A/N: Yo! It's Blue again! Got a new chapter for you guys, keeping the good feelings train going just like last chapter... But Y'all know me, that won't last haha. Thanks for all the feedback! I'm so glad to see that you all are liking it so far! As always, I hope you like this one as well. Lemme know what ya think. Enjoy the Roses!

Chapter 5: Shop Talk

Step zero, get Weiss and Blake to be friends again. Now that step negative one was really complete (seeing how wonderfully Saturday went) She could move onto getting Blake to understand what was really going on. Beyond the misunderstanding, there was clearly some hurt going on, Ruby could tell.

When she walked into class, she wasn't very surprised to see that Blake was there early, working on her garden piece already.

"Hey, Blake!" Ruby greeted. The girl in question stopped her sanding and smiled. "Getting an early start?"

"Yeah, wanted to use the sander before everyone hogged it." She said, patting the smooth edge of her block of wood. It was really starting to take shape now, very cat like. She hadn't put the holes inside of the wood yet, but that was the next step, Ruby could tell. She could also see why she needed the sander so bad. Blake was working on the tail, trying to shape it properly. It looked very nice too, very curvy and cat-like.

"It's looking great, Blake!" Ruby commented.

"Thanks. It's not as cool as your rose, but I think my mom will like it."

"Aw come on! That is just as cool if not cooler than my dumb rose. Your mom will love it."

"Thanks, Ruby." Blake said with a smile. The raven-haired girl then took a piece of sandpaper and began to sand some difficult areas by hand. While she did that, Ruby took out her rose pieces. She didn't really expect to enjoy any of her classes on this assignment, but making this rose was pretty cool.

As a kid, she always loved doing crafty things like this. She would pull things apart, put them back together, figure out how things worked. She recalled the time when she pulled apart one of the two radios they had in the orphanage. Goodwitch looked like she was gonna blow a gasket over it. But Ruby was able to put at back together, better than ever. It just... took two weeks.

However, she wasn't there to make wooden roses and pass math tests. She was here for Weiss, to help her on her path. And that started with talking to Blake.

"So Blake... You're friends with Weiss?"

"We were friends." Blake said, not bothering to look up from her block of wood. "Did she tell you that?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I see she's moved on from me."

"Blake, that's not what's going on."

"Then what is, Ruby?" She said, snapping her head up and making eye-contact. "Cause one minute she's pushing me away. She's pushing me away and telling me we couldn't be friends anymore, that she couldn't be friends with anyone. And the next she's... Got you."

"I'm not trying to take your friend, Blake!"

"I'm not saying you are." Blake told her. "I guess I understand though. You're pretty cool Ruby. Happy and positive. You're what she needs, not me."

"What? That's ridiculous!" Ruby exclaimed, setting down her rose pieces and moving closer to Blake. "You're her friend!"

"I was her friend."

"You still are! Weiss was just helping me adjust to school here, tutoring me." Ruby explained. "Of course she needs you."

"Does she?" Blake asked. She set her wooden cat on the table. "Weiss is in a bad place and I couldn't help her. Apparently you could. She doesn't need the quiet book worm, she needs someone bright and optimistic."

Gosh, Blake wasn't doing so well either. She didn't see what a positive influence she was on Weiss' life. Maybe that was because Weiss never admitted it to her.

"Blake, she's tried pushing me away too."

The bookworm looked to Ruby, a bit surprised.

"I'm not stupid, Blake. I see how she keeps her distance, how she puts on the ice queen persona. I guess … I'm just too stupid to stop trying to break through it."

"Ruby," Blake said with a sigh. "I appreciate your concern, but I don't think she'll let anyone break through. And even if she did, it certainly won't be me. So can we just drop the subject?"

"Uh, yeah.. Sure." Ruby answered. Dang it, she really thought she was getting somewhere with this! Both girls were extremely stubborn, but they needed to talk this through. She was tempted to just trap the two in a room together and make them talk it out.

Or maybe, that was exactly what she needed to do.

"Hey Blake, what are you doing next Saturday?"

XxXxX

This would be their third study date together.

Session.

It was a study session, not a date.

