Locked Out
Chapter 4: Back in Action
A/N: Hey all! So so so sorry for the delayed post. This chapter has had so many edits and parts taken out that it took me a while to make. But I think this came out better than it would have been had I just gone with my original draft. Thanks to TehUnoman for assistance! Regardless of my lack of ability to post on time, I hope you enjoy this chapter. More to come soon! Now here's the responses to the most recent reviews!
TehUnoman: Hug accepted! Thanks for the compliment!
Yuna The White: Here's some more! Drunk Weiss was fun to write.
Thatguyacrossthestreet1: I suppose Ren is a drug dealer at this point! Also, that's good news about the cookie. I'll be expecting it.
jax-was-here: She certainly did! Thanks for the review.
True Support: I try to keep them at the same length, glad you enjoy that! My week has been busy, but I'm doing well! Hope yours has been good too!
Scorch the 13th: Thank you a ton for the compliment! Keeps me working hard! Hope you enjoy!
Vanitas Lunar: Oh Ruby is conflicted isn't she! The girl's are in a bit of a spot now, hopefully they break through! So much drama happening! It's so tasteful! Who knows, maybe Ruby will find out~! Glad you enjoyed and hope this chapter is good as well!
RWBYGuy2015: I can't confirm your suspicions, but with all the dramatics who knows what will happen! Thanks for the review!
BlakJakXXI: Glad you are enjoying Mind Numbing as well! I try my best. And yes, it's good to see things moving forward, no matter how slow the steps are. Who knows if this will set things back, only time will tell! Thanks for the review!
Now, onto the story!
Ruby woke up with a mild headache.
The smallest girl on team RWBY shifted gently as she awoke, greeted with the bright sun shining through the window as the blinds had been lifted up at some point. Ruby slowly sat herself up as she looked around, not seeing anyone else in the room. The girl rubbed her eyes slowly as she couldn't locate Weiss, the bed beside her empty and the wine from the night before missing. The only evidence Weiss had been there at all was her entire combat uniform thrown on her bed and her nightgown on the middle of the floor. Ruby groaned slightly as she rested her body against the head board of the bed, running a hand over her head as the headache pounded like a drum. She recalled Yang speaking of how alcohol, when taken in a significant portion, would lead to horrible headaches the next morning. Ruby realized she must have drank enough to cause this effect, not wanting to repeat such actions ever again.
The Rose sighed as the memories of the night came flooding back to her. Her mind was racked with grief as she could clear as day recall Weiss, severely drunk, making an advance on her. Ruby could practically see the girl before her at this moment, moving in as she pressed her lips against Ruby's own. Ruby shivered at the thought of what Weiss had done, feeling a small warmness in her heart before it was extinguished. It had come to such a surprise to the girl, that Weiss indeed held feelings towards her. She didn't know what to make of it, whether or not to trust in what the drunk girl had said. Ruby thought that she could have just been saying things, not actually putting any sort of meaning behind her words. She was drunk, after all. Alcohol made people do some very strange things, she had come to understand. Oddly enough to the girl, Ruby felt that some part of her being actually wanted her to believe that Weiss was being genuine, not having been toying with her emotions and actually placing love in the younger girl. Ruby felt her heart beat a tad faster before it relaxed to normal pace, pushing those feelings away. She didn't know what to do, or what to think.
She still despised the Schnee, oh indeed she did. Her actions were not excusable, not in the very least. Ruby understood that Weiss had been through these events before, and that she was indeed putting a genuine effort to be her friend once more and earn her place at her side once again, but with this newfound knowledge, Ruby was more scared than anything. Yet, she did recognize her past feelings towards the heiress. She didn't feel much in connection to them as she once did, her heart and mind overrun by grief and pain too much so to even entertain the thought of viewing Weiss as a love interest any longer, but something nagged at her. Something she couldn't shake free. Ruby realized it was a brief glimmer of hope, one that threatened to expand itself and become so much more than just a flicker in the darkness. Some part of her still cared deeply for Weiss, but it wasn't strong enough. Not nearly so. Not just yet.
Ruby sighed as she forced the topic away, remaining cold as she looked to the nightstand. Ruby plucked the ring Weiss had given to her and thought, placing it on her finger as she felt that if she had indeed promised Weiss she would try to be her friend again, then this was an appropriate step. The girl felt a calm wave rush over her once more as she sighed, scooting over to the edge of her bed. The smallest girl on the team looked around and reached for her crutches, tucking them below her arms as she pressed up, standing tall. The young girl moved across the room and looked around, noticing Weiss's towel was still in the room. Marking off a shower being the location of the missing heiress, Ruby wasn't sure as to where the girl could have gone to. Ruby looked around and plucked up her Scroll, dialing Weiss's number and raising it to her ear.
