"This," Pyrrha declared solemnly, "was a grand idea."

"I'm glad you approve, fluffy fox," Ruby giggled as she walked forward from the small boat's cabin.

"Mmm," Blake sighed in agreement. "Lovely."

The three girls had taken advantage of the wonderful weather one weekday, just cool enough not to be scorching out on the water, to take out a small motorboat that a friend of Taiyang's owned. Ruby and Yang both had spent many a summer day on it, tooling around the coast of Patch, and the small brunette knew the perfect place for them to anchor for the afternoon.

Sheltered in between a rocky outcropping and a rather imposing cliff face was what could have been called a cove. The way the terrain was situated allowed for a gentle breeze to filter through and the waves to gently rock their boat.

Ruby glanced around, satisfied that there wasn't enough of a current right now to require use of an actual anchor, and turned to her rather stunning girlfriends in their even more stunning swimsuits.

"You guys wanna swim for a bit, or just lounge about in the sun?"

"Mmm."

Ruby giggled lightly at Blake's response. Both she and Pyrrha had been getting better at interpreting her small hums and other seemingly noncommittal noises. This one, in particular, meant that she really didn't have a preference and would go along with whatever her girlfriends decided.

It was like an awesome Blake decoder ring, just for Ruby and Pyrrha. And on top of that, the brunette already could tell by just a look when Blake was thinking some thoughts that she really didn't want to let on that she was thinking.

Not that Ruby was any different.

She knew about sex, of course. It hadn't ever really been a subject of any interest for her until well after she'd begun dating her girlfriends, and the intensity of feelings she harbored for the both of them threatened to overwhelm her. She'd been entirely too anxious and terrified to consult anyone, especially Yang, but she'd done some… research. Extended research. Research that, fortunately for her as she had not yet begun to share a bed with Blake and Pyrrha, required a number of nights huddled under her covers, nose plastered to her scroll.

And subsequently spent an hour painstakingly deleting her scroll viewing history.

Certainly she'd pleasured herself in the past, she was a normal girl with normal knees and normal hormones, even if she really could only have ever imagined herself with another girl. But the actual mechanics of things past that point? Those eluded her.

Until her successful research, that is. Now… Now her head was filled with all sorts of ideas and fantasies of intimate activities she might engage in with the two gorgeous women on that very boat with her.

Not that she would ever push or pressure either one towards such a goal. Yes, she accepted the fact that she was the dominant one of the three, or, as Yang so colorfully put it, 'topping' two women at once.

And, yes, Blake was likely right there with her regarding the desire to move up to the next level of their relationship.

But Pyrrha wasn't there yet.

And she was completely fine with that, she had far too much respect and love for the redhead to feel any other way, and she knew it was the same for Blake. They could be as patient as she needed them to be.

Even if the sight of the two of them in their rather skimpy swimwear (or, in Blake's case, skimpy butt covering) made her practically melt into a gooey little pile.

Her gaze travelled briefly over to Pyrrha, who was reclined on one of the towel-covered deck chairs that had its back down. The front of the redhead's suit was somehow even more alluring than the sight of her naked chest, which she'd become rather familiar with, much to her delight.

But still. It was Dust-damned difficult not to oogle. Or drool, for that matter.

"You're blushing, little rose," Blake whispered, humor lacing her words.

Oh, right. She forgot about the blushing bit.

"I think," Pyrrha finally spoke up in a quiet murmur, "that perhaps we could stay on the boat for awhile? Then take a dip if we desire to cool off?"

"Right, cool off," Ruby mumbled, screwing her eyes shut and trying to think about mundane things like schoolwork, or action movies, or calibrating her sniper rifle.

Blake's soft, melodic giggles did nothing whatsoever to help.

"Ruby, would you mind helping me with the sun lotion?" the raven-haired girl requested nonchalantly.

"Oh, yeah sure thing, kitty cat…" Ruby opened her eyes, searching around for the bottle, only to notice Blake was holding it in her hand from where she sat in one of the other deck chairs, this one in the upright position..

And also had pulled her top down to her waist.

