Renegades (Act III)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! THANK YOU!

Here we are for Act III. Thank you as always to everyone who is reading and supporting!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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															Act III.

Blake wasn't sure why, but the following day seemed to pass by in slow motion.

Actually she did. Every glance at the clock above the counter at Tukson's bookstore dragged, the seconds stretching into long minutes and even longer hours.

There was no real plan to speak of besides the obvious - that tonight was just another simple meeting with Weiss to stave of boredom. But as her fingers fiddled with the fraying hem of her sweatshirt, it was apparent that that wasn't the entire truth.

Tukson had noticed, and the curious stares he had been throwing her way since this afternoon were anything but subtle. He didn't ask; he had meant what he said yesterday, and so long as she didn't show up one day with a missing limb, he wouldn't ask questions unless she wanted to talk. That didn't stop him from making a subtle quip on her way out though.

"Have fun," he said.

Her lips pursed, quirking upward despite themselves. She didn't respond, simply placed the book back where it belonged, shot him an exasperated stare and walked out the door.

Maybe one day she'd tell him.

...

The next day passed with torturous slowness, and it took all of Weiss's self-control not to groan with boredom from it all. She couldn't let the people of the house see how excited she was, that she was anticipating the evening and what promises came with it, lest someone get suspicious and start asking question - or worse, spy on her.

Her meals were again cut short, her lessons piling up with every new day that brought her closer to her marriage date. It was exhausting to say the very least, but she couldn't let such things bring her down, not when she only had a few more hours left…

She mulled through every second of it. For supper, she was given a small bowl of soup and a piece of bread, the former of which she needed to stop herself from gulping down. She tried to take the bread back to her room with her to save it for later when she knew she'd be famished in the nighttime hours, but she was caught and told that if she wouldn't eat it at the table, then she wouldn't eat it at all, and it was snatched from her hands.

She limped back to her room with a sigh on her lips. But at least she was free now for the rest of the night.

She closed her door and changed into her nightgown, letting her hair down as she went to her window to await a certain someone's arrival.

She knew Blake had no real obligations to show up tonight - or any night for that matter - and she was aware that if Blake didn't come, Weiss had no way of finding out why that was the case.

But she trusted Blake to be here, to at least make an effort to show herself. And even if she didn't, just the thought of her would serve to suffice.

Of course Weiss would worry about her to no end, but she'd only ever be allowed to live with silent memories of the mysterious girl if she were never to see her again.

After a few moments of waiting, Weiss began to sing softly, a sound she hoped would bring her whom she sought.

...

She could hear singing, a soft sound that traveled through the alleys like a secret.

Blake had a guess as to who it was, and once she stepped out onto the street by the mansion, her suspicions were proven.

It took a moment for her to figure out that she had stopped to listen, her ears perking forward towards the sound. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Blake continued forward, jumping to reach the bottom rung of the fire escape ladder and hoisting herself up.

It was almost alarming how normal this seemed, that after only two days a routine had already begun to develop. It should have concerned her, or at least made her feel cautious, especially in this part of town, but rational thought had long-since been thrown to the wayside.

A need was all it was, something primal, and right now, it wasn't something she wanted to question. Blake didn't want the wonder to disappear; she wanted to hold onto that last bit of fantasy before it vanished. For good.

...

"Blake!"

Weiss needed to quiet her voice so it didn't carry any more than was necessary. She gave a small wave before motioning with her hands. "Just go on up to the roof. I'll meet you in a moment."

She listened to Blake's footsteps - quiet as they were - as the girl climbed to the roof. She then went out onto the ladder herself and scurried up, hauling herself up onto the flat surface up top.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" she said, offering a small smile that she'd found was specifically for Blake now. She didn't have anything else to smile about anymore. "Come, have a seat," she invited.

She tilted her head back, ignoring the growl that rose up from her stomach as she cast her gaze nervously sideways. She loved that they could be silent together, that no words needed to be said-

-but that didn't mean Weiss didn't want to hear them sometimes.

"Blake…" she murmured, feeling her pulse quicken a bit. "I-It's fine if you don't want to - you don't have to. But I was just wondering if… if you could… tell me about yourself? N-Nothing you don't want to say or don't want me to know. Just…" she sighed again. "Just anything…"

Nighttime was when she could forget the day, and Blake was a blessing to her. Weiss knew she needed to cherish that, and she intended to.

...

She didn't say anything to the words Weiss offered in greeting. Nervousness had a tendency to render her at a loss for words, and the excitement at which she was greeted shut off most of her ability to respond.

A smile seemed like enough at the moment anyway, and she took a seat beside Weiss without needing to be told, but the invitation was accepted graciously.

The question on the other hand, was one she wanted to ignore.

She knew full well that she had the freedom to, that a refusal would be honored if that was her decision. It was just, she decided not to.

All of this was merely a distraction, but at the same time, she was hesitant to make this a pity party. Her life wasn't exactly good news, and she had a feeling that Weiss' wasn't all that different. A tiny breath slipped in between her lips, steadying.

