Locked Out
Chapter 3: Trial and Error
A/N: Hello all! Hope you all enjoy! Thanks again for all of the support! Here are the responses for the latest reviews:
0769Alpha1378: Thank you so much for the compliments! Means a ton! Hope you enjoy this chapter too... and maybe we will see some F/F~
Yuna The White: Here you go! Hope you enjoy it! Thanks!
True Support: Thanks! I try my best!
Thatguyacrossthestreet1: Evil is good! And I expect my cookie now! Haha! Enjoy!
Guest: I'll try to cool it down then. Hopefully this chapter appears better. Thanks for the pointer!
Vanitas Lunar: Lets hope Weiss can save Ruby from her situation! Thanks for the review!
Hope you all enjoy!
When Ruby awoke, the first thing she was greeted with was the sleeping face of Weiss Schnee.
Ruby hadn't a clue as to what had occurred while she was asleep. The last thing she remembered was Weiss doing something over at her desk before she had dozed off into a sleep. A sleep that was rather peaceful, she had to note. Something had changed, and she was sure Weiss had done something. What that was, she was unsure of.
The second thing she was greeted with was the noticeable feeling of Weiss's own left hand pressed close to her chest. Ruby realized she was holding said hand and immediately let go, allowing it to slide off of the bed as Weiss continued to rest in her slumber. Ruby had no idea what time it was, as the blinds were shut and her Scroll was somewhat out of reach. Yang and Blake were still missing, leaving her alone with the Schnee heiress.
Weiss Schnee.
She almost hated the name.
Ruby sighed quietly as she looked at the girl's face, twisting her own to the look of almost disgust. She was deeply conflicted. Weiss had been so very rude to her, so deeply spiteful of the young Rose during their first semester of Beacon. Ruby tried all she could to live up to her duties as leader of the team, a job she did not ask for. She had always figured Weiss would have been a better leader, and at that time honestly contemplated talking to Ozpin about the issue. She wanted to resign her leadership, placing it in the hands of Weiss or anyone more qualified than she. She knew Ozpin would have just told her no and rejected her proposal. He was a very mysterious man, and what he said was law. Ruby was right on the head of the nail, as they say, as that was indeed what had occurred.
Ruby had worked so very hard to gain Weiss's approval. She tried so much to become friends with the girl, to the point where she realized she was falling for the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. She panicked when this happened, going to the two people who she felt the closest to. Blake and Yang were so very supportive of the younger girl's romantic endeavors, even going so far as to help organize a date of sorts for Ruby and Weiss to partake in.
Then everything changed.
When Weiss failed to act, just watching as Ruby fought the gunman alone, it tore her heart to shreds. Any sort of feelings for the heiress were buried away as fast as the three bullets that tore through her being that day. Weiss could have intervened, she most certainly could have. Yet instead she just sat there. She just sat there.
Ruby realized the value of her life at that point, having woken up during the surgery operation. She went through so much pain to get where she was now, and all it got her was a mangled body that couldn't even stand on its own and a world she could no longer put trust in. She felt truly alone, scared, and fearful of what every new day would bring her way. She just wanted it all to stop.
Ruby looked away from Weiss's face as she remembered the feelings she once harbored towards her, shoving those back down into the depths of her being. She held so much disdain for the heiress she couldn't even put it into words. The way she thought she could simply buy her way back into her life was more than insulting, and the way she treated the Rose infuriated her. She wasn't a child that needed monitoring. She could do it herself. The more she tried to help the young Rose, the more Ruby felt like a burden. It was a never ending cycle of sorrow and hate.
As much as Ruby disliked Weiss at this point in time, she refused to kill her in the dreamscape. She... She just couldn't. Weiss had nearly allowed Ruby to be slain that day, yet Ruby couldn't take it upon herself to give in and take her vengeance. Something deep within her compelled her not to. She couldn't tell what it was, but it refused to allow her to complete the task given by the White Fang operative.
If she had to think about it, she didn't want to hurt Weiss in return. Ruby just wanted to be left alone. She nearly couldn't feel anything but spite towards the heiress. She didn't know if she would ever be able to trust Weiss again, or anyone for that matter. The world she now knew was too cold for her tastes. She just wanted it all to stop. She would give anything to go back to the days before that day, anything.
Ruby stared at the Schnee, taking in her appearance. Ruby had no idea how she could sleep so soundly, how she could live with herself. All she had done since the pair met was meet her attempts at friendship with anger. Weiss didn't even deserve her time, her words, or her breath. Yet as she tried to look away from the girl, something tugged back and forced her still. Something within her echoed, something... something she couldn't identify.
