A Chance to Move On

Nora was happy to hear that Ruby was okay.

She'd never want to admit it, but she was also happy to hear that Jaune wanted to be alone. She really didn't want to see him right now. Not after the conversation they had.

Nora didn't hate him. She just hated what he said… and maybe she hated his face, just a little bit right now.

Ren knew something was wrong with her, just like he always did, but any attempt to break through to the core of the issue was futile. Nora closed herself off, putting on a fake smile and dancing the part of a fool.

Her boyfriend wanted so badly to help her. Nora could see it in his eyes, but she just wasn't ready to be helped. So here she was now, alone, feeling like her guts were knitted into a sweater inside her belly.

She waited for Coco, sitting in the lobby until she saw her familiar face.

Nora didn't really perk up when she saw Coco and Fox. The pair were walking together with a few older individuals, no doubt Coco and Fox's parents. Nora didn't want to intrude on the private moment, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She just needed Coco for a few minutes.

The young woman stood up and walked over to the group, greeting them with as big of a smile as she could muster. "Hey, Coco."

"Oh, hey, Nora!" Coco returned the smile, only for her brow to furrow. "You okay? You look like hell."

Guess that smile wasn't very big. "Rough afternoon," Nora replied, faking a little laugh. "Um, I just wanted to see if I could talk to you? Just us?" she asked, glancing at Coco's large posse of friends and family.

"Yeah, no problem." Coco and Nora walked down one of the many halls of the hotel, as private a place as they could find together. "So, what's up, Nora? This about the bachelorette party?"

"I wanted to ask you about Pyrrha." Coco's eyes widened, and Nora caught the nervous shift in the way she stood. Coco leaned back against a nearby wall, crossing her arms as she raised her brow.

"What about her…?"

"Has she replied to your invite? When is she coming?" Coco's eyes slid across the ground, staring at the end of the hall as Nora clenched her jaw. "Coco, what did Pyrrha-?"

"I never sent an invite."

Nora's eyes widened, before she felt his fingers tightening into fists. "Why not?!"

"Nora, calm down-"

"No, I want to know why you didn't invite my friend! She grew up with us! She helped you with your studies, s-she was there when you and Fox got together, she helped throw a going away party for you, why-?"

"Nora, when was the last time you talked to her?" Nora's teeth slammed shut and she glared a hole into Coco's head. "When was the last time Ren did? Or even Jaune? Weeks? Months?"

Nora's silence gave her all the answers she needed. "She hasn't replied back to me in years," Coco stated. "I get it. Life as a star is probably really busy, but even I make time to talk to Velvet when I'm halfway across the world. Has Pyrrha ever contacted you?"

No. The simple fact was Nora hadn't spoken to Pyrrha since about a month after she left. They promised they'd keep in contact with each other, but within just a few weeks, Pyrrha went silent.

There was a time where Nora and Pyrrha used to be like sisters. They were talking about their crushes as they did each other's hair, laughing at the future they had planned together. They were going to share a wedding, married to their special man, side by side with one another…

"Call her," Nora pleaded. "If you call her, she'll answer, a-and she'll get on the first plane here, I know she will!"

"Nora, I think you just have to accept that Pyrrha isn't coming. Friends grow apart. I know it sucks, but that's part of life." Coco reached her hand out to Nora, but her fingers barely brushed against the other woman's shoulder before Nora turned away. "Nora?"

"Leave me alone."

Nora walked away and Coco watched her. Nora walked until she was outside, alone in the cold night air of a faraway land. She looked into the blue horizon, and she found herself longing for the towering skyscrapers of Vale.

She wanted to go back. Be a kid again. Have her only worry be homework and studying for the next stupid test. She'd hang out with her friends afterschool, laughing, playing games, talking about upcoming movies or something stupid like that.

If growing up meant losing one of her best friends; If growing up meant lies, and secrets, and whatever the hell was going on between Ruby and Jaune… She wanted to be a kid again.

"Damn it," she whimpered, feeling tears falling down her face. She wiped them away as she found it hard to breathe, gasping for air through her sobs.

Her hand moved on its own, slipping into her pocket and coming back out with her phone. She stared at the screen, slowly unlocking it as she stared at her reflection. She tapped her fingers against it, looking through several pictures she had saved on it, before she found a particular photo.

Her, Ren, Pyrrha, and Jaune. The four of them laughing and smiling at the camera as Nora took a selfie of them. They were on top of a building together, the bright blue sky above them as they grinned. She could still hear them talking about how they were on top of the world.

She stared at the photo for a few more moments, before she closed the app.

Nora watched as her finger opened her contacts, picking out Pyrrha's name from dozens of others. The phone began to ring as Nora tried to stop the tears that were sliding down her face. She brought the phone to her ear, listening to every ring with a sinking heart.

"Hello, this is Pyrrha!" Her automated message. Barely changed at all since when they were kids. Pyrrha was as polite and sweet as ever as Nora jabbed the corner of her phone into her temple.

"Thank you for calling me, but unfortunately I'm busy at the moment. Please leave a message, and I promise to get back to you as soon as I can! Thank you, and have a nice day."

Beep.

"Pyrrha?" Nora sucked in air, trying to bury her feelings. "Pyrrha, please, answer the phone." Nothing. Silence. "Pyrrha, please, I-I just want to talk to you again."

The low hum of the phone was the only answer she heard, and Nora grit her teeth as she hung her head low. "Where did you go, Pyrrha…? I thought we were friends. You said we'd never grow apart, t-that we'd always be together, so where the hell are you?!" Nora's voice rose, shouting out to the empty horizon as her tears fell like small streams down her face.

"It's not fair! None of this is fair! You're off in freakin' Hollywood while Coco's getting married, a-and Jaune's falling in love with some other girl! He's moved on from you, Pyrrha! Doesn't that piss you?! Don't you want to come back?" she sobbed.

No response.

"At least answer me, damn it! Tell me you don't want to be friends anymore! Tell me you moved on! Just say something!" Nora screamed, before she pulled her hand back, aiming it at the ground.

Her hand shot down, only to stop as someone grabbed her. She turned her head to find Ren staring back at her, his fingers wrapped around hers as he stood behind her.

