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“This was fun, right??”

With rosy cheeks and a hop in her step, Ruby looked between Yang and Blake like a puppy hoping for a reward.

“A lot of fun,” Yang replied before hugging Ruby.  After pulling away and patting Ruby’s shoulders, she moved aside so that Blake could give her a quick hug next.

“Thanks for inviting us,” Blake added.  “We should do this again sometime.”

“Yeah??”  Ruby lit up at the suggestion - likely the reward she’d hoped for.  “We should!  And we can switch who hosts!  Like, Yang can be in charge next time.”

“Oh, joy.”  Yang chuckled at Ruby’s enthusiasm before extending her arms to Weiss.  “We can hug, right?  Since we know everything about each other now.”

A blush reappeared on Weiss’ cheeks, but she didn’t shy away from Yang’s embrace.  The small, casual affection was night and day different from the version of Weiss they used to see in the coffee shop - a positive change Yang noted with a smile when Weiss hugged Blake next.

“It was great seeing you,” Blake said before returning to Yang’s side.  Resisting the overwhelming urge to wrap an arm around Blake’s shoulders, Yang stuck both hands into her pockets and smiled at their gracious hosts.

“We should probably get out of your hair so you can wrap up your night.”

This time, Yang tried not to notice Weiss’ blush or consider what it implied.  Thankfully, Weiss quickly averted her gaze.

“Oh, don’t forget your...gift.”

When Weiss picked up the book from the table - fortunately, the title was hidden by wrapping paper - Blake’s eyes widened and Yang none-too-subtly snatched it from Weiss’ hands.

“Thanks!  Wouldn’t want that.”

If Weiss and Ruby were of sound mind right now, that reaction - and the embarrassed chuckle accompanying it - might have garnered suspicion.  But, thanks to several fine bottles of wine, Weiss only briefly frowned before letting the moment go, and Ruby just kept grinning as if she couldn’t express her happiness enough.  Sensing the opportunity to escape unscathed, Yang took Blake’s hand and backed into the hall.

“See you tomorrow morning?” she asked Ruby.

“Definitely!”

Smiling at the enthusiastic, possibly overly optimistic response, Yang waved and added a quick, “Have a good night!” before shutting the door.  In the brief silence that followed, absent Ruby’s cheerful chatter interspersed with Weiss’ timely quips, she shook her head.

The game night she imagined and what actually happened were miles apart.  Yes, there was a lot of food.  Yes, there was plenty of laughter and good conversation.  But her cheeks were probably permanently flushed now - not only from the haze of wine but also from embarrassment.

Fortunately, she had a distraction.

“Alright, I need to see this.”

Mere steps away from Ruby’s apartment, she paused and tore the wrapping paper off of the book.  As soon as the cover was exposed, she gasped.

“This is a dirty book!” she exclaimed in a hushed whisper while Blake shushed her and shoved it out of view.

“What did you expect?” Blake asked in an equally hushed voice, her amber eyes flitting around the empty hall as if someone might be eavesdropping.

Honestly, Yang had no idea what she expected.  Subtlety, perhaps?  Certainly not two beautiful, busty, lip-locked women gracing the book in her hands.

What made the gift even sweeter was that it proved Blake had a racier side - something Yang had known forever but always found particular glee in seeing.  Not only that, but Blake had remembered their conversation and, most importantly, decided that the embarrassment of handing over such a book was worth making Yang laugh.

“You’re amazing.”

Yang kissed Blake’s cheek before she even realized what she was doing.  As soon as she did, she quickly backed away, earning a questioning look from Blake.  She didn’t know why she just did that besides that it felt natural and like what she was supposed to do right then.  But now things were awkward, and she nervously cleared her throat while Blake tucked a strand of hair behind one ear.

“Maybe you should let me carry that,” Blake eventually said, taking the book from Yang’s hands and sticking it in her bag.  “And apparently I’ve been recommending the wrong types of books,” she added as they set off for the stairwell at an unhurried pace.

