Chapter 10: Hold Onto Me
"I know I've got my problems and it starts with me. She saw something inside that I can't see..."
Hrunting in its spear form certainly made for an amazing club.
Nex whacked another goon on the head, giving the guy a massive concussion, and finishing it off with a merciful kick to the balls.
Weiss dealt with the goon's partner as quickly as he did. A sheet of ice formed over the second goon's mouth. A zap of lightning sent him reeling to the floor.
They had to go for the throat.
Aura would render superficial blows useless, and his partner probably used that fact to justify her abnormally vicious methods.
As for him?
Well, it was just life.
The White Fang came here on a suicide run. Their goal being to kill his partner. If that did not justify kicking a man in the family jewels, then what did?
They were lucky he gave them a concussion before robbing them of their dignity. At least then, they would wake up with a splitting headache and not with a shattered pride. Preferably behind bars where they could think over their job prospects.
Terrorism was stupid and probably did not pay very well. Doubtful his father would receive the same treatment. Nope. It was going to be a straight kick to the balls with that one.
"We need to take a right," Weiss said, kicking an unconscious goon. It was great that somebody else was feeling the force behind her flats. "The headmaster's office should be right this way."
Nex led his partner through the hallway, dodging the cameras that swivelled every few seconds or so.
The timing was incredibly precise.
There was no shame in admitting that they only made it this far because of his semblance. It made avoiding the cameras simple, child's play. Not that any kid in the park would be playing dodge-a-camera. But it was something he would allow his kid to play, if he ever had one.
Kids. That was a thought.
But he really had to focus on the task at hand.
Nex dragged the bodies to the side-lines, stuffing them inside the trash bins. Those that could not fit, he just shoved into a corner. Hopefully, no one would see them. They had no time. A steak was waiting for him. It was something to blame Roman for.
The thief brought him to a fancy dine-in on one of his past birthdays. It turned out that rare steak to a wolf was as addicting as tuna was to a cat.
Neo laughed silently as she ate her ice cream, watching him shovel chunks of meat into his ravenous mouth.
"This is it, Nex," Weiss said, stopping in front of a polished, wooden door. It bore the emblem of Atlas in gold carvings. "Are you ready?"
Nex grinned. "Born ready."
Hrunting's shaft shortened into a hilt. The barrels clicked, staring at the door.
Let it be said that shooting the headmaster's door would be extremely satisfying.
It was a matter of principle, and it would be right up there with his best memories along with putting laxative in Qrow's flask.
"I never expected that I'll get this opportunity," Nex said. "White Fang, thank you very much."
If Weiss found the sentiment strange, she refrained from voicing it.
Boom.
Hrunting blasted the door with extreme prejudice. He was shooting wasted taxpayer lien right there.
The gaudy wood collapsed inwards, sending a cloud of sawdust and smoke into the room.
Weiss burst into the headmaster's office, rapier held at the ready.
Nex blinked, even as his feet moved to follow his partner.
What the fuck?
Hard-on Silverstain sat on the headmaster's spinny chair, shaky arms aiming a rifle. Straight at them. If the boy fired the rifle as it was, the recoil would blow his eye out.
Weiss glared at the boy with the machine gun. "Silverstein, what are you doing?"
"I warned you, Weiss. I warned you that you're the only one for me," Hard-on said. "Now that the White Fang is here, there will be no escape. Your little pet can't protect you."
Pet?
Fuck.
There were more important things at stake.
Nex levelled Hrunting at the boy's balloon head, rifle and shotgun staring each other down. "You're telling me that you invited the White Fang and expected them to hand Weiss over? Just like that?"
Hard-on's face scrunched up red. "My plans are foolproof. Even now, I'm on the verge of success."
"The only thing you're on the verge of is getting more holes in your stupid face," Nex said, stifling the urge to giggle at the stupidity of it all. Either that, or drink himself to a stupor. When did he start acting like Qrow? "Now move over. Let the adults do their job."
"How..." Weiss said.
His partner's rapier shook in her grip, the blade re-enacting an intense vibrato in one of her classical songs. Snowflakes shimmered, cooling the toasty air by at least a few degrees.