Ruby was caught off guard as Weiss suddenly awoke, the heiress blinking a few times as she groggily took in her surroundings. She was first met with the cold stare of Ruby, rubbing her head moments afterwards with a yawn.
"Hello Ruby..." Weiss sighed deeply, blowing out a puff of air to the side as she shivered slightly. She had forgotten how low she had set the temperature to. Even as she hailed from Atlas, she still was subject to the elements. The Schnee sat up on her bed, wrapping a blanket around herself as her teeth chattered noisily.
Ruby looked around bored, confined to the bed.
No, she thought. She wouldn't be trapped here to the lack of her own free range of abilities.
"I want a shower." Ruby spoke suddenly, Weiss raising a brow.
"I can't bring you a shower." Weiss stated, Ruby developing a sour look on her face.
"I'm going to take a shower." Ruby rephrased, Weiss wanting to shake her head.
"Ruby it's..." Weiss looked at her Scroll produced from her pocket. "Five-thirty in the afternoon. You don't need a shower." The heiress smelt the air around Ruby, trying to dissuade her. "You smell fine."
Ruby sat up with a minor struggle. "I am going to shower."
Weiss stood up, Ruby giving her a glare powerful enough to force her back down. The red head shifted around as she pushed all of her blankets to one side of the bed, reaching down slowly to her crutches. The girl carefully turned her body to face the open floor a few feet away, balancing her crutches as she managed to rise up to standing level.
Weiss knew she would be given that sharp glare once more, opting not to move a muscle, instead watching her as she moved.
Ruby managed a few steps forward before she hesitated. The floor mat in the room was ever so slightly in her way, getting caught on the rubber bottom of her crutches. The girl grumbled as she lifted them up for a moment one at a time, getting on top of things. Her breathing was audible, almost exhausted by the small amount of work she had done. She couldn't believe how weak she felt until now. The red head made her way to her dresser and grabbed a small handbag full of pre-arranged shower supplies, holding it by her teeth at the handle as she made her way towards the door.
Ruby failed to notice the discarded boot of Yang which had been left behind, accidentally placing her crutch atop it and losing her balance. The girl's face morphed to one of fear and panic as she fell forwards, shutting her eyes tightly as she braced to hit the stainless wood below.
Ruby opened her eyes as she hadn't touched the surface, noticing the vast array of shower gear scattered across the floor as she had dropped her bag as well. She was hovering just a few inches away, held back by an unseen force.
Weiss gently lifted Ruby up to standing level, looking down at her quaking feet as they touched the floor. Ruby shivered as blood ran to her head, feeling as though she were about to have a heart attack at the pressure she felt. Weiss persisted and kept Ruby stable, raising a Glyph upwards carrying the crutches. Ruby took hold of both and brushed Weiss off with a forceful shift of her elbow, the heiress taking a step away. Ruby looked down at the spread out mess that was her handbag and bottled soaps, sighing as she grabbed her towel hanging off of the wall.
"I'll be back." Ruby stated defiantly, just going for the door handle and leaving the mess.
"Ruby, please." Weiss pleaded, Ruby stopping in her tracks. "Let me help you."
Ruby hesitated, looking down at the mess.
"I can do it myself." Ruby growled as she placed her towel back on the hook. The girl looked around and decided to start with the desk to her right. The girl held onto the wood with one hand, lowering herself while keeping stable with one crutch. The girl managed down to her knees, slipping slightly as she dropped her crutch. Weiss took a step back as it landed just where she was standing moments ago, watching with concern.
Ruby gathered up her things and zipped the bag shut to prevent another incident. The girl looked to the crutch a few feet away and realized it was now out of reach. Going with option B, Ruby turned to her other crutch resting on the wall, wanting to use that one instead. As she tried to grasp the handle for it she realized it was too far up from her position. The girl grunted as she went with her last plan, holding onto the side of the desk she had used. The girl lifted herself but a few inches off of the ground before she lost all strength in her arms, slipping and falling back to the floor. Ruby wheeled her handbag across the room with welled up eyes, beginning to cry to herself.
Weiss wore a deeply saddened look across her pale face. She was heartbroken for the girl, for her friend. The heiress walked a few feet over and plucked up the bag, looping it through one of her arms as she rested it to her shoulder. The heiress moved and grabbed the two crutches, kneeling down to Ruby's eye level.
Ruby met Weiss with welled eyes. She was in so much pain and felt so weak, so very fragile. This was her life now, she felt, and it was a horrible one. How was she supposed to be a Huntress if she couldn't even crawl or stand. Pathetic, that's how she felt.
"Try again." Weiss offered as she set both crutches beside Ruby, standing up tall.
Ruby looked up, confused.
