Author's Note: Happy New Year!


Cinder hated getting called into the boss' office.

Sure, she was not nearly as terrified as the last time she was in Raven's office, but that did not mean she was not scared. As the pair entered, Cinder could already feel her heartbeat increasing. All her life whenever anyone had asked her Can we talk, it has never ended well for her. After all, one could argue those words were what started all of this. Cinder sighed. She spent enough time focusing on the past, rather than what was right in front of her - which was currently her boss.

Taking a seat behind her desk, Raven gestured for Cinder to sit. After choosing one of wooden chairs in front of the desk, the room was silent for several minutes, which only served to make Cinder more nervous.. Finally, Raven took a deep breath, almost making her flinch.

"So, the reason I called you in here..." Raven started, before trailing off and sighing. "Alright, this isn't gonna work. You mind if I come around?"

Cinder blinked. "Oh, s-sure..." She hesitantly responded, to which her boss nodded, raising from her chair and walking around her desk before taking the other seat. Seeing how close Raven now was made Cinder instantly regret her response - She looked a lot more muscular up close. It made her extremely grateful that she chose to sit in the left chair - ensuring Raven did not have to look at her injured side.

"Anyways, so to be clear, this isn't work talk, well, not really." Raven explained. "I mean, I'm still your boss, I'm just not... speaking as your boss..." She huffed. "Point is, you're not in trouble or anything." That relieved Cinder. But at the same time, if she was not in trouble, why did Raven want to talk with her? "Yang told me how she spoke with you about the fire."

Cinder timidly nodded. So that's what it was.

"So I thought it might be a good idea to talk to you about it myself." Raven continued. Cinder had a feeling she knew where this was going. "I knew about the situation, before you told me over the phone. It was hard not to, shitty accident, with my daughter-in-law involved... though I'm more an aunt than anything to her." She sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want to give the impression I hired out of pity or anything, you got hired on your own merit."

"It's... It's okay..." Cinder mumbled. She was thankful that Yang talked to her earlier, it got at least some of the surprise out of the- Wait a second. "You... think it was an accident?"

"Either that or someone else set it." Raven guessed. "I'll be honest, I thought it was you when the first details came out. If you'd come after a job then I'd have laid you out for putting Ruby in danger." Then she saw the strained look on the younger woman's face. "But, then I saw you in court, and I've seen some shit Cinder, people can be real scum, but you didn't have the look about you, you just looked lost, tired and hurt, you didn't come off as guilty, and the verdict agreed with me. Now I won't pry, it's none of my business, but after that trial was over only a moron could think you were actually guilty."

So much for no surprises. Sure, Raven apologizing was surprising on its own, but the fact that she changed her mind so drastically - all from just seeing her in court - left Cinder speechless. She opened her mouth a few times to respond, but nothing came out. Her boss just patiently waited. After a solid minute of silence, she was finally able to manage a response. "Thank you..."

"Just to be clear, you're not gonna be treated any differently here." Raven added. "Everyone here's got shit in their past."

Cinder slowly nodded. "Right..."

"And look, I get what it feels like to have your past catch up with you." Raven continued. "It sucks. You think you can get away from them, have a fresh start... but you never can. The past always catches up sooner or later."

Cinder blinked. "Get away from... them?"

Raven sighed. "Don't worry about it. That's a story for another day."

Cinder just timidly nodded. She had a feeling she should not have asked about that. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch.

"Just remember, dysfunctional as we are, we're family here, we have your back."


Once Cinder returned from the break room - or Raven's office as she specified - it was back to work as normal. Vernal stayed behind the counter while Yang and Cinder continued to handle the waitressing. It was not exactly quiet, but it was not busy either - which was nice, as it gave the blonde a chance to keep an eye on Cinder while she worked. She seemed to be doing well - thankfully Pyrrha had departed by the time she came back - but Yang made sure to at least check up on her every once in a while.

As Yang approached the bar to give Vernal a new order, the other woman held up her hand, beckoning her closer. Raising a brow, she leaned across the counter.

"What's up?"

"Just a heads up, chick in the corner's been staring at you for like ten minutes." Vernal informed.

Yang blinked. Someone was staring at her? Slowly tilting her head to the side, she peeked over at the specified booth, and her jaw nearly dropped. It was... Neo. What was she doing here? Whenever she visited, she would always send a sort of warning beforehand, along with her drink order... which she always wanted ready by the time she arrived. Yang watched as a smirk found its way onto Neo's face before using a single finger to signal her over. She could not help but smile back before turning back to Vernal. "Well, it looks like booty calls." She joked.

Vernal just rolled her eyes. "You wanna give me those orders first?"

