"It's been like two hours, Weiss! Can't we take a break yet?" Ruby complained out loud. It wasn't a very uncommon thing for Ruby to do. Weiss knew studying wasn't exactly Ruby's strongest trait but she was worried the hyperactive girl would fall behind too much to recover. It wasn't like Ruby couldn't understand the work but she didn't exactly have a habit of paying attention in class.

"You're still two whole pages behind me, Ruby," Weiss explained. "We can't get distracted if you want to have tomorrow's work ready to turn in."

Ruby let out a sound of frustration and threw herself backwards to lay on top of Weiss' collection of soft pillows. Some papers slid off their perch as the bed shifted under Ruby's weight. Weiss wanted to be annoyed but she was used to how Ruby behaved during their study sessions. Plus, Ruby made the house Weiss lived in not seem as empty or lonely when she was here. Weiss' parents were never home and the only people that did show up were only there to clean what little mess would accumulate. Not that Weiss made much of a mess. If anything, Ruby would be the cause of things like crumbs in the kitchen or blankets being left around completely unfolded. Weiss didn't mind though. Right now, she was just worried about getting the girl to do her work.

"Ruby. Come on. It's only a little bit more before you're done." Weiss said in hopes of convincing Ruby.

Ruby groaned at the idea. "My brain is so tired though! They just keep giving us more and more work."

Weiss almost agreed with Ruby. "I know, Ruby. Your grade has dropped to a 'C' though which means you really need to finish this before you start failing."

"I know, I know!" Ruby said before rolling over and burying her face in Weiss' pillows.

"Ruby…" Weiss said softly, trying to coax the girl out of hiding.

Ruby turned her head to the side to look at Weiss. "Please, Weiss. Let's just take a break for a little while. Please?" Ruby pleaded.

"We've already wasted enough time, Ruby. It's just a little mo…" Weiss stopped her argument when she felt Ruby's hand grab her own. It was like a small spark to Weiss. She didn't know why Ruby did it but it was a new connection for Weiss. One look at Ruby while this went on was a bad idea. Her face looked like she was pleading with Weiss and she couldn't resist. "Fine. We can take a bit of a break, okay?"

Ruby's face changed to a wide smile before giving Weiss' hand a squeeze. "Yes! Thanks Weiss!"

Weiss resisted a smile herself and let herself fall back into her own pillows. She felt Ruby try to pull her hand away from Weiss' but she held onto it firmly. It was a new connection that Weiss didn't want to lose just yet.

"Weiss?" Ruby said from Weiss' side. She turned her head to look at Ruby and saw a confused look.

Weiss went back to looking at the ceiling. "I just want us to stay like this for a bit. Is that okay?"

There was some shifting on the bed and Weiss felt Ruby get closer to her. Ruby shifted her hand so her's and Weiss' fit together better. She was really warm, Weiss found out. One last time, Weiss turned her head to figure out what Ruby was doing. What she saw was a very nervous looking face that seemed almost embarrassed of what she did. Like a child being found raiding the cabinets for sweets.

"Is this okay, Weiss?" Ruby asked, quickly and quietly.

Weiss took a moment to think. A moment to enjoy the warmth. "It's okay, Ruby."

A small smile showed up on Ruby's face before the girl looked away. "I like this…" She said before shifting some more and putting her head on Weiss' shoulder. Weiss turned her head back to the ceiling. She liked it too but she didn't want to admit it. For now, she was just comfortable with what was happening at this moment in time. She didn't fully understand it, but does that matter? That answer wasn't important to her.

This arrangement continued on for a few weeks. Them studying always ended up with them together in some shape or form. Whether it be on the bed like the first time or bundled together on the couch enjoying a movie that Ruby wanted to watch. Their hands would tangle together and Ruby would let herself rest against Weiss. Nothing more ever happened. Weiss honestly didn't know what to think of it at all.

She would find that she would be looking forward to their alone time. Even excited sometimes. Ruby would be excited too. To the point where even at school she would find moments where she could secretly hold Weiss' hand or a hug that would last just slightly too long in a hidden corner. One like where they were now.

Ruby had her arms wrapped around Weiss and head buried into her neck. The younger girl's weight had pushed Weiss against the wall that was around the corner from the library. No one walked by here during this time. Either they would be in class or at the cafeteria eating lunch. Weiss kind of wanted to go eat something herself but the way Ruby held onto her made it seem like this was more important.

"Is something wrong?" Weiss asked while Ruby continued to squeeze her.

There was a shake of Ruby's head. "I'm fine, Weiss. I just wanted something to relax me since school is busy and stressful."

