A/N:
The song in this chapter is "Saturn" by Sleeping at Last. Go ahead and play it to go with the read, if you'd like.
"Ruby. Ruby, wake up!"
The girl in question grumbled but acquiesced. "Ugh, Pyrrha? What's wrong?" she said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
Pyrrha smiled. "Nothing's wrong, babe. Just get dressed in something comfy. We're going outside."
Ruby looked at the clock then back to her girlfriend disbelievingly. "Eh? But it's... 6:20 in the morning?!"
"I have hot chocolate."
"I'll be ready in five."
"That's my girl. I'll be waiting at the door."
Ruby stepped out wearing a red hoodie under a black jacket. She wore her classic rose pajamas as well, prompting Pyrrha to wonder how she still fit in them. Ruby wasn't exactly fifteen anymore.
"So? What's this all about?" said the leader of Team RWBY as she followed Pyrrha out the dorms.
The Champion hummed noncommittally, thermos of hot chocolate in hand. "Mm? We're gonna watch the sunrise obviously."
Ruby blinked. "Right. Because this is such a normal thing that I deserved to get hit with an 'obviously'."
"Yup."
"If you say so, Pyr..."
Pyrrha turned to Ruby and flashed her a classic Pumpkin Pete's smile. "Give it a chance, Ruby. When was the last time you actually watched the sun rise?"
"I'm a Huntress, Pyrrha. I don't have time for such trivial pursuits."
"Right. Because those late-night video game runs have nothing to do with your inability to wake up early."
The younger scoffed but held her ground. "Hey, man. You have to admit that my high score on zombies is pretty impressive."
"Yes, but you can still enjoy things like this too." Pyrrha slowed down to take Ruby's hand in hers. "C'mon, we're almost there."
It was still mostly dark by the time the girls arrived at a bench in one of the school's gardens.
Pyrrha sat Ruby down, handed her a cup of hot cocoa from the thermos and wrapped them both up in a blanket.
It admittedly wasn't that cold, and both girls were already wearing warm clothing. But sharing a blanket made things a hundred times cuddlier. At least, that's what Pyrrha liked to think.
Pyrrha reached into her pocket and pulled out her scroll and some earbuds. "Here," she said, handing Ruby one of the ear pieces.
"Thanks."
As soon as Ruby put the earbud in, she was immediately immersed in a beautiful melody. She watched slowly as the dark sky began to brighten as well. She could see the still black outlines of everything on the horizon.
And right before her eyes, the sky exploded in a deluge of light. The sun wasn't quite up yet, but the way clouds caught the orange rays belied that fact. Even the blue of the sky was tinted gold.
You taught me the courage of stars before you left.
How light carries on endlessly, even after death.
With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite.
How rare and beautiful it is to even exist.
And despite herself, Ruby started crying. Those tears never made it to the ground, though, not while Pyrrha was around.
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes.
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again.
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen.
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time,
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes.
With shortness of breath, I'll explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.
Gazing at the sky, Pyrrha hugged Ruby tighter and whispered a message to a certain someone. "Happy birthday, Mrs. Rose. I promise I'll take good care of her."