Disclaimer: All character belong to Rooster Teeth Productions

Edited by ToxicExotic


Chapter 70 - Aweburn Fletch

Slowly lifting herself from the bed, Weiss looked behind her to the spot where Yang had been laying only moments ago. It felt weird. Usually she could rely on waking up to Yang beside her, or being woken up by teasing kisses from the blonde, in fact there had only been a few times where that hadn't happened. Normally that was because they slept in a little and the girl had to do her morning workout, but that morning was different. Instead of moving to a free space, Yang had simply walked to the bathroom and turned the tap on.

It was yet more proof of how much Weiss had upset her girlfriend. She still couldn't forget the anger she had seen in Yang's eyes the night before. How the girl had practically shouted at her and left, only to return hours later and given her an ultimatum. The truth, or they're done. Weiss knew the fact that situation had even come about was entirely her own doing. It had been her who had leaked the document that had caused Ruby to lose her chance at Beacon, and it had been her who kept that truth from Yang when she knew she shouldn't have. And just as her actions had hurt Atlas, so too had they hurt her relationship.

However, she could at least fix one of them. So with a small sigh at her own stupidity, she stretched her arms and walked towards the bathroom. Arriving at the door frame, she saw her girlfriend standing in front of the mirror wearing a sports bra and a pair of tracksuit bottoms brushing her teeth. Though the lilac eyes flicked to her for a second, she said nothing. Walking up, she placed her arms around Yang's waist and thanked whatever gods there may or may not be that the woman didn't pull away.

She didn't smell of anything in particular, even the usual hint of sweat was absent due to the cold night of Argus, but the warmth of her bare skin was still so incredibly Yang that Weiss felt herself melt further into it.

"Are you still mad at me?" She asked quietly.

Yang didn't reply instantly, instead continued brushing her teeth. Not wanting to rush her, Weiss simply tightened her arms around the woman's waist and waited. Finally, after almost a minute, the blonde leaned forward to spit out her toothpaste and let out a small sigh.

"No." She reached over to the mouthwash. "I'm sorry I shouted. But I meant what I said last night. I can't do secrets, Weiss. Not between us."

Not lessening her hold on the ball of sunshine in her arms, Weiss gave a nod. Yang was right, she definitely shouldn't be having to deal with secrets.

"I know." She muttered sadly. "I'll be better."

Waiting quietly as the girl finished her morning routine.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Yang breathed after rinsing her mouth out. "Did you really think I'd be mad at you?"

"I was going to." Weiss replied honestly, finally moving away and to stand beside the woman. "But you were upset about Blake, and I know how much Ruby means to you." She gave a small shrug and looked down. "I just wanted to enjoy our holiday."

"I get that, Weiss." Yang groaned as she turned around and folded her arms while leaning back against the counter. "But you know how tough the past few months have been for me. My dad, my mom, Raven, Blake; constant arguing because of secrets that they kept from me. I don't want that for us."

"You're right." Weiss nodded, knowing exactly how Yang felt having been there for all of it. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way too."

"I know you are." Yang smiled weakly, though it was clearly sincere. "Just please don't do it again."

Weiss looked up, her blue eyes meeting Yang's lilac and holding firm. "I won't. I meant what I said last night too. I don't want to lose you."

Yang held the gaze for a couple of seconds, but quickly gave a nod followed by a stronger smile than before. Dropping her arms, Weiss felt the blonde's hand slip into hers and give a small squeeze. It was a small gesture, but it at least told Weiss that things were going to be okay. So, returning it, Weiss leaned in and rested her head on Yang's shoulder.

"So you forgive me?"

"Of course." Yang replied softly as an arm slipped around her shoulder.

Enjoying the embrace for a couple of minutes, Weiss closed her eyes and thought about how lucky she was that Yang was so forgiving. But she also knew that she shouldn't have had to have been lucky, and was definitely going to make sure she didn't have to be again. But first, she had to be totally honest.

