also me: weiss was probably internally freaking out when ruby nearly dropped and being told ruby knew she'd catch her was prolly conflicting reassurance because weiss is both confident in her abilities but also terrified of her limits
me going through sunday motions: if ruby had fallen, gotten hurt, weiss would have blamed herself and would have thought ruby would be right to too, would have been right to be angry because she was trusting her and she failed that trust, hence the frustration lingering as she turns from the conversation: it is her ingrained anxiety manifesting
me, thoroughly distracted: i want to write a talk out
Enabled by yash; just trying to write something everyday.
-0-
"She'll be fine."
Ruby made a noise of acknowledgment, but continued to pace the floor, glance at the clock every few turns.
Weiss sighed. "Ruby, really, she's in good hands. It'll be like nothing ever happened."
"I did tell how she could be pretty finicky right? If they set something wrong Weiss--"
"Look, I trust them. Do you trust me?" Ruby nodded, and Weiss raised a hand, palm down. "Then come here."
After momentary confusion, Ruby came, taking the proffered hand, and Weiss tugged her down onto the chair, then her head into Weiss' lap. "They're experienced, they've been taking care of me for as long as I can remember. She'll be okay."
Ruby listened, and bit by bit, her tension bled out. When Weiss finished, she gave a slow nod. "You're right, I just... this is the first time anyone else has taken care of her."
"Well breathe a bit." Weiss, unsure of what else to do, pat Ruby's arm. It seemed to satisfy. "They'll have Crescent modified just as you specified."
A gift for @askweisswolf for our Copper Hounds/Woofcop RP. Yash was the one to suggest to me that it be something to do with Weiss’ exile from her pack, and the one to look it over before posting, so thanks for that.
Happy bday Rad! I hope it was a good one. ‘Nd I hope this pleases :D
"Weiss? I need to ask a favour."
She glanced up and gave a single nod, one eye still on the paperwork she'd been filling out. Lie Ren took no offense, familiar with her distance, and came closer.
No one in the precinct knew why she was standoffish, only that it was coupled to her silence on her personal life. But people learned to accept however she interacted with them; be it through a quiet revelation, or being shot an unimpressed look after attempting to tell that she'd look better if she smiled more.
"I've a Mr. Volk coming in later to give a statement, but Captain Goodwitch is pulling me and Nora to help with more patrols today."
"Mm." Her eyes flicked over to the clock. "When is he coming in?"
"Five. Around the time your partner will be getting fidgety behind their desk."
A flicker of amusement crossed her face. She gave him a knowing a look as she replied, "In other words, it's in my best interest to accept."
He smiled back. "I thought you might like the chance. Course, I could always throw in something extra...?"
Her amusement caught and grew into a smile. "You know the burger place off Centre Street."
He nodded, expression mirroring hers, and touched two fingers to his temple before he walked away. "Pleasure doing business, Weiss."
-
The day was quiet until Mr. Volk's arrival. Quiet enough that Weiss was as relieved as Ruby when the front desk called and said that he was there.
That relief quickly faded when he took one look at Weiss and scowled. Looking to Ruby next, he demanded, "Where are Officer Valkyrie and Officer Hua? I came to talk to them."
Ruby blinked and glanced over to Weiss, but found no explanation there. She looked as confused as they felt. So they turned back to him, and said, "Sir, they're currently out right now, but my partner here--"
"I will wait for them then." His face set, he made for one of chairs set out, paying no heed to any of those staring.
Ruby tried to reason with him. "Sir, Weiss can get you in and out of here in a matter of minutes."
But he remained stonily silent, only looking over to Weiss to glare a moment before staring straight ahead again. Weiss was about to ask him just what problem he had with her when the doors that led outside opened, stirring the air in the room. In an instant she filed all that she smelt, the particular lemon-scented cleaner that got used on the chairs and desks, and the people there, including--
She swallowed. A were. Local no doubt. Someone who knew she was an exile.
Ruby was still trying to reason with the man, though frustration and indignation were beginning to show. It earned as much surprised attention as him. It was rare for them, outside of working on serious cases, to lose their air of ease, warmth, that followed them around as it did the rest of their family. But the edge to their voice was unmistakable. "I can promise you that it'd be better to do this now, sir, when they get back they will be tired--"
"Ruby." It was quiet, but clear, and Ruby immediately fell silent and turned, expression confused from being stopped. "It's alright.... Would you take care of it?"
