A/N: Please thank BG-13. She's the brains of this whole story...
Yang POV
There truly was nothing sadder than an empty coffee pot. I suppose that was what I got for not getting to work on time, but I couldn't exactly say I regretted spending those extra few minutes cuddled up in bed with Blake. The woman had been studying all week for her finals, crashing hard last night. Unfortunately me getting up in the morning had woken her, and she'd hadn't wanted to let me go. Well, I can't say I put up much of a fight.
"There you are!"
Even if I didn't recognize the voice, Winter's already very tired sounding sigh would have tipped me off to who had just entered the precinct. Robyn strutted into the cafe, walking over to the table Winter was sat at. I couldn't help but notice the drink carrier and box of donuts she was carrying.
I grinned at the taller blonde, taking my seat next to the older detective. "Hey, Robyn," I greeted. One of us had to have manners, after all. "You got a tip for Winter?"
"Not today, I'm afraid," she responded. "Just was in the neighborhood and thought I'd bring my favorite detective some coffee. Oh, and you too, I guess."
I placed a hand over my chest. "Rude."
She grinned but handed me a cup of coffee. The first sip of the wonderful elixir was life changing, and I had to bite back the noise that had wanted to escape. "You're an angel," I hummed.
"Tell that to this one," Robyn answered, gesturing toward Winter who was already drinking her own coffee.
"I said thank you," Winter answered as she looked through one of the files in front of her.
"Fisticuffs called me an angel."
The white haired woman looked unimpressed. "I'm not prone to lying," Winter said dryly.
Robyn let out a scoff, pretending to be offended as she looked back to me. "Do you see how she treats me?"
If I hadn't looked over I might not have caught the almost playful smirk on Winter's face, nor would I have seen that slight glint. "It's how she shows affection."
"Don't encourage her, Xiao Long."
Robyn leaned forward onto her elbows, grinning innocently at her "favorite detective". Winter rolled her eyes at the antics but, again, I saw that interesting look on her face. She didn't really even seem annoyed with Robyn's presence if I was being honest.
Robyn left after a short exchange, realizing it probably wasn't very professional to just hang around the precinct without any actual information to provide us. I watched as Winter kept glancing up at her retreating figure before her gaze stayed glued to the paperwork in front of her.
Huh. Interesting.
"So you and Robyn seem to be getting along well," I commented.
"Part of the job," Winter responded, lacking its usual bite. "She's still a thorn on my side most of the time."
"Sure."
Winter looked up from her file, brow furrowed in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," was all I said in reply, suppressing the knowing grin I could feel trying to come alive.
Very interesting, indeed.
Winter POV
"They're known as The Crown," Robyn began, arms crossed over her chest with an unusually serious look on her face. "One of the ringleaders is known as Bertilak. Big guy, not very bright but he does his job. After some digging I found out he's been hanging around an apartment building in the projects, and that you'll need me to get in."
The area she was talking about had been the victim of a series of kidnappings with high ransoms. Typically my department wouldn't get so involved but this was where our case had led us, one with two bodies and one unaccounted for. I'd asked the blonde to look into it before bringing it to Ozpin.
Yang gave a thumbs up toward her fellow blonde. "Good work there, Robyn. And since Oz gave us the go ahead, you'll be needing this." She held a bullet proof vest out toward her. "And I guess I'll need to grab mine."
Robyn did as she was told, pulling on the vest and then throwing her dark green hoodie over it. When she looked over to me she frowned, tilting her head slightly. "And you?"
"Don't need one."
She looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "Uh, yes you do," the woman countered. "Yang is wearing one"
"Because she's-"
"I've been shot before," Yang admitted, putting on her own vest, hand lingering around her shoulder for a bit longer. "It hurts. A lot."
"We're just casing this, basically," I added, trying to assuage any concern the thief might be feeling. "There shouldn't be any actual trouble."
Something hard entered Robyn's violet eyes, and I could see the stubborn set to her jaw. "The Crown isn't just another group of wannabe criminals, Winter. They're not going to just let you walk out of there when we go marching into their turf."
I holstered my gun under my jacket. "I'll be fine, Hill."
