Waiting (on You) - Chapter 10 (Patreon)
Content
Just give me some space.
The words hadn’t left Yang’s mind all day. Any time she paused or slowed down, her thoughts snapped back to that morning - to the look in Blake’s eyes when she asked Yang to essentially leave her alone.
Ironically, Yang considered herself to be pretty good at giving people space. If one of the girls she saw made that request, she would have no problem giving them all the space they wanted, and probably even more than they bargained for. But when Blake asked for the same…Yang felt like she’d been punched in the gut, had a vice locked around her heart, and dropped into the ocean to drown.
How much space did Blake want? Did she mean a few hours? A few days? She couldn’t mean anything longer than that, could she? Because they hadn’t been out of touch for longer than a day or two in...well, since they became friends.
“Yang...”
She snapped out of her thoughts when a hand waved in front of her face.
“Are you done with that?”
Pyrrha pointed at the roll of tape in Yang’s hands, which Yang had been holding for the past few minutes while lost in thought.
“Yeah, sorry...” she mumbled, handing it over so Pyrrha could seal another box. Sorting through this batch of discarded scripts was a tedious end to an exhausting day, and the repetitive work let her mind wander. Based on the curious look Pyrrha was giving her, her distraction had been noticed.
“What’s going on?” Pyrrha sent Yang an inquisitive look while returning the tape to the table in the center of the room and grabbing another stack of scripts. “You’ve been spacing out all day.”
Yang shook her head as if that might dislodge the thoughts troubling her. When that didn’t work, she mustered a flimsy smile instead.
“Sorry, I’ve just been thinking about...relationship stuff.”
“You’re thinking about relationship stuff?”
“I’m not dating anyone,” she clarified while absentmindedly flipping through the booklets in her hands. “It’s about Blake.”
“Oh.”
The two of them worked in silence for the next few moments, placing scripts in corresponding boxes before sealing those up for storage. It took minimal effort - just a glance at the production title and quick search for the appropriately labeled box - and Yang’s thoughts soon returned to that morning.
Nothing like this had ever happened between her and Blake. That was a good thing, but it also meant she had no idea how to fix it. She didn’t even know exactly where she went wrong, which was...problematic, to say the least.
“If you want to talk about it…” Pyrrha eventually said, offering one of those sincere smiles that had won Yang over years ago.
Usually, Yang went to Blake about anything and everything bothering her. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do that when the person she wanted to talk about was Blake. Fortunately, Pyrrha was an excellent stand-in for this type of conversation. Kind-hearted, smart, and an excellent listener, she was bound to have some words of wisdom.
“Sure you want to listen to my relationship drama?” Yang half-heartedly joked while tossing several more scripts into a box.
“You listen to mine, don’t you?”
Yang wanted to point out that Pyrrha’s ‘relationship drama’ wasn’t drama at all. It was two somewhat awkward, somewhat shy people figuring out how to be together, but who obviously had eyes only for each other. That teasing would have to come later though, as she didn’t feel up to talking about how cute Pyrrha and Jaune were when her life felt so tumultuous.
“Ok,” she acquiesced while pulling another stack of scripts off of the pile. “I...well, I made Blake upset, and I feel awful about it.”
“What makes you think she’s upset?”
“I just know she is...” Yang sighed, dropping the stack into one of the boxes and leaning against the table rather than continue working. Sensing Yang’s deflated mood, Pyrrha frowned, set down the scripts in her hands, and joined Yang near the table instead.
“What happened?”
With Pyrrha’s undivided attention, Yang sighed one last time before launching into her side of the story.
“It all started yesterday morning, I think. Her mom was throwing a birthday party for her dad, so I drove out there to celebrate with them. But...I didn’t feel so great...so I left early.”
That wasn’t technically a lie - she hadn’t felt great watching Sun flirt with Blake. She didn’t want Pyrrha to judge her for getting jealous though, so she left that part out for now.
“I went home to stew in my misery,” she added when Pyrrha didn’t interrupt. “But then she stopped by after the party to check on me. She even brought birthday cake and my favorite soup.”
“That was sweet of her.”
