I actually finished this like way earlier but decided to release it as a Friday special even if it is a short chapter. My cousin's baby got me sick so instead of delaying chapters I'm just going to use it as an excuse to write more and procrastinate everything else.


Chapter 23: Ashen Rose


Ozpin sat in his office, as he usually did, reading over the report Oobleck and Winter made regarding the incident at Mount Glenn. If what they said was true, then Onyx was working three steps ahead of them. If they weren't careful, they might lose the war before it even had a chance to properly start.

He breathed a heavy sigh and placed down the documents and turned off his scroll, deciding to recline in his chair and cherishing the few minutes of reclusive peace he had left before...

"OZPIN!" Randolf said as he burst through the elevator doors, accompanied by a woman in a lab coat.

The headmaster rubbed his temples, "And to what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night visit Mr. Wulf?" The tiredness and tone of his voice said that he wasn't in the mood to entertain anyone, which made the male wolf recoil. This felt like a repeat of the first mission, someone ends up in the hospital and he is gifted with less than pleasant visits.

"My apologies for barging in here so late Oz, I'm sure you have your hands full handling the logistics of the breach and what not but there's someone that needs to meet you..."

Elain strut toward the bespectacled man and stood staring down at him. Her ocean blue eyes met his brown ones as they both attempted to read the other, "And you are..." He studied her face, "Doctor Elain Flareheart I presume?"

The blue and orange haired woman smiled as if she'd expected the astute assumption, "It was always a wonder how you seemed to know everything before it could happen... though it looks like the one person you can't predict is your enemy."

Ozpin bit his lip and smiled, "Your fiery personality certainly lives up to the stories from your brother." He got up and shook her hand firmly. The exchange was strictly professional but it felt like they were greeting each other like old friends.

"And you're just as shrewd as I'd heard. I assume you know how I got here from the report earlier?" She gestured to the papers on the desk with a sly smile.

Ozpin chuckled, "Indeed... so... how bad is the damage?" he asked referring to the state of the White Fang.

"After this incident? Pretty bad, your kids blew up their biggest genetics research facility and stole their leading researcher." She pointed a thumb at herself. "The problem is the remaining scientists already have the knowledge they need to work on their own. If they actually took the time to understand what we were working on... I'm pretty sure they'd be self-sufficient within a few months... a year at best."

"So... would you be willing to help us? We would be honored to have your brilliant mind on our side..." He asked referring to the fight against Onyx, though he knew her answer, the question was obligatory.

"After what he did to my family? You bet your ass I'm in... but I am going to need a lab... or some base of operation. I was thinking of taking over Beacon's clinic."

"Consider all our resources at your disposal. Concerning your lodgings, I'm sure you'd like to spend time with your children..."

Elain laughed, "No need. I'll bunk with Randolf, wherever he's staying, so you don't need to overturn your dorms to fit me."

"That... might be a problem... Qrow's staying with me, he's off on a mission right now so you're free to bunk in my dorm but when he comes back..." Wulf said rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, he hated to admit it but he rather liked Qrow's company... and the wrath of his sister was not something he wanted to incur on his residency.

Elain sighed and rubbed under her eyes, "Abandoning your flesh and blood for a man? That's cold... even for you." she joked slapping his shoulder.

"We're only half-siblings so not fully flesh and blood, your gracious father abandoned me when he found out I was an illegitimate child. Besides you're gonna find fault with everything I do anyway right? I'd rather like having no nagging women in my room." He said turning his nose up to the air.

Ozpin felt a sweat drop, it was like watching two children fighting. "I'll make arrangements with one Professor Goodwitch, she's got space in her apartment if I'm not mistaken..."


-Back at the Infirmary-

Nova snuggled closer into the warm surface he was leaning on, it staved off the chill of the room, it was very soft and comfortable. That was until he realized his back kinda hurt, maybe he should rollover… why was his bed so hard? Grumbling a little he opened his eyes slowly to see the dimmed lights of the room… who left his lights on?

