"Knock, knock~"

When Yang sang that, her voice trailed up in a friendly tune.

In seconds, the door opened. Peeking her head out was Weiss, who looked puzzled by her arrival.

"Yang? What're you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how your wrist is doing," the blonde said as she sauntered inside. "I brought another ice pack."

When she handed the frozen pack to her, Weiss settled it over her brace. The two retreated into her apartment and Yang briefly paused. She almost forgot how vacant it was.

"Thank you," Weiss said and sat on her mattress. "You didn't have to. I have ice."

Since the mattress was the only spot they could sit, Yang sat next to her. Truthfully, the blonde wasn't sure what items Weiss had. Her apartment was as barren as the desert. She wouldn't be surprised if the freezer didn't even make ice.

"It's my way of easing my guilt," Yang admitted. "I shouldn't have asked you to hit the volleyball with me."

Weiss only rolled her eyes and adjusted the ice pack on her wrist. "I knew full well this would happen. It's not your fault."

Yang stared down at her pale, braced wrist and bit her lip. She wanted to know how Weiss got injured in the first place. In the past, Weiss typically didn't open up about her personal life. Now might be a good time to ask since they were alone.

"What happened? Is it a new injury?"

"It's not," Weiss answered, which took Yang by surprise. "It happened years ago. I had a broken wrist and several torn ligaments. Multiple surgeries later, it'll never be the same."

From the revelation, Yang breathed. "Oh my god, what the hell happened?"

"It got crushed," Weiss replied and heaved a sigh.

Briefly, she relived the nightmare when her father's words violently tremored in her mind.

"I am your father and you will do what I say without question!"

Based on her lack of eye contact, Yang guessed this was a sensitive topic to ask about. The fact that Weiss didn't change the subject was a really good sign.

"By who?"

Tightly, Weiss' fingers curled into the hem of her skirt. Another sigh lingered as Yang watched her in concern. It was like she was debating what to say.

I don't want to lie again, Weiss thought. I can't lie to her again, can I?

"Sorry," Yang apologized. "That was insensitive of me to ask-"

"My father."

Yang paused to process the answer and her voice rose in shock. "What?"

"My father is responsible," Weiss repeated in a monotone voice and finally met her gaze.

From her expression, Yang felt her heart rip in half. She looked so pained, so agonized. There was so much more weight to her words, Yang knew. There were endless layers of suffering that loomed deep in her heart.

Now she knows I'm from a broken family, Weiss thought. Possibly as broken as it can get.

Yang couldn't even fathom a father hurting his own daughter. Taiyang especially had always been good to her. Even spoiled her rotten at times. There was no way a father could do such a thing.

To make sure, Yang asked. "He did that intentionally?"

A nod.

Normally, Weiss was stoic or didn't voice her personal problems. Right now, Yang felt touched that she was able to share such a personal experience.

A million thoughts swarmed Yang's mind. The first was that she wanted to beat Weiss' father to a pulp. Everything else blurred, and she suddenly became very aware of the vulnerable girl next to her. Weiss gazed down at the carpet with a prominent frown. To comfort her, Yang placed a hand over her bandaged one.

"God damn. I'm so sorry."

She took it well, Weiss thought. I suppose that's a better reaction than I expected. Perhaps a look of pity would be the worst.

From her reaction, Weiss curled her hand around her own. "I know it's a lot. I needed to live without him."

"You should live without him," Yang agreed. "I'm glad you are, is that why you moved here?"

"That's also the reason, yes. The other reason was because of Winter, as I said before. Before she died, she made me promise to enjoy my life. And to do that, getting away from him was a given."

Now she knows my guiding light, Weiss thought. I'm glad she does. She deserves to.

"I'm glad you're here," Yang said. "I'm not glad for the reason you're here, but I'm glad you're here."

"Me too," Weiss gave her a smile, which made Yang feel accomplished. "Wow, I've never told anyone that before. I blame you and your brutish nature."

Yang giggled from that. "I can't help that I'm so lovable."

"I hate that you know it."

Another laugh.

Since Weiss shared something about herself, Yang felt she should as well to help her feel less vulnerable.

"If we're tellin' secrets…"

Curious, Weiss narrowed her eyes. "Yang, you don't owe me a secret. I told you because I wanted to."

"I know," the blonde replied in finality. "The thing is, I want to tell you somethin' personal, too. It's more like I have to tell someone. I feel like the guilt would be more bearable if I did. And I'll also tell the therapist this weekend."

The last part caused Weiss to arch an eyebrow as she watched Yang take a deep breath.

"A little over a year ago, my parents were on vacation."

Does this have something to do with their deaths?

Yang continued the story.

"They were in Vacuo. Said the beaches there were great. A few days after they left, Ruby got sick. Really sick. I took care of her before, but this was pretty bad. I didn't know what to do, so I called them and asked them to come home early. They died on the way to the airship."

From the revelation, Weiss' eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

"It's because of me that they're dead," Yang said bitterly. "If I didn't call them, they wouldn't have been on the road. Blake and Ruby don't even know this. I'm too ashamed."

To comfort her, Weiss placed a gentle hand on her back. "It's not your fault, Yang."

"It technically is," Yang replied, voice wavering. "If I didn't call, they would still be here. It's as simple as that."

"Yang…" Weiss started, gathering her thoughts. "I don't know your parents, but I know they were good people. People who raised such compassionate, beautiful daughters. And I think that such good people would have their hearts broken to know you blame yourself. They wouldn't want you to think that way. It would devastate them."

"I know they wouldn't," Yang agreed and clenched her jaw in discomfort. "I know they would lecture me when my mind wanders to that, but I can't help it. I just can't help it."

This girl wears her heart on her sleeve, Weiss thought. It's so endearing.

