Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ilia sighed as she walked down the street with her luggage trolly trailing behind her. 

In retrospect quitting her job and leaving everything behind in Menagerie on a maybe was a really really stupid idea. She’d been so sure that after meeting Yang she could easily slide into their lives as their third. 

Blake had been kind and known of her feelings for years so when she’d called saying that Yang had agreed to try things out for a week she’d been over the broken moon about it. 

Blake had greeted her warmly as had Yang. The first night they’d simply spent time together as friends. Ilia hadn’t minded as she knew it was new for them and was the first night. She’d been sure she could charm them both with the week she’d been given. 

Only it hadn’t worked out that way. She’d spent time with Blake and Yang separately and together but something hadn’t felt right with either. 

Blake felt like she was withdrawing from her slightly when Yang wasn’t around, and she and Yang never really hit it off. 

She couldn’t even blame Yang as the girl was clearly trying her hardest and hadn’t withdrawn from her. While Yang was attractive there wasn’t any spark of romance she felt with her. It honestly felt more like hanging around with an older sister than a potential romantic partner. She’d even confessed as much to Yang today who’d told her she’d felt the same only it was more akin to her younger sister. 

She’d even gone a step further and told her that if Blake wanted to date her then she’d step aside and let her do so making Ilia realize that she truly loved Blake with all her heart, and made her feel like an incredible heel for trying to force her way into their lives because of a childhood crush or rather obsession she’d never let go of. 

She’d ended up crying into the girl’s bomber jacket as she gently soothed her and carried her to the guest room she was staying in. After she’d gotten herself under control she’d quietly asked Yang to help her pack. 

Yang had done so reluctantly and had stopped her to ask about her living situation since she’d stupidly told them about what she’d done to get here. 

She’d been honest and Yang had insisted on letting her pay for a hotel at least for her and she’d turned the offer down cold. While she appreciated the thought she’d already butted into their lives enough and wouldn’t impose on them financially just because she’d made a terrible decision. 

Yang was however persuasive and had eventually talked her into spending at least a few days with a friend of Blake’s and her sister while she got her feet under her. 

The blonde-haired “tough girl” then gave her a comforting hug and asked again if she was sure she wanted to go before she wished her “little sister” well after Ilia had insisted on walking since it was a short walk to her new potential home. 

She’d made sure the tears hadn’t fallen until she was out of the building. Yang was good for Blake. She blamed herself the most in all honesty. She’d seen Blake so infrequently and badgered her, or near enough when she was around to give her a chance, and Blake had relented most likely knowing the end result. 

She’d been trying to impose her feelings on them but no more. Blake would be free to be with Yang without Ilia coming between them. After spending time with Yang she honestly didn’t want to. 

She’d at first thought it a short fling or another human that might degrade her Faunus friend in private, but Yang had shattered every misconception or notion Ilia had secretly wished were true. 

Maybe she’d be able to go back to being friends with them one day but for now, she just wanted to meet the friends of Yang’s that she’d be living with for lack of a better option. 

She didn’t have that much money that she could afford to stay in a hotel long-term, nor would she want to, and heading home with her metaphorical tail between her legs was also out of the question. 

Coming to a modest home nestled at the end of the commercial district she blinked and double-checked the address. It was the correct one. To afford to purchase a home here the owners must be rather wealthy. No wonder Yang had said they wouldn’t mind putting her up for a few days. 

She lugged her meager two suitcases on a trolly after herself up the short walkway to the house past several lawn ornaments that looked like monsters from the Cold Creeps book she’d enjoyed as a guilty pleasure even though they were intended for children. Supposedly the author was coming out with a more adult version of the books soon. She’d been wanting to look into it but hadn’t found the time to do so yet. 

She pushed down her nerves and knocked on the door only to hear a peppy “Coming!” from inside the house. Well, at least they sounded like happy people. 

The door opened to reveal what Ilia would admit was a rather attractive woman wearing a red hoodie and a pair of shorts with snowflakes on them making Ilia wonder if the woman even knew what the temperature was. Her black hair was ruffled and ended with red tips. Strangely enough, her smile reminded her of Yang’s. Bright and full of life, perhaps even more so than Yang. This would be the sister then. 

“Ruby slow down. We aren’t all speed freaks like you are,” Chastised a more refined voice as they came to the door. 

“Hello I’m Weiss and you must be Ilia. Pleased to meet you. Blake has talked about you for years! Come on in,” The aforementioned Weiss waved her on in with a smile before she could argue and held out one of Ilia’s bags for Ruby to take, which she did with no visible effort showing that she was much stronger than Ilia had thought. 

As Weiss closed the door behind her she began more proper introductions. 

“As I said I’m Weiss Schnee for the time being at least,” Weiss said as she cast a glance towards Ruby and smiled. “This dolt is Ruby Rose,” Weiss gestured to the girl at her side who waved so vigorously that Ilia felt compelled to smile and send a wave back which seemed to make the girl’s day. 

“You said you’re Weiss… Schnee?” Ilia asked, making sure she had the correct one in front of her. 

The alabaster beauty nodded. Even if she hadn’t said it the looks confirmed her heritage just as her choice of a relaxed pair of jeans and a blue cardigan sweater confirmed she was the only Schnee Ilia would willingly associate with. 

“Yes. I hope that’s not a problem. If it is, I can find a way to make myself scarce while you’re staying as our guest,” Weiss offered only for Ilia to correct her. 

“No, no no. You’re fine. You’re the only one of your family I’d stay with. I appreciate everything you’re doing helping with Faunus rights,” Ilia explained hurriedly as Ruby began snickering beside Weiss prompting them both to look at her for an explanation. 

“S-she she said you were fine ,” Ruby giggled as Ilia felt herself flush as Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. 

“Ruby sometimes I swear I think you’re twelve,” Weiss said as she tried to look sternly at the giggling goober. 

“I hope you weren’t thinking that last niiiiight!” Ruby sing-songed as Weiss’s face erupted into a full blush and Ilia felt herself follow suit imagining the two attractive women in less clothing. Still, she had to admit it was rather funny so she giggled a bit as her skin settled back into its normal state. 

“That’s so cool!” Ruby declared as she looked over Ilia’s skin and face rather closely, making Ilia tense a small bit before Weiss pulled her back and away from Ilia’s personal space. 

“Excuse her. She means well but doesn’t always think about what she’s doing,” Weiss apologized as Ruby pouted which she somehow managed to pull off despite being an adult. 

“We were about to have dinner soon and there’s more than enough to share. Would you like a chance to wash up and then eat something with us?” Weiss offered the choice to Ilia who thought about declining before realizing she hadn’t eaten much all day and shyly accepted the offer. 

“Wonderful. Ruby can show you to the guest room, and then I’ll set a plate for you. Are you allergic to anything?” Weiss asked in concern and Ilia shook her head a little baffled at how kind these people were as she followed Ruby who easily took both of her bags with a smile and began walking off.  

Logically she’d known that Weiss wasn’t like her family. Her older sister had joined the military but hadn’t done much after that, seemingly content to simply escape her father which Ilia could empathize with to a degree. 

Weiss however had taken the opposite approach and completed every task her father laid before her and once she’d inherited the company on her twenty-first birthday the first thing she’d done was set about having him investigated and arrested while she herself managed to oust the more corrupt board members. 

She’d then replaced them with those who supported equal rights for all and several Faunus were now on the board of the Schnee Electric Corp. She’d continued making strides towards equality for Faunus and had started or donated to numerous charities. 

All in all, it was this radical and extremely strong push for Faunus equalization that had stayed the White Fang’s hand from turning more violent out of frustration at not having their voices heard. 

They continued to protest but from what she understood Sienna had met with Weiss and they were now working together for the betterment of all. She’d even turned over a few of the more militant members of the White Fang such as Adam who were set on a course for violence regardless of the cost it would take on their movement. 

Things looked better for the Faunus than they had in a long time and Ilia was willing to overlook her last name because she’d proven herself a good person who was making it mean something good again. 

She followed Ruby into the room who gave her a bright smile, placed her luggage on the bed, and offered a playful salute which Ilia felt compelled to return if only because Ruby seemed to adore it when she played along. 

“After you’re settled in, feel free to come downstairs and eat. We’ll wait for you! No two ways about it!” Ruby said cutting off Ilia’s protest. 

“Are you…sure?” Ilia asked and Ruby nodded enthusiastically at her. 

“Sure am! Weiss and I love having guests and we’ve been wanting to meet you for years!” Ruby declared to Ilia’s confusion. 

“But…why?”

“When we met Blake back in high school she talked about you. How you could be impulsive but were more passionate than anyone she’d ever known for Faunus rights, and how you always wanted to do the right thing. She said you were a great friend and so we’ve been wanting to meet you ever since!” Ruby explained as she flung her arms open wide in a dramatic gesture for some reason Ilia couldn’t fathom. 

“She…doesn’t like me that much,” Ilia said bitterly even as she knew that wasn’t Blake’s fault. 

She was startled as she felt a hand on her shoulder and found herself looking into silver eyes that were much closer than she’d thought they’d be. 

“I’m sorry Ilia. I know Blake really does like you, but not the way you wanted. She kinda confessed that to us earlier this week when you were hanging out with Yang,” Ruby said delicately. 

“I…figured as much. I spoke with Yang earlier and left because I realized that as much as I chased after and idolized her I didn’t really know her other than the idea I had in my head from when we were kids. Yang is a really great person too I just…don’t fit in,” Ilia said despondently. 

“Hey now! None of that. You don’t fit in with them but there’s someone or someones out there that are the perfect fit for you! You’re pretty and from what Blake told us really clever, plus we know you’re super passionate about the stuff you care for! Those are all really good qualities to look for in a partner!” Ruby assured her as Ilia flushed under Ruby’s sincere and effusive praise never having been good at or used to receiving compliments. 

“Y-you really mean that?” Ilia hated herself for sounding so weak and child-like. 

“Trust me she does,” Came a voice from behind them as Ilia felt even more embarrassed that someone else heard her sounding so pathetic. Even if it was the good Schnee. 

“Ruby has almost no filter. If she thinks something she says it regardless of the consequences…for either of us,” Weiss said, her eyes narrowing playfully at Ruby. 

“Oh come on Weiss that was years ago,” Ruby nervously rubbed the back of her head and looked towards Ilia for a save even though she had no idea what she was supposed to do in this situation. 

“Ruby, when my sister asked you how you enjoyed your stay at our home in high school, you told her she had the best bed for fooling around with Weiss in ,” Weiss retorted, her eyes still narrowed. 

“I thought she knew and didn’t want to lie!” Ruby wailed dramatically as Ilia tried and failed to stifle the laughter bubbling up from her throat. 

Only after they both looked at her did she realize what she was doing but to her surprise rather than snap they both joined in.

“Uh, is the food on fire?” Ruby asked after a minute and Weiss waved dismissively. 

“Nothing of the sort. I simply realized we can eat it tomorrow and put it away. I did however find a large tub of ice cream, some spoons, and some terrible movies for us to watch and waste the evening if you’d care to join us Ilia?” Weiss extended the offer to the girl. 

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to get in the way,” Ilia responded, trying not to jump on the chance too quickly as she turned around to face Weiss. 

“Nah this is nice Weiss! She likes spending time with people. Besides, we already told you we wanted to meet you for a while!” Ruby said from behind her. 

“Indeed. When you are a guest in this house we won’t leave you alone unless you wish for it. We treat you as one of the family here,” Weiss said to reassure Ilia who accepted with a nod as Ruby cheered and Weiss gave her a gentle smile. 

Ruby looped her arm with Ilia and gently dragged her along ignoring Weiss’s plea’s that she at least ask before she kidnapped someone. 

To her credit, after arriving in the living room she did ask and Ilia could barely stammer out an “It’s ok,” with her face totally red after being so close to the attractive woman. 

Of course, telling her it was fine only caused the girl to glomp her in a hug which hadn’t helped Ilia's mental state at all. 

Thankfully Weiss had appeared and pulled her off Ilia and made her go get the ice cream to give Ilia a bit of space. 

“Again I’m sorry about her. She’s just…exuberant. And we really have been looking forward to meeting you for a while now,” Weiss apologized as Ilia just nodded and tried to smile. She wasn’t sure if she managed it completely but Weiss seemed happy with it as Ruby came literally skipping back into the room with an enormous tub of ice cream. 

“Ok, so this is the triple flavor tub! Do you like chocolate?” Ruby asked Ilia as if it was the most important question of her life. 

Thankfully she did like chocolate and said as much as Ruby smiled and handed her a spoon. 

“Finally! We’ve been trying to find a chocolate buddy for ages! Weiss likes vanilla cause she’s boring,” Ruby said and dodged the cushion only to get nailed by the follow-up and sputter as she removed it from her face and continued. “Anyway I like strawberry and that leaves the chocolate all for you ice cream buddy!” Ruby said as she sat the tub in between Ilia's seat on the couch as she sat down next to her and Weiss leaned over to select a movie to put into the disc tray. 

Ilia felt herself heat up as the Schnee, or rather Weiss, seemed content to weigh the pros and cons of each movie as she bent over the chest containing all the films. She then slowly took the box and read it before removing the disc and inserting it into the tray bent over the entire time. 

She only realized that she was staring…intently when Ruby elbowed her gently. She expected a harsh reprimand or perhaps even being expelled from the house but instead got an understanding nod. 

“I know right? She’s totally doing it on purpose,” Ruby whispered and Ilia shoved a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth so she wouldn’t say anything stupid as Ruby followed suit beside her as Weiss turned around and walked back to the couch and retrieved her spoon. 

Ilia was unable to recall much of the movie, only that it had been as bad as promised. What she did remember were the amusing stories from the couple on either side of her that they brought up when something tangentially related in the movie happened. They’d even managed to coax a few stories out of Ilia. It was…strange. 

She’d expected to feel like an outsider after what had happened with the other two. Despite Blake and Yang’s best efforts, it had never really felt like she belonged there. Conversation was had but it wasn’t about anything substantial, or for any reason more like going through the motions which was what she’d been expecting tonight. 

Ruby and Weiss had seemed as genuine as they came and almost always made sure she was included in the conversation and seemed to want to know her thoughts and what she had to say and asked about her interest in regards to anything that came up. 

In fact with Weiss’s kind directness and Ruby’s lack of boundaries and seemingly limitless energy she’d learned far more about the two of them in one conversation than she’d learned about Yang in the entire five days she’d stayed with her. 

Not that, that was entirely Yang’s fault they just didn’t click like she’d wanted. Perhaps part of that was Ilia’s very vocal interest in dating both of them or at least Blake which had led to some hesitance on both their parts. 

Ruby even had a notepad with her that she scribbled important things about Ilia down on such as her birthday, April third, favorite ice cream, it actually was chocolate, and much more. Ruby promised she’d commit the information to memory soon despite Ilia’s protest that she didn’t need to. 

She had learned that Ruby’s birthday was on Halloween which would thankfully be easy to remember as she adored the holiday as Ruby apparently did. Weiss’s was the fifteenth of May which would be harder to remember but not impossible. If Ruby and Weiss were going to go so far to make her feel comfortable then the least she could do was remember her birthday. 

After they’d made a fair dent in the ice cream Weiss had replaced it and taken their dirty spoons to the kitchen while Ruby asked if she’d like to play a board game. Since it was still fairly early she’d agreed only for Ruby to pull out some sort of space adventure board game Weiss had shot down as soon as she’d seen it. 

“Ruby that game can cause a divorce the way you play it. Pick something else,” Weiss demanded when she returned a few minutes later with cups of hot chocolate. Personally, Ilia wasn’t used to consuming so much sugar at one time so made a note to drink it slowly. 

Weiss must have noticed her hesitance because she also handed Ilia a water bottle and explained as she sat down. “Ruby’s a bit of a sugar fiend, and she’s slowly corrupted me. You’re not used to it though so don’t feel the need to try and keep up, although if you stick around she’ll probably get you one day,” Weiss said teasingly as Ruby looked up from where she was rummaging for board games to cackle like a gremlin until Ilia surprised herself by picking up and hitting her with a plastic coaster that bounced off her hoodie. 

She was again surprised that rather than get upset Ruby had laughed and Weiss had praised her aim while holding out her hand for a high five she granted slowly but seemed to please Weiss. 

“I see how it is now!” Ruby stated dramatically before Weiss tossed her own coaster at the silver-eyed girl who laughed in response and went back to looking for a three-player board game. 

They’d eventually settled for a card game although Ruby promised to find some three-player board games or she’d drag out some of her game systems, which Ilia wouldn’t mind getting to play at a later date. 

They’d even managed to turn the game into a way to get to know more about Ilia with the winner asking one of the losers a question. Ilia wasn’t sure who won overall but she did notice that almost every question they asked was put to her and Ruby wrote a lot of notes in her pocket notepad while Weiss looked thoughtful like she was committing the information to memory. She’d won a few hands herself and tried to keep the questions even between the two of them.

Honestly, it was all she could do to focus on the game and not feel overwhelmed at the attention and acceptance they were showing her.

Eventually, she had broken and started crying. She was sure they’d realize what a mess she was and kick her out only to feel the couch dip as they sat on either side of her and asked if she wanted to talk about it. 

It was stupid, weak, childish, and so many other things to people who’d been nothing but kind to her, but she poured out her heart to them. Her unrequited love for Blake which she realized was her own fault as Blake hadn’t led her on, and even tried to give her a chance and that she might not have even really loved her only been obsessed.  Her life and how the Schnee Company had made it worse for everyone she’d known which Weiss bore with admirable aplomb and hadn’t even tried to defend her family at all. Her time in the White Fang and some of the things she’d done. How she hated them for making her think they cared, and how it wasn’t fair they were so nice to her when she’d done nothing to deserve it and why did they care so much.

Eventually, she’d just continued sobbing for a while as Weiss began humming, rubbing her back and Ruby tensed and slowly, haltingly began talking about her own life. 

Losing her mother to cancer which had caused Yang’s mother to vanish, and later lose her father and Uncle to drink. How she and Yang had to raise each other and hadn’t had much of a chance for a childhood but they had each other. 

That she’d become an author to make her mother proud and follow in her footsteps, and how her life changed for the better when she ran into a pretty, but volatile girl during her first day of high school, which Ilia managed a small giggle at when Weiss scowled but continued humming. 

She then talked about the difficulties they faced in life and how much time and energy Weiss put into her efforts, and how so many days she’d work herself ragged, or to the bone and Ruby would have to take care of her because she just gave and gave without taking care of herself to the point that she made herself sick several times which Weiss looked uncomfortable the reminder of. 

Ruby had taken over humming something entirely different as she rubbed Ilia’s back and Weiss spoke next. Explaining to Ilia about her upbringing. How her father had given her the famous scar she now bore when she refused to follow his instructions once when she was eleven. How her mother turned to drink and stopped being her mother once she found out her father only married her for the family name. Her sister had left her as soon as she could and it had strained their relationship ever since. She tried so hard to be there and take all the expectations for both herself and her brother that he became resentful of her and she was still trying to patch up the relationship to this day. 

How she’d been run into by a red hooded menace her first day in high school and met Blake at the same time and that was the day her life truly changed for the better. 

How she was forced to fight an uphill battle every day to get Faunus treated as they should be. The death threats from both sides of the issue and the constant nerve-wracking meetings and wondering if she’d let everyone down.

They hadn’t said much after that, but Ilia felt paradoxically better after unburdening herself even if she hadn’t meant to. The other two hadn’t judged her or even brought up her skin changing colors as she lost control of her emotions and had shared with her in return. 

Ruby had drawn a blanket over the trio and they’d fallen asleep on the couch. 

Ilia woke up feeling warm and content. She burrowed further into the source of warmth and opened her eyes slightly and noticed the other two had fallen asleep with their heads on each of her shoulders and holding hands across Ilia’s stomach which she found adorable.

Waking up like this was nice. She felt safe and loved for the first time in a long time. Perhaps she’d get a little more sleep before she got up for the day. 

Just as she was about to fall asleep her mind wandered back to her previous thoughts and her eyes went wide. 

Loved. 

Oh…Oh god. It was happening again. 

Chapter Text

Ilia didn’t get much if any sleep after her revelation. How hadn’t she seen this coming? She’d missed all the signs. How could she possibly have at least a crush on a pair of women she’d just met and now had to stay with for who knows how long? 

This was bad. They were clearly dating each other. But they were so nice. Oh god, why did this have to happen to her? She nearly squealed when Weiss burrowed into her side for more warmth and tightened her grip on Ruby’s hand which had gone under her shirt at some point and rested on her bare stomach. Oh, that felt nice…WAIT NO THIS WAS THE WORST. 

Ok, she could do this. She’d take a few deep breaths, ignore the pleasant scent of roses and vanilla and think things through. She could do this. 

She could just ignore the two women who were clearly interested in being her friends and she knew them wanting to get to know her any other way was a laughable proposition so she could accept being a friend. 

Apparently, they cuddled with friends. That was…also fine. She could deal with friends or just assume they did it because of the emotionally draining conversation they’d had last night, right? 

If worse came to worse she could just tell them she was uncomfortable with it and they’d probably stop. Granted she’d only known them for the night but they seemed remarkably accommodating. 

Ok, so she’d just spend time with them as friends, and ignore how nice they were, or how pretty they looked with ruffled hair and soft white braids that looked so good when it was undone, and she was so screwed. 

Was this going to be her life? At least she hadn’t bought a ticket and quit her job for this rejection, she thought bitterly. They’d also probably be upfront about it rather than let her get any sort of false hope which was also nice. Or she could just try and enjoy making friends with two incredibly attractive women who also wanted to be her friend and try not to embarrass herself in the process. 

Her thoughts were interrupted as the sun from the window peaked through at just the right angle to land on Ruby’s face, making Ilia marvel at how pretty she was for just a moment before she reigned the thought back in and settled for watching the girl wake up to see what her reaction would be to the entire situation. 

For a moment she merely blinked and looked confused before she looked up at Ilia and smiled. 

“Hey, are you feeling alright?” Ruby asked in a soft voice with an equally soft smile clearly aware that Weiss was still asleep.  

“I’m good,” Ilia squeaked out as Ruby nodded at her and yawned cutely. 

“Would you like some breakfast? I usually cook in the morning since Weiss gets home later. I like to let her sleep in,” Ruby offered and explained. 

“If it’s not too much trouble, breakfast would be lovely,” Ilia said, managing a small but sincere small that Ruby beamed at before she frowned and looked around. 

“Is something the matter?” Ilia ventured, not sure why the happy girl was frowning and not liking seeing it. 

“Oh no. Weiss is pretty clingy so I usually give her a pillow or something to cuddle into so I don’t wake her up,” Ruby said as she looked around at the couch which was bereft of cushions since Weiss had thrown several at her face last night. 

“Say…Ilia?” Ruby began as she slowly turned toward the girl who felt herself heat up slightly and her skin change colors at the sight of Ruby looking coyly at her and sending her imagination into overdrive. 

“Y-y-y-Yes?” Ilia managed to stutter out after a few attempts. 

“Would you be willing to help me out so I can make us something to eat?” Ruby said and Ilia blinked, not expecting such a simple request. 

“Sure what do you need?” Ilia asked much more relaxed now that her imagination wasn’t running wild.

Feeling her hand being moved she blushed before she saw Ruby grab her hand and remove her own from Weiss’s grip which immediately began trying to grab onto something which Ruby supplied in the form of Ilia’s hand.

“Thanks a bunch! I’ll make it up to you later!” Ruby promised with a smile that nearly stopped Ilia’s heart on its own with its brilliance and that wasn’t even counting the fact that another gorgeous woman was holding her hand. Sure she was asleep and apparently would have cuddled into anything but still. 

As Ruby hummed and walked to the kitchen Ilia got another look in that was probably not very friend rated and whimpered as Weiss pulled her slightly closer in her sleep. This wasn’t fair at all. 

Somehow she managed to drift off only to wake up as Weiss gently shook her awake. Ilia blinked as she looked at the SEC head with her hair down and her sleep-addled mind blurted out the first honest thought she had. “Your hair is so pretty down.”

