A/N: Much thanks to actualbampot for proofreading:)

Cinder's life as a newly released convict had been a whirlwind of shops, boutiques and prospective places of employment, in the last two weeks. When the preparation finally wound down, and Cinder had a closet full of new clothes, sewing equipment and a clearer head for Vale's layout, the woman found herself feeling less apprehensive about what the future may hold.

Dare Cinder say that she was bordering on optimistic?

After learning what she needed to be an everyday-Vale-citizen, evenings were spent cooking together, watching a movie or laying down together at a later time when Ruby had to study that evening.

It was nine-thirty when Ruby decided that the page she had been stuck on, for the last five minutes, wasn't finishing itself that night. Rather than the two of them going to bed just yet, Cinder found herself sitting in front of the dressing mirror with Ruby's hands weaving through her hair.

With scissors and comb in hand, the Huntress combed and clipped the strands whose length had become a nuisance atop the woman's head. With one application after the other, the woman had a few interviews lined up at numerous boutiques and offices. It only made sense that a haircut was in order. It was the one thing the women hadn't got to.

Cinder had no qualms with cutting it herself; but her skills, or rather eyesight, meant that a change in style was out of the question. Considering most hairdressers in Vale were little more than daylight-robbers, and Ruby was still the only one allowed to cut her sister's hair, the woman felt comfortable enough to ask. It didn't hurt that Ruby had the equipment ready.

"So tell me…" The woman ventured, tone half accusing, half amused. "What kind of carelessness ended with you shaving half your head?"

"I was wearing my goggles! And it's not that much. You didn't even notice until you had your hands in my hair!"

"That doesn't answer my question."

The Huntress huffed.

"I just finished setting up the work bench and I figured y'know I might as well mount some of the Scythe blades I've been experimenting with. See which shape works best when it comes to folding it into the new frame." As you do, Cinder mused sardonically. "But when I folded up the second blade, one of its rotating disks came loose and it just kind of…swooshed right past me."

"Thank goodness for goggles."

"I had my aura up the whole time!" Ruby insisted. Only to glance to the side with an embarrassed ruffle through crimson-tipped strands. "I just… forgot that it doesn't really work all that well when it comes to the whole… hair thing."

Cinder wouldn't show it, for obvious reasons, but she could sympathise with that tidbit. Her own haircut had certainly taken a turn towards uneven and asymmetrical in the time she had been left to toil in isolation. "Me trying to fix it just made it worse." The Huntress continued. "And when I had it professionally done I actually ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. The way it feels when I run or use my semblance..." The Huntress trailed off.

Cinder's left hand twitched ever so slightly, making a mental note to add that to her ever growing list of things that needed doing. "And I know it surprised you too." Ruby piped up with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows that had the woman convinced that she had become much too easy to read.

A noncommittal scoff was all Ruby was going to get out of her before the woman swiftly moved along, mentioning at her own head of hair. "If you don't mind I'd rather you start cutting before this grows out completely."

With a loud 'psssh' Ruby separated and clipped the last section of hair. She dipped down to rummage through the dresser cabinet, leaving Cinder to exchange parting words with overgrown bangs and hair that curled up around her ears.

"I'm gonna do the back of your head first if that's okay?"

The prospect of growing it out had crossed her mind. But then there was the constant upkeep and restyling as it grew. The hassle of washing and keeping it at a standard of cleanliness during off grid missions, just didn't make it worth it. Of course Cinder, in all of her flair and dramatics, would certainly put herself through that. But if she was honest, imagining herself with hair like that, what she used to look like… it left an oddly bitter taste in her mouth.

"Say it."

Cinder shot upright, knocking the chair, and nearly Ruby over as adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her hands were balled into fists, claws dug into her palm as her muscles pulled taught with the phantom current that ran through it. Then, a moment. She blinked. The sound of her heartbeat surged in her ears. The buzz of the razor still crackled across her skin. But instead of a pristine Atlesian kitchen, Cinder found herself in Ruby's bedroom as the latter fumbled to turn off the clipper.