He seemed to know exactly what she was going to say before she said it. "Coco texted me. Glad I found you." He glanced at their linked hands. "Phones are expensive."

"Ren, I-" She was shaking. She turned and fell into his arms, wiping her tears away on his chest as he held her. "I don't get it. Pyrrha… S-she isn't coming."

"I'm sorry, Nora," he whispered, stroking her back as he held her in his arms.

"I miss her, Ren. I miss us. The four of us all together, being happy, not a care in the world, I just… Why can't we go back to that?"

"We grew up, Nora. Things change. That's just a part of life."

Life. Was that it? Was that the answer? People grow up and bad things just happen? It was bullshit, but Nora couldn't bring herself to say it. She was so mad. At Pyrrha, at herself, at everyone for knowing Pyrrha wasn't coming and not telling it to her straight.

And that anger turned to anguish as she wiped her snot-running nose and tearful eyes against her boyfriend's chest. He held her tightly, not letting her go until she was ready.

"I hate this," she hiccupped. "I want to go back."

"I know… I know," he replied, gently combing his fingers through her hairs.

The two stood under the moon for a long while. Neither said anything. They just clung to one another until Nora was in a state where she could return to their room with Ren by her side. When the couple opened the door to their room, they found a blond-haired guest waiting for them, already fast asleep on their floor.

Nora stared at Jaune's body, before looking at her boyfriend. "He asked if he could spend the night," he sighed.

"Feels like we're back at home," Nora muttered. "Guess we're all having a bad night." She rested her head on Ren's shoulder as her boyfriend squeezed her against him. "How are we supposed to be celebrating tomorrow?" she wondered.

"I don't know," Ren replied. "But I guess we try."

"I don't want to ruin Coco and Fox's special day," the young woman mumbled, pulling away from her boyfriend and falling onto their bed. "I just want everything to go back to the way it was…"

"I know, Nora." He sat beside her and kissed her head. "But all we can do is keep moving forward. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow will be better."

Nora gave her boyfriend a weak smile, but he knew she was faking it. Ren turned off the lights and the couple laid on the bed together, falling asleep in each other's arms as their guest slept nearby.


The next day, night had fallen over the city, blanketing it with a dark sky and a cool breeze.

The boys had their party, while Ruby had left with the other girls when Nora told them she wanted to get the party started as soon as possible. Ruby could have said no, maybe she should have, but she found herself walking alongside Velvet, Nora, and Coco.

Maybe it was a fear of being alone. Maybe it was a desperate need to be distracted from her own problems. Maybe Ruby just wanted to have fun and forget about the last few days. Honestly, she didn't know or care to think about it right now.

That led her here, amongst loud music, colorful lights, and a rave scene that Yang probably would have loved. Ruby, on the other hand, felt like a cat inside of a dog pound.

Maybe this was a bad idea, she thought to herself.

The music was pounding so hard that Ruby could practically feel her bones shaking. People danced all around her, and they were either severely undressed or gyrating way too wildly for her to keep up.

As soon as she could, Ruby tried to sit at the bar. She'd rather watch everyone else lose their mind to the pounding bass than be swallowed up by the hoard.

Velvet was reacting similarly to her, though she was doing a slightly better job composing herself. Her face wasn't nearly as red as Ruby's, though it was hard to tell under the changing, colorful lights. Nora was downing a mug of beer in one hand, while the other pumped up and down in a silent cheer for Coco, who was dancing with some random girl she had met.

Part of Ruby really wished she had just laid under her blanket and pretended to be sick, but she was here now. Might as well try to have fun…

"You want anything?" the bartender asked.

"Just water, please." Once she had her drink, Ruby held it in her hand as she looked at Velvet. "Is Coco always like this at clubs?" she inquired.

"Yeah, Coco did this a lot growing up," Velvet shouted over the pounding music. The brunette's cheeks were a subtle shade of red as she continued. "She'd even get us fake IDs to go to these sort of places-um… early."

"Oh." Ruby nodded her head as Velvet finished her drink.

"She really likes places like this."

"I can tell."

"I'm just glad it's not just me feeling awkward in the corner" Velvet confessed, before both girls looked at Nora and Coco.

"Nice moves out there, babe," the confident brunette smirked, winking at the woman as Nora put her empty glass down and threw her hands up.

"Yeah! Whoo!" Nora laughed, clearly a little tipsy as she embraced Coco, practically falling onto the brunette. "Me next!"

"It's draining being around them," Velvet muttered.

"It really is," Ruby sighed quietly.

"You know, it's custom in my family for the groom to get a lap dance during his bachelor party. Fox shot that down pretty quick, so I get it's up to me to continue the Adel family tradition," Coco chuckled, sitting beside Ruby.

"That's a family tradition?" the youngest of the four asked, brow raised.

"Swear on my uncle's grave."

"She doesn't have an uncle," Velvet whispered, leaning towards Ruby as Nora sat beside the brunette.

"So, which one of you lucky girls wants to join me in getting a lap dance?!" Coco grinned.

"Ooh, me, me! I want one that looks like Ren!" Nora beamed

"Ren does look like a really hot girl."

"Right? So hot!" Nora laughed.

"Velvet, Ruby, how about you two?" Coco asked, leaning towards them.

"Still no, Coco," Velvet muttered, her blush spreading down her neck.

"Um, n-no, I'm okay!" Ruby quickly answered, shaking her head.

Coco just smirked, fixing her sunglasses that she so loved to wear. Ruby couldn't believe she still had them on inside the club, or that she had worn them on the walk here in the first place.

"You know, this is my last chance to do something really stupid. If I'm going to have a big, dumb one night stand, well, tonight's my last chance."

"Wait, what?" Ruby gasped, eyes widening, only for Coco to laugh.

Coco's cheeks were a bright shade of pink as she waved her hand in the air. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I've had my fun. Fox is the only ball and chain for me."

"Coco, how much have you drank already?" Velvet sighed.

"Enough." Coco chuckled, before she asked the bartender for another shot. She took it in hand, before holding it out to Ruby. "Want some, Rubes?"

