Two weeks. Fourteen days. Roughly three hundred thirty hours. Almost twenty thousand minutes. Which meant Yang had spent over a million moments absent of her.

Since when did a random stranger mean this much to her? When was the last time she spent this much time thinking about anyone? What was it about Blake that demanded her attention, whether she was present or just present in her mind's eye?

As midterms closed in, Ruby spent more and more of her time in the library or some other boring corner of campus. She was reducing the number of distractions, or that's what she'd said. It allowed her to focus where she normally wouldn't be able to. She even turned her phone off or left it at home now so Yang wasn't even able to get a hold of her. The only time she'd even seen her sister all week was late at night as she dragged herself through the apartment and into her own room, mumbling about Weiss' strict study schedule.

Yang debated going in search of her younger sister and her friends but knew it was useless. It hadn't gotten her anywhere earlier in the week, she doubted it would earn her any better results now. Besides her Biology exam was the next morning and she really did need this time to study. She couldn't afford the wasted hours searching for her sister when she might not even be on campus.

Glancing at her phone she saw Ruby hadn't even viewed her last message, let alone answer it. Catching up with her sister would have to wait until after exams were finished. Blake would have to wait until after exams were finished. It irked her to know the disappointment with the latter statement held more weight than the former.

Looking down she realized she'd continued through half a chapter without taking any information in. Irritated at the wasted time she spent mindlessly skimming through the pages, she flipped to the beginning of the chapter, ready to start over.

"Did you doze off too?" Yang lifted her bowed head to take in Pyrrha's smiling face across from her. "I find myself staring blankly at the pages around this time of night. Midterms are such a stressful time, more so than finals I think. Did you get much sleep last night?"

"Not much," Yang replied. "I was up late studying and only fell asleep when Ruby crawled in around two."

"I'm sorry, that doesn't leave you much time for rest." Pyrrha empathized. "Is Ruby stressing about midterms as well?"

"Well, she is a first year." Rubbing at her eyes she forced them to focus as she read the first line of the chapter. "Is this even written in english?"

"Unfortunately it is and I hope things calm down after Ruby's first batch of exams. She's probably just overcompensating. She's always been one to try to prove herself, right?"

"Yeah, you're probably right. She'll be around more once these are over."

A guilty pain raised her irritation. She should be more worried about her sister, but instead she was spending her time, not studying like she should be, not thinking of her younger sister, but by daydreaming about a girl she barely knew.

And yet, Blake's smile continued to pop into her mind's eye for the next few hours. When Pyrrha finally called it a night Yang decided to follow her out.

Hopefully this last week of exams would fly by quicker than the past two weeks had.

"This is ridiculous."

"No, it's not." Yang grabbed hold of the back of Ruby's collar before she could make her escape. "If you want a ride, this is payment."

Ruby swatted Yang's hands away to free herself. "I'll walk."

"We are miles from home." Yang pointed out.

"I don't care."

"It's cold out."

"I have my warm hoodie."

"It's raining." Yang tried one last time. Ruby started backtracking to the exit so Yang hurried to keep up.

"This was a stupid idea and I can't believe I almost agreed to it."

To be honest, Yang was just as surprised. She hadn't thought Ruby would play along for as long as she had. There was very little in it for her and it did require her to deceive one of her closest friends. She would feel bad about dragging her sister into her obsession, but she thought she would go crazy if she didn't at least see her again. So when Ruby mentioned Blake's parents would be in town and not available all of the break to hang out Yang had acted quickly. She latched onto the small piece of info she'd overheard Weiss and Ruby arguing about the night before. She would not allow herself to regret this, deceptive or not.

"You didn't almost agree to it. You totally agreed to it and you can't just back out now that we're here." Reaching out she wrapped her hand firmly around Ruby's wrist. Ruby's smaller frame could do nothing but halt her steps as Yang planted her feet. "Please Ruby."

"I-"

"Ruby?"

They turned to find the owner of the voice. Both plastering surprised looks as though they hadn't known that Blake was going to be there.

"B-Blake!" Ruby asked in feigned surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Blake trotted the dozen or so steps between them, easily squeezing between the other shoppers in her way. Yang watched, amazed at her grace. If she'd tried to get through that crowd at the same speed she would have knocked half the people over in her rush, but none of the shoppers seemed to notice when Blake moulded herself around the large group.

"I was just about to ask you the same." Blake said as she stepped forward to embrace Ruby quickly. A cursory smile was spared in Yang's direction; a polite gesture Yang appreciated but the jealousy at wanting the same greeting as her sister was hard to subdue.

