Chapter Text
The idea of soulmates filled Yang with… nothing. A little dread maybe, on honest, vulnerable nights, but mostly indifference.
The fact that her birth mother left them all, though, that filled her with… something. Confusion? Hurt? Longing for someone who never bothered to meet her? Guilt for something she couldn’t control as a baby?
Whatever it was, it was never the white-hot fury that everyone expected from her. Yang Xiao Long was full of fire and proud of it. She never held back from demanding what she wanted, and in this case, she would be justified.
She wanted to be enraged.
But…
But what if Raven was justified? What if she had a reason to leave her family behind? What if... Yang could somehow fix all of it? Repair some of the damage?
Whys and what ifs. She knew she was in danger of losing herself to those questions, but she needed answers more than she wanted to be angry.
All Yang got from her uncle was that his sister left because Tai wasn’t her soulmate, and that was it. That was it, no note, no last message... Sometimes she was mad, mad at her mom, mad at her father and her uncle, and sometimes mad at the part of her that was a little girl crying for her mommy.
Raven left, apparently to find a permanent connection elsewhere.
What was so important about soulmates, anyway? Does one person matter above everyone else in life? Will Yang have to reject everyone she becomes close to just because there might be someone molded perfectly to fit her side?
Nah, that wasn’t for her. She didn’t need that.
Besides, there was that old saying about blood ties. Wasn’t that important, too? Was Raven’s flesh and blood less important than a wistful possibility? It didn't make sense.
On the other hand... Summer had loved Yang as much as she did the rest of them. While she was alive, it never mattered that they didn’t share blood. Even on the bad days. Even though Yang only found out about her birth mother after Summer was gone, her memories were too happy and full of love to be tarnished by the revelation.
Fate didn’t decide who you loved, of that much Yang was sure. What, will Ruby one day become less significant just because of a random person? They only shared 50% of their being, but Yang would punch anyone who asked why they didn’t use the term “half-sister”. (She already has.)
Oh, she’d really like a stranger to try and take her sister’s place. Not only will Yang blow them to smithereens, Ruby would probably get a few good shots in, too. It'd be a great laugh.
So no, a soulmate was a distant thought, a vague concept, and Yang lived without feeling the urge to stare into the eyes of everyone she met. (Also because it was kinda rude and made her feel mildly unpleasant when a school mate did it to her.)
True, she had her own shit to carry, but waiting around for something you wanted? Yang Xiao Long didn’t work that way: she demanded, she blasted, she burned her way through.
And she would make sure it was worth it.
“Hellooo!” she cheerfully called out to the black-haired girl reading by the candlelight. She presented her sister (who was trying to pull away, but Yang always had the stronger grip in physical exams) proudly. “I believe you two may know each other?”
Ruby fumbled with the introductions, and she realized that since they were always in different years, she’d never really seen how her sister met classmates. Huh.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Idontknowhelpme”
Well, pity the dumbass that ever said Yang wasn’t an awesome sister. “So, what’s your name?” she asked the other girl whose gaze had returned to her book.
The girl side-eyed her briefly. “Blake.”
Unperturbed, Yang carried on. “Well, Blake, I’m Yang, Ruby’s older sister.” She noticed that Blake’s hair was still neatly made up despite the time. “I like your bow!”
“Thanks.”
“It goes great with your… pajamas!” she continued good-naturedly. Blake’s aesthetic was a little too dark for Yang’s tastes but the girl herself was kinda cute. From this awkward angle, at least. (The girl was also being very cold, but maybe she was just socially inept like Ruby.)
“Right.”
Yang glanced back at Ruby, who was biting her lip nervously. Mhm. For Ruby, Yang was going to melt that ice facade whether this person liked it or not. “Nice night, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” was the strained reply. Good! Straining always meant something was close to breaking! Yang would know. “It’s… lovely. Just as lovely as this book…” Okay, yes, going somewhere… “Which I will continue to read. As soon as you leave.”
Darn. Oh well. Lost cause.
To be fair, Ruby managed herself well enough after that, talking about the book and whatnot. Yang's little sister really didn’t give herself enough credit.
Man, finally some action, she thought, flying through the air using her gauntlets. She loved this, the thrill of freedom, her body moving and spinning and soaring in time with her whims.
She laughed even as she crashed. Damn, living was fun!
... Walking through the silent forest was less fun, but she got her blood warmed up soon enough. The shitty Ursa even gave her a chance to let off some steam, before Blake cut in.
Very badass, but also: “I could’ve taken hi-” Yang began petulantly, but froze when she met amber eyes.
Ozpin said that the first person they made eye contact with would be their partner, and she was prepared for that eventuality.
