Flavors of Fall ch.5 ~BumbleBY

~5~

            Ruby held on tight around Yang’s back as they rode the motorcycle to the north side of town, their hair flying wildly behind them. She hugged her sister a little tighter as they took a corner to the front of an iron gate to an estate. Behind the restrictive bars was a four tier marble fountain, and just beyond the fountain was a large manor and a courtyard. Yang bit her lip, recollecting the memories of having been over to visit on occasion in the past; the good, the bad, the bittersweet, and the inevitable ugly that had happened in the Schnee manor. Ruby sensed the hesitation in her sister’s eyes and reached out to place a reassuring hand on her Yang’s back, giving her a knowing smile and a nod to keep going. The two sisters dismounted one after the other and set their helmets on the seat of the motorcycle. They walked up to the fence and were met with a harsh crackling coming from a voice box on one side of the gate.

            “State your business.” Came an older man’s voice. Yang craned herself lower and pressed the small button to respond.

            “Yang, Yang Xiao Long…I’m here to meet with Weiss?” She asked, hoping that the business woman in question wasn’t so busy that she had forgotten to pen in her name when Ruby had called.

            “Just a moment, I’ll transfer you in.” He said, and with a small click the transmission shifted to a different line.

            “You’re late.” Came a less than cheerful voice over the intercom. “Do you know how busy I am? Of all the insufferable things for you to do, you insist on making me wait on you when I had to cancel a meeting in Taipei just to help you take in another stray.” Yang gave a short chuckle before pressing the respond button.

            “It’s nice to hear from you too, Weiss. Ruby’s with me, you mind buzzing us in?”

             “Just hurry up and get in here, you dolts.” Yang straightened back up with a smile and put a hand on her hip.

    “She sounds happy to hear from us.”  Ruby cocked an eyebrow at her older sister as they walked by the fountain.

            “Really? Because she sounds a little ticked.” The smaller woman said, fiddling with her hands and fingers in an almost nervous fashion; touching the tips of her index fingers together. Yang shrugged a shoulder and gave a light smile.

            “Well, maybe I am wrong. I used to know the sound of a smile in her voice.” She said, while Ruby only nodded understandingly. They neared the manor and stopped at the front of a tall wooden door; the dark cherry wood reflected a gloss that almost shone back on them. Yang reached out and grabbed at the large brass door knocker and struck the placard behind in several times, despite Ruby’s flailing attempts to get her sister to stop after the third knock. The door slowly swung open, revealing a rather unpleased woman in an all-white blazer and matching pencil skirt. A flicker of amusement sparked behind her analytical, icy gaze as her eyes rose to meet Yang’s face.

            “Still monotonous, I see.” Weiss responded in a slightly condescending tone.

            “Still rocking those shoulder pads, I see.” Yang said, giving a wink and double-pistoled hand motions out of mock approval of Weiss’ criticism. “’Eyyyy.”  The smaller and fairer woman scowled; a light pink blush rising in her translucent features.

            “Just be quiet and get in here.” She snapped and opened the door further to accommodate both of them. “I don’t have all day to lend frivolous help to the less fortunate.” Ruby gave a nervous laugh and held her arms out to Weiss.

            “Good to see you, friend!” she said, and took Weiss up in her arms to give a warm welcome and thank you. Weiss stiffened, but shortly after rested her hands on Ruby’s back with a softened frown. Yang eyed Weiss’ appearance, noting that her white wedges and pearl necklace were far from the attire of someone helping them move.

            “Um…you going to a meeting? Because if you’re going to help us move, I don’t think you’re going to be much help in those shoes.” It was Weiss’ turn to cast judgment as she separated from Ruby, holding her friend by her elbows before completely letting her go.

            “I beg your pardon? I only agreed to provide my car for our moving endeavor. I was unaware that I would be doing physical labor for this.” Yang rolled her eyes at the pretentiousness of the platinum blonde woman before her.

            “Okay, fine. You don’t have to get out. I was just wondering if you were still up for helping us, since…y’know…we’re late.” Yang clarified. Ruby crossed her arms over her chest and gave a grin. “She doesn’t have much, really. Actually, I was wondering if we could take that mattress off of your hands, too. That one you were going to donate like a month ago or so?” Weiss cocked a bemused eyebrow and rolled one shoulder into a shrug.

