"I gotta show you somethin'!"
"Yang, slow down!"
When Weiss complained again, Yang picked up the pace as she eagerly dragged her to their destination. It was obvious that Weiss was losing her patience. She had no clue where they were going, but at least her girlfriend was cute when she was this excited.
It'd been several minutes in this manner; with Yang leading the way with their connected hands. While it was a little enjoyable, much to Weiss chagrin, she hoped they'd be there soon.
After school, the sky warped gray and the air contained a prickly chill. When Weiss looked up as she shuffled along, tiny snowflakes drifted to the ground. Snowflakes hugged their coats and hats in a welcome for the first snow of the season.
Yang gasped as a puff of air formed in front of her. "It's snowing! This is perfect!"
She has no idea what's coming, Yang thought happily. Might as well make this the best.
"Perfect for what-"
It was then that Yang yanked on her gently to move faster. This left Weiss even more confused. It seemed like they were on the path to their apartment. They only had to cross the bridge in the nearby park. Unless the park was Yang's destination.
"Yang, you can't kidnap me whenever you like," Weiss almost whined.
"Relax, we're basically there."
When Yang stopped halfway on the bridge, question marks swarmed over Weiss' head.
"Uh, Yang?" Weiss asked, which earned a grin. "Why'd you stop?"
This was the bridge they crossed every day for school. It settled over a calm river that flowed between two small hills. The water looked freezing when it was cast a mix of silver and clear.
"Behold," Yang said in a boisterous voice. "This is my favorite spot in town."
Azure eyes widened and Weiss' hands flew to her hips. She thought her favorite spot might be somewhere flashy. Or with food, at the very least. Not a plain bridge that was sturdy, but showed signs of decay in the wood.
"You brought me out here in the cold to stand on the bridge we cross practically everyday?" Weiss asked, wanting to make sure that was the case.
"When you put it like that…" Yang mumbled, disappointed by her reaction.
I'll change that microscopic scowl she's got, Yang thought. Challenge accepted.
"Anyway," Yang began in a solemn tone. "When we met, I told you that one day I'd bring you to my favorite spot in town. So here it is, ice princess."
Those weighted words made Weiss appreciate this bridge a little more. To find more beauty in it, she leaned onto the railing. Weiss watched the water below and enjoyed the sound of the steady stream. She remembered she'd done this before- half a year ago when she first got to Vale- and grinned. Yang joined her side and caught a glimpse at her profile.
She looks just as beautiful as the day I first saw her, Yang thought.
Weiss tilted her head to the side so she could properly face her girlfriend. "Are you going to tell me why it's your favorite spot? Of all the places in town: the park, the gardens, your favorite crepe place, Beacon, why this?"
Especially now. The trees were dull, the water gray, the railing so frozen it could cause frostbite. Almost every tiny step caused the wood to creak from age. Any nearby plants withered and were stiff as boards in the cold.
Yang couldn't suppress a smile from the question of why this was her favorite place. Weiss was taken aback by how bright it shined. It was like she was waiting to be asked that.
"Half a year ago, I didn't do much," Yang revealed. "I went through the motions, but that's all. Colors faded, plants withered, and the sun didn't shine as far as I was concerned. I was like that for a while after I lost my parents."
From her opening up, Weiss held onto her arm. Her grip provided comfort to Yang as she sniffled once from how dry the air was.
"This got depressing," Weiss tried to lift her spirits, hoping she was going somewhere with this.
"Almost there," Yang said briefly and looked down at the water with her girlfriend.
"One day, during my jogging routine, I kept my feet on my normal path. I almost took a different route, but didn't. I'm glad I stuck with it. And eventually I ended up here, where my breath was promptly stolen."
She was so damn pretty under that natural, warm glow, Yang recalled.
Confused by her description, Weiss asked. "Were you robbed?"
"No!" Yang yelped, surprised she didn't catch on. "We met, and I'm here today because of it. With you."
From the revelation, Weiss still looked perplexed. She didn't understand why her breath was stolen and wanted to get to the bottom of it. "Did you run into me or something?"
"No, god. You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?"
Weiss opened her mouth for a moment, then closed it. She almost came up with a witty retort, but Yang looked at her so genuinely she found herself speechless.
Yang laughed from her reaction. "I had to give myself a pep talk just to talk to you. In that moment I swear a goddess descended from the heavens and floated to this bridge. It made me question if it was a portal to heaven."
"That's really sweet," Weiss said and squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry for giving you grief about coming here. I didn't realize how important this spot is to you."
