Chapter 2: Bumblebaby

Blake double-checked Ruby and Weiss were on their new security system's approved visitors list. She really didn't want the alarm to sound again, even if it should be less horrible than when Yang somehow set it so humans couldn't hear it. Accidentally, of course. Yang would never intentionally torment Blake like that. Fortunately the list was set up correctly, with family on it. Blake wished they could have their friends on it too, but for now they'd just have to meet them elsewhere. Until they could be sure.

That they had to suspect almost everyone sickened Blake. Because it wasn't necessarily just a man behind it. A woman could have orchestrated it. The man involved could be innocent, just a sperm donor completely ignorant of what had been done. Or there could be no man at all, what with advancements in reproductive equality. Blake was aware it was entirely possible for her to have a biological child with Yang, something she actually secretly longed for. Now it might never happen. She couldn't ask Yang to go through childbirth twice. As for bearing their child herself—

Blake heard the front door open to the sound of Ruby and Weiss bickering.

"We should still knock first!" Weiss hissed.

"We have the key! We don't need to knock," Ruby protested.

"It's polite! And it's safer, for all we know they could be doing… things… that should be kept in the bedroom all over their home!"

"Things? Oh. You mean sex. Ew, I didn't think of that. But Yang's sick, we should be safe," Ruby said.

"We also don't tend to do that when expecting visitors," Blake drawled, moving to greet them. "Come on in, Weiss. Hi, Ruby." She hugged them both.

Weiss kissed her cheek, a gentle peck that barely counted as a kiss. "Blake, I know we just saw you the other day, but it's always good to see you. How's Yang?"

"Yeah, what she said!" Ruby chirped. "And where is Yang?"

"Getting up from a nap."

Ruby winced. "I can't imagine Yang napping. How is she, really?"

"I meant what I said in the message: she will be fine." Blake said. She attempted a reassuring smile. "I did get her to see a doctor; that's why there's news."

Weiss sighed. "Then tell us already."

"That's for Yang to share," Blake said.

"YANG!" Ruby yelled. "Hurry up, sis, we're here!"

"Give me a minute!" Yang called back from their bedroom.

Weiss tutted and checked the time on her scroll. "You're late."

"Hey, I live here." Yang emerged, hair still damp from her shower. She punched her fists together and flared her Semblance, hair briefly steaming until it was dry.

"Show off," Weiss muttered.

"You're just jealous that your hair can't dry instantly."

Weiss rolled her eyes and stepped close to Yang, hugging her. Ruby joined in, sandwiching Yang between them. Blake couldn't resist making it a team hug, it had been too long since the last.

They all parted, although Blake kept an arm around Yang.

"All right, so, news?" Ruby shifted restlessly.

Blake held up a finger to her lips. She stepped away from Yang, prowling around their home, listening intently.

"All clear," Blake said. "But turn your scrolls off. I know Yang's and my own are secure, but are you both sure about yours?"

Ruby and Weiss exchanged a glance, but didn't argue.

Ruby set her scroll on the table after turning it off. "Um, are you okay? You seem a bit…"

"Paranoid," Weiss stated, but set her scroll beside Ruby's.

"By the time you've heard what's happened, I think we won't be the only ones. And is it really paranoia when someone's out to get you?" Blake folded her arms.

"Who?" Ruby asked.

"We don't know, that's the thing," Blake said.

Weiss frowned. "What's happened?"

Yang bit her lip. "You know how I've been kind of under the weather? Turns out I'm pregnant. No idea how. I didn't cheat, I don't have any telltale gaps in my memory, nothing. Just knocked up and no clue who did it to me, or how."

Ruby choked, tears welling up in her eyes.

Weiss clenched a fist. "You're not lying." It was a statement of fact, no doubt in her voice whatsoever.

"No, she's not." Blake took Yang's hand and stroked her thumb across the back of it. "We're just determined to make the best of it."

"You're keeping it?" Ruby finally found her voice, no judgement in her tone.

"Yes. It's ours now, however it happened." Yang shrugged. "Free baby."

Weiss raised her eyebrows. "I might not know much about babies, but I do know they're far from free. They're expensive to raise. My father always complained about it, despite being filthy rich."

"We know," Blake said. "But we have two incomes. Even when Yang has to go on maternity leave we'll be fine, and we'd still be fine if I took some maternity leave too. I'm sure my parents would help if I asked."

Weiss blinked. "You're pregnant too?"

"No. But this is my baby too. Biology doesn't matter."

