She ran her thumb over the photo, and sniffed as her eyes started to water. She felt Zwei shift from his spot on her bed, looking up at her. She smiled at him before wiping at her eyes, and looking back at the photo. Her eyes wandered over her sister, and her best friend before settling on Weiss. She looked so happy, her icy blue eyes so warm.
Yang lowered the photo, looking at her hand. Her touch had been so soft, her hand had been so warm.
i won't leave you
Yang flexed her hand, feeling the ghost of her touch.
She closed her eyes, her hand trailing down her body, Weiss' phantom touch making her shiver. She exhaled as the fingers slid in, Weiss' face filling her mind.
holding her tight that night, stroking her hair as she sobbed into her jacket, feeling her tremble
Yang's back arched, her breathing unsteady.
their tight embrace, staring into each other's eyes. "I…" i love you. "I really care about you"
She gasped gently.
wanting her to go to the dance, to see her in whatever beautiful dress she had planned. to spend it together, the dance they both worked so hard on together.
She doesn't love you.
Yang frowned, shaking her head, Weiss' touch wavering.
cradling her in the arena, staring into her eyes, holding her to her chest, wanting to wipe the ash away with her lips
She tossed you aside as soon as Blake ran into that arena.
Yang's cheeks felt wet.
waiting for her in their bedroom, getting to finally be alone with her, to shower her with lo-
She has Blake.
She doesn't love you.
You did this to yourself.
You stupid cunt.
A choked cry escaped her lips as she came, tears running down her face. She opened her eyes, pulling her hand free. Her fingers were sticky, her underwear uncomfortable.
What makes you think she would ever look at you like that?
You're an unlovable wreck.
You're weak.
You wouldn't even fight for the chance to be with the girl you love, you set her up with someone else.
You deserve this.
Yang sniffled, her vision blurring as the tears dripped down. She clutched the bed sheet, her stump itching. She turned on her side, closing her eyes.
She lit the cigarette dangling from her lips, taking a long drag from it. She exhaled, watching the smoke drift away. She kicked her leg, watching the sunrise. She wasn't meant to be outside yet due to the curfew but fuck that. No one could find her on top of a building anyways.
Velvet took another long drag, shivering as the icy wind blew around her. Snow drifted past her, the sun turning the city to gold as its light reflected off the snow. Her jacket rustled with the wind as it blew all around her. Her ears twitched, slightly uncomfortable as they were held down by Her beret.
She flicked the butt away, resting her arm on her leg. The sun kept rising, the streets beginning to fill up, the people black dots from where she sat. She could hear the faint sound of construction, steam wafting into the air all across the city.
"Good morning Vale citizens. The time is now, nine o' clock. At this time, all Faunus are now allowed to leave their quarters. Please return to them in a timely manner by nineteen hundred. The Vale Council thanks you for your co-operation." Velvet snorted as the mechanical voice repeated the message, the voice echoing throughout the city.
She watched the sun for a few more minutes before getting to her feet. She left the roof, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets as she made her way down the buildings stairs.
People were bustling down the street, most of them shooting her dirty looks as she started to walk down the sidewalk. She didn't care. The snow continued to fall all around her; she felt it resting on her beret, chilling her ears.
The street's began to thin out as she walked, heading further and further to the edge of the city. Dark stains painted the streets and crumbling buildings. The burned out trees where covered in snow. Her breath came out in silver puffs, the air growing more and more frigid.
She reached the city's outskirts, Hunter's bustling past her, their weapons slung over their backs. She made her way through the camp, nodding at Yatsuhashi as she walked past him. He paused, lowering his whet stone as he nodded back at her. She saw Glynda in the center of the camp, looking at her scroll, deep in thought.
Glynda looked up from her scroll, smiling as Velvet came up.
"Good morning, Velvet. I'm sorry you had to wait so long to get here." She scowled as she looked at her scroll. "The Council doesn't want to listen to anything I have to say." Velvet crossed her arms.
"It's fine." Glynda shook her head.
"It isn't." Glynda sighed, pushing her glasses up.
"How's Beacon doing? Any progress?" Velvet asked. Glynda shook her head.
"We've been able to get more and more remains out of the school, and we've been able to identify most of them. But as long as that Beast is there, we won't be able to clear the school out." Glynda motioned with her head for Velvet to follow her before starting to walk. Velvet kept pace. "Speaking of, I want you to deliver something for me."
They stopped in front of a table littered with scraps of clothes, broken weapons, and miscellaneous trinkets. Glynda picked up a black katana, the handle a glock. Velvet cocked her head to the side as she looked at Blake's sword.
"We still haven't found her body?" Velvet asked. Glynda shook her head, her gaze on the floor.
"We haven't found a single sign of her remains. Just her sword."
"So… you want me to deliver it to her family?" Glynda shook her head before looking at her. She held the sword out, and Velvet grabbed it.
