Vale. Not so long ago, this kingdom had been Ruby's entire world. She gazed at it off in the distance, from her position on the prow of the boat she and Cinder had been travelling on this last week or so, and thought that it was almost funny how small it seemed now. The side effects of travelling so far and wide, she supposed.
She glanced over to where Cinder stood beside her, and found a melancholy expression affixed on the other woman's features. It wasn't hard to understand why when Ruby followed the line of her gaze and found herself staring at the remains of Beacon tower. The place held a lot of memories for the both of them, not least of which was clearly represented by the petrified wyvern still clinging to the tower's peak. Their fateful encounter up there, Cinder's crippling, Pyrrha's death…
A sigh drifted from Ruby's lips as she did her best to shove away the thoughts that sprang up at that memory, the questions as to whether what she was doing now was really right, as to how all her friends would react. Better not to dwell on all that, regardless of what others might think this was the path that she'd committed herself to, the path that she believed in.
"So… what's the plan once we're in the city?"
Cinder's voice startled Ruby out of her thoughts, drawing her attention away from the tower and back to her companion. That lone golden eye gazed at her ever so softly, just as softly as it had that very morning when they'd woken up curled together in the same bed. A light blush broke out on Ruby's cheeks at the thought; that little change to their sleeping arrangements was certainly not unwelcome, even if it did make it harder for her to keep her emotions in check. The positives definitely outweighed that negative though, the feeling of Cinder's arms wrapped tight around her body, warm breath brushing gently against her hair, drifting off to sleep pressed so close together…
Ugh, she was distracting herself again. Add that to the list of negatives, it was getting easier and easier for her thoughts to drift way off topic whenever she started thinking about Cinder. Forcibly dragging her focus back into the present moment, she considered how to actually answer Cinder's question. "Well, actually, I've been thinking," she looked back out to the sea, across from the city, where a small island sat, "I wanna stop over in Patch before we do anything in Vale."
"Oh? Any particular reason?" Cinder sounded confused, and when Ruby glanced back she saw that she was cocking her head to the side in a way that was probably far cuter than she intended. Getting off track again, stop that, bad Ruby.
"Well, on the more practical side, I want to make a new weapon." She rocked back and forth on her heels as she spoke, a bolt of excitement flitting through her at the thought. "Not that I don't appreciate the glass stuff you've made for me, but I'll need a proper replacement for Crescent Rose moving forward, and home at Patch is where all my tools and stuff are. Plus," a wide grin split her face, "I owe my Dad a visit, and I did say that I wanted to introduce you to him, so that's like… three birds with one stone."
Cinder considered this for a moment, then gave a small shrug. "To be honest, I didn't think you were serious about taking me to meet him. Seemed like getting to Vacuo would be the priority. Doesn't make much of a difference to me though, so long as you're sure."
A small bolt of guilt ran through Ruby at that, but she did her best to shove it down. A new weapon would be important to have before she properly rejoined the fight, and… well aside from wanting to make up for how suddenly she'd left, Dad really deserved to know some of what she'd learned over the course of things. Especially about the Hound, and what that might mean for their family. Yang and the others would understand. Clearing those thoughts away in turn, she forced a smile for Cinder's sake. "I already talked to the captain about it, he's going to quickly swing by Patch so we can hop off before he heads into port at Vale."
"Alright." Cinder regarded Ruby for a brief moment, in all likelihood detecting the more troubled thoughts racing through her mind, but thankfully refrained from commenting. "Next stop, Patch."
Standing on solid ground again was something Ruby hadn't realised that she'd missed so badly. The constant movement of the boat underfoot was, while something she could handle, not exactly pleasant, and part of her wanted to stop and kiss the ground in thanks when she at last could just stand still without that ceaseless rocking.
It seemed like Cinder felt the same way, breathing an audible sigh of relief as she stepped down onto the meagre pier beside Ruby. "If I never have to travel by sea again, it'll be too soon," she remarked, taking a moment to look over the small collection of buildings that made up Patch's harbour, and the forest that lay beyond it. "Where exactly do you live, by the way? I don't think you've really said anything beyond that it was somewhere on the island."
"Oh, right," Ruby started strolling down the pier as she spoke, gesturing for Cinder to follow, "It's a little out of the way. Just a short hike from here though, and by now I think we're both pretty experienced at that." As they passed through the small harbour, Ruby gave energetic waves to some few of the people around, ones she recognised from her childhood, old friends and acquaintances. Most were surprised to see her, understandable given how long she'd been away, and a couple even tried to come up and talk. She brushed them all off quickly however, both not wanting to get bogged down and also not being able to summon enough cheerfulness to deal with all the questions. "If we're lucky we won't have to deal with any grimm on the way, but keep your guard up just in case."