"Of course it doesn't." Ruby turned to Yang, eyes troubled. "I don't want to risk endangering my niece or nephew. I don't want you fighting Grimm while you're pregnant, and even after that… The last thing I want is a repeat of what happened to Mom."

Yang lifted her chin. "It's different now. Grimm didn't cause Mom to disappear. Salem did. And she's gone now."

Ruby didn't look reassured. "We can talk more about that closer to the time. But for now you're still benched. The most I'll let you risk are papercuts from the paperwork."

Yang scowled. "But you're fine endangering us when there's no pregnancy involved?"

"That's different, you're not babies and have unlocked Aura!"

Blake sighed. "The baby's inside Yang. Her Aura will protect both of them."

Ruby's eyes widened. "There's more than one baby?!"

Blake and Yang exchanged a perturbed look at the thought.

"As far as I know there's only one," Yang said.

"Official advice is that pregnant huntsmen or huntresses should only quit when their pregnancy slows them down or otherwise adversely affects them," Weiss said. "It's not something someone heavily pregnant can do. There's a while yet before Yang reaches that stage. However…"

"Ahah!" Ruby raised a triumphant fist. "It already does that, Yang said it herself: she's under the weather."

"Well…" Yang winced.

Blake patted her hand. "Maybe it's for the best if you take a break. You deserve one."

Yang pouted. "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!"

Blake kissed her, a chaste peck for Ruby and Weiss's sake. "I am. Taking care of you is part of that. And your body needs a break."

"No argument, Yang, you're benched." Ruby's eyes flashed bright silver in her determination.

Yang huffed. "Shouldn't that be my choice?"

"Sorry, Yang, but I'm team leader. It's a team decision, and that gives me final say. Unless you want me to leave it up to your doctor?"

Yang's shoulders slumped. She clearly didn't fancy her chances of getting their doctor to agree with her. "Fine. I don't like it, but fine."

"Then that's settled." Piercing silver eyes turned to Blake. "Would you mind giving us a moment? Take Weiss on a tour of your garden or something."

Blake blinked. She felt her top ears twitch against her hair. She glanced at Yang, who shrugged. Blake turned back to Ruby. "Sure."

Blake led Weiss outside into the garden. It was at least not raining, even if it was overcast. She pointed out a few of the new additions since Weiss had last seen it, and what they planned to grow next. Tai had given them some advice on the best places to grow things. Blake had been surprised to learn different plants sometimes needed different conditions, even when they were native to the same environment.

"It's beautiful," Weiss said, her tone distracted.

"More thanks to rain and sun than to us, I think we'd have killed everything by now otherwise." Blake gave Weiss a minute, then nudged her. "What's on your mind?"

"Are you really okay with this?" Weiss asked softly.

Blake checked to make sure they were alone before she answered. "Yes. Well, I hate how it had to have happened, but whoever the other biological parent is, this baby's mine now. What's Yang's is mine, and what's mine is hers. Even if we're not married yet, we're still going to be."

Weiss took her hand and squeezed. "I'm glad to hear it. I was a little afraid you were trying your best to support Yang at your own expense."

Blake shook her head. "She feared I wouldn't believe her, you know."

"That's understandable, knowing Yang," Weiss said.

"I don't blame her. I just wish she could have trusted in our love, because the doubt and the guilt over it tore her apart. But I know why she couldn't, it's because I've doubted her before."

Weiss hummed unhappily. "That was years ago. We were kids. She knows better now, doesn't she?"

"I think so. I did try to be thorough with reassuring her."

Weiss elbowed her. "Keep your sex life to yourself."

Blake sighed theatrically. "Oh, Weiss, fear not. We have no sex life at the moment."

Weiss stared. "What? Why?"

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Yang's symptoms? They're down to pregnancy, but they're still real."

Weiss blushed. "I know that, I just… I don't know what I thought. I guess I thought Yang was insatiable, that nothing could stop her from making me suffer."

"Morning sickness is a bitch. Yang's not been in the mood, understandably so. She'd still try to satisfy me if I asked, but it feels wrong, like I'd be coercing her."

Weiss held up a finger. She opened and closed her mouth. "I was about to say too much information, but…"

Blake smiled slightly. "How can I be making you suffer when there're no details to overshare with?"

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "I'm sure you'd find a way. Yang would, for sure."

"Believe it or not, we don't intentionally make you suffer."

"A likely story." Weiss sniffed. "Well, I guess I'm sorry your sex life is suffering, or at least that you feel the way you do. I'm sure Yang wouldn't see it as coercive. Acts of service are just part of her love language."

