Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Did anyone think I did?

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Dance Arc 1

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The social shenanigans about the upcoming dance are the focus for the next arc, as the dynamics of the two teams are laid bare. Teams RWBY and JNPR are at the height of their popularity, and have the pick of the litter when it comes to dates. There's a rush of interest and requests for dates by total strangers, dealt with to differing degrees.

Pyrrha alone escapes any interest, as beyond the reach of mortals as always. Ren and Nora end up going as dates when Nora uses Ren as the excuse to turn down the approach of a guy- and uses herself as the excuse for the reason Ren can't go with a girl who approaches him, bringing them a step closer to being not just together but together-together as she makes a claim and Ren doesn't protest. On the RWBY side, though, there is no boyfriend defense. Blake avoids any interest by denying she'll be going to the Dance at all- she's still laying low and out of sight until the media focus drifts on. Being discrete with her presence and her past is Ozpin's recommendation, and offers her a convenient night for reading. Weiss simply turns everyone down- either without explanation, or undercutting the most presumptuous. Yang gets countless offers, but ends up rejecting them all because they're inevitably boorish and boring and she's busy trying to help prepare for the dance in the first place. Even Ruby gets asked out by a stranger- which makes her awkward and hide behind Yang, who recognizes the would-be suitor as someone who'd already asked her out.

But the real focus- or Ruby's focus- is Jaune, who is building up towards asking Weiss out. Jaune knows it, Ruby knows it, and even Weiss expects it after Jaune turns down an offer from Velvet to go to the dance as friends, saying he hopes to go with someone else.

Even though Jaune hasn't even done anything yet, Weiss acts like a girl under pressure. Ever since the Battle of the Highway and his saving her from Adam, Weiss has been on pins and needles around Jaune. Not in the sense of being uncomfortable or disliking him- the two have been on amiable terms even before Jaune reigned in his feelings and Ruby's efforts during the initial courting attempt-but in being hyper-aware of him. When Jaune's name comes up, Weiss listens closely even at the cost of being distracted, and when Jaune is around she's either tense as if expecting something any moment. When she does interact with him, she gives him her full attention. Jaune gets the same care- and the same shoves for his own good- as Ruby gets from Weiss, especially as he recovers from the Battle of the Highway.

But it's not until another day goes by without Jaune making a move, after Weiss rejects another invitation from another stranger, that Weiss makes a slip. Once more, Jaune was watching nearby, and didn't express any hint of jealousy. That's good… but when Jaune's attention turns away, Weiss lets out a sigh and mutters that she wishes he'd just ask already.

That requires elaboration, and at the first possible pretext Ruby drags Weiss away to confront her about that. Does Weiss really- finally- want Jaune to ask her out?

Weiss… doesn't know, actually. And as Weiss confides in Ruby, Ruby realizes why Weiss has been on edge. Not antagonism, not desire, but uncertainty. Weiss believes Jaune likes her- enough to risk his life for her, anyway- and she's not sure how she feels about that. She's not sure how she should feel about that, in light of Jaune's crush. She wants Jaune to ask her out so that she can find out what she feels and make a choice and be done with it- even though she doesn't know what she'd actually say if he did ask.

Weiss is on the fence, and confiding in Ruby despite- or maybe because- she knows Ruby supports Jaune's interest. Ruby finds herself an intermediary, the acceptable courier of indirect communications that Weiss and Jaune aren't willing to voice directly. Weiss wants to know if Jaune is going to ask her out or not. Jaune wants to know if Weiss would say yes if he did. And that's the rub of it- Jaune wants to try, but not if Weiss isn't open to it. After much antagonizing, and Ruby going back and forth, Weiss indicates she might if he does so 'properly.' Jaune's reply, delivered via Ruby, is a white rose.

Thus begins the second courting attempt, in which Jaune progressively makes a series of gestures to build up to the point of asking Weiss out. Similar to the flirty of canon in that it's practically a montage, it's a sharp contrast in Jaune's tact and approach. Instead of asking from the start and repeating it in every more annoying ways, Jaune makes polite and sweet gestures, and Weiss accepts them with… not eagerness, but willingly. In between Jaune's attempts, Ruby conveys Weiss's reception, allowing Jaune to tailor them to more effectively.

Moments of the courting montage might include-

-Jaune offering to carry Weiss's books to class for her. Comical when Weiss tests him by bringing all her books for a day at once- but when Jaune drops them, instead of being upset she helps him pick them up, and afterwards uses a glyph to help him keep them stacked.

-Holding doors and pulling chairs for her. While Jaune already holds doors for everyone, a special focus for Weiss becomes present. Weiss's feedback via Ruby stops doing it in class, but allows it in other contexts like the library or at a team visit to Vale.