            “Take it.” She said, turning once more on her heel as they clicked across the marble tiles. She plucked a set of car keys off of a black iron hook and guided them past a grand staircase to a spare room. “It’s just been taking up room.” Weiss motioned for Yang to hurry up ahead of her and pointed at the room it was kept in. The blonde woman pushed the door open and stepped quietly into the room, seeing a very well-thought out guest room. “Take the whole damn thing, if you need it.” Ruby stepped into the room as Yang began gathering the blankets and putting them onto a chair by a white wood boudoir.

            “ALL of it?” Ruby gaped. Weiss took up the bedding Yang discarded and bundled it up into a ball to give to Ruby. “Weiss! This…this is too much!” Weiss crossed her arms, watching Yang struggled with the bulk of the mattress for a moment with a small grin. Silently, two men entered the room as soon as Yang was able to remove the mattress and box spring; trying to disassemble the bed frame quickly and placed it into a black tote box to take with them to Yang and Ruby’s townhouse.

            “Yeah, well, it’s for a good cause.” She defended. Yang managed to gather the box spring alongside the mattress, her long toned arms showing slightly beneath the thin long sleeved material. Weiss observed the straining woman, hearing her grunt and gather the mattress the best she could. “Though, I’m not sure how it’s going to fit into the car…unless we instead take the Escalade.”

            “Whatever---ugh!” Yang strained, standing it up. “Whatever you think is good. I’m already appreciative of you helping us out.” Weiss nodded and walked out of the room, instructing one of her many butlers in German to bring around the proper vehicle. Yang perked up at the sound of a language switch and gave a crooked grin. “I forget she’s bilingual.” Ruby readjusted the mix of bed sheets and a quilt in her arms, following Yang out of the guest room.

            “She’s tried teach me a little, but, doesn’t seem to stick for me.”

            “Yeah, been there.” Yang smirked. Once they were back in the foyer, Weiss greeted them at the door where a different butler was holding it open. A much larger butler in a uniform better suited to gardening took up the mattress in gloves hands and slid it into the back of the vehicle with little to no effort.  Soon after, two men appeared with the black tote box filled with parts of the bed frame and set it to one side. Weiss thanked them both and brandished her set of keys like a rapier in the direction of the vehicle, a single silver snowflake keychain dangling from them.

            “Well. Are we going, or aren’t we?” Weiss said with a small frown. “I would guess that you’re going to lead us there on your bike?” Yang straightened her sleeves and took up her hair in a ponytail using a hairband from her pocket.

            “Try to keep up.” She smirked, and walked towards the gate.

            I can’t believe it’s actually happening…

            Yang revved the motorcycle a little louder as she was rounding the corner back to Blake’s apartment, with Weiss driving Ruby in the silver Escalade behind her. The wind rushed through her long blonde hair from beneath her helmet, flying behind her. As she slowed, she motioned for Weiss to do the same behind her; indicating the place where she would need to park. To the best of her abilities, the platinum blonde driver pulled up to a crumbled curb as her vehicle shuddered to a stop. Just ahead of her, Yang parked broadside in front of the grill of the Escalade and dismounted. With a sharp ‘thunk’, both Ruby and Weiss shut their doors and met Yang at the foot of the stoop. The appearance during the day gave it a much less dangerous vibe, as there were no drunkards loitering about.

            “…Well?” Weiss demanded, cocking her hip to one side with her arms crossed. “Where is she?”

            “I’ll go up and get her.” Yang said, handing her helmet to Weiss who wordlessly took it with a look of disbelief.  Inside, Yang took the steps on the staircase two at a time, practically running up to the floor where Blake was. Her breathing evened out as she neared the door, taking a moment to pull and fix her shirt an run a hand through her bangs.

            I don’t know why I’m trying so hard…it’s not like I’ve got an actual chance with her.

            She knocked lightly on the door and took a step back.

            Ugh. These god damned straight girl crushes never let up, though…

            The sounds of metal locks sliding out of place broke the temporary silence, followed by the slackening of a chain and pivoting of a dead bolt beneath it. Yang’s concern turned into delight as the door opened to reveal Blake holding a shoe box. “Ready for moving day?” Yang asked coyly, tilting her head innocently to one side. Blake gave a small grin and chuckled to herself. “We’re right out front. Need any help?”

            “Well…I don’t have much, but…a hand or two would do.”

            “Lucky for you, I have exactly two!” Yang said proudly, holding up both of her hands and wiggling her fingers. Blake almost rolled her eyes but shook it off with a crooked grin.

            That was stupid. Not even close to being cute.

            She really is kind of a dork…but she’s one of the good ones.

