It had been days since the last time Cinder was taken out for archery with Glynda, and she was about ready to blow off some steam.

As her therapist pulled her car into the parking lot of the small, yet still public archery range, she gazed out into the field, and let out a small sigh of relief, seeing only a few individuals spread out through the various lanes. Thank gods for the normal work week. While Cinder would be able to tolerate the idea of there being others around her - luckily she did not have do on their prior visit to this range - she of course, would rather not. After all, the less people there were around, the less time she would have to spend attempting to ignore their annoying stares.

After finding a parking spot and turning off the vehicle, the two women exited the car, and made their way across the fairly empty parking lot to the range. Glynda chose to head to the main building to deal with renting the equipment, which left Cinder to pick out a couple lanes for them to use. Of course that did not take very long, as her first instinct was to choose that was off to the side. Nice and almost secluded. A few minutes later, her therapist joined her with a pair of bows and two quivers full of arrows. Just what she liked to see. Though just after handing the younger woman one set, Glynda excused herself, placing her own set at the lane next to hers before making her way back toward the main building. I suppose I'll just get started then.

Putting the quiver against the short half-wall that divided her lane and the one that Glynda was set to use, Cinder picked out an arrow, notched it, and pointed it towards the targets across the field. She figured that it would be a good idea to start off easy, at least for the first couple shots, until she got used to shooting again. Unfortunately, Cinder was barely able to fire her first arrow - which hit just shy of a bullseye - before hearing a voice that she really would have rather not today... or any day, really.

"Good afternoon, Cinder." Came the voice of Pyrrha Nikos from behind her, which was... just fucking perfect.

Turning toward the source of the noise, Cinder found the redhead to be standing on the other side of that half-wall, where Glynda's lane was, with a bow in her hand, quiver slung over her shoulder, and a warm smile on her face. She just narrowed her eye. "Nikos." She near-growled. So much for a peaceful afternoon at the archery range. "What are you doing here?" Then it clicked. "Did Glynda call you or something?" That would certainly explain why she just disappeared without a reason, right before this woman showed up.

"Does it matter if she did?" Pyrrha wondered, taking the quiver off of her shoulder and placing it next to Glynda's.

"Nothing matters, Nikos." Cinder spat. "Things are or they aren't, and that's the end of it." Though as she leaned down to retrieve another arrow, she noticed that the redhead was almost awkwardly handling the bow in her hand. "Have you ever even used a bow before?"

Pyrrha simply nodded. "I have, but I normally prefer rifles."

Cinder immediately her brow. "Never took you for the type who used guns." Or to even want anything to do with them.

"I actually used to go hunting with my mother when I was a teenager." Pyrrha informed. "I learned a number of valuable lessons during those trips, lessons that I took to heart."

Cinder merely picked another arrow from her quiver. "Such as?"

Pyrrha's expression change for a moment, now appearing more stern. "Do not aim the rifle, if you cannot pull the trigger." To which the older woman merely smiled, though not genuinly, before setting up her shot. "Careful with that bow, Cinder. We don't want to hurt anyone, now would we?"

Cinder only smirked, though she did not look away from the target in front of her. "Oh, don't worry, it's not your head I'm imagining." She assured, releasing the arrow, and landing a nearly perfect bullseye. "That smug, fucking judge on the other hand... I think he would pop like a melon..." She then grabbed another arrow from her quiver. "I am deeply sorry for your loss, Miss Fall, however you are not alone in your grievances." She mocked, almost hissing before releasing the arrow, hitting another bullseye. How the hell did I do that?

"Very impressive." Pyrrha admired. "Even more so with... one eye?"

Not even bothering to look at the younger woman, Cinder picked another arrow and began to set up a shot. "It's still there, for all the good it does." Considering it was foggy and completely blind, it was utterly pointless in being there. She almost wished that she lost it in that damn fire.

Pyrrha was quiet for a moment. "I'm-"

"Don't you dare say you're sorry again, Nikos." Cinder interrupted, looking over to glare at the redhead with a burning gaze. "You sound like a fucking broken record."

Another moment of silence. "Can I apologize for apologizing?"

Cinder just rolled her eye, lining up another shot. "Oh, so now you're a comedian."

Pyrrha shook her head. "Not at all, I'm simply... unsure of what to say around you at times." She admitted. "I try to feel sympathy for you, and you call it pity. I try to speak normally with you and I'm brushed off... So at this point I just want to know what you want from me."

Cinder only scoffed, looking down the field. "Show some teeth, why don't you. You could snap me like a damn twig, and yet I cow you with words alone."

Pyrrha actually let out a sigh at the request. "Perhaps you're right, but honestly, I would rather not. I don't want to be... enemies, or whatever you may call this... I want to be friends, or at the very least on good terms."

While she attempted to focus on her shot, Cinder was unable to after what was just said. So, she briefly lowered her bow. "I have friends, Nikos. People who stood by me at my lowest, on terms far different than our own." She snarled, raising her bow again to shoot what almost turned out to be a bullseye. "You don't want to be my friend, you wish to ease your conscience, for judging me guilty alongside so many others."

Pyrrha remained quiet for a short time, before sighing again. "You're right. I did judge you at first. I genuinely believed that you started that fire, and I was so... angry because the love of my life was put in danger. There was nothing that I wanted more than to see you brought to justice for everything that happened, but Ruby defended you. She convinced me that you weren't the one who set that fire..." Then she paused, taking a breath. "So perhaps I don't truly wish to be your friend, but you've been mistreated by enough people because of the accident, and I don't want to be one more."

Cinder needed to take a moment before answering, else she might have yelled. So, she turned to the redhead and stepped towards her, staring the woman right in the eyes. "So accept that truth, and keep your distance. I'm not one to seek out hostilities unless antagonized."

At first, Pyrrha looked like she was going to accept it, but of course, that was not going to be the case. Just my luck. "Then tell me something. Why do you refuse so adamantly to accept my sympathy?"

Cinder clenched her fists at that question, as well as her teeth. "Because sympathy doesn't help, Nikos. Do you think sympathy will heal my scars? Return my vision? Remove the pain and humiliation of my recovery?" Then she turned, grabbing an arrow, notching it, and letting loose another shot, but it only hit the edge of the target. So she looked back to once again glare at the younger woman. "Will your precious sympathy bring my Emerald back to me?"

Pyrrha's gaze "I wish I could say they would, I truly do, but no. What it can do-"

"Is what? Make me feel better about my situation? About the other people who suffered?" Cinder snapped, drawing another arrow from her quiver. "Because I no longer care." Notching the arrow, she let it loose, and it landed just off-center. "All my life I have fought and bled for all that I owned, and now it's gone, burned away, ashes to the wind... I am told to be understanding, that I was not the only one who suffered." She seethed, grabbed and notching another arrow. "I didn't start that fire, but I truly wish that I did, that I had perished with my love, so that I may be at peace, instead of suffering the sniveling cowards who used me as a fucking scapegoat!" The arrow went wide, soaring past the target and into the field beyond. Cinder remained in position, hands shaking as she attempted to regain control of herself, breathing heavily, heart pounding in her chest.

Pyrrha did not answer immediately, thankfully deciding to shut up, if only briefly. "The Winter Maiden teaches that we suffer great adversity, for the cruelty of the world knows no discrimination."

Cinder just laughed. "So your magic goddess of suffering says everyone suffers. That's the wisdom of your gods, Nikos? Do you truly find comfort in being told that everything happens because it happens? Is that what you were raised to believe? Because if so, I'm glad I'm a godless heathen." And so glad I don't have to deal with your preachy shit very often.