After Ruby did well on her math test (a solid eighty-two) Weiss knew that having more of these would help the girl get caught up for sure. And then she would be just fine in her classes, she wouldn't need a tutor. She would be just fine on her own. They wouldn't have these study sessions anymore.

Weiss wanted to be happy about that, but something about it always made her feel down.

This time, however, she was meeting Ruby somewhere else. They were to meet at the school. Apparently she had some shop class things she needed to do. The rest of the school was closed off for the weekend, but Ruby told her that the shop teacher gave some of his students permission to use it on the weekend.

Ruby had charmed someone else into helping her, the girl was something else.

She was somewhat glad they would be in a semi public place, even though not many people would be around. Being alone with Ruby in her room created... Thoughts. Nothing she would act on, naturally, but she still didn't like having them.

Ruby and Weiss had now known each other for a couple weeks, and the ivory-haired girl felt her resistance waning by the day. Ruby was too sweet and kind to treat her as bitterly as she had before. She had become much like Blake, she wanted her around, but she was afraid she couldn't do that.

Being friends with a Schnee was a recipe for disaster.

They deserved better then her.

Yet, Ruby didn't leave. She was always by Weiss' side. That was... comforting.

Heading towards the back of the school, she saw her pupil waiting just outside the shop door, swinging a key. When the red-head noticed Weiss, she ceased her swinging and waved wildly.

"Hey! Come on over!" She called. In response, the tutor quickened her pace to reach the girl faster.

"Hello, Ruby."

"You go on in, I'll be in in a bit."

"Alright." Weiss agreed, walking into the small building. The room was filled with various different tools. Saws, sanders, drills, some tools Weiss didn't even know the name of. But the thing that first caught her eye was the girl who was also working in the room.

"Blake?"

Thud!

The door slammed shut behind her and she heard a loud 'Kashnk' of the lock.

Oh.

Oh that was why Ruby wanted to meet somewhere else.

She was gonna KILL Ruby when she got out of here, that was for sure.

"Weiss? What are you doing here?"

"Ruby told me to come here, I assume she told you the same?"

"Yeah, she did."

"Of course, figures." Weiss scoffed. "The girl is always trying to fix things."

"She set us up."

"Obviously." She snapped. "She wants us to talk."

"Well there's nothing to talk about."

"I know, I told her that as well."

"Fine."

"Fine."

The exchange between them was quick and snippy and ended in a silent stare. Blake went back to what she was working on. It was a large hunk of wood that had something similar to a tail cut into it.

"What are you making?" Weiss asked out of genuine curiosity.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I was just asking."

Silence fell between them once again. The tension was palpable, the icy indifference and heat of hurt. Weiss backed up to the door and silently jiggled the knob. It was, in fact, locked.

Oooooh Ruby was so dead.

"It's a cat." Blake said.

"What?"

"We are doing a garden project. It's a cat." Blake explained. She lifted up her wood and Weiss could clearly see the silhouette of a cat. The raven-haired girl was in the process of cutting out the eye.

"It... Looks very nice." Weiss commented.

"Thanks."

More silence. Weiss was used to silence, it was something that was very prevalent in her household. She was not, however, used to it with Blake.

Alright, she kind of was. On many occasions, the girl was known for being taciturn and introverted. At least it was a comfortable silence back then. Blake would read or just listen to her surroundings and Weiss would study, but she wasn't alone.

Now, even with Blake in the room, she felt lonely.

She couldn't stand this much longer, she needed to get out before she drove herself nuts. Blake obviously didn't want her here, so she might as well leave. It would just be easier for everyone.

Weiss turned around with a sigh and eyed the door, trying to see how to open it. There had to be some sort of trick or something. The heiress hopped up to look out of the little window at the top of the door. She couldn't see Ruby outside. Huffing, Weiss openly tried the handle out again, jiggling and shaking it. She growled, the door would not budge.

"Don't bother." Blake said in a flat tone.

"Excuse me?"

"If the door is locked from the outside, it can't be opened from the inside."

"That is not very safe." Weiss commented.

"Nope." Blake said, popping the 'p' and continuing with her work.

Walking around the room, Weiss looked for another exit. Something to get her out of there.

"There is the window, you know." Blake suggested.

