A/N I DO NOT OWN RWBY
Welcome to my first RWBY story starring Winter X Ruby!
This pairing has been on a low and I'm desperate for some crumbs, so I decided to write my own story. :D
And I know some people might be icky about the age difference but I will not be writing anything explicit until Ruby is of age. There will be a few hints at it though. ;]
Hope you enjoy reading!
Also readable on A.o.3.
-Chapter 1: Trail of Roses-
"Pfftwhahaha!!"
"Come back here, you little-!!"
The sound of a girl's loud laughter echoed through the hallways followed by the shouting of some grown man.
Winter Schnee, eldest child of the Schnee family and part of the Special Operatives Unit, was busy looking through some reports from a previous mission until she heard that distinct laughter. She didn't need to go and check outside to know what was going on and simply waited for those voices to come closer. She only wondered what that girl did this time to annoy someone - it was still early in the morning.
Her question was answered when a young girl with black and red tip burst through the doors and nearly crashed into her, barely managing to stop herself in time by swerving off to the side. Winter didn't move an inch and simply watched as the girl fell down in front of her.
"Winter!" She let out a pained noise as she collided with the floor, her black wings spread out on the floor.
That's right - black wings.
Though Faunus possess different traits from different animal species, a Faunus with avian or bird attributes are extremely rare - almost non-existent. Yet this girl spread out on the floor had actual functioning wings attached to her back, automatically labelling her as a 'special' person by Ironwood.
"You brat, I swear I'll-" The man entered the room with curses about to be thrown but he immediately shut himself up when he noticed the Schnee in front of him. "S-Specialist Schnee!"
Winter had to do a double take at what she's looking at. From head to toe, the male soldier was covered in what seemed like red paint and it dripped off his body in thick clumps, dyeing the floor along with him. The man looked embarrassed at showing his unsightly appearance to her and nervously shuffled on his spot. Winter sighed and placed a hand to her forehead, already feeling a headache forming.
Who's going to clean all this paint off the floors?
"Ha!" The faunus picked herself up from the floor and quickly hid behind Winter, childishly sticking her tongue out at the guy who glared harder at her. "Can't do anything to me now!
"You..." The man growled under his breath. If she wasn't cowardly hiding behind his superior, he would've given her a massive beating.
"Go get yourself cleaned up," Winter ordered him, ignoring the glaring battle the two were having. "I'll deal with her."
He bit his lip and saluted to her, albeit reluctantly, wanting some sweet revenge on the girl. She didn't even ask how he got like this in the first place.
"Yes ma'am..."
After he left with his pride out of the window, Winter turned around to see the criminal already escaping once again and swiftly captured her with handcuffs as if she'd done this a hundred times before. She most likely did.
"And where do you think you're going?" Winter asked as she held onto the girl who accepted her fate the moment she was cuffed. "Ruby."
"Hehe," Ruby chuckled nervously and looked back up at her, those silver eyes glimmering with mischief.
"Forgive me?"
Somewhere in Solitas, there were rumours spreading among the residents. Each rumour slightly varied from one another, but one thing was for sure. There's two opposing sides to the story - one which causes fear while the other causes salvation. There was no in between.
"It was the devil, I tell you! It was covered in blood and watched us from above, waiting for us to let down our guard to attack!"
"I was so scared...but at the same time, I couldn't take my eyes off them. Then they just left, leaving me all alone. I...want to see them again."
"I can still hear it messing with me! Mocking me...Oh- that tune! Leave me alone! I-I don't want to hear it any more!"
"Such a lovely melody! We were lost and couldn't find our way back due to the sudden snowstorm, and that's when we heard it. That song...It was guiding us home."
"It was faster than anything I've seen and...blood! I swear a trail of blood was left behind as it flew away!"
"Red petals and black feathers- a reminder of my saviour as I was trapped under ice for hours...The colour red had never felt so comforting before."
Winter had thought those rumours were all absurd and illogical at first when she went to look into it. But when the Grimm ambushed and surrounded her and her team, she finally understood what those accounts meant.
