Chapter Sixteen: Zombie
December was a busy month for Weiss. Every day was filled with back to back meetings and piles upon piles of paperwork that only seemed to grow by the second. The days Weiss could go home on time felt like a far flung dream she'd never reach. Chrys was also exceptionally busy for a nine-year-old. Though, Weiss suspected it was because this was their first Christmas without good ol' Saint Nicole.
But as the days passed and the excuses to go out continued to grow, Weiss came to the startling realization that her daughter wasn't avoiding the holiday, she was avoiding her.
Weiss didn't know what to do. The only times she got to see Chrys was when she came home a few hours before dinner, but instead of chatting with Weiss for a bit, Chrys would immediately run into her room citing homework as the reason. Their breakfasts and dinners also suffered from the growing chasm between. Chrys used to talk nonstop and fill the room with her warm, infectious laughter, but now they ate to the sound of the TV.
Dropping the document she'd been struggling to read for the past two hours, Weiss reclined in her chair and turned it around to stare out into the city.
Vale was beautiful in December with its gentle snowfall and clear blue skies. The buildings here were older here, not at all like Atlas' cold, modern industrialization. There were chimneys for one, and Weiss got to enjoy seeing the little puffs of smoke rising up like little planet destroying clouds—damn it!
"Ugh," Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and shook the obtrusive thought out of her head. She didn't want to think about the seventy-five page report sitting on her desk detailing the many ways Nobility Inc. could go green. "No, no, no," Weiss said standing up to put some physical distance between her and the ironic waste of paper.
She walked up to Monsieur Bulle's tank and peered inside. The fish eyed her suspiciously but carried on without a care.
"Not going to say hi to me?" Weiss asked with a pout. The fish turned away. "Ugh, you mama's boy… you're lucky you're cute. You know, if I hadn't stopped her, she would've turned you into soup when you got big and fat."
Monsieur Bulle turned his head and swam in the opposite direction, completely snubbing Weiss.
"Maybe sashimi," Weiss added with a growing smirk. "God damn it, Monsieur Bulle, stop ignoring me. I love you!"
"Ahem," Ciel cleared her throat, her head poking in through the small crack she made in the door, "your 10a.m. is here, Mrs. Adel."
Weiss blushed at her sudden outburst and said, "Right. Thank you, Ciel."
"No problem, ma'am," Ciel replied dutifully. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Yes, could you feed my delinquent son?" Weiss asked, walking back to her desk to gather the documents she failed to finish reading.
"Understood. Anything else?"
"Not that I can—oh! Could you also grab us lunch?"
"The usual place?"
"Of course," Weiss smiled gratefully. "See? This is why I pay you so well."
"You'd be lost without me, Weiss," Ciel laughed, letting some of her stiff professionalism wash away. "Meeting room three; Neptune's already there."
"Thank you."
When Ciel closed the door, Weiss took a moment to look down at a photo of her family. Chrys in Coco's arms, both smiling, happy, and complete. Weiss was behind the camera so she was technically there, but there were days where she felt like they would've been perfectly fine without her. They were fine without her.
"No."
Pinching her eyes shut, Weiss reminded herself that the invasive thoughts weren't true and that her family loved her, mistakes and all.
A soft knock interrupted Weiss' brooding.
"Mrs. Adel?" Ciel's muffled voice said from the other side of the door. "Is everything alright?"
"Sorry!" Weiss shouted, clearing her throat. "Got lost in thought."
"If you're not feeling well, would you like me to reschedule?"
"No! No," Weiss rushed up to the door and opened it. "I'm okay."
Ciel looked at her carefully but nodded her head. "Understood, ma'am." Then, after following Weiss for a few steps, Ciel touched Weiss' shoulder to get her attention. "Is everything okay, Weiss?"
Regarding her friend thoughtfully, Weiss gave Ciel a small smile and a nod. "I'm just a little tired, you know how busy we get this season."
"I do," Ciel replied, her brows furrowed together, "but I've seen you frazzled about work before and this isn't it. Something's on your mind and it's weighing on you heavily. As your friend first and your assistant second, I hope you know that you can put your faith in me."
"I know, Ciel," Weiss said, pulling the younger woman in for a hug. "I appreciate you and that unwavering loyalty of yours, but this is… this is between me and my daughter."
Ciel gasped at the new knowledge, surprised by Weiss' candidness. "If you need me to keep her occupied for a few hours, I can."
"No, no, quite the opposite actually," Weiss sighed, letting Ciel go. "I need to find a way to keep her at home. When she's not outside with friends, she locked in her room—Ciel, it's too soon for teenage rebellion!"
"Oh no."
"Mhm," Weiss sighed.
"I think you should talk to her," Ciel said as she straightened Weiss suit and tie. "I mean really talk to her. I know confrontation was more Coco's job in these matters, but it'll do you some good to start now and find your voice while she's still young."
Weiss thought about Ciel's advice and nodded in understanding, though how much of it sunk in still had to be determined.
Ever since they lost Coco, things between Weiss and Chrys had been tenuous at best. Chrys was obedient to a fault, never once speaking against Weiss or her wishes. And the gap that had been steadily growing between them for years suddenly snapped shut and stitched together like nothing happened. This should have made Weiss happy, but in truth it had startled her more than she'd like to admit because Chrys had always been Coco's girl. If Chrys needed a parent to latch on to, it would always be Coco. Even in her nightmares, Chrys still called for her maman to come save her. Weiss supposed this was the price she paid for being so distant while Chrys was a baby.
Ciel sighed and poked Weiss between the eyebrows. "Crinkle," she said with a reassuring smile. "Don't over think things, Weiss. Chrys is nine, not nineteen. She's still a child."
"Yes, but she's my child and I'd like to show her the respect she deserves."
"And you're her mother," Ciel pointed out, poking Weiss' forehead again, this time digging in hard enough to push her back. "You can't let her walk all over you. You need to assert your authority, and if that means laying down the law then do it. You deserve just as much respect."
