A/N: Sorry for the massive lag. Thank BG-13 for all her hard work. Enjoy

Yang's POV

My first night sleeping over at Blake's place and I was having nightmares. I sighed, glancing over at the digital clock on her night stand. Just a little passed two in the morning. Looking over to my companion, I saw she was still fast asleep, slightly snoring which she only ever did when she was really exhausted. I could feel my body vibrating, needing to move, to do something. Part of me wished I'd brought my guitar. Blake was usually such a good deterrent against my nightmares.

Carefully and quietly, I exited the bed, making my way into the kitchen. My shoulder gave a throb, feeling tight. Wasn't surprising. The weather was changing again. I inhaled deeply, leaning against the counter to collect my thoughts. Things had been good lately, it had almost made me forget about these episodes.

I gathered myself and head back into Blake's room, finding the other woman was still just as asleep as I'd left her. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her. When we'd first started going out she'd been such a light sleeper, but it felt like she'd finally started to get comfortable enough around me to relax a little. I felt honored.

My body still feels like a livewire, so I take a seat at her desk. Breathing in and out steadily. My hands flex in my lap, feeling the need to strum on my guitar. I could always wake up Blake I supposed, but she really needed the sleep. I run my hand through my hair, catching a glimpse of something on the desk. Turning on the desk lamp I see sketches. Some of Ilia, others of Weiss and Ruby, and some of me. One of my sketches has more detail, and I actually recognize it as a copy of a picture Ruby snatched of us.

I feel warmth fill my chest, just as I also feel two arms wrap around my shoulders, a drowsy hum sounding by my ear. "The bed got cold," she murmured, resting her chin where my shoulder meets my neck.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I said, putting one of my hands on top of her arm. "And I didn't mean to snoop."

"It's okay," Blake answered with a yawn. "What's wrong?" I bit my lip and she let go to turn me around to face her, sleepy eyes furrowed in concern as she placed a hand against my cheek. "Hey, talk to me."

"I...I needed a moment."

She stared for a moment, suddenly more awake than before. Then she looked over at her sketch pad and grabbed it, leading me back to bed. After covering us both she laid down and turned on the lamp next to her so that we could see the pictures.

"I drew your eyes a dozen times," she told me, flipping to a page where she had indeed drawn several pairs of eyes. "They were what I remembered most from that day."

She went through a few sketches like that, telling little anecdotes about her and Ilia when they came up. There were some pages she passed by quickly, a slight crease appearing in her features before she managed to find the ones she wanted. Her voice was soothing, and I felt my eyes growing heavier as she talked.

The last thing I remembered was her voice and the feel of her hand running through my hair before I drifted off to sleep once more.


Robyn's POV

It was interesting how different people looked when they were asleep. Winter, for example, looked so much younger, unburdened. Peaceful. Definitely wasn't something I was used to seeing. Winter seemed to always being carrying the weight of something on her shoulders. Of course, I was curious to what that might be, what experiences had shaped her. I could take a few guesses. Jacques Schnee seemed like an absolute asshole, cutthroat and shady in his business. I couldn't even begin to imagine what he'd been like as a father. His wife was a bit of an enigma. Then there was the fact that the only personal picture I'd seen in this house was the one that sat at Winter's desk, the one of her, Yang, a girl who I assumed was her sister, and a dark haired girl in a red hoodie. Yang and Winter looking a few years younger than they were now.

Winter roused from her sleep, slowly shifting to lie on her back and then blue eyes made themselves known. Still drowsy, she blinked once, then again. White hair was a mess as it splayed across the pillow, and I kind of preferred it that way, lose and wild. I couldn't really explain it.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

She hummed, rubbing at her face in an effort to wake up a little. I scooted closer, raising myself up onto my elbow to which she looked back up at me.

"So..."

One thin dark brow went up. "So?"

"We've been hanging out for a couple weeks now." One hand traced absent patterns on her collarbone. "Not that I don't enjoy this, of course, but are we ever going to talk about our tragic backstories over a nice candlelit dinner or is this all you want from me?"

