"R-Ruby-ahahaha- s-stop it- hahaha!"

Her giddy laughter was cut off when she was viciously attacked.

By an onslaught of tickles.

"Only if you say it with a straight face!" Ruby jokingly declared.

In vain, Blake tried to adorn her signature poker face, but she kept bursting into tiny giggles when Ruby squeezed her sides. The adorable onset showed no signs of stopping as Ruby brushed her fingers along her girlfriend's most ticklish spots. Over the years, Ruby took a mental note of where she was the most sensitive. For times like this.

There was a loud, high-pitched bark.

"Aw, Zwei!" Ruby cooed. "Blake's not in any danger, see?"

Her dog only barked when there was something wrong. Naturally, Ruby registered he thought her girlfriend was in trouble or genuine distress. To prove Blake was okay, Ruby let her go. This caused the ex-spy to sigh in relief. For once, the dog had saved her.

Relieved, Zwei lowered his ears and went back to lying on his fur blanket. His friend was okay, so he allowed himself to relax.

Yang noticed he was almost fast asleep like nothing happened. "You need to lighten up, Rubes," Yang said in a soft voice. "You almost gave Zwei a heart-attack. Blake can only take your fingers for so long."

Before Yang could even think of what she said, the ladybug pair adorned blushes.

"Yang!" Weiss chided. "Why must you always insinuate things?"

"It was an accident I swear!" Yang yelped. "I don't wanna think about my sis doin' that!"

"Yang!" Ruby shouted.

"Shutting my mouth now."

Since there was some time before their final plans, the four girls took this opportunity to enjoy these moments to the fullest. They were in the small cabin just enjoying life as it was. Their other friends were elsewhere preparing for the fated next day.

"I apologize for my girlfriend's brutish behavior," Weiss stated. "Although, it shouldn't come as a surprise."

"Hey," Yang started. "In my defense, you should be used to it by now."

"I thought you said you were shutting your mouth?" the lion faunus smirked.

Lilac eyes narrowed. "I bet you'd like that, huh? Guess what, I won't since I know it'll piss you off."

Weiss clicked her tongue in thought. Honestly, she loved everything about her girlfriend, but giving her a hard time never got old. Her reactions almost gave her life.

"Not really," the ex-princess said. "Just refrain from insinuations and puns. You know, your entire personality."

As if to agree, Zwei barked again.

Yang gave her girlfriend a slight huff, and then lightly grinned. From the mischievous smile, Weiss knew that only meant one thing, so she braced herself for what was to come.

"You can't handle the brute force of puns."

The three friends glanced amongst each other in utter disappointment and disbelief. Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and the others groaned.

"What?" Yang asked, genuinely curious.

Blake, for once, frowned. "Was that supposed to be a joke?" she asked, no teasing present.

"Yeah, duh!" Yang exclaimed. "Don't gimme that, it was good!"

Ruby sighed in defeat. "At least other times you try."

Yang proudly pointed to herself. "I always give my puns one hundred-ten percent. Come on, princess, you gotta tell me it was good."

Lovingly, Weiss gingerly pecked Yang on the nose. "I'll give it a two out of ten at best. That's being generous."

That earned Yang's puppy eyes, so Weiss elaborated.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. That just wasn't good. It's okay, we all know you will find another chance to disappoint us again."

From the burn, Yang felt like she needed an ice pack. "God, there's so much hate today."

To cheer her up, Weiss slowly leaned into her ear and murmured sweetly. "Honestly, I like them. Don't tell anyone I said that or I swear…"

"R-really?" Yang was in disbelief. Her girlfriend actually liked her puns? Was this a dream?

"Really," the ex-princess smiled and pecked her nose again.

From the heavenly contact, the blonde's cheeks flushed. Her girlfriend's lips were always so soft. Azure met lilac yearningly, so she leaned in-

"Ahem!" Ruby fake coughed into her hand. "Hate to break the make-out session, but we're right here."

"Don't give us that," the blonde retorted. "Everyone knows you and Blake fool around, too."

"Yang!" Weiss yelped.

Ruby retreated into herself as Blake shyly glanced away. The mini red reaper didn't know what to say, so she said everything without a filter.

"AtleastmeandBlakekeepitasecretyougysontheotherhandactlikehorndogssometimesalthoughit'sonlysometimesbothersomeIthinkit'ssometimescuteyoutwodeserveeachotherespeciallyafterallthat'shappenedit'skindaweirdhowmanythingshavechangedhuhdoyouknowIlikecookiesactuallyBlakethinksIhaveaproblemeventhoughit'sherfaultIgotaddictedtotheminthefirstplaceBlakeactuallyreallyreallylikescookiestooalthoughshehidesitdidyouknowshe'sreallysweetandcuteand-"

As the red reaper rambled, the three girls watched as she made gestures for what seemed like every single word. Her hands screamed as much expression as her face. The words jumbled together and eventually it didn't even sound like Ruby was speaking english.

