I don't own RWBY

Whitefang: Are you that angry? You'd straight up avoid me because of an argument?

Weiss stared at the message, unsure of how to respond. She heard cars rushing along the busy road, as she leaned against the concrete foundation.

Myrtenaster: I thought you didn't want me around.

Whitefang: It was a fight. I still wish you'd let me in. I'm still upset, I won't lie. But I didn't let down my guard and trust you so that we could just ignore each other after one argument. I'd really rather talk about this in person, can we talk?

Weiss sighed, knowing that Blake would ask questions if she showed up with her backpack.

Myrtenaster: Sure, give me a bit. I have to get my father to agree.

Weiss stood and began searching for a place to stash her goods until she returned, knowing they were now essential to her being.

"Are you really okay with seeing me again?" Weiss asked, unable to look up and meet her eyes. The two of them sat on a park bench, crunchy grass under their feet, frozen and covered in a light layer of snow. Blake had shown up in a pea-coat, and sat looking directly at Weiss.

"Weiss, I'm going to be brutally honest. I'm angry. I care about you deeply, and you've clearly had something big going on that's hurt you. You told me about so much before now, you let me be here for you. But something changed. I'm scared. I don't trust easily, I don't make friends easily. And now that I've let you in, I'm scared to lose you. I'm scared that something really bad is happening to you. And I don't know what. And that's not okay. If there was anything like that happening with me, you know for a fact that I'd tell you in a heartbeat. That's not easy for me to be willing to do, so the fact that you can't do the same for me hurts. I don't want you gone. Of course I'm okay with seeing you again. But I need to know what's going on, because it scares me. I've been worried out of my mind, Weiss."

"Blake, I've been open with you about a lot. You said it yourself. That wasn't easy for me. Some of the things I've told you about, I haven't been able to share with anyone else, ever. So if I could talk about what's going on with me, I would. But I can't. Not won't. Can't. It's not my choice," Weiss insisted.

"Why can't you?" Blake asked.

"Because," Weiss said. "I need to deal with it myself and I know for a fact that you would try to help me."

"Of course I would. You're my best friend," Blake said.

"I'm not going to do that to you. It would be too much," Weiss said.

"Weiss, I've been trying to get you to understand," Blake said, frustration rising in her throat. "You're not a burden. You aren't. I choose to be around you. You're not a responsibility. You're not a burden. You're my friend."

"Blake," Weiss sighed. "I would be a burden if I let you help me with this. I need you to trust me on that."

"How can I trust you on that if I don't know what's going on?" Blake asked.

"Because that's what trust is," Weiss interjected. "Trust means that you don't know that it will work out. That's what the word means."

"I..." Blake said, stopping to consider Weiss' words. "I guess you're right."

"You're an amazing friend, Blake," Weiss said. "And I really don't want to lose you. Honestly, you're the only person I actually feel like I can trust. And that's why I can't even consider the possibility of putting this on you."

"Then I'll trust you," Blake said. "But that goes both ways. I need you to get through whatever it is. That's what I'm trusting. I'm trusting that you'll be okay. And if you aren't, if something happens, that will betray that trust. So I need to ask. Can I trust you? And please, think about it before you answer."

Weiss thought it over for several seconds, knowing she would have to say what Blake needed to hear, but at the same time, resenting the idea of lying to her further.

"You can trust me, Blake," Weiss said. "And I'm sorry about all of the things I said to you on friday. I can't tell you what's going on, but I should have been understanding."

"I'm sorry too," Blake said. "I really want us to be okay."

"Me too," Weiss said, looking into Blake's eyes. "I was worried you hated me."

"Weiss," Blake said. "I could never hate you."

Blake pulled Weiss into a hug, and Weiss felt her defenses crack.

"Blake, I'm scared," Weiss said. "It's bad. It's really bad."

Blake pulled Weiss in closer.

"What can I do, Weiss?" Blake asked, her voice gentle, but also desperate.

"I don't know," Weiss said, tears flowing from her eyes. "I don't know. I'm so scared, Blake."

