*One Month Later*
When Blake told her that Weiss was, as the younger woman put it, "freaking out," Winter had been skeptical. She knew her sister well and Weiss wasn't prone to breaking under pressure. It was far more likely that Blake had misread something and that Weiss was perfectly fine.
Then again, if someone had told her a year ago that Weiss would be marrying another woman and that their father would approve, Winter would have laughed in their face. She had thought that her sister would eventually end her relationship with the brutish blonde in favor of one that would appease their father. Instead, Weiss had blatantly defied their father's wishes, rejecting potential suitors he sent to her and going so far as to out right ignore him on several occasions.
It was an unthinkable act of rebellion and Winter couldn't have been happier.
She took no small amount of pride in the fact that Weiss had not only stood her ground against their father but had bested him with his own rules, playing his ludicrous game and coming out on top. The fact that it was a Xiao Long she was marrying was icing on the cake that made the situation all the sweeter.
Now Weiss was getting married to someone of her own choosing, someone she had genuine feelings for, and Winter had to concede that there might have been a small chance that her sister could be nervous. She and Winter had been raised to expect a loveless marriage arranged to benefit the family and Weiss could very well be out of her element. With this in mind, Winter politely excused herself from her table and followed Blake to the waiting room where her sister waited.
Winter took the small reprieve to study the young woman walking to her left.
She and Blake had never met face to face prior to the wedding day, but Winter already knew a great deal about Blake and she had to admit that she was impressed. Winter knew from personal experience how it felt to lose a mother and she couldn't imagine what it would feel like to have Weiss taken from her. Blake had persevered despite what she had lost and that earned a great deal of respect from Winter and, if she knew her sister as she thought she did, Weiss as well.
Weiss would never admit it out loud of course, she had to much pride to do so; but if someone knew where to look, the truth was obvious. Weiss respected Blake, admired her even, and undoubtedly trusted her. It made Winter glad to know that Weiss had someone like Blake in her life. It wasn't often that a Schnee could find someone that they could truly call a friend without fear of consequence.
Winter found herself pulled from her thoughts when they arrived at the waiting room and Blake knocked on the door.
"Weiss?" Blake asked. "I'm back and I brought Winter. Can we come in?"
When no answer came Blake turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Winter's first thought as she stepped into the waiting room was that Blake was right; Weiss was freaking out. Her sister was sitting ramrod straight, her pale eyes boring a whole in the wall opposite her and her knuckles were white from gripping her wedding dress to tightly.
Schnees do not pace. It is a sign of weakness and ones inability to control their emotions.
Winter could almost hear her father's voice as she remembered the lesson. Winter considered herself lucky. Her mother had been there when she was young to softened her father's hard nature and reigned in his anger whenever it flared. When their mother died shortly after Winter joined the military, her father changed. He became cold, distant, and obsessed with making his daughters perfect. With Weiss being the only one of them still living in the house, she became the sole object of his fixation. Winter had hopped that Weiss' association with the Rose-Xiao Long family might lessen their father's impact on her, but it would appear some habitats die hard.
Breathing deep, Winter walked over to her sister and knelt down in front of her. If Weiss noticed the movement, she gave no sign of it. The younger Schnee hadn't moved since Winter and Blake had walked into the room. Moving carefully so as not to startle her sister, Winter gently placed her hand on Weiss' hand and spoke quietly.
"Weiss?"
The snowy girl nearly jumped out of her seat and her eyes darted around the room before settling on Winter. Her alarmed expression relaxed even though her body remained rigid.
"Winter? What are... why are you here? Shouldn't you be with father?"
Winter nodded at Blake who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed across her chest. "Blake was worried that something might be wrong, so she came and got me."
Weiss narrowed her eyes at Blake. "I'm perfectly fine. Why would you think otherwise?"
"You were sitting there not saying anything for 15 minutes?" Blake offered, gesturing with her hand.
"That was- I was just lost in thought." Weiss looked back at her sister. "Nothing to concern yourself with."
Blake snorted and Weiss turned to glare at the Faunus.
"What Blake meant to say," Winter quickly interjected, "is that we find that hard to believe."
"Hard to believe or not, it's the truth." Her sister retorted as she pushed herself out of the chair and past Winter. "Now, if you will both excuse me, I need to make sure that I'm ready for my wedding."
"Weiss-" Blake started, moving away from the wall before Winter cut her off.
