Blake sleepily opened her eyes, awakening from a pleasant dream starring an exceptionally beautiful blonde, and looked over to the clock that particular blonde had left on the coffee table for her. It was already past 5, way later than Yang typically let her sleep. Ever since that first day with the mysteriously charitable baker, Yang had awakened her around 4:30 everyday.
That first morning had been disconcerting. The world was soft and warm, and her ears weren't constrained by multiple layers of hats and scarves. Someone was softly rubbing her arm. Eyes flashing open, she was mesmerized by the exquisite lavender orbs only a few decimeters away from her.
'Time to wake up, Blakey.' The blonde smiled down at her.
'Blakey?' A small warmth glowed in her chest at hearing the nickname.
'Yup.' Yang replied with her signature popped 'p'. 'Time to help me get everything baked for today. I left you some clothes in the bathroom, breakfast is in 5 minutes.'
The last few days had followed the same pattern. Yang would wake her up and Blake would assist her in her morning baking. Even though she had never done anything like it before, she was rather pleased with how fast she was picking things up. Starting with small things, like measuring flour, Yang slowly moved her to mixing, or even working the dough. Most of the finer aspects were still handled by the baker, but with the way Yang would compliment and smile at her whenever she did something right, Blake was intent on learning everything the blonde had to teach.
After baking, the normal day would begin, which Blake would also help with. Like the first day, she did everything from sweeping and bussing, to ringing up customers and delivering orders. Despite the bitter cold outside, the shop was always busy from open to close. Always in constant motion, Blake would occasionally bump into the blonde, contact that always sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
Still recovering from her time on the streets, the fast-paced work exhausted her, so when the end of business hours came, so did her sigh of relief. She truly did enjoy working at the bakery, especially since everyone was so polite to her, despite her constantly exposed cat ears.
Yang would always shower first while Blake did one last sweep of the bakery. Then she dismissed Blake to go shower and get the couch and TV ready for another movie night, while the blonde would make them both dinner. Despite Yang's obvious skill at baked goods, Blake found it amazing how bad she was at cooking anything else. Dinner was usually things like mac and cheese, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The one time the baker had tried to be fancy, Blake was treated to an earsplitting cacophony of smoke detectors.
Blake would cuddle up next to the blonde, and always seemed to fall asleep before her. The next morning she would wake up tucked in on the couch with Yang standing over her.
Despite all of the attention the blonde lavished on her, Yang never did anything overtly flirty. Yang didn't ever talk about dating and Blake never asked, mostly out of fear of finding out an answer she didn't like. So she continued to make herself indispensable over the last few days helping Yang run the little bakery, a duty that she was now late to.
Rolling off the couch, she grabbed one of the sets of clothing Yang had purchased for her. Despite her constant protests, Yang had bought her several outfits for baking and normal daywear.
Arriving in the bathroom, she was puzzled by the lack of dampness. Yang had not showered this morning, which means she hadn't worked out. Did she wake up late as well?
Ever since Blake had been staying with the baker, Yang would wake even earlier than her to go to the gym down the block to workout before she started the rest of the day. Coming back, Yang would start up the ovens before going to take a shower. That is, as she found out later, how Blake had managed to get in the first morning. Yang had forgotten to lock the door upon returning, and Blake had slipped into the kitchen as the blonde went to shower.
Smiling to herself as she realized how much happiness that mistake had given her, she began to get dressed. Donning simple, loose pants and a black tank top, she put her hair up in a ponytail and left her feet bare, a habit she had picked up from Yang. She headed back out into the living room, down the stairs, and through the bakery on the first floor, arriving inside the kitchen.
"Mornin'." Blake perked up a little as she spotted the very awake baker sitting at the island in the kitchen. The sight of Yang, and heavenly smell of her cooking, started to boost the faunus' energy levels.
"Good morning to you too!" The blonde got off her stool and pounced on the sleepy faunus, giving her an exuberant hug. "I made bacon and hashbrowns. No eggs though."
"No eggs?"
"I may have dropped them."
She snickered. "All of them?"
"Hey look, bacon and hashbrowns."
Sighing to herself, the faunus made her way around the island and peeked into the garbage can. At the bottom lay the shattered remains of several dozen eggs.
"Is this why you aren't baking this morning?"
"Nope!" Came an enthusiastic reply from the blonde. "Today's New Year's Eve. The shop's closed all day."
"That explains why I got to sleep in this morning."
"I was going to wake you up, but you looked so adorable. Did you know you smile when you sleep?"
Blake immediately blushed. She didn't always smile while sleeping. She just happened to be having a very nice dream about a particular blonde.
