Comfort: Part 2

Blake moved in the next day. It did not take long to pack her things into Weiss' convertible. She lived light, her wardrobe and books forming the majority of her belongings. Though there was also a safe, and a black box Blake told Weiss not to go through. Weiss had read enough of Blake's books to understand why.

Blake also returned to the gym, resuming her training with renewed vigor. Weiss returned to her work, hardly interrupted by a week of working from home. She did not need to come to the gym, she could and had managed from the penthouse just fine. Until now she had no reason to. The penthouse was cold, empty and lonely, and it distanced her from the fighters, from Blake. It reminded her of the childhood she had been trying to escape all her life. But with Blake's arrival, all that changed.

At the end of each day, Blake and Weiss would wait for each other before driving home together. Often, Blake would just ride with Weiss, there was no sense in driving two cars to and from the same destination at roughly the same time. Home life became a more limited, but cherished part of their schedules. Weiss stopped bringing work home with her, and instead spent all of her free time with Blake, reading, discussing their literature, watching movies and going out for dinner. More often than not they ended up in what had become their favorite position - Weiss sitting or laying on the couch, Blake laying on her lap.

Casual physical contact such as this was becoming commonplace between them. All her life, Weiss had not felt so warm in the presence of another, never craved their touch, the sound of their voice, their burning eyes gazing into hers like beacons in the dark. Perhaps Weiss had been reading too many of Blake's novels, perhaps her thoughts had begun to stray too far and too deep, but she found she no longer cared. She had to try. She needed to know.

So as they lay in their most familiar of positions, Blake's face buried in Weiss' stomach, arms laying limply at her sides, Weiss swallowed, ceasing her movements through Blake's ebony locks. "Blake?" Weiss asked. Blake shifted, meeting Weiss' gaze instantly. The weight of it felt crushing, as if those golden irises were pressing down upon her, quashing the air from her lungs.

"Weiss?" Blake asked. She shifted to her knees, not straying further. She loomed over Weiss, their position seeming infinitely more intimate than it had ever before.

Weiss took a deep breath. "Be mine?" She asked.

Blake's eyes bulged, and for a fleeting, agonizing moment, Weiss regretted her words. Then Blake was upon her, lips crashing into her own, strong arms wrapping her in a possessive embrace. Weiss gasped, shakily clutching at Blake's shirt. She could not have fought it if she had tried, she was being swept away by a tide of passion, helpless, screaming, moaning. The kissing ended, and for the first time in Weiss' life, she felt truly breathless, in awe as she stared up at the flustered woman hunched over her. The laughing woman hunched over her.

"God Weiss, a Ninjas of Love quote?" Blake chuckled.

"Shut up." Weiss tried to scowl, her furious blushing robbing it of all meaning. "You're the one who got me into that filth."

"Looks like that filth worked out for us." Blake smirked.

Weiss managed to meet Blake's gaze. "So it seems." She smiled.

"I'll be yours Weiss, but…" Blake started. She leaned down to Weiss' ear, and was suddenly aware of the warmth blooming down below. "...you're gonna' have to claim me."

Weiss was aflame.

The next few weeks were new and exciting for both of them. With Weiss' permission, Blake had told Yang and Ruby about their relationship. Ruby was overjoyed, Yang a little less ecstatic, but still happy enough to smile and congratulate her. Yang later dropped in on Weiss and Blake at lunch, expensive bottle of wine in hand and a more genuine smile on her lips.

"Sorry I'm a downer today." Yang apologized. "Got some stuff on my mind. You two enjoy this for me."

Blake thanked Yang with a hug, which seemed to improve her spirits. They later discovered Yang had been rejected after confessing her feelings to someone she had a strictly physical relationship with. It had been a rather large blow to Yang's confidence, and the announcement of Weiss and Blake's newfound love had salted the wound.

Though the inflicted pain had been unintentional, Blake felt for the brawler. She was certainly a flirt, and that habit had caused issues in the past, but Yang seemed to have sobered since then. Her compliments were friendlier in nature, her flirtations more playful than serious, and it seemed she desired to settle down. That desire had cost her a valued relationship. Blake took her out for drinks, Weiss in tow, where under the influence Yang freely vented her frustrations and insecurities...then vented the contents of her stomach into a toilet.

After sleeping off the hangover in what had been Blake's bedroom, a very grateful Yang left them with a tray of freshly baked cookies and a bear hug that probably aged their backs half a decade. The cookies were delicious.

