Late-day light streamed in through the tall windows of the empty halls, casting a lone shadow on the tile floors. A girl sat on a bench with her back to the low sun, silver eyes reflecting the cool glow of her phone screen as she scrolled disinterestedly through her social media feed.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she let her hand fall into her lap, her thumb clicking her phone off as she looked up at the ceiling. I didn't know it would take this long. I hope everything's okay.
Creeeak…
The whine of an old door drew Ruby's attention from her thoughts, bringing her newly sharpened gaze up as two figures stepped out from the office behind it.
A cute girl with bright red hair tied in a side braid came out first, her annoyed expression instantly burning away to surprise and gratitude the moment she saw her girlfriend. Behind her, a tall man with brown eyes and grey hair stood looming over the petite student, cane in one hand while his other adjusted his small glasses.
"Ah, Ms. Rose, as nice as it is to see you, I'm rather surprised, it's getting late and there are no student council or track team meetings today that I know of." He smiled pleasantly, but somehow, Ruby could just tell he knew why she was really there.
"Actually, I'm here for Thistle." She blushed, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.
"I see. Well, I hope you have a good evening. Thistle, don't keep your student council president waiting." With a nod and a sly smile, he retreated back to his office, leaving the two young women alone together.
"I- I um... didn't think you'd wait for me." Thistle's big purple eyes shifted downward while her cheeks lit up with a warm pink tint and the smallest but purest smile graced her lips.
"What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't bail you out of detention?" She giggled, a light step forward and she was there, only millimeters away. Leaning in and within a split second, before Thistle knew what was happening, a gentle warmth washed over her from a single point on her forehead where Ruby's kiss hit like a feather and a meteor at once.
"You didn't bail me out, but I'm still happy you're here. At least I know who I can count on if I end up in jail." Thistle smirked, pulling Ruby towards her by her hips before bringing her forhead to rest on hers.
"Please don't, my phone battery won't last that long." A huff of laughter and she could feel Thistle's warm breath against her face, filling her chest with a blissful heat before she tilted her head ever so slightly, letting her lips fall against Thistle's.
"Mmm…" Whatever clever or witty thing Thistle had come up with as a response, that sound was all her brain would let her make as it flooded with a strange happiness she had never experienced before she started dating Ruby. She's really the best…
"So…" The silver eyed overachiever softly licked her lips after pulling away, letting her heart slow down and her lungs fill with fresh air. "Do you um… want to go?"
"Huh?" It took her endorphin drowning brain a few extra seconds to process things before they clicked. "Oh! Yeah, um, right, let's get the fuck out of here."
"Hee-hee, anyone ever tell you that you're adorable?" Ruby just couldn't contain herself, throwing her arms around Thistle and squeezing her tiny girlfriend as hard as she could. "Come on, before we get locked in and have to spend the night."
"Well… at least it'd be with you, I'm sure I could think of some way to keep you from getting bored, even after your phone dies." Thistle smirked, nudging Ruby before taking her girlfriend's hand.
"Oh, what would we do with all that free time, alone, in the dark?" Mirrored eyes sparked with playfulness while her smirk alone sent a wave of heat through Thistle's chest and face.
"I- I um… y-you know… um… we- we um…" She was barely able to keep herself composed as with the most awkward look on her face and her brain melting from embarrassment.
"It's okay, sorry, I just love teasing you, you're so cute when you're flustered." A gentle giggle escaped her with a cute little snort punctuating her laugh. Sheepishly Ruby's eyes averted while she tried to stifle her enduring smile, her hand reaching up to brush away loose strands of silky hair in an attempt to hide her face, even for a moment.
"How the hell did I end up dating someone so… beautiful?" That last word held a great amount of weight, Thistle didn't even realize it until it felt like her chest was suddenly full of helium. It wasn't some superficial compliment, she wished so hard at that moment that she had telepathy, so she could let Ruby see just how deeply beautiful she really was. What is this? We've only been together for two months… but damn, I've never felt this way. Okay, I need to keep a level head, it's just been two months.
"Thistle…" Ruby stopped, she wasn't easily flustered like her girlfriend, but looking into her expressive purple eyes, she could see something powerful in them as they reflected her own that made her heart feel as bright as the sun.
