Author's Note:

If it wasn't obvious by the placement of this drabble in the timeline: Volume 3 Finale SPOILER ALERT

Suggested by: Author's Original Creation

Drabble location in R.W.B.Y. timeline: Volume 3, Episode 12: End of the Beginning

Basic Scenario: Ren stumbles upon a late-night trainer several days after the events in Beacon

*BOOP*

The smack of fists on leather.

After escaping Beacon, the sound had become commonplace to the training area of their temporary home in Patch. Even at such a late hour, Ren wouldn't have given it an afterthought -nearly passing the sliding door- until he heard the softest noise from the otherwise empty room.

A muffled sob.

His heartbeat froze with his footsteps. His fingers tightened around the mug in his hand, although it didn't seem as warm as a moment ago.

The sound of training resumed, though the pattern of beating was erratic.

Ren stood in the empty hallway; listening carefully. The strikes to the abused leather, pants of exertion mixed with frustration, and what sounded similar to the buzz of an electrical fixture -though much softer- which Ren recognized.

Nora.

Sighing, Ren turned and stepped into the training room. He hadn't expected it to be nearly pitch dark, blinking a couple of times to adjust his sight.

She was at the far corner of the room -her back to him- pounding away at a heavy bag that was nearly twice her size. The faint rays of moonlight highlighted the sweat glistening along her shoulders and down her back. Her habitual pink workout shirt lay abandoned to the side and she wore a black sports bra with her emblem in silver on the back.

There was a weight to the air, indicating Nora's use of aura in her training. Ren could feel the amount of energy that Nora was putting into each strike, and did not envy the heavy bag for a second. His eyes widened when -as she was drawing back for a powerful hit- he noticed that Nora was fighting bare-handed. She hadn't even bothered to wrap her knuckles to prevent damage.

With a ferocious shout, Nora landed what would've surely been the finishing strike of any battle -Grimm or otherwise- against the unfortunate heavy bag. The chain creaked uneasily as the bag swung around violently.

Too focused on the follow-though of the strike, Nora didn't have enough time to react to the bag's change in direction.

"Nora!" Ren sprinted forward, mug of tea abandoned, to where Nora lay on the mats.

The redhead was dazed for only a moment, groaning in pain, until her attention snapped to the unexpected arrival at her side.

"R-Ren?" Her turquoise eyes were wide and she fumbled with how to respond to the situation.

Ren look down at Nora's flushed face seeing wild fear in her eyes. That look brought his mind back when they had first encountered the creatures of Grimm as children, but the thought only lasted until she turned away.

"I- I didn't realize how late it was- did I wake you up? I thought I was far enough away from the bedrooms that you wouldn't hear me... but I guess -since you're basically a ninja- you probably heard it anyway..."

Nora babbled on, looking everywhere but back at Ren, as she sat up and drummed her bruised fingers against her knees.

"I mean, I can find somewhere else to train, if it's a problem- I know how much you like to sleep... not saying that you sleep too much or are lazy- I just-"

"Nora." Ren placed his hand on top of hers, silencing the redhead for a moment.

She finally looked back at him. Ren could see that the initial shock of panic had faded, but it only allowed him a clearer view of how worn out she was both physically and emotionally.

"Why are you training so late?" He asked gently.

"I just," Nora chewed on her bottom lip, looking at Ren's hand atop hers. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. "I need..." Her hands shook as she tried regain her composure, "I- I need to be stronger." She opened her eyes and stared at the heavy bag as it swung in the shadows. "I need to be better, because I-" her voice cracked, "I wasn't strong enough when it mattered most."

Ren's throat dried. He knew exactly what she was talking about. The guilt of losing Pyrrha haunted him every time he saw Jaune try to put on a brave face around everyone else. The plague of "what ifs" kept him awake most nights, and was clearly doing the same to his best friend.

Nora's lower lip quivered, Ren could see her eyes shining from held-back tears. "I mean- I should've been able to take on those robots... I could've gone back for Jaune and Pyrrha... but I..." her voice dropped to a whisper, "I- I was too weak, and-"

Tears fell from her eyes, her shoulders shook in effort to contain herself. She choked out, "I can't lose anyone else, Ren!"

Her hands darted out from under Ren's and she buried her face in them, finally allowing herself to cry.

"No more..." Nora managed between sobs, "I'm not- not strong enough."

Ren felt the sting of tears prickling behind his eyes. Seeing Nora so vulnerable with the same feelings of guilt, brought out something in Ren that he wasn't sure he knew how to handle.

He gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"You are not alone, Nora." He stated firmly, but kindly.

There was a pause in Nora's crying as she looked up from her hands. She met his gaze and Ren hoped the conviction in his voice didn't betray his conflicting emotions.

"Not anymore."

Nora's lip quivered. She pulled Ren into a tight embrace, locking her arms around him.

Ren reacted as if by instinct, running a hand through her hair while the other traced circles along her back. Nora's body shook with silent sobs as she buried her face against his chest.

Though Nora could bear the weight of her hammer as if it was nothing, there were some burdens that she couldn't carry by herself.

Ren wrapped his arms around Nora and pulled her closer, vowing that he would do everything he could to be her strength.