Updated 6/30/19
+329
The way I feel about this chapter is LOTS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS!
The morning of the wedding was cloudy, much to her mother's chagrin. Grey skies threatened to send more snow their way and allowed the darkness of night to linger even as early morning fell away. Poor weather would do nothing to prevent the ceremony from progressing as planned, however.
With hardly an hour of sleep to her name, Weiss went through her morning routine with the automation of a robot - doing her best to focus on the tasks at hand rather than what she was preparing herself for.
As soon as she was ready, she was whisked to the church hours before the ceremony would begin, as most of the last minute preparations would take place on site. Walking into the towering building and glimpsing the main chapel through wide-open doors, she realized just how stubbornly life had continued to move forward while she'd been content to lose herself in Ruby.
All of the little questions Weiss had answered, all of the small errands she'd run - they'd seemed like nothing more than minor nuisances at the time, minor delays from spending more time with Ruby. But those decisions had culminated in today. They'd shaped every detail around her - from the flowers, to the bridesmaids' dresses, to the ribbons and garlands - she'd had a hand in all these things, even if it had only been as simple as confirming her mother's decision.
As dozens of attendants rushed to and fro - making sure every tiny detail was taken care of - she understood that this was very real. This wasn't a dream she would wake from. The wedding was happening, and it was happening in just a few hours.
If she'd eaten anything for breakfast, she would have lost it right then and there on the highly-polished wooden floor.
Receiving only a minute to view the inside of the chapel - where the ceremony would take place - she was then whisked into a comfortably-sized room near the front entrance of the building. Her wedding dress hung in one corner, still safely wrapped in its plastic bag. The other side of the room was composed of a large mirror with a table sitting underneath, cluttered with all kinds of hair brushes and makeup accessories. There were a couple of chairs placed in front of the mirror, as well as more comfortable recliners set around the rest of the room.
Two women were already waiting for Weiss, and immediately sat her down in one of the chairs facing the mirror before beginning their work on her hair and makeup.
"Sit still," one of them instructed while they buzzed around her - applying foundation, concealing the dark circles under her eyes, running a comb through her hair, and spritzing hairspray every so often.
By this point, she'd lost the will to care or fight. As far as anyone was concerned, she was nothing more than a very realistic Barbie doll - being dressed up and paraded around like the trophy she was.
One of the doors opened and closed as her mother walked in and out several times - the woman twittering in a frenzy this morning.
"The guests are arriving!" the woman announced when Weiss' hair and makeup were finished.
Saying nothing in response, Weiss looked at her reflection and fought against the stinging in her eyes. Thankfully, she looked much like normal - but a tad fancier than usual. Her hair, in particular, had been given more character in the form of a gentle curl that she actually liked.
"What do you think?" one of the women asked, standing by Weiss' side and nearly holding her breath in anticipation.
"Lovely," Weiss answered, forcing a smile in appreciation of their work. "Thank you very much."
The woman breathed a sigh of relief that was shared with her co-worker. "Now we can get you dressed!" she said before rushing over to the dress and working to remove the plastic.
"Weiss, come here."
Standing from the chair, Weiss did as instructed and walked to the door they'd entered through - peeking through the crack as her mother held it open for her to look.
The guests were arriving, milling about and talking to each other in the front entryway of the church before making their way inside the open chapel doors to their seats.
There were a lot of people. A surprising amount. Weiss had been told the final attendance many times, but seeing the guests here, in the flesh, was a different experience entirely. Everyone looked in good spirits, but why wouldn't they be? They thought they were about to witness one of the happiest moments of her life. What they didn't realize was that they were actually witnessing her funeral - the death of the person she'd hoped to be.
As she was about to turn away, a flash of grey and green caught her eye and brought her attention towards a familiar face within the crowd.
Mayor Ozpin had arrived, accompanied by a stern-looking blonde woman who could only be Glynda. And Glynda was just as he'd described her. The woman appeared to be quite fond of him from her stance, but also maintained a set distance under public gaze. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd continuously, as if searching for a threat lurking just outside her field of vision.
As for the mayor, he walked with the aid of a cane today - although Weiss wasn't sure if it was for show or out of necessity. Even with the cane, he maintained a youth-like energy that suggested he was in better shape than the rest of them.
While she stared, the man's eyes caught hers through the narrow opening of the door. Noticing her gaze, he gave her a small smile and nod - which she returned with the best smile she could muster under the circumstances before turning away.
At least there would be one friendly face in the chapel today…
"I'm going to check on the bridesmaids and groomsmen while you change into your dress."
