This was it. Thiiiis was certainly it. The height of awkwardness. No need to even bring up the other contestants in the game, Ruby had most CERTAINLY taken the gold prize. Her and Weiss stood in the middle of the woods, so very, very alone. At least there was a lake near bye, so if Yang somehow forgot to pick them up in two days, they could get water– no! Don't think like that! Ruby stole a glance at Weiss. She looked like she had never been more inconvenienced in her entire life. Her face just oozed discomfort. Ruby felt a wash of guilt. It was her fault they'd been roped into this situation, mostly. Maybe, she could at least try to help Weiss relax a little..? She had seemed stressed lately.
"Hey Weiss?" Ruby tried to act as normal as she could.
Weiss turned her head like a stone stature, a permanent grimace plastered to her face. "Yes?" Ruby could almost hear her teeth grinding.
"...Iiiii wanted to know if you, ah, if you've ever been camping before..?" As soon as Ruby said that, she felt stupid. Of course Weiss hadn't been camping before. She was celebrity, when was the last time any celebrity had camp–
"I have, once.." Weiss responded while Ruby was in mid-thought
Ruby immediately perked up. Oh? She had? "Really? With who?" Weiss made no comment on Ruby's sudden peppy attitude.
"My sister. I've told you about her, Winter. I begged her to let me go with her on a training exercise when she was, getting ready to leave for the military. Now that i think about it, she must have done it just to humor me, but.. Its a fun memory." Weiss's previous stone grimace was melting into a rather soft expression. So cute..
"I've been camping load's of times! Never, in an area without cell service, but, I'm sure we'll manage! We have everything we need,! And there's a lake..! To uh, I don't know.. Swim? If you want? Can you swim?" Ruby asked.
Weiss glared at her. "Can i swim?"
"Well can you?"
"Of course! As if my sister would let me LIVE without teaching me to swim! Unlike my parents,she actually worried about weather I'd be safe or not when she left.."
Ruby giggled, making weiss turn her head away. Ruby thought she'd ofended ber for a second, and was about to apologize, but she could Weiss's ear even with her head turned. it was burning red. Weiss was, embarrassed? That's, that's good! Any emotion other then 'I hate everything destroy the world' was good in this situation! Ruby smiled, her plan being realized. She was goind to make this the most fun Weiss had EVER had.
Or at least, she'd wanted to. It took her and Weiss almost an hour to set up the simple tent, and at one point Ruby gave up and banished Weiss to a fold up chair so she could finish the set up. It was around 5 or 6 maybe? Ruby guessed. She forgot she could check her phone, having taken her and Weiss's phones and locked them in a safe backpack so they wouldn't loose them. Ruby had lost her phone on a camping trip before, and it suuuucked.
They just needed firewood now. "Weiss?" Ruby said. Weiss's head perked up at her name being called. Ruby tried not to smile. "I need to walk around and get some firewood, wanna come with?" She held out a hand for Weiss to grab. Weiss took It gingerly.
They'd been living together at Yang's for about a month or two now. Ruby felt comfortable around Weiss, friend wise. Not so comfortable crush wise, but, that was still a work in progress. Ruby fluttered around, collecting dry sticks and such for fire, while Weiss was almost out of breath just trying to keep up with Ruby. Not that she was unhealthy, per say, its just that Weiss wasn't as used to gallivanting about a forest as Ruby was.
"Ruby..! Please wait just a, just a moment!" Weiss called, catching her breath. They'd gone out and back collecting firewood at least 4 times now. They had enough, but Ruby wasn't sure what else to do.
"Oh sorry! Yeah, we've got enough now." Ruby clasped her hands behind her back and teeter-tottered in place. "Do you wanna go sit by the lake?" Ruby suggested. Weiss nodded, letting Ruby lead the way. A bark sounded. Ruby and Weiss froze. "Did... Did we bring Zwei..?"
"I, remember him on the car ride? I don't think he got out of the car." Weiss put a hand to her chin, thinking deeply.
Another bark, and a splash.
"Ok I know that's him ZWEI! ZWEIIII!" Ruby yelled as she ran towards the barking sound, leaving Weiss in the dust. She came out of the woods into a clearing by the lake, a clearing only about 2 feet wide, causing her to trip and fall into said lake. Upon re-surfacing, Ruby saw that Zwei was swimming happily in the lake shallows. He swam over to her and licked her face. "Zweiiii...! Why didn't you tell us you were here? Oh I hope Yang isn't to worried– wait." Ruby recald something Yang said earlier. 'Take Zwei too!' She'd thought it was a joke, but, maybe Yang was serious.
A second later, Weiss came bumbling out of the brush and tripped the same way Ruby had. And since she tripped in the same way into the lake, she fell on top of Ruby. Weiss pushed Ruby down, forcing her under the water. Luckily Ruby took a deep breath right before going under. Her eyes open, Ruby saw Weiss's face an inch from hers under the water. Weiss was on top of herrrrrr ahhhhhhh! Weiss opened her mouth, coughed under water, then flung herself up out of it. That was so cute. Her face, scrunched up under the water, so so close.. Ruby stayed under the water a moment longer, trying to calm down the heat rising from her face.