"S- sorry, I- I um…" She averted her eyes, unable to handle Ruby's gaze peering into hers. "I just meant… I mean… I- I don't really know w-"
"It's okay." Ruby squeezed Thistle's sweaty hand tighter, just to feel her. It was like nothing she'd ever felt, she wanted to run away as fast as she could and tackle Thistle in a deep embrace all at the same time… but she took a deep breath. "Things are good. We're good. Let's just take it from there."
"Y- yeah… that sounds good." Relief quenched her overheating body like an ocean wave. "L- let's go, I could use some fresh air, heh-heh."
"So could I." A simultaneous exhale breathed the tension from the girls' bodies as they continued to walk hand in hand.
Their steps echoed the empty halls as the left their awkward exchange behind them, but the uncomfortable silence followed them only seemed to amplify their discomfort. Neither girl could bring themselves to look at their partner, their hands entwined and their cheeks burning but their gaze averted to anywhere but the person walking beside them.
"So…" Thistle groaned, suddenly extremely aware of just how sweaty her hand was and wondering if her girlfriend was just holding on to be polite at that point.
"So…" Ruby repeated, squeezing Thistle's hand a little tighter, worried if her sweat was making Thistle uncomfortable. "How um… how did you end up in detention anyway? You've been doing really good."
"Uhg, it's my math teacher. I called him a useless drunk asshole." A grimace of annoyance overtook her awkwardness as she thought about it.
"Hah-hah, Thistle, why would you do that." Despite her shaking her head in disapproval, she couldn't help but smile and laugh. Wait… drunk?
"I was napping and he dropped a book on my desk and it scared me! It's not my fault, it was just the first thing I blurted out." She pleaded her innocence but Ruby wasn't buying it.
"Have you tried not napping in class?" She nudged Thistle with her shoulder. "So, this drunk asshole, was he-"
"You!" Thistle growled suddenly, Ruby's hand released Thistle's while her eyes followed her girlfriend's outstretched arm to her finger pointing at a man who had come from an adjacent hallway.
"Uhg, just what I needed." A tall man with scruffy facial hair and dull crimson eyes groaned... until he looked over to Ruby. "What are you doing here, Pipsqueak?"
"Just picking up my delinquent from detention," Ruby giggled. "You're here pretty late too, something up?"
"Eh, just paperwork," He shrugged with a cool smile. "So, what are you doing with this pain the butt? She get in trouble with the student council or something?"
"No!" Ruby puffed out her cheeks and narrowed her eyes at the teacher before pulling Thistle against her with her arm around the smaller girl's lower back. "Thistle's my girlfriend. We've been dating for two months now."
"..." Qrow looked from one girl to the other, and not for a moment did Ruby stop protectively holding the little troublemaker by her side. "I'm not drunk am I?"
"No, I really like her and you should be nice," Ruby spoke firmly but Thistle was only perplexed by how casually she was talking to a teacher.
"Well, if she makes you happy, that's what matters I guess." His smirk softened to a genuine smile before turning to Thistle. "And you, keep my niece out of trouble, you hear?"
"Oh! Are you making it to the party tomorrow?!" Ruby's eyes were brimming with excitement as she bounced up and down on her toes.
"Yeah, Squirt, I'll be there." He put his hand on her head and roughed up her hair as he walked by.
"Yay! See you there, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby shouted enthusiastically to her uncle as he walked down the hall.
"... Niece?" Thistle just stood there with her arms at her sides and a baffled look on her face. "Uncle?"
"Yep! I didn't know Uncle Qrow was your teacher." Her smile was almost normal, but with just a hint of smug playfulness.
"Whoah! I- I didn't know!" Her heart was pounding again, her eyes darting between her girlfriend and her teacher, her brain still catching up with the shocking revelation.
"Hmm, well, don't let it happen again." With a grin, she held Thistle's arm close against her chest. "You can make it up to me and him by staying out of trouble."
"Yes, Ma'am." Thistle submitted instantly. I wouldn't have cared last year… what is this girl doing to me?
"Wait," Thistle stopped, her brain finally having taken in that whole exchange. "What party were you guys talking about?"
"Oh, right, I didn't tell you… um, it's my birthday tomorrow." A bashful giggle concealed a moment of fretfulness in her voice that still bled through ever so slightly.
"What?! How come this is the first I'm hearing about this? Wait, your birthday is on Halloween?" A dubious eyebrow raised.
