"A piece of cake," Ruby thought as she stared into space in the middle of class. If only she could have gone back in time and warned herself of Weiss's curse. It would have saved her of the week she spent realizing the true depths of her task. Every time Ruby saw Weiss and Yang together, it was obvious how much the two needed to know that there was something in common. Every time the whole team was in a class, the two never sat next to each other. Ruby looked at the empty seat between herself and Blake and pursed her lips. Weiss had been eager to volunteer in Professor Port's class once again, and the heiress was laying waste to a pack of Beowolves. Through it all, Blake seemed to be oblivious to the obvious split in the team, and for that, Ruby was envious of her black-haired teammate.
But what annoyed Ruby the most was that the secret shouldn't have weighed so strongly on her shoulders, yet it felt like she was hauling a boulder everywhere she went. She was sinking slowly under its weight and wanted to give Weiss her secret back. Such a small confession of liking a group of men that did something that Ruby wasn't sure of should not have given her so much trouble. So Weiss was a bit of a nerd, Ruby thought. The secret should only have been a speck of sand on a beach.
Ruby looked around the crowded classroom until she saw her sister. The blonde brawler was leaning back in her seat with a lazy grin. All Ruby would have to do is casually explain the situation to Yang and the secret would be on someone else's shoulder. But could she trust her sister to not tease Weiss about it? Images of worst-case scenarios played out in Ruby's head, and that was before she even considered what sort of torture Weiss had planned for whistleblowers. During their first-day initiation, Weiss had stopped herself from skewering Ruby with a rapier full of red dust. Would she make it a point to have an "accident" in another fight? Ruby shook her head. Her partner wasn't capable of murder. Although she did volunteer a lot in Professor Poop's class to fight whatever caged Grimm he had. What if Weiss was really a bloodthirsty killer that wouldn't hesitate to add a cute fifteen-year-old girl to the list of victims?
Ruby looked up from her doodles of Weiss stabbing a Beowulf just in time to make eye contact with Weiss as she plunged her sword into the last Beowolf's skull. A shiver went up her spine and she tried to see if Weiss was smiling.
"Bravo!" Professor Port boomed. "That was another excellent demonstration by Miss Schnee!" He clapped his huge hands together and surveyed the rest of the students. "Now remember, class, when trying to win a fight, dignity must be discarded. These Grimm are ruthless and do not abide by our rules of engagement. To be victorious, you must suck up your pride and roll around as if you are possessed. However, I would like to congratulate Miss Schnee for being the pinnacle of grace while rolling on the ground."
If Weiss felt self-conscious about Professor Port's evaluation, she didn't show it. Instead, she savagely removed her sword from the Beowolf in just a way to release a healthy spray of blood. The heiress had maintained eye contact with Ruby through the display.
Ruby forced a smile at her partner and all of her plans withered in fright.
Ruby kicked a rock along the sidewalk. If only there was a way to bridge that gap without breaking her promise. Then again, after that lecture, Ruby felt lucky just to be alive. Weiss had to know Ruby's intentions. There was no other explanation for the terrifying eye contact and bloody flourish. Ruby let her thoughts absorb her to the point that everyone else in the crowd melded together into a faceless blob. After walking for several fruitless minutes, the young redhead concluded that she needed to talk to Blake about the problem. There was no way the black-haired girl wouldn't immediately come up with a solution.
A piece of paper smacked her face.
Ruby peeled it away and, before discarding it into a trash can, noticed that it was a flyer for the Achieve Men's upcoming tour. The redhead almost squealed. She thanked the spirit of Blake and looked for the closest vendor. It was only four blocks away. If she could get Weiss and Yang a pair of tickets, then she wouldn't have to hold onto the terrible secret anymore and everyone could be happy! Ruby looked at the flyer and frowned. The tickets had been on sale for several days. What if they were already sold out? Ruby shook her head before exploding into a shower of rose petals. She couldn't let the doubts extinguish the one source of hope she had found in that awful week.
However, after a quick jog to the venue for tickets, the hope had been replaced with the sound of her wallet crying. Ruby looked at the two tickets in her death-grip and was relieved to get the last pair, but she would have to undergo a long time without snacks. It was an acceptable sacrifice. It was for the greater good. Just then, a person walked out of the bakery Ruby was passing.
A wave of pastry-scented air struck the redhead and her stomach gurgled loudly. Ruby looked and saw rows upon rows of cookies, cakes, and pies calling her name. Ruby's mouth filled with drool and she was willing to throw herself into the siren song. The redhead violently shook her head and almost struck another pedestrian. She couldn't falter in her plan, and she barely had enough money to pay for the airship ride back. Besides, she could make it back to Beacon, where there was bound to be some food. But the bakery was closer. Surely Yang would come pick her up if she couldn't afford the airship ticket. Ruby found that her hand was already on the door handle.
"No you don't!" she shouted and forced the traitorous limb back to her side. It was all for the greater good, Ruby reminded herself. She activated her semblance and ran away from the bakery. Tears burned her eyes.
Sometimes the greater good really sucked.
Weiss rolled her shoulders as she walked toward the dorm. She had finished her last class and was looking forward to finally studying. Professor Oobleck had made some interesting points about the beginnings of Vale that the heiress had not considered, and she was eager to do some additional research. She could already imagine having a nice cup of coffee and perusing various databases on her scroll. The thought made her step just a little quicker until she was almost skipping through the halls.
When she opened the door, Weiss saw that she was not alone. Yang was sitting on her bed, kicking her legs in the air. She was looking at two pieces of paper she had in her hand and her smile was beaming, but her shoulders were hunched. The blonde looked at Weiss and waved. "Sup?"
