Hellooooooo :D Here is a chapter for you lovely humans!
Coco stretched herself out on the extremely comfy sofa that she slept on last night, and tried to shield her eyes from the incoming rays of sun that poured into the small apartment. She let out a little groan as she extended her arms above her head, but then furrowed her brows when she realized that the girl who was lying on the couch with her seemed to be absent.
"Maybe I should invest in one of those adjustable beds if you're going to be sleeping over more often..."
The fashionista turned her head towards the girl who spoke, and smiled. "There's no need to do that, Velv."
Velvet, who was currently preparing some breakfast for the both of them in the kitchen area, gave Coco a sidelong glance and quirked a brow. "Are you sure you don't feel cramped when we're both sleeping on my couch?"
"Not at all." Coco promptly answered. "In fact, I feel a lot more comfortable with you being close to me while I sleep."
The fashionista realized how corny she sounded immediately after confessed that out loud. She could feel her face heating up bashfully from her dorky declaration. However, once she caught a glimpse of the shit eating grin that Velvet displayed in response to her words, Coco felt a little bit less embarrassed about what she said. Sure, Coco was in a relationship with the Rabbit-Faunus... but it still didn't take away from the fact that acting like it made her feel flustered.
She wasn't used to letting herself feel vulnerable in front of others.
Velvet, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself with this side of the fashionista. Seeing as the Faunus girl created somewhat of a habit of teasing Coco every once in a while.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way." Velvet agreed. "So the tiny couch stays!"
As she finished that statement, Coco saw that the Rabbit-Faunus had finished making their breakfast. She noted that the girl decided to go with a pretty basic breakfast ensemble, and made a couple of tater tots along with some scrambled eggs. Not that the brown-haired girl was complaining, of course. It smelled and looked delightful.
Coco scoffed playfully at the Faunus girl's dramatic declaration. She then made the decision to get up from the couch and help the Faunus girl transfer the food from the kitchen to the coffee table. She let out a little groan as she pushed herself off the couch, and then stretched her arms above her head once more when she stood up. The brown-haired girl could feel that her shirt rode up as she did this action, and she just let the Faunus girl in front of her 'enjoy the view.'
Once she dropped her arms back down to her sides, Coco had to stifle a giggle when she caught her girlfriend trying to recover from basically ogling her body.
"See something you like?"
Velvet snapped out of her reverie, and then gave the fashionista a lopsided smile, "I can't say that I don't."
"Maybe you should take a picture, then." Coco winked. "Since you're an aspiring photographer and all..."
Coco observed as a playful glint entered the Rabbit-Faunus' eyes. She continued to watch as a sense of hunger seeped into the other girl's gaze while she began to openly check out the fashionista's body. This sudden intense scrutinization caused Coco to falter a bit, and she tried to gulp down her nervousness from being so thoroughly examined.
However, Velvet flashed Coco an innocent smile once they regained eye contact.
"If you don't mind being a nude model, then I'll take you up on that suggestion."
...
Coco all but whipped a couch pillow at Velvet.
Good God! This girl is daring for a freaking Rabbit-Faunus!
Velvet laughed at Coco's reaction. "What?! There is going to be a unit where we'll need nude models!"
"Shut up! We both know that you didn't entertain that idea for school!"
The Rabbit-Faunus smirked deviously to confirm her accusation.
After a moment, they both silently agreed to end the flirtatious banter and actually eat the breakfast that Velvet prepared. Much like during their dinner date, the girls ate their food at the small coffee table situated in the middle of the Faunus girl's apartment. Every once in a while, they would trade small glances and smiles, but for the most part the girls talked leisurely about random nonsense.
"Did you submit your photos from the Vytal Festival yet?"
Velvet gave her a little nod. "Yup, I left my USB stick with T.A Nebula at the end of the first day. I'm not too sure if I'll win the contest, though. I just ended up goofing around with everybody, and it kinda shows through the photos."
"Well... the Vytal Festival does create a fun and lively vibe..." the fashionista shrugged. "I think you captured the atmosphere perfectly."
"Heh... Thanks, Coco."
Suddenly, the sound of the Rabbit-Faunus' message tone from her scroll interrupted their little moment. Coco watched as Velvet went to read the message that was sent to her. An adorable expression of surprise took over the Faunus girl's facial features as she did so.
"Wow."
Coco quirked a brow, "Everything alright, Velv?"
"Everything's great, actually." She then beamed a smile towards the fashionista, "I was one of the students who won the contest!"
