If one were to tell you out of the blue that Ozpin and Glynda were a couple, you might rightfully be surprised. In fact, your first reaction might be to say that they didn't act exactly…couple-y. And, to be fair, they didn't…at least not in the public eye.

Ozpin and Glynda had been romantically involved for many years now, and in all that time, they were very private about their relationship, rarely showing any obvious displays of affection. Glynda in particular was very touchy about it. It made her uncomfortable to think that any intimacy between her and her partner might be available for others to see. Ozpin didn't have quite the same shyness as Glynda, but he also didn't like others prying into business that wasn't their own. And his relationship with Glynda was certainly no one's business except theirs. So, he was more than happy to keep their romantic interactions safely away from prying eyes. As far as he was concerned, there was no need for anyone else to know. As long as Glynda knew he loved her and was happy, he could deal with having to inform any number of interested parties that, no, he was not single (and believe me, there were plenty of interested parties).

So, their relationship was, for all intents and purposes, a bit of a secret. Yet that wasn't to say they showed absolutely no affection to each other throughout the day, in their own ways. A brief exchange of smiles, a lingering hand on the other's shoulder, an occasional walk in the courtyard when Glynda had no classes to teach; all sorts of small gestures and actions that were subtle enough to go unnoticed by the students (who were really the main reason for all this secrecy) and abundant enough to satiate the all-too-natural desire for contact.

At least, it satiated that desire most of the time. But there were always those days. Those days when your second brain says "enough is enough" and will not stand to be ignored or denied any longer no matter how much you try not to acknowledge it or give in to it. For Ozpin, it had just happened to be one of those days. And, frankly put, it had been agonizing. Throughout the long hours spent in his office, no matter how much he tried to throw himself into his work, his mind kept wandering to Glynda and how much he wished she was at his side. Granted, if she was, it'd be impossible for him to focus on his duties, but at least he wouldn't care. Over and over, he would catch himself imagining what he'd be doing if Glynda was with him, and then he'd scold himself harshly and fruitlessly attempt once more to be productive. Needless to say, he pretty much failed as his thoughts kept drifting back to his lover. He'd even been distracted when the council called him. About what, he almost couldn't recall. All he really remembered was a group of people who had no experience teaching hunters how to be hunters snapping at him and trying to tell him how to run his school. In all, the day had been nothing but pure torment. Luckily, he figured as he walked through the courtyard, it was almost over.

Ozpin slowed to a stop and sighed, leaning against a wall as if for support. He probably really shouldn't be doing this. Glynda's class wasn't over yet, so there was a very likely chance her students might spot him if he waited outside. Following that, there would doubtless be a lot of nosy questioning as to why the headmaster was suddenly so interested in their particular class or, for the sharper-eyed among them, in the instructor of said class. And it wouldn't take too long for those sharper-eyed individuals to put two and two together and then…Then Ozpin didn't know what would happen. But did he really want to?

'Probably not.' he thought with a shudder.

A sound brought him back to the present: the doors to the amphitheatre being opened. He took a few steps back as hunters-in-training started filing out. None seemed to notice him. Perhaps they were all too exhausted by their fighting class, or maybe Oz really was that hard to spot in the shade of a nearby tree, especially with the fading light of evening approaching. Either way, Ozpin wasn't complaining. He allowed himself to relax as most of the students headed off for their dorms, and as he did he noticed two individuals who were still standing in the doorway only a short walk away. One was, of course, Glynda Goodwitch. She was talking to Ruby Rose (he'd recognize that red cape anywhere by now), as if giving her some advice on battle tactics to consider for their next class…or perhaps reprimanding her for a stunt she pulled during a match (either option wouldn't surprise him). The girl nodded at Glynda's words, then with a smile started down the path to the main building. Glynda, meanwhile, headed back inside, leaving the doors partly open behind her. Ozpin smiled. As if he needed more temptation. Briefly looking over his shoulder to be absolutely sure no one was watching or waiting to spring at him, he quickly closed the distance remaining between him and those doors and entered. The slight creak immediately caught Glynda's attention and she turned her head to the sound, frowning, but then gasped as she saw who it was.

"O-Oz?" she blinked, the nickname uttered almost unconsciously in her surprise.

Ozpin paused in his stride, his senses returning to him. He'd been so focussed on getting to see her as soon as possible that it actually slipped his mind that she wasn't expecting him. Glynda frowned, concerned, as he gathered his wits. Taking a step back, he grinned, somewhat abashed, at her.

"Am I intruding?" he asked, hoping his voice sounded light.

The vice-headmistress blinked, but then smiled with amusement.

"In truth, a little." she said, setting down the scroll she'd been holding with the day's battle results. "But I forgive you."

"How kind of you." said the headmaster, half teasingly, half genuinely.

He had, after all, quite rudely entered the room without her consent or even the knowledge that he was coming. A show of impudence like that could've easily warranted being tossed out of the room by her powerful semblance. Luckily for Ozpin, Glynda was too fond of him to do that. Or maybe he was just lucky enough to have caught her in a good mood, for she didn't seem at all upset by his lack of manners. In fact, the way she was smiling at him now, almost in anticipation, he'd say she was just as happy about his arrival as he himself was. Taking his chances, he strode purposefully towards her and kissed her, closing at last the maddening gap between them. She hummed against his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close. Ozpin sighed contentedly. Brother gods, he'd missed this.

"How was your meeting with the council?" Glynda asked as she caught her breath when they at last pulled apart. "Were they more understanding this time?"

"I don't want to talk about the council right now." Ozpin answered, kissing her again.

"Then what do you want to talk about?" she murmured again his lips, then pulling away again so he could see her frown of disapproval. "How risky it is for you to be here?"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow.

"Says the woman who's still kissing me." he argued teasingly.

"I can always stop." she said, glaring warningly at Ozpin who smiled apologetically.

After a moment, her frown lightened and she smiled, then kissed him again, more deeply than before, earning a soft moan of pleasure from Ozpin.

"I really needed to see you." he whispered.

"I can tell." she smiled, relaxing against him as he left little kisses on the side of her face and neck. "And I'd be lying if I said I'm not extremely glad you're here."