"Well, I like you to." Weiss went to grab Ruby's hand but Ruby dove into a hug.
They pressed close together, feeling their skin meet. Weiss was soft. Ruby could have melted into her.
Weiss said, "I like the way your hand fits into mine." She drew up close and placed a thumb on the side of Ruby's hand, then she kissed her.
Ruby licked her lips again and rubbed her thumb against Weiss's hand. "You…you mean it?" she whispered.
"I do," Weiss smiled and leaned forward to kiss her again.
Three Weeks Later
Students gathered around Weiss like a campfire. Each of them trying to gain the attention of their class representative. Weiss fielded each request with grace and poise.
Ruby envied the students who got to crowd around her girlfriend. She sighed. Three weeks of being together and Ruby never got that close to her during school. She could only stare from another table.
Ruby had half a mind to march over there and plant a huge kiss on her in front of the whole school. However, she didn't want to force Weiss's hand.
More students came to Weiss. The spring dance was coming up and there was so much planning involved.
The new students blocked Ruby's view so she tried to crane her neck. She couldn't see Weiss anymore. With nothing left to see, Ruby finished up her lunch and left the cafeteria.
/-/
"I'm sorry about lunch," Weiss said. They met up at Coco's CFVY, the same cafe where they expressed their feelings for each other. No one from Signal High hangs out here, so Weiss let her guard down.
"It's okay," Ruby said. "How are things with the dance?" She sipped her mocha. Weiss finally got her to try coffee.
"It's a nightmare." Weiss ran her fingers through her hair. "Everybody needs my approval for everything. It's like they can't think for themselves."
Ruby giggled. Weiss is cute when she gets worked up. "You make the best decisions."
"More like they can pass responsibility to me when things go wrong." Weiss took a sip of her affogato. "And the boys keep making passes at me."
Ruby bristled. "There's an easy way to solve that Weiss."
Weiss's features softened and she grabbed Ruby's hand. "Ruby you know we can't go public now. It needs to be at the right time."
It's never the right time. Ruby's brow furrowed. "It's been three weeks and I haven't even been on a proper date. We just go here." Ruby crossed her arms over her chest.
Weiss took a deep breath. Ruby has been asking about this for weeks. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, how about after the dance I take you to a late-night movie? Just the two of us?"
That does sound like a proper date. Ruby swirled the mocha in her mug. She said, "Deal, but I get to choose the movie."
"Deal," Weiss said. They shook hands like it was a business transaction.
They chatted for a bit about school until it was time to go. Weiss got all her stuff together and started to get up.
"Weiss, wait," Ruby said. She had her head down and she held a small package in her palms.
Weiss sat back down.
Anxiety seized Ruby's throat. She played with her hair before speaking. "I know that you can't say we're together, but maybe you could show it?" Ruby pushed the small package across the table.
Weiss felt bad for denying Ruby these past few weeks. She eyed the small package and then she lifted the lid. Inside was a locket, no larger than a quarter. The silver finish shined in the cafe light. On one side was an etching of a rose. A rose that matches the pin Ruby wore on her uniform every day. "It's exquisite," she said.
All that hard work was worth it. Ruby's face brightened. "Thanks, Weiss."
"Where did you get it?"
Ruby held a triumphant smirk. "I made it. Well, uncle Qrow helped me in his workshop. But I did the etching myself."
"It's fine craftsmanship," Weiss said.
Ruby's eyes went wide. "Oh, I almost forgot." Ruby rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a key. "Here, open it and see what's inside."
"Ummm, Ruby," Weiss inspected the locket from different angles. "There's no keyhole."
Shock ran up Ruby's spine. She snatched the locket back from Weiss. "What, off course there's a keyhole."
There wasn't a keyhole. Ruby tried inserting the key anyway. Maybe uncle Qrow made it hidden. After a minute, Ruby gave up. "Dammit, Uncle Qrow."
Weiss giggled. "It's okay Ruby," Weiss grabbed Ruby's hand to calm her down. "Just get your Uncle to open it. What was inside anyway?"
Ruby pouted. "It was supposed to be a surprise. My uncle is off on a business trip to Atlas so he can't pry it open right now. I really want to see your face when you see what's inside."
"Well okay, then we can wait until he comes back," Weiss said.
"You can wear it in the meantime. I remembered to add the chain." Ruby replied.
This really means a lot to her. Weiss's smile faltered for just a second. She looked at the locket again and then she draped it over her neck. It did look nice.
Ruby smiled. "Thank you, Weiss." They continued chatting and finishing up their snacks before parting ways.
/-/
Ruby headed for the train station.
Weiss watched her walk around the corner, making sure Ruby didn't double back.
Weiss was alone. She took a deep breath and sagged her shoulders. Ruby's not going to wait forever. She palmed the locket and stared at it.
Weiss took off the locket and stuffed it into her pocket before heading home.
Weiss was the river bank when she wanted to feel the locket once again. She reached into her pocket.
NO. The locket wasn't there. Weiss turned all her pockets out. She upturned her bag and emptied its contents.
The locket's gone!
So this story came about because the last one-shot I wrote was disappointing. The tension didn't last long enough to make the resolution meaningful. So I started writing this story.
Yes, I stole the locket gimmick from Nisekoi. I promise not to drag this out...hopefully.