“Yeah!” Yang smiled thinking about Blake’s kindness, but her stomach soured remembering what happened next. “It was really sweet of her,” she agreed, looking down at her hands. “And she was even willing to stay and watch a movie or something, but I...might’ve already invited someone over...”
“So...you didn’t feel well, she came over to take care of you, but you’d already invited someone else?”
“Maybe…” Yang admitted, cringing at the summation and the way Pyrrha shook her head. “So she left in a hurry, which I feel awful about. Then we were talking this morning and I joked about how my relationships never last, and she got upset and left. So...she’s definitely mad at me.”
“I see…”
Silence descended on the room once again, but this time Pyrrha snuck glances at Yang every few seconds. Yang, meanwhile, crossed her arms over her chest and heaved a big sigh. Surrounded by boxes upon boxes of scripts, each with a story to tell, the only one she could think about was her own.
This was why she kept relationship drama as far from her life as possible. She and Blake weren’t even dating, yet her heart ached just thinking about the potential fallout. Why would anyone willingly want more of this, especially when so many relationships failed?
“Well, that doesn’t sound too bad,” Pyrrha eventually said. “I think you can just apologize. She’s your friend; she’ll forgive you.”
“But what am I apologizing for? Bailing on the party? Inviting a girl over? Being terrible at relationships and making fun of myself for it?”
“All of the above?” Pyrrha guessed before patting Yang’s shoulder when Yang sighed. “I’m not sure exactly what upset her - that’s something you’ll have to ask.”
“Yeah…yeah, I can do that…”
Besides going back in time, asking Blake what was wrong was the only thing Yang had thought about doing since that morning. Hearing the advice from Pyrrha solidified it as her course of action. That was her only option, really, because she couldn’t carry on like this for much longer.
“Don’t beat yourself up too much about it,” Pyrrha added with a reassuring smile. “Knowing Blake, she probably regrets reacting that way. Plus, she cares about you. She’ll be more than willing to talk it out.”
Logically, that made sense. But being logical was difficult when the people Yang cared about were upset with her. Blake fell squarely into that category - someone Yang worried about losing - but...they were best friends. Blake wouldn’t just disappear and not give Yang the chance to make things right. At least, that was the hope. But the sooner they talked this out, the better - both for Yang’s mental well-being and for her ability to focus on work.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she finally agreed, feeling a tiny bit relieved to finally have a course of action.
Now, the biggest question was - when could they talk? When had enough time passed that Blake felt like Yang respected her wishes and gave her space? On the flip side, Yang didn’t want to give Blake too much space and risk looking like she didn’t care. Because she did care. She cared a lot. So much that she would rather risk apologizing too early than too late.
As a plan formed in her mind, she checked the clock and ran a few mental calculations. If she left work now, she could swing by one of Blake’s favorite restaurants, pick up some takeout - because nothing said ‘I’m sorry’ like takeout - and make it to Blake’s apartment before Blake started making dinner.
Blake always followed the same routine when she got home. First, changing from her work clothes into something more comfortable, then reading the daily news before deciding what to have for dinner. That should give Yang just enough time to get there.
After confirming her idea was possible, she looked around the room and estimated the amount of work remaining. Most of the scripts had been boxed already, but several dozen still needed to be sorted, then the boxes sealed, stacked, and cataloged for storage. With two people, it would take thirty minutes at the most. But thirty minutes was the difference between bringing Blake dinner or leftovers.
“Can I ask a huge favor?” Yang asked, giving Pyrrha a pleading look. “Can you cover for me?”
It felt like a big request, but Pyrrha waved off Yang’s concern with a jovial, “Of course.”
“You’re the best.” Excited now, Yang hugged Pyrrha before quickly packing up her bag and slinging it over one shoulder. “I’ll apologize right now,” she explained while backing toward the door, earning a lighthearted laugh from Pyrrha as she went.
“Good luck!” Pyrrha called after her, and she waved over her shoulder before rushing out of the room.
Not wanting to waste even a minute, she hurried down the hall and impatiently waited for the elevator. As soon as it arrived, she stepped inside, pressed the button for the ground floor, and checked the time again. Now that she had a plan, she felt better than she had all day. The hardest part was still ahead of her, but relief was within reach. All she had to do was apologize, then hope that Blake forgave her.
