Tick Tock, Tick Tock

by The Wayward Typhoon

Ruby has never partaken in the tradition of kissing at midnight on New Year's, and she intends to fix that at this party. One slight problem, though: It's less than two minutes to midnight, and she didn't bring a date. What to do, what to do, what to do… (Oneshot, surprise ship)

Ruby Rose was in the middle of a classic case of first world problems to the max.

There she was, caught in the middle of a lavish party ringing in the new year. Everyone, herself included, was having the time of their lives. But for Ruby, one thing was keeping it from becoming a perfect night. You see, she had gone into this party with a plan to involve herself in a tradition she had missed out on for 15 years: the kiss at midnight. Yet now, here she was. 100 seconds to midnight, with her mind not yet made up in the slightest on who to mack with. It was time to think fast.

99. 98. 97.

Weiss, maybe? She was good friends with her partner, even besties… but if Weiss was a bit standoffish before, how exactly was she gonna react to a sudden kiss? Pass.

88. 87. 86.

What about Blake? She and Ruby seemed to hit it off pretty well, and there may be a chance to… wait, she came here with Sun, didn't she? Never mind then.

77. 76. 75.

Well, Neptune's sorta cute, in a "buddy, you got no chance" kinda way. So maybe she ought to give a chance? But then again, he's how old? 18? 19? Might freak him out a bit if Ruby actually did. Maybe next year.

62. 61. 60. One minute left.

Of course, there's always Jaune. His advances on Weiss had proven unfruitful over the course of this year, and maybe a midnight smooch could cheer him right up… On the other hand, Pyrrha's poor heart might just shatter. And besides, she seems to be lining her sights on him at the moment. Let her have this.

45. 44. 43.

Wait… how about Penny? She's clearly taken a shine to Ruby, from what she can tell, and… but wait, does she, as a robot, even know about that whole custom? Ruby didn't want to stay up all night explaining it to her. Better for some other person to do that. Someone less tired.

24. 23. 22.

Come on, there had to be someone she could- Wait a minute, what about…

17. 16. 15.

How was that gonna play out?

12. 11. 10.

Would it even count?

8. 7. 6.

Now or never. Time to go for broke.

3. 2. 1.

The popping of a champagne cork. The cheering of everyone around her. The muffled cry of surprise just beyond her lips.

Ten seconds past midnight, silver eyes locked with purple.

"Um… Happy New Year, Yang."

And she fled the party in a flurry of crimson petals and nervous sweat.