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Weiss fidgeted nervously in her booth. She just hadn’t expected things to play out this way. The girl she’d been harboring a small, who was she kidding, it was massive, crush on had asked her here for help on their homework. Te quiero. Weiss shivered hearing those words come out of Ruby’s lips. Who knew the girl had been just as into, if not more into Weiss than she was into the transfer student? Still she would absolutely make sure to use this opportunity to show Ruby exactly why her choice was correct. She barely refrained from fidgeting again, and instead pulled out her phone to check the time, and see there was still a few minutes before they were set to meet. No cause for concern yet. Her casual observations had hinted that while Ruby wasn’t the type to be late she also wasn’t the type to be early, rather she arrived just before the time she needed to. Normally Weiss wasn’t a fan of that, preferring to get things done, and be early to whatever needed doing, but Ruby really made it work. She’d hadn’t thought it would be an issue, but she had told Coco where she was going just to be safe. Well she’d told Velvet because she was the only person who could keep Coco in line, and Velvet would put in more than a token effort if she went missing. Not that she expected it to. Not from Ruby at any rate, but what if they were both kidnapped, or robbed just like point forty seven on her list? She took a deep breath, and slowly signaled for a set of menus from the wait staff. Her books, the pretense Ruby had used to arrange the meeting were set to the side, stacked neat as could be. Ruby actually need help in class? The most obvious lie Weiss had ever heard. Not when she’d whispered so sweetly right afterward. So bold! If only she’d leaned in for a kiss right then Weiss would have obliged, proper courtship be damned! The bell tinkling had Weiss look over, perhaps faster than proper, and her face fell. “Coco,” Weiss muttered as the glasses wearing fashionista found her, and smirked with a tip of her beret her way. Thankfully, she’d brought Velvet, but Weiss knew this was only going to cause her grief. “Good luck, Weiss,” Velvet said with a bright smile before she glared at Coco who instantly, and meekly obeyed the order, and sat down nearby, but not too close to Weiss’s booth. A minute later, and the bell sounded again, and this time…there she was. Ruby might only have been wearing a t-shirt, and jeans, but she made it work, and despite putting some effort into her skirt choice for the outing she felt underdressed when compared next to Ruby who shrugged off a backpack as she came to the table. “Howdy Weiss!” Ruby greeted brightly before she impishly asked. “Is this seat taken?” After a failed attempt to speak she merely shook her head, and Ruby briefly blinded her with another dazzling smile as she sat down. “I thought we could get something to eat. Maybe talk a bit before we got to work,” Weiss offered flicking her fingers at the books to the side before she quickly pressed a finger into the top one to get it back in line with the others. “Oh sure!” Ruby said with a grin. “You’re so smart. That’s why I asked for your help!” Weiss preened at the praise, and only just managed to keep from crowing out loud at the compliment. “Thank you. You’re not too shabby yourself from what I hear.” Ruby only laughed as she took the menu Weiss handed over, and began looking at it. “Only at building stuff. When I’m not really interested in the class I just do enough to get by.” “Shouldn’t you care more about your studies?” Weiss asked, wondering how someone could just not care about their grades. “I mean, I do,” Ruby protested setting the menu down for the moment to look at Weiss. “I just don’t see why I have to take art history for an engineering degree. It bores me, and it doesn’t really seem like it will help, but I have to take those credit hours. I just do enough to pass that class, and ignore the rest. The syllabus already told me what I have to do, so I did my essay early, and turn up for the tests. Just enough for the C.” “I understand, but still…” “Besides,” Ruby interrupted with a grin. “You know what they call the doctor who graduated last in his class right?” “No?” Weiss answered not sure where she was going with this, or why the topic change. “A Doctor!” Ruby said brightly as Weiss let out a puff of air at that. “I suppose they do at that, and as long as