As It Turns Out 5

"Elroy! You're here!" Ruby threw herself at him with her Semblance.

Naturally, he fell on his ass, and Ruby fell on top of him. This now marking the second time Ruby had brought him low with her Semblance. Thankfully... or sadly, he did not get married to a new woman this time. He also thankfully didn't hit head.

"Ruby! I will skin you alive!" But Weiss did not see that, so she naturally got angry.

The girl blushed. "Sorry, I just got super excited that he was finally here, and so my body moved before I did and...!" She kept on throwing excuse after excuse.

He honestly didn't mind. "It's okay Ruby, I get it." He was excited about this too.

This was the second time he was going to explore Beacon, but it felt like the first time really. Considering the last time he immediately went to the headmaster's office. And while he wasn't exactly a Huntsman nerd, he was not immune to the allure of the kingdom's most prestigious academy.

The place legimately looked straight out of a fairy tale. He could not even begin to guess how expensive it was to build it, or to maintain it.

She jumped up, and took a few steps backwards. "Alright! Still, I'm sorry! I will try to not do it again!" Ruby couldn't believe she managed to embarass herself so quickly!

She couldn't help it though, this was going to be way too great! Elroy was going to spend all of the weekend in Beacon, and only leave on Monday in the morning. They planned it over the course of the week, and got permission from the headmaster and everything!

Yang pat her sister's shoulder. "Don't worry Ruby, I'm sure he appreciates having a girl on top of him!" He did. Due to common sense however, he would not say it out loud!

Ruby pushed her sister away. "Yang, that's the kind of thing that you're not supposed to say out loud!" Great minds really thought alike!

Yang ignored her, and sent him a wink. "I hope you're ready for a weekend of tons of fun!"

He sighed. "I hope so too..." If this kept up, he might not survive it.

Blake rolled her eyes. "How about instead of winking at him, you actually help him get up?" She walked forward, and offered him a hand. "Welcome to Beacon. It's just as chaotic as you are expecting."

"Good to hear." He took her hand.



//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



"You guys... weren't kidding about the bunk beds." They had told him about them, but it sounded so ridiculous that he thought it was a joke.

Now however, he was face to face with reality. And as a man who kept his room clean and organized, this looked like a nightmare. Not to mention a hazard to their health. One of the beds was held by goddamned rope! The other one by books!

Ruby grinned. "Pretty great huh?"

"In a manner of speaking." It was impressive. Impressive in the same way a ancient Grimm who had lived for a thousand years was impressive. "How did you guys... even come up with this?"

Looking at it, he couldn't help but decide that either gods did not exist, and if they did they were very cruel. The existence of Grimm in the first place should have already clued him, but this was really hammering the point home.

Ruby was as proud as one could be. "The room is kind of small for four people, and all of our stuff wasn't fitting, so in the end I came with this idea. I put on a vote, and the bed bunks were approved." Democracy was terrifying.

He looked at the rest of the team, and raised an eyebrow.

Yang shrugged. "Eh. It's cool. I needed the space... and I like the danger. I sleep in one of the lower beds." Oh, how she wished she had sunglasses right now.

Blake glared at the sacrificial books. "Those books are the ones I hate the most, I felt scammed after I finished reading them, this is their punishment. The bunk beds are good." Also, she slept on the top half. She wasn't completely insane.

Weiss whimpered. "I voted against it... But sadly I have to follow my team leader's orders." She actually thought the bunk beds were awesome, however, she had enough sense to not admit it.

He truly was happy there was at least one sane person in this team. "I see..." Or maybe Weiss was actually insane? She was the unique one here after all. "The bunk beds are... neat." He was lying. He was lying to be nice.

Ruby gave a cheer. "Great! I'm glad you think so! You can sleep in mine even, I'll give you the spot!" Ah, mistakes were made. "And I'll just sleep on a mattress in the ground."

He crossed his arms. "Ruby, which one is your bed?"

She pointed at the greatest bed of all time. "That one! The one that's hanging by using ropes!" A masterpiece.