"Didn't…" Blake's brow dropped and her mouth tightened into a firm line. "I could have sworn I told both you and Weiss I was coming here today to get some things for my mom." Amber orbs darted between them. "In fact, I remember mentioning it because Weiss suggested one of the tea shops here."

"Are you sure I was there? I don't remember-"

"Yes. You and her argued about its location." Blake lifted her arm and Yang noticed the small bag for the first time. "By the way, Weiss was correct. It was on the second floor, not the third."

"Darn it." Ruby grimaced. "Don't tell her she was right. She will never let me live it down and I was so sure it was on the third-"

Yang cut Ruby off with a sharp elbow to her ribs. Blake's eyes narrowed further and Yang's mind rushed to find an excuse for Ruby's odd behavior. Her sister, she was finding, was a terrible actress.

"We should hurry if you want to make your appointment, Ruby."

"Appointment?"

It took all of her willpower to stop herself from audibly groaning. They had rehearsed this in the car ride over. "Yeah, your haircut ." Yang emphasized.

"Oh… Oh!" Ruby bobbed her head in agreement. "Yes, we should hurry."

"Funny, you didn't mention a hair appointment when I told you of my plans today." Blake pressed.

Yang was realizing Blake wasn't one to let things slide. She caught on quickly, not that Ruby was being very convincing, and she definitely liked to get to the bottom of things. Yang filed that information away. She had a feeling these 'accidental' run ins were not going to work very well. She would have to find another way to find excuses to see Blake. Next time she would know better than to enlist Ruby as her accomplice. Maybe Pyrrha would help?

"It was all last minute. Ruby mentioned something last night about her hair getting too long and wanting a change of colour maybe so I booked her an appointment early this morning." Yang spoke up before Ruby could make the situation worse. "My gift to her."

"Oh, that's very sweet of you, Yang." Blake responded, her bearing starting to relax.

"Yeah, Yang is an angel." Ruby piped up. "We should get going sis."

"Oh, I was just going to wander around while you were busy. Sitting in a waiting area isn't my idea of a good time. Besides, if I go near a hair salon I always have stylists jumping out at me. My hair does not need taming."

"I like your hair." Blake spoke up.

Ruby rolled her eyes but Yang felt her stomach flutter at the compliment.

"Thank you."

There was an awkwardness surrounding them. The interaction seemed too short to say their goodbyes but at the same time they knew it was coming. Ruby was the first to break the silence.

"Well, I'll catch you later Blake." They embraced once again before Ruby gave Yang a nod. "I'll message you when I am done so we can meet back up?"

"Sounds good."

Rooted on the spot, they both watched Ruby's retreating form.

"I should really get going, I have to get home before Mom shows up."

Yang really, really did not want Blake to go so soon. That was the purpose in coming here after all. There was just this completely inexplicable magnetism between her and Blake. Ruby had described Blake as cute once, but Yang would hear none of it. Yes Blake was cute, but she was also beautiful, charming and funny. And her laugh… Yang had never heard anything so pretty as the one rare time she'd heard Blake laugh -she cursed herself for not soaking it in as she should have. They'd not spoken much, just scattered sentences and greetings here and there, But each interaction became precious to her and she kept feeling this need to get to know more about her. She couldn't explain it and it was nearly killing Yang to not know if Blake felt it too. She didn't enjoy feeling like a crazy stalker. She didn't like using her sister as bait to try to get a few minutes in the same space as her..

"How much time do you have?" Yang asked, if only to prolong their time together.

Blake's eyes darted to her watch. "Only four hours." She heaved a heavy sigh as her attention was drawn back to the crowds. Looking past the strangers to the shops beyond. She was looking for something and any second now she would find it and leave Yang standing lonely in the middle of the crowded mall..

"That's plenty of time!" Yang exclaimed trying to feel the positivity she was trying to portray.

"Not when the bus takes over an hour to get to my apartment." Blake huffed. "I really do need to get going. I'm sorry Yang."

"For what?" Feeling torn between confusion at the apology and hopeful that Blake maybe did want to spend more time with her Yang waited for an answer.

"I don't know. It just feels like I'm always running away." Blake smiled before rolling her eyes playfully. "It feels like I know you, which is weird." Biting down on her bottom lip she continued. "So it feels like I should be apologizing."

"Okay…"

"Sorry." She apologized again. "Ruby just speaks about you a lot. So it kind of feels like I know you, but I don't think we've ever had a proper conversation yet."

