Sorry this chapter's shorter, hopefully it's still really enjoyable!
Just a heads up, this chapter makes several references towards sexual intimacy.
I don't own RWBY
"Sorry I wasn't too much help," Ruby said, as they hurried through the freezing streets. Light snowfall obscured their vision, and Weiss' nose and ears burned against the frigid air, and her eyes felt dry and irritated. "Normally, I do whatever I can to help those in need, but in this case I felt like you knew more about the situation."
"I don't hold it against you, Ruby. Besides, you got the nurse faster than anyone else could've," Weiss said.
"I thought you weren't really all there during that," Ruby said.
"Blake told me when we were in the nurse's office, about how you sprinted through the halls to grab her," Weiss said. "They said the library, right?"
"Yeah, right up this way, we're almost there," Ruby said, pointing down the street to a small library building.
"Thank goodness," Weiss shivered. The two of them quickened the pace, hurrying up to the doors and stepping in.
"Warm air," Ruby said, relieved. "I forgot how much the gods of fire blessed us."
"You are such a dork," Weiss chuckled. "I see them, this way."
They sat down at a table, Henry's cousin also sitting there.
"I'm really sorry," They said, upon Weiss sitting down. They winced at Weiss' black eye, which was bruised and painful.
"Please, I'd do it a hundred more times," Weiss said. "Henry's been an awful friend for years, this was just what broke the camel's back."
"I really appreciate you standing up for me," they said.
"I'd like to know, if it's alright with you," Weiss asked. "What are your pronouns?"
"She/her," they said. "And my name is May."
"That's a beautiful name," Weiss said. "I'm glad you were able to get away from Henry's social circle. Avoid Cardin, too. He's worse, if that's even possible."
"I figured as much, I saw him and Flynt arguing at one point. Cardin's language honestly disgusts me," May said.
"Is Henry still planning on going to your parents?" Weiss asked.
"I think so," May sighed. "If he does, I'm not necessarily out of options. There's one friend I've had for a bit that goes here, and she's the only person that knew until this morning. Robyn said she'd be able to help me out if my parents throw me out."
"Robyn Hill?" Weiss asked, curious.
"Yeah. We were in a play together about a year and a half back, at a community center. The Greatest Showman. I helped her nail down her performance of This is Me, which obviously I know really well," May said.
"I haven't actually seen it," Weiss said.
"I'd recommend it," May said. "Anyway, though, if the worst happens, I can always ask her for help."
"We're here for you, too," Ruby said. "Not just me and Weiss, but also Yang, Blake, Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, Neon, and so many more."
"That really means a lot to me," May smiled, eyes tearing up slightly.
"I know what it's like to have a family like that," Weiss said. "To be hated by them, seen as just... a thing. If you ever need to talk to someone that personally understands, I'm here."
"I wish you didn't understand," May sighed.
"I wish no one, including either of us, knew what it was like," Weiss responded. "And maybe, one day, the world will be better and no one will have to know how that feels. But until then, you can come to me."
"And I'll always be here to fight for you," Ruby smiled.
May looked to the two of them, a warm smile spreading over her face. She took a relieved breath in, one that Weiss understood all too well. She remembered the same feeling of warmth washing over her when Blake, Yang, and Ruby had first been supportive of her.
December progressed further into the freezing chaos of winter, growing colder, and colder. And before Weiss knew it, nondescript winter holiday vacation had begun. Yang had excitedly jumped on the opportunity to play video games with Ruby the very moment her grounding ended, and Weiss began picking up more shifts at Jamba, now that she wasn't occupied with school. More importantly, however, she had begun sessions with Saffron, who was now helping Weiss to find her voice. So far, the progress had been minor, and while Weiss couldn't deny that it was frustrating that it was going slowly, she still noticed that her voice had begun to grow closer to what she realized was truly hers. The pitch had raised, and she'd slightly modified her pronunciation of words to a more feminine tone.
Yang finally rushed to her date with Neo, after having to rain check due to her grounding. Luckily, Neo wasn't upset in the slightest. Weiss was, once again, practicing makeup one evening, when Yang stepped inside, blushing, with a wide grin.
"You seem happy," Weiss said, while carefully applying liquid eyeliner.
"Well, I don't kiss and tell, but-" Yang began, before being interrupted by Ruby bursting into snorting laughter. "Alright, fine, I do. Neo and I made out, we had an amazing night, and in a few days, we're going to see a movie."
"Ooh, what movie?" Ruby asked. Taiyang gave a proud nod.
"I don't know, some dumb romance movie neither of us really care about," Yang said.
