Ruby awoke slowly, gradually becoming aware of her surroundings. She smiled as she felt a warm body pressed up against her own. Keeping her eyes shut, she pulled Weiss just a little closer. No matter that they were a month's trek into the Tural mountains, no matter that she only had one arm. She had Weiss back, and that was the only thing she needed. Plus, the two of them being alone in the frozen mountains, sharing the warmth of a fire and a sleeping bag was romantic in its own way.

Judging from the lack of light coming from the doorway that led to the main area of the church, she assumed that night had fallen. And still, the blizzard had not let up. Not that it mattered. Weiss was warm and safe, and where she belonged. In Ruby's arms.

Enjoying the peaceful feelings of love and warmth that enveloped her heart, she opened her eyes. Weiss was still asleep, her beautiful white hair splayed over her and Ruby's upper bodies. The brunette absently began playing with it, twirling it around her fingers, relishing how silky and delicate it was.

Surprisingly, Ruby realized, she was still feeling tired. She hadn't gotten much sleep during the past month, only stopping to rest when she absolutely had to. She had searched tirelessly. Now that she and Weiss were together though, they had all the time in the world. She wondered what would happen if they stayed up here forever, and forgot about the world back home. The prospect sounded quite nice.

"Ooh, but then how am I gonna get cookies? I can't make those up here... and then there's Yang..."

Ruby sighed as she watched the fire burn itself out; she was still unsure about how she should handle Yang. Now that she had found Weiss, her anger towards her sister had certainly lessened, but the disappointment at her actions remained. She could be so selfish sometimes, so hellbent on protecting Ruby that she sometimes ended up worsening the situation instead of helping it. And this had been the worst case of it yet. Ruby realized she would need some time to forgive Yang. But she knew she still had to return, to let Yang know she was alive and alright. When everything was said and done, they were still sisters, and Yang had essentially raised her after all.

"Still, she wouldn't be able to complain if me and Weiss took our time getting back..."

She felt the other girl shift beneath her, adjusting herself into a more comfortable position. Ruby noted with satisfaction that their bodies fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Weiss' eyelids fluttered open, and she looked startled for a moment, as if she hadn't expected to wake up next to Ruby. When her mind caught up to her surroundings though, she closed her eyes again and breathed a soft sigh of relief.

"Morning gorgeous."

A muffled "mmph" was the only reply.

"Aww, is my wittle Weissy still tired?"

The girl in question raised her head, dark shadows under her eyes and her bangs strewn across her face.

"You know better than to call me that."

"Call you what? I have noooo idea what you're talking about," Ruby said with a knowing grin.

"You know," Weiss muttered, leaning forward and narrowing her eyes. "Exactly what I'm talking about.

"Princess, I just crossed hundreds of miles of mountains, searched thousands of acres of forests, and even battled an Ursa with one arm to find you." Ruby gently pressed the tip of her finger against Weiss' chest. "So for now, I get to call you, *poke* whatever. *poke* I. *poke* Want."

Weiss simply huffed in resignation and pressed her forehead against Ruby's, unwilling to admit defeat. They stayed like that for a few minutes, reveling in the fact that they were finally together again.

"You know," Ruby said slyly, "waking up to you is like when other people get to sleep in and just keep dreaming."

Weiss blushed a little, but reached her hand up and gave Ruby's forehead a light flick.

"Good to have the old Weiss back." Ruby giggled lightly. "I missed you ya know? I really... missed you a lot..."

Weiss was silent for a few moments, unsure of exactly how to respond. Instead, she settled for placing a light, but lingering kiss upon Ruby's lips. Even after so long, the touch of Weiss' lips were electric to Ruby, sending tingles of pleasure throughout her whole body.

"I missed you too... but I thought you would... that you would..."

Weiss cursed herself as she struggled with her pride. Even after everything that happened, could she still not bring herself to admit that she had been wrong? Was she that messed up inside?

"Weiss, are you okay? You seem... tense."

All it took was one glance into Ruby's eyes. Ruby's patient, caring eyes, and all of her doubts and hesitation vanished, blown away by her partners simple trust. She shifted in Ruby's embrace, circling her arms a little tighter around the brunette's waist, as if admitting it would cause Ruby to reject her. She knew by now that it wouldn't, but still...

"I thought you would hate me."

There. She had finally said it.

Ruby's eyes grew wide with concern, and she opened her mouth to object, but Weiss placed a single finger over it.

"Before you say anything, let me finish. This is something I need to do."

Ruby looked hesitant at first, but after a few seconds she nodded slowly.

"When you were in the coma... all I could think about was what life without you would be like for me. And no matter how I looked at it, what angle I analyzed it at, no matter what, it simply wasn't a world I wanted to live in. I thought about what losing you would do to me. I hated it, but I couldn't really help myself. If you ever died... I don't think I'd have the strength to keep living. I say that from the bottom of my heart. "

She took a deep breath.

"But what I didn't think about... was what the accident would do to you. I mean, I had thought about it for a bit, but it never really occurred to me. I never realized that... that you wouldn't be able to be a Huntress ever again. And then, when Yang came in, and... scolded me, she said a lot of things. She made me see that it was true, no matter how much I wanted to deny it. Your career as a Huntress was over. And she said more. She said that you would hate me because of it, that you wouldn't want to see me again. And I don't know if it was because of my... fragile emotional state, or just that she brought up these fears that I had been holding in, or something else but... but I believed her. So... I left. I thought that without me, you'd be able to let go. You'd be able to move on, get a new job, live a normal life. Yang would protect you and keep you safe; something that I obviously can't do."

"Speaking of Yang-" Ruby started to say.

"Hush, we'll deal with that later. Let me finish."

Ruby nodded, suitably chastised.

Weiss felt herself relax more and more as she talked. After 3 months of bottling everything up, she was finally able to let it all go. Earlier today, and now, she vented out every last bit of her repressed feelings and worries.

