A Winter Knight's Valentine's Day Serenade
Winter could always pride herself on her eyes for people, present someone to her and she was confident she could place where they belong and the sorta individual they were. Whether it be a soldier, politician or Atlesian businessman she could sniff them out and direct them where they were needed or at the very least didn't belong.
She'd done so with miss Katt who despite her very unassuming personality for it proved a very capable huntress to be. And she could tell the sort Henry Marigold was as well and countless soldiers she'd assigned over the course of her deployment. Which was why one individual utterly befuddled her, Jaune Arc.
She'd assumed the worst of the boy admittedly. A fault of her sister's incredibly bias letters whenever it regarded said student, so imagine her surprise when she met said young man during her first day in Vale.
She expected a conniving opportunist seeking her sister's fortune as most suitors her age did, what she encounter was a peculiar young man. True, he wasn't the most impressive specimen she'd ever met but she also worked with huntsman regularly.
As far as young men went though he had a moderately good physique, an appealing face and room to grow. Though he was a novice he did show the capacity for growth and an eagerness to improve. When she brought this to her sister's attention she was surprised to hear he'd helped her court another young man… Said young man left much to be desired in her humble opinion after he tried to court Her during their first meeting.
Then she learned he was directly involved in the Breach incident, being the first to come aid her sister and her team during it. Weiss hadn't expressed her gratitude, that could simply not be allowed, so she did and though she offered compensation she was surprised when he denied it.
In his own words, anything for a friend… That, that was surprising and an utterly alien but very respectable concept to her. Perhaps that was where her interest in him began, it had been a mere offer upon seeing him train with miss Nikos. To aid him in his aura control, something she was quite versed in.
She must admit she was impressed by his determination, she saw his efforts, and that only increased her interest. Soon she found herself teaching him about Grimm, Dust and Tactics, that last of which he absorbed with staggering speed.
The words to describe her shock when she realized he'd only had aura for a few months would be vast and simply not enough. She gave the young Arc scion more of her attention and found satisfaction as she watched him grow with each lesson.
More time she'd spent with him, taught him and even a few times fought alongside him when she took him to the Emerald Forest for live combat lessons. Eventually his tension from being around such a stern and strict woman begun to lessen and soon he was cracking terrible jokes, making small talk and though it was awkward and even unwelcomed at first she soon found herself not completely opposed to his banter dare she say even enjoying it.
Enjoying the company of a young earnest man her sisters age, oh the look on his supposed bullies face when he'd beaten him was quite amusing. The shock when he all but begged to let him take her out to a nice meal as thanks was appreciated. Though… there had been one 'Incident' that did leave her feeling rather annoyed. When the waiter came to them assuming they were a couple he'd panickily denied it, that bothered her, more then it had any right to but still.
It was confusing, the only people who she'd invested this much time in were her sister and working for the general. But neither of them provided her with the odd enjoyment being around the Arc did. She loved her sister, and time with her was worth it's weight in gold. But Arc made her laugh, sometimes from ridiculous action, others from his comments or jokes.
She'd never gone to a McSchneez before Jaune all but dragged her to one after a particularly difficult training session after which he went on about craving some chicken nuggets. She'd admit, she rather fancied their Frappés. Same with other such pedestrian activities, movies, she'd reluctantly admit that she was now a Spruce Willis fan like him. Roller-skating, she even humored him at an arcade, making short work of those… First Person Shooters? She believed they were called?
The more time she spent around the boy the less he resembled one, oh he could be childish for sure but on just as many occasions he'd proven matured. And well… Perhaps those child-like moments of his were a net positive in their own rights. After all rarely did anyone cut loose and try to be so social with her back in Atlas.
Which was why she'd gotten so used to his eccentricates, even somewhat looked forward to them, Weiss had certain asked her what she saw in the Dolt on more than one occasion. She countered with her sister's own interest in boys, more specifically her flirtatious suitor Vasilias. Then she blushed when it occurred to her how she accidentally implied her interest in the blonde was anything more than merely platonic.
