Hey guys shorter chapter this week but plenty of fluff, let me know what you think with a review please it really helps me out. Also no new chapters for 3 weeks sorry I work 7 days a week and things have really gotten on top of me at the moment I promise I'll be back though.

Cuddles and Conflict.

The ward.

It was a while before professor Peach relented with his lecture. He then produced his scroll from his blazer pocket and called the catering staff to bring two meals up to them. While they waited, he stuck two sensors to Velvets temples and observed her vital signs on one of the monitors by her bedside. He frowned as he scrutinized the sensor readings. "Have you been partaking in any strenuous activity today Velvet?" he asked, eyeing his patient suspiciously. Velvet shook her head in response. "You're showing lower aura readings than I would have expected, it's imperative you rest. So try to stay in bed as much as possible, ok?" he added with fatherly concern. Velvet nodded in affirmation.

He removed the sensors and turned his attention to Cardin. "And how're you feeling?" He said sweetly.

"Uh... Fine I guess." Cardin replied noncommittally.

"Good, I'm going to have to sit you up, your wounds need inspecting." Cardin nodded as he let the professor pull him upright, his face tinted slightly pink at the embarrassment of needing help to sit up. "Those dressings will need changing too." Professor Peach added.

Cardin raised his arms, gritting his teeth at the pain flaring up in his injured shoulder as the professor removed his T-shirt. The professor finally noticed Cardin's slight blush. "No need to go red in the face, I'm sure you boys pose shirtless for the ladies in the gym all the time" Peach teased. Cardin's face went a deeper shade of red as Velvet giggled girlishly.

The professor snapped on a pair of latex gloves before removing the bandages crisscrossing his patient's torso. "Hmmm" the professor said as he examined Cardin's wounds. "There's almost no swelling and it looks like the redness has lessened significantly from yesterday. You must have some great healing potential from your aura." He rebound Cardin's torso with fresh bandages and did the same for the wound on Cardin's thigh.

"Thanks, sir" Cardin mumbled.

"Don't thank me yet Cardin. You won't be making a full recovery." The professor stated flatly.

"I...WHAT!?" Cardin exploded.

"Yes, I'm afraid your ego will never be as absurdly large as it once was" Peach replied, flashing a smile at Cardin. Velvet coughed a few times before losing the battle against her laughter, she giggled loudly whilst hugging her sides and wiping away a few tears.

"Yeah... Real funny." Cardin sighed as he regained his composure.

The catering staff entered with their food and placed the covered trays on the patient's bedside cabinets alongside glasses of water. Both Cardin and Velvets stomachs groaned and rumbled; they hadn't realized how hungry they were. "Be sure to eat, it will help you recover your strength" Peach ordered, pointing an accusatory finger at both students in turn.

Peach held the door open for the cooks as they left and turned back to wave at the two students before following the catering staff out. No sooner had the door swung closed that both Cardin and Velvet tore the lids from their trays and dug into their meals with gusto. Noodle soup with freshly baked bread was devoured in minutes; no words were exchanged between the pair until they had both finished. Cardin sipped at his water frowning, the drink had been kept too close to the food on its journey from the kitchen to the infirmary. As a result the water was tepid and not entirely pleasant.

"Your water warm too?" Velvet asked.

"Yeah." Cardin replied, looking up from his glass and setting it aside. At his response Velvet leaned over the side of her bed, rummaging underneath for something. Cardin tried and failed to resist the urge to leer as Velvet's position afforded him a tantalizing view of her toned backside, finally he managed to tear his gaze away and focus on the much less enjoyable view given by the ward's sole window.

"Cardin?" He looked back; Velvet had resumed her sitting position but now held two identical cans in her hands. "Catch" She said throwing one to him, he caught it deftly. He examined the can; the brand of drink was unfamiliar to him. Three white claw marks were etched into one side of its shiny black surface, beneath it the word Grimm was scrawled in menacing font, it felt cold to the touch. He looked up at Velvet who noticed the unspoken question in his eyes. "It's a heavily caffeinated energy drink, Coco smuggled them in for me."

"I've never seen so many warning labels on a soft drink" Cardin said, eyeing the can suspiciously as he read the small print. "May contain trace amounts of deathstalker venom" he read aloud in disbelief from the can's ingredient list.

Velvet rolled her eyes before opening her own can and sipping its contents. "They're nice, just try it." she said, trying to coax her roommate into trying something new.

