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Epilogue

In Her Arms

The thaw came early that year, and along with it came the warmth of the springtime sun that was so sorely missed.

The snow and ice melted from the treetops and started seeping into the ground, vanishing a bit more each day until the morning came when none of it was left.

The cold whites and grays of winter were replaced by the colors of spring – vivid and vibrant. Pink and yellow blossoms that had been frosted over until now uncurled and stretched up toward the blue sky, blades of green grass pushed themselves up and drew color from the light, bright red and purple berries formed beneath the emerald leaves of small bushes.

With the spring came the loss of the winter's frost root, but stalks and roots that had been left behind in the soil ensured the herb would be back again next year.

Spring brought far more good than harm to all people. With warmer weather, Faunus and humans alike could venture outdoors more frequently to take on jobs and chores. More jobs meant more lien for all, which consequently led to fewer financial issues, and thus, fewer thefts and acts of crime.

Food became more abundant, and sickness less threatening.

A common activity was to start personal vegetable gardens and plant flowers to add color to the village of Vale.

The people became much livelier, not unlike the animals that had crawled out from hibernation.

It had been three days since the snow had melted entirely, and as Weiss woke in her nightgown that morning, she felt compelled to make the request today.

She scrambled out of bed and stretched before hurrying to the bathroom to wash herself and change clothes, pulling on a long skirt, socks, and a lighter shirt than she'd been forced to go without wearing for the previous months. She preferred dressing lighter, as it gave her better mobility and energy.

Winter was outside behind their cabin, arranging a section of soil into columns and burying various seeds to start the annual garden. She'd be moving out soon, and Weiss was bound to take over caring for it. Their father had opened up their stand just outside on the streets, and there was already a fine crowd of both human and Faunus there to purchase items.

Weiss had yet to inform her father that the girl who had saved her from certain death had been a Faunus for fear of his reaction to such news.

But now, as she watched him selling stock, she couldn't help but smile when she noticed he'd finally come around, treating his Faunus customers just as equally and with the same respect and charisma as the human ones.

Briefly, she needed to wonder if he had already figured out Blake's identity. But she pushed the thoughts away as she headed back inside to prepare herself a small breakfast.

The roaring fire they'd needed to maintain a few weeks ago was now safely kindling a small flame, just enough to keep that extra bit of warmth inside, but before long, it would be extinguished altogether.

Weiss made herself a sandwich and took a pear from their freshly-stocked fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. She couldn't help but remember that had been one of the fruits Blake had given to her during their time together.

She ate quietly and with a smile as she allowed herself to reflect on the memories of a month ago.

Blake had been all she could think about ever since she'd returned home. Her familiar bed that she'd gotten used to being cold had only seemed colder than ever now that she knew Blake's warmth – the warmth she was now missing and had been missing all her life.

She had to wonder if Blake missed her, too...

But judging by the things they had shared in their short time together – their auras, their feelings, their kisses – Weiss felt she could comfortably come to the conclusion that Blake probably missed her as much as Weiss did Blake.

But hopefully...

Once she'd finished eating, Weiss slipped into a pair of shoes, the hefty snow boots no longer necessary. When she noticed the flow of customers had died down for the time being, she went back outside and headed toward her father. He was rearranging a few of his items when he noticed her approach and turned to her.

"Good morning, Father," Weiss greeted him.

"Morning. I trust you slept well?"

"Yes. Sorry I slept in, though."

"Don't mind it. We've less to do in the springtime, so sleeping in every now and then is no harm." His reassurance was nice and only encouraged Weiss to push past her nervousness about what she was going to ask.

"Father? I meant to ask you... if – perhaps, after I finish my chores for the morning – if I might-"

"Chores?" he repeated. "Those can wait. I think it's about time you paid Miss Belladonna a visit, don't you? Her only request for payment was to see you again, after all."

Weiss visibly perked up, her eyes and expression brightening.

"Yes! Right away! Thank you, Father!" She spun on her heel and headed for the edge of the village almost instantly.

"Just be back before sundown!" he called after her.

"I will!" she waved back.

Blake had been right; since Weiss had almost lost her life, her father had been much more appreciative of her presence; he was more understanding and much less outrageous with his demands of his youngest daughter.

Weiss passed by her sister as Winter was gardening and told her were she was heading.

"Be careful!" Winter got to her feet and hugged her sister before giving her a pat on the back.

There was a slight bounce in Weiss' step as she headed into the trees, down the little path that had long-since been made by the tread of her own two feet over the years.

The last time she'd walked this path, it had been thick with cold snow, the forest silent, save from gusting winds. But now the air was filled with birdsong and the chatter of small mammals. Flowers and bushes bloomed in the place of what once had been brown, broken shrubs.

Normally, Weiss would've taken her time sauntering to enjoy everything about the gorgeous day. But perhaps some other time.

She quickened her pace, heading for the clearing where the frost root grew, reaching it without hindrance of any kind.

From there, she relied on memory to get her to the second clearing, the one past the creek that was now free-flowing. When she peered into the water from the bank, she caught glimpses of tiny fish darting beneath the bubbly little waves.

