I stand behind Ozpin as he speaks, Evildead's shaft gripped tight, as the director drones on
about hope for the future, and how through the light of 'Beacon' the new protectors will be
forged. The other competitors flank me, each a picture of contrast.
To my left, Ruby glares, lips curled in disgust. Her eyes filled with contempt. I try to ignore
the sting, the prickle of shame crawling up my neck.
Pyrrha stands to my right, her smile polite, professional. But her stance is stiff, body angled
slightly away. She's uncomfortable, that much is clear. I catch her gaze, offering a small
smirk.
"Not what you expected, huh?" I murmur.
Her smile never wavers, but she leans away, subtle but unmistakable, breaking our already
strained connection. I shrug, turning back to the crowd.
On Pyrrha left Cardin sulks, his broad frame wrapped in bandages and bruised pride. He lost
fast, embarrassingly so. I can't help the smug satisfaction, the twist of my lips. Serves him
right.
"...and so, these young Huntsmen and Huntresses will lead the charge against the darkness,
their bonds and strength will shield humanity against the night." Ozpin's voice crescendos,
the crowd cheers, but it's all white noise. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for.
The formation of first years teams."
"Fucking finally." I whisper to myself as I straighten, ears perked.
He begins with Cardin, who puffs out his bandage chest, trying to salvage his dignity.
"Cardin Winchester will lead Russell Thrush, Dove Bronzewing, and Sky Lark, forming Team
CRDL[Carnidal]."
Ozpin moves on, gesturing to Pyrrha.
"Pyrrha Nikos will lead Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren, forming Team
PNJR(Primrose)."
"The canon is so lost." I whisper at the fact that Jaune is not the leader.
Ozpin moves to Ruby, but she keeps that wary gaze locked onto me, like I'm some kinda
Grimm in disguise. Ozpin ignores her glare, though, just rolls right along with the
announcements.
"Ruby Rose," he says, and Ruby twitches like she's fightin' the urge to bolt. "Will lead Weiss
Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, forming Team RWBY[Ruby]."
The crowd roars again, louder this time, a thunderclap of approval. Outta the corner of my
eye, I see Ruby flinch, her hands clenched at her sides.
Then Ozpin turns to me. My heart thuds, a heavy bass drum in my chest.
"And for our champion Ash Williams," Ozpin says, his voice booming, echoing off the arena
walls. He pauses, just a beat, and in that silence, I swear the whole damn world holds its
breath. "Will lead Adam Taurus, Bleiss Schnee and Emerald Sustrai forming Team
AABE(Abyss)."
I blink, shake my head, sure I misheard Emerald's name. But Ozpin's already moving on.
"I would like to once again extend my gratitude to our distinguished guests for their presence
and note that this school year at Beacon promises to be an exciting and rewarding one."
"The fuck does he mean by that?" I whisper in suspicion.
***
After the initiation, I received instructions via my cracked screen scroll about which room
would be mine with my team waiting there for me.
"Here it is." I mutter as I arrive at my destination.
I stare at the door, hand hovering over the knob. I draw a breath, deep, hold it till my lungs
ache.
"After a lifetime of looking out for myself… now I've got three more people to worry about," I
whisper, swallowing hard.
I put my sweating hand on the knob stopping before I twist it.
"Damn it… why am I so scared? How hard can this really be?"
I open the door, but before I can even see inside the room I hear something first.
"Get your hand off me you cow himbo!" Shouts a familiar feminine voice.
"Aha!" yells a different female voice. "That's what I'm talking about! You're just a racist,
privileged bitch!"
"I'm not racist, I hate humans and faunus the same."
"She kind of offended you with harsher words than she did me." Says the only other male in
my team.
I push the door open, kicking myself for jinxing it with my own big mouth.
Two figures freeze mid-shout, eyes snapping towards me. Bleiss and Emerald stand hands
clenched. Between them, Adam tries to keep them apart, a pained expression etched on his
face.
"Ash, " Adam's eyes meet mine, pleading. "Thank the gods you're here."
"Well," Emerald's surprise melts into shock as she stares at me. "Look who finally decided to
show up."
With a heavy sigh, I close the door behind me and step forward, only to be stopped by a
black missile that slams into me, clinging to my neck.
"O my gosh, Babe!" Bleiss's lips smack against my cheek, her arms wrapped tight around
my neck. "It's totally destiny that we're partners!" She plants another kiss, her gleeful squeals
piercing my eardrum. "Another proof that we were made for each other."
