Hidden

The Way Things Are
Like Weiss on Rice

--------------------------------------------------------

Weiss opened her eyes, hearing a scuffle in the hallway. Light footsteps were followed by heavy boots until Nero’s head burst into the room. He gasped in pain, giving her a wild look and she stood up abruptly. Restrictor wasn’t far behind him, holding Nero’s arm back at an excruciating angle. Restrictor let him go and he scrambled away.

Weiss already knew what he was doing. He was trying to goad her into a fight so he could wail on her again. That’s the only reason Nero had made it this far, otherwise he would have came to her bruised and battered as usual. But as long as it was just her… why disappoint? She hadn’t had a good spanking in a while anyway. She drew a sword threateningly, although she knew she wouldn’t have the chance to use it. “Hide Nero.”

“Nee-san?” He looked at her, moving to her side, where he wanted to be. She grabbed at one of the belts that went around his middle suddenly and he found himself airborne. Had she just flung him? He landed somewhere above her throne, where he usually sat if he was feeling particularly daring to scale the monumental statue. Shit…

“Stay there.” She ordered.

“Step aside Weiss.” Restrictor moved forward ominously.

“We both know why you came down here… so why don’t you just cut the crap?” She spun her blade lazily between her fingers. If this was going to happen anyway why not add a little gas to the fire just to make things interesting?

“I’d be afraid if I were you.” Resistor’s voice had a menacing tone to it and she didn’t know if she liked or not. In a moment her sword was flung out of her hand, expected. He grabbed the strap of her shirt, also expected.

“I’m not afraid of men who beat up little boys.” Weiss looked at him wiltingly.

Cocky bitch. Restrictor flung her onto the ground, just as she was about to get up he slapped her across the face. The force of it slammed the other side of her head into the hard flooring.

“Nee-san!” Nero couldn’t take it anymore and got up to help her.

“Don’t you dare!” She growled at Nero and he stopped short. She would accept her punishment alone, it’s not like he ever did anything anyway.

Weiss was being commanding, even in a situation like this… it made his blood boil. His large hand wrapped around her throat, but not enough to choke her yet. She looked up at him, a bit confused before he landed a solid blow on her stomach, winding her. Then his grip tightened on around her neck. How he loved to watch her squirm, but she so rarely gave him the satisfaction of seeing her panicked. This was such a time. She just laid there beneath him, his hands closing off her throat and she didn’t so much as blink. Her blue eyes were defiant in everyway. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he hurt her. Her lack of fear for him enraged him, she didn’t know her place. Even Rosso, that foul tempered bitch, submitted to him and screamed for him to stop, but not this one.

Weiss was turning blue now, and just about to pass out before he let go of her. She choked before gasping for air. Her chest heaved against the white fabric of her blouse. The strap that tied behind the back consisted of the same black material as the sash around her waist. It came undone ever so slightly… and he had an idea.

He looked up at Nero. The boy was trembling, covering his ears and squeezing his eyes shut. It was going to be fun to see his reaction.

Weiss, seeing him distracted tried to take a jab at him. She knew she wouldn’t land the blow, but it would piss him off to no end that she tried it. Of course it did, and he grabbed her arms and held them above her head with just one of his own before once again winding her with a punch to the stomach. When she felt she could breath again she laughed while she choked. “Not being very original today.”

White hot hatred ran through him. “Insolent little cunt.” His fingers went around her neck and she just rolled her eyes at him as if to say ‘this again?’ He couldn’t wait to wipe that look off of her face. If this didn’t break her, nothing would.

Restrictor grabbed the front of her shirt and she just looked at him lazily. He was probably going to toss her now. He always did that when he was frustrated with her. To her surprise her shirt gave way and her breasts were exposed. Her lips upturned, she must have really pissed him off today for him to lose his cool like that. She was a bit embarrassed about her lack of attire but he didn’t have to know.

