Showing Blake around her old stomping grounds ended up being a lot more enjoyable than she thought it would. When she'd asked what Blake wanted to do today, a tour of the town was not something she'd been expecting. Yang suggested a movie, or a walk in the wilderness that covered half of Patch. She'd even suggested the small amusement park on the other side of the island, but Blake shot down every one of her suggestions. She wanted to see where Yang grew up.
All in all the memories Yang had of Patch consisted mainly of the time she'd spent with her dad or Ruby. She had very few meaningful memories outside the little bubble she grew up in with her three membered circus family. She'd already shown Blake around her family's favourite outings days ago. But Blake was insistent. She wanted to know where Yang went to school and where she spent her spare time when not taking care of Ruby at home.
So Yang did the only thing she could think of doing, since she had nowhere specific she wanted to show Blake, she reenacted a day in her highschool life. Hand in hand they left the small log cabin Yang called home for so many years. She pulled Blake close, her arm automatically snaking around her lithe body to rest on Blake's opposite hip.
"Re-enacting?" Blake questioned when Yang explained her plan.
"You wanted to know about my life back then, right?" Blake's cheek rubbed softly against her shoulder as she nodded in affirmation. "Then what better way than to literally walk a day in my past self's shoes."
"So," Blake spoke, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "If we are walking in your highschool shoes… who may I ask is latched onto your arm as you make your morning commute to school?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Yang teased, pulling a disapproving noise from the back of Blake's throat. "If you must know." Yang relented. "That would be the one and only other girl to ever own a piece of my heart."
"What?"
Blake stopped walking, pulling Yang to a halt beside her. The way Blake's brow furrowed as she processed the news and tried to figure out who else Yang may have fallen in love with, was absolutely adorable.
"Ruby." Yang finally answered, breaking through Blake's internal deciphering.
"Yang!" Blake pouted as she was pulled forward along the path once more. "You are horrible."
"That would make you a sadist then would it not?" She continued to tease. "Since you're in love with the horrible being I am."
Blake dug a sharp elbow into Yang's ribs, causing her to yelp.
"You're incorrigible."
"And you're violent," Yang responded, rubbing at the growing bruise at her side.
"Who's the sadist now?"
Yang was about to respond when they broke through the trees and a large stone wall came into view. Turning to follow it, she was assailed with memories of taking the same walk hundreds of times with her sister.
"This is where I dropped Ruby off before heading to my school." Yang explained as they came to the front gate.
"Is this where you went to school when you were younger too?"
"I guess." Yang stared through the bars trying to remember anything she could share with Blake from that time in her life. "But I don't remember much from then. I remember helping Ruby patch up her scraped knee when she fell over there." Yang pointed to the playground. "I suppose I would have been going here with her when that happened. But mostly I just remember dropping her off and picking her up everyday."
Blake hummed approvingly.
"Ever the protector, weren't you?"
"After Summer passed away, I kind of felt like it was my job. I always looked up to her probably because my own Mother was anything but maternal." Yang grimaced at the thought of Raven.
"I do wish there were other stories of baby Yang you could tell me, but I suppose I'll have to get those from Ruby and Tai." Blake brought their entwined hands to her mouth and placed a gentle kiss to the back of Yang's hand. "It would make sense with the trauma of losing a parent to have your mind block out the painful memories."
"I suppose."
Embarrassed, Yang pulled Blake to their next destination. Everytime she spared a glance, Blake was staring down the street or into yards they passed. She was fascinated at everything that came into view. Yang wondered if she would be acting the same way had their positions been reversed. She supposed she would be soaking up as much as she could about Blake's past as well. It made her even more excited about their trip to Menagerie the following month.
Deciding to be a better tour guide, Yang entered the gate to her highschool showing Blake her classrooms for each year she attended. The front doors were closed and locked so Blake had to settle for staring up at windows Yang pointed to.
"How many hours did you spend staring out the window instead of paying attention in class?"
"My first year, way too many." Yang shook her head, amused. "But after that my teachers conspired to stick me in the middle row so I wouldn't get distracted by windows or the other students passing in the halls."
"And how well did their devious conspiring work?"
"Not very I'm afraid. I'm very good at finding anything to occupy my mind besides studying."
"I'm well aware." Blake took one last look at the empty second floor window. "Were you in any clubs? I remember you mentioned a basketball team."
"Oh yeah!" Yang jumped in excitement, pulling Blake around the other side of the building and down a path canopied by overhanging branches. "We used to eat lunch here instead of the cafeteria when it wasn't raining or snowing." Yang pointed to a fountain area surrounded by a few benches.
