In retrospect, it should be no surprise that Ruby got cavities. Even as far back as Chapter 7– er… shortly after you first met Ruby, you knew she had indulged in sweets a bit too much, and there have been quite a few times where you've seen her sucking on a lollipop or some other sweet, not to mention her diet of cookies. She finally broke the camel's back with another lollipop you gave her, which led to her dentist discovering the rest of the damage. Ruby's vice had led to more cavities than you and the rest of RWBY combined, and even a week later, she was suffering. Aura covered immediate injuries, but it didn't do much but dull stuff like surgery aches.

If there was one thing good about Ruby's dental issues, it was that it got you out of the room after you told Yang about your dating situation. You got to say you, Weiss, and Blake were dating her little sister, and then got a convenient (if unfortunate) excuse to step out once Ruby's tooth issue took hold. Yang seemed to be okay with it, but getting out of there did calm the nerves a bit.

Though you're unsure of whether or not this would have been your job to begin with, you dating Ruby meant that you would be supervising her walks. Even before dating her, you accompanied her on a few of her late-night exercise trips for fun, but now it has become a pretty routine thing for you as a couple. The problem with that is that more than half of Ruby's walks involved going to a convenience store and buying candy; everyone knew about Ruby's impulse control, so now, in addition to accompanying her, you'd be making sure she didn't ruin her teeth further. Yang had set a hardline stance that she not have any candy or soda for the next month until she learned to take care of herself more, and you're the enforcer.

At the very least, you hadn't reached your destination yet. You and Ruby were still early on in your walk, so there's plenty of time to read before having to anger her. Right now, this is was pretty much the only time you or Ruby have to be alone together; unless you go out of your way, someone was always right beside you. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as you're dating Weiss and Blake as well, but it's… calming to be around Ruby at her truest. She was, at heart, an introvert, and she felt the most peace when she had time to be alone.

Of course, you being with Ruby means she isn't exactly alone…

If there was one thing you are proud of from any of your relationships (besides a threesome at 20), it's that Ruby is comfortable around you. The young, introverted girl that had a lot of trouble making friends and being around other people, felt at peace when she was near you. That's one of her main reasons for wanting to date you; whereas she finds most other people physically draining to be around, she could sit by your side all day and never lose her smile. THAT is something to be proud of. You're not even certain why she feels that way about you. Sure, you were nice to her and you respected her shy nature, but something about *you* makes her feel comfortable. And she makes you feel happy.

Even still, Ruby's behaviors gave away her vice. As you walk alongside her, she occasionally licks her lips, trying for a sweet that wasn't there. Up until this point, you've been next to Ruby in silence. Well, silence in that neither of you had spoken; you both had some music playing in your headphones, quiet enough so that if one of you said something, the other could still hear. That was another thing you liked about Ruby; silence wasn't awkward. If you were standing next to someone else you barely knew, there would be a lingering need for conversation, but the occasional smile or slight hand movement let you know all you needed.

Breaking the silence, Ruby rubs her cheek and whines, "Owieee…"

"It still hurts?" you ask, concerned about Ruby's predicament.

"It's soreee. I got so much work done, it's lasting FOREVERRR."

"I'm sorry…" you apologize, blaming yourself for something that was going to happen at some point.

"It's not your fault, I promise. I'm just too obsessed."

"It still feels like it. I gave you that candy that did it."

"And Yang gave me all the sweets I wanted when I was a baby. But I was the one to dig my own sugar-coated grave…" Huh, that's probably the most retrospective thing you've heard Ruby say.

"I don't suppose you know when it's going to get better?"

"It IS better, it just still hurts. I don't know anything about dentistry, but I know my gums are not bleeding, and I think my mouth doesn't like the fact that I'm missing bones."

"You got some removed, too? You didn't say that."

"Yeah, I needed my wisdom teeth out, and I already going under, so it worked out pretty well."

"You got the gas?" As Ruby nods, you suddenly wonder what had happened when Ruby got her work done. You're really surprised to hear Ruby had gotten the heavy stuff; you didn't see her that day, but you feel like someone would have mentioned that your girlfriend had hard surgery. Especially considering the sort of things that after-surgery brings... As innocuously as possible, you ask, "I imagine Yang brought you in to the dentist?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Now, I KNOW your sister, so I KNOW that she 100% recorded you being all loopy."

Ruby jumps up. Bingo.

"I'm surprised I didn't get to see it! Knowing her, I would have thought she'd shown everyone."

"She didn't record anything!"

You raise an eyebrow until Ruby gives up. Her lying skills were terrible as always, especially when she's flustered.

"Okay, fine, she recorded it. I made her promise not to show anyone because it's embarrassing!"

"And she agreed?"

"No. I had to bribe her before I went in so she wouldn't show it to anyone. As soon as I was back to being conscious, she showed me and I am SO glad I made her swear."

You smirk. "I only wonder what you could have said."

"Nothing anyone needs to hear! Yang's the only one, and that's her reward form bringing me in!"

You try to think of a way to get Ruby to slip up. You feel pressing the matter will eventually get it out of her. "Hmm. I guess I should ask Yang about it, see if she's really committed."

"Don't you dare! I know she'll show you if you ask because she's mean!"

"Is it THAT embarrassing?"

"Yes, it is!"

"That only makes me more interested. You didn't say anything… TOO revealing, did you?"

"Ahhhhh stoppp!" Ruby whines. "You're gonna make me say it, aren't you?"

In your defense, if Ruby REALLY didn't want you to know, she wouldn't break so easily. Now very curious, you say in the most thickly layered sarcasm, "Well, I wasn't going to MAKE you…" Adding in a false sorrow, you continue, "I just feel hurt that you don't trust me~" You'd feel worse about teasing Ruby if she wasn't so cute when she was annoyed. That's another benefit of being together; she liked you enough that she didn't hold your teasing against you.

"Hnnghhh…" Ruby's red cheeks poof out as you make fun of her. Blake and Weiss get their fair share of teasing, but Ruby's absolutely adorable pouting meant that the three of you engaged her a lot. Blake took it the best, laughing along whenever someone made fun of her, but Ruby was always entertaining.

You start laughing to lighten the mood and let Ruby know you aren't serious about anything. Knowing it'll immediately make up for everything, you throw an arm around her shoulder and give her a side hug. Her anger immediately stops and she leans into you, wrapping her arms around your body. Ruby's cloak warms you up in the brisk January air, and her rosy cheeks felt nice even through your shirt. Though she wasn't in her super-sexy workout gear, tonight's ensemble included kneesocks, a corset, and an open cream top in addition to her familiar skirt and cape. You enjoy Ruby's hug partially because of the intimacy, and partially because Ruby's cleavage was pressing into your chest; still amazes you (and everyone else, to be fair,) that she had kept that rack under wraps, and it still pleases you that you are the direct cause of her enjoying showing it off.

"It was this," Ruby says after a moment of silent hugging.

You look down at Ruby (her face this time) and ask, "What was?"

"When Yang showed me the video of me all gassed up, I… I kinda just kept talking about you…. A-About… wanting to be with you."

Ow, your heart.

"Yang asked me what I was doing, and I just kept asking where you were."

Suddenly fighting back very unmanly tears, you tighten your hug around Ruby and keep walking. "Oh, my god, that's the cutest thing ever! Why didn't you want to show me?"

"Because it's embarrassing! Yang was holding back laughter the entire time, but she still managed to ask me a million questions about you."

It REALLY tugs at your heartstrings that, above everyone, Ruby wanted you. Though, you suddenly wonder about Weiss and Blake; Ruby was clearly attracted to them, but this makes you wonder about her feelings about you versus them. She clearly wants to be with the two girls, but it seems that she may desire Weiss and Blake, but she might want you in a more intimate manner. You make a note to see about clearing that up later. Best not to ask now and ruin the moment.

"And what did you say~" you say, deciding to go right back into teasing. You can clarify how Ruby feels about Blake and Weiss later.

Ruby tightens her hold on you. In a very soft, loving voice, she says, "She asked me why I like you and I said it's because you make me feel smart and funny and pretty and because I feel warm you hold my hand." She releases a hand from her hug and grabs yours. "Then Yang started laughing at me. I know I meant it, though."

"This is so sweet, now I'M getting cavities."

Ruby shoves you as best she can mid-hug. "I mean it! I feel cute when I'm around you!"

You make sure to face Ruby and look her in her big, cute, silver eyes. "Ruby, you are the cutest girl I've ever had the pleasure of seeing." You spoke the truth; Weiss and Blake are cute, yes, but you'd use different words to describe them. Weiss was more, "effortlessly elegant," and Blake was, "casually sexy," neither really describing Ruby. Looking at Ruby made you smile with how bubbly she was while looking at the other two made you smile for completely separate, equally valued reasons.

Ruby looks away from you, suddenly saddened. "So I'm cute, am I?"

A bit taken aback, you say, "Y-yes? Yes, of course, you are."

Ruby lets out a puff of air.

Wondering what you could have said wrong, you ask, "What is it? What's wrong?"

Ruby lets out a sigh and looks up at you. "Do you think I'm… sexy?"

Confused, you ask, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, 'do you think I'm sexy?' You always say I'm cute."

You try to think of what to say and how to phrase it. Yes, you find Ruby sexually attractive. She has a great body. Though, she was right; when you look at Blake, you generally find her more sexually attractive because of how she presents herself. Blake knew how to glance seductively, add a twist to her hips, and generally carried herself with a womanly grace that Ruby lacked. Of course, Blake dressing in form-fitting clothes also helped. But Ruby… Blake presents herself as sexy by default, while Ruby presents as cute. You catch that Ruby didn't mention Weiss, as she presents herself as more demure than anything else.

"I guess I should say you're cute by default. Blake does what Yang does, but more subtle; Blake adds more hip into her walk, stands in a way to accentuate her curves, and knows how to say, 'Hey~' with a look. She does that at all times. You don't. That isn't a bad thing."

"You're now answering the question." Ruby stops hugging you, returning to her normal trot.

"I said you're cute by default. When you aren't trying to do anything, you are cute. When I walk into a room and you're half-naked and pointing your butt at me, I think you're hot." You add, "Hotter. I'm phrasing this wrong. I am attracted to you, and I am *attracted* to your body. It's just you don't usually present yourself the way Blake or Yang does. I'm ALWAYS attracted to your body, it's just your personality shines through."

Looking away, Ruby lets out, "H-how attracted?" out of the corner of her mouth. It's clear that you're not saying the WRONG thing, even if you aren't necessarily saying the right thing.

Making a spur of the moment decision, you grab Ruby's shoulders and push her into a wall. "I can show you if you want." She looks up at you with wide eyes, the shock not having worn off just yet. Her face quickly turns red and her breathing gets far heavier; once again, the girl finds herself enjoying being pinned to a wall. What was it about her that made this happen twice independently of each other!? First Blake, now this!?

Ruby looks up at you, still speechless. There was a fear in her eyes, a sort of anticipation brought on by the upfront lust. You can tell she enjoyed what was happening, but it was too much too fast. She swallows hard and lets out a breath. Looking to the side, Ruby says, "W-we're here."