AN: Sorry about the long delay getting this out. I got back from my family reunion and then got diagnosed with Covid only a couple days later. Took forever just to be able to recover enough to find the energy to write these posts, even with how short they are. Still, next ones will be longer, I promise.

True Potential

Chapter 18

-Jaune-

Stifling a yawn, Jaune walked into the library, most of the school using the Saturday Morning to sleep in. He meanwhile had to return Nora's library books because she kept forgetting and he knew she didn't have the money to pay any late fees.

"Stupid Ren calling in a stupid favor." He grumbled to himself as he got to the return box.

"Alright, let's see here." He double checked each one off the list Ren gave him "History of Sloths? Check. The great book of Pancake recipes? Check. A Huntsman's guide to high grade explosive ordinances? Check. How to seduce your emotionally distant sage like best friend for dummies? Check." Jaune paused and double checked the last one before snorting "And people say I'm dense."

"Like a brick." A teasing voice spoke up from behind him as he jumped, noticing Blake leaning against the wall and giving him a teasing grin.

"Thanks Blake, I can feel the love." He rolled his eyes but gave her a grin, "I see you're up early."

"Yang snores like a chainsaw and it's a pain trying to get a shower with any hot water if she or Weiss get the bathroom first." Blake shook her head, "So I got used to getting up early. Weird selection of books you've got there though. I'm guessing Nora?"

"Your deductive abilities are truly without peer." Jaune snorted as he tossed the list, "But yeah. Ren asked me to return them so Nora wouldn't get a late fee and I owed him a favor."

"And he didn't find the last title at all suspicious?" Blake looked utterly flabbergasted.

"You talk to Sun all the time and you're still baffled at someone's inability to take a hint?" Jaune raised an eyebrow before smirking "At least I got the hint from Weiss…eventually."

"Touché." Blake snickered before grinning wider "I mentioned your idea of setting Weiss up with Sun to get him off my back. She looked ready to blow a gasket till I mentioned that it'd piss off her dad."

"Wait is she actually considering it?" Jaune gaped as he and Blake left the library, wanting to continue their conversation without having to whisper.

"I think so, hard to tell with her sometimes." Blake shrugged "She could be. Or she could be planning to get his help to make Neptune jealous. Or she figured she'd just take him to the dance to get her dad angry."

"I'll have to bring my camera." Jaune grinned as they started walking to the cafeteria.

"I'll pay you for-" Blake began before they noticed the monkey faunus in question hurrying over.

"Hey Blake!" Sun grinned, his expression wide and eager as ever, "I was hoping to run into you. I got us a table at 'the darkest blend' for their poetry reading event today. I was hoping you'd want to come?" Jaune held back a grimace at Sun's earnest but badly formed attempt. He'd learned that while Blake loved books and loved her dark colors, she wasn't a big fan of 'broody emo poetry' and got tired of people assuming she did.

"Actually, Blake and I were planning to catch a movie today." Jaune apologized to Sun, hoping to get Blake an out and not have Sun feel mortified at his mistake. Better to give a little white lie now and fill him in on her distaste for those later, "It's a new one for a book series we've both been reading for a bit. We were gonna try going with more of our teams but could only get the two tickets, so we decided to keep it to the two of us."

"Yeah, sorry Sun." Blake nodded, playing along, "But if you have some time could you go find Weiss? I heard she was considering doing something to mess with her dad and she could use a second opinion."

"A prank against Papa Schnee? Now that sounds fun!" Sun grinned eagerly before realizing he implied, he didn't think what he'd invited Blake to would have been fun "I, uh, not that the poetry thing wouldn't have been fun! I mean it would! Really classy stuff and I…I'm just gonna, go, uh not be here!" Sun hurried off at that.

"Thanks for that one." Blake let out a relieved sigh, running a hand back through her hair, Jaune having to stop himself from staring at her smile.

"No problem, Blake." He gave her a grin of his own, "But now you're stuck hanging out with me today if we want to keep Sun from wondering."

"Oh no, the horror." Blake gave him a deadpan before playfully punching him on the shoulder, "I think I'll survive…But seriously, is there a Ninja's of Love movie? I haven't been to a theatre in forever, so I honestly don't have any idea what's out."

"Yep." Jaune nodded, "I heard about it from my sister while we were visiting them. She apparently managed to keep creative control to avoid any big blockbuster bastardizations."

"We're going. Now!" Blake's tone brokered no arguments as she grabbed his arm, dragging him towards the bullheads.

"B-Blake!" he flailed, working to keep his balance from the unexpected tug, "At least let me grab a shower and my wallet first! Blake! Please!"

-Michael Arc-

Scowling, Michael drained another beer, tossing the empty can at the wall of the cheep motel he was currently staying at. He wasn't allowed back in his manor. He didn't have access to the old money he'd enjoyed before.

"It's all that brat's fault." He slurred to himself before noticing his scroll buzzing, a blocked number calling, "Wha' do you want?" he grumbled out.

"Hello Michael Arc." A sultry sounding voice came through the other end, "I believe we can be of use to each other."

AN: So yeah. Next chapter will be the 'date' between Jaune and Blake. Shipping, fluff, and chemistry to come!