Yang Xiao Long (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
solar_flare) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
genessia2017-10-08 09:50 pm
solar_flare) wrote in genessia2017-10-08 09:50 pm
Entry tags:
Housecleaning
WHO: Mercury Black and Yang Xiao Long
WHAT: In exchange for three favorsand choosing Marry over Shag, Mercury helps Yang clean up the old RWBY house. It's like they're starting to become friends or something.
WHEN: October 7th, 2017
WHERE: Genessia City
Houses were funny things. When people stopped living in them, they seemed to fall into disrepair, gathering dust, mold, and dirt seemingly much faster than they did when they were being used. It was as if they got lonely without people around.
Yang wasn't sure if she'd wind up living in this place permanently. She'd wanted to, because it was a goal they'd all worked toward years ago when she was first kicking around Genessia, and she liked the idea of falling asleep in a place that was likely still full of good memories.
But...
As she'd walked through the rooms, hearing the soft creak of floorboards and little else, she knew it wasn't going to satisfy that longing deep inside of her, the need for things to be what they once were. Blake and Ruby weren't here. Weiss was...different. Yang wasn't even sure her teammate still regarded her as a teammate anymore, and it was a strange, lonely feeling. Both Weiss and Sun didn't seem all that amenable to the possibility of renting the vacant house out to anyone else other than Yang, and the thought of being alone in a big empty space just didn't mesh well with who Yang was, or what she wanted to be.
Still, however things managed to shake out, she did want to clean it up so that it was comfortable and cozy...well, as "cozy" as a house of that size could be anyway...if not for herself then for Weiss. Yang had spent the previous days gathering up a host of supplies for the job -- dust cloths, laundry and dish detergent, a broom, a mop, sponges -- so that the place would be as good as new when she was finished. It was a big job for just one person, but honestly? Yang was looking forward to it. She had full use of both hands now, and she was so glad she didn't have to sweep with just her left arm anymore.
The addition of Mercury as a second helper was unexpected. She really hadn't believed him to be the kind of guy who was on board with any of this, but their playful banter had led to an arrangement of sorts. He'd help her out with the chores, and she'd owe him three favors to be agreed upon in the future. ...And there would be pineapple pizza and soda too, to seal the deal. She wasn't sure when he'd arrive to get started, but as for Yang herself, she headed out at daybreak, a stereo in one hand, and a bucket holding the last of the cleaning materials in the other. Her loose-fitting cargo pants were comfortable for housework, as was the snug orange tanktop that bared her right metal arm to the world. Yang's wild blonde hair was tied up into a thick ponytail to keep it out of the way, since the last thing she wanted was her pride and joy tumbling into the toilet while she was scrubbing out the water stains.
She made a list of everything that needed to be done so each item could be crossed off. The chores were separated by room, with asterisks next to the things she wanted to prioritize. After all, the weather was fine for today, but those clouds hinted that rain might be on the horizon tomorrow, so the outdoor chores had to be done first.
Planting the boombox on the counter and cracking open the windows so she could hear her music loud and clear, she cranked up the volume and got to work.
Moving from bedroom to bedroom, she pulled the sheets and blankets from the beds, gathered the towels from the bathrooms and linen closets, and bundled everything into one big pile in the laundry room. There was only one machine, which meant it would take hours to finish every load. Best to get that going since she could work on other things while the machines did their job. Then she grabbed a stepladder from the garage, filled a bucket with soapy water, and tossed a big yellow sponge inside.
And that was how Mercury would find Yang, with the ladder propped up against the house wall. The bucket was balanced on the top step, and she was busily engaged scrubbing the grime off of the windows. Thick suds coasted down her arm, tracing the grooves of her painted arm and dripping from her elbow. Most of the windows were already washed down, still wet and glistening in the morning sun, and needed only to be rinsed with the coil of garden hose she'd hooked up to the spigot.
The window on the side of the garage had been broken, so she'd left that one alone except to seal it with a sheet of plastic and duct tape. Mercury was good with machines, maybe he was able to fix it. She figured she'd ask once he arrived.
WHAT: In exchange for three favors
WHEN: October 7th, 2017
WHERE: Genessia City
Houses were funny things. When people stopped living in them, they seemed to fall into disrepair, gathering dust, mold, and dirt seemingly much faster than they did when they were being used. It was as if they got lonely without people around.
