AN: So, here we are. Before we get started I want to apologize for the brevity of this chapter, I understand that it might be a little disappointing considering it follows two of the longer chapters.
"You know," Weiss said, looking up from the book she was reading. "You standing there and looking out the window won't make them come back any sooner."
She watched as Ruby's shoulders slumped. As soon as Yang and Blake had exited the house Ruby had darted to the window, opening the curtain just enough so that she could see outside. Weiss had found it cute at first, her girlfriend running to the window so she could watch after her older sister much like a dog would look after its owner, but they had left nearly an hour ago…
And she still hasn't moved…
"I know," Ruby turned, allowing Weiss to clearly see the concern that was held within the girl's silver-eyes. "I'm just worried."
"About what?" Weiss asked, mentally marking her place within the book as she set it aside. She patted the couch cushion next to her.
"Yang…" Ruby said as she finally walked away from the window and sat down on the cushion that Weiss had indicated. "I've never seen her this nervous for a date before."
I figured as much, Weiss placed, what she hoped was a comforting arm, around her girlfriend's shoulders. "If it helps, I can tell you that Blake was a bundle of nerves as well."
"That much was obvious," Ruby smiled a bit. Weiss's heart warmed at the sight. The smile faded quickly however, as Ruby softly murmured: "I just hope it goes well, they definitely deserve a little break, a little happiness. Especially…after yesterday."
Weiss nodded, unaware if Ruby could see it or not. She most certainly agreed with the girl beside her. The day before had been hard on all of them, but it would be a lie to say that Blake and Yang didn't suffer the most. She shivered as the memories replayed through her head like a bad movie. It had been loud, chaotic, and so, so hot…
She closed her eyes, forcing the unwanted thoughts away. "I'm sure they'll be fine, Ruby." She returned her attention to the girl beside her, giving her a gentle squeeze. "I know you've seen it just like I have. They care too much about each other to hurt one another."
She did her best to sound reassuring to the girl she currently held in her arms. It seemed to work as Ruby leaned closer; her head came to rest lightly against her shoulder. Ruby sighed.
"I guess you're right." Ruby relented, though Weiss could still hear small traces of doubt clinging to the other girl's voice.
"Look," Weiss started, giving Ruby another squeeze. "I know that she's your sister and that you worry about her but sometimes you just have to let things play out."
Ruby shifted against her, the younger girl moving around so that their eyes could interconnect. A smirk played at Ruby's lips.
That's not good…
"So," Ruby drawled, "What your saying is that once your brother is old enough to date, you won't worry?"
Weiss blinked, stunned. I should have known she'd find a way to parry this back onto me...little cookie-monster.
"Of course I won't." She looked away from Ruby, clearing her throat. "…He's not allowed to date, at least not until I've had every background check known to man ran on the person…"
"See, it's not so easy is it!" Ruby laughed, "Your brother isn't even born yet and you're already being overprotective!"
"Shush you," Weiss playfully shoved the laughing Ruby away. A thoughtful look overcame Ruby's eyes as she righted herself from where Weiss had shoved her.
"Speaking of which, his due-date is getting close isn't it?" Ruby asked, a look of curiosity and pure innocence adorning her face.
"Yes actually," Weiss bit back a smile at the look on her girlfriend's face. She wondered if Ruby actually understood how cute she could look at times. "I actually received a message from my mother about it just yesterday."
"And?" Ruby questioned excitement clearly evident in her voice.
Weiss faltered. She had gotten the communication in question early yesterday morning. Before they left to go to Beacon, she had meant to bring it up, but given how things had gone… She hated to admit it, but it had simply slipped her mind. Being faced with the questioning - yet adorable - face of her lover, though, she remembered it clearly.
"They actually want us to come to Atlas…for the birth."
Ruby's eyes and smile brightened for a moment, before quickly fading, "But what about Yang and Blake?"
Weiss shook her head, "You misunderstood, Ruby. They want all of us to come."
Having dated Ruby for as long as she had, there were certain things that Weiss had become used to. The girls almost constant hyper-activeness, her love of absolutely anything cookie or weapon related, and the bouts of whiplash that would occur when Ruby would use her Semblance in order to tackle her in a bone-crushing hug that could rival even Yang's. She found herself experiencing the latter as Ruby, excitedly embraced her; Weiss felt the air leave her lungs as Ruby wrapped herself around her torso.
"Oh my god, that's great!" The bubbly girl exclaimed, "It'll be like a vacation!"
Weiss coughed, choking on nothing as Ruby squeezed her tighter.
"Ruby," She wheezed, "…can't…breathe."