But for now all those things fell behind as she sat alongside said blonde and her sister at their table. She didn't see anything wrong with it and both had assured her that she was more then welcomed. Though she could do without the teasing from her sister's teammate Xiao-Long.
"So VB bringing finally introducing us to your girlfriend?" Weiss glared while Jaune flushed a bit while rubbing the back of his head.
"C'mon Yang, I-it's not like that."
"Indeed." Jaune smile seemed to stiffen while Weiss.
"Don't even joke about that Yang, I'm eating after all." That made her shot her sister a look.
"Weiss." Her name being called in a very unapproving tone proved enough to make her dear sister go stiff.
"Yes sister."
"I believe you were raised better then to be so dismissive and rude." Not by their father of course but certainly from Klein.
"I… Yes, your right, sorry Jaune." He chuckled again, rubbing the back of his head, a nervous tick of his she'd noticed, it was rather endearing… Wait, what?
"It's fine Snow Ang- I mean Weiss. No harm no foul y'know." Weiss begun to nod nut she wasn't as naïve as she looked to her sister.
"We will be having words about this attitude of yours, I've heard… unamusing things about your initial interactions with your team as well." And now it was her sister's turn to look awkward, it was then a person made their way to them. A boy this time but with the same intents as each before. Not to sit with them but instead to gift them, Xiao-Long to be specific this time with confectionaries.
"Um, heya Yang." Said brawler shrugged.
"Yo, so you gonna give me chocolate too big guy?" Said student tried to play it cool but did in fact show a box of chocolate. Said brawler grinned taking it with a toothy smile, one that her gifter seemed to like.
"Thanks a ton." She then unceremoniously tossed it into a pile with the rest, and said guy seemed to deflat before their very eyes.
"Th-thanks…" Turning he slumped off.
"Yaanng! You're being a jerk!" Said brawler shrugged.
"Hey if he had been looking at my eyes when he gave me it instead of my chest I would've been nicer about it." It was a fair point.
"Seriously, kinda wish I was you Weisscream, at least your guys are giving something else but chocolates, seriously, that last guy was offering to take you to a restaurant? Don't get why you don't take them up on it.
"Hmph, unlike you I have a reputation to uphold, besides being seen with anyone today of al days would prove quite the inconvenience. I doubt the paparazzi wouldn't leap through hoops to spread misinformation about it." Winter nodded, her sister's position did come with its own difficulties.
"Still, at least you're not alone in getting rejected today VB, hopefully you let him down easy huh Weisscream." Before her sister could respond she found herself doing so.
"Mister Arc has not attempted courting my sister in some time Xiao-Long. Please reframe from teasing him."
"Yay, stop being a jerk sis!" Winter watched as her own sister's partner pummeled the blonde brawler's side.
"Okay okay, my bad Loverboy, but C'mon I expected you to try something y'know, was sorta betting you'd up and sing to our resident princess here as some last gamble. If you don't I'm gonna owe Kitkat her some lien, right Blakey?"
"Please don't involve me in this…" Weiss shot Jaune a dirty look then.
"You better not Arc." Said blonde looked away.
"I wasn't, trust me I get that you're not interested, or even like me…" Weiss seemed to pause at that.
"I… Wouldn't go that far…" Winter sighed again, honestly what did she expect him to think with how she behaves? She'd really need to speak to her about her more father-like tendencies. For now though she settled on placing a hand on Jaune's shoulder.
"Don't mind her Jaune, my sister is just used to men of a certain level of unbecomingness is all. I promise you've done nothing wrong."
"You sure." She looked to her sister, a light warning in her gaze.
"Yes." She moved to help the boy with his surely bruised pride, usually such wouldn't matter to her but perhaps she cared a bit more for his confidence than was strictly professional to.
"I'd imagine most girls would be quite happy to receive a serenade from an admirer, unfortunately my sister's career singing and prior experiences with suitors might… 'Jade' her to such extravagant displays."
"Oh… I, I guess I never really thought of that." The way he looked a bit disappointed… Was he actually considering doing such for Weiss. Her bottom lip pressed as a slight pressure built in her abdomen. Did she possibly not find that agreeable.
