Renegades (Act XI)

EALRY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Blake and Weiss have a plan. Can they fulfill it?

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														   Act XI.

Blake felt warm. Almost too warm, if that was possible - too good to be true - but that wasn't enough to stop her from turning in to it. Half asleep as she was, it was the only thing she had the capacity to focus on, this low buzz of heat beneath her fingertips that burned at just the right degree to make her melt.

Basking seemed like the appropriate word to use to describe this, and when the haze slipped away to the point of barest conscious, Blake realized she had rolled onto her side, molded herself to the curve of Weiss' form.

A hum grew in her throat before she could stop it, rumbling low and consistent, and the scent of Weiss weaved about her head like a spell she had no qualms breathing in. She didn't dare open her eyes - hoping to stretch this moment for as long as she could before the last leg of their journey began.

...

Weiss felt the hum in Blake's throat, indication that she'd woken, but Weiss was willing to overlook that fact, to pretend she hadn't noticed in favor of making this moment last for as long as possible. She relished this - all of it - for as long as possible, or at least for as long as she dared.

But eventually, her eyes flicked over Blake's shoulder and found the digital clock on the bedside table. The scintillas of sunlight were growing brighter now, and Weiss squinted to make out the numbers, heaving a sigh as she read them.

With a squeeze to Blake's back and a soft mumble of apology, Weiss pulled away from her, letting the raw air slip between the mutual warmth they'd been building up all night long.

"Blake…" she rasped in a mumble. "We should get up. There's half an hour left to take advantage of a complimentary breakfast here," she mused. "Might as well take whatever we can get, right?" She nuzzled her face into Blake's hair, then kissed her cheek, followed by her nose. At last, she kissed Blake's eyelids in turn, very gently. "What do you say?"

...

There really was no use in pretending anymore, not when the pressure of Weiss' lips brushed across her skin, causing her mouth to quirk into a lopsided smile.

Blake thought of reaching out and pulling her back, burying her face in the crook of Weiss' neck and getting a few more minutes of sleep, but her stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and she cautiously cracked open an eye.

Her sight flooded white, the light slipping in through the window blinding after such deep sleep, and her eyes squeezed shut again. She huffed softly, a puff of breath through her nose as she stretched life back into her limbs, arms extending up over her head. There was a pleasant tension in her muscles, straining and yet oddly satisfying, before she settled back down, draping an arm over Weiss' side.

When she opened her eyes this time Weiss materialized slowly, splotches of white and blue coming together in the golden glow of morning, and it wasn't long before the off-kilter smile returned.

"Hmm…" The beginnings of her voice was hoarse, but she couldn't find the means to care. "Free food does sound rather nice…"

...

She giggled at Blake's pouting face, her cheeks puffed out in a slight huff to demonstrate just how comfortable she'd been curled up together with Weiss. The heiress had to admit she was flattered.

Leaning forward, she kissed the tip of Blake's nose.

"Staying in bed all day and pretending as though we don't need to check out before noon also sounds rather nice," she mumbled with a smile. "Unfortunately, I don't think that's the best of ideas."

But if all went well, it wouldn't be long now before they could rest easily like this every night, surrounded by the protection of Blake's own residence. Weiss wanted to achieve that more than anything.

She spoiled Blake and herself for a few more minutes, breathing slowly as she trailed lazy kisses over the Faunus girl's temples and hairline. She'd hoped the motions would serve to rouse Blake, but she soon realized she might've been doing just the opposite.

With great effort, Weiss finally pulled away and pushed herself up, stretching and feeling her shoulders pop pleasantly. Her neck was next, followed promptly by her back, and at last with a sigh, she was finished.

She slipped her legs off the bed and stepped into a pair of slippers, looking back over her shoulder. She wondered if she should succumb to her thoughts of simply going to breakfast alone, bringing Blake back some food, and leaving the Faunus girl here tucked away beneath the covers.

But she shook her head, standing as she slipped into a fresh set of their newly-washed clothes. Weiss grabbed one of Blake's shirts and a pair of her pants, leaving them on the bed beside her before leaning over her.

"Let's go, sleepyhead," Weiss cooed, kissing her forehead, simply because she could.

...

Weiss' words almost sounded like an offer, and when she didn't make an immediate move to get up, Blake felt the dreariness creep back in, her body sinking like dead weight into the mattress. The kisses didn't particularly help the matter either, but she wasn't going to complain.

That was, until she felt Weiss slip from her hold a few seconds later. Sluggish movements meant her hand closed on nothing but air, and Weiss pulled up and away from the bed and completely out of Blake's reach.

