A Royal Match - Chapter 7 (Patreon)

“I hope you enjoy the gifts,” Whitley added with a smug smile.  Too busy being proud of his ‘thoughtfulness,’ he failed to notice Ruby’s reaction to it - mainly, that the pile of thoughtless treasures had no impact on her.

“Thank you, Whitley,” she still replied with a polite nod.  “I appreciate your...efforts.” 

From the triumphant smile he sent Weiss’ way, Ruby might as well have professed that this was the single greatest host of presents she’d ever received.  A fool’s interpretation, but it emboldened him to continue the trend he set over dinner - that he was the prince worthy of Ruby’s return to Atlas.

“I’ll walk you to your chambers.”  When he offered his arm to Ruby, Weiss decided that she’d had enough of his overtures.  Before she said anything, however, someone else interrupted.

“Whitley.”

She and Whitley both flinched at the voice - a byproduct of their upbringing that they would outlast rather than outgrow.  Fortunately for her, their father had chosen to pick on Whitley tonight, saving her unavoidable scolding for another day.

“Yes, Father?”  To Whitley’s credit, his smile hardly fell while turning towards their father, who waved him over as if the mere gesture was annoying.  With any hope of a quick getaway dashed, he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and forced yet another charming smile.

“I’m sorry,” he told Ruby.  “It seems I have important palace matters to attend to.  If you’ll excuse me.”

With an apologetic nod, he returned to their father’s side, where he’d plastered himself for the entire meal in an attempt to impress Ruby.  Unfortunately for him, it appeared that his proximity garnered their father’s attention, and now he had to deal with the repercussions.  

For Weiss, it meant an opportunity to spend a moment alone with Ruby - something she’d craved ever since Ruby returned to the palace earlier that afternoon.

“Can I walk you to your room?” she asked while offering her arm to Ruby, whose smile suggested she understood the irony of the situation but was glad it worked out in their favor.  

“I’d like that.”  

After looping her arm through Weiss’, Ruby led the way.  As they left the foyer behind in favor of the upstairs bedrooms, however, her arm relaxed, and her hand slid further down Weiss’ arm.  By the time they made it to the hallway leading to her chambers, she let her hand rest upon Weiss’, making it all too easy for Weiss to turn hers around and hold Ruby’s in return.

With butterflies returning full force, Weiss grew even fonder of the girl walking beside her, who she’d missed far more than she ever expected.  “I’m glad you’re back,” she admitted once the thought crossed her mind.  “It’s been a bit...lonely without you.” 

She grew up lonely, with only Winter’s sporadic presence to keep her company.  She was used to lonely.  She knew how to survive lonely.  Around Ruby, however, loneliness felt like a choice, not a decision made for her.

“Well, I’m back now,” Ruby replied, turning to smile at Weiss.  “So you can’t be lonely anymore.” 

Ruby’s smile grew when Weiss laughed at the response, which only made her happier.  She couldn’t put into words how much she missed this.  And she couldn’t believe that the quiet, reserved girl who arrived in Atlas all those weeks ago was the one who made her feel like this.

But she was done questioning why.  She felt like this because this was how Ruby made her feel, and if there was any hope that her feelings were returned...she hoped to find out soon.

“Thank you for tolerating dinner,” she added as they walked hand-in-hand through the halls, feeling her heart jump again when Ruby intertwined their fingers.  “I’m sure the last thing you wanted was such a tense evening after your travels.” 

“It wasn’t too bad, but...your dad’s a little scary.”

Weiss nodded at the response, which was the most efficient way to describe her father.  “He’s mellowed with age and illness,” she explained, as if that might give Ruby a clue as to how she and Whitley were raised.  “But yes, he can still be quite fearsome when he wants to be.” 

When Ruby nodded and they drifted into silence, Weiss thought about her father, who ruled with an iron fist until age caught up to him.  Age and his past misdeeds, which she fully blamed for the illness quickly depleting his remaining life.  No one had the right to be that callous without suffering the consequences - not even a king.

As they neared Ruby’s living quarters, however, thoughts of her father were replaced with disappointment that they would soon part ways.  Now that they were alone, her feelings from earlier had returned with a vengeance, and she didn’t want to say goodnight so soon.  But Ruby must be exhausted from her trip...

“Maybe we can spend time together tomorrow?” she asked, knowing she needed something to look forward to before leaving.  “We can go into Atlas for more ice cream if you’d like.”

“I’d love to,” Ruby replied and, when she smiled, Weiss’ heart fluttered.  Technically, it was another planned date like the many they’d gone on in the past.  At least, that’s what Weiss told herself while focusing a little too much on how it felt like a real date.

“Great.”  She didn’t want to leave, so she lingered by the door and held onto Ruby’s hand for as long as possible.  “I’d love to, too.” 

Was it normal to want to be around someone so much?  The last thing she wanted to do was walk away right now, especially when Ruby just returned after being away for so long.  But the trip from Vale must have been tiring...

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she added, reluctantly dropping Ruby’s hand and stepping away.  “I hope you sleep well.” 

Before second-guessing her resolve, she turned to leave - only to freeze when a hand touched her elbow.  

“Wait.”

Such a simple word, and such a simple gesture, but it filled her with relief as she turned around.  

“I’m actually not that tired right now...” Ruby added with a hesitant, somewhat embarrassed expression.  “Maybe we can talk a little longer?” 

When Ruby motioned towards the door, Weiss’ relief - and nerves - grew.  

“Of course,” she said anyway, because there was no way she could decline the opportunity to spend more time together.  But her nerves grew even louder when Ruby opened the door and waved her inside.