Cardin sighed in resignation, "fine but if it kills me I'm blaming you" he said snapping it open and sipping it cautiously. A burst of flavor erupted on his tongue, sweet and sugary at first with a metallic yet tangy aftertaste. It was... It was... amazing! He took another, much less cautious slurp from the can and didn't bother to stop the contented sigh from leaving his throat.

"Told you." Velvet said smugly, she'd already finished her drink and threw the empty can into the waste bin by her bedside.

"Ok, ok, you were right... for once" Cardin taunted as Velvet leaned over the edge of her bed.

"Pfft, bully" she snorted rummaging noisily around for another beverage. Being addressed as 'bully' was starting to frustrate Cardin, he regretted what he had done, sure he still hadn't apologized yet but he was doing his best to make it up to her.

"Not anymore." Cardin murmured.

Outside the infirmary.

The gathering of students filtered out of the infirmary building and across the white flagstones of one of Beacon's many courtyards as they made their way to the dining hall. Flint and Rod were still arguing over whose fault it was that they'd been picked for the mission. Russell for his part kept his distance, not wanting to risk Fox's wrath. The look he'd had in his eyes when his blade was pressed against Russell's neck terrified the first year. The look? Pull yourself together Russ. You're being paranoid; the blind bastard doesn't even have pupils. There was no look, his mind admonished.

"Russell?" Yatsuhashi's voice snapped him out of his reverie. "Mind if we talk for a moment?" Sky and Dove looked at Russell, he nodded and the pair slinked away with the other student's leaving Russell and Yatsuhashi to their discussion. Fox cast a suspicious glance over his shoulder at the pair forcing Russell to suppress a shiver.

The duo walked in silence for a time, trailing behind the main contingent heading for the dining hall. Yatsuhashi finally spoke, "I'm concerned." Russell waited for the towering second year to elaborate, he didn't.

"About what?"

"Why you put yourself in harm's way." Yatsuhashi stated flatly.

"You sound like you have a theory" Russell replied evasively, wondering whether Yatsuhashi had deduced his teammates drug problem.

"You're struggling to lead the team in Cardin's place."

Russell nodded before speaking as he tried to articulate his feelings on the matter. "The rest of them are upper class, it's hard to gain the respect of someone who thinks they're inherently above you. Cardin never treated me any different but Sky and Dove did. They don't think I should be leader, not even temporarily."

"So you feel like you have something to prove?" Yatsuhashi inquired. Russell nodded. "Can't you just ask Cardin for advice?"

"Oh and how would that look?" Russell's voice took on a more sarcastic tone. "Oh hey Cardin, I know I've been leading the team for half a day but I got my ass beat, the others barely recognize my authority and Sky's taking stimms again." Russell clamped his hand over his mouth and took a sharp intake of breath as he realized what he'd let slip to a member of the team that his were currently feuding with.

"It's alright Russell, I won't tell anyone. Though I insist you get him the help he needs."

Russell let out a deep sigh of relief, "thanks Yatsu."

"By the way I wouldn't say you got your ass beat, you did very well considering your opponent."

"I was actually worried he was going to carry on after the alarm sounded" Russell confided.

Yatsuhashi's mouth curled into a smile as he cocked an eyebrow at Russell's confession. "You needn't worry, Fox may be angry with your team but he's not going to act on it without Coco's permission."

"Great, I feel way safer now." Russell jested sarcastically. "Hey Yatsu, why were you concerned anyway?"

"You may have treated Velvet badly before but I feel like you're changing for the better, I'd hate to see you get killed for what you used to be when you're becoming so much more."

"Nah, I'm still a dick." Russell replied smirking, I haven't changed... have I? Russell wondered as he began to doubt himself.

Yatsuhashi rolled his eyes, a rare gesture for the normally stoic second year, before speaking. "A dick wouldn't have stood up for his teammate." Russell sniggered at the accidental innuendo, Yatsuhashi's eyes went wide as he realised what he'd said. "That's not what I meant and you know it." the second year added hurriedly, unable to stop his lips splitting into a smile.

"Ah that reminds me, its been bugging me. A couple of weeks ago I wouldn't have bet on Cardin coming to the rescue when Coco had a hold of me but now..."

"You wonder if he did it because he's your teammate or because of Velvets influence, you believe he's changed." Yatsuhashi observed astutely.

"Yeah, pretty much." Russell replied shrugging.

"He does seem more personable" Yatsuhashi mumbled in agreement.

