โAm I Just A Job To You?โ
For those of you who wanted your angst? Come and get it.
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Yang was worried. Actually, it was probably fair to say that that she was beyond worried. Her heart was clenched and her stomach was in knots and she knew something was wrong.
And that something was Blake. Ever since they had come back from their mission at the mines, Blake had beenโฆ distancing herself. Not physically as she had at Beacon. It was more emotional distance that she was creating. But what hurt was the fact that it wasnโt with the others. She only talked with Yang as much a necessary. Any missions that they were sent on were done as quickly as possible and without their usual banter. Blake couldnโt even look at her.
And it hurt like a bitch.
Which is why, upon learning that Blake was in the roof top garden, she decided to confront her. If she knew what was wrong, if she did something to upset the other womanโฆ then she could do something. She couldnโt lose her. Not after everything that theyโve been through.
When she entered the garden, she saw that Blakeโs back was towards her, arms crossed and drawn into herself. This was the unhappiest that Yang had seen her in a while.
โBlake.โ She called out, wincing when Blake jumped.
โYang?โ Blake gasped, turning away to hide the fact that she was wiping her eyes. It was a noble effort but Yang saw through her act. Something was wrong.
โWe need to talk.โ Yang said simply, gently, as she walked over to Blake, trying to ignore the flash of pain in her chest as Blake took a step back. More distance. โI need you tell me whatโs wrong. And donโt tell that nothingโs wrong. I know itโs me, Blake. When you think nobodyโs looking, I see the way you look at me. Like... something is slowly tearing you apart. If Iโve done something wrong, you need to tell me, Blake.โ
Blake clenched her jaw, ears pinned, and stared at the floor stubbornly. And Yang wanted to trust her. She wanted to believe that her pride wouldnโt be destroyed. But when Blake was only letting her get so close, what could she do?
โFine.โ She sighed. โIโm not going to force you. God knows weโll be stuck here for hours. Iโm going back down. If you feel like talking, you know where to find me.โ She hesitated at the door. โWeโre partners, Blake. Teammates. Weโre meant to have each otherโs backs. But I canโt if you wonโt let me.โ
She was about to set out when a broken voice piped up, soft and full of pain.
โIs that all I am to you? A partner? A teammate?โ
When she turned around, Blake was shaking. Her breaths were shallow and scared. Her hair was covering her eyes.
โWhat do you mean?โ Yang asked cautiously, stepping back into the garden as the snow came down harder. Neither girl paid it much mind.
โTell me the truth, Yang.โ Blake almost begged as she tilted her head back and blinked, trying to regain control of her emotions before giving up altogether, lowering her head in a manner that was almostโฆ ashamed. โAm I just a job to you?โ She whispered brokenly.
Yang felt her heart drop. Where the hell didโฆ shit. Harriet. Thatโs when Blakeโs distance started. How could she not have seen it before?!
โB-because if thatโs the caseโฆโ Blake forced out, curling in on herself as Yang gently approached her. โI- I donโt think I can do this.โ Blake broke off into a sob, muffling it behind her hand as her tears fell Yangโs heart twisted painfully. Is this what had been rampaging through her partnerโs head? That Yang only saw her as a job? As a means to an end?
โBlake.โ She murmured gently, carefully cupping Blakeโs face with one hand and wiping away a tear while the other gently and firmly held her bicep.
โPlease, Yang.โ Blake whispered, eyes closed and voice slowly shattering through her sobs. โI canโt do this. I canโt be just be a job again. I canโt be a tool!โ She was cut off by a heartbreaking sob and Yang quickly pulled her in, tucking her securely into her collar and gently soothing her.
โYouโre not a job. Youโre not a tool. Not to me.โ Yang felt a tremble wrack Blakeโs body as she fought against whatever emotions were wrecking havoc in her head before collapsing into Yang, tears soaking her collar.
Yang bit back her own tears. Thisโฆ This hurt. Hearing the insecurities and fear in Blakeโs voiceโฆ the girl had been terrified that she didnโt matter to Yang.
Yang had always thought that she was giving up her pride to be destroyed. Little did she know just how much of Blake she held in her hands.
โBlake? Look at me.โ She said softly, pulling away from Blake to cup her jaw and angle her gaze to meet her own. Seeing the heartache in Blakeโs eyes nearly killed her. โI donโt care what any of them sayโฆ this team is not just a job. I care about you all so much. I care about you so much. Please, please donโt ever think other wise.โ
โIn what way?โ Blake asked, voice small, averting her eyes for a moment.
โWhat do you mean? Youโre my best friend.โ Yang said, confused, as she used her thumbs to wipe away tears.
โThatโs what I thought.โ Blake whispered, pain lacing her voice.
When she finally made eye contact with Yang, it hit the blonde woman all at once. Every time that Blake went along with her jokes and antics. Every time she laughed at even the stupidest joke that Yang had made. Each touch, each gaze. The dance. The way Blake never gave up on her after she came back. The very fact that she came back in the first place. Why she even felt a need to protect her from Adam. The gold on her weaponโฆ Blake was in love with her.
โBlakeโฆโ She breathed. โYou... love me?โ
โIโm sorry. Iโm so sorry.โ Blake choked out.
There were so many things she could say. But actions speak louder than words.
Yang gently guided Blakeโs head up and pressed their lips together, feather light at first to give her a chance to back out. But when Blake let out a gasp and clutched at her jacket and tugged her closer, she angled her head to deepen the kiss. Blakeโs arms curled around her waist and pulled her as close as possible while Yang gently thumbed her cheeks.
When they pulled back, Blake stared up her in confusion.
โI love you too, Blake.โ Yang whispered against her lips and Blake, eyes widening for just a moment, almost immediately pulled her back in, the kiss more desperate but no less loving. They were forced to separate when a sob broke its way out of Blakeโs throat, and Yang allowed her own tears to fall as she pulled Blake into a hug and gently swayed side to side as they both allowed their tears to fall.
โIโm sorry.โ Blake mumbled against her skin.
โDonโt be.โ Yang murmured into short, black hair. โThis isnโt something to apologise for. Just please donโt be scared to talk to me.โ
She felt Blakeโs hand twitch nervously at her back.
โWhat now?โ Blake asked worriedly.
โIโฆ donโt know. Iโve never actuallyโฆ done this before.โ Yang answered, equally nervous. โBut I do know thatโฆ I want to be with you.โ
โI want to be with you too.โ Blake said, voice thick with emotion as she nuzzled into Yangโs neck. Yang buried her face in Blakeโs shoulder in turn.
โSoโฆ I guess weโll find out together. Right?โ
There was a moment of quiet, a gentle and tender moment before Yang spoke up.
โBlake?โ She muttered shyly, anxiously playing with Blakeโs hair.
โCouldโฆ do think maybeโฆ is it okay ifโฆ only if you wa-โ She soon felt Blake kissing her again. Not that she was complaining.
โYang.โ Blake whispered as they pulled away, a look of such devotion and adoration and love on her face that it took Yangโs breath away. โI love you.โ
Yang felt tears prick her eyes and she lifted Blake up and spun her around, delighting in the laugh that followed.
And in, of course, the kisses that followed, whispered โI love youโsโ uttered in between each one.
It was sad that the Ace-Ops saw this as a weakness. She and Blake both knew it wasnโt.
Not when something so powerful kept leading them to each other. Not when it it gave them both the strength and courage to fly.