"Congratulations! You deserve it." The fashionista exclaimed as she leaned over the coffee table to kiss Velvet on the cheek. This action was welcomed with a warm smile; one of which Coco reciprocated.
"Soo... what's the prize?"
Upon asking her that very important question, Coco observed as Velvet's Faunus ears twitched in excitement as she continued to read the message on her scroll. While the other girl did so, Coco took it upon herself to move around the table and sit next to her. Velvet's brows then furrowed ever so slightly, which was a gesture that Coco mimicked when she was met with a tentative gaze.
"Er... It's a networking event at Remnant Arts, and the message also says that I could bring a plus one..." Velvet began, but then trailed off. Coco simply waited for the girl to continue on with slowly growing concern.
Isn't this like... great news for her? Why is she-
"But it's going to be hosted by the Headmaster himself."
Oh...
"So your fath-Uh, Maxwell is going to be there." Velvet finished. The Rabbit-Faunus shrugged, "I-I don't need to go... there'll be other opportunities to-WHOA!"
Coco shoved a couch pillow in the Rabbit-Faunus' face to prevent her from finishing that sentence. When the Faunus girl moved the pillow away from her face, the fashionista made sure to give her an annoyed look.
Velvet shrunk under the girl's gaze.
"First of all: Relax, Velv. I'm not actually mad at you." Coco stated as she let out an exasperated huff. "and Second: I know that attending Remnant Arts is your dream." she then rested her forehead against Velvet's, and softened her gaze. "So don't let anyone, including me, get in the way of that."
"So you'll go with me?"
Suddenly, Coco closed the distance between their lips in response to the girl's query. She couldn't help but smile when she pulled away.
"Yes, I would love to."
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"You seem quite popular today." Coco playfully commented.
Velvet rolled her eyes and answered her scroll. "Hey, Yang..."
Coco watched in concern as the Rabbit-Faunus' facial features displayed slight panic.
"W-Wait, what?! I-Is Rae okay?" Velvet paused to let the girl on the other line answer, and then she sighed in relief. "Oh thank God... where are you guys right now?"
The fashionista placed a hand on top Velvet's own, and rubbed small circles to try and comfort her. The girl seemed to be bewildered at what was going on at Yang's end of the the phone call.
"Alright... that sounds good, I'll just tell Junior. I'm sure he won't mind. See ya in a bit..." The Faunus girl promptly ended the call.
Before Coco could even ask what the conversation was about, Velvet had already beat her to it.
"Summer and Raven's store got broken into."
"I'm so glad that you guys are okay!"
Yang watched in endearment as a certain Rabbit-Faunus pummelled her Ma in an embrace. Raven simply returned the hug, and ruffled the top of the young Faunus girl's head. Velvet then made her way towards Ruby and Summer and greeted them similarly. Soon, the blonde found herself being embraced by the brown-haired Faunus too, and she returned the gesture just as warmly.
"It's gonna take more than a little 'break in' to mess with us!" Ruby exclaimed. Her little sister's declaration was followed by sounds of affirmation coming from the rest of their family, including Yang herself.
All of the women then walked towards the general pub area of the restaurant, and made themselves comfortable by the counter. Coco and Velvet decided to sit at the far end of the area, with Yang and Blake taking the seats right next to them. Summer and Raven, on the other hand, jumped the counter and stood across from them so they could all speak with each other more easily. Ruby joined them on the other side, but then made her way towards the kitchen area; presumably to get some snacks. Their Mom took notice of this, and joined the younger girl in the kitchen. She muttered something about making breakfast before she left.
"Did they break into your home too?" Coco asked.
"No, they didn't," Raven promptly answered, "but the shop's pretty messed up. So we'll be closing it off until we can get the repairs done."
Velvet frowned, "How long is that gonna take?"
"I'm not too sure, kiddo." The dark-haired woman replied apprehensively. "But it's going to be done eventually... so we're not too worried about the details."
The Rabbit-Faunus simply nodded in understanding at Raven's words. She still looked a little concerned about the whole ordeal; what with the way the her ears were flattened in what Yang assumed to be dejection. The blonde was about to reassure her friend, but then stopped herself when she saw Coco snake an arm around the Faunus girl's shoulders. The fashionista whispered something into Velv's ear, and soon enough, the Rabbit-Faunus seemed to cheer up with a small smile.
Yang couldn't help but tease the cute couple.
"Ooooh, what sweet nothings are you whispering to each other?"
Her playful jab was met with two hilariously flustered responses, and one physical jab at her side from one Blake Belladonna.
"Yang, leave them alone."
