There she sat, the leader of Menagerie and its people, in an Atlesian terminal, a single guard from Menagerie standing beside her. Both were waiting for their Atlas military escort. She sighed, she was certain all the formalities were something she'd never get used to, but at the thought of the woman who'd be leading that same escort, she allowed herself a small smile.

She looked around the terminal room she was waiting in. A small but dignified room, it was more than nice enough for a waiting room, and one she was certain many other foreign leaders and dignitaries had waited in as well. The view they were afforded, though, was less enjoyable— that being of the Atlas military airships that were currently docked here, something she was certain was done on purpose. While the ships might have had their admirers, she was much more interested in seeing more of the beauty of Atlas, not its military might.

She sighed. In a small way, it still shocked her where she was right now, and what she was here to do: cooperating with the Atlas military and the SDC to build and maintain a CCT tower in Menagerie. She could only imagine what her late husband would think of the idea if he were still here. As she thought of him that same imagination started to run wild on her. She smiled at the thought of Ghira, and how many different emotions she was sure he'd run through just at the thought of the idea.

"Ma'am."

Kali shook her head as she looked up at the young female rabbit faunus that had addressed her. She smiled as she saw how rigid the young girl's ears were as they twisted and turned at every slight noise they heard. Kali thought back to her own first time coming to Atlas, how nervous she had been, and how her own ears must have looked doing the same thing, no matter how much she had willed them not to.

"Ma'am?" The guard gave off a slightly confused look as she addressed her a second time.

"My apologies, I'd gotten lost in thought. Are they here already?"

"No ma'am, you had shivered earlier, and I thought to offer to go and get you something to warm up with if you wanted."

Kali smiled at the young woman. "You're sweet to worry and offer, but no I'm fine. Just... reminiscing was all."

As the guard was still giving her a confused and slightly worried look. Kali continued on, hoping to help alleviate the young guards worries, as well as help calm her own nerves.

"While I do miss the warmth of Menagerie, through the many trips I've taken here to Atlas, I've grown used to the cold." Kali smiled. "I've actually grown fond of the differences here compared to our home. This place… does have a warmth all its own."

As she said that last line thoughts of a certain someone flashed through her mind again, so Kali quickly turned her gaze to the floor, to try and hide the blush that she knew had appeared on her face.

Kali let out a long quiet breath before she looked back up at the young guard.

"Tell me…" She stopped, the young woman being a newer guard she had yet to learn her name.

"Sorry, it's Merle ma'am." Luckily the young guard was quick to catch on as she supplied the name Kali was missing.

"Tell me Merle is this your first time coming to Atlas?"

"Is it that obvious?"

Kali smiled as she spoke, "A little."

Merle sighed, "It's actually my first time out of Menagerie altogether. If I'm honest ma'am, I'm still a little shocked Captain Amitolla picked me as your guard."

"Ilia must have high hopes for you then." Kali responded kindly. She was certain Merle was more than capable enough, but still Kali smiled. Ilia was as ever still the hopeless romantic.

Kali stood up, "Well Merle how about I show you the second best view in all of Atlas."

"Ma'am are you sure that's wise? Won't our Atlas escort be upset?"

Kali smiled. "I think the change of view will do us both some good. As well, I'm certain of who our escort will be, and she's well aware that I'm not one to follow all of Atlas's formalities. I'm also certain that she'll forgive me for it too."

The young guard still had a slightly worried look on her face, but she nodded at Kali's assurances.

Arriving in the observation room for the terminal Kali couldn't help but smile at the gasp she heard Merle let out.

"It's beautiful."

Kali thought back to her own first time here. How she had said the same thing, and how she'd been just as amazed.

"Atlas has many things it needs to work through, but the beauty of this place I feel is not one of them."

"Ma'am—"

"Please dear call me Kali, I'd prefer it even. Ma'am makes me feel much older than I actually am."

Merle nodded as Kali smiled at her, "Miss. Belladonna—"

Kali laughed, "Well it's better than ma'am I suppose."

