The moment Weiss woke up, she regretted it. Her head was throbbing. It felt like a Nevermore was standing on top of her with it's talons sunk into her skull. Her body felt stiff and heavy – like after a hard training session but hadn't moved in hours.

Opening one eye, she was met with the disgusting light of the early morning and groaned as it tried to burn through her cornea.

"Ugh," she muttered only to be immediately shushed. The sound behind her made Weiss' eyes open a bit more in confusion. Slowly, she rolled over to find out who was next to her and was met with a pair of yellow eyes staring back at her. "Blake?"

"Why are you talking so loud?" Another voice spoke, this time behind Blake and suddenly Weiss noticed the messy puff of Yang's golden hair behind her.

Somehow, they had all ended up in the same bed last night. After her encounter with Ruby, Weiss decided to let loose and take her mind off things. Also to try and alleviate some of the guilt after Ruby quickly left Taiyang's home to spend the rest of her night alone.

One drink let to another and that led to five more and the rest of the night was a blur that lead to this moment right now. In bed, with Blake and Yang.

"What…what happened?" She asked tentatively – unsure of how to even word the question.

Yang lifted up on her elbow and stared over Blake's shoulder at Weiss. She darted her eyes back and forth between the two, waiting for an answer.

"You don't remember?" Yang asked with a bit of a frown.

Blake pursed her lips together and quickly rolled over, burying her face in Yang's chest. Weiss was suddenly wishing she had a cliff to dive off of.

"R—remember what?"

Yang sighed. "You said it was all you ever wanted, to be the cream of our cookie."

Weiss thought her eyes might fall out of her head. "I—what?! Did we…what?!"

Blake let out a sound, it was either a sob or a laugh but she couldn't tell because it was muffled against Yang's chest. Yang only hugged her fiancé tighter and nodded. "Yeah you practically begged for it, you asked us to call you Mistress Schnee."

Another sound came from Blake, this one much clearly and clearly a laugh. The façade was broken even more when Yang couldn't bite back her own smirk and Weiss quickly hoisted a pillow and slammed it into the blonde's face.

"Yang Xiao Long! You nearly gave me a heart attack! Now I'm yelling and making my own head hurt, how dare you?!" Weiss screamed into the bedroom before burying her face into the mattress and pulling the comforting over her head.

"Aw come on, Weissy, it's not so bad. You'd be lucky to have us!"

Weiss let out another groan into the mattress and suddenly felt a hand on her back. "Sorry, Weiss – you really are an easy target." Blake tried to sooth her and Weiss turned slowly to glare at her best friend.

"I expected better from you," she mumbled and Blake grinned.

"What can I say, she's rubbing off on me."

Yang chuckled. "In more ways than one." Weiss saw Yang ponder what she'd just said. "In more places than one, actually."

"Yang," Blake spoke up this time. "You're not helping."

"I wasn't trying to, love." She said before kissing Blake on the temple. "You two sort this out, I'll go check on the others and make waffles!" As Yang all but bounced out of bed, Weiss began to plot the many ways to kill her teammate and hide the body.

"How is she not hungover? She drank all night?" Weiss was nearly whining as she spoke.

Blake continued to rub her back. "Yang can hold her liquor pretty well, and she didn't drink that much." Blake sighed. "Not as much as you, anyway."

Weiss glanced up at the concerned tone in Blake's voice. Her beautiful best friend was giving her a look of pure worry and it made Weiss feel terrible. She'd really cut loose last night – in the worst way.

Cutting loose was an excuse Weiss was making for herself a lot these days.

"I just wanted to have some fun."

"And that's fine," Blake nodded. "You can and we did have fun, it's just…you didn't start until after Ruby left."

Weiss shook her head. "I promised myself I would not bring any of Ruby and I's drama into this trip. It's about you, not me."

"I appreciate that, really, but I can spare a few minutes to listen."

With a sigh, Weiss closed her eyes and let Blake run a hand through her hair. It reminded her of when Ruby used to do it. Everything reminded her of Ruby.

