Ruby hated sleeping alone.
Despite being unnaturally skilled in combat and fearless of grimm, she still had fears. And just like anyone else, she had occasional nightmares. On this particularly cold winter night, Ruby had woken in a cold sweat, shivering from both the low room
temperature and residual terror.
For a minute or two, she simply stared ahead blankly, allowing herself to calm down.
"Ruby?" The sudden voice made her jump, and she looked to the side quickly. Blake was wide awake with a book in her hands. She was looking at Ruby with concern. "You ok?"
Ruby took a deep and shaky breath, running her hands through her hair before answering in a small voice.
"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine." She said, looking at the wall despondently. 'I'll never get enough sleep at this rate' she thought to herself.
"Nightmares?" Blake asks, closing her book and relaxing a bit. Ruby considers her response carefully, and decides to open up to her faunus teammate.
"Yeah... I... I've been having the same one lately. Roman and his men are invading Vale, and you three die in the fight... and there's nothing I c-can do a-about it!" She explains, dissolving into sobs.
The sight of the poor girls broken tears pulls blake to to her feet. She immediately stands and walks to her leaders bunk. She scoops the younger girl into her arms, and Ruby doesn't resist.
Blake carries the young huntress to her lower bunk, and lays down. Ruby instantly clings to Blake, sobbing and shaking.
"Shhh. It's ok. We're still here." Blake assures her, stroking her head gently. After a minute or two, Ruby stops crying, still latched tightly to Blake.
"Thanks Blake." She mumbles quietly into the older girls pajama shirt, already sounding sleepy.
"You're welcome Ruby." Blake replies softly, smiling and holding Ruby close. Their breathing slows and evens out, and Blakes eyes become heavy. Ruby quickly falls into a dreamless sleep, and Blake just lays there.
Blake didn't generally like cuddling, or any physical contact for that matter, but Ruby holding her desperately felt so right. Blake welcomed the warmth, both of the skin and the heart, and smiled.
"Sleep well, my little rose." She whispers, and closes her eyes. She falls asleep with a soft smile on her face, holding Ruby close, and shielding her from her nightmares.