"Oh!" Ruby pulled away, an apologetic look overcoming her face. She scratched the back of her head, "Sorry, Weiss…"
"It's…fine…" Weiss replied; she took several deep breaths, trying desperately to return air to her body.
Once she got her breathing back under control she smiled up at Ruby, who still had the decency to appear sheepish. "It's nothing that I'm not used to."
Ruby nodded, her good hand scratching at the sling and bandages that covered her right arm. She started to say something but the words were lost on Weiss. The heiress's attention having focused in on her injured arm the very moment that she started to scratch at it. Her eyes narrowed as she examined the bindings. The gauze around her wrist had started to turn a sickly-pale-yellow, a far cry from the sterile-white they had once been…
"When was the last time that we changed your bandages?" Weiss asked; her tone serious. Ruby's words died off, her head turning to her injured arm.
"I, uh…" The girl faltered.
Weiss nodded, "That's what I thought, come with me."
She stood up, a hand coming up to offer itself to Ruby, who gladly accepted the offer, her larger hand wrapping around Weiss's more petite appendage. Weiss felt a spark of warmth fly through her at the contact. With Ruby's hand gently clasped within her own she helped Ruby up off the couch, turning around she led them toward the stairs.
"What are we doing?" Ruby asked as they reached the midway point on the stairs.
"Dolt," Weiss said, aiming a smile over her shoulder at Ruby. "Isn't it obvious? We're going to change your bandages."
The smile on her lips deepened as she watched Ruby's lips form an 'o.'
Getting to the top of the stairs, Weiss continued to lead them. They walked down the hall, passing by Blake and then Yang's room until they finally came to the end of the hall. The heiress opened the door to their shared room with practiced ease, allowing it to stand open as she pulled Ruby along behind her, the other girl following without so much as a whisper.
They passed by the queen-sized bed that they shared; its blankets and comforters were strewn all about. It had been Ruby's turn to make it. She pushed the distraction out of her mind, she would fix it herself later.
After she had tended to Ruby's arm.
Weiss continued on, leading them past the bed and their closet, until finally they entered the bathroom. Her free hand flicked the light switch, causing the light above their heads to hum to life. She pulled Ruby deeper into the washroom, allowing her lover to take a seat on top of the toilet lid.
"Now, stay there while I get the kit out." Weiss instructed.
Ruby nodded, "Okay."
Knowing that she had Ruby's full compliance, she turned, attention falling to their vanity. Opening the lower left cabinet, Weiss dug around. Hands searching for the medical-kit that they kept tucked within. She smiled as her hands brushed against the sturdy yet soft material of the bag. Grabbing ahold of its handle she pulled it out, placing it down on-top of the smooth surface of the vanity's counter.
Wasting little time she opened the little blue-bag, eyes searching for the items that she would need, while her hands expertly plucked them out after she had located them. Placing the: gauze, disinfectants, and scissors atop the vanity, she turned back to Ruby. Her eyes trailed over the girl's right arm, the sling and her shirt will need to be removed...
Ruby it seemed came to the same conclusion, as her good hand began untying the sling's strap without Weiss having to say anything. She stood by and idly watched, fighting all the while with the protective side of her that desperately wanted to reach out – to help her – only through sheer force of will could she stay her hand. That and she knew that Ruby would ask for her help, if only after she had extensively proven that she couldn't reach the last strap that was located behind her shoulder…
"…Weiss," Ruby whined, pouty-silver eyes turning to face her. "I can't…"
"Dolt," Weiss said with quiet affection, positioning herself at Ruby's side her hands quickly found the offending buckle. "Let me…"
With a flick of the wrist she managed to undo the buckle that held the sling in place, earning a slight huff from Ruby. She set the sling aside, allowing the black supportive fabric to rest on the rack of towels that stood behind her.
She turned back to her lover, "Will you need my help for this or can you do it?" She asked, referring to the removal of Ruby's crimson blouse. She was met with a smirk that was far more playful and mischievous than any she had ever seen before.
"I thought you loved undressing me?" Ruby teased, eyes sparkling in the warm lighting.
Oh, how she loved those eyes and Ruby was right. She absolutely loved the time she got to spend undres… No, Schnee. Not now!
"Shut up," Weiss snapped, doing her best to sound annoyed rather than flustered. "Do the buttons and I'll help you take it off."
Weiss's misdirection seemed to work as Ruby pouted before she started to undo the buttons of her shirt with her good hand. Weiss watched her work, continuing to feign annoyance; her eyes followed every movement of Ruby's nimble fingers. She's gotten good at this, she thought to herself as Ruby finished undoing the buttons. She remembered back to the first time that Ruby had tried to undress herself in her injured state. It had been…amusing to say the least, the expression that had befallen Ruby's face had not been unlike that of a toddler that was just learning how to walk.
