Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the cozy confines of their dorm room, Team RWBY lounged about, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Yang busied herself with organizing the upcoming dance, her irritation palpable as she shuffled papers and muttered under her breath. Meanwhile, Weiss floated on a cloud of bliss, her mood starkly contrasting Yang’s.

“Ugh… I can’t believe no guy has asked me to the dance!” Yang exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Even that creep Neptune hasn’t made a move!”

Weiss, practically glowing with smug satisfaction, replied, “Well, of course he didn’t ask you! He asked me! And he’s not a creep—he’s a romantic gentleman.”

Yang rolled her eyes dramatically. “Sure he is… Well, I guess I can hang out with you, Blake, and—”

“Sun asked me,” Blake interjected calmly, cutting Yang off mid-sentence.

“Seriously?!” Yang’s voice rose in disbelief.

Blake shrugged nonchalantly. “We’re going as friends… Then we’ll probably have friend sex.”

Yang’s jaw dropped. “What—?!”

“That was a joke,” Blake clarified, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Probably.”

“Well… I mean, going alone is fine,” Yang grumbled, her tone deflating. “I’m organizing the stupid thing, after all…” She glanced at her younger sister. “Ruby, you don’t have a date, right?”

Ruby fidgeted, twisting her fingers nervously. “Um, well… Sky Lark from Team CRDL kind of, sort of, might have asked…? But I don’t really know him outside of gaming, so, uh… I said no?”

Yang’s expression fell. “…Oh…”

She looked crushed, and Ruby’s guilt was immediate. Weiss and Blake exchanged incredulous glances, barely concealing their surprise.

“That jerk asked you?” Weiss demanded, her tone sharp.

“He’s gotten a lot better!” Ruby defended quickly. “He was just going along with the others! And hey, I’m sure you’ll get a date, Yang!”

Yang sighed heavily. “Yeah, sure…”

A sudden knock at the door broke the tension. In a blur of red and silver, Ruby activated her Semblance, zipping out the window, through another, and into the hallway at lightning speed. She skidded to a stop in front of Jaune, who stood there clutching a guitar, looking mildly 

startled.

“JAUNE!” Ruby grabbed his arm with frantic energy. “I know you’re here to ask out Weiss, but I’m begging you: Take my sister to the dance!”

“Wh—What?! Yang? But I—?!” Jaune stammered, caught off guard.

“Please?! Please, please, please?!”

Before he could protest further, Yang opened the dorm room door. Ruby vanished in a flash, zipping back through the window to her original spot, leaving no trace of her interference. From inside, she shot Jaune a desperate, pleading puppy-eyed look.

“You here for Weiss-cream, VB?” Yang asked, leaning against the doorframe with a teasing grin.

Jaune glanced at Ruby, then took a deep breath. Lying to cover for himself was a struggle—he could never find the confidence to pull it off convincingly. But lying for someone else? To help a friend? That, he could do. 

He straightened up, meeting Yang’s gaze with a confident smile.

“No. I’m here for you.”

Yang raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

Silence. Weiss, Ruby and Blake all stared intently at the scene. Jaune slowly nodded, his eyes not leaving Yang’s.

“The dance. You. Me,” Jaune said, his voice steady.

Yang’s other eyebrow shot up in surprise. “Eh?!”

“I like to dance, you like to dance. We both like Ruby. I think we can have a fun time together. So, what do you say?” He flashed a confident smile.

Yang blinked, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. Then she laughed, a bright, genuine sound. 

“Wow… Look at you! Just out with it, no stupid gimmicks! What, I don’t get a serenade?”

“I’m carrying my guitar for reasons other than asking out the hottest girl I know,” Jaune quipped, his grin widening. “But I could serenade you if you’d like.”

Yang flushed again, caught off guard by the compliment. 

“…You know what? Sure.”

“The dance, or the serenade?” Jaune asked.

“The dance, definitely.”

Jaune’s voice nearly cracked with disbelief. “Really?” He cleared his throat quickly. “I mean… Cool. I’ve got a navy blue suit.”

“Good, it’ll fit my white dress. Bring flowers,” Yang replied, recovering her composure.

“Magnolias?” Jaune asked. Yang flushed, touched, and nodded eagerly.

“Yeah.”

Jaune still looked nervous, but his smile didn’t falter at all. He even managed to avoid looking at Ruby.

“Sweet. See you then.” Jaune gave a small wave and headed off down the hall.

