"Lines and Beeps"

Ruby stared out the window onto the early morning sunrise. She watched closely as the sun peaked over the hill on the far side of the already bustling city. The light slowly enveloped everything below, signaling the start to a new day for all. Staying up all night and being able to see such a sight was at one time something of a difficult task in her younger years, even with Yang prodding her to join her when they were just children.

Still, even now she couldn't recall the last time she had been awake to appreciate the sunshine of the early hours. She guessed such things were lost on her after all these years and time. Growing into an adult, working her tail off to hone her craft, and of course stopping all of Remnant from being destroyed could have also prevented such privileges.

She inhaled the fresh morning air as she continued to gaze, a weak smile on her face to accompany it. Another springtime had come and with that, a new class at Beacon academy as well. New students from all over Remnant would be arriving to learn and train to protect this world from the forces of the Grimm just as she and her friends had. A nostalgic wave passed over her as she recalled her time there before she set off on a life-changing path and a destiny she would forge.

Her first friend. Her first team. Her first love. Her only love.

She looked to the man beside her, resting as he had been. His now long hair unkempt as she had recollected it had been for some time now. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she had told him many time prior to have it cut, but he fought tooth in tail to keep his at one time "warrior wolf-tail" style haircut to the point of her enervation. Normally, she could get him to do just about anything, but that hair was definitely a no go. He even had the nerve to say it was the deciding factor for her finally worked up the courage to ask her out.

Yes, of course. That was definitely what sealed the deal.

The silver-eyed girl clutched his hand in hers gently as he remained asleep. They had been through two or three lifetimes worth of experience and drama from fighting bad guys, to many failed date attempts, to marriage, and even grandparenthood. That's right, Ruby Rose-Arc and Jaune Arc had not only successfully raised children, but were blessed to see their children have children. It was something Ruby was hesitant on to say the least, but wanted more than anything else in the world. The chance to be a mother.

Life was certainly full of twists and turns as she had come to learn, but luckily, she had a great group of friends, family, and a husband that gave her life a sense of fulfillment, purpose and love. She had always been loved, but she never knew how to love someone as much as she loved her children, and in turn, their children.

She gripped his hand again, slightly more forceful from before, but nothing that would disturb him. She moved her regard from the rising sun onto him completely now, focusing on his resting frame that had aged considerably, much like hers. Even now, he was as handsome to her as the day he had pulled her out that crater, their hands entwined now as they were back then.

Her wherewithal was somewhat more present now, taking in the noise around her, no longer fixed in her thoughts and memories. The sounds of dings, and beeps filling her consciousness as her gaze remained stationary on her beloved, once again seeing the his aging hair fall over his resting blue eyes.

Ruby stood up from her seated position, leaning graciously over his bed to move the stray strands from his face. She released his hand, needing both to properly tend to her husband of many years, moving his hair to not obstruct his gorgeous facial features, but she couldn't stop just there. She straightened his pillow and pulled his blanket up further, thinking it would make him cozier.

Perhaps it was her maternal instinct now, but she had to have things perfect when it came to her family, and that began with him. He had given her all she could ask for, and so, she would care for him as she saw fit. Ruby worked between running wires and cords as to not irritate them from doing their own job, making sure he had all his needs met as he should. Her aged, but nimble fingers working steadily to make sure nothing was moved otherwise.

She stepped back to glance over him once more, taking in a full view. She glance beside him to one of the working machines, a slow rhythm of lines and beeps continuing at a slow pace. It was a sight and sound she had come to recognize more and more over time, falling into its tempo like lyrics from a song.

"But all songs come to an end eventually." She spoke aloud. "Isn't that right, Jaune?"

The man remained unfazed from her question, much like she knew he would. It wouldn't deter her from another weak smile as she listened to beeps suddenly become further from each other. She sighed to herself as she sat once more at his bedside, gripping his hand powerfully this time, as she continued her stare upon him.

Still nothing.

His chest rose and fell slower than it had before, moving less rhythmic than the beeps had on the machine nearby. The song was ending. Their song was ending.

Beep…..Beep…..Beep…..

She couldn't complain about the ending now, she thought. She had a good beginning, and an amazing intermediate of their song, full of memories that will on within their children, and their children.

Beep…Beep…Beep….

Maybe the day would come when they could write another song together. Maybe it's not really an end, but just an intermission before they could continue what they had started, at least—

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

-it was what she could hope for now.

She watched his face now only, no longer staring at the unchanged line or the continuous beep offered by the machine. They were of no interest anymore. She would have someone silence that machine soon, but for now, she needed this.

Ruby moved closer to him, offering her best embrace as she would as his cold, mottled hand remained knotted with hers. She knew she would have to let go soon, but she wasn't ready. Not yet. It was warm still, perhaps her own warmth being distributed to him. If not for those noisy machines, she might think him still with her. Maybe she would have preferred that fiction to this reality.

She moved to his ear, ready to speak once more with hopes that he could still hear her voice within the echoes of the next world.

"Thank you for giving me one last sunrise together with you." She spoke softly, kissing the side of his head as a single tear escaped her clasped eyes. "I will love you forever."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Happy Early Christmas

GodRealm