First things first - she rushed out of the elevator and made her way to the parking structure. She made it to Bumblebee soon after and wasted no time stowing her bag, pulling on her helmet, and prodding the motorcycle to life. The rumble of the engine settled her nerves, promising change on the horizon as she raced to her first destination.
No one ever agreed with her, but motorcycles came with a lot of perks. One of those, which was especially important today, was the ability to park just about anywhere. Instead of searching for an entire car-length opening on the side of the street, she only needed a spot big enough to pull Bumblebee into.
As luck had it, there were several such spots within a stone’s throw of the restaurant. After choosing one, she hurried inside and breathed another sigh of relief that it wasn’t too busy. Like many of the best restaurants in the city, this place accepted only takeout orders. Forgoing a traditional dining area let them operate out of a small lobby where customers both placed orders and waited for their food. Thankfully, the line was short, and the typically crowded waiting area was relatively devoid of people.
Even though Yang knew all of Blake’s favorites, she read the menu while waiting in line. Blake loved their tuna more than anything in the world, but the salmon was a very close second. Seeing as how Yang didn’t know exactly how much groveling she needed to do, getting both seemed like the best option.
“What can I get you?” the young man running the register asked once she reached the front of the line.
“One order of the tuna and the salmon,” she answered, pulling out her card to pay.
“Twenty-five fifty.” After Yang swiped her card and the charge went through, he handed her a receipt and waved at the counter beside him. “It’ll be just a few.”
Satisfied with that timeframe, she stepped off to the side and waited with the people who ordered before her. She wouldn’t say that she was nervous, but her restless energy suggested she wasn’t calm either. Blake had never been upset enough to ask for space before, and that scared Yang more than she could put into words. If they talked, maybe Yang could settle her heart, which had been in a permanent state of pain since yesterday.
“Big plans tonight?”
Surprised by the question, Yang turned toward the young, attractive brunette who’d posed it. Based on the small smile on her lips and the gleam in her eyes, she hoped to spark a conversation. And, under ordinary circumstances, Yang might have been willing to oblige. Right now, however, she didn’t have time to stand around flirting with strangers.
“Something like that,” she replied, flashing a smile before studying her receipt.
The lackluster response stalled the conversation and communicated lack of interest at the same time. The awkward, uncomfortable silence that followed reminded Yang of why she never chose that route but, thankfully, the girl picked up her order and left the restaurant shortly after. Yang hardly breathed a sigh of relief before one of the employees set another bag on the counter and read the slip of paper stapled to it.
“Order seventeen?”
Smiling at the number, she accepted the bag with a quick, “thanks,” before hurrying outside. With the first part of her apology secured, she drove to Blake’s apartment on autopilot. She wasn’t used to feeling anxious about where she stood with Blake, and she didn’t want to get used to it. If that meant bringing dinner to Blake every night for forever, that was fine with her. She would do whatever it took to get her back in Blake’s good graces.
With that determination front of mind, she took the first available spot in front of Blake’s building and rushed inside. She still had no idea what she would say, but that mattered little as she raced into the stairwell. The steps to Blake’s floor disappeared in the blink of an eye, and she found herself standing in front of Blake’s door before long. She’d been to Blake’s apartment so many times that it felt like her second home by now, but this was the first time she had to take a deep breath and summon the courage to ring the bell.
When a soothing chime sounded in the room beyond, she nearly lost her nerve and ran. But it was too late - footsteps were already approaching the door, and knowing who those steps belonged to made her want to stay. So she didn’t budge. She stayed rooted to the floor and held her breath as the door opened.
As soon as she laid eyes on Blake, her heart fluttered all over the place. Part happiness, part jitters, part pure relief just seeing her best friend - all of those feelings collided as she held out the first part of her apology.
“Thought you could use something special to end the day, so...I brought your favorite.”
The way Blake glanced between Yang and the bag suggested that she saw right through Yang’s plan, but she didn’t say anything. She just accepted the bag and nodded for Yang to follow her inside.
