This one might have a few errors, I wanted to at least get one more update out before the new year. I was writing this with the idea of Sun and Weiss being workaholics, with Yang and Velvet soon to be the ones to balance them out. With Klein and Blake's help of course. I hope you all enjoy chapter 2 of All that Glistens! Keep moving forward, enjoy the journey, and don't feed the guard dogs! - Phoenix Commander signing off!
Publisher and Editor
A blonde haired monkey Faunus was typing quickly away at his computer. His work desk was cluttered with notes, rough drafts of articles, and various photos for Glisten Magazine. A pile of empty, disposable, coffee cups filled the trash can in the corner of his office. He paused his rapid typing and massaged the bridge of his nose as his, long, gold furred tail wrapped around a lukewarm cup of coffee.
"We are still short on articles, and even if we did write them, with Cinder and Roman out of the picture that leaves us short handed on models and photographers to get everything we are missing. There's no way I can stretch out what we have to get this edition where it needs to be." He sighed, bringing the cup to his lips and knocking back the rest of the tepid drink.
His assistant, a dark haired cat Faunus, narrowly avoided the now empty cup as the Editor in Chief of Glisten Magazine tossed it over his shoulder and started typing once more. "Were you here all night, Sun?" She asked, already knowing the answer, as her feline ears flattened in mild irritation.
"Yes, Blake. Because next month's edition is still not ready yet." He grunted, his eyes still focused on the screen in front of him.
"Did you even sleep?" Blake pressed, her amber eyes narrowing as she looked over his slightly bedraggled appearance. Her friend was a mess, she could see circles around his blue eyes, his jeans and white button up were wrinkled and stained with ink. His habit of only doing one or two buttons of his shirt while at work had failed him as they had come undone at some point in the night.
"Yes." The monkey Faunus replied, still working to finish the article that had been frustrating him.
"For how long?" She inquired, not pleased with the short answer.
"About an hour, maybe two." Sun replied, waving his hand as if to ward off further questions.
"That's nowhere near enough." Blake said shaking her head as she grabbed the back of his chair, pulled him away from the desk, and spun him around as she did so. "Sun, when was the last time you and Weiss actually took some time for yourselves?"
"It was..." The voice of Glisten's Editor trailed off as he tried to remember the last day he and the Publisher of the fashion magazine had taken off.
"My point exactly!" The raven haired woman exclaimed, "You both need to take a day to unwind."
"That's the thing! Cinder and Roman put us in a tight spot! We can't take a day off right now!" Sun retorted trying to spin back around to face his computer, only for Blake's firm grip to hold him still.
"Sun, how long have we known each other?" She asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Fourth grade." He answered stiffly.
"And how many times have I been right about something?"
"A lot. Most of it pretty recently now that I think of it." He relented with a sigh.
"Damn right. Now get out of that chair, go get your girlfriend, and take the day for yourselves. It doesn't have to be out in the city, but you both better not be in this building in the next thirty minutes." Blake ordered as she pushed Sun, and his chair, toward the door. "I'll have security escort you both out of here if needed."
"But-" Sun was interrupted as his amber eyed assistant tipped him out of his chair and into the hall.
"No but's. Go on, shoo!" She said gesturing for him to start down the hallway to the elevators. "I can handle your work for today, and I'm sure Klein can cover for Weiss."
Sun sighed as he regained his footing and straightened his shirt redoing a few of his buttons to close his shirt a little. "If anything comes up will you at least let us know?"
Blake nodded and gestured for him to get going. "Of course, now get moving your 'Snow Angel' isn't going to leave her office without you."
With one last sigh Sun stepped into the elevator, giving Blake a short wave with his tail before as he did so, and pressed the button that would take him to Weiss' office.
"Father at this rate next month's edition will most likely be shorter than normal." Weiss said, failing to hide her irritation at the predicament, casting a glance at the phone's receiver on her desk. Most of her attention was on the reports from HR about possible replacements for Cinder and Roman. Letting them go hadn't been easy but the Glisten Magazine and SCC couldn't let them get away with stealing clothing designs.
The alabaster haired publisher had caught sight of her reflection in the large window of her office. I look like Hell. She thought.
