Recommended story: "Sound of Silence" by Fallen Shadow69 - An RWBY AU story
Ruby Rose was not nervous. No, really, she was all manner of things all having to do with her soon to be date. Terrified, nauseous, and reconsidering every plan she had for what she was about to do sure. But not nervous. Because to be nervous would be to imply that she wasn't certain about what might happen tonight. And she knows exactly what's going to happen.
'I hope Longshot understands. I just seems so unfair to her. She didn't even do anything wrong. May just snuck in like some kind of adorable, clumsy, stuttering, beautiful ninja.'
The image does make her giggle a bit as she tries to imagine it.
Of course she hadn't told her team her plan either. They like Longshot and she didn't want to risk of any of them trying to convince her to reconsider. That makes it even harder really. Anyone the three of them could agree on had to be really nice. And was probably up there right now actually nervous while Ruby is pondering how to give the bad news.
She takes a step and nearly falls over. The other reason she isn't already up there and starting her date. Her outfit, the stupid lady stilts in a red matching her dress. The dress itself a bit simpler than the one set aside for the dance. a single broad strap going over one shoulder leaving the other exposed and hugging her lithe frame down to her knees. Loose enough for running if she needs to without the dress riding up to high. That was the only demand she could make that her team seemed to find reasonable when she made it just that morning.
She wobbles again and grips the railing for the stairs leading up to the roof tightly to prevent falling again. With a huff she grumbles and starts walking again. She wanted to wear a pair of little red slippers. cute but not overly so. Weiss said no. And well... with what she's about to do she probably should look as good as she possibly can.
'Assuming she even wants the date after I tell her. Ugh why can't people just wear signs. "Hi I'm a perfect match for insert name here" Or like some of those romance books Blake has. Soul mates that are just draw to their perfect match. Just remove all the stupid uncertainty of dating and crushing on someone. You could just walk up to someone and be all like "Hey hold my hand I wanna see if we're meant to be together forever. You feel anything? Me neither, well we can still be friends!" Yea, that would be awesome.'
One thing she's happy for right now is that being here means she's not still around her team and listening to all the subtle reminders that they know who Longshot is, how nice the girl is, how happy Ruby will be tonight, and how she should calm down.
'I wasn't even freaking out! They were stressing out over it all more than I was. Besides, I doubt I'm going to be to happy tonight if this goes as awkwardly as it likely will. Maybe we can still be friends though?'
Ruby gets to the door she sighs and takes a deep streadying breath before opening the door and quickly stepping through. Her mouth moving before her eyes even find the other girl.
"Hey Longshot, before we start I have to tell you something! I have a crush on someone else, but we can... still..."
Ruby trails off her eyes finding the other girl. It's May, her 'not pink' hair completely exposed and lacking in a hat. Ruby freezes as her mind struggles to make the obvious logic jump and connecting what she knows with what she's just found out and the implications therein. Sniper, from Vacuo, team approves, the entire competition was started because Longshot admitted to having issues with social situations. But May went with her to Vale! Longshot was terrified of crowds. And Ruby blinks recalling that conversation. 'She said she would do it if I asked... and I did.'
She seemed to linger to long however as May's expression goes from a nervous smile to fear listening to her words and landing on sadness. Her visible eye tearing up as the salty fluid streaks down her jawline. She stands still before slumping and turning. She breaks into a run grabbing her rifle from it's place leaning against the railing.
The movement seems to break Ruby from her stunned silence and she reaches forward taking a few staggering steps. "M-may! Wait that's not wh- May!"
Ruby panics as she watches May steps over the ledge and drop. The red girl forced to kick off her heels in order to get to the ledge and look down. Spotting the sniper rounding a corner. Only this time Ruby knows where she's going. She bites her lip and looks back at her heels discarded on the roof. She looks around again and spots the platter of sweets on a little folding table, the ruffled fabric covering the table telling a story of how many times the tray had been re positioned to be just right.
There's only a moment of thought after looking before it before the only things left on the roof are a pair of discarded heels, a carefully prepared platter of sweets, and a scattering could of rose petals forming a trail back to the door as they slowly drift away and vanish.
~Earlier on the roof with May~
May has to force herself to stop pacing first, and then to move away from the folding table so she'll stop moving the tray back and forth. She shivers hugging herself and rubbing her arms to try and rid herself of the goosebumps forming. She has no idea what's making her feel colder the ball of self depreciating ice in her stomach or the actual breeze moving the cool night air. Probably the latter as she's eighty percent certain the former is a figment of her imagination considering ice forming inside her stomach would point to a very serious medical issue and she would likely be in a great deal of pain.
