Strangers I Know (ch 5)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR PATRONS! THANKS AGAIN, YOU GUYS!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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						   Chapter 5. In Their Hearts

Morning was unwelcome for the both of them.

After so much had been opened up and revealed behind them, what lie ahead only seemed to be tied off without paths of escape.

Blake awoke first early on, around dawn, but she knew Weiss was still asleep. The Faunus girl mulled over her thoughts as she squeezed the girl closer to her with a stubborn defiance to let go. She nestled her head beneath Weiss' chin, pulling the blankets tighter around them both.

/Last night... What the hell was I thinking...?/

The second Weiss had confessed her affections for her, Blake should've shot her down, told her she was insane and that she should just go back to her family. Even if it wasn't what she'd truly wanted to say, she should've said it for Weiss' sake.

But she'd weakly agreed and confessed as well, and now this was going to be painful for the both of them. At least if she'd rejected Weiss and made the girl think Blake wasn't interested in her or at least didn't love her back, it would've dissuaded the white-haired girl's feelings.

But as things were now, Blake was going to be responsible for all of the heartbreak they'd both surely suffer today.

She was still baffled; how was it even possible that the two of them had fallen in love on such short notice? She knew it wasn't just the fact that they'd been so deprived of contact and affection that they'd take then next person they found.

It was... more than that. More so even than the bond they shared with their auras, where a fraction of Blake's life energy now danced within Weiss' soul.

It was Weiss' little smile, her tinier giggle, her determined eyes and gentle hands. Those things and many more were the reasons for Blake's immeasurable, irrational adoration for Weiss.

And Blake knew the girl wouldn't just act like that toward any stranger, regardless of whether or not they'd saved her life. She was conceited enough to believe that Weiss only behaved this way with Blake and wouldn't do so with anyone else.

They'd shared something together, in these past three days beside the fireplace, something profound and indescribable.

It might've just been an accident, but Blake didn't want to believe it was a mistake.

She dwelled on her thoughts for an hour or so, slipping in and out of consciousness as she listened to Weiss' gentle breathing. The pulse beneath Blake's ear was so familiar to her by now, it just felt right listening to it as she lay there; the thought of waking up tomorrow without it – without Weiss...

She didn't like it.

Blake's arms snaked through the blankets to tighten around Weiss as she made a small grunt of protest, pressing herself defiantly closer to the smaller girl.

The little sound she'd made had been the first thing Weiss heard that morning – or so she made clear. In truth, she'd been awake for a few hours now, only she had refused to show as much for fear she'd be forced to leave Blake sooner. She'd pretended to sleep, her mind plagued by thoughts of what was to come.

But when she heard Blake's whimper, it had sounded like discomfort, and Weiss blinked open her eyes to find out what was wrong.

And yet the second she found gold, she knew exactly what it was.

They'd both been caught in the act of pretending to sleep by the other, and yet neither minded. If they could have their way, they'd simply fall back asleep together now and every evening to come.

But now that they'd both made it known they were awake and acknowledged that the other was as well, there was an innate desire to rouse themselves and start the day, despite how much they dreaded it.

Blake propped herself up on her elbows to allow Weiss the space she needed to move beneath her.

"Sorry..." she mumbled. She watched the white-haired girl closely, carving Weiss' image into her memory. She knew she'd only see Weiss every time she closed her eyes from here on out, and probably even sometimes when she didn't close them at all.

Weiss would always be a part of her, even if she couldn't see, hear, or feel her.

Weiss blinked slowly at the sound of Blake's apology before shaking her head.

"It's alright."

She knew.

Blake wasn't sorry for waking her because she knew Weiss needed rest. She was sorry for waking her because she knew Weiss didn't want to leave any more than Blake wanted her to.

Absentmindedly, Weiss let the thoughts tumble out as words.

"I don't want to go home..."

Blake was silent for a moment, hearing nothing but the faintly-crackling fire. She couldn't exactly hear Weiss' heart breaking, but she could see it in her eyes. And if the pain in her own chest spoke at all as to what Weiss was experiencing, Blake could feel her agony just as poignantly.

