A/N I am not that good at romance. Don't expect much. But there will be some elements. I finally found a niche for Drake. Maybe he will fit better now. Thanks Rigald02 and DeGamer422 for some suggestions. It really helped.
Chapter shorter, but RWBY suffers for various length of episodes too, so not my fault.
In the morning Jaune woke to see Pyrrha and Nora talking.
"Hi girls. How was night?"
"Oh. Hi Jaune." Pyrrha greeted him in her usual voice. "It was fine. You?"
"It was... okay." He answered, still a bit sleepy after the previous night "Let's go grab some breakfast."
"Sure." Pyrrha stood up, but then looked at him and at herself. "but maybe we should first get dressed." She pointed to the fact that they were both in their pyjamas.
Jaune turned a bit pink on his cheeks and quickly moved to the bathroom to get dressed. Pyrrha just giggled at his antics.
"Do I smell looove?" Nora teased the mistral girl.
"Wha...!"Pyrrha started. She was about to protest, but the glare Nora gave her left her without arguments. "Maybe... I don't know. Jaune is... He is actually my first friend. He is brave, kind, selfless, loyal..." She started enumerating everything about the blonde boy.
"Yup. Definitely you have a crush." Nora grinned.
"Fine. I have a crush." Taller girl relented.
"Then tell him!" Hammer-wielding redhead shouted.
"But... He is still chasing after Weiss. He won't notice me..." Pyrrha sighted.
"Leave that to me. In a week he will be yours." The grin nora showed suddenly turned almost predatory. She sent a quick message to Percy.
Percy just woke up when his scroll beeped. It was a message from Nora. Beyond some gibbelish nonsense like 'Secret mission', 'Agent P', 'Agent N' and 'Operation Summer Jaune', She also asked him to meet her during launch.
"What in the name of blue cookies is this supposed to mean?" He groaned as another message came, this time emoji of Hammer, smiley face, arrow and crying face. Apparently it was important enough that Nora threatened him.
"What did you want to discuss?" He asked once he finally found her in the park near the school. She left him about a dozen clues and riddles that he had to solve before he finally found her.
"Okay. You are here. Good." She giggled. "For a moment I thought I would have to break your legs." She said with a radiant smile.
"Uh... Sure? Now what's the stitch?" He asked, still unused to the antics of short redhead.
Nora took a really deep breath. "So... Pyrrha has a crush on Jaune, but he doesn't notice her while having a crush on Weiss and Weiss doesn't care about blonde dork but he is persistent and doesn't want to give up, instead constantly trying to get her and Weiss doesn't want him and constantly rejects him and Pyrrha wants Jaune but he doesn't notice it and I promised to resolve it." She said it all in one breath. How she did this will forever remain the greatest secret of the universe.
"Uh..." Percy still couldn't get a grip of what was this supposed to be.
"I have a plan." She announced. "So first, I will kidnap Jaune, then with your help we tie him and Pyrrha together and toss them into the wardrobe. They will be forced to sit here until finally they admit to their crush."
"But where do I come from?" White-clad boy asked before chuckling. Leave it to Nora to make plans. "I've seen you lift all of Weiss' bags with one hand. They needed a crane to load them in the airship."
"You must first beat Jaune so he leaves Weiss alone."
Percy choked on his own saliva. "What?"
"We must somehow make him understand that Ice Queen is not interested. What better way than to break his legs!" She grinned.
"Maybe I will just give him an honest bro-talk?" Percy asked.
"But where is the fun with that? I want to break his legs!" She shouted.
Percy noticed several squashed cans behind her. "Nora... did you drink energy drinks again?"
"Yes! I drank three!"
"Eh... Let's go find Ren."
"Why? Do you want to break his legs?" She beamed.
"No!" Percy quickly shouted. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just need his... uh... ninja skills to help us capture Jaune."
"Oh! Okay! Let's go!"
After the problem with overcharged Nora was solved, Percy decided that talking with Weiss was the best before he went to Jaune. He wanted to hear her opinion. Besides, he could tease her mercilessly about that later on. It was already evening, so he decided to look for her in RWBY dorm.
"Weiss! You here?" He knocked at the doors to her dorm. The doors opened, revealing Yang in her gear.
"Hi. What can I do for you handsome?"
"I need to speak with Weiss. Is she there?" He asked.
"She is asleep." Yang smiled. "What do I get from waking her up?"
"Besides satisfaction? I can give you her photo when she was five. You can tease her about it later on." He gave her his troublemaker grin. Weiss would kill him for this, but this was too good to skip. Besides, it was the best prank he thought ever since.
