Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-71.200.208.218-20160219212133/@comment-9464517-20160220000649

The show provides very mixed messages regarding the likelihood of Bumblebee. At some points it seems like a sure thing, at other points it seems totally unsound.

Evidence for:

- Partners (though the term is functionally useless at this point)

- Shared one of the series' most tender moments to date in "Burning the Candle" (personal chat, anger, hug, invitation to dance)

- Yang crying when Blake doubts her honesty in "Destiny"

- Yang's extreme reaction to Blake getting stabbed in "Heroes and Monsters"

- Blake's horrified reaction to Yang's arm being severed (before and after) in the same episode

- Blake holds Yang hand, weeping, and pays absolutely no attention whatsoever to Sun at the start of "End of the Beginning" when everyone is together (yes, Yang had just had her arm cut off, but that moment would have been a golden opportunity to build Blake and Sun's relationship a little more if they were interested in doing so - he could have comforted her over her sadness)

- Blake most likely ran away out of shame for failing to protect Yang

- Yang is incredibly angry with Blake for running, indicating feelings of betrayal - likely building to an emotional reunion next volume (I'm thinking yelling, fighting, and then passion)

Evidence against:

- Influence of 'Black Sun' (Sun and his ambiguous relationship with Blake): they fought Roman and the White Fang; they infiltrated the meeting together; they danced together; Blake blushed when Sun winked at her following their tournament match - THIS IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST STUMBLING BLOCK FOR BUMBLEBEE as she would be unlikely to have more than one crush at this stage in the story unless they want another love triangle subplot (which I'm praying is not the case)

- It's worth noting that the writers appear to be very reluctant to display romantic relationships but very eager to tease them: 'Arctic Ocean' was actually something of a recurring plot point last volume, but was immediately dropped in "New Challengers..." and never mentioned again; 'Freezerburn' was briefly alluded to in "Never Miss a Beat" when Weiss 'sacrifices' herself for Yang's sake and they talk gently to one another at the end of the match; and nobody can figure out WHAT is going on with Glynda/Ironwood and Qrow/Winter.

- Yang's anger towards Blake at the moment may only be temporary but it is undeniably strong - this may be very difficult to heal, and perhaps will not meet so simple a resolution as I had imagined (perhaps it never will)

Personally, I really hope it turns out to be true (it's even more plausible than Arkos IMO), but I wouldn't bet any money on it.