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Chapter 17:

"I don't know Ruby. I'm not there. I'm literally telling you everything Velvet has told me. Coco got handsy with her, kissed her causing Velvet to smack her and retreat to the spare room where she called me as she started to pack her bags and plans to stay with Fox and Weiss." Emerald said as Ruby began to cross her arms. "No this doesn't support your theory that all women are evil and want to tempt me and Coco away. It is probably just Coco's pills making her handsy like we both knew that they would."

"I don't trust her..." Ruby mumbled angrily as Emerald just looked at her. "You don't see how much that whore wants Coco... I bet she is even lying about being straight." Ruby spat as she crossed her arms and glared at her girlfriend. "Don't give me that whole 'no one will pretend they are straight just to steal one of your girlfriends you are just being paranoid' speech. I already don't feel like I deserve one of you... but both? That is insane... and it was only a matter of time before someone tried to steal one or the both of you... and I'm not pretty or confident enough to keep the both of you."

"Confident, I'll give you. You are the furthest from a confident person. But as for pretty, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. Just give us a few minutes to get up to the apartment. You can then grill Coco all you want. But don't attack Velvet. She didn't come onto Coco if she did she wouldn't have called me in tears. Anyone who is cheating knows not to call the person's significant other because you don't want them to know about it." Emerald said as she could see Ruby looking at her with a bit of a question. "Come on Ruby. If anyone knows about manipulating people it should be you. They always need to benefit from it... and pissing off her only source of housing without a doubt one of the best views and alienating one of her closest friends and her friend's girlfriends. One of which is paranoid of just about every single woman, and the other being well known for a violent streak."

"Never said she was smart."

"Ruby. Now you are just being pedantic. We both know Velvet is smart. She has a masters in veterinary sciences and the only reason she didn't extend that to a doctorate is because Coco wanted her to cover a model that bailed on her..." Emerald said as Ruby just took a deep breath and crossed her arms.

"Fine, she isn't people smart... all I know is she tried to have sex with Coco! And I want her gone! I can't handle everything just crumbling and I don't even know why I opened my stupid big mouth saying she can stay! I knew something like this would happen. But no. I shoved that thought out of my mind because I was positive that both my girlfriends would be the ones rebuffing the women... and now she has..."

"Ruby. It was a kiss, and honestly, I have no doubt that Velvet wasn't the instigator. Being straight isn't a choice and no one is going to pretend they are to try and sleep with someone else. Relax. When we get inside we can ask them. But don't jump on hating Velvet. I promise if she did try and take advantage of Coco, we'll be on the phones right away to get the cops here and start pressing charges." Emerald said as she could see tears in Ruby's eyes. It was as if she wanted to just cry but Emerald was left feeling unsure if it was tears of anger towards Velvet, towards Coco or towards herself... or worse tears of pain. "Ruby. You know if Coco did, it wasn't because of her wanting to hurt you. It was because of her medication being just too strong and it messes with her brain."

"But she cheated on us."

"She wouldn't intentionally cheat on us Ruby. She doesn't even get close to when she is drunk. It is literally just the pills and medication she takes. Not to mention, it was just a kiss. I'm going to trust Velvet that is where it stopped until we get in there to ask. You just need to calm down and let Velvet explain herself first." Emerald said as she could see Ruby just biting her lip being unsure about everything. "Ruby. What is it that you always say... those who jump to conclusions often land in ignorance."

Pouting gently, Ruby batted the hand away from her as she took a deep breath. "That wasn't me. It was a quote I found online and found it appropriate to say it to Weiss who always did it when it came to Sun."

"The man who has started entire conversations with 'hey do you mind tazing me Ruby? I need to prove a point.' I wonder why she never assumed he was a rocket scientist who could follow a train of logic beyond 'oh piece of candy'." Emerald said as Ruby just pouted further.

"He only asked me to do that five times. And we are nearly there... you might want to talk to Velvet before I do because I'm going to scream at her... even if I've calmed down a little by this point. I just know if I ever saw that whore's face without talking to Coco first, I'm going to assume that she tried to rape Coco." Ruby mumbled as Emerald shook her head. "I'm not joking. Velvet is your friend... and I tolerate her most of the time. Until she tried to bang Coco. Now I just want blood. At least right now. I mean how dare someone want to kiss one of my girlfri-" Ruby started and was about to yell when Emerald placed a hand over her mouth.

"I'll talk to Velvet, but you can't instantly assume Coco didn't do anything."

"She wouldn't cheat on us if she was in the right mind." Ruby muttered softly as she just took a deep breath as she was left to try and figure this out.