Ruby stared at the offered glass, and she felt her lips twitch, almost turning into a scowl. Memories played through her mind. It was months ago, but suddenly New Years felt like it was yesterday.

A friendly face. An offered drink. A splitting headache.

She shook her head, holding out her hand. "No, thanks."

"Aww, come on. This is some good stuff."

"I'm fine," Ruby growled back, except it wasn't her uttering those words. Her eyes widened as she realized just what had happened.

Yang had taken control of her mouth. She knew her sister's touch, she was sure it was her. Anger and frustration flared inside of Ruby, wondering why her sister couldn't bring herself to actually talk to Ruby, but she was just fine taking control of her.

"Yang?" Nothing, and this time the scowl on Ruby's face was all hers. Shame quickly replaced her anger as Ruby stared at Coco's shocked expression.

Coco's eyes widened, and Ruby immediately feared she had ruined things again. She shook her head, vigorously, eyes aimed at the ground. "I-I'm sorry. I-I just don't want any. I'm-"

"Hey, no problem." Coco's tone was calm and cool, and when Ruby looked up at her, she found Coco smiling at her. "It's all good, Rubes." Then she downed the drink with a subtle grin. "I just want to make sure everyone has a good time. Sorry for being pushy."

She banged the bottom of her glass against the counter with a growing smirk. "Hey, why don't we move into the back? We won't have to yell over the music there." She stood up and Velvet and Ruby followed her. Nora was the only one to seem reluctant, whining as she followed the three.

"Aw, what about my lap dance?"

The others led the way, and if Ruby had taken a moment to look back, she might have seen Nora's goofy smile fall into a deep frown. The turquoise-eyed woman breathed in, then out, before she stitched up her smile again and followed the others.


The change to an actual table was a welcome one, but Ruby couldn't help but feel guilty. Was it her fault? Was Coco mad at her? The last thing Ruby wanted was to ruin the big night.

And what of Yang? Ruby called out to her alt as she sat at the square table, to any of the alts, but none of them were answering her. Were they ignoring her? Mad at her? Or just accepting of the thought that they might soon be dead if Ruby dated Jaune?

What if they already were dead? That question was like a knife in Ruby's heart. She felt her hands clam up, she felt her heart quickening ever so slightly. She felt hot under her clothes. Burning up. Were they dead?

"Someone, please answer me," she begged.

"We're here, Ruby," Weiss replied, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Ruby took a deep breath in, then out. Her face felt so hot, but just the face Weiss answered her did a lot to ease her racing mind.

"Ruby."

"Weiss?" Ruby blinked, before realizing that Coco was the one calling out to her. The young woman blushed, before smiling at the brunette as naturally as she could. Just a big, friendly grin that was completely inconspicuous. "Y-yeah?"

Coco was staring at her from across the table, brow raised in confusion. Velvet, who was sitting beside her best friend, stared at Ruby with clear concern as Nora beside Ruby.

"You okay? You seem kind of spacey."

"Yeah! I'm fine. All good."

Coco raised her brow, a disbelieving frown on her lips as Ruby tried to play it cool. Nora giggled beside the short woman, laughing at a joke only she heard as Coco and Velvet shared a glance with one another.

"S-so, Coco, excited for the big day?" Ruby asked.

Coco's lips curved into a smile and she nodded her head. "Oh, definitely."

"You… don't seem nervous," Ruby commented. Coco shrugged in response, leaning back in her seat.

"I won't lie. I did kind of freak out when he first proposed to me."

"She called me three times," Velvet chuckled. "Once was just to make sure she wasn't dreaming, and she didn't trust Fox to tell her if it was a dream or not."

"But I think I've worked through it," Coco chuckled, gently elbowing her friend. "Part of me was afraid this would be the end of an adventure, but thanks to people a bit more put together than me-" Coco smirked as she threw an arm around Velvet's neck, pulling her into a headlock. "-I realized it was just the start of a new one."

"Coco, let go!" Velvet laughed, and the two playfully wrestled for a moment before Coco released her.

"Awww, that's so sweet!" Nora cooed, placing her hands on her cheeks as she gushed at the story.

Ruby smiled as she listened to the older woman, before her eyes turned towards her. "What about you, Rubes?" Coco asked. "I've been pretty curious. Jaune invites you here as his plus one, but you two aren't dating? What's the story there?"

Her eyes widened and she avoided Coco's stare as she stuttered. "Jaune and I just met a few months ago. We hit it off, and he asked if I wanted to hang out together. S-so I came along." She felt the other women's judgemental stares before they even finished forming on their faces. "I-I know how it sounds, but we're just friends," she explained, hiding the twinge of pain in her chest from those words.

"Aw, come on, Ruby. You can't tell me you haven't thought about getting with Mr. Arc," Coco teased.

"Yeah," Nora commented, joining into the conversation. "I mean, Pyrrha's not coming back, so he's free real estate." Ruby, Coco, and Velvet each stared at the ginger-haired woman as she tapped her empty glass against the table. "I say, go for it!"

Now that Ruby was looking right at her, she realized she had never seen Nora like this before. She was smiling, but the smile didn't reach Nora's eyes. She wasn't looking at them, she was looking through them. The loud music and busy scene had made it hard to catch at first, but now Ruby could see something in the brightly-colored woman's.

Something broken.

"Uh, Nora, how many of those have you had?" Coco asked, gesturing to the empty glass.

"Psh, don't worry about that," Nora scoffed. "Look, all I'm saying is that Pyrrha had her chance. Ship's sailed, time for Jaune to upgrade."

Ruby felt something in her hand. A twitch, as something weighed on her mind. She shook her head silently, feeling Weiss' anger bleeding through the cracks.

"Weiss?" No response. Another jolt of frustration and anger.

"Don't you think you're being a little harsh?" Velvet asked, only for Nora to scoff.

"Not really," she replied, still grinning ear to ear. The smile seemed grafted onto her face as Coco and Ruby shared a glance.

"Nora, do… do you want to talk about-?" Coco opened her mouth, only to jump slightly as Nora slammed her glass onto the table.

"What's there to talk about?" she asked, raising her voice as she tried to keep her tone light and jovial. She failed on all accounts as Nora placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, pulling her close. "Ruby, here is the perfect girl for Jaune. So she should stop wasting time and just get with him."

