Sorry to keep you all waiting, the course ate up more time than I thought and then I caught COVID right after. Still have a cough from it but I'm working through it. I also had to deal with two power outages that caused me having to rewrite parts of this chapter all over again.

Heart to Heart

Chapter 52 Invitation

Yang had noticed something odd about a few of her friends. Weiss had told them what Winter had showed he. It made sense that Ironwood did have the Winter Maiden but how he was locking her up like that, it didn't sit well with everyone but they knew they couldn't exactly go to Ironwood to complain about it. They have worked here long enough to get the idea that once the General had an idea he rarely if ever changed his mind about it.

Since then Wiess had been a bit down, she kept a certain distance from Winter for the moment as Yang could see the tension between the two sisters. She had told Jaune her thoughts in bed and he agreed that there was a division between them but with seven sisters, he had a feeling it would be something they would have to work out.

Yang hated not helping but she wasn't sure what they could do. She knew that sisters did fight at times it was just hard seeing it as she knew from personal experience how hard it could be on sisters. She and Ruby rarely fought but when they did it wasn't pretty.

Speaking of her little sister, there was another odd thing and that was between Ruby and Oscar. The two of them seemed even more awkward around each other the last few days. It was kind of cute as it gave her a bit of a distraction from everything to focus on something a bit more normal. Young awkward teens trying to figure each other out was just too much fun to end it too soon.

Looking to her right she could see Jaune was talking with Weiss about having some sword practice. Apparently, he wanted to try and learn a few more moves from her, which was fine with Yang. She liked how Jaune constantly tried to improve himself although she did wish she knew how to use a sword to train with him.

She mentally shrugged, they couldn't do everything together and she was planning on hitting the gym. She felt like some strength training was needed. She saw that he was distracted and swiped some bacon off his plate and popped it into her mouth.

Weiss however did notice. "Did you just steal from his plate?"

"What?" Jaune looked down to see the missing bacon. "Yang!"

"What?" She asked innocently licking her lips. "You don't want to share?"

"I like bacon though," Jaune pouted.

Yang leaned into his ear as she gently reached under the table and lightly rubbed his thigh where the others couldn't see it. "Maybe you should punish me later for it then?"

Jaune went bright red as everyone tried to ignore whatever Yang told him. They were all used to this kind of thing between them. It wasn't a secret what the two of them got up to at times in their room alone.

Jaune shifted not sure what to say to that as she grinned at him going back to eating trying to not focus on what his girlfriend just said. With that everyone went back to eating and conversing with each other.

After the meal Blake was making her way to her room to get in some reading when a voice called up behind her making her stop in the hallway.

"Hey Blake, can we talk?" Jaune asked coming up to her.

Blake paused and nodded. "Sure, what do you need?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something?" He rubbed the back of his neck not sure how to start this. "You see Yang has been a bit more, physical late."

Blake arched an eyebrow, "That's a problem?"

"No, not really, I don't think so." Jaune stumbled a bit with his words. "You see, this is my first relationship so I don't know if this is normal or not. You've been in a relationship before, right?"

Blake's ears went flat remembering Adam. "Yeah, that's not the best relationship to use as an example."

The sad thing was it wasn't always a bad thing, he had been nicer earlier on but she wasn't sure if only his nature changed over time or he let his true nature out the deeper he got into the White Fang's more violent nature. Well, it didn't matter, she felt a small sick stone in the bottom of her stomach knowing his body was lying somewhere in the wilds. It was a sad fate but the man had tried to kill both her and Yang, it still makes her feel sick inside knowing she had blood on her hands, she did everything while in the White Fang to prevent casualties.

"Oh right, well I'm just not sure if Yang is doing this naturally or if she's trying to make up for what you told me is bothering her."

Now Blake started to see what Jaune was worried about.

He continued on, "I wanted to bring this up with her but I wasn't sure how without letting her known what you said and I didn't want to since you asked me not to tell her what you told me and it just became this giant logic loop."

Blake could see where he was coming from, he wanted to talk to Yang about it but didn't want to break his promise and Jaune was the kind of person that wouldn't break a promise if he could help it. "I can talk to her if you want."

"Would you?"

