Chapter Twenty-five: Letting it Go
Ruby anxiously glanced at the time on her dashboard as she impatiently tapped on her steering wheel along to the peppy love song playing on the radio. She was stuck at what felt like the longest red light in Vale. And when the light finally turned green, Ruby was given a stark reminder of why she hated driving.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Ruby cursed when some entitled asshole in a pristine white SUV cut in front of her. She flipped the dude off and honked her horn. Memories of the weeks that followed after Yang lost her arm began flooding Ruby's head. Whatever was left of her good mood was gone. It also didn't help that the comfort food she got Weiss was slowly growing colder by the second. Now that really pissed her off. "Fucking asshole! Learn how to fucking drive, god damn it!"
Ruby wanted to pinch her eyed shut to black out the invasive flashbacks cramming into her brain whenever she blinked, but she held her resolve and followed the rules of the road down to the letter. She refused to be the reason someone got hurt or worse… killed. That sent a chill running down Ruby's spine. She tried to distract herself by singing along to the radio, but the damage had already been done and each word slowly became quieter as her field of vision narrowed.
Swallowing, Ruby tightened her gripped on the steering wheel. The flashbacks hit her in frames, like lightning bolts seen in the distance—there one second, gone in the next, but unforgettable nevertheless.
Two weeks after the accident and Pyrrha's funeral, Yang snuck out of the house and walked all the way to Pyrrha's house several miles away. Ruby had quietly followed her in a poorly thought-out disguise that turned more heads than she expected. She should've been brave and gone straight up to Yang and demanded she go back home, but Yang wasn't herself—who would be after such an event—and it terrified Ruby to the core. Two hours. It took Yang to reach Pyrrha's front door. And when she did, she clenched her fist and prepared to hammer it down. But Yang suddenly stopped and took a deep breath, then after she calmed down, she rang the doorbell.
Ruby was shocked. Yang had been so angry at home she was practically breathing fire, but here she was being as timid and gentle as a mouse.
It didn't take long for Pyrrha's mother to open the door. And from Ruby's spot behind a perfectly placed bench nearby, she could see the woman was a barely contained mess. Yang immediately broke down and fell to her knees, begging her best friend's mother to forgive her. The commotion quickly drew Pyrrha's father's attention, but he had the same dumbfounded expression as his wife. Ruby got up and rushed to her sister's side at this point, not caring if she yelled at her or not. Yang didn't fight her though, she barely noticed Ruby was there. But the words Yang cried out in anguish still haunted Ruby to this day: "I'm sorry, it should have been me. It should have been me!"
The drive to Weiss' apartment done before Ruby knew what she was doing. She parked beside Weiss' SUV and took a deep breath to try and settle her nerves.
"Fuck!" Ruby cursed as she wiped her tear streaked face clean. She was here to support Weiss, not join her in her misery. "Get it together, Ruby. Get it together."
She repeated the mantra several more times before psyching herself up enough to step out of the car. Her legs felt like jelly and her stomach was doing uneasy flip-flops, but Ruby managed to slink her way to the passenger seat and get Weiss' care package. It was a little tricky getting everything balanced on top of the steaming hot pizza—thank god Ruby had a big brain moment and asked for a plastic bag because this thing was greasy as hell. Ruby could literally feel the hot oil slowly seeping through the cardboard. It made holding onto the thing damn near impossible, but Ruby had the power of love on her side and nothing short of a fatal accident would stop her from being the world's most supportive girlfriend ever. Grease be damned, Weiss was going to smile today!
After clambering into the elevator and riding it to the penthouse suite, Ruby ran a list of things to say to Weiss when she opened the door. She shot down most of her ideas but settled on the honest truth by the time she reached Weiss' door. Now for the tricky part: pressing the doorbell. She somehow managed to do it after a little reorganization and finagling. Though, in hindsight, she could have just set things down and then pushed the button…
Weiss opened the door dressed in only a bathrobe—Ruby's bathrobe to be specific. Her hair was still wet and tendrils of steam rolled off of her like smoke. She looked ethereal and Ruby was too smitten to speak.
"Ruby, what are you doing here?" Weiss asked with mild shock.
"Surprise!" Ruby exclaimed, presenting Weiss her care package and the biggest toothy smile her face could muster.
Weiss narrowed her eyes. "Who told you?"
"Could you let me in first?" Ruby asked with an awkward chuckle. "This pizza's kind of hot—but not as hot as you. Wow, you're sexy."
"Right," Weiss dryly replied, stepping aside so Ruby could come inside. She waited patiently for Ruby to wipe her feet on the doormat and kick her shoes off before speaking again. "Who sent you?"
Ruby carried the care package to the dining table and picked up the rose bouquet from the top of the pile. "Everyone did," she said, offering the flowers to Weiss. "The roses are from Amélia—she told me to go pick them up for her. The pizza's from Neptune, and the Big Belly Burger bags are from Ciel."
"What?" Weiss blinked, holding the roses delicately against her chest.
