First story, just getting my feet wet.

Might be a bit of slow burner, but I like the way this has turned out.

Hope you enjoy the ride.

What if I told you, that prior to all of this, I – the hero – got the girl, saved the world, and lived happily ever after?

Only 19-year-old Ruby Rose didn't get the girl, the exact opposite actually. This is what happens when you bottle up your feelings and then let it explode right before graduation from Beacon. Did I mention that the girl was in a serious relationship with a boy before I finally decided after those 3 painful years to blurt out my feelings?

Now here I am 5 years after graduation, 24 and in my prime. I've grown out of the skirts, I prefer form-fitting cargo pants with my combat boots and my cape has definitely become more tattered and gotten a couple shades darker in red. I also keep a flask in my military style jacket pocket – this nasty habit I've picked up from Uncle Qrow. I've learned to control this awesome power I discovered within myself when Beacon's tower fell… Jaune still has Pyrrha's old golden headpiece that she used to wear before the event. I've been on plenty of missions with him, before every mission he'll spend some time alone just looking it over, it's his lucky charm now. He's past gotten past all that self-loathing and depression, he's matured and has learned to carry on that piece of her she left with him before she tossed him into that rocket locker. He jokes about that from time to time, especially when he's teaching classes at Beacon. The best retreat plan is to use the rocket locker, live to fight another day. He stresses that last part a lot.

I've been all across Remnant, done missions in the most beautiful of cities to the absolute dreadful of places, met interesting people, made more friends, and celebrated the lives for those of us who made the ultimate sacrifice. I've got some pretty good stories from the dreadful places I've been to. However, there's a time and place for those stories, right now is neither the time nor place.

Today I am back in Vale, for pleasure, Yang mentioned something about Blake – something about a ring. I crack a smile to myself as I look out to the city streets of Vale, my beloved sister has finally proposed to Blake, about damn time if you ask me. These two lovebirds took their time, despite being together for the past 6 years. After we had sorted things out and kicked the bad guy's ass were the two able to admit it their feelings for one another.

It was rocky for them at first – actually, it was difficult for everyone at first, me leading what was left of team JNPR while my own team was in fragments, Blake being MIA, Yang wallowing in self-pity, and Weiss… Anyways, getting back to the Bumblebee-ship, Yang got a new arm from Weiss, she cheered up a bit and we eventually caught up with Blake when we began our plan to eradicate the Grimm from Vale and destroy that damn dragon.

Blake felt an immeasurable amount of guilt whenever she took a look at Yang, and Yang still felt bitter over the loss of her limb and the fact that Blake had abandoned her. After some coaxing from Weiss and myself, we manage to get the two to talk to each other. And it just seemed to fall in place for those two after that, the two talked all through out that night while Blake held on to Yang's hand. They weren't open about it at first, despite their feelings being obvious to everyone, after we re-built Beacon the two kind of skirted around each other.

Which might surprise some people, considering this is Yang we're talking about. My sister, at the time, was terrified to scare off Blake with her feelings. And Blake wasn't sure if Yang still held some resentment towards her for her arm, despite me constantly telling Blake that my sister definitely did not resent her. Of course, Yang being Yang finally cracked during our final year at Beacon and asked out our beloved Faunus.

Now the two are rather famous Huntresses throughout Remnant, Yang for her cheesy puns and Blake for her uncanny ability to write fantastic novels, and of course the obvious amount of ass-kicking the two can do.

It's early morning and I grab my bag off of the airship I arrived on. Yang and Blake's home is about a 10-minute cab ride from here. I remember roaming these streets, I also recall the times we've broken these streets, and most importantly I remember rebuilding these streets with everyone. Vale holds a special place for us, something about helping this city rise once more from the Grimm ashes creates a rather soft spot in the heart. Which is why Yang and Blake opted to make a home out of this place. I moved back home with Pop, but I'm mostly out on missions so I make it home maybe once a month.

"Rubes!" Yang cried joyously as I step through the door, I grabbed the spare key from underneath a pot to open the front door.

"Yang!" This is going to be great, last time I saw sis was a few months ago before I went the deserts of Vacuo for a mission.

Immediately this loving hug I received turned into a headlock, I felt my form being pushed face down into the table.

"You don't call or send mail, your shit at answering your scroll, I thought you had dried up in the desert for some time, you damn punk!" Yang's grip on my fucking head increased as I struggle to not let my skull get completely pancaked by her strength. It seemed impossible, but big sis definitely got stronger.

"I-I was busy!" I let out with some difficulty; I peer down at her legs and plan my next move.