There would be screaming at the very least she's sure.
She looks over at her rifle again wishing she could take the time to take it apart and put it back together again as a calming experience... or maybe fire a few rounds? surely no one would even know so long as she left the silencer on. Her hands tug again on the hem of her dress. Before moving up to tug down the hat that isn't on her head. A fact that still causes her an undue amount of unease. Instead she just checks her hair clip again and flattens out her bangs over her eye needlessly before forcing her hands to wrap around her chest again more to keep them from doing anything.
She glances at her rifle again and takes a step before she hears the door handle move. Her eye locking on it with trepidation as her heart thuds loudly in her chest. The sound of her blood rushing through her veins flooding her ears loud enough to deafen. Then it all falls quiet.
The door opens and the beautiful ebon haired girl steps through in a rush. May's mouth runs dry as she tries to school her expression into a smile. It comes out nervous but it's the best she can manage as she focuses next on her arms. Ruby however has already started talking halting her hands halfway.
'No' Her hands clench as her eye goes wide.
'No, please.' The clump of ice that had been thawing in the shorter girls presence solidifies again in a painful hoarfrost.
'This isn't what I wanted. I tried so hard.' She doesn't even feel the tears as they leak down her cheeks. Her chest constricting so tight the sobs she is certain would come soon are temporarily held at bay.
The sound of blood rushing returns to her ears as she turns away and hurries to her rifle. Grabbing the comforting weight of Longshot she steps over the ledge and drops. activating her semblance on the way down. A simple Semblance with a simple name and simple ability. A simple Semblance for a simple girl. It's just called 'Jump'. One can imagine what it lets the shy girl do.
In this case, it lets her hit the ground without the slightest strain before hurrying away. Looking for a place warm and small to crawl into. Like the shower in her teams room. Yes that will work wonderfully. Her feet already taking her there. The shy girl can't even bring herself to look back at the ledge she dropped from and completely misses the flash of red petals fading away in the breeze.
Her breath comes in shallow gasps. Her rifle clutched tight to her chest at the cold stiff comfort of her first friend. Her steps slow despite her effort to reach safety quickly. She looks up at the guest building spotting a light on in NDGO's room and in the kitchen. Her friends no doubt enjoying the evening talking about how well it's going for the shy sniper.
Her mind grips her harshly with thoughts of how she failed them. She gets into the elevator and presses her floor after a moment spent with her finger hovering over the one that would take her to the kitchen.
She can't bare to let them see her failure. If she goes to them now she won't be able to hold herself together under their hopeful gazes. No point in spoiling their fun.
Stepping from the elevator she heads to her room almost missing the girl standing in front of her teams room until she's only five feet from the short girl. She might have missed her entirely had Ruby not moved between her and the safety of her room.
"H-hey May."
"R-ruby p-please... I... I can't. J-just l-leave me alone. I n-need t-to be alone f-for now." May pleads, her throat rough and raw as she forces herself to speak. Unable to hide the pain after fighting it so hard just to get those words out.
Ruby noticed, at least if the wince was anything to go by. Still, she doesn't move her eyes wide and pleading as she speaks again. the pools of silver boring holes of fresh pain in May's chest. "Please May. I just need to tell you something. Just one thing. Then I'll go if you want alright?"
The sniper tries to shake her head and refuse. She tries really hard. But she can't bring herself even now to refuse the earnest longing in the shorter girl and sighs before nodding her head refusing to try and talk again.
Ruby takes it as intended and clears her throat her eyes looking everywhere else but at May now as she starts to speak. "S-so May. A week ago I got an invitation to play a game with someone who was interested in me."
May frowns, she knows the story before she opens her mouth though Ruby looks at her again holding up a hand to forestall her.
"She called herself Longshot. She left me notes, gave me her number and made these beautiful little roses for me. Elaborate, eloquent, and all without ever letting me see who she was." Ruby goes on her lips forming a small smile as her eyes look a bit distant.
"She even let my team meet her to make sure they would approve of her. They did of course. and the teasing was relentless. Especially from my sister." She adds rolling her eyes. "She had me interested right from the start though. I was convinced I was talking and flirting with my first girlfriend. There was just one problem." Ruby adds with a wan smile.
