Chapter 17
"So he's...?" asked Yang. She was speaking into her scroll as she stood in the middle of her apartment. It had been a day now since the Grimm breached the defences of the city. Blake was sat behind her upon the bed, idly watching more cooking shows on the TV. Now and then her uncovered feline ears would twitch at Yang's conversation.
"Yes" came Winter's response through the scroll. "They identified the bodies this morning, among them Adam Taurus" she had confirmed.
Yang looked back to Blake who appeared to have heard the result. For a second she looked slightly distant. It was true she despised Adam but once upon a time he had been different. Though with him gone now Remnant would surely be a better place. Yang spoke back into her scroll, "So the White Fang are done?" she asked.
A sigh came from Winter's voice. "For the most part. They are scattered now, probably squabbling over a new leader if any would rise to the occasion. Adam Taurus was ruthless and strong. With his demise perhaps they will return to their peaceful protests once more" she answered. "There is something else however, if you would like more... details".
"If you think it's something I need to hear go ahead" replied Yang.
"The fire was not the cause of his death. His right arm had been severed at the elbow, he bled out before the flames reached him" said Winter, her voice growing grim as she explained the cause of Adam's death.
Yang furrowed her brow, "You don't think..?" she began.
"She was the only one left at the scene who could have. Though I am curious as to why she took his arm. Perhaps something to do with you? I do not wish to suggest that maybe she was getting some kind of twisted revenge on your behalf but... not much else makes sense of it" answered Winter.
The blonde paused as she turned back to face Blake who was watching her, she was clearly still listening in and made no attempt to hide the fact. "I don't get what she's after..." admitted Yang as she glanced to the ground in thought.
"I do not imagine we will find out any time soon. For now be glad that she appears to be looking out for you. This is not the first time she has spared you from harm either" said Winter.
"She kicked me out a window, I don't think she's looking out for my health" responded Yang as she moved to sit besides Blake on the bed. The Faunus continued to observe her with keen golden eyes.
A soft chuckle came from Winter's side, "How else would she have told you to leave? In case you had not yet realised the girl is mute. I am not implying you should drop your guard around her however. She could still be setting up an intricate plot".
"Pfft, got no plans on dropping my guard near her" answered Yang, leaning back against Blake's side casually. Blake's eyes awkwardly turned back to the TV in silence. "But hey, any news on going to find Weiss yet? You're done with the White Fang now right?" continued Yang.
A pause came from Winter before she spoke, her tone seeming slightly dejected. "I've... tried to get permission to leave for Atlas... They keep denying it" she answered.
"What? Why?" asked Yang in confusion.
"Apparently Vale is still in need of me. It is strange I admit, my commanding officers have never treated me like this before. It makes me suspicious..." answered Winter, her voice turning colder towards the end of her sentence.
"You think something is going on higher up?" said Yang.
"Think? I am almost sure of it" she spoke, pausing briefly once more. "If I find out my father has been influencing the military I will go to Atlas, with or without orders. Because by that point there would have to be a reason he is keeping me from my sister. And that... annoys me" she answered, once more her voice almost becoming threatening.
"Influencing the military? He can do that?" replied Yang in disbelief. Blake's eyes had once more turned back to her.
"It would not be the first time. But besides, once I make some progress I will inform both you. Ah, Miss Belladonna, might I speak to her by the way? She is there, is she not?" asked Winter.
Yang glanced back to Blake behind her as she shook her head in return. "Uhh- No, no she's not here right now. Want me to leave a message?" she smirked.
"Yes, tell her-" Winter's voice was cut off abruptly.
"After the beep" interrupted Yang.
An awkward silence over the scroll began. Eventually Winter's voice returned, "Where is the bee-" she was cut off once more.
"Beep"
Winter's silence made it clear that she was annoyed but following another soft sigh she played along. "Miss Belladonna, I wish to remind you that when you have the chance-"
"Thank you for your message" interrupted Yang again, her grin only widening. Blake chuckled quietly from behind her at the conversation.
"Yang" began Winter in a warning tone.
It was difficult for Yang to contain her own laughter, "Chill Winter, you want her to have that chat with you, I got it" she answered.
"She is with you right now, isn't she?" asked Winter.