"And I'm here because there's nowhere else I'd rather be," Ruby said, kissing Weiss' forehead. "Why didn't you tell me it was your wedding anniversary, Weiss?"
"I…" Weiss looked down and swallowed, "I didn't want to trouble you."
"Why would it trouble me?" Ruby asked.
"It's awkward isn't it?" Weiss replied. "I… I didn't want to bother you with something to do with my marriage."
"And learning about it from your loved ones is better?" Ruby wrapped her arms around Weiss and held her close. "You should have told me."
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't be," Ruby said. "I'm here to support you. Before we were girlfriends, we were friends—best friends—and that hasn't changed."
"Ruby…"
"I want you to rely on me, Weiss," Ruby said, kissing the crinkle between Weiss' brows. "I love you. And if that means sitting next to you while you talk about your wife, then I'm going to do that."
"You won't get jealous or upset?" Weiss hesitantly asked.
"Weiss," Ruby sighed, "name one instance in our relationship where I was jealous of Coco?"
"I…" Weiss gnawed on her bottom lip trying to think of a single moment, but she quickly gave up and said, "Never… not once."
"Exactly," Ruby proudly grinned. "Now come on, let's get some comfort food in you." Weiss smiled at that and leaned up for a kiss which Ruby happily gave her. "I love you, Weiss. You can count me, I promise."
"I should have been more forthcoming with you," Weiss said. "And I know I can count on you… I guess I was just worried over nothing."
"It's not 'nothing,' Weiss," Ruby said as she guided Weiss to the table. She got out some plates and a fork and knife because she knew Weiss hated getting her hands dirty.
"You're really at home here, huh?" Weiss chuckled.
Ruby placed Weiss' plate in front of her along with the knife and fork. A timid blush crept up on Ruby's face, but she shrugged it off by saying, "I'm here at your family's request. Rather than feeling at home, I am your dutiful servant."
"'My servant'?" Weiss repeated with devilish glint in her eyes.
"Mhm," Ruby nodded, taking the seat beside Weiss. "Your wish is my command."
"What if I asked you to follow me to bed?"
Ruby coughed and sputtered, "M-Ma'am! That is unprofessional!"
"Oh, really?" Weiss grinned, leaning in close to Ruby, "But I thought my wish was your command? Or were you lying to me? I don't take well liars under my employ."
"I am employed by your mother-in-law, Mrs. Adel," Ruby said, leaning away. Weiss pouted and settled back into her seat, giving Ruby ample space, though their knees were still touching. "I mean no offence, Ma'am."
"None taken," Weiss said, but her indifferent façade slipped away and she laughed. "Golly, what are we doing?"
Ruby laughed along and said "I call it a distraction" as she served Weiss a thick slice of pepperoni mushroom pizza.
"Call me thoroughly distracted then," Weiss smiled, leaning in for a kiss. "Thank you for being here with me, Ruby."
"No problem," Ruby replied.
"It's a shame you turned me down though," Weiss pouted.
"Huh?"
"The offer to follow me to bed was real," Weiss said as she delicately picked up the pizza with her hands and took a small bite. She licked her lips and smiled at Ruby.
"Um," Ruby gulped, her eyes darting between the steaming, fresh out of the oven pizza and the little bit of cleavage Ruby could see beneath Weiss' robe. "W-What about the food?"
Weiss took another small bite and moaned, the mozzarella caught between her teeth stretching as she pulled the slice away. "We can reheat it."
"The burgers? And fries?"
"I have a deep fryer and fresh vegetables in the fridge," Weiss answered.
Ruby gulped, resolve quickly crumbling. "Are you sure you're up for it? I mean… you got a little weird last time at the end."
"Mm," Weiss nodded, "I will admit to that."
Sighing, Ruby opened the pizza box and got herself a slice. She was going to power through Weiss' seduction and—
"I'm not wearing anything under this robe."
"God damn it, Weiss," Ruby said, dropping her slice to grab Weiss' hand. Weiss laughed out loud as she was practically carried off to the bedroom.
"You are far too easy," Weiss laughed when Ruby unceremoniously dropped her into bed and climbed on top of her.
"How can I say no when you look at me like that?" Ruby whined as she pulled her shirt off. She was about to toss it aside, but Weiss tugged on it and wiped her fingers on the hem. "Huh?"
"My fingers were dirty," Weiss shrugged.
Ruby looked at her shirt and did it too, though she used it like a paper towel and tossed it. She tugged off her belt next as she got between Weiss' legs and threw it aside.
"Top shelf," Weiss said, pointing to the nightstand where Coco's photograph used to be. Ruby blinked and pointed to the empty spot. "This is your side of the bed now."
"Weiss…"
Weiss looked away and busied herself by undoing Ruby's pants for her.
"Weiss, where'd you put her picture?" Ruby asked, putting her hand over Weiss' to stop her.
"It's in Chrys' room," Weiss replied. "Her nightmares have been getting worse, so I gave it to her to try and help."
"Has it?"
"She only snuck into my room once this week."
Ruby quirked an eyebrow. "Is that good or bad?"
