Chapter 10: Mrs Belladonna and Mrs Xiao Long
"There you are!"
A pale blue blur grabbed Blake by the shoulders. Blake blinked. She recognised the voice as Weiss's just before the blur slowed enough to see her, dressed in a pretty pale blue dress matching her eyes.
Weiss dragged her over to a door, frowning up at her. "You're late!"
Blake pointedly pulled her scroll out and checked the time. "I'm perfectly on time. Not all of us go through life arriving at least ten minutes early."
Weiss gently shook her, eyes wide. "What if you got delayed?"
Blake shrugged Weiss off. "I didn't. The only possible delay now is if you don't let this go." She softened her tone. "It's all going according to plan. Yang's here too."
"You've seen her?! That's bad luck!" Weiss's shriek at least came out as a whisper in volume, but still made Blake's cat ears flatten.
"No, she sent me a message."
Weiss's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "With a selfie?"
Blake sighed. "No. Give us a little credit."
"Sorry, I'm just…" Weiss took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Perhaps a little stressed."
Blake hugged her, careful not to disturb the hard work of their hairdressers. If Weiss was admitting to any stress at all, chances were she was very frazzled. "You're Weiss Schnee. You planned this and arranged pretty much everything for us. No one else could do that as well as I'm sure you have."
Weiss cleared her throat, smiling slightly. "I did make a list and check it twice."
Blake drew back, raising an eyebrow. "Just one list, and just checked twice?"
Weiss looked a bit sheepish. "A slight understatement." A whine escaped her, face falling. "What if I forgot something? What if it all goes wrong?! Why did I volunteer for this?"
Blake caught her hands before she could bury them in her hair above her temples, a wild look in pale blue eyes.
"It'll be fine. I have faith in you, and so does Yang." Blake made a mental note to make sure her bride said nothing to tease Weiss, at least not about the wedding.
Weiss slumped against her. "You're right. And I did it because I love you both very much and wanted to help."
Blake patted her back. "We love you too. I know Yang is just as grateful as I am for all that you've done for us. Thank you."
Weiss straightened up and smiled more widely. "I know. And I'd say you're welcome, but save it until after you've seen the results of my hard work." She took a step back, looking Blake up and down. "You look beautiful. Yang's going to be lucky to remember how to talk."
Blake grinned. "I know." She smoothed down the silk kimono, feeling the embroidered interlocking nightshade pattern under her fingers. Her family emblem. Soon it would belong to Yang too.
The door clicked open. Blake looked over in time to see her mother poking her head through.
"Blake? Are you—" Kali's breath caught. "Oh, you look lovely. That suits you even better than it did me when I married your father. I hope Ghira can manage to officiate, he's going to be in floods of tears."
Blake exchanged a concerned look with Weiss. "I thought he was happy—"
"He is!" Kali blurted. "That's the problem: happy tears." She blinked back tears of her own and beckoned. "Come on, don't keep Yang waiting."
Blake let Kali loop her arm through hers, while Weiss passed her the bouquet; mingled sunflowers and nightshade. Not Blake's actual favourite flower, but the symbolism of her family emblem mixed with the best floral representation of Yang mattered more to Blake.
Kali kissed her cheek, and walked her through an antechamber and into a hall. They slowly went down the aisle lined with rows of sunflowers taller than Blake, firelight flickering off the petals. And at the end of it—
There were guests standing in front of a line of seats, and her father behind a table or altar or something like that. Probably. Blake only had eyes for Yang. Her suit was a little unorthodox because it had to allow for her growing bump, but she was no less beautiful for it. Although perhaps handsome was more accurate. Her hair was if anything more ever wilder than usual, as though it'd rebelled against efforts to tame it. Blake liked it tied back into a ponytail, but she loved it freed like this even more.
Kali joined Blake and Yang's hands, and retreated out of Blake's tunnel vision.
Yang looked at her as if nothing else existed, her smile lighting up Blake's world more than the sun.
Her father cleared his throat. Blake managed to tear her eyes away from Yang and glance at him. Ghira shook his head, lips twitching, cheeks wet with tears. She got the impression that wasn't the first time he'd tried to attract their attention.
Yang squeezed her hand, and turned to face Ghira. Blake followed suit. She tried her best to pay attention, but couldn't focus on the words. All she knew was that her father's voice wobbled from time to time. Her focus kept drifting to her fiancée. Her bride, hair shining like gold under bright lamps.
"Blake?" Ghira coughed, covering a smile with his hand. The wrinkles beside his eyes gave his amusement away.
Snickers came from behind them. Blake abruptly remembered they were being watched by their family. Her cheeks burned.
"Hmm?" Blake dragged her eyes away from Yang. It really wasn't fair how good she looked in a waistcoat.
"Your vows?" His yellow eyes flicked to Yang. "Unless Yang is going first?"
"Oh! We're doing them jointly…" Blake turned to face Yang, ready to recite their vows, and almost got lost in the lilac depths of her eyes again.
Yang stroked her thumbs on Blake's hands. "Ever since you chose me as your partner at Beacon, our paths have been drawn closer together."
"Even if they did diverge for a while," Blake added. "You were always on my mind, although at the time I hoped you'd hate me."
Yang let go of Blake's left hand with her prosthetic, and lifted it to cup Blake's cheek. "I could never hate you. It wasn't your fault, and we protected each other when the real culprit pursued us."
Blake shuddered at the mention, Adam's ghost briefly looming over her. Yang dispelled him by stepping closer to rest their foreheads together. Just as she had right after Adam fell.
Blake drew away so she could speak up enough for their guests to hear. "We worked together in Solitas, and we make a great team as huntresses. You listened to me like no one else ever had before, even turning traitor in Ironwood's eyes for my sake." She glanced toward their guests and picked out Ruby, where she stood behind Yang as Best Sister, mouthing the word 'sorry' to her team leader. She still regretted they hadn't had time to tell Ruby about that before Ironwood found out.
