At last! The finale! Enjoy~


"Ahh," Ruby sighed in contentment as she gazed at her lounging girlfriend. "Isn't this the best?"

Casually, Qrow sauntered over and slapped her bare back. On his palm was a cool gel. "How many times do I have to tell you? Put on some sunscreen."

"Ugh," Ruby whined. "Fine!"

Since it was such a blazing day and they were resting under the sun, protection from the harsh rays was critical. Naturally, the girls wore swimsuits to soak up the warmth.

Weiss hopped up from her chair and sat behind her captain. "I'll cover your back."

"Th-thanks, Weiss," Ruby blushed as she felt her cold hand over her smooth skin.

Due to the sling, rubbing the sunscreen over her took longer than anticipated. Was Ruby's skin always this soft and milky? Heat rushed to her cheeks as she tried to focus on the task at hand. She cleared her throat.

"You're covered," Weiss said, only to look over and notice her girlfriend was blushing madly. "G-get a hold of yourself, dunce!"

"Uhh," Ruby practically melted from the euphoric contact. Her girlfriend had a tender touch. "D-do you need help with your back?"

Shyly, Weiss glanced away. She turned around, exposing her bare back. "If you don't mind…"

In that moment, it was like cupid's arrow struck her heart. Unintentionally, Ruby tipped to the side after a tiny sigh.

Quickly, Weiss caught her and noticed she was as red as her cape. "Get ahold of yourself! How are you so hopeless?"

While she shook her, Ruby was seeing stars. Her girlfriend was too beautiful for her to comprehend.

Yang lowered her sunglasses. "Those two are hopeless."

Blake simply kept her eyes on the pages in the book she was absorbed in.

It'd been about a week since they were released from the hospital. Before setting sail, the crew attended Jacques Schnee's funeral. While no tears were shed, it gave them a sense of closure.

Now, Schnee Dust was moving in the right direction thanks to Winter. After her father died, Winter took the reins to steer the energy giant. The eldest hoped that one day her little sister would join her. For now, Weiss was too happy with life on the sea.

Casually, Blake stretched and sprawled out over the comfortable chair. In their spare time, they fixed up the ship and were finally unwinding.

After yawning, Yang rolled over and smiled when she noticed how carefree her girlfriend was. "I love it. I think that's the first time I've seen it under the sun."

Blake glanced at her bicep. Her new cover-up tattoo glimmered under the sunlight. The stinger shined, transparent wings were delicate, and the yellow and black stripes encompassed love.

"It was a good idea, Yang," Blake said with a smile. "Thanks for picking it."

"Don't mention it," the blonde beamed a smile. "I know how much you hated the last one. I'm glad we could replace it with a good thing."

"Me too…"

Tenderly, Yang held a finger under her girlfriend's chin and tilted it upward. She closed the gap and soft lips met. The kiss lasted for several seconds before they separated with faint blushes.

Fondly, Blake smoothed her fingers over the floating bumblebee.

Overhearing the conversation, Weiss glanced over. "It does look nice. I'm surprised the brute picked such a graceful tattoo."

Since that was a light jab at her, Yang stared at her. "What?"

Ruby sighed. "Not again…"

Weiss only shrugged. "It was kind of a compliment."

Leisurely, Yang stretched her arms above her head. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

Until now, Qrow had been enjoying the waves and the rocking of the ship. He tried to drown out their conversation, but couldn't help himself. "Even though all your precious mead is gone?"

"That was you?!" Yang yelped.

Qrow drank from his flask. "Are you really surprised?"

"Guess not," Yang admitted, then whipped her gaze to the flask. "That better not be the last of it."

In response, Qrow got wide-eyed and began to chug the entire flask. Based on his reaction, Yang darted to him and grabbed it. Only for a measly drop to remain.

"Ah, dammit! Why do you gotta be such an asshat?"

"You're just mad that I can outdrink you," Qrow retorted with a smirk.

"I'm mad that you took my half!"

While they argued, Blake's cat ears flicked wildly. All she wanted was to enjoy her book in peace. Was that too much to ask?

"It's just alcohol," Weiss tried to reason. "We can get some at the next stop."

