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We're halfway through the story now!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  Feels like this is taking foreverrrr...

***

Yang couldn’t remember the last time she went outside.  What did the sun look like?  What did Vale look like?  It was hard to say when she spent nearly every waking second in the office pouring over ledgers and requests. Finding ‘excess’ supplies for the Badlands was an impossible task because there was no such thing as excess supplies right now.  Everything Vale had went toward the war efforts or to sustaining the populace, and there wasn’t enough to go around as it was.

She wasn’t discouraged though.  She made a promise and she intended to keep it.  Besides, as painful as it might be, this was temporary.  As soon as Atlas stepped in and the Badlands got back on its feet, they would have more fortune than they knew what to do with.  That was the hope, at least.

Without Blake’s guidance or insight, Yang focused on the essentials: medical supplies, building materials, and food.  A war-torn area like the Badlands could probably never have enough of those three categories. As meager as the help looked when written down, it was better than nothing.  More importantly, she knew that Blake would put everything to good use.

Blake would return the supplies before letting them go to waste.  That was just the type of person she was...morally bound to her core.  In a time when people were increasingly self-serving, her unflinching morality was like a breath of fresh air.  Without her, the palace felt stale and...lonely.

Flipping through another stack of ledgers, Yang sighed and resigned herself to another evening thinking about Blake.  Pining might be a better word for it.  Yearning, another.

She never expected a single person - from the Badlands, no less - to so drastically change her life in a matter of days, but that was what happened.  Blake’s fire and passion made her want to be better and do better for Vale and beyond.

There was a lot of work to do.  She made headways as best she could but, regardless of how hard she worked, she couldn’t escape the loneliness.  She missed Ruby and Blake.  Not knowing when she would see them again, or even if she would see them again, only magnified her heartache.

If there wasn’t so much to attend to, she would spend whatever time she had left with them - reminiscing with Ruby, getting to know Blake.  That would be a better way to go, but the choice wasn’t hers.  Beggars can’t be choosers, as they say.

“Ugh.  This looks so boring.”

Breaking away from those thoughts, Yang frowned as Cecelia sauntered into the office.

“How many guards were injured this time?” she asked while Cecelia perched on the edge of the desk.

“None.  They moved out of the way.”

“I guess I do need to work on our security…” Yang muttered, shaking her head when Cecelia laughed.

“You could spend a year training them and they’d still let me through.”

Yang wasn’t so sure about that - or maybe she just didn’t want to believe it - but she knew better than to argue.  Instead, she scoffed and collected several important supply lists into a pile so that Cecelia wouldn’t snoop.

“Guess I won’t waste my time then.”  The response fed right into Cecelia’s ego, earning a smug smile while Yang leaned back in her chair and asked, “Do you need something?”

“I have to need something to talk to you?  I can’t just want to keep you company?”

“Cecelia…”

“Alright, fine.  I’m bored and want you to entertain me.”

“Since when am I your entertainment?” Yang asked, but Cecelia waved away the audible disbelief.

“Since always.  That’s our deal, remember?  I kill things; you entertain me.  We both win.”

“Funny.  I don’t remember making that deal.”

Yang shook her head at Cecelia’s revisionist history and quickly averted her gaze when Cecelia crossed her legs atop the desk.

“Your memory must be going.”  Cecelia noticed Yang’s eyeroll, but she just smirked and leaned closer.  “Come on - when are we going to do something exciting?”

“I have a lot of work to do.  The treaty, rebuilding the Badlands, rebuilding Vale, the Phage -”

Cecelia made a face at the never-ending list.

“Can’t you pawn that off on someone else?”

Yang sighed and shook her head at the suggestion.  As amazing as it sounded to make someone else take care of everything, these were her responsibilities.  She’d never signed up for them or even been given a choice whether or not she wanted them, but that didn’t make them any less hers.

“That’s not what being a queen is about,” she said even though she knew that Cecelia wouldn’t understand.

As suspected, Cecelia scoffed and waved away the comment.  When her green eyes suddenly brightened, however, worry sprang into Yang’s chest.  “You can’t be queen all the time, and I know exactly how to get you out of here.”

“Do you…?”

“I do.”

Cecelia’s confident nod made Yang even more worried about what this idea was and what her involvement looked like.

“I’m going hunting in a few days.”  As soon as the words left Cecelia’s lips, Yang’s heart fell.  “My guys found a huge dreader that needs taken down.  Once they get the location, I’m on it - and you should come with me.”

“I don’t know...”