Ruby hung up immediately as she realized Weiss had left her Scroll in the room as well, frowning as she placed hers in her pocket. The girl wasn't sure what exactly to do at this point, a tad bit concerned about the whereabouts of her partner. Ruby looked around for any other clues, noticing the missing remaining weapons from their weapon rack. Crescent Rose and Myrtenaster were both gone, leaving the rack bare as Ruby knew Yang and Blake had taken their respective weapons already. The injured girl moved around the room as she weighed her options, rubbing her hands together quite nervously. Weiss wasn't really one to just up and disappear, and Ruby couldn't think of a reason for her to be gone and the weapons missing.
The red head poked her head out of the dorm door, looking down both ends of the hall as she carefully exited. Not caring to change out of her pajamas for the time being, the young girl walked down the hall with her metal aids in a minor search for the missing Schnee. Ruby stopped at the end of one of the halls, looking around aimlessly as she realized she didn't have the stamina to make it across campus to hunt down the missing girl. Her mind thought to what to do next, eventually returning to the room with much hesitation. Weiss would be back soon, Ruby figured. The Rose changed into her combat gear, wearing it as it kept her warm and safe. She realized she needed it now, holding her cloak close.
Panic began to set in as Ruby sat on her bed, not sure what to do at this point. Where could she have gone? Perhaps she ran away, Ruby thought in worry. She could have left her Scroll there to avoid being tracked down as she fled, unable to see Ruby for what she had become. Ruby disliked this line of thinking as it morphed into something worse. Perhaps some White Fang, allies of the very one who attacked her, had come for her and stolen her in her sleep. Ruby felt her heart race violently, imagining Weiss strapped to a chair and being viciously beaten to death. Ruby shivered in fear and concern, her hands shaking as she was unable to keep still. Anxiety gnawed at her being, no matter how hard she tried not to care. What did it matter that Weiss was gone?
Ruby felt her heart beat faster and faster as the seconds turned to minutes, looking around frantically. Something was wrong. Weiss wouldn't just leave like this. She wouldn't! The world around her distorted as the sounds of the clock hands on the wall churning thundered through her mind.
She... She promised me, Ruby thought. She said she wouldn't leave...
The door to the room suddenly opened up as Weiss entered in, a large tray balanced in hand as she entered the dorm. Ruby immediately jolted to attention, standing up before falling over as she had forgotten her crutches. Weiss quickly set down the tray full of breakfast foods, running to Ruby's side as she lifted her to her feet. The heiress set Ruby onto the bed again, extraordinarily confused.
"Ruby? Are you okay?" Weiss asked as she checked on the condition of her back, sighing in relief that Ruby wasn't too hurt. The smaller red head nodded, sniffling as she tried not to cry.
"W-Where did you go? I thought..." Ruby trailed off as she looked at the heiress.
Weiss pointed the the tray of breakfast foods.
Ruby blinked.
"You were... just getting breakfast...?" Ruby asked as Weiss nodded her head.
"Yes. What did you think I was doing?" Weiss asked, confused at her outburst.
Ruby thought. How was she supposed to know Weiss was fine all along? There was no sign that things were fine at all...
... except when Ruby realized that Weiss's towel was damp, evidence of a shower, that the weapons had been moved to the storage lockers the other day, and most importantly that the heiress's Scroll was charging.
Ruby had overthought things. But... why? Why did she even care?
Ruby looked away. "I... I don't know."
Weiss shrugged off the incident. "Well, are you hungry?" Weiss asked as Ruby looked up slowly, the heiress stepping away and grabbing the tray. Weiss pushed over the nightstand with her foot and set the tray up before Ruby, gesturing to all of the food she had brought.
Strawberries, a few cookies, pancakes, and a glass of milk. All of her favorites.
Ruby carefully picked up a strawberry, chewing on it quietly as Weiss watched the girl eat, having already had breakfast while she was there. Getting two portions of food was extraordinarily difficult, even as the heiress to the largest company on the planet. Those lunch ladies really were strict people. Weiss could still feel their glares.
"T-Thank you, Weiss." Ruby spoke quietly as she consumed the meal before her, Weiss just nodding along as she moved across the room. The heiress tossed her dirty clothing into the laundry bin, reminding herself to tend to it much later in the day.
