Y'all here's an update! This is pretty longer and though some parts might be meh, I still hope you'll enjoy this one. I've been insanely busy for the whole month, but now I'm having my semestral break so yay! Btw, to answer a guest's question from the last update regarding if you'll only be able to read from Yang's POV, fret not, pal! Of course I'll take on Mercury's POV as well, in the next chapter, and I'll try to make it more often. Do anticipate though! Hehe ^^;

Frankly, Yang didn't expect Mercury to actually show up, but he did. And he was on time.

"Great! You two look perfect with each other." Ruby joyfully pressed her hands in front of her chest, looking at her sister and then at her 'boyfriend', actually very proud that she was the one who dressed them up, "Now is that a double date? With Blake and her new partner?" she asked, her eyes practically sparkling if it weren't for its silver orbs.

And in all honesty, Yang never expected Ruby would actually find him nice. She can't help but to think that it's going in the wrong way and she might be skeptical about it, because everything was so sudden, but gladly, her sister wasn't really as surprised as she had initially thought of her, instead she was happy for her and already showed a great amount of support.

It felt weird. All of these felt weird. But she knew for sure that one factor is that Mercury can really pull off this one and make it feel all real.

Perfect is such an overstatement, do they really have this chemistry? Coming from Ruby, she wouldn't even have to lie about it. So maybe, they had this strange kind of spark. Yang can feel the cringe all over her body at the thought, "I guess? I guess you call it that way." she said, looking at herself in the clothing store's mirror one more time.

"How can your younger sister have more knowledge about fashion than you do?" Mercury suddenly asked after what it felt like an eternity of being the silent, judgmental type. He turned to Yang as if she had the answer to that, of course her question was directed at her but she just looked at Ruby instead, like a gesture that she should be the one who would explain that.

"Well, you see," Ruby laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck as she avoided two pairs of eyes fixated at her, "I've been with Weiss for almost two years on our dormitory and being the Schnee that she is, she had been into a lot of events be it big or small, and she always brings me over, you know. That means we have to dress formally. I think I've been into parties more than Yang does."

"What parties? Children party? A birthday party?" Yang mocked a laugh, in a sarcastic but joking way. Maybe it was a good thing, because she didn't want to crash a party the moment someone dares touch her.

"Parties you wished you could have witnessed." Ruby retorted back, a few pictures of the places she had been flashing through her mind as she tries to remember them, intentionally sounding like those were the most unforgettable.

"Nah, I'm good, I could turn heads even if I wear a duster."

"Yet here you are, overly conscious of how that dress fits on you." Mercury snickered, if not roll his eyes. He wanted to say how good she looks with that dress, honestly, but he'd rather not.

She knew he won't shut up as long as there is something worthy to comment presented at him, "This is a different story, okay?"

"Whatever you say, blondie."

She sighed, she had always been confident about her looks, but sometimes she can't help but to feel a little different because of her right arm. Her prosthetic arm.

It wasn't an extra weight, in fact it felt real, or maybe she's already used to it. For almost two years now, it had always been there.

"Do you still think I'm pretty mediocre?" she casually asked, turned to face Mercury and then smiled at him. Her smile felt natural, like she wasn't faking anything, though it felt weird on the inside. Getting actually conscious of how she looked like was barely, maybe it was because he said it, but he never would have complained.

"Still mediocre, but I think you'd be the prettiest woman out there if you could just –" he went closer to her and then removed her ponytail, ran a hand through her hair and ruffled it in the best kind of messy way, until his fingers reached her chin, "Better." he smirked afterwards.

Holy shit. Yang can feel her cheeks warm up so quick and she wanted to punch him, hoping she wasn't too obvious feeling so flustered but damn, Mercury's at it again.

She was wearing a white, strapless dress with hardly any prints on it, but with ruffles on its tail end. It was pretty simple, but it looked perfect on her. It was far from her usual, exposing wardrobe that spun men's whims and women questioning their sexuality. This time, she wanted to look at least a bit decent. Flaunting the "blonde bombshell" stereotype still works, after all. And it's not like Mercury would care, really, but for her it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Meanwhile, he was wearing a gray polo shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, unconsciously showing a bit of skin come his collarbone, and black pants that perfectly framed his overall. His silver hair, gelled this instant, streaks were still placed in all the right places and it's even better. He was dashing, Yang repeatedly thought in the back of her mind as she tried to stop herself from saying anything that will push his ego. The fact that their color schemes did really complement each other too was remarkable, and there's no denying in that.

