Chapter 11
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Weiss counted every heartbeat as it thudded in her chest like a hammer. Ruby's lips were like silk against hers, and this feeling was one she definitely didn't want to end. This feeling was like heaven. Although, it was now joined by a new feeling. One she definitely didn't like. She couldn't quite place it, but it felt like her lungs were burning.
Oh shit I forgot to breathe
Weiss broke the kiss, gasping for air. Looking up at Ruby, she could see the silvery-eyed girl giggling at her, biting her bottom lip in a sensual way.
Okay, that's not fair. You aren't supposed to be that sexy
The two panting girls sat next to each other on the red velour bench seat, unable to do anything more than smile stupidly at the other person. Weiss so desperately wanted to kiss Ruby again. It was probably the best feeling she had had all day. Or all week. Perhaps even all year.
A sudden wave of realization had overcome her. They had parked up at a fuel pump, sat there a moment, had an argument, then made out. Technically they were in everyone's way.
"Uh, Ruby, shouldn't we..." Weiss pointed to the pump, and watched as Ruby's eyes shot open.
"Shit, right!" came the reply as her companion dived for the door handle.
"Ruby, I got it this time. You paid the last two times. It's only fair."
Ruby gave her a pained look "Are you sure? It's my car, after all, and it does use a lot of fuel."
"Ruby, it's fine. Besides, you did just pay me" Weiss winked at her before climbing out of the lifted vehicle and into the freezing air. Struggling with the old-fashioned chrome fuel cap for a moment, she put the nozzle in and selected "regular" grade fuel. The old VHI engine probably could have run on whatever was flammable, Weiss figured, the lower compression ratio favouring low-quality fuels.
How do I know that?
Weiss waved away the internal question, preferring to focus on the frigid temperature and trying not to let her hand freeze to the metal pump handle. She watched as Ruby walked into the little store attached to the gas station, probably off to buy snacks. Perhaps she should treat the girl to dinner out.
Perhaps I should treat her to eating out
Weiss was suddenly so red she blended into the crimson paintwork of Ruby's truck. Her inner pervert was on fire today, and taking its anger out on the poor girl. Her body was furious at her for making it stand out in the harsh Atlesian temperature, and this was clearly her punishment.
The enormous fuel tank continued to drink slowly, as the cold wind whipped snow against the shivering girl. The snowstorm was a result of global warming, so the morning news report had said. Weiss frowned. A group of activists had recently come to the SDC headquarters to protest about how her company was polluting and ruining the environment, even though Weiss had already approved plans for her company to construct another wind farm, one that would completely take her Dust production facilities off the grid and use only sustainable power. Her father had insisted that global warming was a myth, created as a scare tactic to unsettle the public, and that old fashioned coal power was perfectly fine.
But clearly global warming was a thing, and damn it, Ruby's gas-guzzling truck was the number one cause! How can so much fuel be used so quickly?
Weiss did a quick bit of math in her head. If they had been travelling at about one hundred kilometers per hour for four and a half hours and used... The pump clicked off... seventy one litres of fuel, that would mean they were averaging...
Weiss nearly choked on this number. Fifteen miles per gallon. Her own car, with it's twin turbo V8 could push twenty-seven if she was light on the throttle. She looked with horror at the large red beast she had been feeding. Fifteen?
Ruby had come bounding back, a plastic bag full of what she hoped was something not sugar filled in her hand, a large smile upon her face. She likely had only bought things that were sugar filled. Dolt.
But damn it, I want to kiss that dolt
The two girls climbed back into the large machine, With Ruby reclaiming her position as driver for the next four-ish hour stint until they reached the first of three hotels. Ruby turned the small steel ignition key.
The big motor sputtered, but failed to start. Weiss watched as her friend's shoulders slumped in a dejected manner, clearly used to this disobedience by the old truck.
"Battery dead?" she asked, hoping to provide some help to their situation.
Ruby looked over at her and sighed. "No, it's just the cold. Carburetors are not exactly best friends with these sub-zero temperatures. We'll give it a minute, it will fire."
Ruby waited a few moments, pumping the accelerator with her foot. She turned the key again and the engine sputtered for a second, the starter motor screaming in the way that old VHI starters did. When the old engine finally lit, it shook the ground as all three-hundred-and-ninety horsepower charged into life. The whole truck vibrated under the force of the muscle, and Weiss couldn't help herself shiver a little with delight at the guttural noise it made.
That's odd. Why do I like this?
Ruby put the truck back into gear and drove them back onto the highway and back on their way. They had been on the road for nearly ten hours now, and Weiss decided it was a good time for a nap. Curling up against the passenger window with Ruby's scarf as a pillow, she shut her eyes and tried to sleep.