"I know I should," Weiss said, rubbing her forehead. "But I just got her to start liking me, I don't want to lose that…" Ciel let out a loud groan. "What?"
"She loves you more than anything in the world," Ciel said, "but you need to be her mother first and her best friend second. She needs that stability. She needs you, Weiss, not some wishy-washy babysitter that just buys her things she doesn't even want. Be the mother you wish you had."
"Be the mother I wish I had," Weiss solemnly repeated.
"That's right!" Ciel said. "But do that on your own time because you're twenty minutes late to your ten o'clock."
"Ugh, stupid hippy tree huggers," Weiss groaned. "I wish they'd just leave me alone." Ciel laughed at that. "Quiet, you."
"Knock 'em dead, Weiss," Ciel said, patting Weiss' back.
During dinner that night, Weiss paid extra close attention to Chrys. She watched her separate her food into three neat little piles with the veggie medley on the top, meat in the lower left corner for easy access, and mashed potatoes to its right. Chrys also made sure that there was a clear divide between everything so nothing touched. Then she meticulously cut her steak into extra small bits to get an even amount of everything in one forkful.
Weiss smiled and thought about how Coco did the exact same thing. It used to drive her insane because it made dinner drag on longer than it should have. But Coco never did it to keep herself busy and focused like what Chrys was doing, she did it so she keep Weiss talking.
Chrys looked up from her dinner and tilted her head as if she were asking "what?" in a flat tone.
This had to stop.
"Chrys," Weiss said sternly, "is there something you'd like to say?" Chrys spared her a glance and shrugged before going back to pick at her food. "Chrys, look at me when I talk to you."
"Yes, Mama."
Sighing, Weiss took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes. She was exhausted. How did Coco manage this?
"You're never home, mon coeur. And when you are, you're quiet," Weiss said. "Something's bothering you, but I can't do anything to fix it unless you tell me."
"There's nothing wrong," Chrys said, shovelling a large forkful into her mouth so she didn't have to talk.
"And that's how I know something's wrong," Weiss said. "Is it school? Is someone bullying you?" Chrys rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Right. I should feel sorry for the cabbage that even tries to raise a hand against you."
Chrys quietly giggled and ate another big bite. She still wasn't willing to talk.
"So if it isn't school," Weiss said, eyeing Chrys carefully, "then is it Christmas?"
Chrys sunk into her shoulders making Weiss think she'd found her answer, but Chrys looked her dead in the eye and shook her head. Then it dawned on Weiss. It was her, but she didn't want to believe it, so she asked.
"Is it me then?"
Chrys looked away and shook her head.
There it was.
"It is me, isn't?" Weiss said, leaning forward. She kept her breathing steady and her face stoic but kind. Coco had always been patient when she confronted Chrys and it usually always ended well, so Weiss hoped she could do the same. "Be honest, what's wrong, Chrys? I promise I won't be mad no matter what you say. Pinky promise." She offered her left pinky to Chrys and smiled at her hopefully. When Chrys hesitantly returned the gesture, Weiss let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, you have my word, now I need yours."
Chrys' lips were scrunched together as she carefully thought about what to say, and Weiss couldn't help but laugh because she knew she did the exact same thing. Chrys might've been Coco's girl, but she was Weiss' all the same.
"I don't like that you're replacing Maman!" Chrys loudly blurted out in a rapid string of words that blindsided Weiss.
"What?" Weiss blinked in confusion.
Chrys rolled her eyes and slowly repeated what she said, enunciating every word carefully so Weiss didn't mishear anything.
"I thought you liked Ruby?" Weiss asked.
"As my babysitter, yeah."
"You said were fine with me seeing her."
Chrys shrugged her shoulders. "Maman made me promise."
"Promise what, Chrys?" Weiss asked, crossing her arms.
"To support you if anything happened to her," Chrys murmured, glancing up and then away.
"First of all, what? Second of all, what?!" Weiss let out a long aggravated sigh, thinking back to how aggressive Neptune was when he first met Ruby. "Okay, okay"—Weiss took a quick breath to calm herself—"what else?"
"Nothing," Chrys grumbled. "Ruby's everything Maman wanted for you."
"And what might that be?"
"She makes you happy," Chrys answered plainly, picking at her mashed potatoes. "You smile and laugh a lot more… you're different."
"A good different I hope?" Weiss asked.
"I guess," Chrys shrugged. "I like that you're happy."
"But you don't like that I'm trying something new with Ruby?" Weiss said trying to suss out the rest of Chrys' thought.
Chrys shrugged again and ate some of her cold dinner but made a face when it tasted off. Weiss offered to warm it up, not liking how her gravy sat on her potatoes like a thick blanket. And in true stubborn Adel fashion, Chrys said "no" and shovelled some more food into her mouth, making the same disgruntled face again.
"Mon coeur, just let me warm it up for you," Weiss said, reaching for Chrys' plate.
"I said 'no thank you,' " Chrys snapped angrily, shielding her plate from Weiss with both arms. She pulled her food close like a dragon hugging its hoard and glowered at Weiss with the same ferocity. "It tastes fine just like this!"
Weiss sighed as she carefully divided her food into three piles and brought it to the microwave. A few minutes later, she returned to the table with a hot, delicious dinner. Chrys eyed her meal jealously, watching with hungry eyes as Weiss meticulously cut her steak into tiny, even pieces.
Chrys licked her lips and whimpered when Weiss took that first bite of warm food.
"Mm, so good," Weiss moaned happily.
By the second bite, Chrys was eyeing her murderously. And on the third, she pushed her plate towards Weiss and crossed her arms with a pout, refusing to meet her mother's eye.
Chrys muttered something that Weiss didn't quite catch. "Could you repeat that, grumpy girl?" she asked with a smile. Chrys glared at her and grumbled again. "Chrys."
Sighing, Chrys uncrossed her arms and politely asked, "Can you please reheat my food, Mama?"
"Good girl," Weiss said, exchanging the two plates so Chrys could have her warm dinner immediately.