"But she wasn't Ruby. We both knew she wouldn't be but we also both seemingly hoped that if she did get handsy it would be with herself like she has the habit of being like half the time." Emerald said as the doors started to open. "Just... don't scream at Velvet. I'll listen to her. You just make sure Coco didn't cause herself or the apartment any damage."

"I'm glad you are here Emerald. I can always trust you to make the right decision. And calm me down when I just think about that homewrecker. I just hope Raven was joking about her going to rip Coco's head off if she really did cheat on us." Ruby said as Emerald just took a deep breath as they walked out of the elevator.

"She was joking... I hope." Emerald said and meant it. She knew that if that was Raven's reaction from someone just kissing another girl, then she didn't want to imagine what full blown cheating was going to cause. Especially with how frequently Emerald did it with Mercury. She had no doubt that it was going to lead to her death in some gruesome manner. "Remember Ruby. Just go in go to the living room or our room, where ever Coco is and just talk to her and make sure she is safe. Don't scream what you've been screaming to describe Velvet."

"Whore or homewrecker? Which one am I not meant to call her?"

"Don't call her either. Just bite your tongue. She said she was going to stay in her room until we get there. So can you please just relax? I promise if she really was the aggressor then I will be on the phone to the police before I even talk to you."

"I trust you Emerald..." Ruby whispered as Emerald just simply smiled at her. Something in the smile though seemed a bit off to Ruby. She would have loved to question her further but she knew she had to make sure that everything was going to be fine with Coco first. After that she could press Emerald about the almost hollow and pained smile, and then she could get onto the crucifixion of Velvet.

Ruby knew from first hand experience what it was like after someone had tried to take advantage of you. At least Ruby knew what it was like when they went the full way. But she knew that the emotions had to have been similar if not the same. And she knew that if someone as seemingly as tough as Coco would get hit with those emotions... then there was no telling how far she would fall. She knew that in her experience there wasn't much further she could fall emotionally to the point that by the time people had done that to her, she already felt emotionally dead. But Coco...

She had no idea how hard she would be hit and she just wanted to be there for Coco for once instead of the other way around. Coco had always been there for her and Emerald when their emotions went into chaos... it would only be the only healthy thing to do.

Grabbing her keys Ruby quickly started to unlock the door not even waiting to close it as she nearly ran into the apartment. She normally would have been sceptical about passing Velvet's room, but she knew that Emerald was going to be looking after her and probably telling her to stay until the police arrived.

Nearly jumping over the couch, Ruby groaned as her foot caught the back of the couch and she fell onto the thankfully softer couch. At least softer than compared to the floor. She just groaned as she rolled over and just took a deep breath as she could see Coco sitting on the floor with her head in her hands.

Scrambling as fast as she could over to Coco, Ruby just took a deep breath as she gently wrapped the older girl in a gentle hug. She could feel Coco fighting her a little, but she just had to resist that and just hold onto her as much as she could.

"Coco. Relax. It is me. I'm here for you." Ruby said as she could just hear a groan as Coco had finally been able to shaker her off. If just from the confusion from Ruby.

Confusion that only seemed to grow as she could hear Emerald in the hallway. "It's fine Velvet. I'll let you know when she is feeling better. But you don't need to leave. Just go to Weiss' and Fox's and just calm down. I wouldn't suggest telling Weiss about why. Ruby, Coco and I need to have some words first."

Shaking her head, Ruby knew she'd scream in a few seconds at Emerald. Right now she had to focus on Coco. "Coco... what gives. It is just me and Emerald." Ruby said as she tried to hug Coco again. Getting furious at Coco clearly ignoring some pain as she pushed Ruby backwards.

Quickly standing up Coco was about to storm out of the room when Emerald stopped her. "Coco. This isn't going to go away. We need to actually talk about it." Emerald said as she looked at Ruby before looking into Coco's eyes which had clearly been crying. Something that had just hurt Emerald more as she could see Ruby standing up.

"I cheated on you two... there is nothing to talk about." Coco hissed with vehemence clearly towards herself. Something that Emerald understood as Ruby bit her lip to stop herself from calling out that it had to be a lie. "I'll go to my folk's. And send people to get my things."

"Coco. It was a kiss. We can work past this. Not to mention you were drugged."

"The drugs I took! I kissed another woman! Ruby has probably been jumping through all kinds of mental loops to convince herself that Velvet was the one that kissed me! I'm a fucking cheater! All this assuming that Ruby could stop insulting Velvet." Coco spat at what the trio knew was less about how angry they should be at Ruby. It was Coco wanting them to be mad at her.