Feeling more irritated he moved to get up only to feel his arm held down by a familiar weight. Now relatively awake he opened his eyes fully to see he was still in the infirmary. Ruby quietly snoring away on his arm, the familiar scent of roses and sunshine permeated his nostrils and his mother's coat draped over him.

Ruby felt a shift in her pillow and she cuddled it closer, lightly nomming down on his arm. He had to restrain every fiber in his body from laughing as she lightly chewed on his sleeve.

"…Best cookie… taste like strawberry…" she murmured to which he fully lost it. Before he could stop himself his body reverberated from the laugh, she was just too cute for him to contain himself.

The vibrations of his body stirred her rest, "Mmmmm," she sounded, rubbing her eyes and staring up at Nova. Her sleep riddled face and pouty lips were just too cute for him to handle.

"Sorry did I wake you?" he asked in a hushed tone, half smiling as he gazed down at her.

"What time is it…?" she said groggily straightening herself. If she was being honest it was probably the best sleep of her life and it was cut short.

Nova looked at his wristwatch, "About two in the morning, looks like we fell asleep in the infirmary," he confirmed.

"Too tired… want more sleep…" She murmured once more snuggling back into his arm. Nova blushed furiously, "Ruby we haven't showered in like three days, we probably should." He said realizing they still had smudges of dirt on their faces.

Ruby shot up, "Oh gosh do I smell that bad?"

Nova chuckled, "No of course not. You always smell good Ruby, like roses and freshly baked cookies. It might be because of your semblance." He complimented her, earning a bright red Ruby.

"S-Shut up.. I'm going to shower." She said getting up from her spot.

"You're gonna wake your team if you barge in there," he said matter of factly. She stopped in her tracks midway from opening the infirmary door.

"Then how do you suppose I get cleaned up? I'll just be super quiet." She tried to rationalize.

Nova thought for a moment, "You could always use my bathroom? Hex is a super-duper heavy sleeper, plus your door creaks loudly ever since Yang used a laser pointer and caused Blake to crash into it." He pointed out. Ruby burst into laughter remembering the event, who knew the red dot had the same effect on cat Faunus as it did on actual cats.

They quietly exited the room, careful not to disturb the sleeping Luna and Nitro. The soft beeping of the monitors was the only thing else that sounded off as he stole a glance at his sister. Her unconscious form broke his heart, knowing the pain she put herself through for them.

"Wait what am I going to do about clothes? I can't exactly change back into this," Ruby asked, gesturing to herself as they walked down the hallways of Beacon to team ASHN's dorm room.

"Y-you could always borrow umm… Hex's or Luna's clothes. I'm sure something would fit…" he said choosing his words carefully.

"They wouldn't mind?"

"Doubt it."


They entered the ASHN room to find it surprisingly empty.

"Looks like Hex is sleeping in your room," Nova said walking inside, pulling off his hoodie and tossing it onto the bed. He was just standing there in his black undershirt and combat pants. his boots long kicked off to the corner.

Ruby gazed around the orange room, it was her first time being actually inside it. It was incredibly neat, minus the beds which were all messed up. Heavy curtains blocked out any city lights. It was otherwise identical to her own team's room.

Nova moved to Hex's bed and pulled on her clothing drawers, instead of coming out like he expected... they didn't budge.

"Well shit." He cursed. Ruby looked at him confused, "What's up?" she asked.

He sighed, "Hex fingerprint locked her clothes… of course she did."

"So what now?" Ruby asked ready to go in her room and possibly risk an angry collaboration of girls.

"Hold up let me try…" He moved to Luna's stash of clothes. It was open thankfully.

"Blue's is open so uh feel free to borrow anything," he said nervously gesturing to the open set of drawers.

Ruby nodded awkwardly and began filtering through the various fabrics, it felt strange borrowing the clothes of someone who was currently in the hospital.

They were all pretty much the same outfit with minor variations, a few sleeping shirts and sweats but nothing in her size. She turned to face Nova, blushing from embarrassment at rummaging through someone else's clothes, "It's all too small…" she said.

