Dirty Little Secret - Chapter 5 (Patreon)
Content
Surveying the students, teachers, friends, and family milling around, Yang took a deep breath and let it out in a long, relieved sigh. Years of hard work culminated in this moment, which marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Before worrying about what came next - real life and the responsibilities that came with it - she would relish the feeling of being done. Done for now, at least.
“Yang!”
Turning toward her name, she smiled when she spotted Ruby racing over to her.
“Congratulations!” Ruby said before flying into her for a hug. Chuckling at the enthusiastic greeting, Yang patted Ruby’s back before pulling away and smiling at Weiss.
“Congratulations,” Weiss echoed with a slight dip of her chin. The demure greeting still sparked Yang’s happiness, especially when Weiss followed up with a quick but no less meaningful hug.
“Thanks, Weiss.”
Yang patted Weiss’ back just like she did Ruby’s but didn’t hang on nearly as long. Weiss’ comfort with physical affection still lagged Ruby’s, but she would get there eventually - Yang was sure of it. For now, however, she beamed at two of her favorite people in the world.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Like we’d miss this,” Ruby teased. “We finally get to see what you’ve been working on!”
“Is this it?” Weiss asked, motioning to the table beside them. On top of that table were just two items - a computer with a set of blueprints on the screen and a 3D model of what those plans created.
“This is it.” While Ruby and Weiss leaned closer, Yang stepped aside so that she could see their reactions. “I don’t think it captures how much time I put into it...”
“It’s so cool!”
“And big,” Weiss mused. Her thoughtful gaze swept over the model before landing on Yang, asking silent questions that Yang didn’t necessarily want to answer.
“Yeah…” Trapped in that observant gaze, Yang chuckled and shuffled her feet. “My professor gave us a max square footage, and I used about every inch of it.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t go with something more...intimate.”
Worried that Weiss was catching on, Yang chuckled again - this time more nervously than before.
“I wanted to show off what I could do, so I added all kinds of different rooms.”
“Ah.” Whether or not Weiss believed the response, she pretended that she did. “Well, the details are very nice. I especially like the living room.”
“Thanks, Weiss.” Relieved that Weiss hadn’t asked too many questions, Yang wrapped an arm around Ruby’s shoulders and grinned at her. “What do you think, Ruby? Could you live here?”
“Definitely! I’d love to have a house like this.”
Noticing how the response caught Weiss’ attention, Yang chuckled.
“Careful saying that out loud,” she whispered loudly to Ruby, who glanced at Weiss and laughed.
“Weiss, don’t buy me a house. I like where we live!”
“But...we could hire Yang to design one for us. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Weiss only ever used ‘fun’ when trying to convince Ruby to agree to something, and it almost always worked. Rather than protesting the idea of Weiss building a mansion, Ruby focused on the last part - the fun part.
“That would be fun,” she agreed, much to Weiss’ delight. “Wouldn’t it, Yang? You could make our house!”
After shooting Weiss a knowing look, letting her know that the subtle persuasion hadn’t gone unnoticed, Yang smiled at Ruby.
“That would be fun,” she agreed before smirking at Weiss. “I hope you’re ok with separate bedrooms.”
“Like that would keep me away from her,” Weiss huffed, erasing Yang’s smirk in no time. Weiss knew it too - that was why her eyes sparkled with humor as she added, “Besides...she can’t sleep without me.”
“Oh, I can’t.” Ruby shook her head while Yang scrunched up her nose. “The bed feels so big and...lonely. It sucks.”
Ruby’s sincere, heartfelt response, coupled with those puppy dog eyes of hers, made Weiss squeeze her hand and give her one of those adoring, reassuring smiles that always put her at ease. Only when Ruby smiled did Weiss turn back to Yang with a triumphant smirk. Before she could gloat about just how thoroughly she had Ruby wrapped around her finger, however, her gaze caught on something over Yang’s shoulder, and her brow furrowed.
“Is that -?”
“Blake?” Ruby finished for her, both of them now staring at the same place.
For a split second, Yang thought they were playing a perfectly timed joke on her. She nearly laughed and told them that she wouldn’t fall for it, but she couldn’t help but spin around to check. As soon as her eyes locked with the most beautiful girl on the planet, butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
Across the room, weaving through the small crowds forming around other students’ projects, was Blake. She looked impeccable, as always, with her jacket and jeans perfectly coordinated and fitting like a glove. Her long, raven hair fell in effortlessly gorgeous waves over her shoulders and down her back. Best of all, her bright amber eyes remained fixed on Yang as the distance between them disappeared.
“Blake?” Yang asked, unable to believe her eyes as Blake stopped in front of her. “You’re -? What’re you doing here?”
“What do you think?” Blake’s gaze flitted to Weiss and Ruby before settling on Yang, and a beautiful smile appeared on her lips. “I’m here for you.”
Yang’s heart nearly overflowed from that single sentence. Fighting the urge to pull Blake into a kiss, Yang beamed instead.
“Really?”
