Ruby sat in class taking notes, Peter was actually staying on topic today. Mostly because Euclase was in his arms occasionally pulling at his mustache as he told his stories. To say people had been surprised when a couple days after Ozpin fled the school he returned with Ruby and a black haired baby in her arms was an understatement. Even more so when all the teachers took the appearance in stride and were even seen doting on the child and carrying it around. Peter and Bartholomew particularly, for her part Euclase was perfectly well behaved. She had both of them trained so well that all she had to do was whimper and the professor's returned her to Ruby for a change of diaper or a feeding. Ruby for her part had gotten used to having a breast exposed to her peers, with only her cloak fastened for some semblance of modesty and to ward off gawkers.

At that moment Peter was petting Euclase's back as the bell marking the end of the school day rang. He looked ready to pout as Ruby packed up and walked down the stairs with her hands out for the child. "Thanks for taking her Professor."

Peter handed Euclase back to her mother. "Always a pleasure Mrs. Branwen… Are you ready for the conference?"

Ruby settled Euclase in a baby basket the baby looking up at her. "No, but we knew it was coming. It was only a matter of time."

"Ruby? It's time." The sound of Ozpin's voice made her look towards the door for a second. The silver eyed woman sighed. "Oz just spoke to me, it's time. Are you coming?"

"Yes, I wouldn't dare leave you or your precious daughter unattended while those hyenas prowl around the school!" Peter raised a hand against his chest standing straight. "It would be completely ungentlemanly."

Ruby giggled. "Thank you Professor. Would you take her basket then?" She offered the baby basket with her free hand.

"Of course!"

Together they headed out to join Ozpin at the school's courtyard.

Ozpin stood at the podium set up in front of the school gates, the sheer amount of mics attached to the damn thing was obnoxious. The weight of them seemed to threaten to cave in the wooden stand and he couldn't stop the grimace as he took note of the circling vultures, their babble made him want to pierce his eardrums with a fork.

He could theoretically leave, like right now. In fact every muscle in his body was bunched up and tense, begging him to turn tail and run so he wouldn't have to deal with these bloodsuckers. Then a firm hand landed on his shoulder and Oz gave another sigh.

"It won't be so bad Ozpin, just answer their questions and then we can go home." The gravelly voice blew into his ear. "Just think of all the things I'll let you do to me, what Ruby will let you do to her, when we get home."

"Qrow…" Oz turned, leaning towards his husband. "If I had my way I'd do you right now, the public be damned." His good hand went to the front of Qrow's trousers, just a barely there touch but it had the desired effect distracting him from the crowd. His little bird flushed slightly and his grin grew. "But I'll settle for knowing how wanted I am, how willing you are to wait for me, like a good pet ."

Before either could say anything else someone cleared their throat behind them. "Really Ozpin, of all the times and places, you choose 'here' to start flirting." Glynda huffed as the two parted.

"Ah but Glynda, surely my timing is never anything but perfection as it was all intended. After all the vultures deserve a show with their dinner." He waved behind her to where the crowd of reporters stood, some jotting furiously on notepads while others snapped pictures of the three of them. All had some semblance of red dotting their cheeks.

Oz felt a familiar warmth wash over him and turned back to the school where his wife and daughter were being escorted by Peter himself. Oz nearly laughed when he saw the carry basket holding their little girl in the portly teachers hand.

Meeting them halfway Oz dipped and kissed Ruby. "Hello love~ have a nice day?"

"It would be a lot better if we didn't have to deal with the incoming swarm." If there was anyone who dreaded dealing with the press more than Oz it was Ruby. She and Qrow were all for not giving them a second of their time but Oz didn't have that luxury. After a particularly heinous report done on him by the wonderful Skeeter the Counsel were in an uproar. The paper hadn't even cooled off the racks before he was being bombarded with calls and messages, orders to 'deal with this shit or your ass will be dropped in prison' for several days until he caved.

