[ LIBERATION ]

    This is no surprise for Yang. But knowing Blake had tried her hand at escaping left a bitter taste in her mouth with the simple association of Blake and running away, she can’t deny this is only but common sense – they shouldn’t be here to start with, but she presses her lips into a thin line, lowly clearing her throat in a cheap attempt to drive that taste away. It worked.

    Once her teammates were brought up she can’t help but frown a little, god, did she had the time to think about them and this situation… But simply, it is very conflicting. While Yang appreciates knowing their whereabouts instead of staying in the dark she would rather for them to go back if given the chance. But then again, Remnant isn’t exactly what you’d call home after Beacon’s fall, and this place isn’t half bad ( at least Blake and Weiss didn’t go through the odd zombie experience ) so like, 9 out of 10 maybe? This thought brings her expression to a blank state, purple hues shifting to the waitress with little interest as Blake did the talking.

       “Sure, I guess. I work at bar on weekends but it’s not a nice one, so… I gotcha covered though, I know a couple bars that’d suit us both.” besides what’s the fun in hanging out at your workplace on a day off? No, thank you. “To make a long story short I’m a minor in here, so I shouldn’t be working as a bartender. Otherwise you can bet I’d work at nicer place.” she gives a nonchalant shrug, metallic fingers lacing with warm ones behind her head before continuing. “Not my fault I know how to mix drinks, y’know?” a girl needs money.

    This feels nice, almost natural, and Yang appreciates the casualty Blake’s offering because it’s exactly what they need right now. And while she acknowledges the lingering tension between them, she knows how important this is in order to fix their friendship and move on, or more like start over…It’s complicated, alright? Easier said than done. But everything’s fine and dandy up until now, and with their beverages being delivered this fast it left no space for any awkward silence to settle.

And then there’s that question.

       “It’s pretty similar to Atlas.” Yang knows that’s now what the faunus meant but it’s still worth mentioning. But the more important question is: how does she drink from her coffee like that without batting an eye? No sugar, no milk… A mystery. “I think you can relate when I say I’d rather be back home. I was busy,” looking for Raven so she could find Ruby. “and I’m sure you had your own thing going on as well. This place is pretty  frustrating.” her gaze fell to the coffee. 

      “And while I’m glad everyone’s safe I can’t help but wonder if this place has any ulterior reason for kidnapping us together.” if that’s the case then Yang would rather not get too cozy. She took another sip before looking back at Blake. “Hah, I sound really paranoid, right? I’m probably just overthinking, but it’s weird when you think that they’d give you a nice place to stay, food, money and the company of your friends.” friends, hopefully.

Seriously. How did Yang just chug her coffee like that? She had always suspected her to have a sweet tooth like her pure sugar infused younger sister, but perhaps they weren’t as similar as Blake perceived - Needless to say she’s impressed.

  Blake lets Yang talk, only taking the occasional sip from her tea whilst both of her hands remain wrapped around the mug - it’s cozy. Her own experience with the City so far has been tame, no matter how many nights she spends out on the off chance she’ll stumble across something that was meant to be kept under wraps, Septaneus is just one tough cookie to crack.

    “There’s never anything wrong with bending a few rules.” a passing comment thrown into the blonde’s mention of being a minor. The Faunus has a freshly placed smirk and she isn’t doing much to hide it. “I could see you behind a bar, mixing drinks for whoever walks through the door.” 

    “Luckily I found the Library pretty easily here - I know, shocker.” where there were a quiet spot and a few books, there was a Blake. The brunette really valued her independence and quiet time, it gave her a chance to gather her bearings and reflect...Like meditating for Millenials.

Everything Yang is saying? What a mood. Blake can’t help but hum in agreement every now and then and sometimes even nod appreciatively - She always knew the blonde was sharp and perceptive so there was never a doubt in her judgment.

The flicker of doubt that cascades over the brawler’s face cause Blake’s ears to flatten down - That sense of paranoia...the one that even makes you suspect yourself? She’s all too familiar with it.

So she sets her cup down, half full, and releases a deep sigh - Almost as if she’s pre-warning Yang that she’s about to speak, “I get it, Yang. - I think it’s in our nature to doubt something that’s just too good to be true. I’m grateful for the perks but I’ll continue to look into the cons.”

Even this Cafe, though quaint and soft, didn’t make her feel 100% at ease. 

“...But, I think I’m more comfortable knowing you’re here.” good golly Ms.Belladonna your tea is going to get cold, better neck that like a lukewarm shot. - Maybe it’ll ease the serious tone she just laid onto the table.

    Yang can understand why her teammate likes this place. It’s quiet, perfect for reading a book, but saying that this is the first time she’s thought about or made this link she would be lying. Blake had been a constant in Yang’s mind for a long time, being constantly reminded of her even by the littlest details, like books and tea.

    Her gaze fell to the screen, revisiting the text she’s gotten a while ago and remembering him instantly the other replied. At least it’s confirmed the anxiety is mutual. She tucks the phone away to do her overthinking without a bright screen on her face, and knowing Blake it won’t take her long to be here.

She was right.