"It's going to be okay," Blake whispered. Weiss knew her mental walls had crumbled, and if Blake asked her what was going on again, she would spill everything. She let herself release everything that had been bottled up, falling to pieces in Blake's arms. She wailed, trembling violently against Blake's shoulder.

"I don't know what to do," Weiss whimpered. "Everything's gotten so bad."

"Weiss?" Blake whispered. "How bad is it? Are you in danger?"

"Danger of what?" Weiss asked.

"Is your life in danger?" Blake asked. Weiss slowly nodded. Blake's grip on her tightened. "I really wish I could help."

"I really wish I could let you," Weiss said. "I really wish I could."

"Weiss... I don't know how to be okay with this," Blake said. "I can't lose you."

"Why?" Weiss asked. "You're always having to help me, wouldn't you be better off?"

"Of course not!" Blake said, startled. "Weiss, don't you realize what you've done for me? I was lonely before you. All I had was activism. I drowned myself in it, headfirst. I didn't have anyone. I couldn't tell anyone about my close secrets. But I've been open with you. You've been through so much and you chose me as the person to be closest to, I'm the one you chose to be your partner through all of the pain."

Weiss felt realization strike her.

"That's why you got so upset," Weiss said.

"I thought we'd always go through everything together, best friends no matter what," Blake said.

Weiss lay in Blake's arms, at war with herself on what to do.

"Blake?" Weiss asked, her lip trembling. "I... don't live with my father anymore."

"What?" Blake asked, eyes going wide.

"About a week ago, the day I came out at school. He saw my makeup, and we got into a fight. A really bad one. And he told me no more. So I told him I'd rather live on the streets than in his house anymore."

"No..." Blake said, and Weiss heard her heartbeat speed up against her.

"For the past week, I've been homeless. And I'm terrified. It's been getting really cold out, and I've had to steal food. I've had to steal clothes. I've been kicked out of a spot I thought was safe for me, and I've been sleeping with only a sleeping bag to keep me warm. That's why my father isn't paying for my food anymore. That's why I've been showering at school. That's why I've been such a nervous wreck. That's why I haven't been able to shave regularly, and had to turn Neon down for makeup help. I don't like any of it but I won't be a burden, and I know you'd try to have me stay at your place, but I won't. I refuse to be a burden. I won't take up your food, and space, and resources. I won't do it," Weiss insisted.

"Weiss," Blake fought through tears, her breath unstable. "I wish you'd told me. You poor girl."

"I knew you'd try to help," Weiss shivered. "I won't accept it."

"But you could be sleeping somewhere warm," Blake said.

"Your family is already struggling financially," Weiss said.

"So what?" Blake asked. "They'd happily help you."

"No," Weiss insisted. "I'm not worth that."

"Yes, you are!" Blake retorted, her voice fierce and adamant.

"The answer is no, and it's not changing," Weiss said.

"But you're not safe out here," Blake said. "What if something happens?"

"I've made it this far, haven't I?" Weiss asked. "I told you what was going on. Please, don't fight me on this. I'm exhausted, I don't have the energy to fight."

"Will you at least come over for a few hours, we can hang out in my room. You wouldn't be a burden at all, it'll be warm, I can make us some hot cocoa, and get you some real food for once," Blake asked.

"Blake, I can't do that. I told you, I won't use your resources," Weiss stated firmly.

"It'll be something cheap, okay?" Blake pleaded. "Please, Weiss. If you really insist on staying on the streets then fine, as much as I wish I could save you from that, I can't force you. But please meet me halfway and come inside for a little bit. You need a break."

"Blake," Weiss began.

"Weiss, please," Blake begged, her eyes wide. Weiss felt her heart warm from Blake's determination. Even after everything, Blake still cared enough to take away her pain.

"Okay," Weiss said quietly, not an ounce of fight left in her.

"Thank you," Blake said.