"Once you are done eating, let's head to the showers and get you ready for the day. Blake and Yang should be back soon, and we don't want your hair sticking up, do we?" Weiss asked as she opened a drawer, pulling out a canister of pills. Her head hurt badly as she had come to realize she had accidentally gotten drunk last night, tossing a handful of headache relief pills into her maw. The heiress sighed as she downed them with a glass of orange juice, setting the cup to the side as she turned back to Ruby.
The Rose nodded in understanding as she suppressed a blush. Weiss was being so nice to her, just as usual. Maybe she had indeed meant her words after all, Ruby thought. She had been right after all, she then realized. Weiss didn't seem to be acting any different from the day before, obviously not recalling the events after she got drunk off of the wine. The kiss remained forgotten by the heiress, only known to the youngest member of the team.
Weiss rubbed her head as she sat down on her bed, grumbling something as she looked over to Ruby.
"I'm never drinking again." Weiss told the Rose as Ruby failed to suppress a chuckle, the heiress taking note of this. Weiss smiled towards the younger girl, who in turn looked away seconds afterwards.
"Ready to go?" Weiss asked as she stood up and grabbed Ruby's things, holding her towel and soaps in one hand and her own Scroll in the other. Ruby finished chewing a strawberry and nodded, grabbing her crutches and following Weiss out of the room.
Weiss watched as Ruby led the way, wanting to take charge as Weiss simply complied. Ruby adored independence, and Weiss, while knowing she had to help out sometimes, let her do her own thing. She didn't want to come off as obsessive or as a babysitter for Ruby in her current condition, worried that she would revert back to her state of isolation if that were to occur. Weiss really did not want that to occur, not one bit at all.
The heiress watched Ruby as she made her way up the hallway of the gymnasium. The building, attached the the dorm structure by an extremely small underground tunnel, was within close proximity to their dorm room in specific. Weiss didn't worry that much that the journey for Ruby would be a difficult one at the rate she was going, happy that their room was situated close to the building. On the ground floor of the gymnasium complex was the locker room and showers, the pair heading that way down the quickest route they knew. Weiss trusted Ruby to know the way, as the girl, when in her normal state, could map out all of Beacon by her third day at the school. She loved the design of the campus, especially due to the fact that it housed the CCT on campus. While a weapons freak, Ruby loved architecture and designs in general like a dog loving a bone. Weiss found her enthusiasm adorable, usually.
Ruby took things step by step, her towel around her neck as she thought, herself quite ahead of Weiss. The girl didn't feel the piercing stare of the Schnee behind her as she kept to herself, thinking about recent events, not sure how to handle everything.
Weiss watched carefully as Ruby nearly fell, having tripped with her crutches on a stuck-up end of carpeting. The Rose grumbled something incoherent before moving along with her day, Weiss holding back the urge to go help her to the locker room. The heiress kept to herself as she regarded the smaller girl before her. Every move Ruby made, every step she took, held evidence of great effort being used. This was no simple task for the young Rose, yet it wasn't the worst thing ever. Weiss watched as her mop of crimson hair danced at every step she took, the way her shoulders broadened before contracting in a tight manner, and the way her skirt shifted in the air as her hips swayed at every step...
Weiss blinked as she shook her head, nearly walking into another student as she was so caught up in staring at the lower half of Ruby she hadn't even realized she had wandered over into oncoming student traffic. Weiss cursed herself for being so distracted, focusing on the task at hand rather than Ruby herself. She couldn't get caught up in such trivial matters such as... whatever that just was. The heiress and the red head entered the locker room complex just as the boys sparring class was letting out, leading to an awfully crowded commons area as Weiss attempted to lead Ruby around to the showers. After a few minutes of being cut off and redirected by the flow of students, the pair eventually made it to their destination.
Ruby carefully entered into the rather spacious shower, pulling out the bench with the assistance of Weiss. The Schnee carefully set up the items in the shower for Ruby, taking a step back moments later as she set her towel and the empty bag of soaps down on the floor outside.
