Operation Hot Stuff
By Lightningstrxu
Beta: Paulternative/ Mallobaude/ Archivist of Nyx
######
Love was in the air at Beacon Academy; Jaune was in the middle of yet another failing attempt to woo her partner, Blake was off eating with Sun and his team. Even now her sister was currently turning down another suitor.
"Sorry, I'm organizing the dance so I won't be able to go with you." her sister told a hopeful exchange student, Ruby watching as the poor girl's face fell at the rejection. "Damn, I'm going to be known as a heartbreaker at this point."
"At least people are asking you." Ruby grumbled, absentmindedly poking her food around with a fork.
"Aww, is my baby sis jealous?" Yang reached out and ruffled Ruby's hair.
Ruby began to speak, but was cut off sharply. "For the last time, no!" Weiss fumed as a dejected Jaune sauntered off. With a heavy sigh, the heiress composed herself. "Sorry, what were we talking about?"
"Apparently, our little leader is jealous of us getting asked out?" Yang teased. "I didn't think you were into boys yet."
"It's not like that!" Ruby protested.
"Oh, sorry, it could be girls too; really opens up your options," the blonde added.
"I'm not interested in anyone!" Ruby protested. "But it's just kind of a bummer that no one has asked me. Feel kind of left out. Like I'm not good enough. I mean, even Weiss is getting asked out"
"Hey!" the heiress protested indignantly. "I could stand a little less attention from our classmate."
"Trust me Ruby, you don't want lines of people asking you out constantly. It gets old." Yang patted her back reassuringly. "And you're plenty good enough for everyone. Besides, you can worry about it later when you're older."
When she was older…
How young did everyone think she was? She was fifteen, not five! She was old enough to fight in the wilds and defend humanity from the creatures of Grimm. Well, that meant she could date if she wanted to, too! Or at least be old enough to be asked. Standing up from the table, her lunch abandoned, she wasn't hungry anymore; she had a mission and she would need help to do it.
With a flagrant and unnecessary use of her semblance, she flew across the cafeteria and up to Team JNPR's table, more specifically its fearless leader. "Jaune, Jaune!"
The blonde boy blinked his face with a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Yes, yes, I'm Jaune."
"I need your help!" the young huntress pleaded. "Are you free tomorrow?"
"I think I can be." he turned towards his partner. "Think we can reschedule our training to another night?"
Pyrrha brought her hand to her chin, eyes closing in thought. "I suppose missing a day won't hurt, but you'll have to make up for it."
"Sounds good to me. Yeah I'm all cleared up for tomorrow what did you need?"
"I just need your help in Vale tomorrow."
"I mean I can do that, but with…"
Ruby didn't hear the end of Jaune's sentence, upon the words yes leaving his lips she had already rocketed off. With Jaune's help, she'd show Yang and Weiss who could get the most dates.
Operation Hot Stuff was a go.
######
Ruby could barely contain her excitement as she and Jaune traveled through downtown Vale. With a veritable spring in her step, she was surprised she wasn't skipping.
"Sooo what exactly are we doing?" Jaune asked curiously. "You said you needed help with something?"
"Right, yes!" Ruby finally seemed to remember that in her excitement, she had forgotten to inform Jaune about the plan. "We're heading to the Vale Department store, so you can help me pick out a dress for the dance."
"I mean, I can help you with that I guess." He shrugged. "But wouldn't Yang or Weiss make a much better choice to help you than me?"
That was probably true, her sister was much more fashion-conscious than she was, and Weiss going by her closet knew a thing or two about dresses. But no this would need to be a surprise to both of them. Something to make their jaws drop as she suddenly had more date offers than either of them. Wait why was Jaune staring at her? How long had she been just standing there? Crap she needed a reason to give him fast. "I just wanted some neutral eyes, and maybe a male opinion on things."
"Alright not sure how much help I can be but if its opinions you want, I'll do my best." He smiled, giving her a thumbs up. She couldn't help but smile back, that was why Jaune was her super bestie better than the restie! He'd always have her back.
Making their way into the department store it didn't take long to find the women's section. "Have any opinions on these?" she held up a dress she grabbed randomly, holding it in front of her.
"Not really, kind of hard to tell without you in them."
Right that made sense, she'd have to actually try them on first. While that was always the plan, it was another thing entirely to put on a one woman fashion show. "Yeah that would probably be helpful." Grabbing a few dresses off the rack, as well as a few other outfits the pair made their way to the changing rooms. "Wish me luck!"
"What, is one of the dresses going to eat you?" he chuckled.
"Never know, given my track record with fancy clothes, one of them is probably a Geist." she smiled back at him
"Then call for help if you need me, and I'll rescue you from the scary ghost clothes."