"Then why would you both go to see that?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, Yang," Taiyang said, leaning forward. Yang looked him in the eyes.
"Because neither her nor I are the type to wait until we're married," Yang said. "And we've talked about this, dad. You've already said trying to stop teenagers from-"
"Gross, I don't want to hear this!" Ruby said, covering her ears.
"I know, I know, teenagers don't exactly wait," Taiyang said. "But a movie theater isn't exactly a good place to have a private moment like that."
"Then don't have one at a movie theater," Yang said, grabbing an orange soda from the fridge. "Relax, dad, I'm not going to get in front of the screen and hijack the movie. I still know how to be careful. I just figured you'd want to be aware instead of having to wonder if I'm off doing something stupid."
Taiyang sighed.
"Just stay safe, be careful, and please, don't tell me anything else about it," he said.
"You got it," Yang said. "Ruby, you can uncover your ears now."
She gestured to Ruby, so that Ruby could see.
"It it over?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, Ruby. The sex talk has ended," Yang laughed.
Ruby cringed, focusing once more on her videogame.
Weiss stayed up that night coming up with a plan to finally ask out Blake, after even more pestering from Yang.
She had been asked by Blake to help her shovel her driveway and sidewalks, so she was going to show up with tea for her, and ask her then. She would make sure her makeup was flawless, and that her clothes were equally so. Then she would ask Blake to the coffeehouse.
Weiss nervously went over the plan as she readied herself that morning, taking her time with her liquid eyeliner to ensure that not a single flaw occurred. She looked over her appearance in the mirror. Her facial features had been softened, her hair was exactly as she wanted it, her eyeliner was flawless, with baby blue eyeshadow applied carefully and lightly. She smiled, allowing herself to finally be happy with her appearance. For once, she had little to pick at, little to be unsatisfied with.
"You ready, ice queen?" Yang grinned, as Weiss stepped into the hallway. "You got this. I know you do."
Weiss nodded.
"Yes. I'm ready," Weiss said, as the two of them headed out to the car. Yang and Ruby had already scraped it, and it was all warmed up.
"Let's go get you a girlfriend, and me... well," Yang grinned. "I don't know if you wanna hear about all I'll be doing."
"I'm impartial," she said. "I'm not as appalled by the subject as Ruby."
"I've started to wonder if Ruby might be ace," Yang said as they pulled onto the road.
"I can't say I'd be surprised," Weiss said.
"I don't think she's aromantic," Yang said. "I could always be wrong, but I've noticed she does enjoy romance movies, she just doesn't like the sex scenes."
"Clearly, she gets it from her sister," Weiss smirked.
"You're onto me," Yang said. "What is sex, really? Never had it."
Yang hardly got through the sentence before she burst into laughter.
"I realize this may be a personal question, so if I'm overstepping my bounds, I apologize," Weiss said. "But have you had it?"
"First did when I was thirteen," Yang admitted. "You?"
"Never," Weiss said. "Honestly the concept really intimidates me. Though, that has a lot to do with dysphoria. I'm not really comfortable with my body, and that makes it hard to be comfortable with the idea of going anywhere with it, so to speak."
"Well, in the realm of personal questions that probably overstep my boundaries," Yang asked. "And like you said, sorry if this isn't alright, feel free to tell me to shove it if it's none of my business, but are you planning on surgery?"
"I'd love surgery," Weiss said. "Unfortunately, it's not exactly cheap. Besides, don't all trans people want surgery?"
"Not really," Yang said. "Neon once mentioned she wasn't interested in the concept. I think it varies."
"I never thought about it that way," Weiss said. "I still heavily want to undergo the operation, but it makes sense that not everyone wants that."
For a moment, they drove without talking, each of them deep in thought. Eventually Yang broke the silence.
"So, how are you going to ask her?" Yang asked. Weiss held up the thermos full of tea.
"Over tea, while we shovel snow," Weiss said.
"Huh," Yang said.
"What? Am I forgetting something?" Weiss panicked.
"No, not that. It's just different than what I'd have done," Yang said.
"Wait, am I doing it wrong?" Weiss asked, fidgeting.
"No," Yang backpedaled. "No, no, no, I didn't mean that, it's a decent idea, I'm just a bit more forward, and I got caught by surprise."
"Would it be better to be more forward?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss, your idea is just fine," Yang said.
"But, just just fine," Weiss said. "Blake deserves better than just fine. Oh god, how do I fix this?"
"Weiss," Yang said, firmly and louder. Weiss jumped. "Your idea is great. You're not doing anything wrong, I promise, okay?"
