Chapter 15: Bad Hair Day
AN: Be warned: Yang gets weird cravings again. She also gets hungry enough to apparently consider eating what she'd normally never do, but doesn't actually eat anything taboo. Unless you consider what she's craving taboo, I guess? It isn't to my knowledge. It's all from Blake's POV, so Yang has some plausible deniability, and there's nothing graphic.
Blake stood, frozen in horror. She could only watch as Yang stormed away. At least each stomp took her further away from Ghira, the paint brush still clutched in his hand.
Before Blake could do anything, Ghira followed, calling apology after apology to Yang. Damn it… The worst thing he could have done - not the apologies, of course, but not giving Yang time to calm down first!
Blake shook herself. She had to be there for Yang, and that meant getting between her wife and her father. Yang would regret it if she lashed out, especially after she'd already tried to prevent that by leaving the room.
She used a shadow clone to get ahead of her father. Blake spotted Yang in the garden, a trembling hand touching the paint in her hair. Blake slipped outside through the open door, closed it behind her, and locked it. Her parents had a key, but with any luck they'd get the message that Blake didn't want them outside right now.
"It's just me," Blake said.
"How bad is it?" Yang demanded. The strain in her voice made it all too clear that she was doing her best not to snap. And failing.
Blake winced. "Any paint on your hair is a tragedy."
Yang's exasperated sigh hissed between clenched teeth. "Just tell me."
"There's a few patches of paint from where the brush moved through your hair. It's worst where it came to rest. Let me get my parents out of the way, and I'll help you get it out."
"How?" Yang all but wailed.
Blake hesitated. There was the solvent for cleaning the brushes, but she hated to think what it might do to Yang's hair. Maybe if she projected her Aura… the problem being it might protect both hair and paint. "I don't know, but I'll find out as soon as possible."
Yang glanced back at her, eyes red. "So I wait? No way." She slammed her fists together, and flared her Semblance for a few seconds, hair briefly transformed into flames, rising up above her head.
Definitely as well she hadn't tried that inside the freshly painted room, Blake had a suspicion paint fumes might be inflammable.
Yang's hair returned to normal, falling loose: her hair tie hadn't survived the inferno.
"Did it work?" Yang asked, eyes still red.
Blake stepped closer to inspect Yang's hair. She couldn't see any remaining patches of pale blue from just outside the door, but she needed to be sure. "All gone. I think you'd better stay outside until the smell of burnt paint fades. Sorry."
"Not your fault, I'm the one who didn't want to wait."
"At least it's gone." Blake looked towards their home, and spotted her parents peeking out through the window. Kali held a fire extinguisher. She gave Blake a sheepish smile and briefly disappeared from view, returning without it.
Yang turned to face their house too. "Guess if I can't go back inside, we'd better let your parents come out to join us. I did hear the door lock, didn't I?"
"You did. I thought it'd be…" Blake didn't want to say 'safer' but couldn't think of an alternative.
"Probably for the best, Ghira almost shared the same fate as my first professional hairdresser." Yang attempted a smile, but it was all too clear to Blake that she wasn't joking.
"What happened to that hairdresser?"
"They're fine." Yang waved a dismissive hand. "Just someone who flees at the sight of me. And probably has a healthy fear of fire." She winced. "Not something I'd like to do to your dad."
"You got yourself out of there as soon as you could. That matters. Even if Dad didn't help himself by trying to follow right away."
Yang took her hand and kissed it. "Thanks for stopping him. What would I do without you?"
"Regret making your father-in-law fear you." Blake glanced at her parents again. "There might be some healthy caution there, but I don't think they're scared of you."
"Good. I'd hate that. I know I can be intimidating, but I prefer it to be on my own terms, y'know?" Yang took a deep breath, eyes back to lilac after exhaling. She swayed on her feet.
Blake put an arm around her, steadying her wife. "Yang? You okay?"
"I might've overdone it," Yang muttered. "All the painting, then the scare about my hair, and using Burn…"
Blake walked her over to their bench and sat her down. Yang propped her head up on her hands, elbows resting on her knees. A more awkward pose with the Bumblebaby bump, but she managed.
"I'm a terrible hostess," Yang groaned. "We haven't even let your parents out. They're still locked in."
"You just need a minute, and I'm the one who did that to them. Besides, they have a key. They could let themselves out at any time if they wanted to."
Yang lifted her head to pout at Blake. "It's the principle of the thing!"
The lock clicked and the door opened.
"Are you all right, Yang, dear?" Kali asked.
Blake glanced over to see her parents sticking their heads out the open door, her father shamefaced and hunched over, his head only just above Kali's.
"Just need to sit down, and I can't come inside."