"I wasn't born in Vale. My parents came here from out of the country."

...

Weiss listened in respectful silence as Blake slowly started to speak about herself, taking down the barrier she'd set up around herself brick by brick. The heiress was glad she'd decided to talk, even if it was just a little bit.

Weiss hung onto every word, engraving Blake's story into her mind. But she knew her manners, and knew that it wasn't acceptable to ask someone else's story without offering a piece of her own. So when Blake paused for a heartbeat, Weiss softly put in her own voice.

"I've been here all my life," she offered. "I've never seen anything beyond what the guards allow. Even the beach that's so close, I've only been to a handful of times. When I get sent off to my new husband's land, that will probably the most I ever travel in my life.

"I know it's probably tough to be free; the streets aren't exactly the safest of places. But sometimes, I wonder what it's like just to walk around town freely, what it's like to go out to a cafe at midnight and get a cup of tea, what it's like to walk along the beach at sunrise…

"But I've written in my diary what I imagine it's like. And with those fantasies I made for myself, I like to believe in them. So I won't need to experience it for myself; I'm just fine imagining it."

She sighed, laying down on her back, folding her hands over her stomach as she gazed up at the stars. "Sorry I'm rambling. I don't get to talk much inside the house. I'm lucky Father still lets me sing. Once I'm married, I hope my husband lets me sing, too."

...

If there was one thing she was good at, it was listening.

Having only Adam to converse with didn't make her much of a talker, but with her frequent escapades alone through the streets of town, she had grown used to listening. She likened it to reading in a way, but instead of words on paper, the story was told through voice, and Weiss had a more than pleasant voice.

"There's no need to apologize," Blake said, glancing away from the figure next to her to look out over the dark rooftops. "I like listening."

She paused briefly, just enough time to think over her next words, and then disregard them entirely. She had been shot down once, what was one more try in the scheme of things? If it got Weiss to eat something, then that was enough.

"I could… show you, if you want," she muttered, hesitant. "There's a tea shop downtown that doesn't close until late."

...

"I like listening."

It was a phrase Weiss had never heard before. All her life, she'd been seen and not heard, ordered and not listened to. It felt… nice to know Blake cared to hear her speak.

But the mention of going somewhere sent her into a panic all over again.

"N-No, I'm sorry, I can't- I can't…"

She bit her lip.

She only had a few days and nights left to be her own person before she was given away. She would never… never get this opportunity ever again.

And… she really, really, really, wanted to. And if it was with Blake, then perhaps…

Weiss was silent for a long moment, heart pounding just from the thought of doing something like this. It was absolutely forbidden. If she was found out, she didn't know what would become of her - certainly nothing good, that was for sure.

But her mind was too boggled with thoughts, enough for her heart to speak its mind.

"Oh… Okay…" she murmured. "Then… I-I'll come with you. J-Just let me get something on my feet, s-something to cover my face with…" She stood up, already shaking at the thought of going through with this.

But god, she wanted to…

...

The almost immediate refusal had Blake's ears drooping. This was Weiss' decision, and if she didn't feel comfortable, then Blake wasn't going to force it.

So Weiss' acceptance just moments later was a welcome surprise, and she stood in a rush, losing her balance on the roof for a second before she caught herself. She was probably a little too excited for this—about showing the parts of her life that she enjoyed the most.

At least, that's what she blamed when she impulsively tugged the sweatshirt she was wearing over her head. It was only when she was holding it out to Weiss that the implications hit her full force, though it was a little too late to take it back.

"Here," she said. "You can use this—if you want it. The hood should do an okay job."

Goosebumps prickled to life on her skin, the loose shirt underneath not much against the subtle breeze that had settled during the evening, though a part of her realized that it wasn't so much the chill.

Luckily it didn't take much to get use to it.

...

Weiss blinked up at the article offered to her, tilting her head slightly to one side until things fully registered in her mind.

"O-Oh no, I-I couldn't possibly-!"

But she held her tongue, something she was conditioned to be good at doing.

Blake had already made such a polite offer; for Weiss to refuse it now would be incredibly rude.

So she did the only other thing she could.

"T-Thank you…" She accepted the sweatshirt, but admittedly had a bit of trouble slipping into it; she'd never worn anything but dresses and gowns before.

When she'd finally wriggled herself into it, she was left slightly breathless as she pulled her head through the top, bringing her hair out shortly afterward as her arms filled the sleeves as far as they could, which was almost all the way.

She sat still for a moment, adjusting to the new material, thick and still holding trace amounts of Blake's warmth, the Faunus girl's scent wreathing around every breath now.

It was really nice.

At last, she realized Blake was waiting for her, and she stood.

"Just let me get my shoes!"

Weiss excitedly skittered past Blake and went lightly down the ladder to her window again, hurrying to her closet to slip into a pair of flats. She then moved her hair over the left side of her face to conceal her scar before pulling the hood up into place.