"What?"

"The windows. They're up there though." Blake pointed (never looking up from her project) above the cabinets on the wall where a row of windows were located. "You really want to get away from me, don't you."

"I..." Weiss tried to refute, but found herself unable. She couldn't. Blake wasn't wrong. While she was stuck here, might as well... Try?

She looked at Blake's project again.

"You have always loved your cats, haven't you."

"Not as much as my mom." Blake said with a slight smile. "I'm giving this to her."

"That's very nice of you."

"I... Considered making a rabbit one."

"A rabbit?"

"Yeah," Blake confirmed. "I was gonna give it to you."

"I... Me?" Weiss muttered. She was at a loss for words. She had pushed Blake away, she told her she didn't want to be friends, she made her think that she dropped her only to make new friends... And she still wanted to make something for her. "Why?"

"Because you're my friend. You were my friend, Weiss."Blake said, setting her wooden cat back down. "I thought that... Maybe it would brighten your day."

"Why would-"

"Weiss, don't. Don't pretend like you don't know. Like I wouldn't know." Blake almost shouted. "You've been in a bad place for a while, Weiss. You've been depressed and I've been worried sick. I know that sometimes... You have to work these things through on your own, I get that. But don't push away the people who care."

"You don't understand, Blake."

"No, I do."

"No you don't!" Weiss yelled, stepping forward. "You have no idea the pressures I'm under, the people I will have to deal with in my life, the expectations! I am Weiss Schnee! I have to be strong! I am Weiss Schnee! I have to be independent!"

"Weiss." Blake said, coming closer to the shouting girl. It fell on deaf ears though, Weiss was too worked up.

"I am Weiss Schnee! I need to be perfect, have the perfect grades! Friends are a distraction! I just n-need me!" Weiss cried out. She wasn't sure when, but tears were streaming down her face. "I...I... I'm... I-'m-"

The raven-haired girl closed the distance and wrapped her in a hug, holding the shuddering girl close. Weiss didn't realize how much she was shaking. She didn't realize how much she had been feeling. But it all came flooding out. She weeped about the stresses and the pressures and the personal hell that she had been putting herself through. She just... Let go.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Blake."

"Shhhh, it's ok. It's alright, Weiss."

"I didn't want to hurt you."

"I know."

"A-and I didn't get R-Ruby to replace you."

"I know that too."

Weiss pulled away from Blake for a moment and looked at her. She had no doubt that she looked like a mess. Her nose was running and her eyes were undoubtedly puffy and red. She found similar features on the girl who was holding her. Blake had been crying as well.

"But I put you through so much! I was so cold! Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because that's what friends do, Weiss. They forgive each other."

XxXxX

After Weiss had calmed down, the two finally knocked on the door that kept them in. Blake was so upset that Ruby had done that at first, but now she was thankful. She had gotten her friend back, and that was the important part.

Though she knew Weiss wasn't out of the water yet. Weiss' troubles were deep, she had a lot to deal with. But at least maybe she could help. She could be with her.

And Ruby could too.

Weiss is so lucky she met her. A real angel she was. I mean, who else would try and help someone who was acting like Weiss? Blake didn't know many. It's why Weiss didn't have many friends, they didn't bother to try and break through her icy guard. That and the fact that she was a Schnee. People connotated that name with power and therefore feared it.

And Weiss couldn't do a thing about that.

"Ruby. We're done." Blake yelled through the door.

"You are?" Came a muffled question. Blake smirked. Of course she was right outside the door, waiting.

"Yes, you dolt! Now let us out." Weiss shouted back. Now this? This was much more Weiss.

Slowly, they heard Ruby unlock and timidly open up the door. Ruby had a very sheepish smile on her face and she was rubbing her elbow with her left hand. Her silver eyes looked past Blake to Weiss. Blake swiveled her head to see the ivory-haired girl.

She was fuming. Weiss had a deep scowl on her face, her brow was knitted in rage. Her shoulders were hunched up and she walked towards the girl who had locked them in there together.

People may call her the ice queen, but now she was all fire, filled with anger.

"Weiss! I'm sorry, I just wanted to fix my mistake and get you two to be friends again and-"

The stomping girl interrupted her rambling with a tight hug. She pulled Ruby in and squeezed.

