Chapter Text
Ruby wasn't having a nice day, unlike her teammates who are out of town for their day off. She was angrily whisking a batch of cookie dough as she grumbled bitterly.
“Stupid Yang… You can't even kill a rat, but you have to ruin a good batch, too…” Ruby gritted her teeth.
Earlier, Ruby was excited to bake cookies in the student kitchen, as she proclaimed it came from a dream. However, a rat came in that scared Ruby. Thankfully (or not), Yang arrived and tried to kill it, only to leave the kitchen a mess and her cookie dough ruined. While Professor Goodwitch fixed the kitchen, she couldn't do the same for Ruby's now ruined batch.
“Hey, Ruby.” Jaune greeted as he made his appearance in the kitchen. “Are you baking cookies?”
“Again.” Ruby corrected grimly.
“What happened to the other one?” Jaune asked.
“Yang!” Ruby replied angrily. She groaned. “I'm not even gonna eat them anyway. You can have them for your team if you want, Jaune.”
“Why don't I take it for a spin?” Jaune chimed. “I can make these cookies taste great, you might finish them all.” he joked.
“Is it strawberry flavored?” Ruby asked with a smile of hope.
“No…” Jaune said, breaking her hopes. “But, I know a banana flavored cookie recipe that you might love even!”
“Bananas?” Ruby never appreciated the taste. “Got another option besides a jungle fruit?”
“Nope.” Jaune answered, popping the ‘p’. “But trust me, this banana cookie recipe will make you eat the entire plate. How about you take a break to clear your head, and I'll call you about an hour, okay?”
The little reaper wanted to protest, but since she's still upset about Yang, she didn't want to be rude either to Jaune and his kind offer.
“Alright…” Ruby sighed. “It better be good, though.” She warned, earning a chuckle from Jaune.
“Mmmm… these are so good~” Ruby moaned delightfully as she ate another bite of the freshly baked cookies. Jaune chuckled at Ruby’s way of appreciation. “Are you sure you want to be a Huntsman? You could open up a bakeshop with this level of baking!”
“Heh… not really. I still want to be a Huntsman. Baking is just one of my hobbies.” Jaune answered with a soft smile. “I just… really missed baking for my sisters. They would always ask for my cookies.”
Jaune added. “Plus, since I know you love cookies so much, I decided to make them really special for you.”
Then, in an instant, Ruby felt her heart feeling weird. She never really paid attention to all that romantic junk Yang and Tai have been saying to her when she is little. Unfortunately, that all changed after she had a slight blush on her face.
“I think I'm in love with you.” Ruby replied lovingly.
“With the cookie? I mean, it's the side effect of how good they are.” Jaune was embarrassed by Ruby's 'comment' on his skills. “Anyway, I’m gonna go back and clean up. Enjoy those cookies, Ruby.”
As the knight left the mess hall and back to the kitchen, the red reaper was left alone. Her blush once became small, to a shade of red that made her look like a tomato.
She is glad that Jaune is still the clueless cute guy since they first met in Beacon. Oh, great! Now she’s thinking of him as this cute guy holding another plate of stacked cookies wearing nothing but only-
“Gah!” Ruby panicked. “Stupid filthy thoughts! Begone!” she was then choked by a cookie chunk, as she immediately drank a glass of milk.
Ruby began returning to Jaune every once a week and for his cookies. Jaune didn't mind so much or wasn't bothered by it, as he would happily bake for her, no matter what. The little reaper happily enjoyed his baking, as he introduced her other flavors she has never tried in her life.
Ruby hummed a happy tune while holding a plate of cookies in her hands, along with a bottle of strawberry milk that she bought from a vending machine. Her teammates noticed what their young leader was holding, and they were unfazed nor surprised.
“Uh… that’s your tenth cookie batch this week, Ruby.” Weiss commented. “Are you aware that you might get sick of eating too much?”
