The sun had risen, it's dim golden light shining through the windows of the mall that were shattered by Ruby's power the previous night. The team was in low spirits as they waited, unable to continue their journey while they waited for their faunus teammate to awaken. Coco rummaged through the various stores around the mall, staying close to her team as she scavenged what she could, all her team knew was that she was doing some secret project. Penny stood watch at the door, her solemn eyes staring out into the decimated city and her arms folded over her chest. As for Ruby, she lay beside Blake, holding her hand as she trembled and moaned from the pain of her rebirth.
Ruby looked at the scars along Blake's neck, barely recalling herself making them. It terrified her, remembering just how good it felt, draining and imbibing every last drop of her lover's blood. Lovers… is that what we are? I know Blake has those feelings for me, I could taste it every time I drank from her. What do I feel? I have feelings for Penny, but after all the time I spent feeding from Blake, I think… I think I fell in love with her too. This is too complicated, and now I've turned her into something like me, what will she feel when she wakes up? Will she hate me? I would be lying if I said part of me wasn't happy about this, now… I'm not alone.
"I'm a terrible person… aren't I?" She whispered to Blake with a broken smile on her lips, gripping her cold hand tight. Her faunus teammate was pale, cold and had no pulse, still she was clearly in immense pain. Even though Ruby drank as much of her blood as she could and despite the blood she lost from her wound, her transition to her new life wasn't easy. And it's all my fault. I- I just couldn't lose her. I guess that means I really do love her…
"I'll be back soon, you're not alone." Ruby whispered softly into Blake's ear before tenderly kissing her cheek. Her dead heart ached as she felt her soft skin, it was so cold, the warmth she had come to love was gone from the faunus. With a deep and heavy sigh, Ruby picked herself up, moving her wing from underneath her as she stood. At her feet, Blake showed no signs of waking and no sign that her pain was easing. All Ruby could do was pray that her suffering would end soon and pray that when she awoke, she wouldn't hate her. Reluctantly, with a long lingering look, Ruby left Blake alone before walking deeper into the mall.
The Silver Eyed Grimm walked down the cracked tiled halls, the damage from her battle the previous night as well as the bloodstains from the aftermath were still fresh in both her surroundings and her mind. However, she could only remember very vaguely the details of her red out, while she drank all of Blake's blood, it was all an unbelievably pleasurable and blissful haze. She thought she should feel guilty for liking it so much… but she didn't.
"Um, Coco…" Ruby came to a stop beside her senior, the tough and fashionable heavy hitter was leaning up against a the tiled wall of a fountain that sat in the middle of the mall with a smoldering cigarette in her mouth. She had changed her outfit, now dressed more practically in tan camo cargo pants, combat boots and a dark green tank-top, though she still accessorized with her glasses and beret.
"What's up Ruby?" She looked down at the shorter girl, bringing her glasses lower on her nose as she took a drag from her cigarette. Ruby could see where her eyes would wander, she knew Coco would steal glances at her wings, tail and horns. It made her a little uncomfortable, but more than anything, it made Ruby afraid that her valued teammate would reject her because of what she had become, especially after watching her bleed Blake dry less than twelve hours ago.
"I just… I wanted to talk to you, and ask you something." Ruby looked shyly down at the ground, her tail involuntarily curling around her in a self comforting gesture, same as her wings which fanned out slightly, covering her sides.
"Alright, I guess we should probably talk anyway." Coco secured her cigarette between her two fingers before pulling it from her mouth and blowing out a cloud of white, fragrant smoke. "You don't need to look so nervous Rose, relax, have a cigarette."
"Um…" She was more than a little taken aback by Coco's offer. She had always stayed away from tobacco and alcohol, even when she became old enough to buy both. Still, as she looked down at the open pack her teammate held out to her, Ruby's body relaxed, her wings folding at her back and her tail easing to the floor as she leaned on the wall beside her senior and took a cigarette from the half finished pack. "Thanks."
