A/N: Hey friends! Blue here! So this chapter is... Something... I hope you enjoy it (as much as you can ha ha). Lemme know what you think. Enjoy the Roses.

Chapter 9: Gift

"I still can't believe I passed that English exam!" Ruby exclaimed, holding her test in front of her while the trio walked. A solid eighty; It wasn't as good as what Weiss received, but she held herself to a much higher standard.

"It's well earned, good job Ruby." Weiss easily complimented. Ruby looked to her in slight surprise and then averted her gaze, shyly.

"Thanks Weiss."

"Wow, you really turned her around, didn't you Weiss?" Blake commented. "Didn't you get a sixty-three a couple months ago?"

"Yup! Weiss is a really good teacher!" Ruby complimented and Weiss' cheeks flared up, right on cue.

"I'm a tutor, not a teacher." She corrected, clearing her throat to dispel any butterflies from the previous statement. "But I have a really good pupil."

"Thanks." Ruby answered softly. Weiss heard Blake chuckle next to her and internally begged her not to tease them. Two months ago, Weiss finally admitted that she had feelings for Ruby to Blake, and Blake had been non-stop pushing her to confess to Ruby. When Ruby was in the room, Blake would tease them, mention how close they were and do anything to get the pair to get closer.

It was a real nuisance, red might have looked good on the heiress, but she didn't want the color splashed on her cheeks every five minutes.

"Hey, you guys free tomorrow after school?" Blake asked, luckily choosing not to pick on them... This time. "I figure since it's Friday we could stay out a bit. Maybe get some ice cream or something?"

Oh good, she didn't go for the obvious line about-

"You seemed to like Weiss' flavor that one time we went, didn't you Ruby?" Blake said in a sing-song voice.

Dammit.

"Yeah, it was good!" Ruby exclaimed, but her face turned to a frown. "But I can't. I won't even be in class tomorrow."

"What?" Weiss asked, a bit surprised. "Why not?"

"I've got a family thing." Ruby said nonchalantly. "Nothing bad, just might take a while."

"Oh, alright." She said, a little disappointed.

It was official, Friday would probably suck.

"But we're still on for our study session on Saturday, right?" The younger girl asked hopefully.

"Yeah, definitely."

"Good!" Responded Ruby, walking backwards to the exit. She really should have been watching where she was going though. "Cause I may have gotten an eighty, but I think I can do better! Just you-"

"Ruby, look out!" Weiss chided. She didn't see the other student walking behind her and bumped right into him.

"Oof, I'm sorry! Sorry." She told him, backing up and stumbling a bit.

"It's cool." He calmly said, walking on his way. Ruby chuckled nervously and left with a wave of her hand.

"What a klutz." Weiss commented.

"Your klutz." Blake teased, elbowing her ribs.

"She's not my klutz."

"Yet."

"Uuuuuuugh."

"You are so hopeless, Weiss."

"I know, I know." She moaned. No real progress had been made regarding her feelings. She only managed to fall deeper and deeper for the red-head. How was that even possible? How could she fall for her more and more each day? How did the girl always manage to surprise her?

"She doesn't really talk about her family much. Do you know what's going on?" Blake asked.

"No idea." Weiss answered. That was another issue. Once the heiress was able to sort her life out a little more, she realized that she didn't know as much about Ruby as she thought. She never talked about her family (only that they are ok with her having sleepovers and she had to do the dishes for a while when they skipped class). Her family couldn't be as bad as hers, right?

She kind of wanted to meet them. Weiss hoped that they might like her.

"Worried?"

"A little." The ivory-haired girl admitted. "I'm sure it will be alright, though. Ruby is capable."

"You would know."

She blushed. It wasn't a secret that the pair spent a lot of time together. The three of them often hung out, this was true, but she definitely saw Ruby more. The heiress wished she hadn't blabbed to her about their little sleepovers. Blake was absolutely relentless after that. 'It's just like a romance novel' she would say with a swoon.

