Here we go, back from hols. Nothing to say here, really, so here's a chapter.

Chapter 26

Jaune had avoided Yang ever since the revelation in their private session.

How he'd managed to remain calm, let alone stumble his way through the rest of the conversation, was a miracle in itself. To be fair, he'd let Yang handle most of it, only interjecting when asked a question. If Nina wondered why he fled almost immediately after, or if his team wondered why he was covered in sweat when he arrived back at their dorm, then neither of them mentioned it.

But come the next day, he hadn't dared go near her.

They were already avoiding one another before over their argument, so it wasn't obvious enough to raise any alarms, but it had now become the reason for his absence – the fight itself forgotten. How had he not noticed her feelings? How had he spotted Pyrrha's a thousand miles away and yet remained oblivious to the girl who'd spent so much time beside him?

"And I fell in love with him."

He paused, one hand on the corridor wall as an unfamiliar pain sprung into his heart. Damn it. Pyrrha's confession had hurt just as bad, but in a different way. With her, it had come from his empathy… how he cared for her and how the tears made him feel not only like scum, but how they made him sad because he did care for Pyrrha. He cared for her a lot. Had anyone else made her cry he'd have squared up to them immediately, but with it being himself it was all he could do to give her space and hope she got better.

She was… slowly. The pain was still obvious; visible each and every time their eyes met. They were able to sleep in the same dorm room without complaint, however. Their relationship would recover in time.

This, though… this was different. The pain he felt was a more visceral one, deep inside his chest, and he had no idea why. Yang hasn't been hurt yet. I've not hurt her feelings yet. He was fairly sure Yang knew he'd turn her down… he'd confided that in her with regards to Pyrrha enough times. Was that why it hurt so much, because he was just realising how many times he'd sat down with her and confided in her, never realising her heart was breaking every time?

Why didn't she say something?

No. That was stupid. Of course she wouldn't say something – she knew she would get a no, and then their relationship would be irreversibly different. It might fix itself, like his and Pyrrha's would, but it would never be the same.

"Do I want it to be the same?" Jaune sighed and massaged his forehead. "What I want shouldn't matter in this. I should do what's best for her."

Whenever he figured out what that was. Did he need to confront her and turn her down, just to get it over with? Was there even a point? She already knew he'd do that, so all it would be doing was making her rejection public. She'd as good as said that to him at the club… well, to Crimson. She hadn't said it in words, but the tone of her voice was enough.

"I messed up and fell in love with him."

It wouldn't have been a problem for her to fall in love unless she knew it would never work. Yang wasn't an idiot. She knew what his answer would be.

Didn't he?

Of course I do. I'd say no. It would hurt, but… but it's for the best. I don't feel that way about her. I don't feel that way about anyone.

He loved her. He loved her enough that the thought of hurting her caused him pain as well… but he loved a lot of people like that. He loved Ruby like that, Nina, Brian, Ren, Nora and Pyrrha – hell, even Reg. Maybe Yang was a little different, what with how close they were and how he spent more time with her than anyone else, not to mention how they would laugh and sit next to – or on top of – one another. Then there were the casual hugs, the touching and how it felt nice to have someone you could just lean on or take comfort in… and come to think of it, that was a lot of extras.

Jaune's eyes drifted shut and he groaned into the palm of his hand. Yang was different. He wasn't sure why it had taken him so long to realise it. He didn't want to upset her, but he was afraid of losing her too… not of losing Yang as a friend, because he knew she wouldn't let a rejection come between them.

He was afraid of losing the closeness they had.

Their relationship would change. It had to change. For him, he'd be painfully aware of her suppressed feelings every time they touched. For her, he would be a constant reminder of her pain in the same way.

It was best for both of them if they took some time apart; created some space and maybe didn't hang around one another so much. That would definitely be the best choice.

So why was it so hard to make it?

"Hey Jaune, wait up!"

Ruby? He took a deep breath and wiped away any trace of uncertainty from his face. When he turned to face her, it was with a calm and friendly smile. "Hey Ruby. You doing okay?"

She came to a stop in front of him, her hood billowing behind her. Even in her uniform she still wore it, in what part of him was fairly sure had to count as not being part of the dress code. No one seemed to care, though. The teachers could be weird like that.

