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Weiss was dating Neptune, or at least she was supposed to be. She thought they were still together, but he had become more and more distant and dismissive as their relationship went on. Whenever she tried to spend time with him or plan a date, he always had some excuse. This wasn’t helped by the fact that she had taken partial control of the SDC and was having to manage a company while being a second-year student at Beacon. She had less time for cosmetics and hair styling, so she often showed up ‘frizzy’ to the few dates Neptune agreed to. Even the humor and wit that had attracted him to her faded as it turned to sarcastic comments and shots at her appearance and habits.
Her team didn’t understand, they tried to reassure her, but it wasn’t the same. They couldn’t understand the pressure the SDC put upon her. Nobody did. Well, except for him… Jaune Arc. The resident knight of Beacon and the heir to the Arc Weapons Company, one of the closest partners of the SDC’s Valean Branch. After the dance where he helped set her and Neptune up, she found that he was quite tolerable. That summer, she had an internship at the Valean Branch of the SDC (an excuse to stay out of Atlas) and was shocked to find that the intern for the AWC was none other than Jaune Arc!
They grew close that summer, being able to confide in each other their worries and doubts as they shared similar burdens. He was also the only one who believed her about Neptune’s changes. Well, her team ‘believed her’ but thought she was exaggerating. All of this meant that when Neptune yelled at her – calling her indecisive, a frigid mess, and that she had gotten fat – Weiss ran to the only person she felt she could lean on: Jaune. “Weiss, he’s wrong.” He gently whispered in her ear as she cried and he held her. “You’re so strong, and dedicated, and beautiful.” He assured her.
“I’m fat!” Weiss wailed as Jaune sighed. See, even he couldn’t deny it. She had gained so much weight during the summer!
“Weiss, you grew 2 inches and your figure developed past Ruby’s. You’re not fat, your curves are a little more rounded now. And, pardon me for saying this, in all the right places. Before you were like an angel of youth, a maiden on the cusp of blossoming. Now though, you’ve flourished. You haven’t noticed it, but even some of those girls who called you flat are jealous of your figure now.” He explained with a blush. It was rather cute how flustered he got about something so banal as gossip. Weiss leaned into him more. “And I know you don’t care about this sort of thing, but you’re turning heads just like Blake and Yang. You’re a different type of beauty though than they are. You have an elegant beauty befitting royalty, like a princess or a queen.” He explained as she blushed now. “So please, don’t believe one word that comes out of Venereal’s mouth.” In spite of herself, she giggled at the inappropriate nickname of her boyfriend. “If you ever doubt yourself again, now you’ve always got me on your side, okay?” She nodded and gave him a kiss on the cheek before smiling and leaving their sanctuary: the music room. Half the students of Beacon were tone deaf and the other half were too busy with classes and training, so it was vacant except for the two heirs.
Weiss immediately headed to the bathroom and wiped the tears from her face before reapplying her makeup. Her day went quite similar to as it normally did: she went to her classes, attended a meeting with her team, and got ahead on her work for the SDC. Weiss paused as she realized that there was a break in her schedule. She immediately pulled out her scroll and began to dial her boyfriend’s number but paused. Did she really want to contact him so soon? Let him off the hook for what he had said to her? ‘No.’ Weiss decided as she held the back button with a frown. His number completely erased itself before she tapped out a new number on instinct. “Hello? Jaune?” She asked the blond as her team froze and their mouths began to drop while their eyes bulged.
“Hey, Weiss. Did you get ahead on your work too?” Jaune asked easily. She was so glad he had dropped that infernal nickname after the dance. ‘Though, he always said it with much more affection than Neptune ever has…’ Weiss thought to herself absentmindedly. She shook her head. ‘I need to get more sleep. Where did that thought come from?’
Weiss began with a soft smile as she knew Jaune was patiently waiting for her to answer. She had told him that she hated calls where the other person went on and on without pausing to see if Weiss had anything to say. Her father (and Neptune) were like that. “Yes, so I was wondering if your offer from this summer was still active.”
“Do you really want to go to something as dorky as a lecture on the history of Valean swordplay? With me of all people?” The dunce asked her. Weiss just sighed.
“Yes…” Weiss stretched out the word. “Now, there is an art exhibit on that same street that is open until well after the lecture ends. Would you mind going with me?”
