A/N Alright guys, I have some news to tell you. First off, Happy early Birthday to me! I am releasing this as a gift to your guys. Second, I decided to throw out the poll, as a friend gave me some extremely good advice along with a good way to introduce the pairing. Anyways, this chapter is just going to be a huge flashback, so I will not bother with putting it all in italics, and there will be thoughts due to this (as indicated by italics surrounded by apostrophes). So, I have faith that you guys will enjoy, review, favorite, and follow!
P.S. I do mention Adam's eye color, but I am just speculating on what I think it is, so don't complain.


Chapter 4

The Realization

[6 years ago]

Ruby P.O.V.

(White Fang headquarters)

"What's going on?"

I had awoken to the sight of Adam and Blake running into my little area of the warehouse, looking more the worse for wear.

"It's the fucking cops!"

"ADAM! Don't use such language around Ruby!"

"I'm sorry Blake, but it's life or death out there!"

"EVERYBODY JUST STOP!"

Adam and Blake stopped arguing to look at me. While I was a bit flustered, I managed to get my meaning clear. 'Now is not the time to fight. That comes later.' Taking a deep breath, I calmly explained my plan. Blake was to create a distraction, allowing the faunus not in the White Fang to escape, while me and Adam helped get them to safety while also taking care of any sensitive documents and data, but one thing was still nagging at me.

"How did they find us?"

Adam and Blake shared a knowing look before a brunette monkey faunus ran into the tent, only to get shot in the back by one of the police officers.

"Never mind, change of plans. Blake, you and Adam help the others escape and take care of everything else. I'll provide the distraction."

As I turned to go, Adam grabbed my arm while saying, "I don't think that's a good idea Ruby. You have that look in your eyes."

"Adam…" *sigh* "…you know I have to– "

"NO YOU FUCKING DON'T!"

Me and Adam both looked at Blake in shock. Neither of us have ever heard her swear in front of me, even accidentally.

"What are you saying Blake?"

"I'm saying you don't want to go out there Ruby. People are still looking for you."

"She's not wrong there, Rubes."

"And… we're a family now. And what have we told you about this family?"

*sigh* "'We don't leave another faunus behind.' Bu– "

"No 'buts' Ruby. We are a family, and we WILL stick together."

"Fuck! You are relentless, you know that, right Blake?"

"RUBY! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?"

"Never mind that now. Let's go kick some ass."

Adam just nodded his head in confirmation before slipping his mask on, me and Blake following suit soon after, but not before Blake gave me a glare that said, "We'll talk later." After gathering our weapons, Adam with Wilt and Blush, Blake with Gambol Shroud, and me with Crescent Rose, we stepped out to meet the opposing force head on. What I saw when I stepped out left me in a state of shock.

Standing not five feet away from us, standing over the dead body of our immediate Lieutenant, was the same huntsman from when Adam found me. When he turned to face us, recognition dawn in his eyes when he spotted my cloak. 'Damn! Why didn't I take the stupid thing off?' I already knew the answer though. It was one of the only things that Adam had given me, albeit Blake forced him to buy it for me in commemoration of successfully making Crescent Rose.

"Ah! So the bitch lives! I told you boys something knocked me out before I could kill her! I bet it was this fella right here." At this, the brute pointed towards Adam, who moved to stand in front of me.

At this, I just couldn't take anymore, so I pushed Adam aside, pulled Crescent Rose out, twirling her around my entire body, and planted the blade into the ground in front of me. Before the human even had time to realize what was about to happen, I pulled the trigger, launching a blast dust round towards his heart. Unfortunately for me, one of his buddies was quicker on the draw and deflected he bullet with his halberd. Furious, I pulled Crescent Rose out of the floor, pointed her behind me, and fired off a shot, propelling me towards the group. About halfway towards them, I noticed Gambol Shroud pass me, heard Blake yell something at me but couldn't hear what it was.

"LADYBUG!" I hear Adam relay to me. Nodding in confirmation, I grab the ribbon trailing after Blake's weapon, holding tight as she yanks it back towards her in an arc. As I flew in the arc from the momentum, I brought Crescent Rose around, striking one of the huntsmen in the knees, causing him to crumple like a ragdoll, screaming at the top of his lungs. 'Why do they have to be so loud all the time?' Thankfully, for us that is, his screaming distracted his friends, allowing Adam to move in and dispatch a few more before being forced to step back. As I lost momentum from the swing, I let go of Gambol Shroud, aiming at the huntsman in the middle of the group, the one who tried to kill me. Seeing me launch towards him, he yelled at his group, who immediately went to intercept me. 'Not today assholes.' When I got within three feet of them, I started swinging my sweetheart around me, slicing into them, unrelenting, until I heard the satisfying sound of heads being torn off their shoulders. As I slowed Crescent Rose to a stop, I noticed I had taken out all but the target of my anger. As Adam moved behind him to deliver the final blow that would save us, I held up a hand to him, while taking off my mask.

