Ruby hummed along to a tune in her head as she rolled the vacuum over the living room floor, her new ring proudly displayed on her finger. Across the room Blake stayed very far away from the loud contraption, practically clinging to the walls as dusted. Yang was at the front door, taking her shoes off as she came back from taking out the trash. Saturday mornings were cleaning day, as dictated by Weiss.
"Yes, that would be excellent, thank you Lillie." Weiss hung up as she joined her girlfriends and now, unofficial wives in the living room, closing her scroll with a stressful sigh. "Alright everyone, we need to talk."
"I didn't do it!" Ruby frantically asserted as she shut off the vacuum looking extremely guilt, though Weiss was afraid to ask if her girlfriend was joking or if she really had done something.
"What's up Snowflake? You look a bit stressed out." Yang tilted her head bemused.
"Something wrong Weiss?" Blake relaxed a little as the vacuum silenced.
"Well, since we can't officially be married I figured I would kill two birds with one stone. I've arranged for a press event and company gala where I will formally introduce you three as my fiancees, that will put us ahead of any smear campaign my detractors try to run, and behind the scenes I will put all three of you in my will so should anything happen to me you three will get equal shares of my estate and my majority share of the SDC, that's about as official as we can get."
"Wow Weiss that's... heavy and sudden." Yang gulped. "When exactly is this going down?"
"In four days, so we need to do some shopping for our formal wear." Weiss looked to her unofficial fiancees, Blake looked neutral, Yang looked worried and Ruby… looked like she was absolutely dreading it.
"I think this is the smart play, we can circumvent what Winter said was coming." Blake looked to her two less than thrilled girlfriends, trying to reassure them. "Anyone that wants to use us as a means to tear Weiss down will be stopped before they can try."
"I mean, when you put it like that it sounds cool but…" Ruby rubbed the back of her head nervously, her gaze shying away from Weiss' as she looked down at the floor.
"Four days… that's a work day, so I'll be coming off of teaching and grading to going straight to a formal gala? I need to sleep you know." Yang was in the same boat as Ruby for an entirely different reason. Back when she was younger she loved dances and parties, now after work she just wanted a quiet night at home with the girls she loved and her favorite shows.
"I have to work that day too you know and unlike you I'll have to get changed at work because my day doesn't end until well after yours." Weiss narrowed her eyes at Yang, feeling a bit defensive… until she caught herself. She let out a soft sigh, breathing away her defensiveness and anger before looking back up at Yang with soft, pleading blue eyes.
"I just thought you would all be more happy about this, I know it's short notice but… it's the best I could do to make our relationship officially recognized. I love you all and I want to show the world, before my detractors paint the picture how they want it and show the world before we can… and make us look however they want." She frowned, it wasn't a guilt trip, it was her genuine feelings… and they knew that.
"Geez Snowflake, I'm sorry, I guess I really was thinking of it from your perspective. I was being thoughtless, I'd be proud be to with you there, showing the world exactly what we're about." Yang genuinely felt bad, normally she was good at empathizing with her girlfriends, not quite as good as her sister, but she'd improved a lot… or at least, she thought she did.
"Weiss, I understand and of course I'll go, I've just never really been a fancy dancy type person." Ruby frowned, that wasn't all that was bothering her, but she just didn't want to say it, especially in front of Weiss.
"I know sweetheart but this is important. What if I promise I won't leave your side the whole party, would that make you feel more at ease. Though I would like us all to dance together…" She could see Ruby wince at the idea, Ruby never really cared to learn how to dance, even though both Weiss and Blake and offered at least once before.
"But Weiss…" Ruby whined, pouting adorably, still, her girlfriend was steadfast against the onslaught of adorableness.
"Ruby, trust me, it'll be fine, both Blake and myself are exceptional dancers, just follow our lead and it'll be easy." Weiss didn't know how else she could comfort her distressed girlfriend… until an idea hit her in a eureka moment. "Why don't I give you a basic lesson tonight? Just the essentials, I promise it's a lot less scary when you know what you're doing."
