Chapter 2
Yang watched her dark haired partner from a distance, waiting for the signal. They were currently hidden in the trees on the other side of the clearing the village was nestled in.
After they'd had a bite to eat at the inn they'd met up with village officials. They were greeted enthusiastically by most of them but one grated on Yang's nerves. He looked at them down his nose and made more than one snide comment about the village being sent students instead of fully trained huntsmen.
'They had paid top dollar after all' he'd blatantly said. Yang vibrated with anger just remembering it.
Blake had thrown her a proud smile at her self control at remaining pleasant to the man. She'd learned and had many arguments with Blake over such things in the past. She wasn't keen on arguing with her partner more than they had been this trip just because some dude felt like he was better than them. She'd end up proving him wrong in the end. Why waste more of her time arguing with him beforehand anyway? Blake was right, letting it go made for a more pleasant feeling when they had to admit they were wrong in the end.
Taking the higher road Blake had called it.
Yang's attention was drawn back to her partner. She would have been completely invisible to her if Yang didn't know exactly where she was hidden. Blake had the uncanny ability to blend into any environment, but shadows were her invisibility.
Yang did a sweep of the area with her eyes. The moon was bright, hanging at its apex in the sky. It lit the clearing with a soft blue tint. It softened the forest edges and made the ground glowed as if sprinkled with a translucent form of dust. The grass in the clearing, separating them from the village, rolled in waves with a light breeze sweeping into the valley between the trees.
Yang's skin twitched. A breeze would feel nice, but hidden in her alcove in the trees she was much too protected to feel anything but the stifling dampness of the vegetation surrounding her.
Yang, unlike Blake, struggled to remain still and silent. She wanted to fight already. Why were the Grimm taking so long?
They'd been told the Grimm attacked frequently at night. The villagers hadn't seen them in a few nights so everyone was on edge, anticipating their arrival. Yang admitted it was a good thing as it might draw the Grimm in faster.
They'd hunkered down after observing their fighting ground. Blake had been the one to suggest they camp out at the far end of the clearing. The sneering official had questioned her choices as they'd be too far to stop an attack if it happened.
Blake had flashed her golden eyes at him and responded by reminding him she had perfect sight in the dark as well as she'd be able to hear anything before it got out of hand. She also supplied the fact that if they attacked the grimm from the other side of the clearing it would draw them from the village, reducing the damages it would take on.
Yang felt a swelling inside as she watched Blake so effortlessly put the man in his place and her reasoning couldn't be argued so he found himself agreeing to the plan wholeheartedly along with his fellow officials.
It had been hours since they'd positioned themselves in the trees. The sun had set and as the moon slowly rose Yang was doubting if an attack would happen that night. She dreaded having to go tracking in the morning after staying awake all night. She felt worse for Blake as, although Yang was getting better in their tracking classes at school, Blake had always and would always be better at it than her. Her faunus features giving her senses a boost that Yang would never be able to emulate.
It meant if the fight didn't happen tonight, Blake would have to spend more of her energy tracing the Grimm's movements through the hundreds of acres of forest surrounding the village. It could take days or longer to find them. And if the trail led too far from the village Blake would have to go on without her. Someone would have to stay back with the village to protect it. Yang hated splitting up, they were always too far apart to help each other and one of them always came out of the fray a little more battered than was normal.
And even if the tracking went well Blake would still be left twice as exhausted as she normally would after a mission.
Yang could already see that Blake was ready for a nap, and Yang felt guilty for drawing some of Blake's reserve energy on attacking her to prove a point earlier.
But as Blake pointed out, she was stubborn and showing her was the best lesson, plus Yang was always better with her actions than with her words.
Yang adjusted her position and a twig snapped below her. She froze and sheepishly looked to Blake's direction. She knew her partner was rolling her eyes at her restlessness.
She focused on being still, not wanting Blake to suggest she go back to the village and guard from there. Grimm wouldn't mind a girl walking through the streets as much as one rolling around in the bushes, Yang could almost hear the words coming out of her partner's lips.
She sometimes felt she held Blake back. Blake was so capable on her own. She could sneak up on all her enemy's and dispatch them before they even noticed they were under attack. She could go an entire battle, putting down a dozen Grimm and emerge without a single scratch.
Yang on the other hand was lucky to come out of a tussle without any major bruises.
She'd voiced her opinion one night on a mission when Blake had come to her aid as she was knocked down. Blake had taken care of the grimm as Yang cradled her spinning head. But Blake hadn't come out without her share of scratches and bruises.
