Chapter Text
A light, yet warm, spring wind blew through a meadow of wildflowers, the red, yellow, and blue petals bobbing with the breeze. The faint smell of yesterday's rain washed the rocks and tree trunks surrounding the area, leaving a cooling air and scent of the pollen and grass.
Yang Xiao Long brushed the skirt of the vibrant yellow dress, the black line designs at the bottom of the knees and the middle of her waist. The boat neckline was covered in a black lace design, flowers and swirls covering her chest up to where her shoulders met. She carefully balanced on the black high heels, her legs covered with black stockings that reached up to mid thigh. Her hair was half up into a ponytail, black and purple beads surrounded the top of the hair, dazzling in the sunlight.
Blake Belladonna cat ears picked up at the sound of Yang approaching her, and she turned to see her girlfriend’s outfit.
Yang felt her breath catch, as she noticed Blake also wearing a dress of a similar design but hat was a light lavender and the skirt was covered in similar colored purple lace. The lace was intertwined with white, yellow flowers and green leaves. The top was also of a purple lace design. She wore white high heels and white stockings. Her newly pierced cat ears were silver and black. She wore a white shawl around her shoulders, in case she got cold when the sun set a bit further down.
“You look absolutely gorgeous.” Yang said, her voice falling into a whisper.
Blake felt a blush rise to her cheeks, “You look pretty yourself.”
Yang raised her arm to scratch behind her head, “I’m not so sure. It’s been a while since I’ve dressed up this way. I’m just grateful there is no one else around.”
“As I said before, you look pretty, Yang. I mean it.”
Yang lowered her arm, and held out her right arm and hand, the mechanical arm gleaming in the fading sunlight, “Shall we dance?”
Blake accepted the hand, despite it feeling cool, she knew the one who offered it was warm hearted and kind.
Blake stepped into Yang's arms, feeling herself being pulled in closer to Yang's chest. Yang's other arm circled around her, warm, and caring.
The two began a small sway, until they were able to step in rhythm with one another. Yang and Blake stared into each other's eyes as a corner smile played on Yang’s lip, a soft smile on Blake’s.
“You know, this reminds me of when we had our first dance at Beacon Academy.”
“When you asked me to save you a dance after telling me your childhood backstory.”
“Yeah, pretty much. But the Beacon dance was fun. We all drank too much punch and Jaune came out wearing a dress from a dare. Ruby got caught going up to the headmaster's office and got into a small bit of trouble, but otherwise fun.”
“Way better than the time we went to the dance club with Team FNKI (Funky) in Atlas.”
Yang let out a laugh, the sound echoing in the meadow and in Blake’s heart.
“Hey, you almost had the dance done right.”
“I thought I had it!” Blake said, giving her head a shake, an amused smile on her lips.
Yang twirled Blake around before holding her by the waist. Yang leaned her face close to Blake.
“But I’ll always have you?”
Blake leaned her face closer, her lips staring to part, “Always.” She murmured.
However, the moment was short lived, as instead of meeting each other for a tender kiss, they both ended up falling sideways to the ground.
“Wait, what just happened?” Yang asked.
Blake let out a laugh, “Judging by the way our legs are, I think we are both trying to lift a leg up behind us.”
“Oh.” Yang said before she joined in Blake’s laughter.
“Maybe we should take the high heels off? The ground is pretty soft.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
Blake took off her heels, carefully setting them off to the side. She looked over to see Yang struggling to take off her high heels.
“Here let me help you with that.”
As Blake undid the stairs, Yang asked, “Do… you like me with my arm?”
“Yes, of course I do.” Blake said, removing the last buckle to allow Yang to slide her feet out. “You protected me, and now I will protect you.”
“We protect each other, remember?”
Blake smiled offering both hands to Yang, “Yes. I remember.”
Yang stood up and the two resumed their dance.
After a while of staring into each other’s eyes, Yang asked, “I always wondered, how come you have two sets of ears? You have a pair of human ears and then the cat ears.”
“The better to head you with, my dear.”
Yang let out a chuckle, “Oh ho, quoting fairy tales I see.” She teased, then she softened, “You know, the first time I saw you you were reading a book.”
“A lot has changed since that moment.”
“Yes, yes it has.” Yang mused softly. She twirled Blake around once more, and brought her in closer, “I wish I would have pursued you to your home, instead of staying in mine during a time when you needed me the most. I hid away and when I saw you again, I had to run to get something valuable to help protect all our lives and the worlds. I knew I should have been kinder to you in those moments leading up to the adventures in Atlas.”
Yang's voice cracked under the emotions she longed to keep inside, “I wanted to be there for you. Yet, I was at the lowest point in my life. I could not decide who to help, you or me. But I chose me, when I should have chosen to help you.”
Yang felt soft fingers graze her cheek, she looked up at Blake’s soft expression, the fingers cupping her cheek.
“Yang, you don’t need to worry about all of that anymore.” Blake said, “I knew you were going through mental and emotional struggles after the fall of Beacon Academy. I gave you the time to figure out what you needed. We’ve had our ups and downs when we met up again. Yet, I am glad that we took a stand together, through any and every moment. Hearing you say how you felt about me in the Ever After helped me understand how I truly felt about you.”
Yang sniffed, “And what was that feeling like?”
Blake smiled, “I knew I could be worthy for you.”
Yang let out a light laugh, taking Blake’s hands into her own. She gave a kiss into Blake’s palm, before looking into her love’s eyes.
“I love you, Blake Belladonna.”
“I love you too, Yang Xiao Long.”
The two began to move their faces forwards, eyelashes drooping shut.
The kiss was shared with warmth and fervent passion, as they drew each other closer to one another under a yellow and purple sky.
To be continued.