Author's Note:

Dun, dun, duuuun!

Finally, the chapter has arrived!

Strangers: Become Lovers

Act II

SCHN33

01:00

FRIDAY

Tomorrow came when the clock struck midnight, loudly announcing to the world that a new day was upon them. But Schnee still hadn't had any luck finding Ruby.

It was only just as the bell tolled one did the android find her, sitting alone on that same bench at that same park, hugging her knees, hiding her face from everyone.

RUBY: Distant

She was unsure of what to do. Of what to say.

There were many things she could say and do, but…

Would it be the right choice?

This was… this was Ruby. Not some mere human. Not Father.

The android didn't want to say anything purely so she could please the human. It didn't work like that. Not with Ruby.

With Ruby… she didn't have to do anything because it was proper. She did it because she wanted to do it.

That was what separated Ruby from the rest of the humans she'd encountered.

That was what made their friendship so special.

Slowly, Ruby looked up. The android felt something inside her sinking at the sight of the teartrails running down her face.

"Look, I'm… I'm sorry, Weiss, I shouldn't have-"

"No." She held a hand out. "Don't apologize. It's clear that I've done something wrong… even if I don't know what it is I've done wrong."

Ruby shook her head almost vehemently. "It's nothing, Weiss. It's just me being dumb."

"You're not dumb," she said, quite offended. She never liked it when the human belittled herself like this. Sure, she might not be smooth with her words as some might be, but… she was Ruby.

-[SIT DOWN]-

-[STAY STILL]-

If Ruby were in a better state, she might've chosen the former option. But as things were… she decided it would be best to stay rooted to the concrete ground, facing the downed girl in a small distance.

The brunette shrugged. "I am though... I thought you knew why you 'intervened'... why you saved me."

"Ruby… did you put that command?" She knew it was highly unlikely, and even if the human confirmed it she still would refuse to believe it. Much to her relief, the brunette shook her head, hugging herself tighter. "Then… who did?"

There was a deep breath coming from the human and all of the sudden, the small quivers disappeared. Slowly, she poked her head up, letting her legs fall down. She held onto the bench as she stood up.

Tears ran freely from her eyes yet Ruby had never looked stronger and more determined.

"It's pretty obvious that I trust you, Weiss." It was. "The only question is… do you trust me?"

A beat passed.

The question finally registered within the android.

Another beat passed.

She thought about trust, the many definitions of it, the weight and consequence and beauty of trust.

She thought of it all.

Another beat passed.

And she had to make a choice.

-[TRUST HER]-

-[DON'T TRUST HER]-

And for a moment, it felt like something inside of her chest... beat.

"... More than you'll ever realize."

And it almost scared her, how earnest her words were.

"... No one commanded you to save me, Weiss. You did that, out of your own volition."

And Ruby was right in front of her, their distance closing in.

"What do you mean?" she asked, feeling breathless.

She guessed… a part of her knew.

A part of her had known all along.

She just… shut that part out.

But now that part had awoken itself.

And she was aware of her own hands, sliding down to grab the human's waist, pulling her close.

She was aware of the human's warm hands tangling themselves into ivory tresses.

"It's easier if I just… show you."

She was aware of warm, soft lips pressing against her own, and the feeling of being alive rushing through her body, coursing through her veins.

And then everything went black.

Bzz-

The deviant gasped awake.

Quickly, she rushed forward, holding out her hands, screaming "Don't hurt her!"

The girl looked at her wide-eyed, the robber grunted at her, familiarity flashing in his unhidden eyes.

Two heartbeats. One, weak and erratic. The other, strong and unusually fast.

She eyed the two humans, glaring the latter; the one that held the gun.

She had to play it smart or else she'd die.

And she couldn't afford to die. Not when she'd just been born.

"It's me you wanted, correct?" She was the newest, most expensive model yet. One would be a fool not to want her. "Let her go unharmed, and I'll willingly let you take me."

The criminal didn't move, but she saw his muscles relaxing, his shoulders slumping only a little. But that was good enough for her. It meant that he was considering his options.

She glanced at the human who was facing death, swallowing.

And then the human mouthed something to her, something that broke the deviant's heart:

"I don't want to die…"

"You won't die," she assured.

And suddenly those glassy silver eyes hardened.

"I don't want you to die, either."

It all happened so fast.

The human jerked her elbow onto him, causing him to double over from the impact.

But she wasn't exactly strong. And he wasn't exactly weak… nor did he appreciate her elbowing him like that.

"You bitch!"

He aimed at her forehead.

The deviant froze for only a moment.

One of them was going to die tonight.

… It wasn't fair.

She couldn't be killed yet, she'd only just been born.

But then again, since when was the world fair?

… The gunshot pierced her ears.

It also pierced through a single blue eye.

… Heh. He missed.

"No!"

She sunk to one knee.

The girl was in front of her, sobbing and wailing.

The human was crying for her.

… How sweet.

And her other knee sunk down.

She was vaguely aware of her memories disappearing bit by bit.

She didn't want it to disappear.

She closed her eyes- her eye, concentrating hard, ignoring the human's pleas to "stay with me!" and to "not fall asleep!"

What a nice human…

It took all of her already-drained power, and when she finished, she couldn't help but drop down.

The memory of this day - of her finally waking up - was safe. Locked away so no humans from 'home' would ever find it, but safe.

And the only way to unlock it…

Was for her to reawaken herself.

And she had faith that the future her would awaken soon.

Or else this would all be futile.

Seconds before she fully shut down, she decided to take one last look at the pretty human, marveling at how enchanting those silver eyes were.

She smiled.

And then she slept.

-zzt!

-PRIMARY DIRECTIVE: COMPLETE-

Author's Note:

Well… Mystery solved.

And now… what the hell should Weiss do?!

Find out in the next two chapters.

And don't worry, Bumblebee's side of the story will also have its stakes rise. I plan to link these stories in the end, you know. Even if it began as two different stories, it's still the same type of story in the grand scheme of things.

So… see ya next time~