Ruby struggled to balance the towering boxes Weiss had handed to her as her partner held up two different white dresses, after agreeing to a truce in the bunk bed war the two had kept to their original plans of creating new outfits better suited for the Vacuo climate, Ruby's came together quickly in her head as she bounced between the stores but Weiss was methodical, everything needed to come together perfectly which earned some eye rolling from Ruby as Weiss stood there with all those belts as if that wasn't her being excessive.
"What one do you think fits best?" Weiss asked as she held the two dresses slightly higher and Ruby peeked over the boxes she held; truth be told Ruby couldn't at first glance see any difference between the two as her focus remained on balancing the boxes. She relented and placed them unceremoniously down beside her before turning back to Weiss as she took in the two dresses held before her. The first had slightly puffier sleeves while the other had more traditional sleeves but held a small belt around its waist.
"Don't you think sleeveless might be better?"
Ruby feared that either decision she made would be the wrong one so she opted for option c which admittedly was just not make a decision.
"hmmm, I thought about it but I didn't like any of the dresses they had… although we could try another shop?"
"Please no."
Ruby shuddered as she remembered how long Weiss spent in just the first store the two went into and she didn't even end up buying anything, Ruby was grateful at least that when she suggested their trip to the hairdressers as that was quicker, Weiss accepting her argument that it would be easier to fit their styles after although it did surprise her that Weiss let some stranger touch her hair, the time it took at Beacon for Weiss to even trust Ruby to help her with her ponytail back then standing in stark contrast to how relaxed Weiss was when she was sat in the hairdressers chair talking back and forth with ideas.
The results spoke for themselves however, Ruby found herself smiling when she first saw it as Weiss spun around in the chair the nervous expression she held when she asked for Ruby's opinion that was made more apparent when her skin turned slightly pink after Ruby gave Weiss her earnest and honest opinion that she thought it was beautiful. Weiss had opted for a lace braid that sat atop her head like a crown that weaved into a low ponytail with one of her signature tiaras sat just in front of the braid this tiara however was different from the rest abandoning the standard silver for a red tiara that held silver gems along it, Ruby felt like she could tell where the inspiration came from but opted not to ask Weiss about it although it did give her some ideas for her own.
Ruby went after Weiss and was way more unsure about what she wanted to get, all the ideas for her outfits seemingly not helping her when it came to being in the chair for her hair. As if sensing her loss the hairdresser gave her a comforting smile in the mirror and offered to try some styles that wouldn't need her to cut any hair and Ruby hesitantly agreed, the two went back and forth between different styles before asking if it was okay to try something she thought of after seeing Weiss' and the hairdresser agreed. Weiss sat waiting and wondering if it seemed as conspiratorial for Ruby as it did for her. She watched the two discuss different styles and much like Ruby she couldn't see the work in progress only seeing the effort the two were putting into getting it right. When the chair finally spun around Weiss was relieved that Ruby hadn't done anything too drastic when she heard her giggling between herself and the hairdresser. Ruby had kept her spiky hair but the sides were straightened down helping to emphasise the spikes that sat on top meanwhile giving her hair a slightly longer profile but what stood out however was her fringe, it still parted to one side the same way but it was held out of the way of her eye by a small braid that ran down atop her temple down in front of her right ear.
"Too similar?" Ruby asked but Weiss quickly shook her head.
"You've built upon what was already there, I think it suits you perfectly like you're more comfortable being yourself."
Ruby spoke as she spun the braid nervously in one hand. "Well I thought if it ain't broke don't fix it but why not improve upon it."
Weiss nodded in understanding as her leader stood up out from the chair with a triumphant smile, they paid the hairdresser for their time and bid her farewell.
Returning to the present Ruby waved her hand over to the boxes she just laid down.
"But seriously, how can you even be thinking about the footwear when you're still on step one?"
Weiss put the two dresses back onto the rack and walk over to the boxes next to Ruby.
"Simple, I'm hoping for some inspiration, sometimes you have to work from the bottom up."
Flicking open the first box Ruby peeked over and saw a pair of white ankle boots with the familiar wedge heel Weiss was so fond off having. Ruby gestured towards the chair that held her own assortment of shopping bags.
