Weiss could never remember laughing so much. Her stomach hurt, her throat felt dry but she couldn't stop laughing.

It was a celebration – Ruby's twenty-first birthday and they had been lucky enough to have the entire team together for it. More importantly, they were all safe for the night as they bunkered down in a safe house protected by countless friends and comrades.

To celebrate Blake's twenty-first, Yang had decided it was only necessary that Ruby take her first drink. Weiss didn't have the heart to tell Yang that she and Ruby had indulged before while traveling together – trying to get through cold nights in Atlas was made easier with a little Atlesian wine.

Still, this was different because Yang wasn't giving her wine. No, it was whiskey from Menagerie, which meant it had a higher alcohol content and burned all the way down.

Weiss had only braved to try a shot; she was content with her wine. Ruby on the other hand, well she took quite nicely to the burn she felt and three shots later, she was standing on a table top and dancing like a fool.

As she watched Ruby hop off the table, intent on teaching Yang the only dance she knew, Weiss suddenly felt something tickling her ear and turned to see Blake leaning over against her and flicking her ears in Weiss' face.

"What are you—" they fluttered so softly across her cheeks. "Will you stop that!" She cried with a laugh in her throat and Blake drew back with a soft smile and carefree eyes.

"Sorry, just think it's funny that I can do that to a Schnee and it makes you smile."

"Well it tickles!" Weiss swatted Blake on the arm just as raucous laughter filled the room and they both looked to see Yang and Ruby tangled up on the ground.

"Weiss!" Ruby called out dramatically. "Your rose is down! I repeat, your rose is down!"

Sighing, Weiss looked to her "rose" and saw Ruby with a leg in the air, hair a mess all over her face and combat skirt crooked around her waist.

She took another sip of her drink before sauntering over to Ruby and standing above her. "You're a mess."

"I'm your mess," she said with a giggle.

"You're drunk."

"I am not, Weiss. That's nonsense!" Ruby said with offense. "If I'm drunk then so are you."

"Okay,"

"No!" Ruby threw her arms out. "You're supposed to say 'I'm not drunk'."

Weiss put her hands on her hips. "I am delightfully buzzed and staring at my girlfriend on her back with her legs in the air."

Slowly, Ruby lowered her legs to the ground and stomped her feet on impact. "Better?"

"You're still on the floor."

Ruby nodded, swallowing sharply. "I'm not sure I can get up on my own." She reached up. "Help me?"

Weiss knew what was coming. It showed how far she'd fallen that she didn't even care. She took Ruby's hand and in an instant, her arm was tugged and she was falling face first directly to the floor.

However, as she prepared for impact, the landing was soft and an audible 'oof' came from beneath her.

Weiss was suddenly buried in Ruby's breasts and rolling her eyes so hard that they might stick.

Pressing her hands to the hard floor on either side of Ruby, she pushed herself up and glared down at her girlfriend. "You're a disaster, Ruby Rose."

"I'm your disaster." Ruby craned her neck upward and pecked her lips. "I think I'm drunk."

"You don't say?"

"It's fun."

"For whom, exactly?"

Ruby lifted her leg and pressed it between Weiss' "I can make it fun for you."

Weiss bit back the sensation and repositioned so Ruby no longer had a leg between hers. "We're not doing that on this floor with other people in the room."

"There are other people in the room?" Ruby lulled her head back and started looking around. "Huh, there are," Weiss peeked up to see Velvet staring at them with her lips pursed in discomfort.

"My apologies, Velvet. She's drunk."

"I'm drunk!" Ruby echoed and Weiss knew it was time to take Ruby to bed. Pushing back up to her feet, Weiss knelt down and cradled Ruby in her arms. As she plotted to lift Ruby off the ground, she wasn't entirely sure she had the strength to actually do it. She'd gained a lot of muscle during the war, but she was never going to be as strong as Ruby or Yang. Still, using her legs and her back, she managed to lift Ruby up off the floor and earned a "whoo!" from the girl she loved as a pair of arms wrapped around her neck.

"Wow!" Ruby cried out with a laugh. "You're so strong! Little Weiss so powerful!" Ruby flexed and for the hundredth time that night, Weiss questioned why she dated this nutcase.

"Yang," Weiss called out to her other friends who were gathered around a table playing cards. The blonde turned back, suddenly and randomly now only wearing a bra. "I'm taking this one to bed."

"Yang where's your shirt?!" Ruby hissed and covered her own eyes.

Weiss saw Yang smile, a knowing look on her face and nod at Weiss. "Probably should have cut her off, huh?"

"Just a little," Weiss sighed before boding everyone goodnight and re-hoisting Ruby in her arms. The one good thing about a party was that it left the sleeping barracks nearly empty and wonderfully quiet.