"How dare you!" Weiss said. Hard-on's rifle flew from his grip. It smashed into the wall behind. "How dare you put the entire school at risk! And for what? Just for a delusional grab at my family name!?"
Wow.
Nex shifted, glancing at the ruined doorway. Was it too late for Plan B?
"Well, you're not getting it, Silverstein," Weiss said, taking a deep breath. "The military has the school surrounded. Nex has a foolproof plan to deal with the White Fang. As my partner said, move over."
Hard-on chuckled, sweat running down his face. "I have a partner too. Say hello, Ilia!"
A moment of silence.
Nex strained his semblance. But no matter how far or how many possibilities it stretched into the future, there was no such thing as an Ilia in the headmaster's office. In fact, there were no other heartbeats in the room aside from Weiss, Hard-on and his. Unless this Ilia was a dead faunus, then Hard-on was probably high on some pretty potent bath salts.
A chilly breeze fluttered through the open window, blowing a piece of paper off the desk.
"Ilia?" Hard-on said, his eyes roving over the pristine walls. "Ilia? This isn't funny. You faunus bitch!"
His finger twitched.
Hrunting roared, blasting a hole into the water-stained portrait just behind Hard-on. That one probably cost thousands of lien. Certainly more than what he made in a month.
"What's an Ilia?" Nex said. "Move over. I'm not going to miss again."
"No, no, no!" Hard-on snarled. "This isn't over, I'm just—"
Weiss growled. Lightning arced from her rapier.
Hard-on convulsed in his seat, eyes snapping shut. The boy slumped. Probably into unconsciousness.
"There," Weiss said, her lips curling into a definitely illegal smirk. "I can't deny that I found that extremely cathartic."
Nex dragged the boy from the chair, tossing him on the carpet. Of course, he made sure to wipe his hands clean on the desk cloth. Hygiene and sanitation and all.
"Don't worry," Nex said, grinning. "I won't tell anyone about your grossly inappropriate conduct."
Weiss gasped, her eyes twinkling as she mirrored his grin. "How dare you, Mr Shade?"
Nex tapped the headmaster's microphone, keying it into the school-wide PA system. "How dare I, Miss Schnee. How dare I, indeed."
Nex attached the modified speakers to the microphone. Then he slipped on his earplugs and his pussycat. The world was muffled, his hearing practically null. His partner stood by the doorway, probably guarding the room against anyone who might interrupt.
Nex flipped the switch.
"Specialist Schnee, this is Huntsman Trainee Shade," Nex said with his best military drawl. It was like speaking underwater, only that his lungs did not suffocate. The ice queen stared back, unamused on his scroll. "You are clear to breach the premises. I advise that faunus operatives refrain from stepping within range of the ultrasonic weapon. I repeat, you are clear to breach. I repeat, refrain from deploying any faunus operatives. Over."
Said ultrasonic weapon was the school's PA system blasting an anti-faunus frequency, but Winter probably already knew that. It sounded cool, though. Like he was some sort of spy on a secret mission. The only thing missing was a fedora and he would totally nail the look.
When Winter marched through the broken doorway, he was definitely prepared to hear some very strong words about their methods. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Weiss, the younger sister struggling against the older sister's chest. He smiled, spinning the headmaster's chair with his back.
"So... uhhh, not to interrupt," Nex said. "But we didn't break any laws, did we?"
The Mantle Frequency was illegal in all four kingdoms. It had repercussions, severe ones if their history professor was to be believed. Using it against faunus would only alienate them further from human society, possibly sparking another Faunus Rights Revolution. Only this time, it would be called the Faunus Earplugs Revolution or something.
The ice queen unwrapped herself from his partner, facing him in her specialist uniform. It was weird to see her dressed as sharply as she was, in contrast to the smart-casual clothes she normally wore in the Huntsman's Respite.
His partner skipped towards him, nudging his shoulder. Probably to make him stand up from the headmaster's chair.
Nex hauled himself to his feet. Begrudgingly, his brain mourning the comfy chair. He would give her this one moment just so he could have a free steak.
