Promises Kept (ch6)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!

We're about to wrap it up! Remember these drabbles are standalone and not really in any order according to chapter.

It's Freezerburn Friday!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 6.

As Maria flies their ship toward Atlas, almost everyone on board has sat down to rest their eyes and regenerate their aura.

Almost everyone.

Yang keeps her eyes open to make sure the others are at ease. Blake has just fallen asleep against her shoulder, and she can hear Ruby snoring softly against Weiss'.

But the heiress herself seems unable to rest, likely because of their next destination. Her face is turned toward the windows, and her shoulders seem tense.

Yang can't blame her. Weiss had been trapped in Atlas for nearly six months and had gone through hell to escape. Yang is the only one here who had seen her back at Raven's camp, caged like an animal, bruised and exhausted and terrified of being sent back to her father.

And now they're bringing her right back in range.

Yang watches as the heiress' collar deflates with an exhale. She shifts, gently slipping away from Ruby and having her lean against Blake instead. Weiss staggers to her feet and makes her way to the nearest window, treading quietly.

Yang gingerly eases Blake off her shoulder and has her rest with Ruby for the time being. The blonde stands and follows the heiress, coming up to pause next to her.

"Hey. Everything okay?"

Weiss gives her a look of mild annoyance. Yang grimaces.

"Sorry. Dumb question I guess."

Weiss sighs and turns back to the window, and the night sky beyond.

"No, it's okay. I'm sorry. I should've known I'd have to face my father for this someday. I guess that day is just going to come sooner than I'd expected." She drapes one arm across her chest in a defensive manner, holding onto her opposite wrist. She'd used to stand that way a lot in the past, back when she didn't know if she could trust any of them.

Yang just wants to make sure she remembers now that she can. She presses her hand softly against Weiss' back, feeling her shiver.

"I'm sorry you have to go back there so soon. But it's like Ruby said; we'll be with you every step of the way. You don't have to do any of this alone, Weiss."

Weiss doesn't take her eyes off the stars.

"You're right. I may not have to... But I probably should."

Yang brushes their shoulders together lightly.

"You can cross that bridge when you get there, yeah?"

At last, Weiss takes her eyes away from the window and turns them to Yang. There is fear there, but more than anything else there is resolve, determination. Yang's glad to have given her the support she needs.

She's about to turn to head back to the others when Weiss stops her. Just like she had back at Raven's camp, Weiss throws both arms around Yang's shoulders, straining up onto her tiptoes and hiding her face in wily blonde hair.

"Thank you, Yang."

Yang smiles tenderly and returns the contact, giving her a good, warm squeeze. She feels Weiss exhale against her shoulder, feels the thrum of her heart flutter into a calmer rhythm.

They stay that way for a moment as the ship carries them onward. When they part, Yang leads her back to the others. They return to their places and their sleeping partners, and huddle up against them, resting their eyes and their hearts.

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A/N: With all the little touches and moments between the girls this volume, it lacked a bit of Freezerburn in the finale. But I guess I can't complain since they honestly had the best reunion hug in vol6.

And finally, tomorrow is Strawberry Sunrise Saturday!