A/N Alright, I would like to apologize for my actions two weeks ago. That was something I should not have thrown onto you guys, and was way out of my right to do so. Ignoring do shit like that again, feel free to E-slap me. OH, and sorry if I ignored your messages, Gmail insists on marking Fanfic emails as spam. I got it fixed now though.

Have a short chapter? More or less a small bridge chapter to the big "Yang vs. Cinder" moment everyone's waiting for. I've got the next chapter planned out, but understand that it's probably the most difficult one for me to do, because there's a lot of options I have with it. Though I think I went with the right outcome.

Chapter 19. Subliminal.

Cinder awoke to a crisp, cool morning the successive day. As per usual, she had spent the maximum amount of time with Ruby that the night allowed. Funny, as if it was almost a routine. But labeling their relationship as routine, or even redundant was something so far off it shouldn't have been in the ebony-haired girl's head.

Last night's experience had been an eye-opening one. She almost felt like an imbecile for not even asking or even thinking what Ruby's life must've been like. The crimsonette and her unwavering bond made Cinder truly feel loved. Ruby has still been relatively shaken for the remainder of the night. Clinging to Cinder when she could and asking her random unimportant questions just to hear her voice. The older girl hadn't minded it at all, and did what her power allowed her to keep Ruby at ease. Through it all, the night had ended on a note that contrasted everything that's transpired. Both girls had returned to Ruby's apartment roughly around ten-thirty, Taiyang was off to work, and Yang had most likely excused herself to Weiss' place for the evening. So, both Cinder and Ruby went out to the balcony and laid side-by-side on one of the summer lounge chairs; watching the stars and listening to the industrial melody of the city die down.

The memory made Cinder smile, remembering how Ruby had nodded off on her shoulder. The scarlet-clad girl had still been a child in some ways -snoring adorably with a dumb grin on her face. When it got too late, and Cinder couldn't stand waking up Ruby; she gently wrapped the girl up in her arms and brought the girl to her room where she laid her to sleep. Afterwards, Cinder merely excused herself and headed home just shy of midnight.

Presently, it was now Sunday but Cinder wasn't really looking forward to the day ahead of her. Shortly before Ruby had dozed off last night, she mentioned the fact that she wouldn't be available today. Reasons revolving around something with their father. Cinder was close to asking if she could tag along, but on a second thought she realized, "Hey Dad, can I bring along this girl who's secretly been my girlfriend for the past 5 months?" wasn't feasible.

"Guess I'll spend the day with Em." Cinder mused. It would be somewhat nice to hang out with her, they hadn't done anything remotely close to that since this whole fiasco started.

Sighing with what she was faced with, the ebony-haired girl grabbed her phone and went downstairs, still clad in loose black cropped tank top, and gym shorts.

Coming into the living room, she passed by Mercury, who was comfortably splayed on the couch watching TV.

"Morning," She paused to think of a name to call him, "Mor-"

"Afternoon." Mercury stated, not taking his gaze off the TV. He lazily raised his arm and pointed to the bay living room window. Cinder turned and looked outside, seeing the sun beaming off the pavement like an overexposed photo. She did a quick phone check, now realizing it was half past noon.

"I slept in," She stated aloud.

"Yeah, no shit," Mercury quipped back.

Cinder glared a bit, "What's your problem?"

"None of your business. Besides, shouldn't you be running off with your 'little red'?" He punctuated the words 'little red' with mockery.

The ebony-haired girl took her place in the adjacent lounge chair, "She's busy today, and I could ask you the same thing. I highly doubt you chose to be all by your lonesome."

"You mean Em? Eh, we're taking a break," He said sullen-like.

"A break? So, use three doing something today is out of the question?" Cinder questioned, completely ignoring the sudden news.

"What? No not really. Even if I could I gotta stay here and watch the house till my parents get back. Not like I'd go out anyways," He spat.

"You mind telling me what happened? Or rather... what you did slash didn't do?"

This time, he sat up, "You can be a real bitch, and you know that right?"

Cinder shrugged, but allowed for him to continue.

"I don't wanna get into it. Basically I said some things, and I guess she reached her limit or something; cause now she's not talking to me," The boy spoke, sounding generally uninterested in the topic.

