Author's Note: I know the timeframe on this story doesn't exactly match up with canon, but since when has that ever stopped a fanfic writer? I prefer to think that this is the first story in a new Alternate Universe. With that in mind, I proudly present the Beacon's-School-Year-Started-in-the-Fall-and-Everyone-is-Slightly-Older AU! Hmmm. That's not exactly a snappy name. I may have to work on that.

This story was written while Volume 4 was airing, and speaking of Volume 4, I should add that the Rose-Xiao Long residence in this story has a slightly different floor plan than what we've seen in canon.

This is the Teen and Up version of the story. The Mature version has been posted to Archive of Our Own.

Chapter 1: Home for the Holidays

Blake absolutely hated the cold. It reminded her of all those chilly nights she'd spent with the White Fang, hiding out in some makeshift shelter. Patch Island was known for its generally mild weather, but it looked like today was going to be an exception. The sun overhead was smothered by a thick layer of clouds, and a biting wind was blowing up a flurry of snow.

Blake was bundled up in a winter headband, a thick scarf, her heaviest coat, and Yang's coat too, but she could still feel the cold stinging her face and chilling her cat ears through the thin fabric of her bow. She really wished she had a proper winter hat to wear, but it was difficult to find one that didn't hurt her ears.

Yang was walking alongside Blake with a far too cheery look on her face. Against all sense and logic, she was dressed in her usual short sleeved jacket, crop top, and short shorts. Blake dearly cared for her girlfriend, but Yang's ability to use her semblance to keep warm was just disgusting. On a day like today, Blake would've even settled for having Ruby's semblance. Ruby herself had already used it to zip on ahead.

As eager as Blake was to get in out of the cold, the closer she got to Yang and Ruby's house, the more a growing sense of dread filled her. She knew that as soon as she set foot inside that house, she'd be face-to-face with Yang's father for the first time ever. It seemed like such a silly, mundane thing to worry about, especially after all that she'd seen and done, but Blake couldn't deny how nervous she was.

Blake was starting to doubt that coming to Patch with Yang and Ruby had been a good idea, although she had no idea what she would've done otherwise. The first semester at Beacon was over, and the school, including its dorms and cafeteria, was closed this week. All of the students were expected to go home for the winter holidays. The problem was that Blake didn't have a home anymore. She'd turned her back on it and her family when she'd left the White Fang.

Blake had been contemplating staying with Sun when Yang had offhandedly asked her about her plans for the holidays. When Blake had explained the situation, Yang had immediately declared that Blake was coming home with her. There had been no room for debate, and when Ruby had added her enthusiastic agreement, no escape either. It wasn't until Blake was on the airship to Patch that she realized what she'd agreed to.

Yang's voice suddenly interrupted Blake's brooding thoughts. "You don't have to wear the bow, you know. Dad's not racist."

Blake looked over at Yang and gave her a small smile. She said, "I'm sure your father is a good person. But everyone's a little racist, especially before they get to know you."

"Not everyone," Yang said. "I mean, I wasn't."

Blake didn't respond.

Yang had obviously been expecting Blake to agree with her. She worriedly asked, "I wasn't, was I?"

Blake really didn't want to answer that question, but unfortunately, Yang was far too good at reading her. Her silence was answer enough. Yang looked devastated.

Blake finally said, "You weren't malicious about it."

"What does that mean?" Yang asked.

"It took me a week to get you to stop fawning over my ears," Blake said.

"But they're so cute!" Yang said.

Blake had to fight off a blush. She said, "The point is, once people know you're a faunus, they treat you differently. Intentionally or not. I want your father to know me as a person. Not as a faunus."

"I get it, I guess," Yang said. "I'm, uh, sorry if I did something wrong."

"It's okay," Blake said. "I know you were just trying to be affectionate. And I'm…glad you think my ears are cute."

"Awww," Yang cooed. She wrapped her arm around Blake's shoulders. Blake sighed happily and leaned in closer. Even through the coats, she could feel Yang's warmth. It was so very inviting.

Suddenly, Yang started snickering.