"I don't want you to," she mumbled. "But... as much as we'd both love to keep this..." She flicked her gaze about the room before her eyes met blue again. "We couldn't keep it a secret forever. Come springtime, more people will be hiking in the woods and someone's bound to glimpse you. Unless I kept you locked away in here and never let you travel to the village with me, unless I only let you out to breathe at nighttime... and I can't accept that."

Even as she spoke the words, she regretted them, because she could tell Weiss was seriously considering the idea.

"It could work," she shrugged. "I mean, if we were really careful enough, the rest of the village would still assume I'm dead, so-"

"Weiss, please. Don't..." Blake bit her lip and looked away.

Weiss fell silent instantly, lifting a palm to her mouth with a small gasp. She straightened herself up and softly pulled Blake into her arms, letting the Faunus girl hide her face in her shoulder.

"I'm sorry..." Weiss murmured.

For making Blake remember how she'd almost seen Weiss die right in front of her.

For thinking that letting her own family continue to believe she was dead was a favorable idea.

For believing for a second that living a carefree life with Blake at the expense of her father's and sister's misery was acceptable.

"Sorry..." she sniffled. "I just... I think I really love you, Blake. I know I shouldn't, but..."

"You can't help it," the Faunus girl finished for her. "I know... I feel the same. It doesn't seem fair, right? That some people toil away years of their lives for love, and we... just found it in a few days. It almost feels like we're cheating somehow. But we're not..."

Her affections for Weiss were painfully real, and she knew the girl bore the same burden. She slipped her arms around Weiss' waist and held her gently, sighing into the side of her neck.

Silence ensued for a moment, and Weiss was amazed that she was keeping her tears back for as long as she was managing. Blake's warmth spread throughout her body, and she only hoped she was sharing some of her own.

Weiss sighed as she felt the fingers running down her back and she copied the same motions on Blake's.

"But... even if this is at an end... it doesn't necessarily mean that we are," she murmured.

Blake's ears lifted a bit, tickling against soft skin as they did so. She thought for a moment – logically – pushing away the haze of passion she felt toward Weiss and considering legitimate outcomes from all of this.

And those... weren't bad at all.

"You're right," she agreed. "This place isn't far from the village. I'll still be going there frequently to purchase things. Maybe I'll be able to come visit you from time to time. Or when the weather gets warmer, you can come to me."

She'd been so wrapped up in her own pitiful adversity and the regret of losing Weiss that she'd failed to consider that the girl's going back home wasn't actually the end of the world. They could still see one another from time to time, circumstances permitting. The closeness they'd shared over the past three days would only exist in their memories, but if they could just see one another every so often...

Perhaps it wouldn't be all that unbearable.

When Weiss felt that Blake understood what she was trying to convey, a smile curled her lips. Blake moved back, easing her grip on the other girl as she rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes.

"We can still see each other," Weiss repeated for her. "We'll be like neighbors, only with a bit more distance in between."

But she could picture it now, walking through the forest with Blake in the springtime, fishing with her in the creek in the summer, watching the leaves change with her during the autumn...

And the frost root herbs only grew in the wintertime, so of course Weiss would still be venturing into the woods even when it snowed. And with knowledge that Blake would be able to help her, too...

It made things all the better.

Of course, it may all have just been wishful thinking, but in lieu of all other things right now, such thoughts were vital to cling to and believe in.

The sun was shedding light through the window by now, indicating another bright day to thaw the snow outside. Blake gave Weiss one more quick squeeze before letting her go.

"I'll get some breakfast going. You'll need the energy to walk back to the village."

Reluctantly, Weiss watched her stand before heading to the kitchen. Schwarz stretched from his spot on the floor and followed Blake, mewling pitifully for food.

Weiss took the liberty upon herself to fold up all the blankets on the couch. She knew some of them were from Blake's actual bed, and put those in a separate pile; from tonight onward, Blake wouldn't need to stay on the couch anymore. She wouldn't have to worry about keeping Weiss warm.

After the blankets were finished, Weiss stretched and stood before going to the fireplace and adding on a smaller log. She then removed the laundry from the clothesline and folded that as well, placing it onto the floor beside the coffee table. She went about the chores of the cabin without a hitch, as though she'd been doing this all her life.

