Chapter Twenty Six.

If you knew anything about Weiss, it was that when Weiss said she would pick you up at 7:30, you knew you had until at least 8 before she got to your apartment. But by 8:03 you were pacing around the apartment. Why were you anxious? You're going to be fine. Nora, Ren and Ruby were going to be there too. This will be fun. You haven't been to a festival in years. You can play those dumb games and find cotton candy or a candy apple.

Instead of knocking on the door like a real guest, Weiss just uses the extra key and throws the front door of your apartment open, causing Sun to scream out like a woman, in terror.

"Oh Gods, get over it Sun. I'm not robbing you. I'm just here to get Blake." She brushes him off like it's no big deal.

"Normal people don't just bust into someone else's home without knocking! What if I had attacked you because I thought you were a criminal?"

"Now, we both know that based on the scream you just let out, that there wouldn't be any attacking coming from you." You are finished listening to them argue about nothing, and you're late. You hate being late.

"You two need to quit arguing, we are late Weiss. We were supposed to meet everyone there at eight, not show up almost an hour late." You hastily grab your keys and bag off the hook by the front door and walk out. Leaving them both behind.

—

Weiss unlocks the doors to her white SUV and you both hop into your respective seats. She turns the radio on and begins singing along to some pop song as the two of you begin the journey to the festival grounds. It's about a 30 minute drive from your apartment, you notice as you turn on your scroll's GPS for Weiss. It's an unspoken rule between you, if you aren't driving you're navigating. After a few more minutes of relative silence, Weiss can't take you not talking to her anymore.

"Are you really mad that I was late?"

"No. I'm not mad because you were late. You're always late for everything we go to." Waving her off, she seems unsatisfied with your answer. "You look nice though. I like your skirt."

Now she knows you're just trying to annoy her.

"Oh whatever. I like your same old hoodie and jeans."

"Oh thanks, just thought I'd spice it up a bit you know, branch out."

"Quit being such a dolt." She slaps the top of your shoulder that's closest to her.

"But what if that's all I am?" You give her one of your best sad fake puppy dog faces.

"Well then that's just unfortunate." She begins to smile.

"And I'm terribly sorry for your loss." She loses her composure and lets her laughter fill the car.

"Quit it. I'm trying to drive. Do you want to spend the night in a ditch? Or at the Vytal Festival?"

"That depends, are you going to be present in the ditch as well? Or is this a solo hypothetical adventure? Because if you're going to be in the ditch too, maybe it won't be so bad. But if I'm by myself, I might get a little bored."

She rolls her eyes, still smiling at your lame jokes the rest of the way there.

—

When you pull into the packed gravel parking lot you can see tons of neon lights and people. As soon as you get out of the car you are assaulted by the sounds, smells and slight chill in the air. You have no idea how you and Weiss are going to find the rest of your group in a place like this.

Turns out that finding Ruby and Nora isn't exactly difficult if the place sells food. You pay for you and Weiss to enter the festival, mostly due to the fact that Weiss didn't think to bring any cash and the festival doesn't take cards. And offering to loan her the cash doesn't really help make matters any better.

"I cannot believe that a place like this, that would hold so many people wouldn't accept cards as a form of payment."

"Weiss, look around." You motion for her to literally just open her eyes and look at their environment. "This isn't exactly a place that screams sophistication. I'd be surprised if any of the rides are up to code or inspected for safety and the food… I don't even want to think about it."

"Are you serious?" She has this incredulous but innocent look on her face. "This place isn't safe?"

"Did you grow up in Atlas, or under a rock that you just called Atlas? Festivals are the most rundown and suspicious form of fun you can have on a grander scale."

Even though one of your favorite things to do is antagonize Weiss while she complains through her privilege, tonight you are thankful to see Nora waving from a distance like a wild woman on top of a table. Ruby is sitting next to her, stuffing an ungodly amount of cheese covered nachos in her mouth.

"Excellent! Now that everyone is here, we can finally have some fun!" Nora is always excited. Literally always. Which makes sense, because Ren always looks like he just woke up from a nap.