-Standing up for her honor directly. When Yet Another Person tries to ask Weiss out and is disgruntled afterwards, Jaune forcefully objects to the 'cold bitch' description and challenges the offender to a sparring match. Jaune wins, with a demand that the offender be more respectful.

-'Anonymous' love poetry. No minstrels this time, but the poems being explanations of why Jaune finds Weiss admirable and attractive… and that he's smitten.

As Jaune progresses, trying to be chivalrous and considerate rather than annoying and unable to take a no for an answer, the group dynamics subtly shift. Weiss goes from being more likely to saying no to more likely to say yes, though she's still uncertain and wanting to resolve it. Jaune becomes increasingly love sick himself as it seems within reach now- a longing expressed in the knightly ways Ruby coached him to, including forlorn looks and longing sighs. The friends range from ambivalent to bemused- Jaune's approach to courting is seen as odd but oddly sweet, and different enough from Weiss's unwanted approaches to be novel. Jaune's slow buildup- insisting that the courting is necessary to being 'proper' like Weiss asked- also has the benefit of deterring Weiss's other would-be suitors as Jaune's interest once more becomes apparent.

But there are two people who don't become more approving and happier as it goes on. Pyrrha is one. Keeping her promise and supporting Jaune akin to canon is one thing- liking it another. Though Pyrrha keeps her word to Ruby and doesn't try to interfere, even showing some signs of an ambiguous guilt from the highway battle, her support for Jaune is as pained and reluctant as it is sincere. Ren and Nora fall on the more 'ambivalent' side of Jaune's courtship of Weiss, not objecting to his continued interest but sympathizing with Pyrrha.

The other person who isn't happy for Jaune, treacherous as it makes her feel, is Ruby.

Ruby faithfully supports Jaune's interest. In fact, Ruby's help is why Jaune has a chance in the first place, and one that's getting slightly better each courting. But while Ruby is happy to help Jaune, she increasingly finds it harder to be happy for him. Ruby's smiles as she helps Jaune become a bit smaller, a bit thinner, and a bit more deliberate when Jaune is around- and a bit more absent when he's not. Ruby is distracted when she and Jaune plan out the next romantic gesture and she brainstorms what she'd find romantic, she feels anxiety as Jaune approaches Weiss with the idea and wondering if it would work or not, and even when it does- when Weiss subtly approves and has a slightly better view of Jaune than before- Ruby feels something she increasingly recognizes as melancholy.

And it terrifies her.

Ruby's crush is back, and that's a problem because it can't be. Ruby promised herself she'd move past the silly, stupid thing that almost ruined her friendship. She'd promised she'd support Jaune- she wants to support Jaune's interest in Weiss- but doing so isn't making her happy. Not like before. Ruby doesn't want to fall back into that childish, immature phase. But when she tries to picture that romantic storyline she could see of Weiss and Jaune- when she remembers what will inevitably be seen as the decisive moment the changed Weiss's view for the better, the scene of Jaune in her armor standing against the Paladin, taking blow after blow and risking it all to protect the Maiden… the image is Weiss, but she wants it to be her. And that emotional treachery- to her first friend Jaune, to her partner-friend Weiss- haunts her.

Ruby falls into bad spirits, and throws herself into her efforts to help Jaune to prove to herself that she won't fall to them. Some start to notice, but Ruby waves off Yang's concern and outright lies to Jaune, saying she wants to help the dance committee with Yang instead. He's the last person who can know. Ruby faithfully carries out her role, even as it's a harder burden to bear someone else's ever-increasing happiness. Jaune sees hope, and hopes to see Weiss. Weiss… is willing to entertain the thought.

The courtship climax comes when Jaune intends to ask Weiss to dinner in Vale. Talking with Ruby, Jaune shares that he talked with Pyrrha about if the moment was right. Pyrrha, just as in canon, supported him confessing his feelings. But Jaune wants Ruby's views as a second opinion- and despite the sting in her heart, Ruby agrees with Pyrrha. The dance is next week. Weiss is getting impatient. The courting has been proper.

The next morning, Jaune asks Weiss to dinner in Vale. Not with their friends, like they've done occasionally, but just the two of them. Weiss- warned by Ruby that this would be coming- agrees.

It's a date.

Despite her role as intermediary being complete- despite having faithfully carried out her promise- Ruby can't drop it there. Can't step back and let chance decide whether Jaune succeeds or fails. Ruby makes to follow Jaune and Weiss on their date, not to spy but to ensure nothing goes wrong. Finding Pyrrha doing the same makes her feel vindicated- especially as Pyrrha ends up having the same motivations as she does. Not to interfere, but to prevent any interference. As they ride the bullhead into Vale, Ruby and Pyrrha hint their reasons. Ruby has her promise to keep, in spirit as well as letter. And Pyrrha… Pyrrha admits to guilt. That she didn't do something to protect Jaune against Adam when he was protecting Weiss, and so she feels she doesn't have a right to object to him getting closer to Weiss as a result. This time, Pyrrha won't let her inaction let him be hurt again. Ruby and Pyrrha make common cause to protect a date that hurts them both.

