An Indulgent Pause

an animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language

A simple black bow; bending into her hair, covering much more than suspected, reflecting beauty in the simplest of forms. Her sharp dress is both surprising and utterly expected. Heels cover her feet and one might think she had put more effort into the affair than she led on. The young faunas' Gambol Shroud, is available via a small holster on her back. Blake's eyes lit with embers never before adored.

A black jacket; flowing open around his body, showing pristine physical attributes, mirroring freedom within spirit. His usual blue cargo pants and white belt matched with bright yellow sneakers, ever a fashion statement. The surprisingly cleaned bandages lace his ankles still, even for such a posh event. A white tie uncomfortably sits on his neck, nearly covering his lineage emblem. Practical wrist bracers colored red accompany Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang, his hidden weapons. Sun's dark eyes softened in the twinkling lights.

"I like the dress," His hands gingerly held her lower back as they swayed.

Blake turned her ember orbs down, "I- thank you."

Sun smirked down at her flustered expression, "Are you enjoying your night?"

"Of course," This was the third slow dance to play between about twenty upbeat tunes. They had danced through most.

His head ducked just a bit lower to speak into her ear, "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Where else can we go?"

"For a walk. Or a lone dance out in the courtyard. You lead the way," He let a proud smile form on to his lips, a gust of belonging surging through him.

Blake pulled back and looked up at his pointed features, "Either one of those works for me."

"Then lead."

A soft smile grew on her face.

None of the other members of RWBY and SSSN noticed the pair slip out the doors. Those infiltrating the premises were otherwise preoccupied and allowed them to sneak out as well. All other teams with any interest in the two faunas' lives gave them no attention either. The pair was in a vast sea of opportunity, just waiting for the other to dive in.

The couple left hand in hand, completely oblivious to the new development.

"This is nice," Sun commented as they strolled down a few pathways.

She took delight in the way his hair moved with the wind, how his tooth-infested grin shook her entire world.

He chuckled, glancing over at her, "I have no idea where we're going."

Looking around them, Blake realized that she hadn't the faintest idea why they were there, "Me... either."

"Oh," His eyebrows raised in mock humor, "I really hope your joking."

"I know where we are... I just hadn't been taking you anywhere," Her face squished together with embarrassment while her eyes widened, hoping he wasn't upset with her. Her hand slipped from his.

Sun took his opportunity, "I'm glad staring at me can make you completely oblivious to the environment around you. It's flattering."

"Uh," Blake's mouth hung low and her eyes showed only surprise, "I was not."

"You're a horrible liar."

"I am not."

He pulled her other hand into his grasp and made her look at him straight on, "You are impossible."

"You're very observant."

"Are you?" She knit her eyebrows together at his question just as some unknown force pulled her from the waist, closer to the monkey.

In the shock of the moment, a quick glance behind her confirmed that his golden tail had scooped her up. Her petite hands now rested upon his chest, half on bare skin and half holding fabric. She felt her face heat up and watched as his strong hands caressed her soft features. Blake nervously bit her lip, ember meeting grey in the night's light.

"I'm going to do something.." Sun's voice broke the rigid silence.

Blake finished for him, "Just do it already."

Within that brief moment, their eyes communicated all their want and understanding of the situation. She noticed how the darkness of his orbs were intermingled with a whiter shade of grey. He wanted to build a million fires to imitate the passion in her eyes.

Sun ducked his head down to capture her lips in his own. They were gentle and lingering. Having all control, yet wanting more of the current satisfaction. His hands stayed caressing her face, never wanting her to leave them. She gripped on to his jacket with more force than she would like to admit. The pair got lost but neither one wanted to stop. Neither one wanted to leave the others embrace.

Blake slowly pulled away; she needed air, she needed confirmation, she needed to see that it really was him.

Even as they parted, he kept his face close to hers. As they began vigorously breathing in the same air, they each became lightheaded. It was very sudden but Sun caught the tender smile painted on her lips. His hands fell to her shoulders. She stared up into his eyes, silently begging him to speak and make this moment the beginning of something much more than either one of them could comprehend. It was that look that gave him the courage, and it would be that same look to carry him on through several years thereafter.

"I have wanted to do that," Sun let out a shaky breath, "Sense that first day."

Blake blinked a considerable amount before blushing.

He continued, "I have been chasing you around for weeks, Blake. I know more about you than just about anyone and I'm willing to defend that."

"Sun," Her voice was breathy and she had no idea what she wanted to say or how to get it out, in the open. They needed this.

Weeks of circling each other finally coming to a head.

He nodded his head and closed his eyes briefly, "I want to be with you. I want to lay around and read books with you. I want to wake up in the morning with your crazy long hair in my face. I want to be able to kiss you anytime, or anywhere, because I'll know you won't reject me. I want to live with you, Blake. I want- I just need you."

Her features were raw, explaining everything she couldn't put into words.

"I like you. Too much to begin to explain, because I really don't even understand why. You're irritable, cranky, way too silent, and you hold everything in. But I honestly really, really like all of that. Every ounce of you, I adore. So, I'm just going to shut up now... before you slap me... or I start digging my own grave..." Sun's words started to fade and his tail let go of her waist, his hands fell to his sides.

"Sun-" She began to saw but couldn't get any of the emotion out. She had to show him instead.

As their lips met a second time, more hungry and lust-filled than the previous, they received the beginning they so clearly deserved.