She went to the sill, checking to make sure there was no one around down below to see them before looking up to where Blake was waiting for her.

"You… You may go first," she whispered.

After all, considering the last time she'd jumped down onto a man's back, Weiss wasn't so confident in her landing strategy and was under the assumption she'd need a bit of assistance tonight.

...

A smile tugged at her lips as she observed Weiss wriggle into the sweatshirt, coming out of the whole ordeal slightly breathless. It was endearing to say the least, and when Weiss scurried back down the ladder, saying something about getting shoes, that quirk only grew.

Following Weiss' suggestion, it was a simple thing to slip down the ladder and land carefully back onto the street. Years spent traversing the city no doubt helped, and for a second she looked back up expecting the same.

It only dawned on her that Weiss hadn't exactly gotten the experience she needed to be jumping off buildings when a look of apprehension spread across the heiress' face. Not everyone was so accustomed to heights like herself, she supposed. Blake tilted her head back, ears twitching.

"Do you need some help?"

...

Weiss went stiff as she watched Blake make her way down the ladder, so quickly and expertly. And the jump she managed left Weiss gasping softly, but the Faunus girl landed lightly and easily on her feet, perfectly balanced. The heiress relaxed when she saw Blake was okay, but bit her lip when she realized it was her turn now.

She stepped out onto the ladder with care, holding tightly to the cold metal as she slowly -slowly - made her way down, step by step. What a sight she must've been; a nightgown covered by a sweatshirt, casual dress shoes, loose hair all around as she descended…

But there was a considerable distance between the last rung and the ground, and Weiss swallowed as she look slowly down over her shoulder.

"I-I… perhaps I could… use some assistance…"

...

Perhaps. That seemed like a understatement, but Blake positioned herself just below the ladder in any case. It was a considerable distance up, and she could understand wanting a little bit of insurance.

It wasn't known to her how much physical training Weiss had, and even if she did, that didn't necessarily include the proper technique one used to land from significant heights. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Blake held her arms out, muscles tensing as she braced herself for the coming impact, but she was at least confident enough in her ability to be able to make the catch. Hopefully.

She cleared her throat.

"Whenever you're ready - I'm right below you."

...

Weiss trembled slightly as she looked over the distance between Blake and herself. She'd been on the roof before, yes, but she'd never really looked down from there, only out across the ocean or up to the sky. But down-

-down suddenly seemed a lot scarier than it should've.

She'd trained with her rapier, with her glyphs, but only ever within the limited confines of her basement training area. The tallest height she'd ever looked down from before had been probably 3 or 4 feet at best.

But now there were a good 10 or so feet between herself and Blake, and also the additional fact that she was sneaking out in the middle of the night and planned to go out around town for the first time and that she intended to do both things with someone she'd only just met - a Faunus - and the fact that she wasn't supposed to have met Blake in the first place and-

Her mind was buzzing, but before it could cause her to hesitate or reconsider, she called out softly:

"O-Okay! Here I go!"

And with a small jump, she let go of the ladder supporting her, instantly feeling the rush of air against her face, the thrill of the free-fall coursing through her veins making her feel weightless, her heart still pounding rapidly in fear and exhilaration, eyes squeezed shut as she awaited the landing, be it hard or soft.

She was praying for the latter.

...

There was a split second where she panicked. Just for a moment when time seemed to stop, and the sudden erratic beat of her heart in her chest was the only thing Blake had to keep her company during Weiss' fall. Her arms stretched out, expectant and waiting, and it didn't take long.

The instant she felt weight, her arms curled around Weiss, cushioning the impact against herself as best she could. Ten feet was quite a drop, and no matter how light Weiss was, the resulting catch caused her to stumble backwards.

Through some manner of good will, she was able to right herself before she went toppling back, and the vice grip she had around Weiss eased.

"You okay?" Blake asked, setting Weiss carefully on the ground. She tried not to think about just how slender Weiss felt in her arms.

...

Part of Weiss regretted having kept her eyes closed the entire way down; she briefly wondered what things would have looked like with them open. But she was too scared to look until-

-until she felt the impact that broke her landing, much softer than she'd anticipated it would be.

Blake caught her securely, her arms wrapping around Weiss tightly. And in the seconds right after the catch, Weiss's hands had gone to Blake's shirt and clutched there for a moment just to prove to herself she was safe.

Once the two of them had stilled, Blake let her down.

"Yes…" Weiss gasped. "I'm fine." She was still a bit shaky, but she discovered it was less from fear now that the fall was over, and what lingered most was from the exhilaration of it all. Adrenaline still coursed through her, something she'd only experienced to such a degree a few nights ago upon her meeting with Blake.

Her eyes were alight after experiencing such a thrill, and she brought a hand to her chest. "My heart's a bit jumpy, but I'm fine. Thank you, Blake."

It took conscious effort not strain up to kiss her cheek again, so Weiss settled for holding lightly onto her arm instead.