Weiss didn't go to the microwave. She remained seated and picked at the cold steak wondering how she'd fix the issue between her and Chrys. The answer was obvious but Weiss refused to accept it so easily without thinking over every single option available to her.
"The steak is really good, Mama," Chrys said enthusiastically, sounding much better now that she'd gotten to tell Weiss the truth. "Can I have some more water please?"
"Of course, mon coeur," Weiss said, getting up to refill Chrys' glass. When she got back, she found that Chrys had finished all of her vegetables and was stealing some of the cold ones off Weiss'. "I can't name another person your age that likes vegetables as much as you do."
"If I want to grow as big as Maman, I need to eat them and drink a lot of milk," Chrys said, stealing even more of the veggie medley from Weiss.
"She hated milk," Weiss said, sitting down.
"Oh."
Seeing Chrys smile after learning a new fact about her mother made Weiss feel awful. They'd been so focused on moving on that they'd forgotten to look back and remember the good times, but that ended tonight. Weiss was going to be more honest and forthcoming and she was going to start with herself.
"I hated it too since drinking too much of it gave me a bad tummy ache."
"But I remember we used to always all drink some warm milk before bed," Chrys recalled with a curious head tilt.
"We drank it with you because your refused to drink it alone," Weiss laughed. "You used to cry and cry about not wanting to drink it because the milk man stole it from the baby cow…"
"Which we're eating now," Chrys pouted.
"No, well," Weiss tapped the table three times in thought, "maybe its mean uncle that never sends presents."
"That's not nice, Mama," Chrys laughed.
"C'est la vie, mon coeur," Weiss shrugged with a smirk.
Chrys continued to giggle unabashedly, filling the silence with a warmth their home had been missing.
Swallowing the stubborn lump lodged deep within in her throat, Weiss called out to her daughter in a grave tone, "Chrys."
"Yes, Mama?"
"You know that your happiness means the world to me, right?"
"I do."
"And you know I'd do anything to make sure of that, right?"
"Of course," Chrys said.
"Do you…" Weiss bit the inside of her cheek trying to force the words out, bit she was finding them harder to say than the final words she'd said to her father. But Weiss was a strong woman, so she willed herself to speak, "Do you want me to break up with Ruby?"
"What?" Chrys blinked, her smile gone in an instant. No!"
"Wait, what? I thought…" Weiss rubbed both of her temples. "I am so confused right now."
"I want you happy, Mama, but I have a promise to keep and you taught me never to break them. Especially a pinky promise."
"She made you pinky promise?" Weiss groaned.
"Yeah. I might not like it, but I have to accept it… and maybe I will someday, but I need time to get used to it—just like a fishy from the store! You have to let me temperature acclimate or else I'll die!"
"I sure hope not!" Weiss gasped in shock.
Chrys shrugged. "Do you understand though?"
"I do… but Chrys, I'm sorry, you need to stop accepting all of these invitations to go out. I never get to see you anymore," Weiss took a shallow breath, "I-I miss you."
"I miss you too…" Chrys said sadly, "but you need time with Ruby."
"Oh, mon coeur, no." Weiss got up and wrapped Chrys tightly in her arms, kissing her hair. "My time with Ruby will never be more important than my time with you and she knows that. You, my heart, will always be my top priority no matter what."
Chrys hugged Weiss back but it wasn't her usual bone breaking hug. It was like a double armed pat on the back from someone who didn't know if they should hug you or push you away. Weiss' heart broke a little more and hugged Chrys tighter to compensate.
"I love you, mon coeur," Weiss whispered.
"Mm," Chrys replied.
After dinner, sometime around 9p.m., Weiss got a text from Ruby. She'd just gotten out of school and asked if she could come over for a bit or stay the night. Weiss was tempted to say yes since she hadn't seen her in almost two weeks, but sitting next to Chrys and hearing her laugh at something on the TV made Weiss reconsider. She was putting her scroll away when Chrys asked "Is that her?" without looking away from the TV.
"Yes."
"Oh, okay."
Chrys got off the couch and quietly padded into her room. Weiss didn't have to follow her to know she locked it.
Sighing, Weiss reopened the message and told Ruby no but offered to see her another day for lunch or coffee. She had really missed Ruby and her uncanny ability to brighten Weiss' day, but now wasn't the time to be selfish. She needed to put Chrys first and if that meant putting Ruby to the side, then so be it.
Ruby didn't hold the rejection personally like Weiss feared though. Instead, she messaged back asking if it was okay to call. Weiss eagerly jumped at the chance to hear her girlfriend's voice and called her immediately.
"Hey, baby, you beat me to the punch," Ruby laughed. "I didn't catch you at a bad time, did I?"
"No, ma chérie, you didn't," Weiss said, getting more comfortable on the couch. "I was just watching some TV with Chrys."
"Oh cool," Ruby said. Weiss could hear her walking and the subtle howl of the wind. "How is she?"
"She's," Weiss bit her lip, "good. She's been busy with school, lessons, and friends."
"Nice! Y'know, I still can't believe she does all that," Ruby said. "Makes me think about all the time I wasted as a kid."
"Chrys is absurdly outgoing, she needs to be constantly doing something or else she'll get bored and start moping around," Weiss said with a sad smile. "But the truth is she's just trying to keep her mind occupied because when you're busy, you don't have to think as much."
"I guess?" Ruby said, sounding unconvinced. "But you still gotta take time for yourself. Too much work and you'll burn yourself out."
"Oh, you mean like my girlfriend who just left the university at… 10p.m.?!" Weiss gasped. "Mon dieu, Ruby, I know your exams are coming up soon but this is insane!"
"It's fiiiine," Ruby drawled. "I had, like, two energy drinks and a few caffeine pills. I could've gone all night, but the librarian kicked us out."
"Ruby, that is extremely unhealthy!"
"I know, but what am I gunna do—flunk and be a waitress all my life?"
"No, you practice responsible self-care," Weiss said sternly. "What use is all the studying you've done if you fry your brain? You won't learn anything that way."
