All Ears

Velvet Scarlatina

-----

Velvet had an Alexander problem.

The other day, Velvet invited Alexander out to spend time together.

It was supposed to be a simple and easy plan.

Now here she was, sitting in bed for what felt like forever, trying to figure out how she was actually supposed to go through with it, and she only had an hour left before they met up.

Ugh.

What should she do?

Velvet's rabbit ears perked at the creak of a door. The intervals and weight behind each step scrunching the carpet was too quick and light to be either Fox or Yatsuhashi.

Coco was back.

"Hey, Velvet." Her leader entered the room and paused. "Wait. Why do you look so moody today?"

"Coco." Velvet grumbled and threw all her hopes at her. "I'm in trouble."

"Trouble?" Coco lowered her shades and raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"I, um. . .." She sucked in her lips and looked away. "I'm going to see Alexander."

Coco's eyes bulged out from behind her sunglasses.

"Why didn't you tell me you're trying to score big with that guy?!" She dragged a chair into the middle of the room and forced her onto it. "If you told me sooner, then you wouldn't be in this situation."

"I told you: that's not what I'm trying to do!" She groaned and sagged her rabbit ears. "Besides, I didn't want to bother you."

The way they were so easily eliminated was tough on the team, doubly so for Yatsuhashi and Coco. To make matters worse, Coco kept insisting that Yatsuhashi was with her in the forest despite the fact that he never left the geyser field during the match. Maybe it was the adrenaline or nerves getting the better of her. Either way, she hasn't quite been herself, lately.

"Forget about it. I'm already over that." Coco blew it off and grabbed her cosmetics kit. "And if I'm not, then this would be a great distraction."

Velvet became Coco's personal dress up doll. Make-up, hair, clothes, and whatever else there was to it, her leader did it all with an extra pep in her step.

Just how long was Coco looking forward to this?

Coco made some final touches, took off her beret, wiped her brow, and whistled in approval.

"And done," she said.

Velvet checked the mirror, and if it weren't for her bunny ears, she wouldn't have recognized the girl staring back at her.

The chocolate brown jeans were the exact same shade as her hair, the milky sweater was a snug fit across her body, she had on a pair of glossy black ankle-high boots, and the caramel scarf was so smooth, it seemed like it could melt any minute now.

None of what she wore compared to her own face, though.

The right amount of shadow struck gold around her eyes while the corners were sharpened to a fine edge. Her lashes were bolder, thicker, bringing out the piercing blade hidden within the leather sheath of her irises, and her lips shimmered like steel.

Velvet wasn't just beautiful. . . She was dangerous.

"Is this really me?" She twiddled the curls framing her face. "I. . . I can't believe it."

"Well, now you do." Coco combed her fingers through Velvet's ponytail. "You've always been hot, Velvet. I just made you see it for yourself."

Heat waved over her cheeks.

"And these clothes," she tugged the scarf, "are you really okay with me wearing them?"

"For today, I'll let you wear it." Coco frowned and crossed her arms. "Don't expect any forgiveness if you ruin it, though."

Wait.

"Coco."

"Yes?"

"We have different sizes, right?"

"Naturally."

Velvet pinched her sweater. "Then how come your clothes fit me so perfectly?"

Coco adjusted her sunglasses with a shaky finger. "W-why don't we talk about it another time. Don't want to keep Alexander waiting any longer, yeah?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Have fun!"

Before Velvet could say anymore, Coco shoved her out the room and slammed the door in her face.

Hold on.

The entire reason Velvet let Coco put her through all that was so that she could get some advice on what to do about Alexander. . .

Whoops.

Making her way outside, Velvet earned a lot of unwanted attention.

Everyone she passed by blatantly stopped, gaping while saying things like they couldn't believe it was her.

Keeping her head down, she pretended not to see or hear anything.

Where was Alexander? Should she message him and let him know where they should meet up?

Velvet bumped into someone.