"Good." She said cautiously and pulled away, reaching over to turn the shower on to warm it up. "Because I have a request?"

The woman folded against her chest again as Weiss prepared to get ready for her shower. "About Beacon?"

"Mhm." She hummed and turned to face the boxer. "I want to talk to Ruby myself."

Yang's eyes immediately fell into a suspicious scowl. "Why?"

"Well…" Weiss pulled her nightgown off and gave a small shrug. "I want to offer to pay for h-"

"Weiss-"

"I know what you're going to say." Weiss cut Yang off before she could interrupt entirely. "I know you don't want me to spend that kind of money, and I understand why; but this is my mistake. It's my fault she won't be able to go, and I want to at least give her the chance. And I want Ruby to be the one to decide."

"I don't like you paying for that stuff."

"I know you don't." Weiss replied, stepping forward and putting her arms around her girlfriend's waist. "But, think of it this way. The scholarship money was technically my family's money anyway, so all I'm really doing is giving her the money she would have been getting; just more directly."

Though Yang's scowl didn't fade, she didn't immediately reject the argument which Weiss considered to be a good sign. Gently running her thumb along the firm muscles of the woman's back, she waited for Yang to make a decision. It certainly wouldn't surprise her if Yang decided against it, and she would respect her wishes if that was the case, but she was really hoping that she would at least allow her the opportunity to try.

"Fine," she breathed and shook her head. "But if she says no, you accept it and move on. Okay?"

Weiss gave an immediate nod, finding the terms more than acceptable. "Absolutely."

"Then go ahead." Yang said with a defeated tone. "Though she's been trying to keep all of this a secret from me for years so she can do it on her own, so don't be surprised if she says no to you as well."

"If she says no, then so be it." Weiss smiled up at Yang. "I just want to try at least. I really didn't expect you to even let me do that."

For the first time in twenty-four hours, Yang let out a chuckle. The mere sound of it was enough for Weiss to feel her spirits lift and she was more than happy to lean in and rest her head against the muscular woman's chest to enjoy the feeling of it rumbling through her.

"Well, I should probably be taking my own advice and start letting Ruby make her own decisions." Pulling back, I raise an eyebrow. "Sorry, different conversation."

Though she hadn't talked about it, not that she had really talked about anything, Weiss was very aware that some conversation had taken place between Yang and Winter last night. What that was though, she had no idea. Thankfully though, since Yang was thinking back on it fondly and she wasn't in a cell, Weiss felt safe assuming they had at least found some common ground.

"I won't ask." She smiled and leaned back in. What had happened between Winter and Yang, it was between them. "I really do need a shower though. I'm meeting with Fletch in six hours."

"Mmm. Then I should leave."

"Ooor…" Weiss let her hands slip from Yang's waist to her perfectly toned rear. "You could join me?"

"Not today." Yang replied softly, her hands coming down to pull Weiss' away. "I still need to do some workouts."

While Weiss gave a nod, she was a little happy her girlfriend couldn't see that her face had dropped a little. Normally, Yang would never refuse that offer.

"Alright." She said, forcing the smile back on her face as she looked up. "Well I'll only be a little while then."

Thankfully, despite the rejection, Yang leaned down and placed a short kiss on her lips. It wasn't much, rather chaste compared to their usual exchanges, but it was at least enough for Weiss to know they would eventually move past it. As quickly as it began though, Yang pulled away and gave her a smile before leaving the room. Left alone, Weiss let out a short sigh at how much she had screwed up and quickly began her own morning routine.


"They could've at least used a better picture of me." Yang grumbled, picking up the magazine from the stand.

Looking over Yang's shoulder, Weiss saw that the cover was plastered with a shot of herself and Yang standing behind the barrier talking to the detectives. To the side of it was another picture of Yang alone with a look of worry on her face with the caption 'Who Is She?' below. Neither of them were surprised to see it of course. Even without the warning from Winter that had been waiting when she exited the shower, Weiss had already figured the paparazzi wouldn't have missed Yang being let past the guards.