Yang looked back to Blake who smiled at her. "... Your message has been received" spoke Yang into the scroll, trying her best to sound like an automated message.
"Sometimes I wonder why I am associated with you" replied the voice through the scroll.
"Harsh. So work stuff out of the way, how was your morning?" responded Yang. Idly she adjusted herself and lay down, her back now across Blake's lap who blushed ever so faintly as she glued her eyes to the TV once more, feigning that she cared.
An amused hum came from the scroll before Winter replied. "Is this a social call now? My morning was as busy as ever. Yours?" she asked.
"Do you ever get a day off? And I dunno. It's been quiet I guess. We were thinking about heading out later for something to do, wanna come?" answered Yang, casually staring up at Blake who refused to look back down at her for the time being.
"I do have time off though I am usually working during them. And unfortunately I will have to decline, as amusing as it sounds. I do have a lot to do today though, I hope you and Miss Belladonna enjoy yourselves" said Winter in response.
Yang rolled her eyes, "Should've expected that. So" she began, grinning up at Blake before she asked her question, "What're you wearin'?" asked the blonde, once more her jesting attitude shining through.
"My uniform. Though I fail to see how that is relevant" responded Winter as if it was a normal as any other question.
Yang made a disappointed expression towards Blake as the Faunus finally looked down at her with a raised brow. "Uh... Okay, but what's under your uniform?" continued Yang.
"What? There's nothing under it. It's a uniform, a complete set" replied Winter, still not catching on.
"Nothing? Someone is feeling brave" chuckled Yang before Blake snatched the scroll from her hands.
"Sorry Winter, Yang's just being an idiot" spoke Blake into the scroll as Yang made attempts to snatch it back with her hand. Thankfully all Blake had to do was hold her wrist down and she was helpless.
Yang continued to struggle against Blake as Winter responded, "Ah Miss Belladonna, so nice that you could-" she began.
"Oh, sorry, I have to go Winter. Speak to you later okay?" responded Blake.
"Don't hang up-!" came the yelling voice from the scroll before it was silenced by Blake as she ended the call.
"Hey I still wanted to talk to her" spoke Yang, her struggling having halted for now. Blake looked down to the blonde and smirked, releasing her wrist. As soon as she did Yang sat up, wrapping her arm around the neck of the Faunus and pulling her into a headlock as she yelped in surprised. "If I had two hands you'd so be in for it now" grinned the woman.
Blake attempted to use her hands to pry Yang's arm from around her neck but the grip was simply too strong. She started patting her arm in submission, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry" apologized Blake before being released. It was only after she straightened her back that she realised Yang was practically sat in her lap now. Her golden eyes widened slightly as she looked back to the TV, but Yang's face moved in front of her view, her lilac eyes smiling at her.
"You're still acting weird Blakey" she said. This time Blake couldn't use the same excuse either.
"Uhh... It's a good show" answered the Faunus as she tried to look past her again.
Yang turned to look at the TV, it was just another cooking show. It wasn't even seafood this time either. Turning back to Blake she moved her face into her view again. "I've never seen you cook before" she said, somewhat interrogating her friend. Blake's gaze lowered with a frown. Seeing this Yang faced her with her body, placing a hand upon her shoulder as she straddled her lap. "Blake?" she asked concerned.
Blake's heart was beating fast. It really didn't seem like there was going to be any convincing alternative to get out of this situation. "I..." she began, struggling to speak her words.
"Come on Blake I can handle whatever it is you throw at me, you should know that by now" spoke Yang assuringly.
With a deep sigh the Faunus pulled Yang's hand from her shoulder and grasped it tightly with both of her own. She looked up into those lilac eyes, thinking how to best word what she wanted to say. "I... think I" she started again, "I have a crush on you" she admitted.
"A crush?" asked Yang, a sly smirk appearing on her lips. When she saw that Blake looked away she realised just how serious it may be for the Faunus.
"I'm sorry... It just... happened. When I saw you in that abandoned building... I don't know why..." spoke Blake. "It wasn't meant to happen like this, I'm sorry... We're not even the same race and-"
Yang silenced the Faunus with her voice, the blonde looked unsure at first. "What do you want?" she asked calmly.
Blake peered up to Yang, her expression uncertain, "What do I want?" she repeated her words.
