IMPORTANT: So I'm back, was I really gone? So I realized that this story is edging on hitting triple digits across the board. As I type this, the reviews, fav's and follows are sitting at 98, 93, 154! I'm trying something new and posting a poll on my profile. There's five Cinder x Ruby one-shot ideas to pick from, vote for your favorite; the top pick I'll write a massive one-shot for as my gift to all of you for being overall awesome people! Poll will be open until next Tuesday and I'll announce the winning idea in chapter 11. Now Enjoy!
~Oh and I don't know if I mentioned this before; but Blake is a Faunus in this AU and they do exist. No discrimination however.~
Chapter 10. Peer Pressure.
Blake couldn't, no, refused to believe it. Her worst fears and speculation had just been heartbreakingly confirmed. Cinder and Ruby are dating.
The Faunus sauntered her way back to the girls change room. Wanting to do nothing but shower, go to class, and go home.
The Volleyball captain sluggishly pushed the door open, she stepped inside, bit noticed the door not closing behind her. Turning her head just far enough to use her peripheral vision, Blake scowled at who had followed suit behind her;
Cinder.
The ebony-haired girl strutted in behind Blake and walked over to her belongings. Blake too note of the girls wet lips, and red hand marks around her collarbone. She continued to scowl as she made her way into the rooms shower area, her mind racing with anger, panic, and hate at what she just saw.
Blake cranked the water as hot as it could possibly go, and relented as the intense heat slowly melted away the tension within her muscles. But did nothing to try and draw her thoughts away from... Ruby.
Common courtesy standards say that if your friend is in an 'assumedly' delighted relationship with another individual; you should be downright thrilled and ecstatic for them. Says that you should give both unrelenting support and maybe some guidance too.
But when jealousy is thrown into the mix; courtesy is promptly thrown out.
So was the case with a certain captain or the senior girls volleyball team. Upon first glance, most people would see Blake Belladonna as a calm, and quiet introvert; one who just lays back in the shadows and observes those around her. When Cinder stepped through those doors on the first day of senior year, Blake, for the most part, paid the girl no mind. She had attempted to try and convince Weiss and Yang that she wasn't as bad as the shady rumors portrayed her.
That didn't mean that Cinder simply slipped under Blake's radar. The Faunus kept a secret watchful eye on Cinder, thanks in part of the fact that Ruby and her 'wanting to be friends' with Cinder was pretty evident from the get-go.
So Blake watched, her keen awareness being the big driving force behind It all. As the days and weeks went by, and Cinder and Ruby's 'friendship' grew deeper; Blake intensified her watchful eye over the two. Most of the time she caught them doing nothing out of the ordinary, as the weather turned cold Cinder began picking up Ruby in Mercury's silver sedan, along with that was the study time they spent together -which was off because Cinder is two years ahead of Ruby. Blake does know that they share History of Remnant class together. Ruby was so good in her historical studies she was put in the university course rather than the lower level ones, hence her being with the older students.
It wasn't until recently that Blake picked up on Ruby's odd behavior around both herself and Cinder. Especially Cinder.
Then there was that day in art class a few weeks back, and when Ruby finally told Blake what had been going on -for the most part. It royally peeved the Faunus to no end on how Cinder had the tenacity to avoid the crimsonette on purpose.
So Blake did what any good friends would do; she aided Ruby and stood on her side. She confronted Cinder and then...
During that confrontation, Cinder almost looked just as sad as Ruby was, but was ten times better at masking it. That led Blake to believe that there was some kind of blurred relationship between the both of them.
And was at such a point where Blake's mind took a proverbial turn down 'jealousy lane'
Yang once described the relationship between Blake and Ruby as "Ruby's Faunus sister she never had but always wanted."
That was when they were ten.
Eight years older and a lot less naive; Blake started to have deeper feelings for her excited redhead of a friend. They've been friends since Yang introduced them back in the third grade, and ever since then Blake has maintained a romanticized vision that maybe their relationship will go beyond the basic landscape of 'just good friends'.
Before Cinder came into the picture.
Blake hated to admit it, but one thing Cinder had over her was intense nerve. Cinder had done more for Ruby than Blake had in their entire friendship. She saved Ruby's life, beat off Cardin Winchester, picked a fight with Yang, and single-handedly swept Ruby into a head-over-heels state of adoration.
It was like a list; Cinder saves Ruby, Cinder dates Ruby, and now Cinder is an honorary member of her Volleyball team? Like a multi front war Blake couldn't had basically already lost.
And it only pushed her jealousy further into the red-zone.
