Yang arrived early the next day not wanting to miss Blake if she decided to leave before they'd agreed. Last weekend Blake had been waiting outside when Yang got there; she didn't want to make her wait again. Not knowing which apartment was hers, Yang was forced to wait outside. Leaning up against the outside of the building she watched others on their morning walks. Normally she wouldn't think of leaving the house before noon on a weekend, but it was kind of peaceful. Half an hour she waited before the door to the building opened and Blake walked out. Yang pushed off the wall and Blake's eyes found her, drawn by the movement.

"Have you been here long?" She asked, to which Yang just shrugged. "You could've come up," nodding to the building.

"I didn't know which one was yours." Yang shrugged. "I didn't mind waiting. I knew I was early."

"Alright. Are you ready to go?" Nodding she motioned for Blake to take the lead.

"Three zero six." Blake spoke as she picked up a steady pace, rounding the corner of the building. Yang was quick to catch up, falling in step beside her.

"Huh? Don't tell me that's how many miles we're running. My body isn't built for that kind of stamina."

"I don't think anyone is built for that." Blake scoffed. "No, it's my apartment number. Three zero six."

"Oh, okay. I'll know for next time."

Yang could feel Blake's eyes on her as they crossed the street, heading towards the less crowded walks of campus. "Next time?"

"If you don't mind the company." Worried Blake intended this to be a one time invite -or two time?- she hurried to play it off. "I need to get more cardio in. Pyrrha and I usually stick to weights in the gym. I prefer company, but if you don't…" Yang let the implication hang.

"We'll see how well you keep up today," was Blake's simple answer.

"Is that a challenge?"

She felt Blake's gaze sweep the length of her body in appraisal, Yang focused on each step she took. "It wasn't meant as a challenge." Yang couldn't help but turn to see the smile that Blake was having difficulty hiding. "I don't start challenges where I'd embarrass the other participants."

So surprised and amused at Blake's assuredness Yang lost focus and her toe caught a crack in the sidewalk, pitching her forward. Quickly catching herself she groaned, planting her sight on the ground so it didn't happen again. Blake's laughter almost drew her attention away but Yang didn't think she would survive another embarrassing crash to the pavement. The incident with her dog and Pyrrha the day before were more than enough of Blake seeing her fall on her ass for a lifetime.

"We've only just started and already your legs are giving out on you."

"I'm glad I humour you." Yang mumbled before adding emphatically, "I'll have you remember I kept up well enough last time."

"You did," Blake agreed. "Have you ran in those yet? They still look pretty sharp." Yang spared her fleeting glance and found Blake looking at her feet.

"My runners? No, I haven't had the chance." Yang took a couple deep breaths. She wasn't used to talking while running and she didn't know how Blake made it look so easy. It's not like running alone allowed her to practice the technique either. Maybe she was just out of shape lungs or diaphragm wise.

"Okay, I'll take us on my shorter run then."

"No, don't do that." Yang pleaded. "I am all for pushing myself. I swear I can keep up." To prove herself Yang increased her pace. Blake followed her lead, speaking up as she did.

"Not in those shoes. You haven't broken them in, or tested how they feel yet."

"They feel fine." Yang reassured.

"Your other runners felt fine too but they caused blisters; on one of my mid-distance runs."

"Mid-distance?" Yang exclaimed. She'd been exhausted afterwards, and to hear Blake went on longer ones kind of impressed her. Yang had been athletic all her life and always thought she kept up pretty well with the best of them. "You must really like running."

"I prefer it to the gym." Blake guided them onto campus and to one of the smaller footpaths that would lead them through more greenery than asphalt. "Where I make up for in speed I lack in strength."

"So I could gain back some ego points by challenging you to some weights after you wipe the floor with me running?"

Yang could feel Blake's eyes on her again. They practically burned a trail along her biceps and down across her exposed abs and thighs. Yang wondered if she should have opted for a t-shirt as Blake had, instead of just her sports bra and shorts.

"You could, but I would definitely embarrass myself by losing that battle."

"We wouldn't want that, I suppose."

They ran in relative silence for another forty minutes, weaving the different paths of campus Yang knew only half of, before Blake slowed. Approaching a drinking fountain Blake quenched her thirst before waving for Yang to do the same.

