Okay back to more writing... this is going to be fun... I hope so at least. 'Lǜchá qǐng' means 'green tea please'. 'Yáoyáo lǐngxiān de nǐ' means 'way ahead of you'
Chapter 16:
"I can't believe you would do this to me and our children!" Tai yelled as Summer glared back at him. "I'm sorry one second..." Summer spoke taking out her phone and clicked a button.
She quickly talked into her phone and placed it back into her pockets. "The pot called... he says your black, kettle."
Yang rolled her eyes, glad her grandmother and Weiss were upstairs trying to coax Ruby out of her room. She really didn't want them to hear how bad this was getting. Because it seemed so close to getting violent.
Normally Ruby would have stepped in to try and break the fight up, with quite possibly putting herself into harm's way. But Yang had decided to take what she considered a more healthy approach, and let her parents work through this.
"What the hell is that meant to mean!" Tai yelled as Summer began to dryly laugh.
"Okay this is getting ridiculous... you both are trying to take the moral high ground, something neither of you can occupy." Yang spoke causing both her parents to finally remember she was there. Earning an apologetic look from the both of them.
Yang began to chuckle at the sight of how they instantly forgot the cause of the fight. "Don't give me that look. You both cheated on each other. Dad's cheating goes back nearly nineteen years to my knowledge, and mom's... doubtfully that long. I could be wrong. Right now however, Rubes is locked in her room. You both need to talk to her, and apologise to her."
She could see them both looking between each other. "I'm not joking, she has walked in on nearly everyone in the family once... pretty sure after mom... she needs eyebleach... and a freaking bell." Yang continued as she could see the doubt in their eyes.
Yang rolled her eyes, as she pointed towards the door. "Go. I'm not joking. I doubt Nǎinai or Weiss will be able to talk Ruby out. So both of you go. I don't care what is said, but you both need to talk to her." Yang continued as she pointed to the door once more to emphasize her point.
Summer and Tai both began to pout as Yang ushered them upstairs. "Weiss! Nǎinai! Come down! Mom and Dad need to talk to her!" Yang yelled up the stairs she could hear both her parents grumbling as they began to ascend the stairs. 'I swear... I have to be the parent more often than they do... even to them... If it gets any more ridiculous I'll need to get paid.' Yang thought as she walked into the kitchen to put on the kettle.
She began to hum as she she pulled down a couple of mugs and began to make a pot of tea. She heard her grandmother speak behind her, "Lǜchá qǐng"
"Yáoyáo lǐngxiān de nǐ" Yang spoke as she poured some boiling water into the small ceramic pot. She turned around to see Weiss sitting at the small island with the elderly Xiao Long sitting across from each other as Yang placed the pot down with three cups in front of them.
"Ruby is really shaken up... at least she has someone in there with her... I couldn't imagine what she would be like... doesn't she have like half a dozen pairs of scissors in her room?" Weiss asked, slightly concerned as Ruby had continued to protest even as they were leaving. She was starting to believe Ruby was just looping the word 'no' over and over again.
"No... I mean... she has like four pairs... but she never uses them. They are probably dull... I'd be more worried about the pen knife you thought you threw away. She does still build models to melt... or blow up... I think one time she used one to scare the neighbor's children... but in her defence it was Halloween." Yang joked as she began to pour the mugs with tea.
"She'll be fine... Xiǎo méiguī is remarkably strong. She just needs time to process through this all. I may hate the fact my little boy married a British sow... but she did give Ruby her strong will and determination. She'll be fine. I'm more so curious as to why either of you haven't told me about how you two are dating." The elder Xiao Long spoke causing both Weiss and Yang to nearly choke on their mouthful of tea.
She began to giggle as she took another sip, as the other two began to look between each other. Trying to figure out how she knew. Weiss turned to her and was about to ask when the woman held up a finger.
As she placed her mug down she began to fill each mug with more tea and took another mouthful. "I may be old, but I still notice small signs. Like the longing in your eyes... I simply thought that I would have gotten a single phone call to tell me."
Weiss breathed a sigh of relief as Yang tensed up more. She knew it was good because her grandmother accepted them... but it seemed like it was too good to be true. "You aren't mad...? I mean don't get me wrong... I'm happy... but it seems a little too good. I expected surely you would be the maddest... possibly disgusted."
"Oh, I don't understand how it works when it is just the two of you. But…" She spoke taking a sip from her mug.
"Yang... do you have any idea what it is like knowing that there is a possibility that you have to bury your granddaughter before you move on? It is an eye opener. I mean I still remember holding the both of you, watching over you, I still remember that feeling... that joy... and it occurred to me a couple of years ago... if I let my prejudice seep into my other grandchildren... god forbid if one of them does die... that they'll die fearing that I hate them for just wanting love." She continued as she placed the mug back down onto the island counter top as she reached over and grabbed one of Yang's hands.