"Here, I'll give you a light, just take a deep breath okay?" Before Ruby could react, Coco lowered her head, taking a steady but deep inhale, the smoldering embers at the end of her cigarette touched Ruby's, their faces only inches apart. Ruby's wings stretched slightly behind her and tail coiled up as she felt a warmth growing in her chest. In the heat of the moment she almost forgot to breath, but when she did, the smoldering tobacco from Coco's ignited the tip of Ruby's cigarette, letting the smoke flow through the filter and into her lungs.
"Th-thank you…" Ruby wasn't sure how to react, she wasn't even sure what she was feeling, but she had a suspicion. With a few steadying breaths, drawing in more and more smoke and burning the end of her cigarette faster, she buried the complicated feelings that were rising up in her heart.
"Don't worry about it. It's the least I could do. So… I guess we need to talk about last night." She pulled out her cigarette from her soft pink lips, letting out another cloud of smoke as she looked up to the ceiling. "Look, I don't know if what you did to Blake was the right thing to do, and watching it… I just, it wasn't easy. The pool of blood under her just kept growing and I could hear you drinking it moaning while Blake bled to death. I know you were just trying to save her, but once you started, it turned into something else for you. Once you were done, you looked the happiest I've ever seen anyone, and you were just covered in her blood."
"I was trying to save her. I couldn't lose her, that the clearest thing I remember before everything blurred out. Once I gave her that first bite, my instincts kinda took over, but I didn't take it too far, I didn't eat her. I wasn't going to let her go." Ruby blew out a stream of smoke, she wasn't sure what she was supposed to be feeling, or if her Grimm body could even be affected by smoking. Still, it felt nice, sharing this moment with her older teammate.
"But you wanted to, didn't you? Be honest with me, you wanted to eat her right?" Her tone was cool and calm, there wasn't a hint of malice, hate or disgust behind her words, just curious and concerned. Coco's demeanor was so disarming that Ruby just felt… safe.
"Yes… I did want to eat her." Their leader admitted softly. "You can see all those bite marks in her neck, a lot of those were from after I redded out. I stopped myself, but it was hard."
"I see…" Coco muttered thoughtfully, taking a final, long drag off her cigarette before letting the smoldering remains fall to the floor, snuffing it out with her boot. "Like I said, I was a little put off by what I saw, but I didn't handle it the best way. After you left, I felt bad, and Penny gave me an ear full. So, I'm sorry Ruby, I didn't mean to make you feel like a monster. With that said though, I think Blake is the only one who can really say if what you did went too far. When she wakes up, you're going to need to be there for her, she's your responsibility, now more than ever."
"I know… it's going to be hard on her, but I think she'll be okay." Ruby took her cigarette from her mouth, her dull gaze fixated on the slowly burning tobacco. "I actually wanted to talk to you about her. When she wakes up, she's going to be hungry. I can't feed her and neither can Penny, I was hoping… I wanted to ask, no, I mean, I needed to ask-"
"You want me to feed you and Blake right?" She deadpanned, cutting Ruby off before she tripped over any more of her words. "Yeah, I figured. Look, I know I've been hesitant about giving you my blood, I'm still kinda nervous. If I'm being honest, I'm afraid of turning into something like you, and now I'm afraid you'll lose control and do what you did to Blake."
"I understand… I'd be afraid of me too if I were in your position." Ruby's voice was so soft it was barely audible as she shrunk back, her heart heavy and cold as though her chest was filling with ice water. I'm trying Sis… but it's hard not to feel like a monster when my own team, my own friends are justifiably afraid of me.
"Let me finish." With a stern and commanding tone Coco snapped Ruby to attention as she pulled out another cigarette from her pack. "Like I was saying, watching you last night, I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I've had time to sort it all out. I'm a little scared but… for you, I think I can do it. You've saved our lives and I know you, you're a good person, not some monster. Also, in a really messed up way, it was kinda cute how happy you looked then. Anyway, I'll do it, but if anything like that happens to me, and you have the choice to turn me or not, as things stand right now, I don't want to be like you. I don't know if I'll always feel that way, but for right now, consider this a do not resuscitate. That's the only thing I'm asking in return."
