A/N: Hey all, Blue here. I don't have to much to say. Thanks for the feedback and I hope you enjoy this one as well. Enjoy the Roses! (Still weird for me to say Haha)

Chapter 4: Step Negative One

Oh she messed up. She goofed. She goofed real bad. Ruby only wanted to bring the two girls closer, but now she had only driven them further apart. And, as a result, drove Weiss back into her shell more.

Back to step one. No, that would mean she had a blank slate. Things were far too messed up to say this was step one. Step negative one, that was more appropriate.

Step negative one, make sure Weiss was ok. Ruby ran after Weiss when she left. She made herself invisible and followed her to the bathroom. As she suspected, Weiss was crying in the stalls, trying to save face. That just proved what she already knew; Blake meant more to Weiss than she allowed others to see.

Which meant it was even more important to reconcile this.

The next day in their history class, Ruby kept watching Weiss. She wanted to see how her charge was after what happened at lunch the other day. Nothing; the girl was back to normal. In the last few classes yesterday, Weiss hardly took notes, she didn't even answer a single question. She was just content (if you could call her state such) to sit there and think about anything but the subject they were supposed to be learning.

But now? She seemed fine. She was taking notes dutifully, answering as many questions as she could, and looking alert and attentive. But it wasn't right. It was fake, the false Weiss.

Then again, she had only seen the false Weiss so far. The moments of her true nature were few and far in between.

"Ruby." Weiss whispered.

"Wha?"

"Pay attention." She said, never averting her gaze from her notebook. Was she staring too much? That wasn't socially acceptable, she should stop. But she was still worried about her charge. So she glanced over at her as much as she could without it seeming strange.

It apparently still did, because Weiss pulled Ruby aside at the end of class.

"I told you I'm fine." She said, her voice a bit too even.

"I know."

"Nothing is wrong."

"I know."

"Stop worrying about other people's issues, Ruby. You'll drive yourself crazy."

"Ok."

There was no use in arguing with her right now, she was not in the right state. But that did mean that step negative one was complete! Sort of? She might not be ok, but if she could get her and Blake to make up again, maybe that would help.

But that plan would have to wait till Monday. It was Friday and she had a feeling that nothing would get solved today (especially since the only class she shared with Blake was Shop). So Weiss watch it was. She went with her everywhere, she went without fail.

Still, no abnormal behavior. Yet, all that showed Ruby was that Weiss had gotten really good at stuffing down her feelings.

Thanks, Captain Obvious. Ruby thought.

She had to find a way to get Weiss a little more comfortable with her. Enough to maybe talk about her issues with Ruby. But how? She needed alone time, which was something she never got with Weiss, since she only ever saw her at school. The most alone time she got was when Weiss was tutoring her.

Wait! That was it!

XxXxX

"You want to do what on Saturday?" Weiss asked in disbelief, grabbing her studying materials from her locker.

"Have a little study session!" Ruby chirped, full of glee. "It'll be fun."

"You think me giving up my Saturday will be enjoyable."

"Well." Ruby said, her happiness dimming. Her shoulders scrunched up and she kicked her foot a bit. A twinge of guilt hit Weiss, but she brushed it away, steeling herself to the girl's cute nature. "We can make it fun. It's just that... There's that quiz coming up and I'm not sure if I'm fully prepared. Ya know?"

"I did have the same thought." Weiss admitted. Ruby was improving, yes, but Professor Peach may not see that if Ruby scores low on her test. And then Weiss will be to blame. The headmaster will have a word with her father and... That never ended well.

Not that it ever happened, but things rarely went well when it came to her father.

She had the scar to prove it.

But Weiss wasn't stupid. She saw how Ruby had been watching her throughout the day, even if she was trying to be discreet about it. Ruby believed that they were friends. She wanted to help Weiss with the fiasco that occurred yesterday. Well they were not friends and Weiss didn't need help. Sure, she let her emotions get the better of her, but it was all for the best in the end. She didn't need Blake or Ruby or anyone for that matter.

She was Weiss Schnee. She was better off alone.

And everyone was better off without her.

Blake would be better off without her.

"Fine, but I have to clear it with my father first." Weiss acquiesced. She would let Ruby come over, but there was no way she would worm her way into her heart. Studying only.

Besides, it wasn't like she had any plans on Saturday anyway.