"I don't know… I don't think I'll be able to pick it up with just one lesson." Ruby prodded at the beige carpet with her foot as she stared bashfully at the floor.
"Babe, you kill giant monsters for fun, the leader I know never let fear get her down." Weiss smirked, sure that the challenge would bring fire back into Ruby's heart… but instead, she only looked more sad and sheepish.
"Weiss, Ruby really doesn't look comfortable, she said she'd go so maybe stop pressuring her?" Yang looked to her little sister, her worry only growing as Ruby seemed to shrink back even more after coming to her defense.
"I'm sorry Ruby, I really didn't mean to be insensitive." Before Weiss could take more than two steps towards her distraught girlfriend, Ruby shook her head, smiling softly to her, looking more like her usual self.
"I'm fine, really, it's just a dance, no big deal. I really couldn't ask for a better teacher, so I'm counting on you!" Her signature cheerful energy was back in her voice, however Weiss just couldn't help feeling something was off… still, she didn't press it.
"Alright, if you're sure. Don't worry, it'll be just the basics." She tried to shake it off, a soft smile forming from her lips, but she still couldn't get over that subtle darkness that clouded her leader's eyes.
"Well, it's getting about lunch time so how about I make us all some food while you girls finish the cleaning?" Ruby unplugged the vacuum and began wrapping the cord up. "There isn't much left to do so I'll make something quick."
"Lunch sounds great! That's sis!" Yang grinned as she plopped herself down on the couch.
"Thanks Ruby, I'll do the dishes after you're done." Blake gave a small, thankful nod to Ruby, both for the food… and for putting away that damn vacuum!
"Sounds good, I'll go get started!" Now Ruby looked truly happy, the dark clouds giving way to sunlight in her heart as she walked into the kitchen. Something so small as making a mean for her wives and sister… it made her chest flutter with joy. Love can even make mundane things like cleaning and cooking seem like wonderful gifts.
"Aaah." Yang sighed in satisfaction as she sank into the soft cushions of the couch, Blake sat on one side of her, sitting between her girlfriend and the couch's armrest while Weiss took Yang's other side with a space at the far end of the couch saved just for Ruby.
"It was delicious, thank you babe." Blake smiled contently as Ruby walked in front of them.
"I'm really glad you all liked it!" She was genuinely delighted at how much they liked her cooking. Feeling very pleased that her cooking made her girlfriends and sister look so happy. Ruby took her place beside Weiss, snuggling up to her as she leaned against the shortest among them.
"Okay, so… I had this thought."
"Uh-oh." Yang quipped, Ruby sending her a stern look as her sister giggled at her expense.
"What is it babe?" Blake shoved Yang with her shoulder as she leaned forward to look at her leader whose cheeks were tinted red as she looked at her hands that she fiddled with in her lap.
"Well, you know, since we're all married now, or at least, as married as we can be… if it were official… whose last name would we all take?" Ruby looked nervously but hopefully at her sister and girlfriends, all of whom looked at little taken aback by the question.
"Couldn't we all just keep our own names?" Yang's furrowed brow made Ruby's heart sink. 'Didn't she want to take their lover's last names?'
"Well, I was kinda thinking we should all take Weiss' last name." Ruby's blush intensified as she pressed herself a little closer to Weiss, bringing the middle of her index finger to her lips. "Her last name is important and you know… I really like how Ruby Schnee sounds."
"Ruby…" Weiss eyes grew wide as a blissful heat filled her chest.
Just as Ruby turned to look at her… Weiss pounced, grabbing Ruby by both her wrists as she pinned her down and got on top of her. She could feel Ruby struggling weakly beneath her, giggling nervously as Weiss stared hungrily down at her. Weiss lost it, still pinning her girlfriend's wrists to the cushions she leaned down to her, gently kissing down her neck, Ruby letting out soft moans as her struggling grew weaker and weaker.