"Hm... No deal. I want at least five photos." Yang tried to negotiate.
"Too bad." He said before shouting "Weiss! Ruby with the whistle!"
The effect was immediate. Heiress jumped out of the bed and took battle stance. She looked around only to see Yang rolling on the floor laughing and Percy leaning on the doorframe trying to hold it together (key word: trying).
"Ugh! You... You..." She tried to find some word for it, but she couldn't. "Why did the brothers punish me with you..."
"You still had to get up anyway." He pointed to the fact she was in her school uniform and not the pyjama.
"You! Are lucky I wore proper attire. Otherwise I would gouge your eyes!" She threatened.
"I didn't force you to jump out of the bed." He pointed. "And what is it with you girls and threatening me today. Now come. I have something to discuss with you." He told her. Weiss grumbled something about children, but followed him outside.
"Now what was so important. I need proper amount of sleep." She tried to frown, but instead smiled once the door closed. For what it was worth, at least Percy could make her laugh from time to time. Not that she would admit it to his face. Gods he would not stop with the jokes.
"What are your thoughts on Jaune Arc?" Percy asked, getting serious.
"Ugh! He is an utter dolt! I don't know what Ozpin thought by making him a team leader. He is practically useless in fight!"
"That's not what I remember from how you described the Nevermore incident. He dealt with deathstalker pretty well." Percy took pleasure in contradicting her. Just because they were friends did not mean they would agree with everything.
"He was... adequate." She agreed. "But during practice he is just a dead weight."
"He is a tactician. And he holds the team together." Percy once again proved her wrong.
"What is even the point?"
"Okay, but if you reveal it to anyone Nora will break our legs. And I think she was not kidding this time."
"Just get on with it! I want to have some sleep this night." Weiss actually got curious.
"Pyrrha has a crush on Jaune, but he only has eyes for you." On Percy's explanation the heiress frowned.
"So he is a dolt and an idiot. I mean how can he reject Pyrrha Nikos, the four times champion, for me?"
"Don't ask me. I have no idea what he sees in you." Percy joked.
"Shut up you fishbrain." She mockingly hit him in the shoulder. "But what is your point?"
"Did you actually ever tried to speak to him? Tell him you are not interested?"
"Of course. On every corner, each day, since the first day of school." Weiss said confidently.
"How?"
"I called him dolt and told him to get lost."
"Aha. And did you try to talk with him a bit longer, explain why?" Percy inquired.
"Uh... No?"
"Then maybe if you talked with him for a moment and explained, maybe he would leave you alone?"
"It's not my fault he is so dense he can't get the message!" She shouted defensively.
"So you really don't want to even talk with him?" Percy looked quite amused with her.
"Yes. He is like the boys in Atlas. I am not going to talk with them and not with him either. I can be friends with him, but that's it!"
"Fine. I will talk with him on your behalf..." The boy sighted. It was still better than what was in Atlas. True, the boys in there were irritating and interested only in political friendship and not actually being friends. Usually Weiss rejected them and sometimes even kicked them out of the manor. Percy did help, especially in later years when Weiss started to attract more and more suitors.
"Good. And make him stop bother me." She said in demanding tone, raising her head high.
Next day all first-years were in the Forever Fall. Professor Goodwitch led them through beautiful area full of red leaves.
"Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so."
Percy separated from his group and moved toward Jaune.
"Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!"
The white knight was about to walk with his team when Percy grabbed his arm.
"Can you come with me for a moment?"
"Uh..." Jaune sent tentative look to his friends. Nora was quick to give him thumbs up while the rest nodded. "Okay?"
"Great." Percy practically dragged the blonde away. Once they were alone and sure that no one would disturb them, Percy sat down and motioned Jaune to sit as well.
"I bet you wonder why I dragged you here?" Percy asked, trying to create an aura of mystery.
"Did Drake tell you?! He said he would not tell anyone!" Jaune started to panic. Memory of Cardin threatening him surfaced on the forefront of his mind.
"Uh... No? Drake is not social animal." Percy chuckled. "I don't think he would like being called any type of animal really."
The blonde boy got confused. "If it is not about..." He paused before he revealed his secret accidentally. "What is it about?"
Percy calmed himself and got more serious. There was still the glimmer of amusement in his eyes, but he tried to cover it. "You chase after Weiss." Young Ironwood more stated than asked. "Why?"
"Uh... I mean she is beautiful, smart, strong, brave..." He started enumerating. "She is also so independent."
