Chapter 24

Weiss had maintained her composure long enough to cross the lobby, returning Ruby's wave and offering a nod to Jaune before entering the waiting elevator. Then she had slumped against the wall after the doors closed, leaning her head against Pyrrha's shoulder and linking their arms together. It had been quite sometime since they had enjoyed simple intimacy, a fact that gnawed at Pyrrha. She knew Weiss deserved her space, and feared for their safety and privacy, but the distance her dearest friend had been putting between them pained her.

Ren was far more patient, preaching patience and understanding. Weiss would come around in due time, when she was ready, when whatever was pulling her away had run its course. The best thing they could do was remain loyal friends.

Friends. Nothing more.

Pyrrha had access to the SFO's company car, and used that to drive Weiss home. Before setting off she had texted Ren, informing him of the circumstances, their destination, and what needed packing. Pyrrha was relieved that Weiss never drove herself - to had done so in such a state would have been near suicidal. The last thing Pyrrha wanted to endure was a call from the hospital about Weiss, or more likely a call from Ruby. There was enough worrying her about Weiss without accidental suicide on the menu. Uncharacteristically, Weiss had chosen to sit in the front seat for the short drive, watching the scenery pass through lidded eyes, slipping in and out of sleep.

A part of Pyrrha felt guilty for commandeering Weiss like this. She knew her friend valued independence, but Pyrrha's mother had taught her that sometimes people play the fool and must be put in their place. Weiss' place was in a warm bed, getting well needed, well deserved rest. She had clearly been neglecting her own well being, and action needed to be taken sooner than later.

Prior to this day, Pyrrha had had no knowledge of Weiss' home, other than its general location. Weiss was awake long enough to direct Pyrrha to her private parking, and then Pyrrha entered what seemed to her like a fortress. After leaving the car, the pair had walked arm-in-arm down a set of stairs to a basement entrance. Weiss opened the heavy metal door with a key, leading into the employee subfloor. In short order Weiss had led them to a security checkpoint, staffed by two armed guards stationed in front of an elevator. Weiss informed them of Ren's future arrival before she and Pyrrha boarded the elevator and headed up.

An advanced computer system, complete with visual and biometric analysis kept an eye on the elevator's occupants. Weiss had always intended for Ren and Pyrrha to join her at her home one day, so they were already in the system, along with Winter, Willow, Coco and Velvet. The guards and cleaners were also in the system, all suitably vetted and monitored. The elevator had then opened onto Weiss' floor, and with it another security checkpoint with two armed guards. They too were notified of Ren's expected arrival.

The final line of security was at Weiss' door. She had described the extent before, but seeing it had still shocked Pyrrha. A retinal scanner, fingerprint scanner, keypad and an old fashioned key lock all sealed Weiss' door. Weiss was the only individual who could get through all of them, even the guards were only provided with ways through two of the four locks, just in case one should be compromised or taken hostage. It was sad that such methods had to be enforced, but reality was a tragic thing, one Pyrrha longed so heavily to alleviate, in any way possible for her dear friend.

The pair entered the apartment, the heavy door shutting and locking with several heavy clunks behind them. Weiss slumped against the wall, but Pyrrha soon scooped her into a bridal carry. In spite of the usual threats, Pyrrha knew she did not truly mind being carried, so long as the carrier was the right person. Of course circumstances would normally be far more playful.

"Which way to the bedroom?" Pyrrha murmured. Weiss hummed, pointing down the nearby hall.

The apartment, or as the scale became evident, penthouse, was surprising in decor. There was little in the way of expensive modern furnishings, and those present were styled or decorated in such a way that fit with an almost humble aesthetic. The framed posters and display cases offered insight into Weiss' hobbies. Pyrrha had never found anime all that interesting. As a child she had watched scattered episodes of several series during pre-school mornings, but she always preferred physical activity to media. Weiss, on the other hand, clearly took great joy in many shows, and this manifested in the myriad posters, artworks and merchandise that dotted almost every available surface and wall.

Pyrrha was surprised by it all. She knew of Weiss' love of the medium, but had hardly expected such a blatant display. There must have been thousands of lien worth of merchandise, if not millions. She even spotted a few life sized statues about the home, likely promotions the SDC had a hand in. Even the beanbags were branded, large, comfortable-looking and numerous. It was like a mancave. Or womancave. Pyrrha could not help but chuckle.

Weiss' bedroom was a great deal more subtle. Thick curtains rendered the room near pitch black. Pyrrha sat Weiss on the bed before fumbling for a nearby lightswitch. Apart from a single wide poster above the dresser, there were seemingly no hints of Weiss' interests here. She recognized the bedsheets as the prior year's birthday gift, a mural of the Maidens embroidered in gold thread on deep crimson cloth. A pale hand traced the textured pattern idly, Weiss having shifted to the bed's edge.

