Welp, time for a crack at this new craze called 'writing at a respectable time in the day.' I don't think it is going to catch on. Like this internet thing.

Chapter 12:

Cinder stood up from her place in front of the grave. She bent down and picked up her helmet and phone. She slipped her phone into her pocket as she rested her hand on top of the grave stone. "Bye mom. I should get going. Dad is going to worry. I mean I've been here for six hours." Cinder muttered softly.

As Cinder walked towards the small iron gate she opened it and walked out. She pulled her phone out to check who had been calling her and frowned at the near constant stream of messages from her friends The only one sticking out having been the four Ruby had sent.

They were all asking if she was alright. But that had been what was hurting her. How could she be alright. Even the talking didn't about what to do with her mom only made her calm enough to even talk to Ruby.

But that message was near enough to enrage her anew. 'Deep breaths Cinder. Getting angry will just cause her to hate herself when it isn't her fault.' Cinder thought as she pushed her helmet on and slipped her phone into her pocket. She figured she would talk to Ruby at school. She couldn't do it right now. Her emotions were getting the better of her.

She was ready to just crawl into her bed and sleep. But she knew she would have to take the hour long drive, but it would be worth it. She turned the key and smiled 'At least my motorcycle won't get cancer... and if she breaks down, I can fix her. Not some stupid doctors...' Cinder thought as she began to twist the handle so she can drive away. She just wanted to put the day behind her.

She began to drive away no paying attention to her phone vibrating. She had figured it was Ruby texting her. Not that she cared. She needed to think. She was confident that she needed to work it out herself.

She just pulled out of the parking spot so she could enjoy the drive. She saw the trees fall out of her field of vision as she pressed harder into the turns. Praying that she the next turn would be the one to cause her to stop enjoying the trip and instead enjoying a trip to the hospital without her behind the wheel. Something she dreaded.

Not because she wouldn't be behind the wheel... but because she would be not behind the wheel and being brought to the single place she dreaded the most. The place her mom and from her understanding girlfriend have spent a large portion of their lives there. She just needed to think, something that was almost impossible inside those suffocating white walls.

She leaned into the final turn as she revved the engine once more. Not caring for anything. She felt the front lift up at the gesture but she didn't care. It gave her an odd rush. The feeling of nearly falling off. She pulled into the driveway of her house and frowned at the sight. She say the distinctive red haired girl sitting in front of the door.

Her head resting against the door frame her eyes closed. Cinder frowned as she turned the key. She dismounted the bike and walked over to where Ruby was. She leaned down and noticed the calm breathing meaning she was asleep.

Cinder reached over and rested her hand on Ruby's shoulder and lightly nudged her. Ruby was jostled awake and saw Cinder standing there. Ruby smiled at the sight of Cinder who took off her helmet and spoke, "What the hell are you doing here Ruby? And this late? You are going to catch your death of a cold." She walked back over to her bike as Ruby stood up and stretched letting out a yawn.

"I told you I would be here once I was done talking to the rest. And after the nap I was forced to take, I assumed at least your dad would be home... but he wasn't. So I sat down and clearly passed out... sorry again for not telling you." Ruby spoke picking up the helmet Cinder had rested on the ground and looked at it. Cinder meanwhile began to wheel the bike closer to the house and locked the break.

Cinder yanked the helmet from Ruby's grip. She knew it was going to seem a bit violent, but just seeing Ruby... it made her furious, and glad at the same time. She had no idea how one person could make her so confused.

"You shouldn't have come here. Did you not think I needed time to process this? It isn't everyday a girl I was dating reveals she has the same type of tumour as my mom in a worse state. Did you not think I may want to end this?" Cinder asked as she opened the front door and walked in, closely followed by Ruby.

"I figured that you would want to break up. I mean we've known each other only a few month... and I've been lying the entire time. But I feel you deserve the right to know the answer to any of your questions first. And you should ask... best to know the full story and all." Ruby muttered as Cinder walked into the kitchen to see a plate sitting on the counter wrapped in plastic and a note next to it.

Cinder smiled at the note as she crumpled it and tossed it into the trash can from where she was standing. "What is there to tell me? You have cancer and could very well be dying? Or have you been lying about other things?"

Ruby tensed her knuckles as Cinder's rant died down a little. "Do you think it is easy for me Cinder!? This isn't something I wanted to be known! Hell most of my family still don't know! And if I had my way if the fucking cancer did win only then would everyone find out!" Ruby yelled startling the girl.

Cinder hadn't known Ruby to yell like that. Even when she was angry. If that was the case she would start to mutter in some language that she didn't understand. Or on the rare occasion she would just mutter some snide comment. But she has never yelled like that. "You have no idea what it is like Cinder. Out of the few family members that know... they all fear the same thing you fear. My health alone has driven a wedge between my parents' marriage... both worrying that I may not live... now all my friends are going to think that same thing... do you have any idea what that is like?" Ruby asked as she took a step closer.

