A/N: This is the continuation of "Finding A Way" which will be on hiatus until Volume 7, since that one is fun to keep with the canon. Think of this like a divergence of world lines/timelines and everything that happened in FaW is canon here. This is a whole new playground where there is free reign! Plenty of opportunities for different POV's too.
The sun was setting on their first day in Solitas. Ruby and Jaune were enjoying the first minutes of alone time they had since Yang and the others were filled in on their together-together status. The house they were staying in had a cozy little back yard with a view of Mantle below. The two watched the sun set in comfortable quiet. The last few days had been such a flurry of emotion and activity they really hadn't had much time to process anything. They are leaning on the fence looking out at the cities below spring to life with the glow of streetlights below.
Jaune decides to breach the quiet. "Hey Ruby?" She hmms in response. "I'm really glad you sent that letter all those months ago."
She turns her head to look him over. "I'm glad you guys all wanted to come." They smile at each other and go back to just watching the cities in the distance. The two enjoying just spending quiet time together.
Yang stands at the door leading outside watching the two. Qrow walks by her and follows her gaze. "What's up firecracker? Why do you look so confused?"
"I kinda figured those two would be more.. lovey dovey? I know that's a weird thing to say and all, but, it doesn't seem like much is different between them?" She says raising an eyebrow.
Qrow lets out a short gruff laugh. "For those two that IS lovey dovey."
"They're just standing around talking." Yang points out.
"Think of the last few weeks, how often has the chance to just stand around and talk come around? Love isn't always about grand gestures and showy displays of affection, sometimes just being next to each other is enough." Qrow speaks gently.
"Love? Them? Already?" The brawler questions hardly believing what she's hearing.
"Yep, but don't go worrying about them. You know as well as I do they're good kids with good heads on their shoulders." Qrow pats her shoulder and walks off. Yang decides to join the two at the railing. She settles next to Ruby.
"Whatcha doin 'out here?" She asks.
"Just looking at everything. It's so weird we're on a whole 'nother continent!" Ruby waves her hand out towards the cities below.
The three look over the cities in the silence for a while. "Ruby?" The tiny reaper looks over at her sister. "I'd like to talk to Jaune, alone if that's okay?"
The dark haired girl looks to Jaune and smiles gently then to her sister. "Okay, I'll be inside." She waves leaving them.
Once she's sure Ruby is out of earshot she looks over to Jaune who is looking out over the railing again, waiting patiently for her to start. "Jaune, do you love Ruby?"
He's not sure why but he's a little surprised by her bluntness. He turns to meet Yang's eyes. "Yes, I love her." He states simply.
"What about the thing with Weiss, back at Beacon?" Yang enquires.
Jaune laughs quietly. "Just a crush, got over that ages ago."
"Okay, you know Ruby's never had a boyfriend before? Ugh this is so awkward!" Yang whines.
"I know." He states.
"So.. uhh.. don't go rushing things?" Honesty Yang had always figured she'd be her dads backup when Ruby's first boyfriend emerged. It was a bit overwhelming to do this on her own.
He laughs quietly again. "We have our mission, and our whole lives ahead of us. As embarrassing as it sounds, I get what you're saying. You have my word as an Arc." He smiles at her. The honesty in his eyes is reassuring.
She sighs in relief. "Well that went easier than I thought." She asks the young Knight to fill her in on how he came to realize he loved Ruby. He doesn't hold back telling her about all the little things, and the times the road was a bit bumpy in the journey to becoming a couple. The conversation lasts over an hour.
"Then, for whatever reason, I just blurted out "Hey Ruby, I love you!" The looks on Ren and Nora's faces were priceless!" Jaune finishes his story.
Yang is laughing. "You did not! That's hilarious!"
He runs his hand through his hair. " Yep, after all we'd been through, I couldn't help myself."
"You pass the big sister screening. I really am happy for you two, though I gotta say, I'm still kinda in shock. Just, be good to her. I really will break your face if you're not." Yang levels him with a look."
