"My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night."
Unlike most days, where various card games or table top games, lonely book worms nose deep in their latest novel, or Yin and Nora playing another of their absurd games, the library was empty.
Like an old Western ghost town that succeeded by a much more successful boom town.
Or a long since forgotten kingdom in a far off land, whose name and inhabitants have been long since forgotten.
Very little people gathered in the hall itself. One or two people sat at the tables at most, reading their last bits of notes or class readings before the big weekend.
That dance was messing with everyone. Except Blair. Blair didn't care.
Blair was too drawn into the investigation to really pay attention. What with White Fang prepping for, what seemed to be, an all out assault and Roman up to something nefarious plan.
His team didn't seem to care. R,W, and Y didn't seem nearly as invested as poor B.
Ruben was too self interested to really take this seriously. Blair assumed that Ruben was in it for simple payback. To hit Roman hard for hitting him that fateful day at the Dust shop.
Now, he's focused on his stupid scythe and staying up late playing on his scroll. Giggling to himself like some school girl from one of Blair's light novels. Especially the high school drama ones that littered his bedside.
Winter was supposed to care about his family's empire facing what seemed to be direct warfare with the Fang. All of it spearheaded by that Torchwick. To defend his precious family name and his personal honor.
Now, he's all heart aching over Pyrrha. Constantly fixing his hair and straightening his tie. He's too self-obsessed to care about this plan they all had. This plan to protect what's theirs.
Yin was supposed to worry about his little brother. To fight this force gathering to support and protect his family. To fight these battles to protect those he called his friends and defend his home.
Now, he's playing games with Nora and planning out dates for a dance that none of them should've be worrying about.
And what was Blair doing while they all were screwing around doing a whole lot of nothing? What was B up to?
Blair was sitting at one of the many library monitors, his eyes scanning over hundreds of websites and his fingers punching away letters faster than he could think them.
Searching for anything Dust/Frost Inc. related.
Anything White Fang Related.
Anything Roman related.
However, a few hours of searching turned up nothing. Well, nothing worth really mentioning.
He found several Dust robberies all over the local area. Especially one involving a little shop called, From Dust Till Dawn. That ended with Miss Glynda Goodwitch bailing out his would-be leader Ruben Thorn from destruction. Nothing much from that end.
Besides the mech rampaging through the streets, nothing on the White Fang. Although, the train robbery in the mountain region was being heavily investigated. He would be sure to make sure to investigate that later on the down low.
Belle, wherever she is, might want to look at it.
It's been month's since he's heard anything from her. He's sent countless letters, each a page or so longer than the last. He missed her tender lips. Her sincere smile. Her infectious laughter.
He'll have to try again soon. Today's not that day.
And then the search began for Roman.
Roman.
Roman.
Torchwick was off radar, as far as Blair could find. Reports, FaceSpace, blogs. Nothing came up. His name is what he spent the countless hours searching for. Spent the most meticulous typing on.
He found old criminal files he's read a dozen times over just today. Just old headliners and news reports stretching back months, maybe even years.
Assault Charges throughout Remnant.
Battery outside several clubs, bars, and taverns.
Fraud.
Suspicious gang activity. Mostly those involving that Bear gang. Not much on them either.
The works. Nothing new.
He just needed to find out something. Anything.
Absolutely anything that would lead him towards this plan Roman and Fang are hatching.
It could be just him seen with the Fang. Just maybe him even being involved with anything that the White Fang are known for.
He took a quick break to take sip of his coffee to keep his energy up. He was about to crash again. He could feel his head teetering and his head feeling light.
His now ice-cold, disgusting coffee touched his lips and he gagged, nearly spitting up onto the keyboard. He could feel it, this unsweet sludge like substance sliding down his throat like sewage down a rusted over pipe.
That analogy didn't help him at all. In fact, made his situation worse to be honest.
He dry heaved as he leaned back in his seat, staring into the ceiling. His fits of coughing echoing through out the library. All the people who were in the library simply turning to watch him. Just to watch him, however.
Blair guessed it was the most entertaining thing in the room.
