A/N - rating is good for all audiences :) just some wholesome bumbleby.
"Can we make cookies for dessert?"
Ruby's hopeful voice reaches Yang's ears where she's sitting on the couch watching the news. It's supposed to rain again the next day, which doesn't bode well. Another day without pay won't kill them, but it's definitely not helping their situation.
"I don't think so." Yang flips the channel to some cartoons she knows Ruby likes and returns to the stove where she's left Ruby in charge of stirring their dinner. "We don't have the stuff to make cookies." Yang looks over her younger sister's shoulder, approving of the soup's unburnt appearance and smell. "Good job Ruby, looks delicious."
"Can I go watch t.v. now?" The younger sibling asks, dropping the spoon already anticipating her answer.
"Yeah, go on."
Taking up the spot Ruby vacates, Yang stirs the mix of meat and vegetables. There's decidedly more vegetables than meat and even more broth than vegetables. But there's enough to last a few meals which will get them pretty close to payday.
"Can you not go get stuff for cookies?"
Ruby's using her puppy dog eyes when Yang turns to acknowledge her. It hurts, because Yang would love to go out and get the cookie dough, come home and spend the evening making and eating them with Ruby. She wants to give her sister all the things she deserves, the things that make her happy, the things Yang never got to have. But there's literally less than a dollar in her bank account.
"Not today." Is all Yang can muster to say as she turns back to taste the soup. The carrots are cooked all the way through so she turns off the stove and grabs a couple bowls from the cupboard. She dishes them both equal amounts, making sure to pour more broth than anything in her own bowl. Ruby needs the nutrients more than she does, the youngest is still growing after all.
They eat on the couch, in front of the television, laughing between bites at the cartoon shenanigans on the screen. When Ruby's finished Yang grabs her bowl and cleans up the mess dicing vegetables has caused on the kitchen counter. When everything is clean once more Yang glances at the clock on the stove.
"Ruby, it's time to get ready for bed."
"No, one more episode!" She's demanding, which means she's tired and experience has taught Yang that prolonging the inevitable only results in a larger argument.
"No, get ready for bed." Yang uses her stern voice so Ruby knows she means business. Ruby only has two choices, she can either obey and head to bed or she can use the only other trump card in her deck. She chooses the latter.
"Dad would le-"
"But he's not here, is he?" Yang cuts her off turning towards her, anger flaring. He isn't the one putting a roof over her head. He isn't the one going to school and holding a full time job just so Ruby doesn't have to realize how fucked up everything is. He doesn't care about them and Yang's sick of Ruby using him as an excuse to not listen to her.
Ruby dips her head ashamed, but she quickly presses a button on the remote in her hand. The light from the television disappears and Ruby makes her way silently, sheepishly to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Anger deflating, Yang suddenly feels guilt. Ruby doesn't know how bad she struggles, because she never lets it show. She's always made a point of not letting her negative emotions show around her younger sibling. Tai's bad parenting has already taken its toll on her, she wasn't about to let it affect Ruby's innocence too. Yang just wishes she had more money, a better job, just anything really to have set aside. She really would like to be able to have a nest egg where she could take a little out of to give Ruby the things she asked for. She really doesn't ask for much, cookies and small treats. Her requests should be achievable, and Yang is blessed that Ruby's one that can take enjoyment out of the smallest things.
She sits up for another hour before following her sister to bed. She might not have work but she still has school in the morning.
—-
Yang storms out the front doors of the school. She hates her Physics teacher with a passion. No matter how hard she tries, she just can't grasp the concepts. She's good at math, so she has to assume it's more his teaching methods than anything else, but he continually calls on her for the answers he knows she doesn't have. She despises being embarrassed that way. She's a smart student, has above average grades, but he makes her feel stupid. Yang has enough negative thoughts about herself, enough doubts on if she's doing things right when it comes to Ruby, she doesn't need some pompous teacher making her feel worse about herself. She's debated dropping out to get a second job- it would help with the money situation - but Yang knows that isn't what's right for her. She doesn't want to be a negative influence on Ruby, and Yang desperately does want to graduate.
She waits for Ruby in the parking lot, beside the beat up rusted junk she calls her car. It isn't much, but she needs it to get to her job. Yang doesn't even want to think of what they would do if it broke down. She barely has enough for rent and food to last between paydays, what would they do if she had to fork over any more on fixing her junk of a car?
