Happy fourth! Hope you are staying safe whatever your plans are


Slowly, Ruby soothed the towel onto her skin.

Since Weiss was soaked from being outside, Ruby had to dry her off. To get her comfortable, she released her side ponytail and it was a free flowing blanket of white. With great care, the captain rubbed the snowy, damp tresses.

A deep sinking feeling settled in Ruby's stomach. Weiss looked as pale as a ghost. As frail as glass. Ruby was afraid to move her the tiniest inch, for fear of causing her more agony.

Carefully, Ruby lifted her shirt just enough so she could examine her exit wound. It'd stopped bleeding previously, but that was when they moved her to the couch. To her fear, it was seeping blood again and she was developing sweat on her forehead.

"Agh…" Ruby mumbled in worry, dabbing the sweat off with her sleeve. "I'm so, so sorry, Weiss."

Instead of a reply, Ruby was greeted with faint breaths. While worrying, it was reassuring. Especially since Weiss was struggling to breathe about an hour ago. Her condition improved a tiny bit.

Concerned, the captain pressed down on her wound. That elicited a pained groan. Ruby's heart broke all over again from the heartbreaking sound. From seeing her in so much pain, tears welled-up and almost spilled over.

"It should have been me… it should've been me…"

After sniffling, Ruby wiped away her tears with her shoulder. Her hands were stained with blood again, but she had to staunch the wound or Weiss would lose even more of the vital liquid. Ruby was afraid to know how much she'd lost.

A muffled cry worked its way out the back of Ruby's throat. Stinging hot tears fell off her cheeks and onto Weiss' face below.

"W-why'd you save me?" her voice broke in misery. "It shouldn't have been you… and now look at you..."

All the crimson made her look even more like a ghost. Blood was smeared over her stomach and back. Until now, there had been no time to clean her. The injury took priority.

Ruby pressed down a little harder in a weak attempt to stop the crimson stream. "I wish I could swap places with you," she breathed between hiccups. "If I could, I would in a second."

"She knows you would."

After sniffling, Ruby glanced over her shoulder to see Blake. The faunus stood by the doorway with a saddened expression. While Ruby gathered herself, Blake wound a bandage to staunch the blood for the time being. It seemed to work, if only a little.

Unable to see her captain like this, Blake pulled her in for a hug. At first, Ruby was taken aback by the sudden embrace. Her friend was never one to initiate physical contact. Eventually, Ruby leaned onto her.

In reassurance, the faunus nuzzled into her. Ruby was so weak from using so much of her aura. She was shaking like a leaf. Her condition worried Blake.

"You can't blame yourself," Blake whispered into her ear. "Weiss wouldn't allow it."

That caused Ruby to almost smile. "She'd chew me out."

"Exactly," Blake agreed while holding her tightly. "It's easy to blame yourself. The truth is, Weiss saved you because she…"

Interested in what she was trying to say, Ruby pulled away to meet her gaze. She had an inkling as to what Blake might say, and she was excited to hear the prospect. "She…?"

"... really cares about you," Blake finished, wishing she worded that differently.

Ruby didn't seem fazed in the slightest. It made her extremely happy to hear that.

"I- I really care about her, too!" Ruby declared.

That caused Blake to softly smile. "That much is obvious."

"Thanks for cheering me up, Blake," Ruby said as she wiped her red eyes. "How's Yang? Is she okay?"

"Yang's resting," Blake informed. "Her injuries have mostly healed, but she needs to take it easy for a bit."

"What happened to her?" Ruby asked.

Blake growled from the memory. "One of the intruders was more skilled than we thought. Turns out, he had a lot of exploding dust on him. It was hard for either of us to dodge."

"Is that how your arm got hurt?" Ruby asked with a frown.

Blake nodded. "That was from the first explosion. Before Yang woke up."

Ruby pouted from the stupidity of the attackers. "What an idiot."

Using explosive dust on a ship? Moronic. The Howling Thorn could have easily capsized. If that happened… Ruby didn't want to think about it.

"He had a death wish," Blake shrugged, indifferent. "Also, don't expect much from Qrow tonight. He's exhausted and passed out next to Yang."