"We?"
"Me and some of the old gang." Yang steered them through an opening in the foliage. "And here is where I spent my club time. I wasn't the academic type."
"Surprisingly."
"So I was in track and Basketball instead." Yang continued, only shooting a warning glare Blake's way for her snide comment.
They took a leisure turn around the track as Yang pointed out some spots of importance from her memories. She hoped she was being a good guide; she really did want Blake to return the favour when they went to her hometown.
"What about after school?" Blake asked as they came to the starting line again. "Or did you always accompany Ruby home?"
"When she was younger, yeah." Yang pondered. "But when she started her first year of highschool she was always walking home with her new friends."
"So then, what did you do with your time?"
"I hung out at the mall a lot I suppose. It was just what everyone did. Including Ruby and her friends. So I would just tag along."
"With Ruby and her friends? Wasn't that-"
"No, with some students in my class." Yang answered. "The center isn't that far from here if you'd like to go." She grabbed Blake's hand and started leading her before she ever gave her answer. "I'll buy you an ice cream while we're there."
"You sure it's not just you that wants the ice cream?"
"Can't it be a little of both?"
Blake laughed before agreeing, quickening her steps to match Yang's excited ones.
Yang's first stop was the ice cream shop once they arrived. She bought one for both of them before they spent the next hour wandering the mall. She watched as Blake entered every bookstore they passed, following her willingly, or standing outside holding the drinks or treats they'd been eating when a cranky owner forbade such things near the precious paper treasures. But the smile Blake gave her and the kiss on the cheek she received each time made it worth it.
Yang's jaw was getting tired from smiling so much and she realized just how much she enjoyed spending time like this with Blake. Her younger self wasted countless hours in this space, but never did she have as much fun as she was having now. Not for the first time, Yang wondered what her highschool life would have been like had they met earlier.
"Is that Yang?"
Looking up at the mention of her name she saw a familiar sight. Coming out of a Gap opposite her came a group of her old schoolmates. Yang waved, but didn't want to leave her position lest Blake return and wonder where she'd gone. The group of five instead made their way to Yang.
"I can't believe it's you!"
"When did you get back?"
"I heard you were in the big city!"
"How the hell are you?"
They all spoke at once and Yang laughed nervously, not sure who to answer first.
"Let her breathe, you lot." A raven haired girl stepped forward, pushing the others to the side, effectively silencing them all. "How have you been Yang?"
"I've been great!" The girl stepped closer with her arms outstretched and Yang returned her hug politely. "How have you been Sapphire?"
"Bored." The girl deadpanned. She waved a hand at the group behind her. "This lot aren't half as interesting without you around."
Multiple voices rose up in indignation, but Yang's ears only perked up when a familiar voice spoke up quietly behind her.
"What's going on out here?"
One of the guys behind Sapphire stepped into view wearing a dangerous smirk at the new addition.
"Well you're cute. What's your name?" His voice dropped an octave as he slicked back his brown curls with one hand, holding out his other for Blake to accept. "I'm-"
"Back off Bast. She's with me." Yang stepped forward to push his hand away.
"A friend of yours is a friend of ours aren't they?" Bast continued, sending what he thought was a sexy wink in Blake's direction.
"No, as in she is with me. This is Blake, my girlfriend ." She continued to glare at him until he took two full steps back.
"Well, I'm glad to see the attitude is still intact. Big old Vale hasn't broken that at least." Sapphire carefully broke the tension. "Let's go get something to eat."
"We were just about to-"
"Please?" Another girl stepped forward. She was much smaller than the others and wore her short red hair spiked up on her head. "We haven't seen you in years! We need to catch up!"
"Jem is right." Malachite spoke up from the back, where he was comforting Bast's bruised ego. "It's been far too long, Yang." He smiled warmly. "Besides, how could we possibly pass up an opportunity to embarrass you in front of your girl."
Yang deflated, Malachite was always the one to persuade her with his calm voice and un-imposing manner. She looked to Blake for back up but she couldn't catch her eye. She was too busy observing the five interlopers.
"Blake?"
Her lips curled into a smile that Yang could see didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I don't see why we can't spare a little time." Blake responded as the others, excluding Bast, cheered. "We haven't eaten yet, and I wouldn't say no to hearing some stories of you in the glory days."
"Perfect!" Sapphire exclaimed
She linked arms with Blake to guide her towards the food court. Jem skipped to catch them, not quite invading Blake's personal space like Sapphire had but just as eager as ever to meet a new person. Bast followed sullenly behind them, dragging his feet. Having no other option Yang trotted to keep up with the group. Malachite and Viv, who'd remained silent the entire time, fell in step beside her.
