The queen bed was definitely not the massive endless spread that resided in the master bedroom of the house. Still the four bodies somehow managed to make it work. The late dawn light of January, slipped through the parted curtains. Legs were tangled together a duvet half heartedly thrown over them, big full bosoms had been taken for their honorary rolls as pillows. They were the repositories of men and some womens hopes of dreams after all. With the lovely side effect of ensuring good dreams.

Jaune nuzzled the breasts he was snuggling as the light landed on his face. "Someone close the blinds."

Nora mumbled across from him. "Ren~."

Ren hid is face in Nora's boobs. "It's cold out there."

Yang rubbed her eyes with her free hand and said. "Jaune you noticed it you fix it."

Jaune groaned and hauled his head up away from her lovely breasts. He stumbled out of bed with a tumble and shivered. "Brrr, when does it thaw out in Mistral?" He zipped over to the curtains and fixed them then raced back into bed diving under the covers and snuggling up to Yang.

"YEEK! Keep those cold toes to yourself!" Nora yelped as Jaune put his feet in the middle of the tangle of legs.

"Warming them up is payment for making me close the blinds." Jaune put his head back on Yang's chest, she really did have the perfect pillows. Ren kicked out hooking the duvet on his foot and flicking it up to cover them all better. Yang tucked it around Jaune's shoulders. "I vote more napping till Oz gets up, so we can mooch off his cooking."

Nora giggled. "He does make good food. I wonder if we can get him to do the candied bacon again." Her mouth watered a little just thinking about it. "Or the strawberry sundaes!"

"No icecream for breakfast Nora." Jaune said with a mumble. "I remember the last time I felt like a slug for the whole day."

Everyone but Jaune giggled at that. A high "AH!" came from upstairs and they all sighed. Yang sat up dislodging Jaune. "So much for waiting for Oz. How he turns around from getting shot at, ripped apart, burned and his arm rotting off so fast I will never understand."

Nora giggled. "Oh that's easy. Ruby just wiggles her butt at him, I have learned that promising sex to one's partner can inspire some pretty impressive feats."

"Yeah, it works great with you." Ren said with a little knowing smile that made Nora blush. He got out from under the covers, shoved his feet into slippers and made a mad dash for his heavy housecoat. He grabbed the three others and tossed them at their respective owners. "Come and help me with breakfast. Last one down does the dishes."

Ren zipped out of the room. Before the whining could begin and bounced down the stairs, the house was cold as the heating was just starting to turn on. He walked over to the door and pulled it open grabbing the mail from the box. He looked over the two things, one was rent and the other was also from the landlord. Ren frowned they had been letting Ozpin and Qrow handle this, but curiosity was poking at his guts.

Ren walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter, he opened the rent bill first. His jaw dropped, he knew renting a house like this was expensive but just astounding how long could Qrow and Ozpin keep this up? Qrow had done a lot of work gathering bounties a little while ago but this was still a lot of Lien for two men who weren't working constantly. They would have to talk about this, he was still working for Sigmund and could chip into this.

He straightened the creases out and opened the second letter.

Mister Branwen

It has come to my attention that you have been seen hosting the leaders of the White Fang at this current living place. You will evic any Faunus guests immediately. If you do not I will be raising the rent to cover the addition of the Faunus. This months rent already includes the raised price, have a good day.

CP

Ren scowled so this was the raised rent, it was ridiculous. It was practically an eviction notice. He took a deep breath and put it down, first breakfast. He looked for about twenty minutes in peace before much to his surprise Ozpin was the first downstairs. Dressed even though it was slacks and a green turtle neck. He looked down at the letters as he reached up into a cupboard and scowled. He set the cup he had grabbed down with a little more force than necessary and picked up the notice.

The younger man could see how the paper warped under Oz's pinching fingers. "What do you think? I can help with the rent-."

"No. We won't dance to his tune. We have Haven now, it will suck to leave the dynamic we have made here but with Haven funded by the council it is just the logical choice." Ozpin said and sighed rubbing a hand over his face. "I miss Vale."