"I hoped that somewhere deep down, you still loved me. I never believed it would be true, however. But, once again, you've proven me wrong."

Ruby grinned at her, and Weiss chuckled. "You do that a lot, you know? Prove me wrong?"

"Oh? Like when?" Ruby asked sincerely.

"Well, remember when we first met? I thought you were a foolish, immature, naive little brat."

Ruby stuck out her tongue at Weiss, but then the older girl did something Ruby hadn't expected.

She leaned her head forward and bit down lightly, trapping Ruby's tongue with her teeth. Moving her own tongue, she lightly licked the tip of the other girls, and Ruby moaned a little.

Weiss let go, a smug grin on her face.

"Not fair..." Ruby grumbled.

"You didn't let me finish, you dolt. I thought you were foolish, immature, naive little brat, but I was wrong."

"Ooh you just admitted you were wrong! Brain, record!"

"What?"

"I make my brain keep a little recording when you admit you're wrong, cuz it happens, like, never."

Weiss stared at her, unamused. "So your brain is a video camera now?"

"It can be if I want it to be," Ruby shot back, a warm smile on her face. "Anywayyy, you were saying about me proving you wrong?"

"Ugh. Anyway, yes, you proved me wrong about my initial assumption of you. And then, when we wound up as partners, I figured that at best, I'd be able to tolerate you for four years. Proved me wrong there, I couldn't tolerate you. Well, not that I couldn't tolerate you, I just couldn't tolerate... simply being your partner. I... I wanted more."

Weiss sighed, it was still difficult for her to bare her heart, the most precious thing she had. She knew she could trust Ruby absolutely, but still, she was naturally hesitant about letting people get close to her. She knew that it would get easier with time. Ruby was infinitely patient with her, and had helped her down the path of intimacy slowly but surely. Yet another thing Weiss would forever be indebted to her partner for.

" I... f-fell in love with you instead. And on that same note, I thought that I was straight, that there was no way a Schnee could ever be gay. Proved me wrong there too. I even tried to push you away! I thought that if I shut you out and ignored you, you'd get fed up with me and start to resent me. But even then you... you never stopped being kind, and thoughtful, and you never stopped trying to get close to me. So once again, you proved me wrong. I thought that we would never be able to make this relationship last, I was the heiress of the largest supplier of Dust in the world, and you would always be just a Huntress. Forbidden love and all, you know. Proved me wrong. I never thought I would love someone below my status. Proved me wrong. And here, I never believed that you would find it in your heart to love me again. Once more, you proved me wrong."

"Uh, technically," Ruby interrupted, "I didn't really "find it in my heart" to love you again. See, to do that, I would have had have stopped loving you in the first place," Ruby finished with a smile.

Weiss was thrown off track for a moment, stunned by Ruby's blatant honesty. Dust, how she loved this girl.

"Well," Weiss figured, "I might as well try to put my feelings for her into words. I owe her this, at the very least."

"...Ruby, you never cease to amaze me. And I love you so much more than I can ever say. Meeting you was the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and I'm so sorry for being cold to you when we first met. Again, I love you, with all my heart. I love you for all the little things you do for me. I love for the way you never let me go, even when I myself am the one pushing you away. I love how you put me before yourself, even when I wish you wouldn't. I love everything about you, Ruby Rose, and I regret these last three months more than anything I've ever done. And I love it when you prove me wrong. So please, keep proving me wrong."

Weiss finished and took a deep breath, opening her eyes to see Ruby's reaction.

Ruby buried her head in Weiss' chest before she could see, and the white-haired girl could feel a wet sensation there. Ruby was... crying?

"...Ruby? Are you okay? I didn't upset you or anything, did I?"

Her partner looked up at her, droplets of water in the corners of her grey eyes.

"Nonono you didn't upset me Weiss, I just... no one has ever said anything like that about me before... my heart kind of feels like it's gonna explode, I mean it's weird and I wanna tell you about why and how much I love you, but if I tried to explain why I love you it would literally take days, and you'd probably rather just enjoy the silence, and that would be kind of awkward and oh gosh I'm rambling again, aren't I?"

Weiss nodded, a warm smile on her face.

"Hey Weiss?"

"Yes Ruby?" Weiss asked, as she used her thumbs to wipe away Ruby's tears.

"I know I've told you before, but I really like when you smile. It just makes you look even more beautiful, which shouldn't even be possible in the first place. I mean gosh, you're just so perfect and I can't figure out how you ever fell in love with someone like me, and why you-"

Weiss shut her up with a kiss, pressing her lips to Ruby's and tilting her head. As always, she savored just how warm and soft her partners lips were.

"Sort of like fresh-baked cookies and roses..." she thought with a chuckle.

She pulled back, letting both of them catch their breaths. Weiss realized her heart was beating fairly quickly; kissing Ruby had somehow never gotten old. And she assumed her girlfriend felt the same way; she could practically feel Ruby's heart trying to push its way out of her chest.

"I'm sorry about what happened though Ruby, even if you don't blame me. I know how badly you always wanted to be a Huntress. I just feel... I feel really badly, about taking your dream away from you."

"Hey Weiss, wanna know something?"

"Um... yes?"

"You're my new dream. I don't care what comes next, as long as I'm with you."

Weiss' cheeks flushed with warmth. Even though she knew Ruby had stolen that line from an old fairy tale, the words still rung true. She knew that Ruby meant what she had just said.

"I... you're my dream too, I suppose. You're the only reason I'm still alive, and the only thing that gets me up in the morning. And I'll never let us be separated again, do you understand?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way princess," Ruby replied. She nuzzled her face into the crook of Weiss' neck, breathing in the scent of fresh snow and poinsettias. "So Weiss, how did you find Crescent Rose?"

"I'm still really tired actually. Do you think we could just... go back to sleep? And finish this conversation tomorrow?"

"Sure!" Ruby agreed. "I mean, that blizzard is still going on, so it's not like we could go anywhere if we wanted to. And I mean, I definitely wanna stay here with you a little longer. It's been a while since we had some alone time, huh?"