"Good," Weiss smiled. "It used to be every night."
Ruby wordlessly stretched over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. She found her box of condoms and pulled out a packet. Weiss had already taken Crescent Rose out and Ruby was doing everything in her power to ignore the teasing and the nail gently scraping down her length.
"Weiss," Ruby whined, her breathing already off-kilter.
"Hm?"
"Let's not focus on me right now," Ruby forced out through tightly gritted teeth. Weiss slowly stroked Ruby and smiled. "I mean it."
"But I'm enjoying myself," Weiss said innocently. "Are you saying I shouldn't have fun?"
"N-No," Ruby groaned. Her mind was starting to go fuzzy and the only clear thought she could manage was "don't cum on the robe," but she had about as much control over that as she did over Weiss' hand. "W-Weiss… baby… please, I'm really close. I don't… I-I don't want to get the robe dirty."
"I should just get rid of the robe if that's all that's stopping you," Weiss said, stopping her ministrations just before Ruby hit her peak.
Ruby bit back a groan and nearly chewed Weiss out for the stunt she pulled, but knowing Weiss, this was entirely planned.
"Scoot back a bit—and take the rest of your clothes off," Weiss ordered.
Ruby obediently did as told and got off the bed entirely. She dropped her pants down to her ankles, stepped out of them, and peeled off her sports bra too. She shyly glanced over at Weiss and found her as naked as she could be with the robe on the floor like a cheap rag. Weiss looked completely unbothered with her current state on undress. Ruby, however, wasn't as bold and being naked in front of someone was still nerve-racking. Thankfully, Weiss was checking something on her scroll and didn't look over to Ruby once. And if she did, she did so subtly.
Swallowing her fears, Ruby got into bed and kissed Weiss cheek. "You sure you're okay to do this?"
Weiss closed her scroll and said, "Put this away for me, please?"
"'kay," Ruby said, taking the scroll and setting it aside safely on the nightstand. She turned back to Weiss and curiously watched her stretch and relax. "Not going to be on top?"
"No," Weiss said, reaching up to caress Ruby's cheek. "I want to turn my brain off for a bit."
Ruby nodded her head and kissed Weiss. If she wanted Ruby to do all the work, she would. This wasn't a bad thing though. Ruby knew Weiss had a thing about control so for her to relinquish it meant that she trusted Ruby. And trust was a sexy thing. A really sexy thing.
"What's got you smiling?" Weiss asked.
"Nothing, I was just thinking," Ruby said, kissing Weiss' forehead.
"About what?"
"How much I love you and how lucky I am."
"We're both lucky," Weiss chuckled. "Now, no more words, ma chérie."
Ruby complied and got down to work. She lovingly explored every inch of Weiss' beautiful body and mapped it out with curious hands and ardent lips. Weiss was highly receptive to everything Ruby did and thoroughly enjoyed the attention she received from Ruby's dexterous tongue. But the verbal praise trickled to a stop shortly after Ruby entered Weiss. Ruby didn't pay much attention to it at first. Being inside Weiss was intense, for a lack of a better word, and nothing in the world could compare to it. But Ruby was certain there was supposed to be more to it than just the sound of their heavy breathing and the bed groaning beneath them.
And she was right. God, Ruby hated it when she was right.
When Ruby opened her eyes, she was shocked to see how uncomfortable Weiss looked beneath her.
"Why'd you stop?" Weiss meekly asked. Ruby swallowed the hard lump in her throat as she pulled out. "Ruby?"
"You're crying, Weiss," Ruby said, brushing her thumb across the edge of Weiss' left eye. "Did I hurt you?"
"Huh?" Weiss blinked and quickly checked her eyes, seemingly unaware of the tears clinging to her cheeks.
"Did I do something wrong?" Ruby asked.
"N-No," Weiss replied shakily as she pushed herself up to sit against the headboard. "You did nothing wrong," she said, wrapping her arms around her chest, head hung low.
"Then why are you crying?" Ruby asked, reaching down to grab the robe. She draped it across Weiss' shoulders and sat next to her, her own nudity now the last thing on her mind.
Weiss rested her head against Ruby's shoulder and traced the white roses imprinted into Ruby's skin with an absentminded touch before holding her hand. She continued to stare at Ruby's arm, lips sealed shut.
Sighing, Ruby kissed the top of Weiss' head and squeezed her hand encouragingly. "I love you. If something's wrong, we can talk about it. You can tell me I'm bad at the whole sex thing, I won't be mad… just promise you'll help me get better at it, haha… ha…"
"You're not bad at it," Weiss replied hoarsely.
"Oh?" Ruby smiled.
"You're actually quite good," Weiss said encouragingly.
"Why thank you!"
"But the problem isn't you… it's me."
"Oh…" The burgeoning smile on Ruby's face fell. "That," she gulped, "that doesn't sound good."
"You promise you won't get mad?" Weiss asked, her voice scared and vulnerable. Ruby gripped her hand tighter and nodded, bracing her heart for whatever it was Weiss needed to get off her chest. "I'm uncomfortable… whenever you're inside me, something feels wrong."
