"Have a good night!" Weiss called out while smiling and waving to the departing couple. As soon as the door shut behind them, however, she scowled at her coworker. "Some people know how to overstay their welcome."
"Do they ever…"
Both of them froze when the door opened again but relaxed when Blake walked into the restaurant and motioned to Weiss. Weiss held up one finger before turning towards the back of the restaurant. "Lock the door?" she asked her coworker, who nodded and headed out for the night. Weiss, meanwhile, collected her bag from the break room and hurried to the restroom.
With no one else around, she spread her belongings out on the countertop and got ready as fast as possible. Changing out of her work uniform made her feel more like herself, and reapplying her makeup erased another tiresome shift. Once done, she studied her reflection in the mirror, running a hand down her slightly haphazard braid before stuffing everything into her bag.
"Sorry," she told Blake while hurrying across the empty dining room. Finally taking a moment to inspect Blake's outfit, she paused. "Wow. You look…"
"Nice?"
"Of course." Weiss looked over Blake's outfit another time as a smile crept onto her lips. "But also a little slutty."
"Exactly what I was going for." Unashamed, Blake straightened the hem of her revealing blouse and ran her hands over her tight jeans. Satisfied with her appearance, she smirked at Weiss. "Were you going for the same thing?"
"Oh shush." Weiss swatted Blake's arm with her bag, but Blake just laughed and followed her outside. "Heels and a skirt aren't slutty," she added while locking the front door behind them. "This is what I'd normally wear to go out - you know that."
"Is this really a 'normal' hang-out?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"Um, because they're both really attractive?" Weiss rolled her eyes and shook her head at the comment, but Blake continued. "Plus, there's so much history there. At least, for you and Ruby."
"Plenty of people are attractive. That doesn't mean I want to sleep with them."
"Speak for yourself…" Blake mumbled, making Weiss laugh once more.
If she listened to her rapid heartbeat and her heels quickly clicking on the sidewalk, she would admit that she was excited. Even though life had dramatically changed since they'd seen each other last, being around Ruby reminded her of better days. That period in her life had been fun, carefree, and filled with laughter, just like she expected tonight to be.
While crossing another intersection, she rubbed her hands together before holding them up to her mouth and blowing warm air on them. Nothing could be done for her legs or feet, unfortunately. On the bright side, the businesses lining the street grew more familiar with each passing minute.
Her footsteps only slowed when a neon sign reading 'The Shrouded Heart' appeared up ahead. Despite the late hour, several people stood underneath the dark purple awning, puffing clouds of acrid smoke into the air as they talked. A yellow cab stopped beside them, its brake lights glowing in the dark as the back door opened and three young women piled out.
"Ok, ground rules," Weiss said as the new arrivals giggled their way into the bar. "Ruby and I are just friends. Please don't try to make it more than that."
"Doesn't it say something that you keep bringing this up?" Blake mused, but Weiss gave her a deadpan look.
"It says that someone likes fairytale romances a little too much. Who might that be?" When Blake shrugged and muttered, "I like a good story..." Weiss rolled her eyes and added, "And please don't mention my job or family…situation. I just want to spend time with her like we used to, no drama."
"Do you really think she'll care?"
"No." Blake's brow knit at the quick response, so Weiss stopped walking and sighed. "I don't want her to think I'm only spending time with her because she's rich and famous," she admitted. "She's my friend, and I've...missed her."
When understanding flickered through Blake's amber eyes, Weiss cleared her throat and stared at the awning in front of them. She only looked away when Blake's hand settled on her shoulder.
"I won't say anything," Blake promised, adding a reassuring smile before adjusting her top and taking a deep breath. "Now, how do I look?"
Taking one glance at Blake, whose unflappable demeanor had been paired with an unabashedly flattering outfit, Weiss laughed.
"Like you're ready to put out. You like her that much?"
"She's been my dream girl since we were teenagers, Weiss. If I finally have a shot, I'm taking it."
