#flowerofpimps

Ruby Rose was many things, the personification of a personable person was not one of them. She got nervous around new people, and even more so in crowds. She was much more at home surrounded by Grimm that needed killing than people that needed talking to. However that did not mean she was incapable of making friends. Once she was comfortable around someone, she could really open up, and was pretty good at figuring them out.

She learned about Weiss, and how she was actually more comfortable in front of large crowds instead of small personal groups. She learned that Weiss’ harshness wasn’t always just her being rude, but was often her trying to help. To her, a small smack to the back of the head was a basic technique for attention getting and motivation. She also found out that Weiss didn’t move at all in her sleep, like she was frozen solid or something, it was a bit creepy.

Ruby learned about Blake too. Of course the obvious things, like her being a faunus and liking books, but smaller things as well. She had a preference for sarcastic humor, hated kiwis, and sometimes liked to slip big words into normal conversations to see how people reacted. She was also very subtle most of the time, but if a person knew her well they could see through that. Ruby only had that part half figured out so far.

Then there was Yang. Her older sis was, unlike her other two teammates, very open. She was loud, shameless, and generally cheery. That just made the things she did try to hide harder to see though. With Weiss and Blake people knew to look closely, but Yang was so open that nobody thought to look beneath the surface. Ruby knew better though. She had years to learn Yang’s quirks and nuances. Most of the time Yang’s problems were as clear as her regrettably loud puns. That’s why Ruby knew something was up lately. Yang seemed her usual boisterous self on the outside, but there was an underlying sense of something else. It had taken Ruby almost three full weeks to figure it out, but she knew without a doubt now. Yang was head over heels in love with Blake.

It was pretty clear once she realized it. The slight hitch in Yang’s smile, the way her eyes lit up, sometimes literally, when Blake laughed, the way her shoulders would slump just a hair when Blake left, and how she had to force a smile whenever Blake left with Sun. Ruby wasn’t going to let this stand though. Yang had been there for her time and time again, now it was Ruby’s turn to help her out. She just had to learn to speak Blake well enough to figure out if Yang had a chance. This was it, commence Mission Bumbleby!

Step 1: Interrogation. Objective: Learn about Blake. Go in 3, 2, 1…

Ruby lay on her stomach in bed, her legs bent and kicking back and forth as she attempted to do some work for Professor Port. She let out a sigh and looked around. Yang and Weiss were both gone. Blake was on her bed, looking at something on her scroll. Most likely an online book or something.

Ruby prepared herself. This was the perfect chance. Her stomach knotted and she swallowed hard. She didn’t like things like this, even with friends ‘serious’ conversations weren’t her thing. She had to do this though, it was for Yang.

“Do you need something, Ruby?” Blake asked, startling the younger girl out of her own pep talk.

“Huh?” She asked, stunned.

“You’ve been staring at me for a couple minutes now, and you seem nervous. I can actually hear your heartbeat.” Blake said, setting her scroll on the bed.

“You can?” Ruby was a bit taken aback; she knew her heart was beating fast, but not that loud.

“Better hearing.” Blake said, her bow moving as she wiggled the ears under it.

“Oh.” Ruby said simply, nodding her head a little.

“So, what did you need?” Blake asked again, keeping them on track.

Ruby took a deep cleansing breath. Okay Ruby, you can do this. You’re Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY, Reaper of Grimm hordes, you jumped two years to get here. So what if Blake is a former White Fang member who probably knows how to avoid interrogation stuff? You’re just a friend asking questions. Not a big deal. You got this!

“Ruby?” Blake said, breaking Ruby out of another pep talk.

Ruby sat up on the bed, facing off of it and crossing her legs under her. “Uh, well, you see, I was,” She was touching her index fingers together now and looking at her bed, “um, I was kinda wondering if I could ask you about, uhh, dating?”

Blake’s interest was piqued now, and she turned to face Ruby’s bed as well, her legs hanging off her own. “Dating? Are you sure you wouldn’t rather ask your sister about this?”

“Well, my sister is kinda why I’m asking.” Ruby said, she needed to be subtle, but putting as much honesty in as possible would help. “See, she’s always telling me I should get out more, and meet more people, and maybe start dating some. I just, I don’t really know anything about it. Like, I know two people meet and then they do stuff together like dinner and movies and whatever, but what makes that different than Weiss dragging me off cause I hadn’t seen that princess movie or you and me going to the bookstore together? Not that it matters cause even if I knew I wouldn’t know who to date cause Yang always says I’ll meet someone my type but I don’t even think I have a type cause she’s pointing people out and I’m just like ‘what weapon do they have’ but I’m rambling now, sorry.”