Not far from the devil or a saviour- the little girl had black wings protruding from her back and wore a blood red cloak, simply observing them from above. Winter couldn't take her eyes off her as the girl whistled loudly which caught the Grimm's attention away from the group. The girl then took something out from inside her cloak and stretched her wings out, flying high up in the sky while staring down at them. Winter watched as she threw whatever was in her hand at the Grimm and it exploded in bursts of flames, black feathers fluttering around in the hot air. This distraction allowed the Schnee to quickly command her group and finish off the remaining Grimm, leaving not one alive.
During their whole fight, the girl just watched and waited, only descending back to Earth when the flames had died down and the Grimm slain. She landed right in front of Winter which allowed the two to see each other's appearance up close. Sparkling silver eyes with long lashes, silk black hair with red tips, pale white skin and soft pink lips - Winter was already captivated without even knowing.
Then those eyes suddenly turned into crescents and her warm hands reached up to hold Winter's cheeks, a smile forming on her face. The Specialist was surprised by the action and couldn't do anything to stop the girl from pulling her head down to her level, blue eyes staring right into silver ones.
You're beautiful." Her voice sounded like silk to the ears even if it was slightly laced mischief.
"I've fallen for you."
Winter wasn't sure if her face was flushed or not, but she was definitely rendered speechless at the sudden compliment, her body freezing up on the spot. Though, just as fast as she grabbed her, the girl also let go of her, a giggle escaping her lips. She took a few steps back and placed her hands behind her back, already preparing to leave.
"You should come visit sometime."
Her original mission was to locate the source of the rumours and determine if it was a threat or not. If it was, then she was to exterminate it. If it wasn't, then leave it alone. But something else within Winter told her to capture her alive and bring her back to Atlas where it is much safer than out here in the freezing snow.
This was the first time she ever felt truly selfish - wanting something that she had no right to. More so than when she had abandoned her family name to join the military.
So without warning nor permission, Winter took the girl, whose name she later discovered was Ruby, with her.
That was a year ago and Winter still looks back to her infatuated self that day with regret and shame. What was she thinking listening to her desires? What happened to all the training she did in the military?
"Hey, Winter," Ruby called out while wearing an innocent smile, staring outside the giant window. "Isn't the weather nice today?"
"I'm not letting you out." Winter simply said with a straight face as she sipped her tea and Ruby squawked, feeling wronged.
"How cruel!" She exclaimed, struggling to undo the binds that tied her down. "And here you said that you would let me go if I cleaned up all the paint!"
"I've never said that." Winter rolled her eyes, placing down her cup back on the saucer. "I only said 'to clean up the paint first and then we'll see'."
"Liar!" Ruby shouted, her cheeks puffing up in anger. "You con artist! Jerk! Big, big dummy!"
"Whatever you say." Winter sighed and rubbed her temple, drowning out the weak insults thrown at her. After bringing the avian faunus back to Atlas, everyday onwards was another headache. From that narcissistic personality to that carefree attitude, Ruby has caused trouble whenever and wherever she goes. Even General Ironwood couldn't escape her daily pranks to the point he just accepts everything that happens now - but this could also just be because of his soft spot for the young girl.
Though, not everything is bad. Alongside with those troubles, Ruby had also brought some liveliness to Atlas who so desperately needed it. The air felt a bit less suffocating and even menial tasks were interesting once she was present. Winter found herself breaking out of her stern and cold nature more times than she liked - many others being a victim to this as well. It also helps that Ruby's ability to fly has saved them countless times in hunting down Grimm and in all the search and rescue missions.
"Ahh...life is hard." Ruby languished as she sipped some tea in front of Winter, sitting comfortably on the chair. Winter was slightly surprised at her appearance and looked over at the spot Ruby once occupied, finding the lone handcuffs left innocently on the floor.
She closed her eyes for a few seconds and this happened.
