FLASHBACK: 2204 Hours, Team RWBYJNPR's Dinner Room, Beacon Academy.

"Blake, you okay? Pyrrha asked. she nodded slowly, before sighing and shaking her head. "I just, I didn't think he'd be going through this. I've been there. I know what it feels like.", she said. Pyrrha nodded, and said "You never really talk about it. Maybe you should go too?". Blake shook her head. "Naah. I'm fine.".

Pyrrha's already broken-hearted heart chipped even more. Did she think she could handle it? That she could hide it? Pyrrha played along and sighed.

"Well, that's a shame. Ari actually asked to invite you.". Oh man, he knew how to make Blake feel guilty. She took a breath and said, "Alright, I'll go.". Pyrrha smiled and hugged her. "Thank you. I don't know if I could've handled it alone.". Blake patted his back and wriggled out of the embrace.

BACK TO THE PRESENT: 0341 Hours, Team RWBY's Dorm Room, Beacon Academy.

Blake was laying in his bed, unable to sleep. He felt guilty for making Ari remember a moment of his life that Blake knew he would rather forget. She had been in his position before, after all.

Without getting too far into detail, Blake was a member of the White Fang. While his partner, Adam Taurus, was the reason he left, there was also another person that made him leave. See, there was this one girl, Meg Brainard, that he was in a relationship with. They got together when Blake was rebelling from his parents. But, as time went on, they fell out of it. She became more violent and hostile, like she treated a stranger, and started to attack Blake every once in a while.

When talking to Adam and Corsac, they both thought he was joking and didn't think a guy would be used by a girl. He became more distant, and left the White Fang after Adam planned on killing everyone on the SDC train. Heavy stuff, which only Tai knew, when she spent time there with Yang.

Blake had enough of sulking, and got up and went to the kitchen. But, when she got there, she heard a sound.

Whirrrrrrrrrr... CLICK!

She took anything she found on the dressing table (Yang's half eaten banana), and armed herself with it. She pointed it, legs shaking, at the kitchen's entrance.

She saw a blond man with fair skin and green eyes. The eyes were only visible for a second before a bowl covered them. He wore a blank white t-shirt and black shorts, with small white text on it which said something in a foreign language.

"A-Ari? Wh-What are you doing?", she asked. Ari put the bowl of red and - seemingly spicy - full bowl of soup back on the counter and wiped away the stain on his lips.

"Couldn't sleep. Want some Asam Pedas?", he asked. Blake hesitated, but took the bowl. Uh oh. As Blake tried everything to cool her mouth down (she ate the banana, flooded her mouth with water and milk, etcetera), Ari ate a little of what was left in the bowl. Once Blake got the spice out of her mouth, she made a sigh of relief.

"How do you eat that? Fells like a bunch of chillies!", she asked, licking a frozen fish. Ari sighed. "I used to eat these after he fell asleep. Was the only thing I could feel.". Ouch. But, ignoring the absurd spice, it was quite good. "May I try something?", Blake asked, pointing at the soup. Ari allowed it, and Blake took another fish out of the fridge. Ari knew exactly what Blake was doing.

Blake put the fish in the soup, but before Blake put it in, Ari gave her a container. "Tastes better when the whole thing is marinated.". Blake smiled, and she took the container, put the fish and soup in, and heated it up in the microwave.

"Why've I never heard of Jaian food before?", she asked. Ari shrugged. "I don't know! But it's good, ain't it?". Blake nodded and they shared a chuckle.

"You want to know a secret? That stuff isn't even how they do it in Jaia,". Ok, WHAT? How did Ari consume something even elders ca-

"It's meant to be even more spicy, but I can't stand it. I heard someone put red dust in it once!". Holy. Cow. Blake couldn't fathom the fact that there existed something spicier than this. And red dust?! That stuff can kill!

"I don't want to know about the red dust variant. Sounds menacing.". Ari nodded. "It's outlawed in Jaia, its actually how I escaped that abuser. He's dead, though.", Ari said. Well, he had it coming. Blake wished he could've done the same to Meg.

"Do you...do you want to talk about it?", Blake asked. Ari shook her head, and shot her a smile. "Maybe with Pyrrha.".

"Speaking of which, are you following us to the counsellor? If you aren't, that's fine...", Ari asked. Blake hugged him.

