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A perfect outfit consisted of many interconnected parts.  Dress, earrings, hairstyle, shoes, color coordination...but, most of all, effort, planning, and the desire to look nice.  Yang never wanted to look sloppy, of course, but certain events were worth going the extra mile.  Tonight was one of those events.

Her best dress ended up not being good enough, so she bought a new one - a shimmering, golden complement to Blake’s majestic, dark purple gown.  A new dress meant she needed new shoes to go with it, and she got new earrings and a new necklace while she was at it.

Had she expected a last-minute shopping trip?   No, but she couldn’t be happier with the end result.  Even though it took a solid hour to make sure her hair and makeup looked flawless, everything came together just how she wanted it.

She couldn’t remember the last time she put so much effort into her appearance, but this was for Blake.  Blake could have invited anyone to her company party or gone alone like she originally planned, but she invited Yang - and Yang was determined to be the best date ever.

After one last glance in the mirror, she nodded at her reflection and headed into the living room.  The final piece of her ensemble was a black handbag - also new, and also matching - that she grabbed off the counter before leaving her apartment with time to spare.

Considering how long she just spent on her hair, driving Bumblebee was out of the question.  She hurried down the front steps of her building and searched for a taxi instead.  Fortunately, taxis were out in force tonight, ready to pick up weekend party-goers and business travelers alike.  She flagged one down in no time and slipped into the backseat as soon as it stopped at the sidewalk.

“Where’re you headed?” the driver asked while she smoothed out her dress to avoid wrinkles.

“The Regal, please.”

The man nodded at her destination - one of the swankiest, most expensive hotels in Vale - and the cab pulled away from the curb moments later.  Yang settled in for the short ride and watched the city pass beyond the window.

Now that the moment had arrived, she realized how excited she was.  Tonight had been practically the only thing on her mind all week while planning her outfit and imagining what excitement the night could bring.  Any night with Blake was bound to be great, but this one felt more special than most.  Maybe it was the fancy outfits, the upscale location, or the fact that Blake invited Yang to a work event.  Knowing how important Blake’s job was to her, Yang was flattered and determined to make her look like a superstar.

“Here we are,” the cab driver said while pulling into the long, circular drive leading to the hotel’s front doors.  A line of taxis already waited to drop off their passengers but, before long, the entrance slid into view.

“Thanks.”  After paying the fare, Yang stepped out of the vehicle and smiled at the valet who had opened the door for her.

“Good evening, Miss.”

“Good evening,” she replied, adding a polite smile and nod before heading inside.

The Regal’s lobby hummed with the glamorous, hectic energy she loved.  Wealthy travelers checked in at the front desk, lounged at the ritzy bar, or chatted up the concierge.  Employees rushed about their tasks wearing sharp, black uniforms with shining silver accents.  More importantly, elegant signs directed her to the evening’s grand event in the main ballroom.

Excitement growing, she wasted no time following the signs across the dazzling lobby.  Several well-dressed visitors caught her attention as she went, but her gaze didn’t linger on them for long.  They were also dressed to the nines and looked rather self-assured of themselves, but she wasn’t here to check out the unique crowd.  She was here for one reason, and one reason only.  When she entered a wide, opulent hallway and spotted that reason standing outside the ballroom’s entrance, her heart skipped a beat.

For as gorgeous as Blake’s dress looked on the hanger, seeing her wear it was stunning.  The dark-purple dress and matching heels flawlessly complemented her long, wavy black tresses.  The glimmering fabric fit her like a glove, showing off an enviable figure most women would die for.  The slit running up her thigh and low neckline showed off what felt like miles of tantalizing skin while maintaining an elegant-yet-sexy vibe.

But nothing could have prepared Yang for the way Blake’s eyes locked on to her and swept over her outfit in a tantalizingly slow manner.  It felt as if Blake was drinking everything in - from Yang’s heels to her golden dress to her dangling earrings - before a soft, genuine smile settled upon her lips.  She looked so sincerely happy that Yang’s pace quickened, wanting nothing more than to make it to her as soon as possible.

“You’re early,” Blake said once Yang reached her, smiling at what had become a running joke between them.