Yang barely said two words the entire meal, seemingly forgetting her in the others excitement to steal Blake's attention. Taking turns they told stories of Yang's highschool adventures. Most she couldn't even remember, but the ones she did were so over embellished by the group it was ridiculous. The stories shocked Blake at times and humoured her in others. Polite and more lively than Yang had ever seen her in a group setting, Blake spoke with each in the gang and by the end of the meal they were so enraptured with her Yang could barely pry them off long enough for them to escape.
"But Yang," Jem whined as she clung to Blake's arm. "We have so many more tales of 'The Xiao Long Legend' to tell Blake."
"It's getting dark and Tai wasn't expecting us to be gone this long." Yang repeated, for the third time. She was starting to think no one was even listening to a word she said.
"You can stay out a little longer. Blake's having fun. Aren't you?" Sapphire turned her eyes to the half slumped form rooted by the hanging body of Jem.
"I'm trying to impress Yang's father, not anger him." Blake chuckled as she pried each of Jem's fingers off her arm. "It was great meeting you all though."
"Oh, Yang." Malachite chimed in. "Do tell Tai hello from all of us will you?"
"Sure," she mumbled. She'd mentioned him multiple times trying to get away and was ignored but Blake says his name once and everyone pauses to hang on her every word.
"Will your dad be very angry that we're late?" Blake asked as they retraced their steps from earlier.
"No, he probably hasn't even noticed we've been gone."
"Oh."
Appearing deep in thought Yang didn't want to bother her so they strolled in silence half the way home. Yang was used to non verbal communication when it came to Blake. But where normally walking in silence wasn't a reason to become alarmed, today felt different. Blake was so lively back at the restaurant that now, lacking her voice, the air around them felt heavy.
"You didn't cut the reunion short on my account did you?" Blake questioned as they stepped onto the path that would lead them the last leg of their journey.
"Of course not." Yang took a moment to compare the sullen expression Blake now wore to the lively one from not long ago. "Did you want to hang out longer with them? I'm sorry. I didn't ask you what you would prefer."
The look Blake shot her was full of surprise and confusion.
"Why would you think I wanted to stay longer?"
"Well," she started, a little taken aback by Blake's accusatory tone. "You seemed like you were having a good time is all."
"I was just being polite."
They walked the remaining distance accompanied by a weighty reticence. Blake only brightened when she greeted Tai where he sat on the porch waiting for them to come home.
Expecting she was just reading too much into Blake's behaviour, Yang hoped it was just the exhaustion of the day's events that were catching up with her. Blake was never one to be in a good mood when tired.
The pale orange glow peeking through the closed curtains told Blake it was too early for her to be awake. Yang still slept peacefully beside her, as she had the morning before when Blake stared at the ceiling for hours. She tried to fall back to sleep, even gently curling into Yang's side, which normally had her passing out in minutes, could not turn off the thoughts swimming in her mind. It shouldn't matter who Yang was back in highschool. It shouldn't matter that the picture Blake had in her head wasn't correct. Yang told her once she didn't have many friends growing up. She'd told her Pyrrha was her first friend. But that wasn't true. The group they'd run into two days before proved that.
Blake was upset but she couldn't decide if it was because Yang had been dishonest with her or that the picture of the two of them being kindred spirits was washed away at the knowledge. She'd seen Yang as her equal. Her partner. Her… soulmate. But those things were in part based on the knowledge they'd both been lonely and slightly lost before they'd found each other.
She knew it was stupid. Taking a moment to watch Yang sleep frustrated her more. She didn't love Yang any less. How could she? She was still the same loving, beautiful, always-put-others-before-herself self. It wasn't possible for Blake to love Yang any less when each day she woke up next to her, and each night she fell asleep wrapped in the other's arms, she fell more and more hopelessly in love.
Giving up on sleep and feeling restless Blake slipped out of bed before she woke Yang with her tossing. She didn't want to answer the questions Yang would ask at her being up so early. She didn't want Yang seeing this petty side of her that was upset she'd had a happier, more friend-filled, childhood than her own.
Making her way quietly to the kitchen downstairs she thought a cup of tea might calm her. She knew she needed to figure out a way to put these thoughts behind her. It shouldn't matter. And maybe that's why she was so worked up about it all. She knew she was acting irrationally, and she wasn't used to that.
This wasn't her.