"I'm unaware that any law has been violated," Winter said, her lips curling into a smile. "The captured White Fang operatives are severely ill. It is not so strange that a morally-dubious terrorist group would distribute illegal substances among its members.
"Believe me, Miss Schnee and Mr Shade, we will perform tests on the captured White Fang to determine the specific substances that caused their sudden bout of illness. If the drug tests find nothing, then we will conclude that whatever it was has long been expelled from their systems. If so, it is unfortunate, but the case will have to be closed."
They would not find anything, of course. There was no drug. But in the eyes of the public, it would condemn the White Fang and elevate the Atlesian Military. But still, the alternative was even worse.
Nex could close his eyes on this one. Not as if the White Fang were his brothers and sisters.
Well, what did they say again?
The history books were written by the victors.
Or the ones with more ink.
Weiss frowned. As expected. "But they weren't—"
"Ahem," Nex said, nudging her hip. "What my partner means to say is that uh, we thank the Atlesian Military for their quick response and their acute grasp of the delicate situation. And we will promptly get out of your hair. Right, Weiss?"
What he really meant to say was, "I can't believe that my partner can't read between the lines. Her sister's practically giving her a free pass. I should probably do something to salvage the situation. Before she says something on record that will doom my steak. Quick, brain, give me something that sounds like what a politician would say to hide his underhanded dealings."
Weiss flushed. "Right. But sis—Specialist Schnee, what will you do with Silverstein? I believe he is complicit with the White Fang."
"Yep," Nex said. "What she said."
Winter glared at the boy on the carpet. "He will be tried according to legal procedures. I assure you, that whatever offense Silverstein has done, it will not go unpunished."
Good. Now for his free steak.
"We free to go?" Nex said, raising an eyebrow. "I believe Weiss promised me dinner."
Winter smirked, glancing at his partner.
Weiss swelled and reddened like a tomato.
"Hm. I believe she has. Have a good evening then," Winter said, shooting him a look. It was definitely pointed. Where pointed meant I'm going to do things to you if you fuck up. "But please. Do refrain from doing anything irresponsible."
"Sister!" Weiss said, grabbing his hand. Her nails dug into his palm. But his semblance failed to register it as a hazard to his personal health. The traitor. "Let's go, Nex. Let's leave Winter alone."
There she was, dragging him along the tiles.
By the hand.
It was... nice. Despite the lack of appropriate adjectives in his brain.
His partner was truly the gift that kept on giving.
Nex smiled, breezing past the vomit-stained walls of Atlas Primary. If not for the rancid stench, then it would have been the perfect graduation prank.
And then, they got a table.
"Who was that guy again?" Nex said, prodding the skewers of meat.
They found a quaint barbeque place near the school. It was empty, secured by the military due to their city-wide lockdown. White Fang attacks everywhere and all. But still, the civilian owners happily took their lien. Steak was preferable, but they were too hungry to even make it down a single block across the street.
They were both wearing ruffled uniforms of Atlas Primary. To the average civilian, they were probably just students enjoying a quiet meal after a long day at school. It was certainly a long day, but not for reasons a civilian would expect.
"Which guy?" Weiss said as she sunk into the sofa, the foam shifting under her weight. Their weapons were crossed on the rack behind them. "We did put a lot of terrorists in jail."
"That Silverstain guy, of course," Nex said, grinning at the way her ponytail fell on his shoulder. Flowers and baby blue. As well as a hint of what was probably vanilla. Strawberry was sweeter, but to each their own. "What's his deal?"
Now that there were no more important things over the horizon, he could finally ask the questions that his brain spat out.
Hard-on Silverstain was definitely a mystery.
Why would the racist allow the White Fang entry into the school just to get at his partner?
It reeked of stupidity. Paradoxical, even. But it was certainly a million-lien question.
"That's complicated and personal," Weiss said, smiling as she shot him a sideways glance. "But I believe you deserve to know."
Good. It was one less question out of the two-thousand others filed away by his brain.
Nex transferred some more skewers from the serving plate to the built-in grill, waiting for his partner to explain.
"My father hasn't been subtle. He wants to find me a match for the SDC," Weiss said, her words quiet, almost a whisper. "Important men are quick to offer their sons when the head of the SDC is endorsing his daughter."