Panic spiked out from her chest, and she hopped back, armed and ready to serve up every known apology in the book.

"Hey!" A tall man in armour spun and glared. "Watch where you're going!"

Velvet's blood ran cold.

A bad chill trembled her entire body, her palms got sweaty, breathing became a struggle, and she had to force her rock hard legs to move.

It was Cardin Winchester.

Of all the times, why did she have to run into the one person in the world that she never wanted to see ever again?

Like a shark that smelled fresh blood, Cardin showed his disgusting fangs.

A nauseating wave pummeled Velvet's guts.

"Well, well, well." Cardin snatched one of her rabbit ears. "Look who we have here. It's been a while, loser."

Velvet yelped and tried not to resist to prevent her ears from tearing at the seams.

"And what's with that get-up?" He tightened his grip and tugged. "You got a date or something? Don't worry. I'm gonna help make you look a lot better."

The people around them only watched, whispering to each other or telling someone else to go do something.

Tears welled, but Velvet clamped them shut to stop it from ruining her make-up.

It was the same as always, wasn't it?

"Man, this feels great." Cardin laughed. "You're usually around Alexander, so now that he's not here, I can finally have some real fun around here."

Velvet's eyes snapped wide open.

The glass of realization shattered within her, and it crumbled apart, raining into a bubbling pit of rage ready to burst out.

Cardin was right.

Alexander wasn't here, but then again, if he was here, what would he do?

The rage boiled over and melted her cold feet.

Gripping Cardin's wrist, Velvet squeezed as hard as she could. He cried out from both surprise and pain, forcing him to let her go, and the inferno fueling her glare must've scorched him because he backed off.

He gulped and sweated a storm as he tried to take back his arm, stumbling over his own words that she couldn't hear.

Velvet kicked Cardin between the legs, dropping him on his knees, and she pinched both his ears from behind.

"How do you like that, huh?! Think it's funny now?!" She twisted his head side to side. "Doesn't feel too good, now does it?!"

Cardin gaped like a fish.

"What was that?" She stretched his ears to their limits. "Say that again. I can't hear you."

"Alright, alright!" Cardin cried at the top of his lungs. "I'm sorry, okay! I won't bother you anymore! Just let go!"

Velvet booted him in the back, and Cardin ran off with his tail between his legs.

Several seconds later, Velvet's senses returned, everything that happened hit her like a truck, and the dozens of awestruck eyes glued to her face burned hotter than lava.

Velvet bolted away as far as she could and collapsed on a bench, panting and trying to calm her racing heart.

It went by in a blur, so fast that she hardly remembered any of it.

Did she actually do that?

"Hey."

Velvet's jaw dropped.

Alexander came up to her, but he looked so different, it was actually sorta strange.

That thin shirt clung to his thick muscles, accenting the fine lines running along his sleeves and torso, while his deep neckline challenged her ability to keep her eyes up to the most shocking part of all.

Alexander's face was out in the open.

The usual beanie was gone and his draping golden locks were neatly swept back, revealing the chiseled and breathtaking features hidden underneath.

Whoa. . .

He gestured to the open space on the bench with the brown paper bag in his hand. "Mind if I sit here?"

Velvet scooted all the way to the edge, and an airplane of awkwardness crashed into them when Alexander sat down.

Now what?

-----

Blake Belladonna

------

Blake had a Weiss problem.

Since Ruby and Yang were out, Blake pounced at the opportunity to catch up on some reading with the dorm room all to herself.

Well, she wasn't technically alone.

Zwei pranced about, occasionally barking and nibbling at random things on the floor, and to Blake's horror, tried to get on the bed and eat her alive.

Luckily, the dog was too short and didn't have the jumping power to actually do it.

Weiss was also still here, wrapped in a bundle of blankets with her hair flayed out, but to be honest, she might as well be considered non-existent at the moment.

Out of respect, Blake kept the lights off and lit a candelabra.

The hours ticked by, one by one with the pages, and she couldn't be happier indulging in her favourite pastime to the fullest.