The herbs she'd gathered several days ago were still there on the table, and she knew that today she'd finally be bringing them back to her father.

Blake returned not long afterward with a meal for the two of them. They each had a bowl of soup and a sandwich, and she'd also given Weiss one of her few remaining fruits – a peach.

They knew it would be their last meal together, so they savored it for as long as they could, side by side on that couch where they had shared so much together.

Weiss pulled a few bits of meat from her sandwich and fed them to the cat as he bumped his head against her legs. He jumped up on the couch next to her and sat at her side, tail swaying back and forth. Weiss spared a moment to pet his head and scratch beneath his chin.

"I'm going to miss you."

"He will, too," Blake murmured. "We both will."

Weiss turned to her with a sad smile.

"Yes. I'll miss you very much, Blake."

They said nothing more as they finished their meals.

Weiss then followed Blake into the kitchen to help her clean off the dishes, an excuse to keep close to her, to drag out their remaining time together for as long as possible. Part of her was almost bold enough to wish for another blizzard, but it was clear that wouldn't happen.

When they finally got back to the main room of the cabin, the atmosphere was weighted with the knowledge that there was nothing left for them to do here. Their inevitable parting was afoot, and the intangible clock of their remaining time together started ticking louder and louder.

Weiss cast her companion an uncertain look, and with flattened ears, Blake sighed.

"You should get your coat on," she murmured. There was no point in lamenting this any longer; facing it head-on was for the best.

Weiss felt her shoulders slump at the unavoidable reality.

"Right."

She went to the pile of clothes in front of the fireplace and sifted through them until she'd found her coat, slipping into it with ease and fastening the buttons all up the front. She picked up her white scarf as well as wrapped it around her neck and hair.

Next, she pulled on her snow boots that were now thankfully free of ice clumps and were actually rather warm. She'd been about to stand when she felt something on her head.

Weiss peered up to find Blake also dressed in her black coat, a purple scarf around her shoulders and the same snow hat on her head from yesterday. She held the other hat onto Weiss' head at present. The white-haired girl blinked curiously up at her.

"Blake?"

"What? Did you really think I'd be making you walk back to the village alone?"

To be honest, Weiss had assumed that would be the case. Discovering it wasn't was elation itself, relief enough to make her lips curve into a smile.

Blake pulled Weiss' hat down over her ears before helping her to her feet. The Faunus girl was also wearing her boots and a pair of black gloves, but she noticed Weiss' hands were still bare.

Recalling memories from the night she'd found her, Blake realized the girl had used her scarf for her hands and had nothing to cover them with. She retreated to the closet to pull out the pair she'd lent Weiss yesterday and brought them back over to her.

"Here," she said. Blake took one of Weiss' hands and slipped the material on for her, then did the same for her other hand. Weiss thanked her softly before bending down near the coffee table to collect her herbs.

When she straightened up again, it was clear to both of them – it was time to head out.

Weiss took one last glance around the cabin she'd called home for the past three days and nights, engraving the juxtaposition of every log and book into her mind. She carved an image of it she could retreat to at will, even if not physically.

Blake scooped Schwarz up, and Weiss kissed his head one last time before bidding him farewell.

"Make sure you catch all those pesky mice for Blake."

The cat jumped to the floor as the girls headed to the door. Blake opened their pathway to the outside world, a cool breeze meeting them instantly despite the sunlight.

Weiss took in one last breath of that warm cabin air before walking out into the snow, taking her first step back toward the village.

And yet, it felt like home was what she was leaving behind.

She kept the herbs clutched in one hand, and Blake took the other without a word as they started forward.

Several inches of snow had already melted away since the night of the blizzard, making it that much easier for them to walk. But still, Blake felt the need to make an offer to her companion, remembering what Weiss had told her about not being the best at endurance with physical activity.

"If you get tired, just let me know and I'll walk in front. You can step in my footprints."

But Weiss only smiled and shook her head.

"It's fine. I want to walk beside you."

They set a leisurely pace, taking their time as not to exert themselves nor rush the remaining minutes they had left together. Now as Weiss' beau, Blake held herself tall and alert as she walked.

