"So, let me get this straight."
Weiss rubbed the back of his head, a hint of a timid smile creasing his lips at his sister's words. He had just spent the past ten minutes explaining his new identity to Winter after they had separated from the rest of Team RBY and their traveling party, having found a quiet place to speak in Winter's private quarters. She had been silent throughout the whole exchange, her expression stoic as she processed Weiss's words. Now that he had finished, however, his heart was racing inside his chest, his stomach furling with unease as he awaited her response.
"You decided to disguise yourself before coming to Atlas because you were afraid of being caught by Father," Winter recounted, her tone trivial, if not a bit cold. "But upon choosing a disguise, you came to the realization that you want to present and identify as a boy?"
He swallowed the lump that was rising in his throat, his gaze straying from Winter's as he tried to pick up any inkling of emotion from his sister. "It's more than that," he told her for what seemed like the hundredth time, when in actuality it was only the second. He had come out to so many people in the past few days that it was starting to feel like a new routine. However, it was a task nonetheless daunting.
Winter let out a slow, steady breath, and reached out her hand to rest on Weiss's leg. "I think I understand."
Weiss glanced up at her with a raised brow. "You do?"
She simply nodded, her facade finally starting to break as she offered him a sad smile. "Although I wasn't around to attend most of your performances since I joined the military, I still watched the broadcasts when I was able to. All of your lyrics, Weiss, had a similar theme, and I think I understand now what they meant."
"You mean you actually listened?"
His sister huffed softly. "Of course I did. I've always been listening to you, whether you knew it or not. You weren't the only one who was put through hell by Jacques Schnee, and I could tell even when you were little that you were struggling with something so much deeper than just trying to be the perfect child you thought he wanted."
How could you possibly know? Weiss wanted to ask, as he himself hadn't even realized the meaning behind his identity struggles until much later in his life. Had Winter known the answer all along, or had she speculated, wondered who was on the other side of the mirror, just as Weiss had the majority of his childhood?
"You never did pick out your own clothing," she continued. "Although I'm sure you would have done a fine job; you've always had a keen eye for fashion. But as much as you loved to shop for Dust and weapons, and all your other possessions, you always put up a fight when Father tried to make you go dress shopping with him. He picked out everything you wore, and you just went with it, because you knew better than to argue against him. Whenever someone mentioned how pretty you looked at a party, you scoffed, and whenever someone asked you about your dresses, you always became defensive, calling them 'combat skirts'. And no matter how many times someone tried to convince you to wear your hair down, you always refused. I thought at the time you were simply rebelling against the image Father was trying to construct for you, but I see differently now."
Weiss blinked, his sister's words taking him by surprise. Even now, he was still learning things about himself he hadn't previously considered, and the more he learned, the more he recalled moments of his past, the more his current identity, and his past struggles, just seemed to make sense. How had he not questioned himself more at a younger age, how had he not allowed himself the opportunity to let his imagination roam? He had let himself be held prisoner to his father's ways for so long, he had spent much of his childhood unable to even think for himself. Winter had always been the one to encourage him, to warn him about giving in to their father's cruelty, and in a way, had Winter not been there for him through it all, Weiss realized he would still be lost. He would be just another Whitley.
"Though I'm still trying to wrap my head around one thing," Winter added as Weiss continued to stew in silence. "How ever did you think you could seriously get away with being unrecognized looking like that?"
He coughed, Winter's comment once again unexpected, if not a bit harsh. "W-what do you mean?"
She shook her head. "You really think cutting your hair and covering your scar would hide the fact that you still walk, talk, and carry yourself the same way you always have? Not to mention, that rapier you've got strapped to your belt that anyone would recognize as Myrtenaster from a mile away."
"I-I…" Weiss sighed. "I only had a few days to get myself together, okay? And after I had this revelation, I kind of stopped caring about the hiding my identity part. I just want to be myself, Winter. I don't want to have to hide."
Winter's smile widened into a doting grin. "And you shouldn't have to hide." She moved her hand from his leg up to his shoulder and wrapped both her arms around him, pulling him into a gentle hug. "I can promise you this, so long as you stay with Ironwood's forces and away from the public police, no one will try to bring you back to Father. He and Ironwood have been at odds ever since that disaster of a party, and Ironwood has sworn to me as soon as you were located that he would do everything in his power to keep you safe."