There was a rustle of cloth as Weiss changed into some recently-washed clothes, whispers Blake didn't bother listening to until Weiss placed some clothes beside her on the bed. And then she leaned down, words soft and lips softer, and Blake didn't think, her arms reaching out on their own to pull Weiss back down, locking around her waist.

Strands of Weiss' hair fell in every which way, haphazard, fanning around her face and tickling her nose as she tugged Weiss closer. Sparing a few more minutes wouldn't hurt in the long run.

...

She was surprised when she felt those familiar arms wrap around her once more, pulling her gently back down onto the bed and into that comforting warmth. Weiss almost debated opposition but quickly dismissed the thought, shaming herself for actually even considering it. She knew what she truly wanted. They both did.

Therefore, she did nothing but sigh in defeat as she slowly relaxed against Blake once again, strands of white hair highlighted against the Faunus girl's darker clothing and tresses. The arms around her waist weren't about to let go anytime soon, so Weiss merely gave in for the moment.

"I don't believe you," she mumbled, pouting ever-so-slightly. "You've trapped me…"

Though Weiss had to admit she'd pretty much been asking for that much. Not that she particularly minded.

A glance at the clock had her shrugging - they could get the lunch specials.

But for the moment, there was a faint purr coming from beneath her that was begging for her attention.

Weiss obliged, dipping down once more to rest her head on Blake's chest, listening. She closed her eyes and dozed, but ensured she didn't fall back asleep completely. It was no simple feat, that was for certain; Blake wasn't making this easy for her.

Weiss distracted herself and kept herself awake by trailing tiny, light kisses up the side of Blake's neck, her arms stretching up to the girl's shoulders. Her palms found their way to the sides of the Faunus girl's face, fingers tracing idly beneath the apples of Blake's cheeks.

Weiss spoiled her for a while longer. She kissed each of Blake's Faunus ears, then her forehead, unaware of where all of this affection was coming from, but not honestly caring. Everything that had been pent up over these past few weeks was finally being freed, like the waves behind lifted floodgates.

So she flooded Blake with kisses to compensate for all those years the both of them had been denied such displays of love, things that had been so necessary and yet always beyond their reach.

But now they could finally have this.

Weiss gazed lovingly down into those sleepy golden eyes, relishing the vibrations of the purr pressed against her chest before leaning down to kiss Blake's lips. She moved her mouth slowly in time with Blake's, breathing her in, petting nails gingerly through her bangs and then massaging her shoulders.

They might be late in checking out, but Weiss didn't care anymore.

...

"It's not like it was difficult," Blake managed in between kisses, the cheeky curl to the corner of her mouth wiped clean when Weiss' lips found hers again, and Blake was lost.

It was difficult to be tired after the fact, a buzz settling in the wake of the touch of their skin, and the dull comfort of Weiss' hands rubbing her shoulders. She squeezed Weiss gently, arms tightening around her waist, and the purr in Blake's chest grew louder.

"But if you wanted me awake, congratulations. I am awake."

Leaning forward she pecked Weiss lightly on the nose, lips trailing carelessly until they reached the line just below Weiss' eye. She smiled into it, lingering before pulling away to butt their foreheads together. Her arms slackened a moment later and Weiss was once again free.

Blake rested her head back down on the pillow, staring disinterestedly up at the ceiling despite the pleasant quirk to her lips. She blamed it on the weight settled over her.

"You said something about breakfast..?"

...

When Blake released her, Weiss almost pouted again until she remembered she'd intended to be freed several minutes ago and had refused to protest when she'd been captured. Then again, she'd certainly be diagnosed as insane if she'd pried away from Blake's grasp after all of that, or if not insane then surely heartless.

At last she sat up, her weight balanced over Blake's hips as Weiss' hands moved their way through onyx hair and found soft ears, ears that had notably grown accustomed to her touch at long last. The smug little smile curling Blake's lips caused the heiress to chuckle once again, tracing her palms over the outlines of the other girl's ears.

"Breakfast depends on whether or not you can get changed and we can run downstairs within the next four minutes." To ensure she herself was no longer the reason for causing a delay, Weiss slowly climbed off of her companion and pushed Blake's clothes within her reach.

Once her feet had found solid ground again, Weiss hurried about the room to ensure all of their now-washed clothes were packed away. Once they finished eating, they'd need to leave the room swiftly, and she didn't want packing to be an issue then. She pulled out a few lien from her bag, intending to take advantage of those cheaply-priced snacks she'd seen in the machines down in the lobby.

