When Yang stepped out of Velvet's room early next morning, she was met with the sight of Weiss, leaning her back against the opposite wall with her arms folded in front of her. The two looked at each other for a moment.

If you hurt her, I'll skin you alive. Weiss said finally, propping herself off the walls and away.

Yang wanted to ask more than anything if Weiss had a crush on Velvet at all. But she didn't, something holding her back. Instead, she just turned the other way and proceeded to her own room.

Yang! Velvet exclaimed excitedly bursting into Yang's room and jumping into Yang's arms. Oh my god. You wouldn't believe what just happened to me!

Yang put on a content grin, hugging Velvet closer. What happened? she asked.

Coco likes my designs. Coco likes my designs! Velvet shrieked.

Coco the battle-gear designer?

Yes! Oh my god. I didn't think she'd look twice at my designs because I'm a Faunus and everything. But I was at the village with Weiss and you know how long Weiss takes in the village so I brought along my sketchbook, and she was there and she walked past and she looked at my drawings and she complimented them! She really likes me! Velvet beamed. She doesn't even care that I'm a Faunus!

Oh okay, that's really good for you! Yang smiled, happy that Velvet was so happy.

She wants me to work for her. Velvet continued. Then, she looked at Yang sheepishly. I can, right? Can I?

Yang blinked. Of course you can. She allowed, despite the worry churning in her stomach.

Oh thank you! I knew you'd understand! Velvet sighed in happiness, giving Yang an eager kiss.

At that, all of Yang's worries were forgotten.

What's wrong? Yang asked, spooning Velvet. The Faunus had been quiet as of late. She expected to hear more excited rambling about her job but that had ceased within the first week. Now, whenever Velvet returned it was always with a troubled expression.

Velvet didn't say anything for a while. Without turning to face the blond, Velvet whispered, Would you give me to Coco?

Yang blinked. Not sure if she heard correctly. What?

I think, maybe, she'd pay for me too. More than that 500 lien you owe Weiss. Velvet continued, squeezing Yang's arms around her.

What brought this on? Did someone hurt you here? Tell me and I'll set things right. Yang said, trying to turn Velvet around to face her but the Faunus wouldn't show her face.

Yang, Velvet paused, her voice breaking slightly. I'm think I'm in love.

Yang swallowed. With who?

Coco.

Coco? Yang repeated incredulously, not sure whether to cry or to laugh. It hadn't been Weiss at least. And yet, somehow that idea didn't make the knowledge easier to bear. You met her barely a month ago!

It seems like I've known her for longer. Velvet explained. When I'm with her it just feels right, I just feel so safe. I can't explain it. She causes me to feel things I never thought I'd feel. It just, I just know, Yang. I'm so in love with her, I can't explain it.

What about Weiss? Yang asked, You said yourself, we are her only friends! Think about what this will do to her.

You don't mean 'what about you'? Velvet countered quietly.

I— Yang couldn't speak, not when the emotions were hitting too close to home. She wasn't in love with Velvet, she wasn't. Of course she wasn't. This was all fun and games. Nothing more. She had told herself that.

Yang, I love you. I do, with all my heart. Velvet said, with as much force as her tiny voice could allow. I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me and everything Weiss has done for me. But Coco, she's my soul mate. Velvet seemed to shrug helplessly. I can feel it.

Yang bristled, silent, unmoving. She didn't trust herself to say anything. She didn't trust herself to do anything. This was all too fast, too soon. She hugged Velvet even more tightly than before, resting her face into Velvet's shoulder, inhaling. No. Yang pouted.

No?

No I wouldn't sell you.

Velvet seemed to panic. Really Yang? Please, think about it.

But Yang had thought about it all she needed to. And thinking about it any more was just too painful.

Yang? Velvet prompted again, turning over slightly. Yang could just barely make out the tears streaming down Velvet's cheeks in the darkness.

Maybe. Yang conceded finally.

When you're ready, Velvet soothed, reaching back. I'll wait. There's no rush.

Were you just talking to Cinder? Yang asked, stepping up forcefully to where Velvet was standing.

Ah yes, Velvet looked away. It seems she heard about me wanting to leave.

Oh. was all Yang could manage.

Have you thought about it at all yet? Velvet asked, looking up at Yang with hopeful eyes.

I'm still thinking about it. Yang replied curtly. She had been thinking — she'd been thinking hard at that. She had also considered asking Weiss for help but resisted. Yang had done some research into Coco — it seemed like she was a good person, a well off one at that too. My answer's still maybe, for now.

Are you sure? Velvet asked desperately.

I'm not sure yet, that's why my answer is still maybe. Yang responded, yawning and turning back around. I've got training, see you later. Yang greeted before walking away.

Yang didn't understand either why she was dragging her feet.

It happened in slow motion.

Yang saw her dad choking after drinking the soup. Her eyes caught Velvet, whose hand had stopped Weiss' from reaching that same soup. There was the sound of silverware dropping, and then her dad's hands were at his throat and he seemed to be gasping for air. Weiss sat frozen, unsure of what to do.

Weiss! Yang snapped, thankful when Weiss turned to look at her. Call for a medic, and get a huntsman here.

Weiss nodded, abruptly getting up from the dinner table and scurrying away.

Yang ran to her dad, holding him up and trying to calm him down. She was a half-decent medic — from having to treat her own injuries rather frequently. But these symptoms, it looked as though he had been poisoned.

Cinder, Yang barked. What do we have stocked in the pharmacy?

How would I know? Cinder responded, getting up from her seat slowly.

