"Umm... H-hey, Rubes!"
Ruby's glare remained fierce at the sheepish smile she gave her. Yang knows very well that she deserved this, that she brought this to herself, but she didn't expect her sister to be this mad with her!
"Aww, c'mon, Sis. I didn't do it on purpose, really! I mean it when I said I need to meet and hang around my friends here!"
Lies and slander, some part of her shouted from the back of her mind. There's basically no one in here that Yang truly knows or even acquainted with, what with her classmates back at Signal being too scared to attempt their chance at Beacon. The cowards.
"So?" A progress!
"Wellll... Since I know that you're not that close with anyone from my group, I think you would appreciate it more if I leave you alone while I have a chat with my friends."
Ruby's frown become even deeper, "And you have to try doing something by yourself, Rubes! Who knows what kind of people you might find and make friend with."
Surprisingly, Ruby's expression did a complete somersault at that and it took Yang off guard. The glare slowly disappeared, and soon an excited look took it's place on her face.
"Oh, oh! There's actually this cool guy I met, Yang! You gotta know him!" Her silver eyes then roamed around the room, searching for this so called friend of her, "Wait, he's gone? Where did he go?"
Yang curiously followed the trail of her gaze. "Who are you looking for, Sis?"
"My friend," Yang almost can't believe what she's hearing, "He was behind me seconds ago. Now he's gone."
"Oh, Ruby!" She slung her arm around Ruby's shoulders, holding her tight, "I'm so proud of you! You finally break out of your shell!"
"Yaaang!" The little girl squeaked in protest. "I have enough of Jounn invading my space! Not you too!"
...
What? "What?"
"My friend," Ruby continued with exasperated look, but Yang could clearly see how her cheeks grow darker with shade of red, "He's kinda touchy and very close I guess..."
Yang had to stare at her little sister with zero emotion and total silence. And to her surprise, Ruby was completely unaware to Yang's ominous stare. She was completely absorbed in her thought, with tint of rosy pink painting her cheeks and finger meekly touching the side-bang that framed the shy smile on her face.
Like a maiden in love.
...
Yang had to meet this guy.
"He also said that my hair and eyes are beautiful. I don't know why he do that, but it's doesn't really feels bad and kinda makes me all floaty. Though, I don't know what to do when he smirked at me and stared at my eyes for so long..."
...
What's this? A personal hell for her? Her eyes left Ruby for only a moment and this is the result of her carelessness? Her poor innocent Ruby being tainted?
"That's it, I will never leave you after this."
"Huh? Wha?" Ruby finally snapped out of whatever trance she was having and stared at her with incredulous gaze.
"Whoever this dude you're talking about, I don't really think he sounds like a good person, Ruby. And that's why I see it necessary to... keep you safe from him."
"Wha? Yaaang! I'm not a little girl anymore! And Jounn isn't really a bad guy! He may look really scary at first, but he's very cool and... er, well, he can be a bullying jerk, but I can tell that he's a good person! I mean, he teaches me a really cool trick with aura and also promises to teach me more about a lot of things. Did you know that he actually made his weapon by himself? Without anyone else, Yang! He forged that beautiful axe all by himself with smithing tool, materials and nothing else! How awesome do you think is that!?"
Yang had to actually take a step back as her sister become even more heated with each words that she spewed out of her mouth.
Horror and disbelief found itself taking over her face as she watched how Ruby revered the so-called Jounn with awe and wonder, realizing the truth of her current, dire situation.
How far has she fallen into this man's machination? How deep had he managed to sink his fang into her? Unless she personally meet this guy in person, Yang felt like she wouldn't have any hope to save Ruby from the trap he had oh-so-skillfully laid for her.
It made her sick, the thought reminded her to the despair she had felt a long time ago. She hated it.
And with that, Yang's eyes shone and turned ablaze.