    The awkwardness within that wave didn’t go unnoticed, something very Blake-y, and it didn’t fail in making her lips turn upward in a brief smile as she waved back. This is an undoubtedly tense situation for both of them, and the way Blake is trying her best to make it easier for Yang…also didn’t go unnoticed.

    This… Their situation. It’s far from being solved, but now that she understand Blake’s side there’s no point in holding onto a grudge she was fond off. After all she’s never been one to hold grudges that weren’t for her mother. This can work out, right? They can be friends again…

       “That’s ‘cause I’m not.” she says, and a lighthearted chuckle follows. “I found this place in one of my many escaping attempts, but as you can see it’s useless. This place feels like a growing maze.” Yang rests an ankle over the knee before leaning back against her chair, arms claiming its resting place before continuing. “Yeah, I’m more of a bar gal. But I do know that you like Cafes, so…” oh, that- that wasn’t subtle at all. Crap. Wait she offered to pay, is that alright? Does she even has a job? “I usually go for coffee. Black, no sugar.”

It’s relaxing. Blake feels like she can finally breathe for the first time in a while, she can’t help the look of relief and genuine gratitude that spreads across her face.

If Yang is anxious, she’s doing an amazing job at disguising it, being cheery with an edge was what the blonde did best - And after their last meeting being quite...explosive (not literally thankfully) this serene setting was definitely the polar opposite and Blake couldn’t ask for anything else.

-- Right, right. Of course, this isn’t exactly Yang’s ideal place to hang out, but whether she had a strawberry sunrise or a hot cocoa in her hand, she looked good. Not that the brunette would say that out loud, just yet. She can’t help but thoroughly relate to the blonde’s ‘escape attempts’ nodding along and a short spout of soft laughter follows.

“Me and you both -- This place really is locked up tight.”

    “But it isn’t a bad thing, I suppose. We’re all here together at the very least, me, you, Ruby and Weiss.” at the mention of her teammates' names Blake seems to relax more into her chair, they really are her comfort zone at this point - Maybe she’ll invite them along next time.

But this time, she wants to be selfish and enjoy her time with her partner.

The waitress comes over, she’s slightly slouched and you can tell this place has very casual vibes - Thank Goodness. Blake gives another glance at the menu before closing it up, “I’ll have a milk tea, with sugar thanks. And a black coffee for my friend, nothing else to it.” and with that, the menus are handed back over and she returns all of her attention to Yang; the only reason she’s here in the first place.

   “Next time we hang out you should pick a good bar - It’d be nice to get a better feel for this City since we’re probably going to spend a while here -” a pause. She was already making future plans? Don’t get too hasty Blake. “Only if you’re down for that though.”

And then, a swift subject change, she doesn’t want to take up the whole conversation but...she’s a creature of curiosity and it’s been too long since they’ve just...been like this, you know?

waningscarlet:

( @oathglyphs you are mean to me and you never appreciate anything i d– )

          “ Quit laughing! “

          “ It was a scary movie, okay?! This is why I don’t like the water! “ Ruby, you’re starting to sound like Neptune. Also, your marshmallow is on fire. “ Can you imagine if you were having a nice vacation by a lake and suddenly animals just start eating you?! It’s terrifying! “ Okay, well, if you wanna shake it that much, it’s gonna end up flying– yeah, it landed in the grass. The grass is now smoldering. Someone put that out, please? … Please?

( weiss > blake > yang > ruby )

Weiss absolutely would not quit laughing, snickering at Ruby’s distress.

“As a Huntress, that’s what scares you? You carry a scythe.” She watched Ruby wave around her fiery marshmallow, half-disinterested and half-concerned. “The entire premise of the movie is laughable, and the fact that it scared you even more so. Now can you stop waving that thing around, you’re going to–”

Too late. It was on the ground, smoldering. Weiss crushed the ashy goo beneath her heel, making a face as it stuck.

“Honestly Ruby, for someone whose sister is the one with a fire semblance, you have a terrible habit of starting fires. At least Blake knows how to properly eat a marshmallow.” She pointedly did not mention how Yang was eating hers.

@revoltelle​

Blake was promised free drinks and good company, and as always, her Team provided. As stoic as ever she can’t help but release a dry chuckle at Weiss’ and Ruby’s typical banter, taking more of a wallflower approach in this situation and sitting back and relaxing - “Don’t worry, I’ll look into beaver weak points when we’re finished up.”

So she takes a sip of her instant coffee, hand warming up around the styrofoam cup, with her free one she gives Weiss a thumbs up “You should start focusing on your own marshmellow Weiss - wouldn’t want to waste a perfectly good campfire snack.”

And yes, her phone is out, all ready to record whatever escapade Yang has thrown herself into now - All Blake knows is she’s not going to be the one cleaning up this mess.

@revoltelle

Weiss couldn’t believe that all this time, she had been right next door. Okay, it hadn’t actually been that long, but still… Weiss prepared two cups of tea and a tray and knocked on the door next to hers, waiting for her (former?) teammate to answer…

When Blake opened the door, she held up the tray somewhat sheepishly. “Um, Yang told me you were here… I can’t believe she had to, since I live right next door.” She laughed, the laughter trailing off as her shoulders slumped slightly. Yep, this was definitely awkward.