"You'll probably think that way for a long time," Weiss honestly told her. "But I also know that therapy will help you immensely. And one day, you'll be able to forgive yourself. That's certain."

"I didn't believe you for a second there," Yang said, the corners of her lips almost turned upward. "Then I remembered you're probably the smartest person I know, so it must be true."

"Honestly, you're the strongest person I know, Yang."

She's overcome so much. She had everything. And then it was ripped away from her. And yet here she is… trying her best to heal. And she chose to do that with me.

"Heh," Yang mumbled. "You haven't seen anything."

"I did see you punch Cardin," Weiss said, which earned a laugh. "What? It looked like you hardly tried and he went flying."

"That wasn't even a fraction of what I can do, ice princess."

"Remind me not to get on your bad side."

Yang suppressed a laugh, thinking that was impossible. "You could never get on my bad side. You could punch me in the face right now and I'd be like, 'please more.'"

That caused Weiss to burst into giggles. "You're too much sometimes."

Gradually, Yang's tone dipped lower. "I'm serious, you know."

"About being a masochist?" Weiss asked in amusement.

"About you."

From her sudden change of tone, Weiss fell quiet as she gazed into those sincere eyes.

"I think you're truly amazing. Ever since I saw you for the first time on the bridge. Your gorgeous white hair pretty much forced me to stop and stare at you. And then I actually got to talk to you. Then I found out that you're sassy, go along with my sarcasm, and are sometimes rude, but in a witty way. You love to solve people's problems, but try to avoid your own. You're perceptive to the point that it's annoying."

It felt like Cupid's arrow had struck Weiss. Yang said everything with such certainty, such sincerity that it almost brought tears to her eyes.

Yang continued with a wide smile. "In the beginning, you tried your best to keep your distance, but you couldn't. It's because we're drawn to each other. I feel a strong connection to you. More than I have than with anyone else."

Gingerly, Yang put a finger under her chin. Weiss' heart beat wildly as Yang leaned in closer.

Yang's voice dipped to a whisper. "And I know you feel it, too."

"Yang…" Weiss murmured, entranced by those soft lilac eyes. "I feel the same way, but-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a pair of lips pressed onto her own.

Since that was unexpected, Weiss took a few moments to process the new sensation. Yang's lips were soft like a feather and tasted like sweet vanilla. She was gentle, so gentle that it almost tickled.

Is this… okay?

Her hesitation faded when she kept tasting Yang.

Their hearts soared as the kiss flowed like calm waves through a river. Natural and soothing.

Yang had waited for what seemed like forever for this moment. She almost couldn't believe that she was allowed to kiss someone she deemed a goddess. She was reassured this was real when she kept tasting Weiss. She tasted like sugar and it was intoxicating in the best way possible.

Tenderly, Yang cradled the back of her head and deepened their kiss. She was elated when Weiss enveloped an arm around her waist and returned her enthusiasm with vigor.

I want this, Weiss thought. Yang…

Yang, her blonde brute, was always there for her. Even when she kept her distance, she was looking out for Weiss in a way that worked perfectly for her. She always wore that sunny smile that Weiss grew to adore.

To Yang, Weiss was hard to get to know at first. This past semester, she learned limited things about her, but knew the mysteries inside her heart could be unwrapped. The ice around her heart melted thanks to her persistent flame.

Their feelings bottled up this whole time, and finally overflowed.

It almost felt like a dream and that they drifted in the clouds. Their dream was cut short when Weiss hesitantly pulled away. Both girls were flushed crimson as lilac and azure remained fixed on each other.

"Wow," was all Yang could say.

Conflicted, Weiss put her head in her hands.

From her reaction, Yang flailed her hands. "Oh god, was that not the right thing to do? I thought you wanted-"

"It was perfect," Weiss reassured to stop her from worrying. "I wanted that, too."

Too perfect, Weiss thought as she felt guilt overcome her. We've become too attached. When father finds me, I can no longer stay here… I'll be forced to leave… and I'll be...

From her reply, Yang was confused and focused on the room as a whole.

If Weiss wanted to, she could leave this place in a minute. Maybe that was why it was vacant. That's when she recalled her past.

How she avoided others like the plague. When she got that bruise on the back of her leg. Her dyed hair. Her abusive father. The pieces slowly knit together in Yang's mind as she watched the girl sigh next to her.

Yang leaned over her lap and reached for the pillow.

Curious, Weiss asked. "What're you-"

Yang lifted the pillow to find the switchblade still there.

From the sight, Weiss frowned and allowed her to inspect the weapon that saved her from many scuffles.

"I know I don't know much about your personal life," Yang said softly. "But I do know that something haunts you. Every day. Probably your father. You know I'm here. No matter what it is, I'm here. You have me now."

To comfort her, Yang wrapped her supportive arms around her.

"And if I tell you to stay away?" Weiss asked, knowing it was futile and leaned onto her anyway.

She couldn't lie to herself. She wanted this.

Yang hugged her tighter. "I'm gonna keep comin' after you."

Gently, Weiss rested her head on her shoulder. "You might regret this."

If we're together, then it will be harder in the end. But if I'm going to fulfill my promise to Winter and enjoy this life, then Yang's the one I need to be with.

From her tone, Yang wasn't deterred. She'd give anything to be with Weiss. "You think I'd regret the highlight of my life? I don't think so."

Even if I'm forced to fade away, at least I'll be eternal in her memory.

Even though the future was inevitable, Weiss never felt happier in her life than in this moment.

God damn I love me some freezerburn.

Lyrics from My Dearest: "One day you will understand the mysteries inside my heart. Even if all hope is lost and I am forced to fade away. And even if I disappear, I know that things will be okay. I'll become eternal and live on in your memory."

Stay dandy,

~Toto