There wasn't any need to worry about food or hydration either, considering the random half-eaten apple pie and bottles of water left on a desk overnight.

All the necessities were here, and now that Zwei was tuckered out and snoozing, she had nothing to worry about.

Except one tiny thing.

As adorable as it was seeing the heiress sleep in, it became a concern when evening crept in the sky.

At one point, Blake even considered that Weiss was never here and that it was actually a dummy—either that or she somehow suffocated under her own sheets.

What was going on?

Not once during their entire school year did Weiss laze around like this. She was an early riser, always up and ready before everyone else, yet here she was, being a rock for the day.

Should Blake call the other half of her team?

Then again, this was a fragile matter and knowing them, they would probably make things worse.

Maybe she's overthinking things.

Either way, Blake couldn't shake this weird feeling, and all she could do was cut herself another slice of the delicious pie and ponder more about it.

"That's my pie, you know."

Blake stopped mid-bite as Weiss sat up, completely frazzled and hidden behind her hair.

"Look who's finally awake," Blake said. "Couldn't sleep last night?"

Weiss held her head in her hands. "Water."

Blake handed over one of the bottles next to the pie, and Weiss guzzled it like her life depended on it.

"Now that's out of the way," Blake returned to her bed, "mind filling me in?"

Hazy blues peered through the curtain of white. "I have no clue what you're going about."

She snorted and crossed her arms.

"Okay, fine." She rubbed her eyes. "I might have a small problem."

Blake stared.

Weiss groaned. "Stiofan happened."

Seriously? Out of everyone in all of Remnant, Stiofan was the last person who'd ever cause trouble for Weiss.

What could he have possibly done?

"I honestly find that hard to believe." She laughed a bit. "So, what'd Stio do?"

If looks could kill, Blake would be on her ninth life.

Weiss shot daggers. " 'Stio?' "

Reprimanding herself for the slip up, she racked her brain for an excuse.

Weiss fell flat on her back and huffed a fountain of hair. "He's being rather. . . difficult. And as much as I want to slap some sense into him right now, I can't do it."

Blake cocked an eyebrow. "Did you two get into a fight?"

"I wouldn't call it a fight." She stared up at the underside of Ruby's bed as if it were the solution to life itself. "I just. . ."

"Just what?"

"Nevermind." Weiss rolled out of bed and stumbled to the washroom. "I think it'd be better if you asked him yourself."

Once she was gone, Blake hummed at her scroll next to the candelabra, shining greater than a lighthouse on a foggy night.

-----

Velvet Scarlatina

-----

Velvet didn't have the nerve to talk!

Every single time she tried to do it, her mouth was wired shut.

This was her last chance before the year ended, and they would all go for winter break. That meant she'd have to wait another two whole months before her next chance would come.

Velvet's gone too far; she'll be damned to mess this up.

'Come on, Velvet,' she thought and scrunched up the edges of her sweater in her hands. 'Just say something already!'

"I, uh. . . " Her face went red hot. "Um. . ."

Alexander's expression softened as he opened the paper bag and offered it.

A warm waft of sweet bread massaged her nose.

Huh? That smell. . . It was so familiar she could already taste it.

Reaching inside, she took out a carrot muffin.

"Oh, what a surprise." Velvet resisted the urge to gobble it in an instant. "Thank you."

The glistening orange bits on the muffin reeled her in like bait on a hook, and she nibbled it, moaning under the buttery sweetness melting along her tongue while the warm dash of cinnamon and nutmeg tickled the roof of her mouth. Best of all, the pieces of carrot added a subtle crunch to the soft bread, something which added an extra level of deliciousness to the table.

Velvet pecked him with a smile. "How'd you know I like carrots?"

"A hunch." Alexander shrugged. "You look nice, by the way."

She pulled her scarf up to her nose to hide the heat rising to her cheeks.

Unlike most people, Alexander only spoke when necessary, and whenever he did, he wouldn't waste his breath, saying just enough to get his point straight across.