She was sooo happy she was providing this entertainment to her best friend.

Ecstatic.

"You know, I have a solution for you." The raven-haired girl announced. "It would solve all your problems."

"Oh?" Scoffed the heiress. "And what would that be?"

"Uh, talk to her? Tell her how you feel!"

"What?"

"Oh my god, just do it already." Blake yelled, completely done. "It's been two months since you realized you like her and you've actually liked her even longer than that."

"It's not that simple, Blake!" Weiss bemoaned. "What if she says no?"

"Then you move on, she'll still be your friend."

"What if she doesn't? What if she looks at me like... Like I grew a second head!"

"She won't!" Blake laughed at her friend's fears. "Chances are she likes you too!"

"Y-you really think so?" Weiss asked.

"It certainly seems so."

"Oh."

Maybe Weiss didn't have so much to worry about. Ruby was very sweet, even if she rejected her, she would stay by her side. Right?

But it would be painful, the heiress never felt this way about anyone before. She was stronger now, though. She wasn't the same, Weiss had so much more confidence than she did before. She was happier, felt loved, and was actually starting to imagine a bright future for herself.

Unfortunately, she kept envisioning Ruby in that future. A future where Ruby didn't have to climb up a pipe to see her, because they would live together. They would share a life together. She imagined a future where she came home from work and Ruby was right there at the door, ready to give her a hug.

A future where they could kiss.

Perhaps she could have that. If Blake could see that Ruby might like her, then there was hope for her yet.

"Alright. I'm gonna tell her how I feel!" Weiss resolved.

"Yeah!" Blake cheered. "Saturday."

The confidence from before dropped like a brick, weighing her down.

"Saturday? Th-that's so soon!" She exclaimed. "I'm not ready!"

"Yes you are! You gotta rip it off like a band-aid."

"You rip your band-aids off?" Weiss asked, appalled.

"Yes?"

"That's absurd."

"What do you do?" The bemused book worm asked.

"Well you slowly peel it."

"That hurts more!" She laughed.

"It's the proper way!" Weiss shouted.

"Look! What I'm trying to say is that you should get it over and done with. While you still have the gumption."

"You... May have a point."

"Of course I do. I'm the only one thinking logically of the three of us." Blake commented with a smug smirk.

"Hey!" She defended. Blake was right, but it was still a low blow. "If you are so level-headed, you ask her out for me."

"Nooope."

"But... Blaaake."

"Nope."

"Did you pick that up from Ruby?"

"Yup." Blake snickered, popping her 'p'.

"Fine, fine." Weiss relented. "I'll talk to her."

"There we go." The wing-man (wing-woman?) said. "And who said you need words? Just kiss her and she'll know."

"Blake!"

"'Mmm, Ruby'" Blake moaned, making kissing noises.

"Enough!" Ordered the heiress. She needed Blake to stop this before she invented a new shade of red that they would call 'Weiss' cheeks'. "I'll do it."

"Saturday?"

Weiss took a deep breath.

It would be ok, no matter what happened, it would be alright.

"Saturday."

XxXxX

"Hello Ruby." An angelic counsel member greeted. She walked into the room made of puffy white clouds, fidgeting with her hands. "Please, step forward."

They sounded kind? But then again, there could be a storm waiting just behind it. Yesterday during her second period class, the angels gave her a message. They told her that she would not be helping her charge the next day, that she was to report up above for an important meeting.

She had done field work in the past, she never got called for a meeting before.

"H-hello!" Ruby softly greeted. The seven counsel members each nodded, smiles gracing their faces. They were smiling. That was good. Smiling was good, right? Yet, even though they were smiling, their wings were unfurled and standing at attention. Like all angels, the tips of their feathers matched their eyes.

"Please show your wings." They requested, but Ruby knew it was an order. Immediately, her silver tipped wing burst from her back, fluttering with nerves.

"Am... Am I in trouble?" She asked before she could stop herself. The middle angel, a man with mint green eyes chuckled.

