(Alright were back on track. I think its about time we wrapped up volume 1 eh? I like volume 2 more anyway. Still need to at least try and watch 7...I'm terrible at sitting and watching shows...which is weird because I sit on my ass and read most of the time...oh well. 60 words later. Letsa go.)

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3rd Person Pov

Ruby, Y/n, Blake and Yang were currently all sat in the team RWBY dorm, each doing their own thing. Yang was sat on her bunk cross-legged, tending to her hair. Blake was laying in her bed, reading a book, like usual. Ruby was in her own bunk reading a comic book. And the man of the hour, Y/n, was on his back with his torso half hanging off of Rubys bunk, getting lost in his own thoughts. Weiss was out and about doing whatever.

The dorm was quiet save for Yang lightly humming to herself, and the occasional turn of a page. Y/n was, safe to say, bored out of his mind. It was in this moment that his rollercoaster of a brain graced him with one of the greatest 'shower-thoughts' of his life. And he couldnt help but share it.

Y/n: "Hey rosebud?"

Ruby didnt look away from her comic book as she acknowledged him.

Ruby: "Yeah?"

Y/n: "Are the arms on a chair technically chairs for your arms?"

Ruby dropped her comic down to her lap as she sat up on her bed and looked right at Y/n, who remained in his position, staring off into space as his question rocked the fabric of all that is real...for him at least.

This concerned Ruby a bit and drew Yangs attention as well.

Ruby: "Are you okay?"

Y/n: "Hmm? Yeah I'm good. Sometimes I just think stupid stuff like that. I call em shower-thoughts. Just the dumb questions that make you think for no reason. Why? Am I doing it again?"

Ruby: "A bit yeah."

He sat up on the bed to face her, leaning on his hands.

Y/n: "Oh. Sorry rosebud. I'm fine, really. Probably just bored."

Ruby stated at him for a moment before she, in an attempt to boost his spirits, booped him on the nose.

Ruby: "Boop!"

Y/n couldn't help but smile, and laugh at least a little. Her childish attitude and carefree approach always brought him around. He ruffled her hair as he voiced his thoughts.

Y/n: "I have no idea how you always make me smile like that."

Ruby giggled as she gained a uncharacteristic smug look on her face, deciding to give teasing Y/n a second try.

Ruby: "Who knows? Maybe I just have that effect on you?"

Yang felt a tinge of pride for her little sister, they grow up so fast, but unfortunately for the resident rose however, Y/n was ready since last time and gained his own suggestive look as he leaned towards her and countered.

Y/n: "Oh yeah~? Who knows, maybe you do~."

A critical hit! Wild Ruby is flustered! Y/n couldnt help but laugh as she became a blushing, stuttering mess. Eventually she recovered and pouted at the still laughing Y/n.

Ruby: "Stop laughing! It's not funny!"

Y/n however continued to spasm with laughter, almost falling off the bed. She tried to contain herself but eventually Ruby herself started to smile and laugh at the verbal skirmish.

Ruby: "Okay maybe it was a little funny."

Y/n fell onto his back right next to her as his lungs finally stopped kicking at his chest and he caught his breath.

Y/n: "Oh...hoooOooOooo...that was amazing. Thanks rosebud, I didn't know I needed that."

He closed his eyes as he found new comfort in the quiet of the dorm room. Yang watched with interest as Ruby seemed to reach out towards him, before pulling back with a dejected look, and lying back down as well.

Yang: 'Oh she is so crushing on him. C'mon sis make a move! He clearly likes you too. Time to play big sister.'

Yang whipped your her scroll, quickly scrolling through her contacts till she found one labeled 'cookie-monster' and typed a message.

(For the sake of making it obvious, communicating via scroll will be in brackets.)

Firecracker: [Got somethin to wanna say to him sis~?]

Ruby sat up as her scroll vibrated silently, telling her she had a message. She instantly went red when she saw the message and sent a nervously compiled response.

cookie-monster: [I have absolutely no idea what your talking about.]

Firecracker: [Relax rubes I ain't gonna tell him I'm surprised he doesn't see it himself. You know he feels the same way right? It's super obvious ngl.]

cookie-monster: [As if. He probably thinks of us as just friends. NOT that I'm admitting to liking him or anything, I just...I dont know.]

Y/n: "You alright rosebud? Your practically steaming there."