"Shit. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

Cinder blinked, shaking the memories from her mind as she sat back down. "Lost in thought… surprised more than anything else."

Ruby sat the clipper to the side, gaze kept low in her guilt. "Sorry. I should have been more careful around your scars."

Alarm bells rang red in Cinder's mind, kept quiet by her calm and even facade. "What scars?"

"The ones you got during the Grimmlands mission. When the vines managed to get around your neck in that chasm."

Cinder was at a loss for words, helplessly thinking of anything to say before finally choking out: "I hadn't noticed." Her mind was reeling. Surely it couldn't be- "Do you have a mirror?"

Ruby must've sensed her worry, if the speed at which she rummaged through the drawers were anything to go by. "Sure. But don't worry, you can hardly notice it. I almost didn't."

Cinder took the mirror as calmly as she could despite the urgency. Only when she held it as close as possible, could the woman pick out the faint remnants of silver lines. It might very well have been at the hands of those slithering Grimm spawn she had fought so desperately against. But the woman knew better. Those who didn't know wouldn't see the resemblance, but...

"The necklace ensures that you meet the level of class as expected by the guests. You'd do well to remember that anything less is grounds for punishment."

With the whirlwind that had been the years surviving off the streets, serving Salem and coming to terms with her imprisonment it's no wonder that she hadn't noticed. When Cinder reached for the back of her neck, there was no trace to be felt. Even so, there was no doubt in the woman's mind that it was the desperate grasping at a relief of pain and that final freeing tug that had spitefully branded her in the end.

"Are scissors okay?"

Cinder looked to the sound of Ruby's voice, relieved to have been pulled out from her darkening thoughts. She blinked, taking a moment to reorient herself before willing some light humour into the monotony of a still-disorientated voice.

"As long as you don't cut off half my hair."

Ruby, no doubt still sensing the surprise that still buzzed static across Cinder's skin, gingerly cupped the woman's cheek, kissing her forehead and parting with even sweeter words.

"I promise."

Cinder was convinced that the rest of her haircut would be wracked with nervousness and dread. But Ruby, as she tended to do, found a way to soothe the anxieties of the woman's mind. This time it was with amusing stories, well Ruby found them amusing, about her niece and nephew's latest antics. Once that started the gnaw at her nerves, the Huntress spoke about one comic book series or another she had been anticipating, all while taking her time with gentle snips and purposeful fingers threading their way through her hair and scratching her scalp. It was most certainly on purpose and if Ruby intended to keep her sedated with the physical attention, it was certainly working. So much so that Cinder was startled the moment Ruby pulled a way with a satisfied:

"Aaaand we're done!"

Taking the mirror, Cinder inspected Ruby's handiwork with an eye for detail. The back was much shorter than usual, with the sides well cut, quickly growing in length upwards as her longer hair was cut into what had become almost a signature style with the side sweeping over her left eye. It was still long enough to cover the majority of her scars, but no longer dragged into the vision of her other eye. It was… acceptable. Which could only mean that the woman didn't find a single fault.

Still in a need for reassurance, Cinder spoke up, breaking the stern silence that most likely had Ruby waiting in anxious anticipation. "How do I look?"

The woman's reflection cocked a brow as she waited for Ruby's reply, who was happy to chip back with an excited:

"Pretty!"

"Just pretty?"

The Maiden teased, hoping to evoke that red-faced embarrassment she had grown so fond of, only for the Huntress' demeanour changed to that of a knowing smile with a hand and a kiss to the cheek.

"Pretty darn handsome. Gorgeous even."

Cinder huffed, if only to hide her own embarrassment at the fact that Ruby had not only caught her off guard, but also beat her at her own game. She was becoming much too easy to read, but that didn't mean she was going to elicit anything more than mild interest in half-lidded eyes and the twitch of a smile.

"Since when did Ruby Rose become such a smooth talker?"

"What can I say?" Said smooth talker, her words sweet for the sake of continuing these little jests that Ruby had grown so fond of. "I learnt from the best."

