Amber orbs scanned the room...
That's odd. It was unlocked, so she has to be in here-
… Until her eyes reached the floor.
"Weiss?!"
Faster than lightning, Blake was already kneeling next to her. Before touching her, she noted that her teammate was panting, a little harshly. And her eyes were closed.
Tenderly, Blake placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her. "Weiss?"
This didn't cause her to stir, which made Blake's concern shoot through the roof. She swallowed the bile in her throat as dread creeped into her. Based on Weiss' awkward position, there was no way she simply fell asleep on the carpet.
"I'm sorry," the faunus murmured, thinking she played a part in her friend falling ill. "You'll be better in no time. I'll make sure of it."
With great care, Blake turned her over and coaxed her in her arms. She was like a heating pad. Didn't weigh much and hot to the touch.
A frown.
You've had a rough day, Blake cleared the sweat on her forehead away with her sleeve, feeling her shivering. It's no wonder you have a fever.
Seeing her like this made Blake dive into a maternal mode. She didn't usually feel like this and briefly wondered why. With her teammate secured in her arms, she stood and was careful not to jostle her.
"Nngh…"
Cat ears perked up from the feeble groan.
"Weiss? Are you okay?" Blake asked, peering down at her and watching her face flinch. "Uh, stupid question. Do you need anything?"
At last, pools of azure were revealed. There was confusion swimming in them as she tried to look around. It appeared her vision was blurry, but she was able to see the flowing black hair.
"Blake...?"
There was vulnerability and weakness shrouding her voice. Blake never heard her sound like that before. It was almost unsettling. Gradually, Blake went to her teammate's bunk.
"Can I get you anything?" Blake asked, which earned a hum. "Is that a 'yes?'"
"I'm fine," Weiss replied and closed her eyes, her head lolling onto her shoulder.
With care, Blake lay her down on her bunk.
She can't even stay awake, she thought sadly.
"You're obviously not okay. You're staying in bed today."
Blake tucked her in the covers as if to trap her there, which earned a measly sigh. The blankets engulfed Weiss in enticing warmth, although she was still shivering.
At last, azure eyes groggily opened. When she noticed she was laying in her bed, she tried to sit up. Only for a kind, yet strong hand to hold her down.
"I can't-"
Before Weiss could retort, Blake cut her off. "I don't want to hear any whining. I will force you to stay here if I have to."
Briefly, Weiss glared up at her but had no energy to retort. "You're the worst."
Weiss pouted and curled into the tiniest ball under the covers. Anything to conserve heat. Secretly, she was glad that out of all people, Blake found her.
Her stubbornness made Blake smile. "You're welcome."
While she got comfortable, Blake texted her team about the situation and to take good notes for them. When that was done, she retrieved two pills that should reduce the fever.
"Don't fall asleep yet," Blake said and pulled down the covers. "You need to take these."
Weiss grumbled under her breath and rolled over to ignore her.
"You're not an easy patient," Blake said, amused. "Can you please take these and then I'll leave you alone?"
"Fine."
After Weiss sat up, she took the medicine with ease. Blake was happy to help her lay back down and fluffed the pillows for her.
"Do you want more blankets?" Blake asked, noticing she was still shivering.
"Aren't you supposed to leave me alone?" Weiss asked, but her words lacked sharpness.
She's not used to asking for help.
With a smirk, Blake retrieved several blankets and draped them over her teammate. She was just glad she could help. Even with the fever, there was no way she could get cold with all the heat.
"Are you sure you don't want to change into anything comfortable?" Blake asked, referring to the fact that she was still in her school uniform.
"I'm okay for now," Weiss breathed. "Thank you… Blake."
Hearing that made Blake grin widely. She could tell she was about to fall asleep any second. "I'll be here if you need anything."
An hour passed. During that time, Blake retrieved a cold cloth and put it on her scorching forehead. Overtime, Weiss had fallen asleep, with her breathing deeply.
Blake sat next to her and read a few books while periodically checking on her teammate. It seemed like every few minutes the cloth was warm again, so she ran it under cold water often.
Fortunately, Weiss' condition didn't worsen. The shivering eventually ceased and her face wasn't nearly as red thanks to the medicine. For a while, she had been resting, completely serene.
Again, Blake checked on her and noticed her eyes were open this time. "Good morning. Do you need anything?"
"It's almost evening," Weiss scowled lightly, thinking being bedridden was the worst. "Can you get me some water?"
She finally asked for something, Blake thought happily.
"One moment."
After Weiss struggled to sit up, Blake was there to prop her up with the pillow. She grabbed the cloth that had fallen in Weiss' lap.
"That's what gave me relief," Weiss said as she stared at the washcloth.
In her sleep, there was a noticeable moment when she wasn't burning at the stake.
"Glad it helped," Blake smiled as she handed her the cold glass.
Weiss drank it, savoring the cold water that soothed her itchy throat. It was heavenly. As Blake helped her lay her down, she noticed her skin was still emitting warmth.
"Are you too hot? I can remove the blankets."
Weiss sighed as she sank into the pillow. "I'm always cold."
"Really?" Blake asked as she sat next to her on the bed, putting the cold cloth back on her forehead. "I thought you wore long sleeves to hide your stripes. Not because you're actually cold."
When her markings were mentioned, Weiss glanced away. "It's merely a coincidence."
"How are your arms feeling?" Blake asked, glad she could finally check now that they were alone.
"Better," Weiss stated, offering her arm.
From the gesture, Blake rolled up the sleeve.
"See?" Weiss commented in reassurance, hoping she wouldn't worry anymore.
In the lighting, Blake was able to fully appreciate the markings. While the stripes were exceptionally faded, she thought they were out of this world. The whiteness was a little red from the burns, but on the way to recovery.
She might not like them, but I think they're gorgeous. The stripes are precise. Like her.
"They're beautiful."
"Wh-what?"
To say that caught Weiss off guard was an understatement. The only reason why Weiss could tell she was speaking truthfully was because amber orbs were twinkling. It was flattering.
"I said you have beautiful stripes," Blake repeated with a smile and no hesitation.
Shyly, Weiss gazed at the top of her head. "Your ears…"
This caused her cat ears to flick. "What about them?"
"I think they're beautiful, too," Weiss complimented.
If Weiss' face wasn't already redder than a cherry, she would definitely be blushing.
"T-thanks," Blake stammered as she trickled her fingers over the stripes. They were beyond soft. "I've been wanting to ask, are you a zebra faunus?"
Weiss nodded, thinking no one had looked at her this way before.
Maybe no one has touched her markings this way. I don't even let people touch my ears and she's letting me do this. I don't think I've met a zebra faunus before. Not even in Menagerie.
"Blake?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for taking care of me," Weiss said after a yawn, pulling down the sleeve. "I know it's not exactly the most exciting thing in the world."
Briefly, Blake was disappointed she couldn't feel the stripes more. Rather than pout, she adorned a grin from her teammate's kind words.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"You need a hobby."
"My hobby works well with taking care of you. Thanks to you, I got to finish a book I've been working on for a couple of weeks."
That elicited a light giggle.
Aw, look at them bonding! I chose a zebra faunus since I've never seen it done before and thought it was original. Could be totally wrong, though. There are lots of Weiss faunus ears/tail fics out there, so I wanted to spice it up a bit!
Stay dandy,
~Toto