The warm glow of candlelight flickered across the fine tablecloth, casting soft shadows over the delicate crystal wine glasses. The restaurant was one of the more refined establishments in Vale, elegant but not pretentious, with a warm ambiance and a subtle hum of quiet conversations around them. It was the kind of place where one could escape the demands of their day, unwind with a glass of wine, and pretend, if only for a little while, that the troubles of the world wasn't resting on their shoulders.

Seated at a table near a large window overlooking the city, Weiss Schnee swirled the deep red liquid in her glass, watching it catch the light before taking a slow sip. Across from her, Pyrrha Nikos did the same, her emerald-green eyes thoughtful as she set her glass down.

Both women were dressed for the occasion.

Weiss wore an elegant, snow-white dress with silver embroidery that shimmered in the dim lighting, perfectly complementing her pale complexion and white hair, which she had styled into a loose side braid. Pyrrha, in contrast, wore a deep crimson dress that hugged her toned frame with effortless grace, a subtle gold trim lining the fabric in a way that highlighted the fiery color of her hair.

Together, they were striking, a contrast of ice and flame, grace and strength.

As young adults, they had finally reached the age where they could indulge in wine without anyone raising an eyebrow. Not that it had ever stopped them before when Weiss was involved.

"I suppose this is why Jaune thinks we're dating," Weiss mused, setting her glass down and resting her chin on her hand. "And why those gossip sites think so."

Pyrrha chuckled softly, the corners of her lips lifting in amusement. "You mean the candlelit dinner, the fine wine, or the fact that we spend more time together than we do with him?"

Weiss smirked. "All the above."

Pyrrha exhaled, swirling the wine in her glass as she leaned back in her chair. "Perhaps we should be dating. It might be simpler."

Weiss arched a delicate brow. "Tempting, but we both know that's not how this ends."

Pyrrha's smile turned wistful. "Is that so?"

For a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence, watching as the city lights twinkled outside.

Finally, Pyrrha sighed, rolling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. "It really is foolish, isn't it? The two of us falling for the same man."

Weiss hummed, taking another sip. "Terribly foolish."

Pyrrha tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Perhaps one of us should be the bigger person and step aside?"

Weiss let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Nice try."

Pyrrha chuckled, lifting her glass in a mock toast before taking another sip.

It was rare, moments like these. No battles, no missions, no looming threats, just an evening of fine dining, quiet company, and an unspoken understanding between them.

Weiss rested her cheek against her palm, watching Pyrrha thoughtfully. "You know, if this were anyone else, I might have argued that he's just playing hard to get. That he's stringing us along, making us wait."

Pyrrha let out a small hum, tapping her fingers lightly against the table. "If only that were true."

Weiss sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, he has been clear about it."

Pyrrha nodded. "Very."

Weiss clicked her tongue. "Annoyingly so."

Pyrrha smiled wryly. "And yet, we're the ones who have been stubborn about it."

That earned a soft laugh from Weiss. "Oh, without a doubt."

There was no bitterness in their words, no animosity, just an understanding that, despite everything, despite their efforts, Jaune Arc had never once wavered in his stance.

It wasn't a game to him.

It wasn't about playing with emotions or keeping them at arm's length for the sake of mystery.

He had simply… chosen to look at a goal they don't see.

And the sight of it… was simply captivating for these women.

Pyrrha exhaled, leaning forward slightly. "Do you regret it?"

Weiss tilted her head. "What? Falling for him?"

Pyrrha nodded.

Weiss took a thoughtful sip of her wine before answering. "No." She glanced toward the window, watching as the lights of Vale continued to flicker like stars. "He's frustratingly kind, hopelessly noble, and somehow both an idiot and one of the most perceptive people I've ever met."

Pyrrha chuckled. "That does sum him up rather well."

Weiss smirked. "And you? Do you regret it?"

Pyrrha swirled her wine once more before shaking her head. "No," she admitted. "I don't."

They sat in silence for a moment, letting the weight of the conversation settle between them.

Weiss leaned back in her chair, letting out a soft sigh. "Well, what do we do now?"

Pyrrha smirked. "Eat."

Weiss let out a short laugh. "That, I can do."

The food arrived soon after, plated to perfection, and for a while, they simply enjoyed their meal.