Endorsing. Like one might a product or a particularly juicy piece of meat.
Nex lifted one of the freshly-grilled cuts to his mouth. The meat burst into a rush of spice and sugar.
Hard-on Silverstain was after Weiss Schnee.
He should have aimed a little more accurately with his shotgun. Or a lot more downwind.
"Endorsing?" Nex said, quirking an eyebrow. "What, he wants to sell a new type of dust?"
Weiss stared at the grill, a brittle smile on her lips. "That might be closer to the truth than you think. Marriage, Nex. He wants to marry me off before I could graduate."
Nex hummed, a pit forming in his stomach, which he filled with three more cuts of prime meat. "You're not interested then?"
"No, of course not. I want to become a full-fledged huntress," Weiss said. "I want to show the world that I'm more than just a name. Then I'm going to take the company from my father and repair what he's done to it."
Well, she certainly had her hands full. His partner had purpose, a long-term goal. While he had nothing of the sort. Just planning to just live life and all. But still, maybe he was close to coming up with it.
His reason for living.
Qrow fought for the ones he cared about while Weiss fought for her family's company. Now if only he could come up with something like those, it would be perfect.
"So, what are you planning to do about it?" Nex said. "You have a plan, right?"
Weiss sighed, leaning into him—close enough that her ponytail brushed his nose. "I'm going to enroll at Beacon Academy. But I don't think he's just going to let me go."
His partner's warmth seeped through his side. She was warm. So unbelievably warm. Certainly warm enough to overheat his brain.
"You think he's planning to do something?" Nex said, heat creeping around his neck. "He can't stop you from making your own choices."
Everyone had a choice. Crossing the street or taking a taxi was a choice. Eating croissants over bagels was a choice, but he admittedly always chose the latter. Doing something or not doing anything at all. It was a choice. Maybe one of the hardest ones to make.
"He has a test. If I pass, he'll allow me to go to Beacon," Weiss said. "Abandon his proposed marriages. If I don't..."
Nex nodded to show he understood how much of a control-freak her father was. "You don't believe he's going to play fair."
There-in lay the crux of her issue. If her father designed something impossible to pass, something deliberately formulated to make Weiss fail, then there was no way she could go to Beacon.
"No," Weis said, exhaling a sigh. "I don't think he's going to play fair at all."
His hand snaked towards hers. They joined over the smooth, warm fabric of her skirted lap. The contact was electric, natural, and it sent sparks racing through his spine. It was liquid resolve. The courage to voice out his thoughts.
"You can pass his stupid test, Weiss," Nex said, offering her a smile. "I mean, you're smart, talented, and skilled. You're responsible too. Very responsible. There's nothing you can't do if you put your mind into it."
Definitely more responsible than lazy old him.
Dub du—dub.
Her heart skipped a beat. A pop in his extra pair of ears.
Was she alright?
Weiss flushed scarlet, giggling into his collar. "You just know exactly what to say."
Evidently, she was.
"What's so funny?" Nex said, smiling. But his brain failed to understand why his partner was laughing at all. "Was it something I said?"
His partner thought he knew exactly what to say. It was debatable, but he did not have sufficient evidence to disprove her words. But the fact that something amused her spoke for itself.
"No, it's nothing," Weiss said. "What are your plans after graduation?"
Nex ran his thumb over the callouses on her hand. "I'm going to Beacon. My mom graduated from there. I want to do her legacy proud."
A lightbulb flashed in his head. Perfect. Eureka. One step closer to his reason for living.
Amariss had to have had a purpose beyond just surviving.
"Tell me about your mom," Weiss whispered. "If... if it's okay with you."
"Her name was Amariss Shade. Huntress and graduate from Beacon," Nex said. "She wasn't the most traditional mom, but she raised me well enough."
"I see. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to pass father's test," Weiss said, snatching both his hands. "I'd hate to leave my partner alone in Beacon."
Nex smiled, staring into the pale blue. "You think we're still going to be partners?"
"Nex," Weiss said, her grip tightening. Her fingers laced through his. "I wouldn't have it any other way."