Work Text:
The past few months hadn’t exactly been the life Weiss Schnee had imagined herself living. The world was in a pandemic and nearly everyone was quarantined in their homes. Working from home was something completely new. Not to mention working from home with the girlfriend that you’ve only lived with for a month or so longer than this quarantine. But Weiss was pleasantly surprised with how much space Blake and herself were still able to find for themselves. Sometimes it got a little stressful, and Weiss let her emotions from work boil over onto Blake, but Blake was always understanding. They had quickly decided to turn one of their guest bedrooms into an office for Blake so that they each had their own workspace so that Weiss could handle her corporate business in her office, and Blake could teach virtual lectures and whatever else she had to do for her students in her own space.
They worked well together. They always had. Even when they didn’t get along when they first met in college. But clearly, that had worked itself out. Or so Weiss thought.
“Good morning.” Blake says a little louder than a mumble as she strolls out of the kitchen past Weiss, bright and early on May 15th. “I have finals starting this morning and then I have a video call with the department this afternoon, so I’ll be fairly busy today. Just a heads up.”
Not how Weiss had expected her birthday morning to begin. But she quickly shakes it off and grabs the coffee Blake had left for her off of the counter and turns around.
“I’ll see you around lunch time then?” Weiss asks with a little hopefulness in her voice.
“Mhm.” Blake hums, taking a sip from her tea before spinning and turning to face Weiss once again. So she didn’t forget… “I can make us something or we could order takeout if you want. I don’t care which. Just let me know. I’ll see you in a few hours.” She presses a quick kiss to Weiss’ cheek before disappearing in the direction of her office. Leaving Weiss in somewhat stunned silence.
———
The first hour of her day, Weiss usually spent checking and responding to her emails. Today was no different. She had an email from her father, of all people. Well, it was most likely from one of his assistants, wishing her a happy birthday. She also had received multiple emails regarding birthday congratulations of some kind from all of the mailing lists she subscribed to, including a free drink from her favorite coffee shop down the street. She makes sure to save that one for later.
Once her emails are checked and taken care of, she mulls over her phone while she attempts to fill the half hour before her first video call of the day. There were messages from people she hadn’t spoken to in ages. Happy birthdays, well wishes, etc. But nothing from Yang, Ruby, Nora, Pyrrha. And certainly not a text message from Blake.
Had they all forgotten? Surely not. She hoped.
She powers through a handful of video and voice calls with people from around the world. Just before lunch time, she looks over to find her phone ringing. She knew there was one person in the world that was nearly infallible when it came to responsibilities, duties and deadlines.
“Hello Winter.”
“Weiss, happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
“I hope your day is going well and you aren’t working too terribly hard. Although I’m sure father wouldn’t allow you any reprieve.”
“You know him as well as I do.”
“Unfortunately.”
Weiss sighs heavily, her thoughts not too focused on anything having to do with work or her father. They were stuck on her friends, who had uncharacteristically not wished her a happy birthday. And her girlfriend, who was acting normal. Weiss falls into a short silence, forgetting to continue her conversation with her sister.
“Weiss, what is bothering you? Normally I’d have to place tape over your mouth to make you this quiet.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“It just that none of my friends, and even Blake, none of them have wished me happy birthday. Or even messaged me at all today.”
“Didn’t you say Blake has finals this week? Maybe she’s just trying to get them out of the way. Or she’s just trying to work through her obligations for the day.”
“That’s possible…” This time when she sighs, it’s not as heavy, just annoyed. Mostly at her own feelings of self importance. Blake wouldn’t forget her birthday, right? “Of course. I need to relax. It’s almost time for lunch, so I’ll chat with you later.”
“Of course, enjoy the rest of your birthday, Weiss.”
“Thank you Winter.”
She disconnects the call and puts her phone in her pocket and tidies up the desk before making her way back into the kitchen, where she finds Blake already there. She seems to be rushing, sliding plates and glasses across the counter and then setting them on the breakfast bar for them to sit and eat.