Behind her half-rimmed white glasses, Weiss' light blue eyes were sunken and bloodshot. Her long alabaster hair, which was normally in an elegant waterfall braid, was tangled and knotted in places. Her light blue blouse and white skirt were both wrinkled and looked as if she'd slept in them, which she had. And she'd long ago taken off her lace up sandals, tossing them underneath her desk, as she'd had no intention of leaving until her work was finished for the day. Her white and blue summer jacket, along with her purse, was tossed carelessly onto a nearby chair.
"Hhmm...well a shorter edition on occasion is not the end of the world. If anything it could give us an edge on our competitors by letting us hold back designs in reserve for the next edition." Jacques Schnee replied after a moment, picking up on his daughter's tone.
Weiss took off her glasses, setting them on the desk next to a small pot of tea that Klein, her assistant and butler, had placed on the desk a few moments ago. The publisher started to massage her temples as she replied, feeling a headache starting to build, even though the day had only just started. "That did cross my mind, though Sun is still adamant about releasing a normal length edition."
"I'd expect nothing less. When you approached me last year about him being the Editor-in-Chief I thought it was because of your relationship but he does have a good work ethic, even if his appearance is a little sloppy." Weiss' father said with a small chuckle.
The Glisten's publisher smiled a little at his words. "I'm glad you still approve of him, in both senses." She said, reaching for a cup of the tea and hoping that the soothing drink would help keep the headache at bay.
"He's given me no reason to dislike him, and above all he's made you happy." Jacques said, his tone conveying the smallest hint of a smile through the receiver. "Now, I need to go meet with a few shareholders thank you for keeping me informed, Weiss. Will you and Sun still be joining Winter and I for lunch tomorrow?"
"Of course, Father." Weiss replied, setting the tea cup down, onto a saucer with a muffled clink.
"Then I'll see you both there." He replied, ending the call.
"Is the tea helping at all, Snowflake, or would you like something a bit stronger? Some coffee with a splash of whiskey perhaps?" Klein asked after a moment.
Weiss sighed a little as she put her glasses back on to finish reading the reports from HR, and reached for the tea again. "The tea is delicious as always, Klein. Besides it's a bit early to start drinking, even if I do kind of want to."
"Hhmm...you know I was talking with Ms Belladonna yesterday and we both had a question come to mind." Klein said walking over to a small medkit hanging on the wall, he pulled out the bottle of ibuprofen and closed it again. "Take two, Snowflake, we don't need you getting a migraine now." He said a little concerned, setting the bottle near her hand.
Weiss swallowed the pills quickly as she started to vent her frustration. "Only a migraine caused by two worthless, backstabbing, design stealing-!"
"Snowflake." The portly balding butler said, cutting her off.
"What, Klein?!" She snapped, instantly regretting it. It wasn't his fault that Cinder and Roman had been selling designs to their competitors. And her father was right, a shorter edition every so often wouldn't be the end of things.
"Mr. Wukong will most likely be stepping through that door in a moment or two. By my count you both have not had a day off for yourselves in four months." Weiss' assistant continued calmly as if she hadn't snapped at him, "When he arrives to collect you I expect you both to be out of the building within ten minutes. Take the day to relax and unwind, I can handle going over the reports and fill in for you at your meeting today."
"Klein, I can't just-." Weiss started, setting the cup down with a clatter.
"I will not have it said that my friend, and daughter of my employer, made herself sick on my watch through overwork and stress." Klein said firmly, cutting her off again. "Please, Snowflake, just take the day. Honestly I'd prefer you both take a week for yourselves but I know you won't give in to that idea right now."
"I…" Her protest trailed off, Weiss knew Klein and Blake both meant well. Blake is probably grilling Sun right now too. They are both skilled enough to cover for us for a day. Taking a deep breath and downing the rest of her tea, Weiss cleared her throat and spoke, "Alright, Klein, we'll take the day. But please keep us informed if anything comes up?"
The auburn haired butler smiled a little at her acceptance of the idea, "Of course, Snowflake, but only after I see you and Mr. Wukong back at the penthouse later tonight. I don't want to distract you both from relaxing of course."
"Of course, Klein." Weiss sighed again, setting the reports in a neat stack and lacing up her sandals.
After a few minutes the door to Weiss' office cracked open and Sun stuck his head in, "Hey there, Snow Angel, I have orders from Blake to vacate the building with you."
