Looking down at the weapon held loosely in her hand, Ruby sighed. Flicking her wrist, the thin sword cut through the air with a quiet swoosh. Tossing it back and force between her hands, the cloaked girl marveled at the weapon's lightness. Lunging, she misjudged how much strength she'd need and stumbled forward. Slipping from her hand, Myrtenaster clattered to the ground.
"Ruby, don't you dare break my rapier!" Flinching at the yell, Ruby glanced at her partner. Weiss was standing a few feet away from her, both hands tightly wrapped around Crescent Rose's handle. The scythe's blade was firmly on the ground and it looked like the heiress was straining to even lift the weapon's lighter side.
"It's not my fault your weapon's too flimsy! How the heck can you even hit anything with this, it's way too light to do any real damage," picking the sword back up, Ruby swung the sword wildly. Glaring at her partner, Weiss gritted her teeth as she tried to lift Crescent Rose up. It shifted and let out a horrible scratching noise against the floor, but didn't come off the ground.
"That's because it's designed to be used with finesse, not swung around like an oversized garden tool," looking around the training room, Weiss frowned as she watched the other partners all wielding each others weapons with almost no problems. Yang and Blake were having a quick sparring match, Ember Celica standing out brightly against Blake's dark clothes and Gambol Shroud dancing in Yang's grip as they traded strikes. Even Jaune was properly holding Pyrrha's Miló, under her close supervision of course. Turning back to her own partner, Weiss' shoulders slumped as Myrtenaster bounced off the floor again, Ruby scrambling after it. "Why are you making this so difficult?"
"I'm making it difficult? At least I've actually picked up your weapon," Ruby stared morosely at her scythe. "Look at poor Crescent Rose, you've got her laying on the dirty floor!"
"I've been watching you, Ruby, don't act like Myrtenaster hasn't been on the floor almost as much as this monstrous scythe."
"Hey, she's not monstrous, she's the perfect size for fighting Grimm. You just can't handle her cause you're so used to this wimpy blade."
"My sword's not wimpy! It's the perfect weight for quick strikes in between dust attacks. Just because you can't use dust without blowing yourself up doesn't mean others can't," scowling, Weiss returned her attention to the scythe in her hands, and after a minute Ruby turned back to Myrtenaster. The rest of class passed silently for the two of them, each absorbed in their own failure. So focused on themselves, they missed the telltale click of heels.
Stopping a few feet from the sullen pair, Glynda Goodwitch frowned. She'd given the students a simple exercise: switch weapons with your partner and teach them a few moves, to better understand each other's styles and improve cooperation. And it seemed that everyone except the red and white duo in front of her had figured that out. Glancing at her scroll, Goodwitch decided that it had been long enough.
"Okay, that's all for today. You may finish up and go," watching the relief wash over the two girls, she sighed. "Not you two. You're staying until you understand this training exercise," shoulders sagged instantly and Ruby let out a small groan. Walking past them on her way out, Yang gave her sister a pat on the back.
"Have fun, Ruby," Ruby whimpered.
"Aren't you going to stay, for moral support?" Laughing, Yang shook her head.
"Not a chance. Me and Blake have a date with the library," standing next to the blonde, Blake smirked.
"Mhmm, it's my turn to make sure our academic superstar here doesn't fail Port's next test," ignoring her partner's grumbles, the faunus smiled at Ruby. "Good luck you two. Hope you don't have to stay back too long." Waving goodbye, the black and yellow pair walked away, leaving Ruby and Weiss alone with Goodwitch. Adjusting her glasses, their professor gave them a once-over, taking in their awkward grips on the weapons and avoidance of looking at the other.
"Do you know why I'm holding you two back?" Weiss glared at Ruby.
"Because one of us doesn't understand proper weapon handling," rolling her eyes, Ruby waved at Crescent Rose.
"Or maybe because someone can't deal with anything heavier than a feather," stiffening, Weiss opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off.
