Author's Note: Sorry for the late chapter. A combination of work and a new diet kicked my ass this weekend, and I totally forgot.

Chapter 33

The night was beginning to wind down, some guests trickling out, others too drunk to do much more than sit without falling over. The energy had certainly drained from the gala over the preceding hours. Such events always went this way, excitement up front, drunken stupor at the finish. Weiss had still not partaken in any alcoholic refreshment, though Ren had had a glass or two of wine and Pyrrha was starting to wobble. Even Coco, finished with her rounds, began that slow, mellowing descent into inebriation, Velvet not far behind. Ruby had apparently had one too many, as she was again asleep against Sun's shoulder, the latter nursing his own mixed drink with much greater care. Nora was surprisingly quiet, though that probably had something to do with her frequently kissing Jaune, who looked positively red.

The group had located and taken over a table off to the side, partially obscured from the main area of the venue by a column. It was a perfect hiding spot for those not interested in the exhausting task of networking with Atlas' and Remnant's great and good. Unfortunately it did not prove secluded enough to keep away all unwanted visitors. Weiss spotted Whitley as he approached, stumbling drunkenly with his date smirking just behind him. Whitley was insufferable when sober, he was worse when drunk. She barely had time to turn from Pyrrha and Ren before he was upon them.

"Sister!" Whitley exclaimed, raising his glass.

"Brother." Weiss responded.

"Oh, don't be like that." Whitley slurred. "I'm here to apologize."

"Really?" Weiss questioned. Whitley never apologized for anything. If he was in court facing a sentence of 10 years hard time or one apology, he would choose prison, his pride demanded it.

"I know, so unlike me." Whitley continued. "This…" He gestured to his attire. "This was too much, I'm sorry for embarrassing you. You're right, it was just a cry for attention, and there are better ways I could go about it." Weiss grew even more concerned. He never admitted that she could be right. "And the things I said to you, terrible! I'm just ashamed. Let's start the night over, please. This is my date, Mercury Blake. Mercury, my lovely sister Weiss."

Weiss struggled to find the words. She knew Whitley must have had an angle, but could not fathom what it might be. It was all too much, even if he followed up with a gotcha' and pulled the rug out from under her. Plus he was being far too loud, even considering his state of drunkenness. In the end she decided to play along...for the time being. "Nice to meet you Mister Black."

"Charmed." Mercury said with a wink. If Weiss was reading him right, he was sober, and knew exactly what Whitley was up to. "Your brother's told me a lot about you."

"Nothing good I assume." Weiss glared, trying to divine her brother's intentions.

"Oh lighten up sis." Whitley waved his free hand. "Maybe it's just the alcohol talking, but I think it's about time we put everything behind us and start over. Come on, let's have a nice family hug."

Whitley stepped forward, arms spread out wide. Weiss stood frozen, like a deer in the headlights, unable to comprehend what was unfolding. Then Whitley made his move. He tripped, or more accurately pretended to trip, splashing his drink straight onto Pyrrha as he fell towards her. Then, reaching out as if to regain his balance, he grabbed her top and easily pulled it askew, baring Pyrrha's breasts for all to see. No wonder he had been so loud, he wanted to draw attention.

Everyone stood staring for a moment, still shocked by what had happened. Whitley regained his footing - easily no doubt, since he had never really lost it - and examined his handiwork with a smirk as flashbulbs popped behind him. Of course there were cameras. Mercury could not suppress a laugh. It had all gone according to plan no doubt. Whitley knew exactly how to best humiliate Weiss - humiliating her friends. Coco reacted first, leaping up in an attempt to reposition Pyrrha's top as quickly as possible. Ren placed himself between his fiance and the crowd, a fearsome scowl directed at Whitley, fists shaking with barely contained rage.

"Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry." Whitley grinned. "How clumsy of me! It seems I've accidentally exposed your whore!"

It all happened so quickly. Ren took a step forward, arm raising. Pyrrha made to reach for him, only for the entire room to freeze as a loud, heavy slap sounded out. "You are a disgrace!" Weiss glowered, clenching her hand before her chest, trembling in anger as Whitley cupped his cheek in shock. Ren lowered his hand, reaching for Weiss' shoulder. She turned to him. "Excuse me." Stepping forward, she took hold of Whitley's collar, dragging him away, back to the site of their earlier conversation. Weiss was not about to air the family grievances in so public a matter. At least no more than they already had.

Weiss shoved Whitley against the wall, prompting a breathless laugh from the latter. "Did Father hit like that?" He taunted. "He never cared enough to discipline me."