Yang wasn't sure if she'd wind up living in this place permanently. She'd wanted to, because it was a goal they'd all worked toward years ago when she was first kicking around Genessia, and she liked the idea of falling asleep in a place that was likely still full of good memories.
But...
As she'd walked through the rooms, hearing the soft creak of floorboards and little else, she knew it wasn't going to satisfy that longing deep inside of her, the need for things to be what they once were. Blake and Ruby weren't here. Weiss was...different. Yang wasn't even sure her teammate still regarded her as a teammate anymore, and it was a strange, lonely feeling. Both Weiss and Sun didn't seem all that amenable to the possibility of renting the vacant house out to anyone else other than Yang, and the thought of being alone in a big empty space just didn't mesh well with who Yang was, or what she wanted to be.
Still, however things managed to shake out, she did want to clean it up so that it was comfortable and cozy...well, as "cozy" as a house of that size could be anyway...if not for herself then for Weiss. Yang had spent the previous days gathering up a host of supplies for the job -- dust cloths, laundry and dish detergent, a broom, a mop, sponges -- so that the place would be as good as new when she was finished. It was a big job for just one person, but honestly? Yang was looking forward to it. She had full use of both hands now, and she was so glad she didn't have to sweep with just her left arm anymore.
The addition of Mercury as a second helper was unexpected. She really hadn't believed him to be the kind of guy who was on board with any of this, but their playful banter had led to an arrangement of sorts. He'd help her out with the chores, and she'd owe him three favors to be agreed upon in the future. ...And there would be pineapple pizza and soda too, to seal the deal. She wasn't sure when he'd arrive to get started, but as for Yang herself, she headed out at daybreak, a stereo in one hand, and a bucket holding the last of the cleaning materials in the other. Her loose-fitting cargo pants were comfortable for housework, as was the snug orange tanktop that bared her right metal arm to the world. Yang's wild blonde hair was tied up into a thick ponytail to keep it out of the way, since the last thing she wanted was her pride and joy tumbling into the toilet while she was scrubbing out the water stains.
She made a list of everything that needed to be done so each item could be crossed off. The chores were separated by room, with asterisks next to the things she wanted to prioritize. After all, the weather was fine for today, but those clouds hinted that rain might be on the horizon tomorrow, so the outdoor chores had to be done first.
Planting the boombox on the counter and cracking open the windows so she could hear her music loud and clear, she cranked up the volume and got to work.
Moving from bedroom to bedroom, she pulled the sheets and blankets from the beds, gathered the towels from the bathrooms and linen closets, and bundled everything into one big pile in the laundry room. There was only one machine, which meant it would take hours to finish every load. Best to get that going since she could work on other things while the machines did their job. Then she grabbed a stepladder from the garage, filled a bucket with soapy water, and tossed a big yellow sponge inside.
And that was how Mercury would find Yang, with the ladder propped up against the house wall. The bucket was balanced on the top step, and she was busily engaged scrubbing the grime off of the windows. Thick suds coasted down her arm, tracing the grooves of her painted arm and dripping from her elbow. Most of the windows were already washed down, still wet and glistening in the morning sun, and needed only to be rinsed with the coil of garden hose she'd hooked up to the spigot.
The window on the side of the garage had been broken, so she'd left that one alone except to seal it with a sheet of plastic and duct tape. Mercury was good with machines, maybe he was able to fix it. She figured she'd ask once he arrived.
no subject
He didn't know what his three favors would be yet. He'd make damn good use of them though, that was for sure.
He hears her working well before he sees her, the music carrying loud and clear through the air as he lazily makes his way up towards the house with his hands in his pockets. He was dressed pretty casual - a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and he's finally swapped out his boots for something a little less combat-oriented. The jeans are long enough to keep his legs out of sight still, and he's wearing thick socks to make sure the inside of his shoes don't get shredded by the metal of his prosthetics.
When he spots her he slows his pace a little bit, observing silently for a few moments. Maybe checking her out. Probably checking her out. Definitely checking her out, who am I kidding the dude has no shame and no chill.
"Missed a spot."