"I guess I feel the same way." Yang smiled, reaching to run her fingers through her hair nervously. She did know a lot about Blake through Ruby, but there was so much more she wanted to know. The kind of things you can only know from spending time with someone. The silence engulfed them once more and Yang had an unsettling feeling that if the other were to break the silence that would be the end of… something.

"If you would like, I wouldn't mind giving you a lift home so you don't have to waste time with the bus."

"I live the opposite way from here as you."

"I insist," she pressed, hoping she didn't imagine the relief in Blake's voice. "I'd feel bad not giving you a lift. I mean, because you're one of Ruby's best friends."

"Do you want to accompany me to the last few shops I have to go to?" Blake asked. Her smile widened a fraction before disappearing. Yang missed it instantly. "Or I could just meet you somewhere after if you had your own-"

"I would love to escort you." Yang cut her off.

Blake suddenly appeared on edge, but Yang didn't know her well enough yet to tell if her skittish eyes and jittery stance meant she was nervous or distressed. But when Blake stepped forward Yang automatically fell in stride beside her. This was definitely worth all of Ruby's complaints and the money she was going to be out for Ruby's new hair. She had an hour of Blake's company and was even blessed enough to get some of that time alone with her.

"Do you like frozen yogurt?" Blake asked, pointing to the food court.

Yang nodded without quite processing Blake's words. She scolded herself for being so caught up in her head instead of paying attention to the girl she went through all this trouble for.

"My treat!" Blake exclaimed, bounding over to the kiosk in the middle of the food court. "What's your favourite flavour?"

"I like my flavours bold."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Blake teased. "Sour Patch Kids should have been a dead give away."

Yang rolled her eyes and began to relax. Working herself up wasn't going to give Blake a good impression of her. "I tend to mix the strong fruit flavours."

"Hmmm, okay. I'll be right back."

"What are you getting me?" Yang shouted after her.

Blake spun around at her words. She smiled while still maintaining her retreating momentum. "I like a little mystery. Don't you?" She turned, laughing, before Yang could answer.

She remembered to savour the sound of her mirth this time as she shook her head in disbelief. The quiet bookworm image she'd had of Blake shattered in her mind. Things just got a whole lot more interesting.

They fell into a comfortable conversation as they carried out Blake's errands. Yang learned strawberry was Blake's favourite flavour, raspberry coming in a close second, but she never mixed the two; it 'ruined a perfectly good flavour' . She was from the island of Menagerie and her parents were political figureheads, but instead of following in her parents footsteps she decided to use both art and writing to portray her desires for change. She was passionate about minority rights and she apologized almost every second sentence when she started rambling about any subject that interested her. Blake explained that she couldn't decide what to study, literature or art, and at the moment she was taking classes for a double major.

"Wait," Yang cut off her story about her parents teasing her on her indecisiveness on the issue of her studies. "You're taking a double major?"

"For now," she replied, pulling the spoon from her mouth, swallowing the frozen treat before continuing. "I might find I want to focus on one more. Then I'll just make the other my minor." She shrugged. "For now I'm still unsure."

"That's like…" Yang struggled to find the words to say how impressed she was.

"Insane? Stupid? Waste of time?" Blake supplied, face falling.

"Fucking impressive." Yang finished, in awe, knowing the words weren't doing her feelings justice. "Like I have a hard enough time with one major, I can't imagine doubling my work load."

"It's drawing and reading, not-"

"Oh don't give me that B.S." Yang interrupted. "I can't draw to save my life and I took the required English classes my first two years. They were all analytical and took a lot more work than my science based classes." Yang took another bite of her strawberry, raspberry and pineapple flavoured dessert. "I just have to memorize and repeat my material with enough detail to get a decent grade. You have to create, like from your own interpretations and do it with enough passion that the prof believes you. That's way harder in my opinion."

"Not many people see it that way."

"But you do?" Yang asked. "I mean, I don't think anyone would put so much effort into something you didn't believe in or care about."

"I suppose you're right." Blake busied both her eyes and hands with stirring what yogurt was left in her cup.

"Then why were you just trying to sell yourself short?"

"It's easier than arguing with people that won't change their minds."

Yang knew all about that. So many times in her past she'd had expectations thrown on her. It was so exhausting trying to argue with people over what they chose to see in her. She either proved them wrong or lived up to their ideology of who she was, they could make of that what they would.

"I can understand that." Not being able to help herself she added. "I liked Ava's Secret by the way."

