AN: There are only 2 more chapters after this one, I'll post them before the end of the week most likely. Hopefully you all have been enjoying this.
Over the past few weeks of having Blake living with them Yang became intimately acquainted with her routines. In the morning she always pressed the snooze button twice, no more and no less. With half-lidded eyes she would drag herself to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. She would spend a few minutes running cold water over the pulse at her wrists. She said it helped wake her up but Yang still found the act ludicrous; especially as Blake shivered shuffling into the kitchen for her morning tea Yang would have ready for her. Yang would shake her head and laugh as Blake curled her hands around the hot ceramic of her mug. And Blake would roll her eyes at Yang knowing full well she thought Blake was ridiculous.
Depending on their class schedules they would either leave for campus together or Blake would leave before her, as Tuesday and Thursdays Yang didn't attend class until the afternoons. At first, Yang insisted on giving Blake a ride to campus but Blake soon put a stop to that. She said she didn't mind the bus, it gave her time to focus on her upcoming classes and she did not like the guilt of dragging Yang out before she needed to. Yang tried to tell Blake she didn't mind, that she enjoyed being able to do these little things for her but Blake was adamant she wanted these two mornings to assert her independence a little. Knowing that spending all their spare time together now was a big adjustment for Blake, who had been used to being solo for large portions of her day, Yang backed off. There was something intimate about seeing Blake out the door, anyway. She savoured their parting kiss and sometimes it would linger, one of them not wanting to say goodbye just yet. She loved when Blake was the one to deepen that kiss. The feeling of knowing she would miss her, even if for a few hours made her giddy.
Blake always showered at eight at night if she could possibly help it. It didn't matter if they were planning on going out again or had just come home for the remainder of the night. If they were staying in, Blake would put on one of her baggy shirts and a pair of shorts she always slept in. She would make herself a cup of tea and by nine o'clock she would be curled up in the corner of the couch reading something. Most of the time it was a novel of some sort, sometimes it was a report for school. Wanting to make her feel as comfortable in their apartment as possible Yang made it a point to not bother her for the first hour of this time. She'd even started joining Blake sometimes. Ruby teased her whenever she caught the two reading, commenting on how unexciting the couple was in their old age. Blake ignored it and Yang let it roll off her shoulder. Anytime she was able to hang out with Blake was a bonus in her mind. There was something comforting about being able to relax with each other doing something as trivial as reading. Even separated by differing stories Yang felt it brought them closer. It was almost a domestic feeling.
An hour was usually all Yang could take of remaining still and silent. When she placed her book on the table Blake would always do one of three things. One: she would set her book down as well and they would talk about whatever came to mind. Two: she would hold her empty mug up, silently asking for a refill that Yang was more than happy to oblige her with. Or three: she would move her position, turning to lay across the couch, head resting in Yang's lap as she continued to immerse herself in the world that captured her.
The first time Blake took up that position had surprised Yang. It wasn't as if she wasn't used to Blake being in close proximity. They shared a room and a bed. They were very well acquainted. But she'd heard stories from Ruby and Weiss that Blake never enjoyed being interrupted when she was reading. Any interruption garnered a very negative response, be it a disapproving look or noise. Or, Ruby had told her once Weiss had grabbed a book right out of Blake's hands when she hadn't heard her name being called and Blake was so upset over the intrusion into her personal space she'd left the coffee shop they'd all gone to and hadn't spoken to Weiss for three days afterwards.
The story, although hilarious when it was happening to the Ice Princess, was not something Yang ever wanted to experience in their own relationship. Therefore she became very conscious of giving Blake the space she needed when she secluded herself off in one corner or another. And it was why the first time Blake dropped her head into Yang's lap it caught her by surprise. She'd stared down at her for a full minute, perplexed, but when Blake made no indication she was going to move anytime soon Yang relaxed as well. In these moments she would run her fingers through Blake's silky black hair, massaging her scalp gently, and Blake would hum in pleasure..
These nights were the nights Yang lived for. Other times Blake may read for hours or move on to studying after she was done with her novel. But these nights, where she invaded Yang's personal space, Yang quickly learned Blake was after her attention. She was sure if she were to take the book from Blake on these nights Blake probably wouldn't even mind all that much.
Tonight was such a night. Over dinner Blake told her and Ruby about the incompetant group she'd been assigned for a project and how it looked like she would need to do the majority of the work if she was going to maintain her grade in the class. She'd talked so much about the project and class earlier that Yang was not surprised when she exited the bathroom and immediately took up her spot on the couch. It didn't take her long to realize she'd forgotten to make her tea, but before she could even set her book on the table Yang was leaning over the back of the couch and handing a warm mug to her. Immediately she took a sip and moaned as the warm liquid slid down her throat. Yang chuckled and placed a quick kiss to the side of her head before retreating to finish cleaning up the kitchen.
