Welp... Let's get this show on the road.
Chapter 1:
Ruby took a gulp from the bottle and rested it in her lap. She was enjoying the burning feeling the two dollar bottle of vodka was giving her. She gripped the wheels in her hands as she tried to maneuver out of the forced position Neo had left her in before she went out to go get the food for some stupid party Pyrrha and Yang had thought would be great.
Ruby didn't care. She was more so pissed that she now had to get her pain killers because Neo didn't leave them near her. The pain shooting up from where the scars remained on her form. Like the bullets still seared into her flesh, and the alcohol didn't numb the pain nearly enough. She needed something stronger.
As she made a slightly too small of a turn she slammed her fingers on her couch causing her to wince a little as she pulled her fingers free and began to curse. Flexing her fingers as she brought her hand up and down in a sharp motion. It only distracted her from the pain she was feeling in her lower back for a brief second.
But she knew the pain from where the bullets once were would return and rip through her body causing her even more pain. She had to get her pills quick. Otherwise she would be in a worse shape by the time Neo came back.
Placing the bottle on the small lamp table she began to go down the hall as fast as she could. She didn't want to yell at Neo or her friends but knew that is exactly what would happen. Once she managed to get to the bathroom she stopped. Trying to remember in her alcohol fuelled mind how to get into the room without smashing her fingers into tiny nubs.
Figuring out a way she quickly moved a bit further up the hallway to reverse into the bathroom. Ignoring the pain that was starting to radiate from her lower back. The only joy was she still hadn't regained any feeling in her legs.
She still remembered the fight she had with Neo because she just couldn't stand going back to physical therapy any more. The pain that woman would put her through on the grounds that Ruby may be able to walk again. It was a gamble she didn't want to take.
Spinning her chair around a little she gripped the sink counter top and used all the strength she could to pull herself up a little to rest on the counter as she reached over to grab her orange bottle and placed it closer to the edge. Just so she could get back into her chair easier.
Grabbing the back of her chair she brought it closer hoping that this wouldn't end up like last time, and Ruby would be wreathing in all sorts of agony. On the floor, chair being too far to crawl to. Leaning down to make sure the brakes were on she began to slowly get down from her perch. Reaching across the chair she grabbed the arm rest and braced herself as she attempted to pull herself into her chair. Wincing as it slide out from under her. Causing her to land on her chest. Wincing in pain she let out a loud 'FUCK!'
She could hear something dropping followed by frantic footfalls running towards her. Pushing herself up a little to see her wife running in concern strewn across her face. As Neo ran into the room she carefully grabbed Ruby's arms and tried to help her. Ignoring the way Ruby continued to fight her help. She knew that it would be difficult to win against her heterochromatic wife... but she had to.
After what really should only have been a few seconds, but was probably closer to a couple of minutes, she finally got Ruby back into her chair. Wrenching herself free from Neo Ruby quickly rolled back towards the door. Only stopping for a second to toss the pills into her lap.
"Ruby... what were you doing?" Neo asked following the brunette out of the bathroom. She never liked coming home from anywhere to find Ruby on the floor, in pain from something, but Ruby had just closed up in the last half a year since Tai's last appeal hearing, and turned towards the bottle every night.
Neo hoped the news she had would get her to stop, but she couldn't be sure after all Ruby already seemed to be very drunk. She just hoped Ruby wouldn't be that bad. "What do you think I was doing!? I'm in excruciating pain and you forgot to give me my fucking pain killers before you left! Do you have any idea how much it hurts!?" Ruby asked grabbing the bottle she rested on the lamp side table and came to a stop in the middle of the living room.
Just wanting to blackout right now. It is what she needed every single night just to get to sleep. Once she was in a comfortable spot Ruby opened the bottle and dragged out two of the white pills and popped them into her mouth. Quickly closing the bottle and tossing it in some direction she opened the bottle of vodka to chase the chalk taste the pills carried. She could feel the concern look Neo was giving her a look she was getting a little annoyed at.