He grabbed her breast roughly and crushed it in his hand. It had been so unexpected she let out a yelp of pain. She studied him closely for a moment afterward, wondering what he was about. Did he just do that to hurt her, like he might kick a man between the legs? She’d seen him do it before. But he wasn’t letting go though, his finger twirled around her nipple then and her eyes widened a fraction. Was he just trying to scare her? He wasn’t going to do it… there was no way. She wished she could see his face, and then maybe she would know his intentions.

She usually prided herself on her quick thinking, but right now her brain felt like it might be stuffed with cotton. Sure this man was an absolute bastard, but… this seemed a bit unreal.

Restrictor took note of her expression. The defiance gave way to confusion. He grabbed the belt at her waist and pulled it off slowly, giving it time to sink in.

The moment he reached for her she knew, it just took her body a moment to catch up with her mind. Since he held her arms immobile she struck out with her legs. He easily caught her foot. Damn it… she cursed. She wasn’t going to scream for this man. She definitely wasn’t going to alert Nero to what was happening…although she doubted he would completely miss something like this even if he was crouched in his usual hiding spot. But she could still try anyway.

She let out a growl and began thrashing underneath him. Good, she was going to fight him… that would make it even better for him. She would feel helpless afterwards, especially if she gave it her best. He really had to put his weight into her though, she was worming her way away from him… and he couldn’t have that now. “What pretty hair.” He admired, grabbing a handful and twisting it until she stopped moving. “Your mother must have been very proud when she had you…”

“Sh-shut up.” She hissed.

“You’re in no position to be giving me orders.” With her leg in his hand he brought her forward until her body was under his.

He was dry humping her like some dog seeking dominance he didn’t deserve. God she was going to kill him one day for doing this to her. If she was just a little stronger…

“You’re making this too easy Weiss.” Restrictor taunted. “You must really want this…” He released his painful hold on her hair to grab her breast and squeeze painfully. He wasn’t disappointed when she made that pretty face twist in pain. He definitely should have done this awhile ago.

He had a vice like grip on her that she couldn’t quite break, even though she came close a few times. All this struggling was doing – was draining her energy to try to fight up. Never turn your back on your enemy, but maybe if she could flip over and get her feet on the ground she could make a dash for it. At least stand if that was possible. While she thought his hand went down into her loosened clothes and touched her center, her body seized in revulsion. “I think we’re finished with foreplay.” He said meaningfully. His hand grabbed the top of her pants and the hem of her underwear and was prepared to jerk it down when she just managed to free one arm. She stuck him with her elbow right into his throat and he coughed.

She flipped over and had her feet on the floor before he could blink. She came crashing down again when his hand shot out and caught her ankle. “Bitch!” He roared. His fist connected where her kidney should be and she crumbled into a ball. His hand once again pawed for her clothes and ripped the strap on her underwear before he could get a hold on the hem of her pants to tear them off or yank them down. He was going to make her submit to him, he was going to hurt her until she cried.

Forgetting herself, she screamed to give herself some strength to fight him off. “No! Stop! Stop it!” She hadn’t meant for that to come out like that. Weiss meant to sound menacing but it just came out in a frightful scream, but it wouldn’t stop once she started.

If she could have seen his face, it would have been filled with absolute bliss… he was already half way there now. He ripped her out of the painful ball she was rolled in and spread her out on the ground.

“Hurh!” Restrictor ended up moving backwards for some unknown reason. He then noticed two slender arms around his neck and they were pulling back with all their might… but it wasn’t enough. The boy had only gained ground because he had been distracted. All the while staring down at Weiss, Restrictor grabbed the boy’s arm. Her eyes widened when she realized he had her little brother.

“Let him go!”

It was so wonderful. The fact that that he had two insolent brats that loved each other and having the chance to use them against each other was ecstasy. He flung the boy easily away, hoping he would dash his head against something and then really upset the unruly wench underneath him. No such luck though, Nero caught himself midair with his wings. He was a bit more determined today, not at all as submissive as he was usually.

“Nero! Stop it!” Weiss screamed when she saw him flying back.

