Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Miss Rose,” Winter greeted her sister's team leader as she flew to the top of the academy to find the younger woman already there. 

“Hey Winter,” Ruby greeted in return, her eyes shining brightly enough that even the maiden was taken aback by them for a moment. “You can call me Ruby, you know?” 

“It…if you’re sure,” Winter agreed as Ruby nodded, and moved over so Winter would have a space to sit, which she did in short order. 

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with your team?” Winter asked plainly. It’s not that she’d ever found the younger woman disagreeable, but she’d been wanting to spend some time in solitude. 

“I just needed time to think, about everything,” Ruby said solemnly as she used a hand to gesture at the academy, and city beyond. 

Winter frowned, understanding the feeling as she searched for something to talk to the woman about. For all she knew about her, for as open as she seemed, Winter was at a loss for what to actually say. She'd never been quite as social as she should have been.

“Penny thought you were her best friend,” Ruby spoke first, startling Winter. 

“Pardon?” 

“She thought of you for the powers, right? She knew you’d need them, and you were her best friend. You supported her in Atlas when none of us could.”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t a very good friend in return,” Winter admitted somewhat bitterly as she clutched a hand to her chest, and tried to feel for her friend's presence inside her. It was there, a bit muddled, but it gently answered her in return sending a small pulse, a thrum through her chest that made her own loneliness fall to the background for just a moment before Ruby spoke, and drew her back into the present. 

“Really? You did your best, right? You don’t seem like the type who’d do less than that, at like, anything,” Ruby accurately guessed as she gently elbowed her. 

Winter snorted for a moment at that very accurate summation. “I can be a bit competitive.”

“Guess it’s a family trait,” Ruby joked. “That’s all Penny wanted, or expected from you. If you weren’t meeting her expectations I’m sure she’d let you know,” Ruby admitted softly. 

“Most likely. More efficient ways to improve our friendship,” Winter joked as Ruby giggled in return. 

“Do you…would you like to talk about her?” Ruby asked seeming to be only slightly awkward about offering.

“Would you?” 

“Only if you want to. I’d like to talk to another one of her friends,” Ruby admitted. "The others...they didn't really know her as well as I did so it's kinda hard to talk to them about it."

“Perhaps I’ll tell you about the time she tried to steal the ace ops dinner as they were eating it to display her ‘stealth’ skills,” Winter teased as Ruby nodded excitedly, and leaned in to hear better.

“You seem…pleased,” Robyn remarked as Winter appeared inside the entrance of Shade for another meeting later that evening. 

“I had an enjoyable conversation, and might have found a new friend,” Winter admitted after a long moment where she debated even speaking with Robyn at all. 

“Good for you. I know you got me, and five o’clock, but more friends ain’t a bad thing.”

“Qrow, and I,” Winter corrected as Robyn smirked, showing that was the exact reaction she’d been looking for. “What do you see in him?” 

Robyn sighed as she saw there was still a bit of time before the meeting. “If I give you a serious answer it never leaves this room. No jokes, no using it against him if you get into one of your yelling matches with him, no nothing, or maiden, or not I will find a way to hurt you,” Robyn threatened looking entirely serious. 

Winter blinked, but nodded in agreement with the terms as Robyn pulled her into a side room, and closed the door. 

“He just, cares, so damn much. His team broke apart. Tai went catatonic after Raven left, and Summer…vanished, and yet despite that he took a job as a teacher when he hates kids to be closer to them. He knew about all this, Salem, and still put the kids above it all,” Robyn explained as she waved one arm around herself vaguely.  

“He has a semblance he used to think made him impossible to be around, and still raised the girl’s well enough that Ruby adores him, and wanted to be just like him, wanted to use his weapon. 

So he taught her, and despite worrying about it, it never hurt her. He gave up drinking for her, for them. His team fell apart, his life fell apart, and no one was there for him, but he kept going. 

Drinking wasn’t great, but again no one cared besides the kids. It was all he had.

He’s a good man, and a great huntsman. I got to see it in Atlas first hand. The world can use more people like him.”

Winter blinked, taken aback by Robyn’s passionate rant. “I hadn’t realized you felt so…strongly about it. 

Robyn laughed. “On the transport, before everything went to shit, Ironwood put out an arrest warrant for Qrow, and the others. 

As soon as Clover stood up, I had my weapon pointed right at his face. No hesitation, almost without realizing what I was doing. 

Qrow was the one who tried to talk us both down if you can believe it,” Robyn sighed with a self deprecating smile. “He might have managed it, if not for Tyrian. Then we were locked up, and just…”

“Things changed?” 

Robyn shook her head. “Solidified. I realized what I’d done, what it actually meant, and tried to put it out of my mind for the time being. Then he wanted to get revenge for Clover on Ironwood, and I talked to him about it, and he listened. 

He’d been dead set on it, but he listened to me, just like I listened to him. I hadn’t realized how much power he had over me, or me him I guess,” Robyn remarked as she shrugged, and leaned against the wall. 

“I looked back, and realized all the times he’d taken a blow for me, or when the room was blown up, and his first instinct was to help me, and now here when I made the monument for him, it all just kind of slid into focus. I hadn’t realized I was falling until I’d already landed. Kinda lame, right?” 

“I don’t think so,” Winter disagreed with a shake of her head. It actually sounded rather wonderful truthfully.

“Well it doesn’t matter anyway, he’s mine now, so no trying to steal him from me,” Robyn ordered as she pointed her finger at her. 

“Excuse me?” Winter asked in disbelief as she reeled back in surprise at the accusation. 

“I heard about your attempts at flirting with him. Trying to cross swords with him at Beacon, thinking you were clever. Not clever enough, Schnee!” Robyn accused, although her voice was clearly joking, Winter was flustered as she backed away. 

“I despise…did despise him back then!” Winter insisted. She couldn’t say she despised Qrow as he was now, and now that she knew more of what he dealt with it was hard to say he’d ever really deserved her ire even back then. 

“Uh, huh. Hate is only one step from love,” Robyn teased. 

“You are infuriating! No wonder you’re interested in him. The two of you will be the death of me.”

Robyn cackled as she left the room. Winter followed if only to get the meeting over with so she could escape the madhouse she was clearly in.  

Not having much else to do after the meeting, Winter left to wander the grounds. Perhaps some practice would be of use to settle her still roiling emotions. 

She’d wanted to speak to Weiss, but apparently Miss Belladonna, and Xiao-Long had already claimed to need to speak with her urgently. She had secured a promise for Weiss to call on her when she was free however. 

She made her way to the training pits, and blinked seeing Miss…Ruby, and an older short statured woman. 

Maria. Of course. Winter respected the elder huntsman to a degree. 

Anyone who could live to that age in such a dangerous profession was clearly not to be trifled with, but she was also one of the most immature people she’d ever met, and despite knowing of the magic she now wielded, the only thing she had to offer when she’d seen her fighting was ‘needs work’. 

Who was she to-

“Winter?” 

She cursed herself for spacing out. 

“You know her?” Maria asked as she adjusted her prosthetics slightly. 

“Kinda sorta. We…talked about Penny earlier. It helped me feel a bit better,” Ruby admitted shyly as she rubbed the back of her head. 

“Ah. Grieving is important, but don’t forget to live for yourself too,” Maria advised with a gentle pat on Ruby’s shoulder. 