When my face was fully uncovered, I looked the huntsman straight in the eye, while saying to Adam, "He's mine."

At this, Adam simply backed away, nodding in understanding, sheathing Wilt inside of Blush, and jogged over to where Blake was helping the others to get out. Still looking the huntsman in the eye, I slowly put Crescent Rose back into her carry form and put her in the small of my back. Seeing this as a sign of weakness, he pulled out what seemed to be an ordinary dust rifle, but I knew better than to judge items off their appearances.

*sigh* "You know you are going to die, slowly and painfully, right?"

"By who? A weak bitch like yourself? Ha! Only a weakling would put their weapon away in the presence of a huntsman!"

'Why do people always think that putting one's weapon away is weak? All it means is that the person is confident in their own ability in hand-to-hand combat.' "So be it," I said while getting in my fighting stance.

As I said this, he transformed his rifle into twin short swords with the barrel of the gun being in the left one. 'So that is how it's going to be? Well two can play at that game.' When he rushed at me, I sidestepped his obvious swing, then ducked under the next, always dodging by a hair's breadth.

"WHY–WON'T–YOU–STAY–STILL?!"

I just smirked, as I knew he would quickly tire and leave an opening for me. I just kept dodging his blows until I saw what I was waiting for. The huntsman swung his left arm towards my head, I ducked, and he over-compensated. As soon as his sword cleared the air above me, I grabbed his wrist with my right hand, forced him to continue his motion, and slammed the heel of my left palm into his elbow, hearing the satisfying sound of his elbow breaking, causing his grip on the sword in his left hand to slip, dropping it to the ground. What threw me off was that he was not screaming in pain. Instead, he was laughing his head off.

"YOU THINK THAT WILL SLOW ME? YOU MUST BE ONE STUPID BITCH! ONLY DEATH CAN SLOW ME!"

'Well, that was stupid of him. He just told me what I already planned to do. Oh well' I grabbed his discarded sword before he could take another swipe at me, drove the sword into his neck, and pulled the trigger. The man barely had time to register any pain before his head blew clean off, not leaving a single trace other than the blood splatter on every surface within a foot of his body. It took me a moment for the realization of what I just did to kick in, but when it did, the last thing I remember was falling, and Adam catching me in his arms, saying something, then darkness took over.

Third-person P.O.V.

Adam, leaving Blake to take care of the retreating faunus, ran towards Ruby as she killed the huntsman. He noticed her legs start to buckle as the realization of what she had done struck her. When she started falling, Adam had just reached her, wrapped her in his arms, and was saying, "It'll be all right, Rubes. Everything will be alright. Just hang in there." As he was saying this, Adam was running towards the nearest White Fang hospital, due to the fact that in her rage, Ruby suffered shallow cuts and deep lacerations without feeling them. By the time the hospital was in sight, Adam was out of breath and Blake had caught up to him.

"What's wrong?"

"She's…losing...a lot…of blood…and…needs…a doctor."

"She's a strong girl Adam. Not many people can do what she just did. She's going to make it."

"I hope so."

With that said, they reached the ER. When the nurses saw Ruby in Adam's arms, they didn't question him about what happened, instead they just put ruby on a gurney and wheeled her into the operating room to begin stitching her back up. As this was happening, Adam and Blake stayed in the waiting room, Blake sitting calmly while Adam was pacing impatiently.

Ruby P.O.V.

[One day later] (White Fang hospital)

When I came to, I heard the incessant beep of the monitor that was hooked up to me. Opening my eyes, I saw the white tiled ceiling above me. Turning my head to the left, I saw a whitewashed wall, the heart-rate monitor, and an occupied chair. I tried to say something but realized my throat was sore, and all that came out was a whimper. The chair's occupant looked up, and I have never been happier in my life. 'I can't believe it!' Indeed, for the moment we made eye contact, Adam jumped up and ran to my side. When he reached me, he leaned over to grab something. As he brought the object back into my vision, I saw it was a cup of water. Gratefully drinking it, my throat started to feel better, so as soon as I finished, I tried to talk again.

"Adam," I said in a rasp.

"Hush, Ruby. I told you everything would be all right. You had me worried, you know that right?"

