Chapter 48

No matter how much Blake told herself she should not be concerned, she could not help it. Weiss' admission of a sadistic side was shocking. Her masochistic side made sense. As a former cutter, Weiss understood the benefits of wisely induced pain, but inflicting it upon others? The worst Blake could stand was biting and scratching, and that was mainly because of her instinctual desires. What was Weiss capable of given a willing enough partner? There was only one way to find out.

Entering the school weightroom, Blake was hit by the usual smell of sweat and hormones, seemingly thicker than normal, her incoming heat enhancing her senses. Still, the scent she was searching for managed to stand out, a tangy lime aroma, which she followed to the pull-up bars. There she found the Faunus in question hanging upside down, doing crunches.

Neon grinned as Blake approached. "Hey Blake!"

"Hey Neon." Blake greeted. "Can we talk?"

Neon stopped mid-crunch to hang limp from the bar. She reached for a towel hanging beside her and wiped the sweat from her face. "Sure!" Dropping down, she slung an arm around Blake's shoulder. "What's up?"

"I'd like to speak in private, if you don't mind." Blake requested.

"Oh, sure." Neon agreed. She grabbed her water bottle and started steering Blake toward a back door. "What's this about?"

"Weiss." Blake replied. "Something private came up."

"Ah, alrighty." Neon nodded. She opened the door, leading to a deserted alley between two buildings. Letting her arm slip from Blake's shoulders, Neon leaned against the wall, taking a long swig from her water bottle before sighing. "So what came up?"

Blake leaned against the opposite wall, crossing her arms. "We were talking to Coco and Velvet, about everything going on, and kinks came up."

Neon smirked. "Ah, did she talk about butts? She loves butts."

Blake's brow rose. "...no, but she did say she was a sadomasochist. It just surprised me. I never thought Weiss was into anything. I figured she'd be pretty vanilla."

Neon giggled. "Weiss was just nervous when we started, but pretty much the first thing she did was nibble on my neck, which I loved by the way, and things just got better and better from there."

"How so?" Blake asked.

Neon bit her lip, a light blush blooming in her cheeks. "She got more confident, and then she got creative. We'd start playing with different places to bite and scratch, how hard we could go before it got too much - my safeword is nightlight by the way - and a bunch of other stuff. She's really beautiful when she gets going. I mean, she's always really beautiful, but when she's really into it, like, I'm tied to the bed, she's between my legs, sinking her teeth into my thigh with this wild look in her eyes...mnph." Neon shivered. "And they call us animals."

Blake chuckled. "Other stuff?"

Neon laughed, taking another swig. "Oh yeah, we tried a bunch of stuff. Rope binding was the easiest, edging and sensory deprivation came next, really makes everything more vivid. Oh, and we tried a few different spanking tools. The paddle is kinda' boring, but the bamboo rod is amazing. Could barely sit for a few days, but it was totally worth it."

"She hit you that hard?" Blake asked.

"Not really." Neon shrugged. "I mean, sometimes she'd slip up, get a little into it, but mistakes happen, and Weiss takes aftercare very seriously."

"Aftercare?" Blake asked.

Neon faltered, Blake's words giving her pause. "Yeah, aftercare. You know what that is, right?"

Blake's ears flattened and she shook her head. "Is that bad?"

"Blake, after you and Ruby...do whatever you guys do, what happens next?" Neon asked.

"Well I...usually there's some clawing and bite marks." Blake replied. "I'd resist, but Ruby likes it. She marks easily, and they're tender after, so I…" Blake felt her face heat up. "I lick them, and kiss them. It makes Ruby giggle, and she says she loves it. It's just what feels right. Then we snuggle, watch some videos, eat a snack. It's calming." Blake smiled at the memory. Ruby always loved snuggling up, naked and sweaty as they were. Blake would cuddle into her chest, and Ruby would gently stroke her ears, Blake purring all the while. It was heavenly.

"Blake, that is aftercare...didn't Ruby ever mention it?" Neon pressed.

Blake shook her head. "No, it's just our routine. I like it, she likes it, I didn't think it was a thing."