“I brought tea. Can I come in?”

Yep. Definitely awkward. Not quite the run-and-hug she’d gotten from the sisters. But at least Blake was here.

Ruby and Yang had been met, Blake predicted it wouldn’t be too long before she met Weiss - Since she was well aware the Heiress lived right next door to her...it was just a manner of...gathering up the confidence to re-introduce herself into Weiss’ life.

Though it seemed Weiss was bringing Blake back into her life whether she was ready or not, something she thoroughly appreciated about her teammate (yes, definitely current teammate, if Weiss will allow it)

    “Weiss...” it’s a few moments of very awkward and stiff silence before her expression softens and she moves out of the way, allowing the heiress into her surprisingly neat abode. - Of course, Yang had spilled the beans on her location, thanks, Xiao Long.

“I’m really glad to see you again -- The least I can do is offer some snacks with this tea, do you still have a ‘secret’ sweet-tooth?” from the number of times her and Weiss had solo Cafe trips back in Vale, Blake learnt more about her habits and mannerisms than one normally would.

And she’s already pulling out a box of small cakes from the refrigerator, having acquired them from spending way too long in a nearby Cafe - absorbed in a book, she was offered the leftovers - they were probably still good.

          Septaneus City can honestly call itself her second third fourth home by now, considering how kind it’s been to her thus far, considering how it brought to her sister and her ever adored Schnee (the small one). She’s thankful she still has the clothes on her back, her weapon, her sanity– but that? That’s the gift that she could never return– after all, there’s no price tag on love and friendship.

Ruby Rose most definitely has a presence, especially with that crimson hood of her. It’s a comfort for her– but, more importantly, a beacon for those she loves and adores. The girl’s expression can only grow in shock for a few passing seconds, before–

          “ Blake! “

          Hopefully you took a step away from the pole, Blake! If not, either you, your friend, or both of you would be pretty sore in the next few moments. But perhaps that doesn’t matter right now. After all, a piece of home has just come back.

Blake could never keep up such a chill facade when the literal embodiment of sunshine was right in front of her! It had been far too long since they last met...it had been far too long since she’d met anyone for that matter.

It isn’t long before she’s getting very familiar with Ruby again though, and her deathly hugs. Please, little red, of course, she stepped away from that lamp post there’s nothing Blake wouldn’t do to avoid an embarrassing situation. 

So! With her feet firmly planted and years of fighting Grimm actually paying off, she takes the full brunt of Ruby and actually laughs...Unbelievable!

      “I missed you too, Ruby.” she pats the other’s head (so soft) and returns the hug, though not as hard, the sentiment is there. “I bumped into your sister so I gathered you wouldn’t be too far.” ah yes, that meeting, chances are Ruby already knows - It doesn’t hurt to mention though.

( @revoltelle )

    Right. Yang said she needs time, but how long would that entail? It’s been a week since their reunion, and the more she thought about time the more she grew impatient. And she couldn’t help it but replay every single part of it in her head, wondering what she should’ve done or said instead… How obsessive. But if anything, knowing the Faunus might be in the same situation is somewhat comforting.

    Lilac hues gazed at the digits and the contact’s information. If her time back in Patch had taught her anything is that stalling for too long can’t be the best solution. Sometimes you just have to do things quickly, like ripping a band-aid off.

FROM: yang xiao long TO: blake belladonna

[txt] hey [txt] there’s this place in lily district called carnation cafe [txt] been there before and they have good tea [txt] i’ll be there in one hour if you want to hang out

    There’s a pause from her. Too casual? Well, maybe that’s exactly what they need. And if that’s not the case then worst case scenario is that Yang might have to appreciate a few drinks by herself. Pocketing her phone, Yang grabs her jacket and the bike’s keys before leaving.

Blake wasn’t usually one to keep her phone with her 24/7, she liked the solitude and not having the stress of constant buzzing - But lately...lately it might as well have just been glued onto her hand all for one particular, but favorable, blonde.

  And when it finally buzzes and the notification from Yang highlights her screen, it takes all her energy to open it up - It could be anything, after all.

FROM: blake belladonna

TO: yang xiao long

[txt] sounds good. i’ll meet you there 

Of course, it was an almost instant reply, she didn’t have a second to spare after all especially if she was going to hunt down this place she had never heard of and the brunette didn’t want to be too late to their first hang out in a long time - So she’s quick to grab what she needs and throw on some presentable clothes - not the sweatpants she had been living in the past few weeks.

Luckily for her, Yang is so easy to spot in a crowd, just like her sister she exfoliates a vibrant aura that Blake can spot a mile away...And she does. Spotting the golden locks and of course, the bold bike parked outside.

She’s quick to pick up the pace, the heels of her boot clicking against concrete at her arrival being signaled by the bell that chimes when you open the door to these places - Amber locks onto lilac and she can’t help but do the awkward wave, you know the small one that people throw into social convention when they’re too far away to start a conversation yet? Yeah, that one.