Each one met by a 'shush'. Courtesy of the Librarian who's tired of people coughing in her library.
Cough. Shush.
Cough. Shush.
Cough. Shush.
Cough. Shush.
Cou-
That's when he saw the flash of golden hair and piercing purple eyes. He clapped a hand over his mouth, squinting his eyes as he tried to repress the rest of his coughing session.
"Hey buddy." The voice was in a hush, his hands cupped around his lips. Yin smiled, patting Blair's back as he slowly began stepping and moving around him. He sat against the edge of the desk, crossing his arms over his thick barrel chest. "How's...everything?"
"Terrible." Blair mumbled, rolling his eyes as he powered off the screen. He pressed his hand against his forehead, staring into the blank screen. He could see his reflection. He could see what hours in front of a screen looked like.
It wasn't pretty. Not pretty at all.
He had bags under his bags. The veins in his eyes beat red and burning him to the point of pure pain. He swore he could see stink lines slowly irradiating off of him.
He rubbed his eyes, groaning softly to himself. The darkness easing the pain only slightly. "I feel terrible."
"I can tell." Yin murmured, smirking to himself as he let out a sigh. He stared into the ceiling, shutting his eyes as he turned his head towards Blair. "Listen...we gotta talk."
Winter strolled down the hallway with his head held high. His nose firmly in the air and a single white rose dangling between his finger tips. He brushed the petals with his thumb, recalling Courtney's lovely advice.
"Be sincere. Be thoughtful. Be sweet. Be you." He kicked up his feet as he slowly began turning towards Team JNPR's room. He straightened his posture, giving three hard knocks on the door.
"Look nice. Be nice."
He checked his breath for any smell that would be a turn off. Just a heavy mint smell. Good.
He straightened his tie with his free hand, not wanting to look sloppy in front of his would be date. He pulled it down, and patted it out flat under his vest.
Then the door opened.
He flashed his bright and heartwarming smile, his eyes lighting up. This was it. He cleared his voice, trying to make it sound as elegant and kind-hearted as he could for his special lady.
After all, he was aiming to impress.
"Miss Nikos, would you kindl-" It was Jaune. Not her.
The long, flowing crimson red of her locks replaced with the short messy, scruffy mop of gold.
The striking, heart throbbing emerald orbs of her eyes were now the dark ocean blue of his own.
The hourglass, strong, able-bodied figure that was her gorgeous temple was now a lanky, skinny boy.
"Hey, Winter." Jaune said, tugging back on his hood as he glanced around the room for a brief moment. Jaune saw Nora sitting in her bed, headphones up so loud it was making her bed shake. Ren was sitting on his own bed, his shirt half buttoned up as he watched the door.
Giving Winter a courteous nod as he continued buttoning his shirt, turning his back to Winter out of respect. Winter nodded back before turning towards Jaune. Jaune let out a melancholic sigh, his eyes staring into the floor as he shrugged his narrow shoulders. "Can I ask you something, Winter? Since you're already here?"
"I'm sort of in a hurry-"
"Ok. Thanks." Jaune grabbed Winter by the wrist and pulled him into the room. Winter glanced all around, wondering what exactly was happening. Ren simply watched as Nora seemed oblivious. Tapping away at her notebook, pretending it was a drum.
Winter was led to the bed, sitting down on the edge as Jaune sat up against the headboard.
"Now listen..." Jaune said in a nearing broken voice, his knees pulled into his chest as he stared blankly into his dark sheets. Winter laid the rose down on the blanket, bringing his feet under his knees as he turned towards Jaune. His smile gone and his eyes growing into that shade of a dull blue.
"I think of you as a brother. Like one I never had. No offense, Ren. You're still my main man."
"No offense taken."
"And I wanted to ask for you opinion on something." Jaune turned towards Winter, tears swelling up in his eyes as he let out a huff. "There's this girl. Who I think I like...very much." Winter shut his eyes, curling his hands into tight fists as he thought of her name. "I just want to tell her exactly how I feel. Tell her that she's smart. Interesting. Cute. I mean, have you seen her?"
