A/N: This was written for day two of this year's monochrome week on Tumblr, and these will be posted late here. For the first postings, check my Tumblr of the same name. If you missed my fic yesterday, check my account. It also includes author's notes with updates. I'll be updating throughout the week, so look forward to that. I'd just like to say in advance that this is only marginally related to the prompt, but I hope it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
Blake Belladonna, who was next in line to rule Menagerie, was on the run. After running and hiding for hours-she'd stopped counting after the third-now, she was sure that the only reason she still managed to keep moving forward was sheer willpower. Well, maybe the presence of her personal knight in quite literally shining armor helped to bolster her too.
Still trying to catch her breath, Blake kept as close to the ground as she could, amber eyes closely following her knight's movements as she carefully scanned the area. Normally, she'd help with the inspection, but exhaustion was weighing her down. Plus, the familiar tresses of white hair were fun to track as Weiss' hair swayed each time she moved. Truthfully, the knight's mere company was a comfort, but now wasn't the time to dwell on those thoughts, especially given how professional she always acted towards her. Her romance novels may have included such forbidden relationships, but Blake couldn't dare to hope that her affections were returned.
When she returned after deeming the area acceptable for rest, Blake smiled at her in an attempt to reassure the knight. It grew a bit more once she saw how tense shoulders loosened slightly, the expression mirrored on Weiss' face. The distant sound of voices getting farther away and the sky gradually darkening reassured her of their safety, at least for the night.
Now that they were able to let their guards down, Blake decided to take a breather. The cool grass felt refreshing on her back as she used the ground as a makeshift bed, and her eyes were immediately drawn to the shattered moon. If her mind weren't so addled right now, then she'd probably make a quip about how its cracks represented her life right now. Was it perhaps an exaggeration? Sure, but it'd likely elicit a retort from her lovely knight-
The Faunus groaned and dragged a hand over her face. She definitely needed to take her mind off of this-her-and peeked through her fingers when she heard soft footsteps approach. Her breath caught when she saw that Weiss had taken the time to clean her armor and weapons, the woman only clad in an undershirt and pants now. Concerned blue eyes locked with her own, and Blake could already see the question about to be asked. Not wanting to needlessly worry her, she quickly stood and shook her head. "I'm fine; it's just been a long day, and my thoughts were spiraling again."
The knight quirked her lips fondly, blue eyes glinting with mirth, the slightest touch of concern, and something else Blake couldn't make out, and Weiss merely bowed her head before extending a hand. Without hesitation, Blake allowed herself to be led to the small fire that was just started for their meager meal. She silenced another apology by squeezing the calloused hand still gripping her own and held her ground against the searching blue eyes currently roving over her face. Blake knew that if Weiss detected even the slightest hint of unhappiness on her face, the knight would try anything in her power to make her feel better. She'd like to think that it was for romantic reasons, but that just seemed to be wishful thinking…
At the uncertain dip in her lips and furrowed brows, Blake sighed and squeezed her hand again, a bit more firmly this time. She met that searching gaze with an unwavering look of her own, and Weiss relented with a sigh and shake of her head. The knight was about to pull her hand away, but Blake's firm grip stopped her. In the back of her mind, Blake knew that pushing the boundaries of their relationship was risky for both of them, and maybe other people would see it as selfish.
Except, she reminded herself, there was no one else here. And as they settled down to eat while still holding hands, Blake realized that this was the first time she did something for herself in a long time. For so long she existed for her people, but she'd never felt more alive than now. Despite being pursued by terrifying opponents, Weiss' steady presence made her pulse pound, her heart ache, and her hands shake in a way that reminded her that she was a person too, like everyone else whose lives she was bound to protect.
The knight raised a brow, eyes crinkling in concern at their shaking hands, and Blake wasn't sure if she should let go-no, never. Instead, she made a choice for herself. Years later, Weiss would refer to this very moment as the riskiest decision she ever made. Now however, the knight's blue eyes merely widened at the quiet declaration, Blake's voice not once wavering. Though Weiss didn't repeat those three words back, she did raise Blake's hand to her lips and kiss it. Her blue eyes seemed to shine in the night, and Blake was glad that her own eyes were able to make out the blush rapidly spreading across pale cheeks. With the shattered moon being their only witness, Blake felt whole despite her fractured parts and resolved to make it through this trial to return to her people, not only for herself but for the future she shared with the woman before her.
A/N: This was personally the hardest prompt for me this year, if only because I had no idea what to write. It's also shorter due to that. I can definitely tease that the rest of the week will be fun, and I'm excited to see what everyone else comes up with too! If you're wondering why Weiss has no dialogue in this, who knows honestly? Since I already switched who people usually depict as the princess, I decided to switch it up even more by having Weiss be more silent. Truly a smooth silent protector. No wonder Blake fell for her.