First Step

Beacon Academy. Jake honestly was surprised by just how big the place was. He'd spent four years at signal academy and he was still surprised he had been accepted into the school. Jake Jarsa stood in awe at five foot six, with black short but scruffy hair on his head. His deep blue eyes popped against his fair skin.

He wore a brown aviator jacket over a red shirt and dark blue pants with hiking boots. Across his back was a large rounded shield, Jake honestly preferred using defense with a mix of offense to fight, but with his shield, or as he likes to call it Aegis.

Honestly he thought it was dangerous as is and there was no need to add forearm parts to it. But he did have a revolver holstered under his right arm for when the need arises.

Picking up his suitcase from beside him and his backpack slung around the shoulder. He started on his way towards the school, since he didn't exactly know where he was supposed to go, so he doc what every freshman would do, follow the crowd.

As he walked he couldn't help but feel a feeling of anxiousness go through him. It's ok, your not the only one here, just take slow, deep breaths. You can do this Jake. he told himself, sucking in a deep breath through his nose.

He let it out through his mouth in the form of a Yelp when he heard a explosion. A few people looked back to the source. Jake himself saw a girl in red being berated by another girl with white hair and matching clothes.

Ok, so either I can A, get involved in something I have no business being involved with, or B, stroll along and pretend I saw nothing. he thought.

With a sigh he walked towards the two girls, "Great start. Very good start." Jake muttered as he made his way over to the girl, the one in white just laying into the younger one. "Um….excuse me?" he asked, the white haired girl turned to face him,

Her eyes could of been dagger for Jake's sake because they cut into his soul. "Um…..I know it's none of my business, but I'm pretty sure she didn't mean to…...blow up? I guess?" he said with uncertainty in his voice.

The girl seemed to let thank sink in, she turned to the red caped girl, "Be more careful next time you dolt." she said before turning on a heel and walking past Jake in a huff.

The two let out breaths of relief, "Thanks. And I didn't mean to make her thing explode." the girl said, quickly claiming her innocence. She held out her hand, "I'm Ruby." she introduced.

"Jake." he introduced, shaking the young girl's hand. "Soooooo I'm gonna try and avoid that girl and her deathly stars of death for the rest of my life. I advise you do the same." she said as they walked towards the school.

"That's gonna be hard. Considering, you know, we're in the same year as her." Ruby stated as they walked.

"Never said I didn't like a challenge." Jake said with a small smile. "But still, if we plan, strategize, and coordinate, we may get out of this alive yet. All we need to do is stick together. Right?" he asked as he turned to her, only to find himself alone. "Oum damnit."

(000)

After making his way to the auditorium and listening to the headmasters…..heartfelt speech, it was about time to rest up for tomorrow. All the first year students had gathered in the main hall with sleeping bags to sleep with.

Jake, not wanting to take up much room, found a nice cozy corner to sleep in. Setting himself up comfortably as he could, he left to changes into his pajama clothes before making his way back to his spot.

Walking through the dim room, he made care not to accidentally step on anyone who already fell asleep. Finding a row of emptiness, he walked across slowly as not to disturb anyone, awake or otherwise.

That's when he saw it.

Long, beautiful, blonde hair that made his throat go dry. There was only one person on the planet that could belong to.

Quickly making a B-line away from the person to his spot, he made himself as hidden as possible before looking again to confirm his suspicions.

It was her, Yang Xiao Long.

He hit his head back against the wall. Of course it was her idiot! Who else has beautiful hair like that!? God, I really had to choose to go the same year she did? she thought as he sunk into his cot.

He knew yang back at Signal Academy. And by that he meant all he did was stare at the back of her head in the classes they had together. He didn't mean to come off as a creep or anything but one look at her and it's like everything melts away! There was no denying she was beautiful, sexy, and hot (literally).

But Jake…...he could fight a creature of Grimm, sure, but talking to the girl who he's had a crush on? Yeah he'll take on every Grim ever before that happens. Pulling the blanket over his head, he focused on getting to sleep, deciding that he would need it for tomorrow.

"It's like a biiiiiig slumber party!" he heard her cheerfully declare. His curiosity got the better of him, peeking out from his sheets, he saw Yang taking to…..Ruby!?

He saw the young girl at the assembly walking in with a blonde boy, but how did she know Yang? "I don't think dad would approve of all the boys though." Ruby said, causing Jake to sit up and look at them.