"I see Ms Belladonna already spoke with you, Mr Wukong. Ms Schnee is already ready to depart." Klein informed him as the monkey Faunus walked fully into the office.
"Good to know the both of you had planned this, Klein." Sun said shaking his head slightly, though he was smirking a little, "Weiss, we'd better get moving I think we've got about ten minutes before Blake calls security to help us leave."
"Shall I call to have a car waiting for you both?" Klein asked, already edging a little toward the phone.
"No, I think we might walk instead. I need to stretch a bit after sitting still for the last few days, besides the penthouse isn't that far." Weiss said, picking up her jacket and purse before joining Sun by the door.
"Very well, Ms Schnee. Enjoy the day you two, I expect you both to be relaxed when I meet you at home tonight." Klein nodded, bidding the Publisher and Editor farewell as the door closed. Picking up the pot of tea, Klein retrieved a clean cup and poured one for himself as he set to work reviewing the reports for Weiss. One report caught his attention, A joint resume? One model and one photographer...hire both or neither...Hhmm. Work portfolio to be sent sometime today. This could be the answer Sun and Weiss are looking for. The middle aged butler set the report to the side, and sent a quick message to Blake about what he had found.
"What do you feel like doing, Snow Angel?" Sun asked as they walked down the sidewalk toward their apparent complex. Idly looping his tail, and arm, around her waist.
"Well I don't know about you, Sun, but a simple day of lounging around at home is what's on my mind. A soak in the tub, a movie, and a drink or two. Not to mention you look like you could use a nap, you've got bags under your eyes so heavy they put Coco's latest purse designs to shame." Weiss said, edging closer to him and slipping an arm around his waist.
The monkey Faunus smiled a little, it wasn't too often she reciprocated his embraces in public. It was how she had been raised, and he understood that. Normally he'd let her be the one to initiate their intimate moments in public. But this time he felt they both needed that, albeit small, show of affection. He nodded in agreement, "Sounds like a plan to me. Though I could say the same about you. They're right though this day off is what we need."
As they continued walking Weiss could feel the fresh air filling her lungs, and her stiff muscles starting to loosen, "Yes, I know. By the way, how did Blake get you away from your computer?"
"She rolled me over to my door and tipped me out into the hallway." Sun informed her, chuckling slightly.
"I doubt she had the presence of mind to record that, it must have been quite the sight." She replied, smiling a little. "There is some good news though, father doesn't mind if the edition has to be short next month. It could give us an edge anyway." The white and blue dressed publisher slowly moved her hand along his back, she could feel the knots under his shirt from working nonstop. Yes, a soak in the tub, a lazy day, and possibly a massage are exactly what you're going to need.
Sun sighed at the information, "Yeah, I thought he'd be fine with it. I just want it to be perfect though."
Weiss' smile drooped a little as she stopped walking, pulling back and causing Sun to stumble and look at her. Klein's words rang in her ears. As much as she cared about the Glisten Magazine, Sun was more important, she didn't want him to keep overworking himself and making himself ill. "It took me a long time to realize perfection is not possible. Don't stress over it, please, for me at least?" She asked, her eyes searching his for an answer before he even spoke.
Sighing he nodded and smiled a little, "Ok, Snow Angel, I'll let it go. Besides for now we need to focus on relaxing today anyway."
Her smile returned as they continued toward the apartment complex, wrapping her arm around his waist again, "Good, I'm going to hold you to it."
Weiss and Sun's home at the top of their complex was a fairly simple layout. The entry hallway opened up into a large sitting area and conjoined dining room. A door in the dining room lead to the penthouse's kitchen. Past the kitchen was a spacious bedroom, bathroom, and private balcony reserved for Klein for whenever he needed time for himself. On one wall of the sitting room was a large, clear, sliding-door leading to a balcony overlooking the city skyline affording the occupants an almost perfect view of the sunset. Past the dining room was a small corridor leading to the master bedroom, which boasted its own private balcony overlooking a nearby park and a large master bathroom. Past the master bedroom was the guest bathroom that was also attached by a door to a large guest bedroom. The guest bedroom also shared another balcony, which also overlooked the city skyline, with Weiss and Sun's large office.