There was silence after the question was asked, and when I looked back up at her expression her ice colored eyes were wide in surprise. Can't say I'd expected that kind of response.

"I didn't realize you'd want that," she admitted after a moment.

"Typically people want that, and I'm people."

Winter's brow furrowed and she sat up, and I could no longer make out her expression from this angle. "I didn't realize you'd want that. With me."

It was spoken almost softly. It struck me that perhaps Winter was having a harder time navigating all this than I'd first suspected. I wasn't blind. I'd noticed Winter seemed very calculating in how she moved about our interaction, constantly seeming to pick and choose how to respond. It had all the signs of someone who'd never been in a situation like this before.

I moved to sit up as well, resting my chin on her shoulder from behind. Winter curled in on herself slightly before leaning back into me. Her body still didn't seem sure but even this much was enough for me to know it was okay to stay like this. "I'd like to give it a shot," I said. "I want to date you, Snowflake. If you want it too."

Winter turned her head slightly, one eye finding me, studying. Then she nodded, almost to herself more than me. "Okay."

Slowly I laid back down, bringing her with me, pressing a kiss to the underside of her jaw with a grin. "Okay?"

I felt her shiver, sucking in a sharp breath. "Robyn Hill, will you go on a date with me?"

I honestly couldn't help myself. "Oh my, this is just so completely unexpected," came my teasing reply. I was feeling good, sue me.

The shorter woman released a long suffering sigh. "You're such an ass," she grumbled, moving to pull herself out of my arms. I readjusted my hold, chuckling to myself.

"I would love to go on a date with you, Winter Schnee."

She settled back into my arms with a huff. "So difficult," I heard her mutter.

"What can I say? It's a gift."


Summer POV

I could feel it, the blood pumping in my veins, that familiar adrenaline. Crouching by the tire of a vandalized school bus, the weapon in my hand held expertly, if I do say so myself. I was a retired sergeant, after all. I did enjoy my work at the hospital but sometimes I needed that little bit of excitement. Excitement that Raven was more than willing to participate in. I think she could relate to that urge, that need to let lose. Even after all these years, we still managed to have things in common.

I kept my breathing even, waiting, listening. Then... there it was, the sound of boots on a rockier part of the terrain. Paint splattered a few inches in front of me, a warning shot. A ploy to make me move. I grinned, rolling under the bus. Listening as Raven's booted steps came closer, then appeared. While still very confident in her stride, her steps were careful, still very much on alert. Not surprising.

Slowly, I moved out from under the bus on the opposite side, allowing the grass to help stifle any sound. Keeping my steps light, I cautiously peek back around the the side, noticing Raven looking at the spot I where I'd been previously. She kneeled down to look under the bus and I crept forward, pressing the muzzle of my gun into the middle of her back. She sighed, one red eye peeking over her shoulder and meeting my silver.

"Hasta la vista, baby."

And just like that, I shot her, the vest taking the impact. Still, Raven fell forward dramatically before rolling onto her back to face me. She looked unimpressed. "Why do I even hang out with such a loser?"

I kicked her boot. "Because you love me, you big softy."

In response she kicked my leg, making me collapse next to her in surprise. I can't help but laugh, shoving her shoulder. "Sore loser and a jerk. Not a good look for you, Rae."

The older woman huffed, looking up at the clear sky without commenting back.

With a laugh I stood, offering my hand to her. "Old age must be affecting you pretty bad."

"I'm only a few months older than you, and we're both pushing fifty," she replied with a grunt, grabbing onto my hand and pulling herself up.

"And in those few months you've become slow."

Raven smirked in response. "Or maybe I just let you win."

I raised a brow, hands on my hips. "Do you really wanna start this with me?"

She rubbed the back of her neck with a sigh. "I don't know how I forget how crazy competitive you can get."

