Chapter 8-
It took another hour for the girls all to settle down. Winter returned to her own room at the academy and the other girls retreated to their beds to sleep.
Ruby though couldn't sleep, too used to the warmness of another body next to her, arms wrapped around her body so instead she laid awake in her bed, scroll open in her hands.
For the last couple hours she had been speaking to Neo, having the same trouble as her though neither woman admitted as much to the other, in case one or both of them decided to go to the other.
'So, there's uh…this dance Saturday at Beacon.' Ruby sent after a break in their conversation.
'Like the old ones at Atlas? I have fond memories of that first one we went to together.' The teasing reply came back, causing Ruby to smile at the memory it was the first time she had done something truly for herself at that point and she remembered Winter's reaction all too well.
She forgone her sisters help with getting ready for the dance this year, and now she regretted it as she struggled to pull her zipper up at her back.
The black dress she wore hugged her body well and reached down to just above her knees. Vastly different to the full-length dress she had been made to wear the year before.
This year though she had went shopping with Neo, though they brought their dresses separately they spent the day together looking around, but they had no idea what the other had brought.
Ruby's black dress on its back had a stylised red rose on the back which was carefully woven into the dress. It was a clear choice for her once she had seen it but now the zip was killing her.
A knock at the door disturbed her but as she checked the time she cursed, it was seven pm which meant Neo was here to pick her up, in a way.
"One minute!" Ruby called out, grabbing her shoes she slipped into the flats easily enough. She had been told rather firmly by Neo not to wear her boots, which she wanted to do.
She wasn't fond of makeup, but she tried to use some, albeit a small amount of it. Neo loved her eyes, just as she loved Neo's in their ever-changing glory, so she had used a small amount of eyeliner just to bring out her eyes and she wore some red lipstick as well but that was all she wanted to use.
"Hey." Ruby said, opening the door to reveal Neo standing before her.
Neo was dressed in a long white Chinese style dress that was sleeveless and was open from her waist down and was artfully tied up along the sides. She wore white heels to compliment the dress with her hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
"Hey. You look beautiful." Neo said as she took in Ruby's dress.
"Thank you." Ruby replied with a blush, "You look amazing as well." Ruby said.
"Thanks, all ready to go?" Neo asked Ruby.
"Almost I uh…I need some help." Ruby said, the blush returning on her face as she turned around to show Neo her unzipped dress.
"Of course." Neo replied, one hand gently brushing against Ruby's bare back causing her to smile as the girl shivered at her touch while her other hand zipped up the dress. "All done." Neo said.
"Tha…thank you." Ruby replied shakily, desire had torn through her once she felt Neo's hands on her, but she knew it wasn't the time, it didn't help when Neo began to play with her hair.
Like Neo, Ruby had her hair tied in a loose ponytail but within her hair it was clear to see the mixture of colours. While not as noticeable as Neo's hair, Ruby's was brunette with red highlights which were all natural but alongside this were stripes of white highlights that were clearly defined. The only visible feature that showed she was a Schnee or hinted at it at least.
"You haven't dyed it yet." Neo stated, pointing out the obvious fact.
"I haven't really had the time." Ruby answered as she had told Neo as much that she was going to dye her hair. She's keep the brunette and red highlights, but she wanted to cover the white parts but as she had said, there wasn't much time at the moment to do it.
"Well if you need some help, just ask. Now come on, we better head down." Neo said as she offered her arm to Ruby, who happily accepted it as the pair walked together through their dorms and towards the hall that was hosting the dance.
This was the first time that the two would be together in public like this, girlfriend and girlfriend. They had kept it hidden, not for lack of desire to have it known publicly but because they both knew that Ruby's family may not be the most accepting of this.
Not because they were both women but because of Ruby's choice, she knew they wouldn't approve of Neo because of her shady past and how they would think she was up to no good.
But now, neither woman cared as they knew they belonged together but because they were sick of hiding, though with their semblances of speed and illusions it was very easy for them to hide and escape.
"Are you sure about this?" Neo asked as they reached the last set of stairs before they reached the hall. She wanted to come out, but she wanted Ruby to make sure that this was what she wanted as well.
"I am." Ruby said strongly, keeping her head held high as she began walking again with Neo matching her stride for stride.
Entering the hall they met the greeter who was one of the students but they simply walked past her and headed for the dance floor first
"See your sister yet?" Neo asked quietly at the pair faced each other and began to join in the dance to the rather slow song.
"Not yet, but I'm sure she's around somewhere." Ruby said, her eyes darting around the room briefly before focusing on Neo. "Know what, I don't care. Let's enjoy the night." Ruby said with a smile, leaning in and kissing Neo's cheek.
