AN: At the time of this posting this little story of mine has amassed: 50 followers, 30 favorites, 36 reviews, and has been viewed 4,774 times.
I honestly can't articulate how amazing that feels. I just want to take a second to thank each and every single one of you for taking the time out to read and review. I'm going to be honest, if it weren't for you guys and your continued support this would have remained a oneshot.
Now, without further ado, Chapter 10. I hope you enjoy!
When did she get so fast? Ruby panted around the thought as she turned the corner Yang had made just moments ago, her shoes left skid marks across the black surface of the pavement as she slid over it.
Since leaving the cafeteria Yang had managed to lead Ruby halfway across Beacon's sprawling campus. It had been a harrowing chase with Ruby, who had always been the faster of the two sisters, only just being able to keep up with Yang despite her Semblance.
She must really be hurting if she's able to do this…though my arm is throwing me off… She quickly shook the thought away. There'd be plenty of time for that later, after she caught Yang. Who had once again changed direction.
Ruby looked past her sister, trying to figure out where she was heading.
We're headed west now, what's out there… Ruby's breath hitched as she realized where Yang was headed, what she was going to do, the realization forcing her to push her already strained legs harder. …Yang, don't.
"Will you hold still?!" Weiss snapped, for what must have been the nth time that hour. The heiress pulled the dampened cloth she held to the side of Blake's bruised face away as she winced in pain. "I'm trying to heal you, but I can't if you keep moving the second that I touch you!"
Though, if Weiss were being honest with herself she couldn't really blame Blake for pulling away. The bruise on her teammates face had already started to swell, the black and blue coloring becoming more prominent with every passing second against the fair skin of Blake's cheek.
It's a good thing she thought to activate her Aura before she dived in, otherwise this could be far, far worse, Weiss thought, as she recalled what had happened just a few minutes ago. She fought off a shudder as the sound of Yang's fist connecting with Blake's cheek replayed in her ears. It had been sickening, a combination of wet skin connecting with hardened steel. Aura or no, it was a miracle that Blake was up and moving around, let alone talking.
And all she wants is Yang, the brunette's dedication to the brawler, even after what had just happened, amazed Weiss. I mean I knew she cared about her…oh, who am I kidding? If the pairs were reversed the only person I'd want would be Ruby.
"I know, I'm sorry…" Blake's eyes were downcast as she answered, her voice devoid of any emotion save one; sorrow.
Dammit, Weiss sighed, "Look, Blake, I shouldn't have…"
"No, you're right." Blake cut her off, "You're trying to help and I'm making it difficult… I'm sorry."
Weiss had never heard Blake's voice be so…distant. Which considering who she was talking to was saying a lot. Blake was right in front of her, physically at least, but it was obvious to the heiress that Blake's mind and heart were somewhere else entirely.
Yang, you oaf…
Weiss wanted to say something to try and reassure her teammate that everything would be alright. She just couldn't find the proper words. It's not like she'll listen to me anyway, she mused, I'm not the one she wants or needs to hear it from.
She sighed.
She was getting really tired of doing that.
"No, Blake I'm sorry." Golden eyes slowly rose to meet hers.
There you go.
"I shouldn't have snapped at you like that." Weiss paused, carefully considering her next words. "I know you're hurting right now… and I know that I've never been the warmest of us, but I'm here to help. If you'll let me."
Glassy, amber eyes stared up at Weiss. The raw emotion that was held within was enough for Weiss's own heart to cry out. She bit the inside of her lip. Despite her icy and sometimes off-putting demeanor, she cared about her teammates, and she knew that they all knew that.
Although, I suppose I do come off as a little thick at times…
"Alright," Blake said, killing Weiss's train of thought. "Go ahead, just…be gentle."
She couldn't prevent the little smile that appeared on her face as she nodded, "Okay, I will be."
Weiss brought her hand back up to Blake's face, the cool cloth still present within. As gently as she could Weiss placed the cloth against Blake's swollen face.
The Faunus grimaced.
