Weiss stared out the window. The sky was clear. That didn't seem right to her. It should be stormy or at the very least raining. There was barely even a breeze. Sighing, Weiss wrapped her arms around her knees, sitting on her bed, alone, in her room.
Maybe it was appropriate weather she thought. Wishing for a storm was bit dramatic really. Besides it didn't even fit. She didn't really feel angry or sad. She did just feel kinda empty. Ugh, now she really was being dramatic.
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts from her mind. It was ancient history and every year, Weiss thought she was over it. Then the date would roll around on the calendar and hit her like a freight train, no matter how much she told herself she didn't care.
It was better than last year at least. Last year she had gotten drunk, took something Emerald gave her and given Mercury head in a night club bathroom, not all in that order. The thought of it now made her want to puke. All part of her "fuck you dad" phase.
Yeah, she sure showed him.
Falling back onto her bed, Weiss let herself bounce on her back. Winter was still working and wouldn't be back until late. Only a week until the Vytal festival and then Weiss might have a sister again.
She thumbed over her scroll, not really all that surprised when she saw no messages. It was just a regular Tuesday after all and she hadn't messaged anyone else herself.
It was why she was alone today. Ruby would have been with her in a heartbeat if Weiss had told her what today was. They could lie in bed, Ruby would hold her or Weiss could hold Ruby. It would be up to her.
But it wouldn't be the right way to progress their relationship. She didn't want their first time to be because she was feeling like this. Ruby deserved better than that and Weiss didn't want to make the same mistakes again.
In a way, it wasn't quite fair to Ruby. She hasn't explained her reluctance and Weiss knew her girlfriend wanted to do more with her. Weiss was trying to build it slowly. It was new for both of them. Weiss had never been with a girl and Ruby hadn't really been with anyone.
Weiss sighed as she tried to clear her mind of conscious thought. Why couldn't today just be over already. Why did it affect her so much every year? It was just a regular day.
Except it wasn't a regular day and she knew it. Today was the day her mother had died.
Beep Beep
The sounds of a car horn awoke Weiss from her stupor with a scowl. What the hell was that racket. What were they doing out there?
Beep
Now annoyed, Weiss stood up from her bed angrily. She didn't quite know what she was planning to do. Most of the people in the complex also worked for Atlas and were in similar situations to Winter. Maybe a partner and a child but teenagers causing trouble didn't really happen. Weiss wasn't sure the protocol for getting them to shut up. Should she call the police or-
BEEEEEEEEP
Okay, now Weiss was angry. Sure, it wasn't really all that late but that still didn't give people the right to act like buffoons. Stomping out her room, she grabbed a wet sponge from the kitchen, not really sure what she intended to do with it. Even with the Team RWBY training, Weiss doubted that it would be an effective deterrent.
To mad to really care or to properly notice her scroll was ringing, Weiss threw open the window that overlooked the parking lot and shouted into the night.
"Would you hoodlums shut up and keep the-"
Weiss stopped yelling as she recognised the car and the three occupants. Particularly the brunette hanging out the window and the blonde reaching across to hit the horn. Still in shock, Weiss dumbly pulled out her scroll and held it to her ear.
"Hey Weiss," Blake's calm voice said from the other end of the line. "Are you busy tonight?"
"What- I..."
"Did she call us hoodlums?" Yang voice echoed in the background making Weiss cringe at her own words. "Are we hoodlums?"
"I told you not to beep the horn," Blake said before addressing her again. "Weiss?"
"I- What are you doing here?"
"I was bored."
Weiss felt her eyes narrow in suspicion.
"When you're bored, you read."
"That's what I said," Yang said.
"I have more in my life than books," Blake said, though Weiss wasn't sure who to. "Look do you want to come, or don't you?"
If she was honest, no. Weiss didn't want to do anything but if she said that, they would probably pester her until she went anyway. Yang would probably beep the horn again. And they did almost always make Weiss feel better anyway. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad an idea...
"Let me get ready. I'll be down in twenty minutes."