"What is it?" Blake asked, despite her gut telling her that she'd regret it.

"I was fawning over your ears? Get it?" Yang asked.

Blake bit the inside of her cheek. Even if it was funny, laughing at a pun would set a dangerous precedent. She rolled her eyes and pushed Yang away.

"Ah come on, Blakey! You're the one who said it!"

Blake finally saw Yang's house up ahead through the snow. All the lights were on in the windows, but despite the house's welcoming appearance, Blake's stomach was tying itself in knots. As eager as Blake was to get inside, she really wasn't ready to encounter Yang's father. There were just too many unknowns.

Ruby was standing outside the house, apparently waiting for Yang and Blake. Her heavy coat and oversized wool cap made her look distinctly like a big, red marshmallow. She was bouncing up and down to keep warm and had her hands shoved into her coat pockets. Blake wasn't sure why Ruby hadn't just gone inside, but she was sure there was a reason that made sense in Ruby's head.

Upon spotting Yang and Blake, Ruby jogged over to them. "There you guys are!" she said. "What took you so long? It's cold out here!"

"Pff. It's not that cold," Yang scoffed.

Blake glared at Yang dangerously, but Yang brushed it off with a laugh.

Ruby said to Blake, "I can't wait for you to meet Dad! He's really going to like you."

"I hope so," Blake said. "Your father knows I'm coming to visit, right?"

Yang answered for Ruby, "Yeah. We told him."

Blake nodded. She wouldn't have put it past Yang to forget to tell her father about the guest she was bringing home. It eased her worry just a little to know that she was expected.

Suddenly, a troubling thought popped into Blake's head. She asked, "And he does know we're dating, right?"

"Uh, well…" Yang said.

"Yang!" Blake exclaimed. She stopped in her tracks.

"Relax," Yang said. "I've introduced Dad to plenty of boyfriends before. He's always been okay with them. Mostly."

Blake's eyes narrowed. "And what about girlfriends? Has he met any of those?"

Yang scratched the back of her head. "Not really?"

It was official, Blake decided. Coming to Patch had been a terrible idea.

"Oh don't give me that look," Yang said. "Everything'll be fine, right Rubes?"

"Mmm. Maybe," Ruby said.

Blake was not filled with confidence. She supposed turning and running for the hills was still an option, although realistically she knew that she was stuck here all week. Even if there was somewhere else she could stay, there was no way she could afford the price of an airship ticket. Besides, she really wanted to get in out of the cold.

Blake shook her head in exasperation and started walking again. The trio of girls reached the house. The front door wasn't locked; Yang just opened it up and let everyone in.

"Guess who's home!" Yang shouted when they'd all stepped inside.

Blake found herself in a cozy living room. There was a cheery fire burning in the fireplace, and the smell of something cooking hung in the air. However, Blake barely had time to observe her new surroundings and soak up the warmth before disaster struck. A pair of yapping dogs, corgis by the look of them, charged into the room.

Ruby threw up her arms and happily shouted, "Eins! Zwei!"

Blake panicked. Her instincts screamed at her to get someplace high. She climbed up the nearest thing she could find, which just happened to be Yang, and shouted, "You didn't tell me you had dogs!"

"Don't like dogs, huh," Yang deadpanned as Blake clung to her.

"No!" Blake shouted.

Both dogs circled around Yang's legs, eager to shower affection on this marvelous new friend that had entered their home.

"Ruby? Can you help me out?" Yang asked.

"Roger!" Ruby said. She clapped her hands. "Eins! Zwei! Come here! Follow me!"

The two dogs reluctantly abandoned their new best friend and followed Ruby out of the room.

"It's safe. You can come down now," Yang said.

Blake cautiously put her feet back on the ground and let go of Yang. She did it just in time too, because a man with blond hair poked his head into the room. "What's all the commotion—Little Dragon!"

"Hiya, Dad!" Yang said.

Yang's father bounded into the room. Apparently, he'd been the one cooking because he had a pink apron on over his clothes. He ran over and gave Yang a big bear hug. "It's so good to have my girls back home! Is your sister here?"

