Commission for moonwatcher13! Post volume 3 finale, alternate ending.
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.
Chapter 38. Peaceful Sleep
She couldn't move.
She couldn't breathe.
She couldn't stop it.
All she could do was watch.
Every detail was still so vivid, every fearful beat of her heart poignant and powerful enough to shake her entire body.
Ruby crouched on the top of the tower, her eyes lifting up only seconds before Cinder's arrow was released, aimed with intent to kill, path unobstructed. It connected, and Pyrrha gasped desperately.
Ruby tried to scream, tried to move.
But it was no use.
She watched her die.
Watched the light leave her eyes as her body went numb, then swayed, then vanished before her eyes.
Only after it was already too late was Ruby finally able to scream.
"PYRRHA!"
Even now, she could hear herself saying it, over and over.
"Pyrrha... Pyrrha..."
Every time she said it was another flip in her hospital bed, tossing around, kicking the sheets off, nearly rolling off-
"Ruby!"
A familiar voice called out gently to her in the darkness. Seconds later, the auditory signal was accompanied by a haptic one as a hand was placed over her shoulder.
"Ruby! Ruby, wake up."
"Mmn..."
Ruby flipped over once again, unknowingly rolling closer to the edge of her hospital bed. Thankfully, two strong arms were able to catch her before she could fall.
"Ruby, it's okay! Please wake up!"
Ruby thrashed a little more, her mind still trapped by the thorns of the night terrors. But as her senses began to register in reality, she realized where she truly was.
Whimpering, her eyes flew open, staring in shock up at the calm, quiet ceiling of the infirmary room. Once her hearing registered properly, she could make out the sounds of her teammates asleep across the room. There were Weiss' little mumbles, Blake's soft breaths, Yang's snores...
So then... who was holding her?
Ruby flashed her frightened gaze to the side to seek out her savior, and all but blurted out her name.
"Pyrrha!"
"Yes, Ruby. It's me. I'm here, and I'm fine, remember?"
Adorned in a long pink gossamer nightgown, with her gorgeous red hair free all down her back, Pyrrha smiled warmly down at her. Her emerald eyes glinted calmly in the darkness of the night, and she blinked them slowly in contrast to Ruby's terrified breathing.
The young huntress' silver eyes were still wide in disbelief as she tried to let reality sink in. She trembled beneath Pyrrha's cautious hands as the older girl gently pulled her back to the center of her bed, away from the edge.
Pyrrha laid Ruby on her back so it would be easier for her to catch her breath. She took the liberty upon herself to sit down there, vacating her own bed which had been placed right next to Ruby's as per the younger girl's request.
"It's all right, Ruby. Don't you remember what happened? You saved me. Just in time."
She caressed the girl's tearstained face, brushing the backs of her fingers delicately over Ruby's cheeks to clear away the salty trails. With her other hand, she smoothed out the tangled sheets, then pulled them up over Ruby's trembling form. As she did so, Pyrrha recounted the events of the true story in a whisper.
"Weiss sent you up to find me, and you did, Ruby. You saved me from Cinder. If not for you, she would have killed me. But she didn't. You saved my life."
Pyrrha leaned over her a little bit, tracing her fingers delicately around the frame of Ruby's face, clearing away her messy bangs as she finally began to calm down.
Slowly, bits of clarity began to fill her eyes as she recalled what had happened just a few days ago on top of Beacon tower. Of course she'd saved Pyrrha, or else she wouldn't be here right now, sitting beside her.
Ruby could feel herself getting choked up just in thinking about losing her dear friend.
"Pyrrha..."
Fresh tears slipped from her eyes, falling back towards her temples to seep into the fabrics of her pillow. Ruby's shaking hands clutched first at the sheets, then gradually made their way over to clasp around Pyrrha's hand.
With a patient smile, Pyrrha turned her hand over until she could hold one of Ruby's, feeling the young leader return the favor.
Pyrrha continued to caress her face, whispering soft reassurances to her as Ruby jolted beneath her, her chest jumping with little hiccups, and even tinier sobs passing through her lips. Her hands quivered around Pyrrha's, nails digging ever so slightly into the skin behind her knuckles, begging her not to go. Pyrrha maintained her smile as she cajoled the terrified girl.
"It's all right, Ruby. You're safe. I'm safe. Everyone is safe. I promise."
Ruby closed her eyes as more tears fell, nodding her head awkwardly from this angle. Pyrrha made a move to slowly slip her arm beneath Ruby's back and shoulders, keeping the other braced over her chest. With great care, Pyrrha helped her sit up straight, cushioning her back with the pillow.
Almost immediately, Ruby started coughing a little, choking out the sobs into her elbow. Pyrrha reached out swiftly to a box of tissues on a nearby table and held one over Ruby's lips for her.
She waited patiently, rubbing the distraught girl's back in soft, soothing circles until the fit had died away. Pyrrha discarded the tissues, then returned her hands to Ruby's back and chest, rubbing gently.
"There, there. It's all right, Ruby. I'm so sorry you saw something frightening."
Ruby whimpered again, shaking her head, reaching up to clutch at Pyrrha's arm. Pyrrha turned herself a little bit, drawing her legs up onto the bed now to get closer to her friend, allowing Ruby to lean sideways against her chest. Pyrrha pet through her hair with tender strokes of her fingers.