Blake's smile widened. "Mmm, she does love servicing me."

"Blake," Weiss moaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Please restrain yourself."

Blake eyed Weiss. The whole servicing topic reminded her of her bet with Yang. "There was something else we needed to talk about: the wedding."

Weiss perked up. "Have you decided on flower arrangements at last? Or the menu?" She patted herself down and scowled towards the house, presumably because her scroll was still inside.

"Not yet, but there's no rush."

Weiss poked her. "It takes time to organise these things, you know. Speaking as the one arranging things for you, please give me plenty of time in case things go wrong."

"Um, about that…" Blake grimaced, anticipating Weiss's displeasure. She didn't believe for a moment that Weiss would take it out on either herself or Yang, but she wouldn't be happy.

Weiss frowned. "Wait, when's the baby due?"

"I don't know exactly when, but from what Yang said, she'll either be giving birth or we'll have a newborn when we were supposed to be getting married."

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and breathed deeply. "It's not your fault. It's not her fault. But if I ever get my hands on whoever did this, I'll have my Nevermore eat him. Or her, I guess there's a chance it's a woman behind it. The technology exists for women to have biological children together."

"You're very serious about this wedding planning."

Weiss looked sharply at her. "I'd feed the culprit to my Summons for violating Yang. Ruining my work as wedding planner is just a personal annoyance."

"I know. It was supposed to be a joke." Blake sighed heavily. "I want to introduce the bastard to Gambol Shroud."

"Understandably. Maybe all of team RWBY will get to tear them apart." Weiss fingered the hilt of Myrtenaster.

"Back to a less murderous topic, at least your work doesn't have to be entirely wasted, just postponed. As soon as we figure out when the wedding can be, we'll let you know. It was definitely a wise precaution to pay more so we could get refunds if need be. I just thought it'd be huntress stuff responsible, not this."

Weiss rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Come to think of it… you two should elope, and have what would have been the wedding as a later reception, for the benefit of those who would have been wedding guests."

Blake felt her cat ears stand bolt upright, and her jaw dropped. "Wow. I never thought you'd be encouraging us to elope."

"Yes, well, needs must. You'll have maximum rights as the other parent if you're married to Yang before she gives birth."

"How do you know that?"

Weiss gave her a weary look. "Please, I know far too many otherwise useless facts thanks to my upbringing."

"I'll talk to Yang."

Weiss waggled a finger at her. "Just don't you dare elope without Ruby and me there."

"We wouldn't dream of it. My parents would be very sad if they weren't invited too."

"I guess Tai and Qrow would be too. I wonder if Yang would want Raven there."

Blake shrugged. "That's her choice. I can't say. Although even if she does, I don't know if Raven would show up."

"Maybe she'd lurk as a raven."

At some point Blake would have to mention the Branwen twins sometimes being birds to her parents. Preferably when Qrow was around to prove she wasn't joking.

"If she does, fine. She'd just better make sure Yang knows she's there. I won't have her disappointed again." Blake felt her top ears flatten against her head. At least it didn't matter what they gave away about her emotions here and now.

"If she does, how about we team up to hunt Raven down and inform her that will never happen again. Or else." Weiss fingered Myrtenaster again.

"Tempting, but Yang wouldn't like it."

Weiss looked shifty. "Yang wouldn't need to know."

It was Blake's turn to wag an admonitory finger. "We don't keep secrets from each other."

"How is that practical when it comes to birthdays or other surprises?"

Blake waved dismissively. "Those are allowed. The rule is about serious secrets, and even then we have an understanding that it can take time to be ready to talk."

Weiss shrugged. "Oh well, I guess it's up to me to threaten Raven if necessary. Maybe Ruby will join me."

Blake changed the subject, at least then she'd have some plausible deniability. "Any idea what Ruby wanted to talk to Yang about?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. I know she was planning to get on Yang's case if she hadn't seen a doctor yet," Weiss said.

"It's tempting to eavesdrop, but by now they might have moved on to something else."

Weiss rubbed her hands together. "We could do it anyway. Crack open a window or something."

They sidled closer to the house.

Ruby waited until the door had closed behind Blake and Weiss. She turned to Yang, hands on her hips. Yang had a nasty habit of hiding negative feelings from Ruby, as if she thought Ruby couldn't deal with them. Taking a no-nonsense attitude sometimes penetrated that big sis bullshit. "How are you, really?"

"Fine."