"You worried Velvets changing too?" Yatsuhashi nodded without meeting Russell's eyes, unable to vocalize his opinion on the touchy subject. "What are you going to do about it?" Russell asked.

Yatsu baulked at the unexpected question. "Nothing, if Velvet decides to change who she is then I must respect her decision." He answered with conviction.

"Fair enough." Russell replied, unsure of what else he could say.

Finally they arrived at the dining hall, the smell of cooked meat and roasted vegetables hung in the air, beckoning hungry students inside. Team CFVY and CRDL waited at the open doors for their respective teammates. The pair walked over to join them. Team CRDL took the lead. "What did Yazookassi want?" A slightly limping Dove asked as they entered the dining hall which was awash with the sound of cutlery scraping against plates, students bustling to and fro chatting about classes and catering staff singing out orders in a lilting cadence.

Russell rolled his eyes, "it's Yatsuhashi" he corrected, "and that's between me and him." Sky and Dove shrugged at his response in unspoken agreement not to press the matter.

A short distance behind the trio, Yatsuhashi allowed himself a small smile as he overhead Russell's correction. "You fraternizing with the enemy now too?" Fox asked as he sidled up alongside his teammate. Yatsuhashi's brow furrowed at the question.

"They are fellow huntsman not en-"

"-Who just so happen to have hospitalized your teammate" Fox interrupted.

"That wasn't anyone's fault Fox, it was just a bad thing that happened." Yatsuhashi soothed as team CFVY entered the queue, thank dust that CRDL is too far in front to hear this Yatsuhashi thought. He was also grateful that Nora was loudly giving pointers to Flint and Gray on how to improve their accuracy just in front of team CFVY, the noise helped to mask their debate.

"If that mohawked idiot hadn't been making a power play against his leader none of this would have ever happened." Fox growled in response.

"Velvet will make a full recovery; Coco already has, once this mission is out of the way things will be back to normal."

"How is Coco supposed to fight on a mission without her weapon, what if the city is breached again? Where does she get two thousand Lien, did you think about that?" Fox shot back, barely keeping his voice from becoming a snarl.

"I-" Yatsuhashi began.

"-I already have it" Coco interrupted slapping a folded piece of paper into Fox's palm.

Fox looked down and unfolded it. "Two thousand Lien?..." Yatsuhashi gasped in disbelief, examining the cheque over his teammate's shoulder. "...From Cardin?" He asked, reading aloud from the creased scrap of paper. Yatsuhashi and Fox both stood with Jaws agape, stunned into silence by the revelation.

Fox's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he re-examined the paper cupped in his scarred palm more closely, "how do you know it isn't some sort of joke?"

"I don't... But I don't think its a joke." Coco replied pointedly.

"Why would he give you that though?" Fox said skeptically.

Coco sighed before answering. "It's going to sound weird but... I think he might have changed..."

"Bullshit" Fox growled.

Coco sighed, "that's what I thought when Velvet told me he'd changed. Just give him a chance."

"No, after everything he's said, everything he's done, he doesn't deserve a chance." Fox snapped in reply, taking a couple steps back from his teammates.

"You're letting your emotions control you Fox." Yatsuhashi counseled

"No I'm not. Am I the only sane one here?" Fox hissed.

"Maybe if you kept your emotions in check you wouldn't have come so close to being beaten by a first year." Yatsuhashi intoned calmly. The near instant change in Fox's body language made it clear the comment had touched a nerve. He stepped up to the mountain of muscle that was his teammate, Yatsu's tremendous height forced Fox to crane his neck back to stare into his friend's eyes. If Yatsuhashi's massive stature intimidated Fox he didn't show it, his fists clenched by his sides as the two friends squared off against each other.

"You're doing it now; you're letting your anger rule you." Yatsuhashi intoned wisely, he hadn't moved an inch, with the exception of tilting his head down to meet his teammates hostile stare.

"Fuck you!" Fox roared, sending the dining hall into total and immediate silence.

Coco tugged on his arm, trying to stop the confrontation from escalating, "Fox please-" Coco pleaded.

Fox tore free from her grip, fixing her with his blank stare, just long enough to utter a single word, "don't." He stalked from the room, the crowd parting like water on a boats bow.

Ahead of them in the queue Russell, Sky and Dove had just procured their meals and made their way to their usual table.

