Six days later, Roman woke with a start. He was perspiring heavily, beads pouring down his face. He could feel the sheets around him were damp in his fit. Neo sat next to him, her mismatched eyes studying him with worry.
"I'm fine," he huffed out. He threw back the thin sheets on top of him and hurried to the bathroom. Slamming the door, he leaned over the sink and stared himself in the face. His orange hair was matted down, his green eyes filled with a wildness only known to rabid animals. He could see the lines under his eyes, and pulling in deep breaths, he tried to calm his nerves.
There was a slight knock at the door, and Roman jumped. Why couldn't she just leave him alone for a few minutes? That's all he needed.
"I'll be out in a sec," he called through the door. He could imagine the young girl waiting patiently outside the door, her arms hanging at her sides as she watched for him.
Roman wished he could turn on the water here; that's what he really needed right now. A good, long shower. Luckily they would be heading to town soon to do so, but he had to calm himself before they did anything at all.
The dream, or rather nightmare, Roman had endured through the night replayed in his head. He returned to combat school with Loden and Neo, only for them to reject the girl and throw her on the streets. Roman didn't keep his promise about leaving if she couldn't stay, so she lived alone again. Then she was forced into her terrible past, except this time, she didn't escape.
Tears welled in Roman's eyes. He couldn't let it happen. He refused to let it happen. He promised himself then that he would protect her with any means necessary, even with his life. He couldn't bear for her to go through another horrible thing. He would quit combat school again if it meant staying with her and protecting her. She was all he had.
Inhaling long breaths, Roman calmed the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes while simultaneously seizing the nauseous feeling within his stomach. He would not puke. He would not puke. He would not puke.
He lied. He threw up whatever he even had in his stomach, his knees cracking as they hit the floor. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Roman shakily stood up and looked himself in the mirror once more. Man, he looked like shit. Hopefully a shower would fix that. Forcing a deep breath into his lungs, he pulled open the bathroom door to find Neo watching him with worried eyes. She tilted her head to the side, her eyebrows crinkled and a slight frown laid upon her face.
"I'm fine," Roman lied. He pushed past her to the bedroom again, tossing the black backpack over his shoulder. The girl followed him, leaning on the doorway, her arms crossed. He could feel her eyes boring into him, but he refused to meet her gaze. Damn her ability to always know when something was wrong.
Roman made to walk past her again, but her small frame stepped in front of him. Not looking her in the eyes, he tried again, but she only set a hand on his chest and lightly pushed him back. He could tell he wasn't going to get anywhere if he didn't tell her.
"I had a dream, okay?" Roman burst out. "More of a nightmare, actually. I'm just stressed about going back to Signal, that's all."
Her eyebrows creased further, but he didn't want to tell her the details of the dream. He didn't want her to know that his subconscious believed he would abandon her if it came to it. He didn't even want to believe it, and there was no way he would let Neo believe it. No way he would tell her either.
"Neo, please, I'll be fine," he said, his voice softening. "It was just a little dream because I'm nervous, but I'm sure everything will go okay."
Her features melted, and her eyes said she believed him. Roman sighed internally; he always knew what to say to make her feel better, even if sometimes it was a lie.
"Are you ready to head to Vale? We need to shower and get ready for Loden."
Neo bit her lip, her mismatched eyes staring at the floor. The young girl had some indecision about leaving her home of three years. It had been her refuge for the extended time, even if some of it was her nearly dying of starvation. However, her home now was with the orange-haired pickpocketer, and she couldn't bear to even think of leaving him. She would follow him wherever he went for he had saved her life.
The young girl nodded reluctantly, sweeping her eyes over the bedroom one last time. She didn't know what combat school was like, but she doubted her and Roman would be able to stay in the same bed, and she was already missing the warmth he brought to her frail structure. Although he was much older, the girl couldn't help but blush at her foolishness. She would miss more than his warmth.
Roman patted her on the shoulder, ripping her from her thoughts, and her cheeks heated even more. She moved her gaze to the floor so he wouldn't see.
"If you need a moment, it's okay. I'll be outside."
Then the older boy left. Neo couldn't help but relish in the softness of his voice, how much he cared. She wished she could just leave this awful place, the place that reminded her of her parents' deaths. She wished she could just forget it like Roman had. She wished she could just toss it aside and move on to hopefully better things.
But she couldn't. The apartment, no matter how run down, had kept her safe from the horrors of the abandoned section of Vale. It had embraced her to hide from it all. If she could thank it, she would.
Neo dragged her hand on the wall as she walked down the hallway to the living room, avoiding the holes and admiring the cracks. It was a reminder of her life for the past three years, a reminder of what she suffered, of what her parents suffered. Even more than that was it reminded her of fighting for survival, not just for food and supplies though. It was of what happened after her parents died, of what she did to escape, of her flickering guilt over it. Images flickered through her mind, but she pushed them away. She wouldn't let them get to her. This was a time in which she should be happy, rejoicing for a new life, a better life. She wouldn't succumb to the shame.
Before she broke down, she swept her eyes across the apartment one last time before exiting to join Roman outside. He watched her slowly walk to him, her head hung.