            “If you can, try grabbing those three. They’re not heavy, though.” Blake instructed. Yang picked up two, and looked around for the third box. “Right here,” She said, bending down to pick up a wine box full of books. “Sorry, it’s all kind of a mess right now…but what’s in boxes is coming with us.” She placed the box on top of Yang’s stack, holding it there in her hands still. Yang’s grin flat lined into a curious frown as she looked at Blake through her downcast gaze.

            “….Blake?” She asked, causing the dark-haired woman to release the box and pick up a plastic crate of what shoes she had, putting other small things inside it to fill the space.

            “Nothing. I was just thinking.” Blake took a sharp intake of breath and stood up with the crate, putting it on a table. “Just making sure I have everything that’s mine, y’know?” Yang nodded in agreement, watching Blake take up a bulky backpack onto her shoulders and picked up the crate again. “We might have to make another trip.”

            “No way,” Yang laughed, maneuvering the stack of boxes onto her shoulder. “Here, gimmie that last box over there and we’ll have this all cleared out.” Blake looked at Yang, both amused and impressed as she complied in placing her crate down and retrieving the last box for Yang to carry. “See? We got this.”

            “I guess so.” Blake said, making sure Yang had a good handle on it. “Thank you…for all that you’re doing.” She added, looking down at the floor before turning around to retrieve the crate once more. Yang felt a sense of pride rise in her chest at being noticed as helpful, a broad smile breaking out across her face. “I’m leaving some of this stuff behind because, well…it doesn’t belong to me. Or I’d rather just not take it along.”

            “Hey, it’s all good!” She said, following Blake out of the apartment.

            It’s going to be a whole new world for her.

    “We’re going to have a problem.” Ruby said, scratching her head. Yang placed the last stack of Blake’s belongings underneath the bulk of the mattress in the middle seat, where the middle seats where inevitably collapsed to accommodate the mattress being slid into the back. Yang took a step back, next to Blake, and rubbed the back of her neck. “There’s only enough room for the driver and the passenger at this point.” Ruby said, jabbing a thumb at the front of the vehicle.

    Ah hell…

    Blake looked to the front and noticed Yang’s motorcycle parked there, and perked up at an idea. “Maybe they can follow…and, you can lead.”

    “That’s how we got here,” Yang said. “But I mean, well…I’m gonna be the one driving that” she said, pointing to the motorcycle. “Obviously. And Weiss is driving. So…um…”

    It would probably be awkward for her if she rode with Weiss…she doesn’t know her well enough, that’d be weird…but then…well, there’s…

    “I can ride with you.” Blake said simply. Yang looked from Blake to the bike, and then back at Blake. “It’s not like I wasn’t on it already. I’m fine.” From behind Blake, Ruby gave a thumbs-up to her older sister, trying to boost her confidence while Weiss quietly figured out what was being implied. She narrowed her icy glare at the entirety of Blake’s back, inwardly critiquing her appearance and then cast silent judgment upon the apartment complex. While Ruby was egging her sister on, Weiss gave Yang a sour look. “Unless…?” Blake asked, trailing at seeing Yang’s mixed emotions across her face.

    “Uh.” Yang responded through an awkward smile. “Sure, yeah. It wouldn’t be your first rodeo, you’re right.” Yang shut the Escalade door and took up her helmet on the motorcycle. “Ruby, you still have yours? I’m gonna let Blake use it.” Ruby hurried to the opposite side of the vehicle and pulled her red helmet out of the front seat.

    “Yup! Safety first, right?” She said, holding it out to Blake. The dark-haired woman grinned and took the helmet from her hands.

    “Of course.” She said, as she swiftly adjusted it and put it on as she walked over to where Yang was already seated on the motorcycle, buckling her own helmet. She held out a hand on the back of Yang’s shoulder and gave it a small grip as she steadied herself and swung one leg up and around to mount the motorcycle.

    Whoa—what is she—she’s getting REALLY close.

            Blake scooted herself towards the front, putting both her hands behind her to use the back of the bike’s cushion to lock herself into a safe, seated backseat position. She held the outsides of Yang’s legs with her own as she leaned forward into Yang’s ear.

            “Do you have enough wiggle room?” she said, her breath tickling Yang’s neck. The blonde woman did her best to suppress a blushing shiver and revved the engine in response. “Yang?”

            “Y-YEAH.” She yelled over the roar of the motorcycle. “You good?” Blake pulled her legs up onto the footrests of the motorcycle, clamping her warm inner thighs tightly around Yang, wrapping her arms around her middle to hold on.