She'd rushed over to Yang with such desperate worry that Yang was ashamed. She hadn't looked at her for hours that night until Blake had made her confront what was wrong.
Blake had laughed, actually laughed at her and called her an idiot.
Yang should have been angry but she wasn't. She never was when Blake allowed herself to let go and show so much emotion.
Blake had candidly told her that as a team they were stronger. There were many, many Grimm that were stronger than her and she'd probably have failed taking them down if Yang's power hadn't weakened them or took them out altogether.
She had smacked Yang's already throbbing head without any remorse and blatantly told her if she had to take on dozens of smaller Grimm so Yang could take on the larger ones then she would. She had said that their fighting styles, their strengths, had put them in the positions they were in. If Yang was knocked down Blake would happily step in until she was ready to jump back in.
Blake had told her she felt inadequate sometimes next to her and Yang was so surprised with the confession she knew her disbelief had shown in her face. Blake feeling weak when compared to her own strength hadn't ever crossed her mind. Blake had said she felt like a decoy sometimes, just waiting for Yang to charge up so she could finish the fight.
Yang shook her head, ridding her mind of the unpleasant memories. Both their personal insecurities had put them both in danger previously but it was happening less and less. They were becoming comfortable in their roles, and although they could joke now about Blake being the decoy and Yang being only useful in her brute strength, it had been a long road to get to this point.
That hadn't been the first or last conversation the two had had with Blake basically putting Yang in her place. She had so candidly shot down every argument Yang had had and it never failed to amaze her the differences she witnessed in Blake between being at school and out of the road with her alone.
To be honest, Yang looked forward to solo missions with Blake more than team missions because she got to see this side of her. Blake was expressive in the group, but quietly so. She'd smirk or roll her eyes or be dismissive with a wave of her arm, but she rarely let herself fully laugh when happy or yell when angered unless it was just Yang and her, and she rarely, if ever, made physical contact with the others in any way.
Yang looked forward to seeing her come out of her shell like that almost more than she enjoyed the fighting.
She wondered how she could get her to act this way around Weiss and Ruby. Did she not think they'd accept her if she was more upfront and in your face? Did she not trust them enough, or was it something else?
A few hours later Yang looked to the sky, realizing dawn was fast approaching. She was debating calling it and night and forcing Blake to go get a few hours sleep before she'd need to be up and tracking the Grimm. She should have let Blake sleep earlier instead of dragging her down to eat in the bar.
It was then as she searched the black tree line for her partner that Blake's golden eyes brightly looked her way. She blinked three times before slinking back into the trees.
It was on! Yang felt a rush of adrenalin hit her and she tried her best to remain rooted so as not to tip the Grimm off on her location.
First came the Beowolves as usual, they creeped forward on four limbs, their claws digging into the ground, ripping clumps if grass out by their roots.
They couldn't even be satisfied destroying the village, Yang thought, they had to destroy the beautiful landscape as well.
The beasts took turns rearing up onto their hind legs, noses twitching in the air, sensing more negative energy from the village than Yang herself they would continue on their path towards the few torches in the distance. Yang kept her head lowered so they wouldn't catch her golden hair or spiked aura glowing around her. They seemed to slink forward apprehensive. Probably noting some unknown energy in the air. They weren't wrong.
Just wait your turn, Yang thought as her attention turned to the two Ursai that followed. Easily both of the Ursai and the dozen or so Beowolves would be no match for her and her faunus partner, but Yang noted that Blake still hadn't made an appearance which meant there was something else still coming. Yang darted her eyes to the lead Beowolf getting closer to the village than Yang was comfortable with. Her fingers twitched to go after it but knew there was a reason Blake was waiting. Those first few were Blake's to take out after all. That was the plan, that was always the plan. Blake would take out the smaller Grimm while Yang went after the larger. And breaking from the plan in the past had put them both in danger. She knew Blake wouldn't let the Grimm get that close if she didn't think she could get to it in time still.
The next two beasts to emerge were massive, with bulky sinewy muscles, they stood side by side and dwarfed their Ursa cousins. A pair of Beringel stood before her. They paused just through the trees looking across the clearing, more wary than the other grimm. They too lifted their heads catching the breeze and the scent it carried with it. They smelled something Yang's senses were too week to catch and Yang watched as they both seemed to prance on the spot, opening their mouths just to shut them with a sharp clack of their canines meeting. They looked excited and it sickened her.
Yang was wondering if there were more when Blake shot forward.
