What Defines Us - Chapter 47 (Patreon)

Walking into the suddenly-empty house, Yang tossed her keys on the kitchen table and sighed.  

“It’s gonna be so weird without her here…” she mumbled, plucking a leftover rose petal from the arm of the sofa and letting it fall to the floor.  It landed near two more, which were part of a larger band of scattered leftovers from Ruby’s departure.

“Are you going to be ok?” Blake asked softly, sliding her hand into Yang’s. 

“I think so…”

“It’s ok to be upset…” Blake assured her, as usual giving permission for the request Yang lacked the courage to make.

“Yeah...can I just hold you for a little while?”

A soft “mhmm” was all the consent Yang needed to scoop Blake off the ground and clutch her tightly while walking over to the sofa.  Sighing as she sat down and situated Blake in her lap, Yang tilted her head to the side while Blake ran one hand through her hair. The soothing motion added to the calm spreading through her chest - and the longer they sat there in easy silence, the further Blake’s comforting presence traveled.  It was incredible, really. Like aloe on a sunburn - Blake cooled the budding heat of stress in Yang’s veins.

Feeling the smallest of vibrations against her side, Yang smiled and relaxed even further.  A second later, her ears picked up the tiny rumbles emitting from Blake’s chest. They sounded an awful lot like the purrs a cat might make, but they weren’t purrs.  Definitely not.  They were ‘rumbles of happiness,’ according to Blake.

Whatever they were, they were the best.  And as far as Yang was concerned, no sound in the world was more reassuring.

As the tension she’d been carrying lifted from her shoulders, she finally realized just how emotionally exhausted she was.  Not only from the move today, but from everything that had happened over the past weeks. The past year. It had been like jumping on emotional roller coasters back to back to back.  As much as she loved a good thrill, that was not the type of experience she was after.

Now that things were back to quasi-normal, she understood just how accustomed to the new normal she’d become.  She got used to having Ruby’s presence around again, so now the house felt oddly silent and...still...without her.  Only Blake’s rumbles of happiness broke through the strange silence, letting Yang know that some things were the same.  

This was how it was before everything changed.  It might take a while to get used to it again...

“Do you feel a little better now?”

Even though the question seemed innocent, Yang laughed.

“You already know I do,” she replied, grinning at the pleased smile Blake gave her.  

Blake was a wizard at reading cues that were invisible to the eye - part of that whole ‘having way better senses than most of humanity’ thing.  One time, she explained how much information could be gathered simply by listening to someone’s heartbeat. It blew Yang’s mind.  Also embarrassed the heck out of her.  She hadn’t realized how much information she gave away with her heart!  

Thankfully, most humans didn’t have good enough hearing to pick up a heartbeat from more than an inch away.  But the lesson had explained why it felt like Blake could read Yang’s desires like a book when they started dating.

“I’ll miss her too,” Blake admitted softly.  “But we’ll see them all the time, just like we did before.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruby’s back tomorrow morning looking for that ice cream she left in the freezer.”

The comment made Yang grin and pull Blake closer.

“She did forget that, didn’t she?”

“She did. Plus, it won’t be long before she realizes that the five-minute drive only takes her a minute to run.  Pretty soon we won’t even know when she’ll pop in.”

Chuckling at the true statement before lapsing into comfortable silence, Yang knew that Blake was right.  Of course she was right. They never had an issue seeing Weiss and Ruby before, so why would it be any different now?  If anything, they were closer than they were before.  Funny how life-changing moments could do that to people...

“Did you see what she made?” Yang asked, reaching towards the side table and picking up the small metal bumblebee Ruby gave her.  After gently setting it in Blake’s hand, they both watched the wings start buzzing. 

The gift was one of the coolest and most unique things Yang had ever seen…kind of like the person who made it.

“She might be the most talented tinkerer I’ve ever met,” Blake commented, lifting the bee and setting it down so the wings stuttered before starting up again.

“Isn’t she?”  

