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"Soooo, whatcha got for me?"
Yang plopped down on the couch of Ren's Vacuo apartment, taking a spot on the only available furnishing. Despite having been here for close to a year, the apartment was rather sparse: only a couch and a coffee table in the living area, and no proper dining area.
"I believe that I have perfected a local dish," Ren called from the kitchen, which by contrast, was state of the art. It had hyper-efficient appliances, the latest in cookware, and several devices that ostensibly had a single use- a big no-no for the average person, but necessary to a budding artisanal chef.
"I can't wait, you have no idea how long I've waited to have some of your cooking again," Yang said, closing her eyes and smiling at the thought of enjoying something homemade once again.
"Over a year for me, but according to your stories, it's only been a few days for all of you," Ren responded. "Plus the two weeks since you returned."
"You're right but still, it feels like it's been a long time. Technically it was my turn to cook, anyway," she said, looking at her friend. They had made a tradition, even after they had broken up at Beacon, to continue to get together and share recipes and meals they wanted to try. Ren was a much better cook than Yang, but he still tried her food and graciously gave her some pointers, helping her to improve drastically.
"This needs to sit and chill for a few minutes," Ren said, coming out of the kitchen and sitting next to Yang. He had on a very casual outfit, and didn't even have his hair up- the rare chance to see him with it fully down his back. "So, you and Blake? Finally?"
Yang blushed and looked away as she cleared her throat. "Y-yeah, it was... I mean, it was crazy, you know? All of a sudden we were on this bridge and we had to be honest to move forward and it just... we said we loved each other. And there we were, together and... well, yeah. But how about you and Nora? I know you said she wanted some space, but..."
Ren's expression fell a bit. "I'm glad you and Blake figured it out. Truly, I'm happy for you. As for me, well... Nora said she wanted some time to herself, and I've been glad to give it. She's been spending a lot of time with the Happy Huntresses, and I think it's been good for her. I hope she figures it out soon, but I'll gladly wait until she does."
Yang immediately reached out, putting her left hand on one of Ren's and squeezing. "Hey, I know she'll come back. She'd have to be crazy not to, you know?"
Ren nodded at Yang before standing up once again. "It's probably ready, let me go grab it."
Yang smiled, her eyes betraying the sadness she felt for her friend. She could tell how much it was eating him up, the thought that maybe Nora might grow and decide that she didn't need him anymore; she knew what it was like to wonder if you were needed, or even wanted. Luckily for her, that question had been answered recently, but that didn't mean that she couldn't empathize with Ren's situation.
"Here it is," Ren said, bringing over two bowls with spoons in them. He handed one to Yang and kept the other for himself as he sat back down. "Vacuan cactus fruit sorbet. A cool treat to beat the heat."
Yang took the bowl and looked down at the pale green dessert, throwing caution to the wind and taking a large spoonful to eat. As soon as the icy delight hit her tongue, it was like sparks were flying- a brilliant taste that she had never experienced before. It cooled her mouth and warmed her heart.
"Wow, this is amazing, Ren. I've never had cactus fruit before, this is so good!" she said emphatically, shoveling more into her mouth. "I can't believe that- ack, shit, brain freeze! Oh that hurts, but it's so tasty, I want more of it," she jokingly whined.
Ren let out a chuckle, nodding as he slowly ate his own bowl. "It took a while- a lot of varieties of cactus fruit are hallucinogenic, actually, so it took a lot of testing. This isn't one of those, don't worry."
Yang just looked at him with a dumbfounded expression as she tried to rub the headache out. "Are you saying you tested some of those? Did you go on a trip in your pursuit of a delicious dessert?"
"Perhaps. But if I wanted to make the perfect desert dessert, what are a few risks?" he replied, putting his bowl down as he finished his substantially smaller portion.
"Spoken like a true chef. I'm proud of you, Ren, putting your life on the line for food," she said with a laugh.
That got another chuckle out of the ninja, who went silent for several moments before speaking again. "Yang?"
"Yeah?"
"...I missed you."
Yang looked at Ren for a second, seeing the relief in his eyes at being able to share this moment and the fear that it might never come again. She put her bowl down and leaned towards him, pulling him into a hug.
"I missed you, too."