#beaconship

“You should be celebrating with the bride and groom, ya know,” Summer said, plopping down in the chair beside him. “Instead of sulking. And stealing someones table.”

“They’re all too drunk to notice anyway,” Qrow replied, gesturing to the drunk party guests on the dance floor. “Besides, I’m sure most of them want me over here. That way no one breaks a leg or something.”

Most of their graduating class wanted nothing to do with him. Really, he couldn’t blame them. He’d been an ass to most of them. Trying to keep everyone at arm's length. And now that they knew what his semblance was, well, it was more reason to dislike him.

Summer sighed. “Qrow… talk to me. You’ve been sulking since Raven and Tai got engaged. Well, sulking more.”

Qrow dropped his head on the table, letting out a groan. “Summer… have you ever been in love?”

She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “I mean, not seriously. Why?”

“I have. Am. And I shouldn’t be.”

Summer suddenly looked much more sympathetic. “Oh, Qrow. Tai?”

Qrow nodded miserably. “I knew, the first time he looked at Raven like that, I didn’t have a chance with him. I just can’t move past it.”

Summer reached over, gently stroking his hair. “Oh, Qrow. I’m sorry. But I’m proud of you. You helped make this a good day for them. For what it’s worth.”

“Yeah,” Qrow mumbled, letting out a sigh. “I need a break.”

“They’re leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow. We can just have a nice week, make some cookies, watch some movies.”

Qrow mulled it over. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

Summer smiled brightly. “Come on, then, dance with me! Forget about them.”

“I’d rather just sulk.”

Summer shook her head. “Come on, Qrow, it’ll be good for you.”

“Sum, I’m really not in the mood.”

Summer sighed. “Oh, alright, just sulk then. I’m going to go party.”

Qrow watched her take off, before his eyes slid over to Raven and Tai dancing together. They looked so happy and in love… it made Qrow’s heart clench in his chest. What he wouldn’t give to be in Raven’s spot right now, with Tai looking at him like that.

But it would never happen. Maybe he’d just get with the bartender. Would it make him feel better? Probably not, but it would be a momentary respite from the heartbreak.

Qrow stood up, making his way to the bar. The bartender smiled, tilting his head towards him. “Need another?”

Qrow shook his head. “Nah, just wanted to see if you’d come back to my room with me, when this is all done?”

The bartender raised an eyebrow, looking Qrow over, a sly smirk spreading over his face. “I get off at midnight. Sure they won’t miss you here?”

“Nah, they don’t need me. Room 315. I’ll be waiting.”

Yang was at her side in an instant, giving Blake a dazzling smile. “What do you need, kit kat?”

Blake scrunched up her nose at the nickname, but didn’t object. “Help me up. Please.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Yang easily lifted her out of the chair, setting her upright gently. Her left hand rested on Blake’s stomach, smiled widening. “Our baby girl giving you trouble?”

“Just like her mother,” Blake teased, pulling Yang in for a kiss. “Bet she looks like you.”

“Nah, she’s gonna look just like you.” Yang nuzzled Blake’s hair. “Cat ears and everything.”

Blake leaned into Yang, smiling softly. “Either way, she’ll be perfect.”

“That we can agree on.”

The stood there for a moment, silently enjoying each other’s company, when Yang let out a surprised noise. “I felt her kick!”

“Me too,” Blake said, laughing. “She likes to kick all hours of the day and night. My mom said I was like that, too.”

“My dad said that about me,” Yang said, shaking her head. “Though I think that might have been after I was born.”

Blake chuckled. “I can see that.”

After a moment, she leaned into Yang. “Think you can help me to the kitchen? I’m feeling a bit… wobbly.”

“What do you need?”

“I can make it there, I just need a bit of help,” Blake insisted, heading to the kitchen. She wanted to retain some dignity. Still, she’d didn’t mind Yang pulling down the peanut butter for her. It meant she wouldn’t have to squish her stomach against the counter. No one wanted that.

Settling back on the couch, she dug into the jar with gusto, while Yang watched in fascination.

“I don’t remember you liking peanut butter this much before.”

“Me either.” That didn’t stop her from taking another spoonful however. “Being pregnant is weird.”

“Better you than me,” Yang chirped. After a moment her smile faded slightly. “Not that, well, you know.”

Blake set aside her peanut butter jar, reaching out to hold Yang’s hand. “Hey. You alright?”

Yang curled up next to Blake, resting her head on her shoulder. “Sometimes I just… remember I can’t really do everything a woman should be able to do.”

Blake frowned, moving her hand to stroke Yang’s hair. “I’m sorry, Yang. I didn’t mean to upset you. Do you want to talk about it.”

“I’m okay,” Yang placed her hand on Blake’s stomach again. “Think of any good names yet?”

An obvious change in subject, but Blake knew better than to push. Yang would talk when she was ready.

“Well, I kind of like flower names.”

“Says the girl with the last name Belladonna,” Yang teased, pressing a kiss to Blake’s cheek.

“Rude. Something like Lily or Violet.” Blake raised an eyebrow. “Why, what did you have for ideas?”

“Yin.” Yang managed to straight face it.

Blake gave her a look. “We are not doing Yin and Yang.”

“You wanted Violet Belladonna.”

“That is a perfectly nice name!”

“I know, babe,” Yang soothed, sitting up properly to wrap an arm around Blake. “I guess it depends who she looks like more. We can go from there, right? See if she’s more like a Violet or Lily or even a Yin.”

“No.”

“Yang?” she asked nervously. It was obvious Yang was distressed, had she had a bad dream? Had something happened?

“You’re here.” The words were so soft Blake almost missed them, but they twisted like a knife in her heart.

As if all the fight went out of her, Yang dropped to her knees, tears falling down her cheeks. Blake sprang into action, appearing at Yang’s side in an instant.

“Yang? Are you okay?” Blake cursed silently, of course she wasn’t okay, that much was obvious.

Yang reached out, clutching Blake tightly and burying her head in Blake’s shoulder. “You’re here. I was so scared, I dreamed…”

The words trailed off, but Blake could fill in the rest.

She held Yang tightly, keeping her as close as she could. “I’m here. I promise Yang, I’m right here.”

“Don’t go.”

“I won’t,” Blake answered instantly. Yang sounded so small, so… hurt. How couldn’t she promise she would stay? Especially when it was the truth. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” The rest of the tension seemed to drain, and Yang was suddenly leaning much more heavily against her.

“Do you… want to stay with me tonight?” Blake asked. The bed would be able to fit both of them. Barely.

Yang was quiet a moment. “Yes. Please.”

“Of course.” Blake pulled her up, helping her back to the bed. Once she was sure Yang was settled, she climbed in beside her. Instantly she was wrapped up in Yang’s warmth, the blonde pulling her close.

Blake wrapped an arm around her as well, letting their foreheads rest together. “I’ll be right here when you wake up, okay?”

“Okay,” Yang mumbled, already drifting off. “I love you.”

Blake’s breath caught in her throat. “Yang, I… I love you too.”