“You don’t think it sounds fun?”

“I do, but...”  Hunting right now would be torture, and there was no guarantee Yang could physically do it, let alone survive it.  “There’s so much to do...” she said instead, waving to the stacks of papers covering the desk.

“Seriously?  You’re going to pass up a massive dreader for paperwork?  You used to be fun.  What the hell happened?”

“The war happened.”

“Yeah, but now you never leave the palace.  You getting soft or something?  Hiding here so you don’t get hurt?”

Cecelia was goading now - her green eyes and smirk issuing a challenge.  Her thin, underlying layer of curiosity, however, was cause for concern.

Cecelia knew that Yang needed to blow off steam every once in a while - at least, she used to.  Now, she hardly had enough steam to make it through the day.  Cecelia couldn’t know that though, no matter what.  If she knew or even suspected that Yang was too weak to protect herself...there was no telling what might happen.

“I’ll think about it.”  Fortunately, curiosity morphed into triumph at the half-agreement.  “Let me know when you find it, and I’ll see if I can go.”

Before Cecelia preemptively gloated about her ‘victory,’ someone knocked on the open door to announce their presence.  Spotting one of the palace messengers, Yang waved him in before glancing over to gauge Cecelia’s reaction.

While slightly frowning at the interruption, Cecelia flipped her brunette waves over her shoulder and leaned further back on the desk.  Her skirt rode up in the process, quickly forcing Yang’s gaze away, but not before she accidentally caught a glimpse up Cecelia’s skirt. She immediately felt guilty for the glance then felt stupid for feeling guilty.  What was she guilty of?  She hadn’t tried to look up Cecelia’s skirt...

“Your Majesty,” the messenger greeted her before extending an envelope.  “A message from your sister.”

Quickly forgetting everything else, Yang took the envelope and motioned for him to stay while she pulled out the letter.  Her heartache returned as soon as she saw Ruby’s handwriting, but she wasted no time reading Ruby’s words.

Dear Yang,

I’m glad to hear that things with Blake and the Badlands are moving along.  Wish I could say the same about this peace treaty.  You think it’d be easy, but Atlas has this Council that drafts all this stuff, and they’re...difficult.  I’m trying to get this done fast so we can move on, but they’re in no hurry.  I promise though - I’ll be home as soon as possible.  Just hang in there a little longer, ok?

In other news, Atlas is freezing and pretty much everyone has white hair.  As you can imagine, James and I get quite a few looks.  Is this how you normally feel?  I’m not sure I like it.

Most importantly, I miss you!  I’m glad James is here to keep me company, otherwise I’d miss home way too much.  Weiss is actually good company too, so that’s nice.  She’s nothing like her father, which I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear.  She’s actually very sweet and kind.

How are you though?  Is everything else going well?  Handling everything on your own isn’t too much stress, is it?  Please remember to ask for help if you’re tired - that’s what we have help for!

Please respond when you can, and know that I love you!

Love,

Ruby

“What’s the mini-queen say?” Cecelia asked as soon as Yang lowered the page.

“She says Atlas’ government is uncooperative.”  Noticing the immediate sparkle in Cecelia’s eyes, Yang shook her head.  “Don’t look so happy about it.”

While Cecelia shrugged, Yang turned to the messenger and asked, “How did she look when you saw her?”

“The Queen was in good spirits, but that’s nothing new.”

Chuckling at the observation, Yang glanced at the letter one last time before nodding to the young man.

“Thank you.  I’ll let you know when I have a return message.  For now, get some rest.”

After bowing at the instruction, he hurried out of the room.

“When you send the response…” Cecelia began while running her fingers through her hair, absentmindedly spinning a blade in the air behind her.  “Tell her I want my rematch when she’s back.”

“You’re still upset about that?”

“I know I can beat her.”

“She’s the fastest person in Vale, if not the world.  How do you plan on beating her?”  After thinking about the possible answers, Yang narrowed her eyes and felt a painful flareup in her chest.  “If you even think about hurting her, I swear to all that’s mighty you’ll be ashes before you even try.”

“Please.  The idea that you could torch me is laughable.”  While Yang scowled, Cecelia chuckled and added, “Besides, I’d never hurt Ruby.  She’s too pure to touch.  Although, sometimes her...niceness...is so blinding that I just want to make it stop.”

“Because your soul is blacker than night.”

“Probably,” Cecelia admitted before shrugging.  “Someday she’ll probably do something so nice for me that I’ll have to fling myself into the nearest dreader’s mouth.”

