Welcome to the first chapter not based on an episode. Thank you to everyone who is reading this story right now and enjoying this insanity. And unlike all my other fics, I actually have a plan. Hopefully I actually finish this one.
Load Game… Start!
Chapter 4: Black Magic Woman
Glynda liked to think she was a proper, responsible woman.
She had to be. After all, she was a professor of Beacon and the right hand of the Headmaster. Prestigious and lucrative as her job was, it had a number of expectations when it came to it. Appearances and reputation were just as important as knowledge and ability after all.
Although eccentric hunters were a dime a dozen – either because they were the type of person to actually take up monster hunting as a career or as a coping mechanisms for the many, many horrors that came with the gig – at the end of the day, they were still capable of saving lives and ensuring that humanity and faunuskind last just that little bit longer.
Was it inevitable that their species would be wiped out one day and a new sentient race will take their place? Yes. It was an unfortunate truth but it will not be in her lifetime, and she was going to guarantee that she will not see its fall.
But the life of a hunter is not for the faint of heart. She has not known a single huntsman and huntress has ever come out of the professor without horrific scars that would affect them for the rest of their lives, even if they get the chance to retire. She had seen many bright and hopeful students lose their spark after graduation, if she got to see them at all afterwards.
Make no mistake: there is fame and glory to be found as a monster hunter, but it will never make up for the inherent pain that came with it.
She had learned that lesson far too late.
And so, Glynda decided long ago to mitigate that pain so that humanity would have a fighting chance. It's how she ended up in her position, it's why she knows so many secrets of this world, it's why she works so hard every day.
Was it a good life? It was hard to tell. One must sacrifice many things to ensure the future of their home, but seeing these children become heroes was more than enough for her.
Was it a lonely life, though?
…Yes. She didn't have many she could call a friend. Her work ethic left little time for a social life, and the few acquaintances were either from work or too far away to ever meet again. And given what she knew, it might be better this way. Even the headmaster, someone who actually cared about her well-being, still had a wall she has yet to surmount. A distance that she would be unlikely to close in decades.
But… that was fine. She liked the peace and quiet of her solitary life. It was often draining attending social functions, and her limited time in this world is better spent making sure everyone else has a happy ending.
Her ending had long since passed. Her happily ever after never came.
Glynda Goodwitch was destined to live a life of solitude.
ZING!
…Until now, that is!
Because destiny can suck my di–
SLAP!
–ctionary. God, I haven't owned a dictionary since high school (grumble, grumble).
As someone who doesn't want to keep things T-rated went off to sulk in a corner, Blake was processing the shock she felt… And experiencing a concerningly familiar feeling of dread, infatuation, and an oncoming mental breakdown.
"M-M-Miss Goodwitch," Blake thought, feeling the world crumble around her. "My teacher is one of my soulmates!?"
No, this couldn't be right, could it? In no way the God of Love was that stupid to have her freaking teacher, one of the strictest professors and second only to Ozpi himself, as someone she needed to date to save them from a terrible fate!
She was old enough to– uh… erm…
…
…
…
Um, how… old was she? I mean, she looked really young yet there was this aura of maturity and experience that she didn't get from the other professors. She had to be at least in her mid-twenties or early thirties at minimum, but any older and… dear Brothers, it would be a huge shock.
She was a highly experienced huntress and yet there was little sign of battle scars or even basic blemishes, and no good self-respecting hunter would ever hide an injury earned through battle and wow, she's pretty and AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHSTOPITNOTNOWNOTNOW!
It still hasn't been a full week of attending Beacon, and she was already dating a pair of half siblings, the Schnee Dust Company heiress, and now – potentially – her own damn professor.
She really wished something – like a meteor – prevented her from making it to the school's combat arena today.
"...Oh my Gods, I've read these stories before!" Blake groaned while covering her face. And no, none of them are what you'd call fairy tales.
"What was that?"
"Eeep!" Blake squeaked in a Ruby-like manner as she jolted in her seat before remembering why she was even here in the first place.
Goodwitch remained composed, her face currently unreadable to Blake. If it wasn't for the magical zing, the faunus would've never even noticed that something had happened the moment their eyes met. She'd have to thank the God of Love for this after she filled her with lead for causing this insanity!
"Miss Belladonna, class has not started yet. You can relax." The professor said.
Blake blinked before shaking her head. "R-Right. Pardon me for my behavior. Just a little tired right now."
"Well, I will not tolerate sleeping during my class." Goodwitch informed with a shake of her head. "However, I will allow you to take a nap here afterwards. Just be sure to get plenty of sleep next time."
While surprised by the offer, the cat faunus decided at that moment not to push her luck. "Yes, professor." Blake replied with a nod.
It was at that moment that she heard the familiar footsteps of her girlfriends behind her (yes, she memorised their footsteps).
"Yo, Blake!" Yang called out as she hugged her soulmate from behind. "You could've waited for us, you know."
"Sorry, but… I was just feeling like I should get here early." Blake let out a small laugh, rubbing her hands over Yang's own.
"Well, we better follow Blake's example." Weiss advised as she took her sear next to Blake.
"Hey, as team leader, I'm the one who enacts new rules." Ruby grumpily reminded as she sat down as well.
"And what rule do you wish to implement, my dear leader?" The heiress questioned.
"...We follow Blake's example."
"Hah!"
"Ooh, I didn't know you have that in you, Ice Queen." Yang had to admit, impressed.
"Stop calling me that!" Weiss growled as she, Ruby, and Yang continued to talk animatedly, something that Blake had gotten used to a long time ago.
Blake could only chuckle as more and more students shuffled into the classroom, before turning her attention to the professor, who made her whimper in the back of her throat.
This was going to be a long class.
It was indeed a long class… for the professor.
Nothing went wrong in the class. The lessons were conveyed clearly, disruptive students were dealt with quite handedly, and the quick demonstration between Pyrrha Nikos and Cardin Winchester went swimmingly, with Miss Nikos coming out on top (literally, she was standing on him – and his face – when his aura went into the red).
So why was she feeling so… impatient?
No, it was not Shark Week (as a few of her colleagues called it). She was simply getting aggravated, wanting to get this class over with faster but time did not want that to happen.
She had nothing but other classes she needed to teach before heading home, drawing herself a bath, then grading tests, and sleeping. So why did it feel like she had an important appointment coming up?
Come on, clock, tick faster you universal concept son of a wh–
RINGRINGRING!
There!
"Make sure to read the syllabus, everyone. Everything you will learn should be part of the packet you all should have downloaded into your Scroll by now."
With that, class had officially ended and students began to make their way out.
"Aw, I wish I got a round." Yang complained as she began packing up her stuff.
"It's the first combat class. We'll get our turn soon enough, Sis." Ruby assured as she patted the blonde on the back.
"No, I wanted to fight that Cardin jerk! He keeps calling us stuff under his breath when we–"
"Hey! Keep it down!" Weiss interrupted with a huff, double-checking to see if the teacher was nearby. "We didn't get caught, and I would like it if we continue not to be–"
"Miss Belladonna, stay." A chilling voice echoed throughout the arena, causing Team RWBY to freeze.
"Huh?" Weiss squeaked.
"Ooooh, busted~" Nora sang.
"Nora." Ren sighed while shaking his head.
"...Busted?" Goodwitch repeated as she furrowed her brows.
Suddenly, Team RWBY went pale while Nora coughed and made her exit. "Wait, you didn't see us kis–MMPH!?" Ruby began, only for Weiss to cover her mouth.
"It'snothingpleasedisregardourleadershe's justmakingoutwith- I mean, I'llseeyounextclassdarlingIloveyou!" Weiss quickly said as she dragged her partner out of the class before running, leaving a thoroughly confused professor and a very nervous Bumblebee pair.
"I uhhh… gave them my pen and… we made out throughout your entire class. Love you, Blake!" Yang mumbled out before dashing after her fellow girlfriends.
"Yang!" Blake exclaimed before slumping, turning around to face her first punishment (that she would gladly take in the name of love). "M-Miss Goodwitch, I… I…"
"...Just please restrain yourself during class. What I teach will be important both in tests and in life outside these walls." Goodwitch sighed before shaking her head. "Now lay down."
"What?" Blake blinked. "I'm not being…?"
"Lay down."
"Yes ma'am!" Blake dutifully responded before laying down on the bench. "Um, what are you…?"
"Close your eyes and rest." The professor then said, her voice a little more… approachable. "Promised to allow you a nap before the next class, didn't I?"