"I get you don't want my help. But I'm not leaving you to your own sorrow. So, if only once, just take my assistance and try again." Weiss gestured to the crutches at Ruby's sides. The red head sniffled and wiped her eyes, grasping both as she shifted herself.
Using the desk to guide her back upward, Ruby used the crutches to push her being up the side of the wood. She winced in great pain as she had to place some sort of pressure on her legs, knowing full well if she slipped they would not catch her. The girl shivered violently as she looked to Weiss, who stood there.
"I'll help if you want me to." Weiss made clear.
Ruby looked away and focused, grunting loudly as she managed to finally get herself up. Now able to safely stand, the girl took a deep breath and looked to the heiress. Ruby muttered some sort of thank you before holding a hand out for the bag.
Weiss walked over to her own dresser and produced a bag of her own, pale white as compared to Ruby's crimson red one. The heiress placed her tiara on her desk and moved back to Ruby.
"I can't leave you there by yourself, and I know you know that. So I'll take a shower with you as well. Could do me some good." Weiss stated as Ruby blinked.
Weiss thought on what she said.
"N-Not like with you! I... In an opposing stall!" Weiss flushed with red rivaling Ruby's cloak. "N-Never mind that, let's just get a move on."
Weiss grabbed a towel and held it close as she exited the room, reminding herself to take an extra cold shower. Ruby just stood there for a minute, soaking in Weiss's most recent actions before following out slowly, making sure the door locked behind her.
Weiss hummed to herself in the shower stall. Normally she would sing, quite loudly in fact, but she had to be careful. Quite worried that Ruby could possibly need assistance, Weiss kept everything to a very toned down version. She made less noise, listened rather than thought, and payed great attention to the outside world. Ruby was in the stall just opposite from her as they lined down a vast hallway in the women's portion of the locker room. Weiss had helped Ruby pull open the safety bench that rested inside all of the showers, in case a student was injured during combat training. The girl kept her crutches inside to hold herself up, Weiss having wrapped face cloths around the bottoms to keep them from slipping around as she showered. Weiss was very fearful of leaving Ruby alone for more than five minutes at this point, yet allowing her independence. Perhaps Blake had a point, maybe she was smothering her after all. Her reactions to her methods of assistance earlier pointed towards this hypothesis, Weiss sighing as she had to agree with the results. She knew Ruby had to be independent at times, as she wasn't contemplating showering with the girl to keep an eye on her, or anything of the like. She just wanted Ruby to know she was there for her, and would do anything to keep her safe. She wasn't going to let her get hurt ever again. Weiss wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Weiss poked her head out of the white shower curtain, looking over to Ruby's stall. The fabric was light enough and thin enough to give off a shadowy image of whoever was inside thanks to a light at the top of all of the showers. Weiss sighed in relief as she saw Ruby was still standing, having not fallen doing anything. That was Weiss's worst fear at the moment. The shower is a notorious source of injury when it came to those fresh out of the hospital. Weiss contemplated casting a hidden Glyph at the bottom of the shower, just in case Ruby did in fact manage to fall, that she wouldn't hit her head on the tile ground. Yet, she recalled this plan as she didn't want Ruby to be suspicious that she was spying on her. She wanted her independence, and Weiss didn't want to alienate her anymore than she already had. Besides, Glyphs made a lot of sound, almost as if they sang to themselves much like their user. Weiss simply had to put faith in Ruby and trust in fate.
Fate.
Weiss scoffed at the word. She didn't believe in fate, at least not in particular. The subject annoyed her, the idea of a set path in life. She was in control of her own destiny, her own actions. She wouldn't be conformed to some standards of a higher being, at least not in the bounds of fate. She was her own person, a flawed person at that.
She made mistakes, as did everyone. She knew she had to move past them as she couldn't time travel back and change everything. Yet, her poor actions and words nagged at her. She could have done so much in her life correctly if given a do over, as she would start with that day in Vale. She would have acted, attacking the man instead of Ruby doing it herself. She would keep herself in the line of fire, and if she got shot she wouldn't care. She wouldn't allow Ruby to be hurt. It was her fault, the man was there for her not for Ruby. She had just been at the wrong place at the wrong time. They both had. Weiss couldn't change it, but she wanted to in this special case. More than anything in the world.
Weiss rinsed her lengthy platinum blonde hair, washing it with equally white shampoo. The girl sighed as she looked into the mirror in the stall. She hated how she looked. Her scar, a reminder of all of the mistakes she made, a reminder of all of the times she could have done better.
And now Ruby bore those scars.