"We don't want the reek of burnt paint in the house," Blake added.
"May we come out?" Ghira's voice was every bit as sheepish as his expression.
Yang nodded as much as she could in her current position, and briefly switched to supporting her head with just one hand to beckon. "The paint's gone, you're safe."
Ghira's breath audibly hissed through his teeth. He followed Kali outside.
Blake sat beside Yang, slipping an arm around her to help prop her wife up. It got her closer than ideal to the lingering stench of burnt paint, but she wasn't about to let that stop her from supporting her wife. Yang sat up, leaning into Blake. It gave her a warm glow that Yang accepted the assistance without argument, but maybe she just didn't want to be slumped over with Blake's parents watching.
Ghira reached over after a moment of hesitation, taking Yang's left hand. "I'm so glad you managed to deal with it. And I'm so very sorry, can you ever forgive me?"
"Give me time, I'll get there. Apology accepted." Yang attempted to smile at him. It didn't reach her eyes, but at least they weren't the furious red they'd been mere minutes earlier.
Ghira nodded, patted her hand, and took a step back, clasping his hands together. "I understand. Should I… Would you prefer it if I left?"
"What? No! Stay." Yang sighed. "I hate that there's only one bench and I can't give it up to my guests the way a hostess should."
Ghira shook his head. "You're pregnant, and you must be tired. I know Kali used to get sore feet while she was carrying Blake… I'll get some chairs, if you don't mind? That way we can all sit."
"Go ahead," Blake said. "I can get them inside before they get wet if it starts raining."
Ghira effortlessly retrieved the chairs. If not for pregnancy, Yang would have done it just as easily, and Blake knew that had to bother her wife. Sure enough, she felt Yang tense beside her.
"Some hostess I am," Yang grumbled under her breath.
"Nonsense," said Kali. "You just have some temporary limitations because you're carrying our grandchild." Her stern gaze switched to Blake. "And before you come out with anything of the sort, Blake, you have your hands full supporting your pregnant wife. Let us do what we can to help. It's the least we can do."
Blake felt her upper ears twitch. "Point taken, but I think we're doing pretty well accepting help. Especially with decorating the baby's room."
"True, but we can do more. Will you let me take charge of catering for the baby shower?"
Blake exchanged a resigned look with Yang. "Okay, just bear in mind some of our friends and family might not be able to make it despite their best efforts, and at short notice. A fair few of them are huntsmen and huntresses."
Kali shrugged. "So I cater for all of them, but make it something that works well as leftovers. Even if your guests can't take some, the White Fang can always find hungry mouths to feed."
"Can I still come?" Ghira asked, his voice oddly small to be coming from such a large person.
There was a moment of confused silence, even Kali giving her husband a bemused look.
"To…?" Blake asked.
"The baby shower." Ghira gave a mournful sigh. He turned sad yellow eyes to Yang. "I understand if you'd rather—"
"Stop." Yang briefly pinched the bridge of her nose, before giving him a weary glare. "Just because it'll take time for me to forgive you doesn't mean I can't stand the sight of you. I told you to stay today, and I want you at your grandchild's baby shower."
"I'm really sorry."
"Please don't. I already accepted your apology." Yang's words came through gritted teeth. Blake considered it a minor miracle that they weren't snapped out. "I don't need any more apologies, it won't get you forgiven any faster."
"I don't deserve forgiveness," Ghira moaned.
"Enough," Yang snapped. Blake stroked her hair, and she took a deep breath, her voice a little more controlled when she next spoke: "You don't get to decide that, with all due respect. I just need time. My hair's precious to me, and the hair tie that went up in smoke was my favourite. Add to that pregnancy hormones…"
"Point taken," Ghira said. "Can I at least replace the hair tie?"
Yang sighed heavily. "Good luck finding one exactly like it, the shop went out of business while the Grimm overran Vale."
"Oh dear. I'm sor—"
Yang cleared her throat.
"I'll do my best to find a suitable replacement. And I promise I'll be more careful in future while holding anything messy. I understand if you'd rather avoid any hugs with me from now on."
"Ghira…" Yang levelled a finger at him. "You're not escaping hugs with me that easily. C'mere."
They hugged.
Blake watched, smiling proudly. She'd have to reward her wife later.
Ghira drew back, blinking away tears. He caught Blake's gaze. "A fine wife you have there, Blake. Treasure her."
"I do."
Yang blushed, skin very warm against Blake's lips as she kissed her cheek. She blushed even harder when she realised Kali had captured the moment on camera, sending the photo to them both.
"That's one for the family album!" Kali said.
"My hair's a mess," Yang protested. "It always is after I use my Semblance."