"It means that cruelty is indiscriminate, inflicted by both good and evil for both good and evil." Pyrrha explained. "We are victims of our own irrationality. I and others blamed you in our righteous, but blind anger, and you suffered our cruelty in silence, and have been left unable to move on-"

"Because people like you won't let me move on!" Cinder finally snapped, throwing her bow to the ground, before approaching the half-wall and grasping the redhead by the shoulders from the other side, glaring directly into her emerald eyes. "I, don't, want, to, care. I don't want to wake up and think about all that I've lost, and all that I've suffered. I don't want to look in the mirror and see my... mangled body. I don't want to view every stare as judgmental, and I don't want emails from people who can't accept they won't get their justice from me. I just want to be left alone. I want to be left in peace, but no one understands. All they can think about is themselves. Their anger. Their guilt. It doesn't matter, because either way it results in someone coming to me with their thoughts and their feelings and their bullshit, and I don't care about them. It means nothing to me that you thought wrong, as long as you kept it to yourself and stayed away from me, everything would be fine... Can you imagine what it would have been like, if it had been Ruby who died? How patronizing it would feel, for people who had nothing to do with the incident, to constantly bring up how sorry they are, for your loss?" Cinder's voice wavered, and she grit her teeth, tightening her grip upon the younger woman's shoulders.

Pyrrha was silent, merely looking back with a troubled gaze. Good. "I... never thought about it like that..."

Cinder just dropped her arms, but continued to stare right into the redhead's eyes. "Of course you didn't, you have your precious Maidens to look up to." She spat. "Well they didn't do shit for me. They didn't stop the fire from starting, they didn't save my soulmate, and they didn't save me from getting blamed for it all!" Then she had to pause, her breathing heavy. "So you can stop going on about magical fairies in the sky, as if they've ever done anything for me. The only thing that matters in life is how good and evil humans are, because that's why Emerald is dead... and I'm left here alive... Because of cruelty and selfless nature of real people."

Pyrrha remained quiet for another few moments, seemingly at a loss for words. Until she appeared to make some sort of realization... or something. The older woman did not care about what she thought about. "Raven."

Cinder immediately narrowed her eye at the mention of her friend, almost wanting to snap at the redhead to not even speak her name. "What about her?"

"You're here because of Raven, are you not?" Pyrrha inquired.

Cinder just rolled her eye. "No shit I am. I'd be dead without her."

Pyrrha's eyes actually widened a bit at that answer. "You can't mean that."

Cinder had to resist the urge to groan. "Of course I do, Nikos. If Raven had rejected me like everyone else did, I would've offed myself months ago. She gave me a reason to live again."

Pyrrha appeared as if she could not believe what she just heard. "I... cannot make up for what I and many others have done, Cinder... I understand that now, but regardless, I wish to offer you my kinship, however you would take it. Raven is family, and by extension, so are you."

Cinder only managed to glare at the redhead. "That depends, will it get you to finally leave me alone?"

Pyrrha nodded. "I promise to keep contact to a reasonable level."

Cinder let out a sigh, hoping that her answer would have been a yes. "And that's the best I'm going to get?"

Pyrrha actually shrugged. "It could be worse."

Cinder rolled her eye again. "No shit. I was expecting you to forcibly hug me or something."

Surprisingly, Pyrrha chuckled at that, as if it was a joke. "I'm sure Yang has done so already."

Finally turning around to go retrieve her bow from the ground, Cinder huffed. "You would be surprised at what she has done to me." She commented, leaning down to pick up the weapon, before glancing back and finding the younger woman visibly surprised, mouth agape.

"I can take this in many ways, but I will choose not to pry." Pyrrha informed, actually appearing slightly uncomfortable, which was certainly odd. Yang had told her that this woman was way too open about her own sex life, so why would she be uncomfortable now? Actually, that did not matter. It actually gave her an idea.

"Oh, pity. Our time together was quite enlightening, I suspected your influence at work." Cinder smirked, raising her free arm to gently run her fingers across her upper chest for emphasis.

Pyrrha looked like she was at a loss for words, and it was certainly entertaining to see. "I... suppose any way in which Yang takes after me is a good sign."

Cinder could not help it. "Oh yes, she reminded me quite a bit of you while on her knees."

Pyrrha just blinked in response, awkwardly fiddling with the bow that had been in her hand the entire time. "I... see..."

Cinder shrugged, quite sarcastically as she grabbed another arrow from her quiver. "Who knew she was able to use her mouth for something other than making all of those shitty puns."

Pyrrha only cleared her throat in response. "Well, I sincerely hope you treated her well."

Cinder merely smirked once more. This was too easy. "Most certainly. I treated her so well, she begged me for more."

It seemed as though that was the last straw for Pyrrha. About time. "Okay, I think I'm going to head inside to purchase a drink. Would you like anything?"

And now she's willing to wait on me. How generous. "Water, if you would." Cinder requested, receiving a nod from the redhead before she put down her unused bow against the half-wall between them, and turned to head back toward the main building. As she watched the younger woman leave, she could not help but grin, extremely slyly.

You know, this afternoon could actually turn out to be rather enjoyable.


Upon sitting down at one of the tables in the food court of the Lone Pine Mall, placing the two shopping bags that she was carrying down next to her chair, only one thought came to Yang's mind. Gods damn, Weiss sure wasn't kidding when she said she was gonna change up her wardrobe.

Well, at least she's finally satisfied, and it's time for a pretty late lunch.

Before the two actually left the apartment to go to the mall, Yang had originally thought that it was going to be a fairly average trip. Her friend would buy some clothes to start her new wardrobe, get a nice haircut, they might get something to eat, then they would head back home. Though, she should have expected it was not going to turn out that way. This was Weiss after all, which meant the shopping alone took over two hours. Of course the huge upside was that Yang got the pleasure of seeing her in a number of different outfits that certainly better fit her natural style. Blouses, short-shorts, skirts, non-ripped skinny jeans, a couple sundresses, and even new socks, all in a variety of lighter, pastel colours. If she was being honest, the blonde had to do her absolute best not to stare like an idiot every time her friend came out of the dressing room.

After Weiss was finally done with clothes shopping, leaving them with three, practically-full bags from three different stores, it was time to get her hair cut. After a bit of consideration, Yang decided to take her to the salon that she personally used, not just because of their quality, but also their affordability. She knew of a ton of other hair salons that charged way more than should, yet did not live up to that price. Considering there was no way in hell that she would subject her own hair to that, she was not going to do the same to her friend. So, with the three rather large shopping bags in hand, the pair headed over to Shear Volumes, and were luckily greeted by the Yang's favourite stylist, Nebula. A pretty cool gal, always fun to talk to, and always perfectly cut her hair just the way she liked it. If only she did not have a boyfriend... and was actually into girls. What a cruel world.

Once Yang introduced the two, and Weiss explained what exactly she wanted, Nebula took her to one of the hair-washing stations near the back of the area, leaving the blonde to take all three shopping bags to the waiting area and... well, do exactly that. It of course took some time, which made sense. Her friend had a lot of hair, and the stylist always made sure to do a thorough job. Though unfortunately that meant Yang had nothing to really do for a while. So she just decided to idly play on her scroll. At first, she attempted to text Cinder, but sadly never got a response, before remembering she had therapy with Glynda today. Well, guess there goes that idea. That left her to merely scroll through social media until the haircut was finished.

After Nebula was finally done with Weiss, and the latter had paid, she and Yang opted to go grab some lunch at the food court, as after several hours by that point, they were both getting pretty hungry. Though unfortunately, neither of them had any idea what they wanted. So, plopping down at an empty table they, each took a look around the area. Did they feel like fast food, Mistrali takeout, noodles... there were so many options.

Huh. Shopping, a style-changing haircut, now a nice lunch out? It's almost like we're on a little date-

Yang immediately stopped that thought, right then and there. Of course it was not a... date, or anything like that. It was just two friends having a pleasant afternoon out together. Nothing more... right? She was just helping her friend find some new clothes... That was all... Although... she also got to... see her try most of it on... and now... she was planning to buy them both lunch... Ah, shit.

"Are you sure this haircut truly suits me?" Suddenly came Weiss' voice, pulling the blonde from her slightly panicking thoughts.