"Yeah, what do you want? A relationship? Like, you know, the lovey dovey kind?" asked Yang bluntly.
The Faunus could barely read the expression on Yang, it seemed almost... determined in a sense, or just plain serious. "I- It's just a crush Yang, I don't expect-" began Blake once more, only to have Yang speak over her again.
"So let's see what happens. If I reject you it's gonna be awkward anyway right? And I don't like... not like you, if that makes sense?" asked Yang as her hand clasped around Blake's.
"But... is that what you want?" came the response.
Yang glanced up at the ceiling, "It's not like it never crossed my mind before or anything. And if you're happy with it, I'm happy with it too" she said, looking back down with a bright smile.
Blake didn't understand, was Yang accepting it for her sake? She had to question it. "But do you like me? Like that I mean" she asked.
"Well you're pretty. And you're smart too. If I was gonna hook up with anyone at Beacon it'd probably be you, so I guess... yeah. Yeah I do" nodded Yang with a grin. It was good enough. Blake wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a relieved hug. Yang returned it, folding her one arm around the back of the Faunus. "But hey, let's take it slow okay? When you think about it you almost hit first base already" added Yang as she referred to Blake's sleeping habits.
The words that Yang spoke told Blake she wasn't fully sure about a relationship, but if she was going to give it a shot then she would make sure she did too and respect her wishes. So long as they could be together. Her heart felt as though it was bursting from her chest. Somehow it had happened, she had entered a relationship with Yang Xiao Long. When she first arrived at Beacon she'd never have imagined this is where she would end up. Her thoughts were interrupted by Yang's voice.
"Oh man, what am I gonna tell Winter?" she asked.
Blake chuckled, "I really don't think she's interested" she replied.
"Really? I could've swore she was" laughed Yang in response.
The two continued to sit upon the bed within their embrace. Blake had rested her head upon Yang's shoulder, her eyes closed as she took pleasure in the experience. This moment would surely burn itself into her thoughts, even if the relationship ended sour. This would always be a fond memory to her. "Thanks Yang" she spoke softly.
"Don't thank me, it's mutual right?" responded Yang. "Though that being said I guess our plans for today are more of a first date now?" she asked, finally pulling from the embrace as Blake did the same. The two locked eyes.
"Second if you count the walk in the park" answered Blake as she simpered.
Yang winked, "Let's hope it ends better huh? Though what do you actually wanna do? Anything planned?" she asked, finally moving herself off of Blake's lap and sitting besides her, facing the TV.
The Faunus once more leaned her head against Yang's, or rather now her girlfriend's shoulder. "Maybe... we could visit the beach?" said Blake.
"Like in swimsuits?" responded Yang.
"No, just a walk. The ocean is nice even if the weather isn't the best lately" came the reply.
Yang nodded, her arm wrapping around the back of the Faunus and tugging her against herself. "Then it's settled, beach date it is. I can't wait to actually have some gossip to text Winter" grinned Yang.
Blake seemed uncertain, "Gossip? Like what...?" she asked nervously.
"I like to tell her what you do in your sleep, or when you think I'm not watching" responded Yang without a care.
The Faunus scowled at Yang, "I should have guessed" she responded. "And what do you mean when I think you're not watching?" she asked.
"Your uh... urge to stop things that move faster than you" answered Yang. Blake looked confused for a moment. "When something like paper trash blows past on the wind you try to stomp on it. Leaves too. And let's not forget that time with the laser back in Beacon" she explained.
"Everyone does that" replied Blake as her eyes shifted away in embarrassment.
"Whatever makes you sleep at night" chuckled Yang. "Oh yeah, don't go getting all touchy feely with that just yet, okay?" she added as Blake lightly slapped at her in response with her hand. "You wanna go now anyway?" asked Yang.
Blake shook her head, "Maybe in an hour or so?" she answered.
Yang nodded, she knew Blake probably just wanted the moment to last a while longer. Herself however? She wasn't truly sure how she felt about Blake. She thought she was attractive sure, but she didn't know if she could ever love her in that way. But she promised herself she would try, if it made Blake happy it would surely be worth it. It was going to be interesting, that was certain. And perhaps even a challenge.
Her scroll vibrated on the bed but she didn't notice it, not even the screen lighting up. The message showed only the sender upon it, Neo.