Angst. Angst. Angst.

Part III
Forever Fall

It may have seemed obstinate and overly stubborn, but Steve would rather chop off his own arm than admit he was being bullied.

Sure, Cat and Cillian would murder whoever was doing it, and he had a feeling that Aislinn and Bryony would join in, but he didn't want them to defend him. If he was going to survive at Beacon, he wanted to do it alone. This wouldn't have been so bad, but not only was Morgan Davies blackmailing him to comply with his every whim, but Steve himself had managed to make Bryony cry, which made him just as much as an arsehole as Morgan. All she had wanted to do was help him.

"Steve, I was thinking…" Her voice as usual was soft and hesitant. He had no idea how a woman who was such a strong fighter could doubt herself so much, but she did, at least when it came to anything off the battlefield. "I was thinking that, as we both use shields, maybe we could practise together sometimes? Learn new techniques and build on each other's strengths and weaknesses."

She was wording everything so carefully, so kindly, that it made him want to cry. Bryony had to be the kindest, the gentlest person he'd ever met; indeed, she did nothing without first overthinking how it could possibly emotionally wound anyone else. He could tell Cillian had noticed this as well, which was probably why his cousin didn't seem to be able to take his eyes off of his partner; not that Bryony has noticed, of course. And now she was standing in front of him on the roof of the school, putting down her own skill, pretending that she wanted to practise for her own sake, so that he wouldn't feel embarrassed. She'd even taken him away to a secluded spot so no one had to know.

And her sweet, earnest face, looking up at him hopefully was fucking stabbing him in the heart.

"You think I'm weak?" he said, somehow managing to keep his voice steady.

"No!" she cried, her eyes widening. "No, of course not! I didn't say that. I just thought maybe…maybe we could help each other."

"Bryony, you don't need help!" he snapped. "And don't patronise me by pretending you do! I'm the one who needs help. I'm fucking useless!"

"Steve! Don't say that! Of course you're not useless. Just sometimes people reach a point in their lives where they need some extra practise, or encouragement when dealing with a new situation."

"Bryony, I can do this!"

"I know you can! That's why I want to practise with you. After all, you got into Beacon, you're completely capable."

That was the finishing blow. Her words were like a knife in his heart, and he turned away from her, staring out across the rooftops so she wouldn't see him blinking away bitter tears.

"You're wrong," he said softly. "I don't belong here."

"That's a terrible thing to say," she insisted, "Of course you do."

"NO!" he rounded on her, gritting his teeth. "I don't!"

And that was when he broke.

"I wasn't really accepted into Beacon, Bryony!" he said, his voice shaking.

"W…what do you mean?" she said.

"I mean I LIED! I got terrible marks at Signal, and I hid it from my family. I didn't sit the entrance exams. I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I LIED, okay?"

"But…but why?"

"I didn't think it would matter, flunking school. I thought I could just pretend, and graduate, and go off and do something else. But then Cat and Cillian said they were applying for Beacon and…and I couldn't bear to be left behind. I couldn't bear my family to know that I was just...just a failure. Both my parents were Huntsmen, my mum was a fucking legend, Bryony, and I couldn't…I just…" A tear had rolled down his cheek, plopping onto his collar. "I couldn't bear to see everyone's disappointed faces when they realised that the only thing I'm talented at is…is drawing! That is the only thing I can do, and how am I going to protect the world with paper and a pencil?"

"Steve, if that is the case, then please, let me help you. We can do this together! No one ever needs to know. You can catch up. You can be a huntsman!"

"I don't want your help!" He had pushed aside the reassuring hand she'd placed on his shoulder, yelled in her face. "I don't want…don't want to be some kind of damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!"

"Steve-"

"I'm tired of being the lovable idiot stuck in the tree whilst his friends fight for their lives! Don't you understand? If I don't do this on my own, then what good am I?"

Still, she had reached for him, but the pity in her eyes only made him more ashamed and more enraged and so he had pushed her away.