When Ruby finally stopped talking, which didn’t take long given that she was speaking fairly quickly, Blake took a moment to decipher it all. “Well that was a lot to take in.” she said, “Though I must ask, why you came to me about this and not Weiss? She is your partner after all, and you two seem close.”

“Well, we are, not that she’ll admit it. It’s just, Weiss is good at a lot of things. Singing, fighting, dancing, planning, homework, but handling people isn’t one of them.” She was talking with her hands now, waving them in front of her as she spoke. “This isn’t some technical thing that can be broken down, but she’d probably still try to make it all scientifical and stuff. You know? I mean it can be broken down some, but not like, step by step stuff, right?”

“That does sound like her.” Blake agreed.

“Yeah, but I mean, if you don’t wanna talk about it, I get that. I mean, I don’t think I even really wanted to ask, but it seems like something I should figure out. If nothing else just to get Yang off my back.”

Blake sighed, gripping the edge of her bed for a moment. “Very well, if you have questions I suppose I could do my best to answer them. Though you should know that growing up in a terrorist organization doesn’t exactly impart a lot of wisdom in the dating field.”

“That’s alright. This is kinda awkward for both of us I guess.” Ruby said, “How about I just ask you about you then? That way I know you can answer it, and it might help me get my bearings. Does that work, or would prefer something less personal?”

“No, I suppose that would work. I won’t have to worry about details or explanations then.”

“Okay, cool.” Ruby said, “Uh, first question then. I should have planned this out more. Alright I got one. People are always saying things like ‘when you start liking boys’ or ‘one of these days when you get interested in guys’ but, the thing is, I’m not. People say I should be, but I look at guys and there’s just… nothing. Like, I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to think or feel, but it’s not there. So what’s it supposed to be? Is it there and I just don’t see it? Does it happen to you?”

Blake paused for a moment, thinking how to respond. “That’s not something easy to answer.” She began, “It’s different for everybody, and can even be different based on who you’re attracted to. Yes it has happened to me before. It’s not something I can describe though. It’s too variable. Also, you may be focusing too much on the assumptions of others.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you’re not attracted to guys. Perhaps the reason you’re not seeing any attraction is because that’s where you’re focusing. You may not be attracted to guys, or anyone at all for that matter. Either way isn’t wrong.” Blake explained.

Score, this is going well. Ruby cheered internally. “So, you mean, I could be into girls, or something else completely, or nothing at all, and I just haven’t looked?”

“Exactly. Sometimes that might be the only reason you don’t see something obvious.”

“What about you?” Ruby asked, adjusting her position to wrap her arms around her legs and rest her chin on her knees.

“What about me?” Blake parroted back, confused.

“Yeah, have you ever felt that about girls? Or is it just guys?”

“Oh, well, that’s kind of personal, Ruby.”

“Sorry.” Ruby apologized, ducking her head behind her legs for a moment. “I mean, I knew that was a thing. I just always heard guys so I didn’t think. But you brought it up so I thought I’d ask. I didn’t mean to be nosy. Or too nosy at least.”

“It’s okay. I suppose there’s no harm in answering. I’m just not used to sharing this much.”

“Yeah, sorry again. I’m probably bugging you with this.”

“No, it’s fine. If it could help there’s no point in me not sharing. So to answer your question, while I haven’t been in a relationship with a woman before, I would be willing to.”

“Really?” Ruby perked up a bit. This was definitely good news. “So, you said ‘woman’, I guess that means you’d want someone around your own age?” Ruby asked. After all it wouldn’t do if Blake wanted someone older.

“Presumably, yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I was thinking if I heard things that other people like, I might be all ‘oh yeah me too’ and stuff. So, I was wondering what you might look for. More like in a girl than a guy cause of, well, already said why.”

Blake narrowed her eyes a bit at Ruby’s reasoning, but went along nonetheless. “Well I suppose there are some things I look for. Sone who’s strong, compassionate, kind, protective, entertaining, understanding-“

“Nice blonde hair.” Ruby interrupted.

“Definit- wait, what?” Blake questioned with a shake of her head.

“Well, it sounded like you were describing Yang.” She pointed out.

Blake paused for a moment. “Yang’s my friend.” She started finally, “I guess it makes sense that she’d have some qualities I like.”

“Hmm, I suppose.” Ruby looked a bit closer; it seemed like Blake was thinking harder now. She had to keep herself from smiling. Maybe there were some feelings there that Blake hadn’t realized. Before either of them could speak again though, the door opened.

Weiss walked in and looked between the two of them. Her brow furrowed and she shot a glare at the younger girl. “Ruby Rose, why aren’t you in uniform? You have class in ten minutes!”