I manage to turn us into a tangled mess on the kitchen floor. We take turns trying to establish dominance over the other, a stupid grin on both our faces as chairs become over turned, the table some how ends up in the living room, the kitchen mats end up on the ceiling fan. I missed my sister so much.

"Enough!" A stern voice stood over the two of us; Blake did not look happy at the vase we managed to knock over. "Every time she comes over you always seem to turn it into some kind of fight night disaster Yang!"

"Hey! She instigated it!" Yang pointed to me.

The nerve! "You mean when I retaliated after you put my face on your damn table?!" I re-adjust Crescent Rose's place on my back, it had gotten loose during the tussle.

"Exactly! You retaliated!" We both got a good laugh out of that, Blake not so much.

Blake pinched her nose, took a deep breathe, and then let loose a smile, "Welcome back Ruby."

I return that smile to Blake whole-heartedly and notice the painting of white roses on the wall.

"Of course! I had to come back to celebrate with my sister and my soon to be sister-in-law!" Yang eyed her future wife lovingly as I beamed between the two, "I'm so happy for the two of you."

"Thank you Rubes." Blake enveloped me in her arms; I caught sight of the ring on her finger as she did so. Yang has excellent taste in jewelry.

We picked up after our mess, Yang made some coffee and Blake made some breakfast. I took the morning to talk about my exploits in Vacuo and the monsters I utterly obliterated while producing a few gifts for the two from my bag. I've made it a habit to start putting push pins on a map of Remnant for every place I've visited, there's a shit ton of them on that map.

I really miss this, I miss the team and our times at Beacon, and I miss…

I take my leave of the two; I tell them I want to take a walk around town for a bit since it has been a while. While strolling through the city, I keep close to the water. I'm thankful that they didn't bring up… Weiss Schnee.

I think back to our last conversation, we don't talk anymore, I haven't said a word to her since and I keep a habit of not knowing what she's up to. We haven't partnered up since that last graduation assignment out of Beacon.

It was messy, we were both coming back home and Weiss finally had it with my over-protective attitude of her. She was berating me with how she was more than capable of taking care of herself, pointing out that she was older than me, and so on. I wince at the memory of me spinning around and kissing her full on.

"That isn't fair." Weiss looked at me with tears forming in her eyes as I broke away from the kiss.

"I love you Weiss, I always have." The words came pouring out uncontrollably. "I… I lied to you when I said I didn't have feelings for you all that time ago." I had been playing it cool this whole time because I wasn't confident in confessing such a serious thing to her 3 years ago. "I was afraid you were going to reject me." So I decided to be the good friend and support her budding relationship with Neptune. A part of me had always secretly hoped that it wouldn't work out between the two. That Neptune would eventually get fed up of Weiss's constant nagging and what not, that their personalities wouldn't match. But the thing is, the two clicked.

"So you choose now?!" The heiress kicked the ground and looked around with frustration, her eyes growing red, "Ruby, you practically pushed me to Neptune!"

"But…" I start; the words just aren't coming to me.

"This isn't fair! You can't just expect me to fall into your arms after all this time!" Her voice became louder, as did my heart beat, "Don't you think there was a reason I asked how you felt about me back then? That maybe I felt something for you too?" A tear fell, "And then to have you start pushing me to go on dates with Neptune? It hurt… and it was fucking you who kept saying that we're great partners and even better friends. All this friend shit, you made me believe that we couldn't be anything more than friends with your words Ruby!"

"I wasn't sure how you felt." I start again, "I didn't want to get hurt." I don't know what I'm saying, I've never been in a relationship before, I had been so fixated on screwing up my chance with Weiss and keeping myself open for the chance that things wouldn't work out with Neptune.

"Too late," Weiss wore an angered look on her face, "I've found happiness in Neptune, and I love him." The Winter Princess stormed off in haste.

I stayed behind, shell shocked at what had just happened, I cursed myself for being such a weakling.

If only I had been more open, more confident in my choices… I was just a kid back then. I look up, the sun's getting close to the horizon and I realize I had managed to walk myself to the other side of town, I realize that I'm at Beacon. After the thing with Weiss, we just didn't talk…. And I went on a… binge.

Graduation was the following month of our blowout; by then I had managed to go out on a few dates with some faceless underclassmen. It was incredibly awkward between the two of us during that time. There was always a heavy silence whenever we were in the same room together, so I ended up bunking with the random people I hooked up with. I gained a reputation for my promiscuous attitude after graduation, I wanted so much to wash out the taste of sweet peppermint from my mouth.