Yang closed the door and turned back to the room with a triumphant smirk. “Well, well, well! I’m not dateless anymore, now am I?”

Weiss gaped at her in utter disbelief. “You… You’re going out with Arc?!”

“Aw, is someone jealous?” Yang teased, her smirk growing.

“LIKE HELL I AM! HAHAHA!” Weiss shot back, her laughter forced. “Enjoy your time with that loser, Yang!”

“Oh, I certainly will! Enjoy your time with your philandering asshole!” Yang retorted gleefully.

“He is NOT!” Weiss snapped, her face reddening.

Ruby beamed from her corner of the room, thrilled to see her sister happy—and confident that 

Jaune would be a great date. Her Scroll buzzed with a message from him.

Did I just ask out your sister ?! Jaune’s text read.

Yes! And she said yes ! Ruby typed back, grinning.

There was a pause before Jaune’s next text came through.

Why did I ask out your sister?!

Cause you’re my best friend and you two will have fun?

There was a long pause before Jaune resumed typing.

Can’t argue with that. How’s Weiss taking it?

Ruby glanced up at her teammates. Blake watched Yang and Weiss bicker with quiet amusement, her golden eyes glinting.

“Of course I’m not JEALOUS!” Weiss was shouting. “You’re going to have the worst time!”

“I doubt it,” Yang fired back. “I’m not the one who left him pinned to a tree during Initiation, now am I?”

“I… HE WAS ANNOYING!” Weiss sputtered.

Blake leaned back, smirking faintly. 

“I see it clearly now. He was just messing with Weiss to get close to Yang.”

“HE WAS WHAT?!” Weiss shrieked.

“HA!” Yang crowed victoriously.

Ruby typed her response to Jaune: 

As well as can be expected. You okay?

Another pause.

Well... If it will make you both happy? Sure. I'm game.

Ruby beamed happily.

Thattaboy!

Jaune and Yang would be happy, and she might get to go on her first date! Ruby was a tactical mastermind! After all… What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

The soft hum of morning light filtered through the curtains of Team JNPR’s dorm, casting a gentle glow over the cluttered room. Jaune Arc stirred, blinking sleep from his eyes, only to freeze as Pyrrha Nikos emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel that clung tightly to her curvy, athletic frame. 

Her damp red hair cascaded over her shoulders, and steam trailed her like a faint halo. 

Jaune, ever the gentleman, locked his gaze on her emerald eyes, determined not to let his eyes wander. She was his partner, after all, and he knew she’d had her fill of leering admirers.

“Hey,” Jaune said, his voice still rough with sleep. “You’re up early.”

Pyrrha smiled, her expression warm but tinged with concern. “I just went out for some early training. You were fast asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. You had a rough day yesterday.”

Jaune sat up, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “Yeah, but… Well… It had a bright spot.”

Pyrrha tilted her head, curious. “Oh? How so?”

“I, uh…” Jaune’s cheeks pinked, his grin turning nervous. “I asked someone to the dance.”

Pyrrha’s smile faltered, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face before she masked it. 

“Oh. I’m sorry that Weiss didn’t—”

“Oh, no! No, they said yes!” Jaune interrupted, waving his hands. “It wasn’t Weiss, it was Yang!”

Pyrrha’s eyes widened, her voice catching. 

“What? Yang?!”

Jaune frowned, sensing her unease. 

“Is… Is there something wrong with that?”

“I…” Pyrrha hesitated, her fingers tightening on her towel. “N-No, of course not.”

Jaune’s frown deepened, his concern shifting to her. 

“Nobody’s asked you yet?”

Pyrrha’s cheeks flushed, her voice soft. 

“I… W-Well, um… No.”

“Ugh,” Jaune huffed, his indignation genuine. “They’re all idiots! Any guy would be lucky to have you on their arm! They should praise the Tablebreaker for it! Jerks.”

Pyrrha’s flush deepened, a pleased smile tugging at her lips. “You mean that?”

“Absolutely!” Jaune said, his blue eyes earnest. “Hey… I’ll help you, Pyr. You deserve to have someone take you to the dance.”

Pyrrha’s smile wavered, her voice trembling. “I—No, I don’t really need—”

“It’s okay, Pyr!” Jaune said, his enthusiasm overriding her protest. “I’m going to help you. It’s what a good partner should do, right?”

“No, I—” Pyrrha began, but Jaune cut her off with a sudden hug, his arms enveloping her in a warm, earnest embrace.