"Thank you." She muttered.

"... You're welcome."

Ruby hugged her back, but not for long. Weiss pulled away and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders.

"But don't EVER do something like that again, you dunce."

"Y-yes." Ruby answered quickly.

"I suppose... I was being a little stubborn though." Weiss admitted.

"A little?!" Blake exclaimed.

"Ok! A lot." Acquiesced the heiress. "I'm sorry."

"Enough apologies, you can only go up from here, right?" Ruby said, patting Weiss' shoulder.

"I suppose."

"Hey! How about we all get some ice cream! To celebrate a touching reunion."

"Did you have that planned from the beginning?" Blake asked.

"Uuuh, noooo." Ruby clearly lied.

The three laughed at Ruby's antics. The girl was incredibly cute and there was something about her that just pulled people in. It was a bit awkward walking and talking with Weiss again, but the three girls all started to relax around each other on their walk over to the ice cream parlor.

The man in front greeted them merrily and waited for them to decide on the flavor they would choose. Weiss chose vanilla, Ruby chose strawberry and Blake chose mint chip.

"Ok, that'll be $10.20 all together or-"

"Together is fine." Ruby interrupted, pulling some crumpled bills out of her red hoodie.

"Ruby, you don't have to-" Blake started.

"Blake, I locked you and Weiss in a room. I owe you ice cream."

"Are you sure? I could cover all of us myself, Ruby." Weiss offered.

"Nope! My treat!" She said, just as the man was handing out Weiss and Blake's cones. Ruby took hers last and motioned for the pair to sit down at one of the booths in the establishment. Weiss began slowly eating her vanilla ice cream and Ruby smiled at her. Blake expected the energetic girl to dig into her cold dessert and make a mess everywhere. Yet, she only licked every now and then, not very much at all.

Did she not like the flavor she got?

Weiss seemed to notice too.

"Ruby, your ice cream is going to melt if you don't eat it." She chided.

"Oh yeah! You're right, I should have some more- Oh no!" Ruby said, her hand slipping as she went to rest her elbow on the counter. Her sweet treat, cone and all, crashed to the floor. "Aww maaaan."

"You dolt, the table was slippery because you were letting it drip everywhere."

"I didn't mean to!" Ruby moaned.

"I'm sorry, Ruby." Blake added. She stopped eating more of her delicious mint ice cream, feeling bad for her friend.

"It's fiiiine." Ruby pouted.

"Why don't you get another one? I can cover it this time." Weiss offered. Blake smiled. She was happy to see Weiss back to her old self a bit. But at the same time, she was... Different. She couldn't quite place it. Before, Weiss would have just scolded someone for what Ruby had just done, but she was softer with her.

"It's ok, Weiss. Really!" Ruby said, laughing.

"Well... Then at least have some of mine." Weiss said, holding out her dessert.

Wait, what?

"Are you sure?"

Weiss was sharing her ice cream?

"Yes, it's fine. Just don't take all of it. I get a bit jittery if I have too much anyways."

Blake watched as Weiss handed her cone over to Ruby, a soft smile on her lips. She saw how Weiss watched the redhead eat some of her ice cream. The ivory-haired girl seemed happy to do so too.

Blake was baffled by the gesture.

It wasn't that she didn't share, but something like... This? Sharing ice cream seemed a little bit... different. Like an indirect kiss.

When Weiss retrieved her cone from Ruby, the raven-haired girl watched her. She wanted to see where Weiss took her first lick. It sounded crazy, but it meant something. If she licked the opposite side, it meant that it would bother her if she ate the same ice cream Ruby had licked. Same side? That meant something entirely different.

No, she shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe Weiss didn't think about it. Maybe she forgot that ice cream was something that people didn't really share too often from a cone.

Ok, this was Weiss she was talking about. The girl over thinks pouring milk into her cereal (seriously, Blake remembered the lecture she received when she was younger). She HAD to know what she was doing.

And then Weiss did it.

She ate from the same side as Ruby, her eyes closed with this... Content look on her face.

Oh.

Oh, that's why Ruby was able to break through to her.