Yay, another chapter where nothing happens. ;)
Well, after this one, I'll start with some time skips so that this story finally gets rolling.
Cover Image - Jo3mm (DeviantArt)
Chapter 15
Music - RWBY - All That Matters
"Jaune?"
He blinked his eyes open, staring confusedly at the white ceiling before realizing that he was in Team Sunray's dorm.
"Lady Killer?"
A hand was grasping his shoulder, and his pillow felt a little weird. He shifted his eyes down and to side, coming to a halt on a pair of lilac eyes that were regarding him oddly.
"Yang?"
"Everything alright?" she asked, sounding authentically concerned instead of her usual playful tone. "I heard you screaming and what sounded like crying? Did you have a nightmare?"
"I... I guess you could say that. I'm fine now, thanks, Yang." He remembered it now. How he'd fallen asleep on her lap after listening to the first two sentences of whatever story she had regaled them with. Apparently, she'd stayed like that through the night. It couldn't have been very comfortable. There was a pillow between her back and the wall, but still...
"Are you sure?" She suddenly leaned in and had a devious grin on her face. "Just fine? I've heard you scream Miss Goodwitch's name, or should I call her Glynda?" She waggled her eyebrows, making tsk tsk sounds. "Did I trigger some dirty fantasy when I joked about it yesterday?"
Panic gripped his heart, and be gaped at her. "N-no, that... that's not true at all. I... I've dreamed that we were trapped... and..."
Yang's expression went from teasing to empathic. "Aww, poor Jaune. So terrified. Trapped with Miss Goodwitch. Did she make you correct essays...drill you until you couldn't walk anymore?"
Jaune closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, nodding mutely.
"Come one, cheer up Lady Killer." Yang gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I'm just messing with you. So, you okay?"
"Yeah." He took a moment to look around the room. Daylight shone in through the windows; it was undoubtedly morning. The other beds were all empty.
"Where's Pyrrha and Weiss?"
"Oh? Pyrrha's gone to do some early morning training—running or something."
He remembered her do that every morning. He'd been too stubborn to join in for a long time... But some extra training sounded like a good idea now (after his injury was healed). Even if he planned to keep his friends out of this as much as possible, it couldn't hurt to make sure they were prepared.
"And Weiss...well..."
As if on cue, the sound of singing echoed faintly from the bathroom door, and Jaune just now recognized the low sound of a running shower he hadn't paid any attention before.
"She sings in the shower?" Jaune gaped. He couldn't make out any words, but it sounded nice. He remembered how he used to play the guitar and wondered whether he could still do some basic riffs.
"Yeah. Yesterday too." Yang grinned, running her hands through his hair. "But don't tell her. I bet she thinks we can't hear her."
It was kind of typical...and totally endearing.
"Heh, you'd think so," Yang teased.
Apparently, he'd said that out loud. "Hey Yang, can I ask you something?" He was feeling kind of calm and collected right now, so he might as well set some things straight now rather than later.
"Sure."
"You're not interested in me, right? Romantically, I mean."
"Nope."
"Good, that's good. Otherwise, this would be a little weird, you know...you spending the night in my bed and now doing this thing with your hands."
Yang hummed while she continued to 'do this thing with her hands', and Jaune sighed contently. "You're also taking this surprisingly well."
"Well, I grew up with seven sisters, I'm used to worse."
"Damn, seven sisters. I wonder what it would be like if I had seven Rubys." She laughed. "It would be kind of horrifying. All those cookies... And tea parties where they'd discuss their weapons and how best to slay Grimm." She shuddered. "Anyway... You know, normally guys are all over me or just run away, blushing and stuttering. So it's a nice change with you."
Jaune chuckled. He could imagine.
The shower had stopped at this point and was replaced by the sound of a hair drier. Here and there, he thought he could make out Weiss humming.
"Sorry if I was a little overbearing yesterday. I'm not usually that bad."
"It's no big deal," Jaune assured.
"So, we're friends, right?"
"Of course."