If there was one thing Yang caught in her baby sister's rant, it was how she started it. Yang leaned in with a hand over her ear. "What was that first part? You and Blake are secretive? I beg to differ."

The ladybug pair stared at each other, not piecing the information together. Ruby nervously pressed her fingers together. Since she rambled for what felt like forever, Blake spoke.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Blake hesitantly asked. "We're always-"

"A couple months ago. In Atlas."

Yang said nothing more. Nothing less. That was all they needed to know.

It was then that Ruby blushed as red as her cape. Despite the rambling earlier, she became speechless, which previously thought to be impossible. She stared from her sister to her girlfriend in a fluster.

Blake was about to speak, her lips slightly parted.

Before she could do so, Yang cut her off.

"Don't even try to deny it. I'm not dumb, ya know."

Previously, Ruby was speechless. After her sister said that, she couldn't help herself and spoke without thinking. "That's up for debate-"

She was cut off when Blake set a hand over her mouth. The cat faunus felt they'd teased her blonde friend enough for one day. A jab at the puns was nothing new, but a stab to the ego may bona fide upset her.

Since Weiss was the only one out of the loop, she had no idea what her girlfriend was referring to. Had Yang previously caught Blake and Ruby in the act? "What are you guys talking about?"

"Nothing!" Ruby waved her hands frantically. "Absolutely nothing!"

A lion ear flicked. Obviously, she was hiding something. Although, Weiss wasn't stupid. This was territory she'd rather not tread in.

To change the subject, Yang pulled something from her back pocket and dangled it in front of her sister's face. From the sight, silver eyes became the size of twinkling dinner plates.

"Is that what I think it is?!" Ruby asked in excitement.

"Yep!" Yang beamed. "Took me a while to find one. They run out fast. It's for you."

With a grin, Weiss placed a proud hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. "Not to mention they are still fairly new."

The ladybug pair gazed at the sight in awe. In front of Ruby was a small, carved bone in a strange shape. When the couple got a closer look, they realized the bone was a small whale figure. It was made of the finest wood Remnant could offer and practically gleamed under the light rays that were creeping through the windows.

In excitement, Ruby snatched the prize. "It's a whalebone whistle! How? Why? Ohmgoshohmygoshohmygosh I've wanted one for soooooo long! How'd you afford this?! They're rare! Not to mention expensive!"

Yang haughtily flipped her hair and placed a hand on her hip. "Cuz I'm awesome. I saw you really wanted one a while ago, so I've been savin' up."

Weiss playfully rolled her eyes. "You mean you stole Blake's money, right?"

"Yep!"

Ruby sighed. "She has no shame…"

"It was well-earned," Yang jokingly stated. "Besides, I didn't take it without asking. Blakey said I could!"

"It's not even my money," the cat faunus pointed out. "I stole it from The Faker."

"So…" Ruby held up one, two, then three fingers. "That means it was stolen three times?"

"Technically twice," Weiss stated. "That is, if The Faker didn't steal it."

The blonde gazed at her girlfriend. "Your money became her money. She took it by force. I'd say that's stealing, right?"

Ruby broadly grinned. "Three it is!" she rapidly pulled her sister in a crushing hug. "Thanks, sis. I love it."

Yang beamed a smile and returned the embrace with full force. Some bones popped, making Weiss and Blake cringe. The sisters didn't mind it at all. In fact, it felt soothing. When they pulled apart, Yang ruffled her short hair.

"I'm glad."

The next day, the first thing the friends did was prepare to move out.

They were outside after tying their white cloaks on firmly. Each white cloak adorned a bright blue snowflake symbol on the back. The snowflakes emblazoned their entire backs and dazzled brightly.

Outside, the air was dry. It was gray. Few clouds were in sight. A calm breeze caressed their cheeks. It was silent.

When the pure white cloaks firmly latched on, Yang faced the small group.

"You guys ready to go?"

"Hold on," Ruby replied.

With satisfaction, the white reaper grabbed her fake wolf ears that were on top of her head. For several years, the brown appendages served her well. Helped her blend in with the dominant faunus society. They were the key for a normal life.

She felt a heightened sense of achievement as she fiddled with the ears. Her friends gazed at her, waiting for her to do the inevitable.

Ruby let them fall to the colorless ground. After the ensuing thump, she crushed them under her foot.

