Chapter 11-
"I shouldn't really say any of this, but please excuse a meddling mother." Summer requested before she carried on speaking. "There are a few signs that we exhibit when we discover our Mate. Some of them are more obvious." Summer explained.
"What are they?" Neo asked becoming even more interested to see what the signs were but at the same time curious as to why Summer was telling her, a little part of her mind hoping it was for the reason for thinking it.
"A sort of obsessiveness in wanting to find out more, yearning to be with them and struggling to be out of their presence. We also suffer rather badly if we're away from them for long periods of times." Summer explained briefly.
"Suffer how?" Neo asked.
"Can't sleep, struggles in concentrating, lack of motivation and a whole host of things that affect them physically and mentally. But in a strange way if they simply see them or interact with them again it's like a drug and holds off the affects a little longer." Summer responded back.
"Oh." Neo said softly as she thought more about this.
"But regardless of who they are or what they are doing and no matter how long we must wait, we will do anything for them." Summer said sincerely.
Standing up and stretching her long limbs Summer said, "Well I better go back to bed. Try and catch a couple hours and go back to Mizu. As I said before, it's a pleasure meeting you Neo and a pleasure to talk. Goodnight." Summer said as she excused herself.
"Goodnight." Neo replied softly as she attempted to understand everything that had been told to her.
Neo sat there for a while longer as her mind debated everything that had happened as she attempted to come up with reasons why exactly Summer had told her all that. Though some burning questions were at the forefront of her mind but unable to answer those questions.
She guessed they wouldn't mind so quietly returned to her shared room and grabbed her scroll though as an afterthought she grabbed a large jacket which belonged to Ruby but knew she wouldn't mind.
Wrapping the large coat around her Neo moved outside and sat down on a chair looking across the garden and lake.
Opening her scroll, she looked at her scroll open on a certain page as she debated on what she wanted to do. Finally working up the courage to call the person that had been on her screen for the last five minutes she waited for an answer.
"Neo? Why are you calling so late?" Blake's sleepy voice answered back, not annoyed but simply curious about the two am wake up from Neo.
"Sorry, I just…I need to know something." Neo replied.
"Couldn't it wait until morning?" Blake asked, sitting up on the screen and Neo could see Winter in the background in the bed.
"Um…not really." Neo replied. "Do you remember when you first saw me?" Neo asked.
"Of course, why?" Blake asked as she became more awake.
"Do you remember what Ruby was like? Was she behaving weirdly or something?" Neo asked.
"Um…I can't really remember she uh, I know she went to Ozpin immediately after we came back. Even avoiding Ironwood to do so, then I uh…I know she was reading a lot at that time but not much else." Blake explained.
"What about when you next saw me? What was Ruby like then?" Neo asked quickly.
"Um…well she didn't see you much and we had other things on our mind. Though I think I saw a little hesitation when Yang said she was telling us to carry on but I think that was simply worry for her sister." Blake explained.
"Is there anything else you remember about Ruby, being weird or strange over the years?" Neo carried on, trying to find out more.
"Is there a reason for all these sudden questions?" Blake asked curiously, she had some inkling as to why Neo was asking all of this but she wasn't completely sure.
"I just…I want to know." Neo replied simply.
"She didn't sleep as much, apparently not tired and studying but I didn't believe her. She would leave the room in the middle of the night for walks, I followed her one time and she simply sat in the gardens. And well, during the tournament she calmed a little but afterwards it picked right back up and well, that's all I can remember." Blake explained, "Could I go back to sleep now?" She asked irritably.
"Yeah, I'm sorry for waking you up." Neo replied as the two hung up but Neo simply continued to sit there thinking to herself over what she had been told that night.
Neo sat out there until the sun started to peak over the horizon which was when she finally decided to go back to bed with the other two.
Eventually when she crawled back into the bed she settled against Ruby's back, holding her tightly as she buried her face into her hair, inhaling its scent.
Immediately upon being in Ruby's arms she felt safe and comfortable against Ruby and she quietly fell asleep next to the woman.
A few hours later they were awake and heading their separate ways in the morning but promised to return to see them soon.
