Beta read by: Crescent Sunrise
Recommended story: "Remnant Online" by Redler Red7
Second recommendation: "A Black Comedy" by Nonjon
~MZ~
"Nebula? What do you want?" May shifts away a bit. Confused and drowsy from just waking up. Her hand shifts to her Scroll and she opens it to look at the time. It's a little before noon, Ruby is still in class while the boys are off doing who knows what.
Her fingers travel through her hair before ghosting them down her cheek chasing after the lingering feeling that had woken her. A soft affectionate gesture she had hoped would have come from her little girlfriend but apparently was only imagined.
Her train of thought is interrupted by Nebula's response drawing her speculation away in order to focus on what's being said. Not an easy task after just waking up.
"I heard you got injured and wanted to make sure you were alright. I know things have been awkward between us since we broke up, but just because we didn't work out as a couple doesn't mean we wouldn't make decent friends." The girl replies seating herself in a chair next to May's bed with a small smile.
'Well don't I just feel ungrateful now. And she's not wrong really. Ugh, she's even being nice when I was just plain rude.' May thinks with a physical wince before turning her attention back to Nebula.
"Sorry about that Neb, I shouldn't have been so rude. How have you been?" She asks trying to get back some kind of welcoming air. It's still awkward for her to be around her ex but the team leader did make a good point.
'It's not like it's her fault you ignored all the signs she wasn't interested in girls and jumped at the first chance you got like an idiot Zedong. Yeah the break up was rough, but it wouldn't have happened at all if you hadn't jumped in feet first.' She mentally chastises herself before starting to relax, her hand moving to the bed controls so she can move into a sitting position without having to hold herself upright.
"I'm alright. My team is fine, just practicing and keeping sharp for the tournament, you know? Though Dew is certain we won't need it. She's got an ace up her sleeve we're saving for the matches." Nebula states and May gets the added meaning.
Something May picked up on while they were dating is Nebula's habit of saying things without actually saying them. Something the sniper is to this day uncertain if Nebula noticed herself. In this case it's 'Dew's got something big, don't ask because that's all you're getting.'
She's saved from changing the topic however when Nebula makes a dismissive motion with her hand before smiling at May. The sharp eyed sniper notices it's a little forced but the subject brought up catches her off guard.
"Enough about the tournament, we'll end up dancing around not telling each other things until the end. I hear you're seeing someone new right?" Nebula asks leaning back in her chair even as May scratches her cheek.
"Yeah, her name's Ruby, thought you were her when I first woke up actually. She actually took me to the dance too. I may have dropped a few hints I wanted her to ask me though." May replies with a wry smile on her lips. "If you went to the dance you probably met her sister too. The tall blonde in the white dress who was greeting everyone."
"Oh that's her sister? I thought they were just teammates." Nebula questions her features relaxing into a thoughtful look.
"Yeah, different last names and mothers but they share a dad and grew up together." May replies, a wide grin on her face as she waits for the inevitable.
"Are you sure they're actually related and Ruby isn't just adopted or something? They look nothing alike." Nebula questions skeptically. Blinking as May starts laughing her hands thrown upward only to wince as she accidentally tugs on the IV.
"Ouch, ouch, stupid thing... I know right?! That's exactly what I said. Different hair, eyes, build, and facial structure. Ruby's mom must have some really aggressive genes or something." The sniper offers with a shrug.
"I'm not sure that's how genetics work May." Nebula offers with a smirk before shaking her head, the thoughtful look is back once more. "I'm surprised you didn't go after the older sister instead. Isn't Ruby a bit young?" She asks getting a dismissive wave in return.
"She's skilled enough to get into Beacon two years early, smart enough to keep her place after making it through initiation, and mature enough to lead her own team. She might look a bit young and act a little childish but she's got a heart that's beautiful to see." May replies her visible eye shining, more than a little proud of her girlfriend.
"And when you see her fighting, you'll forget about those three years as quickly as I did. Besides, my dad had six years on my mother so I'm already doing better than him." She adds with a little grin.