"Sorry," Weiss said, readjusting the pressure she was applying in an attempt to ease her teammate's pain. "Is that better?"
A meek nod was her only response.
"Alright," Weiss summoned her Aura, encasing her hand in an ethereal white glow. "This might feel a little weird."
It all burned.
Every fiber of Ruby's lungs and legs were on fire as she continued to chase Yang. She didn't take note of the inflamed sensation though, no, every bit of Ruby's attention was focused solely on her sister. The brawler's destination, that Ruby had previously suspected, now all but confirmed in her mind.
Yang was headed for the public airship docks, and Ruby knew all too well what her sister had in mind. Yang intended on leaving, on running away. Ruby wasn't about to let that happen.
Taking a deep breath and cramming as much air into her lungs as she could Ruby activated her Semblance, the scent of roses filled her nostrils as she was propelled forward at a breakneck speed. The surroundings blurred together like a kaleidoscope as she darted past. The only shape to retain its form was that of Yang's back, which with that final burst of speed, was finally in striking distance for the younger girl.
Crying out, Ruby extended her left arm out and around Yang's waist as she collided into the blonde's back, the impact sending the two of them tumbling helplessly to the hard asphalt.
"There," Weiss pulled her hand away, taking a half-step back. "Does that feel any better?"
Blake brought a hand up; thin finger's delicately dragging across darkened skin. "It's not throbbing anymore, thank you."
Weiss deflated a little at the wobbly sound of her teammate's voice. She wasn't sure what she had expected, but she had hoped that Blake would have perked up, at least a little bit.
Then again it is Blake; the thought did a little to alleviate some of her initial concern. Despite opening up and coming out of her shell, largely by Yang's forceful and ever persistent hand, over the years it still took a lot to get the Faunus member of the team excited, and even more than that to get her to actually show it.
But still, this goes beyond her normal brooding… Weiss warily eyed her teammate. Blake had turned her head, giving Weiss and almost unobstructed view of her battered face. She frowned at what she saw. Her attempt at healing the wound had definitely reduced the swelling, and Blake herself had said that it wasn't hurting as bad as it had been. Looking at it now though, Weiss had to question just how true that statement was.
The skin was still a myriad of blacks and blues, and if the way that Blake cringed as her fingers came into contact with it were any indication, it was still tender, and probably would be for a long while.
It's a miracle her jaw wasn't broken.
Weiss absently wondered if Yang had somehow managed to pull her punch at the last second.
"It's been a long time." Blake said, pulling Weiss back to their current reality. The Faunus's eyes were focused down the hall that Ruby and Yang had vanished into. "We should go after them."
"Oh, no you don't!" Weiss forced Blake back into her chair, taking note of the effort it required for Blake to stand. "We're going to stay right here."
"Weiss, let go! I need…"
"To get to Yang, yes, I know." Weiss kept her hands firmly placed against her teammate's shoulders, holding her in place. "But you still aren't in any condition to be moving around."
"I feel fine!" Blake's eyes were defiant as she glared up at Weiss. Unfortunately for the Faunus, Weiss was immune to any and all glares. Save for one, but luckily for her and unfortunately for Blake, Ruby wasn't there.
She wants to play it like that, fine.
"Alright then," Weiss said, widening her stance as she did. "If you're alright, prove it. Get up."
Blake's face became quizzical, cat ears twitching back and forth, "You're holding…"
"Get up Belladonna!" Her voice came out harsher than she intended it to, but Blake wasn't the only one with raw nerves at the moment. And, if Blake felt like pushing the matter so much, Weiss was going to push back.
Blake's face hardened as she went to stand up, her shoulders pushing up against the calloused palms of Weiss's hands.
The heiress tightened her grip, not enough to hurt, but just enough to hold the other girl in place. Blake struggled and squirmed, never once rising from the seat of the chair.
"Weiss, let me go!"
Weiss met Blake's glare with one of her own.
"No, if you want up you're going to have to force me off!"