"Thanks?"
"No problem." Yang flashed her a wink that made her heart flutter.
Quickly downing the baker's delicious cooking, Blake began to work on the pans and dishes in the sink.
"Don't worry about them." Yang beckoned to her.
Hesitantly leaving the dirty dishes where they were, Blake eagerly followed the taller woman, unsure of what laid in store.
Leaving out the kitchen and up the stairs, Yang flopped down on one side of the couch, leaving the faunus to stand by herself.
"Come sit, Blakey! Since we are going out tonight, we're going to have a movie morning."
Studying the couch, she was unsure of where to sit. From the first night and onwards, she was always the first to sit down, and wherever she was sitting just happened to be 'Yang's spot'. Because of the blonde's antics, they always seemed to be pressed against each other on the couch no matter how much room was on either side of them.
Now, Yang was already sitting on one side of the couch with a very intent, inquisitive look on her face. It was almost predatory, as though Blake's next move was incredibly important.
Seizing a small thread of boldness, Blake sat herself up against the blonde, pressing her against the side of the couch. She was instantly rewarded with one of the Yang's arms linking through hers.
"Hope you're comfortable." Yang pressed the play button, causing the movie to start with a large fanfare. "We're going to watch the whole original Star Wars trilogy. And with none of that 'special edition' junk. Prepare to have your world rocked."
"More comfortable than I've ever been." She wrapped her arms around Yang's and laid her head on the blonde's shoulder. Humming contentedly to herself she hoped these movies were as great as Yang said they were.
"You fell asleep!" Yang crossed her arms and turned away from her, pretending to look offended.
Blake was still a little drowsy, recently have being poked awake. Due to her new habit of constantly waking up early, instead of her previous habit of sleeping during the day, she was so exhausted she fell asleep on Yang soon after the second movie had started. Now they were dressed and ready to go 'out'. To where, she didn't know, the Baker refused to tell her the plan for the day.
"I'm sorry." Blake played into her game. "You're just so…" She managed to stop herself before she accidentally gave away her secret feeling for the other woman.
"I'm just so what?" Yang leaned forward with a fake menacing glare, so their noses were almost touching.
A flurry of butterflies erupted in her stomach at Yang's proximity. Backing up, Blake turned away hiding the blush on her face.
"I can't help myself. You're just so… warm."
"You can borrow my warmth any time you want." Yang teased at her. With Blake still too flustered to respond, several long seconds passed by.
"Are you ready to go?" Blake felt Yang's soft touch on her shoulder, turning her to face back towards the blonde.
"Not quite. I don't think these clothes will be warm enough." She looked down at what she was wearing. From her own experiences on the street, the one sweatshirt she wore was too thin.
"Here, wear this." Yang held out a large puffy coat with the other hand. It was so much nicer and newer than the wool and canvas she was used too.
Putting the coat on, she noticed that it fit her perfectly. As it was too small to fit Yang she realized the baker had to have bought it for her.
"Yang… you didn't have too."
"I know, but I wanted you to come with me today." Yang grabbed her by the hand and lead her to the door. "It'll be fun."
"No." She pulled back against Yang's grasp as an icy blast washed over her. She hadn't been outside again since she had first arrived at the bakery. She thought she would be ok, but now, faced with the thought of being back in the cold, her resolve crumbled.
"I don't want to be outside, I don't want to be cold."
"Blakey." Yang looked at her with concern. "If you want to stay in, I understand and I'll stay with you. But, I promise, I won't let you be cold again. I want you to come with me."
Glancing between the ice and snow outside the door and the radiant blonde standing next to her, she quickly made up her mind. Burrowing under Yang's arm and against her side Blake peered up at the taller woman.
"I'll come with you."
"Good!" Yang replied with a chirp.
Blake felt the blonde grab her hand and pull her out the door, locking it behind the two of them, and they proceeded down the sidewalk. Despite the clear sky and the early afternoon sunlight, the chilly wind rushed down the street, buffeting the two women.
Instinctively pulling close to the blonde, Blake noticed things weren't as they used to be. They walked through ice and snow, yet Blake did not feel cold.
Elated at this new experience she let out a small chuckle, to which Yang's response was to pull her closer.
Slowly making their way down the street, the blonde eventually pushed open the door of building, leading Blake into a small restaurant. As they seated themselves, a waitress came to take their order. Unsure of what to get, Yang quickly ordered for the both of them.
"What did you get me?" She shot Yang a confused look.
"You'll see." The blonde winked back. "But I'm sure you'll find it purr-fect."
Blake did a double take.
"Did you just say that?"