"Ugh," Ruby groaned, "how did you do it then, Mrs. I-Have-A-Fancy-Degree?"
"I spent a set amount of time to each day to study," Weiss said, skipping over the fact she essentially neglected her health and family for a stupid piece of paper that told her she was smart.
"How much time?"
"Enough time," Weiss shyly answered.
"Cool, cool, cool," Ruby said, not believing her for a second. "Oh, so are you guys still game to come visit my dad next week?"
"I am, but Chrys won't be joining us," Weiss said. "She has a sleepover planned that day."
"Aw, that's too bad."
"It's okay," Weiss said, "he'll get to meet her eventually."
"True!" Ruby cheered. "But I can't wait to show you around Patch! You're gunna love it; the air smells so clean compared to Vale."
"I can't wait."
"Yeah–aw, bus is here," Ruby said. "I'll talk to you later, Weiss! And I'm taking you up on that coffee."
"Okay, Ruby, take care."
Ruby ended the call and Weiss was left alone, watching a show she didn't even know the plot of.
Was the apartment always this cold?
The week went by in a blur where the only time Weiss got to see Ruby was in her office for a few stolen moments where she played delivery girl before school. They kept in constant contact though, always talking about the trip and how they'd have time then. But today was the day and now Weiss had Ruby all to herself—well, mostly by herself. They still had to deal with Yang and eventually… their father.
"Aren't ferry rides just awesome?!" Yang exclaimed as she threw her arms out and wedged herself between Weiss and Ruby.
Weiss squirmed out from under Yang's arm and nervously fixed her hair, not wanting the first thing her girlfriend's father saw to be a dishevelled miscreant in designer clothing. She scrunched her nose at Yang and clicking her tongue, "Watch the hair, you brute."
"Oh my god, Weiss, for the billionth time, you're perfect," Yang said, flipping her own messy mane to prove a point. "A few stray strands won't kill you."
"I am meeting your father for the first time," Weiss argued nervously. "I'd like to make a good impression. Now how does my hair look?"
Ruby and Yang looked at each other and then at Weiss.
"What?"
"Are you joking?" Yang asked.
"No?"
Yang sighed and glowered at Ruby. "You didn't tell her anything about Dad did you?"
"I," Ruby bit her lip, "I told her some things."
"But did you tell her that he's essentially me but taller and scruffier?"
"Uh, no."
"Ruby," Yang said sternly.
"Whaaaat?"
Exhaling through her mouth, Yang slung her right arm around Ruby's shoulders and pulled her in close. "I can't believe you're bringing Atlesian Annie to meet our dad without telling her anything about him!" she hissed in a loud whisper. "Look at her! That stick is shoved so far up her ass your dick'll never—"
"Yang!" Ruby shouted, elbowing her sister hard in the stomach.
Weiss watched on in horror, her ears burning bright red from embarrassment.
"My bad, too much," Yang said, shooting Weiss a sheepish grin.
"Ugh, look, I told her some stuff," Ruby said as she pushed Yang away to go stand beside Weiss again. "She knows what he's like."
"What he's like or what you think he's like?" Yang asked pointedly.
"What's the difference?"
Weiss looked between the quarrelling sister's and the crowd gathering around them. "How about we take this somewhere less public?" Weiss said, taking Ruby's hand. She scanned the room and quietly groaned when she found the deck practically empty. "Why don't we go outside? I bet some fresh air will do us some good."
"No, it's okay, baby," Ruby said, kissing Weiss' temple while keeping her eyes on Yang. "Yang and I are done talking. Why don't we explore a little? Just the two of us."
"I…" Weiss gnawed on the inside of her cheek trying to decide what the best course of action was. Yang looked absolutely devastated, but she wasn't putting up a fight anymore.
"Please, Weiss?" Ruby pleaded.
"Okay, ma chérie," Weiss said. "Is there a gift shop? I should probably get Chrys and Neptune a few souvenirs."
"Yeah, there is," Ruby replied with a smile. "It's this way, I think."
They didn't see Yang again until the ferry docked in Patch's harbour and by then her breath smelled heavily of alcohol. Weiss gave her a breath mint before Ruby noticed, but smelling fresher didn't hide her drunken slur.
"Nice hickey you got there, Ice Queen," Yang whispered in Weiss' ear as they followed the crowd down to the vehicle holding area.
Weiss shrugged Yang off and tugged the collar of her coat higher. "Tell me you're lying," she said in warning with her eyes narrowed dangerously.
A beat passed and Weiss began to sweat.
"I am," Yang grinned, patting Weiss' back. "But at least I know you and Ruby weren't actually down by the gift shop."
"We were," Weiss said, shooting her a nasty glare. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a small moose on a key chain. "This is for you," she said, dropping it into Yang's hand. "Talk to your sister."
Yang looked at the moose and then at her sister's broad back in front of Weiss. For a moment, Weiss was worried she'd pushed Yang too far, but Yang proved her wrong when she dropped her head and nodded. She slipped past Weiss and tapped Ruby on the shoulder.
"What?" Ruby grumbled.
"I'm sorry," Yang apologized. "I was out of line. I'm sorry too, Weiss. That was really rude of me and totally not bro."
"Yes, it was 'totally not bro,' " Weiss said, crossing her arms. "Let me make this clear to you, Yang, I am not your 'bro.' You will never speak to me like that again."
"Loud and clear," Yang saluted. "I really am sorry."
"Good. Now that's dragon bro, bro," Weiss said with a wink.
"Whoa, you got the reference!" Yang cheered.
"Of course I did," Weiss huffed. "Between Ruby, Reese, and a literal child, how could I not? It's bro this, bro that—I can't escape."
"I guess," Yang laughed.
Weiss flashed Yang a smile as she tugged on Ruby's sleeve and quietly called out to her, "Ma chérie, please talk to her. For me?"
"Ughhh, fine," Ruby grumbled. "You know I can't say no to you when you ask me like that."
"Thank you," Weiss said, kissing Ruby's cheek.