“Of course,” Yang replied before giving Blake’s outfit an even more thorough inspection.  “And wow, you look…”

Stunning was the best way to describe Blake, as Yang had just been stunned speechless.  Ravishing, sexy, drop-dead gorgeous - any of those would do, along with a host of others Yang couldn’t even get out right now.

“Were you expecting someone else?” she joked before wetting her lips and adding, “Because I can leave, but I’d rather stand here and stare at you all night.”

“I’m just glad it fits,” Blake answered matter-of-factly, as if she wasn’t the most jaw-droppingly beautiful person in the world.  After glancing at her dress, she let her gaze rove over Yang.  “You look...amazing, of course.”

“I wanted to make you look good,” Yang admitted, her cheeks warmed at the flattery.  “I might’ve gone a little overboard.”

“It paid off.”  After several more seconds spent examining Yang’s dress, which included biting her bottom lip in an unabashedly attractive way, Blake met Yang’s eyes and extended her hand.  “Ready?”

“I can’t wait to see everyone drool over you,” Yang replied, accepting Blake’s hand and walking into the ballroom by her side.  As soon as they stepped through the doorway, she let out a long, soft whistle.

As expected for one of the priciest hotels in the city, the ballroom took excess to another level.  Crystal chandeliers glittered from the ceiling several stories above, giving the room a sense of towering height.  Extravagant double staircases led to the upper level, where a lavishly decorated balcony ran around the perimeter up above.  The banisters and railings shone with an extra dose of polish, and their warm wood tones matched the glistening floor.

The guests added to the opulence, as Blake and Yang weren’t the only ones sporting their finest attire.  Beautiful ballgowns and sharp tuxedos were everywhere, along with a score of smartly dressed waiters and waitresses making their way through the crowd carrying trays of appetizers and flutes of champagne.

“They went all out, didn’t they?”

“Definitely,” Yang agreed before sneaking a grin Blake’s way.  “But I meant ‘wow’ as in ‘wow, this is what it feels like to arrive with the most beautiful girl beside you.’”

Blinking in surprise - adorably caught off guard - Blake opened her mouth but ultimately shook her head rather than respond.  The blush on her cheeks belied how much she enjoyed the compliment though, encouraging Yang to voice more of those thoughts aloud.

“Everyone’s looking at you,” she whispered while they passed a semi-crowded bar followed by a cluster of small, round tables for guests to stand at and enjoy their drinks.

“They’re looking at you, Yang.”

“If they’re looking at me, it’s because they’re wondering who was lucky enough to come with you.  Can’t believe it’s me.”

“Shush.”  Smiling now, Blake playfully shoved Yang’s shoulder with her free hand.  “You’re the most beautiful one here and you know it.”

“I’ll accept second most beautiful - final offer.”  Knowing they would take that argument to their graves - Blake confirmed as much by shaking her head and preparing a rebuttal - Yang winked before changing the topic.  “What’re we celebrating anyway?”

“We’re having a really good year.”  When Yang’s brow rose at the explanation, Blake shrugged.  “Between that and a few authors we just signed, I think they wanted to do something big to celebrate.”

“They could’ve given everyone a big, fat bonus.”

“They could have,” Blake agreed with a soft laugh.  “But...there’s an open bar?”

Blake’s light-hearted wave to the bar prompted Yang’s attention that way.  Finding more people waiting in line, she laughed.

“Well, that’s basically money in your pocket!  Money you have to drink, but…knowing you, you’ll rack up a nice bonus in no time.”

Yang nudged Blake’s elbow with the tease, and Blake responded by smiling and leaning into Yang’s side.

“I’m not drinking that much tonight.”

“It would be fun...”

“Watching me embarrass myself in front of my bosses, coworkers, and their significant others?”

Faced with Blake’s arched brow and a room full of fancy executive types, Yang relented.

“Alright, fine.  But I need to see you drunk again.”

“‘Need’ to?”

“Yes!”  Yang added an emphatic nod while Blake shook her head.  “You’re the sexiest-yet-sweetest drunk ever.  I can never decide whether I want to kiss you or pinch your cheeks.”

“Why is that a hard decision?”