"Yeah, she's taking care of the dogs," Yang said.

Blake quietly watched the family reunion. Yang's father bore a striking resemblance to Yang, right down to the color of his clothes. It was harder for Blake to see Ruby in his looks, but his excited mannerisms were a dead-on match for his younger daughter.

"Wait a minute," Yang's father said. He pushed Yang back and looked her over. "Where is your coat, young lady!?"

"You know I don't need one, Dad," Yang said exasperatedly.

"Just because you can keep yourself warm, doesn't mean you shouldn't have it with you," Yang's father scolded.

"No worries! It's right here," Yang said. She put her hand on Blake's shoulder.

Yang's father looked at Blake like he'd just noticed she was there. "Oh! Is this, uh, the friend you mentioned?" he asked.

Blake nodded respectfully. "It's good to meet you, sir."

Yang said, "I guess I should introduce everyone. Blake, this is Taiyang, my dad. Dad, this is Blake, my girlfriend."

Blake's eyes flicked over to Yang. She hadn't really expected Yang to keep their relationship a secret, but how could Yang say that so casually to her unaware father?

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Taiyang said. He grabbed Blake's hand and shook it vigorously. "Yang's told me a lot about you."

"Dad, I don't think you heard me," Yang said. "This is Blake, my girlfriend."

"I heard. I'm glad you made friends so quickly at your new school."

"No, Dad," Yang said, shaking her head. "Blake's my girlfriend-girlfriend."

"She's…wait, what?"

"We're dating."

"You're…but…"

"And we like each other. A lot."

"But…"

"Sometimes we even kiss."

Blake's cheeks were glowing red with embarrassment, and her heart was hammering in her ears. She really loved how carefree Yang could be, but this didn't seem like something to be so flippant about.

Taiyang looked bewildered, befuddled, and confused. "But I've met your old boyfriends. Were they not really your boyfriends? You didn't have to pretend in front of me."

"No, they were," Yang said. "I like boys."

"But you're dating a girl now."

"I like girls too."

"That's a thing?"

"Of course it's a thing!"

"And it's your thing?"

"Yup."

"This…" Taiyang started. Blake could practically see the wheels in his head turning. She held her breath for what he might say.

Suddenly, Taiyang straightened up. "This changes everything! For starters, the No Boys at Home When I'm Not Here rule applies to girls now too! I don't want any teenager nonsense going on in my house!"

"Dad!" Yang whined. "I turned eighteen last month. I'm an adult now!"

"All the more reason for the rule," Taiyang said.

"This is why I never told you about any of my other girlfriends," Yang muttered.

"Others!?" Taiyang exclaimed.

"Oops."

"You mean Blake here isn't your first?"

"No?"

"But then…all those slumber parties at your friends' houses."

"Well, some of those actually were slumber parties," Yang said sheepishly.

"Oh my poor, sweet daughter!" Taiyang exclaimed.

"Come on, Dad," Yang said. "I never did anything with one of my girlfriends that I didn't do with one of my boyfriends."

Blake assumed that Yang's statement was meant to calm her father down, but it had the exact opposite effect. He started wailing all over again.

"Please don't embarrass me in front of Blake," Yang said.

Taiyang suddenly stopped his antics. His head snapped to Blake, and he said, "Speaking of Miss…uh…"

Blake looked like a deer caught in the headlights, but she automatically supplied, "Belladonna."

"Miss Belladonna. Thank you," Taiyang said. "Are you treating Yang right? What are your intentions for my innocent baby girl?"

Blake decided not to point out that she knew from firsthand experience that "innocent" was not a very good word to describe Yang. She didn't want to be on the receiving end of a veteran huntsman's wrath. Instead, she said, "Yang is very special to me, Mr. Xiao Long. I just want to make her happy."

Blake's gaze drifted over to Yang only to find Yang looking right back at her. Their eyes locked, and Yang smiled at her. It wasn't her usual cocky grin but a genuine, loving smile that Blake had only ever seen Yang give her. It never failed to melt Blake's heart, and this time was no exception. Blake smiled back. Suddenly, she wasn't so nervous anymore.