"Another side effect of being an old lady I hear," I continued to tease, because it truly was just too easy. She sighed and rolled her eyes, rolling her shoulders. I frowned. That was new. Had I overdone it? "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

I smiled as I shoved our equipment in the trunk of the car. "Well, I had fun. Definitely the bit of stress relief this momma needed."

"I know," Raven answered as she stretched her arms above her head until her back gave a pop.

"Maybe next time we'll take it easy and go to a spa so your old lady bones won't be so strained," I replied as I stretched as well before getting inside the car.

"Summer, I will change the locks," she growled, though it lacked any real bite.

I laughed and backed out of the parking lot, heading home. The drive was quiet, as it usually tended to be. Raven had always been a woman of few words. As teens it had been hard sometimes to tell what she was thinking. Of course, over the years, I'd learned how to read her, how to get a decent idea of what she was thinking. Plus, I learned that the quieter Raven was, the more comfortable she was, no need to posture. Raven was a woman of a few words.

"So, I was thinking," I began casually as we neared our home, gently brushing one of my fingers next to her on the center console.

"Very dangerous," she muttered in response, her hands twitching ever so slightly, but she didn't move.

"I was thinking, since I won, maybe we could enjoy a night in," I continued in a cheerful tone, softening my voice. Though her eyes never left the road, I could see that her shoulders sagged minutely out of the corner of my eye. "Light a few candles. You could make us a nice dinner..."

"Summer."

It wasn't a surprise, the way her voice sounded. Tired, resigned, already saying no without actually saying it. I sighed as I pulled in front of the house, turning off the car. "C'mon, Rae." I gripped her hand fully now,.

We sat in silence for a beat before she gently extracted her hand from mine. "Come on."

And just like that she exited the car. I sighed, again, not surprised by the soft rejection. "So stubborn," I muttered to myself as I followed suit, smiling to myself because it wouldn't be Raven if she wasn't.


Blake's POV

I'm suffocating.

Breathing comes in sharp, shallow gasps. I feel the cold seeping into my bones, blinded by the darkness. My heart is beating in my ears and I can feel fear gripping onto my heart. I need to move, need to scream, need to run. Run. Run. Just... Run. Move!

Then there's the flash of red and the world stops short.

I'm finally moving, running, sprinting without any direction. I have to get out!

Then, I feel the water. Rain? Has to be. I'm panting, trying to calm down. I'm still freezing, shivering. Why can't I breathe? There's so much water.

Breathe Blake. Just breathe.

I can't. It keeps catching in my throat, in my chest. Why can't I breathe? There's more air out here.

The rain's still pouring from the sky as if trying to help drown me as I finally stop moving. I can feel my whole body trembling, shutting down. I can't even focus on my surroundings. Where the hell am I? Where was I before? I was... Was I...

"Blake!"

Someone's in front of me, calling my name. A hand cups my face, warm despite the weather. It sends a jolt through my body. It's familiar in its warmth, in its gentle pressure.

"Blake, breathe for me. Look at me."

There's concern in that voice, it's almost unnerving how much. I force my eyes to flick up, and am rewarded with lilac. Oh. It's as if everything slows down in that moment. My mind is no longer racing faster than I can comprehend.

Yang. She's out here. She followed me. She... followed me? Why would she... in this storm?

"Hey, that's it. Just breathe for me."

I'm breathing again. I haven't looked away from her but I can feel myself inhaling and exhaling, if a bit unsteadily. In. Out. In. Out. That's all it is. The world beyond Yang comes back into focus a little. It's dark out, the only light cast by the street lamps. Not that you can see much. Yang is holding an umbrella in her other hand, holding it above us.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have- I don't know what-"

I feel pathetic. Soaked to the bone and standing on the sidewalk in my pajamas, worrying Yang and waking her in the middle of the night. But Yang's eyes only shine with concern. She pulls me to her with her arm, hugging me to her. She's so warm. Her forehead presses to mine, and I'm aware of the fact that I'm drenched and freezing and soaking Yang's pajamas.

