After the dance wrapped, Ruby walked the twins back to the airship yard. "So when's the next time we get to see you?" Melanie asked.
"I have a mission in a few days," Ruby told them, "Team RWBY's first first-year mission! So probably, like, right after that."
"A mission?" Miltiades questioned, "Where?"
"We decide tomorrow, then head out the next day," Ruby explained.
Miltiades looked suddenly nervous, something Ruby was quick to pick up on. "Hey, I'm training to be huntress, remember? This is what I do," Ruby tried to console her, "First-years aren't allowed to take too dangerous of missions, and we'll have a teacher shadowing us! I'll be fine, I promise."
Miltiades looked a little better after Ruby's explanation. "Sorry," Melanie offered, "We know your training to do exactly this."
"We just thought it would be a while before we had to worry about you leaving the kingdom to fight," Miltiades confessed.
Ruby pulled the twins into an embrace. "I'll be okay. I have you two to come back to, after all."
The twins blushed at the affectionate remark, hugging Ruby back and smiling. Ruby shared a kiss with each twin in turn before letting them go. Melanie stepped on the airship and turned back to Ruby, "Text us the moment you're back safe, okay!?"
"Will do!" Ruby waved them off, "I love you, girls!"
"We love you too!" The twins replied together before shutting the door.
Ruby smiled watching the airship take off, basking in her own happiness for a few moments before turning to make for her dorm. She carried her heels in her hand and walked slowly, trying to be easy on her sprained ankle. As such, Yang and Blake were already dressed down and settled in their beds when Ruby arrived.
"Hey Rubes," Yang called out, "You have a good night?"
"The best," Ruby smiled.
"It's too bad I missed out on meeting the twins…" Blake apologized.
"It's okay! They'll be here for festival, if nothing else," Ruby assured Blake.
"Where were you all night, anyway?" Yang asked Blake.
"In Ozpin's office after catching someone sneaking into the CCT tower," Blake told them. "I was planning on sharing the details when the whole team was here."
Ruby looked around the dorm, "Now that you mention it, where is Weiss?"
"She said something about having to find you, and took off," Yang told her, "I'm sure she'll be back here soon enough, just wait for her."
Ruby nodded, setting the heels down and trying to nurse her ankle. "Are you going to be okay for the mission?" Blake asked.
"I should be. I'll go to the nurse tomorrow if you-"
"There you are!"
Weiss cut off Ruby as she entered the room, rushing to her partner's side. "Are you okay!?"
"Yeah, it's just a sprain?" Ruby almost giggled at her partner's over-concern.
"They didn't make you do anything, did they?" Weiss asked.
"Do anything?" Ruby raised an eyebrow.
"Those two miscreants!" Weiss elaborated.
"Who are you talking about, Weiss?" Yang asked.
"Yang, 'Miltia' has really been two people this entire time!" Weiss explained.
"I know that, Weiss," Yang told her.
"What!? Then why haven't you done anything?" Weiss pressed incredulously.
"Like what? Ruin my sister's happy relationship?" Yang narrowed her eyes at Weiss.
Blake decided to intervene, "Weiss, you may want to be quiet now…"
"No," Ruby denied Blake's intervention, "Weiss, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"That those two deviants are taking advantage of you!" Weiss exclaimed, "Someone tell her!" The heiress looked around the room and only saw eyes turned on her in disbelief and anger.
"Weiss," Ruby spoke calmly, "I don't know what you think you saw, but Melanie and Miltia are not 'taking advantage of me'!"
"But they have to be," Weiss insisted.
"And what exactly makes you think that!?" Ruby shouted.
"Because how could you be in a relationship with both of them!?" Weiss stated with certainty, like it was all the proof she needed.
"And there it is…" Yang muttered, scowling.
"A healthy relationship is between two people," Weiss defended herself, "You just can't have that with more participants."
"Two months ago, you believed a healthy relationship could only be between a man and woman," Blake pointed out.
"And I understand that was wrong," Weiss replied, "but this is too far! I mean, if it's so healthy, why hasn't she told us!?"
"I already said I knew," Yang reminded her, "I've even met them. They're great."
"And technically, I knew before Yang did, though I've yet to meet them," Blake explained.
"So everyone knows besides me?" Weiss frowned, "Why?"
"Why do you think…?" Ruby held her head in her hands.
"So no one said anything?" Weiss continued unimpeded. "No one stopped them!?"
"I love them, Weiss!" Ruby finally had enough, "and they love me! And If you just can't accept that, then… well, I don't care! But I'm not going to stay here to get lectured over my life choices!"
"Where are you going?" Yang asked as Ruby bee-lined for the door.
"Anywhere but here!" Ruby told her, wrenching open the door and vanishing into rose petals.
Weiss was speechless. She felt Yang's and Blake's eyes drilling holes into her head and turned to face them. "I cannot be the only one who thinks this is a bad idea."
"For your own sake, Weiss, be quiet," Yang scolded. The blonde jumped down from the bed and started putting clothing from Ruby's closet into a backpack.