Weiss believed her. She had noticed Ruby's grades going up lately and Ruby tended to work a lot harder during their study sessions together. Weiss recalled yesterday when Ruby came running up excited about passing her statistics test despite all of her complaining the night before. It was even an "A" which pushed her overall grade back up. Weiss was legitimately proud of this currently clingy person. Maybe she would let Ruby hold on for just a little bit longer.

For Ruby's sake obviously…

Nothing broke the silence of Weiss' empty house more than the sound of her phone ringing in the middle of the night. It was the night before the weekend so Weiss was looking forward to being able to sleep in. She had no idea who would even be calling her so late. Her parents would know better than to call during the night and the only person who does call her is Ruby who, Weiss assumed, would be wanting to sleep in just as much if not more.

Yet, her name was there, bright as can be on the screen. Ruby was calling Weiss just after midnight. She wanted to guess what this was about but Weiss didn't like the idea of making Ruby wait.

"Yes, Ruby?" Weiss answered.

"Hey Weiss…" Ruby said. It didn't sound as cheerful as Weiss expected.

"Is everything okay?" Weiss asked, almost too quickly.

Ruby huffed on the other end of the line. "I couldn't sleep."

"Something wrong?" Weiss asked yet again, hoping for an explanation.

"I'm lonely… " Ruby explained. "Dad and Yang went out of town to see Yang's mom and I'm stuck here."

Weiss felt a pang in her chest. "I can stay up and talk with you," Weiss offered.

"Actually.." Ruby started. "I was going to ask if I could stay with you tonight…"

That actually made Weiss stop and think for a moment. Ruby had never stayed too late when she came over for studying. She would always excuse herself before it got dark and walk home. Weiss always worried about Ruby when she did that. But now, she was worried about Ruby regardless. It wasn't normal for her to be so down. "Okay, Ruby. You can stay the night."

"Thanks, Weiss. I'll be over in a little bit," was all Ruby said before quickly hanging up the phone.

Fifteen Minutes. Fifteen minutes was all it took for Ruby to reach Weiss' home. Their houses were close enough that it would only take Ruby normally thirty minutes to walk between them. Ruby didn't walk this time apparently. The doorbell surprised Weiss from her worry filled head. She wasn't expecting Ruby to show up so soon. Opening the door for her showed Weiss that maybe Ruby should have been here sooner.

Ruby's breathing was heavy and slightly ragged. Her hair disheveled and she still wore her sleep wear. The worst part, in Weiss' opinion, was Ruby's eyes. They were extremely red and worn. She had been crying. Ruby had been crying. Something had made this extremely happy girl fall into tears. As Ruby quietly walked in the house, a feeling overwhelmed Weiss. A mix of anger and sadness. Before she could even argue with her own brain Weiss had grabbed Ruby and pulled her into the most comforting embrace she could manage.

"What happened, Ruby?" Weiss asked.

Ruby immediately latched onto Weiss. "I just keep thinking about Yang and her mom…"

Weiss started a small circle on a Ruby's back. "Talk to me, Ruby."

"She always gets excited.." Ruby began. "Yang will talk about it for a few days. About seeing her. Then she comes back mad or angry with her… She'll complain about something that happened between them. I listen every time… but it hurts to listen to." Weiss could feel the tell tale shaking of sobs starting within Ruby.

"Let it out…" Weiss said.

"She… she at least gets the chance… to see her mom…" There was a feeling of wetness on Weiss at this point. "I don't get that… I can't… I can't ever…"

Weiss finally figured out where this was coming from. Ruby had mentioned her mother before but only briefly. "Shhhh… You don't have to keep going, Ruby."

Ruby continued anyway through her sobs. "I just… why didn't I…why…" The girl's crying finally taken over to the point where she couldn't keep talking. Weiss led her over to the living room couch. At this point Ruby wouldn't let Weiss go. Weiss didn't want to let her go but it made sitting down difficult. Eventually Weiss managed to lay down as Ruby fell down into her.

They stayed like that for a long time. With each tear that fell and each sob that shook through Ruby into Weiss, Weiss realised that the times they shared together was not just to make themselves feel good. Weiss wanted nothing more than to do everything she could to not let this moment happen again.

"It'll be okay, Ruby. I can't fix everything but… if you want… I can do my best to help you through this and anything else… even in the future." Weiss said, struggling to put what she felt into words.

Ruby's crying quieted down enough to let her push out two words. "Thanks, Weiss…"

Her crying continued on for most of the night until she fell asleep. Weiss on the other hand stayed awake through the night. She made sure Ruby stayed asleep and safe, never letting go. This was a connection that she didn't want to let go of.