"Heh-heh, yeah, pretty weird huh? Still, if you want to come with…" There it was again, that worried tone.
"I- I'd love to come…" Thistle's smile faded and her hand slipped from Ruby's. "I'm just not sure I can."
"Oh…" A strange mix of relief and disappointment saturated the single syllable. "That's okay, I know this was last minute."
"So, why was it last minute?" Taking a step back from Ruby, all she could manage was to meet her girlfriend's eyes only for a moment, before looking away.
"It's complicated." A hard exhale, things she wasn't ready for hitting her without any time to prepare. "I just- I know Uncle Qrow, he's cool with just about everything. Still, you're my first real romantic relationship. I really like you, I want to bring you home and show you off to everyone, it's just that…"
"You're embarrassed by me." The face that Thistle made at that moment broke Ruby's heart. It wasn't anger or bitterness, it wasn't even so much sadness… it was resignation.
"No! No-no-no-no-no! It's not that!" She grabbed the tiny girl by her wrist and pulled her close as hard as she could, as though physically rending Thistle from sinking in depression.
"I'm not embarrassed! You're amazing! I'm so lucky to have you, don't ever think you're not good enough for me!" Ruby's eyes shined like mirrors reflecting all the light in her heart into Thistle to burn away her darkness.
"T-then why-"
"Because… they don't know that I'm into girls… and I'm scared about how they'll take it." Shame pulled her eyes from the girl she was falling so deeply for.
"Oh," Her tone softened with compassion as she tenderly took Ruby's hands in her own. "I didn't know. I just- Vitali always knew, I never really think about it. I guess not every family is like that huh?"
"I don't know if they are or not. Yang's been exclusively with boys so it's never come up. I know Uncle Qrow won't tell them, I mean, I don't think they'll have a problem with it, I'm just nervous." Her forehead fell onto Thistle's shoulder, physically leaning on her girlfriend's shoulder for support.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." Thistle lovingly wrapped her arms around Ruby, holding her close while standing on her toes to make the taller girl more comfortable. "If it helps, I can tell them with you. Vitali's at work and- and I really don't want to be home alone."
"It's a school night, I'm not usually allowed to bring friends over…" As she lifted her head back up to look at Thistle, she caught the last glimpse of unease and turmoil in her girlfriend's visage. A look in her dull purple eyes that Ruby couldn't begin to fathom, but knew instinctively what it meant. Pain, she's in emotional pain. She doesn't want to go home alone? Where are her parents? A business trip? I can't abandon her like this!
"But I'll make it work." Giving Thistle her brightest, shining smile, she once again, with just a look, scoured away the encroaching sadness in Thistle.
"Thank you… I'm sorry I can be a pain in the ass sometimes." Now, it was her turn to lean on Ruby.
"Hey, you're not just a pain in the butt, you're my girlfriend." Giggling, she playfully patted the top of Thistle's head.
"Fuck, have you been spending time with my brother behind my back? You're starting to sound like him." Shaking her head to shoo away Ruby's hand, Thistle tried her best to hold back her growing smile.
"Can you really talk to my parents with me? It's scary by myself." Cautious optimism filled her eyes as she looked anxiously at Thistle, who destroyed her doubts in just one warm smile.
"No matter what they say, I'll be right there with you." Thistle's cheek came to rest tenderly against Ruby's and for a moment, the two just stayed like that, taking in the other's warmth which melted away all their stress.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home." Ruby's voice echoed through the warm, well-lit home as she and her girlfriend entered from the front door.
"Hey, Sis."
"Eeeep!" Ruby jumped, instantly pushing herself against Thistle before her brain caught up with the situation. "Yang! You scared me half to death."
"Consider it payback since I covered for you with Summer and Dad." Yang was leaning against the wall just beside the door as though she had been lying in wait for them. "Well, I guess now I see why you were out so late."
"I- It wasn't like that!" Ruby blushed, stomping into her home.
"Ruby, you're home. It's already dark, where were you?" Following the voice Thistle turned to see a beautiful woman that looked so much like Ruby it was almost creepy. -Summer Rose, Parent, Ruby's idol
"Mom, heh-heh, sorry. I kinda lost track of- okay, no, I knew it was getting late, I just didn't want Thistle walking late alone." Ruby was feeling a whole different kind of heat, one far less pleasant than in her girlfriend's embrace. "Sorry…"
"Oh? Who's Thistle and why was she leaving school so late?" Summer was hard to read, but she didn't seem as much angry as curious.