Yang grinned towards the Faunus girl next to her, and shrugged innocently. "What? They're adorable!" She then turned back around to face the couple, and teased them some more. "So did she tell you something dirty, Velv?"
The Rabbit-Faunus elbowed Yang, and scoffed. "Even if she did, it's none of your business."
Yang heard Blake snicker at the way in which the Rabbit-Faunus answered the blonde's question. Then, Yang's grin transformed into a full-blown smile when she heard Coco choke on air in response to Velvet's, surprisingly suggestive, statement.
"A-Ahem-!" Coco beat on her chest for good measure, and then stared incredulously at her Rabbit-Faunus girlfriend. "Velv?! Why would you say it like that?!"
Once she realized what she insinuated with her words, Velvet began to blush profusely. "W-Wait, I mean-! No, she didn't say anything dirty!"
The blonde chuckled at their reactions, but before she could continue with her playful teasing, her little sister joined them... with a ridiculous amount of sweets in her arms (and mouth).
"Ooofhh! whof's Sthaying Dirthy Thingths?" Ruby muffled as she spread her loot all over the counter.
Yang was pretty sure that the redhead found Yatsuhashi's secret stash of snacks. She figured that out because most of the snacks were organic, and there was a countless amount of chocolate flavoured protein bars that Yang herself would sometimes eat too. If she recalled correctly, the older boy was part of Beacon's wrestling team, so it made sense that he had these types of snacks. Ruby, however, either didn't take notice of this fact or didn't care because she continued to blissfully munch on the protein-packed bars.
The blonde simply shook her head at the younger girl, and snagged one of the bars from the counter. "Coco's just whispering sinful dirty-talk into Velvet's ears... right in front of Ma."
Ruby finished snacking on her bar, and decided to join in on the light-hearted teasing. "Oooh how bold."
Suddenly, Yang watched as Ruby grabbed yet another bar, and used it as a 'mic.' The blonde could feel a shit-eating grin forming on her lips when she knew where her sister was going with this, and just sat back while Ruby continued on with her shenanigans. The young girl then spoke into the snack with the best 'reporter' voice she could muster up.
"Ms. Branwen!"
Raven, who was incidentally watching the entire interaction with silent mirth, quirked a brow at her daughter and humoured her. "Yes, Reporter Ruby?"
The redhead briefly giggled at the nickname, but then quickly went back into character. "A-Ahem! What are your thoughts about our sweet little Velvet participating in all of this naughty-talk?" Ruby questioned as she shoved the 'mic'-bar into Raven's face.
Raven playfully rolled her eyes, and directed her gaze right at Coco while she answered her redheaded daughter. "As long as they aren't participating in physically naughty activities, then I'm totally fine with it."
This answer was immediately met with laughter; mostly coming from Ruby and Yang herself. Velvet, on the other hand, had a permanent tint of red adorning her cheeks and let out a loud groan.
"Ugh! You guys are so annoying!"
Velvet then gestured accusingly at Ruby, "If anything, 'Reporter Ruby' should be the one being interrogated! Seeing that she actually does participate in physically naughty activities with Weiss!"
Ruby choked on the 'mic' bar that she was chewing on. "Blerhgh! Ack-! Excuse you?!"
"Oooooh she threw you under the bus, Rubes!" Yang hollered as she snagged the protein bar out of Ruby's mouth with her good arm. The blonde then took over her sister's role as 'reporter' and shoved the half-eaten bar back into their Ma's face.
"What is your opinion on Ruby getting down and dirty with the Ice Princess, Ms. Branwen!"
As Raven was about to answer her question, Ruby decided to snatch the bar right out of Yang's hand and turn the tables on the blonde.
"Well at least I'm getting some action!"
...
All was silent for all of five seconds before the pub was filled with boisterous laughter. Yang could even hear Summer laughing all the way from the kitchen.
The blonde fought hard against the blush that was slowly forming on her face, while also resisting the strong urge to tackle her little sister. The brawler then briefly chanced a glance at her own Faunus-girlfriend sitting right next to her. When she did so, Yang was met with an exasperated and slightly embarrassed smile.
Blake also seemed to be giggling at the blonde's expense.
However, instead of feeling all embarrassed about the whole ordeal... Yang couldn't help but laugh a little too; especially since the Cat-Faunus' laugh and smile were just so contagious. Blake naturally had a rather stoic demeanour, which was something that the blonde became quite accustomed to. The dark-haired Faunus mostly displayed her emotions through her eyes (which in itself was a feature that Yang loved about Blake). But when the Faunus girl would actually show that beautiful smile of hers, Yang would just soak in the sight and enjoy the moment.