Ruby grinned and linked her hands behind her. "I'm good. Ugh, Port's lesson was so boring though. I don't even understand. I mean, he tells stories. Shouldn't that be more interesting than lessons? How does he make story-time dull?"

"It must be a gift," he said with a little laugh. "Maybe he should open up a side business doing those audio tapes to help people sleep. He'd be a hit for sure."

Ruby's laughter was infectious, and he felt himself compelled to chuckle along. It made him feel better too. She had that effect. At least one of his relationships was easy to understand. He'd have liked to count Ren and Nora among that number, but nothing that involved those two and the word `relationship` could be classed as simple.

"Is something wrong?" Ruby asked once she'd calmed down.

"Hm? No. I'm fine."

"If you say so," she said. "It's just that… you kind of don't look fine."

"Bah," he reached out a hand to rub her head. "You must be imagining it. I feel great."

Ruby was less amused, and pulled the hand from her hair with a fearsome pout. "Jaune… I'm socially awkward, not socially dead. I think I can tell someone's wrong when I saw you leaning against a wall with your face in your hand." She stared at him, and the weight of her words washed the fake smile from his face. "What's wrong?" she asked again. "I can help. I want to help."

He shouldn't have been surprised she'd seen through his lie, but he was. Now he got to feel guilty as well as unsettled. He looked away awkwardly. "I don't think you can help, Ruby. Thanks for offering though."

"Thanks for being useless?" Ruby prodded his arm. "I don't want to be useless – or praised for it. I won't tell anyone what's wrong. You can trust me."

He wanted to tell her he'd never doubted her honesty, that he trusted her more than he did just about anyone else. That wasn't entirely true, though. He couldn't trust her with the truth about him… the only ones he did were Reg, Nina and Brian. He didn't think Ruby would hate him for it – not her. She might hear Yang mention his fake persona, however. If she did, and if she learned how he was misleading Yang… well, Ruby loved her sister dearly.

And there was another problem to think about. His interactions with Yang as Crimson hadn't ever been something to feel too guilty about. The money was an issue, for sure, but he did his best to help and offer advice. He never took advantage of her, and even refused to let her take advantage of herself. Now, though, he'd crossed a line. She'd told him she had feelings for him trusting he'd never found out – that she was confessing in a confidential source.

"Have you ever been in love?"

The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them.

"Sure," Ruby answered. Her eyes narrowed when he stared at her in shock. "What? Just because I don't always act like it means I'm not a normal girl? I'm fifteen, Jaune. Not ten."

"Sorry, sorry – I was just surprised."

"Yeah, you and Yang both," she mumbled. "She always acts like I don't even know what sex is or something. I've not gone that far," she rushed when his eyes widened. "I've not even kissed anyone. I've felt like I liked someone before, though." She shrugged. "It was back in Signal. I never found the nerve to say anything and he moved away."

"Do you ever regret not asking?"

"Eh, I don't know." Ruby laughed, and it sounded genuine enough to show it must have been a while ago. "Part of me thinks I should have done something, even if he said no. On the other hand, he moved away anyway, so I'd have been hurt. Plus, maybe it was just a crush." She shrugged. "I was fourteen and awkward. Anyway, why did you ask? Oh… have you fallen in love with someone?"

"Not me," he said automatically.

"Oh, you mean Pyrrha? I thought things were getting better there."

"They are. It's just…" How was he to explain without giving it all away? "If you were in Pyrrha's shoes," he said slowly, "before she confessed to me. Say that I knew she had feelings, and I knew she'd be hurt if she asked me out and I had to say no. If you were her, would you have rather I told you before you asked me out?"

Ruby's brow creased. "Uh… do you mean if you confronted me and told me you knew how I felt?"

"Yes. If I said I knew you liked me, or even loved me, but that I don't think it will work and I don't feel the same. Would it be better to say that before – or should I wait until you ask me?"

"Isn't it already a little late?"

"Hypothetically," he said. "I'm just wondering if I made the right choice."

"Hmm…" Ruby looked down at the floor, one hand before her mouth. She looked deep in thought and he appreciated that. She was giving the question the deliberation it deserved and not just throwing something out to make him feel better. That was just the kind of friend she was. "I think if you were going to reject me anyway, then you might as well tell me straight away," she said. "It's the same result either way, right?"