You walk over to the ticket booth so that you can buy tickets so that you and Weiss can get on some of the rides. You aren't really a festival ride kind of person. The opposite of a thrill seeker by nature. But you know Weiss wants to ride a few different ones, so you buy enough tickets for her.

"I will pay you back as soon as we leave, I swear."

"You know I couldn't care less if you pay me back. I don't mind." You count out the tickets the toothless lady in the booth hands you, giving about two thirds of them to Weiss.

"Well I'm going to." She stomps her foot as she takes the tickets from you.

"Well you do that then."

"Can you two pleeeeeeeeeease stop arguing like an old married couple long enough for us to get through this line and onto the ride?" Surprised to hear such a request from Ruby, you immediately shut your mouth and nod, letting Weiss take her place in the line next to Nora and Ruby.

"Here." You feel something tap you on the shoulder right after you turn around to go sit with Ren on a nearby bench. "Hold my scroll for me, I don't want to drop it on the ride." You take it from her and walk away to claim your space on the bench with Ren.

As usual, Ren isn't much of a talker. And neither are you, you suppose. So when he is the first to break the silence, you are kinda surprised.

"I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?" You are honestly intrigued.

"Put up with Weiss. I mean, I put up with Nora. But Nora is Nora. And Weiss is just… well… Weiss." Off in the background you can hear the mechanical whirring of the ride and the screaming of Weiss and Ruby, accompanied by the mixture of screaming and laughter coming from Nora.

"I don't know either. Some days it's as easy as breathing. And then there's some days where it feels like breathing underwater."

"I think it's been good for Weiss, no doubt. She has.. I don't know, softened since you've been around." You don't really know what he means by that. But there's not many people that have a nature as cold and stoic as your own. "But for you, I'm not sure. You seem to be a very consistent person. But occasionally I see you and you just look so sad."

"Well, everyone gets sad every now and then, even Nora."

"Very true."

The ride begins to slow down and the attendant is preparing the exit ramp for people to disembark.

"Just stay true to who you are, Blake. Don't lose yourself trying to keep others. Or try to make them into something they aren't."

"Will do, Ren." You nudge him with your shoulder as you both stand up to go meet up with the girls, who all look a little dizzy.

As you walk over to them, you feel Weiss' scroll buzz in your hand. Out of habit with your own scroll, you look down to check it. There's a notification saying someone sent her a buzz on an app called Bumblebee. It's a dating app you've heard about people at work using to find people to go out with. You know Cinder uses it.

It feels kinda like a shot to the chest. But you can't really be mad or upset. You and Weiss aren't dating or anything. And it's not like you ever were so… you shouldn't act like it matters. You repeat that notion to yourself multiple times as you hand Weiss her scroll back, and she checks it. You notice she dismisses the notification, not bothering to even open it.

—

The five of you continue your way through the festival grounds. You don't really care for the rides, opting out of all but two along the way, one of which will be the promised ferris wheel. But you haven't gotten to it yet.

You are way more interested in the stupid little games they have littered in booths around the grounds. And by interested, you mean more like infuriated by the audacity of these festival workers for creating unbeatable money wasting traps.

By the third stand, you are determined to grasp victory in your hands. Or at least the multicolored cat stuffed animal that's hanging up behind the vendor, as it mockingly swings in the nighttime breeze up on the hook.

This particular booth is a shooting game. Some cheap little rifle that's chained to the counter is what you have to use to shoot a little piece of cork and knock over some glass bottles that are stacked up about seven feet from you. You got this. You grew up in Menagerie for Gods' sakes. Practically the jungle. Well.. it was hundreds of years ago, but still.

"Blake, it's not that big a deal. It's just a stuffed animal. You can get those anywhere."

"That is absolutely not the point, Weiss." You say through gritted teeth as you push five more lien across the countertop to the vendor.

Everyone else has wandered off to play various other games. Weiss, having no money of her own and possibly no real interest in the games, has chosen to stay with you. And by the grace of the Gods, but you will credit it to pure skill, you manage to knock over enough bottles to claim your treasure.