Between bites of perfectly cooked steak and sips of expensive wine, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, missions, upcoming events, the absurdity of some of their training exercises. They teased each other, laughed, and for just a few hours, the worries of their world felt distant.

By the time the plates were empty and the wine bottles half-drained, the tension that had lingered at the start of the night had faded entirely.

Pyrrha leaned back with a contented sigh. "We should do this more often."

Weiss smirked. "Are you asking me on a date again, Miss Nikos?"

Pyrrha chuckled. "Perhaps."

Weiss rolled her eyes but smiled, nonetheless. "Fine. But next time, I pick the wine."

Pyrrha tilted her glass toward her in silent agreement.

As the two finished the last of their drinks, Weiss let out a quiet sigh, tapping a finger against the table. "You know… even if he never changes his mind, even if he never looks at us the way we looked at him…" She glanced at Pyrrha, her expression unreadable. "I'm still glad we met him."

Pyrrha smiled softly. "So am I."

The candle between them flickered, casting playful shadows across their faces as they exchanged knowing looks.

Despite the warmth of the evening, despite the easy laughter and the wine that had loosened their tongues, there was one undeniable truth... neither of them was willing to concede.

They had acknowledged Jaune's stance.

They had accepted that he had been clear.

But acceptance didn't mean defeat.

Weiss took a slow sip of her wine, her smirk growing as she set the glass down with a deliberate clink. "You know, Pyrrha," she mused, swirling the remaining drops in her glass, "I don't think I have it in me to give up."

Pyrrha arched a delicate brow. "Oh?"

Weiss's smirk widened. "I mean, why should I?" She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her palm. "Jaune Arc may be frustratingly noble, but I am Weiss Schnee." Her sapphire eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. "And Schnees do not lose."

Pyrrha chuckled, shaking her head. "Now that sounds like something I'd say."

Weiss tilted her head. "So you agree?"

Pyrrha sighed, taking a thoughtful sip of her own wine. "I suppose I do." She placed the glass down, meeting Weiss's gaze with equal resolve. "I never back down from a challenge. You know that."

Weiss smiled. "I do."

Pyrrha leaned back, folding her arms. "And yet, here we are, both perfectly aware that he has no intention of changing his mind."

Weiss exhaled through her nose. "He says that, sure. But I've been able to get through that stubbornness lately. Even shared you the results."

Pyrrha gave her a flat look. "Weiss."

Weiss waved a hand dismissively. "I'm just saying, people change."

Pyrrha chuckled, shaking her head. "He's had plenty of time to change."

Weiss shrugged. "Then he just needs more time."

Pyrrha smirked. "You really are stubborn."

Weiss lifted her glass in mock toast. "So are you."

Pyrrha let out a soft laugh, conceding that much.

They sat in silence for a moment, watching the city beyond the window. The streets of Vale bustled with life even at this hour—laughter from distant conversations, the occasional hum of an airship overhead, the glow of streetlights illuminating the paths below.

Pyrrha tapped her fingers against the table. "If we're being honest… I don't think I can let this go."

Weiss studied her. "Because you love him?"

Pyrrha smiled softly, but there was something almost helpless in her expression. "Because I believe in him… and there's a sight I don't want to see."

Pyrrha saw the back of that lone knight facing an end, holding a sword that seems to consume, life burning out of him as he faced an evil that had lived for centuries.

Weiss nodded, as if she understood perfectly.

Because she did.

She lifted her glass once more, raising an eyebrow. "So, it seems we have an impasse."

Pyrrha lifted her own glass in turn, her smile amused. "Seems that way as always."

Weiss's smirk grew. "Then I suppose we'll just have to win."

Pyrrha chuckled. "And how, exactly, do you propose we do that?"

Weiss leaned in slightly, her eyes sharp with mischief. "We do what we always do, Pyrrha."

Pyrrha raised a brow. "Which is?"

Weiss grinned.

"We still play the long game."

The server returned to their table with the bill, but neither of them moved to take it. Instead, they continued their quiet battle of wills, silently daring the other to be the first to give up.

Neither did.

After a moment, Pyrrha shook her head in amusement. "You know this is ridiculous."

Weiss smirked. "Of course."