"It definitely has," Weiss said with a content sigh. "Thank you Ruby, for everything. But!"

She winced, there was always a but when it came to Weiss.

"Don't think I'll forget about you telling me why you love me! I poured my heart out to you; it's only fair that you reciprocate."

"Eh-heh, sure thing. I don't think it'll be too hard, but like I said it'll probably take a while. You won't mind, right?"

Weiss shook her head, and snuggled back into Ruby as tightly as she could manage.

"It's funny," Weiss thought. "She's matured and grown so much, but deep down inside, she's still that same awkward girl, lost in the forest and asking me if I want to be her partner."

"And the answer is yes," Weiss whispered.

"What was that Weiss?"

"Nothing Ruby, just remembering some of our time back at Beacon. Let's go back to sleep, I'm sure you're tired as well."

"Yeah, I really am."

Weiss couldn't keep a smile off of her face at this point, so she didn't even bother trying. Being with Ruby again felt so right, and she knew then that she didn't really need a home. After all, home is where the heart is right? Well, her heart was with Ruby. Ruby was her home. Wherever the red-clad Huntress went, she would too.

Basking in warmth and love, Weiss felt herself drifting off to sleep.

"Hey Weiss?" Ruby asked, a trace of nervousness in her voice.

The girl in question sighed, dragging her back into wakefulness.

"Yes, Ruby?" she asked groggily.

"Sorry but... Weiss, did you... did you stay with me while I was in that coma? The whole time?"

"...I did."

"...Thanks. It really means a lot to me... even now, it feels weird. An entire month of my life, gone, you know? I can't remember anything, and it scares me a little. I'll never get that month back."

Weiss started to feel bad; she still felt like she had been the cause of Ruby's trauma. Before she could though, Ruby soothed her worries, like always.

"Bu,t knowing that you were there next to me the whole time just somehow makes it all okay. Even if I'll never get that month back, you were with me while I was sleeping. So really it was just a big nap! And any nap is great if I take it with you! So yeah, uh, thanks."

"Yes, a month-long nap where I worried over you constantly, you idiot."

"Oh come on Weiss, I'm here now, right? Just let me worry about everything and go back to sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up. I loooove you..."

"I love you too," Weiss muttered, already in the grip of sleep. She put her head against Ruby's chest and snuggled closer, letting the sound of Ruby's gently beating heart guide her drifting ship of a mind into safe waters, out of the storm of despair and uncertainty it had been lost in for so long.

Ruby wrapped her arm around Weiss protectively, and after taking one last glance around the room to make sure nothing was amiss, let herself drift off as well. Weiss was safe in her arms. Where she was meant to be.

Ruby sneezed, and the involuntary action jolted her awake. There was something tickling the inside of her nose, and she scrunched it up and sniffed to try and get it out.

"Ugh, great, some of Weiss' hair is in my nooose..."

Apparently she had shifted in her sleep, and put her face in a mess of Weiss' silky white hair. Aaand then subsequently sucked some into her nose with her breathing.

Moving as gingerly as possibly, she removed her hand from where it was wrapped around Weiss' shoulders, and pulled the strands of hair from out of her nose.

"Grooossss!"

Fortunately for her, there wasn't any snot on it. If that were the case, she knew Weiss would have literally killed her.

Good. Weiss hadn't woken up yet. Now if she could just slip out of the sleeping bag and-

"You'd better not be trying to get out of this sleeping bag Ruby..."

"Crap."

"Eh heh, I wouldn't dream of it! I was just... uuuh stoking the fire!"

"Ruby, it's been five years since we've met, and you are still the absolute worst liar on the face of this planet."

"Heh heh..." Ruby sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "Well I mean, it is light outside, and we should probably be heading back soon..."

Weiss considered her point, and realized Ruby had the right idea.

"...You're right. When we get back, the first thing I'm doing is getting in the tub. I haven't had a warm bath in three months..."

"Yeah, that does sound really nice. Maybe..." Ruby added with a sly wink, "you'd like some company?"

Weiss turned over, away from Ruby to try and hide the huge blush spreading across her face. It had been a while since she'd done anything... lewd with Ruby. And it was quite a tempting offer... Images of a naked Ruby half buried in soap suds, stretching an inviting finger towards her flashed through her mind.

A muffled "mmhmm," was her only reply.

"What was that Weissy? I didn't hear youuuu..."

Weiss whipped her head around to face Ruby, her cheeks flushed with warmth. "I-I said yes, okay! Now go make me breakfast or something... you dolt..."

"Ooh, we've only been together for a day and you're already demanding I cook you meals? I dunno Weiss, this relationship seems a little one-sided to me..."

Weiss looked at her in annoyance, her white hair strewn about in messy tangles.

"Ooh, she's so cute when she's angry and her hair is everywhere!" Ruby thought with glee.

"Well I suppose I could... give you a good morning kiss, in return of course." Weiss muttered.

"I think that would be acceptable payment," Ruby chuckled as she leaned closer to the other girl, expecting a short kiss.

But then Weiss darted forward and smashed their lips together, surprising Ruby by reaching out her arms and wrapping them around her waist, pulling her backwards so that the taller girl was laying top of her. It was a semi-uncomfortable arrangement; Ruby was heavy, but after so long without the younger girl's touch, she couldn't bring herself to mind. Only when she felt like her lungs were going to explode, did she finally break the kiss.

"Mmmph, Weiss..." Ruby said she struggled to catch her breath. "That was really really really cute, but I can tell when you're stalling We really should get going. I mean, unless you want to stay here forever or something."

Weiss sighed wistfully. "Actually, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea. But I keep thinking about that bath. And some real food too, not just these horrible berries I've had to survive on for the past three months. So yes, let's get up and head back."

