Family and friends

This interconnected web of relationships in 'The Love Story of Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee' displays a plethora of different connections and dynamics between all members. However, one of the most common and treasured dynamic full of love are the ones from family and friends… who are always there at the most vital times.

Weiss sat on her leather couch facing the coffee table in the middle of the living room.

In front pot of flowers in the centre, the black velvet box stared hauntedly back at her.

As she picked her nails and wrung her hands in thought, she heard insistent knocks echoing down the hallway.

With a curious tilt of her head, she got up to answer the door. She was not expecting anyone today, did Neptune get too impatient?

As she unlocked and open the door she was shoved to the side.

"YANG INCOMING!"

Weiss stumbled as she gripped to the doorknob for stability, as her blonde friend stomped through the house and made herself comfortable.

"Um Yang? What are you doing here?"

She walked back to the living room to see Yang stretched out across the couch munching on a bunch of peanuts. Weiss sighed as she gingerly knelt in front of the coffee table, even closer to the box.

"And why in the world did you bring a bunch of peanuts here? If you want to eat and bother someone, do that somewhere else."

"Ouch. Haven't seen you reach these cold temperatures in a while. I thought we were friends."

"Yang."

"Hmph, if you want to skip to the chase, I'm eating these peanuts because this whole situation is just driving me nuts."

Weiss groaned.

Yang used her thumb to wipe a bit of salt stuck near the corner of her mouth, "No… I'm serious Weiss," She moved to sit up and rest her right arm on the armrest, "This morning I come over to visit my little sister so we I can have breakfast together like old times, and instead I'm greeted with a zombie, who in random just starts sobbing into pillows. Much more tragically than what she has been doing for the past week."

Weiss froze, "I… I didn't know…"

"Gosh woman, you are so oblivious to how others feel at times."

"Hey! I know how to comfort people when they need it. If I'm correct I am the person who got Ruby to talk to you before your flight."

Yang frowned, "Not what I'm talking about ice queen. I mean how your actions affect other people. You're very observant, but I'll admit that sometimes even you are too self-centred."

"Hey!" Weiss angrily growled.

Yang was taken aback for a moment, maybe she was being a bit too salty for this conversation.

She sighed, "I'm not here to target you, sorry." She watched as Weiss' irritation slowly released from her form.

The velvet box…

"Hey, that's the ring?"

Yang went to grab and see what Neptune got for her but was intercepted by Weiss who snatched the box to her chest.

"I just wanted to see it."

"Well, I have not even seen it for myself yet."

Yang's eyes widened, "Wow, you really are still confused."

"That is the reason why I went to Ruby's."

Yang shook her head, "Nope. Even from my perspective, that is definitely not the right call."

"She… she just the first person that came into mind because I was so confused. Argh, I don't know how to organise this, or what do, and even who to ask!"

"You know… you could've asked me? Even Blake would have been happy to give advice. It definitely would have been better than asking Ruby who, if I recall, had recently confessed to you and been left hanging instead of been given an actual answer."

Weiss panicked, "Um… w-what confession?"

"Ruby told me right after the whole thing happened."

Weiss' panic had simmered into an aura of loneliness, as she explained.

"Even so, Ruby is my connection to both of you. It would… feel kind of odd to ask any of you such a personal question."

"Weiss, we still would've been friends if Ruby wasn't the catalyst. It just would have taken longer. Stop thinking about all these formalities that you are… conjuring from the depths of your confused mind!"

Weiss was silent, fumbling with the box in her hands.

Yang sighed, "If it's so personal for you, let me break that stupid wall. Just tell me why."

"Why?"

"Why didn't you say anything to Ruby that week ago on the rooftop?"

"This… this isn't really something you should be butting into."

"But this is my sister I'm talking about. And I'm very concerned. And you were afraid of personal, so lemme just barge in then."

Weiss looked up into Yang's eyes defensively, "What would you want me to say then?" Weiss bitterly spat, "I honestly don't know!"

Yang arched an eyebrow, "You don't know? An action is basically a million words! Why did you run away from my sister that night?!"

"I told you, I DO NOT KNOW!"

"Well, your cluelessness is hurting my sister! And apparently you both agreed to be open, and you basically just shut her comfort in you back into the closet again!"

"I didn't mean to! I just, I just… I just freaked out, something in me got spooked!"

"Was it because a gay girl got a crush on you and you went all homophobic on our asses?!"

