And some more

Chapter 20:

Resting her foot up, Ruby took a deep breath as she leaned her head back, wincing vocally as her head snapped upwards to see Kali gently raising her foot to place a pillow underneath. "Sorry... I didn't mean to wake you up." Kali said softly as Ruby just took a deep breath.

"I wasn't asleep." Ruby said as Kali walked over and took a seat next to her. "So whose turn was it to yell at Coco and Emerald while your vocal cords are healing. Ruby asked as Kali just sighed gently. "Seriously... if anyone should be screaming at them it is me. They cheated on me... although Coco's it wasn't nearly as bad. Even if it was with an outright whor-!" Ruby began before biting her lip, as to stop herself from continuing that train of thought.

"Weiss and Blake's... Raven said something about needing to leave because if she got a turn she'd do something you'd disapprove of." Kali said happily as Ruby just frowned and took a deep breath. "We all care about you Ruby. And not mention that Emerald is well aware of what you went through personally. And Coco borderline assaulted another girl..."

"Coco was on powerful drugs... which is why I'm not as mad at her. Velvet is the one at fault with her slightly cute ways. Coco is only human. Emerald however..." Ruby said, taking a deep breath as she accepted the pill bottle being handed to her. "I mean... how the hell am I meant to deal with that? She slept with some guy... and I know that is so much worse... but... there is relationship therapy and I'm just feeling conflicted. I do still love them both... and without them... I wouldn't have had it in me to even make it through Salem... I would have given up a long long time before that. Even before we were dating... Blake and Weiss who always were looking out for me... just never seemed to be completely genuine in their concern and at times like I was actually trying their patients before they knew everything. Meanwhile Coco and Emerald just didn't care and were always there... even through several messy suicide attempts."

As Ruby spoke, she twisted the cap off the pill bottle and dropped one of the white objects out. "They really do mean the world to me... I've got no idea how I'd be able to go on without them." Ruby continued to speak as she just took a deep breath and accepted the glass of water. "Also you don't need to baby me. I told you and everyone else... it is nothing but a really bad sprain. The doctors even were impressed at my knowledge of how to properly bandage my ankle." Ruby said as she just quickly downed the pill and some water. Shaking her head a bit from minor discomfort, Ruby just took another deep breath. "I just can't stress my leg all that much. But I can still walk on it as long as it isn't far and I don't put a lot of weight on it."

"He said you shouldn't put any weight on it unless you have no other choice." Kali corrected as Ruby rolled her eyes a little. "As for if you three should work this out... I can't tell you what you should do. I know if Ghira cheated on me... I'd lock him in a chastity belt, weld the cage shut and then maybe cut him a little before leaving him. But that is because We've a child together and we even consider you like our other daughter. How dare he cheat on me." Kali said before taking a sharp breath to calm herself. "But you aren't me. Which is a good thing. The world already has one Kali Belladonna... doesn't need two. It needs a Ruby Rose." Kali said with a smile as Ruby just took a deep breath and swung her head backwards.

"I wish it didn't. But I should probably go and save Coco and Em..."

"Wait for the pills to start to work first. A few more minutes." Kali reasoned as Ruby just looked at her. "Ten... twenty minutes extra will be fine. Especially because I want a few more minutes to yell at them again. I really really need it. Because if not, I might just yell something at Ghira that I don't mean. You know how misdirected anger tends to be a bad thing." Kali said as Ruby just took a deep breath and began to lower her foot once again. "And it should stay up."

"It only needs to stay up if I plan to be immobile for a while. And I don't. I actually don't want them dead... regardless if I stay with them or not. Just because I don't want Weiss or Blake to go to jail. I need my manager... and Weiss is oddly great at venting. You just need to be ready to get vented to... which isn't all that hard. The only issue is she has tried constantly to talk to me about men thinking I'd develop something besides friendship... but that isn't on her." Ruby said as she began to push herself up.

She had to admit that she was actually just a little happy that she had pills in her system because she knew that this would have been nearly impossible without. Just the pain from having the bandage wrapped around her leg was enough to cause her immense discomfort compared to pain she would have been in which would have been near crippling. She however knew that she could make up for it. Just because she knew that Coco and Emerald may actually be able to help her think things through with her. Because no matter how many times people had been telling her what to do she knew that in reality that it would boil down to her and what Coco and Emerald wanted as well.

Accepting the offered crutch, Ruby took a deep breath as she began to slide the plastic cuff around her forearm as she started to walk out of the living room, understanding that the eyes on her were of concern but also slight anger at her from removing the current chance to scream at Coco and Emerald.