"Seriously?!" Nova looked incredulously, he should've expected it since his sister was so tiny but he'd hoped something at least would've fit. He assumed they shared sizes but it seemed she was two sizes too small. "Can't you like squeeze into something?" he offered in question. She just placed her hands on her hips and gave him an 'are you kidding?' look.

"Girl's sizes don't work like that, especially not this type of clothing." She held up the non-elastic cotton pants.

"Right… well… I probably have something… you can go ahead and shower I'll find something for sure." He said turning red. Realizing the implications of this she felt steam coming out of her ears. She just nodded wordlessly and went to the bathroom and relaxed in the much needed hot bath. The warm waters soaked into her skin and washed away the events of their mission.

This was honestly the filthiest she'd ever been since that time she fell into a mud puddle while chasing Zweil... or that food fight... She was silently thankful for the fact that Nova was too sweet to actually point out that she was this filthy.

"H-Hey Ruby, I uh… left some clothes o-outside the door so j-just grab it w-when you're done." Nova called as he moved to lay down on his bed turning himself away from the door.

He buried his head in the pillow trying desperately not to turn around when he heard the door open for a brief second Calm down, calm down... think nothing of it... oh who am I kidding... the girl I'm in love with is changing in my bathroom, how the hell am I supposed to stay calm? A few minutes later, Ruby came out, completely oblivious to Nova's inner turmoils.

"O-okay I'm done…" she said nervously tugging at the clothes she was dressed in. She was wearing Nova's signature orange and black hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. The clothing was far too big for her but the string on the pants tied in a knot to keep it secured while the sleeves of the hoodie were just too long, covering her arms entirely.

Nova couldn't help but stare at her, entirely enamored. She looked incredibly cute in his clothes and he could feel a twinge of pride bubbling in him with that observation. His heart fluttering as their eyes met... how he wanted nothing more than to...

Ruby blushed hard under his stare, "I-I m-made sure to leave some of the hot water so..." she squeaked tearing her gaze from his and staring at the floor.

Nodding he grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom himself. Once he was securely gone into the shower, Ruby plopped herself down on his bed. She was a little embarrassed to use the other beds given that she only had permission from Nova, though she doubted any of them would mind.

She spent the next few minutes rolling around in his sheets and going absolutely crazy. Everything smelled like him. The pillows, the blanket, her clothes, they all smelled like cinnamon and campfires. She couldn't stop herself from grabbing onto his pillow and drinking in the scent, nuzzling it contently.

She was so caught up in what she was doing, she didn't hear the bathroom door open.

"Having fun?" came the male voice as he stood drying his hair. Ruby turned crimson as she let out a small 'eep', before sitting up on his bed. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt and black shorts, his freshly washed hair was now startlingly white again, his face clean of smudges of dirt and she could see every inch of it in the room light.

"I was um… you know… um… you smell like… I mean the bed smells like cinnamon and I…." she tried in vain to defend herself.

Nova chuckled and plopped down on the bed next to her, chucking the wet towel across the room. She blushed at the idea she was sitting in bed next to the man she was clearly head over heels for.

"These past few days were quite… eventful." Nova said leaning back against the headboard, his pillow behind him for comfort. Ruby was sitting near the wall leaned against it with the other pillow. The hoodie pulled over her knees as she sat with them hugged to her chest.

She snorted at his statement, "Eventful? I fell down a hundred-foot hole after battling a pack of Grim in a wasteland, then stopping a train loaded with explosives. I'd say that classifies as a thriller."

"Yeah well I fought a fifty-foot tall robot and helped stop a Grimm breach. Then I found my mother...well you found her first but still." He countered.

She lightly kicked his arm, "Hey I was there for the breach to you know."

He smiled, "Alright you win."

She made a quiet 'yiss' sound and fist-pumped. Her childish antics never ceased to make him feel happy. His smile died down quickly however, the knitting of his brows and scrunched up eyes signalled to Ruby he was in deep thought.

