"Hey Blake, have you seen Louis? He said he went back first." Yang asked.
Without looking up from her book, Blake replied "He was here a few hours ago. He went out afterwards, hadn't seen him since."
"Uhh... Blake you okay?"
"Your eyes are puffy." Ruby stated.
"I'm fine." She lied.
"No you're not." Weiss said, blocking the doorway just as Blake got up from her bed.
"Move..." Blake growled.
"No." Weiss said firmly.
"Lately you've been quiet, antisocial and moody."
"Uhh have you met Blake?" Yang asked.
"Which I get is kind of 'your thing' but, you've been doing it more then usual... escpecially after you got back, and started dating Sun. Which is unacceptable. You made a promise to me... to Louis... to all of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong."
Blake winced at the mention of Louis's name, then stared blankly into Weiss's eyes, then to the ground.
"So, Blake Belladona!" Weiss stated, getting up on a chair and pointing down towards Blake. "What... is wrong?"
Blake sighed, rubbing her nose ridge, then decided that she should seperate both work and feelings, so that they won't clash.
"It's... it's just I'm wondering... how can everybody just be so calm..."
"About the White Fang?"
"The White Fang, Torchwick, all of it..."
...
...
"Alright then... we're all in this together..." Blake smiled, relieved, then stared to the ground as her smile instantly dissapeared.
"Blake... that's not the whole reason is it?" Weiss asked.
"No..." She sighed. "It's not..."
Nevermind keeping feelings seperate, she couldn't take it anymore. Her mind hurts, her chest hurts, everything... hurts. Before she knew it, her voice started to crack up again as she tried to explain to the people she trust the most.
"I-it's..."
"Louis." Yang finished.
Blake stared at Yang with tears in her eyes, and then gave her a slight nod.
"Figures..." Yang said, wrapping her arms around Blake.
"You guys... don't seem all that surprised."
"Blake.. we stayed under one roof with that guy for a semester. You really think we wouldn't notice?" Weiss scoffed, crossing her arms.
"The amount of times you stole glances at him from reading your book." Ruby added. "You never do that. When Sun comes to take you out, you usually would say 'Few minutes!' while you finish your chapter."
"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" Yang asked.
"I did... it... didn't go well..."
The girls staggered backwards, and then looked at each other.
...
"He... declined?" Yang asked.
"Y-yeah... why is that so surprising? The answer was 50 50."
"He... you... both of you just seemed to have such good chemistry together."
"I know... I thought so too."
Then Blake snapped out of her current thoughts as realization kicked in.
"Wait."
"Hm?" Yang asked, still wondering and thinking why Louis would've declined her offer.
"Why aren't you guys stopping me? I have Sun."
"Well... you do seem happy with Sun." Yang said, with a tinge of hesitation. "But..."
"You seemed way happier with Louis, even though you two only went on a date once." Ruby finished.
"It's very obvious. You and Sun make a cute couple, but you're conflicted." Weiss said. "And it's tipping more towards Louis."
"I...I..."
"We'll have a talk together once he gets back. I'll make sure of it." Yang reassured Blake. "If he just declined you for no good reason, we're gonna beat em to a pulp!"
"Or freeze him when he wakes up." Weiss added. "This time remind me to freeze his head as well."
"Weiss! He's gonna die if you do that!" Ruby complained.
"It's not murder if you don't find a body." Weiss chuckled
"Did... did you just make a joke?" Yang staggered backwards.
"Is it that rare?"
"You never make jokes."
Blake giggled at how silly her teamates were, how one thing led to another, and somehow, having them here is like having a 2nd family altogether. Then another realization struck her like a truck, causing her to gasp and put her hand to her mouth.
"Louis..."
Everybody snapped their gazes at Blake.
"I told you we'll settle that when he gets back." Yang said.
"No... it's 2:12 A.M. ... He's not coming back tonight is he?"