She gave it a light squeeze, as Yang relaxed. She looked over to Weiss whose eyes had begun to mist over. She began to wipe them away as Yang frowned. "What is wrong Snowpea?" Yang asked, letting go of her grandmother's hand to grasp Weiss' hand and with her free hand wipe some of the tears from her face.
"Your Nǎinai is a Saint amongst Saints... I feel jealous I don't come from such a wonderful family..." Weiss continued as Yang hugged her. Just hoping that Weiss would calm down. "Weiss, even if somewhere down the road you and Yang break up, you've been friends with Ruby for so long, I still consider you one of my own."
"Stop being so sweet..." Weiss complained as the other two women chuckled lightly.
Cinder laid down on the roof next to Ruby both just looking at the clouds. Both just wanting to enjoy the brief serenity. "I still can't believe you've recorded yourself saying 'no' over and over again... how often have you needed to play that?" Cinder asked as Ruby let out a hum of approval.
"Do you want the truth or a nice lie? Because the lie is never... the truth is somewhere between high double digits and the low triple digits. They think I'm stubborn... I just have me saying 'no' in four languages." Ruby spoke closing her eyes, just enjoying the peacefulness of being on her roof with Cinder.
She could hear some more knocking coming from her open window. "Question is do we go in... or do we just stay out here? Because it is getting a bit chilly. I don't want you to get sick... especially seeing as Christmas is coming up... speaking of which, you got anything in mind that you want for Christmas... it is our first big holiday as a couple."
"We should really go inside... I can feel my skin starting to burn." Ruby spoke as she carefully stood up and held a hand out for the leggy brunette to take. Cinder smiled as she took it but refused to use what little strength Ruby seemed to have and pulled herself up.
They both walked over to Ruby's window. Ruby quickly pulled herself up and onto the sill. She spun around and stood on the ground. She was about to reach out the window to help Cinder up who already had a grasp and was pulling herself up.
"I'm happy if we just spend time together by the way. But if you really want to get me something... I do need more plushie animals... but that is just because I like them... don't even cuddle them anymore... unless I'm in the hospital for an extended period of time... and even then it is specific ones... well two but you get what I mean... they hold meaning to me. There is my first one... thing is beaten to all hell and has been everywhere with me... and my Hǎi Tún which my Nǎinai gave me when we left Hong Kong for the first time to visit my grandmother." Ruby continued to answer Cinder's question. Not caring that she heard her mother's and father's voices on the other side of her door.
"You should be polite and at least answer them. Not you know... ignoring them." Cinder whispered, hoping to actually get some response out of the girl who had taken to laying on the floor coughing into her elbow.
Once Ruby was sure the coughing was done she sat up. She could feel the blood forcing her shirt to cling to her arm. She really didn't want to have to deal with her parents right now. She would much rather continue to pout.
She didn't care about whatever it was they would use to try and reason what Ruby saw. She already knew what was happening. That had been clear to anyone with eyes. She had seen it countless times before. Her mom and her mom's best friend were having sex.
What was there to reason her with? "I'm going to move my chair and unlock the door. Do not... I repeat do not open my door. If you open my door I'm climbing out my window with Cinder. Am I clear?" Ruby yelled, hoping that her message was clear. She knew her parents had a nasty trick for guilt tripping her with just their facial expressions.
She didn't want their punishment to be cut short from a technicality. She needed them both to know how wrong it was. She gestured Cinder to stay silent as they both waited for any sign of when there acknowledgement. "Okay Little Rose..." Summer spoke causing Ruby to blush as Cinder developed a grin.
"That is adorable... is that the name you refused to tell me?" Cinder asked as Ruby glared half heartedly at her. She was still waiting for some sign from her dad. "I'll explain it later if you explain Cinnamon Bun..." Ruby began as she turned back to the door.
"Dad, I need to here you agreeing to the terms. We both know I'm more stubborn than you." Ruby yelled through the door, and hoped to speed the process up. "Fine... I promise."
Ruby smiled at the sound of her dad sulking. She could just picture his face. Ruby moved from her comfortable spot on the floor, and quickly moved her chair from it's spot keeping her door barricaded. She quickly turned the key to her door and climbed onto her bed next to Cinder.
"I will be willing to bet you they try and tell me some bullshit about it was just my mom choking on something and Raven tried to help her clear her airways..." Ruby spoke directly into Cinder's ear. Cinder felt a shiver as she felt Ruby's hot breath on her neck. The feeling of her arms wrapping around her waist. She just knew that Ruby would be able to see the blush creeping up and encompassing her ears.