She hadn't been intending to really leave her home after all. She looked kinda a mess, however Blake didn't seem sympathetic to her plight.
"You have ten."
Half an hour later, she met the others in the parking lot. Blake was glaring at her as she's got into the passenger seat (Yang had been relegated to the back with her sister for bad behaviour).
"What?" Weiss asked.
"You are unbelievable," Blake grumbled.
Pulling the handbrake, the Faunus started to drive out the parking lot. Ruby smiled at her, giving Weiss a hug through the car seat. Weiss squeezed her hand... but only a little.
The radio was playing, what sounded like a faunus radio show judging by the topics. A little serious for Weiss's tastes but she wasn't going to ask to change it for her benefit. Fortunately, when the host started a discussion on the White Fang, Blake changed it herself rather quickly leaving them with much more pleasant light music.
"Anyone hungry?" Yang asked the group. "I feel like burgers. We should get burgers."
Forty minutes and a burger stop later, the four friends were sitting about in Blake's apartment eating their food. Weiss had gone for a chicken wrap much to Yang's annoyance;
"It's a burger joint. Why would you get a wrap?"
Ruby had also insisted she get a milkshake, though Weiss had a sneaking suspicion that this was only so her girlfriend could have two flavours. Still it tasted good so Weiss wasn't going to complain, even though Ruby was constantly stealing her chocolate under the guise of snuggling.
Joining Weiss in the disappointing Yang bus was Blake with her fillet of fish burger;
"At least it's on a bun..."
and now the four of them were eating their various foods and casually talking. Weiss had sent Winter a text explaining where she was though she figured Winter would have worked it out. Still it was the polite thing to do.
"So, Yang, how are things with Coco?" She asked when there was a slight lull in the conversation.
Yang grinned the same goofy grin that she always did whenever she talked about Coco. It was cute but Weiss hoped that she didn't ever look that much like a puppy.
"It's good," the blonde said, almost shyly. "We were doing some modelling earlier. You should see her set up. It's really something. It's kinda sucks I'm not her size so I could to do more."
"It sounds fun," Ruby said. "But you should do it in costumes instead. Oh, and with props. Oh, and weapons!"
Yang laughed even as her sister went off on her own tangent.
"Yeah it was fun. I'll show you the photos once Cocos done with them." Her voice dropped into something a little more gloomy. "She's got a bunch of work she has to do tonight. We were going to hang out but I figured I would just be in the way."
"I'm sure she doesn't think that Yang," Blake said. "You know you are fun to be around."
"When you aren't being obnoxious," Weiss added.
"Or when you aren't making jokes," Ruby chimed in.
"Thanks guys. You sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself."
"Ignore them. They're just jealous they aren't the hot new couple anymore," Blake said earning a glare from Weiss. "And I'm sure that your photos look great. Just make sure you only send us the PG ones."
"They were all PG, thank you very much," Yang grumbled. "I told you Coco likes to take things slow. She only kissed me on the third date."
Yang's blush betrayed her a little and she quickly changed tactics, determined to avoid being teased by Blake any further. Not that Weiss could really blame the Faunus. She was sure that Blake had suffered and uncountable amount of teasing at the hands of Yang in the past. Blake was merely rebalancing the scales now that Yang was in a relationship that warranted teasing and not an intervention.
So, in a move truly fitting the Xiao Long household, Yang changed the subject into something juvenile.
"Hey Blake, I'll give you ten bucks if you eat the rest of the sauces?"
Weiss wrinkled her nose in disgust as she looked at the pile of extra sauces that they had gotten from the burger place. Tomato, Mayo, barbecue and even a cheese sachet that Ruby had warned her not to go near. Six packets in total, a truly repulsive prospect and judging from Blake's reaction, she agreed.
"No Yang. You are not paying me 10 bucks to vomit."
"Come on it'll be funny," Yang said. Seeing her friend was having none of it the blonde changed tactics. "Ruby?"
"Not ever," Ruby said with a gag. "That's so gross."
