( * * )

She'd been waiting for this. Days of watching, gathering information, compiling data, and planning have all come down to this. Now, after a week of preparation, with her targets in front of her, it was time to strike.

"So… When'd you two start dating?"

Nora quickly raised her lunch tray as Ruby choked and spewed out the milk she was drinking. Lowering the milk-drenched tray, she gave her young friend a smug grin, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Weeeell?" She drawled.

Further down the table, Blake, Weiss, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, and Yang looked shocked and confused. Sitting to Ruby's right, Emerald stared at Nora, a look of bemused amusement on her face. Across from her, Mercury was trying to not laugh out loud. Ruby herself
was trying to catch her breath while clearing her esophagus at the same time.

"What?" Emerald asked.

"When did you and Ruby start dating?" Nora's knowing look didn't leave the two girls sitting across from her.

There was a pause. They had just sat down to eat dinner after a long day of classes, talking about plans for the weekend, when Nora had popped the question. It took them all a bit to get out of the loop she threw them into.

Except for Ruby and Mercury – still gasping for breath, and still trying not to laugh like a jerk.

"W-we're not dating!" Ruby wheezed as soon as she saved herself from suffocation.

"Yes you are," Nora singsonged.

"Nora, wait," Ren said, "What makes you think they're dating?"

Nora rolled her eyes, "Because they've been hanging out a lot more?"

There was another pause. "So?" Jaune asked, "Emerald and Mercury are still under Team RWBY's custody. They're kind of supposed to hang out."

"Yeah, but Ruby and Emmy's been hanging out together more and more."

"That doesn't mean we're dating, Pinky." Emerald said.

"Well, if that's all you were doing, then yeah," Nora said, "But you guys have been sitting next to each other in class and lunch, stand so close when we walk to classes it you could hold hands, whenever I see you, Ruby, and Blake reading
in the library, you and Ruby sit closer to each other, you've been teasing Ruby more – and not in the 'embarrassing-big-sister' way, but the 'playful make-her-blush' way – both of you disappear for hours on the weekends, and you guys always have,
like, the biggest smiles when you see each other."

Ruby glanced around before turning to Nora, "T-that's all just…"

"And when I went to your dorm last week to borrow a textbook, I saw you guys nap-cuddling on the floor." Nora said nonchalantly. She squealed, "You looked so cute! I even took a picture!" Nora whipped out her scroll and held it up for all to see.

Sure enough, there were Ruby and Emerald, on the floor by the bookcase in Team RWBY's dorm room, Ruby sitting in between Emerald's thighs and leaning with her back against her, Emerald's arms wrapped around Ruby's midsection and her cheek nuzzling Ruby's
temple.

Everyone gaped.

"Oh my God, Ruby and Emerald are dating." Blake deadpanned in a hushed tone.

Mercury didn't even try to keep from laughing.

Emerald looked impressed when she saw the picture, "Think you can send that to my scroll?"

"Emmy!" Ruby protested.

"What? Cat's already out of the bag, Red," Emerald sent Blake an apologetic wave, "And it's a cute picture!"

"Ruby!" Weiss said, clearly frazzled, "How… When… Why?"

"Well you see, Princess, when two young people really like each other…"

"Shut it, Black!"

"Hang on," Yang said, "This was why you asked for dating advice back home?"

"You mean you knew?" Blake asked.

"I knew Ruby wanted to ask someone out," Yang said defensively, "But I didn't think it was Em…"

In an explosion of rose petals, Ruby appeared by Yang, stifling her sister's mouth with her hands.

"Shh! Keep it down!" She whispered desperately.

Nora looked at Team RWBY, confused. "Wait," she said, "You mean you guys," she gestured to Weiss, Blake, and Yang, "Didn't know?"

"No!" Weiss said, while Blake and Yang shook their heads.

"I did." Mercury said smugly.

"What?!" Weiss nearly screeched, "Why does Mercury know that you and Emerald are…"

Another explosion of rose petals, and Ruby was covering Weiss's mouth. "Weiss! Please! Calm down."

"Y-yeah," Jaune said, holding up placating hands, "Let's all just slow down and let Ruby and Emerald explain."

"Yes," Pyrrha said, looking around, "I think we've garnered enough unwanted attention."

Nora looked around. Sure enough, the students at the other tables were peering at them, whispering with each other.

She cringed, giving Ruby an apologetic look. "Sorry. I thought the others knew."

Ruby sighed, returning to sit next to Emerald, "It's fine. Not like we can do anything about it now."

Emerald ruffle her hair fondly, "It was fun while it lasted, Red."

"Well?" Weiss demanded, "Are you going to explain why you didn't tell us?"

Emerald rolled her eyes, "Because we knew you'd throw a hissy-fit over this, Schnee. And we thought Yang would blow my head off while blowing her gasket."

Yang sighed, "Seriously, why does everyone think I some ticking time-bomb?"

"Of course we're upset," Weiss retorted, "You're a criminal, for heaven's sake!"

"That's the other thing," Ruby said, "We don't want anyone else like the Professors, Ironwood, or your dad finding out about this. Then we'd get in trouble while Emerald and Mercury get sent to prison."

"And I don't think Papa Schnee would appreciate that you let this happen under your nose, Schnee." Emerald added.