"Aftercare is really important." Neon noted. "With BDSM, you get into some pretty intense characters. Weiss isn't a cruel mistress, and I'm not an enslaved animal. Those are just the roles we play, and aftercare is about countering everything about those roles. Bruises and cuts are cleaned and treated, the dom makes the sub feel loved and appreciated, no matter how extreme the degradation."

"An enslaved animal?" Blake growled.

"Yes, an enslaved animal." Neon confirmed. "My kink. Not the point Blake. Why are you asking me about this? Shouldn't you be talking to Weiss?"

Blake sighed, a pang of guilt jabbing her heart. "Neon, I had a bad experience, a very, very bad experience with a sadist when I was younger. It left me physically and mentally scarred, and I never told Weiss about it until recently. Yesterday, when Weiss admitted her sadomasochism, she looked right at me, and she was scared, so I didn't push, especially not in front of Coco and Velvet."

"And what, you were afraid it was because she's some sado-sicko who abused me?" Neon accused.

Blake flinched at Neon's tone. She was not wrong, not really. It was a stupid, insane fear, but such a deep nagging one that Blake could not help it. It terrified her. "I didn't want to be Neon. It's stupid, I know, I wish my mind didn't go anywhere near that place. I love Weiss, and the thought that she could be anything like...like the one who hurt me...I just...needed to be sure."

Neon's glare faded, replaced with pity. Tears welled in Blake's eyes as her fellow Faunus crossed the alley to pull her into an embrace. "I understand. I'm not happy about it, but I understand."

"Fuck, I fucked up." Blake buried her face in Neon's neck, wrapping her arms around her friend.

"Just a little." Neon encouraged. "But it's okay. Everyone fucks up, and you can make up for it by listening to me, and talking to Weiss." She pulled away, cupping Blake's face and looking her in the eyes. "Weiss is one of the most caring people I've ever met. She spent every second possible making me feel loved. She never hurt me maliciously, she never made me feel unsafe. Sadism is her kink, but that doesn't make her a sadist. She won't ever hurt someone who doesn't consent, and she'll treat her partner like royalty afterward. I fell in love with her for a reason Blake. She made me feel like no one ever has before...the spankings were just a bonus."

Blake could not help but smirk at the joke. She nodded. "Well, when you put it that way...thank you Neon, and I'm sorry I misjudged you both."

Neon smiled sadly, leaning in to peck Blake on the lips. "I'm sorry you had a shitty experience, and that I snapped at you."

"You didn't know." Blake shook her head.

"Still, now you need to make this right." Neon advised.

Blake hugged Neon again, and they parted ways. Blake was still uneasy about the subject, but at the very least she was confident in Weiss' integrity. Now she only had to talk to her...and admit she had gone behind her back. This was going to suck.

Weiss chewed on her pen mindlessly, borderline salivating over the sight before her: Ruby's rear.

Splayed across the beds, Ruby dozed with her headphones on. Weiss could faintly hear a techno tune from her desk, the volume too loud for any reasonable person. But for once Weiss was far too distracted to scold her. The rear drew her gaze and nothing short of a slap across the head could drag her away. It was mesmerizing. Though not as voluptuous and shapely as Blake's, Ruby's was beautiful in its own right, especially when clad in the same black skinny jeans Weiss had leered at for years when worn by Blake. Smaller in scale, that was all Ruby's was, just as delicious to behold. Weiss wanted nothing more than to sink her teeth into its supple flesh and...wait, what was she thinking? Ruby was her girlfriend. She did not have to hold back anymore!

"Hmm wha...Weiss?" Ruby gasped. Pulling off her headphones, she craned her neck to look behind her. Weiss had climbed onto the bed, laying her head on Ruby's butt, arms wrapped tightly around her thighs. She looked very comfortable.

"Yes Ruby?" Weiss responded.

Weiss looked up just enough for Ruby to see the peaceful smile on her face. As strange as her actions were, it was beautiful to see Weiss so serene. It made Ruby smile in turn. "Comfy?"

Weiss hummed, closing her eyes and planting a kiss on Ruby's bottom. "Yes, very."

Well, this was happening.

