That feeling, an odd mixture of belonging and intruder, such an oxymoron, but it was exactly how Yang felt in that moment
Standing next to a reticent Blake as soft conversation drifted from Weiss and Ruby standing in line ahead of them. Their voices, though loud enough to hear, didn't really grant Yang an opportunity to join. Speaking of common classes, which Yang had never taken, or projects Yang couldn't remember doing in her earlier years at the university left little for her to respond with other than a couple cursory head nods to show she was listening. It was at least more than Blake supplied; her eyes took in the others in line with them, or glued to her phone. Had she not been standing directly beside Yang, it would look as if she was in line alone.
Ruby warned her that Blake was a quiet one, but she witnessed her at least contributing to conversations during the game night a few weeks ago. Finding her completely mute was unnerving. It made Yang feel as if she was the reason for the girl's silence. If she'd declined the last minute invite from Ruby, would Blake then be jumping in to scold Ruby for her lack of interest in a class like Weiss? Would she be complaining at the unfair workload of their English Professor as Ruby was now doing? Without knowing much about her, she didn't think Blake would be one to take part in the latter
The text asking her to join them at the movies had surprised but delighted her. She enjoyed hanging out with Ruby, and Weiss was growing on her. Knowing Blake was a part of the 'us' in Ruby's text closed the deal had she been feeling any reservations about doing so. Something about the soft spoken, book-lover drew Yang's attention. And being invited, included, was a great feeling. Too bad the girl responsible for her immediate acceptance was now the reason Yang wished she'd refused. The blanketed silence set Yang's anxiety aflutter
"Are you looking forward to the movie?" Yang asked when her agitated nerves demanded she do something .
Startled at the sudden question directed at her, Blake's eyes spun from the man behind them to meet hers, lips parted in a small gasp. Yang allowed her time to process the question, forcing the smile to remain, hoping it looked encouraging and not nervous like she felt inside. Sticking both hands in the pockets of her hoodie didn't stop her fingers from twitching, but she hoped it was enough to hide her unease.
Blake shrugged after a moment, tipping her chin to Ruby. "She is."
"Do you not want to watch it?" She thought it polite to ask, since Blake's attitude wasn't giving the impression she was enjoying the outing.
"I didn't say that." Blake returned her attention to her phone.
They fell into another lull. Frustrated, Yang settled for the secret glances easily accomplished, as Blake's attention was elsewhere, her eyes ever flitting to one thing or another. It was on one of those covert looks that Yang witnessed an almost imperceptible shiver and realized, not for the first time, that Blake was only wearing a long sleeved shirt. It wasn't a cold night, but standing outside in one way for as long as they had been was obviously causing Blake discomfort.
Only hesitating for a split second before removing her hoodie. "Here," and at Blake's questioning look, "You looked a little cold. And I don't know how long we are going to be stuck out here." She turned her attention ahead of them only to see the line remain unmoving
"I couldn't-"
"Yang doesn't get cold. Like ever." Ruby spoke up, having heard the exchange. "She's like a natural heater, I swear. When we were younger we would go camping and we would share a tent." Ruby groaned dramatically, waving her arm towards Yang. "After the first night I always demanded my own sleeping bag because I was dying a slow, excruciating burning de-"
"Ruby." Yang gritted, teeth clenched.
"Oh," she laughed. "Anyway, she won't need the sweater. You should take it if you're cold."
Blake still looked wary, but Yang could see the way her feet shuffled and her body swayed from side to side trying to create some kind of heat. "I'm fine," she finally replied.
Discouraged but too proud to fully give up, Yang tied the sweater loosely around her waist. She knew Blake was cold and knew she could use the hoodie, but she was just being stubborn. If Blake wasn't going to take her offer then neither of them would get to wear it. She could be stubborn too.
The line shuffled forward and a collective murmur rang up from the crowd. It was short lived as a group of six walked bashfully down the line, waving apologies as their departure was the only reason for the progression. A chill wind, barely noticed by Yang, caused Blake to rub at her arms; Ruby and Weiss were too engrossed in a conversation about a chemistry lab to notice. Yang was sure both would have admonished her for refusing the hoodie if they had, but she didn't know Blake well enough to tease her the way the other two could. Conversation seemed to be more than she wanted from her, taking it any further was a boundary Yang just did not want to cross.
