The door suddenly jerked open. Jaune's hand still raised in preparation to knock for a second time. He made a weak attempt to cover it up by turning it into an awkward wave but knew that it wouldn't fool anyone. Luckily everyone seemed too on edge to really comment on his awkwardness. Although he did see Yang smirk, and oddly enough a small smile from Blake.

"Don't just stand there you dolt!"

Weiss quickly ushered JNPR into her dorm room closing the door behind them. Blake was seated at one of the desk chairs turned around to face the door. Ruby and Yang were positioned on either side with their hands on her shoulders as a show of support. All three sets of eyes rose to meet them, but Blake's quickly found the floor again.

"Well, I suppose you are wondering why I asked you to come over." Weiss paused and looked back to Blake receiving a small nod. Moving in front of JNPR she began to pace back and forth in front of Blake, gripping her hands behind her back, adopting what Ruby, Jaune, and subsequently everyone except Weiss, referred to as: her lecture pose, variant 2. "I'm sure you know of last week's little... hiccup in team solidarity. While we have resolved the issue among ourselves; we felt that as our sister team you too should be aware of the underlying issue. If only to prevent a recurrence of last week's theatrics."

Jaune glanced to Blake just in time to see the eye roll of all three team members.

"Blake had accidently revealed something to us, or more specifically to me. While it is nothing inherently bad," at that Weiss and Blake shared a small smile before Blake immediately returned her gaze to her shoes. "it has the potential to cause discord and disrupt team dynamics. So, we thought it best to..."

At this point Weiss began to pick up steam causing pretty much everyone in the room to tune her out. Jaune looked to Blake to see the usually stoic girl, nervous? That couldn't be right, Blake is miss cool and collected right? She doesn't get nervous. However, the fidgeting hands and downturned eyes told a different story. Even her bow looked flat, like it too was pointed to the floor. Almost as if she could sense him looking, her eyes snapped up to meet his. He met her gaze, then pointedly shifted his eyes up to her bow then back to her eyes and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile. He wasn't sure if the message was effectively communicated though as Blake now looked both confused and nervous.

"... and that is why we need, no, must share this secret with you four. I trust you will remain discreet, as this is to remain a secret from the rest of the school. Both as a courtesy to Blake and because information is power, and we need to keep the tactical advantage."

Weiss slowed her pacing signaling everyone in the room to start paying attention again. She moved next to her partner on Blake's left. "Blake if you would please."

As all eyes tuned to Blake, she once again turned her eyes to the floor. Swallowing audibly, she reached a slightly trembling hand up to the top of her head and removed her bow.

As her now free ears twitched in the air, she could clearly hear every sound. Even over her own hammering heartbeat. And what she heard would stick with her forever. First were a pair of gasps, one far louder than the other, a quiet "hunh" from Ren, and the phrase that would forever change her understanding of her world. "Pointier than I..." the rest was drowned out by a high-pitched squeal. As her ears flattened from the sound Blake recoiled as Nora lunged forward only to be practically clotheslined by her collar. Blake looked up to see Jaune's smiling eyes as he dragged Nora back. "Nora! No. That's an order!"

"But they look so soft!!!!"

Jaune levelled her with a surprisingly stern glare.

Nora looked as though she'd been slapped. How could Jaune curb that much energy so easily! "Ok fearless leader...", she sighed.

"Nora, it's very rude to touch a Faunus's traits without permission. Remember Cardin?", Ren asked in an effort to get Nora to understand.

"Sorry Blakey. They just look so soft and cute. I just want to pet them sooo much!!!"

"They are indeed very cute." Pyrrha chuckled earning several nods from those in the room. And a tinge of pink to grace Blake's cheeks.

"So," Weiss began, "I trust this doesn't change anything between us. Everything can continue along as it always has."

"I don't see how this wouldn't change things."

You could have heard a pin drop. That was before a low growl from a red eyed Yang, "You better explain yourself Vomit Boy!"

"Well I mean we can't exactly ignore the fact Blake's a Faunus anymore, can we?"

Jaune was rapidly backing away from an enraged Yang. Weiss looked ready to stab him, Ruby and Pyrrha looked shocked and disappointed. Nora was unfazed, and Ren was hurrying to get between Jaune and the potentially murderous girls. Blake was just in a confused daze muttering to herself. "Anymore?"