"Steve, no one learns to fight alone! Everyone needs a teacher. Please, let me be yours!"

"Just leave me alone!"

She had flinched back, and he'd seen tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath, her body shaking. "I'm…I'm sorry…" she stuttered. "If…if that's what you think is best…"

And Bryony had walked away, but not before he saw the tears escaping down her cheeks. He had collapsed on the roof in a miserable heap, only stirring when an awfully familiar laugh had reached his ears.

And so Morgan Davies, who had been teasing him, and shoving him into the rocket propelled lockers, and kicking his arse in combat class for weeks had overheard every word.

That had been two weeks ago. Since then, he'd spent most of his time doing Morgan's homework, and tidying his room, and a variety of other unpleasant tasks. He had spent most of this evening locating the objects which Morgan had asked him to get for the school trip the next day. Now, finally, his tasks for the day were done and he headed back to his room, slinking in and flopping on his bed. His teammates looked up as he came in, and Cillian opened his mouth to speak, but Steve rolled over on the bed, turning his back on them.

He could feel Cillian's confusion and hurt rolling off him in waves, but if he explained, then they'd have to know that shameful truth too, and he couldn't bear that.

"Class today was really interesting," Aislinn said, sitting on her bed on the girl's side of the room. "History lessons are so fascinating."

"It was very interesting to learn about the Faunus war," Bryony agreed. "It really is shameful how humanity has treated Faunus in the past. No wonder organisations like the White Fang come into being."

"And it was an absolute joy to watch you put that tosser Morgan down a peg," Cillian said. "Nicely done, Bry."

"Well, Cat and Aislinn helped," she said modestly. "I just can't stand him. You know I saw him tugging on a Faunus girl's ears the other day? Disgusting."

"And when he said they won the battle because 'animals are easier to train'?" Aislinn said. "I could have slapped him."

"I wish you had, Ash," Cillian said. "Now that would have been something."

"It really was unfair of the Professor to lump you in with him Steve," Aislinn said cautiously. "If you need any help with your extra essay, I'd be more than happy to-"

"I'm fine," Steve snapped, stunning Aislinn into silence. "I don't need your help." There was a pregnant pause.

"I…well…" Aislinn stammered. "If you're sure."

Steve could feel Cillian's questioning eyes boring into his back, but didn't turn around. If he did, they'd see the hot, angry tears that were burning his eyes.

"Well…maybe we should all get some sleep," Bryony said tactfully. "We do have the trip tomorrow after all."

"Yeah. Sounds…sound like a good idea," Aislinn said, her voice shaking slightly. "Night guys."

-o-

The forest of Forever Fall was the same as it had been three years ago. Cat walked through the trees, trailing after Robyn, and trying to supress the memories that were threatening to surface.

Hair blowing in the wind, him in front of her, leaping down onto the tracks…

She shuddered and closed her eyes, pressing the heels of her hands into the sockets in order to dispel the memories. Stars bloomed in the velvet blackness of her closed eyelids.

"What you doing, nutter?"

Robyn's voice broke the spell, and she dropped her arms, blinking like a deer in headlights. "Huh? Oh. Nothing."

"Yes, students, the Forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful," Professor Nagi said, ushering along Rie who had stopped to look at leaves. "But we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I am here to make sure than none of you die doing so. Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay with your teams. We will meet back here at four o'clock. Have fun."

Cat linked arms with Robyn, with whom, against her better judgement, she was now fast friends, especially after they had spent a morning making the four single beds in their room into two highly unstable bunkbeds, much to Ciaran's annoyance and Rie's delight. They had been at Beacon two months now and Cat wasn't sure she'd ever been happier. Rie was like the little sister she had never wanted, to both her and Robyn. Robyn herself was probably the best friend she'd ever had, excluding relatives, of course. And Ciaran was incredibly fun to wind up, plus incredibly easy on the eyes, something she and Robyn had both definitely noticed, although she had gracefully conceded dibs to her partner.