Weiss gently pushed Ruby off of her and got up, tip-toeing over the cold floor and scooping up her clothes. She dressed herself quickly as Ruby did the same, trying to spend as little time exposed to the bitter air as possible. She finished, and popped the collar of her coat up, then glanced over at Ruby. Weiss had to admit, her partner looked a little strange with her left sleeve hanging empty.

The brunette walked over to Crescent Rose and ran her hand along it, a fond smile upon her face. She picked it up and slung it over her back, sighing at the feel of the familiar weight.

"Aww, I missed you too baby girl," Ruby murmured.

Weiss looked over at the pair, an annoyed expression of her face. That damn scythe was always taking Ruby's attention away from her. Weiss stood up and sheathed Myrenaster at her side, reaching for the hunting rifle as well.

"You can still fire Crescent Rose one-handed as long as it's in its compact form, right?" she asked.

"Yea-p!" Ruby replied, popping the p. "So you might as well take the rifle. You do know how to shoot a rifle, right?"

"Hmmph. As if the former heiress of the Schnee Dust company wasn't properly instructed in all forms of combat. You underestimate me Ruby."

"Nonono, I'm not underestimating you at all, just checking ya know? If we run into Grimm on the way back, I just want to make sure you'll be safe..."

It occurred to Weiss that Ruby hadn't meant what she said in a condescending manner, and it made her feel horrible. Here she was, rescued by the woman she loved, and she was already snapping at her. She walked over to Ruby and pulled her into a close embrace.

"Alright, I'm sorry for snapping at you Ruby. I just haven't had much conversation these past few months. And if anything, I should be worried about you. You're the one with... well, you know."

Ruby pulled away slightly and looked the other girl in the eyes. "Weiss, it's okay. I don't blame you even one teensy-tiny bit. Just say it, okay? It'll be easier this way."

Weiss nodded hesitantly. "Alright... you're the one... missing an arm."

Ruby beamed a bright smile at her. "See? There you go, wasn't hard at all! Now let's get going, it's probably going to take us at least a week to make it back to Vale."

"Ugh, don't remind me."

Ruby rolled up the sleeping bag and put it in her pack, while Weiss stomped out the remains of the fire.

"Ruby, what about that old guitar in the corner? Is that yours?"

Ruby looked surprised as she glanced over at the guitar, having forgotten about it.

"Huh? Oh, that old thing. I mean... I'd like to take it, I was playing it earlier and I don't want to just leave it here. I think it's probably lonely."

"Ruby, it's a guitar."

"Some things have feelings too Weiss! Crescent Rose, for instance. And I bet Myrenaster gets pretty sad when you're feeling down too."

"You really are still a child at heart," Weiss said with a sigh.

"Maybe, but you still love me!" Ruby countered, activating a medium-power puppy dog stare.

"Curse that look," Weiss thought with amusement.

"...That I do," the white-haired girl said. "Here, give me the guitar. I can strap it over my back."

"Ooh, thanks Weiss!"

The girl in question picked up the old guitar, and slung it over her shoulder.

"Anything for you," Weiss grumbled. "But you still owe me that bubble bath."

"Geeeez, how could I forget when you keep reminding me?"

Weiss looked around the empty room one last time and stepped out into the church proper. Already feeling the cold, she stuffed her hands into her coat pockets, and was surprised to find a bundle of cloth inside one.

"Ugh, how could I forget! Ruby's cloak!"

Weiss turned around just in time to catch Ruby stepping out of the vestry, and surprised her by holding out the folded red square to her.

"Is that... my cloak?" she asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't give it to you earlier Ruby. I... forgot I had it." Weiss gazed down at the floor, slightly embarrassed at having held on to the what was arguably the most important item in the world to Ruby. "Don't be mad, please?"

Ruby darted forward and embraced Weiss, pulling the cloak to her face over Weiss' shoulder and inhaling its scent, the one that was so familiar to her. The scent of her mother.

Dew-covered red roses in the spring.

She drew back to look the white-haired girl in the eyes. "Don't be silly Weiss. I could never be mad at you, you know that. Thanks for saving this, I honestly thought it was just sitting somewhere in the snow," Ruby finished with a smile. Seeing that warm grin, Weiss felt the air around her grow a little less cold.

Ruby fanned out the cloak, and whipped it around herself, swiftly clicking the clasp into place around her neck in one smooth motion. Rose petals fluttered down in its wake. Weiss stood there, mouth agape. She was mesmerized by the action, smooth and flawless as it was, even with only one arm.

Ruby just smiled at her and held out her hand, and Weiss slipped her own into it. Even though it was a simple gesture, it meant everything to her. A constant, solid reminder that Ruby was right next to her.

"Now come on," Ruby said. "Let's go home."

Home... a warm fire, hot chocolate, the scent of roses. Fluffy sheets, sincere smiles, holding eachother close.

"Yes," Weiss repeated. "Let's go home."

Ruby pulled Weiss out of the church, into the white, cold wasteland beyond.

3 Days Later

Two figures shuffled through the snow side by side, one draped in crimson and the other bedecked in ivory. Abruptly, they stopped.

"Ruby? What did you stop for?" Weiss asked, a look of confusion on her face.

"Oh, just this spot is perfect, is all."

"...Perfect for what?"

"Just look around Princess."

The moniker used to irritate her, but over the years it had become a term of endearment, at least when coming from Ruby. So Weiss tolerated it, but only from her.

The girl in white turned and looked around, examining their surroundings. They were in the middle of a nicely sized clearing, snow-covered pines on all sides. The snow at their feet was light and fluffy, but also solid in places. It seemed to clump together easily.

"Wait, clump together easily?" Weiss thought with alarm. "That means-!"

She whipped around, just in time to get hit in the face with a large ball of snow.

She stood stock still, one arm at her side with clenched first, while the other reached up slowly, and wiped the snow off of her face.

"Ruby Rose."

"Uuuh... t-that's me..." Ruby replied meekly, doing her best to hide behind one of the few trees in the clearing.

"You. Are a dead woman."

