Chapter 6: Back to Beacon
Blake felt it through the deck hours later when the airship landed. She gently shook a dozing Yang. Tempting as it was to kiss her awake, that wouldn't help them get off. The airship. She meant the airship. Blake firmly dragged her thoughts away from the gutter, and cleared her throat. "I think we're here."
"Hmm?" Yang looked blearily at her.
"Beacon."
Yang blinked a few times, her gaze clearer afterwards. "Right… Guess I'd better make myself decent."
After Yang found her clothes and redressed, they found their way to the door they'd entered by. Ruby and Weiss were already waiting.
"Where have you two been?" Ruby asked. "Weiss took me on a tour of the airship, we—"
"I can't believe you asked that!" Weiss poked Ruby. "You don't want to know. We don't want to know."
Ruby poked her back. "How would you know? You were with me."
"I was kissing her scars better." Blake kept her tone as casual as possible. It was true enough.
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "For hours?"
Blake smirked. "I was being thorough." She couldn't resist looking at Yang, who blushed crimson.
"…You were right," Ruby said, flopping against Weiss. "I didn't wanna know."
Weiss sniffed. "Of course I was." She put an arm around Ruby. "Just don't think about it."
"Too late." Ruby groaned.
Soft whistling filled the chamber. Blake looked back to see Tai right behind them. She stifled a squeak. She hadn't noticed him. He could apparently move far more quietly than Yang tended to. He winked at her. How long had he been there? Probably too long. Blake wished the floor would swallow her.
"Tai," Weiss said. "I checked with the captain. He'll drop you off on Patch."
"Thanks, Weiss. It'll save me some time, and the sooner I get back to Zwei and my garden, the better. I'm not entirely sure my neighbours knew what they were getting into when they agreed to help." Tai shook Weiss's hand. He took Blake's, then pulled his daughters into a bear hug. "See you soon. Nearly the end of the school year after all! This time bring your partners."
Blake thought of spending the break between school years with Yang. And of the fact that it would mean living in the same house as Tai. How would she survive it? Other than somehow, to be with Yang.
The airship's door opened, allowing them to disembark. They found Goodwitch waiting for them, scroll in hand. Ruby must have let her know when they'd arrive. Blake had forgotten all about that, but in her defence Yang was pretty distracting even before kissing was an activity.
"Team RWBY, welcome back," Goodwitch said. Her eyes flicked between them all, lingering on Yang. Her gaze dropped to the scar exposed below Yang's collarbone. Goodwitch's lips tightened. She held the scroll out to Yang. "Your scroll, Miss Xiao Long."
Yang took her scroll back. Blake saw the bloodstains had been removed. Yang reached into her pocket and pulled out her borrowed scroll, passing it back to Blake.
"Please follow me, Miss Xiao Long. The headmaster would like to talk to you." Goodwitch gestured towards the clock tower and Ozpin's office.
"What about us?" Ruby asked.
Goodwitch looked at Ruby over the top of her glasses. "That is up to Miss Xiao Long. If she wants her team included, the headmaster won't object."
"Yang?" Ruby turned what had to be the strongest version of her puppy eyes on her sister.
Yang shrugged. "Sure. Let's see what Ozpin has to say."
"Headmaster Ozpin," Goodwitch murmured, less stridently than she usually would. A definite sign to Blake that Goodwitch felt guilty.
They followed Goodwitch inside the tower and up the lift into Ozpin's office, the massive cogs turning and a constant background ticking that threatened to drive Blake crazy. She really hoped this meeting wouldn't last long, her ears twitching under her bow.
"Miss Xiao Long," Ozpin said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. "And Miss Rose, Miss Schnee, Miss Belladonna. All of team RWBY. I'm glad to see you all back safely at Beacon."
Yang sat down, her movements slow and stiff. Reluctant, maybe. Blake couldn't see her face to know for sure, standing behind her.
Ozpin steepled his fingers, looking at Yang over them. "I would like to formally apologise for what happened during your night mission. I am sorry. It should never have happened, and we are determined to ensure huntsmen brought in from outside Beacon to supervise students are vetted better."
Yang folded her arms, shoulders tensing. "And how are you going to do that? His Semblance could have fooled anyone if it worked the way he said it did."
"We are still considering the matter. Perhaps we need to ensure those doing the vetting do not make skin contact." Ozpin took his glasses off and polished them. "I would like to offer you a passing grade for the mission that went so badly wrong. You survived an attack that almost killed you, a feat beyond many licensed huntsmen."
Yang shook her head. "Didn't you hear? That's because my… My biological mother saved me. Raven Branwen. My survival had nothing to do with my skills."
Ozpin showed no surprise at the mention of Raven. Goodwitch must have told him, as she'd said she would. "Indeed, but it was still an ordeal far greater than that mission was intended to be."
Yang didn't speak for a while, presumably thinking it over. "No. Thanks for the offer and all, but it would feel like cheating. I want to redo it. This time with a supervising huntsman or huntress who I can trust."
Weiss stifled a groan. No doubt she'd been hoping Yang would take the offer, quick evidence to present to Jacques Schnee that team RWBY was doing satisfactorily at Beacon. Blake couldn't blame her. She'd much rather that Yang wasn't in danger so soon after recovering. A glance at Ruby showed her looking equally unhappy. But none of them protested. It was Yang's choice to make, and maybe she needed to prove to herself that she could still win a fight.
"I would be honoured to supervise you myself," Ozpin said, settling his glasses back on the bridge of his nose.
Yang tensed up even more. Blake made a mental note to massage it out of her later. She heard Yang's breath hissing through clenched teeth. "No offence, Headmaster, but I don't trust you. This is the first time we've spoken. I didn't trust that easily even before someone tried to kill me."
Ozpin smiled slightly, an odd reaction to Yang's statement. "Did Raven happen to tell you anything about me?"
Yang ran a hand back through her hair; she was definitely feeling frazzled. "No, should she have?"
"Hmm. Nothing that need concern you until you graduate." Ozpin shuffled some papers on his desk.
"What—" Yang started to ask.
Ozpin cut her off. "Whom do you trust for this retake of the night mission? I'm afraid it can't be your uncle, the family connection would make him unsuitable."
Yang barked out a harsh laugh. "I wouldn't want Qrow. Don't get me wrong, I love my uncle, but I want someone sober."
"Then…?"
Yang's head turned towards where Goodwitch stood by the lift. "Professor Goodwitch or Doctor Oobleck."
Ozpin nodded. "I'm sure that can be arranged. They've both expressed regret that they didn't manage to find you when searching your sector with the rest of your team."
Goodwitch sighed. "I'm right here, Headmaster. I can speak for myself. I would take Miss Xiao Long on her retake, but I'm afraid I'm very busy with end of term administration. Doctor Oobleck should have far more free time."
"See to it, professor," Ozpin said. "That will be all, team RWBY. You may go."
Goodwitch kneaded the bridge of her nose, just under her glasses. "Of course, Headmaster." She added in a mutter that probably only Blake could hear, "As if I don't have enough to do."
Goodwitch escorted them out of the office and left them to find their own way back to their dorm.
"What was that about?" Ruby asked. "Ozpin has something to tell us after we graduate?"
"Apparently," Weiss murmured. "But what?"
