Hello, here's chapter 24. Hope you folks enjoy it.
Betareader: LawsomHawk.
I do not own RWBY and make no monetary gain from this. Writing is for entertainment purposes only.
Hours later, it was time for bed, and Ruby was busy brushing her teeth. Blake and Yang were still downstairs watching TV, and Taiyang had turned in an hour ago. The fabric of the very comfortable cotton pyjama set, red naturally, she was wearing gently swished as she extended her left arm up over her head to stretch a sore back muscle.
Today had been pretty awesome, starting off with a hectic training session. Showing all the cool tricks she'd learned to her dad had been fun. Sadly, she still couldn't win against him, but he'd been very impressed with her progress. It had also been a chance to show off in front of Weiss, thereby killing two birds with one stone.
The afternoon, in contrast, had been cozy, relaxing and cuddly - mostly. Ruby already had plans to use the hammock again as soon as possible. Remembering they had one laying around had been a stroke of luck, so she wasn't about to let it go unused any longer. Wasting away a few hours in the hammock had been bliss and bore repeating.
Ruby just hadn't expected the deep conversation they'd ended up having, and the fears and thoughts they had vented to each other. Nevertheless, Ruby felt grateful for it. She understood Weiss better now, and Weiss did the same with her. She felt a bit bad about triggering the conversation in front of the TV, but with hindsight, she was really glad Weiss had asked her what had been on her mind.
Talking about Weiss' home and her coming out to Sebastian had reassured her Weiss was really fine with bringing it up, so she no longer had to second-guess herself or staying away from the topic, should it naturally arise.
I've always avoided mentioning Schnee Manor out of consideration, but it's good to know we can talk about it without bringing down her mood. And I'm so proud of her for coming out to her butler!
She rinsed her mouth and gulped down a healthy amount of water, not liking how the toothpaste made her mouth feel dry as a desert. Her thoughts drifted to the mere idea of having a personal butler. How strange it felt to her, and yet it was another thing she had learned to accept as a natural part of Weiss' world. Different as they were, she had faith that they would make their relationship work long-term too. The key lay in communication and honesty.
A sardonic smile pulled at Ruby's lips when her mind fast-forwarded to the time spent in the hammock. Crying like she had suddenly done had come out of nowhere, even to herself, but she didn't regret it. In that moment she'd been so overcome with happiness that she just hadn't known what to do. She wasn't alone anymore, and she had friends for life.
Revealing her lack of friends to Weiss had been a cathartic experience. Maybe it hadn't been right to not bring it up earlier, but Weiss had technically never asked her in any detail about it. It was just one of those things that Ruby had always thought it best to not think too much about, instead opting to focus on the present moment and how awesome every day was since coming to Beacon.
She was also very surprised by just how poor Weiss' confidence had been. Ruby knew that Weiss had been really insecure early on, but it having lasted until just a few days ago felt unreal. It hadn't shown to her, yet Yang and Blake had both picked up on it. Ruby didn't like that, but maybe it was one of those things where you had to be a certain distance from someone to get the bigger picture. In any case, she was really glad Weiss had gotten it off of her chest.
It's weird to think that it's just been a few days since we were at Beacon. It feels like a long, long time ago. So much has happened it's almost dizzying.
Both had come out of it a bit emotionally drained, but it had also allowed them to talk about their respective childhoods and remember the good times. Most importantly, she understood Weiss even better now. It was hard to describe the feeling, but she liked to imagine that their souls were in sync. Ruby wondered if there was a limit to that feeling, or if it would go on perpetually the more time they spent together, growing larger and larger. She hoped it would.
I still have some things I haven't told her, but this was a good start. I'm not sure I should bring everything up either, especially if she can't do anything about it. Honesty and communication is one thing, but at the same time I can't blurt everything out. Got to remember Yang's advice for when my main insecurity pops up next time… but let's forget that for now. It's cuddle time!
With her preparations done, Ruby stepped out of the bathroom and walked the short distance to her room, anticipation building in her. Subconsciously, she began to hum a small tune to herself. It was hard not to do when she thought about how awesome her life was - cuddles included.
She loved the routine she and Weiss had fallen into lately. They didn't do anything particular exciting, but that wasn't necessary. Watching TV, reading books, helping out around the house, going for walks, playing fetch with Zwei, or the simple joy of a game of cards felt fulfilling in a way it hadn't done before. There was a bliss to the domestic, albeit temporary, tranquility that came with not having school, and she would miss it once it was over. Each day passed too quickly, almost criminally so, because of how much fun they had. Perhaps it was the temporary nature of the otherwise very normal, mundane even, days that allowed for it. The fact that it was the first break with no envy over how much fun everyone else her age had probably helped too.
Ruby snickered to herself as she stepped into her room and closed the door behind her. Brushing her girlfriend's hair was the next topic on her agenda. She couldn't get enough of those soft tresses, nor the cute little noises Weiss would intermittently let out.
With Weiss, she was having both fun and cuddle-fun. And since her dad, Yang and Blake now knew they shared a bed, there was no reason to worry over someone walking in on them at an odd hour without knocking.
She spotted Weiss in her bed as expected, though not in her usual nightgown, instead wearing pyjama pants and a white tank top that hugged her features nicely. Ruby found it to be an enticing image, to say the least.
However, unlike what she had expected, Weiss sat up in the bed, resting her back on a pillow propped up towards the headboard, and there was another pillow next to her.
"Shouldn't we sleep? You said you were tired," Ruby asked with some puzzlement. Still, she flicked the light switch, and the room was plunged into the warm glow of the lone bedside lamp.
Weiss gave her a shy smile and held up the very book that been intermittently on Ruby's mind ever since the morning she'd caught Weiss reading it. "It was a… white little lie to get you in bed without giving anything away to Yang and Blake," she elaborated, her cheeks coloured a cute red. "I think I'm ready."
"Oh, now?" It came out more of a squeak than a question. Ruby's heart thumped loudly in her chest all of sudden, even as butterflies filled her stomach. She wanted to tease Weiss for the phrasing but thought better of it.
"Don't you want to?" Weiss asked quietly, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice.
Ruby flailed her arms around in her haste to correct that notion when she saw Weiss practically wilt before her. "No no, that's not it. I really want to read it! I was just surprised. This'll be fun!"