"I have to get to the village." She yelled at Yang, shooting the Beringel to draw them fully into the clearing so they couldn't escape. She then looked to Yang, throwing Gambol Shroud to her. Catching her meaning Yang ran into the cleaning and spun on her heel when she knew she was cleared of the forest. Blake whipped around her, grasping her weapons tether. As the village came into Yang's view she let go, Blake flew through the clearing with a renewed speed. She landed on one Beowolf's head, knocking it to the ground before she swung her weapon to impales another, she tugged and propelled herself forward, landing on the wall separating the houses and shops from the wilderness.
Yang shivered. Blakes golden glowing eyes the only feature visible against her silhouette formed by the faint torchlight behind her was terrifying to behold. Yang didn't blame the Grimm from taking a few retreating steps at the sight of her.
Realizing Blake had made it and the village was safe Yang tore her eyes from her partner, returning her attention to the two Beringel. They beat the ground with their large fists in anger as they turned to face her. She aimed some blasts at both of their faces and when their eyes were closed she propelled herself forward between them. While they were looking for her in front she attacked from behind. She knew their strongest weapons were their fists so she needed to stay out of their grasp.
She rushed forward landing a strong blow to the ones ankle before jumping to avoid its fist spinning on her. She used her momentum to turn and land a few punches to the back of other beasts head.
She tried to push off its shoulder but misjudged the first ones speed as it swung at her. She went flying landing on her back and skidding several feet before she realized what had happened. She flipped up onto her feet, in a crouch, to stop her backwards momentum and took in her surroundings.
The Beringel that hit her also hit the Grimm she'd been attacking. Apparently Grimm didn't mind friendly fire. The fallen Beringel righted itself and roared at its comrade.
Giving her an idea, that Blake would probably tell her was too reckless, she sprung forward. She swung and punched the same leg of the one she injured the ankle of previously, landing a blow to the side of its knee. It howled in pain.
She pushed off the ground as he swiped at her, landing on the knee of the other Grimm. She shot up and blasted a hard strike to the others chin. Its head snapped back forcefully.
The first one swung at her again but its fist collided with the others as they both reached for her above their heads. Angling down she released another blast, shooting herself towards the ground. She flew by both their massive arms, twice as thick around as her body, focussed her aura around her fist and landed a punch to the first ones nose. It staggered back howling, reaching for her blindly. She danced just out of his reach taking turns blasting at each of them in turn. It angered the one enough to swing out hard knocking her and his companion to the ground once more.
Dazed she tried to get the world to stop spinning and only rolled onto her side just in time to miss a crushing blow from one of their giant fists.
It sobered her immediately as she crouched. One muscled beast came to stand over her. She spared a glance at the other as it was still struggling to stand. Blasting herself into the air with her left arm she was able to land another powerful blow to its face. Having nowhere to run she ended up landing underneath the beast again, encircled by its massive arms.
It raised both in the air and brought them down, repeating the process several times. The first few blows struck her, even with her aura protecting her body her legs were forced to dig further into the hard dirt with each connecting blow. As it lifted its arms higher for a stronger blow Yang took her opening, she jumped sideways, the beasts fist just missing her. It tried again and she jumped a little further back as she shot a perfectly aimed blast into his face. Enraged further it kept beating the ground.
Yang kept just out of his reach as he clambered to follow her. As she neared her destination she shot another blast to his face, wanting him blind to his rage.
Yang knew the feeling well and because she experienced it she knew how to exploit it. She hopped once more backwards and the monsters eyes and fists shifted to follow her. This time when she jumped away the beasts arms slammed into the belly of the other Beringel where Yang had been a second before.
She jumped back several feet as the other Beringel took the bait and swung at its brother. They tumbled against each other landing blows and Yang smiled.
She took a deep breath and relished the breeze cooling her heated skin. The air was suddenly knocked from her lungs as she was flung sideways. She hit the ground hard with a grunt. When she looked up she realized the smaller Ursa had snuck up on her as she was celebrating her manipulation of the two larger Grimm.
She glanced toward the village where Blake had taken down all the Beowolf and was working on the larger Ursa. Blake shot her an apologetic look before her glowing eyes focussed back on the claws trying to rip her apart.
Knowing Ursai had shorter range with their arms Yang rushed forward before it could think of swinging and landed multiple blows to its soft belly. It swung at her and she caught its paw with her forearm. Grabbing the fur of its arm Yang pulled at the same time she lifted her other fist to punch its face. The larger animal toppled sideways, overpowered by Yang's strength.
Two strong blasts to its head and the Ursa vanished, disappearing into the dust its landing stirred up.