...

Blake let out a relieved breath.

"Good."

Her gaze lingered briefly, falling to the hold on her arm before lifting again to Weiss' face. Her hair was slightly disheveled from the fall, but a few quick passes of Blake's hand smoothed out the disarray.

Blake pulled up the hood then and settled it carefully over Weiss' head, ducking down slightly to make sure everything was settled comfortably in place. She wouldn't say anything about it, but the entire image of Weiss - an old faded sweatshirt, a nightgown, and flats - had the smile returning.

"The shop is just near the south part of town," she said, trying to make light conversation. It wasn't a long walk from the mansion, but she figured Weiss wouldn't want to travel in silence. "It's relatively quiet, which means it shouldn't be too much trouble to stay out of sight." Assurances. She figured that was an okay way to start things off. "Just stick close, and we'll be back before you know it."

...

She stayed perfectly still as Blake fussed over her, fixing her hair and the hood of the sweatshirt. But it wasn't like when the maids did it with rough motions and sharp tongues. No - Blake was gentle, working toward an end result of comfort rather than one that was solely for appearances.

Once she'd finished, Weiss's hair covered her left eye, so she blinked up past the shadows of the hood with her right and offered a small smile.

"Okay," she murmured. "I've never really been around town before, so I'll be relying on you to get me there."

It was almost scary how much trust she was putting into Blake. She easily could have tricked Weiss into trusting her only to kidnap or harm her now. It had happened once before, after all.

But Weiss just knew Blake wasn't like that. She couldn't explain it, but she knew.

She held onto the Faunus girl's arm as they started to walk, holding a bit tighter to her every time another person came into view, ducking her head.

But when she wasn't hiding, she was admiring the buildings, the shops, and the scenery she'd only ever seen before from a distance, and some of which she'd only ever heard about. They were just common stores, but to Weiss, it was like another world.

Blake had said: "stick close, and we'll be back before you know it."

Weiss was conflicted, because she certainly liked sticking close, but she didn't exactly want to go back.

...

The roads were mostly quiet, back alleys and streets that didn't - under many circumstances - cross the main roads. There were a few occasions, but under the guise of night, work-weary pedestrians didn't pay much attention to two girls, and Blake was careful enough to steer them clear of trouble.

Weiss' fascination didn't escape her notice. It was a certain child-like wonder that lit up her eyes as Weiss took in her surroundings when she thought no one was watching.

There wasn't much to see. Or at least that's what Blake thought.

The last few years hadn't done much in its favor, and it looked like with the rising activity of White Fang it was only going to get worse. Unless something was done about it, but she had trouble believing it would.

Now wasn't the time to think about things like this, though.

The small coffee shop was tucked away between brick buildings. A sign with a picture of a teacup was the only signifier of the establishment's purpose. Blake didn't know the owners personally, but she was a regular enough customer for the employee at the counter to smile when they entered.

...

It was hard not to be excited. Almost every sight was something new to her, every sound something she'd never heard more than an echo of before. She assumed it would've been a bit overwhelming had it been daytime, but with the lack of people and bustling vehicles, there was a slim chance for sensory overload now.

The air was a little musky, but fresher than that of the mansion, cool and refreshing, but not nearly cold enough to be considered uncomfortable - not with Blake's sweatshirt on her. Though that did make her think Blake might be chilly, so she pressed close to her side.

Every so often, a gust of wind carried the scent of salt from the ocean.

Weiss loved it.

She was almost disappointed when the shop came into view, but instead, the excitement was just painted a stronger coat.

It was a humble place, seemed quiet and inviting, and she stayed close to Blake's side, doing her best to hide herself, hoping no one would ask questions.

There were a few tables and booths, the lighting dim and relaxing, smooth music playing.

And the smells…

She couldn't even begin to name what she smelled - soft, warm, sweet flavors - things she'd once read described in storybooks suddenly coming to life and flooding her senses. She was astounded at the menu of options hanging on the wall behind the counter, but only then did she realize something.

"Oh… Blake," she murmured, tugging on the girl's sleeve. Weiss recoiled slightly into the sweatshirt, a bit guiltily. "I… didn't think to grab and money before I left…"

But that was okay. She would be fine just watching Blake eat. She was fine doing anything so long as Blake was there.

...

Mostly empty, the small tea shop was the perfect place for a late night snack, the comforting sights and smells second only to Tukson's bookstore, but that might have been bias talking.

That, and they welcomed Faunus customers more than any other shop in the vicinity. But then again, they were in that part of town.

Blake's gaze shifted downward at the tug, the quiet murmur causing her ears to flick as she watched Weiss shrink back into her sweatshirt. She only had a few lien in her pocket, probably just enough for one or two things off the menu, depending. Which was fine - this trip wasn't for her own sake; she didn't come expecting to eat.

"What can I get you, then?" Blake asked. "This place is known for its tea, but the food isn't too bad either."

...