Weiss visibly perked up again, though she blushed fiercely from the display of enthusiasm. It made her look so cute, but Ruby could tell Weiss was very nervous too.
She could understand that because it mirrored how she felt herself. Putting on a brave front was one thing, but internally, nervousness and embarrassment coiled in her. She was going to read something like that together with Weiss, and she didn't have a lot of experience with sex novels. It had been her suggestion too, but the gravity of it hadn't sunk in until now, and she was moreover surprised Weiss had reached a decision so quickly.
I honestly thought she would mull it over for a few weeks… I guess our heart-to-heart made the decision for her.
Disregarding the gut feeling in her that told her she was doing something naughty she wasn't supposed to, she clambered up in the bed and plopped down on the pillow next to Weiss, pulling the covers up to their waists.
Remember, Ruby Rose, there's a lot more to this than simply reading an erotic novel. It's about Weiss and helping her deal with whatever makes her hesitant to go further. I just wish I had a good plan for this...
Weiss jerked the tiniest bit when Ruby leaned against her and put her head on her shoulder, one arm looping around her back. It seemed that some reassurances were in order, something she was happy to provide. "Weiss, relax. We're just going to read a book. It's not an academic subject, and there are no tests and no right or wrong. A few, uhm, moments will be embarrassing… but I think that's fine too. If you want to stop, just tell me."
Ruby reinforced her words with a quick kiss to Weiss' cheek, and she could feel the tension in Weiss evaporate as her girlfriend took a deep breath and gently nudged her head against Ruby's in return.
"You're right. I'm just very nervous right now," Weiss replied, her tone of voice accentuating her sentiment.
Ruby let out a laugh. "That's exactly how I feel. So we're both equally nervous. That just makes us an awesome couple." Seeing how her little joke made Weiss smile raised her spirit. In spite of that, however, she was really nervous, unsure whether she could be the support Weiss needed right now.
She was also acutely aware of the body heat Weiss was giving off and every single square inch where their bodies made contact, magnified by the subject they'd delve into. Ruby was sure Weiss felt the same way.
Weiss sucked in a deep breath. "Well, let's start then. This isn't going to be any easier if we sit around waiting. I think you'll find the first few pages of great interest."
"Why?"
She saw Weiss' lips pull into a weak smile, her eyes transfixed the book. "You'll see," she said gently, her voice carrying a sorrowful edge to it. Ruby didn't like that at all, but didn't ask why. Instead, she gently nudged her head against Weiss' shoulder again to show her support.
They settled in and Weiss turned to page one. Finding the right rhythm didn't take long, and Ruby found herself going through pages quickly as she learned about Ember and her repressed sexuality. It was at times strikingly similar to how she suspected Weiss had felt. A lifetime of denying herself, of being told it was wrong to feel a certain way, pressure to meet the family expectations… the list went on and on, each new item causing the icy ball forming in her stomach to grow all the larger.
So this what was she meant.
Her heart sunk upon the realization. Weiss had never talked about how she viewed herself being a lesbian in any detail, but this explained so much. It was worse than she had anticipated. Much, much worse. She knew Weiss didn't feel like that anymore, but such comfort could only go so far.
"Is this how you felt? The shame, the self-loathing and the desire to repress your preferences?" Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat and held her breath as she waited for a reply. She pressed herself closer to Weiss in a bid to comfort her, taking her girlfriend's hand in her own and gently stroking along the back of it with her thumb.
Weiss was silent for a moment before she let out a tired sigh. "Yes. I'm over almost all of it, but this is indeed how I used to view myself. There are some differences, but they are fairly minor. My father conditioned me to believe it was wicked to be gay, and it didn't help that in the business circles appearance and falling in line is everything. The older generation sets the agenda and all the people I interacted with was fostered into a conservative spirit. It isn't uncommon with arranged marriages for business reasons either, and those always consists of men marrying women. It's, after all, paramount to everything else that the lineage is kept alive."
Ruby noticed the bitterness in her girlfriend's voice and felt her stomach drop upon receiving the confirmation. She felt horrible for not having grasped the full extent of how Weiss had been feeling. "Weiss, I didn't understand," she whispered, her chest growing heavy and moisture prickling at the corner of her eyes.
Why didn't I realize this until now!? I could've done so much more for her!
"I knew public affection made you very uncomfortable, but I-" she began, but didn't get further.
"Don't worry, I'm over most of it at this point," Weiss interrupted softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "In truth, the majority of what I was feeling as described here took place before Beacon, and what remained after I met you was something I was keeping to myself, with the exception of being afraid of coming out. You couldn't have known, because I wanted to deal with it alone and didn't let you in. I have a tendency to do that, don't I?"
Ruby turned her head to meet Weiss' brilliant blue eyes. They held a calmness that she found reassuring. Weiss had a point. Early on in their relationship, Ruby had been so amazed she'd gotten a girlfriend and so happy over every single little thing they did that she hadn't paid much attention to why Weiss was feeling so afraid of coming out, or was so hesitant with physical affection.
Still, she was angry with herself, and angry at Weiss' father - but mostly at herself. She had been naive and had decided to give Weiss space and let things take their time; like she had brushed it under the carpet.
However, as she thought it over again, she realized that maybe that had only been natural? She had been just as inexperienced as Weiss. In hindsight, Ruby knew there were many things she could've done differently. At the same time, she only knew of them because she'd matured a lot over the past few months. Blaming herself wasn't productive either. It was however, still only a small comfort. She had to apologize again for not fully understanding until now. "You do, but-"
Weiss' eyes softened and she tilted her head and leaned forward, stopping her question short. Catching on, Ruby did the same and their lips brushed together tenderly once. It was a little bit cumbersome to kiss when they were sitting next to each like this - not that it stopped either of them.
"No buts," Weiss said as she pulled away. "I'm in a much better place these days, and I'm grateful that you've helped making me comfortable with myself and physical affection. I'm fine. It's been a long process but I've slowly learned to be comfortable with my preferences - you." She winked at her, looking all the cuter by the faint blush that coloured her skin from the flirtation.
Ruby let out a huff of laughter, palpable relief in her over her girlfriend's words.