“Silly, fancy Weiss.” Ruby giggled amusingly. “I never get sick of eating cookies. It’s in my blood.” She grabbed one and took a bite, and moaned as if she was in heaven.
“Yeah, but don't you think it's making you greedy?” Blake pointed out.
“Hmm?” Ruby gulped down. “What are you talking about?”
“Jaune's been baking you cookies, and you never repay him back?” Yang questioned. “I mean, have you ever thought of that?”
“... no?” Ruby confessed gullibly.
“Well, you better start making him something as a thanks to the guy for baking you those cookies.” Yang then reached out her hand. “By the way, can I have one?”
“No!” Ruby slapped her sister's hand away. “What am I even gonna bake for Jaune? I don't even know what he likes.”
“Cupcakes.” Yang gave an idea. “Cupcakes are way better than cookies. Dad said Summer baked him cupcakes as a crush thing.” she nodded at the bright idea. “Yeah, you should do that!”
“Cupcakes? I don't even know how to bake that!” Ruby exclaimed desperately. “Is there another option?”
“Well… there's always the cookbook…” Blake said.
“And your ability to read and understand…” Weiss added sarcastically.
“And maybe, a chance to be Vomit Boy's official Vomit Girl.” Yang teased by making smooching noises to get her point.
Ruby blushed furiously. “S-Shut up, Yang! Since you ruined my cookies, this is all your fault!”
She took the last cookie and stormed out of her dorm room with her semblance. Weiss and Blake had confused looks as they looked at Yang.
“I'm sorry, what did you ruin?” Weiss asked.
“Yeah, I need context.” Blake agreed.
“It doesn't matter…” Yang, embarrassed, didn't say.
Late in the evening, Ruby tirelessly kneaded a dough, her hair tied messily with flour dusting her cheeks. She grunted as she kept going without even thinking of taking a break during hours of endless mistakes in the kitchen just kneading a dough. It is supposed that she should be finished by the hour, but the little reaper is taking much of her time in the student kitchen. Unfortunately, someone entered.
“Ruby? What are you doing?” Jaune surprisingly asked.
“Jaune?” Ruby yelped in surprise as she scattered some dough. “Uh… Please come back…?” she weakly reasoned.
“What are you even baking?” Jaune asked again. He didn’t even leave.
Ruby sighed defeatedly, giving up. “Cupcakes…” she answered. “If you can even call this a cupcake…” she gestured to the dough.
“Well, if you want, I can teach you how to make cupcakes.” Jaune offered. “I forgot to tell you that I don’t just bake cookies, but other pastries, too.”
“Really?” Ruby was stunned. “You’d teach me? But Jaune, you don't have to-”
“I insist.” Jaune cut her off. “It's already getting late, but I can teach you still.”
Ruby didn't even utter another word, and just smiled calmly, letting Jaune teach her word by word. Later, Jaune and Ruby both placed a fresh batch of cupcake batter into the oven.
“There!” Jaune let out a relieved sigh. “Some fresh cupcakes ready to be baked, with less of a mess this time.”
“Right!” Ruby chirped, wiping off the frosting on her face. “Your instructions are so easy, unlike that dumb cookbook.”
“Well… you shouldn't blame the book at all. Like training, baking takes time, patience, and a lot of love.” Jaune said, “We just gotta take it easy.”
Ruby pouted. “Says you…”
“Ruby, you have some frosting left on your face.” Jaune pointed.
“I already wiped my face.” Ruby replied. ”What are you talking-”
Ruby didn't get to finish her words as Jaune's finger wiped off the frosting off her nose. The reaper froze in place as she watched the blonde licked it off.
Jaune smiled at the taste. But in reality, he was smiling at Ruby. He somehow had a weird feeling in his chest after cleaning off the frosting to see her features: her cute face, silver eyes, and short red-hued hair.
Ruby was stunned at first. Her cheeks reddened as seeing Jaune acting this bold was very new to her.
She let her intrusive thoughts take over, as she placed a hand on his shoulder casually.
