Cuts of RWBY
A RWBY Fic Collection by AndrewJTalon
DISCLAIMER: This is a fan based work of prose. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and WB Animation. Please support the official release.
More of Lines of Succession...
Nurse Tsune looked over at Pyrrha in some concern. The racoon Faunus frowned a bit as Pyrrha sat in her wheelchair, arms crossed under her chest as she glared at the two railings in the tower gym.
"We can start any time you like-"
"No," Pyrrha stated quietly, "I'm... I'm going to wait for Jaune."
Tsune slowly nodded. She sat in a nearby chair. The only sounds in the gym were those of a digital clock softly beeping on the far wall, and the sounds of traffic in the streets far below.
Tsune looked upon Pyrrha in no small amount of sympathy. The girl had barely survived her fight against Cinder, and the boy she cared for... Well, he was now king and engaged to another woman.
No wonder the redhead had been so... Lost. So sullen.
The doors to the gym opened. Tsune rose to greet the no-doubt royal visitor.
"Your... Majesty?"
Blake Belladonna fit the bill, but was not the royal Tsune was expecting. She was still in her elegant black dress with a silver circlet around her head. She nodded politely.
"Hello Nurse Tsune. May I speak with Pyrrha alone, please?"
Tsune eyed Pyrrha. The redhead hadn't stirred. She was just glaring off into the distance.
"Of course. Just uh, let me back in if anything to her vitals changes," she said. She held up her Scroll. "They're linked to my Scroll but... Never hurts to be extra careful."
Blake nodded with a soft smile.
"Of course. Thank you, Nurse Tsune."
"Your Majesty," Tsune said, awkwardly nodding before she bustled out of the room. She slid the doors shut behind her... Then discreetly picked a chair in the hallway that would let her keep an eye on both young women.
She wasn't eavesdropping or spying. She was just doing her job to ensure neither of these ladies died.
Given the situation, that was a very strong possibility...
Pyrrha barely registered Blake's existence. It was all she could do. The instincts that told her to smile, to be polite, to-to hide her feelings... Well... Apparently Cinder wrecked those.
The instincts were there, but the will to execute her training? Totally gone.
There was nothing but a deep, sullen ache.
Blake walked in front of her, hands awkwardly squeezing one another in front of her stomach. She frowned deeply.
"You... They say you're getting better," Blake offered.
Pyrrha barely nodded. She couldn't meet Blake's eyes.
Blake knelt down, seeking her gaze. Pyrrha sucked in a deep breath.
"Congratulations," she managed quietly.
Blake shook her head.
"Pyrrha... I didn't do it to spite you. You know this."
The earnestness in Blake's voice, the pleading in her eyes... Pyrrha closed her eyes tightly.
"I know," she murmured. "Jaune..."
She paused, the pain sending her thoughts grinding to a halt. She shut her eyes.
"Jaune... Would do anything to save innocent people," Pyrrha whispered. The tears still came.
Blake took Pyrrha's hands in between hers. Pyrrha looked up, as Blake shook her head rapidly.
"No, Pyrrha. He did it for you. Do... Do you know everything he went through after you launched him?"
Pyrrha opened her mouth, but no words came. Blake charged on, her usually quiet voice very animated.
"When he crashlanded, he was found by Cardin and some of his father's men. They were going to assault the old backup control station for Vale's automated defense network. Try to reboot it. Jaune put together a plan and led them in the assault. He destroyed ten Knight drones just getting the engineers to the door!"
Pyrrha's eyes widened. Ten Knight Drones... She would have been able to handle that fairly easily, but Jaune? Even with backup?!
"Then," Blake went on, "He stormed into the nearest police station. They got a judge to swear him in as King over the police radio, and he ordered every Bullhead and airship that could be found to be loaded up and readied to retake Beacon. He led them all to storm Beacon and save anyone he could... Including me."
Blake flushed and shook her head.
"He managed to make Adam Taurus flee... With a lot of firepower from several gunships, but still."
"I..." Pyrrha's eyes watered a bit.
"Then," Blake said, "I got a call from my father. Menagerie wanted to render assistance... But they needed a treaty to do it legally. And to make sure they didn't get shot down by Vale. So... So I offered to marry Jaune. To get their help... He didn't even hesitate. And right after we agreed to an engagement, he had me take Yang and Ruby somewhere safe... And asked for volunteers to go save you."
Pyrrha sniffled. Blake nodded firmly.
"He said 'We're saving Pyrrha and killing the bitch who caused this. Failure is not an option.' So no... No. He didn't do all of this for me. He did it for you, Pyrrha."
Tears poured down her cheeks freely. She sobbed softly, and accepted the awkward hug Blake gave her.
It took her a few minutes to calm down. Blake held her the whole time, gently rubbing her back.
"Pyrrha... He married me to save Vale... But he loves you," Blake murmured.
"I... Even after I sent him away...?" Pyrrha sniffled. Blake nodded.
"I know it."
Pyrrha again bowed her head in shame.
"I sent him away... I wanted to keep him safe... I-I didn't think... Even I didn't think he could do anything but... But die..."
She sobbed again. Blake tightened her hug.
"None of us did, Pyrrha," Blake murmured, "But that's... That's not your fault. He proved us wrong... And it's good that he did so."