"Me? But." They glanced over at the man, now watching them with significantly less aggressive posture. "That's, not..."
Weiss knew from the stubborn set of their face that they were reluctant to do it because he'd been rude to her, so she shook her head, gave Ruby a quick smile. "It's okay." It was what she had to say. Secrecy was sacrosanct, and his reasons, hers, could not be explained. "I'll take care of a few other things, while you're at it."
They looked at her long, silently, scanning her expression, posture. "Okay. If you say so."
-
Weiss threw herself into work, pushing at the fresh reminder of her status of packless, exile.
Her focus was why she jumped when Ruby dropped a paper bag down beside her elbow, before leaning to be at eye level. They stayed like that a few seconds, watching each other, before Ruby murmured, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"...It has to do with my family. Why I'm not close to any of them." It painted the situation in broad strokes, but Ruby nodded after momentary surprise. "More than that, I... don't really like bringing it up."
Ruby accepted the vague answer with another nod, and their hand settled on Weiss' wrist before squeezing. "We're having the usual grill tomorrow. Should I tell Ma to buy a few extra steaks, ribs, maybe a whole cow...?"
Despite the dull ache in her chest, Weiss found she could smile. "I don't eat that much."
"You think that 'cause you inhale it." Ruby jumped away as Weiss brought her elbow up to prod them, before smiling extra-wide. "So is it a yes or no, Weiss? Ma's been wondering when you'll be coming around again."
"Tell Summer yes. And tell her I'm using her youngest for sparring practice after."
hmm... how about.. weissen going in for a kiss. with whoever u want vtwin ;3
I’m predictable.
For those not familiar with vtwin or me, Weissen’s pronouns are he/his, and Ruby, I tend to default to they/their.
-
Weissen expected to kiss a cheek and got wind-chapped lips instead.
It hadn’t been a planned thing. But finding his partner again, and them bursting into tears and leaping on him after a seconds-long stare, they were both off-balance in many ways. And of course he was the best partner, so he had to hold them strong until they felt they were okay.
Ruby moved just as he did though, and they tumbled further away from balance.
Ruby because she gets tall. Weiss is indignant at being held under the armpits though.
8. Nicknames, and their origin?
I think they are mostly nickname free. Except maybe an affectionate ‘brat’ from Weiss every now and then and Ruby just grins, ‘yeah well I’m your brat partner’
White Rose/Candycane fanfic for @cigarettesandholywater, because anniversaries Inspired by staring at @laetaus’ art for an hour. Slight exaggeration.
Ruby sat with their eyes closed; the sounds of the airport washed over them. The chatter of people, ships whispering as they landed, departed, the infrequent announcement blared over the intercom while it scrolled past on screens dotting the walkways and sitting areas.
The robots working there hurt to look at, but Ruby managed, somehow, to keep the sniffles quiet until they calmed.
It was a microcosm, full of people getting where they had to be, and Ruby let out a sigh of contentment. There were signs of strain–increased security where the airport touched the wilderness, and snatches of conversation about Grimm activity. But life went on around them, and Ruby enjoyed the flow.
It wasn’t home. It wasn’t Beacon. But seeing people saying goodbyes, awaiting arrivals, living… it soothed.
They knew they’d have to get back to the fight eventually, but with their uncle recuperating, they’d agreed with Ren and Nora and Jaune that a rest for the moment was best. So they willed themselves to breathe, and just listened.
When they opened their eyes again the sky had deepened in colour, sun sunk a little lower, and a group of people were beginning to gather around a luggage carousel nearby. From Atlas, Ruby noted, glancing at the screen that hovered above, and a pang made itself known. With time to think came a whole horde of worries. About Yang. About Blake. About Weiss. They hoped they were all okay.
The group of people began to thin as they carted away their belongings, but a few lingered. One had not even tried to push through the crowd. They’d been resting in a seat nearby, and were only now grabbing a case and a large bag that’d gone around the carousel. They opened it then and there, visibly relaxed after giving its contents a once-over and stood, their jacket’s hood falling off when they did.