With the kitchen cleaned, Yang showered before joining Blake in the living room, Ruby having long retreated to her own room to call Weiss. She could feel Blake's eyes on her as she turned the television on instead of grabbing a book. Yang slumped into the corner of the couch as she found a show to watch. She felt, rather than heard Blake move. Slipping into the space in front of her Yang adjusted her position to make enough room. She realized Blake must be worrying more than she let on about the project as she opted for the full spooning on the couch as opposed to the usual head in the lap approach. Yang wrapped her arm around Blake and pulled her back tightly against her own chest. A pleased noise escaped as Blake snuggled more comfortably into Yang's embrace before returning to her book.
Yang tried to follow the story with Blake but she was a fast reader and turned the pages much too quickly. It didn't bother her really. She was just glad she could feel the tense muscles of Blake's back relax. Periodically she would run her fingers along the bare skin of Blake's arm or would dip her head to place soft kisses on her bared shoulder or neck, Blake sighing and relaxing more with each touch.
Yang couldn't say how long they stayed like that as she always lost track of time when they were alone together. Eventually Blake set her book down and turned to face Yang. Others may have called the look Blake gave her indifferent. But Yang learned to see what others overlooked. The tiny quirk at the corner of her mouth. The half lidded look wasn't one of disinterest, but one of trust and contentment. These little things told Yang what words would not; Blake cared for her. She enjoyed being close to her.
For all the words she'd added to her vocabulary by reading, Yang had learned to read Blake without words.
Blake was the one to close the distance this time, lips brushing hers gently. And Yang wasted no time in returning the gesture.
With just the way Blake kissed her told her so much. The way she pressed further into her. The way she clenched Yang's shirt in a tight fist. All told Yang that Blake needed her. She needed to feel close, she needed to feel that connection. But the breaths she took were too shallow and too frequent.
Blake was exhausted.
Pulling back Yang watched as Blake struggled to open her eyes. It was so adorable Yang couldn't help but press one last lingering kiss to Blake's lips before she sat up. Blake groaned in protest but to no avail. Yang helped her to her feet, leading her down the hall to their bedroom.
Their bedroom.
Yang didn't think she would ever get used to calling it that. Nor did she think she would ever be able to stop her heart from pounding just a little harder watching Blake climb under the covers only to turn, reaching for her.
It was another pattern, another routine Yang had observed. And like all the rest it was one she didn't mind adhering to. Not wanting to keep her waiting long, Yang would crawl into bed after her. Blake then wrapped her arms around Yang resting her head comfortably tucked beneath Yang's chin. They fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle.
And before drifting off the sleep Blake would always search out one of Yang's hands beneath the covers. She would squeeze her hand three times.
One. Two. Three.
Yang never knew what it meant. She always thought of asking but when she remembered Blake was usually half asleep. And in the morning Yang always forgot there was something she was meant to ask. A part of her thought she might be worried at the reaction it would garner her. Would Blake stop the ritual pattern? It wasn't something Yang was willing to give up. It might seem trivial to others but Yang knew it was something special between them.
One day she would get the courage to ask. But for now she would enjoy whatever it was for as many nights as Blake allowed herself to share it with her.
As finals drew near there became less and less time for date nights, whether solo or their frequent double dates with Ruby and Weiss. And no matter how convincing Blake thought she was being, Yang refused to accept studying as a date.
"But Yang, Isn't us spending time together the point of a date?"
"Yes, but studying is not spending time together." Yang retorted, giving up on her Bio text for the moment.
"But us reading in the apartment is?"
"That's different!"
Blake scoffed amused. "How so?"
"Well-" How was it different? "Because we are sharing something you love to do so I feel like that brings us closer." Blake looked up from her text with a soft smile. "And no matter how much you tell me studying will benefit us in the long run, you will never convince me this is something you enjoy doing."
"You're right about that." Sighing Blake closed her text and started packing up.
Excited at the turn of events Yang began haphazardly shoving her belongings into her bag as well.
"No, no no." Blake put a hand on the text Yang was about to pack up. "You are not finished. Keep studying."
"But-"
"I have to go see if I can catch my History Prof before she leaves campus. I'm having some trouble understanding how her notes say one thing but the text is telling us another." Blake took a half step past Yang but paused as the saddened expression Yang was giving off as she pulled her things back out. "You will survive studying. You don't have to look so sad."
"I'm not sad about studying." She defended. "I just- You know what? Never mind." Yang smiled up at her girlfriend. "I'm just being dumb. You better hurry to catch your Prof."
"By now I would think you would be aware you can't placate me with fake smiles."
