"Come in," Oscar's voice rang out from the other side of the door. If Ruby had wanted to run away without being noticed, she had missed her chance to do so. She took a deep breath and opened the door, ignoring how her hand trembled on the knob. The room was dark but dimly lit from the moonlight through the window; a small lamp illuminated the bedside where he had been reading up until a few minutes ago. Ruby's curious eye tried to read the book's title as she approached, but couldn't bring herself to focus on it. She caught Headmaster Theodore's name on it, though, and thought it must be a brief history on Shade Academy. A man as proud of his home, such as he, would definitely help pen a book about it. Theo had been extremely accommodating and kind, and it filled Ruby with hope, however hesitant it was. It was something she hadn't felt since she first set foot in Haven and Atlas Academies. A sound caught her attention and she glanced up.

Oscar was staring at her. He had a look of concerned confusion, and it took Ruby a moment to figure out that he had said something she didn't hear. She felt guilty for being lost in her head again. And here, she belatedly realized that she had been unconsciously avoiding his gaze since she entered the room. He looked tired, though brighter than she would have expected. Oscar was sat upright, propped up by two or three pillows with a blanket pooled at his waist. His familiar green coat, his gloves, and belt were all missing, and he only wore pajama pants and a plain white button-up shirt not unlike his usual wear (likely a spare while the rest of his outfit was cleaned and repaired).

"I'm sorry, Oscar. I think I'm a little worn out from today," she pasted a smile on and politely held her hands in front of herself. "But if you're alright with it, it's my turn to help you." Oscar managed a small smile at her, then moved to open the bedside drawer under the lamp. Before he could make it, though, Ruby dashed in and grabbed for it first. "Here, I've got it!" She pulled bandage wraps and medicinal ointment out, pointedly trying to ignore the spare suture wires and scissors that were left in there, too.

"I—"

"Wow, Klein is really thorough, huh? It figures, though! Weiss knows some amazing people," she said as she sat down on the chair by the bed and pulled the pack of bandage wraps open.

"Yes, but—"

"I just hope I don't mess up his handiwork."

"Ruby, you—"

"Oh! But don't worry! I'll be super careful, just tell me if it hurts, okay—"

"Ruby!" Oscar cut in, then stopped to clutch at his chest with a groan. She immediately reached for him. But unsure how to help, she only moved her hands uselessly. He heaved a breath after a moment, then shook his head. "It's alright, Ruby. I just…" his eyes met hers, then he looked away. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay, too." Ruby was stunned, momentarily, before she smiled again.

"I, uh… yeah! Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you, Oscar, for protecting me."

"Of course." He smiled at her earnestly, and Ruby felt a small skip in her heartbeat. Interesting. She coughed lightly.

"So, um…" she gestured to the wraps in her hands.

"Oh, right," Oscar said quickly. He brought his hands up but paused, glanced at her, then turned himself to face away from Ruby to unbutton his shirt. Ruby suddenly felt herself blush. Yet another strange reaction that she couldn't place. She had been around shirtless boys before (especially being in Vacuo now, not known for its overly-modest dress code), but it was the first time she had ever felt shy. The feeling subsided, though, when she saw the numerous wraps that circled his back and left shoulder. There were bandages around his neck, too, but they appeared older, like they had been replaced only somewhat recently. Those ones never came off, and he never talked about them. His own secret, she figured. The wraps across his back loosened as he began pulling them off, and Ruby mentally scolded herself for not doing her job.

"How can I help? What can I do?"

"I really only need help passing the wrap behind me." He stopped to think for a moment, then moved a hand back towards her. "Can I have the ointment, please? I'll do that part myself. You really don't need to see…" he trailed off, and she passed the medicine over, as requested. In spite of what he'd said, Ruby's traitorous brain painted a picture of what his wound probably looked like. For Brothers' sakes, the injury was in nearly the exact same place as the maimed illusion of Oscar she saw in the Ever After.

The one she herself had eviscerated.

He jolted and hissed as he worked, and Ruby felt ashamed. The illusion back then wasn't real, but the Oscar who sat in front of her was. Yet somehow both were harmed. Because of her. She took a breath.

"I'm sorry you were hurt."

Ruby was surprised when Oscar spoke before she could. Her mouth was still open with unvoiced words, and it turned into a light scoff.

"Me? I'm not the one here in bed after being attacked by a Grimm," she chided gently. "Sounds like Jaune and the rest of the gang will be back in a few hours. Until then, we gotta do this the old fashioned way while your aura builds back up." When he was ready, she unraveled the bandage roll and passed it to his front, and he passed it back on the other side.

"I meant—I didn't mean during the fight," he said as they continued the motion. There was hesitation in his voice before he continued. "Yang… told me you froze after I went down."

Had she? Ruby didn't remember much after the fight had gotten worse. She tried to think of the last thing she could remember before they returned to the school.

In an instant, memories of the illusion—of pained shock and betrayal, of blood-stained combat gear—hit her full force with pristine clarity, and suddenly it was hard to breathe.