"Oh yeah, two Atlesian Ambers." Yang answered, to which Vernal simply nodded before getting to work. "I'll be right back." Making her way over to the corner booth, she watched as Neo's smirk grew as she approached. Yang opened her mouth to speak, but was suddenly pulled down by the collar, lips meeting her own in an expectedly aggressive kiss. The only kisses she could ever recall getting from Neo were aggressive, forceful, hungry... anything but soft really. Then she felt a tongue snake its way into her mouth, and it tasted... not of mint... which was odd... Neo always brushed her teeth before going out. So what made this occasion different? She must have eaten before she came. Whatever that taste was, it was familiar... yet alien, like something she had not had in a long time... But what was it? It was on the tip of her tongue... quite literally. Before she was able to figure it out, Neo suddenly released her. Yang almost wobbled as she stood back up.

It was funny, kissing Neo was not a very common occurrence, but when she did... that woman was damn good at it. As she sat back down, Yang straightened herself out. "You gonna have your usual?" She asked, to which Neo simply nodded. "One strawberry Margarita coming right up."

Making her way back to the counter, Yang informed Vernal of Neo's order before she was given the two Atlesian Ambers from the previous one. She was sure to bring those customers their drinks as quickly as she could, as she knew Neo hated waiting. Once that was done, she collected the Margarita from the counter and brought it to the corner booth.

"One strawberry Margarita for one lovely lady." Yang smiled as she placed the drink onto the table. Rather than simply grin back like she expected, Neo raised her arm, beckoning the blonde closer with her finger. She raised a brow. Was she in store for another kiss? Probably not, but might as well humour her. Yang leaned down towards Neo, and what she received was in fact not a kiss, but something far more... surprising. She huffed at the new pressure on her left breast, leveling a resigned grin down at the smirking mute before her, hand brazenly groping her asset. "Babe, please." She sighed, it was not that she did not like Neo touching her. "I'm working."

Neo merely tilted her head, batting her eyes as her fingers roamed, straying past the sensitive nub beneath her bra. "C'mon." Yang murmured, barely suppressing a shudder. Gods she hated how she felt right now. "Mom's here- ah!" She squeaked at a brand new pressure, on her crotch, Neo's free hand attempting to stimulate her far further than she was willing to endure, given the circumstances. She pulled away. "Neo, baby, honey, please, not in public, okay?"

In response, Neo just frowned, leaning back into her seat before picking up her drink and taking out her scroll. It seemed that was all the attention Yang was going to get, at least for the time being. "Okay, I'll uh, I'll be around if you need anything else." She mumbled, her smile fading. Making her way back to the bar counter, she was met by Cinder, a concerned look on her face.

"Are you alright Yang?" Cinder wondered as the blonde placed her empty tray onto the counter.

Yang sighed. "Yeah... yeah I'm fine. Just an uh, unexpected visit."

Cinder tilted her head, likely taking a look over at the corner booth, before her eye widened. After a moment she quickly recovered. "May I... ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"What's her name?" Cinder asked, gesturing behind Yang.

Turning her head, Yang found the other woman was pointing at Neo. "Oh, that's Neo. She's uh, the one I told you about the other day." Yang explained. "Why do you ask? You know her or somethin'?"

"I used to." Cinder simply responded.

Yang quirked a brow. "You used to?"

"I dated her in high school."

Wow, small world. Yang thought to herself. What were the odds that her new co-worker and current friend with benefits dated in high school? Probably fairly low. Yang wondered how they- wait a second. "How... old are you? If you don't mind me asking of course."

"Thirty four." Cinder replied.

Yang blinked. "Wait, really?"

Cinder rolled her eyes. "No, I'm actually a thousand. Yes Yang I'm thirty four."

"No no, I believe you, it's just... wow, Neo's a lot older than I thought."

Cinder let out a small chuckle. "I understand that. The only reason I knew her age was because she was a grade below me, and even then it was only a guess."

Yang thought for a moment, causing her to realize something. "She's never talked about high school before."

"I don't recall her ever talking." Cinder observed with a slight smirk.

Yang laughed. "Good point."

"Quite an... interesting girl that one." Cinder added.

"What was she like in high school?" Yang inquired.

Cinder did not respond immediately, likely thinking back to that time, as it was quite a while ago, even for the blonde. "She was... an acquired taste, to put it simply."

"Acquired taste huh? Yeah that sounds about right." Yang chuckled. Before she could continue she felt her scroll vibrate from her pocket. Pulling the device free, she found a text from... Neo. It only read a single word: Done. Turning her head, Yang found the mute staring at her from the corner booth, a smirk on her face as she held up her empty glass. "It seems my services are required." Cinder just nodded before the blonde made her way back over to Neo. "You want another drink?" Yang wondered. Neo simply shook her head before handing the empty glass to her. The next thing to do was discuss the bill, but she knew the other woman did not want to pay, evident by the fact that she was not even reaching for her wallet. Might as well make it seem like it was at least her idea. "Well you know it's always on the house for you babe." She smiled.