She felt like crying from how Cinder was reacting. But she had to appear strong. Just in case she was about to be single all of a sudden. She could cry with Yang later if that was what was going to happen. "Every time I hear my parents argue... I know the fact it is down to me and my shit genetics and spending a lot of my early life in an area that had high air pollution... they blame each other. My best friend is chance are searching every damned Oncologist, and every single scrap of paper that even says 'Pancoast tumour', my friends are going to panic every time I cough... so if you want to make bitchy comments, I'm going to come back twice as hard."

"I just don't know what to do if you do die though Ruby. My mom had a lot better chances than you do... and yet she still died."

"I could die getting hit by a bus walking to school. I could eat a bad dumpling and die from severe food poisoning. I can die just sitting in a chair. People die. If I am to die, then so be it. Move on with your life. Plain and simple." Ruby commented as she grabbed hold of Cinder's hand.

Cinder suddenly realised why she felt an attraction towards Ruby. Even if the topic was morbid, she was able to make it slightly brighter. Even by the slightest. "We haven't even been on a first date Ruby." Cinder complained as Ruby began to smile. "Then let's go on one this weekend if you still want to go out with me."

"I think I do Ruby. But... how can I not worry about this. I meant the question... what else have you lied to me about?"

"I've never lied. I've just avoided certain truths yeah... but never lied." Ruby spoke enjoying how Cinder relaxed, almost as if she forgot her girlfriend just told her she had cancer. "Fine... just the next time something big happens... can you please tell me? I don't want a relationship built on lies."

Ruby pulled Cinder's head down and pressed her lips against the taller woman's. "Fine. But besides my cancer, I don't have any other major secrets. Just... a couple I'd like to keep to myself for now. I'm sure there is some secrets you would like to keep to yourself as well."

Cinder smiled at the excitable red head's actions. "It is getting late. Do you have a ride home?"

"My Aunt Raven said to call her she'll pick me up. I just need to call her... Yang made a lot of dumplings by the way... do you want to join us? Like there are meat dumplings, fish, my Nǎinai's signature spicy sweet dumplings... if my dad was off he would have made the family secret recipe... but sadly, he isn't."

Ruby smiled as Cinder looked between the plate and Ruby. Unsure of what to do. 'It is pot roast night... but dad won't be back till dinner tomorrow... And Ruby is... well... adorable.'

"I want to say no... because I love my dad's pot roast... who is all going to be there?" Cinder asked as Ruby smiled and pulled out her phone. "Just Weiss, Yang, my Aunt Raven... and because they want to make sure I'm alright Blake and Pyrrha. They worry a lot more than Weiss sometimes. So you in?"

"Sure... just need to put this in the fridge... but I should really drive myself. Just so I can get home." Cinder spoke grabbing the plate and walked over to the fridge. She nearly giggled as Ruby smirked. "I guess you'll just have to spend the night. My bed does kind of get co-" Ruby was cut off from coughing into her elbow.

She noticed the look on Cinder's face, one of growing concern. But unlike whenever anyone else developed that... she didn't mind. It felt nice to Ruby. Almost warmed her heart. Cinder closed the fridge as she tentatively reached out, taking careful steps and began to rub Ruby's back.

Ruby pulled back and frowned at the few droplets of blood on her jacket sleeve. She looked up to see Cinder looking at her elbow. "Smooth... could have been smoother if you didn't start to cough."

"Ha ha. But seriously... you can stay the night at my place... like I don't take up much room... and my room isn't the biggest... but we both can be in there comfortably... and just so we are clear, no funny business. We will be fully clothed." Ruby continued, noticing the dark red shade that had begun to dust Cinder's cheeks. She almost let a laugh slip as she felt her phone vibrate in her hand.

She looked at the message and smiled. "Right, Raven is on her way. Just... heads up, Yang has more of a voice in her head to stop her asking rude questions... and she is like my mom's version of mine and Weiss' relationship... only longer... so she is super concerned about me... and wants to check everyone I date."

"We haven't even been going out a full month yet... I don't think there is much for anyone to go on." Cinder spoke as she lead Ruby into the living room."You would think so... but again she is like Yang... but worse. I think it is down to the fact she hasn't had sex since Yang was born." Ruby spoke taking a seat next to Cinder and rest her head on her shoulder.

Cinder reached over Ruby and pulled her closer causing her head to slip off her shoulder and landed right above Cinder's bosom. A deep red blush took over Ruby's face, something that didn't go unnoticed by the taller of the two. Cinder leaned down and kissed the top of Ruby's head.