Ren started up the stove, pulling eggs from the fridge. "The guys are not going to like this."

The older man scrunched the letter up, letting it fly from his fingers into the trash bin. "No but I'll not encourage this discrimination on Blake and Sun. You'd think after the Faunus traveled all the way from Minargerie to stop Mistral from falling people would at least halt in their hostilities but no. The world stays divided."

The sound of Oz's voice, it's hopeless tone spoke of a pain Ren could not describe. In a rare show of affection towards him Ren placed his arm on Oz and pecked his cheek. "So long as one soul is willing to see the divide and want to change it there is always hope that more will follow."

Ozpin smiled and ruffled the younger man's hair. "Thank you Ren. Come on let's get ready for the hordes, Ruby and Qrow are having fun in the shower and will be down soon."

Sure enough by the time a small army of pancakes was ready all six came down the stairs. Ruby half snoozing on Qrow, she wore a maternity dress. She was slowly giving up her beloved corset.

Before them Yang, Jaune and Nora filled down the stairs. They as per the normal went to the kitchen and helped Ozpin and Ren move all the supplies over to the table. Yang kissed Jaune on the cheek as he sat, he blushed as Ruby giggled. "About time."

Yang sat down beside Jaune and Ozpin took up his normal spot beside her sister. "Nora invited me. Plus Blake is still up at the school with Sun and it's not like we've really figured that out." She helped herself to a pancake which got everyone started.

Ozpin let everyone eat and joke around before speaking up. "So the landlord delivered a notice today. I won't go into what it said but we will be leaving as soon as possible. As I rather not pay his price for the next month. You all will be moving into Haven's dorms, plus side to that is you'll get to pick which ones you want. I have yet to ask but I intend to see if Lydia would be alright if Qrow, Ruby and myself moved in."

"What?! But we've got it good here, what happened?" Nora burst out.

Ozpin sighed. "I can only guess a neighbour told the landlord that we have Fanuas friends, he has raised the rent as a result. I will not play that game so we are leaving."

"That's so messed up!" Yang snapped.

"But not worth fighting against, not when there is room and board already paid, you will all move in today and I will get your enrollment papers pushed through." Ozpin said.

"I liked living together with you all." Weiss said poking sadly at her food. "I mean just this, breakfasts together. In a big hall it's not the same."

"I'm sure we can do this at least on the weekends. Lydia loves company, you've all become family in some way shape or form. I'm sure she'd welcome you all for meals." Ozpin said, he did need to ask but he'd been getting the feeling that Lydia wanted him to come home to stay for a while now.

"Still sucks." Yang grumbled.

"Yes it does." Ozpin said bowing his head to hide behind his bangs.

Ruby's hand went to her belly as she turned this development over in her mind. "I do think that Lydia will take us and it's probably a good idea anyway as her place is closer to the hospital."

"What about you Qrow? You've been quiet." Ozpin asked looking over, his bangs getting into his eyes forcing him brushed them back.

"What am I even going to do while you get Haven back on its feet? Bounties?" Qrow asked with thinly veiled pain. He just knew he'd be shoved to the outskirts again.

"I'll need you to teach. I'm going to ask Glynda, Bart and Peter to come as we are extremely short on staff. Maybe even Taiyang if Signal can spare him." Ozpin said watching Qrows brain fry.

"How are you going to do that?" Jaune asked.

"Council airship, I've a busy day planned." Oz said with a smirk, only for a bang to fall in his face again. He blew at it with a perplexed expression.

"You need a haircut." Nora said bouncing in her seat.

"Food first." Ozpin eyed her warily.

"Fine."

Everyone tucked back into breakfast, to trickle away to their tasks before Nora pounced.

"Nora really, this is not necessary, I can get this done in town."

The red head waved him away. "Don't be daft! You and Qrow have been covering the rent and all our food bills for months now, its about time we did something to lessen the load."

"This is not actually lessening anything." Oz muttered as Nora threw a towel over his shoulders and rushed to grab scissors from the drawer. The moment he saw the giant bladed clippers Oz began sweating. "Err Nora, I don't think those are for hair."