Neo simply raised from her seat before shuffling out of the booth. Yang was not expecting another kiss, or even a hug really. Neo was not one for... call them cute displays of affection - hugs, quick kisses, hand-holding, all that things the blonde wished she could have.

"Hey, so- ah!" Yang gasped as she felt Neo's small hand firmly grope her rear, the shorter woman briefly smirking up at her and winking before walking past her to exit the bar. Once she was gone, Yang sighed.

"It was nice seeing you too..."


Yang needed a break.

Once Neo had left, she decided to take a few minutes to rest in the back room. Even without the public groping, her visits were sometimes... trying to say the least. She always ordered the same drink, though that did not mean she was an easy person to serve. Whenever Yang was bartending, she had to make sure to use precise amounts of ingredients, a specific type of glass, and always have it ready by the time she arrived - at least normally, when she warned her. Thankfully Neo was a bit more lenient with her preferences when Vernal was bartending.

After grabbing quick snack, Yang returned to the front area - No more excitement, no more surprising visits, just... normal work. Just how she liked it. Sure it was not exactly the most complicated or sophisticated job around, but it was fulfilling, and she enjoyed it.

"Enjoy your drinks!" Yang beamed as she placed several drinks in front of another group of customers. They gave her their thanks and she turned to head back to the bar counter. But before she could, she heard an all-to-familiar voice from behind her.

"Hey there blondie, what does a girl have to do to get a drink around here?"

Yang could not help but grin, as she knew exactly who that voice belonged to. A normally soft, pleasant sound, practically ruined when she put on that edgy punk act. Turning around, she was met by the smiling face of Weiss. "Hey punk stuff. You still sound super lame."

With her lips still curled in a smile, Weiss rolled her eyes. "And here I thought I was getting better."

"Nah, even now you're like one of those teenagers that always come in on Fridays." Yang chuckled. "Plus those baby blue eyes of yours don't exactly help."

Weiss blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I thought your contacts were dark orange." Yang added.

Pulling out her scroll, Weiss checked her reflection, and instantly scowled. "Ugh, fuck, I knew I forgot something." She huffed. "Am I really not improving?"

"That depends, are you trying to sound like an edgy teenager?" Yang wondered, a smirk on her face.

"That's rude."

"But accurate." The blonde grinned.

Weiss sighed. "What do I have to do, work a moan into my speech?"

Yang held back a giggle. "Oh please do. I would love to hear that." The other woman raised a brow in response. "I mean, uh, shut up you know what I mean."

Weiss laughed. "Yes I know what you mean Yang."

"So, you want me to get your girlfriend?" Yang asked, changing the subject.

"I'm actually looking for your mom." Weiss clarified.

Yang quirked a brow. "Oh? Is Vernal not enough of a badass for you?"

Weiss rolled her eyes again. "Oh hush you, it's about having my birthday party here."

There it was, that uptight cadence. No matter how punk Weiss forced herself to be, if ever she reprimanded someone that rousing tone always crept back into her voice. It made Yang smile. She much preferred it when she used her normal voice. "Really? You know she's gonna say yes Weiss. We did have your party here last year after all."

"I know I know, I just want to make sure." Weiss added.

"Alright, well she's in her office." Yang informed.

"Thanks!" Weiss smiled before making her way over to the bar.

Yang watched as she lifted and passed under the hatch, where she was met by Vernal - who instantly pulled her into a passionate kiss. It was kind of sweet- Oh now they're using tongue... How pleasant. She had to bite down a sigh. This was the public affection she craved, a real kiss between lovers, not just shameless groping. Sure Vernal and Weiss participated in that quite often but the two shared a much more meaningful intimacy in public. She wished Neo would kiss her like that... or kiss her at all, without expecting anything in return.

Soon enough the pair separated - thankfully - and Weiss headed into the back area. Yang decided to just get back to work, but unfortunately all her customers seemed to be happy with their drinks for the time being. Even Cinder had all of hers covered - Which was great, but at the same time, that meant there was nothing to do, at least until Weiss returned.

Luckily Yang did not have to wait long, as the wannabe punk soon exited the back area. She briefly spoke to Vernal - looking very happy - before approaching the blonde.

"So? What'd she say?" Yang wondered.

"It seems we are having my party here." Weiss smiled.

"Told ya."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Well excuse me for wanting to be sure I could use the bar for the day."

"And now that mom's agreed to it, what do you think you wanna do for the party?" Yang asked.

