Nora didn't know how her neighbor had slept so soundly. Or why he'd been so nice to her. Most of the men in her life had, undoubtedly, been the 'nice guys' who always ended up abusing her in one way or the other. Following the doctor's instructions that had been printed out and given to her, she changed the bandaging on her arm and wondered how she'd take a shower with such a bad wound. Would it hurt?
Deciding not to risk it, Nora played with the TV for a bit before wandering around the apartment. It was small, but seemed cozy and like a real home. She checked the time before wandering into the kitchen to try and make pancakes. It was her favourite food, and the smell of burnt pancakes probably woke the sleeping neighbor.
He was slightly coughing as he walked into the kitchen and picked her up, removing her from the kitchen before assessing the damage and making pancakes. It had taken him less time than her to churn out those fluffy golden-brown cakes onto a plate and giving her it. Before Nora realized what was happening, syrup and butter accompanied the pancakes and her neighbor sat down at the table, motioning for her to sit down with him.
They ate in silence for a majority of the time before Nora realized how good the pancakes tasted and gave him a thumbs up before swallowing what she had in her mouth and licking the syrup off her lips.
"So, um.." Nora cut some of the pancakes. "..What was your name?"
"Lie Ren," her neighbor said, "But usually, everyone calls me Ren."
"Okay. Ren it is!" Nora gave him a smile. "Sooo, do you usually get up this early?"
He shook his head. "Usually, no. But it's hard not to when someone's burning pancakes in the kitchen."
Nora gave a sheepish laugh and the two continued to eat their pancakes, talking about different subjects like the weather, what the two women upstairs were up to, the noises that the rest of the residents made that made Nora wonder what they did. Ren nearly choked on his pancakes and waved it to a new subject until he realized what time it was. He bolted from the table to his room, and then to the bathroom. About ten minutes later he was haphazardly buttoning his shirt and fixing his pants.
"...Um.. so I guess I should be going now." Nora stood up. "Thanks for the food."
"You can stay here." Ren motioned for her to sit. "I'll ask Ruby to keep an eye on you. I don't want anything happening like yesterday."
Nora gave a nod, shuffling over to the couch without protest. Ren blinked for a couple moments before remembering what the nurse said. "I'm just looking out for you. If you need to sleep, use my bed. I'm not going to hurt you, all right?"
"Okay.." Nora nodded. As Ren left, he heard his bedroom door close.
She was probably really tired from yesterday.
"..Wake up. You don't wanna miss lunch, now do you?"
Nora groaned and pulled the pillow over her head. "I don't want to..."
"But I made you some sandwiches.. And there's cookies, too."
Cookies? Immediately, she sat up without a regard to the pillow and looked at the owner of the voice. A girl with a very strange haircut and red fringe that complimented her hair. She was holding a plate and a cup, both of which she gave to Nora. Hungry, Nora ate it all and gave the plate back before downing whatever was in the cup. The girl seemed really happy about this, and headed back to the kitchen. Nora almost went back to sleep but the girl was back in a flash.
"So, Ren asked me to look after you." The girl stated, holding out her hand. "I'm Ruby Rose. I live upstairs with my sister, Yang. I was one of the ones who took you to Ren's when he asked. The other was a school friend, Weiss. She lives with Blake next-door to me."
"Oh.." Nora blinked. "So.. Ren's... trying to keep me here?"
"Well, to make sure you heal up right and that you'll stay safe. He's got good intentions. I mean, he drove you to the hospital."
"...Do you mean.. He doesn't want to just have sex with me?" Nora fidgeted a little. Ruby shook her head and ruffled Nora's hair.
"Nope."
"You sure...?"
"Positive. Ren's not the type to see a girl and just get down and dirty with her. He was in a relationship with my sister before. They never did anything. The only part they ever got to was him sort of.. giving her a back massage? I mean I kinda walked in on it."
"Oh my gosh!"
"Yep. Although Ren had his clothes on. I guess he doesn't like getting intimate with women. Yang never told me why, either. She said he was good with his hands, though... which kinda blows my theory full of holes and then some."
Nora blinked. Good with his hands? "...He's.. oh my gosh." She blushed brightly, hiding her face in her hands and giggling a lot. The two women spent the majority of the day gossipping and just having a good time when the door unlocked and Ren came home, looking extremely worn out.
"Rough day?" Ruby asked, grabbing the bags out of Ren's hands and putting them away. "Nora, take him to bed. He looks like he needs to sleep. He's been pulling a double shift all year.. It's a wonder he hasn't keeled over yet.."
"S'fine.." Ren mumbled, falling onto the couch. "..Comfy here.."
"No, Ren. To your room." Ruby sounded like a concerned mother, walking over and pulling him up off the couch. "Come on.. We'll have dinner when you wake up, okay?"
"Mmph." Ren grudgingly went along and was asleep in bed when Ruby came back. She noted Nora had taken up the couch and gave a smile, covering her up with a blanket before heading to the kitchen to start cooking dinner.