Watching the bee work its magic in transfixing Blake, Yang resituated them on the sofa so her legs wouldn’t fall asleep.  

Thank god Blake was here.  Otherwise, Yang had no idea what she would do.  Pace restlessly? Immediately cave and go see what Ruby and Weiss were up to?

Maybe it was unusual to be so attached to her sister, but they were each other’s support while growing up.  When Yang needed help, she always had Ruby. When Ruby needed help, she always had Yang. Knowing that Ruby was ok meant that Yang could breathe easily and enjoy the world, but when they were apart...she wasn’t sure how Ruby was doing.  

She was entrusting Ruby to Weiss’ care, but it wasn’t easy to let go.

“What do you think they’re doing now?” she asked, feeling a pinprick of worry interrupt their cozy snuggling.

“My guess?  Training.  Or making lunch.”

“Actual lunch, right?  Not like how we ‘make lunch?’”

Chuckling at the response, Blake reached across Yang and set the bee back on the side table - her long raven hair gently brushing across Yang’s face in the process.

“You know how much Weiss loves to cook for Ruby...”

When Blake leaned back and smiled, Yang felt her heart do a loud double jump in her chest.  She adored it when Blake laughed. The happy sound reminded her of how close they were now.  In private, Blake shared more of her emotions. She was more open about her thoughts, her worries, her feelings, and her wishes.  Yang loved it that way - she loved seeing a side of Blake that no one else ever would. 

And as long as Yang knew what was going on inside that beautiful noggin, she knew everything was just fine.

“Do you think we did ok?  We didn’t screw her up too bad or anything?”

Sensing the momentary increase in concern, Blake rested her palm on Yang’s collarbone.

“Yang…” she began in that tone that said there was nothing to worry about.  “She’s happy and healthy.”

“Yeah, but -”

When Blake raised her brow, Yang stopped her protest and let Blake continue.

“Weiss is also happy and healthy.”  

“But do you think she’ll be ok?” Yang pressed.  Worry was still creeping into her veins, but Blake lightly tapped her collar to remind her of the warm, soothing presence.  

“You know how much Weiss loves her.  She’s going to be just fine.”

“But what if something happens?  Like if she needs to go to the hospital or something with her hand…?” Yang said, trailing off when Blake shook her head.

“Ordinarily your concerns might be valid, but we just left Ruby with the one person who will freak out and overreact just as much, if not more, than you would.”

Pursing her lips, Yang thought about the response for a few seconds before finally feeling the knot of worry untie and fade away.

“You’re right…” she said, leaning back into the sofa.  “How many hospitals did Weiss try to buy the first time?”

“Pretty sure it was all of them,” Blake answered with a nearly undetectable eye roll.  “See? Ruby’s going to be fine. They both will be.”

Yang’s heart warmed with happiness at the statement.

Watching Weiss regain a bit of her former self had been uplifting in a way that was difficult to explain.  It was like she finally realized that the punishment she forced upon herself wasn’t helping anything.  Sure, it was her way of dealing with grief, but it did nothing to help her heal and move on.  It hadn’t helped that Yang was pretty unsympathetic when Weiss returned, but thankfully Blake knocked some sense into her.  

She hadn’t understood.  How could she? To her, the idea of leaving behind someone she loved...well, it wasn’t even an idea, because it wasn’t an option in her life.

But, as Blake explained, not everyone operated the same way Yang did.  Some people dealt with grief and guilt by avoidance - running away and hoping that their problems would never catch up to them.  Being angry at them only validated that decision. It proved that they made the right choice - because people were angry at them.  Because they had done something terrible and wrong. 

Anyone who knew Yang even remotely well knew that she didn’t enjoy validating any of Weiss’ decisions.  No way in hell was she letting Weiss think that her dumbest one was actually a good idea.  Not when the accident wasn’t Weiss’ fault to begin with - that’s why it was called an ‘accident.’

“What about you?” Blake asked, quietly cutting into Yang’s thoughts.  “Are you happy?”

