~NSFW~

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

"And you want to start from before we 'got back together' in front of the main cast why?" I asked.

"For the readers that may be confused by the last chapter." Jocelyn answered.

"Why does everyone keep breaking the fourth wall?" I asked, to no one in particular.

She then sat at the edge of my bed. "Anyway, let's just recap on what happened."

[The day before the events at the restaurant]

{Jocelyn/Rose's perspective}

"Hey hon?" Justin asked me when we got into our private dorm.

"Yes Justy?" I answered.

"I think my team, Aaron, and JNPR are trying to get us back together. Maybe we should stop with this whole 'we're fighting' thing. Besides I made it up a while ago anyway." Justin said as he sat on the bed.

"Yeah. I don't know what went over me. I guess there's still some part of me that's constantly jealous." I said as I sat next to him.

He held up a finger to me "First off, like I've already explained, Aaron was the one who set that up. And secondly, even if I was single I doubt I'd go for her anyway." Justin pointed out.

I raised an eyebrow at him "You told me Yang was your crush when you were younger, and Winter now that you're older."

"Yeah. One, because I was never in the right mindset at all. Besides that, she might end up lesbian anyway. I don't want to ruin that. And the other because I respect women in positions of power." Justin deadpanned.

"Anyway, we're getting off subject. Don't you think it'll seem like it's too easy for you and I to get back together?" I pointed out.

He shrugged "We've been through a lot together. Hell when we broke up it was only for a week. I think this is fine."

I sighed "If you're sure…"

He then held my chin and gently turned my head to meet his hazel eyes. "Positive. Now let's stop talking, and start praying."

I giggled "Why pray?" I asked.

He then cleared his throat as he recited that one line Romeo said in Romeo and Juliet. "This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand. To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

Of course he wants to recite that. If I remember correctly Juliet then says this: "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this, For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

He then gave a smile. "Have not saints' lips, and holy palmers too?"

I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

He then leaned in closer to me. "O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

Our lips crashed together. With the sweet taste of strawberries on his lips. The way he hungers every time. I absolutely love it. If only his breath smelled this good more often. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity before parting lips. With a string of saliva still connecting our mouths.

He smiled at me as I smiled back. He commented. "I'm surprised you remember the lines."

"Well…" I started. "Our English teacher made us read it when we weren't even together yet."

He shrugged. "I guess everyone shipped us back then."

I nodded back at him. "Of course babe. We are adorable together."

He then turned to the door and sighed. "I'll need to head back. Though I have a plan for the Fall of Beacon. I will have to discuss it with you later." He then got up at the same time as me.

"And Cinder will want me to meet her soon anyway. So see you later?" I said with a shrug.

He then kissed my forehead. "Definitely. For when the morning comes, I will be looking for you."

[Before Weiss and Justin's fight against Keoth and Flint]

"You wanted to talk?" I asked as I approached Justin in the vacant locker room.

He nodded with a shaky breath. "Yeah, one for good luck. And the other for my plan."

I tilted my head. "You're nervous? You know the outcome of this fight is guaranteed right?"

I shook my head "Because it was Yang and Weiss against Neon and Flint. But that's besides the point. I need you to listen to me carefully."

I stayed silent.

He took a deep breath in. "You need to stab me when we go up against each other." He said quickly.

I backed up from him "... You want me to do what?"

He sighed "I know it sounds crazy, but I gotta feign my death to give them motivation. We can't stop the fall. No matter how hard we try, so let's make sure that we do not witness Penny's 'death' ok?"

I couldn't move. He's asking me to deliberately hurt him? I don't know what to think.

He sighed and put his hands on his hips. "You don't have to run me through, you can collapse your blade enough to turn it into more of a shortsword anyway right?"

I nodded.

"So just make sure only the tip goes into whatever area, minus the heart, you decide to stab." He said with a nod.

"The next match will start in 15 minutes!" Port announced.

"I gotta go. Wish me luck my dear!" He said as he kissed my cheek. He then walked out of the locker room.

As soon as he was out of sight I unclasped one of my weapons and looked at it. I don't know if I'm capable of hurting him. Let alone make it look like I ran him through…

… But I also know he's right. We can't stop the fall… not by ourselves.

…

...But at the same time… Can I stab him? I've hurt him in the past, but it was never too violent between the both of us...

… After I gathered my thoughts I decided to go for a walk.

[After the Fall of Beacon]

I'm sad I couldn't see what he's doing. But Cinder insisted I hang out here in the airship after Kevin (The Wyvern) showed up. She told me to stay put here until she was done.

