A/N: Expect this to be slow burn. In general will have updates every other day. Will probably have tons of mindless fluff.
Two weeks have passed since the fledgling group started their journey. Jaune had last watch today and as such, he has the pleasure of watching the sunrise. The sky turning brilliant shades of gold and red. It was absolutely beautiful, and heartbreaking. The golden haired boy stands staring at the clouds, lost in thought. A hand on his arm calls his mind back from the spinning void of "what if's". Blue eyes meet silver and then return to the sky. Ruby follows his gaze and sighs. "I miss her too." Jaune, in turn places his hand on hers. They watch the sunrise silently comforting each other.
Nora wakes and scans the area she smiles softly at her two friends. Stretching and yawning she calls good morning to the camp. They have breakfast, pack camp up and head out. They should officially make it to the first town on their journey by dusk. The day passes uneventfully. They start to to think they may be off course. The road that exists on the map is nowhere in sight. They decide to press on and are rewarded when they crest a hill, and are greeted with the sight of a tiny village. Ruby's eyes dance with excitement. The purple blue light of dusk casts an almost magical glow on the little community.
Ren and Nora take the lead checking into the hunters lodge. They had seen many in their day and are used to the process. Their room is fairly standard, but its cozy. Jaune chuckles when Ruby flops down on her bed with a sigh of happiness. "Real beds!" She cheers. Nora follows suit joining in on the childish antics. Jaune and Ren just share a smile reveling in the small moment of joy. They have dinner and shower before going to sleep. None stir through the night. They wake refreshed and ready to take on the day. The first order of businesses is heading for the local weapons and dust store.
The three had no idea what turning Ruby loose in that store would be like. Jaune watches the tiny reaper inspect and marvel at the weapons. She's roped one of the clerks into a drawn out conversation.
"Oh this is amazing!" Ruby whispers almost reverently. Turning what looked to be a close approximation of Yang's gauntlets in her hands. "I thought weapons monthly said this wouldn't be out until next year!"
"Oh, this is just the mock up for the display case. The real ones will be out in about six months. We can place a preorder for you though, if you'd like." The clerk replies, ready to launch into a sales pitch.
"Oh, that's okay, I'm a travelling huntress. I'm not sure if or when we'll be back in town. I do need some specific rounds for my weapon though." Ruby asks half looking at a display behind the counter. Jaune, not needing dust rounds settles for just watching Ruby in her element. He smiles at her unadulterated joy that seems to double when the clerk brings out her dust rounds. The clerk seems to have taken a liking to the girl and brings her another display item of a yet to be released weapon. Jaune smirks, somehow knowing the clerk just opened pandoras box.
He takes to browsing the store. His shield could use some oil for the mechanism and a good whetstone for his blade couldn't hurt. Finding what he needs he finds Ren and Nora they are already done shopping. Nora half laughs "I'm gonna have to drag her out kicking and screaming, aren't I?" Ren shoots her an amused look.
"I'll go get her. You two can wait outside if you want." They do prefer waiting outside. Jaune secretly thinks Nora just wants a bit of rare alone time with Ren. He shakes his head, he may be blind when it comes to his own relationships with girls, but he can see Ren and Nora just fine. He makes his way back to the counter he last saw Ruby at. Her short stature makes her impossible to see above the display racks, but he can hear her voice. He raises an eyebrow she doesn't seem to be talking about rounds or weapons, but its hard to hear the conversation over the stores music and other patrons. There's a nervousness he is picking up on. He rounds the corner and can now see why. A young man is doing his very best to get her to agree on a date with him. Shen she looks up and sees Jaune her eyes plead with him to help. Protectiveness washes over the young knight like he's seldom felt. He isn't sure exactly what he can do, but he walks to her side.
"Hey..Ruby, there you are" He starts lamely.
"Oh, hey Jaune, is it already time to go?" She stammers a bit. Thankfully that's all it takes to get the boy to lose interest. He makes a small disgruntled sound before walking off muttering under his breath. Ruby shoots Jaune a smile of thanks, he returns a smile of his own. He sticks by her side as she buys her rounds and they walk out of the store together. The blonde boy not paying any attention to the fleeting protective emotion.
They rejoin Ren and Nora and finally out of earshot from the boy Ruby thanks Jaune and visibly relaxes. Though she is still pouting about being interrupted. They decide lunch would be a good idea "food always makes me feel better." Jaune quips lightly elbowing Ruby. He almost laughs at the instantaneous moon change the idea elicits in her. She is adorable he decides. He remembers the hopeless feeling from a few weeks ago. Those feelings seem so far away now. The feeling of gratitude swells in his chest as they walk towards a small diner. Nora turns to ask Ruby a question and catches the look on Jaune's face, he has a softness in his eyes and a soft smile on his face. Nora thinks to herself that the boy doesn't know what she can plainly see. It's a very subtle thing, but something she can just tell is going to grow, however slowly.
A/N: that's tonight's chap