"Alright now?"
Looking up into Roman's eyes, Neo knew instantly that this was what she wanted. She wanted to be safe. She wanted to stay with Roman. She wanted a real life.
The girl nodded. Roman smiled and threw an arm over her shoulder, though he had to bend down a little bit, and said, "Then let's get going."
The companions headed off to Vale to ready themselves for their new life. Before they entered the showers, Roman pulled Neo back, who was already eager to start. She gave him a questioning look, but all he did was take off the backpack and open it. Glancing up at her, he said, "I have a surprise for you."
The girl's brows crinkled. A surprise? They were in poverty. How could he have a surprise? She waited patiently, and Roman pulled the pink dress he had stolen for her out of the bag. Neo brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes watering. She couldn't help but admire the beautiful clothing. And how it reminded her of the day her parents died. It was nearly the same dress she had worn that day, a piece of her horrible memory that would never be forgotten. An embodiment of horrific endurings.
Now, though, it would be a reminder of her new life. It was a sign of her safety. And with Roman, nonetheless. An embrace of warmth to protect her. A tribute to her old life and her memory. A new beginning.
Neo threw her arms around Roman's neck, sobbing into his shoulder. At first, the boy was startled, but he embraced her as well. He had hoped she would like it. Although he did have doubts of it when he found out about what she had endured. He was glad it hadn't backfired on him.
The girl finally pulled back, sniffling and wiping her face. She tentatively took the dress from him, and he also handed her a fresh set of underwear too. This time, it wasn't awkward though. She was too grateful for the dress.
The two relished in the showers, a final rid of the grime they experienced in the seven months they had known one another. However, the silence of the two brought about doubts. They both couldn't help but believe that Neo wouldn't be able to stay. She was too young for combat school yet. Roman wanted to stay and learn to fight. He wanted to learn revenge. She wanted to learn what it was like to not be lonely. They both had wishes, but all of them relied on the headmaster's answer.
Finally, the two decided to end their stress-provoking thoughts and cut off their showers. It wasn't long before they were heading to the spot where Loden had told Roman to meet him. As they were slightly early, they sat on a bench, not conversing or even looking at each other. Neo's legs swung back and forth as he slightly hunched over, her hands gripping the edge of the bench. Roman sat back, trying to relax himself. Two differing personalities. Two differing coping mechanisms.
"Neo?"
The young girl glanced at him, but her eyes returned to the road. She didn't want him to see the anxiety she was battling with.
"It'll be okay. They wouldn't kick you out. I won't believe they can. And I'm not leaving you."
She patted his knee, letting him know she appreciated what he said. It didn't help her anxiety though, and she continued to hunch over, her stomach bubbling. She was glad they hadn't eaten anything this morning.
It wasn't long before a green-haired boy ventured up to them. He stopped in front of them, shoving his hands in his pockets. Roman noticed how different he looked in casual clothing instead of his combat gear or school uniform, and internally, he admired it.
"This a friend?" Loden asked, waving a hand at Neo.
"Yeah, she's coming with," Roman answered. He stood up, readying himself to leave.
"Isn't she a little young for combat school?" Loden looked at her with disregard, and Neo's face started to morph to anger. She would not be seen as useless.
"Yeah, but she's who I've been living with for the past seven months, and I'm not leaving her alone on the streets."
"You think the headmaster will let this fly?"
"He's going to, or I'm leaving again."
Loden's eyebrows raised in surprise. There was also something indiscernible in Loden's eyes as he looked at Roman, something he couldn't make out.
"Well, I'm not one to stop you." He leaned down to look Neo in the eyes. "What's your name?"
"Her name is Neo."
Loden straightened again. Roman couldn't help but watch his arms in the green shirt that matched his hair perfectly.
"You're a quiet one, aren't you?" he asked Neo. She glared at him, her brown and pink eyes warning.
"She's mute."
Loden's face fell in embarrassment. "Oh, shit, I'm sorry."
"Can we just go?"
Loden nodded vigorously, swallowing hard. Roman didn't why Loden seemed so nervous. Neo hopped off the bench, and the two companions followed the huntsman-in-training.
"So, Roman, you've just been living in Vale this whole time?"
"Not so much Vale, but outside of Vale."
"And you met your friend there?"
Roman nodded. He knew Loden was just trying to make small talk and fill in the awkward silence, but he wished they could just be quiet until they knew if Neo could stay or not.
Roman noticed Neo trailing behind them, and he slowed slightly to grab her hand. Her cheeks turned red, but he ignored it and squeezed her hand. They needed all the moral support they could get.
The trio soon rounded on a small airship and boarded. Loden told the pilot they were ready, and they started the flight to Signal. Roman leaned back and closed his eyes. It was going to be a long, anxiety-filled ride.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay on this chapter. I was having a hard time getting motivated, but it's finally here. I really hope you guys like it. It may seem a little boring, but I'm still setting up the plot for what will be happening, so hopefully you guys stick with me.
Additionally, if you're looking for another RWBY fanfic, there's one called The Downward Spiral which I highly recommend and am giving a shoutout to.
Any reviews, favorites, or follows would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!