"Well, you have a really good brain." Yang gave her a goofy grin. "You listen to me too with those cute ears of yours. Even in the darkest times, you believed in me. Despite your instincts telling you not to before Beacon fell."
"I haven't always made the best choice in who to trust, but I doubted you once, long ago. Never again. I love you, Yang Xiao Long. I'd do anything to see you smile, and I'll be there for you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health."
"I once thought I needed a life of adventure, constantly on the move, never knowing what the future might bring to be content. I was wrong." Yang gave her an adoring look. "I love you too, Blake Belladonna, and being your partner in peace and war makes me happier than I ever thought possible. I'll be there for you too, through good times and bad, and in sickness and in health."
They intertwined their hands and spoke the last line of their vows together:
"You don't belong to me, and I don't belong to you; we belong to each other."
There were mutters from some guests as they tried to figure that out. Then slow, bemused applause.
Blake caught a grumble from Weiss, a cat ear flicking towards her: "I told them so."
"Their vows are for them," Ruby murmured back. "Not us. And I thought they were fine."
"They were," Weiss admitted. "That end one though—"
Ghira held his hands up to silence the chatter. "We're not done yet! Quiet, please."
Blake heard the mortification in Weiss's voice as she apologised.
Ghira reached over to grip Blake and Yang's joined hands. "There is an additional vow that can be made if you wish, because of the pregnancy. You offer your child to Blake, and she can accept." He gently squeezed before releasing them.
Yang's eyes searched Blake's, then put their joined hands on her bump. "My child is yours."
"Ours," Blake confirmed.
"Excellent!" Ghira beckoned behind Blake and Yang. "Now the tradition for those with unlocked Aura. May your souls bind and protect each other."
Weiss and Ruby stepped forward to stand beside them, each holding out a length of silk. The one Blake took from Weiss precisely matched the colour of her own Aura: purple. She turned back to Yang and saw a golden yellow one shimmering in her hands, just like Yang's Aura.
Blake leaned closer, offering her left arm so Yang could tie the bandana around her upper arm. Then she did the same for Yang, claiming her bride with her own colour, a slightly different shade than the purple bandana Yang had worn for years.
"As you know, the faunus have our own traditions, and those with ear traits show their devotion to their chosen life partner with earrings. You already do that, but with the ear for engagement. It's time for the other." Ghira gestured to Weiss and Ruby again.
Ruby frantically patted herself down and breathed an audible sigh of relief when she produced a pair of earrings. Weiss shot Ruby a sidelong glare, and already held a pair out to Blake. Kali stepped close with the needle ready.
Yang reached up and drew her wild mane away from her right ear, baring it for Blake to pierce it. She held the needle inside each new piercing for Yang to allow her Aura to heal her ear around it. The needle was a little wider than the earrings, designed so the piercing wouldn't be too tight around them. Then she wiped away the bit of blood and fit the earrings on.
Kali retrieved the needle and sterilised it, ready to use again.
Blake did her best to keep her right upper ear still while Yang gently held it. Blake pushed her Aura back while the needle did its work. It didn't sting for long, Blake's Aura healing her quickly. Then it just tickled while Yang fitted the new earrings, fingers stroking the soft fur of Blake's ear in the process. It twitched a little; she couldn't help it.
"Blake, I can't get these in while you're moving," Yang muttered. "Sorry, gotta hold you still, and my hands are busy." She leaned over and held the tip of Blake's cat ear between her teeth, gentle but firm. Yang somehow managed to put Blake's earrings in without seeing what she was doing, soon releasing Blake's ear and inspecting her work. "There!"
Blake glanced at her parents and found them wide eyed. She didn't dare look at anyone else, just hearing the gasps and sniggers were bad enough. Her cheeks burned. There was only one possible course of action: she grabbed Yang, leaned in and nipped her newly pierced ear.
A strangled yelp escaped Yang.
"There. We're even," Blake whispered in Yang's ear. It was far from the first time they'd done that in private, but doing something just as intimate here and now should have got the message across to Yang that it belonged in the bedroom. She drew back and smirked at the sight of Yang's fierce blush; message definitely delivered.
Ghira spluttered. It took him a moment to find his voice. "Right. Um. Here… come around this side, and we'll get the legal part out of the way." He had the marriage certificate ready. Blake and Yang both signed where indicated, as did Ruby and Weiss, their witnesses. "Pose for a photo… All right, off you go, back around the other side." He waited for them to stand in front of their guests. "You may kiss the bride!"
Blake met Yang halfway, joining in their first kiss as wives. All too aware of their watching family, they kept it chaste.
The guests applauded, one of them wolf whistling - probably Qrow, Blake thought.
They parted, still holding each other close. For a moment all Blake could see was Yang's soft smile. Her awareness expanded with the twitch of her upper ears, catching the movement of everyone clustering around to congratulate them. Most of them blinked back tears, and Tai outright sobbed.
Make that almost everyone; Blake spotted Raven keeping her distance, waiting until Tai moved away to come forward and offer her own congratulations. At least she'd made it to the wedding, and without Blake noticing her arrival, despite the distinctive sound of Raven's portals.
Kali took charge of handing out drinks to toast their marriage, the glasses engraved with their interlocked emblems and the name of the drinker. When planning the wedding, Weiss had pointed out that it would allow them to mark the drinks that needed to be alcohol free, namely Yang's and Qrow's. It'd also provide them all with a gift to commemorate the wedding.
Ghira raised his glass. "To the Belladonna-Xiao Longs!"
Yang waited until after they'd all drank to correct him. "We're taking each other's name, actually. Swapping surnames."
Ghira chuckled. "To Yang Belladonna and Blake Xiao Long!"
"Will the baby be a Belladonna-Xiao Long?" Qrow asked, his voice even rougher than usual. His eyes were redder than usual after shedding some tears.
Yang shook her head. "Belladonna."
"Goes better with Bumblebaby!" Ruby chirped.
Yang groaned, and eyed Blake's glass as if she wished she could drain it.