Weiss' eyes went wide at Blake's offer, and the heiress was rendered dumbfounded for a moment. She'd never had the option to choose before, to choose something she wanted. She usually just accepted whatever she was given after being told she was lucky to have even gotten that much.

So to be told she could have something of her choice…

Her jaw gaped for an instant before she shook her head, recognizing her impoliteness. She gazed over the counter, trying to make out all of the options available. In hopes she wasn't taking too long or holding up the non-existent line, she spoke quickly to Blake:

"T-Tea would be fine. Any kind. Whatever you'd like, and perhaps we could share. It doesn't feel right to let you buy me something and get nothing for yourself. I'll repay you once we get back," she promised.

...

"You don't have to pay me back. I wouldn't have invited you if I wasn't prepared to shoulder the bill." She paused, hoping that put any more protests to rest, before looking to the counter and then back to Weiss. Her ears twitched. "Milk tea okay with you?"

There was only so much money she could spare when taking into account her income (which was nearly stagnant thanks to her dwindling participation in Fang business, though Tukson would, on occasion, throw her some money just because), but four lien could get them tea and perhaps the remaining turnover that was on display. As long as this whole thing resulted in Weiss not going home hungry, Blake would call this night a success.

...

"Y-Yes!" Weiss all but squeaked. "Anything is fine by me, anything at all!"

She didn't get to have tea very often at the mansion, usually only during special occasions, and even then, she was limited. But she loved tea, found that drinking it almost always served to calm her down, and with the thoughts of the future in the back of her mind now, she could do well with some calming.

As they waited at the counter, she glanced around the tables and booths, trying not to make eye contact with any of the other customers, praying no one would recognize her. Not many people in town had white hair like hers, so it was a good thing it was covered and shrouded in the shadows of Blake's sweatshirt.

It was all still so thrilling to Weiss, so otherworldly. She'd seen the same scenes depicted in picture books before, ones she'd found in the family library when she wasn't at one of her lessons or tending to some other task.

Only when she'd been given a few minutes of silence did her mind wander back to a small tidbit she'd forgotten about until now. She glanced up to the side of Blake's face, checking to see if her cheek was still injured. She could see the bruise - or lack thereof - much better in this lighting, and Weiss smiled a little to herself.

She didn't consciously notice when her hand slipped down into Blake's, a natural motion that didn't call for a second thought on the heiress' part.

...

It was hard not to jump when Weiss' hand touched hers, the action taking her by surprise. She wondered if it was done consciously, or if it was merely circumstance based on their surroundings.

Weiss had taken the warning to stick close seriously, and Blake was grateful for it. She wouldn't know what to do if she lost Weiss out in town, but that didn't mean she was all that accustomed to contact, and the blush that spread across her cheeks was almost instantaneous.

That didn't mean she was about to let go. This simply made things easier, that was all.

Their order - one milk tea, and the last turnover - was done momentarily. After offering their server a quiet thanks and handing off the steaming cup to Weiss so she herself could grab the pastry, Blake herded them away from the counter. She glanced down to Weiss when they were a few feet away, a soft hum building in the back of her throat.

"So, is this for here or to go?"

...

Weiss only realized she'd been holding Blake's hand once she let go to grab the teacup. The heiress perked up, looking to the side in embarrassment, about to apologize until she realized Blake hadn't seemed to particularly mind the contact.

So she said nothing as she took the cup of tea in both hands. The sleeves of the sweatshirt were long for Weiss, so her hands were wrapped in the cuffs as she picked up the heated cup.

"Here or to go? What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled. "Isn't here the only option? Or do you mean to tell me people actually saunter around town and eat at the same time?"

She wouldn't know. Every meal Weiss had ever eaten had been served at a table, and she was never excused until she'd finished the meal or it was declared over. Walking and eating wasn't something she imagined was acceptable.

And yet… that made her long to try it all the more. But she felt that sneaking out with a Faunus tonight to go to a cafe in the middle of town was enough rebellion for one night - for one lifetime. If her father ever found out, Weiss would be locked away for certain, or worse, be sent off to be married sooner.

Her shoulders slumped a bit at the thought.

"Let's just sit inside?"

She wanted to have a proper conversation with Blake, one where they could sit face-to-face and have better lighting than just what the moon provided from the rooftops.

...

"Sometimes they do," Blake said, amused. "Saving time is a pretty big deal down here for certain people." Every working human being knew that time was worth valuable money and the time spent wasting it, the more you lost.

Faunus in particular. Horrible job standards meant horrible pay and even worse conditions, and anything that happened was on their shoulders to fix. But when it came down to working in town rather than out in the mines, they either dealt with it or turned to White Fang.

It seemed both of them got lost in their thoughts, though, because when she took the time to look, Weiss' shoulders had slumped.

"Sure," Blake replied, and she gestured her head in the direction of the unoccupied booths in the back. "Take your pick."

...

Again, Blake was giving her the option to choose, and Weiss still wasn't used to it. She looked up in the direction Blake had indicated, and Weiss put on a serious expression, not wanting her selection of a spot to be arbitrary.