Craning her upper body to look at Neo just picking up some of the dropped items, just shoving them into the plastic bag. All the while never taking her eyes off of Ruby. "You aren't suppose to drink while you take those pills Ruby. It could kill you." Neo spoke softly as Ruby groaned spinning her chair a little so she had a better sight of her wife. "Maybe I want to die? Did you ever think that? I mean I need to drink or drug myself to sleep, to wake up in agony a couple of hours later!" Ruby yelled, she hated how this is how any conversation went when people came over.
"You're my wife Ruby. I don't want you to die!" Neo yelled back as Ruby just tossed the bottle in her lap, causing it to shatter next to Neo's head. "THEN FUCKING LEAVE! WHY THE FUCK DID I MARRY YOU IF YOU WON'T EVEN GIVE ME THAT!?" Ruby yelled back as Neo nearly jumped back. This wasn't the first time, or even the second time.
Without saying a word, Neo walked towards the front door and opened it. Before Ruby could realise the error of what she did Neo slammed the door shut.
As the sound echoed throughout her memory Ruby shot up screaming in pain. She reached for the nightstand where she kept her pills when she went to sleep to be met with falling off her face. The pain she was in was only dwarfed by the memory of how the woman of her dreams had left all those years ago. The pain she felt only ever got dwarfed by that one stupid decision she made four years ago. She heard her door opening, but she couldn't see.
She was in too much pain to turn her head. She was in too much pain to even humour whoever it was. She frantically attempted to reach onto the nightstand to be met with the feeling of someone picking her up and laying her back down on her bed. She could see her blonde sister looking at her as she opened the small orange container and handed two of the pills to Ruby. Who quickly swallowed them. Just accepting the taste.
"Get some more sleep Ruby... it is only four in the morning." Yang said as Ruby shook her head. "Do you want me to crawl in and hold you again? I only ask because that is still a strange thing for a thirty year old to want." Yang continued as Ruby nodded. Not wanting to fight her sister further and instead just wanting to sleep Yang quickly stood up and walked over to the other side of the bed and lifted the covers up to crawl in. Ruby quickly latched onto Yang and seemingly refused to give up.
Accepting her fate Yang hugged back and closed her eyes.
Yang let out a yawn followed by a long stretch as she walked into Junior's club. Still exhausted from the night. Ruby clinging onto her for dear life. Almost like Yang would leave her at some point. Not to mention the morning. Just from the sight Yang walked into.
Just Ruby crying into her lap as she had a mug of coffee resting on the coffee table in front of her. Yang knew what it was about too. The same thing it was about every morning. About how she lost Neo. And a lot more that Yang knew Ruby didn't know.
But what Ruby didn't know though was how much Neo clearly longed for Ruby. Any time someone mentioned Ruby's name if one were to pay attention they could see Neo's thumb drift over towards her left ring finger where she used to have Ruby's wedding ring. Now that same ring just rested in a box inside Neo's closet along with a distinct red hoodie. One that no matter how many times people had tried to get her to take it off in the past, she never would.
Yang took a seat at the bar, smiling as she saw her red haired friend place a ceramic mug down in front of her, as if she was already waiting for Yang to show up.
"Rough night?" Pyrrha asked as Yang took a small drink from the mug. "It was fine until she fell out of her bed and screamed in pain. Then she wouldn't let me leave, so I had to share her bed with her... and then the crying... dear god if she wasn't my sister, I'd fucking kill her." Yang joked as Pyrrha shook her head.
Before Pyrrha could respond the changing room door flew open. And a clearly irritated green haired woman walking out. Covered in what Yang hoped was juice. "I swear... I love that little shit... but I need something to clean this crap off me." She practically spat as Pyrrha smirked and handed her a wet cloth.