"So, much enthusiasm," Cinder spoke. All she got was the middle finger in response.

"Ugh, fine. I can talk to her if you want." She droned, now actually trying to be a decent friend.

Mercury sat up again, giving Cinder a twisted look, "Really, you of all people? I think I'll pass."

The ebony-haired girl shrugged and pulled herself up, "Well this does seem a little bit more interesting than doing homework." She made a sly grin, placing her index finger and thumb closely together, "Just a bit." The girl repeated before sauntering off.

"Bitch." The opposing teen shouted to her.

Cackling as she made her way back upstairs, Cinder brought up her phone to text Emerald. She immediately thought against it however, and chose to just show up at her house. She wasn't exactly hyped up at being a relationship counsellor, but it'd be nice to actually be a good friend for once. She owed it to basically both of them for putting up with herself over these past months.

It made her mind wander to Ruby, whose company she enjoyed the most.

"God I'm so needy..." Cinder thought. Maybe spending just a little time away from her wouldn't be so bad. Just for a day.

"Wait, what am I saying? Of course I want to spend time with her. If it wasn't for Yang, I probably could."

The thought of Yang made Cinder halt her trek back to her room. A sudden worry washed over her, wondering how Ruby would fare a day with Yang, not to mention their father. Realizing Ruby would probably have to fake her emotions for the entire day, just to make things seem like they were okay.

Which wasn't very fair.

She sighed, "One step at a time Fall..."

######

"Dad'll be here soon."

"Yeah."

Ruby slumped lower into her chair at the dining table next to the apartment's kitchen. By her count that was the tenth or eleventh short answer Yang had given her since waking up merely an hour ago. It was almost painful at this point. Painful and not necessary. It's been weeks and Yang was still up keeping her grudge against the crimsonette. It was a different side to the blonde, even more so whenever Taiyang would enter the room, and Yang would fake her outlook with grins and an overall chipper attitude that corroded Ruby's resolve. Whenever Tai wasn't around, Yang would be out with Weiss, or digging for any excuse to leave the apartment. She didn't want to talk or anything, not realizing the fallout her actions had on Ruby.

Yang was resting on her back on the couch reading a magazine, clad in her casual getup of exercise clothes. Ruby, would occasionally glance over to the couch to see if Yang was looking back. Eventually she stopped and pulled her hood over her head to block out the blank stares Yang would give her.

Today was going to drag, plain, and simple. Every so often, Taiyang would do this father-daughter thing, and has been doing it since the passing of Summer. The crimson teen always looked forward to it, she felt a little too old for it now, but that didn't matter because spending time with him and Yang was always fun. .

This time would be the opposite.

Ruby wanted to leave and run to Cinder's place, but Taiyang had confiscated their phones for today's outing, so even contact her girlfriend was out of the question.

Ruby lobbed her head up and looked to Yang's now standing form by the front door, "Yang, can we please jus-"

"He's here." The blonde cut her off. There was some clicking from the other side of the door and Yang lurched forward to open it. The door swung from its frame and in stepped a late middle-aged man, his hair a tousled dirty-blonde, graying at the edges.

"Hey Dad!" Yang waved ecstatically. The action made Ruby feel sick to her stomach.

"Hey," The crimsonette waved, although with much less enthusiasm.

Taiyang's gaze went from both Ruby to Yang, "Ready to go?" He proposed, swapping his more business-like jacket for a casual one.

"Where are heading to?" The younger sister asked.

"You'll see, now c'mon, we're burning daylight here!" Tai left the room without so much as a wave. Getting up from the dining table; Ruby couldn't help but smile. She certainly knew where her excited attitude came from. Yang left in tow with Tai, leaving Ruby behind to lock-up. She slipped on her shoes, grabbed her keys, and in one fluid motion; locked the door and hurried down the hall to catch up with the rest of her family. Only to hear the faint laughs of Yang and her father. It ripped the smile off her features and cease her pace to a slow walk.

How much longer can she keep doing this?

######

Cinder changed into some casual sweats and a black tank top before giving a half-assed 'Bye' to Mercury and left.