"I'm sorry." Weiss whispered, lifting a leg to fumble with her heel.

Pyrrha sighed, kneeling before her. "I'm sorry too." Reaching up, she unbuckled and slipped the shoe off. "For not intervening sooner."

"I didn't want to worry you." Weiss insisted.

"I will always worry for you Weiss." Pyrrha smiled, reaching for Weiss' stockings, hands still upon her thighs as she met a tired gaze.

"And I you." Weiss responded.

Pyrrha's hands gently crept up Weiss' skirt, slipping under the thick material and slowly pulling the stockings down. "We accept the risk in being close to you Weiss." Pyrrha stated, rolling the garment up. "We made a promise to stand by your side, through thick and thin, 'til whatever end may come." She recounted, moving to the opposite leg.

Weiss took a shaky breath. "I don't want to cause that end."

"And I don't want to witness it." Pyrrha retorted, sliding the matching stocking down, just as gently. "But that is the danger you face, and so we will face it with you, and should an end come, it shall not be alone."

"I'd rather die alone than lose you." Weiss whimpered as Pyrrha's fingers found her top, her vision blurring with tears, failing to obscure the kind, serene smile before her.

"And I'd rather suffer in your stead than allow it." Pyrrha countered.

Weiss could not help but smile despite herself, and Pyrrha cheered internally, focusing on opening the blouse before her. Weiss' smiles were normally just politeness, feigned or no, trained into her from a young age by etiquette coaches. But on rare occasions she would show a true smile, wide and warm, eyes sparkling, bright, beautiful baby blue, the likes of which Pyrrha could lose herself in for hours given the opportunity. Shaking fingers cupped her cheeks, drawing her gaze into those eyes, tears thick within.

"Having friends is insufferable you know." Weiss complained. "Sometimes I wish we never had to worry about each other. We could live our own lives, dealing with our own problems, living out the rest of our days free of added drama."

Pyrrha chuckled, shaking her head. "Weiss, dear, you are terrible at handling your own problems." She mused, wiping away Weiss' tears. "It's why you need us, to help you when you falter."

Weiss sniffled, lip quivering as she lay her head against Pyrrha's, the mint of her breath filling her senses. "I missed you. I'm sorry."

"I know, I miss you too." Pyrrha closed her eyes, and in a shock of warmth felt Weiss close the final gap, soft lips meeting her own in a gentle but loving kiss.

Like water to the parched, Weiss devoured Pyrrha. Ravenous in appetite, the smaller girl dominated the kiss, arms wrapping around her neck, pulling her into bed. Pyrrha had always found Weiss' passion entrancing. It had taken so long to coax her from the shell she had built around her desires, but once unleashed she was like a flood, washing over them in an indulgent tide. It was mesmerizing, it was cathartic, it was the exact opposite of what Weiss needed right now.

Pyrrha broke the kiss, panting above Weiss, who weakly attempted to pull her back down. "Weiss." She shrugged off her jacket. "You are not out of the woods yet." Her shoes came next, followed by her socks. "I brought you here to recover, to get a good long rest." Unbuttoning her jeans, they followed, before she bent down to unbutton Weiss' skirt. "If I have to swaddle you in blankets and sing Rock-a-Bye Baby I will, but you're not going to be difficult." With a yank the garment came free, leaving Weiss in nought but lacy blue underwear, a stunned if amused look on her face. "Are you?" Weiss shook her head and Pyrrha grinned in satisfaction.

"Good, now, under the covers." Pyrrha instructed, turning to a nearby dresser. She opened the drawers until she found Weiss' nighties. "Bra off." Weiss hastily obeyed, tossing the underwear aside before being smothered in silky cloth. Weiss snorted, struggling to get her arms through the correct holes and pull the hair from her eyes. Pyrrha shut the door, turned off the lamp and slipped in beside her, nudging Weiss further inward. "Maidens your feet are still cold." Pyrrha groused, strong arms wrapping around Weiss' midsection, pulling her flush against her warm body.

"It's not like my feet have undergone a metamorphosis in the past few months." Weiss shot back, purposefully rubbing them against Pyrrha's legs. She found herself flipped over for her trouble. Pyrrha could be very rough when required, but never in a painful manner. It was just enough to remind Weiss that she had been, and still was, an athlete. Certain aspects of which drove Weiss insane.

"We will be sure to examine you for any other potential changes then." Pyrrha teased, breath hot upon Weiss' face.

"Oh please do." Weiss purred.