"It looks lovely," Ghira said, the words hesitant as if he wasn't sure he was allowed to talk about her hair.
Yang gave him a sceptical look. "You're on best behaviour, you'd say that even if I had bedhead."
"It does look lovely," Blake murmured.
Yang shot her a sidelong glance. "You're biased. Regardless, it's a tangled mess. Touch it at your peril, you might get a hand stuck in it."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember ever having that problem before." She reached for Yang's hair. Surely Yang had to be exaggerating…
"Yeah, because I make sure I brush it after—Blake no!"
"My bad," Blake mumbled, cheeks and ears burning with a fierce blush. She didn't dare try to move her hand after a reflexive attempt to remove it; she'd already pulled too much on the tangles in Yang's hair. "Sorry."
"Should I fetch a brush and comb?" Kali offered.
Yang heaved a sigh. "Kali, Ghira, please stay back." She levelled a glower at Blake. "Sweetheart. Love of my life. Aura up."
Blake winced. She raised her Aura, concentrating on projecting it, and not just over her hand. She had a suspicion it was about to get hot in Yang's vicinity.
"Move your hand when I finish counting down. Three, two—" Yang slammed her fists together, and her hair burst into flames, "—one."
Blake snatched her hand back. It was unburnt, her Aura protecting her. She almost wished she could have kept her fingers in Yang's hair; the flames had almost caressed her. As for the heat, she'd always loved Yang's warmth. Granted the fire of Yang's Semblance was far too hot for more than a second bathed in it with Aura to protect her, but… Blake still wanted it.
Yang sighed very wearily, her hair collapsing under its own weight from where it had risen while transformed into flames. She turned to Blake and took the hand that had been ensnared by her hair, gently turning it so she could inspect it carefully, a worried frown creasing her face.
"I'm fine," Blake murmured.
"Good. Hurting you is the last thing I want. Maybe I should've resorted to scissors instead of taking that risk…"
For a moment Blake couldn't speak, aghast. "Cut your hair?!"
"You're more important."
Blake wrapped her arms around her wife. "Thank you, but my Aura can take the heat of your Semblance." She really did have to reward Yang, just for being herself. But judging by Yang's clear exhaustion, it'd have to wait. At least they'd both enjoy it more if they didn't have to be quiet, so best left for after her parents left in a day or so.
Yang nodded against her, nuzzling in the process. She turned her head to look towards Blake's parents. "Now I'd really appreciate a brush, Kali, but no combs. They don't survive my hair." She waved. "Kali?"
Kali shook herself from where she'd been transfixed, eyes wide. Blake realised her parents had never been that close when Yang used her Semblance. A glance at her father proved he was equally wide eyed.
"A brush? Absolutely, be right back."
Her mother disappeared back inside, returning a minute later with Yang's brush, telltale blonde hairs marking it as hers. Yang cleaned out her brush regularly, and also replaced it frequently due to wear and tear trying to tame her wild mane, but some hairs always escaped her efforts. They had a life of their own… Blake frequently woke up to find herself surrounded by Yang's hair, even back when she was the little spoon in bed.
"I do need to know when the baby shower will be," Kali said. "If I'm to cater for it."
"We'll let you know as soon as we can. Definitely after the next appointment with the midwife." Blake got her scroll out, opened the calendar and eyed some potential dates.
"When's that? In a week?" Ghira asked.
"A little under," Yang said, tone a little distant, her focus on her hair as she methodically brushed out the tangles. Blake would do it for her, but Yang preferred to deal with it herself. Especially with her current limitations.
"Do let us know how it goes," Kali said. "Please."
"I'm not sure we should be bothering them," Ghira muttered.
Yang paused in her brushing to frown at Ghira. "It's no trouble, and we'll keep you posted. Just like I do with my parents. If I can keep Raven informed despite everything, you have nothing to worry about."
Ghira scratched at his beard. "You're too kind."
Yang shook her head, waggling the brush at him instead of an admonitory finger. "I believe in second chances, that's all."
Ghira winced. "I get set on fire next time, understood. I'll deserve—"
Yang raised her brush. "I'll throw this at you if you finish that sentence. That or toss you in the pond, and that'd be cruel to the fish."
"Don't you dare!" Blake snapped, nudging Yang. "Our doctor said no heavy lifting. No offence, Dad, you're not exactly a featherweight."
"None taken," Ghira said.
"Blake and I can dunk my dearest husband in the pond if that's what you want, Yang, dear," Kali offered.
"I'll jump in if you like," Ghira said.
"No! You'd scare the fish, and you didn't finish saying those forbidden words." Yang groaned. "I'm starting to think you'd be happier if I never forgave you. Cut it out. I don't want grovelling, just be yourself."
