Archive of Our Own ^beta

It started with a passing remark from Yang. Actually, not that. Weiss dug deeper into her memory bank. It started before.

There had been the very first time she met Ruby on their first day at Beacon. Sure, Weiss had been rather... irritable, and even if she had good reason to be, it still wasn't her most tactful moment. Nevertheless, Ruby had called her "princess" and it was clearly meant as an insult based on how Weiss acted.

Being referred to as a princess didn't especially bother Weiss. It came with the territory of being a Schnee, someone from Atlas with immense privilege and money - or at least in theory. And of course, her attitude did give off the energy of one who considered herself above the rest, which was how she had carried herself during her first months in training as a huntress.

But by the time they had moved on from studying at Beacon for reasons far beyond their control, on a journey taking them across Anima among other places, Weiss was on the receiving end of a different kind of taunt. That passing remark from Yang rang in her head...

Pillow princess.

It took Weiss a little while to discern what that meant, and when she did, something within her sank. By that time, there was no secret to how deeply, madly in love with Pyrrha she was. In fact, the Fall of Beacon had pushed them closer together in the aftermath of losing so much, as the terror of what truly lay beyond their school set in and the fear of missed opportunities became very real.

At Beacon, Weiss had been rather insufferable and a bit misguided in her pursuit of Pyrrha. At first, she just wanted the strongest girl in their class to be her partner so she could quickly rise to the top among the other students and be on a fast track for her huntress career. But the more she got to know who Pyrrha was, the more Weiss found something much softer and more relatable within. Not to mention the growing feelings manifesting in ways that turned the normally prissy uptight girl into a blushing mess. And it really did not help when Pyrrha slowly began reciprocating those feelings - awkwardly at first, but then with growing confidence that made Weiss feel like...

Well, who could blame her? It was THE Pyrrha Nikos expressing interest in her after all.

But the other things that unfolded since those seemingly childish days at Beacon - the realization of feelings and how deep and passionate they were - left Weiss in a position she had not anticipated. Yang's remark echoed in her head, and she hadn't been sure why it bothered her. Until now.

Weiss sat there on her bed, in the room she shared with Pyrrha at the latter's old home in Argus. While most of her friends were staying at Saphron's place, Weiss couldn't shake the feeling that they had opted not to be in the same house as her and Pyrrha because of... well, what Yang had said. And Nora making a comment or two that affirmed it.

Was Weiss really that useless? If she was indeed a "pillow princess," did that mean she was not good enough for Pyrrha?

Her hands clenched atop her skirt as the door clicked and in walked Pyrrha. Weiss did not make eye contact, choosing to keep her gaze averted to the floor, her ankles crossed as she sat there on the edge of the bed.

Pyrrha did not miss that something was off. She took a seat in the chair across the room. "Is everything okay?"

There was a pause as Weiss debated within herself whether to talk about what was bothering her. Knowing that Pyrrha was being patient as always didn't help. Well, it did, but it was also... why did she have to be like that? Maybe Weiss's fears were justified.

So, Weiss took a breath and began.

"Do you think I'm a pillow princess?"

Pyrrha blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. Am I a pillow princess?" Weiss did look up at that, briefly holding eye contact before Pyrrha's gaze glanced away.

"Well... what brought this up?"

Weiss sighed. "Yang called me that a while back. And again once we got here. And I've been thinking about what it meant."

"That's not really a bad thing..." Pyrrha tried, reaching out with one hand. But Weiss held up a hand and Pyrrha stopped, then sat back.

Sighing again, Weiss explained. "By the time I got to Beacon, I was used to almost everyone calling me a princess or some version of the word. And in hindsight, I was difficult and arrogant and acted like I was better than just about everyone else. As you know, I tried to show that I was more than my name - or my father's legacy which I wanted to undo and reclaim my family's legacy. Not everyone could see that, but you did."

Pyrrha sat back, arms folded as she listened to every word. She wasn't sure where this was going exactly, but she would give Weiss all the space she needed. She always did.

"Anyway, you know how I was... rather annoying in my initial attempts to flirt with you." Weiss couldn't help cringe at the memory of those initial encounters.

"It wasn't so bad," Pyrrha offered politely.

Weiss rolled her eyes. "I was only interested in you for your status."

Shaking her head, Pyrrha countered, "Even so, you changed. We both did."

Pressing on, Weiss said, "All my life, people have wanted me for my name or my money. It's no surprise that the image of the princess has remained. But hearing 'pillow princess' after what we've had going on hits different. It's the realization that maybe I don't bring enough to this relationship, that I let you do all the work at times and I just... well, you get the idea."

Shoulders slumped, Weiss looked away. This was the hard part. "Maybe I don't deserve you after all."

That shot right through Pyrrha's heart like an arrow. But instead of lunging out of her chair to smother Weiss in a hug, she gripped her elbows and pondered how to respond. She could address that 'pillow princess' remark directly, but instead she chose another approach, one that might better explain why such a title conferred upon Weiss did not bother her.

"Weiss, do you remember what I said at the Beacon Dance? About being placed on a pedestal?"

Weiss nodded ever so slightly. "Of course I do."

"Well..." Taking a deep breath, Pyrrha opened her heart in a manner she hadn't done before. "When I said that everyone assumed I was too good for them, that was true. It felt impossible to form a meaningful relationship with anyone. And even with your awkward attempts to become friends, it felt so refreshing to finally meet someone who understood that burden of having expectations thrust upon you. But what I didn't mention before was how being upheld as someone Too Good To Be True can feel like a cage."