Closing the door, Weiss turned back to her mother as the woman prepared to exit through the only other door in the room - that door leading to another preparation area where the rest of the wedding party waited.
"I'll make sure everything is in order, then I'll be back to get you when the ceremony begins," the woman continued. "Use this time to collect yourself - you'll be a married young woman soon!"
With a flash of a smile, the woman disappeared into the other room - leaving Weiss with the two attendants to help her into her wedding dress.
"Ok sweetie," one of the attendants said, gesturing towards Weiss while holding the dress up in her other hand.
Understanding the unspoken instruction, Weiss undressed and stepped into the dress as they held it for her. Standing still, she waited while one of them zipped up the back of the gown while the other situated a diamond tiara in her hair. When that was finished, they helped her into a pair of silver heels that disappeared underneath the train of the gown.
"You look beautiful," one of them said, as both women stood back to fawn over their latest 'creation.'
"Thank you," Weiss murmured in return.
Standing in front of the mirror, she looked at her reflection and supposed that she did look pretty. The dress was gorgeous, with the scalloped neckline and snug bodice fitting like a glove - the alterations done just a few days ago ensured as much. Every strand of hair was in its place. Makeup hid any hint of imperfection. The shoes added a subtle sparkle whenever the dress moved enough to show them.
Yes, she looked beautiful, but it was superficial.
The dress was heavy and uncomfortable, looking expensive while feeling rough against her skin. Her hair was unnaturally stiff - its movement cumbersome and unnatural whenever she moved her head. And the shoes were incredibly uncomfortable - when standing or when sitting.
Such was the cost of beauty…
"Do you need anything else? Any changes?"
Taking another look at herself, Weiss shook her head. The changes she wished to make were a little more difficult than changing her makeup or her hair.
Satisfied that their work was done, the women packed up their items to leave her with her thoughts. While they did that, she picked a more comfortable chair in the room and sat down, making sure to smooth out the back of her dress beforehand to avoid any wrinkles.
She didn't know what time it was, but she knew there wasn't much time left. Her mother would come to get her at any moment. They'd meet up with the rest of the wedding party and proceed into the chapel as they'd practiced yesterday.
Weiss stared at the door leading towards her fate for what felt like a long time before her eyes drifted down to her hands, which were clasped in her lap on top of her white dress. They hadn't stopped shaking since last night, but hopefully they would stop shaking soon. Hopefully, this would all be over soon.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to 'collect herself' as her mother had so aptly suggested.
This was it. This was the end.
She'd never thought this day would be so difficult. Sure, she never imagined it would be particularly enjoyable, but she never expected to feel so much regret. So many missed opportunities, so many missed moments. So many things she never had a chance to do - so many things she never had a chance to say...
The door opened and closed behind her, but she didn't turn towards the noise to see the two women out. It seemed like such a big difficulty to move even a fraction of an inch. She just wanted to sit here like this, with her eyes closed, trapped in this moment before everything changed for the worse.
As usual, Ruby popped into her thoughts - the bubbly girl who'd shown Weiss what it was like to be happy, to be loved...and to love in return. How incredibly lucky was she to have met such a beautiful person?
And how incredibly unfortunate. If she'd never met Ruby, she wouldn't know what she was going to be spending a lifetime without.
But she wouldn't trade their time together for anything in the world. And if she could have just one wish today, on her wedding day, it would be to see Ruby one more time. To share a laugh together. To hear the girl say her name.
'Weiss.'
She could practically hear Ruby's voice now - so filled with love and adoration. When Ruby spoke to her, it was like she was the most important person in the world, like she was the only person in the world. What she wouldn't give to hear it one more time…
"Weiss."
The second whisper might as well have been a shout - the noise deafening in the quiet room. Her eyes snapped open, and she spun completely around in the chair while searching for what couldn't possibly be there.
But standing there, right inside the door behind her, was a sight she never thought she'd see again.
Ruby.
Weiss didn't move - she couldn't move - for fear that this was just a dream, that Ruby would disappear the moment she moved a muscle. Frozen to her seat, Weiss watched as Ruby crept towards her - the girl also moving hesitantly, as if she might scare Weiss away by walking too quickly.
While Ruby circled around and stood in front of the chair, Weiss turned to follow - her eyes never leaving Ruby's face. Ruby then knelt down in front of her, looking up at Weiss with shining silver eyes.
For several seconds, they stared at each other in silence. Weiss wasn't sure what to say, what to do. There was an excellent likelihood that her mind was playing cruel tricks on her at the eleventh hour - dangling the Ruby in front of her just to be ripped away again.