There was a yell from across the street, drawing Yang's attention, and she turned to find Pyrrha across the way. She lifted her arm in greeting and it was returned. Yang could see Nora and Ren trailing her. The trio rounded a corner and were soon out of sight. A vibration against her hip pulled a smile from her. Knowing exactly who was texting her she pulled the phone from her pocket.
'Are you on a double date with Ruby?' it read.
Shaking her head she shot back a quick negative and promised to fill her in the next day. It didn't stop Pyrrha from wishing her luck, followed by a winking emoji. A bemused snort weaseled its way out at Pyrrha's teasing as Yang was about to turn back to the group. Even if she wasn't involved in a conversation it was still awkward to have her back to them
Before she could fully turn a pair of hands were placed on her hips, stilling her movement. She buried her initial reaction of slapping them away. These weren't the usual hands that groped her ass sometimes in crowds. In fact, they were staying a pretty safe distance from any of the zones horny guys typically went after. Arms reached further, wrapping around her waist, and upon further perusal she recognized the watch on the left wrist as belonging to Blake. Yang could feel her body heat caressing her back as she leaned close. She forced her knees to lock as her head started to spin with Blake's proximity. Nimble fingers worked the knot at Yang's navel before her hoodie was removed from its cradle around her hips.
When she turned, sure her cheeks were as red as they'd ever been, Blake was zipping the hoodie up and hugging herself into whatever residual heat was left from Yang's body. What was this girl's deal with personal space? First in the kitchen with the cookie and now this? She could have just told Yang about the chocolate on her face. She could have asked for the hoodie. Yang would have been more than willing to hand it over
She stood there, mouth hanging, not knowing how to handle the situation. Should she call her out on it? Or would that embarrass Blake to the point she'd returned it? Yang didn't want Blake to be cold. Even if it was awkward, the result was exactly what Yang wanted, Blake wearing her hoodie. Her jaw closed with a snap and they waited another fifteen minutes before the line truly began to move
With how stubborn Blake had been about taking the sweater, Yang was half expecting to have it returned the second they walked through the theatres doors. But that seemed to be the last thing on Blake's mind as she split from the group to get in the confectionary line. Weiss agreed to get the tickets and Ruby opted to keep her company, telling Yang to wait with Blake. Her presence wasn't even acknowledged as she passed a couple to step beside Blake, but she was aware when they passed a row of candies. Blake picked up three bags and shoved them in the pockets of her hoodie. It was obvious Blake just did not want to talk to her, and without the buffer of the other two the silence was painful. Yang deferred the ordering to her as they came to the front of the line, Weiss and Ruby nowhere to be found
This couldn't have been their first outing to the movies, Yang mused, because Blake knew exactly what to order, down to the mix of the three soda's Ruby preferred. She'd become so accustomed to being, for the most part, ignored by Blake that her amber eyes surprised her with their sudden appearance. They begged for an answer that Yang couldn't remember the question to
"Drink?" Blake asked, probably for the second time.
"Oh," Yang turned to give her response to the employee, wanting to escape the pair of penetrating orbs that unsettled her so
They each juggled two drinks and a large popcorn as they exited the queue. Yang looked again for the familiar form of her sister or Weiss telltale silver head, but came up empty. She followed Blake, as she seemed to know where she was going, but when she approached the usher Yang realized Ruby and Weiss probably went to get seats, but they hadn't left them with tickets. "Maybe we should
"Our friends left two tickets with you?" Blake ignored Yang's comment, effectively silencing her. "One had a long silver ponytail."
"Oh, yes, here you girls are." The older man smiled at them, a crinkle forming in the corner of each eye. "Theatre number three, it's the second on the left."
Blake thanked the man and Yang nodded as she walked by. He placed the ticket between the two fingers she lifted from Ruby's drink. "Enjoy the movie."
"You've done this before."