That flashes of red and green etched in his mind. His head slowly nodding as he stared daggers at Jaune. One of the only times in the day when he neglected to bring his revolver. Jaune was opening his heart up to Winter about a girl Winter was pegging for from the start.
This awkward triangle was about to reach its breaking point. It was either going to be Winter or Jaune.
Winter knew the answer already however. Who wouldn't choose him?
"And I just-"
"Be honest." Winter and Jaune looked up, Ren's eyes following. Nora's eyes glanced at the door as Pyrrha pushed the door slowly open. Winter hid the rose behind his person, his eyes glancing from the idiot sitting beside him to the girl of his dreams. "If it's the truth, then tell her exactly what you said."
"What if-"
"It won't go wrong if it's the truth." Winter's heart sank, watching the way Pyrrha's eyes lit up when she spoke to Jaune. Saw that grin from ear to ear. Hearing the sincerity in her voice when she told him this.
That was when he knew she deserved better. Better than himself. Winter was selfish, childish at times. Cold hearted. Jaded. Sarcastic. Brash on occasion.
Everything Pyrrha would've hated. Wouldn't have grown to love. Or endear. Or withstand. Winter would be some guy that thought he deserved the world. Deserved everything on a silver plate.
Jaune was kind-hearted and sweet. Thoughtful. Charitable. Innocent. He would treat her like a princess. Jaune would be patient even if he was under fire. He would be strong when she was weak. He would protect her like she was a part of his own being.
Everything Pyrrha would've loved. Would've grown to love. Or endear. Jaune would be the guy who she would fall in love with. The kind of guy she knew deep, deep down would do anything for her.
That realization nearly brought Winter to tears. She wasn't someone he wanted to love and cherish. Someone he could see himself with for years. Being happy. Being merry. Someone he would trade the world for.
She was just some prize to him. A first place trophy. Land in need of conquest. A golden ribbon that said, 'The best deserve the best'. That's what she was to Winter. And it disgusted him.
He glanced at his rose, biting his lip as he shut his eyes painfully tight. He could feel his lip almost drawing blood, how tight he bit.
There will be other dances. Just for tonight, let Jaune win just one more battle. Just one more.
Perhaps, if he worked on himself, who knows. Maybe she would look at him the way she looked at Jaune. Maybe.
Maybe one day.
Winter stood up, his eyes squinted as he turned to Jaune. The cold, winter blue of his eyes meeting Jaune's gentle, innocent baby blue.
Jaune Arc had won. He had actually won something.
Such a combination of words seemed foreign to Winter.
Jaune had taken something from Winter. Something Winter wanted more than anything.
Jaune opened his mouth to protest, to stop Winter and continue the conversation they were having. Only to be handed a single white rose.
"Win-"
"For her." Winter glanced up at Pyrrha, smirking tearfully as he made his way to the exit of the room. His hands slowly easing into his pockets. He slowly eased himself towards the door, feeling the weight of each step crushing his pride.
Crushing his heart.
"If she's that special to you, you deserve her. " Winter stopped in front of the frame of the door, letting out a huff as he glanced over his shoulder. His lips curling into sorrowful smile. He mentally wished them the best. Hoping they would be happy together.
"Go after her, Amigo."
"Now, Blair." Yin stood in front of the board, piece of chalk resting in his open palm. Yin glanced up at Blair, who sat cross-legged on the teacher's desk.
Professor Port was kind enough to 'lend' Yin the empty class room to discuss things over with Blair.
By 'lend', Yin meant picked the lock and by 'kind' Yin meant he would never tell Port about what happened tonight.
Any who, back to the matter at hand.
Blair rested his cheek against his fist, eyes lazily watching Yin as he stared back. The vibrant purple clashing with the dark amber.
Blair felt Yin was going to berate him for focusing too much on the case and not on this magnificent dance coming up.
"Let's have story time. Shall we?" Yin turned his back towards the board, licking his lips as he pressed the chalk against the it.
