Devoted Paladin

“You’re an art major?” It seemed silly for Marinette to be excited by something so mundane, but she couldn’t help herself. “Maybe we’ll have some classes together since our majors are closely linked.” It would be nice to start a semester with a familiar face, even if Marinette didn’t know Jaune too well.

Lips curled upward as Marinette smiled at Jaune. “It’s fine,” she said, clutching her notebook to her chest. Once upon a time she knew every single event to Adrien’s schedule; of course, she wouldn’t admit that aloud and risk freaking someone out over her stalkerish 15 year-old self, but she was proud that she had achieved such a feat. “Thank you for your time. Have a nice day, Jaune.”

She turned to exit but quickly glanced over her shoulder at the blond. Tucking some hair behind her ears, she smiled once more at him. “I was going to ask if he could model my outfit. I made the outfit with a blond in mind, and my portfolio will be thrown off if the theme doesn’t match. Adrien was kinda my…”

What was he? What was her intention? Nothing. She just knew she had a blond friend.

“He was the first person I thought of.”

     The prospect of having a familiar face in future classes was a comfort, but he didn’t want to get himself too excited. Seeing Marinette quickly turn to leave, Jaune felt a bit of pain in his chest at his failure to help the girl and that she looked so sad. As he was moving to close the door, she turned back and started to speak.

    “So...A-Adrien was your model?”

    A thought started to percolate at the back of his mind...was he really going to offer to do that? He didn’t know this girl very well and that it would send his anxiety high...but he would be helping someone for once. That aspect along sealed the deal for him.

     “I-If you’re looking for a blond, I-I mean I’m a blond so...I can model for you if you want!” As Jaune’s nerves and fear of rejection started to manifest, he could tell that his smile must’ve looked weird.

    Ruby’s eyes widened a bit at the sound of Jaune’s stomach before she found herself laughing. She felt so alive now that she’d found someone dear to her and after the slight sob fest she felt so energized and so herself. She felt so at peace now and she knew Jaune probably felt the same. Even if they only had eachother it didn’t matter, it was a good sign if anything and they could always make the best of it all.

    “Okay Jaune’s tummy, let’s go fill you up and take a long nap after! I feel like I can kill 100 Grimms but also sleep for like a year!” She let out a small bit of laughter again before she began leading Jaune towards her small apartment with a bright smile. “Who knew that after such a long fit of worry, stress, and depression you could feel so energized yet so tired huh? I haven’t felt myself since I first got here and, believe it or not, I’ve been focusing 100% on my school work just to give myself some sort of distraction from drowning in my sorrows and now that I feel like me I wanna do so many things and ask you so many questions that oh man I don’t even know where to even start!!!!!”

    It was strange how just finding one friend again put her in such an amazing mood and made it almost impossible to keep her mouth shut. 

    Jaune’s face started to cramp from the amount of grinning that he was doing today. It was honestly one of the best days hes had since he fell into this place. Ruby was always there to be a ray of sun to brighten up everyone’s day...she was honestly a blessing for Jaune right now. He’s always had a soft spot for Ruby, even when they just met Jaune felt comfortable around her. For a long time, Jaune’s feelings for Ruby were...more than friends to say the least. But, after...after the fall of Beacon, Jaune’s heart changed, and Ruby was more like a sister to her than anything.

    Giggling a little, “Yeah, well, gotta love it when the depression just evaporated, huh?” Jaune related to Ruby on that. 

    Jaune’s ears picked up a little at Ruby’s mention of school work, “Wait, you’re in school right now?” There was shock in Jaune’s voice, since for as long as Jaune knew Ruby, she wasn’t too keen on schoolwork, but who knows, Wonderland has changed people before.

    She should have been strong and not broke down in a sobbing mess with Jaune, but she couldn’t help it. She had felt so weak and useless and was so filled with worry and fear of everything that could be happening to her friends, and even though it was just one person her with her now, it was enough to throw all those useless terrible feelings she had been carrying away and have hope that the others were also there, somewhere, lost and looking for them. 

    She was filled with hope and optimism again and knew right then and there, she could easily go back to being her old self. She would fear nothing again and work hard to find the best in this life and find all her friends again. She would be the rock that holds them all down again and make sure neither of them fear anything again. 

    When she felt him pat her back slightly she leaned back and saw the crowd of people who had stopped to watch them and she smiled sheepishly, only feeling slightly embarrassed at the fact that so many people had stopped to watch their tear jerking reunion.