Once Weiss found their room, her arms suddenly weakening from carrying Ruby, she found the bed and dropped Ruby onto it. Ruby bounced and giggled again, hair flying from side to side and a bright smile on her face. It had been a while since she'd seen Ruby so unabashedly happy. It was the alcohol, but Weiss was pleased by it nonetheless.

"Oh…ohhhhh," Ruby sat up with her eyes wide as saucers, and stared up at Weiss. "Are we having…sex?" She whispered the last word and Weiss rolled her eyes.

"First of all, one day you'll have to learn how to say that word without acting like it will get you grounded."

"I don't want anyone to hear! Yang doesn't know we do that!"

Yang absolutely knew.

"Regardless, we share this room with six other hunters, so no…no sex." Ruby winced at the word and Weiss couldn't stop herself from smiling. "You're such a dolt."

"But I'm your—"

"You are," she cut Ruby off before climbing into bed with her and lying down. "You're also very drunk."

"I am," Ruby nodded in confirmation – hair falling into her face. The perfect opportunity for Weiss to brush it away and initiate more contact.

Those silver eyes were staring a hole through her and Weiss felt nothing but admiration from the girl beneath her. It shook her sometimes that Ruby could make her feel so special – having grown up feeling like a disappointment for so long.

"When this war is over…" Weiss was suddenly speaking and not sure where it was coming from. "I wish to marry you."

Ruby's mouth fell open. "Wh—what?"

Weiss nodded. "The whole thing – big ceremony and all our loved ones. I want to see you in a beautiful dress and I want to kiss you in front of everyone and tell them how much I love you."

There was silence between them for a moment and Weiss wondered if her confession was a bit too much. She wasn't even entirely sure where it came from. She was at once rolling her eyes at her drunk girlfriend and then suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of how safe Ruby made her feel.

It was something she didn't want to lose – something she wanted to claim forever.

"Are…are you asking?" Ruby's voice was quiet and suddenly very sober.

Weiss nodded. "I am – after all this. Marry me?" Suddenly, Ruby started to scramble away from Weiss and towards the other side of the bed. Weiss watched in both horror and annoyance as Ruby began to fumble with the shelf next to the bed. "Ruby Rose, what on earth are you doing?"

"I just," Ruby was quick scribbling something down on a piece of paper she'd found – her tongue hanging out of her mouth as she wrote in big swoops. "I've been drinking and Yang told me that I might forget stuff when I drink the fancy hot liquor she brought and…I don't wanna forget this part." She then held up what she'd written.

WEISS ASKED YOU TO MARRY HER! YOU SAID YES!

Weiss could barely keep her eyes open, but she cracked her neck and repositioned herself on the horrendously uncomfortable couch that had been brought into Ruby's room and continued thumbing through her scroll.

It had been an insanely long night as they all waited for Ruby to wake up. Only a stroke of luck that a nurse on staff recognized Ruby had they been allowed to stay. Though Taiyang and Qrow wanted to, it was agreed that they were a bit too old to be sleeping on couches and destroying their backs. Taiyang gave in easily enough but Qrow continued to rail about how young he was and how he could handle it. Still, Yang had a way with her Uncle and convinced him that things would be fine for a night.

Apparently, Ruby had a pretty outstanding reputation in Patch as a trusted huntress and gift of the community. Weiss knew that Ruby was good at her work – it was no secret that Ruby was a Remnant renowned hero – but in the smaller circle of Patch she was a point of pride.

So when they found out that this was Ruby's team from Beacon, they were given the right to stay the night and wait for her to wake up. There was still a lot they needed to do before her planned surgery that following day – including gaining her consent. Weiss knew that if Ruby didn't wake up before the scheduled time tomorrow that the surgery would probably go on as planned, but it would give her peace of mind to have proper permission.

Ruby's aura was recovering well now that her hip was stabilized and she wasn't using all of it to keep it from completely falling apart on her. Still, she'd been in pain for so long that her body had almost forgotten how to heal itself properly.

To her left, Blake was curled up on the couch, covered in a small blanket and reading a book. Weiss knew that Blake would be awake as long as Yang was awake and given how Yang had yet to move away from Ruby's bed, it was going to be a very long night.

If it weren't for the circumstance, Weiss would almost consider this fun – being with her team again on a long stakeout. They'd done it more than once during the war and those were the nights that kept them all sane.

"What are you looking for?" Blake's voice broke through Weiss' train of thought and she looked over to see the book now on Blake's lap and those eyes on her.

Weiss shrugged. "Just…doing a little research."

The sudden shift next to her was Blake suddenly invading her personal space. "Weiss," she chided.

"What?"