"Enough! Both of you are acting like children, not huntresses-in-training. This is meant to help you work together, not bicker. Weapons are a part of a huntsman, so you're holding an important piece of your partner and-" clattering cut her off as both weapons hit the ground. Blinking at the interruption, Goodwitch took in the girls' panicked expressions and the blushes rushing across their faces. Realization dawned on her, and she sighed. "I was going to supervise you until you both could do at least one attack, but it seems that it would be better to leave you two alone to deal with your problems. You have my number in your scrolls, so just message me when you're ready to show that you can work together," looking at the pair, the professor narrowed her eyes. "And don't get any ideas about leaving without learning a move. I'll know, and then you'll have to deal with something a lot worse than staying after class." Not waiting for any indication of understanding, Goodwitch turned and left, leaving the pair in the empty training room.
Sighing, Weiss turned to her partner. "Let's just get this over with."
"How can you not get this?! It's the simplest attack there is!"
"Well, at least I've lifted your sword off the ground! What are you going to do, drag Crescent Rose into a Grimm's foot and hope it gets a cut?"
Struggling against the scythe's weight, Weiss scowled. An hour alone hadn't improved their moods, tempers were short and emotions were running high. She'd barely budged Ruby's scythe and the cloak-clad girl was no closer to wielding Weiss' rapier like an actual swordsman. "This is unbelievable. We've been partners for months, how is it we can't copy one technique?" Looking up from a flailing slash, Ruby frowned.
"It's not like we have a lot of time to look at each other when we're in a fight," shifting her grip, Weiss swept a hand at the empty room.
"We watch practice matches and duels all the time! Are you seriously telling me you aren't paying attention when I fight?!" Flinching at the accusation, Ruby swung to face her partner.
"Of course I watch your fights!" Weiss glared at her agitated leader.
"Then why can't you copy a single one of my strikes?"
"Because I'm watching you, not your sword!" Mouth already open to yell back, Weiss froze. A soft 'oh' escaped her lips and Ruby's cheeks and ears turned the same shade of red as her cloak. A few silent minutes passed before either of them recovered. "When you fight, you're so graceful and amazing," Ruby's voice was soft but in the quiet room it was loud enough. "I can't help but stare at you, at your determined face, at your body that knows exactly where it needs to be. I try to look at your sword or your opponent, but I always end up watching just you." Staring at the ground, she shuffled her feet. "I know it's weird, but I can't help it. Sorry."
"I watch your shoulders, when you fight," looking up, Ruby stared at the blushing heiress. "I know how strong you must be to swing your scythe like you do, and I love watching you flex your muscles in a fight. I-I also focus more on you than on your weapon during duels." Taking a deep breath, Weiss looked her partner in the eye. "It seems like we are more similar than we thought." Nodding slowly, Ruby processed everything that had been said, and what had been implied. Taking a few steps closer, Ruby reached out to grasp one of Weiss' hands in her own.
"I don't like dancing around things. You know I like to charge in head-first, so I'm just gonna say it," swallowing, silver eyes stared into blue ones. "Weiss, I like you a lot. As more than just a partner. So, will you be my girlfriend?" Shocked silence met her question, and Ruby tried to pull her hand away, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, did I misunderstand? I kinda thought we felt the same way, but Yang's always telling me that I'm awful when it comes to social cues so…" she trailed off as Crescent Rose hit the floor with a clank and pale arms wrapped around her.
"You dolt, you didn't give me time to respond," murmuring into Ruby's neck, Weiss was glad she couldn't see how red her face had become. "Don't go deciding my response for me." Returning the hug, Ruby spoke softly.
"Is that a yes?" Laughing, Weiss pulled far enough back to look Ruby in the eye.
"Yes. Of course it's a yes," Ruby pulled her back into a tight hug with a whoop, a huge grin plastered across her face. Smiling, Weiss closed her eyes and enjoyed warmth of her partner. It felt like an eternity before she finally pulled away, smirking at Ruby's disappointed face as she untangled herself from the embrace. "As much as I'd enjoy continuing, we should probably finish this exercise sometime today," Ruby groaned and looked at the two weapons laying on the ground.