When Blake nodded, another dose of excitement swept through Yang’s veins.
“Yes, really. I hope that’s ok? I wanted it to be a surprise, but I didn’t mean to impose…”
When Blake’s gaze returned to Weiss, Yang finally grasped the concern. The way Weiss cleared her throat and squared her shoulders only made the sudden silence more pronounced.
Relaxed and content just moments earlier, Weiss had quickly fallen into her default state of borderline defensive, borderline haughty. The reaction made sense considering the way Blake sized her up as if determining how much of a problem she would be.
“Uh...you two going to be ok?” Yang asked, finally breaking them out of that moment.
“Of course,” Blake said first. “I’m only here to support you.”
“Me too,” Weiss quickly replied, looking relieved that they could agree upon something.
“Ok…”
The way they eyed each other wasn’t exactly reassuring, but Ruby shrugged when Yang sent her a questioning glance. If Ruby wasn’t concerned, then Yang would try not to be either. Weiss and Blake were both adults; they could occupy the same space for a few hours without things getting out of hand.
“Oh!” Ruby’s exclamation made everyone flinch. “Come on, Weiss,” she added, grabbing Weiss by the hand and tugging her away. “Let’s check out the rest of the houses! We should start planning our future home.”
The more Ruby joked about it, the more likely Weiss made it a reality. Knowing as much, and likely grateful for an escape, Weiss readily followed Ruby to the other projects on display.
Left in their wake, Yang beamed at Blake. She couldn’t believe Blake was here, on campus, in the architecture building, just for her. Blake, however, wasn’t reveling in that knowledge like Yang was. Instead, a frown pulled at her lips while she watched Ruby and Weiss walk away.
“You ok?”
Finally drawn out of her thoughts, Blake looked at Yang, slumped her shoulders, and sighed.
“Sorry...I should’ve known there was a reason you didn’t invite me...”
“You think I didn’t invite you because Weiss was coming?” When Blake shrugged, looking disheartened by the thought, Yang waved both hands in front of her. “That’s not it at all. I thought you were too busy for something like this. Plus, I...didn’t want you to feel obligated to show up.”
“But this is a big deal for you.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean it’s a big deal for you, right?”
When Blake opened her mouth but said nothing, Yang felt guiltier than ever. She had dropped so many hints that she wanted Blake to be here but never found the courage to ask. Instead, she convinced herself that Blake had better things to do. Besides, showing up to events like this was something a girlfriend would do. As amazing as that would be, Yang didn’t want to put Blake in a situation where she felt like she had to be ‘the girlfriend.’ That was only guaranteed to make her run the other way.
In hindsight, those were all excuses. In reality, Yang had just been worried about being rejected.
“Yang…” After searching for words, Blake finally shook her head and held Yang’s gaze. “If it’s a big deal for you, then it’s a big deal for me.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed...”
“It’s ok. Just...next time, know that I want to be here for you? If you want me to be. If you don’t want me to be then...that’s fine, too.”
Somehow, Yang now felt better and worse. Her heart fluttered at the thought that Blake wanted to be here for her, now and in the future. But she also felt stupid for thinking otherwise in the first place.
Next time, she wouldn’t be such a coward. Maybe Blake would be too busy, or maybe it would be too much of a ‘girlfriend’ thing, but being turned down would be better than feeling like she hurt Blake’s feelings. Fortunately, Blake didn’t dwell on the moment for much longer, as her eyes settled on the 3D model beside them.
“Is this -?”
“Oh. Yeah!” Grateful for the subject change, Yang moved closer to the small-scale model that she spent the past few months designing from the ground up. “This is the masterpiece that’s taken all my time away from you,” she teased while Blake looked over the 3D rendering.
“I love it and hate it already.” Blake’s playful response put Yang’s heart more at ease. As did the expectant look Blake sent her way. “Do I get a tour?”
“Of course.”
When Blake smiled, Yang leaned closer and pointed at the front door.
“This is the front door, obviously,” she began, feeling Blake smiling at her for several more seconds before finally turning back to the house. “And this front room is a sitting room. These big, bay windows face east so they get great sunlight in the morning.”
“Sounds like the perfect place to have a cup of tea.”
“Exactly.” Heart beating a little faster now, Yang glanced at Blake before motioning at the room to the left of the front door. “The kitchen’s also in front. I figured it’s closer to the street so easier access when - I mean if - the fire department has to put out any fires.”
“The person living here must be as horrible at cooking as me.”
“Possibly,” Yang replied, chuckling to herself and running a hand through her hair. She thought Blake might piece two-and-two together at that point but, when Blake didn’t say anything, carried on.
“There’s a little formal dining room here, and an office across from it, but my favorite part of the first floor is this right here.”
Carefully turning the model around, she stepped aside and watched Blake look over the tiny rendering.
“A library?”
“Or a second living room. I added floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and the skylights will let in plenty of natural light. It’s also facing west, so it’ll be warm and toasty in the afternoon.”