Normally he would have told them where to stuff it or flipped them the bird but without answers the press were starting to find other ways to get their information. Most of their leads and stories were wrong in everything from context, direction and simply painted him with the worst possible light. It didn't bother him per say but he could tell it did the others.

Hence why he had allowed Glynda to set up this conference, he had stated he would not do another after this and would give a full explanation. To what he deemed was safe to tell and nothing else. Suffice to say the front of the school had more people crowding it then he believed there were students in the school.

Ruby walked to one of many chairs, as most of the teacher's body was present as well and sat down. Euclase reached up from her basket and Ruby picked her up and sat her on her lap. Qrow walked over and sat down beside her, he bent down and kissed his daughter's forehead. The little silver eyed warrior burbled happily at him and pulled at his crooked Yggdrasil tree amulet. Ozpin found that the swarm of reporters was forgotten for the moment as he watched his wife and husband play with their child. Glynda broke the trance by clearing her voice. "You're up."

Ozpin sighed and turned his attention back to the reporters, returning to the podium. He took a deep breath and plastered a smile on. "Well despite my best efforts to avoid this, I've been informed by the powers that be that you all have questions."

A nervous laughter broke out as the cameras rolled.

Ozpin moved to stand at military ease, he saw a few of the reporters shiver and smiled a little less friendly. "So I will start with a statement. Almost two years ago Beacon fell. I met the instigator of that event within Beacon and did battle. She escaped and I was forced to flee the school however in that process I ran into a Atlesian Knight and upon defeating it. Well it blew up and I was." Ozpin had to pause and take a breath as his back and gut throbbed in remembered pain. "Injured rather gravely as a result. From that point on it's rather a blur, I ran from Vale and to a town. I do not recall which one, there a doctor took care of me. I again do not know how long I was there. I was sedated for the vast majority of the time. After I was healed I made the journey to Vacuo, to resupply and find transport to Mistral."

A flurry of hands went up accompanied by loud voices trying to grab his attention but Oz refused to answer any questions, simply waiting for the masses to quieten before he continued. "That is a summary of what happened at Beacon. Upon arriving at Mistral I was in no rush to return to Haven as Leonardo Lionheart was still among us. Instead I took the opportunity to explore a life with my now husband and wife away from the public eye." He gave them all a pointed glare. "I only stepped up to be Headmaster of Haven when it became clear just how much work there was to do in order to mend this kingdom. We will now have some time for questions." Ozpin took another deep breath, now came the hard part.

It was like they had been waiting for the signal and Oz very nearly hightailed it out of there when Every. Single. Hand went up. The call of his name had never sounded more beastly in all his life and he was loathed that this was going to take some time. Without really looking he pointed at a man stood up front, his blue suit jacket poorly fitting over his much larger frame. "Ozpin, is it true you have been conducting in sexual relations with your students?"

"I have married two of them, I think that should answer your question."

Some mumbled, some sounded outraged but Oz was done with it and pointed to the next person, a young man who looked like he should still be school, holding up an old fashioned camera. "O-ozpin Sir, you said you took over for Headmaster after seeing there was much 'work' to be done, what did you mean b-by that?"

"Where would you like me to begin? That's a rhetorical question for those who missed it. For a start, were you aware when I took over Dust intake of the city it was a twentieth of what it was two years ago. Or that with the lack of Dust the farmsteads had decreased shipments to the city? That over ninety percent of the Huntsmen of this Kingdom have died in the last two years. I've been working to restore this Kingdom as best as I am able, to bring the Grimm levels down." A quiet hush fell over the crowd, Oz wasn't sure if it was from shock, fear or the realisation that things had been so bad and yet no one had seen it. Oz looked over to his family, Qrow was holding their daughter and Ruby gave him a reassuring smile. "Next question."

One woman, a familiar blonde that Oz almost groaned at seeing pushed her way to the front and began shouting at him. "OZPIN! Tell us, how does the bandit tribes, in particular the Mabino tribe fit into these plans you've got to restore Mistral?"