Weiss leaned into her embrace, closing his eyes as Winter's words finally found him solace. It was a small surprise to hear that the general had made such a promise against Jacques Schnee himself, but after everything Winter had done for Ironwood in his service, Weiss knew that it was a promise the man would surely keep. And it also meant that Weiss was free to be himself. No more false names that Weiss still had trouble trying to remember, and no more ducking into every single corner he turned. He was free, as free as he could be in Atlas, and that lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders.
"Thank you, Winter."
His comfort only lasted a mere few minutes, however, as Winter pulled away, and stood up from her bunk. She walked over to the window and lifted the blinds, peering outside with a small shake of her head before turning back to Weiss. "I believe it's almost time I reacquaint you with your friends."
Although Weiss had wanted nothing more than to return to his friends, his heart became heavy at the thought of leaving his sister once more. It had been so long since he'd last seen her, since he'd last spent proper time with her, but it was just a consequence of their lives, now, and it was one Weiss had slowly come to accept. He knew that as far apart as he and Winter regularly were, he knew she would remain with him in mind, and at least for now, they were still in the same kingdom, under the same watchful eye of General Ironwood. So long as Weiss remained in Atlas, Winter would only be a short trip by airship away. He hoped that before Team RWBY's mission was over, he would get the chance to spend time with his sister again.
"I wish you could come with me…" Weiss murmured sadly after a moment. He flattened his palms against his thighs, glancing down toward the plain, steel-gray blanket that stretched tightly and immaculately across Winter's bunk. He had half the mind to ask how she had been able to live so minimally the past several years, but he already knew material possessions meant next to nothing to his sister. Winter had never cared about the physical value of her things, instead always opting to find value in virtue and order. Weiss himself was slowly beginning to understand and appreciate her way of living, too.
Winter walked back over to him and crouched before him just low enough to take his hands in her own. "We're in the same kingdom, now. That means you can call me whenever you need me — and I'll answer as much as I am able to. Even if I can't respond right away, I'll still read your messages. I'll always make time for my favorite brother."
He gave her a bittersweet smile, reminding himself once more just how blessed he had been to have such a wonderful sister like Winter. Even through the hell that had been both of their childhoods, she had been there for him always, and Weiss knew that even if the rest of the world turned against him, Winter would forever remain at his side.
"Let's go," she told him one last time, helping Weiss to his feet with a gentle tug. "You can tell me about the rest of your adventures in Mistral on the way."
Weiss couldn't help but smirk at that. "Something tells me you're not going to like a lot of them."
"Well, then, you simply must not leave anything out."
Upon finally arriving in the city, Weiss found himself feeling strangely out of place. Even as he walked through the streets he'd visited many a time before, being escorted by one of the general's human soldiers, he couldn't help but feel unsafe. All around him were socialites who knew the entire Schnee family by name and face, and if they'd only looked up from their Scrolls or shopping bags for five seconds, at least a handful was bound to recognize Weiss should they simply walk close enough. His only solace was the soldier beside him, as even the local police force rarely dared to approach Ironwood's personal fleet. But Weiss knew that as soon as he finally caught up with his group again, he would be on his own without the general's protection once more.
When he did finally arrive at the hotel, he was surprised to find that his teammates were not around. He would have thought that at least Yang would stick around to hear about his time with his sister, but according to Nora, Ruby and Blake had dragged Yang along with them to explore the city. Qrow and Oscar had apparently gone with Ironwood to the Academy to discuss what they should do with the Relic, and Sun and Jaune were flipping through the video game selection on the holoscreen in the open living space, the sound on the device much too loud for Weiss's liking. Ilia sat quietly in a corner, per usual, observing, but only minimally willing to interact with the others.
"So we're just supposed to sit here and wait until Qrow and Oscar give us further directions?" Weiss asked tiredly as he lowered himself to a cozy armchair just a few feet from Ren and Nora, who sat closely together on a matching loveseat.
"Pretty much," she responded, kicking her feet rhythmically against the furniture's base. "You could always go out and look for the rest of your team, though. I'm sure they'd love to have you with them."
Weiss bit his lip. "I kind of want to stay under the radar while I'm here. That'll be a lot easier in a large group where I won't stand out."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "You know, I didn't really want to say anything, because I know how much trouble you're going through to keep your identity safe, but you should really consider carrying a new weapon if you don't want anyone to notice you."