Ruby let her shoulders drop as she turned around and pulled her sister into a tight hug. "I'm sorry too," she said, stepping back to take Weiss' hand for support. "I should've been more up front with what I told Weiss. She knows about everything and how he's trying. She also knows how difficult it is for me to be around him and why."
"Oh, so you went balls to wall on the whole truth thing," Yang said, sparing Weiss a sidelong glance. "I was kinda just asking if you warned her about the hugging and jokes about"—Yang waved her right hand—"new righty."
"I was made aware of that," Weiss said, reaching up to touch Yang's hand. "It takes a brave person to stay calm."
"'Brave' isn't a word I'd use to describe me, Queeny," Yang said, bringing Weiss' hand up to her lips. "Careful now, if you keep sweet talkin' me the way you do I might just try and steal you for myself."
"I'm flattered, Yang, but I know your type—I married one after all," Weiss said, pulling her hand back just before Yang could kiss it. She patted Yang's cheek and winked at her, "Save that charm for someone who's interested, 'B-Train' for instance."
"You did not just…"
"Woof, rejected!" Ruby laughed, wrapping Weiss up in her arms. "There isn't a lot we keep secret, sis."
"Oh, okay," Yang said as she crossed her arms. "Since we're all about honesty here then I should tell you about that hickey on your neck."
"Hah, not falling for that," Ruby laughed. Weiss pulled Ruby's collar down a little to double check and yanked it back up immediately. "Ack, choking!"
"Oh, kinky," Yang snickered.
"Shut it, Yang!" both Ruby and Weiss shouted.
After ushering the two bickering sisters into her car and applying some poorly matched concealer over the mark she'd left on Ruby's skin, Weiss took a moment to collect her thoughts and recompose herself.
"Does she BSoD like this often?" Yang whispered to Ruby from the backseat.
"Kinda," Ruby whispered back. "She also gets this really cute crinkle between her eyebrows when she's thinking really, really hard."
"Huh," Yang said, leaning back. "Well, try turning her off and on again. They're starting to let the cars out."
"Hey, Weiss—"
"Don't," Weiss said. "Just don't for a second."
Weiss gripped the steering wheel with a white-knuckle grip and stared dead ahead. Her thoughts were scattered like marbles dropped down a steep hill, all rolling away to places unknown. And when she'd think of something new, she lose it to that abyss. Just one thought—one solid thought—to help her stay grounded, that's all she needed.
"You okay?" Ruby asked, touching Weiss' hand.
One solid thought.
"Do you want me to drive? It might be easier since I know the way."
Weiss quickly nodded her head and they rushed to swap seats before the car in front of them started to roll forward.
"You're really nervous, huh?" Yang asked, placing a supportive hand on Weiss' shoulder. She gave it a squeeze and offered her a smile that Weiss gratefully returned. "It's gunna be okay."
"Thank you, Yang," Weiss said nervously, her hands shaking as she buckled her seatbelt. "I know your father is a kind man, but I'm worried I'm not who he wants Ruby bringing home."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked with her eyes focused on the car in front of them.
"Well," Weiss began, "I'm much older than you for one."
"You're five years older than me, Weiss, not twenty."
"I was married with a child."
"So was Dad," Ruby chuckled. "You guys have a lot in common."
"Oh."
"Also, if I may butt in," Yang said, spreading out in the backseat like a VIP, "you're friggen gorgeous! I mean, look at you! Seriously, Weiss. You look like you're about to go see the Queen—"
"She is the queen," Ruby cut in with a loud barking laugh.
"Yeah, what she said!"
"I…" Weiss wrung her hands together and blushed, "thank you."
"MILF status also makes you extra spicy," Yang added with a wink.
"And I take it back," Weiss grumbled. "You almost had me going there, Yang."
"Gotta keep you on your toes, Your Majesty."
Ruby drove them through the small city of Patch, pointing out her favourite places (mostly restaurants) and some notable landmarks like the giant catfish in front of a fish and chips shop; Ruby was particularly excited about that one. They also drove past the hotel they were staying in after dinner with Taiyang. Weiss wasn't impressed since it was one of Nobility Inc.'s economy chains but that didn't stop Ruby and Yang from being excited.
Halfway through the impromptu tour, it became clear that Ruby was purposely taking them through busy streets to buy Weiss some time to mentally prepare. And even though Ruby hid it well, Weiss could tell she was just as nervous.
"And over there is—"
"Rubyn," Yang interrupted, "why not save some of this for tomorrow?"
"Oh," Ruby blushed, "sorry."
"It's okay, ma chérie," Weiss said, placing a hand on Ruby's lap.
"Anyway, uh, twenty more minutes until we get to Dad's."
"We would've been there sooner if you hadn't decided to play tour guide," Yang grumbled. "Those prime rib steaks in the trunk are just begging to get grilled. Why are you denying them their final wish?"
Ruby levelled a glare at her sister through the rear-view mirror. "We're gunna have words about that later, Yang."
"What, why?"
"Ruby, if this is about money, don't," Weiss said. "Think about it this way instead: what's your father's favourite type of steak?"
"Prime rib… says it's the juiciest," Ruby reluctantly answered.
"And what did I buy?"
"Prime rib."
"Exactly, ma chérie," Weiss laughed. "Your sister is helping me get more brownie points—that's how the saying goes, right, Yang?"
"Yeah!" Yang said, giving Weiss a high-five. "Never thought I'd enjoy hanging out with my sister's girlfriend, but here I am lovin' every second of it!"
Weiss laughed along with Yang, feeling far more relieved than she was five minutes ago. Ruby also gave up on the argument and joined in on the laughter, though her grip on the steering wheel didn't loosen in the slightest.
When they came to a stop in front of Taiyang's home, a quaint little cabin just outside of town amidst the trees, Weiss took a moment to appreciate the freshly shovelled driveway and the Christmas decorations set up all over the house and lawn.
"Wow…" Weiss said as she walked through the candy cane lined path leading up to the front door. The twinkling lights and glistening bobbles hanging off the house were so eye-catching she had trouble figuring out which was her favourite.