Blake's head dipped
As they entered theatre three Ruby called their names, jumping to her feet to wave at them. It wasn't until Blake handed Weiss the drink belonging to her and the popcorn she held that Yang realized she and Blake were going to be sharing the bag in her hands. Calming her nerves she told herself it wasn't a big deal until she started to believe it. They settled into their seats as Blake pulled out the bags of candy she'd purchased. She handed the M&Ms to Weiss and the gummy bears to Ruby, but kept the third pack tucked safely in her pocket. Realizing she'd been so busy deferring the ordering to Blake that she hadn't thought to grab a bag herself Yang felt slight disappointment. But she had popcorn and a drink, she didn't really need anything more
The lights dimmed not long after and the buzz around them quieted. It wasn't long before Blake reached over to take a handful of popcorn. The bag pressed into Yang's thigh lightly as she did so. The indirect contact sent a warmth to settle in her belly and Yang flushed with mortification. Blake wasn't even really touching her
Ten minutes into the movie Yang was still trying to control her body's reaction to the situation and every time she thought she'd mastered it Blake would reach for another handful and prove her wrong. It must have been her nerves, because it felt like each time Blake would take longer than the last to grasp a handful. A tap on her shoulder tore her eyes from the actors dancing on the screen. Still fully aware of her body's inexplicable response to her, Yang forced her eyes to meet Blake's instead of skirting around as they so desperately wanted. She feared Blake would see how she was reacting to something so innocent. A bag of sweets was held out to her, a silent offer. Yang was quick to shake her head to return to the movie
Her hand fed her some buttered popcorn, but it now tasted bitter in her mouth. Sour Patch Kids were her favourite movie theatre guilty pleasure and she'd just refused them because looking into Blake's eyes for more than a few moments unsettled her. What kind of a disaster was she anyway?
Blake's arm came into view and Yang tensed, willing her body to act normal. The girl just wanted popcorn. But the pressure was less this time, almost imperceptible and her body didn't react as it had been. Hoping she was finally getting a grip on the feelings Blake brought unwillingly out in her, Yang relaxed more fully into the cushioned seat
Laughing at a gag Yang plucked a couple kernels of popcorn and tossed them expertly into her waiting mouth. Yang's laughter died as they bounced off her tongue. Something was off. There was a sharp flavour as her mouth watered and lips puckered at the sour taste. It took her all of two seconds to realize there were two Sour Patch Kid candies mixed in with the popcorn. Blake's amused snort caught Yang's attention. She was sneaky, Yang would give her that. She raised an eyebrow in question and Blake shrugged, smiling proudly at her own success. The rest of the movie was spent wondering which bite would include a special treat, stealing secret smiles at the thoughtful girl next to her each time.
As per usual, Ruby was always high with praise for any new movie and she made it well known which parts were her favourite as they exited the theatre. Weiss argued one of her points and they fell into a heated debate on the subject that didn't look to be ending anytime soon. Yang rolled her eyes, catching Blake doing the same as both knew Weiss would concede her point by how poorly she was arguing her view
Blake's hands buried deep into her hoodie pockets and she shrugged against the evening cold as they exited the building. The movement reminded her she was wearing borrowed clothes and she reached to unzip it. Yang stilled her hand, pulling the zipper snuggly up to Blake's chin
"You walked here?" Yang asked.
"Yeah, I just live around the corner."
"You want a ride?" She shook her head in answer. "Then at least keep the hoodie. You can return it another day."
Blake looked about to refuse but a chill evening wind blew through the street as she opened her mouth. It snapped shut with a small hiss of vexation. "I'll give it back to Ruby in our next class." She looked to her friends, noticing they were still arguing. "Tell them I'll text them later, okay?"
"Sure thing."
Blake turned, in a hurry to get to the warmth of her apartment, but she paused only a few steps away and looked back. "Thanks, Yang."
Without waiting for a response she flipped the hood up and took off at a jog. Yang whispered a quiet, "you're welcome," to her shrinking form.
Yang leaned against the lockers behind her, shoulders slumped, dragged by the weight of her exhaustion. She let gravity do the rest as she was pulled down. The floor was hard and the cold metal sent a shiver up her spine where it connected with her bare skin, her shirt riding up as she collapsed. That was the worst exam of her entire life. If this was what she had to look forward to in her third year, she wasn't sure graduate was going to be a moniker she would ever earn.
