The night clashed against snow.
The wind howled relentlessly, not ceasing for a moment.
Inside, the flames roared and crackled. Warmth coated the cabin in a wool blanket. Shadows silhouetted the wooden walls and floorboards.
Kneeling on the floor was Ruby, who was holding her girlfriend's hand. For a couple of hours, Weiss was in and out of consciousness. Each time she woke, Ruby was there.
In her sleep, Weiss' eyebrows were knit together, her expression clearly pained. Her muscles contracted and twitched at sporadic intervals, most likely due to the effects of the poison ravaging her system.
On occasion, moans of pain slipped out in her restless sleep. Each time Ruby heard the troubling whimpers, she kissed her cheek. To prevent more agony, Ruby made sure her girlfriend's poisoned arm was still and resting on her stomach.
"Does she need anything else?" Yang asked, hoping to be of help.
From the question, Ruby snapped out of her thoughts. She'd been so wrapped up in watching her girlfriend sleep that she forgot her teammates were present. They'd been quiet until now.
"Water," Ruby replied, thinking that Weiss hadn't drunk anything for hours.
Since Blake was already in the kitchen and heard the request, she filled up a cup with sink water. By some miracle, the pipelines were still working after the destruction of the village.
"Weiss?" Ruby murmured as she soothed her fingers through snowy tresses. "Are you with me? You need to drink some water."
A soft, unintelligible whine worked its way from the back of Weiss' throat. Ruby didn't know if that was a reply or another moan. Still, she needed water, so Ruby moved an arm beneath her slim back.
"I gotcha…" Ruby whispered as she lifted her to sit upright.
She was slow and deliberate with the movements. To help, Blake kept her friend's injured arm still. Noticing this, Ruby sent her a glance of appreciation.
Dull pools of blue were half-lidded. It was a struggle for Weiss to adjust after being stationary for a while. It was such a small movement and put such a strain on her. Ruby had never seen her girlfriend in such a helpless state before. It sent pangs of worry shooting through her.
Biting her lip, Ruby accepted the glass of water from Blake.
"Do you think she can?" Blake asked.
"Let's hope so," Ruby said, her voice cracking.
Carefully, Ruby tilted the cup to her lips. She pulled away when water dribbled down her chin. Weiss almost forgot to swallow and lightly choked. Instantly, Blake and Ruby reached out for her to keep her still.
"Oh gosh, sorry, sorry, so sorry," Ruby apologized, feeling horrible for making her feel worse.
After Weiss coughed a couple times, she was quiet.
"Do you think you can drink more?" Ruby asked, hopeful. "That wasn't much…"
When Ruby received no reply, she noticed her girlfriend's eyes had drifted shut. After muffling a whimper, Ruby set a hand on Weiss' forehead and brushed her damp bangs aside. The torrid heat emanating from her almost caused Ruby to recoil.
"Weiss…"
The leader's voice cracked with misery. Blake's cat ear flicked as she gazed down at her ailing friend. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat and ease her jarring stomach, but it was no use.
"I found food!" Yang announced as she darted into the living area with a few cans in hand. "Nothin' fancy, but it's better than nothing."
The labels read green beans and salmon.
"Fish would help her," Blake said, glad there was food with nutrients. "It's probably the best food she needs right now."
Salmon wouldn't stop the poison from spreading, but it could aid Weiss' body in fighting off the toxins.
Thankful for some good news, Ruby gazed down at Weiss. Any spec of hope fled out the window when she noted her condition. Weak pants barely allowed her to breathe. Her girlfriend could barely drink, let alone eat.
"I-I don't know if she can."
"We'll save some so she can later," the blonde said, noting her condition as well. "I think she needs sleep first. She'll have more energy when she wakes up."
"Yeah," Blake nodded and ripped open the can. "We'll make sure she eats before we leave."
Yang crouched to get at eye-level with her sister, who hadn't torn her gaze away from Weiss.
"Eat up."
"I'm not hungry," Ruby replied like she was broken.
Yang had never heard her sister sound so depressed. It broke her heart. This compelled her to press.
"Do you want Weiss to feel better?" Yang asked.
"Of course I do," Ruby replied without missing a beat.
Yang shoved the can of salmon into her face. "How do you expect her to get better when you're not at full strength?"
No reply, so Yang continued.
"She needs you, Ruby. Now more than ever. You need to be at your best for her."
The next day, the team faced a long hike through the icy wilderness. More encounters with grimm were a given. If none of them ate, their strength would be weakened. There was no way the leader could protect her girlfriend if she was low on energy.
