Weiss Schnee
When we finally arrived at the hospital I immediately found out where Ruby's room was. Ignoring the nurse telling me to slow down, I ran as fast as my legs would carry me up to her room. As soon as I walked inside I saw an unconscious Ruby laying on the bed with Yang holding her hand.
The top of her head was completely bandaged; she also had bandages around her torso. I won't lie, the sight of it made me want to cry...really bad. I walked over to her bed and fell to my knees next to her, grabbing her hand.
"Thanks for coming Weiss...I know she'll want to see you when she wakes up." Yang says, sounding really choked up. She was probably crying before I came in, how could she not?
"I want to be here for her." I slightly tighten my grip on her hand, almost like I'm afraid she'll disappear if I don't. "After all she's always there for me." That manages to put a weak smile on Yang's face before it quickly fades.
"Do you have any idea who might have done this?" she asks.
I didn't answer at first. I had an idea but I didn't want to tell her yet considering she might run off and try to kill that monster. Not that I blame her I would very much like to as well but I know Ruby needs us here now.
"Not that I can think of." I lied, feeling a twinge of guilt in my chest. She must have bought it because she dropped the subject. We sat there in silence for a good while. Neither of us really know what else to say right now.
Eventually I open my eyes and see that it is morning. I must have fallen asleep. I look across the bed to see Yang out cold. Then I look at Ruby and see that she still hasn't woken up.
"You better come back to me you dolt..." I say brushing the hair out of her face. "Please.."
Realizing what time it was I called our boss to request the day off. I wasn't ready to leave Ruby's side. I explained the situation to him and he was very understanding which is typical of him. He said to take as much time as we need, he'll make it work. I thanked him and hung up, happy to have such a kind boss. I return to Ruby's side holding her hand.
"Hey Weiss." I look up and see Alan and Inu.
"Oh..hey guys." I say as they both walk over to us. They both look worried but Alan even more so. He and Ruby are practically best friends after all.
"Is Ruby gonna be okay?" Inu asks on Alan's behalf. Not that she doesn't also want to know but I think she can tell he is not doing so great right now.
"The Doctors aren't sure but I know she'll be fine." I say gently.
"Yeah...Yeah you're probably right it'd take a lot more than this to take Ruby out." Alan says with a faint smile.
"Absolutely." I motion towards some chairs. "You can take a seat if you plan on staying."
"Y-Yeah, thanks Weiss." They both hug me before going and sitting on the small sofa directly across from Ruby's bed.
Alan just leans forward and looks at Ruby with a worried expression on his face. Inu holds his hand and puts her other hand on his back comfortingly.
After about another hour we heard someone else come in. This time I was surprised to see Yang and Ruby's father Taiyang standing in the doorway. He was away on a business trip, literally too far away to have driven here, he must have taken a flight and came home early.
I suppose that's not too surprising, that is what good fathers are supposed to do after all and he has always been that. He doesn't say anything at first but just walks over to Yang shaking her awake gently. Yang slowly stirs from her sleep before turning to look at him and immediately jumping up and hugging him tightly.
"Hey sweetie," he says, hugging her back. "I wish I could've been here sooner, I'm sorry."
"No it's fine I'm just glad you're here." they break the hug so they could both sit down next to Ruby. He leans over gently kissing her cheek.
"My poor baby girl." he says, sounding just heartbroken. He then looks across to me. "How are you holding up Weiss?" he asks, sounding genuinely concerned. He has always treated me like family. I guess you could say, if Klein is like my real father to me, Tai is like a second father.
"If I am honest sir..not great." I answer honestly, not seeing the point in lying.
"I'm sorry I know how much Ruby means to you." he says gently and offers me a hug which I eagerly accept.
Hours passed as we just sat there and talked, mostly just catching up. As we rolled into the afternoon we heard a familiar voice and looked up towards the doorway to see it was Jaune and the rest of the gang. They all piled into the room, definitely pushing the limit of how many people we can have in here at one time but I didn't really care.
"We came as soon as we could." Jaune says as they all start laying various gifts including cards, flowers, and boxes of cookies on the table beside her bed.
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that a lot guys, I know I do." Yang says, smiling as genuinely as she can. "Thanks."
"It's nice to see Ruby has so many great friends." Tai says, smiling as well. A lot of them hug Yang before walking over to me and hugging me too. It really was heartwarming seeing everyone here to support Ruby.
Suddenly we all hear grumbling and we go deadly silent, turning to look at Ruby. She starts stirring in her sleep before I see a sight that fills me with more relief and joy than I ever thought I could feel. She opens her eyes, even if only half way and she looks around at all of us.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" she asks before we all move in as close as we can, hugging her and a lot of us crying tears of joy just to see her awake. "Hey guys it's not like I don't appreciate the love but where am I and why does my head hurt?" she asks, sounding very confused.
