The room was a filthy mess. Wrappers, empty bottles, crumbs, and a family of fat-bellied mice made the floor their home. Oddly, there was nothing stained. No spills. The tenant did want their deposit back, after all. A miserable mess, but not permanent.
Just miserable.
The wall, like the floor, was a mess. Not of dirt and refuse, but family and friends. Snapshots of life all around. A girl with yellow hair and wide smile, giving a noogie to a girl with red hair trapped in her elbow. A black haired beauty, reading on a couch next to a fair-haired man, studying a knife in his hands.
A girl with orange hair, standing next to the girl in red. All smiles, a smooch on her cheek. Dressed in parkas, at the base of a mountain coated in snow. This photo was crinkled from handling and ancient spots of dried moisture.
A small table sat next to the bed. On it, a knife bag, a framed picture of one happy family, and a clear glass box. Within, a lock of bright orange hair, tied with a red band.
Ruby woke up.
She was covered in cookie crumbs and a morning hangover. She tasted her tongue. Eugh. Milk and bailey's. She threw off the covers, scattering crumbs around her room. Her head creaked like stairs in a basement, and she took a breath, willing the pain away.
It didn't help.
Ruby shuffled to her bathroom. She gently shut the door, and faced the mirror.
Her upper lip had a dry milk moustache on it. Her eyes were bleary, red, and bagged. Her shoulders sagged, and her head hurt so bad she couldn't think straight.
Ruby took off her black tank top and pants, and stepped into the shower. She twisted the faucet to cold.
Water spilled out of the showerhead like a river of resurrection. Ruby's skin clenched against itself, the nerves sending a numb, tingling pain across her body. It distracted from the pain in her head, and she yelped.
"Yaaaaaaaa! Cold, cold cold cold cold cold cold-" Ruby continued chanting, teeth chattering. Soap, soap, where's the soap? Where it always is! She scrubbed her body with suds and washed the stink of liquor from her skin. She rinsed off, spinning like a top. Her spine shivered when the water passed over it, and she held it there, the cold pinching the stress from her body.
Ruby looked at the shampoo. Maybe she could get away with not washing her hair? She ran her hand through her locks. Her hand came away with crumbs, peanut butter and a smear of chocolate.
Nope. She snatched the shampoo and, with a single pause, ran her head under the water.
All the blood in her mind went cold. Her fingers worked her scalp, but she couldn't feel anything. She saw the suds peek over the top of her vision, and she dunked her head, raking her scalp. Rinse. Repeat. Condition. Wait. Wait. Rinse!
Ruby made sure every slip of soap was off her body. Nothing under her pits, and her back was thoroughly rinsed. She shut the water off, and stepped out of the shower, shivering.
"Fuck!" Ruby exclaimed, drying herself off. She wrapped the towel around her like a blanket, and went to the sink. She turned the faucet to hot, and put her hands under, breathing life back into her fingers.
Teeth chattering, she tied the towel around her waist and reached for her toothbrush. A pea of toothpaste and she started brushing.
Her eyes met her mirror's, and she thought back to last night. Drunk, binge-eating, and one question rattling around in her brain like popcorn in a kettle.
Do I tell Weiss I like her?
Ruby spat into the sink, rinsed, grabbed the mouthwash, gargled, spat, and rinsed again. She sighed, and leaned against the counter, staring her reflection down.
"Do I tell Weiss I like her?" She asked. She crossed her arms. "If I do, what would happen?" She cocked her head. "Weiss might not like me back. I could get fired, or it could be super awkward."
Ruby frowned. "But. . . She seems to like me. There are signs." Ruby counted on her fingers. "One, karaoke night. That was tense. Not completely sexual, but tense. Two, Weiss' place. I dunno if she eats chocolate like that with everyone. . . Three. Food." Ruby licked her lips. "She offered me the gravy from her spoon. Then she licked that same spoon a moment later." Ruby felt her cheeks heat up. Weiss' tongue, it was so long. Ruby covered her face with her hands.
"If she doesn't like me, then she is sending some seriously mixed signals." She said, her voice muffled by her palms. "Or I'm really, really desperate for a sign that she likes me."
Desperate? Ruby rubbed her eyelids. "Am I desperate?" How long had it been, really? "Four years." She whispered. "Four years since Penny."
Ruby snorted. Four years since she got laid. But, this wasn't just sex. At the thought of Weiss, her core ran hot and her heart picked up the pace, yes. But her belly also grew warm. Her lips tingled and her brain went fuzzy. Watching Weiss on the line, commanding respect and managing a storm of orders.
Ruby took a breath. Best to keep those thoughts down for now, or she'd need another shower.
She ran her fingers through her hair. "What to do?" She asked.
Her reflection looked as stumped as she felt.
Ruby sighed. "You're no help." She said to herself, and walked out of the bathroom. She went to her dresser and pulled out her working clothes. She pulled on her pants, coat, hat and shoes, then checked herself over in the mirror.
Clean, dressed, ready to work. She saluted her reflection. "Chef Rose, what the fuck do I do?" She asked.
Play it by ear. There's always a moment. Wait for the right one.
Ruby took in a breath, and let it out slowly.
"Play it by ear. Wait for the right moment. Then, I'll tell her." She stared her reflection down. "Then, who knows?"
Ruby left, the mirror reflecting nothing but wall.
~0~
Weiss pulled up to the Gele Gloxinia an hour before open. She killed the engine, and rested her head against the steering wheel. She sighed. Ruby would be there in thirty minutes.
Weiss had that long to figure out how to fire her.
She couldn't fire Ruby if Ruby so much as looked at her. So, if Weiss was going to be successful, she needed to act fast. Ambush Ruby. Surprise her. Quick and clean, like ripping off a band-aid or shitty hair extensions. The faster it was over, the faster Weiss could go home and drink on it.
Weiss opened the car door, slammed it shut, and pulled her hair into its off center bun. She checked her image in the car window. Poised. Precise. Ready to break two hearts and numb the pain later. Weiss nodded at herself and walked right up to the Gele.