Weiss did not respond immediately - likely thinking about her answer. "I just want to... be around family." She shrugged, smiling meekly. "I realize you guys aren't my real family, but my only actual real family is my sister, and she's busy all the time. You guys are the family I have here, and I love you guys."

"Aww, how sappy." Yang smiled. "You're gonna make me cry."

"Well it's true." Weiss stated. "You, Vernal, Ruby, Pyrrha, you're all my family."

Yang raised a brow. "Even Raven?"

Weiss nodded. "Even Raven."

"Even Qrow?"

Weiss let out a small chuckle. "Don't push it."

"Aw come on, Qrow's not that bad!" Yang laughed.

Weiss joined the blonde in laughter. "I know I know, I was only joking."

Suddenly Yang felt a tap on the shoulder. She turned to find Cinder standing behind her, an empty tray timidly held over her chest. "What's up Cinder?"

"Hey." Weiss greeted, in her punk voice. Yang had to bite back a smile. It was always amusing to watch her act like that to other people.

"H-Hello..." Cinder nodded to Weiss before turning back to Yang. "Would you... like me to cover for you for a little while?" She wondered. "Since it's not that busy... and you did the same for me earlier..."

Yang blinked, not expecting the offer. "Oh, sure. That would be great!" She answered with a smile. Turning back to Weiss, she gestured to the end of the bar. "You wanna go sit in the back for a bit?"

Weiss shrugged. "Sure thing blondie." Still in that voice - still amusing.

"Cool." Yang briefly turned to the older woman. "If you need anything, just come get me." She smiled.

"Of course." Cinder nodded.

Making their way into the back room, the pair took their seats on opposite sides of the lone table. As Weiss sat down, she sighed. "Have I ever told you how much I hate the fact that you can just take breaks whenever you want?"

Yang thought for a moment. "Probably... at least a dozen times now?" She guessed, knowing how much the other woman disliked her job. "But I can't just take one whenever I want, most of the time I need someone to cover for me if I want a break."

"Still better than a single ten minute break per shift." Weiss huffed. "Can I just work here please?"

Yang let out a small chuckle. "Well for one, you've never worked a day at a bar in your life, and second, you already have a job that involves ice cream! I mean come on, I would love to work with ice cream!"

Weiss slumped onto the table. "Yang, you have no idea how sick and tired I am of ice cream, I don't even want my favourite anymore! Just looking at that frozen dairy crap makes my wrist cramp up." She complained, raising her hands for emphasis.

"Well then, I should probably return that ice cream themed birthday present I got you..." Yang pretended to mumble to herself.

Weiss giggled. "I know you didn't get me something ice cream themed Yang."

Yang smirked. "Did I?"

Weiss slightly narrowed her eyes. "Did you?"

Yang did not respond immediately - on purpose of course - attempting to get Weiss to actually think she did. Once her expression began shifting from suspicious to slightly concerned, Yang smiled. "Nah, I got you something super cool."

Weiss quirked a brow. "Oh yeah? Super cool huh?"

"Yup! Super cool and super secret!" Yang confirmed with a grin.

"Does that mean no hints?" Weiss asked, an innocent smile on her face.

One part of living alone with Ruby for five years was the constant exposure to the face - that being the younger sibling's puppy dog eyes that she would use to try to get what she wanted. Weiss was doing very something similar now - the same thing she tried the previous year - but unfortunately for her, Ruby did not teach her well enough in the art of the face. Yang smirked. "Nice try."

"It was worth a shot."

"Sorry punk stuff, I know those eyes all too well." Yang continued. "Plus that getup doesn't exactly help."

Looking down at her outfit, Weiss giggled. "I suppose I can't be cute and intimidating at the same time."

"Unless you're an angry Ruby." Yang noted.

Weiss smiled. "Yes, unless you're an angry Ruby."

"Oh! That actually reminds me, have you seen any of the recent season of Truffle Troop?" Yang inquired.

Weiss shook her head, her smile fading. "I haven't gotten the chance, Vernal doesn't like it when I watch too many cartoons."

Yang let out a small chuckle. "Yeah I know how you feel... kinda. Neo can get like that too sometimes."

"Speaking of... how is Neo?" Weiss wondered.

Yang shrugged. "Oh, you know... talkative."

Weiss quirked a brow. "Didn't you say she was mute?"

"Yup."

The room was silent for a moment, until Weiss seemingly figured it out. "Oh, right, a joke, hah."

Yang just laughed.


Author's Note: Sorry for the slightly shorter chapter, just like chapter 3, 2/3 of these scenes were supposed to be in the previous chapter, but it was getting to long. Plus I wanted to get 6 out before Christmas.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed! And as always, your feedback fuels me!