“Get away from her!” Nero hissed, his nose wrinkled and his eyes looking so focused it was unnerving as he flew forward anyway.

Restrictor was ready though, he was getting up to grab the boy midair and either send him sailing or maybe snap one of his limbs.

Weiss, sensing an opening sent her fist into his chest. If hadn’t been wearing armor she might have pierced through and killed him… she would be in trouble then. Nero hooked him in the back of the legs and sent him tumbling onto the ground, but not getting away before he got a hold of one of his wings and sent him crashing into the wall, hard. The boy was reeling for a moment, trying to stand up.

“God damn kids!” His fist connected with Weiss’ jaw, sending blood spewing out the corner of her mouth. His fingers were around Weiss’ neck in an instant. Her pants were almost past her hips now. He was going to get that satisfaction of seeing her utterly broken if it took him all night fighting the two of them.

Thinking of nothing else, she pressed her legs together only to have him pry them apart. Shit… shit! Think! Her mind roared at her. She let out an unearthly shriek before twisting her body and swinging her limbs wildly at him, all of which he dodged or caught. Having his unbearable weight down on her and having to fend him off was starting to seriously drain her. She was starting to sweat and fear made her muscles shake. Damn it all. He was going to do it… right in front of Nero. She wanted to cry she was so afraid for him. She knew he wouldn’t just let this happen… she knew he was going to do something stupid and get himself killed. She could live with this, but she couldn’t live without him.

Seeing her expression change he knew he finally struck a nerve somewhere deep inside her. She never stopped fighting though, never stopped straining against him. Nothing was more pleasing to him than feeling her strength fading underneath him. He could hold her down a little easier now, it wouldn’t be long. He lowered his voice, so only the two of them could hear. “I’ve seen the way you look at that little runt over there…” She seemed shocked, what a fool. “Why don’t you just close your eyes and pretend that I’m him?” She did close her eyes, but not for him. He felt her strength surge pitifully against him but he squelched it. “Pretend,” He repeated, “Pretend…”

The sounds of gunfire and ricocheting sounded out. Nero! She looked in his direction and saw the boy, trembling, trying to stand and failing. His arm was steady though, it didn’t shake in the slightest. His eyes met hers for a moment. Don’t! Please don’t! But she couldn’t say a word.

“Restrictor!” Hojo’s screechy voice enveloped the room. Nero flopped down to the ground again and turned his head to the annoying sound. He was never so happy in his life to see that awful man as he was now. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?! When I said we were thinking of breeding her I didn’t mean with you. Get off of her now!” Restrictor obeyed without a second thought. Hojo gave her a solid looking at, she was bruised and her clothes were torn… but her pants were still on… that was a good sign. The look he gave Restrictor could have cracked the paint off of the walls. Then he looked at Weiss again, blood was dripping from her mouth, down her chin and on the floor. “Get yourself cleaned up… you’re bleeding everywhere and making a mess. I won’t stand for it.” He told Restrictor then, “Come with me.”

Ending as quickly as it began, Weiss just watched as they left. The whole thing seemed surreal to her. Restrictor went haywire and then Hojo saving her? Up was down and black was white…. speaking of that. “Nero?” She called, looking at him. He got up on shaky legs but he seemed fine now. She spit the blood out of her mouth and wiped the back of her hand across her chin, ignoring Hojo’s earlier request to not ‘bleed everywhere.’ Her shirt was hopelessly ruined, she just shrugged it off… looking at it before she let it fall to the floor.

Nero went up to his sister. She seemed a little distracted, but that was understandable. She looked at him, her eyes hollow for a few moments before the vibrancy came back to them. “Nero? Are you alright?” How could she ask that? He was used to being pushed around and thrown. Of course he was okay, but what about her? Part of him hurt. She just lay there, getting raped and she didn’t even call for him… not even once. Tears ran past his cheeks. He could ask her why, but he knew the answer… because he couldn’t do anything at all to help her… even if he wanted to.

