A bouquet of roses was scattered on top of the two gravestones. A calm breeze floated by, which caused a few crimson petals to dance around.

With a bittersweet smile, Yang addressed her sodden friends. "Thanks for the flowers. I'm sure they appreciate it."

Even though she was grateful, there was sadness tinged in her voice. From that, Weiss and Blake glanced at each other and then at the pair of sisters.

What could they say that would ease a fraction of their pain? Probably nothing.

Ruby watched the petals flutter in the wind. She frowned, unable to feign a smile now.

How can I help? Weiss asked herself, doubting she could do so. Can we help?

For reassurance, Weiss looked to Blake again. The faunus lowered her ears against her hair. She seemed to be thinking the exact same thing.

Blake shook her head to snap out of her own mind. "I remember you telling me they were Summer's favorite?"

Ruby nodded, glad she had such a thoughtful friend. "Roses, yeah."

"Thanks for comin'," Yang said to them. "I know it's not exactly the most enticing place in the world."

In response, Weiss set a gentle hand on her back. "There's nowhere else we'd rather be."

At the same time, Blake placed a hand on Ruby's back. The red-hooded girl only stared at the gravestones, lost in her thoughts. Yang also stared at the gravestones like she was in a trance. She sniffled and wiped her nose. The precious memories of their parents replayed in her head. That's all they had left.

"It still feels like it happened yesterday," Yang suddenly said in the silence, striving for a steady voice. "Will it always be like this?"

From her devastated expression and broken voice, Weiss hugged her. She couldn't help herself. Yang looked like a helpless puppy that'd been kicked in the gut.

"It gets better…" Weiss murmured firmly in her ear. "Slightly, but better," she added, wanting to be honest.

The pain of losing Winter was always there. But as two years passed, the pain had dulled. Only slightly. She, too, wondered if that pain would fade significantly in the longer term.

Weiss felt Yang shakily take a deep breath and return the hug with her hands on her back. Yang tightened the embrace, which caused Weiss to lean deeply into her.

I'm sorry, Weiss thought. I'm so sorry, Yang. I'm sorry I assumed everything was sunshine and rainbows with you. I'm sorry I thought you didn't have a care in the world...

When Ruby and Blake separated from their own hug, Blake said solemnly.

"Let's head back. It's getting chilly."

While Blake wanted the sisters to spend time with their parents, they had been there for about an hour. Standing here all day would only prevent them from healing.

When Blake suggested that, Ruby rubbed her arms to keep warm as a shiver wracked through her.

"Good idea," Yang agreed and gazed at the gravestones one more time.

Ruby wiped another tear away and nodded. "I could go for some hot chocolate."

From the change of subject, Blake's cat ears stood up in relief. "And cookies?"

That was Ruby's favorite baked treat that her mother used to make. Blake knew she couldn't begin to compete with a mother's love, but she could try.

For the first time that day, Ruby smiled. "And cookies."

When Weiss finished shaping the last of the cookie dough, she placed it on the sheet. Meticulously, Blake positioned the clumps of dough to be evenly on the pan.

Loud thumps reverberated throughout the apartment. Dozens of times by this point.

"What is that noise?" Weiss finally asked.

"Ruby," Blake said as her ear flicked from another thump.

Blake placed the cookies inside the oven as Weiss ventured to the living room looking for answers. Meanwhile, Yang laughed at a scene on the TV. They were glad she was able to laugh even once today. It made Weiss feel accomplished knowing she could help Yang today.

"She's practicing," Yang chirped when she noticed Weiss staring at a door in the distance.

"Practicing what?"

All Yang did was nod at Ruby's door. Curious, Weiss opened it and slipped inside. She was not surprised at all to see dozens of weapons magazines scattered on her desk. There was also a large poster of a scythe hanging above her bed.

Interesting… Weiss thought about her choice.

When the door opened, Ruby released another dart with her slingshot that nailed the crimson bullseye.

"Oh, hey Weiss," Ruby greeted and grabbed another dart from her nightstand. "I'll be out in a minute."

"What're you doing?" Weiss asked.

She's a good shot, Weiss thought when she saw the dartboard.

Casually, Ruby released another dart that forced the other away to take its place in the middle. The previous dart fell to the carpet.

Really good.

"Your accuracy is superb," Weiss praised. "Are you afraid you'll damage the wall with such force?"