"I'll be cheering you on," Weiss teased while leading them the last few steps to the bar. After passing through the cloud of secondhand smoke, she held the door for Blake and they walked inside.
The Shrouded Heart leaned into its name through various pictures of hearts hanging on the walls and a realistic replica sitting behind the bar. Beyond those decorations, however, it was a typical watering hole complete with pool tables, dart boards, and the lingering smell of spilled alcohol.
"There they are."
Blake nudged Weiss' elbow and nodded towards a booth in the back corner of the bar, where the three tipsy girls from the cab were now gushing over Ruby. Ruby obliged their request for a photograph, of course, and sent them on their way with a friendly wave before sliding back into her seat.
"Is it weird seeing people fawn all over her?" Blake whispered as they walked over. Weiss' brow furrowed at the question, but she didn't have time to respond before Yang spotted them.
Yang had opted for a low-cut top, shamelessly displaying her most noticeable assets, and dark denim jeans that clung to her thighs, but her eyes widened when they landed on Blake. "Wow," she said, standing up and reaching out as if she wanted to put her hands on Blake's hips but stopping herself halfway. "Wow," she repeated instead, her gaze sweeping up and down Blake's outfit. "You look...wow."
"You don't look half bad yourself."
Hearing the low purr in Blake's voice, Weiss caught Ruby's gaze and rolled her eyes. Ruby giggled, and only then did Yang acknowledge anyone else's existence.
"Oh, hey Weiss! Glad you could make it."
"I'm sure."
When Yang's attention quickly returned to Blake, Weiss shared another amused look with Ruby. Modest individuals might be embarrassed by so openly ogling another person, but Yang and Blake thought nothing of thoroughly inspecting each other's outfits. Blake turned away first, biting her lower lip and blushing while Yang cleared her throat and threw on a big smile.
"I'll grab drinks!" she announced. "Weiss? What'll you have?"
"A raspberry seltzer is fine."
"A raspberry…? You know they serve adult drinks here, right?" Yang chuckled at the joke but trailed off when Ruby glared at her. "Right. Raspberry seltzer it is." As soon as Weiss reached for her bag, however, Yang waved her hand away. "Sorry, Weiss. I've been instructed not to let you pay for anything."
Weiss immediately sent Ruby a look, and Ruby smiled.
"We invited you; we pay. That's the rule."
"Yeah, let the plebeians pay for a change," Yang joked before turning to Blake, whose blush had faded enough for her to re-engage. "What about you, gorgeous? What can I get you?"
"I'll just come with you."
"Oh, even better."
Beaming at the response, Yang rested her hand on the small of Blake's back for their short walk to the bar. Weiss rolled her eyes at the open and obvious affection before sliding into the booth across from Ruby. As seemed to be the theme, Ruby looked casual yet classy with an expensive jacket thrown over a nice white tee and dark jeans. Her bright smile, however, truly set her apart.
"Hey," she said, leaning back and lightly wrapping a hand around the glass in front of her.
"Hey." The two of them shared that smile for several seconds before Weiss motioned to the glass. "What're you having?"
"Don't think it has a name. Wanna try?"
Ruby nudged the glass forward, so Weiss took a sip. The first thing she tasted was strawberry, then orange, then she made a face and pushed the drink back across the table.
"Ruby, that's sugar," she said while Ruby laughed at the reaction.
"I asked the bartender to make me a smoothie. It's close, right?"
"It's closer to a milkshake. Is there even any alcohol in that?"
"Hardly. But I'm not here to drink; I'm here to spend time with you." The sincerity warmed Weiss' cheeks, but Ruby sipped her drink and glanced towards the door. "How'd your thing go?"
"'Thing?'" Weiss had already turned towards the door before remembering she made up evening plans. "Oh. It was fine. I was looking forward to this the entire time."
"Yeah? Me too."