Weiss blinked as she looked at her with a small touch of pink on her cheeks before she laughed and thanked her as her own skin flushed a vibrant orange-red before it started to slowly go back to normal.  

“Ruby probably almost has breakfast ready. You should go get changed while I go help her,” Weiss offered to Ilia who merely nodded her head not wanting to say anything else embarrassing although she did wonder why Weiss’s face gained a small smirk.

“Ilia?”

“Yes?” 

“I need my hand,” Weiss said simply as she pointed down and Ilia looked down, confirming she was grabbing it tightly before she gently let go. 

“Sorry!” She apologized not wanting the girl to be upset or think she was trying to get fresh with her or take liberties or anything untoward. 

“It’s alright,” Weiss assured the girl, looking entirely sincere. “I know I’m a clingy sleeper and Ruby didn’t want to skip on making breakfast so she probably forced you to do it. Am I right?” 

Ilia nodded because telling her that she absolutely didn’t mind wasn’t required when she could just agree with the attractive woman in front of her instead. 

“I figured. That girl. Always getting us into trouble. Life would be pretty boring without her though,” Weiss mused as she got up and readjusted her cardigan. “For what it’s worth thank you. You’re an exceptionally comfortable pillow by the way,” Weiss winked at her as she walked away leaving Ilia’s face flaming once more as her skin changed and she pulled the blanket over her head and fell over onto the spot Weiss had just been occupying. She was so screwed. 

Screwed, and not in the fun way Ilia threw off the blanket and made her way to her as of yet unused guest room and shut the door. Thankfully the house while a decent size wasn’t so large she needed a guide to get around like she imagined the other less worthwhile members of her family lived in. 

Good but not ostentatious. She was better than her family name. She had to be if someone like Ruby who seemed to exude kindness was willing to be with her. 

Of course, this was all supposition and she hadn’t spent enough time around them to say for sure yet as all she had to go on was her limited interactions and the occasional story from…Blake or Yang. 

Putting those thoughts aside she grabbed a simple pair of shorts with a T-shirt that had a Cold Creeps logo on it Sun had bought for her as a gift on her last birthday. She smiled as she thought of her goofy friend who had always supported her before she took a quick shower so she could eat breakfast while it was still warm and maybe spend a little more time with the other two. 

She came back down into the kitchen to see Weiss was the only one there making her raise her eyebrow. Weiss waved her over to an empty seat with a filled plate. 

“Good choice of shirt. It’ll earn you a lot of brownie points with Ruby,” Weiss said as she opened the fridge to remove a carton of juice and pour a glass for Ilia and set it next to her plate. 

“Oh Does she like the books too? And where is…Ruby exactly?” Ilia asked feeling slightly out of place in the lovely home as she sat down at the place setting.

“Ruby usually gets up earlier to get a run in before breakfast. She slept in a bit so she’s going for a quick one. She’ll be back in a few minutes and eat before she takes a shower,” Weiss explained the woman’s absence before she remembered the other question and answered. 

“And you could say she’s something of a fan of the books,” Weiss said teasingly making Ilia wonder what she was missing as Weiss went to take another bite of her oatmeal and gestured towards Ilia’s plate reminding her to eat before it got cold.

At her first bite, Ilia was hooked. Neither she nor any of her friends were anything better than “passable” as cooks but this was delectable and she wasted no time in scraping her plate clean! 

The semi-sweet oatmeal and buttered toast were an excellent contrast to the eggs and crispy bacon and settled nicely in her stomach. Even the orange juice didn’t upset her sometimes easy to upset stomach which was one of the few things she had in common with Blake and their shared love of tea or sometimes hot chocolate. 

A slight giggle from her side made Ilia remember she was in the room with another person. A Schnee even! Ok, the good one but still she was probably mortified and repulsed by her manners.

“I guess I’ll be able to tell Ruby she has another fan of her breakfasts,” Weiss said sounding amused and pleased rather than annoyed as Ilia expected. 

“I’m so sorry. It’s just so good! Most of my friends or people from the White Fang and I aren’t very good cooks,” Ilia attempted to explain as she felt her markings turn pink in embarrassment as she looked down before she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Weiss smiling gently at her reminding Ilia that she was in fact very very gay. 

“It’s alright really. Despite eating rather quickly you still have better table manners than most people I know Ruby included. Although she’s getting better. Slowly,” Weiss said like she was sharing a bit of gossip as Ilia nodded seriously and managed to hold her laughter in for several seconds before she let out a snort and slew of giggles that Weiss joined in with a more refined chuckle. 

“Hey, Weiss is Ilia up yet?” Ruby asked as she came into the room in her sports bra and running shorts as Weiss stood to greet her with a chaste kiss. 

Ilia was however exceeding distracted by the strong arms, toned stomach, and wonderful chest on display which only worsened when Weiss pointed in her direction to an ecstatic Ruby who bounded over and gave her a quick hug before Weiss chastised her for doing so since she was sweaty and sent her to clean up while Ilia continued to turn redder the longer she was in the room. 

Weiss shook her head fondly as the other woman promised to be back “super fast”. 

Ilia realized there was no way Weiss hadn’t noticed her staring and prepared for the patented Schnee anger or possessiveness to manifest itself only for Weiss to smile indulgently at her and reassure her instead. 

“It’s alright Ilia I’m not upset.”

“But I was looking! Staring at her even!” Ilia protested although why she wasn’t just accepting the free out she was handed not even she knew.

“It’s fine. You didn’t go peeping at her, and besides, I get it. I can’t blame you for admiring a wonderful work of art when it’s shoved in your face,” Weiss said as she patted her hand and grabbed her plate. 

“Trust me I was just as bad. Growing up with my…family I wasn’t used to someone being as “free-spirited” as Ruby, but I got used to it. You’ll probably get used to it too if you stick around,” Weiss said and began running water for the dishes even as Ilia privately disagreed about getting used to such a sight. Not that she wouldn’t mind per se getting to test that theory no matter how many times it took. 

She forced the thoughts aside and stood to offer to help Weiss with the dishes. The woman smiled and handed her a candy cane colored towel to dry with as the two worked in companionable silence to make quick work of the dishes and even managed to finish them before Ruby came back. 

“What would you like to do today Ilia?” Weiss asked politely as she dried her hands on the towel Ilia handed her. 

“I’m not…actually sure. I didn’t have a great plan when I left Blake’s,” Ilia admitted as Weiss nodded sympathetically.  

“Well, I need to make a brief stop into the SEC location in Vale this morning to sign some paperwork but other than that I’m mostly free and Ruby will work from home,” Weiss said as she hung up the hand towel to dry and gently bit her lip which Ilia very much didn’t focus on.  

“Why don’t you spend some time with Ruby? I’m sure she’d be ecstatic to show you her work and get your opinion on it. Although she’ll probably drag you out to look for more games we can all play together later, or maybe one of her game systems,” Weiss said with a fond smile before she turned it onto Ilia who through an act of supreme willpower managed to smile back. 

“I would appreciate your help later too if you’re amenable to it,” Weiss said and Ilia cocked her head, unable to guess what Weiss would need her help with. 

Weiss picked up on the silent question and explained. “Part of the push for equality is helping the Faunus get some of the things they need to stand on their own and setting up infrastructure or various things to help with that. I believe you’d have a unique insight I lack so I’d like to pick your brain on what could most benefit Faunus. I’ve tried to be as general as I can but I believe you would have more specifics that would help a great deal,” Weiss said as Ilia felt rather touched and settled for nodding with a smile. 

“Great! I’ll let you spend some time with Ruby this morning and maybe after lunch or this evening you can help me out a bit?” Weiss asked.

“It’s a date!” Ilia declared before she realized what she said and covered her mouth as her marking glowed pink again. 

“Ruby’s right, that is pretty neat,” Weiss mused as she looked at Ilia.  

“You don’t have to feel bad every time you say something, Ilia. I apologize if we seem a bit forward or break any of your personal boundaries such as last night when we fell asleep on the sofa together. We should have asked and for that I’m sorry. Based on our upbringings and friends we don’t stand on a large amount of ceremony here. Yang has offered to date me or steal me away from Ruby so many times it’s lost any effect it might have had,” Weiss said as she smiled apologetically towards her. 

“No, it's fine. It was…nice,” Ilia said softly as she ignored the pang of jealousy she felt that Yang thought Weiss was good enough to date and she wasn't. It wasn't that she didn't think Weiss wasn't worth dating but...no use getting mad about it so she let the thought go. 

“I’m glad but we want you to feel comfortable here as a guest. If that means telling us you need space then tell us to back off, or if you’re sad and need someone to talk to or a hug then feel free to ask for that too. We want to help take care of you if you’ll let us but we have no wish to force anything on you at all,” Weiss explained sincerely as she pushed off the counter and began making her way to the living room before she paused at the threshold and looked back at Ilia with a teasing face.

“You know you do have one advantage Yang doesn’t have in that regard don’t you?” Weiss teased. 

“Um…no,” Ilia responded lamely, not sure how she could have anything the taller, stronger, and gorgeous older sister of Ruby wouldn’t have. 

“You’re much cuter than she is,” Weiss said impishly with a wink and left without another word as Ilia felt her knees hit the floor as Weiss walked away. 

She was going to die. It was going to be entirely worth it though. She maneuvered so she was sitting Indian-style on the floor and leaned her head back against the cabinets and closed her eyes. 

This was…so much better and more comfortable than things had been at Blake’s. Even if nothing was going to happen between them they were both so considerate of her needs, and feelings, or at least they seemed to be so far. 

Some of that was likely her fault though. She wasn’t insisting on dating them and constantly trying to woo them in a hurry which had contributed to some of the awkwardness. She’d do her best to be their friends as they clearly had stated they desired to be hers and settle for that. 

And Weiss wanted her help . She’d always wanted to help the Faunus and had thought the White Fang could help with that. She’d even been ready to throw in her lot with the likes of Adam until the sudden turnaround of the SEC. 

Adam hadn’t cared about the changes that were happening. All he’d wanted was to hurt others in revenge for what he’d gone through. She could see that now that he’d never cared overly about the Faunus as long as he got his own personal revenge. It made her upset when she thought of how blind she was to it for the sake of getting her own payback against the company that had hurt her friends. 

And then she’d met Weiss last night and truly been able to believe that she was the real deal and wipe away the last of her doubts on her sincerity. She was kind, understanding, and truly wanted to help and was asking Ilia of all people to assist her in delivering it.

 It was a massive opportunity for her. She’d never have the chance to make more of an impact than she could this afternoon in a few hours with Weiss as they plotted out how best to help Faunus everywhere. It was such an incredible feeling and she felt so blessed to have it. 

She felt a smile pull at her face. Maybe her love life wasn’t going well but she’d gotten two amazing potential friends out of the deal and the chance to truly help the Faunus for the first time in her life. 

She was distracted as Ruby sat down next to her and began scarfing down a bowl of oatmeal with bananas and strawberries in it. When she noticed Ilia’s attention was on her she stopped and swallowed before she waved at her with a bright grin even though she was less than a foot away. 

Much like before however Ilia felt compelled to return the wave if only because Ruby was so earnest and enthusiastic about spending time with her. Ruby grinned at the return wave before she pointed a finger at the shirt and reached over her head to set her bowl on the counter above her before she turned to face Ilia directly. 

“So chocolate buddy!” Ruby started with a large smile as she nearly vibrated in place. “One day in Creeper Land? A good book or bestest book?” 

Ilia giggled at the question before she considered her answer with all the seriousness the question deserved. “I don’t know is it as good as How I found my Shrunken Creep?”

“Or what about Say Creeps and Fries?”

“That was the weirdest book of them all!” Ilia giggled as Ruby nodded enthusiastically. 

“Yeah, it’s always fun to do some weird stuff though. Creep from the East was pretty fun but I think one night in Creeper Tower is gonna be my favorite,” Ruby declared to Ilia’s confusion.

“Is that going to be a new one?” Ilia asked, having never heard of it. 

“Yeah it’s about a Faunus who gets stuck in the tower overnight and it turns out she’s a princess from another time period who was sent to the future to hide her from an evil creep warlock who wanted to kill her and take the throne!”  Ruby gushed with wide gestures and a happy smile as she explained the book to Ilia. 

“That’s amazing. I’ve never heard of that one before,” Illia responded eyes lighting up at the prospect of a book she hasn’t read. 

“I have it in my workroom wanna go read it?” Ruby asked excitedly as Ilia nodded happily. 

“Hooray! Come on then! Times a wastin!” Ruby said as she hopped up and extended her hand to Ilia who took it gently and managed to suppress her blush this time. 

As they made it to the second floor they nearly ran into Weiss who was wearing a business suit that had Ilia’s mouth run dry. She’d seen Weiss before on tv in the suit but seeing it in person was another matter entirely. The only thing better was if Ruby was wearing one too, or if neither was. She quickly shut down that train of thought and paid attention to the other two. 

“Hey, Weiss have a good one. Oh, wait. Who’s on guard duty today?” Ruby asked seriously as she exchanged a quick kiss with Weiss while Ilia blushed at getting to watch the two attractive women kiss. 

“Don’t worry. It’s Hazel I’ll be fine,” Weiss said as Ruby visibly relaxed at hearing the name before she continued “And you know who will be dropping by for you in a while so I know you’ll be in good hands. Plus Ilia will keep you entertained I’m sure,” Weiss said with a smile and a brief hug Ilia managed to return before she descended the stairs and left the home. 

“What…guard duty does she mean Ruby?” Ilia asked having a sinking feeling in her stomach as Ruby’s face dropped slightly. 

“Weiss has uh made a lot of people mad with all the work she’s doing. I’m super proud of her but she gets a lot of hate for it and even death threats sometimes,” Ruby said wringing her hands as Ilia’s eye widened. 

“From the rich humans that don’t like what she’s doing?” Ilia asked and her stomach sank further when Ruby gave her a pained smile.

“Ruby…what’s wrong?” Ilia asked not liking the woman when she was like this. This melancholy didn’t suit her.

“It’s…not just from humans,” Ruby whispered as Ilia gasped. She’s heard it last night but having it confirmed not only made it worse now that she knew the woman better. 

“Really? But why?” Was all Ilia could manage to stutter out. 

“Uh well for a lot of people and Faunus I guess they made more money with the status quo. Gave them something to be angry about and rally against, but if the biggest target turns around and becomes one of their strongest advocates then they don’t have that to rally hate against and if people aren’t angry then maybe they’d realize they don’t need to listen to those people. Don’t need to hate others. So they don’t like what she’s doing,” Ruby said her expression downcast as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt and Ilia moved forward of her own accord and hugged the woman. 

“I’m sorry Ruby. Weiss doesn’t deserve that,” Ilia said as she rubbed the other woman’s back as Ruby returned the hug. 

“It’s ok,” Ruby said as she pulled away eyes still a little watery. “It’s the right thing to do, but it can be a little dangerous so she has a guard. Uh me too actually,” Ruby admitted as she poked her index fingers together and averted her eyes. 

“Why you?” Ilia nearly cried. Despite having just met the woman the day before it was clear that she was a wonderful and beautiful person in every way. “What could you have possibly done?”

“Uh well it would upset Weiss so from what they tell me that’s enough to make me a target,” Ruby shrugged seemingly oddly unphased by that. 

“Is it really that bad?” Ilia asked once more wanting for Ruby to tell her it had all been a cruel joke which was dashed when Ruby grimaced. 

“It’s not so bad anymore, and here in Vale it’s actually pretty good. One of the reasons we stay here is because it’s a lot safer. If we were in Menagerie or Atlas we’d basically have to be under constant guard, but now it’s mostly keeping some watchers around for when we go out. We have a pretty good home security system!” Ruby explained.

“I’m sorry Ruby. That Faunus aren’t recognizing what Weiss is doing and for making your lives miserable,” Ilia said feeling terrible even though she knew she had nothing to do with it. 

A hand on her shoulder startled her as she followed the arm and saw Ruby smiling at her. 

“It’s ok. Like I said I’m proud of what she’s doing. It’s the right thing to do and not every Faunus is gonna be the crazy kind. I bet there’s lots more totally cool ones like you!” Ruby praised Ilia as she returned her hand to her side. 

“Anyway, that’s enough depressing stuff for now yeah?” Ruby said as she forced a smile and grabbed Ilia’s hand to pull her along to one of the rooms she hadn’t explored yet. 

“Welcome to my lair! Bwhahaha!” Ruby declared dramatically as she pushed open the door to reveal the most normal-looking room in existence which caused Ilia to give Ruby a flat look as she giggled and led her inside and closed the door. 

“I know it doesn’t look like much but here’s where all the magic happens!” Ruby said as she dramatically wiggled her fingers above her head. 

Her energy was infectious and Ilia felt herself smiling without even realizing it. It was nice to be able to laugh again even about something as silly as how Ruby was acting. 

“Anyway pull up a chair or a bed seat newly promoted Editor in Chief!” Ruby said as she waved to a desk with a pair of chairs beside it that itself sat near the bed. 

Ilia wandered over and took a look at the paper and gasped as she put it together. 

“You’re the author of the Cold Creeps books?” Ilia said joyously. 

“You betcha! All 24 and counting! 25 once I finish this one anyway. Did you want to read it?” Ruby asked conspiratorially. 

“Am I allowed?” Ilia asked even as her fingers edged towards the manuscript on the table before a giggle cut her off. 

“Sure I’d be happy to get your opinions on it. I’m trying to get inside the head of a Faunus so any perspective you can add would really help me. Oh, but read this one instead so I can make notes on that,” Ruby said as she pulled out what looked to be a writer’s proof early edition book and Ilia salivated at the thought of getting to read it. She’d seen them go for tens of thousands of lien at auctions and never thought she’d get to touch one let alone read it and now she got to touch and read one before the book was even out! 

“I think I love you,” Ilia said before she slapped her hand across her mouth unable to stop the words. 

Fortunately Ruby just giggled. “Thanks. It’s always nice to know fans appreciate your work.” Ruby said as she handed the book to Ilia. 

Ilia did take that out as she reverently held the artist's proof. 

“If you think of anything good or bad, or notice anything let me know alright?” Ruby asked and Ilia nodded emphatically it was the least she could do for being allowed to read this early treasure. 

As Ilia took a seat on the bed she got lost in the world of the displaced time-traveling Faunus princess. After hesitantly making her first suggestion she was surprised that Ruby took her so seriously as she stopped what she was doing and grabbed the manuscript to bring to the bed. 

They then went over the point with Ruby stating what she thought or wanted to portray and Ilia providing her reasoning. As the conversation wore on, and various stories were made Ilia got more and more confident, and while Ruby made a few points that made her reconsider a few of her suggestions Ruby ended up with a large section of notes for a redraft. Her favorite author took her words seriously and accepted her input without any rancor and in fact, seemed to be highly excited by the brainstorming and work session they had. 

In fact, Ilia had hardly noticed it but several hours had gone by and they’d only gotten halfway through the book and she’d only noticed that because Ruby had gotten a message from Weiss letting her know she was fine and at work!

“This is so awesome. Weiss is always good at the technical stuff but she doesn’t really have the passion for writing or reading that you or I do so this is a lot of fun!” Ruby said as she was literally bouncing on the bed smiling at Ilia as though she’d done something worthwhile. 

“I mean I just read your book and nitpicked it…” Ilia said trying to downplay her role only for Ruby to shake her head energetically. 

“Nope! Don’t want to hear it. The stuff you’re bringing up is super important. You know a lot more about it than I do and I want this book to really resonate with Faunus or humans and let them really get inside their head and understand them you know? It won’t be as important as the work Weiss is doing but I want to help out in my own way!” Ruby declared passionately which Ilia was not afraid to say was extremely attractive.

They were interrupted by a knock on the window which was strange as they were on the second floor. Ilia felt compelled to try and make sure it wasn’t someone coming to hurt her new friend after hearing about the threats they’d experienced, but Ruby seemingly had no issue going to the window and opening it up before stepping back near Ilia. 

Either she knew the person or had zero care about her own safety, which Ilia might have believed if she didn’t think Ruby would care simply because Weiss would. 

A tall woman stepped in through the window and stretched up to her full height. Red eyes were on display as a long mane of black hair reached her upper thighs as she turned briefly to shut and lock the window behind her.

Despite Ruby seeming to know her Ilia made sure to take a step in front of Ruby just in case which proved a moot point because as soon as the woman turned back around Ruby had thrown herself into the woman’s arms with a cry of “Mama Raven!”

“Hey, squirt. I just saw you a few hours ago what's with the death grip?” The taller woman questioned as she hugged the girl back and ruffled her hair affectionately much to Ruby’s protest before she turned her sights to Ilia who had hung back clearly not entirely understanding the situation as she knew Ruby’s mother was dead. The girl wasn’t the type to lie from what Ilia had experienced. 

“So you’re the Ilia girl or chocolate buddy,” “Mama” Raven said as she looked to Ruby who nodded emphatically as Raven looked back towards Ilia who struggled to hold the older woman’s intimidating gaze before she shrugged. 

“Huh, you were right Ruby. She is cute.”

Ilia felt herself flush completely as she lost the battle for self-control and all her markings went pink. 

Chapter Text

After getting herself under control, which took far longer than normal as Ruby had complimented how pretty her markings were which only made everything even worse for her, Ilia was introduced officially to “Mama Raven”. 

“Just Raven is fine kid,” Raven said as Ruby continued to ramble on. “Why don’t you let me get to know your new friend while you keep doing your book?” Raven asked and held up her hands in playful surrender when Ruby fake glared at her. “We’ll stay in the room Ruby,  I won’t scare your friend.”

“It’s up to you Ilia. If you aren’t comfortable with talking to Raven alone then we can just keep working on the book. Or we can play one of my video games! Yeah, that’d be fun! If you want to play a game with me that is,” Ruby offered hopefully as she hopped up and down on her toes distracting Ilia for a moment until Raven started tittering behind her hands as she watched on. 

“W-why not both? I can talk to her while you get everything set up for a game?” Ilia offered, her earlier hard-won confidence born from talking about something she was passionate about evaporating in the face of the unknown older woman who she knew nothing about. 

“Yes! It’ll be great. Come on, you two can talk in the kitchen while I get it all set up!” Ruby said as she grabbed Ilia’s arm and began to tug her in the direction of the kitchen before she stopped. “Oh right, I’m supposed to ask. Ilia, can I kidnap you to the kitchen?” Ruby asked with a large sincere smile Ilia could only blush and nod in response to Ruby with her arm pressed up against the attractive woman. 

At her nod, Ruby gently dragged her along and happily babbled all about the various games they could play while Raven followed behind the pair looking highly amused. 

Ilia could barely believe how well everything had been going for her in the last day. No matter what else happened it’s clear to her that Ruby and Weiss are going to be or want to be her friend and want her to be in their lives, which was more than she’d expected when she’d shown up last night. 

Honestly, she’d expected cordial behavior at best. Given they were friends of Blake and Yang she expected they’d be at least decent people but not want anything more to do with her than they had to. That they’d be willing to fetch her an extra bar of soap perhaps but instead she was met with a duo that seemed determined to get to know her and wanted her help to help other Faunus. It was still so surreal even now. These sort of things never happened to Ilia after all. She wasn't that lucky. 

She forced her mind back to the present as they arrived at the kitchen and Ruby released her arm prompting Ilia to miss the warmth immediately as she smiled at Ruby who smiled back and gave her an energetic wave. 

As always Ilia returned it and Ruby's smile widened further. “Ok just have some fun with Mama and I’ll go set everything up ok?” Ruby asked and Ilia nodded before Ruby sped past the women in the doorway to the living room. 

“So Ilia, or would you prefer Miss Amitola?” Raven asked as she maintained a respectful distance away from Ilia and walked over to the stove and began rummaging for something in the cabinet. 

“Ilia is fine Miss Raven,” Ilia replied trying to feel at ease around what she knew was at least Ruby’s guard which meant she was probably a trustworthy individual but old habits die hard, and her past had shown her plenty of times to be wary of people unless she knew she could trust them. 

As strange as it was Ilia did trust Ruby and even Weiss, which was silly seeing as how little time she’d known them but the kind of genuine emotion and kindness Ruby displayed were hard to fake and sustain. Ruby had never faltered in her portrayal of them towards Ilia even as she’d looked for cracks in an act that she’d determined was simply Ruby’s natural state. 

