Moving Forward (ch4)

EARLY RELEASE FOR PATRONS! CHAPTER 4 OF MOVING FORWARD!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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						Chapter 4. A Night Like No Other

Over the next week, Blake caught sight of Yang at least once a day, if not more often.

After Yang returned the clothes she had borrowed, they made plans to get lunch together the next day. And the day after the next, Blake promised to take the girl for a walk around town.

They came up with excuse after excuse to justify meeting one another again the next day, but only after they'd gone through the routine several times did they realize they didn't have to justify themselves.

They soon started meeting up with one another simply because they wanted to.

Yang found herself content to wake every morning to check her phone and find a small "good morning" message from Blake. She'd get dressed and freshen up before replying back, and that was usually Blake's cue to finish whatever page she was writing at the moment so she could prepare as well.

They soon got into the routine of going to breakfast together daily, and after that would either go their separate ways for the rest of the day, or stick together.

Yang always mentioned if she had to attend a party that night, and Blake would tell her if she needed some time alone to finish some writing. It was a very understanding relationship, symbiotic in a sense that both benefitted from the other's company and neither got offended if the other asked to be alone.

Presently, it was two weeks after they'd met.

It was a cold, dreary day, and every glance out the window into the gray world made Blake exhausted.

She was sitting in her chair at her desk, a blanket pulled around her shoulders as she typed away. Her robe and clothes weren't doing much to defend her from the chills; cold was one of the things Blake despised most in this world, second only to financial instability.

Her fingers kept trembling, causing her to mis-type just about every other word, until she was backspacing more than she was progressing.

With a groan, Blake saved and re-saved her work onto her flash drive, ejected it and put it back into her notebook, bookmarked her research page, and shut down the laptop. She reached for her phone and typed a message to Yang:

/Hey, sorry to bother you. Is it just me, or is it really cold today?/

She stood up and went to the small kitchen area of her apartment; she didn't use it too often, as cooking for herself was rather expensive.

More often than not, she'd spend money on food and ingredients, but never be able to eat them all quickly enough before they expired, which ended up being money wasted. Therefore, she tended to take advantage of the complex's own little restaurant and just have the costs tacked onto her monthly bill.

Opening the cupboard, Blake wasn't met with canned food and packaged pasta like most other tenants were. What looked back at her were small boxes of tea. Unlike food, tea didn't spoil so easily, and Blake was always in the mood for it.

She pulled out a bag of camomile and began boiling a small pot of water on the little stove at the corner of the counter. As she waited, she returned to her phone to find Yang had responded:

/Nah, I don't think it's that cold, actually. Feels the same as yesterday./

Puzzled, Blake's shaking fingers typed out a reply:

/Really? It's freezing... My teeth are chattering./

She went back to the boiling pot, placed her phone on the counter, and held her hands out over the steam to let them thaw a bit. The little blue flame on the stove seemed to be the warmest thing in her entire apartment...

Her cell phone vibrated again and Blake wiped her hands on her pants before checking Yang's reply:

/You sure? Did you catch a cold? I'm nice and comfy right now./

Blake considered the possibility for a moment, but she didn't feel particularly tired; the grogginess she was feeling was only because of the poor weather, and wasn't due to physical pain or fatigue. She brought a hand to her chest for a moment, but didn't feel anything off with her pulse.

She was just ungodly cold.

Her phone buzzed again, and she read another message from Yang:

/Just have some tea and relax! :D/

Blake smiled at that; Yang already knew her so well.

/You read my mind/, she replied.

By then, the water had started to boil, and Blake finished preparing her tea, pouring it into a mug before putting in the bag. Her mini fridge only contained some bottles of water, ice, and a small carton of milk, and she poured a bit of the latter into her black tea.

As she stood, she muttered a comment about how it might've been more effective to cool the water bottles by leaving them out in the room rather in the fridge.

She sat down in her rolling chair once more, clutching the heated mug and letting the warmth seep into her palms and fingers. She didn't even bother blowing on the tea to cool it before gulping down a mouthful.

Not one of her better ideas.

Rather than a pleasant warmth, it assaulted her tongue with a searing heat, causing her to swallow quickly and burn her throat. She coughed a bit, putting a fist to her chest and shaking her head.

