A/N: First up I'd like to remind you all that this isn't a part of the FHTH canon (yes that is a thing now haha). It is just a bit of fluffy fun that was decided upon by you guys. I'd like to thank Tommy2486 for giving me an idea for the plot of this one-shot.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the fluff in From Hunted to Hunter: Valentine's special. -CC Signing on.
-INTERMISSION- Valentine's Special Chapter. Simon's PoV (February 13th, 2nd year at Beacon):
It was a warm February morning, I swear I'll never get used to the seasons here again after spending 5 years in Atlas where it was Winter this time of year. I marched grumpily and intimidatingly through the halls of Beacon in my combat gear, my weapon's blades which were freshly polished and shined glistened menacingly in the light. As I trudged, I observed something I'd really wish I hadn't: People hanging red hearts on the halls or images of a cupid with its bow. 'Valentine's Day? Really... are these people like 5?!.' I thought grumpily to myself as I continued down the halls towards the mess halls. That is until I was hit by a speeding blur of red that had rose petals trailing behind it.
I had gone flying across the hall and being embedded into a locker and Ruby was sprawled out in front of me, cradling a box of chocolates protectively. The hooded teenager looked pale as she saw who'd she hit "Oh my, Simon I' am Sooooooooooooooo sorry." She said frantically as she darted over to me and helped me up.
"It's ok Ruby... Compared to being hit by Nora in the skull that one time last year when I pissed her off, this is actually not really that painful" I replied with a false smile, hiding the fact that I think I'd cracked a rib in the collision.
Ruby looked unconvinced but nonetheless smiled happily, back to her usual dolty self. "So Simon, you got a Valentine in mind?" She asked, still smiling widely.
I raised an eyebrow "No, I've not got the time for such trivial things such as dating." I replied in a flat monotone, though inside I was hurting that such an innocent question had dredged up painful memories: dating Velvet had been good while it lasted... but I just didn't have the emotional or psychological stability to keep a relationship working and it all fell apart 2 months ago, leading to the usual flood of awkwardness towards each other and open hostility from each other's friends (especially Coco.)
Ruby must have realised the subject she'd touched and her smile fell "Sorry Simon, I didn't mean to bring it up." She apologised and rested a hand on my shoulder.
"It doesn't matter... don't let that spoil your mood, so are those chocolates for a certain irate Heiress?" I asked in reference to Weiss, whose old bitter, unfriendly habits I'd been picking up as of late.
Ruby blushed the same shade as her ever present hood "Yeah... these are her favourites, I' am taking her out to the gardens for a picnic date and this was the finishing touch." Ruby rambled on happily. I just listened and let a false smile creep upon my face. 'You better not lose this girl Weiss, you'll never find another one like her' I thought, approvingly of my best friend's choice of romantic partner.
"Well you should go find her instead of just rambling about your plans to me, put them into action." I said, hinting that this conversation was now over and I was leaving.
Ruby probably didn't take the hint as I meant it, instead only wanting to see her beloved Weiss "Ok, good idea... oh she is just going to love this!" Ruby said happily as she dashed off, leaving me to go about my business of getting my lunch.
I got to within sight of the meal hall when in front of me a figure blocked my path: a sunglasses and beret wearing girl who looked infinitely pissed off. 'Oh fuck... here we fucking go' I thought as I knew by the angry look on Coco's face that this was going to end in violence.
"Well Simon, I told you that you couldn't avoid me forever and Velvet isn't here to talk me down this time... you, me, combat room, NOW!" She ordered, her hand stroking her weaponised handbag.
"Coco, I' am not going to fight you. The split is what was best for Velvet, I can't expect her to put up with the emotional baggage that comes with me." I replied, trying to avoid having to fight the feisty girl.
"Doesn't matter... you broke her heart, so now... I break you." She said as she grabbed the scruff of my neck and pulled me away from the cafeteria and towards the combat rooms.
Combat Room, 10 minutes later. Blake's PoV:
I had been sitting in the combat rooms reading a book and watching Yang fight a bunch of other students in a challenge she had set up, that challenge being: Be the first person (boy or girl) to beat Yang in a fight to win a Valentines date. I swear that girl was incorrigible, I knew she planned to beat everyone until I got bored and challenged her and then she'd let me win and she'd take me out... all these fights were just a work out for that busty blonde. I looked at my scroll and saw it was coming close to lunch and then I looked back to my book 'hmm I think I'll finish this chapter then go and whip Yang's ass, put the poor girl out of her misery thinking I won't take her bait.' I thought as I raised the book to continue reading.
