Renegades (Act VI)

Last week we had a break from Renegades and we will next week as well, but after that it should be consistent! I hope you're still enjoying~ This is the biggest, most eventful chapter so far!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Act VI.

When the next morning came, Weiss didn't move.

She didn't want to.

She couldn't.

Everything hurt far too much, her heart in particular as it sent painful throbs throughout her entire body.

The night had been long and cold and lonely, and Weiss had only slept by losing consciousness as a result of exhaustion. She'd prayed Blake would come, but the letter that lay crumpled and damp with tear stains in her hands remained undelivered.

Weiss only found enough strength to slip the paper into the crease of her mattress to conceal it.

The only way she moved after that was when the maids came in a while later to rouse her. They moved her like a doll, putting spoonfuls of food into her mouth and cleaning every inch of her, combing her hair before pinning it into a tight bun. They slipped her into her dress, no makeshift this time, but the real thing.

Her wedding was in two hours' time.

There was so much commotion that morning, guests filing in and out - probably most of the town was attending. There was so much noise, and it all hurt her ears, made her dizzy.

Everything was set up like the usual banquets, only multiplied by ten. Dozens of tables draped in white lined the entire length of the Schnee property. The trees and gardens were suffocated with banners and streamers of white. There were so many flowers that the taste on the air was less sweet and more sickening than anything else. Tables were full of food, every inch was crowded with people, save for a makeshift aisle that led to a small altar that had been set up in the grass.

Weiss was confined to her room until it was time to walk down that aisle, and so she watched the festivities from above; but she was the last one who wanted to partake in them.

And then, she caught sight of her new husband and his family who had just arrived via luxurious car. Weiss froze when she saw him, remembering the last time she had been together with him, how he had treated her, the things he had tried to do-

-the things he would legally be allowed to do to her after today.

She whimpered aloud and covered her mouth before stumbling back to sit on her bed, doing her best not to cry and have her makeup run.

...

Packing was easy, mostly because there wasn't much to take. There were a few articles of clothing, and the remaining space left in her bag was almost comical. But the time she had wasn't exactly made of laughs.

Her entire body was shaking, and her tongue was so thick and dry in her mouth that every swallow felt like a handful of needles rushing down her throat. Her hands wouldn't stop trembling, a more than telltale sign of her nerves, and if Adam had been there to see her leave, the uneasiness would have been far too easy to see.

She was glad he wasn't though. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to take the look in his eyes - the subtle disappointment, a silent plea - and the sigh that escaped when she quietly closed the door to the apartment was one of both relief and hesitance.

Somewhere in her mind, the possible consequences to her actions held the weight they deserved. Blake simply knew that if she allowed herself the time to think things through, she might come to have doubts. Maybe.

In the thrill of the moment, every step she took away from that cage of an apartment amassed the strangest sense of freedom in her gut. Blake would never see this place again - would never set foot in that small apartment, and the mere thought had her pace quickening, legs pumping as she bounded through the streets, her mind a mess, but her heart so steady it was almost frightening.

...

Weiss spent the following hour packing her personal belongings. After the wedding, she would not be coming back to this mansion, but would be taken to that of her new husband hundreds of miles away.

It would be the most she had ever traveled in her life, and she was almost eager to see the world. Almost.

But she knew all too well that after that, she'd be back to living like she had been for the past eighteen years of her life. She'd be forced to work and cook and clean for him, never permitted to leave the house unless he gave his say-so. She'd be kept inside - a trophy for him to look at, a toy for him to play with.

She packed away her best clothes, mostly dresses of the finest material and one blanket her mother had left with her many years ago. She also took the credit card her father had given her, one that was worth millions of lien, the money she was to live on and help her husband live on; his job would pay for the house, and Weiss' funds would pay for food and other necessities. That was the deal.

At least she wouldn't have to see him for most of the day, but she cringed at the thought of having to cater to him whenever he came home-

As she was packing, still in a daze, a knock came on her door. It was far too early to be called down for the wedding yet, so she was confused.

When she opened the door, her future husband stood before her, dressed in his expensive suit. Weiss scurried back, insisting it was improper for him to see her in her dress just yet, hoping the excuse would make him leave.

But he demanded to look at her, had her turn around as he pointed out all the things he didn't like:

"You could do with gaining some more weight. I need you to be able to handle me tonight when we consummate things. And it's a good thing your hair's tied up now. It's way too long. I'll have it cut tomorrow. And make sure you put on makeup every day no matter what. I don't want to see that scar."

Weiss had no choice but to agree to everything he said, and before he left, she was forced to kiss his cheek, trying to hold back the bile that rose in her throat. He licked his lips and huffed something into her ear before disappearing down the stairs.

Weiss closed the door and slumped to the ground, hugging herself tightly. But she should've been prepared for all of this, and she reminded herself there was no escape.

Eventually, she got up again, holding onto some shred of resolve and composure as she pulled the veil over her face.

...

Tukson didn't ask any questions when she showed up to his store unannounced and out of breath. For some reason he already seemed to know, and his accepting silence when she caught his eyes had her throat tightening, her fingers curling around the bag's strap until her hand bled white.