Both sisters looked to see Y/n looking up at Ruby questioningly at her flustered and nervous state. Not at all able to handle all the attention on her at the moment, she pulled her hood down over her face and hid in her cloak, trying her best to be invisible. Y/n sat up and looked at Ruby with slight concern, but before he could try and help her, Yang chimed in.

Yang: "Oh shes fine. Hey Y/n, let's have a quick chat alright?"

Before the boy had a chance to protest Yang dragged him off the bunk by his arm and over to the bathroom, where she shut the door and sat him down on the toilet, leaning on the wall across from him.

Y/n: "Uuuuh, Yang? What's this abo-?"

Yang: "What do you think of Ruby?"

Y/n was silent from the sudden question, and unsure if hiw to awnser.

Y/n: "U-uhm I-"

He was once again cut off.

Yang: "Think about it for a minute or two. I want your complete, 100 percent honest awnser."

The boy was silent again, as he leaned back on his porcelain seat, running a hand through his hair as he thought of what to say to Yang.

*With Blake and Ruby*

Ths dorm was once again quiet as Ruby remained buried in her cloak, that is until Blake suddenly spoke up, reminding Ruby that she was here the whole time.

Blake: "It really is obvious you know."

Ruby peeked out from her crimson hood to see that Blake had put down her book, and was looking directly at Ruby with her usual neutral expression.

Ruby: "Is it really...?"

Blake: "Almost painfully so."

Ruby finally removed herself from her terrible makeshift hiding place and looked down nervously. She tapped her fingers together as she gave up and voiced her thoughts.

Ruby: "I'm just scared. I mean...what if I tell him and he doesnt feel the same? Do you have any idea how awkward that would be if things were just ruined between us forever? I dont know what to do..."

Blake took a look over to the bathroom door and seemed to listen carefully before she sighed and stood up from her bed.

Blake: "Listen Ruby, I have a pretty good idea of what your talking about, and your overthinking it."

Ruby watched in slight confusion as Blake shifted the bookshelf away from the window slightly and reached behind it fishing around for something.

"You have feelings for someone who you've become amazing friends with, and you want to be more, but your afraid of being rejected, and ruining your chances."

The flower rubbed her arm in nervousness at how easily Blake had read her like one of her books. It was almost uncanny. But before she had long to think on it Blake spoke again, continuing to fish around.

"But you dont need to worry about that. Its ridiculously, almost painfully obvious he feels the same way. I'd go as far as to say he is completely head over heels for you Ruby."

Ruby: "B-but what if were wrong? W-what if-"

She cut herself off as Blake found what she was looking for and stood up, turning to face Ruby. In her hands was a worn, black and red journal. It had black, smokey pages and silver writing that seemed to shine slightly. On the cover there was an ominous looking symbol, and under it the words 'Shower Thoughts'.

Before Ruby could question the journal, Blake approached her and spoke.

Blake: "I caught him with this when I came in to the dorm late last week, after the forever fall trip. He had fallen asleep writing in it. My curiosity got the better of me and I took a peek."

Blake lightly flipped through a few pages before she finished her approach to Ruby. Closing the book once more, and holding it out to the hooded girl.

"If you really need to see that he feels the same, then look it over. I'm not sure how long hes had it, but from the looks of it he started it not long after you two met. See for yourself."

Ruby looked at the journal for a second before she took it from Blake and looked it over. On the back there was a detailed drawing of a rose, colored red and highlighted with silver against the black cover.

When Ruby finally opens the book, she is greeted by a passage in bright silver writing.

I have to admit that I never expected this. I seriously thought I was just gonna fade away when I died, I mean, that's what I wanted. But instead I wake up in some girls bedroom, as an intangible, invisible shadow person and find myself tethered to said girl. This whole situation is just weird. I honestly dont know if I want to deal with it. She seems like a really nice person, and I wouldn't mind sticking around with her, shes actually pretty cute. Her name is Ruby, I'm still not sure what I'm going fo do about this but...I guess I'll stick around for a little while...see what happens.

She could now tell that Blake was right, this must have been from a day or two after he woke up. She continued to look through the book finding more and more entries about what was happening. Even about when he told the team his story, and all the say up to the forever fall trip. When she turned the page again though, what she found made her heart skip a beat.

*With Yang and Y/n*

The bathroom was eerily silent as Yang waited for an awnser from Y/n. She was surprisingly patient, but that was mostly because she had a pretty good idea of what he would say, she just needed to hear it. Y/n sat there racking his brain on what he should say to Yang. He already had an awnser, but should he tell her? What would she think? He furrowed his brow at the co flict inside him. Eventually though, he decided it was best to be completely honest. He had nothing he needed to hide now, and he was pretty sure she knew already. So he looked up at her, and told the truth.