"Are you okay?" she asked looking concerned for her friend.

The young dragon's expression relaxed but still looked kinda sad, "I was just… I was thinking about… Luna."

Ruby felt herself get depressed as well, the blue girl had practically sacrificed her life to save them all, and the people of Vale. "Hey your mom said she's going to be okay," Ruby scooted closer, now also leaning against the headboard of the bed, next to him.

"Yeah I know, it's just… it had me thinking." He said solemnly.

"About?"

"How easily any of us could die at a given moment." His statement shocked her. "We signed up to be Huntsmen and Huntresses, we knew the risks when we did."

Ruby nodded, "We all chose this path for a reason, I want to be a hero like my mom was. Like the heroes in the stories I read as a kid, I wanted to protect the people of Remnant from the Grimm threat. You may not have exactly chosen this path, but you're on it for a reason."

Nova brought his legs up to meet his chest and folded his arms over it, "I just want a world where the people I love can live together in peace. Without the threat of terrorists, or Grimm. My whole life I've been fighting and fighting. I'm just… so tired Ruby. I feel like no matter how much I fight, I'm not getting anywhere." He didn't understand himself… why was he feeling so emotionally vulnerable?

She felt a pang in her heart, every instinct was telling her to hug him and tell him everything would be okay but that's not what he needed. She thought on her words before speaking up, "Don't say that."

Nova looked up shocked.

"Don't say that you aren't getting anywhere. You have been doing a lot, you have been getting there. Look at Luna, she's a strong, kid with an innocence and kindness that only exists because you sacrificed for her. You found your mom, you know your dad is alive. You made a new life for yourself and your friends here at Beacon. All of them are happy right now because of you, and they wouldn't have it any other way." She said grabbing his face and turning it toward her so their eyes met.

"You are the strongest person I've ever met, you are determined, selfless, kind. You might be kinda crazy and sure you're a dumbass sometimes but that's just who you are. You're twice the leader I am, so you can't give up. Ever." She finished, releasing his face.

Nova was at a loss for words, "Y-you think so? I mean I'm definitely nowhere near that..."

"I've never been surer in my life." She stared him in the eye, the unwavering confidence they held, Nova felt a light flutter in his heart. He was silent for a moment, his head tilted toward his knees now, looking away from her.

"There is one thing you aren't right about though," he finally said. She gave him a confused look.

"You said I was twice the leader you are," he smiled and looked to her again. "You're every bit of the leader I am Ruby. I'd think maybe even a bit more." she looked about ready to question him when he continued.

"You're cheerful and sweet, you got this charisma that just makes everyone around you want to be your friend." He was smiling now, looking through her eyes, into her soul. "You have this child-like innocence that's just endearing and you can take charge quickly regardless of the situation. I might be this 'mature' and 'professional' leader, but you are the flexible, caring leader. You embody a lot of the things I'm not." He said his tone serious but also amiable.

She just gaped, blushing red at what he was saying, unable to find her voice because of the words of flattery. They were striking her heart deeply, especially since it was coming from the person she admired and cared for the most.

Nova continued to ramble, unable to stop himself, "You're super funny, and incredibly smart when it matters. You always make the mood in the room a few stages cheerier because when you smile it's like you're outclassing the sun." the words flowed as naturally as he breathed because they came from his heart.

"You're perfect in every sense of the word and you don't even know it, and that's just some of the reasons why I love you." He finished, a dazed smile on his face as he stared into her silver orbs.

Her expression was now baffled and completely red and she felt her heart stop for a moment. Did he just say what she think he just said?

Nova's smile gradually morphed to absolute horror as he realized the words he'd uttered.

Instantly he jumped away from her to the other side of the bed, his face a look of pure terror. "I've said too much… Oh god I've made things awkward."

Ruby's expression was unreadable as her bangs covered her eyes and Nova felt his heart sink as his mind wandered to the possibility he'd just ruined everything.

"J-Just forget everything I just said, pretend you heard nothing!" Nova tried desperately to cover for himself.

"D-Do you mean that?" she asked, her voice, barely a small squeak.

Nova instantly got serious, he could pretend nothing happened but he couldn't deny that everything he'd told her about herself was the truth, "Every word of it...I understand if you don't wanna be friends with me anymore…"

Ruby moved from her spot and slapped him hard, "You dumbass!" she said.

He was positively shocked to see that despite her teary eyes, she was smiling, a beaming grin.

"Why would I ever want you to go away?" she was now leaning over him, his back pressed to the wall so he had nowhere to go.

"Because, you clearly don't have feelings for me the same way I do for you an-" he was cut off when a pair of warm, soft lips clamped over his own. He was frozen for a moment, completely caught off guard, eventually he melted completely, relaxing into the feeling. The fact that she was kissing him could only mean one thing...

Her hands cupped his face and his arms instinctively snaked around her back pulling her closer. He returned the kiss, pulling her up to him and tenderly holding her, she tasted like strawberry cookies if those were a thing, and he wanted nothing more than to just savour every moment of it.

They eventually broke for air and she was now in his lap, her forehead resting against his, their noses pressed up against one another.

"Does that clear things up?" She asked nervously, slightly out of breath, never once in all her fantasies did she think that she'd be the one to make the first move.

He couldn't contain his smile, and nodded, "Most definitely." He released her and she rolled over back onto the bed sitting next to him, her head resting on his shoulder.

"That was emotionally exhausting," he said causing her to hit him lightly.

"You think?" she said with a light laugh. "Do you have any idea how long I've been wanting to do this?" she asked taking his hand in hers and interlocking their fingers.

"I realized I liked you… as in like-liked you… since that day we spent together, when we went to get ice-cream." He confirmed.

She gawked, "Seriously?! I sorta had a crush on you since you first came to Beacon."

Nova mentally slapped himself. "That long?! Well to be fair you did attract me since the weapon store…" he countered.

"Is this a competition now?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Nova just laughed, "Alright, we should probably get some sleep, we don't have classes tomorrow since it's the weekend but it's already like four a.m and I don't wanna sleep 'til two in the afternoon."

"Yeah you're right…" she reluctantly got off the bed and was moving to Hex's when Nova stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked quirking his brow.

"I don't want to bother you by sleeping in your bed…" she stammered out.

"Ruby Rose, we have literally fallen asleep together like four times, you also just took my first kiss. Do you really think it would bother me to sleep in the same bed with you?" he asked folding his arms.

"To be fair most of those were accidents…" she tried to reason but quickly caved. She really liked sleeping next to him, he was just so warm and comfortable. He just shot her the 'really?' look and she just smiled giddily and climbed back into bed next to him.

She snuggled herself under his arm, her head resting on his chest. Nova smiled contently as he cuddled closer to her, "So… does this mean we're… you know…" he left the sentence hanging with the silent implication. "Yeah… I guess it does…" she responded.

Nova blushed again, "Good night Ruby."

"Good night my dragon," she said causing him to severely blush at the nickname. "And Nova?"

"Hm?"

"I love you too," She squeaked before tilting her head upward and kissing him under the chin.

Nova just sputtered a moment before tugging her closer and nuzzling into the top of her head and returning a kiss. It wasn't long before they fell into what could only be described as the best sleep of their lives.


The Dragon finally finds his mate. I gave myself gushing butterflies and a toothache writing this. Hope I didn't give everyone cavities...

Short chapter I know but this was literally the perfect ending to this chapter.

This story is far from over, in fact... it's barely even begun. I'm nearing the end of my pre-written content so we have about two or three chapters again before I everything slows to a crawl so I can fully develop the next few arcs for the Vytal festival, The Fall of Beacon and then the events of volume 4. I have the plot points it's just to write them out. In terms of planning, I have everything up to the end of volume 6, because I have zero idea how to tackle volume 7.

Also I took Ethos the ET's advice and used Grammarly, it worked out pretty well. Thanks for the advice (^_^)