Feelings
Pyrrha was in the waiting room. Doctor Scarlatina was nice enough to allow her to sleep there as she waited for Jaune to wake up.
Everyone kept telling her that the signs were good and that he'd be up anyday now.
But it had been two long, painful weeks, with not so much as a twitch.
She'd been checking up on him for every last day of those two weeks, waiting for hours upon hours for anything.
A twitch, a groan, anything that would tell her Jaune was coming back to her. Upon insistence from Ren and Nora, Pyrrha allowed herself occasional peroids of rest away from Jaune in the waiting room, while one of them would keep watch for any sign of movement.
She was grateful for the reprieve, but every second away from him broke her heart.
The doors swung open to reveal a particularly happy Nora, skipping into the waiting room. Pyrrha could only assume that she'd just returned from tormenting Cardin.
Pyrrha couldn't help but conjure up a weak smile at the thought of the overgrown bully getting a taste of what it's like to be afraid.
I should feel sorry and yet…no nothing
"Gooood mooooorrrnniiiing!", sung the bubbly berserker.
Pyrrha made some room, clearing herself of Nora's cannonball straight onto the sofa that had served as Pyrrha's bed.
Nora reached into her pocket to pull out several packets of sweets and chocolate.
"I got them from the vending machine outside. Here have some".
Pyrrha raised her eyebrow quizzically. "Nora, how'd you even get enough lien to get all of that?"
"Why would I need lien?", replied a confused Nora.
It was Nora's confused face and the distant call of "Hey who smashed the vending machine!?", the allowed Pyrrha to put two and two together.
"Nora", she said sternly.
But one pair of puppy dog eyes and she was forgiven.
"It's very sweet of you Nora, but…"
"Oh no ya don't miss!", interjected Nora. "You are gonna waste away here if you don't eat anything and I will not allow my best friend, well best girl friend, not girlfriend girl friend, but you know what I mean. Anyway, my point is, you have to eat something, so take a chocolate bar", she pleaded.
"Thank you Nora", Pyrrha said, gratefully accepting the food.
It was nothing special, just the typical sugar filled treats you could find in any vending machine in vale. But after two weeks of stressful waiting, the confectionary snacks provided a brief sensation of joy, even if it was only temporary.
"Mmmmh, these are good Nora".
"Yeah. The chocolate squares are awesome!"
The two girls sat on the couch, enjoying the candy for a good while. Then, Nora being Nora, was the first to break the silence.
Only this time, her face did not have the typically carefree expression was replaced with one bearing a far more serious guise.
"Pyrrha, it wasn't your fault…"
Pyrrha waved a hand to interject.
"I know Nora. It was a fierce battle and casualties are always possible. I knew that when I signed up for Beacon".
"I wasn't talking about Jaune's injuries. I meant it's not your fault you didn't tell him you…"
Pyrrha hung her head down, not wanting Nora to continue. Nora merely leaned in, determined to make her point known.
"You love him Pyrrha. You know it".
Pyrrha raised her head back up a little to look Nora in the eye.
"I had so much time to tell him. Why did I wait so long? Why couldn't I have been brave enough to just tell him that?"
Nora reached out and hugged Pyrrha tightly.
"You are brave Pyrrha! You're like, the bravest person in Remnant. You're just really nervous".
"What if…what if he doesn't feel the same and I ruin on of the first few real friendships I've ever had in my life? If I…"
Nora straightened Pyrrha's posture, turning her shoulders and looking her straight in the eyes, her own blue ones filled with absolute certainty in her words.
"Pyrrha, there are only two ways you telling the truth could go. Either, A, Jaune doesn't somehow feel the same way about you and you two feel awkward for like, a week at most, because that guy really, really, REALLY likes you and wouldn't stop being your friend even if meant a horrible, nasty, painful…"
"Uhm, Nora?"
"You get the idea. Or, B, you tell him how you feel, he feels the same, you two are happy, I'm very happy and Ren, well Ren won't say much but he'll be happy too, but not as happy as me cus you two together is gonna be so cute and then you two will be even happier than me because you'll be in love!"
Pyrrha could only look in astonishment as Nora finished all of that without a single breathe while speaking. But more importantly, she was right.
She and Jaune had forged a bond over the past year. One that no mere words, good or ill, would ever destroy that. If at worst, they'd feel a little uncomfortable, maybe even hurt for a while, their friendship would still stay strong.
But if he really did feel the same…
If what he was going to say on the battle field was what she hoped for, what she prayed for…
Then nothing is too costly for that.
And no fear is strong enough to keep me from that
Pyrrha inhaled deeply, stood up, and spoke.
"I'm going to tell him. As soon as he wakes up I'm going to tell him that I love him".
Nora sprung right of off the sofa and jumped up and down, practically squealing.
"Yay!"
Pyrrha brought Nora into a hug, thankful for the push her friend gave her.
Now I just need to wait for Jaune to wake up…
And at that very moment, Dr Scaraltina walked in.
"Miss Nikos, I have good news. Mr Ren just sent word. It appears Mr Arc has woken up and is, very insistent that he speak with you.
Pyrrha didn't know what to do.
No, she did know what to do, she just had trouble believing this was real.
Nora tugged at her arm, smiling warmly.