They looked like such a power couple at this point, the kind to attract attention. It's a shame that this whole thing was a pretend, because who would even suspect they're faking it? When they surprisingly create this strong appeal with one another around and no one would turn a blind eye just by looking at them.

"So you like it better with my hair down?" she let out a chuckle, a carefree one. Yang fixed his neck tie, acting like a real girlfriend and she wasn't even hesitant about it.

"Certainly."

But Blake had always preferred her hair in a ponytail, and since the time she was still adjusting with her new hardware, it had been her who styled her hair that way most of the time, sometimes Ruby. It made her then miserable life easier just by that simple act of kindness.

"Oh, it's already past five, we're going to get a cab, sis," Yang turned to look at Ruby and gave her a quick, tight hug, "Thank you so much for helping us, I don't think we'd both get through this thing if it wasn't because of you."

"You're always welcome, sis," Ruby watched them as a cab stopped in front of them, and before they could even go in, "Good luck, you two! And have fun!" she shouted at a distance and waved her hand up high, full of high spirit as the cab withdrew from her sight.

"Yeah, we will." Mercury uttered at Ruby's last words and then looked at Yang, who was already staring at the glass window beside her, seeming like she was already trapped in her own thoughts the moment the engine started to run.

Is something bothering her? It's not like he could care, and he wanted to ask, but of course, he won't and it's better if she would be the one to actually open up.

A thirty-minute cab ride around the vicinity, and no one was initiating any form of conversation, but it didn't felt awkward. Mercury wasn't the kind to speak up first, he'd rather let Yang talk non-stop, and he'd always listen, and would only answer if needed. That kind of set up was present, until the sky was slowly painting into a mixture of vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow, from a simple canvas and the horizon that's going to be a witness in this turning point.

When they arrived at the bay, for a moment Yang wanted to back out from everything and just take her gaze at the waning sun right before her eyes. The view was enthralling and gives off the sentimental vibe, and Mercury wasn't talking either, so she grabbed him by the arm before he could even walk past her. He just looked at her smiling face and wasn't able to protest for he was actually seeing a side of her that was in love with serenity.

"I'm sorry, I was just too carried away," Yang chuckled and lightly shook her head, "but don't you dare deny that the view was beautiful, right?"

"Yeah, but I'd rather stare at the girl in front of me right now."

"Damn you, smooth talker." she jokingly punched him in the arm and he cackled at that, because his punch lines never fail to make her feel so flustered, even the silliest ones.

It wasn't really far from where they were standing when they took sight of the said restaurant. Just a few steps ahead of them, cars of different kinds were parked with tall light posts and benches around every corner. A well-dressed staff in his thirty's met them as the entrance door automatically opened for them, like that of those whenever celebrities were walking in the red carpet. The restaurant was well lit and organized, buffet tables with different foreign and local cuisines were present. There were a majority of couples everywhere, only a few could be identified as families, then a classic band performing on a tiny stage to perfectly sum it all.

Blake and Sun were already sitting on a round table, enjoying each other's lone company, watching the performers play the usual, classic Sonata while waiting for them. Blake looked absolutely gorgeous, while Sun is a charming one, too.

Mercury saw the raven-haired girl with a bow on top of her head, waving her hand at their direction as if she was so pleased of their presence, "Was that them?" he asked and softly nudged his elbow at Yang.

"Uh, yeah." she gulped, realizing how she had to endure all of the pretend, from her relationship caught up on a date with a person she barely knew, and having to see the girl she likes being so affectionate to someone that's not her. It makes her sick, especially with the number of people around, it was a stupid move.

"You don't seem happy." he can't help but to spurt, somehow, it just came out of his mouth. It didn't bother him at all, but he'd try his best to make it all work out.

"No, I'm – I'm fine." Yang tried to smile, and waved her hand back at her bestfriend. At the moment, doing that felt heavy especially when Blake's not with her.

She was fine being with Mercury, that was the truth but at the same time, deep inside she's afraid of some things that might develop over time. Including "feelings" she never wanted, but a lot more complicated.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, not a tone of concern or anything, but just a plain question like asking a someone how are they just to comply with the conversation.

"Honestly, I am," she admitted, biting her bottom lip for a second, "But just a bit."

He clicked his tongue and then sighed, of course he already had noticed that beforehand, especially the lack of enthusiasm in her eyes, "I knew it."

"Well…"

"If you're not happy with what you're about to see, or do, then let's just hit up some cheap diners out there." Mercury suggested as if that wasn't a bad idea enough, "Just the two of us."

She raised an eyebrow at him, and then laughed, "We can't just ditch them like that."

