She felt herself coming back to reality from her dreams, the feel of her blanket over skin, the smell of syrup that seemed to hang in their room after Ren had made Nora pancakes, and then her mind slowly came to remember what she had been dreaming about. She numbly buried her head into her pillow and tried not to shriek. Dust it had been months since she first met Jaune, but she could still remember it as if it was yesterday. She couldn't remember why she had chosen that day to take a walk there, but she was happy now that she did. He had ran into her and they somehow managed, as though it were some sort of fanfic, to land with him directly on top of her. Looking back on it if it wasn't for, well Jaune being Jaune, and bumping his head against the wall it might have turned out very awkward. But she wouldn't have it any other way. He was so unlike all the other students, or teacher for that matter, he didn't treat her like some sort of celebrity.
He was awkward and cute and so apologetic and… she was silently berating herself for thinking such things, he was her Team Leader for Dusts sake. But… to her he was so much more. He was a teammate she could depend on to have her back, he was a friend she could tell anything, he was her leader who she could follow. She had finally found a place, her place in this terrible world, that she could finally be herself. To grow and spread her wings from the cage of perfection everyone had put her in. She trusted her teammates, her friends, with her life.
She shifted her body and rolled over to lay on her side, the large blue t-shirt she used for bed clinging to her curves. Looking at the clock she groaned miserably when she saw it was 2:12 A.M. Well no more sleep tonight she thought. It was unnaturally quiet tonight though without Nora's snoring, Ren and Nora had gone out on a mission with professor Oobleck to the nearby state of Atlas. Looking over she looked over to Jaune bed, but oddly it seemed empty. She sat up and rubbed her eyes of the sleep seeing if she had just not seen something, but no it was still pristine.
The crimson haired girl looked around the room quickly, and even in the dim light off the moon she could see that Jaune was nowhere to be seen. She felt a pit in the bottom of her stomach, something was wrong she just felt it. Gathering herself, she slipped out of bed and put on some shorts. Peaking out the door she cautiously looked left and right, looking for any of the night staff that would scold her for leaving her room so late. Seeing nothing, she took a deep breath and made her way out, wondering what was wrong and where was Jaune.
He sat with his legs pulled close to his chest, his head resting on his knees as he gazed over the school. The air was cold against his skin, but the golden haired boy felt no cold. He had lost track of just how much time he had spent out here. He didn't care though, not after what he just been through. He didn't want to keep thinking about it, to feel his heart break each and everytime. The young man hid his head in his arms, as if it would hide him from all the thoughts and feelings that tormented him.
He had stayed late in the library, trying his best to comprehend the lessons before the janitor had kicked him out. He was tired and his body ached from the training today and his mind was fatigued from trying to wrap his head around the seemingly archaic texts. Finding his way back to his room he waved his scroll over the reader, the door sliding open. Slipping inside he let his armor drop to the floor and took off the his hoodie. As he threw his hoodie over his chair he noticed a little plate with little bits of his favorite snack on it and a note perched on top.
"Make sure to eat something, nutrition is a healthy part of being a good Hunter" it read. It was in Pyrrha's impeccable handwriting and his heart was bursting with love for her right then. He looked over and saw her carelessly slipping away. Her scarlet red hair was messy and all over her pillow, her shirt had ridden up all the way to her stomach, and her arms clutching her pillow while her legs were almost half dangling off the bed. She was never more beautiful and perfect he thought.
He knelt beside her, careful not to touch her as if a single breath would destroy the moment. He felt it heavyarms lighten and his mood began to get better as well. He smiled and thought that was just the effect she had on him. No fine art could ever compare to the beauty of her smile and no song would ever be as uplifting as her laughter. He felt such joy and happiness to see her everyday, to be with her, to just know that she cared about him. But as always he felt his heart begin to sink into his stomach, for his happiness was lined in tar.
He dropped his head into the sheets, trying to hold back. Hold back his own self doubt and fears, that he could never be good enough for her. That no matter how much he wanted to be with her or just to be there for her that… that he would be swept away by someone who was better than he was. He felt tears start to slide down his face, falling down faster and faster. He couldn't stop it so he just let it slowly over come him. He silently wept for all he knew he could never and would never be for her. He was just… just Jaune Arc.
Feebly reaching forward he let his hand brush against her own and let them rest against hers. A hand he could never have in marriage. Then Jaune suddenly felt her hand grasp around his, her fingers intertwining with his. His heart stopped, fearing she had saw him like this. But no, thankfully she still slept on, the slow rise and fall of her chest showing she had not woken up yet. He needed to get out of here, to clear his head and let his heart rest. It was just too painful to be so close to the love of his life but all it did was serve as a grim reminder of what he could never be to her.
He pulled his hand away from hers, and walked out. He just let his feet carry him, dark thoughts filling his head with every step.