"Oh come on Weiss! I only have one arm! That's no fair! You wouldn't fight a girl with only one arm!"

"You should have thought of that," Weiss spat the word, "before you threw the snowball." She drew herself up to her full height, which wasn't much. All the same, she managed to strike quite an intimidating figure. "I shall have no mercy upon thy wretched soul! Prepare for death, wench!"

Ruby shrieked and hid behind the tree, as a snowball whizzed by the spot her face had occupied with near-supersonic speed. Weiss had anticipated the defensive move however, and had flung herself to the right, launching another snowball that struck Ruby squarely in the chest, knocking the wind out of her.

As she fell backwards in slow-motion, Ruby found herself wondering just how on earth Weiss managed to build and fling snowballs so quickly. She was like a machine. Ruby remembered Weiss' first snowball fight during their third year of Beacon, when she had finally convinced the older girl to let loose in the snow. The result had been unforeseen, the consequences: disastrous. Weiss became a snowball fighting monster, and Ruby had been betting on the assumption that Weiss would not fight her while she only had one arm. To her grim misfortune, she had been wrong. Dead wrong.

Ruby recovered quickly, rolling backwards and flipping up onto her feet, just in time to dodge another barrage of buzzing snowballs. She ducked left, running for cover while scooping up a handful of snow with her only hand. Packing it with her fingers as best she was able, she spun and drew her arm back to aim at Weiss, and time seemed to stop. In horrifyingly slow motion, she saw Weiss' hardened gaze lock onto the snowball Ruby was holding, and release the snowball of her own that she had already prepared. Ruby looked on in sheer terror, helpless to do anything but watch as Weiss' snowball flew forwards, knocking Ruby's out of her hand before she even had a chance to throw it.

Ruby looked back at Weiss, only to see her vision filled with a growing mass of white. A snowball, heading directly for her face. Ruby knew the hit would be devastating.

That is, if she allowed it to hit her in the first place...

Still in slow motion, she activated her semblance, and disappeared in a flurry of rose petals. Weiss' head-smashing snowball flew through empty air, snapping a tree branch with its sheer force. Ruby knew her aura would protect from the worst of such a blow, but still, wasn't that overkill? Well then, time to end the fight before things could grow out of hand. Ruby appeared and disappeared in half a dozen places all around Weiss, to try and throw off her situational awareness. The older girl whirled around, trying to track Ruby as she moved. Ruby saw her opportunity, and she phased in behind Weiss, wrapping her arm around both of Weiss' and trapping them behind her back. She might only have one arm, but it was strong enough for both of the older girl's.

Alas, she had miscalculated.

"Alright Ruby, you want to use semblances? Two can play at that game..."

Ruby heard a distinct crackling noise, one she had heard hundreds of times while fighting at Weiss' side. She knew what it entailed. Weiss had pulled her arms hard into her back, trapping Ruby's arm against them. The younger girl twisted to escape, but she wasn't nearly fast enough. Weiss let go and spun around, gazing upon her work.

Ruby stood frozen from the waist down, and her only arm was also trapped in a pillar of ice that connected to the ground.

Weiss stood up straight, brushing herself off and straightening her posture.

"Even after everything, she's still a Schnee at heart..." Ruby thought with fondness.

"Hmmph. You should know better than to challenge a Schnee on their own turf Ruby. We own the north, remember? The snow is my natural habitat, my Arx Castellanus, if you will." As she spoke, the snow fell gently down around Weiss, lightly coating her figure and lending her an air of regality. She could have been a Queen, in another age.

"Queen Schnee, huh?" Ruby thought.

"Ruby! Are you even listening to me!"

"Huu-oh yeah! I was totally listening to everything you were saying! You were talking about your... axe castle..."

"Seriously? You are absolutely insufferable. Well, you leave me only one course of action. It's time for your punishment."

Ruby suddenly realized how vulnerable she was, unable to mover her arms or legs while encased in a block of ice. She struggled, but the ice was rock-solid and didn't budge a centimeter.

Weiss slowly walked closer to her, an expression of disdain upon her face. In her right hand, she held a tightly-packed snowball, and it had Ruby's name all over it.

The younger girl cringed and shrank back as much as she was able, but it wasn't enough. Weiss stood directly in front of her and stared into Ruby's eyes, her own ablaze with a burning white flame. She raised her arm to throw.

And then Weiss did something completely unexpected. She dropped the snowball, reached out her hands and cupped Ruby's cheeks, and pulled her into a passionate kiss as the snow fell around them.

It was the last possibility in Ruby's mind, but she would certainly not complain about her "punishment." The only bad part was that she wasn't able to move her body and embrace Weiss; the older girl completely dominated her. The white-haired girl forced her tongue into Ruby's mouth, twisting and exploring as if for the first time. Ruby complied, whimpering helplessly as she succumbed to Weiss' demands.

After almost a full minute, Weiss broke away, her cheeks flush with warmth. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked down at the ground in embarrassment, but flicked her fingers, dissolving the ice keeping Ruby captive.

The younger girl caught herself before she fell, and after brushing herself off, walked towards Weiss with a questioning look on her face.

"Hey Weiss?"

A simple nod was her only reply.

"Not that I didn't like that or anything, but... why?"

Weiss finally found the courage to look back at Ruby, but her face was still a bright red.

"I guess... I mean I haven't been able to kiss you for three months, and now I just can't help myself. I just get these cravings for your... warmth, I guess."

Ruby gently took Weiss' hands in her own, gazing down into the white-haired girls eyes.

"Weiss, listen, if you want me, you just have to ask. You don't have to capture me, or anything crazy like that. If you ever need me, I'm right here. I'll always be right here."

"T-thanks Ruby..." Weiss muttered, squeezing the brunette's hand tighter with her own.

"Ooooh, she's so darn cute when she gets all flustered!" Ruby thought. "My little Weissy..."