"No, Blake. If she says she's fine then she's fine. Let's not waste anymore time and get her ready-"
"Thank you, Winter, I-"
"-just as soon as she gives me the slip of paper in her hand."
Weiss spun on her heel to face her sister, hiding her hands behind her back in the process. The two Schnees stared at each other for several minutes, neither willing to look away first. Blake was impressed at how long Winter kept her composure. She could count on one hand the number of people who could go eye to eye with Weiss without breaking, and she only knew one person that had ever stared Weiss down. Blake started to wonder if Winter would be the second when Weiss spoke.
"I have no idea what you're talking abou- hey!"
Unbeknownst to Weiss, Blake had stepped up behind her while she and her sister had their staring contest. Faster than the heiress could react, Blake grabbed the edge of the paper that was sticking out from Weiss' hand and pulled it free. Blake was already handing the paper to Winter before Weiss had the chance to try and take it back.
"Thank you Blake." Winter said as she accepted the slip of paper.
"Give. That. Back." Weiss growled, taking one step towards her sister.
"Why? What is it?" Winter asked.
Weiss took another step forward. "None of your business."
Winter eyed her sister carefully before she unfolded the slip of paper and she felt her heart grow heavy as she read the few lines scrawled across its surface. Weiss snatched the paper from Winter's hands and clutched it to her chest. She started to smooth out the wrinkles in the paper before tracing the words with the tip of her finger her finger.
"Weiss..."
"This is- I mean it's- It's her promise, her proof, so that I know for certain that she...that..."
Weiss trailed of as her sister pulled her into an embrace. She stood as rigid as a statue for a moment before relaxing in her sister's arms and returning the hug, her body shaking gently. Winter waited patiently for Weiss to recompose herself, humming a tune their mother use to sing when they were both younger.
"I'm scared, Winter." Weiss mumbled after a few minutes passed.
"I know Weiss, I know." Winter whispered before she held her sister out at arms length and guided her back to the chair. Blake was by her side in an instant with a washcloth. Winter waited for her sister to dab the last remnants of tear from her face before speaking. "I need you to do something for me Weiss, ok?"
Weiss breathed deep and nodded, her eyes fixed on Winter.
"I want you to remember everything father ever taught us about relationships. About how you need to treat them like business deals and contracts and how you always need to know what you're getting out of it. And the most important thing is to always keep your emotions under control. Do you remember all that?"
Weiss seemed to calm down a bit and she nodded again. "Yes, I do."
"Good. Now, I want you to forget all of it."
Weiss' eyes went wide and she nearly jumped out of her seat. "But-!"
Winter was quick to intercede.
"Weiss, you're getting married," She said, smiling at her sister. "This isn't another business deal where you sign a contract and that's that. This is you and Yang in love and promising to be with one another for the rest of your lives."
"But father-"
"Weiss, Father is absolutely the last person you need to be taking relationship advise from. Ever since mom died he's been, well," Winter waved her hand as she looked for the proper word, "cold and rather distant. Her death hit him hard and he's never been the same. I thought you had already realized that, but I should have understood that you were to young to remember when he use to be a better. If I had known I would have talked to you much sooner than this. Do you understand?"
"I... I don't know. I'm afraid, Winter. What if she-"
"Hey Ruby, can you put me on speaker? And don't tell Yang." The two women stopped and looked at Blake as she held out her scroll. There was a short beep and the undeniable voice of Yang started filtering through in a rather impressive steam of profanity Summer's voice quickly followed as she tried to calm her daughter down.
"Yang, dear, I really thing you should take a deep breath. It might help you calm down a little."
The string of expletives cut off for a second before the sound of heavy pacing started.
"I didn't mean to start pacing, honey." Summer remarked with a hint of worry. "Here, try sitting with me and we can practice that breathing technique that you were trying to show me earlier."
"I can't mom. I can't calm down or sit down or breath or- or- or-" Weiss made to get up but Winter held her down and shushed the protest before it could leave Weiss' mouth.
"Yang-" Summer tried to intercede without success.
"What if she backs out, mom?" Yang asked frantically, "What if she figures out that I'm not good enough and that she can do better? I can't lose her, mom, I can't. She's my everything. What am I suppose to do if she leaves?"
Summer tried to reassure her daughter. "She won't leave Yang. I-"
Yang started rambling again before Summer could finish. "How do you know? She could change her mind or maybe she was just luring me along and now she'll leave me at the alter as the final act of an elaborate plan to-"
A loud crack cut Yang off and everyone leaned towards the phone as they tried to figure out what happened.