“Let’s make sure you’re here when she gets back,” Yang joked.

“How’d she end up so kind?” Cecelia mused, scrunching up her face at the word.  “Especially when she’s so powerful...she could do anything.”  After thinking about that for several seconds, she shook her head.  “I swear, the next time you two need my help, I’m making her fight with me for a day.  I bet we could take over all of Remnant without breaking a sweat.”

“Why do you insist on making Ruby evil?”

Again, Cecelia shrugged.

“It would be fascinating.  Imagine the destruction...”

While Cecelia did just that, Yang tucked Ruby’s letter away.  She would write a response later, once she had a moment of privacy. “Thankfully, it’ll never come to that,” she added.  “Because you can’t resist me begging for help.”

“You know how I feel when you beg…” Cecelia replied, green eyes flashing as another smirk settled on her lips.

“Exactly.”

Yang never quite understood Cecelia’s fascination with her, but she knew it was very real and potentially very dangerous.  Not dangerous to her, personally, but...fascination often coincided with possession.  If Cecelia felt like Yang belonged to her in some strange way, that could be dangerous to anyone else in Yang’s life.

Yet another thing to worry about...thankfully, it wasn’t a pressing issue, as her current state of loneliness confirmed.

“If you’re going to hang out, grab a chair.”

Yang waved at the nearest chair hoping Cecelia would get off the desk, but she did one better - hopped down and headed to the door.

“Just looking at that stuff gives me a headache,” she said before pausing in the doorway.  “Come find me when you need a break.  I know something that will relax you.”

Cecelia winked before sauntering out of the office, leaving Yang to roll her eyes at the solicitation.  That was one offer she could pass up today, especially since her legs had started burning at some point during their conversation.  And, without Cecelia serving as a distraction, she felt the full brunt of that fire.

Groaning, she hunched forward and rested her forehead on the desk.  Her legs suffered the worst of it, but the more she thought about it, the more it spread.  It was as if her blood had turned into living fire, flowing through her veins and igniting every inch of her skin.

Taking slow, shallow breaths, she tried to force the fire back where it belonged.  But that was the thing about the Phage - she no longer had control.  Her spark did what it wished, and right now it wished for her to suffer.

Exhaustion didn’t even begin to capture how she felt trying to fight it off.  Some days, she wondered why she was even still here.  It would be so much easier to just give in.  Find someplace far away, let her spark take over, and finally rest.

But she couldn’t accept that fate just yet.  She still had too much to fight for.  Vale...Ruby...

“Miss Belladonna!”

Her eyes snapped up as Blake shot through the door.  Unable to believe it, she struggled to her feet and, for what felt like the longest time, just stared at the person standing in front of her.  Blake stared right back, her eyes filled with relief yet her breaths labored from what looked like a rapid trip here.  For several seconds, neither of them said anything.  Being so abruptly thrown back into each other’s company, Yang could hardly believe it was true.

“Blake?” she breathed out before finally moving around the desk.  Every step shot fire through her calves, but she ignored the pain.  She hadn’t expected Blake to come back - why would Blake ever come back?  Hadn’t she gotten what she wanted?  The war was over, The Badlands was getting help.

Yet here she was.

Stopping in front of Blake, looking into her warm amber eyes, Yang smiled and lifted one hand to lightly touch Blake’s raven-colored hair.  This felt like a dream, but it was real.  Blake was really here, standing right in front of her, looking just as beautiful and captivating as she remembered.

“You came back.”

“Of course I did.”  A small, bemused smile flitted across Blake’s lips, but concern replaced that levity as she gently rested her hand over Yang’s burning heart.  “How do you feel?”

Yang’s spark might still be running amok through her veins, but it couldn’t prevent her smile.

“Much better now.”

“Good, because you need to come with me.”

Before Yang processed the words, Blake grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the office.

“What’s going on?” Yang only asked as they hurried toward the entryway.

“I ran into someone in the Badlands,” Blake explained in a hushed voice.  “And you need to meet them.  That’s all I can say right now.”

Yang had many questions, but she didn’t ask them.  Instead, she willingly let Blake lead her outside, where darkness had begun to fall.  From there, they crossed the plaza then made their way across the sprawling palace grounds.  So long as they were holding hands, she would probably follow Blake anywhere.  The Badlands, all the way to Atlas - the destination didn’t matter so much as the person leading her there.