"Are you all set?" Weiss asked as Ruby nodded, whispering a thank you. Weiss nodded and backed away as Ruby pulled the curtain across and closed herself off from sight. Weiss sighed as she slumped down to the floor against the dividing wall between shower stalls, laying on the floor with her head resting on the white surface. The heiress didn't mind the puddles of water that currently soaked into her designer jeans, grumbling a little as she had realized there had been a collective of water under her being before she had sat down. She knew she could just change when she got back to the room. Weiss was pulled from her thoughts as she heard Ruby gasp about something. The heiress looked over to the shower as Ruby's hand exited the curtain and set down her clothes into her baggy, hissing as she did so before retracting and turning on the water. Weiss heard her whimper before things went quiet, the heiress feeling a rip tear into her heart as she heard Ruby wince in pain.
"Ruby?" Weiss asked, still sitting but ready to stand at a moments notice. "Is everything okay?"
"Y-Yes." Ruby spoke as she grabbed her soap bar. "I'm fine..."
"Okay. I'll be just right here if you need me at all." Weiss made clear as Ruby nodded, the heiress shrinking back down to her spot, taking a deep breath.
"Sup Schnee." The familiar voice of Sun, their Faunus friend, spoke as he was standing just before her alongside Neptune. Weiss regarded both of them as she gave a half hearted wave of her hand, the pair exchanging looks.
"Now what's wrong on your end?" Sun asked, thinking. "Is Ruby still being... you know... Blakey?"
"In a matter of speaking, yes." Weiss nodded. "But she is getting better."
"That's good." Neptune fixed his aqua blue towel. "You're a really good friend to her, Weiss. It's admirable."
"Thanks." Weiss nodded as the boy smiled. "How are you two enjoying Beacon?"
Sun stretched. "It's alright. I mean, everyone is dressed up all the time but other than that, I'm just swell."
Neptune just sighed. "Dude, we need to talk about your outfits."
Weiss chuckled slightly.
Neptune looked down at the girl. "So, Snowflake, I heard there's some big dance coming up in a few weeks. Wanna tag along?" The boy proposed as he flashed a flashy grin. "I'm not too big on the whole dancing scene but you seem like a pretty chill girl."
Weiss cleared her throat. "Pardon me, but I'll pass."
Neptune just shrugged. "Well, if you change your mind, you have my number." The boy challenged as he and Sun said their goodbyes, the pair heading off as Weiss just clenched her fist.
She was furious. How could he have the nerve to ask her out on a date at a time like this? The sheer idiocy of him, she thought him better than this. Neptune really knew how to grind her gears when he wanted to, especially when he would flirt with her and immediately move to seduce another. Her extensive vocabulary couldn't even begin to describe how she felt towards him when he did stuff such as this.
"Don't mind him." Jaune spoke as he appeared from where the two boy's had emerged, arms crossed. Jaune, while not much of a man, still held firm in his drive to become a Hunter. His scars from training and emerging muscular appearance were evidence of his hard work, Weiss admiring how much he had improved since she first met the boy. "How are you holding up?"
"I... I'm alright, I suppose." Weiss shrugged as she brushed aside her bangs. Her hair certainly knew how to annoy her time to time.
"Ren told us Ruby is still down in the dumps." Jaune sat down beside Weiss, hoping no one would call him out for lurking in the girl's locker area. "She's strong. I know she will recover from this."
"I'm just not sure when that will be." Weiss admitted as she sighed in annoyance. "I... I want this all to just... just stop."
"Stop?" Jaune asked as Weiss nodded.
"Yeah, stop." Weiss nodded her head to the blonde boy beside her. "All this pain, all of the resentment. I know what happened did occur, but... I don't know where to go to from here... I'm at a dead end."
Jaune thought.
"Maybe..." He shook his head to himself. "No, that isn't a good idea... Um... What about the dance?"
Weiss raised a brow.
"What about it?" Weiss asked as Jaune wasn't one for brilliant ideas off the battlefield. While a remarkable strategist, he was a dunce when it came to social interactions.
"Ask Ruby if she wants to go. Maybe seeing a bunch of people caring about her will make her feel welcome." Jaune proposed as Weiss thought. "Maybe she feels trapped with her crutches. If she could go to the dance, maybe she will open up a little."
Weiss nodded her head rapidly. "That's... incredibly smart for yourself." Weiss admitted.
Jaune bowed his head. "I try my best, Snow Angel."
Weiss rolled her eyes at his comment. She really needed to get control over all of these nicknames.
The boy stood up, cracking his neck as he did so. "I'll see you around, Weiss. Give my regards to your team."
Weiss nodded in understanding. "Will do."
Weiss watched as Jaune exited her side of the locker room, the heiress holding her arms to her chest. Her mind was racing with a thousand thoughts at once. The dance, she didn't know how to bring it up to the Rose. Would she even consider the invitation? Would she think it was weird to be going with a girl?