The wind blew periodically, often pushing down a light sprinkle of flurrying snow from the treetops. There were birds chirping in the distance, and past the crunching snow beneath their boots, if they listened carefully, they could make out the sounds of thaw; the coatings of ice on the trees were melting away and breaking off, icicles falling softly into white blankets below.

For a time, all Weiss could see were trees, but nothing looked familiar to her. She remembered what Blake had told her about the cabin being only a half mile away from the village, but from a direction Weiss likely wasn't used to.

She let the Faunus girl lead the way, though Weiss kept pace fairly well beside her. Their breaths rose up before them in wispy puffs, but Weiss refrained from activating her aura. Blake wasn't wild about winter, but she persevered.

A glance to her side showed her the healthily florid tint on Weiss' cheeks – a drastic contrast the the ashen pallor that had been present on her skin the first night Blake had found her.

She felt a slight warmth curling in her chest and recognized it as her aura. It always resonated when she was close to Weiss; she couldn't imagine how uncomfortable – how empty – she'd feel once the girl was gone. She didn't want to think about it until she had to.

For now, they still had a bit of a ways to walk.

"Watch your step," she cautioned. "There's a lot of ice here."

Weiss nodded, tightening her grip on Blake's hand while ensuring the herbs were still secure under her arm as well. Weiss had been sent out into the woods in extremely cold temperatures for years, so she could be proud of the fact that she knew how to handle ice and snow fairly well, when she was aware of its presence.

But it was evident by her lifestyle that Blake tended to keep indoors during the snowy months, almost like she was hibernating.

Weiss chuckled aloud at the thought just before she was given an even better reason to do so.

After giving out the warning to be careful, not a minute later Blake bungled her own words and slipped on a slick patch of snow. She immediately let go of Weiss' hand as to not drag her down as well, and the white-haired girl watched the Faunus yelp just before falling flat on her back with an "oomph!"

"Blake?" Weiss bit back her little laugh at the way she'd fallen and focused on her concern for her companion's wellbeing.

Blake moaned and blinked her eyes open.

"Have I ever mentioned that I don't like this season?"

"I could tell." Weiss offered her free hand and helped Blake back up, dusting snow off from her shoulders and hat before gently shaking bits of ice from her hair. "But I think I rather like the winter now," Weiss went on, pausing to look up into Blake's eyes. "Because it's how I met you."

Faunus ears drooped bashfully beneath her hat, and Blake felt a newer flush of color creep across her face. She smiled and chuckled softly.

"You're right."

They held one another's gaze for a moment, silently watching the white air in thin shrouds around them. Weiss felt the urge to step closer, and she could assume Blake felt it as well, that unexplainable pull that urged them together.

They could justify the feeling by calling it aura, but in the bottom of their hearts, they could tell it wasn't explained as simply as that.

Weiss slipped her arms beneath Blake's, resting her head against the taller girl's collar. Blake welcomed her warmth and wrapped her arms around Weiss' shoulders, settling her chin atop the girl's head amongst strands of white tresses. God, she was going to miss this. They both were.

In a way, saying goodbye to someone they'd only gotten a few days to love was more difficult than parting from someone they'd loved for years.

For the moment they held one another, they forgot all other troubles, forgot that they were currently on their way to bring Weiss home.

But when a cold breeze made them shiver, they reluctantly parted, stepping away with gazes downcast.

"Come on," Blake urged softly. "We're almost to the village."

Keeping the herbs close to her side, Weiss took Blake's hand with her free one once more, the contrasting fabrics of their gloves highlighting each other's.

Part of Blake wanted to go slowly, to delay the inevitable and drag out what little time she had left with Weiss. But she was getting cold, and shortly afterward, she detected a flare in Weiss' aura, signifying the girl had been chilly enough to activate it.

Sighing a bit heavily, she continued on her way, making sure to compensate for Weiss' smaller stride.

Aside from a few birds flitting about overhead, and a couple of squirrels scrambling up snowy tree trunks, there was no other motion within the forest around them as they continued to trudge through the snow.

Weiss wouldn't have minded getting lost with Blake and needing to go back to the cabin with her again for the night. But it wasn't much longer before the village of Vale was in sight, just past a gathering of trees.