The date is a cool but proper affair all around. Jaune is appropriately dressed in a coat that Ruby helped him find, one that reminds herof the uniform that Mordred's subordinate had at the gala, though his is white. Jaune has a dinner reserved at a nice- but not too nice- restaurant. They have a little time, and so Jaune and Weiss walk in the Vale public park until it's time, down a path replete with flowers.

It's a demonstration of the intent and effort Jaune is putting, and would put into a relationship, and Weiss is content to let him lead and make small talk about park flowers and what they did for fun before Beacon. Even as Jaune's childhood 'farming' games are uncouth and certainly not cool, they elicit a little laugh from Weiss who can't believe there's a game about them. Ruby and Pyrrha watch, and while there's a seeming crisis when some people start running up to Jaune and Weiss, it ends up being a couple of children recognizing them from the newscast of the battle. Jaune and Weiss handle them well, and Jaune even invites over another faunus child who's obviously afraid of Weiss as a Schnee. Jaune reassures them enough to dare to approach, and Weiss is as nice as can be, and it makes a good impression for the child that makes Weiss happy in turn, while Ruby and Pyrrha never have to intervene.

When the time comes closer, Jaune and Weiss go to dinner. Weiss's appearance starts a flurry from the restaurant, including apologies from the staff that they didn't realize Jaune was with her, but Weiss corrects them that she is with him. Ruby and Pyrrha, disguised, get a table close enough to eavesdrop. Despite Weiss's relative chill throughout the evening- letting Jaune lead and show her around- the dinner itself is warmer as Jaune, rather than try to be someone he isn't, remains casual and friendly with Weiss like always. Jaune breaks the ice more by talking about their friends, and with great words about Pyrrha (who recommended this place) and Ruby, and Weiss responds to the familiar topics. The two talk, and do well, and Weiss even lets out a sincere laugh and helps Jaune when he is confounded by some of the bigger fancy words on the menu. Despite his ever-improving attempts at sophistication- or at least maturity- it's still a reminder that deep down Jaune is true to his roots.

Dinner goes well, but the conversation drifts off as they approach the end and the inevitable question. Weiss prompts Jaune to ask, but before he does he has another question. Yes or no, he wants to know if he did well tonight- if Weiss enjoyed herself. Weiss is silent for a moment, but concedes she has. More than she was expecting. Relieved, and with the eavesdropping Ruby and Pyrrha holding their breaths, Jaune drops the question- asking Weiss to go out with him. To the dance… and more.

Despite the buildup- despite so much time to think on it- Weiss still doesn't have an immediate answer for him. Instead she asks if she can ask a question in turn. The battle on the bridge- when he nearly died saving her rather than leave her and save himself- did he do that because he loved her?

Jaune denies it.

He didn't save her because he loved her- he saved her because she needed saving. And because saving people- protecting people when they need it- is what he wants to do as a Huntsman-slash-knight. Once, he might have said he wanted to protect the weak, but since coming to Beacon he's learned that's not quite true. He wants more than that- he wants to protect everyone, even the strong. Jaune wants to protect everyone, even the strong, and especially his friends.

Weiss seeks a reassurance, and asks him if he'd have done the same for anyone else. Jaune says he would. Though he laughs at the idea of Pyrrha ever needing saving, he'd have happily done the same for Ruby.

Ruby's breath catches, Pyrrha's breath is already caught, and Weiss releases a breath as she relaxes. Weiss is relieved that Jaune's reckless risk wasn't just because of her. She didn't- doesn't- want anyone to get hurt on her behalf just for her, and wasn't sure how to take it. But now… Weiss still doesn't have an answer for Jaune, but she's less uneasy. Weiss asks for some time to think about what Jaune said, but promises to give him an answer by the next evening.

Ruby and Pyrrha leave the restaurant before Jaune and Weiss do, quietly hurrying back to Beacon. The night was a 'success,' but neither is in a mood to celebrate. More resolved than rejoicing, Pyrrha splits with Ruby and returns to the JNPR dorm. But while Pyrrha returns to go to bed early and sleep away a bitter-sweet sorrow, Ruby can't fall asleep- wondering, thinking, and unable to get Jaune's words out of her mind. How he called himself a knight- how he's become the very sort of knight she once pictured and wanted him to be- and what he said about protecting her. Ruby's brief fantasy of replacing Weiss on the night of the battle returns, only this time it is her, and she imagines what it might have- must have- looked like from Weiss's perspective, to see Jaune's back as he stood and protected her. Ruby sighs once more, even as feelings of bitter-sweet envy stir deep in her heart.

