Chapter 27

Blake's words stuck with Weiss all the way home, bouncing around her mind, mulled and considered every which way and that. It seemed a shock to hear them come from Blake, but then again she did not truly know the Faunus. The only impressions she had to add to her brief encounters were second hand accounts and fleeting ones at that. Her words echoed Pyrrha's in a way, family above all, dedication and loyalty. Perhaps they were the Fang's words too, or perhaps they were lessons hard learned through suffering. Whatever trials drove Blake from her supposed family had obviously left her disturbed. She did not have the heart to press on that trauma. She understood the fear of reliving it.

All in all, the trip had gone better than expected, which was more than she could say for most recent events. Blake was right, what little positivity existed in her life needed to be kept close, needed to be kept safe. Left alone, Weiss' mind turned upon itself, beat itself bloody, and left her mentally bruised. It was unhealthy, she was unhealthy. But she had a company to run, regardless of the stress it caused, and for years Pyrrha and Ren had been the greatest relievers of said stress. She had terribly missed their company.

It was a familiar sight to see Ren reading as she entered her penthouse. Well, as familiar as a sight could be having never seen him there before. They had read together often once, when Weiss lived more often with them than at her own home. That brief period of her life had been so beautiful, so calming, never wanting for intimacy nor intelligent company. But eventually a decision had to be made. With their engagement, Weiss could not bear to risk them any longer. She wanted them to be happy together, to be safe together, without the risks of her proximity.

It pained Weiss, but it was the only way. Without her in the picture they could focus more on one another, marry, and have children, like a couple should. She had said as much to Pyrrha, in what had become one of the most terrifying moments of her life. Pyrrha had merely smiled and laughed, the notion nonsense to her. Mistrali culture did not care for such exclusive bonds. Love was sacred, to be celebrated, to be cherished in all forms.

Weiss wished she believed so deeply in that, but all she ever felt was fear in love. Fear of loss, fear of heartbreak, of losing the ones she loved so dearly, of losing their love. She had managed to keep Coco, in spite of her father's meddling. She had kept her relationship with Velvet platonic, in spite of many moments of weakness, and resisted so many temptations during her weekend forays. It was Ren who broke her, and Pyrrha who enabled her.

"Weiss." Ren spoke in that lovely, gentle voice of his. "I take it things went well?" He asked, placing his book aside to cross the room to her.

"Yes actually, it was…" Weiss mulled over a correct and apt descriptor for the discussions held. "Enlightening? For Blake at least." Ren held out his hands to take her bags. Weiss chose to drop them instead, grasping his hands in her own and craning up to meet him in a kiss, lingering and sweet.

"I sense a story there." Ren murmured against her lips.

Weiss hummed, leaning into his form, enjoying his warmth. "Later...where is Pyrrha?"

"Visiting Coco and Velvet." Ren replied.

"Oh?" Weiss raised an eyebrow. "And left you all by your lonesome?"

"She had her reasons." Ren noted.

"Hmm, if I were her I'd fight tooth and nail to keep you close." Weiss grinned.

"Were it anywhere else, perhaps." Ren chuckled, leaning down.

Weiss sighed blissfully, feeling Ren nuzzle at her neck, laying small and gentle kisses one after the other, stoking a familiar fire within her, so long neglected. Oh, she had tried to tend to herself - frequently - in all manner of ways, but it was never enough. Nothing she could accomplish alone compare to the gentle touch of a lover, let alone rough. "I wasn't sure what brand of rice flour you wanted…" She whispered.

"It makes little difference." Ren shook his head, leaving a final kiss upon her skin. "It's the soup that you love."

"Gods do I." Weiss laughed, letting go to pick up several of the grocery bags. "I suppose we should get this over with."

"Don't sound so disappointed, we can cook soon after." Ren smiled, picking up the rest. "You know how attractive Pyrrha finds us when we're cooking."

"If slicing vegetables and trying not to make things spontaneously combust can be considered cooking, I suppose I qualify." Weiss scoffed as they made their way into the kitchen. For such an expensive setup it was never used to its true potential. Sandwiches, microwaved and frozen food made up the bulk of her homemade meals.