Pausing for only a second, Yang felt a smile grow.  The adoring look she saw Ruby and Weiss share this morning said more than words possibly could.  

“I’m really happy,” she answered honestly, catching Blake’s eyes while she smiled and nodded.

“I am too.”

Hugging Blake closer to her chest, Yang heard a loud sigh of relief escape her lips.

It felt like a huge weight had just lifted from her shoulders.  Not that taking care of Ruby was a burden, but trying to help her recover without ruining her fragile state of mind had been mentally taxing.  Every day presented a new question that Yang didn’t know the answer to. Was she ready to be told this bit of information? What about this one? How would she handle that?  Could she handle it?

Fortunately, Ruby reached a point where she could handle anything and everything.  At least, that’s how it felt as she snowballed her way through Beacon and into her past relationship with Weiss.  It was incredible to watch her learn and absorb and seek out more and more information on her own. Somehow, Weiss switched on the part of Ruby’s brain that had been blocked for a long time - the part that wanted to know things outside of being a huntress.

If their places were reversed, Yang doubted that she could've taken in all that information and reacted in such a calm and understanding way.  ‘Calm’ and ‘understanding’ weren’t necessarily her strong suits, after all…

But now that she felt tremendously better, she loosened her grip and watched Blake roll her legs off the sofa and stand, reaching her hands towards the ceiling while stretching her back.  Fuzzy black ears flicked at will, sending little messages Yang had yet to learn all the meanings of. Standing to join her partner, she watched intelligent amber eyes snap this way and that - taking in information she could only dream of knowing.

She was the opposite of calm and understanding, but her partner fit those words perfectly.

“What would I have done without you here?”  

Blake tried to laugh the question off, but Yang wasn’t going to let that happen.  Not this time. Instead, she reached out and held one of Blake’s hands in her own.

“I’m serious.  What would’ve happened if Weiss showed up and you weren’t here?  I wouldn’t have let her in. I almost slammed the door in her face.  There’s no way I would’ve let her hang around, and no chance I would’ve let her anywhere near Ruby.”

Sensing Yang’s sudden seriousness, Blake observed her intently.

“You would have forgiven her eventually, if she managed to stick it out.”

“But what if she hadn’t?”

The question made Yang think about the possible consequences - how everything could have turned out horribly wrong.  Ruby would have ended up fine, but seeing her blossom into a nearly spitting image of her previous self with Weiss’ reappearance had been like watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.  And Weiss...Weiss needed Ruby more than she would ever publicly admit.  

They both needed each other.  What if Yang had stood in the way of that?  All because she was too angry and irrational to give Weiss another chance?

A soft squeeze of her hand brought her back to the present.

“You don’t have to worry about the ‘what if’s, Yang,” Blake reassured her.  “She stayed. And everything worked out just fine.”

“Right.  Because of you.”

That was exactly the point Yang was trying to make, but Blake chuckled again, her eyes sparkling merrily.

“You’re giving me too much credit.  All I did was offer advice and my point of view.  It was always up to you and Weiss to patch things up on your own.  Just like it was up to Ruby and Weiss to rebuild their relationship.”

How could Blake not see the role she played?  How could she not see the difference she made?

It always amazed Yang when Blake was so selfless, but that was the type of person she was. She would work tirelessly for the people she loved and the causes she believed in.  But at the end of the day - when most people stood back and admired what they accomplished - Blake accepted no congratulations and walked away believing she played no more than a small role in the results.

“You’re incredible, you know that?”

Standing on her tiptoes, Blake kissed Yang lightly and gently squeezed her elbow.

“As long as you believe that, I’m happy.”

While the two of them shared a smile, Yang continued to marvel at Blake’s selflessness.  Regardless of how long they’d been together, there were still times - like this one - when Blake’s beauty and pure, unhinged amazingness hit Yang over the head like a hammer.  