Blake shrugged. "It could be anything. Ozpin's pretty eccentric. But if it's something he thought Raven might have told Yang…"
"It can't be anything good," Yang muttered. "Maybe I should find her just to get that out of her."
"Not without us, you won't," Blake said firmly. She took Yang's hand and squeezed. Yang squeezed back.
"Yeah!" Ruby punched the air.
"Maybe your uncle knows," Weiss suggested. "I'd sooner try him than that… bandit."
Blake had to wonder why Weiss had paused before calling Raven a bandit. Had she almost used another word but considered it too much in front of Yang?
"He might, but Uncle Qrow can keep a secret no matter how drunk he gets. I don't think we'll get anything out of him that Ozpin doesn't want us to know yet," Ruby said.
They'd been walking and talking, and soon found themselves in front of their dorm. Weiss got her scroll out and activated the key function.
Team JNPR poked their heads out of their door. They must have recognised their voices.
"You're back!" Nora darted out. She grabbed Yang and dragged her into JNPR's dorm, scattering the rest of team JNPR. Snatching Yang away from Blake. Right out of Blake's hand, literally.
Yang's startled yelp didn't even have time to come out of her mouth until they were through the door.
"You promised me an arm wrestle. Pay up!"
"Nora…" Ren sighed.
"Hello again," Pyrrha said, poking her head back out the door to smile at the rest of team RWBY.
"How was Vacuo?" Jaune asked.
"Hot. Cold at night. Sandy. We didn't get to see much of it because someone insisted we do homework most of the time." Ruby glowered at Weiss.
"You'd complain even more if you left it all to the last minute," Weiss said. "Which you would if left to your own devices."
Ruby subsided with some wordless grumbling mimicking Weiss's words.
Weiss tutted. "You know I'm right."
Ruby ignored her. "So are they arm wrestling?"
"Yes. Yes, they are," Ren said. From the resigned tone of his voice he'd been roped into refereeing. "They're going to break a desk. Again."
"Hey, Nora?" Ruby called.
"Kinda busy right now!" Nora's voice was strained.
"You know that bet?" Ruby asked.
Nora grunted. "Which one?"
"The one about Blake and Yang kissing? I won."
Something thudded. Something else cracked.
Nora swore.
Ren sighed.
"You bet on me?!" Yang reappeared, brushing off splinters.
Nora followed her, pouting, picking out a lot more splinters from her outfit. "That was low, Ruby! Cheating! I almost had her, and you made me lose!"
Ruby stuck out her tongue. "You mean I made you lose again. Pay up." She held out her hand.
Weiss smirked and put her hand out too.
"Both of you?!" Yang dragged a hand through her hair.
Pyrrha's hand joined them. She smiled sheepishly at Yang. "Sorry."
Blake sighed. "Did anyone not bet on us?"
"I didn't," Jaune said. "I didn't know there was a bet. What was it on?"
"That they'd kiss before the end of the school year. I was sure it'd take them until over the break!" Nora emptied her pockets, dumping lien in various hands.
"I still say it wasn't fair," Ren grumbled.
"You were disqualified from the bet." Nora wagged a finger at him. "Your Semblance gave you an unfair advantage."
"I could see how they felt, it didn't tell me when they'd do something about it!" Ren threw his hands up.
Blake blinked. That was a pretty emphatic gesture from someone who was usually so reserved.
Yang groaned. "Please tell me the whole school didn't bet on us."
"Let's just say you cost me a lot of lien and leave it at that." Nora scowled.
"Nora, what were the terms of the bet?" Blake asked. "Anything about interference being banned?"
"Duh, of course! I wasn't born yesterday."
Ruby and Weiss exchanged an uneasy glance, as well they might. They both gave Blake a pleading look.
Blake smirked, then softened it into a smile. "Surely it doesn't count that Weiss and Ruby encouraged me to tell Yang how I felt? They were so supportive."
"Aw," Yang said, ruffling Ruby's hair. She reached towards Weiss.
"Don't you dare mess up my hair," Weiss snapped.
Yang gave her white hair an exaggeratedly gentle stroke. "Wouldn't dream of it. I think I have enough scars."
Weiss scoffed. "Please. You don't get Myrtenaster. I'd make you run into a wall or something with a glyph."
Pyrrha cleared her throat awkwardly.
Blake caught Ren tearing his eyes away from Yang's exposed scars.
Nora offered her fist to Yang. "Badass scars! Hate how you got 'em, but you're rocking them."
Yang bumped fists with Nora.
Pyrrha smiled and offered hers. "Indeed. The badge of a true warrior."
Yang duly bumped Pyrrha's fist too.
Ren mumbled something along the lines of agreement, still avoiding looking at Yang. Had he seen something to do with her emotions? Blake looked again at Yang. She didn't see any tension, not compared to when Yang had been talking to Ozpin.
"Yeah, battle scars for the win!" Jaune held out his fist. "How many did you get?"
Nora slapped the back of his head. "Rude."
"But… I mean, I meant no offence!"
Yang sighed. She bumped Jaune's fist, hard enough that he had to shake his hand to soothe it afterwards. "The word pincushion was used."
Jaune cringed.
"Sorry," Pyrrha murmured.
Ren hissed between his teeth.
"Yikes," Nora muttered. "Mind if we move on? There's a burning matter at hand!"
Yang shrugged. "Sure."
"Blake!" Nora pointed dramatically at her. "You said Ruby and Weiss encouraged you to 'fess up?"
Blake smiled and nodded. "I was going to anyway. Eventually. Their support meant a lot."
Nora narrowed her eyes. "Did it mean you kissed Yang sooner than you otherwise would have?"
Weiss and Ruby waved both arms frantically at her from behind Nora as a silent signal for 'no.'
"Yes."
Ren held Nora back as she almost seemed to swell up with indignation. She spun on her heel despite Ren's grip, and tried to lunge for Weiss and Ruby. "Gimme back my lien!"
Blake stepped in front of Nora's would-be victims. "Not so fast. It caught Weiss by surprise when she walked in on us, so I'm not sure they realised a confession of love would be accompanied by kissing."
"I did not!" Weiss said hurriedly.
"No clue!" Ruby affirmed.
"You expect me to believe that?" Nora snarled.
"Hey," Yang snapped. She shoved Nora back. "Enough. You bet on me, you pay the consequences. And for the record, I was going to kiss Blake goodbye before leaving for Patch when school ended for the year."
Nora tugged at her own hair with both hands. "Then Coco would have won! Anything but that, she'd have been insufferably smug. Fine, keep your lien, Ruby. But you hardly need it, Weiss!"
Weiss sniffed. "It's the principle of the thing."
"Just—" Yang pulled out her scroll. It was buzzing. "Oobleck? I'd better take this." She walked into their unlocked dorm and answered the call. "Prof—Sorry, Doc?"
"Good to hear your voice, Miss Xiao Long. Are you prepared to retake your night mission?" Oobleck's voice sounded tinny through the scroll's speakers.
"Uh. Now?" Yang was already answering while Blake was still parsing Oobleck's words.
"It's daylight, Miss Xiao Long."
Yang sighed. "Doc, you know what I meant."
"Tonight, yes. Are you sufficiently recovered from your grievous injuries to slay Grimm overnight?"
'Please say no, please no…'
"Sure, Doc, let's get it over with."
Blake winced.
"She's retaking the mission that almost killed her?" Pyrrha asked softly.