Blake had no such grand locations in mind.  Instead, she hurried to a nearly deserted area serving little purpose other than storage of various equipment and supplies.  Secluded and far from prying eyes, this part of the palace grounds was perfect for stealing some alone time.  Unfortunately, Yang already knew that wasn’t what Blake brought her here for.

That hopeless desire disappeared when Blake stopped outside a small, nondescript shed and glanced around to see if anyone was nearby.  The Elites had started their nighttime patrols, but the nearest pair wasn’t close enough to be a bother.  Blake seemed to agree as she knocked on the door three times before opening it and motioning Yang through.

Yang hardly saw inside the shed before the door shut behind her, blocking out any meaningful source of light.  The first thing she noticed was the overwhelming scent of charcoal - likely charred logs for the firebeasts.  Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed a figure in the shadows across from her.  She assumed it was a young woman based on their slender form, but she couldn’t be certain when they wore a long cloak with a hood obscuring their face.  The way they leaned weight away from their left leg suggested an injury - hopefully, not a bad one.

Unable to make out much more in the darkness, Yang turned to Blake, who stood close enough that their arms touched.  Yang didn’t say a word, yet Blake understood her question and nodded.  Without further explanation, Yang assumed this mysterious person was safe and stepped closer.

“I’m guessing you’re who Blake ran into.”

“I am.”  As suspected, it was a young woman.  “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Queen Xiao Long.”

When the woman bowed, Yang waved off the formality.

“Honor’s mine.  May I ask your name?”

Silence filled the shed while Yang waited for a response.  For a second, she thought she wouldn’t get one.  She’d just glanced at Blake when the woman straightened her posture and stepped out of the shadows.  As soon as she raised her hands and lowered the hood of her cloak, revealing snow-white hair and piercing blue eyes, Yang’s heart stopped.

“My name is Winter Schnee, Your Highness.”

For the longest time, Yang just stared.  Then she looked at Blake, who nodded to assure her that she wasn’t hallucinating.  Then she stared some more.

“Excuse my language,” she finally said.  “But holy shit.”

Of all the people Blake could have snuck into Vale, Yang never would have guessed a missing Atlesian princess.  A notorious, powerful, possibly dangerous Atlesian princess.

“I understand your surprise,” Winter replied, though ‘surprise’ only fractionally captured Yang’s current emotions.  “And I know this is unexpected, but I was convinced to come here, of all places, in hope that you’ll offer me sanctuary.  This was the last place I would ever think to go, but...”

Winter trailed off, but she didn’t need to say anything more - Yang understood exactly what happened.  Somehow, Blake stumbled into Winter in the Badlands.  Realizing Winter was injured and needed help, Blake brought her to Vale hoping that Yang wouldn’t turn her away.

Hoping that Yang wouldn’t turn her away or knowing that she wouldn’t?

“If you don’t want me here, I understand,” Winter added, bowing her head in acceptance.  “In that case, I only ask that you let me leave Vale.  I wish no harm to you or your people.”

While Winter offered that alternative, Blake shook her head and turned to Yang.

“She can’t leave.  Knights are hunting her in the Badlands - where would she go?”

“South,” Winter answered.

“That’s nothing but wilderness,” Blake pointed out while Yang watched Winter closely.  Based on the rumors about Winter and her exploits, Yang always imagined the day they met would be a battle to the death.  But she’d expected Weiss to be different, too.  And Blake.

Meeting Blake’s gaze, Yang studied the emotions in warm amber eyes.  Certainty, confidence...and a silent request to trust her.  Of all the people who shouldn’t trust Winter, Blake was near the top of that list.  Instead, she wanted Winter to stay.

“Blake’s right,” Yang answered, turning away only after she saw the relief in Blake’s eyes.  “Heading that way without ample supplies is suicide, as is heading back to the Badlands.  You should stay in Vale, and I can’t think of a safer place than in the palace.  The Knights can’t reach you here.”

It was the right decision.  Yang knew it, Blake knew it, and Winter knew it.  What Winter didn’t seem to understand, however, was how it was even an option.

“But...Your Highness, I’m...”

“I’ve heard the stories,” Yang said once Winter trailed off.  “Maybe they’re true.  Maybe they’re not.  That’s all water under the bridge now - we’re moving on from the war.  Besides, your sister is currently looking after mine.  The least I can do is return the favor.”

Winter’s mouth hung slightly ajar, but Yang looked over and smiled when Blake’s hand grazed her own.  She still couldn’t believe Blake was back, but her presence was made all the sweeter by another opportunity to make her happy.