    Yang can feel the guilt eating her from inside out, threatening her composure by bringing tears to her eyes, and she couldn’t care less  about her image right now. She was stripped of everything once. Her friends, her trust, her confidence. And it still hurts, it left a scar that won’t disappear, and being aware of this doesn’t make it any easier to accept it.

    Granted, she wasn’t completely alone with Taiyang’s presence, constantly checking on her and giving the little pushes she needed to get herself together. But she still felt like something was missing: her teammates.

       “Yes.” she sighs, gaze averting from Blake’s. “…Dad was there for me but,” crossing her arms, lilac hues returned to amber ones. He wasn’t the one who went through hell with Yang, her team did.

    This is the first time she’s seen the other cry. It’s a painful sight that she can’t bring herself to look away from, it’s something she has to witness in order to fully understand Blake’s torment, that she wasn’t the only one suffering. That they share scars.

    So numbed and used to the wrath within, Yang finds herself in shock when her heart started racing over something as simple as words…. And that scares her more than anything. Unlike what would think, Yang isn’t one bit dense, she can read in-between the lines. But perceiving these words’ intensity reminds her that she’s simply not ready to feel again.

    But if she’s learned anything through that one year with team rwby is that things can never be easy when Blake is involved. Logic begs Yang to not give her a second chance, to shield herself and move on. Her heart has always been in charge of every decision she’s made, and it doesn’t seem like this will change any time soon.

       “Blake….” she takes a hesitant step forward. “Do you really mean it?” how is she supposed to believe her when strength is the last word defining her right now? Lack of self confidence can be blinding, that’s the problem.

    She looks down, lilac hues examining her right arm whilst doing her her best to take those words to heart. Blake might have this running away habit, but she’s not a liar, Yang knows that much. And if she’s promising to stay, then… she’ll trust the her. Or try to.

       “Can you give me some time? I won’t push you away. I just… I need to think.” that’s reasonable, right?

A second chance.

Something in this world that was almost impossible to come by and Blake had been granted it when she least deserved it. It meant the world to her but also reminded her of the next uphill climb, regaining trust and building bridges that were once burnt to ash.

She can do it though if the Faunus learned anything from her friends - it was to be persistent and earnest. And there’s just so much her and Yang need to talk about...if this was Beacon and if The Fall never happened, perhaps things would be calmer and more content. But it was all well and good thinking about Ifs, Buts, and Maybes the bottom line was; her and Yang, they weren’t the same as when they first crossed paths, they were almost entirely different people now.

And that just meant a whole new person Blake got the pleasure of getting to know.

The blonde is firm with her words despite the fragility laced within them, Blake likes that, despite it all, she’s still Yang Xiao Long with a will made of steel and a punch to prove it.

   “I’m one hundred percent serious, shocker, I know.” a lace of her trademark sarcasm is present, of course, everyone is well aware of her stoic nature by now and she’s self-aware.

Her arms fold also as if she’s mimicking Yang. It’s a subconscious reaction but it’s a position that makes her feel at ease - It isn’t long before she’s stepping to the side and getting ready to depart, the blonde’s words have sunk in and the last thing Blake would want to do is mess things up...again.

Not before her phone is out and she’s ushering Yang to take out hers, it’s all well and good giving someone space but if they have no means to contact you then that’s just plain silly.

“I’m just a call away if you need me, okay? Even if you just...want to hang out, I miss just chilling out with you.”

And with that, she makes her departure, Yang has things to do, people to see. Blake has things to do and...things to see. The roles have felt quite reversed this encounter but change always happens for a reason, if one thing the Faunus couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief rush over her.

@revoltelle

2B’s observed the young woman passively for quite awhile - being a particular oddity herself has left her mostly unwilling to comment on others, but there’s something about the other that draws her focus and holds it there. Luckily, with the visor, her line of sight is hard to figure out, and they’re of a similar height so that she neither has to look too far up nor down, to give it away.

She confers with her Pod - a quiet murmur of her own voice and the Pod’s more obviously synthetic, deeper one - for a bit, before making her way over. Her voice is curious and matter of fact, but not mocking; just serious, when she speaks, and perhaps even a bit earnest.

“Are ears like that useful in a combat situation?” They seemed like they might be - they seemed like they’d be useful in pinpointing the source of sounds, able to pivot like 2B’s seen.

If only YoRHa designers were here.

Call it intuition, or paranoia, but Blake couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had a set of eyes on her, she expected a quick glance - after all, she hadn’t met any other Faunus here yet so it was starting to seem more and more like she was the only one around...unfortunately.

But that wasn’t going to make her hide in shame or embarrassment, in fact it was rather freeing having her entire self out in the open - quite literally what you saw, was what you got.

She’s approached, and all her suspicions are proven right, thank you paranoia. The woman before her is certainly...different. Is that a blindfold? 

   “They help. I suppose.” a shrug and a nonchalant look follow, of course, they give her a little bit of an edge in the battlefield - They hear stuff normal humans can’t pick up and keep her sharp and tactful.