"Ugh," she groaned. "It's not my day..."

As the prickling in her mouth died down, a knock came on her door.

Confusion curled her expression as she put her mug down, but a glance at her phone showed Yang hadn't texted her again. The blonde wasn't one for dropping by unexpectedly, as far as Blake knew. Yang liked to give her space and time to focus on her writing.

Though Blake had to admit Yang could probably show up at her door at any hour and she'd still smile all the same and let her in.

But after she stood and went to the door, she found it wasn't Yang on the other side, but her landlord.

He informed Blake that there were heating issues on her half of the building, and it was affecting two floors. Blake was relieved to know that she hadn't been imagining things, but it was more troubling than anything when the man told her that the heat wouldn't be fixed until tomorrow afternoon.

Blake politely thanked him for warning her, and he wished her well before heading off to inform other tenants of the issue.

Blake sighed and leaned her weight against the door to close it, then trudged back to her desk.

/My heat isn't working/, she told Yang before taking another sip of her tea. She managed not to burn herself this time and actually enjoyed the flavor of the leaves. She took her seat once more just as the phone went off again.

But it wasn't vibrating this time - it was ringing.

Yang was calling her for the first time.

Sputtering, Blake put her mug down quickly as she grabbed her phone. She didn't know why she was suddenly so nervous; she'd spoken to and seen Yang at least once every day for the past two weeks, after all.

Blake cleared her throat as she swiped the screen to answer the call and put the phone to her ear.

"H-Hello? Yang, are you okay?"

"Am I okay?" Yang blurted. "I should be askin' you that! Your heat's busted and it's thirty-freakin' degrees out! Come to my room."

"Yang, I- …wait, what?"

"You heard me! Yer comin' ta spend the night with me! I got plenty of heat to go around. Plus, it'll be returnin' the favor for the first night you let me stay over. Or if you don't come over here, then I'll come over there and be cold with ya! Your choice, Blake."

The writer was almost dumbfounded with silence for a moment at Yang's harmless little threats.

But she knew the blonde was only saying these things because she was worried for Blake. Just that concern alone put a bit of warmth into her chest.

Blake chewed on her lip for a moment as she considered things.

"Well... I wouldn't wish this kind of cold on my worst enemy, let alone a good friend like you," she mumbled. "So... if it's really okay, then I guess I could-"

"Yes! Yer comin' over and that's that!" Yang declared. "Y'know my room number, right?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then pack whatever you'll need till tomorrow and come on down! I'll be waitin' fer ya!"

And with that – before Blake could even thank her – Yang hung up.

With a sigh and a smile, the dark-haired girl slipped her phone into her pants pocket. She gathered her notebook but left her laptop behind, knowing she wouldn't be able to type tonight – not because of Yang's presence, but simply because of the unfamiliar environment.

Blake removed the blanket from her shoulders to fold it up and stuffed it into a bag, intending to use it when she slept in Yang's room tonight. She kept her robe on and packed a change of sleep clothes and her toothbrush before stepping into her slippers.

With everything packed into her bag, she pulled the straps onto her shoulder before grabbing her mug of tea at the last second and taking it along.

She turned off all the lights before stepping out into the hallway, finding the air laden with a chilly draft. Blake shivered as she hurried to the stairs, making sure not to spill her tea as she headed down to Yang's floor.

As she moved, she could feel the change in temperature, and after taking another drink, she felt a lot better.

She reached the hallways and counted the numbers until she reached Yang's door, pausing outside to knock. Her knuckles had only made contact once before the door opened inward and a familiar face appeared.

She was dressed in that same yellow sweater that Blake had first lent her; she could still remember the way Yang's face had lit up when Blake had told her she could keep it.

"Blake! So good ta see ya! Come in, come in!" Yang ushered her inside, despite Blake's hesitance to enter; this would be the first time she'd be going into Yang's room. But her jitters had nothing to do with Yang herself; again, it was merely the change of scenery.

Once she was inside, Yang closed the door behind her hospitably.

"Welp, make yerself at home!" she invited.

Blake's eyes traveled around the room.

It was... surprisingly neat. She didn't know why she'd been under the impression that it might be a bit messy, but she was a little shocked to find the floor so spotless, not an article of clothing hanging out of place, no magazines strewn across the floor.