Focusing on the woman in front of her, Yang found her playing with her new shoulder-length hair. Previously mostly black and stretching halfway down her back, Weiss' ivory hair now hung in waves around her head, the shorn weight giving spring and volume that it had somehow lacked before, framing her face in thick curves, with only the very tips remaining dyed black. Man, Ruby would be so jealous. Yang offered a smile to he friend. "Weiss, you look incredible. Much better than the wannabe punk thing..." Then she realized what she just said. "Which you still rocked of course! You just... I uh..." She sighed, abandoning that horrible train of thought. "You look great."

A small blush came to Weiss' cheeks upon hearing that, her lips curling into a smile of her own. "Thanks, Yang... I was worried that such a drastic change would backfire somehow... I'm really glad you like it..."

That sure was an understatement. In fact, Yang liked it so much better than her previous look that she was unable to stop staring at it. Man, Nebula sure did a great job, though I guess I should've expected that by now. It just looked so... floofy... and soft... and perfect... Gods damnit, this was like a date! Quick, find something else to stare at! Yang told herself, beginning to almost frantically look around the food court, attempting to find something to draw her attention. A food joint, a hot guy, a hot girl, anything to get her to focus on.

Then she saw it, or rather... her.

Out of the corner of her vision, only just barely catching it, Yang spotted something- er, someone, who she never thought that she would ever see again... and it caused her eyes to immediately widen. It was... Neo... timidly sitting alone at a semi-nearby table... and she appeared to be... visibly battered, nervously looking around as if she was being followed. And that was not an understatement. A black eye, several bruises, left wrist in a cast, likely broken... Oh my gods... What... the hell happened to her... It was not until Yang's eyes returned to her ex's face that she realized the woman was blandly staring back at her, before realizing she had been spotted, and looking away in shame. The blonde could not believe what she was seeing...

Unfortunately, Weiss took notice. "Are you alright, Yang?"

Turning back to face her friend, Yang... was not sure how to answer that question. "I... dunno... I just saw... Neo... but she looked... hurt..."

Glancing behind her to where the blonde was previously looking, and her eyes widened as well, before turning back, seemingly in disbelief of what she saw. "Oh my... gods..." Then she briefly glanced back again. "I wonder what happened..."

Taking another look over at her ex, seeing how injured she was... Yang knew exactly what she needed to do. Standing up from her chair, she looked down at her friend. "I'm gonna go find out."

Weiss blinked in response, clearly not expecting that decision. "Would you like me to come with you?"

Yang shook her head. "Probably not a good idea. She looks... scared of something... So I think it should be just me, but I'll call if I need you, 'kay?" Her friend was quiet for a moment, before offering a small smile and nodding. So, taking a deep breath, Yang began to head towards Neo, who at first did not notice her approach, which allowed her to get a closer look at her situation. She had a bottle of water next to her, but it was still mostly full, and a pen and notepad sitting on the table, the latter containing some messy drawings. Nowhere near the quality of even the sketches that Yang had seen before... "Hey... Neo?" She gently called, causing the woman before her to stiffen. "It's Yang... Um... Are you... okay?"

Hesitantly looking up at the blonde, Neo glanced between her and Weiss at the table, and back again. Then a second time. Her lips drew taught, and she nodded, only slightly.

Yang merely observed her ex for a moment. It was shocking to see her in such a... disturbing state, since as resentful as she was over the way she dumped, she did... love her. "Then what... happened to your wrist? And... your eye? And those bruises..."

Neo merely shrugged, looking away with her jaw clenched.

"Did... someone do this to you?" Yang hesitantly wondered, hoping to the Maidens that the answer was no.

Without looking back, Neo just clenched her fists, then flinched, her face screwing up in pain as she pulled her injured wrist closer, to hug to her body.

That was all that Yang needed to know. The way her ex just responded... Someone did do that to her... Someone... hurt her... She remained quiet for several moments, briefly looking back at Weiss, then back to the woman in front of her. "Can I sit down?"

Neo just shrugged again, not even looking at her.

Well, not exactly a yes, but also not a no. Yang took that as enough for permission, so she sat down across from the woman at the small table. Though upon doing so, she noticed that Neo had been subtly shaking the entire time, clenching her hands, but she kept flinching every time she squeezed her left. Her reactions so far were fairly subtle, but she looked almost... petrified of something... "Look uh, I know things didn't exactly work out very well between us, but I'm still gonna ask. Do you need help?"

Neo hesitantly looked up at her at the question, frowning, attempting to raise a brow in confusion, but not doing so very well.

Yang gazed down at the table between them for a moment, before her lilac eyes raised back up to meet scared pink and brown. "I know a bad situation when I see one, Neo. So I'll ask again. Do you need help?" She pressed. "'Cause you know I won't hesitate if you do."

Neo's eyes widen, before she looks down, blinking, before rapidly shaking her head. It almost seemed like she was on the verge of an anxious breakdown, and that was worrying. She just sat there shaking, clenching her hands and glancing around...

"Do you need money?" Yang continued. "Or food? Or a place to stay?"

Neo only shook her head harder, and looked farther away to the side.

Yang let out a sigh. "Neo, I know... you don't really trust anyone, and I know this is weird for me to offer, but I just want to help, okay?" In truth, Cinder's words on their ex gave her a lot to consider. It let her revaluate their entire relationship, where Neo was coming from, and why. If she became the way to protect herself, and people only conformed to what she expected, she would never change. Cinder herself changed because her then-girlfriend did not conform to what she expected, and she became a happier, better person for it. Now, Neo was vulnerable, like Cinder was... She could either become far worse, or far better. Yang was deciding to extend the olive branch, so to speak, and see what happened.

Neo's arms tightened around her stomach in response, her form shrinking further into the chair.

Grabbing the pen that her ex had previously been using to draw, as well as the napkin that was sitting next to her bottle of water, Yang wrote down her scroll number - just in case it was deleted - and her apartment's address, before holding it out for the woman in front of her, and offering a small smile. "Just in case you need either of them."

Neo flinched at the offer, her eyes flicking to the napkin, her fingers twitched, scratching at the cast on her arm.

Reaching over to gently take hold of her ex's uninjured hand, Yang brought it onto the table, giving her the scribbled-on napkin, and closing her fingers around it. The then proceeded to wait until the woman hesitantly looked up at her, gaze uncertain. "Just text, call or drop by whenever you need to, okay?"

Neo's eyes merely flickered between the blonde and Weiss back at the table.

So Yang asked again, more sternly this time. "Okay?"

Closing her eyes, Neo gave a tiny, shaky nod, which was at least a good sign. One thing that the blonde had learned about that woman was that she did not trust anyone to take care of her, so she never let people take care of her. Now, she needed someone to help her, and if no one offered, it would affirm her expectations that no one... cared about her, which would cause her to spiral deeper.

Leaning back, Yang let go of her ex's hand. "Good." She smiled, a bit brighter than a minute ago, before it faded just a bit, as she awkwardly ran a hand through her hair. "And uh, probably a stretch, but... would you like to join us for lunch? I'm buyin'." To which Neo only looked at her like she had grown a second head. "You don't have to of course, just wonderin' if you were hungry and wanted some company."

Neo's lips merely pulled tighter, and the blonde could mistake it for a smile as she shook her head.

Yang smiled again, shrugging. "Didn't think so, but it was worth a shot." Then she slowly stood from her chair, looking down one more time at her ex. "Be safe, and don't forget I'm always around if you need me." Neo just continued to stare at her, tense, her mismatched eyes blinking before her gaze almost shot down to the floor. So, Yang offered one final smile and nod, before turning to walk away. Though as she did, that smile faded, as she realized that she was going to have to somehow explain this whole situation to Weiss, knowing full well that her friend absolutely despised her ex for how she treated and subsequently dumped her. Of course she was not cruel, as to abandon someone in need, but still...