The brunette let out a small frustrated groan while Blake's amber eyes twinkled merrily. "You. Are. Killing. Me. Here."

"Whatever do you mean, sweetie?" the mischievous Cat Faunus asked.

With a resigned sigh, Ruby accepted the sun lotion with almost grim determination.

I will not let this turn me on. I will not let this turn me on. I will not let this-

Blake let out a throaty, purring moan as Ruby ran her lotioned palms across her torso.

Oum's sodding balls…

There was absolutely no point to it anymore, the Cat Faunus had, once again, won their little game of getting her incredibly worked up. Short of attacking her right there and ravishing her lips and chest (which, truthfully, was more than a little tempting), Ruby had no other recourse than to finish rubbing suntan lotion all over Blake lean, muscular, soft, tanned, delicious body.

Dammit dammit dammit…. Alright, kitty cat, you wanna play? Let's play.

When she'd finished, Blake was wearing a rather satisfied smile, her chest rumbling with a contented purr and her eyes closed. Ruby stood and without further ado, slipped her top off and dropped it to the deck.

"Could you return the favor, Blakey?" she asked with a rather naughty smirk, the same one she knew was irresistible to the Cat Faunus.

Said smirk widened considerably when Blake opened her eyes and stilled, her lips parting as a soft sigh of pure lust escaped the raven-haired girl's lips.

Granted, the sight of Blake ogling her in turn got her even more worked up, but it was totally worth it.

Yep, totally.

And she was sticking to that belief as far as it would carry her.

After a few moments, Blake seemed to give herself a shake, her Faunus ears twitching. "Um… of course," she whispered hoarsely, sitting up while Ruby kneeled on the edge of the deck chair.

"Unless this is bothering you?" the brunette asked with false courtesy.

"N- No, no not at all…"

"Blake?"

"Mmm?"

"Lotion is right next to you."

"Oh, yes… that's right, lotion, yes… er…"

Blushing furiously now, Blake proceeded to lather the brunette up, her nimble hands roaming all over her, down her chest and across her abs and along her strong, muscular limbs.

Still worth it… Stillllll worth it… Dammitall I am so freaking turned on right now...

Once Blake was done she sat back again, unable to take her eyes off of Ruby's torso any more than Ruby was able to look away from Blake's.

The both of them started slightly at a soft clearing of a throat.

"If you two would not mind… getting to me next?"

"Oh, of course, sorry Pyrrha!" Ruby jumped up and faced the other deck chair…

And almost fell over in surprise.

The redhead was now on her stomach, but was also completely missing her swimsuit, wearing nothing but a rather shy smile and a radiant blush.

A clatter sounded from behind Ruby, assumedly Blake falling out of her chair. The Cat Faunus recovered quickly, scampering to her feet and standing next to the brunette, her eyes roaming along the redhead's long, toned body.

"Wow," Ruby could only murmur, completely flabbergasted.

"Mmm," Blake agreed with a rather squeaky sounding hum.

Unable to look at them anymore, Pyrrha buried her face in her arms which were crossed in front of her. "Do you… like what you see?" she mumbled, a mixture of bashfulness and hope.

"Oum, yes," Ruby breathed. "I am so freaking wet right now…"

Realizing she'd just said that last bit out loud, she slapped a hand over her mouth in mortification.

"Mmm." Ditto.

Unexpectedly, Pyrrha let out a soft giggle. "So am I," she admitted softly.

"Um," Ruby stated after dropping her hand once more, her brain unable to work up anything other than monosyllabic opinions at the moment.

"Perhaps..." Blake interjected quietly, evidently with a much better recovery rate for her brain cells. "Perhaps we could cut our excursion a bit… short today?"

The brunette stirred, blinking rapidly as her thought processes attempted to reboot. "Uhhh… yeah." Oh come on, I know you can do better than that, she scolded her brain irritably.

I am staring at Pyrrha's bare ass, her brain retorted.

Yeah, okay, point.

The redhead cleared her throat, sitting upright but pulling the towel with her to somewhat cover herself.

While part of Ruby was disappointed as all Dust, the rest of her was rather relieved to be able to think clearly once more.