"She looked…really good." Weiss couldn't help but laugh.

Blake matched it. "Yeah, Ruby's put on a lot of muscle with her work."

"I knew she was strong, she used to carry me around all the time and that…monsteruous weapon of hers, but I just…it never really showed like that." Weiss pushed away the thoughts of Ruby's muscles aside. That wasn't what was on her mind – at least not right now. "I panicked."

It took Blake a moment to speak. "How so?"

Weiss swallowed the lump in her throat. "I—I stubbed my toe in your kitchen and she was right there, like always, trying to take care of me. She looked at my foot and I…freaked out. It was too much. I could not be around her a moment longer because it was just…too much."

"What was too much?"

"Everything!" Weiss raised her voice, making her head throb again. "I miss her, and I hate that I miss her because I was the one who ended it – or at least, I beat her to it. We fell apart so fast and so…messily that I just wanted the tie to be severed. I thought I could see her again and it would be okay. That the feelings would be gone and we could be…friends."

"But?" Blake asked, already knowing the answer.

"But Ruby and I aren't meant to be just friends. We couldn't be friends when we became teammates because it was just…tension. I've always felt it with her – the way she challenges me. She drove me nuts in school but I just…kept going in for more. I would miss it on days when she wouldn't irritate me. After Beacon fell and we got back together I missed her so much that I just…gave in and we fell hard, you know?" Blake nodded. "During the war it was easy, we just did our jobs and spent our downtime together. We had purpose and we needed each other and the world was on hold because we were fighting. When it ended, we both had to pick up and move on – then everything with Jaune happened and Ruby was just…not the same after that. You remember don't you? She kept shutting us out and when we'd try to help her she'd push us away. She'd leave for days without telling anyone and it was just…awful."

"Ruby saw a lot of death, Weiss. More than the rest of us – at least with people she cared about. I don't think she was equipped to handle it. Not that any of us were but…we all wanted to protect Ruby more."

It was true – something inside of them all made protecting Ruby a priority over everything else. They tried, for months after the final battle, to drag Ruby away from it. Yet, after the dust settled and it was time to start rebuilding their lives – Ruby only wanted to continue hunting. For Weiss, that life was gone and she didn't want to see anymore monsters. She wanted to fix the world through the influence of the Schnee Dust Company.

Except Ruby never wanted that life. The more Weiss pushed for it, the more distant Ruby became whenever the future was brought up. A future Weiss once imagined the two of them having together was suddenly a matter of contention.

The day she realized Ruby wanted nothing to do with that future was heartbreaking.

"We were never the same after Jaune passed."

Blake again nodded and adjusted on the pillow so one of her ears was unpinned and popped upright atop her head. She seemed contemplative, but also comforting in the look in her eyes. "My advice?" Weiss remained silent as a way of telling her to continue. "You need to talk to her."

"Blake…"

"I'm serious, Weiss. I'm not telling you to get back together with her or even try and clean up what happened with you guys years ago. But…you were her partner and the two of you have been through so much together. It can't be easy not having her in your life. Partners bond and that bond is forever. We all did when we worked together. Maybe it won't be what it used to be but that doesn't mean it can't be something good, right?"

As Blake's words settled over her and the knowledge that Blake was probably right sank in, Weiss could only nod close her eyes.

"Can I borrow your car?"

"You're going to go talk to her?" Blake asked and Weiss nodded. "Good, but…no, you can't borrow my car."

Weiss' eyes shot open. "Why not?"

"You don't drive."

"I do too! I have a license!"

Blake scrunched her nose. "You are literally chauffeured everywhere – you're not driving my car."

Weiss reached up and flicked Blake's nose. "I am a great driver! I was trained by the best Atlas has to offer!"

"Did you just…flick me?" Blake looked absolutely aghast and Weiss smirked.

"Yes, I did, you insulted me and I flicked you. I'll do it again too."