"Yin-"
"Once upon a time," Yin started, slowly sketching out a corner piece of some sort of symbol. Yin smiled sadly, shutting his eyes as he ground the chalk into the board. "There was a woman. A woman with...this pair of striking silver eyes. Like bullets out of a gun. They were scary. They were frightening. Then they could be sweet. Could be beautiful. Could be endearing."
He could see her now. With dark locks of a dying gray, much like any stormy winter evening in Patch. With eyes that could be as piercing as any rifle round, and as soft as any pillow. With arms that could've broken him in half and made his nightmares disappear. Despite being built like a feather, nimble like an acrobat. She was still plenty strong. Much like her son.
"Well, she was...my mom. She was Ruben's mom. She was strong. She was fast. She was lovely. She was loving. She made these amazing cookies that would just...But I digress. Well, one day, she went on a mission. She was a fierce warrior. A magnificent huntress. Feared by monsters and beasts alike. She could instill fear in a single stare."
Yin recalled her holding Ruben in her arms one last time, whispering to him to not cry. That she'll be home soon to tuck him into bed and sing him to sleep. Then when she handed Ruben off to their father, she pulled Yin aside for a quick word.
She told Yin to watch Ruben. To take care of him. To love him. To be there for him when he stumbles, as he was learning to walk at the time. To always stay by his side. Even if Ruben wanted nothing to do with Yin.
"She never came back." Yin stopped for a moment, letting out a huff as he felt tears welling in his eyes. He glanced at his shaking hand, before tightening his grip and letting out a growl. "It broke Dad. Ruben...I don't know. I hoped he was too young to remember. Too young to recall. But he knows. He knew her. He remembers her. Remembers her face. Her laugh. Her smile. A part of me things Ruben is Ruben...because of that. Knowing that...he lost his mother like that. His real mother like that."
"But Ruben says your mom-"
"Dad remarried. For a third time. But not for love." Yin recalled being the ring boy that fateful day. Bringing the rings down for a woman who his father didn't truly love. Who Yin didn't want in his life. But Yin grew to love her. As did his father.
Ruben was enamored. He looked up to her as any son would his mother. Yin did as well. But he remembered. He always remembered Summer Rose.
Yin chuckled softly, recalling Ruben constantly saying his last name was Thorn, on account of their stepmother's maiden name.
"Dad lost all the woman in his life. Ruben's mother...That sweet woman..."
Yin recalled the afternoons his father spent simply laying in bed weeks after that fateful day. Staring into the wall for hours at a time. Too broken to sleep. Too lost to wake up. Stuck in a point of limbo until Yin would force feed him week old eggs and pizza to just keep him chugging along.
"My mother..." Yin glanced over his shoulder, staring at Blair's eyes. Blair let out a gasp at the sight.
Yin's tears slid down his cheeks, his smile replaced with a scowl. Much like his little brother. A look that either meant Grimm were about to die, or someone was about to have a very bad day.
"You see. Me and Ruben...are half brothers. His mother...died that day. Mine left." Yin let out a huff as he turned towards Blair. Cross his strong arms over his chest. His eyes staring into Blair's. That friendly, go lucky demeanor now vanished.
This Yin was cold. This Yin wasn't making jokes. This Yin wasn't out to make sure the party was getting started.
"My mother left me. Left my father. Left our family." Yin shut his eyes, shaking his head. "And I don't know why. A part of me said...I made her go away. That I...That I pushed her away. Me, as a baby, made her so disgusted. So angry that she simply left us. Another says...She never be a part of my life."
Yin's voice cracked. "Didn't want to hold my hand when we crossed the street. Teach me how to walk. Didn't want to read me bed time stories. Or hold me when I was scared."
"Yin-"
"And I looked everywhere for her." Yin chuckled solemnly, tears streaming down his face as he wiped them away with his sleeve. His lips curling into that classic Yin smile. That smile that showed he could still be happy. Still be strong. Still be Yin.
"She was just like me. Dad always told me. She was funny like me. Energetic like me. Fast like me. Strong like me. He said we would've gotten into loads of trouble together. Played all sorts of dumb games at any time during the day. He said we would have been the best of friends. Never would have left each other's sides."
