The final chapter for this little compilation of fics for Tom! Unlike the others, it's actually not a sad one!

Unfortunately the official reveal of Ruby's birthday being October 31st came too late for me to be able to post this in time for it, but oh well.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

Chapter 4. The Best Gift

Yang waited until Ruby was in the shower that night before she told Weiss and Blake about tomorrow. Ruby hadn't specifically mentioned it herself, which led Yang to believe that maybe she didn't want them to know, or maybe she didn't want to celebrate it for some reason, but she felt she at least had to tell her teammates the truth. Because tomorrow-

"It's her birthday?!"

Weiss and Blake both blurted out in disbelief the second Yang told them her sister's little secret. The blonde quickly waved her hands for silence.

"Yeah, it's tomorrow. But since she hasn't mentioned it, I'm not sure if she doesn't want people to know or what. She can be a little weird about it sometimes. So just be cool about it, all right? Don't say anything unless she does first."

"But we should at the very least get her something, right?" Weiss fretted.

"Even if it's just something small," Blake agreed.

"Nah," Yang shook her head. "Ruby's not really into presents all that much. Well, unless you're gonna get her more parts for her weapons and stuff like that, but I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe just getting her some cupcakes would be fine. But I'm not sure yet. Let's just wait and see what she wants to do."

They were all in agreement and acted normally when Ruby stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas. None of the older girls mentioned anything about tomorrow or acted any differently, and they all exchanged their goodnights as if it were any other evening.

Now that Yang had warned them, Weiss and Blake knew to be cautious but expectant tomorrow, prepared for whatever reaction Ruby might have to her own birthday.

But they weren't really prepared for an energetic wake-up call at 7AM on a Saturday morning.

"Haaaaappy Birthday to meeeeeee~!"

Ruby's voice sang through the room in a gleeful squeal at the break of dawn, rousing all of the others who groaned and forced themselves awake. Zwei started running around in circles barking, which only ensured none of them could attempt going back to sleep.

Being that Yang had grown up her entire life with Ruby and was used to this sort of birthday-morning energy, she sat up from her bunk and looked over at her little sister first while Weiss and Blake were still recovering.

"So," Yang grinned. "You remembered this year, huh?"

"Hey, I only forgot my birthday that one time, Yang!"

"Which time? The time you turned eleven? Or the time you turned fourteen?"

"Eghk! Okay fine, twice! But I'm not gonna forget it again!"

"You sure weren't acting like you were gonna remember last night."

"That's my strategy! The day before, I gotta act like my birthday's just gonna be a normal day, so then I can save and use up all my energy! If I start getting excited about it a day or two early, then I won't have any energy left for my actual birthday!"

"You, not have enough energy?" Yang chuckled. "Please, Ruby."

"Eheheh~" Now she finally looked down beneath her own bed and across the room to check on Weiss and Blake. "Sorry for waking you guys up! I just can't help being so excited! I save all my energy up just for this day of the year!"

"All of it?" Weiss mumbled. "Are you sure? I feel the other 364 days beg to differ."

"It's fine," Blake said, also sitting up now. "It's a Saturday, after all. We can sleep in tomorrow."

"Right!" Yang jumped down from her bed and walked to Ruby's bunk, opening her arms wide. "But today is my lil' sister's birthday! So we gotta celebrate!"

Ruby crawled over to the edge of her bed and jumped down, startling poor Weiss in the process as Ruby leapt into Yang's waiting arms. The blonde spun her around and gave her a kiss on the forehead before setting her down.

"So! Whaddaya wanna do today, birthday girl? Just say the word!"

"Hmmm, let's see-"

"H-Hold on!" Weiss cut in. "At least let us get dressed first..."

"Oh yeah!"

So the four of them went about the morning and got ready for whatever day Ruby had in store for them.

They started off by going to the cafeteria to get breakfast, where Ruby treated herself to sugary cereal without the side order of fruit like Weiss usually demanded she have.

Once their classmates caught wind of things, they all wished Ruby a happy birthday as they passed by, smiling and waving. Ruby grinned and waved back with sugary crumbs on her face.

The others just wanted to see to it that she at least got some nutrition in her diet today, so Blake got her a small cup of strawberries which Ruby happy wolfed down.

After that, Ruby expressed her wishes of heading to Vale for the day. So they all boarded an air ship and flew down to the town, letting her lead the way.

For hours they followed her around town, asking her what it was exactly she wanted to do for her birthday. Every time Ruby looked at any object in a shop for longer than five seconds, Weiss immediately offered to buy it for her. But Ruby kept shaking her head.

"That's okay! But thanks anyway!"

Blake tried to get her a storybook at the book store, but Ruby refused that, too.

"Nah, it's fine! Thanks, Blake!"

The three older girls kept sharing perplexed, exasperated looks throughout the day with every refusal Ruby gave them.

"It's her birthday, for goodness' sake!" Weiss hissed. "She has to let us get her something!"

"But what?" Blake whispered back. "She doesn't want anything."

