Always by Your Side - Chapter 3 (Patreon)

“Thank you for being here today,” the mayor said while enthusiastically shaking Blake’s hand.  “Your parents speak so fondly of you - it’s an honor to finally meet you in person.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Blake replied, flashing the fake smile she seemed to be perfecting.  “I’m sorry we don’t make it out this far very often, but please know that you’re an integral piece of Menagerie.  The crops grown here create the backbone of our economy.”

Her mother fed her that line before she set out for the outer reaches of the country weeks ago.  ‘Make sure you tell the mayor this.  It’s important.’  From his blinding grin, the words had their intended impact.

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty,” he replied with that grin cemented in place.  “We’re fortunate to be part of such a great community, with such great leaders.”  He gestured towards Blake as he said that, but she couldn’t tell if he meant her specifically or, through her, her parents.  “Please enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“Thank you.”

After another polite smile and nod, she walked away from the mayor and made her way through the crowd of people and prying eyes.  She hadn’t taken two steps before a presence appeared at her elbow - Yang silently returning to her position by Blake’s side for their walk back to the hotel.

By now, Blake had gotten used to the constant company.  Surprisingly, she found it more comforting than restricting these days.  Traveling to places she’d never been before with a familiar face always by her side made being away from home a little less stressful.  Plus, Yang had a great sense for when space was needed - like when Blake spoke to important or influential members of the community - but stuck close outside of those moments.

It helped that Yang was extremely easy on the eyes but, more importantly, she understood Blake’s moods better than anyone else who’d ever held her position.  Like right now, after another day filled with handshakes, forced smiles, and trying not to embarrass herself or her parents, all Blake wanted to do was go back to the hotel and take a nap.  And Yang seemed to know that was where they were headed without Blake saying a word.

Since none of this politicking came naturally to her, it was exhausting.  Her mom assured her that it became easier with time, but right now there was just so much to remember.  The speeches, the customs, the names of important people, the goal of each particular stop...all of that combined with maintaining perfect poise and manners no matter what.

After walking into the hotel lobby, Blake smiled at the bellman who’d carried her luggage to her room several days ago.  He tipped his hat to her while she and Yang waited for an elevator, which only the two of them entered once it arrived.  As soon as the doors closed and they moved skyward, Blake sighed and let her shoulders slouch.

“You wouldn’t be interested in a career change, would you?”

As usual, Yang’s laughter immediately lifted her mood from the doldrums it had sunk into, and a smile tugged at her lips instead.

“After watching you the past couple months?” Yang asked before smiling and shaking her head.  “No, thanks.  I think I’ll stick to what I do best.”

Blake chuckled at the response as they reached the top floor, which had been emptied for the duration of her stay.  Yang walked into the hall first - scanning for any threats, as usual - but made a disgruntled sound when Blake left the elevator before being motioned for.  The noise prompted another smile onto Blake’s lips as Yang followed her to her door.

“You’re supposed to wait while I do that, you know,” Yang pointed out for what must be the hundredth time.  “I’m making sure nothing’s out of place.”

“Can’t you still do that?”

“Yes, but -”  When Blake unlocked her room and pushed the door open, Yang leaped in front of her and gave her a pointed look.  “But if there’s any danger, I need you to stay somewhere safe.”

“Aren’t I safest with you?” Blake replied, poking a giant hole through Yang’s argument.  Yang knew it, too.  That was why she bit her lip before finally shaking her head and pointing to the floor.

“Wait here,” she ordered, and - this time - Blake obediently stayed put while Yang walked into the room.  Ordinarily, Blake wouldn’t appreciate being told what to do, but she found it amusing and a little endearing whenever Yang resorted to it.

Seeing as how they were nearly the same age, the power dynamic between them was more warped and flexible than Blake had expected.  Sometimes, she felt awkward asking Yang to do things when she wouldn’t have batted an eye with any of her previous guards.  Other times, she told Yang what to do only to be pleasantly entertained when Yang obeyed.

Yang, on the other hand, issued orders when Blake was being particularly difficult or stubborn.  Sometimes, Blake did it just to tease Yang or because she was feeling more obstinate than usual.  Other times, she did it because she knew Yang could be firm when needed.

Some of the lackadaisical guards in the previous city had learned that the hard way by not taking their jobs seriously enough for Yang’s liking.  Hearing Yang chew them out for the overlooked details had been...particularly attractive, if Blake was forced to admit.

“Ok.”  Satisfied with what she found (or hadn’t found), Yang returned to Blake at the door.  “Now you can come in.”

