They arrived at the library and joined their teammates around a table on the far side of the room. Ruby cheerfully greeted them as they sat down next to each other, happy to see that Neo was alright after her episode. They jumped into the study session right away, Neo being especially eager seeing as she had almost no prior knowledge in this area. After a few minutes, Neo winced suddenly an put a hand to her forehead.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Blake asked with a worried look.
"Yes, I'm fine," Neo said. "I usually get headaches after blacking out like that."
"Maybe you should go lie down?"
Neo laughed, "You sound like Weiss was back in the room."
"Hey! I was just looking out for you!" her girlfriend cut in.
"I know, I know. I'm happy to see you be so caring."
Weiss blushed, "Oh, stop it."
Yang gave the couple an exasperated look, "So, what've you two been up to while we were gone?"
"I don't know about Weiss, but I was sound asleep up until we left," Neo replied.
"And I spent most of the time reading," Weiss added. Yang glared at them for avoiding the obvious answer she wanted, to which Neo innocently smiled. The team spent the next three hours half studying and half chatting. Yang constantly tried to bring up the new couple's relationship, but was subtle enough that the others wouldn't know unless Neo or Weiss said more.
"She's starting to get on my nerves," the heiress whispered in Neo's ear.
"Mine too, but I know I'd do the same if I were her," she replied.
"It doesn't matter, I asked her to be quiet about it. I said we'd tell everyone we're dating when we're ready to, not when—"
"WAIT WHAT?" Blake shouted.
Neo couldn't help but laugh, realising her girlfriend's mistake, "Damn her cat hearing."
Weiss on the other hand didn't see the humour in it, and angrily turned to Yang, "Happy now? Why'd you have to keep egging us on?"
"Don't look at me, you're the one that said it," the blonde said innocently, raising her hands like a caught thief.
"I will look at you! I wanted to wait until we were ready!"
"Can someone explain what's going on?" Ruby cut in, getting a laugh from the rest of the team.
Neo wrapped her arm around Weiss' shoulders, "Well... As of this morning, we're dating." The heiress smiled and nodded, putting her arm around Neo. Yang squealed with delight at the announcement, and Ruby and Blake weren't far behind her.
"Wow..." Ruby started. "Did not see that one coming. I'm so happy for you guys, congratulations!"
"You're really gonna have your hands full now. You sure you can handle her?" Blake joked.
"Of course! She's not crazy all the time," Weiss smiled.
"Actually, I was talking to Neo."
Neo smiled, "I'd only have to 'handle' her if she did things I don't like."
"Aww that's so sweet," Weiss said, pulling her girlfriend in for a hug.
Yang made a face, "Alright alright, enough of that cutesy stuff."
"Yang, you're the last person I'd expect to get grossed out by it," Ruby giggled.
The brawler stuck her tongue out at her sister, "Anyway, I think we've been here long enough. Wanna go get dinner?" A resounding yes came from the rest of her team and they got up to leave, Ruby being the first one out the door.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what happened to Neptune?" Blake asked as they walked.
"He made it clear he was only looking for sex," Weiss said. "And that's not what I'm looking for."
"Well, I know someone isn't getting laid tonight," Yang said, earning a glare from the rest of her team. "Oh lighten up!" They arrived at the dining hall just as the seafood bar opened, Blake seeming especially interesting in the smoked fish. After a few crude jokes about cats and fish from Yang, they got their dinners and took a seat at their usual table.
"Oh crap," Weiss said suddenly, turning to Neo. "We were supposed to go out for dinner."
"Actually, you never answered me on whether or not we would," Neo replied, remembering their earlier conversation.
Yang smirked, "Wow, forgetting dates already?"
"In our defense, I did black out. That kinda put everything else to side."
"True, but I still should've remembered." Weiss pouted, "I feel bad now."
"Don't," Neo said sweetly. "We can go out tomorrow night. Sound good?" Weiss nodded and smiled, and the team went back to eating. Shortly after, they were joined by team JNPR and two others, one of whom Weiss was not happy to see.