Gods, how am I gonna explain this?


Raven was bored out of her mind.

As it was the one day of the week when she closed down the bar, that left her with nothing to really do but hang around, lie across the couch, and watch TV. This particular day - now almost evening - had been especially boring. Cinder was still at her archery session with Glynda, Yang was likely doing something with Weiss, as she heard that the pair went shopping for new clothes for the latter earlier, Vernal was still... not exactly back on her feet after the prior day... Which left Raven alone, and since her friend had not only done the shopping for them a couple days ago, but practically cleaned the entire apartment, minus the older woman's room, that was the only productive thing she could even think of to do, and it took a total of twenty minutes.

Raven just wished the younger woman would get home already. She was tired of not having her around. There was not even anything good on TV. Maybe she should just take an nap or somethin'.

Luckily for her, not even a few minutes after closing her eyes, the squeaky sound of the front door opening drew her attention. Opening her eyes back up, Raven craned her head to look at the entrance to the apartment, and found Cinder strolling in, hanging up her spring jacket and closing the door behind her. Though as she did, her demeaner seemed... different somehow. Rather than a sort of formal tired, for a lack of a better term, she appeared more strong and confident by the way she entered the apartment, almost... powerful, which was certainly an odd sight. It was hard to put into proper words, even in her own head.

"Hey, Cin, welcome home." Raven greeted, idly watching the other woman remove her shoes and make her way into the living area, where, instead of sitting down on the arm chair, or even asking the older woman to move so she could join her on the couch, merely stood there for several moments, staring down at her, looking a little dazed. "Uh, you okay up there?" Raven wondered, not even realizing that her friend's eyes grew sharp, and with barely a moment to react, she was upon her, warm thighs against either side of her waist, hands grasping her face... Then before she knew it, Cinder's lips were upon her own. Hot, and wet, and... hungry, yet only briefly. Raven immediately, but unconsciously reached up to grasp her hips, kissing back without a second thought, and mourning their parting, breathless and speechless as the younger woman pulled back to sit astride her lap, smirking, smug and satisfied, leaving her shocked and confused.

A few moments of silence followed, before Cinder decided to speak up. "We should go somewhere nice."

Meanwhile, Raven just blinked, barely processing what the hell just happened. She could still feel the phantom sensation on her lips... "Yeah... uh... yeah..."

Cinder let out a small chuckle at the older woman's dazed reply, before dismounting her and standing up, where she proceeded to just strip off her T-shirt as she began walking toward the hallway that led to her bedroom. "How about we go out for dinner? Some place higher end, with good wine, and waiters." Unfortunately, Raven was merely staring forward, still trying to figure out if they had actually just kissed, or if her dumb ass imagined the whole thing. So, the younger woman turned back to look at her. "Rave?"

"Huh, yeah?" Raven blurted out, and upon craning her head to look at her friend, her eyes widened at the sight before her. Cinder's chest was currently bare but for her black-lace bra for the first time, burn scars curled along the left of her body, yet the woman seemed to be completely unaware of this. Gods, she looks fucking incredible. Raven had no idea why, but a shirtless woman that still wore pants was one of the sexiest things. It was... a bit odd.

"Francesca's, or Giovanni's?" Cinder inquired, idly playing with the T-shirt in her hands.

Two high-end places... Damn... "Uh, Francesca's, yeah." Raven hesitantly decided, trying to meet her friend's eye, but not exactly doing a very good job. Stupid lonely brain.

Cinder only smiled at the answer. "An excellent choice from what I have heard." She commented, turning once more to make her way down the small hallway and into the bathroom where not long after, the sound of the shower turning on could be heard from within. All while Raven was just kind of floundering from that extremely sudden, but not at all unwelcome embrace. No, not unwelcome in the absolute slightest. It might have been only brief, but gods damn, what a kiss it was. Unfortunately, upon attempting to pick herself up off the couch, Raven found that her legs did not want to listen to her. The fuck? Apparently, that kiss had legitimately turned her legs into jelly, confining her to the living area couch. Well, shit. Thankfully, Raven had her scroll in her pocket, which after managing to get out, allowed her to call the one person she knew could at least give her some advice on what the hell she was doing.

Fuckin' hell. Now I've gotta find a nice outfit and put on makeup and YANG HELP I NEED TO BE A WOMAN AGAIN!


Cinder could not believe this was happening. She was on a date with Raven. A actual date... Not a dream, or a fantasy, but a real, genuine date... that she herself somehow initiated! How the hell did I do that?!

As per... well, her own suggestion, the two had gone to an exceptionally nice restaurant by the name of Francesca's. The older woman drove them of course - considering that Cinder had not owned a car in over half a year - and even... extended an arm for her to hold as they walked across the parking lot towards the entrance. It was as if she was walking on air... while high as a kite, barely able to process that it was truly happening. I am the luckiest woman on the planet.

Upon walking through the front doors of the restaurant - one of which held open by her date - they were met with quite an upscale establishment. Specifically upscale Mistrali, which always meant several things: relatively dim lighting, lit candles at every table, deep shades of red and brown making up the colour scheme, and of course, quiet, romantic-sounding music playing throughout the restaurant. Overall a very pleasant establishment. Perfect for a first date. Or... any date really. Gods, how do I even act on a first date again?

A few minutes later, they escorted by the greeter and were seated in a quiet booth somewhat near the back of the restaurant. Once again, perfect. Unfortunately, that did not stop Cinder from silently losing her mind as they sat in slightly awkward silence. Now that she had come down from the earlier archery-caused high, she was actually sort of panicking, as she had absolutely no idea what to do now. She had not only asked Raven out on a date - which she said yes to - but fully kissed her. Then, Cinder had stripped off her shirt, while still in the room with her friend! How could she act so calm in that situation?! It was like she had just jump-started their relationship, without any kind of discussion or really taking Raven into account much at all. Fast forward to the present, and things were catching up with her, forcing her to process everything, while her friend appeared to be simply going with the flow.

Cinder just hoped that she was at least dressed appropriately. She was wearing a pair of deep-red Stovepipe pants - as she learned they were called not too long ago, actually - a white button-up blouse, a burgundy cardigan, and a pair of black heeled boots. Not exactly the most formal of outfits, but even with the shopping that she had done over the past couple weeks, it was probably one of the nicest things that she owned. Plus, it seemed to match what her date was wearing. Clad in a tight, yet still low-cut black blouse, with an equally-black knee-length skirt, and of course the leather jacket that she received for her birthday, Raven... well... Gods, she looks so beautiful...

I need wine.

So, grabbing the wine list from the center of the table, Cinder began to almost nervously looking through the wine list, both because she wanted to find something good quality, as it was a date, but not too expensive that she would be unable to order another if it was needed, which... it likely would eventually. So many choices...

"Cin? You okay?" Suddenly came Raven's voice, pulling the younger woman away from her search. "Did Glyn prescribe you some meds or something? 'Cause wine probably isn't a good idea."

Cinder let out a laugh at her friend's concern, but was unable to stop a nervous blush from tinting her cheeks, so she was forced to hide her face using her gloved hand. Then she shook her head. "No, Glynda did not prescribe me any kind of medication, I'm simply... catching up on myself from... you know, what I did earlier."

Raven quirked a brow at the response. "Oh yeah? What even got you in such a good mood anyway? Haven't seen you that confident in like... ever."

Cinder was a tad hesitant on answering that one, because of what exactly she did to give herself that high. "Well, aside from doing so well at archery today, I... might have... somewhat tormented Pyrrha with fake stories of what I did with Yang..."

Raven looked like she was about to burst out laughing. "Oh gods, Cin."

"She was being preachy!" Cinder attempted to defend. "I had to... knock her down a peg."

Raven just chuckled. "Still, how the hell did you manage to torment that girl with anything related to sex?"

Cinder had to think about that for a moment. "Well, either she's uncomfortable with Yang being involved with me, or she has some kind of thing for Yang herself."