“Sure, why not?” Jaune answered carefreely. “Sounds like fun. It’s that impressionistic gallery, right? I would’ve thought you and Blake might have enjoyed that more.”
“Hmm… you’re right.” Weiss pretended to think. “Well, I guess you’re a suitable substitute.” She mock-sighed at that as Jaune groaned over the phone. “What was that for?!” Weiss asked angrily.
“You know that the fake tone doesn’t suit you, right?” Jaune asked as Weiss felt her traitorous cheeks warming. “I know you’ve been wanting to see this exhibit for a while, and that you didn’t want your… unique reactions to impressionism to affect your team’s dynamic.” Weiss’ blush grew even more at that. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m glad you trust me enough to see this side of you.”
“D-Dummy!” Weiss exclaimed as she tried to slow her heart down. “Don’t say embarrassing stuff like that!” Jaune laughed on the other end, causing Weiss to pout. “You were teasing me again, weren’t you?”
“Sorry, Weiss. If it helps though, I meant every word.” The heiress felt rather than heard the sincerity in his voice, causing her heart to loudly beat in her ears again.
“I-I told you to stop saying embarrassing stuff like that!” Weiss exclaimed again. She exhaled and calmed herself. “Now, let’s meet up at the loading docks if that is acceptable.”
“Um, Weiss? We literally live across from each other. Why don’t we just meet in the hallway?” Jaune asked as Weiss blushed again. “Well, I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, see you soon. Goodbye…” Weiss muttered as Jaune exchanged his own farewells and hung up. Weiss felt strangely exhausted and re-energized by her conversation with the chivalric dunce. She turned around and saw her team staring at her with wider eyes and gaping mouths. “Close your mouths. Flies will fly in there.” Weiss huffed as they shook off the shock.
“Weiss-cream,” Yang began. “I thought you were dating Water-boy.” Weiss frowned at the derogatory nickname. Seriously! The quiver at the corner of her mouth was from holding back a retort, not because she was holding back laughter! “Why were you flirting with VB like that?”
“F-Flirting?” Weiss asked. “Please! As if I would ever do something like that with Arc.” She turned her head to the side as she thought about the two of them dating. ‘NO! I’m with Neptune!’ She assured herself.
“It sounded an awful lot like flirting.” Blake chimed in, actually paying attention. “Jaune is a tolerable person, and someone I’d consider a friend. I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t lead him on.”
“I would never do that to him!” Weiss exclaimed, offended at that very idea. “I mean, he’s the closest thing I have to a best friend–other than you Ruby!” The heiress added in quickly. “A guy best friend, you know?”
“As happy as I am that my besties are getting along,” Ruby began seriously. “I am worried about Jaune. He was madly in love with you last year, and now you’re acting happier around him than you ever have with Neptune, your boyfriend.”
“Ruby, I promise you. I am not leading Jaune on. He and I grew close over the summer at our internships. We have a lot in common, surprisingly, so he’s been a good confidant for the nuances of corporate life.” Weiss assured her leader.
Speaking of the knight, he knocked on RWBY’s door. “See?” Yang asked. “I bet that VB’s all dressed up for what he thinks is a date.” Yang threw open the door to reveal… Jaune in his standard outfit. “Huh?”
“What?” The dunce asked. “Do I have something on my face?” Jaune felt around, trying to find the nonexistent mess.
“A-Aren’t you going on a date with Weiss?” Ruby asked as Jaune’s eyes widened.
“No?” Jaune laughed nervously. “I don’t know what happened, but Weiss and I are just friends. She’s dating Neptune, you know.” Weiss’ team nodded, each leveling a decent glare at the heiress. “Weiss and I just finally became friends once everything about our respective companies came to light. We’ve been able to discuss problems about being heirs that would take too much explaining for y’all.” Jaune shrugged. “As for this, well, Neptune doesn’t have much of an appreciation for the impressionists.” That was a lie; Weiss knew that her boyfriend just hated Weiss’ reaction to impressionistic art. A warm feeling expanded in Weiss’ chest at how much Jaune cared for her. “As for the lecture, I’m just a little embarrassed to be presenting my dissertation without a friendly face in the audience.” He laughed at that as Ruby, Blake, and Yang’s jaws dropped again. “What? I’ve been working on it for a while. I do have a doctorate in military history after all.” If it were possible, Weiss’ team’s jaws dropped even further.