I had finished maybe a page or two when I saw the doors to the arena open and in stormed a very irate looking Coco, dragging behind her an equally angry Simon Alexander. Yang had just finished demolishing Dove Bronzewing (ugh I can't believe he actually thought he could win) when Coco marched onto the arena floor and literally shoved Yang off to the side before pushing Simon back to the far side of the arena. Everyone else cleared back to the bleachers as the protective barriers went up, sealing the two inside and no one outside could hear what the two were saying.
Yang came up and sat with me, looking perplexed and annoyed "Dammit, I was just having fun there and getting warmed up for our fight kitty cat." She said flirtatiously. I just rolled my eyes at my blonde friend.
"Well Coco has been threatening to fight Simon ever since he and Velvet split, guess her anger just boiled over and she dragged him over here. Poor guy: he tried so hard to make it work but he just couldn't learn to live with and control his anger." I replied sympathetically and Yang nodded in agreement.
no one knew exactly what happened to cause the split... Simon and Velvet wouldn't tell and nor would their teams as they closed ranks around their respective friends. So it had just become a general assumption that Simon had lost control of the rage and the hatred that lived within him. Simon was secretive by nature and he had yet to tell all but his team, Weiss and Velvet exactly what he'd done in the Highlands War, As much as I was curious as to exactly what battles and skirmishes he partook in while up there. I also understood the need to keep some parts of one's past a secret... I haven't told anyone, not even Yang some of the darker, more violent things I had done while in the White Fang. As I thought about the similarities between Simon and I, I turned to watch the arena where Coco had finally finished abusing Simon and changed her handbag into its Gatling gun mode and Simon had drawn his gun staff, both shaping up for violence.
"What do you think Blake: Simon or Coco?" Yang said, part excited to see two of Beacon's top fighters go against each other and part apprehensive for the outcome given that these two are also two of Beacon's most hot-headed students.
"Honestly I hope Coco calms down and let's Simon leave... you can see in his body language that this isn't a fight he wants to be in." I replied flatly.
Yang nodded and I turned back to the arena, just in time to see both fighters open up with their ranged weapons...
Third Person PoV:
Simon had his weapon out and ready, but didn't open fire when Coco unleashed a hail of her over-powered dust rounds, instead he rolled away and kept Umbra Vigilans ready to fire but not aimed directly at Coco.
"Coco, for fuck sakes... this isn't your business, so calm down and back the hell off, Velvet wouldn't like this!" He yelled, but the only response from Coco was more hellfire which Simon continued to dodge.
"NEVER EVER mention her name Simon, fight me you psychotic piece of trash!" Coco taunted Simon who didn't give any reaction except to circle the arena, still not willing to fully engage Coco and doing his best to not let his emotions cloud his rationality.
Blake looked on with confusion 'This is unlike Simon... he is never this passive, he has always been aggressive in combat.' The Faunus girl thought as Simon continued to dodge, occasionally lobbing non-lethal smoke or flash-bang grenades to disorient and confuse the angry Coco.
Within the sealed dome Coco had had enough of her enemies dodging. "Simon you coward... FIGHT ME! Come on! Hit me, hurt me... just like you hurt everyone else around you, including Velvet!" She spat in pure contempt.
Simon skidded to a stop and stormed right up into Coco's face "That isn't what happened and you damn well know that you bitch." Simon growled, all rational thought and decision making beginning to disappear, being replaced by raw emotion as he was accused of hurting Velvet.
As soon as Simon had finished speaking he let fly with a sweeping kick at Coco's knees. The sassy 3rd year jumped the kick and retaliated by swinging her handbag down as hard as she could at Simon's skull. Simon used his semblance to slow Coco's strike down and give him time to readjust himself to avoid the strike and land a hit with his staff to the side of Coco's head. The strike with the metallic staff rather than the blades sent Coco flying across the arena while Simon vaulted back to the far side to wait for Coco to get back up.
Blake looked at Simon's body language: it wasn't focused nor was it angry. Simon was instead distracted and very sad. Blake couldn't help but feel a bit of heartache as she looked down at the scared young man fighting in front of her, Her and Simon had never been close and Simon for the most part remained very standoffish and sometimes hostile to her at times, but they had worked well together when required to and Blake emphasised with Simon, given that both of them had been forced to be child soldiers.