"Come on Weiss, sometimes you have to just go on instinct with these things. I wonder if Blake and Yang have thought about getting some new clothes."
"They've probably too busy exploring each other."
Weiss responded without thinking as she saw in the corner of her eye Ruby shudder while making some pretend gagging noises.
"Can we not talk about my sister like that." She pleaded.
"You didn't seem to react last night?"
"I had more pressing things to focus on."
Weiss paused for a moment as Ruby sought to defend herself lowering the boots back into the box while keeping her back to Ruby.
"Have you thought about the future? Who you're hoping to spend the rest of your life with?"
"I think we need to focus on securing an actual future first."
The determination in Ruby's voice gave Weiss a moment of pause as she realized how she missed Ruby's blind optimism.
"You're right."
Ruby used her semblance to appear in front of Weiss as she drummed along the edge of the shoebox with one set of fingers teasingly.
"Now come on Miss Schnee, I'd rather not pass of old age because you couldn't decide on what shoes to wear."
Weiss gave Ruby a playful shove before picking up the box and placing it to one side as she opened the one underneath.
"Patience Ruby, good things come to those who wait."
"Buuuuut Weiss…" she spoke pleadingly. "…You promised fun activities."
"Clothes shopping is fun."
"I think we need to revise your understanding of fun and shopping."
Weiss let the shoes do the talking for her as she flung one towards Ruby who grinned proudly, dodging easily with her semblance leaving a trail of rose petals in a circle around Weiss giggling to her partner teasingly as she evaded the projectile.
…
Ruby carried her bags in her left hand as Weiss carried her own in her right hand, the two were side by side Ruby let Weiss lead the way.
"Where are we even going?"
"Just trust me, I saw it advertised at Shade."
"Okay, you know I trust you right."
It wasn't intended as a question and Weiss knew that but she nodded anyway. Reaching out with her free hand she grabbed Ruby's into her own as they spun around a corner and Ruby laid her eyes on the name of the establishment that sat proudly above the door in soft neon lighting.
Lyrical Showdown
Karaoke Club
"I take it back; I don't trust you."
Weiss turned to Ruby as she blushed slightly but her tone showed she was clearly insulted.
"Oh yea because of course it's fair that you wanted to bet the sleeping arrangement on a video game, besides I promise not to pick any of my own songs."
She struggled to cross her arms with her shopping in one hand, just about managing to do so as Ruby turned her head to meet Weiss with a smirk.
"What if I choose one of your songs? Do I get bonus points?" She asked excitedly.
"I'm surprised you're not dead set against this to be honest."
"If it's in public then absolutely not but if they have private rooms then I don't mind us duelling it out."
Thankfully as the two made their way inside it quickly became clear that it was in fact private rooms to which Ruby let out a sigh of relief and Weiss chuckled slightly at her partners response.
"You've fought hordes of Grimm and battled villains but the idea of singing in public terrifies you?"
"Well duh, I didn't travel across an entire continent to sing, I did it to fight monsters."
Weiss shook her head as she scanned in her scroll where the person behind the register directed her to and handed them a card with a room number on it and directed them on where to go. Before they got to the door the member of staff pulled out a notepad and asked if they wanted any refreshments and Ruby nodded excitedly also being the first to answer.
"Oh a Grape soda please."
"A lemonade for me please."
Their requests were dutifully noted and the member of staff went off to fulfil their order, when the duo arrived at their designated room Weiss scanned the card she was given and the door unlocked, Ruby rushed in and unceremoniously dropped her bags of shopping into the closest chair before realising their drinks were already ready for them on the table in the centre of the room.
"Ooh now that's customer service."
Sipping her drink she savoured the flavour before walking over to the display to see the availability of what was on offer.
"Ugh damn, they don't have my favourite of your songs." Ruby sighed out and Weiss felt her skin turn a little red as she looked over to Ruby who continued scrolling across the music available.
"You listened to my music?" Weiss asked surprised, Ruby nodded turning around and looking at Weiss confused.
"Of course, your songs are beautiful and when I needed a rest from team JNPR on our trip to Mistral I could pop on my headphones and hearing your voice made you feel less far away."
Weiss smiled at Ruby's words.
