For the next following days, Weiss found herself bouncing between the two extremes, crazy and skeptical, analyzing every moment she had with Ruby, whether they were in class, eating lunch or simply hanging out in their, in the eyes of the crazed heiress, it was all data. After the first minutes of analysis, nothing that could be interpreted as a sign of her relationship ever pop out, so she simply discarded it as a normal event. Only to then proceed to rethink it all over again which more often than not ended in her over analyzing every single second of her day.
It was fair to say the stress was crushing her worse than any Grimm ever could. The only thing that really kept her going was the fact that she wanted to be fair with Ruby, she knew she had to tell her if she didn't fell anything for her anymore. But not without trying everything she could to discover otherwise.
In her desperation Weiss even considered giving up on her cuddling time with Ruby every night, just to test out if there were any changes in her feelings. However, the so-called Ice Queen just couldn't get herself to do it. She blamed it on Ruby, the tantrum she would do, the puppy she would unleash. But in reality, she actually enjoyed sharing the bed with the younger huntress; the comforting warmth, softness and rose petal smell the young girl provided simply became something addicting.
Yet stress was working her way to her and by the evening of the fifth day after her talk with Blake, the emotional back checking and schoolwork were taking a toll on her. Adding up the new training routine, remade to fit the new strength, force, and overall skills of the couple simply left Weiss was incredibly tired. She hadn´t even completely recovered from the sleep deprivation during the mission.
So that day the heiress drew the line. After fighting practice, she flipped off the word: the Grimm, her homework, her stressful family routine and everything else could just go and suck a butt for all she cared.
Once back in her dorm she went straight to the shower and then straight to bed. The heiress plopped down to her bed as gracious as she could, ready to sleep until the end of days. But she waited for a couple of minutes for a red flash to cross from the bathroom into her bed and wrap her arms around her apologizing for taking so long (apology which Weiss disregard). Happy with her sleeping set up, the Ice Queen wrapped her own arms around the red dash girl. And with that, she went to sleep.
By this point, Weiss expected to have some sort of revelation in her dreams, like in the movies, something that would simply spell for her if she had feelings for her or not, or really any indication to either side. But too bad, no luck for that. No dream, no revelations nor prophecy, just darkness.
A special kind of darkness actually, not grooming or frightening, like the one you find in the middle of the night hiding away creeps and monster. No, this was different, the soothing atmosphere it generated was relaxing as if finally being able to close your eyes after a long and terrible day.
It was around 6 A.M, the time when she and the rest of her team usually woke up. Maybe it was Weiss´ biological clock acting up or the sun filtering through the tiny opening between the curtains. Whatever the reason Weiss found herself awake, sore from the training, half of her mind still half asleep, while the other half was trying to get back to sleep.
Reluctantly she opened her eyes, mind numbed and relax for the first time in a long time. And then she saw, truly using her eyes and nothing else for the first time since she came back. The light filtering through the opening on their curtains hitting the back of Ruby´s sleeping body, giving her a sort of angelical tone to her already adorable face. The tranquility and beauty the girl so effortlessly transmitted through her face could only be described as natural and precious.
On instinct, the fencer moved her hand and laid it on Ruby´s face. As if to make sure she wasn't dreaming. And she wasn't, the red ripper´s face was soft and warm on contact, as usual.
It wasn't a dream it was real.
Just like that, Weiss was thrown back at the moment she had been the most afraid in her life, merely 2 weeks ago
A heavy stormed landed on the outpost, followed by the only things worse than rain and mud, Grimm, in big number, actually it was the biggest hordes any of the huntresses had ever seen. Remembering just staring at the black mass of creatures that extended for what felt miles, sprinting towards the outpost, had been the moment where they knew they were fighting something way out of their leagues. And still, they moved in without hesitation.
A few minutes after the first shots were fired, Ruby and Weiss had been separated by layers of Beowolfs, Ursas, and the occasional Death Stalker. A mistake that was on both of them, yet Ruby was in more of a dire situation. Weiss fought her way to the big mass of Grimm surrounding her partner, but it was slow progress, every move she made the was a Grimm next to her trying to tear her into pieces, besides she was running out of dust, she had to be careful on how much she used. Being in the middle of the horde with no dust, was a scenario Weiss was sure wouldn´t live to tell.
She slashed, froze and exploded her way closer and closer, enough to see that Ruby was managing to hold her ground against the massive blob of Grimm, taking down one creature with each swing and shot of Crescent Rose. The sight had given her partner hope, through her maybe they could win this battle. But that idea quickly disappeared when Ruby took a shooting stance and pulled the trigger, but no bullet came out. A Beowolf seized the chance and hit her, sending her flying into to crowd of black creatures, Weiss losing complete sight of her. The girl doubled her efforts to try and reach her partner, waving her rapier and summoning glyphs as fast as her tired and wounded body could manage. Then there was a screeching scream of pain, coming from where Ruby had been thrown, the sheer volume of the outcry froze Weiss´ blood.