Weiss was harder, but it was clear she was being genuine as well. She’d seen her on TV enough to know the front she put on wasn’t nearly as nice as the woman was in private or at least to Ruby and by extension herself. 

Nobody just offered to make themselves scarce in their own home to a total stranger or asked them for multimillion-lien ideas for a lark. Short of Weiss showing up and laughing at her for thinking she was being serious she couldn’t see any way she wasn’t being genuine. 

There was also the fact that Ruby was far too kind a person to tolerate that sort of behavior towards anyone which meant that unless Ruby was a world-class actress they were both being genuine. Honestly, if someone like Ruby wasn’t able to be trusted to be genuine then truly Ilia didn’t think there was much hope for the world in general. 

“Just Raven is fine kid. Like I said earlier,” Raven said as she removed a bottle of cooking oil from the cabinet and moved over to grab a stick of butter from the fridge before she turned on the stove. 

At Ilia’s look, she elaborated. “Ruby loves popcorn. Always has, even as a small kid, and if you’re gonna be playing games with her she’ll want popcorn to go with it.”

“Oh thank you. Do you need any help?” Ilia offered to hopefully have something to do to make the encounter less awkward.

“Trying to get in good with the in-law already?” Raven asked with a sly smile. After a moment Ilia caught the implication and felt her entire body cycle a quick rainbow of colors before settling back to normal. That only happened when she was beyond embarrassed. Raven chuckled as Ilia sputtered unintelligibly and collected herself. 

After a moment Ilia managed to gather her wits and decided to focus on the part of the question that didn’t short circuit her brain. “Ruby said her mother…,” Ilia trailed off realizing exactly how personal and invasive such a question could be. She noticed Raven tense as she very deliberately set the bottle of oil back down on the counter and gently placed the lid back on the pot on the stove. 

“She died. Yes,” Raven bit out sounding more than a little peeved before she turned and saw Ilia looking like a rabbit Faunus and about to bolt. She took a great breath and gestured for Ilia to take a seat at the table which she did reluctantly. 

“Sorry kid. Listen, I'm gonna give you the short version. You can ask any questions you want at the end and I might answer some, ok?” Raven offered as Ilia nodded hesitantly. 

“Years ago I was a massive bitch. To everyone. I was mad at the world and the only person who stuck by me was my brother even though I didn’t treat him any better and at times worse than anyone else,” Raven said as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked away recalling the unpleasant memories. 

“Eventually Qrow and I ended up meeting Ruby’s mom and dad. Summer, and Tai,” Raven said with a small smile. “Summer was a lot like Ruby is now. Kind, caring, compassionate, and she never let me be miserable around her. Tai was steady, dependable and just made the worst jokes you could ever think of,” Raven chuckled fondly at the memories before she refocused on Ilia. 

“They were “together” when I met them, and I did my best to be a good friend to them in between my mood swings. I was mad, frustrated at the world, at the fact that my friends were happy, and at myself for being jealous they were happy without me and wanting more even though they were already my best friends. I was a total mess. A ball of hate and anger that sometimes lashed out at the only good things in my life,” Raven said in self-depreciation. 

“Of course, Summer noticed and talked to me about it, or tried. I ended up yelling and crying. In the middle of the argument I kinda just lost it and ended up kissing her. I, uh didn’t really think that through. Just figured if they weren't going to talk to me again I may as well leave an impression,” Raven said scratching her cheek with a finger as her face colored slightly in a manner Ilia was now able to intuit that Yang had picked up without realizing it. As Ilia giggled from the table and Raven gave her a mock glare before she turned back to the stove to pour in a cup of kernels now that the oil had heated up before she turned back to Ilia and continued her story. 

“Anyway, I kinda broke and tried to run out the door only to find Tai waiting for me. I thought he’d be furious about the whole thing. Of course, he made a stupid joke instead, but it worked. I admitted that over the time I’d spent with them I'd fallen for them. Hard. How could I not?” Raven said with a shrug as she lifted the lid and pointed at the salt sitting on the table by Ilia who stood and gently sprinkled some into the pot at Raven’s gesture before sitting back down.

“We spent a while talking it out and ended up giving it a go between all of us. Best choice I ever made in my life honestly,” Raven said frankly as Ilia stared at the woman trying to take it all in. 

“It sounds like Summer was kinda perfect,” Ilia offered, only to have Raven snort and shake her head. 

“Nah. I love that girl but she was far from perfect. I had to have this conversation with Ruby years ago. I told her more stories about her mother but I didn’t realize the damage I was doing until Weiss came by and asked for help,” Raven admitted and Ilia tilted her head in obvious confusion that Raven picked up on and elaborated. 

“When I told Ruby stories about Summer I told her all about every great thing she did. Her and Tai both but what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was setting an image in her mind about a perfect model. Ruby wanted to be like Summer but the problem was in her mind Summer was “perfect” and she’d make herself sick trying to rewrite something just one more time to get it a little better, give Weiss an even better surprise, or bake cookies just the right way. It wasn’t healthy at all, and it was an impossible standard for Ruby to try and live up to,” Raven explained as she ran a hand through her hair and shook her mane from side to side. 

“Once I got the chance I took all the old movies or pictures I had and spent almost an entire day with Ruby explaining everything I knew about Summer to her. Flaws and all. I hate that I had to destroy the perfect reputation I had built up in her mind about her mother, but I think in the long run it’s better that she can feel closer to her mother now that she’s not a perfect and unobtainable ideal,” Raven said and Ilia nodded feeling her respect for the woman in front of her raise just a bit. 

“Anyway we were together all through college with Qrow becoming Tai’s best friend and we became inseparable. Strangely enough, I ended up pregnant first and gave birth to Yang. Summer gave birth to Ruby a few years later,” Raven said fondly before she gently shook the pot on the stove to move the kernels around. 

“It started small. She was tired, lacked an appetite, that sort of thing. We thought she might have gotten pregnant again at first. If only,” Raven said sadly as she shook her head before she continued. 

“We took her to the doctors and it turned out she had an aggressive form of cancer. There wasn’t anything they could do and trying to operate or even aggressive treatments wouldn’t do anything but make her last days even more miserable. I hated it. All my family's wealth. All my wants, desires, and NOTHING mattered or could do anything to help the woman Tai and I loved,” Raven said wiping a few stray tears from her eye that Ilia ignored tactfully. 

“On the day after Ruby’s tenth birthday Summer...passed away. I…we…none of us handled it well. My brother had always been a fan of drinking and he and Tai took to drinking almost all the time after the funeral. They were at least sober for that. They ended up dying in a car crash only a few months later. I needed them and they left me,” Raven said brokenly as she turned back around as the kernels began to pop. 

“So I did the one thing I shouldn’t have done. I left the kids,” Raven said in a dead tone of voice as she removed a large bowl for the popcorn. 

“Not entirely but I withdrew from them. I made sure they had a roof over their heads, food to eat, clothes to wear, and everything paid for, but I couldn’t bring myself to get close to them. I saw Tai when I looked at Yang and Summer…Ruby reminded me so much of her that being around her was so very painful for me,” Raven said as she turned off the stove and mechanically poured the popcorn into the bowl. 

“I tried…years later to get in contact with them and try to mend fences. Start a real relationship with them as it were. I had finally gone to a therapist and gotten into a better place. Ruby forgave me even though I probably don't deserve it. Weiss took longer because she was upset at what I’d put Ruby through,” Raven’s voice cracked but she continued. “Eventually though she forgave me too. Yang…she never did. She might never, but I’ll keep trying,” Raven vowed. 

She was startled as she felt Ilia wrap her in a hug from behind. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I lost my parents when I was young. To the SEC. There was an accident at one of their Faunus Factories and it wasn’t up to code and they were both killed in the fire,” Ilia said sadly as Raven turned around to hug the girl back. 

“For what it’s worth, kid, I'm sorry, and I know Weiss is too. When she took over she forced herself to read about all the deaths her family name caused and she’s been going through trying to reach out to every one of their families to help them with anything they need. I know she and Ruby probably already know what happened to your parents. Weiss has had a lot of sleepless nights from some of the reports,” Raven said to Ilia who flinched and removed herself from the hug.

“I…don’t want her to feel guilty about it. She’s a good person and she’s proved that she wants to help the Faunus. It’s not like she caused it, or could have done anything about it at the time,” Ilia said as she realized how true the statement was. Ilia didn’t care if the other Schnees felt guilty or not but Weiss didn’t deserve that.

“Weiss probably knows that but you might want to tell her anyway when you speak with her later for your little project,” Raven advised as she washed out the pot in the sink while Ilia nodded in response. 

“I don’t know if you noticed but both of them have taken a liking to you rather quickly which is pretty rare if I’m being honest. Ruby might be friendly to a fault but she doesn’t have a lot of real friends and Weiss has even fewer. The whole never knowing if someone is your friend for you or your connections and money made it hard for her to meet genuine people. Fortunately Ruby got through to her because she’s as genuine as they come. They both seem to like you a great deal,” Raven said as she dried her hands and tossed the towel onto the counter. 

Ilia had noticed, or rather she had noticed and hoped she was reading it correctly, and having Raven confirm it only made her feel even more pleased. 

“Let’s get Ruby, her popcorn and chocolate buddy back before she thinks I’ve scared you off or something,” Raven said with a sigh as she handed the bowl to Ilia while Raven snagged a trio of sodas from the fridge before she stopped and looked at Ilia who was caught stuffing a piece of popcorn into her mouth before she squeaked and tried to pretend she hadn’t been eating it. 

Raven just smiled and put her free hand on the girl’s head. “Listen, kid...Ilia. I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you and Blake. That’s probably my fault too for leaving Yang. She and Blake both have issues that make it hard for them to be apart. They’ve gotten better at it, but I don’t think they’ll ever be the type of couple that wants a third.”

Ilia felt tears spring to her eyes as she looked away from Raven. Even though she’d already acknowledged that and realized it was a stupid obsession it still hurt to hear.

“That being said,” Raven continued and Ilia focused back on the woman. “Don’t let that blind you to the fact that there are plenty of others that would love to get to know, or want to date you. If you find that sort of happiness then do me a favor and embrace it. Reach for it. It’s so hard to find these days and you don’t know how long it’ll last so treasure it,” Raven said as Ilia nodded. 

“Good. Now come on, let's see what she’s managed to set up and will wrangle us into,” Raven said as she guided Ilia into the living room that looked like a warzone with a mass of cables and controllers strewn about all over the floor. 

“So which system did you hook up, Ruby?” Raven asked amused as she set the drinks on the table. 

“Yes,” Ruby replied without a hint of deception as she gestured to about a half dozen consoles all feeding into the TV while several cables dangled off her arms and legs. 

“Oh, popcorn! Ilia, did you make that for me?” Ruby asked as she shook off the extra cables and bounded over to the girl who felt a flush begin to creep up on her face. Before she could answer Raven did it for her. 

“Yep. Said she wanted you to enjoy a snack and I said you liked popcorn so she went through all the trouble to make it for you,” Raven said with a wink to Ilia Ruby couldn’t see as Ruby’s eyes widened. All she had done was put some salt on it! She didn’t deserve this gratitude!

“Really? Wow, thanks Ilia. We’re definitely keeping you!” Ruby said as she grabbed the bowl with one hand and Ilia’s hand with the other ignoring the pink her markings had taken on as she led the girl to the couch to commence what she called “Operation Game Time!” 

Ruby’s joy was infectious and soon enough she forgot her awkwardness and lost herself playing all sorts of silly games with Ruby. 

Ilia turned out to be excellent at both racing and stealth games murdering poor Ruby’s characters while in straight fighting games and surprisingly strategy games Ruby excelled and trounced Ilia when they competed. 

Raven managed to trounce both of them the few times she’d played been goaded into playing fighting or party games. The two of them only managed to win by teaming up to take the older woman out of the game. It was a blast to team up with Ruby though and Raven appeared to enjoy it regardless. 

They both enjoyed the mystery games and took turns trying to figure out a mystery and managed to get partway through it. They’d saved and promised to play again on a harder difficulty with Weiss later as Ruby had confided in Ilia that the mystery-style games were more Weiss’s preference as she enjoyed the story more than anything. 

The popcorn was mostly eaten and Ilia had more fun hanging out with Ruby than she’d had in the entire five days she’d had at Blake’s. She didn’t even notice how late it had gotten until Raven had come back in with the mail for the day. She sorted it out in short order, and stiffly handed Ruby a piece of mail and surprisingly three for Ilia. 

One was from Sun asking her for a postcard or picture before he threatened “dire” retribution. His enclosed picture was him with his arms around his boyfriend as he held a plastic spoon in what she assumed was supposed to be a menacing pose complete with an obnoxiously large fake nose and mustache. She snorted at that before she wondered how it had gotten delivered to Ruby and Weiss’s home. 

She peered at the address and noticed that it had been sent to Blake’s and frowned before she looked over the other two and saw they were separate letters addressed to her from Blake and Yang, and had to hold herself back from crumpling them up in her hands. How dare they ruin her good mood by sending these to her? 

She took a deep breath and calmed down. She wasn’t the wronged party here. She had barged into their lives and demanded a place she hadn’t earned in it. She might have some grievances with Blake for even letting her entertain the idea and have that hope when she knew she hadn’t felt the way Ilia did but overall it wasn’t their fault, and she’d gotten to meet two great friends out of the deal. 

Even so, she set Blake's letter down for now and settled for opening Yang’s. She’d been very understanding and had helped Ilia find a place to stay so reading her letter was the least she could do. 

It was straight and to the point. Yang apologized for how things turned out and said that she really enjoyed meeting Ilia and would enjoy being friends with her further down the line when things had settled a bit more. She apologized numerous times even though Ilia already knew the girl had truly tried her best and finished off with a drawing of a chibi Yang shooting finger guns at her which had Ilia give a small smile to it as she examined the drawing. A P.S was attached that listed several things she might find “of use” about Ruby and Weiss. She avoided looking at that, wanting to find or have her friends tell her about themselves in their own time, and terms rather than rushing into things. 

That hadn’t helped her last time after all.  Nor was there anything to rush into at any rate. Despite what she might want.

She put the letter back into the envelope and placed it on the table. She sat and stared at Blake’s letter as it sat there. It was addressed to her in that mysterious and vaguely cool handwriting Blake had that Ilia was almost certain she’d spent time learning just to impress people with. Part of her, an admittedly small part wanted to rip it open and devour it. Hope that it held some glimmer of hope and a plea from Blake to come back to her. She recognized that was the unhealthy part that had a large obsession and ignored it for the time being. 

She tapped her finger on it and yet couldn’t bring herself to open it just yet. Ruby opening her letter provided a decent distraction as she looked at the official-looking paperwork before she gave a grin to Ilia and looked over to Raven who was standing stiffly in the corner. 

“It was negative. Still clean,” Ruby said and Raven relaxed a great deal which confused Ilia. Was Ruby getting tested for an STD or something that had Raven worried? That seemed…unlikely. She turned her head to Ruby who was setting the letter on the table before she noticed Ilia looking at her and explained. 

“Uh, remember how my mom died of a really nasty cancer?” Ruby asked and Ilia winced but nodded so Ruby continued.  “It’s potentially hereditary so I get checked every six to twelve months or so. An ounce of prevention is worth a batch of cookies, or something,” Ruby said cheerfully as Raven snorted and looked more relaxed. Based on the sly smile on Ruby’s face that only Ilia could see she’d be willing to bet Ruby had said that just to make the older woman feel better. 

If only more people were like her the world would be a far better place for humans and Faunus alike.  

“Oh shoot Weiss will be home soon,” Ruby said as she looked over at the large grandfather clock in the corner which showed it was nearly two in the afternoon. 

“She’ll probably want to talk to you about all your super cool ideas!” Ruby said enthusiastically as she grabbed and squeezed Ilia’s hands regardless of the red hue her face was most likely literally taking on. 

“I-I mean I’ll try and help but I don’t think or know if I’ll be of any use to Weiss,” Ilia tried to deny before Ruby pouted at her looking far too adorable for Ilia to handle when she was still technically holding her hands. 

Ruby sighed and let go of Ilia’s hands and drug a hand down her face before she looked Ilia in the eye and spoke to her. “Ilia, I don’t know why you’re so down on yourself. Everything we heard about you has been right. Heck, I think if anything they undersold how awesome you are!” Ruby said as she gestured grandly around Ilia. 

“You were mega helpful earlier and thanks to you this book can really help people get inside the mind of a Faunus and be more than just another kids book. I might even make another version of it that’s more for adults too. Weiss is a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them. Not to me, not to people who matter to her. If she didn’t think or value your thoughts she wouldn’t have made the offer. She brought it up during breakfast and she knew it would be a great idea!” Ruby said as she put a hand on Ilia’s shoulder. 

“You’re super fun to hang out with and it’s been a blast starting to get to know you and play games ok? Please don’t get so down on yourself. You’re better than you give yourself credit for,” Ruby pleaded and Ilia too touched to form words just settled for nodding and smiling at her. 

How long had it been since someone other than Sun had believed in her truly, and utterly? Had said they thought she was worth something? Ilia didn’t want to guess but she knew it was a long time. Perhaps even from her parents. More and more she was glad that she’d ended up here and met such lovely people who seemed to value and enjoy spending time with Ilia for no reason other than they found her enjoyable to spend time with. 

“Weiss is on her way home right now actually,” Raven said as she glanced down at her phone. “Hazel gave me a heads up. Said it should just be a few minutes,” Raven said by way of explanation as Ruby jumped up and clapped with glee. 

“Time to get ready to see Weiss again. Come on Ilia she’ll want to see you too!” Ruby exclaimed as she gently pulled Ilia the twenty or so feet to the front door as she vibrated in place and Raven settled for casually leaning against a nearby wall. 

Ilia couldn’t help but find it amusing how excited Ruby was to see Weiss again. Although now that she thought about it Ruby was pretty excited to play games and work with Ilia as well. It must just be how she was all the time. 

The sound of the door opening brought forth the vision of the head of the SEC stepping into her home while she thanked Hazel who gave a gruff nod and turned around to walk away even as Ruby yelled out her thanks as well. 

Weiss only had a second to prepare herself before Ruby launched forward, snagging Ilia by the arm as she did and brought her into a very surprising but not unwelcome hug as Weiss was forced back into the door before she chuckled at Ruby’s antics.

“Hello Ruby, and to you as well Ilia. How was your day?” Weiss asked as she put an arm around each of them and participated in the group hug. Ilia followed suit once she was sure Weiss was alright with it before Ruby spoke up to answer Weiss. 

“It was great Weiss! She’s so clever. My book is gonna be like twenty times cooler for sure! And we played so many games, Weiss! She’s gonna give you so many cool ideas, I just know it! Oh, will you play a mystery game with us later? I already got it set up! Pleaaaase!” Ruby whined at the end as Ilia felt a chuckle come out of her throat and Ruby bashfully rubbed the back of her head. 

“Of course, I will. After dinner, I’ll join the two of you and we’ll solve the case! For now, though, do you mind if I borrow Ilia for a while? I’m sure Raven will play with you for a bit,” Weiss asked as she turned to meet Raven’s eyes who shrugged noncommittally but the smirk on the older woman’s face said she’d enjoy it. 

As they stepped back from the hug Ruby dashed back in to sneak a quick kiss from Weiss who grabbed a fistful of Ruby’s shirt and pulled her back for a much more passionate kiss. The kind that Ilia was sure would haunt her dreams in the most pleasant of ways. Probably with herself in the middle and them in much less clothing. She felt her marks pink a bit at the sight as Raven laughed and caused the two to break apart slowly. 

“Careful you don’t want to give Ilia a free show do you?” Raven asked coyly only for Weiss to shrug and look pleased with her handiwork despite the light pink dusting on her cheeks. 

“Better her than Yang.”

“Yeah, Ilia’s super cool! She won’t get all upset about it. Would you Ilia?” Ruby asked her new friend and house guest. 

Upset was definitely not how Ilia would describe what she was feeling so she shook her head to indicate as such which had Ruby beaming towards Raven. 

“While grateful for your understanding. I am sorry for such a display in front of you in light of…recent events. I had a trying day and reacted without thinking. Again if we overstep our bounds feel free to call us out on it,” Weiss apologized with a slight nod of her head as Ruby nodded beside her. 

“No, it's fine. I don’t want you to change up your routine for me! You’re already doing enough for me as it is!” Ilia rushed to reassure them as she waved her arms in front of her. After everything they were doing for her and allowing her to do the last thing she was going to do was get in the way or make them stop a simple display of affection…for several reasons. 

Thankfully she managed to keep her blush from getting too bad although the look Raven was sending her said she knew exactly what Ilia was thinking much to her chagrin even as Raven moved to let Ruby by. 

“Well then Ilia if you’ll follow me I had a few papers brought over and set up this morning in anticipation of our talk,” Weiss said with a bright smile as Ruby came back into the room with the remaining popcorn. 

She handed it to Weiss who took it eagerly as she gave Ruby a quick peck on the cheek the girl beamed at before she waved goodbye to Ilia who again felt compelled to answer the girl’s wave with one of her own as she followed Weiss out of the room and back upstairs 

A room next to Ruby’s “lair” was opened. The overall design was the same although there was a safe in the wall and a table in the center of the room with a few folders and a cup of pens in the middle that she gestured for them to have a seat at.  

Weiss set the bowl on the table while she removed the outer suit jacket she wore revealing a plain t-shirt reminding Ilia that Weiss was again probably the only member of her family worth notice. The fact that she could have worn something more expensive under her suit just to show off but instead dressed for comfort spoke incredibly well of her. Not that she’d needed more proof of that but the confirmation was always nice to have. 

Ilia scrunched her face up when she noticed a series of stains on the t-shirt. That seemed out of place for Weiss who seemed to prefer cleanliness and order when possible excluding Ruby at least.  

Weiss chose that moment to look up and catch Ilia staring at her shirt before she explained as she grabbed a small amount of popcorn. 

“Protestors. They were rather lively today,” Weiss explained dryly with a roll of her eyes as Ilia felt her eyes widen in response. She had no idea it was so…close to home. Hearing about protests or the need for guards was one thing, as harrowing as that was, but seeing the evidence with her own eyes was another. 

“Are you…alright?” Ilia asked delicately after a moment and Weiss paused for a moment as she rubbed the bridge of her nose and leaned back in her chair. 

“I am. It’s just very…tiring. I know my family’s company has done horrific things and people have a right to be angry. I want to make things right. I just…,” Weiss trailed off looking lost. 

“Wish they’d see you for who you are and what you’re trying to do instead of your last name?” Ilia offered gently to Weiss who looked surprised for a moment at her deduction and nodded. 

“I may not totally get it but,” Ilia trailed off and cycled her skin through a few colors slowly before she settled back to normal. “When I was younger I wished people would look at me like they did everyone else. I didn't know why being a Faunus meant I was worth less to some people and it just seemed entirely unfair. Like trying to beat Ruby at a fighting game,” Ilia said in an attempt to create some levity. By the way Weiss snorted it worked so she continued on.  

“When I pretended to be a human suddenly it was fine. People wanted to know all about me, but as soon as they found out,” Ilia snapped her fingers and tried to keep the bitter tone out of her voice as she plowed on. 

“Then suddenly I was worthless again. I joined the White Fang hoping to make a difference. I wanted to be able to eat at the same places as everyone else. To get the same terrible jobs everyone else complained about instead of the death traps that were forced on us, and just be with a girl I liked instead of having to hide who and what I am,” Ilia paused, weighing her options before deciding she might as well be honest since her hosts had been honest with her even if it made them not want to be her friends anymore. 

At least that would be for something she deserved and had earned.  

She clenched her hands and looked down at the table as she spoke. “I was part of the Fang group that was thinking about becoming more radical. If you hadn’t done what you did and made those changes…I don’t know what my life would have been like in a few months or a year,” Ilia said as she continued to clench her hands at the thoughts that she’d have been part of a group of people who would have hurt or even killed such wonderful people like Weiss or Ruby for some petty revenge when they’d done nothing to her or any Faunus. 