Suddenly it was Blake who was grinning devilishly. "Is that so?" Weiss felt her confidence waning. "Yang! Weiss just flicked me! She's threatening to do it again!"

"Blake Belladonna!" Weiss whisper screeched and Blake giggled. "Don't you—"

"Did she?" Yang was suddenly in the doorway. "Do I need to kick her ass?"

"Yang, I am warning you." Weiss was suddenly sliding off the bed and onto her feet. She could see the bathroom door between where she and Yang stood. It was just a bit closer to Yang, but Weiss felt like she was fast enough.

"You'll never make it in time, princess."

"Sneak attack!" From out of nowhere, Blake smashed Weiss in the face with a pillow and suddenly all bets were off.

True to her word, Blake did not let Weiss drive. She did however, let Violet drive and while Weiss found that a bit annoying, she wasn't about to argue because Blake still let them use her vehicle.

As the drive took them closer and closer to where Ruby lived, Weiss found herself appreciative that she wasn't driving. It probably wouldn't have been to safe behind the wheel given how nervous she was with each mile they drew nearer.

Though she wasn't sure what her ultimate goal was with Ruby, she knew for the most part that she just wanted to try and create an environment where they would be around each other.

It was no different than working with someone who had different business views – she'd done it a dozen times since taking over the SDC. You reach an agreement to disagree and you accept that your difference will not stand between you.

Granted, Weiss had never pledged her love to anyone she worked with and had certainly never slept with anyone she worked with – but it was still the same principal.

At least that was how she chose to see it.

The guidance application on her scroll told them to turn on the next road and Weiss watched as the tiny blue line shrank to almost nothing – they were close. When she looked up, she was surprised at how isolated this area was. There were a few houses scattered around but none that close to the other. The hills and roads went up and down; each surrounded by trees and tall bushes.

Ruby's home was…humble, to say the least. Just a small wooden cabin really, but nicely kept and with a pretty green layer of grass surrounding it. There wasn't much in terms of decorations or anything to really set it apart. Just finely crafted and stained wood with one lone chair on a porch that looked out to the road.

Weiss' hands were clammy – she had a building knot in her stomach that terrified her and her throat felt like it might clamp shut at any moment.

When the car stopped, Violet looked at her. "What do you want me to do, Miss Schnee?"

Part of Weiss wanted Violet to come in with her – make it easier and maybe even pretend to be Weiss' girlfriend so they wouldn't have to deal with any drama. A clean cut, letting Ruby know she'd moved on and found someone else. It would be a damnable lie, but it would serve its purpose.

No, she couldn't do that – she wouldn't do that to Violet or Ruby.

She could never lie to Ruby.

The other option was to have Violet wait out here, which would indicate a short visit. A quick pop over, a quick conversation and a quick exit. That made the most sense – but could she really just come and go so quick? Was Ruby not worth a genuine effort and conversation?

"Miss Schnee?"

Weiss shook out of her trance. She was overthinking everything. "You can go back to Taiyang's home. I really should make an honest attempt."

Violet glanced at the home and then back to Weiss. "You're sure?"

She hesitated. "Yes," Violet gave her a look. "I'm sure."

With a nod, Violet put the vehicle back in drive but held her foot on the brake for Weiss to exit. She opened the door and was hit with the warm air of summer against her skin. There was a breeze, but even it was dry and heavy.

"Call me when you're ready to be picked up." Weiss nodded and stared over the car at the house which seemed far more intimidating now – even if it was still pretty small.

With a slight wave, Weiss stepped back and let Violet drive away, making a U-turn at the end of the road.

Once Violet was out of sight, Weiss realized she was simply standing outside and not moving. Her hands were ringing together as she tried to steady her breathing.

It was just Ruby – she kept telling herself that over and over again. She'd battled Grimm and humans that were even worse than monsters. She could handle her ex-girlfriend.

Taking a deep breath, Weiss steeled herself and strode up the few steps to the front door. She tried to peek through the window but couldn't really see much because there was a dying plant stuck right against it. Weiss could only assume Ruby thought the sun might save it, but it was dried out and probably desperate for water.

