Disclaimer: "we're texting for the first time in forever and i told you about some stupid thing i did and sent a sarcastic 'you must really miss me, huh' and you just replied 'yes' and i think my heart just broke" au- for Xerxes, thank you for your kindness!

Yang cursed under her breath, setting her hands on her hips and casting her lilac gaze around, a pinch to her brow. Now, sure, she'd never been the absolute biggest neat freak in Remnant, but she kept her belongings more or less organized- enough that, when she wanted to watch one of her favorite movies, she could find it with ease. It could only be in one of three places, all of which she'd checked.

No dice.

"Oh, come on," she said, running a hand over her face. "Where is it?"

Closing her eyes, she tried to piece together the last time she'd watched it or moved the case. Months ago, at least, but maybe even more.

Wait… now she remembered the last time she'd seen it- almost a year ago. Back before… her ex moved her stuff out.

"Shit…" Her lips pulled into a tight, thin line, gaze casting about for her scroll.

They hadn't spoken since the relationship ended but… well, they hadn't parted on bad terms. Winter had an exciting career in the military and a promising new assignment elsewhere; Yang had her own shop and family to consider. When the woman suggested that they probably wouldn't be able to continue the relationship long distance, they'd ended it amicably… but that didn't make it hurt any less.

Yang had tried going out on a few dates since then. None of them led anywhere but, hell, she had tried.

Still, the idea of reaching out to her ex to see if the woman had accidentally packed up her favorite movie didn't magically become any more appealing. It'd likely just hurt like hell and lead nowhere but she really did love that movie.

She should just buy a new copy, honestly. It'd probably be pretty cheap; older movie, none of the flashy special effects like modern ones, and it'd be quicker and relatively painless.

Then again, she kinda had a special attachment to her copy; she'd had it nearly ten years. And, even if it hurt, just having the chance to talk with Winter again… it'd be worth it.

With a sigh, Yang located her scroll and shot off a quick text.

'Hey, I know this is out of the blue, but you wouldn't happen to have my Monty Python and the Holy Grail dvd by mistake, did you?'

Setting her scroll down, the blonde went over to her movie collection to start putting it back in some semblance of order, expecting the response would take at least an hour, probably more.

But then her scroll dinged before she'd made it halfway across her room.

'I do, actually. I apologize. I can have it to your apartment by tomorrow morning.'

Her brows rose, surprised both by the prompt response and the urgency with which the woman seemed to want to return the movie.

'You don't have to go through all that trouble; I just was wondering where it went.'

'Nonsense. I'll have it delivered as soon as possible.'

She couldn't help the way her lips curled up, just a little. That sounded like the Winter she knew.

'Well, if you insist.' Lightly, she bit her lip, thumbs hesitating for a moment before setting her scroll aside. And focusing on finding another movie to pass her time.

They'd gone this long without any contact. Probably for the best.

Yang groaned as she pulled herself out of bed, having slept for shit the night before. Hours had passed with her just wondering if, perhaps, she should've tried extending an olive branch to Winter. The woman typically didn't remain in contact with her exes, though, so Yang had assumed that would apply to her as well.

But… she had the chance. She could've at least tried.

The thought remained in the back of her mind throughout her morning ritual, all the way until she tried leaving her apartment and found a man in a delivery uniform coming up the steps.

"Yang Xiao Long?"

"Uh, yeah?"

Then he held out a little brown box. "Here you go, delivery."

She raised a brow but signed for the package anyway, taking the moment to open it up once he'd left.

Sure enough, Winter had done exactly as she said, as the DVD case slid out into her palm. However… it looked a bit more worn than she remembered and the bottom snap didn't seem to be working, the edge worn too smooth to catch and close properly.

A frown touched her lips. Had the woman been watching it? Winter had made it clear that she didn't really have the same appreciation for comedy the way Yang did. Whenever they watched it together, she seemed a touch more interested in her scroll than the movie, but usually spent her time watching Yang's enjoyment- that, apparently, appealed to her a great deal more.

Setting it aside for the moment, she went out to her motorcycle, so she could get on with her day.

But this wasn't over.

Taking off her helmet, Yang shook her hair out as she entered her apartment, setting everything in its place as quickly as she could and pulling out her scroll. She'd told Ruby about texting Winter and her sister seemed to be on the same page, encouraging her to follow her gut.

Extending an olive branch couldn't hurt worse than never knowing.

'Hey, they delivered the movie this morning. I'm impressed!'

'I'm glad you got it in a timely manner.'