“I’m a simple person.  Two beautiful women and some action?  I’m there.”

When Blake playfully rolled her eyes, Yang nudged her shoulder and laughed.  Considering how the day started - worried out of her mind about having ‘ruined’ their friendship - a few hours and a few more glasses of wine had worked wonders on her anxiety.  That, and Blake was acting the same as usual.  Yang was the one struggling with the now-blurred line of their relationship.  Or maybe that was the alcohol talking...because keeping her hands to herself had become a bit of a battle.

“That reminds me…” she groaned as they plodded downstairs.  “I know way too much about my sister’s sex life now.”

“Weiss is a bit of a talker, isn’t she?”

“And a lightweight,” Yang pointed out.  “Pretty sure she only had like two glasses.”

“She had some of Ruby’s, too.”

“Oh, right.”

Yang wrinkled her nose remembering how ‘couple-y’ Weiss and Ruby became as the night progressed.  At a certain number of drinks, Weiss had crossed the line between ‘cute and flirty’ and ‘far too handsy when someone’s sister was in attendance.’

“Either way, she didn’t have nearly enough to admit some of what she did.”

Recalling just one of Weiss’ unfortunate confessions, Yang shook her head to clear those thoughts away.  Of course, because she also had slightly too much to drink, the sudden motion made her lose her balance and bump into the wall.  Blake giggled at the reaction - an adorable, infectious giggle that had Yang smiling again in no time.

Admittedly, Yang loved when Blake got a little tipsy.  That composed, reserved aura often slipped under external influences, giving way to a cute, lovable, yet unrelentingly sexy version of herself that few ever saw.  With her eyes trained on the steps, however, she failed to notice Yang’s smile.

“It was nice to see her relax though,” she mused.

“I guess…but I would’ve been fine never knowing some of that stuff.”

“Like what?”

“Blake,” Yang whined, but Blake just laughed while holding open the door to the lobby.  “I’m not repeating any of it,” she protested as they headed to the exit.  “My ears have bled enough.”

“Well...I guess you could say we all know each other better now.”

Another blush rushed to Yang’s cheeks when she remembered Blake’s answers, many of which she’d guessed horrendously wrong.  Weiss and Ruby’s responses had been like watching a mature movie with her dad - awkward and emotionally scarring.  Blake’s answers, on the other hand, had captured her full attention...and imagination.

“That’s not a bad thing, is it?” she asked, glancing Blake’s way.

“Why would it be bad?”

“Because...now you know a lot more about me.  Maybe you…feel differently?”

Yang hoped that wasn’t true, but she had worried about it with every subsequent question.  Would Blake judge her for the things she’d done?  Or be put off by the things she liked...or didn’t like?

“I’m a little surprised,” Blake admitted while walking through the door Yang held for her.  “But pleasantly so.”

“Really?”

Blake’s nod offered some measure of relief, and Yang actually sighed while following her down the front steps.

“I always assumed with your...experience...you moved pretty fast.”

“You mean you thought I was easy??”

“I know you aren’t easy,” Blake replied, laughing as they paused on the sidewalk.  “I just figured you’d be...easier.”

Altogether, that sounded like a decent response.  Better than Yang expected, at least.

“And I thought you were a little less risque,” she admitted.  “Guess we were both wrong.”

“I guess we were.”

After chuckling at the memories, they stood in front of Ruby’s building and smiled at each other for several moments.  The chilly night air felt nice against Yang’s subtle blush, which Blake’s rosy cheeks certainly mirrored.

For as embarrassing and awkward as that game was, it felt like they were closer than ever before.  Between yesterday’s kiss and the questions tonight, she’d stumbled across a trove of new information to be learned and experiences begging to be uncovered.  The biggest drawback was that now she wanted to know even more.

“Alright,” Blake sighed, raising her hand and beckoning for Yang to give her something.  “Give me your keys.”

“You think I’d drive home like this?”