*Ruby reading*

God that first day of school, what even happened? It was just a normal day...sure there were some problems with Weiss but when we crashed through that door just...I cant even look at her without wanting to just...spill. To just give her everything. I've looked at the moon every night since I came to remnant and for a while I was sure that nothing would shine brighter. I was so wrong. Even just her eyes, I have to fight with myself everytime I try and look away from them. The way the look back at me and shine like the brightest stars I've ever imagined. Her short hair, the beautiful black of the night sky, highlighted by the fires of sunset on her tips. And that's only the half of it. She's done so much for me, cared so much. She pulled me out of my free fall through the dark and showed me light. Real light. She's so bubbly and hyper, childish and cute, yet she can be so mature and supportive, so clever and brave, even her shyness to new people is just amazing to me. Everytime I speak to her I see a crimson angel. And everytime she talks to me I hang off every word, like it's the best music I've ever heard, or ever will hear. I know without a doubt that I love her, i would bet this second life on it, so why cant i just tell her? Why did i have to be such a coward that day? In that moment i wanted nothing more to tell her and kiss her, to give her my heart and soul, everything. Ruby Rose...even your name sends shivers down my spine. I wish so much that I could tell you. I love you. I love you so much it hurts to not tell you, but I just cant. If dad were here to see me writing this now he would tease me to no end...this next page is without a doubt the best drawing I've ever made, or ever will make. I poured everything I have into this, and I only wish these pages were bigger, but even so it pales in comparison to her beauty.

She turned the page once more to see a detailed drawing she didnt think possible to do by hand. It was her.

The entry continued onto the page right after.

It doesnt even come close to the real thing. Only whatever god there is could even conceive such a painting. Shes perfect in every way, and its embarassing to even write that I'm head over heels for her. I cant imagine a second of my life without her, and I hope that second never has to come.

I love you Ruby Rose. More than I could ever tell you.

With love

The guns to your roses

Y/n

Ruby finally closed the journal as she slid her thoughts over what she just read. At first, she couldnt think at all, but her shocked stupor quickly faded when she realized it. This was her proof! Her all clear! The green light, take the leap! He felt the same, he really did! To her, there was no concept of better news. She zoomed over to Blake, who had sat back down on her bed and waited for Ruby to finish reading. She handed Blake the book, and before she could say anything, Ruby tightly hugged her in a fit of excitement and joy.

Ruby: "Thank you Blake! Thank you thank you thank you! This is amazing!"

The team leader then, in a flash of rose petals zoomed back up to her bed and sat cross-legged with a beaming smile on her face as she stared off in thought. Blake smiled a bit before she returned the journal to its hiding place, and pushed the bookshelf back in place before she returned to her own bunk, and resumed her book.

*With Yang and Y/n*

Yang closed her eyes in thought, still leaning against the wall. Y/n had not hidden anything from her, practically reciting his passage in the journal, only with less questioning himself and more his true and raw thoughts. She had thought correctly, he was absolutely stupid for her.

'Perfect' she thought as she couldnt hold the smirk that came to her face.

She opened her eyes to look directly at Y/n, who looked back with a stoic expression, ready for Yangs judgment. She began.

Yang: "Listen Y/n. This isnt some interrogation, I just needed to be sure u was right. And I was. Dud she's completely head over heels for you. She doesnt talk about it but its clear as day."

Y/n went a stiff at the mention that Ruby reciprocated his feelings. He was incredibly happy, and had a dumb smile plastered on his face, earning a short laugh from Yang. She walked over to him and gave him a pat on the back as she gave her final verdict.

"You've got my blessing Y/n. Your a good guy, and your perfect for eachother. Treat her well okay?"

And with that she left an overjoyed Y/n to his own devices, bouncing around his thoughts, still with a massive grin stuck on his face. Yang emerged from the dorms bathroom to see Blake back in her book, and a smiling, madly blushing Ruby staring off into space. She shared a look with Blake, who nodded and returned to her book. Yangs grin grew wider.

'Perfect. Now they both know, one of them just has to make a move.'

She sat back on her bed, and for a few short minutes, the dorm was quiet. Then of course, Weiss busted through the door standing tall, looking like she was about to propose a trillion dollar idea on shark tank...if that even existed on Remnant...which it doesnt.

