Not Alone

Blake POV:

After I ushered Ruby and Yang back to the dorm, I took a deep breath. I'm not good at these types of things, but I am probably the better option at this point. The others don't know anything about her besides her outward appearance, and while that is also true for me, this lets me know we have at least some common ground.

I know what it's like to receive those kinds of words, and it hurts, especially if it's coming from someone you thought you could trust. I thought Weiss was better than that, but I guess I shouldn't expect so much from a Schnee.

After I finished my thoughts I gathered my courage and walked through the patio door in front of me. I am greeted by patio furniture; tables, chairs, and benches.

I spot Sapphire standing off to the side of one of the table sets, facing away from me, and although she is a half foot taller than me, I can't help but feel that she looks so small and fragile right now.

I approach carefully so as to not startle the girl, but she seems to have heard me. I saw her quickly wipe her eyes, and turn around to spot me.

"Is there something you need?" I heard her say with a slight smile, but her expression is nowhere near as radiant as it had been when she was assigned to our team.

It was forced. I could tell, and I wasn't about to leave it at that.

"Haah. Why don't we talk for a little?" I suggest though this seems to make her nervous.

"Calm down, I am not here to yell at you, I'd just like to apologize for my teammate's uncalled-for words," I say to alleviate the girl's worry.

"It's fine, it didn't bother me," She says back seemingly unbothered that I all but admitted to eavesdropping.

"You don't have to lie to me, it won't work anyway, not when you look like you're about to break down and cry," I say, causing her to flinch.

"Listen, I don't know which part of her words bothered you the most but jus--" I start before I am interrupted by a mutter that even I was almost unable to hear.

"I'm sorry," she says with a hanging head.

"Huh…?" I exclaim, unable to understand why she would be apologizing.

"I'm sorry for burdening you with having a Faunus assigned to your team. I'm sure you would much rather have a human instead," She says with a sad smile.

I didn't like it. It felt wrong. The radiance from earlier has faded away. No trace of the contagious smile, adorably twitching ears, and joyfully swaying tail. They were gone, replaced by a hopeless countenance, ears stuck flat to her head, and tail that now seems dead. The difference made me irrational.

She was so adorably excited to get to know us, but Weiss had ruined it. She now thought she wasn't welcome due to her race, and any simple words would seem shallow.

I didn't know how to convince her with words, but I had another option. I knew it was risky but I didn't care. I wanted to see that adorable fox again, and this was my best chance at that.

I bring my hands to my head and pull at the ends of my bow, revealing a secret I was planning to hide forever.

Sapphire POV:

I stare in shock at blake as she holds her now untied bow in her hand. I see what looks like cat ears, the same color as her hair, that twitch as they are brushed by the wind.

Blake is a Faunus.

Before I can gather the words to speak.

"Listen, regardless of whether or not anyone else accepts you, I will. Weiss may have said you will never be a part of the team, but, to me, you already are. Even if no one else is, I will always be there for you. You won't be alone, not while I'm here," She says with conviction.

"I am, after all, more than willing to welcome a fellow Faunus to the team," She finishes with a grin.

I immediately ran over and all but tackled her into a hug.

I felt tears fall from my eyes and wetting her shoulder. Even if everyone else hates me, I will have Blake.

I don't think she realizes how much that means to me.

I have been alone a long time.

The loneliness had been crushing, and to have someone say that they will be there form and that I wasn't alone felt freeing.

Blake POV:

"I am, after all, more than willing to welcome a fellow Faunus to the team," I state.

I smile toward Sapphire, and in the blink of an eye, I was brought into a rather aggressive embrace.

I was about to ask her to let go, as I am rather uncomfortable with such abrupt physical contact, but I stop as I feel wet drops hit my shoulder. She was crying. I didn't know what to, so I just awkwardly hugged her back. We stayed like this until she regained her composure and released me.

After we separated, I silently relished my success. The fox ears on top of the girl's head were now once again adorably twitching. Her tail is now lively and sways left and right. Her genuine smile now once again adorns her face.

Before I can put my bow back on though, she comes in for a hug again. This time however she whispers into my ear.

"Thank you, truly," She whispers with loaded gratitude.

"Any time, however, your armor is not exactly comfortable, so I would like for you to release me," I say to hide my embarrassment from the heavy nature of her words.

"Sure," she complies.

I then retie my bow and start speaking again.

"Now that that is done, I ask that you don't tell anyone that I am a Faunus," I say with utmost seriousness.

"Of course. You promised to always be there for me. The least I can do is return the favor," She replies, bringing my worries down.

"Let's go, I still have to pack my things," I said and walked to the patio door.

" Alright, let me help you then," she replied and opened the door for both me and her.

"Su--," I start to agree, but I remember a certain book that, if anyone found out I had, I would die of embarrassment.

"No, no way! I'll be fine on my own!" I finish with a panic.

"Why not? It'll be faster that way, won't it?" she insists.

"N-no r-really it's fine, I wouldn't want to trouble you," I stutter as I desperately try to Dissuade Sapphire from helping me.

"It's no trouble at all, we will finish in no time," She says with an innocent smile.

"Haah, fine," I sigh and, as we come upon the door, resolve myself to get that book and any like it before she has the chance to find them.