She made the short drive over to Emerald's house, the car wasn't exactly needed as she only lived a few blocks away, but Cinder chose on bringing it just in case. As she turned onto Emerald's street, her mind began to wander. Wander back to the party there months ago, and how this whole mess actually started. Alcohol, turned to kissing, turned to something on a whole level above sensual.

It doesn't bother her as much as it used to. Something that she was slowly learning over time was to be less critical of herself, something she'd done to herself without even asking the opinion of whomever else was involved.

Oh, the memories.

Feeling nostalgic, Cinder parked the car in the exact same spot as the night of the party. She looked out the adjacent window and saw that Emerald's garage door was open, and the girl in question was doing something inside.

The ebony-haired girl hopped out of the car and shut the driver's door loud enough to catch Emerald's attention. She waited for a couple of cars to pass by before crossing over and waltzing right up to Emerald's garage. The dark-skinned girl was garbed in what looked like a tennis outfit. She connected gazes with her. A soft ember meeting a befuddled crimson.

"W-What're you doing here?" The girl with viridian hair spoke first.

Cinder took a seat in a lawn chair by the door, "We're friends, aren't we? I can't just stop by?"

Emerald set some random junk down, and looked down at Cinder. Still confused as to why she was here, "You're always with Ruby," her expression dropped to worry, "Something happen between you two?"

"No, she's... out today." Cinder waved the latter teen off.

"So, why didn't you go with?"

The ebony-haired girl tried not to roll her eyes, "Let's just say, odds were not in favor of me tagging along. B-But whatever, we haven't done anything in a while so I thought I'd... yeah."

"So why'd you pick me over Merc?"

Cinder's expression went more towards the miffed side, "Why not? And, what's with all the questions?"

Emerald stepped back, "N-Nothing just, nothing."

"You alright?" Cinder already knew the answer to that.

"Surprised he didn't tell you." She sighed. Cinder decided to come over, which was awesome, she just didn't want to lie, mainly because Cinder was the one person she couldn't lie to.

Cinder remained silent, prompting Emerald to continue.

"Eh, nothing really. I've just had enough of his asinine personality."

"He is who he is,"

"You taking his side?" Emerald's tone raised.

"Calm down, just remember he does all his bullshit in good taste. Sort of." Cinder used her four year knowledge of him. Remembering what he hates most, "He really hates the silent treatment. If that helps."

"Y'know you're pretty bad at relationship advice." Emerald spat, albeit with a grin.

"I learned from... 'The Best.'" Fall punctuated with air-quotes. A short silence fell between them before another question aroused Cinder's mind, "What's with the getup?" She asked.

Emerald glanced down at herself, "What? I play tennis."

"Pfft," Cinder snorted, "...Sorry."

"Yeah, before you showed up I was looking for my stuff, and was-"

Fall waved her hands for Emerald to stop, "Wait, doesn't tennis require, oh, I don't know, two people?"

"They've got practice machines at the rec center." Emerald's tone suggested that she really didn't want to say that.

"That's just sad Em," Cinder shook her head, "How about I join you?" She offered with a disappointed tone.

"Really? You even played tennis before?"

"A net, a ball, and a court. Can't be that much different than Volleyball right?" She paused to make a sly grin, only to have it falter in response to the sudden laughter that emanated from Emerald.

"Yeah, we'll see," She snorted. Quickly catching Cinder's glare, she put on a meek grin and stepped by the ebony-haired girl. "C-C'mon, we can talk on the way." Emerald scooped her equipment bag off a nearby shelf and ushered Cinder out of the garage.

The recreational center was a decent amount of blocks away, but Emerald insisted they should walk rather than drive. As they went, Cinder had decided it was time to ask Emerald a question that had brought her here to begin with. Turning her slightly, she eyed her compatriot.

"So, been hearing about 'trouble in paradise'?" Cinder Inquired.

Emerald immediately flashed her a sour look, "He did put you up to this! Didn't he?" She spat, immediately realizing what Cinder was getting at.

"Calm down," Cinder hushed. "He didn't put me up to it," She stated, not wanting to say that Mercury hadn't really seemed to give a care at all. "I was-"

"He's just getting on my nerves," The dusky-skinned girl admitted, "And whenever he's around his 'friends'; he treats me like I'm his bitch. Just sick and tired of that shit, so I told him I wanted a break."