Wait…...what? You mean….huh….wow I guess she has a sister. he thought.

Yang wasn't the only one, his older sister wasn't exactly thrilled to find out he would be attending Beacon. It's not that she didn't want him to go, but more that she worried for his safety. Lizzy had looked after him for as long as he could remember, she had his back on everything and he did with her.

He was snapped out if his thoughts when he saw Yang dragging Ruby over towards him.

This of course made him hide under the covers. "Oh yeah, smooth dumbass." he chastised.

"Heya there…...I guess o can see why Ruby likes you." Yang's voice said somewhat awkwardly.

"Hey what is that supposed to mean!?" Ruby asked offended.

"I think the fact I'm hiding under my blanket explains that quite well." Jake said, covering his mouth with his hand. His mouth had a tendency to talk when he didn't want to, and it had gotten him in trouble once or twice to be sure.

"Hehe, he's got you there Rubes." Yang chuckled, causing the young man's heart to soar. I made her laugh! Quick! Say something witty and entertaining!

"Burn." yes! Thank you mouth!

Ruby let out a distasteful groan, Jake popped his head up from beneath the covers, finally facing the sisters, he focused on Ruby, not sure if he could even look Yang in the eyes. "If it's any consolation I get burned so bad I have to carry ointment around." he said, making the red and black haired girl to smile.

"Ha! That's good." Jason out of reflex looked at the source of the voice. He could feel his throat go dry at the sight of Yang's smiling face, her rosy colored cheeks, her lilac eyes, and that one little hair that stood up on top of her head. Not to mention she was wearing a sleeveless tee shirt and short shorts as nightwear.

"T-Thanks." he stuttered, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap. he repeated over and over in his mind before he thought of something, "Wait a sec, where did you run off to earlier!?" she asked Ruby.

"Before you get mad, let me just say that you were talking about dangerous things. Avoiding the mean girl like that sounded really…..boring." she explained.

Yang looked at Jake with a smirk, "Oh yeah, Ruby said you stood up for her earlier." she said, Jake's cheeks turning a small shade of pink that the darkness helped cover up thankfully.

"I've been on the receiving end of those enough to know what it's like. I just can't shut up, it's a real problem-and I'm rambling right now sorry." he said apologetically, not meaning to have gotten carried away.

Yang smirked, "Aw don't worry about it. Rubes gets like that too." she said.

"Hey!" Ruby shouted before pouncing her sister, a dust cloud quickly picked up. Somehow Jake's foot had gotten caught up in the fight and pulled in against his will. When the dust cleared, things were….not so bad.

Ruby had ended up on the bottom of the pile, Jake and Yang however….

Yang's back was pinning Ruby to the floor, Jake had fallen on top of her, and his face was right in front of her face. They were both dead silent, save for Ruby struggling to breathe with two people on top of her.

"Well….you could take me out to dinner first." Yang said grinning, seeing how funny the situation was. Honestly if she saw this happening to someone else she would honestly be laughing her ass off at the mere sight.

Jake though. He had a…'problem'. And this problem was getting bigger as he imagined the two things pressing up against his chest….two wonderful, perfect, well endowed-

Jake abruptly got up off her, "S-S-Sorry! I'm…..I'm just gonna…..yeah." he mumbled out, climbing back into his cot. Ruby looked at her sister before shrugging it off while Yang still grinned. She may have felt something moving down below the waist when they were like that, usually she'd just tease the guy about it and share a laugh.

But Jake…..well he seemed like he'd have a heart attack any second from the way he'd been acting. As Ruby walked away back towards her spot, she leaned over towards where she assumed Jake's head was. "Hey, don't be nervous. Ok?" she asked.

Under the sheets Jake froze at her words, he quietly nodded. Satisfied with her work, Yang made her way back towards Ruby as Jake smiled.

Best. Day. Ever.

(000)

That day was far past now, initiation was the next day and almost everyone had gotten teams. Keyword being almost.

Due to his attendance, Jake had created a odd number of new students, thereby he had been put on his own team of one. That wasn't to say he was alone, he had quickly made friends with Team JNPR, he and Jaune becoming good friends as well.

That went for Team RWBY as well. Though he did apologize to Weiss the first chance he got for what he did on the first day, she had forgiven him, and to his surprise he found that the ice queen had a soft side to her.

Ruby was like the little sibling he always wanted. On more than one occasion they would geek out on something that they explained was, 'For nerds like them,'

Jake had also written to his sister every chance he had, telling her about his friends and their shenanigans.

