The Leftovers

“I can’t believe this,” Weiss said as she sat in the booth between Maria and Ruby the following Friday. 

“Come on, you don’t want to see your sister sing?” Maria teased as Weiss shot her a withering look she ignored. 

“I can appreciate most of the performances even if they’re not perfect,” Weiss said, gesturing to Penny who was singing a very heartfelt love song to Ilia. 

Ruby and Maria were betting on if Ilia would disappear before the song ended and Weiss felt like a fool for not getting in on the action ahead of time. 

Especially considering that all that remained of Ilia’s head were her own pink markings. Her arms were barely visible as Penny got off the stage and began walking towards her girlfriend.

“I think it’s cute!” Ruby said as she collected her winnings from Maria who grumbled and slid over the bill. 

“Shouldn’t have had any faith,” Maria complained as Penny finished by kissing Ilia on the cheek before handing the microphone over to Pyrrha who was dragging a moderately protesting Whitley onto the stage. 

Weiss buried her head in her arms. 

“Is Whitley that bad at singing?” Ruby asked curiously. 

“No. He’s fine. Winter just keeps drinking. It’s going to be a disaster soon,” Weiss warned them as she pointed towards the far table. 

Winter sat ramrod straight, her face flushed as one hand held onto Cinder’s with several empty glasses around her.

“At least it’s just employees and family,” Ruby said, trying to make Weiss feel better. 

“We’re not family,” Weiss snarked. 

“Strange I could have sworn I saw your planner and saw you practicing last names earlier in the week,” Maria said feigning confusion. “Weiss Calavera was nice, but Calavera-Rose-Schnee had it’s own charm as well.”

“Shut up you pest or I’ll dump Chisato when we play next time and just stay with Zopera only!” 

“An empty threat. You adore her more than the rest of us,” Maria countered as Ruby giggled in response. 

“Don’t you have food to make or something?” Weiss whined. 

Maria merely rolled her eyes and ran her thumb across the back of the white-haired girl's knuckles before giving her fingers a light squeeze. 

Ruby merely nodded her head along to the beat as Pyrrha and Whitley sang a lovely duet. She hadn’t known Pyrrha was a talented singer but she probably should have guessed as much. 

She seemed to excel at most everything she’d tried here. She wasn’t a better cook than Maria by any stretch but she could certainly fill in for Jaune on the rare days he wasn’t at work, and could make most of the menu to a satisfactory level. 

At least as far as Maria was concerned. 

Actually…wait she’d gotten a text earlier. Oh, Jaune had forgotten his keys again and was waiting outside. 

Oops. She’d best go let him in. She excused herself and found Jaune waiting at the back door. 

“Hey Jaune. Sorry just read your message,” Ruby apologized. 

“It’s ok. I forgot my keys so it’s my fault,” Jaune said as he hung his coat up and Ruby was sure she heard the telltale jingle of keys when he did so, but refrained not wanting to embarrass him any further. 

“You know if you went around front we’d have seen you right?” 

“Cinder told me to never do that and that I was to only come into the back entrance,” Jaune countered as he grabbed the plate of food Maria had left for him. 

“Jaune, that's because you hit on Winter the last time you did that,” Ruby said, rubbing her forehead with her hand. 

“Well I had to take the chance you know?”

“She was holding Cinder’s hand across the counter.”

“Well I didn’t see that,” Jaune defended himself. 

“She had lipstick marks all over her face,” Ruby said with a deadpan stare at her friend.

“I mean Weiss had just turned me down and I saw an older version of her. I wasn’t thinking straight,” Jaune explained as he speared a pickle on his plate to munch on. 

“Weiss was literally sitting in Maria’s lap in the office in the back,” Ruby said, sounding exhausted. 

“I thought she was cold?” Jaune tried as Ruby didn’t even dignify that with a response. 

“Yeah ok not even I believed that, but I mean,” Jaune trailed off when he saw the look of annoyance Ruby was leveling his way. 

“I didn’t know you were dating them!” 