The door was unlocked. Weiss pushed it open. The lights were on, the hood was whirring. The heat lamps were hot, the steamwells flicked on, ovens heated. In the other room Weiss heard the click of ceramic. Then, Ruby's voice cried out. "Oh, fuck! Bitter! Bitter bitter bitter bitter!"
Weiss peeked around the corner. She saw Ruby at the bar, mixing milk and simple syrup together in a glass. Ruby drained the sweetened milk down her throat and slammed it onto the counter. Right next to an empty espresso mug. "Eaaaaugh! Who would do that to themselves!?" Ruby asked aloud.
"Do what?" Weiss asked.
Ruby jumped. "Weiss!?" She exclaimed. She knocked over her glass. It rolled, and fell off the counter. Ruby dived. She caught it just before it smashed against the floor. She sighed, her shoulders relaxing. She put the glass on the counter and looked at Weiss. "H-h-hey Weiss! Whatcha doing here so early?" She greeted, face red.
Weiss lifted one brow. "I could ask you the same thing." She nodded at the empty espresso mug. "Did you just drink straight espresso?" She asked.
Ruby rubbed the back of her neck. "Yes." She admitted.
Weiss shook her head. "Ruby, why?"
Ruby offered a strained smile. "No reason!" She said.
Weiss nodded. "Uh huh." She looked at the open restaurant. "And I suppose you opened up early for. . . No reason?" She asked, smiling.
Ruby shook her head. "Nope! You've opened up before me twice. So, I figured I could open up before you. Make it easy." Ruby rubbed her wrist. "I didn't think you'd be here so early."
Weiss' heart melted. She cleared her throat. Push it down. "Um. Ruby. There's something we need to talk about."
Ruby's ears perked. She looked. . . Hopeful? "What about Weiss?"
Ruby, you're fired. Weiss' throat choked on the words. Fuck, those eyes. The lay of her bangs. Her lips, pressed together with focus. . . "Ruby, I-I want you on the line today." Weiss kicked herself. Fuck. Coward.
Ruby's eyes went wide. A huge smile broke across her face. She jumped up, fists high. "YES!" She yelled, dancing on her toes, swaying back and forth. "Back. On. The line. U-huh U-huh."
Weiss felt a huge burst of warmth in her belly and a simultaneous jolt of embarrassment. She pinched her nose while Ruby did the sprinkler. "For fuck's sake Ruby." She sighed.
Ruby stopped. Her gaze met Weiss', a sly smile on her lips. "Weiss, don't tell me. Are you jealous?"
Weiss snorted. "Jealous of what?" She asked.
Ruby swished her hips. "Jealous I can dance, of course!" She cocked her head at Weiss.
Weiss laughed. "Please! I know how to dance. What you're doing is a mockery of the form." She shot.
Ruby shrugged. She held out her hand. "Then how about you show me?"
Weiss' heart skipped. She looked at Ruby's outstretched hand. The twinkle in her eye. She gulped. "I don't give out free lessons." She huffed, crossing her arms.
Ruby stepped closer. "I'll make you dinner." She said softly. She held her hand closer. "Come on. Show me." She breathed.
Weiss bit her lip. A dance lesson. Nothing to read into here. Just a dance lesson. Her hand met Ruby's, and she placed it on her shoulder. I'll lead." She whispered, slipping her palm around Ruby's waist.
Ruby nodded, her other hand sliding into Weiss'. "Okay." She whispered back.
Weiss leaned in. Fuck, Ruby was tall. Weiss' forehead came up to Ruby's chin. And Weiss only had to look down just a little, and see Ruby's-. "Feel my hand?" Weiss asked, clearing her throat. Her fingers pressed into Ruby's hip.
Her smell. Intoxicating.
Ruby nodded. "Yeah." She breathed.
"This is how I tell you where to go. I push towards me," Weiss pushed, and their chests pressed together, their gaze locked onto one another. "And you come to me." Weiss finished.
Ruby, pink as fresh raspberries, nodded.
Weiss smiled. "And the other hand," She squeezed. "Guides outer movements. So I step towards you, and you step back, feeling my hand." Weiss said, applying pressure, guiding Ruby through a step.
Ruby rubbed Weiss' hand with her thumb. "I t-t-think I get it." She stuttered.
"Good." Weiss smiled. "Good. Now step. Step. Step." Slowly, slowly leading Ruby through her steps, taking them from the bar, through the back, and out to the dining room where they had room.
Ruby stiffened up, almost tripping over Weiss' foot. "Relax." Weiss whispered. "Listen to my body and you'll pick it up in no time."
Step. Step. Step step. A growing smile. Step step step. A full grin. Step step, twirl, twist, and Ruby started giggling.
Weiss' own smile grew. Her hand in Ruby's, pressed against Ruby's back, giggles in her ear, hot breath on her cheek. Weiss started to pick up the pace. Ruby followed, her giggles subsiding as she focused on Weiss.
She was so warm.
Step step step step step step step step - stumble.
Ruby yelped, falling. Weiss caught Ruby before she hit the floor, one arm around her shoulders, the other holding her hand.
Ruby let out the breath she'd been holding. Her eyes met Weiss'. "So, is this what a dip looks like?" She asked.
Weiss chuckled. "It's what a dolt looks like." She whispered. Fuck. Ruby was so close. She was lost in her scent. Her hand was hot in Weiss'.
Weiss blinked. They were close. Too close. Weiss pulled back, and pulled Ruby to a standing position. She let go of Ruby's hand, and cleared her throat. "You did well." She said.
Ruby shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck. "I have a good teacher." She said. She looked away from Weiss, toeing the ground. She folded her hands behind her back. "Hey, Weiss. I was wondering, if maybe-"
"Weiss Schnee."
Weiss seized up. She felt cold oil wash down her spine. The voice pulled at strings in her mind, notes of fear and rage whisked together like a rancid sauce. No, no no no no not now!
Weiss twisted on her heels, and faced the voice. "Father." She greeted, with a small bow of her head. "I did not expect you."