"You never told me."
Ruby shrugged keeping her back to Weiss. "It never really came up and I remember you saying your dad forced you to sing, I didn't want to upset you."
Weiss walked over to Ruby and took her left hand into her right.
"I'll admit it wasn't always what I wanted but you could have told me. Turn something he ruined into something for us, like now." She gestured to the room they were in and Ruby laughed a little at the movement.
"Can I ask? Which one is your favourite?"
"This Life is Mine." Ruby answered quick and confidently. "I love everything about it, especially when the guitar drops. It's like you breaking free to become your own person, I just… my heart swells, I can't explain it."
"But the CCT was down, I sung that when I went back to Atlas."
Ruby looked back to the screen in front of her as if embarrassed at the next admission.
"Well, I listened to it when we got to Atlas, I'd put it on when I needed motivation to keep studying. I'm sorry I never told you but I didn't want to ruin the time we were having back then."
Weiss shook her head.
"No apologies, I know now and I think we were all a bit naïve to assume that once we got to Atlas the adults would step up."
"I know right, now what to choose…" Ruby hummed thoughtfully as Weiss stepped away letting Ruby get comfortable. "Oh, what difficulty should we do?"
Weiss sat down as she spoke.
"Normal surely, or we can do a warm up first?"
"Nope, a warm up would only help you so normal it is."
Weiss waited as she watched Ruby press on the screen until it faded to black and her partner turned around and looked behind Weiss as there was a screen above her that displayed the lyrics.
Weiss' eyes widened slightly as the playing of a piano started and she immediately recognised the melody.
Ruby grinned at Weiss' reaction as she took a deep breath reading the words on the screen and singing the words when they became highlighted.
"Who am I to complain?..."
Weiss shook her head in disbelief at Ruby really picking one of her songs but she couldn't deny Ruby's voice was genuinely surprisingly good and Weiss smiled supportively as Ruby kept flicking her eyes down to her partner and Weiss didn't want Ruby to think she was ruining it. Weiss closed her eyes as she listened to the words.
"Some believe in fairy stories."
It surprised Weiss just how different her life is now compared to when she recorded those lyrics, the journey her and her team went on, she let out a breathless laugh at the realization that they had actually kind of been in a fairy tale in the Ever After.
"And every friendship… is pushed away."
Weiss felt her heart tighten at those words as she looked up at Ruby with determination, she resolved to not let Ruby push her away again and she realized that maybe Ruby was singing this as much for her own benefit as it was for Weiss'.
"I'm slowly starting to find my way."
"Mirror mirror, I'll tell you something. I think I might change it all."
Silence descended on the two as the song finished and the room darkened slightly before the main screen lit up and displayed the score as a celebratory jingle played out. Neither of the two reacted for a moment as Ruby found herself catching her breath while she looked down at Weiss unsure if she had accidently crossed a line.
Any worries she had however were quickly dispersed as Weiss stood up and smiled proudly at Ruby.
"That was beautiful Ruby, if we didn't choose to be huntresses you could've certainly made it as a singer."
Ruby blushed as she shook her head. "Thanks Weiss but no way, singing in front of crowds I'd be terrified. But fighting Grimm is way less stressful besides people pay to listen to music, Grimm don't pay to be hunted."
"Fair enough, I can't argue with that, Grimm are definitely less judging overall."
Weiss gestured for Ruby to turn around as the two looked at the screen to see what score she had earned.
870/1000
"Wow Ruby, that's really good, easily better than I predicted."
Ruby grinned as she let herself feel like she had this in the bag, even if it was unlikely.
"Thanks Weiss, if you mention this to Blake and Yang though I will deny it."
"Hasn't Yang ever heard you sing?" Weiss frowning as she asked the question.
"Singing freely in the shower doesn't count, don't think I've forgotten what's at stake."
"Of course, I know you're taking this seriously."
Weiss hummed thoughtfully as she scanned the available choices, truth be told she hadn't given much thought to her pick until it seemed that fate offered her an olive branch. she let a small smirk appear as she found her choice, after Ruby's choice it seemed only fair and she hoped that choosing a song outside of her normal wheelhouse would make the scores more even.
