A/N: As always thank BG-13 for being amazingly awesome partner in crime in this series!
Ilia's POV
I didn't like admitting that it was starting to bother me. It made me feel petty, like a bad friend. Of course Blake would want to spend so much time with her girlfriend. Yang made her feel safe. I paused in my folding of laundry, feeling that familiar twist in my chest. Safer than I ever had, at any rate. I sighed. I hated feeling like this. I was starting to miss the days where it was just us...
And on top of that, there was still our mission in regards to the White Fang.
Her door opened and Blake let out a yawn, stretching her arms over her head as she went to the kitchen make some tea. She picked up the newspaper, coming over to sit next to me and help fold and put away. Although, after a moment, she paused. Her gaze was locked on the front page.
"Corsac's dead," she read aloud.
"Yep," I replied, snapping the shirt before folding it.I could feel her eyes digging into the side of my face.
"You went out on your own?"
"Yep."
One of her hands went to my shoulder. "Ilia, something could've happened to you," Blake said. "That's why we go out together. We have each other's backs."
That horrible feeling twisted more, and I hated that I felt this way. "Yeah, well, you were obviously preoccupied."
"It was Ruby's birthday," the brunette replied. "I told you we'd get to him-"
"When, Blake?" I snapped, and it felt like the words were just pouring out, not listening to my brain trying to stop them. "I'd been surveilling him for months and you couldn't or wouldn't make your move. This needs to get done."
Her eyes narrowed and her shoulders straightened. "You think I don't know that? No one wants to take down the White Fang more than me."
"Well you don't act like it."
"Ilia-" She sighed and shook her head. "Let's work on Arthur Watts. Just...don't go alone again, okay?"
I bit the inside of my cheek. "Okay."
Her phone vibrated and she looked at it, smiling before looking up at me. "I have to go. I'm spending the night at Yang's but if you don't mind I'd like to bring her over. Soon." Her smile softened. "I think it's time you guys officially met."
I shrugged and continued to fold the clothes. "Sure."
True to her word, it wasn't long before she brought the blonde to our little place. Of course, Yang had been here briefly before but with that ambush at Junior's club hadn't gotten an actual chance to look around.
The change Yang had brought about in Blake... I couldn't even fathom it. There were still some bad days, obviously, and when we did go on missions Blake had a certain numbness about her. Still, the change was... kind of incredible.
The day I'd got her out of there... Adam had caught me stealing money from the deal I'd monitored. It hadn't been the first time so I shouldn't have been surprised when he started to pay more attention to our profits. He hadn't killed me right then and there as I'd thought he would. Instead he'd ordered his goons out of the mansion, asking them to stay away until he said otherwise. He'd dragged me to Blake's room, letting me fall at her feet. The poor girl was so drugged, shaking terribly.
"Ilia Amitola has been with the White Fang all her life. Her parents were very loyal to my father, my uncle, and then me," he said before letting out a tsk. "How disappointed they would be to know you had the nerve to steal from the hand who's fed you."
"I-"
I didn't even see the hit coming, my head twisting to the side. I spit out blood, cleaning some of it off with my tied hands, raising my chin at the red haired monster.
"You will not speak until I allow it," he said, jabbing his finger at me before looking over at Blake and holding out his gun. "Last time we ran into a similar situation you disappointed me. Here's your chance to make it up to me."
Back then, Blake was his right hand. When he brought her out on jobs or to meetings, when she wasn't doped out of her mind, she could be quite the asset. She was a very intelligent individual, even if she always made sure to only say what Adam wanted her to. The incident her was referring to was her first execution order. Adam had handed her a gun and told her to shoot one of their more disappointing goons. Blake hadn't had the stomach, and her punishment had been ... unpleasant.
I watched the color leave Blake's face before she shook her head. "Adam, I-"
"Take it."
A whimper escaped her throat, as she fought to stay upright. She wasn't high as a kite yet, but she was getting there. Perhaps Adam had hoped she'd be more willing to follow his order this time. "Adam, please."
"I said, take it."
Blake shook her head but did as she was told, looking down at the weapon in front of her. He moved behind her, hands firmly planted on her shoulders, leaning down so that his face was hidden in her hair. It would have felt like an intimate moment if Blake didn't seem so terrified.
"Now, aim at her head," he said, guiding her hands to do as he said. "It's time that you and I stand together, like we were meant to."
I shook my head. "Don't do this to her." I knew what kind of punishment awaited me. I'd done it to others, but Blake hadn't. And we were friends. I couldn't imagine what this would do to her.
The sound that came out of Adam's mouth was chill inducing. "Don't do this to her? Me? I'm not the one that was taking what didn't belong to them. And the money isn't the only thing you tried to make off with, is it?"