"Xiǎo méiguī this is a little ridiculous... can we pleas-" Tai began but was cut off by the woman who had a tight grip on Cinder's waist. "So is me walking in on both my parents cheating on each other. You know the difference... I'm willing to hear the truth as to why mom and Aunt Raven are having sex... and just so you don't get high and mighty I would love to know why you've slept with my doctor, my oncologist, Uncle Qrow and a couple of the nurses." Ruby yelled.
She heard someone rest against the other side of the door and some muttering on the other side of the door as she looked down at Cinder. Noticing rather easily the red starting to take over Cinder's ears. "You okay Cinder? Your ears and neck are looking really red..." Ruby asked as She raised her hand, just barely brushing against Cinder's boobs as she rested the back off her hand against Cinder's forehead.
Cinder had hoped her blush wasn't that noticeable but after Ruby's hopefully accidental brush, there was no chance she didn't notice it. "Well... you don't really have a fever... maybe we really were laying on the roof too long." Ruby continued to whisper into Cinder's ear causing her blush to somehow deepen.
"Well... I started to sleep with Raven as a way to release so much pent up anger, stress and it took my mind off everything... but if it makes it any better... we haven't been doing it that long." Summer spoke. Ruby could hear a distinct tone of sadness one she had no idea why. Why was her mom sad? She needed to be strong.
"You're up dad... why have you cheated on mom so much?" Ruby asked pressing herself tighter into Cinder. "I have no reason... and like I've always done with the both you and your sister... I'm not going to try and justify things I've done. But what I will say is... your diagnosis hit your mother and me hard. We both have done things to cope... and talking doesn't always help... I just feel helpless." Tai began as Ruby looked to the side of Cinder's head, noticing a few stray tears falling down Cinder's face.
Ruby reached up and tried to brush them away. "I'm one of the best surgeons at the hospital... and I've seen your scans countless times... each time it hurts more... I can see the tumour... and I know it can't be operated on. Each time I feel angry... and each time dread washes over me as well. I told you before... it is hard for us to process it. You are our baby girl... we can't entertain the idea of you not winning but every time we look at your scans... we can't help but do that." Tai continued resting his head against the door next to Summer's.
"And as you and your sister clearly know... our marriage hasn't been the most solid... and we just had to seek comfort so we can be strong enough for you two... I'm sure Salem's daughter knows what I'm talking about... it hurts us... and while you being confident, and acting like it doesn't bother you... the fact we may need to bury our baby girl... is the single most terrifying thing I've ever felt." Summer continued Tai's point. As Ruby rolled her eyes holding Cinder back. Whom had begun to cry more.
Cinder could guess this was not the type of confession Ruby had wanted, but it was tugging on her heartstrings. She knew what they were going through. The thought of needing to bury someone you love is hard to even think about... even harder to do in her experience.
"They aren't wrong Ruby... it may hurt you physically... but for those close to you... even by accident... you can't help but think about the worst case... and it really does tear at your mind. Like an itch you can't scratch on the inside of your mind. I can't imagine what it would be like for a parent." Cinder whispered to Ruby who just let out a little groan.
"Fine... I'll let them come in... just stop pouting. It makes me feel bad." Ruby spoke kissing Cinder's cheek as she got up from her bed. She walked the few steps so her hand was just above the door handle as she decided to speak up to give them a fair warning. "I'm opening the door..." Ruby could hear some movement as she opened the door and quickly dived back onto her bed.
She wrapped her arms around Cinder's waist once more. She felt comfortable once more. She began to rest her chin just behind the taller woman's shoulder. "I suppose now is better time than any to say I'm dating Cinder... but that is just because neither of you can say you haven't had any sort of relationship with the same sex..."
She almost laughed at the sight of both of her parents blushing. But was stopped by Cinder turning around to practically glare at her. Ruby shrugged her shoulders and whispered into Cinder's ear, "Gotta take the chance seeing as I have the high ground."
"There... you talked it out... I came clean, now can you please leave my room? It isn't going to happen again..." Ruby pouted as the both of them looked between each other. "We will talk about that later... just... keep the door open." Summer stated nearly dragging Tai out of the room by the ear.
Cinder spun around in Ruby's arms, curious as to what she meant by 'it won't happen again' but decided to chalk it up to her saying she won't walk in on anyone else again. Which still didn't make sense but it would do it's job until she could felt like questioning would prove better than her ignorance on the matter.
"Mom! Dad! I'm heading over to Cinder's... you know prevent the house feeling cramped." Ruby yelled as she zipped up her jacket. She knew it was a bit late to join Cinder on her way home, but her house just felt slightly cramped. Between her Nǎinai staying there until New Years, and Weiss having decided to stay yet another night, it just made it feel cramped.