"But I can't…"
"Exactly!" Weiss was happy to see that her outcry had forced the Faunus to still. "Think about it Blake, if you were as fine as you claim that you are, you'd be able to fight me off no problem!"
Her voice softened as she continued, "Look, I know you want… need to see Yang, okay? Ruby has gone after her, and you know how fast she is, she'll catch Yang and bring her back.
"You just have to be patient."
Weiss watched as Blake's eyes became glassy; her body lightly shaking as her ears flattened.
"Promise…" Blake's voice quivered as a tear slid its way down her face. "Promise me she'll come back."
Weiss understood then. She realized that Blake didn't view Yang running away as the brawler running away from what she had did. No, Blake saw it as Yang running away from her, as Yang leaving her alone.
Blake…Yang, you oaf!
Weiss resolved to have a very lengthy conversation with Yang once this was all over. But that could wait; right now Weiss had a teammate and friend who needed her.
Adjusting her grip around the other girls shoulders Weiss pulled Blake flush against her abdomen, hands running gently over her quivering back.
"I promise," Weiss
had to fight to keep her own emotions in check as she felt Blake's hands latch onto her clothes. "She'll be back before you know it."
She felt Blake sob against her stomach.
Ruby, get your oaf of a sister back here, please…
Ruby groaned in agony as she rolled over, left hand clutching at her right arm as she rode out another wave of unadulterated pain.
Note to self; Tackling Yang on hard pavement with a surgically repaired arm that's still healing is a very, very, bad idea!
"Are… are you alright?"
Ruby cracked open her eyes at the sound of Yang's raw and tearstained voice. The older girl's own eyes were currently hidden behind a cascading wave of golden curls, but Ruby could easily make out the tear tracks that ran down her sister's face. The sight made her forget about her own physical pain as she remembered why she did what she did.
A muscled and toned arm extended out towards her, Ruby took the offered help gratefully, hoisting herself up with Yang as her anchor.
"I'm fine," Ruby said, doing her best to dust herself off. She grabbed Yang's hand again, a smile adorning her face. "Now come on, we need to get back."
Ruby turned to head back the way they had come, only to be stopped when her arm extended its full length back. She paused, turning around to find Yang's arm hanging limp in her grasp. Yang didn't meet her gaze as she spoke.
"I'm not going back…" The words were mumbled but she heard them loud and clear.
Ruby turned the rest of the way around, taking a couple of small steps back towards her sister. Allowing their arms to lower, she kept her grip however; she didn't expect Yang to run again. But as Weiss would say, "It never hurts to be cautious."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked as she attempted to find Yang's eyes behind the curtain of blonde hair that shrouded her face. She almost succeeded, but Yang shied even further away.
"I'm not going back Ruby, I-I can't."
"But we have to, Weiss and Bla-…"
Yang jerked her arm away then, "Dammit, Ruby, I said no!"
Ruby clutched her good arm to her chest, startled by Yang's sudden outburst. The blonde had finally raised her head, the emotion displayed on her face and within her eyes one that Ruby didn't recognize. Tears streamed down Yang's face as they traveled from her eyes to the bottom of her chin where they pooled together before dripping down to her shirt. Her voice was strained as she continued.
"I'm not going back…I'm not," Yang turned away from her then, her voice sounded small, so unlike her normal boisterous sound. "I'm leaving."
Ruby felt anger course through her veins as Yang walked away from her, head hung low. Using her semblance she darted around in front of Yang, she grabbed onto the brawler's shoulder forcing her to a standstill.
"Oh no, you aren't!" Ruby stared defiantly up into her sister's eyes; her voice took on its commanding note. "I'm going back and you're coming with me."
Yang held her gaze her eyes communicating that she wasn't about to bend to Ruby's wishes, despite the tears that continued to flow from the lilac colored pools.
They stood like that for several minutes, neither blinking. Ruby could feel the air starting to prickle at her eyes as the stare down continued to drag on. She was just about to say something when finally, Yang broke.