"Was your mother a teenager when he started pursuing her too?" Nebula deadpans.
"No, but my mother's turning forty this year. I'm eighteen. They were seeing each other a few years before I was born. You do the math. He didn't wait long at all." May replies
"Half your age plus seven."
"I think that only counts if you're planning on sex, we aren't there yet. Plus, we'll clear that rule next year." May replies with a cheeky grin before she has to lift an arm to hide her mouth in her shoulder as she starts to cough.
Nebula's look doesn't lighten even a little until she sees the hand lifting to cover May's mouth already guessing and probably correct. "Getting sick again?"
May grimaces and puts her arm down before nodding with a sigh. "Inevitable I guess in here. Everything's cleaned religiously but the patients still sneeze and cough." She admits, Nebula having been witness to a few of May's bouts with illness.
May would be grateful when Nebula changes the subject until she hears what the subject is, making her groan as she's forced to think about the one thing she's been avoiding since she started dating Ruby.
"So how are you two going to keep on after this year is over? I mean you'll have the summer I guess. But after that? You've got two more years minimum before you can get close again. There's a reason long distance relationships aren't more common you know." Nebula says.
"Well Ruby's socially awkward normally. I'm the first girlfriend she's ever had. As for me, I had two short flings before you and none since. I think we can handle being on our own a little. We'll work something out." She says with all the confidence she can manage. Even so, it sounds a bit weak even to herself.
'Stop that. Negativity like that will eat at you May. If the distance starts becoming a problem we'll work on it then.' She thinks firmly, not noticing when Nebula stood up and got to the door, nor the wicked look on her face as she turned away.
"Well May, I'll see you later alright? Get well soon." She offers before leaving May in the room alone again.
The sniper lets out a long slow breath before starting to feel the crushing weight of boredom already settling in as she considers trying to go back to sleep. That thought leads to her pulling out her Scroll and checking the time. Ruby would be on her way here soon likely, with at least Yang tagging along.
Moving her arm though she frowns noticing a bulge forming under her skin near where the IV is placed in her arm.
'It must have gotten loose or something when I moved earlier. Damn, now Dr. Green is going to give me another scolding about being careful with it. Maybe I can sweet talk a nurse into keeping quiet about it?'
~RR~
Ruby was eager in her hurry to get to the infirmary. Her girlfriend was notoriously bored in her recovery room, alone and uncomfortable without her weapon. Ruby could only really help to solve one of the problems. So after talking to Pyrrha, a plan was made they would take care of soon.
Approaching May's room she's surprised for a moment to catch someone opening the door to leave only to blink as a grumbling Dr. Green walks past rolling her eyes and muttering about efforts in futility.
With a brow lifted she looks into the room curiously and spots May sitting up in her bed with a sullen expression on her face idly pushing around a small pile of dried bars on her plate with a pout before her head lifts and she spots Ruby.
The shorter girl blushes and feels her heart thumping hard in her chest as she watches May's expression turn from the sullen look it had been before to the bright cheer it now shows simply on her arriving in the room.
"Heya Little Red. Come to save me from staring at a wall for the next few hours?" May asks, already carefully moving herself in the bed to try and make room just in case. Her hand moving the plate of unappetizing food to a bedside tray.
"Shouldn't you eat that?" Ruby asks as she moves into the room before climbing onto the bed and sitting cross legged on the side.
'If I cuddle with her now I won't want to get up when Pyrrha gets in place.'
"It'll keep, I hate those stupid nutrient bars. She only makes me eat them when I'm being punished though, so it isn't all bad." May replies with a shrug.
"And what are you being punished for?" Ruby asks wondering if she might want to help sneak May in something good.
"I may have accidentally messed up my IV again and then tried to sweet talk a nurse into keeping it from the doc when she came in to fix it... I forgot about the no flirting with the infirmary staff rule she has." May replies, sheepishly running her hand through her hair. Even as Ruby decides right then and there to allow May to endure her punishment without aid.