Weiss didn't even want to see what the damage looked like. Ruby had done well to hide it, thankfully. Weiss had come to understand through the police investigation that the bullets were Dust infused, targeted towards Weiss specifically. The world of Remnant is one of such wonder and mystery, and Dust one of those. The people were molded by Dust based on their habitat. As the people of Mantle and Atlas were forced to adapt to the cold conditions of the north, they became susceptible to what made them strong. Burn Dust, one of the most common, was used for its namesake. It warmed the hearts of the weary, yet if it were to enter into the body of one born of Atlas... the warmth it provided would eat them alive. The death was a painful one at that. Luckily for Ruby's case, the effects were much less severe, even though Weiss knew the bullets would leave holes in Ruby that she knew would never heal correctly. Guilt knocked at her mind, hammering her emotions.
The girl hummed along to a tune as she went along with her routine, eventually shutting off the water and wrapping a towel around herself. Her pale frame matched up with the color of her cloth, drying herself somewhat as she stepped out of the shower.
Weiss made her way over to Ruby's shower, seeing as she was currently washing her hair as the outline of her being suggested.
"Ruby?" Weiss asked as Ruby froze inside, moving and poking her head out. Her hair was currently dark blue as she held a bottle of conditioner in hand.
"Yes." Ruby stated.
"I'll be just over here waiting, okay?" Weiss told the girl as Ruby slowly nodded, sinking back into the shower stall. The heiress made her way towards the common area of the locker room, sitting down on a bench.
"Hello Weiss." The familiar voice of Lie Ren spoke as Weiss turned to greet him, the boy wrapped up in a pink towel.
"Oh, hello Ren." Weiss nodded her head as the boy sat down across from her, having come from his side of the joint locker room separated by just this area. "How do you do?"
"Fairly well, and you?" Ren inquired as Weiss echoed his answer, adding on a hesitant tone. "You seem distraught."
"It's Ruby." Weiss sighed as she looked to the boy. "She... She has been difficult to say the least."
"We heard what happened. Our condolences." Ren spoke on behalf of his team. "What is the trouble?"
"She hasn't been speaking to me..." Weiss trailed off, looking at the floor. "Not much, anyways."
"Depression will do that." Ren noted as Weiss sighed loudly, the ninja boy just kind of watching her face change to one of hopelessness.
"I'm not sure what to do." Weiss complained. The heiress was absolutely distraught, unable to come up with a way to keep her friend happy, even for a moment.
"I can... recommend something." Ren offered as he thought.
"And that is?" Weiss raised a brow.
"My family use to practice the arts of medicine before..." Ren trailed off with a murmur. "Regardless, I still know much about certain concoctions that could improve her mood in the very least."
"Such as?" Weiss asked, interested in what the boy had to say. Ren spoke little, and whenever he did it was usually very important.
"Well..." The boy looked around carefully, leaning in.
Weiss did as well, confused but going with the motion.
The boy extended his hand, placing something in Weiss's own. The heiress opened her hand and noticed the small greyish ring sitting in the palm of her hand. Raising a brow and going to ask what it was, Ren beat her there.
"It's a Soothe Ring. It's designed as an external medical device, such as an inhaler." Ren explained. "Inside of it is a unique concoction of herbs and Dust that is automatically absorbed by the body. All she needs to do is put it on, and you should see a stark difference."
"Why do you have this?" Weiss asked, looking at it again.
"Do you really think Nora is naturally that outgoing?" Ren asked in return. "Ruby isn't the only person with a mess of emotions. She puts a few on sometimes to keep herself very happy."
"You want me to drug Ruby?" Weiss asked as Ren sighed.
"It's perfectly safe." Ren assured her, taking it from her hand and putting it on his own index finger. "See?"
Ren flashed a bright smile, very unlike himself as he removed the ring, having it returned to Weiss.
"She won't feel any major difference, hopefully. I have perfected the art of medicine." Ren bowed his head. "Just keep it hidden for the most part. It's, how do I say it, illegal? That may be a bit too strong a word. Anything not medically approved by the Kingdom fits that term, but trust me it works."
Weiss nodded and placed the ring in her bag, smiling at the boy.
"Thank you, Ren." Weiss thanked the boy with a pure look of excitement. The prospect of being able to make Ruby happy, no matter the method, was one she had been hoping for quite some time. While this did border on criminal activity, that fact remained repressed by the Schnee. It mattered little in the big picture.
Ren bowed his head. "Always happy to be of service." The boy stood up. "I must get going. Jaune and Pyrrha promised Nora we would go to the water park opening day, and she will not want to be late."
Weiss waved the boy off as he left, nodding to herself as she kept in wait for the Rose to exit the shower.
Upon returning to the dorm, Weiss quickly changed into her night gown. The pair took turns changing while the other looked away, Weiss having to wait longer as Ruby struggled to pull up her pajama pants. Eventually, the pair reclaimed their seats at their respective beds, Weiss on her Scroll.