you’re not slacking on your other studies,” Weiss warned as Ruby winked at her. It was a simple action, but one that sent her heart into flip-flops as she used her menu to try, and cool off her face while Ruby was distracted looking at her own. She very much ignored Coco’s suppressed giggles, but did smirk hearing Velvet kick her in the shin, and whisper ‘be nice’ . Velvet was getting an excellent solstice gift this year. “Hm. I guess they don’t have them,” Ruby said with a frown. “Have what?” “Oh, nothing. I’ve never really been here before. What would you suggest for lunch?” Ruby asked politely. Feeling emboldened, Weiss offered several lovely options, and was heartened to see Ruby absorb the information with ease. She was truly listening to her, and Weiss was happy to soak up the attention. As they waited on their food to arrive they talked, about any, and everything. Weiss was actually shocked at how well it was all going. “So where did you want to start?” Ruby asked as she gestured to the books on the side. With lunch winding down with only their drinks left, Ruby pushed her plate to the side, and started rummaging in her book bag. “There’s no need for that really,” Weiss said as Ruby pulled out her book, and blinked at her. “There’s not?” “No. You, and I both know you don’t really need my help,” Weiss said coyly. “I mean I totally do though?” “Ruby, you asked me for help, and then spoke the sweetest words in Mistralian. You clearly just wanted to ask me on a date.” When Ruby merely blinked at Weiss in confusion she rambled on. This had to be a prank, or a joke, SOMETHING! “You whispered te quiero!” Weiss whispered furiously. “It means “I love you!” “Oh man does it?” Ruby asked with a bit of pink on her face, clearly embarrassed. “This is why I need help.” “What did you think you were saying?” “I…uh…was asking if you knew where they sold taquitos,” Ruby admitted as she poked her fingers together, and if Weiss wasn’t a half step from going insane she was sure it would be an incredibly cute sight. “I was craving one.” “That’s what you were looking for on the menu,” Weiss deduced as she paled. “Uh, yeah. I feel really bad about this.” “You should! TAQUITOS IS A MASCULINE NOUN YOU DUNCE, NOT A PROFESSION OF LOVE!” Ruby sunk her face into her hands. “This is why I said I needed help.” Coco’s raucous laughter made Weiss burn even more red as she stood up, and strode out of the shop for some air, ignoring Ruby asking her to wait. She just needed a few minutes to process this. The girl she’d had a crush on…was so stupid, or at least terrible at Mistralian. In theory, it could have been a cruel prank, but in none of her investigations, or the private eyes she’d asked to look into the young woman had depicted her as anything other than sincere, and kind. It was why she’d let herself be ‘asked out’ or thought she had been in the first place. She sat down on the corner, and took a deep breath. Ok, so sure Coco, and Velvet had seen that, and Ruby knew, but despite being embarrassing it wasn’t the end of the world. She could easily change her identity, and while she wasn’t a fan of cosmetic surgery there were options she could take to vanish into whatever kingdom she went to. Could she pay to have them never bring it up? Coco would never take money when she could embarrass Weiss instead. She was just contemplating investing her family's wealth into colonizing other planets, and if that might be far enough away when someone else sat next to her. Her face went red again instantly when Ruby sat next to her, and handed over her book bag filled with books. Not really knowing what to say she took the bag, and set it to the side. “I’m really sorry,” Ruby began. “No. It’s my fault for getting carried away,” Weiss insisted. “If it’s any consolation I asked you for a reason…” “Because I’m top of the class?” Weiss guessed. “You’re barely in the top half,” Ruby said pointedly, making Weiss wilt even further. She tried so hard, and she just couldn’t roll her r’s! “Then why did you even ask for my help?” Weiss asked as Ruby pinked this time. “I, uh, thought you were really cool, wanted to be your friend, and get to know you better,” Ruby admitted with pink cheeks. “Oh.” “Ruby Rose. Terrible at Mistralian, want to get better, make a new friend, and maybe get to know her better.” Weiss nodded. This she could do.”Weiss, not great, but better than you at Mistralian, and willing to teach. Looking for a wife, and single.” It