“Jaune, I don’t know exactly what Maria told you but I’m fairly sure she implied there was something between us, and when you saw Weiss with Maria and I seemed ok with it you should have known,” Ruby sighed. 

“Look. You’re my friend, and honestly a pretty fun guy to hang around with, but you have got to stop flirting and trying to ask every single woman you see out on a date,” Ruby held up her hand when Jaune made to interrupt. 

“How do you think a girl feels when she sees you just go from girl to girl trying to ask each of them out?” Ruby asked. 

Jaune squirmed although whether that was from the question or the large bite of pickle he’d just taken Ruby wasn’t sure. 

“They feel like they’re all disposable or interchangeable. You need to be friends with them first, hang out and see if they’re someone you actually like and then ask,” Ruby offered as her advice as she hopped up onto the counter to sit. 

“Yeah you’re probably right. I mean I asked you right?” Jaune joked. 

“Eh kinda, but yeah that’s what I mean! We hung out, and you tried. Maria told you no, but you moved on. You do good on that part of not pestering them, but you gotta take some time to get to know them, or at least spend longer than ten seconds talking to them.”

“I guess,” Jaune said as he moved the rice on his plate around a bit despondently and ignored Mercenary Meow who was pulling at his pant legs for scraps. 

“Is there a reason you’re so relationship crazy? Is your biological clock ticking?” Ruby joked which got a smile from her friend as she tossed a small bit of leftover ham to the kitten who playfully pretended to attack it like it was in a fight for its life before devouring the morsel. 

“Nah. Don’t get me wrong I kinda always wanted to be a dad. Teach ‘em how to cook, or something, but I don’t know. It just seems like everyone is happy and in a relationship except for me, and I felt like I was being left behind, or missing out.”

“There are plenty of people who are happy being by themselves, and hey my uncle didn’t meet my aunt until he was almost forty!”

“Yeah I guess so.”

“Well I’ll tell you what. I might know a couple people I could set you up with, but you have to be on your best behavior, and by that I mean be yourself. Can you promise me that?” Ruby asked. 

“Yeah of course. I just…are you sure? I don’t want them to get stuck with me or just do it out of pity,” Jaune asked as he set his plate into the sink. 

“Pff nah. Trust me she’s…competitive. If she didn’t like you she’d let you know. Give me a week to set it up alright? Just have fun for now.”

“I will thanks again,” Jaune said as he gave his friend a quick hug and left her sitting on the counter to join the others as Mercenary Meow followed closely behind him. 

“How’d the pep talk go?” Maria asked as she came into the kitchen and glared at Ruby who sheepishly hopped off the counter. 

“Ok I think. He’s just lonely,” Ruby said as she groaned as Maria handed her the cleaning supplies and pointed to the counter. 

“Clean so we can hear Winter make a fool of herself.”

“Yeah I guess there were butts and stuff,” Ruby agreed as she quickly wiped the counter down. 

“Come on now our girl is waiting for us,” Maria joked as she took Ruby’s hand and went out to rejoin the others. 

Her ears were assaulted by Jaune’s attempt to sing…something by the achievemen although based on the prompter it had apparently been set by someone into Menagerian. 

“How didn’t he notice?” Ruby wondered as they sat back down next to Weiss who eagerly snatched up their hands. 

“He’s singing in perfect C minor. I have no idea how he’s doing it,” Weiss admitted as she cringed for a moment. “That’s not what key the song is written for however.”

“Good kitty,” Weiss praised as Mercenary Meow was hissing at the noise Jaune was producing.

“Oh no,” Weiss said, seeing Cinder stand up and wobble as she made her way to the mic stand as Jaune finished. 

“Everyone, let's thank Jeffery for whatever he was doing. He’s just great whoever he is. Now this is a song for the most beautiful person in the world…me, but it’s also a song for the best butt I’ve ever seen even if it broke my bed. Hit it!” Cinder said as she keyed in her selection. 

“You already did,” Winter called out drunkenly, seeming to have no shame at all in her inebriated state. Or she just wasn’t aware of what she was doing. It could be both. 