Ruby pulled the older girl into a tight embrace, wrapping her red cape around the both of them. The air between them quickly grew warm, but in an extremely pleasant way. Weiss lifted her head slightly and rested it on Ruby's shoulder, wrapping her arms around the brunette's waist. Ruby rested her own head on top of Weiss'.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, in the falling snow. Warm and content, simply enjoying the feeling of loving someone, and knowing they loved you in return.

Eventually, they both pulled apart simultaneously, both seemingly ready to go on.

"Ready to go?" asked Ruby.

"Mmhmm," Weiss replied with a nod.

"Alright. But uh, no more snowball fights, alright?"

"You say that like it's my fault, you dunce. You started that one."

"I love you Weiss."

"R-Really? Now, of all times? You are such a dork..."

But after a few seconds of walking, Ruby heard Weiss whisper back.

"But I love you too..."

2 Days Later

Bright embers lazily floated into the sky, disappearing into the cold air. Ruby and Weiss found themselves on the side of a vast mountain as the sun had started to fall, and they had decided to take refuge in a stand of clustered pine trees. Night in the Tural mountains dropped the temperature to well below freezing, and neither wanted to risk groping around in the dark. The ground leveled out for roughly a dozen feet, providing them their own miniature clifftop, with an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. Conveniently, it also provided them with a flat open spot to make a fire.

"It's beautiful," murmured Weiss. The sun was shining its last rays onto the vast mountain range before them, seemingly setting the trees ablaze in a coat of burning orange. The sky was a deep purple, mixed with dark blues and reds. Magnificent desolation.

Sighing contentedly, she leaned back into Ruby's chest, feeling the younger girls warmth envelop her. She was sitting in Ruby's lap, legs pulled to her chest, her partners single arm wrapped around her them in a protective embrace. Ruby herself was leaning back against a tree, and had her own legs spread around Weiss'. Ruby's warm red cloak covered the both of them, Weiss' ivory hair splayed out upon it like rivers of silver in a desert of crimson.

"Yeah, Ruby agreed, resting her chin on Weiss' shoulder. "It really is. You don't get to see stuff like this often, ya know? And the coolest part is, we're probably the only ones looking at this right now. Just you and me."

Weiss smiled in response, bringing Ruby's remaining hand to her lips and kissing it gently. She slipped one of her free hands into her partners and began to rub small circles into it with her thumb. The simple motion, and the certainty that Ruby was with her, helped to ease some of her worries. Worries that she didn't want to bother Ruby with.

"Things will work out on their own," she told herself.

But as the silence stretched on, Ruby quickly noticed Weiss' uneasiness. Even from their early years at Beacon, Ruby had always been able to pick up on the former heiress' moods.

"What's bothering you?"

Weiss sighed; she should have known her worries wouldn't just slip past Ruby. And she knew that her partner would not relent until she had her answer.

"It's just... the issue of your sister, I suppose. I worry how she's going to handle seeing us... together."

Ruby's expression turned serious. "You know what? I honestly don't give a crap what she thinks about us. What she did was wrong, and there's no excuse for it. She may be my sister, but that doesn't just give her a free pass to be a complete asshole to you."

"R-Ruby... you just cussed..."

"Huh? Oh... I guess I did, uh sorry?"

"No it's just... I don't think I've ever heard you use foul language before. You feel that strongly about Yang?"

Ruby grimaced. "Let's just say it's not gonna be all sunshine and butterflies the next time I see her. Oh I'll forgive her, one day, but it's gonna take a while."

Weiss looked down in uncertainty, biting her lower lip. "Ruby, I just don't want you to become enemies with your sister solely because of me."

"Sheesh Weiss, relax! She's not gonna become my nemesis or anything. But I think I'll create some space between us. Give us some time to think and all. She's still my sister, and I'd never completely stop talking to her. But before any of that happens, she's gonna apologize to you."

"Ruby, it's not-"

"Yes it is. It might not be that big of a deal to you, but it is to me. She's not gonna get away with treating you like that. No big sister of mine is gonna be a jerk to Weiss Schnee."

"...Alright. If that's what you want to do, I'll be right there with you. She's going to have to drag my dead body off of you if she wants to separate us this time."

"Yeesh Weiss, a little morbid, dont'cha think?" Ruby tilted her head and softly kissed Weiss' forehead, then her cheek, then her lips. "We'll be home in about three days. Everything is gonna be fine Princess."

Weiss sighed, losing herself in Ruby's tender affections, as the sun dipped down below the horizon.

3 Days Later

Rain fell in torrents, misting the sidewalk and road, running in rivers down the side of it to fall into gaping drainage ditches. Street lamps fizzled and glowed, struggling to bring some semblance of light to the empty streets. The sun had fallen long ago, and it had been raining for the past few hours.

Only two figures walked down the road at this time of night, a girl in a red cloak and another in a white one, both thoroughly drenched and shivering from the cold.

"S-so Weiss," Ruby asked as her teeth chattered. "Y-you ready to get h-home f-finally?"

"R-Ruby, I don't think I-I've ever b-been more r-ready to get h-home in my l-life."

They hurried down the sidewalk as quickly as they could, hugging themselves and trying to keep their hair out of their eyes. Another strand of drenched white hair, gray with moisture, flopped down onto Weiss' forehead. She growled in irritation as it created a miniature stream of water down her face. She reached up and angrily brushed it away.

Luckily, they only had about a block left to go before they reached their small two-story home, the one they had bought together upon graduating Beacon. Weiss could still picture it in her mind, the deep red walls and cozy porch, the pointed brown roof, the backyard with Ruby's rose garden. The surprisingly spacious kitchen; an absolute necessity. The cozy living room, their favorite brown leather couch cushy and inviting, facing the stone fireplace. The small stairwell that led to the second floor, the office where they kept their paperwork and figured out their finances, and finally their bedroom.

