Hiya! Rosewick here with another story! Heh...

I just have so many ideas in my head that can be written down! I can't help it! I'll only post the good stories though, that way I don't have 10 million of them to keep up with. Maybe I'll post a few drabbles here and there for people to continue if they want.

Anyway! This story was just a small idea that popped into my head so, of course, I started writing it down. Halfway through the first chapter, I was like "Hey, I really like this story 3!" and decided I'd keep it going. After letting my bestie read it, I've finally decided to post it!

So here it is! More Rosewick Trash from yours truly!

Enjoy ^_~!

Chapter 1 - An Eventful Meeting

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Huh?" The man sitting on the bench looked over to see a young girl with crimson hair and silver eyes peering at him through her glasses, a kind smile lighting up her face.

"The Cherry Blossom. It's very pretty this time of year." She looked at the large tree in front of them, taking in nature's pink painting. The man looked from the girl to the tree, and back to the girl again, his eyebrow raised. When she looked over and saw his questioning gaze she instantly blushed and held out her hand, "Oh! Where are my manners? I-I'm Ruby."

He skeptically shook her hand, "Roman."

After a long silence of them both staring at the tree, the girl spoke. "So, do you always come here alone?"

"Yeah."

"Why's that?"

"I like to think here."

"About what?"

The man glanced down at her, squinting his eyes slightly.

"O-oh! Sorry! I probably sound really nosy right now... It's just that I don't get to go out much, and it's interesting to hear about the things that others do. Everybody has such a different experience and outlook on the world. It's fun to learn how they think and see things, you know?"

"Yeah..." He nodded, still not sure why she was talking to him.

"So, Mr. Roman, what is a day in the life of y-"

"Ruuuuuuubbyyyy!"

"Eep!" Ruby suddenly froze. "She found me!" She looked around frantically before jumping to her feet, only to crumple down on the ground. She let out a slightly annoyed groan as the man shot up, quickly helping her back onto the bench.

"Are you okay? You shouldn't stand so quickly..."

"Oh, it's fine! Happens all the time! Heheh..." She awkwardly scratched the back of her head as they heard another call.

"Ruuuubbbyyy! Ruby, where are you?!"

The girl panicked again, her hopeful eyes shooting up to meet Roman's, "Help! We have to get out of here!"

"W-what?! O-okay! Come on, I know a place!" Roman grabbed her hand, only to stop when she wouldn't get up off the bench. "What are you doing? Don't you want to leave?" His confused gaze met her embarrassed one.

"I um... I'm feeling rather lightheaded..." She diverted her gaze awkwardly, "C-can... Can you ca-carry me?" A slight blush took over her features as Roman shook his head, a grin on his face.

"Lemme tell 'ya, you are something else, Red." He bent down and scooped the small girl up into his arms, taking off in a semi-sprint through the park. He quickly checked for oncoming cars as he carried the girl across the street and into an alleyway, both of them hiding in the shadows the best they could. "What exactly are we running from?"

"I don't know, but isn't this exciting?!" The girl had a mischievous grin on her face as she giggled.

"Wha-... Wait, what do you mean you don't kno-"

"Shh!" She quickly silenced him and pointed towards the entrance to the alley.

They both watched as a girl clad in white strode past, her hands cupped around her mouth as she shouted, "Ruuubbyyyy! I'll get you cookies if you come oooouuuuutt~!" Roman watched as the girl in his arms perked up a bit, then squinted.

"Oh, she's good. She's really good."

After the shouts died down, they both let out the breath they didn't know they were holding. Roman looked down at Ruby who held a smile on her face. She then put one hand to her chest and one to her head in a very exaggerated way before fluttering her eyes and nearly singing, "My hero~!"

The man frowned, giving her his best unamused face.

"What? Too soon?"

Roman sighed, "Can you explain to me what just happened?"

"Hmmm... Nope!"

"Can you at least stand now?"

"Nope!"

"Can you tell me who that was?"

Ruby looked up as if in thought before smiling at him, "Nope!"

"Ugh... Why do I always get the weird ones?"

"Heeeyyyy! That's no way to talk about a lady~!" She poked his face and puffed out her cheeks.

"Lady?" He looked her up and down, "You mean you're not a kid?"