“Are you sure?” Winter finally asked.  She looked and sounded like she couldn’t believe Yang would ever agree to something like this.  Honestly, Yang couldn’t believe it either, but that was how much everything had changed.

“I’m positive.”

When Yang nodded, gratitude filled Winter’s eyes.  Before she responded, however, the three of them froze at the sound of nearby voices.  From the accompanying clatter of armor, one of the night patrols was passing by.  They weren’t close, but they were close enough for Yang to realize that Winter couldn’t stay out here forever.  Fortunately, she knew the perfect place for Winter’s temporary lodgings.

“Let’s get out of here,” she said, earning Blake’s agreement before gesturing to Winter’s hood.  “Put that back on and follow me.”

Once Winter pulled the hood back into place, covering her white hair, Yang peeked outside.  Spotting no one in the vicinity, she motioned Blake and Winter after her.  Rather than lead them to the palace’s main entrance, she hurried to one of the staff entrances.  Most of the palace staff should have gone home by now, making their well-used corridors a safer option than passing the guards in the entryway.

“Please don’t be locked…” she whispered before trying the door and sighing when it opened.  Lola must still be around, as she locked all of the doors before leaving for the day.

Unsure of where their head of staff might be, Yang navigated the hallways at a brisk walk.  Winter was right behind her with Blake bringing up the rear, none of them saying a word.  Yang glanced over her shoulder several times to make sure Winter stuck with them, surprising herself each time she saw vivid blue eyes.

Fortunately, they made it to one of the back stairwells without running into anyone.  Once they reached the upper living quarters, Yang breathed a small sigh of relief but didn’t slow down.  Only when she reached her destination did she slow down, and only then so that she could search for the key that she always kept on her.

Hands shaking from adrenaline and exhaustion, she dropped the key as soon as she got it out of her pocket.  Before she stooped down, however, Blake set a comforting hand on her arm and picked it up for her.  Blake then fit it into the lock, her hands calm and steady, and opened the door. A pang of sadness hit Yang’s heart when the scent of roses reached her nose, but she took a deep breath and walked inside.  Only when Blake closed the door behind them did she relax, knowing that this room was safer than any other.

“This is my sister’s room,” she explained while Winter looked around the comfortable yet modest living area.  “Since everyone knows she’s in Atlas, no one’s coming around for cleaning, so it should be safe.  And she’ll be more than happy for you to stay here while she’s away.”

If Yang wasn’t positive that Ruby would be fine with it, she wouldn't have offered.  But she was positive that Ruby would be fine with it.  If anything, Ruby might be upset if Yang didn’t offer her room to someone in need.

“I don’t know what to say…” After looking around the room, Winter met Yang’s gaze.  “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Please call me Yang.”  Finding Winter’s gratitude incredibly genuine, Yang smiled.  “And you’re welcome.  Like I said, it’s the least I can do while your sister hosts Ruby in Atlas.”

“It’s true then?  Weiss convinced you to end the war?”

“She had a little help.”  Yang smiled at Blake, who blushed and turned away, before nodding for Winter.  “But yes, she did.  She requested a meeting and came all the way to Vale on her own.  She said she didn’t want to keep fighting and...well, neither did we.”

While Winter looked at a loss for words, but extremely proud of what her sister accomplished, Yang snuck another smile Blake’s way.  Blake caught the look and, much to Yang’s delight, reached over and squeezed her hand.

Noticing Winter’s slight hobble as she went to look out one of the windows, Yang realized that she had to play hostess before focusing solely on Blake.

“Do you need anything for that?” she asked, pointing to Winter’s leg.  She could see blood stains on Winter’s clothing now, though they were already dried.

“There’s no need.”  Before Yang insisted, Winter lifted the bottom of her pants leg to reveal a gash covered in a thin layer of ice.  “It should heal soon,” she explained before letting the cloth fall back into place.

Impressed by the clever medical care, Yang raked her mind for what else Winter might need.

“What about food?  We can run down to the kitchen and grab something.”

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry at the moment.  I’m just...tired.”  As if proving that point, Winter looked at the sofa and sighed.  “It’s a relief not to be running for an evening,” she admitted.  “Maybe tonight I can get a decent night’s sleep.

“You’re safe here,” Blake assured her.  “The Knights didn’t see us leave the Badlands, and I doubt they’d follow us into Vale even if they had.”

“They’re not getting in here without a fight,” Yang pointed out.  “Once the treaty’s done, we can figure out how to keep you safe.  Until then, we need to make sure no one knows you’re here.”