"Yang?" Weiss asked as she held the device up to her ear, standing up and walking over to her bag as she remembered the ring. The heiress felt it in her hands as she held it close, listening to Yang on the other end of the device.
"Hey Ice Queen!" Yang replied. "Look, Blake and I got assigned field duties in the Emerald Forest since team CFVY ran late on their mission, so we won't be back till late tomorrow."
"That's awful. Please take care." Weiss told the girl who laughed in return.
"We will. Blake says hello." Yang held the phone to the Faunus who just spoke the word, pulling it back. "Anyways, could you keep watch over Ruby? I hate to have to leave her there all day but this was a direct order from Goodwitch."
Weiss nodded. "I understand. I will do as asked. Stay safe, Yang."
"Will do! Sleep tight!" Yang hung up soon after, leaving Weiss alone with Ruby.
"Hey Ruby?" Weiss asked as the girl looked over at Weiss as she approached her bed. "Yang and Blake won't be back till tomorrow evening. Felt like you should know so you don't have to worry about where they are."
Ruby sunk in her bed. Weiss frowned.
"Okay..." Ruby sounded almost disappointed. Weiss knew Yang was the only one who had Ruby's greatest confidence, and she was the most likely one to be spoken to by the smaller girl. Ruby trusted Yang, so much more than anyone else, even if it wasn't a huge amount of trust at all. At least she was able to have a normal conversation. Weiss clenched the ring in hand, humming as she thought.
"But hey, I got you something." Weiss changed the topic in a sing-song voice, showing off what was in her hand as she sat down on her bed.
"A... ring." Ruby spoke as she looked at the grey metal circle. "Why?"
"It's made of black Dust." Weiss fabricated a story. "I saw it while I was out and felt like you would want it. Think of it as a friendship bond. I got one as well."
Ruby took hold of it, raising a brow as she examined it.
"Where is the other one?" Ruby inquired as Weiss paled.
"It... I... It's on a shipping list. They only had one at the time." Weiss lied through her teeth. She knew Ruby would refuse to put it on if it were medicine. She was already aware that Ruby had refused to take pills for her pain, having not opened up the bottle that sat by her bed.
Ruby shrugged and decided to keep it, placing it on her ring finger. The girl sighed as it felt cold to the touch, but as soon as it was properly against her skin, it changed to a more... warm surface. A gust of this strange feeling swept over the girl, making her feel so very warm. It wasn't over bearing, feeling like a much deserved hug than anything else, as if her heart was singing. Ruby didn't understand the strange feeling, noticing it dampen out after a few moments. She felt some sort of remnant of the gust, but nothing extremely significant like before.
Weiss raised a brow. "So, are you feeling better? After the shower, you must be I bet." Weiss tested the waters, hoping it worked.
Ruby felt a tug on her being, feeling almost compelled to talk more. She hesitated, thinking before speaking.
"I suppose so." Ruby spoke completely clear for the first time in a while. "It did feel nice."
Weiss noticed the change, repressing a massive smile. "That's great! Good to see you're feeling better." The heiress got up and moved to the television at the foot of Ruby's bed. "I was thinking perhaps we could watch a movie?"
"A movie?" Ruby continued to speak. What was it that was inviting her words forward, she wondered. This warmth seemed to eat away at the depression flooding her being, yet still the sadness and pain remained. She was fragmented, yet some pieces connected once more.
"What was it that you wanted to see at the theater?" Weiss asked as she bit her lip, turning on the movie streaming app on the device. "Wasn't it "Eventide" or something?"
Ruby nodded her head. "Yes, that's right."
Weiss looked away and smiled. Things were looking good so far. The heiress found the movie and entered in her billing information, paying to rent said movie for the two to watch. The heiress moved and dimmed the lights in the room, flipping on a few lamps as she took her seat on her bed. Ruby moved and carefully grabbed the box of cookies at the side of her bed, lifting them up as she examined the container.
"For me?" Ruby asked as Weiss nodded.
"Blake got them, I asked her to." Weiss explained as Ruby opened the container, plucking two up. Ruby looked at the pair and stared at them for a minute.
"Do... I... Do you want one?" Ruby asked as Weiss turned to the girl again, tilting her head.
"S-Sure." Weiss accepted the offer, smiling happily. "Thank you, Ruby."