Blake stopped near the edge of the dance floor and gave Yang a curious-yet-inquiring look.  Fortunately, the question was easy to answer.

“Because when you’re being adorable, I want to pinch your cheeks.  But when you’re being sexy, which is basically all other times, I want to kiss you.  If you’re both at once though, everything gets all garbled.”

“I see…then which one am I right now?”

Prompted by the invitation to take another good look, Yang did precisely that.  Her eyes roved from Blake’s heels as far up her thigh as the slit in the dress allowed, then across her hips, up her chest, and finally to those breathtaking amber eyes and captivating smile.

“Sexy.  Definitely sexy.”

Yang was well aware that her answer implied she wanted to kiss Blake right now, but who wouldn’t want to kiss Blake right now?  The answer was no one.  Yang was ready and willing to argue that fact to the death but, after several moments of thought, Blake smiled and shook her head.

Before that subtle, ever-present desire became an actionable one, Yang redirected her focus to the party underway.

“But what should we do now?  Grab a drink?  Dance?  Mingle?”

The word alone made Blake groan.

“I see these people every day,” she explained, lowering her voice so she wasn’t overheard.  “The last thing I want to do is ‘mingle’ outside of work...”

“What I’m hearing is that we’re spending most of the night drinking and dancing?”

“Emphasis on dancing,” Blake said, but Yang waved off the distinction.

“Still up for negotiation,” she quipped before motioning to the bar.  “Let’s get one drink and see how you feel.”

Even though Blake sighed, she didn’t put up a fight as Yang tugged her that way.  In fact, she didn’t look opposed to the idea of a drink at all.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you want to get drunk,” Yang teased, earning an eyeroll as they wove through the small tables.

“That only happened because we were alone, and we’re definitely not alone right now.”

“But there are always places to slip away to…”  Looking around the ballroom with a bit more interest, Yang grinned when she found the perfect example.  “Like there,” she said, nodding to a small alcove near the side door used by the wait staff.  “Or there,” she added with a nod at a corner of the ballroom that had become an afterthought since the band’s equipment blocked much of it from view.

“Are you trying to lure me into one of your makeout spots?”

“In that dress?” Yang asked, giving Blake another good look.  “Absolutely.”

Yang nodded and released Blake’s hand as they joined the back of the line for drinks, but Blake bit her lip and gave the alcove what briefly looked like genuine consideration.  That expression quickly disappeared though, and a playfully demure one followed.

“Unfortunately, I can’t risk being caught in such a...compromising position...”

“We’re in a hotel, Blake.  Say the word and we’ll have a private spot in no time.”

“Will you go broke in the process?” Blake teased as they inched closer to the bar.

“Maybe.  But I can probably afford like...half an hour?  We’d have to be quick.”

“Romantic,” Blake replied dryly, but she couldn’t keep a smile at bay.  That became especially true when Yang laughed - both at the idea of the two of them sneaking off to get a room and that they’d only have half an hour to do so.

Once Yang’s laughter trailed off, Blake snuck another glance her way.

“Thanks for coming with me.”

“Are you kidding?  I can’t believe I wasn’t the first person you thought of for a fancy party.  You know I’m always looking for the chance to dress up.”

“But everyone else brought their spouses or significant others.”

“Wouldn’t you call me your significant other?” Yang asked, sending Blake a sidelong glance.  “Because you’re pretty significant to me.”

Blake opened her mouth but whatever she meant to say disappeared with a smile.

“You’re significant to me, too,” she said, wrapping her arm through Yang’s and leaning into Yang’s side as they moved forward in line.

The response warmed Yang’s heart just like Blake’s proximity warmed her side.  Maybe they weren’t ‘official’ or ‘dating’ or any of the other titles people used, but they were probably closer than any of the other couples here.  That knowledge made her proud, in a way, but she hardly opened her mouth to express that thought before Blake glanced to the side and quickly straightened up.

“My boss is walking over,” she whispered, her eyes darting over Yang’s shoulder while she separated from Yang and smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles in her dress.

“The one who loves dolls or the one who always wears pink?”

“You’ll see.”

That was all Blake had time to say before throwing on a bright, genial smile and gently prodding Yang to turn around.