"I'm so much stronger now Coco, I'm not letting anyone else get hurt. I'll keep you safe so don't worry alright, it won't come to that." Ruby's silver eyes stared deep into Coco's, her gaze exuding compassion, caring and conviction as she looked up to her friend. "I promise it won't happen, but if it does, I'll respect what you want. I know I'm asking a lot of you already, but I have one more request, if that's okay."
"Well, whatever it is, it can't be bigger than asking to drink my blood so shoot kid, I'm in a giving mood right about now." Coco chuckled to herself as she flicked her lighter, setting the tobacco smoldering as she inhaled the smoke.
"If anything happens to me, if die or… become completely Grimm, I want you to lead the team, keep them safe okay?" The leader's voice suddenly became cold and serious, her gaze unwavering as she looked to her potential second in command. At her unexpected request, Coco nearly dropped her cigarette from her mouth as she stared at Ruby.
"Rose, nothing is happening to you, I won't let it. This team needs you. Do you have any idea how misfit a team we are, I don't think I could keep us from falling apart." Ruby was surprised at what she saw in Coco's dark brown eyes; Sadness, denial, anger, protectiveness, caring… all of it for her.
"We've lost too many good people to this bullshit! Fox, Yatsuhashi, Ren, Nora… Yang. We almost lost you and we nearly lost Blake. I'm not going to entertain the idea of losing anyone else, you're not leaving us you hear me!" The passion and conviction in her eyes was a far cry from her usual cool confidence. Without hesitation she threw her cigarette into the stagnant water of the fountain and turned to face Ruby, putting her hands firmly on the younger woman's shoulders. "I'm not letting anything happen to you or Blake or Penny. We are going to meet up with Jaune and Weiss' teams and we are going to figure this mess out and then we'll all live happily ever fucking after. No one else is dying."
"Coco… I-"
"Ruby, she's waking up!" Penny called frantically from the font of the mall, stealing Ruby's attention from the woman before her and from her own mixed feelings.
"I should… I should go and see her. She's going to have questions." Ruby looked bashfully away from Coco, her wings stretched slightly back and her tail coiling up behind her.
"Right, I'll be there soon, you both feed and then we should leave once she's calm enough. We've got about a five day walk to the castle where we're meeting the others." With a soft sigh she let her hands fall from Ruby's shoulders before heading back deeper into the mall.
"Okay, that sounds good. Oh, and Coco," Ruby looked down at the floor, holding her hands together in front of her. Before Coco could respond, Ruby stood up on her toes and leaned forward, gently pressing her cold lips onto her unofficial second in command's soft, warm cheek, stunning her and panting her cheeks deep red as she blushed. Just as quickly as she kissed her, Ruby pulled away, smiling warmly, her wings now almost fully extended behind her. "Thank you."
Without waiting for a response, Ruby turned around, forcing her wings back down as she walked quickly to the front of the mall, leaving Coco stunned, confused… and smiling. That kid…
"Blake, I'm here, everything's okay!" Ruby fell to her knees at Blake's side, her knees resting in the dried pool of blood, the acrid smell igniting her hunger, but she pushed it aside as she took Blake's hand into her own.
"R-Ruby…" Blake murmured weakly as her bleary eyes blinked open. "I- I'm cold…"
"I know, I know. You lost a lot of blood, but you're going to be okay now. Everything is going to be okay. Just take it easy alright." Ruby smiled, tears of relief and joy clouding her eyes as she tenderly kissed the back of Blake's hand.
"What did you do?" Shakily she moved her free hand up before letting it fall to her chest and closed her eyes. Ruby knew that feeling, everything felt wrong to Blake, she'd have to explain a lot, but for that moment, all she could do was look solemnly at the floor and hold her hand just a little bit tighter.