"We're almost there," Blake informed her. "Are you alright?" She knew Weiss wasn't very physically inclined, so she paused for a second to let the girl catch her breath.

"I'm just fine," Weiss reassured her. "You're the one who's shivering."

"That'll pass."

"Well, just to be sure..." Weiss pressed close to Blake's side, supporting the Faunus girl while simultaneously helping to keep herself on her feet as well.

Blake shuddered against her, but rather than being due to discomfort from the cold, it was an adjustment to Weiss' body heat. She closed her eyes and wasn't fully aware that her thoughts ended up tumbling out of her mouth.

"Gosh, how am I going to survive the rest of the winter without you?"

Weiss bit her lip; she'd been debating the very same question for a few hours now.

"I guess... how you always have."

"But in the past, I never had you. I never knew you. I never... had to live missing you. It's going to be so much harder now that I've met you and... and can't have you with me."

She knew she shouldn't have said all of that; it would only make the chasm that was soon to be cut between them even deeper, ensuring harsher pain in their hearts.

But Weiss wasn't about to let Blake put herself through more suffering.

"Remember," she murmured. "I'll come back in the spring."

"But what if your father doesn't-"

"Hush. I'll come to meet you either way. Even if it means sneaking out at night."

"...I hope it doesn't have to come to something so drastic."

"You worry far too much, Blake." Weiss reached up with her free hand to ruffle the Faunus ears beneath her hat. "Perhaps it's in your nature, but you should try not to stress yourself out so much."

Her response was a withering sigh.

"Right... I'll try, Weiss. I really will."

"Good." She offered a small smile and squeezed Blake around her midsection one last time. "Alright then. Let's go."

Every step brought them closer to the village, and when she got a clearer look, Weiss recognized a few of the cabins; they were on the opposite side of town from her own home.

When at last they were close enough to view the streets, Weiss found it odd to see them vacant.

"There are usually people selling and buying stock. I wonder what's going on?"

Blake's ears immediately flattened, her senses on high alert to any sounds of potential danger. But she couldn't discern anything out of the ordinary other than the silence. She hadn't been sure if she'd wanted to go into town with Weiss or just leave her to reach her cabin on her own. But now she was certain.

"Which way to your house? I'm coming with you."

She watched Weiss' shoulders visibly relax at those words.

"This way."

Weiss took the lead this time, keeping a firm grip on Blake's hand as she led her through the streets. There was significantly less snow here, making it easier to walk faster.

Still, Blake kept her eyes and ears open, and was a bit relieved to see a few handfuls of people moving about after all, outside of cabins or selling from small wagons or stands. The volume started to increase gradually, and just as Blake's ears had finished adjusting, Weiss halted.

"We're here."

It was hard for her to say. Because now...

She looked up to Blake and had to look away almost instantly when she felt the tears in her eyes. Weiss blinked, inhaled shakily, and then tried again.

"Blake-"

"It's okay. I know." Blake wrapped her arms around the girl, and Weiss hid her face in her coat, crying softly. Even so, she spoke anyway; she needed Blake to hear her words.

"Thank you so much... for saving my life. For not giving up on me. For helping me get better. And for... for loving me..." She whimpered, ashamed at herself that she'd actually succumbed to her tears, but the tightening arms around her told her that Blake was about to lose herself as well.

Weiss continued on with a wobbly voice. "I love you too, Blake. And I know it's not a mistake or something I'll regret or rethink. I really do... you know that, don't you?"

"Yeah..." Blake sighed. "I know. Because I'm the same." She kissed Weiss' temple softly, holding her a moment longer before wiping an arm over her face.

Weiss did the same, erasing her tears and swallowing thickly before leading Blake to the cabin's front entrance. She knocked, took a step back, and waited...

When her sister opened the door, Winter was dressed in gray and black clothing, likely mourning attire. But the second she realized who it was before her, she all but shrieked, bursting into tears as she threw her arms around Weiss.

"Weiss-! Honey, we-we thought you... oh god..."

Blake took a few steps back, not wanting to stay now that she was no longer needed, but she just wanted to see Weiss off properly.