"Okay," Ruby relented, knowing her sister was right.
With that, Blake retrieved a few paper plates. Each portion was a normal meal size, so they got their fill. They truly hit the jackpot with this cabin. If they were stranded outside- they didn't want to think about it.
Ruby leaned her back onto the couch, keeping the rest of the food safely in the cans. Blake and Yang sat next to each other and leaned on the wall as they ate.
The flames almost burned their skin. The shadows cast a dark light in the room. The room was quiet.
Over time, the faunus had leaned onto her partner. Yang welcomed the contact wholeheartedly, but lilac orbs never left Ruby. Her sister was pressing a wet washcloth onto Weiss' hot skin.
"How much longer?" Yang asked in a whisper.
Since her breath tickled, Blake's cat ear flicked. "It's midnight," she said, looking at her phone. "So maybe five or six hours left."
Visibly, Yang tensed. "This is the longest night ever."
"We've done all we can," the faunus tried to reassure.
"I haven't felt this helpless since…" Yang paused, looking down at her robotic arm.
"I'm sorr-"
At last, Yang met her partner's gaze, which caused Blake to shut her mouth. Concern and compassion swam in lilac.
"It wasn't your fault," the blonde said softly, yet firmly. "Try not to apologize anymore, alright? I'm ready to put it behind us."
Blake nodded and squeezed her hand when she thought about the other countless times she tried to apologize.
"Right. Sor-"
A firm stare.
"My bad," Blake said.
That earned a light chuckle.
For a few moments, the partners were content to sit there and enjoy each other's presence. The crackling of the fire was the only noise to reach their ears. Eventually, Blake had to speak when they couldn't stop watching the white rose couple.
"Shouldn't you be by your sister?" Blake whispered, making sure Ruby didn't hear. "She needs you."
"No," the blonde replied in a low voice. "I can't take her away from the princess. Besides, I don't want to leave you."
"Same," Blake said as she rested her head on the taller girl's shoulder.
Her eyes were growing heavy. Now that she had time to rest, her body felt the full effects of the day. She felt like lead, and she knew Yang felt the same. Yang smiled as she rested her head on top of Blake's own.
"Rest up, Blakey."
"Make sure Ruby sleeps…"
Blake trailed off, almost unable to finish her sentence. The blonde's vision was blurry as she stared at the red hood.
"She always falls asleep after she eats," Yang said, closing her eyes.
As Ruby leaned over Weiss, she fought to stay awake. To stay anchored to reality, she held onto her hot hand. Constantly, Ruby checked on her arm. The poison didn't look like it was spreading.
Soothed by the thought, Ruby sighed in relief. They weren't out of the woods yet, but that was one thing she could cling onto for hope.
Lovingly, she leaned down and kissed Weiss' scarred eyelid.
By now, Weiss had stopped panting so feebly. It looked like she was in a peaceful slumber at last. Her chest was faintly rising and falling. If Ruby hadn't concentrated, she would've missed that.
Weiss… Ruby thought as she leaned onto the couch. I'm right here.
Comforted by the sounds of her soft breaths, Ruby slipped into the realm of slumber.
...
One-by-one, her senses came into play. There was a burning sensation throughout her entire body. Despite the hotness, there was a soft material that coated her. It felt like a blanket.
Her fingers twitched before her mind could work. There was a comforting sensation in her hand. She briefly wondered why. She should probably find out. Determined, she fought to regain some semblance of reality.
Eventually, azure orbs fluttered open. Wood was all around. It was hot. So hot. Where was she? Weiss' mind almost delved into panic mode, but her nerves were eased when she noticed Ruby. Her girlfriend was holding her hand and lightly snoring. So she was the reason for that grounding presence she sensed earlier.
The sight of her dolt caused Weiss to smile for the first time that night. With the little strength she had, Weiss turned her head and kept her arm still. Ruby looked so exhausted. Fighting countless grimm and constantly worrying drained her.
You dunce… Weiss thought. You look so tired.
Weiss was tempted to kiss her. To comfort her in any way, but she didn't want to move. She was afraid to.
Instead, her eyes flickered around the room. Again, she smiled from the sight. Blake and Yang leaned onto each other for support as they dozed.
Before she could enjoy her picture-perfect team, a pang shot up her arm. Even as she lay still, the pain was relentless. A round of stabbing jolts emanated from her arm and took hold of her very being.
She couldn't bite back her whimpers, but her team couldn't wake up. They needed sleep.