It was subtle at first. Yang's hands begun shaking, then her arms, followed closely by the rest of her body. Even her eyes seemed to be shaking as water continued to flow forth from them.
"Ruby…I," Yang collapsed down to her knees.
Ruby followed her down, pulling her distraught sister to her in the best one-armed embrace she could manage. She did her best to comfort her as Yang's hands fisted the fabric of her cloak.
Ruby was taken aback by her sister's actions. She knew that Yang felt bad for what had happened, but she didn't expect it to affect her this much. There has to be something else…
"Shhh," Ruby cooed soothingly into Yang's hair as the blonde's body was raked by a strangled sob. "It's alright just let it out, Yang."
"It's not," Yang's head shook from where it was crammed against Ruby's neck, the redhead girl could just barely understand her sister through her tears.
"I-I'm…her-I'm her partner," Ruby closed her eyes in an attempt to keep her own tears in check. Yang's entire body was convulsing with sobs as she choked the words out. "I'm her partner and I hit her!"
Ruby could barely stand the sound of Yang's voice. It was so raw, broken, and lost that it made her heart break.
Just take a deep breath, be strong, Yang needs you right now.
She didn't care to count the number of times that they had found themselves in this situation, one sister taking care of the other. Despite having others to lean on they would always go to the other first, it was an unspoken agreement between the two. "If you're hurting, come to me."
So taking the self-prescribed breath to steady her voice, Ruby squeezed Yang closer.
"I know and I know you feel terrible about what happened, but you can't just run form this Yang, you need to come back with me and…"
"You don't understand," Ruby was interrupted mid-sentence as Yang pulled away, standing. "I'm her partner, Ruby!
"She's supposed to be able to trust me, trust that I'll always be there for her that I'll protect her, that I'll never hurt her!" Yang was pacing in front of her now, her hands buried within her golden tresses. "When I hit her, I-I was none of those things! How can she trust me now?"
"After what I did, how…how can she trust me?" Yang slumped back to the ground, her hands falling from her hair and to her lap, a few golden strands grasped within. "I wouldn't be surprised if she hates me now…she has every right to."
The tears that Ruby had been fighting off finally won out as she felt a few of them slide down her cheeks. She finally understood why Yang had run in the first place. She wasn't running from what she had done, no, she was running from Blake. Running away from the idea that Blake hated her after what she had done.
But did she not see how Blake was reaching for her? Did she not see how upset Blake looked when she ran away?
"She-she was upset?"
Ruby blinked, having not realized that she was thinking aloud until Yang's question. She quickly recovered upon seeing the slight gleam of hope in her sister's red-rimmed eyes. She had to make Yang understand.
"Of course she was, like you said, she's your partner."
Yang shook her head, "But why, why would she be upset? She's not…she's not the one who did something wrong."
"She…" Ruby bit her lip, unsure of what she could or should say. On the one hand she knew what Yang needed to hear, on the other: she wasn't the one she needed to hear it from. "She was upset because she…cares about you Yang."
She went for the middle, hopeful that it would tell Yang what she needed to know, while at the same time not robbing the black and yellow couple of a future moment. "She cares about you a lot."
Yang's eyes seemed hopeful, but her expression screamed of disbelief.
Ruby sighed internally; always so stubborn.
Locking eyes with her sister Ruby pressed on, determined to make Yang understand.
"You didn't see the look on her face when you ran out of the cafeteria, yeah?"
Her question was met with a weak nod.
"She was scared, Yang. She was terrified." She paused at the sight of tears welling in Yang's eyes. "Do you know why I think that was?"
"No…"
The sound of Yang's voice physically hurt. Taking a breath to compose herself, Ruby pushed on. She had to; she had to do it. Not just for Yang, but for Blake as well.
"I…I think it's because she saw you running away from her as you leaving her alone. I mean, the last thing that you said to her was: "Stay away from me!""
Yang flinched as Ruby spoke her words back to her, Ruby continued.
