Chapter 4
"Did you make sure to get the dill at the grocery store?"
"Yes, Weiss. I didn't forget. I took your list with me."
"Okay good. I don't know why we need to bring this much food. This is a lot of work."
"For who?" Blake says as she cleans potatoes in the sink, while Weiss supervises intently from afar.
"I told you I would help."
"You can peel potatoes then, come on."
"They should just order pizza. So much easier."
"For a barbecue? Yeah, no."
"I have to peel all of these? Blake, this is a lot of potatoes."
"It's a five pound bag. It's a shit ton of potatoes. Get peeling, princess. Or we will be late."
An hour later, and with a new found hatred for peeling potatoes, Weiss and Blake were on their way to the barbecue.
When they arrive, Ruby rushes out to greet them.
"Hey guys! I'm so excited you're here. All of Yang and Winter's snooty friends are here and I don't like talking to them."
"We brought potato salad and a bunch of different chips."
"Blake made it, right?"
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"I just wanna live longer than today. That's all."
"It is a valid question, Weiss."
"My cooking isn't that bad." She stomps her foot down in opposition.
"That may be so, but it isn't that good either." Blake teases her, fully expecting the scoff she receives in return.
"Please get along today. There's a lot of people here." As soon as Ruby opens the door, they are flooded with the sounds of countless conversations, music and other ambient sounds.
"Ugh, people."
"A few hours of socialization will probably do you some good." Now it was Weiss' turn to take a jab.
"Doubtful. I bet nothing interesting is going to happen anyways."
"Does it ever?"
"Look who finally made it!" Before she can be stopped, Yang gives Blake a punch to the shoulder that is enough to knock her off balance.
"Be careful Yang! Blake isn't a punching bag."
"Chill out, Weiss. Blake can handle a little tough love. Right, Blake?"
"I'm going to go put this stuff in the kitchen." Like a shadow without sunshine, Blake disappears.
"You know you don't need to be so rough with people. You aren't a kid anymore."
"Your sister doesn't seem to mind it." Yang shrugs.
"Gross. Where is my sister anyways?"
"I think she's still on the patio out back talking with some of her friends from work." Yang tilts her head before directing her attention elsewhere. "Hey Ruby let me help you with that stuff. Looks heavy."
Yangs voice begins to dissipate as Weiss makes her way out to the backyard to find her sister.
"Oh there she is now. Weiss! Quick, there is someone I would like for you to meet." The tugging on her arm forces her into an introduction that quickly turns into a third and fourth.
Her family had always been big on hosting events. Which meant that Winter and Weiss had become professional small talking schmoozers over time. It was second nature to them at this point.
After one of the guests excuses themselves, Winter turns to Weiss.
"Where's Blake? Surely she came with you?"
"She did. I think she was in the kitchen. Maybe I should go find-"
"Oh here she comes now."
"Hi Winter, good to see you." After a extremely brief hug, Blake hands Weiss one of the cups in her hand. "I brought you a drink since I didn't think you'd gotten one yet."
Blake and Winter catch up and exchange pleasantries before Winter excuses herself to check in with other guests.
"I see Yang has made herself at home over in front of the grill, as usual."
"As long as she keeps the rest of the fire to herself that's fine." Blake rubs her palm against the front of her shoulder.
"You would think she'd have calmed down at least a little bit as we've gotten older, but she's still the same crazy ass as always."
Eventually the groups of people had mingled and settled into tables or other various forms of seating, and food was served.
Ruby took the first opportunity to devour a serving of each of the dessert options, Blake and Weiss helping themselves to moderate portions of various sides and entrees.
"At least nothing wild happened today." Weiss says as she sets down her silverware and wipes the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
"Hey everybody. If we could have your attention please."
"You spoke too soon."
"God almighty. What now?"
When Winter steps forward and stands beside Yang, the tension in Weiss' shoulders releases a little. Her sister wouldn't allow Yang to do anything crazy in front of her coworkers.
"Yang and I would like to say thank you to each and every one of you for being here today." Seemed like a formal enough 'thanks for showing up here' for Weiss to continue eating. This potato salad was very good. "We have some news that we would love to share with you all, those closest and most important to us."
Before anyone can wonder any further, Winter raises her left hand to display a slightly larger than modest diamond ring.
"We're engaged!"
The sound of Weiss dropping her fork against her plate is drowned out by the cheers of everyone else except for her and Blake, who looks nearly as stunned. When they finally look at one another, Blake says the only words she can get to leave her mouth.
"Oh wow."
—
After the two of them had found a way to weasel out a 'congratulations' to their hosts, Blake and Weiss rapidly excused themselves for the evening.
"I didn't even know they were that serious." Weiss says as she pours a hefty glass of wine for herself, Blake standing at the other end of the counter, observing. "Do you want one?"
"No thanks."
"I mean, they've only been together for what? Like two minutes it seems like." Blake's eyes widen a little as Weiss throws back the entire glass, and begins filling the next one.
"I think it's been like a year and a half, maybe two."
"No offense to Yang, but what does Winter think she's doing?" And away goes the second glass. "I mean, a wedding? Now? The media is going to have an absolute field day."
Weiss, and the third glass of wine leave the kitchen, already a little wobbly.
"You know what?" Turning abruptly on her heels, Weiss comes nearly face to face with Blake, who had been a few steps behind.
"What, Weiss?" Her tone is even. There's nothing but empathy laced in her words. Her amber eyes seem dull, but she can still see the tiniest flecks of gold in them.
"Nevermind." Her voice is diminutive. She hands Blake the nearly empty wine glass. "I'm just going to go to bed."
She watches as Weiss ascends the stairs and turns to walk into the bedroom at the left side of the foyer at the top.
With nothing better to do, Blake returns to the kitchen, cleans the wine glass, puts away the bottle Weiss had left on the counter and makes her way upstairs.
Sleep did sound rather good right now.
When she reaches the top of the stairs, she glances towards Weiss' room, mostly out of habit.
But all she sees is an undisturbed bed. When she peeks into the room, there is no Weiss in sight.
"Weiss?" She calls out before taking a step into the room, so she remained somewhat respectful of Weiss' privacy. But there's no answer.
She checks the bathroom, no Weiss. There was only one other place to look.
When she peers into the closet, she finds what she'd been looking for. Drunken mopey Weiss, sitting with her back up against the wall, her pajamas tossed over her lap, and a look of desolation on her face.
She slides down to sit beside her, shoulder to shoulder. Reaching behind Weiss, she pulls her closer, and Weiss instinctually rests her head on Blake's shoulder.
"Hey." Blake mumbles into Weiss' hair. And she knows Blake just wants to let her know that she's there with her.
Something about it makes Weiss' heart feel like if it were all in one piece, it would've broken.
"I'm having a not so great day."
"Mine wasn't that great either. But I suppose it could've been worse."
"Oh really?" Doubt filling the space between her words.
"You were there with me. So it wasn't all bad, more like just plain weird."
When Weiss takes a deep breath, it feels shaky, so Blake tightens her grip, holding Weiss against her side.
They sit there for a while, Blake giving Weiss the time she needs to calm her thoughts. Eventually, Weiss steadies her breathing and it matches the rhythm of Blake's heartbeat.
"Blake?"
"Yeah?"
"Your potato salad was phenomenal."
"It's because I put dill in it."