It had been fake, of course. But by her own hand, a visceral image of Oscar's death was forever seared into her brain.

She pulled herself together. The dam broke, too.

"Oscar, I want you to know that, even though I messed up today, I'm still capable. I can fight, and I promise I'm not slacking off in my training. I know I haven't been here in such a long time, and you've been working hard. And I'm so, so sorry you were hurt while protecting me. But don't lose faith in me! I'll work even harder, every day! So please—"

"Ruby, stop!"

In the middle of her rambling, something so raw in Oscar's tone stopped Ruby's not good enough apology short. Their constant cutting each other off was so awkward, so them , but this was different.

"…Please trust me," she whispered.

Ruby's heart sank, believing he was rebuffing her. But his shoulders trembled and his breath shook, like he was holding back tears.

"You don't—" he started, then stopped to draw a deeper breath before speaking again. "You don't get it. You're an amazing leader and an equally amazing person. I've been fascinated by you since the night we met. The way you fight, and the way you care for your friends… it's all incredible. But something was enough to scare you, enough to make you feel like you have to justify yourself all the time. And it's… it's not fair." He sniffled and wiped at his face. "I'm sorry you were hurt. Made to feel like you weren't enough. I wish I had been there. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you: a kind, strong, and beautiful person who should apologize for nothing."

Ruby couldn't speak. Her own tears flowed down her cheeks, and she swallowed before she could talk again.

"Why did you do it?" she asked weakly.

"I already lost you once. I didn't want to lose you again," he replied, equally as small. She closed her eyes tightly as a new surge of emotion washed over herself. He laughed a little as he rubbed at his eyes. "I did promise your sister I wouldn't do it again. And I won't. But I think I could do it again if I had to. Because I—because we all love you."

Ruby wiped her eyes and watched him carefully, unconsciously taking notes.

His shoulders were just a little broader, his hair was a bit longer, and his muscles were more toned than she remembered. Taller? Not quite. But he stood at perfect eye level with her now. Proof that time had, indeed, passed, and that he fought to protect the people on a regular basis. Small scars here and there that pockmarked his back and shoulders, likely mirrored on his chest, too: proof of his valor. The way his ears had turned red a second ago: proof of his words, and the weight of their truth. A slip of the tongue, or letting too many feelings show, perhaps.

She took his message for what it was, though: a confession. Carefully hidden away so when magic inevitably took its toll, the pain of loss wouldn't be so hard. Here, she realized why she felt odd before, though she knew she had started loving him a long time ago. Brave, sweet, resilient, and loyal, like the knight in shining armor from her childhood stories that she always dreamed she'd meet.

And he chose to try to spare her feelings, instead.

But why did he have to make this decision on his own? Rebellion rose in her. Time was so precious, and she would choose what to do with it, even if he couldn't.

Ruby rose from her chair and sat behind him on the bed. She saw him turn his head slightly, confused, but otherwise didn't move, and she was grateful for it. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around his waist—careful not to jostle his wound—and pulled him close to her, pressing a kiss tenderly to the back of his bare shoulder. Oscar gasped and froze, but relaxed in her arms when she only held him tighter, making it clear that this was no accident. She could feel his heart beating a thousand times a minute against her chest. Alive . He placed his hands over hers and held her there. He didn't push her away, and he wasn't upset about this. Her heart soared.

"Thank you for staying here," she said.

"Thank you for coming home," he replied.

"Thank you for everything."

"…I love you, Ruby," he said, voice thick with emotion. The room was silent, as though to make sure his words were heard with no question about their meaning. Ruby felt a warmth growing in her breastbone, like a kindling flame that only burned brighter with his admission. Her arms tightened around him more, and she pressed her forehead against his back.

"I love you, too."

They stayed this way for a few minutes more. She loosened her grip when he shifted, expecting him to move away. But he instead turned and faced her fully, his glimmering eyes meeting hers. He was blushing strongly, but a furrow remained in his brow. Like he wondered if this was the right thing to do. Still, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek with no hesitation. He leaned in, but didn't move further. As if any doubt still remained. Ruby could have laughed at the very notion, but rather chose to meet him halfway. She kissed him softly. Inexperienced, shy, afraid. And he kissed her back, also afraid. Chaste.

When they parted, it was only for a brief moment before he threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her back to his lips, this time kissing her with more strength. As though trying to prove to her that his soul was one that has known love for thousands of years. That she, too, was worthy of it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with fervor, showing he didn't have to prove anything to her. That he, too, was enough.

They only parted again when, after she hugged him a little closer, he murmured a quiet "ow" against her mouth. With a start, she realized that part of his injury was still exposed. Though only a small part of the stitched laceration was uncovered on his left shoulder, the wound trailed all the way down to the bottom-right of his ribcage. It was a grisly sight, but he was wrong; she did need to see it, if only as evidence that time was a limited resource. Her nightmare could have been a reality today, and then where would she be?