Blake gave a soft smile, "Sure, she's my best friend after all and if you're worried about her then I should check in."

"Thanks Blake, I really wasn't sure how to approach her with this," Jaune signed he was glad that his new closer friendship with Blake he felt more confident in talking to her about this.

"It's not a problem, I'll see if she's free."

"She's most likely hitting the gym at this time," Jaune checked his scroll for the time. "She likes workouts after doing the escort missions because she feels she needs to be more active."

"Sounds like her, thanks." Blake nodded and left for the gym. It wasn't a far walk, just down the elevator and she found it on the training level of the tower. The gym was large with a lot military personnel and special ops members. Since they were licensed Huntresses, they got to use this facility and not the one used for students.

Walking around she wondered what Yang would be working on. Then she saw a familiar long golden hair and found Yang putting on weights on a bench press. She was wearing her non-combat arm it seemed and in a black and yellow work out two piece.

"You know you should have a spotter for that." Blake said.

Yang jumped and turned around, "Damn it Blake you scared the hell out of me, I swear I'm going to put a bell on you one of these days."

"You can try."

"So, what's up?" Yang put the weights on the other side of the bar. "You're not dressed to work out."

"Just wondering if we can have a talk."

"Well can you spot me then while we talk?" Yang got under the bar as Blake took a position at the head placing her hands under the bar in case Yang needed it.

"What did you want to talk about?" Yang started her reps with a grunt.

"I was just wondering how things between you and Jaune were going?" she asked innocently enough.

"Oh, does kitty want to live vicariously through me?" Yang teased with a grin. "You know you could have asked Sun to join us if you wanted some more romantic company."

Blake felt a slight blush at that, she knew that if she had asked, he might have done just that. He was like that but she knew that he wanted to improve himself. To be a better leader and Huntsman, she wouldn't stand in the way of that and she admired that he was taking it so seriously. He was growing up a bit and she liked that growth in him.

"He had important things to do and I didn't want to stunt his growth. I'll see him again." She replied.

"You sound really certain of that," Yang grunted feeling the burn building up in her muscles.

"For some reason I do feel certain, but we're getting off topic. Are things good between you two?"

"Yeah, why? Has he said something?" There was a hint of worry in her voice at the end as Blake could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"No nothing to worry about, you two seem pretty happy together. I was just wondering how the little issue you were having was going?"

Yang's face twisted into an annoyance. "Still can't say it, damn it, what's wrong with me? It's just three simple words, I've said them to my dad and to Ruby so why the hell not my damn boyfriend?"

"Some things run deep, look at me. I would always run away from my problems." Blake responded.

"Yeah, you do have a history of that," Yang grunted out louder as her body was starting to reach a limit. She gave one last rep before putting the bar back and sitting up taking a breather. "I have been trying to say it but I think I'm just scared that if I say it then, well then it's real."

"Is that bad?"

"Did you ever tell Adam you loved him?"

Blake's face got a pained look on it. "Yes."

"And how did it feel when that all went to hell?"

"Honestly?" She sat down next to her. "It wasn't the most pleasant feeling but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I think it was because I knew things between us were over for awhile but I just didn't want to accept it until I had no choice to cut ties with him and the…group," She caught herself as saying she had been a member of the White Fang while in a room full of people that had either fought or had known people that fought that group wasn't the smart thing to do.

"Yes, well I can't just cut and run with Jaune and everyone," Yang sighed grabbing a water bottle to take a sip.

"You're still not thinking that you'll end up like Raven, will you?"

"Put in some contacts and dye my hair and I would be a mirror image of her," Yang glumly said.

Blake rolled her eyes. "Please we are not out mothers, I take after my mom in looks too and you met her. Am I the same person as she is?"

Yang thought about it, the new hair cut did help show the resemblance between Blake and Kali but physically was the limit of their similarities. Kali was warm, very open and energetic. Blake was the exact opposite in her in personality.

"Is that why you cut your hair short?" Yang grinned as Blake frowned at her. "Okay okay I see what you mean. I guess I've just been trying to make up for not being able to say my feelings so I'm just showing them. That's not a bad thing, is it?"

"I don't suppose so but you really should talk to Jaune about this," Blake told her. "He'd want to know if something is bothering you."