Weiss looked at Blake's house for the first time, taking it in. It was a duplex, similar to Mercury's in terms of size, but much better kept. The lawn was tidy and well mowed, and unlike Mercury's, the garbage bin didn't look to be overflowing. Blake stepped up and opened the main door, and rushed Weiss in.

"Blake?" a voice called from the living room, and Blake turned towards the source.

"Hey, mom. Umm... I have a friend with me," she said. Weiss heard a gasp from the living room.

"Who is it?" her mom asked, excited.

"Weiss," Blake said. "Please, don't overwhelm her, she's had a difficult time."

Blake's mother stepped around into view, wearing a grey blouse and a pair of slacks, her hair on the shorter side.

"Hello," Weiss said, suddenly hoping her eyes had dried fully from a few minutes prior.

"Hello, dear," Kali smiled. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, Blake's spoken so fondly of you!"

"Mom," Blake growled.

"Which do you prefer, tea? Coffee?" Kali asked as she stepped towards the kitchen.

"Please, it's fine," Weiss objected.

"I'm afraid I insist," Kali said. "I haven't been inhospitable before and I won't be starting now!"

"You might as well play along," Blake said. "She's persistent."

"Then, could I have a small coffee, please?" Weiss asked.

"Absolutely!" Kali beamed.

"Please tell me dad's not home," Blake sighed.

"He's out at the moment, work offered him some overtime," Kali said.

"Thank god," Blake said. "The last thing you need is getting swarmed by both of my parents. Let's head to my room."

"Hang on," Kali said. "I'd like to get to know your friend."

"Mom," Blake hissed.

"It's exciting," Kali said.

"She's got enough on her plate right now, mom," Blake said.

"It's okay," Weiss said.

"Fine," Blake said. She turned to her mother. "But she doesn't need anything bad getting brought up. No questions about her family, or her gender identity, okay?"

"Relax, Blake," Kali chuckled. "I'm not interrogating the girl."

Blake rolled her eyes, sitting down on the couch.

"Could've fooled me," Blake said.

"So, Weiss," Kali began. "I'll start with an important question. How do you like your coffee?"

"Two tablespoons of creamer," Weiss said, awkwardly, then adding on "Please."

"Hey, Weiss?" Blake interjected. "Yang and Ruby have been wondering about you, since you didn't show up yesterday. They were also wanting to hang out. Would you be alright with that?"

"Yes," Weiss said.

"Mom," Blake said, turning to Kali. "Could I have a few more friends over?"

Kali looked as if she could have taken flight into the air.

"How many?" she asked, eagerly.

"Two more, I've told you about Yang and Ruby," she said.

"Absolutely," she said. "What do they drink?"

"Nothing you'd be able to make, unless you happen to have the formula for monster energy in the kitchen," Blake said. "Can you please calm down a little, though?"

"Am I embarrassing you?" Kali smirked.

"Yes!" Blake said, exasperated. "Mom, you wanted me to have friends, now that I have them, please don't scare them off."

Kali rolled her eyes.

"I'm your mother, Blake. I exist to embarrass you," Kali said. Blake groaned, putting her palm on her face.

"Maybe I didn't hear that right," Yang said, incredulously. Blake sat on her bed, leaning against a pillow propped against the wall. Ruby had been sitting criss-cross by Blake's dresser, and Weiss had been sitting in the gaming chair at the desk. Yang stood against a wall, arms crossed. "So please, run it by me again. You're what?"

"I'm homeless," Weiss said.

"Weiss," Ruby said, worried.

"What the hell, Weiss?" Yang snapped. "You never thought that maybe you should tell us you've been living under a bridge?"

"I-"

"Does anyone else know?" Yang asked.

Weiss shifted uncomfortably.

"Illia does," she said. "So do Emerald and Mercury."

"Wait," Blake said. "Illia knew?"

"She figured it out almost immediately," Weiss said. Blake grabbed her phone, angrily.

"And she kept it a secret from me?" Blake asked.

"Because I asked her to," Weiss said. "If you're going to be angry, be angry at me."

"And Emerald and Mercury knew too?" Yang scoffed.

"They also figured it out. It was the day I went to help Mercury clean," Weiss said.

