After arriving at the airdocks and receiving a mission briefing before boarding, the red and white pair made their way to into to the airship and took their seats. The flight duration they were told would be three hours, somewhat surprising to the pair since airships used to deploy hunters were not very large but were capable of incredible speeds and were top of the line.
That only emphasized how far and remote they were being sent. Making their margin for error and chances of being sent support if things went south next to none. There were just too many grimm and so few hunters and huntressess to send out for additional support. They would have to make due with just the two of them and find a way to prevail against the odds.
The pair learned from the briefing that their mission was to exterminate a nest of Beowolves that were encroaching on a coastal dust mining and fishing settlement. Ruby was sitting to Weiss' left and was beginning to doze off, her head bobbing to the right lightly.
"Mmm... berries~ I'll take a hundred baskets worth please."
Ruby seemed to be dreaming while managing to keep her head upright. Weiss couldn't suppress the little giggle that rose up from within her when she saw a little bit of drool coming out the side of her partners mouth. Weiss took her handkerchief and gently wiped it away, slowly moving her finger tips beneath the clothe to trace along Ruby's soft lips.
Weiss couldn't take her eyes off her partner's sleeping face, her focus being drawn to those perfect lips. Weiss was taken out of her daze when Ruby fully gave into the bobbing and slumped onto Weiss' left shoulder and side. Ruby's quiet breathing, warm contact, and sweet rosey fragrance sent electricity and tingles shooting through the older girl who normally had an adversion to touch.
Weiss found that since becoming partners with Ruby, physical contact when it involved her crimson companion came to be expected... and was even starting to become something she looked forward to in her interactions with Ruby. Be it studying, training, or just spending time together doing chores, running errands, and just lounging around with movies and games.
"...N-nooo... No please... don't go!..."
Ruby seeming to have went from having a silly pleasant dream to a nightmare. Her peaceful sleeping face turned into one of saddness and fear. Lips slightly quivering, hands clenched, but seeming to be subconsciously grasping for something. This surprised Weiss. Ruby had told her that she didn't have nightmares often, and not to worry. Was Ruby lying to her to save face? What could've happened to the younger girl to have caused her to have these recurring nightmares?
"Quick! What did Winter do when I was having an nightmare!?"
Weiss thought to herself. Thinking back to her younger years when being plagued by night terrors for almost a whole year. Silly as it may sound, she snuck into the corner of their giant living room as Winter and her friends were watching a new scary movie that was all the rave.
Weiss witnessed parts of the horror movie that involved some sort of possessed doll, simply too overwhelming for a child at her age. She couldn't care less about staying hidden for long. Running away crying with Winter chasing after her to console her, and every night she needed from then on.
"Well, it is getting a bit chilly..."
Weiss quietly said to no one in particular before relenting and snuggling more closely against Ruby. Weiss tentatively nestled her head atop Ruby's before fully giving in and losing herself in her partner's warmth, wrapping her left arm around Ruby's waist and pulling her snug against herself.
"Shhh it's just a bad dream, just a dumb nightmare Ruby. You're fine, I'm here. I'm here now."
Weiss whispered, her voice full of warmth as she brushed the hair out of Ruby's eyes and tucked them behind her ear.
This seemed to cease Ruby's nightmare and earned her a little humm of approval from the slumbering reaper.
"Mmmmm"
Ruby's head snuggled closer into the crook of Weiss' neck. Her hands grasping firmly around and holding onto the arm currently wrapped around her waist. A goofy adorable smile returning to her face. Ruby's breathe was ghosting against the sensitive skin along Weiss' collarbone. This causing the white haired girl to momentarily tense up, eyes wide open. Weiss' eyes scanned the aircraft to be certain there were no prying eyes on them. Seeing that they were not being watched, she relaxed further into her rosey leader, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment.
"It hasn't even been an hour and this dolt is already fast asleep. Oh well it can't be helped. She is always so full of energy and does tend get up the earliest. Best to let her rest." She thought to herself.
Weiss couldn't help but smile and be filled with pride when thinking of Ruby's drive and improvement over the time they've been together. Admitted two years early and already giving the best hunters and combat specialist a run for their money.
Ruby really lived up to the nickname Red Reaper, coined by her local news paper in patch. Able to wipe out a pack of around 20+ grimm alone and by herself three years before ever being admitted to beacon. The present crimson goofball currently snuggled up against the heiress probably multiple times moreso deadly than her former younger self.
To pass the time Weiss was looking at numerous reports of missing villagers on her scroll, along with photo evidence that detectives took at the scenes. Large claw marks, torn scraps of dirty clothing, and blood trails remain at the scenes. It was evident these attacks had all been the doings of grimm, a large pack at that. From the reports it seemed that this nest in particular harbored around 40-50 large fast moving grimm.
"Sounds simple enough. Ruby will probably take care of more than half of the grimm before they even get a chance to get within my range."
Weiss thought and grinned to herself before her partner's unique fragrance began lulling the heiress to sleep.
