Chapter Text
The day was definitely growing late by the time they had gotten home, the quaintness of their little Atlas abode was definitely getting to them but Weiss enjoyed it all the same. It had been a definitively LONG Hunt for the pair, Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee back in action and out from the lodgings of the SDC and out there getting Grimm after all of this time.
Of course, months in the field did fill them with something of a reward when they eventually entered their home again. Weiss was so sore, her arms barely able to carry her travel bag, though she could never dream of lugging around Crescent Rose like her partner did.
“How in Oum’s name are you still standing?” Weiss asked with a small snicker, watching as Ruby walked quietly past her and not only set down the bag which contained the mighty scythe, but also their clothing bag beside that. “I would have expected you to have long since been tuckered out after all of that?”
Ruby and Weiss had indeed grown since the end of the war, the years having treated them very well; and as Weiss had learned it had only taken Ruby’s strength and increased it ten fold.
The red hooded huntress only laughed shortly, turning to face her partner as she did so. “It isn’t so bad, sure I’m tired but the thought of showing off for ‘the’ Weiss Schnee will always give me energy.” Her hands were rough and calloused as they moved from her sides and onto Weiss’. Even through her clothes she could feel the rough nature of them as Ruby took her into a longing, and very tired, hug.
“Well, Miss Rose, if you keep saying things like that you may lure me away from my desk more often.” Weiss had thankfully grown in their time together, though she still had to look up ever so slightly to meet Ruby’s silver eyes. Like pools of the stuff, the hint of that light which guided her way, if she wanted to wax poetic about it.
Ruby chuffed, a line of a smile growing on her as her lips met Weiss’ scar. Parting after a short while. “I could be convinced to provide proper escort, you know there are plenty of other Hunts we could go on which are shorter and closer to home?” She asked with some small amount of a snicker.
Only able to roll her eyes, Weiss’ hands found the upper portion of Ruby’s chest, the fabric of the cloak around her partner’s neck toying in her hands as she did so. “And what would the fun in that be? The grandeur of the longer missions is the escape from all of this.” She paused for a moment as she took to sharing Ruby’s smile, “And the other enjoyable part is the amount of time where it is just the two of us without some functionary of mother or Winter breathing down my neck.” The added comment brought her palm to her brow.
“Have you heard from them already?” Ruby’s smile lessened, watching as Weiss hazarded a tired sigh before dropping her palm for a massage at her own temple.
She shook her head briefly, “I haven’t even dared to look at my scroll yet.” Admitting so with a moment of displeasure, Weiss could feel the thing buzz in her pocket even then. “I still have so few hours left of my escape from that, why let it go to waste responding, right?” She removed her hand and let it fall down to Ruby’s side in mimicry of her own hold.
“Now you’re starting to sound like Yang.” Ruby said with a slight knowing hint. She watched as Weiss blanched at the comment, and made a show of removing herself from the hug they had shared.
“Well, that’s too much, even for you, Miss Rose.” Weiss chuckled thereafter dryly, moving more steadily into their home. Her rapier found its way onto an honoured position atop their table, though Weiss paused for a moment and stared down at it before picking it up once again. “Are you perchance going to be remedying anything with Crescent Rose tonight?”
Ruby watched as Weiss held her blade, her right finger gently tapping the tip of it as she watched her, waiting steadily for a reply. “Well,” She chuckled shortly, scratching at her neck. “I was going to wait for tomorrow but I just thought of another adjustment I could make, the hydraulic lines in the blade are getting sort of delayed in their speeds.” She shrugged then, as her voice softly tapered off. “So I may sneak into my workshop and tinker with it for a little while tonight? I know you said we have a little time now and you’d probably like to spend it together but I’ll probably forget to do it if I don;t pounce on it.”
Watching as Ruby seemed to quickly move towards sulking at the idea, Weiss sprang to life with a shake of her and moved to close the distance between them. “Oh, no, no.” She shook her head and allowed herself to smile calmly. “I actually was wondering if you could help me with Myrtenaster?” She tapped the edge of the blade and gently stroked the metallic sheen. “It’s getting a little duller than I would have liked it to be, I know it is far from the innovative pride of our family of weapons but…” She said with a lesser amount of pride, “I know how its Dust works fine enough but the refining of the weapon part of it, well it eludes me.”
Weiss blinked back at her partner and it was as if she was watching the sun rise in the evening. Her smile and eyes like beams of light she had not seen in a long while, they made her heart shudder in her chest. “O-of course, here I can show you how to do it as well.” Excitement poured into her voice as well while Ruby rushed toward her partner, taking Weiss by the hand. It was not lost on the Schnee either that they were leaving the bag of Crescent Rose behind in their speed.
Ruby’s workshop was something that most smiths on Remnant would think was an afterlife, Weiss spared no expense in making the best of the best available just a walking distance from their bedroom. Of course, a layering or two of soundproofing definitely helped Weiss in forgetting about the exorbitant bill it had cost her. But the look on Ruby’s face when they entered made Weiss’ feelings on the matter all the more positive.
