As Sun reentered the bedroom, he found Blake standing next to the door to the balcony and pulling it closed. He was thankful for her initiative, as the room seemed to have gotten even colder as the night had dragged on. With the thick paper door closed, the room descended into a heavy shade of darkness, though both faunus present were able to see each other perfectly well. Their eyes locked, and Blake began to make her way back to the bed with silent steps as she kept her gaze held upon him.

"Better?"

"I think so, yeah. A lot of things just kinda started to build up, and I got a little overwhelmed," he replied. Sun joined his friend upon the bed, and sat on the edge with his legs crossed while she took up her previous position in the center. The two simply stared at each other for a while, Blake looking unsure and Sun looking tired, until she decided to speak.

"…I think I understand. There have been a few times on this trip where I wanted to… do that, too. What were you doing out in the halls, though?"

Sun frowned a little, knowing that he would have to lie… though he didn't need to lie about everything he'd been doing.

"Well, I was looking for you, actually. I know you've been upset and anxious for most of the day, and I know I didn't exactly help that, when your parents brought us in for tea."

Blake raised a hand to stop his words, and for a moment, Sun was very much reminded of her father's dismissive gesturing. Hers, however, was slower. Softer. Driven by concern, rather than annoyance.

"Sun… it's fine. It was just awkward, because we haven't seen each other in so long. Well, that, and the fact that my dad is a huge dork."

The monkey faunus let his tail sweep gently along the wooden floor as he listened intently. "I wouldn't say that, I'd just say he's… protective of you. Very protective, and maybe a little worried."

"But I don't need protection!" Blake's ears flattened as her voice strained with the words. Sun fell silent, and gave her the opportunity to continue. It was nearly a full minute before she took it. During that time, she rubbed gingerly at the exposed flesh of her left arm, and stared down into her lap. "I mean… without you, I may never have made it here, but we worked together. We had each other's backs, and that's how it's been for a while now. My dad wants to shelter me from everything, especially now that I came back after he was right about the White Fang, but I don't need him to shield me. Especially not from you."

A whole host of mixed feelings swirled within Sun's chest, and he felt lighter than air. It seemed that Blake was at least partially on his side, though he knew that he needed to play his cards carefully… especially when minor deceptions were to be involved.

"Blake… give him a little credit. If I was in his position, I probably would've acted the same w-"

"No, Sun, I don't think you would have. That's what I wanted to talk to you about- your behavior." At her words, he reached up and begin to scratch at the back of his head. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but he had serious trouble fighting back a slight frown. He had been talked to about 'his behavior' multiple times in the past, usually from his professors, and he had a feeling he knew where the conversation was about to go.

He was wrong.

"Sun… ever since I set out, you've been watching over me, and keeping me safe, but you do it without smothering me. I don't think I've ever just said… thanks?" Blake's ears perked ever so slightly from their flattened position, and she looked up at him with a bashful glance. "Yes, I was annoyed at first, because I figured you were trying to sweep in and play the hero, but everything you've done has been out of support, instead of trying to 'rescue' me. That's really all I want, especially right now. I don't want you to think I haven't noticed, or that it isn't appreciated."

Sun was never the quickest at processing information, and the unveiled praise from his object of affection seeped through his mind with little urgency. It took him far, far too long to accept what the words meant, especially coming from Blake of all people, and he was unable to parse just how much his actions meant to her. After a good ten seconds of silence, a subtle blush found host upon his cheeks, and he resumed the scratching of his head that he hadn't realized had stopped.

"Aw, Blake, it's… nothing. Nothing at all," Sun unintentionally lied. In truth, he had spent a great deal of time and energy worrying about how much support was too much for her, and obsessively reviewing his actions around her. "I just… do my thing, and try my best to help out. 'cause I care." That part, at least, was true.

"I know. I care, too. I'm not great at showing it, but I want to start, a little more." Blake shifted onto her knees, sinking a bit into the mattress as she did so. She hesitated, before rolling her shoulders in a catlike motion. "Lay down for me?"