He says, ever-so-helpfully.
no subject
It was just a shame they hadn't done this in summer, or the t-shirt wouldn't even be there.
Curling her fingers under the bucket handle, she backed down the ladder and turned to face him. "I don't suppose you know how to fix a broken window?" He'd dealt with the paperboy for a lot longer than she had, so there was a decent chance he had that necessary talent.
no subject
A busted window pane meant swapping the glass out, which he could only do if she already had a replacement pane ready and waiting. If it was more structural he might need wood, or some kind of strong sealant - it really came down to exactly how bad the damage was.
"Is that where I'm starting?"
no subject
It shouldn't, with the two of them working together, but she had no idea what kind of work ethic Mercury had, or if he'd even done chores as a kid.
She jutted her thumb over her shoulder and toward the garage, where the glass was definitely broken, and almost...Jaune-shaped.
"In our old place we just nailed a table over the window. I don't think that'll fly with Weiss this time, though," Yang chuckled. "Let me know what you need. I've got some tools in the garage, but it's mostly just for auto mechanics."
no subject
"Do you have another window pane? I can probably handle taking care of the window frame itself, but if you don't have anything to fill it with it's kind of pointless."
He didn't do chores as a kid in the traditional sense. He did a lot of clean-up, though, and there was no shortage of broken everything in his life growing up. His dad had destroyed furniture, doors, windows... and then left Mercury to put it back together, just so he could break it again.
Yeah, he could fix a window.
no subject
Yang blinked. "You know, that would be good to have around, wouldn't it..." Well now she just felt dumb. But it didn't dampen her spirits! She dug into her pocket to slip out the wad of red bills she'd earned from their bounty hunting. "I guess one of us can go to the store and pick up what you need while the other keeps working on the good windows. You want to give me a list, or is it better if I leave it to you?"
She really doubted he'd just take the money and run. His roommate, maybe, but he got paid big bucks for his job, what would he need with Yang's chump change?
no subject
A pause.
"Which is a saw you use with your hand, not a saw meant for removing hands. Figured you of all people might need that clarification."
He's allowed to make these jokes! He's missing twice as many limbs as she is!
"Aaaaand the measurements for the new window pane. Which, I'm going to take a wild guess here, you don't know."
no subject
"We could take out one of the non-broken window panes to carry back and match up to the ones at the store," she suggested.
Or they could use a tape measure, but she wasn't all that sure they had one of those.
Or string, but Yang was not a handyman and didn't even consider alternative methods of measurement.no subject
He asks, because of course that's going to be his first question when they're talking about trying to measure something.
"You know, you seem woefully unprepared for this whole house-restoration project. I would have thought you'd get this all sorted out before roping some poor unfortunate soul into helping out."
no subject
He was kinda right, though, she didn't have much of anything he needed to handle window repair. "I mean, if we need to hire a professional to take care of it, I can do that and we can just stick to cleaning for today. But honestly I'd kinda like to know how to fix the windows. I haven't subscribed to the newspaper yet, but I feel like this kind of tragedy is going to repeat itself a lot in the future."
no subject
He doesn't specify what old place he's talking about, whether it's somewhere here in Genessia or back in Remnant. It's not important enough to specify.
"So we can either get all of that stuff now, or focus on things that we can work on right this second. Your place, your call. I'm not living here, it makes no difference to me."
no subject
He seemed shrewd and quick in combat too. Yang had a feeling she was going to pick up some new tricks if they really did get around to sparring with each other, something she definitely needed if she wanted to improve.
"Well," she said, looking back at the window. "Let's do the stuff we can for now. When we're done cleaning up the outside, I'll give you money for the store and you can tackle the window while I get to work on the bathrooms." Even Yang wouldn't wish unclogging the shower drains on her worst enemy, not with 3/4 of their team having ridiculously long, thick hair. "So we've got washing the windows, cleaning out the gutters, sweeping the steps and porch, and replacing the light bulbs. Pick your favorite."
no subject
He offers, again, very helpfully. Sighing, he rolls his eyes in thought to decide which seems the least painful to deal with. Sweeping? Boring as hell. Washing the windows? Nahhhh. Replacing light bulbs? Somehow even more boring than the other two. At least the gutters will let him hang out on the roof.