Opening the door, Ruby took a deep breath as she could see Weiss and Blake just stopping. "Guys... can you give us the room. Someone should probably go and make sure that Kali is alright. She seemed kind of pissed that I was going to ignore her and get up and walk around." Ruby said as she could see the duo that had been yelling deflate a little at just her presence. "Seriously. Go. This screaming is only being cathartic for you two and Kali. Not for me. I've never needed other people to fight my battles for me..." Ruby said defensively as she could see the duo starting to slink away.

Seeing them leave, Ruby just took a deep breath as she started to walk towards the bed that just faced her two girlfriends... fiancees... once close friends... she wasn't sure. All she knew was that by the end of this day she'd have an answer she'd feel comfortable with.

"I'm not going to scream at you... after today... I don't think I even have it in me." Ruby said as she took a seat on the edge of the bed just facing them. "But... this is something that we need to actually talk about. And seeing as I can't run off and just think... it is best that we actually address this all." Ruby said as she could see the duo just relaxing. "I'm not going to say that I'm not pissed. Because I am. You both cheated on me. One of you thankfully just kissed another girl... but you both actually cheated on me."

"I wa-"

"I know you were on drugs Coco. But if Velvet didn't hit you, you would have raped a woman... and Em... you slept with a guy... repeatedly... where are we in your priority list?" Ruby said as she could see Coco just frowning a little as she looked over towards the green haired woman as if she was wanting to know the exact same thing.

"You both are the top priority to me. I already made up my mind that pass or fail... I'm not going back there, short of getting my graduation papers. You both in reality do mean everything to me. I'm not going to try and force either of you to take me back... but I'd gladly do anything to prove to the both of you that I actually really do care about the both of you and that there is nothing for me without you two. At least not romantically. There are no other people. That guy meant nothing to me. There are literally no other people... it was just one guy. And if I never see him again it will be too soon." Emerald said as Ruby just took a deep breath.

"Bull... you slept with him repeatedly." Coco said as she could Emerald just staring at her. The sight of tears being present in Coco's eyes "You cheated on the both of us..."

"I'm not denying that. I feel terrible for doing it. But it was just one guy. And he always used protection... if you want I'll even get tested."

"You are definitely getting tested if we continue to go out. You are getting the whole works of tests... from pregnancy to any sort of STI test that exists..." Ruby said softly as Coco and Emerald looked at her. "You promised us you would stay faithful... so sorry if I don't trust you that it was only one guy. Coco needs one too... we only have one whore's word that she only got as far as kissing. I don't trust her either... or her cheating boyfriend... there is no telling what nasty things either of you could have." Ruby explained her reasoning as she took a deep breath. "And I do want to be with the both of you still... but you can understand that... mentally... I can't have the both of you stay here. Not for a few weeks at least. Coco, I already called your parents and they already said it was fine for you to crash there in the meantime. Emerald... I talked with Sun and he is letting you stay with him... I tried to go to your parents and ask them... but I got nowhere. I didn't tell either grouping of the reasons... not to say that they didn't find out. I don't know what anyone else has told them."

"Ruby." Emerald said before she just took a deep breath.

"Fine... I get that it is asking a lot of you... but you need to promise that if you have nightmares... that you'll call me... or even Emerald. Or anyone. I'll even face Raven to lend her my keys and key card in case she needs to get in." Coco said as Ruby just took a deep breath as she looked towards Emerald.

"I'll give mine to Kali and inform the front desk that if they see us to just let us up. We are just spending some time apart. But you'll need to actually call us. Maybe not even every day, but every other day Ruby. Even if it isn't me, than Coco. One of us. And actually look after yourself." Emerald said as Ruby just smiled at her and took a deep breath.

"Please don't give Kali a key... I love her like I love Raven... but at least Raven doesn't baby me. Kali actually has been trying to baby me like I found two corpses again. When in reality, I was right. It is just a really nasty sprain. And I can't help but imagine what she'd do if she had a key. Like forcing me to eat properly and not eat pizza or barbecue for every meal." Ruby said as Coco and Emerald just shook their heads.

"You probably shouldn't eat that regardless." Coco said as Ruby just puffed her cheeks out. "You just need to relax Ruby. And actually look after yourself.

"I know how to treat an injury guys... it is one of the benefits of being in an abusive household. Raven knows how to lockpick, I know a lot about first aid and to treat yourself.. Qrow learned how to drink his problems away. And I'm sure some actually useful skills... just he would need to be sober. And maybe not fighting with Raven."

"I don't think I've seen them even exchange two sentences with each other without them getting ready to jump into a fist fight. They are kind of like feral cats in that regard." Coco said as Emerald just chuckled.