The girls eyes went wide as dinner plates as they glanced over to their wall clock to see that Blake was right. It was super late. Usually Louis gets back a little after curfew, which was around 11.
"Something's wrong. We should go look for him." Their leader suggested. "It could be trouble."
"Yeah, he's never been out this late before. What is he doing?" Weiss huffed, though in her tone, could be heard a tinge of concern.
"I'll get Bumblebee. Who's my number 2?"
"I have night vision, it'll be easier for me to spot him... I'll go." Blake said.
A few hours Later...
Blake's POV
Where the hell is he...
Come on Louis... where did you go at this time of the night?
He can't be trying to face the White Fang alone can he?
The night air was chilly, but I didn't care.
I need to find him.
We need to find him.
Please... Just show up somewhere...
Anywhere...
"Blake...
Blake!" Yang yelled out from the roaring winds that brushed past her skin.
"Yeah?!" Blake answered, snapping out of her thoughts.
"This is our 3rd rotation encircling town. Did you manage to pick up his scent?!"
"No... it's as if he'd never took a step in town today!"
"Fuck!"
The shopkeeper then waved, causing Yang to pull on the brakes, skidding Bumblebee to a halt.
"Are... you girls looking for something?" The shopkeeper asked. "I... noticed that this is your 3rd appearence around the block."
"Yes, have you seen a man whose hair is combed to the side, tall figure, and was wearing a black... A...adi...adidas jacket?" Yang struggled.
"What kind of brand is that? Never heard of it."
"Please, we're looking for him. He's our friend. He's been missing for a few hours." Blake added.
"No, not a clue. I didn't see anybody who fits that description walk around here. If there is, and you girls pass by these parts again... I'll be sure to let you know."
"Okay... thank you." Blake replied, though her cat ears fell to her sides from the bad news.
Yang punched the gas to full speed, making her engines roar and leaving a trail of dust.
"Shit! Where could he be?! I hope Weiss and Ruby are having better luck then us!"
"I... hope so too.." Blake answered.
The pain in his eyes when he declined my offer...
It was just as painful for him then it was for me...
Please... Louis...
Don't do anything stupid.
Weiss's POV
Oh my god.
Who the hell goes out at 2 A.M. in the morning and doesn't leave a message?
Wait a minute...
HIS SCROLL!
I immidiately took out my scroll and browsed over the contacts to the one labelled under the name: 'Pervert (Maybe?)'
Well...
There's always a first time for everything... right?
I called him, praying that he would pick up.
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
Please leave a message.
FUCK!
That's the only time I'm cursing... in my head.
To make sure, I called him one more time.
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
Please leave a message.
Voicemail again.. huh?
Where in Remenant could you be at Louis?
Everybody's worried sick about you...
Including me...
Louis's POV
Good lord I feel like shit.
First Yang and Ruby,
now Blake too.
All I need to do is shatter the Ice Queen's heart and then it'll be complete. I thought to myself sarcastically.
Vrrrr
I took out my scroll to the contact under the name 'Ice Queen Junior'
Huh.. speak of the devil...
She never calls.
Probably it's to tell me I screwed up or something
Ah whatever, I don't need nagging right now...
...
...
What the hell are you doing Louis...
Get your act together.
If you're not man enough to make it up to Blake like Evans did...
then what's the point?
...
A huge splash of water could be seen, with a deafening splosh being heard, along with a few bubbles popping in the surface as something heavy fell into the deep azure.
I felt the water drench both my face and my skin, encasing me like a cocoon.
The water was cold.
Cold... and calm once more.
It was beautiful.
...
Just think of the good times...
Get rid of the bad...
It'll all be over soon...
...
...
...
Ruby's POV
Come on... come on...
Louis you're like a big brother to all of us...
Well, maybe not to Yang, but to me.
Where the hell could you have gone?
Everybody's worried sick.
AH! What's that sound!
Squeak
...
Oh... it's just rats.
Wait a minute
RATS!