'Thanks, really. I've been missing it.' Her tongue peaked out as she hesitated for a moment before just plowing ahead with what seemed to be the easiest option available. 'So, how have you been? That assignment seems to be work outing for you.'

'It's been an enriching opportunity. I got promoted a few months ago. It's been good. How's the shop?'

'Hey, congrats on the promotion! And, ya know how it goes. Ruby's still the best mechanic in Vytal, so our business is doing pretty well. Never a dull moment!'

'I'm glad to hear that. I've heard a whisper or two about Red Dragon over here in Atlas- all good, I assure you. You and Ruby should look into branding.'

'Eh, you know it's not about the fame or money for her.' Yang chuckled. 'There might be millions of red roses out there, but there's only one Ruby Rose!'

Almost immediately, she slapped a hand to her face. As much as she loved puns- as much as Winter said she loved puns while they were dating- that didn't mean she should just start busting them out all willy nilly. Especially when half her flirting depended on them. She wouldn't want to give the woman the wrong idea.

Or, rather, she wouldn't want Winter guessing the truth behind her desire to reconnect. Even if they couldn't be together, losing her girlfriend had also robbed her of a dear friend, and if she couldn't get the former back, she'd try like hell for the latter.

'You're most certainly correct. She certainly rises above expectations.'

A little chuckle burst from her lips. 'Okay, that one was pretty good.'

'I practice in my spare time. I've got a Xiao Long way to go, though.'

This time, she laughed. 'And Xiao Long have you waited to use that?'

'Almost a year, truthfully, and you didn't have to one up me immediately after. I've always kicked myself that I didn't realize it before we broke up.'

Her lips quirked into a sad little smile. 'Hindsight's a bitch, huh? lol'

'I'm learning to live with it.'

'If only your sister could find her sense of humor. She's still a little sore about my last prank.'

'In her defense, you know how much she enjoys Blake's cooking, so swapping their salt and sugar did toe the line. I'm surprised she just yelled at you; I'd half expect her to tamper with your hair care products for such a transgression.'

She ducked her head, scratching behind her ear as a blush came to her cheeks. Yeah, it did kinda go a step too far, but how was she supposed to know she'd made the swap immediately before a romantic date night they'd planned months ahead of time?

'Okay, fair point, and I honestly expected the same. I threw out all my bottles the next day just to be safe.' She shook her head, remembering fondly all the times she'd gotten one over on either her best friend or her girlfriend's sister, and the lectures that followed. Sometimes, Winter would agree with Weiss while hiding a smile behind her hand and, other times, she'd be too busy laughing.'One of these days, someone's going to slip past my defenses, and there'll be hell to pay.'

'Are you vaguely threatening a hypothetical prankster for giving you a taste of your own medicine?'

'Well… yeah.' She cringed at the blatant hypocrisy implied. 'It's my hair we're talking about, here.'

'Duly noted.'

A shake of her head. She could just picture the wry grin on the woman's face when she typed that, the expression that said 'you know how ridiculous you sound, right?' in not so many words. 'You must REALLY miss me, huh?'

'Yes, I do. A little more with each passing day.'

That sent a shock through her system- her shoulders dropped, a frown touching her lips. She'd always thought Winter had moved on without giving her a second thought; it would explain the radio silence from that end. To find out that the woman still thought about her… or maybe she misunderstood.

'Really? You never said anything.'

'It was my idea to break up. I heard you were dating again and I thought it would be best to become a memory and fade away.'

A little stinging came to her eyes. 'I could never forget you, Winter.'

'Nor I you.' Before she could formulate a response, another text came through. 'I have something of a confession. I realized I'd packed up your movie a month after I left. I apologize for the delay in returning it to you.'

Yang's brows furrowed. 'I thought you didn't even like that movie, though. Why keep it?'

Silence. She stared at her scroll but nothing happened. After five minutes, she began to worry; Winter had always been the sort to favor a clear beginning and ending to a conversation. She didn't just… trail off like that. Following her gut, Yang tapped on the information at the top and hit the icon to dial, pressing the scroll to her ear.

"Yang," Winter said, a strange edge to her voice. Not the razor sharp bite of her wit but rather something very… soft, almost morose.

"Hey, is everything okay?" She sat down on her couch, having completely forgotten about finding another movie. "Or- you busy? I can call back."

"No, no, s'fine."

Her eyes narrowed. "Winter. Are you drunk?"

"… yeah…" The reply came softly, almost as if she was ashamed to admit it. "I mean, I'm drinking. Not… exactly drunk yet, but… pretty much."