Weiss' eyes narrowed as understanding started to dawn on her. "Did Ruby just-?"
"Ruby, did you just-?" Yang echoed from the other side of the line.
"Yang, you need to snap out of it." Ruby scolded. "Weiss loves you. She's loved you for as long as I can remember and I can remember pretty darn far. There is absolutely nothing for you to worry about and you shouldn't, got it?"
"But-"
"No buts!" Ruby shouted. "I am your little sister and everyone knows that little sisters are always right."
Weiss and Winter shared a look and Blake smiled to herself.
"I'm not sure that's something everybody knows." Yang whispered, a hint of a smile in her voice.
"Well they should." Ruby replied in a much softer tone.
"Yeah...they should."
There was another moment of silence before Ruby spoke.
"Better?"
"Yeah. Thanks Rubes."
"Anytime. Now lets redo your make up! You need to be perfect for Weiss!"
"Hell yeah!"
The scroll beeped as the line went dead and Blake slipped it back into her purse.
She turned to Weiss. "Still don't think she loves you?"
Weiss sat still for a moment before she shook her head. "No, I don't. I just..." She looked to her sister as she formed the question, "Why is she afraid that I'll leave her?"
Winter squeezed her sister's hand. "Because she loves you, little snowflake, and she's afraid that she'll lose you. Just like you're afraid you'll lose her. But she won't lose you, will she?"
The fear and confusion in Weiss' eyes was replaced with the stele determination that Winter was more accustomed to.
"No, she won't."
"So-?" Winter started to ask before leaving the question in the air.
Weiss pushed herself out of the chair and started to straighten her dress. "So Blake help me wash this mess off my face and Winter get the kit ready. The two women and nodded but before Blake could leave to get another washcloth Weiss added quickly, "And Blake?"
The Faunus paused at the door and eyed the heiress.
"Thank you for...helping."
Blake's ear flicked and she nodded. "You're welcome." With that she was gone to fetch another wash cloth, leaving Weiss to start removing her make up and Winter to smile to herself.
"She's a good friend, isn't she?" Winter asked.
Weiss paused for a second from washing her face before resuming. "Yes, she is."
"...And if there a there are any here that would have a reason there two women should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Blake scanned the crowd from where she stood, ready to pounce on anyone that even looked like they were going to open their mouth. When no one spoke up, the official continued.
"Then by the power vested in me by the city of Vale, I know pronounce you wife and wife. You may now kiss."
Those gathered cheered as Yang and Weiss kissed. Taiyang was on his feet and clapping in a heartbeat and it didn't take long for everyone else to follow. Ruby was practically bouncing on her feet and Blake couldn't stop herself from smiling. She looked through the crowd and found Winter looking rather smug as she stood next to her father who was, to Blake's surprise, clapping as well. Not as enthusiastically as some of the other guests, but still, Blake hadn't expected it.
Yang and Weiss parted and stood side by side, each with an arm slipped around the others waist and both looking happier than Blake had ever seen them.
"Now that that's done, "the official half-shouted over the clapping and cheering, "Lets move inside for the reception, shall we?"
The was a shout of agreement and everyone started to move into the building that had been rented for the night. Blake was waiting for everyone to move first before she made her own way to the reception area when slender fingers laced through her own.
"I think we did a pretty good job, don't you?"
Blake smiled and squeezed Ruby's hand as a purr started to rumble through her chest. She leaned over a pressed a kiss to Ruby's hair.
"We sure did."
"I just think it's kind of silly." Ruby said as she nibbled on another cookie.
Winter smiled. "It's a time honored tradition."
"But why?" Ruby whined. "It's just elastic and lace. What's so special about it?"
"It brings good luck to the person who catches it," Winter explained, "and it's a symbol of their love for whoever they give it to."
Ruby snorted. "I still think it's stupid."
"In that case, I suppose I should just throw it away."
Ruby spun in her seat to face Blake who was standing behind her with one hand on her hip and the other holding up the garter belt she had caught a minute ago. Ruby's eyes went wide and she started to stammer. "That's not-! I didn't mean-!"
"No, no," Blake sighed as she turned away to hide a smirk. "I understand. I'll just give it to someone else. Maybe Velvet; she is pretty cute..." Blake trailed off as she started to walk away.
Ruby was out of her chair in a heartbeat.
