Beta Read by: Crescent Sunrise

Recommended story: "The Promise" by doomzoom - RUBY AU Ladybug pairing

~MZ~

May looks between a pair of tops to wear for her coming date with consternation. Then at the jeans she has laid out and waiting and back at the shirts. She hadn't packed much in the way of 'good' clothing. Most of it being shorts and track pants for her workouts and tank tops. She hadn't exactly planned on getting involved with anyone while here after all.

She looks between the two and unable to decide she turns to the other humans in the room. Then she recalls who those humans are and has to weigh the pros and cons. Roy for all his numerous, hilarious failures in dating does actually put forth a good effort in fashion. Now if only she could get him to lose the dreadlocks and stop the cheesy one liners.

'On that same thought I have no idea why Nolan and Brawnz aren't seeing anyone. Objectively they don't look bad at all. Maybe they just haven't had anyone catch their eye?' She ponders giving the two tops a stink eye before giving herself over to the inevitable and holding up both tops to her teammates.

The biggest downside to asking them is willingly giving them something to gossip about like old women and ammunition for her own inevitable suffering. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Better she do it now than having Roy figure it out someplace public and make a scene. He would be the type to shout and point.

So with that she turns to her team holding up the two tops. "Guys, I have a date with Little Red. So far I have a pair of jeans and boots. Now which top?" She asks tearing the band aid off immediately. Only Nolan doesn't seem shocked by the news.

'Good, that means he kept his mouth shut. He's a good partner.'

Roy recovers first and hops to his feet. His mouth opening to point and shout. 'Exactly what I thought he would do when he found out. Glad I know him so well.'

"I knew it! Brawnz I told you she had it bad for the shorty! I knew all of that couldn't just be flirting. The latter work outs. The little looks, the exaggerated steps. I called it!" He exclaims sounding inordinately pleased with himself.

It's the look she's getting from Brawnz that has her worried. Her team leader is not above tossing out little barbs the others will pick up on and run with. And if she lets him that's exactly what he'll do here.

"Brawnz please, not right now okay? I've only got a few hours to get ready and I actually would like a little help on this. Get me as much as you want when I get back but help?" She pleads and his eyes narrow as a wicked smirk crosses his lips. But he nods letting it go for the moment.

Nolan seems to be looking at the choices and back at her. Those being a long sleeved but flowing white shirt. The hem falling across her hips, designed to fit loose around her frame. The other being a dark red halter top that will cling to her body and expose her muscular stomach and emphasize her chest.

"If you go with the halter you should wear a jacket with it. We don't want you getting sick again." He comments as the others nods. It's Roy who then snaps his fingers before adding in his two cents.

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing? If May looks cold and shivering she might get Ruby to let her under that cloak of hers. You know, for warmth." He comments and the others seem to consider it until May responds.

"Nah, if we try that while we're walking it will just look awkward with me trying to hunch down." May replies shaking her head to dispel the image and tossing the halter back onto her bed. "I'll go with the sleeves."

Grabbing her outfit she shuts the door to the bathroom and changes. The jeans hugging her lower body tightly as black boots run half way to her knees. The loose white shirt covering her upper body showing just a bit of skin above her cleavage. With a smile at herself in the mirror she tosses her previous clothes on the bed with the discarded top and presents herself to her team. This time, it's Brawnz who speaks up first.

"Ditch the hat."

She glares for a moment as he just shrugs and goes back to what he's doing on his Scroll. She looks at Nolan and Roy next and the two nod in agreement before she pulls it off with a pout before folding it and tucking it into her back pocket.

Dusky rose hair falling just past her shoulders until she ties it into a ponytail. The bangs not long enough to reach parted to one side. This finally gets a thumbs up from Nolan.

Feeling pleased she grabs her Scroll and wallet before heading out the door and towards her date. Hands already opening the latter to make sure she has lien inside and won't need to make the first stop a bank.

Feeling just the right amount of nervousness tempered by excitement she almost misses walking into someone before apologizing and spinning around. Not bothering to see who she almost hit.

The other person left looking after her for a moment with lingering eyes. Nebula Violet, team leader of NDGO.

~RR~

Ruby sighs wondering if it's not too late to turn around and hide under the covers of her bed. Let the events of the day be dealt with tomorrow or better yet, never. Never sounds good.

'So she likes me and that's why she has been so insufferable? How does that make any kind of sense?! I mean I know she said it's because she wanted me to look at her but what is that really supposed to mean? I mean, I guess it worked but still... Ugh this is so frustrating!'

Ruby groans, her hands gripping the sides of head and shaking it furiously which funnily enough, does not relieve the growing headache building behind her temples.

'This had better not be some kind of joke.' She finishes before shaking her head. Using her secondary outfit, fondly dubbed 'Slayer' for her date. She's left Crescent Rose behind in her locker for now since she doesn't really need it in the city as the rocket locker can get her weapon to her rapidly should she need it for any reason.

'Actually I don't think I've ever seen her without her rifle.' She ponders as she starts moving again towards the entrance of her dorm.