The kettle just came to a boil when Tai walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, you're up early today."
"Couldn't sleep." Blake simply replied. "Would you like some tea?"
"That would be great, thanks."
She poured the boiling water in a teapot before carrying it and two cups to the table where Tai had settled. They sat in silence waiting for the tea to steep, but as she poured them both a cup Tai finally broke the silence.
"Any reason you couldn't sleep?"
"Not really."
She knew he meant well but she really didn't think talking to Yang's dad about their relationship was a good idea. Especially since she'd only met the man not even a week ago. This was something he probably wouldn't understand. The fact she didn't quite understand proved that. If she couldn't figure out her own mind how was a stranger supposed to help her?
"Yang wasn't snoring was she?" Tai took a sip from the cup Blake slid over to him. "She used to wake Ruby and I all the time."
"Really?" Blake asked, amused. If only it was that simple. "She's not that bad now."
"That's good to hear. I take you as kind to be dangerous with little sleep."
Blake laughed.
"Hardly. Though, I wonder why you approached me this morning if you thought I'd be dangerous."
"I like to live a little on the wild side." He sent a teasing wink Blake's direction.
"So that's where Yang gets it from."
"She sure does come off as a thrill seeker, that's for sure." Finishing the last of his tea he seemed to be observing Blake. She wasn't sure why and it was starting to unnerve her. "I was about to head out to do some gardening. Would you like to join me?"
"I-"
"Don't tell me my daughter brought home a princess scared to get a little dirt under her fingernails?"
"Hey!" Indignant was an understatement. The last thing anyone would call her was a princess. "I think you're getting your daughter's girlfriends confused." The quirk of his lip told Blake she'd played right into his hand. He'd meant to force a reaction from her. But two could play at that game. "I'll join you, however. I wouldn't want you injuring yourself in your confusion, Old man."
Tai threw his head back and roared.
"Oh I knew you couldn't be only the meek and quiet girl that turned up on my doorstep a few days ago. There had to have been some attitude hidden away to have Yang falling so hard."
Blake knew she was blushing.
"Come on then. Let's get to work." Tai stood. "Do you want to change first?"
Shaking her head Blake carried their cups to the sink. "I wouldn't want to wake Yang. I'll change once she gets up. Besides it's warm out."
Following him to the shed outside he threw her a spare pair of gloves before leading her to the flowerbed on the side of the house.
"You know what are weeds, right?"
Kneeling on one side Blake nodded again.
Tai shook his head. "You are a woman of few words, Blake."
"Hmmm," she hummed in reply. "I think it sometimes infuriates your daughter."
They worked in silence side by side for about an hour before Tai's voice interrupted her thoughts. She was glad for the distraction as the monotony of her task was allowing her mind to wander to unpleasant thoughts again.
"You aren't picking these annoying beasts." He pointed out pulling a spindly light green plant from its spot next to a half bloomed tulip. "They are impossible to get rid of."
"Get rid of?" Blake looked back at the patch she'd cleared. "I'd agree. But they are pretty easy to manage and you want to keep some around. They naturally deter pests and their scent drives away mosquitoes as well."
"Hmm," Tai looked at the plant with less distaste. "You really know your plants, huh?"
"My mother has a large garden and I grew up helping her manage it." Shrugging her shoulder she threw another weed into her growing pile. "I also read a lot."
"Oh, a scholar." Tai laughed. "Can't believe my little social butterfly grew up and fell in love with a bookworm." Shaking his head he went back to work.
"Yeah." Blake roughly picked another weed, accidentally half uprooting a daisy behind it. "Ugh."
She could feel Tai's eyes on her as his hands stilled.
"I heard you ran into some of the old gang a few days ago." He said quietly.
"Sure did." Blake responded, packing the daisy's roots back securely in the dirt. Hopefully it would continue to thrive and not wilt. "The Xiao Long Legend." Blake paused, picking up a ladybug from a weed she was currently wanting to get rid of. She placed it on the petal of one of the tulips in an area she'd already cleared. "That's what they called her."
Tai chuckled at the old nickname.
"She sure was always surrounded by a lot of schoolmates."
"Sure seems like she had an abundance of friends."
"You would not believe some of the stories I could tell you of how Yang always found herself at the center of some ordeal or another." Blake responded by doubling her efforts, moving over a foot and working at clearing the new section. "But that doesn't equate to the same thing as friendships."
Her hands stopped halfway through pulling a difficult, long-rooted weed from the middle of the patch.
"Some people protect themselves through silence and mystery. Some choose a different path."