They passed teams RWBY and JNPR, Sky and Jaune exchanged awkward greetings, brought somewhat closer together by the shared experience of giving Cardin first aid. Dove kept Russell between himself and Ruby, though whether this was from the embarrassment of nearly having his leg cut off by the young leader or the fear of her doing it again, Russell wasn't sure. He was more concerned with what had just transpired between the members of team CFVY.

Taking their seats, Russell noticed the red haired member of team RFGE looking directly at him. Their eyes met and she fired an alluring smirk his way before turning back to once again immerse herself in conversation with Flint and Gray. She appeared to be acting as a mediator between the two twins as they yet again bickered over accuracy ratings.

Beacon's uniform did not nothing to hide her beauty, her angular face sat upon her swan like neck, her lithe form moved with practiced grace as she gesticulated wildly in an effort to stem the tide of insults the twins exchanged. Her jade green eyes flashed with amusement as her luscious lips parted to let loose an angelic laugh. The fair skinned focus of Russell's attention stood to pat Flint roughly on the back to congratulate him for a particularly harsh comeback, revealing herself to be Russell's height. Ember... Yeah that was her name, Russell thought. Her flame red hair cresting her high cheek boned head matched her name perfectly. She had styled it into a faux hawk lending a feathered yet dangerous aspect to her appearance.

Ember looked good in her school uniform; however she looked even better in her combat gear. Her battle outfit consisted of a formfitting maroon body glove with black armor plates securely buckled on top. Her left arm was completely encased in segmented rings of metal, a narrow spaulder covered her right shoulder. A studded maroon leather glove hugged her sword hand. The torso of the body glove had a tailor made armor plate buckled to the front and back, providing protection without limiting her range of movement. She'd fought Yang immediately after Russell's match with Fox and absolutely wiped the floor with the first year, Yang hadn't landed a single hit as the slender second year danced nimbly out of the way of every punch thrown. It was both impressive and scary to watch, Ember's deadly dance was violent yet captivating.

Her weapons were almost as impressive as her prowess in battle. A segmented gauntlet with rounded fire dust crystals set into the knuckles encased her left arm from slender shoulder to elegant fingertip. Her sword arm brandished a double edged short sword, the large burnished orange crystal in the pommel allowing her to set her sword alight with orange flame when aura was channeled through the weapon. On the first day of school, before the initiation, Russell was sure he'd heard Ruby swoon and exclaim in excitement at the mere sight of Ember's fire sword. Oh and she's downright beautiful Russell thought as he looked away, he sighed.

"What is it Russ?" Sky asked quietly.

"Ember keeps looking at me and smiling." Russell answered.

"Maybe she's looking at me..." Dove pitched in.

Russell blew a raspberry before replying, "oh yeah, and why would that be."

Dove looked down at his shoes in embarrassment. "I told her I'd got injured fighting an Ursa, I was trying to impress her... Turns out she saw Ruby cut me."

"Really, so what did she say" Sky asked, his voice cracking as he tried to keep a straight face.

"That she'd never seen an Ursa disguise itself as a 15 year old girl before." Dove mumbled in reply.

Sky coughed as he choked on his drink though his lips were upturned in a smile, Russell snickered, the pair exploded into laughter.

"Screw you guys" Dove muttered.

Russell wiped the moisture from his eyes and yet again caught Ember smiling at him in the periphery of his vision. Just what is Ember's deal? Russell wondered as he felt his cheeks grow hot.

The ward, later the same evening.

Cardin and Velvet had spent the rest of the afternoon sat at the wards only table, talking, playing card games and watching funny videos on scrolltube. It felt good to laugh, Cardin thought, it felt even nicer to hear Velvet's feminine giggle.

Peals of thunder rolled through the open window, followed soon after by a sudden yet heavy downpour. Velvet closed the window as the pleasant breeze became a howling wind. The pair sat together and watched the unseasonal storm for a while, their ongoing conversation momentarily forgotten.

Cardin cleared his throat, "So where were we?" he prompted.

"I think I was just telling you about how faunus may have legal rights on paper but often don't get treated the same way in practice." Velvet answered uncertainly.

"Yeah that was it, you were saying you had a personal example?"

"Yeah... where were you born Cardin?" Velvet asked.

"Vale."

"I meant more specifically?" she prompted.

"Oh, V.W. general hospital."

"Do you know why?"

"Because any person, human or faunus, who needs medical attention has the right to be treated free of charge anywhere on remnant?" Cardin answered citing commonly known legislation.