"Hi…" Without having any clue what to say in that moment, all Thistle could do was raise her hand awkwardly and barely squeaked out a single word.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you, Thistle. It's not often Ruby brings friends home this late, but you're more than welcome to come in." A bright and warm smile, Thistle could see where Ruby got it from.
"T-thank you." Despite Summer's inviting tone, Thistle was still tense as she and Ruby walked past Yang, decidedly not holding hands yet.
"Mom…"
"What is it, sweetie? Oh, and why exactly did you two leave school so late?" Immediately, Thistle felt her stress spike at the seemingly innocent question.
Can she tell that I'm nothing but trouble? Did Mr. Branwen tell her? What should I do? Ruby said she's not ashamed of me, but I don't want to risk her mom thinking bad of me, I don't want to lose Ruby like that. Thistle felt her heart pounding and her hand almost immediately reached for Ruby's before she stopped herself. What does she want me to do?
"I- I…" You didn't even need to look at Ruby to feel her stress from across the room as her mind raced to figure out just what to say. Her silver eyes nervously darting around the room, afraid to linger on anything too long while they followed Summer into the kitchen. 'What can I say? What does Thistle want me to say? I don't want her to think I'm ashamed of her, but I don't want my mom thinking bad of her either. Should I tell the truth or should I-
"I was in detention." Thistle braced herself, her fists balling and her muscles tensing as they all came to a stop at the threshold of the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see a tall, muscular man with blonde hair, just chopping away at some vegetables on a cutting board.
"Thistle…" Ruby felt her chest flash hot and cold as anxiety and gratitude roiled within her heart, her fretful gaze shifting between her girlfriend and her mom.
"Huh, sounds like a story. Care to share with the class?" Summer smirked as she took a seat at a long, wooden table. She was so calm and gave off a gentle aura a lot like her daughter's.
"I, uh… I called Mr. Branwen a drunk, useless asshole."
"Bpfff…" A stifled snort of laughter came from the man at the cutting board.
"Tai, it's not funny." Summer rolled her eyes, but even with her reprimand, she was barely holding back her own giggles.
"I mean, it kinda is." Tai composed himself as he turned to face them. -Tai Xiao Long, Parent, Doesn't Like Qrow
"Okay, maybe just a little." Summer finally broke down and shared a small laugh with her husband before turning back to the two children. "Still, I'm surprised, Ruby really looks up to Qrow, but it seems like she was trying to protect you by not telling us."
"W-well, you see…" Ruby suddenly felt like she needed to open a window and jump in a lake just to cool herself down. Her shaky, sweaty, nervous hand slowly reached towards Thistle, missing on her first try which only exponentially increased her embarrassment.
"Thistle is… Thistle is…" Just as her fears began to cloud her mind from even forming words, a gentle, loving touch blew away the fog of anxiety and when she looked down, she found Thistle's hand wrapped tenderly around her own. Giving a soft, thankful smile, Ruby returned her gaze to her parents with renewed strength and conviction.
"Mom, Dad… this is my girlfriend." She stepped forward with Thistle, proudly showing off the girl she had such strong feelings for. My beautiful, strong, kind, clever, amazing girlfriend.
The kitchen went quiet immediately. The two adults exchanged a look Thistle couldn't real while she felt Ruby's hand squeezing her own so tight, a subdued trembling shaking her body in a way only Thistle could notice. Behind them, Yang came into the kitchen, propping herself up against the threshold of the doorway, standing protectively behind her sister while watching their parents process the news.
"M- mom?" Ruby timidly spoke up, her voice cracking as it teetered on the edge of heartbreak and hope. Thistle took a small but defiant step forward, placing herself between just in front her girlfriend and her girlfriend's parents, unsure of what she would do certain she would protect the girl she cared so much about.
"Sorry, Rosebud, we're just a bit surprised," Summer gave a warm, reassuring smile before standing up and approaching her daughter. "I'm proud of you, I know you must have had a lot of worries on your mind and it took real courage to come out."
"I- I was pretty nervous." The younger Rose could barely breathe as she flitted between shakey laughter and gasping breaths of relief. Still, her girlfriend held her hand tight as she couldn't stop her body from shaking as adrenaline still coursed through her blood.