"Really? Oh Weiss, you're the bestest!" Ruby said, bouncing up and down.

"Best. I know."

"Can I... Um... Give you a hug?" She timidly requested.

Weiss' heart skipped a beat hearing this. She didn't do hugs... But... Maybe one wouldn't hurt.

"If you insist." Weiss found herself answering. She expected Ruby to tackle her with a huge hug when she accepted the offer. Instead, Ruby slowly walked closer and carefully wrapped her arms around Weiss' back, squeezing lightly to show her affection. The heiress feared that Ruby would hear just how fast her heart was beating now. Like a jackhammer, it beat against her small chest.

She didn't know how it happened, but she was now reciprocating the hug, squeezing back. This was what hugging felt like. She had forgotten, it had been a while. Since the time she was ten, her parents hardly hugged her. From the time she was twelve, she told others she did not hug. Now, here she was, sixteen (almost seventeen) years of age, and she found herself regretting that decision.

Hugging Ruby was just like how she felt meeting her for the first time. It was like home, warm, comforting with the scent of something sweet. Tulips? Daisies?

No.

It was roses.

It was roses for sure.

She could feel the care Ruby felt for her in her hug. It was just as inviting and wonderful as the girl it came from. And Weiss never wanted to let go. Now that she had a taste, she wanted more. It caused an insatiable hunger within her that she could not begin to comprehend.

And she didn't want to.

She wanted to bask in the roses. She wanted Ruby to never let go. Weiss felt so safe and cared for in her arms, despite the fact that she was shorter than her. How was this girl so inviting? How did she reduce her to a puddle with a single laugh?

What was she?

The hug did not actually last that long, a couple seconds tops, but for Weiss, it felt like an eternity. In a good way. In the best way.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I-I still have to check with my father." Weiss stammered, still reeling from the embrace.

"Sure sure! Um, how about you call me when you know. We should probably exchange numbers." Ruby said, pulling out her phone. She handed it to Weiss and the heiress couldn't help but notice the little rose phone charm that hung off of it. It was... Very Ruby.

She did the same, wordlessly handed her phone over to the redhead. Weiss put in her information and gave it back to the rightful owner. Ruby did the same, smiling from ear to ear.

"Awesome! Let me know and hopefully I'll see you tomorrow." Ruby said, walking backwards. She then turned around and skipped off to head home, presumably.

The ivory-haired girl opened up her phone to see the new contact in her phone. In the 'R' section she found it.

'Ruby Rose' it read, with a small little rose emoji next to it. A small cute little touch that had Weiss smiling.

What was this girl doing to her?

The whole walk home, Weiss could only think of Ruby. Her hug, her laugh, her eyes, the little rose she put next to her name. Her heart sped up just thinking about her.

How could she let this happen? How could she let someone affect her. She was supposed to be alone, she wasn't supposed to have friends.

Ruby was not her friend, Weiss was just her tutor.

She blamed the hug. That damn hug. It was so warm and comforting that she let her defenses down. She told herself that Ruby would not worm her way into her heart, and she would keep that promise. Even if it killed her.

And with the irregular beating of her heart due to the bubbly girl, it just might.

At the same time, she had to question if it was so bad to let Ruby in. Was it that awful? The girl didn't seem upset about her sarcastic demeanor or wit. In fact, she seemed to like it. She enjoyed Weiss' company, which was very strange. Who would want to be around Weiss Schnee for her personality and not her money.

Blake did.

But she pushed her away.

And she was fine with that.

She was, truly.

Entering her household, she headed straight for her father's office. He would be home by now, she just hoped she could ask him quickly and get on with it.

She knocked three times on the door and waited for the man's response. When she heard a 'come in' from inside, she took a deep breath and entered the cold office.

Jacques Schnee was sitting at his office, paperwork strewn about the desk, a pen in hand. When he noticed it was her, his face drooped a bit. Disappointment, she knew the expression well.

"Weiss, dear. What is it? You're father is quite busy."

"I... I-"

"Do not stutter, Weiss. Schnees do not stutter, it is unbecoming." The cruel man chided.

"I wish to have someone over tomorrow. I am their tutor and they require extra help." Weiss said, reciting the line she had thought of on her way home.

"Tutoring, eh?" Jacques said, a smile growing on his mustached face. "That is very noble of you, my dear."