Blake had almost felt heartbroken at the sight of Cinder viciously making out with Ruby in the hallway after class. The kicker being the fact that Ruby looked like she was enjoying herself. It was like a phantom heartbreak, one that technically didn't exist, but Blake and Blake only, could feel.
It wasn't fair...
The Faunus kept mentally kicking herself. 'I shouldn't be acting like this!' She was trying extremely hard not to bar such feelings towards Cinder and Ruby's relationship. She should be happy! Right? But she couldn't. Every time Blake attempted to rid her mind of the 'viscous make out' it would somehow weave it's way back in, and each time it came back; it was like a stab at the heart.
Blake blamed herself for this. If it wasn't for her 'hold back' attitude; Ruby would most likely be dating her right now, and not Cinder.
Which led Blake to think: what it would be like if she actually was dating Ruby. The quiet introverted bookworm and the easily excited, naive Ruby? Would it honestly work? And if so, for how long...
That idea made Blake cringe the most. On paper it seemed almost polar opposites, but in her mind it actually seemed doable. So long as she act fast and as soon as possible.
But could she really do that? Break up a couple like that, all for her own needs? Cinder was probably a bad influence on Ruby anyway. Most likely plaguing the girls mind with horrible ideas and open-ended threats. Cinder probably forced Ruby to do whatever she wanted.
Cinder may have saved her life, but that doesn't mean she'd just kick aside her bad ways just for Ruby.
A plan started to form in her mind. A plan that she hoped would work. A plan based off of a simple idea;
Go big or go home.
Assuming she'd spent enough time in the shower, Blake turned the hot water off and felt a shiver wave through her body as the heat subsided, and intense cold filled it's void.
As the Faunus exited the shower stall, she noticed that everyone had already left. 'How long was I in there for?' She mused. The change room was devoid of everyone -so Blake saw fit to be able to walk around completely nude without anyone else watching.
As she began dressing herself in her ensemble, she gave her plan one last thought. That shower had honestly made her feel better about this whole situation. It cleared her mind and put thoughts about the situation in order. All that was left was the execution. She would act on it... in due time.
For now, she had a Psychology test that needed to be studied for.
As Blake placed the last article of clothing on her body, she zipped up her jacket and straightened out her stockings, ready to take on the remainder of th-
"I knew I'd find you here."
The Faunus turned, her lips twisting upwards at who she saw. "Coco? What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"
Coco flashed Blake a smooth smirk before digging something out of her coat pocket. "You left this in the library this morning." She tutted. Blake eyed the object before mimicking the girls smile. "My phone? I was-"
"Yeah, you can thank me later." Coco smirked wider. She didn't mention a word before righting the hat a top her head and strutting off. Blake watched the brunette walk off, she held the phone loosely in her hand with a dumbstruck look across her face. Coco doesn't even have P.E. so why was she... it didn't make any sense.
Blake's only known Coco for a little under five months. The two met over the summer intermission at, oddly enough, a library.
Blake was looking for her favorite series of questionable novels when she noticed the third book in said series was missing. She made her rounds through the library but still didn't come in contact with her book. However on her way out; Blake took note of an aviator-clad brunette by the front counter with that exact book tucked under the sleeve of her designer jacket.
During a simple exchange with the girl, Coco let Blake sign the book out first -so long as she gave it back to her as soon as possible; to which Blake did. Their friendship blossomed from there, and they've been close ever since.
Shrugging off the random encounter, Blake finished preparing her belongings and left the change room. The thoughts of Ruby and Cinder's relationship escaped her mind and we're replaced with the thought of her next class; advanced arts with Ruby. That class was another one Ruby had been allowed to advance early in, due to her artistic prowess putting her leagues ahead of students in her grade.
Art class was Blake's favorite part of her hectic day of classes. Just her, Ruby, art, and relaxation. An easygoing class where she'd get some one-on-one time with her redheaded friend. The 'Cinder-free' zone as she had dubbed it.
Like a happy place...
######
It wasn't long before Blake reached her art class. Room 217 was located on the second floor in the school's west wing. A major bonus of being in an art class was the fact that uniforms weren't mandatory, so Blake strolled her way into the classroom with a simple black v-neck and jeans. Upon entering said room, Blake's senses were filled with the arid scent of paint and... perfume?
Her heightened senses picked out a rather familiar perfume in the room. A warm, inviting mixture of roses and succulent lavender. The oddity of it was that Ruby wasn't a big fan of different essences, and most of the time; choose to wear 'the cheap stuff'.
Today however, Ruby had chosen to use the 'non cheap stuff' in a strong dose. Reveling in the scent for only a few seconds, Blake took her seat next to the redhead in question and began to prepare her art supplies.