"No!" she shouted as she attempted to take the garter belt from Blake. Blake raised her hand up above their heads, forcing Ruby to stand close on the tips of her toes. Ruby was so focused on getting the garter that she was caught completely off guard when Blake dropped her arms down around her waist and pressed a kiss to her lips. Her mind went blank, her face turned a brilliant shade of read, and she thought she heard someone shout, "Woot! Get her, tiger!"
Blake pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. "Still think it's silly?"
"...And I said 'Weiss, sweetie, it's called a gift. People who like each other exchange them.' And the next thing I know we have dozens of stuffed dragons all over the house and Weiss is inspecting each and every one of them to find the perfect one to give to Yang."
Summer leaned back in her chair and covered her mouth as she laughed. She had to reach up to her eyes to wipe away the tears that were starting to form.
"And when she finally found it she was absolutely adamant that she wrapped it herself and never mind the fact that she had never wrapped anything before in her life. I walked into the room later that evening and she was covered head to toe in glue and sparkles and there was ribbon strewn all over the place. I've never seen her so dirty, Summer, not in all my life. She was adorable; like a little angry snowball."
"I can only imagine." Summer managed between breaths, her cheeks flushed from how much she had been laughing. Winter was in the same state as Summer and it took her few moments before she could drink from her glass. When the two women finally calmed down enough to breath normally they sat in a warm silence, watching as everyone else mingled.
Winter was the first to speak. "They're right for each other, aren't they?"
Summer scanned the crowd and quickly found her daughter sitting at a table with Weiss and a group of their friends. The newly weds sat close together with Weiss leaning against Yang, her head resting on Yang's shoulder. They looked happy together. Truly, genuinely happy, and it warmed Summer's heart to see them.
"They are." She half whispered.
Winter breathed deep and sighed. "I can't imagine anyone more perfect for each other. Well, them and two others."
Summer smiled as she took another sip from her glass. "Neither can I."
"May I cut in?"
Weiss could almost feel every muscle in Yang's body go rigid and she was quick to speak before her wife said something rash.
"Of course, father."
Yang gave her look mixed with worry and concern. Weiss smiled and touched her arm. "Go talk with Ruby, make sure she doesn't eat all the cake."
Yang hesitated for a second before leaving, though she didn't seem to relax any as she left. Weiss turned to her father and mentally prepared herself the next few minutes. He offered his hand and she took it and placed her other on his shoulder while he placed his on small of her back. To any casual observer, it was a picture perfect father daughter dance. To anyone who know where to look, however, the tension was obvious. Their movements were stiff and awkward, the expressions on their faces were perfectly neutral they managed to turn in near perfect circles without moving from the center of the dance floor.
Weiss, of course had, expected this. Whatever reservations that her father may have had about her marriage he would still adhere to tradition. All she had to do was wait for the song to end and she would be able to rejoin Yang at their table. Just. One. Song.
"Weiss."
Had she been as fidgety as Ruby was on a daily basis, Weiss might have jumped at the sound of her father's voice. Instead, she swallowed and made sure to keep emotion out of her words.
"Yes, father?"
"I'm promoting you."
Had Weiss been lesser willed, she might have stumbled. But she wasn't, and she kept her footing and her cool.
"Pardon?"
"You'll be in charge of managing and negotiating contracts will Vale as well as handling the local board of directors."
She thought for a moment. "Is there any particular...reason for this?"
"I need someone strong enough to stand their ground when faced with strong willed individuals, intelligent enough to navigate the complexities of the industries, and confident enough to stand by their decisions regardless of opposition. You have proven that you possess each of these in abundant quantities over the past years and that you are more than capable of handling the job."
Weiss was at true loss of words. Her mind raced to try and catch up with her father's words. She couldn't remember the last time her father had praised her, let alone so highly. For the first time in a long time, she stammered in front of her father.
"I- Thank you father- I mean sir- I mean, ah, when do I start?"
"In the three months, after your honeymoon. Is that agreeable?"
"Yes!" Weiss half-shouted before she quickly reeled in her voice. "I mean: yes sir, it is."
Victor nodded once and stepped back. "Now then, I believe our song is over and I'm certain your wife will injury me if I keep you any longer."
Weiss shot a look to where Yang was sitting and she saw what her father meant. She turned back to face him only to find that he was already walking away. Still a little dazed by the unexpected turn of events, Weiss walk back to her table where Yang was quick to check up on her.
"Are you ok, Weiss? Do I need to beat him to a pulp? What'd he say?"
Weiss looked at Yang like she was seeing her for the first time. "I think he just said he was proud of me."