Her cheeks took on a reddish tint from her embarrassment and anger, "I-I'm not a kid! I'll have you know I'm twenty-four! Plus, I drink milk!"

"Pfft-! Ahahahaha!" The man burst into laughter, nearly dropping Ruby as she clung to him for dear life.

"What? What's so funny?!"

"Nothing, sorry! I just- how can you say that with such a straight face?"

Ruby scrunched her face up in anger, "Well, how about you then, old man! How old are you?"

"Woah! Little harsh there, Red." He snickered, "I'll have you know I'm twenty-eight and in fact not an old man."

"If you say soooo..." She giggled. "So! Now what?"

"Pfft. You're asking me?"

"Well, you said you knew a place."

"Ugh... Fine. I'll take you there." The man started his walk out to the street and down the sidewalk, carrying Ruby the whole way. "You know, you get heavy after a while."

"Geez, talk about rude..." She feigned a pouty face before perking up, "Ooh! How about a piggy back ride?"

"And you were just telling me about how much of an adult you were..."

"Hey, you're never too old for a piggy back ride. Unless you can't handle it, old man." She challenged.

He shot her a warning glare, "I told you, I'm not an old man." He set her down on her feet warily and crouched down in front of her. "Alright, hop on."

"Yay!" She happily pounced on his back, causing him to put his hands on the ground so he wouldn't faceplant into the concrete.

"Geez! You tryin' to kill me?!"

"Heheh, sorry!" She giggled as she wrapped her legs around him so that he could take hold of them. She then started playing with his hair. "Why don't you get a haircut? It must be hard to see with one eye covered like that."

"You get used to it."

"If you say so~!" She wrapped her arms around the man and rested her chin on his head, "So, where are we going?"

"It's a secret."

"Awwwhhhhh..."

"Don't worry, we'll be there soon."

"Hmph. Okay." Ruby continued to play with his hair as he continued down the street, several people casting curious glances their way, until they reached a small corner store.

Ruby looked up and tilted her head as she read the sign, "Neo's Neo... That's a strange name."

"Hah, if you think that's strange, just wait until you meet the owner. Although, she's not nearly as strange as you."

"Wow. Rude." She playfully pushed his head forward.

As they walked into the store, they were met with the crisp, cold smell of ice cream. The place was decorated with different shades of pinks and browns, a bit of white here and there. Ruby looked around and realized that the place was quite empty, save for a couple sitting in a booth in the corner. She tensed up slightly as she saw them, finding them somewhat familiar. Shaking the memories away, she patted Roman on the head, "I want to get down now, please."

"Huh? Oh." Roman crouched down as Ruby gently climbed off of his back. She wobbled a little bit as she put weight on her feet, but steadied herself none the less, "Is everything okay?"

"Hm? Oh! Yeah, everything's fine!" She feigned a smile as she felt a pair of red and gray eyes boring into her back. "So, you wanted me to meet the owner?"

"Ah! Right." Roman dinged a little silver bell on the counter and smiled as a woman came through the door to the kitchen. She let out a gasp as a giant smile broke out on her face. Ruby was surprised when she leapt over the counter and jumped onto Roman, embracing him as he nearly lost his balance. "N-Neo! Careful!"

She hopped down and gave him an apologetic look. It was at this moment Ruby realized just how short she was. She was only a little over half Roman's height.

"Geez, you're gonna kill me one of these days..." Roman shook his head as the girl let out a silent giggle, turning her attention to Ruby. She pointed, then looked to Roman with a questioning gaze. "Just a stranger that I met in the park. She's just about as weird as you, to be honest."

They both gave him a warning glare before looking at each other and laughing.

"See? I knew you two would get along!" Neo smiled and took out her phone, typing a message into it and showing Roman. "What?! No! Damnit, Neo..."

"What?" Ruby looked between the two curiously.

"Nothing..." Roman turned his head away with a slight blush. "Do you want some ice cream, Red?"

"Oh, sure!" She walked over to look at all of the flavours before settling on one, "I'll have... Strawberry!"

Neo nodded and hopped back over the counter, scooping strawberry ice cream into a small cup, and Neopolitan into another. She pranced back over to the cash register and rang the two up, pointing at the total then at Roman.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it." Roman rolled his eyes and smiled.

