We've reached the end of this story! Thank you all for reading this story, for favoriting/following/reviewing/etc. I really appreciate all the shows of support because without them I probably wouldn't bother spending all of the time getting these stories together. So thank you!

I just began editing another story, but it's slow going so far and it's pretty long. It could take me a couple months to get it all together assuming I find the time. So there might not be anything new from me for a little while, but rest assured I'll still be typing away! Until then, it's so long, for now.

The room was oddly silent while all eyes stared at Yang - waiting for her to speak up. Opening her mouth once before closing it and shaking her head, Yang reached out to take Blake's hand before turning back to Ruby and Weiss.

"Let me get this straight...you guys went into the forest without permission, found a cave full of Death Stalkers, got chased by an army of Grimm, jumped off a thousand foot waterfall, barely escaped a giant Grimm sea creature, got caught by Professor Goodwitch and didn't get in trouble, jumped out of an exploding building, convinced Nora to break down our door by suggesting she should have a key, walked into a White Fang stronghold unarmed, then used our weapon lockers as a surprise attack...and I missed all of it?"

"Yup!" Ruby replied with an enormous grin while Weiss looked pretty pleased by the laundry list rundown.

Yang's jaw dropped open and she looked at Blake with an expression that was somewhere beyond total disbelief.

"That sucks!"

Laughing at the typical Yang reply, Blake happily curled her fingers into Yang's and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm sorry you missed out," she murmured in light consolation.

"Missed out? That wasn't missing out, that was...like...losing a kidney or something! We have to do it again!"

"No way," Weiss replied with a shake of her head while Ruby giggled. "I'm pretty sure Professor Goodwitch will expel us if we even look at the forest again."

"But...Blakeeee!"

They all laughed at Yang's whine while Blake tapped her hand comfortingly.

"Ok," Yang finally said, eyes regaining their signature sparkle in no time. "How 'bout this - next time Weiss gets kidnapped."

"What?" Weiss nearly shrieked in surprise. "Why me?"

"Because I can't wish for my little sister or my girlfriend to be kidnapped!"

"Oh, but if it's me, that's fine," Weiss retorted dryly.

"Don't worry, Weiss. I'll come save you." When Yang grinned confidently, Weiss rolled her eyes.

"And what if I don't want you to save me?"

"Oh believe me, you'll want me to save you."

"I'll save her!" Ruby piped in.

"Ruby!" Weiss exclaimed, the scolding tone making Ruby's expression fill with confusion.

"What? This is just hypocritical, right?"

The response made Yang and Blake laugh while Weiss' brow creased.

"I believe you mean hypothetical."

"Are you sure? What's the one where it's a fake scenario?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Weiss let out a big sigh. "Do I really need to explain this to you again? How do you keep forgetting?"

"Maybe I only pretend to forget so you'll keep explaining it to me! You're suuuuper cute when you explain things!"

When Weiss looked utterly miffed by the response, Yang chuckled.

"There ya go, Ruby!" she said, reaching between their bunk beds to give her sister a high five. "Turn your weaknesses into her weaknesses!"

Shaking her head to remove the temporary spell Ruby had cast on her, Weiss grabbed her partner by the hand, stood, and led her to the door.

"Come on...let's go get lunch and I'll explain to you again why we don't listen to your sister."

Ruby willingly followed Weiss with a giggle, but stopped by the door.

"Jaune did a good job fixin' our door huh?" she remarked before slapping herself lightly on the forehead. "Oh! And no practice today. Way too tired."

"Tired?" Yang exclaimed in consternation. "But I've been sleeping for like a week! I need the exercise!"

When Yang chuckled, Ruby playfully rolled her eyes at her sister and disappeared out the door.

Still chuckling to herself, Yang turned towards Blake and smiled.

They hadn't had a single moment to themselves since being woken this morning by the nurse coming in the check Yang's vitals and scold Blake for falling asleep with the ice sleeve on. In a whirlwind of activity, she'd insisted upon taping Blake's ankle before she left, which helped immensely with the pain, before sending both of them back to their room. They'd returned right when Ruby and Weiss were getting up for the day and had spent the next couple hours telling Yang everything that had happened while she'd been out of commission - much to her complete dismay.

But as they looked at each other now, Blake knew there was still so much that needed to be said.

"I'm so sorry," were the first words tumbling from her lips, remorse doubling when she brushed her hand lightly across Yang's slightly swollen eye, feeling the increased heat of broken blood vessels underneath her fingertips. Tears of guilt sprang into her eyes, which Yang immediately wiped away.

"Hey...don't be. It's one of the things I love about you, after all."

The reply was confusing enough that Blake's tears faltered.