    “Haha, yeah you’re right, umm we can go to my place if you want, I have some instant ramen we can heat up if you’re hungry!”

    Jaune’s face was sore from the amount of smiling he’s been doing for late couple minutes. Ever since they formed team RNJR, the entire team’s been there for Jaune in his depressive state...even though all of them were depressed to hell and back. But they were the force that was making him feel...alive? No, that’s not the right word...wanted? He couldn’t put a finger on it, but it was enough to keep him alive. The joy that he was feeling right now.. this’s been the most joy he’s felt in a while...but at least he started to feel again.

    At the mention of ramen, Jaune couldn’t help that his stomach answered for him, “U-Ummm...my stomach has s-spoken for me apparently,” a small giggle fluttered out of his chest.

    The sudden weight that wrapped itself around her caused her to slightly panic and try to reach for her scythe in it’s toy form until she took in the short blonde hair and the sudden tears she felt falling from his eyes. Then he spoke softly through his tears and shock and disbelief ran through her.

    “J-jaune?” She questioned first, a small voice in the back of her head telling her that he wasn’t real and that she was dreaming for a second before she shoved it back further and pulled away slightly to better see his face. She reached her hands up to cup his face and wipe away his falling ears tears and the warmth that radiated from him was so much more real than anything she had felt in her dreams. Instantly tears began to fall from her own face as she realized that yes, this in fact was her best friend.

    “Jaune! It is you!! oh my god Jaune!!” She didn’t care that she was repeating herself, she was too happy to finally be reunited with someone, to know they were okay and safe and not have that fear that she had abandoned them in a time of need. She quickly pulled him back into that bear hug and rested her forhead on his chest. “You’re here and your safe…I’m so happy, even though i shouldn’t be but I am! Jaune i was so scared!!”

    Feeling Ruby’s hands on his face...it really grounded him on what was happening...and that it was in fact happening. Something familiar just entered Wonderland...someone that he was close to; someone who he cared for.

    When Ruby recognized that it was him and crushed him into the bear hug...he couldn’t hold himself back anymore; the tears just flooded from his eyes. He returned the hug, putting every ounce of his strength and emotion into the hug as much as he could, resting his head on top of the huntress’. His instant thought of maybe he was being to strong with the hug quickly left his mind when he remember who he was hugging...and the fact that he wasn’t that strong. He was the strategist after all.

    “D-...don’t worry R-Ruby...I’m...I’m here...”

    Almost every depressing thought that was plaguing Jaune’s mind was obliterated in this moment, and for the first time in weeks...he didn’t feel so empty or useless or...or dead.

    The hugging and sobbing lasted for about five more minutes before Jaune lifted his head and saw the crowd of people that formed around them; some of them crying a little bit themselves at the scene, and others concerned that something happened to them. Jaune wiped the tears from his face and patted Ruby’s back, trying to get her attention.

    “H-Hey...we should p-probably take this s-somewhere else...just so we can c-catch up?”

@devoted-paladin

    Everything was confusing, had been confusing. Life as she had known it was changed completely when she had woken up in Wonderland, and she had no idea how to fix it. She had spent weeks trying to go home, had spent weeks trying to fix her crescent rose permanently and was ultimately stuck with a toy. 

    After awhile, she knew she had to just give up and try to understand this place she was in, it was the only solution after all to finding a way back home. But weeks turned into months, and she had started attending school there, started living a new life and focusing on things here. Veil and everyone else was a worry for her panic attacks and nightmares. After all, she’d learned from other students there that there was no way out of Wonderland so it was best to forget and move on. 

    It was hard for her to do that though, to forget about her life before and move on. She’d loved her friends dearly, but there was nothing she could do. She prioritized school over everything else, including meeting new people, not until she was able to get over the fact that she’d never see the others again. Getting over them was the hard part, especially when ever sight of long wavy blond hair made her think of Yang, when the sound of clashing swords made her think of Jaune and Weiss, when every cat made her think of Blake and so on. It was getting to the point where she would think she saw one of them as she rushed to class, but she never allowed herself to look back. It always ended in heart break anyways.

    It had happened again today, while she was in Belinia, walking down the street while heading to the farmers market. She had glanced up from the ground and had sworn the man walking in the opposite direction was Jaune, but she knew it couldn’t be, her eyes instantly falling back to the floor as she tightened her grip on her bag. She couldn’t face the heartbreak and ruin her shopping day. 