"Why not? We'd be like a runaway couple, spontaneous and shit like that." he motioned his hands in the air, pushing his suggestion henceforth because if he should be honest, he'd prefer to do his own thing at a much smaller, even convenient place for him.

Yang shrugged, a curve on the edge of her lips unconsciously forming, "You know what, honestly, I would love to do that after this."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Mercury took a pause in walking, finally letting his arm free for her to clutch until they meet the other two at the far end.

"You're not leaving me, right?" Yang gently held him with an amusingly light weight, countering his gaze with equal…solicitude? The way she stared at his dark, stormy orbs seemed like it was asking for his approval. Approval of what? For him to stay with her until the rest of the night? Maybe.

"What makes you think I'll do that?" being the jerk ass that he was, it was no surprise Yang would think of something like that for him to do. Mercury can't help but to feel that she was a bit mean for her to say such, although surely that's not what she was trying to say, and she never meant it to be an offense but there was a tiny part of him that took it the wrong way.

It was a common misconception, admittedly Mercury doesn't have a lot of friends for the most obvious reasons, but he's not one to leave especially with the people who got to stick with him and stood by him no matter how obnoxious or insufferable he could be. Emerald was a perfect example of that, and look at his utmost loyalty.

"Because I'm afraid I'll fuck this up." she didn't even have to deny it. Mercury can feel how her grip on him tightened as she spoke, and he let out a sigh.

"Don't say that." he said and then started to walk again, initiating her to move on her feet as well and it was like a brave move, him inwardly telling her to 'just face them and do it'.

And there it was.

"Oh, Yang, I'm so glad you made it!" Blake greeted them with a seemingly infectious good mood contrary to what she was wearing at the moment. Everything was black, and from the looks of it, Mercury can tell she was a complete opposite of Yang.

"Yeah, well I'd like to use this opportunity to introduce my boyfriend to you guys." Yang showed them a very candied smile. Her rosy cheeks were so visible and those cute trail of freckles along her nose line, Mercury can't help but to notice those details as she leaned her face closer to him, seeming like she was about to whisper sweet nothings in his ear.

Instead he cleared his throat, and he can't fake a smile for shit, so he didn't even bother trying, "Mercury."

"I'm Blake, it's nice to meet you." she offered him a handshake with both hands and it took him at least thirty seconds before he returned the gesture with a forced mature, dramatic feel to it, which didn't suit him if it weren't because of his get up.

"It's nicer to finally meet Yang's most treasured friend." Fuck formalities! He wanted to blurt it out right in front of them because he was never used to stuff like that, and it would have been way better if they will just disregard the fact that they have to be formal. All. The. Time. The locality of their choice is already too restricting, so if he would be given a chance to be spared from being too prim and proper, he would owe them his life.

"I'm happy to hear that. Oh, my boyfriend's named Sun. Is this all just pure co-incidence?" Blake held her mouth to stop herself from chuckling due to the information. He thought that Yang must have never mentioned his name before because of the flustered look on her face. What a small universe.

He smirked and then took a quick glance at Yang, "I think not."

"Hey, dude. You've got some good necktie in there." Sun stood closer to Blake but moved a little forward in front of him. Instead of offering a handshake as well, he proposed a fist bump which clearly indicated that he didn't liked being too formal either.

"Yeah, thanks, I like it too. My girl picked it." they exchanged courteous nods with one another and then finally took their awaited seats. Mercury, for a moment, had to think if he needs to act gentlemanly towards Yang, or just keep it cool.

Luckily enough, even though the publicity sucked, this was a buffet restaurant after all. He didn't have to wait for a waiter, hand them their menu books and then pick some expensive crap that will take ages to get served, sometimes not even worth its price value.

Sun told them to go at the buffet table whenever they want or maybe follow them, because he will be accompanying Blake in getting their anticipated meals, whispering how hungry he already was before they stood up again.

"What now?" Yang folded her arms in front of her chest, her tone came out as something that he could tell was chaffing and she was so surprised to see Mercury's attention on his phone – playing mobile games.

"What 'what now'?" he managed to reply, but wasn't looking at her like she wasn't even there. He was about to lift a leg in his chair when Yang held his wrist as if that was her way of chastising him and all he could do is to take a long breath.

She let out a low grunt, "Can you please keep your phone?" Yang glared at him, brows almost knitted in between because she's not dealing with whatever this antic of him might be.

Mercury calmly put down his phone on his lap, then met her eyes with the same stare she gave and that caught her off guard, "And I should because?"