"No Ruby, you're not." He told her. "We merely wanted to discuss the status of your case in person."

"Oh!" She sighed. "It's going great! Weiss is so much happier now! She reaches out, has started taking fencing lessons again, and she has even attempted to make new friends."

Ruby was very proud of her charge. Over this time, she had really come out of her comfort zone. How she acted before was so different that they seemed like two different people entirely.

Though she liked the old Weiss too.

Any Weiss was great in her book.

"That is very good to hear." The angel with pink eyes told Ruby. "Well done, Ruby."

"Thank you!"

"You did a good job. But you've been there for a while." She added. "So you should probably say goodbye. If she doesn't respond well wipe yourself from her memory."

Her heart stopped. Or it would have, if she was mortal. A hot flash of fear spread through her body and she shivered as it ran down her spine.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You completed the mission. Weiss Schnee is now on her correct path."

"N-no, she isn't there yet!" Ruby exclaimed. "She is still unstable. A change in her environment could cause another meltdown!"

"I highly doubt that." Scoffed the angel to the far left. She had deep blue eyes and a scowl. "She has proven time and time again that she can handle it."

"Because I was there!" Ruby admitted, jabbing a finger to her own chest.

"So you're saying she has an attachment to you?"

"N-no!"

"But she needs you?"

"Yes!"

"That sounds like an attachment. A brain wipe would fix that. Leave only happy memories behind."

Where these angels CRAZY? Weiss needed her. Her. Ruby Rose. Weiss needed her angel to protect her and care for her. If she didn't, who else would?

Probably Blake.

And Klein.

And Weiss was making new friends...

The more she thought about it, the more it was clear that they did have a point. The heiress was better, she could function just fine on her own. And she had support now.

Ruby Rose wasn't necessary in the equation anymore.

Still, she wanted to be part of it. Of that equation. She wanted to solve the problem that was Weiss Schnee. She wanted to be the answer to the formula.

"I need more time. Just give me a week and we can... reconvene at another... Juncture?"

The other angels looked to each other and mumbled something underneath their breaths. As soon as they were done conferring, they turned back to the younger angel.

"Very well." The mint green counsel member agreed. "You are granted a week. We will re-evaluate this case then."

Ruby almost expected to hear a gavel bang, but the other angels simply flew off through the clouds.

A week. One week to come up with a viable reason to stay with Weiss. But the more she thought about it, the only reason was the girl herself. She needed to stay because Weiss was there. She didn't need Ruby anymore. She didn't need her guardian angel.

But this angel needed her.

XxXxX

While Ruby was scribbling something down on her piece of paper, her tongue sticking out in thought, Weiss rubbed her hands on her skirt for what felt like the thirtieth time that day. It was probably more like tenth, but if felt like more. Her hands were so sweaty from nerves.

She had told Blake she would tell Ruby how she felt today. She felt good about it the day before, even an hour before she came over. But as soon as she saw Ruby with her cute red hoodie and her adorable smile, Weiss was slush. Mushy, melted, malleable ice that could be moved where ever the red-head so desired.

"I think I got it right." Ruby announced, pushing the sheet over to her tutor. Weiss looked over her work and smiled.

"Perfect!"

"Yes!" She said, pumping her fist. "I'm getting better."

"You are, I'm so proud of you."

"Heh, thanks." Said the younger girl. Her cheeks took on the same shade as her jacket, a crimson hue. Did Ruby get this flustered before, was just now noticing, or was this new? Weiss didn't know. But she did know that red really did suit the girl.

"Why don't we take a break now." Weiss suggested. "Talk a little."

"Yeah, sure!" She eagerly complied, setting down her pencil. "How was class yesterday?"

"It was ok, a little boring without you around. How was yours? Is everything alright with your family?"

"Ah, don't worry about that." Ruby said, brushing It aside with a swipe of her hand. "What about you though, it couldn't be that boring, Blake was there! And weren't you talking with that other kid, Flynt?" Ruby said, looking away from Weiss. "He seems nice."

