The clear sky outside the window of the dorm was a tragic contrast to the churning storm in my mind.

…Sorry, am I being dramatic? Let me start over.

It was spring break at my school, Beacon Academy. Two of my teammates, including my partner, Yang, had gone back home for the two-week period. The trouble was… Weiss had chosen to stay, as I had.

I didn't blame her for that decision, of course. From what little she told us about her home life, it wasn't exactly in her best interest to go back, even for a little while.

Still, of all the people to spend two whole weeks alone with.

I had been struggling with how I felt about her for months now. Ever since that night on the docks, my perception of her had gone from stuck-up, spoilt little heiress, to loyal, unabashed friend, to… well, I'm not one to sugarcoat… to the proverbial apple of my eye. The star in my sky. The one and only love of my life.

And it was tearing me apart in more ways that I could ever count.

It was a churning river of regret, uncertainty, and fear. And one night, the dam broke.

It was about four days into the break proper. Weiss was preparing a rather simple dinner for the two of us… I want to say it was gazpacho? It's not that important, anyway. I was over in my bunk, in my yukata, once again flipping through the pages of "Ninjas of Love 4: Yesterday Still Lives." Shedo was just on the verge of avenging his beloved Yuki (don't worry, she got better by the next book) by striking down the devilish Sasori, when I hear Weiss call "Dinner's ready, Blake."

I bookmarked my page with one of my ribbons and got over to the table. Though this was essentially a casual dorm room meal, she had really classed up our small table. Expertly set placeware, a couple battery-powered candles, I even heard some piano music playing from her scroll nearby.

And Weiss herself… Even though she was just in a simple blouse and skirt, I loved the way she looked.

Then again, I always loved the way she looked, so the point is moot…

Getting off track again. It's not important.

Anyway, no matter what it was she did prepare, it was delicious. I had no idea she could cook this well.

"I had no idea you could cook this well."

Weiss gave a flattered laugh. "Well, part of my upbringing was being able to perform well as an heiress and as a wife." She rolled her eyes at that bit. "But it has given me a very wide set of skills. In addition to being able to cook, I'm aware of various methods of removing tough stains, I know how to exit any conversation… I'm even trained in classical piano. What you're hearing right now are some of my own recordings."

Out of anyone else's mouth, this would have come across as beyond conceited. But somehow, Weiss managed to stay so humble about it. In fact… she almost sounded a bit sad.

She continued. "Of course, that all just means an absence of social life. Even most of my training as a Huntress was done privately. I never had any real friends before I came to this school. Outside of the manor, of course. I know it sounds so stereotypical. Sheltered little rich girl thrust into school, having to deal with all that social business, but I guess the point I'm trying to make here is… I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" I was pretty hungry already, and had by this point finished the meal.

"For… for not giving up on me. Especially given your background, you had every right to turn your back on me, to just pretend like you had never met me. But… you didn't. So… thank you."

I laughed the smallest amount. "It's not like you gave me much of a reason to walk away."

She leaned forward a bit. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. "So many people have shut me out for being who I am. A Faunus. A former White Fang. But even after all that, twelve hours after it all came out… you were still there."

"Why wouldn't I be, Blake? You seem trustworthy."

I understand that this was supposed to reassure me. But her insistence only sank my heart deeper. I don't know if it was her use of "seem," or her inflection… it's not important. What's important is what happened next.

"Do I?" I asked, feeling something welling up in my eye.

"Wh-What do you mean, Blake?"

I found myself abruptly standing up, knocking over one of the candles. Thank the gods they were electric, or the dorm would be done for.

"You keep saying you trust me, but how can I be sure? I mean… I-I was with an organization of terror! How could you ever trust me after that?!"

"Blake, that fact hasn't stopped me from being your friend-"

I slammed my arms against the wall. "It's stopped me from being sure that I love you!"

I couldn't see her expression, so I have to assume it was one of shock. "…What?"

"I'm in love with you, Weiss! And it's tearing me apart!" I found myself pacing through the dorm, frustratedly. "You keep saying you trust me, despite how I used to be, but how can I be sure? Huh?! And I've just been scared this whole time that even if, by some miracle from the fucking Heavens, you somehow returned these feelings, your parents would never, in a million fucking years, accept me as your lover, or especially as their family! Because…" I was standing right in front of the window, my hand clutching the curtain, as I started to weep in my anger. "Because I…" I couldn't keep talking. There was nothing else I could say.

It was a full two minutes before any sound was made but the piano. And from behind me, I heard Weiss' voice at last.

"Of all the ridiculous, boneheaded things I've ever heard, that outranked them all."

I slowly turned back to her. "What?"

She had already gotten up, her stance and inflection infuriated, but her language…

"You honestly think that being a former member of an organization you've repeatedly denounced gives me any sort of reason not to have feelings for you?"

I was absolutely dumbfounded. "I'm not sure what-"

"Then allow me to clarify!" she interrupted, and began to count on her fingers. "You're intelligent, you have a great appreciation for literature, you're confident, skilled, beautiful- Do you want me to continue? I have way more."

"Weiss-"

"Was auch immer du sagen willst, es kann verdammtnochmal warten!" she snapped. "I have had it up to here-" she raised a hand to her head, palm down- "with your constant self-loathing about things that happened far in the past, or- let's face it-" she pointed directly at my bow- "were never important to begin with! So what if you're a Faunus?! Cat ears are cute anyway!"

If I had it in me to blush, I think I would have. "But… your parents…"

"Zur Hölle mit ihnen! My father doesn't control my life anymore, and I proved it by going here! If I need to, I will change my name and appearance, and you and I can go off to Vacuo or some similar place and get married there! We could live peacefully enough."

I suddenly found the strength to talk again, sorrowful and confused tears in my eyes. "Weiss, if I can be perfectly frank here, you are sending a lot of mixed signals!"

"Then let me make this as monosyllabic as I possibly can." She began to walk towards me, every word accentuated by a click of her heels. "I. Don't. Care. Who. You. Used. To. Be. I. Am. In. Love. With. You. Too." She had stepped right up to me, our faces a hand's width apart. "To be specific… I'm in love with who you are now. And all that it entails." She reached up to undo my bow, and I let her, despite myself. "It doesn't matter to me if you're a Faunus, human, or anything. Nothing will ever change the fact that I am desperately, hopelessly…" Her hand went to my shoulder. "Madly… in love with you, Blake." I could see her crying tears of joy. "And to hear, tonight, that you feel the same way… It's made me the happiest girl alive."

What else could I do right then but kiss her?

It was soft, warm… cozy, even. I had never felt more at rest than the moment her lips met mine.

Or wait… maybe she kissed me first?

Ah well. It's not that important anyway.

Translations:

Was auch immer du sagen willst, es kann verdammtnochmal warten!: Whatever you're about to say, it can fucking wait!

Zur Hölle mit ihnen!: To Hell with them!