That's what he'd thought. He sighed and nodded.

"But," Ruby went on, "I don't know if it would make it hurt any less. I think… part of me thinks that actually building up the nerve to ask you out is important. If I asked you – if I were Pyrrha asking you – and you said no, then I can at least feel good that I was brave enough to do it." She looked up at him with an anguished expression. "But if you just swept in and told me you knew, I'd probably feel like I was stupid. It would make me think my feelings were obvious and you'd known all along, and then I'd feel like an idiot that I didn't notice you never felt the same."

He stared at her, lips parted. "Wow… that's a lot more detail than I expected."

"Eh," Ruby grinned. "Like I said, I've been there. Those and about a thousand other things were the conversations I had with myself in my room back home every night." Her cheeks flushed and she coughed in embarrassment. "I'm not normally girly, but I still know what it feels like to not be sure if the guy you like likes you back."

"Did you never think of asking Yang for advice?"

"I did, but… I kind of didn't want her to do it for me. Yang's great, she really is. She's the best big sister in the entire world, but sometimes she tries a little too hard." Ruby rocked on the balls of her feet and laughed. "I was kinda worried if I told her, she'd either force him to listen, or hurt him if he turned me down."

And in the end, she lost that chance entirely. He felt bad for her, but the fact she didn't look upset helped a little. Missed opportunities were as much a part of growing up as mistakes, or so Reg often said. If you spent your life thinking about them, you'd be blind to new opportunities that cropped up.

"Did that help?" Ruby asked. "I know it's maybe not the same as your situation, but I hope it helped."

It wasn't the same… least of all because Yang probably wouldn't ever ask him out, not if the misery she'd shown on her face at the club was any indication. She knew his answer. So, in a sense, he could choose to never address it, and she'd never address it either. They could both continue as they were, albeit with both feeling awkward as hell. "You helped," he lied. "Thanks, Ruby."

The white lie was the right choice. He knew that when Ruby whooped happily. It cheered him up to see her smile. "Would you be able to help me in return?" she asked. "I kinda maybe sort of didn't pay attention in Oobleck's class, and we have that homework to hand in tomorrow morning…" She trailed off meaningfully.

"I fell asleep too," he admitted, and smiled at her horrified expression, "but Nora didn't, and she let me read through her notes and make some of my own. I suppose it would be a bit hypocritical if I didn't do the same for you."

"Yes!" Ruby laughed and grabbed him by the wrist. "Come on. We can get it done if we hurry."

Jaune rolled his eyes but followed along regardless. Maybe it would help to get his mind off Yang and their current problems. It was almost amusing, really. Homework had never been so attractive before.

/-/

Yang felt more relaxed than she had for a while.

It was strange, really. Nothing had changed, and certainly nothing had improved with the mess that was her feelings. If anything, she had even more reason to feel crappy than she did before. She didn't, though, and that was what made it feel weird.

"I guess it helped to get it off my chest," she mumbled, fighting past a tired yawn. It was only a little past four, and lessons for the day were over, yet she already felt tired. Port had that effect. If he'd ever slaughtered Grimm in the past as well as he did energy now, then he must have been a fearsome huntsman indeed. She cracked her neck to try and wake up.

Crimson wasn't able to give me any advice like normal, she mused. Actually, he seemed more stunned than anything. Still, it felt good to get it out to someone. Blake was always an option, but it felt a little too close to home. She'd listen, Yang knew. Her partner was cool like that. It was just that telling Blake felt uncomfortably close to telling Ruby, and she was Jaune's friend.

Yang didn't want her feelings to come between the two of them. Heck, she didn't want her feelings to come between her and Jaune.

Crimson was a nice, easy alternative.

I still need to think of something to do, though. I mean, I can't ask Jaune out since I know he'll say no. Her brow creased. Would it be unfair to try and change his mind? Pyrrha asked and got a no, but there's no law saying I can't do better.

She'd feel bad for Pyrrha, true, but it wasn't like she was betraying her or anything. His partner had already given up on it ever working out, and the two were busy trying to repair their fractured friendship. "That's probably not a nice time for me to try and swoop in," she sighed. "Not that he'd even consider it when it would be a slap in the face for Pyrrha."

