Crushed

Ruby

On Friday morning, I wake up feeling really sick. Maybe raiding the kitchen with Nora again last night wasn't such a good idea after all. But it was fun, and there were so many cookies! I don't even know how I got to sleep last night. Speaking of which, how long did I actually sleep? There's no light coming in from behind the curtains, so it must still be dark out. I try to roll over to see the clock, but my stomach lurches painfully, so I give up. I decide I'm not going to classes today, and try to get back to sleep.

Feeling like days have passed, I see my teammates beginning to stir. Blake's the first up, as usual, and she delicately extracts herself from Yang's embrace. I never expected those two to get... Involved, but they're really cute together. I briefly wonder if anyone's won their little game yet, but then I groan as my stomachache intensifies.

While Blake showers, Weiss wakes up, and gently shakes me, intending to wake me up.

"I'm really sick, Weiss. I'm taking the day off," I tell her with a pained voice. I notice how she looks genuinely upset to hear that I'm unwell, and my heart does a backflip. I'm not sure why, though.

"Okay, Ruby, I'm going to trust you on this, and assume you're not just trying to get out of classes. Want me to stay with you?" she asks, in the kindest tone I've ever heard her use.

"N-no, that's okay. Go to class and don't worry about me, I'll be fine," I reply, trying to smile. "Besides, I'm not worth losing your perfect attendance record."

"Ruby Rose, a stupid academic record is far less important to me than the well-being of my teammates, including your sister. But don't tell her I said that," Weiss tells me. "But if you're sure you'll be okay on your own..."

"I'm sure, Weiss. Just focus on class, and I'll be fine."

Just then, Blake exits the bathroom and nudges her girlfriend awake. It takes several nudges and a couple of snips at the air with Weiss' scissors she uses to cut off loose threads in her clothes for Yang to actually wake up, immediately assuming her blonde mane is at risk of attack. Weiss goes to get dressed, while my sister makes coffee, which she offers to all of us. I refuse, and try to think of a way to make her not worry when she finds out I'm not going to class. Eventually, I just tell her, and an almost exact repeat of my conversation with Weiss ensues, except the part about what's important to her. Yang, being the ever-loving sister she is, still insists on staying with me to take care of me, until Blake cuts in.

"Yang, you can't miss any more classes. And Ruby's old enough to look after herself for a day. It's not like she'll be doing anything," the quietest member of Team RWBY says. Yang sighs, and agrees to go to class.

"But I'm coming to see you at lunch," she tells me. I tell her that's fine.

A while later, my teammates have gone to class, and I'm alone with my thoughts. Why did my heart go crazy when Weiss looked upset earlier? And why does Yang keep teasing me about her? And why do I keep blushing when I'm with her? Is this what it's like to have a crush on someone? That explanation makes sense. I've never had a crush before, so I don't know what it feels like. If I do have one on Weiss, Yang definitely knows, but she prefers to tease me about it rather than talking to me about it. No surprise there. But Weiss is a girl, and I'm a girl. Do I even like girls? Does this mean... I'm a lesbian? Don't overthink this, Ruby. You'll figure it out, I tell myself, without much confidence.

After several hours trying to understand my feelings, only getting more confused, the door opens and Yang enters in a rush.

"Ruby! Are you okay?" she practically yells.

"I'm feeling a bit better," I tell her, which is true. My stomachache has gone away slightly, it it still hurts. She looks relieved, and I decide I should talk to her about Weiss. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course you can, sis. What's up?" Yang answers with a caring smile.

"You have to promise to take it seriously, and not tell anyone," I warn.

"I won't, Ruby. You sound serious, so I'm gonna respect whatever you tell me and keep it between us. Trust me." I know she's telling the truth, so I think about what I'm gonna say.

"It... It's Weiss," I say, feeling a blush on my face already. Immediately, Yang gets a knowing look in her eyes. "I think I might have a crush on her."

"You're worried she might not feel the same way?"

"Yeah, that's part of it. I also just don't know what to do. If I get distracted by a relationship, what good would I be as a leader?" I ask.

Yang sighs. "Look, Ruby, the best thing to do is just let her know how you feel. The pain of rejection is nothing compared to the thoughts of what could have been if you'd taken the risk. Trust me, I've been there." I can tell she's not gonna go into details of when she'd been there, but Yang's always been adventurous, so I don't doubt that at least one person has turned her down.

"I don't know how to tell her though," I say. "What if I screw up?"

"I know you're new to dating and stuff, but you can't second guess yourself. That's the absolute worst thing you can do. It'll lead to chickening out of doing anything, and then you'll have no chance with the person you want to be with. Why don't you just ask her to the dance? It's fairly innocent, but romance can still blossom," my sister suggests.