Part of me was thankful Blake wasn't all there then. The implications hung in the air.
"Come now, my pet. Kill her."
Blake shook her head, hands holding the gun. I could see her eyes starting to shine. She looked so lost, so confused. I didn't dare hope. Adam's hold on her was a frightening thing to have witnessed, and I was under no illusions that it could be so easily broken.
"It's okay, my darling," he hissed, one hand moving to caress her face, his nose pressing into the back of her neck. It made my stomach roll. "She's nothing but a weak link. You don't need anything but me."
I took a deep breath, meeting Blake's cloudy amber gaze. And then... I smiled. "It's okay, Blake."
The last thing I was ever gonna do was beg for my life in front of Adam Fucking Taurus. Last thing I was ever going to do was make Blake feel bad as she shot me.
Blake blinked. Tears trailed silently down her cheeks, and her hand stopped shaking. I watched as her brow furrowed.
What happened next was so quick even as the gun went off I couldn't fully register what was happening.
Adam had recoiled away, barely dodging a bullet to his head as Blake held the gun toward him. Then there was a second shot, and this time Blake staggered, hand going to her side. I moved then, grabbing the lamp on the nightstand and smashing it over Adam's head. I tore the bindings on my wrist and helped apply pressure to Blake's wound before leading her out of the den, and out into the night.
I never had been fully sure how Blake had managed it that night. My gaze flickered over to Blake and her girlfriend, to the giant smile on her face as Yang said something that made her laugh.
I scoffed to myself. Perhaps I had just always underestimated her.
Raven's POV
While Summer had Yang fix something I'd been putting off for the last month - hey, I'd said I'd get to it... eventually - I'd taken a fidgeting Blake out to the shed in the backyard. It was my makeshift gym, with bits of equipment, but more importantly: training mats. I kicked off my shoes, shucked off my jacket and shook out my arms. When I glanced over to the other woman she was doing the same, her eyes gleaming in challenge.
My lips formed a smirk as I got into first position.
She struck first, throwing out a midair kick which I stepped back from to avoid. She took another swing at me so I caught her arm, elbowing her in the side before moving away and out of range. She growled, rubbing her side. Her attacks got quicker after that, moving in and she managed to tap my side.
I chuckled, shaking off the twinge of pain.
"At least being in the Fang taught you how to throw a decent punch."
It was like a record scratch, her eyes getting wide before she grit her teeth and lunged, trying to tackle me to the ground. Tsk.
"Come on, kid, use your opponent's momentum." I took my own advice, dropping her to the floor with ease. Hey, I may not have been as proficient as Tai at hand to hand, but you didn't get where I did in the Tribe without picking up a few things.
She jumped back to her feet, eyes blazing.
"It's alright," I told her. "I've been doing this for a while."
She charged again, and I blocked again. Then I moved to the side, letting her go passed me before grabbing her around the waist and flipping her onto her back, knocking her to the floor. Before she could catch her breath my knee was on her back, and I'd grabbed her arm, pulling it back.
"Don't just focus on my eyes, that might work on a less trained fighter but not a experienced foe," I cautioned. "Be aware of my entire body."
"I know that," the young woman snapped.
I raised a brow as I let her up. "Do you? Adam beat that into to you, did he?"
She let out a sound between a cry and a growl, but her eyes held a new determination. She moved quick, her attacks more precise. She stepped into one of my kicks, I heard her grunt on impact. But then, I felt her latch onto my limb, the world spun, a sharp pain in my calf, and then I was on the ground.
I blinked as she hovered over me, sweat making her hair stick to her forehead, breaths labored. But those eyes were just as hard. I couldn't help but laugh.
Her brow furrowed in annoyance as I got back up, walking over to the cabinet and pulling out a couple towels. I tossed one to her before wiping at my own head and neck. A moment later, she practically flopped onto the ground.
"Easy there," I cautioned when I saw her try to get up again. "Listen, I get it. He's not someone you want to talk about. I know how much of a brute he can be. Word on the street is he's looking for you, big reward too." There was a flash of fear in her eyes and she suddenly curled up on herself, almost as if trying to make herself smaller. "Don't worry, I won't let him get to you. You're kind of in the Branwen protection program." I sighed and held out my hand at her. "You're a good kid, Blake. I know you don't mean any of us any harm. Eventually you'll learn to lower your guard. It'll help you."
She looked from my hand and me for a moment before taking it. I turned around, bending down to get a bottle of water from the cooler when I felt something zoom past my face. I looked up to see a knife and took a glance over my shoulder. Blake's arm was still outstretched, and on her face was a shit-eating grin I wasn't sure I'd actually seen on her before.