"At this rate I feel like we were just about the only people that didn't know," Yang said. "Why the hell wouldn't you tell us that? What's wrong with you?"

Weiss recoiled, shrinking back in her seat.

"Yang," Ruby said, standing. "Weiss isn't the bad guy here. She's the victim. And right now she needs friends comforting her, not people yelling at her."

Yang turned away, focusing on her breathing.

"Weiss," Ruby continued, stepping over to her. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," Weiss said.

"What can we do to help?" Ruby asked.

"Ruby... I appreciate the thought, I really do, but this is why I kept it a secret. I don't want you all to help me, you've already done so much. I don't want to be a burden, I don't want to cost you," Weiss said.

"But... we're friends," Ruby said. "Friends help each other."

"Weiss," Yang interjected. She still seemed angry, but she had calmed down significantly. "What exactly happened?"

"I came out at school. I had the makeup on. So when I came home, and father saw it, he told me I needed to stop being trans. He just wanted me to change, on the spot. I couldn't take it anymore. I left. I told him I'd rather make it on my own, and he told me to go ahead and do it. So I guess I half ran away, half got kicked out," Weiss said.

"I'm sorry your dad's such a dick," Yang said. "Look. You can't keep living on the streets."

"No," Weiss objected. "Yang, please. I can't accept help like that."

"Weiss," Yang said. "It's not a choice."

"It is, there's always a choice," Weiss protested.

"You will freeze to death out there," Yang said.

"I have a wind up heater, it was given to me by a generous old lady," Weiss said.

"Then you'll starve. Or someone will pick a fight with you. Or you'll get caught by the elements. You're not safe out there. You're small. You're not intimidating. You won't last very long," Yang said. "I know a lot of people who've been homeless, and they've told me stories of what it's like. You won't make it without help."

"Yang," Weiss said.

"This isn't a debate," Yang insisted. "I'm going to talk to my dad. We have a couch, and plenty of food."

"No," Weiss said.

"Not to mention, Ruby's been needing someone to play video games with that she can actually beat, I'm too good," Yang added, winking in an attempt to counter the tense mood.

"I can't," Weiss said.

"We can have you ready to move in as soon as I get the official go ahead from dad, and knowing him, it won't be hard. He's always been big on helping out everyone in need. He even volunteers at shelters when he can," Yang said.

"I'm not going to sit there, draining your power, food, and space! That's all money," Weiss said.

"Then get a part time job," Yang said, determined. "Hell, I can practically guarantee you a spot at Jamba. If you're that concerned about using up money, then we'll work out some sort of a rent plan. But you're not going to freeze on the streets."

"Yang," Weiss tried again to protest.

"This isn't a debate," Yang firmly stated. "If I'd known what was really going on, I'd already have gotten you a couch to stay on."

"But-"

"Weiss," Blake said. "Please. Like she said, you're not a burden if you're paying to be there. None of us are okay with you sleeping on the streets."

Weiss looked between the three of them. Ruby had been staring, doe eyed, a childlike look of worry on her face. Yang on the other hand was staring Weiss down, practically daring her to try to argue again. Blake was the hardest for Weiss to see, however, as she just looked... desperate. She looked scared.

"You aren't a burden, Weiss. I know that if you could, you'd do the same for one of us in a heartbeat," Yang said.

"Please, just let us help," Ruby said. Yang pulled out her phone and stepped back.

"Weiss, I know you want to let us help," Blake said. "I know you don't want to keep living out there. We know each other's secrets, remember? When Winter bought you all of those clothes, and the makeup, you didn't want to let her help you, but how did it feel when she did help you?"

"Honestly... it felt amazing. But this is different," Weiss said. "I don't want to cause any trouble."

"How would you cause trouble?" Blake asked.

"Using up resou-" Weiss began.

"Like Yang said," Blake insisted. "There's a solution for that. So tell me, Weiss. Are you refusing help because you feel like you'll be a burden, or because you feel like you don't deserve it?"