“I’m not risking it,” Blake answered, her amber eyes locking onto Yang.  “Picking you up from the hospital once was more than enough.”

“That’s why I walked.”  A smile crept onto Yang’s lips when Blake’s brow rose.  She didn’t often get to surprise Blake, but she loved when it happened.  “Ruby hinted there would be drinking involved, so I figured…better safe than sorry.  Or better safe than making you mad at me.”

A slow, pleased smile made its way onto Blake’s lips at the explanation and, in Yang’s current emotional state, making Blake smile sent a cheerful buzz through her veins.  If she could, she would bottle up that feeling and save it forever, revisiting it whenever she felt down.

“In that case…” Blake replied, her voice soft, low, and enticing.  “Want to share a cab?”

“What?  Why?”  Breaking out of that haze, Yang grabbed Blake’s arm before she flagged down a taxi.  “It’s nice out!”

“It’s also pretty far…”

“But I want to spend more time with you.”  The admission caught Blake off guard, as evidenced by her raised brow and half-smile, and bashfulness prompted Yang to run a hand through her hair.  “I mean, we can take a cab if you want, but I’d like to walk you home.”

The nerves proved unnecessary, as Blake’s smile washed them away.

“I’d love that.”

“Yeah?”  Blake’s nod only made Yang more excited, and she beamed while offering her elbow to Blake.  “Then let’s get going!  The blocks won’t walk themselves.”

Chuckling softly, Blake accepted Yang’s arm, and the two of them set off for her apartment together.

Whether due to the cold, the drinks, or something else, tonight felt...different.  Good different.  Lighter, happier, brighter different.  Yang felt it in the way Blake leaned into her side, sharing each other’s warmth to combat the chill, and in how emphatically her heart responded to Blake’s proximity, as if speaking to Blake’s in unheard ways.

“Tonight was fun, right?” she asked, hoping to distract herself from the jumble of emotions in her chest.

“I had a great time.  Did you?”

When Blake looked up at her, gorgeous amber eyes glinting under the streetlights, Yang’s heart thumped.

“I did,” she said, only breathing again once Blake hummed and turned away.  “What was your favorite part?”

“Besides every moment with you?” Blake asked while they waited to cross the intersection, effortlessly getting Yang’s heart fluttering.  “Probably…before you got there, watching them work together.  Weiss was stressed about having everything ready in time, but Ruby did a great job calming her down.”  As their feet set into motion again, Blake thought about her answer for several more seconds before adding, “They’re a strange pair, but they’re perfect together.”

“Do you think people say that about us?”

Yang backpedaled as soon as she heard the question out loud and saw Blake’s brow lift.  “I mean as friends,” she clarified.  “I think we make great...friends...right?  And maybe other people think that when they see us?”

That didn’t come across right because she meant it as she said it - did people look at them and think they were great with each other in the same way Weiss and Ruby were?  They didn’t have to be dating to be great.  They could...just be.

Fortunately, Blake seemed to understand and took her time mulling over the question.  The faint blush on her cheeks made her even cuter than normal, as did the way she slightly pursed her lips while deciding on her response.

“I think we make a great team...in whatever way we choose.”

Yang’s heart warmed at the answer, and she smiled while pulling Blake closer to her side.

“I do, too.  And since we make such a great team...you’ll help me host game night, right?”

Blake scoffed, just like Yang knew she would.

“Please?” Yang added regardless, knowing that a little begging never hurt.  “You know you’re better at that stuff than me.  Plus, it’ll be fun, right?  We can bake cookies, make snacks, and beat Ruby and Weiss at a game of our choice!”

Even though Blake sighed and shook her head, a smile snuck onto her lips.  Still, she pretended to be bothered by her easy agreement as she grumbled, “Fine...but only if you promise to help with everything.”

“I absolutely promise.”

When Yang drew an ‘X’ across her heart, Blake finally relented.

“Ok.  We’ll co-host.”