"Oh, yes he is I guess."

"Cute too."

"You think he's cute?" Weiss asked. She did her best to keep the fear from infiltrating her voice.

"Uh, aesthetically."

"Nice vocabulary." Weiss complimented, releasing the breath she was holding.

"Thanks." Giggled the girl in the hoodie. "Do you think he's cute?"

"Aesthetically." Answered the heiress with a smirk. "Not really my type."

"Weiss!" Ruby gasped, sarcasm already oozing from her voice. "Are you saying that you are picky?"

"Oh, hush you." She chided. "Excuse me for having a discerning palette."

"It's not an excuse if no one is on the palate, Weiss."

"Perhaps there is."

"Huh?"

"Maybe someone is on the palate?" Weiss tried to answer, but it came out as more of a question.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.

This was it.

Her moment.

She could tell Ruby how she really felt. It was perfect! She couldn't ask for a better moment to confess her feelings to the girl. All she had to say was 'you are on my palate'.

'You are on my palate'.

'You are..'

"Erm," Weiss cleared her throat. Her voice cracked in the middle. "You know, I think we should probably go over question number nine again."

Aaaand she blew it.

"Yeah, sure." Ruby said, not convinced. But then she popped up in excitement. "Oh! But first, I have something for you!"

"Y-you do?"

"Yeah!" Ruby exclaimed. "Now clooose your eeeeeeyes and hold out your hands."

The heiress chuckled at her sing song voice and did as she was told. Her heart was pounding so fast though. What did Ruby do for her? She didn't have to do anything. Just being here was enough for the ivory-haired girl, she didn't need any more.

She heard Ruby fumbling with something in her backpack. An object was placed in her hands a moment later. Blindly, she felt it with her hands. It seemed to be in multiple pieces and made of wood.

"Ok! Open them!"

When she did, she saw a set of beautifully carved wooden roses, painted a deep crimson. The amount of detail that was put into this, from the whittling to the paint job, was absolutely astounding. Ruby plucked the string in the middle and pulled it up. Each rose piece grew larger the more it went down the string.

"I made it in shop class!" Ruby explained. "It's supposed to be a garden decoration, but it can be hung up inside too."

"Ruby." Weiss said, breathless. "This is gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"Are you sure you want to give this to me?" She asked, grabbing the string and lifting it up to observe it for herself.

"I don't need it." She said. "And besides, I think roses suit you."

Ooooh how right she was. Roses did suit her.

And the Rose she wanted the most was Ruby Rose.

"I have something for you too." Weiss told her, setting down the gift on the table before her.

"Really? Weiss I don't need anything re-"

"Close your eyes."

"But you don't have to do-"

"Cloooose your Eeeeyes." She sang.

"Weiss, I-"

"Close your eyes, dolt!" She had to assert.

This time, Ruby did close her eyes. Great! Now she could give her something.

Wait... She didn't have anything for Ruby!

Oh god, this day was a disaster. First she couldn't confess when she had the perfect chance to, then she promised Ruby a gift when she had nothing! Ugh, she couldn't do this romance stuff.

"Weiss?" Ruby asked through closed eyes.

Panicking, she was really panicking now! What was she supposed to do? What could she give Ruby?

"Yes! I've... Got your..." Weiss drifted off, her gaze was shifting. What was once transfixed on her closed eyes, now drifted to Ruby's soft lips. It lingered there, beckoning more the longer she stared. "Gift."

Blake did say this was one way to get her feelings across.

Weiss took a deep breath.

And then another one.

And then she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to Ruby's. It was short and it was sloppy, but it was wonderful. She savored it, how right it felt to kiss Ruby. It was amazing!

For a second.

And then they both opened their eyes.

Ruby leaned back far in her chair, her breathing heavy and her eyes wide. She looked so... scared.

"Um... Ruby?" Weiss managed to ask. But Ruby said nothing. She was just staring at Weiss in fear. Utter fear. Her anxieties weren't that far off base. The girl wasn't looking at her like she grew one extra head, but rather two of them.