"What are you doing?" Blake asked.
"Making myself useful. I have an idea where Ruby might end up, and she left without changing or even putting on her boots," Yang explained, grabbing said boots. "Besides, if I stay here, I might end up punching the ignorance right out of Weiss's thick skull."
Yang left the dorm, closing the door behind her. Weiss turned to her last teammate, "Blake…?"
Blake sat up to speak sternly. "Weiss, whether or not you believe that kind of relationship is possible, it's clear Ruby trusts the twins. And we trust Ruby. If the twins do hurt her, we trust that Ruby will come to us. And if Ruby's actions prove anything, it's that she hasn't been taking this lightly."
"I'm not going to try and tell you what to believe," Blake stood up and walked up to Weiss to press her point, "but this would hardly be the first time your upbringing has proven narrow-minded. If you still want to be Ruby's friend, and have our forgiveness, you need to seriously consider what your beliefs are and what you're willing to compromise."
"And if I can't 'compromise'?" Weiss asked.
"Then I hope we can all stay professional for the sake of the team," Blake stated factually, "but I wouldn't expect you to be invited to any days on the town or anything."
Blake left as well, deciding to spend an hour or so in the library while the dorm settled. Weiss was left all alone, mentally struggling between her long-held beliefs and her desires to maintain her team's important friendships.
Ruby wasn't entirely sure where she was going until she was halfway through Vale, limping and wearing holes into the bottom of her stockings. "Stupid Weiss, stupid Schnee rich-people thoughts…" Ruby fumed. She stepped wrong on the cracked sidewalk, aggravating her ankle.
"Stupid lady-stilts!" she cursed, taking the moment to slow down and think. She realized quickly she was near Junior's club. Because where else would I end up? Ruby smiled, happy at the prospect of seeing the twins despite her current issues with Weiss. She fished out her scroll and messaged Yang, 'I think I'm going to stay with the twins tonight, rather than go back to… the dorm.'
With that, Ruby approached the door. Luckily, the doorman was one that recognized Ruby. "Woah, you okay Little Red? You look… rough."
"Are the twins in?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, they're working late shift," The doorman explained, "Changed schedule a few days ago, something about a dance, but they're in now. You want to come in?"
Ruby wasted no time nodding. She was given a wristband that would tell everyone she wasn't to be served alcohol before being led inside. Once she was seated at the bar, one of the employees went to find Melanie and Miltiades. While waiting, Ruby received Yang's reply, 'I figured. I got your boots and a change of clothes. I'll be there soon.'
"Ruby!" Melanie called out as the twins spotted her. The trio rushed together and shared an embrace.
"What are you doing here?" Miltiades asked, "Javier said you looked rough, are you okay?"
"Weiss saw us at the dance," Ruby explained, "When I got back to the dorm, she didn't react well at all. She accu… she said…" Ruby took a deep breath, "It doesn't matter what she said. What matters is she was wrong and I don't want to be in the dorm right now. Can I stay here tonight?"
"Of course," Melanie nodded, "I'll let Junior know. I'll be right back." Melanie vanished into the crowd.
"Are you okay?" Miltiades asked, looking over Ruby's disheveled outfit.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ruby smiled, "I just left before I could think. Yang will be by in a bit with some stuff for me."
"When she gets here, we'll show you to our 'apartment' so you can change," Miltiades promised.
"Thank you," Ruby smiled, leaning against Miltiades as Melanie reappeared nearby. "I'm so sorry to impose…"
"Not at all, Ruby," Miltiades assured. "What kind of girlfriends would we be if we ignored you when things were rough?"
"If things were flipped, you would have offered us a place for the night before we had a chance to ask," Melanie smiled, joining the hug. "We're here for you, Ruby."
Another employee appeared behind the girls. "Hey!" he called their attention, "Blondie is at the bar asking after the three of you!"
Ruby, Melanie and Miltiades made their way back to the bar to see Yang with Ruby's boots in one hand and a Beacon backpack in the other. "Hey girls! Busy night?"
"Busier now, I'm sure," Melanie teased.
"Nah, you don't have to worry about me," Yang smirked, "With Weiss's head on the chopping block, I probably shouldn't impair my better judgement." The blonde handed over the care package for her sister, "You gunna be okay, Rubes?"
"I'll be fine, really," Ruby gestured to the twins on either side of her, "I'm feeling better already."
"What exactly did Weiss say?" Miltiades's curiosity burned as to what could cause this reaction.
"Nothing nice," was all Yang gave them, trusting Ruby to say more if she wanted them to know. "I should probably take off before one of my club friends rope me into shots. Girls, take good care of my sister. Sis, don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Yang winked and shot Ruby finger-guns.
"Yang!" Ruby blushed furiously.
The blonde laughed and waved goodbye as she left. Melanie and Miltiades guided Ruby to a staircase labeled 'sleep-it-offs'. The sounds of the club were muffled by soundproof walls as they ascended. A series of identical doors stretched before them, only broken by a door labeled 'M&M'. Inside was the modified apartment Ruby had been told about. "This place actually looks a little roomier than I expected," Ruby told them.