After pumping one fist in celebration, earning a teasing eyeroll from Blake, Yang laughed and tugged Blake’s arm closer as they continued their walk.  Even though that hypothetical game night had no set date or time, Yang was already looking forward to showing how well they worked together.  Not that it was a competition...but she was confident they could pull off something amazing.  All they needed was a fun game, their favorite drinks, and - most importantly, seeing as how Ruby would be there - great food.

“Oh my god.”  Eyes landing upon a perfect example of great food, Yang stopped walking, pulled Blake close, and lowered her voice to a whisper.  “Know what sounds amazing right now?  Donuts!”

When she pointed at the vendor across the street, set up near the entrance of the park, Blake laughed.

“How can you possibly eat?  You and Ruby finished all the nachos.”

“It’s a Xiao Long family gift!  Come on, we have to get some.”

Taking Blake’s laugh as an answer, Yang looked both ways before hurrying across the street and over to the stall selling mouth-watering donuts to late-night adventurers.  The small, round delicacies practically begged to be eaten, and she was more than willing to heed the call.  Ordinarily, she wouldn't be so gung ho about a sugar rush this late, but tonight was a special occasion.  At least, that was her reasoning as they reached the cart.

“You know you want some,” she teased Blake as the smell of sugar and fried dough enveloped them.  A glance to the side proved as much, with Blake’s reticence fading almost as soon as her eyes landed upon the options in front of them.

“The chocolate ones look amazing,” she added, knowing those would be Blake’s undoing.  “They all do, actually...but the chocolate-covered ones...”

“Alright,” Blake interrupted with a laugh, knowing that Yang was about to detail the many ways in which chocolate-covered donuts were amazing.  “I’ll have some.  Not too many though.”

“Get a dozen and share?”  As soon as Blake nodded, Yang smiled at the stall owner.  “A dozen chocolate-covered, please.”

While he grabbed a pair of tongs and started dropping donuts into a plain, paper bag, Yang reached for her wallet and waved Blake away when she tried to do the same.

“I got it.  Since I kind of forced you to participate.”

“You’ve never forced me to do anything,” Blake replied, but she put her wallet away.

“Here you go,” the man said moments later, handing over the donut-filled bag before taking Yang’s money.  While he counted out change, Yang opened the bag and held it out to Blake.

“Any good?” she asked, prompting Blake to take one and pop it in her mouth.  When Blake hummed, Yang beamed and accepted her change from the vendor with a “Thank you.”

Guiding Blake away from the stall, Yang grabbed a donut for herself and followed Blake’s example - popping the entire thing in her mouth at once.  Unsurprisingly, considering Blake had excellent taste, they were delicious.  Rich, chocolate outside...soft, fluffy inside...the perfect late-night snack.

While offering Blake a second one, Yang looked around to regain her bearings.  And, in doing so, found the perfect excuse to extend their night even longer.

“Detour?”

When Yang pointed to the entrance of the park, Blake nodded and fell into step beside her.  Before long, the scenery around them changed so dramatically that they might as well have been transported to another world.  Drab buildings and dirty streets gave way to a green oasis.  Towering trees interrupted fields of freshly cut grass, and flower-lined paths wove from one park feature to the next.

One of the greatest things about a big city like Vale?  The never-ending sense of life.  The late hour kept some people away, but plenty of others went about their routines or set new ones.  Joggers, dog walkers, skateboarders...everything passed by quickly.  People came and went.  Days disappeared one after another.

But Yang was so present and content in this moment that the world seemed to settle down.  There were no worries about work, family, or anything else going on in her life.  It was just her, Blake, and a bag of rapidly disappearing donuts.

“This is nice,” she said while they walked beside a man-made pond, listening to the sound of water cascading from the fountain in the center.  “When’s the last time we did this?”

“Stayed out late drinking on a work night?” Blake asked before shaking her head.  “A few weeks, at least.”

“That’s all?”  When Blake nodded, Yang chuckled and shook the bag in her hands.  “But we have donuts this time,” she pointed out, much to Blake’s amusement.