I saw her strutting back mumbling something under her breath. And none worse for wear. So I'll assume Pyrrha is alive still and Ruby didn't activate her silver eyes for the first time.

Soon we were underway to where I presume Salem is.

Emerald was still giving me the stink eye the entire trip.

Eventually we got close to the landmass that I've never seen in the show before. And Emerald is still giving me a stink eye. "What do you want?" I asked her.

She didn't answer.

Mercury rolled his eyes. "Em, knock it off. She cut her ties to her ex fiance. Pretty sure if she planned to kill us… well, more like you. she would have done so by now."

I remembered the words of my fiance. That she seemingly still has some sort of redemption arc set up. So I have to make sure to implant the idea of switching sides into her head.

I shrugged at her. "You got a problem with me or something?"

She crossed her arms at me "No, I just know a liar when I see one." She said coldly.

"Everyone. Quiet." Cinder demanded. "I told you all not to talk until I talk for you. We're approaching the Queen's castle. There you will let me take charge of the conversation."

Emerald nodded. Mercury gave a shrug. I gave no gestures.

It's a good thing that the dragon managed to kill the wyvern. But I have no idea where that came from. As far as I'm aware, the show didn't tell us anything like that existed in Remnant. Could it be Justin from the future? No, I doubt semblances would allow changing an entire body.

Soon we landed, Emerald, Mercury and I followed Cinder into the castle. And who should greet us but Tyrian.

"It seems you picked up another pet along the way." Tyrian said in a condescending way.

"Bite your tongue." Cinder retorted.

Tyrian followed behind us "But surely you had success at Beacon. Right?"

Cinder didn't respond.

I then turned to him and said "Yeah, thousands dead, many more fatally injured."

Tyrian chuckled "But there's one, minor thing that you've forgotten to do… The CCT is still standing. Our mistress won't be pleased."

Soon we entered the meeting room. Cinder instructed us to stand behind her. But I didn't listen and decided to sit between Hazel and Watts.

Hazel eyed me. "You don't want to do that." He warned.

I gave him a mean girl glare "I don't listen to anyone."

"Then we will have some… problems." Salem said as she stepped out from the door.

She paced behind me to get to her seat at the end of the table. Though admittedly, she is hot to look at despite the grimmification that she received. She looks good for being over thousands of years old.

She turned to Cinder "Cinder, who is this stranger you brought into our hall?"

Cinder simply responded "An… asset I picked up in Vale. She helped us with the fall of Beacon."

Salem then turned to me with a finger on her chin "Hm… Very well." She then said as she put her hand down. "However, The CCT is still standing. And my Wyvern is defeated. Care to explain?"

Cinder recoiled in fear. First time I've seen her like that. I wonder what her backstory even is. If what Justin said is true, it might have something like Cinderella's story but darker.

Who knows, One thing's for sure though, Cinder is going to get chewed out at.

"I… I don't know. Some other dragonic thing slammed into the Wyvern when it was approaching and killing it." Cinder reported. "I have no idea where it came from or who sent it."

Salem looked out the window as she pondered "Ozma…"

She then sharply turned to me again "What's your name girl?"

"Rose Quartz." I answered.

"I see…" Salem said with a nod. She then turned to Watts and ordered "Watts, I want you to upgrade Rose's gear. Those weapons of hers look like they need servicing."

Watts nodded "Understood Mistress."

She then turned to Hazel "And I want you to train her. We can't afford any weak links." She ordered.

Hazel grunted "Yes ma'am."

She then turned to the rest "As for right now, we need to rest and recuperate. After the mistake Cinder made, they'll no doubt be looking for her."

Cinder looked away as Emerald tried to console her. Poor Emerald, I almost feel bad for her.

She then looked back at the table "I will remember this failure. I trust you won't disappoint me again. Dismissed." Salem barked.

Everyone stood up and left.

[2 weeks later]

Salem wanted to see me specifically. I don't know why, I doubt I've done anything noteworthy to her.

Whatever, she needed to see me in the conference area. And I'd be foolish to do anything else.

As I walked in I saw her sitting at the head looking directly at me. "Shut the door." she ordered.

And so I did. I then adopted what Justin does when he had to convince Ozpin to trust him. Placing my hands behind my back. "You wanted to see me mistress?" I asked.

She then gestured to the open seat beside her which I remember is Watts' usual seat. I guess she was telling me to sit there. So I did.

"How are you adjusting?" She asked.

I'll admit, she caught me off guard with that. It's not every day I have someone concerned for my well being aside from Justin "Well enough I guess, Tyrian annoys me though with his laughter. Hazel is chill. Watts is an asshole. And don't get me started on Cinder."