Weiss reeled, feeling the truth torn exposed.

"I..."

"You accepted your sister's help," Ruby said. "You accepted that old lady's help. You can take the help."

"I shouldn't have accepted their help," Weiss said. "Winter should have saved the money, and Maria, the old lady, should've given it to someone who deserved it more."

"But you let them help," Ruby said.

"I..." Weiss said.

"You can't keep this up, Weiss," Blake said. "You know deep down that you need help. You came to me, finally, after everything. I know you feel like you don't deserve it, but you do. I know you feel guilty for who you were forced to be. But that isn't you. You're Weiss Schnee. You've always fought to fix your mistakes. None of us think you're a burden. Yang's not giving you a chance to waste their money. She's giving you a chance to get on your feet again. A chance to get a job and a place to live, these are stepping stools to getting out of the hole your father put you in. If you really feel that she's making a sacrifice for you then help her out when she needs it, too."

"Let us help you, Weiss," Ruby said.

"I just confirmed it with dad," Yang said. "He's all for the plan. Honestly, if you helped me out at Jamba, you'd not only be helping dad with bills, but helping me with one of the most boring jobs out there. I'd love to have you there with me, and I'm the assistant manager, so I can make sure we have the same shifts so we can carpool. You'd be making it easier for all of us."

Weiss felt frozen in place.

"Okay," she said, slowly. "If you're really sure that I won't be a burden, then I'll accept your help. And I'll start at Jamba Juice as soon as I can."

Blake smiled, letting out a sigh of relief.

"You're the most difficult person," Yang said, sitting on the floor. "Ever. Of all time."

Weiss looked down at her bag of supplies Maria had generously given her, as Yang drove her across town.

"I only ended up using it for one night," Weiss said. "She should have given it to someone who needed it more."

"If it matters that much to you, then let's go through an area of town where there's a higher amount of homeless people and pass it on," Yang suggested. Weiss nodded.

"I'd like that very much," Weiss said. "Thank you, Yang."

Yang nodded, turning the car to the new route. It didn't take long before they found a woman standing by a store, holding a cardboard sign. Yang pulled into the parking lot, and drove up close to the corner. Weiss grabbed the bag and stepped out.

"Excuse me," Weiss said. The woman turned around, and Weiss saw her face covered in dirt, and how tired she looked. "I don't have money, but I have some supplies that might be able to help you."

"Anything helps," the woman said, stepping over to her. Weiss handed her the bag of food.

"These were given to me yesterday, and I don't need them anymore. I also have this," Weiss said, grabbing the heat lamp and holding it out. "It's rechargeable, and it can be wound if you don't have batteries. It'll keep you warm."

"Thank you," she said, looking at the bag and lamp, eyes wide. "Thank you so much."

"I'm just passing along the kindness," Weiss said. "I'm sorry I don't have money to go with it."

"This is plenty," she said, looking through the backpack. "This will feed my son for weeks. Thank you."

Weiss nodded.

"Stay safe," Weiss said. "I hope things get easier for you."

Afterwards, Weiss returned to Yang's car, and Yang smiled.

"You know you probably just made a huge impact on her," Yang said, as they watched the woman hurriedly put away the sign and walk off.

"None of it was meant for me," Weiss said. "I didn't need it. I couldn't just let it sit there, when people could be using it."

"Let's get you settled in now," Yang said. "And Weiss, if you ever pull something like that again and don't tell me, we're gonna have a big talk. You're one of my friends, and I'm not going to let you freeze on the side of the road."

"Thank you," Weiss said. Yang pulled back onto the street and drove off towards her house.

Weiss followed Yang through the front door of the Xiao Long residence. Making sure to stomp off the snow from her shoes, she stepped in and took in the house for the second time.

Taiyang and Ruby were sitting on the couch, Ruby holding a playstation controller, and Taiyang holding a Coca Cola bottle in one hand and his phone in the other, scrolling through social media. The house was slightly messy, with Ruby's jackets strewn about. Zwei, the family Corgi, hurried to the door to look up at the new arrival.