Weiss sighed.
She wouldn't deny her feelings for Ruby. Never. No, but she would keep them quiet. She wasn't one to broadcast critical information around as if she were a news anchor, or Yang for a more personal example. And her love towards Ruby would be considered... taboo, as she had noted earlier on. She hadn't a clue as to how Ruby felt in return. Ruby always eyed Jaune in a strange manner to the heiress, but she did have to note that Jaune was a special case. Everyone, including Ruby, knew of Pyrrha's nearly undying love for the sword-wielding idiot, and no one wanted to come between her and her partner. Ruby seemed to respect this, and Weiss didn't really have any other evidence to go off of about her relationship with Jaune. He also was Ruby's first friend at Beacon, and Weiss far behind him on that spectrum. It was indeed possible Ruby simply saw him as a close friend due to their meeting and nothing more, but Weiss wasn't too sure. Ruby never really broadcasted her interests besides in weapons and her friends in a general sense, never really showing favoritism, only disapproval to people such as Cardin and his gang of mutts. She loved everyone to a certain extent. Ever the optimist...
Until now, that was.
Weiss sighed as she banged her head against the wall behind her, frustrated with her line of thought. She had to make a move at some point, break the stand she held and push on towards a better day. She needed something more than just the ring to get Ruby to exert herself more, and maybe this dance would be just the thing. She could always suggest the standard 'as friends' or simply 'hang out together' in addition to her request. Yes, that could work, she thought. Nodding to herself, the icy heiress looked over to the shadow of Ruby on the curtain.
Ruby was currently sitting down, not really moving other than her hands tapping the wall of the shower. She appeared to be looking at the shower head, judging by the angle of her shadow, perhaps zoned out. Weiss wasn't sure what she was up to before her shadow moved quietly, the girl's hands moving to her torso as her head tilted downward. Weiss heard Ruby wince again, Weiss unsure as to what was wrong as Ruby stood up with her crutches. The red head twisted the handles off and extended a hand outward, plucking up her towel. Ruby shrunk back into the shower before she emerged moments later, wrapped up in her crimson colored fabric as she began to gather her soaps. Weiss stood up and began to offer assistance, Ruby stopping her efforts.
"I'll be fine." Ruby stated. Weiss was initially confused. Her words didn't have any sort of venom behind them, odd for the girl whenever she denied Weiss something, her tone held poison. This was different. It was almost... emotionless, yet something was there that the heiress couldn't identify. Ruby went along and grabbed up her things, Weiss taking the full bag from her as she offered it. The pair began to make their way out of the room and towards the route back to the dorm, Weiss following Ruby along the way as she pressed on with her crutches.
As they turned the corner for the final stretch to the dorm, Weiss noticed the pattering of water dripping from the Rose. Ruby leaked water at this moment the same way she did with rose petals, obviously having not dried off in the stall. Weiss just shook her head at this, as only Ruby would wander the halls of Beacon soaking wet. Weiss's smile turned to a curl of worry as she noticed droplets of red alongside the ones of clear water. Weiss took a few steps forward and grabbed Ruby's wrist, the girl freezing in place.
"Ruby." Weiss spoke sternly in a worried manner. "What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing." Ruby winced as she looked far more pale than she had been earlier. Weiss raised a brow as she noticed the shakiness in her state of standing, almost as if she were about to fall over dizzy. "I'm... I'm fine."
Weiss let Ruby go as they reached the room, Ruby immediately asking Weiss to look away. The Rose changed quietly into some clothes with but a few whimpers before she allowed Weiss to look her way. The heiress took note of Ruby's unbalance as she moved to hang her towel up, dropping as soon as she raised her hands. The crutches fell in separate directions as Weiss moved quickly and caught Ruby, holding her in her arms as she brought her to the bed. The heiress dialed up the medical staff on her Scroll, setting it to the side on speaker.
"Beacon Emergency Medical Hotline, this is Lexi, how may I assist you?" An artificial intelligence operator asked as Weiss cradled Ruby in her arms, shaking visibly as her voice quivered.
"I need a nurse in room four fifteen! My team leader is hurt!" Weiss called out to the device, a small chime coming forth.
"Help is on route, Weiss Schnee. Please remain calm." The voice spoke automatically with little emotion, Weiss clicking off the device as she held Ruby close.
