Chapter One: Limerence
A deep ember charred the midnight blue sky, a streak of orange and crimson splashed across the horizon. The last of the sun's rays warmed her skin some through the glass. She pressed her cheek to the cool window, her body slumped, seated on the protruding windowsill. Her head felt heavy. A rest would do her good, she thought. The entire day had become a blur. So much had happened and yet, so little was on her mind. Only one thing remained vivid to her. 'I'm not going anywhere.'
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, leaning her head back to rest against the wall behind her. The silence swallowed her, allowing her to reflect, though her mind felt empty. A content thoughtless solace embraced her. She felt, in that moment, completely at peace, with the remaining sunlight flowing over her. Occasionally her mind would flit to her most treasured, happiest memories before falling back into unoccupied sleep. Moments filled with her loved ones, their smiles, their laughter. The adventures they embarked on together, the nights they would stay up late talking, sharing their dreams, those mornings she would wake to the scent of freshly brewed tea. Her sleep deepening with each memory.
The warmth faded with every moment of sleep. Her fond memories began to diminish away, along with the sun, only to be replaced with darkness and cold. Red. Her breathing quickened. A slender silhouette appeared in front of her. Through the dark abyss she could see his bony frame draped in scarlet. The red katana poised. She felt the bile rise in her throat. Sweat-slick forehead. A heavy pounding in her chest. The pain seared through her once more. Gasping for air.
Yang awoke suddenly. Her eyes scoured the room swiftly, but she was alone. Just a nightmare.
The sky outside now pitch-black. Stars gleaming brightly, scattered throughout the thick grey clouds and the broken moon had a brilliant radiance. The linen curtain whirled about majestically at the open window, a gentle breeze carrying the first scent of the summer air with it. Yang brushed her matted, golden locks back, wiping the sweat from her brow with her gloved hand. She sighed with relief. It was late. She had expected her sister to have returned to their room by now. Perhaps she was still enjoying the free food and drink downstairs with the others.
She stood and stretched out her arms in front of her, her human arm cracking as she did. Deep breaths. She sighed. Pulling off her jacket and throwing it on the bed closest to her, she winced as the wounds from the earlier bouts stung.
Knock knock
"Come in."
Yang turned to face the door, her guest had pushed it open only slightly, just enough for her to see their face. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks, though she couldn't decide if it was due to nerves or anger or something else completely.
Blake coyly stepped inside, gently shutting the door behind her. The two locked eyes from across the room. Blake drew a long deep breath before speaking.
"Yang…I'm so, so sorry...I know I didn't say it earlier. I wanted to speak to you alone, to explain." Blake's voice cracked as she spoke. Yang could see the glisten of tears forming in the eyes of her former, or was it now current, teammate. Blake continued after a moment of silence. "I had to leave Yang. After what happened to you, I couldn't put you…or anyone else in that kind of danger again. You have to understand."
"But I don't understand, Blake. You could have explained all of this back at Beacon, you could have told me that was how you felt I- ".
"You would've tried to stop me Yang! It would have been so much more difficult to leave if you knew!" Tears spilled from Blake's eyes, down her flushed cheeks. Yang furrowed her brow. It was true. Had Blake told her the truth, Yang would have begged her to stay, despite everything. "It was all my fault. If Adam hadn't been after me, none of this would have happened…" Yang looked into the face of her teary-eyed friend, her heart swelling a thousand times over. A sorrowful smile adorned her lips as she took the short walk over to the raven-haired girl. Her arms spread, she pulled Blake into a tight embrace, her prosthetic hand entwined in the black tresses, she snuggled her face into the loose hair cascading about Blake's shoulder. A startled gasp followed by heavy weeping, Blake threw her arms around Yang in reciprocation.
They stood for a minute, holding one another.
Yang pulled away after some time, one arm still loosely draped around Blake's torso.
"It's okay Blake." She smiled softly, Blake returning the smile, through a rosy blush. "Of course, I wish you'd have stayed, but I see now, it wasn't an easy decision to make…"
"I'm sorry Yang." Blake glanced at Yang's robotic arm, a pained expression present on her face.
Yang flashed a toothy grin and bashfully rubbed the back of her head.
"Hey, no biggie. My new arm is just as good as the old one." She gave Blake a little wink and a smile. Blake smiled back coyly.
"I'm glad." Blake said. Yang nodded in reply.
YANG! I brought you some cake!" Suddenly, a short, pink-faced girl burst into the room, a giant grin plastered on her face, a plate of cake balanced in one hand and a pair of white, thigh-high boots in the other. Blake and Yang simultaneously looked over at their youngest team member.
"Ruby…are those Weiss's boots?" Yang cocked an eyebrow at her little sister. Ruby quickly stowed the boots behind her back.
"What are you talking about boots? I don't have any boots."
"Ruby, we already saw them." Blake chuckled. "Why do you have her shoes?"
Ruby sighed, she passed Yang the cake before plopping herself down onto her bed, pulling off her own shoes as she did. Yang placed the plate on the desk behind her. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stood back beside Blake.
"I just wanted to try them on okay." She pouted as she began tugging the long white boots onto her feet.
"She's going to kill you; your enormous feet are going to stretch them out." Yang laughed.
"Nuh-uh" Ruby pouted, still yanking at the boots that were now only just past her ankle. Her face had started to turn red from the strain. Blake joined in the laugher now.
In a moment, a head of silver-white hair whizzed past the two of them, aiming directly for the little tyrant. Weiss's hand shot out and grasped Ruby's ear tightly, her face stern with anger and irritation. Ruby whimpered.
"RUBY! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY THINGS! I TOLD YOU NO!"
"I'm sorry Weiss, I just really want to try them, they're so cute!"
"I don't care, I told you not to! You're such a child!"
Yang shook her head at them, smiling brightly as she carefully pried Weiss's delicate fingers from Ruby's ear.
"Ruby, give her the boots back please."
"Fine." Ruby glowered, reluctantly handing the boots back to her friend. Weiss huffed and held the pair of shoes close to her chest.
"Thank you, Yang. Now, I'm going to bed." Weiss started before noticing Blake stood sheepishly behind Yang's wild, bushy, blonde curls. She smiled thoughtfully and continued. "Goodnight everyone. Sleep well." And with that she left, her snowy hair billowing after her.
"Goodnight Weiss." The remaining three chorused.
"I think I'm going to head off to bed too. It's been a long day." Blake said.
"Night Blake." Ruby gave her a wave as she swung her body underneath the covers, falling asleep almost immediately. Yang chuckled slightly at her sister before turning to Blake.
"Thanks for stopping by Blake." Yang smiled, yet Blake thought it to be a solemn one.
"Thank you for forgiving me." Blake smiled back. Yang frowned and looked down sadly. She shook her head a touch.
"I-I don't know if I can forgive you yet Blake." Yang said.
"Yang..." Blake grimaced, her eyes welling up once more. Their eyes met once more. Blake could clearly see the pain in her glossy, lilac eyes. Yang sighed heavily, her face screwed up with angst and confusion.
"I want to though. I just need some time." Yang gave her a sombre smile. Blake nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'll wait for as long as you need me to. I promise you that Yang." Blake stepped toward her teammate, drawing her into a brief but heartfelt hug before heading toward the door.
"Goodnight Yang, see you in the morning." With her farewell she left.
Yang walked over to the door, softly shutting it as not to wake Ruby. She pressed her forehead against the wood, a small smile graced her lips.
"See you tomorrow."