Weiss smiled at the honesty, feeling more and more willing to get lost in those sparkling silver eyes, but she quickly turned away when Yang slid back into the booth.
"Did Ruby tell you she got proposed to today?" Yang asked while Blake set a glass in front of Weiss and sat beside her. Ruby, meanwhile, shot Yang an unamused look.
"If someone shouting 'Ruby Rose, please marry me!' while I'm on the escalator counts as a proposal, then yes." After glancing at Weiss, Ruby thoughtfully tapped her chin. "I don't think it'll work though...there aren't many people I'd marry if they asked on an escalator."
"There are people though?" Blake asked.
"Of course!" Ruby's gaze flitted to Weiss again before a grin slipped onto her lips. "Pyrrha Nikos, for one."
"God. Good choice," Yang said. Noticing Blake's nod, she smiled. "You too?"
"Oh, absolutely."
Unperturbed by the answer, Yang laughed and turned to Weiss.
"What about you, Weiss? Would you marry Pyrrha?"
"I don't know her."
"You don't need to know her. She's literally the hottest and sweetest person alive."
"Ruby's the sweetest person alive."
Weiss motioned at Ruby, prepared to argue that point to the death, but Ruby shook her head.
"Thanks, Weiss, but I'm with Yang on this one. Pyrrha's super sweet."
Seeing Yang's victorious grin, Weiss scoffed and said, "Well, I still wouldn't marry her."
"Because you have your sights set on someone else?"
"Because I have principles," Weiss retorted, bristling at Yang's wink. "If I'm marrying someone, it's because I want to spend the rest of my life with them, not because they're ridiculously attractive."
"Ah. So you think Pyrrha's ridiculously attractive."
Yang's lilac eyes sparkled now, especially delighted as Blake hid a smile behind her glass and Ruby looked on in amusement. Caught in a quandary, Weiss waved a hand and said, "That's stating the obvious, isn't it?" before picking up her drink. While Yang laughed, Weiss sipped the raspberry-flavored sparkling water and ignored the blush on her cheeks. Before she could regret the comment, however, Ruby nudged her foot under the table.
"I agree."
Hearing those two simple words, Weiss smiled instead. She nudged Ruby's foot in return, earning a cute grin, before taking another sip of her drink.
"This is nice," Yang added, her gaze settling on Blake for several intimate seconds before moving around the table. "Just like old times."
"Did you three do this often?"
"You mean me third wheeling them?" Weiss glared at Yang for the joke, but Yang sipped her drink and winked. "Yeah, all the time."
"Yang tagged along for free food," Weiss pointed out.
"And to hang out with my little sister!" Yang argued, wrapping an arm around Ruby's shoulders and tugging her close. "Since you were kind of a package deal, I had to spend time with you, too."
"Love you too, Yang," Weiss muttered, rolling her eyes while Yang laughed.
"Do you remember though? Ruby did the dumbest shit to get your attention."
"That's not true!"
Ruby squirmed out from beneath Yang's arm and shook her head, but Yang gave her a deadpan look.
"You literally broke your arm when you fell off a roof trying to make it 'snow' for her."
"That wasn't the brightest idea…" Weiss mumbled while stirring her straw through the ice in her glass.
"But it was cute, right?"
"Adorable," Weiss assured Ruby, whose triumphant grin made Yang scoff.
"It was already snowing," Yang explained to Blake. "But genius here decided to climb up on an icy roof with a bucket of the 'best' snow."
"I remember that." A small smile lifted Blake's lips as her attention shifted to Ruby. "You asked me to sign your cast."
"Then I bragged to Yang about it," Ruby laughed. "'Book girl signed my cast!'" she mimicked, but her laughter stopped as soon as she heard what she said.
When silence overtook the table, Yang glared at her sister, who grimaced and took a sudden interest in her drink. Weiss, meanwhile, shook her head and subtly checked Blake's reaction. Unsurprisingly, Blake smiled at the duo's embarrassment.
"I already know that's what people called me."