Weiss smiled, remembering it as if she had just seen it yesterday. The walls were painted a deep green, like the heart of a forest. The carpet was a warm brown, and the ceiling was painted the dark blue of a night sky. The woodland theme was no accident. The bedsheets were a pure white, as were the blankets. Weiss had chosen those. The pillows, however, were light crimson, the color of roses in the summer. Those of course, has been Ruby's choice. It somehow fit perfectly though, the colors reminiscent of a frosted garden of white and red roses.

At that moment in time, Weiss wanted nothing more than to snuggle up with Ruby in those warm sheets.

And there it was, at last. As their house came in to view, she had to suppress the urge to sprint towards it. Glancing at Ruby, she could tell the younger girl felt the same way.

Alas, fate had other plans.

A figure in a dark hoodie and jeans was stumbling around in front of their house, holding a bottle, clearly quite intoxicated.

Ruby halted and reached her arm out, holding Weiss back as well.

"Hold on Weiss... let's see what this guy does..."

The man stumbled around aimlessly, but for some reason stayed in their front yard. Bracing himself against the front column of their porch, he lifted the bottle to his lips, and cried out in rage when nothing came out.

Something occurred to Ruby, and she froze.

"Weiss... was it just me... or was that a Yang yell..."

"I... dust Ruby, I think you're right..."

As if to confirm their suspicions, the figure reached their arm back, and chucked the bottle down the street, where it smashed into fragments with a loud crash. In the act of the throwing however, their hood fell off.

Revealing a mane of drenched, yet somehow still brilliant golden hair.

"RUUBBYYY!" Yang screeched at the uncaring sky. "Whyyy the fuck didja leave!? *hic* Why wont'cha come back, huuuh?" She stumbled backwards, barely catching herself on a lamp post before she could pitch headfirst into the street.

"Weiss, wait here," Ruby said, using the most serious tone of voice Weiss could ever remember her using.

The older girl looked at her in surprise, but she saw how grim and determined Ruby looked. She had that little crease in her forehead, the one she wore when she was absolutely serious about something. Weiss didn't even bother trying to stop her, once Ruby got an idea firmly entrenched in her head, there was no convincing her otherwise.

Ruby took a deep breath, and then began walking purposefully towards Yang. Before she got two feet though, Weiss shot her arm out and caught the edge of Ruby's empty sleeve.

Ruby turned to see Weiss with her head hung low, rain dripping from her hair.

"Just... just be gentle, please? I know she loves you, almost as much as I do. So don't hurt her Ruby. No one deserves to feel the pain that I have these past few months..."

A plea of mercy from Weiss was the last thing that Ruby had expected, but the older girls words rang true.

"...I won't Weiss. Don't worry, but just let me do this."

Ruby walked away, Weiss' arm hanging in the air where she had let go of Ruby's sleeve. Slowly, she let it drop back to her side.

Ruby strode towards Yang, the blonde noticing her at the last second and bringing up her fists as best she was able. Which wasn't all that intimidating, given how sloppy and hesitant her movements were.

"Huuh? Who the hell'r yyyou?"

Ruby marched straight up to her, and slapped her in the face, hard. Yang was completely unprepared, and she fell backwards onto the rain-soaked grass.

"Get up."

Yang struggled to stand, spitting curses as she got to her feet. "You're fucking dead, you *hic* fucking piece of goddamn shit, I'm gonna fucking *hic* rip off your..."

She froze, face to face with Ruby. The brunette's expression was cold, narrowed eyes and a mean scowl.

"Are you kidding me Yang? First you drive Weiss out, then you show up at my house in the dead of night, drunk off your ass? Do you have anything to say for yourself?!"

Yang reached out her hand slowly, as if to touch Ruby to assure herself that she was real.

"R-Ruby? Is that y-you?"

"Yes Yang, it's really me. I brought back Weiss too," she said as she gestured to the white-haired girl. "No thanks to you. Now If you think everything's gonna be just fine and dandy, after what you did to Weiss, after all the pain you put her through, you're wrong. You'd better start explaining yourself, now."

Ruby expected Yang to object, or shout at her, or try to fight her, or do anything a drunken Yang would do. Instead though, she simply sank to her knees, as if she had lost the will to stand. She feebly clutched at the edge of Ruby's cloak, and tears began to pour down her face, mixing with the rain and her soaked golden hair.

"R-Ruby, I'm s-sorry, I'm s-so sorry, I'm sorry, I-I'm sorry," the words continued to tumble out, over and over. Ruby was shocked, and she stared at Yang in disbelief. She was... apologizing?

Ruby hesitantly reached down, resting her hand on Yang's shoulder, as the blonde knelt in the grass. She had had an entire speech prepared, arguments and counter-arguments ready to go, but Yang's actions had rendered her mute.

Just then, a yellow motorcycle screeched around the distant corner of the street, speeding towards them and skidding to a halt. The driver wore a black leather jacket, and they let the bike fall to the ground as they sprinted towards Ruby and Yang. They tossed the helmet aside, revealing wavy black hair, already wet.

"Blake!" Ruby gasped.

The faunus ran up to them, dropping to her knees besides Yang and pulling her into a protective embrace. She held it for a few seconds, then looked up at Ruby and smiled gently.

"Hi Ruby. I missed you."

"I missed you too. Is... is she gonna be okay?"

Blake looked down at her charge, who was sobbing into the faunus' chest, repeating the words "I'm sorry" over and over.

"I think she will... but not right now. You know she came by your house every night for the past month, checking to see if you were home? She was so worried about you. Honestly, I think she believed you were dead. Normally I just let her go on her own, but she started to get worse and worse. I told her she should stop going, and she freaked out on me and ran off. I'm just glad I thought to come here."

"I... I had no idea. Now I feel horrible... Damn it Yang," Ruby said with a clenched fist. Why did you have to do this!? You hurt everyone, you realize! You hurt Weiss, me, yourself, even Blake! I can't imagine how she must have felt with you worrying so much about me! I can take care of myself you know!"

Yang sniffed, wiping her tears away with her hand, and then spoke in a small, timid voice.

"But you're still, my little s-sister..."