So, as the blonde turned to the indicated page, Weiss was not surprised in the least that a majority of the page had been dedicated to pictures of Yang instead of the fake threat. After all, one was regular, while the other was uncommon.

"In the early hours of Saturday afterno-"

"Hey!" The middle-aged man behind the counter growled and cut her off. "This ain't a library kid. Some of us need to make a living here."

Weiss saw his eyes flick to her and let out a sigh. Passing her coffee to Yang and pulling out her purse, she threw a Lien card down on the counter. Without even waiting for the change, she walked away with Yang next to her.

"Afternoon, Mistral police were called to the Asagao hotel after a bomb threat was sent against Weiss Schnee." Yang read in an uneasy voice. "After a thorough search, the police were able to discern that it was indeed fake. To our readers though, that will hardly come as a surprise. I'm sure you all remember the similar incident that occured last year in Atlas, and the year before that."

Weiss definitely did. She remembered them all. Especially the first, which had happened when she was six.

"However, the real interesting part of the night happened merely thirty minutes after the hotel was cleared when an unknown blonde woman around Miss Schnee's age… ooo, that's me." Yang cooed, making Weiss shake her head in amusement. "... approached the cordoned off area and was quickly allowed through by the heiress herself. Unfortunately, whoever this blonde was, our reporters are unable to say."

"I really do like how they still refer to themselves as reporters." Weiss sneered, earning a harsh laugh from her girlfriend. "It takes a special talent to be that unaware."

"What we can report though is that the very same blonde was escorted to a safe house minutes later, and was later seen exiting the Argus Express with Miss Schnee and exploring the city of Argus only a day later, as well as with Miss Schnee's elder sister, Winter Schnee, later that night indicating that the two are quite close. While we don't have an identity yet, we want our readers to rest assured that we will be keeping them informed with anything we uncover."

"Finished?" Weiss asked with a smile as Yang turned the magazine sideways.

"They really do suck at taking pictures." Yang hummed while inspecting a blurry picture of herself. "How are they going to make me look like some golden yeti in my first appearance?"

"Because they have no talent and make their money off of gossip." Weiss replied as she reached over and plucked the magazine from her hand, careful not to graze the bruised and cut knuckles.

Not even bothering to give it a second glance, she dumped it into a trash can; which she still considered too good a place for it. However, as amusing as it was to see Yang mocking the article, it did present a rather real problem. Now that Yang had been seen and questions were being asked, they were quickly running out of time to make sure Jacques found out from them personally.

"Let's just hope Jacques doesn't see this before we can tell him." She breathed causing fog to momentarily obscure her vision. "It's going to be tough enough already."

"Well, at least he'll have a harder time suppressing it than he did with Winter."

"I suppose that is true." Weiss agreed. "Though still problematic. If Winter is right, then he is almost finished with business in Atlas. But that publication prints in Vale too, so he will be aware of it within days of him returning."

"Hmm, he won't find out before then?" Yang asked cautiously. "They have an online site."

"Hopefully not." Weiss replied weakly, knowing it definitely was a possibility. "That all depends on how busy he is and how tightly the military are controlling the flow of information."

"Right." It was obvious that there was something Yang wanted to say. "What are your thoughts on that anyway? Sounds like things are really bad in Atlas?"

Weiss didn't reply immediately, simply held her drink close to ward off the cold and took a sip. That had definitely been something on her mind since leaving the military base. For as long as she had lived in Vale, Atlas was still her home. It was where she had been born, where her grandparents had lived and raised her mother. Of course it had it's issues, but it was still her mother tongue and a place she had fond memories of. So to hear that it had fallen into such chaos saddened her, even more so since she knew she had played a part.