'I don't know why her flirting doesn't really bother me like it should. Maybe it's just because that's how she is? Still doesn't mean I have to support it. Need to draw the line somewhere after all.'
Before Ruby can think of a response there's a soft tapping at the window to May's room followed by the sniper leaning to look outside.
"Ruby, why is my rifle hovering outside the window and covered with an ominous black aura as if it were possessed?" May asks her visible eye open wide as she looks at her gun with trepidation.
"Oh!" Ruby darts over to the window and opens it before grabbing the gun and pulling it inside after the aura fades away. She then pushes her upper body back outside and waves down to the redhead below. "Thanks Pyrrha!"
When she comes back inside she closes the window with a very satisfied smile on her face. Presenting the gun to May.
"Why... How? Ruby I am very confused and slightly worried right now." May admits taking her rifle in hand and relaxing just a little more. Like a very small rock was removed from her shoe that she hadn't noticed but was still bothered by on some level.
"Well I know you're bored and uncomfortable up here alone most of the time and without your rifle. Since I can't spend all my time up here with you keeping you from getting bored I could at least get your rifle to you." Ruby replies watching as May trails her fingers over her weapon for a moment with a small smile before leaning it against the side of her bed and motioning Ruby over.
The red cloaked girl takes the invitation. Laying down after flaring her cloak so it will cover them both. Smiling as she feels May's fingers run through her short hair.
"Thank you Ruby, that was really sweet. You mentioned Pyrrha. I take it she helped you get it up here? No, wait... Don't tell me." May says suddenly her brow furrowed in thought before she blinks looking at her rifle and grinning. "Oh I get it! That's really clever... Wow that Mercury kid is pretty good if he figured it out just from watching her fighting in that sparring class." May mutters trailing off before grinning at Ruby.
"It's telekinesis right? That's her Semblance isn't it?" She asks with an assurance that Ruby can't help but grin at.
"You're close but not quite there. And I'm not going to tell you, that wouldn't be fair unless you want me to tell her yours as well." Ruby replies.
"Pfft, 'Push' isn't all that impressive once you figure out how it works. Just adding a little kinetic force and direction." She replies wrapping the arm without the IV around Ruby's waist.
'That's not right, I've seen her put that Semblance to use both alone and in her practice with me, it's really impressive. Is she being humble or does she really believe that? Maybe because she lost?' Ruby frowns, her arms moving around May's waist.
"You know you shouldn't be too upset you know. You might not have beaten her but you still stopped the train. It doesn't matter that a few of them got away. What's a few criminals getting away when weighed against the lives of the civilians in downtown?" She mentions feeling May wince and stiffen in her arms before the older girl relaxes again.
"Just like I said. More mature than you seem and a heart more beautiful than any other." May murmurs leaning her head down to bury her nose into Ruby's hair.
Blushing gently at the praise, she handles it better alone with May than she would if they had been out around their friends.
"When did you say that?" Ruby asks not remember having heard her say anything quite like that before.
"Hmm? Oh maybe an hour or two ago? My ex came by to make sure I was doing okay. And as dubious as that sounds, she's straight remember?" May reminds Ruby quickly. Not that Ruby has ever been a really jealous person, but being alone with an ex is already enough to invite scrutiny. Still, with a grin she goes on. "We worked out some of the awkwardness that built up after the breakup, which was nice. And I got to brag about you, which was great."
Ruby groans, already imagining all the boasting May had done. Of the two of them the older girl seemed far more exuberant about making their relationship as public as possible. Ruby wasn't trying to hide it really, but she wasn't actively spreading the word either. Nor was she used to having someone so eager to expound upon her virtues.
'It does feel nice to hear it though.' She admits to herself, smiling into May's side. Before blinking. 'Wait... when did this become about her complimenting me?' She thinks mentally rewinding the conversation before realizing what May's trying to do and poking her in the side.