"Aw, he didn't bring out the humping deer," Yang pouted.
"Excuse me, the what now?"
"Humping deer."
"She means the deer she rearranges when Dad isn't looking," Ruby grumbled.
"Oh, Nicole used to do the same to Santa's reindeer," Weiss chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. She bumped into Ruby playfully, but she didn't acknowledge Weiss.
"All eight of them?"
"Rudolph too," Weiss said stepping back a bit to give Ruby some space.
"Guys," Ruby said, her hand poised to knock on the door, "it's game time. Weiss, if you need an out, say kumquat." =
"What?" Weiss said just before the door flew open revealing a tall, well-built man with shaggy blonde hair and kind blue eyes. "Oh."
"I'm sorry, I've been waiting for you guys to knock for ages—is this her?" he asked, shifting his attention from Ruby to Weiss. "Hi, I'm Tai."
"Hello, Tai," Weiss said holding a hand out.
Tai let out a boisterous laugh and shook his head. "Nope!" he exclaimed as he threw his arms around Weiss and hugged her tight. "You're making my little girl happy, so you get a hug!"
Weiss yelped in surprise, her body completely still and rigid. The last time she'd been hugged by a man this tall and muscular, she'd just given Yatsu a cheque to pay for his mother's surgery and aftercare.
"Oh my god," Yang snickered, "she's so tiny."
"Shut it, Yang—and, Dad, let her go before you snap her in half!" Ruby shouted as she tried to pry her father's burly arms off of Weiss.
"Sorry, sorry," Tai said, releasing Weiss. "I got a little excited."
"Not too excited, I hope, old man," Yang teased as she stepped up to hug her father.
Weiss carefully adjusted her coat and cleared her throat, "This was a much warmer welcome than I expected."
"Oh, how so?" Tai asked as Yang practically choked him to death.
Shrugging, Weiss said, "I don't know, I didn't think I'd get this far."
"Told ya you didn't need to worry," Yang said. "What's not to love about ya?"
"A lot of things," Weiss replied without hesitation.
"Right, well, why don't we go inside?" Tai asked with a thumb thrown over his shoulder.
Everyone piled into the warm house without any complaint and kicked off their shoes, something Weiss was hesitant to do.
"Wow, I knew you were short, but you, like, disappeared," Yang laughed.
"Yang," Ruby said in warning.
"It's okay, ma chérie," Weiss purred, holding her head high with a confident smile, "I'm large where it counts."
"Ugh, Ruby, trade with me!" Yang cried.
"What?! No!" Ruby groaned. "I saw her first!"
"Shouldn't have pointed her out to me then, bro."
Ruby gasped and said, "That ain't bro, bro!"
"Bro, that hurts."
This went on for several more seconds. Bro. Bro. Bro. Bro. Weiss closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. What was her life? How did she end up here?
"Daaaad, you'll never guess what Yang did!" Ruby whined, running up to her father with an accusatory finger pointed at Yang.
"Oh no, what did she do?" Tai sighed.
"She got Weiss to spend a lot of money!"
"Willingly!" Yang argued. "Rubyn, you're literally going to spend the night in a fancy hotel with her. A couple bucks for some quality steaks is nothing—back me up here, Ice Queen."
"You're not staying here tonight?" Tai asked with hurt in his voice. "I cleaned your rooms…"
"Sorry, Dad, not this time," Ruby said. "Weiss—"
"Oh no, you leave me out of this," Weiss said, crossing her arms. She shot Ruby a pointed look with one eyebrow raised, silently asking why she was getting thrown under the bus.
Ruby returned the glare with a cheeky grin and a shrug.
"Ugh, don't be such a mom right now," Yang groaned, rolling her eyes like a sassy teenager.
Weiss shot Yang a scathing glare too. She was just as much to blame for the sudden change in plans as Ruby was. Weiss was supposed stay at the hotel by herself where the only company she'd have was a bottle of wine and the book she brought. Ruby had begged her to sleep over, she even used her puppy dog pout, but Weiss stood her ground and vehemently refused to sleep in Ruby's childhood bedroom the same night she met her father. Weiss also didn't want to give Yang anymore ammunition to use against her. That one night Weiss and Ruby had spent together made Yang unbearable for two weeks straight; Weiss didn't want a repeat.
"That's right! Ruby told me you have a kid," Tai exclaimed excitedly. "Where is she?"
"Sleepover," Weiss replied. "She 'accidentally' planned it for this weekend."
"'Accidentally,' huh?" Tai chuckled. "That's a really shame, because I baked her some gingerbread cookies."
"Cookies?" Ruby asked. "Where?"
"Guess you can have 'em," Tai sighed with a pout. "In the kitchen, Rubyn. Just leave some for Weiss to take home, okay?"
"Thanks, Dad, and will do!" Ruby shouted as she booked it to the kitchen, nearly tripping over the couch and a chair.
"But don't—"
"Don't eat them all or you'll ruin your dinner!" Weiss said on reflex. Tai gave Weiss an inquisitive look that made her blush. "S-Sorry, force if habit."
"For Ruby or for…?"
"Ruby," Weiss answered flatly. "Chryssie doesn't like sweets."
"Which is total bird seeds!" Ruby shouted, her voice muffled by a mouthful of cookies. "What kind of kid doesn't like cookies or candy?!"
"I know, I still can't believe it," Yang added.
"Children," Tai and Weiss muttered at the same time with the exact same sigh to boot.
They blinked and turned their attention to each other, then they laughed until they felt tears sting their eyes.
"I am going to like you, Weiss!" Tai bellowed as he held his stomach.
"The feel is mutual, Tai."
After dinner preparations got underway, Weiss politely excused herself to enjoy the cool night air. Ruby had told her the truth, the air here in Patch smelled and tasted different than the air in Atlas or Vale. It was cleaner and crisper, without a hint of smog. Weiss felt free and at peace out on Tai's deck with nothing but the woods facing her for miles.