"What are you waiting for? Go to him".
Pyrrha nodded, thanked Dr Scarlatina profusely for everything and then bolted down that hall.
This is it. This is the day I tell him the truth
"Ooooooowwwwwwwwww".
It wasn't much, but it accurately summed up how Jaune was feeling.
His pack felt like a swarm if tiny insects were biting away at his skin.
He strained to open his eyes, his vision blurry at first.
It didn't take him long to recognise his surroundings as that of a hospital. If all the machinery and white wasn't a good enough clue, the pain in his back was a pretty good reason for him to be here.
Jaune had very grizzly memories of how exactly he got that pain. He was no stranger to ferocious Grimm but this one prolonged his suffering, like it was enjoying it.
If I ever see that much of my own blood again, it'll be too soon
Still, it could be worse. His head and chest were pretty much back to normal, save for a few sores here and there and his back only really hurt if he got up to quickly.
As his vision became clearer, he saw a familiar green outline, with a hint of black at the top.
Wait that's a person. I know who that is
He squinted to see Ren, patiently reading a book at the end of the room.
Naturally Jaune was pleased to see a familiar face after nothing but darkness for…
How long have I been asleep?
In truth it wasn't just the darkness that haunted him. While he was asleep, Jaune was haunted by a cruel dream. A dream in which all he could hear was Pyrrha's lovely voice. And the only words she said were, "I love you Jaune Arc".
Figures that the only way to make nearly being eaten by a monster Grimm worse is to be taunted with the words he so desperately wanted to hear, but never would.
At that moment, Ren noticed out of the corner of his eye that his leader was now awake. Even for his calm demeanour, he burst out into a very pleased grin.
"Jaune, you're awake. Excellent".
"Hey Ren", he grunted with a smile as he tried to sit himself up. It hurt at first, so Ren closed his book and strolled up to his friend, helping him up.
"Thanks man".
"Of course. However I must point out that the doctors did specify against increased movement".
"Yeah", Jaune chuckled. "Gonna have to agree with them on that.
Ren stayed there with Jaune for a while, making sure he was okay.
"Well, I should go tell Pyrrha and Nora that you're awake".
Pyrrha
Just then it all flooded back to him.
Her worry stricken face.
Her secure and gentle embrace as he bled all over the floor.
His attempt to tell Pyrrha how he loved her.
Before Ren could make it to the double doors, Jaune called him back over.
"Ren, wait a minute".
Ren turned around sharply and walked back up to Jaune.
"Pyrrha…when I was stabbed by the alpha, I was going to tell her…"
Jaune didn't know if he could go on speaking.
No you damn coward, you are going to tell the truth
"I was going to tell her I love her".
Ren merely looked around awkwardly.
"Uhhhh…."
"Gah! I knew it was weird! I mean, what am I thinking? But I can't help it Ren. I mean, Pyrrha's just…perfect".
He hung his head solemnly.
"I know she hates people calling her that but it's true. She's kind, funny, smart, beautiful, a total badass and...she never thinks about herself. Even if she deserves to more than anyone else".
Ren tried to back off slowly out the door, but froze again when Jaune turned back to him.
"And me…I'm just an idiot who got here by dumb luck. There's no way in a million years. She's amazing and I'm me. It's just never gonna happen".
He looked downtrodden at the floor.
"Even if I really wish it could".
And I do. God I really do
Ren stopped trying to flee upon seeing his friend's misery.
"Jaune…"
"And what if I screw everything up!? Pyrrha is the best partner and friend I could ever ask for. If I throw that away, I'll never be able to forgive myself. I can't".
"Uh…"
"But…what if…", Jaune shook his head.
"Nah it's stupid".
But when did that ever stop Jaune?
"But, and this is a very slim chance, what if she felt the same? What if she felt the same way as I do? What if she really felt the same way?"
Ren raised a hand to speak, but was cut off by Jane's sudden burst of optimism and so remained silent.
"Yeah, what if she did? That would be…Ren that what be amazing! And even if she doesn't, she's a great, caring person. She's a real friend and me and her would get over this. She'd never let what we have die, not without a fight. Cardin couldn't wreck it and neither could a monster sized Grimm. And if she does feel the same way…then I am done waiting to tell her how much I've loved her for all this time".
He looked over to Ren, his eyes bright and his smile wide.
"I'm gonna tell her Ren. The minute she walks through those doors, I'll tell her".
It's about damn time
"Thanks for the talk Ren".
Ren smiled and nodded.
"Anytime Jaune".
Ren made his way to the doors, but was called back to again by Jaune.
"Hey Ren? I know a bunch of doctors are gonna come in soon poking aound and running tests, but before all that…could you bring Pyrrha here?"
Jaune couldn't see Ren's grin.
"Jaune, it would be my pleasure".
Jaune lay back down and waited.
This is it. This is the day I've been waiting for
Pyrrha was still racing down the hall upon Ren's contacting doctor Scarlatina.
She'd never moved so quick in her life.
She dodged patients and hospital staff alike.
Nothing was going to stop her.
She arrived at the doors keeping her from Jaune's room and kicked the doors wide open.
And then, the two only looked at each other, speechless.
A million thoughts racing through their heads.
One stood out amongst them all.
I have to say it