By the time everything was prepared, she turned back to find Blake dressed and offered her hand.

"I've never eaten at a buffet before. You'll have to show me how it's done," she mused.

...

When Blake had finally hauled herself from beneath the covers and off the bed, she changed methodically, unable to stop the yawns as she pulled on fresh clothes. She was done by the time Weiss returned with all of their things packed and ready to go, even though everything still seemed fogged over with the dreariness of sleep.

"I'm not one to talk." She took Weiss' hand, weaving her fingers between hers. "Can't say I've ever been to something like this." At least not in the same sense. There had been the kitchens she and Adam frequented when they were scrounging about for something quick to eat, but that was a far cry from a buffet. The offer itself was almost strange to her - the fact that they could just waltz down the hall and take what they liked without opposition or objection. "But I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle."

...

"Right." With a smile and a gentle tug, Weiss led her to the door and down the hallway.

They avoided the elevator - cramped spaces and cameras weren't exactly the most favorable of their options, after all - and simply took the stairs. When they reached the lobby, there were a dozen or so people walking about, but the majority were off to one side, seated in a small restaurant area.

They needed to observe the other people first, all the while tantalizing scents of various fresh breads and meats filling their lungs. Once Weiss figured she could handle tackling the buffet, they headed toward it, grabbing plates and scouring their choices.

It would be foolish not to take advantage of this bountiful opportunity, so Weiss filled her plate with an omelette, muffin, toast, and a small bagel. She grabbed a few packets of condiments that might come in handy for their future travels as well, and slipped those into her pockets, along with a few wrapped miniature muffins and brownies.

They found a table, and a waiter brought them glasses of water. Weiss was sure not to look him in the eye as she offered her thanks; she didn't know what kind of news about her situation could be reaching this far away from Vale, but she wasn't keen on taking chances. Not when they'd already made it this far.

She unfolded her napkin and placed it over her lap before cutting into the warm omelette, almost tentative to take the first bite of her only full meal in weeks. But the satisfaction that resulted from doing so was more than enough to have her facial features relaxig into an expression of absolute bliss.

...

It was hard after almost a week surviving on the snacks to savor the taste of breakfast. Blake was more happy about the fact that the lingering pinch in her stomach vanished after nearly every last bit of that omelette made it into her mouth.

The toast was next, and while compared to the eggs it was a step down in terms of flavor, it was just as filling. The problem was not stuffing it all in her face at once. They had time, Belmere wasn't going anywhere.

Blake swallowed the last bit of toast, reaching for the glass of water to take a few sips before setting it back down on the table. The dining area was slowly getting quieter, the only few remaining people stragglers like themselves. Though she supposed that was more her own fault, even if the memory made her smile.

"I wonder if they'll let us take some to go," she said half joking, leaning in her chair to bump their shoulders together.

...

"It sure can't hurt to ask."

The next time their waiter came by, Weiss flagged him down and spoke quickly and innocently, asking if it would be permissible. With a polite smile, the man said that would be fine, since they were paying for their room, after all.

With that knowledge in mind, Weiss went back up to the buffet and took some more toast, another bagel, and a muffin. She broke them up a little bit to make it look as though she'd eaten and picked at them and simply couldn't finish here and now. And the next time their waiter came around, Weiss requested some small white containers for them to pack away their leftover food.

By the end of it all, they walked away from their table with pleasantly full bellies and at least five more small meals' worth of food in their hands.

Before they headed back to their room, Weiss ushered Blake to the vending machines and took advantage of the cheap snacks. Two lien got them a bag of pretzels, one of chips, and even candy. She also purchased three more bottles of water for the same amount of money.

In addition to the food they'd taken back with them, and the mini brownies and muffins Weiss had slipped into her pockets previously, they'd likely be set for at least another week on what they had now alone.

It would be more than enough to last them to Belmare. If she wasn't mistaken, they should arrive there tonight or sometime tomorrow, depending on the trains.

When at last they found themselves back in their room, Weiss took all of their spoils and packed them away into their bags. She checked their funds and was satisfied to see that even after paying for the room, they'd have more than enough to last them for a while yet.

Hopefully enough to get them off to a wonderful start in Belmare.

She couldn't wait.

Standing with her bag over her shoulder, she held Blake's backpack out to her.

"Well… shall we be on our way, then?"

...

It was the final stretch, and it didn't sink in until Blake had the bag in her hand. She was dumbstruck for a moment, weighing the mass in her hands like a scale before finally slinging the the strap over her shoulder and nodding.