"I'm just," she slumped to rest her forehead on the table. "Everyone is so busy studying I feel like I haven't seen any of you in weeks."
"Yang."
The soft pitying way Blake said her name unnerved her. She didn't like being pitied. She was strong and independent and should be able to last the few weeks of finals without the others' company.
"Like I said," Yang spoke up stubbornly. "I'm just being dumb. You should get going. Should I wait here for you?"
Blake didn't answer right away. And Yang knew she would be contemplating how to deal with her. But right now Yang did need space to sort out her head.
"I'll meet you at home. I have something I need to pick up at the store. Don't stay here too late, okay?"
"I only have a few chapters to make it through before heading home. Shouldn't take more than an hour or so."
"Okay." Blake placed a kiss to the top of Yang's head before taking her leave. It pulled a smile from Yang at least.
She groaned loudly once Blake was out of earshot which garnered her a nasty look from a student at a nearby table. She waved sheepishly in apology before turning back to her text.
She thought forced studying with Blake had been bad, studying without her was even worse.
It had taken her longer that expected to get through the remaining chapters. She thought not having Blake around would have been less of a distraction. But the lack of noise from her flipping pages, or the little noises she made when she found what she was looking for through her notes were all things Yang became acutely aware she missed once they were absent.
So almost three hours later she finally dragged herself into their apartment. Glancing at the whiteboard on the fridge she saw a note from Ruby.
'Yang grilled cheese in fridge.'
Too tired to make anything else she grabbed the sandwich from the fridge and took a bite. It definitely would have been better warm but she really couldn't be bothered. She picked up the hanging marker and wrote a quick ' Thanks ' under Ruby's message before throwing her bag on the couch and making her way to the bathroom.
That's what their interactions had become, notes on a whiteboard. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen Ruby. She was spending almost every waking moment with Weiss, studying. Yang knew she couldn't be mad over Ruby's absence; She was basically doing the same with Blake. She just missed her sister. She even missed Weiss, not that she would ever admit that out loud.
She let the shower's hot spray relax the tense muscles formed by being hunched over a table for hours. Feeling a little more relaxed as she exited the bathroom. Yang crept quietly into her room assuming Blake was already asleep. Her assumptions were proved correct when she saw a still form on Blake's side of the bed. Quickly and quietly she threw on a clean tank top and shorts to sleep in before gently sliding into bed beside Blake. The other shifted in the darkness when the bed dipped and Yang stared at the ceiling, trying to remain still as Blake fell back to sleep.
What she missed most was Blake. Yang shifted to her side, facing her girlfriend's back. If Yang was honest, she was lonely. But it sounded ridiculous in her head, she wasn't about to voice it to anyone. How could she be lonely when Blake was right there, not even a foot away from her?
Closing her eyes, Yang told herself tomorrow would be better, even though she knew she was telling herself a lie. Her last exam may be the next day but Ruby, Weiss and even Blake still had a couple more weeks left.
—
"Ugh," Yang breathed, sliding into her truck. "It's over."
The last exam wasn't as hard as she thought it was going to be; she did have to give that credit to Blake though, it was the constant studying that had accomplished that.
Tapping the steering wheel, she tried to figure out where to go. She could go back home, but she knew no one would be there. She'd woken up to an empty bed and empty apartment. Blake just left a note on the fridge wishing her good luck on her exam. She could try the library. Blake might be there studying, but without her own subjects to study Yang knew she would more than likely just be a distraction rather than a welcome surprise.
Not knowing where to go and not wanting to go home Yang ended up driving aimlessly around Vale. She treated herself to a milkshake from the vendor in the park and spent some time trying to relax on a bench in a secluded part beneath some trees. When she had nowhere left to drive and no reason to keep her out she decided it was time to head home.
She hadn't expected Blake to be there, not until late, but she was pleasantly surprised to see her sitting on the couch.
"How was the exam?" Blake asked, getting up to meet her at the door.
"It wasn't horrible. " Yang groaned which pulled a smile from the other.
Blake wrapped her arms around Yang's waist before leaning in for a kiss. Yang couldn't help but sink into her embrace. She knew Blake only meant it as a welcome home kiss, but Yang just missed her, a lot. And she didn't seem to mind the slightly desperate way Yang's lips moved against her own.
When they pulled apart they were both breathing hard, but Yang kept a tight hold on Blake's hips; she wasn't ready to let go just yet.
"Thanks for making me study so hard." She whispered, lips still millimeters apart.
Blake's entire body shivered and Yang revelled in the physical response she could pull from the girl in her arms. Blake initiated the second kiss as well, but this time the desperation seemed evenly matched.
"Ugh," Blake growled as they separated. She buried her face in Yang's collar and sighed deeply. "When finals are over we are making time for us to be alone, deal?"
