Blake wanted to do something nice for Ruby.

She had a distinct recollection of the last time she had such noble intentions; they'd resulted in getting Ruby sick from the tuna cookies. Although I did find that mod for Crescent Rose she liked so much… still can't believe it was a cup-holder. Still, Blake was going to try again. It's the least I could after she put up with me the other day…

Blake shook her head, dispelling the gloomy thoughts. Right, something nice for Ruby. I can do this. Where to start? Blake briefly considered the idea of asking for help from Yang or Weiss but discounted it. Weiss had given her some help before but honestly by this point Blake was spending more time with Ruby then her own partner was. Yang on the other hand…

I know she has the best of intentions but that conversation was still… odd. Blake could acknowledge that she had a growing crush on Ruby, she liked to think she was honest with herself after all, but having it in the open with Yang was odd. Not bad odd just… odd. And while Yang had agreed to keep her nose out of it, Blake couldn't help but feel like her partner would tease her about trying to get help. Not that it would prevent Blake from asking help from Yang if it came down to it, mind you, but it made Blake want to try and think of an alternative instead of asking the blond who was reading a comic book next to her.

All of this brought Blake to a simple question; what does Ruby like? I've been her teammate and friend for a semester now, so I should be able to think of something! The Faunus set her book down as she thought about it.

Well, she really likes cookies, especially chocolate chip ones. Blake couldn't even count the number of times Ruby had decided that cookies were a perfectly adequate meal instead of actual food. As much as Blake loved to see Ruby happy, –and she was quite happy eating cookies- perhaps it'd be best to think of something else?

There was always another modification for Crescent Rose. The problem with that, was Blake didn't exactly know what Ruby wanted to upgrade her with. That was the problem with trying to get a gift like that to someone partnered to Weiss Schnee – if it was expensive, Ruby already had the part. The only other reason she wouldn't have it was because it was rare which raised even more problems for Blake, because then she'd have to find it.

Think Blake, think! Her brow furrowed in concentration, what's something we both enjoy. Ruby really enjoys weapons and food, but there has to be something el- Blake had an epiphany; she really does like books too.

The average person wouldn't guess that the hyperactive teen was much of a reader, but that was one thing that Blake knew that they shared; a certain love of books. True, they tended to like different ones, Blake preferring ones with a darker glint to them as opposed to ones about heroes vanquishing villains that Ruby adored, but at least Blake knew more about books then high-caliber combat-scythes!

Only there was a wrench in Blake's train of thought; Ruby always seems content with the books they have at Beacon's library, as far as I know she doesn't have any books that she can't get a hold of.

The Faunus glanced towards the girl in question's sister, maybe Yang would know? "Yang."

Blake didn't think a comic book could be slammed shut so face and not be in pieces. "What's up partner? I was totally studying!" Blake raised a singular incredulous eyebrow. "Okay I wasn't…" Yang sheepishly admitted as she shook her head. "Any who, what's up?"

Might as well cut straight to the chase. "Are there any books that Ruby wants?"

Now it was Yang's turn to raise an eyebrow, lilac eyes curiously peering at amber ones. "Oh? What brought this on?"

Blake shrugged her shoulders. "I just want to do something nice for Ruby is all." It sounded flimsy even to Blake but at the same time, she didn't want to explain why she got so moody and downright gloomy the past few days.

Yang, for her part, didn't question it or even really tease Blake. "Hmmm, let's see…" After a minute Yang scratched her forehead. "Well, honestly she wasn't all that much of a reader until recently. We used to read way back whe-" Lilac eyes widened as Yang snapped her fingers. "One of Ruby's favourites got chewed up by Zwei when we were house training him!" Tearing off a piece of paper and quickly scribbling a name down, she handed it to Blake. "Here ya go!"

Blake eyed the title approvingly. This… this was something she could do.

Given how well known the title was, it was interesting on a personal level to Blake the difficulty she encountered trying to find the book.

The book itself wasn't a particularly rare one, Blake had heard about it after all, but the fact that the book stores she normally went to didn't have it meant she had to go to the one store she could count on; Tukson's Book Trade.

While Blake had cut connections with many of the people she'd known in the White Fang, Tukson was pretty much the only one she didn't. Consequently, when she asked for his help in finding a copy, he'd been able to deliver.

Now was the moment of truth, the small book resting in a paper bag that Blake held as she slowly walked up to Ruby. The girl in question noticed her almost immediately, silver eyes happily focusing on her; "Hiya Blake! What's that you got?"

"Hello Ruby." Blake gave a slight nod before handing it to her. "For you."

Those silver eyes widened. "Aww, you didn't have to!" It took a moment for Ruby to fish the book out of the bag before gasping. "How'd you find it?! I've been searching for a copy ever since we got Zwei!"

Blake could only smile at the excited teen. "I have my ways. I take it you like it?"

The answer seemed to be self-evident given how Ruby was clutching it to her chest, starry eyed. "Yup!" Blake found herself being pulled into a quick hug. "Thank you~!" The hug ended yet Ruby grabbed Blake's hand. "It's really fun to read with silly voices!" The dash only lasted a few seconds before Ruby turned around sheepishly. "If you want to read it with m- eep!"

"I know a really comfortable chair this way."

AU: IT'S BEEN LIKE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS BUT I'M BACK FOR ALL YOUR LADYBUG NEEDS!

Sorry if this wasn't the chapter you guys wanted, I'll get to what I was hinting at soon… I just needed to do some random stuff to get back in the swing of Dilation. Also the name of the book is the chapter name, if you're curious! Oh, and I suppose Tukson survived in this timeline? I guess?

Real-life got, well, real so I've been busy with that as of late. However, a new chapter should be out this Tuesday and possibly another one on Friday! Expect me to return to a two or three chapters per week update average now that I have some free time!

I have to wonder if this chapter felt a bit weak, there was a distinct lack of Ladybug interactions X_X

Thanks for reading everyone and have a great day!