Trigger warning: Hey, this chapter will deal child abuse. At least Weiss' memory of child abuse. It's a heavy topic, so if that's not your cup of tea go ahead and leave at the trigger warning part. You'll miss Ruby and Weiss' first date but I understand. If you feel I misrepresented abuse victims, perpetrators or anything about the topic, please let me know in a review.
Chapter 10
"That's her ship." Weiss pointed out the airship she was landing in and we rushed towards it to meet her. I wondered what she'd be like? Weiss was never loved. I gulped and looked at Weiss, who seemed excited. Winter couldn't be that bad?
The landing bay opened and out stepped a tall muscular man, a beautiful woman who was obviously Weiss' sister and several white Altesian drones. Weiss sucked in a breath as they started walking forward, she waved to Winter who looked at her, nodded and leaned over to the man. They talked and Winter approached us, leaving the drones and man to walk towards beacon.
"It's been a long time since I've been to Beacon." She said in a cold tone, not seeming to pay me or Weiss much attention.
"H-how's it going sis?" Winter didn't seem to hear her and looked at me with a disapproving glance.
"This is your partner? The one who got expelled for nearly getting you killed?" Ouch. I flinched visibly, unable to respond to that. Weiss glanced between her and me, looking like she was drowning. Just then, I felt Azure's presence. He was walking this way with purpose.
"U-uh… yeah, that'd be me…"
Weiss frowned, "that's not how it happened. Besides, she's back because Ruby is really strong." Winter made a sound of disapproval but turned in the direction Qrow was coming from, probably sensing him to.
"She's a child. I don't like that my sister has to be partners with someone who can't even keep her own emotions in check." This isn't going well.
"Winter! Please stop talking about Ruby that way, why are you being so mean?"
Winter smirked, "you need to worry less about making friends and worry more about yourself." At least she cares? I think?
Weiss looked at me, then back to Winter. "Sister, uhm…" Is she? Before she could say whatever she was going to say, Winter started hurrying in the direction of Qrow. Weiss looked really petrified, so I grabbed her hand and pulled her into an alleyway.
"It's okay. Come on, let's go after her and get her to talk." I stroked her hair and she gave me a nod and a weak smile. We hurried towards Winter and Qrow, finding the two of them engaged in a fight. There was a big crowd gathered around watching them. "Damnit Qrow." An idea hit me… maybe I could show Winter that I was strong. I drew Crescent Rose and dashed between them, knocking aside both their weapons. "Qrow! Stop."
They both seemed surprised, Winter gasped, "y-your so fast." Yup. I'm a badass, bitch.
I smirked, "I was personally trained by Azure Sky, tiger of the Mistralian Jungle." I looked at Qrow, "now stop fighting." Back to Winter, "now go be nice to your sister. She's been dying to talk to you and she's not happy that you ran off, so start acting like a big sister and talk to her."
Qrow put a hand on my shoulder, "well you heard the kid. Sorry Ruby, me and her boss go way back. I should go before I get in trouble." Winter composed herself and gave me a dignified nod before returning to Weiss.
I followed and we found her standing apart from the mob, like me she wasn't one for large crowds. "Thanks Ruby." I smiled and stood beside her.
"Sorry, I had to stop that drunkard from doing something stupid. You were trying to tell me something?" Weiss gulped and looked at me, a blush forming on her face. Oh god, she is! Yes! Hell yes! My heart started racing as Weiss reached out her hand to grab mine.
"W-well… Ruby isn't uh, just my partner… she's also my uhm, girlfriend." If you show a sign of disapproval, I will fucking kill you. Where did that come from?
Winter blushed and looked at me and Weiss, "I see. Well uhm, I'm happy for you." Well, I'll take it.
Weiss squeezed my hand and let go, still very uncomfortable with showing affection in public. "Thanks Winter."
Winter looked around nervously and then at me, "sorry for treating you so coldly Ruby. I apologize for my behavior, though I hope you won't mind if I borrow my sister?" I looked at Weiss, who gave me a nod.
"It's fine. I did actually put her in danger, which is a mistake I'll never make again. And of course, you can borrow her. Weiss, I'll be waiting for you in the gardens."
An hour later (Trigger warning comes into play here)
"Thanks master." Azure was looking quite sweaty and breathing heavy for the first time ever. Even when he fought Ozpin he wasn't showing signs of fatigue. Maybe he is human?
