Ruby had cried so much today.
When Weiss arrived, when Yang barged into their hotel, and as Blake stood in her doorway along with Weiss, the waterworks flowed again.
After holding things back for months, Ruby had no energy to contain her emotions anymore. She was free – because she was with her team once more.
"Blake!" she yelped, nearly tackling the faunus standing in her doorway. Her grin grew larger as she felt her hug reciprocated, Blake holding her tightly, while still maintaining the gentle touch she had come to expect from the faunus.
Ruby had liked Blake from the beginning. She admired her for standing up for her when they first met – they laugh about it now, but the explosion incident was not something she wanted to repeat – and Ruby was especially happy seeing her sister being paired with an admirable person.
Blake liked to hide it, but Ruby always felt she had the aura of a hero in the storybooks. Through their mutual reading sessions together, she had learned of Blake's quirks and ideals. It was obvious through her reading material – outside of Ninjas of Love – and the way she acted, especially with Ruby and Yang. She was brave and strong, and always managed to help Ruby find her feet when she felt lost.
To Ruby, Blake was more than a faunus, storybook hero, or even a huntress – she was a second big sister. Her motherly aura was so similar to Yang's, and was something that Ruby wanted to repay her for. As much as she may deny it, she knew Blake cared about every single one of them, Yang most of all, but they were family and she knew the feeling was mutual.
Which was exactly why Ruby knew she had to talk to her friend first.
"Yang actually just left. She said something about checking out parts for her…arm," she mumbled, pausing for a moment, making sure that territory was safe. She didn't want to scare Blake. Smiling when a severe reaction was avoided, she turned to Weiss.
"Sorry to ask you about this, but could you go check on her? It's just the armory store down the block, and I think she'd trust you more with this than me," she laughed, making eye contact to emphasize her pleading, hoping Weiss understood the true meaning behind her words. "Besides, you two haven't seen each other in a while so…"
She trailed off, letting out a breath of relief when Weiss smiled, adding an eye roll in for dramatic effect.
"Fine. But you and I," the ex-heiress pointed at her, only inches away. "Are having a conversation later. Don't think I don't know what you've been up to, and I need to make sure my partner is staying healthy." She scoffed, before walking away, leaving a flustered Ruby to shake her head, smile wide.
She's amazing… Ruby thought to herself, happy that Weiss still knew when to leave Ruby alone without having to be asked. With a quick shake of her head, she turned back to Blake. Now is not the time to swoon, Ruby.
"You can come on in," she gestured to the couch. "I figure…you could use some rest."
Weiss looked around, letting out a sigh. She had been in contact with team RWBY all day, but had only been able to spend about an hour with her partner. While she couldn't deny the happiness she felt, nor would she ever try to steal Ruby away from her duties as a leader, or Yang, she had to admit, she was a bit jealous.
Her heart ached for her hooded partner, and as dire as a conversation was needed – the two were pros at not communicating to one another – she couldn't deny any silent requests to her. She almost scoffed at that. A Schnee, taking order, falling for a dolt like Ruby Rose.
It was so unbecoming of her…and it was something she would never hope to stop.
Only minutes passed before she saw the bright blonde walk by.
"Yang!" she yelled, jogging to catch up to her teammate.
"Weiss?" Yang blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Oh. Weiss paused, thinking fast. She knew Ruby wanted time with Blake, most likely to prepare her for Yang's new arm, the selfish dolt. But she hadn't come up with an excuse.
Then again, it was Yang. She valued truth above all. Cursing internally, she chose to be blunt.
"It's Blake." She said, standing straight and firm, preparing mentally for any emotion that may come. "She's here."
The pair sat in a comfortable silence, drinking tea. With the way Ruby was fidgeting next to her, Blake knew she wanted to speak. She appreciated her patience.
While Ruby was not someone she ever expected to become close to, she certainly had pushed her way into her heart. Ruby was earnest, and kind, unlike so much of the cruel world Blake was constantly exposed to, and it was refreshing.
Not only that, but she was a leader Blake trusted. She was never cruel, and always accepting, from Weiss' status to Blake's hidden faunus identity. Truth be told, Ruby had quickly become to younger sister Blake never had, and it was something that she quickly learned to appreciate.
Turning to look at Ruby, Blake smiled. "Not that I don't mind sitting here…" she began, taking another sip of her tea. "But what was it that you wanted to talk about?"
Ruby's eyes widened, as if confused by the question.
"I'm really just happy to see you again! I missed you and stuff…" the younger girl mumbled, legs bouncing in nervousness. She paused before beginning again. "But before she comes back…I thought…we should discuss Yang."