I stagger back, more from shock than her weight.
"Actully I'm Ash partner." Adam mumbles, but Bleiss ignores him.
Emerald glares at Bleiss.
"Slut," the green-haired girl mutters through gritted teeth.
"For your information, I'm still a pure maiden," Bleiss snaps, pointing a finger at Emerald. "I
hope you can change that for me son, Babe." She finishes purring on my chest.
Emerald's face contorts, fury flashing in her eyes.
"Hell no!" Her voice climbs, sharp and loud. "You cant fuck like dogs in heat while we're all
stuck in the same room!"
I open my mouth to speak, but Bleiss beats me to it, spinning to face Emerald.
"Relax, cunt. No one's fucking anyone... yet." She grins, slow and wicked. "Although, a small
audience is kinda hot-."
"Stop!" I bark, gripping Bleiss's by the waist, prying her off me.
She pouts but relents as I put her on the floor.
"Alright, let's start over." I take a slow breath before continuing. "I'm Ash Williams. I don't
care if you're human or faunus, rich or poor, saint or sinner before Beacon. I'll do my best to
be a good leader for all of you."
The room falls silent, surprise flashing across Emerald's, Bleiss's, and Adam's faces.
Adam's expression softens, a wide smile spreading across his face. He steps forward, hand
extended.
"I'm Adam Taurus, and according to Beacon, your partner." His voice carries a warm
sincerity. "I have to admit, I feel so lucky that my first human friend is also my team leader."
"Yeah, well, don't get too excited." A nervous laugh escapes me, uncomfortable with his
admiration but not wanting to show it. "I'm still figuring this out as I go."
I stiffen as Bleiss presses against me once again, head nuzzling into my chest. Her arms
snake around my waist, holding tight.
"And I'm Bleiss Schnee." She peers up at me, lips curving into a smirk. "Might not be your
official partner on Beacon, buuut… I'll be your partner where it counts." Her tongue flicks out,
tracing her lips.
Before I can react, a sharp voice cuts through the tension.
"Emerald Sustrai." The words are clipped, harsh. I glance up, meeting Emerald's glare. "I'll
work with you, but I won't be like that bitch clinging at you."
Bleiss's head snaps up, eyes narrowing. But I step between them before Bleiss can lunge,
palm out toward Emerald.
"Enough of this."
Bleiss huffs but doesn't push it as I turn to Emerald.
"Look, I've already met Bleiss and Adam before this. So...." I extend my hand. "Might as well
make it official. Its pleasure meeting you Emerald"
Emerald's eyes flick to my hand, then back to my face. Her cheeks flush, just a hint, but it's
there. She hesitates, fingers twitching at her sides.
"Wait..." She says as her face chages to a scowl. "You don't remember me, do you?"
The question catches me off guard.
"Should I?"
"Never mind." Her jaw tightens. "Its just… oh forget it." She says through clenched teeth.
"Just don't get chummy with me like the rebel princess, leader." She slaps her hand into
mine, grip firm as she shakes my hand.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I say happy.
"Oh, please." Bleiss scoffs, pressing closer to my side. "Ash has access to me any time he
wants. Just because you have a phatass doesn't mean you are his type."
'Phatass?' Bleiss words echoes on my mind, making my eyes flick down and shout mentally.
'HOLY SHIT.'
My brain short-circuits for half a second, heat crawling up my neck.
The goth told no lie. Emerald's got a massive, cock-grippin' tight, perfectly round,
phat-as-fuck ass that'd make traffic pile up and dudes cream their jeans on sight.
Impossible not to wanna bury your face in that juicy thicc beauty.
'Do NOT react.' I think to myself in silence. 'If Bleiss finds out I'm into big booty girls, she'll kill
me.'
I clamp down on every muscle in my face, jaw so tight it could crack. My fingers dig into my
palms hard enough to leave crescent moons.
'Think of something else. Anything else,' I tell myself, sweat dripping down my face. 'Taxes.
Deadlines. Dead puppies. Brazilian politics. That time I drank a hot sour milkshake and
spent three days hugging a toilet-.'
Bleiss's eyes widen as she notices my cold sweating.
"Babe, are you alright?" Her voice drips with concern. She steps closer, hand reaching up to
cup my cheek. "You're sweating like a pig. Don't tell me you're nervous about sharing a room
with tha street rat?"