was only when she saw Ruby’s eyes go wide that she realized what she’d said. Coco laughing only made it worse. “Why do you have to tell everyone that story?” Weiss complained as she buried her face in her hands even as the rest of the table laughed politely. Except for Ruby’s aunt who was barely able to remain in her chair, the blonde woman slapping the table as her husband used an arm to keep her upright. “Because I never told them how we met, and I love you,” Ruby said simply with a giant grin that made Weiss feel at peace with everything, despite it all. The adorable corgi was certainly helping matters though. It was only later as she was helping wash the dishes, despite Summer’s insistence otherwise that she really got a chance to speak with Ruby’s mother in private. “You know it’s strange,” Summer offered out of nowhere as she handed a cleaned plate to Weiss who gamely dried it carefully before stacking it in the drainer. “What is?” Summer gained a teasing sparkle in her eyes as she spoke. “I don’t see any wings. From the way Ruby spoke, and talked about you I expected you to come with wings, and perhaps a halo.” Weiss blushed heavily at that. “You’re teasing me.” “Only a little,” Summer assured her with a thumb, and forefinger that were nearly touching. “Really though, she thinks the world of you.” “I’m…flattered,” Weiss said after fumbling for a moment. “I can’t have made a great first impression that outing.”“On the contrary, you probably made the best one. Ruby has always been a bit of a dreamer. She wants to help people, she dreams big, and has fun doing it.” “I’m a bit of a stick in the mud,” Weiss countered as Summer laughed, and handed another dish over. “Oh hey, no you’re not,” Summer assured her. “You, do what we’ve always struggled to do, and that is keep her grounded. Ruby can do a lot of things, but she needs a guiding hand from time to time. Someone she respects, and cares about who’s not afraid to call her to task when need be,” Summer finished gently squeezing Weiss’s shoulder. At Weiss’s stunned look Summer laughed, and continued. “Don’t look so surprised honey. I heard a lot about you from Qrow, Robyn, and the rest of the family. Just like you help Ruby, she helps you. Now correct me if I’m wrong, but before this you could be a tad neurotic. Things had to be done, and done in a schedule, but from just your time here I can tell Ruby has helped you.” Summer unplugged the drain, and washed the sink with water as she explained. “From what my oldest told me you were a bit uptight, and a fun killer, but you sat, and played board games, let Ruby tell embarrassing stories, and had fun with everyone. You’re both wonderful for each other.” “Ms. Rose…” “Summer is fine, or mom if you’re comfortable enough.” Ms…Summer,” Weiss relented when she saw the mock glare she shot her way. “Why are you telling me this?” “One day in the future I’ll be proud to call you my daughter in law, if you, and Ruby make it that far. I really hope you do. If you want, there’s a ring my mother gave to me. An engagement ring that’s been in our families. When the time is right…” Weiss gasped as she realized what was being asked of her, and what was being offered. “Not now of course, but in the future the offer is open. Go talk to Ruby. I’m sure she’s missing you already,” Summer ordered playfully shooing Weiss from the kitchen. “Have fun?” Ruby asked Weiss as they stared into the fireplace. Some of the others were having a snowball fight, but Weiss, and Blake had begged off, and Ruby had rejoined her a short time later as Blake politely left the room to give them a moment alone. “More than I thought. Your family is lovely, even your sister. Thank you for inviting me.” Ruby gave her a strange look at that. “You’ve been kinda outta it all evening. What’s up?” Weiss shook her head, not wanting to admit she’d been thinking about what Summer had offered earlier. There was no doubt in her mind that one day she’d be using it to propose. Not today though. “Ok tell me if you want to though,” Ruby said before she giggled. “Hey, Weiss?” “Yes, Ruby?” “I taquito you!” Ruby barely got out before she collapsed in giggles. Despite herself Weiss felt the laughter bubble out of her as she gently brushed the hair from Ruby’s face out of her eyes, and laid a gentle kiss on her lips. “I love you too, Ruby,” Weiss replied as they both basked in cuddling with each other by the fire. Not today, but maybe sooner than she thought.