Once they returned home, something Neo couldn't completely believe she would start thinking. They settled for the rest of the day before preparing for the following day.
Mia would be returning to school and Ruby to work while Neo would work in the little side office next door. At least for the moment as she was only a little over a month pregnant so could still work. Although she was worried because she wasn't showing much but Ruby reassured her that it was fine.
For the next month life was rather normal for them all. Neo hadn't brought up anything regarding what she had learnt while at Ruby's parents' house. But it carried on in her mind until she could work up the courage to speak to Ruby about it.
Eventually though, keeping it all together while your hormones are all over the place and your thoughts are just as random doesn't help and it all comes to a tipping point.
It was a simple morning where Neo was vomiting rather badly and like every morning Ruby was there holding her hair back and rubbing her back while whispering soothing words.
"It's alright sweetie, don't worry." Ruby whispered calmly as she rubbed her back.
As Neo finished vomiting the last part of what was in her stomach she put her head near the bowl and had tears running down her face.
"What's wrong? It's alright." Ruby said soothingly.
"Why?" Neo cried out, finally leaning against Ruby as she felt that she had finally finished vomiting.
"Why what?" Ruby asked in confusion as she didn't know what Neo had meant.
"Why are you like this with me? So, accepting and helpful. I haven't done anything for you yet you've done all of this for me. Taken me in and cared for me, yet I've not given you anything back." Neo cried out into Ruby's shoulder.
"It's fine. Don't worry about all of that, I'm happy to help you." Ruby answered as she tried to get Neo to relax.
"But I'm such a burden to you. Just look at everything that's changed since I've arrived. And you're just taking it in your stride, why?" Neo begged.
"It's…it's complicated. Would you like something to drink or to eat?" Ruby asked, overtly changing the topic.
"You're deflecting." Neo stated, smiling a little as she looked up to Ruby's face.
"And you're hungry. Come on, I know you don't want to eat but just have a little toast you'll feel better." Ruby said calmly.
"Fine. But you will answer me." Neo promised as she wrapped her arms around Ruby's neck.
"Want me to carry you?" Ruby asked gently and upon Neo's nod she easily picked Neo up and carried her down the stairs.
As Ruby entered the kitchen she attempted to put Neo onto the couch so she could make her some food but found that she didn't want to let go so with some careful movements she could have Neo on her back, arms and legs wrapped around Ruby's body.
"I'll admit; I've never made breakfast like this before." Ruby commented lightly as she put some toast on and went to the fridge.
Mia had already left for school while Neo was throwing up, having said goodbye to the two of them before leaving as the school wasn't too far away.
Neo didn't say a word in response to Ruby's comment as she just hugged Ruby tighter and rested her head against the woman's shoulder.
Even though the thin materials of their sleepwear left nothing to be imagined it was clear that neither really noticed or if they did they simply didn't mention it.
After getting the food together Ruby carried the food and drinks over to the couch where she sat down and Neo easily moved around once more to sit on Ruby's lap.
"Enjoying yourself?" Ruby asked in amusement, thoroughly enjoying the situation with Neo being so close and clinging to her.
"Yep." Neo said bluntly as she started to slowly eat the toast.
"Well then, can't argue with that." Ruby replied.
It was a lazy day for them today as Ruby had taken the day off while Neo had finished all the work she had needed to for the week so they took it as a relaxing day.
They weren't in a rush that morning which was why Ruby was happy to entertain a clearly excited and playful Neo.
"So, anything you'd like to do today?" Ruby asked in curiosity.
"Not really, just relax and have a day to ourselves." Neo replied.
"I'm happy with that." Ruby replied, leaning back in the couch while drinking her coffee.
After a while once Neo had finished eating and they were both ready they stood up to go shower, finally separating from each other's embrace.
"Come on, let's go shower. Be alright on your own?" Ruby asked kindly.
"Could you wash my hair?" Neo asked shyly, it wasn't something she liked to tell people but she enjoyed it when people would wash her hair for her.
"Of course, why not make it a bath then? You could truly relax." Ruby suggested.
