"Please don't be mad." Ruby requested.

Yang & Ruby were on their way out of a biker shop. The same one Yang had gotten Weiss' jacket at. Knowing the workers by name did help when asking for a permanent job. All she had to do was sign the papers to become an official employee. Ruby needed to, let's say, prove herself a little more. Unfortunately, she followed closely behind her sister with her head down.

"Don't worry 'bout it Rubes." Yang patted her siblings head, "We'll get you a job."

"But I wanted to work with you!" she whined.

"You can't latch onto me forever Ruby," Yang said hugging her with one arm. "But yeah, it would've been cool." Yang squeezed her sister wanting to hear something from her. Like a grunt or a sarcastic comment. When she got nothing from the tight wrap, Yang tried again with reality. "It'd also be cool if you stopped drinking."

"You kn—"

Yang's grip tightened. She felt Ruby try and slip out, but that wasn't about to happen. Her sister needed to hear this.

"Blake found the bottles. Penny noticed that you're not as agile as you used to be. I can see the weight you've put on. So, I'm taking you to the movies, Blake's tossing the booze, Penny's talking to her boss about getting you a job at the movies," she looked at Ruby with hope and spoke with assertiveness, "and you're going to stop. If you can't, we'll get you help. Understand?"

Ruby's feet were dragging, unable to keep up. She wasn't trying to make Yang stop walking. She just wasn't taking any steps. Once Yang did pause, Ruby immediately clung to her sister. Her face just sunk into Yang's chest. She wasn't crying, but this gesture was about to make her start.

"I'm sorry," Ruby wept. It was simple but it was sincere. The anxieties the alcohol took away wasn't worth it if it meant worrying so many of her friends. "I'm sorry Yang."

Yang patted her sister's head, "You're okay sis."

The problem wasn't gone with one singular moment. They both knew that. But Yang had a smile on her face. Most would think that this wouldn't be an appropriate time. For Yang, it was a thankful expression. The best way to get rid of a sickness was to attack it early after all.

-The Next Day-

"You can be kind of distant." Ruby said. Ruby sat criss-cross on Blake's bed looking across the dorm to Blake who was sitting with her knees tucked on Ruby's bed. "It gets," she searched for the right word, "depressing, being alone at times. I mean, Penny is a great friend. She was a huge support during high school. But, as my girlfriend, you only talking to me through texts made it seem like you didn't want me. Like...you wanted more than just distance."

Blake inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she did. Her eyes opened upon a sharp exhale. Her shoulders slouched and she eyed her girlfriend.

"So, why was Penny so-"

A whistle blew giving Blake a wince and Ruby a loud jolt. Nora, wearing a referee outfit, sat in between the beds on a barstool. She was far back enough for the two women to only see her through peripheral vision. Because of that, the couple forgot about their friend from time to time.

"Penalty!" Nora called flashing a yellow Uno card. "Defense attempted to retort with a nitpick. Please reply to the main complaint as it's presented."

"Do you have to blow the whistle?" Ruby asked, digging in her ears.

She shrugged and smiled, "You asked for a moderator."

Blake corrected, "We asked for Jaune."

Jaune Arc, a man who was going to graduate with a degree in communication, was sitting on the counter eating chicken noodle soup from a tupperware bowl. There was a lemon lime soda can nearby, but he wasn't too interested in it. Not yet anyway.

He managed, "Sore throat," before slurping some of the broth. "Moderating your moderator."

Nora plomped back onto the stool awaiting Blake to find a new approach. Ruby turned her attention back toward Blake wondering how she would take the information. Jaune took a bite of noodles hoping Nora wouldn't blow again.

"Okay. I admit that I tend to run from my problems. I shouldn't have treated you like an afterthought. And, again, I'm sorry that I did."

Ruby allowed herself to smile.

Blake continued, "I think the reason I did that was because," she halted for a moment. "Ruby, you tend to laprey yourself onto me and it gets a tad draining at times."

"Lamprey?" Ruby repeated.

Nora was about to blow the whistle again since Ruby did interrupt Blake after all. But, Jaune's raised hand stopped the annoyance. As did Blake shooting a look that translated to 'don't you dare'.

Explaining, "You know? Jumping onto me almost every time I see you. Wanting me to see every single dog video you find cute. Getting distracted by me when you're jumping onto a stage and almost falling."

Ruby squirmed at all three examples, replaying each one in her head. Uncertainness took over for a moment while Blake paused. The dead air letting the two sit in the words was necessary as it was uncomfortable.

Ruby wanted to argue against it in some way, but knew Nora's whistle would sound off. Not that it would be okay to argue in general. She just wanted to expel the negative thoughts that had come out of the truth. How to do so was a mystery. Except it wasn't

Sheepishly, "So, am I being too...forward? Am I...obnoxious?" Ruby clutched her skirt. "I'm...annoying?"

Nora blew her whistle again. Not loudly, but still sudden enough to shock the other three. She threw up a green Uno card and began her broadcast.

"No talking down about yourself! You are here to improve your relationship and yourselves. Acknowledgement of your shortcomings are allowed, but not the reinforcement." She patted Ruby's back. "You're a good person."

Ruby had a childlike snicker being complimented after the lecture.

Blake continued the positive vibes.

"I like that you don't hide how you feel. It's never a game with you. I love that you tell me everything. I love that there's no question that you love me." She rubbed the back of her ear, seeing Ruby start to blush. It's always hard knowing you're about to stop the fun.

"What I mean is, it can be a bit much. Before the whole...mess, you were kind of clingy. Sometimes, I need space. It's like I said a few weeks ago, you'll be on your own from time to time and you'll have to get used to it. Without the booze. You're my partner, and I love you. But...you're an adult Ruby. Please."

To Blake's surprise, Ruby didn't stop smiling throughout the talk. She didn't adjust herself or seem deterred by the woman's analysis. Instead Ruby just nodded.

"Okay." Ruby stood to her feet and pumped her fist. "I promise to be more of an adult!"

The determination in her voice was what Blake found to be the most wholesome. This small woman cheering like that was just, making her heart flutter. It was cute and something Blake wanted.

Nora had no objections to Blake wanting to thank Ruby. However, when the couple met in the middle for a hug, Valkyrie blew her whistle.

Completely joking, "Red card! Sexual contact is not allowed during gameplay. Please go back to your seats."

Jaune, completely surprising everyone, picked Nora up by the back of her pants with one hand and walked out of the dorm with his soda in the other.

"You two have fun," Jaune said, sounding like a horse.

End