"Yup!" Yang replied cheerfully popping the 'p'.
Yang's response astounded her. She had been teased many times before. Most of the time they were vicious taunts, though many had more subtle jokes about her feline nature. Yang had teased her so easily without any anger or malice. It was almost like the blonde was showing her affection in a way.
"Your tuna melts." The waitress returned, placing two plates before both of them.
Blake's mouth immediately began to water. Tuna had always been her favorite, at least the few times she could beg for enough money to buy it.
She immediately snatched it up and began tearing through the melt while Yang picked up hers, nibbling on it at a much more measured pace, a look of amusement on her face.
Small patches of conversation filled the few moments Blake wasn't eating. She finished first, then quickly ordered second, in record time. Finally, the third that Yang ordered for her was enough. Unable to finish it, Yang picked up the last bit and popped it into her mouth.
Finishing their meal, Yang paid and once more took Blake by the hand, leading her out of the restaurant and down the street, continuing away from the bakery. Instead, they seemed to be heading into a nicer part of the city. A part Blake had never been to. The homeless were commonly arrested, and she doubted any Faunus owned a house in this area.
"Yang, where are we going?" She inquired, slowing her pace in apprehension.
"To a friend's." Yang shot her a concerned glance. "Are you alright?"
"I've never been to this part of the city before, I've only heard that I shouldn't."
"Don't worry, you'll be fine!" The blonde switched to a grin. "My friends are going to love you!"
Continuing to trust in the baker, Blake continued in step. As they walked deeper into the neighborhood, they came up to a rather nice house with a white and light blue decor. As Yang pulled her up to the door, she fished her keys out of her pocket and unlocked it.
Stepping inside, they began to strip their coats, shoes, and gloves, stowing them in a nearby closet. As the door closed the sound of a heavy set of footfalls rushed towards them. Looking up, a flash of motion caught Blake's eye as a blur streaked into the arms of her companion.
"Yaaaaaaaannnnnggggggg!"
"Rubbles!"
Taking a step back, she saw Yang tightly hugging a short girl with shoulder-length black hair with red tips. Judging by the new girl's shortness, and the giant rose design on her sweatshirt, she must have been the source of the leggings Blake had worn that first day.
The enthusiasm between Yang and the short girl, their large grins, and the way 'Rubbles' clung to Yang saddened her. The amount of affection between the duo was immediately noticeable. Blake's heart dropped. Of course someone as energetic and kind as Yang would already have a girlfriend.
"Blakey!" Yang turned to her, causing her to force a smile out. "I want you to meet someone, you may know them by their affinity for roses."
The short girl detached herself from Yang and beamed a familiar, radiant smile towards her. Her silver eyes gleamed brightly as she stuck out a hand.
"Hello, Blake. I'm Ruby!"
"Hello, Ruby." She continued to force out her smile as she took the black-and-red haired girl's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet Yang's girlfriend."
Ruby stared at her for a brief second before bursting out in a snorting laughter, Yang chuckling with her own musical tones soon after.
"Yang's not my girlfriend." Ruby was laughing so hard she was doubled over while Yang had slid down the wall she was leaning on and was now sitting on the floor, also laughing. "She's my sister!"
"Your sister?" Blake's mood perked up instantly, maybe Yang was single.
"Yup!" Yang replied, still sitting against the wall. "Ruby-doo here is my baby sister."
"Yaaaang." Ruby complained rather pathetically.
"What's going on out here?" A harsh tone filled the air as the padding of feet approached them.
Looking over to the newcomer, Blake's blood froze. Before her stood a Schnee with an annoyed look on her face. She didn't know much about the Schnees, except for the family's atrocious reputation for discrimination and violence towards faunus. She had never seen this particular girl before, but she had the trademark ice-blue eyes and pure white hair.
"Look, Weissy" Ruby dashed over to the white-haired girl, embracing her with the same enthusiasm she showed Yang, as Blake unconsciously took a step back. "Meet Blake! She's Yang's friend!"
As Weiss freed herself from Ruby's grasp, she closed the distance, causing the faunus to take another step back. Despite being taller than Weiss, she felt wholly intimidated as ice-blue eyes fixed onto hers.
"Hello, Blake." She held out a thin hand in a dainty manner that drastically clashed with Yang and Ruby's energy. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I…" Blake stuttered as her voice caught in her throat. Then she realized. Every single person she had met stared at her ears before looking at her eyes. Weiss had not even glanced upwards. It was as though her cat ears didn't exist even though they were on full display.
Maybe the Schnees had an undeserved reputation.
"It's nice to meet you too, Weiss-y?"