"Hey, sup guys?" Neptune asked as the group sat down, shooting a wink at Weiss.
Yang's face lit up, "Please let me be the one to tell him." Weiss glared at her, thankful Neptune hadn't heard, but didn't say no. Dinner went on, becoming increasingly awkward as Neptune continued to hit on his previous date. Neo felt herself growing more and more angry at every flirty thing he said. Thankfully, Weiss was able to keep her under control, but Neo felt her fuse shortening with every word that left his mouth. Eventually he and Sun got up to get dessert, giving the couple, as well as the rest of team RWBY, a minute to breathe.
"Is everything alright, Neo?" Pyrrha asked. "You look angry."
Neo turned and gave a look to Weiss, who nodded and cleared her throat. "Yes and no," the heiress spoke softly. "We actually have an announcement."
Neo smiled, taking Weiss' hand, "We um... We're dating."
To say jaws hit the floor was an understatement at team JNPR's reaction. It was a solid thirty seconds before any member had recovered enough to speak. "Whoa..." Jaune said, sounding both sad and surprised. "That's uh... That"s not what I expected to hear."
Pyrrha put her hand on his shoulder, "What he means to say is that's wonderful news, and we're all happy for you."
"R-Right, that's it."
Oh, that's right, Neo remembered. 'He had a crush on Weiss. I kinda feel bad for him. Having to compete with Neptune must've been tough enough, I can't imagine how he feels now... She shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned to the rest of team JNPR, who had been quiet so far. Ren smiled and nodded in acknowledgement, showing more emotion than was expected. Nora, on the other hand, practically couldn't contain herself at the news.
"Oh my God that's amazing!" she squealed. "You two are so cute together!"
"Shhh! Not so loud!" Weiss said frantically, looking across the way to see if Neptune or Sun had heard.
"Again, can I pleeease be the one to tell him?" Yang begged.
Neo glared over at the blue-haired boy, "If it'll make him shut up, go for it. If he hits on Weiss again, my boot's going straight up his—"
"Calm down," Blake interrupted. "It should be you or Weiss that tells him. No matter how much you don't like what he's doing, he's only flirting because he still thinks she's available."
Yang pouted, "Fun crusher."
"Care to do the honours, Neo?" Weiss asked.
"I would love to," she replied with an evil grin. The two boys returned with several plates of sweets and assorted desserts for the table, and Ruby was quick to snatch a plate of chocolate chip cookies for herself. Only moments later, Neptune was at it again, sending Neo over the edge.
"So Snow Angel, got any plans tomorrow night?" he asked with a confident smile.
"Yes, actually she does," Neo cut in angrily. "We're going out tomorrow night."
"Oh, that's cool. What about Tuesday?"
"No, I mean we're going out tomorrow. As in a date. She's my girlfriend," Neo said coldly.
Sun nearly choked on a bite of cake at Neo's final sentence, and Neptune stared at the pink-haired girl with a look of shock and disbelief. The tension at the table could've been cut with a knife, and both teams went completely silent, eyes fixed on Neptune as the scene unfolded before them. "This um... This is a joke right?" he asked with a nervous chuckle. Both girls shook their heads. "Wow... I guess uh, I guess I... I have to go, I'll see you guys later."
He got up in a hurry and left amid the pleas from the table to stay. After a moment Sun got up as well, "I think I'd better go after him, I'll catch up with guys you later. Oh, and congratulations you two. Blake, you're still straight, right?" His attempt to lighten the mood worked, everyone giggling at the comment. Blake rolled her eyes and nodded, and Sun gave her a thumbs up before taking off after his friend.
"On the bright side, that certainly could've gone worse," Yang said.
Weiss smiled, "I think you handled it well, Neo. Compared to what you were going to do."
Neo sighed, "Thanks, but I kinda feel bad. I hope I didn't make him too upset." A terrible pun from Yang brought the table's attention away from the incident, and they were happily able to resume dinner like any other night. The meal ended and the two teams parted to return to their dorms.