"You both are such babies. It's free money." Yang's eyes moved over to Weiss though there didn't seem to be much hope there. "Weiss, you wanna make em look bad."
No, she did not. Weiss didn't even like sauce on her food, let alone drinking it straight from the source. Just the thought of eating that rancid mixture was enough to make her stomach curl in protest.
"I'll do it for 30."
Weiss blinked as she heard her mouth say the words. She hadn't meant to say that. Why did she say that? The other three girls were as shocked as she was but Yang's shock quickly wore off.
"Really? I mean..." Yang put on her best poker face. "I'll give you 15."
Weiss considered it, thorough she didn't know why. This was a terrible idea and was sure to be an awful experience not nearly worth 30 lien. Really this was a no brainer.
"25."
Okay now she had no idea what her brain was doing. Yang frowned slightly as she took out her purse. Emptying the contents onto the floor she did a quick count.
"Okay I have on me, 21.73 Lien and a coupon for a free muffin if you buy two more coffees." She adopted a serious game show voices. "Weiss Schnee, is that enough for you to take on the Condiment Concoction?"
"Why am I not surprised you have a name already?" Blake asked, before turning to Weiss. "If you throw up on my floor, you're cleaning it."
"I am not going to throw up Blake," Weiss scoffed deciding this had gone on far enough. "Because I will not be... that weak."
Yang let out a whoop of glee and Ruby just shook her head with a smile. Weiss sighed internally to herself. She made bad decisions around her friends. Taking the sachets from Yang, she grimaced and opened them.
Five minutes later, Weiss was washing her mouth under the kitchen sink, clutching her winnings in one hand and trying not to throw up. Yang and Ruby were wrestling in the lounge since Ruby now blamed Yang for Weiss's state.
"Without your hair, you are weak!"
"Get off me Rubes."
Blake had left the two sisters too it, standing next to Weiss to make sure she was okay. Occasionally Weiss would let out a groan and receive a pat on the back for her troubles.
"Uhh," Weiss groaned, still tasting the mustard. "Why did I do that?"
"I have no idea," Blake replied. "But you got a coupon out of it. That's something."
Groaning again, Weiss spat out some more water, tasted a little tomato and gagged a little. She could hear Blake chuckle at that then heard a yelp coming from Ruby and a laugh from her sister.
"What are they doing?"
Blake titled her head to get a better angle before relaying the scene.
"It looks like Ruby is winning."
There was a thump, a triumphant sound from Yang and some girlish shrieks from Ruby.
"Now Yang is tickling her."
Another thump and Rubys giggles.
"Now Ruby is trying to give Yang a wedgie."
There was a high pitch squeal from the blonde and Ruby laughed again.
"What a bunch of dolts," Weiss muttered. Secretly though, she was rooting for Ruby.
Weiss turned off the tap convinced she wasn't going to vomit now most of the taste was gone. She looked up in time to see Blake wince at Yang's defeat before turning back to Weiss.
"What? You and your sister never do anything like that?"
The heiress laughed even though she knew Blake was joking.
"What do you think? My parents would never allow us to get anywhere close to that."
"Right, they had to give you a rundown on pranks, didn't they?"
"Just because I was raised in a civilised manner," Weiss said defensively. "Besides, when we set my mind to it, we Schnees can be quite the practical jokers."
Blake didn't even try to humour her.
"Oh really? What did you do, hide your sisters pony? Put gold crumbs in her bed?"
"You know sarcasm has its limits Blake?"
"Haven't found it yet," Blake said. "But okay, miss Quin, what do you do to torment your sister?"
Weiss hesitated slightly, unwilling to divulge the rather childish prank war the two sisters had engaged in after her friends had shown Weiss the ropes. It was embarrassing and rather unbecoming of a Schnee. Though perhaps today of all days, that was as good a reason as any to tell her.
"Well if you must know," Weiss glanced over to see the two sisters were still out of earshot. "But you can't tell the others..." She lowered her voice. "It started small enough, I used the sink when she was in the shower."