"Neat," Yang cheered. "I never had a boyfriend... as in, non-romantic boyfriend. Most guys sooner or later develop a crush on me, or just reveal that they'd only acted casual the whole time while trying to get into my pants. You're not like that, are you?"
"Nah, no worries. You can be like my little sister or some—"
"What?! If anything I'll be the older sister!"
Jaune chuckled awkwardly. He'd made the mistake of not thinking that he was actually 17 again. And little sister seemed to be the most logical. If anything, they would probably be his daughters, although...despite probably being older than his teammates combined, Jaune didn't feel the age. So, little sisters would probably be more accurate to describe his relationship with them if you went with family relations. "I already got enough of those—"
Yang glared, her eyes flashing red.
He gulped. "Real older sisters, I mean. Not awesome girlfriends— non-romantic girlfriends. So yeah, sure, you can be the older sister."
"That's right, and you better not forget it, little brother."
They were silent for a while. Jaune simply remained there with eyes closed, relaxing while Yang continued combing through his hair.
"Can I ask your help with something?"
Yang chuckled suggestively. "Something to do with the singing angel in the shower?"
Jaune looked up at Yang, frowning. "No."
She looked surprised.
"It's actually about Pyrrha."
"Oh? How so?"
"How can I make it clear to her that I'm not interested without hurting her feelings?"
Yang's hands stilled. "Are you gay?" she asked, then immediately added, "N-not that there's anything wrong with that, of course."
Jaune frowned. "How does me not being interested in Pyrrha lead to me being gay?"
"Well, I mean, have you seen her? I can't imagine any dude not having a crush on her. She's like...perfect. And fun. And it's really cute how she's so shy sometimes even though she's famous and confident and all that..." she trailed off, staring off into space for a few seconds.
"Yang," Jaune said, "are you gay?"
"What? N-No." She looked a little flustered. "I mean, I don't know... Maybe."
He remembered what he'd thought earlier about 'settings things straight'. Seems like that had backfired. He told that Yang, and as expected, she burst out laughing at the terrible joke. He joined in, not because it was really funny but because it was simply impossible to now laugh along with Yang.
"Damn, Jaune," she panted, wiping tears of laughter out of her eyes. "You sure we're not related?"
He frowned. "Didn't we just discuss that, big sis?"
Yang laughed some more.
The bathroom door opened, and in walked Weiss, fully dressed and hair in her usual updo. "What—" she halted on her way toward 'her' table, staring at Jaune and Yang. "What are you two doing?"
"Nothing," Yang said, trying but failing to contain her laughter. "I've just discovered that Lover Boy here is my long lost twin brother."
Weiss looked confused for a moment before smiling. "Well, that's...wonderful."
"So, no worries, I'm not trying to steal your boy toy."
Weiss's smile dropped, and she scowled. "That... that's—"
"Just kidding. He's not actually my brother." Yang laughed as Weiss's face glare turned more fierce, even more so when she resumed her efforts to run her hands through Jaune's hair.
Weiss huffed. "What I meant is, Why are you still doing...that...when classes are starting soon?"
"Relax cap, we're not in any rush here. It's over an hour until the first class. And anyway, Pyrrha's still out. So it's not like we're the last ones or anything."
"That doesn't matter," Weiss decided, putting her hands on her hips. "I will not have a repeat performance of yesterday. Or there will be consequences. Am I clear?" She glared.
"Yes, mom," Yang said, and Jaune, in newly founded brotherly support, repeated after her.
Weiss gasped and her glare turned more fierce.
The door opened, and Pyrrha walked in. She was breathing heavily, her skin flushed and sweaty where it wasn't covered by her black, form-fitting sportswear, displaying every bit of her trained body. She was really a sight to behold, and Jaune wondered how he had been so blind the last time around. He'd been so head over heels for Weiss, it was laughable really. Now, Weiss's slim and small figure did nothing for him. He guessed he'd come to appreciate and love Glynda's tall and curvy body, and his preferences had shifted.