I threw myself at my duty as a Huntress, Uncle Qrow took me out on my first few assignments and then I decided to do the solo thing while most of my classmates went out with their partner from Beacon. I did a couple missions with Blake, sis, and Jaune.

Eventually, Weiss and her sister inherited the family business, although Weiss does her best to go out on a mission every now and then, I'm assuming she's been going out with Neptune.

Honestly, I've avoided a lot of guys since graduation, avoided the reunions and parties. I don't want people asking me about what happened between Weiss and I. I guess part of the reason why I keep taking these long missions that take me away from here is because I don't want to be kept reminded of what I've managed to fuck up.

Blake and Yang have given up, or at least I hope they have, on trying to get me to talk to Weiss. The last time they tried was 2 years ago, I took a 7-month assignment and didn't say a word to either of them. When I came back home to where Pop is, they were there, I just greeted them like usual as if nothing had happened. From then on it became an unspoken rule to not talk about Weiss when I'm around.

I'm more than certain that Weiss still comes around and hangs out with the two, I can tell because Weiss always comes over with gifts for the two. Usually something decorative or a few crates of Dust and what not. I spotted the white rose painting this morning and am guessing that came from Weiss. Yang doesn't really care for decorative things while Blake's taste is more subdued. I recall a time when their guest bed smelled of peppermint, I think I left a few hours later, telling the two I had a mission I needed to go on.

All right, enough with this nostalgic bull shit, it's time to celebrate Yang and Blake's engagement. That's what I'm here for anyway, it's a time to be happy and joyous. It's night now, I'm in slacks and a dark red blazer, and I still have Crescent Rose on me. Yang, Blake, and I enjoy a night stroll together to the pub, the two kept exchanging glances with each other as we made our way there. Just hold hands and kiss already you two.

Their friends are there, I recognize about a quarter of the crowd from my time at Beacon, the other portion of the crowd I don't recall ever meeting. Then again, I don't meet Blake or Yang's new friends ever because I'm not usually around long enough to meet them. Once morning rolls around I'll be on my way again, go home to Pop for a week or two and then take on my next assignment, which is to Atlas. I smirk at the thought.

I spy Jaune with Ren and Nora, I wave happily at the two. We catch up for a bit, Ren and Nora are expecting their first kid. Nora apparently found out two months ago that she was pregnant with Ren's child. We talk about some things, just catching up with each other and JNPR filling me in on what's been going on since I've been gone. I tell them stories of my last couple of missions, my close encounter with a Nevermore and how I completely owned his ass. I get a good laugh out of them as I tell them my wild tale.

"Ruby, how've you been?" Jaune asks, he's got some scruff going on as he takes a sip from his drink. Ren and Nora leave the two of us to talk and go over to where Yang and Blake are.

I wet my whistle, the sweet burn of alcohol goes down my throat, "Been good," I say earnestly, "I'm living my dream of being the hero just like in the books, going out and protecting people, helping those in need." I smile at the thought, I love my job, and I really do. I look up at Blake and Yang, then to Ren and a pregnant Nora who was barely showing, my smile falters when I do.

Jaune noticed, because when I look to him he's got a slightly concerned look on his face. "I'm sure you have other dreams." This man is still the only one to pester me about Weiss from time to time, although I don't shut him out like I do Yang and Blake and everyone else. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I owe Jaune my life right now, 2 years ago his semblance of Protection saved me from a pack of Beowulfs that was getting ready to shred me into pieces. I would've been dead that day if Jaune hadn't thrown up that protective shield around me.

"I've tried that dating thing, number 28 turned out to be a dud." I reply smoothly, "I'm not cut out for this relationship crap,"

"What was his or her name?" The question caught me slightly off guard.

I shrug, I honestly don't remember.

He sighed, I know he's going to give up the conversation soon, "You need to really care for them, not just take them out to some shitty place for dinner, then sleep with them and disappear on a mission. You need to actually try Ruby."

"Like you and your teacher girl friend?" I chuckle; Jaune's current girl friend was definitely a looker.

"Yes." Jaune stared at the table for a minute, he sighed because I know that he knows that he'll lose this debate – again, on how I should be dating. "Weiss still asks about you." I was not expecting that.

Nope, don't want to hear it. I get up to leave the table, but Jaune throws up his semblance and I run into the invisible shield. I spill my drink ever so slightly and my nose it definitely going to be sore. I take my seat and muster up my best kill face.