“You’re right.  The donuts make it different.”

While Blake fished another one from the bag, Yang laughed.  Donuts weren’t the only thing different about tonight, but now wasn’t the time to dive into those other feelings - not that she could explain them if she tried.  Instead, she grabbed another donut and returned to people-watching.

There was plenty of activity tonight - two old men playing chess at the concrete tables, a dance group practicing on one of the basketball courts, a pickup game happening on one of the others - but Yang’s gaze kept returning to the young couple walking a good distance in front of them.

“Hey Blake.”  Leaning into Blake’s side, Yang lowered her voice and subtly nodded at the young man and woman who’d walked ahead of them for the past few minutes.  “What do you think - first date?”

“That, or they aren’t dating yet.”

“Oh...true.”

Even from a distance, a casual observer could tell that the young couple wasn’t sure of where they stood with each other.  Friends?  More than friends?  That answer eluded them as much as Yang, who watched with interest as the girl laughed at one of the boy’s jokes, only for them to spend the following moments stealing glances at each other.

“He wants to hold her hand!” Yang exclaimed in a hushed voice, spotting the boy’s subtle glance at the girl’s hand.

“She does, too.”

“He’ll go for it first.  He’s psyching himself up right now.”

“But he won’t,” Blake replied just as certainly.  “She’ll initiate.”

“No, he’s got this!”  When Blake just smiled and shook her head, Yang grinned at her.  “Ten bucks he makes the first move.”

“You’re on.  I don’t mind taking your money.”

Laughing at the very Blake-like response, Yang slowed her pace and casually watched the awkward couple’s next moves.  After meandering along the path for another minute, seeming in as little of a rush as Yang and Blake were, the boy dropped his hand to his side and...did nothing.  The girl reached for his hand instead, producing a sincerely ‘awe’-inducing moment when they beamed at each other through their new blushes.

“Ah, dammit...” Yang muttered under her breath.  “Alright, I owe you ten bucks.”

Blake hummed but didn’t gloat about being right, and Yang glanced her way.

“How’d you know?”

“She’s been leaning towards him for the past five minutes, making sure to keep her hand by her side, even grazed his a couple of times, but he never bit.  Only a matter of time before she made the first move.”

“Wow.  You’re good.”  Blake shrugged off the compliment, but Yang nodded.  “You are!  You’re like...the master of relationships.”

“Ironic considering I’m not in one.”

Blake chuckled with the deadpan response, but Yang frowned and let the next few moments pass in silence.  The young couple sat on one of the benches lining the path, still holding hands and not yet ready to leave the park behind, but she hardly spared them a glance while passing by.  Her thoughts were reserved for Blake right now, swirling around the same question over and over again.

Even though they went through so many revealing questions at Ruby’s earlier, this one felt personal.  Yang didn’t want to pry, especially if it was something Blake didn’t want to reveal, but she also really wanted to know.

“I have a question…” she began.  “But you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Ok…?”

Having reached the far end of the park, Blake glanced at Yang while they waited to cross the street and return to the city landscape.  For a split second, Yang considered taking the conversation in a different direction but, emboldened by the night, knew that now was as good a time as ever to ask.

“Is there a reason you haven’t dated anyone in a while?”  When Blake blinked, Yang hurried on.  “I mean, I know you’re busy at work, but I was just curious if there’s another reason or something...”

Yang trailed off, worried that she just crossed another line.  Blake didn’t immediately answer, but she studied Yang - searching her eyes and expression for anything more to that question - until the light turned and they started across the intersection.  As their feet set back in motion, she sighed and looked down at her hands.

“It’s not that I don’t want to date anyone.  I guess I just...have a particular type of person in mind.”

“And you haven’t found them yet?”

“It’s...more complicated than that...”  Before Yang asked what that meant, Blake shook her head.  “A lot of people need to be with someone, but I don’t mind being alone.  And I’m willing to wait for the person I want to be with, not just...someone to fill the time.”

