Chapter Text
Weiss sat on the edge of the bed she had claimed as her own at Shade, her gaze was low avoiding the dress that hung on the wall in front of her, she had sought out a dress that would best fit the template she had formed in her head and recruited the assistance of Coco, Blake and Yang to bring that dream to life but now on the evening of the Shade Academy Dance to celebrate team RWBYJ’s return, it dangled there as if to mock her. The dress she hoped would help her rectify a mistake, a regret she held since the Atlas Ball, regretting the step that she didn’t take, she was resolving to take it now, in an attempt to build up the confidence, she found herself reminiscing about the Atlas Ball.
Weiss found herself constantly checking the Huntress form that sat on one of the desks in team RWBY’s Atlas dorm, she even found herself pinching her arm a few times to check she wasn’t dreaming. Finally, she had proof of her success, not just her own but of her team, they had set out to become huntresses and at first with the Fall of Beacon she thought that dream had been crushed, but not anymore, now she had fulfilled her dream and in Atlas of all places. Picking up the form again, she held it close before with great gentle care she folded it and placed it in a drawer under the desk.
Turning around she came upon her outfit for the evening, when she first heard that Ironwood was going ahead with the Atlas Ball a sense of dread overcame her as thoughts flooded back Weiss recalled all the pomp and facades of previous Atlas Balls she had been dragged to by her father, her throat went dry thinking about all the recitals and practicing she endured until her father was satisfied that her singing would be perfect.
Those memories however gave way to warmer ones, of the fun she had planning Beacon’s dance with Yang as team CFVY had to leave it to them, one memory of that night stood out to herself that elicited a small smile, Ruby struggling to walk in her heels, knowing it was almost without a doubt that Ruby hadn’t developed her skills with heels any further Weiss ran her hand along the zip of the dress deciding to offer her help.
Weiss let out a little laugh as she stared into the mirror, surprised by the huntress that looked back at her, she had pulled her hair up into a braid that sat atop her head, forming a series of circles that looked like a crown, she had even sprinkled some glitter to give her hair a more royal flair, she wore a flowing white sleeveless dress similar to the one she had once worn for the Beacon dance. The differences however were stark, as if following the royal lineage of her hair the white pieces that ran atop her shoulders were adorned with embroidered Schnee symbols that stopped just before her chest giving way instead to embroidered white lilies, at first she wanted to have all the flowers she associated with herself and her team but decided the dress would look crowded and that something more subtle might prove more effective.
The lilies continued on until they met her waist being stopped by the only non-white of her apparel. A thin red belt with a black buckle in the centre held the symbol of Beacon proudly, past the belt Weiss’ dress maintained its body-hugging form broken only for a small slit that ran along her right thigh to ease movement, the dress ended just atop her knees, her legs accentuated by pair of high heels. Weiss finished her makeup and turned towards the door, taking a small breath she grabbed the handle strongly, determined on a singular goal for this evening, to dance with her partner, or at the very least she thought to herself, teach her how-to walk-in heels.
…
Ruby found herself on the verge of panic, afraid that she would make a fool out of herself or embarrass her team she kept delaying leaving the room she had gotten changed in. Staring back into the mirror she fidgeted with the hairband that sat in her hair, she had parted her fringe to one side and placed a thin black hairband in her hair but keeping her signature spikes and unkemptness, Ruby growled in frustration to herself as she felt her legs wobble slightly in the black heels that seemingly set out to mock her, Ruby glared at them in the mirror. A knock at the door dragged her away from her glaring.
“One sec.” she responded as she made her way over to the door, turning the handle she was surprised to see her partner Weiss standing in front of her, Ruby froze for a second as she took in Weiss’ attire for the evening and she immediately felt underdressed.
Weiss let out a small chuckle as she spoke. “Still struggling with the heels?” she teased as her eyes went down to Ruby’s footwear, her eyes travelled up her leader taking in the rest of her outfit. What looked at first to be a simple black pair of tights were actually embroidered with rose flowers, petals and even some thorns. Her dress ended shorter than Weiss’ own at Ruby’s upper thigh, a white petticoat that peaked out broke the dresses colour flow in two as the skirt was in her signature red, it flowed out away from her, traveling up Weiss swallowed as she took in Ruby’s waist, her dress sat snug to her body thanks to a corset incorporated in the dress, while the dress proper continued up to Ruby’s chest her neckline changed to a sheer black that ran down her shoulders turning into sleeves that were held in place by small loops around her middle fingers.
Ruby blushed clearly embarrassed, looking away from her partner, suddenly intrigued by the door frame. “How’d you guess?” she admitted.
Weiss held out her hand. “Here, do you want a hand?” the earnestness in her voice caused Ruby to look back towards Weiss.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to waste time with me.” Ruby thought it best to give Weiss an out, though she appreciated the gesture.
“It won’t be a waste Ruby, you are my partner, or have you forgotten?” Ruby ran her hand through her hair awkwardly.
“Of course not.” Ruby chuckled out. She accepted Weiss’ outstretched hand as her partner led her into the room, Weiss said something that struck fear in the leaders’ heart.
“Besides, if we going to be dancing together-” Weiss was cut off by her arm suddenly going taut behind her, turning around Ruby had planted herself surprisingly firmly in her heels, her free arm was rested on her chest as her hand was in a fist, as she spoke her voice shook Weiss, it was scared and unsure.
“d-dance.” She stuttered out, Weiss gave her a comforting smile knowing her leader hadn’t read the Atlas Ball pamphlet.
“It’s tradition, the first dance is performed together, partners… you didn’t know did you?”
Ruby shook her head in response, her attention was brought back to Weiss as she tugged Ruby’s arm, bringing herself closer to Ruby until they were directly in front of each other.
“May I?”
Weiss asked as she let go, offering out her other hand as she brought her now free hand behind Ruby but not touching her, waiting and hoping for permission.
Ruby nodded, taking Weiss’ hand into her own as she felt her partner’s other hand land on her waist behind her.
“I’ll take the lead…” Weiss let out a small laugh. “I know you’re used to being the leader, that you seemingly have the weight of everything on you but tonight let me carry you, let me be the leader.”
“if only the Weiss I first met could see us now.” Ruby chuckled out as she slowly followed Weiss’ lead, being mindful not to step on her feet by accident, bringing her free hand up to Weiss’ shoulder.
Weiss let out a defensive huff. “I have no idea what you mean and watch how far you keep your legs apart, lead with the heal as you step.”
Ruby focused her attention onto her steps taking Weiss’ instructions to heart. “Oh you know, I’ve gone from blowing up an heiress to dancing with a princess... you look amazing Weiss; you always do but tonight wow.”
Weiss blushed at Ruby’s words. “Thank you Ruby, you look amazing yourself.” She knew that Ruby was one of the few people who when they complimented someone, they meant it, it wasn’t just polite platitudes. “Who’d have thought you could clean up so nice after that crater of dust you left.”
“Not the best first impression.” Ruby agreed. “But look at us now, huntresses proper.”
The two fell into a comfortable silence only broken by the tapping of heels and Weiss’ occasional tip for improving Ruby’s dancing, though even those fell away as with Weiss as a teacher, Ruby found herself to be a quick learner.
“Are there any other surprises I should expect.”
Shaking her head, Weiss went to take a step closer to Ruby but stopped herself, no she thought, I won’t burden Ruby with my feelings, tonight isn’t just about me, Weiss noticed that Ruby had looked up at her expecting a verbal answer, evidently nervous that there might be actually be something, deciding to savour the dance a little longer she let a small smiling laugh.
“None that we can’t handle together.”