Weiss took a deep breath, attempting to stifle her temper. She had already afforded Whitley one victory, she would not allow another. "All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and safe. Nothing more. I fill your account, even though I would be justified in cutting you off. I have a security detail make sure no harm comes to you despite your blatant disregard for your own wellbeing, and you come to my event, making a fool of yourself, and now you humiliate one of my closest friends! Do you truly expect there to be no consequences?"

"Come now sister, I was just having a little fun." Whitley smirked, his tone mocking.

"Sister?" Weiss shouted. "Sister?! This is how you treat your family, you own flesh and blood?!" Whitley's infuriating smirk never faltered. "As far as I'm concerned, you have not considered me a sister since we were children, and after trying for so long despite that I cannot continue to ignore the fact. We are no longer family, you no longer have my support, nothing!"

"Oh, but you'll break poor Mother's heart!" Whitley whined in feigned concern.

Weiss took another deep breath, raising herself straight to glare at her former kin. "I'll break more than that." She threatened, voice low and tempered. "I hope you're happy with the mess you've made."

"Thrilled." Whitley preened, arms crossed across his padded chest.

Weiss was done. There was nothing more to say, nothing she could say, nothing that would actually get through to her former brother. It would only be a waste, she would only make herself angrier, his satisfaction would only grow. She stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. All she could do now was try to pick up the pieces, and pray nothing else went wrong.

Eventually, much to Weiss' strained relief, the gala came to an end. A calm, scheduled end to a long and stressful night, months of planning, weeks of organization, and the worst thing to go down was a little humiliation and a single slap. Gods she was tired, but the guests took their time leaving, trickling out bit by bit, the more notable individuals bidding her farewell in person. Whitley had not bothered of course. She doubted any word would come from him anytime soon. Willow had offered a hug and a peck on the cheek, whilst her mother's date kept a respectable distance. The poor girl was likely afraid, she was dating her boss' mother after all. Weiss made a note to speak with her at some point.

After what felt like an eternity, the hall was vacant, oddly silent but for the bustling of staff. Coco and Velvet had elected to personally escort the twin models to their hotel. Thankfully they had kept quiet, showing off Coco's work in peace, until the free champagne finally caught up with them, and they moved their exhibition to the nearest comfortable chairs. Not unlike Ruby Rose, who had been dozing for the majority of the evening by that point. The girl had awoken though, in time for Weiss to procure her a box in which to pile more treats to take home. What remained afterward would be delivered to various local homeless shelters. Ruby had given Weiss a hug too, it was nice to hug someone her size once in a while.

Finally it was time for Weiss to leave, in the company of her lovers, the two individuals who made every struggle and pain worthwhile. Unfortunately one had stepped into the firing line in the process. Even after some time in the staff bathroom, Pyrrha still smelled faintly of alcohol. Her dress needed dry cleaning, her dignity...no matter Pyrrha's attitude toward the matter, people saw, people judged, and Pyrrha would always be remembered for Whitley's foolishness. No doubt Pyrrha would laugh them all off. Weiss wished she shared the outlook, she wished the world's views and opinions did not bother her so, but in high society reputation mattered. Weiss' reputation mattered.

Weiss wished it did not matter. There was so much weight upon her shoulders, so many fears, and so little time to shrug them free...so far. But for now at least, Weiss could relax. The gala was over, cleanup was underway, out of her hands, out of her mind, which now lay focused entirely upon the warmth surrounding her, as Ren and Pyrrha sat by her sides in the limo. She wanted to fall asleep, each arm wrapped around one of theirs, but she could not. She needed to tend to her own first. Regardless of her feelings, Pyrrha deserved a tender touch, from herself and Ren. Any slight, no matter how trivial, deserved the utmost love and care to counter it. Pyrrha would do the same for her, Ren would do the same for her. There needed to be equality in this relationship if she was going to make this work, if she was going to be content.

"Weiss?" Pyrrha spoke, startling her.

Weiss looked up into emerald eyes, crinkled in concern. Right, bathroom, they were getting ready to shower. Ren had taken Pyrrha's dress to tend to it while they got ready. "Sorry, just…" She managed a tired smile. The sight of Pyrrha's bare body should have been more than enough to break her out of her funk, but the faint smell of alcohol kept dragging her back down. She reached over to turn on the shower. "Part of me keeps expecting the hammer to fall."

"Whitley wasn't enough of a hammer for you?" Pyrrha smirked.