"You're improving in leaps and bounds Weiss, give yourself credit." Ren countered, lifting his bags onto the table, Weiss beside him. "The great thing about food is that you don't have to be perfect."

"But your pancakes are always perfect." Weiss whined.

"Because my mother encouraged me to help her from a very young age." Ren explained.

"Oh, so that's where my alcoholism came from…" Weiss rolled her eyes, pulling items from a second bag.

"Weiss-" Ren started.

"I know!" Weiss interjected. "I know...it's not that bad...just…" She paused as the pregnancy test box found its way into her hand, the blaringly pink cardboard glowing in the bright kitchen lights. It was odd really, that such a momentous event could all come down to some lines on a stick, that Pyrrha could come home and within an hour know if she had accomplished a dream.

"Weiss?" Ren's gentle voice drew Weiss from her musing. Warm hands found their way to her hips.

Weiss leaned back instinctively, meeting his gaze. "Are you excited?" She asked with a grin. "You might be a daddy tonight." She felt a chuckle run through his chest, his hands moving to link across her stomach.

"Extremely, can't you tell?" Ren asked.

"With a dumb smile like that?" Weiss whispered, pecking him on the jaw. "Pyrrha will be bouncing off the walls."

"You both will, or rather she'll carry you along with her." Ren shook with a laugh.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Weiss smiled in turn.

"Is that so?" Ren asked, his thumb stroking softly across her belly, the warmth within flaring at the implication.

"Hmm...for now." Weiss hummed, dropping the box to lay her hands across his. "Someday...when the time is right...maybe then I'll reconsider." Grasping at Ren's fingers, she led them slowly lower. "I still want to adopt...but Pyrrha will wear me down, you know she will."

"She always has." Ren craned to the side, planting a kiss on the edge of her lips, his fingers meeting a cold metal belt buckle. "Until then…"

"We can always pretend." Weiss murmured. With a clink her belt came free, Ren's hands making quick work of the button and zipper beneath, slipping within to glide across the silk beneath.

"I suppose the groceries can wait." Ren suggested.

"You're godd-amn right!" Weiss gasped as Ren's fingers brushed across her lower lips, the sensation dulled but not deadened by the thin material, which quickly became sodden from his ministrations. "More." She pled. Ren obliged, hooking a finger beneath the garment and tugging it aside. Weiss spread her legs wider, reaching back to hold onto her partner's hips for support, breathing heavier as he began to rain kisses along her throat. Finally probing fingers graced her flower, her jaw hanging open in silent exclamation as it was massaged and spread, the soft texture igniting a roaring blaze within her. Trembling, she reached upward to grasp the back of his thick hair. "Don't be so gentle with me."

"I don't want to leave any bruising." Ren whispered into her ear.

"Fuck bruising I can wear a scarf." Weiss hissed, hitching as her lover's fingers slid within her core. "I-I want you to mark me. I want you to make me yours and I want Pyrrha to cover them in a-ah!" She choked a gasp as Ren bit down harshly on her collar, sending a shock of arousal through her body. "Gods yes…"

"Tell me how you want this." Ren murmured, his free hand grasping her own, leading it over the bulge pressed against her back. "Shall I take you here? Bent over the counter like a common maid?" Weiss shivered at the thought. She so loved the maid aesthetic and made a note to acquire the requisite outfit. "Or perhaps we could break in the dining table. It could use a lovely centerpiece." His fingers delved deeper, seeking to curl within her depths, stroking the sensitive walls and making her whimper. "Hmm, no, perhaps another time. Comfort is paramount, and I have a feeling you may already use it for such purposes…"

Much to Weiss' lament, she suddenly found herself empty, but the offending digits held before her were so tantalizing she gladly leaned forward to clean them of her juices. Ren took the opportunity to grasp her jaw firmly, turning her head to the side. "I wonder what filth has graced that television." Weiss looked toward the living area, a large screen dormant for the time being. It had indeed displayed many great and terrible fuels for her deepest desires, some of which had been produced by her very own lovers. "How often have you thought of me taking you on that couch?"

