Confessions (ch6)

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

I believe I'd done a scenario similar to this in a previous story/roleplay, but I'd wanted to do it again/anew with a new partner who was also craving the fluff. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 6.

They had been discharged from the infirmary a few days later with strict instructions to avoid strenuous activity. Their slow recovery apparently had been the result of the complete depletion of their aura during the ordeal in Forever Fall, and the two were given extra time out of classes.

Yang and Ruby (who had scolded them both for lack of care when they had finally been allowed to visit) had promised to take good notes for them, or, on Weiss' orders, be forced to suffer the consequences.

Back in the peaceful bliss of their dorm, it appeared like only their academic careers might be in jeopardy, with the rest of their lives on the path to eventual recovery.

But of course it was never that easy, and something as simple as a mid-day nap had turned into more than it was probably worth.

Pain was the first thing Blake noticed when she awoke. A pool of it collected in her still-tender side, and she forced her eyes open as a groan worked its way up her throat, slipping from her lips in between muttered curses. God, it hurt.

"Weiss," she croaked, picking up her head just enough to glance down at the body curled against her side before plopping her head back down on the pillow. Going by the scowl she had seen planted on Weiss' face, it looked like the nap hadn't fared any better for her either. "My side is killing me."

Certainly not one of their better ideas. She blamed it on the meds.

. . .

Weiss was given a rather rude awakening due to a throbbing in her left side, thumping and frantic like a spastic jackrabbit. Evidently, she wasn't alone in this boat, as her girlfriend had also just woken - in much the same way, it seemed.

"That makes two of us," Weiss chuckled bitterly. If not for Ruby and Yang, Weiss and Blake likely would have brushed off eating their meals; too much effort, and they'd really rather not risk the aches. But even with the sisters gone at class now, the two left behind were still having a rough time.

Weiss had been injured on her left side, and Blake on her right, which at least allowed them to face one another. Weiss had fallen asleep to Blake's peaceful expression, and awoken to a pained one.

With a grunt, Weiss pushed herself up in jerking, robotic motions, remembering what she needed to do for Blake. She helped the girl up carefully as she reached for the bedside table, a bottle of pills and two glasses of water having been prepared for them in advance there.

"Up you go." Weiss supported Blake's back, sitting her up briefly. She handed Blake two of the painkillers and helped hold her glass to her lips, making sure she swallowed.

"Bitter, isn't it?" Weiss smiled hopelessly when Blake made a face. The heiress leaned in and kissed her softly, trying to take her mind off the taste. When she pulled back, she gave a small push to Blake's good shoulder to have her lay back down, head resting in Weiss' lap. "Relax now."

Weiss reached down, letting one hand find Blake's sore side. She applied slight pressure beneath the girl's wound, rubbing gently to massage the aches away. Weiss' other hand went to Blake's Faunus ears and scratched gently in an effort to have Blake focus on that sensation rather than the less pleasant one.

Weiss did this for several minutes, offering guilty apologies whenever she made Blake wince, hunching forward to kiss her cheek in compensation. She pressed her fingers up Blake's side lightly; had she not been strictly prohibited by Beacon's staff not to use her aura, Weiss would have. But for now, she settled for just this much, doing her best to fend off Blake's pain before it could get to her.

"How are you feeling?"

. . .

The medicine went down hard and she grimaced.

"Terrible," she replied, but her lips couldn't help curling into a smile when Weiss leaned in, the kiss accepted without complaint. Her quest for subsequent kisses, though, was thwarted by a firm hand to her shoulder, and the pout that surfaced was almost immediate. She complied, letting Weiss guide her back down.

"You're worrying too much," she muttered, the desire to scold melting the moment Weiss' hands found her ears, gently scratching. The comforting sensations were almost enough to forget the pain, but it flared every now and again. "I'm fine."

I'm fine. Blake wondered how many times she'd said those words in the past week. Weiss had a habit of forgetting herself, she found. Every apologetic kiss was accompanied by a wince as Weiss aggravated her slowly-healing lung. By the third time, Blake pushed herself up, amiably swatting aside Weiss' hands.