Then, Ruby reached out and hesitantly took ahold of Weiss' hands.
Suddenly, the moment became very real.
Jolts of electricity ran through the palms of her hands, reviving her long dormant heart - the organ suddenly pounding wildly in her chest. And panic set in.
Ruby couldn't be here - her mother was going to get her at any moment. Ruby couldn't be found here - it would make pointless all of the agony Weiss had endured the last several days. It would nullify her one and only chance to protect Ruby from harm.
"Weiss…"
It was a simple whisper, but uttered so longingly that it tugged fiercely upon her heartstrings. It threatened to undo everything...
"Weiss, I know a lot of this is my fault…"
Her mind finally awakened, her eyes blinking in confusion when Ruby turned away in pain - temporarily releasing her from her silver-tinged spell.
How was any of this Ruby's fault?
"I should've told you...ugh...I should've said something…"
Ruby retracted one hand to run through her short hair in frustration - the temporary loss of contact torturous until she grasped Weiss' hand once more. Then Ruby stared up at her - eyes clear, true, and more determined than she'd ever seen them before.
"I never told you what I wanted. For some reason, I just figured you'd know," Ruby continued, her voice steady as the words tumbled out. "But I want...I want you, Weiss. I want to be with you - i-in a romantic sorta way. I want to spend every second of every day with you. I want to be the last person you kiss goodnight, and the first person you kiss good morning. I want to do cheesy things like watch sunsets together from the clocktower and cuddle while watching scary movies. I want -"
"R-Ruby," Weiss interrupted, even though she wanted the girl to talk forever - the sound so soothing it could lull her to sleep in a heartbeat.
But there was much, much more at stake here.
"You can't...Ruby, you can't be here - my parents...they'll -"
"Don't worry about me, Weiss! I don't care what they try to do to me - I'm fast, remember? They'll never catch me."
Weiss could hardly breathe - her mouth hanging open in shock, her heart pounding in fear. If only that were true. If only her parents' power was something that could be outrun - something that could be hidden from. But that wasn't true. That just wasn't true.
"I know I'm asking you to give up a lot," Ruby continued. "Obviously I'll never be able to afford limousines or diamonds or -"
"No! Ruby - I don't care about any of that. I care about ruining your life."
Weiss' words only succeeded in making Ruby clutch her hands tightly, gazing up at her with pleading silver eyes - silver eyes that now swam with unshed tears.
"Please...Weiss, you can't marry him. I know you don't love him...I know you love me!"
She did. God, how she loved this girl kneeling in front of her - more than anything else in the entire world. But...
"Ruby, I -"
Her words cut off when the door behind Ruby opened, and her mother strode back into the room - ice blue eyes instantly locking onto the situation playing out in front of her.
"What are you doing here?" the woman snapped. "You need to leave."
Ruby didn't even turn around at the words - instead, she stood up and leaned forward. Before Weiss understood what was happening, Ruby was kissing her, soft hands brushing the hair back from her cheeks while the sensation of their lips pressed together melted her heart into a puddle of water.
"You can do this, Weiss. I know you can," Ruby whispered in her ear before being pulled away by one arm.
"Get out now," Weiss' mother sneered, one hand squeezing Ruby's upper arm far too tightly as she dragged Ruby towards the opposite door. Throwing it open, the woman looked left and right before spotting the person she was looking for.
"James, make sure this girl doesn't set foot inside the church again."
The man walked into the room and cast a quick apologetic glance Weiss' way before taking Ruby much more gently by the arm and turning to escort her outside.
"Wait! Ruby -" Weiss called out, getting to her feet as Ruby turning to look at her while being led away.
"Weiss -"
The door slammed closed, blocking Ruby from view. The only thing Weiss saw now were her mother's livid eyes boring straight through her.
"We'll discuss that later," the woman hissed, taking her roughly by the arm and pulling her forward. She stumbled in her heels, unprepared to begin moving so quickly. Nearly falling to the floor, she managed to catch her balance at the last moment as she was dragged through a doorway and into the next room.
Ruby -
The rest of the wedding party was already waiting for her - the bridesmaids and groomsmen standing in pairs in front of the doorway that led the way towards the aisle. A well-dressed man standing at the door with a headset in his ear was counting down before instructing one of the groomsmen forward - the young man extending his arm towards Weiss' mother before the two of them took their leave.
But not before the woman sent one last glare Weiss' way on the way through the door.