Boom
Boom
I got up and fired Cresent Rose at the dumpsters, and then it was silent again.
"Whew..." I breathed out as I wiped sweat from my forehead.
Come on Louis...
Where... are you?
Please... come out.
We miss you already...
Weiss wants to kick your butt in 'World of Remenant.' when you get back. She was so enthustiastic that she brought the board back to our room when I nearly forgot about it...
Please...
Please... be okay...
Please...
Be safe.
Yang's POV
That idiot! First he hurt her feelings now he's gonna go incognito?!
When I meet him face to face, I'm gonna beat him to a pulp!
Blake hasn't been the most talkative types, but she's our friend nevertheless.
What are you thinking?
Where the hell are you right now?
I know I can be harsh on you sometimes,
and a bit of a tease, even though I know you're telling the truth, but...
I'm never gonna admit that.
It's fun to tease you, escpecially with the reactions you give me.
However...
honestly I see a little Ruby in you that makes me want to take care of you sometimes.
Sure you may act cold and distant.
But we're a family.
So... Where could you be?!
"Yang!" Blake called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?!"
"Ruby and Weiss can't find him. Let's head back to the dorms to group up!"
"B-but..."
"The sun's rising up! We did what we could. Thank you, but this will exhaust us to no end. He's not here."
I growled and cursed under my breath.
I knew she was right, but I didn't wanna accept it.
"One last sweep over the docks. Then we head back."
"Yang..."
"It's worth a shot!"
"Thank you..."
"You don't need to thank me. We're in this together!" I said, punching the gas to let Bumblebee roar mightily.
After everybody gathered at Beacon's courtyard...
"No luck?" Blake asked, getting off Bumblebee.
"None..." Weiss admitted. "I searched that area over and over, asked people if they've seen him... to no avail."
"Oh Louis... where are you...?" Ruby asked, her worry skyrocketing.
"There's no use standing idly here... c'mon. Let's head inside. We can search again once we rest up." Yang said, taking off her helmet and parking Bumblebee.
...
...
Once in front of their dorm room
"Did... we leave the lights on?" Blake asked.
"I don't remember." Ruby admitted. "We might've forgotten to switch it off because we left in a hurry."
"Let's just head inside and rest... I'm tired." Weiss said, shoulders slumped.
"You think we're not?!" Yang glared, her illiac eyes starting to turn crimson.
"Hey.. stop it!" Ruby shouted, seperating the both of them. "We did what we could. We're just tired. Let's just call it a night okay?"
"Alright." Weiss grumbled, fumbling with the keys.
"Wait a minute... I smell something..." Blake said, sniffing the air.
"What is it?" Yang asked.
"Something smells... fishy?"
"You really need your sleep Blake." Ruby deadpanned. "Either that or you hang around my sister too much."
Yang was too tired to coment back on that, and reached for the doors once Weiss unlocked it.
...
They opened their doors, and dropped their weapons.
...
...
"L-L-Louis?" Blake stammered.
Louis's POV
"Hm? Oh, hi Blake. You girls all just got back? All night? Glad to see you girls managed to have each other's backs.
Which pub did you girls hit? Hei Xiong's? Or should I say, Juniors?"
...
...
"NO YOU IDIOT!" Weiss shouted, storming into the room. "WE WERE OUT ALL NIGHT LOOKING FOR YOU!"
"Me?" I asked confused. "But why?"
"YOU WERE MISSING ALL NIGHT LONG!" Now it was Yang's turn to scream on top of her lungs, eyes definitely crimson in colour, making me take a step back.
"B-but..."
"BUT WHAT?!" Yang asked, picking me up by the collar.
"I just... wanted to do something nice for you all for once." I sighed.
"Huh?" Yang asked, putting me down.
Only then did team RWBY notice the gigantic box that was on the floor beside my bed, about the size of well... my bed. Both in length and in width, leaving no space for Weiss or Ruby to step in or out of their beds.
