"So…" Yang spoke tentatively, finally breaking the uneasy and unaccustomed silence that had fallen upon RWBY's lunch table, "How did it go…?"

Team JNPR was in a different lunch rotation today, which meant that it was just the five members of Team RWBY at their table this time, and nobody was feeling overly chatty. Ruby sat idly prodding her last chocolate chip cookie around her plate, Yang, the only one trying to pretend like it was a normal day, was nonetheless faltering in her forced smile, and Weiss… She was sitting opposite Blake and Mina, staring down at the untouched apple before her – or at least Blake assumed that was what she was staring at, though she couldn't really tell past the Heiress's bangs. The sisters were obviously feeling the tension and unsure how to best approach it, but as for Weiss, Blake wasn't sure.

Despite Yang's attempt though, the silence continued for another long moment, until finally Mina spoke up, "It was… nice…"

"What was he like…?" Ruby asked tentatively, emboldened somewhat by not having to be the one to initiate the subject, "I mean, was he nice, or a jerk, or something?"

"No, no…" Mina shook her head, gently squeezing Blake's hand reassuringly under the table, "The good Doctor and I had some catching up to do…"

"Oh yeah?" Yang asked, curious, "What'd you think of him Blake?"

Blake's lips set in a hard line, but another gentle squeeze of the hand prompted her to speak, "He's… had it rough… I guess…" she said tentatively, "He wasn't exactly personable, but…" she took a deep breath, "I think that meeting him was a good experience for both of us…"

"Really? Cause you don't sound sold…" Yang raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't…" Blake admitted, squeezing Mina's hand in return now, "But we decided that I needed to give him the benefit of the doubt…"

That got Weiss's attention, as she looked up from her untouched plate for the first time since sitting down to cast Blake an incredulous look, "What do you mean, 'we?'"

Blake was reluctant to answer, so Mina spared her that, "Blake had certain… concerns… regarding Doctor Abraham's relationship with my late mother…" She explained diplomatically, "But We reached the agreement that, whatever the case in that regard, it does not change the fact that he was kind to me…"

Weiss's expression softened from curious concern to an odd mix of relief and melancholy that Blake couldn't quite place, "I see… So I guess Dr. Edrych-Gwydr really does know what she's doing…"

Blake wasn't the only one to pick on the odd quality to the Heiress's voice, but seeing her gaze fall back to the apple, no one challenged the question. Not aloud anyway, but Blake couldn't help but notice the way that Mina's grasp on her hand faltered, and Mina's face belied unreserved worry as she spoke, "Weiss-?"

"I'm fine Mina, I promise,"

Mina's gaze fell; she obviously didn't believe it – and from the looks on their faces, neither did anyone else – but the Heiress did not look to be in a mood to be questioned – not that this would stop a well-meaning Ruby, "Weiss… What happened? I mean you were absent from class yesterday – and you're never absent…"

Weiss drew in a deep breath, stalling for a moment to compose what she thought would be a suitably complete, if also appropriately vague answer. Blake's eyes narrowed at the uncharacteristic gesture – the Heiress had never been one to speak anything but her mind, "`Dr. Edrych-Gwydr asked me if I wouldn't mind participating in one of her sessions…"

"What? She think you still need to ease off mom duty?" Yang joked, "I mean, I coulda told you that you should probably see a-,"

"It was Undine's session,"

And like that, silence. Just a couple of tables over, it was business as usual, with uninvolved and unsuspecting students going about their various lunchtime rituals, but at RWBY's table, one could have heard a pin drop for that long moment while the others processed the meaning of what the Heiress had just said. Blake and Mina's eyes both widened, Ruby's mouth shut, despite having been about to say something, and for once, Yang couldn't make a joke.

"Is she insane?" Blake demanded, her faith in Edrych-Gwydr's judgment severely shaken now, "Undine hates you – and she's dangerous!"

"What if you'd gotten hurt-?"

"She tried to kill you!" Mina exclaimed in distress, "How could Dr. Alice-,"

"It's okay Mina; I agreed to it…" Weiss interrupted, offering a reassuring smile that didn't quite do its job – for even Weiss herself, judging by how forced the expression looked, "Really; no one needs to raise a fuss with the doctor over this… I'm just… happy to be done with it…"

"Are you okay…?" Ruby asked nervously, clearly unaccustomed to the volume of pity which had been passed around the table already.

"Yes Ruby," The Heiress forced a sigh, "Really, I'm fine; Undine was surprisingly… docile…"

"Wait, so she wasn't all bat-shit- er…" Yang shot Mina – and a markedly more offended Blake – an apologetic look, "No offense?"

"None taken," Mina shrugged absently, after which Blake could only roll her eyes with a sigh and let it pass.

