Chapter 23
Ruby's heart was trying to beat itself out of her chest as she walked hand-in-hand with Weiss down the cobblestone sidewalk. She had said there was a restaurant just a moment's walk from the Lodge, just up the road. Ruby wished that it was a thousand miles away, so she would never have to let go of Weiss's hand. The air was cold, but the warm silk jacket kept her warm, especially considering the amount of boob that was displayed from the tight summer dress.
But damn, I look good. Weiss is a genius.
Ruby hadn't felt this comfortable in her own skin in a long time. The horrible scar was hidden, yes, but the reasonably revealing outfit and Weiss's reaction to it had boosted her confidence to levels they hadn't been since before attending Beacon. She shut her eyes.
I AM beautiful. There is nothing I cannot do. I. Am Ruby Rose.
She opened her eyes, and could feel herself smiling. She glanced over and caught Weiss admiring her.
"Your smile is my favourite, Rose-Petal. For sure."
Ruby blushed, feeling Weiss press her lips against her cheek. Love was a good thing. A thing she needed. Even the use of the nickname had sunk in and was warming her. The sub-zero air now felt like the summer sun. They approached a building that lined the sidewalk, one that Ruby guessed was the restaurant. The ornate wrought-iron patio chairs remained in place, snow-covered and organized, lit by the sign that was perched on the roof.
"WhiteRose?" Ruby questioned quietly, looking over at a sly-looking Weiss.
Her friend said nothing as she was lead inside. The heat from the fire in the centre of the room greeted Ruby, washing over her like a warm blanket. They were greeted by a tall, thin man with olive-coloured eyes. His black suit-vest was pulled tight against his broad chest. He greeted them with a soft, yet masculine voice.
"Good evening, and welcome to WhiteRose. Do you have a reservation?"
Weiss stepped forward, beaming brightly. Whatever happened to the whiny roommate that she remembered from Beacon was gone, and in it's place was this passionate and independent woman.
Ruby like.
"Yes, it should be under the name 'Schnee'."
The man's eyes lit up, finally recognizing her. He turned his gaze toward his reservation list, his eyes growing wide as he realized who he was talking to.
"But of course, Miss Schnee. If you'd follow me, I shall show you to your usual box."
The tall man grabbed two leather-bound menus from his station and beckoned them to follow. He seemed to almost float through the room as he guided her and Weiss to a seat in the corner by the window. Ruby was sure she had never seen a booth at a restaurant that had a sliding partition separating it from the rest of the room. But alas, here she was. She lowered herself onto the well-sprung seat, watching as Weiss gracefully slipped onto her side of the table. The menus were placed before them, and the man retreated back into the restaurant, closing the partition as he did. They were now isolated, as snow drifted past the window.
"Why is the restaurant called 'WhiteRose?'"
Weiss seemed confused by the question.
"I had it named after us. I thought it would be a nice reminder of our friendship."
Ruby's eye twitched slightly. This likely million-lien establishment had been named after her. It was a nice gesture, but it seemed a little...obvious. Ruby shifted uncomfortably, yet Weiss still smiled. It was a little unnerving.
"I didn't have it built for you, dummy, just named that way. Besides, Yang and Blake already agreed that it was a good name. Your sister actually chose the name."
Ruby's worry subsided, as she knew anything Yang approved of had to be harmless. Realizing she was suddenly overheating, Ruby made to pull off her borrowed jacket, and had it most of the way of before noticing Weiss was a little distracted by the view. Ruby tossed the jacket onto the bench next to her, placed her hand on her knees and ever-so subtly pushed her breasts together. Weiss's pupils dilated, causing Ruby to giggle.
"See something you like, Weiss-Cream?" She asked, gesturing down at the exposed skin. Weiss made a noise that wasn't quite words before shaking her head and sitting up straight and opening her menu.
"Yes, probably this dish here."
Ruby looked at Weiss was pointing at.
"Weiss….that's a picture of the chef..."