"I don't know." She said honestly. "With everything Atlas has done, the mantle and faunus protests have been a long time coming, and very deserved. But with the White Fang renewing their attacks and muddying everything, I fear their valid complaints might fall on unwilling ears. I know they did with me before the attack, and I know it happened with the council too."

"Well, I hope they don't this time. It's about time Mantle started getting the same rights as Atlas."

"I agree." Weiss hummed in response. "Hopefully Fiona Thyme will actually succeed in getting the council seat she was running for. With all this chaos going on, I'm sure the people will be rallying behind her more than ever."

"She's the lamb faunus, right?"

"Mhm. She's related to the Marigolds, but her father was ousted from the family by his parents after having her. Spent her life in Mantle, but she's still close with some of the Marigolds that were against it. Pretty much gives her a perspective on both sides of the kingdom."

"Sounds like someone who cares more than the people who're on the council now." Yang mumbled.

"I wouldn't exactly say that." Yang glanced sideways at her, and she was quick to explain herself. "I do believe all the council members actually care about Atlas as a whole, just in different ways. Speaking from experience, it's a lot harder to make changes than people think, especially when there are others trying to make their own. But I guess you are right that someone whose interests are more aligned with Mantle would be a good change."

"Anything that could help turn it around would be good honestly." Yang sighed. "And then when you take over the STC, things will only get better."

"Mhm."

It was all Weiss could give as a reply. In truth, she'd been having doubts about that ever since seeing that state of the Mistral offices. Doubts that she could even fix the STC if she were to oust her father, and though she was pushing those doubts to the side, they kept creeping back in.

"Hopefully Fletch will help me get a little closer to that goal today."

"You think he'll accept your offer?"

Weiss shrugged, taking another sip of her coffee and feeling it's warmth run through her body.

Fletch had brought up his desire to maybe restart a business plenty of times during their conversations in the last few months. Sometimes it would just be a passing mention, others he would talk for at least an hour about the invention that had made him known; a whole new wing design that was still used in Mistral's airships. He rarely made mention of the failures that caused his business to collapse though. Weiss knew them of course, but she chose to never discuss them either.

However, whenever he had talked about his past work, there had always been a sense of fondness to his emails. A pride that made it clear he missed it, something she could certainly understand. To go from having a business that was renowned around the kingdom for working on life changing technology, to bankrupt with nothing to do would surely be something that played havoc on someone's confidence. It had definitely done a number on Aweburn since he had never tried again despite being rich.

"If I can persuade him to take a chance again, then sure." She said hopefully. "I don't think it will be too hard to convince him to try again, but he'll probably put up some resistance."

"I'm sure you'll get him to do what you want." Yang said with a smile. "You usually do."

Though Weiss would disagree with that statement after growing up as she had, she accepted the compliment. After all, the fact that Yang was actually talking to her and seemed to be happy was something she definitely wasn't going to put a stop to any time soon.

"I'll certainly do my best." She smiled back at the radiant blonde.

While she wasn't able to show much in the way of open affection, she moved a little closer and allowed their hands to graze together for a second. It really was barely anything, but the contact felt wonderful and even Yang cast her a knowing glance. More than happy with that, she lowered her head to drink her coffee again as they rounded a corner to a movie theatre.


The restaurant that Weiss stepped into was decadent, the walls lavishly decorated in white and gold with pictures of beautiful vistas from all over Mistral. Magnificent magonony tables and chairs filled with people sat surrounded by numerous arcways and alcoves that held up a second floor balcony, from which hung lush green vines and plants. Dotted around them drooping ever so slightly were small blue bulbs which she knew to be honeysuckle, which the place was famous for growing itself to use in dishes that filled the area with a deliciously sweet smell.

In fact, the restaurant itself was famous all over the world for its unique approach to dining. It was such a stark difference to the usual restaurants she attended for business meetings that had always felt so impersonal and stifling, where tables were all clumped together in a large open space so that conversation could easily be overheard.

