1. soul of mine, heart divine by rwbyfics
Rated: M - Chapters: 1 - Words: 8360 - Status: Complete
My # 1 pick and favourite bumbleby story ever. Told in 2nd person POV, it’s set in a future AU where they are adults, and Blake comes back to Yang after being away for 5 years. It’s so emotionally raw and powerful, it just hits all the right notes on so many levels. “she knows that you were made to break and she’s not afraid to shatter you.” Wow. Just, wow.

2. Binary Stars by AProcrastinatingWriter
Rated: E - Chapters: 1 - Words: 84349 - Status: Complete
This story is a masterpiece. I do not use that word lightly. The word count might be intimidating 84 000 words for one chapter but it is SO worth it to read. It is a beautiful and intense exploration into Blake and Yang’s relationship, all the love, emotion and passion they feel for each other. The author has a deep understanding of both these characters, the language and metaphors are so clever and poetic. The whole story is a thing of beauty and I can’t forget to mention that is also one of the hottest love scenes I have ever read. Extremely satisfying read.

3. RWBY: Lifetimes by RejectedKnight34
Rated: K+ - Chapters: 1 - Words: 2206 - Status: Complete
This story punched me straight in the heart and made me cry (in a good way). It is inspired by the image Bumblebee 25 Lives  . I have never been so emotionally moved by story in my life, it brought tears to my eyes which rarely happens. I found it early in my fanfic roamings and it has stuck with me for a long time. Beautiful. Heartbreakingly and hauntingly beautiful.

4. Soulbound by xT-Zealot
Rated: T - Chapters: 15 - Words: 242228 - Status: Complete
I believe that it is the most accurate, well-written novelizations of RWBY Volume 1 ever. The characterizations are amazing with detailed histories, the story-telling is captivating, and there is a slowly budding Bumbleby weaved in there as well. Close to perfection, I’d say. The scene at the end is so beautiful, one of my favourite scenes of all time.

5. Coffee With Strangers by TigerLilly22
Rated: T - Chapters: 12 - Words: 45627 - Status: Complete
I didn’t read this story at first because it was AU but I read the first chapter and I was instantly hooked. This story has the most believable and realistic representation of Blake and Yang’s personalities that I have ever read. Watching them grow closer together on each date with elements of canon cleverly incorporated into the story, it’s so cute and fluffy, and such a joy to read, definitely a classic in the bumbleby fic category. I really like the separate epilogue fic “The Morning After” too.

6. Premium Well Redux by DinasEmrys
Rated: E - Chapters: 27 - Words: 117953
Team RWBY has grown up, and relationships start after a night at the bar. I am oversimplifying but trust me, this story is extremely hot. It’s descriptive and exciting with a suspenseful plot-line. The characterizations are amazingly accurate, what they say and what they feel is so believable and fits into canon seamlessly. I really appreciate how the author does not shy away from describing the love scenes. Sex is an important and normal aspect of a mature relationship, and it’s beautiful thing.

7. The Fire Within by mikotyzini
Rated: T - Chapters: 37 - Words: 144890 - Status: Complete
This author has written numerous awesome fics for the bumbleby pairing, and Fire Within is my favourite of theirs. There’s action, a detailed and well-planned plotline, and plenty of fluffy moments and emotions explored. Amazing and epic, writing talent at near professional levels, it’s great.

8. Blake, What Do Your Faunus Eyes See by TobiasHawk1
Rated: M - Chapters: 45 - Words: 33305
First of all I have to say that I love this story. It’s told in first person style from Yang’s point of view, the story telling is so honest, and the characterizations are right on point. This story also brings in some real life themes which I really appreciate, it kind of makes me feel like a teenager again. Awesome.

9. Choice: A RWBY College AU by elfenlied1012
Rated: M - Chapters: 25 - Words: 153383 - Status: Complete
This might be a bit of an odd choice to some of you, considering White Rose is the main ship. It’s my favourite White Rose Story by far with a side of bumbleby. If this list was a ranking on sheer enjoyment, this fic would be in my top 5. I love the dynamic between Yang and Blake, even when the emotions are negative, it’s so real and hard hitting. I found myself tearing up at some scenes. It’s just an amazing RWBY fic period, ship or no ship, one of my favourites of all time.

10. Things You Wrote On The Walls by moonsandstar_s
Rated: M - Chapters: 34 - Words: 131423 - Status: Complete
I stumbled on to this story the day after it came out on Halloween, I’m proud to say that I was an early supporter. I was immediately impressed by the author’s poetic and beautifully descriptive writing style. The extensive back story she created for Blake is amazing, the characterization of Yang is totally on point. This is one of the most unique and dramatic re-tellings of RWBY Volume 1 out there.

11. Need Me Too by Pulping
Rated: M - Chapters: 30 - Words: 60231
One of the first fanfics I read, nice dose of action and smut with a believable plot line.

12. Road to Recovery by FiercesomestDefenestrator
Rated: T - Chapters: 17 - Words: 109465 - Status: Complete
Again, if this was a list about sheer enjoyment, I think this would be my number one pick. The reason it is not higher up on this list is because it is more about friendship and ship-teasing then an actual ship. Nevertheless, I think they have most accurate representations of the characters ever. They excel at incorporating humor and action into their plot lines, I’ve never laughed out loud so many times while reading before. You might have heard of their popular story Catnip, but I totally recommend reading their other stories as well, they are great adventures.

13. The Days of Winter by mikotyzini
Rated: T - Chapters: 6 - Words: 22746 - Status: Complete
I love how the relationship slowly builds up between these two, and seeing a jealous Blake is so great.

14. A Second Dance by Reeves3
Rated: K+ - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1815 - Status: Complete
My favourite dance fic for the bees, it’s just so believable and sweet, one of the first bumbleby fics I fell in love with.

15. Underdeveloped by the Canary that Ate the Cat
Rated: K+ - Chapters: 1 - Words: 4971 - Status: Complete
I really like the deep emotional themes about Yang’s past explored here, it’s so realistic and on point. Extremely well done.

16. Ms. Dynamite by Techno Skittles
Rated: T - Chapters: 1 - Words: 8452 - Status: Complete
Really awesome writing and flow, love how the attraction is described from Blake’s point of view. A beach party, Yang as a fire exhibitionist and Blake as a shy bookish type, so perfect.

17. Beach Towns are the Perfect Place for Confessions by OccasionallyIWriteStuff
Rated: T - Chapters: 1 - Words: 8265 - Status: Complete
Based on weissrabbit’s roadtrip au, this story has one of my favourite kissing scenes of all time.

18. Just Right by hammerfistninja
Rated: G - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1323 - Status: Complete
My favourite stories are the ones that depict the characters from canon as accurately as possible, where I can believe it can actually happen off screen. This fic does all that, I love the characterization of their personalities, the conversation and how it flows. So good.

19. Migraines by Shadoobie
Rated: M - Chapters: 1 - Words: 4942 - Status: Complete
One of my favourite smut scenes ever, so amazingly hot.

20. Shot Through The Heart by CourierNinetyTwo
Rated: E - Chapters: 1 - Words: 6100 - Status: Complete
Tequila plus Yang and Blake equals fireworks. Well-written and very hot with some sweet moments interspersed.