A/N: Wow. Just wow. The response on this story has been amazing, so thank you SO much to all of you who have read, reviewed, followed and/or favourited this story. It means a hell of a lot to me, and it is just amazing and inspiring. I hope this second chapter is worthy of your appreciation.
Thanks again to Linira for ideas and advice. RWBY and its associated characters are not my property, they belong to Rooster Teeth.
It was turning out to be a difficult day for Blake.
It had started being difficult from the moment she woke up, with the startling revelation that she truly did have more-than-platonic feelings for her friend and leader, Ruby. Being something of a stranger to romance, Blake realised she needed to talk to someone about how she felt and what she should do next, and that was where the additional difficulties had set in.
Her first thought was to talk to Ruby about it, but that had two downsides: firstly, that doing so might scare her away or otherwise ruin one of the closest friendships Blake had known in recent years, and secondly Ruby had set off earlier that morning, for an impromptu shopping trip in Vale with Pyrrha ad Nora.
She then thought of Yang. After all, Yang was her team-mate and partner, so she should be the ideal one to talk to about things. However, Yang's defensiveness about Ruby was legendary, and confessing to having romantic feelings for her sister was probably a quick route to an early grave.
Weiss, then. Surely the team's most level-headed and straight-thinking member would be the perfect person to talk to? Well, yes, except that she was also still engaged in a long-running argument with Yang, concerning the events of the night before.
Since the ladies of team JNPR were absent, perhaps the men could help? She immediately quashed that thought - Ren was too quiet to offer sound advice, and Jaune was...well, Jaune.
Team CFVY were away. Sun and Neptune weren't serious enough. Profess- Doctor Oobleck and Professor Port were teaching, and likely unhelpful. And she didn't feel it was important enough to bother Ozpin. With no-one to talk to about her feelings, she resigned herself to walking around Beacon, the knot in her stomach making it difficult to eat or relax.
When she had resigned herself to spending the entire day in emotional turmoil, someone found her quite by accident, someone who Blake respected and yet hadn't even thought of.
"Miss Belladonna? What's wrong?"
"Hm?" Blake looked up from the book she had found in the library, so lost in thought se hadn't noticed Professor Goodwitch approach. "Oh, it's...it's nothing much. Thank you."
"Blake, I have been around long enough to know when one of our students is troubled, and we aren't here just to teach - we're here to advise as well. Please, tell me what's wrong."
Blake heaved a heavy sigh, feeling like some of the emotional burden went with it as she closed the book. She had only been staring at it for the past half-hour anyway.
"It's...it's about Ruby." Glynda appeared concerned, probably assuming there was some animosity between them. As if that was even possible, Blake thought with a weak smile. That girl doesn't have a malicious bone in her body.
"Do I need to have a talk with her about something?" Glynda asked, her tone serious. She took mis-treatment of her students very seriously.
"N-no, it's nothing like that. I just...I think I have feelings for her."
Glynda seemed slightly taken aback by the sudden admission, and blinked in surprise.
"I...see. Well, you wouldn't be the first to have feelings for a team-mate. Would you prefer to discuss this private? I can have some tea brought to my office?"
Blake smiled for the first time since waking up, and nodded.
"Thank you, Professor. I would like that."
Meanwhile, the object of Blake's affections was having an enjoyable time in Vale, totally unaware of her team-mate's feelings.
"I've heard there's a new book shop that's opened nearby," Pyrrha told the two shorter girls. "I would like to see if they have any new combat manuals, if that's okay."
Ruby, ever the avid book-worm, loved the idea. Nora was less impressed.
"Aww, books?!" She wailed. "Can't we do something fun instead?"
"Books can be fun too, Nora," Ruby told her sagely. "You just have to find the right one for you! Besides, I'd really like to see if they have anything Blake would like. Let's go!"
As Ruby walked ahead, Nora and Pyrrha exchanged a knowing look.
That had been the fourth time she had mentioned Blake in an hour and a half.
Three hours and several shops later, the girls had decided it was time to grab some food - or rather, Nora's stomach had growled so loudly Ruby had been ready for Beowolves to attack, so they decided to feed the short redhead.
Also, Nora and Pyrrha had felt they really needed to talk to Ruby about the one thing she hadn't kept quiet about - Blake.
In each shop they had entered, regardless of what Ruby herself had wanted to buy, her first question tended to be "what would Blake like?" When they were shopping for clothes, Ruby's choices were dictated by what Blake would like. She had bought some scented candles for Blake, a new book that "Blake would just love," and a necklace with a small silver 'B' on it.