"Whoa, whoa, everyone. Calm. Jaune why don't you elaborate. Give us an example of how things will change." Ren held his arms wide as if to shield Jaune with his body and the color around him seemed to become muted.

The surprising outburst from the normally quite ninja caused Yang to pause and her eyes to revert to a deep purple, not quite her normal shade but far less enraged. She at least looked like she would listen for a bit before killing Jaune.

Jaune took a deep breath, visibly swallowed, and then repeated the process. He started to speak just before Yang looked like she was about ready to snap.

"Well, like for example, when we go out on combined missions. We usually adopt a diamond formation with partners. Me and Pyrrha at point, Ruby and Weiss covering our rear, Nora and Ren on right flank. But that means when we encounter a threat Yang will charge forward and leave Blake to hold the left flank." Yang adopted a guilty expression, as her eyes reverted to their normal lilac shade. She shot an apologetic glance to Blake.

Jaune quickly tried to diffuse the unintended awkwardness. "It's not her fault she kind of has to, I mean it's her fighting style. In order to punch them she has to get into their guard. It pretty much requires her to rapidly close with the enemy."

"I mean the formation still makes sense. Leaders front and back to assess the situation and make battle field adjustments. Long range and support fighters in the back with the close-range fighters on the front lines. I just think we should switch Blake and Pyrrha. Now that it's not a secret anymore we can better use her natural abilities. Blake's enhanced senses will help immensely as a scout especially in low light situations. Then when Yang moves up, Blake can kite between me and Yang, lashing out from behind cover, and fully utilize her strength as a mobility fighter. It'd be a much better use of her skill, she isn't really suited to being stuck in one spot guarding a flank. I realize that still leaves Pyrrha holding the left flank on her own, but let's be honest Pyrrha alone is still as strong as any other of the pairs." Everyone nodded at this as Pyrrha blushed at the praise. "This way we play to everyone's strengths, and cover my...I mean, our weaknesses."

"You dunce. We thought you had a problem with Faunus!"

"Whaaaa?"

"Yeah Vomit Boy, I thought all that time with Cardin had rubbed off on you."

"WHAT? No, no, I would never... I mean I don't. Blake I'm sorry if I made you think that! Nothing between us has changed! You're still the same Blake, we just don't have to hide how awesome you are anymore, that's all!"

"Awesome? ….Anymore? That formation seemed awfully well thought out to be off the cuff." Blakes whisper was so soft that no one else was able to pick it up. But they all noticed the soft smile that began to bloom on her face, and there was no longer any hiding how her ears had perked up.

"Well, since that's settled, and if no one has any objections, I suggest we adjourn to the dining hall."

"Yeah, dinner! Weird way to say it Weiss, but yeah let's get dinner!" Nora enthused while Ruby nodded energetically in agreement.

"Ruby, Yang, you guys go ahead I need a minute." Blake looked over and caught Jaune's eyes. "Jaune can I talk to you for a moment."

"Sure, I'll catch up in a bit, Pyrrha, can you save me some nuggets? Oh, and Nora?" The girl in question pause hand still reaching towards Blake's head. "Do you think you could save me a couple pancakes?"

"Pancakes??!!! Come on Ren!" The arm snapped around to grab Ren and haul him out the door cackling madly as she dragged the poor boy down the hall.

Jaune chuckled before turning to Blake with a smirk. "You probably should let her touch your ears in private at some point. I don't think she is going to stop trying and I'm not sure I'll be able to watch her close enough to stop her." His smirk died as he looked into Blake's anxious eyes. He took a step closer and could see the fear she had. Doing the only thing he could think of he quickly caught the nervous girl in a hug.

At first Blake went completely stiff before suddenly relaxing into his chest as the tension that had been building throughout the day began to ebb away. "Does this mean you really are OK with me? I mean we aren't really fiends, we barely even talk. Is this why? Did you avoid me?"

"Blake? What are you talking about? Of course, we're friends! You are like my fourth bestest friend!"

Blake backed up out of the hug, surprising herself at how she immediately missed the warmth and comfort. She looked at Jaune incredulously. "Fourth best friend? But we literally have never said more than two words to each other."