Persistence was one of Robyn's strongest traits though, and she held out the extra vest toward me, practically shoving the thing into my chest. "Don't be an idiot." She'd stepped closer, now standing within arm's reach, looking slightly down at me. It wasn't intimidating. Instead, the look in her eyes was almost pleading.
The look confused me more than anything. Most things about the other woman tended to baffle me. Everything about this was just... I broke the staring contest by turning to walk toward the elevator.
I heard the irritated growl in her throat. "Fine, get shot," Robyn groused. "See if I care."
The car ride was quiet for the most part, and I caught Yang trying to hide a smirk the entire time. I rolled my eyes. She'd been going on about Robyn and I for days now. Trying to get at something I thought impossible, clearly. We were co-workers at best. She was my CI. That was it.
Shooting a glance in the rearview mirror, I saw Robyn was leaning on her elbow and looking out the window, brow furrowed pensively.
I fought back a sigh.
The informant was the first out of the vehicle, and as she approached someone I assumed was with The Crown I saw her demeanor shift into it's usual nonchalance. Confidence radiating with every gesture. After a short exchange, she gestured for Yang and I to follow her. As we walked, a few people whistled and cat called, before noticing us and giving us another form of unpleasant attention. They apparently weren't stupid. They knew.
Door to door we attempted to collect any information we could. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, as soon as they saw the badge they shut the door in our faces or clammed up instantly. Even Robyn had a hard time getting anything solid. Well, until a bit into this endeavor. One man she talked to appeared to be in his late thirties, a grocery bag in his arm. He kept shifting, looking more irritable with each passing second.
Hmm.
"What do you want?" the tenant said as she opened the door, forcing my attention back on our own task.
"We're looking for someone named Bertilak," I managed to say before the door flew shut on my face.
Yang huffed next to me. "You know, I'm starting to get used to that."
Tell me about it. Our attention was once again drawn to Robyn as she came over to join us. "Dead end?"
"Yeah," she muttered before snapping her fingers as if remembering something. "Oh! I forgot to give them the card. Excuse me, sir-"
Everything happened then. One. Two. Three. Four shots rang out, and I watched as Robyn jerked back. By the time she hit the ground, I'd already pushed the man I was talking to back into his apartment and kneeled by her side. I had my weapon drawn. "Yang!" The blonde was already heading into the apartment Robyn had been questioning.
With Yang going after the culprit, I checked on the woman lying on the floor. "Robyn? Hey. Look at me."
"They went out the window!" I heard Yang yell from in the room.
"I got her," I called back. "Go! Go! Go!" I looked down at the woman who was now whimpering. "Robyn? You're okay. Just breathe," I try to soothe as I gently look for any wounds. "I don't see any blood."
She groaned, moving as if to sit up but she sucked in a sharp breath and stayed down. "The vest took it," she managed, grabbing my wrist. "That was Bertilak, get him. Go."
I give her a sharp nod, grip tightening on my gun again. "Okay."
I ran off in the direction they'd gone, spotting the pair as they went into a building. I growled and ran in after them, going the opposite direction once inside, hoping to block them off. I saw the man come towards me and watched as he raised her gun at me before I fired, clipping him in the shoulder and making him fall to the ground. Yang caught up quickly, kicking the perp's gun away and cuffing him as I approached.
Between all the chaos, Ozpin had arrived on the scene, and congratulated us on our success despite the obvious hiccups. I was only half paying attention, admittedly, and as soon as I could I made my way over the ambulance I'd seen Hill be carried into and hopped inside.
"Hey," I greeted quietly, taking a seat next to the gurney.
Robyn looked over at me, face covered in an oxygen mask, IV already in her arm. Even with all that though, I could easily see that grin that could be so... insufferable sometimes. Couldn't believe the relief I saw in seeing it. However, I could see some sort of anxiety in her eyes that belayed the grin. "Hey. I can't get my leg to stop twitching."
One look at said appendage and I couldn't disagree. "It's the adrenaline." I shook my head. "I'm sorry."
She shrugged with a chuckle. "Don't be."
