Pyrrha Nikos stood tall and poised in the center of the assembly hall as Headmaster Ozpin gave his welcoming speech. The golden afternoon light filtered through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the gathered students. Yet, despite the Headmaster's inspiring words, Pyrrha's attention drifted to the group of friends just a few feet away.
Her gaze settled on them. Ren, Nora, Jaune, and Ruby all huddled together like a band of mischievous delinquents. Ren, normally the epitome of composure, crouched alongside Nora, watching something on her scroll. Jaune leaned over to get a better view, and Ruby, with her signature enthusiasm, pointed animatedly at the screen. Their quiet laughter and whispered commentary contrasted starkly with the formal atmosphere of the assembly.
"They are acting like delinquents!" Weiss hissed, her arms crossed tightly over her pristine uniform. "Can't they see that Miss Goodwitch is staring daggers at us!?"
Pyrrha glanced at Weiss, suppressing a chuckle. She had come to know the Schnee heiress well during their time in Argus. At first, Pyrrha had assumed Weiss's intentions were selfish, self-serving, perhaps even manipulative. But beneath her icy exterior and sharp tongue lay a kindred spirit — a girl who understood the loneliness of standing on a pedestal too high for anyone to reach. Weiss had become a good friend, one who shared the unspoken pain of always being watched and judged.
"Well, they aren't harming anyone," Pyrrha replied gently, her tone betraying a hint of amusement.
Weiss narrowed her eyes at the group but refrained from further comment, instead settling for an exasperated sigh. Pyrrha followed her gaze back to her friends, her eyes lingering on Jaune.
Despite the levity in their corner, Pyrrha couldn't fully shake the weight of concern that had settled over her since the semester began. The absence of Blake and Yang was palpable, a void that no amount of cheerful banter could sometimes fill. Menagerie's seas and skies were under constant threat from Merlot's Grimm, making any journey there perilous. While Qrow Branwen and Yang's mother, Raven, offered some reassurance of Yang's safety, Blake was a different story.
Blake was reckless, stubborn, and driven by a sense of justice that often bordered somewhat self-sacrificial and reckless to others. From the docks to the highway and even in the chaos of Mt. Glenn, Blake's actions had a pattern — one that made it easy to believe she might throw herself into danger without hesitation.
But their hands were tied. Even Jaune, ever determined and resourceful, seemed at a loss for what to do next. The lives at stake weighed heavily on all of them, making inaction the only cautious choice. Pyrrha hated the helplessness of it all.
When Ozpin concluded his speech, the students dispersed, returning to their classes and routines. For Team JNPR, this meant settling back into their roles as second-year students. With practical missions now integrated into their curriculum, the stakes felt higher, and every lesson carried a new sense of urgency.
Nora remained her lively, energetic self, while Ren balanced her out with his calm and composed demeanor. Jaune, as always, was the steady anchor of their team. He had a patience and quiet strength that Pyrrha found deeply admirable. Even when he wasn't actively leading, Jaune had a way of bringing people together, his warmth and humor fostering a familial bond within their team.
Pyrrha's gaze drifted to Jaune again, lingering longer this time. He was handsome in an understated way, his blonde hair streaked tastefully with white, adding a distinguished edge to his charm. His deep blue eyes carried a kindness that made her chest tighten, and his broad shoulders and strong frame exuded reliability.
Her heart fluttered as memories of their dance at the Beacon Ball resurfaced. She could still feel the heat of his hand on her waist, the subtle but confident way he led her across the floor. There had been an ease between them that night, a connection that felt both natural and exhilarating. Pyrrha smiled to herself, cheeks warming at the memory.
Jaune was dorky and clueless at times, but he was also genuine. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and his determination to defend and protect those he cared about made him utterly endearing. Even if he had been an untrained, awkward boy fumbling with a sword, she knew she would have fallen for him all the same.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Jaune caught her glance. He smiled at her, that same warm, effortless smile that made her stomach flip.
Pyrrha returned the smile, though hers was more reserved, a practiced mask of poise. But as she did, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Weiss was staring at Jaune, her icy blue eyes wide and her pale cheeks dusted with pink.
Pyrrha blinked in surprise. Weiss?
Before Pyrrha could process what she was seeing, Weiss realized she was being watched. Their eyes met, and Weiss's blush deepened as she quickly averted her gaze, leaving Pyrrha both amused and confused.