In the end, she led Blake over to the table tucked into the farthest corner, the least likely place where people would disturb them. Something told Weiss the people here weren't the kinds that would do that, but she assumed it would be best to hide herself as much as possible, for Blake's sake and her own.

She had to step away from Blake to slide into one side of the booth, taking a seat on the cushion and bouncing slightly as she set down the tea. She didn't want to be the first to drink from it, as Blake had paid for it, so Weiss blew gentle breaths onto the steam to cool it a bit.

She wanted to strike up a conversation, but the dark, shadowed street outside the yawning window to her side unnerved her a little - more than a little. She kept sending anxious looks to the glass, not sure what she was expecting to happen, but not liking the thoughts of frightening things and people that kept crawling into her mind. She shivered, unable to take it another minute.

Weiss quickly slid out of her seat and scurried over to Blake's side of the booth instead. She sat down next to her, pressing into her side a little as she pulled the tea over to that end of the table.

"Sorry," she murmured. "I… I think I like sitting next to you better."

...

When Weiss slid in beside her, Blake was surprised she didn't jump again. She decided it was because she saw it coming, the frequent anxious looks Weiss kept sending towards the window a clear sign that she was still a bit nervous about the whole thing.

It certainly wasn't because Blake was getting used to it.

At least that's what she told herself.

She was bigger than Weiss (though it didn't take much to be larger than someone like the girl seated next to her), and it would be a simple task to block out the view from outside - if that was what Weiss really wanted.

So she did. She propped up an arm on the table, leaned forward to settle her head in her open palm, turning so that she was facing Weiss while hopefully taking up as much space by the window as possible. It wouldn't be right if she didn't take responsibility, considering this had been her idea.

"Here." She slid the turnover closer to Weiss with her free hand. "Hopefully you don't mind apple. It was all they had left."

...

Weiss hoped she wasn't making Blake uncomfortable by having sat next to her without warning. But Blake didn't seem to mind, and she didn't oppose Weiss either. Her figure blocked out any scenes from outside, and Weiss relaxed a little bit.

Hands still swallowed by the long sleeves of the sweatshirt, she continued to blow on the tea in front of her until Blake pushed the food in her direction. The heiress blinked down at it.

"W-What? But I'd thought that was for you? I couldn't possibly eat it. I-I'm not supposed to eat anything else for today…"

Well, she wasn't exactly supposed to be jumping out of her window into street fights or rendezvousing with strangers or sneaking out into town at night either. For a girl about to be married in ten days, Weiss sure was doing a lot of forbidden things lately.

And yet it was all so much… fun.

Weiss picked up a fork, still staring at the turnover with a puzzled expression. Her eyes flicked to Blake. "Y-You should eat some. I don't… I don't feel right eating it. I'd never be able to finish the entire thing. And if I was too full tomorrow morning to eat breakfast, then Father would get suspicious and…"

But she didn't want to refuse Blake's kindness and generosity. Weiss took a breath and went on quietly, "I'll… have a few bites. But you need to eat, too," she insisted.

...

Resisting the urge to purse her lips and roll her eyes was a task in and of itself, and yet fighting the urge to call Weiss' father every foul name under the sun was even harder than that. Arguing was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

"Here," Blake hummed, plucking the fork from Weiss' grasp. "We'll split it."

And split it she did. Though the proportions were hardly even, more like eighty-twenty when she positioned the utensil above the pastry and then sliced through. Blake figured - well, she hoped that was the most she could get away with without being scolded.

But she wasn't going to wait and see, and she popped the smaller piece of turnover into her mouth before Weiss could protest. Blake pushed the remains of the pastry back towards Weiss, unable to scrounge up the courage to tell Weiss she had no intention of sharing the tea.

...

Blake took her fork and cut the turnover into two pieces, quickly eating one herself, leaving Weiss with a rather large piece. The heiress' stomach flipped, both in nervousness and excitement as she took up her fork and cut a small bit off.

It was a moment before she could muster the courage to put it on her tongue, and her taste buds instantly came back to life after what felt like weeks of being dead and dull. She could taste the apple, small bits of flavoring and a bit of warmth from it all.

A small sound worked its way up her throat - surprised - and it was hard not to drag it out and convey just how good it tasted.

She quietly and slowly finished off the rest, bit by bit, savoring every mouthful until it all settled in her stomach. She took a few sips of the tea as well, tentatively at first until she was almost gulping it down.

When she was finished, she leaned against Blake, almost whimpering.

"It was good, Blake. It was really delicious. Exquisite. The best thing I've ever eaten. Thank you so much."

Past her bangs and the hood, she smiled up at Blake, feeling a warmth in her cheeks that only seemed to be present around the Faunus girl.

...

A familiar weight settled against her, and Blake slouched, muscles relaxing now that Weiss had finally eaten. The smile and small blush sent her way were more than enough of a payment, but actually hearing a thank you was a pleasant surprise.