"You've done it now Ruby, Weiss is getting dominant." Yang chuckled to herself as Weiss had her way with her sister, Ruby's moans growing louder as Weiss forced her arms up, pinning both her wrists with one hand while her other made its way up Ruby's shirt.
"Anyway, I'm not sure I like how Yang Schnee sounds." She turned to Blake who shrugged indifferently.
"Blake Schnee sounds alright I guess." Blake's gaze drifted up for a moment in ponderance. "Well, if we could take each other's last name, it would probably have to be either mine or Weiss', since it would probably be weird for you to take Ruby's last name or her to take yours."
"Yeah, I guess, and besides, Yang Rose doesn't sound great either." Yang turned to her girlfriend and sister who were now both topless, wearing only their bras and very much occupied with each other as they made out. When did they… eh, whatever.
"Though I'm surprised you'd want to give up your last name Ruby, I mean, considering…" Yang trailed off awkwardly, the thought having left her mouth before she realized it would probably bring the mood down.
"If it's for us... I'd be happy... with it." Ruby was huffing for breath as Weiss let up just long enough for her to respond and then pushing her down by her shoulders and gently kissed her girlfriend before softly biting Ruby's lower lip making her body writhe under Weiss' grasp, her breaths coming as soft, shaky moans.
"Well, I guess Yang Belladonna doesn't sound bad." She couldn't help a little blush tinting her cheeks as she said it, pulling her knees to her chest as she leaned against Blake, a small smile forming from her lips as she felt Blake's warmth through her clothes.
"I like Ruby Belladonna, sounds good to me!" Ruby spoke up hurriedly before Weiss again took her breath away.
"But Ruby is right, Weiss' last name has the most significance outside of our relationship and personal lives. If we were all going to take one last name, it would probably have to be hers." Their ever pragmatic girlfriend chimed in logically.
"Well, I could live with it… too bad we can't be officially married. To be honest," Yang's voice took on a somber note as her lilac eyes dulled with sadness. She leaned a little harder into Blake, imbibing her warmth before Blake wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
"To be honest… I'd like to have a wedding, and the other things that come with a more traditional relationship." Yang curled herself tighter into a ball and Blake held her closer, looking to her girlfriend with worry before turning pleadingly to Weiss and Ruby who were both now very focused on Yang with concern in their eyes.
"Yang…" Ruby said softly sitting up after Weiss. They all knew six years ago what their relationship meant and what the costs would be… the fact that this was all coming up now, it was terrifying Ruby, and it was reflected in the increasingly intense burning pain in her scars.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" None of them were used to seeing Yang like this, and Ruby knew she only got this way after bottling something up for a long time, which only made her own fear grow. We aren't going to break up… are we?
"Sunshine, we're here for you." Weiss crawled over to her distressed girlfriend and behind her Ruby stood up and made her way behind the couch. Weiss snuggled up to her right side, Blake comforted her and held her from the left and Ruby… she knelt down behind her sister and wrapped her arms around her.
"I- I need to tell you all something… something that's been bothering me for a while." Yang was being reserved and nervous, and that scared Ruby. Only the worst possible outcomes played in Ruby's mind. Was this the end of their relationship? Ruby felt her soul chill at the thought, she loved them all and couldn't imagine her life without them, without even realizing it she held her sister tighter, bracing herself for the worst.
"Sunshine, we love love you, no matter what, you can tell us." Weiss smiled softly, but there was no mistaking the fear in her eyes as she held Yang.
"I- it's just… ever since Jaune and Pyrrha made their announcement about her pregnancy… I- I've felt…" Yang could barely get her words out, she hugged herself into a ball, burying her face into her knees.
"Yang, do you want to have a baby?" Blake frowned, gently brushing Yang's hair with her fingers.
"Is that true?" Ruby's fear diminished, only for a moment, now mingled with the bitterness of heartbreak for her sister. She'd be lying if she said she'd never thought about it too, they've been together for six years. She'd occasionally let herself fantasize about carrying Weiss or Blake's baby through some magical innovation… but it never got her as down as Yang was now.