"Never have," Ruby simply replied and placed the handmade slingshot on her nightstand. "I made this with my dad, too. I've made a few tweaks since then, though."

Her and her dad's pastime must've been building things, Weiss gathered. The drone, the slingshot. That's the most precise slingshot I've ever seen. I wonder what else she did with him.

During her time with her former gang, some members used slingshots if they couldn't get their hands on guns. It was one of the effective, non-lethal counterparts.

"With your aim, you should get a gun," Weiss suggested and noted her lack of surprise. "You would be great at hunting."

"I thought about it," Ruby admitted. "I might get one when I'm older. I think I'm still too young."

"That's very mature of you, Ruby."

Ruby almost smiled when she recalled her parents being on two different sides of a debate. "Well, that and my mom was always against them. And dad kept telling me to think about getting one," she lightly chuckled. "I still don't know who to listen to. And now… they're not here to persuade me either way."

The last part of her sentence dipped off, so Weiss placed a hand on her shoulder to cheer her up. "You'll figure it out."

As Ruby gave her a smile, the smell of delicious chocolate chip cookies wafted into their nostrils.

It was then that Blake's voice echoed through the apartment. "They're ready!"

Like vultures to a carcass, the sisters swarmed the baking sheet as the cookies steamed. When the two dozen cookies were on a plate, all the girls sat on the couch and watched a comedic movie together. The plate sat on Ruby's lap since she was in the middle and they nibbled on the treats.

"They're so good," Ruby practically drooled as she shoveled another in her mouth. "Just like mom's."

Yang nodded in agreement with her mouth full. "Amazing."

"Remember to chew," Weiss said with a smirk.

Blake glanced at Weiss with a smile, which was returned full force. Now, the sisters were grinning and even laughing from the movie. It felt like the girls were succeeding in distracting them from this dark day.

Many laughs were shared. Even more snacks were devoured as the hours passed. Even though it was a school night, the girls stayed up late for a movie marathon. By the end, it felt like the cloud of darkness that loomed over them faded. If only a little.

There was a comforting weight leaning on Weiss' side. It was Yang. Weiss wanted to remain forever in this spot as she smiled at the dozing blonde.

"Is Yang asleep, too?" Blake whispered.

That's when Weiss looked to her right and noticed Ruby was out cold on Blake's lap.

"Yes," Weiss confirmed and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"Good," Blake said. "Their eyes were really red."

"Crying takes a lot out of a person," Weiss added.

Gingerly, Weiss combed her fingers through those blonde tresses as she leaned onto her shoulder. A sweet, lemonade aroma wafted into her nose, and she couldn't help but smile from the familiar scent.

How do I feel so connected to her? Weiss squeezed her hand. She gave me no choice- she's too lovable. The brute… What am I going to do with you?

"Thanks for helping out today," Blake whispered.

"You don't have to be their only support, Blake," Weiss reminded and twirled a finger through the blonde locks. "You're not alone."

Blake smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "You help a lot."

While Weiss combed her fingers through the blonde tresses, she looked confused. She only recalled truly supporting the sisters today, not before then. She didn't even know about their tragic past until today. How could she help them before?

"You've helped them heal," Blake elaborated. "You may not realize it, but it's true."

"You don't have to exaggerate," Weiss said, noting the blonde hair was like silk.

"No, really. Ruby… she looks forward to tech club now. She used to skip it a lot last year. I know she loves going now because of you. Especially when you talk to her about electronics. Her passion has been reignited. And Yang… whenever she's with you she can't stop smiling. It's like her face is stuck like that."

Weiss took a moment to process her reassuring words. Her hand curled tighter around Yang's own and an urge to protect her poured within her. Not protect her just from physical harm, but emotionally as well. Weiss wanted to be the one to chase away her nightmares and protect her from the path of loneliness.

"I see…"

"I mean it. You're helping them heal. More than you realize."

You smile every day. You laugh every day despite everything that's happened to you, Weiss thought as she held her hand. How are you so strong?

Weiss frowned. "They deserve the world and look at what it did to them."

"It's bullcrap," Blake agreed.

Her bluntness caused Weiss to lightly chuckle. "It really is."

Being the sole support to someone is exhausting. The support always needs support, don't forget that ya'll!

Lyrics from Redo: "Memories, they're all that's left. Of precious days I'll never forget. I play them again and again. Repeating each breath."

Stay dandy,

~Toto