Robyn suddenly let go of her, shrieking, and Cat burst out laughing as she saw Rie clinging to her back. "Piggybaaaaack!"

"Rie, you are fifteen, grow up!" Ciaran snapped from their other side.

"I don't need your help to grow up!" Rie said smugly. "I drink MILK!"

Cat's cackling intensified at the murderous look on her team leaders face

"Lighten up Ciaran," Robyn said, hoisting Rie up onto her back properly. "We're still all kids, really."

"Speak for yourself," he said, although Cat noticed that his eyes softened slightly when they rested on her partner.

Get in there, girl!

A red leaf drifted past Cat's face.

"Catherine. It's time."

"Okay."

She had run after him through the forest to the slope overlooking the tracks. She had waited for his signal before jumping and sliding down the slope, disturbing the leaves that lay on the red grass, throwing them up around her, red leaves flying into her face-

"Cat?"

She started, and saw Robyn worried face staring at her. Rie was distracted off chasing the leaves, but Ciaran was watching her with something that could possibly be akin to concern.

"Are you okay?" her friend asked. "You look…not okay."

"I'm fine," Cat snapped, her tone coming out harsher than intended. "I just…just didn't sleep well last night. I'm tired. It's nothing."

Subconsciously, she reached up, checking the black bow on her head was in place, before pressing on, following Rie through the forest, ignoring the looks from her teammates.

-o-

Steve was not having a good day. That is to say, most of his days right now weren't particularly great, put this one was especially bad. He collapsed under the trees, a little way away from Morgan and his team, after having depositing six jars of the requested sap in front of them.

"So Steve," Morgan said, giving him a grin. "I bet you're wondering why I've asked you to get six jars of sap, when there's only five of us."

"….That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes."

"Well, come with me and you'll find out," Morgan said with a smirk, before grabbing Steve by the collar and dragging him along after him.

Steve eventually found himself on top of a ledge, overlooking the other students. He glanced over at Morgan. "What's going on?" he said, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach.

"Payback," Morgan said with another nasty smirk.

Steve followed his gaze, and saw that his eyes were fixed on Bryony.

"Little Miss Perfect. Who does she think she is, showing me up in class? No, she needs to be taught a lesson. And you Steve, are going to do it." He pressed the extra jar of sap into Steve's unresisting hand. "Last night, you rounded us up a bunch of rapier wasps. And it just so happens that these little nasties love sweet things. Just like that nice sap we've all been collecting. So you hit her with the sap. Or I'll have a nice little chat with Nagi, and you'll been on the first airship out of Beacon."

Steve found himself pulled to his feet. He stared down at the jar in his hand, and then over at Bryony. Jar. Bryony. She wouldn't know it was him. She probably wouldn't. So why was his hand shaking so much. She had been so kind to him. She'd done her best to be a good team leader and a good…a good friend. He raised his arm to throw the sap…

And let his arm fall again.

"No."

"What did you just say to me?" Morgan said disbelievingly.

"I said…NO!" Steve whirled and flung the jar at Morgan as hard as he could. It shattered, covering the other boy in sticky pink sap.

Morgan shook his head slowly, a cruel smile lighting up his face. "Oh Stevey…you are going to regret that."

The ground was very hard, Steve reflected, as he was thrown backwards onto the earth with a thump. A kick to the stomach left him retching, but when he tried to curl up into a protective ball, Morgan just grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him up to punch him in the face again, sending him back down to the ground.

"You know that wasn't very smart, Stevey," Morgan said, yanking him up again for another punch. "I'm going to make sure that they send you back to your mummy in teeny-tiny pieces."

Steve let out a snort, despite the pain in his face. He thought his cheekbone might be fractured. "I mean, sending me back to my mum would kinda get you arrested," he said. "She's kinda dead."

"Awww…." Morgan cooed. "Look at that. She must have been dying to get away from you."

Steve spat in his face. "I don't care what you do, or say to me," he said. "But you leave me team…my friends…you leave them alone."

Morgan laughed, bringing Steve's face very close to his. "What, you think talk like that makes you tough? You think you're a big strong man now?"

