A/N: Here's the next ch. Thank BG-13
Blake's POV
Calm. Peace.
Being underwater had always brought a certain tranquility with it. My mother and I had spent a lot of time diving from the bluffs of Menagerie to go fishing. And after Adam... Well, having the moment alone to deprive me of my senses had been needed. An escape.
A couple days after arriving at Raven's home, Yang surprised me with a sort of getaway. A mile from the cabin was a lake, and Yang had planned a bit of a camping trip. Just her and me.
Of course I'd let Ilia know about the attack, and the message from Adam. She hadn't been happy, obviously. I'd let her know that reception would be spotty once Yang brought up our little trip so she wouldn't worry.
We'd been in the water for a while now and I'd decided to take a dive. Clear my mind. There was no sound. No feeling. I was weightless. It was a magical feeling. Light filtered from above, distorted in its beauty. There was a flash of gold in my periphery and I turned my head to see Yang, hair floating around her like flames as she pointed up toward the surface. Ah. I must have been down here longer than I'd thought.
I broke the surface shortly after her, inhaling a deep breath. She reached the shore easily and turned to watch my approach, an easy smile on her face.
"Why do you do that?" she finally asked, bringing me into her arms and wrapping a towel around both of us.
"It's just nice," I said after a moment, sighing my answer into her collarbone. "Like sensory deprivation. Clears the mind. Everything disappears. Maybe meditation is a better word."
"Oh."
I smiled and looked up at her, giving her kiss, moving away from the other woman to go sit on the beach towel we'd already sat a couple feet away from our little fire. The sun was starting to set, I supposed. I took a moment to admire how incredible Yang looked in a bathing suit, the oranges and yellows complimenting her tanned skin and sun colored hair. I bit my lip, as she walked over, taking a seat next to me and once again allowing me to seek refuge under her towel, one arm holding me to against her side and running a hand through my wet hair.
"Bruises are starting to fade away," she murmured, kissing my neck.
I hummed, contented, turning her head so that I could give her a proper kiss. One of her hands came up to caress the back of my head, her fingers rubbing gently at my scalp. It felt amazing. I wrapped my arms around her neck to deepen the kiss, only to let out a muffled squeak against her lips as she stood, lifting me up with her. I pulled away with a laugh as she carried us into our tent, setting me down gently on the mattress and blankets we'd brought along. Her lips found mine again as her hands undid the strings of my top.
Well, two could play that game.
It was just us. The outside world didn't matter. Reality might as well have been the fantasy. With each reverent touch of Yang's hands and each kiss she left on my skin, I couldn't bring myself to think of any of it. Even after we were spent, sated and cuddling under the blanket, the air still buzzed. It felt like being drunk, this warmth in my stomach making me absolutely tipsy. Her arms around me the safest I could ever feel.
I could have relished this feeling forever.
Yang breathed evenly, eyes closed, though I knew she was still awake. I couldn't blame her though. It would be so easy to fall asleep right now, content and warm.
"Tell me something," I asked quietly as I ran my hand through her hair.
Yang made a pleased sound in the back of her throat in response. "What do you want to know?" she asked sleepily.
She really was too adorable sometimes. "Tell me something you haven't told anyone before," I said in a quiet voice. "Doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something you've never said aloud."
She hummed, seeming to think about the request. Then, "I love you."
My hand stopped at the admission, and my heart wasn't far behind.
I watched as she looked up at me, opening an eye. The gaze was surprisingly alert, watching me, studying me. Waiting for my reaction. "And this is the first time in my life that I've felt content."
I felt my eyes begin to sting, the corners pricking with traitorous tears no doubt. I felt so much, yet it still didn't feel like enough. The most prominent emotion was disbelief. She...she loved me. She said... Yang sat up, using her arm for support. She looked concerned but I shook my head, reigning in this cacophony of emotion. I swallowed, trying to give myself a moment to work up a response.
But Yang - wonderful, beautiful, sweet Yang - simply leaned down and pressed her forehead to mine. After a moment, letting the comfort of the act soothe some of my anxiety away, I reached up with my hand to cup her cheek.