It wasn't a bad thing, though.

Sure, it may come off as rude and callous, but it's actually one of his more charming qualities because when he did have something more to say, then without a shred of doubt, it was the honest truth.

"I can say the same to you." She laughed a little. "You surprised me a lot. Almost didn't recognize you."

"Team NDGO jumped me." Alexander scowled and pulled a chocolate muffin from the bag. "They used me as their plaything and forced me to go out like this."

Yeah, she understood the feeling.

Good thing Coco wasn't here to see this, or else she would've forced Velvet to do something crazy again like the time after they eliminated the Grimm that invaded Vale.

Gosh, that was humiliating.

"So," Alexander bit his muffin, "I saw what happened earlier."

Velvet blinked. "Saw what?"

"Winchester."

"Sorry about that." She played with her muffin. "I don't know what came over me."

Alexander nudged her. "Good job."

Chewing her lips to hold back what would've been the most embarrassing smile in existence, Velvet fell against him, losing herself in the earthy fragrance of smoky wood and a sweet summer woven inside his hair and clothes.

"I'm not heavy am I?" Velvet said.

Alexander snorted. "The heaviest."

She smacked his chest.

Being near him now was like getting consumed by the softest blanket ever made. It was warm, comforting, and unbelievably secure like nothing in this world could ever happen to her as long as she was wrapped up in his protection.

That's why she had to tell him exactly what's been running rampant in her mind of late. It was the main reason why she invited him out.

A swell of courage ballooned in her.

It was now or never.

"Say," she tapped his leg, "there's something important I've been meaning to tell you. Will you listen?"

Alexander nodded.

Another bite of the muffin helped Velvet relax, and she lowered her ears until they were in sight.

"For as long as I can remember, people like picking on me. I guess I'm just an easy target, you know." She pinched an ear. "That's why I want to be a Huntress—to stand up for the people who can't protect themselves." Nausea rose in her gut. "But the thing is, I. . . I'm not very brave. Fighting Grimm is one thing, but when it comes to other people. . . I'm saying this because of what I did to Cardin. Never in my life could I have ever imagined doing something crazy like that."

The edges of Alexander's eyes drooped.

"That was until I met you." Velvet gripped his arm and draped her bunny ears over his head. "Whenever you're here, I feel so much stronger and confident, like I can do anything and nothing bad will ever happen to me as long as you're around. So if you don't mind, I want to keep following you a little longer. That way I become more like you."

The moment she finished, the realization of what she said hit the emergency brakes on her runaway thoughts, and she wanted to dive into a hole since it sounded really silly saying it out loud compared to how it did inside her head.

Alexander plucked out a small blue flower from his breast pocket and admired it as if it were the best thing in the world.

"Then keep up." He tucked the flower behind her human ear. "I won't wait for you."

A shock reverberated throughout her body, and she recalled the day they first met.

Velvet disliked Alexander back then. Not only was he big and mean looking, his intense stare passed for a scalpel or gun, and it frightened her to the point of not wanting to ever be near him again.

However, that all changed the day he rescued her from Team CRDL in the dining hall. Since then, she's been intrigued enough to watch him go about his business from a distance, slowly learning there was so much more to him than meets the eye, and for that reason alone, she would follow him anywhere just to see what else he had to show.

Now here she was, ready to take the next step.

"Are you alright, Scarlatina?'

A pinch of annoyance returned her to reality.

Velvet puffed her cheeks and poked him. "Call me by my name."

Grunting, his shoulders slumped.

"Only if you call me by my first name," he said.

Velvet smirked. "It's a deal, Leon."

"It's a deal. . . Velvet."

All her restraints broke.

"Say it again." Her rabbit ears shot up. "I missed it."

He turned the other way. "Velvet."

"Nope." She cranked his head right back. "Look at me when you say it, mister."

"Velvet," he said under his breath.

"I didn't hear you."

"Velvet."