Weiss whined a muffled response. She sounded pathetic, tongue held in place by Ren's now cleaned fingers. She loved it, loved being Ren's plaything. So rarely was he willing to indulge her darker side, and all the more arousing for it.

Turning her back, he withdrew his fingers, instead kissing her long and deep. With a swift movement Weiss found herself held aloft in his arms, limp and helpless, utterly given to his control. She shuddered in excitement as he carried her from the kitchen. Though the living area was barely a few steps away, it was enough for anticipation to settle in, her enflamed sex throbbing from deprived attention. Her clothing felt stuffy, she wanted them off, torn off preferably. Her wig not so much, that was actually expensive. Carmine shopped at thrift stores and discount outlets, and the wig cost more than her entire wardrobe.

The world fell from beneath Weiss. She barely let out a shriek before the soft cushioning of the couch stopped her descent. Laughing up at Ren, she lifted her legs obediently as her lower half was stripped in one go. Thankfully the penthouse had fantastic heating, when engaged, and it had plenty of time to warm up that morning. She splayed her legs wide for Ren, to view his work. Pink and engorged, her modest slit drooled in excitement as he tugged off his clothes, the loose shirt and shorts a common outfit for his relaxation. He had not even bothered with underwear.

Weiss' eyes trailed his toned body. He was slighter than Pyrrha but more defined. She was never sure what made her salivate more, his washboard abs or the long, firm length below them, standing tall at attention before her. Another shudder ran through her body as she thought of the impending penetration. The prior night had been arduous, and so very stimulating, coming undone between Ren and Pyrrha both, time and time again, in all manner of positions, they had shared all they were. But at this moment it was just Weiss and Ren, and they were ravenous for one another.

Crawling over his lover, Ren leaned into another kiss, clasping his hands over Weiss' as he rubbed his length against her warmth, slowly, with increasing pressure. Breaking the kiss, Weiss led his hands downward to her chest. "Tear it off." She panted, thrusting weakly against him.

Ren resumed their embrace, happily ripping the button-up apart. It was a nice shirt for what Weiss had paid for it, but she had others, and this was a special occasion. Right now she could have been wearing her best suit and it would not have phased her. Nothing was slowing down love making, except… "Careful." Ren whispered against her lips. Her legs had made their way around his waist, attempting to pull him in tight, but Ren was always careful with this part. Weiss was petite, Ren was very much not. Their first time together had been excruciatingly slow, adjusting to his length had taken time, and it had been a while since she had taken such a size consistently. Nothing compared to Ren, to try only ever left her disappointed.

Wrapping her arms around him, Weiss waited impatiently for Ren to begin. As usual he treated it as a form of foreplay, slowly easing himself in, inch by inch as he trailed bites and kisses down her chest. The ache of her core being spread left Weiss breathless. She barely registered her bra snapping open - thank the gods it had a front facing clasp. Kisses rained down upon the small mounds, gently nibbles upon her peaks, a worshipping tongue lavishing both in equal attention, until she felt him bottom out within her. It was a tragedy she could not fit him in his entirety, but it did make for an intense session. Oh, the tabloids would have a fucking field day if they knew how depraved Weiss' thoughts had become.

"Are you ready?" Ren asked.

Weiss took a moment to focus back on his face, gorgeous pink eyes gazing lovingly down upon her. She smiled, her grip growing firm once more. "Don't hold back." She whispered.

With a final kiss, he thankfully obeyed without question, without hesitation. Shallow and testing thrusts gave way to longer and deeper hilting. It was pure bliss, to be filled so utterly, so heavily, pinned beneath her longtime lover. All ceased to be but for them, her body rocking to his rhythm, her core aching and throbbing. She whined and moaned and keened to her heart's content, expressions of ecstasy doing nought but enticing her vigorous lover. But all great things must come to an end. She could feel the telltale peak of her pleasure, and dug her nails into Ren's back, attempting to communicate her impending climax.

