Chapter 2: Out From Shadows

Eventually, hunger won out over cuddles, and Team RWBY untangled themselves to get dressed for the day. It was a slightly awkward affair however, as the four found themselves struck by a peculiar problem:

When you (abruptly) start dating all non-related members of your team, is it still permissible to change clothing in their presence?

It wasn't like anything had changed materially, (and it wasn't like Weiss hadn't snuck a guilty glance at various asses from time to time), but still…

They handled it different ways. Yang was the first to disrobe, shrugging off her tank top without even thinking about it, to Ruby's apoplexy and Weiss's utter flusterment. She apparently thought this was hilarious, and chose to make a show of things, shooting plenty of winks at Weiss over her shoulder as she "sexily" slid down her shorts. Weiss voiced protest through all of this, while Blake merely glanced up from her book to give an appreciative nod. Ruby just buried her face in her pillow and refused to function until Yang was dressed again and she could safely slink off to the bathroom. Weiss was briefly worried that Ruby was actually upset, but then Ruby turned and stuck her tongue out at Yang, before shutting the door in their faces. The way Yang started laughing at that was probably a good sign.

Blake remained on her bed, flipping through her book as all this occurred. Weiss wasn't sure why, but Blake always waited for the others to change first, before slipping off to the bathroom or some other isolated place to do so herself. It seemed today would be no different.

Which left Weiss in an interesting position.

Yang sighed, flopping back onto her bed, wearing short shorts and a tank top that were basically just a rehash of her pajamas anyway. "I actually won't look, if that'd make you feel weird," she said.

Blake nodded, flipping a page. "Same."

Weiss regarded them with a raised brow, half-touched by the show of respect, half-convinced there was mischief afoot. She turned to the dresser, selecting a nice, casual sundress. It was one of the simpler things she owned, bought on her very first trip to a thrift store, the semester after her disinheritance.

She glanced back over her shoulder, saw that the others really were sticking to their promise to respect her modesty, and felt a pang of… disappointment? They were girlfriends now; even if the issue of sexual activity was still in an unresolved place, it was fine for them to sneak a glance now and then. And besides, Yang had already given her a lovely little show. Returning the favor was only proper.

She didn't want to have to say it, though.

"Hmmm…" she murmured. "You know…"

She waited until she heard the sound of Yang turning over on the bed before she dropped her nightgown.

There was a sound like choking, and then the sound of a book abruptly snapping shut. Weiss smiled, as she changed into her underwear, then into her dress. She took no more time than necessary, but made no particular effort to speed things along, either.

She turned when things were finished, her smile only growing bigger at the blown-up look in Blake's eyes, at Yang's cheeky grin.

The latter threw out a thumbs-up. "I just want you to know," she said, "that I'm not going to make any corporate assets jokes, but you better believe I'll be insufferable once you get the company back."

"Gross!" Ruby yelled from the bathroom. "You're all gross and terrible!"

"You're just mad you missed Weiss's butt!" Yang yelled back.

There was a pause, before the bathroom door opened a crack, revealing a mournful silver eye.

"I'm just mad I missed Weiss's butt…" Ruby mumbled.

Weiss offered a warm smile and canted her hips. "We can fix that, you know."

Ruby's eye got wider, and the door shut again. "Thanksmaybelater!"

Blake chuckled, observing all of the above with a warm smile on her face. "I love you guys."

"Awww…" Yang rolled over, flopping her head into Blake's lap. "Blakey-wakey's a sweetie-wheatie today."

Blake rolled her eyes, ruffling Yang's hair with unconcealed adoration. Something seemed off, though. Her cheeks were flushed, and stayed that way as she set down her book and stared off into nothing for a moment.

Weiss frowned, drawing close and sitting on the bed beside them. "Is everything alright?" she asked. "I apologize if that was too much, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Blake laughed. "Oh, no, that was fine." She took a steadying breath. "When Ruby gets done… there's something I should tell you two. Yang knows already."

