Chapter 7

Hey guys what's-

Disclaimer: What the hell man?!

What?

Disclaimer: You put me and Waiver on your favorite pairings! What the hell?!

What? You two are cute together.

Disclaimer: We're not even together!

Waiver: *whispers* Not yet anyways.

Disclaimer: What was that?

Waiver: Nothing!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Ugh, we don't own Ruby.

For once, Cardin actually tried to pay attention in class, he really did. However it was a hopeless effort. No matter how hard he tried his eyes just kept returning to those two long, brown ears. He couldn't help but wonder how soft they might feel as he never got the chance to appreciate the shining fur. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. What was wrong with him? Ever since they got back two weeks ago, Cardin couldn't get the Faunus girl out of his mind. Every time he was alone with his thoughts they would wonder towards the older student. Cardin would never admit it but looking at her now he thought she was actually . . . cute. Cardin shook his head again and growled lowly under his breath.

"Mr. Winchester, if you have something to say you are welcome to say it."

Cardin jumped slightly when he noticed Professor Oobleck standing above him. Others were watching him silently, including her. He breathed through his nose and composed himself.

"No sir," he said calmly. "I don't have anything to say."

"Hhmm, then perhaps you'd be willing to answer the question I asked the class?"

Cardin groaned on the inside. "What was the question?" he asked. A few giggles from his fellow students made his teeth clench.

"I had asked how long it took for the Treaty ending the Faunus war to be reached once the ceasefire was called."

Cardin groaned on the inside. Again. "I don't know," he said while trying to suppress a scowl. The Professor simply nodded before turning away from him.

"Perhaps staying after class will help you to focus."

Cardin groaned for real this time. He knows for a fact that it won't help him focus.

-0

Velvet let out a big sigh as she collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. The day couldn't end fast enough and she still had more classes to go to. She just didn't get it. Ever since she was let out of the infirmary last week all she could think about was Cardin. It didn't help that she visited him every day. Because of all the broken bones he received he was kept in another week so she brought it on herself to bring him the work he missed. He always accepted with a polite nod and a 'Thank you.' It got even worse when he came back to class. She had to physically restrain herself from looking back at him while in class. She groaned into the pillow. She just couldn't get him out of her head! Her mind kept wandering back to their time in the forest. His soft grin, his blue eyes, his strong arms, his broad chest-

She groaned again while bumping her head into the pillow causing a small 'thump.'

"Lien for your thoughts?"

She glanced up slightly to see her leader sitting on the bed next to her. She shook her head into the pillow. Coco smirked. She was so cute sometimes.

"The rest of us are going to go to lunch, you coming?" Again she shook her head. Coco frowned slightly. "Something wrong bun?"

Velvet was silent for a while, almost to the point where Coco thought she wouldn't answer, but she finally mumbled something into pillow.

"What was that? I didn't catch that."

"It's Cardin," she said so quietly the beret wearing girl almost didn't hear her. Coco's frown deepened.

"Cardin? I thought he was being nicer to you the last couple weeks. What happened?"

"Nothing's happened," she said quietly again. "I just . . ." What could she say? That for the past two weeks all she could think about was Cardin? The mere thought of it made her blush. Something that did not go unnoticed by her leader.

Coco was thrown for a loop. Something about Cardin was making her act like this; she couldn't talk about it, now she's even blushing! What was she-?

"Oh my God," she said as a thought dawned on her. "You like Cardin!"

Velvet shot up in an instant, almost knocking Coco from the bed.

"What?!" She practically screamed, her face flushed a deep red. "I don't like him!"

"Oh my God you do!"

"I do not!"

"The blush doesn't lie bun," she said with an arrogant smirk. Velvet sputtered and stammered but she couldn't get anything else out. She scrambled off the bed and out the door, calling back once more.

"I don't like him!"

-0-

Oh my God I like him.

How did this happen? Sure Cardin has been a lot nicer these past few weeks, and they came to an understanding in the forest, and she realized he was more than some jerk, and he certainly was handso- No! She would not finish that thought! She doesn't like him! This is just some infatuation from him saving her! Except that she saved him. Dammit logic, why do you have to keep coming up?! Velvet groaned as she continued walking down the empty hallway. Or at least it was until she bumped into something hard and was knocked to the ground.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly while looking up to who she bumped into. "I wasn't looking where I was-Cardin?!"

-0-

Cardin breathed deeply as he walked through the halls of Beacon towards the cafeteria.