"The bedroom is through that door," Miltiades pointed, "if you're going to change out of the dress."
"Let's see…" Ruby sat down and opened the bag. "Yang brought me my day gear aaand my PJ's!"
"Y'know…" Melanie opened, "Miltia and I still have to work our shifts tonight. I know it's not exactly how any of us planned your first visit…"
"And we understand if you're still tired from your day!" Miltiades cut in.
"But if you're up to it, we'd love to see you downstairs in the club," Melanie carried through, "Just cuz we're on the clock doesn't mean we can't find a moment or two to visit you at the bar."
"Are you sure?" Ruby asked.
"Of course!" The twins chimed.
"In that case, I'm gunna change into my day clothes before heading down," Ruby made for the bedroom door. "Thank you again, girls."
"Stop sweating it," Miltiades insisted.
"And warn us before you raid our underwear drawer!" Melanie teased.
"MEL!" Both Miltiades and Ruby shouted and burned bright red.
"Between you and Yang, I swear…" Ruby grumbled and shut the door to change.
The twins had already returned to work by the time Ruby finished changing, and she headed back down to the bar on her own. She wasn't sitting there for very long before Melanie appeared next to her, "Fancy seeing you here, stranger."
Ruby giggled and smiled, "Heya, Mel. So, uhh… what is there for a girl like me to do here?"
"Well, you don't have to be drunk to enjoy dancing," Melanie pointed out.
"I kinda have issues with that at the moment," Ruby reminded her, wiggling her right foot.
"Well, if you want anything to eat or drink, we've got you covered!" Melanie promised.
"I can't do that! I should at least pay for own drinks!" Ruby argued.
Melanie grabbed a menu and handed it to Ruby. "You got enough in your allowance to cover these prices?"
"Holy moly…" Ruby muttered, her eyes locked on the inflated numbers.
"Jacob!" Melanie waved down the bartender, "This is Ruby, Miltia and my's girlfriend. Whatever she wants is on us!"
"Nice to finally meet you, Ruby!" Jacob grinned.
"Melanie, I can't," Ruby tried to argue still.
"You can and you will, you stubborn gem," Melanie smirked.
Ruby huffed and looked over the menu. "Weeelll… those sliders do sound really good…"
"Sounds like a plan," Jacob nodded.
"Aw, but there's no hot chocolate on the menu!" Ruby complained.
"It may not be on the menu, but I'm pretty sure we have all the ingredients. Y'know, to use in other drinks?" Jacob told her. "I can make you some."
"Would you!?" Ruby smiled widely.
"Of course! Made with milk or water?"
"Milk, please!"
"Can you believe that's the first please I got all night?" Jacob playfully complained to Melanie. "Already my favorite customer!"
"Thank you so much, for all of this!" Ruby hugged and kissed Melanie.
"It's no problem, Ruby. You don't need to thank us all night," Melanie replied, smiling. "I gotta get back out there, but Miltia and I will drop in on you whenever we have a moment as the night goes on!"
True to their word, the twins frequently found excuses to visit the bar, and subsequently Ruby. Ruby got to see the twins kick somebody out of the club, held plenty of conversations with Jacob as he made other people's drinks, and watched Miltiades as she tried to discreetly steal a slider. It was a better time than Ruby expected, just hanging out at the bar. She even found herself regretting she still couldn't dance during one or two songs she recognized from Yang's workout playlist. And every stolen minute with Melanie or Miltiades made the entire night more than worth it.
"Well we're finally off," Miltiades informed Ruby as a few stragglers made to finally leave the club.
"And I'm fighting to stay awake…" Ruby yawned, "How late is it anyway?"
"More like how early," Melanie corrected Ruby. "Way past your bedtime I bet. Let's get you to bed."
The twins guided Ruby up to the apartment where she lethargically changed into her PJ's in the bathroom. Once she was ready to sleep, she walked toward the couch.
"And where do you think you're going?" Melanie called her out.
"The couch?" Ruby questioned, "I absolutely draw the line at kicking you out of your bed."
"Who said anything about kicking us out?" Miltiades asked her.
"I-I-umm… I mean, uhh…" Ruby stuttered.
Melanie rolled her eyes and grabbed Ruby's hands. "I know I tease you a lot, but you know I'm not actually going to do anything you're not ready for, right?"
"I mean, yeah, of course…" Ruby blushed.
"Besides, even if that was on the table, Mel and I are tired too," Miltiades spoke up from her spot on the bed.
"We just want to cuddle our girlfriend, if that's okay?" Melanie explained.
"Of course!" Ruby spoke quickly. She cleared her throat after realizing how desperate she sounded, "I mean, I'd love to…"
Melanie smiled and led Ruby back to their bed. Ruby was lifted and placed into position between the two Malachite twins. The twins settled facing toward each other and laid their limbs across Ruby and each other. The trio were soon a tangled mess of arms and legs, with Ruby sandwiched in the middle. Between the warmth of her twins, Ruby smiled and settled into a peaceful sleep.