Yang's eyes widened, and she half-lifted herself out of Blake's lap. "Hey, babe, you don't have to—"

"I'm dating them," Blake said, firm, but not harsh. "I know it's… I'm not guilty about it, but still, they should know. "

Ruby came out of the bathroom and paused at the sight of them all together. "Everything okay?"

Blake smiled, patting the bed beside her. Ruby didn't need further encouragement.

They waited for her to begin, but for a moment it seemed like Blake was about to lose her nerve. She took a breath as if to speak, then let it out in a huff. "For the record," she said. "I told Yang about this when we got together, and I didn't mean to keep it a secret from you two. It's just never come up, and I… honestly, I was a little scared of how you'd react."

Ruby turned and hugged her, pressing her face into Blake's neck. "It's okay," she said. "Whatever it is, I promise we won't be weird about it."

Weiss nodded in agreement, reaching out to hold Blake's hand. "I know I have a… somewhat poor history of reacting to personal revelations," she said, her dry tone drawing the slightest smile to Blake's face. "But I'd like to think I'm a bit better about that sort of thing these days."

Still, she couldn't help but worry a little. With all that we know of Blake's past in the White Fang, what could be so sensitive she'd never share it until now?

Blake shook her head, smiling softly. "It's not because I don't trust you," she said. "I think a few people might have guessed, but I haven't told anyone at Beacon about this aside from Yang and the medical staff."

And that set off a whole new avalanche of worries. Medical staff? Is Blake ill? Have I just never noticed it? Weiss frowned in realization. Wait, she does have those pills she takes every morning, doesn't she? I've seen her sneak the bottles into the bathroom when she changes. Is that why? What does she have, is she alright?

"I'm..." Blake paused, shutting her eyes tight and taking a deep, hard breath. "I'm transgender."

…

Ruby blinked, looking up from Blake's shoulder. "Oh. Uh. Is that it?"

Yang stared at her sister like she couldn't decide whether to be mortified or start cackling. Blake just looked stunned. "Uh... yeah. That's it."

"So that's what those pills were," Weiss muttered, relaxing into Blake's shoulder with a sigh. "Good heavens Blake you had me worrying myself into an early grave."

"You're like, a girl, right?" Ruby asked. "Like, a trans girl? Or are you a trans boy?" She kicked her feet. "Um, sorry if that's a weird thing to ask, I just wanna get it right."

"Um…" Blake tilted her head, ears flicking nervously. "Girl… mostly? It used to be pretty solid, but…" she held up a hand, wiggling it back and forth, "...it's been wavering a bit, these days."

"You do look really good in a suit," Yang noted, a grin spreading across her face as the tension began to drift out of them.

"Oh, you certainly do," Weiss muttered, recalling last night with vivid clarity. Her smile started wicked, teasing, but quickly shifted to a gentler place when she saw the rigid set of Blake's shoulders. "Please let us know if it's ever appropriate to refer to you differently. I'd like you to feel comfortable, and I'm sure Ruby feels the same."

"Ruby feels the same!" Ruby cheered. "Seriously, tell us whatever makes you feel good, and we'll do it, no problem."

Blake stared at her, the tension slowly going out of her shoulders. "You're… taking this pretty well."

"I mean..." Ruby shrugged. "What other way is there to take it? We love you. Why would this change that?"

Weiss gave a prim nod. "I... admittedly don't know much about the subject, but I certainly don't have any problem with it. You're not the first transgender person I've known, or even that I've been close with. It's hardly an issue."

Blake's throat bobbed. "Uh, okay. Cool." She paused, looking between them. "I… guess I shouldn't be surprised by this but, thank you. "

The words carried all the weight that'd been on her back. It nearly bowled the others over, but they clung to her still, Ruby giggling into Blake's collarbone as Weiss rolled her eyes affectionately, and said, "You're not getting rid of us that easily, you know."

From Blake's lap, Yang smiled sunlight up at them all.

They didn't stop her or question her when she slipped off to the bathroom anyway, but Blake still let out a breath of relief as she shut the door and pressed her back against it.

