Just For Me

"I... I did it..." Weiss muttered, still struggling with a mix of disbelief and other emotions swirling inside her.

But soon, her thoughts cleared as she spoke again, this time louder.

"I summoned something! I actually did it!" A wide smile spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounced slightly on her heels. She glanced between Asher and the bird sitting at the tip of her sword.

The moment her excitement broke her focus, however, the bird began to drift away, slowly dissolving into white particles mid-air.

"Eh..." Weiss paused, watching the bird fade, just as she heard Asher chuckling softly behind her.

"You have to keep your focus on the intent, or it'll vanish," he explained, stepping out from behind her. His hands left her waist, but his tone remained steady.

"Even if it's just in the back of your mind, that intent is the core of your summon. It's what keeps it manifested." Weiss took a moment to process his words, her expression thoughtful.

"Oh... I see." But then, her face shifted again, this time to confusion.

"Wait, how do you know all of this? Even if you've seen my sister use our family's semblance, how did you figure this out? Even I couldn't..."

Asher didn't seem surprised by the question. His expression remained calm, almost as if he'd expected it.

"It wasn't easy," he began, pacing slowly in front of her.

"I had to spend a lot of time trying to get information out of your sister. And, as you can imagine, that was difficult. You two have the same semblance, but the way you interpret it is different. Once I realized that, I knew I could help you by breaking it down into something that made more sense."

He paused for a second, eyes narrowing slightly as he continued, "Then I did a little digging into your family's history. The Schnees are one of the few families with a well-documented hereditary semblance. If you look hard enough, there's surprisingly a lot of information— even records from your ancestors."

"Wait, wait," Weiss quickly sheathed her sword, raising both hands in utter bewilderment.

"You went through my family's documentation... just so you could figure out how I can use my semblance better?"

Asher nodded.

"Yeah. Winter mentioned how much trouble you've been having with it, how it's been weighing you down. And I know I've been busy lately, but I figured helping you with this problem would be the least I could do. Why? Do you not want my help?" His voice softened at the end, genuine curiosity in his tone as he tilted his head.

Weiss closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to sort through her thoughts.

Why does he have to be so...?

"Weiss, is something wrong?" Asher's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Opening her eyes, she met his gaze for a moment before offering a warm smile, though there was something deeper in her eyes. She shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. But thank you, Asher, really. I almost feel embarrassed. I've been struggling with this for years, and you figured out the source of my problem just like that." She rubbed her shoulder slightly as she spoke, a small gesture, but Asher could tell it was a sign that she genuinely felt that way.

His expression softened, and he stepped forward, raising a hand toward her. Their gazes locked as his hand gently brushed her cheek.

"Don't think of it that way," he said softly.

"Trust me, you would've figured it out eventually, with or without my help. You're too talented not to. And hey, if you think about it, this is a win for both of us, right? I get to help you with your semblance—and I'm something you like to look at. That's two pluses for having me in this relationship."

Weiss couldn't help but laugh at that, her uncertainty melting away. She reached up to touch his hand on her cheek, fingers curling into his palm as she leaned into it just slightly.

Then, in a whisper, she added, "Trust me, there's a lot more than just two."

"Oh, so I have the Schnee seal of approval now?" Asher teased, flashing her a playful smile.

The look made Weiss roll her eyes as she gently moved his hand off her cheek.

"Don't let it get to your head," she replied, a laugh woven into her voice as she poked him in the chest with a finger.

"Of course, of course." He grinned.

"So, what do you say we keep practicing? You're staying until tomorrow, right?" Weiss didn't need much time to think it over. Asher noticed the familiar spark in her eyes, the same intensity she had when they sparred—when she was on the brink of victory, and the tide could turn at any moment.

It was the same drive she had when she analyzed his moves, adapting and improving as she went.

Weiss Schnee was many things, but hesitant in the face of progress wasn't one of them.

So, after she nodded, they got to it. With Asher guiding her and Weiss listening carefully, he began teaching her things she would never have figured out on her own for years, breaking down the complex knowledge from Nexus Space into something more understandable for her.

He didn't just teach her how to summon. He taught her how to add variety to her summons.

And they didn't even have to leave his room to do it.

At some point, she was struggling to summon a set of armor. She explained it was the same set of suits positioned on either side of the staircase leading to the second floor of Schnee Manor. Asher hadn't paid much attention to them before, but he could still recall them clearly enough from memory.