Several seconds later, the ring bearer - a tiny boy who was likely the prodigal son of some influential family - was sent on his way. Trailing him was an adorably-dressed little girl carrying a bouquet of flowers studded with real diamonds. Cinder was next - the girl sneering at Weiss before exiting with Sky - the maid of honor and best man sent on their way.
Two pairs later, and the wedding march began to play.
Ruby was here -
Her father took Weiss by the arm as they stood in front of the door, waiting for the expeditor to give the signal that it was their turn to enter the chapel. But her mind was elsewhere - through the doorway behind her where Ruby had been taken just minutes ago.
With a small nod, they were on their way, with a bouquet of flowers pressed into her hands on the way out. Fortunately, her father took the lead directing her out the door and through the entrance to the magnificent chapel. They stepped through the large open doors and under the towering ceiling of ornately carved wood. Beneath their feet lay a decadent, silver silk aisle leading all the way to the altar.
Ruby had come for her -
Everyone's eyes were upon her now - the pews filled with strangers and vaguely-familiar faces alike. There were so many people here - the entire room packed to maximum capacity.
Her throat constricted with emotion, and her eyes burned with tears while she fought to maintain her composure. Struggling to take even breaths, she could feel herself on the verge of hyperventilating as the altar grew nearer and nearer - Cardin, the minister, the bridesmaids and groomsmen...all patiently waiting for her.
The roses dotting the end of every pew - red as the sun before it sets on the horizon - were as beautiful as the day she'd gone to see them with Ruby. The first day they'd spent time together...
Everywhere Weiss looked, she found reminders of Ruby's eyes - in the silver accents in every corner of the church, in the threading in the path beneath her feet, in the ribbon woven through the bouquet in her hands, in the ties the groomsmen were wearing...
"Nervous?" her father asked, whispering out of the side of his mouth while maintaining a smile.
Weiss couldn't answer, her fake smile wavering as she fought back tears.
"I know you'll keep him in line," he continued without a response. "This is a great day for our family."
This was exactly that - a great day for the Schnees, a great day for their business - for their wealth and power. But it wasn't a great day for her.
Reaching the altar, her father released her arm and gave Cardin a small bow of respect before retreating to his seat in the front row beside her mother. Cardin took Weiss' hands as she stepped in front of him, facing him and only him.
His hands were rough...calloused. They were hands that could hurt and cause pain, as he'd so aptly proven to her last night.
But Ruby's hands...Weiss could still feel their touch lingering upon her cheeks. They were soft...gentle...soothing and healing. Those hands could never hurt her...
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today -"
The church was dead quiet outside of the minister's voice, but Weiss' heart beat so loudly in her ears she was surprised no one else heard it. The man's words were nearly drowned out by the rapid thumping while she tried to breathe - slow, deep breaths.
Focus...focus, Weiss. Focus on the words the minister is saying.
" - marriage is not meant to be entered into lightly, but reverently, devotedly -"
She hadn't had the chance to tell Ruby that she loved her too...
"If any of you in attendance can show just cause why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Weiss didn't dare look towards the crowd as the minister paused his words - the man patiently waiting for the objection that would never come.
One second of silence…
Two…
Three…
Four…
"With no one in disagreement, we shall proceed to the vows."
The man nodded towards Cardin, who released Weiss' hands to take the slip of paper passed to him by his best man. Unfolding the page, Cardin looked at her with a grin before he began speaking, his voice loud and self-assured.
"Weiss, I love you, not only for what you are, but for who I am when I'm with you. I love you, not only for what you've made of yourself, but for what you're making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you, for putting your hand upon my heart, and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can't help but see there, and for drawing out all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked far enough to find."
With his words finished, Cardin folded the paper and handed it over his shoulder to Sky. A smug grin crept onto his face while the women in the crowd let out soft 'aww's at his words, but Weiss resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his mildly-insulting vows.
They'd taken the same literature course in college - she remembered just as well as he did having to dissect that very same passage time and time again.
But there was little time to feel disappointed by Cardin's lack of effort, because the minister was turning towards her now, motioning one hand as a signal that it was her turn to speak.
Turning around, she accepted the small, folded piece of paper from Cinder's hands. She'd relinquished the item this morning to her mother, but only after sealing it with her family's crest - not wanting to risk her 'maid of honor' reading them or swapping them out without her immediate notice.
"C-Cardin…" Weiss began after unfolding the paper, watching it shake like a leaf within her trembling fingers. The minister moved his hand slightly, silently telling her that she needed to speak louder. Clearing her throat, she prepared to read aloud.