"But—"
Yang jerked her hand back warningly, readying the brush to throw.
Ghira cleared his throat. "As you wish."
"Now, onto more important matters…" Yang grumbled. "I'm hungry. Is the burnt paint stench gone? I can't tell."
"No, but it's not as strong as it was. We can bring food out here," Blake said.
"A picnic!" Kali clapped her hands together.
As if summoned by Kali's words, it started spitting with rain.
Blake sighed. Time to get the chairs inside…
Her parents were probably quite surprised to find themselves suddenly inside, still sitting. Blake returned outside for her weary wife, so couldn't witness the parental reaction until the initial shock had passed. Sure enough, she found found Kali and Ghira replacing the chairs at the table.
"At least it's good for the garden," Yang murmured, making a face at the steadily increasing downpour. She staggered over to the kitchen fan and turned it on. "Guess I'd better stay under here until the stink is gone."
Blake found herself in a brief battle of clashing chair legs, thanks to her parents trying to make the same move to help get Yang sitting down. "Mom. Dad. Please sit down." Her words came out with strained civility.
Kali and Ghira exchanged a look. They sat, letting Blake free the chair and get it to Yang.
Yang took one look at Blake's face, visibly rethought her life choices and sat without argument. "Thanks, love."
Blake kissed her forehead. "If we do need to do another coat of paint, maybe you should take it easy."
"I just need a good night's sleep, that's all."
Blake raised an eyebrow. She didn't want to question her wife in front of her parents, but Yang had clearly overdone it that day. "Would your midwife agree with that? Our doctor?"
"It's good for me to get some exercise!"
"Gentle exercise. Do you really want me to bring it up at the appointment?"
Yang subsided with a grumble under her breath: "You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am, it's just that you aren't always."
Yang stared at her. "I'm not on my own side?!"
"You're too hard on yourself."
"No offence, Yang, but Blake may have a point," Kali said.
"Of course she's just as bad, I guess it takes one to know one." Ghira nudged Kali. "Gets it from her mother."
Kali huffed. "More like she gets it from you!" She poked him.
"That's enough! We're all as bad as each other, okay?" Yang snapped. She sighed heavily. "Sorry. Someone please feed me."
"I'll get right on it. Craving anything?" Blake asked.
"Hmm…" Yang's eyes narrowed and focused somewhere in the distance, deep in thought. "Tuna with toffee sauce."
Blake and her parents shuddered.
Blake winced. "I hope you don't regret that later."
Yang shrugged. "Only if I remember it after the craving fades."
"I'm very glad I don't remember what my cravings tasted like," Kali said. "You were responsible for some strange ones, Blake."
Ghira grimaced. "Don't remind me."
Kali shot him a sidelong look. "You're the one who decided you had to try a bit, every time!"
"Because I needed to be sure it wouldn't poison you!"
Kali patted his bearded cheek. "My hero."
"You're not going to start doing that with my food, are you?" Yang raised an eyebrow at Blake.
Blake had to force the words out: "If you want me to."
"Now that's dedication." Yang kissed her cheek.
For a moment she thought she'd have to find out for herself what Yang's latest craving tasted like. Tuna? Delicious. But with toffee? Ugh…
Yang continued: "Thanks, but no. All the more for me."
Blake started cooking, trying not to think about the abomination she was making. The mingled scents were bad enough. That said, most of the unpleasantness was the fading reek of burnt paint, the fish and toffee weren't as bad. Not that Blake wanted to taste them, at least not together. Just the tuna though… Surely Yang wouldn't mind if she—
"Word of warning, I'm getting hangry," Yang said conversationally.
"Hangry?" Ghira asked.
"Hungry and angry because she's hungry," Blake said, forgetting about sneaking some tuna for herself. She hovered anxiously over the food, willing it to cook faster. "Just a few minutes longer, honey."
"Also angry because my hormones are a mess," Yang said brightly. "And today has been a bad hair day. None of you have seen what happens on my really bad hair days." Her voice lowered. "You don't want to find out." A dark chuckle escaped her.
A chill went down Blake's spine when she glanced behind her. Yang's teeth were bared, ravenous red eyes peering at everything and everyone as if seriously considering the nutritional value.
"Perhaps we should go and inspect the paintwork." Kali took Ghira's arm, wary eyes on Yang.
"Yes, let's," Ghira agreed.
They hurried away. Cowards. Blake wished she could have escaped with them. Not that she'd ever abandon Yang again, but a hangry Yang was bad news.
"Feed me," Yang crooned, her voice disturbingly similar to when she was in charge in the bedroom. "Now."
"Just a minute!" Blake stirred feverishly.