"What?"

"Yeah! Not many people can say they're dating someone who's past might appear out of nowhere and kidnap 'em. It's dangerous and thrilling. Total turn on."

"Yang…" Blake replied, knowing that her partner was only trying to make her feel better by making light of the situation. Sensing the tone, Yang's eyes grew more serious and she squeezed Blake's hands tightly.

"We all have pasts, Blake. I know yours and I accept it, risks and all. Just like you accept mine! Like, look, you can't go to Vale Ice anymore because of me!"

"But -" Blake's words cut off when Yang shook her head.

"Blake…" she said slowly, eyes dropping to the bruises on Blake's neck before raising again, a darker shade of purple than before. "I'm really struggling not to go super nova just thinking about him putting his hands on you. If you're feeling guilty about this...when it's completely not your fault...it's only gonna make me want to flatten his head even more."

Before Blake could argue further, Yang unexpectedly leaned forward and kissed her, one hand tracing Blake's cheek while the other gently tilted her chin up. It was one of those kisses that Yang poured her heart and soul into...proving without words how much love she held for Blake regardless of what had happened. It was more than enough love to wash away the guilt and remorse...and Blake accepted it greedily...selfishly...praying that she could speak to Yang's heart in return.

When the first kiss ended, Yang gave Blake another soft peck on the lips while lingering close, their foreheads pressed gently together.

"This isn't about me, Blake," Yang whispered, curling one hand lovingly around one of Blake's ears. "I'm fine. I basically took a really long nap. I need to know that you're ok." Yang pulled back a few inches so she could look down at Blake, warm hands still holding her tenderly. "Are you ok?"

It was one of the easiest questions in the world to lie to, but not when Yang's eyes held more concern for her than she could ever fully comprehend.

"I'm ok as long as you're safe," she replied honestly, watching the flecks in Yang's eyes sparkle under the lights in their room.

"Yeah? Then we're the same!" Yang announced with a giant smile. "I mean, I'm ok as long as you're safe. Although I guess I should really be safe too…but it's definitely more important that you're safe!"

Chuckling at the adorable rambles, Blake took one of Yang's hands happily. This was the way things were supposed to be.

"I guess you know what I mean," Yang concluded with a grin. "But - hey! What do you think about going on another date tomorrow? Just you and me and some not so crazy adventures? Maybe a super chill movie or something? I bet there are some zombie films playing."

"Absolutely," Blake replied with a smile of her own - more than willing to put this all behind them and go back to being 'normal,' if that term could ever really apply to their lives. "But this time I'm not going home without you."

"Sounds great to me!" Yang added a cute fist pump to match her excitement at what would now be their new rule. No going home alone. Ever.

"And you're going to have a harder time planning surprises for me, you know," Blake added thoughtfully. "Because I'm literally never letting you out of my sight from now on."

"Ohhh the difficulty level increases," Yang replied, not at all phased by the idea of Blake watching her every move. "Alright - you're on! Let's see how good of a surprise I can plan with you watching!"

Playfully rolling her eyes at the boast, Blake said, "I'd guess you won't be able to plan any surprise at all."

"Oh, I think you'll be surprised," Yang answered, wiggling her eyebrows with a way-too-pleased grin while Blake groaned and teasingly shoved at Yang's shoulder.

"Now, for the most important question," Yang said while coming back and wrapping both arms comfortably around Blake's waist. "If you were somewhat willing to do any part of those escapades again...even just a teeny, tiny bit open to considering it...what part would it be? Keep in mind I'm totally partial to waterfalls."

From the way Yang's eyes twinkled in excitement, she knew that Blake would see right through the thinly veiled question. But Yang asked anyway, as always putting on fully display her uncanny ability to turn even the most serious situation into a lighthearted affair. For someone like Blake, who tended to dwell a little too actively on the negative, Yang's cheer and radiance were a welcome change.

Still - Blake knew better than to list one of the more dangerous parts of the day and risk being dragged along for a repeat.

"I would have to say…" she began slowly, drawing out the answer for Yang's own amusement. "The Death Stalkers...were something…" A grin tugged at her lips when Yang lit up at what she thought the answer was going to be before Blake continued. "But the waterfall…that waterfall - was awfully cold. I think I would have to say...the end. When Ruby and I tried to hobble you all the way back to Beacon."

"Dammit," Yang replied jokingly before nodding in appreciation. "You got me there. Totally thought we were gonna go Stalker Stompin.'"

Blake grinned at the compliment, but grew concerned the instant an idea popped into Yang's mind.

It was one of the more interesting developments of becoming so close that Blake could practically read Yang's sometimes. And right now Yang was not thinking anything that would be good for Blake.