Ruby nodded, absorbing the lesson even as Winter scowled. She could tell she was speaking more to her than Ruby. 

“We can live once Salem is defeated,” Winter said seriously before she grimaced as the cane slammed into her shin. 

“Miss Calavera what is the, ouch,” Winter gasped as the same shin was hit again. She hadn’t even seen her move!

“And if we fail here? If this is it? Then you’ll go to the grave with nothing. I thought you were done with Atlas thinking? With following Ironwood's lead?” Maria asked. 

“I am,” Winter growled as she rubbed at her shin to help soothe it. 

“Then why are you doing what he’d want you to do?” Maria asked back as Winter mentally reeled back in shock, her mind barely noting Ruby flinched at the question. 

“I…how do you mean?” 

“Protecting the city is important,” Maria began as she tapped her cane against the ground with a nod. “But you are doing what he would have wanted you to do. 

Always going out, always at the front, always fighting, never taking time to sleep, or take care of yourself. You’re wearing yourself down to the bone, and no magic is going to stave that off forever.”

“You must be mistaken,” Winter growled. The old woman was far too close to home. 

Maria sighed. “Suicidal ideation. You don’t care if you live, or die. Not really,” Maria shrugged. “If you die then the powers go to Weiss, and you’ve done your part, and if you die taking down Salem? All the better because you’ll be well remembered, and have helped Weiss redeem your family name,” Maria explained. 

“You both have a lot more in common than I thought,” Maria said openly as Ruby flinched to the point Winter noticed, clearly having heard something similar before. 

“I’m not losing two young promising huntresses because they can’t be bothered to have fun, or relax for once in their lives.  No training tonight,” Maria declared seriously.  “Go get something to eat, and play in one of those arcade things,” Maria waved them off. 

“Excuse me,” Winter began before pain blossomed in her other shin. 

“You should have seen that coming,” Maria chided her before she spun, and with a speed that belied her age swung at Ruby’s side although the cape wearing huntress managed to put up an arm to block it. 

“Better,” Maria praised lightly with a nod, “but not as good as you should be. You’re both too keyed up. You won’t talk to anyone else, but you did talk to each other earlier. So congratulations, you’re now friends. Go do something fun for tonight, and I’ll train you tomorrow.”

“You mean it?” Ruby asked excitedly, and Winter had to admit her excitement was infectious.

“Aye. I promise, but only if you promise to take tonight off, and have fun with ‘buzzkill’ over there.”

“Excuse you?” Winter growled, and then stepped back to save her shins from the pain of being whacked again. 

“Sorry I keep forgettin’ your name so I just used the name of your swords.”

“That’s not their name!” Winter growled. 

“Huh, really? Neat,” Maria remarked casually as Ruby giggled. Even Winter glaring at her didn’t help her. 

“Winter,” Maria remarked, seriously gaining her attention as she walked over to whisper to her. “Take it from someone with a long lifetime of seeing, and making mistakes. You won’t help anyone for very long like you are now, and neither will she. If not for yourself then do it for her,” Maria implored her. 

Winter bit her tongue, but sighed in defeat. Truthfully, she was rather tired, and somehow hadn’t noticed it. She blinked when she felt a pouch be put into her hand. 

“Take her somewhere nice,” Maria advised before in a flash she vanished. 

How did she even do that?

Ruby stretched, and Winter averted her gaze for a moment before she coughed to gain her attention. 

“She give you the resting speech?” Ruby asked as Winter nodded in response. 

“I guess we gotta then. Any idea where you want to go?” Ruby asked clearly ready to 'hang out' in order to get training the next day. 

“I…not particularly. Do you have a recommendation?” Winter asked in return. 

Ruby hummed as she thought about it. “Are you allergic to anything?”

Winter blinked, but was pleased by how concerned, and attentive she was, even if Maria was practically forcing them into what was essentially an outing. 

“I’ve never been one for anything fancy,” Ruby admitted. “I’d say noodles, but I’m actually kinda hungry for like a full meal.”

Winter realized she was rather famished herself, and nodded. “That sounds acceptable. I believe I remember your uncle mentioned there was a restaurant he took Miss Hill to,” Winter spoke as she tried to recall the specifics of the conversation. 

“Wait, like on a date?” Ruby asked, her voice filled with something resembling awe, and excitement. 

Winter blinked at her exuberance before her mind wandered back to what Robyn had said. Ruby likely saw how much her uncle sacrificed, and was just happy to have some good news about someone she loved. 

That in mind. Winter felt her lips curve into a slight grin as she nodded. 

Ruby squealed in a manner that was far too adorable for someone her age, and grabbed Winter’s hands as she jumped up, and down. 

The passersby turned irritated looks their way until they saw Ruby was the one making the sound, and they smiled fondly instead. 

“Is that why…oh man this is great!” Ruby gibbered excitedly. “Sorry, I just…I’m glad he’s happy. He’s happy right? I should have asked,” Ruby remonstrated herself. 

“None of that. I get the feeling Robyn is waiting on him to be more sure of things before they say anything ‘official’, but I spoke with her, and she’s quite…besotted with him,” Winter admitted as she tried not to let her face show any negative feelings she might still have toward the man. 

“That’s really great,” Ruby agreed with a bright grin, and again her eyes seemed to shine just the slightest bit before the younger woman pointed out a random restaurant a few blocks away, and tugged on their still joined hands. 

“Race you there,” Ruby challenged only for Winter to raise an eyebrow at her in challenge. 

“I mean if you don’t think you can handle it,” Ruby joked only for Winter to fly by, the magic responding to her desire in an instant.

“Hey, that’s cheating!” Ruby pouted before she sped after the white, and blue blur, the mass of red petals swiftly closing the distance. 

Despite herself, Winter felt a laugh bubble out of her as she avoided the swarm of petals, and continued on to the restaurant they were rapidly approaching. 

Neither one noticed the exceedingly annoyed blue eyed woman watching from a nearby rooftop who grit her teeth, and growled. 

So that’s how Winter wanted to play it? She'd gotten dressed up for nothing? Oh this meant war.

Chapter Text

Ruby grimaced as she tried again. Nothing had changed even after looking away, and rubbing her eyes. Maybe this was a huge mistake. She really should have known better than to try this. She’d rushed in too quickly, and was now paying the price for her hubris. There was no way out of this mess.

Winter eyed the woman across from her in amusement. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some help?” 

Ruby slumped face first onto the table dramatically as she handed over her menu. “Yes, please.”

Since she couldn’t see her, Winter allowed the smile she felt to bloom on her face as she took the menu from the defeated woman. 

“What sort of food do you like, normally?” 

“I’m not super picky, really,” Ruby admitted as she sat back up in her seat, and blinked as she looked at Winter as if she'd not noticed something before. “You have a pretty smile.”

Winter blinked, and felt the smallest flush take over her face. She was…unused to such sincere kindness that was given without any ulterior motivation. 

“I…thank you. Anything?” Winter asked as she tapped the menu to try, and move past the awkwardness she was feeling. 

“Mhm. I mean I like strawberries, but with everything going on, and us being in Vacuo anyway, I’m not sure how realistic it would be to expect that."

Winter nodded, at least she was being reasonable. “Do you mind if I order for you?” 