"How you holding up?" She asked as Yang wiped drops from her chin.

"I'm good." She smiled but a simple elegantly raised brow from Blake and Yang knew her lie wasn't convincing. Her feet ached something awful. They had been throbbing for the last fifteen minutes or so and the last quarter of a mile Yang realized her left heel was on the verge of another blister.

"Let's sit for a little while." Blake spoke up, leading them to rest on the edge of a fountain not too far away. The mist lifting from its pools cooled Yang's heated skin. She watched as Blake pulled at her shirt to wipe the dampness from her forehead and neck. Yang wished again that she'd worn a shirt, overly aware of the sweat coating her own face.

A few students walked by, taking the scenic route like them, now that there was no rush to make it across campus for another class.

"You don't typically rest on your runs do you?" Yang asked, ashamed she was holding her back.

"Honestly? No." Blake replied. "I don't mind though."

"Sorry."

"It's the shoes more than anything I think. I always have to take it easy the first few runs in a new pair."

It was nice of Blake to give her an excuse but Yang knew although her feet were hurting she would've needed a break soon or to slow their pace if she was to go on. Her lungs were starting to burn before Blake suggested they stop. She smiled appreciatively for Blake's words anyway.

"How are your classes going? Ruby said you were struggling a bit."

"I'll have to remember to thank her for that." She was a little peeved Ruby would talk about her behind her back, but wondered if it possible good things were being relayed to Blake through the same channels. "I'm alright. Tests are just a little more difficult in the third year it seems. It's kinda where everyone branches out and profs just get more anal, you know?"

"Yeah I could understand that." Blake stretched her arms above her head, t-shirt rising to expose an inch of bared midriff. "Is that girl in your classes with you? Was Pyrrha her name?"

"Yeah," Yang smiled wide. "She really rides me-." She was interrupted by Blake's sudden coughing fit. "Are you okay?" She asked, rubbing circles between Blake's shoulders with her palm. Blake doubled over, still coughing before she caught her breath again.

"Sorry," she said with a now scratchy voice. "What were you saying?" Her face was red with the exertion her lungs just underwent.

"Oh, just that Pyrrha's always on my case about studying. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," she waved Yang's concern off. "I just tried to swallow and breathe at the same time."

"You shouldn't do that." Yang laughed.

"Well now we know." Blake shook her head amusedly. "You and Pyrrha are close then?"

"Of course! Besides Ruby she's like my favourite person."

Blake smiled softly. "How long have you two been together?"

"Together?" The phrasing confused Yang. "Well we've been friends for- You don't mean friends do you?"

"Not really."

"We aren't dating." Yang was stunned. When had she given the impression she had a girlfriend? Did Ruby imply anything? "Pyrrha's as straight as they come."

Blake shrugged. "You just seemed to be giving that blond guy death glares at the party when he went to talk to her. I just assumed there were some feelings involved."

"That's because he hardly deserves her." Yang explained with a roll of her eyes. "But she has this major thing for him so I was being a good wingwoman. Their first official date is tonight." A smirk pulled at her lips. "I'll probably be getting a panic call from her this afternoon."

"Sounds like you're pining."

"After Pyrrha? No, definitely not."

"Defensive much?"

"When someone spouts lies, then yes I get-"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend by implying you like women. If you're uncomfortable wi-"

"I said no such thing. Women are awesome. I've had more connections with them than men. So many boys try to prove their worth with their co-" But for the first time Yang noticed she was smiling. "You are mean, you know that?"

Blake bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing and Yang swore it was the cutest thing she'd ever seen.

"I suppose I can be." Blake said softly. "Though I think I should apologize for the other night."

"Huh?"

"At the party. I was rude."

"Oh, you don't-"

"Yes, I think I do." She took a few breaths. Fingers drummed along the marble of the fountains ledge and Yang placed her own hand over Blake's fingers to quiet them. It was an instinctual response, but she soon realized she'd basically grabbed Blake's hand. Her fingers stilled but Blake didn't pull away. "The thing is -and you probably know this- I'm more comfortable on my own. Or in small groups. I hate large gatherings, even going to the movies sometimes can stress me out if I don't like, tune out the strangers around me. I can't stand the noise or all the bodies, and especially the drunken kinds. So I was on edge before you ever showed up to that party. There was this one guy, basically pounced on me the second he walked through the door," her eyes rolled in a Weiss-like fashion, "talking a mile a minute and doing an absolute dreadful job of flirting. What kind of name is Sun, anyway?"