"It's just Weiss." The white-haired girl blushed slightly and turned away. "Only Ruby can call me that."
"What about me, Weeiiiisssyyyy?" Yang finally managed to regain her composure and joined the conversation.
As the blonde teased the short girl, Yang leaned over, bringing her face within a few centimeters of Weiss'. Blake felt a twinge of jealousy pierce her heart. How she longed for Yang to be that close to her.
Weiss' eyes flicked to hers and back to Yang's with an almost imperceptible motion and Blake could have sworn she saw a small smile grace the Schnee's lips.
"Get away from me, you brute." Weiss gave Yang a small shove before holding out a hand to Ruby, who eagerly took it up. "Come on, Dolt. Scarlet is making strawberry daiquiris."
As the duo retreated, Yang snarked at them. "If she gets so drunk she pukes, you're taking care of her, Frosty!"
"That was interesting." Blake finally managed to relax and turned to Yang who was grinning at her.
"You mean Weiss?" Yang rubbed the back of her neck with one hand. "She may seem cold, but she has a big soft spot if you can find it. Thank Oum she met Ruby though. She used to be as stuck up as the rest of her family."
"So they're…?"
"Dating? Yup. Don't tell Weiss I said it, but it was the best thing that could ever happen to either of them. Ruby taught Weiss how to live, and Weiss helps Ruby stay focused." Yang broke out in a soft chuckle. "I must sound like some sort of proud mother instead of a sister."
"Not at all." Blake smiled back. " I lo-like how caring you are."
Yang gave her a wink. "Come on, let's join the party. You'll love everyone here."
"As long as it's with you." Blake mumbled under her breath, too quiet for the energetic blonde to hear as she followed Yang into the living room.
As she stepped into the spacious room, she notice how different it was from Yang's setup at the bakery. To the left was the kitchen, cabinets, drawers, stove, oven, and washer lining three walls with a small island. Straight ahead was a nook with a table capable of seating at least 10 people. Finally, on the right, was a slightly lowered room three stairs down from the kitchen and dining table. The living room area had a small bar tucked on the left, a large TV straight ahead, and several couches and recliners. While there were a few people in the kitchen or sitting at the table, most of the people were either crowded around the bar or seated around the TV.
Immediately upon entering into the kitchen, a man with blue hair handed both her and Yang drinks before returning back to the bar where a red haired man was mixing drinks.
"Thanks, Neptune!" Yang cheered after him and turned to Blake. "Oh, you're probably not used to alcohol. You should take it slow, Blakey.
Tentatively taking a sip of the pink drink in her hands, Blake was pleasantly surprised at the taste. It was fruity and tasted of strawberries. She guessed it was one of the daiquiris Weiss had mentioned before.
"It's delicious!" Blake smiled up at the taller woman. "Does all alcohol taste like this?"
Yang let out a small chuckle. "Not quite. I'm glad you are enjoying it though. C'mon, let's introduce you to everyone."
Blake sipped her drink as Yang pulled her around, introducing her to her various friends. She was amazed at their reactions. Unlike the patrons at the bakery, everyone acted much like Weiss did. They didn't even appear to glance at her cat ears at all, though a few made a comment on how pretty they were.
It wasn't until she was halfway through introductions that she realized the kind of company she was in.
"Neon!" Yang pulled her over to a tiny girl with orange hair pulled into twin-tails and lurid clothing. "I want you to meet Blake!"
As Blake inspected the girl in front of her she noticed the tail flicking around behind Neon.
"You're a faunus?" Blake blurted out in surprise.
"Of course I am!" Neon swirled from side to side, the small cat faunus seemingly unable to stand still. "And so are you! Though I'd trade my tail for ears in an instant if I knew that's what Yang liked more." Neon flashed the blonde a wink.
While Blake bristled at the other faunus' implication, both Yang and Neon burst out laughing before hugging.
"It's good to see you again, Neon." Yang smiled and pulled away. "Though where's Flynt? I haven't seen him at all."
"He's on a beer run with Sage and Sun. They should be back soon!" Neon turned and flashed a wink towards Blake as well. "Your friend is so beautiful, better keep her away from my Flynt!"
Taken aback by the other faunus' comment, her heart was put at ease. Continuing to sip at her drink, she zoned out as Neon and Yang chatted. Eventually Ruby came and pulled her over to introduce her to more people.
While she was making the rounds with her new enthusiastic guide, three more men joined the party carrying cases of bottles. Blake was shocked to see that one of the three was also a faunus, a lively monkey tail swinging behind the blond.