"Well yeah, you're the mysterious silent type. Like Ren." Jaune started rubbing the back of his head in that nervous tick of his. "And honestly, you can be sort of intimidating."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, like that." Jaune nervously stated. "And about being my fourth bestest friend...Well Pyrrha is my partner and best friend so she just edges out Ruby for the number one spot. But please don't tell Ruby, she thinks she is tied for first." Blake smiled at that. "Nora and Ren are together, you can't separate them, so they are tied for third." This actually got a chuckle from Blake. "Yang teases me all the time, Weiss might actually hate me. So that makes you fourth, then Yang, Velvet, and Weiss. If it's any conciliation you now officially have the top Faunus spot!" This elicited an actual laugh from the raven-haired beauty.

"officially hunh? So how long have you known I was a Faunus, Jaune?" And suddenly the normal deadpan Blake was back, but her smile/ smirk remained.

"What do you mean? Like, I don't know...10 minutes?" Jaune was a bit off guard from the sudden shift in emotion, plus he was nervous about the conversation in general.

A suspicious narrow eyed glare and a flattening back of the still exposed ears was Blake's only response.

"W-well I've only KNOWN for like 10 minutes. But I've suspected it for a while."

"How long is 'a while' Jaune?"

"ummm... since the second week of classes."

"Really! How? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well, I never said anything because it was never my secret to know, and so it wasn't my place to pry. Besides how was I going to broach that topic? Make veiled hints? That would have only raised your suspicions and likely driven you to keep your distance. Option two was even worse, trapping you alone somewhere and confronting you with an accusation of hiding your true heritage?" It was Jaune's turn to adopt the incredulous eyebrow look. "How would that have worked out? Best case I hurt you as a friend. Worst case you panic and run. Only this time Ruby, Weiss, and Yang have no idea why. They just know that it's all MY fault. I want to stay alive! Thank you very much!"

Blake looked surprised at first. But then nodded acknowledging that he had a point with a guilty one shouldered shrug.

"I figured you'd tell me when you were ready. Besides it's not like it mattered. I don't care what people are or aren't, what matters is Who you are." This lifted Blake's mood back up, as she realized how much the blond doofus trusted her and how he truly saw everyone as just individuals.

"As to how I figured it out... I was sitting in Oobleck's class and was really struggling to follow along. And I was thinking about how far behind everybody I was. I started wondering if I should have stayed at home. And thinking of home made me think of my sisters and what they were up to. And a I got a bit nostalgic. And, well, several of them wear hair bows on occasion and your bow was sort of reminding me of them. So I was staring at your bow, which sounds weird when I say it out loud. Anyway, I noticed your bow sort of twitches. After a bit I noticed it was not random, it twitched whenever Oobleck zipped to a new spot. Like it was tracking him. I figured you had a second set of ears hidden under there. But I was never 100% sure until now."

"How sure were you? You didn't seem surprised at all. Your only reaction was a comment about 'pointy' or something."

"Well I was pretty sure, like...98% sure you were a Faunus, but only 75-80% sure you were a cat type Faunus. I never suspected you'd have kitty ears though. I expected something more rounded like a jaguar or a panther. Maybe…. like a puma? Are they black too?"

Blake just had an openmouthed stare, this previously considered oblivious boy had figured all this out? It seemed impossible, "How, how did you know I was a cat Faunus?"

"Umm, well I'm not sure how to say this without seeming racist."

"It's OK Jaune I promise not to get offended, I'm just curious. ... and yes, I do understand the irony of that statement."

Jaune chuckled at that and scratched the back of his head. "All right... Tuna fish. You have an unnatural love of Tuna. I've seen you eat a tuna sandwich for breakfast. That's not really normal."

Blake started to giggle. Encouraged Jaune kept going. "You also fight with an acrobatic grace that looks incredibly feline at times. I've never seen you NOT land on your feet. And your eyes have this almost glow to them, especially at night, and that reminds me a bit of my sisters cat. Mostly though, it was the fish thing."