“Oh, can I order for you?” Ruby asked excitedly. 

“Ruby, you don’t even know what any of the meals are,” Winter gently reminded the other woman who blinked. 

“Oh, right…uh your dessert then!” Ruby bargained with a small grin. 

“Very well,” Winter allowed, letting the amusement in her voice carry to her dinner partner who pumped her fist in victory. “I believe you will find this dish to be quite filling, and appetizing.” 

“Then that’s the one I want then,” Ruby agreed with a bob of her head as she looked over the name so she could get it right when the waiter came back.

“You don’t want to know what’s in it?” Winter asked as Ruby shook her head. 

“Nah. Your family has never steered me wrong before so I know it’ll be great!” 

“I’m honored by the trust you’ve put on me,” Winter replied in jest. 

“I’m actually not really good at this, but uh what did you want to talk about?” Ruby asked awkwardly as she shyly poked her index fingers together. 

“Well, from what I hear you’re a rather talented weaponsmith. Why not tell me what you think of these?” Winter asked as she set her blade on the table, and watched them vanish, and reappear in Ruby’s hands. 

The woman was lost in her own little world as she began to very accurately list the specifications of her weapon. Winter found herself taking out a spare piece of paper to take notes.

Weiss growled as she overlooked the restaurant from the top of the nearby building. That adorable idiot! 

Winter should have known better! She was going to go down there, and…

Weiss was startled out of her homicidal daydream by a loud slurp, and a crunching sound. She peered to the side, and nearly shrieked seeing Maria next to her. 

How in the world was she this silent?

“Need something?” Maria asked as she raised a set of binoculars to her prosthetic eyes to watch the two at the table as Ruby gestured excitedly to the weapon in her hand. 

“No thank you,” Weiss ground out before she whimpered as she felt a shock of pains in her shin. 

“What is wrong with you?” Weiss asked with a pained groan as she huddled down to grab onto her shins. 

“I don’t like liars.”

“Why are you even here?” Weiss hissed. 

“I told them both to have a fun night out for once so they’d be less stressed for training. I’m making sure they’re actually doing that,” Maria explained simply as she offered the nuts in her hand to Weiss who shook her head. 

“So you’re stalking them? That’s not creepy at all,” Weiss sniped, not even bothering to think about how hypocritical that statement was coming from her. 

“If the clothes started to come off I would have left,” Maria assured Weiss as if that was what her problem was. 

“WHAT?” Weiss whisper-screamed. 

“You don’t think they’re a good match?” Maria asked humorously. 

“What could they possibly have in common?” 

“Both considered prodigies in their field. Your sister was at one point Ironwood’s second in command. Ruby was recruited by Ozpin personally, and passed ahead several years based on her combat skills alone, and made your team leader. Her book work wasn’t great, but not even you would say she was ever lacking in combat, or Grimm training,” Maria began. 

“I suppose not,” Weiss allowed. Not even she could find fault with Ruby’s skills in those areas. 

“They both learn more by doing than from a textbook. Your sister can learn that way, but she, and Ruby both learn far quicker from experience than any other method. 

Ruby needs someone to stand as an equal with her, who will back her plans, but isn’t afraid to call her out when she makes a stupid choice. Who can be trusted to help her lead, and keep her on the right path. 

Winter needs someone who can make her laugh, and get her stop working herself to the bone to enjoy life now, and again. And of course someone who can stand up to her when it really counts, and who really doesn’t care about her name, or her new magic. 

They both need someone to live for. They’re both teetering close to the edge,” Maria remarked darkly. “It’s easier to come back from that when you have someone you know cares about you waiting, or helping pull you back.”

“She’s my partner!” Weiss remarked simply choosing to ignore the rest of it. 

“Is she?” Maria asked. “Tell me when was the last time you really talked to her. I saw you both when we met, and on our way to Mantle, and I had actually assumed you might have been together already, but then…”

Weiss flinched already knowing where this was going. 

“I saw you pull away. She tried to talk to you, even invited you out on a date to some party, and you turned her down.”

“I didn’t want to have anything to do with my father, and the party would have reminded me of that!” Weiss countered with a scowl choosing to ignore the word date that Maria had used. She would have known if that was what Ruby was doing. She would have!

“I’m sure Ruby understood when you told her that,” Maria said sympathetically as Weiss winced knowing she hadn’t really explained any of that to her partner. 

“Exactly. I’m fairly certain she spoke more with Ren than she did you while we were in Atlas. You were her partner. You saw her hurting, and you did nothing. She saw you hurting, and did her best to be there for you, and yet you didn’t do your part, didn’t even try,” Maria shook her head in disgust before she pointed her cane right at Weiss’s throat. 

“Then Ever After. I finally got her to talk about it, and I have never been more disappointed in a team than after hearing that. 

Certainly eager for her to help, and comfort you weren’t you? Lapped it up like a cat with a bowl of milk, but you all let her fall deeper into depression after losing a loved one. 

Your team was too busy flirting with each other, too wrapped up to see her suffering. And in the end? If you hadn’t been there? If you’d been out here? 

She felt she had nothing so she drank the tea. She’d have died, and you all stood by, and watched. None of you noticed until it was too late,” Maria remarked, the disgust in her tone easy to hear.  “And don’t get me started on ascension!” 

“It didn’t do anything?” Winter asked, confusion coloring her tone as she looked at the copious notes she’d taken following Ruby’s inspection of her weapon while they waited for their food. 

“Ascension is a process meant for a native of the Ever After. It helps them go from one form to the next. I don’t exactly fit that mold. It helped in the moment, but more so because I realized I needed to go back, and help everyone. 

The process couldn’t have really changed me in any substantial way. I asked the blacksmith, and they admitted that it was mostly a mental thing. Plus couple that with it being rushed, and well it was mostly just endorphins running around my system. I mostly just wanted to talk to Raven about my mom if we're being honest. I needed to know

So nothing really changed in the end for me,” Ruby admitted. 

“Oh, Weiss was under the impression that it had helped you in some way,” Winter remarked, looking awkward for once. 

Ruby shrugged. “ I got good at hiding what I was feeling. In Ever After I didn’t even have to bother. Unless telling a depressed person to believe in themselves counts as some sort of magical therapy I don’t know about,” Ruby admitted humorously, and even Winter chuckled lightly behind her hand. 

“I don’t believe so,” Winter admitted as Ruby made a half shrug with one arm, and smirked. 

“You do seem to be doing better now at least,” Winter offered. 

“I got to talk with Ren, Maria a bit, Uncle Qrow, and now you, so that helped.”

“Not Weiss,” Winter picked up on with a frown of distaste. 

“She has other issues to work through so I don’t blame her for needing time to do that,” Ruby defended her partner as Winter’s fist clenched before Ruby put a gentle hand over them to squeeze. 

“Hey, no worries. This is supposed to be about fun right? Let me tell you a funny story from Beacon,” Ruby offered as Winter forced herself to relax, and nodded. 

“I…I’ve been a terrible partner to Ruby recently. I realize that, but I…now that I had a talk with Blake, and Yang. I realize what I want more than anything, but…” Weiss trailed off as she looked at the two laughing as their food was delivered. 

Winter was smiling more than Weiss had ever seen, looking flustered, and overall just having a great time. 