Suddenly, the blonde briefly felt Blake's lips against her cheek.
When the Faunus girl pulled away, she grabbed Ruby's half-eaten 'mic' bar and spoke right into it.
"I'd say that Yang's getting plenty of action."
Yang felt the goofiest grin make its way onto her face.
The rest of the women at the counter, on the other hand, playfully let out various noises of disgust. With the exception of Raven who simply gushed at the girl's actions by drawling out an 'awwwww!' The blonde was also sure that Summer made the same sound from the kitchen, too.
Coco gagged. "Yang, what have you done to Blake?"
"I guess I showed her the power of true loove?"
Even Blake made a noise towards that statement. "Augh! Okay, now I'm at my limit with all this 'cute-talk.'"
Yang winked at her, "You know you love it."
The Cat-Faunus playfully scoffed, but didn't say anything to deny what Yang said. Shortly after, Summer came barging through the kitchen doors with a small trolley full of breakfast foods for everybody to munch on. Both Raven and Ruby made a beeline for the food after thanking the redheaded woman by pecking each side of her face. Summer then placed two plates of breakfast in front of Yang and Blake; which they gratefully accepted. She asked the brown-haired couple if they wanted some too, but it would seem that they already ate before the rest of the women arrived.
A playful joke was on the tip of Yang's tongue, but a smack upside the head from Blake prevented her from verbally sharing her thoughts.
Instead, the blonde let the atmosphere enter a relatively silent, but comfortable lull. All that could be heard was the sound of their cutlery clinking! against the plates. Every once in a while, someone would casually strike up a conversation about a random topic.
Raven would start stressing about how they were going to deal with cleaning up the shop; and Summer would quickly reassure the dark-haired woman that they'd figure it out. Then, Coco casually mentioned that Velvet won a photography contest in her class, to which everybody congratulated her on promptly. Out of nowhere, Ruby started raving about the new instalment of one of the video games that she played religiously; and talked about how one of the main characters looked 'exactly like Weiss!' It would seem that Blake was somewhat familiar with the plot of the game because apparently it was based on a novel series that the Faunus girl had read.
However, at the mention of the white-haired girl's name, Yang frowned. "Where did the Weiss-Princess go?"
Ruby quirked a brow at the nickname, and then answered the girl's question. "I'm not too sure..." the redhead shrugged, "she left the shop in a hurry, but she did say something about going back home?"
"Back home, where?" Blake suddenly chimed in. Yang detected that a trace of concern entered the Cat-Faunus' voice when she asked that question.
She then watched as Blake and Coco shared an uneasy expression.
"Uhh... to the 'Manor'...?" Ruby replied, with apprehension. "I assumed that she was just going back to your place, Blak-"
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Ah... speak of the devil..." Ruby muttered as she went to answer the call on her scroll.
"Heya, Weiss! We were just talking about you!" the hyperactive girl began. Ruby's chipper expression quickly transformed into one of worry as she listened to the girl on the other line. She started to look over everybody at the counter with furrowed brows, which in turn caused the rest of the women to mimic the expression.
"You need our help?"
Viktoria ignored the pain emanating from her right eye, and continued to stand her ground against the man before her.
Jacques simply stared back down at her with a nasty sneer. However, as she continued to silently defy the man, Viktoria could see a sense of unease enter his eyes. She then realized that the man was faltering. He didn't expect her to actually stand against him. If the white-haired woman was being quite honest with herself... neither was she.
But she couldn't just let her daughter take the brunt of his violent outburst. Not again.
The entire room went dead silent. The only thing that Viktoria could hear was the sound of her own ragged breaths.
Suddenly, Jacques found his composure and hardened his expression.
"It would seem that we have ruined your stay, Salem." He then gave Viktoria a once-over and scoffed as he turned around. "Call over your Butler to clean you up, woman. You're a mess." and with that, the man walked away from the dining room.
Once the doors to the dining room slammed shut, the Schnee Matron could feel that her legs began to give out on her. Both Sienna and Weiss rushed to her side, and helped her lean against the table for support.
Before anyone could even comment on the recent string of events, Salem decided to speak up.
"Stay and tend to Viktoria's wounds, Sienna." The pale woman commanded with a small sigh. Salem then stood up from her chair and wordlessly left the scene without so much as glancing back at the three women.