When the man she assumed to be Weiss' father came rushing out, Blake's ears went flat again. She had half a mind to go off yelling at this man that it was his fault his own daughter had almost died of hypothermia.

And yet... had it not been for his selfishness to send Weiss out to gather herbs, Blake never would have saved her life.

And now, as she watched him wrap both of his daughters in his arms and let the precious plants fall into the muddy snow below without a care...

Blake's ears lifted again, just a little. It seemed that losing Weiss had made him finally come to appreciate her after all, tardy as it was.

But better late than never.

That was probably the most substantial benison she could ever hope to witness there at the Schnee cabin. At the very least, she knew she wouldn't be browbeaten or intimidated here.

Blake decided to take her leave after all, not wanting to intrude on the family's tearful reunion. But just before she could take another step back, the man stopped her.

"You there," he said, lifting his gaze to hers. "Please, come in. Tell us everything."

Blake hesitated, feeling her heart pound harder. But when Weiss broke away from her father and sister and retreated to her side to take her hand, Blake relaxed just a bit.

Weiss ushered her inside the cabin, and her sister and father followed.

It was much more spacious than Blake's own home, with more decorations and supplies, things that would be needed for three people living together.

Blake stood awkwardly, finding it much harder than she'd anticipated to relax, despite the fact that she'd been politely invited in. Weiss removed her scarf, hat, and gloves, but Blake kept hers on; she'd heard the talk of how Schnee treated Faunus.

A light tugging on Blake's coat got her attention, and she glanced down at Weiss.

"Come sit with me by the fire. We'll explain everything. Or..." she paused and chuckled nervously. "Almost everything."

She led Blake to the couch by the fireplace, and her father sat down across from them in his own chair. Winter brought them all a cup of coffee before sitting on a smaller chair beside the hearth.

The coffee helped ease Blake's nerves, and she drank gratefully as Weiss began to speak.

She recounted all she could remember about the blizzard, finding the new patch of frost root, getting lost and losing her aura.

From there, Blake took up the storytelling, finding it easier to speak as time went on and she realized she wasn't in any danger with these people. She told them of how she'd kept Weiss with her until she was well and until the snow had melted a bit.

She finished with her voice a bit raspy from overuse, apologizing to them for having made them worry about Weiss for as long as they had.

Blake sipped at her coffee to indicate she had nothing more to say.

She'd been ready to receive minimal thanks and asked to leave, and she was intent to do just that.

The last thing she expected was an offer of lien from Weiss' father.

He was all but pleading to repay her in some way, but Blake refused; all she wanted was for him to treat his daughters properly from now on.

And yet, after she'd seen him embrace Weiss today, watched his distraught expression as she'd told her story in which his daughter had nearly died...

Blake felt he finally got the message.

She refused his offer of money, stock, and other chattel, but Winter insisted she drop by their stands from now on whenever she needed to; they'd give her a discount, if not free items.

"You've got to let us do something for you, Miss-"

"Belladonna," Blake murmured to her.

Weiss perked up; she'd never thought to ask Blake her last name, but she instantly loved it.

The Faunus girl stood from the couch and put her empty coffee mug aside.

"And really, the thoughts and offers are appreciated. But I don't need anything in return. I'm just glad she's safe and back home."

A bit of that statement was a lie, but she didn't let it show. Her gaze traveled from Winter to her father, and the man was running a hand through his short, grey hair.

"Then, if there's anything at all, don't hesitate to come to us and ask. I owe you more than I can explain."

Blake was almost tempted to take advantage of this offer, but she didn't want to have him retract it if she said the wrong thing.

"Thank you, sir," she said simply.

It was then Weiss stood beside her and walked past Blake. She hugged her father briefly where he sat, and he looked up at her with tired eyes.

"Father? I'm sure Blake would like to see me again someday. Perhaps when the warmer weather comes around, I could pay her a visit in addition to her coming by our home if she needs anything." She spoke calmly, making the idea sound perfectly acceptable and impossible to deny.

After what he'd risked and almost lost, her father wasn't about to refute her, anyway.

"Of course. So long as you tell me beforehand, you may see Miss Belladonna whenever you like once the snow melts. She deserves that much, at the very least."