Blake shook herself out of her trance when she remembered that she was standing in front of Yang's father. When she turned back to Taiyang, however, he had a truly odd expression on his face. It was a mix of eyebrow-raising wonderment, a gleeful grin, and openmouthed shock. Blake didn't dare guess what it meant.

"Well that settles that!" Taiyang said unexpectedly. "I don't know about that 'Mr. Xiao Long' business though. It makes me sound old. How about you call me 'Dad'?"

Blake was stunned. Surely Taiyang couldn't have completely accepted her in the space of two sentences.

"So can I take your coat, er, coats?" Taiyang asked.

Ruby suddenly popped back into the room, having shed her winter coat and hat. She asked, "What was all that shrieking about?"

"Ruby-Roo!" Taiyang cheered. "Come here and give me a hug!"

Ruby ran over to her father and jumped into his waiting arms.

Blake was grateful to have Taiyang's attention off of her. She had no idea what she should be feeling at the moment. Of all the scenarios she'd envisioned for meeting Yang's father, this had not been one of them. She was starting to understand why Yang and Ruby were the way they were.

Yang put her arm around Blake's shoulder. "You doing alright? You look a little overwhelmed."

"I'm fine, actually," Blake said, and to her surprise, it was true. She really wanted to hug Yang right now, but she wasn't sure if that would be appropriate in front of her father.

Yang somehow sensed what Blake wanted and drew her in even closer. Blake watched from the safety of Yang's arms as Ruby and Taiyang chatted animatedly with each other. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad idea to come here after all.

Suddenly, an acrid smell tickled Blake's nose. "Is something burning?" she asked.

"Oh! That's probably lunch," Taiyang said. "I wanted to make something special to celebrate my girls coming home."

A shrill beeping that made Blake's ears twitch started coming from the kitchen. Something in there had set off the fire alarm.

"I, uh, I should go check on that," Taiyang said. He hurried off.

Blake glanced at Yang.

Yang shrugged her shoulders. "He tries," she said.

Frantic clattering, accompanied by a lot of coughing, came from the kitchen.

"He tries really hard," Yang said.

Ruby's eyes lit up. "Someone's going to have to cook while we're here. And you know who's really good at it? Yang!"

"Really?" Blake asked.

"Well yeah," Yang said. "I'm awesome with anything that involves fire."

"Of course," Blake said with a chuckle.

"So?" Ruby prompted Yang.

"So what?" Yang asked.

"You know what," Ruby said. "You should cook for Blake!"

"I'm sure Dad would be happy to do it," Yang said.

"Yang, please?" Ruby said, unleashing her puppy dog eyes.

Yang grimaced. She turned to Blake for support, but that proved to be a mistake. Blake was intrigued by the idea of Yang cooking. Blake may not have had Ruby's talent for pleading looks, but she found that a patient, unwavering stare usually got Yang to do what she wanted her to do.

"Alright," Yang conceded. "I'll make dinner tonight."

"Yay!" Ruby cheered.

"Traitor," Yang teasingly accused Blake.

Blake just chuckled.

"Lunch is ready!" Taiyang called out from the kitchen.

Yang said, "Oh boy. Here we go."

Author's Note: Believe it or not this story was supposed to be just a one-shot. Somehow it managed to completely get away from me and turned into a three chapter novelette. I guess this is the season for being generous, even if it's accidental.

Now that Volume 4 is out, it's pretty clear that the Rose-Xiao Long family only has one dog, but I decided to give them two in this story, just because I think it's funnier that way. Don't tell Blake that it was my idea. She might kill me. And of course the weekend before I post this story, the show introduces Blake's parents. I think was I've written about her having nowhere to go still makes sense within the context of canon though. At least, I hope it does.

Speaking of Volume 4, I'm live blogging it over on my tumblr (electronicyarn)! Come and find out how many more of my predictions turn out to be dead wrong!

Constructive criticism is always welcome, so please feel free to review or comment. If you want to be notified of updates or send me a message, you can find me on tumblr under the name electronicyarn.