Weiss let out a sigh as she shut off the water to the large tub of the master bathroom, she could already feel the soothing heat of the water filling the air around her. Slipping off a white and red robe and letting it pool about her feet, she lowered herself into the inviting water. "This may not have been planned, but it does feel good." She said as the water enveloped her.
She and Sun had been back at the apartment for a few hours her boyfriend had, before taking a well earned nap, treated her to a light brunch. The blonde haired monkey Faunus had been the cook for his family and was fairly adept in the kitchen because of it, this also meant he couldn't resist helping Klein prepare their meals when he had the chance.
Reaching for a brush she started undoing her braid, running the bristles through her snow white tresses. After a while Weiss set the brush aside and lay back, soaking in the warm water and letting ease the cramps in her back and neck that had formed from stress and work. Who would've thought the Editor-in-Chief and the Publisher Of Glisten Magazine would be coerced into taking a day off by their subordinates? Eh, they do mean well and neither of them were wrong about this. Weiss found herself chuckling as the thought surfaced.
After a while Weiss finally walked out of the bathroom, clad in her robe she looked over her clothes for a moment, her glasses dangling around her neck from a thin chain, and then shook her head. "I'm here to relax, might as well stick with my robe and make the most of it...in fact Sun should be up right about now." She mused, walking out of the master bedroom with a small gleam in her pale blue eyes, her bare feet sinking a little in the thick carpet of the hallway.
She found Sun sprawled on one of the large sofas in the sitting room, his shirt still hanging on one of the arms where he had tossed it after they'd gotten home. "How was the bath, Snow?" He asked with a small smirk.
"Just what our assistants ordered. I feel a thousand times better." She replied, as she sprawled a top him and rested her head against his chest.
"That's good to hear." Sun said, slipping an arm across her shoulders while his tail lay across her waist. "Didn't feel like redoing your braid I take it"
"Well I did want to be able to spend the day with you." She replied, chuckling a little as she shifted slightly to get a better look at him, almost straddling him. She pushed herself up a little, one hand still resting on his chest, her lips quirked up into a smirk of her own, "You're looking a bit better after your nap too."
"Hhmm...well I guess Blake is still right about most things then. This was needed." The monkey Faunus said, still smirking. I know what you're doing Snow Angel I just want to see if you can make the first move yet.
Weiss was only inches from her boyfriend's face, hesitating, her eyes narrowed a little. She realized he was teasing her on purpose. "Will you stop smirking and kiss me already?"
"Why, Snow Angel I don't-." Sun never finished his statement as Weiss sealed his lips with her own.
Hours later the moonlight filtered into the master bedroom through the large sliding door that opened to the balcony. Weiss released a contented sigh, as she rested her head against Sun's chest again, the covers pooled about their waists. "We need to take days off more." Sun chuckled, as he turned on the tv flipping slowly through the channels for something they'd enjoy. One arm holding the alabaster haired woman to him.
"It would be nice, but I think we should wait before we set a schedule for that. At least until the summer editions are over." Weiss nodded in agreement her eyes half lidded as her heart rate slowed.
Sun stopped on a channel showing a documentary on the various foods and cultures of the more exotic places of the world. "One way or another we'll make time." He said, gently lifting her chin and placing a soft kiss to her lips.
"Hmmm...I'll hold you to that, Sun." She replied, as her eyes finally closed, and for the first time in a long time, willingly let sleep overtake her.
Neither of them heard the front door open announcing Klein's return. His eyes roved over the sitting area before him. Coming to rest on Weiss' robe. "Well, least they kept the place clean for the most part. I'll inform them about my findings tomorrow." He mused quietly, picking up and folding the discarded garment, setting it near the door to the master bedroom. After locking the door to the penthouse, the butler made his way through the kitchen, stopping when he noticed a plate with a large slice of pie, a glass of milk and a note.
Klein,
Thanks for convincing Weiss to take the day off. We both really did need it. We made one of my old family recipes for an apple pie. Don't ask where we found the time, you already know. Enjoy!
Sun
"You're a kind man, Mr. Wukong. Not too many care about the help and yet you always do, just like Weiss does. Two years later and I'm still glad Snowflake met you." Klein smiled as he mused. Picking up the plate and drink the auburn haired butler made his way out onto the balcony next to his bedroom to enjoy the simple gift.