Chapter 14
The evening had rolled around, the sky was tinted with orange and the sun setting somewhere over the tall buildings. The few people she saw were making their home now that the day was coming to an end. There had been reports of more Grimm attacking the borders on the east side of the city, the side closest to Beacon. The recent violence that had occurred throughout some parts of the city had not gone unnoticed. She kept walking on the pavement, passing one shop after another having just come from the commercial district of Vale. In one hand she had a small bag of groceries. In the other her scroll as she idly flicked through to check her messages. Upon seeing none she paused and looked to her left at one of the now closed stores. This one in particular was a book store that had closed permanently some time ago. In the dark reflection of the display window she saw her golden eyes looking back at her, her bow twitched.
Glancing back at her scroll she typed out a message, "Anything you want while I'm still out here?" it read before she sent it. It took a few seconds for the response to come, "nope". The Faunus frowned before turning her attention down to the street as she resumed her trip home. Or at least what she now referred to as home.
It had been three days since they went to Neo's apartment. Yang never remained depressed for very long but since then she didn't seem to know what to do next and so had spent most of her time doing nothing at all. Blake of course had remained by her side, how could she not? Yang meant a lot to her and while she did want her to break out of this lazy mood she ended up in... She didn't mind. She got to spend a lot more time with her this way and while she knew it was very selfish of her she was happy with it regardless.
Her scroll started to ring as she looked to the caller, it was Winter. After answering it she placed it up to her ear. "Hello?" she greeted in a questioning manner, as if she didn't know who the caller was.
"Miss Belladonna, I hope this is not a bad time" came Winter's voice from the other end. Blake had half a mind to tell her to call back later but thought against it.
"No, what is it?" asked the Faunus in response, deftly stepping around someone who wasn't watching where they were walking on the pavement.
"Yang has not been answering her scroll so I thought it best to contact you instead. This is of course in regards to your... recent escapade..." answered Winter.
Blake looked bitter as she replied, "Is that what we're calling it now?" she asked.
"I call it how I see it. For all intents and purposes I should arrest you both for breaking and entering as well as destruction of private property and conspiracy to murder. Enemy or not, there are laws Miss Belladonna, though I imagine with your history you struggle with that concept" came Winter's harsh response.
The Faunus almost growled as she spoke in return, "Yang came to you in confidence-!" she paused for a moment. The Faunus often picked up on things that Yang rarely could, and in this case it was the lack of something. "Wait, what about assault?" she asked, her expression softening to a more neutral one.
"If Yang answered her calls you would have both been made aware of this sooner. Neopolitan was not present in her apartment when my men arrived at the scene" she answered.
Blake stopped walking, her head turning from left to right as her golden eyes observed her surroundings. Nobody else was within hearing range of her as she spoke back into the scroll. "That can't be right. She was incapacitated, she could barely even move" she answered as concern raised in her voice.
"Then it appears our problems are still problems" stated Winter coldly. "What is Yang doing?" she asked.
Blake still had the thoughts of Neo being somewhere out there right now in her head as she replied, "Uh- Nothing..." she answered truthfully.
A pause came from Winter's end of the call before her voice returned. "Right, I am on my way over" she answered.
"W- Wait what? No, you can't" began Blake. There were many reasons she didn't want Winter anywhere near herself or Yang.
"Why not?" came the expected response.
"We're busy tonight" answered Blake, simply trying to find any excuse she could to keep the woman from visiting them both.
Another pause came from Winter. "I thought you said Yang was doing nothing?" she asked.
Blake cursed herself silently, she tapped her foot against the ground as she quickly tried to return a response. "She's just not... She's not up for seeing anyone right now" she answered.
"I am not just anyone Miss Belladonna. And not only do I wish to help you both out of this mess because my job is on the line, but also because Yang made me a promise that I will expect her to deliver upon" came the reply.
With an irritated expression the Faunus responded, "Tomorrow would be a much better time, for both of us" she answered, it was her last effort to try and avoid Winter tonight.
A sigh came through the scroll as Winter's voice seemed to have calmed significantly. "Fine. Tomorrow morning" she answered.
"Thank you Winter" said Blake as she started walking alongside the pavement once more.
"And Miss Belladonna, seeing as I now have your attention and that this is apparently not a bad time as you mentioned earlier on... How about coming down to my office for that talk?" asked Winter.
