Healing Practices (ch2)

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

Welcome to the Monochrome chapter! It'll basically be a redo of the same situation in chapter 1 (recovering after the Battle of Haven) only with Blake instead of Ruby. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 2.

So much of it still doesn't feel quite real yet.

When they'd spent arduous hours and nearly entire days and nights fighting relentlessly, it was easy to forget that, once all of that was over, they could still... go to bed.

When the fighting was all over, they were still people who - thanks to Qrow - had a place to limp back to so they could lick their wounds, a place to eat dinner together, a place to go to sleep.

That's all that's on everyone's minds right now. Just getting some much-needed rest.

There aren't enough beds for everyone in the hideout house, considering they'd picked up quite a few unexpected members along the way. But nonetheless they are managing.

Qrow had generously offered to take a couch in the living room, while Jaune and Ren had decided to take arm chairs in the same room, mainly because they were unharmed and could afford to sleep sitting up.

The girls divided themselves to beds in the bedroom, with Ruby and Yang sharing, and Nora having one for herself.

Of course it had been unanimously and undeniably decided that Weiss should have a bed after what she'd been through. And in spite of herself, Blake hadn't been able to keep away from her injured girlfriend for longer than a few seconds.

She knows quite literally better than anyone, considering she herself had suffered more or less the same injury, that Weiss needs to rest.

And yet... after six long months of being apart, of worrying so badly she thought she might lose the fur off her ears, of finally seeing her again only to witness Weiss on the verge of death...

There was no way Blake could keep herself away for very long.

Things had been settled and said and done between them all, Ruby and Yang included. The team was back together, and all was as it should be.

Well, all except Weiss, but that was understandable. She just had trouble moving around, and though she absolutely hated to ask for assistance, it was often necessary.

Especially now when she was trying to get into bed.

It'd been a miracle that she'd managed to change into the skirt and sweater for sleep clothes on her own, since they didn't exactly have proper ones here, but the process of changing had taken a lot of effort on her part. The second she hobbles out of the bathroom dressed as such, Blake is already there waiting and hurries to her side.

"Easy," she soothes, propping Weiss' back with her forearm. "Let's just get you to bed."

But Weiss dutifully makes an effort at turning, her unclean clothes in her arms.

"Let me put these in the wash-"

"Weiss. It's fine." Blake takes the clothes herself and leaves them aside on the bathroom sink before giving her full attention back to Weiss. "I can't believe you're still thinking about chores and laundry at a time like this..."

"It's got to be done."

"Not right now," Blake chides, thankful for the lightened mood.

They make their way through the hallway quietly, knowing the rest of them are probably asleep or close to it already. Blake guides the heiress easily in the darkness with her enhanced vision, holding the door for her and then closing it behind her.

Keeping her arm around Weiss she brings her to the only empty bed left in the furthest corner of the room. They pass Ruby and Yang curled up together along the way, and both of them pause briefly to smile at the scene.

"I'm so glad they're back together," Weiss murmurs.

"Me, too. And I'm glad I'm back together with you again." Blake brushes her cheek affectionately against Weiss'. Weiss wraps an arm around her shoulders.

"Me, too."

"Sorry I took so long."

"We've already had this conversation."

"Right, sorry."

With that, they continue toward their bed. Once they finally reach it, Blake gets to work in pulling down the covers and helping Weiss sit herself down. The heiress already has a hand over her bad side just from sitting, and she's panting within seconds. Blake sits beside her, tracing her palm over the girl's back.

"Take your time."

Weiss gives her an appreciative nod. A moment later she's able to draw her legs up onto the bed, and Blake takes the liberty of covering Weiss with the blankets upon herself. Only once the heiress is snugly warm does Blake lie down beside her.

Weiss has to lie on her good side in order to avoid putting any kind of pressure on her injury, so Blake is sure she positions herself so she can lie facing the heiress. She can see the exhaustion in Weiss' eyes, but her lips are smiling.

Blake moves in, carefully wrapping Weiss in her arms, playing through her long loose hair. Weiss tucks herself against Blake's chest, arms wrapping almost coyly around her back as she lets out a sigh. Blake closes her eyes for a moment, willing Weiss to do the same. She whispers softly to her.

