A/N: Takes place in 6x8 after JNR learned what Jinn had revealed.

The Bow – Bumbleby

The silent walk through downtown Argus soon became animated, a small favor Blake was grateful for. Yang had started if off, striking up conversation with Nora on the best places to eat, and that set the hammer wielder back to her usual peppy mood. She frequently ran ahead of the group, pointing out every restaurant, cafe and diner, describing everything about them and her favorite dish from each one. Occasionally Jaune and Ren would chime in with their opinions but Nora would shift topics too fast for anyone but Yang to really keep up.

Blake did try her best to stay involved with the conversations, not only because she missed her friends, but also to distract herself from how the occasional passerby looked at her. How some people pointedly moved to the other side of the sidewalk—or even crossing the street entirely—when she was spotted. How many double takes made between her and her group of friends were made once her ears were spotted. Blake knew they were infrequent enough occurrences. The majority of the Argus population didn't notice or didn't seem to care. Yet she still found herself hyper attuned to each and every minor side eye she received.

As the group rounded a corner, a small shop to her right caught her eye. It was an accessory shop, lit up with tiny lights and glittery décor to grab the eye of anyone walking past. The front display window featured various ribbons, bows, scarves and hats in all colors of the rainbow. Blake stopped to look at everything through her reflection. Her eyes rested on one particular golden ribbon tied atop the head of a mannequin. Her eyes refocused on her reflection, which she now noticed lined up perfectly with the ribbon on display. Her ears sagged and she held one arm, unable to look away from her mirrored self "wearing" the bow. It was partially her fault they couldn't get access to the military base earlier. Sure, the fights Maria and Nora had gotten into didn't help. But maybe they could have another chance, if she could just pass as human again…

Another reflection joined her own and she turned to find Yang stopping just a couple feet away. Her brow was furrowed slightly and Blake couldn't tell if it was from irritation or concern. She opened her mouth to say something, but Yang beat her to it.

"Are you okay?"

The simple question came out much gentler than the brawlers appearance let on. Blake's ears went flat on her head as she replied honestly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just doing a little window shopping. Sorry for keeping you behind." She watched as Yang's lilac eyes watched her before looking at the shop window. Blake followed her gaze, turning back to the bow that she had been staring at before. "Getting access to a ship of some kind might be easier-"

"If we were all 'human'?"

The bluntness of the comment took the Faunus slightly off guard. It wasn't completely surprising she had said it. Yang was smart. It was one of her favorite qualities about her. Even the blunt and honest side of her was something Blake found so appealing. But the sudden brashness in which Yang had completed her train of thought put a new spin onto the whole concept for Blake. As if saying it aloud like that cemented the idea. A pang of guilt squeezed on her heart as she watched Yang stare at the bow on the mannequin. The blonde frowned a little harder before looking back at Blake, her expression instantly softening.

"Buying that isn't something you need to do," she said, her voice quiet but stern.

"You're right. I don't have to. But we all heard what Commander Caroline said this afternoon," Blake paused for a moment, looking down at her boots, "We can't let Weiss go alone. But we won't make it far getting stopped at every checkpoint. It'll take even longer than it already has. And I don't want to have Ruby worry more about keeping all of us equally safe."

Yang shifted her weight to one leg. "I thought you said you were done running," she said, crossing her arms.

Blake jerked her head upwards to stare at her, her mouth falling open slightly. The realization that she had once again elected to run away from a problem hit her like a truck. After all she had been through, all her resolve to not leave ever again… and here she was, subconsciously falling back into her old habits. After a couple of seconds, Yang let out a quiet exhale, averting her eyes from Blake momentarily.

"...Sorry. That came out worse than intended. I meant...you really don't need to hide who you are anymore."

"Atlas isn't as accepting, Yang," Blake started.

"And if anyone starts anything with you, they'll have to deal with me."

Blake blinked a couple times, her eyes widening at her partner. Whatever wall Yang had been trying to keep between them since their reunion had been crumbling fast. And for the first time since the Brunswick farm, Blake saw it was completely gone in that moment. Yang coughed lightly, deciding to focus back on the shop window.