"Ruby… I don't have a heart beat." Her big amber eyes stared up at Ruby, glistening with pain filled tears. There was no mistaking the feelings Ruby could sense rolling off of the newly born half grimm; betrayal, denial, anger, hopelessness… hunger.
"You were dying… I had to do something. I- I couldn't lose you Blake! I love you, I couldn't just let you go!" She defended herself, but she knew it would mean very little to her. Cold drops fell from her eyes, landing onto Blake's hand. "I couldn't let you go… I did what I had to do."
"Ruby… you turned me." Her eyes grew wide with shock and her hand trembled in Ruby's grasp. She had no heartbeat, she couldn't feel her aura, she was cold… she was dead. Her breathing became rapid and shallow as the harsh reality set in, but try as she might, she couldn't feel her heartbeat anymore, no matter how high her panic rose.
"Blake! Blake it's okay, I'm here." There was nothing else Ruby could do but live with the consequences of the decision she made, and try to get her loved one through it the best way she could. Taking a steadying breath, Ruby put one arm under Blake's shoulders and another under her legs. "I'm sorry… but I couldn't lose anyone else I love."
"I never asked to be like this…" The hurt both in her voice and in her heart, both of which Ruby felt so potently, cut her deeply, rubbing salt in the wounds of guilt she had for the choice she made.
"I know, but it's not so bad. I want to show you something, and then we can talk." Despite the hurt and sadness, Ruby smiled lovingly at the young woman in her arms as she stood up, holding Blake close. Blake was still with her, and that was the most important thing. Maybe that's selfish, but I don't really care.
"Penny, Blake and I are going out, we'll be back soon." With that, Ruby turned around, walking towards the door with Blake in her arms. The woman had never felt lighter and Ruby had never felt strong, nor had she ever felt such a deep connection with anyone in her life. As she held Blake, she felt everything so intensely, every feeling, every desire no matter how subtle and that's how she knew, Blake felt it too.
"Are you sure? It's dangerous out there, I should come with and-"
"No, you need to stay here and keep yourself and Coco safe. Don't let anything through that door that isn't us. We're both immune to the bite now, so we'll be fine." Ruby gave a reassuring grin to her android teammate, a girl who she had started falling in love with before the world came to an end. Her feelings for her now were stronger than ever, but even so she felt the same towards Blake and now, it seemed she was falling for Coco, her remaining teammate. She couldn't help but give a small huff of laughter at the situation she put herself as she stepped out the door.
"Blake, I want you to hold on tight okay?" Ruby smiled softly, gently brushing long black strands of hair from Blake's pale face. As she exuded calm and love, Blake felt it, in her unbeating heart, she felt the feelings Ruby felt, both when she was looking at Penny, and now as she looked down at her, it was unmistakable… it was love.
"O-okay." She was stunned by the feelings she felt from Ruby, so much so that it pushed her own fears back. As she wrapped her arms around Ruby, holding her close, she felt a new set of feelings burning to the forefront of her leader's mind; excitement, energy, happiness and above all, exhilaration!
"Here we go!" Ruby turned her gaze upward with a playful and excited smirk. From her back her black and red wings spread wide, each easily as long as her body and her tail lashed back and forth and suddenly, Blake knew exactly what was about to happen.
"Ruby wait! I don't-"
Whooosh!
With a single, incredibly powerful beat of her wings, the builds nearby shook and the air quaked as they ascended! Her wing beats grew faster and more powerful, sending them higher and higher into the cool, windy sky! Blake shut her eyes tight as she clung to Ruby, holding her tight and burying her face into her chest as she felt them going further into the air. However, she didn't sense any fear from her leader, instead, just energy, happiness, bliss and an overwhelming sense of freedom that bled into her own dead heart.