"I will. Pyrrha too.", Blake said. The two forgot what they were in the kitchen and got startled by the microwave. Ari's grip on Blake tightened when the BEEP echoed through the room. Seems like more trauma.

"Oop, sorry.", he said. "You have nothing to apologise for.", Blake said.

Blake opened the microwave and took the container of food soup and fish out. Ari took 2 plates, and they devoured it.

"You're right. This is amazing!", Ari said. Blake just managed to keep her tears in, and she managed to muster up a smile. "Y-Yep, d-d-delicious!", she said. Ari laughed at the attempt she made while she got a cup of milk, again.

"Y'know, the spice is a little less if you eat it with rice or something,", Ari said. "We can eat it for brekie, tomorrow, with Pyrrha. I'd love to see his reaction.", he finished. Blake chuckled with tears in her eyes and Ari laughed a little. It was nice having a friend, especially ones like Blake and Pyrrha.

1019 Hours, Qeqrinta, Northern Mistral.

Emerald and Neo were carrying Mercury, who was on a stretcher. Roman was up ahead, monologuing his heart out to its fullest content.

"And there we were, ripped clothes and an Ursa right in front o-", he paused, as usual. However, he didn't pause because of the usual reason. "I think I'll finish that later. Look!", he said.

He pushed away the bushes in front of him to reveal a big quarry, with several houses around it. Just a few metres in front of them was a fence, with armed guards. Just one problem. Roman and Neo were criminals.

"Allow me.", Emerald said. She used her semblance to disguise the 2 of them as the Mistrali people on their fake ID's they got while travelling to Atlas.

They walked up to the entrance, and the guards lead them to Qeqrinta District Hospital.

45 minutes later, Mercury sat in a hospital bed. Emerald was sitting in the corner of the room, Roman and Neo having left. Or, at least, she thought.

Neo came to her, still in disguise, and gave her a note. She bowed as she jumped out of the room's window, with Roman. The note read:

"You are the master of your own choices. ~Neo"

Emerald had enough of this. She took a piece of paper, wrote down what seemed to be a letter, and put it on the side of Mercury's table. Luckily, she didn't have to disguise Mercury, as they weren't outlaws (yet).

After she did, she walked out of the room, wearing a hood. Where she was going? Oh, she didn't know, but she knew it wasn't here.

1142 Hours, Level -3 Kitchen, Beacon Academy.

"Ah! Hot! Hot! Hot!", Pyrrha exclaimed. Blake and Ari laughed while Pyrrha chugged down a glass of milk. He released a sigh of relief as the imaginary steam from his ears came out.

"Ari says that's the less spicy version.", Blake said. Pyrrha could've fainted right then and there if it weren't for Jaune coming into the kitchen.

"Hey, guys. Ooh, can I have some?", she asked. Pyrrha crouched on the ground was apparently not enough proof that it wasn't a good idea to do that. But Blake and Ari weren't having any sympathy today.

"Oh, sure.", Ari said. He handed her a spoonful and she ate it. The reaction they got was not what they were expecting. "Ahh, this would go nice with some bread.". While Blake and Pyrrha were astonished by the girl's tolerance to the spice, Ari wasn't fazed, at all.

"Finally! Someone who can handle this! And yeah, with bread is nice.", Ari replied. He took out a loaf of bread and gave a slice to Jaune. She dipped it into the soup, and ate it. Yum!

"Anyway, Pyrrha. Do you, want to go to the gym?", she asked. Pyrrha shook his head. "Sorry, Jaune. But Ari actually asked me and Blake to to follow her.", Pyrrha replied. "Oh? Where to?", she asked.

"Sworn to secrecy.", Blake replied.

"But-"

He was cut off by Sun and Scarlet, dragging her to the gym. "Jaune! You promised to spar with us!", Sun said, to which Scarlet nodded, flailing her red hair around.

Jaune was dragged away, and Pyrrha giggled lightly when Jaune said "Help! Help me, Pyrrha!". The door closed behind her and the three of them went to the gym.

"So, want to go now or finish this first?", Ari asked. Blake and Pyrrha said that they thought it was better to go now. So, they went. Ari and Blake had fallen asleep in the kitchen, and was found by Yang, who was furious that Blake said it was to 'risky' for the two of them to cuddle. He had literally just got back from the infirmary. The three of them entered the elevator.

