More cuteness ensues...
To everyone reading this, I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
"Hey, Charlie!"
She waved to the security guard as soon as she stepped into the now familiar lobby of Blake's building. He gave her a big smile, standing from his chair and walking around the front of his desk to greet her.
"Miss Xiao Long...to what do I owe the pleasure today?"
"I'm here to pick up Blake," she responded after shaking the man's hand cheerfully.
"Ah, do remind me to thank her for bringing you into my life," he replied teasingly while stepping back to his desk to page Blake's apartment.
Even though she wasn't necessarily thrilled about the two of them having dinner tonight with Pyrrha, she was absolutely elated to be seeing Blake again. Butterflies were already flitting around her stomach in anticipation and her palms were growing embarrassingly clammy.
If this was what it was going to feel like every single time they saw each other...well, she was going to die quite early from a heart attack, most likely.
"What will you two be doing this evening?" Charlie asked cordially while taking his seat once again. Yang hopped onto his desk, swinging her feet lightly through the air while they both waited for Blake to appear.
"Oh, you know, just dinner," she answered easily. "Trying not to humiliate myself too much."
He let out an amused laugh.
"Does that happen often?"
"Much more than you would expect - especially when she's around."
Yang couldn't help chuckling at her own misfortune when it came to making a fool out of herself in the author's presence. It definitely wasn't a bad thing though - it reminded her that Blake brought out a side of her that no one else was able to. She just wished that that side of her didn't insist upon putting her foot in her mouth every few minutes.
Her thoughts were diverted the instant she heard the soft 'ding' of the elevator arriving at the ground floor. Her eyes shot to the doors, waiting on bated breath for her date to appear.
When Blake stepped out into the lobby, Yang felt her jaw hit Charlie's desk in awe.
Blake looked amazing. Like, off the charts, frontpage, drop dead gorgeous. She was wearing a brilliant white button up shirt paired with a very nice pair of black slacks. Both items seemed simple, but fit the girl perfectly - highlighting all of the girl's best features in the most appealing way possible. Yang could hardly keep her eyes -
"Miss Xiao Long…"
She shot to her feet with a big smile when Charlie poked her lightly in the back with his pen.
"H-hey Blake!" she said, not failing to notice the small smirk threatening the edges of the author's lips. "You look...wow - so great."
"Thank you," Blake replied bashfully, the softest of blushes appearing on her cheeks. "Although I'm sure I look nowhere near as great as you do."
"Then you're not seeing what I'm seeing."
She stepped closer to the girl and picked up one of Blake's hands in her own - lifting it up to her lips to place a soft kiss on the girl's knuckles.
She quickly released Blake's hand when she realized just how tacky of a gesture she had made, feeling her own cheeks light up in embarrassment. What was she, a gentleman from last century?
"S-so uh...are you ready to go?" she asked hastily, pointing towards the front door where her car was parked and waiting.
When Blake took a deep breath, Yang realized that the girl might actually be nervous. Which was probably one of the most adorable things Yang had ever seen.
"Of course," Blake still responded with a collected smile, forever cool under pressure.
Grasping Blake's hand, she led her out the front doors, making sure to wave goodbye to Charlie as they made their exit. Not more than a minute later, they were on the road for the short drive to Pyrrha's apartment.
"Pyrrha lives in that new tower they built just by the river - have you seen it?" Yang asked while they wound their way through the streets.
"Oh, uh...yes, I believe so."
Yang risked a quick glance over at the girl, who was subconsciously biting her lip while peering out the window intently.
So, this was what Blake looked like when she was nervous…
So cute…
"Don't worry. She's not as scary as she looks on all those billboards," she joked. "Actually, she's a lot smaller than those pictures are - miniscule, really, compared to them."
When she heard a soft giggle from the passenger seat, she smiled.
"See? It won't be so bad to meet her though, right? We're just...hanging out with one of my friends!"
Yang tried to sound optimistic, but she was very willing to cancel on Pyrrha and pay the consequences if Blake really was too uncomfortable to meet the girl tonight.
"Most people have normal friends - not world famous supermodels," Blake replied coyly. "And with the two of you together in the same room...I probably should have brought sunglasses to avoid being blinded by all the beauty."
Yang couldn't help laughing at the image of Blake sitting at the dinner table in shades while Pyrrha and her ate dinner. At least Blake was making jokes though - that was a good sign.
"You do realize that you look amazing though, right?" she asked, sneaking one more peek across the car. "Like, really really amazing. I've never seen Pyrrha look anywhere near that good - and she's a model."