It was nice to hear after everything. That what she was doing was not only appreciated but helping in some small way. All she did was buy Weiss some food, and yet it felt more like she had done something extraordinary.

"It's no problem," she said, a smile tilting her lips upward.

...

Weiss rested against her for a while, content against Blake's warmth. Her presence felt protective to the heiress, her scent already very familiar as it wreathed around her.

"We should get going soon…" Weiss mumbled, though her eyes were starting to close. "I need to get back to my room. It's late…"

But she didn't want to leave Blake. With every night meeting her, it was getting harder and harder to part ways, she found. Weiss didn't want to go back to her house, but she knew she didn't have a choice.

She found it hard to fall asleep in her own room, never felt entirely safe there, always plagued by nightmares of the past or the dreary future, stomach hollow and begging.

And yet, now she was warm, her belly full, and she felt like nothing could ever hurt her; breathing in Blake's scent only made it harder to keep her eyelids up.

For the second time, Weiss fell asleep next to the Faunus girl with hardly a care in the world.

...

The tea shop didn't close until a few hours past midnight, and with that still a couple of hours away, Blake saw nothing wrong with staying put in the booth until that time. She didn't feel like moving, and she certainly didn't feel like disturbing what seemed to be a rather peaceful Weiss, asleep against her. Though a book would have been awfully appreciated right now.

When the time passed into the final hour, the tea shop was empty save for them and the employees going about their closing procedures. The two of them were ignored for the most part after a brief reminder that closing time was in a hour. Blake had simply nodded and the employee had been decent enough to accept it and move on.

It wasn't until the thirty minute mark that she decided it was time to head back.

Blake shifted slightly in her seat, her legs nearly numb after sitting still for so long, and that awkward prickly feeling only multiplied the moment she moved.

"Weiss." Her voice was rough from hours of silence, and almost too loud in the quietness of the shop. "We should probably leave. They're closing soon."

...

When she felt her conscious coming back to her, Weiss wasn't really in the mindset to think. She knew in some part of her mind that she wasn't in her room, that she was somewhere else and that Blake was there with her.

Her senses were more perceptive like this, and she could hear a lot of things she normally couldn't. There were the sounds of people moving about, footsteps, a few undecipherable mumbles of words. And she could hear Blake's breath, and even felt her pulse very faintly. It was calming.

But when the Faunus girl spoke up in a raspy voice, Weiss blinked her eyes open, and everything came rushing back to her in full. She felt despondent almost instantly, fear seizing her heart as she looked up at her face with a loud gasp.

"B-Blake! How long have we been here? I-I need to go back! I'm so sorry, I need to go back-"

She stood swiftly, wobbling a bit as she looked for an exit.

All she could think of was being found out, being punished, having more taken away from her-

-losing Blake.

She couldn't let that happen, not yet.

...

Weiss stood in rush, and Blake reached out to grasp her wrist before she had a chance to bolt off, the curious looks coming from the employees leaving Blake a little more than anxious. Perhaps staying hadn't been a good idea after all.

"Hold on a second," she said, scooting from her seat, taking the time once she was standing to fix the sweatshirt. Her lips tilted upward into what was hopefully an encouraging smile. "I'll get you home. I promise."

Once everything was set, Blake nodded to the employees, a tiny and perhaps unconvincing bob of her head as she pulled Weiss towards the door and out of the establishment.

It was even quieter outside at this time of night. By now even the late workers were off to get some rest, leaving the streets and small off-roads practically barren.

...

Weiss nodded and took a deep breath. She knew Blake would get her home - she'd known it all along. She was just scared and she couldn't explain why.

But as they left the cafe and got back out into the fresh air, the heiress started to calm down again.

She followed closely, still keeping a hold on Blake's arm. The streetlights provided enough glow to see by, even at this hour of the night. The alleys were quiet, and even the more rambunctious groups of people had retired by now.

There was a very faint scent of salt on the air, and when Weiss breathed it in enough times, she let out a long sigh.

"I'm sorry, Blake. I behaved so rudely back there. I understand you wanted to help me, and you stayed by me even when I feel asleep. I know you wanted to let me have a good time, and I did. I really did. It was the most fun I've ever had in my entire life." She rested her head against Blake's upper arm, not quite tall enough to reach her shoulder.

"This was the best night ever, Blake. I'll never forget it as long as I live. Thank you."

...

Blake hummed softly, glancing down at the head resting against her shoulder. Weiss certainly knew how to make her nervous, even if it was't intentional.

Circumstances did help of course. Any mistake she made would reflect onto Weiss, only the punishment would be significantly more severe. She was toying with something dangerous.

Motives aside, Blake was putting Weiss in a lot of jeopardy by bringing her out here, and while the sentiment appeared to be appreciated, there was no way it was worth the potential risk.

Still. Her hand found Weiss', hesitant at first, as if trying to slip unnoticed into the girl's hold - like a secret Blake expected to be kept hidden.