    “I wish you were Jaune….” She found herself mumbling as the crossed paths. It’s what she always found herself mumbling when these things happened, so she wouldn’t face the heartbreak but held onto a bit of hope that it would be them and they would respond or do something. 

    Life’s been hell. For the first week or so after Jaune fell into Wonderland, Jaune’s mind was in a depressed and anger filled space. He did not want to be here. He couldn’t be here. He needed to be back with his team and help them fight...as much help has he could be of course. The guilt of abandoning them ate at Jaune for almost two whole weeks to the point that...things got dark. Very dark. He wasn’t proud of those two week, and it was something that he wanted to just forget and move on.

    While Jaune wasn’t the most book smart person in the team...that didn’t mean that he didn’t try. He spent about a week researching any way for a way to return to his world...and there was nothing. There was absolutely nothing about how to return back to his home. Jaune’s depression amplified his anger and he stormed out of the place he did his research. His anger clouded his eyesight and he was just storming around, ranting to himself.

    “Are you fucking kidding me!? There’s no way to get back to Remnant!? Fucking bullshit!!”

    Thankfully while his vision was clouded, his hearing wasn’t. Moving past a girl in a red cloak, Jaune heard his name...and the voice as very, very familiar. Jaune stopped dead in his tracks...his anger evaporated.

    Slowly turning around, Jaune looked at the girl that said his name...and his body moved without him thinking about it. He rushed towards the girl and crushed her into a bear hug: it was Ruby Rose. One of his best friends was right here...in Wonderland. 

Why, you’re in Wonderland, my young man. I know you’ll miss your friends, but you might find this place to be favorable~

Welcome to Wonderland, JAUNE!

Your semblance is something that catches my interest, and it would be a shame if you couldn’t use it to the full of your ability. Even if someone does not have aura, you can still use your semblance to heal them. But it depletes your energy depending on the wound or injury you are fixing. Your crocea mors is also slightly altered and keeps its shield form. However, it can turn into swords four times a week.

Please take a moment and follow the masterlist and introduce yourself. If you’re feeling ambitious, maybe check out the open starters and reply to one of them. Everyone, please help me in welcoming Wonderland’s newest resident.

    “Does...it have to do with that weird ‘Cheshire Cat’ I keep on hearing about? ...looks like I have some more searching to do...great..”

At first Marinette that this guy was going to think that she was some sort of crazy stalker. He wouldn’t have been entirely wrong, but that was back in high school and they were legitimately friends right now. She wanted to hide behind the book as she wondered if he was still being cautious about her, so she continued to hold it open for him.

Marinette was not expecting his reaction.

“You really think so?” she asked loudly, catching herself off guard with the sudden outburst. “I mean, I’m still training as a designer and everybody has to practice to be able to do that special thing that makes them happy. I actually want to one day train under-”

She stopped herself. “Sorry. I was excited for a moment there,” she said with an airy laugh. “You said your name was Jaune?” The blue-eyed girl closed her book and tucked it under her arm, reaching out to meet Jaune’s hand in a mutual handshake. “I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng and it’s great to meet you.”

“Thank you for liking my designs. I’ve been working on this one for a little while now,” she said, trailing off her sentence. “Do you… do you know when Adrien will be back?” she asked, giving a small hopeful smile.

    “Nice to meet you Marinette! And yeah, no problem! I’m an art student myself, so you know I’m not just being nice.”

    Jaune tried to think of how Adrien’s schedule was for the semester: he knew he had an early class since they walked together...but other than that he really couldn’t remember when he would get back.

    “Yeah, sorry, I really don’t know his schedule yet.”

    Jaune really hated that he couldn’t help Marinette...but maybe he could. If it’s not something too big or involving being physical...he might be able to help out this poor gir.

    “Hey, Marinette, what exactly do you need Adrien for? I can tell him about it when he gets back.”

a commission I did for @IJustReadEverything! You can see the edits they did here, check em out! I had a lot of fun drawing this heuheuhuhe

As he was yelling at the adventurous cat the door opened revealing a blond guy with blue eyes. He had this slightly nervous face until Plagg decided to finally listen to Adrien and get down. Only he decided to go down onto this guy’s shoulder.

“Hi yeah I’m Adrien and this little trouble maker is Plagg. You are Jaune right? Nice to meet you. Plagg is pretty affectionit but he can get a bit much.” he said with a smile and moved slightly so it would be easier to get in the room. 

