Roman was quite surprised to see Ruby at his doorstep with a bag. After explaining what happened, though the whole situation was odd he dropped it. He had begun to wonder if someone was following her but she didn't seem to notice. He didn't want to say anything to upset her.
Ruby hung up a dress that was in a bag in the living room. She apparently didn't want anyone to see since it was in a black bag. She claimed Weiss bought it for her when she wanted to catch a man. Roman suddenly noticed an odd change in Ruby's behavior. She was more happy and outgoing than normal.
That night they made beef fajita tacos together and watched a few movies then a couple anime seasons Ruby loved. Roman hated to admit it but he liked the one she picked out. They weren't as girly as he thought they would be. One of them was super gory.
"Red..."
"Hmm?"
"Ready for bed?"
"I'm watching TV..."
"You're sleeping," he said as she started to nod off again.
Roman got up then picked Ruby up. She sighed in her sleep and wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to his room. She snuggled in and turned facing the wall.
"Night Ruby," Roman whispered and kissed her forehead softly.
X
X
The next morning Ruby woke up. Her eyes widened realizing she was in Roman's bed. She sat up quickly seeing he was still asleep. She got out of bed looking around.
Oh... I still have my clothes on... He must've carried me in here.
She went to his main bathroom then headed for the kitchen. Ruby stopped dead in her tracks seeing Junior sitting there. He had already made coffee and toast. He was in plaid pajamas with bunny slippers eyeing her.
"Aaaahhhh-
"Sit down Ruby. There's jelly and butter for your toast. This isn't awkward, I knew you would be here anyways. Roman won't be up for a few hours."
She sat down flashing him a smile.
"How are things?" he asked.
"Um, in general it's good."
Junior smiled, "I'm glad."
"How are things with you?"
"Complicated."
"How so?" Ruby asked picking up some toast.
"Well Roman already knows this but I like your friend, the Ice Queen."
"Awwww! Really?!"
Junior's face turned pink.
"She'll be back Monday! I'm on vacation so I can drag her over there for you! You can ask her out!"
"Wow, I didn't think you would be so on board with it."
"Weiss is always talking about how she needs a good man in her life! You would be perfect!"
He blushed and sipped on his coffee.
"You know, Weiss is really good at Halo and Call of Duty!" Ruby said with a grin, "Do you play?"
"I do when I'm off. Weiss plays video games?"
"Oh yea! She's... Rather aggressive. Her username is slightly offensive too. SucCMiNuttz89."
Junior spit out his coffee then started coughing.
"What?!"
"She's pretty mean... She's made someone cry before actually. My username is RedlikeRosesX78."
"I don't know what to say."
"Does Roman play?"
Junior shook his head.
"He builds model cars and robots for fun. That's as nerdy as he gets."
"Really?"
They spent over an hour talking. Junior went on and on about the funny stuff that happened between him and his beat friend Roman. Then their times hanging out his club. All the toast was gone but they took turns making coffee.
"You know he really likes you."
Ruby gazed at him but avoided his grey eyes.
"Oh... Yea?"
"Yea trust me. I assumed he would treat you like some conquest but it didn't turn out that way. He's falling for you and hard. If you don't feel the same way, you may want to back out now."
Ruby set down her coffee cup, staring into his eyes.
"I don't know what it is it about him but he makes me feel some kind of way I can't explain. Part of me is terrified but like Pyrrha said I can't act like he's going to hurt me too. I'm just going to throw myself into it and whatever happens, happens."
"Hm."
"What?"
"This isn't a fling for him."
"Me either."
Junior watched her for a minute before getting up.
"How do you feel about him being rich like he is?"
Ruby snorted, "Why would that matter to me?"
"Because... Emerald was after his money."
"I know. I have my own money. I work all the time."
"Alright. Roman's dad is a bit of a hard ass after all that. He might drill you tonight so be ready."
Ruby swallowed hard, "R-right."
X
X
Later that night, Roman left an hour early giving Ruby directions to the party. He wanted to be surprised by what she would show up in. Ruby had already done her makeup.
Her eyelids were emerald with her usually black liner. She used a green mascara and a soft pink highlighter on her cheeks. She even tried her new grewn lipstick. Her lips were black and faded inward to a dark green
Weiss had bought her a beautiful and expensive dress. It was a silk green dress with black lace, black ruffles and it flared out some around her legs slightly above the knee. There was a slit up the right side of her leg with a black rose. Weiss did have good taste in clothes.
She ran her hand over the dress.
Why am I doing this? I would never do this for anyone. I did... I did dress up for Mercury but that feels so different than what I'm doing now. I'm doing it for a guy that seems so amazed by everything I do.