"If they were feral cats there would be a lot less blood. I actually once saw them pulling knives on each other and I nearly had to call the cops on them." Emerald said as Coco gestured in assent towards her. "So, you promise you'll call Ruby."

"I promise. Just... don't do something stupid with Sun. And Coco... don't shut your parents out. They sounded surprised and did try to push me for more, but I refused to give them more. If you want to tell them okay... if not... I won't."

"I'll tell them, don't worry. Just... please look after yourself Ruby." Coco said as she just took a deep breath Ruby nodded and gently hugged the both of them.

"I will. Again... if either of you gave your keys and card for the elevator to Kali... I'd have no other choice. Just please don't give her the stuff. I actually feel like if she had that stuff I might need to have the locks changed... and a new key card system made." Ruby said as she took a deep breath as she separated from them. "Like I love her like I love Raven... but at least Raven waits to be invited or she hasn't heard from me for a few days." Ruby said with a small laugh as she could see Emerald and Coco just nodding their heads. "Besides... maybe in a week or two... I want you two to move back in here... maybe not into the room... but into the apartment."

"No rush Ruby. But we both just need to give you and each other time. Some of us more than others." Coco said as she shot Emerald a look. "But... if you want... we can look into relationship therapy."

"Emerald will if she wants me to start to trust her again." Ruby said as Coco and Emerald looked at her. "What better way to prove that she really does want us to stay together and she is willing to change than to find someone wanting to accept our dirty laundry and wanting to help us."

"I agree. But... if you aren't even sure if you want to continue dating us?" Coco began as she just took a deep breath as she looked her girlfriends in the eyes.

"I might. We'll just have to wait and see. I'll gladly go to any therapy even if we aren't sure about this. It might actually help us come to a solution where we all are happy." Ruby said with a smile as she just took a deep breath. "Just... no female therapists Emerald. Preferably a eunuch. My mind can only handle so much stress. But if no eunuchs are doing relationship therapy... which would be weird that they were, I'd accept a male therapist."

"I know Ruby. But you should probably rest up. We'll try and get everyone out. But if what you say about Kali is true... and given how hard it was last time to get her out... she might stay a bit longer until after we leave." Emerald said with a soft tone as she could see Ruby just wrapping her arms around herself.

"And that is why I can't. Seriously... I've no doubt that she'd get all maternal again. And I don't need someone else to wash my clothes... especially the special stuff I wear when we wanted to get down. I don't need Kali to see that stuff." Ruby said in a soft tone. "But if you both want to get rid of your keys... Give it to Nora... or Pyrrha instead of Kali... I'd actually take it being handed to Ghira provided you made him promise that Kali won't be allowed to get to them without him being present the entire time."

"Sounds fair." Coco said calmly as she started to walk towards the door with Emerald on her tail with Ruby limping as carefully as she could towards the door with them. "But seriously Ruby... just... remember to take your pills and that there are plenty of people that are just a single phone call away. You literally just need to pick up the phone."

"I know. And if I do need you two... I will. But, I've gotten through worse things without you two knowing about it..." Ruby said as she looked into her kitchen where she could see Kali talking with Blake and Weiss clearly not expecting them to be done so soon. "Now I hate to say this with Kali in the room... but anyone I'm not currently dating can you please leave my apartment? I need to crash. And I can't do that comfortably with everyone being here. Still have some serious trust issues with women in general while I sleep. Including you Kali..." Ruby said as she could see the woman just deflating. "Don't give me that Kali. I'm a big girl now. I don't wake up screaming any more. Or at least not every night. And I already told them to give Ghira and Raven their keys."

"You sure that is smart Ruby?" Blake said with a chuckle before she winced at her mother smacking over the back of her head. "What? It is a serious question."

"Don't you corrupt Ruby believing something irrational." Kali scolded as Ruby just smiled faintly.

She knew that it was going to be something that she couldn't avoid, but at the same time she knew the truth of the matter. "I'm sure regardless. Both Emerald and Coco have been instructed to who they need to give the keys and on what grounds... but seriously... I need some sleep. And I do still have plenty of other irrational thoughts that don't need help Kali. Especially the whole... irrational fear of women going to kill me or those I care about. Especially maternal figures. But can you blame me?"

"No... But I'm not going to leave before those... not going to finish those thoughts. It is un-lady like." Kali said as Blake began to snicker ignoring the hand being smacked across the back of her head. "March young lady. Or I'll mention some of the things I found inside that puzzle of yours that you left in your old bedroom."

"Which one? Because there are a few." Blake said as Ruby just shook her head.