Rage that just seemed to dissipate slightly as Ruby walked up and wrapped Coco in a gentle hug. "I don't want you to go... if it was really just a kiss... Emerald is right. We can move past it." Ruby said as she could feel Coco just wanting to fight the comforting hug but she seemed to give up at some point and just accepted it. Something that was reinforced in Ruby's mind as she could feel Emerald's stronger arms wrapping around the both of them.

The type of comfort that Ruby was just overjoyed he could see Coco accepting it. "I mean... I'm actually a little glad that you are this torn up about it. It makes me hopeful." Ruby said as she bit her tongue as she could see Coco and Emerald quickly disengaging from the hug to just stare at her. "I don't suppose either of you would accept a lie or that I'd talk about it at some happy event... right?"

"Not if you want that to make sense and isn't you coming off as extremely sadistic towards us." Emerald said as Ruby just sighed.

"Sure it can't wait until like Summer's funeral... or a really nice dinner?" Ruby said as both of her girlfriends shook their heads. "Just... can... you both give me like two minutes? I need to get something but I promise it will make sense." Ruby said not even giving them a chance to question her.

"Not that I'm any less angry at myself... but did any of that make sense to you?" Coco asked as Emerald shook her head. "You also seem a bit off."

"I just found out that you kissing someone else while you were on drugs was enough to make you want to break up with me and Ruby. So I'm a little emotional." Emerald said as she pulled Coco into a hug. "But... you know Ruby and I don't care about you kissing someone else while you were on drugs. You do need to call Velvet though." Emerald said as they could see Ruby walking back into the room with her hands behind her back.

"Again... this isn't how I wanted it to come out... especially when I think about that whor-" Ruby began before biting her tongue to stop herself from uttering the rest of that word. Producing two small boxes. "Again I wanted it to be something happier compared to this... but I suppose it will stop Blake and Weiss with their stupid incessant snickering.. and I already looked up the legality of it..." Ruby continued as she placed the items into her girlfriends hands. "I actually really want to hear a very important word to the implied question... because I don't think I can actually say the words."

Curious both Emerald and Coco shared a glance as they could see Ruby starting to get down onto one knee. "Please don't make me actually say it. Because you both already get me so tongue tied... and I trip over my words... and... I know we may fight and Coco did kiss Velvet... but I do know I want to spend the rest of my life with the both of you."

"Ruby... if you are joking..." Coco said as she began to gingerly open the box. Gently covering her mouth with her free hand as she stared at the delicate metal with various rubies and emeralds on the band. "Seriously Ruby..."

"I'm not joking... I mean it. If it wasn't for you two... or Raven... I don't think I could have made it as long as I did. And if you both weren't in my life... I don't think I could continue on living. I'm beyond socially inept and you were right Coco... if I was with Emerald... I would have just been screaming at Velvet." Ruby spoke softly as she just took a deep breath. "We can work through you kissing her... maybe she stays with Weiss for a day or two... but I'd happily work through that. It isn't like you actually slept with her." Ruby said softly as she just took a deep breath. "So what do you two say?"

"Yes." Coco said as Ruby jumped up to hug her.

"No..." A frail response came that broke the merriment between Coco and Ruby. Both of them quickly turned to look at Emerald who just handed the box back to Ruby.

"It isn't as extravagant as Coco's... and I made sure it doesn't have any nickel. Like I went to several jewellers to make sure that it wasn't going to harm you..." Ruby knew her voice was coming in a lot frailer than she had assumed possible, but she really wasn't expecting that to be Emerald's response. Especially after the few times Ruby had bought her jewellery and it had been made clear that Ruby knew how serious her allergy was.

"It isn't that Ruby... it looked beautiful." Emerald said as she crossed her arms over herself. "Just... I've got to come clean. And it isn't something that is as easily forgiven as Coco and Velvet." Emerald said just ignoring how her voice was seeming just as frail as Ruby's own. But she knew that it wasn't something that she could ignore. Especially with how much Ruby really did want them to be with her for the rest of their time on earth. There was no way she could avoid this any more. "And it is also partially why I've been dealing with a lot of shit mentally... but it isn't so much like normal depression but a lot of guilt."

Feeling lost Ruby quickly looked towards Coco who had seemed to gather a lot more than she did out of those words. "Em... if it is a joke... it is a bad time to play it. Even if it isn't... if you two will gladly work through me kissing someone... we can work through you kissing someone."

"It wasn't just kissing." Emerald said as she just took a deep breath as she could see Ruby and Coco developing the hurt expression she knew they deserved.