"Yes," She complied. "May I have permission to have her come over?"

"Yes yes, do what you will. Just do not disturb me while I am working." He waved off.

"Thank you, father." She said, dipping her head in gratitude.

"You are welcome."

Weiss turned to leave.

"Wait."

She stopped, so did her heart. Dutifully, she turned back around and met eye-contact with the man.

"Yes, father?"

"What was your grade on the English exam you took?"

"A ninety-five."

"Ninety-five?" He asked, appalled. "Surely you can do better than that."

"I... Scored the highest in the class."

"Well then maybe the academy is full of imbeciles." He asserted. "I should have sent you to the boarding school up north."

"No!" Weiss shouted, but she slapped a hand to her mouth. Jacques leveled a glare at his daughter. "I mean, please no... Sir."

He leaned back in his chair, assessing his daughter. Scrutinizing her, as if she was another one of his clients.

"Keep your grades up and we'll see, my dear."

"Thank you, father."

"Now please go. I have important matters to attend to."

"Yes, father." She said, leaving the office. As soon as she was out, she released a breath. It worked, it actually worked.

Still, she felt more anxious after the encounter. She was top of the class and she still couldn't please him. She worked hard on that exam, in that class. A ninety-five wasn't bad... Was it? Perhaps it wasn't for other people, but for Schnees it was the bar, and they were expected to go above it.

She wished that he was the type of father that would set aside his work for a moment and ask her how her day was. Maybe joke a bit. The type of father that loved her no matter what and was proud of her accomplishments. A father who was merely satisfied if she tried her best.

That would be nice, but it was not for her.

Schnees were busy, important people. They couldn't ask people how their day was, it was beneath them.

Maybe she should start asking Ruby how she was.

XxXxX

"Hey Weiss!" Ruby said when the door to the manor was opened. Weiss nodded her head and opened it further to allow her in. "I'm so glad your dad let me come over!"

Weiss looked very different out of uniform. She had on a simple white dress with sheer blue stockings and heels. Her ivory locks were pulled up into her usual lopsided ponytail, but it wasn't as tight as she normally kept it.

Ruby thought it looked better that way, more relaxed.

"Yes." She simply answered. "Come with me, we will conduct the study session in my room. We can't disturb my father, he is very busy."

Weiss' father. He was bad news. She bit back the anger she harbored. No one should hurt their children, physically or emotionally. Weiss had been unfortunate enough to experience both types. But Weiss didn't know that she knew, so she had to play dumb for the time being.

Now as for knowledge about math... Well... She didn't really have to play dumb with that.

"So." Weiss began as she led Ruby into her room. This was her first time seeing it and it was immaculate. The spacious room was so neat and orderly. The books on her book case had even been arranged from largest to smallest. By the door of her room was a large vanity desk. There was a single jewelry box resting on top. Her drawers were all closed tight, as was her closet door; not a piece of clothing out of place. Her bed was the fancy kind with the post and the canopy thing and it was huge.

The ivory-haired girl walked over to the desk in the other side of her room. There were two chairs by the large writing desk; One that matched it, and one that had seemingly been brought in from another room. She offered Ruby the mixed matched one and the undercover angel took a seat.

"What have you been having trouble with?" Weiss asked, sitting in her own chair.

"Uuuuuh... Integers and um... Numerals?"

"Numbers and numbers?" She asked, her voice deadpan.

"Sort of?" Ruby giggled. She didn't really plan out what she would have Weiss help her with. Not that she actually cared about the class. She only needed to keep up her grades while she was helping Weiss. And even if her grades did slip, she could borrow some knowledge and bump up those test scores.

"You're hopeless, I don't even know why I bother." Weiss huffed, pulling out the Pre-Calculus textbook and slamming it on the table. "Scoot over here, we have a lot to do and we should get started."

Ruby chuckled again and moved her chair right next to Weiss so they could share desk space. Weiss was close to her now, so close she could smell her perfume. Just like the day before when she hugged her. It was a soft, subtle scent, but one that set Ruby at ease, despite the heiress' cold nature.

Vanilla, that was the scent. Soft and warm. It reminded her of times when she was still human, still mortal. Ruby recalled the one (and only) time Goodwitch let them use the oven to make cookies. Ruby mixed them and Yang put them in the oven. The first batch was great! But they were so preoccupied eating them at they completely forgot about the second batch. The kitchen smelled like burnt cookies for a week.