Percy only nodded at each adjective. "That's it? You forgot to mention she is also wealthy heiress." He probed the ground. True, he could see that Jaune didn't really care about money, but his reaction would tell him if he would be good friend for Weiss or not.
"So?" Jaune asked confused. "I don't care about that!" He shouted once he realized the implication. "Snow Angel is perfect with or without money."
"Good. That means you can be friends." Percy nodded.
"What?"
"Listen. Weiss... Is not interested in you. I don't think she is interested in anyone." Percy put all the cards on the table to at least spare some pain from the other boy. "She prefers work to people." He chuckled, remembering something. "One time at the Colors Day Gala her father hosted she spent whole event playing hide and seek with me as an excuse to not mingle with other boys."
"But... But..." Jaune tried to defend his adoration of Snow Angel, but words were stuck in his throat. "But why doesn't she at least give me chance? I could prove myself..."
"You want the friendly version or true version?" Percy smirked.
"Maybe both?" Jaune said in resignation.
"Friendly version is that she wants to focus on studying here and you would be too much of distraction. You are a distraction already. She asked me to deal with you..."
"And true version?" The boy asked after a moment of silence.
"She consider you an incompetent dolt who constantly irritates her." Young Ironwood said in straight face. "But on the bright side she said you can still be friends."
"O-Oh..." Jaune suddenly felt down. "I... It's fine."
"I am sorry to break it to you this way, but it's still better than usual." Percy actually felt sorry. Usually when Weiss asked him to deal with irritating suitors, they were stuck-up idiots. Jaune was actually... lovable idiot. He was not selfish and vain. Maybe his infatuation with Weiss was a bit too absorbing, but he tried.
"I get it. I mean I at least she didn't freeze me in a block of ice, right?" He chuckled sadly on his joke.
"So Yang really told everyone how last Weiss' kiss ended?"
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Who do you think supplies her with it?" Percy grinned. "Lily and Yang love hearing about my misadventures in Atlas. Who am I to take it away? I just so happened to have Weiss with me in most embarrassing situations." Just then three of Cardin's lakeys run through the clearing that two boys sat. One of them was covered in red sap. There was a loud roar and giant Ursa run into the clearing they were sitting. "Great! Just my luck..." Percy moaned and drew his guns. Jaune was next to him with Crocea Mors ready. Beast towered over them at least three times and was close in size to the Death Stalker team JNPR took out at the initiation
"That's not normal Ursa." Jaune pointed to dozens of big spikes on the back of the Grimm.
"Yeah. I think this is Ursa Major." Percy nodded. There was sound of somewhere pneumatic press on his left and suddenly earth started to slightly shake under them, but the white knight found himself unaffected by the tremors. "I go left, you go right. Try to get his attention and block the attacks. I will take him from behind." Jaune was unsure about the plan, but nodded. He was not ready for this battle. On the other hand it was their best chance. He remembered from the essay that outrunning Ursa Major was impossible. It could leap great distances and cut you off.
Jaune hit his shield with sword, making noise to attract the giant Grimm. It worked and pair of red eyes focused on him. He managed to block the first paw and push it away, but he got distracted by his initial success and got smacked with the other one. Just then Percy fired several bullets right into Ursa's rear, which was conveniently not armored with white bone plating. His bullets were still more of an irritation than actually damaging for the giant Grimm. It was clear that it's fur was quite resistant. It did make the monster turn to Percy. The Atleasian boy dodged angry swipe and rolled out of the way of another attack. Jaune managed to get up and tried to slash one of the rear legs, but just then Ursa leaped in the air, making the young knight stumble forward instead. The Grimm landed several feet away and looked at the two boys. With a roar, it charged. Percy and Jaune looked at one another and nodded. With a flick, Andromeda Lacrimae transformed into a pair of swords and both boys started to run away toward a large tree that looked like most solid. Ursa was hot on their tail, but at last moment they split up and run in opposite directions. The Grimm was confused and didn't stop running in time, crashing into the tree.
Percy tried to use this as an opportunity and jump on the back of the Grimm to try find a weak spot between the bone plating, but he overestimated how dazed the Beast would be. Ursa shook his from itself and turned. He was about to swipe Percy when Jaune dashed to the Grimm. He held his shield too low and would probably get smacked, but suddenly it jerked up and blocked the attack. He swiftly slithered under the attack and with one powerful swipe cut off Ursa's head. Percy looked back to see Weiss, Pyrrha and Ruby standing there. They seemed charmed by the situation. Jaune was too focused on what just happened to actually pay attention, but the other boy noticed what the Invincible girl did. And he was close enough to hear about her semblance.