Yang chuckled. "I met him. Tried the same on me."

"Yes, so… the last thing I want is people I don't know invading my safe spaces or forcing me into situations I don't like. I saw you come in and-" she exhaled sharply. "I dunno, I thought that maybe knowing someone there wouldn't be so bad. But when you sat down and didn't say anything, just staring at Pyrrha and that guy I-"

"Were you jealous?" Yang asked, astonished.

"No," her reply came hastily. "Well not really. I just was on edge and not comfortable and it looked like you wanted to be with your friend and not in a corner with the likes of boring old me." She smiled to lighten her self deprecation but it came off morose. "I got defensive, and I know I took it out on you by acting like I didn't want your company." She looked up from her runner for the first time to connect their eyes. "And truthfully, I might have enjoyed the party a little bit if..."

Silence permeated the words Blake left unsaid. Yang desperately wanted her to continue, even if she could guess what she'd been about to say. She might have enjoyed the party if Yang had been there with her.

Realizing their hands were still connected Yang used an itch on the side of her face as an excuse to remove it. "Next time maybe."

"Yeah, we sh-"

Yang's ringtone drowned out Blake's voice. She reached into her bra to remove it, embarrassed for both interrupting what Blake was going to say and for the sweat on her phone's cover. She wiped the moisture off on her shorts before looking at the number ringing her. Pyrrha's face lit up the screen.

"You keep your phone in your bra?" Blake smiled, amused again.

"Do you see anywhere else I could keep it?" Yang waved a hand at her minimal outfit as Blake chuckled. She shook her head as she answered the call. "Hey Pyrrha, what's-"

' I think I have to cancel tonight. ' Pyrrha's voice came out shrill through the speakers.

"No, you aren't going to do that." Yang spoke calmly. It was obvious Pyrrha was panicking. "You like this guy and you are going on this date."

Blake stood and with a tilt of her head asked Yang to join her. They started walking down the path to the front of campus as Yang talked Pyrrha through her fears. It took a long while for Pyrrha to finally settle and agree with Yang that there was nothing to worry about, but eventually she saw reason.

' I'm sorry, I just needed someone to snap me out of it. Thanks Yang. '

"It's not a problem. You can always call me if you're being stupid and I will set you straight."

' I'm going to let that insult slide this time. What were you up to before I called? You weren't still sleeping, were you?'

Yang glanced at Blake for the tenth time since she answered Pyrrha's call. She didn't seem to be upset over Yang's attention being stolen, but she still felt bad about ignoring her. "Actually I'm out on a run with Blake. You just caught us as we took a break."

' Oh… Oh Yang, I'm so sorry. You should have said something.'

"It's okay. As long as you are good I should probably get back to-"

' Yes, yes. I'll let you go. Tell Blake I said hi."

Yang hung up. "Pyrrha says hi." She smiled, waving the phone playfully between them.

"Guess she couldn't wait for the afternoon panic call?"

"I'm sure I'll get one of those too. Sorry about that though. I didn't mean to like... ignore you."

Blake brushed it off. "Don't worry. You were being a good friend."

"Do you want to run the rest of the way back?" She asked, ready to pick up the pace.

"I think walking back is a better idea."

Yang didn't want to be the one that ignored her and held her back. That was not what her goal was supposed to be. Being an annoyance or encumbrance was not a good thing. "I'm perfectly capable of running a few more blocks without dying."

"You'll get blisters if we run anymore," she stated. She wasn't wrong, Yang could still feel the friction irritating the sensitive skin of her heel. "If you haven't already."

Not wanting to seem weak Yang rolled her eyes. "A blister or two won't kill me."

"No." Blake's voice was quieter, softer and it caught Yang's full attention. "But if you get a blister like last week you'll be in no shape to join me tomorrow."

First Yang was offended. It seemed like Blake was coddling her. "I survived. And how did you know I had blisters, anyway."

"I have eyes. You were basically limping back to your truck."

"I thought I was doing pretty good at hiding it." Her shoulders sagged in dejection.