"I learned that on my own."
I looked from her to the knife before taking the blade out of the wall. I hummed as I studied the weapon. "Not really my style, but impressive nonetheless."
"What? Afraid you'd miss?" she asked. Her posture was still guarded and her voice held a bit of a challenge. She was looking for trouble, while also emphasizing how proud she was of this particular skill.
I chuckled. "I may come across as arrogant but even I know my limits, kiddo," I answered. "Besides, I'd prefer to keep my weapon in my hand."
The garage door opened and Yang walked inside, a curious look on her face. Blake walked over to her and the taller girl looked her over before taking her hand in hers. I rolled my eyes, at the moment. So sappy.
"What were you two doing?" she asked.
"Nothing," the ravenette and I answered, shooting each other a glance.
My kid raised a brow. "Should I be worried?"
Blake wrapped her arms around the taller woman's shoulders, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Now why would you ever need to worry about Raven and I bonding a little?"
It was impressive how conflicted the blonde looked. She looked from her to me and back before her body seemed to sag in resignation, burying her face in her girlfriend's shoulder. "Nothing but trouble," I heard her mutter.
Winter's POV
It was a losing fight to keep my composure. I could feel my irritation bubbling under my skin, my finger tapping steadily as absolute bullshit seeped out of Ozpin's mouth. A woman's abusive husband was going to get away with his transgressions, scot free. The woman had dropped the charges. Worst of all was the lack of surprise I felt at the news. Of course it was going this way.
It's always the same, I thought as I marched into the break room. He always gets away with it. The wife always stays silent. Always drinks the world away. Always. Always. Always. He's just going to keep beating her until-
The sound of clattering metal breaks my thoughts, and I look down to see the fold up chair I'd knocked over.
I take a deep breath, running a hand over the side of my head to make sure my hair hasn't come loose from its bun. Straightening my shirt, the cuffs of my jacket sleeves. Acting like a petulant child wouldn't solve anything.
"Whoa. What did that chair ever do to you?"
I release the breath I was holding, closing my eyes briefly to prepare for the headache I feel building. "Not now, Hill."
I hear her booted steps, can practically feel her approaching me. I look over my shoulder, seeing her leaning against the counter next to the coffee pot. Amethyst eyes are unreadable as she stares at me, though I think perhaps I see them softening around the edges. She hums, seemingly thinking, before snapping her fingers, a grin stretching onto her face easily.
"You need to take a break."
I scoff, fixing my cuff once again. I feel fidgety. I don't know what to make of it.
"Don't give me that look," she continues. "You're having a bad day by the looks of things, and I'll bet if I ask Yang she'll tell me you haven't eaten yet." The taller blonde tucks her hands into her jacket pockets, tilting her head silently to one side. "Take a walk with me, Schnee."
I can't really discern the look on her face, couldn't really fathom why the older woman was going out of her way to do this. She didn't owe me anything. We weren't friends. The only reason we even interacted was because she technically worked for me. So why do this? I could feel a new type of frustration settling in my body. It wasn't explosive by any means, just... odd. Uncomfortable, maybe? Being unable to identify it was probably the worst part.
Robyn was still standing there, waiting patiently for an answer. I looked over at the chair I'd knocked over, allowing another heavy sigh. "What did you have in mind?"
Apparently, what the thief had in mind was a ice cream shop a couple blocks down the road. I raised a brow, but followed her in and found us a table while she went up and ordered.
"So," she started once we both had our own cup of the cold confection. "Wanna talk about it?"
I took another bite of my rocky road.
"Yeah, I know talking isn't really your thing. Not really mine, either."
I laughed once at the obvious lie. "I find that very hard to believe."
Robyn seemed pleased. "And she speaks."
This woman could be such a child.
"You know what I think?" she asked without missing a beat. "I think somewhere deep down you actually really like me."
Now that was just incorrect. "Like you?" I shook my head. "It's all part of the job."
Robyn, again, seemed unphased. Very irritating. "Well yeah. You like having me as a CI." Her expression turned smug, her smile showing more teeth. "Unless, of course, you were thinking of something else."
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "What else could I possibly mean?"
The thief didn't answer, though her expression never wavered. Perhaps I'd been mistaken before. This was the most irritating she could be.
We finished our ice cream in silence, just in time for my phone to go off. "Duty calls," I muttered as I stood. "But thank you for this. Coffee will be on me next time."
"Oh, so they'll be a next time?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't push it, Hill."