Her thumb brushes my skin, worry etched onto her face.
'Just keep your mouth shut, Ash,' I think, breaking out in a cold sweat. 'Don't you dare tell
her you love big-ass bitches using your face as a saddle.'
"You know what, Bleiss?" Emerald's grip clamps down like a vice for half a second before
she jerks her hand away. "Fuck you, and fuck that limp-dicked little boy toy you slobber over.
I hope you both choke on each other's worthless bullshit, you filthy, rotten whore!"
"Excuse me?" She hisses, taking a step towards Emerald.
"Did I stutter, you hoe?"
I thrust an arm between them, halting Bleiss's advance. Her breath hitches, lips curling back
in a snarl. Emerald's hands clench, body trembling with barely contained rage.
"For fuck's sake, can't you both chill?" I snap, cutting through their exchange. "Aren't you
supposed to be partners?"
"Unfortunately." Bleiss scoffs, taking a step back. Her eyes roll, arms crossing over her
chest.
"So?" Emerald's glare flickers towards Bleiss.
A groan escapes me, fingers pinching the bridge of my nose.
"This is going to be a long year." I mutter as I pace away, hand dropping to my side. The dull
throb of a headache already pulses behind my eyes. "Alright, look," I sigh, turning back to
them. "I get it. You two don't like each other. But we're a team now, and that means we have
to work together."
Emerald's lips press into a thin line, eyes narrowing.
"I don't have to do anything with that bitch." She pits in disgust.
Bleiss lunges forward, teeth bared.
"Who are you calling a bitch, cunt?!"
"STOP!" I roar, my voice bouncing off the walls as I grip both of her shoulders.
They freeze, eyes wide with surprise. I draw a breath, shaking my head.
"You both have your reasons for being here, right?" I ask, eyes locked on them as they nod.
"It's our first fucking day at Beacon. I'm not here to force you to be friends or spill your hearts
out. But if you want to get anywhere, you'd better learn to work together like adults, not
squabble like spoiled little brats."
Both of them just stare at me, blinking, with zero motivation to do what I asked.
"You either work together, or-." I say, my fingers digging into both of their shoulders. "I'll
make you."
My grip on their shoulders doesn't loosen. Bleiss's breath hitches, her dark lashes fluttering
as she presses her lips together, like she's fighting something. Emerald's pulse jumps under
my fingers, her wide eyes locked onto mine, pupils blown.
"Am I clear?" I say in a cold whisper
"Yes, sir," they answer, voices perfectly in sync.
I sigh tiredly at both of their reactions. That wasn't the plan. I was supposed to play mediator,
not be some domineering asshole who just threatened to make them behave.
But the way Bleiss's thighs squeeze together, the way her throat bobs as she swallows
makes me realize.
'Fuck, that's not fear in her eyes.' I think, worried. 'At least not entirely.'
Bleiss's tongue darts out, wetting her lower lip. A quiet, needy sound slips past her teeth
before she can stop it.
"Aaah-." She starts to moan, but cuts quickly. "Sorry."
I ignore finally entering the room seeing where I will spend my next four years.
"Whoa…" I can't help but gape, my jaw practically hanging open as I take in the room.
It's a dorm with three beds, sure, but it feels more like a high-end penthouse than a student
room. A compact kitchen is tucked neatly in one corner, and there are two doors leading to
what I can only assume are private bathrooms.
"Damn!" I let out a low whistle, turning back to my new team. "They really know how to treat
their students."
"Pretty nice, huh?" Bleiss interjects, a playful grin curving her lips. "But, Babe… you haven't
seen the best part yet."
She saunters towards the door on the right, hips swaying with each step. Her hand wraps
around the knob, and she tosses a wink over her shoulder.
"The left door leads to the bathroom," she says, her voice dropping into a slow, sultry purr.
"But the right one… that's where things get really interesting."
Bleiss throws open the door, revealing a sprawling room dripping with even more luxury than
the room before. A king-size bed dominates the space. Plush rugs cushion my steps as I
venture inside, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What the...?" I murmur, taking in the opulence. "Whose room is this?"
The door slams shut behind me.
BLAM!
The lock clicks.
CLICK!
My pulse spikes.
"Oooh." I whisper in dread.
Bleiss leans against the door, fingers trailing down the wood like she's caressing skin. Her
grin isn't playful anymore, it's sharp, hungry. The way her red eyes track me, slow and
deliberate, makes the hairs on my neck stand up.
