AN: I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited and subscribed so far. I never imagined I'd get this sort of response with an Eclipse/BlackSun story, but alas, there are others sailing my favorite RWBY ship after all!

Disclaimer: RWBY and its characters are the property of RoosterTeeth. This fiction is a work of entertainment and will not be used for commercial means.

Blake felt her face turn twelve different shades of red.

Sun sat on the closest bed with her notebook wide open in his hands. Her ears burned white-hot and her blush grew even more fiery when she saw the open page. On it was her drawing from class: Sun, naked in the candlelight, his eyes glimmering with lust, his muscles well-defined and his groin area only partially concealed by the 'tasteful' shadow the lighting cast. Her stomach twisted, her heart raced, her breath caught in her throat.

This can't be happening! How the hell will I ever explain this to him? Why did he open the book to begin with?!

"B-Blake!" Sun cried. In a panic, he slammed the notebook closed and jumped up from the bed with his hands reaching out in surrender. "T-This, it isn't what it looks like! I-I just... I didn't mean to..."

She barely heard him through her shame. This was worse than normal embarrassment. This was her most romantic and sensual feelings, her most personal and sensitive possession, all out in the open. And even worse, it was Sun for God's sake! Sun of all people, the one who inspired her erotic drawings in the first place, the one who made her feel all tingly inside. Her chest heaved as she began to hyperventilate. Why did she even draw those damn sketches to begin with? Even Blake had yet to understand how or why it started. And if she couldn't understand it, how could she possibly explain anything to Sun? How could she possibly salvage their friendship after this?

The stress and panic built in her chest to the point of suffocation. She wasn't in control. Her feelings had been revealed. She felt unsafe, so emotionally unsafe because now Sun knew everything. Her eyes were glued to the book in Sun's hands.

Face red as Ruby's cloak, tears filling her eyes, Blake let out an indignant scream.

"Sun, how could you?!" she cried.

He stumbled backward. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know..."

"Didn't know what?!" Blake yelled, stomping forward. She fought back the tears threatening to spill out. Her heart was a jackhammer against her ribs. Her breathing grew more labored. "That you should respect my privacy?"

Sun matched every pace of Blake's with a timid step back. "No! I-I didn't mean to look." He let out a nervous squeak as his back hit the wall.

Blake stopped no more than a foot in front of him. Her arms were weak. Her entire body felt sapped of strength. She stood in silence, frozen as the rage and shock boiled inside her heart. Sun glanced down at the notebook in his hands, eyes like a whipped puppy's. He slowly extended the hand holding the notebook, offering it to Blake.

"I... promise not to tell anyone. I'm the only one who saw the sketches," he said quietly.

He winced when she swiped it out of his grasp.

Blake hung her head, still trembling. Tears still stung her eyes. She'd retrieved the notebook, but the damage was done. She couldn't bear to look him in the eye. Her secret, one she held in as high of confidence as her race and her past, revealed to the one person that should never have known. She hugged herself, trying to find some means of comfort. Her arms covered her body as if she was naked, exposed to the world just like her desires.

"H-How much did y-you see?" she dared to ask, trembling with anxiety.

The blush on Sun's face intensified. "...All of them," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. The words slammed into her like a Dust cartridge. He stepped forward and reached out, but Blake backed away when he tried to place a hand on her shoulder. She saw Sun's hand fall and his head hang, hurt evident on his face. "I was gonna return it to you, but then the notes we wrote in class today fell out. I only opened the notebook to put them back in, I thought you were bookmarking the page or something, and... I saw the sketch you were working on..." He trudged over to his bed and collapsed into a sitting position. "Then... I just couldn't stop looking. I'm sorry, Blake," he apologized.

"It wasn't right," she said through clenched teeth. "Those were only meant for me." She hurriedly wiped away a stray tear running down her cheek. "I... I didn't want you to see them."

"Why not?" he asked.

She gave a mirthless laugh. "Do you want a list?"

"No, I mean..." Sun started. His normally-spirited demeanor was replaced by a much more serious and empathetic one. "I know it's embarrassing, and you don't like wearing your heart on your sleeve, but..."

Blake didn't need elaboration. She knew what he was asking. And she knew he was asking because he wanted to understand, wanted to help her, to walk in her shoes so she wouldn't be alone, just like he always did. Why was she blowing up over this when he'd already said he would keep her secret?