Ruby couldn't find the words she needed. She wanted to be angry, to yell, to let out her frustration, but she couldn't. Yang sounded so broken, she couldn't just stand there and watch. So she simply knelt down besides Blake and wrapped her remaining arm around Yang. She squeezed lightly, letting her sister know with the brief contact that she still cared about her. Even so, she made it short. She pulled back and stood up.

"And you're still my older sister Yang. I'm not gonna cut you off. But you need to give me and Weiss some space. She probably won't be comfortable around you for a long time. You're gonna need to give us some time to fix this, to forgive you. So please, just go. Blake, can you get her home?"

The raven-haired girl nodded, lifting Yang up and placing the blonde's arm over her shoulder. Yang didn't try to resist.

"Cmon Yang, let's go home. You can talk to Ruby later."

Blake walked Yang over towards Bumblebee, which was still lying on the ground where she had left it. Yang stumbled along beside her, trusting Blake to take her home. She had had enough for one night.

Before she was out of earshot, Blake turned her head back towards Ruby and smiled, talking in her usual flat tone of voice.

"Thanks for not doing anything drastic Ruby. It's good to know you're alive though. Have a good night."

"Goodnight Blake. Take care of her, okay?"

"Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Worry about your girlfriend over there. Seeya." Blake picked up the motorcycle and revved it up, placing Yang on the seat behind her, making sure the blonde kept a tight grip on her waist.

Ruby watched them go, the bike leaving a mist behind them as Bumblebee sped off into the night. Weiss stepped up next to her, slipping her pale hand into the only one Ruby had left. The younger girl closed her eyes and sighed, long and slow.

"That was... harder than I thought it would be. I didn't actually expect her to be sorry for what she had done."

"I told you Ruby, she missed you. Like I said before, no one should have to go through the pain of being without someone they love. I know you've had... experience with that as well. Promise me you'll talk to her soon?"

"Yeesh Weiss, it's crazy hearing this come from you. You're the last one I'd expect to be nice to her." Ruby hung her head, thinking. "But you're right. I'll talk to her in a few days. And that'll give us some alone time too."

"Yeah. It will. Come on, let's go inside."

Ruby looked up, watching the rain fall down from the uncaring heavens. "Okay."

Ruby hummed excitedly, as she laid down on the brown leather couch and dragged Weiss with her. They shifted for a few seconds, getting comfortable. They had both showered and changed into warm, dry clothes. There was a fire in the fireplace, and it was the only source of light in the dark house. It crackled and popped, the sound somehow soothing.

Ruby pulled Weiss closer to her, her chest pressed to the older girl's back. Weiss leaned backwards, resting her head in the crook of Ruby's neck, a content smile on her face.

"Hey Weiss. Guess what."

"Hmm?"

"We're home."

Home.

They truly were, Weiss realized. She felt a warm glow inside her, and her heart felt so full she didn't know if it was going to burst or not. She had dreamed of this moment, deep in the night, cold and alone in the mountains. And even though she had woken up every morning missing Ruby more than she thought it was possible for one person to long for another, she had never dared to allow herself to hope for those dreams to come true.

And yet, here they were. Snuggled together by a warm fireplace, safe and sound in their home.

Home.

And yet, Weiss realized, the house wasn't what made her feel these indescribable feelings she was experiencing. As nice as it was, something else was filling her with warmth and love.

Ruby.

That courageous, stubborn, sincere woman. The woman who Weiss loved, the woman who Weiss was proud to call her partner. The woman who rescued her from herself. They had grown so much since their days at Beacon. Weiss remembered the first full sentence she had spoken to the girl.

"What are you doing?!"

"Uh... sorry?"

"Sorry!? Do you have any idea the damage you could have caused? What are you, brain-dead?"

Yet here she was with that same clumsy little girl, holding her close with every fragment of her being. How things had changed. And how yet, how they had remained the same. Ruby was just as caring as ever, just as patient and kind with Weiss as she had been at Beacon. If anyone had changed, Weiss reflected, it was her. Ruby had shown her how to live, how to open up, how to have fun, how to love. She was incredibly grateful for Ruby, for the extraordinary girl who had stumbled her way into her life and changed it forever.

Before, she had been the heiress of one of the most powerful companies in the world. She had had power, wealth, fame, anything she wanted at the snap of a finger. Now, she only had a small house, and Ruby. And she wouldn't trade it for the world.

"Whatcha thinking about Weiss?"

"You," Weiss replied with a smile.

Ruby tilted the older girl's head, kissing her slowly. After being alone for so long, Weiss finally felt whole again. In Ruby's strong, protective embrace, she felt safe. Safe, warm, and loved. Her shattered heart was rebuilding itself; Ruby was picking up the fragments and stitching them together piece by piece.

Ruby.

Home.

They were one and the same now.

"By the way, don't think I've forgotten about you telling me why you love me, and I definitely haven't forgotten about that hot bath."

"Eh heh, right... do you mind if we do all that when we wake up? I'm kinda comfortable..."

Weiss flicked Ruby's forehead lightly, earning an exaggerated gasp of pain from the younger girl. She started to say something, but before she could, Weiss leaned up and kissed her passionately.

"Dolt."

And so ends my first ever complete story. Also, this marks the first time I've written the entirety of Team RWBY together. I've had a great time writing this, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did. And don't worry, I'm not anywhere near done writing Whiterose. It occurred to me that I should flesh out this little AU that I've come up with, and so I'll be writing a story about how Weiss and Ruby fall in love during their third year at Beacon. After that, I'll be writing a big adventure about how Team RWBY tracks down and kills the Grimm Lord. Of course I'll writing more of The White Nebula too.

If you liked it, didn't like it, or just want to say something, please leave a review. Reading them is my favorite part of this whole writing thing.

Moekumo from tumblr did the cover art for me, and it's absolutely amazing. And yes, that is Ruby and Weiss cuddling in a sleeping bag.

-Talos