For the second time that night, Sun found his body on autopilot as he slipped his legs and tail up onto the bed and flopped onto his stomach, facing the foot of the bed. He folded his arms beneath his head, hoping that Blake wouldn't ask him to transition to laying on his back. Fortunately, she didn't, and instead moved to straddle his lower back. Part of Sun wanted to cry out in surprise, and another, specific part of him felt like it may well burst into flame. His mind screamed at him to press her for her feelings toward him, but against his desires, he held back.

"Uh, Blake, whatcha doing back there…?"

"Hopefully easing your mind. If you make this awkward, I will leave." A pair of icy hands found its way to the top of Sun's shoulders, and he tensed horribly as he tried to get used to the sensation, and the incredible feeling of Blake atop him.

"Yep, shutting up now," he cut in, before feeling a harsh slap across the back of his head. "Hey! I thought you were trying to make me feel better?"

"If you go silent on me, that's going to make this so much worse. Just… talk to me, alright? Is your stomach feeling any better?" Blake began to knead at his aching muscles, and the motions reminded him a bit of a cat sharpening her claws against a post.

"Much. You sure you're alright with this?"

"I would be, if you'd just relax. Your back feels like a rock," she retorted. Sun took a deep breath, and made a conscious effort to simply let go of all of his pent-up misgivings and feelings. So what if Ghira walked in on them? He wouldn't attack him in front of Blake.

Probably.

"So, Blake, uh… you said we needed to go shopping?"

"Yes." She continued to knead and pull at his muscles, working expertly to turn his back into what felt like putty. Sun fought back the urge to let out a moan, knowing that it would just elicit another slap, and counted his blessings that she couldn't see the front of his shorts at that moment. "They may be my parents, but we're not freeloading off of them during our stay."

"Yeah, I get it. I'll pitch in, too." Sun squirmed a bit, before letting out a sigh of content.

"That better not mean stealing, Sun. This is my hometown, and if my parents find out about that side of you… you're getting kicked out. I won't, and can't stop that." She pressed her palms into the small of his back, just between her thighs, and he felt something pop. He groaned and closed his eyes.

"You're… really good at this, Blake," he offered, only to receive an unseen roll of yellow eyes behind him. "And hey, I haven't stolen since I started following you, and I wouldn't do that here. Promise." Or ever again, since it upsets you, he thought to himself.

It was a vow that he knew he would likely have trouble keeping, but for her? It was worth it.

"Okay." She paused, her palms resting heavily against his spine, where they had elicited a satisfying pop before. Sun knew that such a moment meant no talking, and he closed his eyes to help settle into position. Muffled sounds of island insects filtered through the paper door to the balcony, and the muted, heavy sound of wind rushing against the side of the house helped to fill the silence. Finally, she spoke once again, though it took an eternity for her to get three simple words out.

"I… trust you."

In all of his time with Blake, Sun had come to learn what a big deal the T word was with her, and he knew that she wasn't a fan of making moments stand out, positive or otherwise. He simply smiled into his arm, satisfied with the admission. It was a step. A big step. Her hands started to move again, tracing their way up and under his shoulder blades.

"I feel the same way. Let's just live one day at a time, for now, and we'll figure out the future when we get there. Sound good?" His tail started to move slowly back and forth, following its own willpower. Sun let out a massive yawn, and began to feel himself slipping away.

"That's what I would prefer, yes. I have a lot to discuss with my parents, and I want to discuss almost none of it. Not to mention, the White Fang being on the island…"

"Hey," Sun interrupted with a groggy drawl. "You just said one step at a time. We'll run errands, and then you can take a day to sort things out with your parents. If you want to talk afterward, about some things you do want to discuss with me, I'm always ready to listen." Another yawn broke through the night air, and Sun turned his head to the side before resting it once again against his forearm.

"Maybe," Blake said. Slowly and carefully, she lowered herself down atop his back, and pressed her chest against his muscles. She traced her hands around his shoulders once again, before trailing them down his arms and stopping near his elbows. Blake leaned in close to his ear, and whispered.

"…Sun?"

Blake waited, her breath heavy in her chest as she remained in place. All that she received in return was the sound of a gentle snore.

Author's Note: The story has only just begun. I feel that at this point I should probably mention that I intend to follow the events of RWBY canon loosely, and I have a definite endgame for this story in mind. Expect a rollercoaster ride and more than just cushy romance as things get moving.

-RD