She closed her eyes and nodded "Adjusting well to make remarks like that I see." She said as she opened her eyes to look back at me.

"I apologize." I said before she decided I was better at the bottom of her heel than at the table.

She shook her head "Don't be. I want all of my servants to be comfortable. But that's besides the point."

I stayed silent. I know better than to speak out when someone says that.

She then leaned back "Somewhere under Atlas Acadamy is where the staff lies, I need you to find where the vault is and report back to me."

I raised a brow at her. "Ok… but it should just be under Atlas Acadamy. Why should I go scout out where it is?"

"An astute observation." Salem praised. "But I need to know the layout of both the school and the defenses so we can get to it easier. You are to pose as a huntress there." She then ordered. "Go see Watts before you go. He has something that will help you hide your identity."

I nodded and got up to leave. Before I got out the door Salem asked me "Your fiance… Why do away with him like that?"

I turned my head to her and answered "He holds me back. Like Ozpin did to you once upon a time." I then left to prepare for my trip.

[Present]

"Which leads up to now." I finished with a smile.

Justin seemed impressed. "I'll be honest I didn't think you had it in you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked with a glare.

He simply sighed and answered "Nothing, sorry."

I then grabbed something out of my satchel that Watts gave me before I left. It fit perfectly on my belt and allowed me to store my new mask in it. Though I wish it wasn't as edgy looking. It was mostly black with pink and purple trims around the outside and on the eyes. I showed it to him "Watts even made this, which can detect aura levels for me"

He tilted his head as he studied it "Hm… Interesting."

I then put it away. "He also tailored my jacket to come with a hood. Though I don't think I'll need it."

He nodded. "I see. Well the harder it is for someone to know your identity…"

Weird he's normally cracking jokes or teasing me at this point. I leant closer to him. "Is everything alright, you seem more distant than usual."

"I'm fine…" He answered as he kept a tight grip on his blanket that was covering his left arm.

Looking at his vanity I saw a briefcase that I assume has his weapons in it. I looked back at him as we locked eyes.

He sighs in defeat and lets go of the blanket, knowing I would keep pestering him anyway.

I gently removed it to find that his left arm had been reduced to a stump. I couldn't help but stare at it wide eyed. "Who did this to you?"

He didn't want to answer but he did anyway. "... Adam, while I was distracted." He answered.

That son of a bitch. I'll kill him!

"Don't, you're not strong enough to handle him. And clearly neither am I." He told me as if he knew what I was thinking.

I stood up and took a couple of deep breaths to calm my nerves.

...But at the same time I want revenge for hurting my baby.

He gently grabbed my hand with his right and gave me a look of 'it's going to be alright'.

I knelt down next to him. "So… why haven't you put the prosthetic arm on?"

He looked over at the briefcase as he explained. "If I put it on, people will assume I'm better when I'm really not. Ironwood will want to train me how to properly use it. And Jacque will want me up and about more."

I stood up and walked to the briefcase and opened it to find his sword was upgraded. And presumably his guns too. As well as the arm he is supposed to put on. "Justin, we need you. Salem isn't gonna wait forever. She will strike Mistral next."

"We have 4 months or so before things pick up again." He retorted "Gives me plenty of time to recuperate. Besides Keoth needs me."

"Justin, you're not giving up like you always do I hope." I said as I approached him.

He shook his head. "I just… can't go back out there yet. I will be back on my feet in 4 months. Trust me."

I sighed at him "Justin, you always do this."

He narrowed his eyes back at me "I'm sorry my arm got cut off by Adam Taurus. But I had no control of the situation" I saw that his eyes turned red. I think I know what that means.

And so I quickly rushed over to him and grabbed his shoulders and told the beast within him "Beast, stop what you're trying to do. Justin, to me."

After a moment of intense anger in his eyes, he closed them and took a few deep breaths. His eyes went back to normal after they opened again.

"Is he chained?"

He looked up at me "for now. Until he tries to break out again."

"Good. Well I better get going-" I went to jump out the window when he grabbed the back of my jacket. Looking back at him he had a look that I've never seen in him in a while. Fear.

"I'm sorry…" he apologized "the nightmares… they're getting too much for me…"

"Nightmares?" I asked as I rejoined his side.

He looked away from me.

"Justin. Tell me."

After a moment of hesitation he finally told me "The cafeteria burns with Adam on the other side. I have my guns and tried to kill him. They phase through him."

He then looked at his hand. "And so… I tried to draw my sword. However it wasn't there. And as I looked back… he stood over me with a crooked grin. And then… red."