Blake took Yang's arm and steered her away, and left Ruby to explain 'Bumblebaby' to anyone who didn't know what she meant. Probably just Tai and Qrow at this point, as chances were Kali had mentioned it to Ghira. Unless Ruby had already told them. Blake didn't know, and didn't really care when she had a bride to steal away and kiss.
"Ahem." Weiss stood behind them, hands on her hips. "You two can do that later, preferably when I don't have to see it. There are photos to take."
"What if we want pics of us kissing?"
Weiss huffed a very long suffering sigh. "Then I'll take them for you." She got out her scroll and readied it to take photos with the air of someone about to be executed, or perhaps martyred.
Wedding photos taken, most of the rest of the event passed in a blur for Blake, her eyes drifting back to Yang whenever something else tried to demand her attention. She wasn't even sure what they ate, despite in theory picking the menu from the options Weiss presented. Probably fish? It was no doubt delicious, Blake just couldn't remember anything but admiring Yang.
Yang's waistcoat, and how the gold silk of it matched Blake's own new bandana, and how both were complemented by the purple of her own soul wrapped around Yang's arm. Both also brought out the lilac of Yang's eyes, and—
It took a few dreamy moments before Blake realised she'd been enraptured by the adoration in Yang's eyes, just as distracted by Blake as she was by Yang.
Weiss cleared her throat, standing behind them. "You two, it's time for the first dance. It was time five minutes ago, but you didn't hear me. Again. Ugh. It's like you've never seen each other before…"
Yang turned to Weiss, a dreamy smile lighting up her face. "But we haven't, not as each other's wives. This is new. You'll understand if Ruby marries you."
Weiss sniffed. "When."
"You're practically already married," Yang said. "That makes us sisters." She swept Weiss off her feet and into a bear hug.
"Blake! Get your wife under control and dance with her," Weiss grumbled, legs swinging as she tried to kick Yang.
Blake attempted to stifle her laughter, and offered a hand to Yang. "Don't keep me waiting."
Yang set Weiss down and took Blake's hand, heading to the dance floor, her laughter unrestrained.
Blake glanced back and caught Weiss smiling as she watched them go.
Yet again Blake found herself distracted. In theory knew the song they were dancing to; she'd picked it out with Yang. But the melody and the words passed straight through her head without registering, lost to the sensation of Yang's arm around her, their other hands clasped, faces close together as they moved to the beat Blake felt more than heard.
There was only Yang. And the Bumblebaby, the bump pressed against Blake. She smiled down at it, well aware that her world had expanded to encompass their baby months ago. This just made their bond legal.
"Wriggly little menace," Yang murmured. "Joining in with the dance."
"I wish I could feel it too." Blake looked up in time to see Yang wince.
"Probably a bad idea to feel it with your Aura right now, I'd better be sitting down." Yang nodded towards the seats.
"Weiss will probably murder us if we cut the first dance short."
Yang laughed. She sobered. "She's done a fantastic job organising all this. We need to take her out to dinner or something, or send her out with Ruby as a thank you."
They danced on, Yang leading her through the steps just like they'd practiced. It felt so different here and now, like there was no one else except them in the entire world, despite their family watching from the shadows beyond the spotlights over the dance floor.
Blake only realised the dance was over when Yang passed her to Ghira and took Tai's hand for the father of the bride dances.
Ghira sniffled, blinking back more tears. "My little girl is married."
"Dad… I haven't been little in a long time."
Ghira smiled down at her from his admittedly towering height. "You'll always be little to me."
Their paths crossed with Tai and Yang, Ghira smoothly avoiding a collision. Tai was supposed to be leading Yang, but by the look of it was distracted, talking to her. Blake angled her cat ears toward them, wondering what they were talking about. She abruptly realised she should be paying attention to her father and gave him an apologetic glance.
Ghira raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking from Blake's faunus trait to the other father and daughter on the dance floor. "What are they talking about?" He kept his voice low.
Blake grinned sheepishly. Of course Ghira was used to it and inclined to indulge eavesdropping with sensitive cat ears, Kali presumably did it a lot.
She divided her focus between dancing on with her dad, and on her wife, picking up Yang's voice before Tai's. "...enough tears, Dad, c'mon."
"Allergies," Tai claimed.
Yang snorted. "Allergic to your daughter getting married?"
"Hey, I'm mildly allergic to cats and you know it!"
"Blake and Kali aren't cats. Nor is Ghira, for all that he has some panther traits."
"It's enough to affect me!" Tai protested. "I'm not complaining, there's nothing wrong with them, it's just why you keep seeing my eyes leaking."
"Uhuh, which is why you kept doing this when we told you I'm pregnant."
"All right, so I might be a little emotional," Tai admitted. "You know I've been afraid I'd never get to see this. You live a dangerous life."
Yang sighed. "Dad…"
"Sorry. I know this isn't the time to get on your case about that, and I should've said something before you went to Beacon." Tai sniffled. "Have… have I been a good dad?"
Blake glanced over and saw Tai wincing. She couldn't see Yang's face.
"I know I failed you," Tai said, voice on the edge of Blake's hearing. "I know I'm not a patch on Ghira as a dad, going by everything I've heard."
Yang hesitated for a long awkward moment. "I won't lie, it wasn't always easy. But don't compare yourself like that. I never wanted a different dad. I just wanted you to be there for us, and I know you did your best."
Tai sniffled. "My best just wasn't always good enough, was it?"
"You still tried. I could tell, and that meant something, y'know?"
Tai made an affirmative noise, choked by a sob.
"Dad… That was meant to make you stop crying."
Blake looked back at Ghira and met his expectant gaze, wondering what to say. It wasn't her place to give him details about Yang's childhood. "Tai's just a bit emotional and Yang's trying to help, that's all."
Ghira glanced toward Tai, eyes full of sympathy. "It's a happy day, but an overwhelming one. I'll talk to him. Don't worry, I won't let on that you were eavesdropping."