Blake blinked. "Y-You were serious?"
"Yes. Now rest, please. I'll wake you up when you need to leave." Goodwitch soon assured as she sat next to the girl.
"O-Okay." Blake said before closing her eyes. She didn't know what was happening right now but… she suddenly felt so tired…
Maybe she had overworked herself a little, doing so much between studying and making her girlfriends happy…
In only a few seconds, Blake was out like a light, letting out soft snores while snuggling into her surprisingly soft seat.
Glynda couldn't help but smile. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence to find students asleep, most of the time during class, but at other times they were simply overwhelmed by the amount of work needed to pass classes, and thus needed rest before they inevitably crashed.
Yes, they did give a lot of homework and expected students to spend quite a bit of their precious free time on their studies, but it was necessary. In this line of work, knowledge was strength, and strength meant a better chance to save lives.
"Because without either, you cannot protect anything." Ozpin had told her. It was a quote that would always send an ache in her heart, but it was a necessary lesson nonetheless.
Still, it was a heavy burden to place on children, even though what was out there was much worse. She hadn't known that until she graduated herself and that…
That was an even heavier burden to bear.
"You should take better care of yourself." Goodwitch whispered as she brushed her hand through Blake's pitch black hair as her student's head laid on her lap. "There won't be many opportunities to do so when you graduate."
…
…
…
Wait, lap?
Glynda's eyes suddenly widened as she saw the position she was in. She was giving Miss Belladonna a lap pillow! And she was brushing and petting her like… like…! "What am I doing!?" She mentally exclaimed as she quickly used her telekinesis to gently lift Blake off her lap as she moved out of the seat, quickly brushing down her outfit before gently laying Blake back down.
How did she… When did she…?
Suddenly, Glynda did something she hadn't done in years: she blushed.
"I… I need to get a hold of myself." The teacher thought as she slapped her red cheeks. "You're just… worried about Miss Belladonna's well-being. After all, she is dating her teammates. That has to be…"
Blake in her uniform, leaning on her desk. "Glynda, do you mind helping me with my homework?"
Blake next to her in a crowded concert, wearing a cute crop top. "I'm glad we were able to catch the Achieve Men concert."
Blake bathed in shattered moonlight, sitting over the edge of the rooftop watching the shattered moon loom over them. "Glyn… I love you."
"...Wonderful." Glynda whispered as a look of horror started to appear on her face.
No.
No, this cannot be happening.
Saturday had arrived and Blake couldn't be any happier. That meant she could avoid running into Miss Goodwitch for a few days. Dealing with a teacher and, well, seducing her was going to be an arduous task so she needed time away to get organized.
The whole class with her was just confirming that, yes, she was very much attracted to her, both physically and emotionally. She loved her calm and orderly demeanor, her take-no-crap attitude when it came to disruptive students, and her caring side when a student was struggling.
But Blake was clamoring for more. Ruby, Weiss, and Yang all were willing to reveal their stories, and she loved them all more for it, but Glynda would be a much tougher nut to crack.
"None of the other students, even the fourth years, know much about Miss Goodwitch outside of how she presents herself in school. She isn't as open as Professor Port when it comes to stories of her past, I can tell that much. If we have to be together, I need more info about her, but how can I do that when she's so closed-off?" Blake thought with a frown.
She hated thinking like this, but Glynda Goodwitch seemed like an insurmountable wall that she was being forced to climb anyways with only her nails to help her and no safety net.
Also, there was a firing squad shooting down at her.
And at the bottom was slowly rising tide of sharks with lasers strapped to their heads… who also breathe fire… and are one-quarter jaguar.
Blake groaned as she rubbed her forehead. "If any of this gets back to my parents, they're going to kill me."
"Blake!"
WOOSH!
"Ruby!" Blake yelped as her girlfriend rushed over and slammed into her chest, nearly taking her off her feet. Still, she gladly accepted the hug and enjoyed the smell of roses and the faint traces of Mr. Squeaky.
"Am I early? Am I late!? S-Sorry, it just took so long to-" Ruby rambled nervously, until…
"Ruby, it's fine." Blake chuckled before stepping back to take a good look at her soulmate.
Ruby was wearing a red dress with a white open shirt over it with golden vines along the sleeve, and a pair of open toe flat sandals.
All in all, it made Blake feel underdressed with her casual black jacket, white top, and jeans combo.
"You, uh, like it?" Ruby asked, poking her fingers together while fidgeting on the spot.
"I love it." Blake responded, clearly in awe at how cute the girl looked. And without her signature cloak too!
"Oh thank the gods." Ruby breathed out in relief. "Yang and Weiss helped me pick this out."
"Is that why you kicked me outside this morning?" Blake assumed as the two lovers sat on a nearby bench.
Ruby opened her mouth…
Ruby could only helplessly look at her partner and sister staring each other down, hoping their opponent would submit to their will with only their eyes.
For the past two hours, she had regretted getting fashion advice from her fellow girlfriends.
"Ruby looks cuter in yellow!" Yang yelled out as she held up a yellow crop top.
"No, we should use white!" Weiss shouted back as she held up a white sweater. "White is pure! When Blake sees that, all she'll think about is urine and you, and I don't know which one is worse!"
"White is plain and boring. She'll fall asleep just by looking at it, just like whenever you open your mouth! And she doesn't need a 100,000 Lien sweater in Spring, princess!"
"She doesn't need to dress like a skank, brute!"
Ruby swallowed. Her date was in 45 minutes and the Bullhead was leaving in 15! And this had been going on for three hours! "Um, I kinda like-"
"Stay out of this Ruby!" Yang and Weiss shouted out at the same time.
Seeing she was no longer the leader here, Ruby wisely decided to sit down and ride it out.
…Before shutting it to protect the privacy and dignity of her partner and sister. "...Yeah." Ruby let out. Thank the Brothers they eventually compromised.
"Well, I'm glad I wasn't spoiled." Blake said as she pecked the younger girl on the cheek. "You're very beautiful today."
"B-Be-Beautiful?" Ruby squeaked. "N-No one has ever said that to me. They just say… 'cute' or 'adorable'."
"You are all those things." Blake added as she brushed some hair out of her soulmate's face. "But most importantly, you're here, gracing my presence."
Ruby couldn't help but let out an excited squeal. "Gosh! If this is what being in love is like, I should've done this sooner! I-I mean, you know… erm…"
"Relax. I know what you mean." Blake soon assured. "These days I wished I met you all before Adam. Maybe then I wouldn't have wasted so much time with him."
Ruby frowned. "Hey, don't talk about your ex. Today is about us."
Blake let out a sigh, kicking herself for even giving the man the time of day in her head. She should be focusing on her present, not her future. "...Right. So, let's get this date started."
"Let's do this." Ruby pumped her fist before raising it to the air. "Onwards! To lovey-dovey stuff!"
Blake laughed before getting off the bench and offering her hand. "After you."
Ruby smiled before taking her girlfriend's hand… and didn't move.
"Ruby?" Blake got out in concern. "The bench isn't glued, is it? Who did this!? I'll kill them!" She then declared, already pulling out her Scroll to send her weapon locker to her current location.
Whoever thought of rocket lockers must be a genius.
"No!" Ruby exclaimed, quickly leaping up from her seat. "I'm just… sort of paralysed. With fear."
"Huh?"
"I'm actually scared to death right now." Ruby admitted. "I thought I was ready and I was kinda rubbing it in Weiss' face, but then I thought about it and got really, really scared and spent a few minutes in the bathroom having a quick panic attack before Yang managed to drag me outside. Like… What if someone I know recognizes me!? Ugh, I'd totally die of shame."
"Ruby, breathe." Blake said in a comforting tone. "You've spent time going out with your friends before, right?"
"Well, m-mostly with Yang, but I, um, do get invited to stuff."
"Then think of today like that." Blake advised as she stroked Ruby's soft cheek. "I'm your girlfriend. You don't have to do or act any differently. You just get kisses when you do something cute."
Ruby could feel her heart throb at Blake's wonderful words. "Erm, well, umm…"
CHU!
And at that moment, Ruby was stunned by a peck on the lips. "H-Huh?"
"See? You just did it now." Blake stated with a playful smile. "Although, if I didn't have to hold back, I'd kiss you all the time, no matter where you are."
"Hngh!" Ruby let out while clutching her chest. The love was too great to endure by herself! No wonder she needed two others! "Oh sweetie, don't do this to me right now. We haven't even gone anywhere."
"Then let's go." Blake said. "If it helps you feel a little more relaxed, let's do something you like."