Blake clearly detested the idea of the so-called talk. "I'm sorry, I have to go now. I'll see you tomorrow?" replied Blake, looking to her scroll as she moved it away from her ear.
"Blake do not hang up on me-!" raised Winter's voice before the call ended abruptly. The Faunus was sure that she would hear more of this tomorrow but for now she had other things to concern herself with.
As she continued on her trip home the idea that Neo could be looking for revenge worried her. After what Yang did to her she wouldn't be surprised to find her doing everything in her power to get back at them. For the rest of her walk she remained on high alert due to this new information.
The Faunus closed the door of Yang's room behind her. As usual the place was dimly lit thanks to the fabric covering the window. And just where she left her there Yang was, laying down in bed in her tanktop and shorts as she watched the poor-quality TV at the foot of the bed. She looked bored.
"Winter called" spoke Blake as she put down her shopping next to the door and making her way towards the bed as she removed her white coat.
Yang kept her eyes to the TV, she didn't seem to care about all the static in the volume and on the screen itself. "Yeah? What did she want?" she asked in response.
"She called up to say she's coming over tomorrow. She wants to talk since you keep ignoring her calls" answered Blake, she purposefully avoided the topic of Neo as she believed it could only ruin Yang's day to know she was still out there. Blake was unwilling to upset her friend for as long as she could manage it.
The blonde idly turned her head to spot her scroll at her side, the missed calls were definitely on the screen. "Huh, didn't notice" she responded in a dull tone before looking back to the TV.
Blake removed her boots before making her way towards the bed, choosing to lay beside Yang as they both watched the screen. After a few minutes the Faunus turned to look at the human. "Hey, should we do something tomorrow after Winter visits?" she asked to which lazy lilac eyes looked to her. Ever since their reunion the smallest things made Blake's chest tighten. At first she wasn't sure but for a few days now she had a good idea why it was happening.
"Like what?" asked Yang idly.
"Maybe... take a walk to the park? Or come shopping with me?" asked Blake, she felt slightly nervous from even asking her friend these things. She watched with her hopeful golden gaze as Yang looked to the ceiling in a pondering fashion.
"Do I have to?" asked Yang casually while looking back to Blake. The words stung the Faunus more than she'd like to admit. So much so that she hadn't realised the long pause she was creating as her eyes drifted away from the blonde. It finally looked although it clicked in Yang's head as she opened her eyes properly, reaching out her hand for Blake's shoulder. "Wait, I didn't mean it like that" she spoke apologetically.
Blake offered the woman a weak smile as she turned her attention back to her, "It's okay if you'd rather stay here. I was just suggesting ideas, that's all" answered Blake. Though her own words were a lie. She had wanted to spend more time with Yang, but rather than just sitting in their room together she wanted to actually do something with her. Of course she refused to call it what it actually was.
However, Blake's unintentional display of disappointment had won over Yang's guilt. "No, you're right Blake. We should be out there having fun. I can't spend all my time in a bed again" she answered.
At first the Faunus wasn't sure how to react. She was aware on what grounds Yang had decided to say yes and that alone should have prompted her to decline. But the heat that rushed through her body, the thoughts of how their day could be spent together. It hit her like a truck and she nodded. "Yeah, it sounds fun" she smiled, though a part of her regretted taking advantage of her friend in this fashion. It almost felt like she had tricked her into it.
Honestly Blake felt like she already had plenty to be happy about. She already had the chance to spend so much time with Yang, she got to share her apartment and even her bed. The latter of which usually sent her heart racing. There was no doubt that she had a crush on the woman but wondered if that was all it was. It might simply just be the fact they were together again after so long apart. The relief after thinking Yang wanted nothing to do with her after she ran, only to find she simply missed her. It was these things that played hell with her feelings and she'd never be sure if Yang had the same ones. So the Faunus decided to keep them to herself until she could see that Yang felt the same way or if her fondness for the blonde would simply wane away.
"Straight after Winter leaves then?" came Yang's voice as she offered Blake a friendly smile, leaning her shoulder against hers.
Blake offered another nod, she had hoped the dim lighting would cover the soft blush that had crossed her cheeks. She turned back to the TV as the two continued to silently watch, of all things, a cooking show. "What is this anyway?" asked Blake as she kept watching.
Yang adjusted herself slightly before resting her head against Blake's shoulder. "It's the only channel that works" replied Yang. The chef upon the TV started preparing some fish, Blake suddenly didn't mind what it was they were watching. "Really?" came Yang's voice again to which Blake looked down at her with a confused expression. "It caught your attention after the fish came on?" she asked with a soft chuckle.