They were huge, so much so that they definitely wouldn't fit in his room. But to Weiss, they were a part of her daily life—something she saw so often that they had become etched into her memory.

And now, she wanted to try and bring them to life.

Asher leaned back against the backrest of his couch, sitting comfortably in the sunken floor area of his room. Weiss stood not far from the center, a massive summoning glyph hovering in front of her, nearly four times the size of the one she had used to summon the bird.

Her posture was relaxed but still focused. Sweat dripped down her forehead, despite the fact that she wasn't physically exerting herself. After all, semblances were the tangible forms of one's aura—the manifested power of one's soul.

Exercising one's semblance was like training the self on a deeper level. It went beyond just the body.

After watching her for a moment longer, Asher spoke up.

"If what you're trying to summon is too big or too complex for you to handle, you should try shrinking it down." Weiss didn't break her focus but glanced at him, her voice slightly strained as she responded.

"But I'm already doing that. It's still too much, and if I shrink it any more, it won't be useful in combat."

Asher stayed where he was, his arms folded as he spoke calmly.

"That's because you're not being flexible enough. Semblances grow the more you push their limits. They react to what you need, growing to help you overcome the obstacles you place in front of them. You're still growing, Weiss. There's no need to try and break every limit at once."

Weiss kept her focus on the glyph, but she threw a quick glance his way, trying to process his words.

"So you're saying I should give up on this for now and come back to it later? But I don't want to give up just yet..."

Asher shook his head, his voice firm but gentle.

"No, that's not what I meant." He fell silent for a moment, looking off to the side as he thought about how to phrase his next words.

"Alright, how about this?" Asher asked.

"If you were thirsty and wanted a drink, would you grab an entire gallon of water?"

Weiss blinked, thrown off by the odd question. For a moment, her summoning glyph wavered, becoming unstable before she refocused.

A second later, she answered, "N- No? I would just get a glass."

"Why?" Asher pressed.

"A gallon would last longer, and you wouldn't need to refill it as often," he reasoned.

Weiss shook her head, clarifying, "Well, because it's inconvenient. A gallon would be too big and cumbersome to carry. Plus, I don't need a gallon of water to quench my thirst."

Asher nodded in agreement, saying, "Exactly. A gallon could be used for the same things as a cup—drinking, watering plants, or even wetting a rag. But it's overkill for what I need. Both can serve the same purpose. But while the gallon can do more than a cup, you don't necessarily need it. Especially if it's too heavy to carry."

Weiss's expression shifted as she processed his words. Her eyes returned to the summoning glyph, and a light seemed to click in her mind.

I think I get it now... I've been trying to summon the entire suit of armor with the intent of it swinging its sword. But... I don't need the whole suit for that. It would be nice if I could, but I can't right now. I just need to focus on what's essential.

The summoning glyph flickered and vanished from the ground, appearing in the air next to her. She took a slow, steadying breath, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. She raised her sword, Myrtenaster, high, and something began to materialize beside her.

It was the arm of the suit of armor—white with blue accents, much like the bird summon she had made earlier. The arm was holding a large greatsword, and as Weiss swung her sword down, so did the summoned arm, mirroring her movement. Both swords cut through the air in perfect unison, stopping just before striking the ground.

The force of the swing sent a powerful gust of wind sweeping through Asher's room. Loose papers fluttered on his desk, sheets on his bed flapped wildly, and his hair shifted slightly in the breeze.

Then, just as quickly, the wind faded, leaving the room still once more.

After her swing, the arm and the summoning circle vanished. Weiss's chest rose and fell with exhaustion, but her face was far from tired. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Asher, her gaze filled with nothing but pride in herself and gratitude toward him. She didn't need to say a word as Asher unfolded his arms and clapped.

"See? It's all about your mindset. If you can't do something right now, it doesn't mean you give up on it. You just need to find another way."

"Right..." Weiss murmured, her eyes dropping to her weapon. A hard-to-define emotion stirred in her chest.

The training session stretched into the evening, the daylight slowly giving way to dusk. The sky shifted in color, the fading oranges of the sun being replaced by the deepening blues of night. The stars began to shine over Atlas, one of the perks of living so high in the sky.

As the river of stars grew brighter, Asher could be seen relaxing on his couch in front of the fireplace, enjoying the warmth that radiated from it, the crackling sounds, and occasional ember breaking the stillness of the room.