      Her joke, mild as it is, sets Allura at ease, and the princess finds herself barely restraining a laugh behind a closed fist.Once she’s recovered sufficiently from the unexpected laugh, she straightens and nods, though it’s not without a fond look at the machine still hovering patiently at her side.          “Lucky for me, Blue would never do any such thing,” Allura replies with a laugh, patting the Lion’s nose before pushing away from it slightly, beaming a smile at the new presence in the room. Though it’s been a while since she’s had a girl other than Pidge to speak to, Allura very much looks forward to making the attempt– especially since this one looks closer to the age she’d been before she’d fallen asleep in the cryopod. “Lucky for the city too, now that I think about it actually,” she adds, with a sly look back at the Lion, who only offers a low mechanical grumble in response.

          “Thank you for being so understanding, Blake; though I won’t be keeping them open much longer– having Blue just hover outside likely isn’t the most… comforting for the general populace.” Not when it was unlikely that they knew anything about Voltron. “Hopefully this won’t have to be a common occurrence either. Blue will just have to learn to stay somewhere nearby until I need to pilot– oh don’t give me that look–!”           Momentarily distracted, Allura chides the Lion fondly, then turns back to Blake, shrugging helplessly.            “Overprotective,” she says as if Blue isn’t right there listening, and laughs when she’s shoved forward with a slight nod. Righting herself with a chuckle, Allura motions from Blake to Blue, stepping aside slightly. “Oh, right– would you like to say hello?”

Upon all first meetings, Blake is thoroughly analytical and inspecting every aspect of Allura - she’s not paranoid, she swears, she’s just...cautious. But Allura is definitely ticking all of her boxes at the moment, so the Faunus is content.

A soft sigh of relief escapes her lips as the other assures her that the giant lion a couple of feet away won’t be destroying the City anytime soon. “That’s good to hear, you two seem really close.”

She can imagine trying to find a place for something so...big to call its home could prove difficult, hoping for Allura’s sake that the parking lot might have a special spot for “Mechs” - that really wouldn’t surprise Blake if it were true.

     “So...’Blue’ here is your buddy and your ride?...That’s pretty wild.” now her curiosity is definitely peaked, her ears atop her head have stayed pointed up the entire time as she continues to listen. “In a good way, of course.”

Wait, she wants her to say hello? Blake wasn’t the most social creature to begin with let alone with something that could eat her up within milliseconds, there was a first time for everything...she supposed. Plus, Blue was pretty cute. She thinks.

So the brunette reaches her hand out against Blue’s head, that was how Allura did it..right? A nervous laugh escapes but she is enjoying the encounter, her friends are going to flip out about this when she tells them.

    There’s just no end to this, apparently. No threat could succeed in intimidating the Faunus, and she can’t blame her for not buying it – Yang’s always been a terrible liar. Empty or not, the blonde considered breaking all of her bones the moment words filled the space between them.

    Ivories grit, so tightly that her jaw is visibly tensed, hands curled into fists, and the brawler has to take a hot second just to remind herself that breathing exists. Which part of ‘leave me alone’ didn’t she get? Out of everyone Blake was the one supposed to get it.

    But she listens. Breath coming hot and heavy through gritted teeth as she held onto her once again shaking hand. If Yang kept track of how many times a day stress got to her today would be sure to take the trophy.

    Despite its vivid scarlet Yang’s gaze is most definitely cold, and pierces onto amber the moment she turned around. She can’t be blamed for wondering if there will be an end to this angst. Maybe, but not today, not when Blake insists on striping her of her own judgment like this.

     She must be out of her mind, so far gone that she opts for listening instead of break every and single bone within the other like she promised. Blake is like a storm, growing wilder and louder with every passing second. And she can hear her oh so well. The reasons are listed, as clear as the day, yet there’s nothing Blake can say to make up for this… Right?

    A frown make its presence, and with every breath the tension keeping her on the edge seemed to evaporate just like that. Is that relief? No, it can’t be. This can’t be fixed like this. Yang wants to be furious! Yet, she can’t. Then what is that in her eyes?

    Ah, disappointment.

    “Does it really matter now?” Yang inquires, voice coated with an emptiness that isn’t so foreign to her by now. “There wasn’t a day I didn’t spend wondering if you were well. Wondering if you were alive.” her gaze averts elsewhere. This constant shifting in emotion is certainly getting to her. “…I now understand that staying wasn’t viable.”

    A ‘but’ lingers as Blake’s words echoed through her mind. Why is it so hard to focus?

    “That doesn’t make it hurt any less.“ there it is, that overwhelming feeling, preying and waiting to take her down any moment. “I just… I don’t know! You disappeared, Weiss was taken away, and Ruby…” she falls silent for a moment. “Ruby left. I felt so useless and disposable, like something you can replace any moment. I was lonely.” I still am. “And I hate myself for not being strong enough.” because maybe I were, you wouldn’t have left, and he would’ve be the one with a missing part instead.

If Blake is a storm, then Yang feels like a drizzle. There’s not a single drop of anger in her, no fight to offer, no walls to keep up. She’s exhausted.