"How did you get out of those?" Winter frowned, unable to figure out how she was able to escape. Those were modified specifically with top of line materials and engineers to capture criminals and stop them from escaping, yet Ruby always easily gets out of them as if it was just some plain rope. There were no visible signs of damage to the handcuffs - it was still in perfect condition.
"As if some handcuffs can stop me," Ruby snorted as she placed a rose petal in her teacup. A smirk then slowly formed on her face and her eyes gained a certain glint in them.
"Unless it's being used inside a bedroom, I don't mind being tied down."
Winter was visibly disgusted at her insinuation and backed away from the young girl, not that it would stop Ruby from pursuing further.
"Don't worry." Ruby leaned forward on her hands with a smile on her face, her wings behind moving along with her.
"Only you have the privilege of doing that to me."
"I rather not have that privilege, thank you." Winter instantly dismissed her words and looked elsewhere, returning back to her cold exterior.
"Don't say that." Ruby pouted at how quickly she was shut down and stood up to go hug Winter from behind, leaning her chin on other's shoulder.
"You're the only one I'm interested in."
That's right. When Ruby said she had fallen for her back when they first met, she meant it seriously. While constantly making suggestive jokes and engaging in physical affection, Ruby stuck to the Schnee almost 24/7 - but that was also Winter's fault for suddenly bringing her into an unknown environment with no one she knows. Winter had gotten somewhat used to this new situation and can't say she disliked it, but that doesn't mean it felt right.
For one thing, Ruby was a minor, only 15 years old, whereas Winter was already 21 this year. This fact just screams out illegal and Winter didn't want to have to go jail because Ruby wanted to sleep with her. That would be a horrible way to end up locked up behind bars.
"Get off of me." Winter had spoken in a harsh tone but did not fight back which simply made Ruby hug her tighter.
"No," Ruby opposed in a heartbeat, snuggling further into her shoulder. "I need my daily hugs."
"Wanting something and needing something is two completely different things," Winter stated, trying to pry those hands off of her.
"You're wrong!" Ruby argued, fighting to hold on. "These daily hugs are necessary! It's my main source of energy!"
"That isn't-"
Suddenly, Winter was cut off by the sound of her scroll going off and she quickly took the device out of her pocket, seeing the name of her boss clear on the screen. She answered the call without a second thought and her voice turned back to its emotionless and robotic tone.
"This is Winter Schnee speaking," Winter recited for the millionth time.
"Winter, I need you in my office within 15 minutes." General Ironwood's voice answered on the other end. "And do find and bring Ruby along with you. She's needed for this mission."
"Today's your lucky day, Terminator!" Ruby interrupted with a huge grin, purposely putting emphasis on his nickname. "I'm already here with Winter."
Winter sighed at her lack of respect while Ironwood just laughed when he heard her voice.
"Yes, I can hear that, Ruby." Ironwood's laughter died down to small chuckles. "Since you heard my orders, I'll be waiting here for both your arrival."
"Roger that!" Ruby affirmed.
"We'll be arriving shortly to your office, General Ironwood." Winter abruptly ended the call and pocketed her scroll, getting up off her chair.
Ruby finally released Winter's shoulders even if she didn't want to and proceeded to lead the way, a small bounce in her steps. Before she even made it to the door, Winter's arm wrapped around her waist and wings, picking her up and carrying her by her side as if she was some sort of parcel. Ruby was caught off guard and froze up when she felt the cold arms around her.
"H-hey, I can walk by myself!" Ruby cried out but still wasn't let down. "Winter!"
"I recall you saying those exact words before and I wonder what happened then?" Winter question in a sarcastic tone and continued her way to Ironwood's office.
"I'm serious this time!" Ruby pleaded and made a futile attempt to escape her clutches.
"I've also heard that." Winter instantly shot her down. Ruby whined and struggled furiously to at least get one of her arms free but Winter was a lot stronger than her. She even tried to use her wings to fight back but all it did was wiggle helplessly behind her. Her face flushed red and she looked at Winter with sad puppy-eyes.
"Winterrr..."