"You May, you were my problem." She adds and has to hold up her hand again. "I'm not done, please let me finish. It wasn't anything wrong. You were just so pretty and sweet and funny, I've never seen anyone's weapon malfunction so badly and I went through the trial and error phase of building Crescent Rose. Seriously watching that axe blade shoot out was great, but the look on your face? That shy embarrassment was amazing."
"More than that though. Here's this pretty girl who I can't stop rambling around but still just smiles and laughs it off. I left every meeting with you with a smile on my face that just wouldn't go away. I mean Longshot was interesting and could get a blush when she complimented me." She comments to a now very confused May. "But around you? Jabbering, red faced, embarrassed mess and still grinning like an idiot. Chasing around Longshot was fun and exciting. But getting you to smile was so much better than any of that. I ached to see more of them."
That gets a blush from the sniper as she lowers her head a bit, trying to hide her face at an angle. Still, she remains silent letting Ruby finish.
"So yesterday I was rather torn when I lost my little competition. Here's Longshot, A girl I promised myself I would give a chance after she went through so much just to get my attention. And, all I can think about is how I'm going to tell her that I've fallen for someone else. A girl with a sniper rifle. Who seems to be perpetually cold and always carrying around her rifle. Who's idea of a good time is teaching me how to make my own ammo. Who doesn't seem to mind at all when I lose myself in a weapons magazine and argues the merits of a semi-auto against a bolt action."
May opens her mouth again her pain and anguish melting away slowly. That cold ball thawing as heat rekindles in her chest under her skin. "F-fallen for m-"
"Still not done, almost there though." Ruby adds a small smile on her face as she moves herself back into May's line of sight so she can look into that steel blue orb. "I had a date tonight and I meant to go up to the roof and tell her that I couldn't be her girlfriend. I think I messed it up though because she ran off. I'll have to apologize if I see her again. Still, I did it. And now I'm here. because I want to tell you that... I like you. And to ask, will you be my girlfriend?"
She says it so simply. Her eyes sparking with hopeful exuberance. Her entire body rocking back and forth on dirty feet. As tension settles in her shoulders. Oh the worry is there too. Fear that her words earlier ruined everything.
May looks at her for a long minute. More a test of herself to find out just how long she can bare against that look before she finally caves. Her head nodding a little before her voice thick with emotion finally can be heard again. A quiet and shy "Okay" escaping those lips as she shifts herself a bit.
She almost trips as a red bullet slams against her. Thinly muscled arms wrapping around her waist squeezing her with shocking strength. the embrace made awkward by the weapon May had been clinging to. Still, she manages to work her arms from between them so she can tentatively hug the smaller girl back. Her timid smile growing as she pulls the shorter girl closer. The tears that had stalled earlier now coming again.
Ruby lets her go and May does so as well with a look of confusion and worry. Already worried she did something wrong to ruin things already. The worry is soothed though with one look at the bright happy smile on Ruby's lips.
"So May... I was supposed to have a date tonight. But my date ran off. She left all the stuff for the date on the roof. Think she would mind if we used it for our own first date?" The little team leader asks getting a broader smile from May and a shake of the head.
"No, I don't think she will m-mind at all." The sniper replies. blushing as Ruby gives a small cheer and takes her hand. Unlike the last time however, this time their fingers slide together interlocking and judging from the small blush sprouting on Ruby's cheeks, it's intentional.
They make it outside the guest building before May notices how gingerly Ruby is stepping and she pulls her new girlfriend to a stop. "R-ruby are you okay? You look like it hurts you." She asks looking at Ruby's feet in concern.
"Oh it's nothing I just had to run here barefoot since I can hardly even walk in heels. And when you're moving at speed like that the friction can get kinda rough. I'll be a bit sore." She replies unabashedly and utterly unrepentant.
May frowns and pulls Ruby over to a bench. "S-stand on the bench." She orders softly and a confused Ruby complies. She understands a moment later blushing darkly when May turns around to give the shorter girl her back. "C-climb on. We can get there faster and you d-don't have to hurt yourself if I carry you." May orders trying to sound firm. It instead comes out at best shy and hopeful. It's more effective than her intention would have been anyway.
Ruby climbs on her chest pressing against the shoulder blades of the taller sniper. her arms wrapped around Mays neck and she makes a little squeaking noise when May uses Longshot as a platform. slipping her arms around it behind her back and drawing it up to work like a seat for the shorter girl as they walk.