"If you need anything, at any time, just wake me up. All right?"

"All right."

Her affirmation puts Blake at ease now. Enough so that a small purr begins to bubble in the back of her throat.

"Rest now. It's gonna be a while before I let you sleep alone."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Weiss does as she's told and gladly closes her eyes, allowing Blake's presence to wreath around her.

Blake remains vigilant for a while, wanting to ensure Weiss is fully asleep before she dares invite slumber for herself.

Thankfully it isn't long before Weiss' breathing slows down. There's still a risk she could move in her sleep and aggravate her injury, so Blake tries to maintain her hold on Weiss at least loosely. Now she finally allows herself to try to sleep. She just listens to Weiss' breathing, to Yang's and Ruby's and Nora's snoring across the room. Her mind begins to replay all of the memories, the events of the past few days, the fight...

Her eyes open wide suddenly, and for a moment Blake can't make sense of how much time has passed. She feels as though she'd almost been on the borderline of sleep, but now something else has pulled her back.

Evidently her mind isn't the only one replaying images of the battle. Weiss is shuddering in her arms, twitching every so often while moans of distress slip free.

Blake doesn't want to wake her if she can avoid it. So she hopes she can just soothe the nightmares away. She starts to run her fingers up and down Weiss' back, through her hair, threading the silver locks gingerly.

"It's all right," she whispers, hoping she might hear her. "Please..."

She gives her full attention to Weiss, focusing on her condition. Blake grimaces when she feels Weiss' forehead with her own, only to discover her skin is slightly feverish. Her shoulders are heaving now, her breath coming in shallow little intakes. Blake pulls her closer, defiant.

"It's all right, it's all right..."

She strokes her hand up along Weiss' side, taking extreme care to avoid the area of injury. Weiss' chest jolts beneath her fingertips, and an audible gasp flies from her lips. Her heart is hammering now, beating harshly up against Blake's palm. She has no choice but to wake her, but she just prays it won't startle her more.

"Weiss?" Blake prods her as gently as possible, tapping her shoulder, gliding her fingers across her cheek with care. "Weiss- please wake up..."

She braces herself for the moment when Weiss' eyes suddenly fly open and her entire body jolts from the shock. Blake keeps her still as best she can. "It's all right-" she whispers fiercely. "Weiss, it's all right. Please don't move-"

But a moan of pain tells her it's already too late. Weiss curls in on herself, panting unevenly. Her voice tumbles out in little fragments of sound, whimpers of pain. Her pulse is thumping in every part of her body. Blake can feel it too easily, and it scares her.

"Weiss-"

Lying on her side like this is making it more difficult for her to breathe. So Blake carefully slides her arm beneath Weiss' waist and turns her until she's lying on her back. She keeps a hand pressed firmly over the wound, but the other moves gently across Weiss' furrowed brow.

"Easy," she begs her. "Just breathe. It's all right. Breathe..." She dips her face down and holds a brief kiss to Weiss' forehead, then begins making her way down. She brushes their cheeks together, urging her to be still.

She can feel Weiss' arms clinging at her back, desperately trying to keep ahold of reality in the process. Everything in her system is rushing right now, so Blake focuses on trying to slow it all down. She maintains her calm demeanor in face of Weiss' panic, making sure that reassurance is all she gives to her.

Blake continues peppering kisses across her cheeks and temples, continues rubbing up and down her sides. Weiss' pulse is still thick and reverberating, but it's begun to slow down. Gradually, her breathing loses its harshness as well.

Only now does Blake realize her kisses are falling on dampened skin. Weiss clings to her tightly with tears dribbling down her face. It's all Blake can do to maintain her composure.

"Weiss..." She covers the heiress with her own body, shielding her from the pain and the cold. She braces most of her weight on her elbows, but allows herself to press against Weiss just enough so she can feel that grounding presence.

It takes a while, far longer than Blake would've liked, before Weiss' breathing finally returns to normal. Her heart is still doing backflips though. Blake can feel the pulse in her side, linked to the pain of the wound. She glides her fingers through Weiss' bangs, clearing some of the sweat away. Weiss' hands pull her closer.

Blake knows she needs that sense of security, but she's terrified at the thought of hurting her. She distributes her weight gradually, making sure Weiss can adjust to and handle it properly.