Ruby resorted to puppy eyes. Yang never could resist them. "Yang…"

"I…" Yang breathed deeply and raggedly. "I'm not fine. I'm so angry, and I can't seem to stop crying, and I hate it! I don't know what I'd do if Blake didn't believe me. It'd be bad enough if you and Weiss didn't. I was so afraid Blake would leave me." She swiped at her eyes and sniffled. She turned away. Just like she always did when she cried when Ruby was around.

Ruby hugged her. "Of course we believe you. You're pretty bad at lying. And you'd never cheat on Blake. It'd take a sick twisted Semblance to make you do it, and then it wouldn't be your choice."

"I don't even know what happened, or who I can trust, outside of family. Chances are someone violated me in my sleep, and if they did it to me, surely they did it to Blake too…" Embers flickered from Yang's hair.

Ruby backed off to a safe distance. "We'll find out. I don't know how, but we'll find the culprit and make him pay."

Yang sniffled again, and nodded. "Yeah. It's just… what if we don't find him in time? What if he takes the baby after she or he is born? Or her, I guess it could be a woman behind it."

"That won't happen," Ruby's stated, her voice with more steel in it than Crescent Rose. Actually that wasn't the best metaphor, her precious weapon was mostly made from a Dust infused alloy. "If we haven't found the villain by then, we'll keep watch. Between the four of us, we'll keep this Bumblebaby safe."

Yang dissolved into a mixture of tears and laughter. "Bumblebaby?"

"Well, yeah. Blake's claimed it too, so it's a Bumbleby baby. Bumblebaby, right?"

Yang turned back to face Ruby. She crossed her arms. "I'm not naming my baby that."

"Too late. You can call my nibling whatever you want, but they'll always be Bumblebaby to me."

"And if I have more than one?"

Ruby shrugged. "Bumblebabies."

"You're such a brat." Yang lunged and hooked an arm around Ruby's neck, ruffling her hair with her free hand.

Ruby tried and failed to wriggle free. "Ya-ang, I just brushed that!"

"It never makes any difference brushing it, you might as well give up."

"Lemme go! I can't struggle free, you're pregnant!"

Yang scoffed. "I'm not going to break if you roughhouse with me."

"Not going to do it. Nope."

"You're no fun." Yang released her, scowling.

"I'll play along when you're not carrying a Bumblebaby."

"Ruby, I'm not even showing. It's easy for my Aura to shield it, no adjustment to a change of body shape needed yet."

"Nuh-uh, not going to. You're in a delicate state, that's what you called it when you gave The Talk."

Yang spluttered. "How dare you! Don't turn my words against me. Anyway, we agreed never to speak of that again. I'll never forgive Dad and Qrow for saddling me with giving you The Talk."

"Eh, you can't blame them for not wanting to give it twice. It was bad enough when you gave it to me, it must've been so much worse with them." Ruby shuddered. "I've never been able to look at a banana the same way since."

"Yeah, and turns out it was a waste of time anyway, considering you're not interested in sex."

"I didn't know that back then, and if you hadn't given me The Talk, it would've made explaining today's news so much worse."

Yang made a face. "Okay, you've got a point."

"Speaking of Dad and Qrow… Are you going to tell them? Obviously you'll tell them about the Bumblebaby, but what about how it happened?"

Yang grimaced. "I… No. I don't want them to know. Dad wouldn't take it well. As for Qrow, he might handle it better, and might even be of more help in catching whoever did this, but…" She looked away. "I don't think they'd believe I didn't cheat."

"You really think that? Yang, they know you. They'd believe you." Ruby put a supportive hand on Yang's shoulder.

Yang scoffed. "Do they? Would they, really?"

"Are you sure you're thinking clearly? It's Dad. Uncle Qrow. Who knows you better than they do?" Ruby hurriedly added: "Not including Blake or me or Weiss."

"Oh, Ruby. Back when I was adjusting to my prosthetic, Dad called my Semblance a temper tantrum. He said a few other things that just prove he doesn't really know me at all."

Ruby shuddered, a few stray petals flying as her own Semblance writhed in sympathy. Semblances were so intimate, linked so deeply to the souls powering them. It'd be like calling Petal Burst confetti or something. "He shouldn't have said that. Or any of the things he said that makes you think that. But he loves you."

"Yeah. I love him too. I still don't trust him with the truth about this." Yang laid a hand over her belly where it would swell in the months ahead. It was going to be so weird seeing Yang change shape.

"Why do you think the same about Uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked.

"You'll probably think it an old grudge, but he didn't believe me about what happened with Mercury in the Vytal tournament."

"Blake didn't either, and you trust her. For good reason. She loves you. Uncle Qrow does—"

"Blake at least wanted to believe me even when she didn't! Qrow said I was crazy or lying."

