Chapter 5

Ruby shivered, rubbing her arms as she and Sun settled into his car. The engine roared awake with the jingle of keys, the heater blasting to high. "I know everyone says it's cold in Atlas, but it's like a wet blanket on my skin!" Ruby chattered. Upon opening the apartment block door the pair had been hit by a wall of chill. She had not even realized how warm the building was.

"Yeah, you're gonna need to go shopping." Sun suggested. "Even the summer is chilly as fuck here, and we're barely into autumn." He pulled his car onto the road, heading for Ruby's hotel. He still looked strange in his fur lined leather jacket and jeans. Even in Patch's fairly harsh winter, Sun barely wore more than thicker socks, always singlets and unbuttoned shirts. The teachers always made him button up during school hours, but he would open up as soon as he was out the door.

"I brought all my warmest clothes, but they're not really good for the workplace." Ruby groused. Her current jacket was a fairly thin, crimson denim number. Yang had picked it out before Ruby left. It kept out a light chill, but Atlas was far more biting than the meager barrier could handle.

"They look good though." Sun praised. "Hell, everything looks good. It's super weird, you're like, an adult now."

"Pfft, no." Ruby scoffed.

"It's true!" Sun exclaimed. "You've got this whole mature thing going on with the long hair and platforms. You look so much like your mom."

"Just because you had a crush on her." Ruby snorted.

"Did not." Sun protested.

"Did too!" Ruby insisted. "Oh I'll mow your lawns for some cookies Mrs. Rose. No one makes 'em better than you do." Ruby mocked.

"As if you're gonna' deny that." Sun countered. "Those cookies were the tits."

"Mom's tits." Ruby shot back.

"Yes Ruby, I love your mom's tits." Sun rolled his eyes. "Want me to say it on video?"

"Oh please, then I can send it to Yang." Ruby joked. "So the first thing she sees of you is blackmail material."

"Speaking of, how is she anyway?" Sun changed the subject.

"She's good, works security for the Signal Flares." Ruby replied.

"The football team?" Sun perked up. "That's pretty cool. But security...damn, I thought she'd go into athletics. Both of you really."

"Yeah, Yang got really into it for a while, but then her coach left and she just...stopped caring." Ruby explained. "She really liked her."

"What about you?" Sun inquired.

"I had a pole vault accident, broke...well my left leg pretty much exploded." Ruby replied.

Sun hissed. "Fucking ouch."

"Yeah, it sucked." Ruby sighed. "But lucky it happened in my first year at Uni, so I was able to switch majors pretty easily."

"What to?" Sun asked.

"Engineering, robotics and stuff." Ruby answered.

"Oh sweet." Sun nodded. "You gonna' be bringin' home...like cyber legs?"

"I don't think the SDC is into homework." Ruby chuckled.

"SDC, that place is great!" Sun cheered.

"Yeah, I got scouted after graduation." Ruby explained. "It was a really big surprise and I had to scramble to come over here."

"Dude, my best friend works there!" Sun continued. "You met a guy named Neptune? Works in IT? Blue hair, hits on anything with tits?"

"I don't think so." Ruby replied. "Ms. Schnee didn't send me there yesterday. She sent me everywhere else though…"

"You work under Schnee?" Sun asked.

"Yeah." Ruby confirmed. "The project I was hired for was delayed because of some recall. My project manager, Pyrrha, got me a temp position as Ms. Schnee's assistant."

"Oh man, Nep told me some horror stories about that position." Sun warned. "Apparently one guy had a nervous breakdown, and the last chick got pissed, really made a scene when she quit."

"Really?" Ruby tilted her head. "My first day wasn't too bad. Just very long, a lot of running around."

"Schnee has a temper on her apparently." Sun noted. "It doesn't pop up often, but when it does...everyone in her way feels it."

"I can imagine that." Ruby agreed. "She's very intense."

"I bet she's insane in the sack." Sun smirked.

"Don't let Blake hear you say that." Ruby warned. "I thought she was gonna' kick my ass when I woke up on you."

"Oh, she's just possessive...sometimes." Sun explained. "She's weird like that. Had a more traditional Faunus upbringing and all, but she's great once you get to know her. Just really blunt. And cranky when tired."

"She told me you met at Sunrise." Ruby shifted topics.

"You got her to talk?" Sun was taken aback. "Hey, that's a good start. Yeah, during my trial, she basically just ordered me around for a night. And here I am today, still being ordered around. It's been like two and a half years."

"And you're not getting married or anything?" Ruby pressed.

"Nah she's...well she isn't really interested in that." Sun answered. "What about you? What about Yang? Anything goin' on there?"