The waltz ended with Blake and Yang returned to each other. They stayed on the dance floor, holding each other close in a slow dance. Blake's cat ear twitched, and angled towards where a mention of their names caught her attention. She didn't look, instead leaning closer to Yang so it looked like her ear was moving to accommodate nuzzling her wife.
"Not yet," Tai was saying, in response to that mention of their names.
Ghira sighed heavily enough for Blake to hear it from across the room. "We agreed we'd tell them when we were all together."
"Do you really want to do it on their wedding day?" Tai demanded.
"I—No. I don't like it, but no."
"Another time," Tai said. "It can wait."
"None of us like it," Kali said, her tone soothing. "But it can't wait forever, Tai."
"I know. Just… Not now. Look at them. They're happy."
Blake frowned, face turned away from their parents. She had a bad feeling about whatever they were keeping from her and Yang, but it couldn't be that urgent or important; they'd have told them before now otherwise. She did her best to push it from her mind and focus on the here and now, on Yang. Letting her eyes drop to Yang's waistcoat did the trick, especially with her cleavage on display, revealed after removing her tie and undoing some shirt buttons.
Yang stiffened against her. Blake blinked, looking up to see Yang glaring behind her.
"What is it?" Blake murmured.
"Look." Yang spun them around for Blake to spot Tai approaching Raven over Yang's shoulder. "Can you listen in? And let me know to intervene if necessary."
Blake nodded, cat ears twitching forward.
"Raven."
"Tai."
Tai cleared his throat. "I'm glad you could come. I know it means a lot to Yang."
"Wouldn't miss it." Raven sounded strained. She looked uncomfortable, from what Blake could tell from across the room. "You look good."
"So do you. Nice kimono, but not too nice. I mean, it doesn't upstage Blake's. That's good."
"Civil so far," Blake muttered.
Yang didn't look terribly reassured. "So far…"
Blake held a finger up to her lips, upper ears twitching.
"—turned out all right," Raven said.
"Yes. Despite everything." Tai gave Raven a wounded look.
Raven's hand twitched, as if trying to grip a sword hilt she wasn't wearing. "I watched from a distance. Do you know how close I came to taking Yang away during your bad days? The only thing that stopped me was that her life was still better on Patch than it would have been with the tribe."
Blake winced, on the point of sending Yang over. She hesitated. Maybe Tai and Raven needed to talk about it?
"Blake?" Yang prompted.
Blake slowly shook her head, listening intently.
Tai folded his arms. "Am I supposed to thank you for not doing that? I know I messed up. If I could do it over again…"
Raven's jaw worked, as if visibly holding back from saying something. "We both messed up. Look, Tai, I don't really want to get into it. I'm sorry I said anything, it's not like I have any right, and I know it. The important thing is that Yang's happy now. Look at her."
"She is," Tai agreed, his tone wistful.
"See you around, I suppose. Probably after our grandchild's born. There will be birthday parties." Raven walked away. Tai watched her go, face etched with longing.
Qrow sidled up to Tai, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Hey. Do you need me to challenge Raven to a duel for your honour or something?"
Tai laughed. "Nope! She was on her best behaviour, or what passes for it."
Blake relaxed, meeting Yang's eyes. "It's okay. There was a tense moment, but they moved past it."
They danced on for a while longer, then sat down for a drink.
Blake's parents wandered over and sat with them, clinking glasses together in greeting.
"Are you as happy as you look?" Kali asked, eyes flicking between them.
Blake smiled. "Happier."
"Oh, never happier." Yang beamed at Blake over the rim of her glass, taking another sip.
"Excellent." Ghira drained his glass.
"And the pregnancy? How are you doing?"
Yang patted the Bumblebaby bump. "A pain at times, but nothing too bad."
Blake couldn't help but think of the times cramping calf muscles woke Yang with a strangled scream. She wasn't about to say anything though. It wasn't cause for concern for their doctor, so no need to risk worrying her parents.
Ruby and Weiss joined them, drinks in hand.
Yang leaned towards them. "Hey, Weiss, I just wanted to say everything is just perfect, and a lot of that is down to you. Thanks."
Weiss carelessly waved a hand. "Anytime. There's still your main wedding reception with all our friends to come, so I think of this as a rehearsal of sorts."
Blake observed Weiss had calmed down a lot now that the wedding had gone off without any problems. Of course by the time their wedding reception rolled around she'd probably be frazzled again.
Ruby squinted at Yang. "Is it just me, or is your hair even thicker and shinier?"
Yang shrugged. "Hormones or something."
"I swear her skin's softer too." Blake stroked her arm where it was exposed by her rolled up shirt sleeve.
Ruby reached over to find out for herself. "Huh, it is."
"Must be hormones." Yang didn't sound thrilled, although her smile was radiant when it rested on Blake. "It's just a silver lining compared to everything that sucks about what they do to me. Also that tickles, so cut it out."
Ruby started trying to tickle Yang intentionally.
"Brat!" Yang recoiled, pressing against Blake.
Blake fended Ruby off. It was her duty to protect her wife, after all.
Someone coughed.
Blake looked up, aware of everyone else doing much the same. Raven stood in front of them, arms crossed. She'd already offered her congratulations, what could she want?
Raven's eyes flicked over those gathered, settling on Blake's parents. "While you're both here, Belladonnas…"
Blake bristled. What did Raven want with them? She was meant to be on her best behaviour, but would she be? Had Raven already used up what passed for that with Tai?
"I'd like to offer to make a Kindred Link with you both, my Semblance, as a favour to the brides. It means I'd try to get you out of danger if necessary."
"Their single chance?" Yang demanded. She sighed. "Sorry, it is better than nothing." She turned to Ghira and Kali. "It really might save your lives, but you know that after what happened with Blake a month or so ago."
"We'd be honoured," Kali said. Ghira nodded his agreement.
Raven's eyes were on Yang, a frown on her face. "I ditched that rule," she said. "After I thought I lost you."
Yang's eyes widened. "Oh."