"Hey Blake!" Ruby greeted in her usual excited tone.
The Faunus just waved back in return. Out of sheer curiosity, Blake looked over Ruby's shoulder to get a glimpse at what she was working on.
And was fueled with silent anger at what she saw.
Ruby was not drawing her usual landscapes or portraits, nor her materialistic designs. She was drawing a picture of herself. And Cinder. Together.
It was a detailed sketch of what looked like Cinder taking selfie with her arm tightly wrapped around Ruby's shoulder, and the latter girl nuzzling into the crook of Cinder's neck. Both of them beaming with happiness, evident by the wide smiles upon both of their faces. The artist herself was paying finite attention to detail, eyes squinted and making each pencil stroke smooth and calculating.
Blake bit her lip, first Volleyball and now here too?
The Faunus remembered only one time where she was in o e of Ruby's many drawings.
Along with Weiss and Yang however.
It was a group photo they had taken at the beach last summer; Ruby had loved it so much she decided to draw and paint it for each of them. The picture in question still hung on Blake's bedroom wall, to serve as a good memento. But never once had Blake been In a picture with just Ruby.
She fought real hard to ward off the partial feeling washing over her mind.
"Hey uh, Blake?" Ruby asked, setting her pencil down.
"Hmm?" The Faunus snapped from her thoughts.
"Could you look this over? I think the lighting is a little off." Without waiting for an answer, Ruby slid the drawing across the worktable and directly in front of Blake, effectively forcing her to look at it. Amber eyes darted from the drawing to Ruby's enticing, almost demanding face. Hesitantly Blake shifted her gaze back to the photo and gave it a close up once - over.
Every line was smooth, obviously drawn by a very steady hand. Each of those lines ran in perfect sync with one another. The shading and scaling was extremely well done and the detail was mesmerizing. Ruby had asked about the lighting; which was also... done with high caliber performance.
Blake's day was officially ruined.
"It's... good." She stated.
"Y-You think so? Cinder wanted me to draw it for her, and I want to make sure it's really good."
"Why are you so adamant on it being perfect?" Blake tutted innocently.
Ruby blushed a deep red and attempted to hide her face in the crook of her elbow. "I-I just... uhm, being a good friend! That's all, hehe..."
Ruby started to squirm in her seat. The look her Faunus friend was currently giving her, made the girl feel like Blake could see how transparent she was being. The crimsonette fought hard to maintain her composure; lest she addle Blake's mind into pulling the truth out.
The was the last thingshe needed.
"Okay." Blake finished, her final comment left a very open - ended atmosphere, making Ruby all the more uncomfortable.
'She doesn't know... does she?'
An eerie silence befell between them. Blake quietly finished her paintings whilst giving Ruby odd stares and glances. The scarlet girl blazed through the remainder of her drawings and attempted to maintain a conflict free work period.
But deep down she felt incredibly nervous. Like Blake knew about her deeper relationship with Cinder. Now Blake wasn't the type to go and tattle to Yang about this; but those guileful stares Blake was giving her just made it seem like she would. Almost like she wanted to, whether it was for spite or for likeness; Ruby couldn't tell.
And it knotted her stomach further.
######
As art class came to an uneventful close, Ruby said her goodbye to Blake and hurried down the hallway adjacent to the one Blake had taken. To try and keep their relationship a secret from peering eyes; Ruby had elected to meet with Cinder everyday after art class in one of the schools western stairwells that remained vacant most of the time. They'd meet up, talk, kiss, and go on to History class like nothing happened.
The kissing part usually took long enough for both of them to be late however.
The crimsonette hurriedly ran through the halls, brushing past students and inching closer to her end goal.
She rounded the last corner and opened the door to the stairwell. Two flights of stairs that ran parallel to one another forming a u - shape. At the far end of the middle landing was large windows that looked out onto the schools track and soccer field.
And sitting right on the windowsill with one leg over the other was none other than Cinder herself; impatiently waiting for her 'Red' to show up.
The door gently closing pulled Cinder from her spot on the windowsill and directly towards Ruby. "Well look who decided to see me~"
'The typical 'Cinder' greeting' Ruby thought.
"H-Hey!" She squeaked.
Cinder pulled the girl into a tight embrace before lifting her small body off of the floor and sitting her down onto the windowsill. "So what's in store for today?" She asked.
Ruby gulped. "Uhhm, well I drew you this today!" The shrugged her bag off, unzipped it, and produced two large pieces of paper. Smiling, Cinder reached out and gently took them from Ruby's grasp. The elder girl flipped the pages over and and flashed a mischievous leer. "Someone's talented."