But it was not very long lasted.
"Weiss?" came a harsh whisper.
Just ignore it
"Weiss, are you awake?"
Just pretend. She'll let you sleep
Ruby poked her in the boob.
OY
Weiss fought the urge to wake up and hit her friend. Ruby poked her in the boob again.
Stop it!
Weiss opened one eye but didn't turn to look at her driver. Through her bangs she watched as Ruby made another attempt to put hands on her breasts, but she interrupted the girl before she had a chance.
"Ruby, I swear to the gods if you touch my boob again I will rip your hand off and use your fingerprints to commit crimes."
She kept her tone flat, but amused. She did actually want the boob-touching, just not while she was trying to sleep.
"Oh, good, you're awake!" came the smiling reply.
Much to my annoyance.
"What do you want, Ruby" Weiss asked, trying to seem more upset than she really was. It was endearing that Ruby wanted her company. And a little sweet.
"I want to talk about cars!"
Of course you do
"I don't know what you think I'll be able to say, I'm not as well versed as you in such matters."
She responded as honestly as she could, sitting back up in her seat. The heater blew hot air on to her face, and she was for once glad that the truck featured such a large engine. And that clever grill-mechanism that could block the radiator and promote heat.
How do I even know about that? What's come over me?
"Nah, it's nothing technical, just I wanted to know what your first car was!" her companion asked, smiling brightly.
Weiss paused a second, blinking.
"Oh. Of course! I had a midnight black VHI Arrow Sedan, the turbocharged one. I bought it brand new with my first paycheck." Weiss said, proudly.
It had actually been a great car, with a turbo that spooled so hard it was like getting hit with a sledge hammer, a really slick manual transmission, and really plush bucket seats. Despite the fact it was made by VHI. Everybody knows that the best cars come from Atlas.
"You had a brand new Arrow? As your first car?"
Ruby's reply sounded almost dissapointed.
"Well of course! I couldn't be seen driving some clapped-out Vacuan sedan to work when I was to become the CEO of a multi-national company, you know."
Weiss sat up with her back straight, as she would if she was at her desk at work, and gave Ruby a sly smile.
"Why, what was your first car?"
The look Ruby gave her made it clear this was a stupid question.
"I took you to prom in my first car, you moron, don't you remember? Fourth year? Two weeks before the tournament? The little red sedan?"
Now she remembered. Well, she remembered the prom at least. That wonderful night where she got to dance with her Ruby. And also Neptune ruining her shoes. But Ruby had in fact driven her there, in a little red sedan with a faded beige interior. She couldn't picture the brand.
"What kind of car was that, again? I honestly can't remember, Rubes, I'm sorry" she said, sheepishly.
Weiss watched as Ruby's incredulous 'you're an idiot' look changed to one of wonder as she reflected on her old car.
"A Hunter RRS sedan. Brilliant little car."
Hunter? You mean from Vacuo? Who buys a Vacuan car?
"Man I miss that little motor. So peppy. So eager to go!"
Ruby, apparently
"You want to know why I bought it?"
She did actually.
"Sure, I guess."
"Well. A little before first year, dad took us to Mistral for a teacher's conference at Haven Academy. We drove there, in this truck, I sat in back and Yang hogged the front seat, like a bitch!"
Ruby smacked the steering wheel.
"Anyway, so after one particularly long seminar about something, I dunno, I forget, he drove us up to this mountain road that led to some expensive resort, where these local kids were racing cars!"
My, she's quite excited by this. It's so adorable!
"There was this one chick, who drove this sparkling white Terminal GT-S, and she must have only been like two years older than me at the most, who was wiping everybody off the mountain with her mad skills, it was like she was untouchable! Then these bullies showed up in these three muscle cars and challenged her to a race!"
Ruby was getting really into her own story now, and Weiss could only sit and watch. Not that she minded, of course. Ruby was so beautiful when she was passionate about something.
"Yeah, they called her the 'Black Queen', and she decided to borrow her friend's car so as to make the defeat even more humiliating! Guess what kind of car it was, Weiss! Guess!"
She needn't have guessed
"A Hunter RRS?"
"Damn right it was an RRS! Brilliant green, too! The way it sounded coming down the road, it was like a superbike! I promise I will remember how it left the starting line like it was yesterday. It moved in no way a front-wheel-drive car could. I knew I had to have one, no matter the cost."
"So you bought that red one."
Ruby slumped a little at this.
"Yeah, it was pretty good. It was only the four-cylinder. Plus it wasn't a coupe."
"But you got to have your dream car, if only for a little while. You should be proud."
This got the colour back in her companion's cheeks.