Steve felt his mouth twist into a bitter smile. Well, after all, he had wanted to be the hero.

He watched Morgan's fist come towards his face as if in slow motion, closed his eyes, readying for the blow-

There was a yell, and Steve felt Morgan let him go. Slowly he opened his eyes. His hands, his arms- hi entire body were glowing a vibrant orange. He'd activated his aura!

Morgan yelled, rubbing his hand. His glowered at Steve. "That's it, Cray," he said in a low voice. "You wanna play it that way? Let's see how much of a man you really are."

It was then that a roar burst through the clearing, and Morgan's team mates scattered screaming.

-o-

Cat's team had eventually joined up with BACS…well that is, BACS minus the 'S'. Cillian had been giving her looks all morning as if he wanted to talk, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. She wanted to ask about Steve, but right now everything just felt so...raw.

"URSA, URSA!" three screaming boys broke the companionable silence which had developed between the two teams as they worked. And Cat looked up to see Cillian grab one of them by the front.

"Ursa?" he said. "Where?"

"Back there!" the boy said, looking as if he was going to cry. "It's got Morgan!"

"Steve!" Aislinn cried, her big silver eyes widening.

"Ciaran, Rie, Robyn," Cat said. "Go and get Nagi! Cillian, come on!"

"I'm coming with you!" Aislinn said, drawing her blade.

Bryony nodded. "Me too. There could be more."

The four of them began to sprint through the trees, towards the sound of battle.

Red leaves, running, the train in the distance…

NO.

Cat bit her tongue until she drew blood, jerking herself back to reality. She needed to be focused.

They rounded a bend in the path, and there was Morgan in a clearing. The giant Ursa, and Alpha Ursa had struck his weapon from his hand. It raised a paw to strike-

Clang.

And there was Steve, shield raised, in between the Ursa and Morgan. Cat went to charge, Aislinn raised her weapon to do the same, but Bryony flung her arms our, holding them both back. "Wait!"

Cat gave the girl a look that suggested she was crazy, but saw understanding on Cillian's face.

"Let him have his fight," he cousin said. "He needs to do this."

Steve swung his sword, sending the creature staggering back. It swung a clawed limb, but he managed a successful combat roll, dodging the attack. A second strike sent him reeling back. Cat watched as Bryony checked her scroll; Steve's aura was in the red, under 15%. This wasn't good.

But Bryony's eyes were now back on her twin, fixed upon his stirkes. And her brother, Cat's stupid, lovable brother, saw his aura was in the red. And he charged that monster without hesitating. His sword was too high, his shield was leaving him exposed. Cat's eyes widened in horror….

And Bryony reached out a hand.

His sword edged down a little. His shield moved to block the Ursa's claw. The claws bounced off of the shield and the blade of his sword went straight through its neck.

Cat turned to stare at the blonde girl beside her. "Uhm. What just happened?"

"Well, Aislinn has her glyphs," Bryony said. "Steve has his mind reading. My semblance is telekinesis. I can move objects with my mind."

"Oh," Cat sad, her eyes widening slightly. She looked back at Bryony, but the girl was already heading back the way they'd come. "Wait…where are you going? We've got to tell them what happened!"

"We could…" Bryony said shyly, "Or…perhaps we could just keep it our little secret."

Cat caught the look that Cillian sent Bryony at that moment, as if she was the sun and he were a planet stuck in her orbit. Her mouth twisted slightly. "Sure. Whatever. Why not."

She turned and headed back down the path as well, silently. She hated the feeling spreading through her, the same feeling she got whenever Steve looked at Aislinn. Like she was nothing to them anymore.

It didn't matter.

It didn't.

She didn't need them.

She didn't need anyone.

There was a clang as her blade sliced through the chain holding the train cars together. He was holding out a hand of stop her, but she knew he wouldn't get there in time.

"Goodbye."

As her car pulled away from his, she thought to herself how the leaves drifting down through the air were as red as blood.