"NO!" Weiss shouted, "I would never! Ridiculing someone because of their sexuality is something I would never intend to do! I… it hit too close… I, fluttering… I don't know what I…" Weiss drifted off, her eyes welling up with water. Her breaths became shallow, as she held a hand to her lips to cover her mouth.

Yang sprung out of her seat, kneeling on the floor on her side of the coffee table. She clinked her nails on the glass to grab Weiss' attention, "I'm sorry, I… I didn't mean to go that far Weiss… I jumped to conclusions. There's obviously something you are battling with. Even if it sounds like you don't know what it is yourself. Listen to my voice."

Weiss looked to Yang, taking measured breaths to push the tears back down and compose yourself.

"I'm sorry princess, I'm not meant to be here to grill or target you. My big sister instincts just kicked and took the steering wheel. Sorry."

"I… Yang, do not worry." She took another deep breath in and out, "You are her sister, of course you would be protective." A longing expression on her face as she wiped her eyes, "Never apologise for loving your sister."

Yang looked sadly at Weiss, there was something more to this… but as much as she wanted to help, it was not her place and frankly not the reason she came to talk to Weiss. Wait, her reason…

"Oh Weiss, it still isn't right for me to push you to the brink of tears. God I shouldn't be the one here, I'm too hot headed at times."

Weiss placed the box back on to the table to properly face Yang.

"Why… why are you here then?"

"I… just wanted to help, ya know?"

"Help?"

"With this whole situation." Yang sighed, "And no, not the one with Rubes, but the one with Neptune."

Weiss' eyes widened, "Really?"

"Weiss, believe it or not, we all care about you. You're like a sister to me and Blake."

Weiss' eyes softened at that statement.

"And, as you mentioned before, you usually come to Ruby about these things… but since a week ago, you've been alone haven't you. I'm not blind Weiss, even I know we are currently your closest friends. And your connection to Ruby or not, we are care about you and want to help you."

Yang stopped as she heard Weiss sniffle a little at the statement. Yang rolled her eyes affectionately before continuing.

"If you want advice, I'm happy to give it. Being an outsider from this whole… thing, I think I know how to talk you through this."

Weiss wetly chuckled, before assuming her usual straight posture. Yang grinned, happy to have gotten Weiss' mood up again.

Weiss sarcastically replied "Well, aren't you so full of yourself."

Ah, there she is.

Yang got a sneaky glimmer in her eye, "Weiss, you are not the only observant person in this group. If it has not been obvious, I am clearly the mum of the group. I know when things are up."

Unimpressed, Weiss arched her eyebrow.

"Come on, let me just try."

She sighed as she faced the box again and leaned her on hand, "… Sure."

Yang smiled in triumph at herself. Making a mental note.

Step 1: Getting Weiss to open up. Check.

"Alright, what did the proposal make you feel?"

"This is your ground-breaking advice?"

"Weiss. Come on…"

"… Confused."

"Did you even see this coming? Like did you have a feeling he was going to propose soon?"

"No, not really."

"Hmm…"

"Hmm?" Weiss mimicked incredulously, "That is all you have to say?"

"Haha nope, it's just… usually when a healthy couple is ready for engagement, they are at least on the same terms and same ideologies about getting married. Sure, it can be surprising that someone is proposing to you, but at least you should already know the answer. The strong couples that end up being married their lifetime at least already know it was coming and what their answers were before it happened."

"Healthy couple? Of course, me and Neptune are a happy couple! What are you trying to insinuate?"

"Exactly what came to mind… are you really a happy couple? Because from my observations I saw you leading your boyfriend on just like you were with Ruby."

"Leading them on?! I-I was doing nothing of the sort! Neptune and I have been together for over a year! How am I leading him on? And Ruby just confessed to me recently! This is all a new development!"

"Well to you it is. But Ruby started crushing on you early on and tried to kill those feelings 'cause she also treasured you as a friend. But then you kept being flirty around her despite how 'straight' you appear."

"Flirty?!"

Yang gave her a lazy look, "Okay unintentionally flirty, but don't even get me started on Neptune. You kept gravitating towards Rubes while all he was left to do was watch you talk and centre your attention around her."

"I gave him attention." Weiss protested.

"Yeah, but even I know that you probably mentioned Ruby too often during those dates."

"…"

"Hah. Right in the bullseye." Yang shifted herself as she took some time to put the bag of peanuts on the table, "Do you even love him?"