In her eyes. In his eyes that was a death sentence. "Oh. I wouldn't want to impose. I'm the guest, so I should be the one sleeping on the mattress." He was so shocked that his words came out as if he was a robot.

Ruby shook her head. "Ah, don't worry, as the husband you get bed privileges! For the first night, after that I want my bed back."

Well, he would not survive that night, so she didn't have to worry about the bed.

Yang interjected. "Why are we even talking about mattresses this and that? Just let him sleep with me." She leaned over against him. "It's gonna be tight with two people, but you can handle all this Yang, can't you?"

"Sure." If he was going to be forced to roll the dice on his life, he might as well sleep with a hot girl.

Wasn't it a blessing to die by the side of your wife?

Yang sputtered. "You actually said yes!?" She wasn't expecting that!

He tilted his head. "Yeah, I mean, I am your husband." This was something normal. It was weirder that they had gotten separated for so long if anything.

Weiss hummed. "Um... Xiao Long being a pathetic try hard aside, I do agree that there's no need for Elroy to sleep separately from us. He is quite literally our husband."

Blake looked at the beds. "Yeah, but those are pretty small... It can work, but it will be a really tight fit. Not to mention how I'm sure everyone will want a turn with him." And the days he was spending would not be enough for that.

Weiss nodded. "All very true, so I guess..." She held back a cackle. "We will just have to sleep hugging each other...!" A fine thing as far as she was concerned.

She continued. "And about the second part..." She couldn't exactly tell them that she wanted to hog him all by herself... so what to do?

Ruby raised a hand. "Genius idea! How about we like... put on an alarm that wakes up occasionally so he can switch beds!" Her brain was truly far too bit. "A person needs eight hours of sleep, so he can sleep two hours with me and then switch, then two hours with Weiss and then switch, and... you get the idea!"

"So how does it sound, husband of mine!?" She exaggeratedly pointed at him.

He could not keep the frown out of his face. "It sounds like a great idea." But much like with the bunk beds, he would fake compliance for their sake.

Thankfully Yang came to his rescue. "Yeah, no. That is super unhealthy, and I need to be looking out for the health of the two of you." It was part of her job as a big sis, a wife, and just a generally awesome person.

Blake waves her off. "It's fine, Yang. It's doable." She had experiences when she constantly slept and then woke up in the past... when she was a terrorist. In her defense, she wanted to sleep with her husband too.

And she was quickly denied. "Yeah, no." Yang put her foot down. "Let's establish some rules right here and now. No ruining anybody's health for cuddling time, no smoking, no using drugs, and no raw sex."

Blake glared at her. "I know you wanted to sound mature with that last part, but we all just watched you embarass yourself five seconds ago."

Elroy interjected, trying to descalate things. "How about we leave this discussion for later?" Also, he had condoms in his wallet, he was a prepared husband. "We can think about it during the course of the day, and then make a decision later."

The truth is that they already had made a decision. In their preparations, they had decided he would sleep on that mattress... It's just that now that Elroy was here, those plans were quickly breaking.

Yang recovered from the blush she was experiencing. "Y-yeah... yeah." She really needed to stop bringing the type of heat she couldn't handle. But then again, she wanted to learn how to handle.

Ruby raised a hand. "Sounds good! I mean, team JNPR probably started their training ahead of us..." Their next step would be a simple one.

They would train with Elroy a little, and also finally introduce him to team JNPR, who were naturally very curious about her husband. She was also pretty sure Jaune was planning on murdering him, but you know... he was Jaune. If he was actually good at murdering things he wouldn't be Jaune.

But before all of that she had to confirm something. "So, did you manage to bring Wedding Ring?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Um... what do you mean by that?" He had not yet acquired a wedding ring for any of them!

He had looked into it, and it was a pretty expensive thing, as one would expect. And he would have to buy it multiple times. He would do it of course, but he certainly needed a few months to prepare.

She chuckled. "It's what I named your rapier! Weapon names are important! They're part of a weapon's soul!" And yes, weapon had souls, even if they didn't have Aura!