"'Heh' Guess you would hate that sorta thing too huh?" She blinked, would she?
"Of course she would, Winter is-"
"Weiss." Said heiress stilled as Winter spoke in an unamused tone.
"I would request you not speak for me." Weiss paled.
"I'm sorry sister." Winter nodded, accepting her words before looking at Jaune.
"To be honest I wouldn't know, men seem intimidated by me so none have ever ventured to ask me let alone anything else."
"Oh, well… that's a shame don't you think?"
"Pardon?" It bothered her how he was having some difficulty meeting her gaze but regardless he continued.
"I mean, why wouldn't someone ask you out, your y'know, like the prettiest woman I know. -/-" She blinked before the slightest tinge of heat hit her cheeks.
"I see." Unfortunately, Weiss saw it fit to speak up again.
"Hmph, only you would be dull enough to ask someone above your station out Arc."
"Weiss." The heiress stiffened again, she really needed to speak to her about this. Despite the insults thrown his way Jaune seemed caught in thoughts and spoke up.
"So… Your not against it?" She blinked before nodding.
"I would say so, yes." And then she saw it, something flash in his eyes before he gave a small nod to himself and abruptly stood.
"I, I gotta go and do something real quick, seeya later." And no sooner was he off, it was then Ruby spoke up.
"Weiss! Why do you have to be a jerk to Jaune!?" Said sister looked shocked at the accusation.
"I-I wasn't." And now her older sister looked at her with a deadpan.
"If that wasn't you being a total bitch I don't know would be considered that Weisscream." Winter wanted to argue, truly she did but.
"Your attitude seems to be concerningly like father at spots sister." The look she gave was one of horror, she knew her words help more weight than most but still.
"Still, can't believe you don't have a line of guys waiting to flirt with you." Winter looked to Yang, was she referring to her.
"Yeah, your like Weiss but less Weissy!"
"Excuse you!" Ruby folded at her partner's words but regardless Winter ignored it.
"Yes well, men tend to be intimidated by women more powerful than them, though I do have to wonder if I'm attractive in the eyes of the opposite sex."
"Of Course You Are Sister!" Weiss all but slammed her hands on the table, seeming to realize her outburst she blushed but remained her stance.
"'Ahem' You've just yet to meet one who has the dignity to try is all…" Yang grinned.
"Well, Neptune tried his luck didn't he?" The glare both sisters shot the brawler was rich.
"Quiet Xiao-Long!"
"Indeed, I have no intentions of entertaining a mere philanderer like Vasilias." Weiss looked like she'd been struck for some reason, curious really.
"H-he's not so bad." Winter looked to her dear sister.
"I suppose he will grow out of it, at least he's not like Marigold's heir I suppose, but then to be compared is hardly to such is hardly a good thing." Yang leaned in close to her partner.
"Geez, talk about different taste huh?" Blake nodded.
"I suppose her sister is more mature."
"You just like her cause she left the SDC."
"… You can't prove that."
"I do have to ask why must you be so hard on Jaune?" Weiss stared, genuinely shocked and it made Winter curious.
"What?"
"Did, did you just call him by Arc first name?" She blinked, so she did.
"I don't see the problem, but yes."
"Of course it's a problem it that Dolt!"
"Weiss." Again she looked down.
"'Sigh' Why must you continue to berate him."
"I-I don't berate him."
"Oh don't sweat it Icequeen, Weissy there's just sorting out her feelings aren't'cha?" she winked at Weiss scowled.
"For the last time I am not interested in that Dolt!"
"I don't see a problem with it." Weiss turned in shock towards her.
"What?"
"I said I don't see a problem with it, Jaune has proven a well-rounded and earnest young man."
"Oooh, looks like your big sis approves Weisscream, what do ya have to say about that?" Weiss seemed to fumble with her words, and she'd admit to finding it adorable.