Weiss looked pretty pleased with herself. Then suddenly, she let out an embarrassed giggle. "And Blake really knew what she was doing when she recommended me this book. She's awfully perceptive, almost frighteningly so."
"Helps you put things into perspective?" Ruby guessed, realizing the therapeutic value the first few pages probably held for Weiss.
"Yes, exactly that. Somehow, just reading about someone going through similar things as I did helped since I'm seeing it from an outside perspective. I recognize it for what it is," she let out a sigh, clicking her nails on the book in irritation, "but I still have some way to go. I just have this irrational fear of coming out to people. It's so frustrating since I logically know it shouldn't matter, but I can't help it."
"We'll get there, Weiss. Together." Ruby gave the hand she was holding another gentle squeeze.
Weiss shook her head, smiling. "What did I ever do to deserve you, Ruby Rose?"
"Being cute, kind, cuddly, beautiful, sweet, lovely.. .want me to go on?" Ruby quipped, earning herself another giggle from Weiss.
"You're embarrassing me," Weiss replied, looking so delightfully flustered again. "Can I turn the page?"
They continued to read in silence after that. The quick escalation between the love interest and Ember felt a bit unrealistic if Ruby was to be honest, but she could buy it nonetheless, and so didn't comment on it.
Their clothes are coming off, and it's just 30 pages in… uh oh, this'll be embarrassing!
What followed was a heated, passionate scene that was quite a bit rougher than Ruby had expected. She couldn't imagine her and Weiss talking like that to each other or being so rough during their first time!
That grievance aside, the scene triggered her imagination. Her hand felt clammy in Weiss' tight grip, her heartbeat was quick, and a part of her wanted to curl up and hide under the blanket. Another part wanted to make out with Weiss. Sitting cuddled up next to Weiss was probably the most embarrassing thing she'd ever done so far in her life. At the same time, it was also one of the more arousing events. She shifted minutely to find better purchase, trying to ignore the tingling sensation and warmth beginning to manifest between her legs.
She swallowed hard and sneaked a glance at Weiss. Her girlfriend's face sported a healthy blush, and her eyes were fixed on the pages. In the dimm light from the bedside lamp she looked breathtakingly beautiful and alluring.
Ruby's eyes drifted over her nose, down to her lips and then her throat that practically begged to be kissed and nibbled on. In the silence, she could hear Weiss' inhales and exhales. Her eyes then landed on her chest, following each new breath her girlfriend took. She was pretty sure she could spend an eternity resting her eyes on Weiss.
This is torture, even if it's the best kind of it. I really need to focus on the purpose of why we're doing this before I completely forget about it.
"So," Ruby began in a hoarse voice, only to stop as Weiss jumped at the sound. She stroked her girlfriend's hand reassuringly. "How does this make you feel?"
"Mortified beyond belief," Weiss replied, taking her glass of water and sipping from it.
Ruby's eyes followed the motions Weiss' throat made as she swallowed. Her own throat felt dry as a desert. "Yeah, but it also makes me… excited," she replied, trying to jumpstart the conversation they both knew they needed to hold at some point. Her face burned from saying it out loud.
"W-Well, me too," Weiss stuttered cutely, her voice practically dripping with embarrassment, "though the scene is a bit rough. I would want it to be… tender and slower."
This was good. Weiss was talking about it herself, and Ruby felt pride swell her chest over the trust between them. "-yeah, it's very rough and passionate. I-I would want our first time to be slower too."
An awkward silence ensued and Ruby wasn't sure what to say next; the whole conversation they were having felt surreal, and a part of her wondered if all of this would turn out to be a dream.
So much for taking the lead here… what do I do now!?
"Good, that's something we agree on," Weiss replied awkwardly, adding, "The thought of having sex makes me very nervous, so I would most certainly prefer it to be… gentle."
She felt Weiss tilt her head against her own, almost like she was trying to hide her face, and Ruby reached up with her free hand to stroke her hair. She still didn't understand, but took the invite in order to get to the heart of the matter.
"How does… the thought of having sex make you feel? Can you tell me? I don't get what's bothering you so much. Like, I can see why your childhood and problems you had with thinking it's fine to like girls would shape you, but I don't understand what makes you so nervous if you're pretty okay with those things now?"
Weiss momentarily stiffened before pulling back and sinking deep into thought. Ruby saw the telltale signs of her intently focusing on something and so patiently waited.
"Well, why I'm nervous has changed a lot. Before I came to Beacon it was mostly a matter of trying to repress who I am," Weiss explained after a minute, probably not even aware how much time had passed. "Do you remember when I told you how my father sometimes vented his displeasure over anyone not straight or human?"
Ruby nodded glumly. "Yeah, I do." Anger flared up from the reminder. Her Weiss had been forced to endure those rants and thinking there was something wrong with her. She didn't let it show though, making sure to sit still instead of delivering a punch in the air to an imaginary Jacques Schnee to vent some of the energy.
"That made me hide and feel like something was wrong with me. Like I was a failure and disgusting. And then one day I decided to take charge of my own life. That's when I applied to Beacon." Weiss let out a giggle that sounded quite vindictive. "You should've seen the look on his face when I told him I was leaving."
Ruby wished she could've seen that. "You're amazing, Weiss." She grinned viciously and pulled her girlfriend tightly against her.
Weiss adjusted the pillow behind her once she'd recovered from the hug, a broad smile on her face from the praise. "Two weeks later I arrived at Beacon and met you. And, well," she looked away bashfully, "I couldn't tear my eyes away and suddenly disliked spending time alone."
Their eyes met again, the heartfelt compliment making Ruby both a bit shy and really happy at the same time. She felt how a dumb smile spread over her face, an expression only Weiss was capable of eliciting.
Weiss sent her a fond smile of her own. "I had to think a lot about what I wanted. When you asked me out, I was already daydreaming of confessing to you, so I'd come quite a long way by then."
Ruby weighed the next words in her mind for a moment, before saying what she honestly thought. A tightness once again gripped her chest upon imaging her Weiss being so insecure and fearful. "It's almost like you're a different person. You were… so scared and nervous then. It's hard to think it's not even been half a year yet."