"That one!" You point with ferocity when the vendor asks which stuffed animal you would like. He hands you the small tie dyed cat and you squeeze it to your chest in victory.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this excited over something before." She crosses her arms and a small smirk marks over her face.

"Hey, I worked really hard for this stupid thing. And it almost kinda looks like me a little, see?" You wiggle your Faunus ears to mimic the position of the ears on the stuffed cat.

"Okay, you dolt." Weiss hooks her arm under your elbow and pulls you down the pathway towards the area that has the ferris wheel. "Now, if I remember correctly I made you promise me two things. Ferris wheel and funnel cake."

Once you arrive in front of it, you look up to see the enormous structure that's lit with thousands of neon lights. You try to swallow the lump in your throat.

"Oh yeah, I did. Didn't I?"

—

You are clutching onto your little stuffed cat friend as the attendant lowers the safety car over your laps and locks it into place. You aren't speaking. Weiss is going on and on about how she has always wanted to ride a ferris wheel but has only ever seen one in movies. The ride creaks to life and the sound of your own pulse begins thumping in your ears. Weiss' voice fades off into the background as your Faunus ears flatten against your head as the wheel swings around to complete its first circle.

Something shakes you back into reality and you begin to hear the sounds of the world again. It's the maniacal laughter of Nora, accompanied by the sweeter but still madly sinister laughter of Ruby. It's coming from a few carts below you.

"What is wrong with you, Blake? And why are those two idiots laughing like that?"

"Blake didn't tell you Weiss? She's TERRIFIED of heights!" The laughter continues as you roll your eyes. Now that your secret is out, there's no point in trying to act like you aren't actually scared to death.

"I'm not terrified. I just don't really care for heights, is all." As you say it, your knuckles get even whiter from squeezing onto the safety bar.

Weiss has joined the other two in laughter at this point. The ride has concluded and the attendant is individually letting the riders off to exit. When it's finally your turn, you all but jump off the seat onto solid ground, still waiting and holding out the arm that doesn't have a stuffed animal in it, so that Weiss can step down carefully.

It was getting late and the festival was going to close for the night in about half an hour, so Ren, Nora and Ruby decided to go ahead and head home for the night. Saying their goodbyes and sharing one last laugh at your expense with Weiss, they turned and walked off in the direction of the parking lot.

"I cannot believe you didn't tell me that you were scared of heights. I wouldn't have made you ride the ride with me if I had known."

"Oh yes, I'm sure you wouldn't have taken any opportunity to make fun of me for being scared." You roll your eyes as you begin to walk down the pathway towards the funnel cake stand.

"Does that make you a scaredy cat?"

You literally freeze in place about five strides ahead of Weiss. She had never made a joke about you being a Faunus before, so it honestly caught you off guard.

"Did you really just ask me that?" You say as you turn to face her, with a look of seriousness on your face. Making sure to flick your ears sideways for dramatic effect.

Obviously flustered by your sudden offense, she stutters out a response.

"I was just joking, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm really sorry. I was being insensitive." Now it's your turn to laugh at her expense.

"I'm totally kidding. And for you, that was almost a funny joke." You turn back around and continue the trek to the funnel cake stand. Hearing Weiss huff in an embarrassed annoyance behind you.

Once you get to the stand, you order the funnel cake and ask the cashier for two forks and a bunch of napkins. You also ordered some cotton candy and shoved it into your bag with your stuffed animal. It's for eating at home. You may even share with Sun if you're feeling gracious. Probably not. You carry the plate full of fried dough as Weiss uses her fork to haphazardly take bites off of it. Getting the powdered sugar all over the front of her jacket as she eats. By the time you reach the festival exit gates the two of you have finished the funnel cake and you throw the remaining pieces into the trash.

"Ready to go home?" She asks as she fishes for her keys in her bag.

"Yup. I have to work at eight tomorrow morning, so I could probably use the sleep."

"Blake! Why didn't you say you have to work so early? It's almost one in the morning."

"Doesn't matter, I always go to sleep super late anyways." You shrug your shoulders. It's whatever.