“Sounds like heaven…” Blake mused, her gaze drinking in the room more intently than Yang could have hoped for. “It looks so cozy,” Blake eventually concluded, much to Yang’s delight.
“Yeah, I thought so too.” After they shared a smile, Yang cleared her throat and continued their ‘tour.’ “Upstairs, there’s a couple of guest bedrooms.”
“This one looks familiar.”
“And it has a twin,” Yang pointed out, silently elated that Blake remembered the one room she had been shown. “I figured someone with a place this big probably has some kids.”
“Only two though?”
“Oh.” Surprised, Yang looked at Blake. “Is two not enough?”
“I guess it is,” Blake answered, lightly shrugging the question away. “I always wanted lots of siblings though.”
“Only-child syndrome,” Yang teased. When Blake smiled, Yang considered the model a little more seriously. “Well...the rooms are big enough for bunk beds, so you could always stack ‘em in there.”
“So...four kids?”
“I was thinking three bunk beds per room, so...twelve.”
Blake’s laughter was music to Yang’s ears. The sparkle in Blake’s eyes was even better, as Yang couldn’t help but join in with a chuckle of her own.
“Ok, that might be too many.”
“‘Might?’” Yang asked in disbelief only to shake her head when Blake playfully shrugged. “This place wasn’t designed with twelve kids in mind.”
“But if anyone could build a house with twelve kids in mind, it’s you.”
Blake’s confidence in her felt unearned, at times, but Yang gladly accepted it. Her mind was already puzzling through that hypothetical challenge, too. How could the same square footage be rearranged to accommodate such a large family?
Before losing herself down that rabbit hole, she shook her head and focused on showing Blake the house she had created.
“Last, but not least, the master bedroom. More big windows, a huge closet, and -”
“One of those spa tubs in the bathroom…” Blake finished for her. “You have no idea how much I want one of those.”
Yang did know, actually. Which was why the bathroom had one.
“They’re in style these days,” she commented before leaning away and watching Blake pore over the house for a little longer.
If Yang hadn’t been standing there, it felt like Blake would gladly spend the better part of the day musing over every tiny detail. The small smile on her lips made Yang’s heart unbelievably warm and happy, but the thoughtful way her gaze moved from one room to the next spurred something closer to adoration to run through Yang’s veins.
“This is...incredible.” Without seeming to think about it, Blake looped an arm through Yang’s and pulled her close. “Can I live here?”
“Of course you can.”
The question couldn’t have made Yang happier. It proved that she could provide for Blake in some way. At least...if she had infinite resources, she could design a spectacular place to live. Paying for it would be a dilemma, but that roadblock didn’t bother her right now. Instead, she savored the happy, adoring look in Blake’s eyes while they stood arm-in-arm.
“Excuse me?”
They turned toward the interruption at the same time and, upon finding that the words were directed at her, Blake quickly slipped her arm out of Yang’s.
“Are you -?” The young girl, who Yang often thought of only as ‘Diva 1,’ stared at Blake for several seconds before her eyes widened. “Oh my god, you are! You’re Blake Belladonna!”
“I might be,” Blake replied with the polite, gracious smile that she often used with strangers.
“I’m a huge fan of your dad,” Diva 1 gushed, looking happier than Yang could ever remember seeing her. “And you, of course, because you’re gorgeous. But - I can’t believe I’m talking to you! What’re you even doing here?”
“I’m here supporting a...friend.”
Yang latched onto the microscopic pause even harder than the glance thrown her way. Even if Blake just called her a friend, that pause meant everything. That pause meant that maybe Blake had to describe Yang as a friend in public, but maybe that wasn’t how she thought of Yang.
“Yang?” Surprised, Diva 1 looked at Yang with more interest than she had shown all semester. “I didn’t realize you knew Blake Belladonna.”
Hearing the emphasis on Blake’s name, which Blake personally hated, Yang chuckled and ran a hand through her hair.
“Yeah, we’re...acquainted.”
After sneaking a smile at Blake, Yang spotted a look of newfound appreciation from a classmate who had basically ignored her until now. Blake noticed it too, and her brow almost imperceivably furrowed before she cleared her throat.
“Well, it was nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the event.”
Blake’s tone made it clear the conversation was over, but she still offered a polite smile. She had to be polite, as she often told Yang, but Diva 1 fell for it easily.
“It was great meeting you, too! Maybe I’ll see you around again sometime.”
The glance snuck Yang’s way revealed how Diva 1 planned on making that happen, but Blake responded with a muted smile.
“Sure, maybe,” she said before turning away. Fortunately, Diva 1 wasted no time hurrying back to her friends, no doubt excited to recount every second of the interaction. Blake, however, scowled as soon as she and Yang were alone.
“If she starts hitting on you now, I’m going to be pissed...” Blake grumbled under her breath. Yang smiled at the uncharacteristically grumpy response and lightly bumped Blake’s hip with hers.
“I have zero interest in her. She’s four years younger than me and is only here to spend daddy’s money. Plus, she literally built a dollhouse.”