She wasn’t prepared for the shock that ran through her body, and the sight of herself through another’s eyes.
“Fuck,” she said, mostly in confusion, as her body filled up with energy more potent than her adrenaline rush earlier. "That's... trippy."
There was horror emanating from Blake and Yang unconsciously probed for the reason, and she felt Blake’s regret in specifically following the loud, hot blonde (flattering), desperation to cover up something, which of course making her think of it even more, resulting in Yang seeing—
Oh.
Blake froze, waiting.
Don’t worry! I won’t tell, she thought through weird mushiness of her brain, trying to retract herself from the onslaught of information Blake didn’t want her to know (and therefore kept coming up).
Embarrassingly, she fell to her knees, clutching her head, and felt Blake’s panic shift to concern.
“Are you—” Yang saw Blake’s hand reach for her inclined head, then hesitate due to the memory of Yang going ballistic over her hair. Without looking, Yang reached for her wrist and squeezed, making the other girl — her soulmate — relax.
“It’s a little much, I guess,” Blake said about the memories and feelings she was trying so hard to repress, more for Yang’s sake now than to hide anything incriminating. "Sorry?"
Yang chuckled a bit. “I should’ve known you had a lot of baggage despite the emo attitude. Or it should’ve tipped me off in the first place, I guess.” Her mind drifted to Raven, and her own history. Yang let it flow between them, trying to be open in exchange for how Blake’s privacy was brutally ripped open without warning.
This new knowledge was something that Yang wished she hadn’t violently claimed for herself.
You didn’t mean it.
Doesn’t make it suck any less.
Opening up for the connection seemed to make her feel better. Blake gently projected calm and solidity and the new weight in her mind became almost comfortable. The acclimatizing presence curled itself into her mind like a sleeping... kitten.
“I was hoping no one would find out,” the Faunus said quietly. "Not during initiation, at least."
I guess... “The cat’s out of the bag,” Yang quipped, feeling much more like herself despite the foreign feelings. But don’t worry, oh partner of mine, for your secret is safe with me!
Blake huffed, but couldn’t dispute that because she knew Yang was telling the truth, making Yang inordinately pleased.
Oooh, rich kid, Yang sent after Blake got too deep into painfully thinking of her parents. That was quickly becoming a habit of hers, trying to make Blake feel better with cheerful distraction. She couldn’t hide her intentions from her soulmate, unfortunately, but at least Blake didn’t take offense. She might even say that the girl appreciated it.
I do appreciate it, you're just really unobservant sometimes.
Yang snorted. I see we’re airing out the naughty words.
It wasn’t exactly surprising, but Blake’s head turned out to be filled with more substance than Yang expected from the average teenager.
That your head isn't full of inanity is surprising to me, Blake teased. She was also more playful than predicted. When she wasn’t brooding, that is, but Yang was figuring out the formula for that, too.
What’s that supposed to mean?!
I didn’t know the Schnee heiress was in my head. It was another joke yet... she wasn’t sure which of them was the source of the soggy bitterness that followed.
What she’d discovered of Blake’s world and its injustices affected her and not just because of the soulmate link. She knew evil existed... finding out it was worse than she imagined left a disgusting taste in her mouth. She may not aim to be a hero like Ruby did, but she still had a heart. She was revolted that apparently, many didn't.
Blake tried to distract her by continuing to read their class assignment, because Weiss was warmer than she acted and she was their friend.
“They’re doing the thing again,” Ruby mock-whispered across the lunch table. Yang sent a flying kiss to her sister, then caught the surprise nugget Nora threw into her mouth.
She felt Blake’s nose wrinkle as if it were her own. “The tasting thing sometimes isn’t worth it,” she said out loud for the benefit of the group.
I won’t eat tuna for the rest of my life! Yang stuck her tongue out at her. "Picky."
Blake graced her with a small smile. “At least Professor Port said that in time we’ll learn to manage what sensations to pay attention to.”
They had to inform the school administration about their new connection, since there was protocol to be followed in such circumstances. For one thing, they weren’t allowed to watch each other’s one-on-one matches anymore, to lessen the chance of cheating. When Yang pointed out that she’d still see what Blake saw, they were told that at least neither of them would have the advantage of a second angle to observe the opponent.
“It’s kinda dumb,” Nora commented about that particular adjustment, leaning forward. “You’ll be soulmates forever anyway, you’ll always have an advantage. Why not maximize it from the start?”
Yang missed her wistful glance towards Ren, but Blake didn’t. Advantage, indeed.