Turning back around Weiss smiled as she watched Ruby greedily sipping a majority of her grape soda, the glass clinking as the ice cubes within rattled when Ruby reached over and placed it back on the table.
A rock guitar suddenly started and Ruby choked a little in surprise as she evidently recognised the song, it was one of her favourites after all, she had lost count of the amount of times Weiss would shake her awake at Beacon when she fell asleep with it on repeat as she did work.
"They see you as small and helpless; they see you as just a child. Surprise when they find out that a warrior will soon run wild."
Weiss looked down from the screen and smiled at what she saw, Ruby had lent forward obviously enjoying Weiss' pick, if she was honest with herself she probably didn't need the lyrics to be displayed for her as the amount of times Ruby has played it around her had burned it into her brain but she wasn't willing to risk losing points so she looked back up to prevent any potential mistakes.
"You want a romantic life; a fairytale that's full of charm."
Weiss felt her grip on the microphone tighten as she subconsciously gave added weight to those words, the one thing she did love about singing that even her father couldn't control was no matter the lyrics, she could add meaning in the way she performed them and the desire she had to fulfil the words she had just sung seemed to hit her harder recently as fresh events had sought to remind her what she wanted most.
"This will be the day we've waited for. This will be the day that we open up the door…"
Weiss found herself smiling as she looked down again and the glee in Ruby's expression struck her, if Weiss had to describe it, she'd say Ruby had stars in her eyes from joy, perhaps Weiss thought she'd be happy losing the bet.
"In time, your heart will open minds, a story will be told, and victory is in a simple soul."
As the music faded away Weiss felt her shoulders loosen, she hadn't realized just how much effort she was putting into karaoke of all things but she couldn't deny how much she was enjoying spending time with Ruby, just the two of them. Weiss frowned as she witnessed Ruby suddenly deflate as she looked behind Weiss, she turned around to see what had caused such a reaction and looked at the score on the screen.
930/1000
"Way to go Weiss, I tried my best but you always were going to have the edge."
Weiss felt a surge of confidence and knew if she didn't take the step forward now then she never would.
"…Do you want to earn some extra points?"
"What do you mean?"
Ruby looked up to Weiss who had sat down next to Ruby taking a small sip of her drink before answering.
"Well, you're not too far off score wise, if you agree to answer a question you can have… thirty points."
Weiss was determined not to miss the opportunity presented in front of her, she didn't want to let Ruby go back to bottling everything up and Ruby seemed to understand Weiss' well-meaning intentions and gave her partner a small nod of acceptance.
"You avoided my question earlier about who you were hoping to spend the rest of your life with, why?"
Ruby looked down towards her glass and Weiss wondered what was going on in her partners head, worried that she had pushed the wrong topic too hard.
Ruby shook her head slightly as she answered.
"It doesn't matter, I'm not worthy of them, I'm not good enough for her."
Weiss felt her heart tighten in a vice as she heard Ruby's solemn words and her response tumbled out of her before she could stop it.
"You're insane."
Ruby's eyes widened as she looked up at Weiss clearly surprised at the word she had used, Weiss decided to continue, Ruby deserved more than just half-measures, she slid down from the sofa and knelt in front of Ruby forcing her partner to look at her.
"I'm sorry but you think you're not-… you're Ruby Rose! Ruby Rose who got into Beacon two years early because need I remind you an apparently immortal reincarnating headmaster saw something in you. Ruby Rose who was made quite possibly the youngest team leader at Beacon. Who travelled across Anima because she wanted to do what is right. Do you think those ships in the sky are here because of Ozpin, they're here because of your message not Ironwood, not Ozpin, You! But you think you're unworthy, pfft, if anything they don't deserve you… Why do you never give yourself the credit you deserve?"
Ruby looked back to the screen that was now behind Weiss that still displayed her score as she spoke quietly.
"That's another question, do I get thirty more points?"
She tried to sound sarcastic but Weiss could tell that Ruby was scared to talk but perhaps this was the excuse she needed.
"It can be, if that's what it takes."
Ruby listened to Weiss words and when she looked down she could see the hope in her partners eyes, the memory of the Ever After still fresh for the both of them and Weiss remembered Ruby's words and needed to dispel them.