“I…waited too long. I never let her know how important she was to me, and now she’s slipped through my fingers, like grains of sand, only for Winter to catch her,” Weiss admitted softly as she watched Winter move her hand to lightly brush fingers with Ruby, and felt her heart ache. 

Two people she adored being happy together…without her. Winter would be a far better partner for Ruby than she would ever be. 

She’d nearly made up her mind when she grunted in pain as her shin cried out from abuse. 

“What kind of huntsman gives up like that?” Maria asked as Weiss glared at her. 

“Why would I break up their happiness?” Weiss hissed as Maria poked her chest with her bony finger. 

“And what about your own? A girl like that doesn’t just come around more than once in a lifetime! You made a mistake, but are you just going to concede the fight before it starts? Isn’t she your partner?” Maria asked with a tap of her cane. 

“Why would I want to make Winter’s life worse? If she, they , are happy then who am I to interfe-ow! Stop that!” Weiss demanded of the older woman. 

“What kind of huntress gives up on her prey?” Maria asked. “In my day sisters shared!” 

Weiss colored completely. “Excuse me? I don’t know what sort of family you’re from, but Winter, and I…our family aren’t blue bloods,” Weiss said delicately. “I love her, but not in that way.”

Maria gave her a deadpan look. “No kidding. I mean only that there’s no reason you both, all three of you can’t be happy. You like making schedules don’t you? Organizing things? 

Or are you going to let your happiness slip away because you’re too much of a coward to say anything? Again!” Maria demanded. “If I were in your place I’d stake my claim, snatch them up, and talk with your sister to work something out! Every day could be our last, and yet here you sit, moping, willing to throw it all away before even trying!”

“I…”

“Speak up, girlie!” Maria demanded. 

Weiss looked over once more, and saw Ruby making exaggerated gestures as Winter smiled brightly at whatever story she was telling as they dug into their food. 

“I have plans to make,” Weiss declared as her resolve solidified. 

“Damn right,” Maria agreed. "Let's go make them. You'd be hopeless without me."

For the sake of her shins Weiss didn't disagree.

“So she was all ‘don’t touch me’ but then hugged me closer because she lost the board game,” Ruby confided to Winter who chuckled warmly behind her hand. 

“Your turn!” Ruby reminded her as Winter nodded, and finished chewing her current forkful of dessert. How Ruby, who couldn’t understand what most of the menu was had managed to order something Winter found most delightful. She had no idea, but she made a mental note to eat more of it in the future. 

“When we were younger I took a pudding cup, and blamed it on Weiss when mother caught us. Weiss never let me live if down.”

“Really?” 

Winter nodded. “When I heard mother coming I panicked, and threw it out the window. It ended up hitting poor Klein in the face.”

Ruby giggled, and smiled brightly at Winter’s weak glare. “Come on, it's kinda funny.”

Winter let a brief quirk of her lips overtake her. “I suppose it was a little funny.”

“See that’s the spirit!” Ruby agreed as the waiter came back over with a check. 

Winter managed to snag it from Ruby’s grabby hands as she took out the pouch of lien to pay. “Your teacher already paid for our outing,” Winter informed her. 

“That’s Maria for you.”

“She mentioned an arcade?” Winter asked to confirm as Ruby nodded. 

“Those are super fun. I’m actually surprised places are kinda still open to be honest,” Ruby admitted. 

Winter winced. “It’s easier for them to pretend things are normal than to do anything else. In the poorer parts of the city it’s worse, but for those who live, or are willing to come here, and have lien?”

Ruby hummed with a frown. “I guess we just have to do our part so they’re not wrong. So everyone can have fun!” 

Winter gave a nod. “I agree wholeheartedly.” Winter was finding herself much more impressed with Miss…Ruby now than the first time she’d met her at Beacon. 

Before she’d been, well she’d been fine, and the sort of person Weiss might find interesting, but she was so utterly childish. Now though? Experience, and time had matured her beyond her years. 

The way she walked instinctively to minimize the sound her footsteps made, and gave her body the most balance, the way she constantly glanced around to keep an eye out for danger, and her kind, and caring nature all shown through. 

Her training clearly showed as the muscles in her arms stood out against her sleeves. Her mind and acumen regarding tactics, and weapons was most impressive.

All in all she cut a very attractive figure, and…!

Winter stumbled for a moment only for Ruby to gently catch her by the arm, and shoot a worried look her way. 

“Are you alright? If you’re tired we can call it early. I’m sure Maria would understand if we told her you needed more sleep,” Ruby offered. 

“NO!” Winter protested even as her face flushed, although her traitorous hand did manage to grab hold of Ruby’s own. 

“I apologize, but my mind was elsewhere. Please, let’s continue,” Winter asked. 

“Sure!” Ruby chirped as she sent another dazzling smile Winter’s way. 

How? How could this have happened? Winter lamented in her head as Ruby pulled her toward the aforementioned arcade. 

She’d gotten a crush on Ruby in the span of a single DAY! Not that it wasn’t easy to logically understand why. 

Objectively she was attractive. Tall enough, toned, attractive, short dark hair, gorgeous eyes, and a wonderful personality all wrapped up, and made an attractive package, and…shit. 

There wasn’t even anything really objectionable about her personality. She was a good, even great huntress, was kind almost to a fault, didn’t care about anything beyond Winter herself, and she really listened when she spoke. 

Far too often she’d been at a gala, or military function, and been in a conversation where she’d speak, and it was clear they’d retained nothing of what she’d said, but Ruby truly listened, and asked clarifying questions. The breadth of topics they’d covered had started with huntsman, and weapons, and encompassed all manner of things. 

It flowed easily, and Ruby was free , and sincere with her compliments, something Winter was decidedly unused to. 

She knew she was what could be considered attractive to some, but Ruby merely gave compliments without expectation of anything in return. 

She couldn’t even fault the speed she’d developed the crush either. It was clear that Penny had been the initial thing that drew them together, and their shared friendship with the young woman, but now it was clear to at least Winter that they didn’t need that crutch, and that she’d made at least a friend for life. 

With every day it was more clear that time was slowly shrinking, and Maria had been right. They truly didn’t know if they’d survive. Likely as not they would not, and as such she should enjoy what life had to offer, shouldn’t she?

She’d let herself be free for tonight, and see where it took her.

Winter walked back to her room at the academy, almost literally walking on air. The arcade was the sort of thing she’d never really bothered with, but being there with Ruby was exhilarating. 

She made sure Winter had fun, and her antics were highly amusing. The highlight had been Ruby showing her a proper shooting stance for a game where she’d had to run her hand all over Winter to help with her stance, and complimented her form, and physique. 

Winter had been sure she was reading entirely too much into it when they’d gone to the photo booth for a spur of the moment bit of fun. 

The half dozen pictures started out normally with Ruby pulling down her eyelid with a finger to make a funny face at the camera she somehow convinced Winter into copying before the third picture had a laughing Winter, and a pensive Ruby. 

The fourth showed Winter’s face frozen in abject shock as Ruby had kissed her cheek blushing red all the while. 

The fifth both of them staring at each other as Ruby gently cupped her face, and the sixth? Well their first ‘proper’ kiss. 

They’d agreed to talk more about it later, but it was getting late, and they’d both be sparring, and training together, and with Maria the next day although they’d made plans to meet up, and try another more official ‘date’. 

