"I love you," Pure said. For some odd reason, Jaune thought his senses had heightened tenfold. He noticed how Pure's chest rose with every heavy breath, the delicacy of every pant she made was far more audible... His fingers tingled. Something reverberated in his mind and heart. The words echoed, his mouth twitched into a shy smile, and he fought to force his words out.

"Pure, you..." Realization hit him. "NO!" he cried. His legs carried him despite how his body continued to feel heavier as his heart continued to race. He wasn't going to have a heart attack, was he? He couldn't hear the sound of heels against concrete behind, so Pure must've been to shocked to give chase. That would be enough, right? Actions spoke louder than words...

Jaune fled. He was absolutely terrified. There was no way this was happening. It wasn't right. No, no he refused to listen to those three words ever again.

"Forgive me... I love you, Jaune."

Something struck a nerve. He just got back Pure, why would he push her away again? This was real; she genuinely cared. He did as well - it was mutual! Meaningful...

Because she doesn't know what you really are.

He didn't deserve her. It was too good to be true. He had already given everything up to be where he is now. Everything led up to this, so what was the point in throwing it all away? He couldn't just spit on Ashlynn's grave like that. She died for him... For his goal. Their goal.

"Ha... Ha..." This wasn't funny. He was losing his bloody mind! He didn't know what to think. Pure was... she was perfect. She deserved something real, anything besides him. No matter how much he wanted it, desired it, craved it, he couldn't take that place in Pure's life.

"Jaune?"

He flinched and turned to face a familiar face. He wasn't entirely sure how to feel about seeing her.

"Blake... You need something?"

"Have you been crying?"

He felt sick forcing that stupid smile of his... "Why yes, it's this interesting phenomenon that occurs when a human being is sad, physically wounded, or just losing his mind as he's overwhelmed by emotion."

"You have emotions then..." she lightly chuckled. It wasn't out of malice, but he spotted a tinge of... something in her eyes. Relief? Sadness even? The smile on her face said otherwise... "This may be the worst possible time for us since I'm not sure how to put this quite yet and you're an emotional mess right now by the looks of it, but that's precisely why this is a golden opportunity."

His eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"Is this about Ashlynn?"

Jaune drew in a sharp breath. "How... Velvet," he cursed. This is what he gets for using real personal info to get her to open up. And it was just a waste in the end. His heart hurt again when he thought back to just moments ago. Velvet striking him, brushing past him despite her issues. Could... would it be possible to make things right if he handled her issue properly? Or even indirectly...?

This came first. "Figures she'd spill sensitive info like that after our argument. I take it she bitched to you about our little dispute?" For some reason, the words made him want to bite his tongue. "You know even I wouldn't pry and utilize that sort of info against someone like that."

"You're the last person I need to give me lessons on tact. And no, she gave me a lead because she was looking out for you. I don't know what may have happened, but that little ordeal isn't any of my business. Velvet told me a name and a place in order for me to help you."

"That's pretty funny..."

"It's not, Jaune. Imagine yourself in my shoes. I am under the constant threat of exposure by a potential sociopath I dare say I am trying to understand." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm going to go insane after this, I swear. What did I do to deserve this...?"

It was too easy. So, so easy to throw in a jab. But he didn't have the heart for it right now.

"You know Ashlynn's name. Dare I ask about this place Velvet told you?"

"I already had Professor Port tell me about it." His shoulders tensed. "He knows by the way. He's incredibly happy to see you've grown this much. He nearly cried when he told me his account about what happened at Reverie."

"Stop..."

"It all makes sense with you see him as a father... I thought you were being dramatic and stupid at first, but I can see there's actual weight there, yeah? What if I told you he really does care for you like a son?"

"Stop."

"Again, I'm not sure what happened with Velvet. But I can only imagine what would happen if Pyrrha-"

Jaune snapped and grabbed Blake's wrist. He clenched with all he could, but she didn't flinch. She only glared into his eyes with determination. He felt his hand tremble as he held her.

"Pure and I are through as well. She no longer needs to deal with me, so there's nothing you can do to use her against me, you got it?"

"Your tears say otherwise." She freed herself and massaged her wrist. "But you know what? I don't think that displays weakness. Not at all. If anything, the fact you're this distraught only shows how much you care for Pyrrha, Professor Port, even Velvet..."

"Shut up... I don't..."

"I'm doing what I believe is best for the both of us, Jaune." She crossed her arms and relaxed a bit. "So hear me out."