She gets to the entrance and looks at her Scroll, she's a little early and the sun is on its way to descending. She pauses looking up at the sky, painted in soft reds and oranges, colors of evening. "I wonder what we'll be doing. She never said." She wonders aloud jumping when she actually gets a response.

"Well, I actually hadn't thought that far ahead when I asked. It was kind of spontaneous. I hope you don't mind if we walk and talk. Not much of a date I know, sorry about that." May replies walking up. Ruby's mouth goes dry at the sight of her. Jeans that hug her legs tightly showing off her lower body and offset by the loose white top. It's a good outfit and the shorter girl twitches seeing it.

The amused smile that has so irritated her up to this point returns to the older girl as she cocks a hip, planting a fist on it. "I take it you like what you see Little Red?" May asks a hopeful note slipping into the question.

"You look really nice..." Ruby finally replies quietly after shaking her head before giving her date a little glare. "And I've already told you, my name is Ruby."

May blinks in surprise before tilting her head. "Does that nickname really bother you? It's more habit at this point but I can try and stop if you find it annoying." There's a note of worry in her voice now and her lip moves as if she's trying to keep from biting it.

The shorter girl lets out a long sigh before shaking her head. "Not really I guess. I mean, it did for a while because I thought you were saying it just to make fun of my height. But not really, the response is more automatic I guess." She replies before giving May a long look. "I reserve the right to change my mind about it at any time." Pointing a finger at her in warning, as if daring the taller girl to take advantage of Ruby's magnanimous gesture.

May offers her hands up in surrender looking relieved before the two turn and start heading off. "Do you mind if we make a detour? I forgot this morning I'm supposed to make a call home on the CCTS tonight. If it's a bother we can reschedule though." May adds quickly.

"I don't mind. But it's a bit late isn't it?" Ruby comments questioningly.

"Well here yeah. But Vacuo is a few hours behind Vale. My mother should be getting off work soon and she'll be waiting for my call." May replies easily before grinning at the shorter girl. "I hope I'm not going too fast here. We're not even together yet and I'm already introducing you to my mother."

The 'yet' hangs heavy in Ruby's mind for a moment. The knowledge that this date might lead to more after is a logical possibility, but it wasn't something Ruby had spent any time considering. That she might be walking next to her future girlfriend gives her something to think about. But she pushes it aside for later, letting her focus on the conversation at hand wanting to move the conversation forward.

"What about your dad, won't he be waiting with her?" She asks getting a small smile in response from the older girl. It's not her usual cocky grin or teasing one either. This one looks sad.

"Well, let's just say we all have reasons for wanting to become Huntsmen and Huntresses." May replies simply, putting that line of questioning off and leaving Ruby with the taste of boot leather in her mouth, wondering how she managed to keep walking while simultaneously putting her foot in her mouth.

"Hey, hey don't get so down. I just don't want to bring the mood down by talking about it. I know you know how it feels… Yang told me about your mom." May replies before wincing as she realizes the conversation is still depressing and putting a damper on the pairs' conversation, descending into awkward silence that seems to drag on without an end in sight.

Ruby shifts awkwardly, feeling worried about how they're going to move past the depressing mood when she spots May shifting the rifle slung on her shoulder. The question leaves her lips before she can even think it through. "So, what caliber does it use?" She's kicking herself mentally halfway through but can't stop herself in time. Her cheeks lighting up in a blush as May looks over at her bemused.

'Nice job Ruby, way to immediately let your geek out the second things get a little awkward. Because everyone always wants to talk weapon specs with you. If everyone and always consists of no one and ever.'

"You mean Myrtles Bloom? She shoots point four-oh-eights. What about that monster you use?" May asks chuckling lightly at the affronted look on Ruby's face.

"Crescent Rose is not a monster! She's a lady, and my sweetheart." Ruby argues back with that adorable indignant look on her face that only gets worse as May struggles to contain her humor. Then Ruby grins, looking smug as she actually answers the question. "And for your information she shoots fifty caliber high-impact rounds."

The short girl gives a mental cheer as May winces at that, only to break into a blush as the taller girl grips her upper arm squeezing and poking the muscle there with an appraising eye. "You're a lot stronger than you look." She says appreciatively, "I thought Yang was exaggerating when she mentioned you dragged a Nevermore up a cliff before decapitating it. But now I can kind of see it."

Ruby blush deepens, her hands moving to her hood putting it over her head to hide under it as she mumbles under her breath. "It's not like I did it alone, I had help." Apparently the wasn't quiet enough as May moves her hood back down to her shoulders walking backwards in front of the brightly blushing younger girl.

"I know. Still, it was your insane plan and it worked. And it's something only you could have done in that situation. It's very impressive. Be proud of it, head up high yeah?" The taller girl replies with a kind smile, chuckling again at the little nod she gets in reply as they head up the steps to the tower.

Fortunately Ruby has her blush under control by the time they make it to the communication desks and May places her call grabbing, an unused chair from the desk next to her for Ruby before shifting hers aside to let them both be in frame.