Weiss however had shame enough for both of them as she wished she could vanish from the restaurant. 

“I’m never deleting this,” Maria declared as she recorded the entire event for future use as Cinder started to sing. 

“Five thousand degrees that’s why they call me Mrs. Fahrenheitttttttttttttttt!” Cinder sang her heart out from the stage. Weiss was pleasantly surprised she wasn’t more off key based on how inebriated she was. She was also sure the lyrics were wrong. 

Mercenary Meow seemed ambivalent towards the performance as they batted at a stray piece of string on Ruby's hoody.

“So what are we singing?” Weiss asked her table mates as she picked at her nachos daintily. 

“We’re not,” Maria said flatly as she continued to record Cinder and Winter who’d made it up on stage and was trying to sing an accompanying back up vocal. Left unsaid was that there wasn’t one, not that either of the two noticed. 

“Aw come on Maria please?” Ruby begged. 

“Not even for you,” Maria said flatly as she flicked her nose. 

Weiss, feeling rather bold, flushed as she leaned up to her and curled an arm around one of Maria’s. “If you sing for and with us we’ll make you sing later tonight,” Weiss promised. 

She was gratified to see Maria’s face also flush at that. They hadn’t yet gone that far not wanting to rush anything in their relationship to make sure it would lead to something lasting rather than a quick flash in the pan. 

Weiss, though, felt rather sure that this was exactly what she wanted. It wasn’t normal but well she’d never been normal either, and having two silver-eyes beauties as girlfriends was just what the doctor ordered. 

Ruby was kind, and genuine to an absurd degree and Maria was funny in her own blunt way, and under it all a very caring woman who was an excellent cook. 

They were also both exceedingly attractive, but that went without saying. 

She had however agreed with Ruby about no vaping being a condition for their relationship. She had no desire to smell it or feel like she was kissing an ashtray. 

Maria had agreed without any real hesitation which was also a good sign in Weiss’s book. 

Her newly acquired girlfriend coughed into her hand for a moment as she shot both of them a flustered glance. 

“Well then,” Maria said, coughing. “Is that right?”

“Oh I’ve had some training as a professional singer. I can also serve as a ‘ vocal coach ’. You see I’m very good at getting my students to sing to any beat I want. I'm very hands on as a teacher,” Weiss said as she casually pretended to inspect her free hand. 

Her nails specifically. 

“You see, by the end of my lessons my students all sing to my tune. Any tune I want,” Weiss promised as she heard Ruby gulp. 

“How many students have you had before?” Maria asked, sounding upset. 

“I have a double lesson booked with the first two tonight. I’m sure I can expect an excellent review on my oral technique tomorrow from both of them.”

“So what are we singing?” Maria asked eagerly as she did her best to control her rampant blush. 

Weiss traded a high five with Ruby as they both smirked at accomplishing their goal even if they were both a bit red from the innuendo.

“Holy shit.” 

Weiss snapped her head around and saw Ilia looking at them with wide eyes and an atomically red face as she held out a hand and gestured for Penny, who dutifully held up a cleaning bottle with a spritz top they used for getting minor messes off a table. 

Penny then proceeded to spritz Ilia several times until her flush receded.

 A glance at Pyrrha confirmed she was also red faced and even Whitley appeared…well he seemed more disturbed than anything which was fair.  

“I’m not apologizing,” Weiss said as she turned away from the other table head held high. 

Winter and Cinder wouldn’t be able to make it up the stairs in their inebriated condition and she was very much looking forward to trying out Ruby’s newly delivered bed. It had looked comfy and perfect for cuddling…and other activities. 

She let Maria and Ruby figure out what song they were singing as she selected another nacho to eat. 

She was well aware that in terms of the dishes hers had the most care put into it despite first appearances. 

Her eyes flicked over to the playfully arguing pair and smiled softly. 

She hadn’t expected much when she’d seen the outside, but truly The Leftovers exceeded her every expectation. The food was fantastic, and so were the employees. 