"Do you… do you think of her when I put it in?" Ruby awkwardly asked. She felt her chest constrict and the air around her felt hotter.
"No… well, maybe a little," Weiss confessed.
Ruby didn't know what to say or how to respond to that. Thankfully, she didn't have to because it wasn't her turn to speak yet. There was so much more weighing on Weiss' mind and if took her a life time to say it all, Ruby would swear a vow of silence.
"I've enjoyed everything else though which is why this is so confusing!" Weiss suddenly shouted, frustration lacing every word. "I like it when you touch me. And I love it when you use your tongue… I don't mind when you use your fingers either!"
Ruby blushed, humbled by Weiss' unabashed praise.
"So why?" Weiss' voice quieted down significantly. Then in a whisper so quiet Ruby almost missed it, Weiss asked, "Why can't I have you?"
"I think you know why," Ruby gently answered as she brushed Weiss' bangs away to see her eyes. "You're the smartest woman I know and I should know what smart people are like, I'm best friends with a literal genius."
Weiss giggled and sighed. "If I asked you if we could slow things down a little, would you be upset?"
"How slow so we talking here?" Ruby asked. "Like, going back to being just friends? Because I dunno… I'm kind of hooked on being your girlfriend."
"Not that slow!" Weiss laughed, kissing Ruby's shoulder. "I just meant in the bedroom. I was thinking this last time as well… but I don't think I'm as ready as I claim to be."
"Oh."
"Silly, I know, especially since I was the one pushing you for sex so early on," Weiss said with a blush. "I figured that if I could sleep with Nicole on our first date, then surely I'd have no problem doing the same with you… but apparently I was wrong."
"Well, you like me right?" Ruby asked with a hopeful expression on her face.
"Of course I do!" Weiss huffed. "I wouldn't be lying in bed with you if I didn't!"
"Did you like Coco as much as you like me when you went on that date?" Weiss snorted out a laugh and Ruby got her answer. "I'll take that as a no."
"I was fascinated by her," Weiss said rather dreamily. "She was nothing at all like the people I was used to. She was wild and spontaneous, and she didn't care what people thought or said about her… and she was so handsome it was hard not to say yes."
"Will you ever tell me about her?" Ruby asked. "Like, the full story. Not just tidbits."
Weiss looked at Ruby thoughtfully and said, "Would you be willing to listen to my story today?"
"I…" Ruby saw the unshed tears glistening in Weiss' eyes and solemnly nodded. "I'd be honoured to. But first, why don't we put some clothes on and maybe get a few snacks."
"I'm sorry, I ruined the mood."
"You didn't ruin anything," Ruby said, kissing Weiss' temple. "But I do wish you would have told me you were uncomfortable from the start. I'm okay if we hold off on sex. It's not really important."
"But it is," Weiss said. "I enjoy sex. Probably more than I should. But this relationship is still new and I was with Nicole for so long…"
"It's okay, Weiss. Really, you don't have to explain," Ruby smiled.
"Why are you so forgiving?" Weiss asked. "Anyone else would have been fed up by now."
"I'm not like that," Ruby grinned proudly. "And it isn't like we're starting from scratch… because based on what you said we can probably still fool around."
"Huh…?" Weiss blinked then laughed in realization. "Merde I'm stupid. Maman was right—damn it, I think I remember you saying the same thing once as well."
"Now it's my turn to be confused."
"Forgive me, I really do get lost in my own head," Weiss said with a flirty smirk. "Come here, Ruby."
Ruby gulped, terrified of the predatory gaze Weiss was sending her. "What's with that look, Weiss?"
When Ruby didn't budge, Weiss shrugged off the robe and climbed on top of her. "Mm, I think a little experimentation is in order," Weiss playfully hummed as she traced the outline of Ruby's jaw with a finger. "You were so kind to me earlier, but I left you unsatisfied."
"Being with you is more than enough," Ruby said, catching Weiss' hand to kiss it. "You don't have to do anything, Weiss. Knowing that I made you feel good is enough for me."
"A relationship is give and take, ma chérie," Weiss purred, leaning in close. She was mere inches away from Ruby's lips and her warm stomach was pressed up against Ruby's semi-flaccid cock. "I don't like leaving debts unpaid."
Ruby gulped, her bottom lip trembling. "N-No debts to be paid here, ma'am!"
"Really now?" Weiss murmured, pressing herself further into Ruby.
"Weiss…" Ruby whined, "we really don't have to do anything."
"But what if I want to?"
Ruby sighed and shook her head as she gently pushed Weiss back. "Well, I'm saying I don't want to."
"What?" Weiss said looking taken aback.
"You were just crying, Weiss," Ruby carefully explained. "Even if you're in the mood, I can't get that image out of my head… I was so scared I hurt you."
"Ruby, you could never hurt me," Weiss said in a comforting tone. She cupped Ruby's cheek then ran her hand through Ruby's hair, scratching her scalp in just the right place. "It felt good… I was just caught in my head."