Ruby winced. "Oh. Was he drunk at the time?"

Yang looked thoughtful. "I mean, probably. It was back when he was always taking a swig from his flask. I don't know how he kept that thing full. Maybe it was a lot bigger on the inside, like Oobleck's flask."

"Maybe. But he wouldn't say that now. It's Uncle Qrow! We can trust him. You can trust him."

Yang shook her head. "He might not say it, but he'd still think it. Alcohol just takes away inhibitions, it doesn't really change who someone is, or their opinions."

An unhappy sigh escaped Ruby. "It's your choice, but I think you're wrong about Uncle Qrow."

"You would. He treats you differently. You always were his favourite." Yang's voice sounded weird. Spiteful, and that wasn't like Yang.

Ruby flinched. She hesitated, not wanting to confront Yang when she was upset and in a 'delicate state,' but it needed to be said: "Yang… I have one question: does pregnancy take away inhibitions too? You're saying things you never normally would."

Yang bared her teeth, her eyes flashing. "Doesn't mean they're not true."

"True or not, you're being mean. That's not like you."

Yang glared at her, eyes flickering red. She closed her eyes and sighed. Her eyes were lilac again when they opened. "Sorry. I'm just… I'm so tired. And it feels like life kicked me in the teeth. It makes me want to lash out. I don't always manage to resist."

Ruby floundered. It took her a few moments to find what she hoped were the right words. "You don't have to keep it. No one would think less of you, and most people wouldn't even need to know."

"I know. But I'll be damned if I do. This baby's mine, I'm keeping it. End of story."

Ruby hugged her again. "All right. No one will think less of you for doing that either. Even if it makes you have a tendency to be mean while your hormones are messed up. Are they messed up? They must be, right?"

Yang shrugged. "I don't exactly know much about pregnancy, and I haven't had a chance to do my research yet. My first memory is of you as a baby, I don't remember anything about while Summer was carrying you."

"You'll know a lot more by the time you have the Bumblebaby."

Yang hummed. "I'll have to find out what to expect. I found out the most important stuff from the doctor, like what to eat and what to avoid, but there's so much more."

"I'm sure Weiss is already planning to present you with a binder full of pregnancy facts."

Yang sniggered. "Knowing her, she's already filled one."

"Maybe we should rescue Blake before she's buried under binders."

Weiss tutted. "Do you think I can make binders and paper with my Semblance? I'll admit it'd be handy if I could, but I can't."

Ruby looked at the door. It was still closed. She looked around, searching for her partner.

Yang sighed. She stalked to the window and shoved it open. She reached out. Weiss yelped. Yang hauled Weiss inside through the open window.

"Eavesdroppers," Yang said.

"Hi, Honey!" Blake hopped inside before Yang could grab her too. She pecked Yang's cheek. It was just a peck, and not even on the lips, but it still bordered on 'ew' for Ruby to see it.

"Don't think you can butter me up, you're a sneaky eavesdropper too."

Blake smirked. "I called you 'honey,' no butter involved."

"Are you going to let me go?" Weiss asked. She hadn't tried to break free from Yang's grip, probably for the same reason Ruby wouldn't fight her either.

"What do you have to say for yourself first?" Yang demanded.

"I'm terribly sorry for eavesdropping, please forgive my trespass," Weiss said, tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Uhuh. And you?" Yang turned to Blake.

Blake leaned close to Yang and whispered something in her ear. Ruby counted herself very lucky that she couldn't hear whatever Blake said when Yang blushed.

Weiss groaned. "I heard that."

Blake chuckled. "Ooops."

Yang let go of Weiss. She laughed. "I think that was punishment enough for you."

"Ugh." Weiss staggered over to the table and retrieved her scroll. "Give me a reason to stay, or I'm leaving."

"How about some coffee?" Blake suggested.

Ruby perked up. "Oooh, I'd love some! With cream and sugar."

"It's not even coffee by the time you drink it," Yang grumbled.

"You're being mean again," Ruby said, keeping her voice gentle.

"Sorry," Yang sighed out the word.

Blake stroked Yang's cheek. "It doesn't help with your general levels of grumpiness that the doctor said to avoid coffee. At least caffeinated coffee."

"What's the point with decaf? I drink coffee for the buzz. Or that's why I drank it," Yang grumbled. "Ugh. Past tense."

Blake set to work making coffee. Ruby wasn't surprised to see Blake making herself a cup of tea instead. "It's been a while since the coffee machine was used, Yang hasn't been in the mood for it even before our doctor banned it. I hope it turns out okay."