"She's scared of losing you, Yang," Ruby eyed her sister closely as she spoke her next words. "And I know you're scared of losing her to. She's special to you, like…like how Weiss is special to me. That's…" Ruby could feel her throat closing in on her. No, not now…
She swallowed, forcing the words passed the blockage and out into the air.
"That's why you only visited her while we were in the hospital together." Despite her best efforts a lone tear still managed to make its way from her eyes. "You were worried that you would lose her."
Yang looked back to her then, her eyes wide and pleading, "Ruby, I…"
"Don't," Ruby silenced her. "If the positions were switched and it had been you and Weiss, I would have done the same." It was true, though while Ruby wouldn't ever admit it to Yang; it had hurt when her sister had never come to visit her while she'd been recovering. She forced a smiled. "Besides, by the time I woke up you knew that I would make it."
None of them had known when or if Blake would awake. While Blake's condition hadn't been as life threatening as Ruby's, comas were tricky things. There were some things that the doctors could do, sure. But none of them guaranteed any results, and it had worried them all greatly. None of them had wanted to face the idea of potentially losing Blake, least of all Yang.
Yang stared at her for a moment, "Thank you…"
Yang had spoken the words so softly that had Ruby not seen her lips moving, she would have thought it was the wind. Giving a small nod in comprehension Ruby stood and walked over in front of where her sister still knelt.
Lowering herself down into a squat, she extended her hand.
"Now, what do you say we go back?" Despite the situation Ruby managed to make her voice sound like its chipper and jovial norm, a smile on her face. Although she couldn't keep the emotional fatigue from seeping into it, then again, she doubted anyone could in the face of a similar situation.
Yang's teary eyes looked at her, "I…" she shook her head, "I can't, Ruby. I can't face i-her."
The smile died on Ruby's lips as her hand fell from the air. She knew what Yang had gone to say, it was as apparent as the tears that continued to rain down from her eyes. She leaned away from Yang, coming to a decision.
"Then you have a choice to make, Yang." She tried but failed to keep the harsh bite out of her voice. She shook her head; she was tired of it, of the day, the situation, all of it. Part of her wished that she could relive the day and prevent this all from happening, prevent them from coming to Beacon, but she couldn't.
These are the cards we've been dealt…
She looked back to Yang, the question in her sister's eyes apparent. "You can either face it and her now, or you cannot. But know this, if you don't and you run and put it off. Well…"
Ruby stood up, turning her back to her sister as she started to walk back. She had done all she could. She had caught her, stopped her, and explained why she needed to come back. But it was up to Yang if she did. Her sister had always been stubborn, they both were, which is why Ruby knew that if Yang had set her mind on leaving. She couldn't be talked out of it, no matter how hard she tried.
"Well, what?" She froze at the sound of Yang's query. She turned her head back, just enough for her eyes to meet with Yang's tearstained lilac.
"Then you had better be ready to live with the consequences."
Weiss rubbed her hands slowly over Blake's back as the Faunus girl continued to bury her face against her stomach. She had lost track of how long they had been like that, Weiss comforting her teammate as she cried. However long it was, it had been long enough for Blake's cries to turn into sniffles, her sobs into hiccups.
Weiss allowed her eyes to wander towards the exit Ruby and Yang had darted through so long ago. Even Weiss had to admit that she was getting concerned at this point. Despite the head start that Yang had had over her sister Ruby should have managed to catch her by now.
Then why aren't they back yet?
She had no answer for her question.
She frowned. She felt so helpless just waiting on them to come back, she hated it.
"Weiss…"
The heiress was pulled from her musings at the sound of Blake's voice. She brought her gaze back to her teammate, Blake having pulled back allowing her an unabashed view of her face. The Faunus's face was flushed from her crying, glistening trails of tears covered her cheeks. Her bangs were clumped and matted to her forehead. Her amber eyes were bloodshot from the tears that had spilt from them and onto Weiss's shirt.
Blake blinked before speaking again, despair clearly evident in her voice.
"Yang isn't coming back."
