Disclaimer: RWBY and all affiliated characters/titles belong to Rooster Teeth, those wonderful geniuses.
The brilliant red leaves fluttered around them, falling lightly from the branches of the beautiful Forever Fall trees. The way they persisted, through the hottest summers and the coldest winters was simply incredible, a testament to the fortitude of nature. Pyrrha pulled in hard through her nose, taking in the strong scent of the forest around them. She still vividly remembered their trip here as a class to help Professor Peach with research, tapping the trees alongside Jaune, having to get twice as much as any other group to make up for what Nora ate. It was a fond memory she held.
"What are you thinking about?" Blake asked quietly, politely from her side. These walks they took together were another thing Pyrrha treasured. The two quieter girls had found early on that their dispositions were more than compatible. Sometimes, they would spend a few hours together, an entire day even and say barely a word. They just relished in the presence of someone else who never judged them, never assumed anything, and never needed the other. Pyrrha immensely enjoyed the relaxation these times with Blake provided for her.
"I was just remembering the trip we took here, as a class." Pyrrha continued to let her eyes wander the forest aimlessly. She was both absorbing as much of the place's scenery as possible and keeping a constant eye out for Grimm. Not that there was much she believed she and Blake together could not hold their own against, but part of that was remaining vigilant at all times. The Nevermore attack had proven that much to her at least.
"Oh yeah, when we gathered all the sap right?" Blake laughed lightly, "That was a nice day. I'm just glad Nora was the one eating it all and not Ruby." They both laughed again as they continued to stroll through the deserted forest. There should be no chance of encountering any Grimm, not when they were this happy.
"I was just thinking what a wonderful day it was. Even after that Ursa attacked Cardin and his team." Pyrrha's laughter caught in her throat as she remembered the attack. While she didn't like Cardin, it was still never okay for someone to be attacked by a Grimm
"That was the first time Jaune went face to face with a Grimm on his own though wasn't it?" Blake walked calmly at her side, completely understanding why her laughter had stopped. But she knew how Pyrrha felt about Jaune and knew it would cheer her up to be reminded of his success that day.
"Yes, that was." Pyrrha nodded and her smile returned, "He needed just a little push and he handled the rest himself. He's never stopped improving since that day." Blake hummed her agreement, a short, positive noise and they continued in silence for a while more together. Both leaving the other to enjoy the forest and the walk as they would.
"So Pyrrha, have you made any progress with Jaune?" Blake asked after the long gap of silence had stretched on. It had not become uncomfortable by any means, just long enough to warrant a new topic. Pyrrha didn't often discuss her feelings for her team leader and partner with anyone else, preferring to bottle that up inside, but with Blake she felt safe. That was part of the reason she strove so hard to protect the secret of Blake's heritage. It was no one's business but those who Blake deemed worthy of knowing and though Pyrrha had discovered on accident, Blake had been okay with the fact that she knew.
"Well, I wouldn't say I've made progress exactly. I still believe he has no idea how I feel towards him. But we are closer now than we were before, if only as partners. Pyrrha would not allow herself to be saddened by that fact, she must be strong and resilient, like the trees in this forest. Pyrrha straightened her shoulders, "I guess that could be considered progress though. A step down the path towards a more...uhh...intimate relationship."
Blake didn't chuckle at her use of the word intimate, or make a joke as some of their teammates may have. Instead she nodded her head in understanding and kept pace with Pyrrha. They shared a much briefer silence this time as Blake mulled over what Pyrrha had said as she often did before replying.
"I don't think that's a bad thing at all." Blake said after she had thought it over sufficiently, "I think that a strong relationship should be built on a solid friendship first. " Blake hummed in thought again before continuing. "Have you tried to spend much time with him alone outside of training? I know that you two spend hours in the gym or the sparring rooms or on the track. But what about eating separate from your team, or giving Nora and Ren a night alone by going out somewhere. Those could be considered completely platonic ways to spend time but could help to deepen your relationship further."
