Chapter 42

Weiss awoke in a gentle bliss. Warmth surrounded her in a firm embrace, gentle breathing on her neck, a furry ear flicking against her chin. Weiss slowly opened her eyes to the morning light and smiled.

Ruby had turned out to be a voracious kisser, so much so that Weiss' knees eventually gave out, only for her to be caught by a more attentive, thoroughly amused Blake. Scooped up and laid on the bed, Weiss lie there as her girlfriends began rearranging the room, namely by clearing off and moving Ruby's desk out of the way, so they could slide Ruby's bed into the middle of the room, fitting it snugly against Weiss' own.

Weiss was content with observing until Ruby suddenly stripped down, pulling pajamas from beneath her pillow. Even clad in cheap underwear she was gorgeous, not like Yang in her radiance, Pyrrha in her opulence, or even Blake in her exotic allure. Ruby looked so warm in her form, soft curves, perpetually fair skin - not so light as Weiss' own, but its pinkish hue left her notably paler than Blake's almost olive complexion. Her rear was not as shapely as Blake's, nor were her breasts as full, but her stature made them far more noticeable. That was especially true in comparison to Weiss, her boyish figure always a source of great shame...among other aspects.

Tearing her eyes away, Weiss stared down at her thighs, a cold pit in her stomach. They were in a relationship now, Ruby was comfortable stripping around her even before, they were about to sleep in a bed together for the first time, eventually, and God Weiss hoped, they would do more than sleep. Part of her was terrified of that. Neon had been her first, and Neon had been understanding, and it helped Weiss did not overthink things beforehand, pure excitement overriding her awareness. But she had time to stew on it now, and it was not helping.

Pulling her nighty from beneath her pillow, Weiss sat on the edge of her bed, taking a deep breath. The sound of Ruby organizing her desk again almost distracted her from the mattress dipping behind her. A gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder, and Blake leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Hey, what's on your mind?"

"Just...this." Weiss tapped her thigh.

"Did you tell Neon?" Blake asked, squeezing Weiss' shoulder.

Weiss nodded. "I forgot about it until the moment came."

"We're not doing anything tonight, just relax." Blake soothed. "We'll go fetch my blankets, you can change while we're gone, okay?"

"Thank you, Blake." Weiss sighed.

Blake smiled and pecked Weiss on the cheek. "Come on Ruby, we need more blankets."

"Okay, be right back Weiss." Ruby agreed, springing to her feet.

Weiss smiled as Ruby walked over to peck her on the cheek as well, before following Blake out the door, closing it behind them. Letting out a shaky breath, Weiss stripped and slipped on her nighty as fast as she could. The less she thought about her body the better. Afterwards she busied herself with the beds, untucking the covers from between them and laying them over each other. The fitted sheets left a small gap, and they would have to purchase a double-sized sheet in the near future. Though with their money they could probably spring for a double bed, Weiss was reluctant to splurge so early in their relationship.

Blake and Ruby soon returned, Blake bringing a large, mink blanket, a favorite she had brought from home, while Ruby carried extra pillows. Not long after, Ruby and Weiss were snuggled into Blake's warmth. Despite their concerns about her comfort, Weiss waved them off. She wanted this shared intimacy and would live with a little stuffiness. After some goodnight kisses, Weiss drifted off to sleep, her soundest in weeks.

Now, lying there in the morning light, Weiss basked in the sheer warmth of the situation. Somehow she had ended up in the middle during the night, Blake tucked underneath her chin, Ruby on her chest...drooling. "Ruby...Ruby." Weiss whispered. Blake's ears flicked, and Weiss found herself staring into sleep, amber eyes. "Morning."

Blake yawned languidly, ears laying flat. At first confusion clouded her eyes, but then understanding, followed by a lazy grin. "Morning you." Shifting off of Weiss' arm, Blake pecked her on the lips.

Weiss almost flinched away, the feeling still seeming unreal. "So it wasn't all a dream."

"I'm sure if it was a dream we wouldn't be fully clothed." Blake smirked.

The images on Ruby's thumbdrive flashed through Weiss' head, and she blushed. "Yes, well, I'm sure if it were a dream Ruby wouldn't be drooling all over my chest...or maybe she would."

Blake chuckled, reaching over to pinch Ruby's cheek. "Come on sweetie, Weiss needs her personal space."

"Mmmn...warm…" Ruby mumbled.

"Wet, Ruby Rose." Weiss complained.

"Huh?" Ruby asked. She lifted her head, wiping her cheek before blinking blearily. Then she looked down at the damp patch on Weiss nighty. "Oh, sorry Weiss. I'll make it up to you."

Ruby craned up to meet Weiss with another voracious kiss. For having just woken up, Ruby did not hold back, but when Ruby's hand began to stray downwards, Weiss had to break the kiss, blushing furiously. "You need to brush your teeth, Ruby."

"Fine." Ruby rolled her eyes and grinned. Leaning over, she pecked Blake on the lips, then hopped out of bed. She slid on slippers and stretched, giving Weiss and Blake a lovely view of her rear before spinning around. "Breakfast or shower first?"