The two Beringel were pulled out of their wrestling match, realizing they had a common enemy. Yang smiled as one jumped up and down in anger, it opened its jaw wide and bellowed at her. She could see its spit shoot from its mouth and hang down it's jaw and was just glad she was far enough none of its saliva landed in her.
She didn't notice the other one move but something pushed her back. It flung her back into the trees, many branches breaking before she was stopped by a solid trunk.
Yang fell to her knees as she gasped for breath. Beside her was a small boulder. That thing had thrown a boulder at her!
Pain seeped through every bone and muscle of her body. Her legs quivered knowing the muscles had taken a beating while she was being pulverized. Her arms ached with the efforts of every punch she landed and her head and spine were on fire from the impacts to the ground and tree behind her. Not to mention the bruise she knew would form on her belly where the boulder had hit her.
Rage welled up inside her. How dare they resort to throwing things at her.
The pain within her began to morph. Each nerve suddenly exploded and Yang was left feeling thousands of tingling pinpricks through her body. She knew the sensation could only be described as pain to anyone else but it drove her to stand. Soaking it up it grew her rage, localized needles of pain changed into a humming of connectivity throughout every muscle.
Yang stepped forward, smiling as she moved into the clearing. The two beasts had turned their backs, thinking her defeated, changing their attention to Blake.
Yang's anger rose at the thought of them trying to pommel her partner like they had with her.
"Hey." She yelled across the cleaning, a burning fire enveloped her, the vibrations between her nerves flowing outwards from her body in a pleasant burning sensation "I'm not done with you yet!"
She started stalking towards them, noticing Blake's relieved gaze as she took the time the Grimm were watching Yang to take large gasping breaths. Blake had taken down the Ursa Major and a whole horde of Beowolf and all Yang had to do was deal with these two. Anger swelled up knowing Blake had thought she'd have to deal with the two giants as well.
Her shame didn't have a place as Yang saw red. Several blasts in quick succession had her before the Beringel in a split second. It surprised them she noticed. She pummelled at their bodies as the one had tried to do to her before. They howled and swung at her but she was too far gone in her semblance for them to be able to land a single hit.
Yang saw Blake jump in, circling the two beasts, and Yang fired shots at their eyes to distract them. Blake pulled her weapons tether trapping the two against one another.
Charging up her energy to the point Yang thought she'd self destruct she swung her fist forward with a yell. The blast disintegrated the two on the spot.
Knowing they had succeeded Yang bent at the waist as she gasped for air. Her body going back to the annoying throbbing pain she normally felt when her semblance wasn't active.
Blake was beside her in an instant checking her for major damage like she always did after a rigorous encounter.
"I'm fine," she wheezed out.
"That does not sound convincing." Blake helped her to stand and circled her checking for blood and broken bones.
Yang winced at a few spots her black haired friend prodded.
Blake tsked and wrapped one of Yang's arms around her shoulder, helping her towards the village and the Inn where Yang hoped they could get cleaned up and rest.
Blake had told her multiple times she wasn't a quiet fighter and that seemed to ring true because it looked like most of the village met them at the gates. They looked up at them with wide eyed wonder and awe.
As they passed the official with the snide comments earlier bowed his head and thanked them.
"We're going back to the inn to rest, we'll come find you later." Blake informed him.
He nodded in understanding and no one moved to stop them.
A small chuckle escaped Blake and Yang turned her head to see a smirk playing on her lips.
"What?" She asked amused.
"With our backs to him he whispered to someone to imagine how powerful we will be as full huntresses." Yang smiled as Blake scoffed. "I think we changed his mind on what a huntsmen in training is capable of."
They made their way to their room and Blake helped her undress, before going to retrieve a cloth and the bowl of fresh water.
Yang watched as Blake focussed on cleaning the dirt and blood from her battered body. Watched as she made disapproving noises at each bruise that was made evident with the removal of mud caked to her skin.
"Don't think I didn't see you put yourself foolishly between those." Blake tsked. "Things." She finished.
"They're called Beringels."
Yang jumped as Blake roughly scraped at a rash on her skin, procured by being dragged along the dirt.
"I know what they're called, Yang." She harrumphed. Wringing the cloth out in the water and returning it to Yangs skin, more gently this time. "Sorry."
"It's okay."
Blake finished cleaning her up in silence, telling her to get into bed to rest.
"Sorry I'm being selfish," Yang whispered as Blake only started to get undressed and cleaned up herself. "Are you hurt anywhere? I didn't think to ask." Yang grit her teeth. "I'm a horrible partner, come here."