Pyrrha took a moment to consider that suggestion herself before she said anything. She was so interested by the idea that she actually stopped walking completely and stared up into the canopy above them. Blake walked a few paces further and then stopped and turned, giving Pyrrha the time and space she needed to think properly. Should she take that step with Jaune to try and push their relationship deeper? Was that even a good idea?
"I'm not sure." Pyrrha's shoulders slumped down again, "I just don't know if I should be the one to push things. He just got out of his relationship with Ruby. I wouldn't want to be inconsiderate of his feelings or of hers." Pyrrha looked at the ground.
"Pyrrha, can I tell you something. Something I feel like I shouldn't, but that you need to know." Blake took a step back towards Pyrrha, showing how sincere her offer was, how dear the secret.
"Blake if you feel that it's a secret." Pyrrha began to protest but in all honesty truly did want to know what it was Blake had to say, especially if it pertained to her affections for Jaune. She did not want to press Blake or seem too eager but she also wanted to avoid dissuading the already cautious Faunus girl.
"Well, when Ruby was thinking about how she felt about Jaune. Her biggest concern was getting in your way, it was the one thing she wanted to avoid because she knew how you felt about him." Blake continued softly, not hesitating on Pyrrha's warning. Pyrrha's hand flew to her mouth in shock. She knew Ruby was aware of her feelings, but to hold back her own care for the boy on her account. That was an incredible act of kindness. "She came to me and told me that she would not date Jaune or even entertain the idea while you were interested. She didn't want any part of it."
"But…" Pyrrha fumbled over herself. Had she done something to indicate to Ruby that she was no longer interested in Jaune. Had she expressed a dislike of him at anytime, perhaps Jaune had picked up on the same signal that Ruby had and that's why he wouldn't believe now that she was interested in him.
"Actually, I had to convince her to even say yes if he did ask her." Blake wrapped her arms around her middle, wrought with concern over what emotions this revelation may elicit from her friend. She stood stock still, waiting for Pyrrha's response. Pyrrha had to breathe deeply not to scream in frustration, she wasn't mad at Blake. She was just mad at the situation.
"You were just trying to help Ruby be happy. I understand Blake." Pyrrha stepped towards her and held her arms out wide, welcoming the other girl in. Blake stepped forward as well and met Pyrrha for the hug, embracing her friend.
"I'm really sorry. It's just. It was eating at her so much. I thought they would work out, I thought they were supposed to be together. I didn't mean for this big mess." Blake said solemnly into her ear and Pyrrha knew she meant every word.
"Blake, it's okay. It's okay. She deserved every chance, same as me." Pyrrha continued to hold her friend, not letting her escape with the idea that any of their current situation was at all her fault.
"I just wanted to see her happy." Blake finally pulled away from Pyrrha, the frown gone from her face but no smile there yet. "I couldn't stand how sad she was."
"Blake, what did it feel like when she was sad?" Pyrrha kept her hands on Blake's arms, holding her close. These next few sentences were important and she didn't want to risk anything interfering with them. "How did you feel when you saw that Ruby was being tortured by how much she liked Jaune?"
"I… I don't know why that matters." Blake turned her head down and away from Pyrrha. She was not usually one to press but in this case she had to, for Blake's sake. She wasn't trying to make Blake uncomfortable, she was trying to make Blake see something.
"It hurt you even more didn't it? It was like a King Taijitu was wrapped around your heart, crushing it into nothing wasn't it?" Pyrrha pulled Blake's shoulders just enough to draw her attention back up to her face. "It was like your breath was being crushed out of you and there was nothing you could do."
"Yes, yes it was okay." Blake pulled out of Pyrrha's arms. "I'm in love with her and I don't know what to do about it. I don't know when it happened but I know it's not going to stop." She wheeled back on Pyrrha. "How did you do it Pyrrha? How did you know how you felt for so long and do nothing? I've barely known for a few days and I can't stand it. Waking up in the morning and she's there, coming back at night and she's there. All day in class she's right by me. We train together, we eat together." Blake collapsed into a squat, clutching at her head as the tears began to well up. Pyrrha stepped forward and set her hand on Blake's shoulder.