"Do... you like it?"
"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" Cinder pretended to act hurt by Ruby's comment.
"Really? I worked real hard on those; but i didn't have enough time to finish it." The crimsonette spoke, completely not picking up on Cinder's wordplay.
"Well..." Cinder set the art aside and joined Ruby on the sill. "You know what they say about hard work."
"W-What?"
"It shouldn't go..." She pecked Ruby on the cheek. "Unrewarded."
Ruby melted into Cinder touch as she cupped her cheek and pulled her into a strong on-the-lips kiss. Not wanting to submit, Ruby snaked her palm under Cinder's tresses and pulled at the back of her neck; connecting their foreheads and intensifying the embrace.
"Ruby?" Cinder inched back at Ruby's sudden dominance. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've been practicing with someone else." She joked. The ebony-haired girl leaned back in to pick up where they had left off; this time however Ruby pulled back.
The thought of 'someone else' crossed her mind;
Blake.
"C-Cinder wait." Ruby reeled back and shuffled a few inches away from Cinder, the older girl giving her a confused expression. "You aren't actually cheating on me now, are you Red?"
"N-No no no! It's just... I think..."
Cinder started to get just a tad bit nervous. "Think what?"
"I think that Blake might uh, know about us... you know." Ruby fiddled with her hands as she attempted to explain her predicament.
Cinder felt a tiny bit relieved. "Blake... how?"
"I don't know, I actually can't say for sure; but the way she acted in class today really hinted at it."
"Explain."
Ruby jumped down from the window and stood in front of Cinder. "Well she kept giving me weird looks, and then she kept looking at the picture, and then she asked me what it was for... and I got really nervous, she kept asking questions and then went totally silent. Like she had gotten her answer somehow."
"Don't worry Red. She's just bluffing you."
"Y-You think she'd do that?"
"Maybe, but let's not think about that right now-" She latched onto Ruby's collar and pulled the girl up into her lap. "We only have five minutes left."
"What ever should we do?" Ruby asked innocently.
"If you want to play hard; I can just leave~" To emphasize her point, Cinder shuffled back a bit and reached for her bag; her hand instantaneously being slapped back by none other than the eager Ruby herself.
"No! Wait, we can kiss, talk, w-whatever you want."
"Ruby we have only three minutes left, you know that's not enough time for either of us." Cinder joked and followed with a small giggle. "How about this; Mercury is throwing a party at the house on Friday, you should come with me."
"P - Party? Like with alcohol and stuff?"
Cinder visibly tried not to laugh. "Well of course, it's not a party without party favors."
Ruby's mind flashed back to last new years eve. That year she had spent the night at their Uncle Qrow's house and, unlike her father, Qrow was much more of the fun loving cool Uncle type; and permitted Ruby and Yang to have alcohol.
Long story short, Yang had got some pretty rich blackmail material by the time Ruby was done her second drink.
"Ruby? You still with me?"
"Hm, what? Oh yeah sure, I guess I'll go."
"Good." Cinder grabbed her back and swayed up to Ruby. "I'll pick you up at ten."
"Ten!?" Isn't that kinda late?"
Cinder couldn't hold back her laugh anymore. "Red, please... don't make me laugh."
Her ebony-haired girlfriend walked off with the four beeps of the bell sounding off just seconds after.
Ruby hoped Friday would come as fast as possible. Never once had she been invited to a party.
######
Apartment: 9:48 P.M.
"Alright girls, I'll see you tomorrow. Stay out of trouble." Ruby and Yang's father Adrian waved to both of his daughters before leaving for work, yet another one of his night-shifts.
"Later!" Both girls spoke in total synchronization.
Only a mere second past before Yang had disappeared from the living room, she came back a minute later. A white dress on a hanger in one hand and bright glossy heels in the other. Ruby stood there, slowly drawing a mental picture as to what Yang was up to. The blonde laid the dress over the arm of the dark couch and set the heels on the mat near the door.
And promptly started to strip herself in the middle of the den.
"Agh, Yang what're you doing?" Ruby flushed red and looked away.
Yang chuckled. "Oh come on Ruby I'm your sister."
All she got was a non-compliant grunt in return.
"Fine, Weiss invited me to some upscale ball in some big hotel downtown, and I gotta dress the part."
"I was wondering why you did your hair up earlier." Ruby continued to look away. "You'll stick out like a sore thumb there." She giggled.
"Yeah, haha, very funny. Now how do I look?"