Weiss trembled as she examined Ruby's face. Her eyes were partially open, an empty look in what little Weiss could see of her pupils. It was almost as if someone had pulled open her eyelids while she was still asleep, the look reflecting back of no one being present in her being. Her skin felt icy cold, and the distant pounding of her heart sent shivers down Weiss's spine. Weiss felt her cheek with the back of her palm, unsure as to what to do at this point. Weiss noticed a strange wet feeling on her other hand as she tilted her head to look, noticing the crimson blood coaxing her palm. Weiss felt like vomiting. Ruby's wounds had opened up, most likely during her shower, and it was bad. Very bad. The heiress set Ruby down on the bed and pulled her shirt up just enough to see the trifecta of bullet wounds. The heiress winced as they were as bad as she had envisioned, quickly grabbing the pillow case off of her pillow. The heiress balled it up and pressed it against the wounds to try and control the bleeding, worried that she would bleed out at any moment. Weiss could still hear and feel the thumping of her heart, even as the seconds went by and the rate of pounding lessened further and further. Weiss couldn't even begin to describe how she was feeling, cursing aloud at any sort of deity in the universe to help her.
"Please... Please..." Weiss spoke to nothing.
Weiss started to sob as she looked down at the empty form of Ruby, crying her eyes out as she felt so useless. She barely noticed the door behind her being unlocked as Headmaster Ozpin entered in with the medical staff, eyes precise and full of concern as he himself pulled Weiss away from Ruby. The workers quickly checked up on the girl, lifting her on to a stretcher. Weiss barely heard what they were saying as she watched them exit the room, hearing one of them distinctively noting that their was no pulse.
Ozpin held Weiss tight as she tried to go after Ruby, keeping her still as he took a deep breath. He didn't say anything as he held Weiss with a firm locked grip on her shoulder, Weiss submitting to his authority and staying put as she cried.
"Miss Schnee?" Ozpin asked as Weiss snapped out of her daze, looking up to the Headmaster before her. She found herself sitting in an office chair in the lobby area of the medical facility on campus, realizing that she had been deep in thought and had forgotten where she was. The heiress stood up slowly and regarded the Headmaster. "Miss Rose is stable."
Weiss let out a puff of compressed air mixed with frustration and joy. She was so relieved.
"She wants to... speak to you, if possible." Ozpin offered as he stepped out of the way of the double doors leading to the room she was currently resting in, Weiss nodding slowly before proceeding with the Headmaster in tow.
Ruby was sitting on a bed much like the one at the hospital, a large bandage wrapped around her torso. Various machines were plugged into her being, Weiss barely able to filter out the consistent beeping of equipment.
"I'll leave you two be." Ozpin noted as he stepped out of the room, allowing the pair peace and quiet.
Ruby broke the silence first with a painfully weak voice.
"Weiss... I'm sorry..." Ruby sniffled as Weiss felt her heart break, the heiress moving over and hugging Ruby tight. The pair embraced for a good while before Ruby let go, having been less engaged in the hug as Weiss took a step back.
"Ruby. I'm so happy to see you are okay." The heiress sniffled as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I... I think I'll be." She spoke in response, the Rose shifting slightly. "I'm sorry..."
"For what?" Weiss didn't understand.
"I didn't tell you about it..." Ruby sniffled. "The holes opened up and... I didn't want to be weak... I thought... I thought it would be alright..."
"Ruby..." Weiss didn't know what to say. "That doesn't matter, all that does is that you are okay."
Ruby nodded slowly. "You... You aren't mad at me...?" Ruby honestly expected a scolding. It's what Weiss would always do. Every time she did something wrong, accomplish a task, or make a mistake, Weiss would be there to put her down a level. Surprise shocked the girl as Weiss didn't seem to react as she would normally, or at least how Ruby had grown accustom to.
Weiss shook her head rapidly, unable to understand why she would think that. "Not at all." She smiled happily, hugging Ruby once more. "I'm just glad you're safe."
The pair embraced once more as Ruby cried into Weiss's shoulder, sobbing quietly between hiccups as Weiss rubbed her back gently. The heiress hoped Ruby couldn't feel the fierce blush in her face as she felt as if she were on fire, struggling to keep herself from screaming out in utter glee.
Headmaster Ozpin gently knocked on the side of the door, clearing his throat as Weiss let go of Ruby and stepped away.
"Do keep in mind the P.D.A guidelines at this academy include hugging. We aren't running an elementary school here." Ozpin joked as he adjusted his glasses.
"Yes sir." Weiss stuttered out as she cleared her throat as well, just so relived.