-oOo-
Pyrrha rested her back against the smooth wall and took a deep breath to calm herself down. The pounding in her head had forced her to close her eyes. Exhausted sigh escaped her lips, no matter how many times she had to experience that, she could never get used to it.
Being a powerful warrior had always been her dream, but she can't say she loved being a champion. The wight of expectation was too heavy on her shoulders, and her fans was always being overwhelming at the wrong time.
And how wrong she was when she thought that Beacon would be her escape route. It was even worse than normal civilians if she was being honest since she was surrounded by people who thinks too highly about themselves and tried to challenge her.
Don't get her wrong, she loved to fight and test herself against other fighter, but she much preferred someone who is on equal ground with her or even more capable than her.
Luckily, Pyrrha had managed to slip herself out of the messy crowd into some random empty hallways. Though, now she wondered where she was supposed to sleep since the ballroom doesn't sounds like a great option.
"... Mr. Aerikson, I really, really do admire your passion for learning, but now is not the appropriate time-"
"But Teacher Glynda! Let myself see it for a moment, let myself see this Library and I will be content for the time being! I am just curious, I swear it in the name of Bogr!"
Pyrrha's perked up at the approaching voice from around the corner of the hallway. But before she could it even get herself up and turn away, the two sources of those voices has rounded the turn and spotted her sprawling on the floor.
Though, she didn't stay on that position for long as her eyes landed on Glynda Goodwitch, the Headmistress of Beacon.
"Ms. Nikos?"
"Y-yes?"
"May I know what are you doing here?"
Not even Pyrrha could look at this woman straight in her eyes, "U-umm, I'm sorry ma'am. I'm sort of... lost. I promise I will return to the ballroom quickly! I'm so sorry for the trouble!"
With that the red-haired girl was prepared, to return to the pit of-
"Ms. Nikos, where are you going?"
"Er, back to the hall?"
Her answer causes Glynda to sigh, "I'm just asking about what are you doing in here, not sending you back there."
Huh? She didn't?
"Even if I don't like to play favorite with my students, it doesn't mean I didn't understand about your situation. In fact, I may be able to come up with a..." The blond paused, eyes widening before they looked towards her companion that has been ignored for awhile, "...solution for you."
As her attention began to shift from the Headmistress towards her companion, Pyrrha's light greens met his striking blue and she almost backed away from the sheer intensity they exuded. For some unfathomable reason, she could feels adrenaline being pumped from her beating heart as she further drown into those seas.
It drowns her, it makes her... feels like a deer caught in headlights, it droves her mind into primal states of perseverance. But even with such a vivid emotion flooding through her mind, she failed to understand what's this feeling she was having right now.
"Mr. Aerikson, do you mind if ask you for a favor?" Luckily, Headmistress Glynda was there to break them both from the staring match. "It's for Ms. Nikos here."
Blue eyes flickered from the blonde woman with a raised eyebrows before it settles back at her.
"Jounn Aerikson." The man, Jounn, speak with such a deep voice that she was more convinced that this guy wasn't here for the initiation. A teacher? Probably.
"Pyrrha Nikos." She lifted her hand up, waiting for him to grab it.
But strangely, he only blinked at her before curiously looking at her hand. That is until he lit up in some sort of understanding with a surprised grin.
"Aha! This is the handshake Father have been talking about!" Jounn turned toward the equally confused Headmistress, "Is it not, Teacher Glynda?"
"It... It is."
The man then proceeded to grab her hand and shook her eagerly. "Then Pyrrha Nikos, it is nice to meet you."
"L-likewise." Pyrrha had to suppress a winch before softly taking her hand away from the large, rough grasp. His grip is frickin strong...
"You're strong..." He noted, and she was being entraced by those blue eyes again when his smile gained a more pleased curve, "I like that."
Pyrrha could feel her cheeks began to warm a little bit. Hearing compliment and flattery was like a breakfast for her, but his words carried more than just a mere words.