Yang motioned to the bright pink monstrosity across the foyer, which Blake vaguely frowned at for several seconds before sighing.
“Sorry…I just...don’t like when that happens.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. You’re incredible - I’m sure everyone here wants to talk to you. She’s just the only one with the courage.”
“This is your day though. And I don’t want to make things weird for you at school…”
Blake glanced off to the side with that statement, undoubtedly noticing Diva 1 now gossiping with her friends.
“Hey.” Picking up on the downtrodden aura, Yang briefly squeezed Blake’s hands to get her attention. “It’s fine, really. I’m happy you’re here. I don’t care what she thinks of me or if she suddenly tries to talk to me; I’m smarter than that.”
What Yang wanted to say was that she had no interest in anyone else nor would she for the foreseeable future. And no way in hell would she let some social climber get close to her just to cozy up to Blake. Thankfully, Blake seemed to understand. The warmth and affection in her eyes suggested she did, at least. Before she could respond, however, her gaze slipped to the side as Ruby and Weiss returned.
“We looked at all the other houses,” Ruby announced while Blake moved a respectful distance away from Yang. “Yours is definitely the best.”
“I’d say she’s exaggerating, but that’s objectively true.” Blake’s brow rose at Weiss’ compliment, but Weiss failed to notice. “No one put as much detail into theirs,” she continued. “Or created a comprehensive vision like you did.”
“Thanks, Weiss.” A sincere compliment from Weiss Schnee meant more than from anyone else. For that, Yang willingly smiled. “I’m sure they’re all good though. Maybe theirs are great in more subtle ways.”
“Doubtful…” Weiss huffed, earning another befuddled look from Blake.
If Yang had to guess, Blake didn’t know how to interpret Weiss’ kind, genial behavior. How could this be the infamous Jacques Schnee’s daughter? But Yang had learned that Weiss could be an utter softy under the right circumstances. Now was apparently one of them.
“I have to say though,” Weiss added. “I can’t wait to see what you’ll design for me and Ruby.”
Blake’s brow shot up at the comment, and she turned toward Yang in surprise.
“You’re designing a house for them?”
“She’s joking.”
“I’m not,” Weiss replied. “As soon as I have Ruby’s permission, I’m writing you a giant check.”
“Woah there, turbo.” Yang chuckled at Weiss’ traditional zeal when it came to buying things for Ruby but waved a hand to get her to slow down. “I haven’t even graduated yet. Why don’t you let me do that before throwing money around?”
“And I like where we live!” Ruby piped in, unknowingly coming to Yang’s rescue.
“But don’t you want to be Yang’s first client?”
“Oh.” Thinking about the question, Ruby started nodding. “You’re right...I do.”
Knowing she was that much closer to buying Ruby a mansion, Weiss beamed. Blake, on the other hand, briefly frowned. Something about the conversation bothered her but, the instant she noticed Yang’s attention, she smiled.
“Want to look around?” Yang suggested. When she nodded toward the other projects though, Blake hardly glanced away before shaking her head.
“That’s ok. The only one I wanted to see is right here.”
Whether or not the response was meant to make Yang feel like the most important person in the world, her heart fluttered. Blake always had a way of doing that...either by saying something, doing something, or just looking at Yang in the right way. If they weren’t standing in a room full of people, Yang would go in for a kiss right about now. Instead, her gaze dipped to Blake’s lips before she threw on a smile.
When someone cleared their throat, Yang started and turned to find her professor standing several feet away.
“Oh, Professor M.! Sorry, didn’t notice you there.”
“That’s alright.” The tall, lean man tousled his dusty brown hair and smiled. “Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to go over your project.”
He motioned to the far side of the room with that comment. Though currently out of view due to the number of people milling around, he had set up a table near the entrance where he had spent most of the past hour going over blueprints on his personal computer.
“Sure, of course!” Before leaving, Yang gave Blake, Ruby, and Weiss an apologetic smile and said, “I’ll be right back.”
Reassured by their nods, Yang followed her professor to his table. Now that the event was well underway, the large foyer had filled with more people than she could remember seeing at any other time of year before. It was a big occasion though, as her classmates’ relieved smiles showed. Years of hard work and lack of sleep had resulted in this moment, where their knowledge was on display for everyone to see.
“I’ll go through everything in more detail later,” Professor M. said as they reached the table, where her house was taking up her professor’s screen. “I wanted to tell you, first and foremost, that you did an excellent job.”
Just like that, a breath of relief left Yang’s lungs.
“Thanks, Mr. M.”
“I’m serious,” he replied while turning the screen toward him and looking at the house again. “Some of these details I’d only expect in a professional’s work, not submitted as a final project. The windows and your attention to the sun in particular - those elements separate great designs from good ones.”
Yang blushed at the compliments, which went above and beyond what she had hoped to hear. Taking those small things into consideration seemed obvious to her, but that was only because of her mom. Her mom always commented on the direction of the sun and how it made certain rooms better for certain times of day - that was why their story times were on the back porch, but playtimes were in the living room.