"Whitley wasn't the Fang, and…" Weiss sighed, cupping her lover's face. "I cannot express how much I regret his actions. I should have known his ire would turn to my loved ones."

Pyrrha scoffed, arms snaking around Weiss' waist. "Your brother is a child Weiss, crying for attention." She chuckled. "Perhaps there will come a day when he truly matures, but until then I'll happily endure whatever juvenile outbursts he conjures, if only to draw fire from you."

"You have enough to fear without idiotic pranks." Weiss frowned. "Gods, I hit him, I didn't even think I just…"

"You know how rare it is that I endorse such violence but...considering all he has done in the past...I'm sure you've held back long enough." Pyrrha soothed.

"I've wanted to strangle him numerous times in the past but...that was father's way." Weiss whispered. "Harsh, biting words, physical rebukes...I should not have hit him. No matter how satisfying it was it just...I don't want to turn into him."

"You are nothing like him Weiss." Pyrrha encouraged. "These fears and worries prove that. Your father was cold, uncaring and cruel. You are warm Weiss, you care too much, and your love far outweighs whatever malice you may hold for others. You are a beautiful person, a beautiful woman, and we love you. I love you."

Weiss felt her eyes sting, vision blurring as the ache in her chest climbed into her throat. She let out a shaking breath. "I love you too." Weiss murmured, closing her eyes as Pyrrha thumbed away what tears were falling. "Gods I wish things were simple."

"Simple doesn't suit you Weiss." Pyrrha chuckled. "You would go mad without complications to sort out."

"Love should be simple, if nothing else." Weiss countered.

"You know how I feel about that." Pyrrha rolled her eyes.

"And you I." Weiss smiled sadly.

The bathroom door opened, Ren stepping through, naught but a towel on his person. "The dress is soaking, but we should still take it to Coco for proper care." He suggested.

"Thank you darling, now come, let us end this night in a memorable fashion." Pyrrha smirked, trailing her nails down Weiss' back, eliciting shudders from her form. "Our lover deserves a reward for all her efforts after all."

"I wanted to reward you." Weiss gasped as Ren pressed himself against her, hands sliding to rest upon her stomach, length firm upon her rear.

"And we'll have our turn to be rewarded, after you." Ren planted a kiss below Weiss' left ear, as Pyrrha began trailing her own along Weiss' shoulder. "Relax, let us take care of you."

Weiss could not resist, she never stood a chance. Any hint of frustration was swept aside, beneath a barrage of feathered kisses, and the raging heat bellowing within her. She thanked the gods many times that night, and prayed for it to never end.

Ruby fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow. It was a nice night to be sure, but her usual fatigue, coupled with the alcohol and sugary food meant a crash was inevitable. Her naps at the gala counted for nothing. She at least had the energy to store her box of goodies in the fridge. Gods, that was going to last her a week, so long as she rationed it out. A little something with breakfast, a couple more to take to work, one as an after dinner treat. Hopefully she could resist. The lamingtons would definitely be the first to go. Her dress was another story. As comfortable and beautiful as it was, it was not something to sleep in, and unfortunately rather annoying to remove. The boot clasps and corset strings may have been easy for an energetic Ruby to handle, but she was anything but at that time of night. Even the buttons on her top were annoying to fiddle with. She left the stockings on.

The morning greeted Ruby with a headache. It was only a small one, which was good. She had been expecting worse. Her leg was experiencing a sharper ache than normal, which sent a pang of anxiety through her. She needed to ask about medical benefits. If she got over the hurdle she could snowball into an appointment. Gods being an adult was so hard. She peeled off her stockings and headed for the shower, the hot water washing away some of her fatigue and dulling the pain to a thrum. Hopefully it would not bother her too much, she was out of aspirin.

As usual, Blake met Ruby after she had finished breakfast, placing a couple of treats into a container as she snacked on a cookie. Blake looked as tired as ever, but still engulfed her in the usual gentle hug. "Morning you, how was work?" Ruby greeted, returning the embrace tightly, the familiar musky scent filling her nose. It was oddly comforting.

"Dull." Blake mumbled.

"Aw, did you miss us?" Ruby teased.

"No." Blake replied.

"You totally missed us." Ruby giggled.

"Go to work." Blake growled, pulling away before stopping. "Have you made a doctor's appointment?"

"No, I keep forgetting." Ruby admitted. "I'm going to today, I promise."

"Whatever." Blake shrugged.

"Love you too!" Ruby called as Blake shuffled away, her ears flicking at the sound. They really were cute. Ruby wondered if Blake ever let Sun touch them. She certainly wanted to touch them.