"I mean, she wasn't all – 'Gah! I want Mina' – or – 'Death to the Schnees!'?" Yang persisted, seeking clarification.

"No, no," Weiss shook her head, "She seemed… surprisingly normal – if still a bit irrational – now that she's calmed down a bit…"

"So…" Ruby piped up hesitantly, "What do you think the point of having you there was…?"

Weiss was quiet for a long time, her expression hard and set as she thought about her answer to this. Indeed, such a question hadn't been far from Blake's own mind, but when Weiss did finally offer an answer, Blake couldn't help but be at once perplexed by the response, "I think… maybe that it might have been as much for my benefit…" the Heiress vaguely stated at length, before abruptly rising from her seat, "I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling very hungry today – I'll be in the library if anyone needs me…" and with that, she cleared her plate and took her leave.

"Weiss, wait!" Mina felt and icy pang of anxiety as she hastily stood from her own seat and made to follow Weiss. Weiss wasn't fine – any fool could hear that much – and with Nadia Undine involved, Mina was willing to take no chances, and so despite Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long's surprise – and even Blake's – Mina hastened after Weiss, catching up to her just as they exited the dining hall, finding themselves alone but for the emptiness of the hallway.

"Weiss…"

The Heiress finally stopped, "Mina, I'm okay-,"

"No, you are not," Mina stated flatly, plainly factual as the statement was, though sympathy was quick to return to her voice, "Please… I'll listen – just… just let me in…"

Slowly Weiss turned about to face Mina, and through her Semblance Mina could register the sad smile on her face, "You're slipping Mina; I told Undine that Blake was all that mattered to you…"

"Weiss…"

"Really Mina, I'll be okay," Weiss assured, with just a little more confidence, "I just… it's been stressful lately, and I'm just trying to get used to the idea that everything might just be alright for a while,"

Mina hesitated, if only for an instant, and then pulled a slightly startled Weiss into a hug, "Now who's slipping? You used to be a good liar…"

Weiss tensed at first, but soon enough she relaxed, and even came around to returning the embrace and mumbling, "I guess I am slipping…"

"Did she say something to you?"

Weiss shook her head, not bothering to separate from Mina's shoulder, "She… made me think about some things…" Weiss admitted, "About her… and about me…" Weiss sighed, "Look at me; you trust me to be the one you can talk to… the least I owe you is that same trust…"

Mina shook her head, "No. You of all people owe nothing to me,"

"Then maybe I owe myself some honesty," Weiss replied, briefly hugging Mina more tightly, "I love you,"

"Weiss, I-,"

"Relax Mina," Her heart resumed beating as she felt Weiss's lips curl into a more contented smile against her shoulder, "I don't mean like that – God knows I wouldn't dream of putting you through that kind of hell again – but I do love you, okay? Not that it really changes anything I suppose, but…" she let out another sigh – of relief this time – as she released her hold and stepped away from Mina, "It does feel good to get that off my chest…"

But Mina pulled her back, taking her own turn to bury her face in Weiss's shoulder, fighting back the urge to tear up, "Thank you…"

Weiss smiled as broadly as she'd ever remembered having done so, "Anytime Mina… Now go back to Blake before she worries, alright? I'll be okay now, I promise. I just need a little more time alone with my thoughts."

Blake lay in her bunk, trying to read through Carolina Fox again, but she kept finding herself reading the first three lines over and over. Since Weiss's sudden withdrawal from lunch earlier in the afternoon, things had been… strange, to say the least, and Blake wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. When Mina had returned to their lunch table, notably alone – she looked almost like she'd been crying, but she was genuinely smiling nonetheless, and after having taken a brief moment to fully compose herself, she seemed happier than she'd been since recovering her memory. She'd taken her seat back, deftly changed the subject, and even taken hold of Blake's hand again. After that, Yang and Ruby had had a history tutoring session with Dr. Oobleck, so that had left Blake and Mina alone in the dorm for the better part of the next two hours, neither having anything else of pressing academic concern that day.

Carolina Fox was a favorite of Blake's – it was even inarguably real literature too – which made it all the more puzzling that she could not seem to focus on it. Perhaps all that had been going on recently wasn't helping, but this had always been one of the books she'd look to in order that she might gather her thoughts and clear her head, but it just wasn't helping this time. Admittedly though, the possibility did exist that Mina changing beside her had something to do with that…

Blake felt slightly ashamed of herself for thinking along those particular lines under the circumstances, but she'd had Mina back barely a week, and the only time they'd had privacy like this in that time had just been so brief… Her cat ears twitched ever so slightly as she heard the sound of Mina's uniform blouse rustling to the floor, carelessly discarded, soon followed by her skirt as she made to change into her casualwear, She seemed alright so… maybe just a look… to make sure…

Willfully ignoring the massive rationalization, Blake gently closed her book and turned on her side. Mina was facing away from her as she unclasped her bra. Blake smiled slightly – Mina had always preferred to do without it whenever acceptable, and Blake was fairly certain that Mina wouldn't wear it at all if she could get away with it – but Blake always had made a point of reminding her; not that she was particularly concerned about someone attempting to take advantage of Mina, but it was the principle of the thing, and Mina was too well-endowed for that particular omission to go unnoticed. Still, in private, Blake was not about to complain if Mina wanted to do without; even from behind, Blake couldn't but appreciate the hourglass view.