"That's actually a good idea. But I'll wait until I'm feeling better," I decide, but Yang shakes her head.

"Don't wait. It'll make you second guess yourself. Just ask her when you see her, and don't hesitate. Be confident. You can do this," she says, giving me an encouraging smile.

"Thanks for the help, sis," I tell her gratefully.

"Anytime."

She leaves, and I think about how I'm gonna go about asking Weiss to go with me to the dance. I got this. I just have to say it.

A couple of minutes later, Weiss enters the dorm room to check on me. I decide that this is a perfect time, and that I should get it over with.

"Don't worry, Weiss, I'm fine. But I need to ask you something," I say.

"I'm listening."

Yang

After leaving the dormitory, I head to the cafeteria. On the way, I remember that my contest with Blake has ended, and I smile at the thought of kissing her again. Distracted by excitement, I don't notice a certain beautiful cat Faunus sneaking up on me until I feel those wonderfully soft lips being pressed against mine.

"You win," Blake whispers when she pulls back. At first I'm surprised, because that means she's going to the dance, but the game already ended.

"The contest is over, isn't it?" I ask her, smiling.

"Technically. But you still win."

"So now you actually want to accompany me on Sunday?"

"Yes, Yang, I do. I'm going to Vale to buy a dress when classes end, but you're not coming. I want to surprise you on Sunday," she answers. "Anyway, how's Ruby doing?"

"She said she's feeling better. And she's asking Weiss to the dance."

Amber eyes widen in surprise. "Really? What brought that on? And why did she tell you?"

"I've already said more than I should have. I promised not to tell anyone," I tell Blake. She looks like she's forming her own assumptions. "Now let's go eat, I'm starving."

We spend an uneventful lunch hour in the cafeteria with Weiss and Team JNPR. Weiss looks pleased, but I don't comment. Meanwhile, Jaune looks even more worried than ever. He is so damn oblivious, I think, internally smiling a little. I guess I'll give him a small push in the right direction later. Save him the embarrassment.

The afternoon is just as uneventful as lunch, but more boring. I find myself wondering how the conversation went between Ruby and Weiss. I get myself through Grimm Studies by imagining all the possibilities, then rush back to the dorm to see Ruby before anyone else gets there as soon as the bell rings. She's looking much better now, probably because Weiss accepted her proposal. Couldn't you have thought of a better word, Yang? "Proposal" makes it sound like they're getting married. I don't learn anything other than "she said yes!" before Blake enters the room. Weiss enters soon after, and Blake announces she needs to get the airship to the city.

Without a girlfriend for the evening, I decide to go punch things. Upon my arrival in the training room, I see Jaune stabbing a straw dummy with his sword. The place is empty apart from him and I, so I decide to advise him while I have the chance.

"Oh, hey, Yang," he says when he sees me. "What colour dress do you think would work best for me?"

"Does Pyrrha still not have a date?" I reply.

"No, so I figure I'll need to sort out what I'm wearing," the oblivious fool says dejectedly.

"Have you thought about... Maybe asking Pyrrha?"

He laughs. "As if! Why would a celebrity want to go to a dance with me?"

"Two things. First, you need to have more confidence in yourself. Second, asking Pyrrha is just about the only hope you have of not having to embarrass yourself in front of the whole school," I tell him. I haven't given any indication that she actually likes him, so surely she won't be mad at me for this, right? Right.

"You know what? You're right. I don't want to be a laughingstock, so I'm gonna ensure it doesn't happen. Do you know where she is?"

"No. I've been in hanging out with Blake."

"Ah," Jaune says, before rushing off to find Pyrrha. To my surprise, he didn't leave anything behind.

Weiss

"I'm listening."

"Do you... Do you want to go to the dance with me on Sunday?" Ruby asks me timidly.

I blink, unsure if I heard correctly. Did she really just ask me out? "What?" I say in surprise.

She looks crestfallen, before repeating the question. Yes, she did really just ask me out. After evaluating my feelings over the last week, I've reached the conclusion that I do actually like my adorable leader. The only problem I have with this is that it means her brute of a sister is correct. In accordance with this conclusion, I give her my answer. "Yes, Ruby. I would love to."

She perks up immediately, almost seeming completely cured of whatever sickness she had. "Really? You mean it?" she asks.

"Of course I do. Would I lie about something like that?"

"No, I guess not," Ruby says happily.

Roman

The preparations are almost complete. All that's left is acquiring the mechs and training the... New assets, for want of a better term. Of course, there's still that one last step. I wish I knew how to execute it...