"Correct" Velvet praised smiling. The smile faded "I was delivered by a veterinarian."

"A vets?" Cardin blurted in disbelief.

Velvet nodded sadly. "Yes, when my father drove my mother to hospital, she was told that due to her faunus traits, the doctors were not qualified to deliver me."

"That's pretty fucked up" Cardin observed, not sure what else he could say. Velvet yawned, "you tired?" She nodded in response as she yawned again. "Then go to bed, you need your rest Velvet" Cardin scolded, mimicking professor Peach's effeminate tone. Velvet giggled at his impersonation as she rose to her feet and flopped into bed, pulling the thin sheet that was her bed cover over herself to stave off the cold brought on by the unseasonal storm. Cardin wheeled himself to his bed and did the same, checking his scroll for the time, 11:35 PM. He set an alarm for 7 AM and turned the volume down hoping that when it sounded it wouldn't wake Velvet.

Velvet's sleep was disturbed by a particularly loud blast of thunder, she noticed herself shivering, the thin sheet providing little protection from the room's frigid air. She was sure she could see her breath mist in the air as she checked the wall clock which showed the time as 01:20 AM. She could hear the shrill wind battering the windows alongside the insistent tapping of rain drops. Brief flashes of lightning illuminated the vociferous barrage of the storm, before once again plunging the starless night sky into darkness. A still shivering Velvet closed her eyes, hoping the realm of blissful sleep would soon reclaim her.

Over the tumult, Velvet's enhanced faunus hearing picked up the faint rattling of Cardin trying to stealthily clamber into his wheelchair. She considered telling him she was already awake but decided against it. The chairs wheels squeaked softly as Cardin began to move. Velvet resisted the urge to open her eyes as she heard Cardin approach her bedside, what was that rustling sound she wondered. Cardin unknowingly answered her unspoken question as he gently draped his own bed sheet over her.

Velvet felt him move away and could hold her tongue no longer. "Cardin wait." she said rising to a sitting position.

"You're awake!" he yelped softly in surprise, his face tinting pink at being caught in the act of kindness, the blush perfectly visible to Velvets night vision. "Y- you were shivering" he said by way of explanation as he blindly turned to face her in the rooms darkness.

"I know, thank you, but I can't take this, you're shivering too" Velvet replied.

"What? No I'm not."

"Cardin I'm a faunus, I can see you shivering."

He sighed in defeat. "Just keep it please, I'll put my jacket on." Velvet felt her heart rate skyrocket as she processed her roommate's new found selflessness.

"I'm still cold even with two blankets, you're not going to be warm with just a jacket."

"Then what do you suggest?" Cardin replied.

"Um..." Velvet's throat went dry. "W-we c-could always cuddle?" She stammered, she could see Cardin's eyes snap wide open the second the words left her mouth.

Go on, Cardin's mind encouraged, who knows what will happen. "I- if you're sure" he replied nervously.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Cardin wheeled himself back over to her bedside and placed his hands on the bed's railing, "Um Velvet..." his cheeks flushed pink. "I can't see, would you mind helping me up?" he asked sheepishly.

"Sure" she replied, leaning over to hook her hands underneath Cardin's arms, careful not to touch any of the bandages that bound the torso beneath his tank top. "On three?" she prompted. Cardin nodded.

"One." Cardin began.

"Two." Velvet continued.

"Three!" the pair grunted in unison as they threw Cardin's body onto the bed.

He landed atop Velvet, winding them both upon impact, her arms were still wrapped around his back. He looked into Velvets glossy chestnut-eyes, visible to him now they were barely inches from his own. I could do it, I could kiss her right now, Cardin thought as his eyes fell upon the alluring sight of her full supple lips a mere inch from his own. He looked back up, meeting her entrancing gaze once more. Velvet's eyes seemed to be almost pleading...

Why wont he just kiss me? Velvet thought in frustration. I'm giving him all the hints, I'm giving him the look, I asked him to cuddle. I wish I were brave enough to make the first move, she thought as the image of herself pulling Cardin down into a lustful kiss materialized in her mind.

"S-sorry" Cardin stammered as he rolled to Velvet's side. She let out a frustrated sigh. "What is it?" Cardin asked, his voice a strong cocktail of concern and embarrassment. "Did I hurt you?"

"It's ok, just winded that's all" she lied.

Cardin must have sensed something off with her voice, "you sure?" his question tinged with doubt.

