Project: RWBY

Ch 40: Changed Man

While there was a time when I prioritized scanning the surrounding trees should any threats emerge, now I observe Ruby who has a very odd look at the moment, one I mistake as pensive. And knowing Ruby, whenever she's thinking of something it means it's something serious as the girl rarely ever thinks period. 

"Something on your mind Ruby?" I ask tentatively with a yawn, leaning against a tree.

She startles out of her thoughts and glances at me. 

It takes her a moment, but eventually, she spits out what's on her mind. "It's just..." She pauses, causing my body to tense, "so weird to hear you call my name." She finally says with a brief laugh, much to my relief. "Like, my actual name."

Now knowing nothing actually important was going through her brain I relax as a grin grows along my lips. 

"That's what you're thinking so hard about?" I snort, "Still haven't gotten used to it, Ruuuuuuby?" I tease, rolling out the 'R'. 

She flinches before looking away. "No, not really. Why did you even call me by a nickname before anyway?" She asks curiously.

Sigh, here we go again. 

"What, 'Red?'" I ask obliviously, then chuckle before she can respond. "Well, that's because it's short, sweet, and adorable." I declare with a 'pop', shooting a smile toward Ruby, "Just like you."

Again Ruby flinches away, a pout forming on her small lips.

"You know that's not what I meant!" She huffs, then puffs her cheeks and crosses her arms. "Besides, that's not like me at all." She huffs again in denial of the obvious.

I look at her pitifully for a brief moment as she walks into her own casket. 

"It so is!" I laugh aloud, a smirk splitting my lips, "If you were a food you'd literally be a scrumptious, super sweet, crimson muffin." 

"What does that even mean?!" She blushes.

Gotcha.

Having set herself up so perfectly I prepare my final blow. I lean closer to her, slowly draw my lips into a smirk, allow the tension to build on her already pink face, and gaze deeply into her silver eyes.

"It means..." I drawl in a sultry tone and lower my voice into a whisper. "I just want to gobble you up." I lick my lips with as much seduction as I can muster and very obviously glance down at her lips.

She covers said lips with both her hands as her head explodes with steam. Eyes spinning, Ruby lets out a very high pitched squeal before using her semblance to run away deeper into the forest we're in. I laugh at her reaction and smile in satisfaction.

Even Yang would have been impressed with that one.

Though I'm not sure how she'd react to me using it on her sister.

Now that I've avoided the topic I use my own semblance to catch up with her. I walk through a door and land beside her silently.

"What's the rush Rubes?"

Ruby jumps at my voice, literally, but quickly tries to compose herself.

"Just want to clear this mission is all." She clears her throat and tries to hide her blush. "You always say to never waste time and whatnot." She adds, trying to scrap together what remains of her dignity as my leader.

I'm guessing she's trying to pretend that the previous episode didn't happen, not the first time it's happened.

And her attempt is just as cute as the rest of them.