Like air released from a popped balloon, Yang and Ruby relaxed in unison. Yang hardly regained her signature smile, however, before Ruby winked at Weiss and elbowed Yang's side.
"Yang had a different nickname for you at home though."
Weiss immediately laughed, bringing Ruby's delighted grin her way while Yang's eyes widened and Blake's attention snapped back to her.
"Uh, look! A table's open." Yang practically jumped to her feet when two young men walked away from one of the pool tables. "How do you feel about pool?"
"I feel great about pool," Blake said, glancing at Weiss and Ruby before following Yang to the table.
"You and 'the hot girl' have fun!" Ruby called after them, waving innocently when Yang shot her a look of pure disbelief and Blake's brow rose. Blake soon smiled and handed Yang one of the cues, and Weiss laughed at the growing blush on Yang's cheeks.
"I can't believe you just did that to her," she told Ruby.
"She would've spilled eventually. But this way we got a fun reaction out of it."
"I like your style," Weiss replied, chuckling again before sipping her drink. Ruby dragged a finger through the condensation on her glass as they sat in comfortable silence, watching Blake and Yang prepare their game. Yang had already recovered from her embarrassment, her smile bright and happy as Blake laughed at nearly every other word out of her mouth.
"Do you want to play?" Weiss asked Ruby when one of the other tables opened up.
"If you want to."
The lackluster response convinced Weiss to settle into her seat.
"I'm fine right here," she admitted, and Ruby brightened as another comfortable silence enveloped them. There seemed to be fewer people around now, though being tucked away in their private corner made it difficult to tell. The seats at the bar were still filled, as were many of the booths and tables, but the atmosphere had settled into something more intimate and personable.
"Is that good?" Ruby eventually asked, pointing at Weiss' drink.
"Want to try?"
When Weiss pushed the glass across the table, Ruby lifted it to her lips and took a small sip. "Mm," she said, studying the red-tinted water for a second before returning it. "Light and refreshing."
"It's no milkshake," Weiss teased, savoring some of the cold, fizzy beverage for herself before glancing towards Yang's laughter. "They get along, don't they?" she mused while watching Blake listen to every excited word falling from Yang's lips. Before long, Yang stood behind Blake, guiding her hands into the right positions on the pool cue. Aware that Blake knew full well how to play pool, Weiss rolled her eyes and shared an amused look with Ruby.
"They're on a date, right?" Ruby asked. "Yang's been calling it a date all day. Well, she kept calling it a 'double date,' but you know how she is."
Ruby gently swirled her glass in the condensation on the table and shrugged while Weiss mulled over the two girls seeking out any fleeting touches they could possibly make an excuse for.
"Blake didn't say, but it clearly is." Turning away from the rampant flirting, Weiss added, "At least, for them. We're just...two friends catching up."
"Exactly." Still swirling her glass, Ruby thought about the situation until her brow furrowed. "What makes it a 'date' and not just two people hanging out?"
"I guess...on a date, there's always the possibility of something more."
"Like sex."
"Ruby!" Weiss gasped, only to shake her head and hold back a smile when Ruby giggled. "Or the possibility of a long-term relationship," she added. "Boyfriends, girlfriends, marriage...you know, all that jazz."
"All that jazz," Ruby repeated. Her gaze unfocused for several seconds before thoughtfully considering Weiss. "But two people hanging out can build a long-term relationship, too. Friendship is a type of relationship, right?"
"When did you get so philosophical?"
"I'm getting old," Ruby replied with a small laugh that they shared.
Once their laughter faded, however, Weiss studied Ruby more closely. Appearance-wise, Ruby looked nearly identical to when they last saw each other. She had matured though, gaining knowledge and certainty that reflected in her eyes. Weiss opened her mouth to comment on the change, wondering how Ruby felt about being so 'grown up,' but Blake suddenly sat beside her.