“Wait,” Ruby asked as she zipped forward. “Waitwaitwait! You-You have a doctorate in military history?! Since when?!”
Jaune thought about it. “I started when I had that detention with Oobleck. We had an in depth discussion about the history of warfare and the evolution of swordplay specifically in Vale, so he encouraged me to research it. I didn’t defend it until this summer though. I’m working on getting a degree in mechashift engineering though, so I can assist the AWC better.” Ruby’s eyes sparkled at that.
“As much as we’d like to continue this conversation,” Blake saved them. “Shouldn’t you both be getting to the lecture?”
Jaune shot Blake a grateful look, something that made something twist in Weiss’ chest. “I’ll tell y’all all about it afterwards, okay?” Jaune held the door open for Weiss before waving goodbye to the shell-shocked team.
Weiss hadn’t had such an enjoyable day since summer ended. Neptune would always glare at her or force her to leave when she had her visceral reactions to impressionistic work, but Jaune just smiled at her and offered her tissues to dry her tears. Ever since her father came out as the worst of the worst, Weiss had become deeply moved by impressionistic artwork. The blurry beauty reflected the fog that had risen up around Weiss’ heart. The way the colors blended together reminded her of how dull the world became after that fateful day. The heiress looked up at her friend who was admiring a field of flowers. To Weiss, the fog seemed to lift a little as the colors became distinct and she saw herself and Jaune dancing through the field together. When she was around him, the world seemed just a little brighter. A little less dreary. And Weiss felt more alive with him by her side.
That night, Weiss was confronted by her team, again. “Is this an intervention?” Weiss asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Not exactly.” Ruby began. “You see, we’re worried about you. After I made that comment that Jaune–someone who used to drive you crazy–is making you happier than your boyfriend ever has, we began thinking back on what you’ve told us about Neptune’s treatment of you.”
“We’re so sorry, Weiss.” Yang told her as the blonde drew the heiress into a hug. “We should’ve believed you from the start. You’re not the type to exaggerate something like that.”
“Now, how do you feel about Jaune?” Blake asked bluntly. “Don’t even try the friend excuse again, I saw the blush on your face when he teased you on the phone.” Her Faunus ears twitched as Weiss paled slightly.
“But it’s true! We’re just friends!” Weiss protested as Blake sighed.
“Weiss, close your eyes.” The ninja asked. Weiss looked at her strangely but obliged. “Imagine your perfect date.” Weiss thought of the painting she had seen with Jaune. The dancing couple in the field of flowers. “Who is with you?” Weiss imagined dancing in the field with someone who loved her. She felt the sun shine on them as the flowers tickled her bare legs. She blocked out the sunshine to see ocean-blue eyes and blond hair.
“Jaune…” She whispered as her eyes shot open. “This is bad. This is really really bad.” Weiss muttered as she began pacing. “I’m with Neptune. I love Neptune, right?”
“Weiss, Neptune doesn’t deserve you.” Yang told her as she hugged the heiress again.
“Jaune said the same thing.” Weiss whispered. “B-But, I should give him one more chance.” As her team prepared to speak up. “Just one. I need to know whether or not this relationship can be salvaged. I-I’ll tell him what I think about his treatment of me. If he doesn’t apologize, then we’re through.”
“Jaune would treat you much better than Vasilias ever could.” Ruby muttered as a large part of Weiss agreed with her.
Weiss texted Neptune and set up a meeting for the next morning. She could barely sleep, just like before her first date with the Mistralian. Unlike then though, Weiss wasn’t worried about making a bad impression, but rather whether or not Neptune’s comments would reappear. She got to the fountain long before Neptune did, and he was in a bad mood when he did show up. “Look at you.” He scoffed. “You call me away from my team to see you, and you’re dressed like that!” Weiss frowned as she looked down at her dress. She couldn’t see what the problem was.
“Neptune, take it back!” Weiss spat out. “Take everything back! Every insult you gave me, every degrading remark you sent my way, every glare you leveled towards me, every put down you told me. Take it all back!”