As if on instinct, he followed Nora's gaze to the rapier that rested against a wall by the suite's entrance, his face flushing as he remembered his sister's same warning from earlier. "So I've been told…"
"Ah, good, so I'm not the only one who noticed…" She chuckled to herself. "Well, anyway, we probably won't be seeing any action for a while, so it's probably not a big deal."
Weiss furrowed his eyebrows. "What makes you say that?"
Nora gestured to their spacious suite, her eyes wide as if Weiss was supposed to just be able to read her mind. "Look around, we're in Atlas! The most protected kingdom in the entire world. If anyone suspicious so much as tries to get past the border, they'll be shot down in an instant by the general's troops!"
That's not always a good thing, he thought to himself, shaking his head. How many refugees from Vale had Atlas turned away after the Fall of Beacon? How many students had been rejected from the academy simply because they did not meet the ridiculously high academic requirements? Most refugees had flocked to Shade Academy last Weiss had heard, including Team CFVY themselves, and after the attack on Haven, not even Mistral was considered safe enough anymore. No one was allowed in or out of Atlas without Ironwood's direct approval, and it was a miracle that the general had even allowed their party in with Salem's subordinates inevitably on their tail.
"You should make yourself comfortable, if you're not going out," Nora continued. "Ren and I will be rummaging around kitchen soon to see what we can whip up. It's only a matter of time before your teammates come back, too."
Weiss offered her a small smile. "Perhaps I can lend a hand?"
Her expression immediately became guarded, her teeth gritted together as she let out a low, uncertain hum. "I'm not sure that's the best idea," she deflected in a singsong voice as if to try to soften the injury behind her intended insult. "I, uh, saw what happened to the kitchen at Beacon when you tried to bake cookies for that weapons fundraiser…"
"That wasn't my fault!" Weiss answered sharply, Nora's words causing him to sink back into his seat in mild embarrassment. To his surprise, a timid chuckle sounded from behind them where Ilia sat, the scales on her face turning a soft shade of pink that she immediately tried to hide with her hands.
"We appreciate the offer," Ren spoke up, his tone reassuring. "But we can handle it ourselves."
Weiss let out a disappointed groan. "Fine, I guess I'll just…" He glanced around the room, wondering what else he could do to occupy himself. He really did not want to be alone right now, but none of his other current options seemed all too appealing.
Sun stood up from his spot across the room, muttering something about the lame gaming options as he walked back to the corner where Ilia was sitting. Jaune switched off the holoscreen, and met Weiss's gaze with a small shrug.
"How did things go with your sister?" he vocalized loudly from across the room.
Weiss rolled his eyes, pushing forward in his seat, and lifting himself to his feet. "Hasn't anyone told you it's rude to shout indoors?"
Jaune let out a nervous laugh. "Right, sorry." He moved over on the sofa as Weiss crossed the room to him, lowering himself a respectable several inches away from the blond. Jaune cleared his throat, and turned to Weiss to speak once more. "So, you don't seem too broken up. I'm assuming it went well?"
"It did," Weiss affirmed with a nod. "Thank you for asking."
He lifted a hand to the back of his head, seeming to be at a loss for words. "S-so, did you want to talk about it?"
Weiss raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"About how things went with your sister," he elaborated. "I mean, I assume you'd rather talk to your teammates about it, I just thought I'd ask since they're not here right now."
"Oh." Weiss wasn't really sure what more he could say about his conversation with Winter. Everything he'd told his sister he'd already told Jaune and the rest of their party just a few nights earlier, and if he was telling the truth, Weiss was already getting tired of having to constantly repeat it. But what else was there to really talk about?
"By the way," he continued, shifting his gaze to the floor, "before they left, Yang seemed pretty worried about you. I guess you two did grow pretty close in Mistral, huh?"
Weiss blinked, Jaune's comment taking him off-guard. "She was worried?"
"It's why Ruby and Blake dragged her into the city. She wouldn't stop brooding, and I'm pretty sure it's because you weren't here with us."
"But I already told her she didn't have anything to worry about." Weiss frowned. "I know my sister can be scary, but she's always had my best interest."
Jaune let out a quiet hum. "Maybe it wasn't about your sister, then? You said all of this started happening because you were looking to disguise yourself from your father, right?"
"Yes, but no offense, Jaune, I don't really want to talk about that." Weiss closed his eyes, leaning back against the sofa's cushions. "Why do you think Yang would be worried about that?"
"Well, you were taken away before…" he muttered quietly. "If I were her, I'd be pretty upset if it happened again."