"The Mabino have for the past year or so, intercepted the majority of shipments from Argus. I am sure I don't need to outline how this has been a problem. Over the past five months my husband Qrow Branwen has been both my and the council's ambassador to the Mabino. Two weeks ago we came to an agreement with the Mabino that their chief settlement will be recognized as an official town and be added to the maps. In return they have agreed to share their extensive knowledge of Dust, machinery and for open trade between Mistral, Argus and their settlement. I believe it has been named Mabin. Needless to say their knowledge has been invaluable in the Dust mines."

Before Oz could point to the next person Skeeter shouted again. "So now being a bandit is legal? They lie, steal and kill but 'you've' opened trade between them and us. What next, will they begin taking over the city, the continent?! Why not just go to war with them!"

"We'd lose." Ozpin said flatly. "Not all bandits have agreed to this… arrangement. Needless to say we are still working on them. However as you say 'being a bandit' hasn't been made legal. You are more then welcome to review the… news about how bandit camps within the city have been dealt with."

Skeeter seethed under Oz's guarded gaze but she bit her lip and backed down, for now. Oz relaxed slightly and pointed to the next reporter. "I was wondering, you speak of the violence that happened last year like you know everything that happened. This isn't the first time nor is it the second time you've been connected to an act of violence while in Mistral. Can you tell us more about what happened during the confrontation that occurred in lower Mistral last year?"

Everyone could see Qrow, Ruby and Ozpin flinch. Oz swallowed thickly his adam's apple bobbing. "That… is an intensely personal matter… Umm, the cause of that was a battle between myself and another Huntsman who… provoked me in the extreme. I am still annoyed that I didn't kill him."

"Excuse me if I'm mistaken but that answer doesn't suffice with the reports. I recall the White Fang were briefly involved and the 'battle' as you say resulted with many casualties, injury and property damage climbing over tens of thousands Lein."

"Your point?"

"What sort of 'personal matter' could possibly be so great to condone this kind of rage and damage?"

Ozpin clenched his fists behind his back. "Again, that is very private. I will however say that the person that I was trying to kill. Very nearly murdered my wife. At the time of that event, I did not know if she would live or my unborn daughter."

"Was the offender ever caught?"

"No." Oz bit the word out. His voice so chilled and filled with rage that it sent a shiver through several of the reporters. Much to his delight he saw a few of them back off, some even left all together. Hoping there would be no more questions along that line of inquiry Oz pointed towards a brunette woman who had her hand up.

"How is your wife now and you daughter?"

Ozpin gestured to Ruby and Euclase behind him sitting together. "Clearly they are much better. Next question."

"Over here!" An older man called out. He had the typical attire of someone Oz liked to refer to as a sleaze ball. Rumpled coat over an equally wrinkled shirt with questionable stains, casual slacks and trainers. His black hair had more grease then a chip pan fryer and Oz thanked the distance between them as he was certain the guy probably stank as bad as he looked. The gleam in the man's eyes told Oz he wasn't going to like his question. "I have multiple reports from both current and former students and teachers. You've quite the sexual deviant aren't you? Tell me, is there something special about the students you choose to fuck or do you just get off on that dynamic?"

Ozpin felt a smile pull at his lips. "Isn't there a joke about never ask a Valean about their sex life or they just might tell you? What is it you want to hear? Hmm? That there is role play? Favours? I hate to break it to you, but such things have never been allowed. Any relations that I have do not come about because of any institution. We of Vale are very open about discussing attraction and negotiations so even casual encounters are to everyone's mutual benefit. I dare say you are more perverted than I am for suggesting such things."

Giggles and smirks spread over the remaining faces as the sleaze grunted and turned away. Skeeter the lady of dreadful green spoke up again. "Ozpin, I looked into the security cameras of Beacon at the time of the Fall and I found you fleeing the CCT tower when no one was around. The picture isn't very good but you were going at a good pace."

And shit. Ozpin felt his shoulders pull back and the lumpy skin rubbed his shirt as she continued. "There is no evidence that you were hurt like you say, from where I am standing it looks like you abandoned Vale in it's time of need."