"So, wanna tell me what you two were doing in the kitchen? Alone?", Pyrrha asked. Blake and Ari looked away, and even though Blake was facing Pyrrha, he knew that Ari was blushing as well. "N-Nothing. I couldn't sleep, and Blake came as well. We were waiting for the food to get ready, and she fell asleep on my shoulder, after I did.", Ari said. Blake punched him in the shoulder.

"Oww! The heck, man?", he exclaimed.

"You idiot! Yang told Pyrrha as a rumour!", she said. Ari face palmed and apologized.

"You don't need to apologize. So, Ari.", she said. Ari knew where this was going, but Pyrrha was clueless. The elevator doors opened, but the counselling room was a long walk away, leaving Ari forced to answer their questions.

"Ari, you said you wanted to tell the two of us something?", she asked. Yep, there it was. Ari took a breath, and she said this.

"Remember how I said that I got away from my abuser by putting red dust in his Asam?", he asked, to which the other two nodded. "Well, I used it to ... kill him.", he said. Yeah, they suspected that. "I just feel so ... guilty and like I stooped down to his level.", he said. Blake patted his back, and said "Well, he had it coming. An abuser deserves to die, painfully.", she said. Ari smiled at Blake and she smiled back at him.

Wait. Did they have feelings for each other? No, that can't be, Blake's dating Yang! Pyrrha must've thought the spice from earlier was still messing with him. "Ermm ... I think I'll go to the canteen for a second. Do you two want anything?", he asked. "Iced tea!", they said simultaneously. They looked at each other, and they shared a laugh.

"Okay, two iced teas,", he said, turning around, separating from the group. He finished his sentence, "And a Pepsi Max.", and he sighed. Things were going to get complicated if they did.

1453 Hours, Courtyard, Campus Grounds, Beacon Academy.

"Alright, Try and do that again.", Glynda ordered. Jaune, breathless, did it again. She stomped the ground, looked for a groove, and pushed her hands outward. Then, a beam of lightning came out and narrowly missed Glynda. While surprised, she was satisfied at the fact that she could do it again, and that she wasn't insane.

"Well done, Mr Arc. Looks like you have mastered your semblance,", she said. Jaune smiled and bowed out of respect. "Thank you, professor, for helping me.". Glynda smiled.

"It's a teacher's duty to teach their students. You wouldn't be here without your dedication, and while your yet to completely master your semblance, you've certainly done it faster than anyone else when they discovered it. Be proud of yourself.", she said. Jaune nodded, and she started to keep his weapons.

Before she left, Glynda reminded Jaune of something. "You can call me Glynda, for, you know, testing on you. I do apologize.", she said. "It really is okay, G-Glynda. But I think I'll stick with professor.". Glynda nodded. "Well, feel free to call me whichever one.", she said. Jaune smiled and made her exit.

"Doesn't seem like she's bothered by it much.", Ironwood said. Glynda sighed. "Well, their families might. We could be in massive trouble if they decide to press charges, and that means less Huntsmen. Your choice.", she said. Ironwood put his feet down, and leaned forward to Glynda.

"I ... I'll see what I can do.", he said.

"Good.".

1641 Hours, Counsellor's Office Porch, Campus Grounds, Beacon Academy.

Pyrrha came back, after taking a cold shower at the Educational Gym (after consulting Glynda), to find Blake sitting outside the Counsellor's Office, under the porch, a little teary eyed. She was scrolling through photos on her scroll. What happened?

"Blake! What's wrong? Where's Ari?", Pyrrha asked. Blake wiped the tear, and said, "He's in there. And ... wait. I need to drink. Tea?", she asked. Pyrrha handed it to her and she took a sip. Pyrrha remembered the thoughts she had before leaving them.

"Blake? D'you want to talk?", he asked. Blake took a breath, and turned her head to Pyrrha. "I just ... I don't know what to do,", she started. Pyrrha held her hand, encouraging her to go on. "When I'm with Ari, he makes me feel like how I felt when I'm with Yang. Why? I don't know, but it would be stupid to try and ignore it.", she said.

While doing so, Ari had appeared behind the door. Luckily, the glass was tinted, so they hadn't discovered that he was there yet. He continued to listen.

"Well, I think you should just do what makes you happier,", Pyrrha said. He continued, "What do you see in Yang?".