Winter wasn’t sure she’d ever felt so giddy in her life. She felt as though she was forgetting something, but at the moment she was all too pleased to be bothered by it. 

She actually found herself humming as she opened her room, and stepped inside. She locked the door, and then reached for the light switch only to frown when the room stayed dark. 

“Had a good time, sister?” A voice called out from the other side of the room as the bedside lamp illuminated the darkness showing Weiss dressed in a rather nice looking outfit. 

“Weiss?” 

How had she forgotten about Weiss? She’d assumed Weiss had a crush on Ruby when she’d first met them, but after seeing nothing develop between them had assumed it must have amounted to nothing, especially with how distant she was acting during their time in Atlas. 

“I think we have a few things to talk about,” Weiss remarked as she leaned forward with a glare, her hands steepled as she looked at her. 

Despite herself, Winter flinched. 

Chapter Text

“Weiss…” Winter said simply as she looked at her sister trying to intimidate her. 

Unfortunately for Weiss it looked about as threatening as a kitten. 

“Winter,” Weiss responded simply with an added glare. 

“Maria,” the old woman’s voice came from the corner as she crunched on another handful of cashews. 

“Why are you here?” Winter asked the older woman as her shins began to ache in an almost phantom pain. 

“To make sure things don’t get too out of hand, and all that. Oh, and congratulate you. I wasn’t sure if you’d actually manage to let your hair down for the night.”

Winter’s hands flew up to her hair to find it thankfully still in her usual bun as she glared at the older woman. 

“It’s a figure of speech,” Maria deadpanned. 

“Yes, well, first of all, I suppose congratulations are in order,” Weiss offered. 

“Aye. Glad you had a nice night,” Maria commented, sounding sincere for once as she settled back into her small seat. 

“Thank you. I’m…glad you suggested it. Ruby is fine company,” Winter replied before she tensed realizing the tactical error she’d made. 

“Ruby, is it? Not Miss Rose?” Weiss asked frostily before she winced when a cashew plinked off her forehead. 

“Don’t be dramatic,” Maria ordered. “You know better.”

“Ugh, fine. How was your ‘date’, Winter?” Weiss asked using air quotes for the word date. 

“It wasn’t a date,” Winter said instinctively as Weiss relaxed, and she continued. “We did kiss, but-” Winter was cut off as Weiss growled before another cashew bounced off her nose. 

“Sorry, continue,” Weiss tried again after taking a deep breath. 

“We went to the restaurant, and got to know one another, and spoke of her time in Ever After, as well as my weapons, and a few stories we traded,” Winter began, unable to resist the habit of making it sound like an after action report. Habits were hard to break. 

“How was the arcade?” Maria asked lightly. 

“More enjoyable than I suspected it would be. We…went to the photo booth,” Winter admitted with a small flush as she held up the pictures in her hand which vanished, and seemed to reappear in the old woman’s hands. 

“Heh, girl’s got game,” Maria chuckled as she praised her student, a rare smile on her face as she tossed them over to Weiss who looked through them with a remarkably composed expression as she did so. 

“I… we need to talk,” Weiss said at last as she gently set the pictures down on her nightstand. “Or I do, or ugh.” 

Winter watched Weiss gently run a hand over her face as Winter raised an eyebrow, and shot a look toward Miss Calavera who appeared to be watching the proceedings with a neutral expression. 

“Like you practiced,” Maria gently reminded Weiss who nodded, and took a deep breath. 

“Winter, I…love Ruby,” Weiss said at last before she collapsed backward into her chair, her energy seemingly spent getting out that single sentence.

Meanwhile Winter herself felt her heart clench painfully. If Weiss truly loved Ruby, then…Weiss was closer to her age, they had more in common, a shared history, and she was certain that Ruby would find no real fault with Weiss. 

After all, if she wanted to be closer to Weiss at Beacon then Weiss as she was now was a no brainer, and that meant…she’d lost her. 

Despite how little time they’d spent together it hurt. Far more than she’d expected it to. 

Before her thoughts could spiral any further she felt several nuts bounce off her face and chest, and so she turned to glare at the miniature annoyance. 

“What?” 

“Don’t go jumping the gun. You’re forgetting several things here. The first of which being what Ruby herself wants. You don’t get to make that choice for her, and secondly Weiss wasn’t finished,” Maria remarked as she gestured toward the smaller woman in a chair. 

“I spent a long while thinking of all the reasons I shouldn’t care for her, made excuses, that she was too young, too immature, that as the heir I was obligated to marry, and have children, and basically any excuse I could think of,” Weiss admitted. 

“When I was separated from my team, from Ruby…I knew. All I could think about was if she was alright. It sounds selfish, I know. So many people lost their lives, but all I could think about was Ruby,” Weiss chuckled without mirth. 

“I…have never met someone so genuine that I connected with so quickly,” Winter admitted. “Penny was kind, and genuine, yes, but with Ruby I just there’s something…”

“Something about her that lowers your guard, or rather she slides in, and makes a home in the castle in your heart without you realizing it,” Weiss finished. 

“Indeed,” Winter agreed. It was too early to say that she loved Ruby, but Winter wasn’t blind enough to not realize that it would be beyond easy to do so. If she just allowed herself to, gave herself permission like she had tonight, then she could easily see herself falling for the younger woman. 

Waking up to see silver eyes peering at her full of love, training, fighting Grimm, leading, and supporting one another in equal measure, doing some silly fun activity like when they’d played tag in the street last night, or raced rather. 

“You’re both utterly hopeless at this,” Maria remarked as Winter shook herself out of her morose thoughts to see a kama wedge itself into the floor before a moment later Maria was grabbing hold of it. 

Rather than lash out as she wanted, Winter took a deep breath, and shook her head. “If you would explain please.”

“I knew one of you had the brains,” Maria praised her before she shrugged. “It’s simple really. You’re both head over heels for her so you either fight, and one of you gets your heart broken, you ruin your relationship, and make Ruby feel so guilty she maybe doesn’t pick either one of you, or you don’t do that.”

“How?” 

“Miss…Maria,” Weiss corrected herself when Maria scowled at her. “Suggested that we share her,” Weiss finished with a massive blush on her face. 

Winter stared for a moment before she felt her own face erupt in an equally red tone. 

“I’m sorry?” Winter asked incredulously toward the older woman. 

“You should be. I merely meant with life being so uncertain there’s no need to bring this emotional crap into it. None of this will they, won’t they. You each date her. You each have a separate relationship with her, and not with each other. 

Weiss loves making schedules, and you adore rules. If anyone can make it work it would be you two,” Maria said simply as she got more comfortable in her seat. 

“Or are you worried that Ruby, of all people, won’t be able to love you both equally, or would favor one of you over the other?” 

“I was more worried about whether, or not she’d even want to love me when she could have Weiss, or if she’d want to date the both of us,” Winter admitted before a crack rang out, and she winced as her shin was assaulted yet again. 

“Please stop that,” Winter begged, just barely managing not to lash out with her new magic. 

“Well since you asked nicely,” Maria remarked with a shrug.

“Now it should be obvious to you both that Ruby is not the type to play with someone's feelings, or emotions. The girl has a big enough problem sharing her own, and asking for help. Something she needs a push to work on," Maria explained. 

