Weiss risks her life to rescue a book and finds out the hard way it’s difficult to keep secrets from someone with a sharp sense of smell.

Weiss had always looked into the mirror with utter clarity, the pathetic relief of self-deception denied her. Not since her childhood had anyone desired her for the mere pleasure of her company. Her friends were only trying to claw themselves another rung higher on the social ladder. Her parents wanted a perfect daughter to manage their legacy. Even her own reflection stared back at her from behind its glass, demanding something she couldn’t even begin to name. Yang only wanted a kiss, a date, the chance to spend more time with her. Weiss made her happy. It was likely a short, shallow happiness, but it was theirs.

The blue dress or the white one? Weiss held the blue one up, smoothing the fabric against her body as she looked in the mirror. The blue did bring out her eyes, but the white one had that nice embroidering around the neckline. Then again, the blue one was cut a bit higher in the skirt, and that was probably the sort of detail Yang would appreciate. Her reflection stared back at her blankly, as unhelpful as always.

Weiss sighed in frustration and her arms fell limp at her sides, letting the skirts of the dresses puddle on the ground. They looked pretty enough, but they just weren’t as stunning as they ought to have been. She had last worn them at some company affair, and though she could scarcely remember the event itself, she remembered seeing the photos in the style magazines the next day. The camera had caressed her so adoringly, each picture practically a love letter. Why couldn’t she look like that now?

Weiss knew she was beautiful, even with the scar her parents were careful never to mention outside the privacy of their mansion. The compliment had been lavished on her enough times that she wore it as easily as she did her own clothes. But where the magazines, the admirers and the sycophants, made her seem impossibly lovely, the mirror only coldly reflected her flaws. Her cracked, flaking makeup, her livid scar, the thin frown lines marking her forehead, all laid bare for their audience of one.

The doorknob rattled, interrupting her thoughts, and Weiss tossed the dresses on her bed, already reaching for her uniform jacket. Propriety aside, she hated anyone seeing her less than immaculate.

Blake walked in and gave Weiss a small nod by way of greeting. If she noticed Weiss’ state of partial dress, she didn’t say anything. Privacy was simply not possible with a room as small theirs, and they had for the most part overcome any squeamishness about changing in front of each other.

Blake stared mournfully at the stack of books supporting Yang’s bed above hers. “I wanted to read this one,” she said, running a finger down the spine of a particularly tattered paperback.

“Count yourself lucky. I’m courting death every night.” Weiss gestured at the ropes suspending Ruby’s bed from the ceiling. “Honestly, if she could build such a ridiculous weapon and actually make it effective, you’d think basic carpentry wouldn’t be so utterly beyond her capabilities.”

Blake made a little noise of acknowledgment, her gaze still focused on the book. She curled her fingers around its corners, like she intended to simply tug it free.

“Don’t. Moving the frame even an inch to the side will bring the whole bed down.” Weiss sighed. “Look, what book is it? I’ll get you a new one. It’ll be much cheaper than paying funeral costs.”

“It’s not replaceable.”

“Everything is replaceable for the right price.”

Blake’s eyes narrowed. “No, it isn’t. A friend gave it to me.” Her voice caught ever so slightly on the word ‘friend’.

Weiss sighed. “Brace the bed.”

“What?”

“If we’re going to get your book without being murdered by furniture in the process, one of us needs to brace the bed frame while the other pulls it clear. The latter requires both speed and precision, which naturally makes me the ideal choice.” And Weiss would never be able to hold the bed on her own. When they had first decided to assemble the deathtraps, Yang and Ruby did the heavy lifting, Blake secured them in place, and Weiss helpfully supervised.

Arching a brow, Blake grabbed the edge of the bed frame and experimentally pushed against it. The bed creaked ominously, but she was able to shift it.

“I won’t be able to hold it for long,” Blake said, readjusting her grip.

“You won’t have to. On three, then?” Weiss moved beside Blake, her hands hovering near the book. “One. You had better not let this crush me, Blake Belladonna.”

“I won’t.”

“Two. I’m serious. If it does, you’re to make up some story about a Grimm attack that I heroically fought to my last breath.”

“I’ll throw myself on your casket.”

“As if my parents would let someone like you within a mile of my funeral, but it’s still a nice sentiment. Three.”

Blake pushed with all her strength, her teeth grit against the strain. The tendons in her arms stood out like cables as she slowly, tremblingly lifted the bed. Weiss snatched the book free, careful not to knock any of the others to the floor, and helped Blake ease it back down on the somewhat shorter stack of books. The bed frame leaned at a slight angle now, but after a few moments of terrifying swaying, seemed stable enough.

Weiss handed Blake the book and Blake leaned in close, her brow furrowing and eyes narrowing into amber slits. Startled, Weiss jerked back, but Blake followed her step for step.

Blake’s nostrils flared. “Did you spar with Yang today?”

“I-” Weiss swallowed, remembering the feel of Yang’s hands on her waist, her thighs, the silkiness of Yang’s hair beneath her own fingertips. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

“You did?” She sniffed the air. “I wasn’t aware of any Dust techniques you perform with your mouth. Your form must be impeccable.”