The woman smirked in turn, her ego appeased as she tilted her head, lips just reaching the underside of Ruby's jaw with a chaste kiss.

"You certainly have."

Later that night whilst Cinder and Ruby were lying in bed, the former wondered if her current state of peaceful monotony was what it meant to live an everyday life, with the person one loved.

Comfortable silence wasn't a rarity in the times it was allowed, mostly a result of being tired after a mission or needing to be quiet during said mission. Moments of privacy required the luxury of time. Ruby and Cinder could only afford the odd bribe here and there. Now, with at least a couple of months on their hands, Cinder could fiddle with the new scroll she had been given, while its previous owner was finishing the monthly issue of a new comic. All while, Cinder didn't feel like she needed to be doing anything else or that she was running out of time.

The Huntress had always been the one to go to sleep first, but when she didn't switch off her bedside lamp, Cinder lowered her scroll to the side as an indication that she was paying attention. Or, at the very least, open to the suggestion of a cuddle. In typical Ruby fashion, the Huntress shuffled closer, atop the other, and wove their legs together, arms around Cinder's torso while her head rested comfortably on her chest. While one hand continued typing away, the left found its way into soft and dishevelled locks of hair which smelled strongly of strawberries. Gentle scratches and combing fingers drew a slow in and exhale from Ruby's chest and into sync with her own.

Regardless of habits, there was the rare occasion where simple inaction would have Cinder fast asleep in mere moments, no doubt a remnant from her chaotic past. In the wake of shared silence, Ruby spoke tentatively.

"Cinder?"

"Hmn?"

"If you went to combat school as a kid and got into an Academy, how do you think we would have met?"

The Maiden paused for a moment, setting her scroll down on the end table before committing both hands to the Huntress' hair. Why think about impossibilities? What made Ruby think and consider outcomes that will never come to pass? It wasn't a question which had an answer that Cinder cared much for. Rather, she didn't care to search for the answer as to why mankind pondered over existential outcomes. But the Maiden knew that Ruby had a naturally wandering mind, that she found joy in sharing the destination. Ruby shared it with Cinder because the woman took the time to listen and give, an often polarising, answer. Perhaps it simply lay in the fact that Ruby wanted to get to know and be closer to the once-mortal-enemy, which was now a cornerstone of her own life…

"Most likely in the middle of one assembly or another. Teachers would preach about hard work in the midst of a coming exam, and warn against what would happen if first years didn't study, and then point to me as an example."

…even if half of Cinder's answers were born from the joy of teasing the other.

"You literally infiltrated Beacon and went to classes without anyone suspecting anything." Ruby countered while trying to contain an amused raspberry and making her face redder in the process.

Cinder chuckled.

"What if I had been an exceptionally talented teacher?"

That had Ruby's attention.

"Yeah? Exceptional as in helping out by giving extra tutoring sessions? Maybe even as a teaching assistant?"

A sly smile slid across her lips.

"One of my many responsibilities." Donning her new persona, the Maiden slipped into a sweetened lilt, carried with the pointed vocabulary of a seasoned educator. "Here I am, doing my due diligence, helping a struggling Ruby Rose when the next moment she has me in a corner."

"You'd be great at something like that- wait what?"

Things drenched in honey, even words from one's mouth, were often the work of well-laid traps. Ruby stood no chance when Cinder's voice rose with all of the dramatics she was once known for. "I stood no chance. Nowhere to run while you took to ravishing me as a beowulf does its prey."

"No- no I wouldn't!"

"She's no doubt fantasising about catching me off guard on my way to class, pulling me into a storage closet or dark library corner, and having her way with me."

To say that Ruby was beetred would be a grievous understatement.

"You- we- we already- I mean- you started-"

In the truest of Ruby-isms, the Huntress was fumbling and tripping over her words, growing hotter with each stuttered syllable until the embarrassment had her clamming up with her head buried in the covers. Not even the amount down in their duvet could hide the red-faced heat radiating from her.

Cinder laughed in the wake of Ruby's embarrassed silence and struggled not to keep laughing when Ruby pulled away a few moments later with undeniable animosity. "You're the worst."