“Nee-san.” Nero came up to her, his hands unconsciously moving up to touch the skin on her shoulders. His finger tips trailed softly, barely a whisper of a touch across the bruising down her arms and on her ribs. He touched her breast, very lightly. He looked at the dark purple handprint becoming very noticeable… then to her neck. There was nothing grasping or sexual about his touching. He just wanted to reassure himself that she was alright, that she was there. So she let him without moving or flinching. “Nee-san.” His voice became tearful. He wanted to hold her, but he was afraid. So she held out her arms and he stepped into them.

“It’s okay Nero, I’m sorry you had to see that.” Weiss held him for long moments, petting his long hair and cooing sympathetic nothings into his ear as he cried. “I didn’t mean to scare you by screaming like that.”
“Don’t say that.” Nero muttered. “I know you were scared. I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”

“Really, I was fine.” She lied. “I was just letting him think he-”

“Don’t baby me.” Nero sniffled, weaving his hand in her white hair.

Weiss flinched at that. “Okay, I’m sorry.”

“No.” Nero said, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Nee-san.”

“Don’t be sorry.” She admonished gently, “You saved me after all.”

“I didn’t save you.” He scoffed, tears still running freely from his face and into her hair. “I couldn’t do anything.”

“You held him off until Hojo could step in… that was enough.”

“I didn’t know he would be there.” Nero denied, not wanting to be thought of as heroic when all he could do was be thrown around while his sister was being attacked.

“You saved me.” Weiss said again. “Even if you didn’t know it would happen… you did.”

How sweet she was to him… and he didn’t deserve it. And here he was, crying in her arms while she comforted him. This was the most backwards situation he could think of. He should be the one comforting her… and fresh tears just flowed again. He was useless, no good. “Weiss...”

“It’s okay.” She shushed him. “Don’t cry… you make me so sad when you do.”

“Then why don’t you cry?” Nero wondered.

“Because I can’t… because you are sad.” Her fingers sifted through his dark mane. I can’t cry… because I need to be strong for you.

Nero wanted to control himself, he wanted to just stop. He wanted her to feel like she could lean on him when something like this happened to her… but he couldn’t.

“Let’s not think about it okay?” Feeling him begin to tremble again, she sighed. “Come now, and let’s sit down for a while.” She led him to her chair and he stopped her. She looked at him for a moment to see what he was about.

Nero removed the jacket that held his arms up against his body, black billows of fog wafted out. He was upset. He only lost control of himself when he was upset or tired. He calmed down enough to draw it back into himself before he pulled it off the rest of the way. It was an insulting garment for her to wear, he knew, but he couldn’t just let her stand there like that. She held out her arms, as she had seen him do when she dressed him. He fit her arms into the sleeves and went around behind her to zip her up.

Weiss tittered a bit, looking at the sleeves. They were very long on even him, so they trailed on past her knees. She gave some thought to rolling them up, but since it was leather it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. The leather was much more restrictive than she would have liked it to have been, being used to her own scant and loose clothing. “Thank you.” She said.

He didn’t know why, but he liked the way she looked in his clothes… probably because it gave the illusion that she was wrapped in him instead. She wouldn’t stand for it forever though. “You’re welcome.”

“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way…” She joked at their formality and he smiled. “Let’s go sit down…” She of course sat down first and he sat in her lap.

“I’m getting a little big for this.” He blushed.

“You’ll always be my baby brother.” She rubbed his sleeve down his cheek. “So I don’t mind.” She placed a tender kiss on his temple. “There… comfy?”

Of course, her body was soft and yielding as she cradled him. She thought nothing of her comfort as his bony frame must be stabbing into her… not to mention his wings added an aggravating awkwardness to the while situation. Only to him, not to her. She never minded, she was always there, trying to make things better for him. “Yes.”

“Well then, try to get some sleep… I needed to meditate anyway.” She made sure to get into a position that she could sustain for a while, but not to move him at all. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” Then she thought she would joke with him. “That is unless I need to go to the bathroom… then I’m dumping your ass on the floor.” He couldn’t help the chuckle that came forth. “There, better laughing than crying.” She smiled triumphantly. “Now sleep.”