"I-I need…"

"-some help?"

Tukson finished for her, the small quirk to his lips an almost-smile. It was soft, and Blake couldn't fight back the prickling to her eyes as they threatened to fill with tears.

Blake nodded, peering through the thin veil clouding her vision, but not wanting to look away. She didn't want to seem weak - like a child. Not right now, not when being strong mattered the most, and she rubbed a sleeve across her face before anything had the chance to spill over.

When her eyes focused again, his smile had spread wide.

"You know I can't say no to that."

If there was one thing she'd miss, it would be this.

...

Weiss packed only a few more items aside from the clothes and credit cards.

Books - only a few of them, her favorites - as she knew she couldn't possibly take them all. She took the one she'd lent to Blake, hoping it would remind her of her temporary companion in the future, bring back the fleeting memories of apparent freedom she'd felt within the past two weeks. Perhaps she'd find solace there some day.

If she was going to be forced to have children, she would read to them, of that she was certain. She ended up packing away a total of five books, some of which were composed of multiple, smaller stories and the others being longer tales.

She also went to her mattress and dug out the letter she'd written to Blake. Part of her wanted to leave it on her windowsill, hoping the Faunus girl would come back some day to find it, but Weiss knew a maid - or worse, her father - would find it first.

If it was read, it would be revealed that Weiss had been meeting with someone, confirming the newspaper's rumors. Surely she'd be punished beyond what she could imagine, and she didn't want to think about it.

In the end, she packed the letter as well, if only to burn it in the hearth of her new home.

And then it was time.

Another knock came to her door, and her maids ushered her down the stairs for the ceremony. Weiss stumbled once, but refused their help; she didn't want any of them touching her. She wanted to enjoy her last moments of being her own person.

Her father waited at the bottom of the stairs, and Weiss went to him just like in rehearsal. He said nothing, merely giving her a look of mild approval, probably forced. She touched his arm, and he began leading her toward the doors.

And she knew the feeling of a lamb being led to the slaughter.

...

"I'll see you later."

Those were Tukson's parting words to her.

They were a reassurance at heart, and at face value they were immensely appreciated. She could use all the confidence she could get, even if the second she was out of his sight and on her own the apprehension came back with hurtling force.

With each step uncertainty grew - the closer she got to the looming mansion on the east side of town the more Blake felt that feeling snake through her limbs, constricting, as if it was trying to get her to stop - to think.

But she couldn't stop. She didn't have the luxury to stop. Time wouldn't wait for her.

...

Her father led her down the white carpet that had been laid out in the grass, a small path that cut through the decorative tables and seats, all filled to capacity. The air of the courtyard lifted with gasps and murmurs as her appearance was revealed.

Weiss kept her eyes trained on the white material beneath her shoes, the train of her dress tugging gently behind her. Red and pink flower petals littered the ground all around her, and to everyone else, it was probably a heartwarming and touching scene. The guise of the celebration at hand masked the quiet trepidation that boiled beneath it, stifled by the smiles and laughter.

The bride was the only one who wasn't smiling.

She hid behind her diaphanous veil as her father led her to the altar, where her new husband awaited her. She was forced to look up and she could see the hunger in his eyes.

She let go of her father - and that felt good. But as she left his hands, she was simply being transferred into someone else's.

Her palms trembled, but she hid them beneath the roses of the bouquet she now held. Her stomach was churning, her head spinning, but she stepped up to where the priest waited with his book open, hand raised as he called for silence.

He started to read, and Weiss did her best to meet her future husband's eyes. She wanted her gaze to be defiant, but all she could be was submissive and scared.

And he loved it - she could tell.

Weiss squared her shoulders, biting her lip hard until she tasted blood, wanting to disgust him as much as possible when the fated time came for them to kiss. She fought against the sting of tears that threatened, determined not to break in front of the entire town.

But even if she didn't break now, it wouldn't be long before she did.

...

As she neared the front doors, open as they were besides the two guards standing duty, Blake realized that even an ounce of hesitance could very well get her caught.

In her mind there was no other option. Security - while diligent - would be light, and the bulk would be gathered among the courtyard for the ceremony. It was merely a matter of slipping past the watch, which would hopefully be as easy as it seemed. Hopefully.

The two men by the door were anything but attentive. By the time they caught sight of her, their brows furrowing questioningly at the peculiar sight, all they managed to say was, "Get lost," before a perfectly timed use of her semblance allowed her to fade through their slack defense, reappearing behind them in the foyer.

It didn't take long for them to figure out what had happened and they turned around in a rush.

"Hey, you! Stop!" one of them bellowed, but Blake didn't dare look back as she bounded out of the main entrance and down the hall to the courtyard.

...

Weiss stood stiffly all the while as the priest read from his traditional book. She glimpsed sideways - anywhere but the young man in front of her - and she could see smiling faces and tearful eyes all upon her. She could hear their mumbles, of what beautiful children she'd bear, of what a lucky man her husband was.

Weiss wanted to scream at them, remind them all she was barely eighteen years old, that she was scared beyond explanation. But even if she did, she knew none of them would help her, even if they could. Her father had passed her off like the piece of property this ceremony made her out to be, only she had fewer rights, and thus fewer people who would hear her out.