"I didn't know that though!" Ruby shouted in frustration. "I've only done these things with you, Weiss. I don't know the signs or the differences…"
"I…" Weiss looked down and away. "I'm sorry. I never should have brought you in here while my mind was in such disarray."
Ruby scratched the back of her head, feeling awful for the hurt she caused by her words. But she meant each one and they were only said out of love.
"I'm happy you invited me in," Ruby said. "I was really excited to do it, so you weren't in the wrong there."
"I really need to stop forcing things," Weiss said in a self-deprecating tone.
"Well, yeah, but it's okay. Just in the future? You need to you'll tell me these things," Ruby said, tilting Weiss' chin back to look at her. "We're usually so good at the whole communication thing… please, please, promise me this won't happen again—even if you think it'll hurt me. No, especially if you think it'll hurt me!"
"Ruby, I—"
"Promise me."
"I promise," Weiss quickly said.
Ruby puffed out her cheeks and held her left pinky finger up. "Make it a pinky promise." Weiss looked at the childish demand with an up curled lip, trying to decide whether it was worth her pride to appease Ruby's whims, but Ruby wasn't having any of her attitude. "Weiss."
"Fine," Weiss sighed in defeat. She hooked her pinky around Ruby's and loudly announced, "I promise to never keep secrets like this from you ever again."
"Okay, good!" Ruby beamed as she threw her arms around Weiss' shoulders and hugged her tight. "I love you, Weiss. Nothing you say or do is ever going to make me run away."
"We'll see about that," Weiss murmured.
"Let's go take a shower then get those snacks," Ruby said, kissing Weiss' cheek. "I want to hear your life's story."
"It's rather depressing," Weiss said with a half-smile.
Ruby shrugged. "Doesn't make me love you any less. Actually, I'm gunna bet you right now that I'll love you even more because of it!"
"What will you wager?" Weiss asked curiously.
"Uh," Ruby blinked. She had not thought that far, but she was positive she'd win nevertheless because her love was the real deal and it wouldn't lose to anything. So with a confident grin and a can-do attitude, Ruby announced, "That will be decided upon a later juncture!"
Weiss let out an airy chuckle, got off of Ruby, and helped her up. Ruby grabbed her robe and followed Weiss into her bathroom, eager to take a shower with her. But things got a little too steamy and by the time they left the shower, Ruby couldn't look Weiss in the eye and Weiss herself walked around with a smug grin on her stupid, perfect face.
"I hate you so much right now," Ruby grumbled as she dropped herself into a chair and sulked.
"I didn't do anything," Weiss said. "I'm not the one who couldn't keep her hands to herself."
"I saw boobies covered in soap—I had to," Ruby muttered.
Weiss nodded her head like she was listening to a child talk and went about reheating the pizza. Ruby, however, spent her time grumbling about a certain sexy succubus with annoyingly perfect hair.
"Hey, since you're already up, can you get me a drink?" Ruby asked.
"Certainly," Weiss laughed. She grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge and poured two glasses out. "You're so cute when you pout."
Sticking her tongue out, Ruby grabbed her glass and took a big drink from it despite how much she disliked the taste of wi—this was grape juice. Actual grape juice.
"Weiss," Ruby murmured as she stared into the glass like she'd been told a soul crushing lie, "this is grape juice."
"Of course it is," Weiss replied nonchalantly.
"No! This is actual grape juice—like, from a juice box!"
"Mhm, yes, and?"
"Why are we drinking grape juice out of a wine bottle?!" Ruby shouted with indignation. "I can drink wine! I'm an adult!"
"But you don't like wine, ma chérie," Weiss laughed as she took a dainty sip of her juice.
"Don't care!" Ruby crossed her arms. "Gimme the hard stuff!"
Weiss' laughter hit a new peak, but she still didn't give in. "Nope. No alcohol tonight… I have my reasons."
"Oh…" Ruby's expression shifted from indignation to worry, "you're… you're not pregnant, right?"
"What?!" Weiss shouted. "No!"
"Oh, thank god, okay!" Ruby breathed out a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly sagging. "That was, like, a legit nightmare of mine."
"Ruby, the probability of you ever getting me pregnant is extremely low even if we weren't careful," Weiss said.
"Yeah, I know," Ruby pouted, "but it can still happen… otherwise you wouldn't have Chryssie."
"Yes," Weiss groaned. "I am both extremely fortunate and unfortunate in that regard. But believe me when I say that my reasons for not drinking today isn't because of that."
"If it's because you gotta pick up Chrys, I can do that," Ruby said.
"I'm grateful, but no…" Weiss set her wine glass down and draped her arms around Ruby's neck. "My… mother… had a drinking problem. It started with a glass or two at dinner then a bottle… and eventually it led to her drinking at all times of the day."
"Weiss…"
"She drank to numb the pain," Weiss continued, resting her cheek against the top of Ruby's head. "I couldn't blame her… my father was awful. But you know what they say 'like mother, like daughter'… and I struggled to keep myself sober after Nicole passed. I've seen what I'd become if I drank on days like these, so forgive me for my quirks."