"Oh, come on! I can't move the payload alone!" Ruby yelled, leaning forward. "What is our Reinhardt even doing? I haven't seen him since the match start!"

"Zwei, calm down," Yang said, picking him up. Zwei looked eagerly to Weiss, wriggling in Yang's arms.

"Weiss," Taiyang said, looking up. "I'm sorry to hear what happened."

"It's fine," Weiss said, looking away. "I appreciate your hospitality greatly. I'll not be long."

"Nonsense," Taiyang said. "You're still a teenager. You're not supposed to be out on your own yet."

"Weiss," Ruby said. "You need to play at some point."

"I doubt Overwatch is her type of game, Ruby," Yang sighed, struggling to keep her hold on Zwei. "Okay, fine," she snapped, and set him back down.

"Come on, I never have anyone to play with!" Ruby said. "You never play anymore."

"That's because I'm tired of going over to a friend's house just to join. They really should have made it splitscreen," Yang said.

Taiyang stood up and stepped over to Weiss.

"They'll be on the topic of games for a while, I know my daughters. I'll show you around," he said. "I hope the couch is alright. I'm sorry I don't have a guest bedroom for you to stay in."

"The couch is plenty," Weiss objected. "Thank you."

"I cook breakfasts and dinners almost every day, so food won't be an issue," Taiyang said. "The bathroom's down this way. I have disposable razors, feel free to use them. I'll get a towel picked out for you for the shower, too. As far as storage goes, there's a closet we never use, right here in the hallway, so it's yours."

"That won't be necessary," Weiss urgently objected. "Giving me a place to stay is plenty, please don't exert yourself."

"I'm not," Taiyang said. He sighed and leaned against the wall of the hallway. "I've seen a lot of people go through a lot. Life can turn on you so quickly, you'd never see it coming. In a matter of seconds, everything you thought you knew can be just thrown to the wind. I like to think that the best counter to that is helping each other out. After all, a lot of the problems in the world come from people being unwilling to be kind to one another. What better way is there to prevent that?"

"I understand, it's just... I don't want to make things hard around here, or-"

"Believe me. You aren't. I'm not exactly struggling financially. Luck is on my side, and I have no issue with using it for the right thing. I meant it when I said it's no trouble," Taiyang said.

Weiss frowned, looking down.

"Alright," she said. "I am planning on paying a rent once I have a job."

Taiyang scoffed, waving her off.

"No way. I don't make my daughters pay rent to live here, and you're not going to be paying either," he said.

"But I'm using up food, power, water..." Weiss began.

"I'm a father to two teenage girls, Weiss. I can handle the lifestyle of a few teenagers," he insisted. "So do yourself a favor, and let us help you. If you wanna go for a job, absolutely. I'd recommend that as a great way to get on your feet. But the money you make is yours. Not anyone else's. Save it for when you wanna get your own place, or for other things."

Weiss looked to Taiyang in befuddlement.

"Why are you so willing to help me? I never did anything amazing for you?" Weiss asked.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Taiyang smiled. "Now, please, relax and let yourself have a win for once. You've earned it."

Weiss furled her eyebrows, confused. She and Taiyang returned to the living room, and she took a seat by her new roommates.

"Hey, Weiss," Ruby said. "We're switching over to minecraft. You want in?"

"Umm..." Weiss began, hesitantly.

"No pressure," Yang said. "You can say no if you want. It's just silly fun, nothing too stressful."

"I'd rather watch you two play for now, if that's alright," Weiss said. "It's just... I'm getting used to a lot."

"If you ever do wanna join, by all means," Yang said. "All you need to do is ask."

So I was most of the way through this chapter when I got hit with the worst writer's block of all time, and I apologize. I know it's been a wait, and I know it wasn't my largest chapter. I'm going to try to write more often. Anyways, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed for their time, each and every single review warms my heart to read. I'm glad everyone's been happy with the story so far, and I hope it continues to satisfy in the future. I'm going to start writing chapter 20, and hopefully it'll be out within a few days.