Instead, the family that had passed down The Ambrosia for generations had done so with only one goal in mind; to make people feel at home. As such, the entire place had been set up to resemble as close to a villa as it could get. Though there were a few tables and a small open area just behind the hostess' table, Weiss knew there were tables hidden away in their own comfortable alcoves, offering privacy and a sense of intimacy between whoever chose to dine there. The building was also located on the top of a cliff that overlooked Argus, so each alcove contained a large window that offered a magnificent view of either the ocean, the city, or the forest that laid beyond. It was all of those things combane that made it Weiss' favourite restaurant in the world, and one she visited whenever she was in Argus.

"Good afternoon, Ourania." Weiss smiled politely as she approached the hostess, a dark-skinned woman in her early twenties with a pretty face and shining platinum hair who had definitely not been one of her earliest crushes. "How have you been?"

"Very well, Miss Schnee." The woman replied in a happy, melodic voice. "Yourself?"

"Busy." She chuckled. "I'm sure you know the feeling though?"

The woman gave a short chuckle that almost sounded like a tinkling of chimes as her green eyes lit up. "My mother definitely keeps us on our toes. But she also kept your favourite table open all day."

"She's so kind." Weiss nodded appreciatively. "I don't suppose my guest has arrived yet?"

"Mr Fletch?" Weiss gave a nod. "Yes, he arrived five minutes ago in fact. I'll show you through."

"Thank you."

It didn't take long to be led to her usual room. Following the woman up the stairs, she looked over the balcony to see the youngest child of the family playing a slow and gentle jazz tune for the diners. She knew him too of course. Flynt Coal, Ourania's brother who had made a name for himself with his music, but still chose to play at his family's restaurant.

"Your host, Mr Fletch."

Weiss turned around at those words and saw Ourania holding open a curtain to a room. Just inside was yet another mahogany table, though it was big enough for six people, it was set for two. The room itself was lit gently with a chandelier that rested overhead, and the window on the far side looked out over the ocean. In the distance she could just make out the sandy shore of a small island that sat between Anima and Solitas. However, sitting much closer was Aweburn Fletch.

Despite only pushing fifty, the man still looked to be older. In pictures of the man's younger days he had always kept his hair combed back to give off a windswept impression, and while that was still the case, it was noticeably messier. The dark brown hair was now grey with strands sticking out at odd angles. Worry had etched deep lines into his once smooth face and there was small stubble along his jaw.

However, despite his tired looking face, the rest of him showed that he was still a man in his prime. His attire itself was impeccably maintained, his dark navy, button up jacket and patched kilt both clean and crisp. His long socks were tight against his legs with no holes and his black shoes were shined so much that Weiss bet she could have seen her reflection should she lean down to check. He had also not let himself go as evidenced by his button up jacket, which was fit so tightly to his muscular body that sleeves looked like they were ready to rip open at the slightest flex.

Most noticeably thought were his eyes. As silver as Ruby's and full of life. Each shining orb held a sharpness that sent a shiver down her back. Despite his company failing, the man was someone who had made great changes and had understood what it took to start a business, and it was clear that intelligence had not faded.

"Aweburn." She said with a genuine smile as she walked through the curtain. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Same." He grunted, his voice slightly accented. "More of a wee little lass than the pictures make you out to be, eh?"

"I would recommend you don't judge me by my size." Weiss replied humorously with a raised eyebrow as she held out her hand.

"Wouldn't dream of it?" He said with the faintest of smirks, taking the offered limb and shaking it. "My old man always said that business is all in the mind. Besides, your emails show how bright you are already."

"Thank you." Weiss replied and released his hand to sit down at the table.

"Would you like your usual, Miss Schnee?" Ourania said politely from the doorway. Weiss gave her a small nod. "Perfect. It shouldn't be too long."

The woman left, the curtain swinging shut behind her. Though they could still hear Flynt's gentle music drifting up to them, the building was designed in such a way that they couldn't hear either of the rooms beside them.