Her scroll beeped and she drew it out, thankful for the distraction.

"Yo."

"Yang?" Blake asked.

"Yep. Who did you expect?"

"Well, I have no idea when you answer like that. Can't you say your name like a normal person?"

Yang laughed. "Girl, that's for ordinary people. Don't you realise I'm extraordinary?"

"Ugh…" Blake mumbled something out of range of the scroll. "Look, I don't have time for your ego. I need your help."

Blake, asking for help? Yang's lips pulled down. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just…" Blake paused. "It'll be easier to explain in person. Needless to say it's Weiss-related and you know I'm not adept at dealing with one of her mood swings. Just get over here."

The call clicked off, and Yang pulled the scroll away and looked at it. Blake hadn't looked like she was in trouble, but Weiss' temper tantrums could be problematic, even for Ruby. Yang didn't really want to deal with one of them either. "Ugh…" She stuffed the scroll away. "The things I do for you, Blake."

It took her about twenty minutes to find her partner, mostly because she wasn't in their dorm. No one was, in fact, and the last fifteen minutes had been spent trying to find them. Luckily, someone saw them go down a corridor off the side of Oobleck's classroom, and she found them soon after.

"What took you?" Blake asked, stood next to Ruby. Weiss was nowhere to be seen.

"Hm, well," Yang planted her hands on her hips. "Maybe it had something to do with the fact my partner said she needed me help, but refrained from telling me where she was in the first place! I thought you were at the dorm."

"Well I'm not."

Yang threw her hands in the air. "I can see that, Blake. I have eyes!"

There was a muffled thump from the door between the two of them.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Weiss," Ruby sighed. "Blake said something about the SDC-"

"Which was deserved," Blake interrupted.

"Which wasn't deserved," Ruby said, "and Weiss kind of didn't take it well."

"She's locked herself in the closet?" Yang raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

"Only that the SDC enslaved innocent faunus, crippled families by killing miners and then left innocent faunus children orphaned to die on the streets."

Yang almost fell over. "Holy crap, Blake! You can't just say that. Just… what the hell? It can't be your time of the month again."

"I said I was sorry," Blake said, not sounding very sorry at all.

Yang shook her head. Ugh, this is just like them. Why is it always me who has to deal with it? Oh yeah, because I'm a sucker and don't want Ruby stuck between their pig-headedness. Yang sighed and pushed between the two of them, opening the door.

Someone very un-Weiss like fell out and into her arms.

"Yang?"

"Jaune?"

"In you go!" Blake yelled, tackling her from behind. Yang tumbled forward, knocked off-balance and taking Jaune with her. They collided with something, tripped, fell against the wall, and then were quickly engulfed in darkness as the door slammed shut. The brief second it took for Yang's brain to click back into gear was the moment she heard a lock turn.

It still didn't stop the door rattling off its hinges as she rammed her shoulder into it.

"Blake, you sneaky, lying, manipulative, porn-addled excuse for a teammate. Let me out of here or I swear I'll make you regret it!"

It wasn't Blake's voice which responded, but Ruby's, muffled through the wood. "No! You two have been pathetic for too long. Make up or you won't get out until tomorrow morning."

"Did it work?" another voice asked.

Yang's voice reached a new pitch. "Weiss!?" The door rattled as she punched it. "Weiss, you cow! I thought you were in trouble and tried to help. Is this how you repay me?"

"Yes," the heiress replied. "After all, you've been mopey without him. Think of this not as us fooling you, but as us helping you."

Oh, she'd think of it as help, alright. Right as she was helping them get some sleep via the medium of a headlock! She slammed her hand against the door once more, just to see if it would give, but it must have had a metal core for her hand bounced off it. She winced and waved it in front of herself.

It hit his chest.

"You might as well not try," Jaune sighed. "I've been stuck here for twenty minutes now. How did it take them so long to rope you into coming here?"

Yang's cheeks flushed and she punched his chest lightly. "Because they didn't tell me where I was supposed to go! How did they convince you to walk into a cupboard anyway?" It was a tiny thing barely large enough for the both of them. As it was, she was pressed against his chest, her hands on his pecs and their hips practically moulded together. It wasn't a good position to be in, and for all the right reasons.