Ruby turned around a little to kiss Cinder's lips. Cinder's tongue found its home inside Ruby's mouth as she felt Ruby's leg swing over so she was straddling the taller of the two's lap. She began to deepen the kiss. Hoping that Raven would be a while away. Just so she can continue to kiss Cinder as long as she could.

Raven pulled up to the house she had dropped Ruby off at nearly two hours ago. She walked up and knocked on the door as she rang the bell with her other hand. She really wanted to actually talk to talk with this 'Cinder' woman that seemed to have taken Ruby's heart.

The door opened as Raven laughed. "Am I interrupting something?" Raven asked as Ruby quickly fixed her jacket as she blushed a little. "of course not... we were just sitting down watching something on the tv... I swear." Ruby continued blushing as Raven's grin grew.

"I may not be young like you anymore Ruby, but last time I checked, lip gloss doesn't get on your neck from just 'watching tv' nor does it ruffle my clothes that bad. But if that is the story you want to go with..." Raven spoke causing Ruby to blush a shade of red akin to her namesake. She quickly reached up and began to up her neck to wipe away any offending mark on it.

"Ruby... I don't wear lip gloss." Cinder muttered walking up to the door. She could she just the back of Ruby's ears becoming a much darker shade. "Let's go. I don't want to continue this conversation." Ruby muttered as she pushed Raven out ahead of her.

She could see the calculating look in her eyes. She knew what that meant. It also meant that when Yang gets wind she wasn't going to let her live it down. "Relax Ruby. I just need to tell Yang. And maybe a few hundred friends online... and maybe one or two people in passing." Raven continued as Ruby stopped.

"Can we avoid this today at least? Please? Pretty please?" Ruby asked as Raven smiled and ruffled the smallest girl's hair causing her to puff her cheeks out. "Well people stop doing that! It makes me feel like a child." Ruby continued as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Hate to break it to you Ruby, for at least another year, you are still a child. And I am just your loveable aunt who is going to continue to tease you for a while. Don't feel bad... I did it to Summer when we grew up." Raven smiled as the trio walked over to the car.

"So... you go without me knowing somehow to Cinder's... and make out... not even mad. Actually I'm impressed." Yang spoke sticking her head out of the kitchen as Weiss came out from the adjoining room.

"I didn't sneak out... I literally walked out and asked Raven to give me a ride. There was no sneaking. And I told I would get to Cinder's..." Ruby spoke as Cinder looked at the hole in the wall. Her chest tightened. Slightly at the fact she knew it was Ruby.

There was a small part in the back of her mind that hoped it was something else that caused it but knew there wasn't. "Right... Blake and Pyrrha are at the table... go take a seat you three. I'll help Yang bring the food in." Weiss spoke as she dusted her hands off and quickly walked into the kitchen. "You treat me right Weiss... but I'm dating someone now... so Cinder is going to get jealous." Ruby joked as they all walked into the dining room.

Ruby smiled at the sight of two of her friends sitting at the table waiting patiently as Raven took a seat soon followed by the other duo. Weiss quickly re-entered holding two plates and placed them on the table. As she placed the first few plates down she smiled, "Some prawn dumplings, and crab dumplings."

Ruby nearly laughed as she could see Blake's mouth water, as Weiss walked back out. "Jeez Blake... you act like you haven't eaten in awhile or something..." Ruby joked as Weiss was quick to enter again. "Just been working multiple back to back shifts... haven't had the chance to have anything substantial recently... mostly just junk food... so... I'm hungry." Blake mumbled as Weiss placed three more plates.

"Pork, Beef, and spicy sweet." Weiss spoke as she took a seat. "Yang is going to bring in the rice as well as some dipping sauce, and some forks for those of you who aren't used to using chopsticks." Weiss continued as she heard Yang walking in holding a large pot and some smaller cups as well as four forks. She placed them all on the table as she smiled.

"Happy birthday Rubes. While it didn't end the way you thought, it seems to have ended better in the long run." Yang spoke taking her own seat and Ruby's bowl that was in front of her at the same time.

Before long all the bowls were filled and they each began to take some of the dumplings. The only person having a problem was Cinder who hadn't managed to figure out how to use the chopsticks as Ruby began to giggle a the sight. Cinder frowned as Ruby reached over and grabbed a fork for her.

Cinder frowned as she tried once more to figure out how to use them. "It's okay to not be able to use chopsticks... hell they only people here who were taught before we were taught forks are me and Yang." Ruby spoke softly to Cinder who dropped the pieces of wood and took the fork offered to her.

Cinder pierced one of the dumplings she had on her plate and took a bite. The only time Cinder had Chinese food was a few times when her mom was getting treatment and they didn't want to cook. This pork dumpling however tasted vastly different. It tasted so much better. She had no idea if it was from them being homemade or being some family recipe but they tasted delicious.

Ruby smiled at everyone eating happily as she dipped the one she had into the sauce. She felt happy that they could push past the bombshell of the news. But now... largely they moved past it.

