Chapter 18 May I Have This Dance
Ruby woke up quietly and unfortunately it was cold next to her. She slowly slid out of bed and wandered around the room looking for a sign of Saxon but found nothing but a mound of dirty pajamas in the bathroom. She walked into the living room to find Weiss and Blake both fully clothed sipping coffee and enjoying the cool morning of Snowfall.
"Do you girls know where Saxon went," Ruby asked sitting on the couch while rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
Weiss reached onto the table in the center of the U-shaped leather couch and handed Ruby a note that looked like it was in Saxon's tall thin handwriting.
Morning girls, we've gone out to pick up a few things for tomorrow, it's Jace's dad's birthday and there's going to be an extremely formal ball so we need you girls could go to Aria's on 4th and pick up some dresses for yourselves. Jace has left some cash for you even though I'm pretty sure Weiss is nice enough to front the bill. See you girls soon.
Ruby set the note down as Blake handed her a cup of hot chocolate from the cafe she had been to with Saxon.
"So when are we going," Ruby asked as she went into the kitchen and put a little whipped cream on her hot chocolate.
"When Yang wakes up," Blake said boredly.
Ruby drank her hot chocolate and went back to her room to change into her regular clothes. Once she had finally came out she found Yang had joined them and was sipping coffee along with Weiss who was nursing her cup.
"Morning Yang."
"Morning sis, so where were you last night?"
Ruby sat on the couch but she was internally panicking. Yang had just stopped threatening Saxon and she would not be happy her little sister had slept in the same bed as her boyfriend.
"I was in my room," Ruby lied to her sister.
"No you weren't, I checked," Yang said into her coffee.
"Then I don't know, that's where I was all night," Ruby said continuing her lie.
"Well then, Saxon must be even more adventurous than I thought," Yang said after setting her cup down.
"What do you mean," Ruby ask panicked.
"Well that means Saxon must of snuck into your room, picked up your sleeping body, set you in his bed and forced you to cuddle him and giggle in your sleep."
Ruby blushed deep red as she looked down at the table and Yang smirked.
"So Ruby, you've been sleeping with your boyfriend?"
Ruby nodded quickly and spoke at a mile a minute, "Yang I swear this is only the second time and he hasn't done anything to me and-"
Yang smiled and interrupted her sister, "Ruby it's fine. Saxon is a good guy and I trust him," Yang smiled evilly though, "But if he ever does anything I'm not okay with I'll kill him."
/~/
"I don't want to do this," Desmond said as they stood outside the tailor shop.
"We all need suits Desmond and this is the best tailor in Snowfall," Leo said as he pushed Desmond towards the door.
"Desmond come on this won't take too long if you constantly complain," Miles said as he held the door open so Leo could shove Desmond inside.
Saxon and Jace followed the three inside and marveled at the small size of the tailor shop as they walked in and were shocked when they saw the new tailor.
"Yuma!"
Yuma walked out from behind the counter wearing black leather shoes, black slacks, a pressed white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a black tie tucked into a black vest.
"What's up you broke motherfu-," Yuma started but was cut off my Jace pointed one of his guns at Yuma.
"Hey Yuma...WHY ARE YOU IN WALTER'S SHOP?!"
Yuma put both hands up in a surrender gesture, "I bought it from Walter."
Jace was still screaming, "YOU WHAT?! THIS IS MY FATHER'S FORTIETH BIRTHDAY AND YOU BOUGHT THE STORE OF THE BEST TAILOR IN TOWN! I WILL NOT GO TO THIS BALL WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE AS BEST AS POSSIBLE SO I CAN PROPERLY REPRESENT MY FAMILY!"
Saxon stared at his friend in slight worry and was about to say something until Yuma interrupted, "Jace, Walter was 85 his hands were starting to get shaky so he put his shop up for sale and if you haven't noticed I'm no slouch with a sewing machine," he said the last part while gesturing to his current clothes.
Jace examined the clothes closely, "They fit you perfectly."