Weiss took a deep breath.
"You mean that?" Weiss asked.
"I do," Yang said. "All I meant was that I'm usually flamboyant and showey, but honestly, this is Blake we're talking about. I doubt a fireworks show and a parade would be her cup of tea. I think... well, I think she'd prefer a cup of tea."
"Wait, did you really ever use a fireworks show and a parade?" Weiss asked.
"No, I was being metaphorical," Yang said. "Although, I did once kinda use a parade. I paid each member of the marching band 20 bucks to come by and help with a performance when I tried to pick up Neptune."
"Wait, you and Neptune?" Weiss asked, incredulously.
"Yeah, at one point I was really into him," Yang said.
"Did you guys end up dating?" Weiss asked.
"Not exactly..."
"What happened?" Weiss asked.
"Word of advice. Hiring the marching band does eat up several hundred dollars of savings, but it doesn't make a very good romantic gesture," Yang said. "I think if it was possible to scare him off any more, he would have quit the school."
Weiss let out a soft giggle. They pulled up to Blake's house. Weiss took a deep breath.
"Thank you, Yang, for all of your help with all of this," Weiss said. "Including pushing me to do this. I really did need it."
"No problem. Now, have fun, I know I'm about to," she said. Weiss opened the car door, and trudged up to Blake's front door, hearing Yang drive away as she did so.
Weiss took one more deep breath, then knocked on the door. Several seconds passed, and then the door opened. Weiss saw a monolith of a man standing in the doorway, with a large, combed beard. He had muscles that seemed the size of trees, and wore a purple fur jacket. He easily stood taller than Jacques, and his eyes were the same amber color as Blake's.
"You must be Weiss," he smiled. "Blake said you'd be coming over. Please, come in."
"Who is it?" Blake asked from down the hallway.
"It's Weiss, dear," Kali Belladonna called, from the living room.
"What? Alright, give me a moment!" Blake called.
Weiss awkwardly sat in the living room, after being urged to by both of Blake's parents, who were almost overbearingly hospitable. After several minutes, Blake stepped out, hair freshly brushed and wearing a winter sweater.
"Sorry about the wait," Blake said. "I forgot what time it was."
"It's alright," Weiss smiled.
"Your makeup looks amazing," Blake said. "Let me grab my jacket."
"I brought you tea," Weiss offered. Blake's eyes lit up, and she rushed over.
"You didn't have to! Thank you, Weiss," Blake said. Weiss nervously smiled, holding the thermos out.
"It was no trouble," Weiss lied. She had, after all, bought the highest quality she could find, and used one of the best thermoses she could find as well, that would retain heat for hours in the cold. The two of them stepped out front.
"My parents didn't overwhelm you, did they?" Blake nervously asked, handing Weiss a snow shovel. "They're so eager for me to socialize that when someone comes over, they practically pounce on them."
"They were very hospitable," Weiss said. "You have a very welcoming family."
"I'm sorry," Blake cringed. "I know they can be a lot."
"Actually, it was really nice," Weiss said. "My house never had that warm feeling."
Blake looked down, astonished.
"I'm sorry, that was really insensitive. I didn't think-" Blake began.
"No, nothing you said was insensitive," Weiss said. "You're fine, Blake."
Blake sighed a relieved breath.
"I've missed hanging out," Blake said. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I kinda wish school was still in session."
"Me too," Weiss said, shoveling snow attentively.
"We can keep hanging out once we're done," Blake offered. "I have a few video games, and we could always go somewhere. It's been a while since I've been to the movie theater."
Weiss blushed deep crimson, trying not to think about Yang, likely at that same theater.
"Maybe some other time," she said quickly. Blake's face fell, disappointed. "No! Not... I would love to spend more time with you, I'm just not feeling up to going to the theater right now."
"Oh," Blake said, relieved. "Sorry, I misunderstood."
"I would love to spend as much time with you as you'd like," Weiss offered. Blake smiled, as she threw a shovel-ful of snow onto the mound growing on her lawn.
"You seemed opposed to the theater, is there anything going on there?" Blake asked. Weiss blushed once more.
"Yang's on a date there," Weiss said. "One I'd rather not walk in on."
Blake's eyes widened, and she cracked a smile, before bursting into laughter.
"That explains a lot," she chuckled. "I doubt it's PG."
"The movie, or-"
"Not the movie," Blake said. Weiss also couldn't help but smile, letting out a small laugh. "Your voice is also sounding great, Weiss. I'm so proud of how far you've come."
Weiss blushed so deeply that she probably could have blended in with Ruby's jacket.