"Considering she's married to her sister, I kinda doubt Pyr's got a thing for her." Raven informed, before smirking. "So I guess she doesn't like the idea of you goin' all cougar on my daughter."

Cinder let out a heavy sigh. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"

Raven only kept smirking. "You bet your sweet ass I won't."

Cinder immediately quirked her brow. Did she hear that right? "How generous that you think my ass is sweet."

Raven merely shrugged. "I mean, we're on a date, so I'm free to finally admit it."

Cinder only managed to giggle at the compliment, before covering her mouth again, face flushed. Thankfully, they did not have to remain in silence for long, as a waiter soon arrived to take their drink orders, and since the younger woman severely needed it, they got a higher-end, but still well-priced bottle of red wine. A couple minutes later, said waiter returned and filled their glasses with the rich crimson liquid, then inquired if they were ready to order. Which caused the two women to realize that neither of them had even opened their menus, so they requested a few minutes.

Once the waiter was gone, Raven held up her wine glass. "To... huh, what should we toast to?"

Cinder had an idea for that. "My ass that you somehow believe is sweet?"

Raven considering it for a moment, before shrugging again, flashing a sly smirk at her date. "To your sweet ass." To which Cinder just rolled her eye reluctantly meeting her for cheers, still unable to belief that it was happening. Then, she downed her entire class, while Raven merely took a sip from her own. It caused her to raise a brow. "Damn, didn't expect you to be a chugger. 'Specially with wine. You do know that that stuff's a lot stronger than beer, right?"

Cinder observed the empty glass in her hand. "I think if I drink a few of these, I can calm down the voices telling me to burn things."

Raven let out a chuckle. "I hear that, but I've still gotta drive our asses home later, so I've just gotta deal with my nerves." Then her smirk faded a bit. "But uh, don't overdo it, 'kay? I don't want you hurtin' yourself."

Feeling a bit of a confidence boost from drinking a whole glass of wine, Cinder managed to smirk over at her date. "Are you saying you won't catch me if I fall?"

Raven just gave the younger woman a skeptical look. "That's a dumb question, Cin. Of course I will."

Cinder smiled at the reassurance. "Then I'll look forward to it." She responded, opening up her menu.

Raven sighed, but smiled in return, opening up her own menu. "Fine, but you get deal with my drunk ass on our next date."

Cinder was unable to stop herself from blushing again. Talking about a next date already? "Deal." Cinder grinned, grabbing the bottle of wine and pouring herself another glass. "I wonder if you'll act like Yang."

Raven groaned. "Oh gods, don't even start with that." She grumbled, beginning to look through her menu.

Cinder shrugged, taking a look through the options. "Hey, in my defense, she looks almost exactly like you."

"Yeah, except younger, hotter, and with a lot more Tai DNA in her." Raven countered, before pausing. "Well, at least permanently in her, if you know what I mean."

Cinder immediately quirked her brow, trying her best to keep a straight face. "Oh? I'm afraid I do not understand. How does one temporarily have Tai's DNA inside them?" She grinned maliciously, taking a lengthy sip from her glass, staring the older woman directly in the eyes.

"Same way you can have it temporarily on you, Cin." Raven grinned right back, adding a wink for emphasis.

Although Cinder absolutely hated herself for letting it happen, she was unable to stop herself from picturing... well, just that. Her friend covered in Tai's... DNA... "Now there's a thought." She ended up chuckling. "He is a rather attractive individual, I don't blame you." Nor can I blame him.

"And yet, somehow he was attracted to my dumb ass." Raven commented. "But I guess that was over twenty years ago, before I had a kid and stuff, back when I was still hot."

Cinder had no idea how this woman was not considering herself still hot, considering she could make her weak in the knees with a single look. "You're right, you are a dumbass." She grinned, thinking that she knew what she wanted to order as she closed her menu. The blackened salmon looks appealing.

Raven just chuckled. "Yeah, who managed to attract a gorgeous woman like you." She added, sipping from her own glass. "Some lucky dumbass I am."

Cinder immediately quirked her brow at that. "You think you're lucky? I have a fucking stunning milf who somehow thinks I'm the gorgeous one in this relationship."

"You're damn right I do." Raven confirmed, closing her own menu and taking another sip from her wine. "And this gorgeous milf is even luckier that you decided to ask her out, 'cause she sure as hell couldn't do it herself, and had to rely on teasin'."

Cinder just groaned at the last part of that reveal. "Ugh, gods, you are the worst. Do you have any idea how torturous it is watching that ass bounce around every day?" Not to mention those melons you call tits.

Raven let out a chuckle. "As torturous as it was that it took this long to get you to make a move? Sorta."

Cinder could not help but giggle a bit in return. "It was a bit more than a move, Rave. I think I left you with whiplash." Then she groaned, thinking back to what she did earlier. "I'm sorry about that by the way. I was just feeling... really confident for a while."

Raven only shook her head. "Don't be. I think it's what we both needed to get off our asses." Which caused the smallest blush to tint her cheeks. "But uh, good... good kiss by the way."

Cinder was not prepared for that. So, she took a drink. "Thanks, I don't think I was thinking when I did it, I just... really wanted to kiss you."

Raven chuckled again. "Yeah, I had that a couple times as well, but of course I never took that leap, so uh... thanks. Really saved my ass a lot of embarrassment." To which the younger woman simply blushed, turning away out of embarrassment.

Thankfully, barely a few moments later, the waiter returned, apologizing for the delay, and asking if they were each ready to order. He also wondered if Cinder would like a refill on her mostly-empty wine glass, which she nodded, and he did exactly that. After that, it was time to order some appetizers. While she herself was unsure if she wanted anything, it seemed that her date had another idea.

Holding out her menu to the woman across from her, Raven pointed at one of the entries: A shared plate of steakhouse fries with a side of gravy. "How 'bout these?"

Cinder merely quirked her brow. "For a date?"

Raven just shrugged. "Hey, perfect sharing food."

That gave Cinder an idea. "Does that mean you're going to feed me?"

Raven's lips curled into the slightest smirk at the request. "I mean, if you're askin'."

"Expecting." Cinder slyly corrected.

Raven's smirk only grew. "Well well, yes ma'am." And with that, they finally decided on ordering a shared appetizer. After that, the pair placed their actual orders. For each of their entrées, an order of blackened salmon with steamed vegetables for Cinder, and a rare porterhouse steak with mashed potatoes for Raven. Each received an excellent choice from the waiter, which was at least a good sign.

Once the two had been left alone again, Cinder figured they should pick up where they had left off. "Don't worry, I'll be embarrassing for both of us."

Raven furrowed her brow out of curiosity. "Oh yeah? What else are you plannin' to do?"

Cinder shrugged. "The evening is young, and I am still sober, plans don't go over well in my experience."

Raven let out a chuckle. "I'll drink to that."

Cinder raised her glass in another toast, clinking it against the older woman's before downing the remainder. She was certainly beginning to feel the familiar buzz now. Then, a couple minutes later, the waiter returned with a rather large plate of fries and gravy, telling them to enjoy. Gods damn. While she was not usually one to partake in that sort of thing... fuck did it smell good. Though, before she was even able to reach for a fry, Raven stopped her, and held one out.

Cinder grinned at the gesture. "That's what I like to see." Leaning forward, she took the steaming fry from her date's fingers with her teeth, but quickly realized just how freshly made they were, which made the one currently in her mouth very hot, and that unfortunately meant that she was forced to hold it in her teeth for a few moments as it cooled down a bit. How the hell did Raven pick one of these up?

Raven merely grinned right back. "Slob."

Oh, so we're doing this again? "Bitch."

Raven just shrugged, a smirk on her face. "Hey, not my fault you can't handle a little heat." She teased, sipping from her still-mostly-full glass of wine. "You're like Yang whenever she wants my food, but always ends up burnin' her tongue when she steals my shit."