Yang snickered as Ruby walked up the stairs dragging Cinder behind her. "Shut up Yang! She can't get home tonight!" Ruby yelled as she and Cinder reached the top of the stairs. They quickly walked into Ruby's room. Cinder smiled at the sight of the rather simplistic room. Ruby reached into her dresser and pulled out some clothes.

"I doubt you're my size... but I have some shirts I took from my dad to sleep in... if you don't mind that." Ruby spoke blushing as Cinder smiled.

'She always makes me blush... time for some revenge.'

"More than I normally wear when I go to bed." Cinder spoke in a sultry tone as Ruby blushed handing her one of the shirts. Ruby blushing a dark shade. She knew this sounded like a good idea when she thought about it but that was quickly changing.

Ruby grabbed her own change of clothes for her and muttered "You get changed here... I'll go get changed in the bathroom." Ruby quickly ran out of her room leaving Cinder to look around the room as she slowly got changed.

She saw a lot of pictures just hanging and around a small computer desk she had. There appeared to be a theme amongst them. There was none of her family, but they all had her friends throughout the years. Some of them she recognised like Weiss, or in the later ones nearly everyone. Even the cafe owner that clearly had something against Cinder.

She could see exactly how much the people Ruby called her 'friends' meant to her. She grabbed what she felt was the most recent version and brought it closer. She placed it down as she pulled the shirt on. It came to an end mid way down her thighs causing her to wonder exactly how big of a person Ruby's dad was. She pulled her pants down and picked the picture back up.

"Can't wait till you're in the next one. End of every school year we would take one. Been doing it since I was five..." Ruby spoke causing Cinder to nearly jump out of her skin. She had no idea how Ruby had sneaked up on her, but she did.

"Who took the pictures?" Cinder asked as Ruby placed the picture back down in it's spot. "Changed every year. Last year we got Weiss' older sister to take the picture. It is generally someone we know or at least trust with a camera." Ruby commented moving the blanket down a bit.

She gestured for Cinder to climb in as she grabbed the laptop on top of her desk and climbed in next to Cinder. "Still early, and I really... really, want to continue Supernatural... no idea how I got through six seasons in nearly three weeks... but I want to see how the hell they are going to get through this fuck up..."

Cinder smiled as she moved over a little causing Ruby to place the laptop on her lap and leaned into the taller of the two's chest as she began to load up a website. Ruby smiling all the while as she clicked into the next episode.

Three episodes later Cinder reached over and turned the laptop off. Ruby's calm breathing was signal enough that she was asleep. She moved the laptop as best as she could onto the desk. They began to resituate the both of them and pulled the blanket up. She felt Ruby move herself closer into the embrace as Cinder wrapped her arms around her waist.

'How the fuck am I meant to sleep... She is even prettier when she is asleep...' Cinder thought as she closed her eye. Figuring that if she can't get asleep she could enjoy the time she had with Ruby being this close. It felt nice to her.

Ruby woke up slowly. The first thing she noticed was the arms wrapped tightly around her. One of the hands having pushed Ruby's shirt up to just below her breasts. She blushed as she moved the hand down as she slowly got out from under her covers.

She grabbed her phone as she walked out of the room and walked down the stairs. She felt hungry. She checked her phone as she turned the corner and walked into the kitchen. She smiled as she saw a box of her favourite cereal.

'Sweet... Yang didn't eat all my favourite cereal...' Ruby thought as she grabbed a bowl and the box and frowned. She heard some snickering behind her. She turned around to see Blake walking in rubbing her eyes.

"Blake...?" Ruby asked as the woman waved. "Sorry... by the time me and Pyrrha got done talking with Weiss and Yang, it was already late really late. Sorry if you're angry by that." Blake spoke yawning into her hand.

"No I'm not mad at that... Yang ate all my cereal... she knows it is my favourite and it gets under my skin when she eats it all." Ruby muttered as she opened the cupboard and began to search if there was more of the cereal. "Isn't 'Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes' really bad for you? Like nothing but sugar..."

"Yeah... but it is tasty. And I get more than enough people worrying about my diet... soooo can we not? And damnit... all we have left is bran flakes... I'm going to kill her." Ruby muttered pulling the box out. "I'll make some coffee. We have a few hours before school." Blake muttered softly.

"Yeah... want some bran flakes?" Ruby asked holding the box out for Blake. "Sure... I could eat."

Ruby smiled as she yawned again. 'Blake and Pyrrha both have been acting weird lately... And working like non-stop... I should really ask them about what is going on.'

Author's Note:

So... yeah, final birthday chapter, and seven to eight chapters left according to my plan... yay but awww. Right you guys know the drill, review, follow, favourite... I'm going to go watch some crap and come back to start writing the next chapter in a few hours.