“How dare you! I resent your implication.”

Blake’s gaze flickered to the dresses on the bed to Weiss and back again. A knowing smile curved her lips. “That would explain it.”

“Explains what? Nothing? Of course an inane assumption would explain absolutely nothing of value to anyone, and perhaps we should simply not continue this conversation.” Weiss paused. “…what does it explain?”

“Weren’t you busy resenting implications?”

Weiss bristled. “Don’t play games with me. I know leverage when I see it. What do you want?”

“Honesty,” Blake said, raising her hands in a placating gesture. “Just tell me what happened between you two.”

Weiss sighed and sank down on her bed, rubbing her temples. “There’s not much to be honest about. She cornered me in the hallway, we talked, we… we did more than talk, and now we have a date. At some club or another, she wasn’t specific.”

“And that’s all?”

Weiss glared up at her, an angry blush spreading across her cheeks. “What do you want me to say, Belladonna? That I bribed her onto her knees? That I couldn’t wait to drop to mine? That I don’t know what a monumental mistake this is for someone in my position? Tell me what you want to hear. It’ll go much faster that way.”

The mattress dipped as Blake sat next to Weiss, close but not touching her. Yang and Ruby were the ones constantly pulling her into hugs or grabbing at her hands when they walked. Apart from occasionally straightening her collar or brushing her bangs back into place, small acts of grooming that Weiss found as endearing as she did irritating, Blake respected her need for distance.

“Tone down the drama, okay? Yang is an adult and she can make her own decisions, but she’s also my partner and I care for her.” Her smile turned down at the corners, her next few words halting and unsure. “Like I care for you. We’re a team, Weiss. We’re friends.”

“And friends pry their way into each other’s personal affairs, I assume,” Weiss said, turning away.

“As your friend, I value your long-term happiness over the immediate.” She was quiet for a minute before she spoke again. “Love is complicated. It can turn you into someone else, someone you never thought you’d be. I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”

“Love,” Weiss echoed. “Love? She didn’t get down on one knee and propose, you know. It’s only a date.”

“I’m aware. Weiss, look at me,” she said, waiting patiently until Weiss turned back to face her. “Be happy, but be wise.”

Another biting remark was poised on the tip of Weiss’ tongue, but she swallowed it back down. Blake’s concern was irritating, patronizing, and more than a little sweet. How long had it been since someone had worried over her without forbidding her to make her own decisions, like she was just another acquisition to be brought in line.

“I always am.” She tried to crack a smile. “So, I think I’ve earned my answer now. What exactly does my ill-advised tryst explain?”

“I’ve never seen Yang so happy, not since Ruby was appointed leader. She’s been grinning all afternoon,” Blake said, with a quiet laugh.“It was starting to annoy me.”

Weiss clapped a hand over her mouth, hiding the way her smile curved into something painfully genuine. “She’s looking forward to it. Our date.”

Weiss had always looked into the mirror with utter clarity, the pathetic relief of self-deception denied her. Not since her childhood had anyone desired her for the mere pleasure of her company. Her friends were only trying to claw themselves another rung higher on the social ladder. Her parents wanted a perfect daughter to manage their legacy. Even her own reflection stared back at her from behind its glass, demanding something she couldn’t even begin to name.

Yang only wanted a kiss, a date, the chance to spend more time with her. Weiss made her happy. It was likely a short, shallow happiness, but it was theirs.

“And I am not nearly presentable,” Weiss continued, jumping to her feet.

She had to comb out her hair, find an acceptable shade of lipgloss, and make sure all of Myrtenaster’s Dust chambers were filled, and she still hadn’t decided on a dress. At this rate there would be no time at all to go over her plans for the evening, let alone make contingencies for any emergencies.

“Do you need help getting ready?”

“I have been dressing myself for quite some time, you know,” Weiss said. “But I suppose a second opinion wouldn’t be terrible.” Weiss grabbed the dresses off her bed and held them up. “Which do you prefer, blue or white?”

Blake cocked her head to the side, considering. “They both seem kind of formal.”

“They’re refined. What would you suggest I wear? Lingerie and a miniskirt? Should I ask Ruby if she has a spare corset lying around?”

“Why not your hunting outfit? You could leave the jacket off.”

“I still don’t see the problem. I’m a lady and I will dress like one.”

“You shouldn’t, not at the kind of club Yang prefers. Anything too formal or with your family crest on it is going to attract the wrong sort of attention. I know about blending in,” she said, and Weiss couldn’t help but glance at her bow. “It’s better to make a small sacrifice and avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“I suppose,” Weiss conceded. “Yes, you may have a point.”

“I’m honored you think so. Really.”

Blake searched through their shared closet for the dress while Weiss pulled off her necktie. She had just finished unbuttoning her blouse when the door slammed open and Yang walked in half-dragging, half-carrying a groaning Ruby.

“Hey,” Yang grunted.