"Don't be sorry," Yang replied calmly and nuzzled into her. Their body heat mostly kept them warm. "Since I met you, everything's been… brighter. I started to notice the little things again."
Briefly, Weiss got on her tiptoes and pecked her on the cheek. "You've been crazy about me since the beginning, huh?"
"You have no idea," the blonde replied with a little blush.
"Honestly, I can't relate."
"What?!" Yang yelped.
Weiss giggled as she caressed the side of her flustered face.
"Think about it, blonde brute. I came here with the sole intention of blending in and staying distanced. It was your mission to recruit me to your friend group. You were pushy, and tried to make me hang out with you and your roommates. You caught me off guard far too much with your relentless flirting. Made me feel things I've never experienced. You were curious over everything and wanted to unwrap me like a present."
"Still do," Yang slyly commented and winked.
Weiss giggled from her flirtatious nature and held her gaze.
"Despite all that, I fell for you anyways."
The revelation almost struck Yang silent. But what came out instead was a blubbering mess.
"Wait, no, no, no. You did not just say that," Yang said quickly, surprised that her girlfriend said that so easily and flawlessly. "I brought you out here to confess. Not make you confess to me."
"Did you?" Weiss quirked an eyebrow. "Stop slacking, then."
The sassy comment reminded Yang of why she fell for her in the first place. She let slip a giggle at how perfect her girlfriend was.
"Damn, the ice princess doesn't play around. How about this, then? You're my dearest treasure, and I love you."
Weiss opened her mouth for a witty reply but fell quiet when she comprehended how powerful that confession was. Those three words… were said so genuinely and danced into her ears. The way Yang looked at her. That twinkle in her eye. The way her lips curled upward. She truly meant it.
Weiss couldn't remember the last time someone said that to her. Her parents didn't know how to. Certainly not Whitley. He probably even didn't know the word 'love.' Winter said it one time. Several years ago to comfort her.
A whirlwind of emotions swirled within her. She didn't think anyone could love her. Not after everything. But Yang. She was the exception. Somehow. All the things she felt around Yang made more sense.
Weiss wanted to be around her all the time. Felt incomplete without her. Put Yang above herself. And wanted to protect her from the path of loneliness. Everything was brighter when she was around. This explained it. It had to be love.
Yang watched her in amusement, trying to guess how she'd react. There was simply no other way to say it. She loved Weiss. And she has for a long time now. She was relieved her true feelings were out in the open.
She's not saying anything, Yang observed, a little nervous. She has that cute thinking face she does. When her eyebrows furrow and her little nose twists the tiniest bit.
Since she was quiet, Yang leaned down for a kiss. Weiss tilted her chin up and got on her tiptoes to properly lock their lips together. Perhaps nothing needed to be said. The tranquil sound of the river trailed into their ears while they enjoyed each other. Their lips were like icicles in the cold, but warmed by the passionate contact.
When Weiss cradled the back of her head, Yang enveloped her in an embrace. Warmth bloomed between them as the kiss moved slowly like flowers of affection.
Since Weiss had something on her mind that she needed to voice, she tenderly pulled away. Yang gradually opened her eyes to see her smiling up at her. From how sweet she was, Yang tightened her embrace. The strong arms around Weiss made her simply melt into her. It was like it wasn't cold outside when they were like this.
For a moment, the couple gazed at each other. Until Weiss' lips slightly parted.
"Yang, I love y-"
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
From the unexpected, amused voice, the couple hastily separated. They were so entranced by each other they didn't notice him watching on the other end of the bridge..
"Whitley," Weiss sneered, not too shocked to see him.
Whitley held his hands in front of him with a sly smirk on his face. Probably from figuring out who Weiss' true 'boyfriend' was.
"Sorry to ruin the moment, dear sis."
Protectively, Yang stood by her girlfriend and slightly in front of her. She'd never seen her brother before. This is the tiny pipsqueak that gave Weiss grief? Ruined Weiss' night? And life?
So this is him, Yang thought and frowned. He's at least half her problems.
Yang used a low, intimidating voice. "What the hell do you want?"
From how ominous she sounded, Weiss watched her in shock.
Not intimidated by her in the least, Whitley only shrugged.
"It's time, Weiss."
Lyrics from My Dearest: "You're my dearest treasure and for you, I'd take my heart and soul and I'd… risk it all." "Our feelings like the night sky. I'll make a wish and hope that it comes true this time." "I'm glad I kept my feet on that path. Because its brought me to where I am today. I'm here with you"
Stay dandy,
~Toto