"Louder."

"Velvet."

"Your heart wasn't in it, Leon."

"Velvet."

"More!"

"Velvet."

Velvet took satisfaction in Leon's discomfort and rolled the flower between her fingers. "By the way, what's this about?"

"It's a forget-me-not."

"Tell me about it." She giggled and snuggled closer. "Tell me everything."

They spent the rest of the afternoon together, simply enjoying each other's company.

Nothing could ever top that.

-----

Blake Belladonna

-----

Taking a trip to the gardens, Blake soaked in the myriad of flowery scents until she came across Stiofan, resting on a bench next to a familiar bush caged off from everything else.

The bell shaped flowers tempting enough to give a ring were a tell tale sign of the dangers it possessed.

Anyone from Menagerie would know all about deadly nightshades.

"Get any closer to these flowers," Blake stopped next to the plant, "and your team will be one man short."

Stiofan perked and the side of his lips curled. "And why is that, exactly?"

"The leaves alone contain enough poison to kill a person." She pretended to flick a leaf. "See for yourself."

"Can I trust you'll provide aid if I fall ill?"

"Don't count on it."

They shared a grin.

"If you'd be so kind." Stiofan stood and offered his arm. "Would you care to join me for a walk?"

Honestly, was this man born without a courteous bone in his body?

"It would be my honour," she playfully said and hooked their arms together.

"So, what compelled you to seek my company today?" He guided her along one of the many paths at a snail's pace. "Is there something you wish from me?"

Small birds flew by, chirping up a song, and a couple squirrels skittered past and vanished in a rustling bush.

Blake nestled what Weiss mentioned on the tip of her tongue, but she resigned herself from putting it out there and saved it for later.

This atmosphere was much too pleasant for her to ruin so quickly.

Why hurry? They should enjoy it for all it's worth.

"I do." Blake watched him from the corner of her eye. "However, it can wait for now."

"I see." Stiofan held up a finger. "Whatever it is, I will answer as best I can. . . On one condition, that is."

She knitted her brow.

"I don't mean to be rude or cause any harm, but I. . ." He cleared his throat and glanced at the top of her head. "Could you remove your bow?"

Blake grinded to a halt.

"Apologies." He held a fist over his mouth. "That was insensitive of me."

"I'm not angry." She chewed the inside of her cheek. "It's just. . . Where in the world did that come from?"

Stiofan looked away.

"Stio." She squeezed his wrist. "Answer me."

Sighing, he laid his hand on top of hers, and the amount of concentration radiating off him elevated her heart rate by a notch.

Was it that serious?

"Blake," he said just loud enough for her to catch. "I wish to see all of you—the real you. Not the disguise but the wonderful lady who shouldn't be hiding in the first place."

The rush of the fire growing in her rose to her bow. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed."

"But why?"

"Because you're beautiful."

If she hadn't been holding onto him, she would've fell flat on her face.

Stiofan showed his usual, polite smile yet the amount of red running up neck said otherwise.

Blake recomposed and checked their surroundings. "I'm sure other people would notice."

"Actually, this section of the gardens is reserved for the Plants Science department, so it's off limits to those without permission from the professors." Stiofan motioned to himself. "Fortunately for you, Professor Peach has granted my team, and any of our friends, access whenever we please."

No surprise there.

This place was widely known as Team RTLS's spot.

She dubiously twitched her bow. "So, no worries then."

He smiled. "No worries at all."

Breathing his trust, Blake hesitantly reached for her bow, and after making sure they were in the clear once more, she undid it.

Like waking from a good nap, she stretched her cat ears out in the open.

"You have no idea how good it feels to finally have that thing off." She wiggled her ears more. "It always gets so stuffy."

Stiofan glowed in absolute joy.

"Hey," she folded her ears, "quit staring so much."

He broke his gaze and chuckled into his hand.

Moving along, they seated themselves on the edge of a brick lined flower bed.