"Maybe Yang should make it, she at least knows how." Weiss eyed Blake's brewing tea.

"That'd be cruel, considering she can't have any," Ruby said. She sniffed the air appreciatively. The coffee was nearly ready.

A muffled groan escaped Yang.

Ruby turned to look at her. Yang had her mouth covered with a hand, eyes wide.

"Smells good, doesn't it? Too bad you can't…" Weiss trailed off. "Yang?"

Sweat beaded up on Yang's forehead, and her skin had gone pale. Well, paler. Yang was already pretty pale. Unhealthily pale now.

Yang lurched away, throwing open her bedroom door and disappearing inside. Blake followed, closing it behind her. Blake reappeared a minute later. She got a glass and filled it with water.

"Is Yang okay?" Ruby asked.

"Morning sickness, probably," Blake said. She went back into her room with the water, presumably taking it to Yang.

Ruby looked around and spotted a clock on the oven. "It's afternoon."

"Morning sickness can strike at any time," Weiss explained.

"Then why's it called morning sickness?"

Weiss shrugged. She poured the coffee before it could get too strong. "Must've been named by a man who didn't know what he was talking about."

"It could've been a woman." Ruby felt the need to defend the honour of men, for the sake of those in her family, and those she was friends with. She wasn't sure why, when she was pretty sure none of them would be offended by Weiss's assumption.

Blake came back through, her cat ears pinned. She gave them a sad smile. "Yang can't come back until the smell of coffee is gone, so drink up as soon as you can." She opened every window and turned on the extractor fan over the oven.

"The smell of the coffee made her sick?" Ruby eyed her mug. She poured in her cream and sugar, stirred it, and downed it.

Blake nodded.

"Poor Yang," Weiss murmured. "She usually likes coffee almost as much as I do." She chugged her coffee at such speed that she had to be using her Aura to shield herself from the heat. "Just as well you don't drink it."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Just as well my preferred tea has no caffeine in it, if that's the cause."

A miserable groan came from behind them. Yang was leaning against the open bedroom door. Well, not the door. The upright part of the door frame. Ruby knew the name, it just wouldn't come.

Blake whirled around. "It probably still smells of coffee out here!"

"I don't want to stay locked away. Why didn't the doctor warn me it'd make me feel sick just to smell coffee?" Yang whined.

"If you end up being sick again…" Blake started off all firm, then she sighed. "I'll come hold your hair and bring you water, like I always do." Her tone had gone all tender and squishy.

"Aww," Ruby crooned.

"Oh shut up," Yang growled. "There's nothing cute about it." Her eyes softened when she looked at Blake. "You do."

"I do?" Blake sounded a little mystified.

"Take care of me. I could do it myself, but… I mean, I appreciate it."

"I know you do." Blake crossed the room to Yang and hugged her.

"Aww," Ruby said again, at a deliberately higher pitch. It was her duty as little sister to be at least a bit annoying.

Yang glowered at her. "You're lucky you reek of coffee, or I'd come over there."

"Ruby's right, you're cute together," Weiss said.

"Did you tell her the wedding has to be postponed?" Yang asked Blake, leaning towards her, although her eyes were on Weiss.

"She did," Weiss said, cool as a cucumber that had been in a fridge.

Then Ruby caught up with the exchange, after mentally racing around it.

"Wait, what?" Ruby said. "Postponed? Why?"

Yang pointedly patted her belly.

Realisation dawned. "Oh. Couldn't the Bumblebaby come to the wedding?"

"Bumble—?" Blake dissolved into giggles, which she swiftly stifled with a hand.

Weiss didn't bat an eyelash. "I don't think anyone wants a newborn at a wedding," she observed, her voice dry as a bone. Well, as dry as a bone that Zwei hadn't gnawed. Dry as Vacuo was probably a better metaphor. Or simile. Whatever it was called. Ruby didn't really care.

"Least of all the parents," Blake said, after recovering from her giggling fit.

"We're going to be very sleep deprived. I don't think we'd enjoy a wedding under those conditions," Yang pointed out.

"So what will you do?" Ruby asked.

A smile spread on Blake's face like the proverbial cat that got the—Wait, that was probably insensitive to even think about a cat faunus. Blake smiled sneakily. There, that was better.

"Well, Weiss had a suggestion," Blake purred. Wait, was that wrong too? There were so many words Ruby kept wondering if she should avoid, but didn't want to risk offending Blake by asking.

Ruby looked expectantly at Weiss.