So she stayed silent until she was forced to speak her vows. Her voice was thin and frail, no support beneath it, no truth to it at all. She felt nauseous and lightheaded, but she bit back her tears against all odds.

And then her future husband spoke, and to anyone else gathered there, he sounded sincere, looked handsome and caring. But Weiss remembered all the things he had said to her beforehand, the fantasies with her he intended to make a reality. His eyes were dark and nothing short of menacing, something directed only at her.

The defiance in Weiss' gaze started to fade as he continued speaking, and by the end of his speech, the fire within her had been extinguished. She couldn't fight reality anymore.

...

The doors to the courtyard burst open, and in that moment time seemed to freeze.

The shouting behind her faded, and in its place was a sort of white noise that buzzed uncomfortably as the people gathered turned in their seats to look back at her. Their eyes were wide with shock, but everything blurred the moment she found Weiss standing at the altar.

Blake almost forgot how to move, limbs and mind going numb as she stared.

It was the shouts coming from down the hall that spurred her into action, dashing down the plush carpet just as the two guards appeared at the door.

"Get her!" they yelled, and several of the attendees stood from their seats at the commotion, trying to get a better view - or trying to get away from her as fast as possible.

Blake didn't have the time to stew over the implications. Her sight was set on Weiss.

The moment Blake reached her, it was like being found again, and Blake had to stop herself from crushing the girl in an embrace. They didn't have the time, no matter how much it looked like Weiss needed it. Any and all greetings could be saved for later, and Blake gathered Weiss' hands in hers, briefly squeezing.

"We're leaving," was all she said before she pulled Weiss away from the altar - from that man and her horrible father. They needed to leave, and fast, before everything crumbled around them more than it already was.

...

The priest had been starting to read the traditional phrase: "If there is anyone here who has reason to believe these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

And then all heads turned as horrified gasps went up at the sight of an intruder. There were outraged cries and a few screams of fright as people scrambled away from the dark-clad figure that dashed down the aisle at inhuman speed-

-because she wasn't human.

Against all that had been hammered into her head about proper, ladylike conduct, Weiss felt her jaw drop.

So many things rushed - flooded - over her in that moment; disbelief and shock that dulled all of her senses, fear that made her heartbeat palpable, uncertainty that made her almost faint-

-and joy that made her cry out her name as she reached her:

"Blake-!"

She couldn't believe it. She felt she might collapse right then and there. It took all she had not to.

It was real. She could hear it in the shouts going up around them, see it in the rage on her almost-husband's face, feel it in the clammy warmth of Blake's hands.

She was scared - god, they both were - and that was clear enough. But in that moment, all uncertainties and inhibitions were taken by the breeze, carried off by the voices rising all around them.

All Weiss could do was nod, dropping the bouquet of flowers without a second thought as she followed Blake down the altar more quickly than anyone else could react. Her throat was dry, eyes watering, her entire body shaking as she tried to move her unsteady legs.

She'd certainly lived this scene together with Blake in many dreams before. It could've been a dream. It really might have been.

But Weiss found she didn't care, because she was going with her. No matter what.

...

The door was blocked, the two men from earlier expectant and waiting in the threshold, but a surge of adrenaline pushed her forward. Determined, Blake squared her shoulders and barreled through, toppling over the men with unexpected force.

Escaping security though would mean little in the scheme of things. Weiss was recognizable on her own, but that wedding dress was nothing if not noticeable, and they needed to get rid of it - fast - or they wouldn't make it as far as the next block.

"We need to get you out of that dress - out of here." Her voice came in short gasps under her breath during their rush down the hall. It was more to herself, a reminder, but she could feel the panic rise up her throat in clumps clawing to be released-

-how impossible it all seemed now that Weiss was with her, hand tight in her grasp. The utter chaos that had erupted outside after her stunt was deafening in her ears, and the full weight of her actions came crashing forth.

What she had done was something she could never escape, and now it was something Weiss couldn't escape either. The consequences would be dire, and failure would no doubt be painful - in more ways than one.

But now that she had Weiss, Blake wasn't about to let go.

...

Weiss followed her as they tore through the crowds as quickly as their legs could carry them, beelining for the mansion. There were hollers and bellows rising up all around them, furious and terrifying.

Weiss was frightened beyond explanation at what was happening, but she channeled that fear and used that adrenaline to run faster, hoping beyond hope her body wouldn't fail her now, that she wouldn't trip on her dress or lose one of her shoes.

They evaded security, but Weiss knew they didn't have much time at all. She heard Blake's breathless words and called out to her.

"M-My room! And we can use the fire escape to get back down!"

Weiss took control of their direction and hurried up the stairs with Blake just behind her. The heiress focused on not tripping, and though she stumbled a few times, she never went down entirely. The shouts were growing louder by the second, and she couldn't even imagine what would happen to them if they got caught-

They couldn't get caught, or it would mean certain death for at least one of them, and certainly nothing kind for the other.

Weiss pulled Blake along down the hallway as they reached the second floor, skidding to a halt briefly to push open her bedroom door. There was a second of silence that almost made her forget they were being vehemently pursued, but their own harsh breathing snapped the heiress back into reality.