"I may not be equipped to be loved this much," I finally whispered. Because it was no secret that Yang loved with her whole heart, unashamed and unrestrained. It was in every action, every word. Even I wasn't blind enough not to have noticed that. At least, when concerning other people. Watching how she was with Ruby, the Schnees, her mothers, it was as clear as day, blinding in its transparency. Apparently I'd missed the signs when it came to me.
I could never possibly be worthy of such strong emotion.
Soft eyes stared down at me, ever determined, ever devoted. "I'll find another way."
I shook my head. "No, Yang-"
"I'll find another way," she repeated, pressing her lips to my forehead. "I will love you the best way you're equipped to handle it, Blake. I will spend the rest of my life making your life better, not worse."
I held back a choked sob and buried my face against her neck. She loved me.
She loved me.
She loved me.
She loved me.
I couldn't help repeating it.
Yang Xiao Long loved me.
I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, anything, but all words died in the back of my throat.
No.
Just live in this moment.
Even if I didn't deserve it.
Robyn's POV
I sighed I twirled the umbrella around in my drink. The last forty-eight hours had been eventful and stressful. Arrested, let go, then harassed some more by that Detective. Thanks to that arrogant, pompous cop I'd lost out on money for the kitchen. I'd have to make it up to them later. Thankfully Fiona and the gang had managed to scrounge up something for our little abode.
I hated not being able to bring in my share. I was responsible for them. What kind of friend...
That damn Schnee.
The chair next to me scrapped against the floor and I briefly glanced over at my uninvited guest.
Well, speak of the ice queen.
"Hello," she greeted sitting at the bar and ordering a drink for herself. Even now her posture was incredible. One leg crossed over the other, back ramrod straight, hands folded neatly on the counter. Well, at least that answered how far up that stick reached.
"What do you want?" I asked, taking out the umbrella and taking a drink. Although, something told me I'd have to switch to the harder stuff with Her Majesty here. "Feeling bad now? Roughed up the down-her-luck thief? Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Schnee hummed non-committedly as her glass was set in front of her. Looked like soda from what I could tell. "I want to use you."
Well, how forward. "Oh, be still my beating heart."
"For information," the detective clarified easily, in that unflappable way she had during the interrogation. "I can use a good confidential informant."
I had to fight back a snort. This woman really had nerve, I'd give her that much. Could even respect it a little. Been nothing but a pain in my ass then asked to work with me. Although, I couldn't help but think, there was the promise of money. "Cash, right?"
A nod, succinct and without room for interpretation. "Right."
It was interesting, I felt, how quickly this woman's tune had seemingly changed. I looked her up and down. She still hadn't really even glanced at me. That was annoying. Rude, even. I leaned toward her a bit, leaning my elbow on the bar with a smirk on my face as my right hand rested on the back of her chair. "You know, Schnee, I'm still not entirely sure what to make of you."
One finger drummed on the bar next to her drink. "I can't say I'm particularly eager to find out. I'm sure it can't be very flattering."
I felt my grin grow. "Oh, I'm sure that depends on your definition of flattering."
And finally her head turned in my direction, those ice colored eyes meeting mine head on without compromise. "My proposition, is this your roundabout way of accepting it?"
"That also depends, is this your roundabout way of apologizing?"
There was the slightest twitch in her expression, the muscles in her jaw working. It made me wonder if the woman even knew how to swallow her pride. My expression remained just as smug, I'm sure. People had told me before that this particular mood of mine could be quite irritating. I'm glad to see they'd been right.
I hopped up from my seat with a nonchalant stretch of my arms above my head. "Well, whatever. I'm in." I looked over my shoulder at the white haired woman. "Just so we're clear, however, you ever treat me like you did yesterday and you'll be finding another CI." I may have needed money, but Winter also wasn't the only one with pride.
"Okay." A pause. "And my behavior yesterday was indeed... Out of line." She huffed, running one hand through her hair.
Wow, that sounded almost painful. "I'll be sure to drop by the precinct tomorrow, sign whatever you need me to."
As I started to walk away she spoke again. "Oh, and Ms. Hill?"
I stopped, looking back over my shoulder again. She was turned back toward the bar, seemingly paying no mind.
"I'd like my wallet back."
I couldn't help the surprised laugh. Well played, Schnee.