“Blake!  There you are…”  The woman joining them must be in her mid-sixties, with graying hair and laugh lines starting to show, but her fluorescent pink dress demanded far more attention than either of those things.  “You look wonderful,” she added while loosely hugging Blake.

“Thanks, Deb.  So do you.”

“Oh, hush.  Maybe I could’ve held a candle to you back in my day, but those days are long gone.”

While Deb waved off the compliment and laughed light-heartedly, Blake gently motioned to Yang.

“This is my friend, Yang,” Blake said while Yang extended her hand and offered a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you.  And I love that color - wish I could pull it off.”

“Oh, darling, that’s the one good thing about getting older - you don’t need to pull it off.  You just wear it.”

Yang and Blake laughed at the flourish accompanying the statement, and Yang quickly understood why Deb was one of Blake’s favorite bosses.  Quirky, confident, funny - Yang could only wish to be like her at that age.

“At least that’s something to look forward to,” Yang said but paused mid-laughter when Deb leaned close and lowered her voice to a whisper.

“Among other things,” she added, winking before straightening her posture and turning to Blake.  “I’m sure the last thing you want to do is work right now, but Evangeline flew in from Mistral.  I wanted to introduce you two before she jets off to Vacuo.”

Evangeline must be important, as Blake’s brow rose at the name before glancing in the direction Deb waved.  There, near the ballroom’s entrance, a man and woman were being none-too-subtly flocked by other employees.  Before agreeing, however, Blake looked at Yang, but Yang waved off the concern before it was even voiced.

“I’ll wait at the bar,” she said, pointing toward several open seats.

“You’re sure?” Blake asked regardless, but she smiled at Deb once Yang nodded.  “Then yes, I’d love to meet her.”

“It shouldn’t take long,” Deb reassured Yang before leading Blake away.  “I’ve told her a lot about you,” Yang overheard her say as they went, putting a smile on Yang’s lips in no time.

She knew that Blake was good at her job.  She also knew that Blake was modest, so she was even better at her job than she let on.  The humility was part of what made Blake...Blake.  Honestly though, Yang would love to hear Blake boast someday.  She had plenty of reasons to brag, some of which she was seriously flaunting tonight.

Left to her own devices, Yang waited for the line in front of her to clear before smiling at the bartender hurrying over to her.

“Sorry for the wait.  What can I get you?”

“Can you make a strawberry sunrise?”

“Sure thing.”

While he grabbed a clean glass and searched for the ingredients, Yang claimed one of the empty barstools and glanced at the girl sitting beside her.  They were near the same age, but the girl’s petite frame made her look younger.  Her light-brown hair was drawn up in a high ponytail with a slight curl at the end, but her freckles made her stand out.  Scattered across her face, shoulders, arms - everywhere, really - she looked as bespeckled as someone who loved laying out in the sun.

“Nice place, isn’t it?” Yang asked.  When the girl barely glanced her way, seeming unsure about whether or not Yang was speaking to her, Yang turned to the side to make the conversation clearer.  “Do you work here or did you come with someone?” she added, finally drawing the girl’s full gaze - and a blush.

“Oh, um, yes.”  Realizing that didn’t answer the question, the girl shook her head and added, “I work here.  Not here like the hotel, but here as in - I work for the company sponsoring the party.”

By the time the flustered response ended, Yang couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped through her lips.  Between the tongue-tied ramble and rampant pink blush, this girl reminded her a lot of Ruby.

“It’s nice that they put this together,” she replied, hoping some small talk would put the girl at ease.  “And the open bar is a nice touch.”

When Yang motioned to the bar, the girl’s eyes widened.

“Oh, do you want a drink?” she asked only for her blush to deepen when the bartender set a glass in front of Yang.  “Or...you just ordered.  Right, I heard that.”

“I appreciate the offer though.”  After nodding to the bartender, Yang picked up the glass and took a sip.  “Mm, that’s good,” she said before setting it down and tapping the lip of the glass.  “Strawberry sunrise - have you ever had one?”

“I don’t think so…”

“Highly recommend.  Especially if you like sweet and fruity things.”

The girl’s blush only deepened at the comment, so Yang took another sip and tried another approach.