Blake darted over to them, grabbing one of Ruby’s arms to help support her. Her bow twitched as her concealed ears desperately tried to lay flat against her skull. “What happened? Did Team CRDL do this?”

Yang shook her head, hauling Ruby further into the room. “Nah, nothing like that. Ruby decided to spend our entire monthly budget at a bake sale.”

Weiss sighed. “Oh honestly, Ruby.”

“It was for Faunus awareness! All the money goes to a charity,” Ruby said, indignantly. The front of her dress and her chin were covered in crumbs, and she smelled like the inside of a sweet shop. “And they had triple chocolate chip cookies. Triple chocolate chip!” She clutched her stomach, righteous fury forgotten in an instant. “Ow, ow, ow. Weiss, it really hurts.”

“Maybe that will teach you a lesson about moderation.” Weiss crossed her arms and gave Ruby her best stern expression. Too much sympathy and no one would ever work to better themselves.

Yang bent and scooped Ruby up in her arms, hoisting her into her bed. She tugged off Ruby’s boots, letting them fall to the floor, and tucked her in as best she could with Ruby’s deadweight on the blankets.

“There you go, lil’ sis. Sleep it off.” She ruffled Ruby’s hair, her hand affectionately resting on Ruby’s forehead.

Weiss bit her lip, debating with herself. As soon as Yang moved away, she climbed on the edge of her bed, gripping a handful of Ruby’s blankets with one hand to steady herself. She pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping the crumbs off Ruby’s face. This wasn’t compromising, Ruby just needed a lighter touch if she was to improve. That was all.

“Thanks, Weiss,” Ruby mumbled, sleepily.

“You can thank me by having a bit more forethought in the future,” Weiss said, her voice gentle. “And by feeling better in a timely fashion.”

Ruby had fallen asleep by the time Weiss was finished cleaning her up, but Weiss lingered, brushing her bangs back into place and tucking in her blankets. Anything worth doing was worth doing correctly. When it came to Ruby’s well-being, Weiss was nothing if not thorough.

She felt a hand at the small of her back and looked down to see Yang bracing her so her position was a little less precarious.

“That’s cute, but she’s not going anywhere. You can finish getting changed if you want.” Yang’s gaze dropped to the thin strip of skin visible between the open halves of Weiss’ blouse, and for the first time Weiss felt underdressed.

Yang was never shy about her appreciation for attractive people, men, women, students, teachers, but apart from a few joking come-ons she had never said a word about Weiss’ appearance. Weiss felt her cheeks grow warm with a faint blush. So this was what it felt like to have Yang’s full attention.

“Or not, it’s a nice view,” Yang continued, slipping her hand underneath Weiss’ shirt, her calloused finger searing hot on Weiss’ bare skin.

Blake cleared her throat and Yang yanked her hand back, the movement so quick that Weiss would have fallen off the bed if not for her hold on Ruby’s sheets. Sheepishly, Yang steadied Weiss again, helping her down from her perch.

“Uh, that’s a thing teammates say to each other. Just trying to build morale and all with Ruby out of commission.” Yang rubbed the back of her neck. “You know me, anything for the team.”

Weiss rolled her eyes. “She knows.”

“Great,” Yang said, relieved. “It’s not like it was some big secret. I mean, the only reason I didn’t tell anyone was 'cause I thought you might not like it, but now it’s out and everything’s fine.” She turned to Blake. “Everything is fine, right?”

“Two conditions,” Blake held up her hand so she could tick them off on her fingers. “No sex in the room and make sure you take a shower after. I don’t want to smell anything you get up to. And,” she said, pausing to glance over at where Ruby was peacefully snoring, “you tell Ruby first thing tomorrow. We all have our secrets, but this affects more than the two of you.”

Weiss opened her mouth, ready to snap back at Blake. How dare she presume to tell Weiss where she could and could not be intimate. She wasn’t some inconsiderate beast, eager to spread her legs without a thought for common courtesy. And assuming Weiss planned on hiding the whole affair from Ruby? It was downright insulting. The nerve of her to even suggest-

“You got it,” Yang said, clapping an arm around Weiss and squeezing her close.

Weiss closed her mouth. She would let it go. Just this once.

“Then yes, we’re fine.” Blake sat on the edge of her bed and picked up her worn paperback, weighing it in her hands. “I’m happy for you.”

With that, she cracked the book open to the first page with an air of finality that implied the conversation was over.

“Heh, thanks, kitten.” Yang pulled Weiss a little tighter against her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “So, want me to help you finish getting undressed?”

Weiss let out a huff of surprised laughter. “You’ll have to do much better than that.”

“Haven’t even gotten started, babe.”

Blake pointedly cleared her throat again, her eyes never leaving her book.

Yang groaned. “Fine, fine. I’ll go see if the cafeteria has any tea or crackers for Ruby when she wakes up.” She pressed a kiss to the corner of Weiss’ mouth. “I’ll come get you in an hour?”

“Yes,” Weiss said, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over her lips. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”