A/N: Hello, everyone! Blue again! Got another chapter for ya! Thank you for all the reviews. This one was... fun to write. I hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think! Enjoy the Bees!

Chapter 4: So Close

"Hey, are you alright? You've been kind of quiet, and that's saying something for you." The blonde that sat across from her said. Blake jerked her head up, her attention on her companion for the day.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Yang smiled, leaning across to rub Blake's upper arm affectionately. "Distracted?"

"A bit, I suppose."

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"It's... My friends."

"Friends?" Yang asked, genuinely surprised.

"I do have friends other then you." Blake retorted with a smirk.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that!" Yang laughed. "I just haven't heard you talk about them."

"Yeah, they're really wonderful friends. But they are worried about something for no reason. I feel like they're keeping something from me." Blake revealed. "And that kind of... hurts."

"What are they worried about."

Blake paused for a moment, debating on whether she should tell her or not. But the look Yang was giving her decided for her. It was so inviting and kind. She won't take offense to it, it's only natural for friends to be concerned. She'll understand.

"They're worried about you."

"Me?" Yang chuckled. "But I'm a delight!"

"I know, I know." Blake said, joining in the laughter. "They just know my track record."

"Track record?"

"Ah, never mind."

"You know you can tell me if you want to." Yang said. "If you need to get something off of your chest."

"Maybe some other time. It's not exactly something I'd want to say in a cafe." Blake told her, looking around her surroundings. For their second dat- meeting, Yang took her to a different cafe then last time. One that specialized in different exotic teas. Blake was so overwhelmed with all the choices, however, that she ended up ordering what she normally did, green tea. Yang didn't seem to mind though as she ordered the same thing. Perhaps she too didn't know what to choose, Blake didn't really peg her as a tea person.

"I understand. If you ever need to talk though, don't hesitate to give me a call." Yang told her. "Hey, here's an idea. How about I meet your friends some time. And then they'll see that I am just a harmless friend and they have nothing to worry about."

"That... actually sounds perfect." Blake agreed. "Do you like board games?"

"I haven't played too many, but they're pretty cool I guess. Why?"

"We have these little game nights. Would you like to join us? The next one is in a couple weeks."

"Sounds like a ton of fun! I'm in!" Yang exclaimed, pushing her cup forward to tap it with Blake's. As their cups met together, Blake noticed something a bit peculiar.

"You've hardly touched your tea, Yang. It's gonna get cold."

"Oh, whoops. I guess I got too wrapped up in conversation." Yang said. She took a couple large sips and set the cup back down. "Wow, that's good tea."

"It is!" She said, swirling the cup in her hand. "Thank you for introducing me to this place."

"Of course!" Yang told her with glee. Glancing at her watch, Yang began to lift from her seat. "I think you're lunch break is ending soon."

"Really? It felt like we just got here."

"Sorry this was a little bit shorter today."

"It's alright, I still enjoyed it." Blake said, finishing the rest of her tea. But right after tossing the empty container into the recycling bin, she felt another full cup being pushed into her hands.

"You enjoyed it far more than I did. You can have mine." Yang told her.

"Oh, thank you."

"Not a problem. I'll catch you around, Blakey."

Blake waved at the blonde. The dark-haired girl was blushing at the new nickname she received. 'Blakey'. It sounded so juvenile, and cute. If it came from anyone else, she probably would have chided them for it. But, as she had been figuring out, Yang was different.

XxXxX

"Hey Blake! What's up?" Ruby's jovial voice rang through the phone.

"Hey Ruby, is Weiss there too?" Blake asked.

"Yup, she's right here. WEEEEEEIIISSS, BLAKE IS ON THE PHOOONE." Yelled Ruby.

"I was just a room away, you didn't have to yell, you dolt!" Weiss' voice entered. "Hello Blake, how are you? How was your date?"

"Not a date, Weiss!" Blake said, eliciting giggles from both girls.

"Suuuure." Ruby said.

"But that is something I would like to talk with you both about." Blake diverted. "I hope it's ok, but I invited Yang to our game night that's coming up."

A pause.

"Uum, yeah! Of course it is!" Ruby told her, her forced smile could be heard over the device.

"I mean, if it's not that's fine. It's just that we have been becoming closer... friends." Blake explained, making sure she used the right words to avoid more teasing from the red and white couple. "I think you both with like her! She's very sweet, harmless really."