Ruby sighed heavily. "Yes. Even after Ozpin offered to give her a passing grade without redoing it."
"She's dedicated. And stubborn. Are you really surprised?" Ren asked.
"Of course not!" Ruby snapped, or as close to snapping as she got with friends. "Yang wouldn't have it any other way. We just want her safe, that's all."
"Ruby…" Yang stood in the doorway, holding onto the doorframe, her face stricken.
Ruby threw herself at Yang and hugged her. "It's all right. We understand. You need to do this. And we'll be right here, rooting for you. Not that you need it. Without that murderous creep, you've got this. Easily."
Weiss exchanged a frustrated look with Blake, one that told Blake she wasn't the only one who wanted to make it a group hug but couldn't. There wasn't room in the doorway.
"Blake? Weiss?" Yang asked.
"What Ruby said," Blake murmured.
"Of course we don't like it, but we're behind you all the way. Now back up, we want to make it an official team hug." Weiss flicked her hands at the sisters.
Yang picked Ruby up and backed away.
"Can we join in too?" Nora asked.
Weiss bristled. "Have your own team hug!"
Blake leaned close to whisper, "You don't want to hug Pyrrha?"
Weiss blushed. "On second thoughts, I spoke too soon. As Blake just reminded me, hugs are meant to be shared."
It was a little hard to see after Yang pulled her into the hug, but Blake had a suspicion that Weiss got her hug with Pyrrha. Weiss certainly sighed unusually happily. Blake knew the feeling, if much stronger with Yang. Weiss only had a crush on Pyrrha, and Blake had no idea if it was just platonic or not. She hadn't pried.
After a while Jaune cleared his throat. "Guys? How do we stop hugging?"
"We don't," Nora said, her voice somewhere between gleeful and ominous.
"This hug has a time limit, at least for me," Yang said. "I need to get to the armoury and stock up for tonight. Not right now, but soon."
"I'll allow it," Nora said. "There's still no escape for you, Jaune."
Jaune sighed. "Help me."
Nora eventually dragged a hapless Jaune into their own dorm, an amused Pyrrha and Ren following.
Blake went with Yang to help her prepare for the night fighting Grimm, Weiss insisting that Ruby had to catch up on some more schoolwork instead of going with them. Blake found a moment to make a start on massaging the tension out of Yang's shoulders, although the night ahead would no doubt tense Yang up all over again.
They met up for dinner with Ruby, Weiss and team JNPR. Jaune had finally been released from Nora's clutches with his hair braided. Blake was pretty sure Jaune's many sisters had done much the same thing to him before, so at least he was probably used to it.
All of team JNPR wished Yang luck before the rest of team RWBY escorted her to where Oobleck waited with the Bullhead.
"It's not in a dead zone, is it?" Ruby demanded before Oobleck could even greet them. Weiss elbowed her. "Doctor."
"I believe there should be better CCT reception this time, but surely I don't need to remind any of you not to distract your teammate with scroll messages or calls on her mission?" Oobleck looked from Ruby to Weiss, settling on Blake for a moment before his attention returned to Ruby.
"Of course we won't, it's just…" Ruby fidgeted, looking at her boots.
"After what happened last time it would be nice if Yang could call for help if she needs it," Weiss said.
"Guys, it'll be fine." Yang pulled Ruby into a hug, lifting her off her feet. "I'll be with Oobleck. Doctor Oobleck, I mean. As far as I know he's got no grudge against my parents."
"Well, Taiyang does owe me some coffee beans…" Oobleck stroked his chin.
"Too soon," Blake hissed. "It's far too soon to joke about it, Doctor."
"My apologies, I meant no offence. Taiyang Xiao Long in my experience makes and takes jokes others usually would not, and it always surprises me to witness it. I shouldn't have assumed the same was true of his daughters and their team."
Yang put Ruby down. "I'm fine with it. I've heard worse from Dad. But I can't speak for the others on my team."
"Bit soon for me, even being used to Dad," Ruby murmured.
"It was a little in poor taste, Doctor, although I hope you get your coffee beans. Just don't do it by holding Yang hostage." Weiss hugged Yang, then gave her a little push towards Blake and pointedly looked away.
Blake hugged Yang tightly, strong arms holding her just as firmly. She drew back enough to lean up and kiss Yang. She didn't care if Oobleck was watching. It took Yang a moment to respond, perhaps startled by the public display. Then one of her hands came up to cup the back of Blake's head, fingers spearing through her hair.
It was a little different kissing Yang after changing into her normal heeled boots. Blake didn't have to stretch up as far, making it easier, but she'd liked being lifted off her feet. Not that they could really get that into kissing this time. Not in front of Ruby and Oobleck. Hence changing her footwear, to try to make it less tempting.
Oobleck cleared his throat. "It's time, Miss Xiao Long. We have to get to the assigned sector before your night mission can start."
Blake reluctantly drew away, Yang's fingers stroking through her hair as she withdrew her hand.
Yang lifted her crate of ammunition into the Bullhead and jumped in after it. Oobleck followed her.
"Doctor!" Ruby called.
Oobleck turned, raising an eyebrow. He gave an inquiring hum.
"Make sure my sister gets back in one piece."
"I'm right here," Yang protested. "I'll be fine."
"Try not to worry, Ruby," Oobleck said. "The outcome will be different this time. I don't foresee any difficulties. Nothing was reported that your sister can't handle."
Ruby exchanged an unhappy look with Blake, then turned to give Weiss what must have been the same expression. What if there was something there that hadn't been reported? What if—
"The headmaster has ensured there will be emergency responders on call. He's taking no chances." Oobleck clapped a hand on Yang's shoulder. "We'll be fine."
"Promise?" Ruby asked, her voice somewhere between plaintive and hard.
Oobleck saluted against his pith helmet. "I give you my word as a huntsman."
Yang groaned. "Still right here. Have a little faith in me, sis. I've got this."
"I know, I haven't forgotten what we said earlier. I do trust you. You've got this." Ruby attempted a bright smile. It looked more than a little strained.
Oobleck signalled to the pilot and the Bullhead readied for take off. Yang held on to a dangling overhead passenger strap, and waved with her free hand. Blake blew her a kiss. Yang blushed and blew one back. Weiss heaved a sigh.
The Bullhead soared away. Blake watched it until she couldn't make it out in the distance any longer.
"And now we wait," Ruby muttered.
"Now we wait," Weiss agreed.
Blake put her arms around Ruby and Weiss and shepherded them back to their dorm. They could at least wait in comfort. Taking care of them also gave her something to do, although most of her mind was still on Yang.
Yang sent a few scroll messages during her Bullhead flight, but they were limited. Oobleck must have been talking to her, maybe trying his best to keep her mind off the night ahead until they arrived.
Weiss attempted to cajole Ruby and Blake into doing more schoolwork, but the attempted distraction failed. Even for Weiss, who was the first to give up and close the textbook on the history of Grimm attacks in the kingdom of Vale.
Weiss shook her head. "It's no use. I can't focus. And I bet neither of you can. Ruby, your turn to come up with something for Operation Distraction."
"Huh?" Ruby turned glazed eyes to Weiss and blinked a few times, much like a sleepy Yang did to focus.
Weiss sighed. "What do you want to do?"