Blake looked over her shoulder at Yang as she pulled her top from her body, leaving her only in her bra.
"No, you're not." She answered, going back to shedding her boots and pants. "And I'm fine."
"Come here," Yang said again. When Blake again looked over her shoulder at her, Yang knew she was hiding something. "Now." She demanded.
Blake sighed, giving in she turned to face Yang. Yang's eyes widened as she saw the gash along Blake's ribs.
"What were you doing worrying about all my scratches when you had that thing this whole time?" She asked trying to untangle her legs from the blankets to get up.
"It's not as deep as it looks and I knew you'd make a big deal out of it."
Yang gave her a pointed look as she sat up on the edge of the bed. Blake relented and did what she was told and made her way towards yang.
As she neared, Yang reached out and gently touched the inflamed, angry skin surrounding the wound. She knew how it felt. Yang was angry too.
"See, not so bad." Blake tried to back away but was stopped by Yang's hand suddenly on her hip preventing her from escaping. Yang pulled at Blake's hip, urging her forward. Blake followed and stepped forward until her thighs were leaning against the mattress between Yang's spread legs.
Yang wordlessly reached and grabbed the damp cloth from Blake's closed fist and went to work. She gently cleaned the area, ghosting her fingers gently over the damaged skin to not cause Blake more pain. As she did she noticed that Blake was correct. And that although the damage wasn't as bad as it had initially looked it was definitely worse than any of her own injuries that Blake had been fretting over.
When she was finished cleaning the wound, she reached over to grab their bag from the floor. Blake made to retreat and Yang resumed her grip on her partner's hip stopping her.
Yang lifted the pack to her lap and pulled out the kit with bandages in it. She sprayed disinfectant on the wound and gently blew on it when Blake hissed and tensed at the sting it caused. Blake finally relaxed into her ministrations as Yang stuck the bandage down with tape to Blake's skin.
Blake didn't move as Yang ghosted her fingers along her skin looking for more damage she might have hidden.
"You sure that's the only one?" Yang asked.
"Yeah," Blake's throaty reply caught Yang's attention as she looked up to her partner's face.
Blakes eyes were closed as her head was dipped slightly forwards. Yang noticed one sharp canine was holding her bottom lip captive and only just now noticed how Blake's nails were digging into her own broad shoulders and she tried to steady herself.
"Sorry," Yang blurted pushing on Blake's hip signalling her to step back.
Blake fought against her at first, digging her nails in deeper to Yang's flesh, before she seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in.
Yang laughed. "Are you that tired you were going to fall asleep standing up?"
Blake shook her head and her eyes cleared from fog as she looked down to Yang.
"No," she replied, stepping back. "Sorry."
Yang smiled at her, noticing how her ears flattened sideways. "No need to be embarrassed. Just come to bed." She patted the space beside her on the bed. "We'll check that in the morning," she motioned to the bandage. "But I think you were right. With some rest I think your aura will have it mostly healed in a few hours."
Blake nodded making her way to the water bowl and splashing her face before she made her way around the bed and slipped in beside Yang.
"Get some rest." Yang said turning on her side to face her dark haired friend.
"You too," Blake responded, turning her body to face yang before closing her eyes.
The room was very bright when Yang opened her eyes. She breathed in deeply for a few moments, remembering where she was, before looking to the empty space beside her. She sat up and scanned the room. Blake spun around from the middle of the room, having just slipped her foot into her last boot.
"Have a good sleep?" She asked with a smirk.
"How long have you been up?" Yang asked, falling back onto the pillow.
"Long enough to be dressed and realize I'm starving."
Yang hummed and knew she was probably more hungry than Blake but was still fighting off sleep. she did tend to need more sustenance than any of her team mates after a fight. And even more when she ended up activating her semblance. Remembering something important about the night before had Yang sitting back up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
"Come here."
Blake didn't fight the command this time but did roll her eyes and scoff at her.
When she was close enough Yang reached up and lifted Blake's shirt. The bandage had been removed and all that was remaining of the wound was a pink hue of where it once had been red and angry.
"Looks good," Yang nodded. Running her thumb gently over the discolouration. The new skin felt smoother than the undamaged flesh it held together.
"Yeah it should fade to not even be noticeable by tomorrow." Yang nodded again. "Now get up so we can eat!"
Yang's stomach chose that moment to growl and she ducked her head And removed her hand from beneath Blake's shirt sheepishly as Blake's laughter filled the room.