"Wait... if Cerezas is here... where is Neo?" Yang asked as the door opened and revealed The multi colour themed girl holding someone much smaller. The smaller being had multi coloured hair like her mother holding her, all the strands tapering off into red tips. Just holding onto Neo's neck as the older of them fixed the child's red and black striped sweater. The irritated look in her eyes was obvious.
"Em! You know I don't like people swearing in front of Cerezas!" Neo yelled as she faced Emerald. Yang could just see the child holding a small juice box. Smile on her face. One that grew at the sight of Yang. "Do you have any idea how cold that juice is? It was a small slip up. And it is sticky... how much sugar is in that?" Emerald asked as the small child began to slurp the last few drops noisily.
Yang smiled as she reached over and grabbed her niece who began to giggle. Yang could see the purple juice staining the front of her sweater. "Aunt Yang!" The child sung out causing Neo to turn around and notice the blonde woman. Smiling a little at the sight to frown a little more. Her emotions were always a little complex about Yang in recent times.
It was from a mixture of things. Not only was Yang probably the best source for information about Ruby... but the fact Yang knew the truth was a danger in of itself. "Hey Yang." Neo said as she turned back to her green haired friend. "I still don't like it when people swear in front of her Em... because she will then repeat it over and over again." Neo continued clearly not letting up in her irritation on the matter.
"I'll tell her not to as soon as she apologises." Emerald spoke as she finally got what she hoped was the last of the sticky substance off her. Before Neo responded she looked towards the small girl in the blonde's arms. "I didn't get the chance mommy... Auntie Em ran out as soon as my juice spilled... I would have." The girl spoke as she looked towards the green haired woman. "I'm sorry Auntie Em... the juice is tasty and I just got a little too focused on getting the tasty juice."
Looking at the small girl Emerald smiled a little. "It's okay kiddo... and you know never to say that word right?" Emerald asked as the girl nodded quickly turning her attention back to Yang. Showing her teeth as she smiled brightly causing Yang to laugh a little.
"Are you coming with me tonight Squirt?" Yang asked as Neo walked up to the bar where Pyrrha and Yang had gathered like they always seemed to do. The small girl nodded as Yang placed her on the ground. "Well go get your stuff then." Yang said as the girl ran back towards the changing room without skipping a single beat.
Looking back at the ice cream themed girl, Yang smiled again. "She isn't doing any better Neo. Still night terrors... and I'm starting to think it is less to do with the prick and more to do with you guys." Neo frowned at Yang's statement. Every time anyone told her about how Ruby had been doing for the last three years... but she had to stay strong with her decision.
"You are still doing the right thing. But have fun working. I'm meant to give Cerezas a lot of sugar right?" Yang stated as the little girl came running back in holding a small pink, brown and white bag. The small girl nodded as Neo's mood shifted. "No. And preferably something healthy for dinner, and in bed by eight."
Frowning as she came to a stop in front of Yang standing up. "What about Sprinkles mommy?" the multi coloured hair girl asked as Neo smiled a little. "As long as your door is open. Have fun with your Aunt tonight." Neo spoke as the girl smiled and held her hand out for Yang to take.
"Wait... Cerezas... do I not get a kiss?" Neo asked as the small girl let go of Yang's hand and ran towards the older woman who was kneeling.
Quickly wrapping her small arms around her mother's neck and she planted a kiss on Neo's lips. "Have fun tonight at work mommy." The red tipped, multi coloured hair girl spoke. "I'll try sweetie."
Ruby began to twist the cap of the cheap bottle open. Smiling at the present Yang had seemingly left her. The fact it was mediocre just made the solitary drinking better. Not that Yang was going to be back till much later. She never was during the week. Not that that was an issue with what Ruby had planned.
Locking the wheels on her chair Ruby took a large gulp from her the bottle before replacing the cap and placing it on the couch. Trying to will up every ounce of strength she had to crawl onto the couch. After a few deep breaths Ruby gripped the nearby arm of the couch and with her remaining arm practically threw herself from her chair onto the couch.