“Don’t worry,” he said, pulling back with a grin. “I’ll find you the best date I can.”

He headed into the bathroom, the shower hissing to life behind him. Pyrrha stared after him, her expression forlorn, her heart aching with unspoken words. 

“…You are the best date I could find…” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

Nora, lounging on her bed with a bag of chips, snorted.

“Seriously. Why can’t you just tell him?”

Pyrrha’s shoulders slumped, her voice heavy. 

“No… I would never know for sure.”

“Know what?” Ren asked as he entered the room, fresh from a morning’s meditation.

“If… If he loved me or not,” Pyrrha whispered. “Loved me.”

Ren stared at her, then looked over at Nora. Nora sighed.

“Jaune-Jaune asked out Yang-Yang, she said yes, and Pyr’s being all dumb again.”

Ren nodded, walking over to his bunk to gather his things. Pyrrha pouted.

“I-I’m not being dumb! I just want him to-to make the first move!”

“So dumb then,” Ren observed. Pyrrha flushed.

“I-I just… I can’t,” she murmured. Ren gave her a compassionate look, despite his earlier comment. She appreciated it, even as she bowed her head in shame.

Nora’s eyes glinted with mischief. 

“Then… How about I break Yang’s knees so she can’t go?”

Pyrrha’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. She looked considerate for a moment, before Ren gave her a deadpan look. She shook her head rapidly. 

“N-No! Of course not!”

“Oh!” Nora grinned, undeterred. “So you want to do it yourself?”

“Y-NO!” Pyrrha yelped, her face flaming. She sighed, burying her face in her hands as Jaune’s shower roared in the background. “Is there anyone else as bad at romance as I am in this school?”

Elsewhere, in a shadowed hallway near Beacon’s training rooms, Ruby Rose skipped happily towards one Sky Lark. He was standing with a nervous smile as she approached. She beamed back.

“Hey Sky! Good news!” She said cheerfully, “My sister’s got a date so now we can go to the Dance together!”

“Ah,” Sky said, slowly nodding. Ruby blinked and tilted her head slightly, holding her hands between her back. Blake said it made her boobs stand out while making her look cuter, so she milked it for all it was worth!

“So, we can go now!”

Sky took a deep breath. 

“Ummm… Well, about that… I can’t actually take you to the dance, Ruby. Sorry.”

Ruby’s silver eyes went wide with shock and desperation. 

“Wha—What do you mean you can’t take me to the dance?!”

Sky cringed, his back pressed against the wall. 

“I-I just can’t, Ruby!”

Ruby’s voice trembled, her hands flailing. 

“Is—Is it me? Am I not pretty enough or—?”

“No!” Sky said quickly, his face reddening. “You’re very pretty, Ruby! Totally! And I liked gaming with you!”

“So why?!” Ruby demanded, her pout deepening. “I mean, my sister’s going with Jaune, so she won’t get mad!”

Sky’s expression turned pained. “Yeah, during the dance. But what about after? I don’t want her to punch my head off! I’m sorry, Ruby, I like you, but I’m just not brave enough to risk your big sister kicking my ass. Sorry.”

He slipped away, leaving Ruby standing alone, her pout deepening into a scowl. “Hmph…”

But instead of tears, a spark of determination lit her eyes. She pulled out her scroll, her fingers flying across the screen as she messaged Jaune.

Ruby: Jaune?

Jaune: Yes Ruby?

Ruby: I need you to make sure Yang is so lovey dovey and happy before, during and after the Dance that she won’t even think of punching off my date’s head!

Jaune: … Okay… How do I do that?

Ruby: You had a girlfriend before! Just do what you did then!

Jaune: But

Ruby: Pleeasssseee?

She attached a gif of herself, puppy dog eyes on full blast, her lower lip trembling for maximum effect. She knew he had seven sisters, but she was sure she was cuter than them all!

The “typing” icon took a while to resolve.

Jaune: … I was going to do it anyway.

Ruby grinned in triumph.

Yes! I am the cutest ever!

Ruby: Thank you!

Ruby beamed, pocketing her scroll with a happy nod. Now to find someone not afraid of her sister to take her to the dance! Her mind raced with possibilities, her steps light as she plotted her next move.

Far across Beacon, in a sleek airship docked for a business visit, Whitley Schnee, the youngest of the Schnee siblings, felt an inexplicable shiver run up his spine. He glanced out the window, the spires of Beacon gleaming in the distance, unaware of the crimson-clad whirlwind that would soon upend his carefully ordered world.