"Because I don't want to ruin our friendship," she whispered. She turned away from him and closed her eyes. Her heart still raced. This was dangerous. If she wasn't careful... She didn't want to think about her brash actions causing her to lose Sun as a friend. Even despite what she felt for him...

Sun gave a curious laugh. "How could you lose me as a friend? It's not like I'd shun you over a few drawings. That'd be silly."

"It's not silly," Blake countered, spinning to face him. Her pulse pounded with the fury of a dozen pistons. Her voice was low and quivering. "We... We've gotten a lot closer. Closer than I've been with anyone in a long time. I like talking with you and reading with you, I like spending my afternoons off with you. I feel safe with you. I've told you more about my past than anyone, even my own team. That night at the dance... You're the first person I opened up to like that in a long time. And I enjoyed it. I enjoy letting you in, Sun. I don't know what made me start sketching you like that..." She closed her eyes and felt more tears leak out, staining her face. A somber heaviness grew in her chest as she wiped away her tears. "You can't tell me this doesn't change things between us."

"Hey, c'mon," Sun quipped. "It doesn't have to."

"Sun, you saw an entire book of my sketches where you are nude," Blake said. Her face flushed, every part of her felt uncomfortably warm. "You know... how I see you now." She wanted to disappear. Sensual. Erotic. That's how she viewed Sun. Not platonically, not simply as a friend, but as someone to be desired. Someone with sex appeal, someone her mind's eye saw in a romantic light. And it was all crashing down on him in one big tidal wave of emotion.

"Blake..." he started. "I know this is hard for you, but... maybe it'll change things for the better. I mean, it's no secret that I-"

"I hate change, Sun," Blake said. Sun paused mid-sentence to listen to her somber words. Her voice was mournful and black. "Every change in my life has brought nothing but suffering. My parents... the White Fang..." She covered her mouth, stifling a sob. She could barely think straight, and her voice shook as she spoke her next words. "Now you know my f-feelings for you go beyond friendship. And now... things are going to change between us. With my luck, not for the better. I didn't want that. I liked... I liked us."

He paused before giving a short nod but didn't say anything. She felt a stab in her chest. She hated this, she hated the hurt that change brought with it. The mere thought made her sick. Suddenly, Blake found herself out of words and thoughts. Her mind was cloudy, trapped in a fog of misery and regret. She tucked the notebook under her arm, her feet painfully heavy as she forced them to move.

She walked towards the door, heartbreak shattering her chest to pieces. She should've known better than to indulge her childish fantasies by drawing those damn sketches. She should've known better than to hope that she and Sun could be something more for each other, that they could cherish and treasure what they shared and maybe even call it love one day. Her shoulders heaved with silent sobs, she felt crushed on the inside and out. She should've learned by now that happiness was something not meant for her. There's nothing left for me but to run away... like I always do... she thought. Her hand touched the doorknob.

"...You're my crush."

Blake's breath caught in her throat. She whirled around, her heart skipping three beats. "W-What?" she stammered.

Sun look more sheepish than Blake had ever seen him, and he spoke with a dorky grin on his face. Was it possible for someone to be shy and smug at the same time? "I've liked you since last semester," Sun said, bashfully rubbing the back of his head. "I just... never knew exactly how to tell you, or how you felt about me. You're kinda hard to read."

Blake felt like she'd been struck by a colorful but explosive firework. "Y-You..."

"Blake," Sun said, taking her by the shoulders. She felt his hands trembling too, or maybe that was her own body. She couldn't tell anymore. Her face flushed as she stared directly into his eyes. "This is going to sound weird, but... I'm glad I found your notebook. You're like, the most amazing girl I've ever known, how could I be anything but ecstatic that you like me?"

His hand brushed her cheek. She felt her entire body ignite. Fire danced on her shoulders and face where he touched her. It was an oddly comfortable heat, like the radiance of the afternoon sun. His hands and arms steadied her, calmed her, and Blake realized for the first time what just happened.

Sun liked her. As more than a friend. He'd admitted that he wanted her. Her insides still twisted at the thought of change, at them losing what they had, but knowing that he at least returned some of her feelings was a blessing beyond measure. Hope blossomed in her heart. It felt unfamiliar but welcome. And for the first time since the dance, Blake dared to imagine what it would be like to let Sun into her heart, to freely admit she wanted him and to be with him despite all the hurt in her past.

"I... I was honestly wondering if you'd ever feel something for me," Sun said, his smile trimmed with a passing sadness. "I just didn't want it to be unre-... unreq... erm, you know-"

"Unrequited?" Blake finished.