The muted greeting gave Yang even more cause for concern. So did the strange tension in the air, which made her stomach turn and her hands clammy. But she was here to apologize and, hopefully, make that horrible feeling go away.
“It’s nice out.” After closing the door, she followed Blake into the kitchen. “Not too hot but not cold.”
“It is.”
Finally, words. Not many of them, but it was a start. From there, however, Yang watched Blake set the bag on the island and calmly remove the two takeout containers. The way her gaze remained on her hands made Yang feel like she was falling into a black hole, so she did the only thing she could think of - she kept talking.
“We could take a walk later,” she offered. “I just drove by the park and it’s already pretty busy. We could get some great people-watching in.”
Blake didn’t immediately jump at the suggestion, so Yang grasped at the next available thought - anything to prompt a conversation.
“Or we could catch a movie? I know it’s a weeknight, but people at work keep talking about this super cheesy rom-com that’s playing. Sounds like something you’d like, maybe. Unless you’re not feeling up for a movie. Then we could, um, we could find something else to do.”
“Yang.” Setting both hands on the island, Blake finally met Yang’s gaze and gave a little shrug. “You’re rambling.”
“Right. I am.”
Leave it to Blake to cut right to the chase. Yang loved her for that, but it also meant that now wasn’t the time for chitchat.
“Um, I just...I wanted to apologize.”
“For?”
“For making fun of my commitment issues?” Yang guessed. When Blake sighed, Yang figured she guessed wrong. “For inviting Mel over when you came to check on me.”
Blake bit her bottom lip and looked down at the island this time, and Yang’s heart plummeted.
“Whatever I did, I’m really, really sorry. If you just tell me what it is, I promise I’ll make it up to you. And I’ll fix it. I will. You know I’ll fix anything for you, right? I just…need to know what it is.”
That was it. Her impassioned plea for forgiveness and offer to turn her world upside-down for Blake’s happiness. Blake, however, met Yang’s gaze with a scrutinizing one of her own.
“How would you ‘fix’ any of that?”
“I...I don’t know.” Lacking concrete solutions, Yang suddenly worried that Blake would stay mad at her forever. And that made her heart race faster than ever before. “I can...I can stop bringing up my commitment issues. Or I could...I could stop seeing people? I can stop dating if that’d make you feel better.”
Going on dates was something she did to pass the time, but she could live without it. She couldn’t say the same about living without Blake.
“I would do that,” she added with a nod. “Then this won’t happen again, right? And that would make you feel better?”
“Yang.” Shaking her head, Blake walked around the counter and set her hands on Yang’s arms. “Breathe.”
Yang did as instructed, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a long, shaky exhale. She felt like she had so much more to say, as if she could apologize forever now that the dam had broken, but she held those words back for now.
“I’m not mad at you,” Blake said, her amber eyes pleading Yang to calm down. “I just...wasn’t having a great day, and it’s hard to hear you joke about that stuff. Like it doesn’t matter to you or the people who care about you.”
“I can stop joking about it…” Yang whispered, and Blake sighed but moved closer. Her proximity sent Yang’s heart into another frenzy - a relieved, hopeful frenzy this time.
“You can do that...or we can talk about it sometime. You know you can talk to me.”
“Right. I know that. I...I can do that.”
That was the least Yang would do. Fortunately, Blake seemed to know that. After looking into Yang’s eyes, reading the thoughts and emotions not spoken aloud, she sighed and pulled Yang into a hug.
“You don’t have to be so worried...” Blake whispered while holding Yang close. “I’m not going anywhere.”
As soon as Yang heard the reassurance, she sighed and burrowed her face into Blake’s neck. She was worried - she would admit that - but she couldn’t even describe how important Blake was to her. Blake was her best friend, her confidante, her person. She might not have many important people in her life, but she held onto the ones she did. If she lost or ruined her relationship with Blake over some dumb, offhand comment, she would never forgive herself.
“And I’m sorry, too.” Pulling away from the hug, Blake lightly brushed Yang’s hair behind one ear. “I shouldn’t have left like that.”
“Naw, it’s ok. I get it.”