This was her partner.  They’d been through thick and thin together.  They’d made mistakes, they’d learned from them.  They grew, but always within each other’s orbit. They’d taken a temporary partnership and turned it into something strong, indestructible, and lifelong.  And while ‘love’ was only four letters, it grew indefinitely - so much so that she could honestly say that she loved Blake more every day.

Out of nowhere, an idea sparked into Yang’s mind.  And, the second it was there, it burned so brightly that she knew it wasn’t going away anytime soon.  

This was one of the moments she’d searched for - the perfect moment where love and devotion bubbled up to the surface and overflowed.  One of those cheesy, hopelessly romantic moments when love was in the air - Yang felt it with every breath she took.

“Wait here a second.”

Without another word, she rushed to their bedroom, closed the door, and dropped to her knees by the bed.  Reaching underneath, she dragged a heavy locker out into the light for the first time in ages. When she caught a glimpse of black cats, however, she shoved that one back and pulled out the other - the one with black and yellow bees painted all over it.

Yanking the locker all the way out from underneath the bed, she opened the hinged door and shoved aside some of her old school stuff and boxes of keepsakes.  Taking out a framed picture resting near the top of the locker, she turned it over and found that it was a photo of her and Weiss from graduation. 

That was a great day…one of the moments she considered to be the height of their togetherness as a team.  

Carefully setting the frame on the floor beside her, she continued removing the locker’s contents while searching for something else.  There were lots of pictures of Weiss and Ruby...Yang put those on the floor in a separate pile. There was no reason to hide them any longer, and Ruby would probably want them back now.

“Damn, why do I have so much crap?” Yang muttered before finally shoving her entire arm into the locker and reaching towards the back - using her fingers to feel around blindly for...aha!  Grabbing the small box she hid away a year ago, she pulled it out and turned it over in her hand.

‘Hid’ might be the wrong term.  She stashed it in the locker and asked Blake not to look, knowing that Blake would honor the request even if it made her curious.

Feeling the soft velvet under her fingertips, Yang’s heart started beating like crazy.  Even though she was holding a simple box, it sounded like a hundred drums were banging against her ears.  

But that idea - that spark - didn’t fade with the surge of nerves.  She’d waited forever for this goddammit. She wasn’t going to let this moment pass her by - not when the time finally felt right.

Leaving the locker and all of its contents still spilled on the floor, she took a deep breath and left the room behind.  Walking back into the living room, she felt her pulse increase even further when she found Blake leaning casually against the arm of the sofa.  It definitely didn’t help calm Yang’s frantically beating heart that Blake looked so sexy when she did anything casually.  

Amber eyes flashed to Yang the instant she stepped into the room.  Already sensing the overabundance of nerves, Blake willingly shared that knowledge with Yang - her ears swiveled forward and lowered, broadcasting clear concern and curiosity in Yang’s sudden change in mood.  It was an open invitation to start talking - to say whatever it was she needed to say.

And there was something Yang needed to say, but she could hardly hear over her heart pounding in her ears.

Reaching out, she gently took one of Blake’s hands while Blake stood from the sofa.  Those amber eyes stared at Yang so hard, they hardly blinked - like Blake was trying to see right through her and read her thoughts.  As if reading her heartbeat wasn’t enough, now Blake wanted to read her mind.

“Yang?”

The soft question was the only request Blake would make, but it was more than enough to spur Yang into motion.  Shuffling her feet, she took another deep breath and tried to calm herself down a little bit.  If she was too jittery, her anxiety would make Blake edgy.  That was the last thing Yang wanted to do right now, so she needed to do this quickly.  

Which would be easier to do if she knew what to say. 

Why did she think this would be so easy??  It always looked easy on TV and in movies. The actors and actresses never practiced and hardly ever planned, but somehow the moment happened organically and perfectly.  

What TV failed to make more obvious was how the moment could be perfect, but it would be impossible to hear over your thundering heart, and your mouth would suddenly feel drier than a desert, and there would be the small issue of being unable to string together a complete sentence.  

Words - she needed words.  The perfect words. Or any words, really.  Perfection had already been thrown out the window.