Ren's pace quickened, a wave of fire shot through Weiss' system, and with a choked scream she came undone. Her body ceased to rock and heat filled her core, over and over, until all was a tingling flame, and awareness began to settle in place of bliss. Ren panted down from above her, beads of sweat running down his chest. She let her arms cling to his shoulders weakly, letting her heart calm and her breathing slow, the dull ache of exertion settling in.

In those few moments she could pretend the world was different, that her life was different, that she and Ren were lovers consummating their bond like any others, like Pyrrha so made her hope, that perhaps life would sprout from within her, that she and Pyrrha would raise their children side by side, lovers now and until the end.

If only.

Perhaps in another lifetime.

"Mother still insists on Perseus if it's a boy, which I still refuse, but at least it isn't Archimedes." Pyrrha expressed with a roll of her eyes, pacing back and forth by the dining table. Ren tended to a pot on the stove, carefully boiling the noodles Weiss had painstakingly created earlier in the day. Weiss herself stood glancing at the timer on her scroll, which sat on the kitchen bench beside an upturned bowl: two minutes.

"At least your mother is able to insist." Ren chuckled, taking the top off another pot to check the dumplings steaming within. "I believe my parents are still scaling the Vacuan mountains."

"Weren't they backpacking in Menagerie?" Weiss asked, surprised.

Ren shrugged. "They were, then they weren't. Apparently they forgot to inform me until they were about to go out of service...again."

"Ah, the rigors of retirement." Pyrrha sighed. "Personally I've grown rather tired of mountains. They made my morning runs such a chore. Though I suspect those runs and the thin air had a lot to do with my athletic success."

"I'd like to retire to a mountain home someday, with a view to die for." Weiss declared.

"And an hour's drive to the nearest town?" Ren interjected, leaning against the table beside her.

"Far away from civilization, and all its stresses." She sighed. "I'd have everything airlifted to me, leaving only to visit my friends and family."

"Only to have Pyrrha knock on your door, dragging us all on a sled." Ren joked.

"Now why would I visit our own home hmm?" Pyrrha leered, approaching to pin Weiss against the bench, arms wrapping around her petite waist. "Though bringing you breakfast in bed on a cold morning? Now there's an image for you." Weiss melted into the ensuing kiss, a nip at her lips signalling its sweet end. Pyrrha's gaze flickered to the scroll. "Almost there…" She hugged Weiss closely, the smaller woman pressed into her bosom. "What was the name you suggested? Amelia?"

"Mycelia." Weiss huffed, returning the embrace, the unbuttoned top of Pyrrha's shirt allowing smooth skin to rub against her cheek. "Like the fungus."

"Mycelia...I guess you could say it's grown on me." Pyrrha chuckled. Weiss blushed. "Mycelia...our little mushroom. Oh, she would grow to hate that nickname, don't you think?"

"It was only in jest." Weiss noted.

"I think it's lovely." Ren called, straining the ramen over the sink.

A loud beeping made Pyrrha jump. Reaching a hand over, she slid the bowl closer, clutching Weiss tighter with the other. She could feel her heart beating within her chest. She lifted the bowl off the pregnancy test, picking the small devie up, flipping it over…

One single line.

Pyrrha let out a sigh and slumped. "Not this time." She whispered, looking sorrowfully at her partner.

Ren offered an understanding smile, the ramen long forgotten on the sink top as he circled the bench, joining the two for a group embrace. "There's always next time." He murmured, kissing Pyrrha softly. "Mistral wasn't built in a day."

"No…" Pyrrha grinned. Feeling a small kiss placed between her breasts, she looked down to find beautiful blue eyes staring up at her. "Well I suppose on the bright side…" Pyrrha beamed, leaning down to kiss Weiss once again. "...I can cut loose during the gala now!"

Weiss rolled her eyes, burying herself back into her lover's cleavage, feeling it heave with joyful laughter. She appreciated Pyrrha's ability to bounce back from this kind of thing. Her optimist, her positivity in the face of all had always been a great boon to her life. She did not know how she survived without it...or if she ever could.