After Weiss and Blake began sharing a bed, sex became a common occurrence. Though voracious, Weiss had grown up sheltered, with her only sexual experience - and the majority of her knowledge - being clinical until Blake introduced her to erotica. This had resulted in a lot of pent up feelings and desires that she was all too happy to vent in the bedroom. Blake, meanwhile, had had a healthier upbringing as far as sex was concerned, going through several short lived relationships in her teenage years, before losing interest as she entered adulthood. No one had inspired that spark until she met Ruby and Yang. But things were not meant to be, Yang having backed off, and Ruby had eyes only for Pyrrha.

Blake's affections for Weiss were not immediately apparent, even to herself. Weiss was beautiful, intelligent and thoughtful, but closed off, offering the same sorts of glimpses and hints to her life as Blake did. Weiss was not one to open her heart, not like Yang or Ruby. But then again, Blake was not usually one to break down and pour out her heart either. Perhaps that was why they were drawn to each other. They were alike enough that they felt comfortable allowing these breaks in character.

Perhaps that was why they felt so comfortable experimenting with each other's desires. When Weiss came home with a black bag and a nervous expression, Blake had smiled comfortingly. When she revealed with shaking hands the leather collar, Blake had gladly allowed her lover to fasten it around her throat, revelling in how Weiss' eyes dilated at the sight. When Weiss later entered the bedroom to find Blake clad in naught but her collar and a pair of fluffy feline ears, only love and excitement shone in her pale blue eyes.

Once, Blake had feared for their relationship. In dreams her affections had wandered. A fantasy conjured, one of polyamory. Though fearing Weiss' disapproval, she could not bear to hide her deviance, and confessed her guilt. Weiss had merely smiled, drawing her into a secure embrace, running fingers gently through her hair, an action that always greatly comforted her.

"We are no strangers to fantasy my dear." Weiss had told her. Blake had thought her words to be simply of comfort, but when she arrived home from a book signing to find Weiss and Yang in wait, she realized they were much more. Blake never felt guilt for her fantasies again.

As their anniversary approached, Weiss' insecurities reared, and her one major fear came to the surface. "Blake...Winter doesn't know I'm bisexual." She admitted.

Blake lowered her book, looking up at Weiss. Upon seeing her fearful expression, Blake let the book slide to the floor and twisted around in Weiss' grip to meet her with a kiss. "Do you think she won't approve?" Blake asked.

"She's the only family I really have." Weiss failed to answer the question. "I'm scared."

"Has she ever given any indication she wouldn't?" Blake insisted.

"I don't know." Weiss replied. "We don't get to talk much about these things."

"Then we can change that." Blake suggested. "Our anniversary dinner, invite her over."

"Winter is a Senator, and a powerful one at that." Weiss noted. "She might not have the time."

"Doesn't matter." Blake shook her head. "Yang would move mountains for Ruby. Winter can take a day or two out of her schedule to meet her sister's partner. Weiss...just ask, okay?"

"Alright, fine, okay." Weiss relented. "But what if she says she can't"

Blake took on a look of determination, one Weiss found reminiscent of the one she adopted when fighting. "The we'll go to her."

Fortunately, more extreme measures were not necessary. Winter was eager to visit Weiss, even more so to meet her sister's partner. For the time being, Blake's gender was concealed. It was a unisex name, so Winter had not questioned it, though it caused Weiss no end of insecurity when her sister referred to Blake as the "man" in her life.

They were to meet at Weiss' penthouse first, before heading down to the restaurant for dinner. Weiss had insisted on buying new formal clothes for herself and Blake. Blake went along with it to keep Weiss from clawing her hair out in anxiety. Blake eschewed a dress for a black tailored women's suit with a lilac dress shirt. Weiss had purchased a simple white dress that faded to a light blue on the skirt, the neck and shoulders being of sheer material that showed off just a hint of cleavage.

"Weiss, you'll burn a hole through the tiles." Blake joked as Weiss paced back and forth.

Weiss briefly paused, shooting Blake a worried look. "She's late Blake." She observed.

"She said she'll be here by six." Blake noted. "It's ten to six now."

"Winter is always early Blake, always." Weiss declared. "It was trained into us from an early age."

Blake stood from the couch to take Weiss' hands, they trembled in her grasp. She bumped their foreheads together. "Calm down, everything will be alright." Blake soothed.

"But what if it isn't?" Weiss protested.

"Then I'll make it alright." Blake declared. "Weiss, I will make you happy, no matter what it takes, I promise you this. I love you."

"I love you too Blake." Weiss swallowed, taking a shaky breath. Weiss was about to kiss Blake, but remembering her heavy lipstick, settled for an embrace instead. Two knocks rung out and Weiss jerked away, turning to gaze fearfully at the door. "She's here!"

"Weiss, breathe." Blake advised.

Weiss took several slow, deep breaths, perfected her posture and facial expression, glanced at Blake one last time, then walked down the hall, approaching the door. Slowly, she gripped the handle, and turned.