Yet, it was pretty much like his gaze, she couldn't exactly put her finger on what exactly is it, but the sensation still gives her tingles all over the place.
"I remember that you're asking for my favor, Teacher Glynda." He breaks their eye contact and looked at the other blond, "What is it?"
"Ms. Nikos, do you find it uncomfortable to sleep with everyone in the ballroom? And be honest, I understand your situation."
Hesitanly, Pyrrha answered, "Umm... Yes?"
"Then would you mind staying with Mr. Aerikson here for a night?"
-oOo-
Pyrrha knew that this is a bad idea. Not simply because the blond man she stayed up with was looking like a mountain bandit ready to raid and pillage the nearest settlement, no.
She hope it was as simple as that. It would be easier for her to ignore him or stay as far away from him as possible.
"Your hair, is it common to have a red hair in this land?"
This is a really bad idea. Staying with him was really bad idea.
"Umm... N-no? I'm not a local so I'm not really sure-!"
Pyrrha's breath hitched at her throat as Jounn moves even closer toward her face, eyes staring deep into her soul with glint of zealous curiosity and pleased surprise.
"You're not a local? Then does that mean you're not from here?" The excitement in his eyes shone even more than before, "Tell me, Pyrrha what is your home like?"
Pyrrha could practically feels his breath fueling the heat on her face as she grew more and more flushed from their proximity.
"What are your people like?" Pyrrha wasn't sure whether to have his striking blue eyes to bore into her deepest soul or to roam across her body, "Is that's what your people's armor looked like? Are they a warrior just like you?"
If he was just being a perverted creep, it would be easier for her to push him away and curse his existence. But no, he have to look like he was a child with thousands questions about everything and eagerness to find their answer until he was satisfied. She simply doesn't have the strength to reject him.
But at least, can't he tried to keep himself at healthy distance from her? She knew that he was a foreigner from distant land, but do they really don't have a tact for personal boundaries there?
Pyrrha was used to seeing shirtless men fighting in the arena back at home and prided herself for not being easily flustered by it, but she was sure as hell not used with having a half-naked man hovering around her with his giant figure and face inches away from each other.
The fact that they're in a bedroom, alone, and sitting on top of a bed wasn't helping the situation either. Now come to think of it, oh gods, Pyrrha felt like she was about to explode.
"U-umm... Jounn? Can you... Back away a little bit?" She finally found the will to do that.
"Ah, forgive me." With that, Pyrrha now can get a breath for herself, "I can get... overbearing when excited."
His dark chuckle caused the redhead to giggle nervously along with him, "W-well, it's fine. I can understand that. I mean, I'm sure you have a lot to ask."
"Of course I do. I'm a curious man. I'm want to know a lot of things, including you."
Pyrrha felt like she want to shrink as her heart skipped a beat upon hearing his words. His gaze, she want to get away from them. "W-well, what do you want to know?"
"You." The amount of attention he put on her is making her lightheaded, it was so different from the attention she got from her fan and she doesn't know what to do with it, "Are you a warrior?"
The question somehow put an ease to her heart, "I am. Not necessarily as strong as the member of faculty, but you could say that I'm far stronger than my peers."
"Ahhh, is that what Teacher Glynda means by calling you a "Champion"? I see, I see. Then that means you're really strong, no?"
"Well, I guess, but like I sai-"
"It's perfect then!" Without a warning, he grab hold of her hand.
"What?"
"Before I sailed south, I made a vows with my father and the All-Father that I will explore the world and seek knowledge. But I also made a promise with the Great-Mother, Lyrh, that I will bring home a new family of mine. A strong one. Do you know what does that mean, Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha should have backed away, should have push him away, but his gaze, it was as if she was under the charm of magic, swaying her heart to do the unthinkable. As their distance began to slowly close once again, she answered without a thought.
"What does it mean?"
His smirk widened, "It means that I'm looking for a wife."