Merle continued on from before, "Miss, you said earlier that this was the second best view in Atlas. Seeing it for myself, what could possibly be better?"

Kali smiled as a slight blush crept up on her face.

"Well…" She trailed off as she watched Merle's eyes widen ever so slightly. Kali's own ears alerted her to the sound of heels hitting the marbled floor as someone was getting closer. She didn't need to turn to see who it was, but she did turn to face the window again to help hide the worsening blush on her face.

"I'm not surprised I'd find you here, but you really shouldn't wonder off. You'll make people worry."

Kali breathed in and smiled as she turned to face the woman who'd addressed her.

She nodded, "Winter Schnee, a pleasure to see you once more. I'm sorry to make you worry over me, but I'm sure you of all people are keenly aware of how I'm not one to sit in one place for an overly extended time."

Winter bowed, "And for that I am deeply sorry Miss. Belladonna."

Kali smiled, "Winter there's no need to be so formal you know."

Winter looked up at her, then over at the guardsman standing beside her. "Guardsman may I have a moment alone with Miss. Belladonna?"

Kali watched as the young guardsman went completely rigid once again, the hair on the back of her ears bristling even more at the somewhat cold nature Winter had addressed her with.

Kali sighed, "Winter you really do need to learn how to be softer in your approach with others, you'll find everyone more receptive to you."

Kali turned. "Merle dear."

Merle wouldn't dare take her eyes off the woman in front of her, so she instead compromised with a sideways glance. "Miss?"

"I understand your worry, but you have nothing to fear from Winter when it comes to my safety. There are few in Atlas who I'd trust as much. It's through her watchful and… attentive care that I've grown to enjoy my time here in Atlas as much as I have."

Kali made certain to wink at Winter out of the corner of her eye, and her smile grew all the brighter when she saw Winter look at the floor pretending to cough, to try and hide the slight blush on her own face.

Merle turned to look fully at Kali who was still smiling, that reassuring radiance of hers coming off so well now. She looked back at Winter Schnee who was looking at the both of them, looking completely relaxed and calm, but ever ready. She hadn't even brought any of those Atlesian bots with her either.

Merle sighed. "Alright Miss I'll be just over there, okay."

Kali nodded. "Thank you dear."

After a few moments of standing there staring at one another in silence waiting on Merle to move further away, Winter finally stepped closer to Kali and spoke in a low voice.

"You and her seem to have grown quite close."

Kali reached up to run a hand down Winter's cheek. Brushing against the one single strand of hair she kept lose, her one single act of rebelliousness.

Kali smiled once more. "I would've thought based on the last time we were together that you'd understand you have nothing to fear or worry about in this regard from me." Kali had a playful look about her now. "But you know even jealousy looks cute on you."

Winter closed her eyes, a slightly darker blush than before taking her face once more, "I'm sorry it's just... it's been so long since we were last together."

Kali pulled her hand away. "I understand, it's nothing to worry about dear but," Winter opened her eyes to look at her, concern written all over her face, "you really should learn to wait somewhat longer before talking if you'd rather a Faunus not overhear you."

After a moment of silence between them Kali watched as Winter's eyes widened, the blush on her face grew so dark Kali was reminded of the first time she had overheard Winter, and what she'd said, and how because of that she'd tried to tease and inadvertently flirt with her, to try and break that calm and cold composure she tried to always keep. Kali couldn't help but laugh at the memory as it came flooding back.

As Kali was laughing Winter leaned over the railing in front of them, her face was mostly obscured now, but Kali could still slightly see the red blush on it due to the window.

"Ca… Call…" Closing her eyes Winter sighed. "Call her back over… we'll need to speak with her."

Smiling Kali looked over her shoulder. "Merle dear would you come back please."

As the young guardsman drew closer both women could hear her muttering to herself. The closer she came the more clear it became what had her in such self-absorbed thought.