"I've searched through every record, and even had the Council help but we've found no trace of a Belladonna family. I want you to take this to Yang. With Ruby and Weiss gone, she's the only one we can give it to." Velvet slung the sword over her shoulder, feeling it rest against her back. "Yang lives in a house out in the forest on Patch. Grimm live on that island, so please be careful." Velvet crossed her arms.
"Anything for me once I get back?" Glynda nodded.
"You and Yatsu are going out past the Wall to a nearby village to ask if they can help in the reconstruction. I'll make sure you two have enough supplies." Velvet nodded. Glynda nodded back, turning her attention back to her scroll.
Velvet turned, and left. She nodded at Yatsuhashi as she walked out of the camp.
Tai lowered his scroll, sighing. He should have known better; there was no way to get in contact with her. He tossed the scroll aside, hearing it thump as it landed on his bed.
Yang curling up into a ball and sobbing. Her thrashing on the ground, screaming.
He shook his head; what could he do?
He glanced over at the photo next to his dresser. A smile tugged at his lips as he looked at her. What he wouldn't give for her to come back. His eyes wandered over to Qrow, frowning slightly, before looking over at Summer. He sighed again.
"Wish you were here, Summer. You'd know what to do."
Velvet stood in the snow, her hand raised, hesitating. This never got any easier. She sighed and finally knocked on the door. She put her hands in her jacket pockets, looking behind her as she heard someone moving around inside.
The door opened, a tall blonde man standing in the doorway. He arched an eyebrow in confusion as he looked at her.
"I'm here to visit Yang," she said. The man made a face, glancing behind him before stepping out of the doorway.
The house was warm, thawing her body. A fire crackled in the fireplace, a small corgi was sleeping on a bed next to the couch.
"Which room?" she asked. The man pointed up the stairs.
"First on the left."
She climbed the stairs, and stopped before Yang's door.
"Yang?" She called. There wasn't an answer. She grabbed the door knob, finding it unlocked. She opened the door, poking her head in.
Yang was in her bed, laying on her side, her back to her. Velvet opened the door some more, slipping into the room.
"What do you want?" Yang asked. Velvet closed the door, leaning against it, Blake's sword pressing against her back.
"How have you been?"
"What do you think?" Velvet crossed her arms.
"Have you heard anything from Ruby?" Yang shook her head, her hair falling off her shoulder.
"Weiss' dad let her leave Atlas?"
"Nope." Velvet shifted, Blake's sword a heavy weight. She sighed, closing her eyes as she pulled Blake's sword out.
"We haven't been able to find Blake's body. And we haven't been able to get in contact with her family." She heard Yang's bed squeak, and she opened her eyes. Yang's eye grew wide, tears welling, her mouth parting as she stared at the sword. "You're the closest thing to a family she had."
Yang rose from her bed, Velvet looked away, her stump grotesque. She felt Yang take the sword from her hand. She looked back at Yang as Yang stared at the blade.
"Where did you find it?"
"It was in the cafeteria. Same place we found Coco, Fox, and Cardin." Yang lowered the sword, her head falling, her hair obscuring her face.
"Thanks, I guess." Velvet hesitated before wrapping her arms around Yang. Yang stiffened at the contact, not returning the hug.
"We've all lost a lot, Yang. You're not alone. If you need help, don't be afraid to reach out to us."
Yang said nothing. Velvet gave her a squeeze before ending the hug, resting a hand on Yang's shoulder. She didn't know what to say to her. She patted Yang's shoulder before turning, her hand slipping to her side. She left the room, closing the door behind her.
Yang sat down on her bed, letting Blake's sword fall into her lap. She could hear the clock in her room ticking, the window rattling as the wind blew. She stared at the blade, tears welling. She squinted, was that blood on the tip? She ran her thumb over the brown spot coating the blade. Didn't… didn't Coco die from a stab wound? And Fox a slash to his chest? And Cardin a decapitation?
Taurus and a woman only known as The Belladonna are among the most wanted criminals in Vale
Belladonna was not seen during the attack but investigators believe that she and Taurus are the most likely suspects for the Fall of Beacon
Blake…. Blake wouldn't….
How many?
More than I care to remember
But… but her and Weiss…
Would you all be better off if I was dead!
But…I….she… Blake was my partner…
I do not need another partner
Yang shook her head, the sword falling from her lap and clattering to the floor as she stood up. Her throat felt dry, her stump burning as she stared at the sword.
if… if Blake was a part of it… she would have left with them…they wouldn't be able to find a body
was…was it all a lie?
Yang fell to her knees, clutching her head, tears starting to fall. No. No, no, no. She had to be wrong. Blake wouldn't… Blake wouldn't betray them. Blake loved them. Blake wanted to stop the White Fang, right?
The blood on the blade stared back at her as she cried.