“I know it’s hard but for what it’s worth. You kinda saved me. From making a big mistake. The more I’ve had time to think about it the more I realized that turning to violence wouldn’t have helped anything. It would have just made things worse. People would have reason to fear and in turn, more anti-Faunus measures would come into play. I was just so…angry. And I’m sorry. None of this was ever your fault,” Ilia apologized letting out the breath she’d been holding. 

She was startled when Weiss gently placed her hands over her own and squeezed. 

“Ilia you have nothing to be sorry for. Everyone that’s spoken to me about you has told me nothing but great things, and I’m happy to say they’ve all been correct. Blake, Sienna, Ruby, Yang. Every single one of them has told me, or us rather, about how passionate you are. I’m sorry you felt like you had no other option or way to be heard. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did, and that it’s the fault of my family's company,” Weiss said passionately. 

“But it wasn’t you that caused everything! My parents' deaths aren't your fault either Weiss! And as soon as you could you made so many great changes. I could have ended up hurting you, or Ruby! It would have been easy! I could have just blended in and struck and it would have been too late for anyone to do anything about it!” Ilia said even as she unclenched her fist to gently squeeze Weiss’s hands in return whose shoulders had sagged when Ilia told her she held her blameless for her parent's deaths.  

“But you didn’t,” Weiss said shaking her head side to side. “Our lives are about the choices we make. You chose not to follow that path when you saw there was another one open to you. Adam and the others didn't, that's why they’re behind bars now. I want to show other Faunus there’s another path and that things can be better for them. That’s what I want, no, need your help for Ilia,” Weiss said fervently. 

“I…are you sure?” Ilia asked weakly even as she hated herself for how whiney and weak she imagined it sounded. 

“Of course. I don’t imagine there are many people who would have the strength of character to do what you did. You know what is needed more than myself or Ruby might. Would you help me, help the Faunus Ilia?” Weiss asked so genuinely that Ilia felt tears form in her eyes so she settled for nodding with the happiest smile she could muster and received a radiant smile in return from Weiss that had her heart skip a beat. 

She was so doomed. Oh well. She’d make the best of it before they wised up and asked her to leave, or had to turn her down. She’d just settle for being their friend as long as she could.

Weiss then laid all of her company secrets bare to Ilia. At least regarding the Faunus and the projects she’d worked on with Sienna and others. Documents she was sure she nor anyone else were supposed to see. 

She had to admire the precision and elegance of the work though. Weiss had thought of many general or all-purpose charities or programs that would aid the Faunus. She just lacked the insight someone like Ilia might have into specifics. 

What began was a very exciting few hours of hard work that while different was no less rewarding or fun than working with Ruby had been in its own way. With every change suggested, or document penned she could feel her grin widening and almost felt that she was helping to change or shape a better future for the Faunus stroke by stroke. 

And to think none of this might have ever happened if she hadn’t gotten rejected by Blake and ended up meeting Ruby and Weiss. 

Several hours and potentially tens of millions of lien later Weiss signed off on a final paper and placed it back in the folder before she went over to the safe, entered a quick code, and placed the folder inside.

Ilia was able to see from a quick glance that there appeared to be a few pictures and strangely, or perhaps not with Ruby around, a box of cookies in the safe before Weiss closed it. 

Weiss gave her a tired but satisfied smile as she turned around. “Well I have to say that was without a doubt the most progress I’ve made in a single day, and I have you to thank for it. So thank you Ilia for helping,” Weiss said sincerely as she reached up and undid her hair allowing it to flow freely and instantly drawing Ilia’s attention to it, and the collarbone of her shoulder which she tried to ignore. 

Weiss’s chuckle told her she wasn’t as sneaky as she’d hoped. 

“Don’t feel bad Ruby has the same reaction. Come to think of it she’d probably have the same reaction to you if you let your hair down too,” Weiss mused thoughtfully and Ilia felt her eyes widen. 

“I-I doubt it,” Ilia said bashfully as her face reddened again while her markings gave away her embarrassment. 

“Nonsense. Don’t sell yourself short Ilia you’re a very beautiful young woman. Please feel free to do it. It would make my night to watch Ruby flounder,” Weiss said face smiling brightly as she looked over at Ilia. 

“O-oh well…if you’re sure then I guess,” Ilia said before reaching up to remove her hair-tie and allowing her brown hair to cascade freely over her shoulders and midway down her back. She ran a hand through it before she looked over at Weiss whose eyes were wide as she stared at her making Ilia feel as though she’d done something wrong. 

“A-are you alright Weiss?” Ilia asked as she toed the floor nervously. 

Weiss coughed a moment as Ilia looked back at her face which was now a bit pink. “Yes, well. I think Ruby will most certainly appreciate the view. I never saw the appeal since it was my own hair but I believe I understand what Ruby enjoys about it now.”

Feeling much braver than she could explain Ilia pushed her luck just the tiniest bit more. “Oh, so you’re saying it’s…good on me then?” 

“Ilia it looks fantastic! I think, and I’m sure Ruby would agree with me that whomever you end up with will be a very lucky woman,” Weiss said as she regained her poise even as her cheeks remained pink and she continued to shoot looks at Ilia's now free hair. 

She’d never considered her hair all that impressive and she certainly couldn’t remember the last time anyone had such a strong reaction to it. She didn’t think that had ever happened. 

Following Weiss to show Ruby proved Weiss’s prediction accurate as Ruby expressed her amazement at how Ilia had “gotten even prettier” had made Ilia's own night as much as Weiss continuing to shoot glances at it did. 

Raven’s laughter from the corner hadn’t helped, but as Weiss eventually left to help Raven reheat the meal from last night Ilia made a note to never keep it in a ponytail while she was alone with them again if it was always going to get this reaction.

They still didn't manage to beat the mystery game though.

Chapter Text

The last week had been one of the best that Ilia could remember even if it had been highly tortuous in some aspects. 

Living with two wonderful people who seemed determined to be her friend was a wonderful experience and made her feel a surge of pride in herself and the assurance that maybe there wasn’t something wrong with her that made people leave or not want to be with her. 

She knew it wasn’t true but the voice in the back of her mind she’d heard since people picked on her as a young child for being a Faunus was a hard thing to ignore. Especially when everything was almost too good to be true. 

Blake’s letter still sat unopened in her guest room and probably would for a while yet. That rejection was starting to sting less with the realizations she’d come to but even so she’d rather put off reading it in written form and just enjoy her new friendship with Ruby and Weiss and to a lesser extent Raven. 

Weiss had been as good as her word and several of the projects they’d workshopped and gotten prepared had already gotten started and she’d promised to take Ilia with her to a special opening later on next week. 

She’d even gotten a call from Sienna, or rather Weiss had who’d given the phone to Ilia confusing her for a moment before Sienna spoke from the other end thanking her for her contributions to the cause. 

The younger girl felt highly embarrassed as she profusely thanked the older woman for her kind words while Sienna told her that she’d found a couple of the good ones in a teasing tone before hanging up leaving Ilia a blushing mess with her only saving grace being that neither of the “good ones” were in the room to see her blushing. 

She’d even managed to get another quarter of the way through the book Ruby was writing and had gone over some of what Ruby had already rewritten. The fact that Ruby wrote mostly children’s books didn’t mean the girl wasn’t talented as Ilia observed when she went over the notes and revisions she’d made for her next draft. She was clearly taking Ilia’s suggestions to heart and the book was even better than it had already been. 

She’d even managed to sneak a peek at the manuscript and had seen her name under the special thanks section side by side with Weiss’s and above Raven and Yang’s. 

Thankfully neither of the other two had heard the squealing she’d let out at that even if she was sure she was reading entirely too much into it. 

Less thankfully Raven had heard and once she’d pieced together what it was about she’d never stopped smirking at the young woman. Had Ilia been less embarrassed she might have seen the look of fondness Raven had sent the younger woman.

Still, that was less torturous than being around two affectionate in love women who clearly had no idea the effect they were having on her. Accidents were bound to happen when getting a new person used to the routine of living with them after all and they were no exception. 

So accidentally spying Ruby in a towel while she was wandering the halls was an accident. A very happy one but still an accident. 

Apparently, the girl had forgotten her clothes and had to go back to the laundry room to get some clean ones. If she managed to forget a few more times Ilia certainly wouldn’t mind. 

Weiss however apparently did yoga in the mornings sometimes in lieu of running like Ruby did. She’d come down the stairs to find Weiss in the middle of a particularly difficult looking stretch that showed off her legs and exactly how flexible Weiss was which made her dreams that night and the rest of the week exceedingly pleasant when combined with images of Ruby in a towel or the two of them hugging each other or the times they’d hugged her separately or a group. 

Needless to say, Ilia was being tortured in the best and worst way possible. 

When she’d brought up the possibility of finding a hotel or another option as she hadn’t wanted to keep imposing on them, well she did but it was complicated, they’d flatly refused and said she could stay as long as she wanted. That they actually liked having her around and wanted her to stay. 

That…that had caused her to lose her composure and cry happy tears for the first time in a very long time. Having someone other than her parents or Sun truly want her around with no ulterior motives? Just for her sake? It was such a wonderful feeling. 

Thankfully they’d been there to surround her in a hug that led to an afternoon cuddling while watching terrible movies before they’d taken another crack at the mystery game. 

They’d gotten close but still not beat it yet. Personally, Ilia thought it was the grey-haired guy with glasses. He was kinda creepy. 

Raven had even sent her a picture of the three of them playing games on the couch that Ilia had set as her new background despite the inherent risk of discovery by the others. They both seemed remarkably aware of her boundaries and never violated her privacy so she deemed the risk low. It was a wonderful but impossible dream to have so she settled for being friends as best she could. 

The day after Weiss had hesitantly offered her a bank card and an explanation. Apparently, the SEC at Weiss’s urging had already begun finding the families of those that had been injured or killed by her company and paying them proper compensation. She'd tried in the past but with several Faunus now on the board, the motion had easily passed this time.

Weiss didn’t want Ilia to think she was buying her friendship or making light of her loss but she and Ruby hadn’t wanted Ilia to go without when she didn’t have to and if she still wanted to leave and go elsewhere they wanted her to be able to fend for herself. She left the choice up to Ilia but in the end, she’d taken the card. 

Ruby and Weiss had proven to be honest and genuine people and she couldn’t treat everything they said as if they were going to lie or betray her at a moment's notice. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them after they’d been so open and honest with her and their friendship couldn’t grow if she kept holding back out of fear. 

So she’d taken the card although what she would do with the frankly staggering amount of money on it she hadn’t any idea. Her plans so far involved giving some to Faunus charities and some to Sun so he could bring his boyfriend to Vale to meet Ruby and Weiss. 

Granted that wasn’t the pair she’d initially thought she’d be introducing him to but in some ways, she preferred this. She wasn’t entirely over the rejection but with every day she could see how much she preferred her current arrangement even if they were only her friends. 

She was sure they’d get along well with Sun and his boyfriend even if he had a habit of flirting outrageously. They were used to Yang so it would be fine…probably. 

She’d warn them beforehand. 

A postcard of the cheapest and overly touristy kind that was full of glitter that she could find had been sent along a few days ago with the reminder that he could just call her attached as she broached the idea of him coming up for a visit. He’d appreciate the absurdity of the card she was sure. 

She’d see what he said in his return letter or hopefully just a phone call. Not that letters weren’t fun but calling was much faster and outside of Ruby and Weiss she didn’t have anyone else besides Sun she could go to for advice and since it was about the former she’d take his advice over nothing. 

Strangely enough, she’d adjusted to living with the two others remarkably quickly and even got along well enough with Raven although the older woman never stopped trying to subtly hint things that Ilia was doing her best to not think about. She didn’t want to get her hopes up for something that wouldn’t ever happen. 

Strangely enough despite a part of her wanting to, she felt no real desire to rush things. It hadn’t helped her last time, and she already knew it would turn out badly. They might want to be her friends and she would accept that until she inevitably said or did something they couldn’t brush off as they’d done already. 

Plus with no arbitrary time limit and the fact that they seemingly wanted her around she could spend time learning all about them at her own pace. It was rather fun learning all about her new friends. 

Seeing as it was a Saturday evening Ruby had asked Ilia if she wanted to go have some fun with her and Weiss. After a straight half a minute of stuttering she managed to answer the grinning girl in the affirmative who had immediately texted Weiss before telling Ilia it was time to go!

Ilia had protested asking if she should get changed so she fit in better where they were going. She didn’t want to reflect poorly on them after all. She just needed a few hours to ready herself to be up to their standards was all. They couldn’t just spring this on her like this! 

Ruby had just waved her off and said that wasn’t possible but had said she should put her hair back up in a ponytail to get it out of the way. Ilia thought she also heard her mumble something about “not for other people to see” but she wasn’t sure. 

She obliged at any rate and had thrown her hair up into a quick ponytail as Ruby offered her, her own arm and they walked off arm in arm towards their location even as Ilia still felt herself flush a bit at the close contact with the attractive woman on her arm. 

She’d ended up at a bowling alley of all places. It was close enough that they were there inside of fifteen minutes although depending on how late it was when they were done they might take a car home. 

As it was, Raven accompanied the two on the walk while Weiss had already been accompanied by another guard named Cinder. 

Apparently, the woman adored bowling and had eagerly agreed to an extra shift in return for having her evening paid for herself and her partner which Weiss was more than willing to do.

Ruby explained that while neither Weiss nor herself were any good at bowling they both found it a very fun experience to do together. 

She also got close and whispered in Ilia’s ears in a delightful way that she should never under any circumstances bowl against Raven for money. 

As Ruby was the expert in that field she just accepted that as fact and entered into Goddess’s Lanes bowling alley. The name…could use some work but the inside was surprisingly nice. 

There was the usual assortment of lanes, balls, but also a small on-site kitchen and dining area for ordering food with tables near the lanes, which she assumed was the reason they’d told her not to eat, as well as an arcade some kids were running around in. 

Ruby got into the line for the counter as Ilia spied Weiss, hair in a ponytail as well, waiting on them as she walked over after handing a card to an amber-eyed girl who had her arms wrapped around a smaller girl with green hair and red eyes. The duo took the card and wandered off toward the dining area. 

As had become a habit over the last week Weiss stopped a step away and waited for Ilia’s nod which she granted and readied herself for the hug to come. After a warm hug, Weiss stepped back and began speaking to her. 

“Hello, Ilia. Glad you could make it,” Weiss said with a smile as she gestured towards the counter Ruby was waiting in line for. 

Deciding to keep working on pushing her comfort zone Ilia tried to joke back just a little with Weiss. “Well you know I had a very booked day so I had to move some appointments around to make it.”

Based on the smirk Weiss shot her she considered it a success regardless of anything else. 

“Well we’re glad you were able to free up your schedule to spend some time with us,” Weiss said with a heart-stopping smirk as Ilia felt her facade of confidence crumble as easily as it always did when either was close to her these days. Weiss laced their arms together and led them over to Ruby who’d just made it to the front of the line. 

“Two lanes please,” Ruby said as she stepped up to the counter and pointed out a pair of shoes. “One with bumpers!” 

The amber-eyed man behind the counter tilted his head curiously at her before he responded in a playful tone while setting the shoes on the counter with his tail. “But little Rose I don’t see any children with you? Why would you need bumpers?”

“I wasn’t aware that I was paying…for an interrogation!” Ruby said in a faux indignant tone before the man snorted and handed Ruby her footwear and shooed her away. 

Ruby stuck her tongue out at the man only for his tail to lightly slap the back of her head as she pouted at him while he flicked a switch causing bumpers to spring up on the far lane nearest the kitchen while Weiss and Ilia stepped up to the counter.   

“Tyrian everything looks wonderful as always. My shoes please, and a pair for Ilia here. I’m afraid I don’t know your size,” Weiss apologized as Ilia waved the apology away and gave her size to the Faunus behind the counter whose tail plucked up a pair up shoes by the laces without even looking and set them on the counter next to the box containing Weiss’s own personal pair as well as her ball. 

As they went over to the lane Ruby ran up to the pair and hugged them both. “Yay, my favorite people are here! Let’s bowl!” Ruby declared unknowing or uncaring of the effect her words had on Ilia who felt her markings pink a slight bit. Thankfully no one drew any attention to it and in short order, they were settled into their lanes. 

Bowling was slightly delayed by Ruby who insisted on giving all of them goofy names. Choosing Cookie Monster and waiting on the other two to pick a name. 

“Ruby, why don’t you pick one for me?” Weiss offered seemingly amused more than anything apparently used to the spectacle Ruby would make of everything. 

“Are you sure? I’ll make it super embarrassing!” Ruby promised as Weiss smirked and nodded her permission as she turned to Ilia. 

“It’s best to let her get this out of her system so we can actually start having fun bowling,” Weiss explained to the girl beside her until Ilia caught sight of the name Ruby had chosen and began giggling. Weiss followed her line of sight and flushed completely red as she saw “Wife Schnee” as her chosen name. 

“Ruby Rose! Unless you plan on changing your name to dolt you will change my name this instant!" Weiss demanded her face still flushed as Ruby smirked and edited her own name to "The Bestest Dolt" finding the trade-off well worth it.

"Come on Weiss everyone knows you're good wife material!" Ruby bargained while she wiggled her eyebrows at Weiss while Ilia snorted from trying to hold her laughter in.

Sadly this just drew Ruby's attention to her and Ilia froze up as Ruby's smirk widened.

"Say Ilia don't you think Weiss would be a great wife?" Ruby asked in the most innocent tone she could manage which shattered Ilia's composure again as she felt her markings burn brightly. Ruby added the name "Pretty in Pink" for presumably Ilia who went even redder and only barely managed to keep her skin from cycling through a rainbow of colors.

Ruby frowned a moment later as she looked at Ilia and asked "Are you alright? I didn't mean to uh make you feel bad with the question or the name. You're just really pretty when your marks glow," Ruby said by way of apology her tone completely honest.

“No, no it’s fine!” Ilia managed while waving her arms. “I was just surprised?” Ilia managed even though it sounded like a question more than a statement. Better than saying she was lost in thoughts about a wedding with several brides on her arms.  

“Are you sure Ilia?” Weiss asked as she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We did say that if we pushed your boundaries or made you feel uncomfortable in any way that you could tell us, and that includes silly bowling nicknames or uncomfortable questions ,” Weiss said directing the last bit at a sheepish looking Ruby who still managed to shoot Ilia a contrite look despite the scolding. 

“No really! It’s I’m…flattered more than anything. No one has ever really told me I was pretty and meant it before. None of my friends really,” Ilia offered as the other two’s eyes softened as they looked at her and walked over before they stopped a step away, although Weiss had to hold Ruby back from simply leaping at the girl which made Raven snort from the corner where she was watching the scene play out. 

Ilia smiled and opened her own arms which Ruby wasted no time leaping into and hugging her tightly while Weiss was a moment behind as she wrapped the other two in a hug as best as her shorter stature would allow. 

“Just…thanks for being my friends. Other than Sun I’ve never really had friends like you guys before,” Ilia admitted looking down to the floor feeling herself flush at the admission. It had been a lot harder to admit than she’d liked but it was an important thing to be willing to be vulnerable, at least to a degree, in front of people she trusted and had already been vulnerable in front of her and any friendship wouldn’t be able to grow if she never shared with them as they had with her. 

She missed the quick look that passed between the other two as she was looking down at the floor but she did see the supportive smiles they directed at her as they stepped back a pace although Ilia felt her face burn as each of them kept a loose hold of one of her hands for just a moment longer before they dropped them leaving Ilia to barely restrain the urge to snatch them back into her own hands. 

“You uh don’t have to ask me if you want to hug me or anything. I appreciate it but I’ve gotten used to it thanks to…,” Ilia trailed off as Weiss mock glared at Ruby who smiled without a care in the world. 

“Are you sure Ilia? We don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. If you are then I’m sure even Ruby can get it through her sometimes dense head to hold back,” Weiss offered Ilia who shook her head. 

Have them stop touching her? Unthinkable. Even though nothing else would happen in terms of a relationship and it was torturous it would be even worse to go from finally getting some actual positive physical contact to back to nothing. 

“I’m sure, but thank you for asking,” Ilia offered with a sincere smile so wide her eyes were forced closed. When she opened them again both the others had a slight dusting of pinks on their cheeks that she took notice of but she didn’t know why it was there. 

“Well let’s get to bowling then!” Ruby said as the others nodded but not before Ilia feeling emboldened by the conversation added “Ruby was right though. You’d make a great Wife Schnee.”

Even as she felt her face burn at the admission she saw Ruby cheer and offer her a high five she returned as Weiss turned completely red and marched over to the seats and steadfastly tried to ignore them. 

Ilia was feeling slightly guilty about it until Ruby nudged her and whispered for her to look at Weiss. 

Since that was hardly a hardship she did so and noticed that Weiss kept darting her eyes over towards them as her lips continued to twitch like she wanted to smile. 

“She’s super flattered and embarrassed! Good work chocolate buddy!” Ruby whispered to Ilia who could hardly believe she could ever have done such a thing even if she was just agreeing with Ruby but Ruby would know she supposed. Maybe she was just being nice for her sake?

“She can’t handle our super good looks!” Ruby added as she slung an arm around Ilia’s shoulders and squeezed her closer to herself. Ilia hardly minded but she was worried about how often she was turning red so far tonight. 

Thankfully after that, they managed to get around to bowling without Ilia’s face turning red once more. They did a practice game to get warmed up with Raven crushing them all with a score over two hundred and thirty while Ilia and Weiss barely hit the one fifties. Ruby seemed to have the most fun bowling in comically different ways even if she came in last with only eighty-seven points, which considering she had bumpers was impressive in its own way. 

They took a quick break to order food that would be ready for after their next game. As it was mostly bowling alley fare she’d opted for a simple order of curly fries and a burger with a soda not wanting the greasy nachos on offer for fear of upsetting her stomach and ruining the evening even if they looked tasty. 

As she looked around she saw a blonde woman in most of the pictures hanging around the alley with various awards. 

“I didn’t notice before but who’s in the picture?” Ilia asked Raven as the other two had gone to place the order for everyone. 

“That’s the “goddess” the alley is named after. Tyrian is obsessed with her. She’s a very famous bowler,” Raven said with a shrug as she tapped on a nearby frame. 

“Hey-hey-hey get your hands off her face Branwen!” Came a shout from the counter as the owner glared at Raven who rolled her eyes and held her hands up in an exaggerated fashion to placate the man who huffed and went back to helping a customer at the counter.  

“She was married you know,” Raven called back playfully as Tyrian put his hand past the customer's line of sight and flipped her off earning a chuckle from the girl in question as he remained smiling at the customer the entire time. 

“Anyway, he’s a retired bowling pro so he kinda looked up to or rather was obsessed with her. Called her split technique beautiful. He’s…kind a lot sometimes but it’s a nice place that doesn’t discriminate or refuse to let Weiss in based on her last name so we go here,” Raven said with a shrug. 

“They don’t let her in? Wouldn’t they just want her money if nothing else?” Ilia asked confused as to why someone would turn down a wealthy patron. 

“You’ve been hanging around her long enough that you know she’s not her last name. Most people either don’t know, care or just see her last name as something to hold against her. A way to get back at the wrongs they feel they were dealt,” Raven said with a shrug although the frown she wore said it bothered her more than she wanted to admit to. 

“Does it…happen often?” Ilia asked gently both wanting to know and not wanting to know the answer. 

She’d often dreamed of Faunus being able to get back at the ones who wronged them or of barring humans from their stores but now to see someone who was a wonderful person be treated that way by the very people she was fighting for and trying to help? That wasn’t right!

“Probably more than you’d expect but like you said she has money so she gets what she needs eventually. She does make sure to cherish places like this that don’t treat her any differently than anyone else,” Raven said as her frown deepened and she shot a glance toward the other two who were waiting in line to give their order.

Ruby was gesturing grandly most likely telling Weiss a book idea or a crazy dream she’d had. She did however see the two of them and give a frantic wave that Ilia returned before she nudged Weiss who looked at Ruby and rolled her eyes before she joined in with a small wave Ilia also returned before they went back to the conversation.

