Chapter 6: Secret Safe with Me

Velvet couldn't help but be happy and bare a one hundred percent genuine smile on her lips. Her and Coco had been dating for a couple days now and it's been the greatest days she's had in a long time. They were both surprised that there was no awkwardness when they met back up with Fox, and to add they decided to let Yatsuhashi know about them being together so they wouldn't have to watch it around him in their shared dorm. He even said he was happy for her. It made her glad her teammates were so supportive of them, she felt like she could erupt with cheer right here in the halls.

"Velvet?" A voice came from behind her.

Velvet jumped and let out a small yelp, startled at the sudden announcement of her name out of nowhere. She turned around to see a familiar face accompanied by an even more familiar red hood and cloak and black outfit.

"Oh, hey Ruby," Velvet greeted after quickly calming down from her initial shock.

"You look like you've been in a good mood for the last couple of days," the younger girl pointed out, "Did something good happen to you lately?"

"Actually, yeah," Velvet confirmed, "And honestly, I couldn't be happier."

"Well, that's good to hear," Ruby stated, "And what exactly is it?"

"Um, what?" Velvet questioned as if she didn't know what the younger girl meant.

"You know, what was it that put a smile on your face?" the hooded huntress in-training asked again.

"Uh, well," Velvet hesitated as she tried to think of something to say, but knowing Ruby she knew she wouldn't let up, "Um, Ruby, can you keep a secret?"

"I seem to be keeping a lot of those lately," Ruby sheepishly laughed at while scratching the back of her head, "but yeah, you can trust me, Velvet."

The faunus looked to her right down the hall for any sign of possible onlookers and eavesdropper to see nobody. She checked her left to see the same thing before turning her focus back on Ruby. Velvet took a deep breath and released, preparing for her secret to be first spilled out to someone outside of her team.

"I'm in a relationship," Velvet revealed.

Like a spark starting a flame, Ruby's face lit up upon hearing those words. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an open smile. She was about to scream with cheer only for Velvet to bring her finger up to her own lips to shush her.

"Velvet, that is so great!" Ruby somehow both yelled and whispered at the same time, "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks, it feels great to finally get that off my chest and tell someone," Velvet admitted.

"Sooooo, who's the lucky guy?" Ruby curiously asked, "Wait don't tell me, it's Yatsuhashi, right?!"

"Ugh, why does everyone say that?" Velvet asked with hint of annoyance in her tone, "Do people really think we're a thing?"

"Oh, I take it that's a 'No' then," Ruby guessed from Velvet's response, "Well who is he then? Who's your boyfriend?"

"It's, uh," Velvet tried to think of how to ease it out, "It's Coco. I'm dating Coco."

After those words escaped from Velvet's mouth, the air was silent for a single moment. In that moment, Velvet could practically see the gears inside Ruby's head begin to turn as she both registered what Velvet just said and put two and two together.

"Oh... Oh!" Ruby let out upon realizing what her friend was telling her, now having a sudden feeling of awkwardness rush over her at what she just suggested, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to assume you were... that's to say I never really had a friend who was... uh..."

"Gay?" Velvet finished for her.

"Yeah," Ruby responded, "I just, this is kinda new to me."

"New to you?" Velvet questioned, "Ruby, I'm the one who just figured out only a couple days ago that she's into women. I'm basically terrified."

"I know, but like, I know I shouldn't have assumed you were straight but I just didn't know you were... you know," Ruby struggled to make the moment less awkward.

"It's okay, Ruby, not many people know about it," Velvet reassured, "In fact, you're the first person outside of my team to find out. I haven't had the courage to tell anyone else. Not even my parents."

Velvet's face fell at the last bit she said. Ruby took notice of this and deemed it her duty to cheer her up.

"Hey, look Velvet, this doesn't change a thing about you," Ruby told her, "Just because you like girls doesn't change the fact that you're my friend. And this won't change your parents' opinion of you. They're still gonna love their daughter."

Ruby could tell her little unprepared speech was working as she saw Velvet bare her smile again. She felt glad to help her friend out.

"Do you two like each other?" Ruby asked.

"Well, I like her, and she's giving me a shot so... I think so," Velvet replied honestly.

"Then that's all that matters. You both being girls doesn't change that, and it certainly doesn't change you," Ruby continued, "You are a kind, beautiful young woman. Nothing can or will change that about you, Velvet."

"Thank you, Ruby. You're a true friend," Velvet thanked her, knowing all of what she said was true.

"Hey, just helping out," the young huntress in-training replied, "And if you ever want to talk or just need someone to listen to you, you know my dorm number."

Velvet could feel the tears forming in the corner of her eyes at Ruby's kind words. She was happy to have a friend like her. Willing to hear her out with absolutely nothing in return. Ruby saw the tears roll down Velvet's cheeks, but she still was smiling. Knowing how it usually cheered her up, Ruby opened her arms, making an open invite for Velvet to hug her. Velvet greatly accepted her friends invite and held the younger girl close and tight.

"V-Velvet... crushing lungs... can't breath," Ruby got out trying to get air, "Velvet?... Velvet!"