“Both of you are stubborn, and can help her with that. You’re both usually good at sensing her mood, and when you need to push without going overboard. You can keep her grounded, and continue molding her into the fine leader she’s becoming. 

The world will start looking to her for guidance. They heard her message, and while she might not make the choices for everyone, they will look to her when someone else makes a choice to see if she agrees with it. That is a lot of pressure to put on one person's shoulders. Especially Ruby’s.”

“I agree. She needs to share with her team, and loved ones,” Winter said instantly. 

“Correct, she needs to share with them, but with US more importantly,” Weiss corrected Winter. 

“I’m admittedly somewhat shocked you’re even considering this proposal,” Winter stated flatly as Weiss shrugged. 

“Maria is right. There’s not a lot of time left before things come to a head. If the worst happens I want to have some happy memories with the woman I love before things end, and I want to die on my feet with my team, and family.”

“Well said,” Winter agreed as she sighed. 

“Look at it this way,” Maria cut in. “Schnee women apparently have a type, and if the two of you won’t then maybe…” 

Maria was forced to duck as a shard of ice pierced the air where she’d just been. 

“Absolutely not!” Winter all but growled at the woman who smirked back at her. 

“It’s alright, Ruby has a type too,” Maria assured them with a smirk. “Prissy, hardheaded Schnee’s,” Maria joked before she tilted her head to avoid a swat from Weiss. “Violent ones too.” 

“Argh, you’re infuriating,” Weiss complained. 

“Mhm. More importantly, what are you both going to do? You need to solve this, and solve it tonight before anything else happens,” Maria explained to the both of them as she tapped her modified cane on the ground heavily. 

“Is this…even something you want to do Weiss? If, no, I know your feelings are true, if you truly love her I’ll step aside for you. You’ve known her far longer, and-” Winter was interrupted as a pillow courtesy of Weiss hit her in the face. 

“Don’t be absurd. This is nothing that a solid schedule, and rules can’t solve. Look, Winter. I won’t say this won’t be potentially awkward at times, but I love Ruby, and I love you, in very different ways,” Weiss hastened to add as Winter shot her a strange, and uncomfortable look. 

“If there was any person in the world I think would be able to love two people equally, and who deserved that love in return, it’s Ruby, and there’s no one I trust more than you to share her with,” Weiss finished with a full body blush. 

“We still need to find out if Ruby is amenable to it, and before that,” Winter narrowed her eyes, “you both need to have a very long overdue talk, and apologize to each other.”

“I…you’re right,” Weiss admitted as she blew out a breath of air she’d been holding in.  “I’m surprised this is going so well.”

“I’ve never actually felt this way. I can’t say I’m in love with her just yet, but it would be so easy, and I just…it’s so addicting, to feel wanted, needed.”

Weiss was across the room in a moment, gently hugging her sister. “I understand. There’s something so...earnest, and endearing about her. She makes you feel like you matter. That you’re not a Schnee, and you’re just the most important person in the world.”

Winter didn’t reply verbally, and just nodded into her siblings shoulder as she squeezed her tighter. 

After a moment Maria coughed to separate them. “Not that I’m not glad to see you coming to a general agreement, but I’d like to get to bed sometime soon, and you have some plans to make…that I will approve of,” Maria glared at them daring them to contradict her as Weiss covered her shins, and nodded warily. 

“Very well, let’s see what you can come up with, Weiss.”

Ruby hummed as she watched Yang leave to meet up with Blake. Ruby hadn’t gotten a chance to really talk to her Faunus teammate one on one yet, but she had a feeling she might soon. 

It had been a pretty good day. She’d gotten some boba with Yang, and they’d had a good conversation. The fact that Yang had postponed meeting with Blake to talk to Ruby more than anything told Ruby how serious she was about trying to make things better between them. 

Top that off with getting to train with Winter, and Maria in the morning, and it had been awesome. Ruby was personally still in awe of watching the other two huntsman spar. 

Even with Winter’s magic, Maria’s preflexes managed to avoid the worst of the damage as she struck back at Winter using her small stature, and relying on precision strikes to joints, and other weak points. 

Ruby took a moment to imagine how truly terrifying she must have been in her prime, and how horrific an opponent had to have been to take her eyes. 

Then again, Maria had admitted her own arrogance had cost her. Perhaps if she’d been more tempered like she was now she’d still have them. 

Regardless, Winter put on a very impressive showing, and Ruby was amazed at how well she used the magic she’d been blessed with so quickly after receiving them. 

Ruby had tried very hard to watch her spar, but more than once felt her eyes drifting to follow a certain part of her anatomy. 

The smirk Maria had shot her said she’d been caught, but at least she hadn’t said anything to Winter even if Ruby was as red as her namesake. 

Ruby couldn’t help it! She’d done the same to Weiss on more than a few occasions, and…Weiss. 

Ruby sighed as she thought of her partner. Part of her wanted to be, still was, mad at her. For not seeing her, for not doing more for her, but Ruby was aware a large portion of the blame could, and should, be laid on her own shoulders. 

She needed to talk to her, and soon. These feelings for Winter even in the brief few minutes, and chase kiss they’d shared after training that morning were growing stronger all the while, and yet…and yet she still felt so strongly for Weiss. 

She felt like such a heel, the worst, but ugh what even should she do? She frowned to herself before she eeped when she felt a hand settle on her shoulders. 

“I didn’t do it, it was Uncle Qrow!” Ruby proclaimed her innocence as she whirled around to find an amused looking Weiss staring at her. 

“I’m sure your uncle would appreciate how quickly you threw him under the bus,” Weiss replied with some humor dancing in her eyes. 

“Ah ha, well he does it to us too, so we’re all used to it,” Ruby admitted as Weiss rolled her eyes fondly. 

“If you’re not busy would you mind coming with me?” Weiss asked, looking far more reserved than Ruby was used to seeing from her partner. 

“Oh, sure,” Ruby agreed instantly, more than happy to spend time with her partner. “Where do you want to go?” 

“Well Yang told me about this place from Patch that you-”

“Boba?” Ruby interrupted. 

“Yes, how did you know?” Weiss asked with narrowed eyes. 

“Yang took me to it like just a bit ago,” Ruby admitted easily. 

“ Xiao-Long ,” Weiss growled out in a tone of voice Ruby couldn’t place exactly, but really liked. “I was supposed to take you there! I asked her about it, talked to her about it!” Weiss seethed. 

“I mean we don’t have to go there,” Ruby offered as Weiss shook her head. 

“I had it planned out! It was supposed to be special!” 

“Anyplace we spend time together is special enough for me, Weiss,” Ruby assured her with a smile so bright her eyes were forced closed. 

Weiss huffed, but looked away so Ruby couldn’t see the small flush on her cheeks. “Thank you. I appreciate that, but I’ll still be getting even with her for this later,” Weiss promised. 

Ruby merely shrugged, realizing that there were absolutely fights she shouldn’t get involved in, even as team leader. 

“How about that ice cream place?” Weiss offered as she pointed to the ice cream stand with a giant banana on the top of it. 

“Did you hear they might be changing the name to the ‘Rusted Knight Sundaes?’” Ruby asked as she watched Weiss’s face to see her reaction. 

Shockingly, other than an eyeroll there was none. Her own face must have revealed something because Weiss scoffed at her. 

