Okay so I forgot to mention this last chapter, but this exceeded 100 followers in chapter 8. that puts it in my top 3 stories. Just behind the 'sound of silence' series which again, it means so much to me that you guys clearly like this story. Props to you all. Time for some Yang and Ruby time.
The Wolf: I know it was a no win situation but I feel I did the best I could to get out of that.
Chapter 10:
Ruby didn't want to leave Yang's embrace. She felt nothing but warmth and joy from it. It was the single most soothing thing from her past, one that she was more than overjoyed with staying in. But she could feel the glares from the other people. One that she was uncomfortable with.
"Mel, tell your dad that I had to go if he asks. If he continue to asks tell him woman problems." Ruby stated as she pulled Yang up, not caring about a response. She had learned from past experiences it was a lot easier to ask forgiveness when it comes to Junior then permission. "Oh and tell Neo to grab my shit when she leaves." was all Ruby got out before she left, shouting so she could be heard.
As they left through the front doors she noticed the distinct limp Yang had. She felt the feeling of guilt well up within her. She just hoped that she wasn't the cause, but knew she most likely was. She knew of the shit Yang put up with so she could have a house to live in.
"Rubes! Where are we going? I promised the redhead that was there, that I would wait for her to come back!" Yang shouted, not out of malice. She was curious as to where her sister was bringing her, why she was even in a strip club wearing what seemed to be little clothing. But more importantly she didn't want to break a promise.
She had broken the one with Ruby where she would go to the fort to get her. Not that it was up to her, but she still felt guilty. When she actually managed to get there. The fort was empty bar for the one reaming bag that they kept to just run. She knew then and there, Ruby left.
She never blamed Ruby. She could only get out there a week after their father stabbed her in the side. Miraculously avoiding all the vital areas. The broken arm and bruised ribs however where a nuisance. After that her hunt for Ruby started, and her desire to never break a promise.
"My place. And Pyrrha well understand." Ruby spoke softly. Once they were a distance away from the club, she put her hand into Yang's. Enjoying the feeling of security that she could never get from anyone else. She didn't care about her choice of clothing she had when she walked out. She had her big sister with her. That was all that mattered. Not the chill in the air. Not the fact she was still in rather tall heels.
"Rubes... why were you in a strip club? And why do you know the staff? Please tell me you're just an alcoholic?" Yang asked. She hopped that Ruby had just turned into some alcoholic like the beast they called 'father', or that they were just close friends and Ruby was visiting them waiting for them to get off.
"Why does it matter? And I don't want some bullshit about degradation." Ruby defended her stance as they walked into the small complex that contained Ruby's apartment. It wasn't that she was going to lie to Yang. She could never do that. But she didn't want her to be judgemental, or worse for her to believe the stereotypes.
"Look Yang, I'll explain it all once we actually get inside my place. I just don't want you to start talking about it out here because some of my neighbours are already slightly judgemental because I'm a lesbian." Ruby stated as they began to climb the stairs after a few tense moments of Yang opening and closing her mouth trying to come up with something to say.
"You know that was technically you coming out to me right?" Yang asked as she snickered as Ruby walked up to a door as she dived her hands into her one pocket on her hoodie to fish out her keys.
"Yang, you know as well as I do. Our exposure to men in early life was as good as a nuke. I'm friends with a lot now, and have even gone drinking with some, but they never stay at my place and none of them are violent towards anyone." Ruby continued as she unlocked the door and gestured the blonde inside.
Yang took a step inside letting out a whistle. She had always been curious how well Ruby was living. And if the apartment was anything to go by, she was impressed. It was large, and from the large window she could assume the rest of the house was rather spacious. And the only downside from what Ruby told her was the judgemental neighbours.
"Take a seat. I should probably put on some actual clothes and not this oversized hoodie and heels." Ruby stated as she walked quickly into her room to get changed.
Yang walked over and took a seat on the couch. She took a long look around the room noticing a few things. Firstly was the large collection of books. Second was the lack of pictures. She couldn't even see the one Neo claimed Ruby never lost. And in fact was what caused her to start looking for Yang. Finally, was the lack of anything that could show anyone really lived there. It just looked like it was a stock photo for some real estate company.
"Yang, you want a drink? I have booze, water, coffee, tea... and I think since Neo started living here soda." Ruby asked stepping just outside the kitchen so she could talk to Yang. "I swear Neo is like an adorable child sometimes." Ruby muttered as Yang began to look over.
"Whiskey if you have it."
"Lucky for you I bought some recently." Ruby spoke as she walked into the room holding a large green bottle and two glasses. Ruby handed Yang a glass and filled Yang's glass and her own about half way.
Neither knew exactly how to continue the conversation. The tension between the two could easily be cut with a knife. They both just sat silently taking a drink from their glass. Each not sure how they could possibly continue their conversation.
"So... why were you at a strip club?" Yang finally asked. She was curious as to why, but could only ask with the precious Dutch courage that she practically needed to get through the night with. She didn't want to know, but she needed to know. She needed to know if Ruby would degrade herself for a paycheck.