“It’s probably more efficient for grading them as individual students,” Weiss cut in, primly wiping her fingers with a napkin. “Soulmates will have different sets of exams, too, according to Professor Port, though they can’t really do anything about recitation and most in-class work. It's just a handful of students, after all.”
“Perfect enough for me,” Yang said, gesturing towards the textbooks Blake had on the table. “No need for most of the boring stuff.”
If you were a Faunus, you’d be a parasite.
Oh, but honey, when I said perfect, I meant you too.
Blake blushed profusely, much to the amusement of their friends.
“Does that mean you two could use each other’s weapons?” Ruby asked excitedly, ignoring the suggestive teasing, much to Blake’s relief. “I mean, since you’re in each other’s heads, you’d have access to all the good stuff like technique and inside knowledge, right?” Yang felt a rush of fondness for her sister. Man, even as she grew into a strong leader, Ruby would always be fucking precious.
Yang delighted in Blake's silent agreement.
“Probably one day,” Blake told Ruby, warily thinking of Ember Celica’s weight on Yang’s wrists.
Yang put a hand to her chest in mock dismay. My babies aren’t your type?
Blake ignored her, but was amused and trying to hide it. Yang leaned her head against her fist and sent pleased smiles her way for the rest of the meal.
Good thing you're my type.
Shut up, Yang.
It was weird to argue with someone who basically heard every argument before you could finish forming them. Feelings were easier to navigate, and Blake was feeling a lot of resentment about Yang’s supposed stubbornness.
Pot called the kettle Blake. Ooh. Nice. Yang mentally pat herself on the back for that one despite the tense situation.
Blake glared at her, far too pale.
One night, come on, Yang urged. Look at yourself. She examined the other girl very closely, showing the sickly pallor, the thinness, the bags under her eyes.
“One night is enough time for everything to get ruined! For our enemies to attack!”
Blake, Yang pleaded, taking the shaking hands in hers, letting the other feel her agreement regarding the gravity of the situation. Her support, her understanding. But also her concerns, and what she knew about burning yourself out. “I know you’re used to taking action yourself, of always moving forward against all odds, but this is different.” You’ve got a support system now. She brushed away the thought of that Adam guy. You’ve got me now. And I’m not telling you to stop —
“You don’t understand! I’m the only one who can do this!”
Yang felt her eyes flash red. Fine, they’ll both ignore the link then, if that'd make Blake pay attention to her words. “No, you don’t understand! If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?”
“I’d fight him!” And she would, the thought fueling Yang's ire.
"You'd lose."
Blake opened her mouth to protest, and Yang pushed her shoulders firmly. In Blake’s weakened state, she was too slow to brace herself and she lost balance.
Fight me, then.
What? was the annoyed thought, the other girl having been startled into tap into their minds.
Yang pushed the teacher’s table to the side, creating space on the podium. Spar with me, no weapons. If you manage to knock me down, I’ll get off your case.
She felt Blake’s extreme irritation at the confidence in her defeat, but she knew Yang wouldn't give up. Yang didn’t bother to hide her feelings either, she was pretty sure she could sweep the floor with Blake in ten seconds flat. And she was even planning to hold back in account of the handicap.
Blake hissed and pounced on Yang’s back in retaliation, uncaring of sportsmanship. Yang calmly turned to block, and her knee swiftly managed to dig into Blake’s back, the other’s arm twisted around her back and her face to the floor.
It took less than five seconds.
Yang felt Blake’s shame turn her stomach. She quickly let go and pulled her into a hug. One-upping you wasn’t the point, Blake. You know you can take me at your best. Yang squeezed her tighter, heart filling up further when Blake leaned against her. I’m not telling you stop, but please… Get some rest. Not just for you, but for the people who love you.
Blake hadn’t given in despite everything, but she was acknowledging Yang’s concerns now. But...
Eventually, reluctantly, she couldn’t resist the pull of sleep and nodded off in Yang's arms before making a coherent decision.
Yang watched her for a while, mesmerized. The other half of her mind was quiet now, but Yang could feel each breath Blake took in her slumber. Shifting her weight and lifting Blake up bridal style, she marveled at the trust being presented to her at the moment.
Don't call Yang a sap, but... damn it, Blake was the only one who could make her totally relaxed without any effort. It was gratifying to see that it went both ways. Slowly, as to not disturb her soulmate, she made her way back to the dorms so that Blake could sleep in a proper bed.
The dance turned out as awesome as they'd planned. Good thing she vetoed half of Weiss' plans. She looked hot, and Blake was radiant. Even the adults seemed to be enjoying themselves. Ruby managed a few dances with Penny despite the heels. (She wished she could take credit for Team JNPR's dance number, but oh well, nobody's perfect.)