It was a statement, not a question. One Weiss quickly went to destroy.
"Of course she is!" Weiss did her best to sound reassuring. Despite her best efforts however Blake just shook her head, curling in on herself where she sat.
"They would have been back by now if that were the case." Blake's voice was low, just qualifying as a whisper. "Maybe I'm just meant to be alone."
"Blake Belladonna, you listen to me…" Weiss started; only to stop when she noticed Blake's ears perk up, the furry appendages twitching at some sound. Blake seemed to brighten as well, her eyes full of hope as they darted towards the hall.
This heightened mood was shortly lived however, as quickly as it began it faded. Blake's ears dropped as she pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face against her arms. The soft sounds of her cries soon reach Weiss's ears.
I don't get it, she almost seemed happy now she's sad again? The white haired girl confusedly looked away from Blake and to the hall, trying to discern what had prompted such a reaction.
That's when she heard them.
Footsteps.
Weiss, much like Blake, felt joy course through her at the sound. But upon closer listening she dreadfully realized why Blake had had the reaction that she did.
The staccato of footfalls coming from the hallway was just enough for one person.
Had Ruby failed?
It didn't make sense, Ruby never failed. She was too stubborn to fail. Weiss couldn't, wouldn't believe it. There was just no way…
Her thoughts derailed as a lone figure entered her sight. Eyes wide Weiss was about to call out to them when they raised their hands. One pointed towards Blake, while the other motioned for Weiss to leave.
Weiss spared a glance at her balled up teammate, she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Unsure of what to do, she looked back to the figure, their eyes pleading.
Making a decision Weiss pursed her lips, standing up straight as she moved away from Blake and to the exit. She paused as she moved passed the other person in the hall, looking over her shoulder she mumbled. "Fix this."
She didn't wait for a response before she continued on her way.
She desperately hoped that they could.
Blake's entire body ached as she cried into her arms. The tears had long since stopped, her body having run out of the salty liquid, but the sobs remained persistent. She couldn't stop them no matter how hard she tried. Her ribs groaned in painful-protest as a particularly powerful sob racked her chest.
She couldn't remember the last time that she had cried so hard or so much. Nor did she care to if she was being completely honest. She just wanted Yang back, but that wasn't going to happen.
She was so lost in her wallowing that she didn't even bother to look up as she heard Weiss walk away, the heiress was no doubt going to talk to Ruby. Going to ask where Yang was. Blake already knew.
Yang was gone.
The thought caused an all-consuming pit to form in her stomach. A small part of her still clasped to hope, believing that Yang wasn't in fact gone, that she was coming back. But she had heard the door open and the steps that followed its closing. Only one person was coming back, not two like Weiss had so promised her.
A part of her wanted to be mad at the heiress, but she couldn't bring herself to be. All Weiss had done was try and comfort her, keep her spirits high. It wasn't her fault Yang had left, nor was it her fault that Yang didn't return.
If anyone was to be blamed it was herself.
She was the one who allowed herself to get hurt in Forever Fall, if only she had moved on that fateful day none of this would have happened. If only she had dodged out of the way, she and Ruby never would have gotten injured. They never would have ended up in the hospital, Yang wouldn't have become a seething pit of raging emotions, and they never would have come to Beacon to see Ozpin.
"Fix this," Weiss's mumbled words forced a small snort to escape her. The only way they could 'fix this' was if they had a time-machine.
Blake kept her head down as she heard Weiss retreat further away, she flinched at the sound of the exit door opening and forcefully closing. The sound of slow tentative footsteps filled the air next, Blake never looked up. Not even when the person stopped directly in front of her curled up position in the chair. She waited; she waited for the words of understanding and hope that were no doubt going to come from Ruby's mouth in an attempt to cheer her up.
They never came. Instead her ears were assaulted with a voice that was brimming with tears as it pleaded for forgiveness; it was a voice that didn't belong to Ruby.
"I'm so sorry."