"You know that's just him being him. He can't chan-"

"You taking his side?" Emerald's offended tone rung out.

Cinder nearly facepalmed, "No, you both are just two idiots who are perfect for each other."

"Exactl- wait hey!"

Cinder didn't give a response, rather just continued to walk forward. Neither of them needed relationship advice, even if it was from the worst.

"So, what about you?"

"Me?" The ebony-haired girl asked, "What about me?"

Now, it was Emerald's turn to facepalm, "You and Ruby, I know the shit between you and Yang hasn't been resolved yet."

"So,"

Emerald gave Cinder a slight shove, "Don't 'so' me, I know better."

"So,"

"Shut-up, tell me what's up."

Cinder gave Emerald an 'are you kidding me' look, "I don't recall me saying anything was 'up'?" She spoke. Emerald continued to give her a disarming stare. Eventually, after a moment of silence, Cinder heaved a sigh, "Ugh, it's not about me it's about Ruby. The whole 'radio silence' between her and her sister and really killing her."

Emerald pretended to pull out a pad and pen, she stopped and gave Cinder a condescending look, "And how does that make you feel?"

"The fuck are you? A therapist?"

Emerald shrank, "Just trying to light the mood… this uh, it's really bothering you huh?"

"I don't know; the idea of being a helpless idiot sound fun by any chance? I want to talk to Yang, but all she wants is my head on a stick."

The latter girl shrank even more, "Okay, what if I was to tell you Yang was willing to chat?"

Cinder gave a half-assed gesture for Emerald to continue, "Weiss has been on Yang's ass about it since it happened. The girls stubborn as hell, but I think Weiss should be able to talk her down if I told her you'd like to talk."

Cinder paused, "That'll never work, and Yang'll know who it came from and get even more pissed."

"No if you let me handle it," Emerald tutted with triumph. "Lemme do it."

"Em, no, I'll… figure something out."

"Ugggghhh, fine…" Emerald whined, crossing her fingers behind her back.

"We going to walk or what?" Cinder asked vehemently.

"Whatever you say…" Emerald turned her head away and grinned.

######

"And you're talking to me… why?" Weiss lamented over the hustle and-or bustle of Signal High's hallways. She has been minding her own business during the beginning of lunch, but got stopped by the girl from her Calculus class, Emerald. She zipped up her cashmere jacket, getting ready to go outside and meet up with Yang.

"It's about Yang and Cinder."

Weiss promptly unzipped her jacket.

"What about them?"

"Please," Emerald mocked, "Don't play stupid… ugh, look, Cinder wants to talk with Yang, but her stubbornness is putting a damper on getting to that. Since she refuses to talk to Ruby as well, you're the only one who can talk her down, and get her to talk with Cin."

Weiss crossed her arms, "Why can't Cinder do it? Thought she was the type for conflict." She somewhat agreed to what Emerald had proposed, but the underlying venom towards Cinder was still there.

"Okay, don't give me that bull either, you know she wasn't in her right mind when she attacked you."

Weiss sighed, she knew that she needed to do this at some point. Yang was even acting edgy around her, but Weiss knew better than to ignore it, "Fine… you want me to what? Arrange a meeting for Yang and Cinder to me like some cliché 'why can't we be BFF's' thing?"

"What? No, just bring the idea of talking to Yang… without mentioning Cinder. Just say that talking would help Ruby or something. Then you tell me when it looks like Yang is ready, and I'll pass it on to Cin." Emerald laid out her plan.

"Sure, whatever. If it doesn't work, don't blame me; you know how stubborn Yang is."

"Well at least if a fight happens, it'll just be them." Emerald half shrugged.

"Seriously? Did you actually just say that?" The white-clad girl said incredulously.

"Eh."

Weiss shook her head and brushed past Emerald, now on her way to find Yang, and hopefully, work things out via a plan that doesn't really make sense.

But a shitty plan is better than no plan.

She quickly slipped her phone from her pocket, and shot Yang a text

#We need to talk, right now#