“I can’t believe they got an actual string quartet.”  She waved her glass toward the musicians on the other side of the dance floor.  “That’s so classy.”

“I know.  I was surprised.”  Finally a little less nervous, the girl looked around the ballroom with wonder.  “By all of this, really.  I’m not used to it.”

“Yeah, me neither,” Yang agreed.  “My bosses usually treat us to a free movie.  Free popcorn if we’re lucky.”

“What do you do?”

“I work at a production studio.”  When the girl’s eyes again widened, Yang shook her head.  “Nothing exciting.  A lot of grunt work, but maybe someday I’ll get to do something cool.”

“Do you want to be an actress?”

“You know, you’re not the first to ask,” Yang replied, chuckling at the uncanny theme.  “But I’m not pretty enough for that.”

“I think you are…” the girl mumbled, blushing even more when Yang glanced at her.

“Then you should meet some of my coworkers.”

After adding a wink with the comment, Yang took another drink and turned away.  She appreciated the compliment, and the girl was cute, but she wasn’t here to pick up a date.  Thinking about the real reason she was here, her gaze inevitably drifted to Blake, who was still caught in a conversation.

For as much as Blake disliked schmoozing, she was a great conversationalist when she put her mind to it.  Even from afar, anyone could see that she belonged amongst that group of powerful, wealthy, or famous individuals.  Intelligent, sharp, capable...she could handle anything.

From the smiles, laughter, and the way Deb patted Blake’s shoulder as if thrilled with everything, the conversation was going well.  It was wrapping up too, as several new people edged their way into the group hoping to steal some of Evangeline’s time next.

“So...are you waiting for someone?” Yang asked as Deb and Blake separated from the group and shared some words off to the side.  Knowing that Blake would be done with ‘work stuff’ soon, Yang turned back to her gracious host, who had lost some of her blush but now fiddled with her napkin.

“I, uh, came alone, actually.”  When Yang nodded, the girl cleared her throat and shyly met Yang’s gaze.  “Are you with anyone?  Or do you...maybe want to dance?”

“Ah.”  Yang glanced at the dance floor before offering an apologetic smile.  “Sorry, but I promised all my dances to that girl right there.”

When she nodded to Blake, who caught her gaze and motioned that she would be right back, the girl looked between the two of them.

“You came with Blake?” she asked before her eyes suddenly widened.  “Oh my god - are you Yang?”

“Yes…?”

“I’m so sorry!” the girl exclaimed, looking mortified while Yang only felt confused.  “If I’d known, I never would have - I mean, I wasn’t trying to impose.  I just thought that - maybe you were alone or - of course, of all the people here…”

“It’s fine, really,” Yang tried to assure her as she covered her cheeks with her hands.  “We were just chatting.”

“Right.  Yeah, just...chatting.”

In the awkward silence that followed, Yang tried to find something to say while the girl just blushed. Fortunately, Yang didn’t need to say anything - the girl eventually regained some of her composure and snuck another glance Yang’s way.

“Blake talks about you all the time.”

“She does?”  That knowledge, and the responding nod, had Yang grinning in no time.  “Hopefully good things?”

“Really good.  You’re obviously...very important...to her.”

“She’s important to me, too,” Yang replied, her gaze locking onto Blake and her smile growing when Blake finally headed back to her.

With that purple dress draping over her shoulders, her hips swaying with each step, and the slightest smile gracing her lips, Blake looked so unbelievable that any second not spent marveling at her was a waste.  And that was just how she looked.  For those fortunate enough to know her - and know how smart, considerate, and driven she was - her beauty went beyond words.

Yang’s skin tingled with a mixture of excitement and joy as Blake closed the gap between them, knowing that earnest, amber gaze was for her.  That small, nearly hidden smile was for her.  And that made her the luckiest person here tonight.

“Hey.”  As soon as Blake rejoined Yang’s side, that hidden smile became a true one.  “Sorry that took so long.”

“No worries.”  Overjoyed to be together again, Yang slid an arm around Blake’s waist and held up her drink.  “Want to finish this for me?”

Accepting the glass with a small shrug, Blake took a sip and hummed.  “I love these,” she added before taking a longer drink, much to Yang’s delight.