"Nonsense, they cut right?!" To demonstrate she made some snips and bounded behind him where he could not see her. "Besides when you're out on the road so much you learn to use whatever is handy."

Oz made a non committed sound and reluctantly allowed Nora to manhandle his head. When he heard the snipping again he became a little concerned. "Nora, aren't you supposed to wet the hair first?"

The words, "OF COURSE!" were his only warning before he was suddenly dossed with a cup of water pouring of his head. The water ran down his neck and dampened the turtle neck under the towel.

"NORA!" Oz shouted but it lack any real anger.

The affronted girl only giggled and massaged the left over water into his hair more fully. "Relax Ozzy! I do Ren's hair all the time."

Ren chose that moment to walk past them, his arms carrying a basket of washing. He took one look at the scene and slowly backed away leaving Oz to Nora.

Still sputtering water Oz didn't flinch at the sound of scissors but then he heard a squeaky "Oops!" and gritted his teeth. "What did you do?"

There was a little hesitation in the voice behind him and he sighed in frustration. "Nora?"

"Oh well, lets just CUT IT ALL OFF!"

The Gods must have been looking out for him that day as Weiss burst into the room to the rescue. "Nora STOP!" A flash of white glowed in his peripheral view as Weiss used her glyphs on the redhead, freezing her before she could do any more damage. Weiss gave the oldest member of their group a raised brow. "Why would you let Nora touch scissors, have you learned nothing. Lets see what she's done." Stepping around him Weiss surveyed the damage and sighed loudly. "We're going to have to shave your head."

With a huff of breath Oz stood and let Weiss lead him to the bathroom. "Ah well I was meaning to change it back anyway."

Nora still locked into place by Weiss' Semblance gave a whimper. "Err guys? What about me?" With no answer Nora hung her head only to lift it again when she heard a chuckle. Ren leaned against the door frame. "Ren!"

Ren strode over to his girlfriend and hummed. "Since when do I let you cut my hair?"

Caught she sighed. "Not since we were kids." Then she added more softly. "I just wanted to make as many memories as possible. We're not going to be together forever like this."

Nora's eyes drifted to the corner of the room unseeing, until a pair of lips met hers. Ren tilted her head to face him. "I love you."

Nora's face almost burst like a tomato being squeezed too hard. "I LOVE YOU TOO REN!" She tried to reach for him but the Glyph holding her stationary was still active. "Can you get me down?"

With a smirk her boyfriend and lover started removing his clothes. "I can think of a few better ways to take advantage of your immobile state."

Nora purred and grinned like a cat with cream. "Oooh~ that sounds like fun!"

Oz relaxed his head as Weiss carefully drew a razor over his hair, cutting the dark locks off pieces at a time. They enjoyed the silence of the room for a time while Weiss concentrated on the task at hand. When she started reaching part of his head where the dark hair revealed the scars beneath she hesitated slightly.

Ozpin must have sensed it as his shoulders stiffened. "I'm sorry."

With a confused look Weiss' eyes met Oz's in the mirror. "Why are you sorry?"

"That you have to see them."

Weiss cut another lock of hair. "Do you mean your scars?" With a nod from him Weiss thinned her lips. "You have no need to be sorry."

Ozpin felt that familiar edge of panic start to invade him, the ugliness of his scars only more visible now that his hair wasn't hiding them. When he said nothing Weiss looked down at the clenched fist in his lap, the veins standing out on the back of his hand. Slowly so as to give him as much notice as possible Weiss leaned her head onto his shoulder, nuzzling her cheek with his. "Oz, do you remember our time on Jack's ship?"

"There is little I forget since I met Qrow and Ruby."

With a smile Weiss shifted more of her weight onto him but staying away from his recently healed left side. "I remember it as one of the first few times I was totally free. One night I went up to the deck on my own, I remember the sky being clear and dark. There were so many stars, thousands of them, all twinkling as though in competition with one another and I thought 'this, this is true freedom'. I was wrong."