"Regardless, I am glad to see you are feeling better, Miss Rose. Although I am greatly disturbed that you have not been taking your medication, and treating the wounds correctly." Ozpin narrowed his eyes on the red head.
Ruby huffed. "I don't need them..."
"On the contrary, I feel you do." He spoke as he tapped his cane on the floor. "Miss Schnee?"
"Yes?" Weiss asked.
"You may take Miss Rose back to your room at any time you two wish. She is being released early as her vitals seem to be well." Ozpin expressed before he stepped closer to her. "And do make sure Miss Rose keeps herself in... check?"
Weiss nodded as the Headmaster exited, leaving the pair of girl's alone in the room with nothing but themselves and the beeping of the machinery.
Weiss turned back to Ruby, nervously jabbing at the floor with one of her feet before shaking her head quickly. She was clearly fearful of helping Ruby off of the bed, concerned that even the slightest touch would be enough to cripple her once more. Ruby caught onto this look Weiss held and smiled slightly in a reassuring manner.
"I'll be okay..." Ruby stated quietly, pulling out one of the needles going into her wrist. The girl winced as her Aura sealed the wound almost immediately, slowly opening and closing her hand in response to the sharp sting of her Aura. Weiss moved in to help her, going to set her crutches up.
That's when Weiss realized they were still back in the room.
The heiress looked around for replacements, unable to find anything in the rather cramped room. Weiss grumbled as she thought on what to do, walking back over to Ruby's side as she unlatched a cord taped to the back of her neck.
Weiss extended both arms. "I'll need to carry you back to the room."
Ruby quietly shook her head. "I... I can walk."
Weiss sighed deeply. "Ruby, I know you want to be strong, but it's going to take some time before you can do that yourself. I promise not to drop you."
Ruby shifted slightly and looked away, masking a blush before turning back and nodded. Weiss carefully scooped the girl up into her arms, allowing Ruby to wrap her legs around her waist in response. Weiss held Ruby by the bottom of her thighs, the Rose wrapping her arms around Weiss's neck as she buried her head into her shoulder. Weiss shifted as she adjusted to the weight of the girl, turning around and exiting the chamber towards their dorm.
Weiss gently set Ruby down on her bed as she retracted her hands, taking a deep breath as she set her crutches back at the bedside of her leader. Ruby sat quietly as she pointed to her combat gear, speaking for once since their journey back to the room.
"Can.. Can I have my outfit please?" Ruby asked as Weiss nodded, handing her the clothing as she asked the heiress to face away. Weiss did as instructed, eyes wandering around the room she called home.
The dorm wasn't much to begin with, but it was more of a home than her own estate in Atlas. Beacon just had this... this sort of realistic vibe to it that she couldn't describe. It felt so much more real, a down to earth type of feeling. Everyone here lived normal lives, free from the politics and dramatics of the Kingdom of Atlas. Weiss envied all those who lived her permanently, wishing she could have a much simpler life. Weiss found herself eyeing a mirror across the room at Yang's desk, the same one she used to fix her golden mane. Weiss snapped her stare away as she realized she could see Ruby changing in the reflection, staring at the floor with a fierce red hue to her face. She didn't want to disturb her privacy, that was perverse. Weiss Schnee didn't do perverse... often.
"I'm done..." Ruby stated softly as Weiss turned back around, Ruby fixing the ring sat on her finger. Weiss had to remind herself to get a duplicate to keep up the charade, as she didn't want Ruby to grow curious. The red head wrapped her hood around herself, a ball of red sitting on her bedside as she covered her face with the fabric. Weiss raised a brow out of confusion before Ruby chirped up.
"I'm sorry Weiss..." Ruby sniffled as Weiss realized she was crying again, frozen in place. "I'm sorry I didn't let you help...
"Ruby, it's okay." Weiss comforted her, moving to sit across from the girl on her own bed. "I understand you want to be strong. It was just an accident."
Ruby shifted ever so slowly as her hood opened up enough to show one of her silver eyes, shining in the darkness of her cowl. Weiss offered a warm look of happy yet tentative friendship, uncertain as to what to do in this current state. Weiss placed a hand on Ruby's knee, rubbing it gently with her thumb as Ruby shivered slightly. Weiss felt so bad for the girl, as she was a torn up mess of a Human being. Weiss pulled back Ruby's hood with her free hand, rubbing her cheek with it afterwards gently as Ruby sniffled, brushing her tears away. She looked so... so beautiful when she was sad, Weiss had to admit. Ruby was... She was amazing. The heiress inched closer quietly as she locked eyes with Ruby, a look of empathy across her face.