"Thank you," she said. Her eyes began to tear slightly, and she fought with all of her might to keep the tears from falling and ruining her makeup. "Blake... I was wondering..."
Blake met her eyes in acknowledgment as she absentmindedly continued to shovel.
"I..." Weiss stammered. She felt herself freezing up, unable to find the words. Panic began to creep into her mind, her inner critic getting louder and louder.
Here it comes, you're about to lose her as a friend, all because you weren't happy with that. She's already willing to be your friend, that's hard enough on her. You want to make it worse? Besides, you can't even get the words out. Instead, you're just sitting here like an absolute dunce. She probably thinks you're a creep.
"Weiss?" Blake asked, stepping closer, setting the shovel against the garage door.
"I... was wondering... if you wanted... maybe... to get coffee? After we're done? Not coffee," Weiss said, anxiety coursing through her brain. "Tea. It's at a coffeehouse. But I'd be getting coffee, you prefer tea. They have tea there. And-"
"I'd love to," Blake said, grabbing her hand. Weiss' mind, the anxiety, the inner critic, it all froze in an instant.
"Wait... really?" Weiss asked. "I meant, like, as-"
"A date," Blake said. "And yes. Really. I'd love to."
Weiss couldn't believe her ears. She had to be dreaming. There was no way it could be real.
"Are you alright, Weiss?" Blake asked, as Weiss froze up.
"I just... I didn't think you'd want to," Weiss said. "I hoped you would, but I never thought..."
"Why wouldn't I?" Blake asked. "Weiss, you realize I like you too, right?"
"Obviously, we're friends, but-"
"Not like friends," Blake said. Weiss felt like she was suddenly hearing things. "Weiss, I've wanted the same thing since before I even knew it was you I was talking to on discord. Those long talks, it was like nothing I've ever had. When I couldn't get ahold of you, when your father took your phone away, I was so worried something really bad had happened. I was worried you'd been hurt, or worse. Why do you think I dropped everything I'd been saying the moment I found out it was you?"
Weiss shrunk in shame, unable to meet Blake's eyes.
"It's just... you're a lesbian," Weiss said.
"Okay, and?" Blake asked.
"Well..." Weiss began, unable to bring herself to say it. She tried to meet Blake's eyes, unable to hide her lack of self esteem. "You only like women... and I'm not exactly-"
Blake's eyes widened, first gleaming with anger, then worry. She yanked Weiss in to a tight hug, pressing the ex-heiress into her shoulder.
"Weiss, you're not a man," Blake said. "You never were one, and you never will be one. I've seen how happy you've been since coming out, and I've seen how each step of your transition has made you happier. I am a lesbian. And I'm only interested in women. You're a woman, so that includes you."
"I just don't want to force you into a relationship that you don't want, and I don't want you to be with someone you don't want to," Weiss said.
"I appreciate that, but here, it's irrelevant. I want you to be my girlfriend, Weiss. I have for a while now," Blake said. "The fact that you were assigned male at birth doesn't change anything. You're Weiss Schnee. You're beautiful, strong, and powerful. You're all I've ever wanted."
"I've had feelings for you for a while, too. I just never thought you'd ever feel the same way," Weiss said. "You're the smartest, most stunningly dazzling, determined, amazing person I've ever met and I never thought you'd be interested."
"Well, I am," Blake smiled. "So, coffeehouse. Which one?"
"It's called Dusk Til Dawn, it's a new one that just came up," Weiss said, picking her shovel back up. "Then, if you were wanting, I was thinking of watching a movie together, here if that was alright. I want to get to know your parents, while also spending time with you. I thought that'd be the perfect way to do so."
"I'd love that," Blake smiled, picking up her shovel as well. She began clearing the driveway, Weiss working on the other side. "We've actually all been wanting to watch... well, I don't know if it'd be your thing, a lot of people think it's childish."
"I'm not a lot of people," Weiss said.
"Have you heard of the Descendants?" Blake asked.
"I haven't," Weiss said.
"It's basically the children of several disney villains, going to school together. The third movie came out recently and we were wanting to watch it, so maybe we could get you caught up on the series," Blake said.
"That would be lovely," Weiss smiled. "Blake, I'd love that."
Weiss and Blake met eyes, a warm and affectionate look of empathy exchanging between them. Weiss finally felt herself feel relief. Against every fear she had, Blake had wanted her, back. And Weiss felt like she could soar through the sky, break through the Schnee manor's front door, and send her father flying.
It's finally happened, folks! After 23 chapters, the Monochrome ship finally sets sail!
Stay tuned, there's plenty more coming.