“What?” Ruby said, looking at the clock on the wall. “Oh no!” She jumped off and began zipping around the room with her semblance before vanishing behind a door.

“What have I said about using your semblance in the dorm? There’s petals everywhere!”

“They’ll dissolve.” Ruby said, opening up the door and shooting to her bed, grabbing her work, scroll, and putting everything else up. “Gotta go, class is on the other side of campus.” She spared a wave at Blake. “Thanks for the talk, bye!” And with that she sped out the door fast enough to leave a small draft and more rose petals floating in it.

Mission: Bumbleby, status: Stage 1 went well. Chances are good. Perhaps already pushed Blake towards Yang as a bonus. It has been 4 days since then. Blake and Yang have both acted just a little different. Stage 2 should be a go soon.

Stage 2: Confront. Objective: Convince Yang to admit how she feels. Go in 3, 2, 1…

Ruby walked into the room she shared with her team, popping her back as she did. “Ugh, I’m glad classes are over. For a school that needs strong people those chairs are horrible on your back.” Giving the room a quick once over she saw Blake sitting on her bed reading, with Yang at the foot of it on her scroll. She couldn’t help the hint of a smile at seeing them together. This was totally gonna work. “Hey guys, where’s Weiss?”

“She said something about Vale.” Yang said, “Out buying something or doing rich people stuff I guess.”

“Cool.” Ruby said back, plopping down on Weiss’ bed. “Then she can’t get mad at me for not climbing allll the way up to my bed.”

“Yeah she can, if she finds out.” Yang said.

“But she won’t, so I can be all lazy bones.” Ruby said, closing her eyes. She didn’t see the look Yang shared with Blake, prompting the latter to get up.

“I’ll be in the library. I have some work I need to take care of.” Blake said, walking out the door.

Ruby lifted her head up and watched her leave. “Huh, that’s an odd time to go.” She said.

“Yeah.” Yang agreed, though she clearly wasn’t paying attention to it. She sat up on the bed, shoulders slumped forward, hands on her knees. “Ruby, we need to talk.”

“What about?” Ruby asked, sitting up as well and facing her across the room. This sounded important.

“Blake told me about your little talk the other day.”

Ruby blanched. This wasn’t good. It could throw the whole plan into disarray. She had thought Blake would keep it a secret, but apparently she didn’t. “Sh-she told you?”

“Look, I get it.” Yang started, “You’re getting older, and you’re starting to have questions. It makes sense. I just feel like a bad sister for not seeing it before.”

Ruby was starting to panic. This was not a conversation she wanted to have, and it wasn’t part of the plan. She had to turn this around, and fast. “Yang, it’s not like that. It wasn’t what you think.”

“You weren’t asking her questions about dating and who someone is attracted to?” Yang asked pointedly.

“Well, I mean I was. But it wasn’t like that!” She objected, “I’m fifteen Yang, and I’m not an idiot. I mean, I won’t say I know much about it, but I know enough, I read. I wasn’t asking because I was confused.”

“Yeah, we kind of figured that, I wanted to be sure though.”

“Wait, really? Then what did you think I was doing.”

“We didn’t know at first. Then we thought about it. You said you weren’t interested in guys, you asked about if she would date a girl, and if she wanted someone her own age or not. It was pretty clear then. You have a crush on her.”

Ruby’s jaw dropped. She shook her head then, waving her hands in front of her. “Nononononono! I don’t have a crush on her. That’s not it at all!”

Yang paused for a moment, then sighed. “It’s okay Ruby, I get it. She’s pretty, smart, fun, why wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t though!” Ruby interjected, “Really, I mean it.”

Yang looked her in the eyes, holding her gaze for a moment. “You really don’t.” She said, confused. “Then why were you…?”

“Because you do.”

“How did you know that?” Yang finally conceded.

“I’m your sister, I’ve known you all my life. You think I wouldn’t be able to see that when I live in the same room as both of you?”

Yang hung her head and groaned. “Jeez Rubes, and I was trying so hard.” She looked back up at her, “Still, why would that make you ask Blake about that stuff?”

“I was trying to see if you had a shot.” Ruby answered with a small shrug, as if it was obvious. “I think you do, by the way. When I asked her ‘type’, the only way it could have been more you is if she said your name.”

“Really? That’s why you did that?” Yang asked again, earning only a nod and an affirmative hum. “Soooo, I got a chance?”

Ruby smiled, “Yep! At least I think so. She was pretty much talking about you. She even agreed when I said she’d like your hair, and I know she meant it because she answered before she realized what I did.”

Yang seemed stunned for a moment, and then smiled broadly. “Was this part of some sort of scheme?”