Her hand was shaking against Ruby, and the shorter woman tried to pull away, only to feel Nora's fingers digging into her.

"Just… what's stopping you two?" Nora asked, looking at Ruby. She was still smiling, but it was probably one of the widest, toothiest smiles Ruby had ever seen. Nora's voice was trembling, shaking as she stared into Ruby's silver eyes. "Just get together. Be happy!"

"Nora, I-" Ruby couldn't even begin to explain. She didn't want to even try to explain that particular problem, so instead she focused on helping her friend. "You're drunk."

"Course I'm drunk! I've been drinking. That's what that does," she declared. "I'm drunk, and pissed at a huge bitch who can't even act her way out of a paper bag."

Ruby felt another twinge of anger. She pushed it aside as Velvet spoke up. "Nora, I know you're upset, but I think you're being a little unfair."

"Unfair? Unfair? I'm being unfair?" Nora asked, placing a hand against her chest with a wide, stretched out smile. "Excuse me for criticizing my best friend. I'll remember that next time Coco judges you for bringing Cardin freakin' Winchester to a wedding. No, clearly I'm the one at fault," she scoffed, shaking her head as she brought the glass to her lip.

Only to blink as she realized it was empty. Nora stared at it, watching her own reflection as she began to dig her teeth into her lips.

Ruby's eyes bounced between the others. Nora's smile finally fell, turning into a small frown as Coco and Velvet reached out to their friend.

"Nora, it's okay," Velvet whispered. "You-"

"Sorry," Nora mumbled, shaking her head. "I… I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"It's okay," she repeated.

"Nora, maybe you want to cut back on the drinks. Here, I'll order us some more water."

The redhead nodded, before she sighed heavily. I'm sorry she ruined this," she muttered. "Pyrrha fucked it all up…"

"I think… I think you're being too hard on her," Ruby whispered. She almost wasn't sure if Nora would hear her, but her eyes turned to stare at the shorter woman regardless. Ruby gulped, lips pursed together for a moment, before she continued. "Nora, I… I don't know what happened to make you so upset at her, but you always seemed to talk so highly about her. I just think you're being too hard on your friend."

"She''s not my friend," Nora spat, eyes narrowing as she glared at Ruby. "Friends pick up the phone. Friends talk to each other. Friends care. Pyrrha hasn't done a single one of those damn things."

"W-well, I'm sure she's busy with her acting-"

"Don't defend her! She's not some friendly angel or something!" she huffed. "She broke my best friend's heart, she broke my heart! She's stupid, and… and I hate her!"

Silence. No one said anything as Coco looked around, worried that someone had heard Nora's outburst. Thankfully no one seemed to as the music kept playing in the club. Nora held her head for a moment, taking a deep breath, before she gasped for air.

Her breath was shaky, struggling to flow naturally as she sniffled. Snot clogged her nose as tears pooled in the corners of her eyes.

"I hate this."


Nora wanted so badly for this pain in her chest to stop. She wanted to be the stupid, silly girl again. She wanted to be a joke for people to laugh at, the court jester who made everyone smile. She didn't want to be sad, she didn't want to be angry, she just wanted it all to stop, but it didn't.

It hurt. Everything hurt, and Nora just wanted to go back when her life made sense.

She felt a hand touch her shoulder, but she didn't move. She was pulled into a soft embrace as Ruby hugged her, holding her tightly. Her forehead gently brushed against Nora's hairs as the shorter woman whispered quietly.

"It's okay. Be mad."

"I don't want to," Nora spat. "I just want things to go back." She opened her arms and returned the embrace, squeezing Ruby so hard that Nora was scared she'd snap in two. "I'm sorry," she muttered, before she pulled away from Ruby. "I shouldn't have done that."

Nora pulled on the corners of her mouth, putting on a smile as she hoped and prayed that they could just accept it and move on. Drink, party, dance, be merry, just please, don't try and help her.

She begged for them not to help her, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Nora. It's okay," Ruby whispered. "You don't have to be happy."

Huh. Ruby sounded kind of like Ren. Nora didn't want to hear it, though. She just shook her head, still trying to smile as tears fell down her face. "I'm sorry. Just the liquor making a bit si-quor," she laughed.

No one joined in.

"Nora…" Coco held her hand out to the other woman. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything," Nora scoffed as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Coco didn't say anything to that. She just asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I really don't."

"You might need to?" Ruby suggested. "Nora, I'm worried about you. If I can help, I want to. We want to," she corrected as Velvet and Coco nodded their heads.

"I don't want help," Nora groaned. "I just… I want to be mad. I want to go back to being a kid again, but if I can't have that, I'll stick to being pissed."

"At Pyrrha?" Ruby quietly asked.

"At everyone. I'm mad at Ren for always wanting to help me, I'm mad at Jaune for pointing out how Pyrrha's never coming back, I'm mad at Cardin for having been a piece of shit, I'm mad at-" Nora looked at Ruby, and the silver-eyed woman stared into her friend's tearful eyes.

"It's okay, Nora. You can be mad at me," Ruby sighed. "I know…"

"It's not fair to you," Nora muttered. "I just… I'm mad at a lot of things."

"Then you should let that anger out. Pretending to be happy doesn't seem like a good alternative," Ruby commented, earning a choked laugh from the other woman.

"I… Nora?" Velvet spoke up, catching her friend's turquoise eyes. "I'm sorry about Pyrrha. I know how much not having her here hurts. We all miss her."

"People grow apart. It's a part of growing up," Nora muttered with a deep scowl on her face.

"Meeting new people is also a part of growing up," Ruby commented. She bit her lower lip, before she held Nora's hand. "I… I used to have this best friend named Sun. He and I used to hang out all the time. We were best friends."

"And then we weren't," Ruby confessed with a melancholic smile. Nora's eyes widened at the sight. Her mouth fell open as Ruby continued to speak, a tremble to her voice as she spoke.

"I messed up, and he left. I don't blame him. He had every right to after how I treated him," she confessed. "But I… I haven't really had a friend since then. Not until I met Jaune."