—

Weiss drives you home, all while singing so loudly you're surprised the windows didn't crack from the frequency. You ask if she wants to come in for a few minutes when you arrive. She hops out of the car in agreement, saying that she is kind of thirsty and some water would be amazing. Once you open the door to your apartment, you make your way to the kitchen and Weiss heads off in the direction of your room. You fill a glass and grab your stuffed animal off the table and walk off towards your bedroom. You find Weiss sitting on the edge of your bed, looking at the box full of letters you wrote while she was in Atlas. You forgot you left them out.

"You wrote me letters when I was gone?" There's a quiet sadness in her voice.

"I never sent them, clearly."

She takes the glass from your outstretched hand. She looks up at you, blue eyes looking watery and tired. Her hand carefully runs over the top of one of the letters.

"Can I read them?"

You aren't really sure how to answer. I mean, you wrote them as though they were being sent for her to read. Why shouldn't she be allowed to read them? They were meant for her.

"You can have them. They've just been sitting in this box for what, like a year now?"

"Okay." She quietly responds, but remains seated on the edge of the bed running her thumb over the edges of the envelopes.

Not really sure what to say, you leave her there while you begin your nightly routine and start preparing for bed. You set out your pajamas. And you start brushing your teeth. This must shake Weiss out of whatever daydream she's in.

"I'm so sorry. I'm just sitting here like an idiot while you're probably exhausted and need to get ready for bed. I should go." You look up from the sink as you wipe the toothpaste foam off your face.

"I mean, you don't have to go unless you want to. I'm not kicking you out at all."

"No, no, it's super late and you need to sleep so you can work without passing out tomorrow. And I also work tomorrow and…" Her gaze drifts off to the stuffed animal from the festival. "That thing does have ears like yours, doesn't it?"

"You can have it." Picking it up, you place it in the box full of letters for Weiss to take home.

"I can't possibly take it, you worked so hard to win it."

"Eh, I don't really need it. I have my own." Pointing up to your Faunus ears, wiggling them to prove your point.

You walk Weiss out to her car, opening the door for her so she can place the box on the front seat. She takes her seat and turns the key, bringing the engine to life. You and your minty fresh breath stand there awkwardly as she rolls the window down and rests her elbow on the sill and leans out towards you.

She's looking at you strongly. There's a determined look on her face and her eyes almost sparkle from the street lights. You open your mouth to speak, to drive away the silence, but she beats you to it.

"This is going to sound really weird, and it's totally fine if you say no. But, oh Gods this is so embarrassing." She moves to hide her face in her hands.

"Just say it Weiss. I'm sure it's not big deal."

"Can I touch your ears?" Never in the three years that you've known Weiss have you ever seen her face turn this red. It's kind of amusing, maybe a little cute.

No one's ever asked to touch your ears before. You guess humans probably consider it taboo and another Faunus wouldn't care about it.

"You want me to go wake Sun up, and see if you can touch his tail too? I'm sure he wouldn't mind." When you say it, Weiss looks absolutely mortified. Maybe, just this once, you won't tease her. "I'm just joking Weiss." But she's already buried her face in her hands in shame. Now you almost feel bad that she's THAT embarrassed.

You reach out and carefully grab her hand and pull it towards you. You wait until she looks up so she can see you lean your head down just enough for you to place her hand at the bottom of your left ear. Cautiously she rubs her thumb along the edges of your ear. The look on her face softening, but the redness of embarrassment still remains. The moment only lasts about ten seconds but as soon as she removes her fingers from your ear you already miss the touch.

"So, was it everything you ever dreamed of?" You wiggle your eyebrows and give her a sly smile.

"You're such a dolt. But they are very soft, like velvet."

"I aim to please." As you take a slight bow, you hear her scoff at you.

"Okay then. It's way past your bedtime, Miss Belladonna. I will see you at work tomorrow morning."

"Only if you're lucky. Message me when you make it home safe."

"No."

Knowing that she isn't serious, you walk back into your apartment and flop down onto your bed, placing your scroll on the wireless charger next to your bed before closing your eyes. While you wait for sleep to claim your mind, you hear the faint sound of a message from Weiss. Eventually, you drift off into a decent night's sleep.