I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. Nothing came to mind though. Anything I could have said didn't feel correct, didn't feel like it would add anything to this moment. I found myself in this situation a lot with Robyn. "I have to go," is what I settled on. "They don't even know I'm here." And I could imagine the medics wouldn't appreciate my sneaking onto their vehicle. "I'll...check up on you later."
"Winter?" she called as I started to leave.
"Mm?"
"One thing."
She gestured for me to go closer which I did, completely blindsided by the smack to the back of my head. I jerked back on instinct. It hadn't hurt really but it had certainly caught me by surprise. I blinked down at the injured woman, rubbing the spot in confusion.
"Next time...wear your damn vest," she ordered in no uncertain terms.
There it was again, that look. That baffling, unidentifiable look. I felt my chest tighten and all I could do was nod. "Okay."
"I mean it," Robyn growled.
I huffed, but there was no bite, no irritation. It could have easily been mistaken for a short laugh. "I believe you."
As I exited the ambulance that tightness in my chest grew. I had to wonder... Was I... Did I... Surely not. Still, this feeling that had been brewing in my chest made me feel a little off balance. I looked over my shoulder, towards where I'd just left, running a hand through my hair, a few flyaways had come out of my bun.
Well. Shit
Robyn's POV
Brothers, why did being in the hospital have to be so damn boring? Sure, my ribs had taken a hit or two but I was doing so much better. Little stiffness, but I could move around pretty fine. The doctors just didn't want to let me go yet. As a precaution. I was this close to just calling the girls and having them bust me out of here. They'd already visited, of course, but had been adamant about letting me heal. Geez, I couldn't even imagine what this was going to do to what savings we had.
Maria from the Soup Kitchen had also paid me a visit. I think the only thing keeping her from whacking me with her cane had been the nurse that had lingered in the room. She'd still chewed me out for being so reckless. Like it was my fault. Crazy old bat.
Even Yang had made a brief appearance, wanting to make sure I was healing okay.
The only one who hadn't was...
I sighed. It wasn't very surprising. From what our interactions it seemed the woman had a hard time expressing sentiment.
Shaking my head, I decided I'd had enough being bored and got up to get my charger. If I was going to be stuck here any longer, I needed to keep my phone alive.
"Should you really be out of bed?"
I paused, smiling before I'd even turned around to see the woman I'd just been contemplating. "Well, well," I said. "Fancy seeing you here, Detective." I stop, noticing the bouquet in her hand. Colorful flowers arranged carefully, by the looks of it.
Winter's eyes glance down at said flowers. "These are for you," she admitted, holding the bunch out awkwardly toward me.
It's a little endearing, I have to admit. So, I take the bouquet from her. "Aw, you shouldn't have."
The white haired woman straightens her blouse, before taking out some folded up papers from her jacket. She looks so incredibly out of place. "Sign this."
Ah, back to business it seemed. Once I did as asked, she handed me an envelope of cash, and I couldn't help but whistle. Who knew getting shot paid so well.
Once the paperwork was back in Winter's hand, she seemed to relax a little. "That should cover your final payment."
I froze. "I'm sorry, what?"
The shorter woman looked off to the side, suddenly finding the wall very interesting. "I no longer have need of your skills." She said it so matter of factly, so very much like the woman I'd first met.
Oh, hell no. "So that's it. You decide we're done, and that's it."
She said nothing. She refused to meet my gaze and... How could one woman be so damn infuriating! I threw the bouquet and she didn't even try to block it, watching as it fell to the floor. With a resigned sounding sigh she bent down to pick it up, gently placing it on the night stand.
"The flowers were Yang's idea."
"Tossing them at you was mine," I snapped back.
Once again she straightened her shirt, nodding to herself as she turned. "Then I suppose I should take my leave."
Of all the absolute bullshit! "Hey! Winter, we're not done talking!"
"Get some rest, Hill," is all I heard as she closed the door behind her.
I stared at the door as if it had personally offended me. The whole interaction couldn't have lasted more than a couple minutes yet I was so furious. The absolute nerve of that woman! I turned my attention to the flowers on the night stand, glaring at them. Why was she like this! What the hell had changed! So I got shot at, big deal! I was alive! I was wearing a vest! I'd be walking out of here soon! Why the hell would this little incident change anything? It was like she... Oh.
