So, I'll warn now: THIS IS BASICALLY A FILLER CHAPTER. MAINLY CHARACTER/RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT. I put that because I didn't want to disappoint anyone because I know a majority of stuff I write is action based. I wrote this chapter as an easy chapter for me to edit so I can focus solely on my papers, which is going on now. Also shout out to Paramore who is a good group and literally there song is why I wrote this whole chapter. Hopeless romantic here, sorry about that. About episode 2: that was really awesome. They set up plot points for the rest of the season, Winter is teased, I cant believe fucking Gavin is the voice of Scarlet, that just made me laugh. Qrow is gonna be a fun character but I do wish they had shown more of Sage. Oh, and Nora's semblance! So badass! Can't wait for the rest of the season! Hope you guys enjoy the chapter and I'll see you next Monday!

Chapter 15

Three months had passed since the assault on the Guild's HQ. Teams JNPR, ABRN and CFVY, along with help from team RWBY, had taken down the White Fang and had put its leaders, including Adam Taurus, behind bars. Aero was fully recovered and enjoying some much needed downtime, in which he trained but also went on dates with Weiss almost every other day. The two had become nearly inseparable in the three months since the attack and had been enjoying being with each other, only being saddened when she had to go on a Hunt. Everyone was also enjoying the return to normalcy, with Lila and Sebastian looking at their own place to live as everyone else began to pack their things, waiting until after Weiss's birthday to head back to their homes.

"Living with Lila is going to be interesting. Not having you guys around is going to suck," Sebastian said as he looked at an apartment online.

"Yeah. Don't forget if she gets a boyfriend."

"Oh… as an asexual person, I am not excited for this whatsoever," Sebastian said, Aero chuckling and patting his back.

"So, the A-Team is breaking up."

"Never truly breaking up, just forging our own paths now."

"I like that," Aero said, hugging Sebastian, who returned it, "Thanks for everything man."

"Anytime Aero."

"So I have a favor to ask."

"I knew you had ulterior motives for being so sentimental."

"Oh shut up!" Aero said, Sebastian laughing, "How quickly can you learn a song?"

"Depends, why?"

"I need your guitar skills. I didn't get Weiss anything on purpose-"

"Oh why?"

"Because this is a much better gift. Here is the music sheet for the song," he said, taking a paper out of his pocket and handing it to Sebastian, who looked it over.

"I can learn this today, hell it's not too hard."

"Yes! Thanks man!" Aero said, hugging him again and leaving, walking to Weiss's room. He found the heiress brushing her long, snow white hair, staring at a mirror she sat in front of on a bench. The assassin approached her from behind, kissed her neck and looked at her in the mirror, a smile gracing her lips.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hello," she said quietly, kissing him on the lips before breaking off and looking at him with furrowed brows, "What is this I hear that you didn't get me anything on my birthday on purpose?"

"How the hell did you hear me?!"

The next day, Aero was pacing around the kitchen, nervous as the food cooked on the gleaming stove top. It was getting dark, meaning that Weiss would be returning from a high-end salon she took her teammates to for her birthday. Sun and Scarlet were out with Sage and Neptune while Lila and Sebastian had been training all day. Aero wore a buttoned up white shirt, black dress pants and matching shoes, along with shaving to add to his fresh look. Lila and Sebastian entered the kitchen talking and looked Aero over, laughing at him soon after.

"The hell are you guys laughing at!?" he barked.

"Dude, what in the hell?!" Lila asked, gripping a chair for stability, still laughing as Sebastian calmed himself down.

"What in the world are you wearing Aero?"

"What does it look like?"

"Okay, better question: why?"

"I wanna look good for her on her birthday."

"It's so adorable but also stupid," Lila said with a chuckle, Aero plunking her with an orange as a response. She laughed at the pain and shook her head, walking over to Aero and wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Aero, you don't have to do any of this. You won her heart by being the person you are, not trying to be fancy. I say ditch the shirt, throw on something casual and just enjoy the night. The food smells great and you got the cake. How nervous are you?"

"Oh you have no idea."

"Good, you'll do great then," she said, shoving Aero out the kitchen, "Go change!" Aero walked away, grumbling to himself as he ascended to the second floor and threw on a blue shirt and his white hoodie with the diagonal zipper, leaving it unzipped. He came back downstairs and was met with nods of approval from Lila and Sebastian, who was practicing on his guitar. As Aero added sauce to the chicken he had cooking Scarlet and Sun returned, walking into the kitchen.

"Holy shit that smells good," Sun said, sniffing the chicken and having his hand slapped away from the cake by Aero.