"Hey, no changing the subject. I was reminding you that you can't beat yourself up over losing to a skilled opponent when you still accomplished something so amazing. And you fought your way out of everything to get back here. That was no small feat May." Ruby insists while lifting her head and raising a hand to May's eye patch. Lifting it so she can look into both of the steel blue orbs.
May frowns in response for a moment before tilting her cheek into Ruby's hand and giving a smile. "Fine, alright you win. I'll quit moping about it. Still don't have to like that I lost though." The sniper adds.
"I don't like that you lost either. She tortured you May. I don't expect that to just go away, that would be stupid. I just don't like seeing you wallowing in it. If you need someone to talk to about it I'm sure there are professors you can go to here, or your doctor. I'll try to help too but I'm not a professional." Ruby adds, lowering May's eyepatch again before dropping her head onto May's shoulder.
"Changing the subject." May comments after a long moment of the two silently enjoying each other's company. The words draw Ruby's attention upwards again only to immediately grow worried as she spots the flirty mischievous look of the older girls face.
"I was reminded recently that I can't let you get into my pants until, at minimum, your next birthday." The sniper comments grinning wildly. "So if you're hoping to take advantage of me in my hospital gown, I regret to inform you that I will have to at least put up a token resistance." May informs the increasingly blushing Ruby.
"Wh-what?!" The shorter girl gets out before getting a commiserating and infuriating pat on the shoulder from her girlfriend who is clearly enjoying her embarrassment far too much for the sad look to be even close to looking real.
"I know, I know, but that's the unwritten rule about age gaps. Half your age plus seven. If your partners age falls below the result then it's inappropriate. I'm eighteen. So half is nine plus seven you get sixteen." She says in a tone that is clearly trying to be solemn but is spoiled horrifically by her amusement. "So I'm sorry Ruby, the most I'll bend on the rule is a little groping."
She says that but her hand remains firmly around Ruby's waist. Not straying towards anywhere the younger girl might not be comfortable with. The line between encouraging Ruby and pushing her clearly drawn and adhered to by the older girl.
The fact that May seems to have no problem at all teasing her relentlessly from the safe side of the line makes crossing it herself an increasingly frustrating experience. The image of May's naked body still burned into her memory. Recalled with perfection, every curve and dip of May's body in profile with every teasing flirtation.
The best and worst part being that even having gotten an eye full of May, it hadn't included her favorite part of the older girl, leaving her mind free to continue imagining the snipers posterior.
To say May had been paying occasional, lecherous, visits to Ruby's dreams would be like saying diving into a lake will sometimes get you wet. So far a night has not gone by that the young girl hasn't woken up bothered.
Her birthday couldn't come fast enough at this rate.
Yes, she was very frustrated indeed.
With a groan, Ruby tries to cut off that line of thought, drawing her hood over her head again while ignoring the chuckles coming from the older girl and plotting some kind of revenge.
~MZ~
After Ruby left, May drank her water and ate the dried nutrient bars. She didn't like them but still preferred them to Nolan's immunity booster drinks. At least the bars only had one consistency… even if it was of cardboard. There seemed to be a trend forming with them because the flavor matched. If a nurse were to walk in and apologize for giving her pieces of the box the food was supposed to come in, instead of the food itself, she would not be surprised.
Still, she could see one of those immunity boosters in her near future. The scratching feeling in her throat was the warning. Next will come the sniffling. Then the headache as her sinuses clog. Maybe if she's lucky her fever won't run too high.
The sniper scoffs at the mere thought.
She's never that lucky.
Still, she is in a somewhat different position than normal, having rather prominent medical care just outside the door. She would have to let the next nurse or the good doctor herself know when they came in. But first to hide her rifle. Her first thought is as childish as any, stuffing it under the mattress. She had even tried but the mattress was too thin to hide the weapon.
She briefly considered trying to hide it in the cushions of the couch in her room meant for visitors. But that would mean removing her IV and hopping across the room. Which would not only be monumentally stupid should she get caught but also defeat the purpose of having it nearby for comfort. Knowing someone would soon be in for her food tray now that Ruby had left to train with her team the sniper was in a bit of a small panic. She has the brief thought to take the rifle apart and hide the pieces in her pillow case.