"No problem, it gave me an excuse to get out of a very dull meeting. I hope your date goes well." I nodded and he left me there in the gardens for Weiss to arrive.
Ten minutes passed and she finally arrived, she was putting on a smile but I could tell she was tense. Maybe I can help with that. "Weiss, your back."
She seemed surprised, "you're still waiting for me?"
"Of course, I told you I would." I stood up, "I am your patient, loving girlfriend after all." She blushed and looked around, once sure no one overheard she grabbed my hand and sighed.
"Can we go to the dorm then?" She seemed drained, I sure hope her sister didn't say anything mean.
"Well uhm, actually I was hoping you would take a walk with me. I accidentally left something in the emerald forest and I don't think it's wise to go alone." She groaned but gestured in the direction of the forest and started walking. Stage 2, success!
Weiss constantly scanned around for Grimm as we walked, trying to remain silent and calm. Eventually we arrived in a clearing by a stream, there was a blanket laid out beside it with a picnic basket in the middle. "There it is, I can't believe I left a full picnic in the middle of the forest."
Weiss blushed and stammered, "y-y-you did this?" She looked really happy.
"I did. I had my master clear out the forest of Grimm so we could have a lunch alone together. We've been going out for almost two weeks now so I thought it was a good idea."
Weiss hesitantly gave me a hug and leaned her head on my shoulder, "you're the best, Ruby." I did it! I made her happy! Excitedly I started walking towards the blanket while still hugging her, it was a slow process but we eventually ended up sitting down together. "Now to see if you packed more than cookies?" I laughed as she started pulling the food out of the basket, some expertly prepared sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, two water bottles and a very small bottle of wine. "W-where did you get this?"
I blushed, "it took some convincing but I got Azure to get me it. We don't have to drink it if you don't want to, just figured it could be nice to relax for a bit." She blushed and said something along the lines of maybe.
"Thanks Ruby, this is really nice." She took a bite of her sandwich and laid down on the blanket with a wide grin.
"I'm glad it puts a smile on your face, you seemed pretty drained after talking with your sister."
She sighed and rolled closer to me, as I was also laying down. "She was trying hard to be supportive and sisterly, she's just really closed off herself so it wasn't what I hoped it'd be. Still, I'm glad she tried at least." I took Weiss' hand in my own and leaned over to kiss her. She was hesitant at first but pushed back for a quick kiss before pulling away, "sorry. Not now, Ruby."
"Alright. We've got plenty of time." She smiled weakly and nibbled her sandwich but I could tell her mind was elsewhere. Eventually the sandwiches were done and we'd laid together in relaxed quiet for an hour before she grabbed the bottle of wine and the two glasses from the basket. Suddenly, I was less confident about the idea of drinking with her but she'd poured both the glasses before I could say anything. It was only a small bottle anyways, so filling each glass most of the way emptied it.
She handed me my glass, "because it's a special occasion, I think I will have this drink with you." I smiled and sipped the wine, it was sweet and fruity, not terribly strong either. Weiss smiled at the taste, "this isn't that bad."
Things felt less awkward after that, we traded compliments back and forth as we held each other's hands and nibbled on the strawberries. Twenty minutes of that passed before Weiss leaned over and kissed me, lightly at first and then more passionately. A couple moments of making out later and I rolled on top of her, she whimpered and that sound drove me crazy. My hands started to move up to her waist and I started thinking it was about to happen when I realized something was wrong. She stopped kissing back, oh no. I rolled off of her and looked away, damnit Ruby, what did you do?
Weiss was silent for a moment, allowing me to continue awkwardly look away. "R-ruby, look at me." I gulped and turned to face her, she looked upset. "T-that wasn't okay…" No. No. No. She looked down at the blanket, "you stopped though. You realized I was uncomfortable and caught it. So, I'm not mad but I think we should go back to just, laying together." I breathed a sigh of relief. You didn't fuck it up… that bad.
I laid beside her and tried to take her hand, which she refused. "S-sorry Weiss. I got carried away, I didn't mean to hurt you."
She shook her head, "it's not that you hurt me. I just, didn't want things to escalate… or I did but, well you know. As much as I wanted to, my stupid anxiety hit me." I offered her my hand again and this time she took it and squeezed tightly.
"I'm still sorry."