"You uh...like my butt?" Ruby asked.

"Mhm." Weiss confirmed. "I do."

Well, that seemed obvious in hindsight.

"I like Blakey's butt better." Ruby said. "It's bigger."

"Size isn't everything." Weiss encouraged. "You are perfect just the way you are Ruby, as is Blake."

"Aw, thanks Weiss...I get paranoid sometimes, about my fat." Ruby admitted.

"You could stand to cut back on the sweets, but only for health reasons." Weiss noted. "I have no issue with your...cushion." Ruby giggled, wiggling her rear against Weiss' cheek. Weiss grunted, clutching tighter. "Cushions don't move."

"Cushions don't do a lot of things." Ruby smirked.

"Behave, or I'll spank you." Weiss threatened.

"Please do!" Ruby cheered.

Blake chose the moment to open the door, causing both Weiss and Ruby to freeze, Weiss' hand suspended in midair as Blake took in the scene before her. Ruby bit her lip. "Am I interrupting?"

"Yes." Weiss replied.

"No." Ruby answered.

Blake scoffed, closing the door and moving to sit on the bed. Weiss let go of Ruby's thighs, allowing her to sit cross legged, while Weiss sat neatly on the edge. "So, is everything sorted?" Weiss asked.

Blake grimaced. She had told them she was going to finish organizing her approaching absence. She had only talked to most of her professors already. Usually they were satisfied by a simple explanation of "Faunus health issues." None of them were overtly racist it seemed, her history teacher in particular told her to take all the time she needed. A Faunus herself, she understood what was coming from scent alone. But today Blake had lied. She had lied to her mates, in doubt of one, and instead sought out Neon. And she needed to own up to that. "No, not yet. I didn't talk to my teachers."

Weiss and Ruby both looked confused. "What did you do?" Ruby asked.

Blake swallowed. "I...talked to Neon."

Weiss' expression tightened. "What about?"

"About yesterday...about what you're into." Blake admitted.

"Oh." Weiss blanched, the frightened look back in her eyes.

Blake's heart ached with guilt. "I'm sorry. I went behind your back, and you deserve better from me."

Weiss did not seem very reassured. "I had hoped you would ask me first, but it's…" She closed her eyes, the words catching in her throat. "I-it's fine. I understand. I know how it sounded, and I know you're worried, but you don't have to be. It's just a kink. I won't do it if you're uncomfortable with it. I just want you to be comfortable with me. I-I promise I won't try anything." Her voice lost composure and she fell silent, hands clenched in her lap as she visibly shrank away from Blake, as if being scolded.

Blake hated seeing anyone like that, least of all Weiss. Both she and Ruby moved at the same time, Blake reaching over to grasp her hands as she sat beside her, Ruby hugging her from behind. "Weiss, breathe." Ruby advised.

"Weiss-" Blake started.

"I won't ever hurt you Blake." Weiss declared. "I promise I'm not like that-"

"Weiss, shhh, calm down, it's okay." Blake cut her off.

Weiss clutched Blake's hand in her own, trembling. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, this is my fault." Blake shook her head.

"But I'm the one who likes causing pain." Weiss protested.

"It's not that simple, and you know it." Blake countered.

"It's the truth." Weiss insisted.

"No it's not Weiss." Ruby challenged.

"It doesn't matter." Weiss sighed. "I won't do it anymore."

"That's not fair." Ruby noted.

"Weiss, look at me." Blake instructed. Weiss glanced at Blake before making eye contact. Blake reached up to cup her cheek, drawing her into a slow, gentle kiss, before leaning her forehead against Weiss'. "I love you, Weiss, I always have, and I always will. Yes, sadism does concern me, but I have handled this very poorly. I'm the one who should be sorry. You can't apologize for who you are, not when you've never caused someone malicious harm. Neon told me how happy you made her, how carefully you treated her, and I believe it...Ruby, she doesn't push me, but there is a side of her I can't satisfy because I'm uncomfortable doing so. Telling you to stop isn't fair to either of you, so I won't. Just...tone it down when I'm around, please?"