Jacques Schnee stood at the entrance to the kitchen. Perfectly combed hair. Perfectly groomed moustache. Dressed in a parchment white suit, with brilliant sapphire accents in the cufflinks, tie, kerchief, and shoes. Perfectly ironed, smooth, symmetrical. Bitter blue eyes staring down Weiss like twin moons. Cold. Distant. Looming.
Fuck, how long had they been dancing? Did he see them? Please no, he couldn't have. He couldn't!
Jacques scowled, brushing his moustache with forefinger and thumb. "One should always expect the master of the house." He said through a plaster smile. "So, this is the new sous." He said, looking at his fingernails. "Wonderful." He stared Ruby down. "Are you liking your job here?" He asked.
"Y-yes I am." Ruby said. "I've been learning a lot, and I feel accepted here."
Fuck Ruby, don't give him that. Don't give him anything.
Jacques smiled, a cruel twist of his lip. "Good. Good." His gaze shifted to Weiss. "You will speak with me. Alone." He twisted on his heel and walked towards the back entrance.
Follow. Don't look don't look don't see. Follow. Door, door, stairs, office shut.
"She's very young." Jacques mused. "Has she impeded the performance of this restaurant?"
Weiss' spine felt like a lightning rod. Fuckin bastard was the one who hired her in the first place. She folded her hands behind her back. "No, her performance has been adequate." Don't embellish, don't undercut. Neutral. Uninteresting. Boring.
Jacques sat in the plush chair behind the desk. He laced his fingers together. "Adequate?" He pressed.
Fuck! Get away from her, get away from her! Why is he here!? "Did you come here this early just to check out the sous you hired?" She asked, her tone flat.
Jacques chuckled. "Of course that's part of the reason! I always have time to check on my favorite chef." He rubbed his chin. "Though, as it happens, I do have business out of town. It requires my personal touch. And I have a few. . . Guests. They'll be here the night I'm due back. If I am not back in time to greet them, I need you to take care of their every need."
His words crawled up her back like spiders. "I understand." She said. "Who am I hosting?"
"You'll be seating Fall, Watts, and Rainart."
A jolt. Cinder. "Understood, father." Weiss choked out. "I will make the appropriate arrangements."
Jacques nodded. "See that you do. Your previous efforts were. . . Unsatisfactory. I need you to do better. I need you to be better." He smiled. It had all the radiance of a plastic candle. "Will you do that for me, Weiss?"
Weiss bowed her head. "I will."
Jacques smiled. "Good." He leaned back. "Leave." He waved her off.
Weiss turned. Her hand grabbed the door handle. She twisted. Her heart grew lighter. Ruby was okay. He didn't suspect anything. There wasn't any-
"She's a lovely dancer." Jacques remarked. "A bit clumsy. But. . . I don't think I've ever seen such a smile on your face."
Weiss felt her soul splinter. Her hand shook against the door handle. She felt him gazing into her. As clear as a wine glass. She pulled the door open, and slammed it shut. She walked. Up the stairs, outside. Her pack was in her car. She grabbed it, lit a cigarette, and took one long drag. Smoke wafted through her anxiety, and she took another drag. Her heart was racing. It was hammering an alarm in her chest and her ribs were going to break.
"Weiss?" Ruby. "Weiss, are you okay?"
Weiss pulled Ruby by her shoulders, slamming her against the car.
Ruby jerked. "Ow! Weiss, what-"
Weiss pressed in close. "Ruby, I have to fire you." She whispered.
Ruby froze. "What?"
Weiss' lip trembled. She pulled back, taking a shaky drag. "He saw us. He saw us dancing." She whispered.
Ruby shrugged. "So?"
Weiss looked away. "You're a target." Her eyes met Ruby's. Now or never. "Ruby, I- I feel happy. When you're around. So you can't be here. He'll get his hands around you. He'll hurt you to hurt me. Everything he touches dies." The cigarette tasted rank in her mouth.
Ruby slowly reached out, She put a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Then let's stand against him. Together." Her hand slid down Weiss' arm. "Please?" She asked, lacing her fingers with Weiss'.
Weiss felt a shudder in her heart. She breathed deep, eyes closed. Roses. Red. Warm, supple fingers. The feel of her, buzzing against Weiss' skull. Like the north on a compass.
Weiss released her breath. "You don't understand." She whispered.
"Then explain it to me." Ruby pleaded.
"I'm sorry."
Weiss slipped her hand from Ruby's. Her fingers ached. Ruby let out a soft whimper. "Weiss-" She reached for her shoulder.
"I said you're fired!" Weiss snapped, smacking Ruby's hand away. "How fucking stupid are you Ruby!? You fucking ignorant child! Get out of my sight! Now!" She threw her cigarette at Ruby. "Get your knife bag, hand me your keys, and get the fuck out of here!"
Ruby backed away. Her lip was trembling. Eyes, wet. She took out her key ring, hands shaking, and pulled off the restaurant keys. They fell at Weiss' feet.
Ruby turned around, and went straight into the Gele Gloxinia. The door slammed shut behind her.
Weiss leaned against her car. A well of hurt churned in her gut. Push it down. Box it. Lock it. Blow it away. It doesn't hurt.
She fished for another cigarette. Her lighter, it wouldn't go. She shook it. Spark. Spark. Flame. She inhaled.
"What the fuck just happened?"
Weiss looked to her left. Sun. She sucked down her smoke.
The door to the Gele Gloxinia slammed open. Ruby. Knife bag in hand. Wiping her face with her arm.
Sun waved. "Ruby! Hey!" He ran over. "What happened? What's going on?"
Ruby, tears streaming down her face, shook her head. She went straight to her car and slammed the door shut. The engine fired. The gears ground together like wailing sandpaper. The car reversed out into the street.
"Ruby!" Sun called out. The car peeled away. Weiss took another drag. "What the fuck just happened?!" Sun asked, punching Weiss' shoulder.
"Get to work Sun."