"Weiss." She laid back down with a roll of her eyes. "Are you really doing research on Ruby's surgeon?"

"I'm simply being thorough," Weiss waved her off. "It's good to know all you can before going into something as big as this. I'd like to know more about the man. So I can properly thank him when the surgery is successful or sue him if Ruby experiences any discomfort at any point for the remainder of her life."

"Weiss," Yang spoke with a chuckle and she looked to the bed to see Yang still holding Ruby's hand. "I know this surgeon. He did my dad's surgery when he broke his leg on a mission. He's good."

"He's also sixty-four now. I need to be sure his eyesight and mental faculties are intact."

Yang quirked a brow in her direction. "You're going to learn these things off your scroll?"

Weiss scoffed. "Of course not, Violet is going to put in some calls to some people I know who can get information on anyone and I'll just do a quick scan of his medical records."

"Weiss," Yang spoke a bit firmer. "Put the scroll down."

"But I—" Suddenly, it was taken from her and Blake tucked it behind her back. "Hey!" Weiss reached towards Blake but was met with a foot pressing into her chest and holding her off. "Give me that!"

"No," Blake held her back with relative ease. "We're not sending your creepy 'people' after the nice doctors who let us stay here."

With air quotes and all, Weiss was ready to attack Blake to get her scroll back. Though it was fun to see that bit of mischief in her eyes and the thought of tickling Blake's sensitive feet did come to mind, but it seemed highly inappropriate given the circumstances.

It was quite strange, it felt so comfortable around them – more so than Weiss had been in years. She'd missed her team immensely.

As if on cue, Yang jumped in her seat and they turned to see her hovering over Ruby. "She squeezed my hand," Yang said almost absentmindedly. "Ruby…come on, Rubes…we're all here." Yang was gently stroking her cheek and brushing her hair with the softest touch her robotic hand could have.

Weiss moved from the couch, her scroll forgotten as she stepped over to the other side of the bed.

Ruby was fidgeting, her eyes moving around but still closed. Without thinking, Weiss reached out and stroked Ruby's cheek with the back of her hand. "Wake up, dolt." She whispered and a moment later Ruby rolled her head towards Weiss and those silver eyes made an appearance.

"Yang?" She rasped and then started to cough.

"Easy," Yang said and Ruby turned to look at her sister who was being handed a cup of water by Blake. "Take a drink." Yang was so gentle that Weiss was almost in awe. She'd never seen Yang move so precisely – those robotic fingers moving with such accuracy as the cradled Ruby's head.

Blake left – most likely to find a doctor as Ruby took a few small sips before settling back onto the pillows.

Only when Ruby looked at her again did Weiss realize she was still touching her. Weiss slowly pulled away and clasped her hands together.

"What happened?" She asked as her eyes blinked slowly.

Weiss had to fight the urge to shove Yang aside and climb onto the bed with the dolt.

"You fell," Yang answered and glanced up at Weiss. "She found you and brought you here."

Ruby's eyes met Weiss' and she smiled.

It faded a moment later and Weiss had a front row seat to watch the realization dawn for Ruby that her big secret was out. Ruby's bright, silver eyes trailed up to her older sister and she rasped out Yang's name.

"I'm sorry," she said and Yang smiled.

"I'm sorry," Yang countered, gently stroking Ruby's cheek. "I'm sorry that I made you ever think you couldn't talk to me. I never wanted that." Yang shook her head and leaned down to give Ruby a kiss on her forehead. "You're in bad shape though, doctors have you scheduled for surgery tomorrow."

Alarm struck on Ruby's face. "Ruby," Weiss knew a Ruby panic attack when she saw one. "It's okay, I've researched the surgeons here and I've told Yang that you have no intention of moving to Vale. We're going to work it out."

Ruby blinked slowly, taking in what she'd been told and looked to Yang again. "I won't ever make you do something you don't want to, Ruby. I just…really want to be here for you – I want you to want me to be here."

"I do," Ruby whispered while tears poured down Yang's face.

"That includes telling me when your hip is broken." Yang tried to tease her but her voice strained and Ruby winced and neither of them were very good at this.

Weiss decided to intervene. "We'll settle this when Ruby is more alert, all right?" They both looked to her. "The doctor will be here soon and we need Ruby's permission for the surgery." She refocused on Ruby and smiled. "I didn't want to make any decisions without you. I—I was planning to pay for it."

"Weiss," Ruby started but was cut off.

"I know, and if you say no I'll defer – but trust me when I tell you that my pocketbook will barely feel it and I won't pay for your second full hip replacement so don't get any ideas."

She made Ruby smile and despite the paleness of her cheeks and the circles under her eyes, Weiss swore it was as beautiful as Ruby had ever been.