"I'm sorry you went through that, Weiss," Ruby said.
"This is nothing," Weiss said, pulling away to serve their food.
Ruby watched her mill about in the kitchen with a thoughtful expression that Weiss eventually teased her for. Nothing much came of it and they ate in relative silence, keeping any conversation they did have light. By the time their meal ended and all the plates were washed and dried, Weiss was so lost in thought she practically forgot Ruby was there. Ruby didn't complain though and just quietly followed behind Weiss until they eventually sat down on the couch.
"You okay?" Ruby asked as she poured Weiss some juice.
"Just organizing my thoughts," Weiss murmured.
"Take your time," Ruby said. She leaned back into the couch and got comfortable, arms open for Weiss, ready to accept her.
"My mother watched my father push me down the stairs," Weiss confessed shortly after she settled into Ruby's embrace. "She was also there when he disowned me. She just stood there with this scared look on her face like she was the one getting thrown out. She let him do whatever he wanted… and when he hurt me, she left. She left me while he threatened to push me down again to finish the job."
"What… the… fuck?" Ruby gasped, her body tensing at the dark turn their conversation took. She already knew what Weiss' father did, but her mother? No wonder Weiss was so quick to shut down any conversation about them because what the honest fuck—and that's exactly what Ruby said out loud, "What the honest fuck?!"
Weiss smiled and laughed, but the mirth didn't reach her eyes. "Thankfully, Klein was there. Oh! He was the family butler—though, he was more my father than my father was… actually, if you had stayed for dinner on Christmas, you would have met him."
"Did he help you?"
"Of course he did," Weiss smiled. "He had to drive me to the hospital himself since my father refused to let him call an ambulance."
"How did your father not get arrested for this?!" Ruby asked in a panic. "You were a kid, Weiss—and Chrys!"
"Amélia tried," Weiss sighed. "But despite her influence, she didn't have the police in her pocket… Father played it off as an accident caused by a spoiled teenager throwing a tantrum near the stairs. And since there were no witnesses—"
"What about your mom?"
"Mother was inexplicably absent, most likely drinking in the garden, and Klein only arrived after Father pushed me."
Ruby swallowed the hard lump in her throat and asked, "What kind of person is your dad?"
"The kind who steals someone else's fortune and name," Weiss replied coldly. "Jacques Schnee, the current acting CEO of the Schnee Dust Company."
"Wait… then you're?"
"Weiss Schnee," Weiss said. "Though, you could have easily found that information online."
"Holy shit…" Ruby muttered.
"Pass me the grape juice, ma chérie," Weiss chuckled.
"Sure thing, babe." Ruby got Weiss her glass and grabbed the bottle while she was at it. "Wow, okay, I totally need a drink now…" Ruby muttered as she took a swig straight from the bottle. Weiss crinkled her nose in disgust but quickly finished off her glass and stole the bottle from Ruby to do the same. "So Chrys is tied to both Nobility and the SDC?"
"No," Weiss said. "The main reason why Nicole and I married was so Jacques couldn't get to Chrys. Though, he tried once shortly after Amélia took me in and he found out whose baby I was carrying. He demanded I be returned to him like I was carrying stolen property… but I turned sixteen and thanks to a sympathetic judge, I was allowed to marry Nicole without my parents' consent."
"Did you get a restraining order against him?" Ruby asked, taking a swig. God, she wished this was actual wine.
"I did, but what's a piece of paper to the richest thief in Atlas?" Weiss said. "He ran a smear campaign against Amélia, demanding the safe return of his grandchild," Weiss said with a sarcastic sneer, "but she was too smart to let it affect her. But Nicole… Nicole was angry. She was fully prepared to take responsibility for me and Chrys, but she didn't realize Amélia would suggest marriage. Frankly, I didn't either."
"But she did it anyway?"
"I don't know what Amélia said to convince her, but Nicole took me to a cheap diner for lunch one afternoon and handed me a ring," Weiss said with a far-off look in her eyes. "We didn't talk. We didn't even look at each other. I just put the ring on and accepted…"
"Shit."
"She was so romantic back then," Weiss laughed sardonically. She took a swig and handed the bottle back to Ruby. "So now that you know I was a Schnee, I need you to know that… I don't hold the same views as I did back then."
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean, Ruby."
Ruby looked down and nodded her head, reluctant to put a name to those beliefs. But now that she knew Weiss was a Schnee, all of Penny's warnings about Weiss being more than she let on suddenly made sense. Ruby couldn't blame Penny for being cautious though. The SDC was always in the news with a scandal followed closely by some new and exciting announcement to steer the public eye away. But one thing the SDC couldn't hide was the unrest it caused to the Faunus. It also wasn't a secret that the company saw the Faunus as lesser beings. But Ruby had seen first hand how kind Weiss was to her fellow man regardless of how they were born. How could a woman like that be…
"Weiss, you are nothing like your father," Ruby said, holding Weiss tight. "He is cold, and you… you are warm and kind and good. Even if you held the same beliefs as him back then that doesn't take away from who you are now."