He gave an awkward laugh. "Hehe, yeah, that one." His hands fell and his tail began twitching, which Blake knew was Sun's version of fidgeting. "This is... not exactly how I pictured this moment going," he admitted

Blake allowed herself a small grin. "Yeah, me either. Guess we're both feeling overwhelmed right now."

She saw a sly smirk creep onto his face, causing her to raise an eyebrow. She was still reeling from the confessions and the drama, but Sun's amicably mischievous expression was a welcome change that caused her to relax. "What?" she demanded.

"Sooo... you have pictured this moment then," he taunted.

"Shut up," she jested, socking him in the shoulder. They both shared a short laugh.

There was an awkward pause. Blake wrung her own hands together, her stomach still in knots, completely clueless of where to go from there. She saw Sun shuffling his feet beneath him, which she had to admit was kind of cute. Still... they liked each other, but would this even work if they gave it a chance? Part of her still didn't want to know, still caused her hands to tremble and her stomach to do back flips. And that part of her told her to say goodbye to Sun that very moment and to pretend like the day had never happened. But another part of her knew that would be silly. And that part (which curiously spoke in the voices of her teammates) told her to give herself a chance to finally be happy. Her mind was racing a million miles an hour.

Sun finally cleared his throat and spoke. "So... where does this leave us?" he asked.

She flinched slightly. She knew the question was coming but still felt unprepared for it. Excuses and half-truths raced for her lips, her first instinct being to give into fear and try to preserve their friendship. Her second instinct was to throw caution to the wind and ask Sun out right then and there, but she knew she wasn't ready for that either. In the end, Blake decided on the truth. I owe him that much, especially if we feel this way about each other... she thought.

"Sun... I'm just scared," Blake admitted, rubbing her arm. Sun was silent, Blake guessed he could tell she was mustering up courage. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. "If we do... If we are together... I just don't want it to blow up in our faces, like when I..." She trailed off and averted her eyes, feeling the familiar agonizing cut of remembrance.

"It's okay, you can talk about it," Sun said tenderly. "I don't mind." He knew what she was about to bring up, knew how fractured it left her. His face was soft, accepting, devoid of judgment.

She look at him with solemn eyes. "...Like when I left Adam," she finished. There it was, the real reason for her skittishness, her reluctance, her panic, her fear and remorse. She bowed her head, anguish chilling her bones. But the hope in her heart gave her courage. She didn't have to keep it bottled up as a burden anymore, she didn't have to endure hiding it for fear of rejection. The truth... she would tell him everything.

"I've always regretted what happened with him," she admitted. He listened intently, letting her pour out everything. "I don't regret leaving... It was painful, the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it was the right thing to do." She trailed off and shivered. She'd never told a single person what she was about to reveal to Sun. The nerves nauseated her, but Sun's accepting spirit made her feel safe.

"The truth is..." she continued. "I stayed longer than I should have. I lied to myself about it, but I could see the White Fang becoming something bad, I could see I had no place there anymore. But I stayed anyway. I did terrible things, thing I knew were wrong because... because I was infatuated with Adam, and I wanted him to return my feelings more than anything. I wanted his acceptance so badly that I became something I hated, all because I acted like a stupid little girl and gave into my stupid little crush." She closed her eyes, her heart hurt. Like it was breaking to pieces all over again, just like when she rode away on that train, out of Adam's life forever. "Maybe if I hadn't been so stupid, I could've done something to stop him from becoming a monster instead of becoming his tool. Maybe I could've saved people from the White Fang's lies instead of letting them poison me too. Maybe... things would be different."

Sun nodded slowly. His tone was unusually somber when he spoke. "Do you... wish that things would've been different? So you could've stayed?" he asked. Blake felt her hairs stand on end. He'd always listened to her intently, but he'd never asked something like that before. Her arms turned to gooseflesh. Did she actually regret leaving? Did she wish she could go back to the White Fang and change things? She searched deep inside herself before answering...

"No," she replied. Her voice was resolute, her heart and mind ironclad in their decision. "I... do wish a lot of things were different. But not so I could've stayed. I know that even if I got my way, even if things were different, it would've probably ended the same." She smiled. "Besides... If I never left the White Fang, I'd never have come to Beacon. I'd never have been part of Team RWBY. And... I'd never have found such great friends here that accept me for what I am."

"And," Sun said with a stupid little grin. He pointed his thumb at himself. "You'd never have met this awesome guy either!"

