It was unusual nowadays for Ruby to be in her own bed, actually sleeping. If she were ever to climb up on her bunk, it would be to study or read, but today…
Today the diminutive brunette was miserable.
She sniffled morosely as she huddled under the covers that were pulled up over her head but with just a single crack left for her eyes, staring out blearily into the empty room.
So this is my life now, alone and forsaken… never to feel the comfort of others again…
She perked up slightly as the door to the room creaked open on near-silent hinges. Quiet, furtive footsteps approached her bed, and a slender finger pulled back the blankets enough to uncover more of her face, much to her dismay.
Warm, caring emerald eyes peered in at her.
"Are you feeling any better, little rose?" Pyrrha asked gently.
"No," she replied, her voice faint and muffled.
The redhead let out a soft sigh, placing a hand on her forehead. "I do not think you are running a fever anymore… but you're still warm."
Ruby let out a noncommittal grunt, closing her eyes and leaning into the contact. She could hear Pyrrha's soft giggle as her hand slipped down to caress her cheek.
"I hate to see you like this," the tall redhead whispered.
There was a rustling, and Ruby felt the bed sway slightly as the mattress moved from another body's presence. Ruby peeled her aching eyes open once more to regard another set of amber orbs from the end of her bed.
"I brought you some soup," Blake murmured. "Do you feel like you could try some?"
Ruby sighed. "Do I hafta move?"
"Mmhmm."
"Then no."
"Ruby…" Pyrrha sighed.
"No, it's alright," Blake assured their girlfriend. "We can always warm it up later. You should get to class, sweetie."
Pyrrha nodded somberly. "I wish I could stay… but…"
"You need to take Oobleck's exam," the Cat Faunus finished for her. "I have Weiss taking notes for us, go on ahead."
Pyrrha smiled, leaning up to capture Blake's lips in a warm kiss. The sight made Ruby smile slightly as well, her sunken spirits elevated a bit from watching the affection her girlfriends showed each other.
"Very well, then," Pyrrha sighed once more. She bent over to place a quick kiss on Ruby's forehead. "I shall see you both as soon as I can."
"Love you, Pyrrha," the brunette mumbled, her smile widening.
"Love you too, little rose. And you, kitty cat."
Blake just smiled and nodded as she settled down over the covers behind where Ruby was ensconced. "Can I get you anything?" she asked quietly once Pyrrha had left.
"No…" Ruby replied, wiggling around so that she could face her. "Just snuggles."
"I can do that," Blake affirmed, wrapping an arm around Ruby's huddled body and pulling her in close. "Just try and close your eyes, okay? Get some rest."
"Mmkay," she sighed.
This was better, having Blake next to her, keeping her warm… keeping her safe and loved. It would have been even better were Pyrrha here, but she had to get to class, she knew that. In fact, Blake really should have been there too, not staying behind to take care of her like this.
She was so pathetic to be this… this needy. Once again she felt like a little child who required someone to look after her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered morosely.
"Whatever for, little rose?"
She sniffled again, feeling the hot tears gather under her closed eyelids. "For being such a problem."
"Oh, sweetie, no…" Blake began to softly run her hands through Ruby's hair, quelling her despondent train of thought. "You are never a problem. I love you, and I would want nothing more than to be here for you when you need me. Just as I know you or Pyrrha would be there for me were I to need it. Don't ever think of yourself as a burden, alright?"
"'Kay," the brunette mumbled, leaning into her touch once more. "Can… you keep doing that?"
"Of course, little rose."
Blake tucked her chin over Ruby's head as she continued to stroke the brunette's hair, letting her fingers run through the red-tipped strands.
Ruby let out one final contented sigh as her girlfriend began to purr softly, and she fell asleep to the sounds of the soothing rumble.
o o o
Pyrrha considered herself many things. A warrior first and foremost, certainly. Since coming to Beacon, she'd learned the value of being a team member and partner. She'd become a better friend to many. And, most recently, a girlfriend to two amazing women who she truly loved with all of her heart and soul.
But a nurturer? This was a new role for her, but one she was determined to master as well.
She knelt at the end of the bed, gazing down with concern at the huddled mass under the covers. "Can I get you anything else?" she murmured softly. "I could make some tea, perhaps? Or more soup?"
"No, thank you, fluffy fox," Ruby sighed. "I'm good."
"Me, too," Blake mumbled from where the covers were pulled up to her nose. The Cat Faunus, having caught the flu bug from their petite girlfriend, was snuggled in tight together with the brunette in her top bunk.
"Very well, then," Pyrrha replied somberly. She carefully lowered herself down so as not to sway the rope-fastened bunk overmuch, and nimbly hopped onto the floor. She padded over to Blake's bed in bare feet and sat down with a sigh.
I wish I could do more…
"Hey, Pyrrha?"
"Yes, Ruby?" she responded, perking up hopefully.
"There's one thing you could do…"
The redhead leapt back to her feet and quickly strode over to her sick girlfriends. "Yes?"
Ruby sniffled, peering at her with bleary but loving eyes. "Kisses?"