When they reach the dorm building however instead of heading inside May walks around to where she leapt from earlier. "H-hold on tight okay?" She asks getting a comfortable squeeze from the red girl before bending down and activating her semblance. Leaping up onto a street lamp before doing it again to clear the ledge of the roof.
At first worried after Ruby's grip tightened quite a bit before the second longer jump she's almost immediately cured of it after Ruby gives a little cheer. "That was so awesome!" A smile on May's lips as she sets Ruby down in a chair moving to close the door to the roof and taking the discarded heels for her date before returning. Setting the footwear next to the girl who glares balefully at the two innocent shoes getting a small giggle from the taller sniper as she takes her own seat at the table.
There's a pause between them until May waves her hand at the platter for Ruby to pick something. She herself picks a small tart. and Ruby goes right for one of the roses in the center. Another stretch of quiet until Ruby looks up at May and smiles finally asking the first of two questions May knew would come eventually. "So... Longshot?"
May chuckles and points to the rifle leaning innocently against the side of the table. "Ruby Rose, meet Longshot. My r-rifle." Ruby giggles and waves at the rifle as if it were a person. taking a bite of the Rose in her hands.
"I hope Yang wasn't to h-hard on you about knowing me. If I thought they were g-going to bother you to much I would have made them leave us alone when w-we went into town." May mentions a tiny frown on her lips.
"No more than her sisterly duties allow I'm sure. Wait! They were following us?" Ruby asks her eyes wide. "Wow, I wonder how she resisted constantly elbowing me about when you kissed my cheek." She says and they both blush at the memory. When they look at each other again the blushes deepen but they also start to laugh.
When they finally stop. They're smiling and May blinks noticing Ruby is no longer opposite on the table. Having moved her chair next to her. The sniper is baffled as she can't remember when exactly that happened. But doesn't complain in the slightest when Ruby leans her head on the taller girls arm. "Say May, I'm curious.."
May tenses immediately biting her lip, she knows what's coming and it's not something she even wants to hide from Ruby. Still the worry that it will ruin everything is very much there. Ruby seems to feel her tense and speaks up. "You don't have to tell me or anything May. I'm just curious it doesn't change anything I've said so far. But why do you always cover that eye?"
May pulls away a bit and Ruby's eyes widen. Her lips moving to start rambling again realizing she must have stepped on a big landmine. But she quiets almost immediately when May places a finger on her lips.
The shy sniper bites her lip and visibly hesitates. She doesn't say anything as a vulnerable look crosses her face. An animal tensing to run just in case it hears something threatening fits her almost to a tee as she lifts her hand to her bangs. drawing the hair upwards.
She winces hearing the soft gasp from Ruby as mild scarring mars that corner of her face. The eye there a dull milky white standing in stark contrast to the other that is already watering. Her mind shouting at her and lamenting how little time she had with her jewel.
She squeezes her eyes closed but doesn't lower her hand yet. She hears nothing and is certain when she looks again Ruby will be gone. So she doesn't look. Not until she feels a small hand with rough calloused fingers slide across the scars. A soft gasp escapes her and her eyes open again. Lashes fluttering against Ruby's hand. She sees Ruby looking back her soft silver eyes staring back into May's good eye.
"What happened?" Ruby asks calmly without removing her hand and May moves her head into the light caress gently.
"B-bleach, when I was a little kid and didn't know any better my mother was cleaning. I learned to walk and was running all over. She was cleaning, I ran over and t-tripped. It was before I had aura obviously. I know it c-could have been worse but... it's still not something pretty to look at." May comments missing the touch immediately when Ruby pulls her hand away only to blush darker than her hair when her girlfriend leans in planting her lips there before pulling back with a small smile.
"It's not so bad May, I don't think you need to hide it. But you could wear a really cool eye patch!" Ruby comments instantly excited by the idea making May giggle helplessly as the tears from earlier fall freely. Ruby looks worried until May's arms grab her and pull her in tightly.
A softly whispered "Thank you so much." follows getting a little shake of the head as the smaller girl shifts to get more comfortable in the embrace.
"I've been hunting after you for a week, I'm not letting you get away this soon." Ruby replies to be rewarded by a chocked giggle and a tighter hug. "Hey May?"
The sniper doesn't let up on her embrace at all her head resting on Ruby's shoulder. "Yes Ruby?"