    “I don’t know if I can trust you again.” you don’t know, or you don’t want to? What a silly question. “I don’t know if I can handle seeing you leave.“

     Amber hues continue to stay fixated on the other, her arms now lowered and her ears flattened. She had her spurt of frustration and nothing is left but her own exhaustion - this really is a messy looking site; a bloodied nose and two very stressed looking ladies.

It always has to hit rock bottom before it can get better though, right?

And all too often, Blake has hit rock bottom, or so she perceived, but seeing that look in Yang’s eyes, the way her hand trembles and her jaw clenches truly is rock bottom for Blake -- She would much rather take a beating than this, but it has to happen. Wounds must be open and cleaned before they can even attempt to heal.

All she can do is listen intently as Yang gives a pained summary of what Blake has missed after all this time - Having an inkling about Weiss being dragged back to Atlas, but Ruby...that was new information. 

“...You were alone, all that time?” compared to the previous volume, this was but a soft mumble, pained almost. Her brow is knitted in anguish and it’s hard to keep eye contact, but she can’t help but keep fixated on the blonde. And more importantly, the mechanical fixture now gracing where flesh should be, though she doesn’t want to throw it out there...it strangely suits Yang and she hates herself for thinking that...it shouldn’t be there, she should have it instead --

This was getting nowhere.

With a clear throat and a new perception of the situation, a sigh escapes and a few drops of water fall to the ground splashing against concrete. The source? Belladonna herself, of course.

“I thought about you. Every day. How could I not? I thought about Ruby and Weiss too....My team. You all still mean the world to me, that will never change.”

   “Yang...even when I look at you now, after all this time, all I see is strength. You’re so...so irreplaceable.” her opinion of Yang can never falter, not after what they’ve been through. Time and time again she’s proved herself to just be...too good for this world.

This world chewed her up and stripped her away from her sunny disposition and the Faunus will fight everyone and anyone who tries to put out Yang’s spark, or she’ll die trying.

“I wouldn’t want to be in a World without you in it.” it doesn’t feel as..intense as before, they’re both spent and exhausted in every possible way. This was the feeling Blake was expecting just not after such a mind-numbing, heart-stabbing altercation.

“Like I said, I’m not going anywhere I just want to...I want to make it up to you. In any way I can. I need you to know that you’re not disposable and that -- “

I care so much for you, nobody deserves you, you’re so much stronger than you think, there will never be anyone like you.

    There’s no denying that Yang spent the majority of her time picturing their reunion, wondering what she’d do or say, but nothing in the world could have possibly prepared her for this. For the words falling from Blake’s lips. Those are supposed to soothe and comfort her, and perhaps they would meet its purpose if not for the fact that it’s the Faunus speaking. They effortlessly pierce through flesh and bone, making her sick to the stomach and leaving a bitter taste to her mouth. It tastes like pity.

    Both physically and mentally damaged, constantly struggling to accept the events that led her up to this point, it’s very much a work in progress… But these words? They’re stuck in her throat, and suddenly Yang can’t find it in herself to swallow them. 

    So focused in her own self-pity, barely did Yang notice how difficult it must be for someone like Blake to bare such earnest thoughts. Lilac falls to her trembling hand and she urges to pull it away from the other’s grasp. But she doesn’t, instead focusing on how odd it felt to have a warm grasp in place of metallic and lifeless digits. Blake finally succeeded in soothing her and it wasn’t with words. But this feeling doesn’t linger for too long.

    Part of her wants to push the other away, to keeping beating her senseless, to yell, to make her pay… But what’s the point if the brunette is just as damaged as she is? It doesn’t make any sense, not when her anger doesn’t feel justified.

Metallic fingers rested over Blake’s.

    “You really don’t get it,” her voice cracks right at the beginning, and Yang doesn’t bother clearing her throat. There’s no point in looking composed right now. “I’ve never blamed you for what happened to my arm. Not even once. I lost it because of my own incompetence, because of my weak grasp on my emotions, this is my fault, and there’s nothing you can do to shift the blame onto yourself. If you want to beat yourself over something than do it for leaving me when I needed you most.”

    Slowly, Yang pulled the other’s grasp away from her hand and took a step back. It pains her to do so, but it proves to be necessary when even the thought of prolonged closure makes her ache. Yang blinked her tears away.

    “We’re still a team.” she echoes, voice hinted with disdain. “You couldn’t be more wrong, Blake. And if… you think you can just come back after what happened, then you’re just–”

    Gold locks wave from one side to the other, following her head’s shaking. Blake surely can figure this sentence’s end, can’t she?

    “Don’t you ever follow me again, because I won’t stop at a broken nose if there’s a next time.” it’s an empty threat, she knows it herself. Is that what self-preservation? How odd… Yang feels cold. 

    Perhaps if this were a book, a movie even, she would’ve spared Blake a glance over the shoulder as she walked away… How unfortunate this is not the case.

Of course this wasn’t going to be easy, it was going to be a very steep climb with Yang throwing obstacle after obstacle Blake, but the Faunus had already steeled her resolve to make things right with the brawler - She wasn’t going anywhere, not today, not tomorrow, not for as long as she could help it.