Pyrrha nodded, the pride in her heart for her student rising slightly. Yet seeing the wedding ring on Blake's finger just made the pain come back.
"And," Blake said softly, cupping Pyrrha's chin in her hand, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy. You make him happy, Pyrrha. I would be a fool to exclude you from... From our relationship."
Pyrrha blinked. Her cheeks, even still covered in bandages, went bright red.
"I... Uh... Wh-What...?"
Blake smiled a bit impishly.
"I'm not going to push the issue. It's up to you... But if you truly love Jaune, I... I don't want to make either of you unhappy."
"... But you won't step aside," Pyrrha asked quietly. Blake shook her head.
"No. I... I've seen what you saw in him..."
She gently pressed her forehead against Pyrrha's.
"But I'm... Happy to share." She blushed. "It's not like..." Her eyes drifted lower over Pyrrha's body, "Not like I... Haven't thought about you."
Pyrrha's blush got far worse. She stuttered.
"I-I um... I-I don't-"
"It's okay," Blake said softly, rubbing Pyrrha's hands, "It's okay. We'll take it slow. I just... I want to make things clear. Yes, I am going to be his wife. I... I'm happy to be that. But I... I want to make you and him happy. And I don't want to be selfish. Besides... Vale does allow for polygamy. And it might be good politically if he has at least one human wife."
Pyrrha gaped a bit... But slowly nodded.
"I... Um... I-I have to... Have to think about it..."
"I understand," Blake said softly. She squeezed her hands together. "Just know... Please... You're going to have a place in our family. Jaune wouldn't have it any other way, and neither would I."
She slowly rose, still holding Pyrrha's hand. The doors to the gym slid open, and Jaune entered.
"Sorry I'm late, had to handle some... Some other stuff," Jaune said. He took in the sight of his fiance and the girl who said she loved him with a wary expression.
"Everything all right?" He asked quietly.
"Just fine," Blake said with a small smile, "I just... Wanted to clear some things up."
She stepped away from Pyrrha. She walked up to Jaune, and kissed his cheek.
"I'll be right outside," she said softly, before with a swish of her dress she was out the doors. As soon as they slid shut, Jaune looked back to Pyrrha. He smiled warmly, and walked up to her. He knelt down in front of her, resting his hands on the arm rests of the wheelchair.
"The doctors say you're going to be fine," Jaune said happily, "My mother's being flown in. She's an amazing doctor, she'll get you back to one hundred percent and better in no time."
"I..." Pyrrha flushed and slowly nodded. "Thank you, Jaune... O-Or your Majesty-"
"You never have to call me that," Jaune stated firmly. "Never."
She blushed harder. She rather liked Jaune's commanding tone.
"I uh... I am sorry I haven't been around a lot," Jaune said quietly. "Being a king is... It's a lot of responsibility. Especially when I have no idea how to do it."
"I... I understand," Pyrrha said softly. Jaune took a deep breath.
"When you're well... I-I want you to be part of my royal guard, Pyrrha. Cinder's still out there. So is her boss. We need to find them, and stop them."
Pyrrha nodded again.
"I'll be ready. I promise, Jaune," she murmured.
Jaune let out another sigh. His features drooped a little.
"About... What you said..."
"Jaune, I-I'm so sorry!" Pyrrha blurted out. "I-I didn't know... I just didn't want you to-"
Jaune held up his hand, and shook his head.
"No... No. If I'd tried to fight Cinder with you? ... I'd have just gotten in the way," he said. He sighed. "If anything? You put me in a position to save Vale... And you." He looked up into her eyes.
"If anyone's the hero... It's you, Pyrrha."
Pyrrha sniffled, and smiled softly.
"I... I hate it when you're so down on yourself," she murmured. Jaune chuckled.
"Y-Yeah... I figured... I... But it's hard not to be. I was so stupid and..." He sighed.
"Listen... I... It's been a whirlwind. Okay? I've barely had time to think about... About my feelings and-and everything... I want to be honest with you, but I don't... I mean..."
Pyrrha took his hands between hers, as Blake had done. She smiled warmly.
"Let's... Take it slow," she said softly. "All right? I talked with Blake. She's... Um..." Her cheeks warmed.
"She's... Not threatened by me. And she wants to make you happy. So... So I'm all right with her and you... And all that."
At Jaune's concerned look, she nodded.
"For the most part," she said softly. "But... We'll figure it out. All right?"
Jaune smiled warmly, though his eyes were still confused.
"Um, yeah, totally," he said with a nod. He smiled.
"So... You ready to start walking again?"
"Absolutely," Pyrrha said firmly. Jaune smiled back, and helped her up to her feet. He guided her slowly to the horizontal bars, and let her grasp onto them as he held her under her armpits. The close contact that resulted warmed Pyrrha all over.
"Your Majesty!" Nurse Tsune and Blake burst back in. The racoon Faunus gaped. "I uh..."
"Am I holding her incorrectly?" Jaune asked. Tsune shook her head.
"N-No... But uh... Isn't that something I should do?"
Jaune smiled up at Pyrrha.
"She's been holding me up long enough. I should return the favor."
Pyrrha blushed... And glanced over to see Blake blushing too.
"I... I know I won't fall," she murmured. Jaune beamed.
"I won't let you. Ever. It's a promise."
Her heart fluttered, and the pains and aches in her recovering body seemed to fade away in Jaune's warm smile.