"Bla-ake, feed me…" Yang staggered towards her, arms outstretched, teeth bared, ready to bite.
Blake shoved the spoon between Yang's lips.
Yang hummed, surprise becoming happiness. She licked the spoon. Red eyes switched back to lilac. "Mmm, yes, good, more please!"
Blake breathed a sigh of relief. Just in time. Her wife never normally scared her. Hangry Yang though? Especially pregnant hangry Yang? Maybe that was something to bring up with the midwife…
Blake stared. It took her a moment to take the midwife's offered hand.
"Larena Upland, midwife. Call me whatever you wish."
Blake shook Upland's hand. "Blake. I'm Yang's…" She glanced at Yang, wondering what she'd told her midwife.
"Wife," Yang said.
Blake smiled. It was always good to hear that, even if they had to keep it quiet around their friends. Despite her pleasure she still gave Yang an incredulous look. There was no way Yang hadn't seen the midwife's likeness to Goodwitch, so why hadn't she warned her?
Yang looked far too innocent. Oh yes, she'd known, and left Blake in the dark deliberately. It wasn't just because the news about her missing eggs had overtaken things.
Blake tried not to stare at Midwife Upland. She knew she was failing miserably, no thanks to Yang.
"Do you have a question, Huntress Belladonna?" Upland looked at her with piercing green eyes.
"Xiao Long," Yang said. "She took my name when I took hers."
"Huntress Xiao Long, then," Upland said. "May I help you?"
"Sorry, you just look like someone I know." Blake felt her cheeks burn.
Upland gave Yang a knowing look, who still looked unnaturally innocent, before returning her attention to Blake. "On the contrary, my daughter looks like me. Glynda Goodwitch, I'm aware she was your professor at Beacon."
Blake somehow managed to avoid asking why Upland didn't look old enough to be Goodwitch's mother. Then again she was used to the concept of a mother looking remarkably well preserved: something she noticed every time she saw Raven.
The midwife had Yang stand on a set of scales, taking her weight. She looked at something on her scroll. "That should mean the baby's growing satisfactorily."
A knock at the door heralded their doctor opening it. They stepped inside, closing the door after them. "Huntresses Xiao Long and Belladonna, I'm here to do a scan of your baby. Midwife Upland could handle it, of course, but I wanted to be present."
"Hey, Doc," Yang said. "Good to see you."
Blake echoed Yang's greeting.
"A scan, huh? I know the drill." Yang pulled her top above her bump and lowered her trousers a bit, getting clothing out of the way. Blake was used to most faunus relying on less advanced tech. Here and now, their doctor used tech from New Mantle, with no need to apply any lubricant between the scanner and bare skin.
The doctor eyed Yang's belly. "Do you mind if I measure it?" they asked. "Manually."
Yang shrugged. "Go ahead."
They got out a strip of measuring tape. "Hm. Estimated twenty six weeks pregnant. Give or take. Wouldn't be surprised if it's more."
Upland stood next to the doctor, eyeing the measuring tape. "About what I'd expect, from the look of her."
"You could talk to me," Yang grumbled. "Not just about me."
"My apologies," Upland said. "You're bigger than we'd expect for how far along you are."
The doctor cleared their throat. "Your bump is, that is."
"That's what I meant, no offence was intended."
"I figured," Yang murmured.
"Onto the scan, perhaps that will reveal something about why your bump is this big." The doctor passed the scanner over Yang's bump, close to the skin but not quite touching it. They examined the screen of their extra large scroll, shifting so the midwife could see at the same time.
"Baby's feeling shy. See here?" They pointed. "Can't make out everything. I'm afraid I can't tell you if you're having a potential boy or girl this time. If you'd like to know, we can make an appointment to try again, and with any luck the baby will have shifted enough by then. As I'm sure I've mentioned before, regular scans are best practice anyway."
Yang frowned at the doctor. "You asked last time if we wanted to know, I thought you found out then?"
They shrugged. "I prefer to use the most recent scan. The baby is bigger now, and the image will be clearer, yes? I could just tell you, but I would prefer to be able to show you. With the previous scan, you would be taking my word for it. Wouldn't look like anything to your eyes. Have you decided if you want to know?"
Yang turned to Blake. "I know I said we'd decide before my next scan, but when it came down to it…"
"I suggested leaving it for now," Blake said. "We can always change our minds later, with regular scans."
"What did you mean by potential boy or girl?" Yang asked, her eyes on the doctor.
The doctor shrugged. "Biological sex is declared on the birth certificate. Provisional is perhaps a better word than potential. I myself am nonbinary, as you know, but I'm not sure it'd be any better to wait until the child can decide for themselves. Most people aren't nonbinary, and it is possible to misgender someone by calling them what they're not, even when it's a gender neutral term used." They sighed. "I'm very used to sexing babies, despite it going against my own identity."