Adrien coukd not help feel nervous as he was meeting his roommate. He seemed nice but Adrien was not used to sharing the same space with someone so he was afriad he would mess up somehow.

“Oh before I forget be prepared if you eat cheese in front of Plagg because he will try to steal it.”

    Jaune smiled at the other blond, “Yep! That’s me, Jaune Arc! Nerd, future in being poor, also know as being an art major, and incredibly afraid of large crowds.”

    Moving into the room, Jaune went and sat on his bed and made sure that Plagg didn’t accidentally destroy anything. After his last roommate left, the room was...empty without another person to fill up the space. While Jaune appreciated the silence every now and then...it left him with time to overthink, and that was just not good for him. So now that Adrien’s moved in, hopefully he’ll be able to not only overthink, but maybe work on his socializing skills.

    Though the note about the cheese caused a smile to form on his lips “Oh. Is he a little cheese thief then?”

Yes, she was looking for a blond. No, this was not the blond that she was looking for. But hey, at least Marinette had the right room. She cheered inwardly to herself, mentally throwing her fist in the air at knowing which room Adrien lived in. 

“No, I’m not a friend. I mean it’s not an emergency. But I am a friend. But that’s-” Marinette took a deep breath, composing herself as she cleared her mind. There was no reason to fret, it was just an awkward situation that could easily be fixed. She just hoped that she wasn’t bothering this guy. 

“Yes, I’m a friend. Adrien and I went to the same high school and we’re now in acting club together,” she explained with a smile on her face, “but it’s not an emergency.”

She held up her notebook and showed it to the stranger. “You see, I’m a designer. Well, fashion major, actually. I’m not a designer. Yet. But I designed an outfit and I was wondering if Adrien would be my base and model for it. But if he’s not here, then I don’t want to bother him.”

    Jaune’s eyebrows raised a little, “A friend from high school? Adrien’s never mentioned someone like that before, but then again, we haven’t really gotten close yet.” 

    Then a notebook was being shown to him, various designs for for pretty swanky outfit were written on some pages. This girl said that she wasn’t a designer, but these sketches are phenomenal! It was all pleasing to the eye, and it wasn’t anything like stereotypical “modern fashion.” This girl had a lot of talent.

    Taking his eyes off of the paper, “W-Wow! These are awesome! You said you weren’t a designer, but with these, you’re pretty fantastic....I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name. The name’s Jaune Arc! Nice to meet ya!”

“Oh…yeah, that’s a good thing. Sometimes dating’s the most stressful thing ever, haha.” Sun looked away. Why did he suddenly feel so uneasy? He’d never been like that when talking about relationships. He remembered walking around proudly in high school telling everyone he was bi. Was he afraid to ruin the atmosphere, or was it something else? He was glad Jaune wasn’t seeing anyone, but that made his heartbeat raise for some reason. He remembered that feeling, but didn’t feel ready to admit it. He could only conclude he was afraid of ruining his relationship with Jaune after how much he tried to get him to be more comfortable around him again.

“Uh…” He instinctively inhaled before speaking, trying to get his breathing back to normal. He wasn’t embarrassed to admit it, quite the opposite. Yet, he felt something strange that he couldn’t describe. “Nope. No one at all.” He sighed quietly. He felt like middle school all over again. His confusion distracted him from the fact Jaune wasn’t holding his arm as tightly anymore.

He looked up, hearing something before a car passed by. But looking around, he saw what seemed to be the bus in the distance.

“Oh hey, look.” He pointed at the silhouette, getting quiet the moment after.

    Jaune’s heart did...something when Sun said that he wasn’t dating anyone. Celebration? Bliss? Jaune really didn’t want to put a word to it, since he didn’t want to come face-to-face with his totally not huge crush on Sun. Nothing good would come out of it, and Jaune didn’t want to lose such a good guy-friend. So when Jaune realized that he was still clinging onto Sun’s arm, he decided to just hold his hand, just to see if Sun would try and claim his appendage back.

     Smiling at Sun, “N-No one at all? I’m s-surprised that a s-stud like you doesn’t have a g-girl-”

    Realizing that Sun just pointed out that a bus was finally here, Jaune clammed up. Waiting for the bus doors to open, Jaune’s hand that wasn’t holding Sun’s was starting to twitch a little. When the other people finally got off said bus, he tugged Sun along as he made his way to the back of the bus.