Oz didn't say a word for a long minute, the panic started to rise in his stomach. There was one very easy way to get around this. His time with Harkness rose up in his memory, but a ship of people and the whole world were two very different things. He couldn't steady his hand as he reached up and unbuckled the cape hiding his withered arm. He caught the fabric as he set it on the podium.

Qrow clued in to what Ozpin intended and got up moving to stop Oz with a hand on his shoulder. "Hey you don't have too-."

"It is the simplest way to get this over with." Ozpin hissed out, everyone could see the lines of muscle in his throat contract. He attempted to shrug out of his coat and Qrow not wanting to prolong this. Helped. Bit by bit the layers came off. The loss of his vest made his stomach clench and his hand shook for all to see as he pulled the buttons of his shirt undone. With Qrow at his side he stepped out from behind the podium, then turned his back to the audience and raised his good hand to remove his shirt. However as it neared his collar he found it wouldn't move, as much as he willed it. It only hovered and shook. He dropped it to press into the tattoo on his gut that didn't fade with the Dust. How often he had dreamed of fire, the explosion and feeling of burning alive and being impaled. He was aware of time passing but didn't see Qrow's concerned face even if the reporters could.

"Oz~." Qrow could see it creeping into those copper eyes. "You don't have to, come on lets get you dressed again."

Ozpin shook his head and stopped Qrow with his good hand. "Just give me a minute." He closed his eyes and reached through the bonds. Ruby's love filled him, that she didn't care, that she loved him damaged bits and all. Qrow's endless adoration, his need to protect him first and foremost at that moment. Ozpin didn't open his eyes as he reached up and pushed the shirt from his shoulders. The sound of the fabric hitting the ground was deafening in his ears. He visibly winced and had to work to keep his shoulders from raising.

One minute stretched into two, no one moved, no one took pictures. The funny thing about burn scars, is that after a point they didn't fade. That the skin would never go back to normal, that raised ridges only really smoothed out, those places where the flesh burned down to bone never looked the same again. Fresher scars that Ozpin had forgotten about in the heat of battle lay red and angry. The cuts from the Revenant still red, like veins of lava not yet cooled by air and water. Scars from shrapnel were still clear and stood out against the fire damage. Ozpin turned slowly on the spot. Letting them see the damage of yet more shrapnel, his hand drifted to the tattoo covering the large cut into his abs.

Ozpin did not open his eyes as he spoke. "Have you ever burned alive? Or even just on a candle? Can you comprehend the agony? Alone, in the dark. Bathed in fire, impaled by steel? Glass lodged in your insides? Alone with no one to even hear you scream? Can you imagine crawling through fire and glass and metal." Tears gathered in his eyes, the memory overtaking him. "To a wall, can you imagine the pain of making yourself move, stand with fire burning under your skin? With dozens of pieces foreign to you, grating~ and cutting~ you open from within with every step? I can't even remember how long the hall was. I can remember pulling a piece of metal out from my guts." Ozpin's fingers bit into the tattoo till the skin grew red. "And driving in a heat stick, so I didn't bleed out. Can you feel what it would have been like to stab your own heart with a needle. So you don't pass out and die from shock?" A single tear rolled down from each eye. "I burned and I ran. From Beacon, from my friends and allies. I burned and I live with that day, that hour those minutes for every day of my life." Ozpin opened his eyes and looked from one shocked face to another and another, meeting the eyes of each. "None of you can understand what I have given up for you. What I have endured for you. You don't understand how much easier it would have been to stop. To give up. I burned and I came back for you." He reached up and grabbed his withered arm by the forearm, it didn't take much for him to bleed. "This was for you. So you all could leave this city and not fear for your lives. I could have just ran away, hid. Stopped. I could have just stopped at Beacon and I wouldn't be standing before you today. I still burn in my dreams, I still wake up screaming."