That was when she lost it, all the preservation and rationality simply vanish, like pieces of paper scattered to the wind.
The older huntress threw everything at the creatures standing between her and Ruby. Every single particle of dust and bit aura she had left went straight into clearing an opening in the Grimm´s line. In fact, her memory was a bit blurry after the scream. There only were moments where she could remember flashes of cutting, dust explosions, slashing, blood and mud as if someone took control of her memory and was simply jumping from scene to scene. And all throughout the slaughter, the only thing she could recall for certain, was thinking of the red hooded girl and what she would do to every monster in front of her if something terrible had happened to her.
Her memory unclouded when her lips met Ruby´s while desperately giving her emergency CPR. The scariest moments of her life was seeing her partner lay on the muddy floor barely responding to the treatment. Never before seeing those silver eyes open had been so relieving. Immediately after Weiss held Ruby so tightly as if she was afraid the girl would disappear if she let go.
At the time, she couldn't explain exactly what had driven her to simply drop every bit of rational and just berserk her way to save Ruby. Sure, she was her friend and partner, yet this had caused her to simply go in with no regard for herself or her resources, very unlike of Weiss.
But in that morning, with a calm mind, with the sunlight in the right angle and the warm body of her partner sleeping next to her, Weiss finally understood why.
The next phase required planning, and unlike emotional insight and understanding, Weiss Schnee excelled at planning. Thinking of how her opponent would react and every possible outcome came like a second nature to her. And now she would use her special talent to help clear up the mess she had help made. After a few hours dedicated to thinking of every conceivable scenario of how to out maneuver her target. The plan was ready to be executed the next day.
The attack was planned for lunch. The target, Ruby Rose was eating a sandwich at the cafeteria. Wess walk to her, determined to the end the stressing issue that had almost consumed her, today. The younger huntress noticed the heiress approaching and was about to greet her (with her mouth full and a smile) when the Schnee girl interjected.
-"Ruby, I need to talk with you… in private."
She purposely sounded as harsh as she could, trying to instigate as much intimidation as she could, but really it came naturally.
The smile on Ruby´s face disappeared as if she had just received the news there was a firing squad waiting for her. Still, she got up from her place and followed Weiss as she guided them up the stairs of the building.
The young scythe wielder was clearly tense; she fidgeted with her fingers, looking mostly at the ground in complete silence. No commentary, not even an attempt to ask what this was or where they were going. She had an idea of what was coming.
They arrived at their destination, a balcony overseeing most of Beacon academy that sunny evening. Although it mainly showed the student filled buildings, it was quite a beautiful sight. But the couple wasn´t here to stand in awe of such display.
Weiss wasted no time, once Ruby was inside the balcony; she turned around to face her.
-"Ruby…"
Again with the harsh tone.
-"Yes, Weiss?"
Ruby sounded like she had just been scolded. It was clear the harsh tone in the Ice Queen´s voice was working.
-"I believe you recall, that we would give us some time to figure out our feelings to one another. Do you not?"
-"Yes, I remember."
-"Well, I have an answer now."
Ruby turned her gaze to the floor of the balcony as if the most interesting ant party was taking place right underneath her foot.
-"Do you have your answer, Ruby?"
-"I… I think I do"
-"Do you think or do you know? Because I can give more time."
Weiss blatantly lied. She really couldn´t take the anxiety for another minute, let alone a day.
But Ruby seem to look inside of her for a second and gather her force.
-"I… I know… I have an answer."
The girl answered, still shy.
-"Good, if you don't mind I would like to go first."
Ruby`s face indicated she wanted to say no, but her head slowly nodded.
Weiss breathed in, ready to just end this conundrum, ready to be honest with herself and with Ruby. Even if it didn't end like she wanted, the issue was going to be cleared today.
No turning back now.
-"Ruby… "
Weiss called more than anything, trying to get the girl to look at her instead of the ground. The call worked, and Ruby locked her silver eyes in Weiss´ own.
-"I will go straight to the point. What happened in the outpost… I really enjoyed it, and I like the idea of having you closer to me than anyone else. After some time I have come to realize that these feelings are real for me, I do like you Ruby, in a romantic way."
Ruby looked at her surprised, widening her eyes and opening her mouth in disbelief. But she didn't say a thing or move or. She just stood there. And after a second of processing, her gaze turned skeptical as she interclosed her eyes.
-"Is this… a joke?"
Now it was Weiss turn to be surprised.
-"What?"
The heiress answered on instinct.
-"Are you teasing me? Because it's not funny. Actually, it is very mean."
Of all the outcomes the fencer had considered. This was... actually she never even considered a scenario like this. Was the girl in front of her messing with her?
-Wha… no, of course, it is not a joke Ruby! I literally just told you I like you, it is the truth!
Weiss couldn't believe what she saw, Ruby still seemed skeptical.
-"Are you sure?"
Now that the initial shock was gone, the situation was starting to annoy Weiss, who closed her eyes in an attempt to compose herself and avoid snapping at the girl she was confessing to.