"Ruby said she wanted my help on homework."

"In a cupboard!?"

"I was distracted." He shifted a little, but that sent jolts of adrenaline up her body. She bit her lip, then prayed he couldn't see that in the dark. "I didn't even pay attention to where she was taking me. By the time she pointed to the door, I just assumed it was a classroom or something."

"You idiot." She gave his chest another thump just for good measure. "Hey, quit moving so much."

"I can't help it. I've been here for ages."

"H-Hey!" She shivered when his leg brushed against hers, the material of his trousers rubbing against her legs, clad in black tights. She could feel his muscles through his pant leg, and it felt like the darkness accentuated her sense of touch to a whole new level.

This was bad.

This was very bad.

"This isn't funny guys," she yelled. "Let us out and I won't exact vengeance, I promise!"

"Not until you make up," Ruby said. "You've both been insufferable!"

"I have not!"

"You really have," Blake's bored drone came through the door. "I've thought of strangling you once or twice myself."

"You're a filthy traitor, Blake!" Even worse of a traitor since she damn well knew how Yang felt about him. What did she expect would happen if she was trapped in a cramped room with him? What did she expect to happen when his hands settled on her bare arms due to the lack of room? What did she expect to happen when Yang's skin prickled, when her body shivered and she suddenly had to lick her dry lips? "Blake," she hissed, "when I get out of here, you're a dead woman." She growled and turned to Jaune. "Have you tried calling for help?"

"I didn't bring my scroll," Jaune said.

She wanted to head-butt him right there. "Ugh, you idiot… I can't reach mine. It's too cramped to move." There was door behind her and six foot or more of huntsman in front, and it was too narrow to really get her hands off of him in the first place. "Can you reach it?" she asked.

"I can try. Where is it?"

"It's-" Yang's lips sealed together before she could finish. It was in her jacket pocket, pressed against her left breast, and if he tried to reach it, then he'd surely touch her in the confined space. If he did, she wasn't sure what reaction she would have. "N-Never mind, it's useless. Who would I call, Ruby and Blake?"

"Don't you have Pyrrha's number?"

"It's out of battery," she lied.

Jaune sighed, and she felt the rush of warm air against her left ear. It sent all sorts of feelings through her. None of them were helpful. Okay girl, calm down. You're Yang Xiao-Long. Whatever happened to the girl who made all the guys weak in the knees? You're not like this!

It pissed her off.

"I don't hear any making up," Ruby sang.

"You just can't hear it," Jaune called. "Open the door and you will." There was no response to that, not that Ruby would be so stupid. Jaune sighed and tried to step away from her. His back hit the wall and he grunted. There was nowhere to go.

This was not how she wanted her day to go.

/-/

Jaune loved Ruby, he really did. Once he got out of this, however, he was going to make her suffer for this. He wasn't sure how, but it would happen. That he promised. Sadly, no amount of trying to think on what he'd do could distract him from the warm body pressed up against his. His chest rose and fell as he took several deep breaths, and each time it did he could feel Yang's fingertips pressed against the fabric of his shirt. It really was too thin – damn Beacon's uniform – and he could feel her nails, her fingers, even the hot palms of her hand.

It made his body ache.

"So," she said, either unaware or perhaps just as distracted as he, "this is awkward…"

Stuck in a cramped space with someone he knew had feelings for him, who he still hadn't decided how to let down, except that now they were pressed against one another in a manner that practically screamed sex. People their age locked in closets didn't normally get up to good deeds. "Awkward is one way to put it," he said. He shifted his leg and then instantly regretted it once he felt his knee brush up the inside of Yang's thigh.

She stiffened and went still in his arms, but to his relief didn't make any mention of it, even after he pulled it away.

Her skin felt incredibly smooth.

He throttled the thought before it could spread.

"What should we do?" Yang asked. She glanced at him and scowled. "I'm not going to apologise for what I did."

Apologise? Apologise for what? Did she mean the incident at the Oyster? He barely even remembered that – his panic too focused on what she'd revealed to him the night before.

"And I fell in love with him."