She hoped that her words would convince Blake that she did look incredible and could definitely hold her own in a room with Pyrrha. In fact, Yang probably should have worn a bib from how much she was going to be drooling over the girl all evening.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yang caught a glimpse of a smile and knew that her words had at least had some positive effect.
"If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you some of her most embarrassing secrets," she offered, making the turn off the main street to pull up to the valet in front of Pyrrha's building.
The sound of Blake's laughter was like music to her ears as she stepped out of the car and handed her keys to the valet, eyes meeting Blake's across the roof of the car while they prepared to head inside.
"I think I'd rather hear some of your embarrassing secrets than hers," the girl answered with a smile, amber eyes twinkling mischieviously.
Yang felt her cheeks heat up with a flush while she guided Blake towards the front door.
"Well, she certainly knows some of those…"
Even though Yang was flushed with embarrassment over the idea of Blake hearing some of her...less than perfect...stories...if her embarrassment made Blake happy, then she was willing to tell the girl every single mistake she'd ever made in her life.
Maybe not all at once, though - she did still want to date the girl, after all.
The doorman waved Yang through the front lobby when he saw her - recognizing her from the many times she had passed through these doors to visit her best friend. Making their way to the elevator, Yang grasped one of Blake's hands as soon as the doors had closed.
"She's going to love you," she whispered one more time for reassurance, even though she wasn't sure if Blake still needed it or not. "And if she doesn't, I'll disown her."
Blake laughed as the elevator doors slid back open and they stepped out into the hallway in front of Pyrrha's door.
"Well, I certainly hope you don't have to disown anyone today," she commented, allowing Yang to lead her by the hand to Pyrrha's door.
"I would do it though!"
Yang grinned at the giggle Blake let out while she rang the buzzer to the right of the door.
Seconds later the door swung inward, revealing a nicely dressed Pyrrha Nikos standing in front of them. Yang was happy to see that Pyrrha hadn't gone all out in her outfit - wearing a nice pair of dark jeans and a red blouse that went perfectly with her red hair.
"I see someone has already had a positive influence on your timeliness," Pyrrha directed towards Yang with a grin before extending a hand towards Blake.
"Blake, it's very nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Yang felt her cheeks darken while the two of them shook hands.
"'So much?'" Blake asked, raising an eyebrow at Yang.
"Enough to be horribly embarrassing for her," Pyrrha clarified with a giggle, much to Yang's mortification.
And, just like that, Blake's nerves seemed to disappear as she let out a laugh.
"N-not too much though! I mean, I've only talked about you...an appropriate amount," Yang stuttered in her defense, causing both Pyrrha and Blake to laugh even harder and her blush to deepen.
"Come on in," Pyrrha finally said, mercifully putting an end to Yang's floundering while gesturing for both of them to follow her through the doorway.
Blake stepped inside first and Yang followed, making sure to pull the door shut behind her.
"Wow."
That was all Blake said while looking around the front entrance to Pyrrha's home - which opened into a large, spacious living room that was immaculately decorated. All of the furniture was white, with dark mahogany wood that seemed to pair perfectly together. Combined with the classy pictures hung on the walls, the entire area emitted a sophisticated charm.
Yang could remember being equally impressed when she had first seen Pyrrha's home. At least, before she had learned that…
"She had an interior designer do it," she whispered to Blake, making sure to say it loudly enough for Pyrrha to overhear.
"Thank you!" Pyrrha responded genuinely to Blake before turning to Yang with a glower. "And thank you for that."
Yang laughed, shrugging her shoulders with a smile.
"Hey, credit where credit is due, Pyrrha! I will say that you know a spectacular designer!"
Pyrrha rolled her eyes and Blake giggled at their banter, giving Yang more confidence that the evening wouldn't be as uncomfortable as she had originally anticipated.
"On the other hand, I decorated my apartment all by myself!" she added boastfully, knowing that her statement would immediately draw a response from the redhead.
"And that's why it looks like a ten year old lives there," Pyrrha replied, batting her eyes innocently while Yang shook her head with a laugh.
"Come on, let's eat - the food's ready."
They followed Pyrrha from the living room into the kitchen and dining room area, which was just as impressive as the entryway had been. Every little decoration seemed to fit into a grand color scheme that ran throughout the entire apartment.
Of course, Yang hardly noticed the familiar decorations since she was much more intent upon the raven haired girl walking in front of her.
"If you want to take a seat, I'll bring out the rest of the food."