"I would indeed like some private time," Pyrrha said quietly, staring down at the deck. Her blush had not abated in the slightest. "Er… I could perhaps message Yang and Weiss, ask them to head out for the afternoon while your father is at work?"

"Uh, yeah, I mean…" Ruby rubbed her eyes, realizing they'd dried somewhat for staring unblinkingly for so long. "You want the house to ourselves? What did you have in mind, fluffy fox?"

The redhead's bright emerald green eyes finally looked up, glancing back and forth between her two girlfriends. "I'm ready," she said simply.

"Ahhh… right." Ruby cleared her throat, trying and failing to keep a very wide, very pleased smile off of her face. "Um, you're sure?"

"Very."

"Okay then… lemme get us underway!"

She paused, restrained by the gentle hand Blake placed on her forearm. The Cat Faunus stepped forward and gracefully sat next to the redhead, putting an arm around her.

"You're not feeling… pressured or anything, are you?" the raven-haired girl inquired, her amber eyes earnest but warm. "Ruby and I didn't make you uncomfortable, or…"

"Not at all," Pyrrha reassured them both with a small smile. Ruby quickly sat next to her as well, picking up on her nervousness. "I've actually been thinking for some time about this," the leggy redhead continued. "You have both been so wonderfully patient with me…"

Ruby rubbed her hand in circles along Pyrrha's bare back as the redhead sniffled slightly.

"I am so very lucky to have the both of you…"

"And we are just as lucky to have you," Blake insisted. "You know we would wait as long as you needed. So, truthfully, are you really ready for this? Are you certain?"

"Yes," Pyrrha replied firmly, resting her head on the top of the Cat Faunus'. "Absolutely certain."

Ruby leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Pyrrha's cheek. "Then let's get back," she murmured affectionately. "So we can be together."

"Yes, please," the redhead murmured in reply.

The brunette rose, leaning over once more to place a kiss on the top of Blake's head in between her Faunus ears, before scooping up her top and quickly fastening it around her again.

"Better get decent before we leave the cove," she stated with a grin. "Let's not give any fishermen an unexpected show. Oh, and I'll give Weiss a call, don't worry about that."

Both of the other girls gave her a nod of acceptance as she started the quiet engine up and steered towards the open water. Once they were underway, she pulled her scroll out and called up her partner.

"Is something the matter, Ruby?" the white-haired girl questioned immediately upon answering.

"No, not at all," the brunette laughed. "Actually… we were kinda wondering if we could have the run of the house this afternoon."

"Oh?" Weiss asked, though her confused expression quickly cleared up. "Oh! Yes, certainly… Er, I'm sure Yang will ask for something in return for this favor…"

"How about you guys can have tomorrow afternoon with no interruption?"

The heiress gave her a very pleased smile. "Oh, I'm sure that will do just fine," she practically purred. "We'll be out shortly. Have fun."

"Thanks, Weiss," she giggled before closing the connection.

She glanced over at her girlfriends, now covered with their swimsuits once more and snuggled up together on Blake's deck chair.

This is gonna be a good day… I can't believe it's finally happening, but I can't wait.

Ruby grinned widely as the dock came into view.

Best. Boating trip. Ever.

A/N: As many of you might have now guessed, immediately following this chapter is where the events of chapter 5 of A Thorny Bind, the fluffy smut companion to this crack ship, takes place.

So go back and read that if you have a mind to. I just did. And now I can't stop grinning.

Swear to Oum, I'm gonna have business cards made up with Fluffy Smut Wizard printed on them.

So anyways, I've had a bit of a rough week, ending up in the ER Wednesday night after being ill all day, thankfully I still have a nice buffer built up. But, I'm not up to giving as much review feedback as usual, so lemme instead just give props to all my lovely reviewers and apologize for my uncharacteristic reticence. Promise to do better with Monday's posting! Anywho, much love to ladygoddess8 , Demonic Angel C, ILikeHotDogs , THB4 , Jack Inqu, Boombox94 , FelipeCH98 , Gorsouul , Marauderby , LE Whisper, growlscout , makoto-18, MakaS0ul , and Mossblomma. Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement!

Stay shiny!