The jab was rightfully earned, but even with Cinder's sadistic knack for teasing, she couldn't leave the Huntress to stew in her annoyance towards her partner..The Maiden leaned forward, murmuring next to the other's ear. "Then tell me Miss Rose, what would you prefer to have transpired."

"No. You ruined it. I don't wanna meet you anywhere anymore."

Ruby wasn't having any of it and Cinder found it oddly endearing.

"Mmnn. That does sound more like me, doesn't it?" With her hands still stroking Ruby's hair the Maiden let her mind wander. "I can't say you would have been the only one. Nor do I think it would be hard to believe that I was quite the troublemaker growing up."

Cinder didn't miss the way Ruby perked up ever so slightly. After all, the Maiden had taken great care to keep her past a closely kept secret, only alluding to it when she knew that Ruby's curiosity would get the better of her otherwise. Still, that didn't mean Cinder knew where she would end up taking this story.

"I was raised at an orphanage in Mistral and wanted nothing more than to get away from the bullying of other children and the rules of my caretakers. So perhaps in a perfect world I would have made my way to Vale, to Beacon."

It was not all lies, but what would it matter otherwise? The whole point was to imagine playing a hand different to what had been dealt, was it not? The Maiden's hands paused for a moment. A slight frown creased her brow, while in thought, caught in the rare attempt at self reflection. "Perhaps I would have looked to hated authority figures as something to set right, rather than to rise above it all."

Ruby must've picked up on the care it took for the Maiden to tread close to forever-tender memories. The woman took to soothing her discomfort with the tender touch of her fingers holding and treading through Cinder's loosening grasp. "Whether I would have met you at a Vytal Festival as a student from Haven or an upperclassman from Vale, I'm sure I would have despised you either way." Cinder glanced at the Huntress from under half-lidded eyes to find Ruby tender but curious all the same

"A teenager who got promoted because of a genetic stroke of luck." Her words sounded ever harsh. "I would have assumed that you didn't work for where you were. That you had everything given to you. Because of that, I had to prove myself to be better." No matter the rough nature of her words, there was no denying the warmth filling her chest with each calming breath. "But knowing you. The outcome of our skirmish wouldn't have stopped your incessant gushing and attempts at fostering some sort of friendship." A normal life, growing up happy, Cinder couldn't begin to imagine it, but by the gods was she going to try for Ruby. "Does this sound correct so far?"

Ruby paused for a moment, tapping her chin in a teasing attempt of consideration, before offering Cinder some relief with a teasing smile. "You forget the part where you'd be a little impressed when I would show off Crescent Rose to prove that I can be at least as cool as you."

Cinder snorted in dry amusement.

"Perhaps it is that naive sincerity which would make you an annoyance I wouldn't want to get rid of."

Falling into an indulged habit of making her comfortable by shuffling in place on a very uncomfortable Cinder, Ruby was fully engaged in this particular cuddle-conversation.

"So you'd say yes when I would ask you if we could be friends. If we could hang out or get some extra practice done after class."

"And who would this 'we' be?"

"Oh you know… just your regular Academy students, Huntresses-in-training… opponents, friends… you and me."

Just her and Ruby? Years ago she would have thought an outcome like that to be divine punishment. Now? Now she would give anything to remain at the Huntress' side and for Ruby to *want* her.

It was at that moment that Cinder raised her hands to the side of Ruby's cheek. Her touch, tender over faded scars, finding all of the warmth and affection in those beautiful silver eyes. Being at the mercy of such trust, vulnerability and love made Cinder's heart ache with all the emotions she tried to contain within herself. It spilled out into the gentle rise temperature of her semblance and in the annoyance she tried to coyly speak with.

"And what would you think of me? When it becomes apparent that I'm not what I hoped you'd see?"

Would there be hope for her? Would she come out at the other end, seven years of training later, unscathed enough for Ruby to look at her the way she was now? Did she ever need to wonder with Ruby brushing her thumbs so tenderly over her scarred face.