Weiss cracked an eye open, glancing at Jaune from the side. He had never talked to Jaune about anything this personal before, but for some reason, it seemed as though the boy was speaking from experience. It made sense, though; there was a time Jaune had had a crush on Weiss, as many times as he had tried to deter it. It was weird thinking about that, now, after his short-lived relationship with Neptune, after Pyrrha, after the Fall of Beacon… But even at Haven, Weiss had almost died, and had it not been for Jaune…
But why would Yang be any more upset about Weiss's absence than either of his other two teammates? She didn't really think he would willingly leave her, after everything they'd been through together, after the promise he had made to always be there for her?
"Did she say something when she was here?" he asked Jaune. "About me specifically?"
Jaune shook his head. "Not really. Just the same stuff about, 'he should be here by now'. When Ruby and Blake first tried to get her to go out with them, she insisted on staying to wait for you."
"Are you two really that dense?" Nora interrupted from the other side of the room. She was standing from her seat, now, her hands on her hips as she sighed disapprovingly.
Weiss furrowed his eyebrows. "What? Am I missing something?"
Nora clicked her tongue. "Wow, boys really don't know anything." She lowered her hands to her sides, turning her back to the two of them as she started toward the kitchen. "By the way, Jaune is the last person who should be giving you girl advice."
"Okay, wow, this is not what we're talking about," Jaune shouted after Nora as she disappeared around the corner. Weiss was only growing more and more confused by the minute, but he didn't dare ask Nora to elaborate, mostly because he was still reeling from her jab about Weiss's intelligence.
Ren stood up, and gave the two of them the smallest hint of a smile. "Actually, she may be onto something." With that, he followed Nora into the kitchen, leaving Jaune and Weiss alone to decipher the meaning behind their words.
Weiss immediately turned to Jaune. "What was that about?"
He shook his head. "Oh, you know how Nora can be. She's just joking!"
"Yes, but usually Ren doesn't agree with her when she is."
"Forget it, she's just speculating, anyway." He started to stand, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation any further, but Weiss was not about to let him go.
"No, tell me," he pressed, reaching out for Jaune's arm and pulling him back down to the cushion. "What did she mean?"
Jaune huffed, turning his gaze away from Weiss. "She thinks Yang has been acting weird because she likes you."
Weiss's grip tightened around Jaune's arm, his mind becoming foggy as he struggled to accept the other boy's suggestion. Was it really possible that Yang had developed feelings for him? Was that why she had been pressing him so much about his romantic identity, lately? And was Weiss's transition the only reason Yang suddenly seemed to have a change of heart?
"Hey, Weiss?" Jaune awkwardly coughed, breaking Weiss from his thoughts. "Can I have my arm back?"
"Right." He released his grip, slowly turning to meet Jaune's unusually concerned gaze. "Sorry…"
Blond brows knitted together, deep blue eyes narrowed as Jaune held Weiss's gaze, his expression seeming to analyze Weiss the same way he always analyzed his combat strategies. Perhaps Jaune was much more perceptive than Weiss had ever been willing to admit, or perhaps he was just as confused as Weiss had always assumed. But at least he appeared to be willing to listen, which was something Weiss really needed right then.
"Jaune…" Weiss folded his hands in his lap, his cheeks beginning to burn at the thought of the next few words he was about to speak. "Why… why would anyone like me?"
"Really?" His eyes widened, seemingly taken aback by the inquiry. "Weiss, you're a great person. Sure, you used to be pretty cold, but… but you were always a challenge, and even behind your cold exterior, you still had more passion than anyone I knew. And you're smart, and so much kinder than you used to be, and, well…" He lifted a hand to his forehead, brushing it through his bangs as he let out a quiet laugh. "Just from one dude to another, you're still pretty attractive. You always have been, but now that you're finally coming more into yourself, I think your confidence is much more sincere. Yang always came across to me as the type of girl who likes confident people. In a way, I guess I kind of learned a lot from watching her, too."
