Bittersweet Reverie-RWBY x OC (Original Character)

Chapter 7. Resilience

Standing on the rooftop, I felt the cool breeze against my skin before lighting a cigarette. The flame briefly flickered before igniting the tip.

As I took a drag, the smoke filled my lungs, bringing a moment of calm. Exhaling, the smoke curls into the night air. Below, the city lights twinkle.

"I thought you had given up that habit, Kaiser. I thought you promised never to hurt yourself again."

"I'm sorry, Lucius, but I can't help it sometimes. It's the only way I know how to cope with everything."

"Kaiser, who are you talking to?"

"Ah!" I turned around to see Pyrrha. "Oh, it's just you. I was just talking to myself."

"Weiss told me it was you who recommended to her. I just wanted to thank you for the chance to connect with her, a way for her to change," she said.

"It's no problem. You're the perfect candidate for everything. But because you're perfect, people can depend on you. I know it can be overwhelming and isolating at times. I feel the same way sometimes, being seen as a prodigy. Just remember, it's okay to feel that way, and you don't have to carry it all alone."

Pyrrha stood silent as she stared at me, contemplating her following answer. It must have surprised her to see someone who could empathize with her situation.

I gave her a reassuring smile, "I know it's not easy, Pyrrha. But you're not alone in this. We all have our burdens to bear, and sometimes, sharing them makes them a little lighter. For me, it's the constant pressure always to be the best and never show weakness. It's tough to keep up that facade, and there are times when I just want to let my guard down. But talking about it helps, even if just a little, like I'm doing right now.

She smiled back, "I wish I could have heard your input long before everything happened."

"Do you wish you were never a prodigy?" I asked, projecting my own feelings into the question.

"Sometimes," Pyrrha admitted. "But it's like you said, it's because I'm so "perfect" that people can depend on me, that I can help them. The struggle is worth it if it means I can make a difference and see people smile."

Pyrrha grabbed my cigarette before throwing it off, "I'm sure, just like he said, he wouldn't want you smoking."

"You listened?"

"It was obvious you weren't "talking to yourself." I'm not going to pry any further, but I don't want you to hurt yourself," Pyrrha said.

"Can't you mind your own business?"

"I can't when I see your mind breaking...when it's on the edge of sinking into the abyss," she explained.

I covered my face, "You're annoying, you know that?"

"And I don't care as long as you're safe. Come and join me and everyone else for pancakes. Ren has his specialty up and ready," Pyrrha said.

"Yeah, yeah," I begrudgingly accepted. "But how's Weiss doing?"

"After I finished discussing things with her, Ruby happened to be spying on us, so I left the two to have a private conversation about their differences," Pyrrha explained.

When I got inside, I was surprised to see Ruby and Weiss together, eating side by side. Did they perhaps reconcile? Well, if they did, it's only a matter of time for Weiss and Blake.

"Ah, these are always delicious, you know, you would be perfect as a husband!?" Nora said.

"I'm not that good at cooking, but thank you, Nora," Ren responded."