"You sure we can't just tell Professor Goodwitch that we'll get along better now?" Weiss smacked her shoulder lightly.
"Ruby Rose, do you really think that she'd be happy to know that instead of training we ended up dating?" Ruby shrugged.
"Maybe…?" Encouraged by the heiress' giggle, Ruby grinned. "She did want us to understand each other better, so in a way we did follow directions." Shaking her head, Weiss smiled and picked up Myrtenaster, holding its hilt towards Ruby.
"Nice try, but we should really just learn a move so we can leave," Ruby nodded and took the offered sword, waiting for Weiss to go back to Crescent Rose. To her surprise, the heiress shifted, standing behind her and taking Ruby's hand in her own. "What's with that face? Ruby, we obviously can't do this by ourselves, so it will be easiest to teach each other a simple attack. Now close your mouth and follow my lead," nodding vigorously, Ruby looked at their intertwined grip on the sword's hilt, and tried to focus on their movements and not on the feel of Weiss' body against her. Repeating the thrust slowly, Weiss softly explained the movements in Ruby's ear. Continuing until the cloaked girl seemed to get it, Weiss stepped away and smiled when Ruby successfully finished the attack. Grinning, Ruby looked at her partner.
"Hey, I'm doing it!"
"Yes. You're not the most graceful person, but it should be enough to make our professor happy," looking at the scythe on the floor, Weiss' smile fell. "My turn then," carefully putting Myrtenaster aside, Ruby grabbed her scythe and spun it easily.
"Don't worry, I'll help you too. Strength helps, but I made sure that Crescent Rose is properly balanced. Come here," holding an arm out, Ruby waited until Weiss was nestled between her arms. Putting pale hands in the correct places, Ruby rested her chin on Weiss' shoulder. "See, it's all about leverage. If you push down here, she's weighted so that she'll spin easily, even if her blade's on the ground" pushing on the indicated spot, Weiss' eyes widened as Crescent Rose whipped around. Slightly startled, she tried to take a step back, but bumped against Ruby. Feet tangling, they fell with a thump. "Oof!" Ruby squinted at the light girl on top of her. "You okay, Weiss?"
"Yes, I fine, just a little surprised," Weiss shifted so she could look down at Ruby. "I didn't expect your scythe to move so quickly…" Her voice trailed off as she realized only a few inches separated them. Seeing her own feelings mirrored in silver eyes, Weiss let her eyes flutter shut and closed the gap. Ruby stiffened at first, but swiftly relaxed into the kiss, wrapping her arms tightly around her new girlfriend. Pressing against each other, they savored the softness of the kiss.
A grumble finally made them break apart. Grinning, Ruby put a hand on her growling stomach. "I guess it must be getting close to dinnertime," sitting up, Weiss smiled down at the girl she was straddling. She stood up, pulling Ruby up with her. "How about we make sure you can spin Crescent Rose, and then we get Professor Goodwitch to let us go?" Nodding, the heiress reached for the discarded scythe.
Goodwitch looked at the two cheerful girls in front of her. As soon as she'd arrived they had launched into a demonstration, Ruby striking out with the rapier and Weiss spinning the scythe with ease. Sharing a smile as they finished, they turned to face their professor. Goodwitch just raised an eyebrow, taking in their slightly flushed faces and rumpled outfits. "It seems that you've finally done the exercise. Was that so hard? You may go."
"C'mon, Weiss, let's go get some dinner," pulling on her girlfriend's hand, Ruby smiled broadly. Watching them rush off, Goodwitch smiled slightly.
"You two may want to fix your clothes first," two embarrassed squeaks met her comment, and the blonde professor left them to pull themselves together. Walking through an empty hall, Goodwitch hummed quietly to herself.
As always, this exercise was great for bringing partners together.
A/N: A random idea popped into my head, and since I felt like writing some more this showed up. I hope you enjoyed this fun little distraction.