Nora didn't realize how close she was to Ruby. She had inched closer from her seat, staring at Ruby as the dark-haired woman's hand touched Nora's. "And you and Ren. You're both my friends, a-and I don't want to mess up another friendship. I don't know why Pyrrha isn't here. I can't answer that, but I just want you to know I'm here for you."

She really was a lot like Ren. She wanted to help her, even when Nora just wanted to sit down and pout. She just wanted to be pissed and think about how life should have been, but life didn't care about what people wanted.

Life just moved on, and it was up to them to pick up the pieces and move with it.

Nora could feel a lump in her throat, and she swallowed spit down as she tried to find the words. All she could find was an uncomfortable truth she had buried in her heart. "Part of me wanted so badly for you to be just like Pyrrha," Nora confessed. "I wanted you to be Pyrrha 2.0, and… and I never should have done that."

"It's okay, Nora."

"It's really not. You're your own person, Ruby. No one else. I was a jerk," she sighed, and Ruby chuckled quietly.

"Nora. I forgive you. Water under the bridge," Ruby smiled. The two stared into each other's eyes as the silver-eyed woman's smile shined brighter under the colorful lights. "Right now, I just want to help my friend."

"You are." Nora wrapped her arms around Ruby and pulled her closer, hugging tightly as the young woman nearly fell out of her chair. Nora held onto her tightly as the tears finally began to slow down. "I'm… I still feel like shit," she confessed with a laugh, and this time the others actually joined in.

Quiet laughs, but laughter all the same.

"I'm sorry, Coco. T-this is your special night, a-and I didn't want to mess it up, so I just told myself I'd keep drinking and just have a good time, but I fuc-"

"Nora." Coco and Nora's eyes met, and that was all it took for the latter to sigh and accept the bride's forgiveness.

"I know, I know. 'It's okay,'" she repeated, bending her fingers for air quotes. "I'll keep trying to tell myself that."

Nora felt… well, better. Thinking about Pyrrha still gave her a painful twist in her stomach, but she tried to just deal with it. It hurt, and it sucked, and she was still mad at so many things in her life, but at least she had friends.

The young woman glanced at Ruby, chewing on her lip as the shorter woman smiled at her.

She had good friends.

"Can we stop focusing on me now and go back to having fun?" Nora asked, and she was relieved to see there was still hope that this party wouldn't be a total mess because of her.


Once Nora was free to reveal what was ailing her, the group was happy to give her what she needed. Velvet and Coco trading stories with Nora and Ruby, each of them laughing at the tales. Even Ruby laughed along, finally given the respite she was looking for.

And the best part was the high Ruby was riding. She almost couldn't believe it. She had opened up and actually told someone about Sun. She told Jaune, but now Coco, Velvet, and Nora knew about her former best friend.

There was a rush of pride in her chest for a moment. Telling Jaune was a weight off of her back, but telling it again? Helping Nora just a little bit?

Maybe she really was getting better.

And that simple statement sent Ruby crashing back down into reality. She felt her teeth scrape against her lower lip as her eyes fell down to the table under her.

Was she really getting better? And if she was, were Yang and the others in danger?"

"Guys?" No response. "Guys, please, answer me." Nothing, and Ruby swallowed the fears welling up in her throat. "GUYS!"

"We're here," Blake sighed.

"Why are all of you being so quiet?!" Ruby huffed.

"Just giving you your first taste of normality," Blake answered dully, and Ruby groaned quietly.

"Blake, I… I-" Ruby didn't know how to respond. She just sighed, shaking her head as Nora chuckled loudly.

"Um, I need to go to the bathroom," she declared. "Can someone carry me to the nearest toilet? You can just leave my body on it, I'll figure out the rest."

"I got her," Velvet smiled, shaking her head as she stood up. "Come on, Nora."

"Whoo… I think all my drunken rage has turned into regular drunkness," the ginger laughed, standing up with Velvet's help. "Velvet. Do you know what animal you remind me of?"

"No. What animal, Nora?"

"A big, bushy, bunbun!"

"That's nice, Nora."

Ruby and Coco watched the two leave for the bathroom together, before they turned towards one another. Ruby immediately felt horror striking her from behind. She knew she just said growing up and making friends was important, but…

She was really bad at small talk.

"Hey," she greeted weakly, watching as Coco chuckled and fired a finger gun at Ruby.

"Yo."

"I… I like the music here."

"Yeah. It's awesome."

I am officially out of things to talk about, Ruby thought to herself, blushing as Coco smiled at her.

"So, Ruby-"

"Here we go," Ruby sighed.

"Jaune. You're his plus one."

"Why is everyone always acting like a girl and a boy can't just be friends?" Ruby argued. "That's all we are," she lied, feeling that twisting again.

"Oh, no. I'm totally of the belief that girls and boys can be just friends. I just have a hard time believing Ruby Roses and Jaune Arcs can be just friends," Coco teased. Then her smirk seemed to soften, and she tilted her head slightly.

"It looks like it hurts to say you two are just friends. Am I wrong?" Ruby opened her mouth, but the gleam in Coco's eyes told her that arguing was pointless. So she closed her mouth, leaning her head back into her chair as Coco spoke.

"Wanna know how I can tell? I looked the exact same way when I told people Fox and I were just friends."

Ruby chewed on the inside of her cheek as Coco nodded her head. "Look, I get it. You're working things out with him. I get that. I know how crazy I felt even thinking about dating him." She smiled at the younger woman, trying to ease the tension with a quick joke. "I mean, have you seen his-?"

"What's… what's it like?" Ruby asked, causing Coco to stop. "Dating him, I mean. I mean, how did you know it was time?"

Thinking about it, Coco and Fox might have been the most successful relationship she really knew. Ren and Nora were close, but they weren't getting married. Her own parents' relationship was in shambles.

Besides, some part of her hoped that maybe hearing advice from someone who had 'made it' would be what she needed. Coco already got Ruby thinking about Jaune, might as well use this moment of privacy to work out her feelings for the blond.

"He really likes movies."

"But…?" Ruby really didn't want to say it, and she was relieved to see Coco snicker.

