𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 [ʀᴡʙʏ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 48

After a good while of cooking, the table was finally set, and the smells of the curry and freshly prepared dishes filled the room, making everything feel warm and inviting. We all sat down on the cushions surrounding the low table, a familiar setup that made the whole atmosphere more intimate, more... relaxed.

I glanced around at everyone, noticing the way they dug into the meal eagerly, some of them exchanging quiet comments, others simply enjoying the food in silence. It was a bit chaotic, but in the best way—everyone laughing, chatting, sharing stories, even as we quietly got lost in the comfort of each other's company.

Weiss, who had been a bit more reserved throughout the meal, finally broke her silence.

Weiss: "Not bad,"

She said with a faint smile, giving me a small nod as she picked up her spoon. I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be affronted.

Klaus: "Not bad? I put my heart into that curry!"

Ruby: "It's amazing! Seriously, Klaus, you've got some skills!"

Ruby piped up from across the table, her mouth half-full as she nodded enthusiastically. The table burst into chatter, with everyone adding their two cents, but it was clear—no one was too caught up in the weight of the world at that moment. It was just us, sharing a simple meal together, and for the first time in a long while, everything felt... okay.

I sat back, quietly taking in the sight of everyone around the table. The conversation hummed in the background, but my focus drifted to the warmth in the room. It wasn't just the food that felt comforting—it was the people. After all the chaos, after everything that had happened, we were together. Finally, we were together, in this moment of peace

She placed her hand on top of mine under the table. before I could say anything, she gently squeezed my hand, reaffirming what I already knew—this wasn't just a temporary thing. We were together. All of us.

Yang: (laughs to Jaune) "How do you lose your map at a time like that?"

Jaune: "Believe me, I've asked myself the same thing ever since."

Yang, Weiss, and Ruby laugh, while Jaune smiles and giggles sheepishly.

Nora: "Hey, but you made up for it, Mister Muscles! You shoulda seen this guy take a giant Grimm head on!"

Klaus: "That's really impressive Jaune. I can't let my guard down around you anymore."

Jaune: "Its really not that much of a big deal. I couldn't have done it without Ruby wearing it down."

Ruby: "Uh, me? Did you see Ren during that fight? He was out of control!"

Ren: "I'm sorry, I may have lost my temper momentarily."

Ruby: "No, no! Out of control as in "awesome"!"

Ren: Oooohhh. (smiles) "Thank you."

Everyone at the table bursts into laughter. As dinner continues, Weiss tells her story about how she accidentally summoned a boarbatsuk during the Schnee charity ball.

Weiss, trying to hide her embarrassment, had her face buried in her hands as she spoke, clearly not relishing the memory.

Weiss: "Yeah, right in the middle of the party," she muttered, her voice muffled from behind her palms.

Ruby: "You did not!"

She gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with disbelief. Weiss sighed, looking up from her hands, her cheeks flushed a little from the embarrassment Yang, who'd been quietly sipping her drink, immediately perked up, her tone laced with amusement.