You have no idea how many times I deleted all text in this and started over… xD

Chapter the Ninth: In which Lunch is served, Plans are laid, and Studying is done.

"So, what's this week's rundown?" asked Flora as team FYSX was making their way towards the dining hall.

"Well, on top of the four-page essay on the Great War and the ten-page reading assignment, which Doctor Oobleck so kindly assigned us not twenty minutes ago…" Yasmin muttered, gesticulating annoyedly towards the heavens.

"…We've got Professor Port's forty-page 'ways of combatting Grimm' reading assignment, Professor Goodwitch's six-page essay on the importance of fitness training for huntsmen and huntresses, and Professor Peach's nutrition reading assignment." She mumbled something under her breath as she put away her scroll into her bag.

"… All of which are due next Friday." Slate chimed in, twirling a pen between his fingers as he walked.

"Egh. Don't remind me." Xander said as his hand found Flora's, the look of displeasure on his face slowly shifting into a more positive smile as he felt her hand gently squeeze back. She chuckled at her team's low spirits.

"I'll find some spot in our busy, busy schedule for a cram study session, I promise. Now cheer up, it's Lunchtime and I'd rather keep my appetite than having to look at your sorry faces."

As they made their way towards an unoccupied table with their food trays, Yasmin decided to speak up.

"So Flora… What's the deal with you and Xander? You going steady now or something?" Flora burst out in a wide smile as Xander blushed deeply and started picking at his food.

"Oh right, you didn't know yet. But yeah, I got a bit fed up with him evading the subject of his rather obvious crush-" She elbow-nudged Xander as she paused for a moment.

"-so we unanimously decided to give it a try, see where it takes us. We're going on a dinner date this weekend, just the two of us." Yasmin smiled mischievously at Xander.

"Good. It was getting rather painful, if entertaining, to watch this dork squirm." Xander huffed and shot Yasmin an 'I'll get you later, just you wait'-look, then resumed his lunch.

"So now all we have to deal with to weed out all the various kinks in this team is Slate not keeping his tongue in check around you, and we'll be all set."

"Hey! I'll have you know I'm really trying to be a better teammate to her! I haven't called her a-" Yasmin's head snapped to her side, glaring daggers at Slate.

"… Right. Shutting up now before I start digging myself deeper again."

"I'm just saying, Blake! You guys are perfectly fine on your own while I and Penny go to Atlas for our quarterly check-up! You've got JNPR around too, right? Besides, maybe I could talk them into adding a vibration function…"

Suddenly Xander felt that that conversation sounded pretty private and he should stop the casual eavesdropping of his seniors in the leftover disposal line. Yep, most definitely. And did that blonde student's arm just talk?

After having suffered through an hour of combat practice under the watchful eye of Professor Aoyama, a ninety-minute speech in the auditorium from Professor Ozpin and a forty-five minute computer sciences class under Professor Grau, team FYSX was barely able to get in a few minutes in their dorm to study before bedtime. As Xander walked out of the bathroom in his sleepwear, Flora called for his attention.

"You can sleep in my bed tonight with me if you promise not to do that dust-damned screaming again tomorrow…" Xander froze in his steps. He looked at his bed. He looked back at Flora, sitting on the edge of hers, facing him. He looked at his bed again. He walked over to Flora, and together they cuddled up under the sheets.

Minutes later, the whole team was asleep.

AN: By the spirits, am I glad for never having to deal with school ever again. (My work as a town archivist is pretty chill, I must say. *Tips hat to Dr. Oobleck*)

Xan, my man. Eavesdropping is a nasty habit. On the same topic – Yang, you might wanna keep your voice down when discussing you and your girlfriend's intimate life.

Nothing untoward is going to happen tonight, it's far too early for them to do away with their undergarments and commence the nasty. Relax.

I do not own RWBY, that's RoosterTeeth and Monty Oum.