The Safest Place

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS!

This was written based off a lovely adorable art piece by Neon herself. I loved it so much I just had to write a little something for it. The art can be seen on her blog at theneonflower,tumblr,com/post/170251675422

Just setting this like... after vol5 I guess. They're in some safe house recovering.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														The Safest Place

After all that had happened at Haven Academy, it was nice for Team RWBY and their companions just to have an evening to recuperate.

In fact, saying it was nice was a rather massive understatement.

It was the relief of limping side by side into a safe house, the bliss of hot meals and warm showers and clean clothes.

And then it was the joy of opening the door to a room with several beds, a place where they could all sleep soundly and safely, if only for tonight.

And most importantly they'd be together.

Yang had to keep glancing over at her teammates on occasion, simply because she still couldn't fully believe they'd all made it here together.

That was how she got to noticing Weiss' little gestures. How she'd put her hand on Ruby's shoulder at the dinner table as they chatted, how she'd hold Blake's hand softly when Yang was busy dressing Weiss' wound in the bathroom.

Yang noticed right away, because before they'd all been separated, Weiss had never been the type to touch others so frequently, even those closest to her. The contact had always been minimal, if anything, until recently.

But now it was elated embraces and the apparent constant need to give or receive physical support or reassurance.

Yang wasn't sure if the others noticed, but she sure did. The moment back in Raven's camp when Weiss had suddenly thrown both arms around Yang and clung to her so tightly her shoes had dangled off the ground had probably been one of the most surprising instances of her life.

And she smiled at the notion of what was happening now. After all this time spent apart, it had made them all realize just how dear they were to one another.

And for Weiss, she wanted to convey that in a physical manner – something she'd never really offered or accepted previously.

But it was clear to Yang that Weiss didn't want to overstep whatever boundaries the heiress had set for herself. She was trying to stick to the smaller gestures, the nudge of a shoulder or brushing of fingertips. Now that Yang had noticed this new tendency of Weiss', she formed a little idea in her mind.

So after re-checking wounds, changing clothes, and enjoying a fresh supper of rations, the four girls wished their companions goodnight before heading off to their room.

As they headed down the hallway, Yang kept her eye on Weiss in particular, just to test her theory. Sure enough, the heiress was walking particularly close to her teammates, holding the door for them, patting each of their backs as they went inside.

There were four beds, and Ruby flicked on the lamp on the bedside table. There wasn't much else to the room than that, but this was more than enough for the exhausted huntresses.

When Ruby and Blake announced they were going to lie down for bed, Yang saw the urge to embrace them in Weiss' eyes, just because she wanted to; because she could now that she had them back. But she refrained, merely sending them off to their beds with a wave and wishes of sweet dreams.

Yang couldn't take it any longer. It was killing her to see Weiss hold back this much.

So once Blake and Ruby had gotten into their beds, Yang sauntered over to hers and sat down. Weiss had gone to the window to gaze outside as she brushed her hair. When Yang sat down, the heiress looked up.

"Are you going to bed as well?"

Yang presented her with a smile softer and warmer than the lamplight.

"Not yet. There's something I've gotta do first."

Weiss tilted her head to one side.

"And what might that be?"

Yang let her smile turn into a knowing, toothy grin. She pulled her legs up onto the bed and opened her arms in invitation.

"C'mere, Weiss."

And Weiss hesitated. She was almost shocked at what she was seeing, what Yang was offering. It made her realize she must've been embarrassingly obvious with showing what she wanted, and it caused heat to fill her cheeks.

Slowly, Weiss put her brush down, but didn't move from her spot.

"Yang-"

"It's okay, Weiss. Come on."

Weiss felt her heart give a little jump, and a rush of emotion started welling behind her eyes. She smiled, eyes closed in bliss as her feet began to move.

It was only a few steps to the bed before she threw both arms around Yang's neck.

Yang caught her softly, pulling Weiss into her lap and just holding her tight.

And Weiss all but melted in her arms. She pressed close, resting her chin on Yang's shoulder and hugging her for all she was worth, sighing elation. Her heart was soaring as she was finally able to fulfill the craving that had been toying with her since they'd all reunited.

And Yang was glad to help. More than glad, really. She'd always been one for physical contact, all her life, and she'd been dying for it as well.

She was still surprised to find that Weiss of all people was the one seeking physical comfort now, especially after all the previous semesters knowing she was a very reclusive, private person.

But over the months they'd been apart, a lot had happened. Enough to make Weiss change so drastically like this. Enough to let her give in to her true feelings and be honest about what she wanted.