"Well, Yang had a steady relationship with this Neo girl, but it wasn't very healthy." Ruby replied. "Apart from that she hasn't really dated in...ages...that I know of. Me? Remember Oscar?"

"The farm boy?" Sun suggested.

"Yeah." Ruby confirmed. "Well, he asked me out, and I thought, sure, he's nice. And he was nice, really nice. I loved my time with him. I don't think I could have asked for a better first relationship...but about a year later I just...I guess I lost interest. I never really figured out why. I thought maybe I was gay, but then I went to Uni and, well, I went to Uni and I figured I like both. So I guess I was just...bored, which sounds horrible, but I can't come up with any other reason. I wasn't enjoying the relationship. We didn't really do anything interesting, we didn't share any hobbies, and we didn't have much to talk about. It was just nice having someone, you know?"

"Yeah, I get that." Sun nodded. "I had a few flings over the years, but for some reason it's always the same problem. They're looking for a bit of fun, but then they want someone to settle down with, and I'm too much for that. Blake? She gets snippy, but she doesn't care what I am or what I do, as long as I don't mess up the apartment or invite Nep and the boys over again."

"Again?" Ruby asked. "There's more than one?"

"Hah, yeah, Blake really wasn't happy." Sun scratched the back of his neck. "Sage found one of her guns and...well pro tip, don't touch Blake's guns, or any of her stuff."

"Guns?!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Yep, she's got a bunch." Sun continued. "Knives and batons too, and some tasers, and brass knuckles. She's probably gonna' give you a lecture when we get back on everything, but the skinny is she's a bit paranoid. She's had a rough life, so she expects the worst and prepares for more. Just don't touch anything that isn't yours, don't sit in the blue chair, and don't go in her room, or her bathroom. Even I only use her bathroom when she invites me."

"Guns...alright, I can deal with that." Ruby said. "If you can deal with it, I can deal with it. I won't let you down."

"Hey, what's the worst that can happen?" Sun shrugged.

"Don't say that!" Ruby admonished. "That's the worst thing you can say. It's like saying 'is that all you got' or 'I'm king of the world.'"

"I say that in the mirror every morning." Sun grinned. "You wanna' get some O'Malley's?"

"Does Blake like anything from there?" Ruby asked.

"The fish wraps are sold all day, so yeah." Sun replied.

"Oh good." Ruby nodded.

"Good call though." Sun praised. "Bribing Blake with food is always a good idea. She loves fish." He shook his head and chuckled. "Fucking loves it."

"She put fish paste on her bagel." Ruby remembered. "It was weird."

"Just don't comment on it." Sun advised. "She's touchy about racial stuff."

"Oh I could tell." Ruby sighed. "Human this, human that."

"Like I said, rough life." Sun noted. "You and I were lucky. My family never got caught in any prejudice. Patch was harmless. But Blake? She's native Menagerian, born and raised, back when the SDC was still the big bad and the Fang were in their prime. Now it's all simmering and stewing, and Blake's got a lot under the hood, so just bear with her for a bit. Once she warms up to you it'll get better, alright?"

"I'll try...she's really pretty." Ruby commented.

Sun smiled widely. "Oh hell yeah she is!"

O'Malley's hotcakes and hashbrowns may not have been the best in the world, but they were the gods' gift for hangovers, and Sun was paying. It was a familiar scene really. Sun had stayed at the Rose-Xiao-Long household many times over the years. It was like a second home to him, Summer a second mother, Tai a second father, Ruby and Yang sisters. Mornings would wake them to the smell of fresh pancakes, eggs and toast. Yang and Sun would race to eat three stacks faster than one another. Ruby never stood a chance back then, but during her training days she could hold her own quite well. Things had slowed since the accident, and the stresses of university finals and preparing for the move had stripped Ruby of much of her former fat and muscle mass. She just did not have the time to spend going to the gym anymore. Maybe that would change now, once she had settled in. At least she could finally enjoy a hearty meal.

Ruby snapped a selfie with Sun, sending it off to her family. Yang was likely still asleep, or forgot to charge her phone, so Ruby did not expect a response soon. Summer and Tai were starting their own days however, and expressed excitement and well-wishes. Weekends were not for sleeping in for the Rose-Xiao-Long household, something Yang protested heavily. Instead they woke early and crammed the day with housework and chores before turning in early in the afternoon. When Ruby moved to Signal City with Yang it was a breath of fresh air, as instead of chores, they could go to the gym!