He let out a sigh of relief. "I see..." He did not particularly care about giving it a name, so he would take it. "Yeah, I brought it. Honestly, I can't believe they let me in with that thing."

She shrugged. "It's probably 'cause the headmaster knew you were coming. Now..." She raised a finger to the skies. "It's training time!"



//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



As Ruby had predicted, team JNPR had went ahead and started their training before them. So once they arrived, the team was already quite tired. Still, they stopped for introductions.

Ruby motioned to Elroy. "I'm happy to introduce... my husband!"

Weiss glared at her. "Why is it my now? I recall you saying it was our before."

He extended a open hand towards team JNPR. "My name is Elroy Reyne. It's a pleasure to finally meet the team I've heard so much about." He really was looking forward to it. From what he understood they were almost a part of team RWBY.

The girl who was dressed like a gladiator smiled at him. "I'm Pyrrha Nikos! Nice to meet you!" Yes, it was very nice, and she harbored no grudge against him for lucking his way into true love. "I shouldn't shake your hand however, I'm all sweaty! Sorry!" Yes, no grudge.

He began lowering his hand. "That's fine—."

But before he could, another girl took it, and began shaking with far more speed than he expected. "I'm Nora Valkyrie! It's super duper nice to meet ya! So, what is your secret? Teach me."

"S-secret? What secret?" She was not letting go of his hand.

She leaned forward. "The secret of how to fuse your soul with someone! Tell me and you become my bestie. Do not tell me, and you become my archenemy." She held his hand tighter, and cutely tilted her head. "So, you're gonna talk or not...?"

He... he had been warned about her, but he had to admit it, he was surprised. "There is no secret..." As far as he was aware.

"Archenemy it is..." One pair of broken legs, coming right up!

Before she could act however, Pyrrha pulled her back. "Nora, don't be rude!" She understood her side, but... She didn't understand her side at all. "I'm sorry Elroy!" This was probably not giving him a good impression of team JNPR.

"I-It's fine, I-I think." She was joking about the archnemesis thing, right?

Weiss rolled her eyes. "And so my husband is threatened before introductions even end. Just splendid." Her sarcasm was poisoning the air. "I would like to clarify, that in my ideal world, he is only introduced to Pyrrha."

Ruby gave her a light poke with her elbow. "C'mon sister-wife, it's gonna work great." As long as Jaune did not try to murder him. Which he might.

Ren stepped forward. "My apologies for Nora, she is... unique." He extended a hand. "Although I'm sure you're used to it, considering who you're married too." Team RWBY could act very similar to the girl. "My name is Lie Ren, a pleasure."

Elroy shook his hand, this time he did nobody tried to crush it. "I've heard good things about you, you seem to live up to it." Even if those good things were team RWBY telling him that Ren was the least likely member of team JNPR to commit first degree murder.

Ren smiled and stepped back. "I'm glad."

And then it was finally Jaune's turn... who was glaring at him. "Hey. Jaune Arc here. Accomplished Huntsman... in training here. Team leader of team JNPR here." This was the guy who stole Weiss. He would get no sympathy, for he was his enemy.

"Cool...?" Elroy had heard... differing opinions about Jaune.

According to Ruby, the man was a nice and kind fellow, albeit somewhat dense. According to Yang... he was her sister's friend. According to Blake, he made too much noise, but was overall okay. According to Weiss he was the devil incarnate.

Jaune looked daggers at him. "Yeah it is cool. I'm cool." Cooler than him! Snow Angel should have been his...! He had even written a song to confess and ask her to the dance and everything!

"I can certainly agree to that." And he really meant it. All Huntsmen were cool, it came with the profession. He did want to know where this hostility was coming from, however.

And he quickly learned why. "Okay, I can't take this anymore!" Jaune's emotions and frustrations burst. "I challenge you to a duel, winner takes it all!"

"Wha—?"