Blake snorted.
"Classic but tame. Sun does that to me all the time."
"Well after Winter retaliated by putting mentos in my drink."
"Now see that's imaginative."
"This escalated recently until I put chilli powder in her tea."
"Now that's copying Ruby."
"Well perhaps it was appropriate that Ruby was there for Winters next attempt. She hid a giant toy spider in my wardrobe. "
Weiss shot Blake a dirty look as the Faunus bit her hand trying to stop herself laughing.
"Whose side are you on?"
"I don't know, your sister is kinda sounding like a badass. I can imagine you squealing." Blake held up her hands in a shrill imitation of Weiss. "Oh, Ruby save me from the giant spider."
Weiss was about to object before hearing Ruby shout from the other room.
"Did you say someone Blake? I couldn't hear you over the sound of me kicking Yang's butt."
Smirking back at Weiss, Blake called back, a little louder than usual to be heard over Yang's uncomfortable noises. Clearly Ruby was still winning their sibling rivalry.
"Don't worry about it Ruby. Just talking with your girlfriend." Blake turned back to Weiss. "So, did your sister win your little war then? So far it seems you've always been on the back foot."
"No actually. The last time she did washing I snuck one of Rubys socks in with it. I dare say that Winter was rather mortified when all her work shirts were a shade pinker than usual." Weiss giggled. "I do wonder how long it took for her to take off her jacket that day."
Blake shook her head but there was an amused grin on her face all the same.
"Okay I will admit that one was rather good."
"I'm glad I finally got your approval. You should be careful Belladonna, I may turn my devious mind to you next."
"I'm quaking in my boots."
They both laughed at that, leaning backwards on the kitchen counters. Then suddenly without warning, Weiss remembered what day it was but for first time in a long time, it didn't seem to hurt so much.
"You know," Weiss said softly. "I think I really needed this."
"Needed what?"
"Just this. Hanging out. Not thinking. Doing childish things... it's simple."
Blake gave her a small smile and for a moment Weiss wondered if Blake knew what this day meant for her. It was certainty possible, Blake had always known more about her than the others. Blake rarely organised plans for the group, normally content to have nights to herself. Was this Blake's way of helping her?
If it was, Weiss would never know. Weiss would never ask and Blake would never admit it even if she did. It was just the way they were but still Weiss found herself resisting the urge to hug her.
And then, Weiss decided on today of all days, that she didn't want to resist. So, she didn't, stepping forward and hugging her friend. Blake seemed to freeze up for a moment and even when Weiss felt her slacken, Blake never truly relaxed.
"Hey," Ruby said. "Trying to steal my girlfriend Blake. How could you?"
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," Blake dead panned. "It's true. Weiss and I are lovers."
Ruby pouted, dramatically raising her arms in the air in an attempt to look forlorn. Rolling her eyes at their antics, Weiss let go of Blake and hugged her girlfriend instead. Immediately, Ruby stopped pouting and pecked Weiss on the lips.
"Gross," Yang said, joining them. She still looked a little frazzled from her and Rubys tussle and was currently trying to fix her underwear. "Geez Rubes that hurts like a bitch."
"Consider it payback for all the ones you gave me," Ruby said with a grin. "And for almost making Weiss throw up."
"I'm your big sister, I practically have to wedgie you. And I didn't make Weiss do anything. It was pretty baller though."
"I'm glad I could impress you," Weiss said. "Sorry you got your ass kicked because of me."
"She hardly kicked my ass. Besides I was holding back."
"Yang you screamed," Blake said. "It was brutal. I almost went to help."
"Aww Blake. I didn't know you cared."
"I said almost."
"Too late," Yang said in a sing song voice. "Blake cares about me. Blake cares about me."
As she watched the two girls argue, Weiss continued to hold onto her girlfriend, slowly swaying from side to side. Nothing the motion, Ruby frowned at her, clearly concerned.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes Ruby, because of all of you, I think I am."