Oz grabbed his shirt and spun on his heel, the blur of green was the only thing to mark his passing as he raced into the school. The smell of burning flesh consumed him, so ingrained into his memory that he'd never escape it. Slammed into the nearest washroom and threw his head down into a toilet and wretched. Throwing up his lunch and heaving till nothing but foaming bile was left. The tears poured he couldn't even think to stop them. The explosion looped in his mind, the fire, the smell. He sniffed trying to keep his nose from running but it was no use. He grabbed at his ashen hair, pressing down feeling the scars underneath. He lurched away from the toilet and he could feel that metal inside him he scratched at the tattooed skin, till it broke and bleed. "AHH!" He screamed for a pain of old, stuck in memory.

"Oz! Please stop!"

Ozpin couldn't feel the hands on him, he was on the floor on that green floor. Crawling, burning, the screech of metal and glass against floor as he crawled. His whole body shook as he screamed, burning, burning, burning. Under his skin. "Make it stop, make it stop!" He couldn't see Ruby beside him, couldn't feel her touching him. All he felt was fire. His tears blurred his vision past the point of seeing more than blobs.

There were more voices but the words didn't make sense. He came to that pillar, reached up and drove his fingers into it. The scream was ripped from his throat as he pulled himself up, he had to let the shrapnel go, he could feel it pull at his insides as he crawled up the pillar to his feet.

A new scent teased his nose, something feathery touched his cheek. Foreign feelings started to cut through the pain, to peel it away. There was something pressed again his chest, someone grabbed his good hand and made him hold the small thing. So small and soft, the smell filtered into his nose, pushing the scent of roasting flesh away. It was a nice scent, roses, rain and just a hint of pine. He blinked a few times something was holding his hand in place. He tilted his head as the tears slowed, his cheek rubbed against a silken feathery fuzz. It too soft to never belong in such a memory. Oz drew back slightly and could see the black and blue hair of his daughter. Could see Ruby holding them both tight, start to feel her arms around them.

He ached to hold his daughter to hold her little head, to cradle her tight without help. He barely felt the pain as his arm moved, how cracked flesh split open and bled. The pain of nerves and bone grating against wood. His left hand rose and cupped Euclase's head, he could feel the soft hair. His legs drew up and he curled himself around his daughter. Oz's mouth opened his silent sobs as he held her tightly but gently to him. He could feel her hands on his chest, on touching a cut scar on his collarbone the other pressed to a puncture hole from Nito.

Ruby was forced to sit beside him helpless as she tried to sooth him through the bonds. Forced to watch him rock back and forth, holding their child like she was the most precious fragile jewel that had ever graced the planet. Minutes ticked by, five, ten, fifteen. Qrow felt just as helpless. A couple reporters had followed them but were wisely silent, holding their hats to their chests.

Time trickled on and Euclase started to mumble against Oz's worn flesh. "Pa…. Pa…. Pa." Ozpin's fingers curled just a little tighter around her before they remembered their strength and relaxed.

A new presence entered the room, one older than all the rest. Ruby moved away as Lydia in her pristine cobalt and white dress sat on the bathroom floor. She reached out and pet through Ozpin's hair. Her touch was so familiar and the tension drained out of Oz's shoulders. She could see as he did, see the dark medical room. How his hands were red with blood and feel the pain. "Shhhh, it's over. It's long past. Shhh. Listen to my voice my little becan valen. You are safe."

Ruby blinked the tears from her eyes, all of her trying to get through with Qrow though the bonds. It didn't work, it had helped but with just a few words from Lydia. Ozpin looked up and saw her. Saw every wrinkle, the long lashes and dark storm eyes. His lips mouthed a word that he hadn't dared speak. Lydia smiled. "Yes I'm here." She traced down to his sharp cheek. "I am here, you are safe." She moved kneeling and drawing his head to rest against her breasts. Ozpin cried. He let it go. All pain, all the fear, just for this one small moment. He was safe.

Oz didn't know how long it had been when the tears dried and the fatigue set in. He drew away and ignored how his left arm still bled slowly, persistently. Dripping down his elbow. Lydia supported him as he stood, he refused to move his hands away from Euclase. "I want to go home." He croaked.