On his desk, the empty plates were the remnants of the lunch Lavi had brought up to them during their break. Now, with night settling in, they decided to call it a day.

Pushing one's semblance too hard had its consequences, just as neglecting to let the body rest did, though with semblances, the toll was on the soul.

Asher gazed peacefully at the night sky through the far-off window, the soft sound of water running from the bathroom filling the air. Weiss had worked up a sweat, so she'd asked to use his shower, taking a bag with her that presumably held her clothes.

As for Asher, he had already changed into his night clothes—loose, comfortable sweatpants and a dark blue long-sleeve shirt, a rare choice for him.

A few minutes later, he heard the water shut off. Then, a few moments after that, the bathroom door creaked open.

Asher didn't immediately look over, savoring the silence for a moment. Then, he heard Weiss's voice, soft and a bit hesitant.

"I didn't bring a towel, so... I used the blue one. I hope you don't mind."

Asher raised his hand slightly, replying casually, "Of course. They've all been washed, so it's fine."

That's when he finally turned toward the bathroom door. Weiss was standing just outside, holding one arm, nervously shifting from foot to foot as she glanced at him. Her face was already flushed, and when Asher's gaze paused, his mouth slightly parted in surprise, he understood why.

Weiss was dressed in delicate lingerie, her form outlined by the soft light spilling from the bathroom behind her. The piece was a pale ice-blue, clinging gently to her waist and hips in smooth curves. The fabric, adorned with a subtle floral pattern, reminded him of frost on a winter morning, with the bodice accentuating the details.

A small bow rested between her chest, and instead of traditional straps, the lingerie had ringed, ruffled ones that wrapped around her arms. The hem of the piece flared slightly, a small slit on the side revealing the pale skin of her thigh.

Her long, silvery-white hair, now completely undone, cascaded past her waist, still glistening faintly from the dampness of the shower.

For a moment, Asher didn't tear his eyes away. His gaze returned slowly to hers, where she stood with her legs pressed together, shifting nervously, her feet curled slightly against the floor.

The room seemed to hold its breath. Even the lights in the bathroom flickered off automatically, adding to the quiet tension in the air.

"You look incredible," Asher said, his voice low and full of warmth. The words floated through the silence, and something in Weiss's posture seemed to ease as a bit of tension in her shoulders melted away.

"Really?" The question lingered in the air, and Asher gave a soft nod. He held out a hand, gesturing for her to come closer. After a brief pause, Weiss slowly made her way toward the sunken couch area.

She stopped in front of him, the tension thick between them, the air seeming stiller than it truly was.

Another moment of hesitation passed, as if she were questioning whether this was truly what she wanted. But as she looked at Asher, seeing the admiration in his eyes, the hesitation faded. His hand remained outstretched, and something about the way he looked at her eased the uncertainty in her heart.

She took his hand, and gently, Asher pulled her into his lap, letting her sit sideways against him, her legs curling against the couch. He held her waist with one arm, the other resting on her knee. The warmth of her body pressed against his, and he could feel the way she tensed and shifted, even through the layers of their clothes.

In that moment, everything about her felt raw, as if there were no pretenses—no style to her hair, no makeup, no expectations. She wasn't trying to be anything her father would want her to be. It was just her, and him, and the crackling fire in the background.

The room grew warmer by the second.

"So this is what you had in that bag, hmm?" Asher's hand traced gently from her knee up her thigh, just barely grazing higher on her leg before sliding back down. He noticed the slight catch in her breath, the soft exhale escaping her lips before she nodded.

"I... I didn't know if you would like it. I've never really worn anything like this before," she confessed, her words carrying a delicate vulnerability. Her hands rested in her lap, curling into the fabric of her clothes just slightly.

Asher chuckled softly at that, but it wasn't his usual laugh. There was something deeper in it, something Weiss could feel in the way his hand rested on her thigh and the way he looked at her now. That same warmth, like a steady pulse, began curling just below her stomach.

"Of course I like it. You look beautiful like this," Asher replied, his voice low.

He paused for a moment before adding, "Though I do have to ask... since I might be reading this wrong..."

His hand, which had been gently caressing her thigh moments before, suddenly splayed and gripped her thigh lightly. His head tilted up, and Weiss felt his breath near her ear as he whispered.

"Did you wear this just for me?"