"No! Tell me what the fuck happened!" Sun demanded. "Did you just fire her?!"
"My father is downstairs, Sun. He'll be up in a minute. Get. To. Work."
Sun held his hands up, and stepped away. "Okay Weiss. But, so we're on the same page." Sun looked at the parking lot exit. Rubber burned into the asphalt. "I think you made a mistake."
Weiss scowled. "Fuck you."
Sun sighed, shaking his head. He walked inside.
Weiss pressed her wrist against her head. She felt numb. She took another drag. Huh, finished already. She flicked it aside. She went inside. She told the crew.
"I fired Ruby Rose. A round of interviews will begin tomorrow to find a replacement."
The crew was not happy. A few venomous whispers. Some angry glares.
"I know, this makes our job harder. Some of you may resent me for this choice. But if you wish to remain employed here, you will let this wash away. We have a long week ahead of us. The owner is going out of town for business, and while he's gone we will be responsible for providing the same level of service he provides to our guests. Hop to it."
No one moved.
Weiss scowled. She clapped her hands. "Get a fucking move on! You want to get paid?"
The crew moved.
Weiss saw Sun out the corner of her eye. Disappointment plain on his face. She looked away.
Straight into her father's eyes. He wore a genuine smile on his face.
Weiss moved. Bathroom. Stall. Unbutton her coat, hang it on the hook, kneel. Vomit.
It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt at all.
~0~
Ruby slammed the door to her apartment shut. She took her hat and threw it against the wall. The sound it made was distinctly unsatisfying. Ruby went to her sink, grabbed a trash bag and a glass from her cabinet. She put the glass inside the bag and swung the bag at the kitchen floor.
The glass shattered inside the bag, and Ruby did not feel better.
Fuck, fuck she was angry. She hadn't been this angry since Adam chased down Blake and Yang all those years ago. Her heart was pumping and every cell in her body buzzed with adrenaline.
Jacques Schnee.
The moment he showed up Weiss was afraid. Ruby's a target. Weiss is trying to keep her safe. Ruby's grabbed another glass and threw it at the ground, shards scattering.
"AAAAAAAGH!" She yelled. She went to her room, grabbed a pillow, and screamed as loud as she could.
She found a place! She found a job! She found a friend! Maybe maybe maybe more, but that's up in the air! Because her friend fired her from her job which means she loses her place!
Ruby pulled out her scroll and dialed.
"Hey, how's my baby sis?" Yang answered.
Ruby felt the tears coming. "I got fiiiiired~" She sobbed, her voice keening.
"What?" Yang yelled. "One second Ruby. Hey guys, I need to step out." Muffled protests. "Hey Puce, I'll kick your ass. But you're gonna wait. I've got more important things at the moment." Laughter, a strained protest. "Lay it on me sis." Yang said. "What happened?"
"We were da-a-a-ancing." Ruby said, her breath stuttering. "And she was smiling! And then her dad showed up, and then she fi-i-i-red me!" Ruby sniffed.
"Whoa. Lot to unpack there. Let me grab my pad and pen, I need notes." A few moments rustling. "Okay, back up, start at the beginning. What's happened?" Yang said, her voice slipping into her old beat-cop cadence.
Ruby sniffed. "Yang, we cooked together." She said.
"I remember, you wanted to do a special menu." Yang said.
"Yeah, but it turned into, like, cooking for each other." Ruby rubbed her eyes. "And her food was so tasty, and-and I thought she was, I don't know, sending signals?"
Yang hummed. "Any examples?"
"She stuck a spoonful of her gravy into my mouth."
"Mhm." Yang scribbled. "And you're positive it was a signal?"
"I'm positive!" Ruby snorted into her pillow. "And, I got to work early today. I wanted to open up the whole restaurant so Weiss didn't have to. Then she got to work early, and told me I was going to train on the line. And I was happy so I danced and then one thing led to another and I asked her if she'd dance with me and she said yes and she was close and smiling and smelled good and warm and her dad showed up and he saw us and she went downstairs and came back and said she had to fi-i-i-i-ire meeeeee!"
"Oh Ruby." Yang said. "That really sucks. So her dad told her to?"
Ruby shook her head. "I don't know! I don't think so. She said he'd hurt me. She said I was a target." Ruby wiped snot from her nose right onto her pillow. She'd clean it later. "I mean, what's he gonna do? Kill me?" She laughed nervously.
Yang was silent.
"Yang?" Ruby whispered.
"I need to tell you something." Yang said. "It's about Weiss' dad. And it's about Blake. And you're gonna be kinda mad."
Ruby sat up. "How mad?" She asked, voice low.
Yang groaned. "Um, remember when we ran into Raven a few years back?"
"Vividly."
"A little less mad than that?"
"What is it, Yang?"
"Well, the thing is. . ."
~0~
The rest of the day passed. Weiss moved. She couldn't stop. Stop, and she thinks. Grab water, mix with flour, add quinoa, salt, pepper, egg, onion, garli-
She spilled water on the prep table. Wet steel. Wet silver.
Don't think, don't think. Move. Cut. Fire. Plate. Fill, flip, duck, cut, fire, plate, call, cut, fire, fix smoke ticket call prep cut order fire call yell cut blood.
Blood. Thorns. Roses. Whimper.
Don't think.
Bandage. Clean. Cut, ticket, fill, pass, duck, towel, wipe, sip, taste, salt simmer tap toss knob flame pan towel wipe sanny fire cut fire plate plate fire fire fire fire-
Close.
Close went by quick, sending Weiss into the wide world. No tickets, no distractions. She pulled a smoke and leaned against the dumpster.
The back door opened. Sun stopped, and looked at Weiss. "Get home safe, Chef."
Weiss nodded. Sun left. No invitation for drinks. Not tonight. She didn't blame him. She flicked her smoke into the dumpster.
She got into her car, and turned the key. The liquor store first. A bottle of Crooked Gin and. . . Fuck it, a pint of Maker's Mark. It'll go nice with lemon and ginger.