"I'm sor-"

"Don't," he interrupted yet another apology. He smiled kindly. "It doesn't matter now. And I said I would do it again if I had to."

"Well you're not gonna, dummy! Not if I have anything to say about it!" Ruby said defiantly, with her chest puffed and her hands on her hips. Oscar laughed at the sight, and she broke into giggles, too. Once they settled down, she picked up the bandage roll and finished wrapping his shoulder. Without thinking, she patted his shoulder after wrapping it, slapping his injury in the process.

"Ow!"

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!"

"Ruby, stop that!"

"Sorry!"

"RUBY!"

"OSCAR!"

They fell into laughter again, and Ruby felt more relieved than she had in a long time. She hopped off the bed and put the medical supplies away while he pulled his shirt back on and settled into bed properly. "Alright, I'd better get out of your hair. Call if you need me, but I'll make sure Jaune stops here first when he and the others get back." She leaned in and kissed his cheek before turning to leave, but he caught her hand.

"Wait. Would it be okay if you… stayed here? Just for a little longer?" Oscar asked shyly. Ruby nodded and pulled the chair closer to the bed, then sat down on it.

…

Though she didn't have an issue with comfortable silences, somehow she was beginning to feel a little awkward. What did they do now, after… everything? She glanced from her hands in her lap to Oscar and could see the same nervous shuffling from him. It wasn't just her, then. That was at least a little reassuring.

"So… did you want to talk, or..?"

"No, but… actually, can you tell me a story?" His request surprised her, but she supposed he must have still been worn out from the ordeal that afternoon. With his aura recovering and healing his wound at the same time, it was not unlikely that he was exhausted.

"Sure! Which one? Oh, but I'll have to tell it by memory, since I doubt the academy library has any story books lying around."

"Maybe The Warrior in the Woods ?"

Ruby smiled. Of course she knew this one. Her father always had a strange, melancholy look on his face whenever he read it to her and Yang, and she thinks now, more than ever, she understands why.

A part of her was just glad he didn't ask for The Girl Who Fell Through the World .

Once more without thinking, she took hold of one of his hands. "Okay. Once upon a time, there was a village surrounded by a huge forest… " Ruby began to narrate a story she knew by heart.

"When Nora got the message, we were really worried. Good thing Robyn was able to fly our ship right over, but… she can be a little scary when she wants something done quickly."

Jaune carefully left out the part where their airship was flying to Shade so fast, he nearly passed out. But Shade Academy was also being used to house refugees, and if even one huntsman defending it fell, it meant that more people would be in danger. Reckless flight aside, Robyn, Qrow, Jaune, Ren, and Nora all made it back in record time. Robyn and Qrow headed back out to help Winter fight off the Grimm bordering the school, and Jaune ordered Ren and Nora to give their report from Vacuo's outskirts to Headmaster Theodore. The rest of Team RWBY led him down a (thankfully) straightforward corridor.

"It pains me to say it, but I'm glad you made Klein leave to help the refugees in the city," Jaune continued.

"At the very least," Blake started, crossing her arms, "this isn't like Atlas, where war was immediately on our doorstep. We can handle utilizing our aura for injuries, but the refugees can't."

"In any case, we're really grateful you're here. You made it sooner than we were expecting," Weiss piped up and matched his stride.

"Thanks! We definitely tried to hustle." They turned the corner and slowed their pace somewhat. "By the way, where is Ruby?"

"She went to help change Oscar's bandages," Yang replied, then put a hand to her chin. "But actually, it's been a while since she left. Maybe she went to her dorm room without saying anything?"

"She was shaken after that fight. We could all use some rest, honestly," Blake added quickly when she noticed Yang's crestfallen expression.

"I'll take care of Oscar first, then we can find and talk to Ruby. Everything will be okay," Jaune said confidently as he stepped up to the door and knocked. "Oscar? Sorry I'm late, but I'm here to help now!" They strained to hear anything, but the room was silent on the other side. "Maybe he's asleep? Oscar, are you—" he opened the door just enough to peek his head inside, but halted immediately.

"Jaune?" Weiss asked after a beat of silence. Jaune pulled the door shut and faced the girls.

"I think I'll give them maybe five more minutes?" He laughed and began walking back the way they had come from.

"Jaune, wait! What's that supposed to mean? Jaune!" Weiss called after him, jogging to catch up. Blake made to follow, but stopped when Yang didn't move.

"Yang? What is it?" Blake wandered back to the room, where Yang had peeked in the doorway, too.

Both Ruby and Oscar were sound asleep. Ruby, still half-sitting in the chair, was sharing his pillow, with her cheek laid on his shoulder. Oscar looked like he had fallen asleep while pressing a kiss into her hair, his nose and mouth hidden completely in her dark locks. Their hands were still clasped together.

Yang closed the door quietly and turned to Blake with a huge grin. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just glad they finally got a chance to work things out."

They let them sleep for at least another hour.

Thanks for reading! And P.S., let's pretend Ozpin has been sleeping this entire time... he'll wake up to a big surprise, haha!