"In due time, now…" Pyrrha planted a kiss upon Weiss' nose. "Go to sleep."

"Will Ren be here when I wake up?" Weiss asked.

"I'll make sure of it." Pyrrha promised.

"Good." Weiss yawned. "Pyrrha?"

"Hmm?" Pyrrha hummed.

"Thank you, for everything." Weiss replied.

"You will always have us Weiss, by your side, at your back, in your arms." Pyrrha declared.

"I know…" Weiss murmured.

"Good, never forget it." Pyrrha delivered a second kiss, this time upon Weiss' lips.

Weiss was left feeling dreamy. "Never."

In her dreams, Weiss was weightless, floating down a stream of warmth, the gentle currents of calm shifting about her form, glowing greens, reds, golds and pinks, wonderous in their majesty. It was serene, not a thought in her mind but bliss, not a sensation but bliss, and an odd firmness against her rear…

"Weiss..." Came a soft whisper, familiar and warm, it's presence inspiring affection from within. "Weiss, sweetie?" Came the voice again, followed by an explosion of warmth against her cheek. She gasped, whimpering in ecstasy as it spread across her body, writing against the firmness against her behind. "It's morning dear, time for breakfast. You love Ren's breakfast…" Yes she did, especially when he made smiley faces in her porridge. "I have a lovely little wakeup call planned for us...I think you're long overdue for a Spring pampering…" Oh, now everything was just pink. "Wakey, wakey." Came the final whisper, before that lovely warmth met her lips and reality faded around her, until there was naught but heat and pressure, and a probing tongue between her lips.

"Mng!" Weiss moaned into the kiss, slowly returning it and whining as Pyrrha pulled back.

"There we are, welcome to the world of the loving." Pyrrha spoke teasingly, pecking Weiss on the nose.

"Nnng, let me go back." Weiss grumbled. "There were pretty colors…"

"There are plenty of pretty colors in your apartment dear." Pyrrha observed. "You have quite a collection."

"Uuuuuugh...nooooooo…" Weiss groaned.

"It is quite the sight." Ren's chest vibrated against her back as he spoke. She suddenly remembered the firmness against her rear.

"Ren?" Weiss gasped.

"Good morning Weiss." Ren responded.

"I can feel your...Spring glory…" Weiss managed. Pyrrha snorted, cackling loudly before burying her face in the pillow, barely muffling her amusement. Ren shifted, Weiss felt his arm slip from beneath her pillow, the pressure alleviating, giving her space to turn over. "It's okay." She assured, leaning over to grant a kiss of his own. "I missed you too."

Ren offered a small smile, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from Weiss' cheek. "How do you feel?"

Weiss nuzzled into his touch. "Better, thank you." Arms snaked around her once more, and warm breath ghosted across her neck.

"Good, you slept the entire day and through the night." Pyrrha noted.

"Huh, what time is it?" Weiss panicked, attempting to sit up, only to be held firmly in place by strong hands.

"Time to recover Weiss, one day is not enough." Pyrrha insisted.

"Velvet and Coco are filling in for you." Ren soothed, running his hand through her hair. "Pyrrha will ensure you are taken care of."

Weiss gripped his shirt in tight hands, huffing in frustration. "And where are you going?"

"To ensure my department doesn't burn down." Ren grinned, laying his hand over her smaller fists. "We can't all take the day off. But I'll be back, I promise."

Weiss could never resist Ren's calm gaze, especially accompanied by that serene smile. Ren exuded calm, he always did. It was why she fell for him. "Fine…" She huffed. "But I want dumplings for dinner, chicken ones."

Ren chuckled, leaning down to kiss her once more. "First I must make breakfast." He pulled away, slipping out from beneath the covers. "You two enjoy yourselves."

"Oh we will, won't we dear?" Pyrrha nipped at Weiss' neck, drawing a yip from the smaller woman.

"Pyrrhaaaa!" Weiss curled into herself, futilely of course. Pyrrha's hands were hot upon her skin. "Ren, heeeelp!" Ren only laughed as he closed the door.

"You're all mine." Pyrrha purred into the hollow of her ear.

And Weiss shuddered.

If there was one thing Weiss was not, it was a morning person. Pyrrha, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. It was as if sleeping overcharged her, and she needed to vent the excess energy. Usually this was through morning exercise. Pyrrha's definition of said exercise varied depending on the occasion. It just took a while for Weiss to catch up.