"Hmm… I know exactly where I wanna go." Ruby soon got out. "Come on. Follow me."
"Hopefully in no rush." Blake said as she took her younger girlfriend's hand, interlocking their fingers together before allowing Ruby to leaf the way.
And with that, they were off.
When Ruby finally stopped, they had arrived in front of a shop with a bright yellow "GRAND OPENING" banner on the window.
"Serious Boba Tea…" Blake read out… before tilting her head to read the rest of the sign properly. "...For Serious Boba Tea Drinkers. Warning: seriously delicious."
"I heard it just opened. Probably not as good as Bubba Bubba Boba in Patch but it'll do for our first date."
"Uh, it's a nice place but… why boba?"
"W-Well, I heard that going to a movie and a restaurant was too cliché and that we might not have the same tastes and stuff and that maybe I should just go shopping but then I realized I'd probably just nerd out and spend all my money on upgrade parts for Crescent Rose and I don't really have a lot of Lien on me right now and I don't wanna mooch off Weiss because we're still trying to learn to work together and be partners and be nice and not fight over you but I definitely I have more kisses right now so in your face Weiss but then again I just really, really, really, really, really wanna just kiss you so much right now but I feel like I'd burst into flames because there's so many people in town today and–"
SMOOCH!
Blake soon pulled away, heaving a little from kissing Ruby for a good ten seconds. "Let's go order some before the line gets too long."
Ruby let out some very cute and adorable noises before following her girlfriend to the shop.
"Hi, welcome to Serious Boba Tea For Serious Boba Tea Drinkers. What would you like to order?" The cashier greeted with a polite smile.
"Um, what would you recommend?" Blake asked.
"Well, we have a variety of teas and bubbles to choose from, and all of them are excellent no matter the combination. However, my personal favorite is chai and cotton candy bubbles."
Blake hummed as she looked at all the combinations of tea and boba flavors. "I see. Well, I'll have chai tea and cotton candy bubbles then."
The cashier's eye twitched. "What did you just say?"
Blake blinked. "Huh?"
"Chai tea? Chai means tea, girl! You are saying tea tea! Would I ask you for a coffee coffee with room for cream cream!? You wanna die today!?"
"W-What?"
"YOU WANNA SERIOUSLY DIE!?"
SHING!
Blake quickly pushed Ruby away when the flaming katana came out. "What in the–!?" She exclaimed, reaching for her weapon… which she didn't bring.
Maybe she should be a little bit more paranoid.
Then, just as quick as her crazed, murderous look appeared, it vanished as the the crazy tea lady looked apologetic, as if she just messed up an order slightly and not threatened Blake's life only a second before. "M-My apologies, just… uh, is your friend alright?"
"Huh?" Blake let out before checking on her soulmate… who was still in a daze with beating hearts in her eyes and barely staying on her feet. "R-Ruby?"
"Hehehehehe~"
"Ah, I speak lovestruck." The cashier chimed in before leaning forward. "Hsvsls vrpbdp kaue mwah?"
"Hehehehe~ kdhepwgalkiss."
"Oh ho how! Vdhgaiq I fgnfkichj djdiks jdpnwgigd smooch."
"Pqhenhdo? Pdkch djdbdk jsgwufb shkfb chu!"
"Hahaha! She's a riot!" The cashier laughed out while wiping away a tear. "So, strawberry tea and tapioca pearls?"
Ruby nodded. "Haaaaah~"
"Ooh, I like her. Alright, that'll be 260 Lien. Special couple's discount." The cashier soon offered.
"Here you go." Blake casually handed over the cashier enough Lien to pay for their drinks before heading to a table to wait.
Once Ruby sat down, her lovestruck expression faded into befuddlement. "Huh? What happened? Where am I?"
"We ordered our drinks." Blake answered, smiling as her girlfriend's cheeks and ears glowed red.
"Oh. Right. I knew that." Ruby scoffed in an attempt to play it cool. "So uh… you like boba tea? I know you like drinking tea, but in boba form?"
Blake shrugged. "I don't know. I never had boba before."
"You're kidding!" Ruby gasped.
"I'm not." Blake shook her head to that. "Never really noticed if there was a boba shop back home. Then again, I was never one to be anywhere… trendy. Me and Iila preferred other places, away from prying eyes."
"Uh, your home. Kuo Kuana in Menagerie, right?" Ruby recalled. Over the week, Blake had given her soulmates a crash course on her life just to ensure everyone was on the same page.
"Yes."
"I really don't know much about the place other than being mainly faunus there."
"They didn't teach you about its history at Signal?"
"I might have skipped a few lessons. Or years."
"Well, there is a reason why it's mainly populated by faunus. It's not a good reason, but still."
Ruby leaned in. "Tell me."
Blake smiled.
And so, Blake went into her knowledge of Faunus' history, telling the tale of her people's plight and ensuring no detail was spared. For her part, Ruby was completely enthralled, hanging onto every world.
"How dumb!" Ruby said, clearly in disbelief.
"I know, right?" Blake responded. "But you have to admit, despite everything, we still persevered and made Menagerie our home. It's the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are."
"Wish it was like that everywhere else." Ruby sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Patch is pretty accepting, though."
Blake playfully rolled her eyes. "Ruby, yes. I will visit Patch with you. I'd love to see where my girlfriends live and meet their family."
Blake did mean that. There were some family members she'd loved to meet… so she could salt their eyes.
Ruby blushed. "I-I wasn't trying to–" She began, but spotting her girlfriend's amused look calmed her down. "...Thanks."
Soon enough, their drinks were served by the cashier that wanted to murder Blake earlier. "Here you go. Don't forget to leave a five star review if you love the service. Or else."
"Ehehehe…" Blake could only chuckle awkwardly before she and Ruby began drinking their boba tea.
This was nice. The drinks were reasonably priced, they were pretty tasty, and every seat had a nice view of the Valerian (is that the right word?) streets.
She might want to take the others here. She was planning to scout out all the potential date spots in town as soon as she could and this might be the first one to keep in mind. She could see it now.
Weiss, ignorant of "common" delights, squealing and grinning as she chewed on the pearls in her drink.
Yang, always eager to try and make Blake turn red, getting one big cup and two straws, smirking playfully as she offered it to her.
Miss Goodwitch giving boba a try and hiding how much… she…
Blake flinched and shook her head. "I-I can't do this to them so soon! Yang was already a risk, but Miss Goodwitch is someone that might be too far for them, and dating her behind their backs is out of the question." She thought. "What do I do? Why must love be so complicated!?"
Ruby, meanwhile, had been staring at her girlfriend for a good bit now (getting lost in her eyes and really wanting to pet her cat ears) and quickly noticed the conflicted look; a look she's been using since their first combat class. She saw it, Weiss saw it, Yang saw it, even Jaune saw it and he wasn't exactly the most observant guy (Case in point, Pyrrha batting her eyelashes at him every hour they were together).
Enough was enough. She needed to confront Blake with the conclusion she had come to.
Once Ruby set down her cup, she laid it out front and centre. "Blake… did you fall for someone else?"
"PPFFFFFTTT!" Blake spat out and choked on her boba tea.
Ruby did not hesitate for a second, dodging the spat out tea and climbing over the table. "Blake!? Don't worry, I'll save you!"
Blake however swallowed. "Ack. Pearl in my– MMPH!" She breathed out… only for her breath to be taken away again as Ruby kissed her.
Didn't even breathe more air into her lungs. She made out with her in the middle of the store.
Blake did not complain at all.
Soon Ruby and Blake separated, panting for air. "...Sorry, had to take it." The younger girl apologized, although she didn't look guilty at all.
Blake could only let out a drunken giggle before shaking her head. "W-What did you say?"
"Did you fall in love with another girl? Or a guy this time?"
Blake coughed again. "No! No, I'm just thinking a lot. Planning. O-On stuff with the rest of Team RWBY."
Ruby just smiled at her girlfriend. "Sweetie, I know that look you had. It's how you look at us every morning since we met. Come on, we all need to talk to each other, even you. We can't let secrets get in-between us."
Blake grimaced but soon relaxed upon seeing Ruby's peaceful smile. "...Okay. I have. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm fine with you three-timing me so another person isn't that much of a surprise." Ruby reminded while stroking the cat faunus' cheek.
"It's just that… I don't know how to handle this." Blake said, scrambling for words to avoid saying who she was falling for. "I'm not even sure if we can even be together."
"Oooh, forbidden love? That sounds exciting!" Ruby said excitedly, bouncing Iin her seat.