As I looked into his brown eyes, I saw that he has been genuinely worried about me, as there were tinges of red at the corners. As I watched, a tear was trying to form, but it was obvious that he was trying to hold them back. I reached up to wipe at it, and he didn't stop me. The moment my hand touched his face, he tried to turn away, but I didn't let him. Instead, I grabbed hold of his chin, pulling his head closer to mine. As soon as he looked at me again, I finally came to a realization. 'I-I-I love him!' As soon as the thought struck me, my eyes lost focus and Adam's face became a blurred outline, and I could faintly hear him calling to me.

"Ruby? Is everything okay? Ruby! Nurse!"

Not long afterwards, I lost consciousness once again.

Third-person P.O.V.

Adam saw something happening inside of Ruby's head, and not long after, she had that faraway look that signaled the coming of unconsciousness. He couldn't stand to wait another day for her to wake up again. As the nurse came rushing back in, he explained what happened and she asked him to leave and come back later, saying, "Maybe it was the shock that you were here when she woke up that caused her to black out again." After hearing that, Adam reluctantly left Ruby's side, taking Crescent Rose with him so the nurse didn't try to throw her out, again. Sighing, he trudged back towards the hotel his boss put him and Blake in, and Ruby will join them after she gets out. Entering the lobby, Adam acknowledged the manager and made his way to the elevator. Exiting on the ninth floor, Adam was surprised to see Blake outside the elevator door waiting for him.

"How's Ruby holding up?"

"Not good. She regained consciousness long enough to get some water, but blacked out soon after."

"Shit."

"Blake, we both know swearing doesn't suit you. Why don't you go and take watch for the day? The nurses kicked me out, saying me just being there shocked her too much."

"Heh. I'm not surprised. Who wants to see your ugly mug when they regain consciousness? OW!"

"Be glad that was my left hand. Besides, right before she blacked out, I think I saw her figure something out. I never got a chance to ask, and she never got a chance to tell. Maybe seeing the face of someone she trusts the most out of us two will have her open up a bit."

"I don't know Adam. It isn't a sound theory. But I'll go anyways." Blake walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby. As the doors shut, her faunus hearing heard Adam say on last thing under his breath.

"I know. It's just… I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't wake again."

Hearing him say this, Blake realized Adam was in love with Ruby, but decided to let him tell her in his own time. When the doors opened at the lobby, Blake sprinted out of the elevator and hotel, heading towards the hospital and Ruby.

(Back with Adam)

Not even noticing what he said, Adam headed towards their two-bedroom suite at the end of the hall. As soon as the door shut behind him, Adam lashed out at the nearest item, which happened to be the door leading off to the kitchenette, and broke a hole in the center. After pulling his hand out, Adam stumbled over to the couch and sat down with his head in his hands. 'What is going on? Why do I feel this pain?' As these questions and many more circled in his head, Adam tried to figure out what they all meant. About the time Blake texted him, letting him know she was with a still unconscious Ruby, was when he figured it out. 'I-I love her.' This train of thought pushed him over the edge and as a result, he trashed the sparse living room of the suite. As soon as he finished, Adam rushed back to the hospital, to his Ruby.

Ruby P.O.V.

(Hospital, Ruby's room) [Five minutes after Blake arrives]

Again, consciousness is slow to come. When I am able to, I open my eyes to the familiar white-tiled ceiling and, upon turning my head, the familiar whitewashed walls and heart-rate monitor. The only thing different this time is the person occupying the chair. This time I see Blake sitting there, reading one of her many books, only this one doesn't have a visible title.

"Blake?"

Upon hearing my voice, which sounded better than before, she immediately closed the book and rushed over to my side. 'Why is she blushing slightly?'

"Oh! Ruby, you had us worried! How're you feeling?"

"Like I just had the shit beaten out of me."

Surprisingly, Blake didn't say anything about my language. Raising one eyebrow, I waited for her to respond.

"Heh. Well, you did take a beating. Looked like it fucking hurt."

Now I had both eyebrows raised, staring at her in shock.

"What? I don't get a right to swear after what you put me and Adam through?"

"N-no! I-it's not that! I just never heard you say anything worse than 'hell' and 'bastard'. It's just uncomfortable when you saying anything worse than that."

Blake shrugs. "That's understandable. Now I know why you and Adam were shocked back at the warehouse yesterday. Since you're awake, let me text Adam. He would like to know that you are conscious again."

As I saw Blake about to pull out her scroll, I quickly grab her arm. "P-p-please, n-not yet. Th-there's something I need to tell you." When I see Blake start to open her mouth to say something I quickly interrupt her. "But first, I need to know you won't tell anyone. Promise?"

As I watch her think it over, only one thought is in my mind right now. 'Why are you telling her? She treats Adam like a brother. What makes you think she won't tell him?' I mentally tell my subconscious to shut up as Blake opens her mouth.