Weiss stared at Blake silently, slightly dazed, then she turned to Ruby. "Ruby, are you okay with this?"

Ruby smiled, pecking Weiss on the cheek. "As long as all of us are okay, I'm okay...I'm really having fun Weiss. It's new and exciting, and hey, we just had our first...speed bump! We're doing great!"

Weiss scoffed. "Yes, I suppose some drama was going to occur eventually...I was just...my last relationship, before Neon, ended because I frightened her. She was very meek and shy, and I was growing impatient. When things finally heated up, I dug my nails in. It just felt right at the time. She cried out, pushed me away and fled...she broke up with me via text. I was heartbroken and confused, and angry and just...scared, about what I'd done wrong. I thought I was being too pushy, but it wasn't until I hurt her that she ran...it wasn't until Neon that I realized why I did it. She opened my eyes to a lot of things, helped me explore my limits...made me feel...strong. I don't think I ever thanked you Blake, for giving me that push. If none of that ever happened, I don't know what we would be right now, or how we would have handled this."

"Possibly panic, screaming, scratching, hitting." Blake smirked.

"Two of those don't sound so bad." Ruby joked.

"Screaming and scratching?" Weiss asked.

"Usually not bad things...in this context." Ruby grinned.

"Hmm, I have a few scars to prove it...others scars, not...you know, the ones on my back." Weiss fumbled. She indeed carried many little white scars on her back, similar to, but more serious than Ruby's. Weiss encouraged Neon to dig deep.

"I like 'em 'cuz we match." Ruby chuckled.

"Hmm, better than any tattoo." Weiss smiled.

"Heals quicker though." Ruby noted.

"How would you know?" Weiss asked.

"Aunt Raven has a tattoo I designed." Ruby explained. "I got to watch it being done."

"And where is this tattoo?" Blake asked.

Ruby smirked. "Left buttock!"

Ren woke in the middle of the night. It was unusual for him, as he usually slept straight through to his alarm without trouble. More than that, something was not quite right. Something was missing. Then it hit him. Nora's snoring. The bedroom was oddly silent. Sitting up, he could see the door open a crack, allowing a glimpse of the light beyond. Ren was not particularly worried. Nora often had to get up to use the bathroom during the night. Still, he decided it was wise to check. He swiveled out of bed and walked from the room. The living room was dark but the kitchen was lit up. Following the light, he soon found Nora.

Nora was sitting at the kitchen table, an ice cream carton before her. She held a spoon in her hand, it was overly large but somehow fitting. She was sniffling, with the occasional tear running down her face. "Nora, what's wrong?" Ren asked.

Nora jolted and looked up. "Oh...Ren...I was just...it's nothing."

Ren moved to sit beside her, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, talk to me. It's not like you to cry while eating ice cream."

"Well I...I'm just worried." Nora admitted.

"What about?" Ren asked.

"About our daughter." Nora patted her stomach. "I thought eating ice cream would make me feel better, but it isn't working."

"Why are you worried?" Ren pressed. "Are you feeling alright? Is something wrong?"

"No, there's nothing wrong." Nora shook her head. "It's just, what if we give her a crappy name?" Ren raised a curious eyebrow. "If we give her a lame name, it could define her for her entire life! And if we give her a name that makes it easy to make fun of her…like if it rhymes with something...I don't want our daughter to be bullied."

"I'm sure we'll decide on a fine name." Ren assured her. "And we'll be careful to explore all the possibilities."

"But what if it rhymes with an insult we don't even know about?!" Nora persisted. "What if we give her an alright name, but some serial killer or dictator ends up having the same name?! She'd have to live with that stigma forever!"

"Come on Nora, I'm sure everything will work out." Ren encouraged. "Plus, we'll give her a middle name she can use if the first one doesn't work out. Besides, lots of people we know have weird names, and they all turned out alright. Look at Yang. Her name rhymes with bang."

"Yeah, and she totally owns it." Nora nodded, managing a smile. "Okay, okay, our daughter's name will be great! No need to worry!" Nora looked down, her lip quivered, and she began to cry once more.

"What's wrong now?" Ren asked.

"We're out of ice cream!" Nora whined.