And Glynda was sooooo pissed. It was a wonder that they weren't the ones who cause the orphanage to burn down.

Still, it was a good memory, and it made her subconsciously move closer to Weiss. To get a smell of the freshly baked cookies, or at least one of the ingredients. She had long since forgotten what cookies tasted like, but she recalled eating them in truckloads when she was young.

So the two spent hours studying, practicing and drilling the information into Ruby's brain. It was harder than she remembered and Ruby sort of wished she borrowed more knowledge for today, but Weiss actually was a really good teacher. Maybe she wouldn't even need to use the knowledge reserve.

But, it had been a couple hours and she was sure that Weiss was probably tired of helping her learn. So it was time to initiate step point zero; get Weiss to try and talk to Blake (or at least get her to be honest about how she felt).

"For this next problem-"

"Hey Weiss? Mind if we take a break? My brain is starting to hurt a bit." Ruby lied with a laugh.

"I suppose so." Weiss sighed, reluctant to agree. Man, this girl did not give herself a break.

"Aren't you tired?"

"I don't tire of math."

Geez, this might be harder than Ruby thought.

"How about we stretch our legs a bit? Walk around?"

"We shouldn't disturb my father."

"How about we walk outside a bit?"

Weiss looked at her with a skeptical expression, but rose from her seat and grabbed a jacket from her closet.

"Very well, but let's make this quick."

They left the room, Weiss leading Ruby through her large house once again. They walked down the hall, down the stairs and out the front door.

Golly, the house was seriously huge.

"Soooo." Ruby started.

"I'm fine." Weiss said, almost reading Ruby's mind.

"I-I wasn't going to ask you that."

"And what were you going to say." Weiss asked, a smirk pulling at her lips. She had been doing that more often, smiling. It was promising, but Ruby knew there was much more work to be done. Weiss wasn't in a good place, but the silver-tipped angel would get her out. She knew it.

She had to.

"I-I was gonna ask how you knew Blake."

"Oh... We... Had classes together."

"Didn't seem like just classes." Ruby assessed. "Were you two friends?"

"... Yes, we were." Weiss answered. Her voice was barely above a whisper, her gaze downward.

"What... Happened?"

Weiss was quiet for a moment, but kept walking.

"I happened. I don't have friends, Ruby. They only hold me down."

"But, we're friends, right?"

"I'm your tutor."

"I mean, yeah. But we're also friends."

"Ruby, I-"

"I care about you, Weiss." Ruby said. This got the ivory-haired girl to stop in her tracks. She looked at Ruby with disbelief. Was it so odd for someone to care about her?

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you care about me? I've been nothing but cold and rude to you."

"Cause I can tell you're hurting? A-and you're the first friend I made at school."

Even if she was a normal student, she probably would have stuck with Weiss. Ruby always wanted to save people, to help them when she could. If Weiss was born in the same time as the redhead, she hoped that they would have been friends back then too.

"You could easily make better friends."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"Sure I could make more friends, hang out with other people. But it wouldn't be the same, you know?"

"Why wouldn't they?"

"Because they wouldn't be you, Weiss." Ruby honestly answered. "You are you, and you are special."

"Yes, I know." She answered, walking once again.

Really? That easy?

"You do?"

"Yes, I am a Schnee, of course I'm special."

Oh gosh.

"No, you're special because you're Weiss and you're my friend."

Weiss turned back with another incredibly disbelieving look, but behind that, she could see the girl was taking it in. She looked away, but a ghost of a smile phased across her face. Her eyes were growing watery, but she rubbed them once and it was nearly gone.

"Thank you."

XxXxX

The young redhead tapped a pencil to her lips in concentration. And Weiss? She was just staring at this girl. She let down her guard, she let it down a bit when Ruby told her she was special. No one ever said she was. They said Weiss Schnee was, but never simply Weiss. She was shaken by this.

So much so that she wound up spilling the beans about her friendship with Blake. Not too much, but small things. How long they knew each other, what was it like being her friend, questions of that caliber.

Still, for Weiss, that was one too many things. She couldn't seem to help herself though. Ruby had this... charm about her that she found hard to resist. And there inlay the problem.