“Do you have any plans for after graduation?”
Pulled away from those memories, she shook her head.
“Oh, uh, not yet. Trying to make it there first.”
While she grinned at the common refrain amongst all college students, he nodded.
“A close friend of mine works at a fairly well-known firm downtown. Can I show him your project? I think they’d be interested in hiring someone with your talent.”
“Are you...serious?” That sounded too good to be true, but he nodded. “Yes, of course! Thank you so much.”
“No promises,” he added. “But I’ll make sure they know what a hard worker you are.” Before she could even be flustered by the praise, he patted her shoulder and smiled. “Now, go relax - grab a drink with your friends.”
When he nodded across the room, she beamed.
“Thanks. I’ll do that.”
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, she headed back to the other side of the room. She hadn’t made it two steps, however, before spotting Ruby - headed in the same direction, but alone.
“Ruby?”
Ruby’s pace slowed a fraction upon hearing her name, giving Yang just enough time to catch up to her.
“What’re you doing over here?”
“I had to go to the bathroom!”
“But where’s Weiss?”
“I left her with Blake.”
“You left them alone??” Yang searched for Blake and Weiss through the crowd but, unable to see them, quickened her pace. “Did you really think that was a good idea?” she asked while Ruby fell into step beside her.
“Weiss promised to be nice!”
Knowing that Weiss’ version of ‘nice’ was sometimes ‘not very nice,’ Yang hurried back to where they left the two girls. Blake was smart - she wouldn’t get into a shouting match or cause a scene. She might let Weiss get under her skin and ruffle her feathers though, possibly ruining the groundwork Yang had been laying for the four of them to hang out someday.
When the crowds finally parted enough for Yang to see the table holding her project, her footsteps faltered. She had expected to find two frosty girls ignoring each other. Instead, Blake and Weiss were...talking.
Not trading barbs either. Whatever Weiss was saying, Blake was intently listening to. Blake then asked a question, and Weiss nodded before providing more explanation. Weiss rolled her eyes and waved a hand about something. Blake’s lips twitched with a smile, but she didn’t interrupt - she hung onto every word.
“Told you,” Ruby whispered to Yang as they approached the girls, whose conversation ended as soon as they realized they had company.
“Hey…are we interrupting...?”
Yang glanced between Weiss and Blake, trying to read the situation and determine if any damage control was necessary. But they both seemed...normal.
“Not at all,” Weiss answered, sharing a brief smile with Blake before kissing Ruby’s cheek. Yang turned to Blake for more explanation, but Blake was too busy watching Weiss and Ruby’s reunion with an unreadable emotion in her eyes. That look disappeared quickly though. Soon, she found Yang’s gaze and smiled.
“We were just talking.”
Blake must know that Yang wanted more explanation than that, but now must not be the time or place. She held Yang’s gaze instead, looking content and happy to be together again. They probably could have stood like that for hours had Weiss not looked at the time and sighed.
“I wish I could stay longer, but I have a meeting this afternoon.”
“That’s alright.” Yang waved off the apology she knew Weiss would offer. “Thanks for coming. It means a lot.”
“Of course.” Without a second thought, Weiss hugged Yang before pulling away and smiling. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Before Yang pointed out how the old version of Weiss never would have hugged someone so freely, Weiss turned to Ruby.
“Are you going to stay?”
“Uh…” Ruby subtly glanced at Blake before giving Yang a questioning look.
“There’s not much else to see or do,” Yang said. “Feel free to take off too.”
“You sure?” Ruby asked regardless. Once Yang nodded, she beamed. “Then I’ll go with you!” she told Weiss. “I’ll hang out in your office while you do all the awesome business stuff.”
From anyone else, that term would have earned a Schnee-sized eyeroll. Ruby earned a bright, adoring smile instead.
“You’re so cute,” Weiss said, squeezing Ruby’s hand and temporarily forgetting they had an audience. Her composure soon returned, however, as she straightened her posture and met Yang’s gaze. “How do you feel about getting dinner tonight to celebrate? My treat.”
“We can go to that taco place you love?” Yang suggested, grinning when Weiss rolled her eyes.
“Sure,” she agreed regardless - because she secretly loved that place even though she pretended not to. Instead of espousing all the ways it was a crappy restaurant, however, she glanced at Blake. “And Blake, you’re more than welcome to come, too.”
Yang’s brow rose at the olive branch, but she knew it wouldn’t be accepted the moment she saw Blake’s apologetic smile.
“I wish I could…” Blake said, those regretful words offered to Yang before she turned back to Weiss. “But I have dinner with my parents and some big donor tonight.”
“Ah.” For a split second, Weiss looked like she might ask who that donor was - chances were, she knew them. Instead, she nodded. “Next time, then.”
“I’d like that.”
Taken aback by the genuinely cordial exchange, Yang glanced at Ruby - who beamed - before watching Weiss tug Ruby to the exit.
“Just text us when you want to have dinner,” Weiss told Yang as they left.
