"Are you sure about this?"
Ruby immediately knew something was wrong when she heard the uncharacteristically timid voice coming from behind her. She stared for a moment, seeing her partner still in line with their baggage in the airship dock, her white locks of hair flowing down her back, tied back, standing out in the crowd of people surrounding her. That was unusual, considering Weiss was normally the type to storm the gates, taking the lead when it came to team RWBY's travels.
"Hmm?" the brunette turned and met Weiss halfway, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "About the mission? Of course I am! It's a great chance for team RWBY to prove ourselves!"
She grinned. While it wasn't unusual for Beacon to send the second-years on a solo mission, it was the first shot that RWBY had at one, and nothing made the hooded girl more excited. On paper, it wasn't too exciting or unusual – just searching for some relics in an ancient city on the edge of Vale – but to Ruby Rose, that meant adventures. And beating up monsters. With her team. Plus, the mission was close enough to home that they could spend a few days of down-time in Patch, and getting to see her dad and uncle was always a rare treat these days. That was enough to make her heart race.
However, that train of thought brought her back to the heiress. Weiss Schnee, her newly-admitted-love and trusted partner, was never the type to be nervous about a mission. Ruby knew she hid her emotions well, so even if it there was something there, it normally wouldn't be so clear.
"Not the mission, you dolt," Weiss sighed, pinching her temples before responding, flushing slightly. "I meant…do I really have to go to Patch with you? I know it's close by, but I could stay here, do some more research. I clearly have more than enough ways to meet you halfway, so you could have your family bonding, or whatever you do, and we would be more adequately prepared."
Ah. Ruby smirked. That explained it.
In the two years that they've known each other, Ruby had learned nearly all of Weiss' ticks. It was necessary as partners – even moreso as friends. One of the first – and most clear – ones she learned were how Weiss always flaunted her status when she felt intimidated, and immediately threw herself into her work when she was stressed.
"Weiss," Ruby smiled, gently taking her hand, bystanders ignored. She lowered her voice, making sure Weiss knew that her full attention was on her, and that no one else would hear their conversation. "Are you…nervous about going home with me?"
Weiss' eyes widened. "I most certainly am not! I merely am working to keep up with this mission because we have a reputation to uphold and as your best teamma—"
"Weiss." Ruby lowered her voice, interrupting her girlfriend before her tangent could go much further. It was a common interaction between the two – and one of the ways Ruby tried to ease the heiress into being more honest.
Weiss sighed, staring down at her hands. "Ruby, I'm not exactly used to this. You know better than anyone that family is not a topic that is easy for me. My whole family life is a trainwreck, and while I'm sure yours is much better – even with that uncle of yours – I'm worried. It's the holiday break and I've never…done anything like this before. Holidays for me mean meetings, performances, business as usual – not whatever you plan to do,"
"Weiss…" Ruby frowned. She hated seeing Weiss like this. Over the years, the horrors of what Jacques Schnee had slowly been revealed to her, and her hatred of that man only increased with every story. He was the reason she tried so hard to be perfect, and had genuine fears and nightmares over the mere idea of making mistakes, and the thought made her sick to her stomach.
"Besides, I'm sure your father would hate me," she added, visibly shrinking.
"Wait what?" Ruby blinked. She shook her head, trying to keep her thought process steady, if only for Weiss' sake. "Dad is going to love you! He's always been less protective than Yang, so if she was fine with us dating, so would he!"
Weiss shook her head, cheeks flushed pink. "Not that! I mean, that's not the main concern. I'm talking about my name, Ruby. I'm Weiss Schnee, and your father's a hunter. He would obviously know about me, and my family name. We aren't exactly renowned for our charitable acts and kind words. It will follow me, and he'll hate me. Not that I haven't prepared myself fully, but I hate it."
Her honesty stung.
Ruby knew she spoke from the heart. Weiss had grown up having to isolate herself so much from others, simply to protect herself. It took a year for Ruby and her team to even begin to melt the ice walls she had erected around herself, and it pained the huntress to remember how much the hate and depression followed her partner. Weiss was one of the most selfless people Ruby had ever met, and she worked harder than anybody.
But as much as Ruby tried to persuade her, she still had the full belief that she was meant to be hated by everyone due to her father's actions. Even worse, she accepted it.
As much as it hurt, Ruby knew no words would be able to convince her girlfriend of her merits as a person. So instead she took action.
Grabbing Weiss' shoulders, she pressed her lips to hers, connecting them in a quick, yet passionate kiss.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Weiss gasped as they pulled away, eyes wide. "There are people around, you dolt!"
"I know," Ruby shrugged, grinning widely. "But I wanted to make you smile again! Your smile is worth all the stares in the world."
"I know it's scary, and I know you won't believe me," she added, grabbing Weiss' hand in one, and their suitcases with the other. "So I'm going to prove it. We're going to go to Patch, and I'm going to show off my wonderful girlfriend to my family, and they will love you. I know you don't believe it yet, and you feel lost in your own head, so right now, I'll just have faith for the both of us!"