Ruby drummed her fingers on her desk. "Skip time to when Yang gets back."
Weiss winced. "Ruby…"
Ruby got up and paced restlessly. "I don't know. I want cookies."
"What sort of cookies?" Blake asked.
"Choc chip—"
Blake pulled Ruby into a tight hug. Ruby squeaked, but didn't struggle. She hugged back. Weiss joined in, making it a Ruby sandwich.
"This is nice, but I still want cookies," Ruby mumbled.
Ruby didn't get cookies. The cafeteria was closed, and only had oatmeal and raisin cookies anyway. Blake would have risked Yang's wrath and borrowed Bumblebee to get some choc chip cookies from a bakery down in Vale, but it was past closing time. Weiss would also have objected if Blake ended up breaking curfew.
A disappointed Ruby challenged them to play the scroll fighting game she usually played with Yang. She wiped the floor with both Weiss and Blake, but couldn't muster much satisfaction, only a show of half hearted glee to try to make them feel it was helping with Operation Distraction.
They went to bed early hoping they could sleep until Yang returned the next morning. No such luck. Blake heard Ruby and Weiss tossing and turning, and was restless herself. What little sleep they managed was broken with nightmares. Both about what had gone so terribly wrong last time for Yang, and the dreadful things which could happen this time.
What if Oobleck was an imposter? What if the Bullhead pilot was corrupt, and paid to ensure Yang died? All he'd need do was fly up higher than Yang's landing strategy could handle. It'd risk crashing the Bullhead as it might go above what Dust could manage, but if someone hated Raven enough, why would they care about something like personal safety?
Even if Oobleck was himself, and the pilot could be trusted, what if there were too many Grimm? What if there was something too strong for Yang, even with Oobleck's help? What if—
None of this was helping, of course. 'What ifs' were a terrible idea at the best of times, and even worse in the dead of night while progressively sleep deprived.
Blake just hoped that Yang kept her mind off that nightmarish first attempt at the night mission. It wouldn't do for Yang to attract more Grimm with negative emotions than would target her anyway, drawn by her Aura. Blake couldn't help but wish Yang had accepted Ozpin's offer. She completely understood why Yang hadn't, and would have done the same thing in her place. It didn't make waiting any easier. If she lost Yang…
Blake covered her face with her hands and rubbed at tired eyes. Yang would be fine. She had to believe it. She wished she could call Yang, hear her voice. But she couldn't, not without distracting Yang and perhaps with dire consequences. Blake shuddered at the thought of inadvertently causing her own girlfriend's injury or worse.
Ruby came awake with a strangled scream. Something creaked ominously. Blake sat up, staring. Weiss fell out of bed, scooting away on the floor, the ropes holding up Ruby's bunk snapping strand by strand. The bunk crashed down onto Weiss's. Ruby tumbled off, landing on top of her partner. Weiss yelped. Ruby groaned. Blake pinched herself. Definitely not a strange dream.
Blake got up and helped Ruby get off Weiss without bruising her even more. She probably hadn't been awake enough to have her Aura up.
"I'm so sorry, Weiss!" Ruby clapped her hands to her mouth, eyes wide.
"Are you all right?" Blake asked.
"I'll live," Weiss wheezed. After a minute or so of focusing her Aura and some deep breaths, her voice was more normal. "I told you so! I told you it'd collapse one day! I might've been under there, Ruby Rose! Now, give me your hand."
A cringing Ruby offered her hand. Weiss sat up and grabbed it, lurching to her feet.
"Blake? You can see, can't you? How bad's the damage? Can you turn the light on?" Weiss asked each question rapid fire, without giving Blake time to answer. "Blake?" Her voice was sharper.
Blake rolled her eyes. "Weiss, calm down. Give me a moment to answer."
"I was almost crushed! Don't tell me to—" Weiss made a disgusted noise. "Now I sound like Yang. Maybe I do need to calm down. Blake, please respond in your own time."
"That's more like it," Blake murmured. She raised her voice and answered, "Yes, I can see. The bed frames survived mostly intact, just one leg broken off Ruby's bed, and a scattering of splinters. I'll get the light on so we can clear up." She winced when she flicked the light on, blinking rapidly.
"Sorry, Weiss," Ruby said again.
"So you should be," Weiss huffed. "The least you could do is gather the splinters."
Ruby didn't argue. She grabbed a waste bin and darted around, collecting splinters. Blake inspected the broken bed leg, while Weiss looked at her bed.
"Blake! You missed this." Weiss pointed.
Blake looked. The bed frame had cracked on the far side. Goodwitch wasn't going to be happy. "We'll have to ask for replacements."
Weiss threw her arms up. "Where are we supposed to sleep now? I suppose one of us could use Yang's bunk, but I trust it to stay up on those books even less than I trusted Ruby's on the ropes."
"We could put your mattresses on the floor," Blake suggested. "There's room, even if there's not much room for anything else."
"Slumber party?" Ruby's voice was more plaintive than enthusiastic.
Blake winced, abruptly remembering Ruby woke up from what had to be a nightmare, right before her bunk fell.
"All right," Weiss said, her tone considerably gentler than it had been. She must have realised the same thing.
Blake joined them on the mattresses to help comfort Ruby until they all eventually fell asleep. Unfortunately they were all disturbed by more nightmares. Snuggling together on the mattress at least made it easier to calm down afterwards, if not as effectively as if Yang had been there.
"She's within range!" Ruby exclaimed, waking Blake from a light doze.
"Mmm?" Blake mumbled.
The mattress bounced a bit with Ruby. "Yang! Her scroll's within range for the Aura monitor. Dunno why it doesn't work at a distance even with CCT reception."
Blake sat up. "She's back?"
"Must be getting close. We should get out there and meet her!" Ruby leapt up. She dressed in a whirl of petals.
Weiss sighed. "Ruby, your shirt's back to front. Again."
"Oh. Whoops!" Ruby rectified her shirt. The only reason she didn't come across as brazen as Yang was because of the speed with which she stripped and redressed. In theory Ruby was naked at some point, but Blake wasn't aware of it, just of a blur or petals.
"How is she?" Blake asked, trying to sneak a peek at Ruby's scroll.
"Well…" Ruby held up her scroll. "At least her Aura's not broken."
Yang's Aura was very much in the red. A lot lower than Blake cared to see, especially after what happened with that would-be murderer. But as Ruby said, better low than not there at all.
"What if it's recovering from being broken?" Weiss glanced nervously at Ruby and Blake, as if reluctant to suggest it.
Blake winced. Yang's Aura recovered pretty fast, provided it didn't have injuries to heal. If Yang was hurt, and her Aura was gradually recovering… It might look just like that.
"We won't know until we see her, which will be very soon! Come on, team, our wait is nearly over. Get dressed!" Ruby tugged Weiss to her feet and shoved her towards the bathroom.
Blake got up before Ruby could make her. "Give me a minute."
She got dressed, Ruby buried in her scroll. Messaging Yang? Blake couldn't tell without seeing the screen, and she'd misalign the buttons of her shirt if she didn't watch herself.
Weiss emerged from the bathroom, dressed in her uniform. "To the air dock!"
Ruby cleared her throat. "Team leader here."
"Sorry, Ruby. Go ahead." Weiss gestured, gracefully surrendering the floor.
"Let's go! Yang's landing right now." Ruby grabbed their wrists.