"I'm fine," she repeated, bracing a hand on the mattress so she could duck her head to brush her lips against Weiss'. "How about you worry about yourself too, hm?"

. . .

She was only slightly miffed when Blake batted her hands away playfully. Weiss liked spoiling her, particularly when Blake got that smile on her lips whenever her ears were being tended to.

"I'd say I'm worrying an appropriate amount, considering what a mess we've found ourselves in."

When her girlfriend sat up, Weiss couldn't resist leaning in for another gentle kiss. She wasn't supposed to strain her lungs, but Weiss believed that Blake's kisses helped her infinitely more than they hurt her. And she could tell by the slight pressure Blake responded with that she needed it as well, though Blake was sure never to drag it out a second too long.

Weiss lifted her arms slowly up to Blake's shoulders and pulled her into a loose embrace. She kissed her temple with a sigh.

"Well, now that we're up, what say you to some exercises?"

She knew that was the last thing Blake wanted to do. But they needed to keep in motion if they wanted to recover properly and rebuild the muscle they had lost over these past several days.

"Come on. Just a few laps to the door and back. Some walking will do us both good." Especially Blake, considering the wounds she'd sustained on her legs as well. Moving around a bit would help fend off future aches and pains.

But god, Weiss would be lying if she said the priceless expression Blake made at the suggestion didn't make her bite back a laugh.

. . .

Blake's lips pursed, eyeing Weiss with a hint of playful annoyance. It was no secret to Weiss that she'd rather relax sprawled out in bed. The muscle exercises were tedious, resulting in hours of soreness that Blake would have been perfectly fine without, and the mere thought had her battered legs throbbing. Her ears twitched as she leaned into Weiss, resting her chin on Weiss' shoulder.

"How about a rain check?" she teased, different distraction tactics already forming in her head. It was all probably for naught; Weiss was a stickler when it came to their rehabilitation regiment no matter the excuses and diversions Blake came up with, but it never hurt to try.

. . .

"Mm, a nice try," Weiss chuckled, petting Blake's hair softly. "But you know we should at least try. Just two or three times. Then it's right back to relaxing in bed, okay? That'll be the reward, but it won't be worth it if we don't work for a bit first, right?"

Slipping her legs off the bed, Weiss coaxed her girlfriend to do the same, breathing a small laugh at Blake's pout. Weiss kissed her cheek in apology before slinging one of the girl's arms around her shoulders, Weiss' other hand going to her hip.

"On three. One, two… three."

With a surge of strength, Weiss was on her feet, bringing Blake up with her. It was a miracle they both didn't go toppling back onto the bed, swaying as they used one another for support. Weiss had better balance between the both of them, so she took on as much of Blake's weight as possible.

She waited for a few minutes for Blake to adjust, until her legs stopped shaking. Then, Weiss took a step toward the door, waiting for her to follow.

"Nice and slow," she murmured.

. . .

"Work for it," Blake said with a wry laugh. "I think I've worked enough for the next few years."

Even still, she let Weiss help her to her feet, an arm circling her shoulders for support. It took a moment for Blake to find her feet, her tired muscles aching at the sudden pressure placed upon them. The strained ankle from where the Grimm had yanked her down began to throb, but the only sign of discomfort was the slight crease in her brow as she forced herself to concentrate.

It was simple. One step after another, her body practically curled around Weiss. With their heads close together like this, Blake couldn't resist an affectionate nudge, a silent 'thank you' for everything, but with her attention distracted it was only seconds before her balance slipped right out from beneath her.

. . .

"Oh- hey-!" Weiss felt Blake's weight shift dangerously against her, and the heiress' heart leapt to her throat. She reacted as quickly as her body allowed, tightening her grip on Blake's wrist.

By some miracle, she stayed on her feet, getting slightly beneath Blake before hoisting her back up, though Weiss still had the girl lean most of her weight onto her back. Their legs were shaking now, but Weiss was determined not to let her girlfriend fall - not so quickly anyway, but if Blake needed to take a rest, Weiss would gladly lower her slowly.