Weiss grabbed Ruby's shoulders and pulled her up. "Are you alright?!" she said in a panicked voice. Ruby couldn't help but laugh. Weiss glared at her slightly, "Hey! It looked like you were drowning! Don't laugh..!"
Ruby rubbed the lake water from her eyes, and smiled at Weiss. "Sorry, sorry! I've just, never seen you make a face like that before, heheh~" The water they were in was about chest deep while they were sitting, and both girls were completely soaked. "Do you want to swim a bit? We're already drenched." Ruby suggested, as Weiss hastily scrambled off her.
Weiss looked away from Ruby, but then glanced back. "I don't mind–" almost before she could finish her sentence, Ruby splashed a wave of water at Weiss. Weiss was unsure how to respond, so Ruby motioned splashing again. That seemed to get the idea to Weiss more clearly. She made a hesitant flick at the water, barely getting a drop onto Ruby.
"Aw, you can do more then that! I can take it! Watch!" Ruby slammed her hand down on the water, making a huge splash again. Weiss stared. Ruby took Weiss's hand, and raised It up, then brought it back down to the water. Ruby saw Weiss trying to hide an exited smile with her other hand. Zwei popped up with a bark, and kicked water at both the girls. Ruby laughed playfully. It was getting late, and the water was so cold, but the feeling in Ruby's heart warmed her to the core.
Weiss had had fun, Ruby was certain. They'd returned to their tent with Zwei, and Ruby had started up a fire with the wood they'd collected earlier. Having changed clothes, and sitting next to each other with Zwei at their feet in front of the warm fire, Ruby and Weiss were comfy as could be. Weiss was giddy, Ruby could tell. She'd gotten so into playing in the water with Ruby, It was like she'd never played in the water with anyone before! Ruby still smiled at remembering how Weiss had gone from a timid flick at the surface, to flinging full armfuls of water at Ruby. But, Weiss seemed like she was trying to hide her happiness. She'd cover her mouth, and turn away a lot. Ruby wanted to let her know it was ok to express her emotions around her..
"Ruby?" Weiss asked. Ruby jolted, not expecting Weiss to initiate conversation.
"Yes?"
Weiss stared into the fire. "Thanks." She said.
"For, what?" had Ruby done something for Weiss? She didn't think so?
Weiss glanced at Ruby, then back to the fire. "Being there. Being here? I don't know, just.. Thanks."
It was calm. Peaceful. The fire crackled softly, as its dancing light washed across the two girls. Ruby was so at ease with Weiss right now. "Do you like girls?" Ruby blurted out. Weiss stared at her, wide eyed. Ruby felt her own face heating up hotter then the fire a second later.
Weiss didn't answer. She just stared at Ruby, giving poor Ruby all the time in the world to think about how much she had screwed up with that sentence. Why now?! That sounded so needy! All she'd needed to do was say 'thanks'! Not ask 'hey are you gay' like WHY was that what popped out of her mouth! STUPID! IDIOT! AAAHHHGG!
Ruby lowered her eyes to her lap. Weiss was less then an inch away from her, but Ruby couldn't even look at her. Stupid. So stupid. Weiss moved a little, making Ruby flinch slightly. Was she moving away? Did Ruby make this so awkward that Weiss didn't even want to be near her anymore? Oh god. Ruby felt herself tearing up a little.
"Do you?" Weiss asked.
Ruby looked to the side from under her bangs. Weiss hadn't scooted away, she'd, moved to face Ruby..? Ruby kept her head down and pretended she didn't look. "Do I, what?" Ruby managed to keep her voice from wobbling.
"Like girls." Weiss said in a concerned voice.
"...maYBe." Ruby felt a hiccup in her voice leak through. Ahhh... She hoped Weiss wouldn't notice she was starting to cry. Weiss had asked that like a concerned friend. Of course. Even if she did like girls, she wouldn't be into Ruby. How could she be? Ruby didn't have an ambition, couldn't hold a job, and had gotten Weiss thrown into a lake just today. Who'd like someone like that? Of course no one would. Of course.
"Is there anyone you like in particular?" Weiss asked cooley, Ruby didn't reply. Weiss poked her, making Ruby shift her position a little and glance at Weiss, letting Weiss see the tears in her eyes. Weiss's expression turned from calm and collected, to a sorry mess. "Oh! Uh! Are you ok?" She panicked.
"M' fine." Ruby mumbled, wiping her eyes. Nooo she didn't want to trouble Weiss any more then she already had..!
"Why are you crying?!" Weiss didn't seem to know what to say, and blurted out whatever she was thinking.
"I'm stupid." Ruby mumbled depressingly.
Weiss titled her head. "No you're not–" Weiss tried to comfort her.
Ruby shook her head. "I am..! I can't even figure out if I like girls! Or, if the person I like happens to be a girl... I don't know.. its confusing, and I hate it." Ruby complained softly.
Weiss's personality seemed to get a little chilly. Jeaulousy? No, it couldn't be. "Have you confessed?"