Soon, the powerful beats of her wings slowed, becoming steady and rhythmic as the air stops rushing down from above them. They had stopped ascending, Ruby keeping them airborne and steady with her wings, and despite it only being her second flight, it still felt so natural to her. Though I should probably keep that part a secret from her…
"Blake, I want you to look at this. Don't worry, I would never drop you, you're safe, I promise." Her gentle tone combined with the sincerity in her heart eased Blake's fear and as she felt Ruby holding her tighter, her curiosity won out.
As her amber eyes barely peeked opened, the awe and wonder of the sight before her made her open them wide to behold the breathtaking view. Ruby had rapidly brought them well above the city skyline, soaring higher than the tallest buildings, giving just the two of them, the most beautiful view they had ever seen of the dazzling rising sun on the morning sun gleamed off of the glass and steel of the structures below, setting the city ablaze with sparkling light. From up there, they felt so distant from the crumbling world below, and all Blake could feel was wonderment and freedom, though she couldn't be sure if those feelings were her own, or from the woman who held her so close and tenderly.
"I felt like a monster Blake, but someone told me that it's not what we are that defines us, but who we are and what we do. We might have lost a lot by becoming what we are, neither of us chose this, but we can still feel so deeply, we can still feel wonder, and amazement, and excitement and fear… and love. We still have so much, we aren't dead, we're very much alive Blake and I can't express how thankful I am to share this life with you. I know it will be hard hard to get used to this, I'm still struggling with it myself, but I turned you and I will do everything I can to make you happy because I love you Blake. Things will be okay." Ruby stared out into the horizon, her silver eyes burning with a soft, silver light that flickered like fire. At the same time, Blake's amber eyes, looking up at her leader, also burned with the same light.
"I didn't want this." She very, very carefully shifted in Ruby's arms, moving herself up until they were nearly at eye level. "But I know you never wanted this either. Yang… she gave you that bite and you gave me my bite, unlike everyone else, we're both still here. I think that there's a reason all of this happened. I'm afraid of what I've become… but I think this was supposed to happen, so you won't be alone. In a way, it's like Yang is protecting both of us through the last thing she ever did." With a wistful smile on her lips she shut her eyes and relaxed, resting her head on Ruby's shoulder, her thoughts occupied by a beautiful blonde woman with a fiery personality.
"I believe she is. I think she's still with us, in a way and what we've become, we have to power to do so much good. I can feel it, Coco and Penny still love us, you still loved me after I turned. What we are, it gives us something that no one else has, the world is falling apart but we've been given the chance to make things right, I don't know how yet, but that's what I feel in my heart. Will you stay by my side Blake, with Penny and Coco, and save the world?" The smiled she wore, it was just like the smile Blake had seen a hundred times when they were still Team RWBY, from the day they met to the last moments before the world ended, it was that smile that seemed like it could shine so brightly it would burn away all the darkness in the world. Blake knew there was only one thing she could say in the face of that smile.
"Always." She gave an affirming nod, cuddling up just a little closer to Ruby. What was lacking in warmth was more than made up for by the feelings that flowed between the two of them. A connection like none other.
"I'm happy to hear you say that." Her smile softened as she lowered her head, pressing her lips against the top of her head between her cat ears, her silky smooth hair tickling her lips as she kissed her lover. That was for you Sis. We both miss you but we're going to take what you've given us and do what you would want us to do. We're going to fix this.
"We should head back…" Blake hummed contently, feeling so comfortable in Ruby's arms she had to force herself to say it.
"Yeah, we'll drink and they we'll move. We have to meet up with Jaune and Weiss' team soon." Ruby rested her chin atop her head, lightly kissing the edge of Blake's cat ears. She and Blake had a massive change happen, and their friends would probably be shocked at first, but she knew that they too would accept them, because she had an unshakable faith in them.
"Oh, I should probably tell you now… I'm not entirely great at landings." She smiled sheepishly, her tail swinging back and forth beneath her.
"What?!" Blake suddenly felt her panic spiking as she clung to Ruby for dear life.
"Well, no time like the present to learn!" And with that… she stopped flapping her wings.