It took her much less time to arrive at the clearing now without the snow, harsh winds, and heavy clothing to hold her back. She glanced around, noting the clumps of what was left of the winter herbs that would grow again next winter.

She paused to catch her breath, looking around, trying to remember which way she'd gone. She remembered seeing the outline of Blake's cabin – it had been much easier to see in the snow where the trees had been bare.

She didn't want to get it wrong and end up lost for real; though a Grimm wandering into the forest was highly unlikely, there were still bears and coyotes now and again, and Weiss could only avoid them if she knew the trail she was traveling.

But she refrained from thinking about such dire things; she'd rather imagine the look on Blake's face when she saw Weiss again.

Confident that she remembered the correct way, Weiss set off once more, committing the trail to memory.

Past the leaves on the trees, she could just make out the shape of that familiar cabin.

Weiss quickened her pace until she was running; the cabin wasn't all she could see now.

There was a girl with black hair outside the house, crouched down in a similar fashion as Winter had been, tending to a garden no doubt. She was dressed much lighter than when Weiss had last seen her, in black pants and a dark purple fleece shirt, sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Two triangular ears flicked on occasion as she tended to her work, and a black cat dozed nearby.

Weiss rushed forward as quickly as her feet could carry her, a joyful call of her name on her lips.

"Blake!"

Even before the shout of her name had reached her, Blake had thought she'd heard something. She'd woken that morning feeling more refreshed than ever, almost as if she'd been anticipating a wonderful day even before she knew why.

And now she knew why.

She stood instantly and turned around, golden eyes wide with shock that quickly turned to relief. Her voice tumbled out, cracked and wavering.

"Weiss..."

Her lips curled up into a smile as she took several quick steps forward to meet her.

Weiss covered the final stride between them and threw her arms around Blake's shoulders, laughing with jovial innocence and glee.

Blake locked her arms around the smaller girl's back and spun her once, unable to stop the laugh that rose up from her own throat. A purr rumbled instantly to life in her chest, and she nuzzled her face into Weiss' neck before setting her down again.

Weiss strained up to reach her, still panting a bit from the run, but every breath was a blissful laugh or an elated murmur of her name.

"Blake... Blake! It's so good to see you again!"

Blake tightened her embrace as much as she could, keeping the girl close.

"It's better to see you. Trust me."

She'd missed Weiss' warmth so badly, and she quite literally clung to that now, feeling the excited heartbeat pounding against her chest, in time with her own.

The connection between their auras that had been stretched thin for the past month now resonated strongly between them, sending throbs of joy throughout their bodies.

Weiss clutched to her back as Blake ran tender fingers through her soft white hair. The Faunus girl pressed a kiss to Weiss' temple and sighed into her ear.

"I've missed you so much..."

Weiss returned the gesture with a kiss to Blake's cheek.

"Not as much as I've missed you. Trust me."

Her hands trailed up to find Blake's soft ears, scratching ever so gently, eliciting an even stronger purr than the one already present.

There was an unquenchable fervor between them, one that could only ever hope to be quelled by one simple action.

They pulled away for a second, just enough to gaze into one another's eyes, to see for themselves that longing, that desire, that indescribable love the other felt for her.

Blake's palms cupped Weiss' cheeks gently, and Weiss held close to her waist as their eyelids fell shut.

The kiss was much more confident than the ones they'd shared in the previous month. They were both more than certain now of what they wanted – of what they both wanted.

The fact that it was allowed by Weiss' father now made things all the better.

Neither of them was holding back now.

But as soon as Blake felt that Weiss was getting short of breath, she pulled away softly, gentle fingers still caressing the smaller girl's cheeks and hair.

"This is the best surprise I ever could have asked for," she smiled.

"You should get used to it," Weiss replied. "Because I'll be here every day the sun is out. And maybe even some days when it rains, too."

"Good. I wouldn't want to have to pray for a drought."

Weiss chuckled as she took a step back.

"My sister will be getting married soon, so with one less person at home, there will be less to do. Even still, she and her husband will be coming by a lot to help out whenever needed. But I know Father would like for me to start searching for a spouse as well..."

Blake was silent for a moment as she absorbed the implications. Her ears flattened in embarrassment, cheeks going red.

"I wonder... where you could ever find a potential suitor?"

"I haven't the slightest idea." With another giggle, Weiss pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "But of course there's still plenty of time to ponder things. No need to rush."

"Right..." Blake cleared her throat as her hand found Weiss', and she started leading her toward the cabin door, rousing Schwarz as they went. "You're just in time," the Faunus girl went on. "The tea's almost ready now."

"Then since I'll have to trouble you for a cup, perhaps I could assist you with your gardening afterward?" Weiss offered.

"I'd very much appreciate that."

Side by side, they entered the cabin, the subtle yet flavorful scent of tea wreathing through the air inside.

It was the very same cabin where they'd started as nothing short of strangers.

And now, they slipped inside as nothing short of lovers.

A/N: Thank you all again so much! I'm so happy this story is finished and shared at last!

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