"I've got you. It's okay." Her hand caresses the back of my head. I pull back just enough to look up at her. She smiles. "Come on, let's go ba-"

I cut her off with a kiss.

I clutch onto her, keeping her close, and she presses forward. Then, she pulls away, panting and placing a few scattered kisses on my cheeks and nose. Finally she presses one kiss to the top of my head, and I hide my face in her neck.

"Let's get back inside before you catch a cold," she whispers as she leads me back inside.

And we do just that. Once back inside her apartment I head to the bathroom with some new pjs. When I come back into the bedroom, Yang's sitting with her guitar in her lap, strumming softly. I take a seat next to her, laying my head on her shoulder.

One life,
Is not a long time,
When you're waiting,
For a small sign

Patience,
Is hard to find.
Shadows,
Seem to fill your life

My eyes are already starting to feel heavy, and the strumming briefly stops as she pulls a blanket over me. I cuddle closer, holding her tightly. "I need to tell you about him," I say quietly. "You should know."

"You don't have to if you don't want to," she answers easily.

I sigh and shake my head. She needs to know. She should know about the man that haunts my dreams.

Where to start. "Adam was... he took something from me. He took little pieces of me - little pieces over time, so small I didn't even notice," I began as I traced the wrinkles in her shirt. "He wanted me to be something I wasn't, and I molded myself to his liking. One day I was a twelve year old girl with an innocent crush on an older boy, and then suddenly I was lying for him, and fighting people, and agreeing to run away with him, and be his girlfriend."

My thumb rubs across the bend of my opposite arm. The phantoms still linger around me, clutching and grasping. "Until I was sitting on the floor, drugged up, and that naïve little girl was long gone. And after all that, I would've stayed with him." I closed my eyes tightly as I hid my face in her neck. "I lost myself for a long time, and now that I'm finally starting to feel like me again, I can't. I want to be with you. I want you more than I ever wanted to be with Adam. I want you."

She shifts to set her guitar beside the bed and then lays down with me, holding me closer and running her hand through my hair. "And that scares the crap out of me, because the last person I was with took a piece of me." I could tell that tears were running down my face. "I refuse to let that happen again."

We sit there breathing for a moment, Yang's thumb wiping at my cheeks. Then our eyes lock. "Blake, I'm going to do everything in my power to never hurt you," she said quietly, but firmly. There's nothing but promise in her tone, in her gaze. "And I never want to take any piece of you away, sweetheart. I love you."

I let out a choked sound, letting myself absorb that promise. Letting myself believe. Letting myself trust that this woman would hold my heart in her hand like a precious gem. Hoping that maybe she would let me do the same. Because I wanted to give her even a fraction of the comfort and safety that she'd given me over the last few months.

I fell asleep to her soft, slightly off key voice.

Don't be disappointed,
Don't let your heart break.
Don't spend another minute,
In this way.
It's okay

Dry your eyes now, baby;
Broken wings won't hold you down.
You'll take flight soon, baby.
You'll be lifted up,
And you'll be there...


Weiss POV

If there was one certainty that I had grown accustomed to, it was that when Ruby and Penny were together, stamina was a must. Following after them as they went from store to store was an endurance test due to their combined energy. Though, their company made some of my bad days feel less...lonely. A surprise I hadn't expected was my invitation for Blake to join us to be accepted.

After what had happened with Winter a few months back I hadn't been sure.

Blake had been quite for most of the mall trip, though anytime Penny and Ruby dragged her into their antics there was an unmistakable smile on her face, amusement clear. Admittedly, those two were the most endearing couple I'd ever met, so it wasn't hard to smile.

A hour into the trip, I had to sit outside one of the stores, cursing myself for not wearing more sensible shoes. I'd never admit it to Ruby, but my pension for heels and platform shoes often came at a cost.

