"Here, I got it."

For a while, Weiss tried to adjust her backpack but it was futile. That was a little hard to do when one of her arms was in a sling. It'd been about a week since they arrived back in school. Adjusting with injuries was difficult.

"Oh, Neptune," Weiss greeted and slid the bag off her shoulder. "Thank you."

Easily, Neptune grabbed her bag and slung it around his back. "Where's your helper?"

"Yang had to talk with Ms. Goodwitch for a bit," Weiss informed and grabbed a notebook from her locker. "Everyone's been so nice."

The whole week, Yang stuck to her girlfriend like glue. When Yang happened to not be by her side, which wasn't often, other people offered to help her. Even students who had never talked to her happily approached.

"You're not used to people being nice?" Neptune asked in disbelief.

Previously, he thought all pretty girls were used to people being nice. The same went for guys. That's how he skated by in his life. Being handsome has its perks.

"I'll adjust in time," Weiss said, thinking back on her life before Vale. Gang members weren't exactly nice people. "Are you ready for exams?"

"More than most people," Neptune replied as he stared at the stream of students passing by. "Hey, are you out of trouble?"

From the question, Weiss was confused. "What do you mean?"

"When you were intoxicated, you kept saying how much trouble you were in," Neptune recalled the night of his party. "Yang looked panicky, but you guys seem back to normal now. What was it?"

"It doesn't matter now," Weiss said with a tiny smile. She felt like she could finally breathe. When he looked perturbed by her explanation, she elaborated and gently lifted the sling. "Let's just say this was little more than a careless fall."

"I knew you weren't that clumsy," Neptune replied. "What about Yang? Come on, you have to spill the tea."

Content, Weiss closed her locker. "I can't. Don't take it personally."

"Ah, a mystery," Neptune thought aloud as he leaned against the lockers. "That's pretty cool-"

Abruptly, a firm hand flew to his shoulder. To his right was Yang, who gave him a smug expression as she spotted the backpack.

"Didn't realize I'd been replaced," the blonde noted jokingly and gazed at her girlfriend. "I'm gone for five minutes and you hire someone else?"

Weiss giggled from how feigned hurt she appeared. "You weren't replaced for long."

"Ahem," Yang cleared her throat and held out her hand. "The bag."

With a smug grin, Neptune leaned down with his hand over his ear. "What? I couldn't hear you all the way down there."

When he leaned down, Yang snatched the bag in victory. "Fool, you played yourself!"

When the bell rang, they headed back to class together.

"I'm way more qualified to hold her backpack," Neptune droned as he walked next to the couple.

Teasingly, Yang flashed the backpack to him. "Lots of people are qualified for jobs they don't have."

"This got real," Neptune replied.

Dozens of students chirps in the halls and gradually faded as they reached their respective classes. They had about five minutes before it officially began. In the room, it appeared Blake lended her homework to Ren, who was diligently copying.

Blake stared at her paper and the focused boy. "You know I hurt my ribs, right?"

"Yes?" Ren asked, wondering why she asked that.

Blake sent him a sly smirk. "Can you tell me how I managed to do the homework when you didn't?"

Ren yelped an excuse. "I had a long weekend."

After Blake rolled her eyes, she examined him. Bags were under his eyes, so she decided to cut him some slack. Her weekend was probably rougher than his considering everything that happened, but she understood.

When he was almost done with the last question, Blake added. "You get one more of this and then I'll start charging for it."

"I'm surprised you haven't turned this into a business already."

Normally, Ren turned in his own work on time. A stellar student. He shouldn't need this again. At last, Ren finished and handed her back the paper. It was then that Ruby sat next to him.

"Ah, the 'ol copy the homework but reword it differently so it doesn't look plagiarized trick," Ruby observed. "I'm a pro, you should be asking me for pointers."

Next to her was Weiss, who overheard their conversation. "Or you could do the assignment on your own."

Ruby put a finger under her chin and tilted her head like a confused puppy. "She speaks a foreign language…"

Blake lightly chided her girlfriend. "Don't act like you never do your own assignments."

In the beginning of the year, Ruby did the bare minimum to scoot by. Now, she was more motivated to boost her grades and typically turned everything in on time without extra help.

Ruby waved her hands in surrender. "I'm just saying my experience is valuable and worth passing on."

Since Ruby revealed her trick, Yang couldn't contain a smirk. She had her own trump card since last year and decided to finally reveal it.

