A present request for a friend.

Chapter 19: Birthday

"So which one?" Weiss asked as she held out two doilies.

Yang could feel her eyebrow twitch and if her hands weren't occupied, she would have been sorely tempted to incinerate the two identical cream colored cloths. "Are you serious?"

Sighing exasperatedly, Weiss threw her hands in the air, "I don't know why I even bother sometimes!"

"Yeah," Yang snipped back, "Why are you bothering with this?"

"Ugh, do I have to lecture you again on why a coherent color scheme is important?" Weiss whipped around and glared frostily.

"It's just a party, Weiss!" Yang shot back heatedly.

Around them strung streamers to the walls and ceilings and a banner greeted the door. Balloons of every color lightly bumped into each other while bright and vibrant flowers decorated vases along the shelves and tables.

The carpet had been vacuumed, though Weiss warily eyed the party-poppers Yang had brought in. And though the table is immaculately set, she could sense something was still wrong… and it wasn't the doilies.

Carefully setting down an oversized cardboard box with a metallic clang, Yang placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Listen, I know you want everything to be perfect for your girlfriend. But Ruby's important to us too, okay?"

"I know…" Weiss sighed and smiled apologetically back. Aside from missing Ruby terribly, Weiss knew her perfectionist streak can be difficult to work with and was thankful for her few friends who stuck by her despite that.

"Let's finish up before Blake gets back with Ruby, I don't think she can distract her forever," Weiss offered more amicably.

Yang hefted her box up again with a grin. "Sounds good! You can help me stack and start the chimney in the backyard."

Weiss nodded and took two steps forward before freezing in place with a flat "What?"

Waiting at the airport terminal, Blake lazily watched the baggage carousel spin and occasionally glanced at the monitors detailing flight information.

Ruby's flight had already arrived but as she was on a mission as a huntress, she would need to go through a separate inspection to receive all of her luggage, including her weapon. Still, knowing Ruby-

"Blake!"

Was all the warning she got before nearly getting knocked to the ground by a whirlwind force.

Two arms wrapped around her waist in a hug and she could feel Ruby's hair tickling her nose. She returned the embrace before breaking away to look over the younger girl carefully.

Still donning that bloody red cape, though it seemed to sport a few scorch marks paradoxically to the frozen north Ruby just flew in from. At least the rest of her attire was more fitting, a thicker skirt that went to her knees with fur-lined boots to keep out the cold. In fact, Ruby looked as if she went straight from ice and snow to the warm summer of Patch.

"It is sooo good to have human contact again!" Ruby exclaimed dramatically.

"I'm a Faunus," Blake smirked wryly.

Ruby snorted, "Same difference."

Sharing a chuckle, Blake offered to take Ruby's wheeled suitcase while she carried her duffle bag and they walked to Blake's car, a black convertible she had purchased once Yang helped her earn her driving license. Letting down the roof so Ruby could enjoy the rushing wind, Blake decided to take a more scenic route back, a little more than an hour's drive to make light conversation. And to buy Weiss and Yang as much time as she could. They weren't exactly working together when she left.

After graduation, Weiss and Ruby bought a house on the outskirts of Patch. It was more than sizable enough for the two of them, but they were adamant that if Blake or Yang ever needed to stay, they would be more than welcomed.

A little rural perhaps, but Blake could see the appeal being far from the hustle and bustle of the city. They were still safely distant from Grimm territory and all four were huntresses in their own rights. With all the amenities and communication lines, any emergency could be handled.

Well… almost any emergency. Blake idly wondered if the house was insured for accidental flash frost or arson and resolved to step on the Dust just a little harder.

The moment the house came into view, just peering through the branches of the trees, Ruby almost stood up in the car excitedly.

A pristine white three story house stood enshrouded in shades of green. The driveway led up to a spacious porch flanked by a pair of windowed solariums. Stacked upon the upper floors was the master bedroom, various guest rooms, a study, and even an armory.

Blake clicked a button to open the front gates and pulled into the driveway. Even now, she was still a little surprised by the security around the house. The ornate black fence that surrounded the property was imposing enough, but Weiss had told her there were surveillance cameras, alarms, and other 'precautions'.

When she asked if Weiss was serious, all she received was a creepily sly giggle and Blake had decided that she would not be surprised if the windows all had metal shutters that would drop a moment's notice.

Yet… there was a slight scent of smoke in the air that Ruby hadn't noticed yet, but clouded Blake's mind with worry.

Still chattering about how great it would be to see everyone together again, Ruby unlocked and opened the door to a

"SURPRISE!" - WAPUMPH! "GACK!"

Blake could only blink as her mind replayed everything. Yang and Weiss jumped out and in nearly the same instant, Ruby had chucked her duffle bag as hard as she could and was half way to drawing her weapon.

"N-nice shot…" Yang groaned from underneath the bag and gave her a shaky thumbs up.

"Oh my gosh, Yang!" Ruby bolted over and helped the older girl.

Even with her Aura, with the weight and speed at which Ruby threw, Yang was going to sport a slightly red nose for the next few hours. That didn't stop her from immediately ruffling Ruby's hair and wrapping her in a crushing bear hug.

"Betcha you forgot all about today, huh?" Yang grinned as she let go.