"I guess," Yang looked down as she got back into position as did Blake as Yang started her next set. "It's just, I feel so stupid about all of this. I know he'd get it but I hate feeling weak and this whole problem makes me feel nothing but weak and helpless."

Yang will never forget the depression she was in when she woke up with her arm missing. Those months were the worst of her life, feeling so weak and vulnerable, feeling like everything was coming down around her and she was powerless to do anything about it.

"Well at least you know that whatever you tell him he won't think anything less of you."

"Yeah, he won't," Yang pushed through the burning in her muscles as she finished. "That's one of the reasons I fell for the dork."

Blake smiled hearing that. "I remember the girl you were when I first met you and I always figured you'd want some bad boy or wild man or something."

"I was a different person back then," She paused for a drink. "God it wasn't even all that long ago but it feels like a life time since we were just students."

"Things have moved pretty fast it seems," Blake nodded her head knowing what she was talking about. "If things had been more normal, we would still be students at Beacon."

"I wonder how things would have gone," she looked down at her mechanical arm. "Well, I'd have both arms that's for sure but then again, I doubt I would be dating Jaune. Maybe Pyrrha would have worked up the nerve to ask him out by this point."

It stung a bit to think of their fallen friend, they all missed her terribly as she had been taken way too young. Ruby had nightmares for a long time seeing Pyrrha murdered by Cinder, she bet she still did. It also stung a bit to know she would have totally missed out on dating Jaune. She would have never considered him and it kind of hurt her to think about it.

She had been so blind to what was around her at times, looking for action and adventure not thinking there would be consequences or that she would get hurt. The empty feeling of her missing arm was a constant reminder of how wrong she had been.

"What would you have done if he had asked you out back then stead?" Blake asked her taking her out of her thoughts.

"Back then?" Yang thought about it. "Probably turn him down with a joke, maybe tease him a little in a friendly way, possibly put him into a headlock just to see him blush when his head was pressed up my breast. I wasn't ready for a seriously relationship back then. I grew up since then and this whole relationship has been one of the good things that came from everything that we all went through."

"I suppose growth doesn't come without pain."

"Sucks but seems like it," Yang took another drink. "I will admit though, this whole relationship thing is pretty nice."

"Oh, trust me we've all noticed." Blake smirked.

"You guys only seen the public stuff," the blonde told her with a smile. "We're there for each other in a way that, well no one else is. Like when we have a rough night, it's nice to have someone there for you. Sleeping next to him is calming and there are times when I see him having a nightmare and soothing him because I know he does the same for me. It's just, well it's hard to explain just how it feels."

Blake thought about how Sun always hung around her, nothing oppressive just close enough for her to know that he was there if she wanted a presence around her. She would admit that it felt lonely without him around, she had gotten so used to him it was like she was sleeping on a bed and someone just stole her blanket.

"Well, I think I know what you mean," Blake told her. "It is hard to really put into words."

"Yeah, it is," Yang sighed and then grinned. "Plus, the fun stuff is really great."

"Fun stuff?"

"Like things you read about in your little porn books." She teased.

Blake got a bit defensive. "They are NOT porn," She hissed at her making sure she didn't yell that out there were still people in the gym after all. "They are adult literature."

"That even Ruby can't legally buy," her friend shot back. "Still, I may want to borrow one for some ideas."

Blake blushed at the implication. "You sure you two are up for that? Some of those scenes can be a little…intense."

Yang paused as now she wasn't so sure. "I'll…at least read it first."

"So, I take it things in that regard to your relationship is going well?"

Yang relaxed a bit, "Oh yeah. I mean sure it started out a little awkward. We both had no idea what we were doing but we've gotten pretty good at it. He also has great hands, his massages are to die for. There is nothing like a long hard day and him rubbing my feet and legs. That and my back and shoulders."

"He's that good?"

"Oh my god yes," Yang stretched out. "I've been trying to keep up with him after his training since his shoulders get tensed but I still have a lot to learn. Plus, although I'm proud of my 'girls'," She pointed to her chest. "They are killer on my back and shoulders."

Blake knew all about that, rooming with Yang she knew how much pain the blonde could get. It made her thankful that she had a decent chest without being too big. She felt she was just the right size, plus if she had Yang's chest, she was sure it would throw her balance off.