Blake deadpanned at him, and Sun shrunk under her gaze until he was reduced to a nervous puddle. "Eh heh... Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood," he squeaked.

She shook her head but couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face. Her heart did feel lighter, and some of the heaviness in her chest was replaced by a fuzzy sensation. That lovable idiot... He straightened back up with a wink once he noticed her grin. He knew all too well that if she smiled, he wasn't really in trouble.

"You still didn't answer my question, you know," Sun said.

Blake nodded. "I know. I... I need some time, Sun."

He nodded back. "It's okay, I know you can get all... Blake-y when it comes to things like this," he replied. His half-joke earned him another sock to the arm which he gladly took. He facetiously rubbed his arm and pouted, at which she playfully scoffed. His hands traveled into his pockets as he met her gaze. "Seriously though, no pressure. I'll wait."

A grateful grin spread on her face. "Thank you," she said quietly. They enjoyed the moment together as Blake felt a reassuring warmness blossoming in her body. She sighed with umbrage. "I should go."

"Yeah," he replied. "Sorry I took up your lunch hour."

"It's okay," she said. "I'll just swipe some cookies from Ruby back in the dorm. It's unnerving how many boxes she has stowed around the room."

"Careful," Sun said. "Ruby might pull Crescent Rose on you if she catches you munching on her secret stash."

They shared another laugh before Blake patted her notebook and turned to leave. "Well... I'll see you later, okay?"

"Don't keep me waiting too long," he joked. She saw his tail twitch slightly. He meant it as humor, but Blake saw the nervous truth in his request. It tingled the back of her mind with the desire to give him some means of reassurance after he'd done the same for her.

She nodded. She took a few paces towards the door before the tingle in her mind turned into a full-out itch. There was one more thing she needed to do before she left. It would make Sun happy... and she had to admit, she'd fantasized about it for a long while now. "Sun?" she said, her voice low. His ears perked up, and Blake's gut fluttered as she approached him once more.

"Thank you," she whispered tenderly, placing her free hand on his chest. She wasn't sure what she was doing, but it felt right. She didn't stop to reconsider like she always did with damn-near everything. Right now, she would let herself do something purely because she wanted to.

"N-No problem," He said, slightly blushing. "But... what for this time?"

She gave a dreamy smile. "For being so sweet." And before he could react, she leaned up and pecked Sun on the cheek.

His tail jerked out straight before coiling on itself, and when Blake pulled away, she saw Sun's face redder than every one of his other blushes combined. His eyes flittered between her and the floor, and he wore a grin that Blake could only classify as star-struck. She turned and exited the room, a cheery spring in her step.

The door closed behind her, and Blake exhaled. She leaned against the hallway wall for a moment with a satisfied smile on her face. The corrosive stress she'd been fighting was now a bubbly giddiness. She shivered with a very different kind of nervousness now, the kind you get when a long-held fantasy becomes real and you want to make it last. She gently felt her lips, which still tingled from touching Sun's skin. She hoped he was doing the same to his cheek.

She started back for her own dorm with a satisfied but solemn sigh. There was still a lot to sort through between her and Sun, and their relationship status was by no means out of the woods of uncertainty yet. But Blake's heart swelled at the knowledge that Sun at least reciprocated her feelings, and right now she was content with the promise that they would stay close no matter what happened.

She frowned. But what do I want for us? she thought.

Great, another world-shattering question to ponder.

It took the entire walk back to Team RWBY's room to realize that Blake was getting nowhere by mulling over it herself. And it took an entire box of Ruby's cookies (swiped from the bottom-left drawer of her desk) before Blake loathingly accepted the undeniable fact:

I need help with this. I need... advice.

She nearly hissed at the thought and the consequences it carried. In order to seek the advice she needed, Blake would have to do something deplorable. Something that she detested with every fiber of her being. Something that made her skin crawl and both sets of ears twitch with annoyance. In fact, she'd rather take on an army of a hundred Beowolves before subjecting herself to such a gauntlet of verbose torture. But there was no other choice for Blake, and she begrudgingly accepted the hard truth...

She needed to talk to her teammates about boys.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed it, hated it, felt any sort of thing about it, make sure to take one minute to drop me a review! I respond to every one I get. Big thanks to BatmanOtaku, Mastermind4892, jkphantom9, TenchiSaWaDa, Interested Third Party, browniej126, Story World, Jabawokky, lifeswordpa and my 2 guests for reviewing chapter 1!