"Then Blake could keep going on missions," Weiss murmured.
Raven frowned at Blake. "I'd try to come if you were in danger, but if Yang was too at the same time? She comes first."
"I'd rather Blake did," Yang grumbled, fingers curling into fists.
Blake laid a hand over Yang's and squeezed. "I agree with Raven. You should come first, especially at the moment, but regardless."
Yang opened her mouth.
Ruby waved between them before Yang could speak. "Hi, hello, team leader here. Raven can't guarantee she'd be able to save you if something went wrong, and that's reason enough for you to stay benched. Consider this my veto. You're off duty, Blake."
"What?!" Blake spluttered. "But you didn't want to accept me benching myself!"
Ruby waggled an admonishing finger. "Not until you explained it. I think you were right: it's too dangerous. What if you end up in life threatening danger again, and this time Raven can't come? Sorry, you need to stay off duty until the Bumblebaby is old enough."
"And when will that be?" Blake asked.
Ruby shrugged. "However long it takes."
"If you've quite finished bickering," Raven drawled. "I have bonds to make."
Kali and Ghira sprang to their feet. "Of course, what do we need to do?"
"Just take my hand, one at a time." She shot a glare towards team RWBY. "And let me concentrate."
Blake watched, and observed the slight flicker of her parents' Auras, as if Raven's touch made them project it visibly. She hadn't noticed that when Raven made the bond with her, but maybe she'd missed it. Come to think of it, she might have been keeping a wary eye on Raven at the time.
"It's done," Raven said. "As with Blake, I will come if I can should your lives be in danger."
"Thank you," Ghira said. "We understand Yang comes first, but we'd like to say if any of the girls need you, go to them first."
Kali nodded her agreement.
"That reminds me, Yang's Schnee, I'm willing to make a bond to you too." Raven extended her hand to Weiss.
Ruby and Yang choked on their drinks.
Blake patted Yang's back and covered her own mouth with her free hand. She wasn't sure if she was hiding a smile or stifling outrage, torn between the conflicting feelings. She eyed Weiss with some trepidation. To her amazement Weiss merely gave Raven a frosty look.
"My name is Weiss. If you had to call me anyone's, it'd be Ruby's Schnee."
Raven raised her eyebrows. "Huh. I had no idea. My apologies."
Weiss slowly held out her hand to Raven. "Apology accepted, and I do appreciate this. Thank you."
Raven took her hand only as long as making the bond required. "Done. Now, I'll be taking my leave. Thanks for inviting me, Yang. It's… It's good to see you happy. You too, Blake." She glanced at Kali and Ghira. "You both seem to be better parents than I am. I'm glad. Yang could do with that in her life."
Before anyone could say a word, Raven took a step back, She bent her knees as if she were about to jump, and transformed, taking off in a flurry of black feathers. The raven flew out of sight. Blake didn't hear a portal being made, so chances were Raven was still hanging around somewhere. She wasn't even sure if Raven could make a portal while in raven form.
Yang sighed. "She's right. You are good parents." She managed a strained smile at Blake's parents.
Kali winced. "We try. But I'm not sure I'd call us good."
Blake stiffened. "Why not? You're great, really, both of you. I couldn't ask for better parents."
Kali exchanged an uncomfortable look with Ghira and a moment of awkward silence fell. "If we were, we'd have kept Adam away from you. We failed you then. And for my part, if I was a good mother, I wouldn't have suspected that you infiltrated Beacon on his behalf when I saw you in the Vytal broadcast."
Blake flinched. "All things considered, I don't blame you. I only left him less than a year before that. You were right about him. I'm the one who didn't listen."
"You were a child, Blake," Ghira said. "It was our responsibility to protect you."
"Okay," Yang said, drawing out the word. "How about we talk more about that another time, and not during what's supposed to be a happy event? Besides, it's my responsibility to protect Blake, and has been for years now ever since I became her partner."
Blake squeezed her hand again. "We protect each other."
Ghira sniffled, swiping at his eyes.
Kali hugged one of his arms, lower lip trembling, tears welling up in her eyes. "Our cub is grown up."
Blake wished the seat she was sitting on would swallow her. That was the last thing she wanted her mother to call her in front of her team.
A strangled chirp escaped Ruby, as she all but shoved her fist in her mouth to smother it, eyes shining.
Blake watched her parents walk away, then glared at each of her team.
Yang gave her a look filled with such love and understanding that Blake felt a little guilty for glaring. She moved on to glower at her new sister-in-law.
Ruby extracted her hand from her mouth, grinning.
"Not a word, Petal," Yang growled, jabbing a finger at Ruby.
Blake felt a surge of affection at her wife's staunch defence.
Ruby slumped against her chair. "You don't let me have any fun," she whined. "But I get the point. Sorry, Blake, I'll forget I ever heard 'Cub' if you promise to forget 'Petal.'"
"Deal."
They shook on it.
Blake gave Weiss a warning glower. She warded it off by raising pacifying hands. If Weiss was amused she was doing a fantastic job at hiding it.
"I'm just glad I have no such embarrassing childhood nickname," Weiss said.
"Is that so?" Yang pulled her scroll out. "So if I messaged Winter or Whitley, they'd have nothing to reveal?"
Weiss's eyes narrowed. "You don't scare me, Xiao Long."
"Belladonna," Yang corrected, pointedly tucking her hair behind her right ear to expose the new earrings.
Weiss sighed heavily. "Oh, do whatever you want, it's your special day."
"Whatever I want, huh? Okay!" Yang stood up, offering Blake a hand.
Blake stifled a curse, ignoring Yang's hand as she sprang to her feet in time to steady Yang as she swayed.
"Yang!" Ruby cried, on her feet in an eyeblink and holding Yang's other arm.
"Do I need to call anyone?" Weiss asked, scroll in hand, watching Yang with concern.
"Just a dizzy spell," Yang muttered, blushing. "Nothing to worry about, the doctor knows I get them. It's fine, just annoying."