(Fuck. okay moving on)

Weiss: "Team! Prepare yourselves! We are going into Vale!"

Weiss seemed strangely enthusiastic about the idea, which drew suspicion from her three teammates, but Yang and Blake didnt really care, and Ruby was in too good of a mood to be super off-put. So without much objection, four of the five members of team RWBY were ready for their surprise trip to Vale. Weiss looked around in confusion.

Weiss: "Where's-"

*WHISTLE*

Weiss fell straight to the floor as Y/n appeared from literally nowhere with a whistle. Weiss sat up with a groan and an extremely annoyed look while Yang and Ruby got their laughs out, Blake lightly chuckled and Y/n stood still with that incredibly happy grin on his face. Once the laughter died down he spoke.

Y/n: "So where are we goin?"

*Timeskip to Vale*

Y/n Pov

Today is fucking awesome. I have everything I need! Just gotta wait for the right moment, and let it all out. I had been pretty zoned put during the entire Vale trip, too much on my mind. I only ever really tuned in when we stumbled across a busted up dust shop. The door was busted in and the windows shattered, all the furniture and shelves inside were busted and thrown around. Police tape was everywhere and two officers were taking notes on the scene, Yang spoke up.

Yang: "What happened here?"

Without looking away from his pad, the first officer responded.

Officer 1: "Dust robbery, second shop to be hit this week. I swear this place is turning into a jungle."

He then walks off towards his partner. Something doesnt seem right...

Yang: "That's terrible..."

We could hear the officer talk to his partner from where we were standing.

Officer 1: "They left all the money again."

Y/n: "Wait...what?"

Officer 2: "Just doesnt make a lick of sense. Who needs that much dust?"

Officer 1: "I dont know, an army?"

Officer 2: "You thinkin' the uh, White Fang?"

Officer 1: "Yeah, I'm thinkin' we dont get payed enough."

'New York accents get around...'

What happened next was Weiss and Blake started to argue over the White Fang. I'm not gonna lie, I didnt want any part of the conversation, so I tuned it out and focused on the dust shop instead. There was no doubt in my mind that Roman Torchwick was connected to this. When me and Ruby fought him a few months ago, he was doing exactly this. Taking just dust.

We heard some shouts coming from the docks we passed by a moment ago and ran over thinking there might be trouble. What we instead found was a blonde guy with a monkey tail running away from a group of sailors. He probably stowed away on the ship.

'Do what you want cause a pirate is free...'

The monkey pirate ran past us and Weiss, assuming he was a student arriving for the festival, had us give chase to "Observe" him. In other words she was stalking him to get an upper hand. She failed miserably however when she rounded a corner, and practically trampled some poor ginger girl. Weiss however took no notice at first, and instead looked up to see the monkey guy leaping across a rooftop.

Weiss: "No! He got away!"

Y/n: "Dude has mad parkour skills"

Yang: "Uh...Weiss?"

Yang pointed down to the girl that Weiss had pinned to the floor by mistake. Once Ice Queen noticed her she quickly got up off the girl, who proceeded to remain on the floor and greet us with a massive smile.

???: "Sal-U-ta-tions!"

A little robotic of a greeting...but to each their own.

Y/n: "Sal-u-ta-tions to you as well stranger"

Ruby: "Um...hello."

Yang: "Are you...okay?"

The girl showed absolutely no trouble with having been trampled as she responded with a somehow wider grin.

???: "I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking!"

Y/n: "Your an interesting person aren't you? Need a hand up?"

She paused for a moment with a look on her face that suggested she had completely forgotten she was still on the floor. Then she smiled again.

???: "Oh! No need! I appreciate the gesture though!"

She then proceeded to be an absolute BEAST and just casually flipped herself up and on to her feet with absolute ease.

Y/n: "Ha!"

Penny: "My name is Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Y/n: "Definitely interesting. Nice to meet you as well Penny, my name is Y/n."

Ruby greeted as friendly as ever.

Ruby: "Hi Penny. I'm Ruby.

Weiss: "I'm Weiss"

Blake: "Blake"

Yang: "Are you sure you didnt hit your head?"

As punishment for her rude greeting, Blake elbowed her in the side.

"Oh! I'm Yang."

Penny: "Its a pleasure to meet you!"

Weiss: "You already said that."

Penny paused again before her smile once again returned.

Penny: "So I did!"

Weiss: "Well, sorry for running into you."

After Weiss's apology we began to walk away. Ruby waved over as we walked away, while I just gave a little two-finger salute.