Oh, screw this.
It took thirty minutes after I called for Johanna to arrive at the hospital, and another five to convince the nurses and doctors to let me out of here. Once all the appropriate paperwork had been signed six hours later and I changed into the clothes Jo had brought me I was out of there.
I was leaning against the wall opposite the elevator, wondering how this was going to go. Winter was always so hard to get a read on, but I was certain of a few conclusions I had come to.
Of course other people came and went, nodding at or ignoring me as they got to finally go home for the day. I had to put my phone up as to not waste the battery after awhile.
Thankfully, I didn't have to wait much longer for the detective. She looked tired, rubbing the back of her neck until she spotted me. Immediately, she straighten, her entire countenance changing. Face smoothed into a neutral expression, she blinked at me before turning to go to her car.
Like hell she was just going to ignore me.
"I want my job back."
She didn't slow her pace as I followed suit. "Go home, Hill."
That was the absolute last thing I was going to do. Not until she actually talked to me. "You know, it wasn't exactly my plan to get shot," I told her. I reigned myself back in. Going at it head on wouldn't get me anywhere. "Winter, please, you know I need the job. There's people that depend on it. Why cut me off?"
She tapped her finger against the top of her car right above the driver's door. "You're in over your head here," was her sharp reply.
I scoffed. "Well, if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black."
She finally turned to look at me, eyes narrowed. "I'm not going to do this with you, Robyn."
Oh. There it was. "You know, it took me a bit, but you're not that hard to figure out, Detective."
Ice blue eyes met mine head on. "And what do you think you've figured out?"
"Someone got attached."
She sucked in sharp breath at the accusation. I could practically see the gears turning in her head. Then she shook her head, a curt laugh of disbelief coming out in an exhale as she reached to unlock her car. "This conversation is over. It's done. You signed the paperwork. I don't have to explain anything to you."
I moved to cut her off from opening the door.
She growled in response. "Move."
"Just admit you fired me because you actually like me. You like me, and you have no clue what to do about it! Go on, admit it!"
She stared at me hard, the tell tale stubborn set to her jaw. She huffed in frustration. "Okay, fine. I like you. Is that what you want to hear."
The admission took me by surprise, I'll admit. Not because of it's contents, but with how quiet it actually was. It wasn't some big explosion or even a whisper. It just... was. Out in the open, and much easier to get out than I'd expected from someone like Winter. I could feel my mouth hanging open. I watched as Winter sighed, smoothing back her hair.
"Now, may I please just get in my car?"
I blinked. Then I leaned forward and kissed her. I wasn't sure what kind of response I was going to get, so I kept it light, giving her room to back away. After a moment, however, she pressed forward, her hand tangling into my scarf and keeping me there.
She pulled away for air, panting, and I opened my eyes to see hers still closed. "You know, this means you legitimately can't be my CI anymore."
I shouldn't have been surprised, but a laugh escaped me anyway. "I'll figure something out," I told her, going in for more.
Winter's POV
Waking up was a slow and arduous process. I stretched, my body feeling sore in a way I wasn't familiar with. It wasn't unpleasant, if I really thought about it. But it did make me not want to get up from my bed. I felt the bed shift and opened my eyes to see Robyn sitting up in the bed, casually drinking from one of my mugs.
Her hair was lose from it's usual ponytail and sticking up at every odd angle. She was wearing one of my work shirts. Violet eyes gleamed as she took a sip of what smelled like coffee, free hand reaching out to move a strand of hair behind my ear.
She looked beautiful.
This whole thing was surprising, and I found myself trying to keep up. I had enjoyed myself, of that I was sure. I had to wonder how deep my feelings were though. Was this just attraction, or a full on infatuation? And what did Robyn think of all this? She'd kissed me. So she must have at least felt the same attraction. Right? And now what? What was the protocol for this? Robyn seemed so relaxed about this whole thing.
"Good morning, Winter."
It was the sound of her voice that brought me out of my spiraling thoughts. I blinked, and noticed that she was now holding a second mug towards me. With great reluctance I managed to sit up a little, taking the proffered mug with a 'thanks'.