"So I hear you just finished up with some business in Mistral?"

"I did." Weiss smiled and shrugged off her jacket. "Though it was definitely more of an ordeal than I thought it would be."

"Lemme guess. Lacus?"

"Her reputation precedes her, I take it?"

"Lass has always been a swindler. Not a day passes where she doesn't try to get more than she needs."

"That is a surprising apt description." Weiss chuckled as she remembered just how much of a chore it had been to even get accurate numbers from the woman. "She eventually relented though."

"Aye. I never said she was a good swindler, did I?" He grinned.

"It would take the best of swindlers to stop me getting what I desire."

"I'm sure, I'm sure." He said with a nod, pouring himself some wine and offering some to her. She accepted and held out her glass. "And what is it you desire today?"

Glancing upwards as her glass slowly filled with white wine, she saw that his silver eyes flashed with understanding. Not wanting to lie to the man, not only because of her recent troubles with it but also because she had told Yang she would be upfront about her intentions, she let a smile fall across her face. Giving him a nod when the glass was a quarter full, she raised it to her lips and took a small sip, the sharp sting of alcohol searing her throat for a second.

"Surely it would be better to discuss that with more satiated stomachs?" She replied hopefully, letting her voice take on a little of her usual business tone.

"I much prefer to discuss business before." He said patiently. "That way I can focus on a good meal with good company."

"Very well." Weiss hummed, taking another sip and putting the glass down. "Your patent."

"How predictable." He breathed and leaned back. Though he didn't seem upset, his brow did furrow a little. "What of it?"

"I'm curious about why you refuse to sell it." She said, crossing her hand on the table and leaning in to show she was listening. "Or even license it."

"Well that's simple, lass." He folded his arms. "I don't trust companies."

"You mistrust even my word?"

"Miss Schnee-"

"Weiss." She offered.

"Weiss," he accepted with a nod of his head. "With all due respect, you are the daughter of Jacques Schnee and the heiress to a foul company obsessed with profit and willing to do anything to make it. While I have enjoyed our talks and you certainly seem brighter than your peabrained old man, your company is one of the ones I never intend to work with."

Looking in the man's eyes, she saw sincerity there. She knew the man hated companies and always been rather short with them and their attempts to get a hold of his patent, but she hadn't expected that hatred to be so passionate. However, as much as it irked her to be compared to him, she could hardly deny the rest of it. The STC was obsessed with profit, as were almost every other company, and their method of making it were questionable at best. Cutting corners on products, bribing council workers, unfair health insurance and exhaustive hours; her father and the other shareholders had done a number of the once revered company.

"And for that, I do not blame you." She sighed, sitting back in her chair and picking back up the wine, but quickly putting it back down as she caught her reflection. "The STC is no longer the company it once was, and Jacques only makes it worse day by day."

For a few seconds he looked at her quizzically. She knew it was because of how she had just spoken of not only her company, but also her father, but she didn't flinch. Her words were true, and despite Jacques' best efforts, a lot of other people did too. And she was done pretending that wasn't the case.

"That is why I am not here trying to secure your patent for the STC. It is why I have not been reaching out to you as a representative of the STC for some time now. I have no intention of letting it anywhere near your patent."

"Well it's nice to hear you do have a good head on your shoulder after all." He nodded and took a large gulp of his own wine. "But I still ain't selling to you."

"And I'm not buying." Weiss replied coolly.

"Then why ask about it?"

"I said I didn't want to buy it, not that I wasn't interested in it." She said honestly. "After all, your patent is incredible. A design for international travel using solar energy with almost no impact on the environment? It would be foolish for me not to be interested in that. You are literally sitting on a patent that could change the world."

"Except it won't if I give it to them. My design is not only intended to reduce carbon emissions, but also to make travel affordable. I have zero confidence that the STC, Merlot industries, or any of the conglomerates will respect that."

