Cinder Falls... For Ruby Rose (ch16)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Even though it's a little late, this was the idea from the patron this month: holiday-themed!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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													Chapter 16. Merging Of Packs

Now that Ruby and Cinder, and Yang and Neo have been dating for a while, they've all gotten used to how they can deal with the long distance in between themselves.

At the very least they get to video call and chat and text with each other every day, and they have their teammates and friends to keep them occupied as well.

And the few times when they do feel particularly lonely without their girlfriends, they all have that one other teammate who is dealing with the same thing they are. Cinder and Neo would often very quietly confide in one another if they were missing their girlfriends a lot, while Ruby and Yang would be a bit more verbal about it. But it was never much longer than a month or so before they got to see each other again in person.

This time, the holidays were around the corner, and everyone was getting excited about shopping and gift ideas for each other. On top of shopping for their significant others, they also bought little things for their other teammates as well as other close friends, then would hide them in bags under beds or in closets in the shared dorm room, warning the others not to peek.

As winter break was nearing, they made arrangements for Cinder's team to come to Beacon this time. The Haven students were willing to travel and see Beacon once again, as it had been a while since they'd been there for the Vytal Festival. Of course it was getting colder these days, but that was really the only difference.

When Cinder and her teammates stepped off their air ship that first day of their vacation and beheld Beacon once again, they all took a moment to admire it.

"'S been a while, huh?" Emerald murmured.

"I'll say," Mercury agreed. "Wonder if the food they serve in the cafeteria is as good as the stuff the Festival vendors sold."

"Is food all you can think about right now? Really?"

As the typical bantering kicked up, the four of them mulled through the small crowd of people getting off the ship. They all had suitcases or bags in-hand, likely also filled with presents for friends, like Cinder's were.

It didn't take long for the crowds to clear up and reveal Ruby and her team, all bundled up in scarves and jackets in the cold. But the second their eyes met, Ruby's frozen boots tore off the ground and started running.

"Cinderrrr~!"

She threw her arms out eagerly, and Cinder was prepared to catch her. She put down her bag and opened her arms, expertly timing it all just as Ruby bumped into her chest. She kissed Ruby's forehead and then her lips even before she could get a single word out.

Neo was doing the same thing to Yang at the moment, hurling herself up at her to be lifted, spun, and smooched.

The remaining four teammates greeting one another much more casually, but still with excited smiles. The second Ruby pulled back from her kiss, she was already babbling a mile a minute.

"Hi, Cinder! How was your flight? Did you get to rest at all? Was it nice and warm? I hope so. You're staying until after New Year's, right? And oh my gosh, Merry Christmas!"

Cinder chuckled and cupped both hands on either side of the girl's face. She pulled her in for another kiss to quiet her, then finally got her own chance to speak.

"My flight was fine. Everything is fine, Ruby. Merry Christmas."

"Eeee, I can't believe it! You're really here for Christmas! It's all I ever wanted!"

"We did plan this over a month ago."

"I know, but still it's just so exciting that you're really here! Oh, come on, let's get inside! I'm sure you're freezing!"

She helped Cinder with her bags, as did the rest of her teammates assist the rest of Cinder's.

The eight of them chatted about casual things like the weather and the final exams they'd all suffered through (all except Weiss), before the break had started. They all sighed in relief when they finally stepped into the heated building and began removing the scarves and gloves, though everyone who was dating someone stuck close to her respective girlfriend.

After Cinder's team checked in with Ozpin and confirmed with Haven Academy that they had arrived safely, they made their way back to team RWBY's dorm.

The second Yang opened the door, Cinder was taken by surprise when a small hyperactive dog came running straight at them, yapping its head off. She flinched and froze in place, never having been great with dogs. But Ruby stepped in right away to scoop him up.

"Hey, Zwei! I told you we just went to go meet these guys at the ship! Don't worry, we're back!"

He barked and licked her face. Cinder grimaced, hoping she wouldn't remember this the next time she went to kiss her girlfriend.

As everyone filed in, suitcases and bags were placed out of the way as the visitors took in their hostess' living quarters. There was a small lit-up Christmas tree in the corner already with some presents beneath it, and a few garlands and strings of colorful lights all around the room lining the walls. The light bulbs in the lamps were red and green, and there were a few little knick-knacks of snowmen and reindeer decorating the shelves.

But the most unusual thing of all, other than the dog, was the way the beds were arranged...

But before Cinder could even begin to start worrying about how and where everyone would be sleeping tonight, dinner was already being discussed.

For the sake of sparing Cinder's team another air ship ride, they all just decided to eat in the cafeteria this evening since special meals were being served.

So once everyone had gotten their bearings, the eight of them headed out for the cafeteria. There was a plethora of food between the group, ranging from meats to pastas to desserts. They all picked up trays of food and sat together at a large table and just enjoyed themselves for holiday supper.

It was a bit of a challenge to convince Ruby to eat real food instead of just one of each of all of the holiday-themed sugar cookies, but in the end everyone returned to the dorm room well-fed and content.

That was when Yang clapped loudly to get everyone's attention.

"All right! How does openin' presents sound?"

"Yeeess!" Ruby squealed. "Yes, yes, yes! We've been waiting all day! Let's open presents!"

"Hold on just a second," Weiss interjected, making Ruby pout. "Why don't we let our guests unpack and get comfortable first?"

"Presents right after that," Blake added.

Ruby sighed.

"Okaaayy. Here Cinder, lemme help you unpack!"

"Thank you, Ruby."

