Weiss shut the bathroom door behind her. Setting the towel on the sink, she stripped Ruby's tank top and shorts, letting them fall to the floor. Her own clothes softly followed. She stepped into the shower, sliding the curtain across the rail, and blasted the water.

Ice-cold.

Every muscle in her body coiled in on itself, betrayed by the mind governing them. Weiss turned like a spit over the fire. Aches and stress manifested as a clenched agony, the water shining a light on the pain she held in her body. Slowly, she turned, and turned, until she was numb to the cold and her muscles relaxed, having nothing left to give.

It was only then that she began to clean herself, and the thoughts of the day were clear.

I was just kinda hoping we'd. . . Sleep together.

Weiss snorted at herself. It was almost like Ruby wanted. . . Her. Not just what they were doing. But that couldn't be right.

"I have nothing to offer." She said to herself, fist clenched, dripping with suds.

She could almost hear Sun and Neptune. That's not true, dipshit.

"You're the dipshits." She whispered. "I don't have anything of my own. I'm not like you. I can't disappear."

Winter did.

"And she fucking left me." Tears welled up in her eyes. "She left and I couldn't follow. Because she didn't need me." The cold water

dripped down her face. She almost couldn't feel the tears running against her cheeks. But the water was too cold. And the tears

were too hot.

"She did it on her own. She got out by herself. And I can't." Weiss wiped her eyes. "I can't do it by myself. So I'm not worth it."

Weiss.

She could hear Neptune. Her best friend. One of a few she ever felt truly safe with. She could feel his arms wrapping around her in

that skinny boy bear hug, pressing his nose against her forehead.

You useless lesbian. It's literally staring you in the face. You don't have to do it by yourself. You can ask for help.

Ruby's face flashed through her mind.

That's right.

"But what if I'm not worth the trouble?" Weiss asked herself.

She's a big girl. She can decide that.

"I'm scared. I don't want her to leave." Her voice broke as the words left her.

She won't.

"But-"

If the real Neptune were here, you'd be hearing the same shit. But you're talking to yourself. You're stubborn. You know you're worth it. Your closest, most wonderful friends tell you so every day. But it won't mean shit until you say it yourself.

Weiss clenched her jaw. She shut off the water. She stepped out of the shower to the clear mirror.

She looked at her self. Small stature, long hair. That scar on her eye. Her lip was quivering. She swallowed, and looked right into her eyes.

"I'm worth it."

The words pierced her gut like a warm jar of honey spilling onto the counter. She exhaled a shaky breath, and her brow relaxed in relief.

"I'm worth it. I'm worth it. I'm worth it." Again and again and again. Adrenaline built in her with every affirmation. Her hands started to shake. She hugged her arms tight, feeling the strength in her own embrace.

Before she could think, she threw the door open and marched right into the living room.

Ruby, still on the couch, popped up, thinking Weiss was storming out. Then, her eyes went wide as saucers as she realized what Weiss wasn't wearing.

Weiss stopped right in front of Ruby. She felt sick, a ball of nervous energy welling in her belly. Slowly, gently, she let herself go, the last of her armor falling to her sides. She held her arms wide.

"Weiss?" Ruby asked, finding Weiss' eyes.

Just say it. Just say it. It's true. It's real.

"I'm tired." Weiss began. She gestured to herself. "I'm tired of feeling poisoned. I'm tired of feeling like I'm not worth anything.

I'm tired of my life not belonging to me."

Ruby looked at Weiss. She nodded.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Ruby asked.

"I don't know." Weiss admitted. She looked down at her body, still wet, water soaking the carpet. "But I'm worth more than this."

"Yes you are."

"And, I'll need your help." Weiss said, her voice suddenly small. Frightened. "I-If you'll have me."

Ruby looked at her apartment. Not hours ago covered in filth and trash. She held her arms up.

"You sure you want me?" Ruby asked.

Weiss almost leapt at Ruby, fingers clawing her shirt, one leg wrapping around Ruby's shin. She buried her face into Ruby's collar.

"I do." Weiss said against Ruby's skin. "I do."

Ruby, stunned, returned the embrace, squeezing Weiss' naked body close to her.

And, after drying off and slipping into bed, they both fell into a long blissful sleep.