Weiss parked, grabbed her knife bag, paper bag, and slammed the door shut. She walked into her building, straight to her apartment door, and fished for her keys.
The door opened. "Welcome home Weiss!" Ruby greeted, smiling wide.
Weiss dropped her keys. Ruby. In her apartment. Dressed in a green skirt, ruffled white blouse, and bolo tie. Red lipstick. White stockings on her feet. Holy shit. Weiss' heart was in her throat. "What-" She blinked, anger filling her belly. "What the fuck are you doing here!?"
Ruby shrugged. "Making you dinner." She grabbed the paper bag from Weiss. "Oh, Maker's Mark!" She exclaimed, delighted. "This'll go great with the steak!" She walked away, further into Weiss' apartment.
Weiss stormed in after Ruby. She grabbed her shoulder and twisted Ruby around. "Go." Weiss said, pointing Ruby to the door.
"Nah." She replied, opening the bottle. She snatched a shot glass from the table and poured. "I'm making dinner, and you're gonna eat it. And we're gonna talk." She downed her shot and set the glass down.
"I will not eat." Weiss hissed. "I'd sooner toss it in the trash."
Ruby poked Weiss' nose. "No you woooon't~" She sang, and went to the front door. "Where do you keep your keys?" She said, leaning over to pick them up.
Weiss, brain broken by a deadly combination of arousal and absurdity, worked her jaw. "C-c-c-"
"Counter?"
"COULD YOU BE FUCKING SERIOUS FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!" Weiss exclaimed, stomping her foot. "I don't want you here! Get out! Leave!"
Ruby pursed her lips. "I have your keys." They jingled in her fingers.
Weiss' eye twitched. She held out her hand. "Give them to me."
Ruby put them behind her back. "Eat some food, talk with me, and you can have them."
Weiss stomped forward. "Give. Me. My. Key-"
Ruby undid one button on her blouse, and stuck the keys into her bra.
Weiss froze. Her hand exactly one foot from Ruby's chest.
Ruby redid the button. She stuck her tongue out, hands behind her back. Her chest stuck out. Taunting. "Come get em." She smirked, staring Weiss down.
Those silver eyes glinted, like the edge of a knife. Weiss gulped. She could get those keys back. She would get those keys back. She stepped closer. Eight inches.
Ruby jutted out. Six inches.
Weiss gulpd. Three inches. Two. One. She grazed the button.
Weiss whirled and shut the bathroom door behind her. Her heart was beating fast. Fast. Too fast. Work wore her down, walls weakened. It wasn't fair. The ruffled blouse. Her smirk.
A knock at the door. "I'll get you some pajamas and a towel. Take a shower, relax. Dinner will be done in fifteen minutes." A pause. "Don't take too long~"
Weiss put her hands to her head. "Aaaaaaaaaaaagh." She said quietly. Ruby knew where the towels were, where her pajamas were! SHE ONLY STAYED HERE ONCE. She was drunk! Fuck!
Weiss took in a breath. Calm. Calm. March out there, tell Ruby she is not welcome, she needs to leav-
Another knock. "I'm leaving the stuff just outside the door. You can get it when you're ready."
Weiss heard her walk off. She opened the door. On the floor, a set of pajamas, a towel, and a glass of gin.
A glass of gin. Muddled with fresh blueberry.
Weiss bent down, and picked up the glass. She brought it to her nose. Familiar. She took a sip. Delicious. Her shoulders relaxed.
She really needed a shower.
Weiss set the towel and PJs on the counter. She shut the bathroom door and locked it. Her hair fell across her shoulders. She stripped, got in, set the gin on the shelf, and turned the water to hot.
Her shower began to fill with steam. Her muscles relaxed. A sigh escaped. A weight began to lift. She sipped. She soaped, scrubbed, rinsed, sipped, and set the gin down. She twisted the knob left, grabbed the gin, and waited.
The water went from hot, to warm, to cool, to cold, to ice. It screamed down her back. Her skin twisted on itself, and she took a deep breath. Two fingers of gin left. She put the glass in her mouth, knocked it back. She finished off the gin in two great big gulps. At the same time, her head was soaked in freezing water, numbing the blood and clearing her mind. Her arm swung down, glass loose in her fingers.
She stood there, back arched into the water, temple pounded with water.
She shut the water off. She dried herself, and dressed. She faced her reflection. Tank top, sweats and a towel around her head.
Ruby was dressed in skirt, blouse, and stockings.
Weiss was grossly underdressed. Perhaps for the first time in her life.
She sighed. "Fine." She said under her breath. "Ruby wants to be here that bad, fine. Dinner won't hurt." Weiss can make her leave after. She opened the door.
Her nose picked up meat. Browned, spicy meat. A draft of onion. Carrot, celery. The sizzle and spit of oil.
Weiss rounded the corner to her kitchen. The sight was familiar. Ruby, humming, poking a steak with her finger, Weiss' apron tied behind her back. Weiss leaned against the entryway and drank Ruby in. She. . . She could get used to this.
But she never would.
Ruby glanced back, finger in her mouth. "Hey Weiss." She said, finger popping out. "Sit down. Steak needs to rest and then we can eat." She turned back to the pan.
Weiss sighed, and went to the table. She pulled out her chair, and sat. Plates and silverware already set, both bottles of liquor in the middle of the table.
Ruby continued to hum, and Weiss listened. The scrape of the spatula, the glug of pouring sauce, the clatter of pots and pans tossed in the sink. Weiss rubbed her temple. Why? "Why are you here, Ruby?"
"To talk to you." She answered, voice even. "And make dinner."
Weiss sighed. She went to run her hands through her hair, and met nothing but towel. "You didn't have to get me a new towel. I had one in the bathroom already."
"I wanted you to have a clean one." Ruby answered softly. She approached the table, plates in hand. "Soup's up." She beamed, setting the plate down in front of Weiss.
This was most certainly not soup. It was a golden brown steak topped with a red sauce, served with a vegetable medley and a cilantro garnish. Weiss picked up her fork and knife, and stabbed a corner of the steak. She cut a piece off, and put it in her mouth.