But as Blake said that, her mind returned to the image of Yang in her exercise garb. She probably could be dangerous if she wanted to be, what with her sculpted calves, the shapely curvature of her biceps, her toned abdominal muscles. And oh god when the light hit her just right, she looked like a goddess. Completely perfect. And that as-

"Blake?" Weiss' voice finally broke through to her.

"Huh?" Blake replied with the utmost grace. She was very glad that this conversation was over the phone, otherwise she would have had to explain just why she was blushing like a maniac. "I-i'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Weiss huffed over the phone.

"I said that it's fine if she comes. Don't worry about Ruby. She just has a lot on her mind right now."

"Are you alright Ruby?"

"I'm fine!" Ruby reassured. "It'll be like a double date!"

"Ruby, it's not-"

"You can keep insisting that it's nothing more than a friendship, but I know you Blake." Ruby interrupted. "I can see the glint in your eyes when ever you talk about her. How excited you get to tell us what you both did, even if it's an everyday thing. You like her, Blake. I know it's hard to admit after everything that happened with Adam-"

"Ruby!" Weiss hissed. "I thought we agreed not to use the 'A' word in front of Blake."

"No, it's fine." Said Blake. "Go on Ruby."

"Well, you haven't been this excited since... him." Ruby explained, opting to remove the 'A' word as Weiss had suggested. "She makes you happy, Blake. And if you like her, I'm sure we will too."

The corners of the dark-haired girl's mouth pulled up.

"Thank you, both of you." Blake told them.

XxXxX

Over the next couple weeks, Blake and Yang started meeting up more and more. Blake couldn't recall a time when she was happier. Just being in the blonde's presence made her feel so warm. So safe.

So protected.

She used to always check behind her when she was walking, check around every corner. Past experiences had made her a bit... jumpy. Paranoia to Blake was like that one friend that no one really liked, but nobody had the heart to say anything to them. But with Yang around, she told that 'friend' to hit the road. It was liberating. More than words could express.

In just a couple weeks, Blake saw a visible difference in herself. She smiled more, laughed more, there was a skip in her step that wasn't there before. Even her co-workers noticed it, Sun making a comment about how he always viewed her as a skittish kitten, but now she appeared more like an excited rabbit. Blake even held up a conversation with the man after his comment.

Blake Belladonna.

Talking to people.

Making conversations, chit-chat, and small talk.

Just what was this blonde doing to her?

Whatever it was, she didn't want her to stop. For once, she was actually enjoying her life. She took Yang's advice, and did fun things on her days off. Going to the movies (The books were usually always better though), finding cute little bakeries, getting massages. Why hadn't she been enjoying what was out there before? She was so wrapped up in her hurt and insecurities that she shut the world out, save for Weiss and Ruby. She thought that life was just one problem after another, that it was nothing but a stream of sadness only broken up by fleeting happy moments.

She was wrong, so wrong.

Life could be good, she could be happy.

She deserved it too, forget what Adam said.

But she was still bothered by Weiss and Ruby's paranoia concerning Yang. She had told them nothing but good things about the woman, but there was still this hesitancy. Why? Yes, they had reassured her marginally with their conversation over the phone, but the worry was only pacified, not removed. Game night couldn't come fast enough. She was confident that as soon as they met her, they would see what a great person she was and they could move on from this. They could learn more about the blonde.

Then again, what did Blake learn about Yang? She knew she grew up in Vale, she had a sister and she "observes people". That was about it. There were other cute little likes, dislikes and quirks she noticed, but those were very minor things. Yang might not seem like it, but she is actually a very closed off person. It's almost as if she wants to talk about her life, but... can't.

It's been very odd for Blake though. She's usually the closed off one. Being on the other side, trying to get the other to open up more.

It was strange.

"Wow, that movie was super cool." Yang said as she leaned on her bike and handed Blake her helmet. They normally walked everywhere, the blonde seemed to prefer it that way (They hardly strayed out of walking distance). On this night though, they went across town to see a movie. The plan was to see it at the one near the coffee shop they first went to, but they were too late to the last time. But, a simple search on Yang's phone revealed that there was one more showing in a theater a little ways away. Blake was surprised to see that Yang even owned some sort of vehicle, but she had to admit that the bike fit her.

Wild and free.

"Yes, but I-"

"Still prefer the book? Yeah, I figured." Yang said. She took the pack off of her back and handed it to Blake. "Look inside."

Blake pulled open the drawstring pack and saw a bag from the bookstore they visited earlier in the day. Inside was a first edition of the novel, with a little cat book mark sticking out (upon further inspection, the bookmark said 'Go Away, I'm Reading Right Meow').