Blake wanted to argue, but what could she say? She was even less qualified to declare whether it was right or not to assign a gender to their baby or not. All she could do was keep an open mind and support the Bumblebaby when he or she or they knew otherwise. Yang looked similarly uncomfortable, but didn't object. No doubt for much the same reason, knowing her wife.
"Very odd," Upland murmured.
The doctor looked disappointed, frowning at her.
"Oh, not you being who you are, or referring to it as provisional or potential sex. I'm talking about this." The midwife gestured with both hands, as if measuring something on screen between her palms.
"Yes, it's most intriguing." They stroked their beard.
"What is?" Yang asked.
"Oh, forgive me, I should let you both see." The doctor brought the scroll over, and played the recording of the scan. "I'll send a copy to you both if you like."
"Please," Blake said, unable to take her eyes off the Bumblebaby. He or she or they was very much recognisably a baby now, if skinnier than a newborn and with a proportionally bigger head. The Bumblebaby still had a lot of growing to do, and hopefully fattening up to a healthy weight. The doctor didn't seem alarmed by the baby's size, just… baffled?
"Nothing to worry about, your baby is healthy. It's just…" They pointed at the replaying scan recording. "It doesn't seem large enough for your bump to be the size it is at this stage, even give or take a week or two. Yet the scan detects nothing to explain it."
"A twin would be detected, right?" Yang asked.
The doctor nodded. "Almost certainly."
Blake and Yang exchange a disconcerted glance. "Almost?" They spoke together, almost as one.
"I prefer to keep an open mind. Don't worry about it. I'm sure the mystery will be resolved in due course, and if all else fails, at the birth." They tapped away at the scroll, and Yang and Blake's scrolls vibrated. "There, all done. I'll see you at your next scan, unless for some reason I have to delegate it to Midwife Upland. I have every confidence in her, she's the best we have. Next time, huntresses!" They swept out the door.
"I suggest we follow the good doctor's example," Upland said. "We'll keep an eye on things with scans, but considering the baby is healthy, and you presumably are or you'd have said something by now? No cause for concern."
"And if there is a twin?" Yang's voice raised an octave in pitch, sounding more like Ruby's.
The midwife smiled reassuringly. "Then we will adapt accordingly. You are in good hands, and I will not discharge you from my care until I am confident you can care for two babies."
Yang took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Right. Thank you." She laughed shakily. "You'd think babies wouldn't scare me after fighting Grimm for well over a decade."
"Well over?" Upland asked. "You're almost twenty nine, according to your medical notes. Surely you started fighting them at Beacon, yet that's not what I would call 'well over a decade.'"
"I was still a kid when I killed my first. There's Grimm on Patch, where I grew up. Being an island doesn't stop them appearing." Yang sobered. "Not something I want for my own kid or maybe kids."
Blake took Yang's right hand and squeezed. Her prosthetic had pressure sensors, even if it couldn't feel things quite like her flesh and blood hand. "We'll make sure our children are better protected."
"I highly doubt the child or children of two huntresses has anything to fear from Grimm," Upland stated.
"I guess there's Raven if all else fails," Yang muttered.
Blake squeezed her hand again. "Only after getting past team RWBY."
Upland checked her scroll. "Before we run out of time… Do you have anything to report?" She busied herself with checking Yang's breathing, blood pressure, and took a sample of blood. "Hmm, all fine. I'd like a urine sample, here." The midwife passed Yang a plastic cup.
Yang sighed and vanished into the en suite toilet.
"The same thing applies to you too," Upland said, stern gaze on Blake. "Report any concern with the pregnancy. You may notice things your wife doesn't, which could be important. Let me judge if anything is irrelevant, it's far safer to tell me about things you consider ridiculous than to miss something vital."
Yang returned, the cup filled to a marker with liquid Blake didn't care to examine too closely.
The midwife took the urine sample and analysed it. "Good, you're definitely healthy. Now, in the remaining time… Any questions? Concerns?"
"Do babies hiccup?" Yang asked. "In the womb, I mean."
Upland nodded. "Yes. It feels strange, doesn't it? At this stage you may well find the baby is moving a lot in general, particularly in response to touch and sound. You might find that loud noises make your baby jump and kick, and possibly cause the hiccups, although those can occur at any time with no apparent cause."
"You didn't mention the hiccuping," Blake murmured, leaning close to Yang.
"I didn't know if that's what it was!" Yang gave her a sheepish grin. "And, uh, I didn't want to worry you."
Blake sighed. She booped Yang's nose. "I'd rather know than not, for future reference."