The answer highlighted another way in which they were opposites, but Yang didn’t point that out.  Instead, she looked at the sidewalk under her feet and nodded.

“That makes sense,” she added before glancing at Blake.  “So…if I asked you out right now, what would you say?”

“Are you still you in this instance, or…?”

“I wish,” Yang scoffed before motioning at a young man walking on the other side of the street.  “Let’s say I’m that guy.  And I walk over here and say, ‘Hey, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen, and I’d like to buy you dinner sometime.’  What would you say?”

“Well, flattered, but I don’t know him.”

“How can you get to know someone without going out with them?” Yang asked, but Blake just shrugged.  “You figure out pretty fast how you feel.  That’s why the first few dates are nothing serious…”  Yang trailed off when Blake frowned and watched her for several seconds before asking, “What?”

“Why do you always say that?  What if I want something serious?”

Yang didn’t have a response to that, and Blake knew it.  That was why she shook her head and looked up at the stars, hidden as they were above the clouds.

“What if I want something serious...” she repeated softly.  “What if I don’t want to go on a bunch of dates with different people, hoping that one sticks and the rest disappear?  What if I want one person who I always want to be around, and who always wants to be around me?”

Silence followed those questions.  It wasn’t that Yang didn’t want to respond - she did - but she didn’t know how to validate Blake’s desire.  Coming from her, any reassurance would probably sound insincere.  So she didn’t say anything at all, leading Blake to meet her gaze and offer a small smile.

“And what if I know that wanting something serious will scare people away?  At our age...that’s a lot of pressure, and some people aren’t ready to handle it.  Maybe they never will be.”

Yang’s heart clenched at the way Blake shrugged and turned away as if resigned to the fact that her wish would go unanswered.  They weren’t too young to build serious relationships.  In fact, most of the people their age seemed to be pairing off and settling down for the long haul already.  Yang wanted to say that - to point out that not everyone ran from commitment like she did - but Blake beat her to a response.

“Besides, you date enough for both of us.  It’s not like I’m missing out on the drama.”

Blake said it as a joke, but it didn’t feel that way.  At least, not to Yang.

“Yeah...about that…”  Feeling Blake’s gaze upon her, Yang stared at the ground rather than make eye contact.  “I’ve been thinking about taking it easy for a while.  Probably not go out with anyone.”

“Why?”

Yang had many reasons, but it all boiled down to...she just didn’t want to.  For the first time in forever, she had zero desire to fill up as much of her free time as possible.  She was happy with her life right now, and Blake was a huge part of that.

“I’d rather spend time with you,” Yang admitted before looking over to gauge Blake’s reaction.  “Is that ok?”

Though briefly taken aback, Blake soon relaxed into a smile.

“Of course it is.”

“Ok, good.  Then...that’s what we’ll do.”

Once Blake nodded, still with that smile set in place, Yang turned her gaze forward and blew a long, shaky breath through her lips.  Blake wanted exactly what scared her the most, and that knowledge was...gut-wrenching.

“And I don’t think you’re asking too much,” she added, fighting through that disappointment.  “Anyone would be lucky to be with you.  If they can’t get out of their own way enough to see that, then...they don’t deserve you.”

The same applied to her.

Yang didn’t say that last part out loud but dwelled on it for the next block.  She wanted to be what Blake wanted, but she just…wasn’t.  Even if she tried her hardest and somehow proved that she could change, how could she erase the years of failures that Blake witnessed firsthand?  If she’d ever had a shot, she blew it long ago.  She blew it without even realizing she blew it until right now.

“Stop overthinking things,” Blake gently prodded, wrapping a hand around Yang’s and intertwining their fingers.

“You’re right.  Sorry.”

Nothing could have soothed Yang’s heart more as she pushed away those consuming thoughts and lightly swung their joined hands instead.  It didn’t matter if she was or wasn’t what Blake wanted.  What mattered was this moment right now, and the happiness surrounding them, and being together when they could be anywhere else.  Even though Blake’s building was close, Yang held onto those feelings rather than her underlying anguish.