"Ruby…" Weiss shook her head, "I have said and done some awful things because of the way I was raised."
"My point still stands," Ruby said firmly, "now tell me the next part of your story."
Weiss went on to tell Ruby how Coco moved them from a large, comfortable mansion to a tiny one bedroom apartment in the poorer side of Atlas. Ruby was familiar with this part of Weiss' story, but now that they were being completely honest with each other, Ruby could sense there was more to it.
And god damn it, Ruby really, really hated how right she was.
After a moment of hesitation, Weiss quietly described her old home like it was going to fall apart at the seams. And after a promise of no judgement, Weiss confessed to being scared of their Faunus neighbours. She told Ruby how they'd watch her from their windows whenever she left for school and came back. No one dared to approach her, but that didn't make it any less terrifying.
"And Coco was okay with this?" Ruby asked.
"Nicole fell in love with a Faunus woman when she lived in Vale—it was thanks to her that Nicole even grew to like… 'simple living.' No offense."
"None taken."
"And despite how I whined about it earlier, the apartment wasn't that bad," Weiss reluctantly confessed. "But it still wasn't the grandeur I was used to. We at least had all the essentials, and Nicole worked hard to provide for us… but that still doesn't excuse her blatant stupidity."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked with a half-smile, somewhat happy learn that Coco wasn't as perfect as she looked.
"She moved the disgraced daughter of the most hated man in Atlas to a street mainly inhabited by the people who hated him the most," Weiss laughed. "I understood her newfound love for Faunus culture, truly, I did… but she put me and our unborn child at risk. I was, however, just as much at fault as she was because I didn't speak up until I got so fed up with the stares and whispers—I screamed at her," Weiss said. "I almost left her right then and there… but she apologized and I was weak… we ended up living there with Neptune on the couch until we graduated high school and got an actual house."
"Why did you stay for so long?" Ruby asked, confused.
Weiss' expression softened significantly. And for the first time in this conversation, she smiled. "Chrys," she said like her daughter was the answer to all her problems. "When we brought her home… our neighbours fell in love with her. It didn't matter that she was Jacques Schnee's granddaughter. All they saw was a little patch of spring… it was actually really hard to leave once we got to know everyone."
"Sounds like a happy ending to me," Ruby smiled back. "What else?"
"Well," Weiss tensed, "there's not much more that stands out to me."
"Can I ask a few questions then?"
"Go ahead," Weiss said in a clipped tone.
Ruby nervously bit her lip and asked, "How she did she die?"
"She was shot," Weiss weakly replied after a moment of hesitation. "She went to go pick up a friend for lunch… but that friend was in an abusive relationship. She was trying to leave and Nicole was helping her. Unfortunately, the boyfriend mistook their friendly meeting as an affair and a fight broke out. He pulled out a gun… and fired. Nicole managed to subdue him, but by the time the authorities arrived, it was too late. She was gone."
"I'm so sorry that happened…"
Weiss solemnly nodded. "I never got to meet the woman my wife saved. Maman sent her some money to help her get back on her feet, but it got sent back with a long letter of apology. We also invited her to the funeral, but she didn't attend. Frankly, I should have known, but Nicole was always so private about who she was with, and Maman handled everything with the police… I never had the courage to ask her for the details."
"Just wanted to step away from it?" Ruby asked, rubbing gentle circles on Weiss' back.
"Mm," Weiss nodded. "We moved to Vale shortly after… and then I met you."
"Yeah…" Ruby kissed Weiss forehead and squeezed her like a teddy bear, trying to send as much love as she could through her arms. "I'm sure there's a lot you haven't told me yet, but I am starting to piece things together."
"Minor details," Weiss shrugged, leaning into Ruby's embrace. "Like the fact I'm technically a doctor."
"What?"
"That fancy degree I have," Weiss said. "It's a DBA—a Doctorate of Business Administration."
"Whoa… um…" Ruby swallowed.
"If Maman hadn't given me my current position, I'd be teaching at Beacon," Weiss said, crinkling her nose.
"Yikes, that's a little, uh… close to home?" Ruby carefully replied. "Dunno how I'd feel about dating a teacher."
"Professor," Weiss proudly corrected. "Though, I guess now that you know this," she flipped her hair, "you can call me 'Doctor' the next time we get… frisky."
Ruby let out a roaring laugh and pinched Weiss' cheeks, eliciting a shrill yelp. "You! I'm still mad at you for what happened in the shower!"
"It wasn't my fault!" Weiss laughed as she tried to push away Ruby's hands.
"You so knew what you were doing!" Ruby insisted. "You were making with the seduction eyes and striking sexy poses while you got all soapy—"
"I'm sorry, how is getting 'soapy' sexy?"
"Y-You were… touching yourself," Ruby whispered like she was saying something naughty.
Weiss stopped laughing and quirked eyebrow. "Yes, how else was I going to get clean?"
"Ugh! You're a hazard to my health!" Ruby huffed.
"You had a rather healthy reaction to seeing me wet though," Weiss purred seductively.
