Renegades (epilogue)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL OF MY PATRONS!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Although this fic didn't get as much traffic and response as I feel it might've deserved, I'm very thankful to everyone who stuck with it until the end. I hope the ending is enjoyable for you all!

Thanks again to my partner kokkoro for writing with me at the time! This was my favorite roleplay.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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													Epilogue. One Year Later

Waking up was something she'd never thought she would look forward to. But over the past several months, Blake had come to love it. Upon opening her eyes, Weiss would always be the first thing she saw.

Some mornings, Weiss was up before her, already waiting to greet her with a kiss.

But today, like many others, Blake had woken first, and was granted the privilege of watching her in her slumber. With her eyes and then her fingers, she traced the rise and fall of Weiss' back, threading gingerly down through the cascade of loose hair, like streams of silken white water. No matter how many times she bore witness to such a scene it never got old, and she knew it never would.

She couldn't help herself from sidling closer. Their bed was small, but still large enough to fit them both comfortably, though most of the time they found they didn't need the extra inches of space.

Blake slipped and circled her arms around the curve of Weiss' waist, spooning her while pressing her chest against her back. She nosed through her hair until she revealed the smooth skin of her neck, which she wasted no time in kissing.

The rumble in her chest was already underway, working its way up from the the space behind her stomach to spread throughout her chest and throat, then transfer onto Weiss' back and shoulders.

She had learned not to keep track of time anymore during these kinds of moments. Time was only necessary in terms of following the sun and the rumble of their stomachs.

Instead of time, she simply focused on air and space. The air that passed through Weiss' body, causing her chest and sides to rise and fall, pushing gently up against Blake's forearms and palms.

And the girl filling that space - the texture of her hair, the fabrics of her nightgown, the scent of her skin, the feeling of her breath, and so much more.

She could never get enough.

...

Though Weiss enjoyed waking first merely for the opportunity to glimpse Blake's calm sleepy countenance, she had to admit she enjoyed waking second even more.

The first things that tingled each of her senses were incomparable to all else, even if she were to experience the same sensation later on in the day.

When she opened her eyes she saw the room Blake and herself had worked for, the room of the house they had earned after months and months of working hard and saving up.

This little bungalow was what they called home now. Though it was much smaller than the mansion Weiss had once known, it was bigger in other aspects - the ones that counted.

It was safe. It was warm. It was theirs. And it was home.

What she first smelled and what she first tasted went hand in hand. Blake's familiar scent was always there, lingering in the back of her nose and the roof of her mouth.

But there was something else as well, something equally as familiar and equally as comforting.

The cool breeze always managed to slip its way in somehow, carrying with it the scent and taste of salt. The air was always fresh and crisp, but had a hint of warmth and sunlight to it.

After all this time her love for the ocean had never faded, and like a bird following instinct she'd eventually returned to it. She had ventured far, left this love behind, only to find a new love. And that new love she had taken the hand of and brought back here, to rekindle the old affair.

Their cottage was close enough to the beach for her to be able to hear the distant rush of the waves, the nostalgic song of the gulls.

But even the sounds of the sea birds couldn't compete with the other sound that filled her ears.

Like rolling marbles across the wooden-planked floor, Blake's purr surged softly like the waves of the sea. It spread throughout her back and tickled her stomach, which resulted in Weiss' inevitable smile. She felt the arms around her, the body pressed close to her own, keeping her warm and secure.

For a moment she simply laid there, enjoying it all.

It had been three months since they'd claimed this cottage as their own, and every morning since had been the same as this one. It was a familiarity Weiss knew she nor Blake would ever tire of.

Although on some rainy mornings they would drift off back to sleep again, the sun was shining today, and there would soon be work to attend to.

Therefore, Weiss exhaled a telltale breath, silently informing Blake of her wakefulness. She stretched out her arms as much as she could from this position, waiting until the numbness that had formed in the night subsided.

She then pushed herself up enough to turn around in Blake's arms and loop her own around her shoulders. Blake was smiling too, and Weiss did the honors of putting their smiles together in a soft kiss.

"Good morning."

...

That was an understatement if Blake had ever heard one. Every morning together with her was so much more than "good".

Nonetheless, her reply was a heartier purr and a reciprocation of the kiss on her lips. She pulled Weiss in close, resting one hand at the small of her back, the other at her shoulder closest to the mattress. The curves of their bodies fit so perfectly together. Blake believed they'd molded themselves over the months so they'd always fill the other's spaces, no matter how small.