Blake wasn't entirely sure – no, no, she knew exactly what possessed her to get up out of bed, just as she knew for a fact that Mina would have noticed her doing so; Semblance or no, the dead weren't quiet enough to get past Mina's ears. Yet Mina did not react – not until Blake was behind her, wrapping her arms about her waist, and resting her chin on Mina's shoulder, "Have I told you that I love you today?"

Mina giggled a little bit, turning her head to give Blake a peck on the cheek, "Your touch is reminder enough," she assured, before adding with another slight chuckle, "Your fingers are cold…"

"I think that's only because you decided to make a show of stripping down for me…" Blake teased, returning the chaste little kiss on the cheek, even as she might've been aspiring to certain… less pure renditions.

"Is that what I've done?" Mina chuckled; the question was rhetorical of course – even if she hadn't been deliberately showing off, Mina wasn't the type to insist on her innocence – especially not if being guilty might be a lot more fun… as if to underscore the point, she folded one arm over the other in a not-so-subtle maneuver to accentuate her chest - not that it was necessary… "Is it a good show?"

"Beautiful," Blake smiled, before remembering something that made her excitement falter, "Hey Mina…"

"Hmm…?"

"What did you and Weis talk about?" Blake queried tentatively, "When you came back, you seemed… not upset but… like you had been and… well, like something you two talked about cheered you up,"

"I don't think that it would be right for me to share exactly what she said," Mina responded after a moment, somewhat deflated, "Weiss is a private person, and I do not think her pride is mine to dispense with…"

Blake's gaze slid guiltily to the floor, feeling like she'd somehow overstepped even by asking, "I'm sorry…"

"Do not be," Mina shook her head, "Dr. Edrych-Gwydr said that we should be equals yes? Do not equals have the right at least to ask what they would of each other? Even if the answer must occasionally be 'no?'"

Blake's smile returned somewhat as she gently nodded, "Yes… Mina, I'm proud of you – you've come a long way..." Then a thought crossed Blake's mind and she stepped away from Mina, "And as equals, I think that it's only fair that I meet you halfway…"

"Wha-?" Mina started as she turned, an adorable – if disappointedly pouty – look on her face, before Blake silenced her with a finger pressed to her lips.

"Just relax," Blake said encouraging her to sit, before going on to slide off her blazer, "You have my permission to use your Semblance if you aren't satisfied with your imagination…" Mina's eyes widened as the dress jacket fell, and was quickly followed by Blake's skirt and the rest, before Blake joined her, taking the seat beside her on the bed and tipping her head to rest on Mina's shoulder, "There; now we're equal,"

"Equally chilly," Mina chuckled good naturedly as a chilled breeze floated in from the window, slightly ajar.

In response to this quip, Blake just gave Mina a playful shove down onto the bed before laying down herself, resting her head on Mina's soft chest, "Then we'll just have to keep each other warm, won't we?"

"I suppose… only..." Mina's fingers briefly played through Blake's hair before a quick little tug answered Blake's unasked question, "You've forgotten something~"

Blake suppressed the urge – momentary as it was – to paw at her newly undone ribbon like a curious cat, resolving instead to frown at her lover, "Mina, people don't know I'm a-,"

"Dearest…" Mina raised an eyebrow, "is this-," she twirled the ribbon in the air for effect, "-what you really intend to worry about in the event that someone were to walk in on us…?"

Blake rolled her eyes, "I suppose not," she gently prodded Mina side, between her hip and ribcage, eliciting a little squeak of surprise and causing Mina to drop the ribbon, "but if I don't get to have it, neither to you~"

Mina burst out in giggles, and reached out to grabbed the ribbon again in playful defiance. Blake wasn't sure, and quite frankly didn't care, how long the mock squabble went on for – only that the next few moments were spent in a positively childish tangle of limbs and hair as the two rolled about on Blake's bunk over custody of Blake's little black bow. When it came to a stop, Mina was on top, straddling Blake and pinning her at one wrist and shoulder. For what it was worth, Blake had the ribbon, in the hand that Mina had pinned down – but at that very instant Blake was much more interested in her free hand, namely that, somehow in the tangle, it had ended up pressing into Mina's breast, and the mixture of surprise and pleasure showed on Mina's face. Well, it showed until Blake's own eyes snapped involuntarily shut when Mina's knee brushed gently between her legs.

