Yo Peeps, GMG here with chapter 8 of Phantom Rose. I got a really nice review recently for this story, so I was going over what I had written for the previous chapter and ideas sprung up. I'll be mentioning the reviewer in the end note, seeing as my phone is occupied, while I type this. You can thank them for this chapter, indirectly as it was their doing. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY…

Feeling the bed frame dig into her back, Blake groaned in annoyance. Leaning forward, she reached behind herself and adjusted her pillow, trying to get the correct cushioning, so she wasn't being prodded by an inanimate object. Folding the pillow, she placed it on her back and held it there as she leaned back, wedging it between herself and the head rest. Picking up her book, amber eyes sought their previous placement and she continued reading. Thankfully, it was quiet in the dorm. Only the light breathing of herself and one other permeated the air, but not distractingly so.

Across from her, laying on her stomach, was Ruby. The younger teen had her own novel in hand, brow furrowed in concentration as she read, tongue poking out from the side of her mouth. Blake stole a glance at her and an amused glint played in her eyes. Ruby's childish charms were often effortless and this was no exception. It wouldn't have surprised Blake if someone had predicted Ruby having the school wrapped around her finger by the time she graduated. Though, if she had to admit it, Blake herself was wrapped around the girl's finger without a doubt in the Faunus' mind.

Beacon hadn't been in session for even a month and it was a bit unsettling to Blake at how fast she had bonded with her partner. Staring blankly at her book, she let her mind wander. Blake wasn't exactly the kind of person to let people get close, but a certain scythe-wielder was making shop in her heart.

A light rustling of paper was all the warning she had, before her leg was nudged. Blake smiled and closed her book, training her eyes on Ruby's silver pools. Ruby returned the smile as she sat up and faced the Faunus. Holding out her hands, Ruby made a grasping action, pleased when Blake placed her hands in Ruby's upturned palms, allowing herself to be pulled over. They sat, facing each other, Ruby's fingers twined with Blake's. While most would figure it to be a romantic thing for either, it was a little tradition that Ruby has started a couple of weeks prior.

They would share about themselves, to better understand each other, while still respecting one another's boundaries. Ruby wasn't as secretive as Blake, but she did respect the raven-haired girl's privacy. "So, anything you wanna talk about, Blakey?"

"Yeah. Yang had said something about incidents at Signal?" Blake looked down at her lap, slightly awkward about asking a personal question. "Could you tell me anything about it?"

Grasping for the memory, Ruby's brow furrowed. "When did she say that, again?"

"When you helped Velvet," Blake supplied, getting a nod from Ruby.

Ruby's thumbs traced soothing circles on the back of Blake's hands, the younger of the two humming before responding. "That was just one of a handful of 'incidents' that happened at Signal." She looked down at their entwined hands and frowned, one of her hands flickering and Blake's falling out of its grasp, landing on her calf. "I was made fun of for my semblance, or my lack of control over it. I wasn't the only one bullied, though. Most of the time it was the Faunus."

Blake's breath hitched in her throat. "They weren't treated kindly at Signal?"

"The school treated them fine," Ruby said, soothing the other girl. "But bullies loved to pick on them. I knew how it felt, slightly. They and I were treated differently for how we were born, so I stood up for them. It didn't help my own situation any, though." A small frown crossed her lips. "They called me an 'animal lover' and said I must have a thing for bestiality."

With her free hand, Blake placed her hand on Rub's cheek, lifting the girl's face gently, so she could see her eyes. The bright silvers were shiny with tears and Ruby shook with a muffled sob. Blake freed her other hand, using both to pull Ruby into her lap and hugging the girl closer. It seemed a crime to make such an innocent girl cry. If Blake ever learned the name of those bullies, she'd hunt them down. In her arm, Ruby shook lightly, crying. It may have been a bit much, but she hadn't talked to anyone about the past. Yang was too carefree and her dad wasn't her go to choice.

Blake ran her fingertips over Ruby's back, humming soothingly. The touches were comforting and Ruby felt calmer after the ministrations. Burying her face into the crook of her partner's neck, she sighed contentedly. "Thank you, Blake. Sorry for getting so worked up over this."

The humming stopped and the hands froze. "Don't apologize," Blake said sternly. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Ruby." Squeezing lightly, she hummed again. "It was nice what you did for those Faunus. Not many would stand up for them."

"They don't deserve it," Ruby mumbled.

A somber expression came across Blake's features as she weighed Ruby's words. Perhaps she could tell her partner? Reveal the truth of her lineage? Blake frowned. No, it wasn't the best time. She had confidence that Ruby would accept her, but with the team leader's current state, it wasn't a good idea to heap more onto her plate.

Ruby closed her eyes, relaxing into the embrace of the older girl. Blake was warm and Ruby's space was enveloped in the smell of tea, a slight flower scent, and… tuna? A smile pulled at her lips. Blake really liked tuna. Despite their awkward position, Ruby started to drift off.

Blake jolted slightly when she heard the door to the room open. A blush pooled in her cheeks, realizing what she and Ruby's position may suggest. She was thankful, at least, for Ruby being asleep. The light footsteps approached the bed and Blake turned her head to see Yang grinning at her. When the blonde spoke, it was naught more than a whisper. "Comfortable?" she asked, looking incredibly cheeky.

The pink tone of Blake's cheeks harshened into a more crimson shade. "It's not what looks like."

Yang shrugged. "Even if it was, I wouldn't really mind." She reached over a tousled her sister's hair and smiling softly. "It's kind of obvious, ya know. You care for my little sis." She glanced at Blake. "Normally, I'm supposed to go 'Big Sister' and chase you off, but you make Rubes very happy."

Not electing to respond, Blake looked at the form in her arms. Something swelled in her chest every time she was around Ruby, pulling her close and catching her breath. "I'll try to make her the happiest person I know." She looked up at Yang. "Shouldn't be too hard, right? She already is the most cheerful of us."

Snickering, Yang nodded. "That's Ruby. We could be facing down an army of Grimm and she'd still probably have a huge grin on her face." The truth in that statement caused a pause in the blonde's demeanor. "It makes me question her sanity, to be honest." Both girls stopped before laughing. Yang stretched her arms and yawned. "I'mma take a nap, Blakey. Weiss said she'd be back soon, to let you know."

Blake nodded. "Okay, Yang. Sleep well."

End…

The reviewer's name is… Mossblomma.

So, POSSIBLY, I'll have another chapter done soon, but that depends on how lazy I feel… Anywho, if a chapter doesn't come out before the 17th of this month, then you should not expect it for at least another week after that, seeing as Bravely Second should arrive via mail by then and I will be playing that. If you have any questions, feel free to ask (as always) and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Adieu for now!