Weiss nodded in agreement. "I know, but I wanted it to work so I slowly grew out of my insecurities, though like I told you earlier today, it's taken a while. But you helped me to look forward to hugs, cuddling, kisses and… other things."
Their eyes met, both girls harbouring nervous smiles. There was no doubt in either of their minds what she'd referred to.
Ruby heard Weiss gulp before she spoke again. "To go back to what we talked about… let me first ask you this: How… do you view sex?"
For Ruby, the question has been expected at some point - and at the same time it caught her off guard. Though she was careful to school her expression, on the inside she was nearly dying of mortification from having to explain it.
"Something, uhm, fun. Lots of fun." Maintaining eye contact with her girlfriend in that moment was one of the hardest things she'd ever done. "A little nervous over taking that step, but it's something that feels really good from what I've read and brings people closer together, so I'm looking forward to experiencing it. And since we're girls, we don't have to worry about pregnancies!" The words initially came out weak, but at the halfway point they turned a lot more enthusiastic than she had intended.
Weiss just gaped at her.
"... Was that too direct?" Ruby asked sheepishly, mentally chastising herself for the pregnancy joke.
Wordlessly, Weiss nodded while blushing up a storm. A deep breath later, she spoke. "I see. I'm glad you're looking forward to it."
Ruby chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, I was just trying to say that I think sex is something positive and something I want to do with the person I love. So, how do you think about sex? I mean, not in an abstract way, but the two us… you know..." She could hear her own heartbeat as she waited with bated breath for the reply.
Weiss let out another deep breath. "Really nervous." She stiffened for a moment, biting on her bottom lip as she deliberated something with herself. Ruby couldn't help but to find it very attractive. "But I also feel anticipation. I want to experience m-making love with you." Before Ruby could do anything, Weiss grabbed her hand and put it over her left breast. "Can you feel my heartbeat?"
Ruby nodded, treating it for what it was: a way for Weiss to try and make a point. Beneath the inviting shape and pleasant softness, she could feel how Weiss' heart was rapidly thumping in her chest. That didn't stop her face from growing very warm from the placement.
"That's anticipation," Weiss stated, letting her own hand rest lightly over Ruby's.
"What in particular makes you scared then?" Ruby asked, keeping her hand where it was. Weiss made no motion to remove it either. Ruby wanted to understand what was going through Weiss' mind. She still didn't understand, and she wanted to. She wanted to be there for Weiss.
Weiss blushed, smiling nervously. "This is going to sound really silly most likely… "
Ruby gave her cheek a kiss for support, staying close to her. "It's fine. I won't laugh." She felt how Weiss' heartbeat picked up another notch.
"I'm afraid I'll do something wrong and mess up what should be something beautiful between two people who love each other." The words tumbled out in quick succession.
Ruby blinked. Her mind raced as realization hit her. Was this all it was about? Could it really be that simple? "Weiss, are you saying you have performance anxiety?" she asked, slight incredulity in her voice. She'd read plenty about it, seeing as it was very common to fret over. She had even worried her fair share over it herself.
Weiss looked down into the blanket, her entire face glowing red. "Yes, that's basically it. I'm afraid of being a disappointment in bed."
Ruby's worries melted away, even as sympathy overtook her. As she pulled her Weiss into another side hug, she was relieved it wasn't anything more serious that had been on her girlfriend's mind. "Weiss, you shouldn't worry about that," she reassured her soothingly, slowly rocking her back and forth in her tight clutch. "It's natural to feel that way. I'm nervous too. But you know what?"
"No?" Weiss asked timidly, reciprocating the hug as best she could.
"It's fine to be nervous. And it's fine to be a bit uncertain of how to go about… well, things. I think," Ruby pulled away and looked into Weiss' brilliant blue eyes that gleamed with anxiety, trying to convey as much reassurance as physically possible, "that we'll just have to figure it out together. Sex is something fun that will bring us closer together, so as long as we communicate and don't treat it like something super important it'll be fine. It's about us, and remember that we're an awesome couple!"
I should've realized this a lot sooner. It was so obvious considering how hesitant she's been with intimacy for as long as I've known her.
She smiled reassuringly at Weiss, and felt a wave of relief roll through her when Weiss mimicked her and turned around, snaking her arms around her and cuddling up against her frame, her head resting on her shoulder and her body deposited in her lap. Ruby liked this position a lot.
"Thank you, Ruby. I feel a lot better now," Weiss whispered against her neck.
"I bet, you cute dummy. Can't be easy to go and worry all by yourself." She gently stroked Weiss' hair, trying to not give in to the desire to squeeze Weiss as hard as she could against her.
God, I love her so much!
"Hey, that's the second time you call me that." Weiss sounded like she tried, and failed miserably, at feigning being offended.
"But you're cute."
"Dolt," Weiss eventually settled for in response, only causing Ruby to gently squeeze her against herself. "So I was worrying and fretting over something that everyone feels?"
"Yeah, it's natural to be nervous."
Weiss let out a cute giggle. "I can't believe I worked myself up so much over this. I feel so relieved right now." She began to laugh, and Ruby joined in, and soon they were a giggling pile of entangled limbs as they helplessly tried to catch their breath and hug at the same time.
"I'm so hopeless at times." Weiss laughed more, burying her face into Ruby's shoulder. Gradually, she calmed down and Ruby gently stroked her back.
"Don't worry," Ruby began. "A lot of people feel the same way you do. Is that all there is to your fear?"
"Yes, that would be it. I want our first time to be a happy memory for us." Weiss replied. She laid still against her for another few seconds, then disentangled herself and sat back down properly, back against the pillow and headboard again.
Ruby didn't fail to note the optimistic quality of her voice. She sat up against the wall in order to face Weiss and took both of her girlfriend's hands in her own, now knowing exactly what to say. "And it will be, because we're an awesome couple. Just tell me when you're ready. I want you to take the final step and set the pace."
Gratitude was evident on Weiss' face. "Thank you. I want a little more time to consider what I've learned today, but you don't have to wait much longer." A silly smile pulled at her lips when she had spoken the last few words, only somewhat marred by the deep-red blush she was sporting.
Ruby felt her own face grow warm over the promise, though she also felt an instinctive pang of disappointment shoot through her. Considering the situation they were currently in, it wouldn't have been completely unreasonable to assume things… but it was also very understandable.