"What's going on? This… isn't like you." Yang shook her head. "I mean, you might have a glass of wine but you always hated the idea of getting drunk."

"Well, I do, that, but, I made a discovery." A sigh. "A pathetic one but a discovery nonetheless."

"And what discovery was that?"

"Well…" A few moments passed, as if she struggled to find the words. "If I put on that movie, and I get just the right amount of drunk, and I close my eyes… I can hear you laughing along to the jokes."

The stinging came back to her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek. "… Winter…"

"I know. I know I have no right, I know it was my idea, and I know I'm an idiot for ever suggesting it in the first place." A quick inhale- almost like she was sniffling. "I thought it was the best for both of us but I was so wrong… at least… for me… I've missed you so much, Yang." A pause. "I still love you."

"You sure kept silent about it." She didn't mean to make it sound so accusatory but her heart was starting to hurt in her chest, her mind racing.

A year- a year- without the woman, and she'd held this back. All this time they'd lost…

"You were dating." The shifting of fabric. "I shouldn't have said that. Any of that. You… you deserve better than someone dumb enough to walk away in the first place."

"That's the alcohol talking," she said. "What's the real reason?"

Winter remained silent for a moment. "Why do Schnees always remain silent when merely speaking up might save someone pain?"

Oh, she remembered the answer to that question; it came from one of their first fights. What the actual argument entailed eluded her- something about improving their communication- but she remembered the answer clear as a bell. "Because you fear emotional vulnerability." She sighed. "You thought I'd reject you."

"And I couldn't blame you for it." Another sigh. "I shouldn't have walked away. My career… it's fulfilling, somewhat, but I'm so lonely without you. Every accomplishment just feels… hollow. Saying goodbye… is the biggest mistake I've ever made."

"Winter." She got to her feet, scrubbing at her face and heading towards her closet. "You need to stop drinking."

"You're right. I just thought, maybe-"

"I mean it." Yang pinned her scroll to her ear with her shoulder while opening the door, eyes roving over her wardrobe. "Pour it out. Now."

"Right." Faintly, she could hear some shuffling, and eventually the setting of a glass in a sink. "Done."

"Great! See you soon."

"I'm so- uh. What?"

But she ended the call without explaining further. They'd talk again soon enough.

Yang pulled her coat a little tighter around her, digging her chin into the warm scarf around her neck. Atlas' colder climate grated on her nerves, truth to tell, but she could really care less about the cold night air winding through her hair as she marched her way up the path, stopping in front of the door she wanted. Winter's new promotion had allotted her a full house to herself tucked away in a nice, well kept part of the base- something the soldiers manning the gate were all too happy to reveal once they were told she was the Colonel's ex. Apparently, word traveled around the barracks quickly that Winter's mood had taken a sharp down turn once her assignment in Vale ended. She hadn't become unbearable, quite, but the rank and file were more than willing to help her out if there existed even a chance it might improve the Officer's disposition.

They weren't the only ones.

Raising her hand, she knocked on the door- heavy thuds that couldn't be ignored, in the event her advice hadn't been heeded.

A few moments later, it opened to reveal Winter, halfway out of her uniform and hair freshly released from its bun, cascading over her shoulders with bends still intact from being up all day. Blue eyes opened wide, her mouth opening but no words making it out as a very light flush came to her cheeks, and Yang couldn't help but smile.

"Not quite next morning delivery but I caught a red eye over." She shrugged. "You sober?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice sounding crisp and clean.

"Good." Reaching into the big pocket on the bag slung over her shoulder, she fished out the DVD case. "How about we order some pizza and watch a movie? Sound good?"

"Yang…" It seemed like the gears in Winter's head had finally started turning again. "I- I don't understand. Why are you here?"

"Oh, right." With her other hand, she reached forward, grabbed hold of the woman's lapel, and gave a sharp tug- enough to pull her down within easy kissing distance, a fact Yang wasted no time capitalizing on as her eyes slipped closed.

Damnit; she'd missed this.

When they parted, both a little breathless, a smirk curled her lips. "That clear things up?"

Winter blinked. "No." Hands slipped to her hips, pulling her forward and flush against the woman, a bit of mischief sparkling in blue eyes. "Explain it again?"

"I think I can do that," she said, laughing before diving back in, the two slowly making their way inside amid the embrace.

After all, they lost a year together.

They had to start making it up.

Author's Note: I know I've been silent for a while- it's been hectic- but I'm coming back! If you wanna check out the big news, head over to my tumblr- texanredrose, same as here- for the skinny. Otherwise, hope y'all enjoy the barrage as I get caught up!