He realized that he'd been staring. Fuck. And Pyrrha was staring back, seemingly frozen in the motion of throwing her hair that was secured in a simple ponytail over her shoulder, a bright smile on her face. Double fuck. He immediately averted his eyes, then realized that this must have looked as if he'd been caught staring and had avoided eye contact in embarrassment. Triple fuck.
Language, Mister Arc, Glynda's teasing voice ran through his head.
Next to him, Yang's mouth was hanging open a little, her eyes glued to Pyrrha's form. Jaune discreetly nudged her with his elbow. Her mouth snapped shut, and she awkwardly cleared her throat, shooting him a thankful look.
Weiss was still scowling.
"Did I miss something?" Pyrrha asked, confusedly looking back and forth between them.
"N-no, everything's normal," Yang said, nodding. "Yep, totally normal."
Weiss looked like she wanted to say something but then simply shook her head and grabbed her school stuff. "Don't be late!" She left the room and—always the proper girl—gently closed the door behind herself.
"Yes, mom," Yang called after her, finally back to normal. It had been a bit late, but they still heard Weiss's cry of frustration from the other side of the door. Yang chuckled.
Jaune felt a little bad for Weiss. He thought back to her little breakdown yesterday, immediately feeling guilty.
Pyrrha, in the meantime, had gathered some clothes from her side of the room and had vanished inside the bathroom.
"Hey, Yang?"
"Yeah?"
"You should maybe tone it down a bit with the teasing. I'm sure you mean no harm, but I'm also sure that Weiss doesn't see it that way. Just go easy on her, okay?"
"Awww, you're so sickly sweet, you're making my teeth ache."
"I'm serious, Yang."
"I'm sure you are, Lover Boy." She winked.
Jaune scowled up at her, then pushed himself up into a seating position so that they were eye to eye. "I mean it! I don't know whether you've heard, but she's gone through some disturbing shit during Initiation, and I doubt her life before Beacon has been all sunshine and rainbows either. She hides it well, but I know that it's taking its toll on her."
"Damn." Yang chuckled awkwardly, looking down with a little frown on her face. "Seems like you know her quite well."
"And before you say it, I'm not interested in Weiss. And I'm sure she feels the same way. As a matter of fact, I'm not interested in anyone at the moment." He'd said the last bit a little louder, hoping that Pyrrha, done with her shower, would hear him through the bathroom door. "I mean, is it so hard to believe that I just want to focus on"—saving the world and Glynda—"classes and stuff?"
Yang's lilac eyes focused on him, uncertain and a bit guilty. "Sorry." She sounded genuine. "Guess I'm not doing so well on my first day as big sister, aren't I?"
Jaune chuckled. "Guess not."
Her eyes widened marginally. "I'm still your big sis, right?"
"Of course." Before he could ask why she wouldn't be, Yang had already jumped him, throwing her around him in a tight hug, which Jaune confusedly but gladly returned.
"I'm still going to call you Lady Killer, though."
"You can call me whatever you like."
"Thanks." She was silent for a moment. "You know, even though we've only met two days ago, it feels like I've known you all my life."
Jaune had to blink back tears. "Y-yeah, I feel the same way."
Yang tightened her arms around him, and if he heard her snivel, he didn't comment on it.
This was how Pyrrha found them, but she didn't say anything.
Working in silence, they readied themselves for the day, then made their way to breakfast.
Weiss was, once again, sitting next to and chatting with Ruby, the fifteen-year-old girl sandwiched between the two team leaders. Yang had apparently taken his words to heart and didn't bother Weiss, who continued to happily chat with Ruby.
The rest of the day continued in new—or rather old—routine of classes, breaks, and more classes. This whole thing was feeling less crazy and more normal by the second. Though having Yang as his new sister certainly has its advantages. Namely, having a shoulder to sleep on during History; and since he sat in-between Yang and Pyrrha, Weiss couldn't do anything about it, and Bart let him slumber in peace. In return, he let Yang lean on his shoulder during Grimm Theory while he excitedly listened to Peter's story of how he'd bested a dozen Grimm all by himself while being trapped in the Grimmlands with naught but a shoe at his disposal—Peter really was awesome like that.
Of course, by the end of the day, everyone was convinced that Jaune and Yang were a pair.