They had a pleasant meal where Blake continued to ignore the advances of the young man behind the bar. Yang shot him a sympathetic look, as he looked so saddened to be so blatantly shot down without a chance.
As they left in search of the officials to take their leave they were met with cheers from the other villagers. Blake thanked them with grace but refused the gifts they tried to hand her. She shot Yang a look that nearly caused her to fall over her own feet when she accepted a tart from the baker and shoved it in her mouth.
"What?" She mumbled around a mouth full of pastry.
Blake just shook her head and continued on.
The officials met them out front of the village hall, hearing the commotion as they neared.
They took turns thanking them and shaking their hands but when Blake mentioned they were needing to head out to reach their ship before it departed for the night a chorus of disappointed voices rose up.
Blake and Yang looked to the villagers in surprise.
"We had planned, and hoped you would stay one more night and join us for a small feast." A nice elderly lady stepped forward. She was instantly introduced as one of the officials wife.
"Oh, what's the feast for?" Yang asked
The grey haired lady chuckled. "Well for you two of course."
"Oh," Yang scratched at the back of her neck uncomfortably. "That's not necessary." She finished, already feeling awkward about accepting a tart, she was sure accepting a feast for just doing her job was more than a little inappropriate.
"Of course it's not necessary," the lady continued. "But the villagers want to say thank you."
"The money sent is more than enough of a thank you for the academy." Blake pointed out and Yang nodded in agreement.
"Yes, well" the lady's husband spoke up. He was a short, wide little fellow but had a contagious smile. "That's to pay for them sending and training you I suppose, but these fine people-" he gestured to the crowd surrounding them. "-want to personally thank you, not the academy, for what you've done."
"We really must be getting back." Blake pressed.
"What's one more night?" Blake spun to face her. Yang smiled, not backing down from her warning glare. "I'd really enjoy a night of just letting loose. Besides," she shrugged. "The mission was supposed to take three days. It's barely been two. We have time."
"What about your wager." Blake reminded her.
"So," Yang waved her off. "It'll be cleaning up after Ruby, you and I both know it, and we already do that as it is." She could see Blake still wasn't convinced. "And if you'll agree to stay and we do lose, I'll do all the cleaning myself."
Not being able to argue with that logic, Blake nodded.
The villagers cheered and rushed them back to the inn telling them to get some more rest and they'd come get them in a few hours to start the feast.
The food was delicious and Blake and Yang definitely ate their fill. The drinks weren't half bad either. Usually they avoided drinking as Ruby was younger and she didn't particularly like to see her older sister drink due to the precarious nature of their uncles affinity for the substance.
But Blake didn't seem to share Ruby's distrust of the drinks Yang was throwing back. Blake was making a show of keeping up fairly well considering Yang's metabolism burned through the alcohol faster than most.
Yang watched as Blake became the social butterfly of the party. Well, as social as she'd ever seen her faunus friend. Children got the courage to come talk to her and ended up sitting in her lap or crawling up her back to try to pet her kitty ears. She laughed and humoured them but Yang kept shooing them away when they got too handsy.
Blake always shot her a soft grateful look when she did, which Yang just waved off.
She and Blake took turns telling stories of other missions and Grimm they had taken down and caught the attention of not only the children. They were a rapt audience as Blake and Yang stood on wobbly legs to reenact a few fight scenes. Their audience jumped and awed and gasped in all the right places.
As the night wore on and the more drinks were consumed Yang began to notice Blake fading. She started leaning more heavily on her shoulder as they sat around the fire. Yang asked one of the young men for a glass of water and when he returned with it she nudged her partner awake.
"Here," she said offering the cup.
Blake smiled and took the glass, taking a sip. Her nose turned up and ears pinned back as she realized it wasn't the flavourful concoction she'd been drinking most of the night.
"You need it or you'll regret it in the morning." Yang took the mug from her and drank some of its contents. "See I'm drinking it too."
Giving in Blake emptied the cup in a few gulps before leaning on Yang's shoulder once more.
Yang made their apologies as she helped lift Blake to her feet. The villagers understood their reasons for cutting out early. They had just been up the night before battling hordes of grimm after all.
The inn seemed further away than Yang remembered and she figured it had more to do with a stumbling Blake she had to keep lifting off the road than the amount of drinks she'd actually had.
Yang waved and smiled at Greg, behind the bar, as she struggled to get Blake up the stairs to their room.
Once the door closed behind them Blake seemed to realize how exhausted she truly was, because she tried to pull out of Yang's arms to make it to the bed.
"No, no, no," Yang said, grabbing on tighter. "You cannot sleep with all this on."