Fuck. It's delicious. It's delicious, and she didn't have to cook it. Weiss dug in. Perfect medium rare. Tomato sauce with chives, cumin, was that lemon zest? She felt her belly warm. Her eyes stung.
Weiss glanced up. Ruby was staring at her, chin resting in her palm, lips tugged in a soft smile, food yet to be touched. She reached for the bottle of whiskey. "Maker's Mark?" Ruby asked.
Weiss covered her mouth. "Yes please." She said through a mouthful..
Ruby poured Weiss a small tumbler, and one for herself. She took a sip, smiled, and finally cut into her steak.
The pair ate in silence. Weiss enjoyed every bite of steak. The veggies were perfect, light, with rosemary and tarragon. Ruby came to her apartment. Made her food. A drink. A-
Hold on.
Weiss swallowed. "How did you get into my apartment?"
"Neptune." Ruby said simply. "He's got a copy of your keys. Told me not to ask why or for what." Ruby tapped her chin. "He didn't say anything about telling you. . ."
Weiss sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Of course. I'm going to kill him." Skin him, turn him into an inner tube, and ride every river in Remnant until he pops.
Weiss looked at her plate. Maybe she should thank Neptune. After all, she got to eat Ruby's food. One last time.
Weiss blinked. "And you're here because. . . You want to talk."
"Yep."
Weiss set her silverware down and crossed her arms. She leaned back. Her lips flattened. "All right. Enough games then. Talk." She demanded.
"You're full?" Ruby poked at Weiss' plate. A few bites of steak remained.
Weiss shrugged. "Yeah, I'm full." She said, voice hard. Get it over with.
Ruby set her silverware down. She grabbed Weiss' plate, and carried both to the sink. She began to wash the dishes.
Wait a fucking second.
Weiss leaped up. "Hold on. I want you to talk, not clean."
Ruby scraped the waste down the disposal. "I made a mess, so I'll clean it up. Then we'll talk."
"No. You will not clean the dishes." Weiss ordered. If you cook, you don't wash the dishes. Period!
Ruby shrugged. "You need to relax." She grabbed a sponge, squirted some soap, and started on a pot. "Sit down." She said, gently.
Weiss scowled. "Stop doing things for me!" She grabbed Ruby's shoulder and pulled her away from the sink.
Hard.
Ruby yelped. Her stockings slipped on the tile. She fell. Her head slammed against the counter. The pot she'd been washing smacked her knee. Dirty water soaked her stockings, her skirt.
Weiss froze. "R-Ruby?" She whispered, holding out a shaking hand. Fuck.
Ruby's hands held her head and her knee. She met Weiss' eyes. Her lips started to tremble. Her eyes filled with tears.
Fuck. "Ruby, I'm sorry. I'm so so-"
"I don't get it." Ruby whimpered. "If you want me safe, why are you hurting me?"
Weiss felt a knife in her gut. It twisted with every breath Ruby took. Weiss clenched her fists. "I-I-I. . ." She gulped. "I tried to push you away." She whispered. "Why'd you come here? Why do you care for me?" She felt her own tears form.
Ruby pulled her knees to her chest. "You. . ." A shuddering breath. "Weiss, I wasn't really myself, for years. When Penny died-" She hiccupped. "When Penny died, I threw all my shit into the car and just drove. I took the ferry from Patch, landed in Vale, and lived out of my car for two fucking years. I've cooked in half the restaurants in Remnant, and washed the other half's dishes."
Ruby took the sleeve of her blouse, and blew her nose. "Then, Yang found me. Blake found me. And they took me into their place in Mistral, and I stayed there. They helped me get back up." She smiled softly to herself. "And, about two months ago, I felt ready. Hollow, but. . . Ready. So I found a place here, got settled, and I applied to the Gele Gloxinia."
Ruby met Weiss' eyes. "And I met you. This classic, beautiful, hardass chef. And I see you cook, and you've got so much to give, but. . ." Ruby rubbed her eyes. "You're in chains. You're caged." Ruby pulled her knees tighter. "You're dying." She choked out.
Weiss knelt by Ruby, and put her hand on her shoulder. "Ruby, I'm not dying-"
"Don't you fucking lie to me!" Ruby snapped. "What's the next step after burning a hole in your stomach, huh? You gonna hang yourself in a meat locker?" Ruby slammed her fist against Weiss' chest. "You gonna drink yourself to death!?"
Hold it in. "Ruby, I'm fi-"
"I was there!" Ruby yelled. She pushed herself to her feet, towering over Weiss. "I was there when my sister was attacked! I was running out to get help when her arm got cut off!" Ruby's finger jammed itself into Weiss' sternum. "I was there when Pyrrha died! I watched her face when her heart failed!" Her voice got louder. Broken. "I was there when the cable missed me and sliced my Penny in half!" Ruby roared. "So I'll be fucked, I'll be damned! If I stand here and let you wither away while I have a chance to do something about it!"
Weiss grabbed Ruby's wrist and wrenched it to the side. "You can't do anything about it!" Weiss yelled. "I tried, and nothing changed! You're trying to save me!?" She shoved Ruby against the side of the fridge. "Because you couldn't save her? I've got news for you, Rose!" Her spit hit Ruby's face. She flinched. "You can't! But I can save you."
Ruby pushed back. "I don't want to be fucking saved!"
Weiss wrenched to the side. "Join the club!" Her foot slipped in the water. Her back met tile.
Ruby fell onto her. She snatched Weiss' other hand, and pinned both above her head. "Well you can't save me either! I want in!" Ruby released Weiss hands. "I want a life with you in it!"
"You don't have a life if I'm in it!" Weiss yelled.
For a moment, Ruby looked lost. Weiss stumped her. She'll see sense. Weiss won.
Then, Ruby leaned down, and pecked her on the lips. She pulled away. "If you're not in my life then I can't do that!" She yelled, cheeks crimson.
Weiss' brain felt like a stuck strobe light, blindsided. "Did you just kiss me?"