"So Winter, as a fellow big sis I gotta ask, you think VBs good enough for you baby sis." Winter looked to her confused, not from her words but instead from how much she surprisingly didn't like them. But why… The idea of Arc serenading her sister was… Distasteful for some reason. Yang seemed to notice something as her grin turned up by several dozen degrees for some reason.
"No freaking way." Blake actually slightly smiled seeming to catch on to whatever her partner noticed.
"Well, their taste are certainly different." Ruby of course pouted being outta the loop.
"Hey! What are you two talking about?" Yang patted her head.
"I'll tell ya when your older sis."
"Hey! I'm not a kid! Now tell! Tell Me! Tell Me!" Winter couldn't help but find their banter amusing, perhaps they would help to soften her sister's rougher spots. Those thoughts ended though when she heard it.
"M-Miss Schnee!" She turned around much like the rest of their table and saw it, Jaune Arc, standing in the middle of the cafeteria on a table. A Mic in hand, seemingly connected to the speakers, in the background Ozpin sipped at his coffee amused.
"Quite some time since a student asked to use the speaker system." Amused he was, even if it was seeming that James's Blackhorse of a gamble was about to prove the winner in the staffs betting pool.
"I-I." She looked to the blonde's face as he grew red, obviously embarrassed, Weiss features paled then as Yang grinned.
"Ha, he is singing to ya Weisscream!"
"Th-that Dolt!" Winter looked back to her sister, funny? She somehow didn't seem upset, just flustered. However surprisingly she found herself… annoyed at all this. She was about to intervene, purely on the principle of keeping order and proper conduct in school of course before Jaune continued. Having inhaled to gain back some with a measure of courage. He looked back up to meet… Her gaze?
"'Gulp' Miss Winter, I… I have something I want you to hear." She wasn't alone in being confused by his words.
"M-me?"
"Oh whoa, guess I was wrong, sucks to be you Weisscream." If Jaune could hear them he certainly didn't make a show of it, instead inhaling deep, seeming to gather some nerve before taking his Scroll, and connecting it to the microphone wirelessly.
A beat began to come up and the crowd began to quiet as Jaune began to gather his wit and prepare himself mentally.
I never learn do I… Well, what can one more rejection hurt.
Well, if he was gonna make an idiot of himself he might as well put on a good show for those watching right? And so he began holding the mic close.
(Let Me Love You by Ne-Yo)
Jaune: 'Much as you blame yourself, you can't be blamed for the way that you feel
Had no example of a love that was even remotely real'
And they froze.
"Hey Kitkat, is it just me or does VB kinda sing good." Blake nodded not really able to word it herself. Ruby however.
"Huh? So that's he's been practicing by himself?" She'd caught him going to the music room once more twice. Well that was one mystery solved.
Jaune: 'How can you understand something that you never had
Ooh baby if you let me, I can help you out with all of that'
Weiss and Winter stared both never looking more like sisters then now as they both looked with wide eyes and open slacked jaws.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
And all your trouble'
Blake spoke up moderately surprised by the display.
"Well, that's one the nose." Yang snorted.
"Yeah but can't argue with the results now can you." Looking the sisters way she could see Weiss begin to fume while her sister, miss mature and stoned face begun to pink at the cheeks.
Jaune: 'Don't be afraid, girl let me help
Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
A heart of numbness, gets brought to life
I'll take you there'
He reached out and Winter felt her heart pang, she looked down and right beside her Weiss looked with abject horror in realization.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you baby, oh
Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you, let me love you, oh'
Somewhere in the crowds a ginger-haired Faunus cheered.
"Hey If You Won't Take Him I Will!" Her partner might've covered her mouth had the idea of stealing from a Schnee not appealed to him. Regardless the statement seemed to make winter come to as she glared the voices direction unaware she was already beginning to be a tad possessive.
Jaune: 'I can see the pain behind your eyes
It's been there for quite a while
I just wanna be the one to remind you what it is to smile
I would like to show you what true love can really do~o'
Winter felt her heart pound what was this!? Was she having a heart attack! And, and why did mister Arc seem to look more dashing!
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
And all your trouble
Don't be afraid, girl let me help'
"Arc! Stop Singing This Insta-Mmph!?"