But those days were long gone. The injury put a stop to Ruby's harder workouts, and though for a time she switched to a heavy focus on her upper body, her new coursework and exams meant the majority of her free time was spent in study or work. She spent what little time remained with Yang, or attempting to drown her stress in a variety of ways. University, in spite of its difficulty, taught Ruby a lot about herself, especially outside the classroom.

With breakfast settling in their stomachs, the next stop was Ruby's hotel. It only took a few minutes to pack the few items that were scattered about - laptop, dirty clothes, toiletries, and with Sun's goading, anything complimentary that was not nailed down. Those little packets of biscuits were always strangely delicious. They stopped at O'Malley's again on the way back to make sure Blake's fish wraps were fresh, before heading home...home. It would take Ruby some time to get used to that thought. Atlas was her home now, and of all people to meet, it was Sun. All because she wandered into a random club at a stranger's suggestion. Wild and improbable, this was going to be a story for the kids.

Ruby was thankful the apartment block had a functional elevator. So far her leg had not acted up notably. She was hoping to go a weekend without something irritating her. No more pain, no more stress, no more anxiety. Just a few days when she could sit down and not worry about anything anymore, completely at peace. So long as Blake did not eat her.

Sun knocked a pattern on the solid apartment door, which clicked, clunked and swung open slowly and heavily after a few seconds' wait. Blake poked her head through, looking up and down the hall before sniffing. Her eyes flitted to Ruby, her luggage, then to Sun, who held up the O'Malley's bag. "Got your favorite!" He singsonged.

Blake rolled her eyes, snatching the bag and sauntering back inside. Sun gestured for Ruby to follow, goofy grin leaving her struggling not to chuckle as she dragged her belongings inside. Blake probably would not appreciate that, seemingly humorless as she was. The Faunus in question rummaged through the bag, as a dull thud and another click and clunk signaled the door being shut and locked. For a moment Ruby felt trapped. Blake's ears twitching at the sound did not help, nor did her turning to regard Ruby with narrowed eyes, clawed fingers peeling open her wrap. Were they always that long?

"The front door is to remain secured at all times." Blake started. Taking a bite, her ears shivered as she chewed. "That means all the locks are to remain locked. Atlas looks pretty during the day, but the filth is nocturnal. If I find even one lock undone, you're sleeping in the hallway."

"Oh...kay." Ruby shot a look at Sun.

Sun had migrated to the couch. He smiled guiltily. "I did it twice before she got tired of me scratching at the door." He received a balled-up wrapper to the face for his trouble.

"Do not invite humans here." Blake continued. "If someone shows up at the door, do not let them in, no matter what they say, without my explicit say-so. Do not tell the SDC you live here, get a PO box. Sun has one downtown."

"I understand." Ruby nodded.

Blake stood, taking another bite. "Good." She started, walking past, gesturing to the faded dark blue armchair she had been curled up in that morning. "My chair, my bookshelf, my rug-"

"My rug, we replaced yours remember?" Sun cut in as she gestured to the checkered carpet beneath the coffee table.

Blake glared in response. "Yes, after your other human friend spilled his drink on it."

"In my defense, you scared the shit out of him." Sun reasoned.

"In my defense, he's lucky I didn't murder him." Blake seethed. "I liked that rug. What grown man drinks grape juice?"

"I do!" Sun responded.

"Yes, and you're a very big boy aren't you?" Blake sneered. "Don't spill shit. You're an adult. Neptune wasn't. He is no longer welcome here."

"She's just made 'cuz he tried to hit on her." Sun suggested.

"Down this hall." Blake bit as she stalked forward. Ruby followed. "Leads to the rest of the apartment." She gestured to the door on the left. "This is your room." And to the right. "This is the main bathroom." Another down the hall. "Storage and linen closet."

"There's a vacuum in there." Sun noted. "Just warn Blake before you use it."

"It hurts my ears." Blake said.

"Among other things." Sun snarked.

"I'll try to be considerate." Ruby offered.

"Don't try, do." Blake grumbled, stalking forward.

Ruby shot Sun another look, receiving a half-hearted shrug. She took her bags and dragged them into her new room. Bracing herself, she continued down the hall, exiting to find… "A gym!" She squeaked in excitement. It was a well stocked on at that, foam padding and mirror wall included.

"Very observant." Blake drawled sarcastically. "You may use it so long as I am not asleep, and clean up after yourself. If I find sweat on my equipment you're sleeping in the hallway."

"Half of it's mine anyway." Sun cut in once more as he entered the room. "When I got here she just had a bench press and a boxing bag."

"And then you bitched and moaned that we had a gym in the making with no real equipment." Blake noted.

"Hey, I've always wanted my own gym." Sun defended. "Best money I've ever spent."

"We've ever spent." Blake corrected.