They did as Pyrrha directed, taking seats at the large dining room table that could have easily accommodated eight people. There were already place settings where they were going to sit at one end, surrounded by several different dishes piled high with an array of steaming food.
"Everything looks incredible," Blake said as the two of them sat down at the table.
"She had it catered," Yang whispered behind her hand right just as Pyrrha walked back into the room with another dish held in her hands.
"Thank you!" the redhead replied happily. "I would say that I made it myself, but I know Yang already told you that it was catered."
Yang blushed. "I said nothing of the sort!"
Pyrrha just laughed, knowing her far too well to fall for such an obvious lie.
"Oh, it's fine - I can't cook to save my life," she admitted while setting down the plate in front of them. "But I'm fortunate to be know people who can!"
Yang and Blake both laughed while Pyrrha gestured amicably towards the table.
"Help yourselves," she directed before she began filling her own plate with food.
A comfortable silence broken only by the sound of clinking utensils enveloped them for the next few moments while they set in on the spectacular food. Yang made sure to shoot Pyrrha a wink when she saw Blake casually find and pick out the largest piece of tuna on the tray.
"So, Blake - Yang mentioned that you're going to be traveling for work tomorrow. Going anywhere exciting?"
"Ah...I'm going to be spending several days in Mistral. Since my new book was released recently, my manager signed me up to go on some talk show that's filmed there. And while I'm there I'll be going to some book signings, as well."
"Book signings...I'm very fond of those now!" Yang interjected with a grin. "I need to fit some more of those into my schedule."
"Yes, I'm sure other authors will be just as thrilled to have you ask them out at their book signings," Blake replied deadpan, causing Yang's eyes to widen in horror.
"No, no! I meant your book signings! Not just random -"
She put her head in her hands when Pyrrha and Blake both started laughing at her attempt to cover for herself.
"You two are the worst," she muttered through her fingers, only looking up when Blake patted her gently on the back - finding the girl smiling at her in amusement.
"Have you ever been on television before?" Pyrrha asked, directing attention back towards Blake.
"A couple of times...for other books. It's rather nerve wracking, really - being on live TV in front of a live audience…"
"Oh it's not so bad!" Yang quickly piped up, with Pyrrha nodding her head in agreement. "And live TV is way better because you only have to do one take!"
"Easy for you to say - you two practically live in front of cameras. I live behind my computer screen," Blake replied.
Yang and Pyrrha both exchanged glances before turning back to Blake with thoughtful expressions. It was a little difficult for her to remember what it had felt like the first time she had had to go in front of a camera...but she was sure it had probably been a little weird and scary.
"You should try to pretend that you and the host are the only ones there. That helps with some nerves," she suggested helpfully.
"Yes, and tell yourself that every time you move, you lose one life - and you only get five lives for the entire show," Pyrrha added, earning confused glances from both Yang and Blake.
"What? It keeps you from fidgeting too much," she added with a shrug of her shoulders.
"What happens if I lose all of my lives?" Blake asked curiously, causing Pyrrha to look up from her plate and bite her lip in thought.
"Oh, I don't know - I've never gotten past four. But I'm sure something awful happens!"
Yang glared at her friend - not wanting the answer to make Blake feel any more nervous than she already was.
"You probably just end up owing your girlfriend a nice dinner or something," she added onto Pyrrha's comment, surprised when Blake began laughing beside her.
"Oh you're right - that is awful," the author replied, sending Yang a smile before sharing another giggle with Pyrrha. "But I'll try both those things - thank you."
A pattern began to emerge over the course of their meal - one where Yang was constantly flushed in embarrassment while the other two giggled at her unfortunate choice of words. But she honestly couldn't care less - she was having the best time in the world. She was actually a little disappointed when she noticed the time; their plates long since abandoned in the favor of continuing their conversation.
Pyrrha glanced at the clock at nearly the same moment Yang did, feeling that time had gotten completely away from them. She wouldn't have minded staying late into the night, but she did know that Blake needed to be up early to make her flight on time.
Pyrrha nodded in acknowledgment of the silent request Yang sent her and said, "This was great - I'm really glad that we decided to have dinner tonight."
"I'm surprised that Yang agreed to allow us to meet at all," Blake responded with another small chuckle.
"I will have to admit that I called in a favor in order to get this done," the redhead responded, sending Yang a smirk.
Yang shot back a serious look and tiny shake of her head in an attempt to get the girl to stop talking, which Blake unfortunately noticed.