“I know you do.  But how do they compare to the ones I made?”

“Hmm…”  Mulling over the question, Blake took another sip and pursed her lips.  “Yours are better,” she concluded, smiling when Yang raised her hands to celebrate.  “But this one’s pretty good.”

“Yeah?  Then how about I order you like...eight more?”

“It was only five.”

“Even better!”

Playfully rolling her eyes, Blake set the empty glass on the counter and smiled at the girl sitting on Yang’s other side.

“Hey, Ilia.  You look nice.”

“Thanks, Blake.  You do, too...”

Ilia’s blush returned quickly, but Blake merely gave her a curious glance before turning back to Yang.

“Ilia just started recently.  She’s the one I helped train.”

“Oh, no way!”  Armed with that information, Yang looked at Ilia in a new light.  “It’s nice to meet you!  How’re you enjoying the job so far?”

“It’s...challenging but great.”  Ilia’s gaze flitted to Blake before returning to Yang.  “I still have a lot to learn, but everyone’s been really helpful and patient.”

“It takes a while before things click, but you’ll get there.”

While Ilia smiled at the words of encouragement, Yang tugged Blake closer and beamed up at her.

“I remember Blake’s first few months - she was basically a zombie by the time she got off work.  Forgetting her words, falling asleep everywhere...”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Blake argued, but her scoff ended when Yang arched her brow.

“Oh yeah?  I have examples though.  Should I share?”

“Actually, I think it’s time to dance, don’t you?”  While Yang laughed at the subject change, Blake looped an arm through hers and tugged her to her feet.  “Excuse us, Ilia.  I’m going to steal her before she embarrasses me.”

“Of course.”  After motioning them away, Ilia smiled at Yang.  “It was nice to meet you, Yang.  Sorry about...before.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Yang waved off the apology and gave Ilia one last smile before accompanying Blake to the dance floor.

“What’s she sorry for?” Blake asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Nothing, really.  At least, nothing that needs an apology.”  Blake looked even more confused by the response, but Yang glanced over her shoulder.  “She’s cute though.”

“Please don’t date her.”

“What?”  Catching Blake’s unamused look, Yang shook her head.  “No way.  I’d never do that.”

“If she’s cute enough…”

“No one’s cute enough for me to do that to you.”

Yang emphatically shook her head with that response.  Thankfully, Blake smiled and squeezed her hand.

“I know.  I’m just teasing you.”

Mollified by the response, Yang relaxed and let go of the argument building in her mind.  As far as she was concerned, anyone involved in Blake’s life was off-limits.  Even if Blake granted permission, Yang wouldn’t take it - the potential fallout wasn’t worth it.  There were plenty of other fish in the sea, and they would swim out of her life without impacting Blake’s.

Fortunately, Blake believed her - that much was evident in her small smile and satisfied hum as they walked onto the polished, wooden dance floor.

“Finally,” Yang sighed once they found a spot for themselves.  “I’ve been looking forward to this since we got here.”

“Me too.”

With a small, almost-shy smile that made Yang’s heart race, Blake set her arms on Yang’s shoulders and loosely clasped her hands behind Yang’s neck.  The position encouraged Yang into Blake’s space, yet she still took a deep breath before setting her hands on Blake’s waist.  Blake welcomed the touch with a smile that Yang returned as they followed the slow, gentle pace of the music.

Yang loved all kinds of dancing, but this was by far her favorite.  No crowded dance floor, no pounding bass, no chaotic energy crackling through the air.  Just quiet, slow, intimate connection.

“How’d the intro go?” she asked once they settled into an easy, effortless rhythm.

“Good, I think.  Evangeline’s in charge of the entire region, and the list of writers she’s signed is...impressive.  Rumor is she can pick whoever she wants to publish and doesn’t even need an explanation.”

“Meaning she can pick you when the time comes.”

“Something like that…”  After glancing toward the bar, where Evangeline and her group of followers had migrated, Blake smiled up at Yang.  “It’s definitely not bad if she likes me.”

“Which she will because you’re incredible.”

When Blake just hummed, too caught up in her thoughts to argue, Yang gently squeezed her hips.  The gesture brought Blake’s eyes back to hers, and a smile followed soon after.