Ilia's POV
Another day, another movie night with Blake and her girlfriend. We'd had dinner - Yang had actually cooked which was admittedly a new experience, seeing as Blake and I tended to order take out most nights - and I'd offered to do dishes since she'd gone to the trouble. From my spot at the sink I could hear them chatting, could hear Yang laugh at something Blake said, Blake's hidden giggle following close behind.
I couldn't help wondering what they could have to talk about since Blake practically lived with the blonde nowadays.
Deep breath, and I tell myself to be nice. Yang hasn't done anything that would require the protective roommate schtick. Though I had given a very curt and matter of fact threat when they'd first started seeing each other. I'd never actually expected them to last this long, for them to get this serious.
Blake excused herself to the bathroom, leaving Yang with a kiss and a lovestruck grin as she watched her girlfriend retreat down the hall. I could see it, clear as day, how much the older woman loved my friend. Her eyes said everything, even long after they'd spoken. What must it have been like, I wondered, to have that kind of love?
Yang was such a fascinating case. She was a detective, something I'd warned Blake about in the beginning, so I had to wonder if she suspected anything in regards to our more... unorthodox activities. If she did she certainly didn't let it show, gave absolutely nothing away. Was she maybe too blinded by Blake and her feelings to see the clues. We tried, of course, but we didn't always come away from a job unscathed.
Some detective, I thought, if she didn't at least have some suspicion.
Said woman's eyes landed on me. "You must think we're pretty obnoxious, huh?" the detective commented. She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, which even I couldn't help but find slightly endearing.
I shrugged as I sat down in the worn down recliner sitting diagonally from the couch where she sat. "Not really."
She nodded, seemingly pleased that she hadn't put me out in any way. There was a shine in her eyes, though. Something that let me know she was going somewhere with this conversation. "Blake doesn't tell me much," she admitted quietly. "Just pieces here and there."
I raised a brow. Digging for secrets, was she? "And you think you'd have better luck with me?"
She laughed easily. "Not at all. I just...I'd like to know what she was like, if you wouldn't mind sharing. Any stories you know she wouldn't mind me hearing. Stories told by those closest to us often paint an interesting light."
Unfortunately for the blonde the first few stories that popped into my mind weren't pleasant. All of our earliest shared memories were surrounded by Adam and pain. There were a few quiet moments, us locked away somewhere with Blake's mind coming out of its normal fog. "Nothing like she is now." That much was the truth.
Yang nodded her head. "I see."
I didn't want to be rude. Yang hadn't done anything to deserve it. "She was... quiet," I revealed, though obviously that wouldn't come as a surprise to the detective. "When we first moved into this house, she wouldn't leave my side." I felt a nostalgic smile pull at the corners of my mouth. "Then one night it started raining, and she just... smiled. There was just this... air of peace around her as she stared out at the rain. She curled up against my side and..."
I realized I'd gotten lost in the memory, and I looked up to see Yang still watching me. "You make her happy, like that," I told her.
She continued to study me, expression just as relaxed as it had been at the start. "Was that when you fell for her?"
The world stilled. I felt my hand flex nervously against my pant leg. "What are you even talking about?"
But she just smiled. "It's okay, Ilia. I get it." She chuckled almost to herself. "Blake is... Well, I'm sure you'd know better than me, right?"
In this moment I felt indignation rise up in my chest. How had she even... Hmph. Was I that transparent? Or had I perhaps underestimated her professional skill set? And even this secret laid bare between us, she still smiled at me. I couldn't help but think of the last person who had figured it out. How his blue eyes had hardened, how he'd sneered as he hinted at it front of a foggy Blake.
"I was always jealous of how she looked at him," I admitted almost against my will. "It's stupid, looking back on it now. How she looks at you now is so much worse." Her eyes shined in sympathy. "You're no better, though. You look at her the same way."
She chuckled, looking over her shoulder toward the direction the raven haired girl had gone. They clearly loved each other. Though, if I knew Blake at all, the love she'd known had never been kind. It wouldn't have surprised me if she hadn't been able to express it as easily as the taller woman seemed to be able to.
"She loves you," I said.
"Mm?"
"Blake. She absolutely adores you." Yang didn't say anything, my suspicion confirmed. "I've never seen her like this. Of course, I've only ever know her during her dark times. There wasn't much to smile about then. Brothers know I tried though."
It felt like we'd reach level ground in our acquaintanceship.
"Oh great, you're both getting to know each other," Blake commented with a grin, finally joining us. "Ready to watch a movie?"
As we turned on the movie - some murder mystery parody or something - Blake and Yang stayed curled up together, the blonde making little remarks that at the very least got a smile out of Blake before the other woman shushed her. We all did eventually get wrapped up in the plot, though when I looked over and saw my roommate out like a light, the blonde's own eyes starting to droop as she hummed low in her throat.