"Hey, Weiss," Blake said quietly, her eyes flitting Ruby's way. "Yang and I were thinking we'd head out. Is that alright?"
"You're ditching me already?"
"Yes?"
Blake's smile had enough of a grimace in it that Weiss waved her away with a soft, "Don't worry about it." Permission granted, Blake's eyes lit up and her smile became real. "Are you sure?" she still had the decency to ask.
"I'm sure."
"I owe you one," she whispered before grabbing her bag and hurrying back to Yang. Whatever she said had Yang beaming in no time, and Yang hardly managed a wave before Blake dragged her out of the bar. With their rapid exit complete, Weiss looked at Ruby, who tried to hide a smile, and scoffed.
"They get along really well," she said before laughing with Ruby.
"I figured they'd ducked out early," Ruby admitted. "But still - this is fun, right? We've never done this before."
"Because we weren't old enough."
"We weren't old enough for a lot of things."
Ruby waggled her brow with the response, but Weiss scoffed.
"We were old enough for that in high school. Just ask your sister."
"But Yang never -"
Weiss' arched brow ended Ruby's response mid-sentence. Then her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
"She lied to me?"
While Ruby spun around to look at the door Yang just left through, Weiss laughed and said, "The fact that you believed her suggests you weren't old enough."
Playfully grumbling at the revelation, Ruby waved off Weiss' laughter before abruptly freezing.
"It wasn't you, was it?"
"Me?" Weiss emphatically shook her head at Ruby's wide-eyed expression. "God, no. The furthest Yang ever got with me was a drunken makeout after graduation."
"What?!"
"Ruby, I'm kidding," Weiss replied, laughing at Ruby's dismay. "I've never been interested in Yang," she added as that dismay morphed into understanding. "Besides, you were with me for practically all of graduation, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah. That was a sad day…" Ruby's gaze fell to the table, where she fiddled with her glass, but she looked up before long. "Want to play now?" she asked, nodding towards the unused pool tables.
The bar had emptied as time passed, leaving only a handful of groups spread across the room. Some sat at the bar watching television while the bartender cleaned the counters. Others sat in booths or at tables chatting over empty glasses. The music had been turned down to a low volume that would make Weiss tired if she thought too much about it. Rather than do that, she said, "Sure," and slid out of the booth.
"But we can only use our hands," Ruby added while hurrying after Weiss, who sighed and shook her head.
"Must we always look like fools?"
"That's kind of my image."
"Then nothing's changed," Weiss teased on their way to the nearest table.
After several games of pool without cues came games of darts with their non-dominant hands. They might have looked like incompetent idiots, but they had inordinate amounts of fun. They goaded each other into trying yet another dumb, pointless feat. They teased each other when they inevitably failed, or celebrated an unlikely success. Most of all, they laughed. They laughed so often that they drew attention from the remaining patrons, but that didn't stop them from making another fool of themselves and laughing again.
For that short-lived moment, it felt like they were in high school again. Even though Weiss was keenly aware of the curious gazes and inevitable judgment that followed, Ruby made it impossible to care about the opinions of strangers.
Ultimately, the time interrupted their joviality. Weiss only noticed the late hour when she glanced around the bar and realized they were the last people there. Her smile fell at the realization, confirmed by a glance at the clock. Her cheeks celebrated their rest, but her heart protested the shared understanding in Ruby's eyes.
"Guess we should head out, huh?"
"Yeah…" Weiss glanced at the bartender, who surely wanted to get home, before returning to the booth with Ruby. Once they'd collected their belongings, they waved to the bartender and headed outside.
"Can I get you a ride home?" Ruby asked as they stepped into Atlas' early morning cold, but Weiss shook her head.
"Your hotel isn't far. We should go there first."
Ruby opened her mouth to protest, but Weiss smiled and started walking in the hotel's direction. Fortunately, Ruby chuckled lightly to herself and followed.
