As they sit down at the dinner table the following night, Weiss remembers that she forgot to ask Blake something.
"How did your exam go yesterday? I'm sorry I totally forgot to ask. I was distracted by our other topics of conversation." Weiss puts an apologetic look on her face as she peers over her menu at Blake.
Blake clears her throat as she places her napkin in her lap and straightens the utensils on the table in front of her.
"It was just a practical. So I won't get my results for another few days. But I think I did well."
"What was the topic? If you don't mind me asking?"
"It was interview prep and examination prep for board exams. I have to take the second round in a few months."
"Sounds stressful."
"It can be, but it's manageable with study. And now that I've done the first round, I kind of know what I can expect." Blake sighs heavily. "But I did fairly well for my first round of board exams so I think if I stick to my study practices, I'll be fine."
"I think you will be more than fine. But if you need someone to join you in the library for study time, I'll be available." Weiss offers before realizing the implications of the offer.
"Just to study?" This time Weiss peers over her menu to see an over exaggerated frown on Blake's face.
"Around the times of your exams, yes." She pulls the menu back up so that Blake can't see the smirk on her face. "Other times would be open to negotiation."
"Negotiation. Spoken like a true business woman."
"Absolutely. And negotiation is always determined by how good the offer is." This time when she pulls the menu to the side, she sees Blake's mouth hanging open slightly before she snaps it shut and swallows.
Luckily for Blake, the waiter arrives to take their order, sparing her of the embarrassment, for now. Near the end of their meal, the waiter returns and asks if they are interested in dessert.
"No thank you, I think we are alright." Blake jumps in before Weiss can even decide. She waits until the waiter has left again to look over at Weiss. "Sorry. I was kinda hoping we could go get dessert somewhere else after this, if that's alright?"
"That's fine. I was wondering why you told him 'no' so quickly."
"I wanted to make sure you didn't order something, since I had other options. But I also didn't want to openly tell him we were planning on going somewhere else."
"Even considerate to the waiter." Weiss can't help but smile widely at Blake, who half heartedly rolls her eyes. "Nothing wrong with that at all. I admire it very much, actually."
As they step out of the restaurant into the night air, Blake reaches out for Weiss' hand, which she openly allows her to take.
"There is a bakery that also makes homemade ice cream down the street, if that sounds good?"
Weiss nods in agreement and wraps her other arm around the top half of Blake's arm. She feels a light squeeze on her hand, looking over to see her new favorite smile. Once they're inside the bakery, Weiss becomes overwhelmed with choices. There had to be over twenty kinds of pies, various fruit tarts, cookies and candies, as well as ice cream.
"I have no idea how I'll ever be able to decide."
"We can always each pick one and then share it."
"What happens if we both pick the same one?"
"Would you like me to pick first? Then you can decide?"
"Yes please." Weiss feels the pressure float away. "Thank you."
"It's an easy choice for me. Chocolate silk pie."
"How is it so easy for you to pick?" The frustration running through her voice as she continues to peer into the glass display cabinet in front of her.
"I come here when something good happens to celebrate and I get myself a piece of chocolate silk pie."
"Okay, then I will choose apple pie."
"Simple. Yet still probably the second best choice."
"Can we get vanilla ice cream on top?"
"Definitely." Blake nods in confirmation.
After she takes a bite of the ice cream on her plate, Weiss looks over at Blake, who is savoring her first bite of chocolate pie.
"Why did you get chocolate silk pie?"
"I told you, I come here when I want to celebrate something good that happens." Blake sticks her fork into the pie again, this time she offers the bite to Weiss instead. "I think you are something good that's happened to me. You are worth more than a chocolate pie's worth of celebration, of course, but I had to start somewhere."
Fairly confident that she's blushing profusely, she takes the bite off of the fork Blake is holding out to her. Blake was right, it was really good. After she finishes with the bite, she looks across the table.
"Are you always so charming?"
"Oh yes, I treat all my neighbors that I date the same." This time Weiss can't help but laugh, Blake joining in with her.
—
An hour or so later, they were back at Weiss' apartment door. Hand in hand, seemingly unable to let go.
"I don't like saying goodbye to you."
"I don't really like hearing you say it either." Something in the corner of her eye makes Weiss looks down the hallway toward Blake's apartment. "But something tells me that your roommate has other plans."
Blake's expression deadpans as she looks to the left, seeing long blonde hair cascading from the doorway of her apartment.
"Hey ice queen!" There is a short wave, as Yang cradles her other arm against her body.
"Hello Yang." There is a small grit of agitation in Weiss' voice as she greets her other neighbor.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I need Blake's help."
"Do you really though?" Weiss feels another little squeeze to her hand before Blake slowly lets go.
"Uh, yeah."
"What can you possibly need my help with that can't wait a little longer?"
"I just dislocated my finger."
Weiss would've been even more agitated, had Yang not held her hand out for her to see. Grimacing before she looks away, Weiss steps backward into the doorway of her apartment.
"Please go do something about that. It's unsettling." When she is finally able to look up, Blake's soft golden eyes await her. There is a hint of sadness in them.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Just go fix her finger. I don't think there's really much anyone can do for the rest of her." Blake purses her lips and releases the breath in her chest through her nose. "Just text me later?" Weiss meant it as both a statement and a question.
"Absolutely."
After her neighbors disappear into their home, Weiss does the same. Tossing her bag down roughly on the chair in her living room before dramatically throwing herself down on the couch.
"Damn it."