It really does lessen the pain though. To feel Blake's chest on her own, her steadier pulse canceling out the frantic turmoil inside Weiss' own chest.

Blake just kisses her again, this time on her scarred eyelid.

And she waits. Patiently impatient until Weiss' heartbeat finally settles back to where it's supposed to be. The fingers in her shirt loosen their grip as the pain subsides, but Blake doesn't want to risk crushing her. She pushes herself up, hovering over Weiss with just inches between them, her left hand still resting on Weiss' waist.

"Weiss...?" She watches another breath rise in the heiress' chest before her sky-blue eyes finally flutter back open. The exhaustion remains, but there's a sense of clarity now as she recognizes reality over the nightmares.

"Blake..."

"Oh, thank god..." Blake leans down to kiss her lips, but doesn't linger for too long. She passes her hand through Weiss' bangs again, wiping away the sweat and the tears. "Are you all right? Does it hurt?"

"Only a little. I promise."

Blake swallows a bit thickly.

"Let me check. It could've reopened."

She shifts her weight just a little in order to sit up and pull the blankets down. She knows Weiss doesn't like having her skin exposed, especially since she's still embarrassed by the newest scar.

Blake finds one of her hands and squeezes it for support. With the other, she carefully lifts Weiss' shirt.

They'd taken the bandages off for the night simply so it wouldn't constrict Weiss' breathing as she slept. The scar is there in plain sight now, dark pink against the soft white skin. Blake tenderly traces her hand over it, feeling for any kind of dampness. Weiss' stomach naturally jolts beneath her touch. Blake squeezes her hand in apology.

But she can't feel any blood oozing out, and when she pulls her hand away there are no smears on her palm. She lets out a breath and pulls Weiss' shirt back down. When she finally looks back up to the heiress' face, Blake feels a swell of tears rise up behind her eyes.

Weiss just looks so tired, so nervous. All of this has left her unable to even sleep without risk of more pain. Blake had been the same way once, but it's a million times worse now that it's Weiss.

With great care, she pulls the blankets back up and lies down over her.

"Sorry..."

It's all she can think to say after all of this. Blake buries her face in the crook of Weiss' shoulder and cries softly. Her hand remains over Weiss' scar, rising and falling in time with her breathing. Her ear flicks at the sound of Weiss' pulse in her neck.

She just feels so useless...

Weiss is unmoving beneath her, still focusing on her breathing. But her hands travel across Blake's back, trying to reciprocate the ministrations for comfort.

She strokes her nails through Blake's hair, until her hand finds itself cradling the back of her head. Her right hand ends up on Blake's side, exactly atop the place where she knows the matching scar to be. Blake trembles against her, crying softly.

Weiss spreads her fingers over the Faunus girl's side and feels Blake do the same.

It isn't a conscious decision, but their auras activate, just a little, just enough to pool over each other's scars.

Somewhere along the lines, Blake's sobs fade in place of a soft rumbling purr. Weiss feels it rolling across her chest, its comforting vibrations canceling out the trembling that had overtaken her body.

For a moment they are still.

When Blake finally lifts her face again, she sniffles before pressing a kiss Weiss' lips. Weiss curls her fingers through Blake's hair, brushing the bases of her ears with her nails. When they part, her blue eyes flutter dreamily up into gold.

"Thank you, Blake."

Blake nearly chokes on her purr.

"I'm just glad you're all right..."

Now that the threat has passed, the tension in Blake's body drains along with her strength. She lightly rests herself next to Weiss, keeping one arm across her stomach and wound. She doesn't neglect to leave one last kiss on Weiss' left eye before settling her head against the girl's chest. Her ear flicks contentedly and hones in on the sound of Weiss' heartbeat, now slow and steady.

Weiss closes her eyes once again, hugging Blake close. In this position the scars on their stomachs almost touch.

They know the pain and the nightmares won't leave them for a long time, especially now that they've shared a similar terror.

But at the very least there is comfort in the knowledge that they won't have to deal with it alone.

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A/N: Weiss and Blake fics are always so angsty.... I hope at least balancing it with fluff is enjoyable.

Last is Freezerburn!