Pyrrha chuckled and hopped up onto Weiss' bed, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on Ruby's forehead and then Blake's. "Always. I love you, Ruby, and you, Blake."
"Love you too, Pyrrha," Blake mumbled sleepily.
Ruby smiled at her softly. "Love you, Pyrrha." She closed her eyes with the content smile still on her face.
Pyrrha went back to the bunk that she spent every night in now and settled down, cracking open her textbook. She had a couple of classes that she shared with both Ruby and Blake, and she was determined to know the material inside and out so that she might tutor them once they were better.
It was the least she could do for the two most important people in her life.
A/N: D'awww…. Sick snuggles for a little rose and a kitty cat. I could see Pyrrha being slightly uncomfortable being the nurturing type, but quickly sliding into the role with her usual aplomb.
We're getting close to the end of the semester for the girls, but I have a couple more chapters to go through first. In fact, I'm rather pleased with how the next one turned out. Hopefully y'all will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
I continue to be amazed at the number of hits (over 57k!) and followers (294, w00t!) my humble little crack ship has attained. Also, Sweet Mother of Oum, the reviews (22 for just the last chapter, holy carp!) just keep coming in! Hugs! You are all gloriously wonderful people and I love you all. I sincerely hope I continue to entertain.
DarthMaine: Jaune x Fox, huh? It has possibilities. And there's no ship name for that, far as I can tell. (I need to find that GDocs spreadsheet, somehow I lost that link…)
FelipeCH98: I think the memo has been well-spread by now regarding the fierceness to which Ruby will defend her girlfriends' honor.
Eterya: Nah, non-canon side character was just there to be a butthead. Well, and to lose his spleen in the omake.
RealTerminal: Majestic weapon of ship justice indeed. Do you need a license to carry that thing?
THB4: Sorry to hear about your hospital stay! But, very glad my little fluffball was there to cheer you up! And there's definitely a visit to Summer's grave planned, but it won't be until near the end of their visit to Patch.
ILikeHotDogs: Heh, guess she vented his spleen for him, eh?
Boarador: Thanks! Glad to hear I sometimes amuse folk other than just myself…
Gorsouul: Aww, thanks for all the kind words! I try really hard to maintain some amount of complexity with my characterization, but still stay true to the fluff. Difficult sometimes when I'm this far off the rails from canon to not go OOC, but I'm clinging by my fingernails… Oh, and that's the second vote for Jaune x Fox. I certainly don't mind including yaoi (like the Zen Masters from my other fluffs) but I'm not very good at writing romantic liaisons with such. Might give it a shot, though, but it'd wait for the following semester for sure. And it's not like they're central to the story. Maybe I'll have Jaune go to Ruby, seeing as how she's the new relationship guru for Beacon, heh…
Captain Bunnies: LOL, and there's a vote for Jaune x Zwei… duly noted, thank you…
Guest #1: So very Ruby indeed!
chaosglory626: Yay, glad my scrappy Ruby projects Lindsay as much as I want her to!
Kalomin: Hey, I like the idea of Glynda being related to Jaune somehow… I don't think I'm going to work it in though, distract too much from the main threesome. I'll keep it in mind for another story sometime.
Demonic Angel C: Nice! It is indeed both the short and the quiet ones you have to look out for…
ScaryGirl95: Sorry, Ren's taken!
Jane: You're fuckin' awesome. 'Nuff said.
allie300093: Thanks, glad you liked the little bonus! I don't do the omakes very often, but they're fun. And amuse the hell outta me.
Jazzatron: Whelp, there's wresting and then there's wrestling… Dammit now I have the hankering to write another chapter for Bind…
Guest #2: Thanks! Also, always happy to credit all my reviews, and I'd love to do the same for you! ...If I knew who you were… (BTW, you are important, just not logged in, I think…)
growlscout: I'd like to think Ruby would eventually come to the realization that resorting to slap fights were she to be disarmed is not exactly a healthy attitude for a huntress. That said, while I'm sure both Tai and Yang tried to teach her hand-to-hand combat, she's just not built that way. Now, Blake or, even better, Ren, would make excellent teachers to cater to her body type and strengths. In my head I see the three of them (Purruby) doing Tai Chi on the quad in the early mornings. It brings a smile to me face.
Silverwing07: Hmm, so a vote for Jaune x Glynda, interesting, and Jaune x Cinder… waitaminute I saw what you did there, that's introducing bad guys! That smells ever so faintly of a plot! I call foul! Sorry, last one has been disregarded, Ruby didn't like it. You know she gets.
Guest #3: You are most welcome for the laughs and the fluff! More to come!
WyattMoore: Heya! I don't really have an end in sight, I have chapters planned out through the first part of summer break, and I imagine I will have more for the second part. I expect to keep going so long as the ideas keep flowing, don't think I'll get tired of these ladies anytime soon. But, whenever I do decide to finish, I've already written the two-parter epilogue, 'cause I know how I want it to end. This story shall never be left hanging by a thread.
Stay shiny!