What was that about? Pyrrha wondered, her smile faltering slightly.
She shook her head, focusing back on Jaune. Whatever it was, she could ponder it later.
Weiss Schnee was having a crisis, and it wasn't the typical kind that came with managing her family name or the weight of societal expectations. No, this was far worse. It was a battle waged entirely in her mind, a chaotic clash of propriety, admiration, and downright indecent thoughts.
Her icy-blue eyes naturally drifted across the courtyard, settling on Jaune and Pyrrha. The two of them stood together, talking casually with Ren and Nora. Weiss found herself hyper-focused on every detail.
Jaune was leaning slightly against a railing, his tall, well-muscled frame exuding an easy confidence. His broad shoulders, accentuated by his armor, made him look dependable — strong enough to protect anyone who needed him. Then there were his deep blue eyes, which seemed to carry an unspoken kindness, and that blonde hair streaked with white... Those streaks shouldn't have made him more attractive, yet they did. It added a touch of maturity to his dorky charm, a duality Weiss found herself admiring more than she cared to admit.
And Pyrrha…
Oh, Pyrrha.
Weiss swallowed hard as her gaze flicked to the red-haired champion. Pyrrha was the epitome of grace and strength. Her toned muscles seemed sculpted, her movements elegant yet powerful. Weiss could still remember the way Pyrrha's sweat had glistened on her clavicle during training the other day, accentuating her perfectly proportioned physique.
And then there were the showers.
Weiss clapped a hand over her face, cheeks burning. Bad Weiss! Bad! She scolded herself internally, but the memory of Pyrrha's silhouette under the steam was burned into her mind. That flawless, marble-like form, her long red hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of fire... Was it wrong to think of her as majestic? Weiss didn't even know she could look at another girl like that, but Pyrrha was so... admirable.
She was polite, charming, and carried herself with such dignity. Her emerald eyes sparkled with a warmth and confidence that Weiss envied. Pyrrha Nikos was the kind of person Weiss had always aspired to be—strong, graceful, and impossibly beautiful.
And yet...
Weiss's gaze flicked back to Jaune. She admired him, too, though for very different reasons. He wasn't polished like Pyrrha, but that ruggedness had its own appeal. He could be goofy and dorky, sure, but he was also serious when it mattered. The way he shifted between being a dependable leader and an almost roguish figure — it made her squirm in ways she didn't want to think about.
Why am I like this?! Weiss groaned internally.
She found herself imagining them together—Jaune and Pyrrha, side by side, both so strong, so beautiful. If she could frame them together in one picture... No! Stop! Don't even think about that! Weiss clenched her fists, her face heating up even more as her imagination betrayed her.
But the thought was already there. Pyrrha's gentle yet firm demeanor paired with Jaune's steadfast and protective nature. Weiss between them, her cheeks burning as they—
Stop it, Weiss!
She shook her head violently, her thoughts spiraling further into chaos. She scolded herself for being so... so degenerate!
This isn't normal, right? She thought, trying to reason with herself. Liking one person is already complicated enough, but two? And yet, despite her inner turmoil, her reasonable side whispered that maybe it wasn't so bad. What was wrong with appreciating both of them?
No, no, no! Absolutely not! That's— Weiss didn't finish the thought, because her cheeks now felt like they were on fire. She covered her face with her hands, groaning softly.
"What's wrong with you?"
Weiss peeked through her fingers to see Ruby Rose, her team leader, standing in front of her with a cookie in hand. Ruby was looking up at her with innocent curiosity, crumbs dusting the corner of her mouth.
The sight of Ruby happily nibbling on a cookie while Weiss was grappling with such scandalous thoughts made her feel even worse. How could she be thinking these things about her friends when Ruby was so pure and oblivious to the world's mysterious complexities?
"It's nothing!" Weiss snapped, turning away sharply.
Ruby tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure? You're acting weird... even for you."
"I said it's nothing!" Weiss huffed, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
Ruby blinked, then shrugged, taking another bite of her cookie. "Okay, if you say so."
Weiss let out a shaky breath, trying to calm herself. She stole one last glance at Jaune and Pyrrha, who were now laughing at something Nora said.
They're just friends, Weiss told herself firmly. They're my friends. That's all.
But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that her heart wasn't so easily convinced.
Weiss wasn't entirely sure how she had ended up alone with Jaune in the training area. Team RWBY and JNPR were supposed to be practicing together, but one way or another, everyone else had scattered. Now, it was just her and Jaune, standing amidst the battered training dummies.