At least Yang hadn't fainted this time. Blake was pretty sure she'd never forget the heart stopping sight of Yang collapsing as soon as she'd stood up, just a couple of weeks back. In her recurring nightmares, Blake failed to catch her, and Yang outright shattered on impact. Stupid dreams, yet telling herself that every time didn't stop them haunting Blake.
Yang didn't mention the fainting, and Blake felt it wasn't her place to mention it. She did give Yang a reproachful look, because it wasn't something that should be kept from Ruby and Weiss. Still, that was Yang's choice. Her body, and not even marriage changed the fact that Yang should have all agency there.
Yang straightened up within a few minutes. "I'm fine. Now, about whatever I want…" She leaned close to whisper in Blake's ear, "How about we get our marriage consummated?"
"Ew!" Ruby recoiled, letting go of Yang.
Yang stuck her tongue out at her. "Serve you right for eavesdropping."
"What did she say?" Weiss asked, taking Ruby's arm.
Ruby shuddered. "I don't wanna talk about it."
Weiss stared at her, then looked between Yang and Blake. Realisation dawned. "I don't know what else you expected, it is their wedding night now. It's after sunset."
Ruby pouted. "I still don't need to know about it." She shooed Blake and Yang away. "Go on, get out of here. Have fun. Actually, cut your wedding cake first, then I can eat a few slices and pretend you're off playing board games."
Yang saluted.
They paused to admire the cake with tiny Blake and Yang figurines standing on it, cut it together, and took a couple of slices with them; it looked delicious.
Qrow gave them a knowing look and wished them good night. Tai did a double take and blushed, hugged them both and clapped Yang on the back. Ghira and Kali caught on, sending them off with more hugs. Ruby buried herself in the cake, studiously ignoring them, mumbling about board games.
Weiss directed them to their suite, performing her final duty as wedding planner. "I'm very happy for you both, but please wait until I'm out of earshot before doing anything."
Yang grinned. "No promises."
Weiss bolted, slamming the door behind her.
"I was joking!" Yang called after her. She turned back to Blake, half chuckling, half sighing. "I'm not sure she heard me. I'll have to make it up to her later."
Blake laid a finger over Yang's lips. "Shh. Weiss can wait. This is our time now."
Yang nipped her finger and sucked it into her mouth, teasing it with her tongue, maintaining eye contact the whole time.
Blake's breath caught. So much for being the one in control tonight, unless Yang surrendered it.
Yang released her finger, pausing to kiss it before she spoke. "I love that kimono of yours, but I'll love it even more off you." She stroked her hands over the embroidered silk, trailing down Blake's shoulders and arms and then inwards to untie the sash. The obi, Blake absently remembered her mother had called it.
"Likewise," Blake murmured, fingers finding the buttons of Yang's waistcoat and unfastening them from top to bottom. She pushed it aside and walked her fingers up to the point where Yang's shirt was undone, and liberated her from the rest of the buttons.
Yang slid her hands inside the kimono and up, untying it under Blake's breasts, and pushed it off her shoulders. She came to a sudden stop when the kimono's left arm got caught by the bandana.
"Whoops, not used to that yet." Yang unwound the bandana and slid the kimono off Blake. She took the time to hang it up, treating the Belladonna heirloom with the respect it deserved.
Blake did the same with the waistcoat. It was a very nice one, and on closer inspection the back of it was embroidered with Yang's emblem. It must've been covered by Yang's hair while she wore it. Yang's shirt was just as nice too, smooth and soft under her fingers. And even better off Yang. She had to take Yang's bandana off her arm too, and felt a twinge of regret. She liked seeing it on Yang. Putting it back on her could wait though.
Next she got Yang's dress shoes off before attacking her trousers, unzipping them and pulling them down. That left Yang in her underwear. Blake paused to look at it. That was rather more lace than usual… Ah. She smirked. Lingerie, for the special occasion. Yang didn't usually bother with it. Blake didn't mind, but she certainly enjoyed the sight of it on her now.
"Huh," Yang scratched her head. "Nice undergarments, but I have no idea how to get them off you." She grinned sheepishly, gesturing at the traditional under robe Blake was wearing; no lingerie for her today. No underwear at all, come to that. A bra didn't work terribly well with a kimono, it'd probably have made the kimono come undone several times over.
Blake demonstrated for future reference, although she wasn't sure when she'd next wear the traditional garments. Maybe it could be an anniversary thing…
Yang's eyebrows shot up. "No underwear?"
Blake smirked. "Did you feel any under the kimono? No, you didn't."
Yang rubbed at the back of her head. "Okay, so I should've noticed that. Can you blame me for being distracted, though? You're so gorgeous."
Blake wordlessly looked Yang up and down very appreciatively, raising an eyebrow.
Yang blushed. "Blake, I'm not exactly at my best, and we both know it." She looked down at her bump and grimaced.
"Hey, none of that. No bad mouthing my wife." Blake glanced around the room and noticed the floor to ceiling mirror for the first time. She'd normally have seen it pretty much as soon as she stepped inside, but she'd been a little distracted by her drop-dead gorgeous wife.
Blake stood in front of the mirror and beckoned Yang closer. "Come here."
When Yang's eyes stayed on Blake's bare skin, she gently turned Yang so she looked in the mirror. That done, she stepped behind Yang, resting her chin on her shoulder to look over it, something made easier by the heels she still wore.
She stroked a hand around to rest on Yang's bump. "Don't you see how beautiful you are?"
"You're kinda biased," Yang muttered, glancing down at herself again.
"No, you just don't have the best angle. Look up." Blake reached around to gently lift Yang's chin until their eyes met in the mirror. "Now look in the mirror at yourself. This is what I see."
Yang looked herself up and down. She shook her head. "I mean, sure, the bump doesn't look as big when I can see more of my feet, but—"
"Shh, no buts." Blake slid her fingers into Yang's hair and used the grip to turn her head so she could kiss her. "Months ago now we made a bet. I won, but I'm still going to deliver what you would have won: telling you what my favourite parts of your body are."