Before she knows it, Pyrrha could feel her back plopped down unto the soft and smooth fabric of bed. And there he was, looming over her with his towering figure.
"Would you want to become one, Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha's disoriented mind halted to screech, leaving an empty space inside her head. There's no nothing that occupies her head at the moment, except for every inches of details of the man before her.
About how his face, despite looking so rough and rugged, was still plenty with youthfulness and lovely charm. About the soft curvature and every sharp edges of his muscles that beautifully carved into his adonis figure. About his striking manly scene. About his bearded jaw that she wanted to touch. About his sparkling blue eyes and the devilish smile that adorns his face.
Pyrrha was about to burst. Her heart was literally about to burst. And her face was so hot she feels like she can cook an egg on her forehead.
Deep down, she should push him away, fought him off, free her restrained arms, curse him for this ridiculous act or at least scream for help. Pride be damned.
But no, she can't. She wouldn't. Her voice was practically robbed from her the moment those azure orbs zeroed on her. She was drawn to them, drowning into them and all of her energy was drained by them.
And somehow, in some way, she find herself accept this fate. Maybe it won't be that bad. She would be lying if she said he wasn't attractive. Maybe it would be even better for her! Living to whatever place this barbarian go. Living in a woods or living on the road.
Doesn't sounds so bad at all-
*Tap*
The cloudy haze in Pyrrha's eyes disappeared in an instance the moment she felt a light slap on her cheek.
Jounn smirked amusedly at her.
"I am just joking, my friend."
...
Oh gods.
Pyrrha feels like dying already after she dug herself a grave to crawl into.
Here she is, thinking about a stranger she just met less than two hours ago in a very ridiculous way. No. Wait, no. This is not her fault. This is him messing around with her! She shouldn't be ashamed to begin with!
The shy-ish look on her completely flushed face began to change into an adorable frown. Her quivering lips tightened into unamused line while her eyes sharpened into a cute glare with the intend to bore hole into his head.
Unfortunately for her, for some reason, her weak rage only managed to brighten the savage glint in his eyes. And before she could free herself from him, Jounn descended down and whispered sweetly to her ears.
"Though, if you're interested about it, I don't mind to grab your weak self for myself."
At last, she was given her freedom, but at what cost. Her not being able to sleep? Absolutely.
Pyrrha bolted away toward the bathroom and slammed the door shut, silencing the dark chuckle the beast of a man had let out to laugh at her plight.
She slid down unto a crouching position, burning face buried into her two hands while imaginary steam rolled out of her ears.
Pyrrha changed her mind. This is absolutely a bad idea. Agreeing with Ms. Goodwitch is a bad idea. Having acquainted with Jounn Aerikson was bad idea. It was all a bad idea if she ended up getting humiliated and mortified-!
No, wait. If she gave it up now, it means that she accepted his words! Unacceptable! Is this what those people feels when she defeated them? It's so unbearable!
Now she understand what exactly those complicated emotions that she feels the first time she met him. He was looking at her as a starved beast, like a predator aiming to feast on her.
But what offended her the most isn't the way he looked at her like a prey. No, it was the way he looked down at her, like she was a plaything that doesn't deserve any purpose other than fulfilling his sick sense of amusement.
She simply can't accept that!
Pyrrha never considered herself to be a prideful person, heck, most people even called her too humble as a champion. But now, after she had tasted defeat, she could feel her long forgotten ego had awakened and demanded retribution.
Just you wait, Jounn Aerikson, Pyrrha Nikos wasn't called the Goddess of Victory for no reason.
-oOo-
Never have I thought I would write sweet innocent Pyrrha this way, but here it is.
Anyway, this is kinda wish-fulfilment-ish and self-insert-ish so I understand if most won't like that. That's why this story used the side character's pov more than then mc. But of course, if you still don't like it, I understand that, it's not like this is everyone's cup of pee.
On another note, what do you think about making it full braindead with having a fem!Ren?