“Ruby?” Jaune spoke.
“Jaune.” her breath hitched. “Look, I want to be-”
DING!DING!DING!DING-
The two jumped in surprise when the timer already set off. The cupcakes were done baking.
“The cupcakes!” Ruby grabbed her oven mittens. “I'll get them out!”
“Let me help!” Jaune joined in.
After cooling them off, Ruby and Jaune both grabbed the cupcakes and placed some frosting over on top. Afterwards, they plated their cupcakes - with red and black frosting and yellow hearts for toppings.
“Wanna take the first bite?” Jaune said. But Ruby had something else in mind.
“Let's start with you.” Ruby offered a cupcake from her hand. “I did most of the work and listened to your instructions, so… have a taste.”
Jaune then took the first bite. His cheeks warmed as he enjoyed Ruby's effort in baking her first cupcake. The taste was sweeter.
“Delicious.” Jaune was satisfied.
And so is Ruby, as she felt her heart skip a beat.
They only hope that once they tell each other's feelings, it won't be a bad time.
Love, like baking, takes time before it's already risen. But the more you wait, chances are it will end ugly.
The first years of Beacon were given a task to do a learning experience with a professional under their care. While RWBY were dismayed to have Oobleck as their mentor, it didn't stop Ruby from giving something to Jaune before leaving.
“Jaune? Jaune!” Ruby called as she entered JNPR’s dorm room. “You here?”
“Yep! Just getting ready.” Jaune fixed himself, placing Crocea Mors beside him. “What's up, Rubes?”
Ruby didn't have the words to say something, but she baked a box full of muffins, his favorite banana cookies to eat during his first mission.
“Here.” Ruby whispered as she reached out her boxed baked goods for Jaune. “Since we don't know how long we'll be out, I… made something in case you get hungry.”
“Oh… thanks, Ruby.” Jaune accepted the kind gift.
“I'll… be off now. So… good luck, Jaune.” Ruby put on a forced smile and walked out, instead of running or using her semblance.
Ruby cursed in her mind that she didn't tell her feelings to the adorkable guy in armor who helped him.
Jaune was also having the same thoughts. She had a point. They don't know how long they'll be out there in their mission, so the only thing left to do is let it now or forever keep it.
“Ruby!” Jaune stopped Ruby, who stood at the doorframe, and the two teens stared at each other.
“Ruby…” he hesitated. “There's something I need to tell you. I-”
This time, it was Ruby who cut him off. Instead of saying something, the reaper leaned in and gave the knight a passionate kiss. Jaune's eyes widened, and just let the moment happen.
As they let go, they gave each other one last look, as Ruby walked out and gave him a smile of good luck.
“Get back safe, Jaune.” Ruby said softly, and made her leave.
Jaune smiled, his chest feeling light instead of heavy that he let his feelings for Ruby out, even if it was the other way around. Same goes with Ruby, since she made a bold move first. He gently grabbed the box and left off to meet his team.
A week later, after their first mission, Ruby walked to a large tree and sat under the cool and refreshing shade. She stared at her lemon custard cupcakes she recently baked, until she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Ruby." Jaune called.
Ruby almost dropped her cupcake, and smiling widely to see her knight in armor.
"Jaune." She smiled, until she playfully punch him. "You're late."
"I know." Jaune murmured. "But I brought some freshly baked strawberry cookies with me. My mom wanted to give them to me since she has a lot."
Ruby couldn't believe her eyes, as she saw something else sweeter like Jaune. Strawberry cookies mixed with chocolate. Round and fresh from the oven.
"It's not perfect, but... I was thinking about you so..." Jaune blushed in embarrassment.
Ruby smiled, as she was about to cry, whether it was the cookies or Jaune's cliche one-liner.
"It's perfect." Ruby whispered. "I also messed up on the muffin shape, too. Guess that makes us both even?"
The two lovebirds laughed it off. They both sat together in each other's arms, enjoying what they baked together in peace.