She'd written the vows down so she wouldn't have to think about them - so she could just read the words off the page without thought or emotion. But that was before Ruby found her…
"Cardin," Weiss began again, much louder this time as she focused on a spot on the wall beyond Cardin's shoulder. "Before I met you, I had no idea what love was. I thought it was just a silly emotion - something to be dreamt about but never found. But then...I found you, and everything changed."
"There was something so perfect about the two of us together - in the same way bees and roses coexist, you and I formed a perfect pair. Even so, I tried to run from those feelings - I tried to push them away, but they were inescapable...they caught me. You caught me, without any effort, solely by being yourself."
Pausing, she took another deep breath before continuing, feeling her resolve shake with every syllable that left her lips.
"And now...w-whenever I'm with you...the days of winter become endless days of summer. Cloudy skies become clear. Rainy days become rainbows. Every second of every day is a new rush, a new experience that I never grow tired of...because we have the type of red carpet romance the stars can only dream about. The sun looks down upon us and envies how brightly we shine. The moon grows jealous of the way we embrace the night."
"B-but...we pay no mind to those who envy us, those who seek to bring us down - for we have the one thing everyone struggles to find. We have love. And my love for you burns like a flame - a flame so powerful, no adversity on earth dares try to extinguish it. Be it natural disasters, powerful enemies, or the sands of time, nothing will ever touch the fire within my heart...the fire that burns only for you."
"I may not be able to make you many promises, but I can promise you this - when this world turns to dust, the one thing that will remain is my love for you."
As her words faded from the air, they were replaced by soft sounds from the guests to her right. Glancing to the side, she realized that the women in the seats were teary-eyed, dabbing handkerchiefs to their eyes - including her mother.
Her mother was crying.
The sight was so shocking, for a moment Weiss had no idea how to even process it. But when she did, understanding hit her like a bolt of lightning.
The church was beautiful, the people in attendance were beautiful. Her dress, Cardin, the flowers, the sequins...all of it was beautiful. But it was all fake - beauty that barely scratched the surface. The most beautiful thing in this church was still clutched in her shaking hands - the tear-stained parchment paper containing her vows - the vows she'd never been able to say to Ruby.
If someone as cold-hearted as her mother could be moved to tears by the love the two of them shared...
When this world turns to dust, her love would still remain. Her feelings for Ruby would never fade. She would feel like this for the rest of her life - she would feel this...empty...for the rest of her life.
She would have thrown away something truly beautiful. All for a name.
...a name she hated.
Carefully folding the piece of paper into quarters, she slipped it into her dress rather than hand it back to Cinder. Taking a deep breath, she clasped her hands together in an attempt to lessen their shaking.
She hated being a Schnee.
"Cardin, those words weren't for you," she said, speaking clearer than she ever had before. "They could never be for you, and they never will be."
Gasps and murmurs came from the pews as Weiss backed away from the dumbstruck boy - the grin suddenly wiped from his face. She was going to leave this place now, but not without telling one more lie - the last she would tell for a long time.
"I'm sorry."
Not wasting another second, she turned and ran through the door to the right of the altar - having no idea where she was going except for away. The sound of more and more voices speaking in confusion reached her ears as the door swung shut behind her.
Pausing in the hallway, she pulled up the skirt of her dress and unstrapped one of her heels - the shoes slowing her down. Throwing the first to the side, she was reaching for the other when the door behind her opened and a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Letting out a yelp of shock, she was spun around to face her furious mother.
"What do you think you're doing?" the woman hissed, her fingernails cutting painfully into the skin on Weiss' wrist. "You're going to walk back in there right now -"
"I'll do no such thing!" Weiss shouted, twisting her arm in a futile attempt to free herself. "I refuse to marry him - and you can't make me do something against my will!"
"I can do just that!" her mother yelled while yanging Weiss forward - back towards the door to the chapel.
"I won't marry someone I don't love!" Weiss shouted back, digging in her heels and tugging backward.
"Why not? I did," her mother hissed back at her.
"I REFUSE TO BE YOU!"
The woman froze at Weiss' scream, which was most certainly heard by the guests inside. But at least it had gotten her mother's attention - the woman halting her actions while turning back to Weiss in surprise.
"I refuse to turn into someone who's so...resentful at the world! Who's consumed by appearances and wealth - you wouldn't know a nice, kind person if they slapped you in the face!"
Letting out a loud exhale, Weiss temporarily ended the struggle to free her arm to say the words she'd wanted to say for a very long time.