"Sorry Weisscream, you're not ruining your sis's first-ever confession."
This is way too entertaining to pass up!
Weiss screamed in her teammate's hold as the blonde brawler held the heiress back, the fact Winter didn't seem to care or more likely notice despite her specialist training all but told how much of an impression Jaune's show was having on her.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
A heart of numbness, gets brought to life
I'll take you there, o~oh'
As the beat took the reigns Jaune let the music influence him, forgetting his nervousness, her fluster and all other urges to quit while he was ahead. Instead he jumped off the table, thankfully not stumbling. He looked up meeting her icy blue beautiful eyes and he smiled on reflect when he saw not a complete look of utter disgust on his face.
Okay, so things are already looking better than I expected, well… In for a penny.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you, let me love you baby'
He took a step towards her.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you ba~by'
And another, this one more confident than the step before.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
Let me love you, girl let me love you ba~by'
Finally, he began a confident, even stride, the music influencing him, as his voice sung with more confidence and his gaze fixed itself with a sterner, surer compacity.
Jaune: 'For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats'
Finally, he was close enough to make out her expression fully, to see her beautiful stern features more shocked but not displeased with his display. So captured by them was he that he seemed to ignore his previous crush's struggle as she tried to fight outta Yang's desperate hold.
"Geez Weisscream, for such a little girl you can fight can't ya."
"You know she's gonna hold this against you right." Yang shrugged at Blake's words.
"Hey as long as I get a video of this it'll be worth it, this is pure gold." There was no way nobody was filming this.
Jaune: 'Heart that beats
Heart that beats
Heart that beats
Heart that beats'
Her heart was racing! What This! Regardless of her skewed feelings her gaze on him remained.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
And all your trouble
Don't be afraid, girl let me help'
He finally made it before her, and she looked up to him with wide beautiful blue eyes. And the sight of them made it so much easier for him to continue his serenade all the more sincere and meaningful with each moment he had her to look at.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you'
A heart of numbness, gets brought to life
I'll take you there'
He dropped to a knee quite literally, meeting her gaze a hand landing on her own knee as he leaned closer, raising slightly as his voice continued surer, braver as he looked to her face. To his second crush since entering Beacon and though the chances seemed even more unlikely than with Snow angel he found he couldn't resist the urge to try anyways.
Jaune: 'Girl let me love you
Let me love you baby, love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you baby, love you baby, o~oh'
When his words finally cut off alongside the speakers dying out with his song he was left to stare slightly up at her. At miss Winter, and slowly but surely his features begun to pink and then red as what exactly he'd done began to fully hit him.
Well… Time to face the music.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't hav-"
"Yes." He blinked confused.
"Yes?" Her features reddened before his very eyes, her snow-white face cheeried with blood as it rushed to her face.
"T-to your courting attempt, I-I… I."
Drats! What is the proper response again!?
Too embarrassed to actually think too deeply about it she leaned back into her specialist training and mannerisms follow.
"I, 'Ahem' I accept your proposal mister Arc… J-Jaune." He blinked.
"My what?"
"Your, your attempt at collaborating with me." Again, he had to ask.
"What?"
"J-just come with me you Fool! Let's go and negotiate our new dynamic over a meal." Taking his hand she rose and Jaune still looked a bit confused at her wording.
"Wait… Am I not getting rejected?" It was kinda hard to tell with her wording.
"J-just shutup and come with me! I-I could use a frappé right now, I imagine this discussion might go long into the night!" And no sooner were they off and the rest of the table was left to stare. Weiss in shock and utterly still even as a slightly cautious Yang let her go.
"Wh-what just happened?" Yang couldn't help it! She was only human!
"VB might be joining your family is what just happened."
"Over My Dead Body!" And like that she was off.
"Weiss Wait! Don't Ruin You Big Sister's First Date!"
"I Will Not Allow This!" Yang and Blake rushed to follow her sister and Weiss, totally not just to see Jaune and Winter's date and how Weisscream would react to it. Not at all.