Partially based on an experience of the author.

At the behest of her sister, Ruby Rose had made it her personal endeavor to get out into the world and make some friends. And when she had exhausted her inner circle, she thus decided to take things one degree of separation further and treat Sun Wukong to breakfast.

"I know this great little bistro in the city, they have the best breakfast sandwiches in all of Remnant. Come on, just once. It'll be my treat."

Sun accepted, at first thinking nothing of it. After all, she seemed nice enough, and a friend of Blake's was a friend of his.

And so, the next morning, the two leaders met up at the Purple Lily Bistro for a simple first meal between casual friends. At least, that was the plan, until conversation turned to the fact that this was to be Sun's last day in Vale before he and his team shipped back out to Haven Academy.

"I only regret that I didn't spend that much time in… you know, Vale. I mean, sure, the festival was fun and all, but I kinda wish I had a bit more time to enjoy, if you get me."

She got him, alright. And little did he know, one day was all the time Ruby needed to assail his regret.

Most of the rest of that day was, frankly, a blur. Ruby and Sun at the Vale Modern Art Museum. Ruby thrashing Sun in a game of pinball. Ruby and Sun running into Team JNPR at lunch, and all six subsequently MST3King the shit out of the latest Spruce Willis movie at a nearby cinema. Ruby showing Sun around the famed Victory Gardens. Ruby and Sun enjoying dinner at, in his opinion, "the best restaurant in the continent." And afterward, the both of them taking a long walk on the shoreline, side by side, as the sun crept into the horizon.

And throughout that whole day, there was an unspoken growth at play. Their friendship growing closer, bonds growing stronger… feelings growing deeper.

Which brings us to sunset.

"I gotta say, Ruby, this has to be the most fun I've ever had in a single day," Sun said as the sky grew ever darker and his namesake grew lower.

"Well, that is your reward for choosing to spend your final 24 hours in Vale with-" she gestured dramatically- "Ruby Rose, master of the day on the town!"

Sun laughed heartily at this. "Master, huh?"

"Yeah, I've had enough practice to call myself one. Used to come here all the way from Patch all the time when I was younger. Usually with my dad or sister. Sometimes my uncle would join us."

"You live out on Patch?" Sun asked, looking out to the ocean.

"My whole childhood was spent on that little rock," Ruby mused.

The two walked in silence for a little while, hand in hand, before both sat down on a largish rock, and watched as the sun began to look like it was sinking into the western ocean.

"Truth be told, Sun," Ruby said at last, "…I've never really, you know… 'spent the day' with anyone before today. Outside of my family, I mean."

"That so?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, then," he intoned with a cheeky grin, "I'm glad I could be your first."

Ruby laughed, nudging him in the shoulder. "Sun!"

"What? It's true."

Ruby's silver eyes narrowed. "Really now."

"Sure. You're a pretty cool person, Ruby." His gaze drifted from the distant horizon to her face. "I'm really happy I could get to know you."

Ruby smiled at this, and some coloration found its way into her pale cheeks. "Th… Thanks, Sun. That really… means a lot to me."

If she didn't do it now, she never would. Ruby pulled her lips to Sun's, rejoicing internally when he reciprocated. It wasn't a long kiss, but the fact that the sun had set completely when they concluded made it feel like a pleasant eternity.

And the newfound darkness was all the incentive they needed to walk back up the beach, arm in arm, to catch the last airship back to Beacon.

"You'll keep in touch, right?"

"Definitely. And if you're ever in Mistral… I'll be sure to return the favor."

"…It's a date."