Oz sent questioning eyes to Weiss, turning his head slightly in her direction.

"I always thought leaving Atlas, leaving my father's confining hands was freedom but then I met James again and through him you and Ruby and Qrow. You all accepted me into your fold, without condition, you made me a part of your family, whether you knew it or not. That was when I realized that it wasn't freedom that I was searching for, it was this, this sense of family and love." Weiss pressed a kiss to Oz's forehead, her eyes soft. "We all come with our own scars Oz. James and his metal half, Qrow and his Semblance, Ruby and her eyes, me with my tarnished name. Yang with her arm, Ren and Nora from nothing, Jaune and Pyrrha. You with your scars." She added finally.

Oz let himself sag slightly. "I know, even when I see it, know it I just can't accept it."

"And that makes you human still. You once told us we are not without our faults but that doesn't mean we have to let it control us. I don't and neither do the others, we've worked hard to overcome our mistakes, our pasts, this is just a step for you that may feel too high."

"Then what do I do to get over it?"

Now Weiss gave him a blinding smile. "Use us as your strength. We will be your ladder to climb over steps you feel you cannot do alone because that is the point Ozpin. You are not alone."

Oz let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Tears stinging behind his eyes as he drew Weiss into his arms, holding on tightly. She smiled cuddling into his embrace and eventually he let her go. "Let's just get this over with, Qrow and Ruby have wanted me to go back to silver for ages now."

"Okay." Weiss got up and went back to cutting his hair. It was a little tricky as the skin wasn't even but she went slowly and carefully.

Ozpin focused on keeping his breathing steady as the cold air touched his bare skin. Weiss's fingertips upon the scars might as well have been on fire for now sensitive the skin felt. He pressed his hands together, adding more and more strength to it till Weiss paused able to see the muscles through his arms and shoulders engaging. "Do you need me to stop?"

"No. But I think I might call Lydia, if she can a distraction would be very welcome." Ozpin said pulling his Scroll out of his pocket and flicking it open.

"Sounds like a plan." Weiss said and went back to her carefull shaving.

Oz hit the speed dial with a thumb and put it on speaker. The response was near instant. "Oz, what's wrong? You almost never call this early unless something is wrong."

Just hearing her voice made Oz smile. "Well, it's not horrible but our landlord is being a racist prick so we are moving house… I was wondering if Qrow, Ruby and I could move in with you. You close to a ho-"

"Oh my word of COURSE! Oz, your home is here you don't have to ask to come home."

Ozpin blinked the tears out of his eyes furiously, before giving up and rubbing at them. His throat closed as he smiled holding the Scroll like it was gold.

Lydia spoke in his silence, her tone was warm and knowing. "You and yours will always have a home with me my little becan valen. I'm at work right now but you have a key you can let yourself in and you're room is how you left it."

"Thank you." Oz managed to say, though it was a bit of a croak.

"I'll see you all tonight." Lydia hung up.

Meanwhile Weiss had finished cutting Oz's hair and she kissed a silver scar. "Told you, you've a big family who loves you." She straightened and tapped one of his ears with a finger. "We are going to need to get you a hat or these cute ears will freeze off."

"My ears are not cute!" Ozpin stood and rounded on her.

"You still will need a hat." Weiss said putting her hands on her hips.

"True, plus we need to go shopping anyway. Qrow doesn't like to talk about it but his birthday is in a week. I've already got a present for him but Ruby still needs one for him." Ozpin brushed his chest down making sure there were no stray hairs.

Weiss beamed clapping her hands together. "Why hasn't anyone mentioned this sooner! I have to tell everyone!"

Ozpin shrugged. "Qrow doesn't like talking about it. Being born on a Friday the thirteenth and all that jazz."

The short woman paused. "Hey Oz, when is your birthday?"

"The summer solstice why?" Ozpin asked cocking his head.

Weiss only grinned. "Oh no reason, I have to go pack." She bounced out of the bathroom and Oz walked her go. "Why do I get the feeling I'll regret that?"

