I'm glad so many people seem to be on-board with the idea of this story! I'm excited to share it! This chapter began as just a prompt and the rest of the fic expanded from it, so it might seem a little awkward.

If you like my work, you can support me on P-a-t-r-e-o-n as Kiria Alice!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.


Chapter 2. A String Of Surprises

Weiss didn't particularly like the gym on her college campus.

It was often overly-crowded, especially on the weekends, and the equipment wasn't as up-to-date as the machines at the public place. This gym was larger, and had various different kinds of equipment, and more than enough sets for everyone hoping to use them.

Unlike herself, however, most other college students tended to use the facilities on their local campuses, so she was often one of the few people her age to come to the local gym in town.

As she walked in today, at the mildly busy hour of 8 in the morning, she selected a quiet corner to lay down her personal mat and began stretching herself out, reaching down to her sneakers and twisting her arms and back to work out the kinks and stiffness.

Just as always, she'd eaten a light breakfast of just toast and coffee this morning and planned to eat a bit more after her workout.

Of course, she came to the gym for the same reasons as anyone else did – to stay in shape, become more fit, and work off a bit of the excess stresses brought on by her college.

But Weiss had a couple more reasons as well. Two, in fact.

They walked in just then, chatting casually as they always did.

Both of the girls were fairly taller than herself, about the same height as one another.

The girl with blonde hair tied up into a ponytail had her usual black shorts and orange tank top on. She tended to do more strength and weight training than anything else.

The other girl's ponytail was deep red, and she wore a black sports bra and red shorts. This girl often trained for endurance.

Though she'd never intended to pry, Weiss had picked up on their preferences over the weeks.

The duo was fairly difficult to miss, considering how well-endowed and gorgeous they both were. She was certain they must have been models or professional athletes.

Due to their looks, Weiss often found herself in the same boat as many of the other gym-goers in stealing a few glances here and there.

But Weiss hated to feel like she was being the same as the few distasteful people who whistled and licked their lips. Though she'd never do anything as unruly or disrespectful as that, she couldn't help but feel guilty for judging the pair by their stunning appearances alone.

They always strutted in together, arm in arm, laughing merrily and chatting. The way they were always wrapping their arms around one another and sharing kisses made it clear that they were romantically involved.

She didn't know why that invoked such confusing feelings within the pit of her stomach, and she always did her best to suppress those emotions, believing they were highly inappropriate.

Weiss liked hearing them talk, even though it was never her intention to eavesdrop.

She also always found it embarrassingly difficult not to stare at them as they worked out next to her.

But she'd often just attest her increased heart rate to her work on the treadmill rather than anything else.

Today commenced like any other. Weiss tried not to listen in as the two girls talked together – it was in this manner she'd learned their names a few weeks ago.

The gym was quiet this morning, and since Weiss chose not to listen to music when she worked out, it was all too easy to hear what they were saying.

Yang, the blonde girl, was proposing they have a contest together.

"Bet'cha I can lift two-hundred."

Pyrrha, the red-haired girl, laughed at that.

"Then I'll do two-ten."

Weiss turned her face away and sputtered as she listened to them talk. She herself could barely lift fifty.

I suppose some people are just built for that sort of thing. And I suppose I'm better at working out my mind rather than my body.

She finished up her basic stretches on her mat, once again finding her eyes straying towards the weight lifting machines...

She caught herself, and shook her head quickly. She folded up her mat and pushed it into her gym bag, then searched for her water bottle, only to find she'd forgotten to pack one.

Wonderful. That's what I get for waking up late and rushing... all so I could get here at the same time as them. I swear, these crushes will be the death of me...

Sighing, she stood and headed for the treadmill to start. She'd have to take it slow today without her water to drink.

And just for one day, I shouldn't gawk at them so much... Honestly, what is wrong with me?

As she turned on the machine, the little whirring sounds of its mechanical components weren't nearly loud enough to drown out the voices of the other two girls nearby. Weiss stepped on and started jogging slowly, but she heard them all too easily, only a few machines away from herself.