“Weiss is good at ignoring things like that. She got a lot of practice ignoring her father until she had him arrested,” Raven said with a vicious smirk Ilia mirrored, glad that, that piece of work was behind bars. 

“She’s not as good at ignoring it when people do the same to Ruby,” Raven said as Ilia exploded. 

“But she didn’t do anything to deserve that!” Ilia defended hotly as Raven raised an eyebrow at her making her realize what she was doing and attempt to reign herself in. 

“You’re right. That girl is kind almost to a fault, but once it was leaked by the press that she and Weiss were a confirmed couple people’s image of her was tainted by association. Or they thought that Weiss was blackmailing her,” Raven said. “You can relax though it’s not too bad anymore. Anyone who’s seen them spend more than a few minutes in each other’s company knows how head over heels they are for each other.”

Ilia agreed even as she felt a slight pang at that news. She had noticed and they were perfect for each other, but still…it didn’t matter. She’d just be happy for her friends. 

“You might want to be prepared for a few articles to show up in the tabloids about you too now that I think about it. We’re usually pretty good at keeping them safe but as much as we want we can’t just punch every idiot with a camera,” Raven said sounding actually upset about the lack of violence. 

“I can take a few fake or sensational articles about me. I’m used to people saying things about me. I’m not abandoning my friends!” Ilia snarled her voice fervored making Raven give an approving nod at the sudden confidence the girl displayed. 

“Good spirit. Let’s hope you keep it. Heads up “chocolate buddy”,” Raven said and nodded towards the other two as they came back from ordering.

The second game went much better for Ilia but only because Ruby insisted they were a team and they added their scores together meaning they beat Weiss but still fell short of Raven. The fact that neither of the other two appeared put out by the sudden team up clued her in that this was a common tactic of Ruby’s which was proven correct as she stole Weiss for a team up and then finally the both of them where they finally managed to beat Raven’s total with the three of them teamed up. 

Ruby’s victory dance was cuter than Ilia felt comfortable admitting and even Raven seemed amused until Ruby actually took out her pocket notebook and began thanking people and Raven gave her a gentle flick to the ear to get her to stop, which she did with an adorable whine. 

Thankfully their food arrived at the table by their respective lanes and they took a brief break as Ilia’s shoulders were starting to feel a bit tight from all the fun she was having hurling a ball toward the pins. 

“What did you get Weiss?” Ilia asked as she rotated her shoulders and back gently as she saw the girl didn’t have anything in her basket in front of her. 

“Pff she just steals fries from everyone else and drinks water and tries to pretend she doesn’t,” Ruby said and Ilia looked back over to Weiss only to see one of Ruby’s curly fries in her hands which she ate with a smirk at Ruby. 

“That’s why you order more than you could possibly eat, and you know it, Rose,” Weiss teased. 

“I could so eat these,” Ruby argued with her arms crossed. Weiss, Raven, and even Ilia raised her eyebrows at that seeing the literal mountain of fries on offer. 

“Ok, so it would take a few days, but I so could,” Ruby admitted as she pouted while Weiss patted her arm for her honesty. 

Ilia took a deep breath and dumped her fries onto the pile before she grabbed a single one and continued to eat her burger and ignore the looks she was sure they were shooting her. Oh god, this was a step too far wasn’t it? 

“Oh that’s so smart Ilia now we don’t have to worry and we can all share!” Ruby exclaimed as she began digging back into the mountain of fries like what Ilia did made perfect sense. 

Even Weiss didn’t act put out as she deftly took another few fries in her hands and winked towards Ilia before she hissed a bit and rubbed her wrist. 

Ilia noticed as had Ruby who was instantly at her side. 

“You ok Weiss?” Ruby asked her tone so gently and loving Ilia almost felt like she shouldn’t be intruding on something so seemingly intimate. 

“I might have made a mistake in a few throws and pinched something in my wrist,” Weiss admitted as she rotated it with a wince.

“Pff that’s fine let me have it,” Ruby asked with an extended hand as Weiss placed her own hand in Ruby’s without hesitation. 

Ruby gently rotated the wrist and then slowly began to knead the skin around the wrist and gently rub and massage the arm as Weiss closed her eyes and let out a pleased hum of contentment. 

Ilia felt her earlier sentiments return several fold as Ruby slowly massaged Weiss’s wrist for a few minutes. 

Ruby looked up and saw Ilia’s stare and thankfully misinterpreted her look and answered. “Weiss works hard so I wanted to find a way to help her relax. I took classes at a local gym then community college for a while. I’m technically a licensed masseuse! And Weiss here is like a beauty pro. She has these cool mud masks things, or other stuff she can do that make your skin feel super soft and silky!”

“Mmmhmm. I wasn’t going to let you be the only one to learn a new skill to help us relax,” Weiss said as she leaned over and gave Ruby a quick kiss on the cheek before she let Ruby return to massaging her wrist. 

“Do you think we should give Ilia one of your cool spa day things Weiss?” Ruby asked as Weiss nodded her agreement as Ilia watched on wide-eyed as Ruby finished with her wrist. 

 Weiss shot her a fond look as she rotated the wrist gently and nodded in satisfaction.  

“You know Ruby I saw Ilia hunching her neck and shoulders. They’re probably sore from all this bowling. You should give her a quick shoulder massage before we go turn in our equipment don’t you think?” Raven asked in the most innocent tone of voice she could as Ilia felt her eyes widen in horror. Or excitement. It was probably both. 

“Hmm oh sure! Uh, unless you don’t want me to! I won’t touch you if you don’t want it. I promise,” Ruby said holding her hand on her heart. 

Ilia managed something she thought might have been a sentence but it seemed to be enough for Ruby who shot a quick look at Weiss who nodded to the both of them as she snagged another fry from the pile and Ruby came around the table behind Ilia. 

There was no way she was going to be alive at the end of this massage she was sure, but what a way to go. 

Even if she had to ignore the way Raven was smirking at her as she sipped a milkshake. Weiss’s smirk was more confusing but she lost all other thoughts as Ruby gently moved her hair and whispered in her ear. 

“Stop me if it hurts real bad or you feel uncomfortable ok Ilia?” Ruby asked and Ilia fell a bit in love with the soft way she said her name like she was something precious and nodded not trusting her voice to be anything besides a whimper at this point.

As Ruby’s hands, that Ilia now were convinced belonged to a goddess given form, descended on her sore shoulders Ilia felt her eyes close of their own volition as she put all her focus into not whimpering or whining as Ruby’s hands worked their magic on her.

She felt someone remove her food from her hands, but that was fine. She didn’t need to focus on anything else right now anyway. 

She’d just let Ruby do her thing and eat later. Why eat instead of focusing on this heavenly massage? If Ruby didn’t want to be a writer anymore she could easily do massages for a living. 

Ilia relaxed as best she could and tried to think of nothing. She lost track of time until she heard various voices around her. Weiss and Ruby? A flash? Raven maybe?

She felt herself change direction for some reason? It didn’t matter she was too relaxed to care as she felt a source of warmth and burrowed into it especially when she felt a cold wind blow into her until something was draped over her that she eagerly sank into. 

And then she didn’t think at all. 

Ilia woke up the next morning in her own bed sadly alone, but as she stretched she felt something drop off her front and looked down to discover Weiss’s jacket as she felt her face burn as she realized she’d fallen asleep as Ruby had given her the shoulder massage. 

Well, at least she’d survived so that was something. She ran a hand through her hair and noticed it had been taken out of its ponytail. She didn't remember doing that but shrugged it off.

Picking up her phone she saw she had a few new messages. She checked the time and saw it was still only mid-morning. The perks of falling asleep while getting a massage she guessed. If nothing else her shoulders had never felt better. 

Raven had sent her several pictures that made her face turn red. 

The first was Ilia her eyes closed in bliss with her head lolling back as Ruby diligently worked on her shoulders with a focused expression on her face. Weiss was off to the side grinning and looked amused at the situation. 

The second was her being carried by Ruby in a bridal carry, which did all sorts of things to her insides, while she slept with Weiss’s coat draped over her. 

Even more embarrassing was her skin was a mix of colors. While she only spontaneously cycled colors when highly embarrassed, if she was completely relaxed, her skin shifted to a mish-mash of colors since she apparently no longer held the ability in check. It was beyond mortifying. Ok, it was fine she clearly trusted them and if it was just the three of them then she could deal with it. Probably. Four if you counted Raven. 

She was cut off from a potential spiral as her phone rang. Seeing it was Sun she eagerly answered it. 

“Hey Sun,” Ilia greeted her friend warmly actually missing the idiot. 

“Sup lizard girl,” Sun fired back instantly. “Just wanted to say I got your postcard and wanted to thank you for it. The glitter was a nice touch. Neptune loved it.”

“You just put it in his clothes drawer didn’t you?” Ilia asked grin on her face as she spoke. 

“What? No of course not. I just misplaced it!” Sun deflected and made almost no effort to sound confused.

“Would it be misplaced in his drawer?” Ilia asked with a smirk as she heard Sun give a thoughtful hum as he pretended to consider the answer. 

“You know you could be right! I’m sure he’ll tell me about it if it is there!” Sun said as Ilia let out a small giggle. 

“You sound happy Ilia. I take it things are going well?” Sun asked his voice mischievous causing Ilia to tense up as she hasn’t yet told him how things had gone with the other two. 

“It’s kinda complicated. Do you want to come up for a vacation? The both of you? I can spring it,” Ilia offered wanting to see her friend again. 

“I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t. Might be a few days though, and are you sure? We could pay for it too you know!” Sun replied. 

“We’ll split it. I’ll buy the flight you pay for your hotel,” Ilia counter offered which Sun accepted. 

“So how long were you gonna hold out on me?” Sun asked slyly as Ilia sighed before she decided to be direct to a point. 

“It’s a conversation I’d rather have in person if you don’t mind,” Ilia said at last. 

“You ok lizard girl? I thought things were going well based on the picture. Different but you know still good. Unless Blake has changed like…a lot I mean,” Sun said and Ilia felt dread creep over her as she forced herself to ask. 

“Sun what picture are you talking about?” 

“Uh, there’s a news article about you. Well they don’t have your name or anything just an unidentified girl but I know you when I see you even from farther away,” Sun boasted before he continued. 

“It’s on the web from the Dusk til Dawn news site. It looks like you’re in some sort of indoor place eating some food, or I guess there’s a giant pile of food on the table and this cute girl with short hair rubbing your shoulders while Weiss freaking Schnee is looking at you both,” Sun replied.

“Please tell me you’re joking,” Ilia begged her friend as she felt her mortification skyrocket.  

“Uh no sorry. It says here that well…uh a lot of things really. All sorts of stuff from you blackmailing them into dating them, or the opposite with Weiss blackmailing the both of you to do her bidding as she starts her own harem. That sort of thing. Lots of speculation about who you might be to catch the eye of such a power couple.”

Ilia’s scream of rage and mortification might have been muffled by her pillow but she was pretty sure everyone in the house had heard it anyway. 

Chapter Text

Fortunately for Ilia, only Raven had shown up after Ilia had hung up on Sun after a quick goodbye. 

“You ok kid?” Raven asked with a raised eyebrow as the Faunus slowly regained her breathing as she took desperate gulps of air. 

In response, Ilia took her phone and searched for the site Sun had mentioned, and then face still burning handed it to Raven who took and read the article with a raised eyebrow being her only indication that anything was amiss. 

“That would explain why Ruby left in a fit with Cinder earlier. Normally I’d have gone with her but she wanted someone here to watch you, and Weiss is already at work…actually I taped her announcement today for you to watch. Of course, it was Lisa Lavender who wrote this,” Raven said as she handed the phone back with a roll of her eyes. 

“At least they don’t know my name,” Ilia said in relief until she noticed Raven pause. 

“I wouldn’t be entirely too sure of that one anymore kid,” Raven said as Ilia felt her relief shatter into nothingness as Raven beckoned her to follow which she did after slipping on a pair of socks to keep her feet warm. As a chameleon Faunus, she was more sensitive to cold than most after all. 

Raven patiently waited and brought her to the living room where she had everything set up on the screen. 

“This is from about an hour ago. I thought you’d like to see it but you’ll see what I mean in a second,” Raven said as she hit play and the recording began playing showing Weiss in front of a very large newly rebuilt building. 

“Today we are gathered as Weiss Schnee of the SEC is about to unveil the latest in a series of charities designed to help bridge the gap between humans and Faunus.”

“Today it is my pleasure to unveil my company’s latest reconstruction efforts which were put together with the aid of a good friend of mine. I am pleased to name it in her honor. This is the Amitola Children’s Hospital for children who are in need of medical care,”

Raven paused the video to look over at Ilia who was currently cycling through a variety of colors while squealing and biting her knuckle trying to stifle the squeal.  

“So anyway,” Raven said as she turned off the TV and drew Ilia’s attention back to her even as the girl struggled to stop squealing adorably. 

“Aside from Ruby, you’re the only person she’s ever named a charity after and she used your last name. The odds of them not digging into it and finding your full name and past affiliations are…low at this point.”

Ilia felt her face pale at that. While her membership with the White Fang was something she was proud of and wouldn’t be an issue, would they be able to find anything that linked her to when she’d thought of joining Adam’s more radical branch? Would this reflect badly on Weiss and the Faunus by association? Would they try to force Weiss to distance herself and Ruby from her? They couldn't do that, could they?

Her worry must have been obvious because Raven was suddenly in front of her taking her hands gently as she whispered to her. 

“Breathe with me kid. You didn’t join. You might have thought about it, but you didn’t. Adam and his ilk were arrested. When Sienna was turning over the violent offenders your name never came up. Do you really think if Ruby or Weiss thought you were a threat to the other one they’d let you into their home? Take you bowling? Read with you? Play silly games with you?” Raven continued to whisper to Ilia as she slowly calmed down.

The front door opening a few minutes later shattered Ilia’s hard-won calm as Weiss came in looking pristine albeit with a slight pink to her cheeks for some reason.

Raven’s cocked head got her an answer, or part of one at least. “Nosey reporters is all,” Weiss had said as she sat next to Ilia. 

“Hello, Ilia I trust Raven showed you the…broadcast?” Weiss started and it was all Ilia could do to hold her instinct to squeeze the life out of Weiss for something so thoughtful as Weiss fidgeted.  

“I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you but I wanted to do something to show how much I appreciated your efforts and what you meant to u-” Whatever else she was going to say was cut off as Ilia lost the battle to restrain herself and lunged at Weiss to crush her in a hug.

Ilia was grateful she’d managed to restrain herself even the slightest bit because she’d almost kissed the woman and friend or not she was sure that would get her thrown out and maybe cost her two of the most important people in her life. And she couldn’t let that happen. Not now. Not when her life was finally turning around. So she settled for squeezing her tightly as Weiss hugged her in return.

“Where’s Ruby? I expected her to be attached to your hip. She did say she wanted to spend time with you today,” Weiss asked as Raven supplied the answer by handing her, her own phone. 

Ilia felt nervous as Weiss read the article on the website and then handed it back to Raven with a simple “I see.”

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you two any problems,” Ilia muttered as she looked down. That was the last thing she wanted after all. 

“Ilia think nothing of it. Those vultures were bound to print something eventually. If anything I’m sorry I inadvertently gave them your name this morning,” Weiss apologized and this time it was Ilia’s turn to shake her head.

She was stopped from any further speaking or explaining as the front door smashed open and a furious Ruby came tearing inside. 

“Ruby, what's wrong?” Weiss asked in concern while Ilia was only a second behind in voicing her own as the girl stalked to the kitchen and Cinder came inside gently closing the door while wearing a smug smile. 

“You should have seen it. It was glorious and I didn't even have to do anything. She went off on the entire office for their “grossly inappropriate reporting and libel”,” Cinder said with a smirk. “They were all terrified.”

Ilia felt herself wilt at that. She should have known she was reading too much into it last night. She felt like she’d taken a punch to her gut at thinking Ruby would go so far and be so upset at the mere implication that there was something between them.

Cinder, unaware of her thoughts, continued. “She got them to correct their libel. Here’s the new article,” Cinder said as she handed the phone to Weiss and Ilia who took it despite being afraid of how it would decry her only to be confused when it appeared to be mostly the same article at first glance. 

“How could I not?” Ruby snarled as she came into the room with the tub of partially eaten ice cream and trio of spoons even though it was before noon still. 

“Did you not see what they wrote? They said Ilia WAS AVERAGE AND PLAIN!” As though the idea was absurd Ruby shook her head and pointed a spoon at Ilia. “Ilia plain? The whole office needs their eyes checked,” Ruby growled and Ilia barely managed to keep her skin from cycling colors at that declaration and the possessive tone it was said in as she looked at the article again and scrutinized it. 

Sure enough, there at the bottom was an editor's note apologizing for describing Miss Amitola as plain instead of the vibrant beautiful young woman she is and another apology to Miss Rose and Schnee for saying such unkind things about the aforementioned woman. 

Weiss chuckled softly. “Only you Ruby, but you’re right. I’m glad you got them to fix the error.”

Ilia felt herself flush completely as Ruby smiled sweetly down at her and handed her a spoon. “Ready for a fun day chocolate buddy?” Ruby asked as Ilia could only barely manage a smile and nod in response as Cinder left out the front door. 

What followed was a few hours watching terrible movies while they put another dent in the tub of ice cream before Weiss shooed Ruby away to “get everything ready”. At Ilia’s confused glance Weiss just told her it was a late birthday present for her and invited her to take a shower while they got it set up. 

Ilia was confused as she’d never really had a birthday party in recent memory and other than Sun and her exchanging gifts when they had the spare pocket change she’d never done much for her birthday at all. 

She exited the shower in a towel. She was surprised and let out a squeak when she found the other two waiting on her, each wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. 

She eventually managed to find her voice and stutter out what might have been a question. At least they seemed to get it as Weiss explained that they wanted to treat her to an at-home spa day as a late birthday present. 

She was free to decline of course and they’d do something else, but as Weiss asked she pointed out the massage table, chair, and various oils and beauty products all arranged and waiting to be used on Ilia should she wish for it. 

Ilia through an act of sheer godlike willpower managed to keep her composure as she silently padded over to the chair and sat down. 

What if I hadn’t been wearing a towel?” Ilia managed to ask even as her face became drenched in color. 

“Then I guess it would’ve been my birthday,” Ruby said with a guileless shrug that had Ilia’s face burning. There was no way she understood what she was saying…until Weiss corrected her with “Our birthday Ruby” and a pat on the hand after Ruby nodded at the correction.  

“Y-you don’t have to do this you know?” Ilia managed to get out before her voice failed her completely. 

“But we want to,” Ruby said with a bright grin as Weiss picked up where she left off. 

“You’re very important to us, Ilia. One of our best friends and we’d be remiss if we didn’t celebrate your birthday just because we hadn’t met when you had your last one,” Weiss said with a gentle smile as Ruby nodded her head along at speeds Ilia was sure would give her a headache if she tried to replicate.

“Let us show you what you mean to us,” Ruby said almost like a plea to Ilia. 

Ilia acknowledged her with a smile of her own that Ruby beamed at as she put a dab of oil on her hands. Seeing Ilia’s look she explained. “This oil helps the muscles relax and it’s nice and warm!”

“While she’s starting on your legs I figure we’ll start with a few beauty treatments I use that I’m fond of, not that you really need them of course,” Weiss hastened to add almost as if afraid she’d offended Ilia who merely smiled at the other woman. How could she be offended by two people treating her to such a wonderful day?

She barely withheld a moan as Ruby softly worked on her legs and failed completely when she hit a particularly sore spot. The result was embarrassing as she lost control of her skin for a moment and her skin around the area shifted into a slew of colors instinctually as Ruby worked out the knots she found. 

Neither said anything to call attention to it although she did hear Ruby mutter the word pretty under her breath which sent heat flooding into her cheeks.  

Weiss gained a small smile as she gently brushed her hands over Ilia’s cheeks and started to gently massage her temple and the side of her face before she gently whispered into Ilia’s ear to ask if she was ready for her facial treatment. 

After a shaky nod which came more from the sensation of Weiss whispering in her ear than anything else Weiss’s gentle hands worked their magic on her face and Ilia felt her eyes flutter shut as Ruby continued to slowly work on her legs and feet. 

She wasn’t sure how long they took slowly working their magic on her as time seemed to lose all meaning to her. Several times she let out a groan, or moan as Ruby hit a particularly sensitive spot or nearly whimpered as Weiss gently brushed her hair out of her face as she applied a little touch of a skin care routine to her face or took a moment to compliment Ilia's hair and run a gentle hand through it.  

She was sure her skin was a rainbow of colors at this point but she couldn’t bring herself to care as they both held and touched her so lovingly. It all felt so intimate even though she was sure it was all in her head but the feeling of being touched so gently, so kindly and with absolute regard for her well being and comfort was so close to bringing her to the edge of tears.  For so many years she'd been bereft of any sort of positive touch in her life, hugs with Sun notwithstanding, and now to have two people she knew she was so very attracted to treating her so kindly was almost more than she could bear. 

She had never felt anything close to this comfortable with another person. Not even when she thought of or was obsessed with Blake. That had been fueled by her fantasies from when she was a child and without really knowing who Blake was, or rather had become. This was much worse because she knew these two people, and they’d become some of her dearest friends. 

How was she supposed to keep from trying to jump one or both of them if they kept showering her with such casual affection? 

Weiss was one of the most powerful and influential women in the world and she named a hospital after her! HER! And then she just as casually ate popcorn or played video games with Ilia like Ilia was somehow worthy of even being in the same room as she was. 

For some reason, she wanted her there spending time with her as a friend and it turned out that away from the press the real Weiss was an even more incredible person than she’d thought possible. She had a sharp wit and a sometimes blunt sense of humor but was always careful to be respectful of her boundaries and treat her with utmost respect. Hell most Faunus didn’t show her half as much respect. 

Who was Ilia compared to that? No one special that was for sure. A poor little chameleon Faunus whose parents had died who was obsessed with a childhood friend but hadn’t noticed she’d changed and had almost gotten mixed up in with a group of Faunus who would have tried to kill people like Weiss and Ruby. And Weiss didn’t even care! 

The woman had single-handedly done more for Faunus rights and equality in the last few years than most of the White Fang put together and somehow she wanted to spend time with Ilia of all people. She just…didn’t understand. 

And then that didn’t even get into Ruby. 

Ilia was sure that if Ruby had an hour alone with anyone, even Adam she could win them over with the pure kind-hearted person that she was. She’d never even seen the girl more than playfully upset except at the implication the article had made that she was plain. 

Ruby had called her beautiful. Had said she admired her passion. Was an accomplished author and had taken Ilia’s words to heart. Had given her a special thanks in her book on the same level she reserved for Weiss alone. Was touching her so softly, so full of care that she wanted to weep at how gentle she was being. Like Ilia was some object to be treasured and worshipped.

She enjoyed playing silly games with Ilia, eating ice cream or popcorn, and reading books. They’d even sat and read together out of the same book and it had been wonderful! Ruby had rested her head on Ilia’s shoulder as they gently turned the pages with soft music playing in the background. That was another time she’d nearly lost control of herself and her desire to kiss the woman that was currently making her feel incredible. 

She’d gone to such lengths as to barge into a website's physical office, which she didn’t even know they still had, because they had dared to call Ilia anything less than beautiful! Her! She hadn’t even registered that the article had called her plain as that’s how she’d always thought of herself. Average, and yet Ruby had been so incensed that she’d gone down there and terrified the office on her behalf. 

She might not have as much power or as many connections as Weiss did but everyone knew that if Ruby Rose wanted something done it carried Weiss’s name behind it. 

Neither one cared she was a Faunus, anything she’d done or had any issues being seen with her in public. They didn’t even seem to care about the photo and were again more concerned with Ilia’s wellbeing. 

How? How could not one but two such people exist? These were the people Adam would hunt down and hurt if given the chance and they didn’t care about her being a Faunus or anything! They only wanted to help. What had she done to deserve such incredible friends? Why did they want to be friends with her of all people? And why couldn’t she stop these feelings? She knew it was a terrible idea. She knew there was no way they’d feel the same about her in return. 

She needed help. Raven was too biased, and Sun was too many days away to help and she needed the help in person. 