"...I was expecting this attitude from Yang, but not from you." Blake soon admitted.
"I grew up with her though." Ruby reminded. "And I can tell you that sometimes you need to just go for it. Don't think, don't plan, just do your best. Even if you fail, at least you tried, right?"
"But if I mess up…" Blake began before stopping herself. "She'll die or worse." She had to add silently.
Even if she wanted to date her soulmates without that stupid threat hanging over their heads, it was still always there in the back of her mind. She truly did love them, but that stipulation made her sweat at the prospect of failing. She hated it so much.
"Well… you should take your time with it then." Ruby soon suggested.
"Huh?"
"Yeah, get to know her. Spend time with her. Get her comfortable with you before you pop the question." Ruby explained, looking out the window to see an old couple walking hand-in-hand down the street. "We jumped the gun pretty fast going into this relationship and I still can't believe I was lucky enough that it was you that I fell for. But… I know it won't be like me, or Yang, or Weiss. If you need to, you take it slow and let the pieces fall where they may."
"...Wow, Ruby. That's some really good advice." Blake confessed. "I thought you had never dated before."
"Um… I admit, when I was forging Crescent Rose, my uncle uh… told me to treat her like a lover."
"Pfft! He didn't!"
"I-I sort of took it too literally."
"Wow. And here I thought you were single all this time."
"I-I told you Crescent Rose isn't relationship material!" Rubu cried out. "She's special, sweet, and if you treat her right, she'll do all the right things at the right time. B-But, um, you know, get too comfortable and she might hurt you. Y-Yeah."
Blake burst out laughing. "Thanks, Ruby, for listening to me. I needed that."
"Isn't that why we're on a date?" Ruby pointed out with a cheeky smile. "Talking to each other, getting to know one another, offloading some of our problems… it's just something a couple normally does."
Blake narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "...Did you-"
"No! I didn't take Crescent Rose out for boba tea!" Ruby soon assured. "...I took her out to get smoothies."
Blake burst out laughing, which Ruby soon joined.
The boba tea tasted sweeter after that. Especially after kissing Ruby again. Did I mention that Blake was addicted to kissing her girlfriends and the same could be said for them? Yeah, don't complain if there's too much kissing because I am personally afraid of what would happen if they went into withdrawal.
At the end of the day though, Blake knew she had to face the professor and somehow convince her to enter a relationship with her. But from what she knew about her, from the descriptions from other students to what she had seen herself, there was no way the mature woman would ever think about being with her outside of a professional setting.
There was no way that Glynda would just go up and ask her–
"Miss Belladonna, would you come with me? I need to speak with you privately."
…That.
"Wha…?" Blake got out in a numb voice.
The weekend was over and the start of a new week had arrived. Blake had spent a lovely amount of time with her soulmates over their free time. Of course it wasn't all flirting and goofing off together, they still made sure to get in time for studying and training (at Weiss's insistence).
However, over the weekend and the next few days, she made sure to avoid Professor Goodwitch as best as she could even when it seemed like she wanted to talk to her.
As much as it made Blake act like a weirdo (if she wasn't already seen as one), making hasty escapes, avoiding eye contact, and stealing Ruby's headphones and blasting I Say Ooh on repeat to not hear Miss Goodwatch calling for her (thinking back on it now, she probably should've faked it), it was for a good reason. She didn't want to face her yet until she had a proper plan set in place to win her heart because, in all likelihood, she only had one chance and she could not screw it up.
However, it was all for naught because after five days of this nonsense, the professor thwarted her by heading to her dorm two hours before classes started. Heck, they were still in their PJs.
And so, faced with no other option, she decided to do what was necessary.
"Loveyoubye."
"Yang! Grab her!"
"Got it, Rubes!"
THUD!
Weiss sighed and shook her head while Yang pinned their girlfriend to the floor on her leader's orders, even as she desperately tried to crawl her way to the window. "Blake, I am not paying for a fifth replacement until you explain why you're acting so weird!"
"You'll never find out!" Blake cried defiantly.
"Sweetie, you made us promise you to stop you from running away." Ruby reminded. "This is for your own good."
"You know, I kinda like doing this to ya." Yang couldn't help but admit. "But the next time I do this to you, it better be after a date… and maybe I have a–"
"YANG!" Ruby exclaimed with a hot red blush on her face.
"What?"
"...Excuse me professor. I need to damage my brain." Weiss said before promptly walking in front of an empty spot on the wall and proceeded to slam her forehead into it.
The professor stared unamused at the scene in front of her. The sisters bickering, the Schnee heiress banging her head against the wall, and the cute wittle kitty hissing in a futile attempt to escape her full nelson. "Is this the usual for your team?" She couldn't help but ask.
"I don't even know what our usual is yet." Weiss deadpanned before going back to what she was doing, hoping that with enough blows to the head that she can become just as insane as the rest of her team and thus maintain her sanity. So far, all it gave her was a headache and dent in the wall.
"Miss Belladonna, I must insist you come with me. You are not in trouble, but I need to speak to you." Miss Goodwitch spoke in a calm and even manner before eyeing the other girls in the room. "Privately."
"Blake, just do what our teacher says." Weiss sighed out.
The cat faunus managed to pull herself out of Yang's grasp, but didn't try to leave as she looked directly at the professor.
Her beautiful hair tied up into a bun, the perfectly immaculate clothing with not a wrinkle out of place, the riding crop that rested on her waist.
Why did she look so perfect so early in the morning!?
Blake was suddenly very conscious that she wasn't wearing a bra right now.
"L-Let me get changed first, please." Blake mumbled, closing her yukata a little as she shuffled towards the bathroom.
"You may." Goodwitch nodded. "Please do not keep me waiting." She soon ordered before stepping outside the dorm and closing the door.
Great, so not post-shower kisses. Guess she'll have to settle for only the pre-shower kisses today.
One shower (and several kisses) later…
Blake found herself alone with Glynda Goodwitch in a classroom that was not being used today. Already, this left like a scene from one of her many, trashy erotic novels and that was causing her to think of… things she had to suppress for the sake of fairness to her girlfriends (especially Ruby).
She had come into this wondering what Goodwitch wanted to talk about, like her rampant PDA or all the escapes from her sight, but she never expected that…
"You're going to tutor me?" Blake repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." The professor nodded while pushing up her glasses.
"But I don't think I've been struggling in any of the classes so far." Blake said with a small frown. They hadn't even done an exam yet.
"Well, we're doing a trial run for a new elective that will be introduced to the curriculum next year for third and fourth years, and a random selection of students have been chosen to test out the successful applications of it." Goodwitch explained.
First Blake ever heard of such a thing. "...What is it?"
"Ethics."
"Ethics?" Blake repeated, her eyebrow raised. "Why is that an elective? Shouldn't that be…?"
"Fairly common knowledge?" Goodwitch finished for her student. "...Unfortunately, no. The world is rather complicated and not everything is black and white. There are many questions that don't have a right answer and there will be times that it will cause people to hesitate, and hesitation in the hunting profession often leads to death."
"So… what will this class entail?"
"It'll be about scenarios that you must think through. How to view it from the outside and from the perspectives of others. For example, if a loved one were on their deathbed. Would you want them to live longer or hurry it along? Legally, that would be wrong, but if that loved one wants to leave this world with dignity it might be a kinder method than simply waiting. We're in an era of peace, so we must ensure that this era continues even if it's as minor as teaching the importance of ethics."
To be honest, that did interest the cat faunus a little. It would make protecting her soulmates' smiles a little easier and, she was pretty sure, her time in the White Fang has seriously messed up her concept of ethics.
Plus, this was a prime opportunity to get closer to the professor.
"That sounds… interesting." Blake said.
"Now, I understand that this was sprung on you suddenly, and it will take place after classes, so you are free to turn this down, however I do recommend–"
"No, you don't have to convince me. I'll take the lessons."
Goodwitch nodded. Perfect. "Ah, then do you have plans after school today? I wish to begin our tutoring sessions as soon as possible. Don't worry, it'll only take an hour of your time."
Blake flinched. Now this was a predicament. It was a choice between more time with the professor or an hour less with her girlfriends… which meant less hugs and kisses from them.
But… ultimately, this was a prime opportunity to win over Professor Goodwitch's heart, so the die was cast.
"...Okay, let me text my girlfriends before we start." Blake nodded before pulling out her Scroll.
However, there was a quick flash of uncomfortableness on Glynda's face. "Please refer to your… significant others… as your teammates."