"Hey, hey, no!" Ruby tutted. "No more funny business!"
"Please, I work with a bunch of clowns."
"You are such a butthole sometimes…" Ruby groaned.
Weiss gave Ruby a kiss as an apology and got up to rifle through the burger bag. She came back with one of the burgers and unwrapped it halfway to keep her hands clean.
"No pickles, right?" Weiss asked as she sat beside Ruby.
"No pickles," Ruby confirmed with a pout. She eyed the burger hungrily and licked her lips. The lettuce was wilted and the bacon looked soggy, but the smell was downright irresistible. Weiss took a small bite and offered the burger to Ruby. "Aw, an indirect kiss. Baby, that's gay."
Weiss rolled her eyes and kissed Ruby's cheek. "Hurry up and take a bite, dolt."
"Sorry, Doctor, I'll get right on that," Ruby said as she chomped down on the burger, making a massive dent. Weiss stared at her in shock. "What? I'm hungry."
"You are an animal," Weiss muttered, taking another mousy bite. "Disgusting."
"Mm, you still like me though," Ruby said, licking her lips. She tossed an arm around Weiss' shoulder and nuzzled her nose against Weiss' cheek.
"Haha, stop!" Weiss giggled. "That tickles!"
"I love you, Weiss," Ruby said.
"I like you too, Ruby," Weiss replied.
"Hey, so, we've got a couple hours left before we gotta pick Chrys up, wanna watch a movie?" Ruby asked after taking a more modest bite of the burger.
Weiss licked her lips and nodded. She leaned forward to get her remote, giving Ruby a quick glance of the tattoo she had on the small of her back. When Weiss sat back, Ruby pretended like she hadn't seen anything, though that red rose was going to haunt her dreams tonight.
The TV turned on and Weiss scrolled through her streaming service looking for something specific. She passed the cartoons, action, and stopped on romance. Ruby quirked an eyebrow and watched Weiss filter through the selections until she settled on a romance comedy that Ruby watched once with Yang after a date gone wrong.
"Mm, would you be okay if we watched this movie?" Weiss asked as she pointed the remote at the screen. "I've been wanting to rewatch it for awhile…"
"I didn't know you were into romcoms," Ruby teased.
"I'm not… but this was one of Nicole's favourite movies," Weiss said, pressing play. "We used to watch it on our anniversary every year after it came out. I always thought it was stupid and that the female lead could do better than a clown whose only was a good joke… but maybe that was the point?"
"What do you mean?"
"Love shouldn't always be an uphill battle," Weiss mused aloud as she curled into Ruby's side and tucked her head under Ruby's chin. "Love can be light and funny… if the person you're with can't make you laugh, it doesn't matter how good they are in bed or how wealthy they are…"
"Did she make you laugh?" Ruby asked, noticing the subtle tremble in Weiss' voice.
"She made me laugh so hard sometimes I couldn't breathe…" Weiss replied nostalgically. "Nicole was everything I wasn't… and I was addicted to the freedom being with her gave me. I broke so many rules because of her."
"If you could go back in time and change things, would you?"
"No. No, I don't think I would," Weiss said. "I loved her with every fibre of my being even when I thought I hated her the most. She freed me from my gilded cage and taught me how to live… but I don't want to give up what I have now. I don't want to give up on you."
"Weiss…"
"We're going to run into more problems in the future," Weiss said. "But I hope we can overcome them like the problem we ran into today."
"I hardly thought of that as a problem," Ruby chuckled. "Just miscommunication."
"Still…"
"Hey, you remember that bet we made earlier?" Ruby asked.
"I do, why?"
"Well," Ruby grinned, "I'm still here and I totally love you more than I did back when we made that bet. Now, what do I win, Wild Thing?"
Weiss looked up at Ruby with a thoughtful expression and said, "I don't think I can give it to you just yet, but soon. I promise you… I'll be able to give you my heart completely…"
"Weiss…" Ruby murmured with wide eyes. "For real?"
"It's so hard not to fall in love with you when you do things like this," Weiss said. A tear rolled down her cheek and Ruby wiped it away. "I am so terrified of falling in love again…"
"I'll be here, Weiss," Ruby said. "No matter how long it takes, I'll be here."
Nodding her head, Weiss flashed Ruby a smile and kissed her. Both the burger and the movie were largely forgotten shortly after in exchange for soft kisses and gentle caresses. But as tender and slow as they were being, the same couldn't be said for Ruby's heart. It was hammering away in her chest, excited by the promise Weiss had given her. Hearing "I love you" from Weiss was no longer a far flung dream.
Just a little more patience, Ruby happily thought as she lost herself in Weiss.
Soooo you're probably wondering why the updates have been so far and few in between, and I really got no excuse. I've been busy with server schneenanigans. We actually just hit tier two! The other thing I've been doing is stockpiling chapters so I'm not scrambling to upload something the moment I finish it.
I've also posted a side story expanding on the flashback Weiss had back in chapter 8. It's titled "Addict," and it gives a little more detail on how Weiss' mind worked back in the day.