            WHOA.

            “Good.” Blake replied in Yang’s ear again, tightening her grip a little around the blonde woman’s waist, resting the side of her chin on Yang’s back.

            OH GOD.

            “Alright, then.” Yang peeled out of the parking space and began driving off to her house with a bright blush on her face; one that she was grateful no one saw.

SHE’S SO WARM.
I do hope she’s not uncomfortable…I wasn’t able to really hold on last time.
I can…I can feel her…everywhere!
There’s not much room here for a backseat passenger.
…what am I saying, that’s so creepy!
Last time we did this, it was kind of hard in a sweater dress.
Oh my god, what’s wrong with me?!
Then again, I was also wearing stockings…I should probably hold on a little tighter.
She’s hugging her legs on me pretty tight, though. Is this too fast?

    Yang slowed at the sight of their first red light, the motorcycle rolled to a halt as the blushing blonde put her feet down to steady the bike, resulting in a backward rolling movement towards the backseat passenger as she stood.

    Aah!
            Nnn-!!

    Blake felt her neck and face burn like a bed coal, but kept her eyes off to the side as she loosened her grip on Yang so she was able to steady the bike more efficiently. Yang’s breathing hitched as she realized her movement caught Blake off guard. “S-sorry, I have to move to…to make sure we don’t…fall over…” Yang stammered.

    “Wh-no, yeah of course.” Blake said, masking her flustered state with a tone of indifference.

Maybe this wasn’t as good an idea as I thought.
I hope she doesn’t think I’m some kind of pervert…
But she fits so nicely between my legs…
Ugh, God. She probably does!
Doesn’t help this bike is vibrating…
She’s not saying anything…!
I kind of like how it’s purring.
I swear, I’m not a pervert!
Oh, how lewd. I can’t be thinking like that.
Fantastic, Yang. You had one job. And it didn’t include grinding on her.
Doesn’t she feel that? Probably not. She’s—

    The light switched to green, and Yang clumsily placed herself back onto the seat, smashing backward into Blake’s open legs; her ears and face a burning red blush. Blake bit her lip and tried to break apart her thoughts as she grabbed back onto Yang to hold on. The entire ride back had become an awkward lap dance with every red light they were given. Yang cursed under her breath at the last light, hoping they would be lucky and at least be graced with a yellow light. After the their last light, Yang found a way to sit with as little contact with Blake as she possibly could, but still managed to feel her there. The awaiting warmth she would be greeted with upon every seated return.

    I wish we could stay like this. She’s so warm.

    
            Give me the strength to look her in the eye after this ride.

    Yang slowed to a stop as they reached the front of their townhouse, closely followed by Weiss and Ruby in the Escalade behind them. Blake loosened her hold on Yang’s and was sitting with her legs still held on to her as the machine shuddered to a stop. “Alright.” Yang began, clearing her throat as she plant both feet firmly on the asphalt. “Um…you should probably—“

    “Dismount?” Blake asked, also dropping her legs down on either side with a wince. “…yeah, okay.” She said slowly, looking what side would be the best to get off from. “My hips feel kind of strange from riding for so long.”

    “O-oh, yeah.” Yang said, stalling and taking her own helmet off. “That happens a lot if you’re not used to it…you got it?” Blake took ahold of Yang’s hips as she worked herself into a better position, shifting her weight to one side.

    “I can do it. Just keep steady like you’ve been doing.”

    Like I’ve been doing. Right.

    Yang stiffened at the small grunt coming from behind her, followed by a firm squeeze on one side of her hip as Blake swung her leg off of the motorcycle; hissing slightly with finally having her legs in proper placement. “That’s going to be sore in the morning.” She said, wiggling her hips in hopes of getting the blood flow going properly. Yang chuckled and dismounted from the other side, a shiver traveling up her spine and shooting what felt like sparks out of her fingertips.

    “Yeah, I remember when I was first driving this around. But, I promise. You’ll get used to it the more you ride one.” She said, trying to tame the impending blush threatening to come back and streak across her face and down her neck to her chest. Weiss stepped out of the Escalade while Ruby rounded to the door behind hers to grab a box of Blake’s things. “Oh! Right, let’s unload this stuff so we can set up the bed frame.”

    “Bed frame?” Blake repeated. “You…you got me a bed?” Weiss intervened before Yang could think up a response, her white pumps emitting subtle clicks on the pavement.