Blake's giggles had evolved into full on laughter, well... as full on as Blake gets. It was infectious, and as they both regained their composure Blake realized all this talk of fish had indeed left her quite hungry. "Jaune, as much as I enjoyed this conversation, we better go get some dinner. As it is, we have been here long enough for Yang to wonder what we've been doing…... In my bedroom…… Alone." She finished with a teasing smirk.

Jaune visibly paled at this. "Yeah, well...um...yeah we better head out. But I was wondering, since we never had before, and because this was nice and all. Would it be OK if we talked again sometime? I mean I want us to be better friends and it'd be nice to get to know you more."

"Yeah Jaune I'd like that." Blake smiled as she reached for her bow, only to be stopped by a gentle hand restraining her wrist.

"I just have to say that... I hate that bow Blake. I mean it's okay as a fashion accessory. But ever since I figured out why you wear it, I've hated it. I hate the fact you feel like you need to wear it, that you need to hide who you are. I know why you do, or at least I feel like I have an idea why. I just wish things were different, the world was different. And I swear on my name as an Arc that I will do whatever I can to change the world so you and others like you don't need to fear being yourselves."

For not the first time this night Blake was shocked beyond words. How does one respond to something like that? She had never heard anyone, let alone a human say anything like that. At least not with such pure conviction, something similar might be part of a propaganda speech, but not said with such absolute certainty and honesty in their eyes. He really and truly meant what he was saying. Jaune released her hand and gave her a soft smile before turning toward the door. He waited to open it until her bow was tied with shaking hands, she didn't know if Jaune noticed or not, she couldn't look him in the eyes. She took a steadying breath and stood to head towards the door, glancing up. Her eyes searched for Jaune's, but his eyes were not on her, instead he seemed to be looking above her with fire in his eyes and a frown on his face. It was over in a flash, the goofy smile returned as he glanced down to meet her eyes before shyly glancing away. The action so natural, so very much like the oblivious knight she thought she knew, that it immediately raised her spirits. She slunk over and gave him a light punch.

"You're such a dork." She said right before giving him a quick side hug, using it to turn him back towards the door. "Thanks, Jaune, you're a great friend. Let's go get dinner."

"Yeah, how great?" Jaune smirked, as they left the room to meet their teammates.

"I'd say you're close to fourth best, maybe fifth? Almost tied with Pyrrha, and just behind Weiss."

AN: This chapter would have happened immediately after the conclusion of season 1. And is alluded to in the show during the library seen in season 2 episode 2 (around 6.5 min in). Where Jaune slips up and Pyrrha has to prevent him from blurting out that Blake is a Faunus. In my head cannon Jaune just forgot that others don't know. He has kept the secret for a long time, it's out now and he forgot he still had to keep it a secret from the wider world.I like to think Jaune is not nearly as oblivious as he is generally portrayed in the show. I mean during the grim fight in initiation and with the Geist in season 3 he is the most observant one in the fight. I like to think that he is edited to portray himself as more of an idiot than he really is. Like how in reality TV shows the cast are often edited to appear in a certain way. So, with this in mind I have taken a few liberties with Jaunes character, but I try to not make him too OOC. But I do think he is less an idiot than he is usually portrayed and has his moments of badassery. Anyway, I think Jaune could have noticed Blakes bow moving. Seems something only he might notice. And in the season 6 Arc family picture two of the girls are shown with hair bows.The intention of this story is to fill in the gaps between seasons of RWBY, the rights of which are owned by Roosterteeth by the way. The goal is to stay as close to cannon as possible. But being a knightshade story it will be an incredibly slow burn. It may never even evolve beyond a friendship, depends on how hard Roosterteeth slams that door shut. (RIP Pyrrha) I'm basically trying to present a case for why knightshade is not such a crack ship at all. It's entirely possible, plausible even, and after season 6 I'd say it's more plausible than not. We had Sun bowing out, and the reunion hug in Argus. Jaune got more on-screen affection from Blake in that one scene than Sun did in 4 seasons! Yes, I know until season 6 Jaune and Blake had zero interactions, but this is my head-cannon as to what those offscreen interactions could have been. I imagine they were cut from the show, probably because they are mostly boring dialog. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story, and I apologize for any grammatical errors, and/or any other mistakes I may have made. This is my first real attempt at a story so…be gentle.