They would be dropped off at the coastal settlement to get set up in a hotel and store their extra gear. They would need to grab brunch somewhere, having skipped breakfast to catch their early flight. Then they needed to speak to the villagers and their police chief to inquire about more recent eye witness reports.
The intercom crackled a bit before a feminine voice from a flight crew member rang out from the speakers built into the overhead.
"We are nearing our destination, please be prepared to disembark shortly."
Ruby slowly came into consciousness and made a tiny yawn, eyes still completely shut. Weiss was still peacefully sleeping, apparently a heavy sleeper today, which was a rare sight. Never in Ruby's life had an airship ride ever felt so comfortable she thought to herself.
Ruby's eyes shot open as the current situation caught up to her. Ruby's face quickly turning into the shade of her namesake when realizing she was unable to move. Having dozed off during the long boring flight, but somehow ending up currently nestled into the Glyph wielder's neck. The older girl's own head resting atop her own. With said girl's arm currently wrapped snuggly around her waist.
Ruby felt her heart rate climb but was oddly completely content with the idea of staying in their current embrace. But she knew they had been tasked an important mission, lives depended on it. So Ruby gently squeezed and shook Weiss' arm that she was conviently already holding onto, and roused her partner awake.
Weiss' head slowly rose, allowing Ruby's to also do the same. Weiss hadn't expected to fall asleep during the flight given how the usually uncomfortable, upright, and stiff Hunter airship seats were. Making it often, nearly impossible for the heiress that was accustomed to luxery to become relaxed enough to sleep on. But somehow on this ordinary huntsman airship, she felt like she had the best nap in her entire life.
Weiss' memory was slow to catch up with her. This feeling of warmth, along with her arm being protectivly held and wrapped around something warm. Weiss took a deep inhale and found she was subconsciuously trying to nuzzle back into Ruby's hair. Following the red head with her blue eyes still shut and trying to once again rest against her comfortable pillow. Only when she felt her face landed on nothing but air did things finally begin to register.
"Mmmm... Oh my goodness! R-ruby!?"
Weiss all but yelped, her left arm still firmly in place, gripped around Ruby's waist without realization yet instinctively. Her face turning a light shade of pink, still processing everything.
"Heya~! Wakey wakey~ we're about to land soon."
Ruby all but sang, full of her usual bubbliness and energy. Seemingly unperturbed by their close proximity. Either that or she had an incredible poker face.
"T-thanks for letting me borrow your shoulder eheh, I'm sorry I fell asleep on you Weiss... How was the flight for you?"
Ruby added rather shyly with a heart melting smile. Seemingly trying to avoid the topic of their napping position during the flight. The hands that were holding onto Weiss' arm now gone and busy nervously fidgeting with one another in front of her chest.
"Am I going crazy? I hoped that I wasn't the only one having these crazy thoughts and feelings welling up inside me. It couldn't possibly true for Ruby to be feeling the same way. It couldn't be right!?"
Weiss tried but failed to recomposed herself quickly to respond.
"The flight was fine for me, far better than any I've ever had before actually."
Uh oh! Weiss didn't mean for her words to come out so... FLIRTY! and DORKY! This would be the end of her! Ruby would think she was weird and trying to come onto her!
"Pfft that's a relieve, I was super worried I made you uncomfortable, and I feel the same way too! Best flight I've ever had~!"
Relief washed over Weiss as she just stared back into to those beautiful shimmering silver pools and lost herself in them. Her stomach and chest were once again feeling like they were full of fluttering butterflys.
"Umm uhh Weiss?
"Yes, Ruby?
"Umm I need to get up to grab our bags... Could you umm... M-move your..."
Ruby shyly pointed to Weiss' left arm wrapped firmly, almost possessively around her waist.
"O-of course! My apologies."
Weiss said, trying her best to remain poised and suppress her blush. As she withdrew her arm from around Ruby, she felt a pang of sadness and want. Her red companion got up and went for their bags that were tucked into the compartment above them.
"No worries~! It's totally fine!"
Ruby said with what seemed to be a blush on her face. Hiding her face by holding their bags in front of herself before handing Weiss her bags along with Myrtenaster. Then they both got up from their seats ready to disembark. The duo looked at eachother in the eyes before taking their first steps towards the exit of the ship.
Ruby's face seemed to be filled with resolve, determination and confidence. It always got like this whenever they got in real danger or a hunt. Weiss felt herself feeling reassured and ready when looking back into those silver eyes.
"I Will keep us safe. We'll protect eachother. Together we are indomitable."
The heiress thought to herself. She would protect this brilliant light, cherish it. There was something special about Ruby. She just couldn't explain it.
"Lets do this princess! Time to slay grimm~!"
Weiss replied with a pout and glare but then quickly smiled and nodded.
"Right~! Shall we?"
To be continued...
A/N: whew this one was a lot of fun to write~ I really spend lots of time trying to make it as interesting to write as it may be to enjoy from the reader's side. I hope you all like it.
Please comment and tell me what you like or dislike if you would be so kind! Reading comments make me so happy! Just knowing someone else out there read what I wrote, makes me feel all warm inside.