Blake looked at the teacher strangely before shrugging. "Fine." She soon got out before calling her team. "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey~"
Oh no, 21 E's and a dumb smile.
It was everything Glynda feared.
This was going to be a difficult tutoring session.
Once her usual classes were done, Blake headed over to the designated room for her ethics lesson. Nothing special, it was simply one of the empty classrooms no one was using right now.
When she arrived, she saw that Goodwitch was there, waiting for her… by meticulously cleaning and smoothing her work outfit to a spotless shine, using the reflection in the window to ensure she was as presentable as possible.
Blake bit her lip as she spied through the door. "The way the setting sun shines on her… how her hair and glasses make her look… it's super attractive! Hngh!" She thought, feeling her heart take double damage, no, double damage and critical damage at the same time!
Ow…
"Miss Belladonna, you come in any time you want." The professor suddenly spoke, causing Blake to jump.
"Y-Yes, professor." Blake responded as she went inside. "I brought a spare writing book, pens, books from the library about ethics, water-"
"All unnecessary." Goodwitch interrupted. "I will simply be telling you various ethical scenarios. You will answer and we will discuss the result and reasoning, is that good with you?"
"Um, sure." Blake nodded as she sat down.
Goodwitch nodded back before pulling out a book… and sat right next to Blake, causing her to flinch. "Miss Belladonna, don't be nervous. This is simply better to do than standing in front."
"O-Okay." Blake accepted, feeling her cheeks and both her ears heat up.
"Now, let us begin." Goodwitch said before clearing her throat. "This scenario involves you at a set of train tracks with a lever near you that will switch the tracks. There is a runaway trolley barrelling down the tracks where it will surely kill five people tied to the tracks. However, on the other hand only one person is also tied to it. If you switch the track, you will save the five and kill the one. What do you do?"
Blake frowned. "I'm guessing stopping the trolley isn't an option."
"No."
"So the needs of the many or the needs of the few." Blake whispered to herself.
Miss Goodwitch nodded. "One of the first things you'll learn as a huntress: You can't save everyone."
"...But I will try." Blake mentally added. "I switch the tracks." She then spoke her answer.
Goodwitch nodded. "So you-"
"And then I go and save the only person tied to that set of tracks. I'm fast enough to do that." Blake finished before smirking at her teacher. "You never said how fast the trolley is going or how far it is from them. I might have enough time to save everyone in this scenario."
The professor's eyes widened before stopping herself from grinning. "I see. That is a possibility. Well done, but don't expect that loophole to appear again."
Blake grinned cheekily. "We'll see about that."
They went through several of these types of scenarios before the alarm on Miss Goodwitch's Scroll sounded.
"Time is up." The teacher announced.
"So, how did I do?" Blake asked as she leaned back in her seat.
Goodwitch let out a small smile. "You did very well as a student. You managed to outsmart me a few times. Well done, high marks."
"I'm being graded?"
"No, but I can see that you have the smarts to at least attempt to mitigate loss of life. However, it will only get harder from here when dealing with ethical scenarios. You may go now."
"I look forward to it." Blake nodded as she packed up her stuff. "Okay, I will see you on Friday, Professor."
The teacher nodded as she watched her student leave the room, swallowing as she couldn't tear her eyes away from the increasingly infamous behind of Blake Belladonna.
"...Dammit." Glynda cursed under her breath.
Oh, this was only going to get worse from there.
Soon enough, things had gotten routine. In-between classes and training, Blake did her best to keep them happy, going on dates or simply cuddling in their dorm. Blake only had tutoring sessions every other day, so she had plenty of time to spend with her girlfriends while also doing her best to get closer to the professor.
These lessons were honestly very fun to go through, testing her knowledge and her ability to adapt. She was even timed in some cases. And at nearly every turn, Blake would manage to save everyone, no matter how many restrictions Goodwitch placed.
The professor didn't seem all that mad about it. She actually looked like she was enjoying the lessons as well, only really pointing out how she might've done on the off-chance when she could only lessen the pain rather than stop it all together.
Although, she did notice a pattern after the third lesson.
"Why do all of these questions involve runaway trolleys?" Blake thought. She decided not to question it because it genuinely did cause her to rack her brain and question her own morality.
"Hm, I never considered how chili sauce could be used in such a way." Goodwitch said in an impressed tone. "You've continued to impress me over these lessons."
"You have to be creative and adapt to any situation. You have to be if you want to be a splendid huntress." Blake responded with a smile.
Goodwitch flinched. "Y-Yes. I will ensure you will become one."
"Can I go now? I have a date." Blake soon requested.
"You may. Make sure to read those books I requested." Goodwitch nodded.
"Sure. I'll see you next time, Professor Goodwitch." Blake happily said as she prepared to leave.
However, not before the teacher told her something that made her freeze. "...Actually, call me Glynda."
Blake's heart throbbed. Internally, she cheered. She was beginning to break through the woman's ice cold heart. "...O-Okay. I'll see you next time, Glynda." She had to stop herself from giggling like a schoolgirl (Wait, she is a schoolgirl) before heading out the door.
Glynda let out a breath, brushing her hand through her hair. "W-Why did I say that?" She mumbled to herself. That wasn't something a teacher should allow a student to call them!
Urgh! This had been happening over the course of every lesson! Slowly but surely, she felt herself lose a little bit of her professional image and just…
Enjoy her time with Blake.
Blake was… an amazing student. Attentive and easy to work with. She took her little mistakes in stride and worked to improve on them, both in and out of her lessons. She asked interesting questions, tested her own knowledge even unintentionally, made her feel… wanted.
So dedicated, so determined, so… cute and…
NO!
"Calm down!" Glynda told herself whole slapping her cheeks.
This isn't how a professor of Beacon Academy should be acting! Sure, Bart was a coffee addict, Peter was a rambling pervert, and Peach… existed (she didn't know her all too well), but they were all veterans with a lifetime of knowledge and drive to see their students succeed in life. Beacon Academy is hope, a shining light to a future that is better than their present.
And she was shaming it by doing this nonsense! Betraying Ozpin by…
Falling in love.
It would be so easy to just… give in. Ask her out. Maybe… do something more.
But… it was impossible. There was no way that would happen.
After all, she didn't need a Semblance to know what was happening just outside the classroom.
She had her Scroll for that. Ozpin loved his hidden cameras.
Just outside the classroom was Miss Schnee, smiling as she saw her girlfriend come out.
"Blake." Weiss greeted.
"Weiss, good to see you." Blake responded as she hugged the heiress (who still looked like she was about to explode from embarrassment, no matter how many times this had happened).
"You were only out of my sight for 45 minutes." Weiss huffed.
Blake raised an eyebrow. "...Weiss, classes ended an hour and half ago."
Ah, Weiss was always so adorable when she's flustered. "W-Well, um… it's…"
"There's no need to explain yourself, my love. I know what you mean." Blake assured before kissing the heiress.
When the cat faunus pulled away, Weiss let out a dreamy sigh. "I will never get tired of that."
"Well, if you do, I'll try on some of the lip balms Yang has been suggesting to me."
"I prefer your natural flavor." Weiss claimed as she licked her lips… before the implications dawned on her. "...No wait, I-"
"I know what you mean, Weiss." Blake giggled before leaning in to kiss the heiress, who happily accepted it… while tears started to drip onto the screen.
Glynda had to take off her glasses and wipe them clean.
So… unprofessional.
"Stop feeling this way, Glynda." The teacher thought. "You were there when they showed their love to the entire student body. As ridiculous as it might be, you shouldn't… shouldn't…"
Fall in love. Be happy. Suffer this loneliness. Live a life. Waste it by stopping herself and just go for it.
Yeah right. Like that would happen.
"...Next lesson." Glynda whispered as she placed a hand on her chest, hoping it would calm down. "It has to be the next lesson." She promised.
She could only hope she didn't lose her will again.
Ethics classes with Glynda had become a highlight of Blake's week. Sure, she was always looking forward to being her soulmates, but the time she spent with her professor had stimulated her in a different way than her girlfriends.
Being with Ruby was like frolicking through a field of flowers, doing nothing but enjoying nature and sunshine.
Being with Weiss was like being the bells of the ball, dancing through the night under the moonlight alone.
Being with Yang was like going to the best nightclubs in the city, getting tipsy and letting go of her inhibitions.
But being with Glynda… it was like going to a ritzy restaurant with a view of the city. The food was decent, the price was outrageous but the woman sitting across from her, sipping on win before staring deep into her eyes past her glasses and–
CRACK!
