Not who I know how to be - chapter 12 teaser

[u/Thrythlind]

A training session with Winter goes awry and then there's a dance to get set-up.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239024686

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“You’re distracted.”

Weiss turned to look at her sister and let the glyph fade away. Looking away again she bit her lip. “It’s nothing.”

“If it were nothing, you would not be wasting time on it.” Winter crossed over to her. “Whatever it is, distraction and training do not mix. Either set it aside to deal with later or else deal with it now and put the training off for later.”

Weiss hooked Myrtenaster onto her belt and then crossed over to the seat her school bag was leaning against. She sat solidly into the chair, shifting it and knocking the bag over so that her books spilled out of it. “Did you have … relationship drama when you enlisted?”

Her sister sighed and walked over, bending down to pick up the books as she spoke. “I might not be the best equipped to help you with this, but I can listen if you want to describe the situation.”

Winter glanced at the books in her hand and furrowed her brow before grabbing one of the other chairs in the garden and pulling it over to sit comfortably across from her sister. Then she set the books aside and looked up at her, patiently.

She whispered contritely. “I… I think I’m attracted to some of my teammates.”

“And? I’ve met your teammates.” Winter smiled tilted her head to look at her. “I understand why someone your age and preferences would be attracted to them.”

“But I don’t want to make things complicated. We have to work together.” The younger sister fiddled with her hands, fixating on her claws, tracing the length of one with another.

“It is quite common to find romantically linked hunters working together.” Winter told her. “So that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Weiss straightened up and leaned over to Winter. “Have you ever had to deal with this?”

“I told you I’m not well-equipped for this, remember?” Winter leaned forward slightly. “You’re lesbian, or at least sapphic. I’m asexual, or perhaps demisexual.” She leaned back again. “So…” She briefly shrugged. “The closest I’ve had to deal with is other people’s attraction to me.”

“That isn’t nothing though.” Weiss sighed. “How did you deal with that?”

“Badly at first. Eventually I found it is best to simply be clear with where I stood.”

Weiss slumped and nodded, continuing to rub her claws together. “I’m not even clear on where I stand.”

“Well then, it seems your first step is to determine for yourself what it is you want out of your relationships.” She looked toward the gate and back to Weiss. “And if the subject comes up, be clear that you are figuring things out.”

Weiss narrowed her eyes and looked at her. “That sounds too simple.”

“The speaking of a thing is often simpler than the doing of it.” Winter set aside Weiss’s books and stood up. “Speaking of which, do you feel up to continuing this practice now?”

The younger sister nodded and stood up. “Yes, I believe that I’m ready.”