Blake was…yeah that was probably not a great idea as she still hadn’t read that letter. 

Yang! She would help. Sure she was Ruby’s sister but she’d known them for a while and said she’d felt like Ilia was a younger sister to her. Older sisters gave good advice, right? She’d ignore the implications of both of them being sisters and ask or rather beg Yang for advice. Like and actually were worlds away after all. 

As Ruby hit another knot in her upper thigh perilously close to the edge of her towel while Weiss whispered words of encouragement to her about how lovely she was as she applied another layer to her mask she fought a battle to keep herself under control. She was so so very close to just throwing off her towel and trying to kiss one of them. Even if the end result would be them reacting in disgust and kicking her out of the house. 

Well ok they were too nice for that, but they might stop touching her, or things might be awkward after they turned her down, but they were making it so damn hard not to think about these things. 

After an entire session of being tortured and pampered Ilia was mercifully free as they went to take a water break before Ruby would come back and start work on her arms, and shoulders, and Weiss wanted her to keep the mask on for a little longer while she worked on applying some sort of cream she swore by to her legs. 

Ilia managed to find her phone and text Yang with the number she’d been given at the start of her disastrous stay at Blake’s. She kept it simple and said she needed advice and could she pretty please come over here and save her before she totally lost it and the sooner the better tonight would be great but earlier would be best. 

Barely a minute later she got a response saying she’d be there and Ilia tossed the phone on her bed and sat back down not a minute before the two came back with a few more bottles of liquid pampering as Weiss had said. 

What followed was the closest Ilia might ever come to heaven while still alive. She had no idea on the passage of time except to say that it had happened and that by the end of it she might have been the most pampered and happy Faunus to have ever lived. 

She’d gone far past embarrassed and her skin had constantly shifted to correlate to whoever was touching her.  

Reddish hues for Ruby including orange, red like her namesake, and many others. Weiss received blue and white tones, and together if they happened to be touching the same area it turned into a violet or pink. Red and blue or red and white mixed together. And of course, all in the brightest colors she could imagine.  

Ilia knew exactly what that meant but she was absolutely not going to say a word about it until she spoke with Yang to get some advice. She could only pray that the grins on her friends faces were from satisfaction at a job well done and not because they were aware of that particular quirk of chameleon Faunus. 

They slowly, incredibly slowly cleaned off the oils and mask from her face when they were done sending Ilia even further into the realm of being pampered as they spent a few minutes brushing her hair with both a brush and their hands.

The last feelings she had was of being carried and gently tucked into bed. Ilia was amazed she could even be held because she currently felt boneless as though she were a pile of goo, and had never felt more loved than she did at that moment. 

She tried. So very very hard to get her mouth to work and portray that information to her friends. So they knew how much she appreciated and cared for them but all she could manage was a small whimper as her body betrayed her and turned violet again. She really hoped they didn’t understand what that meant. Especially the fact that her body doing it on her own and she wasn’t even trying to make it happen. 

The last thing she thought she felt as they carefully and ever so gently tucked her in was a pair of lips on each side of her cheek that held for just a second longer than a friendly kiss. Then again she was probably imagining it. If only her eyes would listen to her and open!

She then heard them wish her a good nap and close the door before she succumbed to her body's desire to sleep. 

“Yeah, I got it thanks Raven ,” Was what woke Ilia up from her mid-morning, or mid-day nap? She really didn’t know. She was far too content and happy to care. She could only barely muster the energy to raise her eyelids as she saw Yang close the door behind her and blew her hair out of her face before she turned to look at Ilia. 

“You look comfortable. Anything you wanna share?” Was all she said with a conspiratorial grin. 

For once Ilia was far too comfortable to care or be embarrassed and settled for weakly flipping Yang off. 

Her boisterous laughter echoed throughout the house and made Ilia feel marginally better at the conversation that was to come as Yang removed her jacket and gently sat at the desk chair after turning it around so she could sit down more comfortably. 

“So…let’s talk,” Yang said and Ilia felt her throat close up at that wondering how to start the conversation that maybe she might fancy not only Weiss but Yang's own little sister before Yang withdrew her own phone and showed her the picture of Ruby carrying her home after bowling. 

Ilia’s whimper set Yang off once more as she wondered just how poorly this was going to go and settled for screaming into her pillow again. 

This was really starting to become a habit.

Chapter Text

Yang waited with a patient and amused look on her face before Raven opened the door to check on the muffled scream. 

“You ok kids?” The dark-haired woman asked as she looked between the two. Ilia settled for a weak thumbs up as Yang gave a curt nod. Raven gave a strained smile and closed the door leaving the two alone once more. 

“Get all that out?” Yang asked with an amused grin as Ilia buried her face in her hands and the covers slipped down which revealed she was still only wearing a towel. 

“You want to get changed first? I can look over there at the uh fancy painting Weiss had put in here,” Yang offered as she pointed a thumb over to the side where a fancy picture of a dog was hanging. 

Beyond embarrassed Ilia just nodded her head as Yang stood up and faced the painting. Ilia quickly dressed and wondered at how quickly the circumstances of her life could change. A few weeks ago she’d have killed to be in this position of potentially seducing Yang and Blake and now she wanted to cover up so she could instead talk to Yang about trying to seduce her little sister and girlfriend. If they even could think of Ilia in that way which she very much doubted . She needed some help, and if she had to talk to her crush’s sister to get help then so be it. 

“I’m decent,” Ilia called out as she spied the massage table and spa chair had been folded up and pushed to the side of the room and blushed at the memory of soft whispers and gentle loving hands. 

Yang followed her line of sight as she sat back in the chair and raised an eyebrow. 

“They busted out the spa stuff huh? They must like you a lot,” Yang said as she sat back down and took notice of Ilia’s pink markings. 

“So what did you want to talk about? I’d ask if they were bothering you, but I get the feeling that’s not it, or not exactly it,” Yang said as she tapped the back of her chair to some rhythm only she knew. 

“I’m a mess,” Ilia admitted as she looked to Yang who simply sat there patiently waiting on her to expand on that statement. 

“I’m really sorry Yang,” Ilia said as Yang looked quizzically at her and opened her mouth to speak before Ilia continued on while she still felt brave enough to apologize. 

“I kept trying, bothering really, Blake to give me a chance with first her, and then later with the both of you, but I’d never really earned it. I was trying to force myself into your life,” Ilia sadly intoned. 

“Ilia it’s-,” Yang tried to say before she was cut off. 

“Please let me finish?” Ilia asked and Yang took a breath and nodded as she put her hand back down. 

“Growing up, after my parents died Blake was about all I had. I got too dependent on her. I ascribed feelings that weren’t reciprocated to her actions when she was just trying to be my friend. She was though, my friend I mean,” Ilia hastened to add to an understanding Yang who nodded along content to let her speak for now. 

“I just thought it all meant more, and then when she left I kept thinking about her, and never really thought about how she might have changed from when she left even though it had been years, and every time she visited I was sure she was coming back just for me. It…wasn’t healthy,” Ilia admitted as she tried to blink back tears before she felt the bed shift as Yang took a seat next to her to hug the poor Faunus who hugged her back. 

She was warm, was Ilia’s first thought. A few weeks ago Ilia would have said she was sure it was romantic but now? It was nice, but all she felt for the blonde in front of her was gratefulness and friendship. 

“Outside of some superficial similarities we never really had much in common. Books, we were both Faunus in the White Fang, a love of tea and easy to upset stomachs, and that was really it honestly,” Ilia shrugged as she pulled away from Yang who frowned at her. 

“It’s fine Ilia. No apology needed. You just thought you were following your heart. I was the one that told her to make the offer. If anything I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I can’t imagine it was cheap to catch a flight here,” Yang said gently as she squeezed one of Ilia’s free hands before she sighed. 

“To be honest after mom…Raven left I kinda got really overprotective of Ruby. I hated letting go of control of anything or losing something important to me. I wasn’t the nicest person to Weiss when she expressed her interest in dating Ruby. I was flattered she’d come to ask me about dating her but I kinda told her no. Of course, Weiss being Weiss wasn’t afraid to tell me she was only asking as a courtesy. Girl takes what she wants,” Yang laughed as Ilia felt a smile form on her face at the thought of the white-haired woman. 

“I was still messed up, had mood swings that got me in trouble, and was terrified that deep down Ruby would abandon me too, or that Weiss would take her from me,” Yang paused to blow some stray hair from in front of her eyes before she looked back at Ilia. 

“I’ve gotten better at it. Blake admitted she’d had to go through a few therapists before she found one that worked for her and she suggested I do the same. I was so angry at that, but I realized that she was just trying to help and there was no reason for me to be mad at her for just suggesting it. She was right though it did help. Not at first but after a while, I started feeling better like I wasn’t just about to explode at some minor inconvenience. I don’t know why Blake stayed cause I can’t have been that pleasant half the time, but she did,” Yang said with a shrug and a fond look in her eyes at the mention of Blake.  

“It’s because she loves you. Just like I know Ruby, and Weiss do,” Ilia said as Yang smiled and nodded. “And Raven.” 

Yang’s face lost its smile and she turned away from Ilia. 

“The worst part of that is that I know you’re right. I just can’t seem to find it in me to forgive her. Ruby can’t hold a grudge to save her life so she took her back and Weiss with her after a while, but all I can think of is coming home one day and her not being here. Constantly being gone when I needed her. When Ruby needed her. It makes me feel like a helpless little kid again. I hate it,” Yang whispered at the end as Ilia initiated the hug this time as Yang grabbed onto one of her hands even as she didn’t move.

After a few moments, Yang gently turned around and looked at Ilia with a small smile. 

“Not that I don’t appreciate the sesh but I’m pretty sure you brought me over here to discuss a different relationship?” Yang asked with a wiggle of her brows that caused Ilia to flush. 

“It’s not like that!” Ilia protested despite the blush staining her face. 

“But you want it to be,” Yang teased the blushing Faunus who covered her face with her hands. “Come on tell big sis all about it,” Yang offered as she laid on the bed and kept an arm open on the adjoining pillow for Ilia to lay on so she could hug her. 

Face still burning Ilia picked up the hint and did as asked as she and Yang stared up at the ceiling for a few moments. 

“When I first got here. I wasn’t expecting much. I assumed that if you and Blake knew them then they were probably decent people. The kind who wouldn’t care if I was a Faunus, or would get me an extra bar of soap or something,” Ilia explained as Yang hummed to show she’d heard her. Feeling encouraged, Ilia continued. 

“At first I wondered if Ruby even knew what the temperature was. She was wearing shorts and a hoodie, and then I saw Weiss and realized it was a Schnee. For a second I almost exploded at her for everything her family had done to the Faunus,” Ilia explained.

“But you didn’t,” Yang said knowingly from beside her. 

“No, I didn’t. I realized she was the good one. That she’d been working hard at making things better for everyone. They were nothing like I thought. That first night they cared. So much. We ate ice cream and watched stupid movies I can’t remember, and then I ended up crying because they were just SO NICE to me!” Ilia said as her voice kept getting louder before she took a second to take a few steadying breaths and continue. 

“They ended up telling me about their lives, and struggles, and then we fell asleep on the couch together. I woke up the next morning and realized they’d fallen asleep on either side of me and holding hands across my stomach,” Ilia said as she gently touched her stomach again as she tried to recapture the feeling. She opened her eyes to see Yang looking at her with a look that was both proud and amused. 

“Did you know you’re violet right now?” Yang asked as she used an elbow to prop up her head with her hand as Ilia felt even more mortified. 

“It’s a new change. Do you know anything about chameleon Faunus?” Ilia asked as she looked over at Yang who looked thoughtful before shaking her head. 

“So…when chameleons want to try and attract a… mate ,” Ilia barely managed to get out as her face burned in embarrassment even as Yang patiently waited without making a comment. “They try to change their skins to bright colors. I figured it out during the spa session, but when Weiss touches me I get blue, or white colors where she’s touching, and when your sister does it's shades of red. Mix them together and well…,” Ilia trailed off. 

“You get pink or violet. Huh, that’s kinda adorable actually. Like really cute,” Yang said before her eyes widened a fraction. “When you were at our house?”

“I blushed and turned pink but I never really turned any other colors than you’d expect from a normal person. The fact that I’ve started doing it without realizing it…is a pretty big indicator of how I feel,” Ilia answered for Yang who nodded her head working through the information. 

“I suppose you didn’t need me to talk you through your feelings then. I guess the real question is what are you going to do about it?” Yang asked

“I thought you might have more of a reaction to the whole wanting to date your little sister thing?” Ilia asked even though she knew she should just accept that minor miracle for what it was. 

Yang just waved her off. “Please. You spent a few days with us. I got a good read on you, and Ruby’s an adult who can make her own choices. That’s what my therapy sessions have told me anyway.”

“Actually,” Yang said as she thought about things for a moment. “They’ve kinda been talking about meeting you for a while now that I’m thinking about it. Ever since Blake showed them that picture of the two of you from a few years back.”

“I thought she just mentioned me off-hand?” Ilia asked, slightly confused as Yang shook her head and her hair followed the motion. 

“No, she talked about you a lot actually. Talked you up a lot I mean. All about how passionate you were about Faunus rights, all your good points. It’s why I went ahead and agreed to the whole trial thing. I thought she was really trying to sell you to me and was into you but…,” Yang trailed off. 

“But?” Ilia asked as Yang narrowed her eyes for a moment. 

“Would you be cool waiting here a minute? I need to check something. It’s important,” Yang bargained and Ilia could only nod in response as Yang smiled and left the room. 

The alone time gave her time to think about their conversation. The positives were that Yang seemed content to let Ruby and Weiss make their own choices in regard to dating so she didn’t have to worry about that aspect, and she had admitted out loud to another person that she had said feelings. Granted that was just one person and a far cry from the two she wanted to tell but it counted for something at least. 

The downsides were that while she was fairly sure said feelings were intense and real she was doubtful they’d be returned, and based on her skin she was fairly sure this would hurt far, far more. 

She’d never been so comfortable that she subconsciously let her control over her skin slip even sleeping before, but she’d done it so many times already in the short time she’d spent with them. She’d never even done that with Blake or Sun and she had known them most of her life!

She was just a nobody but for some reason, a semi-famous author and one of the richest and most powerful women on the planet changed books or named hospitals after her. And as nice as that was it was the little things, like the way Ruby would read with Ilia, or her smile as they played games, Weiss’s secretive smirk or lingering touches as she guided Ilia through basic yoga stretches that spoke so much more to her. 

The positive touch she’d longed for her whole life was so easily and readily filled by these two and she just couldn’t lose it! At the same time suffering in silence for the rest of her life also wasn’t a pleasant thought. Could she leave and find someone else? No. That wouldn’t be fair to them. They’d just be a stand-in for Ruby and Weiss and the hypothetical deserved better than that. Her spiral was stopped as Yang stepped back into the room actually giving Raven a thankful nod as her hands were full as she brought a binder over to the bed. 

“I figured I’d find something like this. Uh don’t tell Weiss I took this yeah? She’d never stop yelling about it,” Yang asked as Ilia nodded dumbfounded at why she’d gone to get it in the first place. 

Yang flipped open the book to a page near the front before she pointed at a picture of the four of them a few years younger posing in front of a school. 

“This is us a few weeks after meeting. Check out the dorks you’re staying with,” Yang instructed Ilia who did as she was told and noticed that Ruby and Weiss were sneakily holding hands causing Ilia to smile even as she felt a brief pang of hurt at the fact that even so far back they’d been inseparable. Was that why Yang was showing her this? To let her know she didn’t have a chance?

“Ok, so neither of the two is shy about what they want. Especially Weiss. She learned that if she didn’t try for what she wanted it would never happen. They also started dating rather quickly. I think it was a few days of them at odds and then the next week they were all lovey-dovey with each other. Still are actually. And look at my hair. It’s so young and vibrant!” Yang said fondly even though it appeared exactly the same to Ilia. 

Ilia blinked at Yang not entirely sure what to say to that last part or even the rest of that story. To her credit, Yang appeared to realize that she needed to expound on her story. 

“So anyway this is like a scrapbook slash diary for the two dorks. Check out this!” Yang said as she plucked a picture from the binder and flipped it around to show Ilia. To her surprise, it was a picture of a slightly younger her smiling at the camera with her arms around Sun at the pool. His not-yet boyfriend was next to them covered in pool floaties. She remembered sending it to Blake hoping she’d appreciate herself in a swimsuit. Wait a minute!

“Why do Weiss and Ruby have that picture?” Ilia asked as Yang smirked. 

“Why because Blake gave it to them. I should have noticed earlier but she only ever talked you up, like way up when we hung around them, usually after getting a letter from you. And didn’t you say she talked to you about them too?” Yang asked with her head tilted. 

“Well, a bit. She usually included a bit in her letters about all her friends…but?” Ilia trailed off as she thought. 

“But?” Yang echoed. 

“Now that I think of it she did usually say more about them than you. Not a lot but more. A few paragraphs maybe. You aren’t saying?” Ilia asked as her eyes widened at the thought that Blake had been orchestrating a meeting between them for years. 

“Based on the diary entries I’m seeing it seems like she thought you were a good match for them and has been working on it for a while. I don’t know why she picked now though. I, uh don’t think I should let you see the diary entries. The pictures are kinda far enough,” Yang apologized and Ilia agreed. They were more than fair about respecting her boundaries the least she could do was respect their private thoughts. She trusted they’d show it to her if they wanted her to see it. 

“Did her letter to you say anything about it?” Yang asked curiously as she slid the picture back into its place in the book. 

Ilia felt rather embarrassed but since Yang was being so honest she decided to bite the bullet and do the same. “I um…didn’t read it yet.”

She braced herself for bitter accusations but instead was met with a shrug from Yang as she closed the book. “Makes sense. I’d probably avoid it for a while too if it’d been me. You might want to see if she did leave something in there about it though” Yang offered as she sat back on her hands. 

Ilia still felt conflicted which Yang noticed as she waved her hand as though trying to disperse some smoke. 

“Or we can talk about how you should go about confessing to the dorks that live here instead. We can always figure out if Blakey has been setting all this up later after you get the girls yeah?” Yang asked with an easy-going smile which helped settle some of Ilia’s nerves. 

“Do…do you think they might. Maybe…like me too?” Ilia asked shyly as her marking went pink. 

“Huh Ruby was right. That is cool. As to your question? Do you honestly think if they didn’t they’d learn about all your favorite stuff, spend tons of time with you, or name hospitals after you? Hell, all I get to hear is them gushing about you nowadays since you started living here,” Yang said with the tone of one who had suffered for a long time. 

“They…talk about me?” Ilia asked in disbelief and Yang goggled at that. 

“You’re joking, right? Ruby is always talking about this cute thing you did, or how smart you are and how much fun playing a game or reading books is with you. Weiss is the same but more restrained. She talks about how smart or passionate you are, and not in the fun way,” Yang said as she wiggled her eyebrows at Ilia who flushed almost completely blue. 

“Seriously I had my little sis who’s one of the nicest people you could meet furious and calling me because this rag tabloid which has printed tons of unflattering things about her dared to not call you pretty, and she needed to vent about it and Weiss was at work already,” Yang chuckled as Ilia felt herself change colors. Bright Red.  

“See, even you know what that means here,” Yang said as she tapped her heart. “You’re just used to nothing working out so this is telling you to dismiss those thoughts,” Yang said as she tapped her head with a single finger. 

“I doubt they’d give you a full body massage and spa day treatment just for kicks. I know it’s hard to hear, or believe but Ilia,” Yang said and waited until she was sure Ilia was paying attention before she continued. “You deserve nice things. You deserve to be loved and treated well, and I know those two. You won’t find anyone more sincere or genuine out there. Let them treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Just accept that they seem to really like you and want you in their lives,” Yang said as Ilia lunged forward and hugged the blonde. 

After a moment Yang spoke up once more. “You do know that you are gonna have to bring this up with them right?” 

And Ilia felt herself freeze at that particular thought. “Are you…sure?”

Yang nodded even as she smiled sympathetically at her. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure they’re waiting on you to decide you’re ready. I think they’re trying to make sure you’re really ready for it. They don’t want to be a rebound deal. They really like you, you know?” 

“I can hardly even believe that I deserve it. They’re just so GOOD to me. I don’t feel like I deserve it for so many reasons,” Ilia said as she sniffed and Yang placed a hand on her shoulder. 

“That’s kinda up to them to decide isn’t it? And from everything they’ve been saying to me and Blake, or you’ve told me they seem like they really want you to join them. I think this next step is on you. That’s pretty fair don’t you think?” Yang said with a final squeeze of her shoulder as she stood up and grabbed her jacket, book, and made for the door. 

“Thank you, Yang,” Ilia said sincerely to the blonde who just smiled at her. 

“Just keep making them happy and we’ll call it even,” Yang said as her hand was on the doorknob. 

“I’ll send them up so you can talk to them,” Yang informed her as she turned the knob. 

“WHAT? NOW?” Ilia said horrified. She needed more time! This was too soon!

“If I don’t you’ll chicken out…or chameleon out?” Yang said as she thought about it for a moment and shrugged clearly not caring enough to think any more about it. “Good luck though!”

As Ilia watched the door close she felt her pulse skyrocket. At least she wasn’t in a towel still so that was something. Or would that make things better? Or worse? Both?

She spent the very small amount of time she had before both of her potential future partners showed up worrying that despite Yang’s assurances she’d misread every sign that ever existed until a gentle knock sounded, she made a noise that could have been called an acknowledgment, and the door opened to admit the two women who’d been occupying her thoughts and dreams as of late. 

They both were back in more normal clothes apparently having changed out of their spa day clothes which was both relieving and disappointing. At least she could focus better like this. 

They both smiled gently at her as they sat down on either side of her on the bed. 

“Hello, Ilia. Yang said you wanted to speak with us,” Weiss said with a patient smile in place although she appeared slightly anxious as did Ruby but Weiss hid it better as Ruby kept fidgeting in place. 

“I...well...that is…she,” Ilia struggled to get started before Ruby gently put her hand on Ilia’s before Weiss placed it on her other free hand. 

“I know Yang means well but sometimes she can make mistakes or push you to do things. Did you want to just go watch a movie?” Ruby offered her the easy out as she gently squeezed and ran a thumb over the back of Ilia’s joined hand. 

She wanted to take it so badly. They could just cuddle on the couch, and she could avoid the awkward conversation where she’d reveal her feelings and they’d turn her down. Gently at least, but then they’d be awkward. There’d be no more cuddle sessions, book reading, or eating ice cream while they tried to solve mystery games. 

She wanted to but if she did…if she just let this drag out would that make it worse when they inevitably moved on…without her? Clearly, they were going to get married at some point. Would she just be expected to move out then so the newlyweds could have peace? Would she be able to live with that without even trying? 

It was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever do but weren’t they worth it? She raised her head and gently squeezed their hands. Ruby and Weiss were both worth it. She knew that. Yang had told her to try so she would no matter the outcome. 

“No. Let’s talk now. If you have the time that is?” Ilia asked as they both shared a quick look with each other and grinned widely. 

“Ilia, I think I speak for the both of us when I tell you that for you we have all the time in the world,” Weiss said with a fond smile as Ruby nodded her head frantically in agreement. 

Ilia took a deep breath to steady her nerves and opened her mouth to pour out her heart before Ruby beat her to the punch. 

“We like you,” Ruby said plainly even as her cheeks reddened a bit. 

“Ruby,” Weiss said fondly while she rubbed the bridge of her nose and shook her head in exasperation. 

Ilia felt her eyes widen as her marking instantly went pink almost sure she misheard the energetic girl. “Y-You do?” 

Weiss waved Ruby on since she’d already started even if her own cheeks had a dash of pink on them already.

“Pff why go through the whole dramatic reveal thing and make it more complicated than it has to be?” Ruby asked Weiss before she shrugged and continued. “Ilia you’re super pretty, fun to be around, and I’d like to get to know you better if you’re ok with that. Weiss wanted to wait until she was sure you were over Blake and Yang, but every day you’re here I just want to hug and kiss you so I’m done waiting!” Ruby finished by pouting at Weiss who shook her head and turned to a shocked Ilia. 