"So what if you don't give it to any of them?" Weiss said cautiously, leaning forward again as she entwined her fingers. "What if you continue your work yourself?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed her. Before he could finish shaking his head, she continued.

"After all, who better to get a project off the ground than the man who envisioned it?"

"I've already tried that." He ignored her. "It drove my business into the ground and ruined my marriage."

"I have read the history of your company." Weiss admitted. "I even wrote a paper on it."

"Then you will know that if I could not do it then, I can't do it now."

"That is not the impression I got from my research." Weiss reasoned. "From my knowledge it was mostly your revenue stream that caused you to make the wrong decision and led your business to failure."

"A revenue stream I chose to follow because I blew all my money on research that ended up being nothing but a hope. In all your research about my patent, surely you must have learned that it was merely a concept?" He said bitterly, though she suspected that was not directed at her. "An idea, a promising one, but still just that. I have no idea if it will even work, or how much it would take to get it to work. I couldn't afford that then, let alone now."

"You couldn't…" Weiss hummed and sat back. "But I can."

If Fletch's eyes had narrowed before, it was nothing compared to how he looked at her when she finished her proclamation. Had she not been trying her best to keep her composure, Weiss surely would have laughed at how close his eyelids had been pushed together by the squint. It didn't surprise her though. She had after all basically just offered to personally fund a project that was nowhere near completion yet still worth hundreds of millions of Lien. And potentially even billions if the project design ended up being successful.

So, as weird as it would seem to most, the fact that he was treating her with no small amount of skepticism was actually reassuring. It showed that he was taking her, and the subject, seriously.

"You do not have that much money."

"I'm the richest woman in the world under thirty." Weiss countered easily. "When my sister sold her shares, she gave me a significant portion of that money. I promise you that I have more than enough to get your research started. Not to mention that when word spreads that you are working with the granddaughter of Nicholas Schnee, I'm sure you will find more investors. He has a great many friends and admirers after all."

"And you would do all of this why?"

Weiss took a deep breath. She really didn't have to think too hard since she already knew the answer, but she did want to at least appear to be giving some extra consideration to her answer.

"Because I want to change the world." She replied after a couple of seconds. "My grandfather is my hero. He set out with nothing and forged a company that made life better for everyone. That is what I want to do, and you and your patent allow me to do that in my own way. Separate from the SDC."

A small smile settled over her face as his eyes began to return to normal. Knowing she had his attention, she prepared for what she knew would be a tough deliberation.

"So... Here is my offer."


It had been a very awkward day.

Despite promising herself that she would forgive Weiss, Yang had woken up still a little annoyed. Enough so that the second morning of their three day stay in Argus had been a complete and utter waste. Even as they had wandered the beautiful city later that morning and caught a film at the theatre before she went to meet Fletch, she could tell things weren't quite right between them yet. It was annoying that the only three days in which Weiss wasn't working just so happened to have included a falling out, but she was determined to fix that.

So, as the door clicked closed, Yang sat up from her laid position on the bed and looked towards the entryway to see her girlfriend peeling off her heels. She looked tired, not a surprise since Yang was well aware that the heiress didn't sleep too well the previous night, but there was definitely an air of happiness about her.

"Everything go well?" She asked as Weiss let out a small sigh of relief when the second heel was gone.

"Mhm." Weiss said with a nod. "He said he will give me an answer soon, but I know he was definitely interested so I think it's in the bag."

"And you told him you intended to partner with the STC?"

"No." Weiss replied to Yang's surprise. "I may have changed my mind and decided that the business would be mine and kept separate. So I gave Aweburn the change to invest in my startup for a percentage of the company, with a promise to help fund his research."

"Won't that affect the pull you have over your dad?" She asked as Weiss pulled a big, yellow book from out of sigh and made her way to a table in the corner of the room.

"It will, but I want to keep him as far away from it as I can honestly. This is a good thing, and he would only ruin it."