Packing was a somber affair, little nick knacks that had been collected in Mistral needed to find spots in bags. Ozpin ended up having to get a new bag altogether and his guitar needed a new box as well as he wanted something extra sturdy to carry it in. While everyone else was putting the finishing touchings on their quick clean of the house Ruby was trying to convince them to let her help and no one was letting her lift a finger. They could all see how Ruby was starting to slow down, the strain of her pregnancy showing too well now and it had Qrow and Ozpin watching her like a hawk. Still it didn't take long before everyone was packed up and ready to leave in the living room. Nora had even taken Ozpin's puzzles down and was jealously guarding them to be put up in her dorm.

Ren shouldered his pack with everyone else. He had opted to carry Ozpin's smaller pack with his own since the older man was still recovering. It was about as much help the Oz would agree to and Ren didn't argue with him, knowing he didn't want to appear invalid. He glanced around the doorframe, nodding. "We had some good times here."

"Yeah, became a family." Nora gave a Qrow a strangle hold of a hug.

"Shame it had to end like this." Yang opened the door and led the way out.

Weiss wheeled her suitcase out smiling. "When you really think about it, it's not actually ending. We are just moving elsewhere. We will still be a family, no matter where we go."

"But Ozzy, Qrow and Ruby won't be with us! It's sad! I'm sad, I'm lonely, maybe a little hungry~." Nora jumped off Qrow, hugging Ruby carefully but still tightly as her tummy rumbled. "That last ones not your fault though."

The redheads giggled and Ruby allowed Qrow to pull her out of Nora's embrace. Ren coming to lure his girlfriend away with hugs.

They filed out one after the other, Ozpin hanging back last so he could lock the door behind them, leaving the key in the mailbox. He wasn't happy with leaving but going back to live with Lydia filled him with a new excitement. The wind blew cold over his bare head and he shivered, the green trench coat he wore had a mantle of fur but no hood to help his poor head in the late winter weather.

Qrow pulled a toque out of a pocket and put it on Oz's head. It was grey and thick but the style was reminded him of his old style, somewhat. "It's not very good but better then nothing."

"Thanks Qrow." Ozpin smiled softly and a camera flashed.

Yang had her Scroll out as the two men looked at her stunned. "What? I'm starting an album, dad would kill me if I didn't capture my sister's pregnancy for him."

"But this has nothing to do with that." Ozpin said confused.

"You're part of the family now." Yang said, reaching over and hugging her sister who giggled. "You'll have to just get used to it."

"That's a great idea! I'm gonna do that too! Send me that photo." Nora had her Scroll out and she tapped it to Yang, the photo transferred.

"Let's get going then." Ozpin reached out and drew Ruby to his side.

They walked together some joking around but mostly in silence as no one was looking forward to splitting up. They collected together as they rode the great elevator up. It was very busy and the group of Huntsmen and Huntresses did earn a few looks. It was rare to see such a large group now after all and Ruby earned a few looks as well. Though Qrow and Oz's flanking and shielding her glaring at anyone they caught did fix that.

Ruby leaned into Qrow's arms, shifting from either looking out on the white city or her friends that they would be leaving soon. She was of the same mind, that she wasn't looking forward to be parted with them, even for a short time. Yeah there would be time to spend together but it would never be the same as living on top of one another. She wanted to spend more time, being with them on celebrations and holidays. They had missed Rymgrand's night but that was because she and Qrow had been travelling and they had been in a bad place fighting bandits. Her head tilted up with new energy, there was Herion's Day next month, maybe they'd be able to get together for that. It was a stat holiday after all.

She looked up at Ozpin, he looked cold and a bit bunched. His shoulders were doing an odd mix of being straight or hunching over, like he couldn't quite shake a habit. Still his gaze warded off the onlookers and Ruby squeezed his hand in hers. Oz looked down to her and his features softened from their glare. When their stop came up and the group split into two, hugs were shared. Even when Ruby Oz and Qrow exited the elevator their group knew this wasn't really goodbye. The trio stepped off and headed off to Lydia's while the rest continued the journey up to Haven.