Author's Notes: If you couldn't tell from the style, this was supposed to be a pretty long one shot written in a Middle-Earth inspired AU. Which, it still is based in that AU, it's just not long. At all. I had stepped away from writing it for a long time, came back, and the last paragraph was already a pretty cute ending, so I tweaked it slightly, and decided to just post it as is.
Sorry if it seems a little unfulfilling, but just consider this a bonus upload today.
The fire crackled in the cold night, its heat emanating radiantly, its light cast out upon the flora and the odd mushroom that was nestled against the trunk of a tree. In the branches above slept peacefully the birds and insects they eat, while below rested the weary bodies of seven travelers.
Through snow and through rain they tread, through field and through plain. Their armor and cloth roughened by harsh weather and beating sun, cloaks torn by thorny brush.
They had eaten through rations meant for a party of eighteen men so far, and their ponies and horses desired rest. Even in such a rough condition, tired and sodden from a long journey nowhere near over with, they were jovial, celebrating life with what little they had.
Jaune looked over all his friends with a smile on his face, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword as it limply hung at his side. They all seemed to be so caught up in their merrymaking, and that was fine by him. It seemed as if they had all relaxed as soon as the fire was started and dinner was cooked.
His smile faltered slightly as he gave them all a once over. They were all accounted for, all except for the most important one. He looked up at the glimmering stars, and silently he stole away from the party.
Ruby had been in charge of setting up camp along with Nora and Ren, but it was Jaune who had scouted the area out. He knew the land well. Knew the flowers and their purposes, the trees and what creatures used them for shelter. He knew the lake a short trek away from camp and what fish swam in its body. He knew of one specific plateau of land that extended above the lake to form a sort of scenic overlook. Similarly, he knew Ruby and her curiosity, and how it egged her into exploring every little hill and clearing she could find. He knew she would be there.
It only took a few moments of silence, broken only by his footfalls and the odd branch snapping under his weight before he reached the plateau. He was proven right instantly, for there she was, red cloak glimmering faintly in the moonlight, as clear and unfiltered by clouds as it was.
He walked up behind her quietly, knowing the fragility of serenity, and glanced out upon the calm waters of the lake. He wondered how many fish swam in its depths, how many treasures hid beneath the surface. There were legends that coerced travelers to throw coins in lakes all over the land, and surely this one was no different.
He took his place beside her, sitting as comfortably as he could in his leather armor. It wasn't nearly as restrictive as other materials, but he found it still to be a small hindrance. He produced a small coin from the light purse hung by his belt.
"Have a wish to make?" Ruby asked, turning slightly to face him. "I threw one in earlier." She smiled to herself, clearly pleased with the wish she had made.
"Possibly." He went quiet for a few seconds, pressed the coin to his forehead, and threw it in. They both watched with reverence as it hit the water's surface, causing ripples to spread along the calm like poison. The disturbance seemed to carry over quite a distance, finally dying off before reaching land. "Can't tell you what it is, though."
Ruby shook her head at the teasing tone he took and, laughing gently to herself, leaned back on her hands. "If you tell me then I'll tell you mine. Deal?" The wind rustling the leaves was the only sound she heard in reply.
Jaune's face was scrunched up in thought, no doubt heavily weighing his options. He was curious enough about hers to warrant thinking about it, and for some reason that made Ruby happy. It was a small thing, it didn't amount to much. But in the moment, it felt big to her.
Something as trivial as a wish, no matter how small, can mean quite a lot to a person, even if that wish may never come true. Ruby felt that if you believed in the wish enough, it would come true no matter what. You just had to throw a little effort into it yourself instead of solely relying on pure wishful thinking.
Even still, some wishes are based on luck, and nothing but. She chose to believe regardless.
Jaune fell onto his back, shifting his gaze up to the stars. Ruby followed soon after. "I'll tell you," he said. "I wished that you and I would remain close together for a long time. Longer than all the mountains have stood, and longer still than the sun burns in the sky." He turned to meet with her silver eyes staring back at him, glinting faintly in the lunar light.
"That's quite a long time," she said with an utterly radiant smile. "Perhaps if we both put the effort in, it will come true." She linked her hand with his.
"Don't think I forgot. What was your wish?" Jaune pushed. "Endless baked goods?"
Ruby chuckled gleefully. "No, no. Nothing so impossible. I only wished that you would come to find me, so that we can share a peaceful moment together." She squeezed his hand affectionately, and the two of them closed their eyes. "It turns out that all you have to do is believe enough, and your wish will come true."