"Weiss, thank you for sharing how you felt with me," she said instead. "I really mean that. It was brave of you."
Weiss blushed. "No, thank you for listening to me. I'm so grateful that you are here for me, always ready to listen."
They smiled at each other again, the adoration and love in each other's eyes clear to the other.
"You know…" Weiss said slowly, sounding embarrassed again, "why don't we read a little more. We're just getting to a very good part."
That caught Ruby by surprise, but she wasn't one to say no. "Yeah, let's do that. I want to know what happens next," Ruby admitted, smiling sheepishly. She really wanted to read more, and maybe branching out from the regular crop of fantasy novels in the future wouldn't be a bad idea. As long as she could hide them from Yang, that is.
She was also proud of Weiss for the suggestion. It was a concrete proof to her that their conversation had helped to easy her girlfriend's nerves. An idea hit her then and she sent Weiss a happy, mischievous smile of her own. Weiss returned it, not realizing what it was really about.
Ruby moved back so she rested her back against the pillow, but quickly leaned in and positioned her mouth close to Weiss' ear. In a husky voice, heart pounding in her chest, she whispered, "I can't wait to make you feel amazing." She accented her words by a quick nip to Weiss' earlobe, eliciting a gasp from her target.
It delighted her how she heard Weiss draw a quick, shaky breath. Ruby had great plans for that inviting soft little thing that got her girlfriend so worked up from practically nothing. There was nothing wrong with giving Weiss something extra to look forward to.
"You're playing dirty," was all Weiss' said, blushing fiercely.
"You know you like it," Ruby sing-sang impishly and cuddled up against her girlfriend.
"I… won't deny that. And I know something you will like too."
Not waiting for confirmation, Weiss made herself comfortable by sidling herself into Ruby's arms and resting her weight against her.
"You're right. I love holding you." Ruby hooked an arm around her for support, idly trailing her fingers along her arm as Weiss picked the book up again. In the next moment, she let out a small gasp of surprise when Weiss grabbed her right hand and put it over her breast.
"Keep it there… I like it, and I know you do too." Weiss' voice was dripping with embarrassment, but she kept her hand locked in place until she was sure Ruby wouldn't pull back.
Not that Ruby had any intention of doing so.
Wow, she's really forward. I like this a lot… and it must feel liberating for Weiss too.
They kept reading, and when the story once again delved into raunchier territory, Ruby returned to those familiar feelings of pleasure mixed with frustration. The author was getting a lot more creative than she had thought possible.
As they read, it was clear that Weiss was getting worked up too, judging by her breathing. Nothing was said except for quick confirmations that it was okay to turn to the next page.
There was a tenseness to the moment, but it wasn't unpleasant. Ruby was just acutely aware of the fragrance of Weiss' perfume, as well as the weight of the lithe and warm body resting against her. No doubt, similar thoughts was running through her girlfriend's mind.
To make matters worse - or better, really, - she could sense through the tank top Weiss was wearing that she was excited. However, just as the very interesting scene ended, Ruby brushed her hand over the fabric to reposition her hand. Weiss let out a quiet gasp, pointedly staring at the book.
"Sorry," Ruby apologized sheepishly.
"It's fine. I'm just… really sensitive right now." Weiss noticeably tensed and looked down at her chest. She made a motion to reach for the blanket and pull it up but then evidently thought better of it, leaving it around their waists.
Ruby pulled Weiss the tiniest bit closer to herself and burrowed her nose into her hair, taking a deep breath as she moved her hand back to Weiss' arm and gently rubbed soothing circles over her skin. Weiss immediately relaxed and melted into the embrace. The book was put to the side.
"Let's stop reading for today. I wouldn't mind continuing later, but this is a good place to stop," Ruby suggested. Weiss seemed a little bit too skittish, and she didn't want her to be uncomfortable.
"Yes, let's do that."
"Love you, Weiss," she said softly.
"Love you too, Ruby," Weiss replied equally so, letting out a content sigh.
"You know," Ruby began as she planted a kiss to the top of her head, "I'm really glad you shared how you felt with me. That's way more valuable than sex. I want to understand every little part of what makes you who you are, and I will always be there for you." Maybe she was repeating herself unnecessarily, but reassuring Weiss came first.
And I think my urges will be be more manageable after we do it and my curiosity does down a notch… or ten.
"Thank you, Ruby. I'm grateful you're so understanding. It makes me feel safe," Weiss replied, gratitude once again thick in her voice.
Ruby just nuzzled the top of her head, burrowing her nose into a soft tresses. She was glad she could be there for Weiss, but she couldn't help but to feel a twinge of sadness over the fact that it had bothered Weiss so much.
"Want to brush my hair?" Weiss asked.
Ruby smiled, her musings dispelled as she resolved to stop worrying over it. "Sure, but can we finish the movie we started yesterday before that?" The clock was barely past 11 PM.
With plans laid out, they spent the next hour together in quiet contentment, sitting cuddled up and finishing the romantic drama they'd decided on. Normally, romantic movies weren't something Ruby was too fond of, but lately she had begun to appreciate them. Seeing other people, even if it was just an act, acting cute and going through hardships allowed her to make comparisons to her own relationship, sometimes gaining small insights.
When it was around 1 AM, they decided to call it a day. Yang and Blake had already gone to bed an hour ago, but hadn't stopped in to say goodnight, likely believing them to be asleep already.
After a quick bathroom trip, Ruby spent the next ten minutes brushing Weiss' hair, taking the time to make Weiss relax as much as possible. Then Weiss decided to return the favor, like she had begun to do lately.
It felt good, but as Ruby felt how the brush moved over her hair, Ruby didn't really get what was so great about it. Sure, it was relaxing, but oddly enough she found it better when she combing Weiss' hair. It was like meditation, or at least what she assumed that was like since she'd never done that properly. She would sink into this calm and content place where she had one task to focus wholeheartedly on. Their faint breathing and the small sounds from the house and the night outside made every worry and thought melt away as she would move the brush back and forth over the soft hair. It was similar to working on Crescent Rose but more relaxing, since it didn't require so much concentration.
Weiss seemed to enjoy it a lot though, so she let her have her way with the brush. She was humming a tune without even being aware of it, making Ruby smile as she listened. It was so cute.