She forced herself to let go of Blake's hand, intent on taking it again before very long. She shed her wedding dress as quickly as she could, not caring that the fabrics tore as she did so. She thrust it to the floor and was left in a thin, white slip. She rushed to the bags she had packed earlier, extracting another, simpler white dress and shaking her way into it somehow, despite how badly she was trembling.

Another second of silence, and she glanced over her shoulder to find Blake pressing her weight against the door as the voices below swirled in confusion as to where they had gone.

It was strange to Weiss how all of this felt almost natural now, how Blake had pulled her away from the altar and Weiss was hardly surprised anymore. It was as though all the things she'd done with Blake in the past two weeks had been practice for all of this. Her body moved on instinct, and it felt like this had all been predestined for the longest time.

But they weren't out of the woods yet.

Weiss rummaged through her smallest suitcase, making sure her credit card was inside and leaving all the rest behind as she went to the window, motioning Blake over as well. There was no one beneath them on this side of the mansion, as their pursuers were coming from the other end. Though it was likely only a matter of time before they swarmed all sides and every nook and cranny.

Weiss looked to Blake, panicked, but trying her best to be as calm as possible, considering the situation.

"You go down first…" she murmured, and as she did so, she dropped her lone suitcase down onto the streets beneath them. "You've got to go first, Blake."

She needed to know Blake was safe above all else.

...

Blake would have argued, insisted that she wasn't leaving until Weiss was all set and ready to go. Weiss needed to get out of here or everything Blake hoped to accomplish would be for naught.

Bu at the look in Weiss' eyes, Blake bit her tongue, and she slipped down the fire escape one last time without another word, landing shakily. The nerves were getting the best of her, and as she stared up at the window waiting for Weiss, the anxiety only grew.

The air around this whole place was buzzing, and it was all too unsettling. Leaving Weiss back in that room without her was like toying with luck, and Blake didn't like their odds.

But when she saw Weiss starting to move toward the window and the fire escape after her, a certain relief spread through her, and she held out her arms expectantly.

They had done all this before.

"I've got you," she said, and her arms were steady despite the way her voice trembled.

...

A small wave of relief washed over her as she watched the Faunus girl maneuver quickly down the ladder and land back on solid ground. Blake knew the streets of Vale better than the back of her hand. She'd be fine.

In their mad dash, Weiss' hair had come undone from its bun and now hung long and loose in her face, and she quickly tucked it behind her ear as she placed a foot on the window sill.

Blake was right beneath her. Just one more jump…

But her head was spinning, her breath coming short, the stress and panic making her lightheaded and she couldn't focus like she needed to. She reached out a hand to the ladder of the fire escape but missed, swaying as she quickly clung to the window frame again, trying to regain her bearings.

It was just a few seconds, but she hesitated.

And a few seconds was all it took.

The door behind her burst open, and her father charged in, shouting and yelling, screaming curses and threats at the top of his voice. Weiss whimpered as her eyes met Blake's again, the desperate message to just jump clear in her golden gaze, but Weiss was shaking too violently.

She wasn't fast enough.

She felt a ruthless grip on her arm, dragging her back into her room as his booming voice made her eardrums ring.

"You insolent little witch! I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget! I'll make sure you never see the light of day again!"

"F-Father, no please-!" She yelped as he yanked at her hair, tears flooding down her face as she held desperately onto the corner of the window frame with the last fading scraps of strength in her body. He pulled at her arm again, and Weiss could feel her surrender on her next breath.

Her hopeless eyes met Blake's horrified ones, and the heiress choked out a scream,

"Run! Blake, just run!"

...

The horror set in deep in a matter of seconds. Blake knew not to take Weiss' hesitation at face value, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.

A few seconds was all it took.

She could hear Weiss' father, could see the fear in Weiss' eyes, and Blake felt her world go slack. Words fell silent from her mouth, begging with Weiss to make the jump - that she would be there to catch her no matter what, but Weiss was pulled back by the strands of her hair, and the gaze they held was broken.

It was Weiss' choked scream that sent Blake over the edge, and her words erupted from her mouth in a roar.

"Like hell I'm running!" She was shaking, her arms suddenly heavy, but she refused to lower them, forcing her voice past the burning feeling at the back of her throat. "Life can be so much better than this, and I won't let someone I care about be denied what they deserve by some vile and pathetic excuse for a father! I'm not going anywhere without you and if that means I have to climb back up there to get you, then so be it! I'm not leaving you here!"

...

The terror of it all settled in, and Weiss lost her grip on the window frame after a particularly violent tug from her father. She was brought to her knees by no volition of her own, but her legs had given out on her, the sudden sharp pain at the roots of her hair dulling the feeling altogether. She prayed Blake had listened and left her behind.

But then, a voice reached Weiss' ears, past her own sobs and the enraged shouts of her captor.

Those words… everything Blake was calling up to her…

Weiss heard every last thing. Blake's voice was louder than she'd ever heard it before, straining past its usual volume in order to reach the heiress. Her words trembled ever so slightly, signifying how scared she was, but more for Weiss than for herself.

