Work Text:
Weiss was cold.
In both the literal and metaphorical sense.
It was a family trait. At least, Weiss was pretty sure it was. Winter had always been cold as well. Weiss recalled the impassive expression on her sister’s face as the younger girl fought wave after wave of beowolves, glowing with the pale light of Winter’s summons. She remembered harsh words, always pushing Weiss to do better, to be better. Be stronger. When she trained, it was Winter’s voice Weiss heard in her mind, criticizing her sloppy form, pointing out every misplaced strike.
Weiss also remembered the feeling of Winter’s embrace, strong arms holding her tight as Weiss buried her head in her sister’s chest. Winter’s skin was always freezing, just like her own, but sometimes Weiss liked to think they both warmed the slightest bit in those rare moments of affection.
It was a shock, when Weiss arrived at Beacon, to find her teammates were so warm.
Blake didn’t seem warm at first. Her harsh, factual tone in their first meeting gave the impression of someone who didn’t care. But as the days passed, as their team grew closer, Blake started to relax, and Weiss found she wasn’t cold at all. After the whole ‘Blake is a faunus’ incident, she started giving out small bits of affection. A comforting touch to Weiss’ shoulder in solidarity when the sisters were up to something stupid again, leaning against Weiss’ side when waiting for their turn in combat class. The contact was always light, and Weiss found to her surprise that she appreciated it.
Yang was the complete opposite of Winter. She burned, wearing her heart on her sleeve and challenging anyone who dared call her weak for it. Yang rarely critiqued Ruby, and when she did it was either a sincere concern or said in a teasing manner. Yang cared, even about Weiss. Whenever Weiss fell into one of her obsessive study sessions, it was Yang who made sure she ate, and had some water, and for brothers’ sakes go to sleep. Weiss hated it in the moment of course, but deep down she appreciated it.
And of course, Yang’s hugs. She gave them out so freely, if someone was sad or if Yang was happy or even if she just felt like it. Hugs from Yang were always burning hot, making Weiss’ whole body feel like it was on fire. The first time Yang had hugged her, Weiss had immediately pulled away in shock and threatened death if Yang ever did it again. Even more surprising, Yang listened. Perhaps that was what prompted Weiss, several days later, to amend her statement and agree to hugs as long as Yang asked first. After that, on the few occasions Weiss said yes (only to make Yang happy of course), she found herself relaxing into the hugs, letting the fire scorch through her small body. Maybe she liked it a little.
Finally, there was Ruby. Weiss’ partner, her team leader, the absolute dolt. Weiss’ worst nightmare, but also her best friend (though she would never admit it, even threatened with death). Ruby was always touching Weiss, ranging from a hand on her back to an arm around her waist to a full on tackle-hug. Weiss found, for some reason, she didn’t mind. Ruby’s hugs were not the cold embrace of Winter, the scorching fire of Yang, or even the soothing neutrality of Blake. Ruby was simply a warm energy that automatically relaxed Weiss’ muscles and made her heart do funny things that should have hurt but didn’t. Ruby’s hugs were Weiss’ favourite.
Weiss was cold. But her team was warm, and maybe with time they would melt the ice queen.