Cornered

Patreon reward for s22132 who asked for some Emerald and Ruby (Precious Gems). Takes place in the RWBY verse but maybe just slightly different, like Cinder doesn't have such a hold on Emerald or something.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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													Chapter 42. Cornered

It pissed her off.

Ever since Emerald had arrived at Beacon alongside Cinder and Mercury to compete in the Vytal Tournament, she'd been unable to keep her mind off one person in particular.

That stupid little red girl.

Emerald had heard plenty about her, how she'd skipped a few grades and was now the youngest student at Beacon Academy due to her impressive fighting skills and quick thinking on the battlefield. She was great with her scythe and even better with her teammates by her side, as Emerald had seen for herself when watching them fight in the tournament matches.

But what pissed her off was that there were plenty of other people who had immensely more skill and charisma than that little red squirrel did.

So why was it that Emerald had developed a mild interest in Ruby Rose of all people?

She couldn't understand herself.

The first time she'd met her, Emerald had just been minding her own business walking down the hallway when the little red bulldozer had plowed into her full force, bowling them both over into an unceremonious heap of clothes and limbs. Back then, it had been a lot of, "Geez! Watch where you're going!" and "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

Now, Ruby seemed to purposefully single Emerald out and make sure she always bumped into her playfully.

And no matter how often Emerald snorted and tried to swat her away, Ruby would only giggle, further causing Emerald confusion as to why she was so... interested in the girl.

She was young and impulsive, childish and carefree. She didn't seem to know anything about the horrors of the world.

Emerald longed to resent her for that, and yet she never could find it within herself to do that. No matter how bitter she might've been towards the rest of the world, she couldn't be bitter towards a girl who had such a positive outlook on life.

It was almost irritating at times, but she always found herself coming back to Ruby, hoping that perhaps a bit of the girl's pure heart and good intentions would rub off on her.

. . .

It sort of just happened one day, how Ruby had asked Emerald if she'd like to go to Vale with her during a bit of their free time.

She'd shrugged and with disinterest had agreed, only because she wasn't needed elsewhere.

Emerald would never admit it, but she'd actually enjoyed herself that day.

And so they'd made it a habit to go out together whenever they could.

And it wasn't long before it started to become more secretive than anything else.

Ruby would often tell white lies to her teammates, just so they wouldn't hound her about why she was always running off to see Emerald.

Likewise, Emerald needed to be careful about her choice of words, lest Mercury start taking an interest in her personal activities and decide to trail her one day. But even if he did, she'd break both his fake legs herself to keep him quiet, if need be.

She'd managed to slip away from the dorm room today, and was now bound for their usual on-campus meeting spot, a quiet corner of the common room.

Emerald waited there, tucked behind the cover of a jutting wall, keeping to its shadow.

Part of her wanted Ruby not to show, so she could tell herself she should've been expecting this all along, so it would be that much easier to cut her off and have nothing to do with her ever again.

But the other part of her really wanted to see her...

She waited, arms crossed as she engaged in this mental war with herself yet again. She almost didn't hear the flurry of footsteps approaching.

Ruby turned the corner and jumped back in surprise.

"Emerald! You're here already!"

Emerald rolled her eyes.

"Brilliant deduction, Red."

She uncrossed her arms on instinct, forgetting that she was supposed to be pushing the girl away rather than inviting her in.

But Ruby accepted the offer all too quickly, pressing herself close as she looped her arms around the taller girl's neck.

Of all the people that had passed in and out of Emerald's life, this was the one thing they'd never done, the one thing that set Ruby apart.

Emerald wasn't quick to trust anyone anymore, and she never really had been to begin with. She didn't want to let her guard down, because she'd only get taken advantage of.

But with Ruby, it was impossible not to let down her defenses, no matter how badly she wanted to build them up.

Ruby pulled away, and Emerald found herself hissing softly, wishing she'd stay. Ruby noticed and glanced curiously up at her, smile fading.

"Emerald? You okay?"

She grunted and looked away.

"Yeah, sure. Let's just get going."

"No, wait-" Ruby held tightly to her hand, gently preventing her from leaving. Emerald was forced to look back down into those earnest silver eyes.

"What?" she snapped.

Ruby didn't even flinch, though, as if she could tell Emerald was only putting up a front to try and chase her away, when both of them knew the truth of what they really wanted.

"If you wanna talk or anything, I'm here. I'll do whatever I can to help! Promise!"

Emerald felt another growl rising up in her throat. She backed up a step and hit the wall, like a cornered animal, refusing to face the source of her uncertainties.

"You're not going to like it. Trust me."

"I don't care! Whether I like it or not, I'll do whatever I can to- mm!"

She was silenced as Emerald leaned down, softly shoving her lips against hers to shut her up.

It was fierce at first, then gentle, and it lasted only a few seconds. Emerald needed to force herself to pull away, her eyes never once looking back up.

"There's your answer. Told you you wouldn't like it."

Now she'd just have to wait. Wait for her to run off – disgusted – and never come back. From now on, Ruby would just avoid her at all costs, casting her nervous, distasteful looks whenever they were near enough...

And then the arms were around her once again. Emerald couldn't stop the gasp from escaping her lips.

Ruby squeezed her tightly, nuzzling into her shoulder.

"I'm so glad," she mumbled. "I'm so glad, Emerald! I can definitely help you out with that!" She pulled away, and silver pools found rustic red.

Ruby strained onto her tip-toes and kissed her cheek in an unmistakable display of her feelings. It was serious and childish somehow. It was determined desperation and curious innocence all at once.

It was the exact opposite reaction of what Emerald had been expecting. She didn't know how to react, what to say...

Thankfully, Ruby didn't wait long enough to let her feel pressured to respond.

"Come on! Let's go to town! Movies snacks are half-price today!"

With a beaming smile on her lips, she offered out her hand.

Emerald had been presented with many, many offers in the past, most of which had ended in pain and betrayal.

But this was the first time in her life that she wouldn't regret accepting.

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A/N: I don't write Emerald often, but when she's with Ruby, I kind of see her as an angrier Weiss. She gets annoyed by Ruby and snaps at her, but in the end has a soft spot for her (at least to some extend, in this context).