Because part of her wanted to struggle against it. To resist Ruby and her inviting demeanor. She didn't want to let the girl get any further, she had to block her out. She wanted to quit being her tutor, so they had no other reason to see each other, besides the classes they shared.

Yet, the other part of her (and she would argue the weaker part) wanted to give in. To let this bubbly girl into her life. That maybe she did truly deserve this kindness. She wanted to be friends with her, to receive more hugs. She wanted to spend more time with her and hear about her interesting views of the world. And that part definitely wanted to see Ruby out of her school uniform. The girl was wearing a pair of form fitting gray pants, a weathered red v-neck t-shirt and a red hoodie that was just a bit too big for her. It was very Ruby, and this part appreciated that.

But, neither option seemed quite right, and Weiss found herself trying to balance some sort of strange middle ground. Oh, how easier life would be if she just hadn't met the girl.

How much easier life would be if her heart didn't pound so fast when the girl was near.

"I think I got it!" Ruby exclaimed with glee. She picked up her sheet of paper and presented it to Weiss like it was a diploma, so proud of herself. "See! I got them right... Right?"

The ivory-haired girl looked over the equations one by one. Correct, yes, mhm, a little sloppy but she got there, check, check. Weiss, too, found herself smiling in pride.

"Well question four was done a little haphazardly, but you did find the correct answer regardless. Good job, Ruby."

"Yes!" She cheered, but Weiss' words seeped in a second later. "Wait, what did I do wrong there?"

"You didn't do the right steps, but got the correct answer." She told her pupil. Weiss slid over to better show what she meant, grabbing the utensil Ruby had been using to write. "If this comes up in the test, this technique might not always work."

"So what should I do?"

"You should-" Weiss began, but stopped when she noticed the other girl's close proximity. Her silver orbs were wide and attentive, flicking between Weiss' gaze and the paper with the equations. And she could smell it again, the sweet scent of roses that emanated from the girl. She truly lived up to her last name.

And her lips. She always found her smile to be quite lovely (aesthetically, of course), but she never noticed just how red her lips were. She wasn't wearing any lipstick, or any make-up for that matter, but her lips looked so deep. And plump.

And inviting.

"Weiss?" Ruby said, breaking Weiss out of her trance.

What was she thinking?

"Oh! Um... Y-you should just follow the same steps a-as the other problems. You sh-shouldn't have a problem if you d-do that."

"Okie dokie!" Ruby said. "Think I'll be set for the test?"

"I'm sure of it."

"Awesome! Thank you so much!" Ruby said, grabbing one of Weiss' hands with both of hers and squeezing.

"Of course. It's my job as your tutor."

"Yeah, but not every tutor would go above and beyond like you!" Ruby said. "You're special, Weiss."

That was the second time Ruby called her that, and her whole being felt uplifted from hearing it.

"Um... Thank you."

Ruby smiled at Weiss, but her eyes darted to the clock on her wall.

"Oh wow! Is that the time? I gotta head home!" She exclaimed, releasing Weiss' hands and shooting up from her seat.

"I'll show you out."

"I'd appreciate that. Your house is kinda... Well... Hugenormous."

"Hugenormous?"

"Yeah! Huge and enormous." Explained Ruby, as if it was obvious. Weiss led Ruby out of the door with a shake of her head.

"That is most certainly not a word, Ruby."

As well as redundant.

"Sure it is! It's a compound word, right?"

"Oh my goodness, perhaps we should have studied English instead of math, hmm?" Weiss teased.

"Hey!" Ruby protested. And again, Ruby was the one person lately who had gotten Weiss to laugh. "Well maybe we can study that next time."

"Next time?"

"Yeah! Next Saturday." Ruby said. "I mean, unless you don't want to. I wasn't sure if this was a one time thing or not."

Another Saturday. Another study session. Weiss wasn't sure if her poor heart could handle one of the vicious attacks the girl caused her.

But still, Ruby needed help in her studies.

"I suppose next week will be fine. I will have to ask my father once again."

"Yay! You're the best, Weiss!" Ruby said as she left through the door. "See ya Monday!"

Weiss closed the door and leaned up against it for a second.

"That girl." She said, meaning to say it in a frustrated manner. But it came out as more of a pleasant sigh of contentment, a smile even gracing her otherwise stoic features.

Smiling about her friend.