Ruby tilted her head. Why was she holding a... vintage weapons magazine? It did look brand new. Rubbing the back of her neck, given the size of that needle, she should have felt sore. What did Weiss say?

I am unaware of the side effects, but it should erase 10 years of memories.

Trying to stop herself from replaying the image of Yang pinning her down and muttering apologies while Blake stabbed the syringe into the base of her skull. The shop's entrance bells jingled, and she could hear people filing in. Nearly gasping in excitement seeing a familiar flash of orange hair...was he always that tall?

"Relax, we're not here for your money…" his voice was deeper than that. "Grab the Dust"

Hold on, what?

Jolted by the goon strolling into her aisle, she froze. On this night, Neo was on some 24hr video game challenge. Relaxing, the only real threat tonight was Roman and Cinder. The goon raised his gun to her.

"Gimme your ammo."

"No." Was her assertive voice really this squeaky? Ruby kicked him out the door. Hah no property damage tonight!

Her leg screamed at the effort. Oh fuck, she really was 15 since she hadn't developed those muscles yet. Neatly knocking each of the goons out onto the pavement. Relying way more than comfortable on the OG version of Cresent Rose. Rising slowly from her knees, hearing sirens. Roman only then opened the door blowing a gentle smoke from his lips. Hooked cane resting lightly on his shoulders, the Jack o Lantern easily seen.

She bit her lip, "Well, Pumpkin, the eventful night isn't it?" His eyes ran over her slowly.

You know, the first night we met, I ached to know what was under those tights.

She pressed her thighs together, remembering what it felt like to have kisses trailing under her skirt.

His lips curved in that characteristic way, "Unfortunately, Red, this is where we part ways."

Ruby, mentally calculating the nearest hotel, was caught off guard again by a smoke round in her face. Spluttered while the smoke cleared, she saw him partway up a ladder. She was up in shot on the roof Roman barely on the plane. He growled, "persistent."

Beaming, "thanks for the compliment, Pumpkin!"

Jaw clenched, his fingers fumbled with a fire crystal he threw at her, his Melodic Cudgel level. Instead of letting him shoot it when it landed at her feet, she shot it midair.

He yelled, "get us out of here!"

Cinder was the pilot. No Glynda would need to see her! The plane was soon out of sight. A Stern disciplinarian pushed up her glasses.

XXX

Ruby in a police station gave her report, her mind spun. Given how her body moved, she wasn't just rolling around in her own memories. Glynda, of course, did not allow the time for Ruby to move through a methodical approach.

Glynda, "personally I'd like to slap you on the back and then the wrist. But someone would like to meet you."

Ruby, "headmaster Ozpin."

Glynda's head reeled back slightly.

Balancing a tray of cookies on top of his mug as he enters. Smiling with a familiar gentleness, Ruby had to close her eyes. She didn't want to remember the last time she saw that smile. When she tried to treat Oscar's wounds while screaming for Jaune. Then, feeling a calloused hand rest on her own. Finally, prying open her gaze to see the curiosity in those yellow eyes. Blindly she wondered where Oscar was in there.

Not yet.

Maybe never.

Not if she had a say.

Her tone was high but filled with experience, "Sir, what is your favorite fairy tale?"

Ozpin gaped.

Xxx

Ruby had to grip both her hands and walk straight past an out of safety compliance Weiss. Ugh she wanted to make that Dust Crazed Scientist explode. Ruby pressed her interlocked fingers to her stomach. She was pregnant or will be. It only felt like days ago that Ruby threw her arms around her husband, squealing that they were having twins. And Roman was vetoing her adorable name ideas.

Her husband was unreasonable. They were perfectly charming names!

In truth, or linearly a few days ago, she told Oscar…. Ozpin that she would have Roman again only earlier. If she was trapped in a ten loop. Would have as many years as possible will her rogue.

Fuck team RWBY.

And Ozpin seemed to have the wisdom to avoid Ruby's pressing and exceptionally valid resentments.