"Let's." Neo said as she pulled Ruby down slightly to kiss her on the lips for a few seconds before returning to the dance.
They noticed that no one seemed to care about them as they had spotted several same-sexed couples around, but they did receive a few looks from the more 'upper class' students.
They danced for what seemed like hours as the two lost themselves in the music and each other but eventually they were growing tired and rather thirsty, so they finally found a stopping point as they both headed over to the drinks table.
"Here." Neo said as she handed Ruby some punch.
"Thanks, I need this." Ruby said as she downed the drink in a single go. Not realising how tired she was after dancing for so long, but it was worth it.
"Enjoying yourself?" Neo asked cheerfully, taking a sip of her drink.
"Loving it. It's the best night of my life!" Ruby said rather excitedly, still slightly high on euphoria from dancing and actually being around Neo so much.
"Brilliant, but uh don't look now but Winter's coming. Six o'clock." Neo said, looking worriedly over Ruby's shoulder to see Ruby's older sister marching towards them both.
Neo made to move away from Ruby as it was clear they were going to have a rather private talk, but Ruby's hand shot out and grabbed Neo's as she turned to face her oncoming sister with Neo pulled tight to her side. "Stay." Ruby said softly.
"Alright." Neo replied just as softly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Winter practically shouted as soon as she came close enough to Ruby.
"Dancing with my girlfriend. What are you doing?" Ruby asked calmly, though she was starting to sweat a little as she gripped Neo's hand a little tighter, her nerves slowly getting to her.
"Girlfriend? She can't be your girlfriend!" Winter cried out in disbelief as she looked between the two.
"And why not?" Ruby said dangerously low, which was a new side that Neo saw of Ruby.
Every time she had seen Ruby act with her family it was always a little meek, she always deferred to Winter but lately she had seen that Ruby wasn't as deferent to her sister and standing out on her own.
This had started when she started being friends with Neo and more so when they began dating but also when Ruby began private lessons with General Ironwood.
"Because she's a criminal! You aren't allowed to date her!" Winter cried out again.
In a blink of an eye Ruby's hand darted underneath her dress and she drew a stiletto knife that was pressed against Winter's neck before anyone could blink.
"I won't allow you to talk bad about the woman I love! She's no more criminal then you or I. This is my choice, mine. Not the families but mine. You have no power over what I do." Ruby said coldly to Winter, holding the blade there for another few seconds before she removed it.
Winter and all the students were stunned at the display, outside of training and combat they had never seen Ruby draw a weapon, let alone against her sister like that.
Stashing the blade under her dress once more she took Neo's hand and the pair walked out of hall together leaving the stunned students behind.
Ruby smiled warmly at the memory of the dance, it was the first time she had stood up to her family, but it was also the start of her moving away from them even more.
'I remember we only went to one.' Ruby sent back as she remembered that they only had the one dance together because she had left the following year.
'But it was memorable. It was the first time you said that you love me.' Neo replied almost instantly, clearly watching her scroll for the message.
'Extremely. I remember after we left the dance as well, just as fondly.' Ruby said though she had a light blush on her face at the aftermath.
'Oh, I know exactly why you love that night.' Neo teased quickly as she loved teasing Ruby and making her remember that night was fun for her.
'Anyway, can't sleep as well?' Ruby replied to change the topic as she didn't want to go any further otherwise she really wouldn't sleep.
'No one warm laying next to me, it's rather cold all on my own.' Neo continued teasing.
'I'd love to, but you know I can't. Hopefully this will all be over soon, or we could always sneak away.' Ruby explained though they both knew it, it didn't make things any easier.
'I know. Anyway, we better head to bed as we need to be up early in the morning.' Neo said as she was being the responsible one.
'You never gave me an answer.' Ruby replied quickly as she wanted to have an answer before going to sleep.
'You never asked a question.' Neo stated.
'Will you go to the dance with me?' Ruby asked as she realised her error.
'What about my cover?' Neo questioned.
'You can disguise yourself, please? It's…it's been so long since we've gone to a dance and I doubt we'll be able to again.' Ruby said and while she knew that there may be more dances, especially if she rekindled her bond with her family but that looked to be unlikely.
'Of course, I'll go. I'll pick you up at seven. Now goodnight sweetie, I love you." Neo's answer came quickly as it was starting to get rather late or early depending on your view.
'Goodnight. Love you.' Ruby replied, and she'd seen that Neo had seen the message as she put away her scroll and tried to get some sleep now.