“You know…” she eventually said, softly sighing up at the sky.  “This was a great weekend.  Emotionally turbulent, but overall...pretty great.”

Her thoughts returned to their kiss yesterday, and her heart raced faster when Blake squeezed her hand.  With the weekend drawing to a close, Raven’s appearance felt like nothing more than a footnote.  A catalyst that prompted more good than bad.  That kiss though...that kiss was the highlight.  And when Blake’s building came into view, Yang realized how badly she wanted another one.

Blake was her best friend.  Of course Yang always wanted to be near her.  But that wasn’t what these feelings were.  This was wanting to be with her in a powerful, irresistible way.

She said that it wouldn’t happen again - it shouldn’t happen again - but she wanted to end the night with a kiss so badly that she couldn't think of anything else while the last block fell behind them.  Her resolve swelled and faded with every step, surging when Blake’s shoulder brushed against hers, disappearing when she realized how clammy her hands were.

When they reached the building and headed up the front steps, Blake’s foot caught on one of the stairs and she stumbled forward.  Fortunately, they were still holding hands, so Yang easily pulled her close and steadied her.

“Thought you weren’t drunk,” Yang teased, her heart pounding when Blake made no effort to move away.

“I might be a little tipsy, but I’m not even close to drunk.”

A healthy dose of Belladonna pride accompanied that response, making Yang laugh while guiding Blake up the remaining steps.

“How about a test then?” Yang asked, only dropping her arm from Blake’s waist when they reached the landing outside the front door.  “Who’s your favorite person in the world?”

“Hmm…”  After tapping her chin several times, Blake smirked.  “A tie between my mom and dad.”

“Fair,” Yang said, chuckling at the honest reply.  “Third favorite then?  Keep in mind that I might throw a fit if it’s not me.”

Blake smiled at Yang’s honesty, looking so content and cheerful that butterflies fluttered through Yang’s chest.  Humor sparkled in amber eyes as Blake held Yang’s gaze, but her expression was soft, earnest, and unrelentingly sincere.

“That shouldn’t even be a question…” she whispered before leaning forward and kissing Yang’s cheek.

Yang’s heart thundered to life at the gentle touch and threatened to leap out of her chest when Blake lingered a breath’s distance away.  From this distance, sharing one intimate space at the top of the stairs, she could see every fleck of gold in Blake’s eyes.  She could feel Blake’s breath against her cheek and Blake’s warmth holding the cold at bay.

She couldn't look away.  Not as Blake locked her in that adoring gaze.  Not as Blake’s fingers tenderly curled around her ear.

Time slowed and the background noise faded away.  Yang heard her heart thumping in her ears and felt her pulse pounding through her veins while Blake searched her eyes, asking questions and finding answers without speaking a word.  The desire that hadn’t left since yesterday surged to the front of her mind, imploring her to give in.  To cross lines that became more and more blurry with each passing day.

When Blake’s gaze dipped to Yang’s mouth, Yang’s last shred of self-restraint disappeared.  She leaned in, and Blake responded, meeting her lips halfway in a soft, sweet kiss.

Kissing Blake was unbelievable.  Incredible.  And felt so right that Yang knew she could never get enough.  So she didn’t back away.  She let one kiss turn into two, and two into three.

The instant a soft, nearly pleading sound slipped from the back of Blake’s throat, longing surged through Yang’s veins.  Counting the number of kisses ceased to matter, nor would it be possible as their desires unleashed.  With nothing holding her back, Yang pressed Blake against the wall by the door, seeking out more contact while their actions became bold and fervent.

Yang had never touched Blake like this - passionately, brazenly, greedily.  Blake embraced it, welcomed it, encouraged it with every little gasp or tug at Yang’s jacket.  Her tongue swiped across Yang’s lips first, requesting permission that Yang willingly granted.  The kiss seamlessly deepened, leaving them struggling to taste and feel as much of each other as possible.  Blake’s arms wrapped around Yang’s neck and pulled her closer; Yang wove one hand through Blake’s hair and clutched Blake’s hip with the other.

