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Vacuo was a really nice place, even considering the circumstances. Well, their team didn’t get to see a lot in these few hours, but it sure looked like it. Not that it stopped Weiss from worrying over everything that happened with Atlas, with their plan, with the world… But if the world didn’t fall apart yet, she probably shouldn’t either.
And she also knew deep down that she could not allow herself to wallow in her own misery at least until she was sure that her partner wasn’t doing the same. She made a promise, after all.
Weiss was aware that it was out of character for her, but she really wanted to go and find Ruby. To make sure once again that she actually was alive and relatively well, to touch her arms and feel the warmth instead of the dead wood texture. It didn’t matter that it was late at night and inappropriate.
Vacuo nights were cold. Or, maybe, she just felt like that because of her foolish thoughts.
Weiss let out a quiet sigh, got up out of bed and firmly opened the door, fully knowing that she won’t be able to do the same with the door to Ruby’s room and will spend at least a minute just standing there…
Her eyes suddenly met with Ruby’s, who froze in front of her with a raised hand, apparently, wanting to knock. Weiss blinked.
“...It seems that our minds still think alike,” Ruby said, smiling. And even if her voice betrayed her, showing how tired she actually was – which happened quite rarely – her smile was sincere.
Just for a moment Weiss managed to forget everything that haunted her mind. All the memories, nightmares, pain and the bitter taste of loss. Maybe even Ruby’s smiles weren’t the same as they were back in Beacon, but they were the closest thing Weiss could associate with comfort. Hugs as well, but that was a little different.
She missed Ruby’s smiles these last few days – probably even weeks. Oh, Ruby did smile, of course. Everybody always loved her sweet, warm, beautiful, friendly smiles. Weiss knew her smiles pretty well. And even if they never talked about this, Weiss knew that Ruby wasn’t very happy with the fact that some of those smiles of hers recently stopped working on her partner.
“And, as always, I spend at least some time thinking about my decision before committing to it, unlike you,” Weiss said quietly.
“Yet our decisions are the same in the end, right?” Ruby tilted her head.
“It seems to be the case. But I mus- What happened?!” Weiss suddenly exclaimed, taking Ruby’s left arm with two hands.
“Eh, it’s just a scratch…” Ruby broke off without even meeting her partner’s eyes – which was a deliberate move from her side – because she felt Weiss’ aura. Almost like with Jaune’s semblance. Of course, it was much less useful, but Weiss always was the best among them in controlling it, so that meant… Well, that she was really worried.
“Don’t care. Come inside,” Weiss turned around, and, apparently, not hearing Ruby’s steps, added, “right this instant!”
The silver-eyed girl mumbled something incomprehensible, shrugged and followed her partner.
“I mean,” Ruby saw Weiss’ gesture and sat down on Weiss’ bed, rolling up her sleeve, “it doesn’t even bleed… And where did you find bandages around here? We, like, spent only a few hours in the city,” she said with surprise.
“It does bleed,” Weiss said firmly. “Doesn’t matter if I saw only a drop of blood. And I felt it important to stock up on necessities on the first day.”
“Since when do you think that bandages are more necessary than, I don’t know, food?” Ruby tried to make a joke, pointing at the table where there was only a single bottle of water.
“You know since when,” Weiss muttered, lowering her eyes, then sat down next to Ruby and started bandaging her forearm.
“...Fair enough,” Ruby admitted, frowning.
“And since when do you started getting injured in a city full of people who certainly don’t dislike you?”
“A few Shade students saw me and asked for advice…” Ruby said, a little shy. “I spent more time with them than expected. Had to leave when I realized that I was trying to train not six people, but a few dozen… But I did get carried away, I guess.”
“You should be more careful,” Weiss sighed – just like she sighed every time after saying that phrase ever since her third day in Beacon.
She finished her work in silence.
Ruby examined the bandages, clenched and unclenched her fist several times and then nodded to herself. But unexpectedly for Weiss, she didn’t thank her or started talking about something else – she just moved closer and put her head on Weiss’ shoulder. Slowly and carefully enough for Weiss to move away if she so wanted, but, obviously, Weiss had no such desire.