"Will all of you please leave?" Ruby pleaded as she took a deep breath. "Seriously... I need everyone gone. Otherwise I'm going to just walk out again." Ruby whispered the last part as she could see the group looking at her before sullenly walking towards the door.

Just seeing them walk out, Ruby took a deep breath as she began to limp a little to see them walking out the door and it closing behind them.

"Guess I'm alone again now... except this time... I'm not the cause. Just the unfortunate victim... so not entirely a new feeling." Ruby mumbled as she spun around and started to walk back into her now far too big room. "I suppose I really should get some sleep..."


Frowning as she took a seat in some windowless room, Ruby just had to take a deep breath as she could hear a knock. Taking a deep breath Ruby looked behind the couch and just smiled faintly at the sight of a pale skinned figure walking towards the fridge. It was a little alarming to Ruby.

Seeing the pale woman, for she knew was now a woman turning around Ruby could feel her blood turn to ice as she could see Salem's typically cold eyes staring into her own.

"So... it seems that the thorn in my side has finally pushed everyone away." Salem spoke as Ruby took a deep breath. "If I knew that it was that easy, I wouldn't have tried so hard to get rid of them... but I suppose that their corpses were smelling anyways."

"You are in jail... this is nothing but a nightmare..." Ruby whispered as she could see the woman almost floated across the room with the same presence that Ruby had known her for in the past. As her icy hand wrapped around Ruby's throat and she could feel her lungs starting to burn already. Something that just caused her more pain was amplified as she was tossed backward.

Stumbling backwards just trying to catch her footing, Ruby began to panic as she fell onto her back. Shoving herself up, Ruby began to take some panicked breaths at the sight of the two corpses staring at her as pain just seemed to seep from her body.

"Pain is the greatest measurement for a dream is it not? Not to mention normally one of those harlots has woken you up..." Salem spat as Ruby just took a deep breath as she began to shove herself backwards. "So tell me again how you think this is a dream?"

"You are in jail. Coco and Emerald are safe. They always are safe..." Ruby whispered in a feeble manner. She wasn't sure if it was genuinely true or it was just her trying to fruitlessly convince herself that she was in fact telling the truth. All she knew was that she was in pain.

Pain that couldn't be if what she was told about dreams was true. "Then prove it. Wake up." Salem called out in such an icy tone as her normally intimidating form started to loom over Ruby. Closing her eyes tightly, Ruby just winced as she felt her collar being yanked upwards. Gasping as her eyes snapped open...

Ruby quickly just started to scan her room. The room she fell asleep in. Looking towards the clock, Ruby just sighed as she started to scrunch over towards the edge where she felt around for where she left her phone. Sighing gently as she quickly looked at the time and just frowned.

"Missed dinner... and like ten hours of my day." Ruby said as she took a deep breath. "But at least that was just a nightmare." Ruby said as she quickly unlocked her phone and scrolled down the list of her contacts. She knew that if Kali or Raven found out who she was calling they were going to be mad, but Ruby had to admit that she was already kind of missing them and she did promise that she would call them if something like this happened.

Hearing a groggy voice on the other end picking up, Ruby just took a deep breath. "Coco... um... do you mind if we talk? I just had a pretty bad dream and hearing you and Emerald normally calms me down. You don't have to if you don't want to..."

"Nah it is fine Ruby. Did you eat anything? Your voice sounds a lot shakier than just a nightmare unless it was a hunger induced one. And do you want me to turn this call into a threeway with Emerald?"

"No I didn't. I slept through once you guys left... and I'll call her. Just, I know you are the hardest to wake up."

"Okay... that's fair. But I'll call her, you get up and go get something to eat. You need to eat properly Ruby. Especially after that hospital visit where the doctor even admitted that you were a bit malnourished."

"That doctor was a quack. But fine... it will do me good to hear her as well. It was a Salem nightmare this time..."

"Yeah, because that is what a girl wants to hear waking up... did you not eat? You always have Salem dreams when you don't eat." Emerald said as Ruby could hear Coco laughing on the other end.

"I didn't intentionally not eat. Sleep just wins out." Ruby said as she winced vocally as she could hear the concern on the other end but neither wanting to be the one to break Ruby's current independent streak.

That was before Emerald just had to. "You alright Ruby?"

"Yeah the bandage just got loosened so I just need to tighten it after I get something to eat."

"Should probably not make us panic like that Ruby." Coco said as Ruby just took a deep breath.

"I don't mean to. Just... I had to hear your voices again."

"Well at least we have that... you normally make it longer without us though."

"Not when I have a nightmare where my stupid brain got me thinking you two aren't safe."

"Fair point."

"Yup."

Author's Note:

And done. Catch you all next time.