   She couldn’t even begin to comprehend what Yang had gone through, the betrayal she had felt from Blake’s departure, the brunette left before the blonde even regained consciousness after all. Like a coward. Old habits die hard.

After all, life isn’t like the fairytales we read, right?

Yang’s word sting, each syllable pierces through her very being and each one hurts more than the last - her physical injuries are nothing compared to this. This is Yang at her most raw, she notices the cracks in her voice, the loss of her composure...the months of pent-up emotion and the brunette can’t help but get caught up in the whirlwind.

A hand that once held the other’s is now clenched into a fist, ears that were previously flat against her head perk up.

   “It wasn’t your fault!” her voice raises in volume, surprising even herself. It’s a rawness that Blake hasn’t experienced in a while but Yang sure knows how to bring out the best in people.

“I won’t let you say that. Ever. You saved my LIFE, Yang. And I haven’t forgotten that, and I never will.” it aches, she remembers the Fall of Beacon every night in the little sleep she gets - Him. Her. The ashes that surrounded them. The promise he made.

“You think I wanted to leave?! What was I meant to do?!” at this point Yang has said everything and Blake is already pacing towards her, acting on instinct.

“How am I meant to face the Father of my Best Friend - How could I look anybody in the eye and take their pity?! Because please -- If you have a better solution I’d love to hear it.” you would think the last part was sarcasm, but the desperation that’s been laced in her voice since the beginning has lingered for the entire duration.

And now she’s in front of Yang, her arms and spread and her stance is hardened. This really is a stupid move and she knows Yang is a hard hitter - Believe her, she knows.

“I don’t want your forgiveness. I never did. I made a mistake, a big one. But it was the best mistake I could’ve made at the time -” a life lived in the shadows and shrouded by regret is a hard one to leave, but she’s trying - oh so hard. But why? It just seemed like a constant uphill struggle. 

The reason why was standing right in front of her.

“I’m not going anywhere. Even if you don’t want me. You’ll have to break every bone in my body.”

Fully aware that Yang is more than capable of doing that, she knows she won’t. The blonde would have done it already, otherwise.

@revoltelle

      Floor to ceiling windows made it easy for Blue to keep an eye on her Paladin. Floor to ceiling windows that opened made it easy for her Paladin to return the favor, leaning forward out of the building to press her forehead against the Lion’s enormous metallic maw. Of course, Blue’s presence outside the building was a bit of a hindrance, but Allura could hardly expect the Lion to be so willing to simply disappear to a less crowded location. At least not quite yet.           Blue’s low, metallic rumble brings Allura’s attention around to another presence, and she lifts her head from her companion in order to look at the person assigned as her ‘roommate’. 

          “Oh, hello– I’m… Sorry, I hope you don’t mind that the windows are open? I wasn’t sure if it was alright, but Blue really doesn’t like how little we know about this place and not being able to keep an eye on me is– well…” Trailing off, the princess panics a bit, and with one hand still on Blue’s nose, holds out her other hand.            “Regardless, hello! My name is Allura… it’s nice to meet you, miss…?”

Blake herself spent little time in the place she was meant to call home, a majority of the time she was out and about - exploring, inquiring and analyzing. It was the least she could do with her time in this City, considering she was thrown into the deep end a little. 

So when she steps into her temporary home only to find a girl, who had the presence of being much older than she looks, having some sort of bonding moment with a...robo-feline?

Her ears perk up and she seems an odd mix of confused and excited.

“Well, I don’t think the place said anything about not allowing pets...especially ones that look like they could take out half of the City.” walking further into the place so she can get a better look at both Allura and her companion.

    “There’s no issue here, though. This place could use some fresh air anyway.”

Allura seems trustworthy enough, the aura around her expels regality - but not in the snooty sense, thank goodness. So Blake takes her hand, a soft grasp, and shakes.

There’s no sense of pride coursing through her veins at this display of overwhelming strength. Yang knows Blake is letting her have this, otherwise her fist would’ve met with nothing but a dissipating shadow clone. In the end you’re just punishing yourself further, aren’t you Blake?

Is this enough of a punishment, though? No, of course not. And Yang quickly realizes that a broken nose is nothing compared to this much guilt Blake bears. Each word that fell from the other’s lips helping her understand this excruciating pain. Lacerating and constant, like a wound trying to heal around a lodged knife.

Him. There wasn’t a day where he didn’t cross her mind, and now she’s sure it was the same for Blake. A hellish experience that she never expected to be sharing with Blake through all these months spent apart from each other. 

No words came out from her parted lips. So she presses them into a thin line whilst her eyes blinked back to their usual lilac, and can’t help it but trail them down to where a scar should be on Blake’s stomach before going back to her face.

    “I…” the grip on her jacket loosens, unable to ignore how broken Blake sounded. This is… too much. Blake’s presence was the last straw to make her emotions and doubts surface so aggressively, and she feels awful for letting this happen now that she knows the truth. It’s like a vicious cycle where her emotions will always take the best of her. And the truth is that she didn’t run away for being a coward but because she truly meant to protect Yang. 