"Yeah… it's stupid, I know that. We all knew what we were getting into when we started this and back then, when I was just a thrill seeking kid, having a child dragging me down was something I never thought I would want… but here we are, six years into a stable, loving relationship, we all have our careers, we're accomplished, we have a beautiful home, supportive friends and family. I- I think I'm ready now, I never thought I would be, but I am…"
"I'm not ready…" Weiss' voice came as a weak, sorrow filled whisper as she hugged Yang tighter. "I'm not ready. My career, my company, I'm not ready to put a child first. Besides, you all know the home I grew up in, I'd be a terrible parent… I don't want to bring any of my father into my life but I feel like, if we have a child, I'll end up acting like him, and that terrifies me."
"Weiss you know you're nothing like him." Blake's voice was soft and comforting as she tried her best to keep her girlfriends afloat as they became mired in depression. She looked to Ruby for support… but found that her youngest girlfriend had grown as depressed as Yang and Weiss.
"I don't know if I'm ready either." The admission stung as it left her lips, but it was the truth.
"I would love the have your baby, either of you and I think I could be a good mom… but I'm a Huntress first and I've seen first hand what that can mean," Tears pooled in her silver eyes, her lips quivered as her voice was choked as she held back her sobs. "What if I have a child and one day I- I don't come back?"
"Ruby don't say that!" Yang ripped herself from her girlfriends' sides as stood up, facing her little sister, her eyes glistening as she edged on the brink of crying. "You're not going to do what Summer did! You can't! I can't lose you like that! We can't lose you like that! It's why you never go on a mission alone, Blake is always by your side, that was the deal remember!?"
"But Sis… what if someday that isn't enough?" Ruby wrapped her arms around herself for comfort as she looked down at the floor, unable to meet the worried eyes of her loved ones. "What if we could have kids? What if we raise a happy loving family like we had with mom and dad and then one day, it's all just… gone? I don't want to put our child through that."
"I think we all need to take a step back." Weiss sighed softly, doing her best to maintain her composure even though she could feel herself holding back the urge to just let go and cry.
"Weiss is right." Blake was still on damage control, desperate to try to comfort her rapidly deteriorating girlfriends. "I think I'm ready to have kids as well… this world can be a beautiful place full of love and I think, despite the darkness, carrying on, having a family, having kids… love, it's what the light is made of. Still, I'm okay with the love I have for all of you, that's enough for me."
"Still, that doesn't matter." Blake sighed, internally scolding herself for being selfish. "Having children is a huge decision and it's something we all need to be together on. Maybe some day, when we're all ready, we can look at our options together and decide what we want as a family."
"That's a good idea Blake." Weiss concurred, feeling immense gratitude to Blake for being the calm, rational girlfriend they always relied on.
"I'm sorry… I think I need to take a nap." Ruby covered half her face with her hand… the half that bared the scar that was tormenting her with burning pain. Her eyes were dull and tired as she let go a weak, trembling sigh. Without another word, she made her way to the back of the house, first to the bathroom for her sleeping pills, and then she'd collapse onto their bed, and sleep.
"I'm sorry… I never should have brought this up." Yang shook her head, admonishing herself.
"No, I'm happy you finally told us. This was a conversation that needed to happen." Weiss stood up, stepping in front of Yang, smiling softly as she took both of her hands in her own. "Someday Sunshine, I may be ready, and so might Ruby. When that day comes… I'll happily raise a family with the three of you."
"Thank you Snowflake… that would make me really happy." Yang smiled, wiping away her tears with her forearm. Her eyes caught Blake looking pleadingly at her and Yang knew what she wanted to do, with an affirming nod she told Blake that she was okay… and then Blake left, hurrying after their leader who needed comforting more than Yang did at the moment.
We'll make it through this. We'll make it through anything.