Ruby watched the two before cautiously asking, "Um... Neo was it?" They both looked at her, Neo nodding, "I don't mean to be rude, but uh... Are... Are you mute?" The tri-coloured girl smiled sadly before nodding.

Perking up slightly, Ruby started signing to the girl. "Do you know how to use sign language?" Neo instantly brightened up and started signing back with excitement.

"Yes! I had no idea you did too!"

"I learned it from a book, believe it or not."

"Geez, I wish that Roman would take the time to learn it. I swear, he can be such a butt sometimes!"

Both of the girls laughed causing Roman to let out a slightly annoyed groan. "Wonderful... Now there's two people who can curse at me behind my back..."

"Oh, lighten up. Maybe I can teach you sometime?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure, whatever..." He took out his wallet and payed for the ice cream, handing one of the cups to Ruby. "Let's go find a table."

They both sat down at one of the booths taking up the small shop and happily started eating their treats.

"So, who was that girl that you were running from earlier?"

"Hm? Oh. That was my friend Weiss!" Ruby smiled innocently.

"Weiss, huh? Why does that name seem familiar?"

"Probably because she's the heiress to the Schnee Corporation."

Roman nearly choked on his ice cream, quickly swallowing and staring at Ruby. "She's what?!"

"Yeah, after her sister, Winter, joined the military she was void of inhereting the company. Weiss is next in line, therefore she's the current heiress." Ruby happily ate her ice cream as if this was no big deal.

"Isn't she like, an ice cold bitch?"

"Hey! Only to jerks like you!" Ruby frowned.

"Geez... So how did you manage to become friends with an heiress?"

"We went to pol- I mean, uhh... School together!" Ruby smiled that innocent smile again.

"Uhuh..." What's this girl's deal anyway? "So, why exactly were you running from her?"

"Oh, you know... She's just looking out for me!"

"And why is that? Because you talk to random strangers in the park then ask them to carry you away?"

"Hey, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet!"

"Hah! If you say so." Roman smiled at how naiive Ruby was. "So, is she going to be mad at you for running?"

"Probably, but she's used to it. It's not like this is something new."

"Ah, so you've always been a trouble maker?"

"You wish! I'll have you know, I'm a law abiding citizen!"

"Right."

"I'm serious!" She put on a slight pouty face.

"Okay, okay. I believe you." Roman chuckled, "So, what time should I have you home by?"

"Weeellllll... Maybe after this, I should be heading back. Don't want her to be too upset."

"Yeah, she'll probably break your legs to keep you from running so much." Roman meant it as a joke, however Ruby's face darkened slightly.

"Yeah..." She turned her gaze away as she set down her empty cup. "Let's go."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just... Tired."

"Okay..." Roman collected their cups and got up to throw them away, returning to the table. "Ready when you are."

"Um... Mind giving me another ride?"

Roman scoffed, "Seriously?" Ruby gave him a puppy dog look, causing him to melt slightly. "Alright, alright. Just don't make that face." Roman diverted his gaze and crouched down next to the seat, allowing her to climb onto his back. "Alrighty then, Red. Where to?" Roman stepped out of the small shop and onto the sidewalk, waiting for Ruby's response.

"Uhh... Do you know where the Signal Apartment Complex is?"

"Yeah, isn't it by the Beacon Police Academy?"

"That's the one!" Ruby happily pointed down the sidewalk, "Let's go!"

"Geez, calm down..." Roman smirked, forming an idea in his head, "Hold on tight, Red!"

"Wait, what are you doIIIINNNNGGGG!" Roman took off into a sprint down the sidewalk, Ruby clinging to him for dear life, as they made their way towards Signal. After getting over the initial shock, Ruby started laughing, forgetting how fun it was to feel the wind on her face as they sped past other pedestrians. They made it to Signal within minutes, Roman trying to catch his breath while Ruby giggled.

"Well... That wasn't ... The best... Idea... I've ever... Had..."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you made it up that hill back there, old man."

"I'm not... An old... Man..." Roman coughed as Ruby pat his head.

"Here, let me take a load off of you. Put me down." Roman crouched down as Ruby gently got off, steadying herself on the ground. "Better?"

"Yeah, thanks..."