"It's all right. It wasn't real. You're safe."
She repeated each phrase as many times as she felt she needed to, until Ruby's tears and breathing had finally slowed. The room was still and silent save from her little hiccups, which Pyrrha was still doing her best to soothe.
"Ruby?" she whispered. "Shall I wake Weiss? Or your sister? Would they help you feel better?"
Pyrrha shifted her weight, prepared to make a move to leave and fetch one of the others. But to her surprise, Ruby shook her head and clung tighter to her arm.
"N...No..." she rasped. "I-It's okay... They need to rest. A-And I'm sorry, Pyrrha. I know you need to rest, too... but..."
She sniffled hard, and Pyrrha's heart ached for her. She grabbed another tissue and handed it to Ruby, waiting for her to finish blowing her nose before she tossed it away. Ruby sighed and went on, mumbling softly.
"Thank you, Pyrrha. You don't... have to wake the others, though. A-Actually, do you think you could... st-stay here with me, just a little longer? I-I mean it's okay if you don't w-want to. I know you're probably tired and-"
"Oh, Ruby." Pyrrha stopped her by gently pulling her in close, cradling Ruby against her chest. "Don't be silly. Of course I'll stay with you. Of course I will."
Ruby was already starting to cry again.
"Th-Thank you..."
She turned her face and buried it into Pyrrha's nightgown, weeping into her shoulder. Pyrrha pulled her closer still, cradling her as she ran her hands up and down her back.
"You don't need to thank me. I'm happy to be here for you, Ruby. Anything to make you feel better."
Ruby nodded and bit back a little whine of relief. She wrapped her arms around Pyrrha's waist, her fingers balling into fists at her back, clinging to her nightgown. She pulled up her legs, curling them beside Pyrrha's beneath the sheets, turning her body more fully against hers.
Ruby continued to cry, a bit more softly now. Pyrrha kept her arms around her shuddering back, still rubbing slowly in little circles, occasionally moving up to curl through her hair.
The other girls slept soundly around them, but Pyrrha didn't envy their rest. She knew that if Ruby was only going to have nightmares in her slumber, then it was much better for her to be awake and calm like this.
And Pyrrha was more than happy and willing to help with that.
Ruby was so thankful for her presence.
Of course, she was thankful that all of her friends and teammates were all right after the battle. But had any of the others come to her tonight, she felt none of them could've provided the same comfort as Pyrrha did.
Because Ruby had almost watched her die.
Only Pyrrha's voice, hands, and presence could reassure her like this. Ruby just needed to let herself absorb the reality - that Pyrrha was still here with her.
Tightening her hug on the older girl, Ruby shifted a bit. Still slumped against the headboard and pillows, she nuzzled her face into the crook of Pyrrha's neck, turning her face. Sniffling, she tried to quiet herself so she could listen. She found Pyrrha's heartbeat, strong and steady, the best source of proof that she was alive and well.
Ruby listened for a while, feeling her breathing in and out, feeling her hands on her back. In addition to her pulse, Pyrrha kept whispering little phrases to her, reminding Ruby that everyone was safe and sound.
Eventually, Ruby's shoulders stopped shaking, as did her hands. Her nose and tears stopped running, and the panic that had been flaring in her chest had been snuffed out, quelled by Pyrrha's heartbeat.
Ruby found that her eyes had closed somewhere along the lines without her knowing it. She was so warm in Pyrrha's arms, so safe...
She wanted to stay like this, just a little longer.
Struggling to find her voice, Ruby cleared her throat until she could speak.
"Mnn... Pyrrha...?"
Pyrrha had closed her eyes some time ago, never intending to fall asleep, but staying conscious and alert as she lingered at Ruby's side. Now, she reopened her eyes and traced her palms over the girl's back for her.
"Yes? What is it, Ruby?"
The young leader yawned rather cutely, then hugged her tighter around the waist.
"Pyrrha... can you... can you stay?"
Pyrrha was a little surprised, but mostly delighted to hear such a question.
"May I?"
She felt Ruby nod beneath her chin.
"Yes, please. If you wanna..."
Pyrrha moved back a few inches, just enough to press her lips to Ruby's hair.
"Then of course I will. I'd love to."
Ruby's response was a happy, sleepy hum and another hug.
Pyrrha could tell the girl was already mostly asleep by now, so she did the work of maneuvering herself beneath the blankets and laying Ruby down on her side.
Once Pyrrha was sure the girl was comfortable, she settled herself down as well, lying on her side to face her. Ruby sidled closer, like a small creature seeking warmth, and her arms easily found their way around Pyrrha once more.
The champion giggled softly and returned the contact, pulling Ruby in close. She tucked the girl beneath her chin, letting Ruby curl into her chest once again.
They both settled down and grew still, releasing slow, long exhales. Pyrrha could tell Ruby's conscious was fading quickly now, and she wanted to address her one last time before she slept.
"Ruby? Are you okay now? Feel better?"
Her response was a happy sigh.
"Yeah... Thank you so much, Pyrrha... Mm nighty night..."
Even before she'd finished the last word, Ruby faded off into slumber.
Pyrrha smiled and kissed the girl's temple softly.
"Sleep well."
She curled herself around her and held her close throughout the night.
And for the first time in days, they both slept soundly.
A/N: If only this had been canon ;~;
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