"I- I saw my life flashing before my eyes." Blake burst through the door, panting heavily, her hair was a mess and her eyes were wide with fear.
"Oh Blake you look very unwell, you're pale and your body temperature is low!" Penny looked genuine concerned but Blake just narrowed her eyes at her, her cat ears flicking in annoyance.
"Oh, so you're go jokes now? Who programmed you with a sense of humor while I was out?" She deadpanned, trudging in through the door with Ruby behind her. However, before Blake could take another step, Penny rushed towards her, throwing her arms around Blake and pulling her in close with a tight hug, catching the half Grimm half Faunus off guard.
"I'm glad you're well. I was worried, I thought we would lose you. For what it's worth, I am very glad you're still here with us." She smiled, her emerald eyes glistening with artificial tears and after a moment, Blake smiled too, putting her arms around Penny and holding her close. She could so clearly feel Penny's emotions, her relief, her worry, her happiness and her love.
"I'm happy to be here too Penny. Thank you." It was more than just Penny, she could sense Coco as well, watching them a short distance away with unmistakable happiness, pride and love. Everything felt different and she could already feel her Grimm power within her. So this is what it's like to be a Grimm… maybe this isn't so bad.
"Well now that we're all here, I think now's as good a time as any to show you all your new outfits." Coco gave a cocksure smirk as she held a few bags full of clothes in her arms before walking towards them.
"Just because we need practical combat wear doesn't mean we can't look hot, case in point." She gestured to herself before walking to them, handing them each a bag. "I picked out the best outfits I could for each of you, but this place is kind of a dump so my options were limited. Anyway, check em out, try them on and see what you think."
"Um, could we maybe try these on after we um…" Blake looked nervously at Ruby who instantly got the hint.
"Blake's hungry, can we feed before we try these on? I mean I'm sure they… look…" Ruby stared into the bag, her wings extending out behind her back and her tail curling up in embarrassment before she looked back up to Coco. "Um, you really want me to wear this? This barely qualifies as a bathing suit."
"Look, you keep tearing up every outfit I pick out for you. You want to fight as a Grimm, that's practical combat wear." She tapped her foot in aggravation, finding anything that accommodate her tail, horns and wings that fit her style was a daunting task.
"No, um, I'm sure it looks great… it's just kind of embarrassing." Ruby gulped, putting the bag down on the floor.
"Well suck it up. Speaking of which, I guess you two need to drink, Penny, you go ahead and get changed while I feed them okay?" Coco sighed, shaking her head slightly while Penny gave a firm salute before skipping happily over to a nearby changing room.
"Thank you Coco, I'm really sorry about this." Blake bowed her head, Ruby could feel her discomfort and guilt rising.
"Blake, it's fine. I already knew that was going to happen shortly after Ruby turned you. I told her I wouldn't mind doing it, just don't bite me okay?" Coco picked up the blade of Blake's Gambol Shroud from the floor and gestured with a jerk of her head for them to follow her to bench by the fountain.
"It's okay Blake, I felt the same way when I first drank your blood but it's fine. It doesn't taste like you think it does and I think it's actually really nice and… you know… intimate." Her wings again extended slightly at her back as she took Blake's hand in her own, walking her over to the bench where Coco sat waiting for them.
"Alright, just lay down on my lap I guess, I'll get this started." With a soft breath she let down her protective aura and Blake and Ruby resting their heads on her lap, Ruby being very careful with her horns so as not to hurt her loved ones with them as she settled into a comfortable position looking up smiling thankfully at Coco.
Coco dragged the razor sharp blade across her wrist, cutting deep through her skin and, letting her blood flow freely before switching hands and cutting her other wrist. As the crimson fluid streamed down her arm towards her elbow she felt the cold, wet tongues of Ruby and Blake lapping up her vital fluid. As they drank the blood from her body, a strange calm came over her, filling her with ease and warmth and as they licked up every last drop, she couldn't help but smile at them. Yeah, I'm okay with this.