"That's it, I'll just tell them that I didn't hear whatever it was they think I heard. Miss Winter shouldn't be too hard to convince, I can't believe she'll know exactly how good or bad any specific faunus's hearing can be. Miss Kali will be harder, but just phrase things the right way and feign ignorance, and I'm sure I'll pull this off."

The closer she came and the more they heard the more Winter's blush came flooding back, and the further she slouched over the railing. As for Kali herself, the more she heard the wider and wider her smile grew.

Merle stopped and stood between them, though leaning closer to Kali than Winter.

"Miss Belladonna, is everything alright?" She was sporting a smile on her face as she addressed Kali.

"Yes, Merle we'd like to ask—"

"Miss Belladonna I assure you whatever it was you think I heard I definitely didn't hear it…" As she finished the young guardsman slapped her hand to her mouth, her ears starting to droop.

Kali turned her head to look at Winter who's blush was back in full now from what she could tell.

"Well at least we know she's a terrible liar," she laughed.

"And that's supposed to make me feel better about my slip up?"

"No," Kali managed between laughs.

Winter sighed. "I'm glad you're enjoying this, but this is why I prefer Atlas robots, no chance of something like this happening with them."

Listening to the two of them go back and forth, Merle fell to her knees, her legs sprawling out from under her.

"My mother warned me, said I'd end up overhearing something like this. That I should just guard Menagerie itself, not it's leader. I'd never be able to handle whatever political mess my incessant curiosity would get me involved in." Merle looked down, sighing. "Why did she have to be right?" She looked back up at the two women in front of her, eyes mostly focused on Winter. "Just so you know whatever your plan might be assassination, imprisoment, or whatever else you have planned, I won't go down without a fight!"

Both Kali and Winter turned to look at her then at one another, after a second of silence both women burst out into laughter.

Merle looked between the two of them a slight pout forming on her face. "What's so funny?"

As both women calmed from their laughter they decided to join Merle, sitting down themselves as well. Winter sat down with her legs outstretched in front of her, while Kali had her legs off to the side of her, leaning into Winter for support.

Winter spoke up first, "A word of advice, next time don't say you'll put up a fight from such a position. You look more cute than threatening."

Now it was Merle who took on a dark red blush.

Kali poked Winter in the side, a playful smile on her face once more. "First you act jealous of me, and now you start paying her compliments like that, are you sure I'm the one who shouldn't be worried?"

Winter smiled back at her. "You say, thinking the exact same thing."

Kali brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she cleared her throat, but the blush on her face was still easy enough to spot.

Winter turned her attention back to Merle. "Now as for all that nonsense you spouted earlier, it's just that. Nonsense. Trust me if anything of the sort had been my intention this isn't how it would be handled."

Merle's eyes widened. "Wait what!"

This time Kali pinched Winter who let out a small yelp. "Stop being mean and trying to scare her, poor girl already has her imagination running wild on her, and you're not helping." Kali looked over at Merle. "Dear, we would like to keep things a secret for a while longer and we only want to ask that you help us do the same."

After a long pause of silence and just staring at the two of them Merle finally spoke up, "Is it just me who knows?"

Winter spoke up, "You and Ilia Amitola."

"Wait, the captain knows!"

Kali laughed. "Yes, I think that's one reason why she sent you. She was growing somewhat tired of our… antics."

"I can think of another rea—"

Kali elbowed Winter in the side to keep her from finishing.

Merle let out a small giggle. "You two do make for a cute couple, if a bit odd."

Kali and Winter both looked at one another smiling, as they looked back at Merle they said in unison, "We're glad you agree."

Kali lay in the bed, her head in Winter's lap looking up at her, her hair was down, a rare sight that Kali had grown to enjoy, and after such a long day in Atlas, it was nice just to have this moment.

As she continued to play with Winter's hair she spoke, "You know, you really should let your hair down more often, you're quite beautiful like this."

Winter gave her a slight smile. "And I'd like to see you with yours grown out once. I imagine you'd be quite beautiful."

For a time silence fell over them again, as Kali watched Winter run through so many different thoughts all without saying a word, there was one she knew she'd kept coming back to.