"Uhh, you guys... We're not dating." Yang groaned, then planted her head onto his shoulder and grumbled, "Tell'em, Jaune. We're not..."
They were having lunch in the crowded cafeteria, Teams Sunray and Blackthorn sharing a table as usual.
Jaune patted her head. "Well, now you know how it feels to be on the receiving end."
"I said I'm sorry, haven't I?"
"Guys, we're not dating," Jaune said dutifully and truthfully.
No one seemed to believe him (and Yang's position on his shoulder certainly didn't help). Ruby continued to wail theatrically, struggling in Blake's embrace and complaining how 'her sister had stolen her real first friend'. Blake looked helpless, awkwardly patting Ruby's back.
"Come one, Rubes, it's not like that." Yang looked at her sister, then proclaimed cheerfully, "You see, I've adopted Jaune into the family!"
"You what?" Weiss snapped.
Pyrrha looked betrayed.
"Yeah, snatch your man while you can!" Nora cheered.
"Guys!" Yang protested. "I meant adopted, as in as a brother, not married." She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, you guys..."
Pyrrha smiled, although a little confused.
Ruby had stopped her wailing and peeked up at them with big, wet silver eyes, still somewhat awkwardly being hugged by Blake.
"Yep, that means he's your big brother now, Rubes."
"Really?" Ruby's eyes widened even further as she regarded them both with awe. "Does that mean that I can also sleep on his shoulder during Professor Port's class?" she asked hopefully.
"Sure." Jaune shrugged.
"Yep," Yang said. "Although... I'm sure your partner also wouldn't mind you sleeping at her shoulder? Or Weiss..."
Weiss crossed her arms. "I'll not be supporting his kind of behavior."
Ruby turned to Blake.
She shrugged. "Sure, I've been reading during that class anyway."
"Yay! You're the bestest partner and team leader...and friend, of course!" Ruby turned toward Jaune. "Nothing against your shoulder, though."
"No worries." He smiled.
"It's very comfortable." Yang dropped her head onto it, then whispered, "Thanks."
"What are big brothers for, right?"
"You got it." She paused. "I'm still the older sibling, though."
Jaune chuckled.
The rest of dinner went over without anything extraordinary—just the simple light-hearted conversation, banter, and laughs he'd missed so much, which sometimes brought him close to tears because of its simplistic joy. He was never more resolved to keep it like that however he could.
When they were finishing up, Jaune asked Yang to accompany him.
"Where to?"
"You'll see."
They told their friends to go ahead and excused themselves. Yang, being Yang, insisted that she help him walk, so they walked in silence with her steadying him.
After a short walk across campus, they arrived at their destination—the locker room where all their stuff had been stored before Initiation. When he'd gotten his stuff before, he'd only taken the most necessary things. As to the reason he was here now...
"A guitar?" Yang asked, staring at the only item left inside his locker.
"Yep."
"You can play?"
Jaune chuckled. "I don't know. I used to, but it's been a while. Only one way to find out, right?"
"That's my line." Yang reached inside the locker and took out the guitar case, then slung it over her shoulder. "That's why you asked, right? Not like I'd have let you wander off by yourself anyway."
"Yeah, thanks."
They made their way back to their dorms, Yang carrying his guitar case while Jaune hobbled along with his crutches.
"Sooo, when was the last time you played?"
At Beacon, when I asked Weiss to the ball. "Uhh... I can't remember. I'm sure I've forgotten everything. But I just thought I'd, you know, give it a shot, just to sate my curiosity."
"You sure got me curious, Lady Killer."
Jaune chuckled, somehow finding it funny that he was about to kill some 'ladies'... with his awful music and possible singing.
The room was silent when they entered, only the scribble of a pen on paper audible. Weiss was sitting on her table, making homework as per usual. Pyrrha had joined her.
"Hey, guys! Look what I've found!"
"A guitar?" Pyrrha asked. "You play?"
"Nope. It's Jaune's." Yang grinned.