"Butt," Yang sniggered.
Blake swatted Yang's butt.
Yang stifled a yelp. Her blush deepened and spread, up to her ears and down her neck. Soon enough it'd be lighting up her cleavage. Blake looked forward to causing it.
"I do love your butt," Blake admitted. "I know you claim it's not as good as mine, but I'll be the judge of that."
"Come on, Blake, you prefer my boobs." Yang cupped them herself, lifting them a little.
Blake very gently ran her hands over the lace covering them. She slipped her fingers under the bra to brush over hardening nipples, touch very gentle, conscious that they were still sore. "I do love these too, yes. But your breasts and butt are far from the only things I love about your body."
"Oh?"
Blake met her eyes in the mirror again. "There's your eyes. They're beautiful, and a window to your soul, yet they're not far off the colour of my Aura."
She brought a hand back to Yang's hair, running her fingers through it. "I love your hair. It's like woven sunlight and gold, and it takes my breath away whenever light catches it."
Blake stepped in front of Yang she could stretch up and kiss her. "Your lips," she breathed against them. "They're so soft, and I could kiss them all day." She punctuated her words by capturing Yang's lower lip between hers, and bared her teeth to gently bite it. Blake soothed it with another kiss, then drew back enough to see Yang smile. She glanced down, smirking at the sight of Yang's blush disappearing under the lace of her bra.
She reached up to trace where Yang's smile curled her lips up. "I love your smile, and your laugh."
Yang licked her lips, teasing Blake's finger at the same time. That reminded Blake…
"I love your tongue too, and your voice. Inside and outside the bedroom."
Yang winked. "Got it, you want me to talk dirty to you and eat you out everywhere we can."
"That's not…" Blake trailed off. It sounded great to her, actually. "Just not where anyone can see. Exhibitionism isn't my kink."
"Nor mine, fun as it is to make Weiss suffer, I'd never intentionally go that far. It's not my fault she walked in on us back in Vacuo." Yang's blush spread still further at the memory. "So… was that everything?"
"Far from it. There's your neck…" Blake leaned in to give her a gentle bite over the pulse point in her neck, sucking and lathing over it with her tongue until a hickey blossomed.
"Your legs…" She kicked her heels off and traced her foot up Yang's shapely calf.
"Your height." Blake looked up at Yang, their height difference at its maximum, both barefoot. "I like that you're taller than me. But not so tall that I can't reach you." She stretched up on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around Yang's neck, bringing their lips together. The Bumblebaby bump pressed against her, but that only added to the intimacy of the moment for her; that was legally her baby now too.
They parted only to catch their breath, Blake kissing Yang again and again, deepening them more every time. She drew back after a teasing stroke of her tongue against Yang's.
She took Yang's hands in hers, lifting them to kiss them. "I love these too. Both of them. You're so good with them, from a gentle comforting touch, to punching a Grimm to death."
"I'm also pretty good with them in bed, if I do say so myself." Yang grinned, holding two fingers together, curling them and straightening them in a teasing wriggle.
"No argument there." It was very tempting to bring Yang's skilled fingers down between her legs, but Blake wasn't done yet.
She trailed up Yang's arms, halting where the prosthetic met the remains of her right arm. "This means so much to me. You lost it for me."
Yang looked away. "I mean, I didn't mean to… I was trying to rearrange his face at the time."
Blake reached up to cup her cheek, stroking it with her thumb. "You were trying to protect me."
Yang met her eyes and covered Blake's hand with her own. "And you're the one who ended up protecting me. I know you got us out of there."
"Only because you gave me just enough time to recover. It wasn't for nothing." Blake leaned down to kiss Yang on the scarred edge of her stump. "This matters to me."
"I'd do it all again," Yang murmured.
"I know. But please don't, I'd rather keep you in one piece."
Yang pursed her lips, looking at her right arm. "We-ell, it's a little late for that."
Blake sighed. "You know what I mean."
"So long as we keep each other in one piece."
"We have a deal." Blake sealed it with another kiss.
"You said you were far from finished… At this rate I'm starting to think you love everything about me."
"I do," Blake said. "But these are my favourites, and I'm not done yet." She brought her hands to Yang's upper arms, feeling the muscles still there despite her switch to gentle exercise under their doctor's orders. They weren't as defined, but that was to be expected. "I love your strength."
"You're strong enough to whirl me around on the end of Gambol Shroud's ribbon for Bumblebee, and to carry me."
"Shush," Blake whispered, kissing Yang again. "You can have your turn to worship me after I've finished."
She fingered the skin of Yang's left arm where the bandana had been. "On second thoughts…" Blake fetched the length of silk and tied it back on. It looked even better on bare skin. "You can keep this on."
"Does it count as an act of worship to put yours back on you? Do I have to wait my turn?"
"Oh, feel free." Blake held her arm out ready for Yang to tie her bandana back on. It looked almost as good on her own arm as Yang's did on her, but maybe she was a little biased.
"Now, I know I've already touched on these," Blake murmured. She deftly unfastened Yang's bra, exposing her breasts. "I think they need revisiting. They've changed because of this." She patted the bump. "But I love them just as much."
Slowly, to give Yang warning to project her Aura if necessary, she brought her lips to Yang's nipples one after the other, sucking them into her mouth. She cupped Yang's breasts, enjoying the weight of them in her hands.
Yang's breath hissed between her teeth, and she arched against Blake.
Blake smirked, and delighted in the strangled whine escaping Yang when she withdrew from her breasts.
"I love these too." Blake traced some of the constellation of freckles dotting Yang's skin, leaning in to kiss them. "They've darkened just like your nipples."
"Hormonal changes again," Yang muttered, her blush a deep red.
"I love them," Blake reiterated. "They're part of you." She dropped to her knees, stroking her hands over the bump. "As is this." She leaned in and kissed it.