Meanwhile across town
Winter Schnee walked into a bar. Not something she would usually do but today wasn't exactly a normal day. It was strange. She had accepted and mourned her mother's death a long time ago, but having Weiss in her life again had awoken the memories she thought she had long put to bed.
She had wanted to see Weiss when she finished worked but by the time she got home, Weiss had gone out, leaving a note that explained she was at her friends. Winter was glad that her sister wasn't alone but unfortunately that did leave her alone. She didn't think that it would bother her but after finishing her dinner of microwaved pasta, Winter had grabbed her coat and left.
The bar itself was fairly empty but that was only a good thing. Winter didn't really want to talk to anyone, she just wanted people around. The barman smiled as she approached.
"Evenin, don't think I've seen you here before."
"First visit."
"Well then let's make it a good one," he replied, picking up on the fact she wasn't here to talk. "What can I get ya?"
Winter paused for a moment not quite sure what to order. She had always been fond of vodka, but only if it was good vodka, not to sound snobby. Her brief pause however gave rise to a familiar voice behind her.
"For Winter Schnee? You should break out your finest wine."
Internally Winter let out a groan turning around to find Qrow Branwen staring at her, a cocky smirk on his smug face. Her mood soured she suddenly didn't care so much about the quality of the liquor.
"Vodka straight up," she said, trying to remain polite. "Good evening Qrow, I'm surprised to see you here."
"Oh really? Why's that?"
"I took you for someone who goes to dive bars."
Qrow laughed, just adding to her irritation. The barman sighed,
"Ooo, cold Ice Queen. And here I am trying to have a friendly conversation with a co-worker."
"I didn't come here to talk Qrow."
"A girl after my own heart."
"Leave me alone Qrow. I have to put up with you at work, I don't have to put up with you here."
"True but you also don't have any way to get rid of me," he said smugly. "Seriously what's up with you tonight. You're even more of a stick in the mud than usual. You've been acting weird all day. What's wrong?"
"Why do you care?"
"Who said I cared," he countered. "I might just be curious what can upset-"
"My mother died."
Qrow stopped talking at her sudden words, shutting his mouth mid-sentence. For a moment, they just stared at each other, as Winter waited for the retort from his barbed tongue.
Instead he just stood up and started to walk away.
"Sorry for your loss," he muttered.
Frowning in confusion, Winter whirled around in her seat to face the back of his head.
"That's it?"
"That's it. Family's off limits," he turned back with a small smile. "If you get tired of vodka, ask for the top shelf. That's where they keep the good stuff."
With that he turned away and headed towards some booths at the other end of the bar, leaving Winter alone. Just like she wanted... Shaking her head, she turned back to her glass running her fingers around the rim before knocking it back.
The cold liquor burned at her throat, marking it as a less than stellar brand. Still she downed it in one. Grimacing, she held the glass in her hand before looking back towards where Qrow sat, also drinking alone.
With a sigh of regret, she was already feeling, Winter signalled the barman.
With a clink of the two glasses in her hands, Winter sat down in the seat opposite from Qrow. Her co-worker blinked, surprised to see her. Enjoying the look on his face, Winter poured the bottle she had brought into both glasses before sliding one across to the him.
"What's this?"
"The top shelf."
"I can see that, why are you sitting here? You don't like me."
"And you don't like me, if I had to guess. But you're distracting and I don't want to drink alone. So tonight, we're going to drink, talk and tomorrow, we'll probably both never mention this again. Now drink."
Not waiting for a reply, Winter downed her drink, this time the burn was a lot stronger and she coughed, losing her cool demeanour to the liquor she wasn't used to. Surprise gone, Qrow laughed.
"Not used to whiskey Win?"
"How do you drink this?"
"Do it every day and you get used to it. You even learn to like it." He took a drink of his own, grimacing slightly as he finished. "For the most part."
Rolling her eyes, Winter poured them both another before raising her glass slightly. Qrow mirrored the gesture as she spoke her toast.
"To family."
"To family."
Clink.