"Maybe you didn't 'deserve' to get stuck with such an 'ungrateful' daughter like me - one who doesn't enjoy throwing money at frivolous things and gossiping about others. But maybe I didn't deserve to be stuck with a mother like you."
"I know I'm not Winter," she said - her mother's gritted teeth only filling her with more defiance. "Yes, I said her name. She was my sister - I miss her too. But somewhere in your grief, you forgot that you had two daughters. I'm your daughter too!"
Taking another deep breath, she could feel every inch of her shaking in rage...fear...sorrow...as tears welled in her eyes.
"At least, I was your daughter."
Ice blue eyes stared - the woman's expression unreadable as she was paralyzed by the words. Weiss took the opportunity to rip her wrist free of the woman's loosened grasp - quickly throwing her last heel away and bolting down the corridor, leaving her mother behind.
When Weiss reached the end of the hall, the corridor split into two directions - and she knew where neither led.
"Ruby!"
Yelling the girl's name, Weiss waited for a second before choosing a direction and taking it, praying it would lead her to the exit.
Another hallway, another decision. And no Ruby in sight.
There was no one in the halls, everyone still inside the main chapel. And she didn't know where she was going - she'd never been in this part of the building before. Panic grew in her chest - bordering on hysteria as she searched.
"RUBY!"
Ruby had to be here still, somewhere. She had to be. If she wasn't...
Please, Ruby...don't give up just yet.
The hallways became more familiar, and Weiss ran faster - her chest burning from the unexpected expense of energy. But, Ruby…was nowhere to be found.
The exit was near, Weiss knew that now. She was almost there.
Please still be here...
Slamming into the front door, she shoved with all her might as she pushed it open and was thrown into the cold winter air - wind blowing across her face as she frantically searched the outer grounds. Hoping for a glimpse of -
Ruby.
Her throat made a strangled sound, somewhere between a sob and cry of relief as her eyes found the person she'd been searching so desperately for.
Ruby was still there - sitting on the curb, head in her hands, while Yang and Blake stood patiently nearby.
"Ruby!" Weiss yelled, her voice echoing through the cold, thin air between them.
Ruby instantly jumped to her feet and spun around - their eyes meeting across the expanse of frozen space that separated them.
And then, Ruby was racing towards her. Weiss prodded her feet to run as fast as she possibly could, using every last ounce of energy she had to take her to the girl.
They collided seconds later, their lips instantly locking while Ruby wrapped Weiss in a tight hug, lifting her feet several inches off the ground at the same moment. A small squeal passed her lips as she was spun in a circle, but that didn't stop their kiss.
She kissed Ruby how she'd always wanted to kiss her - free of her family, of Cardin, of the wedding.
Free of any guilt. Free of any pain.
When she exhausted her initial supply of oxygen, she ended the kiss to hug Ruby, burying her face in Ruby's neck while being securely held within strong arms.
"Ruby, I love you," Weiss whispered in the girl's ear before pulling away to gaze into silver eyes.
Why did it feel so good to say three tiny words out loud?
"I love you too," Ruby replied with a smile brighter than the sun before pulling Weiss back in for another long kiss. Both of them ignored the snow that had begun to fall - giant, fluffy flakes of white landing in their hair and on their lashes.
Her feet may be frozen, her muscles weak, her eyes swollen from tears...
She may no longer be a Schnee…
But she was no longer alone.
"I knew you could do it," Ruby whispered before pulling away and gazing at Weiss with loving silver eyes - eyes filled with the unwavering belief that she would always be there.
And she could be. She would be.
It had taken Weiss far too long to realize that she could do anything for Ruby. She would do anything for Ruby. Because it was Ruby who made her heart beat. It was Ruby who allowed her to breathe. It was Ruby who made her whole.
Pulling Ruby closer, Weiss buried her face into the girl's neck while breathing in the scent of roses.
"Please take me away from here," she requested softly.
The next second, she let out a small squeak of surprise when Ruby scooped her right off the ground. Hiding her face in Ruby's shoulder in embarrassment, Weiss allowed herself to be carried, bridal style, towards the waiting vehicle.
There was strength to be found in Ruby's arms - strength to leave who she once was behind. Strength to move forward on a different path, one that wasn't dictated to her by her parents.
Strength enough for her to leave that world behind.
Weiss didn't need to be a Schnee to be happy. Happiness wasn't found in a name, in money, or in prestige. Happiness was finding someone who would do anything for you and doing anything for them in return.
She'd finally found her source of happiness, and she was never letting go.