But then there was the super huge elephant in the room. Yang.

He had taken her advice to him, and made a effort to stop being so nervous in general, and honestly it worked wonders for him. But he still found himself staring at her when she wasn't looking, and to make things worse, the others had begun to notice.

"Ok. I seriously need to buckle down and find a way out of this." Jake said, looking up at the ceiling of his room. Best thing about having no teammates? Well there was a lot of things, no time limits on showers, no complaining about dirty clothes, lights on and off are all his decision, and he can think out loud without fear of anyone walking in on him.

"Well there's the idiot Suicide plan, I just tell her, get it off my chest. Worst case? She doesn't feel the same way….or she feels violated and grounds me into paste." he said, his voice starting to quiver at the end.

He shook his head, I'll just have to figure it out some other way. he thought as slipped into bed and turned off the light on his bedside his bed.

(000)

The next day at lunch Jake was sitting on the far end of the table near the edge beside team JNPR and on the opposite side of Blake. He liked Blake, she and him were actually alike in a few ways. They were both quiet, they both like isolation, and they were both dragged into the group by Yang.

Hooray for forced togetherness?

Also…...they may have both liked…...a certain…...they both were fans of Ninjas of Love.

It's true there were some…..raunchy scenes, but it wasn't pure smut. It's like a R rated movie honesty, there were more violent scenes than there actual lovemaking scenes. Jake imagined it was given that stereotype because of the title above all else.

So much so that you couldn't read it out in the open without being called a pervert. So Jake had done something quite clever on his his part, he had used the paper covers of old books and put them on the covers of the Ninjas of Love.

He had given Blake a few when he found her reading in her dorm, after finding out he was a fan, they became book buddies.

But they also made sure to kick them up. Oum forbid Yang finds out they read those book, and God have mercy of Ruby finds them and reads them, Yang would have his balls, and she would have Blake's ears.

Shaking those thoughts aside, he took another bite of his Mac and cheese, another perk of Beacon, all the food you want anytime. Jake honestly thought of maybe teaching here just for that reason.

He took a glance over at Yang s she pulled back on a spoon with a small bit of cool whip on the end. Letting it go, the cool whip flew through the air to the table beside them where Nora caught it in her mouth.

Jake couldn't help but stare at Yang, "How…" he started, not quite sure how to ask her.

She grinned, "I was a pro at that back at Signal. I practiced with Ruby but she could never catch what I threw." she explained, gesturing to Ruby as she drank a carton of milk. The younger sister let out a grumble at the mention but didn't say anything

"I never noticed. How didn't we have food fights?" he asked, wondering how Yang never accidentally hit someone with flying food. And if anyone got hit he was sure it would have been him.

"Wait you went to Signal too? Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, Jake mentally scolding himself for that slip of the tongue. He didn't tell her because he didn't want to seem creepy or anything.

"You never asked." he simply responded.

Yang turned to face him, "Well come on! Spill! We barely know anything about you, we know more about Ren than you and he barely says anything." she said, pointing a thumb to Ren.

"I say what needs to be said." Ren needed before going back to eating.

Jake felt uncomfortable with the whole table's attention on him. Part of him wanted to bail, but that's just be rude. So he was left no choice, "Well I actually had…...a few classes with you. Big blonde hair is pretty hard to miss." he started.

"Thank you." Yang said happily.

"Mainly because it blocked my view." he added with a smirk, making Yang ker out a small laugh. "And…...well yeah that's it. Not much else." she answered truthfully.

Yang ran her hands through her hair with a grin, "Ah, you couldn't take your eyes off me then eh?" she asked suggestively, causing Jake's cheeks to flush deep red as he tried to think of something to say.

"Leave him alone Yang, with all that hair it's w surprise he could see anything." Weiss said before taking a bite of her food.

"It wasn't that bad was it?" Yang asked, Jake shook his head, "See? And besides, it turned out ok." she said, patting the young man on the shoulder, his blush still ever present.

Blake stared at him and Yang, she and Jake breifly locked eyes before he looked down at his empty plate. Blake's eyes widened at realization as he picked up the tray and stood up, "I'm uh…..yeah I'm just gonna go." he said, figuring he didn't need a excuse.

After dumping the remains of his tray and putting it in the used bin, he made his way out into the hall where he let out a breath. That was…...that was a little much. he thought.