"...and I swear to God, if I find another scratch on it I'll…" Winter fumed.

"Gut me like an Atlesian game hen, yeah, yeah, I've 'eard it all before." The man with Winter cut in. "Hey, don't mind us, just getting reamed by the boss."

Winter slapped the man on the lapel, tucking her keys into his pocket before turning to address Weiss. "Sister, I apologize for Mr. Branwen, my state appointed bodyguard." She stated. "Qrow was just leaving."

"Alright, I get it, family outing, no guards allowed, fine." Qrow smirked, holding up his hands in defeat. "Just don't come cryin' if you stub your toe and need a table leg arrested."

Winter shoved her finger past Qrow's face, over his shoulder. "Leave, now." She demanded. With one last smirk, Qrow winked at Winter, nodded to Weiss, and strode back into the elevator. Winter did not drop her hand until the door had closed on his smug face.

"He seems...interesting." Weiss tried to be diplomatic.

"He's an asshole Weiss." Winter abandoned all diplomacy. "Thank God he keeps sober on the job. He's even more insufferable in his natural state."

"If he's so difficult, why not have him replaced?" Weiss asked.

"He...keeps me honest." Winter replied. "So, how have you been?"

"Stressing, you're late." Weiss replied.

"My apologies, Mr. Branwen made a wrong turn." Winter explained. "Where is Blake?"

Weiss swallowed hard, stepping aside. "Inside, waiting for you." She answered.

Winter strode past. "I half expected him to answer the door himself." She chuckled. "Is the thought of meeting me so intimi...dating…" Winter stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of Blake, looking her up and down. "Ah."

"Miss Schnee." Blake greeted.

"Miss?" Winter asked.

"Belladonna, ma'am." Blake replied.

Winter stepped toward Blake and extended her hand. Blake took it, shaking it firmly. "A pleasure." Winter smiled. "I must apologize, I heard your name and assumed incorrectly. Weiss, why didn't you correct me?"

"I...I wasn't sure how you might react." Weiss struggled.

"I take responsibility Madam Senator." Blake cut in. "This was my idea. I wanted to meet you face to face, to be sure of your approval."

"I see." Winter sighed with a remorseful look. "Weiss, I'm sorry if I ever gave you the impression that I would not approve."

"So you do?" Weiss asked.

"Very much so." Winter grinned, turning to face Blake. "And please, call me Winter. You look quite strapping Blake. Did Weiss pick this out for you?"

"Winter!" Weiss admonished.

Blake and Winter shared a chuckle. "Weiss wanted me in a dress, but muscles don't do them any favors." Blake explained.

"Yang managed them just fine!" Weiss countered.

"Yang defies the laws of gravity and reality." Blake protested. "I like this suit, though yes, Weiss did pick it out for me. The shirt was my idea however."

"You both chose well." Winter grinned. "Though I take it I won't be an aunt any time soon?"

"Winter!" Weiss gasped.

"After the marriage." Blake joked.

"Blake!" Weiss spluttered.

"Will it be a fall wedding?" Winter asked.

"I was thinking Winter." Blake laughed. "Seems too fitting to pass up."

"Can we please just get to the restaurant." Weiss groaned. "I'm starving."

"I told you to eat lunch." Blake noted.

"I don't think I could have kept it down." Weiss sighed.

"Very well then, let us be off." Winter declared.

"Blake, I forgot my lip balm, can you get if for me?" Weiss requested. "It's on the bedside table."

"Sure." Blake nodded, heading off, deeper into the penthouse.

Once Blake was out of sight, Weiss latched onto Winter. "Thank you."

Winter was taken off guard, but returned the embrace. "Silly, I could never disapprove of your love." Winter encouraged. "So long as she makes you happy, she could be a homeless stray for all I care...she…"

"No Winter, she's not a homeless stray." Weiss cut her off. "She had an apartment of her own but moved in shortly before we got together. We were both tired of being alone."

"That's good then, she is very beautiful." Winter observed. "I take it she is strong?"

"She's an amazing fighter, and her muscles are just…" Weiss trailed off.

"Good, good." Winter nodded. "So long as you feel safe in her arms."

Hearing Blake approach, the sisters separated but did not step away. "It was on your office desk." Blake explained.

"Thank you Blake." Weiss smiled. "Now shall we go?"

"Any recommendations?" Winter asked.

"The seafood is of particularly high quality." Blake replied.

"Of course she recommends the seafood." Weiss sighed.

"It's good seafood." Blake scoffed. "I don't hear you complaining."

"Blake!" Weiss gasped.

"At least you have good taste." Winter grinned.

"Winter!"

THE END