Down in the arena Coco got up, seething anger even more than before "Oh, you think you're so clever, getting one up on me like that... a cheap trick of your semblance." She said as she switched her weapon back to its Gatling gun mode and fired more of the extremely over-powered rounds at Simon who this time Jumped up and above the fire, only for Coco to have anticipated his movements and corrected the firing line of her weapon to hit Simon square in the torso. The force of the impact of several rounds drained Simon's Aura straight down into the red and the arena's protective barriers dropped, but there was no teacher here to stop Coco from wanting to continue the savagery that was this fight-turned-beat down. As Simon tried to raise himself up off the ground using his gun staff as a support, Coco kicked the staff out of Simon's hands and then smacked Simon in the top of the head with her handbag, all but knocking out the young staff wielder.
Everyone saw Coco going completely off the rails and could quite possibly kill the defenceless Simon, but only Blake acted. The raven haired Faunus ran a quick as she could and shoved Coco out of the way before the chocolate themed girl could land a kill blow (though Coco had already landed a savage kick to Simon's groin which would certainly hurt despite the fact he wore armour there.)
"Back off you black-haired bitch!" Coco screamed furiously at Blake, but the cat Faunus didn't budge... she may not have been too close to Simon, but she wasn't going to sit back and watch someone get bludgeoned to death who didn't deserve it.
"If you won't move away from this piece of crap... I'll take you down to!" Coco fumed as she swung her bag, only to make contact with a shadow clone of Blake, who had dodged and bounced back with a kick straight to Coco's face.
"Calm down Coco... jeez you're worse than Yang when someone messes with her hair." Blake quipped.
"HEY, I resent the comment!" Yang could be heard calling out from the bleachers.
Ignoring the Blonde, Blake continued to stare Coco down, but before either of them could lunge in an attack, a wall of rock formed between them and Velvet could be seen: manipulating dust with her hands to form it. "Both of you back off... Coco, I told you NOT to pursue this vendetta with Simon!" Velvet said in a commanding voice that not many knew she possessed.
Simon was still writhing on the ground in pain, but Velvet couldn't bring herself to look at the boy whose obsession with secrecy had caused all this enmity amongst so many students and had nearly cost Velvet her life.
Coco looked at Velvet angrily and finally relented to her friend and pushing past Blake to deliver one more cheap shot to Simon's groin turned and walked away, Team CFVY following behind her. Simon could be heard grunting as he stubbornly forced himself to his feet, trying to save what little pride he had left after that beating but he was very groggy and wobbled on his feet as he shuffled gingerly over to where is staff was. Blake looked over to Simon, who was rejecting angrily any and all offers of assistance.
"Well I think his ego has taken a battering, but I think his stubbornness, unhappy attitude all got a big boost after this." Yang said, looking at just how fiercely Simon rejected help.
Blake nodded in agreement as she watched Simon lean against his gun staff and hobble out of the combat room using it as a support, gritting his teeth and forcing himself forward despite the pain. Blake honestly had to admire that Simon just wouldn't stay down and would keep on fighting... She'd seen it during the breach of Vale's defences and how he'd often come back after weekends beaten and bruised (though he would never say what he had been doing to acquire said wounds). As Simon disappeared out the main combat room doors Yang gave Blake a light shove in the shoulder.
"Ok Kitty cat, time for us to fight" Yang said with a flirtatious tone and a wink.
But Blake was still staring out the door, an overwhelming urge to chase after the injured staff wielder and make sure he was ok had crept into her head and her heart and without a single word to her flirtatious partner ran out of the combat arena, leaving Yang stunned at being ditched.
Blake found Simon less than 100m from the combat rooms, he still was using his gun staff as a support, his aura was too low to heal the various injuries that Coco had inflicted, not to mention the fact the boy was probably exhausted. Blake walked casually up beside Simon who didn't even acknowledge the presence of the Faunus, instead just continued to keep moving forward. So Blake just kept walking silently beside the young huntsman, a hand on his shoulder to support him and be ready to help him should his strength fail him.
