I debated a while whether or not to post this, given my original note about the possibility of having a future in writing RWBY Fanfiction. But I posted it on Ao3, and in the end, it'd be unfair to keep this away.
"Fireteam RWBY" is essentially me testing out my writing. When I'm having trouble with Years of Lost or just in general, I've turned to this. It's kept me busy, at least, and ensures that I don't get rusty. Well, any more rusty.
I don't promise anything too extraordinary out of this. This isn't "One Shot Wonders" by any means necessary (which you should go read, and anything else Mikotyzini has and will post), but I did get the idea from it. At the very least, again, it'll keep me writing.
If you have any ideas for this, by all means, please send them. I want to test my writing, try to get better. Again, I don't promise anything extraordinary, but I do promise I'll work on it, try to make something out of it, and post it. And hey, if you're just here to read, that's fine too. I hope you enjoy it. :)
Summary: Downtime post-Red War has Ruby shelving books in the refurbished Vanguard Library, as well as time to reflect.
"'Help out in the library,' she said. 'You don't have anything to do right now,' she said. 'It'll be fun,' she said. 'You need to be more productive,' she said."
Ruby kept grumbling as she roughly slotted the books into their supposed proper place, cloak billowing with each frustrated swing of her arms. All the necessary scouting positions were already claimed by eager Hunters hoping to tread beyond the reconstructed wall, leaving Ruby without much to do.
Thankfully (not really), Yang had suggested that Weiss needed help restocking the Vanguard library, as Ikora was busy overseeing reconstruction efforts on the last damaged portions of the City. With the Red War over, there was finally a moment of peace and quiet, a time of solace that all Guardians shared in honor of those who fell during Ghaul's incursion.
Ruby herself witnessed many of his heinous acts, having been stuck in the Last City during the aftermath for longer than her team. She still had nightmares watching many of the Guardians she had the pleasure of fighting side-by-side with be cut down without mercy, all in the name of the Red Legion.
In the name of Ghaul.
Her blood boiled as she remembered the fires that lit up civilian homes, how useless she was in stopping the Cabal. Her Light was gone, her Ghost absent. Even after she regained her Light, the first thing she did was cry and scream that she could've done better, could've done more, could've-
"Ruby!"
Ruby realized tears had been streaming down her cheeks, a book clutched tight enough in her grasp she tore through the covering. She gasped, releasing it and stumbling away and clutching her hand to her chest like she touched lava. Her legs bumped against an untouched stack of books and she stumbled, letting out a surprised "eep!" as she collided with the floor.
Tomes rained down around her, wincing as they struck her, resulting in a sting that went through her armor. Ruby groaned; she would never underestimate the power of a book again.
"When you offered to help organize books, I'll admit even I didn't think you'd do this."
Her voice cut through the throbbing headache, like songbirds in the morning. It soothed her aching body and whispered sweet nothings that she grasped to like a lifeline. Through bleary silver eyes Ruby picked out the shape of a slender figure in traditional Warlock robes and a sparkling white ponytail that only one person could ever pull off.
Blinking away the fog and removing the book that covered half her eye, Ruby lost herself in the amused expression Weiss gazed down on her with, ocean blue orbs glinting in humor. Quickly replaced by concern, Weiss gently pulled Ruby out of the graveyard of paper, brushing her cloak free from dust.
"Thank you," Ruby said in a slightly slurred voice, bringing her free hand up to rub away the lingering pain in her head. Weiss offered a small smile in return, raising her own hand up to brush some stray bangs behind her ears.
"You're the reason why Hunters aren't allowed in the library," Weiss teased. "Come on, let's get you sat down."
Holding Ruby in an awkward side-embrace, Weiss guided her over to the large oak Ruby thankfully managed to avoid during her tumble, easing her in the cushioned chair.
"I thought that was Cayde's doing after he tried to get back at Eris for putting her rock on his map?" Ruby returned, voice evening out. Weiss squeezed her shoulder in response, hiding a smirk when Ruby flinched awake from the pressure. She laughed when Ruby tried to swat her away, ducking back before sliding in next to the Hunter.
Silence hovered over them like a blanket, providing Ruby a moment of security to collect herself. She recalled what Weiss showed her a long time ago, when Ruby experienced her first revive. Tightening her shoulders, she sucked in a deep breath, sharp and fast, and exhaled slowly, letting the tension fall off her body in tandem.
She felt a hand on her shoulder where Weiss pinched her, and found the Warlock gently massaging it. Even with the mesh supposed to prevent Ruby from feeling the soothing touch, it didn't stop the warmth from spreading through her body, melting the cold that her memories encased her in. She sent a thankful smile Weiss' way, and received a brilliant sun in return, practically burning off the last of the ice.