"That's fair." Yang breathed and shuffled on the bed to make room for Weiss.

However, unfortunately for her, Weiss was already making to sit at the table. It was another sign that they were still not back to one-hundred percent since the woman would usually take any opportunity to be close. And wanting that normalcy to return, Yang sat up a little more.

"Hey." She said softly.

The heiress' head turned curiously and Yang indicated towards the empty space beside her. Indecision filled Weiss' eyes for a second, and Yang suddenly realised that her girlfriend was trying to give her some space.

"Come join me?" She asked hopefully.

Thankfully it seemed to clear up the indecision and Weiss's face stretched into a smile as she picked up the book and walked over. The moment she was on the bed, Yang laid back and held out her arm, feeling a rush of happiness as Weiss immediately leaned into it and came to rest against her side. Neither of them spoke a word, but Yang happily watched as the Atlesian pulled open what seemed to be a phonebook and began to absentmindedly flip through it.

After a couple of seconds of watching Weiss try to read an advertisement for a washing machine, she finally reached out and put her hand over her girlfriend's.

"I'm sorry." She breathed quietly as Weiss' head turned up to face her. "I shouldn't have gotten so angry."

"It's fine." Weiss mumbled with a weak smile. "It's not like I didn't deserve it, I should have been honest."

"Still… I didn't ever want you to see that side of me."

Weiss didn't respond with words. Instead, she reached up with her free hand and pulled their heads together. Enjoying the comforting feeling of Weiss' lips on hers for a few seconds, tasting what she believed to be honey and wine, she finally felt some of the awkwardness slip away. Eventually though, they parted and Yang found herself staring down at her beaming girlfriend.

"I fully intend to spend the rest of my life with you, Yang Xiao Long." She whispered gently as fingers wound themselves lightly into Yang's hair. "I was going to see it eventually."

"I guess. Wish it had been aimed at someone other than your sister though."

Weiss' smile dropped a little. "Did you two at least make up?"

"We… came to an understanding."

"Good." Weiss nodded. "I'll ask no more."

Appreciating it since she doubted Weiss would approve of the threat that had been issued, Yang let the woman's gaze back to the book that was now resting on her stomach. Removing her hand, she let her girlfriend continue searching for whatever she was looking for while pulling out her Scroll.

"I'm ordering food. You want something?"

"Hmm, a slice of vanilla cheesecake. And a coffee. Please."

"Mistral Mountains Roastery and Tin Mortons it is then. Weird as fuck combo but your sister got me onto that bloody gravy and fries thing she gave me."

A surge of happiness pulsed through her as she felt Weiss chuckle against her chest. Briefly looking down before continuing her order, she saw a wide smile stretched over Weiss' face and felt comfort in the fact she knew it meant they would be okay.


A/N

Hello everyone. So this was a little more of a cautious chapter. I wanted to capitalize on the previous 2-parter, and make sure that the problems were not just brushed aside. It's also not something that is completely solved, though they are now at a point where they are willing to move on from what happened.

As for the Fletch scene, I fully intended for it to be longer with more in depth discussion regarding the startup that Weiss intends to do. However, to be honest... I would have no idea what I;d be talking about xD And since the characters are supposed to know what they are talking about, my inexperience would only reflect badly upon them. So I chose to cut it short, and merely reference it in the next scene. As always, that is not the end of it, Fletch has yet to make a decision so there is still more to come :)

Anyway, that's it from me. Thank you all for reading. We are fast approaching the moment you have all been waiting for :P

Chapter 71 - 274761453 will be uploaded on the 29th of October. (Figure out that one ;P)

Also, quick note. Just like with V7, Toxic, the guy who is so kind as to edit these chapter, will nto be watching V8 until it is finished, so I ask that you please keep all spoilers out of your comments, since he does read them :)

Reviews

Reviews were very sparse for the last chapter, but thank you jm4reader for your comment :D I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.