"And it seems you've found yourself a strong partner." Summer turned her attention to the tiny redhead holding her daughter's hand. The glare in those hard purple eyes had softened as soon as she felt the danger had passed and now just looked anxious.
"I saw how you put yourself in front of her when she was scared," Tai smiled, warmly at Thistle. "It's clear that you really care about her, staying by her side when she was coming out to her parents."
With a soft blush and a sheepish smile, Thistle took a small step back, putting her side by side with Ruby once more. She pressed her arm up against her girlfriend's, finding her warm, soft touch comforting as she tried to keep her eyes from staring at the floor.
"I do have some questions though, if you don't mind answering them." Summer took up Tai's side just as Thistle had taken Ruby's.
"I- I don't mind. What kind of questions?" She muttered timidly at her mom, the whole experience feeling unreal.
"For starters, how long have you been dating?" Tai smiled in a way that just made everyone around him feel more at ease.
"Two months, we met at the beginning of the school year." Just saying that out loud felt odd. Two months ago I never would have imagined I'd be here with my girlfriend coming out to my family.
"That's not long but you two appear to be very close." Summer tone never once stopped being loving and gentle.
"I really like her, Mom." Ruby's words and voice almost melted Thistle's brain with endorphins with how genuinely content and happy she sounded.
"I um, I have a question, I hope it's not offensive to ask." Tai bashfully put forward, looking to his wife for reassurance.
"Go ahead, if it's a problem I'll let you know." So far, everything was going better than Ruby's worst fears.
"So, how long have… known you liked other girls? Sorry, I'm just a bit surprised, it's not a problem but you've never shown any indication you weren't straight." Every word he said felt like he was tiptoeing around landmines, desperate not to push his child away.
"Actually… I've never had feelings for anyone that way before, regardless of gender. I thought I might be asexual or aromantic or something, until I met Thistle and I just- I've never felt this way about anyone. I don't know what my sexuality is, but I know I like Thistle and that's enough for me right now." Ruby felt a conflicting desire to move away from Thistle and a compulsion to embrace her as tight as she could while her cheeks glowed and her silvery eyes looked at anything but the people around her.
"Aaw, Sis, that's so sweet. Who knew you were such a romantic?" Yang giggled, firmly patting her sister's back.
"What matters is that you're happy and safe. Speaking of safe…" Summer hummed and hesitated as she looked to her husband and then to her eldest daughter, Yang, before finally making up her mind. "I know being young and in a new relationship can cause a lot of powerful feelings but I hope you have both done your research on how to be safe."
"Safe? What do you-" Instantly, Ruby's brain felt like a shattering ice sculpture as her eyes grew wide. "MOM!"
"I- Uh- we- um- I mean-" Thistle could barely get a syllable out of her mouth as every cell in her body wanted to disintegrate with embarrassment, her face almost as red as her hair.
"We aren't doing that mom! It- it's only been two months…" Ruby shrunk back, her shoulders raised and her hand finally pulling away from Thistle's but still touching her ever so gently.
"Well, I was your age once and if you do ever get there, just make sure you're being safe about it and mind your boundaries, it's important to look after your physical and mental well being and relationships don't change that.
"Oh my gosh, Mom, please stop." The little Rose shut her eyes as tight as she could, hoping the last part of their conversation were just a bad dream.
"You better treat my little Sis right, Thistle." Yang was loving every second of torment the couple was receiving.
"Yang, knock it off, you're all embarrassing me!" Ruby squeaked so loud her voice cracked.
This is a nice family. Thistle smiled, happy that Ruby's fears were for nothing, watching them lovingly tease her but not for a second did anyone not support and love each other. It's a warm home, no wonder she's so amazing. I wonder… do I really belong here?
"Home, huh?" Thistle wandered through dilapidated sidewalks, illuminated by the flickering of street lights that should have been replaced years ago. It was cold, the late autumn air turned the night crisp and painful to breathe in through her nose. With every exhale her breath sent out a plume of water vapor from her lungs.
She left her bag at school, carrying around something like that in her neighboorhood was asking for trouble. Still, Vitali warned her against being outside so late. But I'm tough, I'm strong. I can take care of myself.