Blake froze. She wasn't surprised, it was something she had to face eventually, something she deserved to face head-on.
"Oh," she said in response, unsure of what to say. She trusted Ruby, but knowing how much she cared for her older sister, she was hesitant to say anything.
Ruby smiled. "Sorry, that was worded pretty ominiously, huh? It's not bad…I just…she's missed you. A lot."
Blake frowned. "That's not the word I would use. I would assume she hates me."
She paused when Ruby's expression turned serious.
"Don't say that," she whispered, sighing. "It's been hard. On all of us. Me, Weiss, Yang, and you. I'm not sure what's been going on, and that's a bridge we all need to cross. But Blake, my sister loves you. You're her partner! I'm not so naïve as to say she's completely happy; even I don't know everything that goes on in that head of hers – but I do know she will never hate you,"
Blake stared in silence. That was…unexpected. Coming from Ruby, those words were so pure, and she almost wanted to believe them.
"But…"
"Blake," Ruby interrupted. "I don't understand what's going on in your head. I won't pretend to either. But we weren't mad, you know? As hard as it was…we all had our own things we had to do. I had answers to find, Yang had to recover, Weiss had…business in Atlas, and I know you had some personal things you needed to. I don't know your whole story; and that's okay. I do know that it's hard not to think about the past. I do all the time. And it's hard…but Blake, we have to keep moving forward. I know you and how strong you are – and you can do this."
Blake couldn't help it. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. Ears down, she gently pulled Ruby into a hug.
"Thank you Ruby," she whispered. "Really."
Her message wasn't that different than Weiss' but…it was important. Blake didn't know what the future led…but she knew she wasn't going to lose this chance to make things right. She wasn't about to give up now.
Yang felt like a storm of emotions surrounded her when the news hit. Hurt, hope, happiness, sadness, all at once.
"She is?" she settled for asking, letting out a quick laugh. "Well, that's a great coincidence!"
Weiss wasn't buying it.
"For someone who values honestly," she frowned. "You aren't very good at being honest to yourself."
"You're one to talk, Schnee," was the teasing response, though Yang couldn't ignore the brief bite to the comment she said.
Weiss sighed. "I know. Which is why I feel I am adequate to lecture you," she glared, though Yang could tell it was all from the goodness in her heart, rather than anger. "You have to let yourself feel. It's not healthy. When you teach yourself to ignore those feelings, whether you're being cold or overly goofy, the end result is the same. And it just leads to a struggle that wasn't necessary in the first place."
The heiress paused, and Yang couldn't help but smile. Weiss truly had changed, in more ways than one.
"Look, all I'm saying is, it's okay to have feelings towards Blake. I was with you when she left, remember? You were dealing with so much, and you clearly still are, but you've always held back. When it's a serious matter, you act all goofy, or hide away, and that's not helping yourself. I've seen you at your strongest, and your lowest, so listen to me when I say this, Yang Xiao Long, you need to let yourself feel and you need to talk to her."
She let out a sigh and Yang couldn't help but laugh.
She glared. "What is it that is so funny, you oaf?!"
"Oh nothing…it's just…you were so serious there!" Yang laughed, giving her teammate a playful nudge before pausing, letting her expression fall slightly.
"But…thanks. Seriously," she put a hand on Weiss' shoulder, giving a smaller, more sincere smile. "You're right. I'm bad at this stuff."
"I didn't mean—"
"We both know you did." Yang teased. "But that's okay. I need a blunt talking to sometimes. I won't lie…things have been hard. Harder than I would have ever imagined, and it's easier to pretend sometimes. But I can't ignore this one. Especially with Blake…it's something that has to happen," she let out a sigh. "But I almost would rather go into a one-on-one fight with your sister than this."
Weiss groaned. "I swear you and Ruby are the same when it comes to talking."
That got her attention.
"Oh?" Yang eyes narrowed, grinning slyly at her teammate. "Doth the heiress want to talk feelings with my baby sister?"
Weiss flushed and turned around. "I have no need to talk to you about such things Yang Xiao Long! Besides that's not what we're talking about!"
"Changing the subject? Good tactic but not good enough!" Yang laughed, feeling a lot better, getting past the serious and onto one of her favorite pasttimes: torturing Weiss Schnee. "When are you going to confess your love?"
Weiss groaned loudly as she placed a hand over her face, pinching her temples. "Just…go talk to Blake."
Yang was already walking away. "Fine princess, fine. But don't forget, I'll be the maid of honor at your wedding!" she called out, staying just close enough to hear "You oaf!" in the background.
Teasing aside, Yang knew she would have to thank Weiss later. It was time to face things head on. No more living inside her own head. She had to make amends – and make amends soon.