"Look at us, Blake." Stiofan picked a handful of blueberries from behind them. "A First Guard and a former member of the White Fang. Who would've guessed?"

"Something straight out of our wildest dreams for sure." She showed him her hand. "With nothing other than some fruit between us."

Stiofan sprinkled the berries in her palm, and Blake tried one, moaning at the juicy burst of sweetness.

"Say, where do you think you'd be," Stiofan slipped a berry in his mouth, "if you never joined the White Fang or enrolled in Beacon?"

That certainly came out of nowhere.

Then again, the amount of intrigue poised behind the question itself spun some gears.

Where to start?

Blake could've been a politician who could run for councilwoman in a kingdom, support her father, the Chieftain, in Menagerie and eventually succeed the title, or form a new organization dedicated to the peaceful protest for the betterment of Faunus rights and equality.

However, there was one thing in particular that she dreamed of that was so out of place compared to everything else, it was actually hard to admit.

Hopefully, it didn't sound too weird.

"I can see myself doing a few things, mostly politics," she said, "but. . ."

He leaned closer.

She rolled a berry between her fingers. "Promise not to laugh?"

"Why would I ever do such a thing?" Stiofan relaxed and offered a supportive smile. "Speak your mind."

Blake ate another berry for the boost of strength she needed and said it out loud for the first time in front of any other person.

"I'd be an author."

His eyebrows shot up. "An author, you say?"

Stories were much more than words on a page. They were a portal to another world—another life, where anything could happen. Nothing was impossible. A good day, bad day, easy or hard day? It didn't matter. Because with the right book in someone's hands, it could sweep anyone away and take them somewhere magical.

It was where dreams always came true.

"A novelist, specifically." Her fingers trembled. "I'm sure you and everyone else are already aware of how much I adore reading. So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise, really."

Stiofan watched the sky. "What a lovely thing to hear."

"Very funny." Blake flicked a berry at him. "I don't have the luxury to sit around and think about the first line let alone jot it down."

"It's no jest." He flicked a berry back. "Besides, if you have time to scribble in that journal of yours, then you should have plenty of time for that novel."

She stiffened.

"Stories, journals—what does it matter?" He tossed up a berry and tried to catch it in his mouth, but it bounced off his nose. "It's one in the same."

One in the same, huh.

If that's true, then maybe, just maybe, she could give it an honest try.

"Stio." Blake searched for the right words. "I'm not too sure about this. However, if I do it, would you be willing to be the first person to read my novel?"

Stiofan placed a fist on his chest. "Consider me a fan already."

The blueberries were suddenly much more delicious compared to a second ago.

"What about you?" Blake shifted closer until their arms brushed. "If you weren't a First Guard, what'd you think you'd be?"

"As a matter of fact, I've been asking myself that very question a lot recently." He braced himself on his knees and studied the ground. "Being a part of the First Guard was all I ever wanted, and now, I'm not so sure."

"Is that what you told Weiss?" She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Is that why she's acting so depressed lately?"

The shine on his face dimmed. "We simply had a mere disagreement. Nothing more."

"It's actually the reason why I called you." She rubbed his back. "Talk to me."

"I. . ." His breath shuddered. "I made a decision that Lady Weiss does not entirely agree with."

Blake gave him the rest of her berries.

"My tenure here at Beacon, however brief it may have been, has taught me lessons I never would've learned if I remained cooped up in Atlas." A bittersweet rumble of pain and relief clashed in his words. "And I can no longer imagine myself being elsewhere without my team, my friends. . . or you."

She tensed.

"I want to see more and make better use of myself; I want to make a difference in the world, step by step." Conviction solidified in his teals. "I must see this through and follow the example you set."

What example?

Slowly but surely it sank in, and her breath hitched.

He wouldn't mean. . .

"I want to be a true Huntsman, free to defend whomever I choose and fight for the very ideals I truly believe." Stiofan looked her square in the eyes. "And the only way I can do so is if I say my farewells and leave the First Guard."