Myrtenaster found its place softly and securely atop one of the benches within the room. For Weiss it was like a piece of artwork being laid within a foundry, but the look on Ruby’s face made it all the more intriguing.
“So, what did you feel with the blade that made you want to condition it?” Ruby asked from the other side of the room, trading in her cloak and some of her wear for her ‘work clothes’.
“Well, in the event of melee combat it is supposed to be able to slash and pierce with some ease-.” Weiss coughed slightly as Ruby returned to her side. A tank top fitted with enough stains of grease showed off shoulders and arms which bathed Weiss in red, alongside every other muscle group in their most fine condition which were fit to practically throw Weiss around. But those eyes drew her back in as Ruby hurriedly tied her hair back. “B-but the um, blade right now can only stab, and with some much needed, uh, force.” She stifled out, forcing herself to calm down as she swallowed briefly.
Ruby nodded, thinking clearly as she narrowed her sights on Weiss’ weapon. “Okay, sounds like it's been blunted or dulled then. Honestly it may have to do with it not being used too much, or maybe your Dust?” Weiss was having difficulty telling if the question was rhetorical or not, her attention had shifted to the way Ruby was handling her blade.
Some semblance of the way Ruby held it, the care she put into picking it up and inspecting it, the blade looked comfortable in Ruby’s hands. Her thumb naturally found the reload and firing triggers, the intricate nature of the engravings moving simply over her hand as her other ran smooth over the length of the blade. Weiss remembered early on in her life being told that their weapons were extension of themselves, much like their semblances or her summons, she knew if Gigas was here the Knight likely would have been kneeling before Ruby all over again—she did not want a repeat of that honeymoon event.
“When did you notice it was too dull?” Ruby asked, settling the blade neatly back down onto the table before turning and looking at her partner. Weiss hummed first in response, though not to the question, and more to the nature of Ruby. She was sure she had a stupid smile listlessly occupying her face, but she could excuse it for the fatigue if questioned.
“Well,” She looked at the blade more solidly. “I think our fourth excursion? It’s difficult to say, it was after dealing with that Manticore nest.” Weiss nodded, snapping her finger and pointing aimlessly for a moment. “It was after it was thrown from my hand on the cave floor, could that have done it?”
A so-so nod drifted from Ruby, “It’s possible, may have just tweaked itself on something then.” She absentmindedly hit the trigger for the revolver, allowing the thing to spring open and the near empty Dust cartridges to present themselves. “You do tend to stab it into the ground a lot though.”
Some of Weiss rose-coloured goggles did wear off in that moment however, blinking as she narrowed her eyes on Ruby. “Pardon me?” She said with a more callous style of tone.
If there was some residue of anger in the questioning, Ruby did not detect it, instead making a show of her meaning. “You know, like when you use your semblance.” Ruby laughed slightly as she kicked her leg out behind her to knee, making the gesturing and air use as if she was using the blade to activate glyphs of some variety. “Like raaa I’m a scary Schnee I’m gonna get you!” She mimicked Weiss’ more posh accent as she did so.
“I do not sound like that.” Weiss said flippantly, crossing her arms with a shake of her head.
“You one-hundred percent sound like that, frankly I would enjoy a medal for my excellent imitation.” Ruby laughed to herself as she got back on her feet, her hand going for the blade then as she also reached out for Weiss. The taller woman’s hand gripped Weiss by the hip and gently pulled the Schnee into her. Pressing them side to side slightly as she gently caressed the blade.
“Why don’t we spend some time together as I do this then?” Ruby looked from the blade to Weiss, “Because if I am going to start helping you keep this piece of fine art intact, I would like to know some more about it?”
At that, Weiss slightly craned her head to the side. “How exactly do you mean?”
“Well, I’ll talk you through sharpening the blade’s tip and edge.” Ruby nodded, Weiss doing so as well in mimicry again. “And you tell me the ins and outs of its Dust Revolver function?”
It was as if a lightbulb had lit and then exploded in a shower of sparks in Weiss’ head, her blue eyes lighting up like fireworks. “Do you really mean it?” Her hands went from their cross positions and to her partner, excitement all over her. “You really want to learn about Myrtenaster’s Dust use?”
“I mean who else would be better to ask?” Ruby chuckled softly, nodding in reverent. “You know I love how much you know about it, and if I get to rant about my workshopping then why don’t you get the chance to do the same?” It was Ruby’s turn to fully admire her partner, the brightness of Weiss’ face now truly alive as she practically looked to vibrate on the spot; with a smile that could melt silver the Schnee seperated the two of them.
Taking a step towards the door, Weiss hung on its edge for a moment. “I am going to make us coffee and call out of work tomorrow, because we will be up all night talking about this.” Pointing to her partner as Ruby gently threw her hands up in agreement.
“And what about your mother and Winter?” Ruby asked with a guessing snicker.
Weiss had already disappeared around the corner into their home as she called back, “This is FAR more important!” Ruby knowing all too well the beaming look on Weiss’ face by the tone alone as she herself brought Myrtenaster under the light of her workbench and got ready to go to work.