"Oh! Why don't you come inside? I can get you some ice tea! C'mon!" Ruby grabbed his hand and started her walk towards apartment number 636. Upon arrival, Ruby reached into her pocket and grabbed her key. Just as she went to stick it into the lock the door flung open and she was met with an angry glare. "Eep!" The girl froze upon seeing her best friend's glare, her arms crossed over her chest and tapping her foot.

"Three times."

"Eh?"

"You have run away from me three times in the past week."

"I'm... Sorry?"

"Sorry?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! Who knows what could have happened to you out there! You know that you can't fight very well any... More..." Weiss trailed off as she caught sight of Roman, who smiled at her sheepishly and gave her a small wave. "And who exactly are you?"

"Uh, Roman, hi. It's nice to meet y-"

"Thanks for bringing her home, Roman, but I think it's best if you leave now."

"What? No! He can stay!"

Both of them looked at Ruby in shock.

"I-I mean..." She blushed heavily, "It's just that, he carried me all the way up the hill to get here... And, I just thought we could offer him some tea and give him a moment to rest... You know, it'd be the nice thing to do."

Weiss rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, heading to the kitchen to get the tea ready, "Whatever, come in."

"Yay!" The small girl yanked Roman into their apartment, shutting the door behind her. "Sorry if it's a little cluttered. We barely have time to clean between me working and Weiss going to school."

"She's still in school? No wonder she's so crabby, school's the worst."

"I heard that!" Weiss called from the other room, causing Ruby to chuckle.

"Yeah, she's training at the Beacon Police Department. She's trying to make her way up to becoming the sheriff so that she can take care of all the baddies in town."

"Is that so? That seems more like your cup of tea, to be honest."

Ruby's face saddened slightly, "Oh, not really... It just... Doesn't interest me, I guess." She turned away from Roman and headed into the kitchen where Weiss was.

"Yeah, she'd rather have her face stuffed into a book."

"Hey! Knowledge is a weapon too! I don't need your fancy police guns and moves!"

"Let me know how that goes when you're up against some thugs."

"Well, I won't have to worry about that when you're Sheriff, so keep up the good work!" Ruby took a seat in one of the small kitchen chairs, patting one next to her so that Roman would sit too. As he sat down, Weiss eyed him skeptically.

"So, Roman. What do you do for a living?"

"Me? I'm a business man. Nothing big, but enough to pay rent."

"I see." She set down two glasses of ice tea on the table, taking her own seat with a third. "So, Ruby. Care to inform me on how you two met?"

"Oh, you know. He helped me escape from you." Ruby said this so casually, Roman himself a bit nervous.

"Of course he did." Wiess rolled her eyes, "I'm still mad at you, you know."

"Teehee, I know!" Ruby happily sipped her tea, Roman watching with the slightest smile on his face.

...

"Good night~! Thanks again for your help today! Oh- and for the ice cream!" Ruby hugged Roman in the doorway, squeezing him tightly.

"Anytime, Red. Thanks for the tea, and for inviting me inside."

"Of course, what else would friends do?"

"Yeah, friends that you just met today." Weiss turned and went back into the apartment, still not happy with Ruby.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'm used to this. She'll get over it eventually."

"If you say so..."

"Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Roman! I really did have fun today. Maybe we can get together again soon?"

"I'd like that." Roman smiled, "Until next time, then, Red." He gave her a small wave and she watched as he left the complex. She shut the door and slowly made her way into the living room, only to find Weiss on the couch with an expression of mild concern.

"Ruby..."

"Awh, c'mon Weiss... Not tonight!"

"Nope, we're having the talk again, come on." She pat the seat next to her as Ruby ever so slowly shuffled over and sat down. She listened to Weiss' lecture about the dangers of the street and strangers for the millionth time before they both finally went to bed.

Ruby rolled around that night, unable to get to sleep. She only had one thing on her mind. Roman.

Well, there it is! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I'll have the next one up soon! I'll also update The Price of Forbidden Love and A Slight Change as soon as I feel like converting it from handwriting to a document. (Lol, I'm lazy)

Remember to check out my YouTube and Tumblr for more RWBY related things, both of them are Rosewick (surprise surprise)!

I'll see you all next chapter!

Rosewick out ^_~!