Blake's head shot up so fast that her neck popped. She blinked rapidly, not believing what her eyes were seeing. Yang was there. She was standing right in front of her. Blake forgot how to breathe as she watched the other woman before her. Yang's clothes were wrinkled and dirtied, as was her hair. Her normally pristine golden mane was frazzled and matted with sweat. Both affects, no doubt a result of her running.
What Blake couldn't pry her eyes away from though were Yang's own. Those loveable amethyst pools were full of sorrow and hurt. And if the red tint around the irises' edges were any sign Yang had been crying a lot during the past half hour.
Yang's eyes shifted as her right hand slowly rose and reached out, her voice was timid. "May…May I?"
Not trusting her voice Blake just nodded her permission, knowing full well what the blonde was asking. Not a second passed before she felt calloused fingertips gently brush against the still lightly swollen flesh of her cheek. She shivered at the contact, both from pain and awe at the tenderness of the touch. The tips of Yang's fingers felt like small fires as they ghosted over the bruise.
"Does…does it," Yang paused, swallowing before she continued. "Does it hurt?"
It took a minute for what Yang asked to register to the Faunus. Part of her still couldn't believe that Yang was actually standing before her. She thought it an illusion of her imagination, but the warmth at the side of her face told her otherwise.
"Not as bad as it did." Blake shook her head as she finally found her voice, while doing her best to lean into Yang's caring caress. "Weiss used her Aura to heal it a little…helped take the edge off."
Her voice was raw and broken, far from its normal stoic monotone. It was foreign, even to her own sets of ears. If Yang noticed, she didn't seem to care.
"That's good," Yang said, finally cupping Blake's darkened cheek fully, albeit gently. Blake relished the feeling. "I guess I owe her one for taking care of you."
A frown pulled at Blake's quivering lips, "I would have preferred it been you."
Purple eyes swelled with emotion. "I know.
"I know that Blake and I'm sorry for what I did, for running from you." Yang's voice cracked, "I am so, so, sorry."
Yang leaned closer then, her other hand coming up to mirror the one already placed around Blake's face. Blake's heart and breath hitched as their foreheads touched, Yang's watery eyes staring deeply into her own.
"I never meant for any of this to happen," Yang's voice was but a whisper as her hot breath washed over Blake's face. Their mouths were scant inches apart and it took every ounce of Blake's willpower to not close that small distance. She could hear the hurt and need in Yang's voice, the blonde needed to get this out. So she would let her.
"I didn't mean to lose it like I did, and I-I never meant to…to hit you," Tears started to stream down her face, Blake brought her hands up. Gently grasping Yang's face as her thumbs brushed the salty liquid away. "And I never, ever, meant to hurt you."
Blake's chest ached at the hitch in Yang's voice. Gone was the blonde's usual upbeat and carefree attitude; in its place was someone who at the moment seemed like they had everything to lose.
"I'm not going to ask for your forgiveness, I don't…I don't have the right to." Blake was going to protest this when a thing finger pressed against her lips, silencing her. "Please, let me finish before you say anything."
Blake sealed her mouth; just barely fighting off a whimper as Yang's finger fell away.
"Thank you," Yang's eyes faltered away for the briefest of moments before they found Blake's eyes again. A look of confidence lay beneath the glassy surface.
"I can't ask for forgiveness, but I can promise that I'll do everything in my power to make it up to you…" Yang's voice trailed off to a whisper as she finished. "That is, if you'll let me."
Blake stared at Yang for a moment before pulling her hands back away from her face. A look of shock and fear overcame Yang's face at the motion, only to be replaced by one of confusion as Blake took hold of her own hands and pulled them down into her lap.
Blake looked down to where she held Yang's hands in her own, her thumbs gently running along the bruiser's knuckles. It had always amazed her how deceptively soft Yang's hands were. Given the blonde's preferred form of fighting one would assume that her hands would be calloused and rough, and while the callouses did exist Yang's hands were far from being what Blake would call 'rough.' Instead they were soft, silk like.