Blake smirked, "I guess" she replied awkwardly, Yang couldn't be more wrong as to the reason the Faunus was suddenly content.
"Is that why your heart is beating fast too?" asked Yang once more.
"I can't help it" answered Blake truthfully this time but once more not for the reason Yang believed.
The light from outside was now completely gone. The only thing that lit the room up was the flickering screen of the TV. Blake had since switched into some more appropriate clothes for sleeping, that simply being her grey shirt and underwear. Yang had fallen asleep a while ago and now lay with her head resting in the lap of the Faunus who was sat up in the bed with her back against the wall.
Blake had continued to watch the cooking shows. She didn't want to fall asleep yet, if she did she couldn't be in the position she was as she looked down at Yang. A warm smile crossed Blake's lips as she gently stroked a hand through her golden hair. This feeling of pure and complete bliss. She didn't want it go away.
For a lack of other things to do she reached her other hand for Yang's scroll, picking the device up and opening it. She didn't think about it at the time as she started looking through her messages idly. Though it seemed only one person had been in contact with her recently. She narrowed her eyes at the sender of these messages, Neopolitan. Further looking through them she could see the texts that Neo had sent to Yang, at first it looked although she was just trying to get a rise out of the blonde but eventually Blake saw further into the messages than Yang could manage herself.
At this the Faunus clenched her jaw as her expression turned sour. She moved her other hand away from Yang as she picked up her own scroll, copying Neo's number from one device to the other. After having done so she placed Yang's back where she found it and turned her attention to the one in her hand. Before she could even begin typing out a message she stopped as she considered the effects this might have in the future. Was she giving away the fact she knew Neo had escaped? If Neo was under the belief they thought she was in jail it could prove to be an advantage for them. Thinking further, sending Neo a message could prompt her to send one to Yang which would be the last thing they need right now. Not only that but if she forwarded Blake's messages to Yang it could possibly become even worse, then Yang would know that Blake had deceived her.
After thinking these possibilities through she slowly lowered her scroll and closed it. The best course of action right now was patience. Looking back to the TV she saw a man bringing a pair of scissors towards a crab. She cringed and changed the channel only to end up with static. With so little to do now she imagined she'd have to get some rest soon. Looking back down at Yang she smiled again and just as she was about to regretfully move her from her lap she stopped and looked to Yang's scroll as it vibrated. Somebody was calling her. Leaning over she picked up the scroll to find that it was an unknown caller. Thinking nothing of it she put the scroll back down and let it ring until it stopped.
A few seconds after it did and Blake's own scroll starting ringing too. It was the same number. She looked at her scroll in confusion. The chances that someone would have obtained both of their numbers seemed slim, meaning this could actually be somebody they both knew. After a brief consideration she answered her scroll and placed it up to her ear. Nothing but silence came from the other end.
"Hello?" asked Blake. She was met with even more silence. It seemed like something out of a bad horror movie. "Hello, who is this?" asked Blake again. The woman in her lap stirred and groaned.
"Blake...? It's late... who are you talking to...?" asked Yang, she didn't seem fully awake.
The unknown caller hung up. Determined to find out their identity Blake rang them back, quickly it became obvious that whoever had called had turned off their scroll. Had she made a mistake in answering? She wondered if it could be Neo, it would make sense but they both had her number already. Adam perhaps? No, he wasn't the type to ring you in the middle of the night in some vain attempt to seem intimidating.
"Blake...?" stirred Yang once more, placing her hand against Blake's smooth thigh to push herself up slightly. The touch itself made the Faunus forget everything about the caller as she blushed and her eyes widened slightly.
"S- Sorry, wrong number" stuttered Blake as she watched Yang look up at her with those enchanting lilac eyes.
"Oh...?" muttered Yang. She mumbled something inaudible before she rested her head back down upon Blake's lap, facing her this time rather than the TV.
The Faunus was worried to move in case she woke her friend once more but she was fine with the position they were in. She started smiling again and looked back up to the static of the TV. At this rate she thought that she would not fall asleep at all, not with Yang's hand still on her thigh like it was. It continuously sent shivers up her spine whenever she felt her fingers twitch in her sleep. Though of course eventually exhaustion would take over, with some minutes later the eyes of the Faunus felt heavy. She slept very awkwardly that night.