Winter's POV
It had been awhile since I'd been able to visit Yang's apartment. Work was exhaustive and I just hadn't been feeling very social. There was also the issue of the blonde's girlfriend. The tension had lingered long after the incident at Branwen's cabin. I'd made my apologies to Yang, of course, but... I mentally groaned.
Yang had mentioned that Belladonna had gotten into some sort of fight at her place of work, and had taken a couple days off. Unfortunately, crime never stopped, and I needed a fresh set of eyes on this murder suicide.
I knocked twice on the door and stepped back. A moment later the door opened and not surprisingly Belladonna was the one that greeted me.
"Oh. You."
I didn't miss the way her face went impassive. Obviously she wasn't my biggest fan. Not that I truly cared. I gave her a nod, noticing the fading bruises on her face. "Hello."
She seemed to reluctantly take a step back to allow me in. "Yang went out to grab desert. She'll be back soon."
I nodded my understanding as she walked over to the couch and sat down, grabbing the book she'd apparently sat aside momentarily. We waited there in silence for a bit. Belladonna seemed ready to ignore my existence. I sighed, mustering up the words I wanted to say. "I wanted to apologize," I started. "I overstepped my bounds."
She merely hummed in response, eyes still on the book.
My finger tapped on my arm. "Yang is very important to me. She's family."
She looked up finally. "And I'm a threat."
I... couldn't possibly deny that I felt that way. The woman felt like an oncoming train. I could see all the possibilities, how her baggage would hurt Yang, how she could put her in danger. The idea made me feel upset. Even I knew that much.
"You can say it. You think I'm a threat."
This was for Yang, though. So I fought the urge to say my truth. "You make her happy. In fact, I haven't seen her this happy...ever," I said, and that was the truth that mattered. "And it would seem that in my attempts to protect her I've been ruining that happiness."
Golden eyes bore into me.
"So, regardless of what I may or may not think, it appears the best course of action would be for us to remain civil with each other."
Blake smirked in response, a gleam entering her eyes. "That sounds like it hurt to say."
I felt the corner of my lip twitch. "Excruciating."
Her expression shifted again, and she leaned forward in her seat. "I haven't forgiven you for what you said, did. That was not how they should have found out about me. But I understand your feelings about Yang. All I want is for her to be happy, too. So..." A sigh. "If you're sincere, I'd be more than willing to call a truce."
I nodded. "That seems acceptable."
"Babe, I'm home," a voice called as the door opened.
The smile that appeared on the woman's face was almost instant, and it felt like before I could even blink she was meeting her girlfriend at the door, helping her with her groceries and giving her a kiss. Yang's eyes were glued to her, smiling dopily. Blake whispered something to her and got a laugh out of it.
Finally she noticed me, though that smile stayed goofy.
I rolled my eyes. Ridiculous. Love made you ridiculous, it seemed.
Ruby's POV
"Ugh! Yang, you're the worst!"
My sister had a shit-eating grin on her face as she pumped her fist in the air, beaming with victory from our latest go at Kart Racer. It wasn't necessarily surprising that she'd won, we were probably just too competitive for our own good. Blake chuckled from her spot on the couch, reclined with one hand twisting a strand of my sister's hair around her finger in soothing motions as she sat on the floor.
Watching them kind of made me miss Penny, but she'd had stuff to do with her dad. Which, obviously, that was fine. Penny was also just one of the only people that had any chance of beating Yang. I sighed. I missed my girlfriend.
"Sorry, sis, you snooze you- Ack!"
I chose that moment to pounce, tackling my sister to the ground. Which, once again, went about as well as I'd expected. The fully trained detective managed to twist our positions, before actually sitting on my back, effectively trapping me.
"Yang! Get your big butt off me!"
I heard her gasp above me, obviously fake. "Ruby, how could you be so mean to your wonderful, older sister?" Her voice was dripping with dramatics, even as I struggled to escape. I looked up and over my shoulder, glaring. She still had that meanly, smug grin. Then her attention turned to her girlfriend.
"Feeling lucky, babe?" Her grin had softened around the edges when she looked at Blake, though her eyes still gleamed with challenge.