Despite her reassurances, she kept her fingers wrapped around cold metal in her pocket, a karambit knife she kept for self-defense. She never had to use it, but it made her feel safer. Her ears were alert to any sound from behind her while her eyes scanned in front of her for any signs of movement.
I- I wish Ruby could have come with me. It's a long walk from her place but I really don't like being alone out here. She traded the security of her focus for a moment of comfort, imagining the warm, happy, beautiful girl right beside her, talking and smiling and holding her hand.
But it's not always safe here, and I wouldn't want to put her in danger. With a heavy heart, she brought herself back to the dark reality in front of her as she turned a corner down a small, one-way street that was eighty percent potholes.
Through the darkness her eyes locked onto a small, run down, unassuming building. Her pace slowed despite how cold it was. She was shivering but her walk slowed every single step, every millimeter that brought her closer to the building sent flashes of her girlfriend's home playing through her mind. Ruby's so warm, her family is warm, her home is warm. There was nothing but love there, I could tell. No one was hungry or cold or scared.
Sooner than she wanted, she was at the front door. Deep within her heart, a stray notion brought a bitter smile to her face, a scene of her running all the way back to Ruby's warm embrace… but she knew she couldn't. With a heart as heavy as lead, she opened the door.
No warm air rushed out, just sickening white fluorescent lighting flickering nauseatingly in the mold scented hallway. Not even a moment after she stepped inside, she saw a man lying on the cold carpeted floor, someone she didn't recognize, alseep and clutching a bottle of strong alcohol.
Quietly she walked by the passed out man and made her way up the stairs. Every door had multiple locks, some showed signs of damage from break-ins, some had bullet holes and almost all of them had been defaced by graffiti. It was a miserable place where people were rarely happy.
Thistle came to a stop at a door as rundown as the rest, but she knew by the faded numbers painted poorly onto it that it was the right one. Taking the key from her pocket, the cold bit of cheap metal felt like it weighed a tonne, she could barely bring herself to get it into the lock.
Her eyes were dull and her expression was completely void. No sadness, no hurt, no anger, just empty acceptance. The door creaked slowly open and she was greeted with a pitch dark world beyond the threshold. Still, she walked in the with the same expressionless face she wore outside, before closing and locking the door behind her.
Click… Click-Click-Click.
Thistle flicked the light switch by the door, feeling it out mostly from memory as it was too dark to see. Even so… the lights didn't come on.
"Short-fuse, that you?" An absolutely exhausted voice spoke up from the darkness before the room was bathed in a dim light from a cheap camping lantern.
"Yeah…"
Vitali sat up from the mattress laid out on the floor between the small kitchen and even smaller living room. Thistle almost wished he would turn the light off, their apartment was depressing on its own. The nearest window was broken and sealed with duct tape that had long since lost most of its stick, the walls had wallpaper that was peeling off and places where holes in the drywall were punched in by previous residents.
"Sorry, I couldn't pay the electric bill yet, but don't worry, got my check coming in tomorrow, should have the lights on then, if the reactivation fee isn't too high." He tried his best to smile, but in that ugly light, Thistle could see a withered man; thin, drained and pushing himself as hard as he could through every tiny effort, even his smile seemed arduous.
"It's okay." She couldn't have sounded any more defeated as she kicked off her shoes and made her way to the bed. "It's my fault anyway."
"Self-pity isn't a good look, not everything revolves around you, it's not like you meant to get sick."A weak laugh left his throat, sending him into a coughing fit from the dry, cold air in their apartment.
"You took two days off from work to take care of me, you were being a good big brother, I was being dead weight." Falling backwards onto the uncomfortable, cheap, beaten up spring mattress, Thistle landed next to her brother, staring at the water stained ceiling.
"You're a kid, you're supposed to be dead weight. It's bad enough that you do all the cooking and cleaning around here." Vitali sighed so heavy it seemed to deflate his entire body while his shivering hand rubbed his face.
"I should get a job, I'm not smart like you, I'm not creative or good at anything. You've been working too hard. Let me drop out and-"
"No." Life surged back into his voice filled with resolve and anger, but not towards his sister. "I am not busting my ass just for you to quit. Once you quit being a dumbass you can have whatever life you want. I'm not gonna let you throw it away just so I can take it easy. I'm your big brother, I'm taking care of you. So shut up and just… just…"
His knees pulled up to his chest as he hugged himself, the stress broke through his every effort and in the dim light, Thistle could see tears rolling down his cheeks. He was shaking, his head falling between his knees as he let go, letting his sobs out while his body convulsed with every pain filled release of emotion.