Right now, Yang was too happy to do anything but put that moment behind them. She would remember the lesson though - making jokes about her subpar relationships had run its course. Had it ever even been funny, or was she the only one who found dark amusement in her fear of getting hurt?
“And we can talk about it sometime,” she added. “I just...don’t really know how to. It’s…it just is, you know?”
“I know.”
With Blake’s hands settling upon her arms, Yang found more reassurance in Blake’s kind, patient smile. She avoided talking about her mom - either one of them - because those memories collided with emotions she’d never learned how to handle. Sadness, anger, grief, and everything in between, all rolled up and served with the gleam of childhood.
It was a sob story, and who wanted to hear another sob story? But Blake would listen. Even if Yang had no idea what to say or how to say it, Blake would make sense of it somehow, like she always did.
“I’ll try to be more open about it…” Yang whispered, her heart silently rejoicing when Blake’s fingers intertwined with hers.
“That’s good enough for me.”
With a smile and squeeze of Yang’s hand, Blake finally backed away and grabbed one of the takeout containers.
“Now, how much do you think I eat?” she joked while motioning between two boxes stuffed with fish, rice, and roasted vegetables.
“I thought you’d want some of each,” Yang replied with a soft laugh. Her stomach grumbled as soon as she smelled the delicious meal though, earning Blake’s amused look.
“Do you want some?”
“Only if you don’t eat it all. I might’ve skipped lunch.”
The admission earned a sympathetic glance, but Blake said nothing while grabbing silverware and napkins from the other side of the kitchen. Now that they were on speaking terms again, a giant weight had lifted from Yang’s shoulders. She felt like she could finally breathe and think about things that didn’t make her stomach knot with worry.
“How was your day?” she asked while Blake sat on the barstool beside her.
“It was...ok,” Blake said before pulling over the takeout containers so they could share.
“That bad?”
“Busy,” Blake replied before frowning. “And I didn’t feel so great about this morning either.”
“So it’s ok that I stopped by? You know, so soon?”
Yang actually wanted to make sure that it was ok that she didn’t give Blake a whole lot of time or space. Fortunately, she didn’t have to come right out and ask - Blake quickly sighed.
“I shouldn’t have said that either…” she mumbled before meeting Yang’s gaze. “I’m glad you’re here. I was thinking about calling you, but...this is better.”
Blake’s sincerity confirmed that Yang made the right decision, and that made her even more relieved.
“Cool,” she said, and smiled when Blake took the first bite to eat. “Is it good?” she asked, peering into the boxes before spearing a piece of asparagus with her fork.
“Amazing.”
Satisfied with that response, Yang popped the asparagus in her mouth and gently nudged Blake’s shoulder. Blake nudged her right back, then smiled and went back to the box for more.
The carefree action convinced Yang that they were alright now. But, from here on out, she wouldn’t make fun of her fear of abandonment, separation anxiety, lack of emotional availability, or whatever a licensed professional wanted to call it. Blake was right - if she knew it was an issue, why did she joke about it and not try to get better? How was that ok when it hurt or bothered the people closest to her?
If she felt restless, she should put on a movie, do some chores, or do anything but go straight to her phone for a distraction. It didn’t matter if she had fifty or five hundred numbers stored there - none of them solved her problems. In this case, they only made her problems worse.
“How’d things go with Mel?”
Drawn out of those thoughts, Yang sighed, set her fork down, and shook her head.
“I don’t know what I was thinking, calling her. We got dinner then I split.”
“I’m...sorry?”
“No, you’re not.” The thought of Blake even pretending to be apologetic was enough to make Yang laugh. “You never liked her.”
“I tried to like her, but she was...”
Lacking a good word, Blake waved her hand and let Yang fill in the blank.
“She can be fun,” Yang said, but gave up the flimsy argument when Blake arched one brow. “But you’re right. She’s still weird about you and, like...aggressively easy-going.”
“Aggressively easy-going. There’s a term you don’t hear every day.”
“You know what I mean,” Yang replied, laughing when Blake made a face. “But yeah, big mistake. I deleted her number. Deleted a lot of numbers, actually.”
“Can’t say I’m upset.”
Smiling at the honesty, Yang grabbed a small piece of salmon and glanced Blake’s way.
