[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Weiss adjusted her posture on the low bench in Beacon's Star Maiden Garden, the afternoon sun filtering through the tree leaves like scattered diamonds. Mia sat cross-legged beside her, meticulously arranging a collection of wildflowers they'd picked—daisies for "happy thoughts," buttercups for "sunshine giggles," as Mia had declared with solemn authority. The little girl's ears twitched every time a bee buzzed by, but she was focused, tongue poking out in concentration.

Weiss had volunteered for pickup duty today, her schedule clear after a morning seminar on Dust applications. It was a small thing, but these moments with Mia felt like stolen breaths of fresh air. A from lectures, away from the weight of the Schnee name that still clung to her like frost on glass.

Mia held up a lopsided crown of woven stems. "Auntie Weiss! This is for you. It's a princess crown 'cause you're a princess!"

Weiss's lips curved in a genuine smile, accepting the gift and placing it carefully atop her white hair. "Thank you, Mia. It's perfect. Shall I make one for you?"

Mia nodded enthusiastically. Weiss pulled her into her lap, and began to weave her down flower crown. The four year old then tilted her head, ears twitching slightly.

"Auntie Weiss… why don't you talk about your mama and papa like Papa talks about Granny and Papa?"

Weiss paused mid-weave, fingers stilling on the stems. Mia's innocent curiosity had a way of cutting straight to the heart, but there was no malice in it, just a child's endless wonder.

Weiss set the half-finished crown aside and turned to face her fully, keeping her voice light and gentle, like telling a bedtime story.

"Well, little one, my family is… a bit like a big, fancy castle made of ice. It looks beautiful from far away, all shiny and tall, but inside, it's very cold and sometimes lonely."

Mia's eyes widened, ears perking. "Cold like winter? But you like snow!"

Weiss chuckled softly. "I do like snow—when it's soft and fun to play in. But my castle… my papa was like a king who cared more about gold and rules than hugs. He made everyone follow his orders, even when it made them sad. My mama… she tried to be warm, but the cold made her tired, so she hid away with her special drinks that grown-ups use when they're unhappy."

Mia's nose wrinkled. "That's not nice. Papas should give hugs and make pancakes. Why was he mean?"

Weiss reached over, tucking a stray curl behind Mia's ear. "Sometimes grown-ups forget how to be kind because they're scared or hurt from their own castles. My big sister Winter—she's like a brave knight—ran away to join the army so she could protect people and be free. My little brother Whitley… he's still in the castle, learning the rules, but I think he wants to be warm too someday."

Mia thought about this, her tail swishing slowly. "Did you run away like Auntie Winter?"

Weiss nodded, her expression softening with pride. "I did. I came to Beacon to learn how to be a Huntress, to fight the real monsters and make my own path. Away from the cold rules. Now I have a new family—your papa, you, the teams. It's warmer here. Full of hugs and adventures."

Mia's face brightened, and she threw her arms around Weiss's waist in a fierce hug. "You're my Auntie Weiss! No more cold castle. We have pancake castle now!"

Weiss hugged her back, a quiet laugh escaping as she blinked away the unexpected prick of tears. "Pancake castle sounds perfect, Mia. Absolutely perfect."

Mia pulled back, still beaming, then tilted her head again with that boundless curiosity.

"Auntie Weiss… could you give me a sibling with Papa?"

Weiss's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her composure cracking just a fraction. She smoothed her skirt unnecessarily, buying a moment. "A sibling? Mia, that's… quite the request."

Mia nodded earnestly, ears perking. "Papa would be super warm! He'd never be mean, and he loves to play in the snow! Like snowball fights and building forts!"

Weiss's flush deepened, but a small, wistful smile tugged at her lips. "It… would be nice, wouldn't it? But my father… he'd make things difficult. He's still very much like that cold king in the castle."

Mia pouted, crossing her arms. "Why? That's not fair!"

Weiss sighed softly, weaving the last stems into Mia's crown and placing it on her head. "He wants me to marry a prince—someone with a fancy title and lots of gold. To keep the castle strong."

Mia's pout turned into a fierce scowl. "But Papa's a great knight! Knights are supposed to save princesses and marry them and live happily ever after!"

Weiss giggled then-a light, genuine sound that surprised even her-after adjusting her own flower crown.

"You're right, Mia. Knights do save princesses. And happily ever after sounds… wonderful."

The garden path crunched under footsteps just then, and Jaune appeared around the bend, hair tousled from the wind, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Hey, you two. Sorry I'm late. I got held up in Oobleck's lecture. Thanks so much for looking after her, Weiss."

Weiss stood gracefully, brushing a leaf from her skirt. "I'm glad to. She's wonderful company."

Mia bounced up, grabbing Jaune's hand. "Papa! Dinner now?"

Jaune chuckled, ruffling her hair. "What do you say, Weiss? Care to join us? My treat."

Weiss's eyes sparkled faintly. "I'd like that. Take us to dinner, then?"

Mia clapped. "Pancakes!"

Weiss snorted, a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. "We could just stay home for that, Mia."

The little girl thought for a second, then declared, "Beef spaghetti!"

Weiss nodded approvingly. "Beef spaghetti it is."

Jaune grinned. "Sounds good to me."

As they started walking, Mia darted between them, grabbing their free hands and tugging. Then, with a mischievous glint, she pushed Jaune's hand toward Weiss's arm. "Papa! Take Auntie Weiss's arm! You're a knight, and she's a princess—that's what knights do!"

Jaune's cheeks went pink, his step faltering. Weiss blushed too, but after a heartbeat, she held out her arm gracefully, meeting his eyes with a teasing smile.

"I agree."

Jaune cleared his throat, but his grin was warm as he took her arm, escorting her properly toward the bullhead docks.

"I would never argue with a princess."

Weiss arched an eyebrow, her voice light. "You'd better not."

Behind them, Mia skipped ahead, giggling triumphantly, the flower crowns bobbing like promises in the fading light.

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PHEW! Managed these three today... Now I'm taking a break. Hope you liked it.