But more than anything, her words were certain, furious in a way that drove Weiss to open her eyes and look past the tears.

The passion and fury with which she spoke… it was all for Weiss.

It was empowering.

And perhaps hearing such words being thrown at him with such vehemence was just enough of a distraction to shock her father for a second.

And again, a second was all it took.

His grip had slackened, likely so he could concentrate on thinking of what he was going to say or do next, tension thick on the air, crackling like it did just before an explosion.

Blake's words gave her the courage she needed, that last shred of strength and willpower.

Weiss turned sharply, sinking her teeth into his arm until he howled and released her. And she scrambled and ran for dear life across the floor, to the window sill-

-and she didn't even look, didn't waste another precious second as she threw herself out into the open air, the fire escape completely ignored. Her tears floated freely on the air behind her as she fell, hair snapping out, dress flowing.

It was desperation, and a bit of insanity.

But most of all it was trust - the utmost trust that Blake would catch her.

She held her breath and waited for her next heartbeat.

...

The instant Weiss jumped from the window, Blake went breathless.

Part of it was fear - a part of it would always be fear. Fear that she wasn't ready for this, wasn't strong enough for what was to come - if she'd ever be.

The other part, though - the anticipation of what might result, the possibilities at the tips of their fingers - they were endless.

And she wanted to experience them, wanted to share them with one of the few people whom she had grown to care about more than even she herself could comprehend.

And the relief that flowed through her the moment Weiss landed in her arms was all-encompassing, allowing her to ignore the way her skin scraped against the concrete as the force of Weiss' fall had her crumpling to her knees.

The pain was nothing, just an afterthought thrown in among the overwhelming feeling of elation at the weight in her arms, and she pressed her lips briefly to Weiss' temple without thinking, pulling her closer.

But now wasn't the time for this, and Blake hauled herself back to her feet once reality reared its head again, pushing aside those thoughts for when they had the time and peace to consider them.

She placed Weiss down carefully, quickly reaching for the suitcase where it had been dropped before threading her fingers through Weiss'.

Running came naturally.

...

Her father's shouts died on the air behind her as did her inhibitions, and this time, Weiss kept her eyes open as she fell. The world shifted around her, calm and waiting for her, expecting her in a new light, where she could be free to shine and not just rot away as a doll in a menagerie.

And the next thing she knew, she was in Blake's arms, tightly and securely in her embrace, and Weiss sobbed in relief. She felt warm lips on her skin, and she wanted to hold onto her forever, to be held by her, for neither of them to ever let go.

And perhaps they wouldn't.

But for now they needed to move, and fast.

Blake released her and grabbed her things before taking her hand, and Weiss followed her down the streets as quickly as her thin legs could carry her. Dust kicked up behind them, blurring out the mansion, her father, and her old bereaved life.

She'd never go back if she had any say in it.

She didn't know where Blake was taking her, but she didn't care; she trusted this girl with her life, and Blake had proven time and again that she was more than worthy of that trust and so much more.

Weiss just focused on trying to breathe, weak and winded as she was. She focused on moving her feet in time with Blake's, and on keeping her fingers squeezed tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.

They'd done the impossible, and no matter how inane it all may have been, it couldn't be rescinded; they had nowhere to go but forward onto the path of renegades.

...

Blake retraced her steps back to Tukson's in a daze, half of her believing that her sleep-deprived mind had decided to conjure up fantasies to placate the restlessness she felt. But the hand in hers was solid - real - the pain in her throat and her raw knees were enough of a burn to keep her awake through it all.

Through the maze of streets and small back alleys until they found themselves on the doorstep of Tukson's bookstore.

She didn't realize how tired she was until the door closed behind them, the small bell above chiming quietly as if to signify temporary reprieve, and it took quite a bit of her strength not to collapse from exhaustion right then and there.

It felt like being underwater. Her head was swimming, everything they'd done tumbling about in her mind like she was stuck in constant motion, and she squeezed the hand in hers, unconsciously seeking support.

"Good to have you back." Tukson smiled a toothy defenseless grin in welcome as he uncrossed his arms, but his words sounded muffled against the pounding inside her skull, and Blake exhaled a stuttering breath.

And this was only the beginning.

...

The streets were almost unnaturally silent as they ran, and it felt as though crowds of furious people would burst forth from around every corner at any given second. Weiss could tell Blake was limping, but the Faunus girl never let up in her relentless pace to get the heiress to safety, and Weiss wasn't about to slow them down.

They pushed onward for several moments and all she could hear was white noise. Every breath in her lungs was thick and heavy with tension, fear, and apprehension. Her tongue was dry and every inhale was sharp, every exhale wheezing. But she never stopped running, channeling her crushing terror into speed and energy, matching Blake's pace step for step.

She held out for as long as she could, and just as the buildings started to swirl around her when her vision blurred, Blake brought them into a small, dimly-lit store, the door closing securely behind them.

The relief that washed over her was less of a feeling and more of an experience; every fiber of her being shook with it. They stood in the doorway panting madly, and again it was almost too quiet, too perfect, and Weiss expected it to be shattered any second now.