Or just...talk to Blake like normal, idiot!  Remember how amazing she is? How she makes every day better just by being there?

“Blake - ”

Hearing her voice crack in the middle, Yang stopped and cleared her throat.  When a hand squeezed hers - as always, offering silent reassurance when she needed it - she suddenly knew exactly what she wanted to say.  

She’d waited so long to say this...and when she opened her mouth to put her deepest-rooted desire out in the open, she felt her nerves and anxiety melt away - disappearing into caring eyes that always held the answers to her prayers.

“Blake…” she began again, meeting Blake’s eyes and feeling her heart swell with love and affection.  “You’re...you’re my better half in so many ways. You helped Ruby regain her strength and confidence, you got Weiss back in our lives, you pushed me to be a better friend and sister.  I...I couldn’t have done any of this without you, and I don’t want to do anything without you for the rest of my life.”

“I need you,” she continued, her voice cracking again as a wave of unconditional love crashed over her.  “I need you, and I’m not embarrassed to admit that. You’re my strength, my courage, my confidence - my everything.  I can’t imagine life without you, and I never want to. And...and I know you said I didn’t have to ask, but…”  

Kneeling on the ground, Yang opened the small, velvet box and held it in her good hand while looking up into the amber eyes that were her beacons of hope.

“I’m hoping your answer is still yes...will you marry me?”

Blake instantly knelt down on the floor, clasping both hands around Yang’s while looking into her eyes.

“Yes, Yang.  Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”

The words had barely sunk in before Blake kissed her - a long, deep kiss that said more than words ever could.  It was one of those moments when Blake poured her heart into an action, laying every bit of emotion to bare for Yang to greedily receive.

It was only when Blake pulled away that Yang laughed in pure, dumbfounded relief.

“You will??”

Blake nodded, smiling widely while her eyes shone with delight.  

“I will.”

The rumbles of happiness were back - and they were loud.  Loud enough for Yang to hear over her elated heart. Laughing again, she stood and pulled Blake into a big hug – easily lifting her off the ground and spinning her in a full circle before setting her back down.  

“This is for you then!” Yang said while trying to pull the ring out of the small box.  Her damn fingers were jittering so much from the rush of excitement that she could hardly grab onto the tiny thing...and then when she finally popped it out, she promptly dropped it.  Thankfully, a lithe hand snatched it out of the air before it even got close to the ground.

When Blake handed the ring back with a grin, Yang made sure to hold the little devil extra carefully in her good hand.

“Thank you…” she muttered in embarrassment before picking up Blake’s right hand and gently slipping the ring onto her finger. 

It was only a ring, but what it symbolized made Yang’s heart beat about a thousand times per minute.  It was only a ring...but it was also a promise that Blake was wearing for the entire world to see - all reservations aside.

“It looks good,” Yang whispered, lifting Blake’s hand and kissing the tips of her fingers.

“It does,” Blake replied, her eyes sparkling joyfully.  “I think it’s supposed to be on the other hand though...”

“Oh dammit.”  Cursing herself, Yang gently removed the ring and placed on the proper hand.  Blake laughed happily all the while, abundantly amused by Yang’s nervous blunders.  

“Are we good now?” Yang asked once the ring was re-set. 

“We’re great,” Blake answered before pulling Yang into another kiss, one where she could feel Blake’s lips still curled in a smile.  The smile hadn’t left her lips yet either - and it likely wouldn’t anytime soon, growing even larger when she felt one of Blake’s hands stray through her hair before running down her neck.

This time when Blake moved away, Yang followed - stealing several more kisses before Blake somehow managed to disengage and slipped her hand into Yang’s.  The hard metal band was a new sensation added to the familiarity of Blake’s hand…but it was definitely a feeling Yang could get used to.

“Well, I think that was just about the worst proposal ever,” she commented with a shake of her head.

“I think it was perfect.”

“That’s why you’re perfect.”