She rolled to face him and propped herself up on one elbow. Velvet cocked her head to one side, her rabbit ears drooped down and dangled at the top edge of her vision. "I'm fine... other than being cold I mean."

Cardin wordlessly reached forward and gently guided Velvet into a surprisingly light embrace. Her leg hooked behind his, pulling the pair closer together, she draped an arm across his muscular torso as he wrapped his arm around her, his fingers lightly caressing the patch of exposed skin between her tank top and exercise shorts. Their limbs intertwined as yet again she found his body pressed against her own, her head rested on his chest as she looked up at his handsome face. Cardin placed a hand on her forearm as if he was afraid of losing her in the darkness, though Velvet doubted there was anything that could make her leave the warm and comfortable embrace.

His tempting, kissable lips were just out of reach, Velvet comforted herself with the sound of his steady and persistent heartbeat. She looked up again into his face, surprised to find Cardin had already passed out, his features relaxed in the perfect example of serenity, the barest hint of a smile ghosted his lips as he dreamed, who is he dreaming about, Velvet wondered as exhaustion slowly pulled her eyelids closed. As her consciousness faded she focused on the sensation of her fingers dancing across his forearm and creeping towards his hand. Velvet interlocked her fingers with Cardin's, as sleep finally claimed her she swore she felt his heart skip a beat.

Team CFVY dorm room, the evening.

Fox still hadn't returned to the dorm, Yatsuhashi had offered to help find him but Coco had politely declined. Besides she knew exactly where he was, though she was torn between wanting to give him time and needing to make sure he was ok. As the rain began to fall from the darkening sky she made her decision. Coco told Yatsuhashi that she would be back with Fox within the hour and left him to his meditations. She donned her casual clothes which consisted of blue jeans and a designer tan leather jacket over her crosshair T-shirt. Finally she mounted the Beret on her head and grabbed her smokes and lighter and left the dorm without another word.

She reached the front porch of the dormitory building, a sheet of rain cascaded down in front of her eyes. Coco lit her cigarette and let out a deep, smoke filled sigh and stepped out into the elemental onslaught. Her right hand curled protectively over her cigarette while her left hand gripped her beret to stop the wind from snatching it away. Within a few steps Coco was thoroughly soaked but she didn't care, Fox needed her and she needed Fox. She made her way through the school grounds, leaning against the ferocious wind. Finally she reached the gardens, the tree canopy providing intermittent but welcome protection from the wind and rain.

She arrived at the pond, and sure enough Fox stood on its shore, skipping stones across the water with practiced ease. His drenched uniform clung to his muscular frame. His copper colored hair was plastered against his head. He had his back to her, the corded muscles of his back and shoulders accentuated by the white shirt clinging to his body as he pulled back his arm and flicked another stone across the surface. Five bounces.

Fox crouched and retrieved another handful of stones. Again his arm pulled back and let loose another. Four bounces. "Don't ignore me." Coco finally said.

Fox's arm fell to his side, his shoulders sagged as he looked at his feet. "Why are you here?"

"Because I care about you." Coco stated matter of factly. Fox threw another stone across the pond. Three bounces.

"Then you care about a pathetic person" Fox growled icily, still not turning round. He let fly another rock. It thunked into the surface and sank immediately.

"What are you talking about?" Coco asked softly, edging closer.

"Russell, I should have beaten him easily, instead he put my aura in the yellow. I'm pathetic."

His arm wound back to throw another stone but Coco seized his wrist, the rock clattered to the floor. Coco pulled Fox towards her roughly, she embraced him tightly wrapping her arms around his waist, her face pressed against the drenched cotton shirt covering his chest listening to his steady heartbeat.

"You're not pathetic" her muffled voice reached Fox's ears. Coco tilted her head upwards and pulled Fox's head down as she rose to her tiptoes. Their lips collided passionately, their tongues fought for dominance for a full minute before a momentary truce was allowed. Fox savored the sweet taste of Coco's lips on his own as both members of team CFVY gasped for air before their lips hungrily met again.

Fox broke contact and cupped Coco's well-manicured hands in his scarred palms. "Coco... I love you"

She punched him playfully on the shoulder. "Bastard! I was just going to say that."

Fox shrugged. "There's still time."

Coco smirked and shook her head. "I love you Fox, from this day until my last day."

Fox shook his head, "just had to go one better, didn't you?"