The JNPR girls were just glad Ruby hadn't bought any new underwear. That conversation could have been awkward.
They'd finally settled on a small diner near the airship dock, with the intent of eating and then heading back to Beacon. After taking their seats and ordering with the waiter, Pyrrha decided to speak first.
"Ruby, I think we should all talk before we go back to Beacon."
Ruby was nonplussed. "O...kay, what about?"
"About you and Blake," Nora added immediately, her tone soft and sympathetic. "You haven't stopped talking about her since we got into Vale."
"Well yeah, she's my friend and she's really nice-"
"Ruby, every decision you made today was based on whether or not Blake would like it," Pyrrha stated. "Have you ever thought you might have feelings for her that go beyond friendship?"
Ruby's cheeks heated. This really wasn't a conversation she felt she should have with members of another team. She could barely have these talks with Yang, but at least the girls of JNPR wouldn't constantly tease her about it.
"I...well, no, but..." her words trailed off as she thought about it. What did she think of Blake? What was Blake to her? A friend, a faunus with the cutest kitty ears she'd seen, skilled at combat, mysterious, beautiful and-
"Oh god, I think you're right," Ruby moaned, burying her face in her hands. This is so embarrassing, she thought. How can I tell Yang my first crush is another girl?
The other two girls smiled at her, and Nora put an arm around hr shoulders.
"Don't worry, Rubes! You're friends already, right? So just ask her out!"
"But how?! I've never been on a date before, never mind asking someone out on one!"
"It's easy," Pyrrha told her. "Just say, 'Blake, would you like to go out some time?' It doesn't have to be hard."
As their food was finally brought to them, Ruby sighed heavily.
"Look, we got some time before we get back to Beacon," Nora said, giving Ruby's shoulder a squeeze. "We'll work it out with you and you can ask her when we get back!"
Ruby simply nodded, terrified that if she asked Blake out and she refused it would ruin their friendship.
With a thousand different thoughts running through her head, Ruby ate in silence and hoped it would all be okay.
Blake was feeling better. Still apprehensive, even after her talk with Professor Goodwitch, but better.
Her advice was sound - talk to Yang, purely as a matter of respect, then just ask Ruby out. It was simple, and quite possibly the best way forwards.
Although, as she walked towards where Yang and Weiss were arguing - again - it really didn't seem such a great idea to enrage the girl who punched an Atlesian Paladin into scrap.
Quite by luck, Yang had looked in her direction and her face had lit up, and she suddenly began walking towards her partner.
"Gotta go Weiss, we got plans but uh, great talk and we'll continue it never, okay see ya bye!" was all that Blake managed to pick up, followed by Weiss' shrill threat not to walk away from her.
"I know it seems she's pissed at me," Yang told her partner as they met at last, "but she totally wants me."
Blake shook her head at the irrepressible fighter, then took a deep breath. Just say it, Blake. Just say it.
"I want to be with Ruby." Okay, maybe should have thought it through first.
Yang's expression didn't seem to change. Blake was concerned that was a Bad Thing.
"Uh...wanna run that by me again?" she said.
"I meant that...I just, I have feelings for...for Ruby, and I know how protective you are of her, so I-I wanted to ask you..."
Thankfully, Yang finished the sentence for her. "You wanted to ask my permission to ask her out?"
Blake's throat suddenly betrayed her, and she merely nodded in response.
Of all the ways she thought Yang would react, the rib-crushing hug Blake received was probably the last on the list.
"Oh my god, that is so cute!" Yang exclaimed, finally letting her partner go. "You two would be so awesome together! Why would you need to ask?"
"Well, I...um..." Blake cleared her throat, took another breath and tried again. "I just wanted to ask, out of respect. I know you're very protective of her, and I wanted to make sure you had no problems with us...being together."
"Blake, seriously. You are more than good enough for Ruby," Yang told her, putting a friendly arm around her. "I know you'll treat her right. You should-"
She was interrupted by a tone from her scroll, indicating a message. She pulled out the device and checked the display.
On way back to Beacon. Know where Blake is? R.
"Ruby is on her way back now," Yang said, typing a reply. "Go ask her out, you totally have my blessing." Yang grinned at Blake, and the faunus girl simply blushed slightly.
Wth me. You 2 shud talk ;) Y.