Viktoria openly stared in her general direction in genuine confusion. She truly didn't know how to feel about the other woman's actions. The Schnee Matron was pretty sure that Sienna was supposed to be protecting Salem, seeing as the Faunus woman was her bodyguard.
"Do you have a first-aid kit in your home?"
The Bengal Tigress' voice snapped the white-haired woman out of her reverie. She was about to answer Sienna, but then realized that she didn't even know where the first-aid kid would be.
It was Weiss who answered the Faunus woman.
"One of them is in the kitchen... it should be on the wall next to the eyewash station."
In the back of Viktoria's mind, she wondered how Weiss would even know that fact.
Right... she was in this same exact position not too long ago.
Sienna nodded, and swiftly made her way towards the other end of the dining room to the doors that lead to the kitchen area. When she was out of their line of vision, the Schnee Matron felt her daughter lightly tug at one of the sleeves of her robe. Viktoria turned her head to face the girl, and found that Weiss held her head down. She couldn't see her eyes... but the woman did take notice of the girl's shaking shoulders and the sniffling noises that she'd try to stifle.
The Schnee Matron's softened her gaze, and she used her left hand to tilt the girl's chin up so that she could see Weiss' face. Viktoria was met with a tear-streaked gaze. She saw that Weiss was wearing an expression of pain and frustration; which were two emotions that Viktoria was familiar with herself. The white-haired woman could also feel a sense of remorse lying beneath the young girl's eyes.
Viktoria made sure to wipe a couple of stray tears away before letting Weiss know the one thing that she should absolutely understand.
"None of this is your fault."
Weiss choked out a sob, and then shook her head. "N-No-! If I hadn't provoked-!"
"Weiss."
Viktoria uttered the girl's name with such a gentle, but firm tone that her daughter couldn't help but listen to what she had to say. The Schnee Matron continued to idly wipe her daughter's tears away. As she did so, the woman ended up tracing Weiss' own scar.
A flash of blurred memories of that day came rushing back into Viktoria's mind. While she stared down at her daughter, she could see that those memories replayed in the girl's mind as clear as day.
"I should have been there to protect you back then. Let me make it up to you now."
Suddenly, the Bengal Tigress' footsteps could be heard as she approached the two Schnee women. As she turned her head to face Sienna, she took notice of how the Faunus woman had already set the first-aid kit down and opened it on the table. The Bengal Tigress swiftly grabbed the Schnee woman's face and examined the wound carefully.
The Faunus woman sighed. "There doesn't seem to be any real damage to the eye itself. So your eyesight won't change... but this is definitely going to leave a scar."
Viktoria then watched as Sienna began to expertly clean and tend to the wound. She continued with her actions in silence. The white-haired woman was slightly surprised at how neutral the Faunus woman was acting. She was thankful, of course. She didn't really feel like explaining the complicated dynamic of their familial structure.
So they all stayed like this for a period of time. Every once in a while the Schnee Matron would wince whenever Sienna would clean the cut with whatever solution that was in the first-aid kit.
Soon, the Bengal Tigress began applying an eyepatch on Viktoria's affected eye.
"Keep the patch on for at least two weeks, but don't forget to check it periodically for infection. If you do see signs of infection, then go to the Doctor's."
Viktoria simply nodded at Sienna's instructions.
The Schnee Matron then let out a deep sigh. "Do you have your scroll on you, Sienna?"
"Uhh.. yeah, I do. Why?" The Bengal Tigress answered as she handed her the said scroll.
Viktoria took the scroll and dialled the number of the one person she knew could help her with this entire situation. She abruptly turned to her daughter, who held a slightly confused expression towards her actions.
"Call your friends, Weiss."
Weiss quirked a brow at the Schnee woman. "Why...?"
"Because we're finally going to deal with your father, and we'll need all the help we can get."
Right after she made that declaration, Viktoria pressed the call button on Sienna's scroll. The Schnee Matron saw that Weiss did the same, and seemed to be giving the person on the other end of her call a brief summary of what had just happened.
Then, Viktoria herself waited patiently as the line began to ring. The ring tone went off about five times before the man on the other line finally answered the call.
"Qrow?" Viktoria began. "Do you still have those documents about what Jacques did to my father?"
She nodded as the man groggily answered her question.
"I'm ready to take that bastard down."
Welp... that was a chapter. xD
Hope you guys are still enjoying the fic so far! Also, I put up a poll on my profile that outlines what kind of story I should work on next! If you're interested in seeing me write something new/different after this fic then go ahead and vote on it (lol if you want :D)
Anywaysss thanks, as always, for reading!
Until Next Time,
MediocreWriter.