He dropped his hand and looked back at me. "And him, talking down to me. Calling me weak."

I didn't know what to say. That sounds like more than a nightmare.

He looked back up at me. "Could you… stay with me until daylight? I… can't handle this alone."

I sighed. I can't say no to him. He needs me. Now more than ever.

{Stay 'til Daylight- Skillet}

I sat down next to him and stroked his cheek.

His eyes closed as he rubbed his bearded cheek into my palm.

He then looked back up at me with that look in his eyes.

I would have stopped him… But he and I know we want this. So I went under the covers with him as I took my coat off and put it down on the floor. His hand touched my thigh and slowly made its way up to the waistband of my jeans.

He looked up at me with a question he didn't need to ask out loud.

I grabbed his hand and raised it up to my chest and let him touch it.

He left it there as I unclipped the front of my shirt, letting my breasts out.

He wasted no time gripping them. He drew his lips closer to my breast and sucked one of them while his hand massaged the other.

He then flipped me over onto my back letting me relax as he unbuttoned my jeans and pulling them off.

"You have protection right?" I asked.

He nodded and grabbed it out of his wallet.

I couldn't help but smile at him as he got himself ready for me.

He then pulled my panties off, and went on top of me.

I noticed he still had his shirt on, so I helped him out of it. Which exposed his bandaged chest.

"Wait. Are you sure you want to do this with your injuries?" I asked.

He nodded with determination. "Of course my dear. No amount of injuries can prevent me from loving you."

I shook my head "I care more about your health than I do about our sex life."

He dropped his head with a sigh as dismounted me and laid on his back as I laid my head on his chest.

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head "don't be. I should be more cautious of my injuries."

I looked up at him. "So what happened here anyway? I'm guessing Adam but…"

He nodded "I guess his blade did more to me than I thought. But I didn't feel it until recently. I don't know."

I looked back down at it. I saw no red so it wasn't on his chest. So I guess it's on his back. "Does it hurt on your back?"

He shrugged. "A little, but not enough to make it uncomfortable."

I then got off his chest and laid my head next to him. "You may want to sleep on your side babe."

He turned onto his side to face me with a smile. "Will do dear."

I put my hand in his as we talked. It was mostly small talk about what our kids could be up to when we have them. A little about what he discovered about the constellations here. And he let me speak about my time in Salem's fortress. Including the time I stole something from Cinder's closet without her knowing.

I watched him drift to sleep. His eyes closed with a smile as he whispered "Good night my Rose."

I whispered back "Good night my Root."

We then drifted off to sleep.

By the time daylight came and I heard the birds chirping. I got myself ready to leave. I took one last look at him before putting my hood and my mask on and exited the window I already broke since I didn't want to disturb him. After all, he is adorable when he sleeps.

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

I heard a knock on my door as Klein's voice came through. "Sir I'm here to fix your window."

I groaned and sat up. I looked to where Jocelyn was, to notice she was gone. Probably for the best anyway. I asked her to stay until daylight, and that's what happened. "Alright, come in, I'm decent anyway."

Klein came in with tools and some guys with a new glass pane. "Sorry it will be but a moment. You are needed downstairs. Weiss wants you to have breakfast with her."

I nodded. "Ok but at the moment I have no clothes on. So if you could toss me my pants and my shirt that'd be appreciated."

He raised a brow at me.

"I'm going to change in bed." I deadpanned. "Learned how to do that one year in camp."

He picked up my clothes with a nod and handed them to me. Hopefully my boxers are still inside my pants.

I got myself dressed under the covers and started to head down to the dining room. Once there I saw Weiss sitting by herself.

"Good morning Achilles." She greeted as she gestured to the empty seat in front of her with breakfast.

"Morning it is, whether or not it's good remains up for debate." I replied as I sat down.

She let out a little bit of laughter. "Always quick with your responses." She noted.

I shrugged at her. "Practice heiress, and lots of it."

We ate our breakfast in silence for a while before she spoke up. "So… How are you on your recovery?"

I glanced back up at her and answered. "Well apparently Adam did more to me than just remove my left arm. Other than that it's been… going."

She looked off to the side with guilt as she explained. "The doctors told us that the wound was deep enough to warrant stitches, and as precaution they also bandaged you up to make sure no blood leaked out."

That doesn't sound like standard medical practice. Doctors usually just stitch up wounds and let the body do the rest of the work while the patient removes the stitching every so often. "So I am guessing it's about time to remove the stitching then." I presumed.

Weiss nodded at me.

"Would you care to help me?" I asked her.

Her face turned red from that request. "Why me?"