"Ruby Rose as team leader and her team, Pyrrha Nikos, Li Ren, & Nora Valkerie. Congratulations, and may you learn to support each other as friends and huntsmen." She threw her arms around Pyrrha, vowing to save her life. Seeing the invincible girl's face heat, Ruby immediately regretted embarrassing her. "Sorry" then the petite girl grinned viciously, hearing Weiss scream at Jaune Arc being team leader.

Xxx

Ruby's husband told her about the apartment complex he lived in Vale. He loved luxury, from his cigars to their fine silk sheets. She assumed he'd be in the penthouse. 20 floors later and embarrassingly after knocking on each door, noting who didn't answer and committing to try those later. Her feet hurt, she learned in her 20's how to walk and fight in these things. the 15-year-old her didn't build up the endurance for it yet.

A third-floor door swung open and a girl with dull brown hair and eyes opened it. Ruby knew the tilt of that head anywhere. Smoothing her black dress, "um hi miss Torchwick, I'd like to speak to your younger brother?"

Neopolitan jerked her inside, Ruby spotted the parasol close and gripped it for herself. Faintly she heard the telltale gears wind and smugly thought, I've not silence that melody yet. Letting the hook of his cane drag her close, she pointed the tip of hush at his throat. Her mouth-watering at the smell of him, faintly sweet with the expensive cologne. Long orange lashes a muted tan line from where his bangs usually laid. Her fingers looped through the neck of his collar, and bright green Aura flashed against the needle tip of hush.

Her tongue felt thick in her mouth, "I want to speak to you alone." Immediately stepping away and tossing Hush back to Neo. Slowly she lifted the hem of her skirt, not missing his adam's apple bob. Then, throwing the knife strapped to her thigh aside. She stood defensively and expectantly. He made no move she could see, but she heard the door open and close behind her.

"How'd you find this place Red?"

Helping herself to his fridge and pouring herself a glass of skim 'milk', "The great Roman Torchwick living in an apartment that looks more suited for a two-bit thug."

He scratched his cheek, "I um rather invest."

Her brow quirked. That sounded like Neo. "I can respect that."

"Why are you here then?"

She flushed from embarrassment. It suddenly felt dirty to manipulate Roman to switch sides purely because she wanted to be wrapped up in his arms. He was too young, and so was her body to start this sort of commitment.

But maybe she could save Pyhrra and Oscar. Perhaps she could make sure her fellow hunters at least accept Roman. At least enough so, so they don't drug her and start this time loop mess again.

It was wrong. Roman was still a boy. And she was taking advantage of the few private fantasies he shared of her.

Her face still heated, "I um, think you're attractive." She wasn't lying. As much as she wanted to watch him process that tidbit, she forced herself to look away. Roman had to feel like a predator if she was to capture his heart again. And so she forced herself to fidget.

"Oh and why do I care?"

"I saw how you looked at me when we fought. You've been watching me since."

She honestly hoped she didn't fuck that up.

Leaning melodic cudgel against the wall, "You make me sound like a stalker."

"Fine, let's call it surveillance. The point is you think I'm appealing too." Curse her pale cheeks. How could they get hotter!

She could barely see the green in his eyes, when he finally spoke, "What do you want to do with that information?"

I want you to fuck me so thoroughly I actually believe my name is Red….again. That was probably too tall of an order for a 17-year-old boy, "Kiss?"

His slender finger tilted her chin up to him. His lips quirked, "Red, I'm more than a head taller than you."

She huffed, crossing her arms, "I'm 15! I'll get taller!" She did, and fortunately for her, Roman only had one more inch of growing. She'd end up a proud five feet and five inches to his 6' 4". Pouting, it was really unfair, although it was thrilling how easy it was for him to toss her around. Thumb brushing over her protruded lip. Silver met green, and his mouth briefly, softly, pressed against hers. She whined at the contact, and as he pulled away, she pushed herself against him. Her face was buried in his chest.

Goodness she missed him.

Goodness she felt guilty.

Red, you were my first crush.

And now she stole his first kiss. His arms tightened around her, and she knew she would not

Could not

Ever stop

Roman Torchwick was her husband, and he would be so again.