She smiled at the memory, only for it to be shattered as Ruby called out to her.
"Uh, Weiss, a little help? Please?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Weiss turned her attention back to Ruby. Finding that the girl had the left-most portion of the blouse off, the rest of the crimson fabric hung from its purchase against Ruby's right shoulder.
"Of course," Weiss moved to the other girl's side, one hand grabbing at the shirt's cuff, while the other gently rose to clasp around the top near the collar. "Just straighten your arm out a bit."
The sound of a joint popping filled the room as Ruby did as instructed, causing her to wince.
Weiss stopped moving entirely, eyes instantly locking onto her girlfriend's face, irises scanning for any sign of discomfort. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ruby replied, although the slight tinge of pain in her voice said otherwise.
Weiss eyed her warily, grip already loosing around the silk of the shirt. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it was just my elbow."
Hearing Ruby's continued reassurances, Weiss moved forward – albeit much slower than before. Pulling the fabric of the shirt down and over the bandages that covered Ruby's arm – though she kept one eye trained on the other girl's face, watching for any sign of even the slightest amount of pain. None ever came. Reaching Ruby's wrist, Weiss dislodged the shirt from its last hold on her girlfriend; folding it she placed it next to the sink.
"Okay," she said, picking up the scissors from where they lay on the vanity. Shears in hand she turned back to Ruby, eyes locking with orbs of silver. "If it hurts at any time just say and I'll stop."
Ruby gave a short nod.
Satisfied that Ruby would alert her should she become uncomfortable, Weiss gently took her hand. Sliding her thumb beneath the bandage, Weiss created a space large enough to slide one blade of the scissors into. She could feel the goose-bumps form on her girlfriends hand as the cold steel touched her skin. Once she had the blade far enough under the bandage she paused, angling it in such a way that it wouldn't come into contact with any of Ruby's still sensitive skin.
Feeling that she had achieved the proper angle, Weiss began to cut, her hand steady as she applied the pressure required to slice through the thick gauze. She started off slow, only daring to pick up speed once she had passed by Ruby's elbow. She hated it, but she had to admit that she had become good at this. At cutting away the bandages and bindings that helped Ruby's arm to heal. She hated that Ruby was injured, absolutely loathed it, but she found a twisted form of happiness in being able to help her.
Even if it's something as simple as changing her bandage when it gets to itchy…Her lips twitched slightly at the thought.
Reaching the curve of Ruby's shoulder, Weiss made the final cut. She took a step back, allowing the dirtied bandage to fall haplessly to the floor. She set the scissors down, hand coming up to help keep the arm straight. What she was met with was a horrifying sight, one that had nearly made her feint when she had first seen it. A long and jagged gash, long scabbed over, ran its way down Ruby's arm. It started just below her shoulder and continued all the way down to her wrist. Marring what had previously been flawless, perfect, skin with its presence. Weiss's eyes followed the line where muscle, bone, and flesh all three had been ripped apart. She trailed her fingers, delicately, down the scabbed flesh. Rough little bumps and ridges rose up to meet her calloused fingertips, the feeling sent a shiver down her spine.
"This will scar you know." She said as her fingers came to the end of their journey, coming to hold Ruby's wrist as she met the other girl's eye. She could feel the tears that were forming behind her eyes; she did her best to ignore the prickly sensation. Now wasn't the time for tears.
"I know it will," Ruby's voice was soft and filled with something that Weiss didn't recognize. Her voice dipped even lower, almost whispering. "I understand if you find it…repulsive."
Weiss gasped, taken aback by the words that had just passed over Ruby's lips. How could she possibly think…? She shook her head, dismissing the thought. She was going to fix this, here and now. She let go of Ruby's arm, hands coming up to take ahold of Ruby's face. She forced the girl's head up, their eyes meeting.
"Ruby look at me." She commanded; her tone of voice causing Ruby's silver irises to widen in what she suspected was fear. She ignored it. "Now tell me, what do you see?"
Ruby's eyes went from slightly fearful to completely confused in a matter of seconds. Had Weiss not been so agitated she might have found the transition cute. "Weiss, I…"
"Tell me!"
"I…your face…?" Ruby halfway answered, her face contorting in continued confusion. "Why are you smiling?"
"Dolt," She said, hands falling away from Ruby's face to find purchase against her shoulders. "My scar."
Ruby's eyes widened once again, but this time it was in understanding. "You mean?"