Neptune looked genuinely shocked for a moment before he tilted his head back and began laughing. “Seriously? Now why would I do something like that?” Neptune asked. “I’ve been speaking the truth this entire time! You’ve gained a whole lot of weight since we started dating, your hair and clothes are always a mess, and you’re so indecisive about what you want.” He laughed some more. “Besides, it’s not like you’re even that fun to be around. You’re too reserved, too boring.”
“Jaune finds me fun.” Weiss whispered, partially as a reminder to herself. “I don’t need to listen to you!”
“Arc?” Neptune asked. “You mean that pitiful excuse for a Huntsman?” Neptune laughed again. “Please. As if his opinion on anything is worthwhile.”
Weiss felt anger rush through her. It was one thing to insult her, she’d gotten used to it after a lifetime of hearing her father say similar things to her mother, Winter, and herself. It was something completely different for Venereal to insult Jaune! HER Jaune! “Jaune Arc is ten times the man you’ll ever be! He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s a hard worker, and you know what else? He’s kind! And all those things you said about me, Jaune disagrees with! He thinks I’m beautiful! He is always telling me how much he enjoys spending time with me! He compliments me on my courage and decision-making skills all the time! And I don’t need you, Venereal!” She spat out the insult. “If you won’t treat me the way I deserve, then I’ll find someone who will! And there’s nobody better than Jaune!”
“You-You!” Neptune stuttered before raising his hand to slap her. Suddenly, a powerful grip locked him in place as a comforting white Aura surrounded it and crushed her abuser’s hand.
“Sorry, Weiss.” Her knight with shining Aura apologized. “You were doing so well, and I was going to let you prove to yourself that you’re strong and independent, but I couldn’t let him hit you. Not after you winced in fear when he raised his hand. Jaune’s eyes hardened and rage swirled in them as he looked down on Weiss’ ex-boyfriend. “You never told me he hit you.”
“I-I didn’t want you to get in trouble…” Weiss muttered. “Besides, I could take it.” Jaune sighed as he looked at her again, his eyes softening.
His other hand lifted her chin up as he smiled at her. “You shouldn’t have had to.” He assured her before letting Neptune go. The boy crumpled to the ground, cradling his broken hand. “I know you’ve got it from here.” Jaune smiled at her before walking behind her. He was just far enough to make her feel like she was in control, but just close enough for her to know he was there if she needed him. The perfect distance for this.
Weiss looked down at Neptune. “You know, Neptune. You always told me that I was useless, worthless, but do you want to know something? You’re really the one who’s useless and worthless. We’re through, Venereal. I hope that we never see each other again.” Weiss turned and walked away, her knight serving as a protective shadow to keep her safe.
As the days passed after the breakup, Neptune was arrested for physical, emotional, and verbal abuse towards Weiss. Several other women came forward and supported these claims. He had been cheating on Weiss the entire time they’d been dating, using her to get in with other girls before humiliating them all to make himself feel stronger. When the trial ended and he was imprisoned and a heavy fine was levied against him, Weiss felt satisfied. Well, almost. There was still one last matter to attend to.
“Jaune,” Weiss began as the two of them sat on a bench facing a field of wildflowers. “I’m in love with you.” She confessed. “I know that I probably have no right to say that after how I treated you during our first year at Beacon, but-” Weiss was cut off as Jaune brought her into a hug.
“Weiss, I never stopped loving you.” He whispered into her ear as she wrapped her arms around his broad back. As they pulled away, he smiled at her. “Can I kiss you?” He asked.
“Whenever you want.” Weiss replied breathily as they leaned in closer and her eyes fluttered shut. All of Neptune’s kisses combined couldn’t even live up to that first millisecond of Weiss’ first kiss with Jaune. She knew that she had a new addiction: Jaune Arc’s kisses.
Jaune got up from the bench and pulled her up as he led her into the field. “Would you care for a dance, my lady?” He asked with a bow. Weiss smiled before curtseying.
“I would love a dance, my knight.” She replied honestly as Jaune took her hands and began leading her in a waltz to nonexistent music. Then, she began to hear something soft and low. Humming, coming from her knight’s throat. Weiss smiled before harmonizing and joining in. The two of them made their own music as they danced in the field of wildflowers together. The world grew a little brighter that day, and Weiss never wanted to return to the way things used to be.
The End.