"No Ruby, you're not running from this conversation this time." Jaune started, "You were there for me when Pyrrha passed, now I'm trying to be here for you. Whether you like it or not." The man has definitely grown a pair and then some since graduation.

I sigh and comply, I'll let him say what ever it is he feels so inclined to say; I only wish that my glass were fuller. Which can totally come true because I definitely did remember to bring my flask along. I smile at the thought and pull out the thing. Jaune rolls his eyes at the sight. "Feels like this is going to be a long conversation." I quip.

"You need to talk to her." Jaune started, "I know that what happened before graduation was a mess, but has excommunicating her been the best decision?" He's got a stern look on his face, I nod and take a sip from my flask, "We miss you Ruby, we miss being able to joke around and go out with you, not having to walk on egg shells and having to be worried about saying Weiss around you. Hell, even walking around a dust shop with you can be so stressful."

"Whose we?" I raise a brow.

"Everyone in this town who cares about you." Jaune deadpanned, "Look, when you disappeared on Blake and Yang after they tried to get you to talk to Weiss again EVERYONE," Jaune stressed, "was worried we were never going to see you again. Yang was a mess for a while over that, your own sister Ruby."

I take another swig. I think back to my adventures, I think back to the last time I partnered up with anybody… it's been almost 3 years since I've partnered with anyone now that I think about it.

"I know you don't want to get hurt, I know you don't want to hurt anyone like you did Weiss that day-"

"Whoa there," I interject "I could give a damn-"

"If you didn't give a damn, then why do you always turn tail and run at the slightest mention of Weiss?" Jaune countered, "Face it Ruby, you know it deep down that you still love her."

"She's got Neptune." I let out flatly.

Jaune's face distorted with anger, "For fucks sake, you really don't fucking listen to anything do you? That lame excuse you keep saying, she's got so-and-so" A hand went through his hair before going to the scruff on his face, "Weiss and Neptune have been over since a couple months after graduation, something you would've known if you hadn't kept fucking running away at the fucking mention of Weiss or anything related to her." I can't remember the last time Jaune dropped so many F-bombs, "Blake and Yang have been trying to tell you this, but you're always fucking disappearing on the longest and most dangerous missions you can volunteer for." He was getting angrier at the minute, "Do you-"

"Calm it dude." Yang suddenly appeared at Jaune's side, "Go ahead, I'll cover this part." She motioned to the door.

I realize now that the pub is empty. As if they joyous occasion of Blake and Yang's engagement was never here. How the fuck had I not noticed this. I'm worried for what's going to happen next.

"Little sister…" Yang started, "Maybe not so little as before, but definitely still naïve" Sis was joking about my height, I'm 5'7" now a days, Yang's still got me beat in the height department. "Don't run, there's only two ways out of here and we've got it covered, not to mention Jaune can put up his semblance around the building to trap you in here."

I finish the contents of my flask, "What are you guys up to?"

"You need to talk. To Weiss." Yang sighed, "5 years Rubes, 5 years since we graduated, 5 years since you said a word to our Snow Princess. I know you miss her."

I stay silent at the thought, I think back to that fateful day with Weiss when I let things get messy.

"She isn't perfect, she's icy and gets extremely impatient, but I think you know better than anyone just how much she means well. And you haven't been acting any better than she had in the past." Yang took a seat where Jaune was, "You know that she broke up with Neptune because she realized her feelings for you wouldn't go away. She didn't want to break up with Neptune after your sudden confession because like you-" Yang pushed her finger against my forehead, I flinch slightly at the movement, "She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she realized after a while that she couldn't keep lying to herself. Just like how you shouldn't keep lying to yourself."

"…Fine." I sigh and drop the empty flask on the table, "I'll talk to Weiss if I see her," I guess they're right; I've been busy running from …her. I was hurt so bad after that incident, but I guess I've been hurting myself more by… bottling up and running away.

I sigh heavily, I definitely need another drink and decide to do such as I stand up and walk to the empty bar. I grab an empty glass from behind the counter and a whiskey bottle.

"You know…" I take a sip as Yang gets up and walks towards the door, "Your crazy intervention plan has made me realize that I'm doing the exact same shit I did while at Beacon." I gulp down the rest of the glass and proceed to fill my glass again. "Bottling this shit up until something explodes, telling myself something that isn't true." I want to cry.

I thought that out of everyone I had done the most growing up, that I had done the most moving on, but it turns out that I wasn't… that I had been stuck so much on the past that I haven't paid attention to what was going on now. I want to cry so badly.

Yang smiled every so softly at me, "It wasn't my plan Rubes." She says as she approaches the door.

I smell peppermint.