"True," Yang admitted. "When's that?"

"Whenever we want!" Ruby chirped.

Something in the distance caught Yang's eye, so she pointed. Several cliffs towered above the sea. It was like they were begging to be seen.

"There's no mead over there, but I recall someone telling me they wanted to cliff dive?"

That was all Blake needed to hear to slam her book shut. "Anchor."

Like this wasn't up for debate, Qrow rolled off his lounge chair and headed for the wheel. Although he was still a bit wobbly from his injury.

Weiss stared at them like they were crazy. "You're serious."

Yang crossed her arms. "We weren't kidding!"

"Your ribs still hurt!" Weiss retorted.

"So?"

Weiss flailed her good arm while the other remained stiff in the sling. "Am I the only sane one here?"

For a moment, Yang looked confused. "I thought we established that on day one."

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Incorrigible."

Ruby set a hand on her shoulder. "You're more than welcome to join us."

"Hello?!" Weiss pointed to her arm in the sling.

"Your aura can protect it," Ruby chirped. "I'll use mine to protect it, too."

Audibly, Weiss facepalmed. "You're all dead serious."

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

"Fine. You want to jump off a cliff? Let's go jump off a cliff."

Part of her thought they'd bail once they got there. That's what she hoped for, at least. The other part of her was beginning to join their antics. She was being dragged into their insanity.

Easily, she conjured a total of five glyphs since Qrow had rejoined them. The Howling Thorn was safely anchored, so they could leave for a bit. Like birds, the crew soared directly to the steep cliffs.

Somehow, they were able to land without incident.

"That never gets old," Yang said with a grin.

Slowly, Blake approached the edge and crouched. She'd jumped off higher cliffs, but this was still quite the drop. It should be an adrenaline rush. Below, the waves were calm. The sea invited them to make the leap.

"It's not that far of a drop," the faunus eased.

Yang glanced down like she wasn't phased. "Oh yeah, easy peasy."

Unimpressed by the height, Qrow asked. "Who wants to go first?"

Sensing she was nervous, Ruby held her girlfriend's hand. "Let's all go together."

Weiss looked down and a surge of anxiety overwhelmed her. "I- I don't know…"

To comfort her, Ruby kissed her on the lips. Any doubts Weiss had were erased as they melted into the sweet contact. As long as Ruby was by her side, she could do anything. After they separated, they were both redder than apples.

"I suddenly have courage," Weiss said.

Happily, Ruby grinned. "That's my Weissy."

"We good then?" Yang asked to make sure.

"Let's do it," Weiss agreed.

"On three," Yang announced.

Nods.

"One."

A lot changed for the better over the last year. The Thorns gained another crewmate. Another person they could depend on. Another person they could trust with their lives. They overcame so much in their personal lives as well.

"Two."

Due to the trials they overcame together, Blake felt more liberated. The chains shackled to her with the Khans were broken. With Sienna's death, Yang, Ruby, and Qrow could now heal properly. Before, Weiss was stuck in a life she wanted nothing to do with, and now she obtained a life and people she loved.

"Three!"

Together, the crew jumped off the ledge. Together, they explored the world.

They'd experienced some of it, but there were far more journeys ahead. It was waiting for their footprints. It was endless. It was like this world was an achieved dream.

They'd find it beyond the wind that breezed through them.

All their memories. They were precious. All the experiences ahead, even more so. And they'd experience even more.

As long as they keep moving forward.


This line from Lost in Thoughts, All Alone was basically the theme of this entire fic: "The trials- the thorn in your side- becomes the greatest strength in you." The thorn in their sides was literally them, and they give each other strength.

Tabi no Tochuu: "There's a world we see in our dreams. Is it out there? Is it waiting? Is there time for one more journey? Let's go find it beyond the wind." "There's no limit. No place too far. When you're here by my side."

The ideas for this fic were written April 22, 2017. Started writing this fic December 25th, 2018. Ended writing the fic: December 1st, 2019.

That was the finale! Thanks for sticking with this pirate AU. Seeya in my other stories.

Remember to stay dandy,

~Toto