Could she have actually found a place that accepts faunus as readily as they did humans? Was finding Yang the answer to everything she had been looking for? The warmth, the friends, the… love.
Throughout the night, most of the time she was with the wonderful warmth she knew as Yang. While sometimes they were separated, Blake never felt alone. All of the other people here, Yang's family and friends, readily accepted her as their own. She talked, joked, and even played a game that involved trying to throw a small white ball into the other teams red cups, drinking the bitter contents of her own cups if her opponents made the ball into hers. While she greatly prefered the daiquiris she had earlier, she was having too much fun to care.
As the hours crept onwards, she looked up to see Weiss and Ruby beckoning her into the kitchen.
"Can I touch your ears?" Ruby slurred out, as Blake approached the duo, the night's drink apparently starting to affect her judgement.
"Dolt!" Weiss gave the younger girl a healthy smack on the back of the head. "That's not what we wanted to talk to her about. I'm sure she wants Yang to touch her ears first anyways."
Blake immediately blushed at the idea of the blonde's warm touch slowly caressing the soft fur that covered her ears.
"What?" Ruby's face contorted in confusion before brightening up. "Oh. OH! Right! That would be awesome! You're so cool Blake! You and Ya- mmph!"
Weiss slapped her hand over the younger girl's mouth. "I'm sorry, she gets overly excited. But, if it means anything, you have my approval as well."
"Your what?"
"My approval. To date Yang." The white-haired girl replied. "I've known Yang for three years now, and ever since I started dating that overly-energetic bundle of energy she calls a sister, Yang has been single. No boyfriends or girlfriends, no dates or meetups.
"Between her work, and caring for Ruby, a task she still seems to not wholly trust me with." Weiss looked indignant for a second. "No one has been able to catch her eye. That makes you an extraordinary woman, Blake. Don't let that opportunity go to waste."
"Good luck, Blake!" Ruby cheered as Weiss began to tug her away. "I've never seen Yang as happy as when she is looking at you."
"Come on, Dolt." Weiss hissed at the short girl. "It's almost midnight."
Looking past the red and white duo, Blake noticed everyone starting to congregate around the TV with drinks in their hands. Everyone had their partner. Weiss and Ruby, Ren and Nora, Pyrrha and Jaune, Velvet and Yatsuhashi, Coco and Fox, Neptune and Scarlet, Neon and Flynt, Sun and Octavia, Sage and Dew. All except for Yang.
Yang. The woman who let her into her life. The woman who let her feel safe for the first time in years. The woman who gave her a purpose. The woman who exuded so much warmth and happiness. Blake was almost overcome every time she was in her presence. The woman who was now beckoning for her.
Hurrying over to the blonde, Blake's stomach erupted into a flurry of butterflies. Allowing herself to be pulled in close by the taller woman, she peered up in Yang's lilac eyes.
"Hey, Blakey." Yang smiled down at her, multiplying the butterflies she felt to an almost intolerable level. "It's almost midnight. Have you made your resolution yet?"
"I've never made a resolution before."
"It's easy! Think of something you would like to change about your life, and then make a plan to follow through."
"I guess…" Blake hesitated. She had never really been in the position to desire something besides food and warmth. She felt so guilty that Yang continuously showed her kindness, generosity she did not deserve. She needed to find a way to repay the blonde, and be less of a burden to her.
"I want you to stay at the bakery with me." Yang blurted out suddenly, cutting her out of her thoughts.
"What?" Blake stared directly into the taller girl's eyes. "Why are you being so nice to me? I don't understand."
"Because, from the moment I saw you, I was in love. I saw past all of the dirt and tattered clothing, the anger and hopelessness. You needed a home and a heart, and I had both. I knew you would feel guilty and leave without a reason to stay, so I just kept giving you things to do. You never had to feel like your food or showers were free, because you were helping me at the bakery."
Yang pulled her into a tight hug.
"I don't think I could bear it if you left now. You weren't the only person who needed to find a heart."
"Yang, I…"
'10… 9… 8… 7…' The countdown had begun, they were almost to a new year. A year of hope and warmth for her, not the cold and misery she had known.
"I'm staying with you."
'3… 2… 1...
Allowing Yang to pull her close again she felt the blonde's lips press against her own. The fire that erupted in her from the contact made a promise to her. As long as she was with Yang, she would never be cold again.
"Happy New Year, Blakey. I love you."
Part two of this wonderful BumblebY story!
A lot later than the Holiday it takes place in, but better late than never.
Hope you enjoyed this! If you guys like it enough, there is one more part that I was thinking about adding.
As always, fav, follow, review. Let me know how it was.