It was adorable how the white-haired girl was suddenly very flustered at being caught staring, not the Ruby minded, of course. She wanted Weiss to stare. It was self-affirming in a way, to know someone thought she was attractive. Even better that it was someone who should have become used to her by now, seeing as it had been eight years.
Heh, she thinks I'm hot
Weiss hid herself behind her menu, blushing like a madwoman. Ruby laughed and looked at her own menu. Everything seemed overly fancy, with equally fancy Mistralian names. Beef Bourguignon, Cuisses de Grenouille, Pain de Campagne. It was all a little overwhelming.
"Weiss?" she pondered at the back of the menu on the other side of the table "I uh, don't know what any of this means. Can you help me?" She tried to add a little bit of longing and desperation to her voice, and was pleased when her companion dropped her menu back down. Weiss's blush had subsided, but enough pink tones remained in the girl's cheeks to make even Ruby blush a little. She pointed out the few different options she was considering, and Weiss's expression softened as she tried to explain them.
"Truth be told, Ruby, I don't understand Mistralian either, but I have a gist of what they are. First one is like a beef stew, served hot with steak and veggies The second one..." Weiss looked at her through her eyebrows "...Is literally frog's legs, and the third one is just fancy bread. If you needed to choose between those three I would go with the steak."
Frog's legs?! Ew!
As much as Ruby didn't like vegetables, steak stew did sound pretty good, if a little unpronounceable. Weiss had made her decision as well, and had closed her menu. Ruby watched as she pushed a little button on the edge of the table, and almost like magic the partition was opened and in stepped a small woman in a suit-vest, a miniature female version of the man who had seated them.
"Good evening, Miss Schneee, Miss Rose!" the small woman cheered, smiling brightly at them. Ruby noticed that the woman's vest and shirt seemed freshly pressed, as if they had been cleaned and ironed not five minutes before. She was briefly confused at how the waitress knew her name, but figured that it was because Weiss had given their names when booking the booth, probably.
"Something to drink, this evening? Might I recommend a Mistralian Cabernet?"
Wine?
Before Ruby had any time to interject, Weiss smiled and answered for them.
"Yes, that sounds lovely. Thank you kindly."
The waitress smiled, bowed, and retreated, shutting the partition once again. Ruby looked perplexed at her companion. They were going to get wine? That seemed a little racy, she thought.
"Should we be getting drunk, Weiss? What about driving?"
Weiss chuckled at her. Rude.
"We aren't getting drunk, my dear, we are savouring a fine wine with dinner. Also, we walked here. Even if you get a little tipsy, we don't have to worry about driving."
What do you mean 'you'? You think I'm a lightweight?
But she did call me 'my dear'. Baby steps, Ruby.
"Why not have an Atlesian wine? Don't you prefer those?" she asked, to which Weiss nearly choked.
"I would never drink Atlesian wine. Not even if you paid me. It always tastes so..." Weiss paused, her face twisting "...Processed. Like it was made using a formula and math, instead of actual grapes. People like grapes, you see, not engineered wine."
Ruby laughed. People did indeed like grapes, as there had been a soda named as such. Much of her youth was spent chugging countless cans of the fizzy purple liquid. The Waitress returned, a silver platter atop which sat two bulbous wine glasses filled with deep blood-red liquid. Ruby eyes the fluid suspiciously as their orders were taken.
"I'll have the Canard à l'Orange, if you'd be so kind. Ruby?"
The waitress and the ice princess turned to her. She stumbled over a rough pronunciation of the dish she wanted, trying to sound professional. The way that both Weiss and the waitress smiled at her, she knew she clearly messed it up.
"Yes, I'll have the, uh… beef bore-gwig-non….uh yeah! That one!"
"Of course! I will return swiftly."