Blake had a horrible feeling she knew what Ruby was about to do. "Ruby, no—"
Her world disappeared into petals.
Blake staggered, fighting back nausea. Strong arms caught her. Concerned lilac eyes met hers. Yang. She absolutely could not be sick on Yang. Blake took deep breaths through clenched teeth until her stomach recovered from Ruby speeding them to the air dock.
Ruby was babbling beside Yang, bouncing on her heels.
Yang held up a hand to Ruby, who trailed off, eyes wide.
"Are you all right?" Yang asked, eyes still on Blake, which felt odd. Since when did Ruby have to wait for Yang's attention?
"Nothing to worry about, just Ruby's Semblance disagreeing with me." Blake glared at Ruby, who gave her a sheepish grin.
Yang gave Ruby a stern look. "You asked before dragging Blake and Weiss along with you, right?"
Ruby would have turned into a sheep if looked much more sheepish. She squirmed. "Um…"
Yang let go of Blake and massaged her own temples. "I'm too tired for this. Ruby, you've got to get consent first, unless it's an emergency."
"Are you all right?" Blake asked. She took a step back to inspect Yang from head to toe. Her combat outfit had taken a beating, leaving her barely decent in places. But she couldn't see any injuries, unless… Blake pointed upwards and rotated her wrist, gesturing for Yang to spin.
Yang sighed. "I'm fine. Really. Just tired."
Blake raised an eyebrow.
Yang rolled her eyes and slowly turned around, exposing more of the same: tears in her clothes but no underlying wounds. Yang faced front again, arms folded. "Happy? My Aura didn't break. It was just a little close by the end. Doctor Oobleck didn't have to step in at all. Right, Doc?" She looked towards Oobleck, who was sorting through the remains of the crate of Dust.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Miss Xiao Long has passed with top marks, including distinguishing herself against a—" Oobleck blinked, eyes following Yang's motions.
Blake turned to see Yang lowering her hands, as if she'd been gesturing to Oobleck, but didn't want her team to see. Blake exchanged a suspicious look with Ruby and Weiss.
"Against a what, Doctor?" Weiss asked.
"Is that the time? I really must be getting my breakfast. Good morning, team RWBY. Excellent work, Miss Xiao Long. Catch up on some sleep, I'll be sure to do the same." Oobleck hurried off.
Blake turned back to Yang. Ruby and Weiss stood beside Blake, presenting a unified front with her.
"Against what, Yang?" Ruby demanded.
Yang groaned. "Can't I eat, shower and sleep first?"
Blake exchanged a look with Ruby and Weiss. Ruby was wavering, but Weiss held firm.
"Just tell us. Get it over with. Or do you want to make us worry more?" Weiss asked.
Blake winced; Weiss really wasn't playing fair.
"Low blow, Ice Queen," Yang grumbled. "So there was an older Grimm than reported. I handled it just fine on my own."
"What was it?" Blake asked.
Yang shrugged. "No idea. Oobleck said he'd have to do some research, and that Port would be jealous he hadn't seen it."
"What did it look like?" Ruby asked, eyes shining.
"Big. Ugly. Too many legs." Yang wriggled her fingers as if they were legs. "Kinda like a spider but not. Damned thing kept regrowing more legs, a bit like a leggy hydra."
"Draw it for me?" Ruby asked. "Please?"
"Later, sis. Feed me, let me wash up, and then sleep. Is the cafeteria open yet?" Yang looked towards where food would soon be served.
"Nearly. Come on, by the time we can walk there it should be open." Weiss led the way. "I'm glad you're all right, and that you got a good mark. It should shut my father up for a while, and justify my decision to stay in Vacuo while you recovered."
Ruby headed after Weiss. Yang took a step and stumbled. Blake steadied her, and gently encouraged Yang to lean on her as they followed. Yang kissed her cheek. Blake found herself smiling, cheeks burning. She returned the favour.
Yang was still blushing when they walked into the cafeteria, food only just served. Ruby had already decimated the cookies. Blake had to keep nudging Yang to keep her from falling asleep onto her plate of pancakes.
"Do we need to literally feed you?" Weiss asked, after Yang dropped her fork for the seventh time.
"I'm fine," Yang mumbled, her eyes barely open.
"Team JNPR's here, you'd better eat up or Nora will steal what's left on your plate," Ruby said, watching their approaching friends.
"Mmm." Yang's head nodded again. Blake gently elbowed her. "Hmm? Oh."
"How'd it go?" Nora demanded. Blake had to fend her off when she tried to steal Yang's last pancake.
"Passed, of course," Weiss scoffed, as if it was an insulting question.
"She fought some weird old Grimm that Oobleck couldn't name. Yang's going to draw it later—" Ruby winced when Yang dropped her fork again, "—when she can hold a pencil without dropping it."
"Yang," Nora drawled. "We had a bet… How many Grimm did you kill?"
Yang shrugged. "Ask Oobleck. I lost count with that weird Grimm."
Nora's jaw dropped. "How'd you lose count with one Grimm?"
"Too many legs. Like a hydra spawning more legs instead of heads." Yang carelessly gestured with her fork and lost her grip. Pyrrha caught it with her Semblance before it could stick in Jaune's forehead, tines first. She returned it to Yang, looking from fork to Yang a little dubiously.
"Still one Grimm!" Nora pointed at Yang.
Yang pointed right back, finger wavering slightly with her exhaustion. "I still had other Grimm butting in! You try keeping count when that happens."
"I bet I could—"
"Nora." Ren took Nora's pointing hand and lowered it. "This isn't a Grimm any of us except Yang have faced. Don't make bets you might not win." He looked meaningfully between Blake and Yang.
Nora subsided, devouring one of her own pancakes. "Couldn't you two have waited until the break?" She grumbled.
"No—" Yang yawned widely, "—ope. Serve you right for betting on us." She finished the last of her breakfast.
Blake pulled her to her feet. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Shower first," Yang insisted.
Blake waved to team JNPR and put Yang's arm over her shoulder, putting her own around Yang's waist. That done, she helped Yang start walking to the dorm. "Can you even stay awake long enough?"
Yang stifled a whine. "I gotta. I'm muddy and sweaty, and I feel gross."
"I get it." Blake hesitated. "Will you need a hand?"
Yang shrugged as best as she could with one arm slung around Blake's shoulders.
They soon got back to the dorm. Yang did a double take, staring back and forth between the damaged bed frames and the mattresses on the floor.
"Uh. Was Weiss in bed when that happened?" Yang pointed at the frayed ropes marking where Ruby's bunk had been.
"No," Weiss snapped, stepping inside the dorm. "I had just enough time to roll out of bed."
Blake frowned. "I thought you fell out when—"
Weiss glared at Blake. "I rolled out with grace and poise."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "If you say so."
"Where's Ruby?" Yang asked.
"Doing her duty." Weiss sniffed. "It's her responsibility to talk to Goodwitch about getting replacement bed frames."
"Uhuh." Yang yawned. She shuffled further into their dorm, shedding clothing with each step.
Weiss perched on Blake's bed and focused very deliberately on her scroll.
Blake tried to keep her eyes off Yang. She really did. But Weiss wouldn't notice, and Yang didn't mind being watched, so… Why not admire her girlfriend?
Yang disappeared into the bathroom, Blake staring after her.