“I understand.”

Winter briefly closed her eyes as she nodded, looking like she could fall asleep standing there.  Recognizing the time to leave, Yang shared a knowing glance with Blake before they backed toward the door.

“Why don’t you get some rest and we’ll reconvene in the morning?” Yang offered.  As suspected, Winter didn’t protest.  She nodded again, and this time a small smile flitted across her lips.

“That sounds wonderful.  Thank you again.”

“Don’t mention it.”  After waving off the gratitude, Yang opened the door and pointed to it as Blake walked into the hall.  “Lock this once we leave,” she instructed, and waited for Winter’s nod before pulling the door closed. Yang waited to hear the lock slide in place before nodding.  Then she turned toward Blake and felt her heart flutter.  After looking around the hall, she motioned Blake after her.

“I can’t believe you found her,” she whispered as they left Ruby’s room behind.  “How did that even happen?”

“Dumb luck.  I spotted her in the forest.  The Knights were...well, we got away in time.”

There was more to that story, but Yang would press Blake for details at a later time.  Right now, they had bigger issues.  And by bigger, she meant smaller, brunette, and extremely deadly.

“We can’t let Cecelia find out she’s here,” she whispered.  “The price on her head must be massive - Cecelia will absolutely try to cash in.”

“Got it.  So...keep her away from this corner of the palace?”

“And hope Winter stays out of sight.”

“I think she understands the need to be careful.”

“Good.”

Now that the unexpected adventure was over, Yang’s energy left her in one fell swoop.  The sudden crash and subsequent burning in her heart made her stagger into the wall, but Blake caught her by the arm.

“You need to sit down.”

“I’m fine.  Just...wasn’t ready for all the excitement.”

Yang attempted a smile, but Blake’s worry grew.

“Let me help.”

Before Yang protested, Blake ducked under Yang’s arm and wrapped an arm around Yang’s waist for support.  They were so close now that Blake’s side was pressed against hers.  Blake’s skin hardened - a subtle reminder that Yang’s spark raged out of control - but she also felt Blake’s hair brush across her neck and chin, soft and feathery like the best of downs.

“Can’t say I mind the help…” she admitted, drawing a soft scoff.

“Enjoy it while you can, Your Majesty.”

The term only made Yang laugh, especially when she noticed the hint of a smile on Blake’s lips.  They might be hobbling toward Yang’s chambers with her legs protesting every step of the way, but that didn’t dampen the joy of being together again.  They hadn’t known each other long, and Blake hadn’t been away for long, but...Yang had missed this.

“Wait - listen.”

Hearing voices up ahead, Yang quickly disentangled herself from Blake and straightened her posture.  Two guards turned the corner seconds later, making their patrols as usual.

“Your Majesty,” they greeted her.  They bowed as they passed, and she gave them a respectful nod while trying to ignore the fire in her chest.  It grew hotter instead, and she swore that she stopped breathing while struggling to keep herself upright.

The instant they turned into the next hallway, she sucked in a breath and hunched over from the pain.  Blake quickly reached over to help her, and this time she was more than willing to accept the support for more reasons than just being close.

It hurt.  She hated that it hurt.  And she hated that she couldn’t stop it.  All she could do was grit her teeth and bare it.

“Almost there,” Blake whispered as they neared Yang’s chambers.  Just a few more steps, and they would be in the privacy of her room, where she could be in as much pain as she wanted.  Not that she wanted any of this pain to begin with.

Once they made it through the door, Blake briefly paused to lock it before leading Yang to the nearest chair.  After carefully setting Yang in it, she stepped away while Yang hunched over and clenched her fists.  Her spark refused to listen to her.  Even when she fought through the fog of pain and tried to reach out to it, it rebuffed her with a wave of agony that shot stars through her vision.

She was at its mercy, but it wasn’t merciful.  It set her skin ablaze from within, scorching through her like white-hot fury while an unwanted flame sparked in the palm of her hand.  She quickly closed her fist around the fire, hoping to put it out, only for it to spread to her fingers.

When she had control, she and the flames were one.  But she didn’t have control.  She and her spark weren’t one.  The fire didn’t belong to her.  It burned.  And, as it crept down her hand to her wrist, she knew it would consume her whole.  The searing agony in her hand would soon be everywhere.  Everything.

“Yang.  Yang!”

Only when someone roughly shook her shoulder did her mind snap back to the room.  Blake’s voice, calling her name.  Blake’s hand on her shoulder.  Blake was here.  She’d come back.