With one last laugh between the two of them, she closed the door. Placing the outfits she had picked onto the bench, she set about getting changed. Taking her cloak off first, she hung it on a hook. Bending over she unlaced her boots she kicked them off. Starting on her corset, she heard Jaune cough from the other side of the door and she froze. Suddenly it hit her…
She would be half-naked while he was only a few feet away!
Why did that matter? Why did that make her nervous? It's not like he could see her getting changed in here. Silver eyes widened. "Or could he?" she whispered to herself. Last time she checked Jaune hadn't unlocked his semblance. But what if he chose this exact moment to unlock it and it was x-ray vision? He'd be able to everything that her mama gave her and maybe even what her dad had too! It was one thing to try on some outfits it was another to see her sans clothing.
"You okay in there? It's been awhile." He knocked gently on the door.
"Yeah I'm fine, uh a zipper got stuck!" she hastily gave an excuse.
"Okay."
Her senses finally returning, Jaune was a friend and he'd never betray her trust like that no matter what kind of vision he might have. Calming down, she finished undressing and pulled on one of the dresses she had grabbed. Checking herself out in the mirror she grimaced. She wasn't sure why she had chosen this one, a weird off-the-shoulder number, dark green in color. That's what she got for picking things at random, she guessed. Might as well get his opinion while she was wearing it. "Alright, I'm coming out!"
"No," he answered almost immediately. "Green definitely isn't your color, you look unhappy just wearing it."
"That was what I thought too!" She smiled. "See, we're in sync already! I'll go get rid of this ugly thing and try on the next one." She paused for a moment and turned around and presented her back to him. "Think you can unzip me?" She could feel her heartbeat racing; she'd be exposing a part of her bare back to Jaune. This would surely get him to think something, maybe fluster him a little and give her the ego boost she desired.
She felt the zipper slide down, the sound it made as each tooth unlatched was thunderous to her overactive imagination. When at last the task was done she looked out of the corner of her eyes to see if he was having any kind of reaction, a blush, a smirk, anything. But his face was even like this was the most mundane activity ever.
Was him undressing her really that boring?
"Everything alright? You're kind of just standing there."
"Oh yeah, I'm fine! Just spaced out there, you know me!" She chuckled nervously. "I'll just get changed now." She slipped back into the dressing room closing the door. "Well that one didn't work…" she sighed, a little downhearted. She was only two years younger than him, but that must be a world of difference to him. She had just thought that with him hopelessly enamored with Weiss, if she could just steal a little of that attention off of someone as beautiful as her partner, then that meant she could pick up anybody.
She'd just have to try harder then!
Going through the pile she searched for a dress that was actually flattering in color, so of course, that meant dark red and black. Shucking off the first dress she set about pulling on the second. Checking herself out in the mirror.
"Whoa!" she blinked a little amazed at herself. The dress was of Central Animan design, hugging her figure and showing off every curve she had. It strapped over her shoulders and around her neck, but there was a hole in the fabric showing a fair amount of cleavage. She did a twirl checking out the dress from all sides, one side was slit dramatically showing off most of her leg. "I look hot!" she beamed. "Alright coming out!" She opened the door and stepped outside.
"Wow!" He looked her up and down. "Talk about an improvement."
"Really?" Was he just being nice? "Tell me honestly, no holding back how do I look?"
"You look great, I'd say that one's a winner. It really suits you."
"Perfect!" She couldn't help but smile. "That didn't take long at all. Thanks for helping me out."
"No problem. Any time, Ruby." he paused… "Uh, so do you want to get changed and get out of here, maybe run by the comic store afterwards?"
The comic store! Silver eyes shone, she'd love to check out the newest issues, but she still had a few more outfits to try, and these were important ones. They weren't just pretty dresses for a dance, these would be something totally different. Something she could wear between classes to draw attention to herself and get a date. "Actually, I have a few more outfits to try on if you don't mind going a little longer."
"I've cleared my schedule, so you've got me as long as you need."
"Good! I was worried you were bored or something."
"Not really, my sisters used to drag me shopping all the time. This isn't really any different."
"Oh. good!" she said hastily before retreating to the sanctuary of the dressing room. 'This isn't really any different.' So that was it…? Hanging out with her was like hanging out with one of his sisters. Well the next outfit was going to be so hot he wouldn't be able to think of his sisters. At least she hoped he wouldn't, or this would be like one of Blake's comics real fast. Taking off the dress she had chosen and carefully folded it, setting it aside for future purchase.
Dressing into the next outfit, she wasn't sure what to make of it. It was like nothing she'd ever worn before. A red and white cropped t-shirt that exposed a lot of her stomach. Denim short-shorts only a little longer in the legs than her sister's. "This is supposed to be a casual outfit?" She couldn't picture just hanging out in something like this. She could definitely see it turning a few heads, though. Time to be judged, she guessed. "Coming out!" she called, opening the door.