Eventually the pair found their way to the edge of the cliffs where initiation took place, there was a bench there and Simon all but collapsed onto it, his gun staff tumbling to the ground but its owner didn't bother trying to pick it up. Blake sat beside Simon, not sure why she was here or what she should do now that they were out here. Simon turned to face Blake, his face still set in a scowl, but it wasn't seemed more forced now than it had been for the last few months.
"Thank-you for saving me back there, I' am fairly sure Coco would have ended me if you hadn't intervened." Simon finally said, sounding more soft and appreciative and less hostile than he'd ever been while talking to Blake.
Blake was surprised to hear such appreciation and soft-spoken from Simon who was usually blunt and crude in his speech. "Don't mention it, but I do wonder... why Coco is so angry at you? Must have been very serious what happened." Blake stated as a fact.
Simon's face hardened at the questioning, but eventually he sighed, his face relaxing but still showing deep frown lines around his forehead and eyes. The 18 year old looked more like a 30 year old he'd aged that much. "I let my guard down too much around Velvet. We'd gone on a date during the summer break and we'd been ambushed by some people who had a grudge against me... a fight ensued and Velvet was hit by a Aura Penetrating Round in her right lung. Doctors managed to save her but I made a decision then and there to end our relationship, to protect Velvet. Coco rightfully blames me for Velvet getting hurt, and that led up to the events of today." Simon explained and Blake felt extreme pity and empathy towards Simon, but also hurt when thinking back to the fact that she to is a hunted person and similarly can't form emotional bonds to people.
"I know how you feel Simon, I really do." Blake replied as she sadly looked out over the Beacon cliffs.
Simon looked over in confusion at Blake "Someone from the Fang hunting you?" Simon asked knowingly. Blake however looked shocked that he knew that particular secret. "Weiss holds no secrets from me." Simon explained in a half truth.
Blake nodded, deciding to let it slide for now. "Yes, my mentor: Adam, he knows I' am in Vale, and he doesn't take to Faunus leaving the White Fang or being sympathetic or friendly to humans very well... I was his protégé and if he were to find me, or even worse: find someone I cared about." Blake said, exposing the hole in her heart and explaining her apparent lack of compassion and the fact she was about the only girl in Beacon not to have had at least one relationship in their time here (much to the consternation of Yang).
"I've seen the things the Fang do to their deserters... It isn't pretty." Simon replied with a sigh before changing subject "So, what was Yang doing in the combat room, thought she'd be trying to get you out to dinner with her." Simon teased with a weak chuckle as his aura began to replenish and heal his wounds. Yang's infatuation with the cat Faunus was well documented around Beacon.
Blake eyed the boy off in annoyance before giving a small smile of her own "Her beating up other students was her idea to get me to go on a date with her. Whoever beat her in a fight would be her Valentine, she'd keep beating people up till I fought her and I assumed she'd let me win so she could claim her prize of a date with me." Blake explained, laughing slightly at just how hilariously stupid the plan was.
Simon took a moment to process the blonde brawler's method of romance before bursting out in uncontrollable laughter. "Wow, that sounds like something a barbarian would do." He managed to squeeze out between his laughter. Blake couldn't help but laugh more, Simon's laughter was just infectious and his smile, Blake had to admit was very cute.
Simon was thinking something similar: how Blake's smile and the way her face lit up as she laughed through to her golden feline eyes and the way her silky black hair shaped her face. Simon noticed Blake blushing and only then realised just how much he too was blushing. "Umm Sooo, it's a lovely view from here... well when we're not about to get catapulted off the damned thing aye?" Simon said, quickly turning and looking out over the cliff.
"From what I remember you cursed Ozpin's existence as you were catapulted off." Blake giggled, remembering how much Simon hated anything to do with flying or heights.
Simon had by now forgotten his anger, but was still very sore and began wheezing as his injured ribs began flaring up in pain. Blake quickly shuffled across and rubbed Simon's back "You really should go to the nurse's station." Blake said worriedly.
But Simon merely shook his head "And ruin this lovely moment... not a chance." Simon replied in a tone that Blake couldn't tell if it was flirtatious or being a smartass. But Blake did have to agree that it was a nice moment of peace to be out here with someone who she had more in common with than she did most people, Blake was lost in the moment and leaned down into Simon's shoulder.
