A/N: I bought a new phone today for the first time in 6 years. Technology is wild, y'all. The people at the store laughed at my awe at all the newest phones :(

Let me know what you think!


Of Complacency and Conspiracies

Day 8: Shoes

Jaune walked her to the bus stop that night after the event, watching until her bus left before he headed to his own stop. It was sweet of him.

Despite the late night, she still opened her eyes at 6 AM, ready for her own personal morning workout before heading off to work. She was grateful to have that time to herself. There were a couple of things she needed to parse together, and she just didn't know where to even begin. As she blended herself a smoothie, her thoughts drifted off to the surprising root of her concerns: Jaune.

Pyrrha had enjoyed the night at the aquarium. It had been incredible- the wine and food had been absolutely delicious; the exhibits, absolutely magical. Although Nora had first wanted to go with her, Pyrrha knew that if she had indeed gone with her best friend, the experience would've been very different- Nora would've zipped around each exhibit, enough energy in her to put a toddler to shame. Jaune, on the other hand, had been vibrant and enthusiastic, but never too much so. He moved fluidly with her, pointed things out and allowing her to take her time. Outside of athletics, Pyrrha tended to move slowly, carefully- his slow tempo, witty banter and gentleness had been wonderful.

But as she thought further on the matter, she couldn't help but flush, her hands heating up at the memory of his touch. He hadn't let go of her hand for most of the night- thank goodness she was fairly ambidextrous, she hadn't gotten use of her right hand back after initially grabbing hold of him- and she hadn't even tried to pull away. What did that mean? Do I like him?

There was no way. Jaune was just Ren's friend whose schedule had never really lined up much with theirs in college. He was just that guy who would sit on the other side of the table, with Ren and Nora between him and the redhead. And, even when they had graduated and Jaune's schedule finally matched up more with her own, it had already felt too late, too weird, to try and form a friendship.

And yet, over the past week, it felt as if they had been friends all of their lives. How had he crept into her daily schedule so easily? Is this how Ren and Nora became so close? Just… naturally?

She knew for a fact that she'd see the blond again tomorrow- he had assured her as much sweetly when her bus had finally arrived last night- but the realization that she wasn't seeing him that day at all sort of… stung.

Maybe I'm just projecting onto him. I haven't dated in forever…

She didn't have more time to ponder this as she heard a key click into the lock of her front door. "Hey, Nora," she called. Her best friend was the only one who had the spare key of her apartment, after all.

Just as expected, Nora's bright, chipper voice called, "Pyrrha, get a load of these!" Suddenly, standing in front of Pyrrha as the girl pulled herself upright was Nora, clad in a bright black and green Little Shop shirt for HTC's cast and crew and matching neon green sneakers. "I'm so ready for the show!"

"It looks awesome," Pyrrha chuckled, examining the logo carefully. Audrey II's silhouette was cast in shadow across a dripping logo. If you didn't know it's a horny alien plant, it might even look scary, Pyrrha thought wryly to herself. Neo did a good job.

"So," Nora asked, "how was the night?" She kept glancing around, as if expecting someone else to pop up in the studio.

"It was fun. I wish you and Ren had been able to go, you would've loved it."

"Meh, we have next time!"

They shared a companionable silence. Then, Pyrrha asked the lingering question on her mind. "Nora, why did you move in with Ren?"

Nora scoffed. "Um, because why wouldn't I, silly? We've been together forever, I can't even imagine life without him." Suddenly, the girl sat upright, muttering, "O-oh, but we're not like… together-together or anything." She looked away suspiciously.

Pyrrha frowned. "Um… okay. Do you… love him?"

"Pfft, of course!" That was said without hesitation. "I love you, too!"

"No, not- nevermind." Why aren't you 'together-together'? I just don't get it.

Jaune's face flashed in her mind. She smiled, despite herself. Well, I guess that's why we're on the case.