"Huh? This isn't a welcoming party?"

"Dolt," came the sharp but affectionate tone Ruby had grown to love.

Before Ruby could turn to face Weiss, she felt soft fingers on her cheek and chin and leaned into the warmth. Her eyes closed to enjoy a gentleness that caressed her skin and she wanted more. Only for her head to be forcibly tilted upwards and her eyes snapped open in bewilderment.

Welcome Back

and

Happy Birthday!

Colorful bubble words decorated the white banner hung above the room. Only now did Ruby look around and noticed the streamers and balloons.

"You forgot about the timezone difference didn't you?" Weiss flicked Ruby's nose teasingly causing her girlfriend to wrinkle her nose and pout cutely.

"I didn't forget!" Ruby crossed her arms and looked away. "I just… didn't remember," she argued lamely.

Unable to contain themselves any longer, all four girls burst out laughing.

Finally turning to properly look at Weiss, Ruby couldn't help but ask amidst her giggles, "And what happened to you?!"

Weiss' usual immaculate appearance had random streaks of black, some on her face, her hands were covered, and now that Ruby had a moment to slow down and pay attention, she could smell smoke rather strongly from Weiss' hair.

"Hmph!" Weiss huffed and looked pointedly at Yang. "Somebody wanted a completely impromptu barbecue."

"Somebody didn't know how to light a fire without Dust," Yang snickered lowly and let everyone's imagination played out. "And then we heard you coming so we rushed over here."

"Well I need to get cleaned up first," Weiss stated as she walked off.

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, I'd like a shower too and maybe wear something more comfortable."

"That's cool," Yang said as she pulled Blake with her towards the backyard. "We need a bit longer to cook everything anyways."

Two hours later, Ruby and Weiss rejoined Blake and Yang in the backyard where the aroma of smoke and meat whetted their appetites. Bread, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and potato salad accompanied the meal along with pitchers of water, lemonade, and various sodas.

Despite the grandeur of Yang piling a small mountain on each of their plates, eating was a simple affair. They all wanted to hear about Ruby's mission and she wanted to catch up with what had been happening at home.

Nearing the end, Weiss brought out a cake with rose frosting intricately spiraling the surface.

"No candles?" Yang raised an eyebrow. "How are you supposed to make a wish?"

"What would I wish for?" Ruby grinned as Weiss served her an extra large slice. "I'm back home. I'm with good friends. And I have a great girlfriend who gives me cake!" Ruby leaned up and gave Weiss a quick peck on her cheek. "I'm good."

"Oh really?" Blake drawled. "Then you wouldn't want these right?" In her hand dangled a wrapped box with a bow.

"Presents?!" Ruby perked up so quickly her cake did a little hop.

Blake couldn't resist the starry silver eyes and handed her the box.

Quickly opening the present revealed a new set of red headphones with black trimmings.

"Whoa," Ruby whispered as she ran her finger along the bridge and felt the slick texture. It was a top of the line model that had only recently came out. "Thanks Blake!"

"Heh, you're going to love this too!" Yang proclaimed as she brought out her gift.

Hers was a new custom pair of boots. Ruby had a habit of quickly wearing out whatever footgear she owned. Not much could withstand the stress and strain of several hundred kilometers in only a few weeks, so she was always appreciative of any new shoes and boots. And Yang knew how to pick them.

She gave Yang a hug and laughed, "Stylish and useful!"

At last, she turned to Weiss, expectations brimming.

"Here," Weiss stated simply and handed Ruby a small box.

"Really?" Yang asked skeptically once Ruby had opened it. "Strawberries? That it?" It was rather anticlimactic, unoriginal, and was probably something Weiss got at the local groceries.

"Nah, I love strawberries!" Ruby quickly headed off Yang's disapproving remark. "Thank you, Weiss!"

Once the presents were gifted, the party winded down and everyone helped to clean up. They spent a little more time talking and making plans, but before long Blake and Yang bid their goodbyes and headed out.

After seeing them off and locking the door, Ruby spun around to face Weiss with a beatific smile.

"That was a fun party," Ruby spoke softly as they walked back over to the living room. "Now where's my real present?"

"Oh?" Weiss smirked coyly. "I thought you loved them?" She picked up a strawberry and admired its ripe luster.

"Mhm…" Ruby hummed. "I just want… a little more…"

"Then… how about I sweeten your present a little?" Weiss mischievously bit into the berry and leaned in close.

Ruby could smell the fruit's scent mixing with Weiss' shampoo as thin arms rested on her shoulders and encircled her neck.

A rush of vertigo as the two of them toppled onto the couch. For the rest of the night, Ruby and Weiss cuddled in the midst of giggles, strawberries, and intimacy.

Ah! I haven't done a short in quite a while. Actually, I haven't had the opportunity to write in a while, so this has been a fun little exercise.

One scene I had to cut out because of length and pacing was Ruby's mission. I originally planned to have her recount her battle against a fire-ice Taijitu variant and it would have mirrored Yang and Weiss' tribulations against each other in getting the party ready.

I liked the idea of the girls celebrating when they're a bit older, a bit of making up for the fun they didn't get to enjoy while running around in danger.

Hope you liked this one shot and I'll see you next chapter~