“So you also have trouble sleeping?” Weiss asked quietly, staring at the moon outside the window.
“Weird, right?” Ruby muttered. “After the Tree I’m perfectly healthy, but I feel tired. I’m tired, but I can’t sleep. I can’t sleep and I see that you can’t as well, but I still expect that with you I’ll be able to.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “Stupid.”
“There are a lot of reasons to feel tired beyond just physical ones,” Weiss noted reasonably. “And you… have more reasons than most, I suspect. Ruby… Listen, I…”
“No.”
“We need to talk. About… everything.”
“Please?”
Weiss wasn’t sure if she should’ve asked as it was. But when her partner’s unusually calm and still tired voice didn’t even add the usual “Pretty please?”, Weiss became convinced fully.
She hugged Ruby with one of her arms and covered Ruby’s injured hand with the other.
“You don’t want to know how much effort it took to get away from Yang and Blake’s questions. I get that they are worried and stuff… And all the others too…” Ruby sighed sadly. “But…”
“You don’t have the energy to deal with that.”
“Hmm… Yeah. For some reason I knew you would understand me.”
“For better or worse, I really do. And I get that it is not about your fear or pride or trust… Though I have had to deal with that feeling much less since I met you, Ruby.”
“...You’re welcome. Always.”
“But it doesn’t mean I will let you hide in my room forever. Even if our friends’ patience will run out long before my own – I am pretty sure of that.”
“You think so?” Ruby tried to look at Weiss, but it was quite difficult from her position, and Ruby really didn’t want to pull away.
“My patience and willingness to give you space are finite, however…” Weiss pursed her lips. “I actually planned to talk about this when we would talk about everything, but alas. As you know, Weiss Schnee…” She tilted her head, gently touching Ruby’s. “Well, about three days ago she lost the majority of things she had or thought she had. And a little later she also failed the most important pers- I don’t expect consolations from you, Ruby, please,” Ruby, who only managed to open her mouth, grimaced, but stayed silent. “I failed you. I am sorry. I want to do better. And while I was ready to give you anything I had, nowadays it’s not a lot.” Her voice was bitter, no matter how hard she tried to be calm. “I still am ready to do that. Anything I can do to help you, I will do. I will be with you until the very end,” Weiss’ voice cracked, “partner. Alright?”
“Never blamed you,” Ruby murmured. “Never will.”
“Maybe you should.” Weiss snorted. “Maybe you would be better off with…” She broke off when Ruby’s finger touched her lips.
“I came to you at this moment, didn’t I?”
“I wish I felt like I could live up to your trust.”
“Trust me, then.”
“Always do. Sometimes I think that I myself do not know how much I trust you unconditionally.” Weiss smiled wryly.
“For some reason I felt like I could trust you even when we first met in the Emerald Forest.”
“Yeah, might’ve been not your best decision.”
“Everything that happened proves otherwise.” Ruby laughed quietly. “How many times have you saved my life, hmm?”
“I would say not enough for us to be even, since I only ever saved your body. You saved my soul, Ruby Rose.”
“Who said you didn’t save mine?” Ruby said softly, touching Weiss’ cold fingers.
“I am quite sure yours doesn’t need any help.” Weiss chuckled. “Well. Was sure until recently, at least.” She lowered her gaze. “Yeah-yeah, we’re not talking about that. Sorry.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to really talk about… you know.” Ruby sighed. “But if I do, you’ll be the first person who hears it.”
“Let me guess: but now you’re fine.”
“So to speak. Better, at the very least.”
“Of course. How else.” Weiss scoffed and closed her eyes, trying to hide the tears in them.
“Weiss…” Ruby gently stroked her back.
“I tried to come up with something, but nowadays it’s actually hard to find a topic to talk about besides Salem, Grimm, our inevitable fights, deaths or people’s problems.” Weiss let out a heavy sigh. “Looking at you… Feeling your touch makes me feel better. For a few seconds. Then I start to remember all that again. And, I mean… It wasn’t fair from the very beginning. For you the most, our silver-eyed warrior.”