Upland cleared her throat. "Touching as this is, I do have an upcoming appointment, and running late without very good reason is unacceptable to me."
"Sorry." Blake cringed. It really did feel like she was back in Goodwitch's classroom, under those piercing green eyes and severe attitude. At least Upland definitely seemed competent, and not without warmth. But that was just like Goodwitch too. Like mother, like daughter apparently.
"I did have a question," Blake said. "When do pregnancy hormones go back to normal? Yang's definitely adversely affected by them, especially when hungry."
"More like all the time." Yang winced, rubbing at the back of her head. "I feel bad afterwards, but can't control myself in the moment."
"You should go back to normal after birth, although it may be more gradual than you would like. There are still some hormones out of the ordinary at work when breastfeeding, unless you'd rather opt for formula? Breastmilk has its benefits, as does breastfeeding, and not just expressing it. I am inclined to recommend you do so. But formula milk has come a long way. We can discuss that matter closer to the time. You don't need to make a decision yet." Upland peered at them over the top of her glasses. "You should find yourself less moody even while breastfeeding."
"Good. I can't wait to be myself again. And I'll think about breastfeeding," Yang said.
"Anything else?"
"I mean, nothing I didn't already expect. I'm clumsy." Yang sighed. "It's like I've forgotten how to use my own body, and that's going to get worse the bigger I get, isn't it? Despite the fact I used to lift far more, easily." She laid a hand on her bump.
Blake patted her bicep. "You're used to carrying weight here, not here." She touched Yang's belly.
"Your centre of gravity has changed. That affects your balance," Upland explained.
"I know," Yang grumbled.
"You can expect it to get worse as the pregnancy progresses."
"I know!" Yang winced. "Sorry. I don't mean to snap."
"Your feet get sore too," Blake said. "Like after we painted the baby's room."
"Ankles too," Yang admitted. "Both get swollen. It makes me go up at least one shoe size. As if cramping calves wasn't already bad enough!"
"Being on your feet will result in that, although summer heat won't help," Upland said. "Rest when you can, get your feet up, and I'll send videos of stretches to do that should help."
Yang breathed deeply, as if gathering her strength. Blake squeezed her hand, and got a squeeze back.
"Back before I even knew I was pregnant, I felt drained. I've felt more tired than usual ever since, and it's getting worse. It's not like I'm even doing much!"
The midwife took her glasses off and cleaned them. "Pregnancy is very draining. I wish I could tell you it will get better after birth. While the physical aspect of it will be gone, sleep deprivation may worsen. Even if the baby is relatively quiet, regular feeding is of course necessary. Very much so at first."
"Yeah, I've been reading about it." Yang showed the midwife a digital book on her scroll.
"One of the books I recommend. I also find these titles useful." Upland put her glasses back on, got her scroll out, and sent a few messages to Yang, her scroll vibrating each time.
"I'll give them a read too," Blake said. "I found the first book. I'll probably get physical copies though."
"Ah, a traditional sort. I knew there was something I liked about you." Upland gave her a small approving smile. "There's something about the smell and feel of a book, isn't there?"
"There is! Yang prefers digital, but will read a real book if she can't get hold of a copy for her scroll."
"'Real!'" Yang scoffed. "So a book isn't real if it can't give papercuts?"
"How frequently do you drop your scroll on your face?" The question was of course rhetorical. Yang used to drop her scroll at least once a week, and more often now she was clumsier. Blake winced; poor Yang didn't always manage to project her Aura in time either.
"Better than a papercut," Yang said, stubborn to the last.
Upland coughed. "Time's almost up. Back to the topic at hand, please."
"I think we've covered most things." Blake tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Yang's still getting most of the previous drawbacks from earlier on in the pregnancy. Cramping muscles, nosebleeds, feeling bloated and—" She cut herself off, turning to her wife. The rest was for Yang to say, provided she wanted to.
Yang sighed. She looked distinctly uncomfortable, but spoke up anyway. "It's normal to get constipated, isn't it? Despite drinking plenty, and eating the recommended diet."
Upland nodded. "Nothing to be embarrassed about, it happens to most pregnant people. You're being squeezed by the growing baby, so there's a limit to how much a healthy diet can help. We can try introducing some more fibre and roughage, but don't expect miracles. I don't recommend laxatives, they tend to introduce more problems than they solve, and the last thing we want is for you to get dehydrated." She checked her scroll again. "And that is all the time we have."
Blake stood, shrugged into her jacket, and held Yang's ready.
"I want to see you more frequently at this stage in your pregnancy: every week. There don't need to be scans every time, but I still want them every two weeks." Upland tapped away at her scroll.