"You're in the hospital Ruby...you were attacked." I say being the first to speak up. "Someone stabbed you in the shoulder and hit you in the head..hard. You have been out for nearly an entire day."
"Well that explains why my head hurts." she says looking really surprised. "How long have you all been here?"
"We just got here not long ago" Jaune says "but Yang and Weiss have been here all night and day." Ruby turns to look at me and Yang with a surprised look at first but then she smiles wide.
"You guys sure know how to make a girl feel loved." she says laughing a little. "For real though, thanks..it means a lot to me." she says to both of us but I notice her gaze linger on me towards the end there. I can't help but blush a little. "Thanks to the rest of you guys for coming too of course!"
"Don't mention it Ruby, that's what friends are for." Nora says grinning.
"Indeed, you'd have done the same for us." Ren says.
"Yeah, no way we weren't going to be here for you!" Jaune flashes a thumbs up.
"Not after everything we've been through." Pyrrha smiles softly.
"We're basically a big family at this point." Inu says.
"What she said.." Alan adds. "I..I'm just really glad you are okay, pipsqueak."
"Aww." Everyone says in unison. Making him blush which causes us all to laugh. Alan usually isn't great at showing any deep emotions so it's genuinely kind of touching.
Eventually the doctor comes in and offers a sigh of relief. Definitely makes me feel even more grateful that Ruby is awake. "It's great to see you awake Miss Rose, we were really worried about you for a while there."
"It takes more than a bump to the head to take me out, doc." she says, chuckling. The rest of us including the doctor can't help but laugh a little too. It's honestly amazing that she can be in such high spirits given the circumstances. "So when can I go home?" she asks.
"We would like for you to stay one more night for observation just to make sure everything is okay." he says. Ruby looks a little annoyed but she complies.
"Fine if you say so." she says laying back.
"Now don't pout if it makes you feel any better. I will stay to keep you company." I say smiling trying to cheer her up. It seems to work because she smiles and leans up hugging me.
"It does, thanks Weiss." she says as I hug her back.
"Now Miss Rose, while I am happy to see friends supporting each-other, I am afraid all but 3 of your friends will have to go. This room isn't big enough for this many people to be here." he says, sounding pretty apologetic. Even if it was a totally reasonable request.
Everyone kind of looks disappointed but after saying goodbye to Ruby they all filed out of the room one by one until it's just me, Yang, Tai, and Ruby in the room.
"One last thing." the Doctor says. "I am sure your memory is fuzzy but the police will be here soon to talk to you."
"I'll try to help but I'm not sure if I'll have anything to say." Ruby answers.
"Actually... I may have an idea who did this." I say nervously. They all look at me kind of surprised except Yang who looks a bit angry.
"You said you didn't know who might have attacked Ruby" she says looking at me accusingly.
"I know and I'm sorry for lying..I just wanted us to focus on Ruby at the time." I say kind of ashamed. Ruby gently places her hand on mine reassuringly and I hear Yang let out a sigh.
"Well I guess I can forgive you this time but don't let it happen again." she says sternly.
"Thanks Yang" I said, smiling.
"At any rate I am sure the police would like to speak to both of you then." the doctor says as he starts to take his leave. "Oh and miss Xiao Long there is a young woman who says her name is Blake waiting for you at the reception desk."
"Oh she finally got here" she says standing up "I'm just happy she came, I told her she didn't have to."
"Wasn't Blake on vacation with her family?" Tai asks.
"Y-Yeah but she insisted on coming home once she heard." she says with an eye roll but a soft smile.
"Ruby dear, would you mind if I went down the lobby with your sister for a bit?" he asks and Ruby shakes her head no. "Good I'll be right back and it was nice seeing you again Weiss."
"You too sir." I say politely as they walk out of the room.
"So..all night huh?" Ruby says, turning towards me.
"Sh-shut up Dolt" I say blushing "it's only natural I would stay with my girlfriend when she is hurt." she responds by giggling.
"I'm only teasing..honestly it makes me very happy." she says, grabbing my hand.
"Ruby...honestly, I was so scared." I say, gripping her hand tightly. "I got to thinking about what I would do without you and..the thought of you not being with me anymore, it was terrible."
"Oh Weiss..." Ruby says, tightening her grip on my hand in return.
"I don't ever want to go back to life without you, ever again." I lunge forward and throw my arms around her neck. "Please stay with me forever Ruby."
"I will." she puts her arms around me as best she can.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
We pull apart just long enough to seal our promise with a kiss. Not that it was necessary but..it certainly doesn't hurt.
My heart was beating out of my chest but I also felt somehow at peace. This just feels so right. She finally breaks the kiss and looks me straight in the eye."I love you."
"I love you too." We interlock our fingers. We were in our own little world. I feel like life is going to throw a lot at us, very soon. At that moment though I didn't care. This was our moment and I wanted to make it last as long as I could.