Rolling her eyes, she knocked three times and put her hands behind her back. She flipped her hair as the wind picked up again and squinted back at the sun as it was just starting to rise fully over the tall trees in the distance.

This place was so different than anywhere she'd been – it was quiet and calm. Not a rustle of traffic for miles.

Until she heard a thud on the other side of the door and a soft "darn it!"

Ruby had probably stubbed her toe, or hit her funny bone, or knocked over something valuable.

Regardless, the door opened and moment later and Weiss found herself being completely disarmed, again, at the sight of Ruby.

This time, it was a black tanktop that exposed nothing but strong arms and rounded shoulders. Weiss knew her eyes were wide but Ruby looked so…good. She had her long hair in a ponytail that hung over her right shoulder and a bit of it had escaped and was cascading down her face. Those big, silver eyes were staring at Weiss with confusion and worry and it took all Weiss had not to lick her suddenly dry lips.

"Weiss?" Ruby spoke and Weiss forced herself to stop staring. "What—is everything okay?" Ruby looked past Weiss to the emptiness behind her. "How did you get here?"

"My assistant brought me – and everything is fine. Well, it's not fine, but it will be. That's why I'm here."

Ruby tilted her head a bit. "To kill me?" She said and Weiss felt her fists ball. Then Ruby smirked and Weiss wanted to hit her even more.

Hit her or kiss her – probably the former.

Probably.

"Of course not, you dunce." Weiss shook her head. "You and I both know that what happened last night was unacceptable."

"You mean you snapping at me?" Ruby pushed back – Ruby was always the one to push back at her.

Weiss huffed and stood up straighter. "I did not snap at you! I was simply trying to be a friend."

"We never really worked as friends, Weiss."

That was a painful truth. "We can try. We should try – for Yang and Blake's sake, if anything."

Ruby crossed her damn stone chiseled arms and gave Weiss the once over. "Why?"

"What?"

"Why do you want to be friends? You haven't spoken to me in years and now you're here for a few weeks and you want to be friends again. I don't get it." Ruby had a sudden sadness in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed. "You told me you didn't want to see me again and after this wedding you probably won't have to."

She remembered. Those words had replayed in her mind a thousand times over. "I said a lot of things that night, Ruby. I was upset."

To her credit, Ruby seemed to ease her stance a bit. "I remember – I'd never heard you use curse words like –"

"Ruby," Weiss cut her off as another gust of warm wind pushed up her back. "Can I come in, please? It's sweltering out here."

Again Ruby smirked at her and Weiss glared before watching Ruby step aside and welcome her in.

The interior of the house was far cleaner than Weiss expected – though that could be because according to Blake and Yang, Ruby was hardly ever home.

Still, it was pretty cozy in Ruby's tiny home. There was a cream colored couch in the middle of the room that stared directly at a large monitor display and beyond the couch was a tiny kitchen hidden away behind a tall counter. Directly above the kitchen was a second floor balcony that looked to be Ruby's bedroom.

There was a string of lights hung along the ceiling and she could see a bed against the wooden railing.

It was suddenly strange being here – this place was so…tidy and so real. Ruby really lived here on her own. Weiss felt silly for thinking that Ruby couldn't take care of herself – it was just that she had been so chaotic when they were growing up. To see now that she had stability and a true home was jarring.

Weiss couldn't help but wonder if Ruby imagined them being together here at all. The way Weiss had countless times at her mansion.

"Can I get you anything?"

Weiss looked to see that Ruby had moved to the kitchen and opened her fridge.

She quickly shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

"Good," Ruby chuckled. "I don't actually have anything."

Weiss couldn't help but smile. Perhaps Ruby wasn't as self sufficient as she seemed to be. "You should have food and beverages in the home, Ruby."

"Well I don't have a personal shopper to buy me things – and I just got back from a mission last week."