It rings a few times showing that it's connected and waiting for an answer. While waiting, May pulls out her beanie carefully placing it over her head to cover her left eye again. When the call is answered though Ruby blinks as an image of an older May looks back with a soft smile Ruby has only just seen from the older teen. Aside from the physical aspect however, there doesn't seem to be much else in resemblance the woman on the screen. She seems much more demure than the confident sniper.

'Wow, she's pretty. Is May going to look like that when she's older?' Her speculation is interrupted by the woman speaking.

"Hello sweetie, it's good to see you. How's Vale and, oh! Who is this?" The lady looking back at them asks her eyes shifting from her daughter to the shorter Ruby.

"Heya mom. This is Ruby we had plans to hang out tonight but I forgot I was supposed to call you, so she agreed to come with me to the tower so I could make the call. Ruby, this is my mom." May says, introducing the two with a smile that blanches as a very familiar look comes across her mother's face. One Ruby has grown intimately familiar with having seen the teasing look that promised mischief on the face of the sniper herself.

"Oh my little May. Why didn't you tell me you got a new girlfriend? She looks a bit young though don't you think? Then again your father was six years older than me. Maybe it's in the genes? Oh it's so nice to see my little girl in love. I told you that other girl wasn't any good for you." She starts in, her grin looks innocent but her eyes tell it differently, twinkling with amusement as May groans sinking into her seat. A sight Ruby has yet to see occurring as the cocky sniper blushes darkly.

"She's not my girlfriend mom, and I'm not in love. At least not yet. And she's a huntress-in-training here at Beacon." May says getting a sigh from her mother.

"No one likes a cynic May." The mother chides. "I swear I don't know where you get that from." She replies, pouting before grinning and turning her attention to Ruby that kind smile. "So! You're Ruby hmm? It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of my daughter for me. She's really not so bad."

Ruby blinks for a moment before smiling back. "Okay Mrs. Zedong. It's nice to meet you too. It's nice to see where May gets it all from." The shorter girl comments.

"Gets what from? I don't know what you mean." She replies before shaking her head. "May, I have food in the oven so I can't stay. Next week same time okay? I'll want details!" She says before waving at the two and waiting for May to say her goodbyes before cutting the connection.

Silence falls on the two as they leave until Ruby breaks it with a question after the tower door closes behind them. "What did she mean when she called you a cynic?" She gets a sigh in response and May shakes her head before carefully taking off her beanie and folding it into her back pocket again.

"It's not that I'm really a cynic... Okay, let me explain. You know how some people talk about love at first sight?" May asks as they head for the transports to the city. The sun has set and night is coming in, the shattered moon basking the world in silvery light. It's this celestial body May looks towards waiting for Ruby to nod before continuing. "I think love at first sight is a stupid fantasy people delude themselves with. Do some people feel an instant attraction and have it work out by deepening it right away? Sure, but it's uncommon."

Ruby frowns but stays quiet waiting for May to finish before interjecting. 'It sure sounds cynical.'

"I don't believe in love at first sight. But I do believe in love. It's very real and I think it makes the world a far more beautiful place. Unfortunately, it's been abused far too much." May continues seriously, her eyes flickering around her as she keeps moving. "I think love today is used far too often and frivolously to hold any true meaning any more. And it's the responsibility of everyone to hold that word back, not to be uttered until it is an absolute certainty and no other could possibly take its place. Otherwise it's just a four letter word for attraction. And that is such a tragedy, seeing something so beautiful reduced so much by over eager romantics who don't understand when they use a word with more weight than its short length would imply. You know?"

May smiles suddenly and takes a quick step before spinning around and grinning back at her date. It's a light smile, bright and infectious. Like something wonderful is just bound to happen and she just can't wait. "So Ruby, I don't love you. But I think I could, and I want to find out. So want to start this date and discover if we have a shot together?" She asks offering her hand to the shorter girl who is now blushing all over again.

Ruby nods and takes the hand and a small smile breaks over her face as they make their way onward. 'How could I say no when she says that while looking so beautiful?'

AN:

So... I was wrong. Not that I'm always right. and this is why it's rare for me to make promises. I meant for this to be the date chapter but I got writing. Then I was wondering If I shouldn't just keep going and make it a really long chapter to fit the date in. But that would have delayed releasing the chapter further and this looked like a good place to cut it so I did. I got to a number of things I wanted to get to. Alluded to things coming later. Introduced Mama Zedong, Named May's weapon (again and this time it's not just Long Shot me and CS put quite a bit of thought into it. Just one more difference between this May and IMS May) and it gives you guy's an important look into May's views on love and attraction. All in all I'm proud of this one.

Oh, I have some stuff on my profile page. Some new works I'll be looking at sometime in the future. Have a look! And as always a special thank you to my reviewers AntonSlavik020, Inkboy, Imoshen88, and Doomzoom.

Beta note: to inkboy: "Yes. It is too soon. You are now on the list... And the list is short."

That's all for this one ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for reading. I love you, and I'll see you next time.