"Oh and do you know he can put his aura into his hands and send it right into your body?" Yang remembered those massages as the best. "When he really digs in his fingers with it active like that it feels so amazing. I swear it's like my entire nervous system just lights up."

Blake hadn't heard about that as she thought about it. "Interesting, I know his aura makes our own be enhanced with his for healing and even an extra power boost. Maybe by him focusing it into the nerves he makes the mixed aura start to 'over heal' the nerves or something?"

Yang shrugged. "Best explanation I ever heard. All I know is that it feels amazing. I would offer but I'm jealously keeping my man's magic hands to myself."

"I suppose you're allowed to be a bit selfish with that." Blake smiled as she continued to help Yang with her work out.

"Oh and it's great on cramps." Yang told her.

Blake's eyes widened at that. "You're kidding?"

"Nope, had it bad a couple of weeks into us living together and I was seriously laid up, curled into a ball and everything. He knew what I was going through because, well seven sisters."

Blake suddenly felt very sympathetic to Jaune, she knew how bad cramps got for her but it had to be hard on a young man living with eight women who got it now and then. "So you asked if it would work?"

Yang blushed, "Yeah…but…well let's just say we learned something."

"What?" Blake could see the embarrassing look on her face.

"Okay I would never tell anyone else but you this and you have to promise me never to tell anyone else. I will deny this until the day I die and I will burn all your special books and make you watch it." Yang said seriously. Blake nodded her head as Yang looked around and lowered her voice a bit.

"Okay so I asked if Jaune's aura could help, well we tried it and we learned a few things." Yang said embarrassed.

"Like?" Blake prompted.

"Well given what you said sending his aura straight into where my womb was makes for the biggest orgasm but also…the biggest mess."

Blake blinked but then suddenly remembered why women get cramps. "You didn't…"

"Oh yeah, the red tide came out with a vengeance. Had to clean myself, and the bed we were using. God it was so embarrassing, I had to shower and Jaune took everything to get cleaned."

Blake winced. "Did it work at least?"

"Yes," she sighed. "It was much more manageable but in the future, I'm asking him to do it while in the shower."

"That sounds horrible."

"It was like a damn horror movie!" Yang felt her face burning in embracement wanting to have Ruby's hoodie to hide in. She hadn't been this embarrassed by her body since she first starting having her period. God, that talk with her dad was one of the worst experience in her life, for the both of them. It was right up there with losing her arm, she never wanted to go through such a talk with her dad ever again.

"Anyways, I still think if you just talk to Jaune and explain things he would appreciate it. This is first real relationship too and trust me, being honest and talking things out is something I didn't do and you know how that ended." Blake said.

"Also, your ex was a complete psycho."

"In the end…yes," Blake still wondered just when Adam had crossed the line and why she hadn't noticed it until it was too late to help him pull back. If she had, could she had saved him from himself or was he always on the path to self-destruction and hate? She would never know as she felt a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach.

While it was self-defense it still made her feel slightly sick at taking a life. She just couldn't get used to it and never wanted to.

"Well while I doubt Jaune would become like him…you…do make a point," Yang sighed as she got back to doing another set. She thought better with a workout anyway, the pumping of her blood helped her think and she had some thinking to do.

-Elsewhere-

Weiss stared at the message that came for her. It was an envelope that had been hand delivered from a messaging service. It was very flashy and she had seen invites like this before so she had an idea of who it was from. Which was why she had been sitting in her team's room debating even opening it.

Tapping her foot, she sighed as she eventually realized she should at least read it before throwing it out. Opening the seal on the back she opened it up and pulled out the paper invite. It was of high quality as per usual as she saw the usual SDC quality.

It was an invite to her father's election party, most likely it was his attempt to gain more public support and to have his entire family by his side. Honestly, she couldn't believe the nerve of him to think she would just go to his side like that. At least normally, there was a personal letter with the invitation.

Reading it she could see that it wasn't her father writing the letter but her mother. She could tell from the way it was written, his writing was always so stern and to the point. She could also see her mother handwriting which was a little shaky, she had an idea of what that meant, most likely she wasn't entirely sober.