"So I'm going to take it she doesn't know you like her." Jake nearly leapt to the ceiling at the sound of Blake's voice.

"Oum Blake! You scared the crap out me, start wearing a be-" he stopped himself. "It's bit racist if I finish that is it?" he asked. The Faunus shook her head, "Oh, as I was saying, start wearing a bell around your neck."

Blake crossed her arms over her chest, "How long?" she asked plainly.

Jake hesitated before sighing, he couldn't fool Blake. "Since Signal. I was in the back of the class, and I just kept staring at her hair for the longest time." he explained as he leaned against one of the Windows.

"You should tell her."

"Worst idea ever." Jake said.

Bale raised a eye, "So your going to just keep your emotions locked away for the rest of your life?" she asked.

Jake bit down on his lip, "It's….Blake, it's just…...I don't like change." he started. "When I was accepted to Beacon I nearly had a panic attack, when I first talked to Yang I thought I was going to die from shock, it's…...I'm just nervous."

Blake gave him a sympathetic look, "Jake it sounds like you have anxiety problems." she observed.

Jake looked down at the floor, "I've…...it's a problem I have. I just…..I can adjust. I can do it but some things they just…..it scares me. What if I'm bad at being a boyfriend and I loose her? And then I become so bad I never have a friend like her again-"

Blake clamped her hand down over his mouth to stop him. "Look, it is a big chance. But that's what life is. You can't control everything." she explained, "Yang wouldn't stop being your friend if she said no, she's not like that." she said confidently.

Jake sighed, he knew she wasn't like that, but still. "Ok…...i'll…..figure something out."

Blake rolled her eyes, honestly Jake was making this more difficult. "That's all you can do." she said before walking away.

Jake looked back to the cafeteria before heading to his room.

(000)

Three days. Jake has gone three days without talking to Yang. And honestly it was starting to piss her off. Granted the thought has crossed her mind that he's just in a foul mood about something and simply doesn't wish to talk to anyone. In which case, she gets it, there was more than one time she would obliterate s punching bag to blow off some steam.

But she would at least tell others that she's not in the mood to talk.

But Jake hadn't said a word to her specifically and it was getting to her. The others had noticed as well, when they talked to him though, he would respond and say he's fine.

Was it something I did? I don't think so, it's not like I pulled a prank on him or anything. Yang thought as she brushed her teeth, staring back at herself in the mirror.

Another odd thing is that he would just smile and wave at her, so maybe he's not angry with her, so then what?

She spit into the sink before wiping her mouth dry. Exiting the bathroom, Ruby past her and closed the door, four girls sharing a room in most cases would end up with a few arguments over who gets to use the bathroom first. But there was a simple solution, rotation of who goes first by day.

So tomorrow she would move up to having it second while Blake would be first inside.

Waking to the drawer, she pulled out her place and rummaged around for a pair of socks for her outfit. "Hey gave you two noticed Jake acting a little weird lately?" she asked, turning to the two remaining teammates in the room.

Weiss was working on something on her scroll and Blake was working on a list of books to look for when they go to vale later today. "A little bit, but I didn't think it was anything." Weiss said, looking up from her screen.

Blake kept quiet and simply shrugged, of course she knew what was bugging him but it wasn't her place to say. And honesty? He was kinda behaving like a twelve year old…..then again their team leader was a fifteen year old….

Yang slipped her boots on and fan to lace them up, "He hasn't said a word to me in three days. I feel like I did something wrong but I don't know what." she explained as she stuccoed the laces inside the boots after tying them off. Standing up she sucked in her lips as she thought the situation. "You know what? I'm going to talk to him, and I'm going to force him to tell me what's wrong." she said as she started towards the door.

Blake's eyes widened, "Wait Yang no that's-" she started, but she was already out the door. "Oooooh this isn't going to end well." she said.

(000)

Yang could do this a few ways. She could simply text Jake over his scroll and ask to meet with him later. She could catch up with him at the landing pad and drag him off somewhere to talk to him. Or she could simply wait until he came to her.

But Yang had, for lack of a better comparison, the patience of a six year old. If something could be done now, she'd do it right goddamn now.

So what she do? She does what Yang does and kick in the door to Jake's room.

Which resulted with him screaming…...screaming in a high pitch.

Yang intended to be serious, she wanted to get right down to the point…...but that all crumbed as soon as she heard him scream. "BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! What was that!?" she laughed out as she doubled over from laughter, blocking the door at the same time so he couldn't escape.