"That's expected," Ruby replied. "Even someone as strong as him can get tired from aura transfer."

"You're tired, too," Blake observed, taking note of the bags under her eyes.

"I think we all are," the captain sighed. "But there's no way I can rest after all that."

"Same," Blake agreed as she gazed down at the girl on the couch. "We need to patch her up."

From the mention of helping Weiss, Ruby got a twinkle in her eyes. "I tried by myself, but it was really hard."

"Alright," the faunus clapped her hands together. "We're going to do the best wrapping job ever."

"I'm counting on you," Ruby pumped her fist in determination. "I'm not very good at wrapping, though."

"You hold her up," Blake suggested. "I'll wrap her, but you have to keep her still."

"You got it," Ruby chirped, glad she could help in some way.

Eager to help Weiss, Ruby slowly lifted the girl to sit upright and her head lolled forward. Weiss was easy to lift, so Ruby was careful.

Now that she was still, Blake was easily able to wipe off any access blood with a wet cloth. After she dabbed the cool water on her stomach, she switched positions to wipe off the blood on her friend's back.

"How does it look?" Ruby asked, holding her up by the shoulders.

"Some of the blood's dry," the faunus informed. "It's a little hard to get off."

Having said that, Blake scrubbed more firmly. She was careful to not touch the entry and exit wounds, which was difficult considering blood was smeared all over and the actual wounds were hard to pinpoint.

"Easy…" Ruby murmured, trying to monitor her friend's movements.

Outside, the wind was howling. It sounded like the downpour had only begun. The Howling Thorn occasionally swayed, creaking in the meantime.

At last, Blake finished wiping off the blood. She tossed the red cloth to the side and looked up to her worried captain.

"I'm gonna wrap her up now," the faunus informed, grabbing a round of bandages. "Keep her still."

Carefully, Ruby scooted to sit on the edge of the sofa. This way, she had a better angle to hold up Weiss. Not only that, but Blake could also wrap her torso area without Ruby getting in the way.

"Go for it," Ruby said.

Slowly, Blake soothed some herbs over the entry and exit wounds. The injuries were a cruel red hue compared to the rest of her porcelain, white skin. The sight caused Blake to frown.

When she was done, she patched the girl up with a few bandage wraps. The process was much easier with two people. Blake couldn't imagine trying to hold her up while simultaneously wrapping her.

When the bandages were secure, the faunus lightly tugged on them to make sure they would sustain pressure, while also being loose enough for her to breathe. It didn't look like Weiss was straining to get oxygen. She remained the same.

With that, Blake concluded the wrapping job was as good as it could be.

"Are you done?" Ruby asked, wanting to make sure.

"Yeah," Blake sighed in relief.

Carefully, Ruby laid Weiss down to get a better look.

"Wow," Ruby said, relief in her voice. "She looks way better without all that blood."

Although she still looked like a ghost, Weiss at least wasn't a bloody ghost. She looked worlds better, although the sleeves on her shirt were still damp. The bottom of her pants dripped water and she felt like an icicle.

"She's still in her wet clothes," Blake said with a frown.

"I was afraid to move her," Ruby mentioned sadly.

"We're gonna have to," the faunus said.

Faster than lightning, Ruby vanished and then reappeared with a fluffy wad of clothes in a heartbeat. They could easily dress her in loose layers with this selection.

"Faster than ever," Blake commented.

Nervously, Ruby pressed her fingers together. "D-do you think you can do it?"

From the request, Blake sighed. "I have to do all the work, huh?"

"It- it's just that- I don't…"

Speechless, Ruby fell quiet. She had so many things to say, but couldn't put it into words. Blake knew exactly why. It's not that Ruby didn't want to help change her. To her, it probably felt like an invasion of privacy. Especially since she clearly has a crush on Weiss.

Since they're not together yet, it would probably feel wrong, Blake thought. She's lucky I'm here.

Since Blake had no feelings for her ailing crewmate, she had no problem dressing her. They are both girls, after all.