"I would wonder how I hadn't seen it until then. How beautiful you are." Ruby was so beautiful. She was courageous and strong, far above what Cinder could ever hope to achieve, but still Ruby looked to her as an equal. Ruby still kissed her, soft lips against the tingling skin of the hand which had once hurt her. "How hard you worked. How protective and kind you could be." Most times her acceptance comforted her. Sometimes it was frighteningly too much.

"I never knew Ruby Rose had a penchant for sarcasm."

"And I never knew Cinder Fall had such a hard time accepting a compliment.

Ruby could tell, had learned to see, Cinder's insecurities which lingered beneath the surface. Rather than baring them to herself for the Huntress to accept, Ruby would simply nudge them closer to the light, letting Cinder know that she sees them and that she would remain regardless. Unsaid acceptance often gave Cinder the space to look at her unrefined edges without the fear of others noticing.

It was… freeing.

When Cinder chose to speak it was with bittersweet melancholy.

"When manipulation and deceit becomes something you learn to find comfort in, sincerity grows to be much more frightening. And you, Miss Rose," The Maiden added with a teasing edge, "Can be quite terrifying."

Cinder's knowing smile pulled an amused chuckle from Ruby as it reverberated against the Maiden's chest and lifted a sobering mind from their shoulders. The atmosphere around them, contemplative, as it was lighthearted.

"You mean I could've just told you how amazing you looked on the battlefield and you would have stopped trying to kill me?"

"Perhaps… But it wouldn't be nearly as exciting."

Ruby rolled her eyes with affectionate annoyance before her smile faded behind a knowing gleam in her eye. Her voice, soft and considerate.

"Thank you, for indulging me, even if it didn't bring up the best of memories. I guess I just-"

Cinder couldn't help but to interrupt, couldn't help but to put her worries to ease with a chaste kiss which had Ruby's words fall from Cinder's lips instead.

"If I could choose you in this life, then I'm sure the same would hold true in any other life." Their journey together often had the lowest of valleys. But when they settled at an overlooking peak, Cinder found herself to be truly happy… "Everything I've had to endure, everything we've gone through… I would do it all over again if you asked me to." …she wouldn't want for anything.

"I love you."

It must've shown, they way those three words still caught Cinder off guard. It was still difficult for her to believe that, even when the woman found that she was able to feel love, Ruby could love her in turn, even if only Ruby has ever said those words to her. Often Cinder's acceptance of such affection required her understanding.

"I guess I was just thinking about how far we've come. How different things could have been… the different ways we could've fallen in love."

When Ruby met her eye again, it was with such terrifying sincerity

"I love you, Cinder."

But surprise would always melt into the warmth that seeped into The Maiden's bones, fill her chest and weave between murmured words against Ruby's mouth.

"And I love you, in all the ways you could imagine."

Moments like this; precious as they were fleeting, rudely interrupted when Cinder chose to roll over and topple Ruby back on her side of the bed with a surprised yelp from the other.

"Now." The Maiden punctuated, in the same tone she used when arguments were futile. "I think it's high time for you to go to sleep."

Ruby rolled her eyes.

"Says the woman who is known for being mean when she's tired."

"Says the woman who was ready to fall asleep on top of me yet again."

No contest didn't mean that Ruby wasn't going to try and find some wiggle room.

She smiled mischievously, silently pleading with the puppy-dog eyes, which they both knew Cinder couldn't say no to. "Does that mean I'll get a kiss goodnight?"

"As if you haven't had plenty already."

Of course Cinder would try, leaving Ruby in an unbearable moment of silence before relenting with the slightest of smiles. In the dimly-lit room the Maiden's eye gazed onward as a firelight between the two women when their foreheads met to lean against one another. The gentle warmth radiating from the Maiden was all encompassing and found its fever pitch in a passionately tender kiss. Their lips moved slowly. Both took the time, every passing second, to savour the sweetness, solace and yearning, everything where words would have fallen short past the murmur against parted lips.

"Goodnight, Ruby."

"G'night Cinder."

A/N: They deserve a few chapters of happiness before I fuck shit upXD