This kiss was different.  This kiss was everything.  Yang felt it in how Blake arched into her touch as if they still weren’t close enough.  She heard it in the little gasps and sighs as their lips communicated untamed wants and wishes.  She smelled it, tasted it, understood it with every fabric of her being.

Outside influences hadn’t pushed them together.  This desire came from them.  This was their choice.  This was what they wanted.

They would have melded together right there if the door beside them hadn’t opened and someone walked outside.  The unexpected interruption - and reminder that they were in public - abruptly doused those flames of desire.  But, even though the kiss ended, Yang didn’t move away.  Her hands remained on Blake’s hips while she caught her breath, and she never turned away from Blake while processing what happened.

Blake’s lips were slightly parted, breathless herself, with a blush dusting her cheeks.  So many strong, loving emotions filled her eyes, but her small smile did Yang’s heart in and dragged her mind out of denial.

Her heart and mind’s sudden agreement rang like a gong through her thoughts, exposing the lies she’d hidden behind and undoing the carefully constructed veneer of ‘just friends.’  That kiss, and how much she craved another one, made the verdict inescapable: she wanted to be much more than Blake’s friend.

“I...should probably go,” she whispered, her heart racing with revelation and worry alike.

“You don’t have to.”

Watching Blake tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, a soft blush still on her cheeks, Yang nearly changed her mind.  She wanted to follow Blake upstairs, but she didn’t trust herself right now.  Not after that kiss.  Not with how incredible Blake looked.  Not with whatever was in the air tonight.

“I...I really should.”

Disappointment flashed through Blake’s eyes, but Yang still backed away.  If she didn’t put more distance between them, she would stay.  And if she stayed, they wouldn’t be able to claim they were just friends any longer.  And if they couldn’t claim to be just friends, then what were they?

“I should,” she repeated with a little more certainty and a lot more worry racing through her veins.  With Blake watching her every move, she forced herself down one step, then another.  Her longing grew with every inch put between them, but she had to leave before she did something impulsive.  That kiss was already impulsive.

“See you tomorrow?” she asked halfway down the steps, adding a small smile when Blake nodded.  “Great.  I’ll...see you then.”

After another muted nod from Blake, Yang tore her gaze away and rushed down the rest of the steps.  She hardly made it to the sidewalk before turning around.

So many thoughts flew through her mind, but she lacked the courage to voice them out loud.  She knew she should say something - Blake was waiting for her to say something - but her tongue tied up and words left her.  Instead, she offered a quick smile and awkward wave before hurrying away.

Her heart and mind raced faster than her feet as she left Blake’s apartment, tripping over themselves as they fought for her attention.  Running away didn’t change what she wanted.  She wanted to kiss Blake for hours.  She wanted to cross every line and shed the label of ‘friends’ once and for all.  She wanted to be with Blake.  Not as friends - as more than friends.

Yang wanted to be the person Blake called her own, who was just as serious about her as she was about them.  Commitment, a relationship, girlfriends - everything Yang spent the last few years avoiding, she wanted to be for Blake.  But could she?  Should she?

Even if Blake gave her a chance - a near impossibility considering the front-row seat she had watching Yang fumble through relationship after relationship - should she take it?  She could imagine them together now.  She could imagine how happy they would be, but if it didn’t work out...

After all those years of avoiding deep romantic ties, always worried about how much it would hurt when they broke, she found herself exactly where she didn’t want to be: with deep, romantic feelings for the one person she couldn’t bear to lose.

Comments

Amara Wolfe

They're really dragging out this "will they won't they" thing huh? Surprised Blake hasn't taken the initiative yet

NeurovascularEntrapta

Blake wants so badly to tell Yang how she feels, huh? But she doesn’t want to push Yang before she’s ready 🥺