"Ruby and Weiss too. And everyone else. They'll have to get through all of us before they can even think about getting to you," she paused for a moment to smile, "If you thought Nora was mad earlier, think about how she'd be if she caught someone saying something to you."

Blake tried, but ultimately failed, at stifling a snicker, which turned into giggling that evolved into laughter. The sheer thought of her own team and Jaune and Ren holding back Nora against some racist in Atlas was enough to break Blake out of her gloom. When she settled herself down, she looked back at Yang, a gleam of something different behind her eyes.

"Thank you, Yang," she said with a smile.

Yang shrugged one shoulder, unable to contain her own smile. "What are partners for?"

They stood there for what felt like hours, Blake feeling her heart rate pick up and her cheeks getting warmer the longer their calm staring contest went on. Yang eventually unfolded her arms and turned her body halfway away.

"Come on, we should catch up with Jaune and the others before Nora eats the whole restaurant."

Blake nodded in agreement, half skipping to Yang and falling in place at her side. "By the way, where did you guys decide on going?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"I suggested a seafood place," Yang answered, keeping her eyes ahead of her, "Nora liked the idea, and Jaune and Ren had no objections."

"You suggested that? I thought you didn't care much for fish."

Yang glanced over at her. "Yeah, I don't. But you love it."

Blake tilted her head further, processing what she had just heard. Too many questions appeared on her tongue and for the life of her, she couldn't get any of them out. She settled for watching her partner, her ears perked up completely to absorb anything she would say.

"I figured you hadn't had a proper seafood meal in a while. And with how crazy the past couple days have been… you more than deserve it," she paused to look at the Faunus again, a smirk on her lips, "And no, those gross shrimp beans Ruby and Weiss found don't count."

"Those weren't that bad," Blake said with a shrug.

"Blake." Yang looked at her, her expression deadpanning, "those were disgusting. And expired."

Blake just laughed it off, her heart fluttering a little watching Yang laugh along with her. This was the Yang she had been oh so close with back at Beacon. The one that charmed her way into her heart. She no longer noticed any stares, glares, or any other slights sent her way. For all Blake cared, it was only her and the bright and warm light beside her in the world. She happened to glance down and see Yang walking with her arms at her sides. She got the overwhelming urge to reach out and take her hand. She stopped herself, lightly clenching and unclenching her own hand as she weighed the options. She shouldn't push her luck further. Yang was in a good mood, and she really didn't want to ruin it. Again.

And yet…

Steeling herself, Blake reached out and gently slid her hand into Yang's, lightly curling her fingers around her partners. Yang faltered for only a second, looking between Blake's face and their hands a couple times. Blake's ears drooped slightly as she contemplated taking her hand back, an apology already forming in her throat. An apology that wasn't needed, as Yang gave her hand the lightest of squeezes in return. She held tight to her, not enough to remotely hurt, but enough to let Blake know she wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon. If Blake was in a good mood before, she was just about on cloud nine now. She kept her focus head of her, fighting back the heat growing in her cheeks and ears.

As they continued on, Blake fought the urge to speak her mind. She wanted to say how lucky she felt to have Yang back in her life. How she missed her in Menagerie, how proud she was of her getting back on her feet, thanks for accepting her back so easily… even how much she cared about her. She had been pretty lucky so far today. Perhaps saying something now would be the right thing to do. And why not? She gave their entwined hands another look to give her that last ounce of courage. Just as she opened her mouth, she was interrupted before she could start.

"THERE you are! We were gonna send a search party soon!"

At the end of the block, Nora was jumping in place, waving her arms at the couple. Yang waved back with an apology and a lie about getting lost. Despite them catching up completely and entering the restaurant, Yang refused to let go of Blake's hand. That was more than enough for the Faunus. Perhaps after they got back to the Cotta-Arc house, she'd be able to talk with Yang. Until then, she was perfectly content as she was.