Cinder visibly loosened up as soon as they left the harbour behind and entered the relative privacy of the forest, tension draining from her shoulders. It seemed she was uncomfortable with the attention that had been directed their way, even for that brief time, although even now an undercurrent of unease remained. Her voice was, nevertheless, dripping with confidence. Ruby would be lying if she said that she didn't find it very attractive. "I'm sure whatever grimm call such a small island home wouldn't be a threat to us."
"You'd be surprised how big the packs of beowolves get out here." Ruby idly ran her eyes along the treeline as she spoke. "Really big ursa too." To be honest, even if Cinder's hot voice was a fine distraction, she was feeling more than a little uneasy too. Nothing to do with potential grimm though, and she had to imagine for very different reasons to whatever was troubling Cinder. The thing was, it'd been so long since she'd been here, since she'd snuck away with Jaune, Nora, and Ren, leaving nothing but a hastily scribbled note. She just… hoped that her Dad wouldn't be angry at her. Hoped that he would understand. Even at the time it had felt cruel, especially knowing that if she didn't come back, she'd be the second Rose he lost in that exact way. Still, she reminded herself that it was what had to be done, and despite everything she had come back. An apology was definitely in order though.
Cinder grunted, taking a moment to roll her shoulder agitatedly. "Well, here's hoping we don't have to waste time with any of that. Although with our luck, I wouldn't be surprised."
A small giggle escaped Ruby's lips at that. "Oh, our luck isn't that bad. But y'know, the best way to avoid grimm is to keep our spirits up. So, what's got you feeling down? You seem a little nervous about something."
"Slightly hypocritical there, you seem just as uneasy as I feel," Cinder replied, deadpan at first, but with a smirk growing on her lips as Ruby pouted in response. She was getting unfairly good at reading Ruby's mood, even when Ruby tried to hide it. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
Ruby huffed in faux annoyance, though underneath it her heart felt warm at the concern. "Alright then, you first."
"Well, I was wondering," Cinder's brow furrowed, "Do you think there's a chance your Dad would know about me? I mean, obviously we've never met, but if you, or your sister, or uncle told him about everything that happened at the fall, he might recognise my name and… I don't know. It might make things difficult."
Ah, well that was something of a reasonable concern. Ruby hummed softly, thinking back to the time she'd spent at home after Beacon, the conversations she'd had with her Dad. "Yeah," she said eventually, "I'm pretty sure I mentioned you by name to him at one point, and I doubt he would've forgotten." He was never the kind of person who could just forget the name of someone who'd hurt his daughters.
"Right," Cinder replied, idly kicking a stone that had been laying on the path out of the way. She had her gaze set firmly down on the ground, a tight frown on her lips as she silently considered the situation.
"If you'd like, we could use a nickname for you," Ruby offered, "Just something to stop him recognising you, so you don't have to worry about it."
"I think…" Cinder spoke slowly, trailing off and pursing her lips again after just those two words. After another few moments of silent thought she sucked in a deep breath of air, exhaled, then looked over at Ruby, expression resolute. "I think I'd rather not hide from anything that I've done. He can think whatever he wants about me, it won't change what I'm committed to. But," she deflated just a touch, "This reunion is about you, not me. If you'd rather avoid me making things more difficult, we can use a nickname."
Ruby's heart fluttered at that show of confidence, at seeing Cinder want to own her life, not shy away from it. Not for the first time, she found herself realising that she really had it bad. In any case, "I'd prefer to be open about it too, so that works fine. If he does have any misgivings, he'll need to come to terms with them eventually, now that…" Now that what? Now that Ruby's in love with Cinder? Now that she wants to spend the rest of her life with her? Now that she thinks, hopes, that Cinder might possibly feel the same way? All of the above? "Now that we're partners." She finishes eventually. That feels just general enough to cover everything, while not being too blatant.
Cinder seemed to accept that, a smile ghosting over her features. "I… do hope he'll be accepting, though. How do you think he'd react?"
"He'll definitely be a bit defensive at first," Ruby admitted, "But I'd hope he can trust my judgement. I'm the one who actually fought against you after all, he's only heard secondhand."
That definitely improved Cinder's mood, smile growing ever so slightly and a spring returning to her step. It was very cute, and Ruby had to fight to stop herself from giggling at the display. It reminded her of herself when she'd been young, visiting friends for the first time and being so ecstatic at the idea of making a good impression. Fulfilling that deep rooted desire to have people like her, accept her. That, then, brought on a small sliver of sadness, though she did her best to drown it out. Those are the exact kind of experiences that Cinder never got to have, the exact desires that had been left unfulfilled for so long. It hurt to think about. But, Ruby might not be able to change that past, but she absolutely could make sure that Cinder's future was brighter. Could make sure that she was happy, and… and loved.
"So," Cinder's voice dragged her back to reality, "That was what I was worrying about, now what about you?"