Ruby gulped. "Uh. . . Y-yeah." She let go of Weiss' wrists and laced her fingers together. "I-I-I'm sorry I didn't ask permission I mean I wanted to but we're arguing and I want things too you know I want to kiss you and I want to eat your food and make food with you and I know it's really fast and you haven't met my family and I-"
Weiss' keys fell out of Ruby's shirt. They clattered to the floor, and Ruby jumped. She relaxed, and rubbed her neck sheepishly. "I-I want you."
Weiss stared. Her mouth was dry. Her fingers twitched. Ruby. Ruby wanted her. Wanted to kiss her. To be with her.
Weiss looked at Ruby. Reserved, uncertain. If Weiss rejected Ruby, right now, that would be the end. Her soul was bared, her intentions clear. She would be heartbroken. But, she would live.
And she would leave.
Weiss' chest hurt. This wasn't some backstage fling. This wasn't publicity. This wasn't a rabid fan. This was Ruby. Ruby Rose. A direct, confident, beautiful, earnest, authentic, competent, sexy little punk of a woman.
And she wanted Weiss. Weiss Schnee. A spiteful, bitter, aimless, powerless fool.
How? What did she do? Ruby didn't fall out of the sky just liking Weiss, Weiss must have done something! But what? What did she say? What was it about Weiss that inspired this dolt to break into her house, make her dinner, and confess her desire? WHAT!?
Stop.
It doesn't matter. Whatever Ruby saw, whatever Weiss said, whatever it looked like. . . It doesn't matter.
Ruby values Weiss. Ruby sees worth in Weiss, as Weiss.
Maybe it's her imagination? Maybe, but it's hard to imagine such genuine care, such compassion.
Especially when it's staring her right in the face.
She placed her palm behind Ruby's neck. Slowly, she pulled Ruby. Toward her. Into. A. Kiss.
Their lips didn't just brush this time. They melded. They slid against each other, tasting. Weiss could feel Ruby's squeak of surprise. Her tongue tasted Ruby's lip. Electric.
They separated. Ruby took in a shuddering breath. "I want you." She repeated, throat husky.
For a moment, nothing but peace, nothing but the air between them and the warmth on their cheeks and the soft buzz of pleasure spinning their brains.
Then.
It was like a leash snapped, and Ruby leaped onto Weiss, lips and teeth bruising flesh. Her back hit the tile, but her mind was on the mouth at hers. A fog filled her brain. Her skin vibrated like strings in a piano, and Ruby played. Weiss writhed underneath.
Weiss grabbed Ruby, and tried to twist her onto the floor. Dominate. Lead.
Ruby's legs tightened around Weiss' waist. She grabbed Weiss' hands and held them above her. She leaned in. "I'll lead." She whispered. Her lips suckled Weiss' jaw, and she moaned.
"D-dolt." She breathed. "You made dinner." Weak. Pathetic. Let me please you. "Let me-"
"How long has it been since you relaxed?" Ruby asked, pulling away from Weiss' neck. She craned herself up, willing those lips to return. "How long?" Ruby demanded.
Weiss looked away, still straining against Ruby. Still fighting.
Ruby ran her tongue up Weiss' neck. Her ear. "You don't have to be anything, or anyone." She whispered. "You're safe, Weiss. Right here." She pulled Weiss' wrist and settled her fingers on Ruby's heart. "You're safe with me."
So it wasn't just her imagination. Oh.
Weiss crumbled. A stream ran from her eyes. Tears? With them, a shiver of relief all through her back. She leaned up and pulled Ruby into a hug, pressed close to her, tried to merge with her.
Ruby held her. Stroking her hair. Cooing in her ear. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm here with you. I'm here."
Weiss pulled back and went for Ruby's lips. She pecked hungrily, then fully locked, her tongue tasting the full extent of Ruby Rose. Ruby's fingers clawed at Weiss, running up her skin, through her hair - when had the towel been pulled off? - and leaned back, Ruby's body resting on her own.
Weiss grabbed Ruby's hair and pulled her back. They separated with a pop. She looked into those silver eyes. Fuck, those eyes. Her radiant energy, her resilience, her optimism, the way she plays, the caliber of her work.
Weiss closed her eyes. She pressed her temple to Ruby's. "Ruby, I trust you. I surrender."
Ruby tucked a strand of hair behind Weiss' ear. "Aw, Weiss. This isn't a battle."
Weiss snorted. "No, it's not. Not with you."
Ruby grinned. Then, she looked around. The kitchen floor. Dirty sink water puddled up underneath. Wet clothes, wet hair. Ruby rubbed the back of her neck, sheepish. "Um, maybe we can continue this in bed?"
Weiss leaned up. "I thought you were leading?" She asked with a hint of sass.
Ruby frowned. She grabbed Weiss' arm and pulled her to her feet. Her other hand snaked around, and slapped Weiss' ass.
Weiss jumped at the impact. The fog swam in her mind.
"Shower first. Together." Ruby growled. "Then I'm done waiting."
Weiss couldn't agree more.
~0~
Neptune stood in the back parking lot of The Carousing Cane. He took a drag of his smoke and breathed it into the night sky. The stars were beautiful tonight. First night in weeks without clouds. Neptune approved. He didn't like the thought of water hanging over his head.
Sun stepped through the back door. "Hey Neptune."
Neptune held out his hand.
Sun rolled his eyes. He slapped fifty lien into Neptune's palm. "You called it." He sighed.
Neptune grinned. "Fucking right I did."
Sun lit his own smoke. "Weiss so owes me an apology."
Neptune shrugged. "Isn't she always a mean bitch?"
Sun waved his hand. "Not like this! Usually there's a warmth or something!" Sun pressed his wrist to his temple. "The sooner Ruby and her fuck, the better."
Neptune glanced Sun's way. "You don't know?"
Sun cocked his head. "Don't know what?"
"Ruby asked me to break into Weiss' apartment today."
"What?!" Sun's jaw dropped.