The fire couldn’t take Yang yet.  Not tonight, at least.  Not now.

Thankfully, it agreed.  It released its hold on her senses and retreated to her heart, taking its torture with it.  The flames extinguished from around her hand, though she blinked and wondered if they’d ever truly been there or if she’d only imagined them because that was what the pain felt like.

As her spark settled back into a dull roar, she finally looked up and found Blake staring at her with fear-filled eyes.

“I’m ok,” she whispered, her breathing labored.  “I’m ok.”

She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or Blake with that lie.  If it was Blake, it didn’t work.  Kneeling by the chair, Blake reached up and held Yang’s hand.  Her cool hands felt like a blessing to the recently flaming skin, but her sad gaze hurt in an entirely different way.

“It’s getting worse.”

Thinking about the disease in her chest, which grew stronger by the day, Yang didn’t bother arguing.

“It’s taking over…” she admitted instead.  That was the only way to describe what felt like something other than herself controlling her spark and using it against her.  Not only taking over, but releasing it inside her own body, letting it tear through her like wildfire instead of being released into the world.

“Let’s get you into bed,” Blake said before ducking under Yang’s arm and lifting her to her feet.

“But I’m not tired.”

“You need rest.”

“But -”

Blake shot Yang a look that dared her to argue, and she obediently fell silent.  In her own room, she was dared to argue!  Ironically, she didn’t dare do it.  She let Blake lead her into her bedroom instead. Her energy returned bit by bit now that the flare-up had ended, but she didn’t protest as Blake prodded her to sit on the edge of her bed.  She would have protested if Blake tried to leave then but, thankfully, Blake sat down right beside her.

“Thank you for letting Winter stay,” Blake said, staring at her hands while their legs gently brushed against one another.  “I know you have no reason to trust her, but...I couldn’t just leave her there, and I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.”

“You don’t need to thank me.  If you think it’s the best thing to do, then I’ll support however I can.  Even if that means letting one of Atlas’ princesses hide here.”

Blake looked up from her lap and stared at Yang for a long time.  She looked like she wished she could read Yang’s mind.  When that didn’t work, she eventually asked, “Why do you trust me so much?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Yang replied without hesitation.  “You’ve been nothing but honest since we met, even when scolding me about the war.  You don’t hesitate to voice your opinion, regardless of whether I’ll like it or not.  You’re not afraid to disagree with me, which makes me believe you even more.”

“But…the way we met...what I’d planned to do...”

“That you didn’t do.”  Yang reached over and, only after giving Blake plenty of opportunity to move away, gently brushed her fingers across Blake’s cheek.  Smiling at the soft contact, she added, “You didn’t go through with it, Blake.  How can I judge you for something you only thought about doing?  I’ve thought about doing plenty of horrible things - do you think less of me for that?”

A flurry of emotions flitted through Blake’s eyes.  Eventually, they softened, and she smiled.  Feeling that smile beneath her fingertips, Yang quickly withdrew her hand while her heart thumped loudly.

She trusted Blake, but there was more to it than that.  She’d had a handful of flings in the past, but she’d never experienced these feelings before - deeply rooted attachment that made her want to be closer to Blake than anyone else.  Not solely in a sexual way - though she definitely had those feelings too.  It was more of an all-encompassing desire to be special to Blake.

When a horrible idea popped into her head, a sour feeling sprouted in the pit of her stomach.

“Were you and Adam…?”  The mere mention of his name sent such a flurry of emotions through Blake’s eyes - pain, anguish, fear - that Yang instantly felt guilty for bringing it up.  “Nevermind.”

“No, what is it?”

When Blake shook her head and leaned closer, Yang sighed.  She already opened the can of worms - she might as well get everything out in the open.

“Were you two...” she repeated, omitting his name this time.  “You know...together?”

After searching Yang’s eyes for a long time, Blake relaxed.

“No.  We weren’t.”

The answer was a sigh of relief Yang hadn’t realized she’d been holding this entire time.  Would she have felt differently if Blake’s answer was ‘yes?’  Maybe not, but that would lend too much credence to Cecelia’s theories.

“Sorry for bringing it up.  It’s just...something I heard.”

While Yang hoped to put the topic behind them, Blake crossed her arms over her chest.

“I heard you keep a harem of beautiful women in the palace.  They wait on you hand and foot, but you make them leave if they get fat or unattractive.”

“What??”

Faced with Blake’s serious expression, Yang didn’t know whether to scoff or laugh.  The idea was so ridiculous, it clearly wasn’t true.

