"Awwww, look at him!"
"Ruby no-"
"Ruby yes."
Before Blake could stop her girlfriend, Ruby darted over to the Mirrored. The slithery creature was wiggling across the concrete as the sun beamed down. The pure white noodle slithered and minded its own business.
It was a tiny, noodly white snake with red streaks and crimson eyes to match. Thankfully, regular people couldn't see the snake. Otherwise, there'd be a huge commotion since they were in the city. The creature was much smaller than a grimm taijitu. That's probably why Ruby had no issue interacting with it.
Cautiously, Ruby lifted the baby snake. In response, it stuck its tongue out several times to get a whiff of the handler. It fit right in Ruby's small palm and was smooth to the touch. Somehow, the corners of its mouth were twitched up like it was smiling.
"I shall name you Ramen," Ruby giddily declared. "And you shall be mine. My Ramen noodle."
Curious, Blake inspected the white noodle. "Let me get this straight. You shot a full-grown king taijitu without batting an eye."
"Mhm."
"Freaked out when you found a little taijitu in the bathroom…" Blake continued with amusement in her tone.
"We've been over this," Ruby said obviously. "The toilet changes things."
"It changes lives," from that, Blake chuckled a bit. "Now you pick up snakes without fear?"
"Ramen's one of the Mirrored," Ruby explained. "He's not like other snakeys. He won't bite even if he wanted to. And look at him! Have you ever seen a cute snake before?"
"I can't say that I have," Blake admitted as she poked the smooth back. "Maybe once on pinterest…"
Ruby scoffed. "The internet doesn't count."
The brought her finger away from the scaly creature. "Put Ramen down. We have places to be."
"The bakery?!"
Blake nodded with the widest grin. "The bakery."
"Yes!" Ruby cheered triumphantly. Despite her eccentric demeanor, she was gentle when she set the snake down. "Bye, little guy!"
All the Mirrored did was stick out its tongue before slithered away.
Thankfully, there were no people around. Otherwise, they'd think that the couple was hallucinating.
Blake linked their arms together with such warmth that it felt like it'd been forever.
When the ladybug pair had free time, they spent it with each other. Finals were coming up, so they decided they needed a break. What a better way to spend a break than going to the town's bakery? They'd been there before and had dozens of delectable treats. Not to mention, there wouldn't be many people since it was a school day.
Recently, it felt like it was difficult to get some alone time. The freezerburn couple were always around, so these simple dates were near and dear to their hearts.
"You're so cute," Ruby said as she gazed at her girlfriend under the shy rays. "You know that, kitten?"
From the compliment, Blake blushed. "My rose, I could never be as cute as you."
Ruby walked with a bit of skip in her step. "I guess that's why I really love your semblance."
That interesting comment caught Blake's attention. "How so?"
"There's more of you!" Ruby said like the answer was obvious. "Don't get me wrong, one Blake is good enough. Perfect actually! When you use your semblance I find myself staring at all of you."
That earned a light chuckle. That was one of the sweetest things Ruby's probably said to her. Adorable too. Especially when she said it with that goofy grin of hers.
"I could say the same about you," Blake replied, teasing present. "That is, if I could pinpoint you when you use your semblance."
"Do I really look like a red blur?" Ruby asked, fascinated.
"The best red blur I've ever seen."
"Stop it," Ruby said jokingly. "You're making me blush."
Affectionately, Blake squeezed tighter on Ruby's arm. In return, Ruby smiled and leaned on her taller girlfriend a little.
In no time, they entered the bakery with red faces. Warmth enveloped them as the scent of baked goods lingered in their nostrils. This will be a nice treat.
Ruby fondly gazed at Blake, eagerness sparked in those silver pools. "Are we doing the thing again?"
"What do you take me for?" Blake asked with the wiggle of her brow. "Of course we are!"
In a rush, the couple appeared at the register for the cashier to take their orders.
Blake began and pointed to her girlfriend. "She wants a mildly melted M&M cookie."
"And she wants…" Ruby pondered for a moment. "A warm blueberry muffin."
"Will that be all?" the cashier asked.
"Yep!" Ruby beamed.
After the worker gave them the food, Ruby pulled out her purse.
"Ruby-" Blake tried to protest.
"Uh-uhhh!" Ruby said like she was waiting for her girlfriend to say something. "You paid last time. I pay this time."
That was the golden rule of their dates.
Knowing that had always been the rule, Blake sighed in defeat. "Fine."
"Glad we have an understanding," Ruby sent her a wink.
After Ruby paid for the treats, the couple went to sit outside. Flowers showed signs of budding, more birds sang, and the air was a little warmer.
There were several open tables, so the couple had any for the taking.