He rested his head against her bosom, worried he might strike a tender spot. If he did she never once flinched or made any uncomfortable movements. She just looked down at him with a soft smile… she was so brave. “I love you, Nee-san.” He blurted. “I’m so happy that you are alright.”

She only grinned and replied with a typical. “Same to you.” She moved his fingers over his eyes and closed them for him. “Don’t make me sing a song for you.”

“Nee-san…” He grumbled and she began to hum. “Alright already.” He settled in finally, resting until he thought he couldn’t sleep… but her voice was so soothing and kind. It might have taken thirty or so minutes, but he eventually dropped off into sleep.

Her humming voice slowly trailed off and she listened to his even breathing. She smiled slightly when his soft snoring began, complete with his nose whistling just slightly from crying. Poor little Nii-chan… She brushed his hair out of his face. “I love you so much,” She said quietly. “You make me strong.” Then her tears finally appeared and she cried silently. She had to move his head to her arm before her chest raddled and woke him up. Why couldn’t she stop? She promised herself… she promised herself she wouldn’t cry again. How could he look up to her like this, when she couldn’t even protect herself? “I can’t protect you from the way things are.” So she just held him there… and let her tears flow freely. This was all she could do. She bent her head down, and kissed him.

--------------------------------------------------------

After having a good cry, Weiss was determined not to let this get her down for Nero’s sake. It was so satisfying to call Restrictor “El Pervo” every so often to his chagrin. If anything the incident made her even bolder and even bitchier to him than before. He had to think twice before she threatened him with an innocent sounding, “If you do I’ll tell Hojo you tried to… touch me inappropriately.” She followed it up by an evil grin or mock surprise. He still got his licks in, but she just kept up vexing him on and on. She even told several soldiers and scientists alike that he was either too small to even feel or he was impotent. She had several bruises littering her body from that particular story. He absolutely hated her now.

“Sister…” Nero gave Restrictor a backwards glance as they passed him. “Do you think its okay that you keep doing that? I mean…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Weiss said, “He doesn’t scare me… he’s just a disgusting pervert.”

“Sister, please.” Nero’s voice was trembling. “Please be careful.”

--------------------------------------------------------

Weiss should have been more careful. He was waiting for her to be alone… when not even Nero followed and Hojo was gone for the day. No one was there, no one would be monitoring them… he was going to tear into her and make her regret ever being born… even though she did that on a daily basis now. She looked at him plainly, like she was bored with him. She wasn’t frightened of what he could do anymore… that’s why she wasn’t afraid to taunt him. She knew if he tried it the first time he could come back, he wasn’t wishy-washy and didn’t like to leave things like this dangling. If he was going to do it he was going to do it… the least she could do would be to fight back. At least she had both her swords with her this time. She thumbed the hilt of one, clicking it out of its sheath.

Restrictor moving forward was the last thing she saw, before the room went pitch black. She heard his breath catch when he couldn’t see – before she could pull her blades out she felt hands wrap around her ankles. She let out a startled gasp when she felt like she was being pulled through the floor itself.

--------------------------------------------------------

A shadow moved along the walls quickly, dragging unseen to the naked eye its precious cargo inside. Only when it entered the throne room and the door swished shut and locked behind it did it take on any semblance of a human form. “Sister…”

--------------------------------------------------------


This place made her feel ill, but she could bare it as long as her light shined through the dark.

Weiss stood before him in the darkness. Nero decided to give them a bit of scenery; maybe she would feel better if he did that. He decided to project a picture of a grassy field he had seen in a book once. It was a much better place than the usual hellish depictions he liked to put his captives into.

Weiss noticed him then, shaking ever so slightly. She wasn’t feeling good he guessed.

He looked like a specter in here, his eyes glowing a strange yellow she wasn’t familiar with. She remembered reading something when she SNDed about shadow people… if they truly existed her brother must be one of them.

Nero asked, “Would you like to leave now?”