She wished she could just sit there and caress Yang's hands all day, but Yang had asked her something. And though she believed the answer to be clear, she knew that Yang wouldn't relax until she heard it.
"You're right," She started, keeping her eyes focused on their combined hands. "You can't ask for forgiveness."
"Blake, please I…"
Blake let go of Yang's now trembling hands as she stood, she ignored the strangled pleading sound that emanated from her partner before she wrapped her in the tightest hug that she could manage. She buried her face into the crook of Yang's neck, inhaling deeply the musk of sweat and the familiar fragrance of lavender filled her nostrils. Yang didn't return the hug, but Blake hadn't expected her to, at least not yet.
She placed a light kiss against the side of Yang's neck, "You can't ask for forgiveness because I was never mad at you in the first place Yang." Blake pulled away enough to look Yang in the face.
"I was hurt that you ran from me, but I was never mad."
It was true. And while Blake would never tell Yang, the sight of her quickly running away from her had almost been enough to completely shatter the Faunus. It was a sight that she never wanted to see again.
Her hands found their way back up to Yang's face. "I promise that I'll let you make it up to me, but only if you promise me something in return."
She felt bad for asking something of Yang when it was obvious that the blonde would do anything that she wanted. It felt abusive. I have to do this though. She told herself, I have to…
"Of course, anything!" Yang's whole body shook as she quickly nodded, her own hands having found purchase against Blake's hips.
Blake slid her hands down onto Yang's broader shoulders, propping herself up so her mouth was positioned right next to the blonde's ear. She exhaled, causing Yang to shiver as her hot breath splashed against her ear.
"I want you to promise me that you will never leave me alone, that you'll never run from me like that again…"
Blake gasped as Yang crushed her to her in a hug, the brawler's strong arms holding her firmly in place against her.
"Thank you," Yang's voice was thick with relief as she spoke, "Thank you for giving me another chance, I promise that I'll make it up to you and that it'll never, ever happen again."
Blake brought her arms up, encircling them around Yang's back as she pulled the other girl close. "I'm going to hold you to that."
Blake held Yang close as the taller girl cried into her neck. She knew they weren't tears of sadness but instead were tears of joy and relief. She knew because her own joyful tears welled in her own eyes.
Things weren't perfect and Blake knew that it would take a while for things to return to any semblance of normal. But given time it'll work out. She believed the thought with every fiber of her being. She buried her face into the golden curls that had amassed at Yang's neck, reviling in the feeling of the hairs tickling at her face.
Yang was back, there in her arms.
And that's all that matters.
Ozpin took a long sip from his coffee before setting the warm ceramic mug on his desk, the warm liquid sloshed around inside momentarily before calming.
The surface of his desk was littered with files and documents. Most were student transcripts, hopefuls from all across Remnant who were vying to try and get into Beacon. The rest were documents of a more, delicate nature, the reason for Team RWBY's visit.
Ozpin watched the screen on his scroll as the four girls entered the airship, no doubt leaving to return home, to get away from Beacon, to get away from him.
He knew what he had done to them wasn't fair, but it had been necessary. The threat was increasing, and soon the four of them would be called upon to fight a battle that has been generations in the making. And it would be anything but fair.
"Xiao Long seems to be the only one who has advanced." He looked up over the rim of his glasses at Goodwitch as the woman sat opposite him at the desk. Her face carried its normal indifference, but her voice betrayed her concern. "They aren't ready."
He set the scroll down onto his desk, "They will be, when the time is right."
"What makes you so sure?"
He stood then, turning to the large window behind his desk. His eyes easily found the airship that rose in the sky, its shape a stark contrast against the clouds in the sky.
"They'll have to be."
Or they won't survive.
AN: And now the fun really begins.
As always, I hope you enjoyed and have a good night!
(PS to my beta, Sangheilitat117. There is a reason I didn't upload this for you to edit…I might have finished it twenty minutes ago, and with tonight being the deadline for it being posted, I decided to go ahead and throw it up. I can understand if you're mad, but I hope you can forgive me this once.)