"I know, I know, but movies have a lot of sound and music to it. Plus dialogue. We turn on audio description if we need to, but usually if we're watching it together it's more fun to just talk over it."

Ruby nodded her head as Coco leaned in. "He likes Pirates of the Carribean, but he really loves musicals. Total sucker for them."

The two laughed at that, chuckling quietly as Ruby smiled. "It must be nice. Being together, having worked everything out."

"It wasn't easy," she sighed. "Relationships are hard to maintain. Patience, understanding, trust, respect, and a little bit of luck," she explained.

In Ruby's case, a lot more than just a little bit. It was the biggest difference between her and Coco. Between Ruby and anyone.

Her alts were a part of her, and if it came down between them and Jaune… Then she knew who she was picking.

"You look like you've got a lot on your mind," Coco observed.

"You have no idea," Ruby sighed.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"I… I don't think I can."

"Can? Or won't?" Coco replied.

"It's a long, long story," Ruby mumbled, palming her face in one hand.

"I got time."

Ruby shook her head, a silent solution to just ending the topic. Coco shrugged, before she spoke again. "Lots of reasons to not want to get into a relationship. I know I was scared of dating Fox because of his condition. Not to mention how I had plans on moving. Could have been a huge mistake," she confessed.

"How did you know it wasn't?" Ruby questioned.

"I didn't. I just figure I'd try."

"But… but what if trying meant someone was going to get hurt?"

"That's just a part of falling in love," Coco shrugged.

"H-hey, Who said anything about-!?" Ruby asked, only for the brunette to roll her eyes. The dark-haired woman groaned, sighing again as she rubbed her head. "Just go on."

"Fox's parents were scared of him falling in love with me. Hell, my parents were too. Everyone thought we were crazy, but we wanted to work things out. We wanted to make it work," Coco explained.

"But what… Weren't you scared about the relationship changing you?" Ruby wondered, eyes falling down to the table again.

"Change is a part of life, Rubes. Sometimes you just have to embrace it." Ruby didn't say anything, and after a moment, Coco continued. "I was terrified I wouldn't get to be me anymore when Fox and I started celebrating our fourth anniversary. How long we were together, how being with him changed me, how I changed him…"

"I'm sorry. I'll stop. I shouldn't even be asking you all these questions. It's your night, I-"

"S'cool with me," Coco replied with a shrug. "Something Fox and I have in common is how much we love helping our friends. Besides, I remember when I was your age. Back then, Wish I had someone I could just ask questions to."

Ruby gave a small smile to the older woman, who popped her thumb up and grinned at Ruby. "Fire away. I'm not going anywhere. What's on your mind?"

Ruby opened her mouth once, then closed it. She opened it again, before it fell shut once more. She sighed quietly, chewing on her lip as she rubbed her hands together. "It's a long story."

"I got time."

Ruby really doubted that, so instead she tried to simplify the problem. What was the core of her issue?

She was insane and dating Jaune could ruin his life, her life, her family's lives, everyone's life. She let out another sigh as she rested her head down on the table. Coco got up and moved around the table, sitting by Ruby's side and pulling her into a one armed hug. Ruby could see her take off her glasses, letting their eyes meet as Ruby bit her lip so hard she was nearly bleeding.

"This is between you and me, kid. I swear," Coco promised.

"I'm… I'm scared, I guess. I'm scared of dating Jaune." That was a crack in the dam, and the truth dripped out. "I'm scared of losing myself, or worse, ruining both of our lives."

"Jaune's this great guy," Ruby confessed with a shine to her eyes. "He's nice, funny, and I really like him, but if I date him, I… I could lose something really important to me."

"Your independence?" Coco asked, and when Ruby didn't reply, she just took it as confirmation. Ruby didn't bother correcting her as Coco nodded her head. "Dating can really change you. For better or worse. All depends on the partner. Sometimes that change can be good," Coco smirked. "And other times, well… y'know," she added with a crestfallen frown.

"But you're right. Jaune's a great guy. If you told him how scared you were, I know he'd try and help," the brunette declared.

"I don't know if there is helping me..."

"Ruby, change is a part of life. You can't avoid it, you can only try and steer it. Try and take control and hope life doesn't give you a curveball," Coco explained. "Dating Jaune could be the biggest mistake of your life."

The younger woman groaned at that particular thought, only for Coco to gently squeeze Ruby with one arm. "Or it can be just what you need. The big ass rock you use to finally shatter the ice, and get the river flowing again."

She was right. Ruby knew she was, but how could she risk her family? Weiss, Yang, and Blake were leaving their fates in Ruby's hands, but the weight was too much for her alone. It was something they should all decide.

All of them… Even Jaune? If he already knew about Ruby's alts, there was no way he'd just let it go and forget about it. Ruby swallowed spit down her throat as she closed her eyes.

"Guys?"

Nothing, and Ruby gently knocked her fist against the table. Coco tilted her head, a concern look in her eyes as Ruby faced her.

"I'm… I… I think I need to talk to him."

"I can give you the address where he and the other guys are at."

"I can probably just call him on my ph-wait, no." Ruby shook her head. "I can't just leave you in the middle of your party!" She palmed her face with one of her hands, groaning. "Ahh, I've probably totally ruined your night!"

"Lot of night left, Ruby. Besides, if you stay here, you're just going to think about him, and trust me, I know how much that sucks," Coco chuckled. "Go. I'll tell the others you had to go."

Ruby wanted to argue, but the knowing stare Coco was giving her was enough to settle the debate. She rose out of her seat, only to stop as she stared at the other woman. In that moment, Ruby couldn't help but see her sister in the woman.

A strong, feisty woman. Confidant, but incredibly caring underneath all of her bravado and jokes. Without thinking, Ruby gave Coco a tight hug, wrapping both arms around the taller woman.

Coco's eyes widened, and if Ruby could see, she would have seen her blushing from the sudden hug. Her shock soon melted into a warm smile as she returned the gesture.

"I hope things work out between you two, shortstuff."

"Thanks… THank you, Coco," Ruby whispered, so quietly that Coco might not have heard it. Thankfully when the two pulled apart, the smiles they gave one another spoke volumes. Ruby turned and left Coco behind, who watched the short woman vanish in a red blur.