She was rewarded. The smallest smile spread across Weiss' face, and those were the most rewarding.
"Ruby…thank you," Weiss smiled, grabbing her hand in return. "You're right. Either way, I can't hide from this forever. Let's go,"
Ruby's own grin only spread wider.
This was going to be the best mission ever.
"What is taking them so long?" Yang groaned as she looked around the airship frantically, thoughts racing a mile a minute as she searched for the rest of her team.
"Yang," Blake smiled, placing a hand over her own. "Calm down. They'll make it. Ruby wouldn't miss this for the world, and there's no way Weiss would give anyone the ammo of her being late for anything."
Yang took a deep breathe, nodding at her girlfriend, giving her a smile in return.
Blake always knew how to calm down her energy, especially when it was in regards to her younger sister. It was her aura – but mostly her smile. It was always so warm and reassuring, so much like Blake herself, even as mysterious as she tried to make herself.
Yang drank in her smile. It was so pure and loving – it gave her head a buzz and filled her heart – a feeling that never got old, even after months of being together.
"You're right, sorry," she let out a small chuckle. "I trust them, I do; I'm just worried. This is a big step for Rubbles, bringing a girl home—"
"As if you're the most experienced with that," Blake pointed out.
"ANYWAYS," Yang glared, elbowing the faunus playfully. "And Weiss is, well Weiss, and I worry for her. She's been acting weird all day, and I want to make sure she's alright. This can't be easy for her, you know how she gets whenever the word 'family' is mentioned."
Blake nodded, laying her head on Yang's shoulder, ears twitching slightly. "I know, but don't let yourself get too worked up, alright? Ruby knows how to handle Weiss, even better than we could,"
She paused.
"Though, I'm sure she would appreciate having someone fuss over her as much as you do. I know I do. It's sweet."
Yang smiled at that. She always fell into the role of 'team mom' easily, and a part of her wondered if she went to far. Her partner always took the time to show appreciation for her actions. It empowered her and always warmed her heart.
"Thanks," she blushed, wrapping an arm around her girlfriend. "While on the topic though, how do you feel about all this? I know it's technically a mission, but I am taking you home with me,"
Blake smiled. "I feel content. It is a mission, so it's easy enough to explain to my parents, and besides," she sat up, stretching across the bench the pair sat on, "I'm excited to meet the famous father of the Xiao-Longs,"
Yang's eyes lit up. "Oh man, you'll love my dad! He's pretty great. I mean, not as great as me, or even Ruby, but hey, it's something," she laughed, grinning widely.
She loved her dad more than anything in the world, and truth be told, she was much more excited to introduce her team to him than the actual mission – not that she would ever tell Ruby that.
"Oh really?" Blake smirked, eyes narrowing slightly. "I wonder how many childhood stories of the great Yang Xiao-Long I can hear?"
"You're kidding right?" Yang asked, grin faltering slightly. "…Blake?"
"I can't believe you almost missed the airship!"
"We did no such thing Yang Xiao Long!"
Weiss sunk into her seat, exasperated. It had taken approximately ten seconds for Yang to comment on the unusual situation where Weiss was not the first of the team on the ship. She loved her team dearly, but when you were teammates with Yang Xiao Long, the teasing never ceased.
"Leave her alone Yang," Ruby sighed, though it was clear she was holding in a laugh for Weiss' sake.
She rolled her eyes, trying to focus on her research papers she collected for the mission.
"We really should discuss this in more detail," she added, shooting a pointed look at Yang and Ruby.
"Weiss, we've been preparing for this for weeks now," Yang protested. "We all deserve a little break. We have team attacks, Grimm research, hours upon hours spent holed up in the library – it's the holiday! Give us a day off."
"I highly doubt tha—" Weiss began, only to be cut off by a knowing look by her faunus teammate.
"Yang's right," Blake responded, swiftly cutting in before an argument could begin. "As much as I'm inclined to agree with Weiss, because we do need to be prepared, it's not healthy to push too hard, without breaks."
"Yeah!" Ruby jumped in, throwing an arm around Weiss, despite her protests, grinning widely, slipping the book she held out of her hands. "And as leader, I declare we take the next day or so to rest up! Relax! We need to be all rested up so we can kick some Grimm butt!"
Weiss sighed, cursing her weakness to any request Ruby asked of her.
"Fine," she huffed. "But only for a day or two. After that, we are focusing solely on this mission. We have grades and lives at stake here!"
Yang leaned in close, grinning widely. "Aw, look at our ice queen, melting at the mere sight of my baby sister,"
"Yang!" Ruby protested, face red as her cloak.
"You guys…" Blake interrupted, stepping between the pair before another argument played out. Even playfully, there was only so much bickering she could stand when stuck on a cramped airship with her team, as much as she loved them.
She pointed out the window, smiling when Ruby jumped at the site.
"We're here."