So everyone held of the gift exchange for a while longer as people unpacked, took turns in the bathroom, and changed clothes. Cinder was careful with unpacking her things only because she'd secretly brought her little panther plushie along and wrapped it in her nightgown so the others wouldn't notice.

Ruby was the first one ready and done after zipping around the room trailing petals. She was already dressed in her pajamas sitting beneath the tree, patting the spot beside her for Cinder.

Cinder tactfully concealed her panther in her other folded clothes and held up a finger, taking her turn in the bathroom after Emerald. When she emerged dressed in her more comfortable clothes, everyone else was ready beneath the tree, rummaging through wrapped presents and handing them out.

But Ruby was handing out festive hats for them all to wear instead. She had a pair of foam reindeer antlers on her head and was passing out more.

Neo, who was sporting similar antlers, was stretched across Yang's lap with one arm around her. Yang had a red Santa hat on and was stealing a few kisses here and there.

Weiss and Blake were sitting together hand-in-hand, only the former of which was wearing a Santa hat as well while Blake simply let her Faunus ears be free.

Emerald had some antlers as well, and was sure to save the goofiest-looking hat for Mercury; his was a knitted hat with little jingle bells on the tip, embroidered with the phrase "ho ho ho."

Ruby had saved one last Santa hat for Cinder, which she put on for her as soon as she sat down beside her.

"There! Now we're all decked out and ready for presents!"

Cinder blushed as the hat was placed on her head, but judging by how no one else was bothered or embarrassed about any of it, she ended up smiling.

Teammates started out by exchanging gifts amongst themselves. There were a lot of sweaters and cold-weather clothing exchanged, in addition to homemade desserts and special snacks.

Mercury ended up getting Emerald a prank gift. When she opened it she recoiled at the sight of the box.

"What the hell is this? Foot deodorant?"

"You wouldn't know, but you need it."

"The hell, Merc!"

"Just open it!"

Neo was trying to hold Emerald back from lunging at him, but Emerald opened the box nonetheless. It ended up being a gag box, but inside was actually a rather nice sweater. Mercury laughed.

"I'm not that much of an ass, Em."

It elicited smiles from all of them, even Emerald herself. Yang laughed out loud though.

"Damn, that's a good prank! I gotta try it on Weiss next year."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothin'!"

Everyone chuckled and giggled as gifts continued to be exchanged.

Eventually, the gifts between those who were dating one another started being handed out. Yang and Neo both got each other very nice outfits, ones they decided they'd wear the next time they went out together.

Weiss had a winter hat custom-made for Blake, one that had triangles put in for her Faunus ears. Now she could keep herself warm and not have to worry about her ears getting suffocated in the process. In return Blake got her girlfriend several books Weiss had shown interest in, and the heiress promised they'd read them together.

As for Ruby and Cinder, they got one another matching plushies. Cinder gave Ruby a little panther plushie to match her own, while Ruby gave Cinder a little wolf to match hers. Now they each had both.

Ruby ran to her bed to fetch her wolf plush so she could put it next to her new panther, and Cinder even went so far as to retrieve the panther she'd been hiding in her suitcase and bring it out.

They exchanged kisses and thanks after gifts.

After that, everyone took pictures with their scrolls and ate a few of the snacks that had been made. Weiss cleaned up the wrapping paper and scraps as best she could with Emerald's assistance, though they left a ball of paper for Zwei to play with.

They all stayed up and played and chatted for a while longer before yawns started to fill the air one by one, at which point Weiss ordered everyone to brush their teeth before getting ready for bed.

While Ruby was waiting her turn she snuggled up next to Cinder with their pile of plushies between them.

"This was the best Christmas ever," she sighed dreamily. "I'm sooo glad you could come."

"As am I."

Cinder leaned down to kiss her head. Ruby smirked and pointed at the ceiling. There was a small bushel of mistletoe hanging near the doorway, and though they weren't directly underneath it, she counted it anyway.

Ruby bumped her lips with Cinder's and kissed her for a moment, smiling all the while.

Yang and Neo took their turn beneath the mistletoe, followed by Weiss and Blake.

At last everyone got into bed.

Yang boosted Neo up into her top bunk, since Neo's added weight wouldn't be much to cause concern for the rickety bed. Emerald was offered Blake's bed below, and she even allowed Mercury to sleep next to her instead of on the floor.

"Only because it's Christmas and only if you behave yourself," she added sternly.

"I'm too tired to do anything else," he yawned. "Plus who'd wanna do anything with you."

Blake and Weiss cuddled up together in the heiress' bed with Zwei at their ankles.

Which meant...

"Come on Cinder! I'll help you up onto my bed!"

Ruby was already climbing up, moving the blanket aside from the little fort she'd created. She turned back to reach for Cinder's hand excitedly.

Cinder reached up more slowly, carefully stepping on the edge of the bed below to get herself up. Ruby held tightly to her wrist and pulled her up, steadying her as she balanced her weight. Surprisingly the bed didn't shake when she climbed up and finally managed to lie herself down. Ruby instantly snuggled up to her beneath the blankets.

"You get to sleep in my bed with me! This is the best!"

Cinder let out a breath and pulled Ruby close, closing her eyes as she breathed in the girl's strawberry scent. Their four plushies were sitting all around them on the bed as well.

Ruby let out a sigh as she hugged Cinder closer and mumbled goodnight wishes. Cinder kissed her head one more time before drifting off.

Miraculously, everyone slept soundly and warmly that night.

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A/N: There's only so much I can write for 8 characters in 2000 words but I hope you enjoyed this little Christmasy chapter nonetheless! Here's to 2018!