Suffering in Silence short stories- Yes.
Three years later.
Since those first six months Ruby had slowly started to heal, talking with Neo helped a lot and she sometimes spoke to Qrow about it as well.
The nightmares became less frequent and she was slowly getting her appetite back and would eat more but it still wasn't where it used to be.
They started to talk to Velvet and Coco, even meeting up in Vale on occasion but never back to their home as it remained their little hideaway from the world.
After about a year and a half Ruby slowly started to fight again, while never against humans she fought against Grimm but her beloved weapon remained locked away in a room inside their house.
So she used a sword that she crafted to use against the Grimm and slowly started to take contracts from Ozpin and other hunters as she discovered she and Neo had been made official Huntresses, so the pair would complete contracts, partly for the money but also because it was a key part of Ruby's healing.
About three months ago Ruby finally met her mother for the first time since leaving, she had asked Qrow to set up the meeting and went to a small café in the town.
It was warm out so Ruby wasn't wearing her large, padded leather jacket but instead something else. Neo had gotten it for her last Christmas as she loved Neo's jacket so much. So Neo got one made up for Ruby that was red on the outside but white, pink and brown on the inside and over her chest was a small stitched black rose. The sleeves stopped just short of her wrists revealing her tattoo of the black roses around her right wrist while she got a matching tattoo on the left but had red roses instead.
She wore a corset that was big enough to cover most of her stomach and chest, similar to Neo's as well but kept the black jeans, boots and even kept her sunglasses, still not wanting attention drawn to herself or to really look at people.
Arriving at the small café ahead of time Ruby sat down and ordered a water while she waited for her mother to arrive, and with practised ease she looked around the area to take in everything and everyone around her, checking for threats.
She was much better than what she used to be, she rarely had issues being out in public although she didn't enjoy it. But she wasn't always believing people were out to hurt her, but if people came too close too quickly she would assume as much.
Ruby saw her mother arriving from down the street and when she noticed Ruby her face brightened up immediately. Summer Rose had come in casual clothes, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt with her hair hanging loosely down her back.
As she reached her daughter she hugged her warmly and the two shared the embrace for almost a minute before breaking apart and sitting down opposite each other.
"It's been so long, I really missed you dear. I'm glad to be able to see you again and not just hear how you're doing from Qrow." Summer said warmly.
"I'm sorry about that. I just wanted…." Ruby started to explain before being interrupted.
"I understand Ruby, with everything that happened. I understand wanting to get away from it all and struggling to bear all that pain." Summer said honestly.
"Thank you." Ruby said.
"It's fine dear. And this new soft way of speaking suits you very well dear. Although I do sometimes miss that childlike enthusiasm you always had." Summer said.
"We all have to grow up sometime don't we?" Ruby said, her voice slightly cold.
"Of course we do dear, but not as fast as you or Neo did. How is she doing?" Summer asked, changing the topic easily.
"She's doing great. She's part of the reason I wanted to see you today." Ruby stated.
"Oh? What is it? Am I going to get some grand kids?" Summer teased.
Ruby actually blushed, a light dusting of pink on her cheeks as she said. "We uh, we haven't had sex since the night I gave myself up." Ruby said honestly.
"Oh. I would have thought you two would be having sex with the way you look at each other." Summer said, slightly surprised.
"Huh?" Ruby asked, confused.
"Well your eyes light up even when you're talking about her. And there's a warmth in them that I rarely see in them now. Even your uncle has noticed it." Summer said.
"But how can you see my eyes?" Ruby asked, once more confused.
Summer laughed at the slightly stunned look on her daughters face, "You are my daughter, and it's quite easy to see your eyes through those sunglasses if you concentrate hard enough." Summer informed her.
"So what was it you wanted to talk about? Unless it is about the two of you having sex then maybe Yang would be the best bet for tips." Summer teased.
Ruby blushed once more, this time a little more than before as she asked, "It's not that. I know the reason behind it." Ruby informed her after regaining control of her face and emotions.
"What is that? If you don't mind me asking." Summer asked, as a coffee was set down in front of her by a blushing waitress.
"I don't have a sexual drive. Or well I either lost it or never had one. Neo's the same so neither of us care too much for sex. We're strong without it and intimate in our own way." Ruby explained.
"I see. I'm sorry if I suggested anything that made you annoyed." Summer apologised.
"It's fine. We both understand how most people view relationships and sex being linked. What did you mean about Yang?" Ruby asked.
"Oh don't you know? She and Blake are dating now, it hasn't been long, about a year I think. Anyway they are apparently very loud and active when it comes to bedroom activities. At least other students try and keep it quiet." Summer informed her.
"Ah I see, I'm happy for the pair of them." Ruby said, taking a sip of her drink.
"You know Yang misses you right? I think she still feels a little guilty over what happened before." Summer said.
"I've forgiven her, we haven't really kept in contact with a lot of people. Only really Qrow but that's only once a month. We speak to Coco and Velvet regularly enough but it's only a few messages back and forth to see how we're getting on and if anything new had happened." Ruby informed her.