It was probably the only good thing that had happened to Weiss.

Yang knew for a fact that the half a year had arguably been toughest on Weiss out of all of them. Isolated, alone, scared... She'd run away, been shipwrecked, and then kidnapped...

Just thinking about it made Yang's grip around her tighten in defiance. She cradled her prosthetic at the back of Weiss' head, threading fingers through her smooth silky hair. With her flesh hand she pressed her palm to the small of Weiss' back, pulling her in, arcing Weiss' form into her own.

She was so glad to have all of them back, but for now she focused on Weiss. She was relieved she was safe, that the wound hadn't taken the toll it should've.

Yang closed her eyes and simply held her for a long while. Weiss didn't seem to have intentions of letting go anytime soon, so Yang banished the thought from her own mind as well.

The heiress' arms were slender around Yang's neck, but they were strong and firm, unwilling to relinquish what she'd finally gotten back. Every once in a while she nuzzled her face a little closer into Yang's shoulder, nestling against her neck. She sidled closer in her lap, pressing as fully and closely as possible.

Yang shared her natural warmth, encompassing the heiress in comfort and security. She could feel Weiss' heartbeat, fast and excited and joyful.

Yang started stroking her fingers through Weiss' hair, petting in soothing slow motions down her back. When Weiss' arms got a little stiff from her current position she didn't let go, but simply shifted her embrace, hugging Yang's torso instead. She interlocked her fingers across the blonde's back, a silent refusal to let go.

And Yang was fine with that. She shifted her arms, making sure to be careful of her own strength. Her prosthetic draped across Weiss shoulder down to her opposite hip as her left hand continued to pat and pamper.

She could feel it as Weiss' pulse began to slow down, as her breathing began to deepen. Yang imagined it was the first time in six months the poor girl had actually ever relaxed.

Yang kept her close, brushing her cheek against Weiss' whenever she could, letting her burrow into the side of her neck.

They stayed that way for a long time, but neither made a move to part from the another.

Yang made sure to stay conscious despite the all-encompassing comfort of having Weiss in her arms. She cracked her eyes open slightly to ensure she didn't drift off and rubbed her palm over Weiss' back slowly.

Weiss made a small tired, but content sound in the back of her throat, something halfway between a sigh and a whimper, indicating she was still awake too. Yang chuckled and bumped heads with her softly.

"Better now?"

Weiss was too content to even speak. All she managed was a nod. Weiss Schnee - arguably one of the most vocal people in all of Remnant - was happily quiet now.

Yang chuckled again.

"Wanna go to bed?"

A pause, then another nod.

"All right."

Yang loosened her grip on the heiress, shifting her legs a bit as she prepared to let her go. But she only felt Weiss' hold on her tighten in quiet defiance. Yang paused and made sure she wasn't imagining things, but sure enough Weiss didn't seem willing to let go.

Yang got the hint, tenderly wrapping Weiss back up in a full embrace.

"You... wanna stay here with me?"

Another pause, another flutter of Weiss' heart. Only then did she try to ease herself back a little, voice tired.

"If you'd rather not-"

"Hey, I didn't say that." Yang pulled Weiss back in close, cradling her head, letting her rest her chin on her shoulder again. "It's fine with me. Honest."

Weiss' response was another small happy sigh and another nuzzle. Yang smiled.

"Then it's settled."

She carefully peeled the blankets down while still keeping Weiss secure in her lap with her other hand. Yang slid her own legs under the covers first, then slowly laid herself down.

Weiss didn't budge but stayed on top of her, only moving her legs to a more comfortable position as they stretched out.

Yang balanced the heiress on top of herself and gingerly pulled the blankets up to her shoulders, while Weiss would be Yang's blanket for the night. She settled in, letting her entire body go limp, other than her arms around Weiss. She pet slowly up and down her back, feeling as the rhythm of her heart slowed.

Another sigh came from Weiss. Yang placed a small kiss on her cheek.

"You good?"

"Mm..." Weiss nodded again.

Yang stroked through her hair some more.

"All right, just checkin'."

She let out a long sigh, her eyes going up to the ceiling.

It was so strange, so wonderfully strange to be in this foreign place with all the people she loved sleeping safely beside her. Or on top of her.

A smile rose back to her lips and she closed her eyes, resting her hands atop Weiss' back and shoulders.

"Night, Weiss."

She knew she was already asleep, and she didn't expect an answer in return.

Yang was just happy to have finally given her a warm safe place to fall asleep tonight.

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A/N: I'd meant to post this a week ago but just totally forgot... oops.