"Morning," I greeted. The drink was still warm, and it felt so soothing running down my throat. "This is good."
"It's whatever you had laying around," she answered with a shrug.
I hummed in response before putting the cup on the nightstand and pulling her down toward me. I wanted to test this. So I kissed her again, one of my hands finding the back of her head as she laughed into the kiss. Then, I pulled away, studying her.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked softly. It seemed to be the safest point to start at.
Robyn pretended to think about it, really exaggerating by putting one finger to her chin. "I was thinking breakfast but I'm not sure what you like, and I know better than to make a mess in someone else's kitchen."
Though the idea of commenting on her sudden manners did briefly occur, I pushed that aside. "I'm serious, Robyn."
She heaved a heavy sigh, her features softening as they became more serious. One of her fingers started playing with my hair, twirling it around and around. "I'll think of something, Snowflake. I always do." Then, "How you feeling?"
I turned onto my side, and she followed suit so that she was facing me. I couldn't shake this awkwardness that seemed to cling to me. Part of me was starting to envy Robyn's uncanny ability for nonchalance.
"I'm fine," I settled on. "This is... different for me... but," I shrugged. "It's fine."
One callused hand cupped my cheek, the pad of her thumb rubbing across the bone there gently, carefully. Then, we were kissing again. I wasn't sure how to describe what it felt like, if I was being completely honest. My heart was beating so fast, too fast to be healthy. There was this heat spreading throughout my body. One of her hands trailed under my tank top.
And then my phone rang.
With some reluctance, though I'd never admit to it, I attempted to pull away only for Robyn to hug me too her with a whine. "No, no, no," she complained. "Not right now."
I bit my lip to hide my smile. Okay, so that was a little bit cute. "It might be work," I reasoned. She sighed dejectedly, making a big show of it as she let me grab the device. I frowned when I saw it was Yang, and then noticed what time it was. "That can't be right. My alarm didn't go off."
"Oh, that's because I turned your alarm off," Robyn answered as I stood from the bed. "You looked like you really needed the sleep."
I huffed irritably as I started to pull out my clothes for the day. "Dammit, Robyn, I'm late for work."
She chuckled. "Oh yeah, Yang is going to be so mad at you. Scary."
I turned to face her, trying to look somewhat intimidating. "I'm never late for work."
The intimidation failed if the look on Robyn's face was anything to go by. "Maybe this is a good thing," she tried. "New experience, and all that."
I shook my head. "I'm going to get ready." I paused, looking down at her still lying in my bed. She tilted her head, watching me stare. Then, with precise steps I walked toward the bed, leaned over, and planted a kiss on her lips. All things considered it was probably our most chaste.
Robyn looked up at me, a soft smile on her face. "Talk to you later?"
One firm nod. "Yes," I said before shutting the door to the bathroom behind me.
She was gone by the time I finished, and I felt this strange stirring in my chest. Disappointment, maybe? Again, I couldn't tell you why. We were going to talk later, after all. Shaking the feeling off I dressed, grabbed my badge and gun and then left for work. Saved a lot of time not having to stop for coffee, at least. It felt wrong walking in late to work. I'd never been late. Like Yang you had to practically force me to take sick days or leave.
No one really said anything about it. Except for Yang. Of course it was Yang. She knew me best after all.
From the moment I took my seat at my desk she studied me, her own paperwork forgotten for the moment. After a good twenty minutes of feeling her eyes on me I looked up, raising a brow. "Do you need something?"
Lavender eyes narrowed, searching, probing.
I growled. "Okay, I guess I'll bite. What are you staring at?"
"You seem... different."
Was that all? How vague. "Do I?" I asked before continuing to work.
It was quiet, and then I heard her wheel her chair over to my desk. When I looked up again, she had this very wide, very obnoxious grin on her face. "Oh my god. I can't believe it."
I said nothing, but internally I felt my whole body sigh. Yang always had been observant.
She was practically bouncing in her seat. "You and Robyn?" she asked, thankfully maintaining a low volume even though she looked so thrilled. "Holy shit! I've been waiting for that rubber band to snap."