She noticed a tall, broad-shouldered man standing behind the counter, and Weiss jolted, whimpering between ragged breaths, ducking behind Blake and squeezing her hand tightly.

"B-Blake… there's… someone here. He'll sell us out…"

She took a step back for the door, preparing herself to start running again. They'd come this far; she wouldn't allow them to be apprehended now.

...

Blake felt Weiss jolt, the sudden tenseness sending her mind reeling back into overdrive. They were safe here - they were at least for now, and she turned to face Weiss, thumb stroking over the girl's hand.

"We're fine. We're safe here, I promise. Tukson... Tukson wouldn't do that."

Blake had to remind herself that they were safe. It was just difficult to put aside the last hour as a memory. She was still living it.

Tukson cleared his throat, and at the noise Blake returned her attention to him.

"I made a space in the back for you and your friend." He gestured to the door behind him. "Stay as long as you like." His words were gentle, like the rest of him, and Blake glanced from him to Weiss and then back again.

"You know we can't… Not for long."

"I know. It's just a habit, I guess." He laughed awkwardly, large shoulders rolling as he shrugged. There was a certain tone to Tukson's words that made her apprehensive - a subtle melancholy that had her looking away from him.

The store was the same as it always was, and it wasn't long before that was too much. But before anything else decided to dredge itself up from the pits of her gut, Blake lead Weiss from the entrance to behind the counter. But before she could slip through the door, a hand stopped her.

"For you." Tukson said, holding out a small envelope. "It was the earliest train out of Vale I could get. One way, no stops, just you and your friend and your own little slice of freedom."

Blake couldn't stop from releasing Weiss' hand briefly, wrapping her arms around Tukson's burly frame.

"This isn't goodbye, all right?"

"I know," he said, patting her back lightly, a minor comfort but more than appreciated, before pulling away and pushing her back towards the door. "Just have some fun for me, yeah?"

She didn't answer, she couldn't. She simply nodded, her hand finding Weiss' again, clutching tightly.

...

Blake reassured her that they were safe here, and Weiss relaxed - just a bit, as much as she could allow herself to, all things considered. She savored the contact of Blake's fingers stroking over the back of her hand and remembered to breathe.

She followed Blake across the store, and when Weiss finally calmed herself long enough to look around, she noticed it was a bookstore. She'd always wanted to go to one, but she never imagined her first time going would be under such inane conditions. The gravity of it all was still sinking in, that she'd run off from her own wedding, run away from home and her father and everything she'd ever known-

-and thrown herself into something she'd never expected, something entirely foreign - freedom.

They reached the counter, and Weiss tried not to eavesdrop on Blake's conversation with the man. But the word "train" sent her heart pounding again, this time in anticipation. She watched as Blake wrapped her arms around the man and thanked him, and Weiss found it odd that she felt a bit jealous.

She… shouldn't be thinking about Blake like that.

Should she?

She couldn't be certain, and she wasn't about to bring it up until Blake addressed it first. She'd wait as long as need be; they had time now after all, and quite a lot of it.

But much more than that, seeing Blake with the man - Tukson, as she'd called him - nearly brought her to tears. She felt guilty at the thought of tearing Blake away from possibly the only friend she'd ever had in this town. But the enemies were far more numerous and far more dangerous.

Weiss tugged gently on Blake's sleeve, speaking softly, almost timidly, as though apologetic for interrupting.

"Your knees are bleeding. We should let them heal."

...

The soft interjection had Blake glancing down at her knees, and she was surprised to find that the blood had seeped through the fabric of her pants, clotting and sticking to her skin.

Finally giving it the attention it deserved only brought to mind the pain she had shoved aside during their mad dash here, and as a result it resurfaced with a vengeance. She looked to Weiss then, nodding, tugging her gently over to the door after Tukson gave one last smile before returning to his daily work.

A twist of the wrist had the door creaking as she pulled it open, leading Weiss through. Behind the door was mostly storage, boxes of extra books piled between racks of old half-priced volumes that never sold, and though she didn't usually find herself in the back room often, she found not much had changed.

However, a pile of blankets and pillows had been gathered in between it all, tucked under the lone window sill that burned bright with light from early afternoon, and quite honestly it looked like heaven right now.

But her knees needed tending to, and she crossed the room with Weiss in tow, her hand reluctant to relinquish its hold even as she started rummaging through the supply closet for a first aid kit. It helped quell the shaking.

...

She followed Blake into the next room, making sure to offer an appreciative nod to the man behind the counter, making a mental note to thank him properly at a later time. But for now, they needed rest, and she gratefully followed Blake into the smaller room, closing the door behind them.

It smelled of dust, old parchment, and ink, and it reminded Weiss of her old room just a little bit, reminded her she'd hopefully never be going back there. She had never called the mansion "home," but now it was an even more ambiguous word.

Home was… nowhere.

And yet, she felt it could be anywhere.

Or at least, wherever Blake was.

Blake started pawing through the closet, and Weiss could feel her shaking. She squeezed her hand a little tighter, offering whatever support she could. She felt responsible for Blake's injuries, as she'd suffered them as a result of catching Weiss; had she not, the heiress would probably be dead.

Weiss didn't hold the words back when they finally rose to her lips.