The first thing she noticed upon entering the outer living chambers was that this was unequivocally Ruby’s room.  Her bags sat unpacked near the end of the sofa, and her spirit seemed to have taken over the rest of the space.  Small knickknacks and pictures dotted the surfaces, most featuring the traditional red and gold of Vale.  

The second thing Weiss noticed was how walking into Ruby’s room made her feel.  This was Ruby’s room.  This was her space, and only she decided who was or wasn’t allowed inside.  Yet she invited Weiss, and that invitation felt special.  Intimate, even.

“Did you have a good time at home?” Weiss asked in an attempt to ignore her growing desire.  Because they were alone alone now, with no one supervising their interaction...

“It was really nice,” Ruby replied with a grateful smile.  “Thank you for letting me go.  Seeing everyone was...really, really great.” 

“You don’t have to thank me, Ruby.  I’m glad you got to visit, and I think we should plan another one soon.”  

Everyone would throw another fit about Ruby disappearing again, but Weiss didn’t care.  What she cared about was that Ruby got to see her family and friends.  

But...what if Ruby had a particular reason for wanting to go home?  Or a particular person?

“Do you...have anyone special at home?” Weiss ventured to ask.  “That you wanted to visit?” 

“You mean like my family?” 

“Right, or...”  Realizing that she couldn’t ask the question without opening a can of worms or sounding jealous, she paused and shook her head.  But it was jealousy that brewed in her chest at the thought of Ruby already having someone special.  What would that person be like?  Probably warm, gracious, and beautiful just like herself.

“Oh.  You mean  -”

“It’s none of my business,” Weiss rushed to add, but Ruby shook her head.  

“It’s fine - you can ask.  And, um, no.  There’s...no one else.” 

Reading too much into that response, ‘no one else’ implied that there was someone now...

“That’s good,” Weiss said before realizing how that sounded.  “I mean, if that’s what you want, then good.  If not, then…” 

She trailed off when Ruby smiled and moved closer.  Suddenly, it became a little harder to breathe, especially when she recognized the look in Ruby’s eyes - the same look she’d seen on that snowy day in the gardens.  Only this time more...assured.

“What about you?” Ruby asked, her voice no louder than a whisper even though there was no one else around.  “Do you have someone special?”

This was it.  This was Weiss’ chance to make her feelings known, but she was suddenly scared.  What if she said yes and Ruby didn’t feel the same?  Could she really take this chance with the person holding the key to the future of Atlas?  More importantly, could she really take this risk with her heart?

“I think so...” she whispered, only for her confidence to be bolstered when Ruby set a hand on her elbow.  

With just that small touch, she realized that this wasn’t a risk at all...because she already knew Ruby’s answer.  

“I do,” she corrected when Ruby’s other hand caressed her cheek.  And the next moment, her eyes slid shut while she tilted her chin up and met Ruby’s lips with her own. 

Just like the first time, her heart filled with butterflies.  Just like the first time, her mind raced and her skin tingled with excitement.  But this time, she knew what she wanted, and that was so much more than just one kiss.  When Ruby didn’t move away, she realized she wasn’t the only one, and that emboldened her like nothing before.  

With their lips moving together, seamlessly and easily, she breathed in the scent of roses and wrapped her arms around Ruby’s neck to bring her closer.  It wasn’t until their bodies pressed together that she realized how good this felt - how much she loved this burgeoning intimacy between them - yet she wanted to be closer still.  She wanted to meld into one, and that desire only grew when Ruby’s hands dropped to her hips, where they gripped her waist before sliding up her sides.  

Her skin grew hotter with each passing second, and she found herself wanting more - to be more to this person she grew fonder of by the day.  Ruby somehow sensed that longing - or felt it for herself - and, when her lips parted, Weiss didn’t hesitate to slide her tongue into Ruby’s mouth.  Feeling Ruby’s tongue move together with hers - the two of them feeling and tasting as much of this new sensation as possible - she abruptly realized how fast they were moving, and how much she didn’t want to stop.

But she didn’t want to rush.  And, admittedly, she felt unprepared for...all of this.  So when Ruby’s fingertips slipped under her shirt, sending a spike of hunger through her veins, she somehow slowed her kisses, and Ruby did the same.  

After a few long, tender kisses, their lips finally parted, and she opened her eyes to find expressive silver right in front of her.  Loosening her arms from around Ruby’s neck, she moved a decent distance apart but stayed close enough that it still felt...intimate.  The blush on their cheeks certainly suggested intimacy, as did the rising and falling of their chests while their breathing settled down.

“That was…” Ruby began before clearing her throat and smiling - a big, bright smile that made Weiss want to kiss her again.  “That was amazing.”

“Yes, it...yes, it was.”

Weiss felt so many different emotions at the moment that she didn’t know what to do with them all.  But she knew if Ruby didn’t start talking again soon, they would be kissing instead.  That would be amazing - she knew it would be - but at the same time...now that she knew her feelings were returned, she wanted to do this the right way.

“Let’s talk about your trip?” she asked, only for her heart to beat loudly when Ruby nodded, grabbed her hand, and led her over to the sofa.  

Logically, she knew she should be ecstatic because Ruby had chosen her over Whitley, but that thought hardly registered in her mind.  Right now, she was ecstatic because Ruby liked her.  Ruby - the amazing, wonderful princess who had the misfortune of being sent to Atlas - liked her.  She’d never hoped for something like this before, knowing she would only be disappointed, but now that she had it...she wasn’t letting go.