Nine Days of Lancaster 2026
Day 2: Sharing A Blanket / Snowed In
It was the Winter Solstice celebration. On Remnant, it was custom to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes, as a way to appreciate what the family and community had been through, as well to prepare for the advent of the next one.
The Xiao Long house was brimming with life that night.
It all started quite simple, when discussing their solstice holydays plans, and Nora admitted she and Ren would be staying at Beacon. After all, it was the only place they had. Blake nodded, saying there weren't many places where a fugitive from the White Fang could go either, and that Beacon was better than a safe house.
While not the same situation, Jeanne said she would be there too. Though she and her parents had patched things up since she ran from home, the trip from Vale to Argus was too long for a single week off.
Weiss could manage an express trip to Atlas. But after how she left her home, and her rather rocky relationship with her own family, she wasn't sure if going back was an option she wanted to entertain. At least not so soon.
That's when Yang clapped her hands, inviting everyone to her and Ruby's house. Not takebacks. Including Pyrrha, who didn't share her own plans, but gladly accepted, happy to spend Solstice with friends for the first time.
And that's how they all shared a table with Ruby and Yang's dad, Taiyang Xiao Long, and his partner Qrow. It was a rather nice evening between friends and family, over the Secret Special Xiao Long Family Dragon Breath Spicy Ramen.
"R-Ruby..." Weiss held her partner's hand, weakly. "If I don't make it." She pushed through the spicy pain, sweating bullets. "Stay away from my things."
"I'm Blake," Blake replied, holding Weiss in her arms in a piteous pose.
"Then pass the message." Weiss closed her eyes, crying a bit.
Next to her, Pyrrha wasn't doing too much better. Although still conscious, she was coughing harshly.
"Here, Pyr-pyr." Yang handed her a cracker with blue cheese. "This should help."
Meanwhile, Ruby and Nora were devouring their third serving, competing over who ate faster. Ruby's tail swept excitedly behind her chair every time she managed to get ahead, only for Nora to immediately catch up again. Ren was trying to stop them.
Jeanne found herself smiling, despite how strange it all felt.
A few months ago, she hadn't known anyone, and constantly felt like she could never be at their height. Now she was spending Solstice in a crowded house, with people she knew she could trust her life to, and who trusted her back.
And the oddest thing of it all? That it felt so natural.
"Crazy how much a team can change ya, eh blondie?" Qrow nudged her shoulder, while helping himself a long swig of what smelled like paint remover. "Just be sure to take good care of them too."
Jeanne just nodded politely, though mulling over the idea. While outside, snow gently kept falling.
By when they noticed, Patch had disappeared beneath a thick white blanket. The road leading away from the house was nowhere to be seen, and only the tallest trees could be visible through the snowed winds.
"Yeah." Qrow took one look through the curtains before helping himself to another drink. "Nobody's going anywhere tonight."
Ruby's ears perked up immediately.
"Sleepover!" She declared, throwing both hands in the air. Her tail wagging in excitement.
"Sleepover!" Nora immediately agreed.
The first problem became apparent rather quickly. There were only two rooms available, Ruby and Yang's. Taiyang tried to offer his bed, but Qrow shushed him with a finger. Then pointed at Ruby, who was already taking charge of the situation. Taiyang nodded and they both left together to their room, leaving the teens to arrange themselves.
"Okay, easy." Ruby clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Yang and I are the hostesses, so everybody else gets the beds, while we take the couches."
"Sure," Yang nodded, giving a thumbs up. "I'm larger, so I take the sofa." She pointed to the one where most of them were sitting. "And Ruby is small enough to sleep in dad's reclining armchair."
"I'm not small!" Ruby protested, her tail puffed up indignantly behind her. "I'm aerodynamic."
"Sure, mini sis." Yang teased.
"Still," Weiss interrupted the sibling rivalry. "That's still only two beds for six people."
"Oh, no biggie," Nora replied, holding Ren across his shoulders. "Ren and I are used to share a bed, from when we lived at Anima."
Ren just nodded in agreement.
"I can come with you," Blake added. "I also got used to sleep in tight with multiple people." She looked aside, crossing her arms with some melancholy. "From my days with the White Fang."
"Are you sure that's okay?" Weiss leaned over, concerned for her friend.