“Ruby, my feelings for Jaune remain the same as they always were. He’s a comrade in arms, and a friend at best.”

“Oh, I thought, in the Ever After,” Ruby stumbled over her words as she resisted the urge to fidget as Weiss grabbed her hand, and used her eyes to gesture to the nearby rooftop. 

A moment later they were alone enough that Weiss felt confident enough to speak. 

“Ruby. I admit I thought the maturity I saw Jaune display was attractive, but it wasn’t anything serious, it was also the lowest point in his life. That’s not to mention all the other ways we’re incompatible with each other,” Weiss confided in Ruby.

“Oh?”

“I need a partner, an equal. Someone who’s just as stubborn who can stand up to me. Jaune is a nice guy, but I don’t need a knight in armor, rusted or not. I need someone to stand by my side as an equal who realizes I don’t need saving, who’s willing to help me grow into someone worthwhile, while I help them in return.”

Ruby fought to even breathe as Weiss continued her speech, not able to believe what she was hearing, or perhaps she was hearing what she wanted to hear. 

“I should apologize. For how badly I failed you in Ever After. I wasn’t a great partner to you.”

“No, it’s fine-” 

“It IS NOT fine, Ruby Rose! I made you a promise to be the best partner you’d ever have, and I failed to live up to my promise. When a Schnee makes a promise they deliver!” Weiss informed her, the heat in her voice rising to match the morning sun easily. 

“I mean I should apologize too then. I kinda promised we wouldn’t leave your side, and when I saw Penny alive again, that kinda went out the window,” Ruby admitted, the self-remonstration in her voice easy to hear. 

“Ruby-”

“No, this was my fault. I ditched everyone. I was so glad I didn’t fail my friend, or that at least it didn’t matter, that I ditched everyone, and then…” Ruby trailed off with a sniff. 

Weiss reached for her before Ruby held up a hand, and Weiss dropped her own with a wince. “In Ever After I…should have said something. I tried, I think I did. I don’t know! I wanted to. I knew you could help me, but all I could see was the others being happy, and I didn’t want to bother them, and then I thought you, and Jaune, or that you were so sad about Atlas that I didn’t have a right to bother you, and Penny was gone, and you got hurt back at Haven, and what if I lost you, and I…I-” Ruby began breathing heavily. 

“Boba, boba, boba,” Ruby began chanting with both hands on the side of her head, and started to rock in place as she curled up, tears starting to form in her eyes. 

Weiss didn’t understand the reason for the word, but she did know her partner needed her, and easily slid next to her to grab her in a hug she melted into as her shoulders shook. 

Weiss shook her head, and sent a quick message for Winter. This wasn’t going according to plan, but this wasn’t the sort of thing to keep Winter out of, especially if their entire ‘thing’ was going to work out. 

For now, she put it out of her mind as she focused on cradling her partner. She was struck by just how right this felt, and how much she’d missed it, circumstances aside.

They hadn’t gotten to Weiss’s own failings, not really, but Ruby was clearly far from having put it all behind her

In a few moments a rush of air indicated Winter had joined them. Despite the clear questions in her eyes she didn’t hesitate to rush over to the hug as Weiss made space for her. 

Once she did, Ruby shifted slightly so she was between the two hugging both of them as she tried to get herself under control. 

“Perhaps this would be better continued in my room,” Winter offered. 

Weiss nodded, and after a moment Ruby nodded into her shoulder so Winter stood up, and casually took Ruby with her. 

“I’ll join you in a moment. I need to take care of something, and pick up provisions,” Weiss explained as Winter nodded. 

“Come along, Ruby,” Winter said softly as Ruby burrowed into her side, and the pair vanished over the edge of the roof. 

Weiss watched them head toward Shade for a moment more before she shook her head, and left to get a few things for the upcoming conversation. Things had gotten both more, and less complicated, which was the way of things she supposed. 

After a few minutes alone in the cool room Winter was using, Ruby felt more like herself, although highly embarrassed. 

“There’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed by. The world has failed you in many ways. You’re just starting to heal so it’s only natural that you would still have issues.”

“I just feel bad for breaking down on Weiss when it was like, the first time we had a good chance to talk in a while,” Ruby explained as she took a measured drink of the glass of water Winter handed over to her. 

“Again, you had a small episode, but it’s fine. I trust Weiss helped you through it until I arrived,” Winter tried to reassure Ruby. 

“She did, and then you were there, like you knew I needed you,” Ruby murmured. 

“I admit that in this case I was nearby, and Weiss messaged me saying you needed both of us.”

“Oh, sorry if I took you from anything important,” Ruby apologized as Winter shook her head, and then using a piece of advice from Weiss reached up a hand to her bun, and allowed it to flow free. 

As Weiss had said, Ruby was instantly mesmerized by the hair to an almost comical degree. 

“I see Weiss wasn’t incorrect about your fascination with our hair,” Winter joked as Ruby pinked at being caught red handed as it were. 

“I…it’s just really pretty, like it should be cold, or something, but I know it’s not because it’s attached to you, and you're both so warm, and nice, and so I…I’m rambling,” Ruby finished as she cut off her own word procession. 

“Did you, and Weiss get to speak about anything important?” 

“I, we started to talk about, and apologize for stuff, there was more to it, but I think I get how she feels. She said she didn’t like Jaune that way,” Ruby muttered before her eyes widened at her traitorous mouth. 

“I certainly hope not, or it’d make this plan of hers highly unlikely,” Winter countered. 

“What plan?” 

“Ruby, would you say Weiss, and I are attractive?” Winter asked ignoring Ruby’s question entirely.

“What?” Ruby squeaked. 

“Are we attractive? I assume you find me at least passable as we shared a kiss, but I wanted to make sure.”

“I…yes?” 

“You sound confused,” Winter remarked casually, a little too casually, Ruby thought, as Winter walked over to take the now empty glass of water from her hands. 

“I mean it’s obvious you’re both super pretty!” Ruby managed to say as she scooted further back on the bed suddenly feeling like a prey animal being stalked as Winter came closer with a slow nod of her head. 

“You don’t strike me as the type to get into relationships on a whim. So going by that I have to assume the kisses we shared mean something to you,” Winter patiently asked Ruby, who was now flat on her back in the middle of the bed as Winter sat on it. 

“Of course! I’d never k-kiss anyone if I didn’t mean it!” 

“That’s good to know. In that case…” Winter trailed off as she started to move up the bed before her head turned, and she sat back in place as she shot Ruby a smirk. 

A moment later the door opened as Weiss entered with a few bags in her hands she set on the desk before she looked around with a frown. 

“You need to decorate more,” Weiss decided. “I didn’t get a chance to really look at it in the dark, but you need something personal in here.”

“Hm, I might have a few pictures I can use,” Winter teased as Weiss rolled her eyes, and Ruby pinked.

“Yes, yes, I’m sure you will. I got some sandwiches, and ‘Never Melt’ ice cream. Apparently, it uses some form of diluted dust to keep the ice cream from melting, but is safe for human consumption.”

“That sounds awesome!” Ruby agreed as Weiss offered the sandwich first to Ruby who whined, but dutifully took it to eat. 

Weiss traded an amused look with Winter as Ruby began eating her sandwich and Weiss handed one over to Winter. 