"You're a horrible actress then."

Yang tried nudging her with an elbow in retaliation but Blake jumped quickly out of her range. "You're fast."

"Which is why you should never challenge me to a race." Her confidence was both attractive and infectious.

"So," Yang started. "What would I get if I win a race?"

"Wouldn't happen."

"But if it did?"

"It wouldn't," she gave Yang a pointed look. "But guess we would just have to see."

"Race you back to your apartment?" She didn't wait for a response before taking off at a sprint. They were only two blocks away, Yang was sure if she pushed she might actually win. Blake was fast but also built for stamina not sprints. Yang made it a whole quarter of a block before she felt Blake's hand grasp the crook of her elbow and pull.

"Ok, let's never let me challenge you to that again." Yang groaned, slowing to a walk again as Blake continued to pull her arm. "That was embarrassing. You could have given mea little hope instead of crushing my ego so thoroughly."

"I could have." Blake's eyes shot to Yang's runners again.

"Are you really that worried about my feet?" Yang chuckled. "Wait," she ran through the conversation they'd had so far. "Did you invite me to run tomorrow?"

"I did, but if you insist on injuring yourself I'll start to think you'd rather have an excuse not to."

"We'll walk then."

Blake's hand lingered in the bend of her elbow a moment longer before her fingers trailed softly across her forearm. Briefly they tickled the sensitive skin covering her pulse before Blake's touch was gone.

They walked in silence the rest of the way but before Blake disappeared into her apartment she turned back. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Yang nodded, waving from the curb. "Tomorrow."

Rain came down in heavy sheets, running like waterfalls down the windows of the leisure center. Yang could barely make out her truck parked on the far side of the lot. She'd tried to wait for the rain to let up but it seemed to only worsen as time passed. Giving up after half an hour she put the hood of her sweater up and darted into the onslaught. She was absolutely soaked when she slid into the leather seat, slamming the door sharply behind her. The drops pelting the metal around her rang as war drums.

She ripped the sweater over her head, knowing she'd warm faster without its wet fabric pressed against her skin. Turning the key and throwing the vehicle into drive she made her way carefully to the main road. Turning the music up helped drown out the rain's constant beating and lessened the annoyance of the wound of wiper blades moving across the windshield. Sitting at a red light, Yang watched pedestrians rushing for cover. Some continued to try to wait out the worst of the storm, ducking under business awnings or trees if desperate.

The car beside her honked as a girl tried, and failed to get across the street before the light changed. The car sped off as soon as she was clear of their path, still only missing her by a few feet. Taking pity on her Yang waited patiently for her to cross before continuing on, but there was something familiar about the poor girl's figure as she ran for cover at the bus stop on the corner. Yang turned instead, pulling up to the stop to get a better look. The figure looked up as the truck stopped instead of the bus she would be expecting.

"Blake." Yang smiled and leaned over to pull the handle of the passenger door. She was quick to climb into the heated vehicle once she recognized the driver behind the wheel.

"Hey Yang. What are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing. Where are you headed?" Yang asked, fully determined to drive Blake wherever she needed to go.

"Your place actually. I was supposed to be there hours ago. Were you heading home?" Blake asked, pausing with the seatbelt pulled half across her body.

"I was actually. Good timing, huh?"

"I guess I'm just lucky."

Yang pressed the heated seat button for Blake and took full pleasure in the grateful smile that was aimed her way at the action. "Were you caught up in something?" Yang asked.

"Yes, group project," Blake's disdain dripped from her voice. "Took them an hour and a half to decide on a topic."

"That's shit," Yang empathized. "Hopefully the rest of the project goes smoothly." Her peripheral caught Blake nod in agreement.

Yang noticed the bag resting on Blake's lap wasn't her usual book bag. "Are you planning on staying over tonight? I only ask because even though Weiss has stayed I don't think you have yet."

"That was the plan." Blake moved the bag to rest between her feet on the floor. "With how late I'll be getting there, it only makes sense."

"True," she agreed. "What were your guy's plans? I'm assuming the ice princess is already there?"

"Ice princess?"

"Weiss." Yang supplied when Blake's confusion became evident. "Have you ever been on the receiving end of one of her death glares? It's like a frozen dagger straight into your soul."