"I see ... a warm, welcoming and kind person who would be really dreamy if they were less hot-headed.", she said.

Cut To Team RWBY's Dorm.

Yang: "Why do I feel like there are butterflies in my stomach?
Ruby: "I don't know, but that ain't an excuse for leaving me u- WHOA!"

Cut Back To The Counsellor's Office Porch.

"Okay. Well, if what you see in him is true, then he'll accept your decision.", Pyrrha said. Blake nodded, and started bawling her eyes out.

"Why are you s-so good at this?", she asked. Suddenly, Pyrrha froze. He saw Ari listening in, and Ari jolted away from the window and got up. "P-Pyrrha?", Blake asked. Pyrrha patted her back and squeezed her. He motioned to Ari to come and pat her back.

"B-Blake?", Ari asked. 'Crap!', Blake thought. Did Ari hear what she said? She let go, and, somehow, had hidden the feelings she was feeling. How? If Ari hadn't heard what she said, he wouldn't've thought anything was wrong with her. She decided ... to play along, as if he never heard anything.

"You okay? If I'd not known better, I would've thought you broke up with someone.". Crap, bad choice of words. Blake started to tear up more, and Ari extended his arms. Instantly, Blake took them and squeezed Ari as tightly as she could. Any tighter, and Ari would've popped his eyes out.

After a very strained groan, Blake let go. The two of them shot each other a smile, and Blake got up. Ari put a hand over Blake in a side-ways hug. Blake's face became redder than it already was, but Ari's blush faded away.

"C'mon! Let's go for dinner. My treat.", Pyrrha said. The two others cheered (Blake sounding quite tired doing so). The two of them went down to the bullhead ports and got onto one going to Vale.

1952 Hours, Team RWBY's Dorm, Beacon Academy.

"I'm sorry, okay!", Yang said. Weiss was rubbing Ruby's back after he fell out of the vents while trying to find her Scroll, which he had yeeted into the vent after losing against Yang playing videogames. He got it out, but while crawling out Yang let go a little by accident. Then, he let go entirely and Ruby fell flat on his back. He could still move, but it damn sure hurt!

"Sorry's not gonna make me feel better. You should be rubbing my back, although Weiss' hands do feel good.", Ruby said. Weiss shushed him. "Ruby, don't you remember what happened back in Patch?", he said, reminding Ruby of the incident. They both shuddered, and Yang laughed.

"Yang! Nearly breaking my back is not funny!", Weiss said, which got a 'Yeah' from Ruby, albeit muffled by the pillow. Yang stopped laughing, and released a sigh and walked to the door. "Alright, I'm going out. I need to grocery shop anyways. You two want anything?", he asked.

"Nothing that isn't on the list. I'll update you on the scroll if I have an update.", Weiss said. Yang nodded, and changed her tone to a serious one. "Ruby, I really am sorry.", he said, while closing the door. Wow. It was rare for Yang to be so serious.

"Well, maybe her attitude flipping is later than ours. Didn't your father say he was a late bloomer growing up?", Weiss asked. Ruby had mustered up enough energy to roll his body to face Weiss. He still couldn't sit up, however.

"Yeah. Like you! You're still quite ... short. Oww!", Ruby said. Weiss had hit Ruby's knee as he said that. "You can't hit an injured person! Especially not your teammate!", he said. Teasingly, Weiss puckered up his lips and reached out for Ruby. Instantly, Ruby reacted.

"What? I can't show I care for my partner?", Weiss asked. Ruby threw a pillow at him, and he fell to the ground.

"I surrender!", Ruby said, as Weiss got up and armed himself with a bunch of pillows. With a smug look on his face, he said something Ruby wished he didn't.

"Peace was never an option.".

2145 Hours, Lindsay's Diner, Mainland Vale.

"... and your fish and chips, with ... e-extra fish.", the waiter said, still puzzled by Blake's request. She thanked the waiter, and she walked away. "Now, time to dig in!", Pyrrha announced. She took a bite out of her kebab, and Ari his burrito.

"So, Ari, how'd the visit with the counsellor go?", Pyrrha asked. Ari swallowed hard, nearly choking if it weren't for Blake. "Thank you. And, yes, it went well. He really helped.", Ari said. Pyrrha smiled. "Yeah, I know.". Ari and Blake looked at each other. Since when did Pyrrha go to counselling?