Percy shrugged. Maybe she would tell him herself. Maybe not. It wasn't really his place to break it to him. Besides, this might be a chance for the two to finally connect. His role was done, rest was up to the couple themselves. And Nora.
Pyrrha sat alone at the rooftop. She received a message from Jaune that he wanted to meet her there. She was still in her school uniform. Inside, she was wondering what was that about. Did he know that she used her semblance to manipulate his shield? Percy definitely knew. What if Jaune was angry with her that she took his chance to become a hero in his own right? What if he would no longer want to see her? Or if he now hated her? Her first real friend and maybe he just ruined it...
On the outside she looked just a bit agitated. Years of being a celebrity taught her that it's best to hide your feelings. She was invincible girl and people expected her to always be 'in character'. That meant little time to take off the mask. And now it was second nature to her. She heard steps behind her and turned to see Jaune walk there.
"Uh... Hi..." He awkwardly started while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Hi yourself." She tried to joke, but it came equally as awkward.
"Pyrrha... I'm sorry. I was a jerk! You were only trying to be nice, and... I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head-" He tried to apologize but was cut off by her.
"Jaune! It's okay!" She sent him a reassuring smile. "I... I think I understand."
"You do?" He asked surprised.
"I think... You wanted to prove to yourself that you really deserve a place here. That no matter how you started, you actually earned this..."
"You figured it out on your own?"
"Of course not silly." She giggled. "I talked with Lily today-" Seeing the image of fear on his face she quickly added. "I didn't tell her anything Jaune."
"Uff. It's not that I don't trust you!" He shouted in panic once he realized how it sounded.
"I know. We are partners and should be able to trust each other. Lily told me about how she had to battle her father to get to the ferry. And how she felt after that."
"Oh. I heard that story. She was planning on using fake transcripts too, but her father packed her with real ones, right?"
"Exactly." Pyrrha nodded. "Ren made pancakes." She tried to change a subject. "No syrup, though - you can thank Nora for that!" The two teens giggled. Pyrrha started to walk toward the exit, but was stopped when Jaune called.
"Wait!" He walked toward her. "I know I don't deserve it after how I acted when we last talked, but... would you still be willing to help me... to help me become a better fighter?"
Pyrrha turned to hide her satisfied smile before walking to the boy and shoving him. Jaune fell on the hard rooftop with loud Thud!.
"Hey!" He looked baffled. He was ready for her to reject the plea, but not to attack him like that.
"Your stance is all wrong. You need to be wider and lower to the ground." The invincible girl put her hands on her hips and said in evaluating tone. She then offered him help in getting up. "Let's try that again."
The two teens trained for a long time undisturbed. Cardin could hear them laughing several times and cursed under his breath. He was tempted to go there and ruin everything or call Goodwitch for this. Breaking onto the rooftop was forbidden after all. Just as he was to turn from the window a slip of paper appeared in front of him in a puff of smoke. It was strange and covered in gray dust on the borders. There was also four red dots in the corners.
Cardin
If you do anything to ruin it remember that I can go anywhere you try to hide. I treat life debt very serious and it would be wise of you to leave Pyrrha and Jaune alone. That is unless you wish to wake up on the top of CCT tower tied by your pinkies to the anthena.
Don't bother with trying to show this message to anyone, it will soon disappear.
Hate
Drake
There was also a small red X at the bottom with words 'Do not touch'. Cardin scoffed. Who was this ragtag to tell him what to do? He threatened him twice now. Frowning, he touched the red paint, only for the whole slip of paper to explode. The bully now had black soot all over his face. There was no traces of paper.
"Curse you Drake!" Cardin shouted in anger.
On the nearby tree, the teenager in question chuckled. His experiment worked perfectly. The smoke dust allowed him to use his semblance on the message while combustion and fire dust exploded, evaporating the paper. He still needed to figure out an automated trigger, but for now Cardin only had himself to blame for the explosion. He told him not to touch it, right?
A/N I got idea for Color Day instead of Christmas from Story "Drunken Knightshade Marriage" by W. J. Wennings. It makes sense that they would celebrate a holiday dedicated to one of the most important parts of their culture. And Christmas just doesn't cut it to remnant.
Cardin did not get a wake-up call because he was suspended. He will cause more problems in the future. If you feel that Percy or Weiss were too harsh on Jaune, remember that they (mostly Weiss) grew up surrounded by fake people who constantly tired to manipulate and use them for their own goal. She is really careful and Percy is very protective of her. She is still his best friend and we all know how much Percy is willing to do for his friends. They functioned that way for a long time, when it was still just them. Two kids against ruthless world of business and politics.