Blake didn't cover her ears anymore, and that was just one change she'd made since starting her new life with Weiss. Presently, those ears swiveled and turned, naturally honing in on Weiss' mumbled words and sleepy breaths. Blake savored them just as she savored every other part of her.

When their kiss came to an end, their noses came together, brushing softly. Blake kissed her scarred cheek, and when Weiss closed her eyes, she kissed the eyelid as well, trailing up until she reached her temple. Pressing their foreheads together, Blake waited until she could see blue once again.

"Good morning," she purred. "Do we have any plans for today?"

Ever since they'd settled down they had started their own market of sorts, with the help of some kind locals. The rich soil of this part of Belmere was ideal for gardening and for growing crops, and even selected fruits. Even during the winter months, there was always something to salvage and sell. But their personal market was closed on Sundays, which they would use to ready themselves for the coming week.

Blake thought back to all they'd done yesterday and pondered aloud.

"I think we have everything stocked up. There are still a few apples I haven't picked yet, but I think they can wait until tomorrow."

...

"I think so, too." Weiss affirmed with a kiss to her cheek. "We've done all there is to be done this week. Today is our day to enjoy ourselves."

So they did, for a while longer. They simply laid in bed, cuddled up close with a barrier of soft blanket surrounding them.

They dozed, kissed, breathed.

All the while the melody of Blake's purr filled the air. Sometimes, Weiss felt willing enough to lend her own voice to it. She was still a bit rusty, but Blake always adored the sound of her singing, and she ensured Weiss knew as much.

Even after all this time there were so many things to savor. This freedom, this house, and each other. This place was something they could finally call their own.

But it was more than that. It was home.

Weiss had never considered her father's mansion as such. That had always just been a place where she was forced to exist.

But this was home. A place where she could live.

This was one of those mornings when she was feeling more excited than drowsy. On the latter kind of day, they would often lay together in peaceful silence, sharing slow, deep kisses, or pressing palms on sore shoulders by way of massages. But all of that could wait until this evening.

For now, Weiss trailed her fingers teasingly up Blake's side, until she got the jolt of a reaction she'd wanted. Giggling, she wrestled with her playfully, tangling their legs together in her nightgown and Blake's pants. The bed creaked beneath their weight, the plush mattress bouncing as they roused themselves in the merriest way possible.

The rush of the waves and the call of the gulls were soon accompanied by new sounds, the sounds of choppy purrs and rasping laughter. Weiss added her voice to the mix and laughed with her.

There had been a point in her life when she'd entirely forgotten what this felt like, or simply never known at all. But in the past six months, not a single day had gone by where that had held true any longer.

...

Tickle attacks weren't uncommon, especially not in this room. Blake initiated them as often as Weiss did, and it always provided a wonderful sense of relief for the both of them. It had become one of their habits, to remind themselves that they could laugh freely - whenever they wanted - without consequence.

She wrestled softly with Weiss, and when the laughter wasn't filling the air, the purr was. She always made sure to let Weiss know how content she was to be with her. She'd told her many times over, but nightmares hadn't haunted her quite so badly in these past few months. The few that had visited some nights had been quelled by Weiss' comforting presence. Blake had provided the same solace for her whenever she'd needed it.

Blake just couldn't seem to be grateful enough to have this life with her. She knew she would never need more than this.

When at last the tickling and stolen kisses had rendered them equally breathless, Blake locked her arms around Weiss' back and sat up with her, cradling her in her lap.

"Come on," she sighed, nuzzling the girl's temple. "Let's have breakfast."

Saying as much, she slipped her hand beneath Weiss' knees, lifted her up, and carried her into the kitchen.

...

With a soft squeak of surprise and delight, she was lifted into Blake's arms. She made a mental note to come back and make the bed later. But for now, she enjoyed the ride into the kitchen.

Despite her credit cards, she and Blake had agreed to live humbly, to make a good life for themselves and earn their keep, as Blake's family had done, rather than cheat their way to comfort as Weiss' had.

They only used Weiss' remaining fortune during emergencies or special occasions. Their house wasn't terribly small nor terribly large, but just the right size for them.

They exited the bedroom and proceeded down a short hallway, where small shelves supported tiny flower pots, books, and knick-knacks they'd collected in their travels. Past the leisure room and the bathroom was the kitchen, where there was a constant aroma of spices and herbs, most of which they'd grown themselves.