Yang's scroll vibrated with the distinctive pattern of a calendar appointment. She stood, letting Blake help her into her jacket.
"Before you go…" Upland held up a finger. "I strongly advise that you make preparations for the baby this month, using the list I'll send you. If you're having a baby shower, do so sooner rather than later. You mentioned painting the baby's room. I recommend finishing any other work on it as soon as possible."
Yang smiled. "Already done, apart from the things we might get gifted in the baby shower."
"Good. It's best to prepare too early than too late, provided you have room for everything at home."
"We do," Blake said.
"One last thing: make sure you sleep on your side, with a pregnancy pillow to support your belly and legs. You're large enough to need it now, and may find yourself more comfortable if you do."
Yang gave her finger guns. "Already do."
"Snoring more too," Blake muttered. "It never used to be as bad when you're on your side."
"Nasal passages can become swollen during pregnancy. It's very common. Next time, Huntress Belladonna, and I hope you can come too, Huntress Xiao Long."
"Thank you," Blake chorused with Yang.
Outside the building, with at least two doors between them and the midwife, Blake put a hand on Yang's arm, gently stopping her.
Their scrolls buzzed. Blake checked hers: the promised list of things that Upland recommended they acquire for the baby.
Blake looked up at Yang and narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me she's Goodwitch's mother?"
Yang winked shamelessly. "No secrets between us, but surprises don't count."
Blake waggled a finger. "You wanted to see my reaction. Didn't you."
Yang rubbed the back of her head, a sheepish smile curving her lips. "I mean, yeah. Sorry, it's just… I love watching you experience new things. Your eyes go so wide and even more golden, and your cat ears…" She blushed, smile fading. "I should've mentioned who she was. It was a bit mean not to, and I'm starting to feel bad—"
"Shh." Blake hugged her. "No harm done. I don't really mind, and I like that sort of reaction too with you." She kissed Yang's cheek and pulled her even closer. "Your eyes shine, and the faces you make… You're adorable."
"No, you." Yang's voice was a little muffled against her. "This is very nice but give me a little space?"
Blake reluctantly released Yang.
"Something else I feel bad about: that I don't know Doc's name." Yang winced. "I know I could ask, it's just… after all this time? I'd want the floor to swallow me."
"Me too," Blake said. "It's weird, I've got a pretty good memory for names. So have you."
"Yeah, I wonder—" Yang inhaled sharply, pressing a hand to her bump. Her eyes widened, shining in the way Blake loved so much. She grabbed Blake's hand and put it on her belly. "You feel that?"
For a moment Blake forgot how to breathe. "It's moving…" Her smile widened until her cheeks ached.
Yang laughed. "Kicking so hard you can feel it from the outside." Her laughter became a wistful sigh. "If the Bumblebaby remains most active at night, the wriggly little thing better not kick so hard then."
Blake knelt down and pressed her forehead against Yang's bump, booping it with an admonitory waggling finger. "Listen here, Bumbles, you'd better not disturb your mother's beauty sleep."
"Bumbles!" Yang threw back her head and bellowed with laughter.
The Bumblebaby kicked.
Blake yelped, surprised by the mild blow to her head. She sat back on her haunches.
Yang stroked her belly. "Ooof, I don't think they like the nickname."
Blake patted where the kick had come from. "There, there, Bumblebaby. I'll be good if you will be. No calling you Bumbles, and you leave your poor mother in peace at night. Deal?"
The baby kicked again.
Yang sucked a breath through her teeth, shaking her head. "I have my doubts they'll be good."
Blake stood, embracing her. "Same. We're in for some rough nights, aren't we?"
"Probably for the rest of our lives, even after our kid is grown. We're both gonna have white hair before our time."
"Even if that happens, you'll still be handsome." Blake kissed her, then rested their foreheads together. The bump was pressed against her, but Yang couldn't be uncomfy or she'd have stepped back. Guaranteed, considering it affected their baby and not just her.
Yang shook her head, nuzzling their noses together. "You're biased, and you're the one who'll look every bit as stunning as you do now."
"Now who's biased?"
The Bumblebaby kicked.
"Our kid has spoken," Yang said, tone solemn. "Both of us are good looking, and the baby will be too, because of nature and nurture."
"That's how it works?"
Yang gasped. "Are you questioning the Bumblebaby's wisdom?!"
Blake chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it. Come on, let's go home. We have a baby shower to plan."
AN: This chapter is going up on my birthday, a present for my readers. If you'd like to give me something in return, I'd love a comment! Let me know what you liked this chapter, or just in general so far in the story.
Coming up next: The baby shower. Really. I know I may have jinxed myself last time saying much the same thing, but there's nothing else coming before it this time. Unless the characters ambush me again.