"Okay. I won't disclose what you are about to tell me to anyone without your express permission."

*sigh* "Okay, Blake. What I want to tell you is something that I only recently figured out. I honestly still don't believe myse– "

"Fucking out with it Rubes! What is so important that you don't want me to tell eve– "

"IthinkIlovehim!" I shout at Blake, rushing my words. 'Oum, I hope she didn't make any of that out!' But the look on her face says she understood what I rushed out. I lower my head, due to the rising heat in my face telling me that I have a massive blush now. Suddenly, Blake reaches under my chin and pulls my head up to look into her amber eyes, which are filled with a mass of conflicting emotions, the foremost being understanding.

"I think I knew this whole time, Rubes. Heh. I mean, every time you two are in the same room, there is always awkward silence on your part, and I seem to be the only one to notice it. He is just oblivious to anything and everything that doesn't help promote our cause. But I mean it when I say this, I made a promise not to tell anyone about this, and I plan to keep that. Now, you might want to wipe those tears away." I hadn't even realized I was crying until she pointed it out to me.

*sniff* "W-w-why?" *sniff*

"I can hear a certain someone arguing with your nurse." Now that I think about it, there are raised voices in the hallway. When Blake leans to the side, I catch a glimpse of familiar red hair.

"SHIT! BLAKE! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER?!"

"I didn't want you to lose your courage to tell me. Though, I didn't expect you to lay this on me."

"FUCK!"

Adam has now pushed through the nurse, and was rushing towards my room when Blake stepped out to intercept him. I think she whispered something to him because I could visibly see him calm down from whatever rage he was in, but as I saw this, I noticed, with the blush creeping back into my face, that Adam was more handsome when he was calm. As he stepped into the room, I noticed Blake come in, only to leave again, closing the door behind her. 'Blake why! Why must you torture me so?' After hearing Adam clear his throat, I realize I must have spaced out and came back to reality.

"So… how are you doing, Ruby?"

"I feel like I was eaten by an Ursa Major, who then spat me back out, only to have a Nevermore land on me. But other than that, I feel fine."

*sigh* "You had us all– "

"Worried? I know. Blake already told me."

"Fuck! Heh, I forget that she was the one more worried out of the two of us."

Hearing this, I felt my heart sink a little in my chest. "So, you weren't worried that much then?"

"N-no! That's not what I meant at all!" Now I hate to admit it, but Adam looks funny as hell when he is flustered and waving his arms around.

Cocking one eyebrow, I asked in return, "What did you mean then, if it wasn't that you weren't worried?"

"What I meant to say, Ruby, was that I was worried to hell and back, but Blake was worried more. I didn't mean for you to take me saying she was the one more worried like that." At this, I burst out laughing, which results in Adam gaining a massive blush, one to rival even my own cloak. As soon as I finished, I get another good look at him…only to laugh even harder at seeing him holding back laughter of his own! Almost as soon as I start my second tirade of laughter, Adam's dam finally breaks, allowing him to laugh alongside me. Seeing him doubled over like that reminds me of the first year after he rescued me. Before the White Fang became a group that used violence alongside protests. Before Adam, MY Adam, became second in command. When I first woke up, I was surprised that he was with me, but now, after thinking back, I realize that he truly cares about the little wolf faunus he saved. We laughed for about thirty minutes to an hour, one set of stifled laughter always setting both of us off on another series. When the last of my laughter dies off, I can finally think coherently. Looking at Adam, still trying to stop his laughter, I notice he was looking at everything except me.

"A-Adam?"

"Yes Rubes?"

"W-why are you so obvious when you try not to look at something… or someone?"

Hearing me say this flusters Adam, again, and I can't help but stifle more laughter when he starts tripping over his words. After another fifteen minutes of this, he finally gets his thoughts organized enough to form coherent phrases.

"Ruby, I don't know how to… what I mean to say is that… GAH!" After getting frustrated with himself, Adam pulls the chair to the side of the bed and sits down on my right.

"It's okay, Adam. Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

*sigh* "Thanks."

"Hehe… no prob."

For about another thirty minutes we sit there in awkward silence, me waiting for him to say something, and him trying to find the words he needs. During that time, a nurse comes in to check on me, but after getting one of Adam's glares, he could not get out of the room fast enough, getting me to laugh a little bit. As it turns out, that is all that was needed to defuse the tension.

"I have something to tell you," we both say at once. I motion for Adam to go first, but he adamantly refuses. He makes a zipping motion across his mouth, one of our signals that he won't speak until spoken to. At this, I have no choice but to speak first.