"Ah, well, pretty much just what you'd expect." Ruby tilted her head back, examining the clouds overhead. "Worried about how the meeting will go," she shrugged to herself, "And… feeling bad for leaving in the first place, I guess. It was what I had to do but… I'm pretty sure I hurt him. And then I guess another part of me worries that when we have to leave, I'll just be hurting him again."
With little warning Cinder slipped her hand into Ruby's, lacing their fingers together, and gave a gentle squeeze. "I can't pretend to know how any of this feels for you. Having family, worrying over them. But, whatever happens, I'll be right there with you, no matter what."
If Ruby hadn't already been blushing, she definitely was now. "Thanks, Cinder." She almost said more, but as she glanced down the road ahead the sight of a familiar branch in the path, with a very familiar letterbox sitting just beyond it, sent any train of thought she'd had crashing to a halt. "Oh, we're here," she murmured blankly, raising her free hand to point it out, "Just down there is where I live… or, lived, I guess." She doesn't know exactly why, but that phrasing feels better. There'll always be a place for her here, she's sure, and yet at the same time she can't imagine actually living here ever again. Even when this is all over, when Salem has been defeated, she doesn't think she could bear to come back for anything other than a visit.
Cinder glanced ahead to the path Ruby was pointing out ever so briefly, before turning back to her companion, gaze strong, steady, and supportive. "Lead the way."
"Right." Ruby nevertheless remained still, trying to settle her nerves once and for all. It was going to be okay. He'd understand, he'd accept what she'd done, he'd accept Cinder. Just like, as soon as they all met up in Vacuo, her team and her friends would accept the two of them too. It was all going to work out. She sucked in a deep breath, held it for a count of eight, then slowly exhaled. All the while, Cinder waited for her silently, their hands intertwined, a rock amidst the turmoil she was feeling, just as she'd been a rock for Cinder many times before. An idea flitted into her mind unbidden, and yet one she knew she couldn't ignore. "Hey Cinder, before we go up, could I get a hug for good luck?"
Ruby smiled as Cinder nodded eagerly at the suggestion, quickly pressing close and wrapping her up in a warm embrace. It was extremely adorable just how much Cinder loved physical affection (also a little sad when realising that at least part of the reason for that was likely that she'd been starved of it her entire life), always pressing so close, hugging so tight, like she never wanted it to end. Ruby could hardly blame her, considering she too wanted these moments to stretch on forever. It was a shame that they couldn't.
Reluctantly, she whispered another quiet word of thanks to Cinder, then pulled away and started on down the path. She could hear Cinder follow suit, trotting along just slightly behind her, but refrained from slowing so that they could be side by side. Part of her just felt like it seemed right to be in front, and another part worried that if Cinder drew any closer she'd give in to the temptation of sinking right back into that embrace and never actually reach the house.
Said house quickly came into view, looming before them in all its wooden glory. It was the sunflowers that really made Ruby start to choke up, the flower beds at either side of the door full of them, and so lovingly tended to, symbols of a family that had all but abandoned this place grown by the only member who remained. She could remember helping out with the gardening, planting flowers in those beds, so many times over the years. Always with Yang and Dad by her side, working together, being family. Not for a long time now, though, and maybe never again.
It took a bit of effort to swallow that hurt down, but she pushed forward nevertheless, down the path one step at a time, until eventually the door was before her. She could hear her Dad inside, the sound of him moving around, cooking maybe, totally unaware of what was about to happen. One last deep breath, one last time reminding herself that it was going to be okay, then she raised a fist and knocked firmly on the door.
The wait after that was especially painful, her ears straining to catch every little noise coming from within, willing those footsteps ambling closer and closer to the door to hurry up even just a little. Behind her, Cinder seemed to be struggling to contain her nervous energy, shifting her weight from one foot to the other over and over, heels (Ruby still struggled to understand exactly why Cinder insisted on always wearing those things, they couldn't be easy to walk in) clicking against the stone underfoot rhythmically. Ruby could relate, though part of her wished Cinder could find some other way to express that energy, the constant tap-tapping driving her just a little insane.
Seconds ticked by, footsteps grew close, heels continued to click, and tension grew and grew until finally the door was pulled open. Ruby looked at Tai, Tai looked at Ruby. His eyes widened, mouth slowly opening and closing, while all the words Ruby had been meaning to say escaped her.
"Hey, Dad," she eventually forced out, making herself smile even as tears began to prick at the corners of her eyes.
Tai seemed to struggle to speak, matching tears beginning to well up in his own eyes, until eventually he gave up on words and just surged forward to wrap Ruby up in a crushing hug.
Ruby took a shuddery breath, tears now falling freely, and then wrapped her arms around him in turn. "I promised I'd be back, didn't I?"