"I know that, but I don't think your sister does. Maybe make it a point to try and speak to her if you can." Summer suggested.
"I'll think about it." Was all Ruby said.
"Good enough for me. So what was it you wanted to talk about?" Summer asked, wanting to get onto the real reason now.
"I want to ask Neo to marry me." Ruby stated plainly.
"So you want my blessing? Or something else?" Summer asked calmly, which threw Ruby off.
"Huh? I thought you would be freaking out or saying we're too young." Ruby said.
"Really? Well to be honest I thought you two were already married but didn't tell anyone. And well you grew up fast Ruby, both of you did. You're both the youngest ever official huntresses in the world so I can't really use that excuse can I? Plus I'm happy for you." Summer said happily.
"Oh." Ruby replied weakly.
"I pick up on the little things dear, becoming a combat teacher highlights this even more when picking up flaws in students fighting styles." Summer said.
"How is the job?" Ruby asked, curious about her mother's job at Beacon.
"It's great. Oddly enjoyable as well, I thought it would be hard but it wasn't. It's been a few years so I've settled into a nice routine now." Summer informed her, "Anyway you have my blessing for the two of you. Have you planned anything out yet?" Summer asked.
"Um no we haven't, I uh haven't asked her yet." Ruby said weakly, blushing at being caught out.
"I see. I'm guessing you haven't gotten a ring yet, so you want my help. Correct?" Summer worked out.
"Yes, that's it. Do you mind?" Ruby asked.
"Of course not. Hmm if I remember correctly there is this really good jewellers not far from here. I got my wedding ring from there. He should still be there." Summer said, lost in thought for a minute.
Ruby listened, not wanting to interrupt her mother speak about her father, all she knew was that he died before she was born protecting a town from a Grimm attack, succeeding but he succumbed to his wounds shortly after making sure the town was safe.
"Anyway, I remember the way so if I just pay the bill then we can go if you like." Summer said.
"Ok then." Ruby pulled out some Lien leaving it on the table with a hefty tip as her mother was about to take her own money but was stopped short with a sigh.
They took the short walk through the streets of Patch town in content silence until they arrived outside a small shop named Huntress Gems that had a small window displaying a few pieces of jewellery but that was it.
Entering the store they came across an old man behind the counter looking at a gem in his hands, he looked up upon hearing the door ring to alert him to customers.
"Welcome to Huntress Gems, what can I do for you?" The man asked.
"Hello, my daughter here is looking to propose to her girlfriend and she's looking for a ring." Summer informed the man.
"Ah young love, such a lovely thing." The man said with a large smile as he turned his attention to Ruby. "Now my dear, what is her name?" He asked.
"Uh it's Neo." Ruby told him.
"Neo, is it short for Neopolitan by any chance?" The man asked.
"Yes it is, how did you know?" Ruby asked.
"I had a hunch. Now what is your name?" The man asked.
"Um my name is Ruby and this is my mother Summer." Ruby told him.
"Ah wonderful names. And I believe I have just the ring for you, I won't be but a minute." The man said before vanishing through a door to find a ring.
Ruby was silent as she thought over the conversation and how random the man seemed to be.
"He is a little weird, but he is a master at his trade and he always seems to have the perfect rings." Summer said.
"I hope so, I'm not sure how I'm even going to propose." Ruby said, slightly scared.
"Well normally you get down on one knee, give a little speech and show her the ring and ask the question." Summer teased.
Ruby laughed slightly at the response, "It sounds easy when you say it like that." Ruby replied.
Before Summer could reply the man came back to the store with a black velvet box in his hands and placed it on the glass in front of them.
"Now why don't you have a look at this?" He said, opening the box to show them. "Pick it up and have a look." He pushed.
Ruby took the ring out of the box, it had a gold band with markings inside but Ruby looked at the diamond on the top.
The diamond at first glance looked clear but when Ruby looked closer she saw that there was multiply colours, there was pink, brown and white all mixed into the gem giving it a constant swirling mixture of colours.
Turning the ring around so she could look inside she saw a small engraving of the Moirai symbol with a sideways eight and another symbol that she didn't recognise as well, so she asked what they meant. "What do the symbols engraved mean?" She asked.
"Ah well you have a tradition infinity marking to say that it is for ever, but also the symbol for the Fates and that last symbol is said to stand for the mate of Fate's chosen." The man said, a weird twinkle in his eyes.
Ruby nodded slightly, understanding the meaning easily but didn't want to speak up but she loved the ring and thought it was easily perfect. "How much?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing. Take it Miss Rose, it's the least I can do for saving everyone and all that you did." The man informed her with a wide smile.
"I can't just take it, this must have cost a lot to make." Ruby almost cried out.
"I'll let you in on a secret. I found this ring and I've been waiting for the right person, it is clearly intended for you to give to Miss Neo. So please take it." The man said.
"I can't just take it for free though, at least let me give you some money." Ruby said.
"You won't take no for an answer will you?" The man laughed, "Fine, if it will make you take it." The man said.