"Thank you…" And before she knew it, she was crying again. "Thank you… for everything, Blake. You saved my life…"

She used her free hand to wipe her face. She wished there was more she could do to convey her immeasurable appreciation, and raked her mind for something - anything.

In the end, she moved a step closer and pressed a soft kiss to Blake's cheek, hoping it was enough for now.

...

She found the small box of supplies after a bit of digging, pulling it from the mess with minor difficulty, but when she turned back to Weiss, the sight that greeted her almost had her heart dropping.

There were tears streaming down Weiss' face, and while they weren't particularly sad tears, it wasn't a sight Blake liked to see. She listened intently anyway - Weiss deserved that much and more - watching as the other girl rubbed her face in a vain attempt to keep the tears away.

The repeated thanks had her shoulders slumping, posture crumbling under the stress of it all.

But there was a release as well. A certain temporary peace had settled in the aftermath with Weiss, that they were both a ways away from trouble for the time being. Knowing Weiss was safely away from her father was such a relief that Blake found herself unflinching in the wake of Weiss' show of gratitude. Accepting was more of a better word actually, and a soft and nearly inaudible purr settled in the back of her throat.

"You're welcome."

Honestly, it felt like she was the one who should have been saying thank you.

...

Weiss hiccuped softly until the tears came to a stop. She felt much better in knowing Blake had accepted her gratitude and did her best to offer a smile. She squeezed the hand in hers again, savoring a gentle moment of silence before she remembered the matter at hand.

"Here, let me help."

She led Blake away from the closet, nearer to the window where the lighting was better. Weiss had her sit down on one of the blankets, and heaven knew it was a wonderful feeling after all they'd been through in the past two weeks.

She rolled up Blake's pant legs slowly, carefully, not wanting to aggravate the cuts anymore, stopping just above her knees. She was glad to see that the girl's aura had already healed the worst of the wounds, but still, Weiss was set in her task.

She inspected the contents of the first aid kit before pulling out a small bottle of disinfectant and a cotton ball. Her eyes flicked up to find Blake's, and she sent her a silent apology for the slight pain she'd feel from it before pouring a bit of the liquid onto the cotton and dabbing over the cuts. After all Blake had done for her, it was the very least the heiress could do in return.

She worked with great care and gentleness but also confidence, having learned a few things here and there in her years at the mansion. She finished by placing a band-aid on each of Blake's knees before easing her pant legs down to her ankles once more.

"There. You'll be better in no time at all."

...

The first dab stung, and a sharp sliver of pain shot through her torn knee at the touch of the disinfectant. She tried not to flinch at the pain, but there was no helping the involuntary jerk away from the alcohol-sodden cotton ball.

Weiss was gentle, methodical, and any pain she felt faded into a senseless numb soon enough.

As the seconds stretched, it was hard to not let the quiet atmosphere affect her. It was warm under the window where the light from the sun slipped through the glass to pool over them in swatches, and she could feel its heat sink into the back of her shirt.

It made her head fuzzy, mind lost in a strange sense of comfort she hadn't been able to feel in what seemed like forever, and when the final band-aid had been placed, she rested her forehead against Weiss' without thinking, the hum in her throat growing louder.

In the quietness, the tenseness melted. Her muscles relaxed, her limbs felt boneless, and she wanted nothing more than to bask in this tranquility that was almost too good to be true.

Perhaps it was - perhaps it wouldn't last forever, but that didn't matter to her right now. Here in this room, happiness was more than just a fantasy.

...

She stiffened slightly when Blake suddenly leaned against her, not because it was unwelcome, but because it was pleasantly unexpected. Her forehead felt a bit warm, reminding Weiss of the mad dash across town they'd just endured.

Less than an hour ago, Weiss was on the altar about to say "I do", and now she was here, alone with Blake.

She was scared and uncertain, but there was one thing she knew for sure; that there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

Leaning forward, she gently pressed her forehead against Blake's, supporting her in whatever way she could.

They stayed like that for a moment, eyes closed as they simply breathed in one another's presences. She almost chuckled when she heard Blake's purr, gentle like playful thunder, and she wished to hear more of it.

But it wasn't long before Weiss started becoming painfully aware of every ache in her body, and she was certain Blake must've felt the same. Her stomach growled, and her legs were aching, and it was getting difficult to keep her eyes open.

She pulled away only to spread out the blankets a bit, making room for them to be able to lie down. Weiss looked out the window, feeling apprehension bubble in her stomach, and she couldn't stop herself from lifting herself onto her knees to close the blinds, just to be safe.

She then looked back to Blake and bit her lip.

"Should we… try to get some rest?"

...

When Weiss pulled away Blake felt herself dip, and she braced a hand on the floor to keep herself from falling. Her eyes opened, and it was more work than she thought to keep them that way, watching idly as Weiss went about spreading the blankets and closing the blinds.

Blake was quite confident in her ability to fall asleep just about anywhere considering the tiredness she felt, and when Weiss looked back to her, teeth worrying her bottom lip, it wasn't even a question anymore. As long as Weiss was safe with her, then it simply became a matter of time.

And right now, rest was essential.