“Well, I don’t think so.” Ruby said firmly. “If you can complain about Uncle Qrow, then I certainly get to complain about Winter and her performance as an older sister.”
“At least my mom is still alive.”
“And my dad isn’t a pathetic piece of shit.”
“You were born with a giant target on your back.”
“But that target also helped me save lots of innocent people.”
“My family’s vast resources helped me become something approaching a Huntress way faster.”
“I don’t even need an argument beyond just saying ‘your family’.”
Weiss suddenly pulled away and covered her face with her hands. For a moment Ruby was scared, but then she heard a quiet laugh.
“Touche, Ruby.” Weiss said a little more warmly. “Hell, can you imagine us talking like that in Beacon? Would be a falling out of the century. For me – literally, if Yang would have heard that.”
“I would be really offended.” Ruby smiled, pleased with her attempt to change the topic.
“Though it’s a little weird that we both are okay with talking like that. And it’s not good that we know what we’re talking about.”
“I mean, why not?” Ruby shrugged. “What is left unsaid between us? …Besides the obvious. We lived through so much together, saw so many things, standing side by side. I… Well… There are blueprints on my Scroll.” Ruby paused, a little embarrassed. “Among other things, there is one for how you could use the parts of Crescent Rose for Myrtenaster. You know, if…”
“Don’t you dare.” Ruby almost flinched from how fast Weiss moved closer to her. Her hand, as it seemed, unwittingly cupped Ruby’s face.
“Hey, it was always a risk for us. Nothing’s changed.” Ruby covered Weiss’ hand with her own.
“Maybe. But these days I am not sure how much of Weiss Schnee will be left after that happens – after I avenge you by any means necessary.”
Ruby grimaced, hearing Weiss talking with absolute sincerity.
“I guess I have to stay alive then.”
“Be so kind.”
“It’s one of those thoughts I hate and try to force out of my mind, but… I can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same if you’d be gone.” Ruby closed her eyes. “I mean, it’s normal, probably, loss, revenge, whatever, but I have a feeling that, for example, Yang can survive losing me. Jaune, Ren and Nora survived losing Pyrrha.”
“Since when are we both normal? In any sense of the word.” Weiss absent-mindedly tucked Ruby’s unkempt hair behind her ear, trying not to move too much, so that Ruby’s hand would be comfortable staying on hers.
“Two years ago I would argue with that.”
“Two years ago I would argue with that.”
“Heh. Maybe that’s why I came.” Ruby glanced at the door. “You’re sincere, Weiss. Even when I’m asking you not to talk about things that worry you, you’re okay with that. Not only because you think that’ll make me feel better – even if you’re crying – but because my words are actually important for you.”
“I’m not always sincere. But I try. And I wasn’t really crying.”
“Sure thing.”
“Do you want to sleep on the floor?”
“I mean, these beds are not, like…”
“Ruby.”
“...My sleepwear is too small.” Ruby pursed her lips. “But when I started actually trying to put it on, it was already late. And our usual clothes…” She looked at Weiss’ clean blue sleepwear, then on her own battered corset.
“You can turn your back to me.”
Despite the calmness in Weiss’ voice, Ruby did manage to notice a hint of blush on her partner’s cheeks. Ruby hoped that her underwear wasn’t looking too bad.
“Damn, maybe I wanted to be the big spoon.”
“The what?”
“You know, to be the one who makes the other more comfortable…”
“You need it more than me.” Weiss shook her head and smiled.
“Imagine how big of a deal it would be for us back in the day. For, like, all of us.” Ruby shrugged her shoulders and started undressing.
“A month ago I stitched the wound on your bare chest.” Weiss, trying to be a decent person, turned her head to the side – even if at the moment all she was doing was panicking and simultaneously focusing on her attempts to treat Ruby’s wound, afterwards she had different kinds of thoughts.
“No one else knows about it, though. Sure, I asked you not to talk, because I thought that my injury was my own stupid mistake, but…” Ruby sighed. “I don’t know. Weird. With you it doesn’t seem like a big deal. If I really think about it, who cares if you see me naked?”