I rolled my eyes. "For a detective you are jumping to a lot of conclusions."
Yang laughed good-naturedly. "I'm just happy for you," she said after a moment, putting a hand on my shoulder. And it felt actually kind of nice, to know that she was supportive of... whatever was going on with Robyn and I. "So do Weiss and I need to give her the shovel talk? I'm a detective and she's a coroner, we can make it look like an accident."
And there went any semblance of a moment.
"Okay, you need to slow down," I said. "Robyn and I are..." I trailed off. Obviously I wasn't entirely sure what we were. "I don't want anymore to know. Okay?"
She made an x over hear heart, stupid grin still in place. "You got it."
I sighed, but couldn't help but sort of revel in Yang's infectious energy.
Summer POV
If there was one certainty in the universe, it was that the minute I gave my girls permission to make cookies, I should be prepared for a war. It was a routine by this point. Ruby wanted chocolate chips. Yang wanted peanut butter. Eventually they'd settle for both. I settled in my daughter's living room, relaxing as I listened to their bickering. The whole thing brought a smile to my face.
Glancing over to the other end of the couch, I found Blake curled up under a blanket, book in hand. Through my daughter and her own admittance, it had been revealed the other woman wasn't much of a cook. Though, Yang had mentioned that Blake could make a pretty mean spaghetti, and was killer with a grill.
She finally sat her book aside, looking over to me. "Tell me why they don't just add the peanut butter and chocolate chips from the beginning."
I laughed. "Oh, this is just how it's always been. Believe it or not they were worse as kids."
"Really?"
I nodded. "They'd spend most of their time trying to sabotage the other's efforts," I revealed. "Never ended well. Can't tell you the kinds of gunk I had to clean off my counters."
The sound of Blake's laugh drew the attention of my eldest, and I watched as she smiled before turning back to the task at hand. "Sounds like they were nothing but trouble." The fondness in her voice was unmistakable.
I huffed dramatically in response. "They gave me grey hairs. Ruby kept getting into fights at school trying to defend Penny and Weiss." I took a sip from my bottle of water. "And then Yang would get into fights protecting Ruby. You wouldn't believe how many times I was called into the principal's office."
She hummed and lowered her gaze. "Yeah, I know what that's like. My parents were called a couple times."
I studied her curiously before scooting to sit next to her. "You don't talk about your parents much," I commented softly.
"There's nothing much to talk about," Blake replied, unable to hide her wince.
Given what I did know about Blake, what had been told without her permission and with, I could take a few guesses about what the story was. But, it wasn't my place to judge without the facts. And even then... "It's okay. You don't have to tell me anything."
She sat quiet for a moment, looking over at my children still playfully fighting over what to put in the oven first. She sighed before leaning back against the cushions, looking exhausted suddenly.
"My parents and I...we had a falling out, I guess" she said quietly. "I was the rebellious pre-teen, they were the most supportive parents. No matter what I did or said, they'd always find something good in me, something worth redeeming. I didn't see it that way though. I left when I was thirteen, told them things I wish I could take back. I haven't talked to or seen them since."
I mulled over the admittance before placing a hand over hers. "I can't speak for every parent out there. I can't even speak for yours, since I've never met them. But I can speak for me," I began. "And if Yang or Ruby had disappeared one day without a trace, and after years of worrying and fearing the worst, I finally heard their voice... There would be nothing on this earth that would keep me from holding them in my arms again." I gave her a smile. "And I like to think that if your parents were as great as you say they were, that's what they would feel too."
Blake let out a choked sound and I pulled her towards me, giving her a hug, feeling her return the gesture with the same force. I rocked us gently back and forth, humming soothingly. When she pulled away she muttered an apology, wiping away a stray tear. Of course, it wasn't long before Yang made her way to us, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend, silent question in her eyes which the dark haired young woman answered with a kiss.
Though the concern didn't fully leave my eldest's gaze, she pressed a kiss to her girlfriend's temple. Lilac eyes found me, searching, to which I simply smiled back, gently fixing blonde curls that had gotten a bit disarrayed.