Even the ones she wasn’t dating were fun to be around. Much more tolerable than she thought they’d be. 

 Winter was right; this was exactly what she needed. 

“Ugh, tell me what happened last night because I can’t remember,” Winter whined as she woke up the next day at the crack of noon on the futon in the office downstairs with Cinder still fully clothed behind her. 

“I think I proposed to your butt on stage,” Cinder admitted which prompted a snort from Winter. 

Wait. 

“Are you serious?” 

“According to this video Maria sent me I did,” Cinder said as she handed the phone with the video queued up to her. 

“This is a nightmare,” Winter said a few minutes later as she groaned but took the tablets and bottle of water Cinder handed her. 

“If you’re feeling that bad you probably don’t want to read the reviews for your sister's new side gig,” Cinder said, her voice carefully neutral. 

“Weiss has a new job?” Winter asked as Cinder gestured for her to flick the screen. Winter did so and froze as she read the information. 

“Vocal lessons?” Winter murmured as she read faster and faster, her face growing steadily more red, especially when she got to the two user reviews that rated her five out of five stars. 

“They seemed to give her high praise,” Cinder needled her, ignoring Winter’s reaction. 

“Praised her vocal technique and stamina. Able to keep going for hours, apparently RedlikeRoses reviewed,” Cinder read out loud. 

“Oh and this one says ‘that while she had a much better singing voice than she thought Weiss’s was exceptional as well and said she was planning on attending many more lessons in the future’. Said her group performance was excellent.’ That one is from-” Cinder was cut off as Winter screeched at the phone. 

“I hate life,” Winter said as she collapsed back on the couch and cradled her sore head that she’d made worse by screeching. 

“It’s ok wifey,” Cinder said placatingly as Winter opened an eye at her to glare. 

“I don’t remember saying anything to you,” Winter sniped. 

“You didn’t, but your butt did. Trust me we’re together forever,” Cinder said jokingly as she laid her head on Winter’s rear and gave it a pat as Winter sighed into the pillow. 

“I never should have drank anything,” Winter lamented. 

“Why? So you could play chaperone for your sister and clam jam her? Cause that’s kinda a dick move not gonna lie,” Cinder said as she stretched and got off the futon. 

“I’m not sure how to explain to my mother that part of me got married while I was drunk,” Winter complained in jest. 

“Don’t worry I already used your phone to message her. We’re supposed to meet up for a late lunch,” Cinder tried to reassure her girlfriend who was looking at her with wide eyes. 

Cinder continued not paying attention to Winter’s paling face. “She said the penguins were a good idea and that she was glad I listened to her about the other stuff.”

“Wait, listen to her?”

“Well duh she came in before you did. Said you were getting up there in age but were too much of a workaholic to get a partner. She’s the one that sent you here in the first place, or sent you the reviews or something. I forgot the details,” Cinder admitted. 

Winter let out an explosive sigh. “My ass wants a divorce,” Winter complained. 

“No, I’m sure it doesn’t,” Cinder returned without missing a beat. 

“I’m taking the cat.”

“Please you’re not leaving,” Cinder said calling her bluff. 

“No…I suppose I’m not,” Winter admitted sounding very unhappy about that fact. 

“Just think you get to be related to me, Ruby, and Maria!”

“Don’t ruin this for me,” Winter commanded. 

“Yes ma’am,” Cinder agreed with a salute as her phone rang. 

“Hey Willow. Yeah sorry, hey mom. Yeah I’ll put her on. Eh she’s kinda decent,” Cinder said handing the phone over. 

“Mother,” Winter greeted. 

“So would you like to explain this amusing video I got from your sister’s girlfriend?” Willow asked. 

“What video?” Winter asked paling. 

“Apparently you got engaged and didn’t tell me.”

Winter’s absurdly loud whine was probably the funniest thing Cinder had ever heard, and judging by the fact that she could hear giggling from upstairs she wasn’t alone in that. 

Winter regretted everything. This was the opposite of what she needed.