Ruby handed over more than enough money for what the ring was worth plus extra. As the pair were leaving the man said, "Ah Miss Summer, could I speak to you for a moment." The man called out.
Nodding Summer stayed behind while Ruby went on ahead as she walked back over to the man.
"The rings are a matching set, I found both together and I believe it is for Miss Rose." The man said, handing over another box.
Opening up the box Summer saw the same engravings as the first ring but the diamond was replaced with a dark red ruby, the colours swirling in a mixture of black and red.
"Take it, give it to her intended I'm sure she will know what to do with it." The man said to her, smiling at the woman.
"Thank you so much, for all of this." Summer said warmly before leaving to follow her daughter.
The pair parted ways with promises of more meet ups and with a promise of telling her about how it all went.
When Ruby returned home she found Neo sitting in the living room listening to the TV while she was buried in a book in her hands.
Leaning down Ruby hugged Neo and kissed her cheek, when she pulled back Neo brought her down again and kissed her on the lips.
The kiss lasted a minute before they pulled away breathless with warm smiles on their faces, "I'm going to start dinner." Ruby informed her.
"Ok." Neo replied, standing up as the pair went into the kitchen. While Ruby went about getting everything together for dinner, a simple Sheppard's pie. Neo started to ask about her day.
"So how was your mother?" Neo asked, sitting on top of the counter.
"She was good. She enjoys her new job and missed us but she understands why we needed to get away." Ruby told her.
"That's good then, get everything you wanted to today?" She asked, watching as Ruby cut some vegetables up.
"I did." Ruby said, faint traces of a smile on her lips.
"That's good then." Neo said.
"How was your day? Do much?" Ruby asked in reply.
"It was good, I finished one of the books." Neo said.
"Which one?" Ruby asked, as she put the vegetables into a pot and started peeling and cutting the potatoes.
"Playing Passion's Game. It's really good." Neo said.
"We've got the sequel as well." Ruby informed her.
"I know, I've already started reading it. It's getting really interesting." Neo said excitedly, really enjoying the book.
"Well why don't you carry on while I make dinner? It'll be about half hour to forty five minutes." Ruby informed her.
"You sure?" Neo asked.
"Yep, once everything is on I can join you." Ruby told her.
"Alright then." Neo said, leaving the kitchen to sit back down and read her book.
Ruby reached into her pocket to feel the now familiar shape of the velvet box sitting in her pocket. Running her hand over it to make sure it was there before continuing on cooking the food.
Putting on a timer once it was all on Ruby went into the living room and laid down next to Neo, bringing the smaller woman between her legs as she read over her shoulder.
The pair sat quietly reading the book with the TV on in the background showing some sort of movie that neither woman was paying attention to.
All too soon the timer started going off meaning the food was all cooked and now Ruby just needed to mix it all together and mash the potatoes.
It didn't take long for both woman to be sitting opposite each and a bowl filled with their food sitting in the middle and Ruby had even gotten a bottle of wine for the pair to drink although neither woman particularly enjoyed alcohol, but for whatever reason Ruby had brought it for a reason so she was happy to have it.
They made idle conversation while they ate, neither going into too heavy topics while they ate as they wanted to keep it simple.
As they finished eating Neo thanked Ruby for the meal and was about to start clearing away the dishes when Ruby stopped her.
"What is it?" Neo asked.
"We've been together a while, we've been through a lot in that time as well. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through all of that without you there. You're my girlfriend but more importantly my best friend as well. You've put up with me a lot over the last couple of years and have been through everything with me, the good and the bad." Ruby started to say, sharing with her all of her thoughts and feelings.
When Neo was going to interrupt Ruby just held up a hand to stop her from talking, "You've done so much for me and I feel like I haven't done that much for you, but I feel so lucky to have met you when I did and with how everything that has happened since that point, I don't regret a single moment of it." Ruby explained, slowly moving out of her chair to stand in front of Neo, taking her hands into her own.
"I don't know a lot for certain nowadays, each day is hard in its own way but it's made easy knowing you're always here to support me. When I almost attacked those people in the supermarket you were there to pull me out of the memory and bring me back. You've done it so many times for me and I wish I could pay you back. One thing I know for certain though is that I love you with all my heart and would like to be with you for the rest of my life." Ruby said, bending down onto one knee and pulled the black box from her pocket.
She opened it in front of Neo, raising the ring up to Neo as she asked, "Neo, would you do me the honour of marrying me?" Ruby asked, her voice firm and unwavering.
Neo raised a hand to her mouth, choking back a sob as she launched herself at Ruby wrapping her in a tight hug, and kissing her passionately before she pulled back to say, "Yes, a millions times yes." Neo almost shouted, kissing Ruby once more.
"What?" Ruby asked stunned.
Neo just smiled at Ruby as she said it once more. "To answer your question of if I will marry you, my answer is and will always me." Neo leaned in to kiss Ruby once more as she breathed out huskily, "Yes."
Books are Playing Passion's Game and Playing in Shadows by Lesley Davis. Great books, I highly recommend you read them.