Was this happening? Was this a dream and she was still sleeping in bed waiting for Yang to show up? Had she actually died during the spa day and this was her afterlife? 

“While Ruby was much more direct than I’d prefer, I agree with the sentiment,” Weiss said with a playful glare at Ruby who returned fire by sticking out her tongue at her.  

“Ilia you’re a wonderful person inside and out and we’d both like the chance to get to know you better if you’re amenable to it,” Weiss said gently as she squeezed Ilia’s hand and held her free hand out for Ruby to take, which she did while giggling. 

“Oh,” Ilia was stumped. Out of all the possible options she’d somehow never seriously considered this outcome. 

“If we’ve misread the signs, or if this has made things uncomfortable for you then we’ll stop being so forward or help you pack if you don’t feel you can be around us. That wasn’t our intention I assure y-”Weiss tried to explain before she was cut off as Ilia crashed into her. 

Let them think she didn’t want this? Unthinkable! She didn’t know if this was some cruel trick of her mind, or real but she wasn’t going to let this chance pass her by. She was a lot of things after all, but stupid wasn’t one of them!

“You two…my skin doesn’t just change like that for anyone,” Ilia began only for Ruby to cheer. 

“See I told you it meant something Weiss!” Ruby cheered as Weiss pulled them both closer to her and agreed. 

Ilia felt she should explain. “When a chameleon is trying to attract a mate its skin will change to bright colors, and when it’s a Faunus those colors will be what they associate the person with to attract them.”

“Oh ho! Consider me attracted then!” Ruby said as she tilted the three of them so that gravity would pull them onto the bed. 

“Myself as well,” Weiss admitted softly with a gentle smile as she gazed at the two of them and gently brushed her hand across Ilia’s face. 

“You guys…just…thank you. If this is a dream I don’t want to wake up,” Ilia admitted. 

“Me either,” Ruby admitted just as softly. 

“I know we should probably talk a little more but do you think we can stay like this…for just a little while?” Ilia asked as the other two cuddled closer to her and rested their heads on her shoulders. 

“Of course Ilia. As long as you like,” Weiss said before she gave Ilia a gentle kiss on the cheek not wanting to overwhelm the chameleon Faunus. 

Ilia stared wide-eyed before she felt Ruby give her an equally gentle kiss on her other side, and gave Ilia a toothy grin before she settled back down on her shoulder. 

None of them heard the click of the camera or door closing as Raven sent the picture to the woman standing next to her. 

“Thanks. For watching over them, and the picture,” Yang said as she awkwardly looked anywhere except at Raven. 

“Of course Yang. Thank you for coming over to speak with Ilia,” Raven said her tone low as though she was afraid of the wrong word, or tone spooking her estranged daughter who even now seemed twitchy and uncomfortable in her presence and just nodded her head. 

Raven watched sadly as Yang made it to the staircase before she took a deep breath and looked back at her mother. 

“We should…probably talk soon. Do you want to maybe get some burgers? My treat?” Yang offered. 

Raven blinked in shock and tried to keep the hope and desperation out of her voice as she replied. “Yes of course! Whenever you want, Yang.” Based on how Yang flinched at that tone she was not entirely successful. 

“I’ll text you a time. Maybe tomorrow?” Yang said softly. 

“Yes, that would be great. Thank you. Give Blake my best. From all of us I suppose,” Raven said with a slight laugh as she gestured to the closed door. 

To her surprise, Yang chuckled and ruffled her own hair. “Yeah, I need to go interrogate her and find out how much of this she was trying to set up, and why it’s not cool to bring up friends and turn them down even if you had good intentions in the end for them.”

Raven nodded seriously at that and Yang gave her a weak smile as she descended the stairs. 

When she heard the door close she let the tears fall. Maybe she still could get back into her eldest daughter's life. And she had Ilia to thank for it. 

What a wonderful day it was turning out to be. 

Chapter Text

It was amazing how much her life had changed in the last month. Ilia had gone from being over the broken moon about finally being given a chance to date Blake and her girlfriend Yang to actually dating Yang’s younger sister Ruby and Weiss Schnee, CEO of the SEC. 

As strange as it was, she wouldn’t want it any other way. Standing here sandwiched between two amazing girlfriends in extremely casual clothes as they waited for her old friend and his boyfriend to show up she felt happier than she could ever remember being at any time previously in her life. 

She spied Sun’s tall form as he waved towards her after he spotted her from over the heads of most of the crowd and she waved back as Ruby held up a sign that read “Hot Blond!” while Weiss had a sign that had “Junior Detective” scrawled on it. 

She’d assured them both that they would find it endlessly amusing as an old inside joke and since her girlfriends were accommodating people by nature they’d had no issue going along with it although Ruby had seemed more interested than Weiss, which was to be expected. 

In no time Sun had dragged Neptune through the sea of people to the trio. 

“See I told you lizard girl would know I was coming!” Sun said smugly as he pointed toward Ruby’s sign. Neptune rolled his eyes fondly as he looked at his own sign and smiled. 

“Never going to let that go are you?” Neptune asked as he looked over at Ilia who smirked in return. 

“Of course not. You ran around telling everyone you were going to graduate and be a real detective someday when you got your badge in the mail,” Ilia shot back at Neptune easily falling back into a teasing back and forth with the man. 

“Come on we all do stuff like that as kids,” Neptune complained as he looked away with an embarrassed blush staining his cheeks. 

“You were fifteen though,” Ilia reminded him as Sun cackled hysterically with Ruby joining in. Even Weiss laughed although she had the social graces to do so behind her hand as Neptune’s shoulders slumped. 

After a moment he straightened back up and joined in laughing a moment before he removed his cheap plastic badge and proudly pinned it to the front of his shirt as Ruby clapped enthusiastically for him. He mock bowed to her before he pulled out his phone and handed it to Ilia. 

Ilia took it curiously and then once she saw the picture flung her arms around him. 

“I can’t believe you finally did it!” Ilia congratulated Neptune who looked pleased as Sun gave his boyfriend a proud smile. 

“He buckled down and finished his degree. He’s now a licensed detective!” Sun said his pride in his boyfriend was evident for all to see. 

“Wow, that’s amazing! Congratulation Neptune!” Ruby praised him and he flushed a bit clearly unused to praise from outside his boyfriend or Ilia. 

“Yes, well done,” Weiss added in her own congratulations as Neptune bowed lowly toward her. 

“I must have died and gone to heaven because I see two angels before me,” Neptune said as he looked at Ruby and Weiss who shot quick looks at each other. 

Ruby tilted her head at Weiss’s stare before she shrugged and Weiss nodded confusing the two newcomers. Ilia was getting better at reading them when they did this and had a vague idea of what was coming so she bit her lip to avoid laughing ahead of time and ruining the moment 

“I give it a two and a half,” Ruby said and Weiss nodded in agreement. 

“The angel compliment was pretty obvious as a go-to, and you didn’t really say anything unique about us,” Weiss added as Neptune slumped back over as Sun howled with laughter.

“And you forgot to add in Ilia! We’re a package deal now!” Ruby said as she kissed Ilia on the cheek causing a small blush as Weiss concurred and planted a peck on Ilia’s other cheek. 

“I have to admit that’s a story I’m keen on hearing if you don’t mind sharing later,” Neptune said as he took his phone back and put his badge back into his luggage. 

Weiss raised an eyebrow toward Ilia indicating it was her decision, but Ilia nodded. While she wasn’t exactly proud of how she’d behaved at the start she’d learned important lessons and ended up in a much better place because of it so sharing it with some of her childhood friends was a no brainer. 

She smiled back brightly at Weiss still touched by their casual concern and care for her needs and desires even now. 

Ruby effortlessly hoisted several bags that Neptune was struggling with to lighten his load as Ilia made no effort to hide her stare at Ruby’s arms knowing Weiss was getting a good look in beside her as well and that she was allowed to look now! 

In fact, they’d encouraged it! She could still hardly believe it, but somehow she’d gotten the most considerate, and sweetest people she’d ever met as her girlfriends. She had no idea how or why they seemed as enamored with her as she was with them but she thanked every deity she could think of that they were and now she was allowed to look at them whenever she wanted! 

Ilia was still getting used to the positive touching and had been a bit slower in that regard than she’d have liked, but they’d both assured her that she was worth the wait and that they would be happy to accept any boundaries she needed, and even if she never wanted to kiss them then that was still fine. 

Ilia might be many things but she wasn’t stupid enough to let that go unchallenged and had laid the mother of all kisses on the both of them making it very clear that she would be working out her issues with accepting positive touch, and doing much more than kissing as time went on. Needless to say, all three had been thoroughly satisfied by the end of that conversation with how things were progressing.

That didn’t stop Weiss or Ruby from showering her or each other with compliments which had enormously helped her self-esteem. 

She didn’t flinch away when she said something potentially flirtatious worried they’d be upset because she knew they wouldn’t be. She, for the first time in her life, knew what it what to be cared for without condition and she treasured it each and every day. 

She was fairly sure she’d move into their bedroom soon since none of them slept apart these days. They either fell asleep cuddling on the couch or in her guest room and they were so very aware of and careful of her needs and boundaries that she didn’t worry about them trying anything unwanted. Not that she didn't want any of what they might offer.  

She didn’t know why she was waiting. Probably for Sun to confirm this wasn’t an incredible fever dream and she hadn’t been in a plane crash on her way to meet Blake. She kind of doubted she could dream up a scenario like this but she wanted to be sure anyway.

 His approval meant a lot to her. She didn’t really have any family left and Sun was her closest friend as well as an incredible judge of character so his blessing would mean the world to her. 

That’s not to say she’d simply stop seeing them if Sun didn’t like them, but it would probably strain their friendship more than she’d care to admit. She didn’t even entertain the idea that he wouldn’t like them though. They were amazing people and she was sure he’d see that. 

“Nonsense we have more than enough room for you in our home so there’s no need for you to incur the cost of paying for a hotel. I’ve also been told you enjoy swimming and we have a small in ground pool at our house,” Weiss explained to Sun whose eyes were narrowed as he rounded on Ilia. 

“This is why you offered to pay for the flight, isn’t it? Because you knew she’d offer to let us stay at her house!” Sun dramatically declared with his finger brandished in her direction as the sound of a thunderclap echoed from close by. Ilia turned to Neptune who was pointing his phone in their direction. 

“He likes to pretend it’s a dramatic reveal every time he does the finger-pointing,” Neptune explained with an exasperated but fond smile as Sun’s tail instinctively curled around his closest leg in affection. 

“Maybe Sun should have been the detective after all,” Ilia snarked as Ruby smiled back at them. 

“Maybe but if he was then he’d have known it’s your house now too, Ilia!” Ruby called out cheekily as Ilia felt her skin ripple a moment as she was again caught off guard by Ruby being so incredibly endearing. Weiss patted her arm in sympathy as she helped open the trunk of the car for the luggage. 

Hazel took their bags as Raven was currently taking some time off to reconnect with Yang. The two had met a few times recently and from what Ilia could gather things were starting to get better. Still tense but from Raven’s brighter mood things seemed to be progressing in a good way, which Ilia was grateful for. 

The older woman had been steadfast in her opinion and advised Ilia that she should get to know Ruby and Weiss better and Ilia was grateful to have an actual adult she could speak with from time to time who could fill in as a parental stand-in.

She sat across from her friends and in between Ruby and Weiss as the car began its journey to the…her home. It was strange how she’d never really thought about it that way but it filled her with an indescribable amount of warmth. 

Home. She’d never really had one since her parents had passed away. Her old house had far too many memories in it. Phantoms of her past that she hadn’t been able to shake. She’d swear she’d heard the television on and go to greet her father only to remember he hadn’t been home since the day of the accident. 

She’d hear her mother tell her it was time to get up and show the world what a pretty little thing her daughter was. She’d even smell her perfume and could have sworn she felt her kiss her on the forehead only to open her eyes and be all alone again no matter how she pleaded. 

Perhaps that was why she’d clung so tightly to Blake? A reminder of her past from a time when her parents were alive that hadn’t vanished as they had.  That would still be there when she woke up.

Looking at it objectively she realized now with distance and having two partners who truly cared about her unconditionally that whatever she’d felt for Blake was probably very unhealthy. 

She didn’t know what the result of Yang’s conversation with Blake had been. They’d offered to tell her but she hadn’t wanted to know. At least not right now. She was still sorting through complicated enough feelings for her former obsession as it was without adding anything else onto it and despite whatever it was Blake may or may not have done she would still owe Blake an apology at some point for her dogged pursuit and persistence. 

It would likely require a large amount of work to save that friendship. They might be better served to start over. She’d have to think about it, or maybe ask the other two their opinions. 

She cast her thoughts to the money the SEC had given her and wondered if perhaps some therapy for herself wasn’t such a bad idea. It had seemed to make a positive difference for several people she knew after all and she didn’t want any of her lingering issues to mess up the wonderful life she was just starting to build with Ruby and Weiss. 

They deserved better, and she owed it to them and herself to make sure she wouldn’t hurt them with her unaddressed issues going forward. 

“Are you alright Ilia?” 

Ilia focused back to see she’d zoned out the entire trip back and the others were unloading the luggage from the back of the car and she was staring into Ruby’s concerned face. 

“Yes. I’m sorry. I was just thinking about well…lots of things I guess,” Ilia said, and when she saw Ruby’s face remain concerned clarified. “Nothing bad, just how happy I am and how to make sure I keep doing right by everyone. I want this relationship to work. I’m happy with you two. Truly happy.”

Ruby leaned in to whisper in her ears, her breath tickling Ilia in a delightful manner. 

“We are too,” Ruby said with a sincere smile that still made Ilia’s heart feel like it skipped a beat. 

“But just in case you forget,” Ruby’s eyes twinkled with mischief as she slowly leaned in giving Ilia plenty of time to tell her to stop and when she didn’t she gave Ilia a deep slow kiss full of meaning as she tried to convey her deepest feelings without the use of words. 

Afterward Ruby rested her forehead on Ilia’s while she tried desperately to calm her heart and breathing down. A quick look at her skin showed she was flushing bright reddish-orange. Of course. 

Despite it being a simple kiss the depth of Ruby’s feelings were evident to Ilia. Not that they hadn’t been before, but she’d never been this out of sorts over a kiss before these two. 

“We’ll do our best to make sure you never have to feel uncared for or unloved again. As much or often as it takes we’ll let you know how beautiful you are inside and out and be there for you if you’ll have us,” Ruby finished with a gentle kiss on her forehead that had Ilia tearing up as the energetic girl went to the back to remove some more luggage and tapped Weiss on the shoulder before she inclined her head towards Ilia. 

Weiss soon sat beside her. Unlike Ruby, however, she just sat next to Ilia and held her hand while gently stroking her hair and humming softly. 

Weiss had let it slip to Ilia that her father had forced her to perform at many of his executive functions against her will and it had soured singing greatly for her. It was only after meeting Ruby that she’d picked up the habit of singing or humming and even then it was a skill she jealously guarded and only did around those she trusted completely. The unspoken but easily picked up implication hit her as hard as Ruby’s words had earlier as Weiss gave her a radiant smile as she got out of the car and held her hand out for Ilia to take, which she did. 

As the car was parked by Hazel they walked down the walkway and the lawn ornaments Ilia had first seen when she came to stay at the house that was now her home. She felt a sense of fondness and belonging flow through her and was overcome with gratitude for the two women who lived here and made her a part of their lives. 

She squeezed Weiss’s hand tightly to satisfy the surge of affection that she felt shoot through her as she felt Weiss squeeze back as they came to the door. 

Weiss placed her hand on the door and paused before she looked over at Ilia and stood back as she gestured for her to do the honors as she handed her key to Ilia. Ilia sniffed as she reverently took the key from Weiss as Weiss pulled her into a hug. 

“Welcome home Ilia,” Weiss whispered into her ears as Ilia felt herself tear up. Home. She finally had a home. Here in Vale with two wonderful women. 

She let her heart make her next decision for her and leaned forward to try and show Weiss how much she cared about her, Ruby, and what they were doing for her and pulled away breathless soon after as Weiss smiled softly at her.

Ilia felt her skin as it rippled once more and sighed. Sky blue. Weiss smiled softly at that and gave her an Eskimo kiss as she stepped back to allow Ilia to open the door to their home. 

Of course, the first thing she saw was Ruby on Sun’s shoulders trying to fence Neptune with a pair of salad tongs who was defending with an umbrella in the entryway to the house. 

“Umm, this is exactly what it looks like,” Ruby said after a moment’s pause as Sun nodded vigorously. 

“Were you at least winning?” Weiss asked, looking amused as Ruby and Sun nodded again as Weiss sighed and beckoned all of them to follow her. 

Bemused they all did so as Ruby hopped down off Sun’s shoulders, pecked Weiss on the cheek, and hummed as she pulled Ilia between them to walk towards the pool outside. 

Ilia felt something brush her leg and looked back to see Sun shooting her a thumbs-up as she smiled back pleased to see that Ruby had made a good if unorthodox first impression. Although with Sun that was probably better. 

After they were all outside Weiss went over to a tarp and pulled it off the table to reveal it was entirely filled with water guns and filled water balloons ready to be launched at any unsuspecting victim.  

“If everyone would like to remove their phones, valuables, or things they do not want to get soaking wet in the boxes to the side we can get started. If you need to change one of us can show you to the bathroom,” Weiss offered as the rest of them eagerly began divesting themselves of anything that wouldn’t react well with water. 

Neptune had excused himself to change into a pair of swimming trunks and a t-shirt while the rest of them were already in appropriate clothing. 

Sun and Ruby looked to be particularly ready to begin as Sun was rubbing his hands together in glee as he eyed the table of weaponry. 

“How are we doing this? Free for all? Teams? We have five though so it won’t be even,” Sun mused as Ruby nodded along seriously next to him. 

“Well, clearly we can’t split up you and Neptune. That would be the worst!” Ruby said and Sun took his turn to nod seriously before he responded in kind. 

“And we can’t split you and Weiss up either!” Sun mused as Ruby nodded vigorously. 

“And clearly Ilia is gonna be on our team,” Ruby said as Sun narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger dramatically at Ruby for a moment before he looked over at Neptune who rolled his eyes and pointed to the box all their electronics were stored inside. 

“Oh, right my bad,” Sun said before Ruby imitated a thunderclap as best she could, which was…not well. Still, Sun seemed to appreciate the effort by the beaming smile and thumbs-up he sent her way. 

“Ilia was our friend for years, she's clearly siding with us!” Sun declared as Neptune walked over to nod with his arms crossed.

“Pfft, we’re dating her and earned her respect!” Ruby said as she and Sun butted heads. 

“We bought her respect! It was faster!” Sun yelled back as Ilia and the rest began giggling as the two argued back and forth before Weiss stepped forward and clapped her hands together bringing an end to the “argument” as it were. 

“We’ll do boys vs girls. The only rule is don’t go in the house. Stay in the backyard. Understand?” Weiss asked as she turned a gimlet eye on everyone else to make sure they understood that she was not having her floors turned into a soaking wet mess. 

“Aw man outnumbered again,” Sun said as he and Neptune went to get their guns only to be stopped as a massive mountain of a man wearing only shorts picked one up and handed it to him.

“Come with me if you want to win,” Hazel said seriously as he picked up his own gun and several water balloons and walked to the other side of the pool. 

“Hell yeah, we get the suburban commando!” Sun cheered as he grabbed a full water balloon and followed after the mountain of a man. Neptune shook his head and picked up a pair of water pistols after getting the ok from Weiss and went to join them. 

“Hehe and we get Ilia all to ourselves so we get the best end of the deal!” Ruby cheered as she hugged Ilia which caused her to flush slightly.

“Of course! You are correct as usual Ruby,” Weiss said as she took a medium-sized gun leaving Ruby and Ilia to get their own as she waited for them opposite the pool from the boys. 

Ruby took an absurdly large device from under the table that nobody else had noticed. 

“Behold the super destroyer nine thousand and one. I call her Crescent Rose,” Ruby said as she gently gave the gun a pat. “Capable of launching a water balloon up to one hundred and fifty feet at over twenty miles per hour. In this bad girl are nearly fifty water balloons ready to destroy any who stand against us!”

Ilia was silent as she blinked at the passionate speech about a water balloon launcher before she heard Neptune in the background “I should have worn my floaties.” 

“That’s total hax, Rose!” Sun yelled out as Ruby stuck her tongue out at him before she reached under the table to remove a second slightly smaller model that she offered to Neptune whose face lit up as he came over to take it from her hands as he stowed his smaller water pistols in his swim trunk pockets for the time being. 

“That was nice of you to give him that Ruby,” Ilia praised her girlfriend as they both picked up a water pistol and Ruby grinned in a way that instantly sent pleasant shivers down her spine. 

“It was nice to give him that gun wasn’t it?” Ruby asked as she smiled at Ilia as they walked over to join Weiss. 

“Any last rules?” Sun said as he pumped his gun up ready to unleash watery destruction on the other team. 

“No hair pulling?” Weiss asked as Sun and the others nodded seriously and Weiss smiled. “Then just have fun.”

“Attack my minions!” Sun declared as Neptune tried to launch his water balloons only for it to click empty and Ruby nailed him in the face with her own in return as she cackled maniacally. 

Ilia’s eyes widened as she realized what Ruby had done and held her hand up for a high five each of the other two returned before they were forced to dodge return fire from Hazel and Sun who had cottoned onto the trick Ruby had pulled and passed over their water balloons to Neptune to make some use of while they provided cover fire. 

A few minutes later the mostly soaked trio regrouped around a set of deck chairs they’d pushed together to make a makeshift barricade as everyone recovered.

“If we don’t make it through this I want you guys to know something,” Ruby said seriously as she fired a few shots over the chairs towards Sun who’d poked his head out. 

“It’s ok Ruby we feel the same,” Weiss said seriously as she fired one of her last bits of water at a Hazel who’d started moving closer to their cover and grabbed Ruby’s free hand as Ilia nodded and played along. 

“I’m glad you do. Just remember if I don’t make it back…those cookies aren’t yours,” Ruby demanded before she yelled out a war cry and charged out of cover toward Hazel and tackled him into the pool only managing to move the man because he’d been off-balance and surprised. 

“That’s our dolt,” Weiss said with a look of fondness that Ilia felt herself return in full measure. 

“Let’s avenge her!” Ilia said seriously to Weiss who gave her a quick peck on the cheek as they stepped out of cover into Neptune's lines of fire both of them getting the full measure of his mighty dual squirt guns before Ruby popped up from the pool and launched a water balloon into the back of his head.

Despite the surprise attack things were looking bleak for Ilia and her girlfriends until reinforcements arrived in the form of Cinder and her girlfriend Emerald. They kept going back and forth until Cinder excused herself a while later to get started on grilling for later in the evening. 

Weiss had simply explained that she had a thing for fire and Ilia accepted there was a story there that she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know. 

Regardless the afternoon had been highly enjoyable with a few breaks thrown in to refill all the guns or water balloons. No one really knew who won and it honestly didn't matter. They'd all won really. 

Weiss had revealed that the rest of the day's itinerary was a cookout followed by a bonfire although they were free to continue swimming if they wished. 

Hazel had begged off and left to visit his sister after the water fight who Ilia had found out was being cared for courtesy of Weiss paying for her hospital bills as the girl had a fairly debilitating chronic illness. Thankfully it had been caught early enough and with Weiss’s intervention treated well enough that she could live a mostly normal life. 

Cinder had been well and truly busy as there was a massive amount of assorted meats and snacks on display. She handed Emerald the plate first after extracting a kiss in payment from the dark-skinned woman that had her blushing up a storm.

She’d lost track of Weiss for a moment before she’d come back outside with a cup of tea for her as Ruby had filled up plates of preferred foods for herself and Weiss making sure to avoid any that would upset her stomach. 

She felt her face stretch into a large grin she struggled to contain at how thoughtful the two were as Weiss handed Ruby a soda with a roll of her eyes and they sat down and began trading stories between the group of Neptune and Sun’s “adventures” as well as Ilia telling the story of a few fun things they’d done since she’d arrived here with Cinder throwing in a few of her more amusing tales that had happened while employed by Weiss. 