Blake playfully shook her head while walking into the room but didn’t miss Yang’s bright, magnetic smile now that they were alone and ‘safe.’  After long days filled with strangers and expectations, those smiles had become to feel more and more like a reward for her work.  Or, if not a reward, then a form of encouragement she actively sought out, mostly for the warmth her heart responded with.

“Thank you.”

Being so tired of smiling at the moment, Blake managed only a small one in return.  Thankfully, Yang didn’t seem to mind.  If anything, the effort alone made her happier.

“You did fantastic, by the way,” Yang added, seeming unwilling to leave just yet.  The hesitation was fortunate considering Blake wasn’t ready for her to leave just yet, not when they just spent an entire day hurrying from one important meeting to another with hardly a pause to catch their breath.

“I hope so,” Blake admitted with a sigh, but Yang nodded and stepped closer.  Blake’s chin tilted up to hold Yang’s gaze, but she no longer felt intimidated by their difference in height.  She liked it, actually, though she couldn’t put her finger on why.

“I watched the crowd,” Yang said, oblivious to Blake’s thoughts.  “You made their day, probably their year.”

While the compliment was nice to hear, Blake wasn’t sure she believed it.

“Maybe...but I just can’t help feeling like…”  Blake paused and considered whether to admit this out loud, but Yang’s earnest gaze quickly convinced her to move forward.  “It just...all feels the same.”

Another city, another speech, another crowd - the only thing that changed were the words.

“But it’s not.  It’s really not.”  Gently touching Blake’s elbow, Yang caught her gaze and smiled.  “Every stop we make, you’re getting so much better.  More confident, more composed, more persuasive.  I could never do something like this.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Blake argued as she was drawn into Yang’s eyes, which were the prettiest shade of lilac she’d ever seen.  “I think you’d be more than capable if it’s something you wanted to do.”

“But then I wouldn’t get to spend as much time with you.”

Unwittingly, Blake blushed at the response.  Whenever Yang made comments like that, Blake couldn’t help but interpret them as...well, as Yang saying that she enjoyed the time they spent together.  Surprisingly, the feeling was mutual.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Blake asked rather than continue that thread of conversation.  Her heart warmed when the question netted a big smile.

“Of course.”  Without backing away, Yang motioned towards her room across the hall.  “You know where to find me, if you need me.”  After Blake nodded, however, Yang paused and frowned.  “You aren’t going to sneak out, are you?”

Once upon a time, that might be exactly what Blake would do.  She would ‘take a nap’ only to slip out as soon as her guard stopped paying attention.  But that was before.  These days, she never even considered it.

“I’ve had enough of people for the day,” she answered honestly.  “I think I’ll read for a bit then turn in early.”

It was the truth, and Yang believed her - as evidenced by her easy nod.

“In that case, sleep well, Princess.”

When Yang’s hand lightly settled on Blake’s elbow, her breath hitched in her chest.  In the fraction of a second that followed, Yang searched her eyes for something.  After finding whatever it was, Yang leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Blake’s eyes instantly fluttered shut - at first in surprise, then to savor Yang’s soft, gentle lips pressed to her cheek.  Yang was so close, felt so warm, and smelled so good that Blake’s heart hummed.  Before she could fully enjoy the moment, however, Yang pulled away and backed towards the hall.

Heart racing now, Blake searched Yang’s eyes for an explanation.  Finding nothing but heart-melting beauty, she spoke up instead.

“Something else you do to cheer your sister up?”

“Totally.”

When Yang winked, Blake knew the answer as a lie.  Before she prodded further, however, Yang pointed at the door handle.  “Lock this, please,” was her last instruction before stepping into the hall and waiting for Blake to do as requested.

“What if you need to get in here fast and the door’s locked?” she asked while walking to the door.

“I’ll break it down,” Yang answered simply.  Blake nearly called bullshit, but first she glanced over Yang’s toned, built physique.  Did she really doubt that Yang could break down a door if needed?

“Goodnight, Yang,” she said instead of doubting her more-than-capable guard.

“Goodnight, Princess,” Yang replied as Blake closed the door and turned the deadbolt into place.

Once that was done, Blake turned around, leaned her head against the door, and smiled.  Her cheek still tingled where Yang kissed her, the feeling rejuvenating her like nothing else could.

Over the course of their time together, she’d learned that Yang was casual with affection, which she used as a way to comfort others.  Of course, Blake had only ever seen Yang do it with her, but...that only made her feel more special.  And she didn’t mind in the slightest.  If anything, she sought out those moments, and even felt disappointed when Yang didn’t respond the way Blake hoped she would.

Yang was still a bit of a mystery but...the longer Blake was away from home, the more she appreciated Yang’s company.  Maybe this was why her parents were surprised she disliked her previous guards so much.  It was actually nice to have one around.  Maybe it was all about finding the right one...