Blair felt his chest get heavy, his hands shaking. His own eyes tearing up. He looked at Yin with this look of astonishment. This Yin was buried underneath the lame jokes, the intense energy, the impossible strength. "Yin..."
"That girl? I was looking for? The one helping Roman? I was told she would be able to help. Not her, exactly. But...You see, I did those jobs just so one day...just one day...I could find her. Maybe someone would be looking for her too. Then I would be able to ask her just one thing the moment I found her."
"What, Yin?" Blair hopped off the desk, his arms at his sides easing up to hold his companion-no. Not his companion.
Hold his hurting friend in his arms.
Hold his best friend when he needed to be held. When he needed Blair most.
"I would ask her, 'Why wasn't I good enough?'" Blair wrapped his arms around Yin, his arms locking with each other as Yin rested his cheek on Blair's shoulder. Yin shuddered, remembering what he was here to do. He groaned, pulling out of Blair's grip and pivoting off towards the left.
"I messed up. My...selfishness. I...I was a man possessed. Even as a child. One night, I was just a little kid. Ruben? A little baby. I took him by Red Rider Wagon in search for her."
Yin recalled the dark forest. The howling in the distance making him scurry his feet faster. Making him scared. Making him feel weak.
"They surrounded us. Those wolves...those Beowolves, we should've died. It would've been my fault. My fault." Yin let out a weak laugh, shaking his head. He could see their eyes shining in the darkness. See their dripping wet teeth ready to eat. Glancing at their razor-sharp claws. "But Qrow saved us. Good old Uncle Qrow."
"Yin-"
"That search...nearly killed my little brother." Yin turned towards Blair, his lips curling to a scowl, his eyes flashing red. "It could've killed Ruben. I ruined it! The promise I made to her! Because of my selfish act, I nearly lost my brother!" Blair stepped back, his waist slamming against the desks side. "You're letting Roman consume you, Blair."
"No, I'm-"
"Yes you are!" Yin stated, his voice shaking the room as his eyes bled into crimson red. Blair felt the desk beside him move a few inches back. As if afraid of meeting Yin's wrath. "You are going to get yourself killed! Either by Roman, the White Fang, or anyone else who decides to get in your way!"
"No one can stop me!" Blair shouted, barring his teeth as he curled his hands into fists. Yin shook his head, shoving Blair against the desk top. Blair nearly toppled over, swinging his arm back and throw a hook at Yin's cheek.
Before Blair could register that he just attacked his best friend, Yin caught the incoming punch in his left hand. Didn't even flinch.
"I can! I did!" Blair glanced at his hand, feeling the intense pressure Yin had. Blair couldn't budge his arm, Yin's grip holding him down like a battleship anchor attached to a fishing boat.
"Look at yourself! Hear yourself! You are consumed! As soon as you accept that you will not solve this tomorrow, then you can get some rest!" Yin pulled Blair in with a sharp pull, Blair's chest crashing against Yin's. Yin wrapped his free arm around Blair's shoulders, his lips close to his ear. "Blair..."
His voice as soft and gentle. Blair swore for a moment he could hear Belle's voice speaking through Yin. Giving him that same feeling of security and love.
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up this search. But don't let it destroy you. Give it a rest. Just for a while. Because when it does happen one fateful day, when you are alone and you need help. And that day will come, Qrow might not be there in time to save you."
Blair froze, his arms dropping to his sides as he melted into Yin's arms. His body finally giving in and his cheek resting against Yin's shoulder. Yin patted Blair's shoulders, lips curling into a soft smile. Blair groaned, feeling his body relaxing and beginning to simply hurt.
Feeling what hours, which might have actually been days, seeping out of his body as he shut down.
"It'll be ok, good buddy." Yin smirked, picking Blair up bridal style and leading him out of the room. "Let's get you rested up. The Dance is coming up."
Jaune walked down the courtyard, twirling the rose between his fingers as he hummed to himself. He felt good.