"Yes," Blake nodded. "I honestly prefer the company when it's snowing."
"We will make sure you're warm and comfy." Nora said, more subdued. "Ren is a true gentleman when sharing a bed."
That finally got a blush from the boy, while Blake simply gave a soft smile.
"I guess that leaves Pyr, Weis-cream and Vomit Girl with the other bed," Yang moved the conversation along, already bringing the extra blankets for the couch and armchair. "Everyone okay with that?"
Jeanne got about a second to think about 'taking care of them' before she coughed to get attention.
"Actually, Yang." She got up, helping with the blankets. "If it's the same for you, I'll take the couch."
"Huh?" Yang blinked. "Any particular reason, VG?"
"I'm Team Leader." Jeanne shrugged. "I should make sure everyone else gets a warm bed first, right Ruby?"
"Yeah, actually." Ruby's ears perked up. "I have to agree with Jeanne."
"Are you sure?" Yang pressed on.
"Sure, all okay." Jeanne gave a thumbs up, mimicking Yang's from before. "I've slept on couches before, when going to my sister's house to help take care of my nephew."
"You have a nephew?" Pyrrha almost jumped at the revelation.
"Yeah, and seven sisters," Jeanne pulled out her scroll, taking the distraction. "Here, I have photos."
The bedding discussion died down as Jeanne shared about her family, with the group gathering around her scroll. The Arc family turned out to be a rather numerous one, with seven sisters, besides Jeanne herself, a sister-in-law and one nephew so far.
As the night grew colder and darker, each group took their leave.
Nora, Ren and Blake disappeared into Ruby's room. It didn't take long after the door closed for Nora to declare a pillow fortress. Meanwhile, Yang took Weiss and Pyrrha to her own room, silently thanking Jeanne for making it so she got to share a bed with Pyrrha.
Finally, Jeanne and Ruby both had a couple of thick wool blankets each and feather pillows over the sofa and couch. Ruby's tail swayed lazily behind her as she covered herself.
They both wished each other good night and turned off the standing lamp.
The only illumination left was from the fireplace's fading embers, and the soft cover of the moon's pale silver glow filtering through the snow-covered windows.
Jeanne was on her back, staring at the ceiling. A few months ago, she wouldn't even think of spending Solstice anywhere other than at home with her sisters. Now she was there, being the responsible one for the most extraordinary people she has ever met.
And she finally felt like one of them.
That's when she caught a subtle movement from the corner of her eye. She glanced over at the armchair, where Ruby had curled into herself beneath her blankets.
Her tail had disappeared beneath the covers, wrapped tightly around her waist, while both ears lay flat against her hair, trying to conserve warmth.
It made Jeanne think about what Qrow had said. A Team Leader needed to take care of their team, alright. But if that was the case, who was supposed to take care of the caretakers?
Jeanne glanced down at her own pair of blankets. In all honesty, she could do with just one.
Careful not to make a sound over the wind and snow tapping against the windows, Jeanne got up from the sofa and peeled one of the blankets from around her shoulders. Then, gently, she draped it over Ruby. Ruby stirred slightly as the extra blanket settled over her. She remained curled up, but Jeanne noticed her relax almost immediately.
Who took care of the caretakers? Each other, of course.
Content with her conclusion, Jeanne returned to the sofa and covered herself with the remaining blanket. She was beginning to drift off when she felt an extra weight settle against her back.
Her eyes opened, and saw Ruby standing beside the sofa. Without a word, she pulled all three blankets over Jeanne, then climbed underneath them.
Ruby simply pressed herself against her side, making herself comfortable. Jeanne could feel Ruby's tail slip around her waist beneath the blankets, sharing warmth between them.
Jeanne blinked, while Ruby just yawned.
Neither of them said anything. It was rather simple, really; Ruby was cold, and Jeanne was cold. So, they took care of each other.
Together beneath the blankets, they shared what warmth they had.
Outside, snow continued to fall beneath the pale silver light of the moon.
Inside, they held each other as sleep slowly claimed them.
Do me a favor, and don't look at the published date. I had a lot of work today, and this was written in the last two-three hours of the day, while fighting off sleep.
Also, wanted to include another of my headcanons. This time Ruby being a wolf. Maybe next one will include Pyrrha's fox tail, or Weiss being trans.