Silver eyes met her friends. "Now I'm ready."

Following her lead, Weiss removed the hood over her head. This revealed her white lion ears. They stood tall, rather than hide. Like Ruby, her mask was her lifeline. The hood wasn't needed anymore.

They took the masks off to be free.

"We have to go," Blake mentioned. "We can't make our friends wait for too long."

Another cold breeze grazed their cheeks. Just after, sparkling snow began to fall from the ashen sky. It was like a blanket that wouldn't provide warmth. The four friends gazed up in utter bewilderment. It was like a dream.

To know if this was real, they grabbed the tiny snowflakes. It was reality. Their palms were wet and partially cold. It was almost too good to be true.

With a broad smile, Ruby tried to catch some cold flakes with her tongue.

It was then that Wilhelmina approached the group. Her footsteps were small, so they barely heard her coming. She too, was entranced by the sight and gazing at the sky in pure awe.

"This snow…" Mina murmured. "It hasn't snowed since that day."

"Yeah," Yang agreed. "It's been a long time."

Unlike that day, this snow was promising. Almost inviting.

To them, it was a sign.

After that, Wilhelmina walked toward her horse, Mercy. According to the plan, they would need the animal. Since the former queen was approaching her beloved steed, the others took that as their cue to get ready.

But the former queen stopped in her tracks. Just before she could pat Mercy on her snout.

It was obvious something bothered her.

"Mama Schnee?" Yang called. "What's up?"

"Mom?" Weiss asked. "Having second thoughts?"

After a deep breath, Mina turned around and walked over to Taiyang. The man had been standing a few meters away from the girls. His role would come eventually. He was supposed to trail behind the group. He didn't mind that, he liked to watch his kids. Be their protector.

When Mina was directly in front of him, she smiled.

"Good luck out there," Taiyang wished her well. "Be careful. Remember, I'll be behind you every step of the way."

Without a word, Wilhelmina got on her tiptoes and gently set a small, pale hand on the side of his face. Fondly, she leaned in and softly kissed his cheek.

Since they were outside, they were cold. Despite the chill, the kiss was warm. Her lips pressed softly on his skin. Somehow, his cheeks radiated heat after that display of affection.

Tai was left blushing as he gazed in those blue pools.

"I know," Mina whispered.

Not knowing how to react, Tai sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and lightly chuckled.

"Damn, mama Schnee!" Yang exclaimed. "Didn't know you had it in ya!"

Willfully, Mina ignored his daughter's comment and sent him another cheerful smile.

"I'll see you soon."

"Y-yeah," Tai stammered.

As Wilhelmina mounted Mercy, her gaze never strayed from his red face. A small smile never faded from her lips.

Weiss grinned amusedly at her mother and leaned onto Yang. "You don't have an issue with my mother and your father becoming a thing, right?"

"Course not," the blonde replied without second thought. She nuzzled sweetly into her neck. "That'll make us even more like family."

The lion faunus tightened her grip around her girlfriend's arm. She rested her head affectionately against her shoulder, not able to wipe the grin from her face.

The thought was nice. It caused a warm, fuzzy feeling to overwhelm the freezerburn couple.

They would fight anyone who would stand in their way to defend that feeling.

Ruby watched the scene with a warm smile.

To keep their life like this, they had to do one more thing.

"Move out!" Ruby commanded.

Unfortunately, the passionate moment had to be cut short. The pair separated and their gazes swirled with love and determination.

It was time.

Ruby curled her lips around her whalebone whistle and blew. The sound was so high-pitched that humans almost couldn't hear it. The lion and cat faunus paid no mind to it. They'd been surrounded by rippling bullets. They were used to it.

With her semblance, the red reaper bolted in front of her friends. She was a red blur and left a trail of rose petals in her wake. She didn't roam too far, knowing she had to wait for her friends.

While Ruby took the lead, Yang and Weiss hopped on Drachen. Meanwhile, Blake adjusted herself behind Mina, who was steering Mercy.

"You heard her, Drachen," Yang said sternly. "Let's go!"

As Drachen shifted to a swift gallop, Weiss tightened her arms around her girlfriend. When they were a steady pace, she glanced over her shoulder. "Don't fall behind, Blake!"

Despite Mercy being smaller, she kept a rapid pace just behind Drachen.

"Hm," Blake scoffed. "Yeah right!"

Yang grinned at the pair and faced forward as the wind hit her face. Her guide was the blob of red and dozens of drifting rose petals. The vibrant petals gave life to the dull atmosphere. The pleasant crimson swirled with the calm snowflakes.

"Time to make history."


There's the title drop!

Stay dandy,

~Toto