Ruby nodded and took a bite herself, chewing on it slowly. Weiss took note of this. She seemed to be calmer, and more social. Weiss smiled as she took a bite, consuming the treat over time as the movie began, watching with little interest as she was infatuated with Ruby. This treatment Ren offered opened up new opportunities for the Schnee. If this could get Ruby to be more social and talkative with the heiress, then she could reach Ruby's heart much easier. She need Ruby to see she really cared, and that layer of depression acted as a wall of sorts keeping her at a disadvantage. Ruby focused on the film, feeling almost happy if she had to describe it. She couldn't tell if she was okay with this feeling, as it felt foreign in nature. Decided it really didn't matter, the girl consumed her snack quickly, reaching for another as they watched the film.
Ruby yawned as the ending approached, having placed the cookie container to the side. The Rose stretched in her bed as best she could without injuring herself, looking down at the weight on her hand. Weiss, who had become invested in the characters, wasn't watching the Rose move. She looked to the ring, thinking for a moment. Thinking it somewhat ridiculous to be wearing a friendship bond while the counterpart was not, Ruby felt like pulling it off. Deciding not to for some reason she couldn't make out, she simply rested her hand to her side as the movie came to a close.
"That wasn't that bad." Weiss commented as Ruby just sighed, the heiress turning to the girl. "What is it?"
"I... I don't know." Ruby trailed off, Weiss frowning.
Weiss too sighed. This had been such an ordeal for them both, and the heiress felt somewhat at the breaking point. While the glimmer of hope now remained, she wished it had been enough to get her friend back. She wished she could convey how much she cared to Ruby, how much she wished things could be different. Weiss stared at the girl as she reached for her Scroll, playing a game as Weiss just watched.
Ruby was, in all senses of the word, beautiful to the heiress. Her personality, her combat ability, and the way she acted towards those around her, all were aspects Weiss had come to adore about the girl. As much as she called her a dunce and dolt, she called her much softer words in her mind, where she was free from hearing.
Such as crush.
Weiss was a cold person, but she wasn't heartless. And she did in fact have a romantic sense, while Yang would mention she was too cold for anyone. She was never confused about her sexuality, having known her attraction to women was something she couldn't control and had come to terms with. She faked it often, as a disguise. Her father bashed her with his anger when she confessed this to him years ago, frustrated that she would never bear him a grandchild for his company. All he cared about was his work, not her. Never her. When she came to Beacon, Ruby was not at the top of her list. She annoyed her immensely, but eventually she had worked her way into Weiss's heart, coming to be a source of interest, and love. Weiss would never confess this to the girl, knowing she would face the scrutiny of Yang and the possible disapproval of Ruby, and she never wanted to risk that being be divide between them. Keeping it repressed, it boiled and stirred within her being. Every time she came off as mean, it was love lashing out at the Schnee herself, angered that it was being repressed. She never meant to hurt Ruby's feelings, at least after she came to understand her own feelings towards the girl. Love made her afraid. Very afraid.
After Ruby changed, her personality shifting and became numb to the world, it shattered Weiss's heart. She felt such pressure from what she had done, feeling sick to her stomach from what she had allowed to happen.
Weiss needed something to take the edge off. The heiress bit her lips and sighed, taking note that Yang and Blake would not be back for some time. The heiress casually shifted positions, noticed by Ruby as the Schnee moved behind her bed.
Weiss produced and popped open a fancy looking bottle of wine she had hid behind her bed, reaching to said area again and producing twin wine glasses. She knew this probably wasn't the best idea, but the legal drinking age in Atlas was ten years old. The rules were far too strict in Vale. Weiss poured two glasses and sat at the side of her bed, setting one glass down beside Ruby. The smaller girl picked up the wine glass and looked at the fluid inside, confused by the smell.
"It's alcohol." Weiss sighed, swirling her red drink in her glass as she gently tapped hers to Ruby's. The Schnee tilted her head back and took a rather long sip, pulling away as she sighed once more. She hadn't reduced herself so low as to drinking in a while, but she figured this called for it.
Ruby smelt the drink once more and decided to try it, taking a small sip as it tasted like fire. The girl groaned slightly as Weiss took notice.
"Take a smell, then sip, then smell again. For me it made it easier when I was a kid." Weiss explained to the girl as she laughed. "Look at me, breaking the law. Who would have guessed."
Ruby did as instructed and took another sip, this time the fluid seemed more tasteful in nature.
Weiss refilled her glass half way up before stopping, looking over at Ruby.
"Ruby..." Weiss thought before continuing her sentence. "I'm sorry for putting you through such... Schnee."
Ruby didn't understand. "What do you mean, Weiss?" She asked as she set the glass to the side, not entirely liking it.
"I... I don't know people." Weiss spoke as she tried to articulate her words in a way that made actual sense to the girl. "Normal, every day people. I was raised in nobility, and as such I thought that if I perhaps offered some material things that would make you happy, then you would cease being so sad."