Her mother wrote how she missed her and wanted to see her and her sister again.

That made Weiss pause, she wasn't sure if the letter was her mother's idea or her father had forced the issue with her. Weiss bit her lip as she wasn't sure which it was but she could see her father hovering over her mother as she wrote it. The problem was she did miss her mother and was worried about her. Her drinking was just one thing she worried about, with her father running for the empty council seat she had a feeling living with him would be even more stressful and nearly unbearable.

As she was deep in thought Ruby choose that moment to throw open the door and do right to her bed and flop onto it.

Weiss raised an eyebrow as for the past few days she had been a little off, it was almost like she was preoccupied with something. The old her would have just ignored Ruby and gone back to thinking on what to do, but that was the old Wiess. She had grown as a person since then as she turned around in her chair to look at her partner.

"Okay, what's been going on with you?" Weiss asked. "And don't say 'it's nothing' because we've all noticed it."

Ruby flinched. "Has it been that noticeable?"

"Yes," Weiss said flatly.

Ruby groaned, "This is so hard, how do normal girls handle this kind of thing?"

Weiss adjusted herself to face Ruby. "So what is it?"

"I may have made things awkward between me and Oscar."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "That's nothing new, you two have been awkward around each other for a while now."

"Hey!"

"It's true."

"Well I don't have any experience with this!" Ruby flopped back onto her bed. "I've always been the socially awkward one, even in Signal I only had a few friends and I haven't talked to them in over a year. All my friends are right here and not once have I ever felt like this."

Ruby rolled to her side to look at Weiss. "You got dating experience so how do you deal with all these strange feelings and how do you know what to do?"

Weiss didn't really consider herself 'experienced' she had only ever dated Neptune for a bit and now she was seeing Flynt. Not exactly a lot of experience, Neptune didn't turn out as well as she had hoped but at least Flynt was being a true gentleman about it. Still, it wasn't exactly a lot of experience there.

"Honestly? I'm not sure anyone really knows," Weiss shrugged. "It's something everyone goes through and learns about. Let's start simply, how does he make you feel?"

"I don't know," Ruby sat up as she unconsciously took the bear that he had won for her that she kept playing with it.

"Well try."

"He…he makes me feel funny inside, like I got butterflies in my stomach but in a good way? Does that make sense? When he looks at me, it feels he's seeing me. Most of my life people just ignored me, or saw me as 'Yang's little sister' or 'that weapon's girl' or something like that. He sees me, Ruby Rose and it makes me feel…nice."

Weiss had a small kind smile. "That's an important thing, I've learned that one of the most important thing is for someone to see you for who you are and not what you are."

"Yeah it feels nice," Ruby smiled down at the bear. "Plus lately I've been thinking things about him."

"Things?" Weiss asked for her to elaborate.

Ruby's cheeks heated up. "Like how cute he looks, how I kind of wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through his messy hair, what…what his lips taste like."

Weiss was surprised by that one. "You're thinking about kissing him?"

Ruby's face only got redder as she wished she could just hide in her hood.

"Well that's normal," Weiss would be more worried if Ruby did something a bit more adult with what she wanted to do. "That jus means you really like the person."

"Yeah but when I kissed him I just ran away like an idiot." Ruby sighed.

Weiss paused at that. "You kissed him?"

"On the cheek," She didn't want to bring up that time at Jaune's sister's place. That was kind of a private moment that looking back was most likely when she really started to like him. He was just so socially awkward like her and it felt natural and safe being on the same level with a boy with the same social issues she had.

"Oh, well, that shouldn't be too bad. Are you worried you gave him the wrong idea?"

"I don't know, I just went on impulse and now I'm worried what he might think."

"Pretty sure he's thinking how to get another."

"Weiss!"

"All I'm saying is that if you gave a kiss to a boy he most likely will enjoy it. You have come a long way since we first met and you should feel more confident about yourself."

"Thanks, I think we all have grown since Beacon. I just wish I was surer on what to do."

"Well you will never get anywhere hiding here," Weiss told her honestly. "Trust me, the boy seems to have been crushing on you for a bit now, it's obvious to everyone here."

"Really?"

"I still don't see why you don't think so."