It was probably neater than Blake's own room.

The only thing that was messy seemed to be the ruffled bed, but Yang had an explanation even for that.

"I was just changin' the sheets. You take it easy on the love seat while I finish that up, yeah?" She nodded to the cushioned chair by the window. "Gosh, you look so cold. I'm glad ya decided ta come over, Blake. I wouldn't've been able to sleep tonight knowin' you were shiverin' all alone."

"But you would've come to shiver with me, right?" Blake smiled.

Yang reflected the grin.

"Yeah, that's right! You bet'cha!"

Blake went to the love seat and set down her bag as Yang walked to the bed. The writer finished her tea just as Yang had stripped the mattress of the old sheets, and Blake got up and offered to help her.

"Naww!" Yang shook her head. "You're my guest! Take a load off~"

"It's fine, Yang. I want to."

"Well... Ya know I can't say no ta you," Yang caved.

Together, they pulled the fresh sheets onto either side of the mattress. Yang spritzed some lavender spray onto it before tossing the comforters to Blake. They finished within a few minutes, and Yang clapped her hands in accomplishment.

"Thanks a ton! That usually takes me so long. Whenever I get one end of the sheet in place, another one slips off!"

"I know what you mean," Blake chuckled.

Yang skirted the bed and went to her side, offering her palm to Blake.

"So how're ya holdin' up? Have ya warmed up a bit?"

"A considerable amount," Blake confessed, slipping both hands into Yang's waiting ones.

"Whew! You really are freezin'! C'mere 'n lemme warm ya up a bit!" The blonde rubbed Blake's hands for her for a moment before pulling her into a tight hug.

Blake was more than used to this kind of thing by now and she returned the contact, albeit a bit more gently. When Yang let her go a moment later, Blake found herself missing the embrace.

"Got any plans fer today?" the blonde wondered.

"Not really," Blake shrugged. "I did a bit of writing this morning, but..."

Yang nodded when she trailed off.

"Yeah, I get it. Can't exactly do your work in another room, huh?"

Blake's eyes widened a bit; she hadn't expected Yang to understand so quickly. But she figured she shouldn't have been so surprised. Yang knew more about her now than anyone else.

The blonde rolled her shoulders until they cracked. "Well then, it's up ta me as the hostess ta entertain ya! Care ta watch a movie?"

"Um, sure." Blake couldn't remember the last time she'd watched a film, let alone with someone else.

Yang encouraged her to sit on the bed as she rummaged through her shelves to find a DVD. Blake removed her slippers before climbing onto the bed, watching her friend.

When Yang had finally set everything up, she plopped down on the bed beside her and started the movie.

Blake thought the experience would be a bit unnerving, having to stay quiet and sit side-by-side rather than face-to-face.

But those fears were dashed within minutes as she discovered Yang was a chatterbox at the movies, and Blake didn't mind one bit.

They watched a romantic comedy, and the comments and puns Yang kept making throughout the film had Blake laughing aloud every time. Yang was more than happy to see her smiling, and she told the girl just how good it felt to be able to make her laugh.

During the dramatic climax of the movie, Yang started blubbering and buried her face into Blake's shoulder, and the writer had to pass her some tissues.

By the time the movie was over, they were both laughing again, leaning against one another's sides. Evening had crept in, and Yang offered to bring her companion down for dinner.

After that, they returned to the room and prepared for bed.

Blake went into the bathroom to change into the clothes she'd brought and brush her teeth, while Yang changed in her room.

When Blake finished, Yang slipped into the bathroom as the former went to her bag. She pulled out the blanket she'd brought and laid it out on the floor beside the bed, prepared to sleep in much the same way Yang had first slept in Blake's own room.

She'd just sat down when the bathroom door opened again.

"Alrighty!" Yang said. "So you can just-" She cut off, freezing in place and eyes going wide the second she saw Blake. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whaddaya think yer doin'?"

Blake looked, up slightly startled.

"Oh, sorry. I can move-"

"You bet your cutie patootie yer gonna move!" Yang demanded, walking over to her. "To the bed!"

Blake blinked.

"Pardon?"