"Just use the spray and wipe things down when you're done." Sun indicated a corner table, grabbing a half empty bottle to shake. "And open a window."

Ruby nodded, looking around the setup in awe. There were several multi-purpose machines, a bike and a treadmill, all new-looking and clean. Then she noticed a second kitchen. "Why do you have two kitchens?"

"The landlord wanted to sell some higher end apartments, so on the top floor he combined two units into one." Sun explained. "It's like a budget penthouse. The second kitchen is a bar now."

"Buy your own alcohol." Blake ordered with a stern glare. "Better yet, don't drink in the apartment. You can't hold your liquor."

"I'm sorry...it's the only thing that stops the pain." Ruby apologized.

Blake screwed up her nose at that, gaze flicking to Ruby's leg. "Fine, don't drink alone." She huffed begrudgingly, turning to the next hallway. "This is my side of the apartment. You have no business through this hall."

"Our side." Sun interjected.

"Keep it up and you're sleeping on the couch again." Blake hissed at the blonde.

"Sure, sure." Sun laughed. "Tell her about your self defense collection."

"It's not a collection." Blake growled. "All you need to know is not to touch what does not belong to you."

"Or I'm sleeping in the hallway?" Ruby guessed.

"Or you can find someone else to mooch off of." Blake snapped. "I'm going to bed. Welcome home." With an expectant glance at Sun, she turned on her heel, stalking off down the hallway and into her own bedroom. She firmly slammed the door shut behind her.

Ruby let out the breath she was not aware she had been holding, looking to her friend. "Is this a bad day or is it because I'm human?"

"Both really." Sun surmised. "But don't worry, I'll work on her. Once she gets used to you, things will get better. She'll probably just pretend you don't exist if you don't get in her way."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Ruby pressed.

"When have I not had good ideas?" Sun questioned, feigning offence.

Ruby leveled a blank stare at the Faunus, who continued to act innocent. "Hey Ruby, let's draw dicks on Yang's face. What's the worst that can happen?" She pantomimed.

Sun raised his hands. "In my defense, it was hilarious."

"My bruises said otherwise." Ruby countered.

"Worth it!" Sun exclaimed.

"Psh, sure." Ruby grumbled.

"Anyway, I gotta' go suck up a bunch." Sun stuck a thumb toward the hallway. "Think you can stay out of trouble for a few hours?"

"I'm sure I can resist rubbing myself on all the furniture." Ruby chuckled. She ran a finger along the wall, tracing a smiley face. "I need to call Yang anyway. My phone blew up when we got here, so she's probably awake."

"Tell her I said hey, sorry for vanishing, and pray for my soul." Sun clasped his hands in mock prayer.

"You sold your soul for a high five." Ruby noted.

"That expired years ago!" Sun protested.

Slamming the door, Blake let out a weary groan. Barely shrugging off her shirt as she approached the bed, she flopped down onto its soft surface. Gods she was tired...so fucking tired.

The room smelled of Sun, but it was never enough. If anything, it was worse. With naught but a faint scent to remind her she was alone, vulnerable and weak, her body screamed in fatigued agony, but her mind lay awash with fear and anxiety. Nightmares plagued her lonesome sleep, nipped at the edges of her perception even now. Crawling farther along the bed she clawed blearily for her partner's pillow, clutching it to her face and curling around it. If it were not for that human he would be here. If it were not for Ruby, she would be fast asleep, with strong, warm arms surrounding her. She hated feeling so weak without him.

The door opened with a click, and she tensed instinctively, until the fresh scent hit her. It was sour with sweat, tinged with the taint of human, but all the same familiar, calming, safe. With some rustling, the bed eventually dipped down beside her, and a gentle hand lay upon her arm. "Hey." Sun whispered.

Blake shifted backwards, until her back was flush with his chest. "Hmm, took you long enough." She grumbled into the pillows.

Sun chuckled, slipping his arms around her. "Sorry, got a pesky human to manage."

"A pesky stick figure." Blake snarked.

"You checkin' her out?" Sun teased, receiving an elbow to the ribs for his trouble.

"She's your responsibility." Blake warned.

"I know, I know...thanks for giving her a chance." Sun nodded.

"She's lucky you're a good bed-warmer." Blake huffed.

"Oh, that's what I am now?" Sun asked.

"Sun, shut up." Blake commanded. Mercifully he obeyed - for once - falling silent, arms firm. She could finally relax.

Sun nuzzled into Blake's hair, nosing through the thicket until his lips made contact with the back of her beck. "Good morning Blake."

Blake managed a sleepy smile. "...g'mornin' Sun…"