Once more, the waitress disappeared and she and Weiss were left in solitude. Ruby scratched her head and grinned awkwardly. As much fun as this date was, she felt extremely out of place and nervous. It was only Weiss, after all, not an Ursa. And for once, Ruby preferred Weiss. The woman across from her reached her hand out over the table and Ruby automatically reached out and laced her fingers into Weiss's. The sweet gesture accompanied by the soft smile made her giddy, and she turned away to try and hide her blush, to no avail.
"You are so magnificently pretty, Rose-Petal. I am ashamed for never properly noticing before."
ho boy
"Careful with those words, Weiss-Cream. They might be working."
Weiss winked at her and Ruby felt her heart flutter again. Weiss-related heart problems were almost assured now, as the girl across from her raised her hand to her lips and kissed it in a very sultry fashion. Ruby wanted to say something to break the silence, but her nerves and shaking body betrayed her. All that came out was an aroused-sounding whimper.
"Your meals have been prepared!"
Ruby jumped at the sudden intrusion from the server as she placed the gleaming white plates of food before them. Ruby's hand shot back from Weiss's grasp and hid itself under the table. Her face was on fire as she turned to the waitress.
"I'm not gay!" she said quickly and very flustered, receiving a smile and a small shrug from the waitress, who once again disappeared.
Wait, yes I am! She said to herself turning back to Weiss, who wore an amused expression.
"I, uh..."
"Don't worry, Ruby. I know." Weiss said, giggling at her from her side of the table. Weiss's soft laughing made Ruby pout at her, garnering more laughing from the ice princess. She tried to hide her embarrassment by taking a sip of her wine. She almost choked on it as the rich, sharp flavour washed over her tongue. A little bit ran down her chin as Weiss continued to laugh at her. Ruby pouted again before wiping the offending fluid from her chin.
"You aren't very nice, Weiss-Cream"
Weiss gave a contented sigh. "Eat your food before it gets cold, you clumsy dolt."
Ruby gave in and began consuming the steaming dish of meat and vegetables in front of her. The poutine from earlier had been excellent, but this food was perfect. The tender beef oozed the delicious stew onto her tongue, and however messy it was, it tasted like heaven. They ate their food in silence, awkwardly smiling at each other and giggling like school girls. They had since resumed holding hands, Weiss resigning herself to eating right-handed to hold her friend's hand.
This is my first real date.
I'm in love.
Her delicious meal came to a close, as did Weiss's. The bill was hidden from her, as it was likely more than her property payments. Weiss took no shame in brandishing her SDC credit card, and Ruby enjoyed the pampering she was receiving.
Weiss stood up from the booth, extending her hand towards Ruby. She gave her friend a giddy smile and gracefully accepted, allowing Weiss to pull her to her feet. She faltered a little, her legs briefly refusing to work properly. Her head was swimming a little, and she wondered if it was from the alcohol or from being exposed to her beautiful friend.
Fuck, I am a lightweight.
She let Weiss guide her back to the hotel, the snow that fell against her had no effect on her heated frame. Her vision was a mild haze of blurry smiles, and something about 'I love drunk Ruby' permeated her ears. She came to her senses a little as she was pushed down onto the soft bed back in their room, still giggling. She felt the mattress bounce as Weiss plopped down next to her.
"You sober yet?"
Ruby smiled.
"Maaaaybe"
There was a laugh from her side.
"Right, when you are, I'll take you swimming."
That sobered her up quick.
Swimming?
I can't swim!
I don't even own a bathing suit!
Ruby sat up, eyes wide. Weiss smiled at her again. Ruby gave a nervous chuckle.
"Uh, yeah, sure. Swimming…."
"Perfect! Let's go!"
Oh no.
Chapter 24
I love swimming.
Weiss observed herself in the mirror, admiring the smooth porcelain skin that gleamed back at her. She held the blue bikini her friend had chosen for her against her skin, unsure if it really matched. She tossed it on the counter and stood up straight, judging herself. The lithe body she was looking at still impressed her, but she couldn't help but feel tiny pangs of jealousy at what she imagined Ruby looked like under her usually baggy clothing. The dress she had been shoe-horned into demonstrated a rather enchanting figure that had been hidden from her all these years. Weiss was now frowning at herself in comparison. Much less muscular, much thinner hips, and considerably smaller…
Put the damn bikini on, Ruby likes the way you look.