But that was impossible.

Blake knew that, and yet it didn't stop her from trying.

...

She didn't refuse the hand that slipped around hers. Rather, she welcomed it almost eagerly, hoping her grip didn't demonstrate her zeal. She squeezed until she could feel her manicured nails gently brush against Blake's skin, and only stopped there.

Now that the anxieties had receded a bit, the stillness of the night could be better appreciated as they continued to walk.

It was all too quickly when the mansion came into view, and although Weiss would have very much liked to keep walking, she knew she needed to go back.

She never realized how akin it was to a prison sentence until now.

They halted in the alleyway beneath her window, and Weiss hated letting go of her hand. She looked up at the ladder high above, remembering how last time - even when she'd been significantly more awake and hadn't just walked the town - it had been a challenge to get herself up. She swallowed a bit nervously.

But just before she could forget something important, she managed to speak up in a whisper:

"Would you come up with me? Just for a moment."

...

Blake nodded, a silent agreement as she went about helping Weiss up onto the fire escape. It took a bit of work, but after a few tries Weiss was able to reach the rung and pull herself up.

Blake followed shortly after, and soon they were both safely back in Weiss' room. Well, as safe as they could get considering their surroundings.

Her ears flicked, tracking any uncommon noise just to be safe, and she looked to Weiss curiously.

"So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

The mansion made her nervous, but that wasn't really all that much of a secret.

...

Once they'd hoisted themselves up into the room, Weiss pulled the hood of the sweatshirt down to reveal her face again, fixing her hair back to the position of its natural part.

"Well, actually there are a few things…"

She trailed off ambiguously before holding up a finger, silently asking Blake to wait there. Weiss flicked on her small lamp before she scurried across the room, shedding her shoes and placing them back in the closet. She crossed to the opposite side of the room, going to her only bookshelf.

She squinted, browsing the titles on the spines before she selected a medium-sized volume, pulling it out and dusting off the cover with her palm, giving a petite sneeze when a layer of dust wafted up.

She then went back to Blake and offered the book out to her.

"I said I'd repay you. And I know you're too kind to accept lien, so please." She placed the book in Blake's hands and held them, having Blake take grip of the book. "It's one of my favorites. I think you might like it. So… perhaps you could read it, and when you're finished you could bring it back?"

Just something else, any excuse to keep Blake coming back to her.

Weiss sent a sparkling gaze up into the Faunus girl's eyes, keeping hold of her hands as she went on. "And there's one more thing…" She took a deep breath. "My father's hosting a banquet tomorrow night. It's in anticipation of my wedding, so family members will be there. But it's also open to the public. Anyone may attend so long as they make it past security. My father wants to start drawing attention to us before my wedding next week, so he's doing everything he can to get recognition."

She paused, biting her lip. "I… I know you wouldn't be comfortable there, and it could be very risky for you if your ears were revealed. I don't want you to get hurt. But if you could stop by - even for just a minute… you have my official invitation, Blake."

...

The book was accepted with a quiet thanks, the will to argue that she wasn't owed anything bit back on her tongue. The sentiment was appreciated if not unneeded. Blake didn't want to make it seem like she was doing this to get something in return, but there was a time and a place for arguing and this wasn't one of them.

When Weiss spoke of the banquet, her hands tightened, tensing around the book in her grasp. It was definitely a risk, but at the look in Weiss' eyes, her confidence rose in waves. She could get through security - it wouldn't even be a problem. And what better way to insult Mr. Schnee than to show up to his celebration to steal away the center of the party?

Weiss deserved better than to paraded around tomorrow's festivities like some prize to be won. It made her blood boil, but her voice was soft when she spoke.

"Invitation accepted."

...

At Blake's words of acceptance, Weiss gave a small bounce of delight. Unable to stop herself, she wrapped her arms around Blake and squeezed her lightly.

"Thank you, Blake. I do hope to see you there!"

If that was the case, Weiss might look forward to the banquet rather than lament it.

She'd almost forgotten she was hugging Blake, and quickly stepped back with a bashful expression. She removed the sweatshirt, leaving her hair disheveled when she held it back out to its rightful owner. She made sure to take in Blake's scent one last time, meeting her eyes joyfully.

"Then goodnight, Blake. I shall see you tomorrow, fate permitting. And thank you again for tonight. I really did have the time of my life."

-----------

A/N: I remember writing this scene with my partner. I've never had a turnover myself before, so I had to look up what it was and how it might taste in order to describe Weiss' experience.

Next up is a banquet, which is probably the most overdone Weiss trope in all fanfics. But remember, this was an RP, and it was written before the show ever put Weiss in a banquet.

Act IV preview: Blake spoke softly, a habit more than a precaution. Weiss' outstretched hands were an obvious invitation, and while contact in any form would be risky and made Blake nervous for what might come of it, she inched forward, taking Weiss' hands in hers and hoping it was enough. "I don't intend to break promises."