Weiss sighed. "You'd better go keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't fall asleep in there." She jabbed Blake with a sharp finger. "Remember I'll be right here. I don't want to hear anything lewd."
Blake groaned. "Yang's too tired for that."
Weiss snorted. "I'm not putting anything past her if she thinks it might annoy me."
"Please give her a little more credit. Her—Our first time won't be to annoy you." Blake took off her uniform. There wasn't much point wearing anything but underwear if she might get wet. Make that would get wet, judging by how Yang slowly slipped down the wall of the shower when Blake checked on her.
It wasn't exactly how she'd imagined first having a naked Yang in her arms. Blake was a little too focused on getting Yang through her shower while vertical to focus on Yang's body as anything but something to get soap on and off.
She gently nudged Yang into sitting with her back against Blake's legs so she could wash her hair. That Yang would let her felt like a great honour, even if wrestling with tangled water darkened blonde locks wasn't quite what Blake had dreamed of. Fortunately she had Yang's special conditioner to tame her hair into submission.
Blake turned the shower off and helped a wobbly Yang out, towelling her dry. Or tried to. Yang's dripping hair had other ideas. Blake eyed her hair, wondering if the towel could absorb enough water. She had her doubts.
"I've got it from here," Yang muttered. "Thanks, Blake. Stand back."
Blake blinked and edged away.
Yang closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When they opened they were red, and her hair glowed, embers flickering from it. Steam rose from her hair and body, leaving her dry within seconds. Yang sighed, and her hair stopped glowing, the red of her eyes fading back to lilac. Her Aura hadn't broken with the use of her Semblance, but it must be close to it.
Yang shrugged her towel off and hung it up. Blake blinked. It must have touched Yang's hair, yet wasn't scorched.
"Your Semblance dried you off, but didn't harm your towel. How?"
"Hm?" Yang looked over at her. "Oh. I infuse my towels and clothing with my Aura. That's why I don't get burned by my Semblance, and it works to protect fabric stuff too."
"That makes sense. Neat trick. Too bad it won't work for me." Blake pulled off her wet underwear and grabbed a towel. She blushed but otherwise held Yang's gaze as she dried herself. It was a pity Yang was too tired to enjoy the sight, barely reacting to Blake's nudity.
"Sorry," Yang muttered. "I really like what I see. I just…"
"Don't worry, I understand. You're exhausted. Let's get you to bed." Blake wrapped the towel around herself.
They emerged from the bathroom to find the broken bed frames had been replaced. Ruby's talk with Goodwitch must have gone okay, perhaps using up a little of the team's goodwill from the attack on Yang.
Weiss and Ruby had shifted the mattresses on top of the bed frames, and were having some sort of standoff.
Weiss's hands rested on her hips, arms akimbo. "No, Ruby. I don't care how many pathetic looks you give me. No bunk beds. There's room for three beds in a row on the floor."
Ruby clasped her hands together. "Come on, please! It took months for the ropes to wear through, and if we infused them with Dust like Blake's ribbon on Gambol Shroud—"
"I said no."
"We can vote on it…" Ruby glanced at Blake and Yang, clearly counting on them to back her up. She darted over to Yang's bunk and grabbed Yang's pyjamas, tossing them over, and did the same for Blake. Yang put hers on, movements sluggish with her exhaustion.
Weiss scoffed. "They're not involved. This is between us, Ruby Rose, and a vote doesn't work between two people."
Blake cleared her throat. She held up her yukata. "Uh, Ruby? I need my uniform. There's classes to get to, aren't there?"
"We talked." Ruby pointed between herself and Weiss. "We'd feel better if Yang's not left on her own."
Weiss nodded. "Half of the team being present in classes is enough to satisfy Beacon's attendance requirements. Just don't make a habit of it." She wagged an admonitory finger. "Anyway, back to the matter at hand… No bunks this time. Yang and Blake can risk their lives if they want to, but I'd need a secure top bunk over my head to feel safe."
"Then that means yes to bunks!" Ruby clapped her hands together.
Weiss spluttered incoherently.
"We just need to ask Dad how they made their bunks safe enough to survive Uncle Qrow's Semblance. I'll get right on it." Ruby got her scroll out.
"Whatever he says, I'm sleeping first. Holding your bunk up can wait." Yang shambled over to her bunk. She eyed it dubiously. Blake was pretty sure she was too tired to jump up onto it like she usually did.
"Take mine," Blake said, patting her own bunk.
Yang mumbled what was probably 'thanks,' and collapsed onto Blake's bed, snoring within seconds.
"Ruby. We've got to get to class." Weiss nudged her partner.
Ruby didn't look up from her scroll. "In a minute, Dad's telling me—"
"Now. You can get back to Tai later." Weiss grabbed Ruby by her cape and dragged her away. Ruby had to go with her or choke.
"We'll drop by—" The door closed, cutting Ruby off.
Blake dressed in her pyjamas, hung up her towel, and settled down next to her snoring girlfriend. She'd always found Yang's snores more comforting than annoying, now even more so. Because it meant Yang was alive. Although this close to her, Blake could hear her heartbeat, even better reassurance. Or at least she could hear it in the gaps between snores. Two reassuring rhythms of life.
Despite her own rough night's sleep, Blake couldn't manage more than dozing, snuggled up to her sleeping girlfriend. Yang only slept for an hour or so before nightmares interfered. Technically daymares, Blake supposed. She propped herself up on her elbow, watching Yang's increasingly restless movements, teeth clenched, brow furrowed, breathing ragged, heart racing.
Blake didn't want to disturb Yang's sleep, but it already had been by whatever bad dream haunted her. Blake also wanted to do all she could to protect Yang, including from 'just' nightmares. She gently shook Yang awake.
Yang cried out. She rolled on top of Blake, eyes wild, one hand pinning her down, the other drawn back into a fist, ready to punch. She blinked, abruptly focusing on Blake's face. Yang blanched. She scrambled off Blake. "Sorry!"
"It's fine, no harm done." Blake gently pulled Yang into a tight embrace.
Yang was rigid in her arms. A strangled whimper escaped her, and then she was clinging to Blake, face buried against her. "I thought you were… Him." Her voice cracked.
"You didn't hurt me. As for him, he's dead. You're safe." Blake stroked her hair. "I've got you."
Yang drew back slightly to look up at Blake. "He's dead. But what if there're others out there like him? Twisted by grief into taking it out on me. What if—"
"There won't be a next time," Blake said firmly, aiming for confidence instead of the desperation she felt. "That bastard only got close enough because of his Semblance, and someone else won't have the same advantage. We won't let it happen again."
Yang grimaced. "There's got to be other mindfuckery Semblances out there."
Blake hesitated. What could she say that would be comforting enough? Some cold hard logic? "Maybe, but what are the odds of someone with a grudge against Raven having one? And it's not just those odds, it's also being sick enough to attack you for revenge against her."
Yang didn't look any happier. "I read a book that said million to one odds happen nine times out of ten. I'm not so sure it was wrong."
Blake tried to lighten the mood, a teasing smile on her lips. "You read?"
"Oh shut up." Yang stuck out her tongue. "I read. I just don't read as much as you do."
"I know you do." Blake kissed her forehead.
Yang nuzzled closer. "Last night…" she said haltingly.
Blake made an encouraging sort of hum.