"Aw man!" Yang was complaining. "The bar's busted!"

"What? Oh my, you're right. This notice says it won't be fixed until next week."

"Bummer…" Yang grumbled. "Now we can't lift like we usually do."

"If only there was an alternative…"

Weiss was a little disheartened as well. She'd always loved stealing glances back at the pair of them, watching those toned stomachs and rippling muscles move beneath the sweat-slick skin-

Goodness, stop that! I'm thinking like some strange old man!

"Hey! 'Scuz me!"

When she suddenly heard Yang's voice so close to her ear, Weiss stumbled. The tip of her sneaker knocked against the side of the treadmill, and the running belt easily tipped her over the edge. Gasping, she fell, preparing herself for a painful landing on the cold, unforgiving tile flooring.

But to her petrified surprise, two strong arms steadied her instead.

"Whoa, there!"

Pyrrha reached out to catch her safely, though the position in which Weiss ended up was rather embarrassing. She was hanging helplessly in the taller girl's arms, the fate of her balance lying totally in Pyrrha's hands – literally.

Weiss was suspended there, her wide eyes staring up into startled emerald. One of Pyrrha's hands was at the small of her back, and the other was pressed against her left side. Weiss' breath hitched as she realized how hard her heart was pounding beneath the other girl's palm and figured she could most likely feel it.

Pyrrha was doing her best to help Weiss back onto solid ground while shooting a distressed look at the blonde the.

"Yang, you startled her half to death!"

"Sorry!"

Yang hurried forward and took one of Weiss' hands as Pyrrha held the other. Together, they righted her posture, making sure she had her balance back. Yang was looking rather fretful after the scene she'd just caused.

"Geez, it's just not my morning, is it? First fallin' out of bed, now this. Are you okay?"

Weiss could barely make sense of things.

Both of her crushes were holding her hands. Her heart was going a million beats per minute, and it was only partially due to her run on the treadmill. She felt like she was going to pass out.

But by some miracle, she managed to form a response, thin as it was.

"Y-Yes…" she wheezed.

"Phew, that's a relief." Yang wiped her hand over her forehead. "Anyways, I was wonderin' something…"

Weiss was surprised she heard the taller girl's voice at all over the sound of her own pounding heart, which didn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

"Y-Yes…?" She looked up at Yang, then Pyrrha, but couldn't hold either of their gazes.

Lavender and emerald. She'd never seen them this close before. It was like a daydream.

"Well," Yang was saying. "Since the bar's busted, we can't lift weights like usual. And I was just wonderin' if you'd be okay with like… well, like if we tried lifting you!"

Weiss almost fell over again.

Even Pyrrha was shocked.

"Yang! What gave you that idea? Does she look like she's two-hundred pounds?"

"What? No, no, not at all! Oh gosh, I'm sorry! It was mostly just a bad joke! I didn't meant to imply- uhh… Miss…?"

Weiss was starting to sway at the thought of being lifted up by these girls.

She couldn't take this. Too much was happening too quickly. The crushes she'd admired from afar for over a month now were suddenly standing right in front of her, talking to her, holding her hands.

What a day to have forgotten her water bottle. Her throat was parched and her head was burning, and there was a coil of something fuzzy clogging her chest. She felt dizzy-

"Oh my!" Pyrrha exclaimed. "I think you should have some water! Do you have any with you?"

Weiss couldn't speak, only shake her head weakly. Pyrrha didn't hesitate to jump into action. She made sure Weiss would be able to stay standing with Yang's support before she hurried to her personal bag and pulled out a fresh bottle.

"Here, take mine, please!" She opened it and handed it to Weiss, urging her to drink. Her earnest green eyes didn't give the flustered girl much of an option.

Weiss tried to down a large sip, but she ended up choking, causing Yang and Pyrrha to worriedly pat her back to help her breathe properly again. Weiss thanked them and wiped her eyes.