"There has to be a story there…" she said slowly, making Pyrrha laugh even harder while Yang glared at her, face flushing crimson at the memory.
"Oh, there most certainly is!"
"Which we will not be discussing tonight!" she cut in, hearing an edge of alarm in her voice at the prospect of telling Blake that story so soon. She was still struggling to make a good impression, as it was!
But Blake placed one hand over Yang's on top of the table, drawing her attention in order to give her a reassuring gaze.
"I'd really like to hear," she said with a smile.
Yang couldn't help but to completely melt into the girl's eyes, feeling all of her reservations disappear - replaced by the desire to grant whatever wish Blake made.
If this was all it took to convince Yang to do something...well, she was never going to be able to say 'no' to the girl…
"Ok," she agreed, turning back to give Pyrrha another glare while smoothly flipping her palm upwards so that she was now holding Blake's hand in her own.
"You can tell her - but don't embellish it like you usually do."
Pyrrha looked at her with an expression frozen somewhere between surprise and amusement at what she had just witnessed. But, shaking her head, the model grinned as she began telling her story.
"Well, I invited Yang to travel with me to Atlas last year - I was invited to be in the Atlas Fashion Show, you see. The actual event went very well and after the show, we were fortunate to be invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Atlas government - filled with dignitaries and politicians, including the governor and the head general."
"The governor, by the way, is like a thousand years old," Yang added, earning herself a look that made her close her mouth and gesture for Pyrrha to continue her story.
"Anyway...dinner was going splendidly - I was having a wonderful conversation with the general's wife, who is a truly magnificent lady - when I heard a loud commotion coming from the hallway. I can still vividly remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when I realized that Yang was no longer sitting at the table...and neither was the governor's young and amazingly beautiful fiancée…"
Blake turned to look at Yang, mouth hanging open. Yang can already feel her face steaming in humiliation when the two girls directed their full attention her way.
"You didn't."
"I didn't know she was engaged!" Yang instantly shouted in her defense.
"They introduced her at the beginning of the meal!" Pyrrha shouted back, letting a small giggle slip past her lips that belied her presumed anger.
"Well...I wasn't paying attention during the introductions because a pretty girl was making eyes at me…" she muttered unhappily. "And she kissed me first!"
She was beyond embarrassed and a little horrified about what Blake might think about her now that she had heard that story. It didn't exactly pin her in the best light.
So she was pleasantly surprised when Blake started laughing - and absolutely elated when she felt the small, reassuring squeeze of her hand.
"What happened next?"
Yang looked at Blake in shock before turning back to Pyrrha with a grin that told the redhead she could continue.
"Well...the governor was beyond furious, of course, and threatened to throw us both into prison."
"But they didn't!" Yang added.
"No - we're just never allowed back in Atlas," Pyrrha added dryly.
Blake burst out laughing while Pyrrha fought to keep a scowl on her face.
"Never?"
"Never."
"No, not never!" Yang answered, trying once again to contain the damage. "Just until that guy is no longer in charge - and, realistically, he's going to die in like ten years or something, he's so old."
"Oh great…ten years," Pyrrha replied with a roll of her eyes.
"You don't even like Atlas!" Yang exclaimed. "What did you call it again? 'Smelly and crowded?'"
"But I might still like to go there sometime!"
"Well you can! In ten years," she responded frankly - unable to resist letting out a giggle of her own at the ridiculousness of the situation.
"She really did kiss me first though," she said, turning once again towards Blake.
"I can believe that - you do seem to have that effect on people," the girl responded bashfully, a light blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Grinning at the sight, Yang's thoughts were immediately pulled back to the memory of their own first kiss. A soft cough drew her attention away from Blake, realizing that she had been staring just a bit too intently.
"Did you have a lot you need to get done before tomorrow, or would you like some tea?" Pyrrha asked politely, waving one hand towards the kitchen where the tea was waiting to be made.
"Oh, wow it got late," Blake said after glancing at the clock, turning back to Yang. "I really should get home - I actually haven't even packed yet. But I can always take a taxi if you'd-"
Yang held up a hand to stop Blake from finishing that sentence.
"I'm leaving with you, of course," she said, waving one hand dismissively in Pyrrha's direction. "Pyrrha and I already spend enough time together."
"Oh thanks," the redhead responded with a laugh as the three of them stood from the table. "I'll be sure to remember that the next time you're complaining about how little we get to hang out when I'm working."
Holding her hands up in the shape of a heart, Yang mouthed 'but I love you' to her friend, laughing when Pyrrha shook her head in response and led them back to the front door.