"Damn it, Mercury," she let him go as a sign of defeat, looking at her trembling hand and then took a deep breath before she spoke again, "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Not yet hungry." he shrugged while darting his vision to anywhere but her. He's now showing his childish insolence once again without the other pair around and he might be doing this on purpose or not, he's not sure himself, or that's just how it is.

"Then let me eat!" Yang stood up, grabbed him by the sleeves and he snorted at the reaction. Mercury just shook his head as she started to head on the buffet table, "Is that how you hold your boyfriend? Don't you think it should be like this?" he took the opportunity to see the flustered look on her face again when he held her hand, her real one.

Yang's eyes almost widened, mouth almost gaping but was quick to compose herself and pretend the act didn't even made her gulp. Her cheeks heating up for a moment that was made obvious thanks to the small amount of blush-on she had put on earlier.

He wasn't even surprised how cold her hand was, instead he was a lot more surprised with the fact she didn't protest but held him tighter, like she was trying so hard to return the warmth he gave. Mercury sighed, he was right about how she felt all this time.

They only separated their hands (without them subconsciously not wanting to let go) when they got their plates and pick a dish of their liking. Yang eyed the Fettuccine while Mercury went with the appetizer already, skipping whatever carbohydrates was in front of him.

When they got back, Blake and Sun were talking and it wasn't long before they noticed their presence as well. They waited for them to take their seat, and that's when Blake decided to speak, "Would you mind sharing how the two of you met? I'm just surprised, she never told me anything about you not until now." those pair of cat-like eyes visibly share the same curiosity Mercury had on why the hell Yang likes this girl so much, maybe he wanted to read through her.

He was already expecting for her to ask but not this soon, and felt like he got choked in his own saliva by the suddenness of it but then again, he has his own retort with that, "On the contrary, she talks about you most of the time, but I guess you could say that she's such a good friend."

Blake turned to her direction and smiled, "Really? That was so cute of you, Yang."

"Uh, thanks." Yang gripped her fork before she could even open her mouth to eat, responding with a monotonic tone without even looking back at her.

Mercury cleared his throat before something awkward fills the air again, "Anyway, of course, Yang and I met at a gym. She's invincible, and you certainly won't get a beauty like hers two at a time, right? But I had the lucky catch." he stated proudly like it was real, and he wasn't wrong. It may be true that they really met at the gym, but damn if he doesn't make it work.

"Gym? That's so cool! I mean, that says a lot about the foundation of your relationship, but for how long have you been together?"

"Does it matter?" he raised his eyebrow, glanced at Sun as well like that question was unforgivable, "I mean, probably not longer than the two of you, but it felt like we're already married." he sneered, and that caused laughter between the couple before he knew it.

Yang chuckled, not expecting that he was actually the one keeping this conversation going and how, surprisingly, could he get both Blake and Sun's attention on him, "As you can see, Mercury can be really presumptuous but you know, he's just like that."

"That was good to hear, there's nothing wrong about being presumptuous. Well, in a matter of right timing we're getting there. Blake is such a wife material, I can't ask for more." Sun held Blake's hand fervently, and she can clearly see her cheeks flushing with red as she smiled, acknowledging the comment. Why the fuck do they keep on doing this?

"Well, Yang's different. She's not one to sit up her ass at home, and she'd rather get going and dirty and that's one of the things I like about her." Mercury quipped back at him as if they were on a 'who's the better girlfriend' challenge going on.

"I'm beyond happy to know that Yang's actually dating someone right now, words can't express enough." Blake kept her feeling of delight all the while she spoke, "You're really lucky and I wish you wouldn't hurt her. I mean, I'm not saying you will but, that's inevitable." he knew she was only being discreet as Yang's longtime bestfriend, of course, but that didn't stop him from arrogantly snickering, if only she knew well enough.

Oh, please. Mercury hissed, "It could have been you," it was supposed to be in his head, but thought out loud. When he noticed Blake was deliberately looking at him with a big question mark on her face, and Yang uncomfortably silent, he continued, "I mean, I know, thanks for reminding me but you don't have to. If I had someone like her I wouldn't let her go, lest hurt her. That's the last thing I'll ever do."

How could those words escape through his mouth like everything was real? It didn't felt like he was only acting. Yang can't help but think, and she wanted to ask him so many things that she wanted answers, but knows she had to wait for the right chance. He barely knew her, and she barely knew him. She'll never admit how she wanted to get to know him more, to be his real friend, act like one without thinking how they had to fake anything. Yang's sure of one thing though, is that Mercury's an enigma waiting to be disclosed. There's more about him than his smugness, witty comebacks and smooth punchlines. Maybe they had something in common after all, and she can't wait to figure it out.