"I don't understand." Blake was sure the silent mystery he mentioned was aimed at her but she wasn't sure where he was trying to lead their conversation.
"You, I would wager, cover up who you are with weeds and thorns."
"I-"
"So others have to pick each prickly problem before they earn your trust and get to see the flower beneath that rough exterior."
He motioned to the flower garden. Most had been picked clean from their continued ministrations. The colourful flowers once hidden by the quick growing wall of weeds now on display ready to flourish. But there was a small section still covered by a thick overgrowth that continued to block the light from reaching the life within.
"Tai. How-"
"But my eldest daughter. Ever the first to step forward with a hug or a smile. The one that lives to brighten everyone else's day…" He paused, caressing a bright yellow marigold. "Well, like I said. Some hide in the shadows covered in thorns for protection. Others hide in plain sight, letting forced smiles and mock laughter distract others from finding out what truly lies beneath."
"Blake." Yang's muffled call drifted to their ears followed by quickened heavy steps descending the stairs inside.
"You and her are more alike than you think. Both hiding behind a wall of overgrowth." Tai smiled warmly. "Yang's can be harder to see because it's hidden well. But I would bet she shows you a side of herself she hasn't shown many. I'd wager you know aspects of my daughter I don't even get to see."
Blake remembered the scared, frail girl that knocked on her door before spring break, terrified of losing her. The sad and lonely side that she showed her behind closed doors during finals. The frantic fear Yang failed to hold back the night of her apartment fire.
"I can finish out here." Tai spoke, breaking her thoughts. "You should go find yang before she destroys all of Patch looking for you."
Blake stood, dusting the dirt and grass from her knees.
"And Blake."
"Yes?"
To Blake, it looked like Tai was fighting back tears, but she couldn't fathom why.
"I would trade all the ridiculous stories of Yang's youth and classmates to have had you come into her life sooner. And I'm positive Yang feels the same way."
Blake smiled, understanding exactly what he meant. She felt the same about Yang and would give anything to have had more time with her. Brushing her hand along his shoulders in a silent action of comfort she made her way to the front of the small home. Yang stepped onto the porch with a worried expression.
All the doubt and negative emotions that were building the past two days washed away at the sight of her. Blake couldn't understand why she'd been wasting time she could have been peacefully enjoying in her girlfriend's presence.
"Never again," she promised.
"What was that?" Yang questioned.
Blake took the front steps two at a time and rushed to Yang's side, wrapping her arms securely around Yang's framed and burying her face in the crook of Yang's neck. Blake breathed deep and hummed her approval.
Yang laughed, squeezing Blake just as tightly in return.
"What's gotten you so clingy?"
"I'm just really happy." Blake whispered, pulling back to place a soft kiss to Yang's lips. As Yang pressed to deepen the kiss Blake spun out of her arms.
"Hey!" Yang's disappointment was evident. "You're such a tease."
Blake laughed, grabbing Yang's hand and pulled her into the house. Giddy was the closest word she knew to describe how she was feeling. She squeezed Yang's hand her cursory three times as she dragged her through the lower level of the house.
"I need to shower and change clothes. While you were sleeping your father was putting me to work."
Yang held tight to Blake's hand as they made their way upstairs.
"Do I get to join you in this shower?"
A sharp pull spun Blake around. Yang stepped forward, trapping Blake against the closed bathroom door; their still entwined hands pinned to the wood just above Blake's head. She sucked in a sharp breath before Yang stole the kiss she'd denied her on the porch. Blake melted and a moan escaped her as she returned the kiss.
"Is that a yes?" Yang queried as they pulled a part.
Blake groaned. Yang was the only one able to tempt her in these ways. Entwining the fingers of her free hand in the curls at the base of Yang's neck she pulled her in for another sultry kiss. She was about to open the door and drag Yang in, accepting her earlier proposal when the open window at the end of the hall brought a whistled tune to her ears.
She pushed Yang roughly back, breathing hard she ran her hands through her hair lest they grab Yang in their desperate need to have her closer.
"Your dad is right outside."
"We could be-"
"Quiet?" Blake shook her head. "I can't Yang."
Her disappointed groan amused Blake. The slumped figure against the opposite wall was something she pitied.
"But if you're good for the next two days…" Blake spoke, opening the door behind her and half disappearing from Yang's view. "I can arrange for Ruby to be gone for a few days when we get back home."
"Deal." Yang was quick to agree as Blake chuckled and closed the door, locking it for good measure.
God did she love that girl.
/
Prompts for this chapter were Legend and Overgrown
-JJ