"It's okay. I'm not mad. I'm just glad you're safe." Weiss offered again as Ruby nodded slowly, Weiss cupping her cheek as she felt herself automatically moving in closer and closer to Ruby. Ruby didn't seem to react at first, herself slowly moving in as if drawn by an invisible force. Weiss could feel her breathing as the pair moved in on one another, blue and silver eyes locked in a firm dance. The pair were but a few inches away from one another, lips nearly grazing as the pair found themselves at this place. Ruby had no idea what to think of what was happening. Weiss was clearly not drunk, and here she was mimicking her actions of the last night. Could she... Was she really interested in her after all? Was all of her work, all of her efforts, really a sign of love? Weiss herself didn't know what she was doing, feeling almost alienated by her own body. The heiress felt the sudden desire to press her lips against Ruby's own, to just confess her love and kiss the dolt before her and never let her go, the thought of it both intoxicating yet a cause of worry. What would Ruby do in reaction? Would she hate her? Would she feel disgusted? Weiss noticed Ruby was too moving in at the same time, not sure what to make of the situation as Weiss nearly pressed her forehead to Ruby's own.
"Weiss...? What are you doing...?" Ruby asked as Weiss snapped out of her daze, letting Ruby go free as she sat back, blinking as she looked down at her hands. Weiss gulped as she shook her head quickly, trying to account for her actions.
"M-My mistake! Got a little too close for comfort, my bad!" Weiss corrected herself as Ruby slowly nodded, Weiss internally screaming at herself. The Rose quietly shrunk back into her ball, hands holding her legs as she curled up into herself. Weiss went to say something extra before the door to the room flew open.
"- and that's how Zwei burnt down our family's lake house." Yang finished some extensive story as Blake seemed to have been well interested in whatever Yang was talking about, entering in after the brute. The pair stood in the threshold of the room and shut the door behind them with a click of the automatic lock, taking notice of Weiss and Ruby at their respective beds.
"Hello you two." Blake placed her katana down on her desk as Yang moved towards the two sitting partners, crouching down next to Ruby. The Rose pulled back her hood and looked to the brawler, eyes full of curiosity.
"Hey Ruby." Yang announced as she gave her little sister a careful hug, as not to spook her. "Sorry we were gone so long. Goodwitch wouldn't cut us any slack. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay. I understand." Ruby spoke clearly, Yang freezing in the hug for a few moments as her eyes went wide, confused. The yellow haired girl retracted her being and looked at Ruby's eyes, noticing the lack of coldness she had held when they left just the day before. Something seemed... different.
"Ruby?" Yang asked.
"Yes?" Ruby tilted her head, confused as well.
"You feeling better?" Yang asked as she held the girl by her shoulders.
"I... I suppose so." Ruby stated as she felt conflicted with herself, Weiss taking note as the ring did its job.
Yang held Ruby close once more, overjoyed that she wasn't as distant as before, totally shocked that Ruby was acting so much more social than ever. She didn't know what caused this, nor did it matter at the moment. All she cared was that Ruby seemed to be back on her feet.
Blake raised a brow as she stood across the room, arms crossed over her chest as she examined the situation before her. This seemed... very strange. Ruby had been acting so very cold the day prior, and now she seemed to have just shed her previous depression for a much less pain-ridden self. She couldn't believe it to be true. Something else had to be going on behind the scene. The Faunus moved forwards and placed a hand on Weiss's shoulder, the girl jumping slightly at the contact before she turned to Blake, smiling slightly.
"Hello, Blake. How was your mission?" Weiss asked innocently as Blake kept a false attitude about herself.
"It went well." Blake explained, still on edge about all of this. "How was Ruby?"
"She's doing well so far. She really opened up in the time you all were gone." The white haired girl stood up and walked to one side of the room as Yang chatted with Ruby privately. Blake followed as they came to a stop. "It's fantastic."
"I've noticed." Blake stated as she looked to Ruby, intrigued at her new found freedom. Something caught her eye as the sunlight shined through the window, reflecting off of a small piece of metal on Ruby's person. The gleam shined as bright as a star was Blake narrowed her vision on the object once the glare cleared, very much curious.
Ruby wore a ring, rather off for the girl.
Blake blinked.
Ruby never wore jewelry.
A/N: More coming soon! See you around!