Weiss's inner monologue had stopped teasing her with perverted thoughts, while normally a good thing, was now actually trying to help. Ruby had the body of a goddess, and her own now seemed a little… childish. Weiss huffed. She was twenty-five now, not a kid anymore. This was as much body as she was going to get.
I repeat. Ruby. Likes. You.
Weiss made a pained noise at the voice in her head and conceded. Slipping the blue number on, she appreciated the was the soft fabric actually pulled itself against her pale skin. She had a moment of trouble tying up the string behind her back, her hands fumbling with the thin string. When both the top and bottom pieces had been tied up on her body, she took a moment to observe herself again.
Well. That's not so bad.
She turned and looked over her shoulder at the reflection of her backside. She shrugged at the rather revealing way the lower part hugged the roundness of her posterior.
I guarantee that Ruby will appreciate that.
Weiss pulled a fluffy white bathrobe over her scantily-clad figure, catching a glimpse of her lower legs in the mirror.
Fuck. I didn't shave.
Weiss's eye twitched. There was no time to have a shower and shave now, as the time it would take might make her absence seem suspicious. She wondered if she even need to worry about it. They were both grown women, comfortable with small amounts of leg hair. It wasn't the unkempt mess that it had been during the winter time back at Beacon, but it was at least noticeable from up close. Or if you were Weiss.
It's not important. Focus on Ruby. Positive attitude is more attractive than anything physical.
Weiss stood up straight, pulled her shoulders back, tied up the robe, and stepped out of the bathroom. Only to find Ruby, still sitting on the bed, still wearing the blue dress. Weiss frowned at her friend.
"Why haven't you changed? I was in there for like ten minutes!"
Ruby looked a little uncomfortable. She gave her a nervous smile.
"I, uh… didn't bring a bathing suit."
Weiss's frown softened, then turned to an expression consisting of a sly smile and raised eyebrows. Weiss remembered that she had packed two bathing suits on purpose, one being the one Ruby had chosen, the other being the old Beacon Academy competition swim uniform. She always brought the old racing suit with her when she went on business trips, as she would always take the time to turn laps at whatever pool was at the hotel. It never left her bag. Swimming kept her fit.
"You remember what my hobby was, back at Beacon?" She asked, gingerly rooting through her bag for the old swimsuit.
"Getting angry?"
Weiss chuckled at this.
"No, no. Funny, but no, Rose-Petal. Every weekend, where did I go on campus?"
She could see the gears turning in Ruby's head. She also saw her friend's pupils dilate as the memory came to her. Ruby blushed.
"Weren't you on the swim team?"
Weiss pulled her old swimsuit out of the bag. The navy-blue one-piece number shimmered a little in the lamplight, the recently-washed spandex fabric hanging loose. It was a high-necked one-piece, with an open back and yellow stitching as was common for Beacon Academy athletic wear. Weiss held the suit out to Ruby.
"I was the four-hundred metre freestyle champion in second year. Remember the semester I had my hair shorter?"
Ruby took the garment carefully from her. Weiss smiled to herself as her companion turned the fabric over in her hands, as if she was examining it for flaws.
"I don't think I'm going to fit in this, Weiss."
Okay! We get it! You have bigger boobs than me!
Weiss laughed, hiding even more pangs of jealousy. The fabric was reasonably stretchy, and should easily accommodate her more sizable chest.
"You'll fit. Go change, silly. Unless you want to go skinny dipping?"