"I'll tackle the gutters, then. I know you only have about one percent of the supplies you need for all of this work, but do you have any kind of gloves handy?"
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
After one sweet cleaning montage...
Besides, she thought as she walked outside in between tasks and caught a glimpse of the newly repaired window, Mercury was...nice to have around. Useful, sure, but she was starting to really enjoy his company.
Yeah... Nice. Definitely nice.
Between the two of them, they managed to blitz through Yang's list of chores in time for a late dinner. The kitchen and bathrooms sparkled, the bedrooms were warm and inviting, and the stabbed air conditioner was removed from the window and tossed in the trash. Eventually Yang would have to look into installing central air conditioning, or at least a ceiling fan, but for now? The deep cleaning was a huge improvement on making this place seem like a home again. All the place really needed now was her old teammates. But that was one thing neither Mercury nor Yang could fix.
After phoning an order for the pineapple and ham pizza she'd promised, Yang excused herself to hit the showers and wash off the nose-stinging smell of chemicals that lingered in her hair and skin. It felt good to wash off the grime, and if her thoughts replayed the memory of Mercury's heart thumping proud and strong against her chest...well, he didn't have to know. She just smiled to herself and closed her eyes as she thoroughly shampooed her hair.
Padding barefoot into the living room in a pair of shorts and a soft, baggy sweater, Yang glanced surreptitiously left and right before stealing the DVD "What We Did in the Shadows" and nesting it firmly in the case of "Steel Primroses."
And not a second too soon, for she saw the twin beams of the pizza deliveryboy's headlights swing into the driveway. "MERCURY! PIZZA'S HERE!" she called out over her shoulder. She paid for the order, gave a decent tip, and carried the flat cardboard box to the coffee table. Next to that she laid out napkins and a six-pack of ice cold
Fizzbitchcola."Steel Primroses" sat on top of the pizza box just waiting to be cherished.
Yang pulled her legs onto the sofa and crossed them beneath her, ruffling the towel through her wet hair before flipping her mane over the back of the couch to let it dry. She wasn't about to let a hair dryer touch these locks, go to hell split ends.
no subject
He has no goddamn idea.
The work itself wasn't terribly interesting but Yang brought a certain energy to everything she did, an attitude that was sometimes gutsy, sometimes dorky, but admittedly it was never dull. For Mercury, that was always priority one - stay entertained. Yang was good at that, and the fact that he didn't end a day of housework yearning to drive his head through a brick wall was testament enough to that.
He washed up in a different shower (not, mind you, without teasing that they could exercise some teamwork in handling that, too - Yang had pretty blatantly shut that idea down), using the body wash he'd thought to bring since Yang had mentioned that she could use the shower when they were done. He'd gotten pretty good at determining what smells he did and didn't care for throughout his time here, and this 'Old Spice' stuff never did him wrong.
He considered going with shorts and staying barefoot, himself - but metal feet and hardwood floors don't get along well, so his shoes are the same at the very least. Gray sweatpants covered his lower half this time around, and while he had been sorely tempted to push his luck by coming out shirtless, he--
oh wait, no, that's exactly what he did.
There's a black t-shirt slung over his shoulder as he wanders out upon being called, skin and hair still damp as he wanders out to the living room where Yang waits on the sofa. His eyes wander from her, to the pizza, to... a movie? His nose scrunches up as he steps into her line of sight, leaning forward to pick up the DVD with a raised eyebrow.
"Steel Primroses? Never heard of it. You're not putting some sappy crap on, are you?"
no subject
Hell yeah.
The skepticism about the movie just sweetened the deal, enough that she could ignore the Old Spice. "I promised you chick flicks. I didn't fail to deliver," she said with the biggest shit-eating grin the world had ever seen.
There was no way he was going to touch the DVD, which let her play with the prank a little longer. Unfolding her legs she rolled herself forward off of the couch, removed the true DVD and slid it into the machine. Then she plopped back down, hoarding the remote in her hands.
"You smell like my dad," she smirked up at him, powering up the TV. "Have a seat, grab a slice!"
no subject
"Chick flicks," he repeated numbly, eyebrows lowering a bit, "You know, just this once I would have forgiven you for not keeping your word. Seriously. Free pass."