"Yang," came our mom's voice as her and Raven entered the living room, both with mugs of coffee it looked like. "Please, get off your sister."
Yang shrugged. "I don't know. I think this brat still needs to learn to respect her elders."
"Yang."
I smirked upon hearing that tone. "Oh, you just got the Mom Voice."
Yang sighed in defeat, for both of us knew better than to challenge the Mom Voice. I scrambled up quick as if Yang would try something else, sticking my tongue out at my supposedly more mature sibling. Jerk.
Mom sighed as she shook her head. "Children, please."
"Sorry Mom," came our practiced reply.
Blake covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her own smile. "What have I got myself into?"
Like clockwork, Yang's attention was back on the ravenette, sending her a wink before turning her attention back to the paused screen. Raven walked over and sat on the arm of the loveseat, taking a sip from her mug as she watched the screen.
"You shouldn't go picking fights with someone bigger than you, Squirt," she told me after a moment.
"Raven!" I whined.
The elder woman shrugged non-committedly, though her eyes had that spark in them. "Well, unless you know their weakness."
My sister's head turned toward her bio mom, narrowing her eyes. "Traitor!"
My mom shoved Raven playfully by the shoulder. "Don't encourage them," she scolded, though she stayed pressed against the other woman's side.
"Hey, I've offered to train the beanpole. She said no."
"It's because she has weak nerd arms," Yang was quick to retort, dangling her own arm pathetically. Then she flexed said arm. "Unlike me, of course."
I saw Blake raise one brow, a devious glint entering her eyes before she moved to sit next to my sister on the floor. Yang tilted her head curiously at the move, Blake having stopped raking her hand through her hair to do so. Blake's smile was docile, but at the edges I could see the ploy about to play out.
Then, without any warning, Blake made her move, tackling my sister. The blonde yelped in surprise, her arms flexing to move but Blake had her pinned in a matter of seconds. The surprise didn't take long to leave my sister's face, a smirk overtaking it easily as she stared up at the other woman. Then she laughed, not the least bit upset it appeared.
"I have been avenged," I cried raising my arms in triumph.
Blake giggled, making a move to get up only to have her girlfriend pull her back down for a kiss. The ravenette's cheeks turned pink and after their gross little moment she pulled back to hide her face in Yang's neck.
Raven pretended to gag, and my sister responded by casually flipping her off. I snorted in surprise, and because I saw Mom's eyes narrow at her roommate. "She gets that from you," she accused.
"The most important thing is that I have been avenged," I said with a clenched fist.
Again, Raven snorted. "Yes, because it really looked like Yang put up such a decent fight." She topped the remark off with a roll of her blood red eyes.
Yang, hands now free to hold the girl still laying on top of her, looked so very pleased with herself. "What? Like I'm going to complain about the most beautiful girl in the world pinning me?"
Blake groaned in embarrassment and I seconded Raven's earlier gag. "I so did not need to hear that."
Robyn's POV
If I was being honest, I'd thought this CI business would be a little more exciting. It was more or less just keeping an ear to the ground and then reporting to Winter when she came around asking. Even these stake outs could be long and drawn out. I glanced over to the detective as she sat in the driver's seat, eyes glancing up from her book every few seconds to check out the window for our target.
I let out a long, purposefully loud sigh, putting my hands behind my head and my feet on the dash. "I hope this dude shows up soon." I'd never really done well with long silences.
"Why? Somewhere to be?" she answered, not taking her eyes off the book.
"I've got a date."
A small beat. "Ah."
"Well, that's technically a lie," I admitted, though it couldn't be more obvious that she didn't particularly care. "The gang and I have plans."
"I see."
Honestly I was surprised she'd even replied. Wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth though. It wasn't nearly as fun if she didn't participate. "Oh but don't worry, you're still my number one."
Winter sighed and closed the book, finally looking over at me. "You think so highly of yourself."
I shrugged. "Well, someone has to."
She stared for a moment, brow furrowing slightly before huffing and looking out her window. Her book was now forgotten on the dash, which I thought was a little interesting. After a moment of staring out the window, her ice blue eyes found me again. I stared back, raising a brow in question. If I had to describe it, it felt like she was trying to solve a peculiar puzzle.