"I didn't deal with it Blake. It crushed me everyday just like it's doing to you. I hid it behind workouts and running, studying and sleeping. I tried to distance myself from everyone so that I didn't have to be close to him. When we trained I was able to separate that because it was fighting. I lost myself in the combat, but every time I came out of it. Every time we finished for the night, he was still him. He still is." Pyrrha dropped to her knees beside Blake. "I never dealt with it Blake. I cried in the bathroom. I used the shower to cover the noise. I laid on my bed for hours staring at the ceiling because he was right there on the other side of the room." Blake raised her head and looked at Pyrrha, tears staining both of their cheeks, leaving little lines in the dirt on their faces from their hike through the woods.
"We're hopeless aren't we Pyrrha?" Blake asked sullenly and Pyrrha somehow managed to laugh through her grief.
"Yes Blake we are absolutely hopeless." Both girls laughed and embraced each other again. They embraced the companionship that their sadness created, the camaraderie of their hopeless loves. They stood and took a moment to gather themselves, both girls wiping away the tears and collecting their better senses.
"Pyrrha, do you think there's any chance that Ruby likes girls? Do you think there's any chance that that might work for me?" Blake looked at Pyrrha, no sadness in her eyes now, but focus. She looked determined to find some sort of answer, some closure good or bad. It appeared that the emotional outburst had done her far more good than it had done for Pyrrha. She just felt drained and tired, like going back would be even harder.
"I do think there's hope." Pyrrha nodded slowly. She wanted Blake to know that these words weren't empty, she wasn't just trying to comfort her. "Ruby, she loves everyone. She has expressed that in so many ways, so many times." Blake began to smile, apparently this was one of the qualities that Blake appreciated in her leader. Pyrrha had to admit, it was an attractive one. "I think that if she sees how much you care for her, if she's that emotion. She will be able to reflect it. I just hope, for your sake, that she can do so romantically. Since that it what you want from her."
"I hope you're right." Blake pulled her back straight and looked up into the treetops. "I think we should make a deal Pyrrha." Pyrrha looked up into the canopy above with Blake, hoping to find the same source of inspiration that she had.
"What did you have in mind?" Pyrrha searched and searched but couldn't find the wellspring of hope that Blake was feeding off of. It must be inside her, so Pyrrha let her eyes fall to Blake. She was tall and lean, stark black against the earth browns and muted reds of the forest. She stood out, strong and bold against their surroundings. That what Pyrrha would have to do, she would have to stand out.
"We need to promise each other that we will pursue our desires." Blake turned and found Pyrrha staring at her. If she minded or even noticed she didn't show it. If anything, the determination in her eyes had only grown stronger. "You are one of the boldest, strongest, most incredible people I know. And yet you are brought to your knees by that blonde idiot." Blake laughed.
"And you are the most resilient, unbowing person I have ever met. But you were right next to me thanks to a fifteen year old girl with pretty eyes." Pyrrha said coyly and Blake couldn't help but laugh.
"So let's go get them." She said proudly, "Let's promise each other that we will chase after the blonde idiot and that little girl." Blake stepped forward and grabbed Pyrrha's hands, "Let's do something for us for once."
"I agree Blake, let's do something for us." Pyrrha leaned forward and the two girls embraced one more time.
Together they both made their way out of the forest and back to Beacon without any further discussion. They both had a goal in mind now and didn't think it warranted talking about any more. Pyrrha and Blake had both made up their minds to chase the object of their foolish affections, for better or worse. It was the least they could do for themselves.
A/N - Okay, so there it is. The shortest chapter in the series. Maybe I felt guilty and that's why I put out a 7k word little mini series yesterday, who knows… Maybe that was just a coincidence.
With that said, this is also my least favorite chapter in the series. Please rip it up but give me advice on how to improve it because Oum knows I tried and I just couldn't find a way that still maintained the purpose of the chapter.
Thanks for reading, I hope to hear from you all.
-Zach
P.S. The miniseries is called "Can I Ask You A Question?" and is a quick read. Please check that out too.