"Careful..." Weiss remembered to breathe and ran her hand up and down Blake's back for support, keeping a firm grip on the girl's other wrist. She waited for a few minutes for Blake to get her bearings back, wondering if they should retreat back to bed after all. But they'd already gotten this far, and the slight glint in Blake's eyes told Weiss she was ready to try again.

Weiss waited another minute before giving a light pat to her back.

"Maybe just one lap and back. How does that sound?" She smiled a bit weakly.

. . .

Blake exhaled a shaky breath, her hands clenched in the fabric of Weiss' clothes.

"Thanks." Her heart pounded, stunned from the brief scare, and her legs trembled. The path to the door seemed to stretch before her eyes, but she shook her head, gathering back her senses. Only one lap? Perhaps she should lose her balance more often. "Sounds like a plan to me."

The remaining steps to the door were slow and calculated, and the moment they made it, Blake reached out a hand to stabilize herself. They must have looked so pathetic, shaking legs and almost out of breath. As huntresses-in-training, it was almost humiliating, but when she looked down at Weiss, she grinned.

"Halfway there."

. . .

It was frustrating for them to have to move at such a painstaking pace. Usually, they could lap the entire school in the amount of time it took them to reach the doorway now. But Weiss reminded herself it was necessary for the sake of their full recoveries to do this slowly, gradually, no matter how irksome it was. Weiss tended to be impatient about these sort of things, but this was a very different and delicate situation.

They reached the door and paused for a moment. Weiss felt a prickle of worry even stronger than before rise in her chest when she felt Blake's shaking grow worse. Keeping a firm grip on the girl's wrist, Weiss rubbed her other hand up and down Blake's side. She could feel the quick flutter of her girlfriend's pulse beneath her palm, and Weiss waited for a few seconds until it slowed. She pressed light kisses to Blake's head and ears all the while, until she stopped quivering so badly.

"Whenever you're ready…" she murmured. "We've got all day, and if that's what you need to make it back, so be it…"

. . .

"I can make it," Blake said, determined.

At this point, that short distance was the only thing keeping her from rest and relaxation. She could practically taste it, and following a short self-centering moment, they were off again.

Her concentration didn't wander this time, the sheer amount of focus it took to keep her legs from shaking kept her mind in check. Worrying Weiss wasn't something Blake particularly enjoyed, after all. Teasing her was one thing, but the worried looks she constantly threw Blake's way was something she would rather be without, and the sooner she healed, the better.

Still, the moment they reached the bed and Blake collapsed unceremoniously onto the welcoming sheets, tugging Weiss with her, the sigh that escaped was more than relieved, happy even. She pulled Weiss close, peppering a mix of affectionate nudges and kisses over Weiss' face.

While they still had the time alone, Blake would savor it - would push the aches and pain to the back of her mind where they belonged. She could only hope that they stayed there, give them both a chance to enjoy each other's company before Ruby and Yang came stumbling back after classes.

. . .

It would be a lie if Weiss said she wasn't relieved when they finally reached the bed again. Of course it was important to do their exercises, but she'd much rather just lay in bed with her girlfriend all day to heal, and she knew Blake felt the same.

She smiled, running her hands through Blake's soft wavy hair as they laid back down on the mattress. "Well done." Weiss chuckled, kissing between her Faunus ears and wrapping her arms about her gently.

She enjoyed Blake's butterfly kisses, relishing the reward of completing the tedious lap to the door and back, being sure to return every kiss, every motion. It was these moments that made all of the aching steps worth it.

But when she moved her left arm a certain way, a particularly sharp jab of pain struck through Weiss' side, as though she could feel the Grimm plowing into her all over again. She gasped and cringed as her bad lung felt like it caught fire, her arms letting go of Blake suddenly as Weiss sat up and hunched forward, panting. She could barely keep her eyes open, tears already streaming down her face as she tried to look up.

"Ah-" The panic that charged her then was worse than it had been during the actual battle. She could feel every throbbing beat in her heart, and each breath was becoming harder to draw, shorter and thinner. She tried to focus, just let the motions come naturally, but everything felt too jumbled and tight to feel okay.