Blake looked hopefully up at him.

"That's all I'll ever need," she reassured.

He was silent for a moment, patting one hand on Weiss' back before she pulled away.

"Very well. You've already done so much for her, and Weiss truly trusts you. Therefore, you have my full trust as well, Miss Belladonna."

Blake was instantly flustered when this man of status lowered his head to her – a Faunus.

"N-Not at all. Thank you, sir." She too bowed her head, then heard the man chuckle.

"Well then, would you like to stay the night? We have an extra mattress."

Blake's reply was curt, though not rude.

"I'm sorry. I've got to get home. I left the fire going and my cat-"

"No worries," he said. "I understand."

Winter stood from her seat and made her way over to Blake and her sister.

"Stay as long as you like," she offered.

"Thank you. But I should take my leave now."

Weiss' father stood and went to Blake, holding out his hand.

"Thank you again," he said.

Blake gathered her courage and shook his hand.

Winter replaced her father shortly afterward, thanking Blake for the dozenth time at least. When Blake knew it was time to take her leave, she turned toward the door.

"I'll see her out," Weiss informed her family. She slipped into place beside Blake and took her arm. But before she could lead her outside, Weiss remembered something. "Oh! Those gloves aren't mine. Let me give them back to you."

"No, please. Keep them," Blake insisted with a small smile. Weiss instantly understood the message in her golden eyes; 'something to remember me by'.

The white-haired girl nodded slowly.

"Alright. Thank you."

She led her companion back outside, out of earshot of her father and sister. Once Blake was certain they couldn't be overheard by anyone, she spoke softly.

"I'm sorry for misjudging them."

"It's alright."

Weiss' hand lingered in Blake's, and the Faunus girl didn't think she could let go. She'd steeled herself hours ago, but now that it was finally time, her resolve was crumbling.

Weiss did her best to ease the pain.

"It'll be a bit difficult sleeping tonight. For the both of us, I'm sure." Blake nodded in agreement. Weiss felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and nose, and she desperately fought to keep her emotions in check as she continued. "But I'll see you in the spring, in just a few more weeks. There's no question about it. I'll be fine, so don't worry about me."

"Easier said than done," Blake muttered, sniffling once.

"I know," Weiss sighed. "I'm going to be thinking about you every chance I get from here on out. And I know you'll be doing the same for me."

"Yeah. I certainly will be."

Blake opened her arms, and Weiss didn't waste a second before slipping into them.

"I'll see you again soon, Blake. Thank you for everything. You'll be in all my thoughts and dreams, and in my heart. Until I see you again and we can make more memories together."

"Yeah..." Blake's voice was failing her as she buried her face in Weiss' hair. "Yeah... me too, Weiss..."

She didn't know what to do, but she knew what she wanted to do.

Thankfully, Weiss wasn't afraid to take action. She pulled away slightly, just enough to strain up onto the tips of her boots as she kissed Blake's cheek. The Faunus girl returned the favor, lips brushing gently over Weiss' scar.

Then, without shame, their lips met in a sweet kiss, chaste and warm and lingering. One they wouldn't soon forget.

They parted, and it was for real this time.

"I love you, Blake," Weiss murmured. "That won't change."

"I love you, too, Weiss. I'll see you soon."

"Yes you will."

It wasn't a baseless credence. It was a promise.

Blake engraved that image of Weiss into her heart – her soft white hair like snow without the chill, her bright blue eyes like a shimmering winter pond, her caring smile, warmer than any fireplace.

"Take care."

With that, Blake turned away and started toward the forest.

Weiss watched her go, letting the tears fall freely now; she knew Blake was doing the same.

But they'd see each other again. Of that there was no doubt.

Weiss stayed outside until Blake's figure had completely vanished.

Then, she wiped her eyes and returned to her cabin.

And when Blake looked back, she couldn't see Weiss anymore.

But she could feel her, and Weiss could, too. Each could feel the other's lips still on her own, the little magnetic pull of their auras connecting them, that familiar warmth in their hearts.

The snow would melt and spring would come.

And they would meet again in time.

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A/N: See you guys next week! Thanks for reading!