"That makes sense," Blake said, "But it still doesn't explain why Mercury knew and not us."

"Actually, Emerald told him before I told her I wanted to keep it a secret." Ruby said, "And it's Mercury: he doesn't make a big deal about anything."

"This is true," Mercury said with a shrug.

"And he knows I'd mutilate him if he so much made a peep about this." Emerald said.

"Also true."

"How did you get together anyway?" Jaune asked, "Not that I disapprove – honestly, I'm not sure what think about this – it's just, last I remember, you two were getting along, but not… getting along, if that makes any sense."

Emerald and Ruby exchanged glances. "Ruby asked me out, I said yes, we had fun, and here we are." Emerald shrugged, "Not really that complicated."

"And I kinda had a crush on her last year." Ruby said. Nora was certain her friend was breaking the world record with how much she was blushing.

"And when exactly was this date?" Weiss asked.

"Uh, before the year began?" Ruby offered, "Like, the day we got back to Beacon?'

Blake blinked, "A month. You've been doing this for a month?"

"A month and a week, actually," Emerald said.

Seven pairs of eyes stared at them. Ruby squirmed under the scrutiny. Emerald seemed to get some enjoyment out of it.

"Is this really that bad a thing?" Everyone turned their gaze to Nora. "I know that you guys can get in a lotta trouble for this, but what's wrong with Ruby and Emerald getting together?"

"Because Emerald is a criminal?" Weiss said pointedly.

"Yeah, but she's not a bad guy - anymore. And sure, she was a jerk last year, and she still kinda is – sorry," she said to Emerald, who only shrugged, "But she got better: she's a whole lot nicer now than she used to be. And you guys saw
the picture! I dare you to tell me they're not adorable."

"What about me?" Mercury asked, "Am I better?"

"No, you're Mercury."

"Fair enough."

"Anyway," Ren said, "She actually makes a good point."

"See? Even Renny agrees with me!"

"Yes, but Ren always agrees… with… you?" Weiss's voice petered off.

There was a long, thoughtful silence. Nora wondered if they were breaking a record with those too.

Jaune shook his head, "I got nothing."

"Yes," Pyrrha said, "The situation may be inappropriate, but the relationship itself seems healthy, if unexpected."

"I suppose the main problem here is that you kept this a secret from us," Blake said, looking at Ruby and Emerald, "Which I can honestly understand. This isn't the sort of thing you want to announce to the world." Blake focused on Ruby, "We still need
to talk about this, but as long we're all careful, I don't think we'll have any problems."

"But Nora found out." Weiss pointed out.

"Yeah,' Nora scoffed, "Because they didn't lock the door,"

Weiss let out a humph, "Well still, I, of course, do not approve of this one bit."

"Big surprise," both Emerald and Mercury muttered.

"However," Weiss continued, "Since the two of you have been careful enough to keep your… relationship, a secret – barring the fact that Nora found out – and I know that you'll pursue it whether or not I agree with it, I won't try to stop you."

Ruby looked down the table, "Yang?"

All eyes turned to the blonde young woman. Yang stared at her plate, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Well, on the one hand, I'm disappointed you didn't tell me about this, sis."

Ruby looked down at the table, ashamed, Emerald shooting Yang a sharp look.

"But on the other hand?" Ruby looked back up as Yang continued, "I'm actually happy you found someone, and if it's gone on this long she must be doing something right."

Yang sighed, "So I guess I'm okay with it," she mumbled. Then she brightened up, flashing a sly smile, "Just so long as you wait a least a couple more months before sliding to first base and start touching butts."

Yang's comment was met with a mix of groans and giggles, Nora always glad to join in on the latter.

Her giggles petered off when she turned her attention back to the couple. They were exchanging sidelong glances, Emerald giving Ruby a sly, knowing grin, while Ruby let out a sheepish chuckle, her eyes flittering between Emerald's and the table.

Both of them were blushing.

Nora gaped, "Oh my God."

It took a full second, but soon the others were gaping with Nora.

"… You didn't." Weiss said in a shocked hush.

"Um, we may have?" Ruby ventured, "Like, last week? In our dorm? When you all went out?"

"And the next day, in one of the library's study rooms," Emerald added.

"And in Emmy's room when Mercury wasn't there."

"And before Goodwitch's class today."

"Wait, that's why you were out of breath?" Jaune asked. His tone was filled with shock, but his expression was full of admiration, "I thought you guys just ran to class!"

"Well, that's part of the equation." Emerald said.

"We sort of lost track of time," Ruby said, her blush deepening, "And we did it in the broom closet by Professor Port's class."

"With the light off. It's fun, but not easy trying to find your girlfriend's lips in the dark."

Wham!

Nora jumped with everyone else as their table shook under the sudden impact.

Yang glared.

Emerald and Ruby stared back.

"Emmy?"

"Yeah?"

"Run."

Both girls bolted from the table, making a beeline for the exit.

"Get back here, you two!" Yang roared as she shot out of her seat, hot in pursuit.

This time, Nora joined Mercury in laughing like a maniac.

( * * )

I'm kind of iffy about this one: I feel the pacing is a bit too fast, but I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Let me know what you think.