. . .

The sudden gasp startled Blake, and she pulled away to the sight of Weiss' hunched form. There were tears, silent as Weiss tried to suck in much-needed breath with little success.

It scared Blake, made her heart leap into her throat as uselessness filled her in waves, each more drowning than the last. It hurt to look away from Weiss, and yet she did, instinctively grasping for the top desk drawer and withdrawing a small inhaler. Her sore muscles protested the action, though the pain melted into nothing soon enough, pushed far back into the recesses of her mind. She sidled up to Weiss, pressed a kiss to her hair.

"Relax," she said, voice soft, silently reminding herself to do the same as she pressed the device into her palm, just in case Weiss felt it was needed. The doctor had told her not to overuse it, give her lungs the chance they needed to strengthen on their own, and sometimes Weiss was stubborn. But Blake lived by 'better safe than sorry.'

"You're fine. You've got this." Her hand rubbed up and down Weiss' back, the other coaxing her upper body to straighten and allow her weak lungs the room they needed to expand.

. . .

It was bad.

Weiss could feel this pain wasn't like previous instances of this occurring within the past few days. It was worse, and even as Blake pressed the inhaler into her palm, Weiss hardly even felt it. Her mind was too scrambled to think of how to use it anyway, and the device slipped uselessly into her lap.

She tried to do as Blake suggested - relax. She needed to calm down for both of their sakes. She could feel Blake's hands rubbing up and down her back, trying to sit Weiss up properly. She wanted to let Blake comfort her, wanted to let this work…

"You're fine. You've got this."

The words, and Blake's reassuring tone, stirred something in Weiss, stirred it more strongly than the panic. Weiss fumbled for the inhaler and lifted it to her lips, letting it do its job. There was a sudden rush down her throat and through her chest, and Blake was attentive and supportive at her side, constantly petting fingers through Weiss' hair and down her back.

She slumped softly against her girlfriend, her chin falling onto Blake's shoulder. Just feeling Blake's slower pulse already did wonders for Weiss'

"Sorry... I just..."

Her clipped breath didn't allow her any more words than that, so Weiss focused on her breathing, trying to slow it, letting Blake's body and heart calm her as best she could.

. . .

Blake felt Weiss' arms slip around her waist, felt the weight settle against her, and she pulled Weiss into her lap.

"I'm not going anywhere," she murmured, arms yielding in their embrace. "So, there's no need to apologize. Take your time." She kept her hands moving, kept them tracing little circles over Weiss' shoulder blades and up along her uninjured side, a constant contact and reminder that she was there.

"That's what this whole thing is about, remember?" She tilted her head down and her lips skimmed over Weiss' cheek. Gentle. "We help each other out." She smiled against Weiss' skin, nudging her head with every ounce of affection Blake could muster as a rumbling sound blossomed high in her chest, collecting in the back of her throat as a purr.

. . .

Weiss nodded and let out a soft sigh. Tears still slipped past her eyelids, but there were fewer than in the previous moment. Blake supported her now, just as she always had.

Weiss took her time, trying to get her breathing back to normal, hating how every inhale and exhale trembled. Blake's here… she reminded herself, trying to regain control. She's right here…

A soft vibration from her girlfriend's chest rumbled against her collar, and Weiss could feel it as though it were her own creation. She loved it when Blake purred, therefore she opted to let the feeling calm her now. It was a lulling sound, like gentle combers rolling over her skin, and it helped slow Weiss' heart rate, matching it to Blake's.

It was a few moments later when Weiss finally recovered, the anxieties melting away into Blake's comforting warmth. Weiss nuzzled weakly into the side of the Faunus girl's neck to display her gratitude; she breathed better in Blake's arms, she had found.

"Thank you, Blake…"

. . .

Blake was all too happy to return the affection, basking in the steadying beat of Weiss' heart, its monotony more than welcome. She nuzzled every part of Weiss' face that wasn't hidden, ears twitching as the last vestiges of fear ebbed from her limbs.