Yang laughed. "I would have made time during finals. You can prioritize better than me."
"Oh?" Blake chuckled into her neck before pulling back to look Yang in the eyes. She placed a hand on Yang's cheek and one more quick chaste kiss to her lips. "My willpower is finite, and it's been crumbling pretty quickly the past few weeks."
"Really?" Yang was surprised. It hadn't looked like Blake was struggling at all.
"Yes, I miss you Yang. But I knew one of us needed to be strong. I didn't want our relationship to be the reason you failed an exam."
"I think I did better on these exams than the winter ones, thanks to you."
"You are welcome. But as much as I have suffered and have to continue to suffer for a few more weeks, I know I'm dealing better with this than you, Yang. I've been used to solitude and being on my own. But you are the complete opposite."
"I'm fine."
"I know, but I got you something anyway." Blake stepped back, a mischievous smile forming.
"You got me something?"
"Well us. I got us something." She led Yang to their bedroom. "I needed something to both cheer you up and keep you occupied for the next few weeks while I focus on my own exams."
"Should I be scared?"
Blake laughed.
"I hope not."
Yang noticed there was a blanket covered box in the corner of the room which Blake made a beeline for. But when she removed the blanket it became apparent it was not a box at all. A metal crate that was housing a small black and white puppy.
"You didn't!" Yang squealed, dropping to her knees and hastily unfastening the hooks to open the door. The previously sleeping puppy was quick to wake at the excited voice of someone new. "What's its name?"
It had the colouring of a border collie, all black but with a white chest and legs but it didnt have the long hair a collie normally wore. Its tail had about half an inch of white tuft at the end and was as thick as a foxes.
"I haven't given him one yet." Blake dropped beside Yang as she scooped the small bundle into her lap. "I thought we could name him together."
"He's not a pure bred is he?"
"No." Blake supplied even though it was quite obviously a mutt. " but with the way you took me in after my apartment and all, I didn't think you minded taking in strays."
Yang smiled. Was that what Blake was, a stray?.
"Well if you were trying to distract me from missing you, you may have gone a little overboard. I may never need to give you attention again." Yang lifted the pup up to Blake. "Look at that little face!"
The puppy kicked its hanging legs and stretched to give Blake a kiss before Yang pulled him out of reach.
"Hey! Watch yourself mister. Blake's my girl."
"You were saying, about never needing to give me attention again?" Blake teased. "Looks like I have another admirer."
"Of course you do." Yang rolled her eyes. "Anyone would be stupid not to fall in love with you."
She turned the puppy to face her and it stopped trying to give kisses but it did turn its head and try to nip at Yang's fingers holding it.
"Hey, that's rude!"
She placed it down and laughed as it chased her hands around the carpet. When Yang's reflexes were too fast for him, he became annoyed and growled at her.
"He's a little monster I think." Yang thought for a moment. "Monster? No that's not any good."
"What did you just say?" Blake voiced softly.
"Monster, but that's not a good name."
"No." Blake placed a hand on Yang's arm, "before that."
The colour drained from Yang's face as she realized what she'd let slip. They hadn't said those words yet and Yang was waiting for a romantic time to tell her. She thought after finals, when she could take Blake on a proper date. But she couldn't really take the words back now, and laughing them away as a joke would be a lie.
Yang grabbed the puppy and placed him back in her lap, smiling down at the terror before searching Blake's face for any clues to how she was feeling.
"I said anyone would be stupid not to fall in love with you." Blake ducked her head as her cheeks turned red. "And I may be a dunce in many regards, but falling in love with you was the smartest thing I've ever done."
"I love you too." Blake said after some silent moments.
"Well that's a relief." Yang joked, trying to relieve the tension.
Blake elbowed her. "Though why I do is still a mystery."
"What good is love without a little mystery?" Yang winked. "Speaking of, what are we going to name our little love child?" Yang asked as he curled up in her lap.
"Ew, don't call him that."
"Well then pick a name!" Yang laughed. "Or LC will stick."
"Please no."
"Well we could just name him by his last name for now until we decide. Xiao Long?"
"Why does he get your last name?" Blake asked as she reached to scratch the pup's ears. He lifted his head and nipped at her hand playfully. "You've already taught him the bad habit of nipping hands… he is definitely your son. Xiao Long it is."
Yang chuckled. "I'll unteach him. But how about Dragon?'
Blake pondered for a moment.
"Drako means dragon in Latin."
"Ooo, I like that."
"Drako Xiao Long it is."
"His name can't be Small Dragon Dragon. So Drako Belladonna it will have to be."
"If you insist."
Prompts for this chapter were Pattern and Dragon
- JJ