Reluctantly, Ruby shuffled around and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of her fully dressed sister. Yang was clad in a strapless satin white dress the furled out after the waist. "Lemme guess..." Ruby tutted. "Weiss picked that out for you?"
Yang crossed her arms. "No! Her... sister did actually..." The blonde muttered.
"Winter? Seriously? She's like eight!" Ruby burst out laughing at the choice, or lack thereof, Yang had , add to find a dress. "Well from the looks of it she's got a better fashion sense than you." Ruby broke down in rears of laughter. Her loud howls echoing off of the living room walls.
"Oh coming from little miss, 'Owner of forty-five hoodies'"
"Hey!" The crimsonette broke from her stupor. "Those were on sale!"
"Sure whatever." Yang's phone vibrated from over on the kitchen counter, she ran over and checked whom it was.
"Welp, Weiss is on her way here; I better go down and meet up with her. I'll be back... whenever."
"Have fun!" Ruby forced her blonde sister out the door before she could even put her heels on. The girl slammed the door shut and instantly locked it.
"Get Yang out of the house -check." She spoke.
Yang wasn't the only one going out tonight.
Ruby's mind started to race with ideas. 'What's a party like? How are you supposed to dress? What if they make fun of me? Do I have to drink?' We're just some of the jumbled thoughts that ran rampant in her head.
She started to worry. 'What if the cops show up?' I can't go to jail!'
It was quite obvious that this was without a doubt going to be an underage party. Cinder may be two years older, but even then she too was underage.
KNOCK KNOCK!
Speak of the devil...
Ruby fixed her hair slightly, before rushing over to the door and answering it. She swung the oak slab open; giving her a jaw dropping look at Cinder.
The girl was clad in a crimson long sleeve shirt that was cut at an angle at the waist, with bright white tone depth yoga pants and ankle - high boots. Cinder's dark hair fell down its usual shoulder with her bangs blocking the sight of her left eye.
"Ready to go?" She asked.
"Uh, yeah, let's go!"
All Ruby had worn was a black and red, sweater and jeans ensemble. She had no idea how Cinder could dress like that with it being the end of October.
"You look pretty." Ruby complimented.
"Thanks, so do... so do you." She snorted.
"Hey! At least I tried."
Cinder gave her a quick peck on the cheek, "You sure did."
######
Cinder pulled the gray sedan off to the side of the road across the street from Emeralds house. The party destination had been switched at the last moment due to Mercury's parents coming home from their trip a day early.
The street was already lined up and down with cars of all makes and models. The house the centered on was a regular two story single family home just a few minutes from Mercury's own. The soft pounding of music could be heard from outside.
Both Cinder and Ruby opened their respective doors and stepped out into the cold late-night air. It was cold enough to see their breaths, and for Ruby to visibly shiver. she looked to the slightly under dressed Cinder; who seemed completely unaffected by the cold.
"How are you n-not cold?"
"It's just the way I am, now C'mon Merc and Em are waiting."
Cinder speed forward with Ruby in tow. They both reached the front door and stepped inside, the soft beat turned into blaring music as the door swung open; Ruby rushed in first wanting nothing more than to heat up.
"Well look who made it." Mercury appeared from the large crowd of students in the living room. In one hand was a red cup and in the other was Emerald's own palm as he dragged her along with him.
"Merc, from what I heard, 'Mommy and Daddy' almost grounded you." Cinder teased.
"Whatever." The silver - haired boy looked over to his left and laid eyes upon Ruby. "Okay I know I say this a lot; but what's she doing here?"
"I.. invited her. Is that a problem?"
"No." Mercury grabbed a drink from a nearby table. "So long as she isn't a wimp." Her held the cup directly in front of Ruby, almost pleading her to take it.
"I... uh,"
"C'mon drink, it's a party not a business meeting."
Ruby's eyes bounced from the cup, to Mercury to Cinder. The older girl gave her a nonchalant shrug and nodded for Ruby to take it.
And take it she did.
The crimsonette wafted in the sharp smell of alcohol, her face scrunched a little before she closed her eyes and downed the whole cup in one go.
"Wow!" Mercury applauded. "Didn't think you had it in ya."
Ruby's head straightened out, everything seemed to go in slow motion for a second before she shook her head at the rush the substance had given her.
It actually wasn't bad.
Cinder grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. "Red, it's time to party."
Tonight was definitely going to be fun night.
Maybe even more than they bargained for.
A/N Party time! I can assume you all see where this is going. Remember don't forget to vote on my poll for your favorite idea! And thanks again for all those follows and favs! And remember; don't drink and drive folks.