"Glad I could help," she said, listening to the soft breaths Weiss took and the purr rumbling in the back of her throat continued.

It felt odd after so many months denying the instinct, but with Weiss, Blake found she had developed rather poor discipline resisting it. It surprised her then that she didn't find the thought at all discouraging. Weiss enjoyed it, liked it for whatever reason, and that was more than enough for it to go straight to her head. She nudged closer, the sound bubbling as her lips ghosted over Weiss' forehead.

"Though nothing you say will convince me all of this was worth getting out of bed for."

. . .

Weiss let out a sound that was almost a huff. Almost.

"Right… Maybe no more exercises for the rest of the week," she suggested, only half-joking.

She stayed there in Blake's arms for a moment, savoring the contact, loving the feeling of her purr more with every passing second. It was so passionate and full against her chest that Weiss couldn't suppress a small giggle.

"Well then…" She murmured, holding a light kiss to the side of her neck. "Perhaps we should just… go back to sleep, hm?"

She turned and carefully - carefully - laid herself down, keeping Blake against her snugly. Shifting her weight a bit, Weiss slid down to tuck herself beneath Blake's chin, where she could hear the rumbling purr best. It was like a tin of marbles had been released down an endless tiled staircase, rising and falling with every breath she took, the slow lull of her heartbeat hidden just beneath it.

Weiss waited and breathed with her, nuzzling Blake continuously.

"Do you think… you can humor me a while longer?" Weiss requested, pressing a kiss to the hollow of her throat.

. . .

A smile formed at Weiss' suggestion.

"I'm going to need to get that in writing," she joked back, her heart swelling at the tiny laugh that escaped Weiss. It was like a bell, a light and short chime that had Blake pulling her closer once they had settled back down for another attempt at sleep, but after everything, even fatigue wouldn't make it easier.

She was comfortable, happy enough to tuck Weiss under her chin and bask in the relatively pain-free bliss. And when Weiss pressed a kiss to the hollow of her throat, the purr rumbled with renewed energy, a soft laugh fluttering forth at the sensation. Blake gave a gentle squeeze, placing a quick kiss on the top of Weiss' head.

"Humor you?" She let out an exaggerated hum, feigning deep thought. "I think I can squeeze you in my busy scheduled. What's on your mind?"

. . .

"I could do with a bit of squeezing," Weiss hummed, performing said action on Blake herself, but just with a slight amount of pressure. She rubbed her hands up and down Blake's back in long, lazy motions, letting her nails glide gently between her shoulder blades and back down her spine.

After a few moments, her hands found their favorite places at Blake's Faunus ears and she scratched with care. The purr intensified beneath her ear, and Weiss hid a chuckle into her collar, kissing instead.

"This is bad…" she sighed. "I'm going to get lazy if we keep this up…"

It was too much effort to bother with fumbling the blankets to get back underneath, and Weiss shivered slightly, pressing closer to Blake. She could feel the resonating lights of their auras filling her core, but they were still replenishing, hence the heiress' sudden inability to handle chilly temperatures like she normally could. Sticking close to Blake served as the best medicine for that issue, she'd found.

"I love you…" she murmured aimlessly, stroking her velvety hair, just feeling the need to remind her. "I love you, Blake."

. . .

Blake curled closer, nuzzling her cheek against the top of Weiss' head. It was as good as curling up with a good book, but the soft press of Weiss' body against hers, the heavenly feeling of Weiss' nails trailing up and down her back - against her ears - was worth more than any story.

"If being lazy entails spending quiet days in bed, then I am going to be a horrible influence," Blake managed in between purrs. "Figured I should just warn you now."

It was more than being close, though; it was the familiarity - it was the peace that settle in her veins like a drug. The feeling was like a haze, and with her immunity long-since crushed, she sought it with fervor, wanted it rooted in her lungs as she breathed.

"I love you, too."

And the elation she felt at saying those words, having them hang comfortably in the air without threat, was a novelty Blake hoped never left.

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A/N: My partner's writing still astounds me... have I mentioned that already?