Most importantly, Blake looked relaxed and happy for the first time in ages. She danced with Yang, with their friends and the visiting students, she laughed, she ate. She showered Yang with appreciative glances (Yang couldn't blame her, this dress was a good investment) and soft thoughts all night, even when they weren't together.
Considering Yang joined the planning committee primarily to create a perfect night for her soulmate, she'd be the first to admit that she did a pretty satisfying job.
Across the room, Blake shook her head fondly... Yang added that to her wins for the night.
As Mercury dropped to his knees, Yang felt Blake’s approval and admiration. As discussed, Blake only watched the match through Yang's eyes and only now did she open her own and cheer.
Yang's grin widened, wanting to preen even more. “Better luck next time,” she told Mercury cheerfully. He was glaring at her.
Sore loser. She resisted the urge to make a face at him.
Blake chided her, and Yang gave a little wave to where she thought Blake was in the crowd. This sort of interaction never failed to feel like watching live feed of yourself from a security camera. Yang vastly preferred it when she and Blake shared the same physical bubble.
“There’s not going to be a next time, Blondie,” Mercury growled, the sound immediately lifting the hairs on her neck. Her reflexes made her turn it time to see him charging at her.
If the different angles confused her in general, her mind couldn’t process what happened next at all.
Mercury was about to kick her, with intent to kill in his eyes, but for a split second, in Blake’s point of view, he was… calmly approaching her?
Then Blake’s vision shifted like static to match hers, and Yang’s survival instincts kicked in.
That was the first time the link messed up. Apprehension made her chest tighten despite her absolute certainty that she did nothing wrong.
Later, in the dorm room that turned into her prison cell, Blake rushed in to hug her. All the way there, Yang’s soulmate had been plagued with worry at the sight of her getting arrested and whirling confusion at what had occurred.
I didn’t—
I know, Blake assured her, pulling away to look into her eyes. I have no idea what happened, but I know you're innocent. Even if I didn’t have the link, I’d always end up trusting you. I promise.
Yang couldn’t help but to think of Adam, the changes Blake had to go through, and how for a moment, she saw things differently than Yang did. It was like a crack had appeared on the solid foundation that was the soulmate link, and Yang realized that she had grown dependent on it. She felt small and helpless, needy in a way that was far from typical.
And yet.
I need you on my side, Blake.
Blake’s gaze softened, and she kissed the top of Yang’s head. I am. I will be, alright? We'll figure this out together.
Extremely traumatic events can sever a soulmate link, Professor Port had explained a little after they disclosed their connection. Blake had already known this, due to the dangers of the Faunus revolution and how amidst the brutality, the mental and emotional connection was cut off to protect the other half of the pair. It was mostly unintentional, but there were... special cases.
News to Yang at the time, this encouraged her to make sure the both of them took care of themselves despite the crazy shit they did as first years. Severance sounded like amputation, and she shuddered at the thought. Just. No.
It’s not permanent, Port had assured them. Once the pair makes eye contact again, the link will reset. Of course, the outcome when one of the pair didn’t make it was left unsaid.
Now...
Penny… and Ruby. She needed to get to Ruby, oh fuck, where was her sister, Yang had to make sure she was okay, that she wasn't breaking apart,whywasntshewithherlittlesister—
Blake cut into her thoughts, trying to calm her down. Yang, I’m sure she’s fine. She’s our leader, she can take care of herself.
Yang could feel the dread, the black hole of utter fear Blake was pretending she didn’t feel right now. Blake knew she felt it, Yang knew she knew, and so the loop went on. They both ignored it. Ignored the fact that Ruby’s soulmate was ripped apart in front of their eyes, that their leader must be in unimaginable despair—
And shit was falling all around them. Beacon was in chaos. Yang almost felt their lives being burned, and none of her loved ones were nearby for her to protect.
Right, was the thought she sent back, gritting her teeth. Steeling herself for battle, she made a plan with her available team mates, and went on to do what she could.
...
......
...
Extremely traumatic events can sever a soulmate link, Professor Port had explained. That information changed the little things, like Yang looking into meditation, Blake pushing herself to train even more. Little things that didn't really change much, just that they had something else to work on throughout their schooling.
In secret (as much of a secret Yang could pretend it was), the information made Yang love Blake more outwardly, the sentiment flowing out in hopes that fate will notice and understand that this connection was final. Yang would not accept anything less — Yang Xiao Long did not settle for anything other than what she wanted. Her link to Blake was practically a limb, a precious part of not just her body but literally her soul, and she had no intention of losing it.
Real funny how that worked out.