There's a root called the panacea. Get it. I think we still have some. Yang ordered.

I don't know what that is. Cinder said, making excuses.

I'll get it. Velvet spoke up, speeding away.

At that, Yang turned back to her dad. Oh god, not you too, please don't die. Please.

Distantly, Yang could hear sirens. She only hoped they'd be here fast enough.

You did good, Yang. Doctor Ozpin praised, stepping out of her father's chambers.

Is he— is he going to live, then? Yang stuttered, hopeful for a moment.

Doctor Ozpin shook his head regretfully. I'm afraid not.

Yang's eyes flooded with angry tears. Then what the hell are you praising me for if I didn't save him?! Gah! Yang yelled, driving her fist into the nearest wall. I can't do anything right!

You gave him time. Doctor Ozpin explained. There was nothing else you could have done. I don't think I could have done anymore had I been there. If you weren't there, he would have died before we got to him. Now, he can say goodbye to his daughters. You were phenomenal.

Time isn't good enough! Yang raged.

Yang, put aside your emotions for now. Your father wants to see you and Weiss. He doesn't have much time left.

Straightening, Yang wiped away her tears.

Someone was going to pay for this. She'd make sure of it.

Yang. Velvet greeted, her head bowed and kneeling on the floor.

Velvet had never kneeled to Yang once in the year she had lived with them.

What the hell? Velvet, get up. Yang rushed quickly to Velvet. She couldn't handle more drama. Not after today. She just wanted to cry into Velvet's shoulder and have a dreamless night. She even wanted to see Weiss, and give her a hug. But Weiss had been attending meeting after meeting as soon as dad had died. How could she do that? Be so stone-hearted? Just go on like nothing happened?

I'm sorry. Velvet cried, pushing away Yang's attempts to get her to rise. I swear I didn't mean for this to happen.

Yang froze. What do you mean? Yang's mind flashed back to dinnertime, when Velvet's hand had snapped out of nowhere to stop Weiss from getting that cursed soup.

She told me she would get you to sell me. I didn't know it was poison. It didn't smell like it at all. I wouldn't have if I had known. Velvet cried, sobbing.

Who? You? What? Yang stuttered, incredulous. This couldn't be happening. Yang shook Velvet. What?

She just said that she could convince you. You weren't going to let me leave, Yang! I had to do something! She just asked that I pour some vitamin supplements into your dad's food as a favour to her — she said she did it all the time. So I did. I didn't know it was poison, I swear! Velvet explained through her cries. I swear.

Yang got up and started pacing. She couldn't deal with this right now. She couldn't. You poisoned my dad? Yang asked again, just to be sure this was happening. This couldn't be happening. This had to be a really realistic nightmare.

I didn't know, Yang! Please believe me. I didn't know it was poison. I swear. Velvet cried, reaching out to grab Yang's arm but deciding against it finally, retracting it and slumping. I didn't know.

Who did you get the poison from? Yang asked finally, too many things going through her mind to process information properly.

Cinder did. Velvet responded, pleading at Yang. Her gaze became less confident and more worried when she saw that Yang didn't believe her. I swear. I swear! You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you or Weiss. You know how much I care about you guys!

I can't deal with this right now. Yang said, going to the doorway. I need some space. Yang opened the door and closed it forcibly behind her. After a moment's pause, she sank to the ground, sobbing.

This couldn't be happening.

Did you stay like that all night? Yang asked flippantly, entering Velvet's room. The Faunus was still kneeling on the ground.

Yang. Velvet greeted wearily. It looked like she had been crying instead of sleeping.

Yang probably didn't fare any better.

Yang sat down calmly at Velvet's desk. She didn't speak, not sure where to start.

Do you believe me? Velvet prompted quietly.

Yang closed her eyes. Yes.

I wasn't trying to k— I'm not a murderer. Velvet said.

I know. Yang replied. I just, you wanted to leave that badly? Yang asked, her emotions showing all over her face.

I'm in love with her. Velvet explained helplessly, shrugging her arms. You don't understand how painful it is, loving someone and not being able to be with them. It was driving me insane, Yang.

Do you regret it? Yang asked.

Regret what?

Anything, Yang shrugged.

Velvet smiled sadly. I'm sorry I couldn't love you the way you wanted but I don't regret loving her.

Yang nodded, then turned away.

Seconds ticked by.

What happens now? Velvet asked.

You need to leave. Yang stated coldly.

Velvet closed her eyes. Fair enough. Velvet's voice broke as she said it. Fair enough. She opened her eyes again. By when?

Coco will be here to pick you up in three hours. Yang continued.

Velvet didn't understand. What? her eyes widening and her tears falling just a little bit faster. Why would you— why would you do this for me? After I—

Yang laughed bittersweetly. Did you think I was going to kick you out onto the streets? Or that I'd hand you over to the huntsmen who are looking for a Faunus about your height right about now? Is that really what you thought I'd do?

It would have been well within your rights. Velvet gasped, incredulous. I killed your dad. Velvet stated again.

Yang decided not to respond. Instead, she got up. You should start packing. Yang spoke gruffly, walking towards the door.

What did you tell Weiss? Velvet spoke up, just as Yang was leaving.

Nothing, yet. Yang responded. Weiss had gotten back from her meetings and had fallen asleep immediately. I'll probably make something up.

Yang, Velvet said, her voice overflowing with emotion. I don't deserve someone like you. You'll find someone who will love you more than anything else and you'll wonder why you wasted time on someone like me. You'll see.

Yang just laughed and closed the door.

Yeah right.