Ruby Rose adopted a combat stance and stared herself down. Wait, something wasn't right. Usually, she was the other her in this equation, and usually, the other her didn't look like Yang.

Usually, the her she currently was wasn't her at all. Usually, the her she was wasn't unarmed, either.

Still, she clashed with the Yang version of her, who fought bravely with Crescent Rose. She could still remember every step the other her took. Dodge, parry, parry, thrust, dodge, swipe, parry. The scene played out before her yet again, but from a different perspective.

It was time for the her she was to deliver the blow. Her hands glowed red as she reached down to grab the Yang version of her's arm, and yanked. It popped free with sickening ease. Just like it had earlier today. She discarded the bleeding hunk of meat, and slowly advanced on the fetal form of the Yang version of her. This was supposed to be when she lost it. When she won the fight down an arm and drained of Aura. The stuff that made her a legend. But that only happened the first time.

Instead, the Yang version of her pleaded for her life with Yang's voice. It begged for mercy. It offered to do anything. Words she was used to hearing come from her own throat.

Uncaringly as always, she plunged her hand deep into the other her's chest.

She wasn't sure which of them screamed.

She woke to find herself in a cold sweat. Blake was hovering over her with a concerned look, and gently shaking her. Ruby gently placed her right arm, the only one she slept with, on Blake's shoulder, and the shaking stopped. A wave of relief crossed Blake's face.

"That nightmare again?" Blake asked in a gentle whisper.

"Yeah." Ruby confirmed without giving any details as to what made tonight different. Blake wasn't the only one who kept secrets in their relationship.

It had been seven and a half years since it happened, but the nightmare never went away. Blake was probably the only one who knew she had it.

The palpable distance between them earlier that evening had been unbearable. Ruby was glad to have Blake hold her again, even if it was just to help get her past the nightmare.

Blake offered Ruby a tissue from the nightstand, and Ruby wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

"Did I… uh, scream?" Ruby asked quietly.

"No." Blake said softly. "Your shaking woke me up, though."

Good. She hadn't accidentally woken Violet. Or Yang.

Blake cuddled in beside her, holding her tight. Ruby knew she'd hold her through the rest of the night, and felt guilty as she thanked the gods for small miracles. Of course, she also felt guilty about it. Blake was certainly still mad at her and had been keeping her distance for a reason.

But right now, she just needed to know Blake still cared.

"I'm really sorry." Ruby whispered. "I know that's not an excuse. I know there isn't any excuse for what I did today, but… I'll be better. I just want you to know that I'm trying."

Ruby shivered. It was a bit drafty up here. Probably because the window she broke was now just covered with taped up cardboard. At least none of the glass fell inside the apartment.

"I know you are." Blake said, mechanically, but she wiped Ruby's forehead of sweat and held her closer all the same.

"It's okay to be mad at me." Ruby whispered in defeat.

"I'm not mad at you." Blake almost never went for the obvious lies like this.

There was a long pause.

"Okay," Blake corrected. "I'm a little mad at you."

That was an exaggeration if Ruby had ever heard one.

"Ruby, you were terrifying." Blake continued. "I knew Yang was going to die if I did nothing, and I couldn't do anything. I was about to let you murder your own sister in front of your daughter. I'm a trained huntress. I could have… I would have stepped in if it was anyone but you, but… just… thank the gods Violet knew what to do."

"She's our little miracle." Ruby sighed.

"I guess I'm still… just a little afraid of you after that." Blake finished.

That was the sort of lie Blake usually told. The kind that was as much about what she didn't say as what she did say, and there was no good way to figure out what it was she wasn't saying. Not without prying it out of her.

Ruby was in no position to start a fight over it.

"I love you, Blake." Ruby said instead.

She waited for the "I know".

It didn't come.

Instead, what Blake said tonight was:

"You love Yang, too."

No combat wound, not even losing her arm, could hit like those words did.