Cinder could not help but chuckle, grabbing another fry, and making sure to blow on it before eating it. "Aw, mama bird feeding her chicks."

Raven held back a laugh "Pft, more like mama bird gets her food stolen by her chicks."

"You love it." Cinder teased right back, snatching up another fry that her date was about to take.

"Not when I'm hungry." Raven countered, just as her date stole another from right under her hand as she was still eating the first. "Just count yourself lucky you're hot, and this is an order that's meant to be shared."

Since the older woman never disputed the relationship comment, Cinder she would take it a step further. Just to see what happened. "You know, couples are supposed to share everything."

Raven quirked a brow. "You want half of my parental awkwardness with Yang? 'Cause I'll gladly share that."

Oh my gods, she didn't comment on it. "I've always wanted to be a mother, minus the nine months that is. Just hand me a child to raise in my image." Cinder grinned, pouring herself another glass.

"Well, if you don't mind dating an old, worn-out dead-beat, then you'll get yourself a twenty-four year-old step-daughter, ready for just that." Raven mentioned with a shrug as she ate several fries, of course dipping each of them in gravy first.

Cinder clasped her hands in mock-joy. "My very own step daughter to corrupt! You really do care for me."

"No shit I care about you." Raven defended, continuing to eat. Damn, she's either exceptionally hungry, or she really likes those. "But uh, pretty sure you already corrupted her a couple weeks ago when you had your tongue in her mouth."

"Hey, she initiated first!" Cinder blurted out, before shrinking in her seat a bit, quietly munching on a french fry.

"Yet you didn't stop it." Raven grinned. "You get yourself a nice handful too?"

Cinder immediately pouted. "I'll show you a handful." She mumbled, blushing into her newly-filled glass.

Raven just raised a brow, leaning closer. "What was that, now?" She wondered, cheekily eating a couple gravy-covered fries. "You're gonna do what to me?"

Cinder could feel her blush deepening at the question. She doesn't comment on the mention of us being in a relationship or a couple, but she zeroes in on that?! "I'm going to eat all your fries." She quickly diverted, snatching up a handful and piling them on the small side plate next to her wine.

Raven only smirked, and shrugged. "Go right ahead, they're for both of us." She accepted, popping a few fries into her mouth. "I'm supposed to be gettin' fit anyway."

Says the one who's eating more of it than me. "Oh yes, I imagine our dearest Yang had a lot to say of your new attire."

Raven let out a chuckle. "Well, aside from being surprised that I actually bought some of that stuff, she thinks I look great, figures you had somethin' to do with it."

Cinder merely shrugged, beginning to eat her little pile of fries. "You did most of the work, I just offered a hand of assistance."

Raven just rolled her eyes. "All I did was put on some clothes that I somehow look good in, or so you say." Raven defended, munching on more gravy-covered fries. "'Cept for that one sports bra. I definitely shouldn't have tried to put that shit on. Did not turn out the way I thought it would."

Cinder paused for a moment, thinking back to a couple days ago, where the pair were trying their hardest to get that stupid sports bra off of her, how difficult it was, and how her friend should have realized it was too small much sooner than she had. Though, as she did, something clicked in her mind. Wait a minute. "You got stuck on purpose."

Raven was dead silent for several seconds. "You can prove nothing."

I, fucking, knew it. Sly bitch. "I don't need to prove anything. You wear guilt like that blouse."

Raven smirked at the comment, eyes wandering downward, but just for a moment, as she kept eating fries. So many that the appetizer was quickly getting close to being finished. "And you wear sarcasm like those tight-ass pants."

As she took another large sip from her wine, Cinder smirked at her date. "You love my tight-ass pants."

Taking more of the almost empty plate, Raven grinned. "You bet your sweet ass I do." She happily agreed. "And I can finally fuckin' admit it 'cause we're on a date."

Cinder could not help but chuckle, taking the last of the fries before her date was able to, flashing a smirk and a wink at her as she ate them. "Gods, I feel like I'm in high school again."

Raven let out a chuckle of her own. "If we were in high school, we'd probably skip all this dating shit and jump right into bed, or onto the couch... or wherever we end up first."

Cinder raised her brow, finishing up the last fry. "Rave, we've been sleeping on your couch together for over two weeks now."

Raven just sighed. "Oh you know what I mean." She half-grumbled. "We'd skip straight to fuckin' each other's brains out. Better?"

Cinder could not help but smirk a bit, as hard has she tried not to. "The thought has entered my mind on numerous occasions."

"Oh I can tell." Raven assured, taking a sip from her wine, finally getting it down to half-full. "You're not exactly subtle with those hungry gazes of yours whenever I don't have pants on."

Before this day, Cinder was indeed concerned about how obvious she was when staring at her friend's chest or behind, but now that friend was her date. So, she realized that she no longer had to care about that. "You know what? Fuck subtlety. The way your rear bounces when you move is utterly mesmerizing."

Raven appeared to actually be slightly taken aback by the bluntness. "Well, good to know my showin' off got me somewhere." She chuckled. "But it can't compare to yours. Much tighter, looks fuckin' incredible in any pants you wear."

I suppose that's true... At least it used to be. "Thirty percent crispy, like our fries."

Raven just scoffed. "Ah who gives a shit. Your scars don't make you any less hot, and that mask makes you look like a badass."

Cinder suddenly became aware that the black mask was covering the left side of her face. She almost forgot about it sometimes. "I am aware of this. Sometimes I snarl at children to scare them away when they stare." Not actually, but she was certain that her appearance could legitimately frighten younger children.

"Well, you wouldn't be able to scare me away." Raven promised, before smirking. "Or Yang, as I heard."

Cinder only rolled her eye. "Yang is as deluded as you in my regard."

"Like mother like daughter." Raven joked, sipping from her glass. "Same taste in sexy women."

Cinder could not help but smirk, and was unable to stop herself from opening her stupid mouth. "Hmm, you don't taste the same however."

Raven immediately grimaced. "Aw, why'd you have to make that comparison?"

Cinder only shrugged, her smirk remaining strong. "Because you keep bringing her up, Rave."

Raven let out a heavy sigh. "'Cause I thought it'd be funny to tease you about how you two made out, but it's been really backfiring."

Cinder hummed. "Hmm, that's certainly a word for it."

Soon enough, the waiter returned with their orders, and... wow, did they look and smell delicious. . It was only a matter of seconds after they were told to enjoy and left alone that the pair began almost tearing into their respective meals. Well, at least Raven did. Cinder on the other hand, was a tad more... proper, though only a tad, due to the two glasses of wine that she had already finished. Additionally, since there were a few times where she eyed her date's meal, noting how good it seemed, the younger woman found the courage to ask for a bite, which surprisingly, she actually got. Raven even fed it to her, using the fork that she herself was using! Just another reason that this date was a dream come true.

"Hey uh, can I ask you somethin'?" Raven suddenly wondered, pulling her date's attention away from her incredible meal.

"You just did." Cinder commented upon swallowing a bite of salmon.

"Oh ha ha, you're hot and hilarious." Raven deadpanned, emphasized by her eyes rolling as she ate a bite of her mashed potatoes. "But uh... How... did you actually come to like me? 'Cause aside from my tits, this body isn't anything to ride home about, and I don't exactly have an award-winning personality. So like, what do you... see in me?"

Cinder only sighed at the question. "Raven... I...don't often get along with people. When I was younger, I didn't care. When I was... with Emerald, it didn't matter. She was all that mattered to me, then... nothing mattered. I barely had the energy to care. Nora cared for me, and while I care for her, she and I operate on differing wavelengths, like I was tugged along behind her as she ran..." In all honesty, she wished that she could love the redhead as she loved her. "You on the other hand? I feel like we're on the same page, like when we speak there's no wall between us..." Cinder took another large sip of her wine. "Speaking to you feels comfortable to me. You treat me as an equal, you don't judge me, you help me when I need it, and accept my help in return... For the first time since the fire I feel like I'm really healing... I feel... happy, and you are beautiful to me, Raven. Truly. So much more beautiful than you can understand... I... I think I have a type."