Ruby turned bright red at this, before rushing past into the bathroom. Weiss sighed as she sat down on the closest bed, feeling the soft silk sheets under her hands. She brushed some errant bang out of her face, then began brushing the long white hair that fell down her back over her left shoulder, working the kinks and knots out with her fingers. There was a time when she had short hair, the shoulder-length white fluff resembling Ruby's current hairstyle. She had grown it out after an argument with her father about how short-haired girls looked 'like dykes', as he had so brutally put it. In defiance of, her and Winter had grown their hair out to unreasonable lengths out of spite, and much of their long hair collected around the house. Winter was not gay herself, of course, but she gladly sided with Weiss on such issues pertaining to their father.
"Uh, Weiss?"
She turned her head towards the bathroom door, for once glad that she had been torn from her own thoughts.
"I don't think this quite fits..."
Weiss frowned at the door.
"Mind if I come in and check?"
There was a pause.
"Uh, sure, I guess..."
Weiss stood up off the bed, brushed some invisible dirt off of her robe, and strolled towards the bathroom door. She paused for a moment, realizing that beyond the door would be Ruby in a bathing suit. She shivered a little with joy, before opening the door. The goddess in the bathroom gave her a weak smile.
"Hi..."
Weiss's heart stopped. What she was looking at was probably the most vividly beautiful person she had ever seen. Ruby stood there, leaning against the vanity, in the borrowed Beacon swimsuit. The way it hugged against her body was a raunchy sight, as the spandex was pulled taut over her breasts and abs. Weiss couldn't speak, only stare. Her eyes roamed over her friend, not wanting to stop and stare in case there was something else she might miss if she did. In short, Weiss was checking Ruby out. And drooling. Her eyes fell on a patch of skin on the top of Ruby's thigh, just were the cuff of the suit crossed her hip. There was a mark, a few inches long that disappeared up into the swimsuit on an angle. It looked like some kind of scar...
"Ruby, your hip..."
She could see Ruby wince, but she laughed it off. There was a hint of pain in her laugh.
"Yeah, that. I missed a landing during training a few years ago. Smacked my hip on a nasty rock."
Weiss relaxed a little. She knew her friend was lying, but played along. A rock wouldn't have made such a deep cut, this injury looked more like it was executed by a long blade. Weiss wasn't sure why someone would stab someone in the hip, but she was sure Ruby would tell her what had really happened soon.
"So...how do I look?"
Weiss returned her attention to the rest of her friend's body. She still couldn't believe what she was looking at was the short, adorable, clumsy girl she had roomed with back at Beacon. The long, elegant yet powerful legs below, the muscular arms, the tight flat stomach. She was in a trance.
"You look..."
"Bad?" Ruby turned away. Weiss glared at the back of her head.
"...Ravenous."
Ruby blushed bright red. It was amusing to make her blush, Weiss thought. She stepped forward and turned Ruby to face her. She adjusted the edges of the straps with her fingers, brushing a bit of Ruby's hair out of the way. She was so distracted by adjusting Ruby's swimsuit, she hadn't noticed that she was now standing mere millimetres from her friend, and that Ruby had began breathing a little harder.
This is an interesting development.
An idea came to her. An awful idea. A wonderful, awful idea. She leaned her face into the exposed crook of Ruby's neck. As slowly and carefully as she could, Weiss placed a sultry kiss on the soft pale skin. She could hear Ruby's breath hitch, and could almost feel her heartbeat quicken through her lips.
Yes. Give in to your feelings.
A hand ran up her back, trying to pull her closer. Weiss gave a wicked smile, and slipped out of her friend's wanton grasp. She could see that Ruby had a very amusing shade of pink on her cheeks, and had slumped back a little.
Perfect. I still got it.
Weiss tried to force away the eye-twitch, handing Ruby a bathrobe that had been hanging on the back of the door. She realized it was horribly selfish to turn someone so far on and leave them hanging, but if they wasted any more time, the pool would be closed for the night. Although, sex wouldn't be wasting time, of course.
PATIENCE, FOOL.
"C'mon, then. It's time we went swimming."
Weiss took Ruby's hand and lead her out of the room.