He heaves a sigh - the food is here, take solace in that. He grabs his first slice while she goes about getting the movie ready, breathing in the smell of it with a content little hum. Chick flick be damned, the pizza smelled delicious. He would persevere. He's about to sit down when she offers her opinion of his scent of choice, and his lips twist into a crooked sort of grin as he replies.
"Feel free to call me daddy, then."
You'd think the dude with serious father issues would maybe not be so okay with that, but he keeps that sort of thing pretty compartmentalized. Kinks usually don't bleed over. Lucky him! He flops back onto the couch with a solid whumpf, hesitating a moment before leaning a bit towards her. Sniffing. Not as creepy as Metal Head had done, and besides, she whiffed him first.
"You smell like... an obnoxious scented candle store."
Charming.
no subject
His comment earned a smile. And a throw pillow slammed against his chest. "Sometimes I wonder how it is a sweet-talker like you is still single. The world is full of mysteries."
Then she pushed play, setting the remote aside so she could pick up a piece of pizza for herself, dousing it liberally with red pepper flakes. The flicker of a documentary logo swept over the television screen. Probably a preview.
OR WAS IT.
"The house looks great by the way," she grinned at him. "You did good work." Then she sank her teeth into the pizza and chewed in satisfaction. She was starving, and the food tasted heavenly.
no subject
He crosses one leg over the other, taking a bite of his pizza while watching the logo flash by. He's not paying it much mind. He's already preparing to zone out the screen and try to amuse himself otherwise. He'll manage it somehow.
Or leave once he's finished his pizza. Either/or.
"Did you expect otherwise? Why dear, I'm hurt." His fingertips fan over his bare chest, and he feigns his best pout. "Surely, you don't think so little of your darling husband, do you? Is our marriage in shambles already? I can't afford couples therapy!"
no subject
It worked, if that was the case. And she giggled. For someone who wasn't going to commit, he sure seemed to enjoy playing the part of someone who would. And since it wasn't going to go there, then there was no harm in just pretending and having fun with it.
She still couldn't believe he'd prefer that to the 'Shag' option, though.
"You know, I think you have a tough time taking compliments...darling," she returned the endearment, laying her own fingertips to her heart. "Maybe you should work on that so we can get back to our perfect domestic bliss."
For a chick flick, it sure was opening rather ominously, with a booming old bell ringing against a black background.
no subject
Not bad, Blondie. Not bad.
He shifts his gaze back to the screen again - frowning, for a moment, in slight confusion.
"I may not exactly be an expert on chick flicks, but this doesn't seem like the standard opening sequence."
no subject
She pulled her gaze from Mercury's profile to the television screen and made a surprised face.
"Whaaaat? There must be some mistake! Maybe someone put the wrong DVD in the case and didn't realize it!" She bit her pizza, furrowing her brow. "You're right. I should fix that~" she grinned, making a motion to rise from the couch.
no subject
His arm shoots out on in front of her before she can start to rise, pressing against her opposite shoulder to urge her back into the couch. He's giving her a look, something of appraisal that leads to amusement. Did she actually pick out a different movie so he wouldn't hate it, but prank him into thinking otherwise?
His smile widens a bit, and it's something less suggestive and more... what's that word. Happy?
"You know what, let's just see how it goes. Maybe we won't hate it."
no subject
"Maybe," she echoed, relaxing herself to drift back into a casual recline. Her good hand came up to give his forearm a light pat. "Maybe you'll even have a good time. Crazier things have happened!"
Yang shrugged and turned back to the screen with an easygoing smile. ...Buuuut she did steal a little sideglance, just to admire his face one more time. She'd never be able to pull this same prank again, so she had better appreciate the results while she still could.
no subject
He settles back into place on his side of the couch, finally (unfortunately?) pulling his t-shirt over his head to actually wear it before the movie gets in too far. He grabs for another slice of pizza after inhaling the rest of his slice, reclining similarly as he fixed his eyes on the screen.
... A sideglance, coincidentally timed moments after her eyes return to the movie. Just to look.
Then it's eyes forward once more, legs sprawling out a bit as the movie went on.
"Maybe we'll have to trash your place again at some point. Give me an excuse to swing by."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)