"Did you?" Blake's demeanor brightened. "I think it's fast becoming one of my favourite series. Though-" Blake stole a glance in Yang's direction, waiting for her full attention before continuing. "I was surprised to find you reading it when I came over that day."

"That was embarrassing for me." Yang let out a nervous chuckle.

"Why?"

"Because Ruby was closer to figuring out my motive than I'd like to admit."

Blake pondered, thinking back to the day in question before a small smile formed. She stuffed another spoonful of frozen yogurt in her mouth to hide it.

"Were you trying to prove a point to me?" Blake finally questioned, averting her eyes. "I believe Ruby used those words."

"I guess so. You seemed so adamant I couldn't possibly be interested in reading. I wanted to prove to a random girl and myself that I could be more than the Blondie my appearance pegged me for."

"You know that's not what I meant." Blake turned quickly to face her, hand grabbing at the hem of Yang's sweater to stop her. "I wasn't calling you a dumb blonde."

Yang shrugged. "I've been fighting that stigma for a very long time. It hardly bothers me anymore."

"But it did that day."

Yang blushed, knowing why that day was different. Even before she'd properly met her, she'd been drawn to Blake. She wanted Blake to think good things about her. "Enough for me to take up recreational reading for the first time in my life." Tilting her head she leaned closer to whisper, "good thing you weren't smoking a crack pipe at the time, or I might have dropped out by now to support that habit." Yang straightened. "Books are far less expensive of a hobby."

Blake snorted as laughter bubbled deep in her chest. "Tell that to my parents." Blake's features clouded with a wistful look. "My library back home would not be described as a cheap hobby."

"I shouldn't be surprised that you have enough books to call a library, should I?"

"Probably not. Ruby's told you of my reading habits by now I presume." Yang nodded. The amount of books Blake would go through had been mentioned once or twice. She remained silent as Blake looked to want to continue. She struggled with her words for a few moments before speaking.

"I wasn't implying you were dumb in the library that day. I-" she sighed. "I just get a lot of crap from others about the amount and vast genres that I read. I didn't want to get into it with a person I had just met."

"It's alright." Yang said softly. "I get it. Let's just start over, okay?" Blake nodded at her words. "It wouldn't be good for me to be enemies with one of my sister's best friends."

"True."

Yang felt a soft tug on the fabric of her sweater and realized Blake still had a hold of it. She played with the fabric between her fingers.

"I see you got it back alright."

Yang's smile widened. She was wearing the hoodie Blake had borrowed all those weeks ago. "I did, thanks. It's my favourite. I would have been lost without it." Blake smiled back at her. "I found a movie ticket still in the pocket." Yang rolled her eyes, remembering the ruined piece of paper and the residue she continued to pull from the pocket for days after.

Blake looked away. "Oh?"

She didn't want to embarrass Blake further for her lapse in checking the pockets before she'd washed it. And not wanting Blake to think she cared about the stain she'd been responsible for she answered simply, "Don't worry I recycled it," she joked.

"Hey, sis." Ruby waved them down.

Blake released her hold on her sweater as Ruby approached.

"Love the hair!" Yang smiled, rushing forward to swipe the longer hair out of the way. Ruby's new side shave visible.

"Yeah?"

"It's awesome!" She touched the tiny hairs, tracing the small swirling pattern shaved into it. The hairs were softer than she'd expected. She'd assumed they would be scratchy, like their father's beard. "Doesn't it look great, Blake?"

Blake stepped closer to get a better view before nodding. "It suits you."

Ruby let out the breath she was holding. "Good. I hope Weiss likes it."

"I'm sure she will." Blake supplied, linking her arm with Ruby. "Are you guys done here? I think I have all the stuff I need."

Blake was silent again the entire way back to her apartment. Ruby asked her a few things about her plans for the week but Blake would only aswer in clipped sentences. Yang wondered if there was something wrong when she hadn't voiced her farewell and only threw them a hurried wave before entering her building.

"I think she'd just nervous about her parents coming down. It's their first time seeing where she lives now."

"Mother," Yang corrected. "It's only her mother coming."

"Oh, I thought they both were. Oh well."

"You think it's just nerves?"

"Blake's just a really quiet person, Yang. Don't think too much about her silence. It doesn't mean anything."

Yang didn't think Ruby's explanation was adequate. Blake had been fairly talkative with her when they wandered through the mall, and the nerves of her mother coming would still have been there then. But Ruby knew Blake more than she did, so she didn't want to make a big deal of it.

Maybe she could ask Blake the next time they met.

/

Prompts for this chapter were Mindless and Bait