The look on Jaune's face was one of mild surprise; he definitely hadn't expected something like this. "That's...different."
"Like a good different, or a bad different?"
His eyes looked her up and down again. "A good different."
Different...it wasn't exactly the word she was looking, hell she wasn't even sure what word she was looking for. But he had said she looked good, and that would have to do. "Thank you," She gave a nervous smile. "Do you mind judging one more outfit?"
"Of course not. It's why I'm here, isn't it?"
It was indeed why he was here. Here for her...when he probably had a million better things he could be doing that were more fun or productive with his time. He really was a great friend. "Right, I'll go get changed then." Slipping back into the changing room, she prepared herself for the final outfit, perhaps the biggest challenge yet.
A swimsuit.
More specifically a bikini. She had noticed when going through her dresser back at Beacon that she had forgotten her swimsuit back in Patch. With the spring and summer months fast approaching, now was the perfect time to get a new one, and perhaps upgrade into a more mature style of swimwear than what she was used to. Tying the tie on her back and shoulders, and double checking the ties on her hips she was sure there would be no accidental exposure of bits she didn't want him to see.
"Not that there's much more to expose," she mumbled to herself apprehensively, checking herself out in the mirror. It was a very simple bikini, the same color red as her cloak. No frills or designs that would attract any extra attention. It wasn't the first time she had worn a two-piece, her previous suit had been shorts with a tank-style top. But this… she twirled looking herself over from all angles, showed so much more.
Could she even leave the room in this? Show off this much of her figure? She could feel her heart racing. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Yes, she could do this, it was just Jaune out there after all. Just Jaune...just the guy that had been there for her since the beginning of Beacon, the guy who she hung out with constantly, the guy who had wasted his Saturday to help her pick out clothes. What was she doing, why was she even hesitating? She was a Huntress, one who slew monsters great and small. This should be nothing. Taking a deep breath she grabbed the handle, exiting the dressing room.
The look on his face said it all.
Jaune's eyes were wide with shock, and his cheeks flushed red. He averted his gaze trying to not look directly at her.
Ruby felt excited, any nervousness she felt washed away upon seeing how he acted, that he was flustered and nervous. That she could make him have this kind of reaction. "Jaune, you can't tell me how it looks if you don't look at me."
"Yeah…" his eyes turned back to her, darting quickly up and down, before fixing firmly on her face. "Good," he said succinctly.
Good? Was that really all he thought? Well, that wasn't good enough. "Just good?" Silver eyes met his blue. "Come on, you can dig a little deeper than that. Pretend you're on the beach."
"Uh, okay." his eyes closed.
"Feel the breeze, the sand between your toes as you walk down the beach. You don't know me, and you see me for the first time sitting there in the sun. So open your eyes and tell me the first thing you think of the random girl you're meeting at the beach."
His eyes opened, staring at her form. "Sexy."
Her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat, she was sure her face was as red as her namesake. In a panic and flurry of petals, she flew back into the dressing room, slamming the door shut behind her.
"Ruby, are you…"
"I'M FINE!" she spat out much louder than she intended. "Just go wait for me at the checkout...I need a moment."
"Okay…" he said dejectedly, she heard his footsteps fade away into the distance, she leaned against the wall until her heartbeat slowed.
Sexy. She was sexy! That was the first word that sprang into his head when seeing her. That was going to take a bit to process.
She hoped Jaune would be patient as she began to pack up her clothes as slowly as possible.
That would give her plenty of time to think…
######
The silence was deafening as the pair walked down the street. Jaune glanced over at his fellow leader. Ruby walked with head down and hood up, a bag containing her purchases. She hadn't said a word since she'd made a mad dash into the dressing room after she had tried on clothes for him. His cheeks burned red as memories of her in nothing but a swimsuit came unbidden to his mind.
SEXY.
That was the word he used to describe her, it was definitely an apt description. It was hard to believe that under all those numerous layers she usually wore, was a beautiful and sexy young woman. Then again it shouldn't have been surprising, as a huntress in training she likely kept in shape just as well as her peers. Having Nora and Pyrrha as roommates were proof of that, especially since Nora had no concept of shame.
SEXY.
That word again flickered through his mind. He had said it so plainly, so clearly to her, and then she had run away and been silent since. Was she mad at him? Because the first thing he could think to say about her was something so basic, so superficial, as sexy. Well, Ruby was more than that, she was exuberant, inspiring, friendly and the best friend he could ever ask for. He stopped. "Ruby?"
She looked up at him, silver eyes peeking out from under her hood. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry," he said hesitantly.