Jake sat up rigid in his chair, he was just about to get on the web and see if there was anything going on, but then Yang came in.

"That was you scaring the everloving shit out of me!" he yelled loudly as Yang tried to get herself under control.

"Oh my Oum, ok, ok, ok. Serious talk now. *Ahem*." Yang said, finally getting herself under control. "Look Jake, you've been avoiding me for the past few days, and I want to know what's up." she explained bluntly as she kicked the door closed behind her and leaned her back against it. "So your not leaving until I get a answer, got it."

Jake swallowed, "Well…...there is the window…..but I'm not sure I could pay for it if it breaks." he said, glancing at the possible exit point.

Yang's eyes carried a hurt expression, "Did I seriously embarrass you so much you'd do that?" she asked in a guilty filled voice.

Jake abruptly stood from the desk with a look of horror, "No! What? Yang you-look I'm not embarrassed by you, well no more than usual, but that doesn't mean…." he rambled before taking a deep breath. "Look Yang, I'm not mad at you or anything it's just…...well…" he looked down at the carpet.

He was backed into a corner, somewhat literally, and he had little to no options but to tell Yang.

"Well? Well what?" Yang inquired, crossing her arms over her chest, Jake glanced up, his mouth opened slightly before his entire face reddened and he shut it and looked back down. Yang mind was going over everything, every conversation they had from when they met up to now.

Her eyes widened bore staring at him, "Oh…...you mean…."

Jake didn't dare look up, "I…..didn't know how to say it….or what to say really…...so u kinda chose…..not to." he explained. On one hand it felt like someone lifted a truck off his shoulders and it felt great, but her silence was kinda dropping it back down on him.

Honestly the worst thing should do is leave him like this and never speak of it again, but Yang wasn't like that. He knew that much.

When Yang's feet stepped into view, he suddenly wanted to shrink into the tiniest position he could. "Could you at look at me?"

Jake willed his head to lift up, his eyes looking at her lilac colored ones. And she was smiling.

Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a bear hug. "That seriously must have been hell for you when I first talked to you." she said as she kept squeezing.

Jake well…...emotionally he was in a great place. Physically? Yang had the strength of a elephant and she was using it to break his back right now.

All in all? Things could be worse. She could have thrown him out the window.

"Yang….air!" he wheezed out, Yang slackened her grip on him, letting him catch his breath.

"Sorry…..Jake why didn't you say anything? We had classes together at Signal, why didn't you say anything?" she asked. Jake gave her a ridiculous look, he simply gestured to her head to toe. Yang realized what he meant and couldn't help but grin, "Ahhhh, didn't think you could handle the heat."

"Oh no, the hair catching on fire I can handle, I keep a fire extinguisher nearby." Jake liked before sitting back down in his seat. "Look Yang, I completely understand if you're not in the same boat. I'm just glad you know." he said, still drinking in the relief.

Yang gave him a odd look, "And what makes you think I'm not in the same boat?" she asked, a sly smile forming on her face. While Jake had what he would associate a mini stroke with.

"Waitsaywhat?" he asked quickly as Yang kneeled down in front of him.

"I'm saying…...maybe I'm a little interested." she admitted, not breaking her smile.

Jake's face went through a handful of emotions, surprised, terrified, excited, and nervous. "What…..possible reason would you even want to…..your…..and I'm….I just-what is happening?!" he asked finally sapping out of his little stupor.

"What's happening is that I'm saying," she pointed a thumb to herself, "That I wouldn't mind giving you," she poked her index finger against his forehead, "a chance." she finished.

Jake was speechless, he felt like he won the lottery, found a cure for every sickness ever, and graduated all at once.

Jake blinked a few times, getting his thoughts in order, "Wh-why would you possibly choose to do this with me of all people?"

"What's wrong with you of all people?" Yang asked.

Jake opened his mouth to answer but found he didn't have one. It wasn't like there was anything truly wrong with him that would prevent him from having a relationship. "...nothing…..nothing at all." Jake said, smiling a little. "Ok then…..so we're…"

"Dating. Yes Jake, good." Yang said teasingly before standing up and turning around and making her way towards the door. Stopping for a moment, she turned her head around and grinned, "We're heading to Vale in a hour, come join if you want." she said, giving him a small wink, causing his cheeks to turn pink.

Yang smirked evilly. This was going to be super fun.