Raven softly chuckled through a mouthful of food, as she had been eating during her date's explanation. Thankfully she swallowed before responding. "I'd like to say I have a type, but goin' back through the people I've dated, fucked, or both, I dunno." Then she smiled, actually blushing slightly. "But uh... thanks... You're not too bad yourself, Cin... Understatement of the year..."

Cinder managed a smile in return, taking a bite of her vegetables. "I appreciate any compliment, even if it's nonsense."

"Oh bullshit." Raven quickly shot. "If it's nonsense, why do I keep starin' at you from my office? Not just at your sweet ass, or your perfect tits, you. Or why can't I stop thinkin' about you when we're not together? Or have one night where I don't find you somewhere in my dreams?"

As embarrassing as that was to hear - which was so extremely so that her cheeks immediately heated up to be bright red the moment that it was said - Cinder could not help but... doubt those words. After all, who could ever want to look at her? "Because you're mentally ill, delusional, or both."

Raven only shrugged, putting a hefty forkful of steak into her mouth. "Well, you're the one who asked me out, so I guess I'm stuck with ya until you figure out you're too good for me."

Cinder just let out a sigh. "Fine." Though she was fairly certain that her friend would figure out quite the opposite eventually.

"But until then, I get to enjoy a hot date." Raven grinned, raising her glass.

"Yes." Cinder chuckled, taking another long sip of her own drink. "We do."


Raven had a feeling that her date might have had a little too much to drink.

By the time that the pair had finished their respective meals, Cinder was full-on tipsy - possibly even a tad drunk - so she was a little more... open, so to speak, and giggly, and clearly aroused by the types of looks that she was giving her, even before they left the restaurant. Not to say that Raven did not like any of that. In fact, it was actually... quite the contrary, so much so that she felt a bit of warmth in a... particular place at every hungry gaze that she received. It was making her want to... take certain steps that she had not truly desired in... a long time, but knew would be inappropriate with Cinder in the state she was in. Gods, what has this woman done to me?

When the bill had eventually come, there was a bit of a... disagreement over who should pay it. Cinder wanted to pay for them because she was the one who asked Raven out in the first place, and Raven wanted to pay because... well, she wanted to. That was it, really. Not due to the fact that she had more money, or because of some dating etiquette that said the initiator should be the one to front the bill - though that was not to say that the younger woman did not want to pay as well - but the simple desire to spoil the one she cared about. Which, safe to say, had not been a thought in her mind since... Summer and Tai. Guess I really am... fallin' for her...

Eventually, Raven was able to secretly pay the bill while Cinder was in the bathroom, as she knew for an absolute fact that her date would have never allowed her to do it while she was there. Then, once the complaining over how she stole the privilege from her, the pair headed out, arm in arm. Though Cinder was certainly clinging much closer than when they had arrived at the restaurant earlier. Well, she did drink several glasses of wine over dinner...

After a surprisingly quiet drive, the two finally arrived home, pulling into the parking lot behind the bar. Of course, once the car was off, Cinder remained in the vehicle until Raven came around and opened the door for her. Which of course, she was happy to. So, linking arms again, the pair made their way up to the apartment, where, upon opening the door and stepping inside, the older woman caught a glimpse of the living area couch, where memories of what occurred there earlier began popping into her head. What followed was a sudden burst of... perhaps it was confidence, because while her heart rate began to increase, Raven stopped, turned around, and practically backed Cinder into the front door as it closed behind her. Just from her expression, she could tell that her date did not mind being almost loomed over by the larger woman. No, not in the slightest.

Looking up and down the older woman's body with a smirk spread across her face, Cinder quirked her brow. "And what might you be doing, Rave?"

As her heart pounded in her chest, Raven took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself down, and remembering that her date was able to do exactly this earlier. You can do this. She told herself. Swallowing, Raven was able to manage a slight smile. "Takin' a leap." She finally decided, as she leaned in, and pressed her lips against Cinder's own. The younger woman froze in response, before moaning into the kiss, gasping softly as the older woman pulled away, dazed and breathless, and gazing up at her through a single lidded eye. Then, Cinder licked her lips, grinning hungrily, and Raven found herself leaning in once more, locking lips with the tipsy woman again, practically pushing her against the door as she felt arms clumsily wrap around her, a searching tongue exploring her own... a soft thigh brushing past her leg just before a calf hooking around her back, and pulling her closer still...

Gods, it was driving Raven fucking crazy. Feeling the younger woman's body pressed up against her own, smelling her hair... hearing Cinder panting as their embrace began to grow sloppy... She absolutely loved it. She could feel heat quickly building in her core, as her mind was almost screaming at her to pick this woman up, carry her into her bedroom, and devour her, right then and there. And Raven definitely would have, if not for a hand that harshly grabbed her rear, causing her to moan against the other woman's mouth, just before the pair separated, leaving them both panting, and staring into each other's eyes, neither wanting to look away.

Raven immediately went to slyly comment with And here I thought groping was reserved for after you buy me dinner - as she did the morning after Weiss' birthday party - before quickly realizing that she herself just bought her friend dinner. Though, considering what they had just been doing, she guessed that the word friend was a tad inaccurate now.

Cinder merely grinned up at the older woman, giving her soft, skirt-covered behind another squeeze. "I've been staring at it for far too long." To which Raven just began to laugh, which in turn caused Cinder to giggle, before her eye wandered downward, grin shifting into a smirk, and she buried her face in her date's exceptionally large cleavage, hugging her tight.

It had been a while since the last time Raven felt someone else's skin against her breasts, and fuck did it feel amazing to experience it again - And she was not even doing anything yet! "Hungry tonight, aren't you?" She wondered, instinctively pulling her closer.

"You have no idea." Cinder answered, voice muffled by her date's chest, and tickling her just a bit. Then, she began to plant soft kisses upon the exposed part of her breasts - due to the lower-cut blouse - causing Raven's breathing to become a bit heavier as she relished the feeling. It made her just want to just... tear off her shirt and let the younger woman really go at them. Honestly, she was surprised that her shirt's buttons were not already being undone. Gods, this feels so fucking good...

Sadly, Raven knew that she could not do that. She was fairly sober, and Cinder was at the very least, fairly tipsy, so bringing her into the bedroom would be not be right. In fact, it would be taking advantage of her, no matter how much they both wanted it. So, while she hated the fact that she had to do it, Raven pulled herself away from Cinder, earning a slight gasp as her lips were separated from her date's soft breasts. "Alright, I think we need to get you to bed."

Cinder merely let out a very uncharacteristic, yet rather adorable whine, hugging the older woman tighter. "But I've been waiting for this moment since the day I met you!"

Reaching down to grab her date's thighs, Raven fully picked her up, which thankfully she allowed her to do, resting her head against her shoulder. Drunk Cinder really was an odd sight. "There's always tomorrow." Raven promised, holding on tight as she carried the intoxicated woman through the apartment, and into the guest bedroom, which had essentially become her bedroom by now. Then, approaching the surprisingly unkept bed, she climbed on and carefully laid her down onto the mattress, her head gently resting on her pillow, but unfortunately, it appeared that Cinder did not want to let go, keeping her legs firmly wrapped around her. Which meant she was awkwardly stuck on top of her in a sort of missionary-like position. Oh boy.

Letting out an equally uncharacteristic, yet still adorable giggle, Cinder smirked, pulling back her arms, and releasing her date from the tight hug - a good sign - but soon beginning to tiredly pull at the hem of Raven's blouse, attempting to get the piece of clothing off. She thinks I brought her in here to continue. When that did not work, her legs finally loosened from around the older woman's waist, but her feet then made their way underneath her skirt, and pulled it up, which would have exposed her pale, black-underwear-clad rear, but thankfully, Cinder was unable to see it from her current position.