“I’m excited for tacos!!” Ruby chipped in. Weiss smiled at the enthusiasm, ruining the perfect Schnee demeanor in a heartbeat. She didn’t care about that though. She just shook her head before offering Yang and Blake a quick wave.
While Weiss and Ruby left, with Ruby already debating what to order, Yang chuckled to herself. Dinner was hours away, but Ruby would probably make herself so hungry from thinking about food that she would eat before then. A warm-up dinner, as she called it.
Once they disappeared, Yang grinned at Blake.
“You and Weiss seemed to be getting along,” were the first words out of her mouth. She was too happy about that interaction to not bring it up. And she only felt happier when Blake glanced after Weiss and didn’t immediately frown.
“You’re right - she’s nice. And we have more in common than I thought.”
“Such as…?”
“You and Ruby.”
Rather than elaborate, Blake smiled as if Yang should already understand. The only thing Yang understood, however, was that the smile made her heart flutter and her cheeks warm. The moment passed quickly, however, as Blake nodded Professor M.’s way.
“What’d your teacher say?”
“Oh! He said…”
Before launching into details, Yang glanced around and noticed several of her classmates loitering within earshot. Not exactly the best spot for a private conversation.
“Actually, want to take a walk?”
Astute enough to catch on, Blake hardly glanced at the people nearby before nodding and following Yang out of the building. Now that Yang had heard her professor’s feedback and shown her project to the people she cared about, she finally felt...done. That freeing feeling escaped her lips as a sigh while she pushed open the door and walked outside.
After holding the door for Blake, who smiled at the gesture, Yang picked an arbitrary direction and led them that way at an easy, comfortable pace. Campus seemed busier than usual today, probably because of the perfect weather - bright and warm but not too hot. The sun, in particular, felt so nice that Yang tilted her face toward its warm rays and briefly closed her eyes. After another content sigh, she looked over and discovered that Blake had been watching her the entire time.
“What?” Yang asked, grinning when Blake smiled and shook her head.
“Nothing,” Blake replied in equally high spirits. “You’re just...beautiful.”
Instantly blushing, Yang averted her gaze...only to turn right back when Blake laughed.
“And you’re really cute when you’re embarrassed.”
Willing her cheeks to cool down now, Yang blew a breath through her lips before chuckling and shaking her head. It wasn’t as if she had never been called ‘beautiful’ before, but when Blake offered such praise...her heart fluttered out of control.
“So my professor -” she began, knowing the subject change would be obvious but going for it anyway. “He said one of his friends works at an architecture firm downtown, and he wants to show them my project. Maybe I can get an interview.”
“Really? That’s great, Yang.”
“It might not lead to anything,” Yang said, tempering her excitement as much as Blake’s expectations. “But at least he likes it, since he’s grading it.”
“You’re just a constant, pleasant surprise.” When Yang chuckled, Blake lightly nudged her elbow. “I’m serious. When people meet you, they probably think - beautiful, gregarious, fantastic smile. But then they get to know you and find out you’re incredibly smart and kind and thoughtful too? It’s unfair how attractive that is.”
“You’re one to talk,” Yang said, only for Blake to shake her head.
“We’re not talking about me right now. We’re talking about you and how amazing you are.” Yang’s blush made a resurgence, but Blake didn’t stop there. “You designed that house from scratch, Yang. That was all in your head, and you made it a reality.”
“That was the assignment.”
“You realize people pay for that stuff, right?” Blake replied, her brow now arched in humor. “Hell, Weiss is practically falling over her wallet trying to get you to make one for her.”
“She’s just being nice. She’s been trying to give me money for forever now.” Yang tapped her chin before flashing a smile. “I think she’s trying to buy my sister?”
Yang had been angling for a laugh, but Blake gave her a long, serious expression instead.
“You’re really good, Yang,” she reiterated. “That house is seriously amazing. I know it, your professor knows it, even Weiss knows it. Can you stop being modest for like two seconds and admit it?”
Yang used to have no issue boasting whether she believed in herself or not. Over time, with age, and after life gave her enough good knocks, she stopped.
“Fine,” she sighed, much to Blake’s delight. “I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s...pretty awesome.”
“It is awesome.” When Yang made a playful ‘so-so’ gesture with one hand, Blake nudged her shoulder. “It is.”
Yang believed that Blake believed it. Somehow, that was more than enough.
“But now I’m going to spend the rest of my life jealous that Weiss gets your first house. Of all people…”
At first, Yang thought that was a joke - she nearly laughed too - but then Blake sighed.
“Are you...actually upset about that?” Yang asked, only for Blake to sigh again.
“It’s dumb, I know. And pointless because you wouldn’t take my money anyway. But it just...seemed important.”
When Blake muttered the last few words to the ground, lightly scuffing her foot on the sidewalk in the process, Yang watched her with increasing interest. It wasn’t often that Blake got jealous. It was adorable though, especially since she had nothing to be jealous about.
“It’s really that important to you?”
“It was just a dream I had...”
“To get my first house?”