"Yang."

"I know you were talking about re-reading it, so I saw it and thought I'd pick it up for you." Yang told her. "Did you like the bookmark? Did you get it?"

"I did." Blake said. She rolled her eyes at the blonde's ridiculous sense of humor. But when she looked up at Yang, there was a twinge of apprehension in her eyes. As if she was afraid she wouldn't like her gift. Blake couldn't let her think that for one more second. Moving forward, she wrapped her arms around the girl, squeezing as tight as she could. "I love it, Yang. Thank you."

Yang slowly brought her arms up to hug her back, holding Blake just as tight, if not tighter. And she continued to hug as Blake made the first attempt to pull away. She held her closer, like she was afraid she would disappear if she let go.

"Yang?" Blake whispered. Slowly, the two separated. Their faces were close, so very close. Blake wanted to close the distance and she got the feeling that Yang did too. Nearer they drew, until they were breathing the same air. So close. Blake kept her eyes trained on her soft plump lips, how they beckoned her. They begged her to touch them. The raven-haired girl could hardly contain herself, she had thought about this moment for so long.

"Yang." Blake breathed.

Upon hearing her name, Yang turned her head, ending the moment. Blake took a step back in embarrassment, in slight shame for getting wrapped up in the moment.

"S-sorry."

"N-no, it's alright."

"I'm uuh... I'm glad you enjoy the book." Yang said, clearing her throat, eyes still averted.

"Yeah, I'll take my time with it too, to savor it."

"No!" Yang nearly shouted. Her lilac eyes snapped back to Blake, stricken with panic. "I mean, you should just enjoy it. You're a fast reader right? D-don't go against your nature."

"Ok." Blake said, slightly startled by her reaction.

"We should probably get you home." Yang hastily said, hopping on her bike. Blake sat behind her and put her arms around her waist, holding on tight. Yang stiffened, her hands gripped the handles tightly.

"Yang, are you alright?" Blake asked. Yang looked back, her face was beat red.

"Yup, I'm t-totally fine." She said with a sheepish grin.

"If you say so."

Yang safely got her back to her apartment and walked her up to the door.

"I had a wonderful time, as always." Blake told her.

"Yeah, me too." Yang honestly replied.

"Good night, Yang." Blake said, trying to pull her hand away from the blonde's grasp. When had she even grabbed it? Had she been holding it since they departed from her bike? Blake didn't know and didn't really care.

But as she pulled, Yang's grip tightened a bit. From the way she looked at Blake, it appeared as though she had a thousand things running through her mind. A thousand things she wanted to say. A thousand secrets waiting to be exposed. But instead, she only said one thing.

"Good night, Blake." Was all she uttered in a low and caring tone. Blake shivered upon hearing it. There were so many emotions that bled through that voice. Care, affection, but a little bit of apprehension. Reluctantly, she released her hand and walked backwards until she got to her bike. Blake watched as she fumbled with her keys and sped off. Only then did she go inside.

XxXxX

On that night, as soon as Yang entered the alley, she heard the voice assault her ears.

"What was that?" He demanded. Yang leaned up against the brick wall.

"I... got a little caught up. H-her emotions were running high I guess."

"Just HER emotions, Yang?"

"I'm fine! I stopped it, didn't I?"

"Yang, you are so talented. Do you really want to throw this all away?"

"You're blowing things out of proportions! It was... just... it was nothing."

Was it though? Was it bad that she wished she hadn't pulled away? Was it bad that she wanted to close that distance and let their lips meet? For anyone else, no. But for Yang, it was unthinkable.

"You sound a lot like... Well... You know..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You are well aware of what R-"

"I KNOW!" Yang shouted. "I know. It won't happen. Nothing will happen. Everything is according to plan."

"Be sure that it stays that way. We'll be watching you."

"Y-yeah."

The voice was gone, their attention could not be felt for a moment. But that last phrase. The phrase that once made her feel protected. Made her feel safe and warm. Made her feel like a part of something. Now it only served to run chills down her spine.

They are watching. Yang thought. I need to be careful.

But there shouldn't have been a need to worry. She should just be able to do her job without fear. It's not like this had ever been a problem before. It's not like she ever had something like this before her current position.

"This is a mess." Yang sighed, pushing off the wall behind her. Yet, she could not prevent the corners of her lips turning up slightly.

It might have been a mess, but there were certainly parts she didn't hate. She didn't hate seeing Blake after all.