"Well I think Weiss is right," Yang murmured. "As her big sister, I won't sleep tonight if I don't at least get her one thing for a present."

"Same here."

"Yes!"

So when they passed by the next little cafe, all three of them pulled Ruby in and bought her a small strawberry-topped chocolate cake. Ruby couldn't help but squeal.

"Waaaaah thank you thank you thank you soooo much you guys! This looks amaaaazing!"

They all sat down at a table as Ruby started cutting the cake into slices, but Yang stopped her. She cut the biggest slice for Ruby first and then distributed the three other smaller slices.

The four of them enjoyed the treat, but no one more eagerly than the birthday girl herself. She wore a huge grin all the while as she scarfed down her cake, with Weiss occasionally reaching out to wipe a napkin across her partner's face.

"Now then," she said after cleaning Ruby off again. "Have you decided what you want for your birthday yet, Ruby?"

"You still haven't given us any ideas," Blake said. "Whatever we thought you might like and offered to get, you refused."

"Seriously, sis!" Yang sighed. "You gotta ask for something on your own birthday! So spill the beans!"

"Ew!" Ruby made a face. "No beans allowed on my birthday! Only cake!" After chuckling a bit at her own joke, Ruby stuffed another piece in her mouth and pondered. "Hmm, don't worry! There is something I want!"

"Tell us!" they all demanded.

Ruby chuckled again.

"I will! Very soon, I promise!"

They kept asking her every minute or so until they left the cafe, and then until they boarded the air ship and went all the way back to Beacon. But even then Ruby didn't tell them yet.

Weiss was about to start pulling her hair out, and Blake's hair was about to turn the color of Weiss'. They just wanted to know so they could give her a good birthday.

But even after they got back to their dorm room, Ruby's only command was, "All righty! Everyone go get changed!" before she darted off into the bathroom to put on her pajamas. That was when the others started discussing things amongst themselves.

"A party," Weiss said. "She wants to stay up late and eat junk food, right?"

"Maybe a movie marathon?" Blake guessed.

"Yeah, could be either or both of those," Yang guessed. "Maybe we should go grab some food from the cafeteria before-"

Ruby opened the bathroom door and stepped out, then proceeded to usher Weiss in for her turn to change. She herded each of her teammates in like that until everyone was in their pajamas like she'd wanted. Weiss stood with her hands on her hips, Blake's ear was twitching, and Yang looked like she was going to explode if she didn't hear her little sister's demands now.

"Well?"

"What did you want?"

"Tell us, Ruby!"

"Okay! Are you guys ready?" Ruby asked.

"Yes!" they all cried.

Even Zwei had waddled over to hear her answer.

The brunette grinned, then made her announcement with her arms spread wide.

"Cuddles!"

There was a beat of silence.

Then another. Then another.

One for each of her dumbfounded teammates.

But as the reality sunk in, they realized they weren't surprised.

Of course this would be her only birthday request. This was Ruby Rose, after all. Of course she'd appreciate any weapon's parts or strawberry cakes, but above all else what she'd enjoy the most would be getting to spend time with her teammates.

And so they all obliged.

Luckily, Weiss offered her own bed so the four of them wouldn't have to somehow boost themselves up into the precariously-hanging bunk above it.

Ruby jumped in first and Blake and Yang went on either side of her. There wasn't any room for Weiss to go where she'd have her own space, so Yang offered a suggestion.

"Here!" She laid on her back and patted her stomach. "All yours, Weiss!"

The heiress grimaced.

"No thank you."

"Awww."

"How about this?" Blake offered an alternative that would still solve their space problem. She coaxed Ruby to turn and face her, then gently pulled her leader on top of her stomach, as Yang had been offering to do to Weiss. Ruby happily crawled on top of Blake and snuggled into her collar.

This left plenty of space for Weiss to get in on Blake's other side, which she did. Both she and Yang turned onto their sides and draped an arm across Ruby's back while Ruby nestled her face into Blake's chest. The Faunus girl let out a soft rumbling purr.

And finally Zwei jumped up at the foot of the bed and made himself comfortable between a pair of feet.

All of Team RWBY let out a collective sigh. Weiss and Yang each had one arm on Ruby's back and one hand gently rubbing one of Blake's ears each. Blake had one arm around each of them, lightly stroking through their hair.

Ruby kept changing who she was hugging, making sure she got to all of them at some point. She never stopped smiling.

"This is the best birthday ever... thanks, you guys..."

There was a drawl to her voice now after the long, exciting day she'd had. The others knew it was time for bed.

They all took turns kissing their leader and wishing her goodnight.

Weiss pecked one cheek, Blake kissed her forehead, and Yang covered her other cheek. And together they murmured, "Happy birthday, Ruby."

Ruby hummed and sighed and closed her eyes. She fell asleep to the feeling of Weiss rubbing her back, Yang petting her hair, and the sound of Blake's purr.

The others soon followed, curling up in bed together warmly and happily.

A/N: It was nice to have this final chapter be all feel-good~ Thanks again to Tom for the ideas! I hope you all enjoyed the Pollination fluff!

Please review!