Blake pouted and the way her ears had been hanging low all night caused Yang to chuckle. Her partner was cute when drunk.
"I promise bed as soon as you help me get you undressed."
The smile Blake gave her Yang could only describe as predatory. She'd never seen the look on the dark haired girl's face before. It surprised her but then Blake swayed and almost fell and they lost eye contact. The look disappeared instantly and was replaced with surprise. Yang stepped forward to steady her. She unstrapped Blake's weapon from her back and undid the buttons keeping her coat closed. Pushing the coat off her shoulders, Yang's hands reached for Blake's hips to stop her from falling as she struggled to get the garment off.
Next she placed Blake's hands on her shoulders and was thankful she got the clue. Blake gripped the fabric where her hands rested and Yang reached to unbuckle Blake's belt. Once freed she bent down to help Blake step out of her boots and pant legs. Blake kept both hands on Yang's shoulders to steady herself.
She lead Blake to bed and tucked the blankets around her snuggly before she stood to get herself ready for bed.
She undressed quickly, feeling the chilled night air on her skin. She walked to the fire on the far wall and placed another log on it. Yang ran her fingers through her hair, untangling the worst knots as she made her way back to the bed her and Blake were sharing.
Blake had flipped over onto her stomach as per usual and Yang smiled. She was definitely asleep. Wanting to join her in slumber Yang slipped into bed, tugging the blankets up to her chin. The chill of the air was chased away by the combined heat of their bodies.
Being naturally the warmer of the two Yang wasn't surprised when she felt Blake shuffle closer. When one of Blake's hands touched her arm she was surprised by just how cold she was.
Yang closed the distance between them, so Blake's body could more readily take what warmth it needed. She heard Blake sigh in her sleep, and letting out a yawn, Yang sunk deeper into the mattress ready for slumber herself.
She dozed for what felt like only a few minutes when she noticed her partner moving beside her. She was about to tell her to just go back to sleep when she felt an arm being draped over her midriff. Yang froze, she figured Blake was just cold as she curled tighter against Yang's warmth.
Yang wrapped her arm around Blake's shoulders, tugging her closer. If she wasn't going to be still until she was warm, might as well get the whole slowly taking over the personal space thing over with.
Blake buried her face in the space below Yang's chin and tightened her arms around her. Yang wasn't sure when it happened but Blake's leg was definitely draped over and wrapped around hers.
Yang felt bad at getting angry as Blake's body was cool to the touch. Yang took a deep breath before relaxing, squeezing Blake to her once more. Blake snuggled in even closer and the rhythmic puffs of air exhaling out of her lulled Yang back to sleep.
When she next woke it was still dark but the embers burning in the fireplace told her it had been at least a couple hours since they'd fallen asleep. Yang listened carefully, wondering what had woken her. She didn't hear any distressing sounds and was about to close her eyes once more, giving up her search, when she felt Blake move.
It was barely discernible, more like a twitch than anything. She looked to her partner's face. It was obscured mostly buried in her own neck but it didn't appear to be in any pain indicating a nightmare. Yang tightened her hold on Blake's body, dragging her fingers in lazy circles on Blake's lower back, hoping to soothe her into a less fretful sleep.
She felt Blake move again, more firmly against her side. Yang was confused, there was no way she could still be cold. Yang's hand, not trapped under her partner's body, came up to touch Blake's arm under the blanket they were sharing. She was warm to the touch.
Yang stared up at the ceiling as Blake twitched again, wondering if she should wake her. She felt guilty with the thought even crossing her mind. Blake had been exhausted and probably looking forward to a full night and day of sleep when back at Beacon, but she'd agreed to stay up late into the night to appease Yang. It didn't feel right to wake her just because she was squirming a little and keeping her up. She'd soon settle down, Yang was sure if it, and then she'd be able to get more sleep without disturbing her partner's needed rest.
Blake's moving soon increased instead of fading. Yang tried to look at her partner's face but as she moved Blake did too. Blake's nose came to rest at the soft spot behind her jaw, right below her ear and Blake's lips at the pulse of her neck. The puffs of air Blake exhaled sent a small shiver through Yang.
As Blake's fingers twitched where they rested, on the ribs below Yang's right breast, realization took hold.
Blake's movements were much too rhythmic to be considered anything else.
"Blake?" Yang whispered, it came out much quieter than she'd intended.
Blake's ear twitched at Yang's temple but otherwise Blake remained the same. Blake's leg, snaked around her own, tightened. Her body rose as Blake took a deep breath before she let it out, quivering against Yang's already racing pulse.