“Not yet.” She said, sitting down on the grass to calm herself and save energy. She let the blades filter through her fingers. She could feel the grass and smell their scent. “The images in your mind are very vivid. I am not able to do this.” A computerized world was much different she guessed. That’s where she went when she was younger... and gained a lot of useless knowledge about the outside world.

No wonder when he was little he would come here to escape. This was the first time he ever brought her here… how nice it was… maybe she should die here.

He sat down next to her, her expression was worrying. “Are you alright?”

“I feel like I’m going to pass out in a few minutes.” She admitted, “But I don’t want to leave.”

He knew that feeling. “Weiss…”

“Nero,” She said, not even knowing why she said it. “Do you ever get… sick of living?”

That startled Nero. “Weiss!”

She ignored him. “I feel that way sometimes… sometimes I want to just… get away from it all. I keep thinking if…” Her eyes fluttered for a moment before refocusing. “I keep thinking that maybe one day we’ll get to leave if I try hard enough. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“We… could be together then… and be a family… like the scientists who get to go home… every… day.” Deepground wasn’t their home, it was their hell. “Let’s… do that… okay? Let’s get out one day and… we can see the stars… real ones together.” She was gasping now and he had to grab a hold of her before she fell backward.

“Let’s go.” He said finally, lifting her on unsure legs.

“I don’t want to leave.” Weiss breathed.

--------------------------------------------------------

Weiss looked at the ceiling weakly, finding her strength returning now that she was out of the place her brother sent her to. It was disorienting to say the least.

Nero just looked at her, highly disturbed. The dimension in which he sent his victims often sought after death. That was the way of things… only he seemed to be immune to its pull… otherwise he might have gone mad quite a while ago.

The things she said though seemed a little too real for his ears. Usually his victims just wanted to die because they couldn’t stand being trapped. She didn’t want to leave, because she was sick of living. She wouldn’t have said such things, if she didn’t mean them on some level.

He also felt bad, if she had been anyone else, he might have been able to sustain her within him… but she was Weiss the Immaculate.

“Nero,” Weiss’ voice was weak. “Where am I?”

“We’re in the throne room.”

“That’s a shame…” She looked at him dizzily. “I was having such a nice dream.”

“Nee-san.” He held her chilled form into his arms.

--------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Notes:

I’m not even sure where the sexual abuse aspect came from really, but for some reason I saw it as one of those inevitabilities when dealing with a big giant jerk who’s supposed to make your daily existence a living hell.

I thought this would also be a good time for Weiss to start having feelings for Nero… and have someone notice it. Brew ha ha ha.

Believe it or not my father and his family inspired this chapter. Apparently he was an utter hellion back when he was in school… during the time of the paddle. He has this ‘bring it on’ attitude about everything so the stories I’ve been told are so believable. He’d just upset the teachers more when he said, “Thanks” afterwards that resulted in more paddling or said, “This isn’t nearly as hard as last time.” I think a teacher broke a ruler on him once.

Of course his dad was something of a monster (Restrictor is for your grandpa). His father liked to slap his kids around with brooms, his fists, belt and darn well near everything else that was lying around. I think the worst story was when he chased my uncle around with a broken fly swatter before he threw him across the bed with a belt on his back. God he scared me sometimes when I did see him (since I heard all the stories) He was worse than my step-grandpa who would smack my cousin and me across the back (with a belt btw) for turning over too much in our sleep (nice way to wake up huh?) At least we didn’t have to deal with him much. It’s amazing that my dad and his siblings didn’t turn out awful.

It’s pretty horrible when all you have to think of is your grandpa and you can come up with the perfect sadistic bastard ever.

I think I like the sitting across the lap thing. There are a few Weiss fanarts out there with Nero just laying across his lap that I think are so endearing. I want to be held in someone’s lap! (Sniffles) I used to have a boyfriend who was smaller than me… I let him sit in my lap… oh yeah… that was nice. (purr). My honey is way bigger than I and I think he would smush me if he tried.