Jaune blushed. "I mean, winner takes Snow Angel, I-I'm not aiming at something crazy like having four girlfriends." It would be nice though. "So, do you accept it or not...!?" And then Jaune's eyes widened. "Oh, and it can be a non-violent duel, like playing World of Remnant or something." He wouldn't want to actually hurt the guy.

Elroy was pretty sure he had just walked into a alternate dimension. "Did you just ask me to duel you in a game, with the bet being that if you win, you take my wife? Is this really happening?" This was not normal behavior, right...?

Jaune looked down, frowing. "Well, when you point out how stupid it is, it sounds stupid."

Weiss let out a groan of annoyance, and then screeched. "Jaune Arc!" This was the final straw. She could tolerate Nora's shenanigans, but she could not tolera his.

He gave her a salute. "Yes, Snow Angel...?" She drew her sword. "Yes, Weiss?"

Right now she was more akin to a snow devil. "I have let you act foolish for far too long! So let me clarify something." She motioned to Elroy. "This is my husband! The man who I will spend my life with, the man who's soul is tied to mine! The man I love!"

She pointed at him. "You are Jaune Arc, a failure of a Huntsman who lucked his way into this prestigious academy somehow and your entire worth only exists because Pyrrha Nikos happened to take a shine for you, in perhaps Remnant's most unlikely miracle."

"You are obnoxiously loud. Prideful, and yet somehow have low-self esteem. Dorky, but not in a charming way like Ruby. And the only reason I tolerate you, is because my team leader likes you for some unknown reason, most likely because of another unlikely miracle." Losers stuck together, she supposed.

She crossed her arms and began tapping her foot. "Now, you have two options. You may continue to be aggressive to my husband, in which case—."

"You'll send the Yang missile against me!?" He would not survive.

Yang chuckled. "Locked and loaded." By the end he would be happy he didn't survive.

Weiss stomped the ground in frustration. "There is no need for the Yang missile, because I'll end you myself! However, you can also for once show some shame, apologize to my husband, and then perhaps I'll consider tolerating you once again."

Jaune was trembling, like a small animal who had just stumbled onto a bear. "I... Can I pick the second option after I go to my room and cry into my pillow for a few hours?"

She took a moment to consider it. "Hmmm... you may." Wasn't she kind?

Jaune ran off.

Ruby waved at him. "Bye-bye Jaune!" She would send him a video of a cute cat later. It would lift up his spirit!

Blake's jaw had hit the floor. "That... came from the heart." Why did Weiss seem angrier about this, then the time she found out Blake was an ex-terrorist?

"Of course, that man has been annoying me ever since I entered Beacon." And she took this long to snap... to think people called her impatient.

Although some people might say she had snapped plenty in the past, and this was simple the biggest one yet.

She then threw herself at Elroy, hugging his arm. "But now that annoying little bug will stop, so no need to worry, my husband." And if he didn't stop... everything about him would.

Elroy hesitantly smiled. "Y-yeah..." He didn't really feel bad for the guy, he tried hitting on Weiss after all, but... He sure had discovered a new side of his wife today.

It was kind of hot.

Pyrrha looked at the door. "I should... probably go comfort him." It was her duty as a friend if nothing else... Also, maybe he would now see her in a new light...

Nora giggled. "And I'll go too! I'm pretty beat anyways." If she wasn't making any romantic progress, Pyrrha wasn't gonna get any either! Team rules and such!

Ren stretched. "Me too... A shame, I was hoping to see a Marked in action." And a legendary one at that.

Pyrrha sighed. "Of course." There went her chances. Perhaps this was destiny?

They began gathering their things and moving, but... Weiss stepped on the redhead's way. "Actually Pyrrha, I would like to discuss something with you."

The invincible girl raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Weiss?" Surprisingly, she did not feel angry at the heiress at all. Jaune had been needing a wake up call.

"I was just thinking that perhaps you could help my husband with something." It was time to put her negotiation skills to the test. "You see, Elroy's weapon is a rapier, shotgun, and a spear. I have no experience with the latter, but..."

"You want me to train your husband?" That sounded like a lot of work.