"We shall."

They had already purchased tickets, bought them after arriving the day before in a fit of excitement, so all they had to do was get back to the station, and then there was just waiting.

Still, it was hard not to tug Weiss down the hall of the motel, a subtle skip in her step. It was a culmination of everything so far - the warmth building like a steady fire in her chest, the anticipation and breathlessness at being able to share it all - and now it really was only a matter of time.

...

When Blake took her hand and pulled her along, Weiss could only describe it as merriment that filled their excited steps and danced around each and every beat of their rapid hearts. She'd never seen Blake like this before; she wanted to keep seeing her this way for the rest of her life.

Weiss only had to stop her in the lobby so she could go up to the desk and make the payment for the room. It only took a few minutes before they were on their way once more.

Stepping out the doors, they were met with a pleasantly sunny day, the cool breeze serving to refresh their lungs. The night in the motel had allowed them to shower for the first time in weeks - real showers, not just using a bar of stolen soap and sticking rags in a river to slap all along their bodies. Weiss had almost forgotten the feeling of warm water and clean shampoo in her hair, and the sensations had held her over until now.

She kept a tight hold of Blake's hand as they crossed the parking lot, unwilling to ever let go, and headed for the sidewalks, bound for the train station once again for what would be their last ride.

And then they'd be home.

The thought alone spread a smile across her lips and had her eyes shining.

Time almost seemed to fly by until at last she could hear the hustle and bustle of the train station, hear the familiar clatter and rattle of the tracks. With her free hand, Weiss reached into her pocket to view her ticket and read the number of their terminal. After being with Blake for so long, she knew her way around a train station now better than she knew the back of her own hand.

The second their terminal was in sight, Weiss paused for breath, marveling at the sight of their final train ever - the one that would take them to freedom.

She turned back to look at Blake.

"We made it," she murmured beneath the din of the crowds. She wrapped her arms around Blake's neck and pulled her down gently, pressing cool lips to her cheek, unafraid to be candid about her emotions anymore.

Blake had taken her this far. Blake had rescued her from a life of imprisonment and forced child-bearing. Blake had made her who she was in the moment. Blake had given Weiss her freedom, and showed her what love was.

And Weiss wanted to remind her just how grateful she was for all she'd done for her.

...

Weiss wrapped her arms around Blake's neck and she dipped under the weight, lips pressing to her cheek.

"Well, we're not quite there yet." Out of the corner of her eye she saw people turning to watch, curious eyes taking in the display, but Blake decided to pay them no mind. There was nothing they could do that would change things. "But we're close. We're really close."

Blake's arms encircled Weiss' waist, pulling her closer to return the affection, mouth brushing lightly against Weiss' temple in a kiss just as the the warning whistle of the arriving train blared. She pulled back, watching the locomotive putter to a stop in front of the platform, and the doors slid open with a hiss. People filed in leisurely, but it was only after one last peck - more of a smile against Weiss' lips - that Blake loosened her hold.

"We should get going."

...

She relished the feeling of Blake's lips pressed to her skin, to her temple - the same spot she'd first ever kissed Weiss after the daring leap from her windowsill back in Vale. It was the very same kiss, and yet ten times as tender now that they had nothing left to hide from anyone. Not even the passerby.

If it were an option, Weiss would've liked to stay like that a moment longer, but the train beckoned them onward. The two girls parted, but only slightly, their hands remaining entwined as they headed for their platform. They slipped through the crowds, handed over their tickets, and stepped on board.

Weiss relished the view of her last train ride of this journey. What had once been such a foreign experience to her was now so familiar, and yet it would soon all be a distant memory.

They found seats and put away their luggage bags, finally awarded the opportunity to sit and let the train do the work of moving them.

Weiss let out a sigh - excited, yet not quite happy, anxious, yet not quite regretful. Just somewhere in between it all. There had been and would be ups and downs, but at least they were heading to a brighter future - together.

She slumped into the Faunus girl's side and slipped an arm around her stomach, sticking close, letting her eyelids flutter shut as she breathed in Blake's calming scent.

/The final stretch…/

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A/N: Their salvation is on the horizon! But can they reach it?

Preview for Act XII: It took a moment for Blake to find her voice, searching past the sudden apprehension in her gut.

"I was just wondering if you knew the Belladonna family."

"Belladonna?" the man said, his brows creasing in obvious confusion, and in that moment Blake felt her heart falter - a beat that almost felt like that dully thudding muscle in her chest was about to fall into the pit of her stomach.