"We don't really need showers yet Ruby." Blake noted. "Go brush your teeth, we'll be along in a minute."

"You just wanna' smooch Weiss alone." Ruby accused.

Blake smirked, rolling her eyes. "Yes, I want to ravish Weiss while you brush your teeth. Now shoo." Ruby stuck out her tongue but grabbed her toiletries and left, blowing a kiss on her way out.

"Ruby is surprisingly...eager." Weiss observed.

"She's just excited." Blake nodded.

"Are you not?" Weiss asked.

Blake sighed, cupping Weiss' face and pulling her into another, searing kiss. "Of course I am, but I know you. You're nervous. As much as you've wanted this, it's still a sudden change...you have no idea how much I want you Weiss." Blake growled huskily in Weiss' ear, sending a shiver of arousal through her body, hairs standing on end. Fortunately Blake slipped out of bed before she grew handsy. "We've been close for a long time, Weiss. We've held hands, held each other, and shared a bed numerous times. We've loved each other for years, we've just never crossed that line." She pulled clothes for herself and Ruby from the dresser. "But to Ruby this is all new. She loved you platonically, and only hugged you when she felt you were comfortable with it, but now she doesn't have to hold back. You know how excitable she can be, and she knows how badly you've wanted this." Blake pulled on skinny jeans and a t-shirt.

"So she's indulging me?" Weiss slipped out of bed, grabbing her own clothes - leggings, skirt and button-up.

"That's certainly part of it." Blake replied. "You saw how giddy she was after we got together. Now she has two beautiful girlfriends, one of which she's been unknowingly hurting for months."

Weiss paused in buttoning her shirt to frown at Blake. "That's not her fault, neither of you are at fault."

Blake offered a gentle smile in response. "You're not the only guilty soul Weiss. You know she wants to make everyone happy. In you she sees a lot of sadness to make up for, and the best way she can do this is by indulging you."

"I can't say I object." Weiss admitted. "It's just so...powerful. And she's a sub?"

"Ruby is as submissive as she wants to be." Blake chuckled.

"So she fights back?" Weiss asked.

Blake frowned at that. "No, she never has to. When we're together she sets the pace."

"Oh, I figured with all the scratches-" Weiss started.

"Consensual." Blake cut in. "She asked me not to trim my nails...at least, not too much. Ruby likes to be marked, she likes feeling claimed. I think she might be a bit of an exhibitionist." Weiss grinned - possession, marking, exhibitionism - she could work with that. "Weiss." Blake snapped her fingers in front of Weiss' face. She smiled guiltily and Blake's smile faded. "Have you given thought to how you'll tell her?"

Weiss froze, biting her lip, but eventually nodded. "When it feels right."

Blake pulled Weiss into an embrace, which was eagerly returned. "Do you want me to be there with you?" Blake asked. Weiss nodded, tightening her grip. "You're beautiful Weiss, every last inch of you."

Classes seemed to fly by in a blur. Weiss' absent mind earned her more than a few odd looks, as the normally studious girl, active in class discussions, instead sat silent, staring blankly into space. Today her mind was focused on other, more important things. Her sister, and her best friend, turned lovers, it still boggled her mind how easy it had been. One slip of the heart and they had caught it in gentle hands, and were dedicated to never letting go. The memory of their nightly embrace filled Weiss with warmth she had not experienced since her first time with Neon...the memory of which promptly snapped her back to reality with a sharp pang.

After reconnecting with Neon they had maintained a consistent contact. Her guilt had not faded, instead - as it became increasingly evident that Neon's feelings for her ran deep - it weighed heavier and heavier upon Weiss. Neon adored her, always sending encouraging or amusing texts, selfies, pictures of Coco sleeping, even a few of Sun, whom she seemed to have grown close with. Weiss had to tell her. She had the right to know first, more than anyone else, but to do so would crush the last hopes she may have held.

Weiss loved Neon, she truly did, just not enough to choose her over Blake and Ruby, no matter how much she tried. And even if she forced herself, Neon did not deserve to be treated like a lesser alternative. She deserved someone who wanted her for who she was, who loved her primarily, or at least equally as much as others. Neon deserved the world, and she deserved the truth. And Weiss would give her the truth...eventually...when Ruby stopped making out with her.

Almost as soon as Weiss entered her dorm room, she had been waylaid by Ruby. An enthusiastic hug had drawn all her attention, and a passionate kiss had made her mind melt. All her worries faded away to be replaced by a steadily building lust. Breathless, she could barely respond when Ruby stopped.

"Hey Weissy, how was your day?" Ruby asked.

Weiss nodded, pressed against the door by her scarlet partner, foreheads bumped together. "Good...I think. Yours?"

Ruby planted a kiss on Weiss' nose. "Boring. I missed my girlfriends."

Weiss felt her heart skip a beat. "I rather like being called that."