"What is this?" Ruby asked, forgetting her fustration in her attempts to find me.
"Well..."
I opened the lid to reveal.
Not 1,
Not 2,
but 3 large Blue Fin Tunas.
"W-w-what?!" Weiss stammered.
"Yeah well..." I started, scratching the back of my head. "I'd figure... Since I uh... haven't been so friendly. I gotta make it up to you guys in a way."
...
"Besides, without me having an aura, in that Shipment Yard fight, I might be one of the most useless among you all. Heck. I feel more worthless then Jaune."
"HEY!" I can hear from the other room.
"Sorry Jaune! Can't mess with facts!" I snickered.
"And... you wanted to make it up to us by giving us..."
"Well, I wanted to cook for you guys as a way to say... sorry and Thank you."
"Yang..." I started. "You and I got off on the wrong foot, I'm sorry if it had upset you that I would be staying in the room with the 4 of you girls. What I wanted to do was just prevent myself from getting killed by your gauntlets. That's all."
"Well... as long as you knock..."
"You've been like the older sister I never had. Though if you could... tone down the teasing a bit."
"Not a chance little man!" Yang poked her tounge out.
I shook my head, then turned to Weiss.
"Weiss, I'm just gonna be honest. You were a bitch at the beginning of the semester."
"Hey!"
"And to some extent, you still are."
"Grrrrh!"
"But I know you could be nicer if you want to. I am familiar with your fathers... work ethics and teaching methods. Being raised in a family that's all high and mighty, I know that he set very high standards for you. Please... come to me, come to us, if you ever want to talk about it. We could help.
"Hmp!" She puffed her cheeks and huffed while crossing her arms, then opened one eye.
"Of course." She said with a small smile.
"Ruby."
"Yea?"
"You're the opposite of Yang. You're the little sister I never had. You should have more confidence in yourself in your social skills. You make a great team leader, and... in the future, I can see you leading any team you want, even though it's not team RWBY."
"But I don't want that..." She puffed up her cheeks.
"I know." I chuckled. "But eventually, after graduation, you have to learn how to someday."
"Okay..." She said tiredly, yawning afterwards.
"Blake..."
...
"Yes Louis?"
"I'm sorry I declined that offer. Believe me, I have a good reason I cannot sp-"
I was stopped when she walked up to my face put her second finger to my lips.
"If you can't tell us the reason aloud, then there's no need for you to explain it."
"Right... but I apologize for-"
I was stopped again by Blake suddenly advancing to my side, tiptoeing, and giving me a peck on the cheek.
"It's okay..." She smiled. "Don't be sorry. I am the one who offered my feelings to you. I should've known that there was a chance for you to decline. I forgive you, and you don't need to feel bad about anything... Okay?"
...
Blood was roaring in my ears as I held my hand on my cheeks, that were turning brighter red by the second.
Did that...
really just happen?
"S-so..." I stammered, still in disbelief. "Does this mean we're good?"
Blake scoffed, and pulled me into a tight hug, with team RWBY following her example.
"Yeah..." She smiled. "We're good."
"Friends?"
"Family." Yang corrected. "Team RWBY and you Louis, are family."
"Thanks..." I smiled.
Acting out is tiring.
And so is fishing...
I've been cold for way too long.
Finally, I can open up, and ...
Show my true self to these guys.
...
...
"But Louis." Weiss said, retracting from her hug.
"Hm?"
"Where are we gonna store fishes as big as these?"
...
...
...
"Doesn't the cafeteria have a big fridge?"
"It's about three quarters the size of what you just caught."
...
"Not to mention you caught 3." Yang added.
...
...
...
...
"You didn't think this through did you?"
"Uhhh... Fuck."
A/N
Had you guys for a second there, huh? xD
If any of you guys reading this are having any issues with depression, suicidal thoughts, etc, please go see a psychiatrist, or please be sure to call Suicide Prevention hotlines.