Weiss squeezed his hands together, sucking in his bottom lip as he let Jaune's words sink in. He wasn't sure why he had asked, really. It wasn't so much that he was surprised someone could like him, moreso, he was still trying to figure out if he was able to like someone back, particularly, Yang. But how could he know? How did he even know his feelings for Neptune had been sincere all those months ago? Where did the line fall between platonic appreciation and romantic longing? Weiss knew he wanted Yang around, he had grown much closer to her than he'd ever been to anyone but his sister, and Yang had opened him up to so many different possibilities in the time they'd spent together. Yang was the one who seemed to actually understand what exactly it was Weiss needed, and when he needed it. And her hugs…
Well, Weiss couldn't deny that he'd gotten used to the way it felt being surrounded by Yang's warmth. Even though he was still embarrassed by the sheer amount of times he'd broken down in her arms over the past several days, he still had to admit that it had felt good. Or, well, as good as crying could feel when his entire body was racked with sobs, but Yang had provided with him so much comfort, and there had never been a moment of judgment between them as he left all of his burdens in her embrace.
That was another thing. Yang had never judged him, not before he came to terms with his identity, and not after. Sure, she had made similar assumptions that everyone else had about Weiss's upbringing, but she had never truly used them against Weiss when it mattered most, and Yang had always encouraged him to be open even when it felt like the world didn't want to hear what he had to say. She had always given him the benefit of the doubt, always made sure Weiss was doing okay even if Weiss hadn't always answered her honestly, but Yang had always cared. And, even if he didn't realize it at the time, Yang had always been the one Weiss had found himself gravitating toward, looking up to.
But was there more to his feelings for Yang than just that?
"You still seem like you're a little lost," Jaune said after Weiss remained silent for more than just a few short moments. "I mean… not in a bad way, I just… I hope I didn't say anything too weird."
Weiss shook his head. "No, no, you're fine… I just…" He glanced up at Jaune, his face still flushed, but his eyes showing much more desperation than any sort of embarrassment or shame. "I don't know, how you do know if you like someone more than just the standard amount?"
Jaune held up a finger, his mouth open in hesitance, but he lowered his hand back to his side a moment later, and exhaled slowly in what seemed to be uncertainty. "I guess it's similar to how you figured out that you're a dude. When you do know, it just feels right."
"Yeah. I guess that makes sense." He turned his gaze back to his lap, finally releasing his hands as he let out a light huff. "You know, I think this is the longest conversation I've ever had with you."
"And I'm surprised you haven't run away yet," Jaune joked. "But I'm guessing it helps that I'm not trying to serenade you anymore."
Weiss laughed. "I'd say that's definitely an improvement."
He was about to thank Jaune when the sound of their main door clicking open stole his attention, and he, and everyone else, followed the sound as Ruby burst through the entrance, a giant grin on her face.
"We're back!"
Sun was the first to stand as Blake entered the suite, her coat looking a little worse for wear as the tail appeared to be stained with some kind of dark sludge. "What the heck happened to you?" he asked, but Blake simply shrugged him off as she revealed a shopping bag at her side. She pulled out a new jacket, this one thicker and darker than her white trenchcoat, and much shorter, but it still had a small train that Blake seemed to like so much. She gestured toward Ilia, who stood upon Blake's acknowledgment, and the three of them disappeared behind a door leading to one of the bedrooms.
Weiss watched as Yang shuffled into the suite behind Ruby, her demeanor much less confident than he was used to seeing from the brawler. As Ruby left the sitting room to see what Nora and Ren were up to, Yang seemed to meet Weiss's gaze across the room, and suddenly, Weiss felt as though his heart would explode through his chest. He wasn't sure he was ready to see Yang so soon after his talk with Jaune.
But before he really had the time to second-guess himself, Jaune shifted on the sofa, drawing Weiss's attention as he lifted a gentle hand to Weiss's shoulder. "You got this," he whispered reassuringly, and awkwardly gave his shoulder a pat before he stood up, and headed in the same direction as Ruby.
Oh, so I'm on my own again… Weiss drew in a deep breath, and glanced up at Yang, meeting her confused expression as her lilac eyes seemed to linger on the place Jaune had just been sitting. He steeled himself as Yang stepped forward, clearing the rest of the distance between them as she lowered herself to the same seat.
"How'd things go with your sister?" she asked, her hands fumbling the handle of a small gift bag that she had resting between her feet.
Weiss glanced down at the bag, his curiosity overtaking him momentarily before he returned his attention to Yang, and offered her a grateful smile. Now this was something he could comfortably talk about. "It went so much better than I expected! Once she understood that this new look is more than just a disguise, she was incredibly accepting." His smile grew into a cocky grin as he remembered one of the last things Winter had said to him. "And I don't want to brag, but she said that I'm now her favorite brother."