"Just be a fucking kid," He cried, broken and pleading to no one and nothing. "You deserve to be a kid, fuck… why is it like this?"
"Vitali." Thistle threw her arms around him, squeezing him tight, as tight as her surprisingly strong muscles could manage. Her teeth were bared against an unseeable threat, a threat she could do nothing about. Her rage couldn't put food in the fridge or bring the lights back on… but her love could make the night bearable. "I love you."
"I'm sorry- I'm sorry." He just broke down, and all Thistle could do was hold him, wrapping their blankets around the two shivering bodies to keep them warm.
For what felt like an eternity bracing against a raging storm, she held him, the siblings a light-house in the hurricane of their lives. She cried, right along with him, the warmth of Ruby and the brightness of her girlfriend's home a distant, dreamlike memory to the harsh reality they lived in.
"I am being a kid." Her warm, loving, hopeful whisper barely reached her brother pressed up against her. "I- I want to go to Ruby's birthday party, tomorrow."
"A party?" He sniffled, wiping away his tears and trying to piece his broken mask of adulthood back together.
"Yeah, Ruby invited me, I- I actually was at her house, she picked me up from detention. I was with her when she told her parents that she was with me, a girl." She held his arm and smiled up at him through clouded eyes.
"Yeah? How'd that go?" He adjusted the blankets to wrap completely around them.
"They had some questions for us, they seemed a bit surprised by her having a girlfriend, I guess they had no idea. They were really nice, things got pretty embarrassing with some of the stuff they said but they were really nice and I could tell they cared." For an instant, she wished she could be back in that moment again, and have her brother with her, bathed in light and warmth and love.
"You never tried to keep it a secret, you were all about the ladies since you were old enough to even express that kind of thing. I was glad, never had to worry about you getting pregnant at least." He smirked, a spark of his normal self returning.
"Oh! That reminds me! I- I um… I really want to bring something to give to Ruby. I know we don't have money but- I don't know, I was hoping we could come up with an idea. I have something I can give to her, it's kinda stupid, but it's what I have to work with. Still, I want to do something special." She looked up hopefully at him and in an instant, a light-bulb went off in his head.
"Okay, okay, I think I can make that work. Mrs. Rose lets me take home art supplies sometimes and-"
"Whoa! Hold up, Mrs. Rose?" Thistle pushed herself off of her brother hanging onto him at arm's length with a shocked expression on her face.
"Yeah?" His eyebrow raised. "She's my art teacher, what of it?"
"Silver eyes, pretty, looks a lot like Ruby?" Thistle felt like she was putting together some great mystery, but her brother just laughed.
"Hah-hah, yeah, your girlfriend's mom is my art teacher, you really didn't know?" With a smirk he pulled his arm free from Thistle's grasp, causing her to fall backwards on the bed.
"Oh come on! Does her entire family work at our school!?" She threw her arms up in disbelief.
"Huh, I know her uncle is your teacher, her mom is my teacher, her dad is her teacher and her aunt is her coach." He hadn't really given it much thought until just then, but Thistle's mind was now completely blown.
"Seriously?" Her eyes were wide and mouth formed an awkward mix between smiling and agape.
"Ha! So you're not just dating a teacher's pet, but two teachers' niece and two more's daughter. You're fucked." He couldn't contain his laughter at his sister's expense as he slapped the bed and fell back to his pillow.
"Uhg, fuck my life." She cupped her hands over her face and shook her head in defeat.
"Anyway, I may have an idea for something you could do, but we need more light. Come out in the hall with me, I think she'll love this." Reinvigorated with energy and drive he rushed to the kitchen, opening a loud drawer and pulling out a large handful of craft supplies.
"Oh, and it's a costume party so you'll need to dig out your old Halloween costume tomorrow before the party." He said as he closed the drawer behind him.
"Wait, no one told me about a costume party?" Tilting her head in confusion she followed him to the door. "Who told you that?"
"Your girlfriend's sister."
"Yang?" This surprised her almost as much as it scared her. "You guys talk?"
"Her little sister is dating my little sister, of course we talk." He shook his head at her disbelief.
