This chapter is Ruby and Penny! A reward for maskedriderbiocore for their support of me on ! If you'd like to support me as well, my username is Kiria Alice!

This is supposed to take place between volumes 2 and 3, as per the request.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

Chapter 21. By The River

She'd just needed to get away for a while.

Ruby had been feeling a little overwhelmed recently, especially after the incidents that transpired at Mountain Glenn and the ensuing Grimm battle.

Once repairs had been made and classes had started up again, she'd felt as though she'd been a little stifled somehow.

So she'd woken up early this Saturday morning and gone off to Vale alone. She'd messaged her teammates as not to worry them. But she just needed some time to herself.

She avoided the hustle and bustle of the town and instead wandered toward the small park nearby, which was surrounded by a wooded area. Ruby enjoyed the fresh spring air and walked until her feet could take her no further.

She paused on a small grassy hillside that overlooked a clear river. When she glanced down, she could see tiny fish and frogs swimming about.

With a smile, she sat down and enjoyed the scenery, trying to forget her responsibilities for a time. Absently, she remembered coming someplace similar with her mother once many years ago.

When she felt a sudden surge of emotion, she closed her eyes and leaned back on her palms, breathing in deeply.

The sound of petite footsteps caused her to open them once more and turn to face whomever had found her. Ruby's eyes widened when she realized who it was.

"Penny?"

The ginger-haired girl smiled pleasantly at her and waved.

"Hello, Ruby! I knew you'd be here! May I join you?"

"Uh, sure, sure!" Ruby patted the grass beside her invitingly, and Penny sat down. "But how'd you know I was here?"

"Oh! Well, the last time I saw you and your teammates, I configured the tracking numbers on your scrolls into my system!" she explained proudly. "So now whenever you guys come into town, I get a signal! And if it seems like you wouldn't be troubled and I can get away from my guards for a while, I'll come to see you! Which is what I did! I hope that's alright."

"Oh, yeah, of course!" Ruby smiled. "Actually... I kinda needed someone to talk to today, I think..." Her voice tapered off, drowned out beneath the flow of the bubbling river.

Penny frowned, then slid a little closer to her.

"Ruby? Would you like to talk? I'd listen if that's what you wanted."

Ruby's eyes flashed down to the ground for a moment, but soon lifted once again.

"Yeah... Maybe just for a little while..." She leaned sideways a little bit onto Penny's shoulder.

Penny pulled her close and listened to all she had to say.

Ruby spoke of the stresses of school, of her exams and classes and all of her assignments.

Then she went on to recount how scared she'd been when the Grimm attacked the city.

And finally, it was her sadness about missing her mother.

Penny listened carefully all the while, and only once Ruby had grown silent did she speak up softly.

"Ruby? Would it be alright if I were to offer my opinion? Perhaps it could help you."

Ruby didn't say anything. She just sighed and leaned closer to Penny, wrapping her arms around the girl's waist. But she nodded her head where it rested on her friend's shoulder.

Penny continued in a gentle voice.

"It seems to me that perhaps Weiss could help you with your schoolwork and things like that. She's very smart. I think she can help you manage your stress.

"And I'm not too sure of it, but I think that maybe Blake knows what it feels like to be worried about a battle even after it's over. She seems to have done a lot of fighting. Maybe you can talk to her about that.

"As for your mother... maybe you should talk to Yang when you're feeling sad about that. I think your sister would prove to be a very effective listener, and she'll support you, too!"

Penny gave Ruby a squeeze.

As she'd spoken, Ruby had seen the truth in all of her suggestions. She'd been trying to deal with the pain and the stress by herself, but she'd neglected to remember her teammates.

As the leader, Ruby would never want them to hide their hardships and suffer alone. So she shouldn't either.

"You're right." She straightened up a little bit and brushed the back of her hand over her eyes. She'd only cried a little bit, but the time for that had passed. "You're right, Penny. I don't have to do this alone."

Ruby presented her with a smile. Penny finally smiled back.

"Right! That's right, Ruby! You have a wonderful team of your own now!" Penny hugged her tightly, and Ruby returned the embrace with equal fervor.

"Thanks, Penny. I feel better now~"

"I am so glad!" As Penny released her, her teal eyes found silver once more. "And, Ruby... please know that you can always come talk to me! No matter what, if I tell my father I want to see you, I think he'll say it's okay! I want to help you if you need it, Ruby. I like listening, especially if it makes you happy. We're friends, after all."

Ruby nodded, her eyes watery now with kinder tears.

"Thanks, Penny. Really."

Then, with a swift lean in close, she pecked Penny's cheek with an appreciative kiss.

A pink color spread across the girl's face and Penny made a small squeaking sound like one of her hiccups. Ruby chuckled a little, then got to her feet.

"Doooo you wanna go get some lunch with me, maybe?"

Penny's smile came back in the blink of an eye.

"Oh, certainly! I would love to!"

Ruby helped her up, and Penny hugged her one more time.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Ruby!" Excited and joyful as she was, Penny thought it appropriate to return the kiss Ruby had given her. Only she ended up missing by a few inches and bumped her lips.

Ruby squeaked a small "eep!" and got a blush to match Penny's. The ginger-haired girl pulled back quickly.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I-"

But Ruby gave a tiny, delighted jump and kissed Penny back on the lips.

Neither of them squeaked or pulled away that time.

They parted a moment later, blushes heavy on their faces, but the smiles were even brighter.

A/N: Thanks for the support! I hope you enjoyed the drabble request!

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