Breathless, Blake asked, "H-hey Mina…?"

"Y-yes?"

"Will you kiss Me?"

"Yes," Mina lowered herself down to press her lips to Blake's, stifling her own little gasps as Blake's hand caressing her breast was pressed all the firmer to her, and she slid her tongue past Blake's lips, unresisted. Blake let her mind start to go just the slightest bit hazy as she enjoyed the sensation of Mina's tongue exploring her mouth, but at the same time decided not to let Mina be too dominant, and so released her hold of Mina's breast and let her hand reach between Mina's legs. Mina's gasping moan which resulted was everything Blake could have hoped for, and the spasm of pleasure sapped the strength from Mina's muscles faster than any fight ever could have, and that was fine; Mina preferred to let Blake have control anyway.

Mina let out a deep breath as she rested her head on Blake's gently rising and falling chest. It was not that it had been a particularly long time since they'd done this – less than a week, if memory served – but it had been some time indeed since they had allowed themselves to enjoy each other like that solely for its own sake. It was not so much that the experience suffered for those occasions when Mina would feed upon Blake as well, but there was a special quality to the satisfaction now that it had been an unaccountable whim – they had both simply wanted to, and so they had, and now all that was left was to enjoy the lazy stillness, and the still-hasty beating of Blake's hart.

"Dearest?"

"Hmmm?"

Mina nearly lost her train of thought as a sublime moment passed in which Blake's fingers delicately played over her bat ears, but the moment ended, and she remembered, "Are… are you happy?"

"Of course," Blake breathed, "I have you and-,"

Blake's profession of satisfaction was interrupted abruptly when her whole body tensed up. Mina's senses were somewhat dulled from the past half hour's… activities, and so she didn't notice at first, but her eyes shot open – albeit only in surprise – as opposed to the embarrassed panic that she imagined to be flooding Blake's veins with ice. As the door opened, Mina couldn't help a little chuckle at the sudden misfortune. True, cuddle time was probably at a premature end as a result of all this, but Blake was so cute when she was embarrassed. Out of something approaching morbid curiosity, Mina activated her Semblance as the door began to open, only to have Blake hastily toss a blanket over them, covering Mina entirely and momentarily disorienting her.

The blanket did not however prevent Mina from identifying the measured steps of Weiss Schnee, returning from her contemplation, it would seem, and ready to face her teammates again – well, Mina was sure that she'd probably been thinking that when she'd walked in, at any rate, but it didn't keep the puzzlement from her voice when she looked their way.

"Blake? Are you feeling alright? You don't usually nap in the middle of the day… and where's-,"

It was at precisely that moment that a mixture of awkward positioning and her arm falling asleep caused Mina to slip and collapse, and as a result her head poked out from under the blanket. Most would not hear it at all, and Mina herself did not usually bother to notice such audible minutia as the sound of eyes rapidly blinking in a valiant attempt to simultaneously factually process the evidence of one's senses and rationalize some manner of face-saving excuse, but she certainly noticed it then, in the long moment when all three were still as stone, each waiting for another to move or break the silence. Mina could actually feel Blake beginning to sweat again as the moment wore on, until finally the tension was broken when Weiss at once raised a hand to cover her eyes, turned around, and – most perplexingly of all – burst out laughing, nearly doubling over in her sudden and decidedly uncharacteristic fit of guffaws.

"Um… Weiss…?" Blake asked tentatively, audibly uncertain as to whether her biggest concern at present should be either her and Mina's rather compromising situation, or the mental welfare of her teammate.

"No! No! I'm okay, really…" Weiss fought to stifle the chuckles, "I suppose that I… I should have knocked…"

"Weiss, we can explain-,"

"Oh, I think I can too…" The Heiress finally got a grip on herself, raising a sleeve to wipe tears from her eyes, "And here I was worried… I guess things will be alright after all…"

Author's Note: Alright, so we started off angsty, moved on to steamy, and ended on funny… I think… Hopefully you all enjoyed that – it certainly took me longer that I have any excuse for to write, but then I do tend to take longer on writing the racy sections. I know I've said this before, but the idea of writing straight-up smut doesn't quite sit well with me, so I try to keep it relevant to the characterization and limit the… ehem… details… I feel like that way it still feels romantic, rather than smutty, but maybe that's just me being a prude. At any rate, once again I hope that you enjoyed that, and I do always appreciate feedback; until next time, have a good one.