No, no, no. She thought she'd fallen in love with him. She didn't know the real him any better than Pyrrha did. She was close, though. She was very close. Close enough to share it? Close enough for it to be real? His body plead for the answer to be yes.

She's willing, it seemed to say. She wants you, and there's no denying how soft and warm she is. Can't you smell her?

He could. The hair she was so proud of bounced beneath his nose as she lowered her head and growled into his shirt. She smelled of something bright and airy, of fruits that made him think of a summer day, also mixed with sweat and the tang of fire-based dust. The mix of feminine and masculine would have seemed out of place on any of his normal customers, but for her it felt perfect. She smelled perfect.

Felt perfect, too.

Was he… was he attracted to her? His heart froze as he considered the fact, but the answer was obvious. Physically, he was. Yang was beautiful, there was no denying that. She had a full figure, soft hair and bright eyes, not to mention all the other things guys liked to look at. He'd seen enough breasts to last him a lifetime, but there were things about her he focused on, such as her long hair, or the way she would smile – always the left side of her lips tilting up first, followed by the rest. It was as though every smile was a smirk, yet instead of making her look cocky, it made her appear self-assured and confident.

She was well-built too, with muscle beneath her skin and a toned stomach he'd seen time and time again in her usual outfit. It spoke of a healthy lifestyle, which was probably obvious given her profession, but it was still better than 95% of the women he saw as customers. Yang drank, sure, but she worked it all off. She didn't smoke or over-eat, and her breath on his neck was warm and soft. He was very much aware of it, and of how it made his toes curl.

Physical lust, however, was not enough to base anything on. His body might have wanted her, and if he was being honest a part of his mind did as well – but it wasn't his heart. His heart, which beat at a thousand miles a minute and stung in his chest at that very moment. He wasn't even sure why he felt lust. That alone was unusual. He was as much a man as any other, but he was used to having women pressed against him - very used to it. Normally, that left him feeling sullied and unclean. Even the physical signs of his arousal were automatic only, accompanied by a sense of profound disappointment.

He'd never wanted to touch someone like he did her before.

I should tell her, he realised. Ruby did say it might be better to get it over with, even if she wasn't sure about the rest. He hesitated. It has to be done. I failed Pyrrha by letting her get her hopes up. What if I do the same with Yang?

But what if it changed things? What if him telling her he knew her feelings made her act differently around him? It almost had to. She would need time on her own to come to terms with it, and that would be time not spent with him.

His fingers curled about her arms. He didn't want that.

"I don't think I was at fault," Yang suddenly said. "I'm not a weak or normal girl. I can understand you being upset if I was a civilian or unable to defend myself, but I'm not. I'm a huntress. Would you blame a police officer for stepping in to arrest a criminal?"

Was she still going on about that? He didn't care, or rather he did but it was so unimportant compared to how things were now. He shook his head, not sure if he meant it as an answer to her question, or just as a chance to deny the truth to himself.

"Exactly," she said, catching it. "You can't say it's okay for me to risk my life against Grimm but not to risk less against some drunken idiots who can't even fight. I get that you were worried and I appreciate it, but I won't apologise for it."

He wished she would stop talking. It wasn't what she said so much as how she said it, and what affect her mounting anger had on her breasts, pushed against his chest. How they swelled up with each breath, pushing against his shirt, and how in a dark past of his mind he almost imagined he could feel the imprint of her brassiere against his skin.

And that just made him imagine her in less clothing.

"But I'll say that I don't like how it ended," Yang whispered, voice a little lower. "I hate that we're fighting and I hate how we keep doing it. How do we end up having so many arguments?"

He didn't know either. It felt like they were always at one another's throats despite their friendship. Why did every word she said somehow feel that much more personal to him? Why did her every action matter that much? Why was his mouth so dry, and why had his fingers splayed out on her biceps. Gods, he could feel each muscle beneath her skin and it felt amazing.

"I messed up and fell in love with him."

It would be so easy to have her.

"And I'm in love with him."

Turning Pyrrha down hadn't helped in any way. Should he do the same with Yang, or should he try something different? Was she ever going to bring it up herself? Could the both of them pretend it never happened?

"Hey Crimson?"