"Care for some company?" Tai asked as he stepped out. Weiss turned to him and smiled, patting the spot next to her. "Ruby said you liked wine, but the only wine I keep around is for Yang's cooking, so I hope you don't mind crackin' a cold one with me."
"I'd love to, Tai," Weiss said, gratefully taking the beer he offered. She cracked it open and took a sip, willing herself to ignore the bitter taste and the painful bubbles burning the back of her throat. "It's good."
"Huh, I can't tell if you're lying or not," he said, watching Weiss' impassive face closely.
Weiss raised an eyebrow as she took another sip. "Has it occurred to you that I might be telling the truth?" she asked with an innocent smile. "I'm not really a fan of beer, but I'm enjoying this quite a lot. Can you get it in Vale?"
"You're an amazing liar, Weiss."
"Oh?"
"I know you are, but I just can't place how." Tai took a big swig of his beer and bit back a wince; the burning sensation got to him too. "Tell me a little more about yourself," he said, still reeling from the fizz.
"What do you wish to know?"
"Everything?" Tai walked up to the deck railing and leaned back against it so he could watch his daughters work in the kitchen. "Ruby hasn't really given me much details other than the fact you're a little older than her, married, and raising a kid on your own."
"I hope she clarified that I'm a widow and not an adulterer," Weiss frowned, thinking back her to disastrous meeting with Jaune. A month had nearly passed and yet it still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"She did," Tai smiled. "But only after she scared me half to death."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fiiine," Tai drawled with a shrug. "So how old are ya, Weiss?"
"Twenty-five, though I'll be turning twenty-six next week."
"Oh, happy birthday then."
"Thank you."
After a moment of comfortable silence, Tai breathed in deep and loudly sighed. "I used to be so worried about her," he said, running a hand through his hair. Weiss quirked a curious eyebrow and sipped on her beer. "She never really gave people a chance—too closed off and guarded, like she'd build a wall up around her heart. I can only blame myself for it because I wasn't there for her when she needed me most… say, do you know what a father's biggest fear is?"
"I can't say I do."
"Well, the answer's their kid making all the same mistakes," Tai whispered. "So I kept a close eye on Ruby, closer than Yang, and prepared to jump in to stop her at any second. But then I came to realize that she's nothing like me at all, she's exactly like her mother."
That caught Weiss' attention.
"Is that a good thing?" she asked.
"In most cases, yeah," Tai said, "but she's following Summer's path a little too closely, like she's chasing after her."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Tai turned around and rested his forearms on the railing, head hung low, "I was five years older than Summer. I was married with a toddler…"
"Oh…" Weiss gasped in realization.
"Yeah," Tai flashed Weiss a weak smile. "You can judge me, it's okay. I was in the wrong because I was her teacher and she was my student… but there was just something about her that I couldn't say no to."
"I couldn't say no to Ruby either," Weiss chuckled awkwardly. "I kept telling myself it would never work and that I wasn't ready, but one look at those silver eyes of hers and I'm just gone… I'd give her the world if she asked."
"I knew you'd get it," Tai said, nudging Weiss with his shoulder. "Except, Ruby actually likes you. Summer? She was a free spirit, like the wind, always changing directions and blowing past you… but I got caught up in her anyway."
A sad smile graced his lips as he stared at the gold ring on this finger. It was old an worn, but it was still beautiful in the fact it had been cared for so lovingly.
Weiss touched her wedding ring and wondered if she'd still be wearing it decades down the line like Tai or if she'd replace it with something new for someone else.
"Ruby has the same air about her," Weiss mused aloud. Tai looked at her curiously. "It's always one thing or another and never the same thing twice. She's also always constantly moving, even when she's sitting still. But I like it. I really, really like it. I love how familiar she feels…"
And maybe that's why she was so attracted to Ruby. Coco was the same way, but she was also more grounded like a tree only ever losing leaves but constantly growing more. She'd change with the seasons, slowly but surely, but she'd always be there even after she'd been cut down.
The ring Weiss wore on her neck felt heavy. Did Tai let Summer keep her ring or was she buried with it?
"At least she doesn't have her mother's wild streak," Tai laughed, breaking Weiss out of her revere. And then his voice grew grave and quiet. "Summer knew she was sick long before she met me, so she lived each day it was her last. She was reckless and constantly looking for trouble, sticking her nose into things she shouldn't. I'm also pretty sure she was gay, but she chose me anyway as a one off thing just to experience the fantasy… Ruby wasn't in her plan."
"Neither was Chrys," Weiss said, lifting her beer up to Tai. They clinked the cans together and took a swig. "But she saved me from a life I would have regretted."
Both her and Coco had agreed that Chrys was made from the best parts of them and that they needed to strive to be better people to be worthy of her. She was their treasure, not their wealth or anything else in their possession.
"I hear ya," Tai said. "I think Summer only held out as long as she did for Ruby and Yang."
"Not for you too?"
"Maybe," he shrugged. "Summer was… my friend that I should've had more self-control with."
"Oh," Weiss blinked, feeling Tai's heartbroken words resonate within her, "Nicole was the same for me—I actually didn't even know we were dating until she broke up with me. How insane is that?"
Tai let out a loud bellowing laugh and smacked Weiss on the back, nearly sending her flying over the railing. "Oops! You're a lot lighter than I expected," he said helping her back onto solid ground. "I'm sorry."
"I-It's okay," Weiss replied shakily, her heart beating a million miles a minute.
"So, pushing our glaring similarities aside, what else can you tell me about yourself?"
Weiss gave Tai a summary of her life and who she was as a person, even going off the script she'd prepared to mention a few odd things that not even Ruby knew yet. Tai promised to keep them a secret and offered her a few of his own. The story of his flaming butt tattoo was a little much, but at least she had a comrade with a tattoo just as embarrassing as hers, not that she told him though.
"Got a picture of your kid on ya?" Tai asked.
"I have too many," Weiss laughed as she pulled out her scroll and showed him her lock screen. "That's Chryssie," she said proudly. "You can tell who she takes after."