If the Schnee hadn't been exposed to that look before, she would've faltered and lost her stern facade. Maybe - that line was very thin.
This act was witnessed by many people as the duo walked down the hallways and they simply thought nothing of it, already seeing this scene many times before. Some even mocked Ruby for being caught once again to which the girl just glared and promised them revenge. They waved her off nonchalantly and went on with their day.
"Oh, they'll regret ever mocking me." Ruby chuckled maniacally as a shadow covered her eyes, already planning all of their demise.
"We're here." Winter's clear voice brought Ruby out of her thoughts and she waited to be put down, her grin disappearing when it didn't happen.
"Uhh, are you going to set me down now?" Ruby asked nervously but Winter simply knocked on the door and entered the room without receiving a reply. Ironwood turned around from behind his desk and was amused by the sight presented to him.
"I see that you aren't taking any chances with her." Ironwood commented as Winter walked in carrying Ruby.
"Considering what happened last time," Winter unceremoniously dropped Ruby on the floor, earning a noise of complaint, "this is just a precaution."
"It certainly wasn't a pleasant time." Ironwood went to sit down on his chair. "We spent a full hour tracking her down. Even the rest of Ace-Ops had to be called upon."
"Humph! It wasn't my fault you guys are terrible at catching me..." Ruby mumbled out loud and received a fist on the top of her head. "Ow- Hey!"
"So why have you called for us, General?" Winter went straight to the point and asked her boss, ignoring Ruby glaring at her.
"I'm assuming you two already know about the upcoming Vytal Festival being held in Vale." Ironwood simply replied with a friendly demeanour.
"Omg!! Are we going to visit the festival?!" Ruby suddenly cut in and beamed with happiness, walking up to the desk and slamming her hands on it. "Are you finally going to bring me with you?! Can I participate in the tournament?!"
"Ruby, manners." Winter scolded the girl and was met with a dismissive affirmation.
"Yes, yes, and no." Ironwood answered all her rapid questions calmly. "The two of you won't be coming with me just yet. I first need to meet up with the Headmaster of Beacon Academy to discuss some matters beforehand."
"Not yet?" Ruby frowned. "But the festival's so soon! Don't tell me we're going to miss out the first half of the tournament?"
"I'm afraid that's most likely the case." Ironwood spoke with a little sympathy for the girl.
"What?! No!" Ruby sulked loudly, her wings fluttering in defiance. "Terminator, you've got to at least allow us to arrive on time!"
"Ruby, I won't repeat myself." Winter frowned.
"Alright, alright." Ruby flinched away from the cold Specialist and went to tug on Ironwood's sleeve, her wings still fluttering behind her.
"But you need to convince Beacon's Headmaster for us, Termina-uh- Sir."
Ironwood paused and tried to remember if he ever told Ruby about the problem between him and Ozpin before. She must've realised on her own during her time here, or maybe it was when she was on a mission. He did feel proud a little at the thought.
"I'll see what I can do." Ironwood sighed and patted her head, ignoring her grumbling about messing her hair up.
This was going to be difficult as he and Ozpin shared completely different views. Though he's been trying to avoid the conservation as much as possible, he also must discuss the situation regarding Ruby. Ozpin might already suspect something fishy going on but chose to keep silent about it.
He silently observed Ruby as she skipped back to Winter's side with a huge smile, trying to hug the tall Schnee but failed. Winter simply held her head back with one arm as Ruby's short arms could not possibly reach her target.
It's not that he doesn't trust Ruby, or believe she's even a threat, but there were simply too many mysteries surrounding the girl and how she came to be.
Where did she come from?
Who were her parents?
How did she survive this long alone in the cold?
What are her motives and goals?
Not to the mention, the similarities between her and a certain Huntress in Vale was uncanny to the point it was abnormal. Unless the Huntress had a secret child, it shouldn't be possible for Ruby to resemble her so much.
"This is going to be a long discussion."
-End-
Thank you for reading!
Feel free to give me any criticism or ideas about the story!
Stay tuned for next chapter! ;D