"Drive safely and text me as soon as you get there." Summer yelled back as Ruby smiled.
She reached over and grabbed her helmet as Cinder held the door open for her. She smiled as she looked around to make sure no one was watching as she quickly leaned up and kissed her. She had to resist with every fibre of her being wanting to deepen the kiss. She didn't want to relive the embarrassment of someone find her and Cinder doing that.
As they pulled apart Ruby licked her lips. She wanted to get as much of Cinder's taste as she could, she figured if was to get addicted to something, anything at all, the simple taste of Cinder's lips is what she wanted to get addicted to.
They both blushed as they quickly made their way outside closing the door behind them. They quickly walked over to Cinder's motorcycle, thanking what little light coming from the house that illuminated her motorcycle just enough so she could easily unlock it.
Once she held the lock in her hands Ruby pulled her into a fierce kiss. The taller of the brunettes flailed behind her to slip the brake lock into her bag. Once she felt the fabric on either side she let go of it to whip her arms around and wrapped them around to grab onto Ruby's hips. She began to lift Ruby who dropped her helmet onto the pavement and onto the motorcycle.
Once Ruby felt the leather under her, she pulled back a little. "I swear... half the time you start kissing me, it is to either get me to have a panic attack or... you just really want to kiss. I only like the latter." Cinder spoke resting her forehead against Ruby's.
"Only the latter intentionally. It could be because you are so cute... and when I saw you bend over... my mind turned dirty and kissing was the only pure option I could come up with. Are you complaining? Because if so, I can go back inside." Ruby countered as she craned her neck a little more to capture Cinder's lips again before she could respond.
Cinder pulled back, smiling as Ruby began to pout. "Are you sure you want to go back inside? It is so far. And that would leave my bed feeling cold... are you really sure?" Cinder offered softly, hoping to entice Ruby further. "Twist my arm why don't you? Can you pick up my helmet?"
Cinder reluctantly pulled back to bend down and grab both helmets. Ruby hopped off so Cinder could get comfortable first. She slipped her helmet on as Cinder turned the key. Ruby smiled as she she climbed on and wrapped her arms around Cinder. Who turned a small dial to turn on her headlights.
"Right, I hope this light lasts... I used a spare on we had... but hopefully that won't matter." Cinder said as she began to slowly move out of the driveway, dodging the two cars that were parked in the driveway. She smiled as she began to turn as Ruby spoke up, "Eh, it should be fine." Ruby spoke as Cinder began to drive down the back road.
"Heading down the long way are we? You sneaky hot minx." Ruby joked as Cinder began to chuckle. "I know you like these long trips as much as I do... sorry for feeding into your addiction." Cinder joked.
She began to slow down, something was worrying Cinder. She could see the light beginning to dim. 'How the hell? This is the fifth one in a month... how come it is burning through them so fast. I need to really strip this to find out why it is going through them like it is going out of style.' Cinder thought, thanking everything that is holy that the roads were relatively barren.
"Ruby, I need to pull over for a minute. The light is starting to dim and I'd rather walk back to your house after locking this up if I can't do a temp fix." Cinder spoke as she looked around, normally she wouldn't want to stop at any 'T' junction as soon as it was getting this late. But she needed to fix this as soon as possible.
As she was about to come to a stop, the light died out. She could feel Ruby hold on tighter.
Neither girl saw the car swerving heading for the same junction. The car didn't see them either as it turned and smashed into Cinder's front wheel. Before Ruby knew it she was sent flying into the nearby ditch as Cinder fell over the handlebars taking the motorcycle with her.
She felt her chest connect with the pavement followed by the motorcycle slamming down onto her leg. Cinder couldn't feel any pain though.
Ruby felt pain all over. To top off the pain she was in she began to cough. She didn't know if it was due to the cancer, or the sudden impact of her chest on in incline. She could feel her blood soaking into the padding.
"CINDER! If you can hear me!? Whatever you do don't take off your helmet!?" Ruby yelled. She could see some lights flicking on in the distance driving off. She figured that was whoever hit them. She knew she needed to stay awake. But she also knew from walking around hospitals and talking with the staff. She knew how important it was to stay still and stay awake if she ever got thrown from a vehicle.
The fact she couldn't see Cinder was what was causing her to worry. She had no idea if Cinder was awake. Or even if she heard what Ruby said. She hoped that she did. She also hoped that they would be found soon. The pain she was fighting was indescribable.
She could feel the blackness of the void starting to fade into her vision. A fight she was losing. A fight she didn't want to lose but before long she lost the fight and let the darkness fade in.
Author's Note:
Right, in the panic shelter... I think it is okay to post this... I simply ask before you find yourself a thermite lance... remember there is a method to my madness... also you need me for the remaining chapters.