"Elope," Weiss stated.

Ruby's jaw dropped. It took her a moment to recover, but there was still time to enjoy the look of shock on Yang's face.

Yang gripped Blake's shoulder and pointed at Weiss. "Imposter!" She turned to Blake. "Did you check? Is she really Weiss?"

"Very funny." Weiss rolled her eyes. "The reason I'm suggesting it is you should be married before you give birth, otherwise Blake will have a legal fight to get full parental rights."

"Oh. Right, that sounds like you," Yang said. "Not an imposter then. Probably. We're watching you, though, maybe-Weiss."

Weiss pointed a threatening finger at Yang, eyes narrowed. "And if you elope without me there…"

Yang smiled. "Definitely you."

"Hey, I want to be there too!" Ruby barely resisted the temptation to throw herself at Yang and cling to her until she had reassurance. She might still smell of coffee, and she didn't want to make her sister chuck up again if she could help it.

"We want you there," Blake said soothingly.

"Do we?" Yang smirked, eyes flicking mischievously between Ruby and Weiss.

Blake elbowed her.

Yang laughed. "All right, all right, so we elope with just Ruby and Weiss as witnesses?"

Blake stroked where she'd elbowed Yang. "And my parents. What about yours? And Qrow?"

Ruby shifted uncomfortably. She hated how unsure she felt about whether Yang would want their dad and uncle there.

Yang's face revealed nothing. "We'd need to tell them why we're eloping first."

Blake raised her eyebrows. "We're going to tell them you're pregnant anyway. It's not like we'd be able to hide a baby from them, and I can't imagine wanting to." She looked a little shifty. "Well, maybe from Raven."

"I'd rather not tell them until I'm past my first trimester."

Ruby wanted to ask what a trimester was, and why Yang wanted to wait, but didn't want to interrupt the conversation.

"And Raven?"

"I don't know. Things are good enough between us that we occasionally exchange scroll messages, and just getting her number was progress. But do I want to risk her coming into my baby's life and then abandoning him or her too?"

Ruby absolutely hated the pain in Yang's eyes. It wasn't her place to tell Yang what to do, but she really wanted to blurt out: 'don't risk it!'

She also wanted to say 'jam' for some reason too. Wait, not jam; jamb. The thing Yang was still leaning against. Now she'd remembered what it was called, only for the satisfaction was muted because of Raven.

Weiss took Ruby's hand and squeezed. Ruby glanced at her, she looked every bit as unhappy as Ruby felt. Ruby squeezed back. Together with Blake they could make a society for the prevention of cruelty to Yang. They could get T-shirts and everything. SPCY? There had to be a catchier acronym, and it sounded too much like a team of huntresses.

"It's your choice," Blake said. "But why after the first trimester?"

Great, so Blake knew what it was, even if she didn't know why wait. Ruby would just have to ask Weiss later.

Weiss tutted. "You need to learn more about pregnancy."

Ruby gave a guilty twitch despite the words being addressed at Blake.

Blake threw up her hands. "I was an only child!"

Weiss sniffed. "I don't see what that has to do with it, this isn't something I know from when my mother was carrying Whitley. It's more to do with custom, and I doubt it's just Atlesian with the way Yang seems to know about it."

"Know about what?" Ruby asked, finally giving in. At least she wasn't the only one who didn't know.

"Pregnancies are usually kept quiet until after the risk of miscarriage has gone down. That risk is greatest in the first three months," Weiss explained.

Three months? Ohh. That must be what trimester meant. Why didn't they just say three months? Doctors and their complicated words…

Ruby couldn't help looking at Yang's belly. She hoped the Bumblebaby in there would come out safe and sound.

"I don't want to risk raising false hope with our parents that they'll get to be grandparents. I know how important it is to Dad. We both do." Yang gave Ruby a meaningful look.

Ruby nodded. Their dad had begged them to have some eggs extracted and frozen after Beacon had fallen, and to give him permission to use them in the event of their deaths. Ruby had done it because she hated to see anyone cry, especially loved ones, and her dad had been crying. She didn't know why Yang had agreed, because it had been during that horrible time when Yang hadn't cared about anything, after losing her arm. Maybe she'd just agreed to get their dad to shut up. Yang had always been practical like that, doing what she thought needed to be done.

"I also don't want them to know the truth about how this happened. This should be good news for them," Yang said.

Blake didn't look entirely at ease with Yang's words, but she nodded. "I guess that's for the best."

"I'll look into what needs to be done for an elopement. At least there's some time, and hopefully your morning sickness eases off by the time you'll be telling your parents," Weiss said.