"What was her name?" Coco hissed as she could feel Ruby clinging onto her in what was a clear attempt to stop her crying. Something that Coco was actually thankful for. If just because it would stop Ruby from seeing herself starting to cry.

"It wasn't a woman. I don't think I could ever find one like you two because you both are perfect. It is just... it started as just a terrible drunken mistake. It wasn't even a case that he was attractive. Actually when he was drunk he was a lot more frail than Ruby... physically at least. But it only happened a handful of times and he meant nothing to me." Emerald said as Coco just glared at her one that seemed to harshened.

"So where you just not going to tell us and hope that you weren't pregnant because then we'd easily know if you were!? I at least came clean and even if Velvet hadn't called you two I would have told you the moment you both walked in!" Coco yelled as Emerald took a deep breath as she stared into the tear riddled eyes.

"I never let him do that. He never was even allowed to touch me there. It was just anal and the occasional handjob. But he really did mean nothing to me. Every chance I could be with him or with you two, I was here." Emerald said as she just took a deep breath. "I'm not sure if it was just me being lonely or what. Just... I did it. I'm not expecting either of you to forgive me. Just... I couldn't say yes while this is weighing on me."

"HOW THE HELL WERE YOU LONELY! WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET YOU TO COME BACK! BUT INSTEAD YOU KEPT DEMANDING TO DO THINGS YOURSELF!" Coco yelled knowing that she must be scaring Ruby. Yelling had been one of the things they were told to avoid when there was something emotional going on and she could feel Ruby's grip on her tightening as if she was afraid at any second Emerald was going to snap and actually kill them. "WE WANTED YOU BACK HERE... WHEN YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO GO TO COLLEGE, WE EVEN OFFERED TO MOVE CLOSER SO YOU COULD STILL STAY WITH US. YOUR LONELINESS WAS YOUR DOING."

"IT WAS MY DOING BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE A GOD DAMN SUGAR BABY!" Emerald yelled before she bit her tongue. "I MISSED IT WHEN ME AND YOU WERE BOTH SIGNIFICANTLY POORER THAN RUBY! NOW I'M FEELING LIKE I'M JUST TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE BOTH OF YOU! NOW I'VE BEEN LEFT FEELING NOTHING BUT GUILT FROM A SINGLE ALBEIT REPEATED FUCK UP ON MY PART!" Emerald continued knowing that there was no going back until everything was out in the open. "I mean honestly... you don't get how hard it is when I can't even get a job under my own merit and had to have it given to me by one of my girlfriends. I feel like I don't even belong in this house... I feel like I can't stand on my own feet."

Not speaking as she slid out from embrace Coco had been forcing her into much to Ruby's thanks, she simply clutched the box in her hand as she stared into the tear filled eyes of Emerald. Someone that if Ruby was being honest she had been losing sleep over thinking she was an awful girlfriend for letting one of her girlfriends fall into depression.

"I'm not looking for a reason or absolution. Or even necessarily forgiveness. I know what I did was awful and I'd understand if you both would rather if I did break up with the both of you and we never spoke again. But I could not say yes. You both mean too much to me to lie. Even not telling you both this long has been keeping me up at night, has been actually causing me all kinds of pain. What I'm doing by telling you both this is so you both are aware about everything." Emerald said as she barely had enough time to duck as Ruby threw the ring box at Emerald. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to hit her, or just make her duck.

All Ruby did know was that she was in unimaginable pain. Something that she hadn't felt since she was told her father and sister weren't going to wake up and that her mother had caused all of it. The type of pain that had only vanished once Emerald, Coco and herself started to date and keep the awful thoughts at bay.

She wanted so much to scream. Or even to say anything. But with tears in her eyes... Ruby was left feeling just as hollowed out as when she was told everything the first time. This wasn't even like with Coco where Ruby would gladly live in denial about everything and maintain that Velvet did something. This was Emerald confessing that she had slept with someone else.

But instead Ruby was left with the only thing she knew how to do without a doubt in her mind. One that she knew was going to say more than she ever could.

She ran.

She ran out of the apartment and quickly into the elevator. She just knew that Coco and Emerald weren't going to follow. They both would still be in shock. Whether that is from Emerald's news. Or more likely Ruby's bout of anger being directed towards someone.

All she knew was...

She couldn't stay there. Not for a while.

Author's Note:

4 days to get this done... but it is done and it makes me happy because the story is nearly over now.

guest: You really must be new because I'm not known for Ruby coming out on top... more so back where she started with nothing but a cruel life lesson... but yeah... keep holding out.