"Yeah they do, now one of you get over here so I can put you in some classy swag."
Yuma had gotten all their measurements fairly quickly and smiled, "I can get these done by tomorrow afternoon."
Saxon looked at him questioningly, "Even Walter couldn't get five suits done that fast."
"That's because I'm not doing suits for all of you, you're all going to wear something unique that fits you," Yuma said as he made a note.
Jace was about to speak before Yuma interrupted him again, "It will all be very formal and classy Jace. Now get out I have a long night ahead of me."
SMCD+L were practically kicked out of the tailor shop and watched as Yuma turned a neon OPEN sign off.
"Is there anything that guy can't do," Miles asked as they walked down the street.
Saxon and Jace pondered this question before answering in unison, "He can't cook."
Jace smirked, "Yeah, Saxon got all that talent."
Desmond looked shocked and asked Saxon, "You can cook?"
"Cook, fry, bake, grill, broil...all of that," Saxon said with a little sadness in his voice.
SMCD and Leo were enjoying their day on the town while Miles and Desmond enjoyed at the tourist traps of Snowfall. Saxon's scroll rang as they were walking out of a shop. Saxon smiled as he saw Ruby's name on the collar ID.
"Hey baby."
/~/
"Hey Sax, we just got to Aria's it's amazing," Ruby said as she looked around the dress shop.
"I'm glad you like it, it's one of the best dress shop in Snowfall."
"So did you guys get what you needed," Ruby asked as she looked at a red and gold dress that was a little too short.
"Yeah, now we're just showing Miles and Desmond around Snowfa-Desmond! Fu-I'm sorry Rubes but I gotta go."
"Okay good luck Sax, I love you."
"I love you too babe, no Miles don't! Ugggh I'll talk to you soon Rose."
Ruby put away her scroll as she went to try on a plain red dress but ended up putting it back. I need help, she thought as she looked around for her sister.
"Yaaaang," she called out.
"What's up sis," Ruby heard from across the small store.
"Help me find something to wear," Ruby shouted.
"Something Saxon will like," Yang asked smirking.
Ruby blushed, "Please."
/~/
Ruby stood in the dressing room with her sister, "Are you sure he'll like this?"
"Ruby look at you. You look gorgeous, he'll love it," Yang assured.
"Now come on you need some heels," Yang said.
"No heels, flats."
"Heels!"
"FLATS!"
All the girls were back in the penthouse, after Weiss had bought all their dresses that were now hanging in their respective rooms in clothing bags, they had wandered around a little bit before coming back to Jace's penthouse. They were all watching TV when the front door swung open and the guys stepped inside.
All of their clothes and hair were disheveled and they had angry looks on their faces along with a few bruises.
"What happened to you guys," Yang's asked as Ruby appeared in front of Saxon and was checking his bruises.
"Desmond started a riot in the performance district," Jace said as Weiss had him sit down.
"It's not my fault, that guy was looking at me funny."
"He's a mime Desmond! That's what they do," Leo shouted as he collapsed next to Blake.
Miles groaned as he sat down with Desmond.
"Oh stop moaning Miles you're as much to blame as Desmond," Saxon said as he sat with Ruby.
"How?!"
"You kicked the mime after Desmond punched him," Jace shouted.
"So?!"
"And then you punched three more," Leo shouted.
"And we all had to fight through street performers just to get out of the district," Saxon said as Ruby handed him a ice pack.
"Hey we all had some fun," Desmond said laughing.
Leo tried to remain angry but broke down laughing also, "That guy with the guitar looked so stupid trying to hit Jace."
"Remember when that guy nearly hit Saxon and Miles with a canvas," Jace asked laughing.
"Or that break dancer who almost hit Desmond," Miles asked failing to stifle his laughs.
Within 10 minute everyone was laughing, even Blake when she heard a mime had tried to tackle Leo. The conversation changed quickly and the group of 9 ended up staying up late sharing stories of their lives before Beacon.