Once Blake nodded and glanced away, Yang’s heart practically jumped over the moon. She had kept a secret from Blake for fear of crossing some unspoken line in their relationship, but…learning that this was what Blake wanted...the decision to come clean had never been easier.
“Well...good thing I already made it for you then.”
“What?”
“My capstone,” Yang explained, her heart racing as Blake stopped walking and searched her eyes for an explanation. “I designed it for you. I never said anything because I didn’t want to be...weird or anything...but it’s already yours. You can build it someday if you want.”
Yang had worried that designing a home for someone was too intimate, but the slow smile that spread across Blake’s lips suggested that the gesture was more than appreciated.
“Really?”
“Really. So you don’t have to be jealous of Weiss. She’ll get my second house, at best.”
“Then...can I see it again later?”
“Absolutely. You can have the model, too.”
Humming at that news, Blake resumed walking but didn’t stop smiling. Yang couldn’t remember the last time Blake looked so delighted about something. Being the source of that happiness was an amazing feeling. It reminded her that even absent power, money, or social clout, she could find plenty of ways to make Blake happy. That had to count for something.
“So...how do you feel?”
“Hm?” Blinking away from that thought, Yang looked at Blake. “About what?”
“‘About what?’” Blake repeated before laughing. “About finishing your project! Being that much closer to graduation? Not having to kill yourself with schoolwork and work all the time?”
“Oh, that.” Thinking about the past few years, which had been exhausting, Yang sighed and felt a small weight lift off her shoulders. “I’m glad it’s almost over, then I can finally move on with my life. I won’t be the only one still trying to finish school.”
“That’s not your fault…”
“It kind of is. I decided to take those years off.” Yang shook her head at the memory and forced a smile. “But I finally did it. Now, I just need to get a real job, then I can work some normal hours.”
“I’m looking forward to that. Then maybe we can see each other more regularly.” While Yang’s heart warmed at the suggestion that Blake still wanted to see her, Blake glanced at the activity on the quad before shrugging. “Plus, who knows, maybe I’ll have my own place by then, too.”
“You and Ilia still thinking about that?”
“I don’t know if she’s ready, but I am. So I’m making plans with or without her.”
“You’d live alone?”
Yang’s surprise drew Blake’s questioning glance.
“You live alone. What’s wrong with that?”
Yang opened her mouth but shook her head when she couldn’t think of a response. She lived alone now, but only because Ruby moved in with Weiss. Honestly, she preferred having a roommate, or at least someone around to liven things up. Before she did something stupid like ask Blake to move in with her though, she smiled.
“I’ll help you move if you find a place.”
“A volunteer?” Blake asked, arching one brow while a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “How will I ever repay you?”
“I can think of a few ways…”
Yang was thinking of those ways right now, and feeling them when Blake’s eyes glinted with desire.
“I’ll keep that in mind…” Blake’s hand grazed Yang’s hip with the comment - nothing more than a passing glance but enough to let Yang know what she was imagining. Before either of them dwelled on that thought, however, Blake’s attention sharpened. Soon, she looked around as the scenery grew more and more familiar to her.
“This is where we met,” she finally said.
“Yup. Right over there.”
When Yang pointed at a towering oak tree just off of the path, Blake smiled.
“I can’t believe I almost wasn’t here. I was so annoyed my dad made me canvas on campus just because I was the ‘right age and demographic.’”
“You were the right age and demographic,” Yang pointed out, laughing as Blake briefly pursed her lips.
“I didn’t want to talk to more college students. I just graduated - I wanted to move on.”
“Instead, you got stuck with me,” Yang teased.
“Voluntarily,” Blake corrected. Her eyes lingered on the tree as they walked past, looking as if she was remembering that fateful moment just like Yang was. “I hoped you wouldn’t recognize me,” she added. “But the first words out of your mouth -”
“‘Are you Blake Belladonna?’” Yang recounted before laughing. “I thought I was hallucinating. Why else would the prettiest girl in the world be talking to me?”
“You’d already caught my attention by being incredibly hot.” Yang’s heart thumped at the flattery, then warmed when Blake followed it with a soft, tender gaze. “But I walked over because I watched you help those lost parents.”
“Oh, yeah. They were trying to find their son’s dorm.”
“You never stopped smiling while giving them directions. You even got them to laugh a few times…I just knew I had to talk to you.”
“You thought I was a grad student,” Yang remembered. “I almost lied, you know.”
“But you’re too honest,” Blake replied, her adoring smile playing with Yang’s heart. “I could tell you were embarrassed or...something...about it, but you told me anyway. I appreciated that.”
“Too honest for my own good, I guess.”
“No, you’re too good to be anything but honest.”
That was a better way of looking at it. Tongue-tied and starstruck over the beautiful girl who had walked over to say hello, Yang couldn’t think of anything but honest responses. She was glad for that now, even though she still wished her life was even vaguely comparable to Blake’s. Noticing Blake's glance at the time and sigh, Yang realized now wasn’t the moment to get lost in the memories.
“Gotta go?”