I'm not blind to the fact she may be into me or just the fact I may be a Vermilion. But at the same time, she's like a daughter to me. And I'd rather keep it that way. "You're one of the only people I trust with something like this besides my fiance."

She raised a brow at me. "Don't you mean ex?"

"She's just misguided right now." I replied quickly.

"Okay… if you're sure." She said with a sigh.

"Positive." I replied.

I need to make sure her feelings for me don't go any further than schoolgirl crush. Which may mean acting colder than she did to Ruby when they first met. I doubt it'll work, but it's a long shot I'm willing to take.

She got up as soon as she finished. "Well, I guess we can take care of it now. If you're finished that is."

I nodded and collected her empty plate as well as my own. "Yeah I'll meet you upstairs. I gotta clean these."

She gave me a puzzled look, "You don't need to do that?"

I shrugged "Mother always taught me to never be a slob. So yeah, I will rinse these. Make it easier for the person in the kitchen."

Suddenly she was giving me a look like I was from another planet… Which, granted, I am but still. "Anyway, I'll be out in a moment."

So I went to where I presumed the kitchen was and rinsed off the dishes. I then started heading upstairs and to my room where I presumed Weiss was waiting. And I was right.

"Let's go to my room. Klein is repairing your window apparently." Weiss told me. "He says it's like you threw someone through it or something."

Which is half true, Jocelyn just wanted to wreck Jacque's shit. And probably piss on his plants or something. Who knows.

Weiss opened the door for me. "Weiss I can do things on my own you know." I told her.

"Just being nice." She replied. "After all, you lost your left arm."

"Will people ever quit reminding me of that?" I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?" Weiss asked.

I shook my head as I replied "Nothing Weiss. Let's just hurry and do this." I sat down on the end of her bed as I waited for her to grab whatever first aid kit was in her room.

"You need to take your shirt off." Weiss told me.

"You're the medic." I replied as I took my shirt off.

She started cutting the bandages and when it was done I could feel her cold yet delicate hands touch my back. Which made me recoil.

"Sorry!" She gasped.

"No no, don't worry. My back is sensitive." I explained. "Just hurry up with the stitches."

God I'm not looking forward to this.

"Did you have stitches before?" Weiss asked as I felt her cutting them one by one.

"When I was a couch surfer." I replied. "I caught the corner of my eye and split it on a coffee table. Doctors stitched it up. End of story."

"So you make a habit of putting scars on your body?" She asked.

I shook my head "Not really. Some of them are from my cats. Like on the back of my right hand, it was the last one my mom's cat gave me before she disappeared. The scars that were on my left arm were from the kittens we had until they died about a year later."

She stopped on the last one and sat next to me. "Why tell me any of this?"

I shrugged "The scars I got I see as memories. Like the ones on my kneecaps from when I tripped and fell when I was in elementary school."

She looked at me with confusion. "You see scars as memories?" She asked.

I nodded "Well yeah, remember how you got yours?" I asked as I pointed at her scar that went over her left eye.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes "Father wanted to test my abilities after I unlocked my semblance."

I waited a moment for it to register.

And after that moment it seemed to click in her mind "Oh I get it now!"

I gave her a nod as I stood up "Anyway. I'm gonna go and see if my room is available again. See you around Weiss."

She gave me a smile "See you around Achilles."

And like that, I walked back to my room.

[Meanwhile in Jacque's office]

"Ugh… yet another robbery. White Fang bastards." Jacque mumbled under his breath. The White Fang had been stealing the Schnee Dust Company products for quite some time now. Especially now after what happened at Beacon.

It was then one of his butlers came through the door. "Excuse me sir, there's someone on the phone who says that they're the doctor who ran that blood test on Achilles Vermilion."

Jacque's attention turned to his butler. "Well, what did he say?"

"He says that he will only talk to you in private." The butler replied.

Jacque rolled his eyes. "Fine… Not like I have enough to deal with…"

He dialed the line that the doctor was on "Hello this is Jacque Shnee."

Ah finally. I've been trying to reach you sir-"

"Just get to the point." Jacque ordered.

"Right… The results came back. It's a perfect match."

Jacque's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Oh… thank you most kindly doctor. I'll make sure to wire the funds for a job well done. Good day, and may the brothers watch over you."

He then hung up and started thinking. Since he is a Vermilion after all, the DNA from his blood will strengthen the Schnee name. And combine the houses of Vermilion and Schnee, making a legacy that he figured would last lifetimes. However, he has noticed one problem. Achilles seems to not have any romantic interest in Weiss. But he will find a way. One way or another.