"Wait, wait! I haven't worn that costume since I was twelve." Thistle was visibly beginning to panic.
"Not like you've grown since then." Vitali shrugged her off.
"These have!" Gesturing to her chest, she never broke eye contact with him.
"So it'll be a little tight, I'm sure Ruby won't mind." He unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall. "Come on."
"I hate my life." With her cheeks hot enough to stave off the late autumn cold, she followed her brother out of their apartment, closing the door and sitting beside him on the floor against the wall.
"Okay, so, here's what you do. First, we gotta cut this paper into really thin strips…"
As Vitali explained the process, Thistle watched him effortlessly put something beautiful together. As much as she appreciated what he was doing for her, it broke her heart a little. 'I need to do better. For him more than anyone.'
-Thistle and Vitali, High School students, Doing the Best they Can
knock-knock
A nervous tapping echoed from the front door of Ruby's house. There were at least a dozen cars in the parking lot. Music and laughter sang from within and warm light spilled out from the large windows.
"Coming!" A happy, familiar sing-song voice called out just moments before the handle turned and the door opened. "Thistle! I- um… Hmpff! W-what are you wearing?!"
Thistle stood at the door in front of Ruby, her blush so strong that the cold wind barely felt cool as it rushed over her face. There she stood, all shy of five feet of cute rage bundled up in a child's mouse costume that was obviously too tight. She had cute round ears atop her head and a long thin tai behind her back.
"It's my costume, it's all I had." She growled, baring her teeth.
"Heh-heh, um… this isn't a costume party." Ruby was doing everything in her power to not break down in a debilitating fit of laughter.
Slam!
The tiny mouse' fist hit the outside wall.
"Ruby, I'm going to jail for murdering my brother when I get home." Her rage made her almost scary despite her adorable attire.
"Please don't, I'm no good at hiding bodies." She giggled, stepping out into the cold with a brilliant and fond smile. "Besides, you look really cute like that."
"I- I um- wow…" Her brain turned to a steaming ball of mush as the heat from her cheeks exploded through her chest and head.
"Hee-hee, I'm so glad you made it." Ruby threw her arms around her girlfriend and kissed her softly on her chapped lips.
"I wouldn't miss it." Thistle muttered dreamily, the bliss from their embrace and kiss left her mind a jumbled mess of fuzzy warm feelings.
"You're so cute" Silver eyes shiny liked the moon as she stared at her girlfriend. How did I get so lucky?
"W-well… here, I uh, I want you to have this." She reached into a little satchel against her side and pulled out a small plastic ring. "I'm sorry it's not much but-"
"Aaw, it's cute!" She looked genuinely excited and happy as she held the cheap, poorly made plastic ring, sliding it gently onto her finger. As she looked down at it with deeply fond eyes and a warm smile, her voice became as gentle as pure as her face. "It fits perfectly… thank you."
"It isn't much… I'm really happy you like it." She wanted to cry with happiness. She didn't feel for a moment that Ruby was just trying to make her feel better. Out of all the expensive gifts she must have gotten, the love and gratitude she had for the crappy piece of plastic were so genuine it made Thistle's heart melt.
"Oh, there's one more thing. Um, okay, Vitali helped me out but I suck at this kind of thing but I still really hope you like it!" Reaching behind her, Thistle pulled out a small, crinkled, roughly made paper rose.
"You made this?" Her eyes only held awe and disbelief as she looked from the paper rose to the girl who clearly put a lot of work and love into it.
"Y-yeah, it sucks but…"
"It's beautiful." Ruby didn't go for the paper rose, instead, she stepped forward, her fingers delicately entwining themselves once again in Thistle's. She could feel her girlfriend's warmth even from millimeters away, the pounding of their hearts beating against each other's hands as they held each other tight.
Time broke for that moment as Thistle closed her eyes, the last sight she had was the image of Ruby's beautiful, love-struck face burned into her retinas before the electric moment when their lips met shocked everything else away. This is something special.
"I'm so lucky to have you." A gentle whisper right into her ear, Ruby's hot breath washing over her freezing skin sent a wave of warmth through Thistle's entire body. "Come on, we've got food and games and everyone needs to see your costume!"
"Aaand you ruined it." Thistle giggled, shaking her head as she was pulled helplessly along by her girlfriend.
I want to belong… with her.