"Okay, thank you, Weiss. I'll owe you a batch of cookies."

Weiss rolled her eyes – despite the intense fluttering in her stomach. "I'll hold you to that."

As the doctor came in and started explaining the next steps to them, Weiss made to step away and give them room. However, she was stopped when Ruby's eyes met hers and she held out her hand as best she could with the IV stuck into it.

Weiss took the few steps towards the bed and grabbed onto it, giving a soft squeeze as Ruby refocused on the doctor.

She wasn't sure what to make of it – this silent request from Ruby to hold her hand. The only thing it confirmed was that Weiss would be spending a lot more time in Patch than she originally intended.

The surgery itself was fairly routine and didn't even take as long as Weiss had expected. Though the time waiting with Ruby's family was stressful – if only because Qrow seemed to distrust everyone taking care of his niece and Taiyang wouldn't stop pacing. They made Yang seem tranquil with how jittery they were. Though, if Weiss were being honest, she was a bit jealous of how much Ruby's family truly cared.

Now they were simply waiting on Ruby to wake up, again.

Always waiting on our fearless leader.

Which led to their current arrangement of Blake reading in a chair by the window, sunlight pouring in over her shoulder which made her so content she was on the verge of purring. Yang was on her scroll having finished a conversation with Sun about their wedding plans. It was something they'd have to discuss with Ruby but they didn't want to postpone too much with everyone still planning to be here. If Ruby could somehow make it, even in a wheelchair – it would be nice to have the ceremony relatively soon.

Still, they were going to leave it to their leader – Yang wasn't about to have her wedding without Ruby present.

Meanwhile, Weiss was focusing on her favorite thing in the room – Ruby herself. She was perched next to Ruby's bed and gently filing away at Ruby's nails. There was no reason for it, other than wanting to hold Ruby's hand with a natural excuse. Weiss had always marveled at how hard and callused Ruby's hands were from years of wielding her giant weapon. It never ceased to amaze her how those rough hands could be so soft and gentle in more…intimate situations.

A laugh escaped her at the thought and drew Yang's attention.

"She tell a joke?" Yang asked, pointed at Ruby's sleeping figure.

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Don't be a pest."

"You giggled."

"I was just reminded of something,"

"What?" Yang pushed on and Weiss sighed. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Yang staring at her intently. "Also why are you filing my sister's nails? I'm pretty sure she chews on them when she's nervous anyway."

"She does and it's barbaric. I spent months breaking that habit for both of our sake."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "What does my sister having trimmed nails do for you?" It was only when the question was asked that Weiss realized what she'd said. As she stared at Yang, she could only hope that the realization remained a mystery to her.

It might have, if not for Blake's laugh from behind her book.

"What?" Yang asked, suddenly frustrated. "Why do you both keep doing that?"

"Yang…why do you trim your nails?"

Yang's brow furrowed and Weiss contemplated leaping over the bed to throw Blake out the window.

"Because I don't want to hurt you when we're…oh…oh!" She turned to Weiss with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open. "Oh my gosh, you…and…WHAT!" Yang cried and threw her arms in the air.

"Will you calm down! I dated Ruby for years, you can't tell me you thought I put up with jagged fingernails the entire time."

Wincing, Yang covered her ears. "I'm not having this conversation—wait." Suddenly, Yang was staring at her again. "Why are you trimming her nails now? Are you finally going to make a move?!"

"No!" Weiss chided, suddenly very aware that Ruby could wake up at any moment. "I have no plans to make any sort of move and there are no moves that need to be made."

Yang pouted. "But you love her."

Weiss groaned and looked to Blake for help. She was met with a pair of yellow eyes staring over the top of a book. "You do,"

"Blake!"

"Weiss, you love her. You're dropping everything to stay with her so she can keep her life here."

"Will you two stop!" Weiss spoke a bit more aggressively than she intended but it did the trick. "Look," she took a breath. "I appreciate the concern – really – but I asked Ruby when I first arrived if any of the feelings we shared were still there and she told me they weren't. It hurt, yes – but I accepted it and I've moved past it and while I still love her, it's never going to be the way it was. So I need the both of you to respect that – especially you, Yang. Just…please…leave us to figure this out on our own." Through every word she spoke, Weiss' grip on Ruby's hand grew tighter.

Yes, she still loved Ruby. It wasn't a secret she could keep from the rest of her team. That didn't change the fact that if Ruby never said otherwise, Weiss would continue to believe that those feelings were no longer reciprocated. She had said it herself the day before – Ruby changed on that mountain during the war. Perhaps the future they could have had together was lost up there as well.

If that was the case, then Weiss would accept it and do what she could to make sure they both had a good future.

Caretaker Weiss - this should be interesting lol. Thoughts?