/~/
Saxon came out of his bathroom and unsurprisingly found Ruby on his bed smiling at him.
"You enjoy having me under your spell don't you," Saxon asked jokingly as he crawled into bed next to Ruby.
"Yes, yes I do," Ruby said before cuddling into his side.
"How'd dress shopping go," Saxon asked.
"Pretty good, I found something nice that I think you'll like."
Saxon smiled before kissing Ruby softly, "Ruby, if you're in it I'll love it."
"You're too sweet," Ruby said into Saxon's chest.
"Only for you my rose."
Saxon had unfortunately drew the short straw so instead of sleeping in with his girlfriend he was standing in what was now Yuma's tailor shop. He didn't have to wait very long before the tiger faunus waltzed out of the back room with a tired smile on his face.
"How it go," Saxon asked.
"Without a hitch, you guys are all going to look classy at Dominic's birthday ball," He paused for a second, "Does he even know about it this time?"
Saxon chuckled, "Yeah Claire actually told him this year, but he won't admit how much he likes a formal party still."
Yuma laughed as he walked into the back room and came back out with 5 five clothes bags, "He always was stubborn."
One clothes bag had 'Saxon' painted on it in white spray paint, another had 'Jace' in a reddish gold spray paint, another had 'Miles' in orange, 'Desmond' in blue and 'Leo' in blood red.
"Really," Saxon asked.
"Hey I don't know how smart you guys are, you might of gotten my masterpieces mixed up," Yuma said laughing slightly.
"I hate you."
"Love you too Sax."
/~/
Leo walked into the penthouse with groceries in hand, "I'm back!"
Jace smiled and clapped his hands together, "Excellent, now we need our cook to get back."
"You guys have a cook," Yang asked from the couch.
"Well no but we have Saxon and that's even better," Jace proclaimed.
Ruby looked surprised, "Saxon can cook?"
"Not something you would expect right," Desmond asked from the counter he was sitting on.
Leo sat next to Blake who looked a little nervous, "What's up Blakey."
"I've just never been to a formal ball or whatever and I'm nervous I'm going to screw it up," the cat faunus said.
Leo laughed slightly, "Blake you'll be fine, just be polite and look pretty but then again you're already pretty good at that."
Blake stared at Leo for a moment in surprise while he just relaxed not aware he better examined by the cat faunus. The door opened and Saxon walked inside holding five black clothing bags, "Okay friends and Weiss, party starts at 6 tonight and it's 2 right now so we should all get ready around 4."
"Why so early," Miles asked.
"Because The Citadel, which is the only ballroom in town, is on the other side of town and it will be rush hour so we'll need the extra time to drive there."
Saxon didn't skip a beat as he handed out clothing bags to his team and Leo. Jace took a quick peak inside of his bag, "Classy."
"And Desmond I swear that if you bit-"
Desmond cut his leader off, "I won't complain I swear."
Saxon sighed, "Good and yes, Jace I will make brunch."
"I haven't even asked yet."
"Oh shut it, I know you. You had Leo go get groceries just so I would."
Jace remained silent as Saxon took off his vest and his hoodie and walked into the kitchen in a black tank top and jeans, "Pancakes sound good with everyone?"
After receiving 8 yes's Saxon turned on two burners and took out two pans.
Leo stood up and walked into the kitchen, "Want some help?"
"I'm good Leo but thanks," Saxon said as he mixed a big bowl of batter.
Leo just shrugged and went to go put his clothing bag, with what was probably a suit inside, in his room.
/~/
Saxon quickly set a plate with three pancakes and a fork in front of everyone and went back into the kitchen to clean up as everyone ate.
"Sax, this is so good," Yang said with her mouth full.
Blake nodded before eat more pancakes off her plate. Well everyone seems to like my cooking Saxon thought as he washed the pans he had used.
After cleaning Saxon sat next to Ruby who was staring at him.
"Yes," he asked.
She smiled, "You know me so well."