"She's beautiful, Weiss," Tai said with a smile. "I'd show you a picture of my kids, but you're both acquainted with them."
"That I am."
"With an emphasis on Ruby," he winked.
"Tai!" Weiss shouted, smacking him on the shoulder. "That is your daughter!"
"She's her mother's daughter, and Summer was a huntress," Tai continued to laugh. "There were rumours floating around about how she got with half the girl's swim team."
"Just half?" Weiss asked with a smirk. Tai shrugged and sipped his beer, practically daring Weiss to try and one up him. "Impressive," she said, not rising to the taunt.
"Aw," Tai pouted, "was your wife not a hellion too?"
"No, she was," Weiss replied. "The swim team, volleyball team, cheer squad; Nicole was shameless. The only thing that made me special was that I was the only one reckless enough to keep coming back."
"Huh," Tai scratched his chin in thought. "You've got… a lot of pent up anger," he said. "Like, a lot. All tightly wounded up like a ball made of rubber bands."
Weiss regarded him carefully, waiting for his judgement. But as the seconds ticked by, Weiss slowly let her guard down. This was a man who experienced the same loss she had. He knew what she was feeling.
"Yes," she whispered, looking away. "I am angry. So angry that there are days where I lie awake at night wondering about a million what ifs."
Tai solemnly nodded his head, squeezing the can in his hand until it caved in from the pressure and crumpled. It was empty, so Weiss offered him her can. He took it grateful and chugged it down in one go.
"The first few months are the hardest," he said. "I felt like I had this gaping hole in my chest where my heart should've been. I couldn't function. I could barely get out of bed and because of that my girls got taken away."
"I'm sorry…"
"No, I'm the one that should be sorry."
"Why?"
"Because you're about to have dinner with a broken man and the family he lost." Tai looked over his shoulder and waved at Ruby, but she didn't wave back. He sighed and turned back to the forest, staring into the darkness between the trees. "She still hates me."
Weiss had seen the wary look on Ruby's face before she walked away from the sliding glass doors. It wasn't hate, it was worry and anticipation, like she was expecting Tai to do something that'll force her into action.
"What can I do to make her see that I'm better?" Tai asked, running a hand through his hair. "I've changed… I just want my little girl back."
Thinking carefully, Weiss laid a hand on Tai's forearm and smiled at him. "She isn't a little girl anymore, Tai. And she doesn't hate you, she's scared. She doesn't want to get hurt again."
"But how can I show her that I won't?"
"Only time can teach her that," Weiss replied. "But standing out here in the cold with me—by the way where is your jacket?! You must be freezing!"
"It's okay," Tai laughed as he flexed an arm, "the cold doesn't bother me."
"Yes, well, it bothers me," Weiss said angrily. "You're going to end up sick at this rate. Let's go back in."
"You're good for her," Tai said.
"Hm?"
"Just be careful you don't mother her too much, Weiss," Tai continued.
Weiss quirked an eyebrow at him. "Why would I do that? Ruby is a grown adult. She's fully capable of making her down decisions."
"I'm just saying," Tai shrugged. "She's easy to love, but people constantly underestimate her."
"Ruby is kind, smart, and beautiful," Weiss said, holding her head high, back straight and shoulders squared, "the day I underestimate her is the day I lose the to right to be with her. Ruby has taught me so much in the little time we've had. I—"
Tai held out a hand and shook his head. "I'm going to stop you right there, Weiss."
"Huh?"
"You've already won me over," he explained. "I know my daughter is in safe hands with you. You have my blessing."
"I… I don't know what to say," Weiss said hesitantly.
"You don't have to say anything." Tai put a hand on Weiss' shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Thanks for chatting with me, Weiss."
"I… thank you as well, Tai."
"Oh, and thanks for not doing the whole 'Mr. Xiao Long' thing when we met," Tai added. "I thought I'd have to fight you on calling me by my name, but I'm glad you proved me wrong."
"Ruby told me to call you 'Tai,' " Weiss said with a blush.
Tai's eyes widened as he turned his gaze towards the kitchen. Ruby was still watching them as she hurried to set the table to Yang's exact expectations.
"I told you she doesn't hate you," Weiss said.
"I…" A tear slid down Tai's cheek. "Thank you, Weiss."
"It's no problem."
Ruby walked up to the door and slid it open just wide enough for her to poke her head out. "Baby, it's cold, come back inside."
"We were just heading in, ma chérie," Weiss said with a giddy smile. She looked up at Tai and patted his back. "Come on, you heard her."
"R-Right."
Ruby slid the door open wider for them and stepped aside. Tai closed it behind them and nodded at Ruby before going to check on Yang.
"What did you guys talk about?" Ruby asked.
"A lot of things," Weiss said as she slipped into Ruby's arms and embraced her.
"Oh… okay?"
"All good things," Weiss said. "But now that you're free from the kitchen, why don't you show me this car you've been working on."
Ruby's eyes immediately lit up with excitement, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "You remembered!" she exclaimed, hugging Weiss tighter.
"Why wouldn't I?" Weiss laughed.
"I don't know," Ruby said as she took Weiss' right hand and began tugging her out of the kitchen impatiently. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!"
"Slow down, Ruby!" Weiss chuckled. "There's no need to rush."
Ruby stopped in her tracks and rolled her eyes. "I want you alone for a little bit," she whispered in Weiss' ear.
A shiver of excitement ran up Weiss' spine. "Okay. You win."
"Yes!" Ruby cheered.
They practically ran towards the garage the moment they were out of sight. And when Ruby closed the door and locked it, Weiss was on her in an instant.
Ruby met Weiss' kiss with the same fervour and squeezed her as tight as she could just to get a little closer. A quiet moan escaped Ruby's lips as a sigh of content escaped Weiss'. They broke for air and stared deep into each other's eyes.
"Hi," Ruby whispered.
"Hello."
"You're amazing…"
"So I've been told," Weiss purred, leaning up to steal another kiss.
"So amazing," Ruby sighed as she melted into Weiss' warmth.