"For what?" she asked a confused look on her face.
Jaune ran a hand through his hair nervously, unsure how to continue. "For calling you sexy, it obviously upset you and…"
"NO IT DIDN'T!" Ruby snapped, drawing the attention of several passersby. "I wasn't upset, okay. So you don't need to apologize," she added much more quietly.
"Then why did you run away? Why have you been so quiet?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"That was the first time anybody called me that...and I just needed time to process it. Being honest I kind of liked it." she mumbled those last few words, but he still heard it loud and clear.
"Oh...you're welcome then, I guess?"
"Thanks!" she beamed. "I guess today was a success!"
"What exactly were we trying to succeed at, exactly? We picked out a dress, but why the other outfits?"
"The dance is coming up, both Yang and Weiss have had people lining up to ask them out. You included!" Jaune couldn't help but feel a bit of embarrassment, but he had indeed asked Weiss out more than a few times. "But no one ever asked me out, and Yang said that I shouldn't worry about it. So I figured if I got a wardrobe change I can maybe get a few people to ask me."
"I see." he nodded, he supposed it made sense when you had teammates as glamorous as her's it would stand that she could be a little jealous. "So you want someone to ask you out. Anybody you're hoping for in particular?"
"Not really." she admitted sheepishly, "I don't really care about anyone in particular. I'd just like to be asked."
"Makes sense to me, but if you really want to take the initiative and show up Yang and Weiss?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "Instead of waiting for someone to ask you out, you should ask someone else out instead. That would be a real power move."
"Who should I ask?"
"Dunno." he shrugged. "Anyone you want really, someone who you know you'll have a good time with regardless of if you feel anything about them."
"I see…"
"Besides, I don't think you need to worry about it too much, it will probably be boring anyway for a couple of dorks like us."
"Probably, if it weren't for the fact that Yang is going to make me go anyway, I'd rather just go play video games."
"Well, if you want we can both bring our scrolls and play games across the room and no one has to know."
"Please, you'll be too busy dancing with Weiss to play games with me." She laughed, punching him playfully in the arm.
"I appreciate the support, but at this rate, I'll probably end up dateless."
"I see…" Ruby trailed off, a thoughtful look on her face.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing!" she said defensively, "Just thinking about stuff, either way, thanks again for all your help today," she said quickly changing the subject.
He was curious as to what she was planning but he knew better than to press it. "Anytime, Ruby anytime." Today had certainly been interesting, but he was glad Ruby wasn't mad at him. But now it was time for comics, the perfect way to cap off their day.
The perfect way to drive the image of his bikini-clad bestie from his head.
######
Heads turned as Ruby strutted down the halls of Beacon, but she paid them no mind. Despite her pounding heart and the butterflies in her stomach, she pushed it all aside. Putting every lesson her uncle and father had taught her about keeping cool under pressure to use. She was a huntress and she had her target.
A shiver ran through her as she walked across the cafeteria, whether it was due to a chill caused by her current attire or nerves she wasn't sure. Target in sight she walked up behind him. "Hey Jaune." she tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yeah what's u…" He turned to face her, his voice catching in his throat as he saw her. It seemed that even though he saw her in this outfit yesterday, he still wasn't used to it. Ruby felt a surge of pride as she watched Jaune's eyes struggle to remain focused on hers, occasionally glancing down at her exposed stomach and legs, that her brand new shirt and shorts so helpfully showed off.
It was that look he had on his face that led Ruby to where she was now. The same look he had given her the previous day. Jaune had looked at her like a woman, the first to ever do so. He had also told her to take charge and do something that Yang would never expect her to do.
"Hey so I was wondering…" she began her voice sounding hopeful. "Would you like to go to the dance with me?"
Jaune sat there in stunned silence for what to her felt like an eternity, as every eye in the cafeteria seemed glued on the pair. No doubt she'd hear about this from Yang later. "Uh yeah, sure I'd love to."
"Awesome, I'll see you then." Ruby smiled sweetly before suddenly vanishing in a storm of petals. The last of her nerves finally gave out as she dashed out of the cafeteria and around the corner. Leaning against the wall she panted out of breath. She honestly wasn't sure why she had done what she'd done, but she just had a feeling in the pit of her gut that this was the right course of action. Whether she and Jaune went to the dance as friends, or perhaps something more would spark only time would tell. But for now Ruby couldn't help but grin to herself.
Operation Hot Stuff: Success
######
Random little one-shot maybe more, if people have thoughts on how this could continue I'd like to hear them. Been a bit since I've touched Lancaster, Not since Ruby Get Your Gun, which could possibly have a second chapter if I feel inspired enough. But now onto Last Resort, been staring at 2/3rds done chapter for weeks.
As always, read and review.