"A tree went up in flames. Collateral damage from Ember Celica. I froze up," Yang confessed. "It was like I was suddenly back with Cyan taking potshots at me and smoking me out of trees." She took a shaky breath. "That's what I dreamt about too."
Blake resumed stroking Yang's hair soothingly. "I'm sorry. I wish I could say that's the last time he'll haunt your waking and sleeping mind. But things like that linger." Just like Adam's poison did for Blake. She almost made the comparison, but decided it wouldn't be fair. Adam hadn't almost killed her. Instead she changed the subject a bit. "Oobleck didn't intervene, so you couldn't have frozen for long."
"I guess." Yang sighed. "He thought it was part of my strategy. Let the Grimm get close and throw them into the fire." She yawned.
"We'd better make sure Ruby and Weiss know you froze up."
Yang groaned. "Must we? I don't want to worry them."
"You told me." Blake tried to sound stern.
"I tell you things I don't tell anyone else. It's different with you."
Blake couldn't help but smile. She kept it from showing in her voice. "Yang… It might happen again. I hope it doesn't, but it could. They need to know."
"What if they tell someone like Goodwitch, and she decides I can't be a huntress?" Yang's voice shook.
"I'll make sure it doesn't go beyond our team. Not unless you freeze up long enough to get hurt."
Yang whined. "What if I do?"
"It might not happen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I don't want to be a huntress without you." Blake held her closer.
Yang nodded against her. "Together," she muttered. "We stick together. No matter what happens."
"Promise." Blake tipped Yang's head up and sealed the deal with a kiss on the lips.
Yang's eyes were barely open. "Mmm. Promise."
"Sleep. I'm here." Blake kept stroking Yang's hair, even after her eyes closed and she started snoring again.
The door opened not long after, and Ruby and Weiss slipped inside with an attempt at stealth, both exaggeratedly tiptoeing. They closed the door as quietly as possible. At least the hinges didn't creak.
"How is she?" Ruby whispered.
Blake paused for a moment while she considered what to say. She resumed stroking Yang's hair when she moved restlessly in her sleep. "She had a nightmare. Or whatever you call it when you get one during the day. That bastard's attack unsurprisingly still haunts her."
"Maybe always will," Weiss murmured. "Poor Yang."
"I should leave it for Yang to tell you, but…" Blake sighed. Would Yang get around to doing it? She might well try to avoid doing it. Hopefully Yang wouldn't mind Blake telling them. "Yang told me she froze up for a moment, when a tree went up in flames. Her mind took her back to that night."
Ruby and Weiss exchanged a worried look.
"I know it's not good," Blake said. "But at least Oobleck didn't have to step in. It's something we should keep an eye on. I don't think it's really cause for concern yet."
"I guess…" Ruby said slowly. "Is there anything we can do?"
"Besides watch over her and be there for her? I don't know." Blake shrugged helplessly.
"I think regular team hugs are called for. Right, team leader?" Weiss looked to Ruby.
"Yeah! You got it, partner!" Ruby barrelled into Weiss.
"Not right now—ow!" Weiss screeched.
Ruby brought them both crashing down onto Blake and Yang, who awoke with a yelp. Blake at least had time to shield herself with Aura, unfortunately she couldn't do the same for Yang.
"Ow…" Yang groaned. "What's going on?"
Ruby's arms tightened around Blake and presumably Yang too. "Team hug! Weiss's idea."
"Hey!" Weiss wheezed. "I said team hugs regularly, I didn't say team hug right now! So help me if Yang's bunk collapses on top of us, Ruby Rose…"
"Aw," Yang crooned. One of her arms stretching past Blake to capture Ruby. The other must have trapped Weiss. Blake felt Weiss try and fail to wriggle out of the hug.
"Unhand me, you brute!" Weiss snapped.
Yang tutted. "You wanted a team hug, this is what a hug's like with me included. You know that."
Weiss sighed. She stopped struggling. "This is my life now." She made a considering hum. "At least you're warm. We should have very regular team hugs in winter, although you could do with making your hugs less crushing."
"All you need to do is focus your Aura," Yang pointed out.
Weiss huffed. "I have less Aura than you to waste on frivolous things like withstanding hugs with you!"
"Hey now, this is a team activity, and that makes Aura usage during it part of training. That's not a waste." Ruby shifted. Judging by the way Weiss grumbled, she'd just been poked.
"Speaking of a waste… I'm afraid we have to get going. Professor Port awaits. I'll take notes for you both," Weiss said.
"And for me?" Ruby asked in her most plaintive tone.
"You're coming with me, make your own notes. Unless Blake surrenders her place taking care of Yang."
Ruby groaned. "But it's Port! It's still hard to figure out what's worth paying attention to and what's pointless ramblings."
"I'd be fine on my own, y'know," Yang said.
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to be on your own?"
"I'd be fine," Yang repeated.
Blake shook her head. Typical Yang, trying to be strong even when she didn't need to be. "Not what I asked."
Yang sighed. "Of course I want to keep snuggling with you, but I don't want you to get into trouble for skipping class."
Ruby scoffed. "Goodwitch didn't bat an eye in class this morning. If she doesn't care about Blake skipping, no one else will. I think they feel guilty about what happened that night. They should."
Weiss wriggled again. "Let me up, Yang. I don't want to be late."
Yang released her. Weiss scrambled free.
"Who do you want to snuggle with this afternoon? Me or Ruby?" Blake asked.
Ruby snorted. "Come off it, Yang hardly needs to answer that. Snuggling with you comes with bonus smooching."
"Very true," Yang murmured. She looked conflicted all the same. As well she might, Ruby had been her top priority for most of her life.
Ruby shook her head. "I'm not going to make you decide between your favourite sister and your girlfriend." She rolled away and onto her feet. She almost hit Weiss's bunk. "Blake, you're staying. Just no smooching until we're out of here, okay?"
"What's wrong with us kissing?" Yang sounded miffed. Blake couldn't blame her. They'd rarely be able to kiss if Ruby insisted on limiting them like that whenever she was around.
"It's gross," Ruby stated. "You're my sister and I don't want to see that."
Yang was making puppy eyes to rival her corgi. Not a comparison Blake cared for, but she loved Yang even when she reminded Blake of a dog.
"Nope! That doesn't work on me, you're not Zwei. No kissing allowed around me." Ruby folded her arms.
Blake wasn't sure what to say to convince Ruby to let them have more precious intimacy than they'd get with her current stance. But it was really Yang's place to do it, this was a sisterly issue more than it was a team RWBY one. Would Yang do it? She herself had once said how she went with the flow. Blake thought about it for a heartbeat and kicked herself. She should have more faith in Yang, especially after she'd already gone against the flow in her confrontation with Raven.
Yang's eyes narrowed, fixed on her sister. "Then look away or close your eyes, because I want—No, not just want, I need more kisses than whenever you're not there. Deal with it, Ruby." Her words were firm. "Look, I'm not going to be kissing Blake all the time. Tempting as it is, training to be huntresses won't leave that much time for it. I'm not asking for that much, really."
Ruby whined. "It's more than just seeing it, it's the noises too!" She shuddered.
Yang looked utterly unimpressed. "You have noise cancelling headphones. Use them."
"I don't want to see or hear it either," Weiss said. "I don't have headphones."