Jaune, of course, had that infuriatingly casual demeanor, leaning on his sword like it was a walking stick. His blonde hair, streaked with white, caught the light in a way that made it almost glow. He tilted his head at her with that friendly, earnest smile of his.
"You want to spar?" he asked, his tone easy but inviting.
Weiss hesitated, her heart doing a strange little flip. Why does he have to smile like that? She thought, averting her gaze for a moment. She straightened her posture and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"I suppose I could indulge you," she said, her tone clipped but not unkind. "But don't think I'll go easy on you just because we're now friends."
Jaune chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Wouldn't dream of it, Snow Angel."
The nickname sent a jolt through Weiss's chest. She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, Jaune raised his sword in a ready stance, his expression shifting to one of quiet focus.
"Ready when you are," he said.
Weiss took a deep breath, forcing herself to concentrate. She activated a glyph beneath her feet and launched herself toward him, Myrtenaster aimed at his side. Jaune blocked her thrust with the flat of Crocea Mors, the impact ringing out like a bell.
They moved quickly, Weiss darting around him with speed-enhancing glyphs while Jaune held his ground in a blue blur, blocking and parrying with skill. She had to admit, he really was a good swordsman.
As the sparring match continued, Weiss couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Jaune moved, his strikes deliberate and precise.
But it wasn't just his skill that caught her attention. It was the way he carried himself, the confidence in his stance, the way his deep blue eyes never wavered from hers.
Why is my heart pounding so loudly? She thought, her cheeks flushing as she deflected one of his strikes.
Jaune grinned, stepping back to give her space. "You're really good, Weiss. I mean, I already knew that, but sparring with you really drives it home."
Weiss blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. She lowered her rapier slightly, her breath hitching.
"Th-thank you," she stammered, cursing herself for the sudden stutter.
Jaune's smile softened, and for a moment, Weiss thought she saw something warm and genuine in his eyes. "Anytime," he said.
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, and she quickly turned away, pretending to inspect her weapon.
"Let's call it a draw," she said, her voice a little higher-pitched than usual. "I have other things to do."
"Sure thing," Jaune replied, his tone still warm.
As she left the arena, Weiss pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart.
What is wrong with me?
Later that evening, Weiss found herself in the library, trying to distract herself from her earlier sparring match with Jaune. She was halfway through a book on Dust applications when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Mind if I join you?"
Weiss looked up to see Pyrrha standing there, a stack of books in her arms and that ever-graceful smile on her face.
"Oh, of course," Weiss said, gesturing to the seat across from her.
Pyrrha set down her books and slid into the chair with a fluidity that Weiss couldn't help but admire. The red-haired champion was always so poised, so perfect in everything she did. Even something as simple as sitting down seemed elegant when Pyrrha did it.
"What are you reading?" Pyrrha asked, her emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Just a treatise on Dust applications," Weiss replied, holding up the book. "I was hoping to find some inspiration for new combat techniques."
"That sounds fascinating," Pyrrha said sincerely. "You're always so dedicated, Weiss. It's admirable."
Weiss felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "Well, someone has to be," she said, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
Pyrrha chuckled softly, her laughter like the chime of a bell. "I could learn a lot from you," she said, resting her chin on her hand as she studied Weiss with a thoughtful expression.
Weiss's heart skipped a beat under that gaze. Pyrrha always had a way of making her feel... seen, in a way that few others did.
"You don't need to learn anything from me," Weiss said, her voice quieter than she intended. "You're already — well, you're Pyrrha Nikos."
Pyrrha tilted her head, a hint of playfulness in her smile. "And you're Weiss Schnee. That's no small thing."
The words made Weiss's chest tighten, and she quickly looked down at her book to hide her expression.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the only sound the faint rustle of pages and the occasional clink of Pyrrha's bracelets as she turned a page.
Weiss found herself stealing glances at the champion, her gaze tracing the curve of Pyrrha's jaw, the way her red hair caught the light, and the serene confidence that seemed to radiate from her.
She's so beautiful, Weiss thought, her stomach fluttering. It's almost unfair.
Pyrrha suddenly looked up, catching Weiss's gaze. Weiss froze, feeling her face heat up.
"Is something wrong?" Pyrrha asked, her tone gentle.
"N-no, nothing at all," Weiss stammered, fumbling to turn the page of her book.