"You're not a screw up Ruby, we don't expect you to have all the answers, we follow you because you want to do what's right."
"But it's never perfect." Ruby countered sternly as if scolding herself.
"Why does that matter? The world isn't perfect so why do you want to be? I'm sorry for making you feel like you couldn't talk to me about it."
Ruby reached out and grabbed both of Weiss' hands.
"You're not to blame Weiss, it was me who thought I had to bottle it all up. At Beacon, at first I didn't really want to be team leader but then I stumbled upon Ozpin and he gave me what I think was good advice for a school but not so much in real life. Later on, I realized that you, like me were running but you were running away from your family whereas I was running towards mine. I wanted to be just like my mother, I thought she was perfect and you wanted the perfect team, I wanted to give you that."
"Why would you do all that, I never asked for that and I certainly didn't deserve it especially back then, why do you insist on trying to be the perfect leader?"
Weiss felt Ruby's grip on her hands tighten before she let go pulling herself up towards herself.
"Ruby, a leader has responsibilities but the team is everyone including you, why won't you let me keep my promise and let me help my partner?"
"BECAUSE OF YOU!..." Ruby shouted before falling into a whisper. "…because I love you."
As if sensing Ruby's intention as she saw some rose petals flutter around Weiss lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Ruby pinning her to the sofa. Unable to move Ruby relented and continued.
"Ironic isn't it, Yang and Blake get a fairytale confession and I'm here shouting at my princess like a selfish child."
Weiss shook her head into Ruby's shoulder. "You're not selfish, you're a leader, a silver eyed warrior. You've been put on this pedestal that you didn't ask for. I wish we could go back to Beacon before the world started to end, where we could do all this normally, you deserve that… can I ask, when did you know?
Ruby wrapped her arms around Weiss unwilling to let her go.
"I don't know when I fell for you, I just know that whenever you weren't by my side it felt like I was missing a piece of myself but when I knew for sure? After Mistral, before we left for Argus. I said something stupid and you laughed, the way my heart tightened when I saw you stifle yourself, I knew then for sure."
"You are perfect Ruby, You're perfect to me, you're my dolt and there is no one better, can I let you in on a secret?" Weiss asked and Ruby nodded, Weiss pulled Ruby out from the hug so she could look at her.
"I've known since Mistral as well…" Ruby smiled at Weiss' confession and Weiss felt her heart flutter at the reaction. "When I was with Yang after meeting Raven, and you came in from the kitchen, after Beacon, Atlas was horrible. Being used to the cold is one thing but after all your warmth it was freezing and then there you were in Mistral and I was just so grateful to be by your side again."
Ruby laughed out. "It seems we're both bad at this." Earning a laugh from Weiss. "I'm sorry for what I said… in the Ever After, whenever these feelings resurfaced it felt overwhelming with everything happening especially when I felt like I had failed or screwed up. A part of why I said what I did to Blake and Yang was because I was jealous. I felt like I was drowning but if I asked for help it meant I was unworthy of being the leader and the only way was to swallow it all down and bottle it up. I'm sorry that I'm not good at expressing my emotions but at times I didn't even understand them and I saw them together and I knew I wanted that with you, being envious like that felt horrible, I felt undeserving of you."
"If we're both bad at this then I'm willing to learn with you." Weiss asked hopefully as she reached around for one of Ruby's hands and her partner nodded. Ruby let out a heavy sigh as she wiped her eyes with her free arm, she didn't even realize she'd been tearing up but then she heard a sniffle from Weiss and saw she had been as well.
"I think this was worth more than thirty points."
Weiss laughed.
"We could call it a tie you dolt."
"I love it when you call me that." Ruby admitted. "The dolt and her Snowpea."
"You're not calling me that." Weiss playfully shoved Ruby back.
"Aw come on it's better than Ice Queen besides that's one of the things I love about you, how you fight every compliment but it only proves my point."
"I will break up with you." Weiss huffed out but they both could tell it was an empty threat. "We're the only two that know, I could just deny this ever happening."
Ruby raised both hands in defeat.
"Fine, no Snowpea…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Not yet…"
Weiss glared at her before relenting and softening her expression. The two remained like that for some time unwilling to ruin the moment.