“I care!” Weiss’ eyes widened, when she realized that she said something, and she made an effort to turn away even more. “...In general, I mean.”
“Oh yeah?” Ruby laughed quietly. “I wonder what our friends would say.”
“Who knows.” Weiss shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know what I myself would have thought before. But, for better or worse, one… event was all it took for me to understand that Ruby Rose is important. Everything that makes her the person she is, is important, and not some specific things.”
“Not my chest size?” Ruby asked in an almost serious tone.
“You are beautiful,” Weiss said with a hint of sadness. “But for me you wouldn’t stop being beautiful if you lost an eye, an arm or went through fire with all that it implies.”
“Hearing Blake gush over my sis or vice versa, or seeing Ren and Nora…” Ruby muttered. “Feels even more weird. Won’t even get a kiss on a magic bridge?”
“What would be the point?” Weiss asked bluntly. “There is nothing left unsaid between us, after all.” She turned her head and met Ruby’s eyes, allowing herself to show her sadness.
“Yet we never really… discussed it.” Ruby smiled, a little uncertain. “Never had the time.”
“Such is our life.” Weiss waved her hand. “But I’m pretty sure we both know the other reason why you came to me. Why I’m giving you space – in every sense of the word.” Weiss winced. “I shouldn’t. This is really not the time for this. But I can’t lie that I wasn’t scared to death when… that happened.” Her voice wavered. “You’ve been dead.”
Ruby resisted the impulse to use her Semblance and took a few slow steps until she stood in front of Weiss.
“I came back.”
Weiss closed her eyes and hugged Ruby tightly, pressing her face into Ruby’s stomach.
“Don’t know if I can demand anything from you,” Weiss muttered, muffled. “But if it matters, I am yours. Forever and ever.”
“Our forever may last only for a few months.” Ruby let out a sad laugh. “But it matters. Besides, I was yours since the first time we locked eyes. Even if it was just a stupid crush.”
“Eh, I didn’t deserve you back then anyway.”
“Don’t say that.” Ruby tenderly ran her fingers through Weiss’ loose hair.
“I do know I will sound shameless, but I don’t want to let go.”
“Let me lie down, and I’ll hold you as much as you want.” Ruby paused. “If you’ll do the same. I mean, it’s already implied, but…”
“Ruby.”
“...And we’ll fall asleep, true, true.”
“Just lie down.” Weiss pulled away a little and patted the blanket.
“Should we, I don’t know, say the words?” Ruby asked thoughtfully. “Like in all the tales, you know.”
“I am pretty sure that your idea with the blueprints means far more than any common phrase ever could.” Weiss, smiling, touched Ruby’s hand.
“That’s just what I do, though.” Ruby bashfully shrugged. “Weapons. That’s also just a… possible upgrade.”
“Well, it means more to me,” Weiss said in a serious voice.
“Your actions also mean far more than any words could, I think.” Ruby grinned. “Always did. I smile every time when I remember our fight against that big Atlas robot, even if it’s just one of many things. But, I guess… I still, like, really wanna say… that I love you.” She didn’t look away, though that took a big effort.
Weiss didn’t seem surprised. Her fingers, trembling almost imperceptibly, pressed into Ruby’s hand as Weiss started moving closer.
Ruby was mesmerized by Weiss’ icy blue eyes, sparkling with a swirl of feelings which they probably shared. Reluctance, joy, long buried fear, desire, sadness, sympathy… Love – in their touches, in everything they both said, in their Auras, in their racing hearts and in Weiss’ unusually hot breath.
She pressed a short and soft kiss to the corner of Ruby’s mouth – though it was long enough for Ruby to blush.
“...It also was better than words,” Ruby murmured with a sincere smile. “But it seems I’ll have to work hard not to disappoint you with my own…”
“You make it so easy to love you, Ruby,” Weiss couldn’t help but smile back. “But we are quite late as it is.”
“You are right about unpleasant things, as always… Good night, then?”
“I know it will be good.” Weiss chuckled quietly. “You are with me, after all. But yes, good night, Ruby.”