Ruby's taking longer than usual, probably caught up talking to one of her many friends. Yang doesn't mind waiting today, she doesn't have to work even though the clouds are dispersing. She's happy to wait if Ruby's enjoying herself. Plus, the fact Yang is probably going to have to pull a double shift to make up for the rain impacting the crews completion schedule doesn't have her excited for tomorrow. She's happy to relax at least for one night.
Laughter brings Yang's attention to a group of girls her own age. Yang's seen them around school, a couple may have even been her friends in an earlier lifetime. There's also the new girl; Blake was her name. Yang supposes she isn't really new, having moved into the area the year before, but in their small town where no one moves into or out of she is still the new girl in Yang's mind.
She's nice enough, from the interactions Yang has witnessed her in. She hasn't said a negative word to anyone as far as Yang knows, and generally has a positive standing with most students and teachers. It's not something that can be said for all of Blake's friends however.
"Hey orphan, what are you looking at?" Yang grits her teeth to stop from escalating the situation. They'll soon leave.
"She's not an orphan, Chelsea." Another speaks up, Yang can't tell if she's defending her or just a know-it-all needing to set the facts straight.
"Even worse," Chelsea supplies, her perfect brunette hair bouncing as she swings her head in Yang's direction, blue eyes burning with mischief. "Just means Blondie here wasn't worth sticking around for." Her friends snicker at her comment but Yang notices Blake isn't one of them.
Blake's eyes switch from her cruel friends to meet Yang's for the first time. Her bodies reaction to the eye contact surprises Yang. The girl is pretty, beautiful even, but her eyes are piercing and it unnerves Yang's usual confidence enough for her to actually take a shuffled step away from the raven haired girl. She feels something jab sharply into the small of her back and she winces - she's fallen back onto the mirror of the car behind her.
Blake's friends roar louder, Yang's pain adding to their amusement. The ears, so adorably perched atop Blake's head twitch, one in the direction of her friends and one trained on Yang. Blake notices they catch Yang's attention and she narrows her amber eyes, challenging her? Yang isn't sure what the look means.
"Hey, sis. Let's go!" Ruby bounds to the passenger side of the car, brushing unknowingly past the group of girls making Yang their sport. "Hey, can we get that stuff for cookies today?"
Yang shifts her gaze to her sister over the hood of the car. "Not today."
"That's what you said yesterday!" She complains.
"Maybe on the weekend." Yang tries to placate her, noticing they're still being scrutinized by the group behind Ruby. "Now get in."
"Can we get ice cream then?" She's switching treats thinking Yang's just not into her cookie idea, and Yang would be touched that she's thinking of her wants but that isn't the issue.
"Get in the car, Ruby." Yang tries more sternly.
"Is that a yes?" She asks hopeful.
"It's a no. Let's go."
"Why not?"
Glancing over Ruby's shoulder Yang sees the group of girls whispering quietly to each other. She knows they won't stay silent for long, and although she's sure Ruby doesn't catch on to the reason she's denying her, Yang knows the others can guess. She desperately wants Ruby to get in the car before the older girls point out the unpleasant truth but her sister's being extra stubborn and Yang doesn't want to make more of a scene by going into parental mode.
"Let's go guys." Yang's eyes dart to find the source of the soft voice and she finds it came from Blake. Amber eyes hold hers for a moment before they shift to her friends. "I need to get home, and you guys are my ride." And with that Blake turns and walks further down the row of cars. Her friends pause, but just shoot Yang matching glares before they move to follow their friend.
Ruby asks three more times on the way home before giving up on the idea of any treats that day. It digs at Yang's heart every time she has to deny her. She can tell Ruby isn't pleased at having the same meal as the night before but she thankfully doesn't voice her displeasure.
"You have any homework?" Knowing the answer before she even asks. Ruby is an honours student and always seems to finish any homework in class.
"Nope."
Yang hums in response and moves to sit at their rarely used kitchen table. She's working on one of the Physic questions that stumped her earlier when she hears a knock at the door. Confused, because they don't get visitors, Yang quickly panics wondering if she forgot to pay rent but her bank account proves that she has.
Before she can move Ruby is already swinging the door open, like a visitor is a common occurrence.
"Yang, it's for you." Ruby calls, still standing at the door, staring at whoever is on the other side.
"What?" Yang stands and takes a step towards the door.
"It's one of your friends from school." Her answer confuses Yang even more. She doesn't have any friends, but when she steps around her sister she comes face to face with Blake.