It needed to be cleaned after the mission. Now it would leave Dust residue all over the pillow if she tried that. With a roll of her eyes she lays it on the bed next to her. Carefully pulling up the nice folded blanketing and unfolding it so it lay across both herself and 'Ruby's side' of her bed before hitting the nurse call button.
'No way is this going to work.'
It doesn't take long for a nurse to come in to take the tray of food even as May turns her head to address the woman. "Hey, would you mind asking Dr. Green to come by when she has a minute? I think I'm getting sick." May asks getting a nod in return before the Sniper turns her head to the side her gaze lingering on the closed window.
'I wonder how high up I am. I wasn't conscious when they brought me in so I don't have any idea. High enough that my rifle needed to be floated up to get here.' She speculates before closing her eyes and letting herself drift slowly towards unconsciousness.
"So you're sick, huh?" The voice of her Doctor cuts through the almost dream she was having. Pulling her towards the waking world. Having no concept of how long she had been in her dozing half asleep state May only shrugs in response.
"Symptoms?" The doctor asks picking up Mays chart and moving the blanket out of her way so she can look at the machine around May's thigh again.
"Sore throat. You have my medical records right?" May asks, waiting for Doctor Green's nod before continuing. "Oh good, then I don't have to explain it all. I'm getting a cold. I get them a lot so I know how they feel at the start. I'm already getting the urge to sniffle so I'm sure my sinuses will start acting up next right?"
"More than likely if it is a cold. I'll have medication added to treat the symptoms. It shouldn't cause you too much discomfort since we're going after it early. But there will still be some of course. And if we give you fluids I expect you to drink them. Now open your mouth so I can have a look." She intones, clearly brooking no argument as she puts a mask over her face to cover her mouth and nose before using a wooden stick to hold May's tongue down while her other holds a flash light.
She looks around a moment before sighing and tossing the spoon and pocketing the light. "Yup, your throat is inflamed. You're probably right about having a cold. I want you to put on one of these masks when you have a guest in the room. No point in spreading it around." She mentions setting a canary-yellow face mask on May's bedside table.
It clashes horribly not just with her eye patch but with her hair, her blanket and her hospital gown. Frankly, it looks ridiculous on her, and judging by the amused look in the doctor's eyes it's completely intentional.
With all the grace and dignity a hospitalized girl with an eye patch can manage May picks up the mask and slips it on. Her visible eye narrowed in silent challenge as Dr. Green shakes her head leaving the room. Thankfully unaware of the relieved sigh May lets out as she pats the blanket next to her under which her rifle lays.
She'll have to ask Ruby for a cleaning kit soon. If the Dust residue is left alone too long it can do weird things to barrels. Like forming ice and jamming the firing mechanism. With a wary eye she lifts her blanket to look at the rifle with suspicion.
'Definitely need to clean you soon.'
AN:I finished another one. how about that. It was actually done yesterday but I don't like posting chapters after noon. and I was at work when CS got it back to me so you had to wait.
Expect the next chapter to be a bit on the shorter side. There's only so much I can write about how riveting a stay in the hospital can be. Anyone who's ever been in a hospital bed will know. It's about as interesting as watching your fingernails grow and I'm quickly running out of ideas and jokes. But it should also be the last chapter she's in there as (in case you didn't notice) I've taken the liberty of skipping over a few days here and there. Tournament time is coming up and I'm eager to get us there at least before Volume 4 starts.
For those who might not get the half your age plus seven thing. I actually borrowed it from a harry potter fanfic "A Black Comedy." (the second recommendation) It's hilarious and I highly recommend it.
To my lovely Reviewers! A special thank you to AntonSlavik020, CinderBurn, Yaksher, kevindynamite, and Shaded122. A big thank you to my Beta CS, and finally a shout out to Archer1eye Thank you for sending so many wonderful readers my way.
I hope you enjoyed this story so far. I love you, and I'll see you all next time.