Yang shrugged. "You have more than enough money to buy some."
"Ugh, fine. Come on, Ruby, let's get out of here before they start canoodling. We'll be late at this rate anyway. Move!" Weiss grabbed Ruby's wrist. They fled, the door slamming shut behind them.
Blake smiled and stroked a finger along Yang's jaw. "So, shall we get on with that dreaded smooching?"
Yang yawned. She belatedly clapped a hand over her mouth, and pulled it away, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, didn't mean to do that right in your face. I'm still so tired."
"After the night you had it'd be more surprising if you didn't yawn. Let me give you a goodnight kiss. Or a good day kiss, or… You know what I mean."
Yang smiled, more shyly than her normal confident grins. "You don't even need to ask. I meant what I told Ruby about kissing you. I want you." She blushed, but didn't look away. "I need you."
Blake leaned in, closing the gap between them. Her fingers slid into blonde hair and she slanted her lips across Yang's, noses brushing. She drew back long enough to whisper, "Me too." She reclaimed Yang's lips and deepened the kiss.
Yang kissed back, but her exhaustion showed, making the kiss rather more languid than Blake had intended. It was still a good kiss, if not quite what she'd had in mind. That just meant she'd do it again later when Yang was fully rested. She finally pulled back to let them both catch their breath, and gave Yang a last peck.
"Sleep. I'll be right here. I love you," Blake said softly.
Yang mumbled something that was probably 'love you too,' but she was already half asleep, breathing slow, her body relaxed against Blake's. Soon enough the snoring restarted.
Blake kept watch, poised to do all she could to guard Yang from more bad dreams. Eventually she might retrieve a book, but for now she was content just to be with Yang. She could still hardly believe she was allowed to stroke Yang's hair, previously forbidden territory. So soft and silky. Her lips were soft too, not chapped thanks to her Aura healing them from the cold wind's bite. Blake sighed. Dwelling on Yang's lips was a mistake; now she wanted to kiss her again. Despite what Yang said about not needing to ask, Blake wasn't about to do that while Yang was sleeping. Next time she woke up, though…
If there was anything good to come from Yang's ordeal it was this: them being together. Yes, Blake had intended to tell her anyway. Eventually. After Beacon. If she mustered up the courage. Maybe Weiss would have given her the push she'd needed before too much longer. Blake had her suspicions what had happened also gave Weiss reason to speak up sooner than she otherwise would have, and to bring Ruby into it. Without the murderous huntsman's attack, they also might not have been able to persuade Blake with the dangers of being a huntress.
Blake would still much rather it hadn't happened, of course. Her eyes fell on the scar exposed below Yang's collarbone, and very gently stroked a finger over it. Yang had suffered, and would bear the scars for a long time, both physical and emotional. All she could do was be there for her.
Perhaps she should listen to the rest of that sickening recording, just so she'd know as much as she could about what Yang went through. Blake got out her scroll and plugged in her earphones, slipping them in her lower set of ears. It was a little awkward with Yang in her arms, but she managed. She found the recording and braced herself to hear most of it all over again. She pressed play. The tension escaped her with a gasp when Yang's voice addressed her:
"Hey Blake. Maybe you'll never hear this. I'd like to think you have the sense not to try listening again to what you thought this was. But let's face it, it has nothing to do with sense, and everything to do with trying to help me.
"That you'd try means a lot to me, but I won't put you through that. I've overwritten the recording with this. Obviously. You won't find it on my scroll either, I'm deleting the file as soon as I get my hands on it back at Beacon.
"Maybe Dad's right and I should talk to someone about it. Thing is, I don't think I'm the only one. Listening to what this recording once was couldn't have been easy, especially if it left you thinking I was dead for a while. Maybe talking between us, between team RWBY will do. Maybe we'll need to talk to a professional. A stranger. Ugh. Yeah, I get why Dad never did when it came to losing Mom."
Blake had to admit Yang had a point. She'd have to talk to Yang when she woke up. Which meant admitting she'd tried to listen to the recording again. Oh well, at least Yang had expected it to happen, enough that she'd bothered to record a replacement message.
"What else can I say on something you might not listen to? Or might not bother listening this far. You might've stopped as soon as you realised this is not the recording you wanted. Or maybe you like the sultry sound of my voice?" Yang laughed. She sighed wistfully. "I like the sound of your voice. I was so scared I'd never get to hear it again. Never get to tell you how much you mean to me. I should do that when you're guaranteed to hear it. You deserve that. You deserve so much. Sometimes I see this look on your face, like you don't like yourself much. I don't know why. Maybe you'll tell me one day. No pressure. Just know that I love you. And here comes the nurse." Yang groaned. "Yeah, I'm recording this in my Vacuan hospital room. We should get to go back to Beacon soon. This is Yang, signing off."
Blake pulled out the earphones and rolled up her scroll. She shook her head and chuckled softly. So much for thinking that she'd been the first to confess. This proved Yang had, even if Blake hadn't heard it until now. Maybe if none of this had happened Yang would have told Blake how she felt, and it wouldn't have been left to Blake to summon her courage. Then again maybe Yang needed some kind of push too. It just would have been nice if it had been something rather less traumatising.
She kissed Yang's forehead. "I love you too. And I'm working on loving myself. Promise." Maybe a promise didn't mean much when Yang couldn't hear it, but it was more of a promise to Blake herself. She'd say it again when Yang was awake, she deserved to hear it. She deserved so much, and Blake would give her everything she could, starting with her heart. It had already belonged to Yang anyway.
They'd be huntresses together, and if the worst came to pass and Yang was forced to drop out of Beacon because of her trauma… Blake would stay with her. She didn't know what they'd do instead, but they'd find some way to do good in the world. And hopefully some way to help Yang heal. As Yang had pointed out on the recording, that went for the rest of team RWBY too. There had to be some kind of therapy out there. Maybe Goodwitch would know, although Blake would have to be circumspect bringing it up. She'd have to let Goodwitch think she was just talking about her own trauma.
Hopefully they'd get through the rest of their training at Beacon without suffering any more traumatic experiences. If anyone else tried hunting Yang because of Raven, it would go very differently. The would-be hunter would find themselves the hunted one, at the mercy of the rest of team RWBY. Blake would make sure Yang didn't need Raven to save her next time.
The End
AN: Thanks for reading, comments much appreciated.
I can be found on Tumblr, reblogging a pretty random collection of things on my main tumblog, notoftheskaal, while on my relatively new RWBY sideblog, deadbeatbirdmom, there's mostly Bumbleby and Yang stuff.
I might write Yang and Raven's POVs for Hunted. Not necessarily covering everything, mainly the parts Blake didn't see, namely Yang's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night. It would be a challenge to write because combat is something I find hard to write, and ow poor Yang, she's my favourite character and I'd be putting her through a very rough time. There is a limit to how much detail there would be, though, because I'm actually squeamish and don't do well with gore.
Sometimes the dark stuff just insists on being written, my as yet unposted first RWBY fic puts Yang through worse. Part of the reason it's not posted yet is because it's outside my comfort zone, and I want to rewrite it a bit to tone it down at least slightly. I do intend to post it eventually, when it's closer to being finished.
The next thing on my RWBY fic to do list is a Spring Maiden Yang AU, a messed up scenario inspired by an AU idea from lovingdabeessss on Tumblr.