"Miss Belladonna."
"Wha?"
"Have you been listening to what I've been saying?"
"...No. Sorry, Glynda."
Glynda nearly let out a sigh of relief. She actually hadn't talked about anything because she was staring deep into Blake's amber eyes.
Clearing her throat, she spoke. "This will be our last ethics lesson."
Blake's eyes widened. She thought she would be given a little warning beforehand. "Aw, and I was just starting to enjoy our time together."
"Stay focus, Miss Belladonna." Glynda responded with slight amusement. "Once again, there are two tracks and you are conducting a runaway trolley. On one… are your teammates: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao Long."
"I choose to-"
"Let me finish." Glynda interrupted, frowning. "On the other track… is me."
"!?" The faunus suddenly heard a ringing in her ears, her heart thumping against her chest, and goosebumps on her skin.
Despite it being a false scenario, she felt… scared.
"You must choose, Miss Belladonna." Glynda stated. "Do you save your teammates… or do you only save me?"
Blake swallowed and shook her head. No, she couldn't think any other answer for this moment. "...I'll… do my best to save everyone."
Goynda frowned. "That is not an option."
"I will make it an option." Blake insisted as she stared directly into the glasses of her professor. "I know I can't solve everything all nice and tidy, but if I don't try then it'll just… eat inside me."
"...Why?"
"Hm?"
"Why would you save me too?" Glynda suddenly asked with a notable hitch in her voice. "Your teammates should be your priority."
"You're my priority too." Blake shot back. "Why are you asking me this? Is this part of the lesson?"
"..."
"...No, that isn't it." Blake realized with narrowed eyes. "Do you really think so low of yourself?"
"I… just think you should be thinking about the bigger picture." Glynda clarified, the cat faunus' gaze becoming a little hard to bear.
"I am. And… it involves you in it." Blake responded before swallowing. It felt like the time was right. She needed to shoot her shot before this ended in an actual trolley crash. "Glynda, I–"
"Miss Belladonna…" Glynda suddenly said, causing her student to freeze. "I must admit, I am flattered but I ask that you must stop."
Blake nearly choked. There was a sinking feeling in her chest as she knew exactly what was happening now. "I-I'm not doing anything."
"Belladonna, no." The professor firmly said. "You should not be doing such a thing. There are rules against this behavior. We are warriors first and foremost. What you are attempting goes against all we have built in Beacon."
"...I'm sorry."
Miss Goodwitch shook her head, her face utterly looking done with the girl. "This is a warning: You must not pursue this any further or else there will be consequences. Under no circumstances will I allow you to do this. Am I clear?"
Blake bowed her head. "...I understand, Professor Goodwitch."
"Good. You are dismissed."
Seeing no other option, the girl packed up her things and made her way to the exit. When she opened the door and stepped through, however, she paused and looked back.
Only to see the blonde woman not even watching her leave.
"...Goodbye, professor." Blake murmured before shutting the door.
Clunk
There was nothing left in the room after that… only Glynda and the sounds of a choked sob coming from her.
When Glynda made it home that night, she didn't bother with her usual meticulous night routine.
No work unpacked, no dressing down to something more comfortable, not even a glass of wine to take the edge off dealing with the harsh daily life of being in a thankless job as a single woman who hasn't even kissed anyone… and also to cope with the many, many secrets that could utterly destroy the world.
But only some of them. Ozpin liked to keep most of his cards close to his chest.
Anyways, all she did when she arrived was take off her shoes, loosen her top, and climb into bed. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep.
And yet, it didn't happen.
No amount of training to fall asleep quickly was helping. She had run through them all in the span of an hour, and yet she didn't even close her eyes for more than a blink.
She knew perfectly well what was the cause of this: The sorrowful gaze of Blake Belladonna.
Glynda was insane. She had realized that quite a while ago, so that's why she had taken to some out-of-the-box tactics.
She had offered to tutor the bow-wearing girl for… a reason that went against her very being. She wasn't tutoring Blake to help her, she was tutoring Blake to stop her.
To end her own feelings and bring an end to an infatuation before it turned into something much more dangerous: love.
At the very least, ensure Blake remains loyal to her girlfriends… no matter the cost.
Ethics wasn't going to be a real elective, at least at Beacon. It was taught at other schools like Shade Academy, but here no one had even heard of it before. It was just an excuse to get around Blake Belladonna's good grades and the stigma of spending time with a student after hours. In all actuality, she just copied ethics problems from online.
Although, admittingly, she might've used philosophy problems instead of ethical ones but… they were the same, right?
It… hurt to turn down Blake. It hurt much more than she anticipated. But it was necessary. It was for the good of her future as a huntress and the good of the world.
Remnant would not fall over a broken heart.
So why did it feel like it was?
"Get a hold of yourself." Glynda told herself as she shut her eyes. "That was merely a… a…"
"You used to be fun. What happened?"
Nightmare.
"Miss Goodwitch, you will make a splendid huntress if you just studied more."
"GLYN, RUN!"
Memory.
"You have to keep fighting, Glyn!"
"I can't… I don't know… I-I couldn't… they…"
Torture.
"Only one survivor of Team GLTS. Such a shame…"
"Miss Goodwitch… do you wish to have the knowledge to ensure this is not repeated?"
Gone.
Glynda choked out a sob, clutching tight onto her pillow before swallowing, holding back so she wouldn't spiral again.
She had to remind herself of the bitter pill she had been forced to swallow all those years ago.
Her happy ending was long gone.
All she could do these days was ensure others gained theirs.
Such is the life of a teacher and a huntress.
Blake was using her bed.
This was not a good thing.
She wasn't reading, cuddling with one of her teammates, or napping while getting petted and stroked, but rather sat in silence, staring at nothing but the floor.
As the lovely girlfriends they are, the rest of Team RWBY looked at each other and silently agreed on one of their many plans they've developed, all with one goal: ensuring Blake's happiness.
"Darling, did something happen yesterday?" Weiss asked as she sat beside the faunus.
"Did someone get all racist again or call us love freaks?" Yang assumed, her eyes flashing red.
"Blake, you feeling okay?" Ruby then added as she took her girlfriend's chin and gently made her look up.
Blake sighed. "Just… yesterday was my last ethics lesson."
"Oh great! Back to regularly scheduled smackin'!" Yang cheered, only to see her sister and the Ice Queen glare at her while Blake herself looked miserable. "Huh? Babe?"
"...Not right now." Weiss hissed.
"Blake." Ruby spoke up in a serious tone. "Is it Adam?"
Blake rapidly shook her head. "No, I just… I'm thinking."
"About what?" Yang said.
"My next move."
Her soulmates shared a look, all of them a little confused. "...I'm lost." Ruby said.
"Me too." Weiss agreed.
Blake swallowed. No, now was not the time to confess that she had Glynda on the brain. "It's just…. Is it… wrong to save someone?"
"Hm?"
"An ethics thing?" Yang guessed.
"If they don't want to be saved… are they worth saving?" The cat faunus asked.
"Are you serious?" Weiss scoffed while rolling her eyes. "Of course they are."
Blake and the sisters stopped what they were doing and stared at the heiress in disbelief. "Whoa, Weiss?" Yang got out.
"Everyone deserves to be saved, even at their lowest point. It's a waste of their life if they do." Weiss explained before going up to her girlfriend and taking her hands. "Blake, you showed me that there is hope, that… life can change in a snap. You did that with me. Someone who was set in her ways for years until the very day I met you, I thought that… despite everything I've done, I would still return to the exact same spot I was only a few weeks ago: cold and miserable. But here I am. And here you are. You… are my hero, Blake, and I could never repay you for saving my life."
"Aw…" Ruby quietly cooed at the speech. Gosh, this was just like something from her tales!
Weiss then let out a light giggle, so melodious that Blake fell in love with her all over again. "If that's what you can do for one life, how about another? Everyone is worth saving, everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what they think." The heiress then said.
"Weiss?"
The heiress soon pecked her girlfriend on the lips. "This isn't an ethics question, is it? Does someone need saving right now?"
"...Yes." Blake nodded. "They're hurting. Badly."
"Then what are you waiting for? Go out and save them, just like you did for me!" Weiss declared as she pulled Blake up onto her feet.
"And me." Ruby spoke up.
"And me." Yang concluded. "We'll back ya up if you need it."
The black clad girl could do nothing but feel herself falling in love with them all over again. As much as she hated the circumstances, she was glad she was able to be with these girls. "Thank you, but… this is something I have to do on my own."