After that, they were ready for bed and Ruby slunk under the blanket, eagerly anticipating some late night cuddling to round off the day before falling asleep. She was glad any urges had receded at this point, otherwise falling asleep would've been very difficult. For that same reason, she decided to keep their hugs and kisses chaste tonight.
However, her attention turned to Weiss when she made no indication of following her into their little nest. Weiss stood next to the bed, fidgeted anxiously for a moment. "Ruby, there's something I'd like to try." Her voice was hesitant and her eyes had a bashfulness to them that made her absolutely irresistible.
"What is it?" Ruby asked, drinking in the sight despite how Weiss' tone of voice made her curious.
"Can we take off our clothes?" It came out in a somewhat shrill tone. Weiss didn't look her in the eyes anymore, her gaze averted and her cheeks flaming red.
Ruby did a double take and her jaw grew slack. "What? All of them? Right now?" she asked incredulously. The request sent her mind reeling in shock. Judging by the panicked look on Weiss's face, she quickly realized the poor choice of words.
"Not our underwear!" Weiss hurriedly clarified, eyes wide as their gazes met. "I was just thinking that maybe we should sleep in them… if you want to."
Ruby's heart hammered in her chest at the very enticing offer.
Yes, of course I want to!
But she wanted to make sure Weiss was absolutely on board with it herself and not suggesting it out of some sense that she had to. "I would like that… but are you sure you want to?"
Weiss looked away again, still blushing heavily. "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have suggested it."
"Uhm, that makes sense." Ruby let out a nervous chuckle. This was so awkward, no matter how much she loved Weiss or how much she wanted to support her.
It surprised her for another reason too, namely that she had expected herself to be more composed and in charge, but instead she was quickly turning into a fidgeting, blushing, nervously giggling mess, just like Weiss. Maybe when push comes to shove, she was just like any other teenager in this particular regard.
"I… ," Weiss began, only to stop and take a deep breath. "I can't stop thinking about when we went to the beach. You… looked gorgeous... and how it felt when we hugged was... something else. And, well, I'm feeling a little bit more adventurous than usual." A shy smile accompanied the admission.
Ruby couldn't tear her eyes away from her girlfriend. Weiss' bashful demeanour only served to make her look even cuter. "Thanks. So… how do we do this?" she settled for asking, not knowing what else to say at this point. Maybe she shouldn't have been surprised by this turn of events, especially in light of the last few days, but it was a big jump from a little touching over the clothes.
"Turn around and don't look. Can you undress under the blanket?"
"Yeah." Ruby cursed her voice for sounding so hoarse. Were they really going to do this? She met her girlfriend's eyes again, seeing the wavering resolve mixed with anticipation there.
Doing as instructed, Ruby turned against the wall and began to wiggle out of her clothes. Her heart beat so fast she wouldn't be surprised if Weiss could hear it, and it didn't get any better when she picked up the sound of clothes rustling behind her. The desire to turn around and look was almost overwhelming, but Ruby stood firm, not willing to break the trust between her and Weiss.
She placed her discarded items near the edge of the bed, still facing the wall. Under the blanket, it was warm and cozy. "I'm done."
"So am I," Weiss' said in a low voice. Ruby heard her girlfriend's near-silent footfalls approach the bed, making her nearly forget how to breath. From the sound of it, Weiss took her clothes and put them somewhere - Ruby honestly didn't give a toss about where; the suspense was quickly fraying at her nerves.
Weiss flicked the switch of the bedside lamp and the room was enveloped in darkness. When the blanket was lifted, cold air rushed in and Ruby shivered. In the next moment, the mattress sunk down when Weiss laid down next to her. The shared space underneath felt warmer already.
"Turn around," Weiss requested in a soft tone of voice.
Swallowing to alleviate her dry throat, Ruby did as instructed, all while she felt hyper-aware of the slightest sensory input. It was a weird feeling, like her senses were magnified and were relating everything back to Weiss. She was nervous too - really nervous - but also very excited about the prospect of cuddling with a nearly naked girlfriend.
Laying on her side, Ruby's eyes drifted down from the top of the bed, down over Weiss' hair that had a lovely sheen in the moonlight, past her bashful and nervous eyes and blushing cheeks. Weiss was facing her, looking so cute she almost didn't know what to do. In the end, she smiled at her, nervousness and happiness mixed together in the expression, and the smile grew wider and a little more confident when Weiss reciprocated, in turn taking comfort in the gesture.
Ruby's gaze was helplessly drawn further down, over the tiny nose she loved to kiss, over the soft lips she explored frequently, down to her inviting neck… and further down, where exposed skin vied for her attention. The blanket only covered up to slightly above Weiss' chest, leaving her clavicle visible.
A sensation not unlike a bolt of lightning shot through Ruby as a sudden realization hit her.
She's not wearing a bra!
Ruby opened her mouth to speak, eyes wide, but no words came tank top had outlined the bra Weiss had worn earlier, and it definitely wasn't on her now. Even if the room was only faintly illuminated from the moonlight, that much was clear since she couldn't spot any shoulder straps.
The smile Weiss sent Ruby was heart melting, part mischief, part anxiety. Like her girlfriend could read her thoughts. Suddenly, Weiss grasped her hand and moved it underneath the blanket, putting it on her chest. Ruby's breath hitched.
She's definitely not wearing a bra!
Ruby made a strangled noise as reality caught up to her. Weiss just kept smiling shyly at her, looking absolutely adorable in that sort of bashful way only she got to see. "W-Weiss," Ruby stuttered out, only to slam her mouth shut while she regained her composure. An assertive Weiss Schnee had to be one of the hottest thing she knew of.
"Do you like it?" Weiss asked, looking a bit more confident thanks to the reaction.
Ruby just nodded dumbly, unable to stop a broad smile from forming. "Yeah, it's great, Weiss," she finally managed to get out. She gave a gentle squeeze, testing. Ruby found she liked the sensation a lot. It was much better without clothes.
"Kiss me," Weiss said in the next second.