Blake sat next to me, leaning back in exhaustion, having finally managed to break away from other two's whirlwind of excitement. Still, that relaxed smile remained on her face. I was glad she was enjoying herself. I'd been worried. Seeing as she appeared to be an important fixture in Yang's life now, I'd hoped we'd find some common ground.

I noticed Blake shift out of the corner of my eye, hand absently rubbing her hip. "You okay?"

She nodded, hand pulling away. "Yeah, it's just the weather change. The old scar tissue seems to react. Or maybe it's all mental," she dismissed with a smaller smile than the one before.

I was no stranger to scars, of course. There was the obvious one across my eye from when Father had backhanded me and his ring sliced me. There were several others from other moments he'd lost his temper. Winter also had her fair share, most from times she'd stepped between Father and I. Cigar burns on her arms, cuts from when the buckle of his belt met flesh.

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

One golden eye glanced at me from her periphery. A grim set to her mouth. My father was known to be a...less than upstanding man in all areas of his life, even if his business partners were willing to turn a blind eye.

"My father did this on my twelfth birthday," I said quietly, gesturing to the scar over my left eye. It was easier to talk about it now, admittedly, years later and after some therapy. Now I could say the words without feeling like I was the one that did something wrong.

The ravenette stared at me for a moment before lifting her shirt to reveal a nasty deformed looking tattoo that had scarred on her left hip. "Ex-boyfriend, stab wound."

My lips twitched into a morbid smile as I showed her my right wrist. "Belt buckle."

She grinned, a gleam of challenge and commissary in her eyes, and showed me her shoulder. "Broken bottle."

"Broken lamp," I shot back, rubbing at where I new the healed flesh was on my scalp.

Blake laughed, the sound just a disjointed as our back and forth, and my lips couldn't help but twitch into a smile. "Who would have known I'd be sharing battle scars with a Schnee."

"We've all got our dark and twisty pasts," I told her matter of factly.

She hummed her agreement, obviously knowing how right I was. I didn't know the details, of course, but from what I'd overheard at Branwen's party, it couldn't have been any good. "Good to meet the nicer Schnee."

I sighed and looked over at her. "I'm Chief Medical Examiner and my sister is a detective, I can make anything look like an accident."

She laughed, a real one this time. "Sorry to ruffle your feathers, Chief."

That was when our shopping companions finally made their return, each carrying two bags they had not gone in with. The logo from the electronics store stood out in bright green against the black and I suddenly realized with horror that we'd left them unsupervised.

"What did you two even get?" I asked with resignation.

Penny was the one that answered. "Ruby and I found a processor that would help with loading problem we've been having on one of our computers. As well as the this component that we thought we could use to build -"

I held up my hand. "Nevermind. It's best I'm not aware so that when your next invention causes panic I can have plausible deniability."

Ruby rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, a very Yang gesture if I'd ever seen it. "Aw, come on, Weiss. That only happened that one time... and maybe that other time but we couldn't be sure due to the lack of ... well... our machine being there."

One unimpressed brow went up. "It exploded, Ruby."

Blake's eyes widened.

"Crescent Rose Mk 16 had some bugs, sure," the youngest of us admitted. "But we think we've isolated what set her off this time."

The red head smiled wide, wrapping one of her arms around Ruby's. "Oh, yes! And it is so very exciting."

I sighed, though I could only feel fond exasperation at the duo and their antics. "Why did I even invite you troublemakers."

"Oh!" The hoodie wearing woman cried out suddenly. "That's because you totally missed us!"

"Ruby!"

"What? It's really sweet."

"You're such a dolt," I said, standing to try and leave this conversation.

"A dolt who just happens to be your best friend that you missed!" she teased, shoving me playfully.

"It is okay, Weiss," Penny chimed in. "Ruby and I missed you as well."

I could feel my face turning red and that got a laugh out of Blake, who looked amused to seeing me squirm. "Oh, yeah," she said with this really irritating smirk. "I'm really glad I came today."

Truthfully. I only had myself to blame for this.