Pyrrha exhaled through her nose, a small chuckle escaping her. "And yet, here we are."

Weiss lifted her chin. "Indeed."

Pyrrha sighed, but there was a playful gleam in her eyes. "You're insufferable."

Weiss's smile widened. "That's what makes me charming."

Pyrrha rolled her eyes but finally reached for the bill. Before she could take it, however, Weiss's hand shot out, grabbing it first.

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes. "Weiss."

Weiss gave her an innocent look. "Yes?"

Pyrrha crossed her arms. "We agreed we'd split the bill."

Weiss smiled sweetly. "I lied."

Pyrrha groaned. "You are a Schnee."

Weiss laughed, handing her card to the server with a victorious smirk. "Consider it a part of my grand strategy."

Pyrrha sighed but smiled despite herself.

As the server walked away, Weiss took a final sip of her wine before setting her glass down with purpose. "So," she said, tilting her head, "I suppose the real question is… how do we get Jaune to stop being a stubborn idiot and start seeing sense?"

Pyrrha exhaled. "We don't force it. If it happens, it happens."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "You're such a romantic."

Pyrrha smirked. "And you're not?"

Weiss lifted a finger. "I am simply a strategist."

Pyrrha chuckled. "A conniving strategist."

Weiss waved a hand dismissively. "Details."

Pyrrha shook her head, amused.

They finished their drinks, stood, and made their way toward the exit, stepping out into the cool Vale night.

The flickering streetlights cast a warm glow over their elegant dresses, illuminating the stark contrast between Weiss's shimmering white gown and Pyrrha's deep crimson one.

They walked side by side, the easy banter between them as natural as breathing, the shared stubbornness between them very much intact.

Eventually, Weiss let out a content sigh, stretching her arms behind her. "Well," she mused, glancing at Pyrrha with a teasing smirk. "If Jaune continues to be this insufferably dense, I suppose we could always just date each other."

Pyrrha laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Oh?" She placed a hand on her hip, tilting her head with amusement. "Are you asking me out, Weiss Schnee?"

Weiss rolled her eyes but smirked. "Obviously not. I'm just saying, if we must be stuck in this ridiculous situation, we might as well get something out of it."

Pyrrha hummed in thought. "Well, I do appreciate a woman of high standards…"

Weiss smirked. "Of course you do."

"…And I have always admired your confidence and your singing voice."

Weiss raised an eyebrow. "As you should."

Pyrrha chuckled before stepping slightly closer, her emerald eyes gleaming with mischief. "But if I were to date you," she mused, voice dropping into something more teasing, "it wouldn't be just for your sake."

Weiss quirked a brow. "Oh?"

Pyrrha leaned in just enough to be playful, a slow smirk creeping onto her lips. "If I can't have Jaune," she murmured, "then I'll just take you instead… so in turn, he would become mine as well."

Weiss froze.

She felt her face heat up, her brain catching onto the implications far faster than she would have liked.

Her. Jaune. Pyrrha.

Weiss swallowed, reaching for a bottle of water she got earlier and taking a slow, deliberate sip, one that lasted just a bit too long.

Pyrrha watched her smirk fading into mild confusion.

Then realization dawned in her emerald eyes.

"…Weiss?" Pyrrha blinked, tilting her head.

Weiss set her glass down with careful precision, avoiding eye contact as she cleared her throat.

"I—ahem—don't know what you're talking about."

Pyrrha stared at her.

Weiss very purposefully did not meet her gaze.

But Pyrrha knew.

She could guess exactly what Weiss was thinking.

And that realization left her momentarily stunned.

Pyrrha's teasing bravado faltered for just a second as she processed it. "Wait… Weiss… are you actually considering it—"

Weiss glared, still blushing furiously. "Drop it."

Pyrrha let out a breathy laugh, absolutely delighted at the turn of events.

"Oh, this is interesting," she mused, crossing her arms. "You were really thinking about it, weren't you?"

Weiss groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I hate you."

Pyrrha grinned. "No, you don't."

Weiss sighed dramatically, fanning herself slightly. "I am never drinking wine with you again."

Pyrrha smirked. "That's a lie. You said that last time."

Weiss rolled her eyes, trying to compose herself, but the damage was done.

Pyrrha knew.

And worse? She would never let her live it down.