-"Ruby, what in the name of dust are you so distrustful? Haven't I prov…"
Weiss opened her eyes to notice that Ruby had disappeared in a puff of rose petals. The Ice Queen couldn´t help to blink in complete disbelief. Had her partner just, left her?
But all thought came to a halt when she felt a tackle from the front almost taking her to the ground. Instinctively she slammed a foot down to regain her balance.
Once the initial shock was gone she noticed a red bundle wrapping her arms around her waist. Upon further observation, it turned out it was Ruby with her hood on and hiding her face by pressing it against Weiss´ chest.
-"Ruby? What in Dust´s name are you…"
*sniff*
The sound disappeared every word in the older girl´s mouth.
-"Ruby?"
Now she was worried, did Ruby really think she was teasing her? Had she taken the harsh tone too far? Why did she think this was a good idea? Why did she picked this situation to try and by coy about? Had she really ruined it?
The red bundle finally spoke.
-"I'm ´s … just … I … I can't believe it."
Ruby looked up, with a stream of tears falling from her eyes.
-"I thought for sure you were going… you were going to say that it was all caused by the stress and the combat and… and… that you really didn't love me and... and.. I mean, we said we would be fine with it but… but I don't think…. I mean I think I would eventually get over it… I think, but it would have been a hard blow and…"
Weiss silenced Ruby placing her lips on hers. She had heard enough to realized the girl needed some more solid confirmation of her commitment towards her.
While the smaller girl was shocked at first, she accepted it pretty quickly, responding in an equally sweet manner. They stayed like that for as long as they could until they unwillingly separated as their lungs begged for air.
-"You dolt...
Weiss wiped a tear from Ruby with a finger.
-."..No need for tears, I do like you. And I presume you do too."
Ruby nodded enthusiastically.
-"From before the mission."
Ruby´s words sank slowly in Weiss´ mind and once she had processed them, she took both of the girl´s cheeks and pulled on them.
-"Then why on Revenant would you agree with me when I said that maybe our feelings were the result of a coping mechanism you moron?"
The blue eyed girl asked angrily as she pulled harder on her partner´s red cheeks.
-"Well, what you said kind of made sense and I didn´t want to force you to be with me just because of a psychological thingy."
Weiss let go of Ruby´s cheeks, who proceeded to rub them immediately.
-"Ooowww."
-"You moron…"
The heiress grabbed Ruby´s chin and guided her to look at her right in the eyes. Surprisingly, it Weiss who was blushing, she was about to do something she never imagined doing. She swallowed her pride and said:
-"I'm sorry …to make you wait and for worrying you."
Ruby analyzed her partner´s face, and simply answered with her signature, warmer than the sun smile.
-"Don't worry Weiss; what´s important is that we got through it and that we were honest with one another."
Weiss smiled at the answer, while she wrapped her own arms around the hooded girl.
-"Agreed."
-"Does this mean we are girlfriends? As in official girlfriends?"
Weiss sighed at the dumb question. She would have to get used to that.
-"Yes, we are a couple, officially. Do you want me to notarize it?"
-"Would that make you happy?"
-"Of course not."
The Ice queen lied
-"… Yang is going to flip."
The fencer considered what her girlfriend said for a second.
-"I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone who's seen us lately."
Ruby blushed at the comment wondering if everyone who had interrogated them already saw them as a couple, despite their denial.
-"Good point."
-"Still."
Weiss ran her hand through the brunet's hair.
-"… this is nice."
-"It sure is. Hey, Weiss... can we kiss again?"
Weiss didn't answer, she simply moved her lips to Ruby´s.
As predicted Yang didn't flip at the announcement, however, she did react in a weird way. She was split between being happy for her sister, angry thinking they had been lying her all along and older sister mode telling Weiss what would happen if she broke Ruby´s heart.
Weiss wouldn't expect any less from the blonde.
Blake had a more discrete reaction, merely congratulating the new couple, at the same time she gave the heiress a look as if she was proud of her.
After such an eventful day and after the expected teasing from the pun master, bedtime rolled up and all members of team RWBY took their respective bunk beds. Each couple cuddling and settling on their beds. Ruby snuggled up to Weiss´ collarbone while wrapping her arm around her, warm, safety, somehow it felt different, more official and fitting.
-"Goodnight Weiss."
The younger girl said as she kissed her girlfriend on her cheek.
-"Goodnight Ruby."
The heiress answered, returning the favor and kissing her girlfriend´s cheek.
-"Goodnight you lovers."
Sounded loudly from across the room.
-"...Goodnight Yang."
The couple reluctantly answered.
-"Goodnight Blake."
-"Goodnight guys."
And so, comfortably the four girls went to sleep happy and warm. They really had the rest well, since they would a long day ahead.
I hope you enjoyed this story, and hope it lived up to expectations. I appreciate all type of reviews but it is ok if you don´t feel like writing it.
I´ll see you all in the next story.
-Knight Aaron