The earliest train out of Vale was just before dawn, and they would need what little rest they could get. They more than deserved it, and she made a soft agreeing noise in the back of throat, too tired to do much else as she gestured to the small gathering of blankets and pillows in invitation, lying down and hoping Weiss followed.

The sheets were cool against her heated skin, and she stretched, trying to work out the kinks and aches still haunting her, only to finally settle on her back not feeling much better.

But as she inhaled - breathing in the smell of old books and the fainter trace of Weiss still cloaked under the remaining perfume - it had her heart slowing, and the sigh that escaped her seconds later was one of unbridled relief.

...

Blake seemed eager to lay herself down, and Weiss realized just how mandatory getting sleep truly was. She didn't know if it would come easily though, not after everything she'd endured, everything she'd done as of recently. The guilt and fear were already clawing at her.

She observed Blake as she laid herself down, as if taking small mental notes of how to go about the process. Weiss followed suit, lying down on her side, facing away from the Faunus girl.

The blankets beneath her form were thinner than the quilts that adorned her old bed, but there was something charming about the humble sheets she pulled up over herself now. They were cool from lack of use, and the atmosphere around them was exactly as she'd imagined it in the books she'd read about such situations.

The air that had been sparked with tension until now was finally becoming calm, like the waves of a tsunami subsiding to rest for the night; and only for the night.

But Weiss was restless, plagued by the thoughts of what she'd done, where she was, what could happen to herself and Blake if they were ever apprehended-

She felt queasy thinking about it.

Turning around, she looked to Blake, and the girl seemed surprisingly mellow, eyes closed, breath soft, ears only slightly perked.

Weiss was still for a few moments, trying to muster up the courage to move closer to her. She was reminded of a few nights ago, the first night Blake had held her, and she wondered what it would be like now under these somewhat more favorable conditions.

She waited, listening to Blake's breathing, timing it with her own, wondering if the Faunus girl was still conscious or not.

Somewhere along the lines, the heiress steeled herself and inched closer, making as little noise as possible, though she saw Blake's ears flick once.

Carefully, she slipped into Blake's side, fingers curling lightly at her shirt, though Weiss kept herself propped up slightly on her elbows as she whispered nervously.

"Is… Is this all right with you?"

She'd gladly move away if Blake refused her; she liked to believe she wouldn't, but she wanted to be certain.

...

Even in spite of the fatigue, it was a bit of a challenge to fall asleep. She could hear Weiss toss and turn, and her ears tracked the sounds unconsciously.

It was probably stupid of her to think that Weiss would be comfortable with this. There was still so much to deal with - to worry about - that it was no wonder Weiss was restless. They weren't safe, not really. As long as they remained in Vale, there was always a chance Weiss' father would find them, and the sooner they left the better.

So when Blake felt fingers curl into her shirt, heard the softly muttered words, her eyes cracked open to peer at Weiss. Her vision was blurry, unable to focus, and when she went to answer, the beginnings of her voice came out rough and cracking, so she stopped.

A consenting hum escaped instead, her chest rising as she took in a breath, only for it to escape moments later as a purr, rumbling.

...

Weiss wasn't sure at first what the response was, and she was about to mutter an apology and move away again, just to be safe. But before she could move an inch or turn away, she received an answer that was unmistakable to any person.

She both heard and felt Blake's purr, and it caused a warm feeling to rise up in her chest, soft and pleasant even in this dire situation. In spite of everything, a smile found its way to her lips, and it was a challenge to bite back the light chuckle.

Slowly, she eased herself down until all of her weight rested comfortably. She fit perfectly into the crook of Blake's side, the girl's arm falling over Weiss' back. The heiress clung just a little tighter to her shirt and rested her head on Blake's collar.

Her eyes fell shut almost instantly, a whispered "goodnight" breathing past her lips. She could hear the gentle rumble of Blake's purrs, slow but distinct, like a handful of marbles rolling over a tiled floor. Each one matched her breathing, and it was a sound Weiss knew she could easily get lost in.

And so she did.

Past the surface layer of purring, she could distinguish a faint heartbeat, and it brought Weiss immense comfort; she'd only ever felt her own before, but there was something profound about feeling Blake's. She almost felt she was intruding - and yet she'd been invited. She found herself curling closer, succumbing to her desire for contact, something she'd accept from no one else in the world.

There was a sacred simplicity about it all in the shrouding night that surrounded them. Blake's steady pulse and tranquil purring quelled the heiress' troubled mind.

And for the first time in a very, very long while, Weiss slipped into slumber peacefully.

------------

A/N: It finally happened! I know a few of you were anticipating a crashed wedding. A lot happened this chapter, and it was the title chapter! I created the title of the RP at the very beginning knowing this part would come eventually and I'm glad I named it what I did.

And I remember this being one of my favorite scenes to write with Ash early on. But we're far, far from finished with this story!

Preview for Act VII: Blake didn't waste any time, nodding as pleasantly as she could muster as she accepted the tickets back with a muttered thanks, and she turned to Weiss with a slightly energetic smile before tugging her towards the platform and the waiting train. The warning whistles echoed though the air, and suddenly how close they were to freedom was almost too real to believe.