How did I get so lucky?
Ruby smiled.
For once, I can't wait to get there!
X
Ruby pulled up to a giant building. It was one of the best hotels in Vale. Of course because Roman's family was just as rich as Weiss's family. She reached over in her passenger seat and grabbed her netted black gloves she decided to wear with her dress.
She opened the car door and stepped out. Ruby decided to wear black platform pumps with black netted, thigh high stockings. Ruby made her way through a small crowd of people becoming more and more embarassed as they turned to stare at her. She made her way on rhe red carpet when she sae Roman in the mess of people.
Roman was dressed in a black suit with a green tie. Ruby had hinted there was some green in her outfit. His eyes landed on her and his jaw dropped. No one else in the whole world could pull of a dark, stunning look like Ruby Rose.
"Hey."
He blinked a few times, "Hi Red... Goddamn... I don't know what to say."
"Is. .. Is it too much?" she asked turning red.
"Damn Red... You blow everyone away. Just when I thought you couldn't look any more beautiful, you show up like this... Can I kiss you? I don't want to ruin your lipstick..."
Ruby giggled, "Its a special kind, kiss me all you like."
"Don't say that or I might have you here in front of everyone."
She grinned as he leaned in for a kiss. Roman wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight like he was afraid to let go. After a few minutes he pulled away to let them both breathe again. Ruby snapped back from her dream world hearing people whisper.
"Ignore them. They're jealous... Even the women."
Ruby stared into his eyes. She could the intensity of his emotions. Roman took her hand and led he inside. The place was packed with people dressed in suits and dresses. She was in awe about how fancy everything was since she had never stepped foot in there before.
"Are you ready?"
"F-for what?"
"My mom... She's on her way over here."
Just like that, Rhea showed up. She want wearing a dress but a feminine black suit. Her orange curls bounced around as she walked towards them with a big grin on her face. She grabbed Ruby's shoulders as her blue eyes twinkled with excitement.
"My my! Red! Can I have the first dance?!" she asked bowing in front of Ruby.
"Of... Of course."
"Well as long as the birthday boy is OK with it?" Rhea asked looking at her son.
Ruby's head snapped to the side, "It's your birthday?"
"Come now!" his mother cried and whisked Ruby through the crowd of people leaving Roman behind.
Ruby was flattered someone so beautiful would want to dance with her. Rhea looked like she could be Roman's sister more than his mother. She looked so young and vibrant. Ruby could see where Roman got his fun personality from.
"I am so surprised Roman could pick someone so gogerous up. He normally moves quick. Were you difficult?"
Ruby blushed, "I have social problems... I get pretty awkward and I assumed he was looking for a one night stand. I guess I was wrong."
"Don't worry, I already asked all the embarrassing questions before you got here. I waited til my eighteenth birthday to have sex for the first time. I got married months later when I found out I was pregnant with Roman."
Ruby couldn't believe his mother was just casually talking to her about that. She spun Ruby around until she brought her back in pushing her body against hers.
"I'm not..."
"I know," Rhea said softly with a sad look in her sky eyes, "He told me everything. I am so sorry dear. That's horrible. If you want... Look at it this way: every bad thing that happened brought you to Roman's path so you can be happy with him."
Ruby smiled brightly and Rhea grinned.
"I am so jealous right now! You are so cute! So beautiful!"
"Thank you, so are you. Are you sure you aren't Roman's sister?" Ruby asked.
Rhea started laughing, "Forget it dear! I love you! If he hurts you, I will break his legs!"
"You wouldn't have to do that..."
After a few more songs, Rhea released Ruby back into Roman's arms.
"Your cousin Nora is here with her husband."
Roman laughed nervously, "I thought they couldn't make it from Atlas...?"
"Well I couldn't help but brag about how you met someone so wonderful!"
Roman covered his face, "Mom, we aren't even dating yet!"
"You are to me, I love my daughter in law."
Rhea kissed Ruby's cheek and bounced off into the crowd.
"Uh..."
"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" Ruby asked.
"Well... I'm twenty five Red. I didn't think you would want to be with someone so much older."
"Your age doesn't matter to me."
Roman smiled at her before he was tackled to the ground.
"Fucking shit Nora!" Roman yelled.
Ruby's silver eyes were wide. The woman who tackled Roman looked exactly like Rhea but she had shoulder length hair.
"Nora! You're going to hurt someone that way!" said a man's voice.
She turned to see a guy with long black hair with pink eyes and pink streaks in his hair.
"H-hi."
"Nora, this Ruby. I'm sure Mom told you already..."
"Yes! Auntie Rhea told me! Damn Roman! She's way out of your league!"