"Girlfriend." Ruby grinned. Weiss blushed and Ruby began planting kisses along her neck. "Girlfriend, girlfriend, partner, lover, mine, yours, girlfriend." Weiss shuddered as Ruby suckled on her pulse point, giggling at the reaction. "Our beautiful girlfriend, I want to kiss every inch of you."

Suddenly Weiss was dragged back to reality, the chill barely dampening the heat building within her, yet still so terribly noticeable. "Ruby...Ruby." Weiss tried to get her to stop. Ruby hummed, nibbling on Weiss' earlobe. "We need...oh God...we need to...ugh." Ruby's assault was too overpowering. Weiss needed to break her focus. She was already clinging to the back of Ruby's shirt, and she merely needed to slide her hands down beneath the hem, making contact with heated skin. Ruby barely flinched, now leaving a trail of wet kisses back down Weiss' throat. Sliding her hand upward, Weiss met the clasp of Ruby's bra and grinned. She dug her nails in and dragged down hard.

"Ah-ooWeiss!" Ruby's knees shook, then gave way, the girl turning to putty beneath Weiss' manicured nails.

Weiss knelt down with Ruby as the latter gasped into her shoulder. "Ruby-"

"Weiss." Ruby managed.

"Ruby, I need to talk to you about something." Weiss was finally able to speak. "Before things go too far, too quickly."

Ruby was silent for a moment. "A-am I going to quickly?"

Weiss wrapped Ruby in a gentle embrace, planting a kiss on her neck. "Just a tad. You don't need to be so eager for me Ruby. I know it's exciting, and I do enjoy it, but you and I don't have the bond we each have with Blake. I know I've fallen for you, but you haven't fallen for me, and I don't expect you to for quite some time. You don't need to go all in out of a sense of duty. You don't owe me anything. I know you love me, you love me enough to let this happen, to make me feel loved. But please don't go too fast because you think it's what I want. What I want is to be with you, you Ruby Rose, and Blake. Everything physical is just...well, it's important, but it's not why I fell for you, not entirely."

Ruby giggled, and Weiss felt some of her nerves calm. "I want us all to be equal." Ruby declared. "Blakey and I have had so much time together, and you've been standing by and watching from a distance, wishing you could join in. Now you have, and I wanna' give you everything I give her, because I do love you Weiss. I mean, yeah, maybe not as much as Blake, I-I never really thought about you romantically. You're beautiful and cute and I loved hugging you, and when you took care of me when I was sick you made me feel so safe and I loved taking care of you, even if you didn't like being a burden, because you're not a burden, you're my best friend and part of my family, and family takes care of family because we love each other!"

Their embrace tightened. Weiss felt her eyes sting, a big goofy grin spreading across her face. "I always wanted a friend like you growing up. Until Blake came along all I'd had was Cinder, and she...well children weren't children when I was young. We didn't play, we were taught, and we practiced, and now that I've thought about it she didn't really care about me, it was more like I was an associate of her stature. Blake, God I love her, but we were peas in a pod, comfortable in our isolation, our social pariahism. We rarely made more than friendly waves and pleasant conversation with others. We were happy with each other, but we needed someone like you to...contrast. Extroverted, loud and...and proud, someone to push us out of our comfort zones. You made Blake happier than she's ever been before, and that made me happy, and little by little I fell for you too. Every smile, every laugh, every hug, you brightened our world, Ruby, and I love you for it, and I hope one day you can love me as much as you love Blake."

Weiss was by then laying against the door, Ruby sitting in her lap, making it easy for Ruby to reach down and lay hands upon her hips. "I will, eventually, and I'm sorry I've been going so fast." Ruby apologized. "I can slow down until you're ready. I'll only kiss you a few dozen times a day from now on." She pecked Weiss on the cheek to punctuate her declaration.

Weiss giggled, then her smile faded, and she swallowed. "There's...something else we need to talk about. Something that will come up when we do progress. And the sooner I talk about it the easier it will be." Weiss took a shaky breath, but gasped when there was a light knocking on the door.

"May I come in now?" Blake asked.

Weiss huffed and Ruby laughed, standing to help Weiss to her feet. Opening the door, Weiss found herself pulled into yet another gentle kiss, strong arms wrapping securely around her. Weiss managed a mock glare when she withdrew. "It's rather rude to listen in."

"I didn't want to interrupt." Blake smirked. "Your passion is so beautiful."

And now Weiss was blushing. "Flatterer."

Blake pecked Weiss on the nose before reaching out to Ruby, drawing her into the embrace and kissing her just as lovingly. "Miss me?"

"You know it." Ruby declared.

Blake hummed, squeezing them all together, her body heat like a furnace, heavenly in an otherwise chilly room. She felt Weiss' hands clench in her jacket. "Weiss?"

"I'm ready...to talk that is...about...you know…" Weiss struggled.

Blake planted another kiss on Weiss' forehead. "I know. Come on. We should sit down." Blake guided the trio to a bed.

"Is this gonna' be a sad talk?" Ruby asked.

Weiss could not help but laugh as they settled onto the bed. "Yes Ruby, it's a sad talk."

"I've got tissues." Ruby offered.

Weiss smiled. "Thank you Ruby."