"Here's hoping," Yang grumbled, glaring at her belly.

"Is there anything we can do?" Ruby asked. There had to be something, right?

"Besides keeping your distance when you've just had coffee? There's nothing you can do. Blake's taking care of me, and when she's busy so are you."

"Are you drinking enough? Can any medicines help? Do you need those salt thingies you gave me when I had that vomiting virus?" Ruby wasn't sure what the right name of the 'salt thingies' was. Yang either hadn't told her, or Ruby hadn't been capable of registering it. Ooof, those had been a rough few days. Ruby could quite happily never throw up again. Dad could find someone else to carry Ruby's eggs, if morning sickness was something that happened with all pregnancies.

"Rubes, we've got it sorted, okay? The doctor is monitoring things now, and will give me anything they can if I need it," Yang said.

"Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on her," Blake stage whispered.

Ruby saluted lazily. "Keep it up, Huntress Belladonna."

Yang sighed.

Yang closed the door after Ruby and Weiss left. They'd stayed long enough for the sickening stench of coffee around them to fade away, meaning Yang had been able to give them goodbye hugs.

"Looks like I won our bet," Blake all but purred, smirking at Yang.

"When do you want to collect?"

Blake didn't immediately remind Yang that they'd already talked about that, so maybe she'd changed her mind. Maybe she'd accepted that Yang didn't mind tending to her needs, even when she herself wasn't in the mood.

"I talked to Weiss, and she pointed out that acts of service are your love language," Blake said.

"One of them, yeah." The implications of Blake's words caught up with Yang. She stared at Blake. "Wait, you talked to Weiss about our sex life and she didn't murder you?"

"Only because there were no details, so don't get any inadvisable ideas." Blake gently tapped the tip of Yang's nose.

"It's not like there's anything to give her details about at the moment anyway. Unless you've changed your mind?" Yang eyed Blake intently. She didn't want to miss any hint about Blake's true feelings on the matter.

"Not exactly? I should stop presuming that it'd be coercing you to accept your… act of service in bed, but—" Blake bit her lip, interrupting herself.

Yang kissed her, gently persuading Blake to free her lower lip with the attentions of her own. "But?"

"I still don't want you doing it when you're feeling sick."

"Fair," Yang admitted. "Ugh, I hope it lets up soon. I miss being with you like that."

"I miss it too. Us, being intimate. Sexually, I mean. But at least we still have this." Blake wrapped her arms around Yang and nuzzled her head against Yang's.

Yang hugged her even closer. "Yeah." She sniffled, overcome with a surge of emotion.

"Yang?" Blake drew back, cupping her cheeks, concerned eyes meeting hers.

"I'm fine." Her voice wobbled. "Just… hormones, I guess."

"Is it worth talking to the doctor about them?"

Yang shook her head. "It's just part of pregnancy, being at the mercy of them." She'd managed to read up that much about it, despite their visitors. "All I can do is ride it out, and try not to take them out on anyone." She sighed. "I'm not doing so well at that."

"I don't take it personally. I know you feel bad about it, and you apologise."

"I still shouldn't be lashing out! I'm a huntress, I should be better than that." Yang felt the overwhelming gloom threatening to drag her under. "I should be in control of my emotions. I'd be a beacon to Grimm if I was in the field."

"All the better for luring them to you to destroy them." Blake gave her a strained smile. It faded. "Not that you should be out there at the moment, it wouldn't do any good for morning sickness to ambush you while fighting Grimm."

"Yeah, I got that," Yang grumbled. "I'm still benched." She took a few deep breaths, trying to regain her equilibrium.

Blake stroked her cheek. "We'll get through this. It won't last forever."

Yang nodded. She didn't voice the internal whine, the fear that she'd be stuck like this. That Blake would tire of her and leave. She knew it was stupid. Blake wouldn't break her promise, and Yang's current issues would be a thing of the past soon enough.

Of course she'd have bigger problems by then: she'd have to figure out how to be a mother. But that was future Yang's issue. Let her deal with it. She wouldn't be alone. Yang silenced the nagging fear, the doubt. Blake would keep her word. Yang trusted her. They trusted each other.

AN: Coming up next: sharing the news with the grandparents-to-be.

I don't hate Tai or Qrow, and Yang doesn't either. She's just a bit of a mess at the moment, and holding grudges she'd usually let slide.

Comments appreciated. If you'd like to see more of my writing, let me know. I'll share it anyway, I'm not holding it hostage or anything, but it really does encourage me to hear that you like it.