Archive of Our Own ^beta

...

The first time he moved something out of her way, Ruby had been confused. She hadn't even known the man, just watched as a tall man with a fedora walked into the Dust store she was in. The owner, Henry was in the back room and Ruby was trying to pick out a new Dust canister for Crescent Rose. The store was small and Ruby had only taken one step towards the counter when she tripped over her own feet, stumbling forward and flailing her arms as she tried to right herself.

Right into a ginger haired man who had been looking at Dust canisters on the counter. Ruby squeaked in surprise as he caught her, his hands going around her waist as she grabbed the front of his jacket. He had an amused smirk on his face as he steadied her, letting go when she was upright again. Ruby felt a blush cross her face and she smiled sheepishly, stepping back and brushing her red skirt down.

"Sorry, I'm a bit clumsy," She admitted.

"I can see that," He chuckled. "Do try to watch where you're going next time."

He had a low voice, almost gravel, but there was a hint of amusement. It made the blush deepen and she ducked her head slightly, feeling awkward.

"Y-yeah, sorry." She muttered.

The man had laughed again before turning and walking away. Ruby had watched him leave, blinking at the encounter. What a strange man.

...

The second time it had happened, she had been sitting at a cafe with Penny. Her friend had been telling her all about a mission she had just returned from and Ruby was listening intently, hanging off every word. They were both enjoying themselves, Penny being happy to have someone listen and Ruby just glad to have a friend.

But of course, Ruby being Ruby, she got excited. She had been making wild gestures with her hands, getting animated as Penny told her about defeating a large Nevermore, and had accidentally knocked a cup over. The liquid had spilled across the table and Ruby had yelped, pulling her arm back.

She had frozen in horror, staring at the mess and expecting to be told off by the owner. But nothing came. No angry man or woman telling her to clean it up or apologise.

She had looked up, expecting to find a glare and instead found the same man as before. He was grinning down at her, a mug in his hand as he stared at her.

"Clumsy again, eh?"

"S-sorry!" Ruby had blurted out.

The man had laughed softly and placed his cup down.

"Don't worry, Little Red," He said, waving his hand.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins, placing them on the table.

"That should cover it." He had winked at her and then left, leaving Ruby blushing.

"Are you okay, Ruby?" Penny asked.

Ruby nodded quickly and turned her attention back to her friend, forgetting the man already.

...

The third time, Ruby had been waiting outside of the school, her scroll open as she read a text message from her dad. Her dad was going on a long trip to Mistral, a week's trip, and he was worried. He had told her to take care of her sister, to make sure Yang didn't get into any trouble and Ruby had assured him they'd be fine.

She was just finishing the message when a hand grabbed her by her hood. She was pulled back and she dropped her scroll, yelping loudly as her hands flew up and grabbed the wrist holding her. Just in time to see a car fly past her.

Her heart had stopped and she looked over her shoulder. There was a tall man behind her, a fedora on his head and a cane in his free hand. Ruby blinked, staring at him in confusion and wondering if she had hit her head or something.

"What-?"

"Little Red, you really do need to learn to watch where you're going. You really are accident prone, huh?" He chuckled.

He let go and stepped back, tucking his cane under his arm. Ruby straightened her hood, her mouth opening and closing.

"H-how-? Who are you?!"

"Roman Torchwick, at your service." He tipped his hat.

"Thank you, again," Ruby sighed. "Are you following me?"

"Why would I follow a cute little girl like yourself?"

"Uh, I dunno, maybe because we've run into each other three times now and you're acting really nice."

"I'm a gentleman, Little Red, what can I say?" He grinned.

"Right," Ruby picked her scroll up, frowning at the crack on the screen.

"That looks expensive, did you damage it?" Roman frowned.

"Yeah," Ruby huffed. "Not the first time though."

"You are pretty clumsy," Roman hummed. "Tell you what, buy me a coffee and I'll help fix it."

"Really?"

"Yep. I'm pretty handy with electronics. And a good story teller."

"O-okay."

...

And that was how it had started. Roman would meet her at the same cafe, they would order drinks and eat cakes. He would ask her how her day had been, talk about his jobs and Ruby would always listen, fascinated. She liked hearing his stories, no matter how criminal, and enjoyed his company.

Roman had always paid for their meetings, saying she could pay him back with more of her company. It was the start of a good friendship, a rather strange one but a friendship nonetheless.

But, like most things, it changed.

Their friendship had started to develop. Ruby had realised she was growing a crush on him, a silly little infatuation, but it was still there. She tried to hide it, burying it down, but it was hard. She had never had a crush before.

Her clumsyness was only getting worse too. Roman had to move things out of the way a few more times, his reflexes far better than her own.

In the park, Ruby had been walking behind him, her attention drawn to a flowerbed. She had been staring at the pretty flowers, not watching where she was going. It was a stupid mistake, especially since they had only been in the park so that Roman could walk her home.

Roman had been halfway through a sentence, his head tilted to the side as he had looked back at her, and had seen her eyes on the flowers. His brow had furrowed and his mouth opened to call out to her.

Too late.

Ruby's foot had connected with a rock and she stumbled, falling forward. She had gasped, her hands reaching out, and fell straight onto Roman's back.

Both of them had gone crashing to the ground. Ruby had yelped and grabbed him, trying to push herself up.

"R-Roman, I'm so sorry!" She cried.

She had looked down, realising her position, and had blushed. Her body was pressed against his, her face inches from his own. Roman had groaned and opened his eyes.

"Well, Little Red, you've certainly got my attention now," He grinned, making her blush darker. "And I have to say, this isn't exactly how I wanted us to end up like this."

"I-I'm sorry, I'm a klutz." Ruby ducked her head.

"It's fine," He lifted a hand and brushed her hair out of her face. "We've ended up in a very interesting position, haven't we?"

"I-I didn't mean-! I was just-!"

"Oh, shut up, Little Red."

Ruby had barely registered the words before he was tugging her head down. Their lips had connected and Ruby had froze, her mind shutting down. She had never kissed anyone before, her mind a jumbled mess, and she wasn't even sure how to react.

When Roman released her, she was still frozen. Roman chuckled, the sound rumbling his chest and causing her to shiver, and lifted his other hand to brush his thumb over her cheek.

"My, my, Ruby, you really are a cute little thing," He murmured. "But if you don't stop being so damn cute, I might just keep you."

"K-keep me?" Ruby squeaked.

"Yeah, Little Red. You're pretty fun to be around and I kinda want you all to myself."

"You can't keep me like a pet, Roman," Ruby finally regained control and pushed herself up, pouting down at him.

"No? You'd be a cute little pet, wouldn't you, Little Red?"

"Roman!"

"I'm joking, Ruby," he laughed. "Or am I?"

"Roman!"

He continued to laugh and sat up, pushing her off his lap. Ruby was pouting at him and crossed her arms over her chest, huffing loudly.

"You're such an ass."

"Hey, now, no need to call names," He chuckled, patting her on the head.

"You just kissed me and now you're teasing me."

"Well, why else would I have kissed you, Ruby?"

Ruby blushed and ducked her head, her cheeks puffing out. Roman smirked and stood up, dusting his clothes down and then holding his hand out.

"Come on, let's get you home before Yang decides to kick my ass. Unless she's still out with Junior."

"She is, I think." Ruby took his hand.

"Then I have an evening without worrying about a blonde haired beauty knocking me into next year," Roman hummed.

Ruby giggled, squeezing his hand. Roman squeezed back and they started walking again, their fingers intertwined.