"… Neptune?"

"Of course! Who else would I be talking about?"

"…"

"Weiss… the fact that you had to confirm it was Neptune is a telling sign that something's up."

"I… the word 'love' is a huge step."

"You've been in the relationship for more than a year, you are already past a 'huge step'."

"It… just does not feel right…"

"Why would that be?"

"Because…"

Yang leaned closer to the armrest, hoping Weiss was reaching the conclusion which has been obvious from a while ago.

"Because… I don't love him… I…" Weiss groaned as she placed her forehead on the table in exasperation, "I… have been stringing him along. I'm such a horrible person."

Yang sighed, as she pulled out her hand and gave Weiss a warm pat on the shoulder, "Breathe Weiss, breathe…"

Step 2: Sort Weiss' feelings about Neptune. Check.

"I did think I like him at first but… oh… oh God."

Yang reeled her hand and straightened up… Weiss never cursed like this.

"I… I like Ruby." She said, her blue eyes widening.

Yang's eyes bulged, "Whoa, I thought I would need a lot more to pry that confession outta your mouth. I wasn't even planning to talk to you about that anyways."

"AHHHH I LIKE RUBY?!" She exclaimed, tugging the ends of her hairs shock.

Yang, unsure what to do from her side of the table picked and threw a nut at her arms, making the woman stop her habit and make eye contact with her.

"Um… it seems so?"

"It… earlier when I… no Weiss, another time." Weiss spoke to herself.

Yang tilted her head in curiosity at that line.

Weiss however pushed on, "But… but it makes so much sense!" Weiss exclaimed as she got up and began pacing in front of Yang, her freak out from the first part of the conversation forgotten for this revelation.

"I am always thinking about her, what she likes, that this reminds me of her. Where she would love to hang out next, what her favourite food are… I even started playing Pokémon just so I can contribute to her rants about generation 8!"

"Okay it seems that you are just pointing out everything for me." Yang added, her voice lost within Weiss' ramblings.

"The visits… I even let her jump over my fence instead of going the long way around like a normal person! Goodness…" Weiss blushed as she murmured, "Well this explains the dreams I have been getting for a while now."

"WAIT! Back it up! You've been dreaming about my little sis?!"

Weiss waved her off as her mutters became inaudible, as she started another decent into her mind.

Yang shook off the protective sister instincts that sprung up… she was here for Weiss right now… and frankly they were getting off topic.

Step 3: The verdict. In progress.

"Um… as, uh, enlightening this moment is for you… There is one loose thread you've got to sew up." Yang interrupted as she pointed to the ring box sitting alone at the table.

Weiss froze for a moment, following Yang's finger.

"Ahem, right." Weiss clarified as she got out of her hunched position.

She approached the box, and with finesse she scooped it up into her hands.

"So… what are you gonna do?"

Weiss tilted her head at the box. She picked it up, smiling sadly at the life with Neptune she may have had, if she actually would have wanted it. Weiss rubbed the velvet, before placing it back down on the table. Neptune does not deserve a life in which her heart would be somewhere else.

"He said to open it when I had decided my answer…" She glanced to Yang, "But I presume he thought I would say yes."

Yang slowly nodded.

"I… I need to talk to him."

"… yes and?"

"And I will return this. I am not worthy of this at all." Weiss said, breathing out in relief.

She looked down back at the box, her eyes filling up with determination, "And I know exactly how to do this, I at least need to do this eloquently thanks to my utter stupidity through this mess." She threw the box to Yang, fishing a phone out of her skirt pocket and dialling a number.

Weiss then stopped her actions for a moment, before glancing back at Yang, "… Thanks, I really needed this."

Yang grinned, "Happy to help, wish I could've done it without that little… freak out from earlier, but you've wormed yourself into our life Weiss. Whether you've done something bad or not, we are gonna make sure you have someone in your corner. Or at least someone to set you 'straight' when you get too stuck in that head of yours."

Weiss smiled once again, her heart filling up with a warmth she had not felt since she last saw Klein.

"Hello this is Weiss Schnee… Ah, you remember me… Well can I reserve a seat for two at…"

Yang chuckled and shook her head, "Ah, to the point and determined. Weiss is back."

Step 4: Help Weiss get on her feet. Goal achieved.