"C'mon Blake-y, we'll meet her at the dock," Yang said, taking her friend's arm. "You are doing this today."
Blake was uncharacteristically nervous as the airship docked, so much so that Yang actually felt the need to hold on to the faunus girl's arm in case she ran off. She knew that the only way Blake would feel better would be if she actually asked Ruby out. Regardless of her sister's response, at least the matter would be sorted.
Of course, Yang secretly hoped that Ruby would agree. It would be good for her to have a relationship, and nobody would be better for her than Blake.
As soon as she caught sight of her sister she gave Blake a small push forwards, more as a prompt than anything else. "Go get 'er, kitty," she said with a grin, and Blake walked towards the girl who had occupied her thoughts all day.
"There she is, Ruby," Nora told the younger girl. "Just remember what we talked about, and you'll be fine."
Just be honest with her, Pyrrha had said. Like I told Jaune, you can't get it wrong if it's the truth.
And if she says no, Nora had told her, anticpating Ruby's question, then you will still be friends. It'll hurt a while, but it won't hurt forever.
"Good luck Ruby!" Pyrrha said cheerfully, and gave the smaller girl a hug for support. Nora followed suit, then they both sent her to meet Blake.
The closer they got to each other, the more Ruby worried. She could hardly remember what she'd been told again, her mouth had gone dry and her heart was pounding so loud she was certain they could hear it in Vacuo. This was a new thing for her, and it was exciting and terrifying all at once.
"Hey Ruby."
Ruby looked up in surprise, unaware that she'd finally met up with Blake, having been lost in her reverie.
"Oh, um...h-hi Blake, I, um..." words suddenly seemed to fail her as she looked at Blake. Standing there as calm as always, one arm at her side and other crossed over her stomach, hand resting on her elbow. Her amber eyes seemed brighter than before, her black hair shining in the sunlight.
"I...um...I got you some things in Vale!" Ruby blurted out at last, instantly regretting it even as she thrust the bags towards Blake.
"Ruby, that's...that's really sweet of you," Blake said, blushing at the thought that Ruby had spent any money on her. Then, Blake decided to throw caution to the wind. You only live once, after all.
"Thing is...there's something I would much rather have," she told the shorter girl, resting a gentle hand on her cheek. Before Ruby could enquire further, Blake had lifted her head and kissed her. It was a soft, chaste kiss, a kiss that said what Blake wanted to say: Be mine.
For a moment she was afraid she'd over-stepped the line, that she'd offended Ruby and Yang by not asking if it was okay first. But then the smaller girl kissed back, her own hands wrapping around Blake as she pulled the faunus closer.
At length they parted from the kiss, and they simply stood at the dock in each other's arms, both of them blushing from the emotional surge.
"Would you like to go out some time?" Ruby managed, and Blake smiled into Ruby's hair.
"As long as it's just us, then yes."
Ruby squeezed Blake a little tighter, feeling happier than ever before.
Blake held Ruby close, still astounded how she had not only found acceptance at Beacon, but affection as well. She didn't know what the future had in store, but for once she didn't feel like she would face it alone.
Omake #1 - Well you started it
"I know it seems she's pissed at me," Yang told her partner as they met at last, "but she totally wants me."
Blake shook her head at the irrepressible fighter, then took a deep breath. Just say it, Blake. Just say it.
"I want to be with Ruby."
Yang blinked in surprise.
"Daaaaang," she said after a moment.
"Um...shouldn't that be 'Yaaaaang'?" Blake offered.
"Shut up, Blake."
Omake #2 - You think I should do what?!
"...so I've got no-one else to talk to about all this, and I figured you would be a good listener, so...what do you think I should do?"
Blake looked to the only person she could find who might listen to her. Typically, it ended up being some one who could do nothing but listen.
The shorter girl shrugged, her multi-coloured hair shifting as she did. Then she made an 'O' shape with her right-hand thumb and forefinger, and moved her other forefinger in and out of the circle, before giving Blake a knowing wink.
"You think I should...um...what? I don't get what you're trying to suggest here."
Neo repeated the action, her expression becoming frustrated.
"Um...no, sorry, you've lost me."
Neo threw her hands up despairingly, and began making lewd motions with her hips, then pointing furiously at Blake.
"Oh my god, you are perverted!" Blake snapped. "I'm not doing any of that with you!" With that she stormed off, trying to find someone who would make sense.
Neo sighed, and buried her face in a palm. These Beacon students were dumb.