She sighed and rolled closer to wrap her free arm around me. She was silent for a moment, then a determined look flashed across her face. She bit her lip, breathed in, "my father was abusive." I didn't react at first, I didn't expect her to say that. I wasn't prepared for her to say that. Then it hit me, the full, terrible, horrible realization. I'm going to kill him, for sure now.
I sucked in a breath and squeezed her hand, "W-Weiss. I-I'm gonna kill him." She looked as shocked by that statement as I was by hers.
"No. Don't think about that." She started to cry. I didn't know what to do but hold her close and let her. A long while passed and she was still crying on my shoulder. I stroked her hair and squeezed her hand, trying to comfort her as best I could. "Y-you aren't going to ask me about it?"
I gulped, "I d-don't know how. If you want to talk about it, I'm here for you. If you want to cry or scream and get angry, I'm right here for you Weiss. Just go at your own pace."
She nodded, "I don't want to hold it in anymore." I smiled and put on a brave face for her as she began to speak. "He was always demanding, pushing me really hard but it got worse when Winter left. Normally, if I failed on a test or angered him somehow, he'd lock me in my room alone for hours. If I got caught playing around with one of the servants' kids, he'd lock me in my room like usual but would inform me that the kid's parents were fired and would likely never find a good job again." She sobbed into my arms, "a Schnee has no time for peasants. Nor should she indulge in childish games." I will kill this man.
I kept holding her close while she took a moment to cry and gather her strength again. "Then Winter left and he got so… angry. He never, hit me or anything like that but he screamed a lot. Sometimes he threw stuff at me. He'd find any tiny reason to punish me, lock me in a tiny room and remove the lights and any way for me to tell time. Sometimes I'd think I was in there for hours or days, come out and find it'd only been an hour. Other times, it would feel like only a few moments passed and it had actually been over a day. That's why I have nightmares, I remember my times in that dark room and wonder if this was all a delusional dream I had from the inside of that box." I let her cry until almost half an hour later she pulled out of the hug and offered me a weak smile.
"Weiss, thanks for telling me. I promise, you'll never have to see that bastard again if you don't want to. I also promise that I'll never let you have another nightmare, because I'll always be with you."
She nodded and her smile grew wider, a couple of seconds later she was laughing and crying at the same time. "The crazy thing is Ruby, I believe you. I've never told anyone that but it feels good, to have someone I can share that darkness with. I know you've had to be patient and caring and compromising with me but really, your wonderful Ruby. I feel free when I'm with you. I feel safe and when you promise me something, I know it's going to be true. If I'm the beautiful and confident princess, you're my knight in shining armor, ready to save me from my tower."
I laughed and squeezed her tightly, "always." I got an idea and pulled away, I took Myrtenaster off the blanket and kneeled in front of Weiss, offering it to her. "If you'll have me, I swear to be your knight, forever faithful to you. Should you need, I'll defend you against all harm, carry your secrets to the grave and loyally remain by your side." Also kill your enemies, like your father. Especially him actually.
She blushed and took her sword in her hands, placed the tip on my shoulder and said, "I will have you. Now rise as lady Ruby Rose, my most faithful and capable knight." I got off my knee and looked for permission, she nodded and threw her sword aside so I could wrap her in a hug and plant a kiss on her lips. She kissed back and even put her arms on my shoulders to lean me backwards, taking control of the tempo. It was long and intense but eventually Weiss rolled off me and laughed.
"Your adorable sometimes. I really needed that." I smiled and she took my hand, "thank you, for letting me vent. I think moving forward, I'll be more confident because of it."
I nodded and started packing up, "you can always count on me, princess." She grinned and helped me put everything back in the basket. "If you don't want to, it's okay but maybe, maybe you should speak to a therapist? I'll do my best to help you but I can't say I'm a professional at this sort of thing."
She gulped, "m-maybe. I'll think about it."
A/N: There was no winter is coming warning? I know, I'm as surprised as you that I didn't make that horrible joke in my last authors note. Anyways, I hope despite the heavy subject involved that it was enjoyable. For those who may be worried that I just used it to bring some drama, it's been a part of her character and will continue to be so. She's barely begun to deal with the weight of it and she's got a much longer way to go than Ruby did with her bout of depression. As always, reviews are appreciated and again if you felt I'm not giving the topic enough respect or am misrepresenting it, let me know.