Simon flinched at the movement and the contact, having not expected this completely random and weird turn of events, but he had to admit it felt nice to have Blake leaned against his shoulder and he slowly relaxed and let his guard down and slid an arm around Blake's neck lightly stroking her hair. "Hey Blake, what are you doing tomorrow? If you don't have any plans we could head into Vale and grab a bite to eat?" Simon asked absentmindedly, not even registering with himself that he'd asked the question until after he'd spoken... it had been complete subconscious instinct taking control.
Blake flicked her eyes to look at Simon, she stuttered for a bit "Di-did you just ask me on a date? On Valentines day?" Came the nervous question, Blake's eyes studying Simon to see if he was sincere, not wanting to be toyed around with emotionally.
Simon cursed his subconscious but decided to run with this, it beat being alone tomorrow. "Sure, I mean if there's no problem with that on your part. We're both hunted people... so there's no fear of the other getting hurt because of one's past." He offered, trying to make light of their shared predicaments and fears for those close to them.
Blake thought about it, there were so many reasons to say no to this... but 1 voice in her head screamed yes louder than all the reasons to say no. 'Oh what's the worst that can happen... he is a decent enough guy, let's see where this leads to.' The Faunus girl thought to herself before smiling, leaning up and planting a light peck on Simon's lips. The boy sat there stunned for a moment, shocked at how forward Blake could be but nonetheless he leaned in and returned the display of affection.
Once the pair had separated from the kiss Simon smiled an infectiously happy smile "Well I'll meet you say noon in Vale at the Airship dock, just dress casually... I've worn enough suits up in Atlas to last me a life time" He said, giddy with excitement.
Blake nodded, a small smile upon her face as she nodded in agreement and leant back onto Simon's shoulder, and that's how they stayed until well after dark, just talking about small snippets of their lives (the parts that weren't shrouded in mysterious secrecy.) Both Teams RWBY and SNST were perplexed when Blake and Simon returned to their respective dorms both buzzing with an eager energy that neither really were known for.
The Next Day, Noon. Vale Airport, Third Person PoV:
Blake arrived at the Airport as she'd been instructed, in her casual attire and fully armed. Blake instantly spotted Simon across the road, who was also armed and next to a car that looked to be an armoured SUV used mostly by Vale Intelligence. Walking over, her guard up due to the appearance of the SUV with tinted out windows.
"Ahh Blake, you made it... Please relax, there's nothing to fear here. Just a favour called in from an old friend to ensure we're rolling in style." Came his humoured response to Blake's uncertainty and guardedness.
"Umm ok, so Where to?" Blake asked as she jumped into the back seat of the SUV and noticed a wrapped package and a bunch of black flowers.
Simon jumped into the back seat next to Blake and tapped the driver (whom Blake could see a tattoo saying C-9 on his neck) on the shoulder who began driving. "Well lunch and movies was my plan... I know a good place down by the North-western Beaches that do lovely meals."Came Simon's reply as the car sped through the streets of Vale.
"It sounds lovely, I just hope our weapons won't be needed... that really would spoil a lovely day such as this." Blake replied as she picked up the package, she instantly recognised the shape and feel of a book in it. Simon smiled on as Blake opened it do find a lovely hardback book.
"I asked Weiss what sort of books you liked... I decided to get you a nice romance novel rather than a slightly more lewd such as the new Ninjas of Love book... you might get the wrong idea of my intentions if I got you that." Simon explained with a chuckle.
Blake wanted to look annoyed that Weiss had spilled her secret love for pornographic literature to Simon, but the joke he'd made just made her giggle too much to be angry. Instead she leaned into Simon's shoulder again and the two chatted casually, sharing many playful kisses as the driver took them towards the beaches.
Today would be the first of many dates between two damaged teens and no more would they walk in fear that one day their past demons may catch up and hurt the ones they love, for both Blake and Simon were hunted and they both were vigilant and on guard to protect themselves and each other from whatever meant their lover harm. Both took solace in each other's affections... neither would be lonely anymore and look on at happy couples wishing that they could have someone special. Together no enemy or past demon could touch or harm Vales most hunted couple.
A/N: Sorry for the slight lateness of uploading... but this really was quite a difficult ship for me to write haha :P I hope you all enjoyed what I came up with in response to my readers voting for this ship and I also hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day regardless of where you are or whether or not you had a date for the day.
Next chapter will be back to the regular FHTH plot and that should be out in a week or so. Remember to follow and/or favourite if you like the story and feel free to leave any feedback you have for me in a review or PM -CC Signing off.