Glynda was the one to step forward and wrap a pale brown blanket over his shoulders. "I'll get you a cab and clear the way." She left reluctantly riding crop out and reporters scattering like bugs fleeing out from under her boots.

Now Ozpin could feel the support Ruby and Qrow gave him. He smiled exhausted at them and sent a little flutter of love back to them, unable to summon up more energy. Oz's steps shook slightly as he walked from the bathroom. Ruby and Qrow forming up tight on his sides. Peter and Bartholmew standing only two steps ahead of him. Taiyang and Lydia behind him.

Students peeked out from behind doors, reporters hid with their cameras. No one said a word, not when they walked by the press conference area with many people still waiting within. By the time they reached the steps at the base of Haven's walkway a black car awaited them. Even it's windows were tinted so no one would be able to see inside. Peter and Bartholomew stood guard as one by one they climbed in. Taiyang stayed behind as their wasn't room and with a few soft words from Lydia they went home.

Mistral Times

G.L

Six months ago Ozpin and two teams of students saved Haven from a terrorist attack by the White Fang. The attack was repelled but Leonardo Lionheart lost his life. Ozpin: former headmaster of Beacon: took the vacant position and has been working to restore both the Academy and the Kingdom. The improvements to Mistral have been slow but steady, produce has been brought into the city at a higher rate. Unemployment is at an all time low.

However, it seems that the journey to Haven has been a long one for our new headmaster. Since his return, rumors have been running amok, everything from abandoning his post at Beacon to sexual relations with students. Yesterday Ozpin agreed to a press conference, while the conference itself was short. Ozpin gave a statement and provided proof as to what happened to him at Beacon. The truth is considerably less exciting then the rumor mill would have you believe. He was gravely injured and it took the year he was missing to return to us, to heal and come to Mistral.

He briefly went into the inclusion of the new town of Mabin and outlined the basics of the treaty between the bandit ruler and the council. It was also mentioned that the seasoned Huntsman Qrow Branwen was being the ambassador to the former bandit groups. Lastly Ozpin briefly went into the reason for the destruction of a sector of lower Mistral several months ago. According to him, his reaction was in response to his opponent almost murdering his wife. In that context the violent reaction does make sense.

A few of my fellow reporters inquired after another press conference but at this time no statement has been given.

Daily Climb

R.S

Well my rabid readers, at long last the much wished for press conference finally happened. While Ozpin gave a statement covering the last two years of his life it was in the questioning period where things got interesting. The evasion of any questions regarding his sexual conduct, despite the fact he has married not one but two students of Beacon. Qrow Branwen is a graduate of Beacon and Ruby Branwen. Yes you read that right readers. Branwen, Ozpin and Ruby took Qrow Branwen's last name which he only has because he is the son of the former leaders of the Branwen tribe. Currently his twin sister Raven leads the Branwen tribe. So I ask you, my readers. Why would Ozpin and Mrs Ruby would take the Branwen name? A name with such clear negative background?

Now my readers my insider sources report that. The harem of the Branwen's actually extends to include none other then Weiss Schnee, the heiress on the run from her father. She has often been seen in their company and seen openly flirting or being touched by all three. Furthermore by a few select pictures it also seems the Huntsman and Huntress in training Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren have had relations with the Branwens. Which begs the question just what goes on behind closed doors for these foreign Valeans? So far it doesn't seem like any of our own people are connected to the sexual games of these people.

My dear readers I traveled to Beacon several months ago hunting down the story of Ozpin's disappearance. I for one did find security footage of Ozpin fleeing Beacon but couldn't find any of this Atlissian Knight that he says bested him in combat. However when I tried to call him out on this lie, he bared his back to us all. As you can see in the image the burn scars are grotesque. He departed swiftly from the conference after that and none of my coworkers who tracked him down have shared what happened after he left. The better part of an hour later he was seen leaving with his husband and wife as well as the sex club owner Lydia Ivanova. Worry not my readers I will find the truth of what happened!