"Hello." Her voice is just as soft and eyes just as piercing as earlier and Yang is having trouble processing.
"Hi." They stand in silence for an awkward moment and even Ruby seems to notice because she speaks up when neither of the older girls seem to be in a hurry to do so.
"Do you want to come in?" Ruby asks, opening the door wider. "I like your ears by the way."
"Ruby!" Yang scolds, tearing her eyes from Blake to shoot her sister a disapproving look.
"What?" She asks perplexed. "They're cute, don't you think?"
"I-" Yang turns back to the girl in their doorway, looking for any signs that she's been affronted by Ruby's unfiltered nature. She can't help but glance up at the ears Ruby has just mentioned. They twitch ever so slightly and Yang can feel her face heat up because yes, they are completely adorable.
Blake's melodious laughter fills the room and Yang meets her eyes once more. They're less penetrating than before, more gentle in their scrutinizing of the two sisters.
"I was hoping you two would like to join me for some ice cream."
"Oh my god, yes!" Ruby is already shoving her feet into her shoes before the words can even process fully in Yang's mind.
"I don't think-"
"My treat." Blake cuts her off, giving Yang a pointed look before softening her gaze and looking to Ruby.
"Does that mean I can't get my usual?" Yang's about to tell her to just get a normal cone instead of the giant monstrosity she usually gets but Blake speaks up before she can.
"You can get whatever you want. I'm getting an extra large sundae so I'd rather not look like a pig on my own."
Ruby squeals and rushes passed Blake, already bounding down the stairs. "Hurry up Yang!" She calls over her shoulder.
"You don't have to do this." Yang states but shoves her feet in her shoes anyway. Ruby isn't going to take no for an answer now.
"I know, but I want to." Is Blake's simple reply.
"Why? You don't even know us." Yang asks, stepping out into the hall, locking the door behind them. "And how did you even know where we live?"
Blake chuckles. "Your car is pretty easy to recognize, and I only needed to knock on a few doors to find out which one is yours."
"There's no privacy in this world anymore." Yang grits, glaring at the neighbours doors they pass, slowly following Ruby's path.
Blake's soft laugh at her comment pulls a smile from Yang.
"You know." Blake speaks up, smiling coyly. "That's the first time I've ever seen you smile."
"What? I smile." Yang defends.
"Not that I've seen, but you should definitely do it more often."
"Huh?"
"You look really pretty when you smile." She laughs again at Yang's dumbfounded look. "And to answer your earlier question, I want to do this because I have younger siblings as well. I know what it's like to want to protect them from things, and how much it sucks when you can't. Everyone needs some help here and there." She shrugs as you both bound down the flight of stairs. "I have some food in the trunk of my car if you'd like it. We can move it to your car later so Ruby doesn't have to know."
"I can't-"
"I'd be more upset if you refused, but I'll understand if you do."
Ruby is jumping with excitement as they both emerge from the building. Yang catches the amused smile on Blake's face at her sister's antics. She's glad Blake seems to be enjoying her sister's energy instead of being annoyed by it like some people.
"My car's parked at the end there Ruby." Blake speaks up giving Ruby a destination.
"Oh my- Yang, it's black and purple!" She squeals. "It's so cool."
"I'll pay you back." Yang says once Ruby is out of earshot.
"No need," Opening her mouth to argue Blake beats her to it. "Though if you must, I am in the search of new friends, my current ones are getting on my nerves."
"Oh yeah?" Yang smirks.
"Yeah, they're definitely too bitchy for my taste."
It pulls a genuine laugh from her and it feels good, she's been faking enough of them lately. When her attention returns to the raven-haired girl Yang notices how surprised the other looks. Her mouth is parted and eyes wide, ears perked straight up atop her head.
"Wow," Blake whispers and Yang raises a brow in question. "You should definitely do that more often too."
"Come on," Yang blushes, motioning towards Ruby waiting not at all patiently by Blake's car. "If we don't hurry you're going to see the full wrath of my sister."
"She's tiny, what can she possibly do?" Blake laughs.
"Honestly?" Yang feins terror. "You do not want to find out."
Blake rolls her eyes but moves into a jog. "Then we better hurry."
Yang laughs again, but follows suit. The smile Blake shoots her over her shoulder at the sound of her laughter has Yang promising to do it more.
Anything to have Blake look at her like that again