea Mors for protection, tries to run, but it's faster and he can't. He has to fight. So Jaune does- it's hard, he's untrained, he just has some fundamentals Pyrrha taught him- but he wins. He's hurt, though nothing that aura won't heal, but he wins, on his own, with his own strength. He makes his first Grimm kill.

Pyrrha applauds. She was watching the whole time, ready to intervene, but didn't- even after he was hurt. Jaune is dumbstruck at the faith, but Pyrrha reminds him that she respects him enough not to fight his battles for him if that's not what he wants. Jaune is touched, deeply moved- and in more than a little bit of pain as more beowolves appear. Pyrrha playfully asks him if he wants to try them too, to which Jaune laughs and asks her for help. Pyrrha effortlessly dispatches them with a bit of style just to show off. Even though it's impressive, any lingering sexual tension is dispelled not just by the pain, but as Jaune remembers the story of Ruby doing the same as a little girl still at Signal (the Red trailer). Pyrrha tends to his injuries as night falls and they watch the stars again, and Jaune thanks her for letting him slay the monster. They go from holding medical tape to end up holding hands without realizing it- but don't release even as they watch the stars.

On Sunday they return to Vale after sleeping most of the morning away. Jaune is rested, restored, and rejuvenated in a way he hasn't been in so long. Life feels great, even as the scars from the fight and the Rose Garden still lingers, and he's glad he did it. Pyrrha is too, and they footsie around agreeing to do it again or not. Jaune brings up that Ruby will be back, and there's no way she'd let him fall into the clutches of another… Grimm. But he's not against waiting for the next time she's out of town, even as he thinks of the sexual tension in the air. Pyrrha asks about the kids, but Jaune waves it off- they hardly seem to care where he is or what he's up to as it is. Pyrrha hesitates about telling Jaune something- but they arrive at his home first, so she doesn't.

Pyrrha drives off and Jaune's left alone in his home, knowing the kids and Ruby will be back tomorrow and his home life will resume. When Jaune enters his bathroom to take a shower, he finds the still-shattered mirror that he never cleaned up... and remembers that the Rose Garden is just as bad.

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Author Notes: End Arc 4. Key points: Pyrrha, Pyrrha, and more Pyrrha. Jaune's downward spiral undergoes a reversal thanks to Pyrrha's support. With her help, Jaune finally makes progress on multiple points, culminating with the camping trip. But despite leaving his house for a week and practically living with her instead, it can't and doesn't last forever- and Jaune ends the week coming back home with problems still unresolved. Jaune may be on a better trajectory, but his marriage is not- not only are the troubles on the home-front still unresolved, but Jaune is seriously considering an affair.

This isn't quite a romance novel, but it's close, and if you were to look through the seven beat structure for Arkos we'd currently be on beat 5. If you're not familiar with the seven beat theory, google 'romance beat structure' and you should be able to find the full summaries. But to date...

Beat 1 – The Hook – Why the protagonist needs/wants romance. Arc 1: Jaune is unhappy in his marriage and family.

Beat 2 – The Meeting – The two characters meet and an attraction, or reason for one, is established. ALso Arc 1: Jaune and Pyrrha meet over drinks and shared sense of isolation despite 'perfect' lives.

Beat 3 – Conflict Point 1 – Wherein the protagonist realises they should not be together, as it conflicts with their goal/dream/beliefs. Arc 2: Jaune is attempting to rebuild his marriage with Ruby and Pyrrha is supporting his efforts.

Beat 4 – Raising the stakes – Wherein the two characters are bound together, despite the conflict. They accept their love/relationship/attraction. Arc 3: Jaune goes through a crisis point, Pyrrha is there for him, and they sleep in Ruby's bed.

Beat 5 – Conflict Point 2 – The relationship looks good, all is working, but there is niggling doubt. The conflict continues to gnaw away at them, it's a false happiness. Jaune and Pyrrha's week together, including the trip. Though Jaune is happier, he returns home at the end to still find it in the shambles he left.

Which means we're heading into the next part of this happy tale...

Beat 6 – The Black Moment