Pyrrha's smile widened slightly, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she rested her hand on the table, her fingers brushing against Weiss's ever so lightly.
Weiss's breath caught at the contact, her heart pounding in her chest.
"You know," Pyrrha said softly, her voice almost a whisper, "I'm really glad we've gotten to know each other better in Argus. You're someone I truly admire, Weiss."
Weiss's heart felt like it might burst. She managed a small nod, her voice barely audible as she replied, "I feel the same way."
As they continued their quiet conversation, Weiss couldn't help but marvel at how both Jaune and Pyrrha had managed to completely upend her usual composure.
What am I going to do with myself? She wondered, her heart still racing.
Weiss now lay in her bed, clutching her pillow tightly as she stared at the ceiling of Team RWBY's dorm room. The faint moonlight streaming through the window cast soft shadows across the room, but her mind was anything but calm. She shifted for the third time in five minutes, pulling her blanket up to her chin and then kicking it off again in frustration.
Why am I like this?
The day's events replayed in her mind: the sparring match, Jaune's confident smirk as he deflected attacks, Pyrrha's graceful movements, her kind smile, and the way her emerald eyes seemed to pierce right through Weiss.
She groaned into her pillow, her cheeks burning as the scenes refused to leave her head.
On the other side of the room, Ruby sat cross-legged on her bed, fiddling with Crescent Rose's mechanisms. She glanced over at Weiss, her leader instincts kicking in. "Uh, Weiss? Are you okay over there?"
"I'm fine!" Weiss snapped, a little too loudly. She immediately winced at her own tone, burying her face deeper into the pillow.
Ruby blinked, her silver eyes wide with concern. "You don't sound fine…"
"I said I'm fine," Weiss mumbled, though it was muffled by the pillow.
Ruby hesitated, but then shrugged and returned to tinkering with her weapon. "Okay, if you say so…"
Weiss continued to squirm, her thoughts spiraling
In her mind, the voices of reason and chaos were having a full-blown argument.
As if she wasn't already confused.
Reason was calm, collected, and stern. This is just admiration. They're your friends, Weiss. It's perfectly normal to find them impressive.
Chaos, on the other hand, was smug and unrelenting. Impressive? Please. You're practically drooling over them. Just admit it already—you have a crush. No, wait, TWO crushes.
Reason shot back, Nonsense! She's merely appreciating their qualities. Pyrrha is strong, kind, and poised—a role model. And Jaune… well, he's reliable and surprisingly capable. That's all.
Chaos snickered. Role model? Reliable? Come on, Weiss. You were staring at Pyrrha's collarbone during training and imagining what it'd be like to hug Jaune. Don't think I didn't notice.
Weiss physically turned over in her bed, clutching the pillow tighter.
A third voice chimed in, prideful and self-assured. You're a Schnee. Why should you have to choose? Boyfriend AND girlfriend. It's the perfect solution.
Weiss sat up abruptly, her hair a tousled mess, and shouted into her pillow, "Stop it!"
Ruby jumped, nearly dropping Crescent Rose. "Weiss? Are you sure you're okay?"
Realizing her outburst, Weiss cleared her throat and attempted to regain her composure. "I'm fine," she said again, this time a little softer.
Ruby tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. Is it… about Yang and Blake?"
Weiss froze for a moment, guilt washing over her. I should be worrying about them, not this. She shook her head quickly. "No, it's not that. I just… I'm thirsty."
Ruby blinked. "Oh. Uh, I think we still have some juice in the fridge?"
Weiss nodded stiffly, hoping Ruby would drop the subject. "Thank you."
As Ruby hopped off her bed to fetch the juice, Weiss flopped back down, staring at the ceiling once more. Her inner voices had quieted for now, but the turmoil remained.
It's just admiration, she told herself again. I'm a growing, confused woman. There's nothing wrong with admiring admirable people.
But as her thoughts wandered back to Jaune's easy smile and Pyrrha's radiant presence, Weiss couldn't help but feel that her heart was betraying her reason.
She let out a long, muffled groan into her pillow. Ruby returned moments later with a glass of juice, holding it out cautiously.
"Here you go," Ruby said, her voice laced with curiosity. "You sure you're okay? You've been acting kinda… weird."
Weiss sat up, accepting the juice with as much dignity as she could muster. "I'm fine," she said again, though her reddened cheeks betrayed her.
Ruby raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.