"Sometimes, when you're in the shower I sneak in your room and take pics of your homework," Yang whispered for only the group to hear, which earned wide eyes. "Great… blew my own cover."

Rather than be upset, Ruby yelped. "Why didn't I think of that!?"

"Work smart, not hard," Yang said and put her hands behind her head.

"I can't even be mad," Ruby replied and pouted. "That's genius…"

From how incorrigible Yang was, Weiss gently elbowed her in the gut. That elicited a grunt and a smile. On cue, the other bell rang as Ms. Goodwitch sauntered inside.

"Settle down, students," Glynda said loudly to announce her presence and grabbed her clipboard. "We'll begin with role call…"

While they sat quietly, Weiss couldn't hide her smile. This is what she craved for so long. Normalcy. Normalcy without the worry of being ripped away at a moment's notice.

They finally brought everything she craved to life.


"Brownies are done!"

After Ruby announced that, the girls swarmed the kitchen like moths to a flame. Their mouths practically drooled from the delectable chocolate smell that enveloped the entire apartment the last several minutes.

"Gimme, gimme," Yang almost begged.

Somehow, Ruby held the pan away with an oven mitt still on. "Patience, you scavengers. They have to cool first."

Frustrated groans.

"Weiss, which piece do you want?" Ruby set the pan on the granite counter top.

Since they made the brownies specifically because of Weiss, she wanted her to have the first pick. Carefully, Weiss examined the pan and the smooth top of chocolate goodness.

"As long as it's not a corner piece," Weiss requested and licked her lips in anticipation.

Ruby couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But- but corner pieces are the best!"

Blake shook her head to disagree. "That's an unpopular opinion, my rose."

To prove them wrong, Yang pawed at a delectable corner square and lifted it with her hand. Ruby tried to swat her hand away since the treats crumpled from not hardening yet.

"Hey!" Ruby yelped. "You ruined the presentation!"

"We're about to destroy it," Yang reasoned and popped the treat in her mouth. "It all tastes the same to me."

When she got a taste, the blonde quickly devoured the remaining treat. It was a crumbling mess that spilled partially on the counter top.

"Yang!" Ruby pointed at the counter. "Now look at it- it's ruined and crumbs are everywhere!"

"Only the corner is ruined," Yang observed. "Would you chill? I'll clean it when we're done."

Ruby heaved a sigh. "It looked so pretty. A brown blob of deliciousness…"

"It'll be gone in an hour anyway, dolt," Weiss tried to cheer her up.

To lift her spirits, Blake said. "Pick your piece…"

By now, the brownies finished cooling. The girls took their respective chunks, put them on paper plates, and headed to the couch. An action comedy was picked for the show to watch.

"This is delicious," Weiss praised as the chocolate melted in her mouth. "Can we make these every day?"

That earned a few giggles.

"I wish," Blake replied and enjoyed the burst of flavor.

"It's like cotton candy," Ruby added.

On the television screen, a character whipped out their pistol. This reminded Ruby of her recent decision.

"Oh!" Ruby chirped happily. "I decided to get a gun when I'm older."

Since this was a conflict she wrestled with for a while, Weiss had to ask. "What made you finally decide?"

Ruby lightly sighed and explained her reasoning. "I know mom wouldn't be happy about it, but I know she was watching when it counted."

"Ten out of ten shot," Blake added, referring to when she shot the gang leader.

The comment earned several nods.

"My point is…" Ruby continued. "She'd be proud I saved my sis, so she'd want me to keep doing that. There are some things only guns can pull off, so I'm finally gonna take dad's side of their debate."

Happy she made a decision, Yang playfully ruffled her hair. "I'm proud of you, sis. You saved my life. And without hesitation. A lot of people would choke."

Ruby watched the screen to dismiss her praise. "That wasn't an option."

"You thrived under immense pressure," Weiss pointed out sincerely. "You're special, Ruby."

All these compliments were too much and made Ruby blush.

To praise her, Blake pecked her on the lips and leaned away. "That's why I love her."

After exchanging smiles, the girls continued to watch the show.

The chat about weapons made Weiss recall her own...

The switchblade that never left her side peacefully rested in her drawer, tucked away.


This was the finale! Thanks for sticking around. This chapter wasn't exactly needed, but I wanted to show things went back to normal and they are thriving. Expect a longer one-shot to come out soon and then after another Freezerburn story!

Lyrics from Redo: "I can see the future inside my mind- bring it to life!"

Remember to stay dandy,

~Toto