"Quick little thing," Coco chuckled, before she turned her head and spotted Velvet and Nora nearby, watching at another table. The two blushed at being caught, flinching slightly as Coco motioned them closer. "So, how long were you two listening?"

"We weren't listening! We were watching with our ears," Nora corrected as Velvet scratched the back of her head.

"A few minutes. We saw that you two were talking-"

"With serious faces," Nora added.

"-and we didn't want to interrupt. Is everything okay?"

"I certainly hope so. Shortstuff's on her way to work things out with our favorite blond," Coco explained. "Nothing else we can do for her. What happens next is between them."


As soon as Ruby was outside, she looked for somewhere to sit. It wasn't a long search, thankfully. She soon found a bench nearby and sat down on the cold metal seat. She looked around, watching the busy street as cars raced by.

It was night now, but the lights of the city were so bright. There were so many people moving from one place to another, laughing and talking as cars drove by. Ruby stared at the life around her, before she closed her eyes and focused.

This time, she wasn't leaving without a real talk.

She called out to the others, louder than ever before. She called out to them until she found where they were hiding, and they had to answer her.

"Ruby," Blake's voice answered back. "Please, stop-"

"No, I want all of you to listen to me. You've been ignoring me all night, and that is over! We are talking about this," Ruby declared.

Silence. Then Weiss finally spoke up. "Blake suggested we give you space to come to your own decision."

"Don't act like you're innocent in this! We all agreed to leave Ruby alone," Blake growled.

"Hey!" Ruby called out to the others. She felt Blake and Weiss' presence in her mind, before she called out to her oldest friend. "Yang?"

"I'm here, Ruby," her voice was so quiet, almost not even there. So different than the boisterous sibling Ruby had grown up with.

It pained Ruby to hear her like that, but she pushed it down to make her case clear to the three alternate personalities.

"I… I think I want, no, I mean, I want to date Jaune, but I won't let any of you fade away."

"Ruby, you might as well be promising us you won't eat anymore sweets, you'll just eat candy," Blake sighed. "That isn't how this works. You're supposed to get better, and then we-"

"I don't care what it's supposed to be! You guys are my family! I won't just let you die."

"You might not be able to stop it."

"Do you know? Do any of us?!"

"It is only a theory," Weiss quietly reminded.

"I would fight tooth and nail for any of you," Ruby swore. "But I… I want to date Jaune."

"Then you should him," Yang agreed. "But maybe us going away is the right thing here? I mean-"

"Yang, I-I'm mad at what you did. I'm not saying I'm not, but I get why you did it," Ruby stated. "You must have been scared. I just wish you had told me." Yang didn't answer back, so the young woman continued. "But we're still family. I want all of you to still be with me and Jaune."

"We're symptoms of an illness, Ru-" Blake didn't have a chance to finish her thoughts as Ruby snapped at her.

"You are not symptoms! You are all so much more than that! You helped raise me, you protected me! You're all a part of me, so why shouldn't I try to fight for you!?" Ruby asked.

Ruby had read about dozens of heroes of the course of her life. The big, inspiring speech was a common trope she had seen play out time and time again, and for a moment, she felt a rush inside of her.

This was her moment. It wasn't just about Jaune anymore. It wasn't even just about her alts. It was about all of them, and more. It was about growing up. Ruby let the momentum carry her as she made her piece to her sisters.

"I don't want to lose any of you. I love you. I need you, you're my family-"

"We aren't real, Ruby."

"You are to me! You were there for me when mom got locked up, you were there when dad refused to look at me, you were there for Adam, for Sun, for everything! You were always there for me. You weren't just voices in my head, you were my friends, my family, and you still are. I won't lose any of you," Ruby swore.

"Ruby," Yang's voice weakly called out to her sister. "You can't have both."

"Who said I can't? We don't know a single other person who has DID besides us and mom. I'm willing to take the chance."

"And if you realize you have no control?" Blake asked.

"I'll fight for you. All of you," Ruby replied.

"What if Jaune rejects you? Us?" Weiss asked.

"Then things didn't work out between him and me, but we're a package deal. I'm dating him and getting to know his friends, it's only fair he gets to do the same."

"She has a point," Weiss commented, earning a sigh from Blake.

"This is stupid," she muttered with a hiss of anger. "Ruby, you can't promise the impossible."

"I'm not. I'm promising I'm going to look out for my three best friends."

"Ruby-"

"It's her choice."


"Ruby's a real person. She makes the choices, we're just along for the ride. Isn't that what you said, Blake? Our only purpose is to help Ruby."

Yang threw the words back at Blake, and each of them could feel her bristle. They felt her anger rise, before vanishing into the shadows of their mind.

"It's your choice, Ruby. We'll be here no matter what choice you make."

She was gone. Yang, Weiss, and Ruby all felt her walk away, leaving the three alone. Weiss sighed, a hint of anger and disappointment in her voice.

"What's her problem? This is a good thing!"

"Something tells me she doesn't feel that way," Yang muttered.

"She'll come around," Ruby replied.

Yang wished she could believe that. Hell, she wished Ruby could believe it.

"What do you guys think?" the young woman asked, and Yang tried not to accidentally grit their teeth. Ruby's teeth.

"I think this is a good idea. If there's anyone who won't listen to doctors and people with actual degrees, it's you," Weiss commented, and the joke actually earned a small smile from Ruby. "If you want to be with this dolt, that's your choice. I certainly won't mind coming along for the ride. Just… make sure he knows we're not his girlfriends," she gagged.

"I'll make sure he knows," Ruby chuckled, before Yang felt her mind's eye aimed at her. "Yang?"

It was all wrong. Yang wondered where she went wrong. She wished her sister wasn't… like this. So nice. So forgiving. She couldn't just let someone get away with this.

If anyone had ever hurt her sister like how Yang did, she'd have torn them in two, yet Ruby refused to do anything. She didn't call Yang a bitch, she didn't treat Yang like how she deserved.

It was wrong, and Yang couldn't accept it.