Saxon smiled at her, "What are you talking about."
She narrowed her eyes at Saxon, "You put strawberries in my pancakes."
"Oh yeah, I did do that."
"You're awesome," she said.
"I know," Saxon said while leaning back on the couch.
"You're not gonna eat?"
"Nope, I'm not hungry."
Jace smiled from his perch on the counter, "You're getting ready to stuff your face at the Citadel aren't you?"
Saxon frowned, "Jace why would you suggest such a thing?"
"Because last time you came home sick."
"Totally unrelated to the current situation."
"Liar."
"But I'm your liar, doesn't that mean something," Saxon asked jokingly while wrapping an arm around Ruby.
/~/
4 o'clock rolled around quickly and all the guys were finished dressing in record time. Unfortunately the girls weren't even close.
Leo knocked on the room the girls were using to get ready, "Are you ready yet?"
Four voices answered in unison, "No!"
Saxon was losing what little patience he had, using what Jace insisted on calling he 'leaderly brain skillz' he devised a solution.
"Yang you know how to drive right," Saxon asked though the door.
"Yeah."
"Cool, we're going ahead of you so we can help with setup and we'll see you there. Keys are on the table. I'm not gonna write down directions, just us your Schnee Maps to find The Citadel."
Ruby's voice answered, "Okay we'll see you guys soon."
/~/
Saxon always loved The Citadel, it was mostly gold and white with the occasional silver and something else Saxon liked about it is that it was at the top of a massive hill so Saxon could see all of Snowfall from the many stone balconies just outside the dancing hall. He walked towards the a stage, that was in the center of the back wall, to see the man of the night.
"Boys," Dominic Crimisi said as SMCD+L approached the tall man who was with his wife.
"How was the photoshoot mom," Jace asked his mother.
"It went good Jace, but tonight isn't about me," Claire Crimisi said as pat her husband's chest.
"Gez, forty. Soon we'll have to cart you around in a wheelchair," Leo said smirking at his father.
"You're officially out of the will," Dominic joked.
The guy group laughed and chuckled at the father and son's banter.
"Caterers are here," Miles said as men in black and white uniforms came inside carrying tables that soon were filled with every kind of food and dessert imaginable.
"Now I know why Saxon went home sick," Desmond said as he gazed at the food.
Everyone but Saxon laughed, "You guys suck."
/~/
Ruby walked into the filling up ballroom and gazed around at all the people and the huge ballroom that was showered in gold and white. She soon saw Miles and Desmond walk towards them.
Miles was wearing black dress shoes, black slacks, a orange dress shirt that was tucked in and had a button or two undone and a black vest. Desmond was wearing black dress shoes, black slacks, a blue dress shirt that also had a button or two undone and a black suit jacket.
"I'm surprised with Yuma," Miles said as they approached the girls.
"Why," Blake asked who was wearing a black gown style dress with long blackish purple gloves and her trademark bow.
"These fit perfectly, I could totally fight in these," Desmond said as he tested the range of motion.
"Not me, no thank you," Yang said shaking her head, Yang was wear a yellow and black dress that was a bit on the shorter side and tighter side showing off her figure.
"Where are Saxon, Jace and Leo," Ruby asked looking around for her boyfriend.
"Their all about to do speeches," Miles said as he grabbed a piece of food off a passing by tray.
As soon as Miles finished his sentence the lights were dimmed and voices were hushed. The only source of light was a single spot light that was on the left side of the stage showing a table where Dominic and Claire sat. A second after a second spotlight shined on the middle of the stage where a lone microphone was standing. And people could hear footsteps along the stage and saw the owner as soon as Saxon stepped up to the microphone.
Ruby smiled finally seeing Saxon in a black and white pinstriped 3 piece suit, white dress shirt, black skinny tie and polished leather dress shoes. He looks so different in a suit, Ruby thought as Saxon opened his mouth to speak.
AN: For those who don't know a 3 piece suit is a suit consisting of slacks, a vest and a jacket.