    “It was necessary, and quite the convenience.” She said, through half-lit, analytical eyes. “I was going to donate it to a different cause, but, Yang beat me to it.” Blake raised an eyebrow at the smaller woman before her, and then to Yang.

    A different cause, hm?

    “Oh, uh, this is Weiss. She’s a friend of ours. Weiss, this is Blake.” Yang introduced, but neither of them showed enough interest in the other to so much as shake the other’s hand. Weiss subtly put a hand out, but instead pretended she was just checking on her French-tipped manicure and turned to Yang.

    “I’ve got a video conference with my father in Heidelberg, so I’ll be leaving shortly.” Yang watched as Ruby came back out to rejoin the group and grab another box.  Blake set down the red helmet and walked past the two women to help Ruby take in her belongings.

    “Okay, well, we wouldn’t want to keep you…” Yang trailed, watching both her sister and Blake enter the house. She lowered her tone to a whisper in their absence. “What, are you doing.”

    “Helping you, of course.” Weiss shot back, almost offended.

    “No, I mean what are you doing, Weiss.” Yang said, looking into the silvery-white eyes that dared to questions her. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to pull.”

    “…I…” She crossed her arms and turned away, closing her eyes. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

    “You’re analyzing and criticizing her!”

    “You can’t prove that!”

    “Weiss,” Yang said, pushing a palm into her own face. “You can’t do that. Don’t be that girl, okay.” Weiss frowned a little harder, her arms crossed tighter.

    “Well excuse me for wanting to see just who the hell’s skirt you’re chasing after these days.” A small blush returned to Yang’s cheeks while Weiss pointed an accusing finger at the taller woman’s nose. “See? I know you, Yang.” She lightly smacked the accusing hand to the side with a frown.

    “You don’t know anything about this, Weiss.” She defended, her lavender and lilac eyes narrowing at the corners as to reflect Weiss’s own icy resentment.

    “Picking up strays? I know you got the hots for her.” She countered. “Don’t think I don’t remember what ‘bike day’ felt like. I saw you sitting all stiff. Don’t lie.” Yang’s eyes flitted over to Blake and Ruby coming in through the doorway as she lowered her voice.

    “Well I guess you still get the last laugh, don’t you? Because she’s not even like that—she’s straight.” She almost hissed, Weiss’s eyes widened by a fraction before narrowing into a condescending stare and a small smirk.

    “The plot thickens.”

    “There is no plot, but answer this little riddle for me…” she leaned in closer as Blake and Ruby gathered the last of the boxes out to the house, following them with her eyes. “…what do you even care?” She asked, and then stared into Weiss’s eyes. “Remember the ice rink? Hm? How you tore my heart out and cut it up with your skates when you decided to run off with that dorky Jaune who worked the snow cone booth?” The small heiress looked away, blinking back memories. “Yeah. What does it matter to you, even if I had a chance with her?” Weiss bit her lip, her crossed arms lessening in their tightness.

    “…part of me will always love you. But we wanted different things.” She replied bitterly. “And…look, don’t try to take it personally on this, I’m just looking out for you, Yang.” She said, looking up into Yang’s face. “Now that I’ve seen where she’s coming from, it just makes me wonder if what you’re doing is even safe.” Yang clicked her tongue in frustration and set her helmet down. “I’m serious! Hey, we just saw where her apartment was, didn’t we? How do you think she even got there? No one with a good background—much less a purpose, Yang—just chooses to live in a place like that. Do you even know who she was before you met her?” Weiss’s voice grew shrill with her heavy concern for her friend and her sister, her hands clenched lightly at her sides as her unwavering silver eyes held strong to the side of Yang’s solemn features. The taller woman sucked at the inside of her cheek slowly, taking in everything Weiss was bringing up to her. With a dismissive sigh, her lilac eyes traveled from the grit of the asphalt beneath the motorcycle to the handle bars through her curly blonde bangs.

    “Who she was…is none of my damn business.” Yang said gruffly. “It’s who she is now, and what she’s trying to do for herself. And I got to know her, she’s…she’s not some riff raff, alright? She’s smart, genuine, and…she’s one of the good ones.” Weiss made an attempt to smile, but it fell short into a flat line of concern.

    “…you’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?” she said, reaching out to touch the taller woman’s arm. “Yang, she can’t love you. You said it before.”

    “…I know.” Yang replied, putting a lingering hand on the red helmet Blake had left on the motorcycle’s seat before going to help unload the Escalade.

    But this isn’t about me.