Yang stretched her arms high above her head, trying to pull the strain out of her trapezius muscle. It had been bothering her all day. She blamed falling asleep on the couch whilst studying. Waking in the most uncomfortable position of her life she'd barely enough control over her body to roll off her temporary bed. Everytime she moved her head in any direction or arms higher than her shoulders there was an accompanying pull all down her neck and into her shoulder blade. It was absolutely killing her.
"That was not a fun test." Pyrrha spoke up, closing the classroom door behind her. Yang could still see a handful of her classmates struggling to answer the questions before time ran out. She knew they had little of that left and she pitied them. Pyrrha sank to sit beside her. "How do you think you did?"
"Failed," she said through a groan as she rolled her shoulders.
"I'm sure you didn't do that badly." Pyrrha smiled, pushing her with her elbow. Yang sucked in a breath as the movement aggravated her muscles once more. Pyrrha was quick to apologize. "Is it getting any better?"
"Yeah," Yang lied. "I'm sure it'll go away after a night's rest in an actual bed. I am never sleeping on the couch ever again."
Pyrrha stood, holding both hands out to her, "Let's get out of here. Sitting on the hard floor like this isn't going to help your condition
She let Pyrrha drag her to her feet. A concerned look aimed her way even as she tried to bury a grimace behind a smile of her own. It was nice of her not to make a big deal of the small injury, even if Pyrrha could tell how much it was bothering her. Yang hated being babied, which Pyrrha learned long ago
"How did you do?" Shouldering her bag she changed the subject. Pyrrha's clipped footfalls were quick to trail after her.
"I did alright, but a couple questions definitely tripped me up." She continued only after Yang tipped her head in acknowledgement. "Do you want to get a coffee?"
"Where the hell do you think I was leading us?" She chuckled and Pyrrha joined her.
It was a kind of ritual with them. After every test, exam or major project and presentation they would go to the cafe on the far side of campus. It was the least busy of all the shops nearby. The walk was completed in comfortable silence, both replaying the exam back in their heads. Yang wished she'd studied more, though she knew she hadn't failed -as she told Pyrrha- but she didn't want this affecting her average in the class. It was difficult enough to keep her GPA where she wanted it. They were both competitive, which wasn't odd to find of the students in the Athletics college, but both felt the need to excel not only physically, but also academically
"We'll focus more on Kinesiology the next couple of weeks." Yang looked up from her trainers, surprised to see Pyrrha holding the door to the cafe open for her. She needed to stop autopiloting like that. The test was over and there was nothing to be done now besides look to the future. "My treat today."
"You owe me for kicking your ass in that race last week anyway
Pyrrha waved away her cockiness. "If that's how you want to remember it. You want the usual?"
Throwing her a thumbs up, Yang wove her way around the chairs to the back corner to claim their usual spot. There were only a handful of students taking up the other tables. Most were single occupants, studying with laptops, texts and notes strewn across tables for four. One was perusing a newspaper and there was a dark haired girl reading near the fireplace along the opposite wall. Her heart stopped for a beat; it was just long enough for Yang to realize she'd never seen the other girl before in her life
"What's up?" A mug was placed on the table, vapors snaking up from the froth. "You look like you saw a ghost."
"Not a ghost." Careful lips pressed to the cup as caramel sweet caffeine slid over her tongue. "Thanks."
Pyrrha's gaze followed where Yang's was a moment before. Understanding crossed her features but when she turned back she didn't mention what they both knew. Though Pyrrha had yet to meet Blake she knew the general look of her by the types that had Yand doing doubletakes. Yang was relieved she let it go. She could barely put words to her reaction to Blake in her mind, there was no way she could yet speak any of it aloud
Pyrrha spoke up, talking about her weekend with Nora and Ren, about the party they'd recently gone to just off campus. It was easy to fall into the innocent tales of Nora challenging everyone to arm wrestling competitions, or how Ren was secretly very good at beer pong. It was simple, and it succeeded in what Yang assumed was Pyrrha's goal. It distracted her.
"You have to come with us one weekend." Pyrrha voiced, calming from a fit of laughter.
Yang took a steadying breath. It did sound like fun. "I don't know. It isn't exactly my scene, ya know
"You only say that because you haven't experienced it." Pyrrha pointed out. "And it doesn't have to be a party. You could come the next time we all hang out. Sober," she added, thinking that was Yang's problem.