"You know it babe" Coco teased as she stepped away. "Now come on let's get inside, you and Yatsu need to talk things through."

Fox gazed at his partner longingly with his sightless eyes. His leader and lover was backlit by the flashes of lightning from the magnificent storm. Both were beautiful to behold and yet destructive to face. He took her hand in his as she led him back through the gardens and school grounds. They arrived outside their dormitory door, Coco stepped forward to open the door but Fox pulled her away, "What is it?" Coco queried.

"I need you to promise me something" Fox stated mysteriously.

"Anything" Coco acquiesced after a short pause.

"After this mission, you're letting me take you to dinner."

"I don't know I'll have to check my schedule..." Coco teased.

"I'm going to take that as a yes" Fox sighed unable to prevent a smirk from developing.

Coco pecked him lightly on the cheek and whispered into his ear seductively.. "You better."

The ward, the following afternoon.

By the third day of confinement Cardin and Velvet were becoming restless. At first they'd passed the time with 'I spy with my faunus eye', though they had ran out of objects to use yesterday. Last night they had taken to watching funny videos on scrolltube, though even watching Nora repeatedly waking up Ren with strange sloth noises had lost its appeal. Then there had been the... cuddling, Cardin wasn't really sure what to make of it. She was cold, it was out of necessity, he kept repeating over and over in his head. Fuck I'm not even convincing myself.

Velvet had taken to doing pushups and sit-ups on the floor beside her bed, doing her level best to maintain her fitness level. Cardin could only sit and watch, not that he minded. Sure, it was a little aggravating to see someone else with the freedom to exercise whilst his injuries confined him to his bed or chair but the view Velvets exercise routine afforded more than made up for it. Hell, he was even starting to wonder whether she was doing it on purpose.

Velvet finished her latest set of sit ups and flopped into a chair by her bedside. She wiped her face with a small towel and then flashed a grin at Cardin. "84." She announced proudly.

"Three more reps than last time" Cardin replied.

Velvet nodded as she snapped open yet another can of Grimm energy drink. "Want some?" She asked tilting the can towards him to accentuate her query.

Cardin was touched, the pair had been rationing the drinks ever since Coco smuggled them in. It was their one taste of freedom in the stark white prison since they hadn't sneaked onto the roof again, fearing further scrutiny from their peers. So an illicit can of energy drink was the only tie they had to the rest of the world, outside of visiting hours. They were down to the last can and Velvet was offering to share it with him. "Nah its ok, you have it" Cardin answered.

"You sure?" Velvet said coyly. "You were looking at it rather longingly."

Cardin's looked away quickly; he hadn't been looking at the can he'd been looking at Velvet. Fuck! Thank dust she thought I was looking at the drink; control yourself dammit! Cardin's mind berated. "Yeah" he finally replied.

Across the room, Velvet shrugged and sipped again, seemingly un-phased by his response, though in truth her mind was in turmoil. What if he wasn't looking at the can, what if he was looking at you? He might like you back? Velvets internal monologue blurted. Shut up, she chastised herself mentally.

Professor Peach's jaunty whistle warbled down the corridor foreshadowing his approach. He strolled into the room and continued whistling as he set down his bag and prepared his sensors and scanners. No words needed to be exchanged as Velvet and Cardin knew the routine by now and simply waited for him to finish his tune.

Velvet swept her long brown hair behind her ears so the professor could attach sensors to her temples. She held out her hand as he clipped a sensor to the tip of her ring finger. He turned on one of the wall monitors and examined the readings with just as much enthusiasm as the last six times he'd gone through this routine.

He flicked off the monitor and strutted over to his other patient. Cardin sighed and removed his tank top to allow Peach access to his wounds. "Isn't this the seventh time you've done this?" Cardin asked with mild irritation.

"Yeah, got to keep changing the dressings to aerate the wound and make sure everythings in order." Peach replied sweetly, speaking for the first time since he'd entered the room. He removed the dressings carefully and wiped the wounds over with a sterilizing agent. "You can put your clothes back on now."

"But you haven't redressed the wound?"

"That's because your wounds have closed up."

"Really?" Cardin said with a start. Glancing down and looking at his torso. He ran his hands over the puckered lines of stitches in disbelief. He was far from well but it was the first tangible sign of progress towards recovery he'd had.

