About two days have passed since the gang reunited at Beacon Academy, Ryder is currently in Patch right now while Weiss went back to Atlas to continue helping out. Everyone else is off doing their own thing, Blake went back to Menagerie for a bit and Yang went with her. Team JNPR is on a trip in Mistral; Kairos is in Beacon Academy helping Glynda out and Ruby is helping her mother and father around the house. Ryder was walking back to the Rose-Xiao Long Household with something in his right hand. He had gone into Vale to purchase the item, and it was special. When he arrived at the household, he saw Ruby and Tai were outside practicing hand to hand combat. Ruby has gotten better in hand to hand but still sucks at it. Summer was watching with Zwei beside her. Ryder walks over to them and stood beside Summer.
"Sparring again?" Ryder asked humored.
"Ruby said she wanted more practice and Tai couldn't help himself." Summer answered.
She then noticed the item in his right hand.
"What's that?" Summer asked.
Ryder got nervous but opened his hand enough for her to see it. Summer's eyes widened before she smiled and looked at Ryder.
"So, you're actually going to do it?" Summer asked.
"How did you-"
"Ryder, I can recognize a ring when I see one." Summer said. "Especially an engagement ring."
Ryder looked at the small box that contained the ring he had gotten. He intended to ask Weiss to marry him, but he was nervous about the whole thing.
"So, when do you intend to do it?" Summer asked.
"Not sure if I'm being honest." Ryder admits.
Tai and Ruby stop sparring as they spotted Ryder's presence and walk over to him.
"Hey, Ryder." Tai said.
"Tai."
"What's up?" Tai asked.
"he's going to ask Weiss to marry him." Summer revealed.
Tai was surprised as was Ruby, but she was more excited than Tai.
"Really!?" Ruby asked. "When are you gonna do it?"
"I don't know, today maybe tomorrow." Ryder said. "I'm not sure when and where."
"Well don't do anything over the top." Tai said. "Just be straight forward about it. No need to do anything really fancy."
"Are you sure?" Ryder asked.
"Of course." Tai said with a chuckle. "Trust me, I should have experience with this kind of thing."
Ryder looked at the box containing the ring he intended to give to Weiss. He felt a gentle hand grab his shoulder.
"Hey, it'll be fine." Summer said. "You two have enjoyed your time together for 4 Years. She won't say no."
"How do you know that?" Ryder asked.
"Trust me." Summer said.
Ryder hesitates for a moment before sighing.
"Alright, I'll head to Atlas and take things from there." Ryder said.
"Good luck Ryder." Ruby said. "Oh! I need to tell Yang and Blake what you're doing!"
Ruby then rushed inside the house to find her scroll. Ryder chuckles at his honorary sister's antics.
[Atlas, sometime later]
Ryder had teleported to Atlas and talked with Winter for a bit, letting her know what he's planning to do. Winter was glad to hear his plans and told him that doing something fancy is required as while Weiss lived in a noble like lifestyle, she'd appreciate whatever he does regardless. This helped to boost his confidence. Ryder then made his journey to the Schnee Manor where Weiss was. Of course, he flew there, and it wasn't a long trip given how fast he's become. When he arrived, he landed outside the front door and then stepped close and knocked on it. He stepped back before the door opens and reveals Klein.
"Hey Klein." Ryder greets.
"Ah, Mr. Falcone. Welcome back to Atlas." Klein said.
After Klein had been fired by Jacques, Willow made sure to rehire him and bring him back into the fold. Klein was happy to accept the offer. Ryder met him during the 4 years since Salem.
"Klein, you can call me Ryder. No need to act so formal around me." Ryder said.
"I know, but someone of your status deserves the formality." Klein justified.
"Alright." Ryder said with a chuckle. "Is Weiss home?"
"She most certainly is." Klein said. "She's helping her mother now in the office. She'd be delighted to see you back in Atlas."
"It's only been two days, Klein." Ryder said.
"Two days too long for a Hero's return." Klein said before stepping aside.
Ryder rolled his eyes with a smile and walked inside the manor. While Klein guided Ryder to Willow's Office, which was once Jacques's office, Ryder broke down why he was here to Klein. Klein was delighted to hear the news and simply told him, good luck, and how happy it would make Weiss. They eventually reach the office, and Klein knocks on the door.
"Come in." Willow said from the other end of the door.
Klein opened the door and walked inside.
"Pardon my intrusion, Mistress. But we have a guest." Klein said.
Willow and Weiss looked over and stopped talking to one another to see Ryder walking into the room with Klein. Ryder gently shuts the door once he entered the room. Weiss hurried over to Ryder and embraced him, and he returned the gesture. They then parted from the hug.
"What brings you back to Atlas?" Weiss asked. "I thought you had important things to do in Vale."
"I did, but nothing is more important than what I'm about to say to you." Ryder said.
This caused Weiss to get confused and she looked at Willow. Willow was curious what was going on, so she just watched with an intrigued expression. Weiss returned her gaze to Ryder as he got down to a kneeling position. At first, she was confused but when he brought out a small box, her eyes widened as she gasped. Willow was also surprised but smiled. Once Ryder opened the small box and revealed a ring, tears entered Weiss's eyes. But not of sadness, of happiness.
"Weiss Schnee." Ryder said before pausing for a split second. "Will you marry me?"
A second of silence came and Ryder got extremely nervous, his anxiety pushing to conclusions. But they were shattered when Weiss suddenly embraced Ryder tightly.
"Of course." Weiss said.
Joy swelled in Ryder's heart before he hugged her back.
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Author's Note: Should be 1 Chapter left