Okay Cardin, you can do this. He thought to himself. It's just asking Velvet out for a thank you dinner. What's so hard about that?

Everything apparently. Cardin had difficulty walking in the direction of Velvet. His heart hammered like a jack rabbit (pun not intended) and he wasn't even asking yet! He closed his eyes and breathed deeply trying to calm himself. He can do this; he can do this, he can-

His mantra was interrupted as he was knocked into by someone turning the corner.

"I'm sorry," said a very familiar voice. "I wasn't looking where I was-Cardin?!"

He looked down to see the girl he was looking for on the floor in front of him. As he stared into her eyes he could swear he saw the slightest bit of fear in them. He frowned slightly at realizing that it was because of him. He shook his head before reaching his hand out to her.

"It's alright, I wasn't either," he said, his frown being replaced with a small smile. Velvet seemed to calm a bit as she grabbed his hand and was pulled to her feet but she still seemed nervous. He was too come to think of it. He scratched the back of his head lightly.

"So uh, you . . ." Come on Cardin ask her! "Want to . . ." Ask her! "Head to lunch?" Damn it!

Velvet blushed slightly but nodded. Without saying a word they both turned and headed for the cafeteria.

-0-

Things immediately became awkward the moment they entered the lunch room. As they walked down the rows of tables, all around them people were staring. And why wouldn't they? Cardin and Velvet walking together? It was crazy. Cardin did his best to ignore it but Velvet was having a much more difficult time. Luckily by the time they sat down, most of the students turned back to their meals, though they were no doubt talking about what they saw. Cardin and Velvet sat in awkward silence, neither of them touching their food. The tension was so thick they could cut through it with a mace. Cardin breathed deeply trying to psyche himself up. Now was as good a time to ask as any.

"So . . ." This is going to be hard he can already tell.

"So . . ." Velvet said back awkwardly. Cardin sighed.

"Look. I just wanted to . . . to say thank you."

Velvet looked at him with wide eyes. Cardin thanking her? She has now seen everything.

"What for?" She knew what for but she didn't know what else to say.

"For . . . saving me. I wouldn't have made it without you."

Never before. Never before had Velvet ever seen Cardin thank anyone for anything. Not like this. The same feelings she had in the forest came back to her. Cardin really was human, and it made her smile.

"No problem Cardin. I wouldn't have made it alone either." Cardin returned her smile. He looked nice when he smiled, Velvet thought to herself. Cardin then tensed again.

"So I, uh, *cough* so in an attempt at thanking you . . . would you like to . . ." His voice caught in his throat. He just couldn't get it out. Velvet, upon realizing what he was going to ask, blushed heavily.

"Dinner at six?" she asked quietly. Cardin nodded. "I'll meet you at the airship then?" Another nod. "Okay. See you then Cardin." Again he nodded. Velvet got to her feet and left the cafeteria, completely forgetting her food. Cardin released a heavy sigh when she left. He looked back to his food. It took him a moment to realize he was smiling. He couldn't wait for six.

Velvet leaned against the wall in the hallway and slid to the floor, trying to get her thumping heart under control. It took her even longer to realize she was smiling. It was immediately replaced with anxiety.

Did she just ask him on a date?!

-0-

"Hey Weiss?"

"Yes Yang?"

"I didn't hallucinate that did I?"

"No Yang, you are not hallucinating."

Beacon's blonde boxer and ice queen sat in shock at their table. Weiss couldn't believe anyone would willing agree to go on what was obviously a date with that brute of a boy. Especially not Velvet. Yang on the other hand just frowned.

"I'm going to follow them." The heiress almost didn't realize what her teammate just said.

"What?! Why on Remnant would you do that?"

"I don't trust Cardin, someone needs to be sure he doesn't try anything," Yang growled while burning a hole in the back of Cardin's head. The boy shivered when he sensed blood lust but he didn't turn. Weiss sighed in exasperation.

"Fine, we'll meet at the airship at six and trail them." This time it was Yang's turn to be surprised.

"What?! Why do you want to come?"

"Someone has to be sure to keep you in line."

". . . You're lonely while Ruby's away aren't you?"

"W-What, well I never- What does that have to even- yes," she finished with a sigh. Yang smirked her usual smirk.

"Who knew our ice queen was lost without her girlfriend around."

"Shut up, you're the same with Blake!"

"This is true. Now come on Weiss," she reached over and grabbed the heiress, pulling her out of the cafeteria.

"It's open season and we got us a bird and bunny to hunt!"

"Damn it Yang!"

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