A/N: Saph is a badass. What a gem, what a cool dude.

Let me know what you think!

Thrown to the Wind

Unique

"Congratulations," Pyrrha murmured at last. "That's… that's amazing."

"Thanks!" Saph beamed, taking a seat on nearby couches. "Well, I've known about it for a while, but I didn't want to say anything to jinx it. It's definitely going to be nice not volunteering during the night shift, though," she added wryly.

The redhead smiled weakly back. "Jaune said you were really passionate about what you do."

At the mention of her younger brother, Saph's expression grew more serious. "Hey… did Jaune tell you about my ex?"

Pyrrha nodded slowly. "Cardin, or something… right?"

Saph hummed sagely. "Yup, but did he tell you about how Cardin was…?"

The redhead sighed, nodding again. "I kept bothering him about why he was getting hurt, so he told me."

Saph leaned back heavily against the couch, pulling her knees up to her chest loosely. "Jaune's always been really overprotective of all of us, being the only boy and all," the girl began, "but he's also the clumsiest. I probably should've figured he was being dumb, sticking his nose into other peoples' business."

Pyrrha frowned, sitting upright. "But he was defending-"

"Me, I know. Needlessly, may I say? We have security!" The girl threw her hands up in the air, laughing. "He literally could've just told me, 'hey, your creepy ex who refuses to understand that you're actually pretty gay is lurking outside' and we could've sent Cardin away." As Pyrrha processed this new information, Saph added, "Well, what's done is done. I saw him for the first time this weekend. That guy won't bother me anymore, I don't think. Security knows him now, and my new work schedule helps. Terra's dropping me off from now on, too."

"Terra?"

Saph flashed her left hand, a thin silver band resting upon her ring finger. "Fiancée. She's gonna put a ring on it," the girl winked.

"Oh- congratulations, that's wonderful!" These words were far more genuine.

The blonde shifted, turning to face Pyrrha dead-on. "Hey, Pyrrha," she whispered low enough just so the redhead could barely hear, "did something happen between you and Jaune?"

"Why do you ask?" It was a struggle to keep her tone light, as if talking about the blond wasn't causing her heart to seize and her stomach to twist, the confusion from that morning rising up like bile in her throat once more.

Saph frowned, crossing her arms petulantly as she contemplated, "It's just, Terra brought him another box of cereal- with you on it, of course, Terra thinks it's oddly hilarious he's collecting them now-" Pyrrha blushed- was the boy really only buying boxes with her profile on it, now? She didn't know whether to be touched or amused- "-but he just looked really sad, especially after I scolded him about Cardin." Turning to the girl plaintively, Saph added, "Look. My brother's a good kid, but he's gullible and proud, too. What happened?"

She shook her head, wrapping her arms around one drawn-up knee. "I… I don't get it myself," Pyrrha admitted at last. "I think… I think he believes that I told you about your ex?"

Saph's jaw fell, mouth agape, brow raised in disbelief. "I saw him- and dealt with him- myself, though. Please don't tell me Jaune's pouting because of some stupid misunderstanding."

"I'm not sure he sees it that way," the redhead said glumly. "I think there's something else, too. I'm not entirely sure."

Saph patted her kindly on the shoulder. "Well, if you need me to smack some sense into him, I'm his older sister, so that's my job. I approve of you two, so-"

"What?!" Pyrrha cried at the sudden declaration.

Saph snorted, standing up and stretching. "Oh, don't play that game! You two are super cute." Softening, she added, "I'll tell him to not be so stubborn. He tends to get caught up by things in his head, and blows things out of proportion. He just needs to calm down and think about things." She clapped her hands decisively. "Yup. At least, I'm going to make him calm down." Winking at the girl, she added, "Like I'm going to let him drop you just because of some stupid misunderstanding." With that, the older girl walked back to Sun's booth, waving goodbye amicably to Pyrrha, leaving the redhead conflicted and bewildered and so, so torn. She wanted it all to be some misunderstanding. But how could she convince Jaune to talk it out?

She didn't know what to do.

Glynda knew something was up for the rest of the week, but she didn't press the issue. Thankfully, none of her teammates did either- seeing Jaune had convinced everyone that Pyrrha's rumoured first love had hit rocky waters, and they were all sympathetic. Even Velvet caught her sighing wistfully from time to time throughout their joint practice. "Whatever it is, Pyrrha, I'm sure it'll work out," she soothed. Pyrrha didn't share her confidence.

That Friday night after returning from practice, Nora tossed her a jacket the moment she exited the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed. Pyrrha played along, following the girl out- but when she realized where the orange-haired girl was taking her, she retreated within herself slightly. How was she supposed to react if she saw Jaune now?

Despite an entire walk's worth of silent fretting, Nora's jovial humming nowhere near enough to alleviate her stress, they didn't find who they were looking for. Instead, it was Tyrian they saw through the window. It was strange.

As they turned tail and headed back home, Nora snuggling next to Pyrrha when it began to rain to hide under the umbrella, Nora decided, "Well. Tomorrow's the party. Message him beforehand- if he comes, then we can call it a success?"

Pyrrha bit her lip anxiously. "…and if he doesn't?"

Nora gave her a quick hug. "Then we'll find you another cute blond, and you can move on knowing you tried."

The thought of simply walking away, though, was heartbreaking.