No… make it stop…
She couldn't disturb them-
From the tiny, muffled noises, Blake literally jumped up from her spot. Yang didn't rouse at all. Then again, she was a heavy sleeper. Weiss was in too much pain to acknowledge how quickly Blake reacted.
After Weiss sharply inhaled, she whispered. "Don't wake her up."
Of course the first thing Weiss would be worried about is her girlfriend, Blake thought. The faunus went to check on her and stepped next to Ruby.
"I won't," she murmured.
"Where... are we?" Weiss asked.
"This cabin was the only place spared," the faunus said. "Lucky us, huh?"
No reply. Weiss' face contorted to a grimace.
"Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine," Weiss replied curtly.
Blake frowned. "You're obviously not."
The pain wasn't subsiding. It ate at her arm. The toxins were wearing her body down. By dawn, Weiss was worried she wouldn't have any energy just to stay awake.
"I look forward to getting back," Weiss admitted tiredly.
"I bet," Blake said, looking at her limp arm. "May I?"
A feeble nod.
Cautiously, Blake tilted her arm to check on the injury. Unintentionally, Weiss flinched and gasped in pain.
"Sorry," Blake apologized as she examined the wound.
As she feared. The poison had slithered passed the black ribbon tied around her slim arm. The blackness underneath tainted her skin purple and undoubtedly increased the pain tenfold.
"How bad is it?" Weiss muttered, afraid of the answer.
Blake looked conflicted as she chose her words. "It's spreading, but it's slow."
"Slow…" Weiss mumbled. She could accept that. If the poison was fast, she'd be dead right now. "Such a nuisance..."
A bead of sweat dribbled down her cheek. The faunus wiped it away and whispered.
"Can you eat?"
"Believe it or not, I'm not hungry," Weiss said sarcastically.
From the reply, Blake almost smirked. At least she still had her sarcasm.
"I figured," the faunus replied.
Being in excruciating pain would demolish a person's appetite. She wasn't about to fight her on that, or her teammates might stir.
Amber orbs drifted down to the sleeping leader. "She really loves you."
"I know."
Weiss didn't need to be told that. The couple always had a loving relationship.
Pale, yet torrid hands soothed through Ruby's hair. From the comment, Weiss lightly smiled, savoring the soft feeling. Ruby's hair was always soft. Even after killing dozens of grimm.
While Weiss focused on Ruby, Blake checked her scroll. Twenty percent battery life left. It could be worse, but it was only 2 A.M. They had a few hours before daylight.
"Wha… uhh."
Blearily, Ruby stirred. Part of Blake was glad she woke up. Weiss needed her. With that in mind, Blake went to rest next to her slumbering partner before Ruby realized she was awake.
"Ruby…"
From the call of her name, Ruby snapped out of her daze. Sounded like Weiss. She was awake! Like an eager puppy, Ruby held her hand tightly.
"Weiss, are you okay? Do you need anything? Does it hurt? Are you in pain? Tell me if I can do anything."
So many questions. Weiss didn't have the energy to answer them all.
"Don't worry."
"That's kind of impossible," Ruby said knowingly.
Touched, Weiss summoned the remains of her energy to caress her cheek. Fondly, Ruby held her hand there.
"I'm sorry," Ruby apologized. Weiss could tell she'd been yearning to say that for a while even though she didn't need to. "We shouldn't have rushed combat."
"You're such a dunce," Weiss lightheartedly chided.
"What?" Ruby asked, skeptical.
"It's not anyone's fault," Weiss said firmly. She was never going to let Ruby blame herself. "Don't be stupid."
Sharp words, but they lacked an edge.
"I promise you'll be fine," Ruby promised, determination sparkling in those silver eyes. "We'll get you home safely, Weiss."
"I trust you, partner," Weiss said as she brushed her fingers on her cheek. The sensation was so light it tickled.
"Leave everything to me," Ruby said as she leaned into her hand.
A moment of silence. Ruby savored her warm touch.
Below her, Weiss' lips parted.
"I love you," she said genuinely. "I know I don't say it often, but I do."
A wide smile. It was so bright that it masked the flames.
"You don't need to, silly," Ruby replied with her goofy grin. "You show it with your actions every day."
If Weiss wasn't already red, Ruby was positive she'd be blushing now. Carefully, Ruby lowered herself over her, making sure not to touch her injured arm.
Their lips met in a soft kiss. They simply melted into it and naturally smiled into the passionate contact.
In the background, the flames crackled.
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Stay dandy,
~Toto