Yang seemed to chuckle at that, her previous anxieties seeming to have passed as she returned Weiss's smile. "Well, based on what you told me about your brother, I don't blame her." She leaned in closer, her shoulder just inches from Weiss's, and he couldn't help but hold his breath as he kept gaze glued to his friend's. "Though sisters aren't supposed to have favorites, just between you and me."
He let go of his breath, managing to find the strength to tease the older girl. "That's easy for you to say. You only have one sibling."
She pulled away again, and Weiss could feel his heart sink just a little as the warmth from her body heat subsided. "Even if I did, I don't think anyone could ever be cooler than Ruby." She turned her gaze away, and it was the first time Weiss found he wasn't looking into her captivating eyes since her return to the hotel. Why did everything about Yang suddenly feel so much more powerful than it had before?
Weiss followed her attention to the bag on the floor, his curiosity increasing as Yang seemed to bite her lip. Was she becoming nervous again? Just what was she hiding?
"So, uh, I found something at a shop that reminded me of you."
Suddenly, his back straightened, his eyes widening as he stared down at the mystery bag. She was thinking of me? He cleared his throat, hoping Yang didn't notice the shock in his voice. "You didn't have to get me any—"
"No, I didn't," she cut him off before he had the chance to finish. She turned her head completely, her face now obscured by her long, golden locks. "But I wanted to."
He remained quiet, only because he couldn't quite think of what to say. Nora's and Jaune's words were starting to really sink in, now. Yang had been thinking about Weiss, had bought him something for no other reason than her own pure desire. Did she… did she really like him?
Yang lifted the bag, finally glancing up and offering it to Weiss. He eyed it cautiously, waiting until Yang nodded her approval, before he took it with a hesitant smile, slowly glancing down at the tissue paper that concealed whatever was inside.
When he reached in, his fingertips brushed against a soft, warm material, reminiscent of the cozy winter blanket Klein had knitted with his own hands when Weiss was just a small child. He pulled out the gift, the first glimpse of a brilliant red filling Weiss with awe as it unraveled into his lap. When he finally had the entire scarf in his hands, his lips upturned into the widest smile, his heart seizing in overwhelming adoration.
"Yang, this is…" His voice cracked as he struggled to find the words to portray his gratitude, but he hoped his eyes would help convey his emotions as he finally glanced back up at Yang. "It's just like my grandfather's…"
He wasn't sure Yang was even aware of just how much the gift had meant. His grandfather, Nicholas Schnee, had been Weiss's hero for as long as he could remember. He had been the start of the Schnee Dust Company, had been a well-respected Huntsman who saved the lives of many, had brought fortune to so many distraught and unfortunate people. He was the reason Weiss had wanted to become a Huntsman himself, had went against his father's wishes just to become the hero that his grandfather had been known to be. And his most defining feature, one Weiss was certain he hadn't ever mentioned to Yang or his friends, had been a tattered, red scarf that he wore everywhere he went, on every mission, to every meeting, to ever family gathering Weiss had remembered until he passed away.
"I know how much he meant to you," Yang murmured softly, as if she had just read every memory that raced through Weiss's head.
Weiss wrapped the scarf around his neck, pulling it up over his nose and mouth in an attempt to hide his blush from Yang. There was no doubt about it, now — he did like Yang Xiao Long. How could he not after everything she had done for him, after everything they'd been through? He knew right then, looking up at her over the warmth of his new scarf, that there was no one else, not even his sister, and not even Neptune himself, who had ever been able to fill him with such joy, with such desire. Yang was special.
"So do you like it?"
He closed his eyes, taking a moment to calm his nerves as he lowered the scarf from his mouth. "Of course I like it!" Not daring to open his eyes, he leaned up to his teammate, and as quickly as the impulse had popped into his mind, he pressed his lips to Yang's cheek. When he finally opened his eyes, his heart was pounding in his chest, but he mustered the courage to look the woman he'd fallen for in the eyes. "Thank you."
Yang blinked, Weiss's gesture clearly forcing down her guard, and for a moment, Weiss worried he'd made a mistake. But when her gaze finally cleared and a warm smile reached her cheeks, tinged the brightest shade of pink, he could see the answer shining in her eyes. Yang truly, definitely, felt the same way.
She reached for Weiss's hand, intertwining her fingers with his, and this time, Weiss felt a different kind of comfort when their palms pressed securely together, like he had finally found the final piece to a puzzle he didn't know he'd been missing. His only regret, one he didn't dwell too much upon, was that he hadn't found it sooner. But now that he had it, he could finally call it complete.