The compliment made Blake blush ever so slightly, her eyes temporarily ducking Yang’s grin before returning - just like they always did.

“I thought you wanted to wait for Weiss and Ruby to get married first though.”

“See?  How did you know that?” Yang asked in disbelief.  She was one hundred percent certain she hadn’t mentioned that to anyone except Weiss, but Blake merely shrugged and gave her one of those coy smiles.

“It just seemed like that would be the right time...”

“That was the plan,” Yang answered before breaking into an even bigger smile.  “But now they’re gonna have to wait for us!”

When Blake smiled, Yang stepped forward for another hug - burying her face into waves of soft raven-colored hair.  Feeling a hand weave into her own hair, she burrowed a little further and took a deep breath of home.

What had she been so nervous about?

“I love you,” Blake sighed softly, more rumbles slipping out with each breath.  Pulling a little ways away, Yang still held Blake close enough to feel the reverberations passing through their skin.  No way were they going to be separating anytime soon...

“That’s good cuz you just agreed to spend the rest of your life with me!”  Pausing for a second, Yang chuckled before playfully adding, “All nine of them.”

Blake laughed at the joke, which made Yang grin like an idiot.  If anyone ever wondered why she made such a fool of herself trying to make jokes...they needed to look no further for an answer.

“Pretty sure I have less than nine now,” Blake replied with a thoughtful expression, as if she was actually tallying them up.

“But I get whatever’s left!”  

The proclamation was met with a set of loving eyes.

“I already promised you, Yang,” Blake whispered, her ears softening while her fingertips tucked a strand of hair behind Yang’s ear. “You have everything that I am.”

Everything.  

That’s all that Yang ever wanted from Blake.  She knew that the desire was unrealistic, but it was fulfilled regardless.  Each and every day, Blake willingly placated the uncontrollable, all-encompassing longing that had set up in Yang’s heart the moment she laid eyes on her soon-to-be wife.

“You’re incredible,” Yang replied.  “How did I ever convince you to date me, let alone marry me?”  

The incredulity was real, but Blake shook her head in response.

“You’re forgetting that you’re the incredible one.”

“Am not!  You’re the one who’s so thoughtful and compassionate and -”  When Blake gently touched one finger to Yang’s lips, her words cut off.

“Ok, we don’t need to go through the whole list again.”

Only when Blake lifted her finger away did Yang ask, “Are you sure?  Sometimes I think you need reminding.”

“Mm…” was Blake’s distracted response, as her eyes were too busy glancing down at the newest addition to her ensemble.  Heart warming substantially, Yang stepped closer so Blake would feel her presence and meet her eyes once more.

“If anyone deserves a happy ending, Blake, it’s you.  And I’m going to do my best to make it happen.”

Yang made the promise as wholeheartedly as any promise she’d ever made, but Blake smiled and playfully rolled her eyes.

“You’re such a romantic…”

“I have to be!  Have you read the books you’ve read?”

Trying to hold a serious expression, Blake failed pretty miserably.  

“Yes, I’ve read every single one of the books I’ve read.”

“Ok, well they’re all super romantic.  I don’t want you thinking those books are better than real life, so I’ve gotta step up my game.”

Placing one hand on Yang’s cheek, Blake slowly shook her head.

“Well, you’re off to a good start.”

With Blake’s hand came the slightest sensation of cold from the ring - and the sudden realization that they were engaged.  Engaged.  They were going to get married!

“Oh!  I gotta tell Ruby!” Yang exclaimed, patting her pockets and finding her scroll.  After she pulled the device out, however, a gentle hand pushed it back down.  

“Maybe we should tell them tomorrow.  Let them settle in tonight - give them a little privacy.”

“I hope you don’t mean that type of privacy.”

“You mean the kind we suddenly have in abundance?” Blake replied with a wink.

In that single gesture, Blake recaptured Yang’s full attention.  Because one, Blake hardly winked. Two, when she did wink, it was just about the most attractive thing ever.