"Bleiss Schnee." My voice comes out steadier than I feel. I take a step back… and then
another, putting distance between us. "You need to calm down and actually think this
through."
She doesn't move. Just tilts her head, dark hair spilling over one shoulder.
"Oh, I have thought it through, Babe." Her voice is a velvet purr, but there's an edge beneath
it, something that doesn't sound like teasing anymore. "Ever since I first saw you, when we
had our little chat, I knew you were different."
My knees back hit the edge of the bed. I don't sit. Don't take my eyes off her.
"We talked for five, maybe ten minutes!" I argue, worry cutting through my voice.
"Still true." She says happily. "You are different."
"Different how?" I ask.
She pushes off the door, sauntering forward, hips swaying with every step.
Bleiss's fingers reach my chest, nails grazing my collarbone like she's testing how much I'll
let her get away with.
"You don't look at me the way others do," she murmurs, her voice a mix of shadow and
sweetness. "Not like some shiny prize to be won. Not like a stepping stone to get my family's
money."
Her thumb presses against my pulse, feeling it thud violently beneath her touch. She smiles,
but there's something dark lurking in it.
"Most boys, and even men, just see the Schnee name and what that could bring… the lien
signs, the power, the influence," she whispers, her voice dark and sharp, curling around
each word like smoke. "But you… you don't give a damn about any of it."
"Yeah, well." I swallow, my throat dry. "I still have my own problems."
"Oh, babe." She laughs, low and rough, a trembling sound that borders on a sob. "You're
perfect. So perfect it hurts, and you don't even know."
Her free hand slides up, gripping the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. Not gentle,
but deeply possessive.
"You've got nothing," she breathes, like I'm the most delicious thing she's ever tasted. "No
family, no money, no safety net. No one to kiss your boo-boos when you fall." Her grin
stretches, sharp and glinting. "And still… you didn't want to use me."
I try to pull back, but her grip tightens, nails digging in neck flesh, just enough to sting.
"And best of all… you didn't crawl in the filth," she murmurs, her voice dropping to a reverent
whisper. "You didn't skulk in the shadows, stealing scraps like that pathetic little rat on our
team." Her eyes flick toward the door, where Emerald's probably still seething. "You stood…
right in the middle of the fucking road, and dared the world to hit you."
Her forehead presses against mine, breath hot on my lips.
"And it did hit you, didn't it?" she purrs, each word sharp and hungry. "Again and again, it
tried to crush you, to grind you into nothing… and yet here you are. Still standing, still
clawing yourself back up every single fucking time."
I exhale sharply, my hands hovering at my sides like I don't know whether to push her away
or pull her in into a hug.
"Cut the bullshit," I grind out, voice rough. "What's your point, Bleiss?"
Her grip tightens, yanking my head back just enough to expose my throat. I don't flinch.
Don't pull away. Just stare up at her, jaw clenched.
"My point?" She laughs delighted, but it's jagged, raw.
I can feel her trembling, not from fear, but from the effort of holding herself back.
"I don't care about the Schnee name. I don't want my sister's scraps. I don't want anyone but
you." Her voice cracks, sharp and trembling, before she swallows it down. "I love you, Ash
Williams. Not because you're strong, not because you're broken, not because you're some
fucked-up project I can fix. I love you because you're the only real thing in this rotting, plastic
world, the only one who sees me, the only one who makes me feel like I even exist."
Her forehead drops to mine, breath hot and uneven.
"I need you so badly," she whispers, her voice trembling, breaking with every word. "More
than money. More than Dust. More than the next fucking breath in my lungs."
'Jesus fucking Christ, this girl is beyond crazy.' I think wide eyed. I should push Bleiss. I should set boundaries, and tell her crazy ass to take a hike as I have
a lot on my plate as a team leader.
…
But she is sooo hooooooooooooot! And I'm so pent up my balls aren't just blue anymore,
they're deep purple.
"Fuck it!" I whisper as I drag the crazy goth into a kiss.
Bliss purrs happily leaning on me.
I don't give her a full tongue kiss, but I savor her black-painted lips. She has a sweet, minty
taste, mixed with something spicy I can't quite identify.
I wrench my mouth from hers, gasping like I just surfaced from drowning.
"Goddamn it," I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. "Why's it always the crazy ones
who're the hottest?"
Bleiss throws her head back, laughter tearing out of her like a goddamn hyena on crack.