"What's a hug?"
It was a simple Question. What was a hug?
Ruby looked to the youngest Schnee was a confused face, eye brows raised and staring at him like he just proclaimed himself the new king of Vale.
How could he not know what a hug was?
She'd only known him for a short time sure, ever since coming to Atlas she knew Weiss didn't have the best relationship with her brother...but she never dared ask why.
The only snippets she got were something about him manipulating her out of the company.
So of course, she eventually met him and...he wasn't that bad. When Weiss wasn't around or his father, Whitley was...nice? No that's not the word, more tolerant. He greeted her with a handshake and asked if dealing with Weiss at Beacon was any harder than dealing with her at home.
And...that's how it started. She just talked to him. About snow, the wild, music, weapons strange enough? Who would pin Whitley as knowing a lot about Atlesian weaponry?
As these conversations continued he opened up a little, giving genuine smiles and letting himself frown whenever Weiss was mentioned.
It was a cold night in the Inn when she heard a knock at the door, and Whitley being outside the manor was the last thing she would of expected.
She didn't know exactly what happened...just that he claimed he finally gathered the courage to say what he needed to Weiss. For the next hour it was just screaming- shouting and accusations.
By the end of it Weiss was in tears and hugging herself into a corner, repeating the words "I'm sorry Whitley.." Over and over.
All she saw of him that night was a bruise on his back as his shirt lifted slightly...
It wasn't like they were close or anything...but there was a certain bond between the two, a growing connection of just enjoying each others company. And after that confrontation to Weiss he seemed to be less...angry? Around Weiss at least. They seemed to still be wary around each other, but occasional conversation and chuckles was a good start.
So it was a shock to find out just how sheltered he was. It came so suddenly when she found out. After a confrontation with their father, the Schnee siblings were not in a good state...Weiss handled it fairly well and she thought Whitley was too.
But later on the Rose found him balling his eyes out, she tried to talk to him to snap him out of it...but the Schnee would not react.
And it finally happened, she wrapped her arms around him for a good while...trying to comfort him.
After around half an hour of sobbing, Ruby heard the male speak. Asking a question really.
"What is a...hug?"
"You don't know?" She asked.
"No...it's been so long I don't know the meaning anymore." He said through sobs, turning his head towards her slightly.
She just kept her arms locked around him, holding the boy close. Neither noticed the blush forming on their cheeks.
"This is a hug"
"I...guess this isn't so bad."