"What I'm trying to say is… how about we both just pretend it didn't happen?" Yang's real voice overlapped the one in his mind. "We're both not going to agree, but I don't want to keep fighting like this. How about we just accept that we're different people with different opinions and that we won't always agree? It doesn't mean we have to stop being friends, right?"

"We're friends, right?"

"O-Of course," he stammered. Which question he answered, he had no idea. That word, though, friend… it was what he wanted, wasn't it? It was safe. "We're friends, Yang. We'll always be friends."

"Wait, you're not mad?"

Mad? No. He was something far worse, and he had no idea what to do. He had to make a decision. I have to tell her I don't love her. This is the best chance. She deserves better than for me to trick her. What kind of friend can I claim to be if I don't take steps now to stop her getting hurt later?

"Yang, I…"

"Jaune…"

They both paused. The silence was suffocating, made all the worse because of how their breath mingled. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, and the worst part was that with her hands on him, there was no way she didn't feel it too.

"You go first," he said.

"No, you."

The silence reigned once more.

He could say it. All he had to do was open his mouth, look her in the eyes, and tell her that he didn't love her.

It was so very simple… just four little words.

She would be hurt now, but he was here. He could help her. Ruby and Blake could help her as well. It was better she hurt now than later, and better she learned the truth in private. He couldn't let her suffer like he had Pyrrha. He'd done his partner such a disservice… and after all the help she'd given him.

"Yang," he whispered. "I…"

"And I'm in love with him."

"Yes?" she asked, when he paused.

I don't love you.

"I… I just want to let you know that… well, I don't…"

"I messed up and fell in love with him."

"I don't… Yang, I don't…"

I don't love you. Say it! Just say those four words! How hard is it?

His eyes scrunched shut and he took a deep breath.

"Hey Crimson?"

"What you trying to say?" Yang asked with a smug grin. "Cat got your tongue? I thought Blake was outside."

"I want to. I trust you."

"I don't…" His words caught. He swallowed, fought against the blockade… and then sighed. "I don't want to be angry with you either." His head fell to the side. Deep inside his mind, something roared angrily, but he couldn't do it. He couldn't get the words out.

How hard is it to tell someone you don't love them? You don't, right? He didn't… no, he couldn't. That was impossible. She didn't love him, either. She didn't know about Crimson, or at least that Crimson was him. If she did, she'd be furious – betrayed.

How could something like love survive that?

Yang's face practically glowed. "You don't!? That's great! I mean," she tried to look less interested, but failed. "Well, I guess I can forgive you for being stupid if you want things to go back to normal. You're not off the hook but… well, I guess we can forget that crap happened."

"Yeah…" he laughed bitterly, "back to normal. I… like the sound of that."

He wasn't sure things ever could go back to normal. Not with how he felt now. Not with what he knew. Why couldn't I tell her the truth? I didn't have a problem with Pyrrha. It hurt, but I managed to say it. Why couldn't I do the same with Yang?

One thing was for sure, as Yang clapped and banged on the door, shouting that they'd made up, things had become complicated. He also felt her rear press against his crotch when she turned, and he was more than aware of his body's reaction. It was natural for most men, but not natural for one such as him. Things had become very complicated, indeed.

That he longed for her warmth once the door was open and she escaped only compounded matters. Even as Yang took Ruby in a headlock and ran a fist into her hair until she begged for mercy, he could barely manage anything more than a strained smile. Her lingering scent clung to him.

He wanted to smell her hair again. He wanted to touch her again.

He needed to talk with Nina.

He wasn't supposed to feel this way.

I'm trying to draw this back onto the 7-beat system, which I admit to having fallen off a little with the 5 updates a week system. I guess it was almost inevitable something would suffer, and I'll be trying to fix this moving forward.

Again, for reference… my thoughts are not necessarily Jaune's. In the show, we know he's a guy who overthinks things and let's himself get down. We see it when Ruby had to give her "nope" speech, and we see it again come Forever Fall and even at the dance. I think it's part of his character to worry, to stress about things. I think it's quite common of guys who are shy or not-so-successful in dating or other aspects of life. They start to wonder and always ask why, to try and analyse themselves for faults.

Next Chapter: 30th May

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur