Ruby stood on the backyard porch. The moon vividly lighting the area around her, yet not specifically on her. Shadows cast upon most of her face. The area was quiet, besides the faint sounds of crickets and faraway nighttime city bustle. She was still in her normal huntress outfit, fully equipped with her cloak and all. With some slight shifting, Ruby began to reach into her cloak for something, but was stopped by the approaching sound of footsteps. She quickly stopped and turned around.

"Hey, what're you doing up crater face?" said Jaune in a slightly lower tone than normal.

"Gosh, I've already told you to stop calling me that. It was an accident vomit boy." she replied as usual.

"And I'll stop once you stop calling me vomit boy, but we both know that won't happen anytime soon."

"Darn right."

Both stood in silence for a little bit until Jaune spoke up once more.

"So... what are you doing out here?"

"Uh, nothing much. What about you? What're you doing up Jaune?"

"Well I was grabbing some water when I noticed someone out here, so here I am. Now stop deflecting my question. How come you're out here?"

Ruby looked uncomfortable, but that wasn't enough to get Jaune to stop pushing. He was going to find out sooner or later no matter what. And unfortunately for Ruby, sooner was right then and there.

"Ummmm, well you see..."

Something small fell from Ruby's cloak, and before she could grab it Jaune forced her back slightly and picked it up himself.

"... a pack of cigarettes? Ruby, what're you doing with this? Do you have a lighter on you as well?" asked Jaune with a tone of slight confusion but also worry.

"Maybe..., uh could I have that back?" she inquired with a small voice. Against his current thoughts, he did give them back since he's never seen Ruby so timid. For a good while after giving them back, both of them stand on the porch together for another couple of minutes. Finally, Jaune speaks up.

"Ruby, do you wanna talk about it?"

"... if it's alright with you maybe, but I don't wanna burden you and-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there. Don't worry about me. Now, what's up?"

Strangely, Ruby felt that she could talk about her problems with Jaune more than her sister. Guess that's what happens when you travel together for months.

"I have a secret to tell you. Ummm, I, I, I-"

"You're depressed, right?"

A gaping silence that only lasted a few seconds happened, but to Ruby it was almost like an eternity.

"How did, How did you-?"

"Not easily. After all, with your near perfect facade everyone else hasn't figured it out." said Jaune with what Ruby could only describe as an understanding face.

"Then how did you know?"

"It's a bit easier to notice something when you feel it too."

"... oh."

With where the conversation was heading and the building stress, Ruby quickly pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a small lighter that had a rose on it. Blowing out. She said,

"Do you wanna talk about it, or-"

"I think right now the focus is on you. So tell me, what's grinding you Ruby? When did you even start smoking? I can't imagine Yang ever approving of this."

"That's because she doesn't know. And I'd like to keep it that way, so please don't tell her Jaune."

"Only if you start talking with me right now."

Faced with this dilemma, Ruby knew she had to talk because otherwise Yang would definitely flip if she ever knew she smoked.

"I started smoking when I was 12. I was just some socially awkward little girl with a much more popular sister. Add that with all the other stuff and I just kinda fell into this. Happened after finding a new pack in the ground during a particularly bad day."

"All this smoking can't be good for you. But I'm guessing you don't really care about that do you?"

With a slightly guilty look, Ruby shook her head.

"I want to share another secret with you Jaune. I don't really have plans to live that long. Sure I have this big dream of helping others and making the world a better place, but once I think I'm done I don't know what else I'll do. This fake self I put up for everyone is to make sure they don't lose hope. How can they be expected to keep going if their supposed leader is down?"

Jaune sighed and shuffled over to Ruby, putting an arm around her.

"You know, you don't always have to try and be perfect for us. We've all faced the hardships of this world. It would do you good to get some you time. I know we're both plagued by nightmares. By our experiences. Next time you feel you need to smoke, come find me. I'll always be open to talk with you and help. I know you might not be comfortable talking with Yang about this."

"...Alright then. Make me one promise in return."

"Hm? Sure. What is it?" Jaune asked.

"You do the same. I know you struggle a lot too Jaune. You try hiding it and pushing it down, but I can see it. So I'm open to you too."

"Heh, alright then crater face. We'll be depressed team leaders together."

Ruby finished her cigarette and dropped it, stopping it out then kicking it away. As Jaune turned to leave, Ruby stopped him for a second by grabbing his arm.

"Yeah Ruby?"

"Would it be alright if, if I could maybe sleep with you tonight? LIKE, like not in a weird way but you know, cause uhhhh..."

"Sure. I'll keep the baddies away in your dreams. Come on." Jaune gave Ruby a small but heartfelt smile. As the two went inside, they failed to notice a couples of drops landing in the porch from above. Right above them was an open window where Blake and Yang were sharing a room.

"Are you ok Yang?"

"Yeah, yeah. I think I just got something in my eye."

"It's ok Yang. I didn't realize Ruby was struggling so much inside." Blake said as she gave Yang a hug.

"Yeah. I guess I always knew, but refused to accept it. However, I'm thankful she has someone to get there for her now. Vomit boy isn't so bad, huh?"

"I never realized he was suffering as well. Or that he could be so comforting."

"Yup, same here... but I'll still kill him if he ever does anything to Rubes."

"Oh my god Yang, you know he'd rather die before anything like that happens."

"Heh, I guess so. We all went through one hell of a character ARC huh?"

Blake deadpanned at Yang and just turned around to go back to bed. Yang giggled slightly to herself and shut the window.