A/N: Thanks to all loyal readers and reviewers. I am still taking OCs to appear as minor characters. Story ideas and helpful criticism welcome as always.
Chapter Seven: New Cowardice
"Son of a bitch," Weiss cursed the kitchen knife as she dropped it. The stainless steel blade clattered on the table. a gash oozed red liquid from the heiress' left index finger, staining her skin a deep crimson; she rushed for a paper towel and wrapped it around the wound.
"What's wrong?" Weiss' roommate called from the bedroom.
"This damned cutlery. It's so dull that it crushes everything I try to slice except my hand," The white haired girl complained. She run her bloodied digit under the sink and let out a sigh from the pain relief that the cold liquid brought upon her. "This is the second time this week."
"Are you alright?" Ruby grew worried; her love was hurt, and the underage freshman saw aiding her damsel in distress as her duty. She walked into the kitchen to find a bleeding heiress in obvious need of stitches. "Should I take you to the doctor or something?"
"No, I'm fine." Much like Yang, the young girl knew when Weiss attempted deception.
"Weiss, this looks really bad." Ruby took her friend's hand in her own and examined the nicked finger. "I really think you need to get this patched up."
"I said I'm fine."
"And I said you need a doctor."
"No-"
"Damn it, Weiss, I'm taking you to the C.D. whether you like it or not," Ruby snapped. The older girl was taken aback by the outburst and accepted her roommate's offer to take her to the campus doctor. Ruby grabbed several extra paper cloths to add to the makeshift bandage during the long walk and ushered her friend out the door. The medical professional that lived on campus' office sat as close to the student dorms as it could. Unfortunately, Weis and Ruby lived in Building A: the flat on the far outskirt of the dorm blocks, meaning roughly a kilometer from the campus doctor.
By the time the pair arrived at the sanitized building of bleach white, Weiss already felt lightheaded. The doctor, doing nothing at the moment, immediately brought the young heiress inside and into his office. He laced a line of thread down the length of the cut and clipped the string.
"It was a nasty cut, all the way down to the bone. Five stitches were enough. The sutures will be gone in about two or three weeks, if they break or the cut reopens, just come back in," The doctor instructed.
"Thanks."
"And one more thing, Ms. Schnee, if you need to use your 'safe haven...'"
"Of course not."
"All right then."
Weiss and Ruby stepped outside and began the trek back to their dorm. "You want to tell me what's up?" Ruby inquired.
"What do you mean? The giant slice in my hand?"
"Not wanting to go to the C.D., and damn near fighting me over it."
"I just didn't think I needed to waist the time."
"First Yang, now you, huh? Why are you guys acting weird?"
"I'm not acting weird, I just..."
"Just what? Didn't want anyone to think you're weak?"
"What are you-"
"I saw the email from your sister."
"Why the hell were you looking through my email?"
"Sorry, I saw it over your shoulder, but just bits and pieces. How she called you weak for running away to come here."
"You saw all that?" Weiss tried her best to appear furious, but she simply couldn't find the anger within... at least, no anger for Ruby. "Winter is pretty pissed that I left the family plan involving my going to school in Atlas City. If I had stuck to her meticulous scheduling, she wouldn't think me a coward."
"A coward? Why would she say that?"
"If I stayed at Atlesian Acadmy, I would be given a large portion of the Schnee Oil Company's stocks, and would one day take over. Winter thought I was running away from that burden with my tail between my legs by coming to Beacon... that... that I was weak."
"And you believed her after that email."
"Yes." The older girl, always so proud, allowed her head to hang low. "I didn't want you to think that as well."
"And you call me a dolt."
"What?"
"You think I would see you as a coward? That has to be the stupidest thing you have ever said. You are strong, brave, smart, and beautiful. Anyone who thinks differently can screw themselves."
"Th-thanks, Ruby."
"Are you crying?"
Weiss lifter her head up a bit, revealing a slow, but steady stream of salty tears dripping down the heiress' cheeks. Ruby wiped them away and took Weiss' hands in her own once again. The shorter Ruby stood up on her toes and kissed her roommate's cheek, which only brought forth a flinch.
"Ruby..."
"I'm so sorry, I-"
"Shut up, you dolt." Weiss placed both hands on her friend's shoulders and pulled her in to kiss her back, but this time, delicately on Ruby's lips. The dark haired student's eyes shot wide open in shock, but she was calmed by the gentle strokes of her hair brought forth by her companion. The kiss, in the middle of the walkway and frigid air, drew some attention; passersby took notice of the girls as lesbianism was somewhat frowned upon, especially here in southern remnant.
Ruby remained on her toes until she broke the kiss, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
"You earned it." The roommates returned to their apartment hand in hand, smiles on their faces.
"So what are we now? Still roommates? Girlfriends?" Ruby asked, closing the door behind her. She sat next to her friend on the couch and rested her head on Weiss' shoulder.
"Maybe."
"Well, I am going to make that 'maybe' a definitely.'" Ruby pulled down her hood and knelt in front of her 'maybe girlfriend.' "Will you go out with me tonight?"
"If it will get you to quit pestering me."
The knelt girl jumped up and practically strangled Weiss by stealing her sister's bear hug.
"You are such a child."
A/N: I wasn't too happy with this chapter but I needed to get something posted.