After that, she only took a few sips until her face wasn't burning so much anymore.

"I'm so sorry," Pyrrha said again.

"No… it's fine…" Weiss handed the bottle back to her.

Pyrrha took a sip directly from where Weiss' lips had just been. Yang took a sip right afterward. Weiss inhaled sharply as the butterflies in her stomach became a whirlwind. She felt so out of it, to the degree that it was uncomfortable.

"I should be apologizing," Weiss mumbled, trying to get her bearings. "I'm usually not so clumsy. I don't know what's... what's gotten into me today..."

That was a blatant lie – she knew exactly what was wrong with her. But at least the other two seemed to believe her.

"Don't apologize! That should be us doing so. Right, Yang?"

The red-haired girl got to scolding her blonde companion lightly. She lowered her voice a bit, so Weiss only caught a few words.

"I know we said we were going to try and talk to her today, but-"

Weiss had no idea what they were whispering about.

Definitely not her. ...Right?

Once they'd finished their quiet conversation, Yang sighed, and ran a hand through her ponytail.

"Hey, um… Miss? I'm really sorry. I didn't mean anything by that. I was just… ugh, y'know, how about I make this up to you? We're going out for ice cream after we work out here. How about you come with us? My treat."

Weiss felt her knees begin to tremble. But by some miracle, her head nodded itself automatically.

Yang and Pyrrha both perked up.

"Is that a yes?"

Weiss gulped, but smiled.

"I-I mean... I've got no plans for today, a-and you two are awfully kind..."

"That's grand!" Pyrrha clapped. "Then we'll wait up for you once we've finished our workout!"

"Yeah! See ya then… um…?"

Weiss said nothing for a moment, until she realized Yang was asking for her name.

"Ah... Weiss," she filled her in. "I'm Weiss."

Both taller girls repeated it back to her.

"Weiss."

"Well then, we'll see you later!"

"Meet us in the locker room! We'll wait up for you!"

"Oh!" Pyrrha paused and turned back to her. "And please. Take this. I have another." She offered Weiss her water bottle.

But before Weiss could react, Yang put in a quick reminder.

"Pyrrha, you already drank from it. Actually, we both did..."

"Oh, that's right! I'm sorry." Her shoulders slumped a bit as she looked Weiss over. "You just seem a little pale, is all. I don't mean to be rude, but if you forgot your water today, I don't want you overexerting yourself. You could pass out! So if you don't mind that we've taken sips already, please take it. Neither of us are sick or anything like that!" She was still holding it out to Weiss expectantly.

Weiss needed to snap herself back into reality so she could reach out her hand. She was shaking a little bit, but she grabbed onto the bottle hopefully before either of the others could notice.

"Thank you... I really appreciate it..."

Pyrrha's eyes lit up.

"Don't mention it!"

"Yeah!" Yang added. "It's the least we can do after giving you such a bad scare. We'll probably be here for about an hour or so. Catch ya later!"

"Right! We'll wait in the locker room for you, Weiss!"

As they turned away, Weiss relished the feeling of excitement that had overcome her.

In her mind, she was repeating how they'd each said her name, over and over again. In her right hand was the water bottle Pyrrha had kissed, and in her left hand was a residual heat that had been left behind by Yang's palm.

She was still in a daze of sorts about what had just happened, and about what was supposed to happen in just an hour's time.

Weiss couldn't believe her luck.

It'd already been three minutes, but her heart rate hadn't calmed down at all. It was probably double what it usually was after she'd run a mile.

She'd always had a bit of a tendency to overheat, but this was the closest she'd ever come to passing out, and it wasn't even from her workout.

If all it took for her to get warmed up was being near and talking to Pyrrha and Yang, it was a good thing they'd be going for ice cream.


A/N: Again, this chapter was the initial drabble, so it might seem a little strange or fast-paced. But from here on, future chapters will be longer and much more detailed!

If you like my work, you can support me on P-a-t-r-e-o-n as Kiria Alice!

Please review!