“Sorry to rush, but I forgot that I have to go to campus and grab some equipment I need for summer lectures and today is the only day that the building will be open for me to go grab it.” Blake shoves another bite of sandwich into her mouth. “And I have a meeting at two so I have to get to campus and get back here in like an hour. I know sandwiches aren’t exactly your favorite meal, but I promise I’ll make something better for dinner.” Blake says over her shoulder as she grabs her keys and begins to make her way to the front door.
“It’s fine.” Weiss says, nearly defeated, as she cleans up her plate and makes her way back to her office. What she doesn’t know is that Blake hears her slam the door before she leaves.
———
“She said ‘it’s fine’ and then slammed the door.”
“Yeah, because clearly it’s not fine.”
“Well duh, Yang. I’m not an idiot. I’m just worried that I’m taking it too far. Why can’t I just tell her happy birthday already? I’m worried that I’m going to upset her. I know she already thinks I forgot her birthday.” Blake confesses to her best friend as she loads the projector and some cables into her car and prepares to leave her office to head back home, to her other office.
“Listen, your plan is going to work. Don’t forget to stop by the ice cream shop and pick up the cake. Or else Ruby is going to kill you.”
“I know, I know. God forbid the line of people that want to kill me by the end of the day grow any longer.”
“Just chill. Weiss is going to be fine. She’s used to people fawning over her left and right. It will be good for her to struggle for half a day.” The comment gains a small chuckle from Blake.
“Okay well, just make sure everyone is ready later. I don’t know if I can handle a technical malfunction on top of a pissed off girlfriend in quarantine.”
“Everything will be handled. And I will text you when we are ready.”
“Thanks again, Yang.”
“No problem, good luck with the ice queen.”
When she gets home, Blake sneaks back into the kitchen and hides the cake towards the back of the freezer. Not that Weiss ever looked in there anyways. She would have to cook to know what was in there besides the ice cream that she stored conveniently on the door of the freezer.
The next few hours were touch and go. She set up the projector in the living room so that it would display on the empty wall behind the couch. All while trying not to disturb Weiss, or give her any idea as to what she was planning.
Blake sits through a two hour long meeting and proctors another two hour long final before ending her day just around six. Knowing that Weiss will be finishing her day around the same time, she slinks her way down the hall and back into the kitchen. Texting Yang, she makes sure that Yang’s plans are all set and everything is ready.
She hears a knock at the front door and goes to grab the food she had ordered them for dinner. Weiss’ favorite, of course. It doesn’t take long for Weiss to make her way back into the kitchen, Blake can feel the agitation rolling off of her. And she wants to feel bad but she knows that Weiss will hopefully forgive her.
Not wanting Weiss to see the birthday cake she has sitting on the kitchen counter, she walks around and grabs onto Weiss’ elbow and steers her away.
“Hey, can I show you something really quick?”
“What for?” There’s a grit in Weiss’ voice.
“Something I’ve been working on for a while and I want your opinion.”
Weiss rolls her eyes hard before mumbling to her girlfriend. “Sure, why not.”
“Okay cool.” Blake sets Weiss down on the chair opposite the couch and plugs her computer into the projector, clicking the power button on the remote, the projector comes to life and the wall in front of Weiss lights up.
So does Weiss’ face as the wall is filled with the faces of all of her friends. And they all yell happy birthday. She raises her hands and covers her mouth as she sees each and every one of them. Ruby, Yang, Pyrrha, Nora, Jaune, Ren, all of them. She even sees Winter and Whitley.
They spend the next hour or so chatting and Weiss nearly cries every time she looks over at Blake.
After they finish the video call, Blake moves them back to the table and they eat dinner and dessert. Weiss’ mood vastly having improved from the rest of the day.
“You thought I forgot, didn’t you?”
“No, no. I know you would never.” Weiss quickly dismisses the accusation.
“Come on, I knew you were mad this morning when I left your coffee on the counter.”
“Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed my birthday surprise. It was very effective and thoughtful, so thank you. You are as wonderful as always.”
“I know it wasn’t the best, but you know, quarantine.” Blake shrugs as she takes another bite of cake.
“It doesn’t hurt that I get to spend quarantine with the best person I know.” Blake smiles before leaning forward to give her a quick kiss.
“Happy birthday, Weiss.”