"Then that's fine." The heiress nodded. "Go. We'll be waiting when you get back."
Blake pecked Weiss on the cheek. "...I'll return before you know it." She assured before heading for the door, not forgetting to kiss the leader and the brawler as well.
"Go get her." Ruby mouthed after she got her kiss (and matched with her teammates by gaining rosy cheeks).
Blake nodded before rushing out the door.
She had a soulmate to save.
Glynda Goodwitch wanted nothing more than to die.
Sleep sucked. Lessons sucked. The world sucked. Even her tests sucked.
No one would know, given the fact that outwardly she was acting like her usual self, but Goodwitch wanted nothing more than to just… give up. Leave her body and just do something else other than be here.
She was so out of it, that she ended up coming back to the empty classroom she had borrowed for her fake lessons. Her heart clenched when she realized where she was, and broke when there was no sign of the beautiful girl with long black hair.
But… It was for the best. Pain coincided with being a hunter, so it was just another one on the pile of crushed hopes and broken dreams.
"...So stupid." Glynda muttered as she buried her face in her arms, hoping a little nap would wash the hurt away.
But then… the last person she wanted to see for the next four years came through the door.
Mentally cursing herself for forgetting to lock the door, she stood up and approached the black clad girl. "Miss Belladonna, there are no more ethics lessons."
"There weren't any to begin with." Blake informed, causing the teacher to freeze. "You made it up, professor. There is no such thing as an ethics class next year, or even in the next decade."
Glynda sighed. "...I knew that lie wouldn't hold up for long."
"I never believed it." Blake shook her head before stepping closer. "Glynda–"
"Do not call me that." The professor hissed as she moved away. "We are teacher and student. Nothing more. I ask that you stop this nonsense and forget this ever happened."
"Is that why you made up an elective?" Blake questioned as she continued to walk forward. "Professor, if you really did want to end this love… why didn't you just tell me sooner?"
"You avoided me. You didn't give me the chance."
"Until the tutoring lessons." Blake pointed out. "But I was there with you and yet you said nothing."
The teacher flinched and looked away.
An opener.
"If you truly wanted to stop me, if you knew from the beginning, why didn't you confront me at the first opportunity?" Blake continued as she made her way closer and closer to the professor, while Goodwitch herself tried to move away. "Isn't it your job as a teacher to stop young, dumb students from making a mistake like this?"
"..."
"Unless… you weren't thinking like a teacher." Blake whispered into her ear, as the one in front of Goodwitch vanished.
"...!" Goodwitch gasped as she stumbled back until she ended up hitting her back against the corner of the room.
"When you were tutoring me… we weren't simply a student and teacher, but two people who wished to get closer." The faunus then stated.
Blake finally had gotten close enough that their faces were nearly touching, but Glynda turned her face away, unable to face her student.
"From strangers…"
Suddenly, the professor shivered as she felt soft, delicate fingers travel up her arm and towards her head.
"...To friends…"
And then, Blake gently guided Glynda's head to stare directly into her eyes.
"...To… maybe more."
Goodwitch looked down. "...Stop it."
"I'm right, aren't I?" Blake whispered.
"Stop this nonsense at once!" Glynda called out as she closed her eyes thrust her arms forward to push her student away… only for her to feel nothing.
Blake stood back, giving her plenty of room to leave.
"Professor…" Blake breathed out, taking full form. "There is no right or wrong answer here. Just tell me… why didn't you push me away until now?"
Glynda swallowed.
"Because… I…"
No.
No, she couldn't do this to Blake.
She couldn't allow herself to make another mistake.
"Just tell her! Tell her! Please… just tell her…" Glynda mentally pleaded.
But… What were the words was she supposed to say? They were all jumbled up in her head that it was difficult to parse the sentence she wanted!
Like… there was a good chance that she was going to say PIZZA HOUSE CAT GUN and just decide to end her life right there.
She was at the end of her rope here! If she didn't say the right thing… everything she had ever worked for would be lost.
No… She couldn't… she wouldn't…!
SNAP!
It was all over… the rope snapped.
Glynda suddenly found herself staring at Blake, breath taken away. She felt like a teenager again.
She felt like she was discovering the world again.
She felt like she was back with her team again.
She felt… happy again.
After so much time at war with her own mind, she accepted that her frozen heart had melted, and now she had the courage to speak the words she had held back for so long.
"I love you."
ZING!
Once the professor spoke those three magical words, once Blake felt another shock run through her system, it all came spilling out.
"I love you! I love you! I… I am really in love with you!" Glynda cried, tears running down her face as she left the corner and faced Blake in the middle of the room. "But… but this love, this love is wrong! I… I don't want to ruin your future like this! I'm a pathetic woman who decided to fall in love with her own student! A student who's already dating such bright, youthful, and beautiful young women! You don't deserve someone like me!"
Blake flinched but she stood strong against the storm of emotions coming from her soulmate. "You're wrong! Glynda, you shouldn't sell yourself short like this. Everyone deserves to have a fulfilling life. It's why we're here! It's why we fight!"
"That's against the Grimm!" Glynda called out while shaking her head. "This… This is nothing like that!"
"We aren't just weapons!" Blake declared as she grabbed onto her teacher's- no, her soulmate's shoulders. "We're more than that. You're more than that. We may be an important part of protecting the weak but… is it fulfilling when you don't have something personal to protect? To come home to?"
"..." Glynda shivered on the spot, though not in fear, but from holding something back. Something growing too strong to stop soon enough. "...My happiness doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. It's selfish."
"Glynda, you deserve to live for yourself!" Blake said. "Please… be selfish for once. Just for this moment, what will make you the happiest right now?"
Glynda sniffled. "...To be with you."
"Then there's nothing wrong there." Blake said before wrapping her arms around the woman's waist. "It shouldn't matter who you fall in love with, but what you do with that love."
"P-Please…stop." Glynda sobbed as her arms did the same, clutching onto her love's back. "Don't make it seem like this is right."
"It's not." Blake simply replied, yet her smile never waned.
Pulling back, Glynda stared directly into Blake's eyes. So bright and beautiful, so easy to get lost in. "...Please don't say goodbye again. I hate goodbyes." She then pleaded.
"...Then let me make you a promise. I will always return to you, no matter what happens." Blake responded.
"You will?" Glynda whispered.
"Yes." Blake nodded as she leaned in close. "After all, you will owe me."
"Owe you wha–"
CHU!
Glynda's eyes widened as Blake kissed her on the lips, unable to do anything but melt into it and relax. It was calming… comforting…
It felt right.
Eventually, they pulled away, panting and sweating. "...A promise that you will do the same for me when you come back as well." Blake breathed out.
"...Blake, my dear." Glynda whispered with a choked sob.
"Glynda. I love you too." Blake let out as she held her teacher's hands.
That was all that needed to be said as the teacher cried into Blake's chest, not from sadness but from joy.
She had found it, after all these years: her happy ending.
Glynda Goodwitch was destined to live a life full of love.
However, when one story ends, another begins…
And it began with Glynda regretting showing up to school today because that meant being formally introduced to her fellow girlfriends… and they did not look all too pleased at her presence when Blake called her to the rooftop.
Ruby was shaking, either in fear or anticipation… or needing to pee. They all seemed to mix together with her.
Weiss was pale… well, paler than usual, her brain currently and desperately trying to make sense of what was happening.
Finally, Yang's jaw was dropped wide open. As accepting as she was of being in strange relationships, even she had her limits.
As for Blake? She was trying to stay cool when in reality, she was pleading to the Brothers that they didn't reject Glynda.
"Ahem. D-Due to how things panned out, would you mind allowing Glynda Goodwitch to be my girlfriend?" Blake nervously introduced, sweating buckets as if it was the middle of summer and shivering like it was the middle of winter.
Glynda got a little worried that none of them spoke after her intro, but that was soon broken about a minute later.
"...You're kidding." Yang let out.
"N-Nope." Blake stiffly nodded.
"P-Professor Goodwitch is the person you were crushing on?" Ruby gasped.
"Yes." Blake confirmed.
"You knew!?" Yang exclaimed.
"I only found out who it was now!" Ruby quickly got out while flailing her arms around. "I am innocent! Innocent!"
However, it was Weiss who seemed… emotionless. Although, her bangs were covering her eyes now. "...Blake?"
"Yes, Weiss?"
"Come here for a second."
"Sure." Blake nodded as she approached the heiress. "So, what is it do you want to–"
SLAP!