Once there Blake let her down, and Weiss smoothed out her nightgown. She then leaned up and kissed Blake's cheek, a silent "thank you" for the eloquent transport.

Together, they began making breakfast, using fresh ingredients they either grew themselves or had traded with neighbors for. Home-grown fruits and vegetables coupled with the breads, meats, and other foods from the generous local market always made for hearty meals.

As they sat at the oak table to enjoy themselves, Weiss remembered something.

"Oh," she said after swallowing a bite. "There is one thing I've got to do today. I'd promised Ruby we would venture down to the raspberry patch to pick some. I'm sure Yang will be joining us as well."

...

"You can count me in, too," Blake commented, dabbing her napkin over her lips.

Ruby and Yang were the sisters they'd met upon first arriving here in Patch. They were a bubbly, cheerful, energetic pair who had instantly taken an interest in the newcomers. Their parents ran a sizable farm and were experts at raising livestock.

The sisters had given them a warm welcome and been beyond enthused to give them pointers and advice on how to care for their own gardens. They'd been close friends ever since.

One she and Weiss had finished breakfast, Blake offered to do dishes while Weiss freshened up and changed. They had built up an ample wardrobe since obtaining their house, and though Blake often stuck to her flannel shirts and darker pants, Weiss preferred lighter dresses.

Blake had once made it a personal goal of hers to be able to give Weiss any piece she wanted. She loved seeing her in them as much as Weiss loved to put them on. The day after they'd slept their first night in their new house, she'd gone out and bought Weiss a beautiful white sundress.

Which just so happened to be the one she'd chosen to wear today.

She always loved to see her in that one in particular, with her hair all down and flowing in its cascading glory. Blake turned away form the sink and dried her hands on a towel, a smile already curling up onto her lips as Weiss appeared in the threshold.

"You look beautiful. As always."

She opened up her arms invitingly.

...

Weiss wasted no time in running to her, looping her arms around Blake's neck and shoulders. They shared another silent kiss, soft and sweet, before she let her go.

"I'll make the bed and tidy up," Weiss decided. "You go get ready."

They parted briefly, and Weiss retreated to their bedroom. She arranged a few of Blake's books on their shelves, making mental notes of the ones she herself planned to read next. After tidying up the bed, she padded over to the window sill, where small pots of decorative plants stretched their leaves and petals to greet the new day.

It was only a few minutes later when Blake emerged, dressed in one of her favorite loose button-up shirts and pants. Weiss scurried forward to fasten the final button at her collar. Once that was done, she dropped her hand down to entwine her fingers with Blake's.

"Ready?"

A nod, a smile, and they headed for the door.

...

No matter how many times they'd stepped outside into this tranquil sea breeze, it never ceased to put their hearts at ease. Their shoes padded softly over the plush soil of the beaten path that ran between their gardens, down the center of their property.

Weiss tugged on Blake's hand, and Blake followed, ears standing proud and tall as she walked with her down the small embankment toward the hazy blue horizon.

...

From there it is a brief saunter through a small thicketed area until they reach the sand at last.

The air smells of salt and sunlight. The seagulls are calling as they drift on the breeze. Not far ahead, the foam of the ocean pushes and pulls softly at the shoreline, each wave leaving behind its own unique trove of colorful shells and ocean treasures. Their footsteps leave temporary impressions in the sand before the ocean adds them to its collection.

Weiss and Blake hurry forward, pausing briefly to remove their shoes, then continue barefoot into the water. Ankle deep they stand, hand-in-hand, side-by-side, and gaze out over the horizon, where the deep azure of the ocean meets the light blue of the sky. The wind blows to mix their hair together softly, black and white complementing each other like never before.

The combers hum their rhythmic song as the waters douse the sand, a process that has remained unchanged for thousands of years.

Two girls stand at the heart of it all, their lips curving upward to raise the apples of their cheeks, pure joy glinting in their eyes, and serenity weaving around their hearts.

Many times they had done this. And many times they'd do it again.

No hands have ever fit quite so perfectly together.

Smiling and laughing, they turn and leave their shoes behind.

And they walk along that shoreline where the sunlight is warm.

Fin.

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A/N: People have been asking if Ruby and Yang were in this AU since Act I. Now you know.

I felt Weiss and Blake needed to end up back at the ocean, since that was where they met. Where their journey begins, ends, and then continues.

Thank you so much for reading.