"Friends, family...Weiss, I've known Dominic for...about 4 years now and I know that many of you have known him longer but I believe that he has made a bigger impact on me that he has on any of you. Dominic, he took me in when I needed someone the most. He was in short, my hero. He along with Claire have raised me and are a reason I am who I am today. After my father passed I had no one to look up to but after 2 years in what I can only call purgatory, I met Jace Crimisi and in turn met the man Dominic Crimisi who soon became the man who took me in and I love the man for that alone. Dominic," Saxon turned to his adoptive father and raised his glass that was full of apple cider seeing as how he couldn't manage to talked his way into getting champaign, "Here's to forty years on this planet you old man and here's to hopefully a hundred more."
Dominic raised his glass towards the boy as everyone clapped and smiled as Saxon stood next to him as Jace walked out.
Weiss smiled as Jace strode into the spot light wearing polished leather dress shoes similar to Saxon's, black slacks, a crimson dress shirt that was tucked in, a skinny black tie and a black suit jacket.
"My name is Jace Crimisi, most of you know me but a lot of you don't unsurprisingly. So let me tell you something about me, Dominic adopted me when I was just five years old and even though he isn't my blood father, I love him more than as any normal son loves his father. My father is a strong man he may not look it as much anymore but he is truly the heart of Strike, he motivates his students to becomes as strong as possible and he motivated me, without knowing it, to prove that I deserve to be called his son," Jace turned to his father and raised his glass of champagne, "To my father, the man who can turn a street rat into a huntsman in training.
Everyone clapped as Jace joined his father and Leo stepped into the spotlight, Blake could hardly recognize Leo in black dress shoes, black slacks, a tucked in red dress shirt with rolled up sleeves and a black skinny tie.
"I am someone a lot of you hate, I'm a faunus, but before and above all of that garbage, I am Dominic and Claire Crimisi's son. I have done many things I regret but when they found me in that clod wet alley when I was 12 and invited me into their home, saying yes will never be one. They gave me faith in humans, they gave me faith in everything. And that faith has gotten me where I am now, at Beacon, with my brother and friends. So thank you Dominic because you turned a monster into a son."
Everyone again clapped as the lights came back on and Leo joined his brother and friend.
/~/
Saxon stepped of the stage and could see a certain redhead coming towards him. Once Saxon fully saw Ruby he felt his breath be taken away. Ruby was wearing a mid-thigh length red dress with white accents and red and white flats. Saxon smiled as he got closer to Ruby and couldn't stop himself from kissing her deeply, enjoying every second.
Ruby was a little red when the couple finally pulled apart and blushed even deeper when Saxon said, "You look beautiful, Rose."
Ruby smiled, "You don't look so bad yourself Saxon."
The couple smiled at each other before the live orchestra stared to play a slow song and pairs started to wander out into the center of the room and dance.
Saxon bowed slightly and took Ruby's hand, "May I have this dance?"
"You may," Ruby said trying to sound upper-class but failed by giggling when Saxon kissed her hand before leading her out onto the dance floor.
/~/
Jace wandered around the hall looking for Weiss tirelessly before finally running into her, literally.
"I'm so...sorr...y," Jace's voice trailed off as he saw Weiss in her dress. Weiss Schnee was in a white and silver knee-length strapless dress and she was wearing her hair down.
"You're wearing your hair down," Jace asked.
"I remember Saxon saying once that you liked it."
Jace smiled as he wrapped his arms around Weiss's waist and kissed her deeply and almost smiled when Weiss slid her tongue into his mouth. Weiss was breathless when Jace pulled away and smiled, "I love it annnd you my love, look beautiful."
Weiss blushed slightly as the orchestra started play a slow song and pairs started moving out onto the floor.
Jace bowed holding Weiss's hand, "May I have this dance?"
Weiss smiled, "You may."
Leo felt his stomach doing somersaults as he looked for Blake, this was a pretty big ballroom and she could be anywhere but then a thought struck him, the caterers brought tuna.