Weiss returns, and Ruby- pretending to sleep- listens as Blake and Yang ask her of the date. Weiss says it was good, but she still sounds uncertain. The Dance is one thing- but Jaune isn't just asking her out for a single night. He's asking for more, and Weiss isn't sure she's willing to enter an actual relationship. Yang and Blake give good but unhelpful advice- to go ahead and give it a try if she wants to, or to refuse if she doesn't- but Weiss isn't sure what she wants, or is willing to try. Weiss steps out to think on it more, sharing with them that she promised Jaune an answer tomorrow. After Blake and Yang settle themselves in and go to sleep, Ruby slips out to follow her partner.

Ruby finds Weiss on a balcony looking at the moon and the stars- the same balcony Jaune had been waiting for Ruby- or was it RWBY?- on after the tourney. Slipping out and against the wall, a hood-covered Ruby makes her presence known when she asks if Weiss has decided yet.

Weiss is wavering- she doesn't feel a strong desire for Jaune, but she believes he feels something for her. Something... and yet not an obsession that he'd risk himself for her and her alone. That's better, but is that enough? Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't help that Jaune is taking this seriously, and so she feels the need to do the same. She might enjoy a relationship to test the waters- she's certainly not opposed to Jaune, and might be won over in time- but what if she isn't?

Weiss doesn't want to be trapped in a relationship she doesn't want… but she also doesn't to lead Jaune into a one-sided relationship on if she can never reciprocate what he feels for her. Weiss is concerned for him as well as herself. Either choice, yes or no, could hurt them both and leave her with the guilt of hurting him. No one's ever felt this way about her before, not really. She's not sure what she should do.

Ruby offers her unsolicited opinion that Weiss should say yes anyway.

Even if she knows she shouldn't- even if it come close to breaking the promise of refraining from active support- Ruby repeats that she thinks Weiss should say yes. Jaune would be good to her. Jaune would be good for her. He'd never trap her in a relationship she was unhappy with, and would stand by her side against anything and anyone, even her father. Jaune wouldn't- doesn't- expect for Weiss to feel the exact same about him as he does for her right now, he just wants her warm regard as he tries to earn her affections.

But most of all, Jaune would work hard to make her happy- and someone she could be proud to be associated with, and never ashamed to be with. Nodding to herself, Ruby concludes with her reasoning of why Weiss should say yes. Jaune is a good guy, and Weiss a good girl. He at least deserves a chance to make Weiss happy. If not for Jaune's sake… then for Ruby's.

Ruby ends her advocacy with an appeal not just for Jaune, but on herself. Ruby wants Jaune happy, so even if Weiss wouldn't do so for Jaune's happiness, maybe she could do it for Ruby? If Jaune is happy, Ruby believes she can be too, but if he's just left pining without closure... Weiss is surprised, but Ruby is resolute. More than that, she's willing to risk her own standing with Weiss to support Jaune.

Unlike before, though, Weiss is impressed rather than irate . She looks at Ruby with wonder. Ruby really means that, doesn't she?- and Ruby nods. She wants nothing more than for her friends- both of her closest friends- to be happy. And she thinks this would do that.

Weiss turns, and politely but quietly asks Ruby to leave. Ruby does, uncertain if she helped or hindered.

It's not clear the next morning either, when Weiss doesn't give her answer before classes. After, though, Weiss asks to speak with Jaune in private, and Pyrrha and Ruby both leave the group soon after. Pyrrha goes one way, Ruby goes another, and ends up early in her typical meeting spot for Jaune and their team leader meetings, an isolated lounge reserved for team leaders. Ruby puts her head on her arms on the table, lowers her hood, and drifts off to a dreamless sleep.

She's woken by excited shoving and words. It's Jaune, practically dancing as he practically drags Ruby from her chain in order to pick her up in a twirl. Jaune is excited, saying how she said yes over and over, and Ruby feels a clench in her stomach and nauseated as Jaune twirls her around. Jaune notices, but believes her excuse of motion sickness, and is too excited to be down for long.

Weiss said yes to the dance- Weiss is giving him a chance- and for that Jaune is ever so grateful, to Weiss and to Ruby. Jaune thanks Ruby effusively, for all her help and training and support.

Despite the clenching in her heart and her stomach, Ruby smiles for Jaune and sincerely congratulates him. She wishes him well, and doesn't protest when Jaune denies that it's over. He still needs to prepare for the Dance, and anything else after, and who better to help than his First Friend?

Ruby smiles sweetly on the outside, even as it tastes bitter on the inside.

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Dance Arc 1

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Author Note: Is this NTR yet? No? Just checking.

More seriously- here comes the dance arc, and here comes backs Ruby's pesky feelings. Time to make a bet- considering Ruby's recent track record, do want to bet that things go good, bad, or 'only College Fool would do this to me' sorts of feels?