It was rare for Weiss to express her emotions freely. After the Red War's conclusion, however, Weiss opened up to her fireteam, Ruby in particular, even sharing in some of Ruby's more physical tendencies. Case in point when Weiss trailed her hand down to gently squeeze Ruby's hand, smile softening.
"You're not normally this distracted," she whispered, even though they were the only two present. "What's on your mind?"
Ruby sighed, shoulders dipping past their natural curve. She turned her hand around to intertwine their fingers, curling her index to rub against Weiss'.
"Red War," she said simply, knowing it was enough. True to her guess, Weiss hesitated in their little game, fingers going ridged before curling tighter. Her head dipped, stray strands of platinum obscuring her face. Ruby didn't need see beyond the veil; she had plenty of memories of the hurricane that gathered in Weiss' eyes, the creases that bore her smooth face, and the deep frown that surmised every lost word that she failed to say.
Above everything that Ruby experienced in the Red War, seeing Weiss' face so distraught and lost was the worst of them all. Her haunted visage had burned into the back of her eyelids, ready to pop out like a monster whenever Ruby tried to sleep.
Ruby squeezed back, brushing her thumb rhythmically over the back of Weiss' hand. The action brought out a sharp gasp from Weiss, followed quickly by a shiver that sent tingles through their entwined hands. Ruby's heart panged at the action, and she moved her free hand under Weiss' chin, securing her loose strands behind her ear before gently cupping her face, feeling every tiny indent of her scrunched skin.
"Weiss," Ruby whispered, slow and soft, "I'm still here." She laced her words with a steady conviction that contrasted the almost hesitant undertone that followed her. Weiss lifted her head up, giving another shuddering sigh as she faced Ruby.
Ruby had to bite back a gasp at the storm that brewed deep in Weiss' eyes, holding within it a haunting that would never truly fade – "what-if"s and "almost"s that will forever rest on the tip of her tongue.
Ruby had many of her own, some she dared not open up about to anyone, not even Yang. Some of her questions scalded her mind and mouth, implanting themselves in her head where they would taunt her for the rest of her life.
"I know Ruby," Weiss rambled through burgeoning hiccups. "I know."
Ruby pulled her into an embrace, leaning their foreheads together in a much needed moment. Ruby's body tingled at the sensation, swimming through her nerves and into her heart, where it forcibly planted itself in place, daring her thoughts to remove it.
Ruby held to that feeling, pulling Weiss closer until no space was left, and Weiss finally choked out a sob, rupturing her walls, and together they let out all the anguish that had built a year of torment.
The Red War taught them many things, showed Ruby a side of the world that she had, as Ghaul said, forgotten about. Guardians were not immortal. Their life could be easily stripped from them in a moment's notice. Just because the Light embraced them did not mean they were invincible. Wherever Light shined, Darkness was there to follow, slinking in the shadow it cast. Some day, the sun would set, taking the light with it, and the dark would set in.
It was Zavala's idea to name the campaign the Red War, not because of the Red Legion, but as a reminder of the blood that had spilled - not just of Guardians, but of those they swore to protect, and the promises they failed to act on. Ruby would never forget the lives lost during the war, a list too long to count, a memorial too high to build. A sobering reminder that her power was not infinite.
As their tears ceased, Ruby clung to Weiss tighter, ensuring that Ghaul's words would never be forgotten. To be worthy of the Light, worthy of the life she was given with Weiss, Blake, and Yang, she needed to prove her right to wield it as more than a Guardian.
How Ruby was going to do that, she didn't know, but as long as she had her team, and the memories of those who couldn't make to see today, she would find out eventually. She just needed to take it one step at a time.
Like I said, nothing too extraordinary. I love Destiny, despite its flaws, despite the current state of the game. Like I've said before with RWBY, all I hope for is to craft a small part of my memories with this game - give it a place to rest in peace without fear of becoming spiteful towards it.
Some of you may remember "Time's Conflux," which was planned to be my RWBYxDestiny story. Unfortunately, it's been too long for me to feasibly continue it. It may come back, it may not, but either way, ideas that I had there will at least make an appearance in "Fireteam RWBY."
Like "Years of Lost," I just hope I can make this enjoyable for some people. That's all I care about. Sometimes my insecurity will get in the way, but if I can just make someone want to read something I've made, that's a victory. And hey, don't forget, if you want to send in some ideas, I'll do my best to make them a reality. Take care everyone. :)