"Don't even."

"Yeah, I wouldn't try an assassin on the day of his girlfriend's birthday bro," Scarlet said, shaking his head and getting a nod of thanks from Aero that he gladly returned.

"Oh fine party-pooper," Sun said. The five stayed in the kitchen and talked about everything that was going on. Sun and Blake were going back to Vacuo soon, Scarlet and Ruby would return to Patch surprisingly without her half-sister.

"Wait why?" Sebastian asked, playing his guitar.

"Yang and Sage are dating," Scarlet said with a grin.

"Get the fuck out of here, really?" Lila said with a matching grin, "Oh I'm gonna grill her for not telling me."

"Oh I know and I'll help," Scarlet said, the two fist-bumping, "What about you and Weiss?"

"Good question. I don't mind living here but I think a smaller apartment in Atlas would be nice."

"True that."

"Oh, speaking of Lila, got a place for us in Mistral."

"Nice."

"Wait you guys are gonna live together?" Sun asked.

"Oh yeah," Sebastian said with a nod.

"You guys are dating?"

"No you idiot!" Lila said, smacking Sun upside the back of his head, everyone laughing as he glared at her, rubbing the back of his head and grumbling. Soon enough the front door to the manor opened again to multiple female voices laughing and chatting. The five waited until team RWBY walked into the kitchen, looking well pampered in their old uniforms and joyful as they embraced their friends and significant others.

"How was the salon?" Aero asked Weiss, keeping an arm around her waist.

"Loads of fun, see?" she said, showing off her nails and moving her head around, her off-kilter ponytail moving with it.

"Looking great. Lot of talking and gossip?"

"Always," she said with a smile, the two sharing a quick kiss.

"So what is this I hear you are dating Sage?" Lila asked Yang, who looked at her then at Sun and Scarlet.

"Oh I'm gonna kill you two," she said, everyone laughing as Aero plated the food and handed it to everyone who sat at the table.

"By the way, we have a Hunt tomorrow," Ruby said.

"Who's we?" Sebastian asked.

"The four of us," Blake said, Aero looking at Weiss.

"Seriously? The day after your birthday?"

"Sadly, but it's the job," she said with a shrug as she ate. Aero had been looking forward to spending tomorrow with Weiss, a day they both had off, but knew he would find a way to spend time more time with her eventually.

"That sucks."

"How come you guys haven't gotten called in for anything?" Lila asked the two male Hunters.

"Because they don't need us right now. The whole assigning Hunts thing is based on what they need a team or a specific Hunter for at the moment. Our teams are great overall, but sometimes they feel different touches are needed for different missions," Sun replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Kinda similar to the old Guild days," Sebastian said after swallowing, "Speaking of, Aero, we need to have a chat."

"Hm?"

"Danielle is the last master assassin and I have her location."

"Perfect."

"Why does it matter that she's the last?" Yang asked.

"With no more master assassins, it'll take forever to train the recruits. It also means no high-target, highly experienced guards for Varis. If you take her down-"

"We can go after Varis and end this fight," Aero said, nodding his head, "We'll focus on that later, we need to be happy and excited. It's Weiss's birthday!" he exclaimed, everyone cheering as Weiss shook her head with a smile on her face. Everyone finished eating, sang happy birthday to her as she blew out the candles on her cake and gave her gifts they had bought her. After looking at her new clothing, extra Dust holders and miscellaneous items, all eyes turned to Aero.

"So he didn't get me a gift," Weiss began with a grin, all the Huntress's looking at Aero with wide eyes.

"How in the fuck-"

"Don't start Yang," Aero said, holding his finger to her, "I did it for a reason. These eight months have been a whirlwind of a journey and I wouldn't have it any different. Well, okay, a lot of things different, but you get the point. I'm just so happy to have you guys as my friends and you as my girlfriend," he said, taking her hand in his and standing her up, "That a physical gift wouldn't be enough in my opinion. A physical gift wouldn't be able to convey my feelings for you. So, I found a song that does. Sebastian, would you mind?"

"Not at all mate," Sebastian said, grabbing his guitar and playing it. Aero waited a few seconds, holding Weiss's hands and staring into her eyes as he began to sing to her in a low voice.

When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore
That she would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love
If it does not exist, but darlin'

You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception

"Bruh," Scarlet whispered in Sun's ear, everyone entranced by Aero's sweet act as Weiss looked at him with love and gratitude written on her face.

"I know… we are so fucked with Ruby and Blake's birthdays."

"Fucked isn't the word dude, we need to start planning and setting aside money, like, now."

Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
But keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm content
With loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

But, you are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception

Aero twirled Weiss around a few times as Sebastian played, moving around with her naturally, dancing with her until stopping then placing both of his hands ever so slightly on her cheeks, looking into her eyes.

I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't let go of what's in front of me here
I know your leaving in the morning, when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream,

He smiled at her, her eyes filling with tears as he whispered the rest of the song to her.

You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception

Everyone clapped loudly and cheered as he planted a soft kiss on her lips, something she returned wholeheartedly and wrapped her arms around him.

"D'awwwwwwww," Lila said, everyone laughing at her and Aero, who gave her the bird as he kissed his girlfriend. Everyone left with pieces of cake, retiring to the living room to enjoy a night of fun. Later on in the evening, Weiss and Aero found themselves alone on the couch.

"Did you have a great birthday?"

"Of course," she said sleepily, her head resting on his shoulder.

"You need to get to bed."

"I know," she said with irritation, being helped up by Aero then shuffling along the floor. At the top of the steps, she stopped and turned to him.

"That was the sweetest and nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," she said with a sleepy but big smile on her lips that Aero matched.

"I thought you would like it."

"Did you mean every word?" she asked quietly as he stepped forward and enveloped her in his arms.

"I did and that is how I'll always feel about you Weiss," he said, kissing her cheeks then lips. She held the kiss for a few seconds before walking toward her room, Aero tailing her and smiling.

"Well, have a good night."

"Where are you going?"

"My room," Aero retorted.

"Don't you want to be with me?" Weiss asked, Aero's eyes going wide, his heart stuttering and his cheeks going red as his body locked up. Weiss chuckled at him and grabbed his arm.

"Come on," she whispered, pulling him into her room, not noticing that the door across from her room was slightly open.

"I swear if I hear anything."

"Shut up Sun."

"Yeah, you two have no room to talk," Sebastian said, peeking out his door at the two faunus', who glared at him, making him chuckle.

Weiss didn't let go of his arm as she fell onto her bed, Aero lying next to her.

"No changing?"

"To tired," she replied with closed eyes, rolling over and resting her head on his chest. Aero grabbed the plush covers, pulled them over the two of them then hugged her to himself, petting her hair as her breathing slowed. Aero couldn't help but smile at her, kissing the top of her forehead and closing his eyes before he himself drifted to sleep, happier than he's ever been.

"Do you really have to go?" he asked Weiss, who was putting her ponytail up.

"It's my job," she said with slight irritation. While she appreciated Aero's concern, she herself was getting a bit annoyed with his constant questions.

"I know, I'm sorry," Aero said. His eyes brightened and he left the room, confusing Weiss until he returned moments later with his white hoodie.

"Okay, I know you have that hoodie."

"I want you to wear it," Aero said with a smile to Weiss. She looked at the hoodie, which didn't really go with anything she had on, then back at her boyfriend.

"Why?"

"That way I'm with you… I know that sounds dumb-"

"I mean not really, a lot of couples do that with each other."

"Oh…" Aero said, suddenly lost for words, "Well…"

"It's okay, continue," she said with a smile.

"I just… I've never felt this way about anyone and I want it to feel like I'm there with you, protecting you. I know I'm being clingy-"

"Just a tad."

"But I can't help it. Please?" he said, holding the hoodie out to her. She looked down at it, to Aero then back at the hoodie, grabbing it and walking to her large walk-in closet. Aero waited and saw that she had changed her entire outfit, wearing dark blue leggings, matching heels and a white long-sleeve top that the hoodie, which was unzipped, covered.

"That looks amazing on you," Aero said, his eyes gleaming as she twirled around.

"Yeah?"

"Totally," he said. Weiss walked over to him, gave him a quick peck on the lips, grabbed her weapon and walked out. Aero watched her, heard her talking to the team then walking out with them a few minutes later. He stretched and walked out of her room to his waiting friends.

"Let's cripple the Guild," Sebastian said, walking away with his fellow assassins in tow.

"I'm gonna get ready for bed right quick, okay?" he asked her. She nodded and let him go, allowing him to turn around. Suddenly, Aero felt a hand on his arm pull him around and she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, pressing her lips to his fiercely. Aero held her, shocked at what was happening but not caring a moment later as her tongue pushed into his mouth. Their tongues locked with one another until Aero pulled back, blushing heavily, looking down with confusion as his hurt leg started to get a little bit weak under the pressure.

"Okay, I'm-"

"Shush," she said, kissing him again, this time slower and gentler. He moved them to her bed, where he slowly leaned forward, allowing her to lay on the bed as he broke the kiss and looked down at her.