SxD: A Flicker of Something Else

Weiss Schnee was not easily impressed. She had grown up surrounded by power—her father’s authority, her sister’s skill, even her own relentl

Weiss Schnee was not easily impressed.

She had grown up surrounded by power—her father’s authority, her sister’s skill, even her own relentless training. Strength was not something that awed her.

So why, exactly, was she standing here, watching him?

Issei Hyoudou was laughing as he dusted himself off, standing in the middle of the training field after sparring with some Beacon students. He had won, obviously. Not because of skill or technique—Weiss could pick apart his every mistake—but because he was relentless. He took hits that should have knocked him out and kept going. He pushed forward with raw determination, as if the very idea of giving up didn’t exist to him.

And somehow, despite how frustratingly ridiculous he was, she found herself staring.

Why?

He wasn’t graceful like Pyrrha. He wasn’t coldly efficient like Winter. He was reckless, emotional, and had absolutely no idea when to shut up.

But…

“Phew! That was a good workout!” Issei stretched, flashing a grin as he turned toward her. “What do you think, Weiss? Am I getting any better?”

She snapped out of her thoughts immediately, crossing her arms. “You’re still relying too much on brute strength.”

Issei pouted. “Aww, c’mon. You could at least say I looked cool.”

“You looked like a fool,” Weiss corrected, though there was no real bite in her tone.

Issei chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, did I at least make it entertaining?”

Weiss sighed. He always did.

Before she could walk off, though, she noticed something—just a small detail. Issei’s sleeve was torn, and underneath, his arm was bruised. She frowned. 

“You’re hurt.”

“Huh?” Issei looked down. “Oh. Yeah, guess I took a few hits.”

“You guess? You don't have any aura. Which means you should be more careful during a spar.” Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. “Do you ever actually care about your own well-being?”

Issei shrugged. “Not really. I mean I think I have always been reckless.” An image flashed by his mind of himself with a gaping hole in his chest. But just as quickly it was gone. “I think I had worse.”

That… bothered her. More than it should have. She sighed and, before she could overthink it, grabbed his arm. “Sit.”

Issei blinked. “Wait, wha—”

“Sit.”

Issei sat.

Weiss knelt beside him, pulling out a small vial of ice Dust. “Hold still.”

A cool, soothing sensation spread over the bruise as she lightly traced her fingers over it, using the Dust to speed up the healing by cooling the bruise. Issei’s usual chatter stopped. He was just… watching her.

It was then that she realized how close they were.

Her fingers stilled for half a second. Issei wasn’t looking at her with his usual goofy grin or teasing smirk. His brown eyes were warm—curious, surprised, but gentle.

Something in her chest tightened.

Weiss cleared her throat, quickly finishing up. “There. Try not to be reckless for at least a day.”

Issei flexed his arm. “Whoa, that’s way better. You’re amazing, Weiss!”

Something about the way he said her name made her heart stumble in her chest.

She turned away sharply. “Yes, well, someone has to keep you from getting yourself killed.”

Issei grinned. “Guess I’m lucky to have you around, huh?”

Weiss felt a warmth rise to her face. She immediately stood up, flipping her hair back. “Just… try not to do anything stupid for a while.”

As she walked away, she felt her heartbeat still going a little too fast.

She refused to acknowledge why.

Issei stayed seated, watching her retreating figure with a soft look. He wasn’t sure what had just happened—but something had shifted.

Instead, he leaned back, still flexing his arm. “She really is amazing.” He murmured to himself, smiling faintly.

—------------------

Back in her room, Weiss sat at her desk, pretending to study. 

But her thoughts were somewhere else. On the training field. On him. On the way he looked at her—like she was more than her name or her family. She frowned, closing her book with a snap.

Ridiculous.

...and yet, her fingers still tingled from where they touched his skin.

That was the moment she realized something was changing.  She didn’t understand it yet.  She didn’t want to understand it.

But for the first time, Issei wasn’t just an annoyance. He was important and that scared her.

Because important meant he mattered. Which also meant he could hurt her. And Weiss Schnee didn’t want to let herself get hurt. Not by anyone.

She told herself she was just being cautious.  That this wasn’t anything more than… mild concern. Friendly obligation. A classmate looking out for another.

She scowled at the feeling.

“Idiot,” she muttered under her breath, unsure if she meant him… or herself.

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Damn I'm disgusted with myself for writing this fluff. Thank god no one reads this.