Ruby shook her head, wiping more tears away. "No." Ruby wasn't thinking straight, but she still considered Weiss a very good friend. Maybe a little ranting wouldn't hurt.. "I'm sure she doesn't like me that way. And I don't, want to ruin our friendship by making it so weird for her." Ruby clenched her fists in her lap.
"It might make you feel better just to get it out there, who knows.." Weiss said gently. "Maybe tell her next time you see her."
Ruby looked Weiss in the eyes, her sadness clouding her judgment. Why not just end it all here? "Weiss, I think I'm in love with you." She closed her eyes and waited for rejection.
And the next moment, she felt Weiss's lips against her own. Weiss was kissing her? Whaaaat? Did Weiss like her? No no, don't jump to conclusions. Don't feel happy, she's just, trying to cheer me up, is all. Yeah. This is a friend thing. That's all it is. Weiss pulled away from Ruby after a few momwnts, and looked away from her "You still haven't answered my question from earlier.." Ruby said. "Can you just tell me no outright?" She asked sadly. "I'll get over it quicker.."
Weiss turned back to Ruby, confused. "Ruby, I kissed you. On the lips." Weiss blushed a little, but continued. "Isn't that an answer? A yes?"
"Th-that was gay? Not a friend kiss?" Ruby was shocked.
"How, how on earth could that be a friend kiss?!" Weiss shouted in outrage.
"Well I don't know! You never gave me a clear answer so I thought maybe I was reading into things to much, I, I don't have a lot of friends! I don't know what friends do together!?" Ruby took a breath after her little rant, and started giggling. Then crying.
"Wait you're crying again? Why–"
"No, I'm, happy.." Ruby said through her tears. She smiled brightly. "I guess, I'd convinced myself I was going to get rejected so its, it feels really nice, not to have it go that way." Ruby leaned back and sighed heavily. She turned to Weiss, glaring slightly through her puffy eyes. "God Weiss, you are SHIT at romantic communication."
Weiss seemed taken aback at Ruby's language, but Ruby was to emotionally exhausted to care. "...same to you." Weiss mumbled.
"Why Won't you say it?" Ruby was calming down now. Somewhat at least. She wqs still in awe about what had juat happened.
"Say what?" Weiss asked.
"That you like girls. Is that, not a good thing to you?" Ruby asked cautiously.
Weiss tensed up. "No, Its just, my father really ground it into me that that kind of thing was bad, so it's hard to say out loud. And I don't feel comfortable.. Labeling myself that way." Weiss glanced at Ruby, and Ruby gave her a reassuring look.
"Its ok, you don't have to. Sorry for bringing it up like that." Ruby leaned against Weiss.
"Yeah.. And I'm just not sure if I like girls and guys, or if I only like girls but I've been exposed to so much heteronormativity that I feel obligated to force myself to try to like guys too."
"Oh." Ruby put a hand to her chin and thought a moment. "Yang likes girls and guys, so you can ask her about that if you want. But, whichever you decide, even if your decision is to not make a decision, is fine with me." Ruby chirped happily. "I just like you."
Weiss blushed heavily, and ruby did the same at seeing Weiss blush. "That was kinda embarrassing to say wasn't it." Ruby said.
"Yeah." Weiss agreed, hiding a smile behind her hand.
A memory popped up in Ruby's head. "Hey.. Weiss, didn't we kiss before?"
Weiss tensed up, and looked away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You do, you do!" Ruby bounced in her seat excitedly. "Was that gay too? Not a friend kiss?"
"Ruby there is literally no such thing as a friend kiss on the lips." Weiss hissed embarrassedly.
"So. Our feelings, are mutual. I like you, and you like me?" Ruby asked.
"Yes." Weiss replied.
"Huh." Ruby stared at the camp fire, feeling a fire in her heart burning even hotter. She leaned against Weiss again, snuggling into her side. Zwei snored softly beneath them. Ahhh... This was bliss. What was supposed to happen next? They'd confirmed their feelings.. Ruby felt so happy she could almost cry again. Do they start dating now? Did confessing mean they were going out? Or was that another talk they needed to have? And what would Yang say? Would she object to Weiss staying any longer since she and Weiss had kissed? Even Yang didn't live with Blake yet. Ruby still hadn't gotten a clear answer as to 'why' Weiss had kissed her that first time a month or two ago. Weiss was very good at avoiding what she didn't want to say..
Hey! Why had Ruby admitted to liking girls first?! Wasn't she the one who'd asked Weiss? Well... no matter. It still turned out to be a good thing she asked, despite those few moments of heartbreak in the middle there. This was nice. So nice.
So nice, it almost felt like a dream. Ruby had a small moment of panic, and pinched herself hard. and yet there she was, still sitting with Weiss in the middle of the woods, being warmed by a campfire. Zwei barked in his sleep, startling Ruby for a second. But she was still here. It was so quiet apart from the fire. It's as if time has stopped, Ruby thought to herself. She looked at Weiss, seeing she'd dozed off. Ruby smiled.
Its as if time has stopped, and I never want it to start again.