Weiss clasped her hands together. "Just the basics of course! Though I'm sure he will excel enough to gain your interest." Pyrrha still didn't seem very interested, so she pressed on. "You can treat this as an apology for your leader's behavior."

Pyrrha looked away. "That's..." If it was just the basics, then maybe it was fine?

Besides, Elroy seemed polite enough. He probably knew she was famous, there's no way Weiss hadn't told him even if he didn't watch Huntsman sports, but he didn't show any annoying reaction. She guessed marrying the heri of the SDC made her seem a lot less impressive.

And then a sudden thought reached her head, and she blushed. "I don't think it's such a good idea, Weiss. I-I would have to keep touching him to fix his stance, a-and he is a taken man so..." So she would make people uncomfortable.

Weiss waved her off. "Come on now Pyrrha, there is nothing strange about this, nobody will mind." She faked a giggle. "And who knows, maybe you will Soul Bond with him too." It was a obvious joke.

But Pyrrha just flinched. "I can't. Sorry!" She really needed to go and comfort Jaune.

As Pyrrha left, Weiss clicked her tongue. "Well, can't win them all."



//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



"So hotshot, have you been following the instructions we sent you?" Yang asked while looking his body up and down.

"Yeah." It wasn't anything too absurd. They just asked him to cover his body with Aura a few times everyday. "Honestly, it's been helping me sleep better for some reason, so it's been great so far."

Yang nodded. "That's because Aura helps with health in general. People always only think about the healing wounds part, and it is super crazy, but it helps pretty with pretty much everything. Like... the headmaster is decently old, but he looks super young, right?"

"Yeah. Huh, this is certainly a nice benefit." Maybe it would save him some money in health check-ups. "So, how are we going about this?" He thought about swinging his weapon to emphasize the point, but...

Nah. For all he knew, that would make his hand explode in flames.

Weiss interjected. "For now we will teach you how to use a rapier, my specialty—."

"No we won't." Ruby, the weapons expert knew exactly how to go about this. "Before we do anything, we need to teach him how to actually handle that safely." He could seriously hurt himself by accident.

And even after that was done with, a person needed to learn how to infuse their weapon with Aura, so it wouldn't break when under pressure.

Elroy sent a cautions glance at his weapon. "I'm down for that idea..." He was pretty sure if he pressed the wrong button, while holding the weapon incorrectly, he would actually lose a hand.

He continued. "Besides, instead of training anything with melee, I would rather focus on how to use the shotgun part. I mean, learning the rapier should take years and years, right? I don't have that sort of time."

Weiss looked down. "Guh... M-maybe..." No, her perfect plan was going down to the train!

And Ruby wasn't helping it. "Yep. Besides, it's pretty standard procedure to teach a Huntsman-In-Training in how to use firearms first." Everybody needed to learn how to use them. Even Weiss who didn't actually carry a gun.

Suddenly someone entered the room. "Excuse me?"

He was a tall man dressed in white... and he also happened to be followed by soldiers. Least to say, Elroy was intimidated.

It also didn't help that Blake paled, and stepped behind him. "Ironwood..." It was like she was looking for his protection.

Weiss' had a more positive reaction. "General!?" Her eyes were wide with awe and respect.

And now Elroy's eyes were filled with fear. "General!?" Like a military one!? Vale didn't even have a standing army! Which meant this was probably the Atlas guy he had heard about from the news.

There was a smile on his face. "Hello, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something." With no hesitation, he walked forward to Elroy, and extended a open hand. "Elroy Reyne, I presume? I've been looking for you."

Elroy shook his hand. "Well then, you found me, sir." Somehow. Did Ozpin tell him about his visit?

Did it really matter? Elroy doubted the general was here to arrest him or anything of the sort. So any feeling of intimidation he felt, slowly began to disappear.

The general nodded. "My name is James Ironwood, a general from Atlas, and the headmaster of Atlas academy. I would like to have a discussion with you, young man. Privately. If you don't mind."

"Um... sure, sir, lead the way." Wasn't this guy way too much of a big deal!?