Ruby: "Take care, friend!"

Y/n: "Ad Victorium, sister!"

We proceeded to walk away from a startled looking Penny. Yang waited till we were out of earshot to speak.

Yang: "She was...weird."

Y/n: "Bold of you to assume we are normal. She was definitely interesting though."

Weiss resumed her hunt for monkey man, but we were all suddenly interrupted when Penny straight up slendermanned right in front of us. Seriously! She came out of nowhere!

Y/n: "Woah! You are full of surprises aren't you?"

She spoke up in front of us while a confused Weiss continued to look back and forth between Penny and where she was.

Penny: "What did you call me?"

Yang backed up slightly looking apologetic.

Yang: "I-Im sorry! I definitely didnt think you heard me!"

Penny: "Not you!"

Penny walked right past our three teammates and stopped in front of me and Ruby.

Penny: "You two!"

Y/n: "This feels like an interrogation..."

Ruby: "Me? Uh, I dont know. I, what, I, um..."

Penny got almost right up in front of Ruby.

Penny: "You called me 'friend!'"

She then shifted right over to me, and I admit I took a half step back.

"And you called me 'sister!'"

She backed up slightly to look at us both.

"Am I really your friend? Your companion?"

She spoke with what sounded like hop in her voice, and I relaxed realizing that she just wanted friends. I noticed that our team behind Penny was signaling us to say no. I shared a look with Ruby and nodded. The more the merrier right?

Ruby: "Y-yeah, sure! Why not?"

Y/n: "I see no harm in it. Welcome to the 8inner circle Penny."

Penny squealed in excitement, practically jumping in place while out entire team fell to the floor like anime characters. Seems a little much guys...

Penny: "Sen-sational! We can try on clothes, paint our nails and talk about cute boys! Or girls!"

I admit I took a quick glance at Ruby, and she might have done the same but I'm not sure. I didnt want to get caught looking. Ruby groaned and spoke at Weiss, who was picking herself off the floor.

Ruby: "Is this what it was like when you met me?"

Weiss: "No. She seems far more coordinated."

Y/n: "Ah come on, itll be fine."

I gave Ruby a nudge.

"I mean it's not like she's exploded or anything..."

Ruby turned a bit red and slugged my arm for teasing her.

Ruby: "S-shut up! She doesnt have to know about that!"

I was laughing a bit as Yang continued the conversation.

Yang: "So what are you doing in Vale?"

Penny: "I'm here for the tournament!"

Weiss: "Wait, you're fighting in the tournament?"

Penny gave a cheery salute.

Penny: "I'm combat ready!"

Weiss: Forgive me, but you hardly look the part."

Blake: "Says the girl wearing a dress."

Y/n: "Oh boy...here we go again..."

Weiss: "Its a combat skirt!"

Ruby zipped over to Weiss' side as they both crossed their arms.

Ruby: "Yeah!"

They shared a quick low-five before Weiss went into stalker mode...again.

Weiss: "Wait. If your here for the tournament, does that mean you know that monkey-tailed...rapscalion?"

Y/n: "Ok that's pretty uncalled for..."

Penny: "The who...?"

Weiss magically produced an incredibly poor drawing of the guy we saw earlier from absolutely nowhere. Starting to think I actually live in an anime...

Weiss: "The filthy Faunas from the boat!"

Y/n: "Ok now that's just plain rascist..."

Blake: "Why do you keep saying that?!"

And here we go again. They started up their arguement again and I wanted no part of it. It was a lot harder to tune out this time though and I found myself rubbing my temples trying to soothe a headache. Eventually they started to wander off in a random direction still arguing while Ruby and Yang slid up beside me.

Yang: "Uh...I think we should go."

Ruby: "You alright Y/n?"

I stopped rubbing my head and looked at her.

Y/n: "Yeah I'm alright. Stuff like that just gives me a headache is all. Let's get back to Beacon before these two make a scene or something."

I started to walk after them with my hands in my pockets.

'This is not what I had in mind for today...hopefully this blows over soon.'

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(Alllright! Here you go folks! Chapter 17. This one wimps in at about 4420 words of chapter! I think I like this length for chapters so I'm going to do my best to make them about this long in the future. I hope you all enjoyed, and if theres anything you particularly like or dislike about the story so far then please, please, PLEASE leave a comment. I'd live to improve this story in any way! Now let's see here...)

(Next we play with the torch! Until next time!)