Ruby nodded her head, somewhat relieved that Weiss could now understand this. She didn't speak, just listening.
"I... I know why you don't want to speak to me in particular..." Weiss sighed deeply as she looked to the floor for but a moment, then back up to Ruby. "I froze up. I was scared. Scared of dying."
"Weiss..." Ruby said before stopping, allowing her to continue.
"I... I..." Weiss couldn't make her words go through easily, struggling. "It, all of this, is my fault."
Ruby sat there with a blank expression, feeling the effects of her recently newfound happiness dampening.
"I... I was so scared when he pulled the gun. You see, I've experienced this far too many times in my life." Weiss went on. "The first was my aunt, Silvia. She... She was taking me to the park with my father when a Faunus... he shot..." Weiss trailed off, sniffling as she took another sip of wine. "My father fought the man off while I sat there, too scared to even call for help. I was weak, so so very weak."
Ruby watched as Weiss began to cry to herself, holding the glass tight in hand. So powerful was her grip that she felt the glass may shatter at any moment. She didn't care.
"I... So when that man pulled the gun, I didn't know what to do... I froze completely, acting too late to protect you." Weiss admitted, nearly slamming her glass down onto Ruby's nightstand, holding her head in her hands. "I... I saw the look in his eyes, the determination to kill me... I shutdown, and it cost you all of this pain. My actions did this, and I so so regret what I did, Ruby." Weiss confessed, tears blurring her vision. "I never meant to hurt you, Ruby. I promise this. I know it's hard to forgive me for what I allowed, but I'm going to try to make up for my failure."
Ruby bit her lip, thinking on her words. Weiss had admitted to being the cause, and her apology seemed sincere. Ruby's heart lifted for but a moment as it rested somewhat more content, somewhat healed. It needed much more work, but it was indeed a start. Words alone weren't going to sink that deep into Ruby to pull her free from what pain she felt, Weiss knew this well. Everything needed a beginning, and this was it for the healing process.
"Weiss." Ruby sighed heavily as she took the friendship ring off of her finger out of symbolism, feeling a small shift in her demeanor. The effects were still in her system, but at a much more conservative state. "I... I see what you mean, and I know what you say. But you hurt me, Weiss."
Weiss continued to cry, albeit paying close attention to what she was saying. Tear filled eyes tested their focus on Ruby as Weiss raised her head to talk to the girl.
"Excuses don't... they don't answer what happened, at least not totally." Ruby spoke as she was still deep in thought. All of this was so sudden, and she didn't want mixed signals. "I... I too wish things were the same again, that I could trust in you as a partner, and as a friend. But right now... Right now I don't think I can do that."
Weiss sniffled as she nodded her head slowly.
"But... I... I am willing to try." Ruby sighed deeply as she nodded her head, setting the ring on her nightstand. "I don't know how you plan to make this right, and frankly I don't know what you can do, but I see how determined you are... and your words seem sincere... So I'll try."
"Ruby..." Weiss sniffled as she whimpered. "Th-Thank you!"
Ruby placed a hesitant hand on Weiss's shoulder, waiting for her to calm down from her steep decline in stability.
"Why do you even drink this stuff?" Ruby asked as she lifted up her own glass, wincing at the strong, powerful odor it gave off.
"It works as a repression tool." Weiss sighed, not wanting to admit it. "I drink too much, but it keeps me calm at moments of pain... It's not a good thing to do."
"Then why do you do it?" Ruby asked with a tilt of her head.
"I'm weak..." Weiss sighed. "I'm not good enough on my own, so I turn to stuff like this." She gestured to the open bottle at her side. "It's... complicated."
"Everyone needs help." Ruby put a hand on Weiss's shoulder once more, squeezing her hand gently. "I needed your help today, and you need this help now."
Weiss sighed, somewhat content with her response.
"I guess so." Weiss agreed.
Ruby grabbed the bottle. "Yang talks about alcohol. She says it is supposed to make people happy."
"After a while, yes." Weiss sighed. "It's called being drunk. It's a blur, usually. Stops being fun after a while."
"I didn't know Weiss Schnee had a party side." Ruby stated. Weiss turned red.
"I don't party. It's a means to an end, and one that I don't want you involved with." Weiss ordered as Ruby just shrugged.
"It tastes awful." Ruby was honest.
"Good." Weiss sighed. Yang would kill her for doing this.
"Do you plan on getting drunk?" Ruby asked as Weiss shook her head.
"No, someone has to keep an eye on you after all."
Weiss stumbled around drunk, laughing to herself as she tripped on nothing. The girl was very much out of it, finding mostly everything hilarious. Ruby just watched as Weiss acted this way, confused as to how this drink did such things in the first place.