Her brain was still screaming that she'd just done something incomparably stupid, that any second she'd hear them start to talk through the door about how she'd tricked them, or how they'd have to help her overcome her delusions, or—

"Where's all this coming from, Blake? You're a boy, and you've always been a boy. I think I'd have noticed if you weren't."

A wince. That part… she'd never told Yang about.

She sighed, letting herself sink down to the floor, pulling her bundled-up clothes to her chest.

"Stop being delusional. If you're a girl, then why am I still in love with you? I've been attracted to men my whole life; you're saying that this once, I got it wrong?"

She pressed her forehead into her knees. He wasn't here. He didn't have any power over her. What he thought, what he'd said, they didn't matter. Her life was different. Her love was different.

"What, is this about Ilia? Do you really hate our relationship so much, that you'd destroy your body to make someone else love you?"

She shook her head, sighing as she forced herself off these thoughts. Took a breath. Counted to ten. Let it out.

Yang wasn't anything like him. Weiss even less. Ruby even less. It was easy to let the old words get to her—to think, "yes, I did this to myself so Yang would love me"—but just so, she recognized how odd it would have been to start transitioning so that a bisexual human woman she'd never met would fall in love with her years later in a place she wasn't even planning to go.

All of it was like that. The manipulation still stuck with her, but none of it made sense anymore. Easily debunked, more annoyance than threat, but still there . Perhaps it always would be.

With a sigh, she finally scooted out of her clothes and set them aside. She glanced down at her body, at the good parts and the bad ones, at all of it.

I fought for this scarred flesh. I fought the world, I fought myself… and I fought him.This body isn't his, it's mine.

I am mine.

A flutter in her chest, in three parts. A giddy smile.

Well, maybe not exclusively mine.

Moments later, wrapped in tight black pants and a flowing white shirt, she stepped out the bathroom door and into a hug from Ruby. "Blaaaake," the girl cheered, burying her face in… a very comfortable place.

Blake's eyebrows rose an amused half-inch. "You really like it there, huh?"

"Soft…" Ruby giggled. Then, suddenly tense, she glanced up. "Um… this is okay, right? Sorry, I should have asked."

All the gods in all the worlds couldn't say YES loud enough, but Bake still pretended to give it a little thought. "Mmm I suppose you're allowed," she said. "But only because you asked so nicely."

"Yaaaay," Ruby murmured, and returned herself to where she wanted to be. "I'm the best at this."

Weiss rolled her eyes affectionately at the display. She and Yang were still on Blake's bed, the former sitting primly and tapping at her scroll. Her free hand stroked through the mass of golden locks in her lap. Yangs eyes were closed, an easy, unguarded smile on her face.

A flash of incomprehensible energy flashed through Blake at the sight, and she found herself drifting her fingers carelessly through Ruby's hair. The girl let out a happy murmur and squeezed her tighter, and Blake found herself entirely overwhelmed.

It was still real. Maybe someday she'd believe it.

Weiss coughed into her hand, drawing them all back to the real world. "It's almost eleven and we haven't even eaten yet," she said. "I hate to interrupt your little moment, but shouldn't we start on our plans for the day?"

"Aaaactually…" Yang sat up, shuffling to sit beside Weiss on the edge of the bed. "I was gonna go hit the gym for a bit?" She passed an apologetic look around the room. "I think I need a little space, to process…" She made a vague gesture at the universe, to various nods of understanding.

At a gentle nudge, Ruby released Blake so the latter could go and give Yang a quick peck on the lips. "Meet back up for breakfast?" Blake asked.

A devious grin lit up Yang's face. "Totally! And since you'll have some time before I'm done… why don't you go do that thing. Y'know. The one you did back when we started dating?"

Blake's heart skipped a beat. Does she mean…?

She darted her eyes towards the south wall, a question in the tilt of her brow. Yang nodded, still grinning.

"What's this about?" Weiss asked, giving Blake a curious look.