How unsurprising.
Robyn's POV
I swung my arm around Fiona's shoulders, bringing her into my side with a laugh as our crew entered the bar. The birthday girl had gotten the day off from her waitressing job, and we were all taking her out for a round of drinks. We'd all made the mistake of underestimating her in the past, after all. We'd already grabbed pizza from her favorite joint, one coincidentally run by her uncle, so all that was left was to drink!
"Drinks on me tonight, ladies," I say boisterously.
"Easy there, Boss," I hear Joanna's deep chuckle. "Fi will drink you out of house and home." True enough. Despite the woman's small stature she could easily drink the rest of us under the table.
I straighten to my full height. "You dare doubt my ability to provide for my favorite girls," I say in mock offense, hand to my chest and everything.
Fiona giggles, and May rolls her eyes at my theatrics. "Not doubting you, Robyn," the blue haired woman reassures with a grin. "Just not underestimating this hellian." She gestures to the curly haired woman who has extracted herself from my side to punch May's shoulder.
"You're all just jealous," she replies, sticking out her tongue.
Obviously, we're all very mature individuals.
I'm following my crew to our table of choice when I catch something out of the corner of my eye. At the end of the bar, Winter sits with a view of the whole establishment. Seemed about right, given how Winter was. I watch as she shoots one back, the sound of the glass hitting the table hard to miss in a bar like this.
"I'll be right back," I tell the girls. "You know what I like." And like that I start towards the detective. Honestly, I should probably learn to leave well enough alone, but I can't say that would be my style. Call it a character flaw.
"Hey," I said as I reached her.
She spared me a glance, not bothering to turn her head. "Hello," she answered, taking a sip from her drink.
"Fancy running into you here." It's a safe start.
Winter scoffed, picking at the wood on the bar. It takes me a moment to realize it's the most fidgety I've ever seen her. "Should we add stalking to your rap sheet now?" She sounds tired.
"Sweetheart, you wound me. I happen to be out with my roommates tonight for Fiona's birthday," I replied, gesturing to the group a few tables away. "Afraid there's no working for the wicked tonight."
All I get in reply is a hum as she taps her finger against her glass. I frown, counting seven shots. Far be it from me to cut someone off but there are a few things that cause me concern, especially considering who I'm talking to. "Do you have a ride?"
The drink she takes this time is small, slow. "And if I said I didn't?" It would have sounded different had this been Winter in the light of day. But here, in the dim lighting of this bar, there was no bite. Hell, she sounded almost curious.
I thought back to other day, when I'd caught her on the verge of a panic attack at her job. Even then, she hadn't seemed this... disconnected, maskless. I leaned against the table. "Hey, Winter. You okay?"
Her brows pinch together in confusion as she leaned back in her seat, finally turning her head to look at me. Albeit, a bit slowly, lazily. "Why do you care?"
Heh. Why, indeed. What to tell this stubborn mule of a detective? This wonderfully frustrating workaholic. This clearly hurting woman. What could I possibly tell Winter. Well, I'd never been a liar. Why start now?
So I smiled, leaning comfortably against the counter. "Of course I care, Schnee. You're my favorite detective."
Winter made a sound in the back of her throat, one that lets me know she's far from convinced. She shakes her head. "I'm your legitimate source of income."
I chuckled, a new goal in mind before I retreat back to my table with my family. "Shall I recite poetry to prove my feelings," I answered teasingly, hand outstretched dramatically toward the sky.
A second later my goal is reached as the first genuine laugh I've ever gotten out of the shorter woman escapes her throat. It's small, barely even a laugh, but it's out in the world, full of surprise as she sets her newest shot aside.
I grin, feeling pleased even with this small success. "There you are."
There's something in the blue of her eyes that was wasn't there before, something that had been lurking behind the shadows. The corners of her mouth turn up ever so slightly and I think she might reply. But then her eyes flicker passed me and she stands, using the countertop to keep her balance as she grabs her coat off the back of her chair.
"It would appear my ride's here."
Sure enough, when I look back toward the entrance I spot a mess of blonde curls and lilac eyes watching us. Yang smiles at me, and waves once she's got a hold of Winter. She had always been the more sociable of the two.
With that all settled, I return to my crew, who of course can't help but ask what that was all about. They know about me being a CI of course. I never keep anything from them, but they can't help but be curious. My eyes watch Winter and Yang leave, and when I turn back I catch the knowing glint in Fiona's, that subtle smirk she hides politely behind her glass.
One look at Jo and May tells me they have similar ideas.
Well, can't say they were too far off.