"I'm not against drinking." She rolled her eyes. "I just don't like the idea of a bunch of drunk assholes eyeing me up like I'm the answers to all their wet dreams."
"That's disgusting."
"Exactly. Which is why I'm not in a hurry to experience it."
There was a moment of silence. "You know I wouldn't let anyone touch you, right?"
"I don't doubt you for a second. I've been on the receiving end of your right hook, remember?"
"That was an accident. You moved the mat in the middle of my swing." Pyrrha took a sip of her cappuccino, glaring at her over the cup's rim.
"Maybe, but I wore that bruise for two weeks," she teased.
"Don't exaggerate." Drumming her fingers on the table, Pyrrha stole another look at the girl reading in the corner. "You need to socialize more. I worry about you."
"I know." Hands wrapped around the comforting heat of her own cappuccino. "You're a good friend for that and I appreciate you more than you know."
"But?"
"But, I…" Yang grimaced. The truth was she didn't have a single reason to refuse Pyrrha's offer. There were plenty of times she invited her for study sessions, or to join her and her other friends doing exactly what she and Pyrrha were doing now, getting coffee. There were no excuses that could logically explain why Yang held back from getting to know Pyrrha's friends. "I-"
"I think that you've become accustomed to being alone."
"Ruby lives with me." she rolled her eyes, brushing the idea aside.
"That's recent, and she's hardly home anyway. You told me as much."
"There's nothing wrong with liking solitude."
"No, but you don't like it." Pyrrha deadpanned. The green of her eyes peering into Yang's accusingly. "You say as much when you complain how quiet the apartment is, or when you tell me of your boredom. I've heard you speak of your high school days."
"What does that have to do with what's so obviously wrong with me?" She knew she was getting defensive. She could feel it in the way her muscles tensed and her jaw locked, in the sound of the forced words pushing passed her clenched teeth. She also knew Pyrrha didn't deserve any of it.
"Yang." Voice lowered, Pyrrha placed a gentle hand on hers resting on the table. "Nothing is wrong with you. But you were always surrounded by a lot of people up until you moved here and I know you miss that."
"Yes, because why wouldn't I miss being surrounded by superficial Barbies, and eager to please puppet boys?" Yang tapped a finger against Pyrrha's wrist. "I'd much rather a friend that cares about me , not my body or looks or what I can do for them on the basketball court."
"I do!" Her voice rose in indignation.
Yang laughed. "I know . I would rather have just one of you than a hundred of the type I hung out with in highschool."
Placated with Yang's compliments Pyrrha relented. "Fine, you don't have to come out with us. But I don't think making more friends like me would do you any harm."
"There's no one like you, and we both know it!"
A soft smile was Yang's reward. "Save your flattery for your lady love."
"What if I'm trying to seduce you?"
"You're doing a piss poor job."
"That hurts, like a knife to the guts kinda hurts."
"That would imply you have any, we both know you haven't the guts to ask that girl out." Yang's jaw hung low, impressed with Pyrrha's comeback. "Should we test your spine too, or has that abandoned you as well?"
"Let's not get nasty." Yang pouted. "If you don't like me that way you could have just said so. No need for slinging insults."
"You deserve it."
Yang could still see the worry behind her friend's smiling eyes. "I'll come out with you- not this weekend!" She quickly added when Pyrrha looked at her excitedly. "I promise I'll agree to an outing. Just one."
Pyrrha settled, leaning back in her chair. "I'll have to make it worth it then."
Yang had a feeling she would live to regret her words. She could see the wheels spinning in Pyrrha's mind.
"Thank you."
Yang could only nod, knowing that all jokes aside, Pyrrha was only thinking of her well being and she'd been such a great friend to her. If this one thing could help her friend worry a little less than Yang would agree to it.
A sudden crash of a cup breaking behind the counter ripped through their silence. Both spared a hasty glance to the young girl behind the till who was beat red with embarrassment. Yang hissed at the strain the sudden movement caused, pain flaring up once again.
"Are you sure you will be alright?"
"You've worried over me enough today, don't you think?"
"Not really. If I don't do it, who will?"
"You make a good point, but the strain will go away with sleep." Turning her gaze out the window Yang could see the sun was already setting and dusk was sweeping its way across the campus. "Speaking of sleep, it's getting late. We should probably head out."