"Ah," Weiss bit her lip. "Still hunting I see?" She asked and watched as Ruby moved around the couch and sat down. It caught Weiss' eye how slowly Ruby sat – how gingerly. She wondered why that movement was so careful but nothing in Ruby's expression seemed to say anything.

"Yep, it pays the bills and I still enjoy it. Yang won't leave me alone about it but I'm not going to become a weapons designer in Vale anytime soon so she can just deal with it."

Weiss quirked a brow. "Weapons designer?"

Ruby sighed. "Yeah, Yang wants me to give up hunting and move to Vale with her and Blake. She says I could live with her and have a job and all this stuff but she doesn't realize that I don't need her to take care of me anymore. I can take care of myself."

"So it would seem," Weiss said even though she fully related to Yang. There was something about Ruby – even if it was different for Weiss than Yang, that brought out the protector in her.

Still, during the war, Ruby was the one on the front line more than the rest of them. Ruby was the one who saw the most combat and violence and carried the most scars.

Maybe that's why they all tried so hard to help her.

Maybe that's why she pushed them all away.

"I'm sorry, Ruby." Weiss pushed the words out – words she needed to say years ago and had wanted to say for so long.

Even if Weiss felt they were a long time coming, they were met with confusion. "Weiss,"

"No, I – can I?" Ruby nodded and pursed her lips together. "I know that the two of us have a lot of history and…our relationship was as amazing as it was chaotic. But I do miss you and…I would really like for us to be able to be friends. To at least be able to be in the same room and not have it be so awkward." As true as the words were, they were hard for Weiss to say. If she had ever doubted her love for Ruby, it was impossible to deny now.

However, she still wanted Ruby in her life – as selfish as that might seem she wanted to be able to talk to Ruby and be around her. Even if romance between the two of them truly was off the table, she wanted to have the chance to call Ruby on the scroll or send her messages. Even if it was only friendship, Ruby Rose was still the person Weiss cared for the most in this world.

Ruby seemed contemplative – if not a little hesitant. Weiss had no real idea where Ruby stood with her. She didn't know how Ruby felt about her or how long Ruby spent after their breakup thinking about her. The pessimist in her was quite certain that Weiss had pined far longer and hurt much deeper.

Not because she doubted Ruby's feelings for her, simply because she suffered for so long after it ended.

"How do we…do friend stuff?" Ruby asked and seemed nervous but still wore a smile that helped Weiss relax – as it always had.

"I'm not entirely sure. The only friends I have are Blake and your sister and whenever we've met up it's the three of us going to dinner and me being the third wheel."

Ruby chuckled. "Same."

That was when something unexpected happened. If Weiss wasn't so used to paying attention to every little detail about Ruby, she might not have noticed how gingerly Ruby pushed herself up off the couch. It was such an odd thing to see – Ruby Rose, the fastest girl in all of Remnant, was genuinely struggling to stand.

Weiss wasn't sure what to think of it and she didn't feel comfortable asking why it was such a chore. When Ruby didn't bring it up, she decided to let it go.

Perhaps ask the protective big sister when she returned.

"Weiss Schnee," Ruby extended her hand. "I accept your friendship request."

This lightened the mood immensely and Weiss shook her hand. Ignoring how the contact made her fingertips spark. "Should it really be this easy?"

At the question, there was a sudden maturity in Ruby's face. Those silver eyes seemed to darken a bit and she shrugged. "Life's too short to hold grudges, Weiss. We both know that."

"So what do we do now?" Weiss asked and realized they were still holding hands. At the realization, she pulled away and caught the glimpse of a smile touch Ruby's lips.

"Are you hungry?"

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "You don't have any food."

"Nope, but I know a place we can get some. As my friend, I think you should come with me."

"I…highly doubt there are any five star restaurants here."

Ruby stepped around Weiss and lifted a set of keys off the table by the door. "You don't need five-star food to have a five-star meal!"

"That doesn't even make sense!" She cried as Ruby dragged her out.