"Yang…" Blake said the name in warning, standing and slowly backing away while Yang moved to follow.

"What? I just wanna give you a hug."

The reply was innocent, but lilac eyes told a different story entirely. Blake wasn't going to fall for that -

Until she did.

When Yang suddenly burst forward Blake half-heartedly tried to skirt out of the way, but it was already too late. Squealing when strong but incredibly gentle arms wrapped around her, Blake was lifted over one of Yang's shoulders as easily as a bag filled with stuffed animals.

"You're right - this is difficult," Yang commented while casually carrying Blake out into the hall.

"Yes, you really seem to be struggling…" Blake replied sarcastically, propping herself up with one elbow on Yang's shoulder and twisting her body so she was facing Yang.

"I am struggling! Struggling not to be swept off my feet, if you know what I mean!"

When Blake laughed, Yang turned to grin up at her and sent her heart into butterflies. Was there anyone more beautiful than Yang, inside and out? And was there anyone luckier than Blake?

Reaching out, she trailed her fingers through Yang's hair and traced the edge of one ear.

"I love you, you know?" she whispered into twinkling lilac eyes. Never again would she try to hide her feelings for Yang. Life was far too short to not spend every minute declaring a love this strong.

"I love you too...Kitten…" Yang replied with a teasing smile.

Only after pretending to sigh in exasperation did Blake bend down to kiss Yang while her partner held her suspended easily off the floor in the middle of the hall. There was no way Blake could ever convey the depths of her emotions as easily as Yang, but she could always hope that somehow, someway, she made Yang feel as treasured as Blake did.

Hearing footsteps approaching, she quickly broke away from Yang's lips as the door across the hall opened and Nora and Ren walked out.

"Hey guys!" Nora greeted them happily, thankfully oblivious to Blake's rampantly flushing cheeks. "What're you up to?"

"Just carrying Blake to dinner," Yang answered nonchalantly, lilac eyes only then breaking away from Blake's. "She hurt her ankle, so can't walk too much."

"I can walk just fine -"

"And she loves being carried around, you know?"

"Excuse me?"

Ignoring Blake's protests, Nora stepped forward with her signature bright eyes beaming up at them.

"Can I help?"

Blake wasn't actually able to move away in this position, but thankfully Yang took an automatic step backward from the zealous grin.

"Uh…" Yang stalled while pulling Blake a bit closer. "Well, I totally got it, you see - don't need the help!"

"But I've always wanted to carry Blake!" Nora exclaimed, extending her arms while Yang moved further away.

"Really?" both of them asked in surprise. Nora nodded eagerly.

"Ever since you just mentioned it!"

Channeling every bit of telepathy she could muster, Blake told Yang to not set her down or hand her over to Nora. Neither of those things. No. Never.

"How about…" Yang replied, taking another half step backwards, but quickly running out of real estate in the narrow hall. "We race! To the cafeteria!"

Without another word, Yang turned and took off down the hall with Blake still clutched in her arms.

"Ren! Come on, we gotta win!"

Looking back over Yang's shoulder, Blake watched as Ren didn't issue a single complaint while being thrown over Nora's shoulder.

"Uh, Yang…" Blake said, watching the two tear around the corner behind them.

"Don't worry, Blake - we got this!" Yang huffed while sprinting as fast as she could with Blake in her arms. "Best partners ever, remember?"

Laughing, Blake turned around, wrapped both arms around Yang's neck, and kissed her on the cheek - ready to enjoy the ride.

Yang was the best partner Blake could have possibly ended up with. Their relationship just...worked...even though sometimes she couldn't even really say why. But who else would Blake ever let carry her through the halls like a sack of flour?

Only Yang. It had been and would always be...only Yang.

Coming to Beacon had been a good decision. Becoming Yang's partner had been a good decision, as had been deciding to open up to her teammates about her past.

Before coming here, she'd never thought a human being could see and treat her as an equal. Her memories had been tainted with harassment and discrimination, so much so that sometimes she'd thought that maybe the White Fang were right - maybe the only way to survive was to fight back. But in her teammates' eyes she saw the respect some Faunus were willing to kill for. And in Yang's eyes, she found two things she'd never even considered to be possible - everlasting love...endless devotion...

And she felt them in return.

For Yang, her teammates, her friends...she was willing to fight to the very end to protect those who had kindness in their hearts - whether they be Faunus, human, or otherwise. There was no battle she wouldn't wage, no bridge she wouldn't cross. For the first time in her life, she had a purpose and sense of direction that felt so incredibly right it couldn't possibly be wrong.

And, if there was anything Adam had taught her, it was that once you found your purpose, you never let it go.