Menagerie was welcoming, it radiated a feeling of comfort and invited all who had been running too long. It provided a safe haven for those who were tired, who wanted to rest.

Blake didn't feel calm.

She'd seen her parents, her mother was overjoyed to see her and greeted her with all the love of a caring parent. Her father seemed pleased to see her, but Blake was frequently reminded of the terms that had least seen each other on. They weren't pleasant, she felt like she was walking on cracking ice, about to slip through.

But Sun was there to pull her up from sliding and falling, a strong arm to keep her up when she felt like the world was crumbling around her. He hadn't left his charm on the ship, his friendliness was brighter than ever when meeting her parents. He was a true ray of sunshine that her family needed. Despite her father's disapproving looks and threatening glances, Sun's attitude wasn't dampened.

The halls felt familiar, but empty. Memories flashed by too quickly, she wanted to reach out and hold them there, relive the childhood that she'd spent growing up in the largest house with the most loving parents she could ask for. But then they were gone, fast as lightning and out like a light.

Blake paced out on the balcony, the creaking of the food providing little comforting noise as it protested against her movements across it's face. The chairs set up around the smaller area wasn't inviting, she didn't want to be still, she always wanted to move.

Always to run.

No. She was done running. She had told herself that on the ship. She'd told Sun that she was done running, that she was facing her problems head on.

So why did she want to run from her family?

"Careful, you'll wear out the floor."

Blake snapped her head up, her ears standing to attention as her eyes landed on her mother in the doorway. Her hand was on the doorframe, her kind golden eyes staring into Blake's.

She felt like she was a child again.

"Mom." Blake sighed as she leaned against the railing. Kali chuckled, her footsteps padding lightly across the wood, the material remained quiet. Kali lifted her hand to place it gently on her daughter's shoulder, a reminder that she wasn't alone.

"What's wrong, Blake? You've seemed agitated since you came home. Your father and I missed you. We were worried when Beacon fell." Kali said, her eyebrows bending as her ears flattened against her head, her eyes reflecting off the lamp dangling from one of the posts.

"Nothing. I'm fine, Mom." Blake shook her head, her hand reaching up to hold her mother's hand. Kali tilted her head before a small smile pulled at her lips.

"Sun's a very interesting boy. You like him?"

"Mom!"

"Just asking! He's a very nice boy. He suits you well, Blake." Kali brushed the offending stray hairs out of Blake's eyes and rested her hand lightly on Blake's cheek.

"Sun has a good heart. One of the best." Blake admitted as she smiled, the thought of the blonde monkey faunus bringing a cheery mood despite his absence.

"He talks a bit. A bit unlike you, but that's a good thing. He talks enough for the two of you."

"He means well, Mom."

"Oh, I know. Your father however..."

"Dad's never liked the boys I spend time with." Blake pointed out, crossing her arms and giving a small frown.

"He just doesn't want to lose you. Not yet." Kali reminded as she dropped her hands from her daughter.

"I know."

Kali's ear twitched and she gave a short chuckle before turning around and walking towards the doorway.

"Here comes our guest. I'll leave you two alone." Kali said with a grin before sliding the door shut behind her and leaving Blake on the balcony.

The night was peaceful, it was quiet and she felt comfortable. She'd always been comfortable with night and shadows, they were easiest to hide in, to escape and run away.

"Hey, Blake!"

Blake turned her head to smile at Sun as he approached her with a bouncy gate, his energy never ending. He already had a grin gracing his face, lighting up his features in the brightest way possible.

He was a beacon of light in the darkness. He was a candle that never flickered out, he always burned bright to give others light, but he never faded. His light was stable, strong, he wasn't defeated.

"Good evening, Sun." Blake greeted as Sun placed his arms on the railing beside her, his head remaining faced in her direction. The grin never disappeared.

"Feels like to be off a boat, right? Neptune would hate it!" Sun chuckled, a wonderful sound that Blake hadn't remembered liking so much back at Beacon. Blake really wished she had his attitude, to be carefree and happy and not worry.

Though he'd have to worry at some occasions.

Like when he thought she wasn't going to go to the dance with him.

"Yeah, Neptune definitely wouldn't like it." Blake agreed, her tone lifting with humor as she giggled quietly in thought of Sun's teammate being stranded on a boat for weeks.

Blake's laughter diminished and the night swallowed them with silence. Sun didn't remove his gaze from Blake and tilted his head to look at her better.

"Hey, you okay?" Sun asked as he tried to meet her eyes. Blake frowned a little and propped her heel up on the railing behind her.

"I don't know. I'm home, I've seen my parents. There hasn't been any fighting, they seem to like you, but I feel like something's going to go wrong." Blake swallowed as she leaned her head back and let out a sigh through her nose.

"It'll be fine. You've got great folks, you know. I don't think your dad likes me though." Sun smiled a little sadly as he looked down at the pool of trees below them. Blake turned and rested her hand on his forearm, Sun immediately lifted his head to look at Blake.

"He'll come around. He just doesn't like boys that spend time with me." Blake smiled, a small attempt to make Sun feel better. Sun nodded and smiled, understanding reflecting in his sea blue eyes.

"I hope he does soon, I feel like he's glaring daggers into me." Sun teased, though Blake heard the seriousness in his tone. Blake leaned her head on Sun's shoulder and let out a content sigh.

"Then I'll be your shield." Blake hummed as her ear tickled Sun's chin. Sun chuckled quietly, keeping his body somewhat stationary as his tail wrapped around Blake's arm.

Moments ticked by, forever cementing the moment in memory. The peace and silence that passed between them was soothing, the wind brushing by and blowing cool air at them as the night chilled the air and left the world void of the sun's heat.

Yet Blake was warm and comfortable. Time seemed to slip through her fingers.

"It's getting late. I'm going to bed." Blake said after what seemed like hours. Sun nodded and rolled his shoulder once she removed her head from it's place. Sun beamed at her, though she could see the fatigue in his eyes.

"Goodnight, Blake." Sun grinned. Blake reached up to lightly cup his cheek. She pushed up onto her tip toes and gently kissed Sun on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Sun."