"Your crew is important to you."
It wasn't a question, but it still felt like she was poking, prodding. There was a hint of curiosity underneath her usual stoic tone. Regardless, or perhaps because of this, I nodded. "Yes."
She hummed, more to herself than anything. "Interesting."
I wasn't sure what to really make of that reply. What was so interesting? Schnee may not find me likable but of course the people in my life would be important to me. They were my crew, my family. The people that had stuck with me for years, through all the years when we were barely scraping by on whatever money we could earn or take. I wasn't exactly proud of being a thief but my family would always come first.
I had to wonder who was important to the detective. Was there people she cared about like that? I thought I remembered something about her having a sister. Were they close? Did she have any friends? Or was she just as alone in the world as she seemed? Fiona, May, and Joanna flashed in my mind again. I may not have known what to make of Winter Schnee quite yet but I hoped she had someone...
The other woman looked lost in thought, and I made an attempt to say something when the radio crackled to life. It was Yang. "Target spotted, she's coming up the ramp."
"Alright, let's move," Winter answered, drawing her gun before looking at me. "You, stay here."
I may have felt a little indignant about being left behind, but even I wasn't going to disobey Winter's orders in the middle of an actually dangerous situation. I watched as the woman in question headed towards a grey car. She was a big woman, wearing a long dress, flashing a too familiar spider tattoo on her left shoulder. Little Miss Malachite, in the flesh. Had a run in with her once or twice. She even tried to recruit me at some point but drugs, contraband, and murder weren't exactly my thing.
"Malachite, put your hands up and get down on the ground," Winter instructed as she and Xiao Long approached the woman.
She turned slowly hands up in the air, scanning her surroundings. My eyes narrowed. I knew that look well, had employed it myself many times. She was looking for an out.
"Don't shoot. I'm not armed," Malachite said. The elevator doors close by opened and a woman, looking at her phone, came out. I cursed knowing this was going to go south very quickly. The older blonde grabbed the woman, taking out a gun, using her as a shield. So much for not being armed. "Stay back."
The girl shook in the hands of her captor. Couldn't really blame her. "Please don't hurt me."
"Shut up," the informant growled before pushing her toward the pair of detectives and making a run for it.
I grinned as she ran straight towards me in the detective's car, biding my time before slamming the door open on her, knocking her flat on her back. I got out of the car, flipping over the struggling woman as the cops ran over.
"You okay?" Winter asked.
My smile widened, and I couldn't help myself. "Worried about me?"
I thought I saw the barest hint of a smirk. "I would hate having to file the paperwork."
I caught Yang watching us as she pulled Malachite to her feet. Her eyes flicked from me to Winter, a slow grin forming on her face. I brought my attention back to the white haired woman. "Sorry, I know you told me to stay put."
"I did," was all she said.
She tilted her head at me but didn't say anything further, gesturing me to get back inside the car. She nearly slumped into her seat, the adrenaline seeming to filter out of her system as she started the engine. We did another coffee stop before heading back to precinct.
"Good job, Hill," Winter commented as she parked the car.
"Oh my. Detective Schnee, have we moved on to actual compliments now?" I answered in a teasing tone.
"I will dump this coffee on you and I promise it will burn."
I let out a mock sigh of relief. "Phew! Back to normal. I was worried there for a second."
The detective shook her head. "I just wanted to thank you for your help. Now I see that was a horrible idea."
I chuckled, stopping for a bit. "You're welcome. Have to admit it turned out pretty fun. Not everyday I get to chat with a beautiful woman while staking out a dangerous criminal."
Winter rolled her eyes. "And I believe that is my cue to leave."
I laughed. "You could always just admit you find me at least a little charming."
She scoffed. "As a dung beetle."
I shook my head, noticing a wallet on the floor. "Oh, you dropped something," I called picking it up and handing it to her. She took it, raising a brow and I rolled my eyes. "You dropped it, I didn't take it. I'd tell you if I did. I'm an honest thief after all."
The curiosity in her eyes came back as she studied me once more. The blue in them faded briefly, until she blinked and they were back to normal just as quickly. "Honest thief, eh?" she said almost to herself before shaking her head. "See you around, Hill."
That much was guaranteed.
