Seeking Warmth - Part II
With the new dawn they wake;
At least three of the four.
It was Ruby who sleeps,
Though Weiss wants for more.
Golden curls tumbling,
Yang sets Red to start
For the day to begin,
As a big sister ought.
Blake brushes her hair,
Hides her faunas ears 'neath
Her pretty black bow
Like a sword in its sheath.
Not a word from the White,
Not even, "Good morn."
Though Weiss makes to busy,
She's clearly forlorn.
At last, Ruby rouses
From her fitful bout
'Tween waking and slumber,
And begins to shout;
"Weiss! Good morn—"
"I'll be going out first."
And with a snap in her step,
Weiss leaves them the worst.
Yang's eyes flare as
The door slams to a close.
"What's her problem?" she grumbles.
Little Red is morose.
But Blake is perceptive;
"Did something happen last night?"
Ruby nods the affirmative.
"Then I'll make sure she's all right."
"I'll take care of Rubes,"
Yang says as she wraps
Arms 'round her sister,
Who embraces her back.
The walk from the dorms
Is bitter yet brief.
When they arrive in the hall,
They shudder relief.
It is time to break fast,
And Blake parts her way
To make peace with the heiress
Who'd set Ruby adaze.
Yang ruffles Red's collar
And playfully jibes,
"Have any secrets to tell?"
The Red nearly cries;
Had she heard them last night?
What more is to tell?
Perhaps Yang is cunning.
Red wants now to yell.
"We can chat over food.
Spill it all, Rubes!"
And while Red's face goes florid,
She then knows there's no ruse.
Through five minutes of silence
Does Yellow wait calm.
Ruby's eyes tick the room
Like the clock of a bomb.
"What's eatin' you, sis'?"
Ruby snaps to attention,
Ponders a moment,
Then shatters convention.
"Last-night-I-tried-
-to-sleep-with-Weiss."
Yang sits as she parses,
Brain frozen as ice,
Then the shock, recognition;
"You what?!" Her eyes wide.
Then Ruby, "Not like that!"
She's desperate to hide.
"I was cold last night,
And I wanted her near."
Yang's smile, askew, knows
There's more yet to hear.
"She let me, at first.
But she was so warm!
My heart was a-racing.
Oh, Yang! She was warm!"
"Were you nervous?" Yang asks.
"Of course! And excited—"
She lapses, too embarrassed,
Now a little bit frightened.
"You like her, then?"
"I tried to hold her, but
She pushed me away.
Of course she would, but…"
"What did she say?"
"Nothing, I guess.
Just, 'Go back to bed, Ruby.'
Well, you know the rest."
Ruby pauses, uncertain.
"Are my feelings wrong?
Even though we're both girls,
In that way, can we bond?"
Yang throws her head back
And laughs a good laugh.
"Love is just love.
Who cares if you're daft?"
"Hey!" Ruby yells,
Fists balled in the air,
But Yang sets her hand,
Atop Ruby's hair.
"Love need not conform
To some gender or creed;
All hearts can be broken.
In the end, we all bleed."
It doesn't take long
For Blake to find Weiss.
She sits alone in the corner;
The corner sufficed.
"Would you allow me to join you?"
Blake asks, most polite.
"Ruby and Yang aren't with you?
I suppose that I might."
"You were unkind to Ruby
As you made your way on.
Did something happen before,
Perchance, to alarm?"
Weiss scowls.
She had made herself plain.
How can she express
Her discomfort, disdain?
"Ruby acted untoward last night.
I'd be lying to claim
That I'm not distraught."
"And what was her aim? Was it all for naught?"
"She seemed innocent enough.
Had claimed to be cold,
Requested my warmth."
"And you gave it? How bold."
Weiss turns red to her ears.
"I am not meant to be held!"
"So Ruby was bolder?"
The crimson flush is her tell.
"We've been friends long enough.
Surely I can attest to
The way you admire her,
The way your eyes caress."
"What do I do, Blake? What do I do if she…"
"If she likes you? That depends what you feel."
"I feel that Ruby actioned improper!"
"Is it fear in your eyes that's flashing like steel?"
"What?! How dare you! I—"
"I meant not to offend," Blake was quick to defuse.
"What is there to worry about?"
"My father. He'd never—there's no doubt he'd refuse."
"Since when have you cared
What your father thought?
You're at Beacon, not Atlas,
Despite their school's clout."
Weiss pauses, takes a breath.
"You're right then," she says.
"I've never much cared. But now
Ruby's smitten. My cheeks are ablaze."
"Then answer me, Weiss:
Do you desire to court her?"
Weiss averts her eyes
As emotions do stir.
She spends several long minutes
Before admitting, "I'm not sure."
"What makes you uncertain?"
"I'm afraid my feelings aren't pure.
"I'm afraid that my attraction is slight,
A rebellious phase.
I fear I'm too much like my father.
I fear her sweet, timid ways."
Blake nods, still reposed.
"A wise woman once told me
In no uncertain terms
Not to fear what sets free;
"Love need not conform
To some gender or creed;
All hearts can be broken.
In the end, we all bleed."
"And how will I know?
What sets my heart free?"
"Try one thing tonight:
Don't let Ruby freeze."