“What were you and Ilia talking about?”

“Just the usual chitchat,” Yang replied before grinning.  “Apparently, you’ve been keeping a big secret from me.”

Blake’s next step faltered, but she quickly recovered and gave Yang a curious look.

“What do you mean?”

“If what Ilia said is true, you talk about me all the time.”

When Yang nodded to the bar, Blake glanced that way and relaxed.

“I wouldn’t say all the time, but you come up sometimes.”

“She definitely said ‘all the time,’” Yang teased, but Blake smiled and shook her head.  “Well, come on,” Yang prodded, lightly squeezing Blake’s sides in hopes of keeping that smile around.  “What’d you tell her?”

“I mentioned you in passing, that’s all -”

“That can’t be all!  She said I’m obviously important to you -”

“You are important to me,” Blake said, and Yang’s heart fluttered at the simple, sincere response.

In a world where even the strongest ties could be severed, where anyone could leave at any time, Blake stuck around through good times and bad.  She listened to Yang’s stories of self-inflicted drama and offered advice.  She didn’t have to be a part of Yang’s life, but she was always there when Yang needed her.

They could be friends forever as long as Yang didn’t mess up.  Friends were more forgiving, more open-minded, and more willing to grant second, third, or even fourth chances.  She needed those extra chances, as last weekend at the birthday party proved.

“Besides…” Blake added, her gaze briefly drifting away as another couple passed close to them.  “I’m sure you talk about me at work, too.”

“Uh…”  Considering the truth in that statement, Yang didn’t even attempt a lie.  “Definitely,” she admitted instead.  “Pyrrha probably gets so tired of hearing me talk about you.  But she uses it to her advantage now - whenever work’s stressful, she gets me talking about you and I’ll hardly notice.”

Surprisingly, the mind games worked.  Pyrrha used it on her just that week, actually.

“But now I can do the same to her,” Yang added.  “I mean, by using Jaune.  I get her talking about Jaune, and she lights up like it’s her birthday.”

For a moment, Blake looked like she didn’t know how to respond, whether to the part about Jaune or the admission that simply talking about her melted Yang’s stress away.  Eventually, a smile eased onto her lips, and she unclasped her hands so that she could weave one through Yang’s hair.  Her gentle, soothing touch never ceased to amaze Yang, as her fingers never snagged or pulled.  Confident yet careful…that pretty much summed up Blake’s treatment of Yang after all these years.

“I’m glad I can distract you even when I’m not there,” Blake finally replied, her voice soft and caring.  “You could always call me, too.”

“At work?”

“If you ever want to talk,” Blake replied with a nod.  “I can always take a quick break.”

Knowing how important Blake’s job was to her, Yang had always shied away from being an unnecessary distraction.  If Blake was willing to take a break every once in a while though...that opened up endless possibilities to catch up during the day.  And more time with Blake was always a good thing.

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that sometime.”

Blake’s eyes brightened at the acceptance, and Yang smiled down at her before glancing around the ballroom.  With the party now well underway, the extravagant venue radiated good cheer.  The crowd by the bar had grown - no surprise there - but more couples had joined the dance floor, too.

The music had picked up with the rise in the atmosphere, and some people danced more formally now.  Others danced to amuse coworkers or show off to dates.  But none of them had any influence on Blake or Yang’s gentle swaying in their own pocket of space, from which they watched the rest of the party flow around them.

“So, what do you think?” Yang asked once her gaze inevitably returned to Blake.  “Am I a good date?”

“I’ve always known you would be,” Blake replied, briefly smiling before turning away.  Her fingers also stopped weaving through Yang’s hair, but soon they resumed their course and she recaptured Yang’s eyes.  “I’m glad you came with me.  It’s more fun with you here.”

“Yeah?”  Yang’s smile widened when Blake nodded.  “I’m glad I’m here, too.  You know I love spending time with you.”

“I know.  And you were right,” Blake replied with a sly smile.  “You’re making me look good.  Deb asked if you’re a model.”

When Yang pumped one fist in celebration, Blake chuckled and shook her head.

“That’s pretty good though,” Yang pointed out, grinning all the while.