“You know, you can always tell me if you don’t like someone. I trust your judgment.”
“What will you do when I don’t like any of them?”
Thinking about that possible outcome - and the calm certainty Blake would deliver it with - Yang laughed.
“Refine my search, I guess?” she said before another thought popped into her mind. “Out of curiosity, who would you pick for me?”
“What?”
“If I said ‘Blake, find me the perfect person,’ who would you look for? What would they be like?”
While Yang stuck another bite into her mouth and waited for an answer, Blake studied her for several long seconds.
“Someone…smart and attractive,” she eventually said. “With a good sense of humor. Or, at least, someone willing to laugh at your jokes.”
“I like the sound of that,” Yang replied with a soft chuckle, but Blake gave her an even more thoughtful look.
“They can’t be intimidated by your beauty, and they need to understand that you’re still a work in progress...but that you have a heart of gold and, when you get there, you’ll make them the luckiest person in the world.”
Blake concluded the description with a caring smile, but Yang was at a loss for words. Her heart, however, wasted no time responding to what was probably one of the kindest and sweetest things anyone had ever said to her.
“What if I never get there?” she asked, worried that Blake’s view of her might be wrong. “What if I’m just...always like this?”
“You’ll get there.”
“How’re you so sure?”
“Because that’s what you have me for.”
Again, Blake smiled and, again, Yang’s heart responded - this time as loud as a drum.
“How do you think it’ll happen?”
“Not sure.” Blake speared a piece of tuna and popped it in her mouth while mulling over the question. Eventually, she shrugged. “Maybe you’ll get curious, or maybe you’ll find someone worth the risk.”
That sounded like a plausible explanation, though Yang had a hard time imagining what that person would be like. Someone smart, fun, and...willing to be patient with her.
“What about you?” she asked after several more bites to eat.
“What about me?”
“What type of person are you looking for?” she elaborated, waving another piece of asparagus through the air before sticking it in her mouth. The question drew a contemplative expression from Blake, and she studied Yang for a long time before easing into another smile.
“You know me, Yang. I’ll look for the most difficult, complex person possible. Someone with emotional baggage who really makes me work for it.”
“Kinda sounds like me, doesn’t it?”
While Yang smiled at the joke, Blake just shook her head, set her fork down, and leaned back in her chair.
“Someone who makes me laugh...” she mused, her unfocused gaze lingering on the takeout containers. “Someone who encourages me to go on adventures but is willing to just stay in and spend time together. Someone with a big heart, a sound mind, and...someone I can trust, no matter what.”
The description sounded like the perfect person for Blake but also reminded Yang that she hadn’t been completely honest about something. Guilt returning, she traced the tip of her finger across the countertop and struggled for the right words. She knew she didn’t have to admit anything - this secret would eventually fade away and be forgotten - but trust was just as important in a friendship as in a romantic relationship.
“I, uh, got a little jealous.” Finally looking up, she offered an apologetic smile when she saw Blake’s puzzled expression. “Of Sun.”
“Why would you be jealous?” Blake asked, her brow furrowing at the very thought.
“I don’t know...you just looked like you were having so much fun with him. I started thinking...what if you start dating him, then never have time for me anymore, and I end up old and alone?”
Based on the emotions racing through Blake’s eyes, she had a lot to say to that. Rather than voice those thoughts aloud, however, she shook her head.
“You worry a lot.”
“I know -”
“And you don’t have to,” she added, interrupting Yang’s apology while simultaneously covering Yang’s hand with her own. “I’m not going to date him - ever. And do you really think I’d date anyone without getting your approval first?”
Thinking about Blake dating at all didn’t make Yang feel great, but learning that she would have the opportunity to veto made her smile.
“Good luck to that sucker. I have very high standards for anyone trying to date you.” When Blake shook her head, Yang flipped her palm over and intertwined their fingers. “I’m serious. You’re incredible, and you deserve someone who treats you that way.”
“Well...hopefully, they’ll bring me dinner like you do.”
“Oh, they better,” Yang joked, nodding along while Blake chuckled softly. “That’s the least they have to do. There’s a bunch of other stuff, but I’ll tell them when the time comes.”