Ruby didn't waste any time and eagerly took a bite of the delicious, steaming cookie. "Oh my gosh…"
Based on Ruby's drooling face, Blake smirked. "I'm guessing it's good?"
"It's heaven! How's the muffin?"
"Not sure," experimentally, Blake nibbled on it and smiled. "So good. We know each other so well."
"Well," Ruby began with a grin. "Your favorite fruit is grapes, but that'd be weird if there were grape flavored muffins. So I went with your second favorite fruit."
"Grape flavored muffins," Blake said in disgust. "Gross."
"Yang's eaten weirder," Ruby mentioned.
"I don't doubt that for a second."
For a few moments, it was silent besides the occasional chew.
When the faunus was done chewing, she swallowed. "I love you."
No matter how many times she said that, Ruby always got butterflies in her stomach.
Fondly, Ruby grasped her hand. "I love you, too."
For a while, the ladybug couple just held each other's hands, using their free hands to eat. Blake's cat ears flickers every now and then from the chirps.
Before they knew it, a small Mirrored appeared. It almost mixed with the atmosphere because it was glowing white. This time, it was a tiny white elephant with red markings and a noodly trunk. Like it couldn't even use it yet.
Ruby's eyes widened the size of dinner plates. "Aw. Kitten, look."
The faunus glanced to the side and noticed the peaceful creature. The tiny white elephant barely stood as tall as the chair leg. Behind the elephant, an eager pup playfully trotted up to it. When it was by its side, the cub licked those floppy ears.
This elicited another squeal from Ruby.
From her girlfriend's sound, Blake smiled. "It's so weird not seeing grimm and instead seeing these… balls of happiness now."
"I'll take the Mirrored any day."
"Yeah," Blake leisurely gazed at the sky.
Sure enough, nothing could be normal anymore. Not after this entire experience.
"What the…" the faunus muttered.
"What's the matter?" Ruby asked.
Blake just pointed up.
Together, the freezerburn pair was walking around the city.
The couple held hands during this warm day.
"It's odd adjusting to things," Yang admitted.
"It is," Weiss agreed wholeheartedly. The new things in their life had been odd, but not unwelcome. "It's strange to have a new teacher near the end of the year."
"Right?" Yang agreed eagerly. "Goodbitch is headmaster, the temple is gone, Ozpin's retired forever…"
Weiss gave her hand a firm squeeze. "It's what he wanted. We did the right thing."
"Yeah, we did. He seemed really happy when he was finally free," Yang recalled with a faint smile. "I'll never forget his face."
"Such a calm moment," Weiss mentioned. "At least before we started bawling."
"Yeah," Yang looked down at her free fist. There was a lot more things she had to adjust to. Like not fighting anymore grimm since they no longer exist. "I guess I don't need my brass knuckles anymore," she said in a mixture of relief and sadness.
Those brass knuckles were her prized possessions, and she'd always keep them. It'd just feel odd not using them nearly as much anymore.
When her girlfriend said that, Weiss slid off the bangle around her wrist. She had a feeling that maybe what she'd do next would cheer her up.
"Here."
The priestess no longer needed the jewelry. It served no purpose and she thought Yang would look great with this bracelet. The locket around Weiss' neck was now empty like it should be, so the barrier bangle was no longer protecting her.
Ozpin made it specifically for her. Since Yang was the first student to help Ozpin out, Weiss thought that the two were somewhat closer than the rest of her friends. Which wasn't a bad thing. She just wanted to give Yang something to remember him by.
Yang looked taken aback by the offer. "Y-you're giving this to me?"
"It's yours if you want it," Weiss replied with a smile.
"But why?"
Why?
Did she really need to be told? Her blonde girlfriend was so selfless. Which was all the more reason to fall for her harder.
"As a thank you for everything, Yang," Weiss stated sweetly. "I found all the answers I was looking for because of you."
If Yang didn't follow her into the piano room a year ago, none of this would have happened. The New World would still be unknown, and Weiss would still be living in Hell every day. It was all thanks to Yang that she was this happy right now.
Unable to help herself, Yang squealed and pulled her in for a hug.
"Of course I'd help you. I love you."
Lovingly, Weiss returned the embrace.
"I love you, too."
After they separated, they shared a kiss. During this kiss, Weiss slid the bangle around her girlfriend's wrist. Fondly, Yang and Weiss leaned in as their hands connected. As they leaned into it, they locked together like puzzle pieces in passionate contact.
To Weiss, Yang tasted like how she smelled. Like lemonade.
To Yang, Weiss tasted like sweet peppermint. Like she just applied chapstick.
The two kissed and enjoyed each other's tastes for several seconds, not wanting to pull away.