Blake's hips kept moving, rocking into Yang's thigh, and Yang was frozen. She didn't know what to do. Should she wake Blake now that Yang knew what Blake's movements meant? Would she be embarrassed when she woke? Would Yang be able to hide it from her? Could she possibly play this off in a way that wouldn't cause Blake to retreat behind the walls Yang had worked so hard breaking through?
"Blake," she tried again, and though her voice was louder than before she was more ashamed than ever. She'd practically moaned her partner's name. Blake's ear twitched violently at her temple once more and her fingers pressed more firmly into Yang's ribs.
Yang tensed at her own reactions, her racing pulse, the way she called Blake's name, and the heat threatening to engulf her coming from her core.
She was turned on by her partner.
She hadn't meant to, but as she involuntarily tensed her arm wrapped more firmly around the writhing faunus, her hand coming to rest on Blake's lower back near her moving hips.
Blake let out a sharp breath as Yang's movements pressed her more firmly into Yang's thigh. there was a split second where Blake froze and Yang was sure she would wake, but she didn't and soon Blake was moving her hips once more.
Yang's fingers on Blake's hips twitched. Clenching her jaw Yang knew she had to get control. She had to stop this. But she was so aware of how everything about Blake turned her on now. Even the sweet smell of her hair and skin, so close to her, was clouding her mind. Yang tilted her head back further into her pillow to get away from it, to clear her mind, but the movement ended up with Blake's soft lips ghosting a small trail along Yang's jawline.
And as much as Yang wanted to stop this, knowing how wrong it was to let it get any further, she wanted even more to feel Blake's lips move across her skin again. She wanted to feel Blake's lips latch onto her pulse more firmly. But more than anything Yang wanted to know what Blake's lips tasted like.
Letting out a ragged breath, Yang tightened her grip on Blake's hips, pressing them firmly into her again. She felt ashamed at her lack of self control, but told herself if she couldn't find the strength to stop Blake, maybe this would end it quicker.
Yang's wrist moved with her partner's hips, her fingers digging deeper into Blake's flesh, Yang briefly worried it might leave marks. The thought switched from worry to something more in her mind as she pictured any mark left in Blake's skin due to her, and Yang was surprised the thought of leaving marks on Blake turned her on more. Her stomach tensed pleasantly and her core burned at the thought.
Blake's fingers tightened on her ribs, bunching the fabric of her shirt and Yang turned her head, listening intensely at noises forming at the back of Blake's throat.
It was all too much and yet, Yang wanted more.
She had enough self control to not flip Blake onto her back to see the way her midnight hair looked splayed out on the white pillows beneath her. She had enough self control not to ravage Blake like her body wanted.
But even as the thoughts formed Yang knew she was lying to herself. She wasn't withholding those actions out of respect for Blake, she was doing it because if Blake woke up and pushed her away this would all have to stop. And Yang didn't want this to stop.
She didn't know when her completely platonic feelings for Blake had changed, whether she was just frustrated with the amount of time since she'd felt this way about anyone. She'd never thought of Blake in this light before. Sure Yang knew she was beautiful and had seen her turn many heads but the aching need she had to touch, kiss and taste Blake was all new. And it was all too much for her to process in the haze of half sleep and hormones.
So she held her, guided her as she moved against her thigh until Blake tensed. Yang pulled back, not being able to stop her curiosity, even if it meant waking Blake with her sudden movement. She watched as Blake's slightly furrowed brow relaxed, watched at the corners of her mouth lifted into a soft lazy smile, felt her quiver and she let out her held breath and relax more fully against Yang's body.
Yang's heart beat rapidly as Blake cuddled up to her, resuming her sleeping position. And her heart was still hammering long after Blake had been still and passed deep into her dreams.
She was still so acutely aware of Blake's body, of Blake's smell, that Yang could only describe as intoxicating. She felt every breath on her neck, every movement of Blake's soft hair tickling her arm, every inhale that brought Blake's breasts to press slightly more firm into her side.
Yang waited for the relief of it being over. For the feeling that although she felt bad she was able to put it behind her. The consolation that Blake would never know what happened. Blake would never have to be embarrassed or withdraw into herself like she'd been when they'd first met.
But none of that happened. Yang was horrified the longer she lay awake that the realization was she wasn't relieved it was over. She was disappointed. She was wanting something. And it wasn't just the fact she had been turned on and not gotten release. It was something else.
She fought her body's reaction and her minds rationalizations long into the night before she found herself falling deeper into the softness surrounding her.