"Yeah. Ruby's making Weiss a steak dinner, and she's pulling out all the stops. I'm talking skirt and ruffled blouse." Neptune took another drag. "I bet they're either fighting or fucking right this second."
Sun rubbed his chin. "Wanna put money on it?" He asked.
Neptune held his palms up. "Noooooo. Could you imagine how angry they would be?" His voice pitched up. "Neptune, you interrupted our fucking to settle a bet!? How is that in any way important!?" He shook his head. "No, they would be piiiiisssed."
Sun nodded. "Yeah." He took a drag. "Speaking of important, The Schnee is out of town for the next week. Coming back at the end. We're supposed to fully service some guests of his if he doesn't make it back in time."
Neptune nodded. "Heard that." He reached for his scroll and dialed. Ring. Ring. Ri- "Detective Belladonna!" Neptune greeted, his voice light and jovial. "Hey, how's your day going? Great, great. Of course I've got some info. The Sneeze is out for a week. Yup. Whole week. And there might be some heavy-hitters coming in at the end. Yep. Yep. Mhm." Neptune glanced at Sun. "Yeah, he's up to it. All right, catch you later." Neptune hung up.
Sun flicked his cigarette into the trash. "What's up?"
Neptune looked at the sky. "She wants you to move. Break in, get the files. We get him at the end of the week."
Sun nodded. He looked up at the sky with Neptune. "Good." He took a breath. "What do you want to do when we find Velvet?"
Neptune smiled. "I want to take her to the best restaurant in town, give her a decent meal. You?"
"Booze, weed, video games, and a nice nap." Sun cocked his hands behind his head. "But, really, whatever the fuck she's up for." Sun swallowed. "It's not every day you break out of the Mines."
Neptune shook his head. "No." He sighed. "I hope she knows."
"She does. Not a one of us would leave her behind." Sun pressed his wrist to his temple. "Fuuuuck, we need to call Coco."
"Not it." Neptune called.
Sun punched Neptune in the arm. "Fine." He moved to the back door. "I can't be sober though. Gimme ten." He pushed the door open.
Neptune shrugged, and lit another smoke. It's tail curled into the night. He blew it away with a sigh.
~0~
The room was a mess of filth and depravity. Clothes strewn about like a shirt-cannon gone haywire. Sweat made the walls, the nightstand, the dresser and the mirror sticky. Pantyhose, ripped in half, was tied around the bedpost, resting like a self-satisfied villain. The sheets were baptized in a sticky afterglow. Three blankets had once called the bed home, and now only one was in reach of the two exhausted occupants.
The occupants breathed like whipped horses and were caked with sweat. Their limbs were an inscrutable tangle of flesh, bunched sheets, hair and bruised skin. Teeth-marks lined their shoulders, their backs. And much lower places.
Both were a scrapyard of emotions. Joy. Pleasure. Exhilaration. Caution. Fear. Arousal. Hunger. Embarrassment. More Hunger.
A mess. But a mess well earned.
Weiss reached down and grabbed the corner of her blanket. She flung it over the bed, and let it settle over her and Ruby. She smoothed out a few lumps, then pulled Ruby close, nestling in the crook of her neck.
Ruby looked content. As if she'd eaten the whole box of cookies. With two jugs of milk!
Weiss ran her hand to Ruby's shoulder. She looked tense. Like a heavy noose. "Ruby?"
Ruby shifted. Her hand slid up Weiss' arm. "Yeah, Weiss?"
"Why me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I. . . I hurt you."
Ruby nodded. She squeezed Weiss' arm. "You did." A pause. "You also inspire me."
"That's my line, Rose."
"Your line. My execution."
"No, I. . . I have a quick temper. I'm spiteful." Weiss took a breath. "You-you're so patient. You're kind."
"You're diligent. Unbowing. A force to reckon with."
"No."
"Yeah. And, you push. You're pushy!" A gentle poke to Weiss' cheek.
". . . Thank you?"
"Weiss, you demand so much of everyone because you demand so much of you. And. . ." Ruby rubbed the back of her neck. "I need someone like that. I-I want to be strong. And I'm stronger with you."
Weiss gulped.
Ruby tapped her chin. "Though, you are a perfectionist. . Maaaaaaaybe you're a lost cause." She shrugged.
Weiss' shrugged. "Maybe. I'm not good enough to be a perfectionist." A smirk.
Ruby laughed. Then, she frowned. "My sister says it's the highest form of self abuse."
Weiss had no reply.
Ruby tucked a stray hair behind Weiss' ear. "I want to take care of you." She whispered. "And I know you'll take care of me."
Weiss snorted. "What, you already forget what just happened?"
"No."
"Are you fucking nuts?"
"No, I'm fucking you." A wide grin.
"I just hurt you. Sure, we fucked, it was amazing, but you don't know if this'll last! I could be horrible to you tomorrow, I could-"
"You won't. You'll take care of me."
"I can't." Pleading. "I don't know how."
"I know. I'll go first. I'll show you how it's done." Ruby wiped a tear with her thumb.
Weiss pushed her cheek into Ruby's hand. "You promise?"
"I promise." Ruby smiled.
Weiss frowned, her brow furrowed, deep canyons of anxiety. "He's still here. What about him?"
Ruby kissed Weiss' forehead. "I have an idea. It involves my sister, her girlfriend, and next week's service." Ruby pulled Weiss close, nestling her head against Ruby's breast. "And a whooooole lot of balls."
Weiss snuggled in. She yawned. "What is it?"
"Let me make a few calls, and I'll tell you tomorrow, 'kay?"
Weiss nodded. "Mmm'kay.'
"Goodnight sleepyhead."
"G'night dolt."
A final, soft kiss. They shifted. Weiss' nose pressed to the crook of Ruby's neck. Their hands laced across her belly. Weiss' leg tucked between Ruby's own. Warm. Safe.
They slipped into sleep, and dreamed of tonight. Their minds ate up the memories, locked them away in the staunchest vaults. No matter what sunrise brought, they would have tonight.
So long as they survive what sunrise brings.