Weiss looked up, brows furrowed. Pyrrha's mouth twitched in a small smile.

"When you have the eyes of the world watching your every move, monitoring your progress in the arena or your training sessions, observing how you act in almost any aspect of life, it feels like a prison. I didn't just hide my Semblance during those years I spent winning the regionals here in Mistral; I learned to hide parts of myself that I didn't always know existed. And when I arrived at Beacon? When I met you and actually got to know you? Something awoke inside of me, something that terrified me. Because that something went against what was expected. I may not have known how to have true friends, but I did know how to be poised and polished and performing niceties so that no one would feel too intimidated by my abilities. It wasn't all an act, but it was still a facade I had to put forth daily."

At this point, Pyrrha moved forward from her chair, dropping to her knees right in front of Weiss as she laid both her hands atop her girlfriend's smaller ones still in her lap. "That's what I liked about you - what I still like about you. Perhaps you didn't know it or couldn't see it... and maybe you don't see it now. But the way you wanted me? You showed me that I didn't have to remain trapped in my cage of expectations. The way you fought to carve your own way despite the burdens of your name and everyone else's perceptions... it moved me. And realizing how you wanted me in ways I might have considered impossible?" She gripped tighter as her gaze held firm. "You gave me permission to want something... to not be afraid or simply not care what others may think. When I'm with you, Weiss, it's like I can be hungry and not be ashamed for wanting to eat to my heart's content when previously I would feel like I had to abstain."

Weiss shuddered, her breathing uneasy as the words washed over her. Before she could look away, Pyrrha gently cupped her face so she could keep gazing into those blue eyes she adored so much. "I never knew how badly I wanted something like this until you came into my life. And I thank every day I get to have you in it."

Sniffing, Weiss gripped the hand cradling her cheek and leaned into the touch, closing her eyes as a tear leaked out only for Pyrrha's thumb to brush it away. "But... they're right, though. I'm just a spoiled princess with you."

"That's not true," Pyrrha countered, her voice firm and gaze hardening just a little.

"I let you do all the work in... you know." Even now, Weiss couldn't form the words. She didn't have to.

"And I love every moment of it." Pyrrha spoke with such conviction, it banished any additional tears Weiss might have cried. "So you are a pillow princess. Yes, they're not wrong. But I don't care, because you are MY pillow princess, Weiss. That hunger I mentioned? It was like... the spirit of competition when I would train and fight, how I would strive to be the best. Only in this case, it wasn't just to be the best at something, but to do it simply because I wanted to and because I knew it could make someone feel so good. Why do you think I always initiated things once we got to that point? Because I was determined to learn how to pleasure you and become the best."

A faint blush coloring her cheeks, Weiss let out a small scoff. "As if I had suitors clamoring for my affections."

"I couldn't take any chances now, could I?" Pyrrha retorted, her eyebrow raised and smirk on her lips. "I was pursuing THE Weiss Schnee after all."

Weiss stared, eyes wide and mouth slighty agape. So this is what it feels like.

"And for the record, I do not feel bad about you making me do all the work. For you, it's all worth it. You push me to new heights in ways only you can do, and I relish every moment I get to show how much I love you - how much I need you, and it never bothers me that you just take what I give."

Sitting up so that her face was more level with Weiss in a moment that conveyed the height difference between the lovers, even when Pyrrha was on her knees, the bigger girl asked, "So, do you still feel bad about being a pillow princess?"

Weiss tried to focus on the question and not the close proximity to the girl of her dreams. In that moment, she knew that Pyrrha was right. She was just that - a pillow princess - and she shouldn't be ashamed of it. Intentional or not, Pyrrha had always left Weiss weak in the knees or scrambling her brain in ways that no one else could. The more lewd thoughts that filled the blank spaces of her mind also indicated that Weiss truly wanted nothing more than to be pleasured and worshiped and simply not have to think or do anything. Just let her Pyrrha take control and trust in her. And she had never let her down yet; no reason to believe that was going to change.

"No, I don't. I suppose it's not so bad being the more, uh..." Weiss chewed on her lip, glancing down then back up. "Submissive one, though wouldn't it be fair to switch things?"

Pyrrha let out a small chuckle as she placed her hands on either side of the bed right beside Weiss's hips. With their faces only a few inches apart, Pyrrha gave her reply.

"I am the Invincible Girl. I never submit."

A small squeak emitted from Weiss, followed by a blissful sigh as Pyrrha pounced and pushed her back against the bed, beginning her combo attack of kisses and cuddles with strong hands roaming and gripping soft flesh. As Weiss surrendered, she finally accepted that this was nice - no, this was ideal. She really was a pillow princess and proud of it. Pyrrha could do whatever she liked; being wanted so passionately was such a thrill for Weiss, it made her wonder why she even felt bothered by the nickname at all.

But those thoughts quickly vanished as clothes were removed, cuddling turned possessive, and somewhere along the way Weiss felt herself being lifted by her rear and instinctively clung to her Pyr-Tree as the two naked lovers retreated into the bathroom for a shower.

But this was Pyrrha. When it came to her princess, she was very, very thorough in her domination - and Weiss would happily submit every single time.