The way Yang slowly slid her hands down to Weiss' hips. The way Weiss gently entangled her hands with Yang's wild hair. It was almost euphoric.
The modest sun beamed on them calmly as the kiss became more firm.
Reluctantly, they separated with intense blushes.
Yang widely grinned when she got a look at her girlfriend's red face. "W-woah."
All Weiss could do was smile and hold her hand.
The gesture was so sweet it caused Yang to squeal again. "You're so cute."
"And you're beautiful," Weiss replied without missing a beat.
The two continued to walk to an undetermined destination.
"I guess this," Yang lifted her hand to show the bangle. "Makes me a priestess now."
Fondly, Weiss pecked her nose. "The prettiest priestess in all the land."
That earned several chuckles.
"No, no, no," Yang retorted. "That's your job. I'm the lovable brute!"
"You're also the dragon," Weiss added with a smirk.
"Naturally," the blonde replied haughtily. "Now that Kevin's gone, it's official!"
"The moment Tai called you that it was official," Weiss pointed out.
"Good point. Dads' nicknames are the best, snowflake," Yang said with a grin.
Weiss playfully rolled her eyes. "I won't deny that."
As the two walked side-by-side, Weiss noticed something. Since day one, Yang never took it off.
Fondly, Weiss tugged on her girlfriend's orange scarf. "Why're you wearing this? It's not that cold out."
"I could say the same thing about your mittens."
"My hands are always cold," Weiss said knowingly. "You, however, are a heat incarnate."
"I told you, I don't even take it off when I shower," the blonde sent a wink.
That earned a sly grin. "I hope you're kidding."
"I guess you'll never know."
"Or will I?" Weiss replied, perking an amused brow.
That caused Yang to flush crimson.
"There's that adorable flustered face," Weiss pointed out. "I see why you like to tease me so much."
Yang scoffed jokingly. "Oh yeah?"
The blonde was about to grasp her hand, but something forcibly shoved her away. Like the ground itself suddenly dragged her a few feet to the right.
"W-hoah!"
She looked down to see a dazzling white glyph. With a knowing gaze, she noticed her smirking girlfriend.
"Oh, I see how it is!"
After a light yelp, Weiss turned to run. Quickly, Yang wrapped her strong arms around her girlfriend's form before she could get away.
"Ah, my girlfriend is soooo cute!" Yang cooed. "Did ya really think you could get away?!"
"Yaaaaang," Weiss groaned in annoyance.
Her feet were no longer on the ground. They dangled as Yang gently spun her around while giggling. Good thing no one was out walking around. Otherwise, this would be an entertaining show.
From past experience, Weiss learned to just accept it. Since Weiss had no chance against her iron grip, she resigned to her fate. She frowned like grumpy cat the entire time and allowed her girlfriend to have her fun.
After what felt like forever, Yang set her down.
"Was that fun?" Yang asked with a smug grin.
Weiss teasingly placed her hands on her hips and deadpanned. "So much fun."
"Aw, you didn't have fun?" Yang pouted.
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course I did."
"Then why do you look like you wanna kill me?" Yang asked bluntly.
Weiss pointed to her face. "This is my normal face."
"Ah, RBF. Blakey has that problem, too-"
"Hey!"
"I'm joking!" Yang defended. "You know you're perfect."
Fondly, Weiss grabbed her hand. "You're more perfect. Now, come on, let's- what're you looking at?"
"I guess she doesn't care anymore."
Yang was staring at the sky with her mouth hung open in disbelief.
None other than Glynda Goodwitch was flying around on Wanda like it was the most casual thing in the world. She was a mere blonde spec in the sky, but there. It was clear that the headmaster was performing several aerial flips on her broom.
"Good for her," Weiss said softly.
"Hey, can I throw you at her?" Yang asked genuinely.
"Are you trying to kill her?!"
Yang put up her arms defensively. "All I'm saying is that it'd be a funny surprise."
"No."
"Aw."
Not far away, Jaune was standing outside on his balcony to enjoy the scenery.
"What a nice day."
It'd been a long day at school, so he was enjoying every peaceful moment.
When Jaune casually stretched, he gazed up at the sky.
The warm rays beamed on his face. The sky was bright and blue with no clouds in sight. The definition of a perfect day.
What piqued his interest was when a streak of yellow swirled just above. Blue orbs narrowed to accurately depict what was happening. He thought he was seeing things, so he rubbed his eyes.
Was that Ms. Goodwitch?
Confused, Jaune rubbed his eyes again. He had to be seeing things. When his vision cleared, he looked up again.
Yep, that was his headmaster.
On a flying broom.
"Huh. I must be dreaming again."
Love that ongoing joke. Glynda gives zero fucks. She's done. Rightfully so.
Stay dandy,
~Toto