"That sounds perfect." Neo replied.
Ruby smiled once more as she went into the bathroom to start the bath while putting some oils into it to help relax Neo.
Ruby's bathroom was rather large with a shower separate to the bath tub, which she could get all around and easily fit two people in side by side.
As the bath got to a good level and temperature she went to tell Neo that it was ready for her whenever she wanted to get in.
"It's ready for you." Ruby said, and helped Neo to undress and climb into the bath.
Once Neo was in the bath Ruby spoke up, "I'll let you soak for a bit and I'll be back shortly." Ruby said, leaving the bathroom to get some food herself and to just make a call to Chloe to see how it was going.
After around ten minutes Ruby returned to the bathroom and discovered Neo curled up with her knees up to her chest and Ruby could see her shaking slightly.
"It's alright sweetie, I'm here. It's alright and you're safe." Ruby said quickly, moving quickly over to Neo and embraced her.
Slowly Neo calmed down once she was in Ruby's embrace and could stretch out a little more as she relaxed.
"I'm sorry." Neo said softly, looking down into the water as she couldn't bear to look up at Ruby.
"It's fine sweetie, you have nothing to worry about." Ruby said soothingly. Rubbing Neo's back gently.
Neo looked at her covered body, the bubbles doing a good job of covering up her body underneath the water.
"I thought…I thought Roman was here…I was alone and…and…" Neo trailed off, her voice was shaking and couldn't finish it off.
"You felt vulnerable." Ruby finished off softly, tightening her hold on Neo a little more to comfort her. "You're safe here. Trust me sweetie that you're safe here and I won't let him touch you ever again. I swear this to you." Ruby said strongly.
After a few minutes, Neo seemed to fully relax, or as much as she possibly could that was. "Could you wash my hair?" Neo asked quietly.
"Of course, would you like to move forward a little?" Ruby asked kindly and Neo moved to sit in the middle of the bath.
"Right, I'm going to move your head back just under the water, alright?" Ruby said quietly as she talked Neo through what she was doing to relax her.
Gently moving Neo's head back, she moved it so she was under the water briefly before moving her back up. "Just tilt your head back a little." Ruby said.
She poured some shampoo into Neo's hair and started to softly and gently rub it into Neo's hair and scalp as she was careful not to be too rough.
"Your hair is so long, it's so nice." Ruby commented as she was running her hands through Neo's hair.
After a few more minutes of massaging the shampoo into Neo's hair and scalp she softly tilted her head back a little.
"I'm going to wash this out so close your eyes please sweetie." Ruby asked gently as she took a cup and started to pour the water over Neo's face and hair, being gentle in her movements.
"Thank you." Neo said softly once her hair was all washed and clean.
"Will you be alright?" Ruby asked.
"Why don't you join me?" Neo asked quickly.
"What?" Ruby asked, shocked at the sudden request.
"Well I mean, the waters still warm and well…I could uh, wash your hair." Neo suggested, blushing in response to her request.
"Are you alright with this?" Ruby asked, wanting to make sure Neo was ok with it.
"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't." Neo replied.
"Alright then." Ruby answered back as she stood up and turned around to face away from Neo.
Slowly she removed her top and panties and slowly stepped into the bath opposite Neo and sat down. "One minute." Ruby said and immediately plunged her head under the water for almost a minute before coming back up to show her wet hair and face, water streaming off it.
"That's much better." Ruby said, chuckling a little at Neo's shocked look.
Ruby simply laughed in response to Neo's look and turned around to allow Neo to wash her hair, "My turn?" Ruby asked.
Immediately Neo set to work on washing Ruby's hair just as easily as Ruby had washed Neo's, though Ruby's was shorter.
"The red highlights, they're natural, aren't they?" Neo asked, noticing as she was washing Ruby's hair.
"They are. All natural, freaked my mother's out when I was first born apparently." Ruby answered and quietly the two started to wash each other's backs and wash themselves before finally climbing out of the bath.
A/N
So another chapter down and one more to go, possibly I may split off the small epilogue into another chapter but not sure yet.
Not much I want to say really, I've said it all before. So until next time.