Alright, that's about enough of that. Reaching down to grab the younger woman's wrists, Raven pinned them down on either side of her head, and sternly looked her in the eye. "If you're gonna be a naughty girl and not get your sweet ass to sleep, you're not gonna get your special breakfast treat in the morning."

Cinder was quiet for a moment, until the blush that had been on her face since they kissed not long ago deepened, and she looked away in embarrassment."I'd rather be punished."

Raven just rolled her eyes at the request, as much as she wanted to fulfil it. "Go to sleep, petulant child." And with that, Cinder finally gave in, and fully let go of her date. Managing a tired smile, Raven got up off of her and the bed, where she proceeded to move down to her date's feet to remove her shoes - as she was not about to let her sleep with them still on - and grab the sheets to pull them over the younger woman. Then, she moved once more to hover above her face for a moment, before leaning down and planting a soft, yet fairly brief kiss upon Cinder's lips, even though she wished it could be longer. The action caused the pair to grin like idiots at each other, both of them clearly excited that it was happening in the first place.

"We can play in the morning."


It was a rare occurrence to get an evening call from Pyrrha, especially when she normally would be spending that time with Ruby. So, picking up her buzzing scroll from her night table, Yang tapped the Answer button.

"Mmmm, Y'ello?"

"Good evening, Yang." Pyrrha greeted. "May we... discuss something?"

"Sure, Pyr." Yang happily agreed. "What's on your mind, sister-in-law of mine?"

"Just a few things from the grapevine." Pyrrha informed. "How is Weiss?"

Though her sister-in-law was not actually there, Yang could not help but smile. "She's doin' pretty great actually. Got a new haircut and a shit ton of clothes, so havin' a little bit of trouble finding a good place for all that..." Then she quirked a brow. "But uh, what's this I hear about a grape vine? You been doin' some gossiping?"

There was a pause. "Word travels, Yang. I've never been one to pry, and contrary to popular belief, relationships aren't really my business."

Relationships aren't her business? What was she on about? "Oh yeah? What kinda words you been hearin'?"

Another pause. "Cinder seemed rather... familiar with you." Pyrrha hesitantly admitted. "It just surprised me a little."

Definitely a strange thing to feel like she needed to discuss. "I mean, we've been workin' together for like, over two months, so we've become pretty close." Yang informed. "At least I'd like to think so. But uh, where'd you get to talk to Cin? 'Cause I know she was at therapy today..."

"Yes, I... saw her at the archery range I frequent." Pyrrha clarified, a bit awkwardly, causing the blonde to wonder what exactly was going on with her.

Though Yang did not expect to hear that Cinder actually... did sports. "Oh, she didn't tell me she does archery. She any good?"

"Better than I it seems, when she can focus." Pyrrha admitted.

Ah, that's no fun. "Well damn, now I can't tease her about it."

"Do you tease her often?" Pyrrha inquired.

Yang shrugged, even though it went unseen. "I mean, we kinda have a back and forth thing goin' on, so she always gets me back."

Pyrrha was quiet for a moment. "You seem quite familiar with one another."

Oh I wonder why. "When you work side by side with someone for months, that kinda happens."

"And how does Raven feel about this?" Pyrrha continued.

How does she... feel about this? "Mom's fine with it I guess. She's just happy that I've got someone to hang out with outside of work, since y'know, I spend most of my time at home in my underwear."

Pyrrha just hummed. "I imagine Cinder enjoys that tendency."

"More like makes fun of me every time I mention it." Yang corrected through a chuckle. "'Cause apparently sweat pants are so much comfier."

Then came another pause, this time longer. "Yang... Are the two of you involved?"

Yang had to do a double take on what she just heard. "Wait what? You think Cin and I are a couple?" Did the redhead really believe that? "Where'd you get that idea?"

"Cinder seemed... to take great joy in describing your time together." Pyrrha awkwardly answered.

Then it clicked for Yang. The girls night. "Oh... What uh, what'd she tell you?"

"That you look lovely... on your knees, among other things." Pyrrha clarified.

Yang's eyes immediately widened upon hearing that. "Wait what the fu- I was never on my knees!" She burst, cheeks quickly heating up at the mere thought. "We just drunkenly made out a little one night! What's she been saying about us?!"

What followed was another pause, then a rather heavy sigh. "I feel... like Cinder may have been messing with me."

Yang furrowed her brow. "Pyr... what did that woman say to you? I gotta know how badly I have to get her back."

The blonde could hear Pyrrha tapping something with her finger as she remained silent for a few moments. "She simply implied that I had trained you to be a good lover, which concerned me."

Yang actually smacked her forehead with her hand. "Oh my gods, that bitch." She swore, unable to believe that her friend made up such stories. "To be fair I'm great in that area, but Cin's too busy crushin' on my mom to pay any attention to me, 'cept on that girls night of course, but we we're both drunk."

The two might have been over a scroll call, but the blonde knew for a fact that Pyrrha rolled her eyes. "Of course you were."

"We were both nervous!" Yang attempted to defend, cheeks still warm. "We'd never spent time alone outside of work before!"

"I'm not blaming you, Yang, I'm just..." Pyrrha began, before trailing off. "Are you doing well?"

Yang actually blinked at the question, not expecting such a different topic all of a sudden. "Oh yeah, I'm doing fine. Been a little lonely 'cause of... y'know, but Weiss' been a huge help. I'm really happy she's around."

Pyrrha smiled in response... probably. "I'm glad you're both around one another, the poor girl clearly has a lot to work through."

"Got that right, Pyr." Yang agreed. "Just hate seein' her like this. Feels like there's nothin' I can do but wait."

"Good company and kindness do more than any singular effort, Yang." Pyrrha advised.

Yang only grinned, even if the redhead could not see it. "Good thing I'm always great company!"

Pyrrha let out a chuckle. "Among the finest I've experienced. Tell Weiss I said hello, will you?"

"Will do." Yang accepted with a smile. "I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to have a message from the Mistrali goddess."

Pyrrha no doubt rolled her eyes again. "I try not to judge people on their actions while inebriated."

Yang just laughed. "But drunk Weiss is hilarious!"

"Drunk Weiss is a window into a repressed soul, so take care of her, Yang." Pyrrha corrected.

"You know I will, Pyr." Yang promised.

"I have faith in you." Pyrrha added.

Yang snickered a bit. "Well that's not surprisin'. You've got faith in everyone."

"Because they so often need it." Pyrrha explained.

"That they do." Yang simply agreed.

Another pause followed. "Yang?"

"What's up?"

Pyrrha stayed quiet for a moment. "I love you, and I'm proud of you for doing so well."

Yang could not help but grin like an idiot. "Aw, I love ya too, Pyr, and I'm just happy you made my sis a happy woman. A damn lucky ass woman, but a happy one!"

Pyrrha let out a soft chuckle at the blonde's clear envy. "Your sister is my soul mate, Yang. I am the lucky one to have found her."

Yang just rolled her eyes, though her smile remained on her face. "And you know Rubes would say the exact same thing about you."

"Take care Yang, and call me if you need anything." Pyrrha requested, likely with a warm smile of her own.

Who else am I gonna call when shit goes wrong? "I will, Pyr, and don't you dare call me if you need help, 'cause I ain't weighing in on your bedroom discussions ever again." Yang stressed, wishing that her sister and her wife would keep to themselves regarding their sex life. Unfortunately, they never did. In response, Pyrrha chuckled once more.

"I'll take that under consideration."


Author's Note: And with that, the last chapter of OLC before the break! Which also makes it the last chapter of the year!
So, until January, OLC will be on hiatus while we write the sequel to Out of the Bag!

We truly hope you've enjoyed this story so far, we're super excited to return next year!

Anyways, thanks for reading! Let us know what you think!

Because as always, your feedback fuels us!