Nora stood up and shook Ruby's hand vigorously.
"Sorry Roman. She's just excited to see you since it's been a few months."
"It's OK Lie. I don't expect anything different."
"Hello, I'm Lie Ren and this is my wife Nora Ren."
"Hi!" Nora said hugging Ruby.
"Happy birthday," Lie said with a smile.
"Thanks man."
"Where's Uncle John?" Nora asked.
"I don't know..."
"Has Ruby met him yet?" she asked.
Roman shook his head.
"Really?" Nora asked looking concerned.
"Well..." Roman looked at Ruby then back to his hyper cousin, "He wasn't... Happy."
Ruby shifted uncomfortably.
"Is it because of that bitch from years ago and when you went all man whore?"
I don't want to be here listening to this. Roman looks like he seen a ghost. I know we never discussed anything like that he looks like he don't want me to know.
"Son. Nora. Lie."
Everyone turned around. Ruby was surprised. The man had bright green eyes and black hair. He wore thick, square black framed glasses and he was a few inches taller than Roman. She felt like her soul was being drained out. He looked scary.
"Dad."
John Torchwick looked at Ruby and she felt the heat leave her body. Roman looked more nervous than Ruby did.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Ruby swallowed hard, "Ruby Rose."
"Hm."
"Dad-
John held his hand up and Roman shut his mouth.
"What do you do for a living?"
"I work at The Hangout."
"Oh that famous bookstore. I saw your car when you pulled in. Did Roman buy that?"
Ruby's nervous looked melted off her face in a look of annoyance, "No. I saved up the money to buy so I didn't have payments."
John looked mildly surprised.
"What are you expecting from my son?"
"Happiness."
Roman and Nora looked at each. John nodded.
"Are you dating?"
"No, not yet but we are taking our time. No rush."
John looked at his son then back to Ruby.
"I heard you're friends with Weiss
Schnee."
"I am."
"What do your parents do?"
"My mom is a surgeon and my dad is a physics professor."
"Alright then. I have other things to do."
John Torchwick left them alone. Ruby looked at Roman with a scared look on her face.
"Did I do OK?"
"I think he's confused by you. Well, would you like to dance?" he asked holding out his hand.
"Yes."
Roman pulled her to the dance floor before Nora could ask before anymore questions. He held her close breathing in the peach smell coming from her hair. He didn't care what song was on, he wanted to hold her. Hold her all night and keep her to himself.
They stayed silent for ten minutes through several different songs. It may have seen odd to most of those around them but the few who took notice could see what was between the two of them. Rhea jabbed her husband in the side and pointed towards the couple.
"You still think that she wants his money?"
"Rhea-
"You thought I was playing some cruel joke on you when I wanted to be with you for years. Here you stand, watching as this small woman changed your son. He was broken for a long time."
"You think that highly of her?" John asked.
"I do. She's been keeping him out of the bar for a short time too. Junior said his sales have went down some since Roman wasn't there."
John laughed, "It's funny. He takes after you so much. Such a social butterfly."
"She's just like you. She's really shy."
"You think because she's shy, you can trust her?"
Rhea pinched his cheek.
"If you stop to see everything else, you would see it. I love her, she has such a beautiful soul."
"Fine. I trust her."
Rhea smiled at her husband, "Just like that huh?"
"You always believed me when I didn't believe in you. I can give you this. You never steered me wrong baby."
She leaned in and kissed him, "Things will be OK. I think he found his one just like I did."
X
"Roman..."
"Hm?"
"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" Ruby asked.
"You already gave me what I wanted Ruby."
She looked at him. His face was filled with so many emotions. Ruby couldn't tell what he was thinking and she began to feel nervous.
"Can I say something? You don't have to answer or anything but I have to say it."
"Oh... Ok, go ahead," she said.
Roman cleared his throat and started blushing.
"Ruby, I uh... I think I'm in love with you."
Ruby pulled away slightly and looked at him.
"You're not just saying that-
"Of course not!"
She got really quiet and laid her head back on his shoulder thinking hardly. Ruby could hear his heart pounding wildly.
"I... I know it'll be hard for you to tell me back right now. But Ruby, I'm only human, I can't wait forever but I'm not forcing you to say anything."
They pulled apart with Roman avoiding her eyes. She had no idea what to say to him now. Roman went to walk away to clear his head but she grabbed his hand tightly. He looked back at Ruby who had a sweet, soft smile on her face.
"I can't say anything but thank you. Just know the way I feel is all for you and no one else. I have to give my heart some time. I promise you won't wait forever."
Roman smiled and kissed Ruby.
"I promise you won't regret it," he said placing his forehead against hers.
