Awake. Hero.
Yelping, one Ruby Rose tumbled out of bed and groaned as she swiftly kissed the floor. With eyes still closed, she sleepily rolled about for a few minutes. Most people would say that this was a terrible start to the day, but embarrassingly enough this was just her norm.
Yup. If she closed her eyes hard enough, she could almost believe that this was just another day for her.
Ignoring the slight taste of floor wax now stuck on her mouth, she pushed herself up. She needed to get ready, willingly or not, unfortunately. The day waited for no one after all, just like her mom said. She wiggled from side to side; slowly breaking free of the binds she called her bed sheets.
Finally freeing herself, she blearily forced her eyes open and sighed immediately at the sight before her. The room, her room, was completely bare.
Her posters. Gone.
Her plushies. Packed up.
Even her workbench and schematics; archived and on a truck somewhere. Everything was gone, and she was the one who had to put it all away.
Well not exactly… She could feel the edges of her lips as they curved downwards at the thought. They weren't gone per say, just moving towards another place, the place that she was going to have to stay at for the next year or so.
The reminder of that truth really hurt her. She had never really travelled far, and now she had to leave everything she knew on Patch to go to someplace far way, and it honestly frightened her. It also was painful leaving everything behind, her parents, Zwei, her frie-, the TV. Yeah, their TV was awesome…. Nobody ever wanted to leave that thing.
Interrupting her thoughts however was a soft knock on the door. Putting on a slightly forced smile as she turned towards it, she answered chirpily, "Who is it?" Hey, she had a reputation as an optimist to keep up.
"Ruby?" A voice echoed back, stifled by the thick wood of the door.
"Mom!" she exclaimed excitedly. Her mom was awesome with a capital A. Busy as she usually was, she had always been there for her, and Ruby supposed that today was no exception.
Hearing the door click open, her mom walked into the room with a bright smile and the same grace that she constantly exuded everywhere. Bridging the gap quickly, she brought Ruby into a tight a hug. "Good morning, my little rose," she said ethereally.
"Mornin', Mom." She replied back, voice muffled by the older woman's clothes.
She was going to miss this. Ruby was absolutely sure of that. Summer Rose was her hero, and 'super mom' was an understatement in her mind. Even when people constantly spoke about the similarities between them, she never truly believed any of it. After all, she could only dream of being as mature, elegant, and awesome!
Tightening her arms, she tried her best to keep it together as she held the hug. She wasn't going to cry, she promised herself that at least. "I'm going to miss you so much," she breathed out finally.
"I know, I know," she could feel her mom's hands gently rubbing the top of her head, "I'm going to miss you too. Your father's going to miss you as well."
Reluctantly breaking the hug, she slowly pulled away. Ruby could feel her stomach dropping at the mention of her father. "Really?" She tilted her face upwards, closely watching her mother's expression. Her dad had been absolutely livid for the past month, and they hadn't even spoken since that night she got home, though she couldn't really blame him for that.
"I know that it hasn't been the best month for you and him," her mother began, eyes remained locked on her own, "but know that your father does love you. He always has, and always will."
"I know, but-" Ruby paused, interrupted by the strong finger now firmly placed on her lips.
"He's been trying, Ruby. Trying so hard to get you out of this… I don't even know how many favours he's tried to call or loopholes he's searched for."
She nodded slowly in understanding. It was reassuring to know that her dad still tried to mitigate the consequences, even if it was hidden behind his anger. "Thanks for telling me then, mom."
Her mother chuckled, "Your father is useless with his emotions," Ruby snorted at that, "and so are you," she pouted at this one, "nothing would ever get resolved if I didn't push both of you in the right direction. Just remember, he'll always be there for you when the chips are down."
"Yeah, I mean he's gotta keep up with you as super dad right?"
With mirth dancing in her eyes, her mother brought her into another hug. Though this time, it was her mother who tightened the hug shortly thereafter. "You know that I'm proud of you right Ruby?"
Her mood mellowed quickly as the reality of her situation barged to the forefront of her mind. "I know… just do you think I did the right thing?"
"Nope."
"Wha-"
"Nope."
"Mom-"
"Ruby," her mother's stern but kind voice interjected, "you are my daughter, and one of the kindest, most selfless, and loving people on this planet. So let me ask you instead, do you believe that you did the right thing?"
"Yes," Ruby answered immediately in response.
Her mother smiled and affectionately rubbed her hair, "Good. Don't question your morality again, Ruby; at least, not about this. You did the right thing. I don't agree with how you did it, but you did the right thing."
"I know, mom, but it's not going to be easy."
"Yes…" Summer frowned when their eyes met, frustration evident on her expression, "The world doesn't always reward good, unfortunately. But-"
"I chooseth this fate of mine own free will. The old Rose family motto…"
"Exactly, every action will have consequences and we have to live with them. But you're strong, and I believe that you'll get through this somehow. Understand?"
"Yes." She answered back, feeling slightly better.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"Yes, dad."
The blond man before her sighed at her brief response, scratching the back of his head as he did so. It was such a dad thing to do, and she couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight.
"There's a smile." Her dad said as he carried the last of her bags into the car. With a large thump, he closed the trunk with a strong huff and turned to face her fully. A small and obviously strained smile plastered on him.
Silence permeated between them for quite some time, and Ruby was the first to break. "Dad, I'm sorry." She spoke softly, suddenly finding the ground incredibly fascinating.
"No, Ruby." Ruby's head perked up, mouth agape in surprise, "yes, I'm apologizing so stop looking like that." Her dad walked forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry, kiddo. I should've been there for you this month, and I just wasn't… You'll never know how much I regretted that. I feel like I've failed you big time."
"It's alright. Mom already told me that you've been trying to get me out of this."
Her dad shook his head and chuckled, "That woman…"
"Best thing that's ever happened to you right?"
"Damn straight."
She gasped, "SWEAR JAR!"
"You're fifteen, not five. We don't keep one for you anymore!"
They naturally shared a laugh and Ruby smiled, finally some normalcy. Jokes were always a constant thing between them.
It was great having her dad back.
"You have your-"
"Yes, third time you've asked, Dad." Perhaps Ruby spoke too soon about how great it was having her dad back to normal. She almost forgot how 'dad' he got sometimes…
"Address?"
"In the pocket."
"Rules when dealing with boys-"
"Tai, stop." Her mother shoots a glare at the man, and for that she gave her mother a mental hug in thanks.
"Thanks, mom."
"No problem, sweetie. So what are my rules about boys?"
"MOM?!"
"Come now, you're at that age where-"
"LALALALALA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" This was not a topic she wanted to discuss again after last time. Ruby was never able to look at a banana and grapefruit the same way again.
Her mother sighed in defeat. "Well, can we at least get a hug then?"
Considering the fact that they were at the airport and that this was probably the last time she'd see them in-person for a year? Yes, that was definitely something Ruby could and wanted to provide.
Bringing both of her parents close to her, she hugged them tightly. She'd miss them, but like her mom said, she was strong. She'd get through this, one way or another.
The familiar chimes on the PA system signalled the arrival of her flight and reluctantly, she released her hold on them. Meeting their eyes with a smile, she bid them goodbye and quickly turned away to get to her gate.
"Say hi to Raven for us!"
"Don't hang out with Qrow too much, bastard's a bad influence!"
Ruby laughed inwardly. It wasn't a perfect farewell, but it definitely screamed the uniqueness of her family.