“…Weiss.” As though in a trance, Ruby stood, had to consciously check with themselves, yes, that was white hair they were looking at on someone about their height, and called out, “Weiss?”
To their surprise, then amusement, Weiss fumbled both bag and box when whipping around. “Ruby?” Their name was barely a breath.
Whatever fatigue left in Ruby was gone, and they leapt toward Weiss. Before they collided, they remembered Weiss’ usual aversion and screeched to a halt. “Is, can I, is a hug okay?”
A chuckle came in reply, and Weiss’ arms came up, eyes over-bright. “You can.”
Stray strands tickled Ruby’s nose when they buried it in Weiss’ shoulder, but they didn’t care. Weiss was warm, Weiss was laughing–and crying a little but it was okay because it was the good kind, and Ruby was too to be honest–in Ruby’s arms, and Weiss was here.
When they finally pulled away from each other, Weiss kept Ruby at arm’s length–a gesture that had Ruby flustering, combined with the open affection on Weiss’ face. “You…” They ducked their head, taking Weiss in with a glance. “Oh. New combat skirt? It’s, really pretty. Is it a she day, or a they day, or, um.”
Amusement flickered across Weiss’ face. “They. You’re looking lovely as well, Ruby.”
It didn’t help Ruby’s blush. They brushed their hands over their front, now critically aware of the creases in their shirt. “Th-Thanks, Weiss. You… why come here?”
“Had to get out of Atlas,” they replied in a too-light tone, and Ruby made a mental note to ask more later when they slid the subject away. “I could ask you the same thing. I thought you’d gone to Patch.”
“I was, but me ‘nd Nora and Ren and Jaune, and my uncle too, we’ve been looking for whoever was responsible for Beacon.”
That sobered Weiss. Then they blinked, frowned. “Yang isn’t with you.”
Ruby swallowed. “No. She… she didn’t want to go anywhere.”
For a long time, Weiss was silent, gaze distant. When it came back, they were all business. “Quite a bit to catch up on, then. Don’t suppose there’s a place we can sit for it?”
“Yeah. We’re staying with a couple local Hunters.”
“Then we shouldn’t idle here.” They retrieved their bags–blinking then smiling when Ruby insisted on relieving them of Myrtenaster’s case. “…Ruby.”
“Yeah, Weiss?”
Ruby blinked as Weiss’ hand slipped over their wrist and squeezed. “I’m glad I found you.”
excusemethatsnotcanon answered your question “gmhmgh mocha latte/godivas/snowhare/white rose/peppermint rabbit...”
white rose: "Weiss you know I love it when you provide artillery support"
“Nice to know I rank so highly in your regard.” Her voice was as dry as an Atlesian westerly wind, but a spark of amusement in it kept Ruby from going into panic mode... as well as the continued barrage on the Grimm’s den.
“It’s true! Nobody to do those opening barrages like Weiss Schnee!”
“Except Nora.”
“Nora has a grenade launcher.” There was the tiniest bit of envy to that overly-patient reply. “It’s hardly fair to compare.”
As the last explosions finished ringing in Weiss turned to Ruby with an eyebrow raised, the beginnings of a smile playing across her face, now. “So. What do I get for serving as artillery today?”
aggressiveslothnoises answered your question “monochrome/anything under mocha latte/white rose prompts?”
Ruby and Weiss making time to be domestic btwn missions and meetings &c.
Unsurprisingly, inspiration from both the Future AU and Extrinsical’s Atypical (AO3).
-
People, when they wanna put it politely, put it like that.
Ruby puts it as ‘Weiss needs to be taken away from holographic screens and her board members before she shrivels up and dies. Or someone else dies’.
Weiss puts it as ‘I get enough sunlight thank you very much, you’re the own who needs to be kept from going on a mission for a handful of Lien and a pretty rock statue and talked about giving the board a fright-’
...
Anyway. When they finally finish up arguing they usually just cut out time for themselves. Gross couple-y shit. Hell, sometimes they spar with each other. What’s the point of taking a break from fighting to fight?
...Ah, true. Guess it all depends on who’s with ya in it, eh?