"I'm not going to think any less of you because of some scar." She squeezed Ruby's shoulders, though she was careful not to apply to much pressure on her right side. "It's a part of you, Ruby. Just like mine is a part of me. And you know what?"
"What?" Ruby's voice was but a whisper, untold emotions swirling like a tidal-pool around that one word.
Weiss leaned over, her forehead coming to rest against Ruby's. "I. Love. You." She punctuated each word with a quick kiss, savoring the sweet-taste of Ruby's lips. It was addictive, the taste. So much so that she pulled Ruby in for a much deeper, more passionate, kiss.
"So," she started as she pulled away, smiling at the dazed look that adorned Ruby's face. "Do we have an understanding?"
Ruby nodded her head, a small squeak escaping her lips.
Weiss smirked, satisfaction coursing through her at being able to make Ruby utterly speechless. It wasn't the first time that she had caused that reaction in her girlfriend and she certainly hoped it wasn't the last.
"Good." She said, turning around to pick up the fresh bandages. "Now, let's get your arm wrapped up."
The air was cool and still in the darkened room, the only visible light filtering in through the crack that Weiss had left in the curtains. Ruby wasn't sure, but she was almost certain that the light helped Weiss sleep, the girl had always demanded that they leave the curtains in their dorm at Beacon at least somewhat pulled apart, allowing for the pale light of the broken moon to shine into the room. It hadn't been a particularly odd request so none of them ever questioned it…though Yang had teased her about it.
Ruby lied awake, eyes gazing dazedly up at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep, not because she didn't want to – because she desperately wanted to – but because her mind simply wouldn't allow her to. It had become consumed, her mind, by an idea. By one thing, one word:
Omegas.
She had thought that by going to visit Ozpin that it would get better, that maybe she could finally get it out of her head. She had been wrong.
Ozpin had talked in circles, giving them just the barest amount of information while leaving the rest shrouded in mystery. He's always been good at that, she thought with a scowl. How can I lead this team when I don't even know what I'm leading them against? She had no answer for that, nor did she have an answer for any of the other questions that had been raging within her skull. She knew nothing and it made her feel helpless, she hated it – couldn't stand it.
She sighed, tearing her eyes away from the ceiling and allowing them to rest upon Weiss. The heiress was sleeping, the blankets covering her rising steadily with every breath she took. She looked peaceful, the light from the window bathing her face giving her an almost angelic glow, her thin lips were parted slightly as she breathed in and out.
Ruby found herself smiling at the sight, the smile soon turned into a frown, she couldn't remember the last time that she had seen Weiss looking that relaxed when she was awake. It had been back before the mission that much she was certain of.
Weiss shifted, causing a stray lock of hair to fall into her face. Ruby delicately tucked the ivory tresses away. She started to pull her hand away but decided against it, instead allowing her hand to gently cup her lover's face. A powerful pang of emotion erupted within her at the contact, one of love and the overwhelming need and desire to protect.
She swore to herself then and there, she would find out everything there was to know about the Omega's. Not for herself, but so that she could protect Weiss.
So I can protect them all…
"I love you," she murmured the words as she leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her lover's forehead. She whispered against cool skin; "I'll do everything in my power to protect you…I promise."
AN: Yeah, I know.
Rushed, unpolished, and an abrupt ending to boot, the greatest things about Fanfiction.
As I said above though, there is a reason for this. I work in retail and as such we are preparing for the crunch of Nov/Dec, so things have been…busy. Don't worry though, I got myself a plan! (Name the quote get a cookie…seriously…I'll mail it to you!)
Advent will be going on hiatus; it will be a short one however. As many of you have probably realized I update every other Monday. Well, I will be skipping the next update date, which just so happens to be October 13th.
Why am I doing this?
Simple.
I'm doing it in order to allow myself to get not only CH 14 written but CH 15 written as well. You might wonder what the big deal about that is, I'll tell you. It gives me a chapter in the chamber while I'm writing the next one. CH 15 will be completed when CH 14 is posted, meaning I'll effectively have a month to do CH 16. So on and so forth.
There are a couple of things that will come from this.
It will allow for a more comprehensive edit, since I'll be able to let things sit and stew for a while.
It will allow me to make the story-arcs tighter.
And I'll admit that this one is selfish, it'll take some of the pressure off of me. It can be surprisingly difficult to hold yourself to a set of standards, I know my writing is far from being good/great but I do my best to make it decent the story I'm trying to tell and more importantly you guys deserve that, let alone a self-imposed two-week deadline/posting schedule.
So, there it is. I understand some people may be upset with this, but I feel it's for the best.
As always I hope you've enjoyed and have a good night!