"I started going to him last year, after the Vytal Festival. Since my celebrations after defeating Penny were ... a little lacklustre, several people suggested to visit Professor Williams. Really helped me out, then I mended my relationship with my teammates. I'm sure Blake remembers the story. You can explain it.", Pyrrha said. Blake took a breath, and she started.

Back during the Vytal Festival, after Pyrrha was announced victor, an attack was launched by the White Fang and Roman Torchwick's clan. While all of the commotion, Pyrrha had pushed her teammates away and begged them to retreat to Beacon. They sensed that Pyrrha may mentally depend on it, so they relented.

In Vale square, Pyrrha found a black hair woman with hair covering her left eye. Pyrrha didn't remember much about her, but what he did was that she nearly did kill him. Luckily, his friends from team RWBY and CFVY managed to kick in and help him.

"I just wanted to say, if I know what was happening, I would've gone straight down there.", Ari said. Blake sighed and put her shoulder over Ari's shoulder. "Nah, don't sweat it. I know what you were doing there, holding of the White Fang. I respect you for that.", Blake said.

Ari relaxed into Blake's arms, and Blake let it slide this one time, sensing his unease. Pyrrha looked at them, and he got a little excited. Luckily, he managed to supress them before he hitched a tent in his pants. Phew.

As the 3 of them carried on talking, Yang continued his watching. Seeing Blake, with another guy ... hurt, but seeing her so ... happy, made him smile. He loved her, he thought he did at least, but what she loved more was seeing her happy. He decided to talk to her after, when they returned to the dorm. He was carrying his groceries, having been there for, like, ever! He was startled when Jaune, of all people, came up to him.

"J-Jaune! The heck, dude!", he exclaimed. Jaune backed away, letting her rant. "Why are you even here?", he asked.

"I came down here to take a little stroll. You seem distraught, are you okay?", she asked. Yang sighed, and invited Jaune to walk back to the bullhead port, to which she accepted.

"I saw Blake, hanging out with a different man. I feel ... conflicted. On one hand, I feel like she's betrayed me, but on another ... I feel happy to see her happy. And I want her to be happy, but I'd feel sad too. D'you know what I mean?", Yang clarified. Jaune froze, but then she nodded.

"Yeah. But I feel that if you want her to be happy, and if you want her to be he normal self around you, as your teammate, your friend, you should let her do what she finds herself to be the best for her.", Jaune said. Yang sighed.

"To be honest, things weren't going that well between us anyway,", Yang said. Jaune's mouth opened ajar a little. "We hadn't gone on any dates, no talks about it and we barely spent any time. I think it was doomed to fail.", he said. The two walked back to the bullhead in silence.

2341 Hours, Team RWBY's dorm, Beacon Academy.

Yang and Blake were left to be alone in the room, after Pyrrha and Ari called the rest of team RWBY to the common room for a late movie night with team JNPR. They sat in silence until Yang spoke up.

"L-Listen, you don't need to hide it from me. I saw how you looked at Ari at the diner,". Blake looked down, and she started to tear up. Not to cry, but to tear up. Yang kneeled down to Blake, and dropped the big guns.

"I ... I just want you to be happy. And that isn't limited to with me. You can be happy with whoever you choose. On one condition.", he says. Blake looked up at him with eyes of uncertainty. What was he going to say? Did he just break it?

Yang planted a kiss on Blake's cheek, then said, "Just, I hope we can stay friends. Functional friends, functional teammates.", he said. Blake nodded and she stood up. The two shared a final 'intimate' hug and they separated. Yang walked over to the doo, and walked out. he probably had to clear his mind.

Instead, it seemed that he called Ari. Yep, Ari, the person who kinda caused this whole debacle. He came into the dorm. GAAAAH!

"Ermm ... Yang said you wanted to talk?", he asked. Blake nodded, and started to approach him. Now, seeming that they were the same height, Blake's face was just a few inches away from his. But she knew a kiss would be too ... abrupt, so all she did was embrace him in a hug. A tight one. Unlike the other ones they've shared, it felt ... different. It felt very comfy for both of them.

"No talk, just wanted to see you.", Blake said. Ari smiled and put his hand around her, while Blake's hand looked for his free one. It found it, soon enough, and the two stood in silence.

The silence wasn't awkward, but it was comfortable.