Yang waved that idea away for now and smiled at the sparkle in Blake’s eyes. After an emotional couple of days, things finally felt normal between them. Better than normal, actually, since the air had been cleared and she was newly determined to be a better friend going forward.
“Thanks, Blake,” she added, drawing amber eyes to hers. “For understanding.”
“That’s nothing you need to thank me for.”
Blake squeezed Yang’s hand, and Yang felt so relieved by the reassurance that she was content to just sit and share that smile. Only when Blake’s gaze flitted away did she notice the time and remember that she had barged in unannounced.
“I should get out of your hair,” she said but, as soon as she stood up, Blake touched her elbow.
“Actually...can we watch a movie or something?”
“Right now? Aren’t you tired?”
“A bit,” Blake admitted. “But I think it would be nice. If you’re free.”
“Free as a bird.” Grinning now, Yang gestured at the leftovers on the counter. “We’ll clean up first?”
“Why don’t you let me do that,” Blake said, flipping the lids closed and standing. “And you can pick the movie.”
“I get to pick??” Laughing at Blake’s gracious nod, Yang rubbed her hands together and walked into the living room. “This never happens,” she added while grabbing the remote and turning on the television.
In the midst of scrolling through their options, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Blake putting the leftovers away in the kitchen. While turning back to her assigned task, however, she noticed something new and incredibly eye-catching hanging down the hall.
“Oh my god.” Tossing the remote onto the sofa, she walked over and gawked at the extravagant evening gown hanging on Blake’s bedroom door. After gently touching the smooth fabric, she picked it up and carried it back to the living room. “What’s this for?”
“A work party this weekend.”
“And you’re wearing this?” When Yang held up the dress, Blake shrugged. “Damn. You’re going to look fantastic.” Noticing Blake’s blush, Yang added, “I’m serious. Purple is such a great color on you, and look at this neckline. Wow, I’m jealous of whoever’s going with you.”
“I’m not going with anyone.”
“You’re going alone??” Yang asked, her jaw dropping as Blake joined her in the living room.
“It’s just a work party, Yang. I don’t have to bring someone.”
“But it’s your chance to show off! Not only how gorgeous you look, but how good your date looks, too!”
When Blake just smiled and shook her head, Yang stared at the dress in her hands. This was the type of dress that turned heads. Combined with Blake, who turned heads already, and...Yang really, really wanted to spend an evening witnessing the magic that would follow.
“Do you get a plus one?”
“Yes...why?”
“Can I come with you?”
“You want to come to my work party?”
“Absolutely.” Sensing Blake’s disbelief, Yang nodded to show just how serious she was. “This dress deserves a date. And I think I have the perfect one to match...”
Mentally flipping through her closet, Yang picked out several complementary dresses she already owned. Or she could just buy a new one - that was always an option.
“If you really want to…” Blake began, and Yang instantly broke into a big smile.
“I do,” Yang assured her. “It’s settled then? I’ll be your date?”
“I’d love that.”
“Me too,” Yang agreed before looking at the dress one more time. “Text me the details,” she said while feeling the material between her fingertips. “And show me the shoes you’re wearing with it!”
“Sure, but...can we do that later?”
When Blake sent a meaningful glance to the sofa, Yang quickly caught on.
“Right - movie first.”
While Blake smiled and sat down, Yang returned the dress to the back of the door and joined her.
“Alright,” Yang added, grabbing the remote and scrolling through several more options before landing on one that looked right up Blake’s alley. “Ready to be wowed by a cinematic masterpiece?”
“You know it.”
Yang chuckled at the response while pressing play. She then glanced over and, after a slight hesitation, wrapped her arm around Blake’s shoulders. A soft, content sigh slipped through Blake’s lips as she leaned into Yang’s side, and Yang halfheartedly watched the screen while her thoughts remained on the girl beside her.
After the last couple of days, she couldn’t be happier with how things worked out. Nothing erased her anxiety faster than the warmth and comfort of Blake snuggled into her side, a cheesy rom-com playing in the background, and clarity in the air between them. She would have to go home eventually, but she wasn’t letting go until the last credit rolled.