"Fine, I'll do it," Blake said to ease her. "You're still going to have to hold her up."

"Aye, aye!" Ruby exclaimed eagerly, thankful her crewmate was understanding. "Thank you."

Carefully, Ruby lifted her to sit upright. Cautiously, Blake began the process and slid off the half-wet shirt.

While keeping focus, Blake mentioned. "You should tell her you have a crush on her soon. She likes you, too. All this waiting is driving Yang and I insane."

"Uhh," Ruby mumbled while shyly looking away. Her face was as red as her cape. "Was it that obvious?"

"Painfully," Blake deadpanned as she slid on a loose sweatshirt over the girl's head. "Are you scared?"

"Well yeah," Ruby admitted like it was obvious. "I almost lost her."

"Not what I meant," Blake said as she slipped over a pair of long pants. Her cold legs absorbed some much-needed heat. "Are you afraid she'll reject you? Because that won't happen."

"Y-you think so?" Ruby asked, sounding unsure.

"I know so," the faunus replied easily.

"Well, it's not only that," Ruby mentioned, hesitant. "I'm afraid I'm not good enough for her."

She doesn't think she's good enough? Blake thought in exasperation, slipping over a pair of fluffy socks on her friend. Ruby's the most caring, most compassionate person I've ever met. Besides Yang.

Blake only stared at her captain. She'd never given her that look before. It was like she was asking if Ruby was stupid with only her face.

"Ruby, you're perfect for each other," Blake said sternly. "I didn't think I was good enough for your sister."

"Are you insane?!" Ruby blurted. "Of course you're good enough!"

"See?" Blake said knowingly. "That's what I'm trying to say. Of course you're good enough. She'd be lucky to have you."

"You really think so?" Ruby asked, wanting to make sure.

"No, I'm lying," Blake said sarcastically, which earned a playful pout. "Of course I think so. You should go for it. You're only holding yourself back."

After a sigh, Ruby said. "I guess you're right."

"Mhm," Blake hummed as she leaned away. "She's dressed now, by the way."

Eager, Ruby glanced back down to examine Weiss. "She looks worlds better."

No blood was in sight. Only loose, fluffy, and warm clothing. Gently, Ruby laid her down to rest on the sofa.

"Thank you again, Blake," Ruby said genuinely.

"No prob- agh…"

Suddenly, Blake grimaced and her hand flew to her injured arm. All that movement caused her injury to throb.

"Blake," Ruby said in worry. "You should've said something."

Naturally, the captain lifted her hands to heal her crewmate. Blake lightly smacked her hands away.

"I already put medicine on it," the faunus explained. "You're tired enough. Save your aura."

She's way too selfless, Blake thought. She needs to rest.

Before Ruby could retort, she tipped forward off the couch as her eyes fluttered shut. With a gasp, Blake caught her before she could hit the floor. A shot of pain stung her arm when there was a sudden weight in her arms.

"R-Ruby?" Blake asked, worried as pain pulsed through her arm. "Ruby, are you okay?"

Silver eyes struggled to stay open. "Have to stay… with Weiss…"

After she mumbled that, Ruby went limp. She was so tired. It hardly surprised Blake. Determined to fulfill her request, the faunus positioned Ruby to sit in front of the couch.

So troublesome, Blake fondly thought. We're such a mess.

In a rush, she fetched a few blankets and pillows. In seconds, a makeshift bed was on the floor. Carefully, she positioned Ruby to lay on it and her head met the soft pillow.

A relieved sigh.

When Ruby was settled in, Blake checked the bandages again. There were some red spots that seeped into the white. A far cry from how much poured out of her over an hour ago.

Wake up soon. For Ruby...

After she brushed her fingers through snowy tresses, Blake yawned. Like a zombie, she shuffled into Yang's room. As expected, Qrow was still there and holding her hand while they slept.

Blake was barely able to crawl into bed.

She was out like a light in seconds.


Lyrics from Lost In Thoughts All Alone: "Your will, the water reflects, so all will know your hands brought the morrow." This references that with teamwork, the crew was able to save Weiss.

Stay dandy,

~Toto