"Thank you so much for agreeing to come tonight, Blake," Pyrrha said, opening the door and letting them step outside. "It really was wonderful to finally meet you."
"The same to you - and thank you so much for the amazing dinner and even better stories," Blake responded, drawing one more happy laugh from the redhead before she began making her way to the elevator doors.
When Yang moved to follow, a hand on her arm forced her to stop.
"Hold on a second, Yang."
She turned back to Pyrrha in confusion, noticing Blake glance between the two of them before politely continuing her walk to the elevator to give them space to speak in private.
"So...I love her."
Yang beamed at her friend's admission.
"Good! Because...I think I do too," she whispered quietly so that Blake couldn't overhear her.
Deep down, she knew that she was already in love with Blake, but didn't want to fully admit that out loud just yet. Not if there was any chance the writer didn't feel the same way about her.
"Try not to mess it up," Pyrrha teased, making Yang playfully swat at her shoulder.
"Please...I'm not letting her go," she said, finally walking away to join Blake while giving Pyrrha a wink and a wave goodbye. "Thanks for ordering dinner!"
She grinned when Pyrrha scowled down the hallway at her, laughing while she and Blake stepped into the elevator together.
"So? What did you think?" she asked curiously as the elevator doors slid shut.
"She's really, really great," Blake answered, golden eyes locking onto her own. "I had a wonderful time - thank you for...agreeing...to invite me."
When Blake smiled at her, Yang couldn't turn away - her eyes drinking in every speck of light shining through Blake's gaze.
How had she been so lucky to find someone like Blake?
"She is great," her mouth responded for her automatically while her mind continued to praise the high heavens for allowing this angel to walk into her life. "So uh...when do I get to meet your friends?"
Blake let out a laugh at the question while they made their way towards the valet.
"Do you want to meet my friends now?" she asked, eyes twinkling at Yang in amusement.
"Well...yeah! I mean, you met Pyrrha so...unless you don't want me to meet them, I guess."
Blake shook her head and placed one hand reassuringly on Yang's shoulder.
"Of course you can - I'll make sure to set something up when I'm back in town."
Yang grinned at the girl before noticing her car being returned to them via the valet, marking their departure from Pyrrha's building.
The drive back to Blake's building was filled with more teasing - mostly on Blake's part, since the author was now loaded with more than a few of Yang's most embarrassing stories.
When they made it back to the building and stepped into the lobby, Yang was prepared to say their goodbyes and head back outside. That was, until Blake's hand found her own and drew her to the elevator doors. In no time at all, they had gotten out of the elevator and walked down the hallway until they were standing in front of an unassuming apartment door.
"So is this…" Yang began to ask.
"Yup," the author responded plainly. "I just thought...we didn't have to say goodbye in front of everyone."
"Ah…"
Yang could feel the awkward energy settle upon them, still holding hands while Blake fiddled with a set of keys in her other hand. Yang knew that she was stalling - content with lingering in the hallway rather than being forced to say goodbye.
It was only going to be a few days...but still...Yang had just found her - and now she was going away?
"Do you need me to drive you to the airport or anything?" she offered hopefully.
"That's ok...my flight is really early and I already have a car lined up," Blake responded with a smile. "Thank you for offering though."
The answer was slightly disappointing, but Yang understood that Blake didn't want to inconvenience her. Of course, the author probably didn't realize that Yang would love to spend just a few more minutes with her before she left.
"Ok then...uh...I'll see you in a few days? I mean - assuming you still want to see me then?"
"Of course, I'll want to see you as soon as I get back," Blake replied with a chuckle.
Yang brightened up immensely at Blake's words.
"Then I'll be here waiting for you!"
Blake smiled - one of those smiles that made Yang's heart catch in her chest and her breath come out in uneven puffs of air.
"You'd better be," Blake replied with a sly smile.
And Yang couldn't stop herself - she pulled Blake in for a kiss, pouring all of her feelings through their connected lips as she tried to explain to the girl just how much she was going to miss her. Her fingers wrapped themselves within raven colored locks while she felt a lithe hand slide to a rest on her hip, Blake's fingertips directing Yang closer with little force at all.
It was only when her brain began registering a lack of oxygen was she forced to pull away.
"I think...that might hold me over…" she whispered breathlessly, finding Blake's eyes keenly searching her own while their faces were mere inches apart - their jagged breaths colliding together midway between the space separating them.
"You might need one more...for the drive home."
Yang grinned at the comment before their lips crashed back together.
She really loved this girl.