"You don't have to worry, I did give my word, and an Arc never goes back on their word!" His eyes again hold honesty and Yang is satisfied with the answer. They head inside and find Ren, Nora and Oscar still playing their board game. Ruby sleeping on one of the couches, Blake and Weiss reading and talking quietly amongst themselves. Yang takes a minute to just appreciate that, at least for now they were allowed to just be teenagers.
The next morning Blake wakes early and to her surprise finds Team Ranger already in the kitchen. The four of them making breakfast as had become their habit over the last few weeks.
"You guys are up early." She observes.
"Hey Blake." Ruby chirps.
"We rise with the sun, kind of a habit at this point." Nora explains, motioning with a spoon.
"I guess that makes sense, need any help?" Blake offers.
"I could use some help making biscuits." Ruby calls over her shoulder.
Blake helps Ruby finish the biscuits, once they are in the oven they all set to cleaning and setting the table. It's not long after that the rest of the house is awake and filling the house with laughter and lively chatter. It's a nice relaxing morning. Blake has a lot on her mind, so she's glad for the distraction. She takes a minute to observe her leader and Jaune. She thinks they are sweet as a couple, but it still seems weird thinking of them in that way. Then again, she had really only been back with them all for a few days, barely a week honestly. These were all her friends but, in a way they were also strangers to an extent. A weird feeling that would surely pass with a bit more time, and she wasn't going anywhere.
It was after lunch when Blake finds Ruby sitting on her own outside. The younger girls eyes closed and concentration on her face. Blake clears her throat to get Ruby's attention. "Can I join you?"
"Sure." Ruby chirps.
"What are you doing out here all alone?" Blake is curious.
Ruby sighs. "Trying to remember the feelings and state of mind I was in when I used my eyes." She points to her eyes. "Maria says I need to be able to do that no matter what's going on around me."
"It's pretty amazing seeing you use your eyes, are you trying to meditate?" Blake asks.
"Yea, but It's hard, I have to figure this out though." Ruby wants to whine but she's trying really hard not to.
Blake is about to offer to help when Nora sticks her head in the room. "Winter called! We have been cleared to explore the town!" She announces.
"We are under strict orders to not cause any trouble though." Ren states walking by them.
"Let's gooo!" Nora calls out.
Ruby springs up grinning. "C`mon Blake! I can't wait to see the town!" She's half way across the house by the time Blake stands. Qrow and Maria opt to stay at the house, as much as the kids need to blow off steam, the adults are in need of some quiet.
The group are soon all out the door and on their way to explore. The city is beautiful and lively, the streets abuzz with activity. Weiss leads the group to a favorite shop of hers. A cozy little bookstore with an in house bakery. They all disperse through the store, Weiss is a bit surprised when Ruby follows her instead of Jaune. Ruby talks quietly with her, this store has been a favorite of hers since she was little. Ruby is glad to see Weiss relaxed and happy. They drift to different aisles eventually. Ruby ends up in the comics looking for the latest issue of her romance series.
There are a few locals browsing the same aisle. Ruby ignores them as she finds what she's looking for. Triumphant once again in her quest Ruby turns to leave the aisle. One of the locals, a boy about Ruby's age stops her to make small talk. He says he's a fan of the series though he can't name the characters. Ruby recognizes the attempt at flirting and excuses herself. She spots Jaune who seems to be in a serious talk with Blake and Yang. Ruby spots that the boy has followed her and moves to Jaune's side. She leans on his arm, prompting him to casually drape it over her shoulders. Blake and Yang think it's a cute display.
Jaune looks over his shoulder to the boy and grins a goofy grin. The boy rolls his eyes and walks off. The young knight laughs.
"What's so funny?" Ruby asks looking up at him.
"It's the first time we've used that trick without pretending." He points out, Ruby rolls her eyes at him but smiles. The rest of the day is just spent exploring different stores and outdoor vendors. The group enjoy the time out of the house. When they return Qrow informs them they will be meeting with Ironwood in the morning.
A/N: This continuation and the muse absolutely refused to talk to each other until the last few paragraphs. So, while chapter one may be bumpy, the rest should flow much better. Not much more than fluffy bonding this time.