Leo smiled as he confirmed his hunch, Blake was at the meat and fish table her mouth watering slightly.
"Careful, leave some for everyone else," Leo said as he stood next to Blake Belladonna.
Blake smiled at Leo, "But it all looks-"
"Delicious," Leo interrupted staring at the steak on the table.
"Looks like we are both slaves to our desires," Blake smiled as she put some tuna on her plate.
Leo swallowed before looking at Blake again, "Remember that night on the roof? When you asked if we could ever be the same?"
Blake's fork stopped half way to her mouth before she set her plate and fork down, "Yeah."
"What if I've been thinking about it ever since then and I've finally made up my mind about it," Leo asked as a couple from Strike wandered through his line of sight.
Blake stared at him, "Well?"
"Would you take me back?"
"Leo, a-"
"Blake, I'm sorry for not leaving with you, I'm sorry for not realizing how stupid and what a puppet I was sooner but I just-"
"Leo, after what happened I was hurt, that last mission with Adam...it was the hardest of my life but I still had hope that I'd see you waiting for me at the train station, with that smile and laugh I loved so much and while granted I didn't find you at the train station," Blake paused as she laced her fingers with Leo's and smiled at him, "I found you eventually...with that smile and laugh that I still love."
Leo was so stunned by the fact that she had talked so long and was even more surprised when Blake set a gloved hand against his cheek and kissed him softly, a kind of softness he hadn't felt in forever, a kind he instantly returned to the cat faunus.
Once Blake pulled away and she smirked, "Guess it's not so up in the air now...My Lion."
Leo smiled as he touched his forehead with Blake's, "Guess not...Kitty Cat."
The pair had been so caught up in their moment that they barely realized a slow song was being played by the orchestra.
Leo bowed, moved his tail to the side as he held Blake's hand, "May I have this dance?"
Blake gave Leo a small smile, "You may."
/~/
Yang watched as Saxon guided Ruby out onto the dance floor and the pair began to dance. Even though Ruby was stepping on Saxon's toes every other step he was smiling at the red reaper and whispering things in her ear that caused Ruby to giggle.
She watched as Jace lead Weiss out and danced with Jace constantly running his hand through Weiss's down hair. To which she would smile him.
She watched as Leo walked with her partner out onto the floor hand in hand and Yang smirked in satisfaction, "Miles owes me twenty lien."
Yang looked around for either Miles or Desmond. She wanted to at least dance one song but was slightly angered when she saw the two teammates dancing with some of the girls from Strike. But was shaken out of her anger when she say a certain friend of Saxon's walk past her wearing black slacks, a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a gray vest and a yellow tie tucked into it.
"Washington," she called.
The boy turned around and looked at his fellow blonde, "Hey Yang."
Yang didn't wait for anything further before dragging Wash onto the dance floor and commanding him on what to put where while they danced.
Dominic smiled as he watched the students enjoy the night. They might as well, he thought, the Festival of Ice starts tomorrow as does the tournament and if they want to win they're going to need rest and relaxation.
AN: Hey guys it's Carson and as you can see this chapter is finished and stuff happened. Yuma is apparently a awesome tailor, Saxon and Ruby are adorable as all get out as usual, Jace and Weiss are Jace and Weiss, Leo and Blake are together-together now and nobody has the right to complain because I asked and only three people gave me their two cents so and they were all yes so I listened to them and no Yang and Wash aren't shipped I just wanted to write that part for my personal enjoyment because Wash is my favorite RvB character along with Lolix-I mean Felix. By the way if any of you guys are good artists and are up to drawing some coverart or just fanart in general and sent it my way I'd love you forever...and give you a shout out and an extra surprise. So onto a update on the new story, I have a fitting title. Winds Of Retribution, and if you head over to my profile you can find the story and the slightly changed first chapter. As always, favorite and follow so you can stay up to date on the story and review telling what you think. Stay cool everyone.