Blake felt a flush at the attention. "It's… Well, it's kind of embarrassing. I was going to do it later today, but I guess if I have time now it wouldn't be a bad idea."

"Where are you going?" Ruby asked, coming up behind her.

"Well…"

He rushed back into her head.

"You're still holding onto those childish superstitions? The gods were made up to control people. To control us.To mold us into what the kingdoms want us to be. You'd really sell yourself off to the enemy like that?"

A hand closed on hers, warm and familiar. Yang looked at her, smile gone, and Blake took a moment to recenter herself in her eyes. The moment passed quickly, but she still needed to remind herself where she was, who she was with. Not him. Never him again.

A small body hugged her tight. Delicate fingers found her other hand, gently holding without any demand, and Blake found the memories drifting away like distant stormclouds.

She sighed, relaxing into their touch. Her body was her own, but so were the other things, the rest of herself. And, just like her body, she wanted to share those other parts of herself with the people she loved. "I'm going to perform a little ritual at a shrine," she said, once she was recentered. "Just to ask one of the gods for a small blessing on our behalf. Like Yang said, it's something I did with her when we started dating. So… I figured it was only appropriate to go again."

"Ooooh!" Ruby latched herself tighter to Blake's back. "Blake, that sounds really cool! Can I come with you?"

"Um…" Blake fumbled for words in the glow of that sudden interest. "Well… it is traditional to go with one's new partner. Or, partners?" She sighed, hesitation and anxiety taking hold again. "But, you certainly don't have to. I can do the ritual alone if you don't want to be a part of it."

Ruby tugged her shoulder, and Blake turned to find a great big beaming smile on her girlfriend's face. "It's okay!" Ruby said. "I dunno much about shrines and stuff, but it sounds like this is something that's important to you, and if it's important to you I want to know more about it! It won't weird me out, and even if it does, I'm a big girl. I can deal."

Heat tinged Blake's cheeks. What was she supposed to say to that, to eyes like those, shining with so much curious affection? With open acceptance of all that she was?

"I wouldn't mind going as well," Weiss ventured, though a mote of caution tinged her voice. "If that's appropriate, of course?"

Blake squeezed her hand, looking back at her with a growing smile. "That's fine. Actually, it's great. I'd be really happy if you did." At Weiss's relieved nod, Blake turned one last curious look at Yang. "You're sure don't want to be there?"

Yang shook her head. "Nah," she said. "I do need some space, and besides…" she darted her eyes at Ruby. "I don't think I'd be comfortable with the symbolism." She then glanced at Weiss. "I know that means Weiss and I won't technically have Pthala's blessing, but I'm pretty sure the two of us can come up with our own way to make things holy."

The wink she gave Weiss was not subtle, nor was the way Weiss's neck lit up in response.

Blake chuckled, quietly cursing herself for forgetting to think about how the sisters would feel about things. She'd have to be careful about that in the future. "Okay," she said, leaning in for a parting kiss. "See you at breakfast?"

"Yup." Yang beamed, waving them off. "You three get going, I gotta grab my gym stuff. Oh, and Rubes?"

Ruby tilted her head "Hm?"

"You get both girls now, I get them both later. Sound good?"

Ruby giggled, in a way that made Blake suddenly feel very, very warm, and made Weiss clutch at her arm for support.

"Sounds good to me, sis!"

Notes:

Wooooooooh.

This chapter is really personal to me for a lot of reasons. If Blake's experiences, particularly those with Adam, seem unlikely or weird to you, I submit that they're mostly based on actual things I've had happen to me or been told in the past, or based on secondhand accounts of friends.

One of my biggest regrets with this story is not foreshadowing Blake being trans more effectively. It *is* in there, but there are several places where, in hindsight, it would have been easy to slip in hints. Stuff like her popping a couple pills at breakfast, or her parents having a slightly different reaction to seeing her again.

But... Move Onward, Not There Yet, right?

Anyway, thanks to FriendOfYggdrasil and Sgt. Chrysalis for the beta! And thank all of you for reading!