"It's your life, Rubes. You should do whatever makes you happy." Yang retreated. "You'll always be my best friend." She ran away. Shamed, embarrassed, and scared, she didn't know what else to do but retreat. She couldn't stand hearing more of Ruby's kindness. It wasn't right. It wasn't what Yang deserved.

She hated to run away like Blake, but what could she do? Listen to more of Ruby's 'friends forever' speech? She loved her little sister, but there was only so much sugar she could take.

"Yang!" Ruby shouted her name, and some people turned to look at her in confusion. Her cheeks turned red as she looked down, trying to pretend she was distracted by her feet. The stares passed on by as Ruby shook her head.

"I really wish they'd stop doing that…"

"Tell me about it," Weiss sighed. "I'll check on them later."

"Thanks… You okay, Weiss?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. Glad we're finally moving forward… Congratulations on finally getting a boyfriend. No accounting for taste, but he seems nice."

Ruby turned red at the compliment. "We're not dating."

"Not yet. Go text the dolt. Talk to him. I'll keep things sane here." Ruby arched her brow, and Weiss tried to roll eyes that she didn't have. "You know what I mean. Just go." Ruby nodded her head, and she opened her eyes, returning to reality.

Weiss watched the world through the other woman's eyes, before she quickly turned away. She couldn't be distracted. If she was the sole sane mind in this place, so be it.

Ugh. Can't believe I have to babysit people older than me, she huffed as she traveled to Blake's Room.

Their own little space in the mindscape that was Ruby's brain. A place of pure thought, perfect for individual personalities with no corporeal form. Entirely made of their imagination. Weiss pressed her thoughts against Blake's Room, trying to reach out to her.

No response. Weiss called out to her, but there was no response. Of course not. Blake always seemed like she was trying to play the loner. She rarely made her presence known, choosing to wait for someone to notice her.

Weiss didn't think Blake would answer her, but she made a promise to Ruby to at least try, and try, she did. Weiss left her Room for Yang's, and unlike her, she was able to enter the room with ease.

Style wasn't really anything the alts could have given their circumstances. They could dress Ruby's body a certain way, but she always had a final say. It was her body, after all. Here in their Room's, the alts could be themselves.

Whoever that was.

The Room had walls of burnt orange, with some rock and roll song playing. Weiss could see equipment fading in and out, changing forms and shapes, but they were always tools to improve one's body. There were posters of rock bands and action films on the walls, changing titles and actors every few minutes.

No bed. What would be the point?

"Yang?"

Weiss couldn't really see her fellow alt. She could just feel her presence, feel her outline in the mind. Another body like hers, not like the detailed shape and form that Ruby appeared in.

The youngest alt could feel Yang there, before she heard her voice greet her. "Hey, Weiss-cream. What's up?"

"Do… Is there anything you want to talk about?" the youngest personality asked.

"Appreciate it, but no. Just needed some distance from Rubes..."

"She means well. We both know she's a woman of her word.."

"That's the problem, Weiss. I don't want her help. I don't want her to be kind to me. I want her to hate me, I want her t-to treat me like crap, because that's what I deserve…"

A sadness filled the Room, and Weiss could see the color on the walls chipping away as they laid in there together.

"Yang…" Weiss laid her mind with Yang's. She tried her best to offer a shoulder, even if she didn't really have one to give. "If you want, I can say your hair looks awful."

Weiss wasn't sure what she was hoping to accomplish. She was almost worried Yang would begin screaming at her, only for the older personality to laugh. A quiet laugh, with a hint of bitterness, but it was something. She chuckled quietly, before she spoke.

"Not bad, Weiss. Got another one in you?"

"Jokes aren't really my thing, I usually leave that to you. After all, look at the mental projection of yourself. Shoddy."

Neither said anything for a moment. Then Yang snorted, and Weiss smiled as she laughed. "I can't believe you projected the same mental image of yourself as I did. Don't you know how embarrassing that is for us?" she whined.

Weiss was a bandage for a broken dam. She wasn't sure what she could do to help the older personalities, but she did what she could. They were her only family, and despite everything that Yang had gone through, Weiss could feel a… a special warmth inside of her.

It felt nice.


Ruby wanted to help her friends. She wanted to make things right, but there was no way to do that if they refused to talk. So she promised Blake and Yang she'd make things right, before she stood up and took out her phone.

She had planned on calling Jaune and asking if they could talk, only to find he had left her with a message on her phone. A recent one that must have come while she was talking to her alts.

Ruby opened the text, feeling her heart race ever so slightly as she saw the words.

'Ruby, can we talk?'

END

Okay, I'm late. I'm really late, and you have a right to be annoyed, but I have good news. Here's the long version. One big reason updates come so slow is because I write stories for my , and that doesn't even include the amount of commissions I get.

To put it bluntly, I've written literally hundreds of stories for my Patrons in the last three years, and that has kept me crazy busy, but recently I made the choice to free up my schedule to do more writing for me. That means more writing for this story, and more stories from me in general.

So you can expect the next update soon, and in a few chapters, this book will be wrapped up. As for a second book? Well, I have a plan laid out for that, and I hope to bring it to reality.

TL;DR: I'm going to be updating this story faster, and you can expect a second and maybe even a third set of chapters detailing Ruby and Jaune's relationship.

In this chapter, like how the last one was split between Jaune and Cardin, Nora and Ruby take center stage, both with their own problems, both trying to move on. Hope you enjoyed their individual tales. As I've always said, everyone has a story. Now then, in the next chapter Jaune and Ruby finally settle things between them and the alts. The moment I'm sure many of you have waited for. :)

Oh, and I have a Twitter now. It's embarrassing, but I figured why not plug myself? My name is Leafydream Leafydream0. So, yeah. I just made it and plan on using it for posting art and stuff once I have art worth posting. If you want to message me with questions, or just follow me, go for it.

I have two accounts. One for adult material, one more family friendly. Please make sure you keep an eye out for the 18 symbol by the name, that's the adult one. The one with the white background is the family friendly one. Again, please make sure you know which one you're clicking on and following. I follow Project Melody with the adult one, and if you know who she is, you know why I'm warning you now.

Other than that, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Take care, stay safe, and remember, you are loved. I really appreciate all of you who are still reading despite the… erratic posting schedule this story has had. Thank you.