Weiss had been talking with Blake when she noticed that people were starting to converge at the bar. Normally she would have ignored the commotion, but when the gathering crowd started cheering her curiosity was peaked. After finding the cause, she quickly wished she had never investigated in the first place.
Taiyang caught her attention first. His lilac eyes where burning with a fierce determination as he leaned forward on the table with one arm, his teeth bared in a wicked grin. Directly across from him was her own father, his chin resting in his hand as he studied his opponents with cold and slightly foggy eyes. Summer was to his immediate right; her poise was perfect, her hands were folded in her lap, and a faint smile graced her lips.
Scattered across the table in-between the three were dozens of empty shot glass, most of which were turned upside down while a few laid on their side. A single, filled glass sat in front of each of them, the amber liquid inside them perfectly still.
The silent contest of will being played lasted for several minutes. The onlookers held their breaths as they waited for the first move to be made. Even Weiss couldn't bring herself to put an end to this ridiculous game. Finally, Summer moved.
Slow and deliberate, she reached for her shot glass and brought it to her lips. Her eyes flitted between the two men before she tilted her head back and drank. When she finished, she gently placed the glass upside down on the table and returned her hands to her lap, her faint smile looking a bit more smug than it did a second ago.
Taiyang and Victor looked at one another and nodded in unison. They each reached forward for their own glass, both taking their arms off in the process, and promptly fell faces first on the table. The crowd went wild and Weiss stared at Summer in shock.
Summer glanced at Weiss and winked.
Author's Note:
Howdy and Hello!
So first things first, I am terribly sorry for how long it took for me to get this chapter out. I picked up a second job and between the two and trying to get enough sleep to function, I haven't had a lot of free time to write. That being said, I have no intention of leaving this story incomplete and I will continue writing for as long as you all are willing to stick with me.
On that note, thank you to everyone for your continued reading so far. I greatly appreciate your support and I look forward to finishing this story with each and everyone of you.
Also, huge shout out to IchiFell without who this chapter would have taken a lot longer to get out. As my geologist professor always liked to say, "You, rock!"
So thank you one and all for reading/faving/reviewing, your praises and critiques will one day give me the power needed to rule the world! So feel free to support my world domination and drop a review down below.
Until the next time!
P.S. From now on I'll be adding at the top how much time has pasted between chapters. The drabbles themselves will take place between each of the chapters in the order they happen. Hopefully this will give everyone a better sense of the stories time line.
In response to last drabble's reviews:
kaiju62: Nononononono, they just passed out together. I have far to much shame to try anything raunchier than that.
NarfoOnTheNet: I do try my best.
Line Ark's Last: Yes they do.
hagancameron: Lol, I can most certainly guarantee there will be more bellabooty.
RedWing36: I refer you to the first response.
ExKage: Who wouldn't?
Twilight Rift: Rich like Christmas pudding?
EndlessChains: I'll try!
Gorsouul: Lol, I figured the title would catch someone's eye.
xanothos: Eyyyyy!
AD Lewis: Hmmmm, maybe maybe. Any reason to write about the bellabooty is a good reason.
Whispering Kataclysm: I'm glad I read your first comment first because it made the second one all the funnier.
djjohns94: Lol, I'm really glad you like the story so far. Hopefully I can keep meet your expectations in the future.
Omake:
"Yang, hand me your lighter."
Yang raised an eyebrow but complied with the request and pulled out the lighter she carried incase of emergencies. Weiss took it and pulled out the slip of rolled up paper she kept in her pocket. Without a moments hesitation, she let the paper on fire and dropped it into the trash can.
"Uh, Weiss? Wasn't that our-?"
"Yes."
Yang swallowed thickly and she felt her mouth grow dry. She had to force the next question out of her mouth.
"Then why did-?"
Weiss hugged her before she could finish, the heiress burying her face in Yang's chest and breathing deep. Weiss pulled back after a moment and looked up into lilac eyes fret with worry. She reached up to cup Yang's face and her wife leaned into the touch, her eyes closing in the process.
"Because I don't need it, Yang. "Weiss said softly. "I don't need a piece of paper to know that you love me. To know that your mine and I'm yours. All I need is you to tell me. Please?"
Yang's eyes flashed open. With a gentleness that belied her size and strength, she tilled Weiss' face up to hers and leaned down to press a kiss against her lips. She pulled back and smiled as she wiped away the lone tear that started to roll down the side of Weiss' face.
"I will always love you." She whispered before picking her wife up and carrying her to the bed. "Always and forever."