    “Stop.” her voice cracks again. “I know you wouldn’t lie, because that’s not like you…” she hopes so. “But if this is true, then why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me help you?” she takes a deep breath at the slightest tremble of her left hand. This is not the time, please, just… please. “We are– We were a team, Blake.”

Those words of affection don’t go unnoticed by Yang, and those genuinely overwhelmed her, so much that she was on the brink of tears. Once again she doesn’t know what to do, like all the confidence she’s been carefully putting together through months was washed away in one fell swoop and replaced with this mess.

    “Why didn’t you trust me?”

Their reunion had run through Blake’s head almost every waking moment during the months they spent apart - So she fully believed she was prepared when Yang walked out of those doors but seeing where they are now; Blake with a busted nose and an expression that conveyed months of drowning herself in guilt and ...self-pity almost. And Yang, with her own months of anguish, piled onto her shoulders all completely justifiable but undeserving ...so undeserving.

    “You didn’t deserve any of this Yang...it’s not fair. It’s not fair that someone so strong, so warm-hearted...so earnest was put through this, because of me.”

It wasn’t self-pity this time, she 100% knew this could’ve been prevented if she wasn’t around.

A sleeve is brought up to her nose as she tries to wipe the blood before it crusts, it stings like hell and she’s definitely going to slap some ice on after this - But it’s the least she can do after everything, let Yang have her anger.

She spots the blonde’s eyes cascade to the obvious, her own scar. Sometimes it reminds Blake’s of its presence with the odd ache here and there, it’s nothing compared to what the person standing before her went though - So she clears her throat and adjusts her jacket...it was no big deal.

Did she trust Yang? ...Absolutely. The people Blake trusted were so few that it was a rarity for her to place her faith in someone else, Yang was part of those very few and Blake would put her life on the line for her over and over again.

Though more often than not, actions speak louder than words and this was one of those times. So amber looks away from lilac and instead fixates on the slightest of trembles from a hand, her jaw clenches as if she’s biting her tongue.

Her own hand reaches out and softly grasps the blonde’s, almost as if she’s asking ‘Is this okay?’ unfortunately, her and Yang have a relatable pain now and Blake has already made the conviction to be there for those she cares about.

    “We’re still a team.” a long silence is broken and her expression steels, in stark contrasts to her soft voice “...If you’ll let me be your partner...after all of this. I want to be there for all of you, like you were there for me.” 

This is enough to make Yang halt, not because of her strength, but for the audacity within that grip. Ivories clench tightly, her entire body tensing up in the blink of an eye, there’s a growing riot inside the huntress that grows stronger with every passing minute. Is it possible for one to combust out of sheer anger?

Yang clenches her fists, and effortlessly does she yank her arm from the Faunus’ grip, spinning around so scarlet hues can meet with amber ones. Yes, turns out is it possible for one to combust.

Barely did the other finish her sentence when she’s seized by the collar, left hand clutching to it like her life depends on it. And Yang swings. And it connects, if it weren’t for her grip the other surely would be sent flying off, but she’s not giving her this satisfaction. She doesn’t get to run this time.

    “I said NO, dammit!!” anger drips from her voice. She raises her fist again. “You think you can demand my time after leaving me?!” Yang almost snarls. This time she aims for the nose, and it connects. It doesn’t seem like she’s stopping any time soon, be thankful for your Aura, Belladonna. “You abandoned me!” her left hand shakes her by the jacket’s collar. “You left me when I needed you most and now you say you were protecting me?” did her voice just crack?

She is fuming, shoulders shaking from all the pent up anger, and forcefully brings herself to stop at the sight of red dripping from the brunette’s nose.

    “…Why, Blake?”

Picked up by the collar, like a stray, that’s how small she felt right now under Yang’s grasp, in these plans she replaced her own flesh with a shadow clone, there was no use taking a hit she didn’t need to - 

But that was usually.

And this wasn’t a usual situation

So she lets out a short breath as she’s yanked up, no words can be said at this moment, the blonde has already made up her mind and Blake isn’t about to try and sway her - in some weird way this was a redemption method of sorts, or it was her own guilt complex telling her this was how things should be.

The first hit stings, somewhat, her aura takes most of the blow but Yang hits hard, fast and non-stop - that’s her style. The next hit, however, causes a crack in Blake’s aura and her nose she winces and she blinks, fresh blood drips from her nose and traces down her lips and chin.

Despite the pain, she hears the crack in Yang’s voice and it hurts so much more than any punch or wound. And a painstaking silence takes over the atmosphere as she’s held by the collar and simply looking at the brawler, it’s a look from a broken person...that’s for sure.

“What was I meant to do Yang?! How could I face your loved ones and explain this! It’s a coward way, I know. But if it kept you safe I’d do it again and again...and again.”  her voice is raised, it’s a mix of aggression and desperation. A pained roar, if you will.

“...--Everything I love.” the silence is broken by a mumur, a whisper to a roar, and a shaky breath, she has to say something...anything. “...He said he’d take away everything I love...Yang.” a gulp and a few tears, she isn’t looking for pity, just a chance to put her thoughts out there.