"Still thinking about it aren't you?" She asked.

Winter sighed. "Moving to Menagerie, leaving Atlas, and"—Winter fell silent for a moment as she brushed a hand against one of Kali's ears, Winter felt the slight movement from the small shiver Kali gave off at the touch—"it's just a lot to think about," she finished.

She turned her attention to look out the window, a slight snow had started to fall, so she made a note to remember to close the window later so Kali wouldn't catch a chill. As her thoughts turned to Kali she looked back at the woman whose head rested in her lap, and she currently shared a bed with. Her eyes were closed, and she looked content, beautiful, ethereal even. Winter still couldn't believe the time they'd spent together, how much she cared for her, how much Kali trusted her, and just how much she didn't want to lose her or that trust.

She spoke up once more, to hopefully avoid Kali catching on to the worries that ran through her mind. "It's silly of me I know, I've travelled all over. So moving to Menagerie with you shouldn't bother me at all, but through all that traveling, Atlas has always been home."

Winter ran her hand down Kali's ears once more, and smiled at the contented sigh Kali let out. Winter swore it sounded almost like a purr whenever she heard it, but every time Winter would mention it to Kali she'd deny it. Even so Kali's reaction and the feeling of doing so never failed to make Winter smile. It saddened her that she'd been so tentative, and required so much urging from Kali that it was okay, before she first did so.

Kali knew though what really troubled Winter, what she hadn't said. Try as she might Winter couldn't hide it from her. As she opened her eyes she asked, what she already knew was certain, "And you're worried about Weiss?"

Winter smiled. "I think you're one of the few people who can so easily read me."

"It's a gift, and you shouldn't worry over her so much, she's more than capable on her own."

Winter took on a much more somber look and tone. "It's just after everything that happened in Atlas it's just me and Weiss left, and… I'd never forgive myself if something happened, and I wasn't around."

Kali understood the feeling all to well, but she also wanted Winter to see that Weiss had something she wanted Winter and her to have.

"Weiss also has Ruby to help her too, you no longer have to be the only one there."

Winter sighed. "Miss. Rose is—"

"Ruby is also more than capable," Kali interrupted.

Winter laughed. "I wasn't going to say anything bad about her." Kali arched an eyebrow as she looked at her. "Mostly."

Kali's look changed to that of a more playful one as she spoke. "I suppose I'll need to speak with Weiss myself. Let her know everything so she can help me convince you this move would be good for you."

Winter's eyes widened. "You wouldn't?" Kali's playful look grew all the more. "I'd never hear the end of it, also we said we'd do so together."

Kali smiled. "Well it seems all the other things I've done and said haven't been motivation enough."

Winter started smiling herself. "They've been more than motivating enough."

"Oh really."

"Yes," Winter sighed, "it's just—"

"You're worried," Kali finished for her.

Winter nodded. "How did you stop worrying?"

Kali sighed. "You don't, you just learn to trust in the people they surround themselves with."

Winter closed her eyes as she sighed, after what felt like a long moment of silence she opened them, and was smiling once again. "Alright then, let's go see them tomorrow."

Now it was Kali who's eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yes. I've made you wait for far too long already I know."

Kali leaned up and kissed Winter, as she pulled away, she smiled at her. "Thank you."

Author's Note:

So definitely a crack pairing this one, even more shocking that I'm the one that wrote it since I generally (believe it or not) don't tend to write outright ship fics, but the prompt for this one just kind of stuck out to me, and well here we are. A story with KalixWinter that I actually really enjoy personally. My biggest worry writing this one was that it'd just turn into an older WeissxBlake, but after quite a bit of work I think(or hope) it turned out distinct enough that you can tell it's not just older WeissxBlake. This is surprisingly enough for me something I might have other ideas to come back to and play with. So as always I hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think.

Prompt: From WPW 142
Winter is dating someone connected to RWBY, but it isn't Qrow. Which member of their families, if it isn't possibly a team member?