𝐈𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (English)

Chapter 59

Cornering Ruby alone was neither as difficult nor as predatory as it sounded. While Team RWBY were as close-knit as Team JNPR, that didn't mean they always got along. Slap four strong personalities in a room together and there were bound to be sparks, and while Yang and Weiss would fly into an argument, Blake and Ruby were the kinds of people to vacate the area. Blake would go bury herself in a book to push her feelings aside, and Ruby would go sulk or maintain her weapon or – when things got really bad – ask if she could bunk with them.

Tonight, it was a case of Ruby going for a walk outside. Jaune had heard the fight kick off, something about Yang using Weiss' shampoo and wasting it all without asking permission. Silly stuff, but problematic when you shared a room. Boundaries had to be set and respected and, to be fair, Yang had a lot of hair to wash, so he imagined she'd fully drained the bottle. It wouldn't have been enough for a fight in their dorm, but none of them were quite so conscious of their looks as Yang or Weiss were.

So, when Blake vacated for the library and Ruby stepped out to go for a walk, Jaune stepped out at the same time – with a quick nod to his teammates to let them know he was going to keep her company. It was a common enough occurrence.

"Heard the screaming?" Ruby asked, with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry."

"It's fine. At least they're only arguing about silly stuff. Better this than the White Fang."

"Hmmm. Blake's arguments tend to cause the most trouble but at least she only starts one every other month. Yang and Weiss are like bombs with lit fuses sometimes." Ruby let out a heavy sigh. "Both of them were in the mood to fight tonight."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It was obvious they were looking for something to get angry about."

"Know why?"

"Weiss went to talk with her father in the CCT Tower so I'm guessing that for her. As for Yang, it's... uh. You know."

"I know." He had seven sisters. He knew. "I guess she was already irritable from that and then Weiss started to kick off. Easier to be angry than uncomfortable. I actually wanted to have a chat with you anyway."

"Really? What about?"

"Not here. Outside in private."

Ruby ducked her head. "That's worrying."

"It's nothing bad, I promise. Nothing about Yang either. I... well, I guess you could say I need some advice."

It wasn't entirely true but Jaune knew she wouldn't react well if he came out and told her he knew about her image issues and wanted to fix them. For one, she'd probably deny they existed in the first place. Like Doctor Oobleck said, most people didn't want the help of others. Everyone felt they'd somehow be stronger if they dealt with their problems alone, like it was an achievement to suffer and struggle without help.

It was stupid.

And it was also the exact same thought process he'd had when Cardin was bullying him – so he knew how easy it was to fall into that rut without realising it. He wasn't immune to it, no one was, and it didn't make Ruby "stupid" for acting the same way. It was just as likely every member of her team was doing this in at least some way.

"You want advice from me!?" Ruby pointed at herself as if to make sure. "Me!?"

"Why not you?"

"Well... uh..."

Ruby ducked her head, unable to find the right words, or perhaps realising she couldn't say what she really felt because it would sound pathetic. He could hazard a guess as to why she was so surprised anyone would come to her for advice, and it was the reason he was here in the first place.