"ARE YOU ACTUALLY INSANE!?" Weiss yelled, her face as red as Blake's cheek as she pointed to the only adult on the rooftop, who was staring baffled at the entire thing. "Our professor!? Second to Ozpin himself!? You managed to get her to fall in love with you!?"
"Weiss, I can explain–"
SLAP!
"YOU ARE DATING OUR TEACHER!" Weiss continued as Ruby, Yang, and Glynda covered their ears. "THAT'S ALL KINDS OF ILLEGAL! RUBY AND YANG ARE ONE THING, BUT THIS COULD GET HER ARRESTED! YOU COULD RUIN YOUR SOCIAL LIFE! WE'RE ALREADY CONSIDERED OUTCASTS! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE!? I WASTED AN IMPASSIONED SPEECH OVER THIS!"
"Please, let me tell you what happened!" Blake said as she tried to get hearing back in both sets of her ears. "Glynda here set up some fake lessons with the intent to end any sort of romantic feelings with one another, but I convinced her to allow our love to happen and be happy instead of enduring loneliness. Simple as that."
Weiss silently motioned Blake to come closer, which she dutifully obeyed as she was a wonderful and dutiful–
SLAP!
"YOU ABSOLUTE IMBECILE!" Weiss roared even louder than a lion at the girlfriend with a very red handprint on her right cheek. "SHE'S OLD ENOUGH TO BE OUR MOTHERS!"
Okay, that did it. "I'm not that old, Miss Schnee."
Weiss squeaked as she soon faced the unamused professor. "...I'm sorry, please don't give me detention!"
Glynda groaned. "I told you this was a bad idea…"
"Don't worry about Weiss here. Ice Queen will warm up to you eventually." Yang soon assured.
"Yang, you have already gone over your mandated pun allowance! As Blake's Relationship Organizer, that's one less hour on your turn."
Yang grimaced, as if she had gotten shot in the heart. "...W-Worth it." Look, it was either this or making her the sole holder of the title 'Girlfriend No. 1' instead of sharing it with Ruby. Officially, they were both Girlfriend No. 1 and No. 2.
"Weiss, I am so, so sorry but please, give Glynda a chance here! I know I'm asking so much out of you but she deserves just as much happiness as you and the others." Blake pleaded.
"...I didn't say anything about rejecting her." Weiss mumbled with a huff. "I just think you're an imbecile. But you're my–"
"Our!" Ruby called out.
"...Our imbecile." Weiss corrected. "I've already accepted Ruby and Yang, what's one more? And besides, I know you'll make us all happy."
"Thank you, Weiss." Blake breathed out in relief. "And Ruby?"
"Yes! A thousand times yes!" Ruby cheered with a fist pump. "We get a free tutor!"
"Excuse me?" Glynda got out with a deadpan look.
"Oh dear Gods…" Weiss groaned while pinching the bridge of her nose.
Ruby soon zipped to the teacher with her Semblance, books and papers in hand and bouncing excitedly on her feet. "Professor, I really need help with my homework! I have so much catching up to do that I won't be able to go on dates with Blake until I'm 25."
"Wouldn't you have long graduated by then or do you plan on being held back for ten years?" Weiss deadpanned. "Yang, please, for my sanity, say you have a problem with this."
Yang simply looked at her teammate. "...Seriously?"
"I'm the only one here with an ounce of common sense here, I don't wanna be alone!" The struggles of the straight man.
"Well… um…"
"No. Don't speak. I already know your true feelings."
"Oh." Yang shrugged before turning to the blonde woman. "Hey, professor. Ya kissed Blake yet!?"
"Yang!" Weiss called out.
"M-Miss Xiao Long, you shouldn't…" Glynda stammered out before letting out a sigh. No, she was part of this craziness now. She was going to have to embrace it. "...Yes, I did."
Ruby happily squealed. "How was it?"
"It was… It was everything I could ever imagine for my first kiss." Glynda replied with a dreamy expression, which soon turned to regret. "...Why did I confess that?" She then groaned while covering her face with her hands.
"Hey, there's no shame in that." Yang assured with a friendly smile.
"Yep, that just means your kiss with Blake was super special!" Ruby cheered as she pumped her fist. "Oh, I knew Blake would do the right thing. To Professor Goodwitch joining the family!"
"WASSHOI!" RBY cheered.
"Wasshoi…" The W of RWBY however was less enthused.
"W-Wait, hold on!" Glynda stammered a little overwhelmed by the team. "I… I… You're all being too hasty here."
"Why?" Yang asked.
"While I am… accepting of your relationship with Miss Belladonna, I intend to keep my distance from your team as a whole." Glynda explained in a serious manner.
"What?" Ruby gasped in surprise.
"Excuse me, but I must remind you that you are Blake's girlfriend now. We should be working together and make each other happy just as much as Blake does." Weiss stated.
"I'm sure we can fit you in our schedule so you get a fair share of our kitty. It'll probably be done by tonight. Weiss really likes scheduling." Yang then added.
"A properly organised calendar just does something for me." Weiss admitted with a blush.
"This is not because I dislike any of you. It is simply for the good of everyone here." Glynda soon explained. "It is just that I cannot simply date Blake openly, unlike all of you. I do not want to risk your futures."
"Glynda…" Blake sighed. She told her to be more selfish but here she was, caring more about others than herself.
...Dammit, that just made her hotter!
"Not unless we can keep a secret. And we totally can! After all, no one knows that Blake is faunus." Ruby claimed before realizing what she just said. "...Erm, oops?"
"Nice going, dolt." Weiss scoffed.
"I am already aware of that fact." Glynda flatly informed.
"Huh?" Blake got out in surprise.
"It's not that hard." Glynda stated. "Only idiots wouldn't have noticed how… cat-like you are."
Weiss and Ruby flushed while Yang's eye twitched.
"...Sorry." Glynda soon apologized.
Blake flinched as her hands instinctively went to her bow. "Is my disguise really that bad?"
"You should wear a hat." Glynda soon suggested.
"I'm… fine with my bow." Blake responded. Well, given the fact she hasn't been given the usual side-eyes and glares, it was working for the most part.
That or they didn't care. Apathy might be better than hate in this case.
"So… you're not gonna join our group?" Ruby whimpered like a lost puppy being rejected by a potential owner.
Glynda grimaced before forcing down her feelings. Dammit, if there was one thing she inherited fro. Summer, it was her eyes. Her stupid, cute, puppy-like silver eyes. "I'm afraid because of my role and status here at school, I must ensure that no one knows. It is for the best."
"Well… we should at least get to know why our professor is dating our teammate."
Glynda winced. "But if we–"
"Oh come on, what's so wrong with just hanging out with each other?" Yang pleaded while putting an arm over the teacher's shoulder.
"Students and teachers do not simply hang out." Glynda insisted as she moved the fiery blonde's arm off her. "It would be too risky."
The leader of Team RWBY pouted. "You're being too much of a worrywart."
Seeing that she wasn't getting anywhere with the sisters, and Weiss wasn't exactly helping, she turned to her girlfriend. "My dear, please tell them that this is a bad idea." Glynda requested with a sigh.
"...I do agree that we should hide my relationship with you, Glynda, but I do want all my girlfriends to be friendly with each other." Blake admitted. "We're a family now, and a family should stick together through thick and thin."
"Miss Belladonna, this isn't wise." Glynda insisted, but she could already feel her resistance crumbling.
"And so is dating you, but here you are going along with it. And that's why we're doing something important."
Her soulmates blinked "What is it?" They all questioned at the same time.
"Isn't it obvious?" Blake said with a smirk. "We're going on a date… together!"
GROUP DATE! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Save Game… Quit!
You know, I should really call my ANs "Dev Notes" or something to fit in my gimmick of treating each fic as a game, with each chapter a save that's being loaded and played.
It really stinks that Goodwitch doesn't have a backstory or even actual details about her… anything really. Can't even find her age. Please correct me on this.
Can you tell that I'm writing by the seat of my pants? Like, I do have the RWBY episodes to go off of, and an official harem list, but getting to the points I wanna hit is a problem. I'm also tossing around the idea of adding characters outside of Remnant, thanks to BBTAG.
And some people may notice that I give Jaune some flak. Well, I just tend to see him as the protagonist of RWBY harem stories, so I thought it would be amusing. That being said, JNPR is staying off the list… unless something comes up.
Group date next chapter… where I currently have no idea where it'll take place! I might need a little help.
Bonus: How many references and easter eggs can you find?
UknownHero signing off, my friends!