"Cause no boy has ever taken an interest in me, at Beacon I was always two years younger than the first years, that only got worse for anyone in the higher grade. Everyone saw me as a kid so it's not like I turned heads like Yang does all the time, or you or Blake."

"You just need more self-confidence Ruby," Weiss stood up and dragged Ruby over to a long mirror. The two of them were now facing their reflections. "Take a look at yourself. You've grown into a fine young lady and you should be proud of it."

Ruby looked at herself as she heard Weiss' words. Looking into the mirror she did see how she had changed. While she might only be only a little taller, she had filled out since she first joined beacon, the new hair cut she thought looked cute. She might not be the plain girl she had been, it was just a bit hard to overcome a life time of self-doubt about her looks.

"You really think so?" Ruby asked her.

"Yes, you should be more confident in your looks now Ruby." Weiss stated with a soft smile.

"Thanks, that actually means a lot coming from you Weiss," Ruby always thought of Weiss as being always pretty and knowing how to perfectly keep her looks. So that coming from Weiss held a lot of weight for her.

"Well what are partners for?"

"And being BFFs?" Ruby grinned at her.

"I suppose so," Weiss made a show of sighing and turning around as she hide the small smile on her face. While at first Ruby's attempt at making them best friends forever Weiss fought it tooth and nail but apparently the younger girl slowly wore her down. But she wasn't going to make it easy for Ruby by just admitting it. It kind of became a game between the two of them.

Ruby felt a bit better as she noticed something on the desk. "Did you get mail?"

Weiss' eyes went to it and now her sigh was genuine. "Yes, my father is making a party for his political career. Most likely with all the movers and shakers to help him in the election."

"Does he really think he can win?"

Weiss shrugged, "He wouldn't try if he thought there was no chance. He might be able to gain support of the Upper City of Atlas, Mantel however he has no chance to win over."

"So it could be even?" Ruby asked her.

Weiss shook her head. "Mantel has a higher population and so more votes for the election. Even then, Robyn Hill has supporters up here too so it is going to be quite the uphill battle."

Ruby blinked. "Did you just make a pun about Robyn Hill?"

Weiss' face turned horrified. "Arrrgghh! I'm spending too much time with that sister of yours and no, I didn't mean for that!"

Ruby giggled as she looked at the open invitation. "Fancy, so what's the issue? You looked like you were thinking about something?"

"While if my father asked me, I would turn it down," Weiss started showing her the other letter. "My mother sent this."

Ruby read it as Weiss paced the room as she continued talking. "While I'm sure this was my father's doing, I am worried about her. She hasn't exactly been in the best of places for, well for a long time." She started to pace the room. "This is obviously some ploy to gain some favor. Most likely to show his family as a 'united front', I wouldn't be surprised for there to be reporters there."

"I bet Winter got an invitation as well," Weiss crossed her arms with a huff. "This is just like him, trying to manipulate everyone for his own gains."

"But what about your mom?" Ruby asked.

Weiss stopped as she stood still thinking about that. "I…I do worry about her."

Ruby looked at the note. "I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your mother but I wish I could talk to my mother again even for just a day."

Weiss couldn't say anything she knew that Ruby's mother had died when she was very young. As a huntress she had gone out on a mission and just never came back. While her own mother was a drunk, she was still alive. Weiss did want to see her mother but also was afraid to see her in that state she was usually in. It wasn't always like this, she still has a few memories of her mother before her marriage had turned her to drinking.

Back then she had always looked up to her mother, she had been so pretty, confident and strong. She was a shadow of her former self and it hurt Weiss to see her mother as she was now.

"I'm not sure I want to go but…I do worry about her." Weiss admitted.

"Well maybe you could go, but on your own terms?" Ruby asked.

Weiss looked at her thinking about it. "What do you mean?"

"Well the invitation says you plus guests so maybe you can bring us along as support?" Ruby offered not wanting her to go alone.

Weiss thought about it, "I'll…think about it. It's not for a few days so we can plan about it."

"Great! We can come up with so many plans, we can make code words and battle plans." Ruby said excitedly.

Weiss rolled her eyes, "Not those kinds of plans but I do appreciate the enthusiasm. We should get everyone together when we can, I don't think we'll need everyone but we'll at least talk to them about this."

TBC…