"I work there. And I'm damn good too. And I don't want to hear the whole shtick about degrading my body. If anything you should feel bad for the men and women who give me most of their hard earned money." Ruby defended her stance as she downed what was left in her glass and quickly refilled it.
"But what about all the stripper related crimes like drug use... or all the murders involving it, I just don't want to hear about you dying or anything. I just got you back in my life." Yang spoke softly. Just eyeing the glass, with the amber coloured liquid. Suddenly the soothing liquid was no longer soothing. But immensely painful. She didn't want to risk Ruby getting killed. She had already been down that path of 'what if's before and she was just barely able to pull out of that spiral.
"One, if I get caught with drugs in my system I'll get the cops called and I'll be out of a job. And two statistically I'm no more likely to get killed doing this than I am doing anything else. So please let's just change the subject." Ruby began taking a large gulp.
"Are... you still living... with... him?" Ruby's question was laced with such unmistakable venom. Not that either could blame her. 'I guess he is still causing damage to her...' Yang thought bitterly.
"No. After the... incident... I moved in with Qrow for a bit... then me and Velvet moved in together. Then when she got engaged a few months ago I moved back in with Qrow until Neo called me a few days ago." Yang stated, trying to avoid her great failing.
"Vel and Dove got married?"
"No. Velvet and Coco. Supposedly the whole her going out with Dove was just a ploy so she wouldn't be bullied and you know Dove." Yang began as she finished her glass placing it on the table in front of her. "Apparently that is why Coco never seemed to be available. She had been dating Velvet the entire time, Velvet was 'dating' Dove."
"So... Dove was being a fake boyfriend for eight years? Props to him. I could never do that. What about you? Is there anyone special in your life?" Ruby wanted to know if her mistake stopped her sister from moving on.
"No. Just haven't met anyone really worth the commitment. What about you?"
"Nope. Granted I do feel something for someone but with my track record she probably won't give me a second look." Ruby sulked as she downed the glass again and refilled it.
"Is it any of the girls at the strip club? Because isn't it like the unspoken rule not to crap where you eat?"
"Yes she is, yes there is a rule like that, and with the exception of any men there, she is the only one I haven't slept with." Ruby took a long drink to attempt to hide the blush that had crept up on her face. Trying to figure out what was wrong with her. She went from never blushing to twice in an hour.
She knew it wasn't embarrassment. She had talked about sex with a lot of people and even confided in Blake how she had been feeling around Neo. Who she narrowed it down to that had been causing her to feel the emotions.
"Well tell me about her. I missed this long of your life. And I want to make up for lost time." Yang spoke moving the bottle away from her sister. She didn't want her sister to get drunk, for the simple fact she did not want to run the risk that Ruby was like their father and a violent person when drunk.
"Well... it kinda is Ne-"
Neo sneezed into the crook of her elbow as she sat at the bar. "So Neo who is Yang to Ruby? Is she an ex Ruby left at the alter?" Mel asked as she filled up the final glass. The entire staff had been curious as to who this blonde woman was to cause such a reaction.
"I promised Ruby I wouldn't tell you guys. And it's like I may have already screwed up any chances I've had with her. I don't want to screw all possible chances by breaking that promise." Neo defended her stance to keep her promise to Ruby.
"I'm siding with Mel. That chick was a definite ex. Which would also explain why the second Ruby looked at her she bolted." Neptune stated taking a drink. Only staying back so he could get something interesting on Ruby.
"Oh yeah. Did you not see Ruby resisting touching her until the blonde turned around? Then that hug they shared, and how fast the two bolted out after they shared a few short, almost silent words with each other? I'd be willing to bet a night's salary on it" Emerald stated joining in with the others. Knowing how Ruby generally dealt with emotions. She could believe that pressure
would finally get to Ruby if she ever was engaged.
"I'd take that action. Neo, take this all down. Seeing as you know the answer already." Jaune finally spoke taking a small sip of the water Mel had given him.
"Can't you guys just do something like a slap bet? It took a while to work off Emerald's ill gotten gains last time. I don't think my liver can handle all that."
"Blake has a point. Plus this way it isn't illegal gambling. Seriously with the amount of money that will be changing hands, it is worth a sizeable jail sentence." Pyrrha spoke being the voice of reason she didn't want any of her friends to do jail time.
"Five slaps to whoever wins?" Milt asked rhetorically knowing that all who wanted to take part in the bet would agree once money was removed from the equation. It had already happened before and all of them have since learned to fear the raven haired woman named Blake.
Neo could hear a chorus of 'agreed' as she was handed a sheet of paper and a pen. "Why don't I get a say in this?" was all she got out as they practically forced her hand to start writing down the various things they assumed Yang was.
The only thought Neo had as she looked at the final product was 'None of them are right! What do I do now?'
Author's Note:
Okay, done the Chapter. Two days total and in that entire time it is now tied for second place for my most popular story. You all are great people. I hope you all know that.