...but perhaps that was Blake’s point.  The idea that she and Adam were ever together was just as ludicrous as Yang keeping a stable of beautiful women for her personal pleasure.

“I feel like you’re trying to teach me something...” she said, narrowing her eyes and smiling when Blake finally uncrossed her arms.  Reaching over, Blake straightened the collar of Yang’s shirt before running her hands across Yang’s shoulders.

“You shouldn’t chase rumors, Yang.  You’re bound to be disappointed.”

“Can’t say I was disappointed by this one...”  When Blake rolled her eyes, Yang smiled but took the matter seriously.  “But I understand.  And I’m sorry.  I was just curious and...a little jealous.”

This time, Blake reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Yang’s ear.  The gesture was so intimate and caring that Yang briefly forgot anything else on her mind.  The only things she could think about were Blake’s eyes, so expressive and pure, and her fingers gently tracing the tip of Yang’s ear.

“If you have questions, just ask,” Blake whispered, her eyes silently imploring Yang to agree.

“Did you miss me?”

The question slipped out before Yang thought it through.  When surprise flickered through Blake’s eyes, she worried that she overstepped her bounds.  Her mind started spinning, searching for a way out, but then Blake nodded.  Just once.  And her lips curled into a hint of a smile.

“I did.”

That admission sounded so small but felt incredibly big.  And while Blake ran her hand through Yang’s hair, Yang’s heart pounded in her chest.

“I was worried about you...” Blake added, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

“You were worried about me?” Yang asked before chuckling.  “I was stuck in a palace surrounded by guards.  You were by yourself in the Badlands -”

“Where I’ve spent my entire life,” Blake pointed out with a reassuring yet somehow-sad smile.  “I can take care of myself, but I didn’t know what might happen while I was away.”

Gaze dropping, Blake rested her hand over Yang’s burning heart and sighed.

“Well...I’m still here,” Yang whispered.

“Good.”

Blake nodded with that comment before the two of them held each other’s gazes, both with small smiles set in place.  Then Blake lifted her hand and lightly brushed her fingertips across Yang’s brow.

Then Blake leaned in and kissed her.

She’d imagined it hundreds of times, but nothing could have prepared her for the fire that roared through her veins the moment Blake’s soft lips landed on hers.  Surprise flitted through her thoughts, then brief uncertainty and hesitation, but desire, passion, and unbridled affection swept those feelings away.

When it felt like Blake might pull away, Yang pressed closer, silently saying that she wanted this too.  That she was willing if Blake was.  The way Blake’s lips moved against hers, exploratory yet certain, convinced her that Blake wanted this just as much as she did.  That unspoken admission erased every last hesitation in Yang’s mind, and every obstacle in their path suddenly disappeared.

A flood of desire quickly followed.  Their lips grew emboldened, and Blake’s arms wrapped around Yang’s neck as the kiss deepened.  Their lips parted and their tongues brushed together, and Yang found her hands clutching Blake’s sides while the heat between them grew like a raging fire.

Yang’s desire fully ignited when she slid her hands up Blake’s sides and Blake softly sighed into her mouth.  Spurred on by the sound, she ran her hands even farther, around Blake’s back before weaving through her soft, black hair.  This time, Blake broke away from the kiss as another soft moan slipped out.  Her lips weren’t unoccupied for long though, as she quickly leaned in and kissed Yang’s neck, sending a spike of pleasure down Yang’s spine.

“Blake,” she gasped out, her voice breathless while Blake pressed more and more kisses to her neck, each more pleasurable than the last.

“Mm?”

“Will you stay?”

Finally pausing, Blake pulled away and met Yang’s gaze.  Her pupils were large as saucers, her lips slightly parted, and her chest rose and fell with deep breaths, but she smiled.

“Stay with me tonight?” Yang asked again, her desire growing when she caught the possessive glint in Blake’s eyes.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Blake replied before capturing Yang’s lips in another passionate kiss.

This time Blake’s hands roved across Yang’s clothes, undoing zippers and unclasping buttons while pushing Yang back onto the bed.  Yang’s heart beat like crazy, especially when Blake seamlessly climbed on top of her, but her spark was blissfully nowhere to be found. Maybe it understood mercy after all.  Or maybe it was just tired of torturing her day in and day out.

Tomorrow would be a new day, a new struggle.  But tonight…tonight might be one of the last spontaneous, incredible moments she would ever have.  She would savor every second of it.

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