"Aren't you cold? I mean... you're not wearing much, not even your cloak." Ruby asks.
The sniper blinks and considers the question before shaking her head. "Not even a little. I blame the warm company."
"That is so cheesy." Ruby replies giggling in response.
"Blame Dew, I always do. Still, it's also very true." May replies with a little smile as she leans back from the embrace a bit. Her eye seeking Ruby's silvers. When they look she sees a question mirrored back and the sniper is helpless to do anything but respond leaning down slightly. Her head tilting as her lips meet with those of her girlfriends. The pair shudder in delight melting together. The shy sniper resists the urge to sigh in joy in favor of continuing to lock her lips with those of the smaller girl. They break apart and are left gasping for air.
"Y-you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." May comments blushing brilliently.
"About a week?" Ruby replies with a cheeky little smile before they both devolve into helpless giggles. slowly they get themselves back under control blue steel meeting silver again holding each other in place with the feeling of electricity running up and down their spines.
Neither will be able to tell you after who pulled who back in. The recounts conflict but neither witness ever seemed to mind.
~FIN~
AN:
That's it. That's the story. This chapter is twice the length of my standard chapters and involved 7 hours straight of nightcore, an entire tank from my vaporizer, an e-cig cartridge and two monsters. But I promised this would be the last one. well... the last one relevant to the story that is. there are a number of bonus chapters I'll write at my leisure as well as two alternate endings. Those endings will be written as separate one shots though... maybe. I dunno I'll do what I feel like when I write them I guess.
This chapter made me worry, cry, and laugh while writing it. It was easily the most emotionally draining thing I've ever written. I don't regret it even slightly. I loved writing this story. I loved knowing that you all were reading along and enjoyed it as much if not more than I did. No more secrets from me. if there was something I didn't answer I will happily answer it now.
Most of you are probably aware by now that I have already started the next story. but I'm going to take a little break now. expect the next post for MK:MZ in a week or so. Then again, we all know how good I am at keeping away from a story I really want to write so... eh? Maybe sooner? I don't know so I cant answer.
Well, let's get to the reviewer responses.
AntonSlavik: Ahh. Could you PM me the name of it? I'll at it to my growing list of "to be read" fics. And, well, Gwen did help. she's the one who questioned Ruby's team to learn more about the girl from them instead of going along with Dew's "Careful observation" (read stalking)
Archer1eye & RatedRSuperstar: It is indeed date chapter. I had to sit my muse down at the beginning and tell her "I don't care how crazy we get. how many little things we add or how far away we get. we are coming back after to finish this story and hit these points. thankfully she was merciful and didn't pull me of course. I hope you two have enjoyed this.
Imoshen: It happens. I got over it. it's easier to rewrite than it is to write from scratch because I have an Idea of what I've already written it's just reconnecting those things and it's just time intensive and draining. Hehe, well I hope the final eye reveal was satisfying for you. And I hope you've enjoyed this story.
Inkboy: I'm glad you did, I hope you love this just as much if not more.
Shaded: I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I hope you like this one too. As for the cloak question, Yes, May has both cloaks. No, Ruby didn't know that. May left the store with the white one and had the groupd following them pick up the other for her. refer back to the second half of their not-a-date When May messages Dew.
Knight: Congratulations on snagging my 100th review XD
BrownTeddyBear: I'm glad you decided to stop by. I hope it was well worth your attention.
KevinDynamite: I write using q10. and I THOUGHT I had saved it like I always do. but apparently not... or I was saving it to the wrong place because I couldn't find it later. either way I downloaded Lazarus add-on for firefox so It shouldn't happen to me again. And finally. As I've mentioned I'm very unlikely to ever keep up a schedule like this again. this past month has seen me scratching my head to find a moment when I had some free time that wasn't spent in front of a keyboard typing.
s-117: I have contacted you, and I'm awaiting your work eagerly. I hope you're enjoying the story too! I had meant for people to contact me through PM's but I guess through the reviews works too XD
Lord Lock: I hope I answered your questions :3 Also I promise that while I haven't yet. your story is on a rather impressive list of things I have to read. and hopefully will now have the free time to do so.
in closing:
At the time of writing this 105 reviews, 122 favorite, and 203 follows. over five thousand visitors this month alone. I am so very happy this story has gotten as much attention as it has. It's been an amazing experience writing this and I love you all so very, very much. I can not tell you how much your support has meant. But for now? I'll see you all next time.