"R-Ruby... Ruby, Ruby!" Weiss started her slurred speech. "Ruby Rose! I... I... Yeah! You are right there. Good. Good, good, good. Stay riiiiiight there." Weiss blinked slowly as she took in the blurry image of Ruby. "There ya go."
Ruby laughed a little, for the first time in weeks, at the way Weiss carried herself drunk. She was so much more different than usual, slurring her speech and fumbling all over the place like a kid on a sugar high.
"Wha... What do you think you are laughing about, huh?" Weiss stumbled around aimlessly. "I... I feel so good! Hehehe!"
Ruby grabbed her crutches, standing up with them as Weiss was barely able to stand. The red head carefully guided Weiss down to her bed, the Schnee in full klutz mode as she giggled to herself, managing to sit normally thanks to Ruby. The younger girl managed to return back to her bed, sitting down with some effort. Weiss sat there, nearly spilling her wine glass as Ruby gently took it from her trembling hands.
"No more." Ruby spoke clearly. Ruby set the glass down on the table beside her, looking at Weiss as she pouted for her drink back.
"Ruby... Ruby, Ruby! I'm not that... I'm not drunk!" Weiss managed, unable to focus clearly. "You... You are drunk!"
"I don't think so." Ruby smiled slightly.
Weiss flashed a sly grin. "Oh! Look at... at you! Smile smile! Smiley Ruby!" The heiress leaned forward and gently tapped Ruby's nose, giggling noisily. "Smile! Yay!"
Ruby flushed red, shivering slightly as she shifted her legs. Weiss took notice, retracting her hand as she frowned.
"Did... Did I do something wrong?" Weiss asked with a sad look, still clearly out of it. Ruby shook her head slightly, sighing.
"No." She spoke, deciding to go for another sip of her own glass. The world around her was slightly blurry, but not much. Her enhanced metabolism helped process the drink out of her system much faster than Weiss. Thanks to her super speed, Ruby figured. "I... I'm sorry."
Weiss leaned in close. "I'm sorry too... Please don't be mad at me." Weiss begged. "Please."
"I... I am not mad." Ruby stuttered.
Weiss leaned further, nearing Ruby's face. She could feel her breathing.
"I need to... to prove it, that I'm sorry. Right?" Weiss hiccuped. "Huh?"
"Weiss, I'm not-"
Weiss looked deeply into Ruby's eyes. "Here, this should... should prove it."
Weiss inched towards Ruby's face and curled her lips, pressing them against Ruby's own. She could feel Ruby shiver at the contact, her body freezing on the spot as Weiss pressed the kiss deeper, holding Ruby by the shoulders. Her lips tasted like cookies and red wine, Weiss noted. Ruby could feel her face burning up as this went on for a few more moments. The heiress unlocked their lips and sat back, a hiccup and smile greeting a shocked Ruby.
"D-Did that... that... did that work?" Weiss asked as she wobbled around in her seat.
"W-Weiss..." Ruby forced out of her mouth, almost unable to speak. "You... You kissed me..."
"Of course I did. I just did." Weiss mimicked the motion of kissing Ruby. "Just like that!"
"W-Why?" Ruby asked. For once in a long while, the voice in the back of her mind was silent. All she could focus on was Weiss.
"Cause I l-love... love you!" Weiss struggled to say her meaningful words correctly. "I... I always have, and I always will!"
Ruby felt tears well up in her eyes, crying to herself as she wrapped herself up in her hood. Weiss, severely drunk, was unable to understand.
"Did... Ruby?" Weiss asked out of concern. The heiress raised a hand outward to the girl, only to pull it back. "What's wrong?"
Ruby kept to herself. Weiss wouldn't remember any of this anyways, she suspected.
"Nothing..." Ruby ignored the question. "We can talk about it later."
"Okay!" Weiss chirped happy. The heiress stood up and gave Ruby a big hug, Ruby frozen in place once again.
"I l-love... love you, Ruby!" Weiss snuggled close to the girl, who just pat her back gently in return.
"I..." Ruby couldn't reply. Weiss let go.
"I'm gonna sleep, okay?" Ruby nodded in understanding, Weiss climbing into bed as she was speaking.
"Goodnight, Weiss." Ruby sniffled as the heiress snuggled to her pillow.
"Goodnight Ruby!" Weiss was ecstatic. "Night night!"
Ruby sat there as Weiss dozed off, thinking deeply about what had just occurred before she too drifted into a slumber, so deep in thought that she didn't even remember the nightmare the next morning.
A/N: Also thanks to reviewer TehUnoman for assistance with the idea they provided. Thank you! Hopefully I did it justice in a sense!
See you all next chapter!