“I know we have a few important things to go over, but for now, let’s just enjoy lunch,” Weiss said as Ruby blinked, but nodded clearly willing to trust Weiss although she did shoot Winter a look to make sure she was ok with it. 

It was that sort of reassurance, that sort of kindness, and desire to make sure everyone was included that gave Weiss the confidence that this really could work.

Conversation was light, but fun as the sandwiches vanished in short order as did the ice cream once Ruby finished marveling over the dust applications. 

Weiss didn’t begrudge her as the same scientific curiosity plucked at her as well. Winter didn’t have quite the fascination with dust that Weiss herself did, but she likely found it interesting if nothing else. 

Soon enough, the lunch was dealt with as Ruby sat on the bed grabbing her feet, as she sat with her legs almost positioned like a bow. 

Weiss could recognize the telltale signs of her nervousness. 

“I’m really sorry I kinda broke down on you guys earlier,” Ruby opened the conversation. 

“Think nothing of it, Ruby,” Winter spoke softly, her tone warmer than Weiss had heard it in a very long time. “I suspect we’ll both be in need of your comfort before this is all over.”

“And we wanted you to come to us,” Weiss reminded her. “We’re a team. If you’re overwhelmed we want you to speak with your team, with Winter, and I. Don’t take what Ozpin said to heart. You lead, and we follow, but we don’t need you to shield us from everything. I am your partner, and Winter, and I…”

“We wish to stand besides you, as equals,” Winter finished a light touch of pink on her cheeks. 

“So I have a confession to make,” Ruby admitted as she put her head between her legs. “I just…really like you Weiss. Ever since we met back up again. Well that’s when I knew for sure, but I think it started at Beacon when you gave me coffee in bed, but I didn’t really understand what it was then, but when I saw you again, when you got hurt, and almost… died , “ Ruby’s voice nearly cracked before she marshaled her courage. 

“I knew. I knew that would break me. I tried to be more like Yang on our way to Mantle, but you, uh didn’t seem to like that,” Ruby admitted. 

“Is that why you kept making those puns? And why you felt like you had to hug me on the back of my summon?” Weiss asked, sounding amused rather than angry, which Ruby would take as a win. 

“You knew?” Ruby asked incredulously, silver eyes wide. 

“Ruby, you were just moving, and jumping from moving missiles, and you had to hug me to stay on the summon? Of course I knew.”

Ruby whined as she buried her face in her hands, and went red when Winter chuckled at the byplay. 

“If it makes you feel any better I think my heart knew long before my mind did. Back in the forest I had a chance to make Pyrrha my partner,” Weiss explained. 

Ruby blinked not having heard that. “You did?”

“Mhm. I left you, and then went and saw Jaune being held up by Pyrrha’s spear. It would have been child’s play to find a way to meet her on her way to help Jaune, but…”

“You went back for Ruby,” Winter finished with her own smile as Weiss colored slightly. 

“Yes, that,” Weiss agreed as she coughed into her hand, and gestured for Winter to speak. 

“I know we haven’t known each other as long, but my first impression of you was…not the best,” Winter admitted as Ruby whined before Winter flicked her nose in a fit of playfulness that Ruby seemed to bring out of her. 

“That being said,” Winter continued. “When I met you again, I was struck by just how much you’d grown, how much you’d matured, and while we started speaking of a dear friend I was unable to truly believe just how you were the same young woman I’d met before. 

I’ve never found it easy to relax, or to let loose, and have fun, but with you? It comes so naturally it’s like breathing.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry but I like you both. I know it makes me a horrible person, but I always liked Weiss kinda, and then recently you, and I spent time talking Winter, and you’re super fun to hang out with, and gosh so pretty, and…”

“It’s alright, Ruby,” Weiss assured her.

“Is it?” Ruby asked. “Because I feel like a huge jerk.”

“You’re only a jerk if you intended on playing with our feelings, but you’d never do that,” Weiss assured her. 

“Of course not! You’re both way too important to me to do that. I mean I haven’t gotten to spend as much time with Winter as I wanted, but…”

“Then there’s no problem. I recall your father had two partners at a time as well, did he not?” Winter asked. 

Ruby sucked in a breath of air before she blinked. “Oh yeah but what does that have to do…with…me?” Ruby asked as it slowly slid into place. “Really?” Ruby asked with a squeak as they both nodded. 

Weiss let down her hair from its braid, and Ruby valiantly struggled not to stare at either of them. 

“It appears, Ruby, that you have a type,” Weiss began smugly. 

“Fortunately for you, we Schnee’s also appear to have a type, and with Weiss’s superb scheduling we’ve worked out what we believe will be an equitable arrangement.”

“We can still go on joint dates, and separate ones. Hand holding, hugs, and chaste kisses are fine in front of each other, but anything more than that, and one of us will make ourselves scarce to give you privacy,” Weiss assured her glossing over the main points. 

Winter held out a hand. “I don’t wish to make you feel forced to do this, but would you do us the honor of courting us?” 

“Are…are you sure? You’re both like super princesses, and I have normal knees!” 

“I assure you, your normal knees are more than up to this task. Besides…” Winter trailed off. 

“The fact that we’re just Weiss, and Winter, that you don’t care about our last name, fortune, accolades, and just see as us we are means more to us than you could possibly know.”

“I mean…if you’re sure I’d be crazy to say no. I know I really really like Weiss, and I know it’d be super easy to like you the same way Winter. I…if you’re sure then yes,” Ruby agreed as a pair of short lived squeals rang out as the trio hugged. 

"Winter, you may wish to turn around. I have a first kiss to take, and I intend to do so right this minute," Weiss advised her sister who dutifully averted her eyes out the window, and then glared before she closed the blinds.

A pair of binoculars was put down as a weathered hand opened. “Pay up, and don’t skimp.”

Multiple groans were heard as nearly everyone began handing over lien to the old woman save for Robyn who smirked, and Qrow who had absolutely refused to even entertain betting on his niece’s love life. 

But that was fine since Robyn would do it anyway. 

“I said don’t skimp Wukong,” Maria’s voice thundered as the man began patting his pockets, clearly coming up short. 

“No wait, please. I can…Neptune spot me!” Sun demanded as he covered his shins while his blue haired friend sighed, and fished around in his pockets before tossing over a small bag Maria caught between her fingers. 

“Make sure you pay him back at some point,” Maria ordered as she sequestered the money away save for half she split with Robyn. 

“I can’t believe my baby sis is locking lips, or going to be with both ice queens,” Yang complained as Blake gently pat her on the back, and tried not to let her amusement show. 

“Your sister was way too cute to remain single for long, and I knew sending Winter to check up on her would pay dividends,” Robyn smirked. 

“Wait, why'd you do that?” Yang asked as Robyn leapt away taking Qrow in bird form with her as Yang tried to follow before she was tripped, and fell flat on the roof, Robyn’s laughter fading as she got farther away. 

“After them Blake! I need to know what she was thinking!” Yang demanded as Blake rolled her eyes fondly, and they followed in short order followed by the ‘junior’ detectives.

Maria looked to the room that held the new trio, and felt a smile take root on her own face. 

At least Ruby would do better than she’d done. Have a happy life full of love, and hopefully it’d be a long one. 

She’d do her best. They all would, to see it through. 

With that thought in mind, Maria left the roof herself to give them some privacy. They'd certainly earned that much.