Weiss felt like her chest was going to explode. She could count the number of times she had been alone with Yang on one hand. "Hello."
The heiress was already moving toward her desk. If she could get lost into her work, she wouldn't have to put up with the pressure that Yang always caused. Why couldn't Blake or Ruby be around so Yang could focus on them instead? Weiss reached the sanctuary of her desk and hoped that the conversation would die.
Yang had other plans. Weiss heard the blonde hop off of her bed and walk to where she was sitting. "So a strange thing happened earlier. Ruby gave me these tickets, but then she and Blake disappeared."
"Uh-huh," Weiss said. She opened her scroll and waited. Her icy exterior would take care of the rest.
"And it seems like the show is tonight. You look busy, but if by some crazy chance you have friends outside of the team, do you know anyone who'd want to see the Achieve Men?"
Weiss felt like time had stopped. She had just told Ruby about her secret and now Yang had been given tickets to an Achieve Men concert while the other two team members conveniently disappeared. Weiss resisted the urge to smack her own forehead, but she didn't know why she expected any semblance of subtlety from the energetic redhead. However, Ruby was sending an obvious message without exposing the secret. It was an open invitation, and Weiss felt lighter knowing that Ruby was going to such lengths for the team. And it would waste Ruby's efforts if anyone else went with Yang.
Weiss swallowed. "W-well, if you have an extra ticket, I suppose I could go."
Yang looked at her as if she grew a second head. "Are you sure? I didn't tag you as someone who would enjoy something like this."
Forcing herself to act casual and not wring her hands together, Weiss said, "I guess there's a first time for everything."
The reason satisfied the blonde and she offered one of her large, carefree grins. "Alright! C'mon, princess. Tonight, you're hanging out with me!"
Weiss nodded and got out of her chair. There was no turning back now. Once Yang set her mind to something, there was nothing that could deter her. And it was better than hearing Yang deny the heiress outright. "What time are we leaving?"
"As soon as you change out of your uniform!" Yang threw a set of clothes at her, which Weiss quickly grabbed.
"But it's only three in the afternoon. Concerts are typically later in the day," Weiss said, making no move to change. Though she was excited to finally see the Achieve Men and have a reason to discuss the group with Yang, she still wanted to get some studying done.
"Well yeah, but if we're going to hang out, we're not just gonna go to a concert!" Yang said. "Besides, we don't have classes tomorrow, so loosen up and hurry up."
Weiss frowned, but she couldn't complain too much. She had wanted this. Knowing that any further complaining was pointless, she turned around and started to unbutton her blazer. Yang coughed into her hand and shuffled back to her bed. The air suddenly felt thick.
"So if we're going so early, what sort of plans do you have in mind?" Weiss asked. The clothes Yang had given her were more casual than she often wore. The fabric of the t-shirt rubbed against her collarbone and the pants hugged her legs. A light blue jacket and pair of tennis shoes finished the ensemble. She didn't remember packing any of the clothes. Looking at Yang's back, the heiress said, "You can look now."
Yang smartly turned on her heel, a light blush dusting her features. "That's easy! We're gonna go everywhere we can."
"That doesn't tell me anything."
"Just trust me." Yang grabbed the heiress's hand and pulled her out of the dorm before she could react. Weiss bit the inside of her cheek. Part of her didn't want to trust the impulsive blonde, but the other part was already happy that they were going to an Achieve Men concert. Perhaps, Weiss thought, she could try relaxing for just one night?
The two passed through the many halls and courtyards of Beacon until they were standing in the student parking lot. Yang let go of Weiss's hand to fish out her motorcycle keys. The lost contact made Weiss feel a little colder, but she didn't have the time to contemplate it, as a blue and white helmet was suddenly shoved at her face. "Here, try this on," Yang said.
Weiss accepted the helmet and turned it over in her hands while Yang donned her own helmet. A crude snowflake had been painted on the front. "I didn't expect you to have something like this," Weiss said.
Yang smirked. "What? You don't own the monopoly on blue and white, princess." Before Weiss could offer a retort, Yang looked aside and added, "Plus, since we were all put on a team, I went out and got one for you and Blake. I wasn't gonna let you two go through four years without a ride."
Warmth spread through Weiss's chest as she pulled off her hairpiece. She ran a hand through her ivory hair before putting on the helmet, but not before noticing that Yang was staring at her. Years of feeling like she belonged in her father's trophy room made it easy to deal with the nerves. "Can I help you?"
"How does the helmet feel?"
"It's a little loose."
Yang tutted and was suddenly standing much closer. The blonde grabbed the chin straps and pulled. The heiress, not sure what to do, simply looked into Yang's lilac eyes.
"There. Better?" Yang stepped back with a large smile.
"Much." Weiss couldn't resist the urge to touch the straps.
"Great! Now then, princess," Yang gestured towards her motorcycle, "the mighty stallion awaits."
Weiss shook her head, but a smile formed regardless. "I am so sorry that Blake has to put up with you."
"Hey, I think she won the lottery." Yang hopped onto the motorcycle and started it before the heiress could deliver a retort. Weiss took the hint and climbed on. As the distance between the two teammates closed, Weiss was glad Yang couldn't see her face.
Yang immediately revved the engine and the two sped across the parking lot. As the world blurred, Weiss focused on Yang's back. If she had never told Ruby her secret, Weiss knew she would have continued on as she was: not exactly miserable, but very annoyed. Eventually, she would have slipped and said something, and everyone would have pointed at her and laughed. She thought of Ruby, the underestimated and hyper team leader. Weiss wondered if there was some way she could express her thanks. Maybe she could get Ruby a cake.
Weiss closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the wind rushing past. She could think of a better way to thank Ruby later. After she went to the concert. After she spent some time with Yang.