“You betcha. Got it all planned out. Your fearless leader knows her subjects! Sort of… I didn’t expect her to tell you about that. I was gonna do that myself. It still worked though. Now for the final piece, stage 3!”

“Final piece? I like the sound of that, what is it?”

“You, my dearest sister, are getting a date!”

Mission: Bumbleby, Status: Stage 2 complete. Yang is on board, we even have a code phrase! It has been two days since then, but its guaranteed for today. This is it, make or break.

Stage 3: Completion is a go in 3, 2, 1…

Ruby watched the clock on her scroll as she looked through her favorite site, the various weapons and their parts shown in great detail. She just needed a bit more time. This part was simple, very much so. At least for her. Ruby’s job was to keep Weiss away from the dorm to give Yang and Blake the alone time so Yang could ask her out, and explain why Ruby had done what she had to clear things up. Unfortunately Yang had objected to allowing cameras in the room so Ruby could see what happened. That meant that Ruby would just have to wait for a signal that it was done and keep Weiss away until then, but that shouldn’t be difficult.

She glanced up as Blake entered the room, barely keeping down a smile. This was it. She hopped off her bed and stretched out, interlacing her fingers and raising her arms above her head. “I’m going for a walk in the gardens.” She said, and slowly walked to the door. 3, 2, 1…

“Ruby,” Weiss said from her bed, “did you ever finish that assignment on Dust combinations?”

“Uhhh.” Ruby hesitated, “Finish or start?”

“Finish.” Weiss said, narrowing her eyes.

Ruby was touching her index fingers together and looking down. “Well it kind of doesn’t matter cause the answer to both is the same.”

“And that would be?”

“Umm, no?” she looked up, offering a nervous smile.

“God!” Weiss exclaimed, “It’s due tomorrow!”

Ruby’s smile dropped. “Wait, what? It’s Thursday?”

“Of course it is, you were in your Thursday classes!”

“Oh. You’re right.” Ruby realized, “It doesn’t feel like Thursday though, it feels like Tuesday!”

“Ruby Rose, you are going to get that done now. You’re going to the library, not the gardens.”

“Ughhh, fine.” She said, and then took a step closer to Weiss’ bed. “Hey Weissy.”

“What is it, Ruby?” She asked hesitantly.

“Could you maybe possibly perhaps if you feel like it, help me?”

“It’s not my fault you waited till the last minute.” Weiss chastised.

Ruby got on her knees, hands clasped in front of her, lip pouting out, and her eyes wide. “Pleeeaaasseee!” She begged, “You know more about Dust than anyone in the history of ever! I’d totally get an A if you helped, and I’m sure I’d learn more too!”

Weiss tried not to turn her head, but she did. In an instant she was defeated by the mere sight of Ruby’s pouting puppy dog face. “Fine, but I’m helping, not doing it for you.”

“Yay!” Ruby cheered, jumping up. “Let’s go!” She grabbed Weiss by the wrist and pulled her up. She turned to Blake and Yang just as they walked out the door, “You two have fun while we’re gone!” She called, earning a grin from Yang. Here we go.

“So if you mix about thirty percent of this one, fifty of this one, and the rest is this one, then you get something like… this?” Ruby said, pointing to areas on the library computer in front of her.

“Exactly right, very good.” Weiss said, “But, if you switch these two” she pointed to two of the dust types, “Then you’ll get this instead, so you have to remember to be careful.”

“Alrighty. So,” Ruby scanned the page, seeing nothing else. “That’s it, I’m done!” She threw her hands in the air.

Weiss reached over and tapped the screen, showing something new. “Actually, there’s another page.”

“Noooooo!” Ruby complained, slumping forward.

Weiss put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s fine, Ruby. You only missed one on the last page. This should be easy.”

Ruby was about to answer when her scroll beeped. She opened it up to see a message from Yang. “Going for sushi. Don’t know when we’ll be back.” She grinned and went to put it away, when it beeped again. Looking back it showed a picture of a beaming Yang with her arm around a smiling Blake. The caption reading simply, “thanks.”

“What’s that about?” Weiss asked as Ruby grinned.

“Yang and Blake are going out for sushi. So we get to spend all day together.” She answered, nudging Weiss with her elbow.

Weiss rolled her eyes, but Ruby could have sworn she heard her mutter “It’s about time.” Under her breath. Then she spoke up clearly. “Well, let’s get this done, and then we can show them what they get for leaving us out.

“Yesss!” Ruby celebrated, and then cracked her knuckles. “We’ll call it ‘Weiss and Ruby: Best Partners Ever’. Mission BFF’s is a go in 3, 2-“

“Just do your work.” Weiss chastised.