"No gold fixtures?" Pyrrha observed the bathroom with a smirk, dark tile with white marble, silver fixtures this time. Weiss rolled her eyes. She could do little else, the morning haze still fogging her mind. The warmth of Pyrrha's arms did a little to help...well...it did in a certain fashion. "Such a lovely shower, room for the three of us, and look at all this space!" Pyrrha plopped Weiss onto the large, marble topped vanity, the chilly surface drawing a short gasp. "I'll warm you back up in a moment." Pyrrha grinned, turning to head behind the shower screen, turning on only one of the overhead spouts.

"Are you really so eager?" Weiss asked, shifting to better sit on the vanity's edge. "It has been some time…"

"Time is meaningless Weiss." Pyrrha shrugged, turning back. "I feel no different about you now than I did three months ago." She smiled, moving between Weiss' legs, bare thighs hot against her own. "It comes down to you Weiss." She took Weiss' hands in her own, clasping them together to bring upward, a kiss their destination. "Do you want this?"

Weiss kissed her in response. Of course she wanted this. Of all the things in life she lacked, this bond, this intimacy, this love was what she craved above all else. It was maddening how addicting the feeling was, to be pulled into strong arms and given the most beautiful feelings imaginable. She wanted to melt, instead she slumped. "Always." She murmured against Pyrrha's lips.

The kiss continued, hands slipping down below to cup her rear, modest breasts soon met with a willing tongue. Weiss herself wasted not time pulling Pyrrha's shirt over her head, swiftly followed by the sports bra that concealed her own bountiful mounds. Once Weiss had been self conscious about the disparity. Even with therapy, her own bust continued to disappoint, but Pyrrha had shown her time and time again how little vanity mattered, for beauty was in the eyes of the beholder. To Pyrrha she was perfect, not in spite of her flaws but all the more for them.

Weiss wished to the gods above she could express her perception of Pyrrha's perfection. Every curve of her body screamed radiance, the definition of her muscles godlike. It was a crime Pyrrha so often wore jackets and lab coats. She was fit for sculpture, and indeed Weiss had expressed such a desire on many occasions. Pyrrha would only laugh it off, before making some entrancing comment about worshipping false idols, then directing her attentions to the proper place.

Weiss loved being handled by her lovers. It was so freeing to be taken, to drop all pretense of control, to let passion and its many lustful children lead her astray. Pyrrha was so energetic, so strong, so eager to hold her close and never let go, yet endlessly gentle when it came down to lovemaking. Pressed against the tiled wall, how water cascading over them, Weiss did not even remember her panties vanishing, only the sensation of heated fingers replacing them, slipping over her inflamed lower lips with all the skill of a masseuse, coaxing all manner of keens and moans from her lungs.

"There truly is nothing more beautiful than a lover laid bare." Pyrrha grinned, trailing kisses down Weiss' collar. She could only grip Pyrrha's shoulders as her journey took her to stiff peaks, each left raw from tongue and tooth before heading farther south, grazing past her belly button. "I've missed this view."

"Pyrrha…" Weiss moaned as a kiss was planted on the tuft of hair left upon her mound.

"Shhhhh, the only sounds I want to hear from those lovely lips are proclamations to the gods…" Pyrrha purred.

"It's not the gods I worship Pyrrh-ah!" Weiss yipped, shivering as Pyrrha kissed the bite mark left on her thigh.

"Hush dear…" Pyrrha chided before honing in directly on Weiss' clit, drawing forth a gasp of shock, giving way to a drawn out moan. Her skilled tongue worshipped her lower lips with a ravenous appetite.

Weiss had never been one for stamina. Combined, Pyrrha's love of foreplay and her ministrations often led to quick and explosive results. This morning was no different, and with hardly any time to truly enjoy Pyrrha's lovemaking her body was wracked with convulsions, pulses of pleasure paralyzing her form, choked cries of ecstasy barely uttered for lack of breath, until finally her legs gave way, her rear hitting the wet, tiled floor with a splash.

"Mmm, delicious." Pyrrha grinned, licking her lips. "You've only grown sweeter." She admired, leaning in for a sloppy kiss, Weiss' taste fresh upon her tongue. Indeed she had. "Don't fall asleep just yet my sweet." Pyrrha pecked her on the nose, standing tall above her, a neat triangle of red fur above her bright core. "I do so miss your worship."

Weiss grinned wearily, the last aftershocks of orgasm leaving her system as she gazed up at her goddess, truly a wonderful figure. She slowly shifted to her knees, wrapping her arms around the taller woman's waist, hands squeezing firm cheeks behind. Strong hands gripped her hair, directing her gaze upward, even as she began trailing kisses along Pyrrha's thigh.

"So beautiful." Pyrrha uttered, seemingly in a daze.

Weiss beamed, drawing closer to her goal, extending her tongue.

Far sweeter than herself, far sweeter...