"Yeah, I guess, eh? Plus, that driver got to be my first girl-crush. She was so pretty. Her hair was this messy yet sexy black pond that framed her face so well. Damn, what I wouldn't give to have actually spoken to her."
Weiss laughed. Good to know she was always interested in women, if only a little at first.
The two girls kept poking and laughing at each other for the next few hours as Ruby drove them through the heavy snow. If there was anyone she wanted to be stuck in a car with, Weiss knew it had to be Ruby. Although, now that she thought about it, would she have to sleep in the car?
"Ruby..."
"Yes, Weiss-Cream?"
"Where are we sleeping tonight?"
Ruby looked away.
"Uh, nowhere fancy..."
There was a hint of something hidden in her voice. She hit the turn signal switch and pulled them off at the next exit. The little town they had pulled in to seemed vaguely familiar to Weiss but she couldn't quite place it. This seemed like a resort town.
Wait a minute
"Ruby...Where are we staying?"
"Uh..."
She didn't say anything more as she slowed the big truck down to pull into a driveway, the building at the end of it imposing and beautiful all at the same time. It was the Chateau Mont St. Horlage, one Weiss had visited once on a business trip. This place was expensive.
Really expensive.
"Ruby! Why here? How can you afford this?!"
Weiss's mind was a flurry of jealousy, concern, and excitement. It was The Chateau Horlage, after all.
"Well, I knew about this trip for a while now, and I knew we'd need somewhere nice to sleep. So I booked us one night here. It wasn't overly expensive, and I've been saving up specifically for this trip."
Weiss looked at Ruby with surprise. Ruby had done something this nice for her? Out of the blue?
She must want in your pants
Weiss's cheeks reddened at the images presented in her head, ones she certainly didn't object too. Ruby pulled the truck around to the copiously gold-painted front door, and the two of them stepped out. Despite still technically outside, the large covered portico was heated so the two girls weren't chilled as they pulled their bags out of the truck. Ruby handed her keys to the valet, who gave them a smile underlined with disgust that Weiss could see was directed to the dirty, snow-covered old truck they had rolled up in.
What a barbarian, it's a classic! she thought to herself as they walked into the building, nearly blinded by the large amount of polished gold trim every single surface seemed to sport. They approached the desk, and a man with a very west-Mistralian accent handed Ruby her room keys and explained how her kew would also get them into the resort's spa and gym facilities. They thanked the man for his assistance, and he wished them a 'Bonne nuit', whatever that meant, before finding there room.
It was huge. It had one large bed in the centre of the room (for activities! her mind shouted, before being silenced), a writing desk off to one side, two large glass doors that led out to the balcony, which was itself the size of most hotel rooms. Weiss had removed her boots and could now feel the soft, supple velour carpet under her feet. It was like treading on a field of expensive stuffed animals.
"Uh, sorry about the one bed thing. If you want, I can sleep on the floor."
Weiss whipped her head around, offended.
"Ruby! You'll be doing nothing of the sort! The floor will mess up your back, more so than your bad posture!"
Ruby winced at this comment, trying to stand up a little straighter and scratching her head.
"Besides, I don't mind sharing. Remember second year?"
The incident she was referring to was the time during first semester in second year at Beacon when Ruby's dog Zwei (who wasn't supposed to be there, but since Yang was the RA, it had been allowed) had climbed into her bunk and vacated his bowels, soaking even the mattress. The maintenance crew had taken nearly three weeks to replace it, and in that time Weiss had opened up her bed and the two of them had shared. Yang and Blake had teased them for the next two years every time Zwei had climbed onto Ruby's bed after that.
Ruby smiled, a hint of excitement fairly poorly hidden on her face as she excused herself to change into her pyjamas.
I wouldn't have minded watching
Weiss cursed herself for this comment as she changed into the thick, soft plaid flannel pyjamas she had brought herself. She used to wear that god-awful sleeping dress at school, but one night in a set borrowed from Blake (Zwei, again) had changed her pyjama opinion forever.
The two girls, now clad in their sleepwear, cuddled up on the bed and flicked on the rather obscene seventy-inch television and half-watched a show for a bit.
Weiss was nearly asleep at this point. She had been awake since three-thirty in the morning and all of the day's excitement had finally caught up to her. She shut off the light next to her bed, and rolled over to try and sleep, her lidded eyes fighting very hard to screw themselves shut.
But Ruby couldn't sleep.
Chapter 12
"Weiss?" Ruby asked of her pale companion. Weiss rolled over in their shared bed, clearly on the brink of falling asleep, an annoyed look crossed her face. But that much was usual, Ruby thought.
"I, uh...have something to admit."
Weiss perched herself up on her hands, concerned by her friend's tone.