“Unfortunately. My mom wants me to try on some dresses before dinner.”
“Ah. Then...I can walk you to your car?”
If Blake saw through the thinly veiled attempt to spend as much time together as possible, she didn’t let on. Instead, she nodded and turned toward one of the large parking structures nearby.
“I wish I could stay longer,” she admitted as they headed that way. “But I wanted to show up, at least. It was incredible, really.”
“It’s a start.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Briefly touching Yang’s hand, Blake pulled away and glanced around to see if anyone noticed. Fortunately, there weren’t many people around at the moment, and those who were were busy with their own plans. “You put a lot of work into it, and it shows. I’m sure your professor’s friend will be impressed, too.”
“I hope so. It’d be awesome to get a job lined up before graduation.”
“I’m sure you will. Anyone would be lucky to snap you up.”
While Yang chuckled at the phrase, Blake motioned to the stairwell leading to the upper levels of the parking garage. They exited on the second floor, and Yang spotted Blake’s car a short while later. Her pace subconsciously slowed, hoping to drag out their time together, but they reached the car regardless of her wishes. Rather than say goodbye and rush off, however, Blake stood by the door and fiddled with her keys.
“I guess I’ll see you around?” Yang eventually asked.
“Actually…I have a surprise for you. Or I guess you could consider it a reward, or celebration of sorts, since I can’t make it to dinner.”
“Yeah?” Any surprise from Blake was enough to get Yang excited, and she motioned that she was listening. “Lay it on me.”
“My parents are going out of town this weekend, so I was thinking that, maybe, you’d want to spend the weekend with me?”
“A sleepover at Belladonna Castle?” Yang asked, her smile growing when Blake chuckled.
“I don’t know how much sleeping we’ll do but...yes.”
“I’m there. Just give me a time and I’ll drop everything.”
Who in their right mind would pass up that opportunity? Yang certainly wouldn’t - not now or ever. Still, Blake looked relieved by the easy acceptance.
“Great, then I’ll text you as soon as they leave.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Me too.”
That was the moment when Yang thought Blake would leave, but she fiddled with her keys some more instead. Her gaze flitted to a group of boys heading to the stairwell before returning to Yang with a certain amount of remorse.
“I really want to kiss you…” she whispered, tugging all of Yang’s heartstrings with the soft admission. Deciding it was too risky, she sighed. “This weekend,” she promised instead.
Yang nodded as Blake reached for the door handle. Then Blake suddenly paused, spun around, grabbed Yang by the front of the shirt, and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.
Yang was so caught off guard that it took several seconds before her mind sped up and she returned the kiss in full. Anyone could walk out of the stairwell or drive past and see them, but Yang was willing to take the risk if Blake was. Anything just to feel her, touch her, and be close to her without worrying about what the rest of the world thought.
Yang’s arms quickly wrapped around Blake’s back, bringing their hips together while Blake’s hands wrapped around her neck to keep her from breaking away. Not like she wanted to go anywhere. She wanted to stay right here, feeling Blake’s body pressed against hers while their tongues danced together and their breaths mingled as one.
“I can’t believe you made that house with me in mind...” Blake whispered against Yang’s lips. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
“You deserve it,” Yang slipped in before Blake captured her lips again.
Blake’s soft hum suggested she didn’t believe it, but Yang knew it was true. Blake deserved so much more than some blueprints for an imaginary house. She deserved the world - and Yang wanted to be the one to give it to her.
Yang couldn’t afford the world or much of what went into it, but she could kiss Blake with all of her heart. She could press Blake’s back against the door, let Blake’s hands weave through her hair, and pour all of her emotions into that moment. She might get hurt. Her heart might get crushed. But she could say that she gave Blake everything she had.
She would have given Blake everything right there in the parking structure had the sound of an approaching car not reached their ears. The kiss instantly ended as they broke apart. Blake wiped the back of her hand across her mouth before straightening her shirt and turning away from the car driving past. Yang nonchalantly fixed her hair but chuckled as soon as it turned the corner.
Blake soon joined in Yang’s laughter, both of them probably a little grateful for the interruption before things got out of hand. As that moment faded behind them, however, Blake reached out and gently tucked Yang’s hair behind one ear.
“A preview,” she teased before kissing Yang’s cheek. This kiss lingered long enough for Yang to savor the smell of Blake’s shampoo and feel her heart grow with affection. “I’ll see you soon.”
After they shared one last smile, Blake finally got into her car. Yang stepped out of the way as Blake got ready to leave, content to smile and wave as Blake finally left campus behind.
Even after the car disappeared, Yang stood there and waited for her heart to calm down. Blake always left her like this - heart racing, fluttering, and yearning for more. But today, another emotion lingered with the rest. She knew what it was, but it scared her too much to give it much credence. Maybe after she graduated and found a job, she could ask Blake if they could ever be something more. Something official.
Right now, she would focus on the positives. Her final project was done, so she would have more free time to spend with Blake...starting this weekend.
An entire weekend together? That wasn’t a reward - that was heaven.