Her fingers crept under the lace of Yang's underwear, stroking through blonde curls. "And I love the way you taste…"
Before she could pull down the lingerie, Yang's hands caught hers, breath coming a little ragged.
"My turn," Yang said, voice firm. She tugged Blake onto her feet and kissed her deeply, tongue sweeping through her mouth. By the time she drew away Blake almost forgot Yang had deprived her of one of her favourite activities.
Yang looked her up and down, the lilac of her eyes darkened by dilated pupils. "I can't do what you did for me. Picking out my favourite parts of you… How can I do that when I love everything about you so much?"
Blake didn't have time to feel disappointed. Yang backed her towards the bed, grabbed a pillow, and dropped to her knees, cushioning them.
"Let me worship you," Yang breathed, hands on Blake's hips.
Blake's knees gave way. She sat down before she fell down, slipping her legs over Yang's shoulders at her prompting. Yang pulled her closer by her hips, burying her face between Blake's legs.
Blake's awareness faded, swept away by the rising tide of pure pleasure.
Blake cried out, her throat raw for a few moments, before her Aura kicked in and soothed away the ache. She looked down. Her breath caught at the sight she could never get used to:
Yang, emerging from between her legs, licking her lips. She grinned up at Blake. "Do you feel worshipped enough, or do I need to kiss you all over?"
Blake stifled a whimper. She wanted to accept, to feel Yang's lips everywhere, but… "Not now. It's your turn."
"I mean, you have a point, this marriage isn't entirely consummated yet." Yang pushed herself up to sit beside Blake on the bed, catching herself on her hands and leaning against Blake when dizziness briefly overcame her.
"Let's get these off you…" Blake pulled the lace underwear down, Yang lifting her hips off the bed to help.
Blake blinked. There was some wetness between Yang's legs, but… She gently explored with a finger.
Yang hissed, wincing slightly.
Blake withdrew her finger, staring between it and Yang. "Um. Sorry. That's new. You're usually soaked by now."
"Yeah, it's weird. I want you, I want this, it's just…" Yang sighed. "Doc warned me this might happen. Apparently pregnancy can cause vaginal dryness."
"It hasn't been a problem before," Blake murmured.
"I know. Hormones are weird." Yang leaned over, reaching for her bag, left beside the bed. She rummaged inside. "I planned ahead, just in case." She held up a tube of lube.
"Are you sure you really want—"
"Blake. I'm sure. I said I want you, and I meant it." Yang opened the lube and used it. "Come on, you know when I'm lying. I don't know why it's suddenly a thing when it wasn't before, but let's just blame the hormones."
Blake hesitated. She looked Yang in the eyes and saw no doubt there. "Okay. I want you too." It stung a little that she'd failed to get Yang wet enough on her own, but logically knew it had nothing to do with that. Yang's eyes were dilated; she was turned on, even if her natural lubrication hadn't caught on.
She gently pushed Yang until she lay down, and licked—
"Blegh!" Blake lunged at a nearby bottle of water, rinsing her mouth out. "Tastes like death. That's a crime considering I usually love the way you taste. I'm afraid it'll be just my fingers tonight."
Yang smiled, eyeing Blake's hands. "I love those too."
"Unless you brought our strap-on?"
"I did!" Yang's grin widened. "It's definitely your turn to use it, too." She pointed to the same bag the lube had come from.
Blake retrieved it, eyeing it dubiously. She hadn't used it on Yang for a while. She'd come a long way from being weirded out by knowing Yang had another life growing inside her. It wasn't like the baby could have any idea what was going on. No, that wasn't her concern. Instead she worried about hurting Yang or the baby. It felt more than a little ridiculous, knowing how much punishment Yang's body could take when battling Grimm. But Blake knew she'd always be a little irrational when it came to those who mattered most to her, and no one mattered more than Yang and their baby.
"Hey," Yang called. "Don't worry, Doc said it's safe. We just need to be sure it's clean, and we do that anyway."
"You checked with our doctor?" Blake supposed she shouldn't be surprised Yang was brazen enough to do that. It must've been discussed at one of the checkups while she was working.
Yang shrugged. "It's no big deal, they know their patients have sex lives. I bet they deal with a fair few unsuitable toys stuck places they shouldn't be."
"All right, then." Blake put the strap-on in the harness and buckled it on. "Hands and knees."
Yang did as she asked, looking back at her, an eager grin on her face.
Blake grinned back. She was going to enjoy this, and she'd make sure Yang did too.
Yang tapped out, hand patting the mattress while gasping out, "Too much!"
She helped keep Yang from collapsing facedown, laying her on her side, minimising pressure on her bump. That done, she gently pulled out the toy, and wrestled out of the harness, setting it down. Blake snuggled up against Yang, nested like spoons.
Yang was on the edge of sleep, breathing slow, when Blake remembered something they had to do after sex anyway, but especially now. Avoiding infection was important, even with Aura.
Blake regretfully disturbed Yang with a gentle shake. "You gotta go pee."
Yang groaned, but pushed herself up and staggered off to the en suite bathroom to perform the precautionary measure.
Blake was dozing when Yang returned. She vaguely registered Yang wasn't settling back in bed, right before Yang nudged her. She blinked her eyes open.
"You used it, you clean it up," Yang reminded her, pointing at the strap-on.
Blake sighed. She pushed herself up. That was something else they had to be extra careful with, doctor's orders and all. She grabbed the toy and climbed out of bed, pausing to kiss her wife. A thrill went through her. Would she ever get used to calling Yang that without feeling butterflies? She hoped not.
"I love you."
Yang yawned. She smiled sleepily. "Love you too." Her smile widened, eyes shining. "Wife."
Blake's heart skipped a beat. She beamed back. "Wife."
AN:
Coming up next: Yang meets her midwife (she still has months to go before giving birth), and Ilia teams up with Raven to investigate.
Thanks to FFN rules, the wedding night fades to black. It hasn't been censored on AO3, so if you want to read it, this fic can be found under the same title there. I have the same username there too.