Doing as she was told, Ruby leaned in, revelling in the the sensation of their lips meeting and their bodies pressing together as Weiss scooted towards her, closing the small distance between the two. Weiss was warm, soft and smelled nice. The moment was perfect, giving her something she knew in that very second that she wouldn't be able to live without experiencing again. The trust, the love and the happiness they felt knew no bounds, manifest in their shared intimacy.
Ruby kept her kisses slow and affectionate, not wanting to rush things, wishing to savour the moment and keep Weiss comfortable and happy. This wasn't the time to go too fast or escalate. Instead, as their lips met over and over, she gently explored her girlfriend's chest and then reached out with her hand and carefully placed it on Weiss' stomach, letting her fingers stroke over smooth skin and muscles. Needless to say, it felt amazing. Ruby was sure she would spend a lot of time there in the future.
As she did so, she felt how Weiss wound one of her hands into her hair. Weiss' other hand was slowly exploring her back and Ruby loved how her nails left hot trails along her skin. When the nimble fingers found the bra clasp, they hesitated for a brief second before unhooking it.
Ruby felt the air meet her skin as the bra came loose, understanding the shift in tone Weiss wanted to encourage. She carefully moved away from Weiss' lips, down onto her chin and over her throat. Her girlfriend automatically tilted her head backward to allow easier access.
At the base of her throat, Ruby lingered and nipped at her skin, unable to withstand the desire of leaving a mark. Weiss let out a subdued gasp, causing a rush of desire to sweep over Ruby. Her heart hammered almost painfully in her chest, and the familiar throbbing between legs proved distracting.
Her hand had in the meantime moved upwards to its previous position. It was gratifying for a number of reasons, including how she could both hear and feel that Weiss liked it.
Like she said, she's pretty sensitive isn't she? I feel a bit envious.
Throughout it all, Ruby made sure to not escalate the situation any further, keeping their little game of making out and groping relatively slow.
Remembering that the bra was still somewhat in place, she sat up on her haunches and quickly discarded the item, taking note of how Weiss' eyes darted to her chest.
Naturally, she moved a bit away further to give her girlfriend a better look. Now sitting up in bed, she shivered at the way Weiss' eyes roamed over her upper body. Her back was ramrod straight and she puffed out her her chest, loving the intensity of the gaze on her. She was desired and that knowledge made her a very, very happy girl.
Her eyes, in turn, returned the favor and drank in the sight below her. The blanket had come undone down to Weiss' midsection, leaving her upper body on full display. "Weiss… you're so beautiful," she whispered in a voice a tad bit hoarse, shamelessly committing the sight to memory. Weiss was perfect - absolutely perfect.
"Y-You too, Ruby," Weiss stammered out in reply, nervous and flustered, yet clearly just as happy as she herself felt. If possible,Ruby found the bashfulness to make her all the more adorable.
Smirking, Ruby lay back down on her side and pulled Weiss into a hug. She really loved how much warmer and softer Weiss was without clothes, the sensation of skin meeting skin like this way better than anything she could've imagined. She made a mental note to discuss how much clothes they really had to be sleeping in tomorrow night. Ruby suspected Weiss wouldn't be opposed to a repeat of today.
She kissed Weiss tenderly, letting their lips linger together and almost muffling the cute little 'eep' which escaped her girlfriend when Ruby took one of her hands and promptly placed it on her chest.
Yep, this is way better without clothes!
She giggled, enjoying both the feeling and how wide Weiss' eyes were. "Do you like it?" she asked impishly.
"Yes, do you?" the bashful reply came, a shy smile accompanying it.
Ruby leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips. "I love it."
They began to kiss each other again, tongues meeting, but both girls keeping a languid pace as they carefully let their hands roam over one another. Ruby loved how Weiss seemed to grow more confident with each passing minute, even letting out a giggle when Ruby playfully diverted her hand for a quick pat on her rear.
"Alright, we've had enough fun for tonight I think," Weiss said when they broke apart to catch their breaths. Even with the lack of a good light source, Ruby could tell she was both very happy and flustered, an unusually silly smile on her face - like Weiss couldn't quite believe how bold she'd been.
"Yeah, let's sleep. It's pretty late anyway," Ruby agreed. She really wanted to continue, but didn't want to push Weiss further tonight. Besides, it was probably a pretty good idea to stop before they did more. As much as she had kept her desires in check, she couldn't help but to feel a certain sense of relief that it'd soon go away as to not tempt her anymore.
I could really use a cold shower right about now… after taking care of things. And here I thought I would be able to go to bed without feeling bothered. So worth it though!
"I vote that we sleep without clothes in the future. This is a lot better!" she added though, unable to stop herself from voicing her wish.
"I-I wouldn't be opposed," Weiss said. Then, after a moment of silence, "And you know what, Ruby?" she asked.
Ruby shook her head. "Nope:"
Weiss leaned over and Ruby shivered as her hot breath met her ear. "We'll have even more fun together soon," Weiss' sweet voice whispered. That short sentence sent a jolt through Ruby, making her pent up need all the more difficult to ignore. A small whine escaped her unbidden.
That wasn't fair at all! But oh my gosh, she's so hot when she's assertive. I wonder if Weiss is as frustrated as I am right now and that's what making her say that. When we're a bit more experienced I should ask her about it… but she'll probably short-circuit from embarrassment.
Giggling to herself over her teasing, Weiss turned off the light and curled up against her, making Ruby let out a pleased sigh as one rested around Weiss' midsection. As far as she was concerned, her arousal aside, this was bliss. She got to be the big spoon yet again.
Weiss gave her a soft smile before closing her eyes. "Goodnight, Ruby. Love you."
"Love you, Weiss."
Ruby draped the blanket around them, and within minutes, Weiss was fast asleep in her arms.
To Ruby, the current situation was almost perfect. There was just one small problem for her in that moment - she was still very bothered. How Weiss could fall asleep so fast was beyond her, since she knew she hadn't been unaffected either.
She gently nuzzled her face into Weiss' hair and took slow, deep breaths, feeling how it calmed her down, almost like it purified her thoughts.
I'm living the teenage dream life, aren't I? Got a girlfriend, training to be a hero and slaying monsters, put a criminal behind bars… how my life's turned around so fast. It feels like it was just yesterday I arrived at Beacon.
With her need receding, and contentedness and gratitude filling her heart, she was soon fast asleep.