Oh god this was a mistake.

"I-I sh-should probably be going."

"Wh-what?" Weiss said, tears starting to fill her eyes. "No please don't go. I-I'm sorry."

"It's ok... Um... It's fine I... need to go." Ruby said, touching her lips. She finally tore her gaze away from her, the girl who had just kissed her, and rapidly packed up her things. "I'll see you Monday."

"Ruby." She cried, her voice cracked with emotion on that one. Once again she had her attention, her stare. It wasn't warm like it usually was.

It was just... Full of terror.

And she caused that. Her selfish whims caused that fear. Of course she didn't like her like that, why did she have to kiss her? God she felt so stupid.

"I..." Ruby's breathing only increased. "I have to go."

"I can walk you out." Weiss offered in a desperate plea.

"It's fine, I know the way." She answered all too quickly. "Goodbye, Weiss."

"Ruby!" Weiss shouted. She ran over and grabbed the girl's hand before she could completely walk out of her door. "Ruby, I... I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Lies.

"I... didn't mean to..."

More lies.

"It was..."

Stop lying! Be honest!

"I... I like you, Ruby. I've liked you for a long time. I sh-should have told you earlier but I was... Scared." Weiss blubbered, tears running down her face. "Scared things would change... That this would change."

Ruby didn't say anything, her face was turned away from her.

"But we can just forget this happened. Forget it all!" She suggested hopefully. "I just want you in my life. Even i-if it's just as a friend... I-I'm sorry."

She hoped that Ruby would turn around and hug her. Hold her like she had done many times before. She hoped that she would pet her hair and say it would be alright. She expected it at this point.

But, like she usually did, Ruby defied her expectations.

Just not in her favor this time.

Ruby slipped her hand away and readjusted her backpack on her shoulders. She never looked back, just kept walking.

"Goodbye, Weiss."

The door shut and Weiss crumbled to the floor.

What had she just done?

XxXxX

"What did I just do?" Ruby cried to herself. Her body was lit up with fear, her nerves sent shocks throughout her body in pulses.

No...

No no no.

Dammit.

No this was not good.

Ruby dashed through the streets, holding onto the straps of her backpack. She had to get as far away as she could. Maybe they weren't watching. Maybe they took a break. Maybe they didn't see the kiss.

They kissed.

Weiss kissed her.

The angel lifted her left hand to her lips. She still felt the pair of thin lips against hers. It was only a second, one heavenly second. But when it was over, the implications of what happened set in.

She couldn't fall for her charge. She just couldn't. It broke so many rules, too many. And if her charge fell for her? Reassignment and memory wipes.

Ruby didn't want Weiss to forget her. She was certain it would just rip her apart. Could you imagine, someone you care about dearly just... Forgetting you? It would be hell. A hell Ruby would have to live through.

They weren't talking to her, maybe she was in the clear.

"Ruby Rose." A voice sounded in her head.

No.

No.

"Yes?" Ruby answered softly.

'Go away.' the angel desired to growl.

"It has gotten out of hand. This mission is officially over, your extension is revoked." The voice coldly informed. "You will go to her on Monday and proceed to close this case."

'No! I'm not done.' She wanted to shout.

It was over. After months of being by Weiss' side, it was over. The irony was that Weiss wasn't the only one who changed over the course of this case. The old Ruby would have jumped for joy upon hearing this news. She would have gleefully gone back to her favorite job, invisible guardian position.

She was not the same Ruby.

'She still needs me!' Ruby wished she could scream to the heavens.

But Ruby knew better, even if it felt like worse.

"Understood." Ruby replied. When she felt their gaze shift away, she allowed the grief to overtake her. She fell to her knees and openly sobbed. She didn't even bother to turn invisible, she just sat on the ground and wept.

This was not a happy end.

It was over.

It was all over.

Weiss would be ok, she could just forget Ruby ever existed in the first place.

But Ruby?

Ruby would remember for the rest of her existence.