"I'm listening." Weiss's words were like soft cream on fresh pancakes. Comforting.
"Remember how I said I dated Jaune?"
Weiss frowned.
"I also remember you saying you never wanted us to talk about it. In fact, you shouted it at me when I tried to comfort you."
There was a burning sensation in Ruby's chest, one that became prevalent every time his name was mentioned. Ruby was used to burning sensations, mostly after eating too much too quickly, but this was different. Like a flaming knife.
"Well, we didn't exactly have a relationship..."
There was a pause, one Ruby hadn't intended, but the burning sensation had closed off her lungs.
"...as two normal people would."
Weiss had sat fully upright, on her knees in front of her travelling companion. Her baby-blue eyes fixed themselves on Ruby's silver ones with steely determination.
"Ruby..."
"I don't think I was ever in a relationship with him..."
Ruby's voice trailed off, as the tears had come. The burning sensation was like pure lava within her chest now, and her body had begun to shake. Weiss reached a tentative hand out, but didn't touch. Ruby so wished she had.
"Ruby..."
Weiss's tone had increased in concern.
I can't
"...But he was in a relationship with my...body..."
Silence.
The tears had come full force now, running down her face like a broken water main. Ruby made no noise.
I'm broken
"Ruby..."
The burning sensation subsided slightly, replaced by one of warmth. There were arms around her neck and soft, silvery-white hair against her cheek. Weiss had wrapped the defeated girl in one of her famous hugs, reserved usually for loved ones.
Thing is, in there eight years of friendship, Ruby had become her loved one.
"I'm sorry" came the soft, sweet sound of Weiss's voice.
I'm worthless
"But I..."
Ruby blubbered, muted by her friend's thick flannel pyjama shirt. Weiss hugged tighter.
"Don't speak."
The cuddler said, as her hand began brushing Ruby's hair.
Nobody will ever love me
Ruby's inner monologue had not stopped torturing her since she had left Beacon. But today, it had began destroying her again. The boy she had once crushed on had instead crushed her. She had spent years trying to forget. But you don't really ever forget. The blond boy had not so much asked for a relationship, but taken one. Nobody knew about it because she was ashamed.
I'm pathetic
"I..."
She tried to force it out, but the burning sensation had returned, and her throat was now like an arid Menagerian dessert. Weiss put her face in front of hers, an expression of guilt, acceptance, and worry lay across it.
"Ruby. We don't have to talk about it."
Weiss's hand reached Ruby's face, gently wiping away some of the river on her cheeks.
"I promise I still love you"
Love?
Weiss's words changed her. The burning sensation was still there, but it had been struck down by one that felt the way that chocolate tasted. This new sensation overwhelmed her, and her broken psyche began the first infantile steps of repair.
Perhaps love was something that she needed. Real love. Eight years she had cried herself to sleep, hugging stuffed animals, taking various anxiety medications. Nothing had ever worked. Eight years of pain. Ruby's good acting skills had kept any suspicions at bay, but she couldn't act forever. Her world had started falling apart. But now there was Weiss. A plaid-pyjama'd light at the end of the tunnel.
Love.
"But he-"
A finger to her lips silenced her.
"Nope. No more. Only Weiss"
Weiss turned the finger on herself. The amusing sight brought a small giggle to the crying girl's lips.
"Weiss?"
The alabaster-skinned girl looked at her with a glare that clearly defined the new no-go subject.
"I love you too..."
Ruby looked away, her heart desperate to say the next three words, but her body refusing to comply. Weiss looked at her, concerned that something was wrong. Her mouth opened to say something, but Ruby cut her off, the courage to speak first finally breaking from its prison.
"...Please kiss me?"
Weiss smiled at her friend.
"You need never ask again"
Their lips came together. All of the pain washed away, replaced by only by that of sweet and perfect pleasure, as her feelings danced through her head.
Weiss is kissing me!
Holy shit, Weiss is kissing me.
Holy shit, Weiss is good at kissing.
Like, really good.
Wait, what's she doing with her tong- oh my
Blake never did this
Truth was, Blake had only ever kissed her the once, on a dare during a party game in the Team SSSN dorm Weiss and Yang hadn't been invited to. Conveniently. The kiss, which had started innocently enough had evolved into something a little more...primal.
Hey Ruby! Her mind called out to her. She tried to shoo it away and focus.
'Their tongues battled for dominance', am I right?
Ruby couldn't help but giggle a little, causing her to break the otherwise overwhelmingly passionate encounter. She was panting.
Holy cow, I'm a pervert
Ruby caught the gaze of Weiss, who was smiling and biting her bottom lip, a look of lust in her well-dilated eyes.
Yeah, but I'm her pervert.