"Ruby, Weiss, wakey wakey! Or I'll find a whistle!"
Weiss slowly opened her eyes in response to the threat, squinting from the bright light coming in from the window. Judging by the voice and quite forceful hand shaking her shoulder, Yang was trying to wake her. She let out a groan of protest and dug into the blanket with her fingers, pulling it up even further up to not let even an ounce of warmth escape.
Yang let out a subdued laugh. "Seriously, it's almost 11 o'clock. Sleep any longer and you'll two miss breakfast. I've gotta say that you are pretty adorable sleeping so bundled up though. I've even taken pictures you can have later!"
"I'm awake," Weiss said tiredly in a bid to make Yang stop. Behind her, she heard Ruby let out a groan and shift closer to her.
Realizing she wouldn't get any more sleep, Weiss sat up, the blanket falling off of her. The sudden rush of air meeting her skin sent goosebumps along her flesh, even if the room temperature was quite pleasant.
I'm so tired. I want to sleep more, but I don't want to miss too much of today either.
She stretched her arms over her head to work out a few sore spots in her shoulders from yesterday's training session. Her neck cracked satisfyingly, and she took a deep breath, feeling how her muscles relaxed as she exhaled and lowered her arms.
Weiss felt well-rested yet lethargic paradoxically enough. It was like she had spent a week sleeping in a warm, fluffy cloud. She yawned again, covering her mouth with her hand and winced as she tasted her morning breath.
Casting a glance to the outside, she saw clear skies.
Another beautiful day to look forward to.
Her lips quirked upwards into a smile at that thought. "Good morning, Yang," she greeted belatedly. A part of her felt embarrassment over the fact that Yang saw them sharing a bed, but she disregarded the feeling. It was okay - Yang knew, along with everyone else.
However, when she was met with nothing besides silence, her eyes tore themselves from the window and turned to Yang.
Yang was gaping at her, eyes wide with disbelief. Weiss furrowed her brow, still not sure of wha-
Her heart nearly stopped in her chest. With a gasp from the shock, she looked down and took into her own nearly naked state. The spell of lethargy was shaken off in milliseconds as panicked enveloped her senses.
Quickly, she spun around and saw Ruby. The blanket was covering less than what she had prayed for. A lot less.
As much as she wanted to linger on the sight, the feeling of dread in her stomach - like she was being sucked into a void - overruled that notion. She was about to open her mouth to stammer out an explanation, her throat already dry as a desert, but Yang beat her to it.
"Whoops, so sorry I'll just… uh, leave the two of you alone, " she heard Yang say. She sounded flustered, disbelieving, and like this was the most awkward moment in her entire life so far.
It was entirely possible that was just the case - for both of them.
Weiss scrambled to explain. "No, Yang, wait! This isn't-"
"Whaaaaat's going on?" Ruby half-whined, half-grumbled. As her girlfriend opened her eyes, Weiss saw how they immediately drifted to her naked appearance. A dumb smile began to form on Ruby's lips, but it died after a second when she too realized the situation.
Ruby's face turned red and she looked like she didn't know what to do next, her eyes darting between Yang and hers, dread palpable.
The situation would've been comical had it happened to anyone else. As it was, Weiss found that there was very little to find humorous.
In the next second, Ruby snatched up the blanket and swept it around herself and Weiss, hiding behind her back."Y-Yang-"
"Look, I'll just go. Sorry for barging in like this! Take your time to get ready." Yang promptly turned and walked out the door, and Weiss let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding when the door closed. It was a small comfort that Yang was out of-
"Blake, you won the bet!" Yang shouted downstairs, loud enough to be clearly heard through the door.
"Yang!" Ruby shouted in horrified mortification.
"Yang Xiao-Long, get back here!" Weiss shrieked in futility, repeatedly wishing this was a bad dream that she would wake up from any minute now.
But Yang didn't get back in the room, nor was this a dream. Instead, her footsteps could be heard staggering down the stairs, only to be accompanied and overtaken by a roaring laughter. "Blake, you should've seen the look on their faces" they heard through the wall, followed by another bout of cackling laughter.
Weiss sighed, suddenly feeling infinitely tired again. There was no way this would blow over by the time they ate breakfast. "We won't hear the end of this, won't we? she asked with audible resignation.
Ruby groaned. "No, we won't. It's just a misunderstanding but good luck trying to convince her about it."
Then she giggled, and Weiss felt how she leaned against her back, making her yet again acutely aware of their state of undress. A pair of arms caught her around her midsection in a hug, and Ruby rested her chin on her shoulder. It was a very nice feeling.
"But that's fine," Ruby continued, then quickly amending her reassurance, "kinda. She'll calm down… sometime."
Weiss knew that was the case, and she was moreover glad that Yang had given her approval simply by not punching her in the face. Having your girlfriend's overprotective sister leave the room laughing after seeing them close to naked was and under the impression they'd had sex was, considering all, a far cry from the worst possible outcome she could envision.
I don't look forward to breakfast at all though, since she won't shut up with innuendos and amused looks. Maybe we should vacate the premises until Yang's calmed down.
She figured it was worth a shot. And it would be a chance to get the day to themselves and visit the little bagel café she'd seen. "Ruby?"
"Mm?"
"How about we eat a brunch in Patch instead? I don't think we want to deal with this right now. It will be a date." Weiss had to admit that was unnaturally smooth move on her part. She even had an idea of where to go.
"Sounds like a really good idea," Ruby cheered. "But first… morning kisses. No one's going to come in here for a while." Her voice made it clear how much she wanted it. "Just a minute or two."
With that, Ruby pulled her down with her on the bed.
As they lay there and resumed their very rewarding game of affection from yesterday, Weiss couldn't help but to notice how absolutely right this felt. The warmth from their bodies, the love she felt in her heart, the desire stirring beneath the surface… it all converged at one important realization:
I… I want to go all the way. I love her, and I want the two of us to be together.
Either confidence, desire, love or some other emotion had finally broken her out of her hesitation. Maybe a combination of them. Now it was just a matter of finding the right time and place for it.
Heh. Took a long time for Weiss to get to this stage, didn't it? We'll just have to see what happens next….
Reviews appreciated, no matter how long or short they are.