Just laughing at the much softer feeling of couch cushion pressing into her face. She felt at peace right now. Not caring that she knew there had to have been a much easier way, but she was just going to enjoy drinking herself into a stupor and probably passing out on the couch.
Laughing more as she turned around so she was facing the tv as she grabbed her bottle now sticking into her body. Reaching over with her free hand she grasped the remote. And turned the black screen on. Ripping the bottle once more Ruby looked at the line that once was at the top being down to the halfway point.
'I hope someone comes by with more... other will at least be willing to open the cupboard I know Yang keeps some hidden... cheating bitch.' Ruby thought taking another drink from the bottle, smiling as the minor numbing sensation started to take over.
Once Ruby began to get comfortable she closed her eyes and began to hold the recapped bottle closer. Only stopping when she heard a knock on her front door. Opening her eyes knowing only a small number of people knew where she lived she spoke up, "Come in! Door's open! I'm not in my chair!" Ruby yelled as she opened her eyes to see the black hair of the twins standing there walking in a little.
As the one dressed in white walked in and took a seat on part of the couch just moving Ruby's legs a little, Milt walked outside of Ruby's line of sight. "Hey Milt. Mind getting me one of the bottles on the counter... and if you are heading towards the bathroom grab my pills." Ruby yelled as Mel began to lower her legs down onto her lap. Clearly meaning that they weren't planning on going any where any time soon.
"So, while your equally hot sister is getting that stuff... what brings you guys here?" Ruby asked as she twisted the cap back on that she hadn't even realised she took off before she pulled herself up a little. "No one at the club has seen you for a week and a half. Milt and I were just the ones off." The one in white spoke as Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Sorry I don't want to take the chance of running into my ex-wife... as well as people staring... most still remember me for stripping... most even saw me getting shot and I'd rather avoid those annoying questions." Ruby said as she looked down in her lap as she saw an orange blur fall into her lap.
She looked over to see the red dressed twin taking a seat on the wheelchair instead of taking one at the couch. She gripped the wheels and tried to move frowning as she went nowhere. Once Ruby swallowed the pills she began to laugh a little. "The breaks are on... and trust me... it may look easy but it takes a lot of upper body strength to move that piece of shit anywhere." Ruby spoke as she picked up the bottle to remove the chalk taste in her mouth.
"Anyways... if you guys are here to talk me out of my night of drinking and popping pills every four hours, please leave and tell whoever sent you that I'm fine. If not feel free to stay... will be a lot easier going to the bathroom." Ruby continued as she recapped the bottle. Expecting the need to move once they left.
She could see some conversation getting exchanged between the two silently before Mel grabbed the bottle from Ruby and opened it to take a drink. "Sorry Milt... guess we are staying for an hour at least."
"You cheeky bitch... not only for doing that... but with my booze." Ruby spoke as she could see Milt pulling out her phone to text someone that Ruby was assuming was the person asking to check up on her.
M~ Mel and me are in on getting them back together...
With that the twin dressed in red slide her phone onto the coffee table face down. "Fine Mel..." Milt spoke as she grabbed the bottle from her sister and took a large drink. "Seriously guys... if you are going to drink it all on me, fucking buy me another one." Ruby spoke incredulously hoping they weren't going to just drink it all on her. "You know you'll get more... probably something better too." Mel spoke as she gave a look of disgust as she looked at the bottle.
"It get's the job done. Plain and simple." Ruby said reaching over and grabbing the bottle again. Taking a drink as she looked towards the tv. Just hoping that they weren't going to stop her routine. She needed to forget Neo right now. Any time she thought about her... she would just start to shed tears. Something she couldn't do with people around.
"Well, if we are going to drink, we drinking proper shit."
'Nope... they aren't going to stop me. Good.' Ruby thought moving down a little bit more. Just so she was able to drink herself unconscious more comfortably.
Author's Note:
Well... here is one of the poll winners... the other one is gonna get started in an hour or so... have fun with that. Image doomzoom provided. Hope you guys are going to enjoy this story.