“I hope you’re not thinking about reading…” Yang said with a playful air of defeat, making Blake smile and shake her head.

While Yang lowered her scroll, however, it buzzed with a new message - from Ruby!

“Speak of the munchkin.”  Grinning at the picture on the screen, Yang showed Blake before opening the message and reading aloud, “She says…‘Come over for dinner tomorrow.  Weiss is teaching me how to make spaghetti!’”

Reading the message again, Yang smiled and looked up at Blake.

“Weiss makes good spaghetti, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, but if I remember correctly, Ruby does not.”

Chuckling at Blake’s impeccable memory, Yang replied ‘sounds fun’ to Ruby’s invitation before tossing her scroll onto the sofa.  

“Let’s hope Weiss stays more involved this time.”

“You know...” Blake mused when Yang returned to her partner’s orbit and set her hands on Blake’s hips.  “Dinner might be the perfect time to tell them.”

“I like the way you think.  Go over for dinner - surprise them with some big news!”

“That we’re getting married.”  

When Blake said the words, Yang’s heart jumped right out of her chest.  Thankfully, Blake was right there to catch it - like she always was.

“We are,” Yang managed to respond before lowering her voice.  “I love you too, you know.”

“I know, Yang.”

“Good.  Cuz I don’t want you ever to wonder or anything -”

Again, Blake pressed a finger to Yang’s lips to silence her concern.  “I don’t.”

The succinct answer made Yang smile.  

“Good.”

The two of them had gone through their own share of difficulties, but now they’d reached this point of absolute certainty.  No matter what happened, no matter how crazy the world became, they trusted in each other completely.

“We’re going to have to train more, you realize,” Blake suddenly remarked, the words making Yang sigh and lean forward to gently touch her forehead to Blake’s.

“I know...Ruby’s getting scary good.”

“And they’re going to want to spar again soon,” Blake added.  “Our last victory probably left a bad taste in Weiss’ mouth...so unless you want them to demolish us, I’d suggest we knock a bit of rust off some of our moves.”

“Oh?”  Sliding one hand down Blake’s back, Yang winked.  “Then what do you say we practice some of those moves right now?”

Blake rolled her eyes, but allowed Yang to leave a trail of kisses on her neck.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Why thank you,” Yang mumbled, kissing along Blake’s jaw before finding her lips.

“Aren’t you supposed to be upset about your sister moving out?” Blake asked after briefly breaking away.

“Oh yes, poor Ruby,” Yang said facetiously. “Living in a huge house with a princess waiting on her hand and foot.”

“Well you got over that fast…”

“You’ve convinced me she’ll be fine!  Plus, I have a princess of my own I’d like to sweep off her feet.”

On cue, Yang reached down and scooped Blake up into her arms.  

By now, Blake was so used to the random gestures that she didn’t even flinch.  Instead, she wrapped her arms around Yang’s neck - and her eyes flickered to her left hand, where the engagement ring cast a small glitter when it passed under the light.  

Grinning like mad, Yang lifted Blake closer for another kiss that they held until they needed to come up for air.

They were going to get married.  They were going to have a wedding - that hopefully Weiss would help plan.  It was going to be picture perfect, like something out of a book.  Which book was the question...

“Maybe Weiss can get the AchieveMen to play at our wedding,” Blake commented, raising an eyebrow at the suggestion.

“Can I marry you right now??”  

When Blake laughed, Yang kissed her again and walked towards their bedroom.  

After all this time, Blake still found ways to surprise her.  And impress her. There were moments when she watched in awe and thought, ‘wow, that’s my partner.’  Whether it was some crazy combat move or an incredible display of compassion, Blake constantly expanded upon what it meant to be a good - no, great - person.  

Yang had known for a while now that they’d spend the rest of their lives together, but now that the promise was explicitly made - in the form of a symbol Blake would wear…

She’d never been happier.

This morning, Ruby and Weiss embarked on a new journey - one that would have the two lovebirds writing their happy ending a second time around.  

Now Yang and Blake could start living their own.