At this hour, downtown Atlas looked nothing like it did during the bustling daytime. Stoplights still turned from green to yellow to red, adding flashes of color to the otherwise-drab street lamps, but no cars were around to heed the instructions. There were no people either, save for a few late-night diners with bright signs and even brighter interiors hosting one or two night owls.
If the hotel was far, or if they were in one of the more sordid neighborhoods, Weiss would never suggest walking. But for a few blocks, it felt like they were the only souls around, their light footsteps mingling with distant cars on adjacent streets.
"It's crazy how much things stayed the same…" Ruby mused, lightly swinging her arms as she walked. While Weiss glanced around, searching for similarities that had stood the test of time, Ruby smiled at her. "It's nice that we can still do this. Just...hang out and talk, you know? Kind of feels like I never left."
The reminder strained Weiss' smile, but she held Ruby's gaze long enough to say, "You're right," before turning away. The ensuing silence left her grasping for something else to say, but every change of subject failed at the tip of her tongue. She wrapped her arms around herself instead, warming her hands as the blocks faded away.
Before long, Ruby's hotel loomed in front of them. Regardless of the hour, it offered some semblance of life, but even then only a smidge. A solitary doorman stood outside, currently transferring suitcases from a taxi to a bellhop. Through the glass doors, a middle-aged man could be seen talking to the receptionist.
As they approached the entrance, Ruby fidgeted with her hands. Weiss' feet slowed in response. Words became harder to find, and a heavy, invisible weight accompanied every step. Giving in to the feeling, Weiss stopped just outside rather than enter the hotel.
"So...thanks for coming out tonight." Ruby's hands returned to her sides, but her feet shuffled against the pavement before she finally met and held Weiss' gaze. "I know you're busy, but it was really nice to see you."
"It was nice seeing you too, Ruby. And I had a great time."
"Me too. Of course, I always have a great time with you." The sincere admission tugged at Weiss' heart, but Ruby followed it up by glancing at the hotel and asking, "Uh, do you want to come up?"
"Oh." Looking into the lobby, with its warm glow promising comfort and something more, Weiss seriously considered the offer before shaking her head. "I should probably head home."
"Right. It's late, and you probably have important things to do tomorrow."
"Right. It is late."
The conversation stalled again, leaving Weiss searching for a way to erase the awkward tension in the air. A car door closing solved the problem for her, as Ruby turned towards the sound and said a quick, "Hold on." She touched Weiss' shoulder before flagging down the taxi driver and, after exchanging a few words with him, waved Weiss over.
"Take her wherever she needs to go, ok?" Ruby said while handing the man several folded bills.
"Ruby…I can pay for my own cab."
"I know, but I already paid for you!" Grinning like usual, Ruby opened the back door and bowed Weiss into the vehicle. "Your Majesty," she added while Weiss suppressed a smile and slipped inside. Once she'd settled into the backseat, Ruby went to shut the door but paused and leaned in instead.
"I just had an idea. Want to come over tomorrow and watch a movie?"
Ruby's excited silver eyes and hopeful smile swept away the unease from moments prior. Rather than dwell on that moment, overthinking what caused it or what it meant, Weiss nodded and said, "I'd love to."
"Great. Maybe around eight?"
"Make it nine and I'm there."
"You're a night owl now?" Ruby asked before nodding. "You're on. I'll see you then."
Smiling brightly now, Ruby carefully closed the door and backed to the safety of the sidewalk.
"Where're you headed, Miss?" the driver asked while Weiss' gaze lingered on Ruby.
"Bleeker Apartments, please."
As the taxi pulled away from the curb, Ruby waved and watched the car drive away. Only when the vehicle turned the corner did Weiss lean back and sigh. The pleasant warmth in her chest didn't fade when she thought about the stack of papers waiting for her at home and another shift at work in her near future.
No matter how tedious, stressful, or humiliating those responsibilities were, Ruby offered something to look forward to. Regardless of how long they'd been apart, that was yet another thing that hadn't changed.