In the Rose household, Ruby and Blake were seated opposite each other at the kitchen table. Drinking tea and coffee as they existed in a comfortable silence.

Ruby arched her eyebrow at the inaudible shouting she heard from her backdoor neighbour from her seat at the kitchen table.

Blake chuckled as she placed her cup of tea with a clunk against the hard wood, "Don't worry about that Ruby, Yang knows what she's doing."

Ruby choked on her drink as she forced it down her throat, "I'm sorry what?!"

Blake shrugged as she lifted her mug for another sip.

Ruby groaned as she leaned back in her chair exaggeratedly, "I knew this was too good to be true. This is an ambush."

Blake pondered for a moment, "With Yang's brashness… maybe… but for me this is a… checking in."

"Have I been acting weird? I think I'm fine…"

"Ruby you've been lamenting about fictional couples on your streams more often than usual."

"You've been watching my streams?"

"How else are Yang and I going to check on you if you're not answering your door." Blake deadpanned as she poked Ruby in the forehead for further emphasis.

"Ow my brain! I'm still waking up!"

"… It's 2 in the afternoon."

"Yang tried calling me at 8am, then barges in! I was too emotional to be awake, so I took a… really long nap?"

Another silence ensued between them.

"Hey," Blake glanced at the fence and back to Ruby, "We're back at it again."

"Hmm?" Ruby followed Blake's actions, "Oh… I guess we are…" She grasped the photo frame of Zwei on the table, "But… a lot has changed since the start of the year."

"That it has…" Blake remarked, as she rubbed her finger on the Christmas-themed art of the mug, "Do you regret it? What you told her a week ago."

"I can't run from the truth. Hoping it would go away… it can't work anymore."

Blake sighed, "I'm sorry… I think I gave you bad advice back then."

"No! I think you were right… it's just that the crush back then… isn't a crush anymore."

"… The one thing we both didn't want to happen."

"Yeah, but what can I do about it? I told her I liked her and now I think our friendship has been Thanos-d out of existence."

"… that was a terrible attempt in changing the topic."

"Okay! Well what else is there to talk about?" Ruby puffed out in aggravation, as she crossed her arms in frustration.

"Well… since we are adults and not hormonal and impulsive teens, you have got to talk to her."

"But I don't want to~"

"Your pout doesn't work on me."

"Dammit!"

"But really Ruby, you have to talk to her. Whether your friendship stays alive or not, you both at least need closure in whole situation. I don't think you should be worried about losing her anyways; you know Weiss is not that kind of person."

"Blake, she literally had avoided me for a week before yesterday."

"Personally, I think she is just overwhelmed right now… and just can't function properly."

Ruby shuffled her feet under the table as she looked at her reflection in the coffee.

"And what if it does end badly."

"We are here for you Ruby. You don't have to tackle pain alone."

Ruby stared at the sad smile in her reflection, "Yeah… I know, someone very important to me taught me that."

She continued to look at her coffee, her face then frowning. Ruby took her coffee, walking over to the living room.

Blake rose an eyebrow, grabbing her mug and joining Ruby on the couch as the brunette flicked through channels on the cable TV.

"You good there, Ruby?"

Ruby hummed, as she took a sip of her coffee, "Yeah… just wished everything go back to before I confessed. Everything is just ramping up ever since that happened."

Blake grabbed the remote, "Hey, it's not your fault. Weiss reacted in that way, still not sure why she would be like that since she's been pretty supportive of all of us… but my words still stand that it was never your fault."

Ruby stole the remote, staring at the TV instead of Blake, "I… I'd rather have Weiss as a friend more than anything. I shouldn't have said anything, losing her would be devastating… it's already feeling pretty bad, and she's only been on and off about her thoughts and everything. I royally screwed up Blake."

"Ruby telling her and being honest is one of the healthiest things you've done, it's been building up, and frankly… whether you like it or not, this kinda needs to happen."

Ruby sighed, as she bumped shoulders with Blake and looked down at her coffee, "I appreciate you trying to help Blake, but this week has been emotionally draining and I need a breather. I just need you to be here… and I think Yang knows that too. She knows she a little too smothering at times, and it doesn't help with how chaotic this whole month is shaping up to be."

"… Of course Ruby, you need a friend right now… not a glorified magic 8 ball."

Ruby nodded gratefully as she settled on reruns of show she barely watched, huddled next to Blake in the underlying fear of what is to happen to her and Weiss' relationship.