A single puff of laughter came from the passenger seat. "That is oddly accurate. I'm not sure what the plan is. I was told I was to show up so we could 'hang out.'" Fingers lifted in an air quote. "Probably a movie or games."

"Did you bring your runners?" Yang asked, wondering if this sleepover meant their Saturday run was going to be cancelled.

"I did actually. I was thinking of just running home in the morning, but that all depends on if this weather lets up or not." Blake turned her attention to stare out the window. The rain had slowed a little since Yang left campus but not by much.

"If you'd like, we could run around my place and I could give you a ride home afterwards. There are some pretty decent paths near us. It might be a nice change to your usual routes and much more interesting than running home."

"I wouldn't want to impose, it's your day off and all."

Yang knew Blake was being polite but it pulled a laugh from her anyway. "You do know every day I come running it drags me from home to drive to your place anyway right?"

Blake didn't respond but when Yang stole a glance she noticed how the corner of her mouth lifted.

Ruby and Weiss were loudly debating the characters from a movie they'd just finished when she and Blake walked in. Their attention was stolen only long enough for Ruby to latch onto Blake's arm and drag her to the couch.

"You agree with me. right Blake?" Ruby asked

"I don't even know what you're talking about." Dropping her bag beside the couch, she turned to take part in their discussion.

"That new Romcom with the big nosed lead actor." Ruby tried to explain but Blake still looked confused.

"The one where the girl moves halfway across the world on a fool mission to win the idiot's heart." Weiss cut in. "If you ask me, she wasted her time. If he didn't want her in the first place then that's on him. Find someone else."

"He just wasn't in the right emotional state to be ready to accept her love at first." Ruby slumped into the couch cushion crossing her arms.

"You can't just expect love to wait until you are ready for it. He was an idiot and she was for continuing to chase him. You cannot change my mind."

"Blake, please tell her she's wrong."

Yang, already sick of the conversation, spoke up. "You're wrong, snowflake."

"No one asked you," Weiss glared over the back of the couch. "She was asking Blake."

"I haven't even heard of this movie let alone watched it." Blake finally supplied.

"I have," Yang teased, sticking her tongue out at Weiss.

"Again, no one asked you." Her voice was venom and Yang briefly wondered if her teasing was ill timed. Turning to Blake Weiss continued. "How could you not have seen the movie? It's all anyone's been talking about all week."

Blake shrugged, averting her eyes. It was obvious she wasn't comfortable with so many eyes trained on her, even if they were those of her friends. "I don't really watch a lot of television."

"That's just so weird to me." Ruby laughed. "Yang and I grew up on cartoons and the bad dramas Dad loved."

"She probably doesn't even own a TV." Weiss' snide comment caused Blake to bristle.

"Of course I own a TV. I just prefer to listen to music."

"While you read the same book for the fifth time."

"There is nothing wrong with reading. " Blake defended. "It's just as good a pastime as television, more so in fact. At least reading trains the brain instead of melting it."

"Yes, because staying in fantasy worlds as opposed to taking any interest in the one your living in is totally a good way to train your brain for anything." Weiss harrumphed. "For the life of me, I cannot understand how two individuals like your parents, who have dedicated their lives to understanding the depravities of the world and working towards righting them could have produced a girl so hung up in a fantasy land."

"Excuse me!" Blake's voice rose as she sat up, spine straightening to get a better view of Weiss around Ruby's cowering form.

"Look I think we should just change the su-"

Yang tried to be the peacemaker but Weiss' voice cut her off. "Did you not hear me?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you." Blake seethed.

"Look," Weiss' voice dropped, noticing how the debate had suddenly turned to something more than friendly banter. "All I'm saying is the Belladonna's are notorious in political circles as forward thinkers and what they set their minds to they achieve. You can't deny you're different from them. You aren't political. You spend more time in fiction than learning about the real world. And there is nothing inherently wrong with that. I just find it... interesting how they are sure of every step they take and here you are, in the arts and unable to even decide which major you would prefer."

Blake's jaw dropped, her bottom lip quivering with all the words that swam through her mind. Yang wondered why she held back, she could see her expression change, going through a half-dozen different emotions in the short time the silence has settled. Ruby's head swivelling between her two friends, unsure how to proceed.