"Adam, you know we've known each other for years as friends right?" He nods his head. "Well… I don't know how to say this and have you understand but here goes… IthinkIloveyou!"

Almost as soon as I blurt that out, I try to pull the covers over my head in embarrassment. The only thing wrong with that plan was that the sheet only covered the lower half of me. As I realize this, Adam places his hand on my shoulder. When I look up at him, I don't see rejection, but instead I see the opposite.

"Rubes," he whispers to me, "I think I feel the same."

'Wait, what? He thinks he feels the same? Did he even hear me correctly?' Of course I don't say these things out loud, but he must be able to see them in my eyes for he keeps speaking.

"Ruby, unless I misunderstood what you said, I believe you said that you think you love me." Hearing this, I slowly nod my head, signaling him to go on. "I know you don't expect me to understand, but I do. I mean, I was sorta scared that if I told you, you would run away from us… from me. Now that I know you feel the same way as me, I don't need to worry. I know you will never intentionally do anything to hurt me. I would never intenti– "

"I know Adam. I know."

With that being said, I realize he is standing over me, looking down at me with those brown eyes of his, which still have red tinges at the corners, which I now notice is from lack of sleep. As we stay in that position, I slowly lean my head up towards Adam, with him moving down to meet mine. As I go to close my eyes, I notice Blake was standing at the door. As I am about to pull back, I realize she is facing away from us, most likely to keep the nurses and doctors from walking in on us, for which I am grateful. After that little shock, I finally close my eyes and fall into bliss as Adam's mouth collides with mine.

Blake P.O.V.

[five minutes ago]

*sigh* 'At least they're talking it out. Heh. I guess they forgot about our hearing. Oh well.' I was sitting in a chair about halfway between Ruby's room and the elevator, courtesy of the head nurse who is an old friend, speaking of which, I need to tell him something.

"Hey, Harry! Don't let anyone into Ruby's room right now!"

Hearing me yell his name, Harry pops his head above the nurses station. "And why is that, if I may ask Blake?"

"You really want Adam to go full protection mode on one of you subordinates' ass?"

The lion faunus just shakes his head. "You know, swearing doesn't suit you, Blake. But alright, if it will save their– FUCKING HELL! GARY! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE THIS INSTANT!"

I didn't even notice the fleeing deer faunus bolt out of Ruby's room. At the sound of Harry's booming voice, he stops in his tracks, and then backpedals until he is at the nurse's station.

"Y-y-yes sir?"

"Why the hell were you in miss Rose's room?"

"I-I-I was going to check her I.V. to see if she needed a new one."

*sigh* "Gary, how many times do I have to tell you. Interns are not authorized to be in a patient's room without a trained nurse or doctor. Go home for the day, and before you ask, you will not get hours for this. You disobeyed my rules. I don't want to see your face until Monday, got it."

"Harry, go easy on him. Be glad he is alive and not just a smear on the wall of Ruby's room."

Taking a quick look at the intern, I slip Harry a small amount of Lien that I always carry on me in case of emergencies. He takes it without a word to me.

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow Gary. Just don't be late, again!"

With this, the intern hurries to the elevator to leave. With that out of the way, I go to see how my little 'sis' is doing. When I reach the doorway, I see Adam leaning down to meet Ruby's raised head, and quickly put my back to the door, giving them at least a sense of privacy. About two minutes after I turn my back, I had a better idea. I blindly reach behind me to pull the door shut, and once I heard the click signifying it closed, I walked away back towards the hotel. Not before shouting out to Harry.

"I wouldn't bother Rubes and Adam for the time being!"

"Fine! But only this one time! I don't want anyone losing a limb… or their life for that matter!"

Upon hearing this, I chuckle to myself. 'Of course everyone knows Adam's reputation for maim first, ask questions later.' The last thing I hear before walking out the door is Harry yelling at his subordinates to leave Ruby's room alone. 'At least now we can be slightly more open, right?'


A/N Alright, so some of you will not be happy with this pairing, but please don't dis my story just because of it. If you do, then, pardon my French, you are just assholes who always get what they want, and hurt the feelings of people who post long chapters on their birthdays. ASSHOLES! *takes deep breath* Anyways, I have decided against updating every three weeks, so I will update as soon as I finish. This is my first chapter of 4k+ words, not counting the A/N's. To be exact, this chapter is 4700 words long without A/N's, and just under 4950 long with them. Hope you guys enjoyed!
=Ciao=
P.S. I found someone who is willing to beta my story. They are Just_one_of_clockwork_thoughts from Archive of our own. In fact, it was their story that inspired this, so if you could, go check it out, the name is "A Rose's Thorns" and it is still ongoing.