"Yeah," Both stood and collected their things before exiting the building. "Meet in the library during our break tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we can go over what we remember of the test and try to get a head start on the next section."
"Sounds like a plan."
They split up, Pyrrha to her dormitory and Yang to the parking lot, hoping she remembered where she'd parked.
Taking a shortcut through the Arts building would save her a good five minutes rather than taking the long way around. She didn't visit the building often, only having had one class in it during her first year. It was nice enough and Yang enjoyed looking at the sketches, paintings and sculptures on display that previous students completed over the years. The building housed a few art exhibitions a couple times a year and Yang realized, as she came up to a group blocking the hall to her escape, that was exactly what was happening now. She thought the paintings on the walls looked more professional than usual.
Sticking to the wall, Yang skirted the majority of bodies, excusing herself when she had to brush up on anyone too closely. She was sure that the last guy heard her ask him to move but remained planted, ignoring her as one of the sculptures would, so she had to press very close to pass him. The smirk he sent her as she passed confirmed the creep she pegged him for. She wished he was a sculpture she could topple over. She'd take pleasure watching him break into a million pieces.
As she shot him a look of her own she noticed a familiar figure in the middle of the crowd. As if sensing eyes on her, Blake looked up from the notes she was taking. Yang lifted her arm to wave and gave her a wide grin. It was a surprise when her greeting was readily returned, with almost as much enthusiasm. She was glad that Blake didn't seem as reserved around her as before, even if they hadn't had another chance to hang out since the movies. Yang could tell they were in some night class of sorts or an on campus field trip, so she gave Blake another wave and continued on her way. She was bound to come around at some point, seeing as every one of Ruby's stories involved both Weiss and the girl behind her.
Pyrrha's earlier comments filled her head. Had Blake not been in class would Yang have had the guts to talk to her? Would she have the backbone to stand there and ask the girl out?
The skittish way she seemed to react to Blake told Yang that her friend was probably right. Nothing short of a neon sign from Blake letting her know she was interested would be enough to give Yang that push she needed.
Maybe Pyrrha was right about everything. Maybe she was getting too comfortable in the past two years of her solitude.
Hopefully it wasn't too late to rectify that.
When she got home she didn't even bother making any supper. Socks skating along the floor, Yang made a beeline to her room. Throwing her bag into the corner she fell face first onto her bed. The sudden pain from her shoulder eased as she stilled. Carefully reaching for a pillow, she was determined to sleep fully clothed and only half on the mattress. It sounded much better than moving any part of her body now that she'd made it somewhere to rest.
Discomfort flared in other areas of her body the longer she laid there though. The buckle of her belt stabbed her where it rested below her navel. The knee of her right leg protested as the lower portion hung off the edge with no support. And without the support of her other pillows she knew she'd wake up in a worse state than she'd been in all day. Reluctantly she stood and made her way to her dresser, she changed into a comfortable pair of sweats and a tank top. When she turned to properly crawl into her bed she noticed her grey VU hoodie hanging over the bed's footboard.
Lifting it to her nose she swore she caught a whiff of Blake still lingering in its fabric, but her brain told her that was an impossibility; the strong scent of fabric softener proved it was washed recently. Her finger ran over a small discolouration on the hood, faint, but Yang could make out the two inch diameter of the new stain. Saddened that her sweater was marred, she reasoned that at least Blake had tried to get rid of the mark before returning it. If the hoodie hadn't already been her favourite it would have risen in her esteem now. Blake had worn it. No minor stain would be able to alter her mind on that. It wasn't noticeable unless looking for it anyway.
She threw the sweater to the top of her dresser but something fell out of the pocket about halfway there. Bending, she picked up a movie ticket, folded and bloated from being washed with the clothing. She could just make out the title of the movie they'd gone to almost a week ago. She threw the ticket stub in the bin beside her nightstand before finally slipping between the sheets.
She'd have to thank Blake for giving the hoodie back the next time she saw her. In all honesty, she'd been wondering what was taking her so long to return it, but now seeing she'd been trying to get a stain out, it made sense. A part of her still hoped Blake kept it just a little longer because she wanted to keep something of hers.
/
Prompts for this chapter were Coat/injury