"Yup, need you to lie on your front though" peach answered, "carefully" he added as an afterthought. Cardin did as instructed as the professor turned on his scroll and pulled a thin cylindrical xray scanner from his bag. He pulled up Cardin's tank top and ran the wand like scanner across Cardin's lower back. "Hmmn" the professor sounded pleasantly surprised, good sign, Cardin thought, allowing a modicum of hope to seep into his mind. "Your body seems to have accepted the augmentics" the professor stated happily.

"That's... Good...isn't it?" Cardin dared to ask apprehensively.

"It's very good!" Peach declared. "Tomorrow you can attempt to walk, under my supervision of course."

"Sweet!" Cardin replied cheerily, his lips splitting into a broad smile. Velvet also seemed pleased, she grinned at the news.

The students smiles were contagious and their joy had certainly infected Peach. "You should be fighting fit for your mission by next week; you heard anything new about it yet?" The professor asked as he packed away his equipment.

"Not really. Professor Port text our scrolls, he said he'd stop by tomorrow evening to brief us on the basics." Velvet answered.

"Ok well keep me informed" Peach ordered curtly before making his goodbyes and striding from the room, resuming his whistling rendition of whatever jaunty tune it was that had been stuck in his head for the last three days.

Velvet turned to her roommate, "looks like you'll be dancing soon" she said hopefully.

"Nah, can't dance." Cardin admitted as he pulled himself to the end of the bed, his bare feet dangling an inch from the floor.

"Really?" Velvet asked with genuine surprise. "Hey where are you going?" She asked as Cardin inched forward.

"You heard the professor, I can walk."

"He said you can attempt to walk and he also said tomorrow." Velvet scolded as she sat up in her chair.

"Pffft whatever, same thing." Cardin replied as he slid forward and unsteadily stood for the first time in 3 days. His hands gripped the railing of his bed behind him with white knuckles.

Velvet rose to her feet and padded across the tiled floor towards him. "Hey what're you doing?" Cardin asked as she gently rested her hands on his shoulders.

"If you're not going to listen to Peach's advice then I'm going to make sure you don't hurt yourself." She answered, her tone making it clear there was no room for debate.

"Thanks Velvet" Cardin said as he leaned forward slowly forcing himself upright.

His body shook with the effort "maybe you should wait till tomorrow" Velvet said nervously. Cardin shook his head and biting his lip, he let go with his left hand, then his right.

He took a determined step forward, Velvet backed up, though her hands never broke contact with Cardin's muscular shoulders. Another step, another, then Cardin's luck ran out "shit!" He yelled as he fell forward.

In a flash, Velvets arms pulled him forward into a tight embrace and arrested his fall. "Its alright, I've got you" she soothed. Cardin's labored breathing wheezed beside her ear as she supported him with his head hung limply over her shoulder, their cheeks brushed lightly against each other as she dragged him to a seat.

"Thanks" he wheezed as she lowered him down onto the chair.

"No problem" Velvet noticed his downtrodden expression as he rested his elbows on his knees, his head hanging low. "You ok?" she asked, crouching in front of him.

"I'm pathetic." Cardin sighed, refusing to meet his roommate's eyes.

"No, you're not" Velvet soothed, delicately cupping Cardin's rough hands in her own graceful palms. Cardin pulled away from the contact, still staring as his feet. Velvet rested her left hand on his shoulder applying gentle pressure to push him upright. The fingers of her right hand gently caressed his cheek before tracing his jawline and cupping his chin. She gently raised his head, "I mean it" she added with conviction, staring into Cardin's eyes. His expression softened but she could tell he wanted to say something. "What is it?" Velvet queried as she relinquished her touch.

"Velvet... I was wondering... would you..." Velvet leaned forward with obvious interest, feeling her heart hammering in her chest in anticipation, this is it, he's going to take the first step. "...would you help me learn to walk again?" Velvet's disappointment must have shown on her face as Cardin visibly winced. "You don't have to, it was stupid of me to ask, I-"

"-No! Cardin I want to help" Velvet interrupted. Cardin sighed in relief. "Providing you don't push yourself too hard" she added pointedly.

"Thanks Velvet." Cardin said appreciatively with a smile.

Velvet returned the gesture with a grin of her own "Anything for a friend."

So finally a little fluff, after all that nagging you guys did :P (just kidding) let me know what you thought, was it too cheesy, not enough, too much teasing? Write a review I really need to hear your opinions, thanks again, I hope you enjoyed reading it!

Remember no new chapters for 3 weeks, though I'll say this, Velvet and Cardin finally get briefed on the mission.