"Ya heard me! Ya really think I'm gonna let ya sleep on the floor? Wasn't the whole point of you comin' here so that you could keep warm? Ya ain't gonna do it on the floor, that's fer sure."

"Well... I just figured because then first night you slept over-"

"We didn't know each other," Yang finished for her. "So of course I slept on the floor. But no way am I gonna let a good friend like you do that now, after two weeks of knowin' each other!" She knelt down in front of Blake and took both of her hands. "C'mon now. Up ya go. You're takin' the bed." She helped Blake to her feet, but paused. "Unless ya don't like the idea of sharin' a bed. If that's the case, then I'll take the floor, kay?"

"No-" Blake gasped. "I couldn't make you do that. If... If it's alright, we can share the bed, then."

Yang grinned and put a hand on her shoulder.

"'Course it's okay. That's why I offered. But if ya change yer mind at any time or don't feel comfortable, just lemme know, yeah?"

"I'll be fine," Blake assured. "But thank you, Yang. For letting me stay the night and... for being so considerate." She looked up at the blonde and offered a small smile.

Yang scratched the back of her head and chuckled.

"Aw shucks, don't make me blush. And ya don't need ta thank me. You did the same for me and I know ya'd do it again. I'll always help ya out if ya need it! You can count on me."

"Me too," Blake agreed.

Yang turned off the lights, grabbed Blake's blanket from the floor, and draped it over the bed.

Together, they crawled into the cleanly-made bed; Blake felt better lying herself down on the mattress in knowing she'd helped prepare it. Yang flicked off the bedside lamp and left the room in relative darkness.

There was enough room for both of them in the bed, but only after Yang had made herself comfortable did Blake do the same. Yang was sure to keep her distance from the girl, though she turned herself toward Blake to make sure she really was alright with this placement.

Blake had turned her back, her dark, wavy hair running all down her shoulders and pooling onto the pillow. But even in the growing darkness, Yang could tell she was quivering.

"Hey..." she murmured. "You okay?"

Blake cursed herself for being caught.

"Yeah. F-Fine..." Her voice betrayed her, and she knew she was defeated.

"Don't lie ta me. You're still cold, aren't ya?"

With a sigh, Blake rolled over onto her other side to face her.

"A bit."

"Well then... you can come as close as ya'd like. If ya want."

Blake couldn't help but smile again; Yang always gave her the option to refuse if she wished. But Blake didn't think she wanted to.

Slowly, she shifted closer, seeing Yang's eyes sparkle with joy. The blonde wrapped her arms around Blake loosely, drawing her nearer, seeking her warmth and sharing her own.

Though hesitant, Blake did the same, slipping her arms over Yang's sides and around her shoulders. In the few weeks they'd known one another, Blake had discovered Yang was very protective of her hair, and so she made sure not to touch a single strand.

But the blonde chuckled against her shoulder.

"It's fine," she murmured. "You're special, Blake."

The writer was quiet for a moment, but with Yang's permission, she gradually let her fingers stray into those thick golden locks.

"You too," she whispered. "You're special too, Yang."

Neither needed elaboration to understand what the other meant.

They murmured goodnights and closed their eyes, adjusting to the feeling of curling up beside another human being, a casual contact they'd both been denied for years now.

Having it again now reminded them that – for two girls their age living alone and fighting stress daily – close, consensual, physical contact was nothing short of a necessity.

Yang had held her younger sister before to soothe her on stormy nights. But the way she held Blake now was different somehow, and she couldn't quite explain it.

Blake felt it too, the... emotion behind Yang's embrace.

It wasn't to comfort her or to prove anything.

It was simply... to exist together with her.

And perhaps a little something more, but it was still too early to tell.

Blake relaxed, nestling closer beneath the blankets. Yang had rested her chin atop her head, and Blake found herself by the girl's collar. When she shifted another inch, her ear picked up on the thudding of a gentle pulse.

It was the first time she'd ever listened to someone else's heart, and Blake found it provided a simply indescribable comfort.

She fell asleep to that consistent sound, her own breathing composing Yang's lullaby.

It was just a normal night.

And yet it was a night like no other.

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A/N: Each chapter is like it's own mini story. I'll let you know that this fic is now half over!