"Weiss, that…" Ruby tried, thinking her the better bet of the two to convince to let it go. But Yang knew enough in the short time she's spent with Blake that what Weiss said had touched on a sensitive subject. Blake herself told her she went into the arts to write and create things to be able to influence the world as her parents had. Politics were unkind and Blake wasn't one for the spotlight; she was doing what she could to follow in her parents footsteps. How could Yang see it and yet Weiss not? Were they not friends?

"Forget it. She's said her peace and nothing will change her mind. Isn't that right, Weiss?" Blake spat the words before she jumped up from the couch. Grabbing her bag, she was out the door before any of them could react to stop her.

"Weiss," Yang warned, giving both girls a pointed look before she rushed to the door.

"She gets like that sometimes." Ruby spoke up. "Though Weiss was a little out of line." Weiss worried her bottom lip at Ruby's reprimand. "Blake will just need time. It will do no good going after her."

Yang ignored her words and rushed out the door and down the two flights of stairs as fast as she could. She caught Blake's arm just as she was stepping into the rain. Trying to be as careful as she could she pulled Blake back into the building.

"I want to go home." Blake voiced softly.

"Because Weiss spouted a bunch of crap?" Yang smiled softly. "She does that daily. You must be used to it by now." Her try at humour didn't work. Blake continued to stare at the exit, her body swaying as she shuffled her feet.

"Hey," Yang squeezed Blake's arm she still had a firm grasp on. It brought Blake's eyes to meet hers, which Yang took as a small victory. "She's wrong. You're going to do great things Blake and just because she can't see it… well who cares, you and I know it."

"How can you be sure?" Her voice quietly filled the empty hall.

"Because I saw the look in your eye when you told me why you went into the arts. And because you're a Belladonna, aren't you?"

A smile did break out at those words. "Yes, I suppose I am."

"Will you come back up?" Tentatively she asked.

Blake's eyes shot to the stairs, as if expecting to find Weiss there. "I don't think I should. I'm still angry."

"As you should be." Yang agreed. "Weiss was way out of line. But I know it would mean the world to Ruby if you'd stay. She's been looking forward to this all week. Plus," Yang leaned closer to whisper into Blake's ear. "I made more cookies."

Blake tried to bury a laugh but ended up giving off a humoured type of snort instead. "Are you using cookies to bribe me?"

"If it's working then, yes." She looked to be considering and Yang jumped at her opening. "I'll personally make sure she keeps six away from you and I'll kick her ass if she says anything stupid again."

"Kicking her ass is a little over-the-top don't you think?"

"Verbally kick her ass then." Yang stood patiently, waiting for Blake to make a decision. She really didn't want Blake to leave, especially if it was because Weiss was being ignorant and insensitive. "If you want to go I'll go grab my keys and drive you home, but it wouldn't just be Ruby that would be disappointed if you left."

Blake's shoulders finally dropped as her stance relaxed. "I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone."

Yang's smile was so wide it hurt pulling at the corners of her mouth. She grabbed Blake's bag from her and took her hand, nearly dragging her up the stairs. Ruby and Weiss were more than surprised when Blake returned with Yang, if their hanging jaws were to say anything. Weiss stood and approached, looking very much like a scolded child. Yang assumed Ruby had had some pretty strong words for the girl once they'd left.

"Blake I'm-"

"That's close enough Ice Princess." Yang stepped between them, placing a firm hand on Weiss' shoulder.

"I'm just trying to apologize," she mumbled.

"Six feet."

"You're kidding." Weiss' astonished voice rose higher.

"Nope, you are on probation, Schnee."

She looked about to argue but resigned herself to the temporary punishment with a nod of her head. "I was out of line," she spoke, turning to Blake. "I am very sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did. I mean, I am the last person to talk about following in a parents footsteps. Forgive me?"

Weiss stood there, wringing her hands as her face flushed. Yang realized Weiss probably rarely apologized for anything, having things handed to her with her family's standing. Her parents didn't sound like the types to teach their children humility.

"As Yang said, you're on probation. I'll stay if only to not disappoint Ruby." But her eyes were on Yang not her younger sister as she said it.

She was staying for Yang. The knowledge caused a nervous swirl to rise up in her gut. It wasn't wholly unwelcomed.

/

Prompts for this chapter are Catch and Ride