“Really good,” Blake admitted.  “But I’m not surprised.  You’re beautiful and have the best fashion sense of anyone I know - that’s a deadly combo.”

Beaming at the praise, Yang let the next few seconds pass in overjoyed silence.  But Blake’s comment had brought something to mind, which she opened her mouth to say before shutting it and shaking her head.  If she waited long enough, the conversation would move on.  She took that route more often than not, waiting for something else to come up so she could shove the thought away.  But this time…she just said it.

“You know, when I was little I loved playing dress-up with my mom’s clothes.”

Blake’s first reaction was something akin to surprise, but an amused smile soon appeared.

“Did you?”

“Yup.”  Yang nodded and kept a firm grasp on Blake while they swayed to the music, as if holding onto Blake would get her through this.  “I’d put on mini fashion shows for her, too.”

“That’s adorable.”

“It was a lot of fun.  Ruby was never into it, so it was something for just the two of us, you know?  She promised to teach me everything once I was older.”

Feeling the lump of emotion growing in her throat, she looked down and considered ending the story there.  But that was always what she did, and she’d promised to try harder.

“She was a lot like you,” she whispered, briefly meeting Blake’s gaze and mustering a quick smile.  “Beautiful without trying.  Didn’t read fashion magazines, didn’t follow the trends - she just knew what looked good.  I wish she could’ve taught me how to be like that, but...never really got the chance.”

When a prickling sensation in her eyes joined the lump in her throat, Yang stared at the floor and cleared her throat.  Several seconds of silence passed - just long enough for her to regain some composure - before Blake spoke.

“Is that why you read all those fashion magazines?”

“Yeah,” Yang admitted, finally meeting Blake’s warm gaze.  “I want to look nice, obviously, but I also just...hope she’s proud of what I learned by myself.  I’ll never be as beautiful as her, but...maybe I’m doing alright on my own.  That’s a dumb thing to be sad about, right?”

“That’s not dumb at all.”

Not so sure about that, a soft scoff slipped through Yang’s lips as she shook her head.  The next second, however, Blake set a hand on her cheek to capture her attention.

“I know she would be proud of you.  And not just because of how well you dress.”

Seeing the sincerity in Blake’s eyes and hearing it in her voice, Yang’s heart swelled with emotions.  The tears tried to return, too, but she held them behind a wavering smile.

“Thanks, Blake,” she said, only for Blake to stop dancing and hug her.

“Thank you for sharing,” Blake whispered in her ear before pulling away and offering a soft, loving smile.  Yang mustered a much smaller smile and nod before they resumed their prior positions and continued dancing, albeit at an even slower pace than before.  Sharing even that small memory left her feeling exposed, unprotected, but also...lighter.  All thanks to the gorgeous, stunning girl in her arms.

Yang had met plenty of pretty girls over the years, but Blake was the only one who was genuinely, unquestionably attractive.  Not just beautiful, not just pretty…she drew people in and made them want her in a way that surface beauty never could.

Yang had known this for quite some time, but right now...she felt it.  With Blake’s arms wrapped around her neck, holding her close, and their bodies pressed together, swaying to the music, longing sprang into her veins.  Longing to be even more intimate than they were right now.  Longing to somehow express how grateful she was to have someone she could share her past with, as difficult as it might be.

As usual, Blake read right through Yang’s emotions.  A question formed in her eyes but, before she asked something that Yang had no idea how to answer, Yang rested her forehead against Blake’s and smiled.

“You’re really beautiful,” she whispered before watching surprise, then modesty, chase that unanswerable question away.

“You’re one to talk,” Blake whispered back.

This time Yang didn’t bother arguing, she just smiled and pulled Blake closer.  Blake responded by resting her cheek on Yang’s shoulder and sighing.  She could probably hear Yang’s heart beating loud and fast right now, loving everything about this moment and determined to hold onto it as long as possible.

Just her and Blake, swaying to the music, content to be with each other and no one else.  It made Yang feel incredibly…whole.  As if, for the first time in her life, she truly understood that there was nowhere else she would rather be and no one else she would rather be with.

Comments

Amara Wolfe

C'mon Yang, we're waiting! We know you can ask her out!