Pyrrha looked suddenly a lot more interested, putting her pen down and shoving the paper and books she'd been working on away. "Oh? Are you going to play something for us?"
"I... Are you sure? I wouldn't want to disturb your hard work."
"It's fine, I need a break anyway."
"Fine," Weiss said, "I wouldn't mind a little music. As long as it's not so horrible that I'd want to throw you out of the room."
Jaune cringed, remembering a door being shut in his face after his performance... twice. "I'll try my best."
"No promises, cap," Yang said cheerfully.
Weiss simply went back to her work.
Jaune made his way toward his bed. He supposed it would be the most comfortable with his leg if he played sitting on it. He deposited his crutches leaning on the nightstand and made his way onto his bed. Yang joined him in his position of sitting, back leaned against the wall, shoulder to shoulder. She watched in interest as he opened the case, took a moment to familiarise himself with the instrument, and placed it into his lap.
He tested each string, not finding anything obviously wrong with it.
"Sounds good to me," Yang affirmed, leaning onto his shoulder and peering at the instrument.
Pyrrha had in the meantime taken a spot on Weiss's bed—apparently, his partner's bed had become the official 'Spectate Jaune' place.
He tried playing a few notes, then started combining them, playing some simple chords. His smile widened steadily with each tone he got right as he was flooded with nostalgia. He let out the occasional lighthearted laughter when he got a particularly difficult fingering right.
Naturally, Yang joined in on the laughter. "Pretty good, Lady Killer. Got something you can play with that?"
His mind went blank for a moment before he remembered that he used to have some simple tunes on his scroll. He took it out, and, after a brief search, found what he was looking for. "Can you hold this for me?"
"Yep." Yang took his scroll and, steadying herself against him with a hand laid across his shoulder, held it out in front of him. "Okay, what now? How does this work?"
"There, you tap the button, then it starts playing."
It was a simple play-along with some piano background where the appropriate tones would be highlighted when you were to play them. It was a really simple piece which he'd used to practice when he'd just started out.
After a few shared laughter at his mishaps and restarts, he had it down. And when Yang started the next time, she started singing along—there was a text displayed below the notes.
Jaune tried not to cringe when Yang's singing was completely out of tune.
They didn't make it through half the track, when Weiss suddenly snapped, "Stop! Yang! You're making my ears bleed."
Yang didn't seem insulted and merely chuckled. "Think you can do it better, cap?"
"As a matter of fact, I can," Weiss declared but remained sitting at her table. "Well?" she said after staring at them expectantly for some time. "What are you waiting for?"
Jaune chuckled awkwardly. He'd thought that if she'd wanted to sing, she'd come over to watch the lyrics. But, he remembered, Weiss used to sing professionally, so it wasn't surprising that she knew the text.
He started to play, and the moment Weiss started to sing in her beautiful voice, he felt like an idiot. Of course, it was one of her own songs. He had no clue how he hadn't realized before...
Yang joined in, and surprisingly, it sounded good, not a single note out of tune. He briefly glanced questionably at her, and she winked at him, her mouth set in a wide smile when it wasn't open. If Weiss was surprised as well, he didn't notice, and she kept on singing, likely because she couldn't stomach the thought that someone would outdo her in her element.
A bright smile on his face as well, he kept on playing, enjoying this lighthearted moment of comradery. Pyrrha remained where she was, simply watching, likely too shy to try, even though he was sure she had a nice singing voice as well.
Jaune decided to not disturb their singing. It'd been a while since he'd last sung. Somehow, it had never occurred to him during his last life while being alone with Glynda. Even after opening up more, she hadn't been a person he'd ever associate with something like that, and it had been a few years at that point, and with no guitar around, it had simply never crossed his mind. He'd make sure to rectify that this time around...
Ha, even though the story is purely Arcwitch/Excalibur/Spellblade/Whatever-This-Pair-Is-Actually-Called, I've managed to sneak in some DragonSlayer fluff. What can I say? DragonSlayer is one of my most favorite RWBY ships.
And if you're in need of some more DragonSlayer, check out my other fic Ruby Rose – Troublemaker Extraordinaire. ;)