She was so glad that everyone seemed to be getting along. Ruby and Sun got along extremely well which she should have guessed. Their personalities were both fun-loving although Ruby was much more reserved at first around new people. She could tell that Ruby had been doing her best to be more outgoing the entire day for her sake and she made a note to show her appreciation for her doing so later. 

Weiss and Neptune both seemed to get along decently enough and she was answering his questions about how she’d gotten the evidence and gotten rid of some of the more corrupt board members while she inquired about his schooling and various tactics that he employed or was learning for his job. 

“Hey kids! Sorry, I’m a bit late. I brought the s'mores stuff though,” A familiar voice called out as Ilia turned around in time to watch Ruby glomp Raven in a hug that staggered the woman back a few steps. 

“Mama Raven! I’m so glad you came. I missed you,” Ruby chirped happily as she stepped back and followed Raven’s finger to the back door where a blonde was standing and looking around in an awkward manner. 

“Hey, guys. Do you mind if I join? Cause I heard there was a party and I…well I’m a party animal!” Yang said with a sincere smile and a pair of finger guns as Weiss snorted and waved her over to the free seat at her side. 

“Come on you brute there’s plenty more left to feed even you. Although you did miss the water fight earlier today,” Weiss informed Yang who chuckled. 

“Yeah, it was awesome Yang I got to use Crescent Rose. It was so beautiful,” Ruby said wistfully as she stared off into the distance remembering all the times she’d nailed someone with her launcher. 

“Is she dating you guys or the launcher?” Yang asked, only partially joking as the tension cracked and Yang began to speak with the rest of the table for a few minutes. 

Ilia turned back around at a tap on her shoulder to see Raven looking at her in concern as she tilted her head toward the glass door Yang had come through and saw Blake standing deeper inside the house.

She felt herself freeze at the sight of her…she didn’t even know what to call her. Were they still friends? Had they ever really been friends or had they just been playing at it? Was she just obsessed with her? 

She felt a set of hands take each side of her shoulders and steer her away from the others as Weiss and Ruby gently each rubbed the back of one of her hands until she calmed down. 

“Do you want us to send her away?” Weiss asked and Ilia’s instinctive response was to say yes. To avoid the unpleasant encounter entirely knowing that at the end of it she might lose or find out she’d never had a friend. 

“You only have to talk to her if you want to. We won’t let you be alone with her if you don’t want to be Ilia,” Ruby said gently as she squeezed her hand. 

“No. I think…that I have to do this. I can’t keep running away from this. I have to do this. I need to put this behind me, put the past behind me so I can look forward to a future together with you two. It’ll suck but you’re both worth it,” Ilia said as genuinely as she could manage which was more than enough for the other two. It always was. 

“Very well, but if you need a break, need us, or even just need her to leave remember it’s your home too so tell her to go. You’re important to us Ilia. Very much so,” Weiss said as she ghosted her hands across Ilia’s cheeks as Ruby nodded and frowned toward the home where Blake was waiting at the table. 

“I’ll make sure no one goes inside that isn’t these two until you’re done,” Raven offered and Ilia hugged the two women she’d grown so close to recently. They’re the reason she has to confront this now instead of putting it off. 

As Raven gave Ilia a look she instead hugged the shorter girl to herself for a moment instead of speaking before she closed the door. 

At the sound of the door, sliding closed Blake looked up from the table as Ilia stepped over to her and smiled. 

“Hello Ilia,” Blake said softly as Ilia sat down at the table where two fresh cups of tea had been prepared already. 

Seeing where her look went Blake answered the question for her. “Ruby told me that it was what I should make you when I mentioned coming over earlier to them.”

At hearing that Ilia picked up her cup and took a sip. Chamomile. Good for calming nerves and stomachs. Ruby was determined to spoil and look out for her regardless, wasn’t she? 

She remembered mentioning it off-hand a few weeks ago and Ruby had jotted it down in her notebook of “important Ilia facts”. At the time Ilia had thought it endearing and now even more so. Actually, it was beyond sweet and romantic. 

Blake’s voice drew her out of her thoughts as she spoke. “How are you doing Ilia?” 

Ilia responded as she figured this was the small talk they’d need to get through before getting to the actual conversation. “I’m fine, why do you ask?” 

“It’s just you’ve got some red on you,” Blake teased with a smirk as she tapped her own face and Ilia snarled at her in return. 

“I’m proud and happy that she makes me feel this way, Blake. She and Weiss are incredible people, and,” Ilia sighed and put down her cup and rubbed her face with both hands for a moment. 

“I’m sorry. I’m upset with you and that was just some teasing,” Ilia apologized to Blake who put down her own cup and shook her head. 

“No. Between friends that would be a small tease but well…I haven’t been acting like a very good friend lately so you’re perfectly right to be upset at me for poking fun at you,” Blake responded as her ears wilted. 

“Your hair is down,” Blake noted in fascination as she looked up at Ilia who blinked not having realized it had come undone during the day before she quickly grabbed a rubber band from one of the board games under the table Ruby kept there and grimaced as she tied up her hair into her signature ponytail. 

“If we’re talking about being a bad friend then I think I might take the cake, or cookie as Ruby might say,” Ilia countered with a small smile as Blake smiled in return even as she looked at Ilia's hair in concern. 

“When we were younger and none of us knew any better it could maybe be forgiven, but I never really apologized to you for it so I guess here goes. Blake, I’m sorry. I attributed a lot of feelings to your actions that you didn’t return, and I badgered you about giving me a chance and dating me even though you’d already started dating Yang,” Ilia paused to readjust her rubber band and sighed before Blake took out a yellow hair tie from her pocket and handed it to Ilia who took it gratefully. 

“I just…I don’t know for sure, but I latched onto you and was obsessed with you even though outside of a few superficial things we never really had much in common. I’m so so sorry, about everything. I’ve been a terrible friend to you and taken you for granted. I should have just accepted your friendship instead of hounding you for more and trying to demand a place in your life I didn't earn. It was wrong of me and I hope you can forgive me for it,” Ilia apologized sincerely as she took another fortifying drink of her tea to help settle her nerves. 

“It’s alright. I wasn’t a great friend to you either. Instead of being honest and upfront with you about things I manipulated you and some of my dearest friends. Yes, you’re all happy and I’m thrilled about that, but it was wrong of me to do it. Doing that to anyone is wrong, but to do it to people I’m supposed to care about is…vile,” Blake admitted as she faced the floor and fiddled with her teacup. 

“Yang didn’t even yell at me when she found out. She just left the room. I was worried she’d left me entirely but I found her in the kitchen pacing. Said she didn’t want to do what her mom did to her and that she loved me but was very disappointed in me. She was right. It was something…he might have done,” Blake said with distaste as she took a sip of her tea as Ilia shivered at the thought of Blake’s now behind bars ex-boyfriend. 

“Sounds like we’re both terrible at being friends,” Ilia offered lamely as Blake tittered softly behind her teacup. 

“I suppose we are. Something else to tell my therapist,” Blake agreed bitterly after a moment as they sat in awkward silence for a few moments and Ilia thought about how to proceed. 

“Hi. My name is Ilia Amitola. I was a poor friend and am trying to be a better one. I love chocolate ice cream, Ruby Rose, and Weiss Schnee with all my heart. I also enjoy reading silly children’s books, tea, helping Faunus gain equal rights, and watching clouds on overcast days which are my favorites,” Ilia said as she extended a hand to Blake who smiled softly at her and extended her own hand to clasp onto Ilia’s. 

“Blake Belladonna. Trying to be a better person. I’ve never been fond of ice cream, but enjoy books, tea, tuna, and love Yang Xiao Long more than anyone I’ve ever known. I’m very pleased to meet you once more Ilia,” Blake said as she sniffed. 

“I really am so very happy for you Ilia. That you’ve found them and truly turned into the best version of yourself. I’ve never seen you smile so freely or look so happy,” Blake stated with a small smile. 

“Thank you. I really like Yang as well. She’s really good for you, you know?” Ilia admitted as she drank some of her lukewarm tea. “I have to know though just between us girls,” Ilia trailed off slyly as Blake raised an interested eyebrow. 

“How much do you practice your handwriting to make it look all cool and mysterious?” Ilia asked as Blake struggled to contain the giggles that burst out of her as her eyes flicked in joy. 

She and Blake talked and reconnected or rather got to actually know each other properly without either party having an expectation of the other, and simply as two young women trying to better understand the other. 

She knew she and Blake would still have to have a few more talks in the future to repair the fractured friendship fully, but she felt hopeful about the fact that Blake would be in her future as a friend now, and that Ruby and Weiss wouldn’t have to deal with there being a strain between either Yang or Blake. Maybe they could go bowling together!

After another half hour, they agreed to join the others, or rather Ilia invited Blake to do so even as she’d offered to go home to not ruin the party for the others. 

Ilia saw Weiss and Ruby’s eyes snap to the door as it opened and revealed Ilia and Blake.

Ilia spotted them both move apart so she could squeeze in between them and gave a happy sigh at how stupidly in love with them she was. She was almost disgusted with herself for how happy they made her just by smiling at her which was made even worse as Ruby handed her a paper plate with a few still warm s'mores and Weiss a few tablets to help settle her stomach so she could eat them without worry. 

Ilia saw Blake accept a seat on Yang’s lap and Raven who was content to stand in the background until Yang gave her a small smile and waved her closer. Raven then smiled at the two and rubbed at her eyes as she sat down between both groups before Sun began badgering everyone for scary stories. 

“Are you alright Ilia?” Weiss asked quietly as Neptune began to tell a supposedly spooky story. 

“You’re ok right?” Ruby echoed in concern as Ilia smiled at the two and pecked them on the cheek in turn. 

She and Blake traded small smiles across the campfire as Ilia turned back to the other two. 

“Right here? Right now with you two? I think I’m gonna be alright,” Ilia said as the two sighed in relief and laid their heads onto each of her shoulders and hooked their arms together across her stomach only this time they made sure to each grab onto her free hand so she could eat her s'more. 

Ilia didn’t know what the future would hold, but she was sure as she’d ever been that it was looking much brighter as long as she kept these two in her life.

Chapter Text

Ilia carefully screwed her face up in concentration as she gingerly set her photos in her new scrapbook. She’d decided to take it up after Yang had shown her Weiss and Ruby had a shared one before they’d all confessed. 

She hadn’t expected to like it as much as she had if she were being honest. Typically her experiences with pictures were of horrible past memories she’d rather forget, but she was getting better at that with more good pictures lately. 

She wanted to present this to them as a gift and maybe they could add it to theirs and all have one together! 

She’d broached the topic of her therapy the day after Sun and Neptune had left not wanting to ruin their stay with it, but it was important so she’d made herself be brave and speak with them about it. 

They’d both been understanding as she knew they’d be and Weiss had given her a list of discreet and well-reviewed therapists. The first few while nice hadn’t clicked well with Ilia but the third, another Faunus like herself had worked out very well. 

They’d spent the first session merely talking about what she wanted to get out of the sessions, introductions, and the like. He was kind, polite and seemed to know exactly when to push her or rather when she needed a gentle nudge and when it was better to simply move the conversation elsewhere. 

He had also had her rate her moods on a scale and while she had days when she felt far worse overall she was able to see a general uptick in her mood, and that had been very refreshing to see that she wasn’t simply spinning her wheels and getting nowhere. 

She was doing well enough that instead of every other day they’d moved to once a week over the last few months.

The regular visits and having two very sweet girlfriends had helped her move into a healthier space. 

For so long she’d held herself back with stigmas that she’d let have power over her. There was nothing wrong with her that caused her parents to leave, Blake to not return her feelings, or even with her being a Faunus. 

She’d always proclaimed as much but had secretly thought that her parents might still be alive if she weren’t. They were things she’d thought and internalized as a child and not even realized until she’d spoken with the doctor. 

She’d also spent some time and spoke with him about her decision to almost join the radical white fang and was worried about what it said about her. Her anger, or impulses. That had been several weeks of sessions they still revisited from time to time. 

She never wanted to potentially put the other two in that kind of danger from herself and had her first full-blown panic attack at her next session where she’d recounted a nightmare she’d had when she’d been forced to sleep alone due to commitments they’d had with their work. 

She’d dreamed she’d taken Adam’s offer and had been sent to kill Weiss and Ruby and they’d both begged her to stop. That they loved her and why was she doing this? That she was better than this. 

She’d woken up screaming and spent nearly ten minutes trying to scrub their imaginary blood off her hands while Raven slowly rubbed her back and calmed her down. It had helped but she’d only truly calmed down when Ruby and Weiss had shown up to be there for her and she’d broken down on them. They’d even left their meetings as soon as Raven had called them. 

They’d asked and helped her move officially into their bedroom that night and while she couldn’t prove anything conclusively the fact that at least one of them was always with her when she went to sleep was rather telling. She was far too touched by the gesture to be upset by it, however. It was just another in a long list of reasons why she adored them. 

The therapist had been helpful in breaking down exactly why she’d thought or rather dreamed such a thing and slowly helped her realize why she had even had it in the first place. 

She’d told her therapist about Blake and what she’d done and admitted to, and even her own massive obsession with the girl not caring about how she came across but wanting simply to tell him everything so she could get better for Ruby and Weiss. 

She’d expected he’d take sides but he’d simply explained it as neutrally as possible and talked her through her feelings for Ruby and Weiss. Did she think that even if Blake had engineered the meeting her feelings for them, or theirs for her were any less real? That had helped settle that particular fear she’d had in the back of her mind that she hadn’t even realized she had ever since the truth had come to light. 

On the subject of Blake, he’d been complimentary of her method of trying to start over, but cautioned her against maintaining the relationship at the cost of her mental health or relationship with her partners and Ilia had agreed. 

Her relationship with Ruby and Weiss was far more important to her than her friendship with Blake if it came down to it, but so far it hadn’t had to come to that. Hopefully, it wouldn't ever come to that.

She and Blake had in fact had many more talks and while some of them had been tense with some bouts of yelling overall things were…comfortable she supposed. 

They were well on their way back to being actual friends now instead of the one-sided crush Ilia had had on her where she’d ignored all her flaws and how little they’d had in common. 

Blake had even given her a “Sorry for manipulating you'' card that she admitted Yang had made her make since they didn’t exactly sell them. She’d appreciated the gesture even if she still found herself occasionally reverifying things Blake told or did for her. 

She was getting better at it though and Blake hadn’t made a comment on it likely knowing she’d deserved it, and so far she’d been entirely as good as her word. 

She’d have to start trusting her more soon or they’d be stalled at repairing their friendship but she was sure she could do it. 

She gave her picture a quick tap to make sure it was in place and smiled at seeing that it was. 

It was a picture of Ruby and Sun embracing and dramatically crying like the drama queens they both could be while they waited on their flight to take them back home. She remembered that they’d simply hugged and yelled “MOOD KINDRED” over and over for a few minutes. It was entirely endearing if Ilia was being honest. 

There was another of Weiss and Ruby gifting Neptune a set of Cold Creeps themed floaties as Sun was clutching his stomach laughing hysterically and Neptune had a good-natured smile on his face. 

Weiss had told her that she’d made a job offer for Neptune as she could always use more morally upstanding detectives and she’d said his background check and grades had been up to par. 

From Sun’s last phone call she knew they were in the process of finishing up their lease to move up here. Other than Blake’s parents Sun and Neptune didn’t truly have much tying them down and they’d rather live closer to everyone up here anyway or so Neptune had said. 

That and Sun was enamored with their pool. Still, she was happy that she’d get to see more of her friends, and that Ruby and her “mood kindred” would get to hang out more. 

She’d finally let go of her old home at the same time. Ruby and Weiss had both taken a week off work and despite the increased risk had gone with her to her old home. They’d taken some photos but it had felt cold and empty to her. Nothing like the home she’d grown up in. 

They’d gone through and slowly collected everything of value that she hadn’t taken and wanted as she regaled them with a wide variety of stories that she could remember. Little anecdotes, somber honestly about how cold the house felt to her now, and as many of the good times that she could remember she shared with her parents. 

She’d felt oddly better after recounting everything but they’d left without spending the night. Weiss had offered to have it sold for her with the proceeds going to her card but Ilia had told her to donate it to the hospital she’d named after her in her parents' names. 

She felt her parents would approve of that, and she would rather have that than an empty and cold home she wouldn’t live in as their final legacy. 

Ruby had with her permission taken the photo of her parents and put it with the picture of her mother, father, and uncle. She’d even spoken to the picture and thanked them for looking out for Ilia and helping bring her to Weiss and herself and that they both loved their daughter very much, and would do their best to make her happy. Weiss had then promised the same and informed them they should be proud of raising such a wonderful daughter.

Needless to say, Ilia hadn’t held her composure through the speech but she’d still been incredibly touched as she cried a strange mix of happy and sad tears.

Ilia herself had gotten a part-time job at a local bookstore. She’d tried to refuse a guard but they’d been insistent on her at least having one going to and from work and she’d acquiesced when she realized they only cared about her well-being. 

Especially when several more articles had been published that toed the line of outright libel and good taste. Ruby hadn’t paid them any mind after making sure they called Ilia and Weiss pretty and Weiss had much been the same. 

As long as they didn’t outright lie or insult one of the others she ignored it although Ruby told her she cut out some of the funnier ones like the one that said Weiss was making a harem of pretty ladies to slake her insatiable lust and they were both helping her. 

She and Ruby had followed Weiss around wearing fake glasses, lab coats, and clipboards as they loudly talked about scores for various women Weiss interacted with for the day. 

Of course, Weiss found them both instantly giving Yang zero to be highly amusing as once Yang understood the score began to argue that she totally deserved higher points. 

Weiss had gleefully pointed out that she’d take her application under advisement but that she’d be in the harem with her actual sister and Ilia who she treated as another younger sister. 

Yang’s face had turned a green even Ilia had been impressed by before she’d left with Blake behind her although Blake had struck a pin-up pose for the two first. Ruby had looked toward Ilia unimpressed and Ilia had returned the look before they awarded her a unanimous three. 

Blake had seemed pleased by that as had the others. 

She’d realized later that they were likely pleased that she truly did seem to be over Blake, and she herself was pleased to realize that while she could say Blake was objectively pretty she was no longer someone she wanted to share her life with like she was with Ruby and Weiss.

That thought had helped her and spurred her on to help increase the casual level of affection she was able to show the two of them and she could tell they were pleased. 

She’d been beyond pleased by Ruby’s book being finished and published. As had become a habit Ruby took the first handful of copies and gave them to friends and family. She’d even included an extra set for Sun and Neptune they’d give the couple when they were finally moved up here. 

Tukson had even given her the day off when he kept seeing her glance at the book in the store instead of stocking the shelves. 

It wasn’t her fault! She was too distracted by seeing her name under the special thanks right next to Weiss and at the fact that the Faunus princess in the book bore a striking resemblance to Ilia herself that Ruby had somehow managed to hide from her! And of course, the fact that the young princess had a pair of lovers who also seemed rather similar to her own was to blame for her condition.  

How was she supposed to react to that? By kissing the woman for as long as she physically could of course! Weiss had helped and between the two of them had made sure Ruby understood exactly how pleased they were with her. 

It turned out that Tukson himself was an ex-member of the fang so he’d been understanding and very patient with her. Especially when her girlfriends came by to spoil her for lunch.

The children’s hospital that bore her name was now officially ready for patients, and Weiss had taken her on a tour through it and to meet the first pair of patients. A young Faunus girl and her “boyfriend”, a normal human boy who seemed to have been assigned to the same room. 

According to Weiss, the young girl had seen the boy and instantly become enamored with him, and they spent their time playing games and make believe when they weren’t undergoing treatment or spending time with visiting family. 

And of course Weiss had a giant plaque near the entrances explaining how the hospital was named in honor of a wonderful chameleon Faunus whose passion was the inspiration for the building. 

That time Ruby had helped her educate Weiss on how she was feeling. 

She and Yang had even hung out a few times and Ilia was pleased to say she enjoyed having an older sister she could confide in or spend time around. It was easy to see why Ruby looked up to her so much. Ilia was sure she’d made another steadfast friend for life in Yang.

Raven and Yang were reconciling and overall things seemed to be moving in a good direction. They were polite and sometimes even teasing with one another and Raven seemed beyond thrilled. 

The cherry on top had been when Yang and Blake had been leaving for the evening after they’d finally all worked together to beat the mystery game, it had been the grey-haired guy after all, and they’d said goodbye at the door. 

Yang had looked back as Raven had given her a goodbye and after a long second hugged the woman and had whispered a “good night mom” before she’d all but run from their home. 

Raven's watery smile had been one of the nicest things Ilia had ever seen. 

Ilia was pleased with how easy it was to treat her as a stand-in parental figure and Raven seemed thrilled at having another child to spend time with. 

She gave her excellent advice or sometimes even helped her with make-up when she wanted to truly knock the socks off the other two when they were going to go out on dates. 

The fact that Ruby understood what Ilia wanted to do and obligingly removed her socks before replacing her shoes had the other two in giggles at how silly and sweet it was before Weiss rolled her eyes and followed suit, after folding her socks of course. 

While the fancy restaurants that Ilia had never dreamed she’d even see the inside of were nice she also very much enjoyed the simple dates they had. 

Whether that was bowling with everyone or even Weiss reading a book to herself and Ruby or even Ruby trying to teach them to cook. She’d even gotten Weiss of all people into cloud watching.

She set the final picture of herself and Weiss on their backs looking at clouds that Ruby had taken of the two of them into place and jotted down a quick note in the scrapbook, left the kitchen, and went to find her two wayward partners. 

They’d been rather absent and off today but she didn’t know why. Raven had admitted she’d known the reason but it wasn’t her place to say although she’d helpfully pointed Ilia upstairs and wished her luck. 

She found them in their shared bedroom talking rather seriously although they'd both looked at her when she came in.

“Are you two alright? You’ve been a little…off?” Ilia ventured not wanting to upset them but also not wanting to ignore a potential problem. The relationship would only work with absolute openness between them after all. 

“Yes. We, or that is Ruby and I were having a small disagreement before we came to a potential solution,” Weiss offered as an answer and Ilia tilted her head wanting to know if she could help. 

“We’re getting married,” Ruby blurted out before she fidgeted in place. 

“Oh…congratulations!” Ilia said feeling a slight pang at the news even as she felt happy for them. She knew them well enough to know they weren’t going to demand she leave them at this point. “What was the disagreement about? Not getting married?”

“Thank you and no. We love each other a great deal. As silly as it is, it was about the name,” Weiss explained as Ilia blinked not having expected that. 

“The Schnee name is important to me, or I’d just take hers. I want to make it mean something good again.” Weiss said as she stood up and walked to the window. 

“And the Roses gotta live on Ilia! They gotta! So we thought about hyphenating it!” Ruby said excitedly as Weiss nodded indulgently at her. 

“Which brought us to Rose-Schnee or Schnee-Rose of course but we couldn’t figure out a good compromise until of course we happened upon a solution to our problems,” Weiss said as she and Ruby stood next to each other for a moment before they dropped to their knees and faced Ilia while they each held one of the others hands. 

“We were thinking that Amitola-Rose-Schnee sounded best, and were wondering if you might want to marry us?” Weiss said nervously as Ruby brought up a box that was hidden in her other hand,  opened it toward Ilia and revealed a violet ring. Ilia’s eyes were wide as saucers as she remained speechless. 

She’d wanted this moment. Been waiting for it for so long and dreamed of it but somehow now that it was here she had no idea how to react so she stood there until she heard Ruby whisper to Weiss. 

“I told you I should have worn my lucky socks!” 

Weiss’s giggle had broken her spell and she’d thrown her arms around both of them while crying, chanting, almost screaming, the word “Yes” over and over.

She was so glad she’d taken the chance and followed her heart one last time. That she’d moved on from her childhood obsession, and discovered the real love both Ruby and Weiss offered her so freely and without reservation. 

She was ready to spend the rest of her life showing them exactly how much they meant to her. 

She couldn’t wait to see what this new chapter in her life would bring, and she couldn’t wait to find out with these two wonderful women by her side for the rest of their lives.