He was going to ask the girl of his dreams to the dance and he was going to do it in such a glorious way. Was going to tell her exactly how he felt about her. How she made him feel.
He straightened his hoodie as he turned the corner. He stopped for a moment, mesmerized by her presence. He felt his heart-throb, his knees now shaking. His heart beating in his throat.
Her figure was ample, she looked quick. Agile. Fast. She looked as though she would be as graceful as a dancer when she fought.
Her chocolate-brown eyes were delicious. They were soft and gentle, smooth and sweet. Her gaze alone could be-still his heart. Her long chestnut-brown hair flowing off of her shoulders.
She looked so cute. With a little nose and always rosy cheeks. Lips that curled into a sort of shy smile.
She was perfect.
Especially with those floppy rabbit ears.
Jaune cleared his throat, just as he saw Ruben walking towards Velvet. His hands in his jacket pockets and his eyes staring into the concrete floor. Jaune stepped away, pressing up against the corner.
He carefully watched Ruben, his hand gripping the rose loosely in his grasp.
"Hey..." Ruben started, digging the toe of his boot into the floor. He rolled his shoulders back, breathing out heavily as his chest convulsed and unsteadily rising. "How's it going?"
"Go-Good." Velvet said, intertwining her fingers as she glanced towards the floor. Bitting her bottom lip as she tapped the tips of her shoes together. Already feeling the heat rising in her cheeks.
Ruben nodded, glancing all around as he shook his head and focused on Velvet. His eyes meeting hers. He lost tension in his stance. His typical, aggressive, 'ready for a fight' demeanor now melting away.
Velvet tilted her head to the side, not breaking their gaze for a moment. He looked over her, his lip curling into a half-smile as he let out an awkward chuckle.
Velvet responded with a soft giggle as she slowly moved her hands behind her back. Her fingers interlacing and thumbs wrestling. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest, as was Ruben's.
He shut his eyes for a minute, barring his teeth. He let out a soft growl as he turned his face towards the floor.
"Want to go to the dumb dance with me?"
Jaune felt his stomach drop. As the rose slipped out his fingers and crashed against the ground. Ruben?
Lone wolf, weapon crazy, brash, angry Ruben? Was going to ask Velvet? Sweet, kind, gentle, wouldn't harm a fly Velvet to the dance?
Velvet froze, her whole face turning tomato red as she turned her back towards Ruben. Her shoulders shivering as her knees were threatening to give out.
Her body heat rising so high, she thought she was going to pass out. She felt light-headed, felt scared. Felt excited. Felt happy.
She wanted him to ask her. Since she found out about the whole dance. She kinda hoped he would have during their stroll several days ago. She hugged herself as she tried to slow her heart rate.
Ruben ran his fingers through her hair, tugging his hair by tuffs and tugging lightly. He could have sworn that he was going to die of embarrassment before she answered. His heart nearly bursting out of his chest. His vision getting blurry and hazy.
"Y-Y-Y-Yes."
Jaune sunk against the wall, his hands pressing against his eyes as he heard the silence between them. For all Jaune knew, Ruben sealed the date with a kiss.
Ruben stood there shocked, his heart, body and mind stopping all at once. It was as if time had frozen. Ruben saw her peeking over her shoulder, the edge of her lip in the biggest smile he's ever seen. Her cheeks almost crimson red, her eyes teary and glossed over. Ruben chuckled softly, in complete disbelief.
She said yes. This girl...This beautiful girl said yes. The girl who's been on his mind since the moment he met her. This girl who's been kind to him. Has thought about him. Has given him a reason to smile every morning.
Without much thought, he gave her a quick hug and disappeared into the night. His smile lighting up the whole campus.
Velvet stood there, her eyes shot open and her jaw dropped. She rubbed her arms, feeling the warmth of him still there. She knew he was strong. And she knew he was going to be gentle. She knew he wouldn't overdo it. He was soft and kind to her. His strong arms making her feel safe and protected.
It was going to be wonderful night tomorrow.
They couldn't wait to see each other again.