Lydia threw down her Scroll in disgust. It had been less than a day it was only the saving grace that it was Sunday and no one needed to go to the school that Ozpin hadn't already seen the plethora of pictures. The rampant speculation, for this R.S wasn't the only person dissecting Ozpin's words or more what he didn't say. However the majority of people it appeared to be sympathizing with Ozpin. He had gone from being distrusted to pitied overnight. Showing his scars like that had been the best thing he could have done, it was a truth painted on his skin. Some did question the Atlas Knight story but no one questioned his pain. That he had burned alive. Furthermore it had shown the wounds from the Revenant. Wounds sustained so they were safe to leave the city for one of the major festivals of the year. So while questions were still being asked, public opinion had been swayed.

Lydia rubbed her hands over her face, Glynda had been the one to call her when Ozpin crashed. When it became clear that Ruby and Qrow couldn't reach him. She was so glad that Glynda had. Oz had gone near comatose since, staying in his room with Ruby, Qrow and Euclase. Especially Euclase, he only let her go so Ruby could feed her. He changed her and talked to her. Lydia often heard him singing to her through their bond. The voice wasn't one tainted by injury. That was what he wanted to give his little baby girl.

Ruby knocked lightly on the door frame before entering the living room. "How are you holding up?" She sat down lightly on the sofa beside the older woman.

Lydia gave her a weak smile, Ruby hadn't gained much weight beyond what was healthy while pregnant and while she wasn't currently allowed to pick up anything heavier than Euclase. There were other forms of exercise and she was working hard to regain her conditioning. "It seems anyone with two brain cells to rub together either pities or no longer cares about Oz. The great mystery of his return is solved to them and it was boring. It's only those out to spin stories that are still trying to find something that will stick. To what end I do not know but I doubt they will give up quickly."

"Too much to hope for, I think." Ruby said and sighed. "He's still being quiet, at least verbally. He sings a lot through the bonds, mostly just to Euclase but Qrow and I hear it too. It seems like she helps. Even when she pats on his scars, it doesn't seem like he minds."

"She loves him, in her own way and I think he feels it through the bond. Unconsciously seeks that love and thus he sings for her. He will be fine, it was a great strain and pain for him to expose himself like that to so many. The worse hasn't even started for him, because now everyone knows and they will be different as a result. Come let's make some hot chocolate, it's cool enough today to drink it and it will help."

They headed into the kitchen and worked together making Oz's favourite hot chocolate. They only made enough for one as it was still very warm and Oz would be the only one to put up with the extra heat of the steaming beverage. "Thanks Lydia." When they were done Ruby took the steaming cup back up the stairs. Qrow and Ozpin were laying facing each other with a sheet over their hips. Between them was a sleeping Euclase, she was on her side snuggled up to Oz's chest. His good arm was under his head while his left was bandaged up again. Still she could see the occasional twitch in his fingers. After he relaxed the arm, it had refused to move again.

Ruby walked over and set the hot chocolate aside on the side table. "Hey Oz, I brought you your favourite."

Oz looked up from Euclase and smiled briefly. "Thank you." He turned his attention back to their baby. "She's so beautiful." He dipped his head and nuzzled hers with his nose.

"She likes your singing." The Silver Eyed Warrior climbed into the bed and laid down putting her back to Qrow. He spooned around her with a purr as he gave her shoulder a kiss. "I like your singing too, it's soothing to hear."

"Sorry that I've been off, I just needed to retreat a bit. Focus on something not from the outside." Ozpin carefully sat up, then with even more care turned Euclase onto her other side. He had a sip of the hot chocolate and purred. "Thank you, this was just what I needed."

"You're welcome." Ruby closed her eyes partly as Qrow pet up and down her thigh. She opened them just enough to look at Euclase. The last two weeks had been exhausting for all of them, taking shifts on who would check on her in the night. Or get up when she started to cry for something. They were just happy the bonds let them figure out whatever was wrong very quickly. Ruby found that her breasts were often sore and even as she thought about it she felt her dress grow damp and sighed. "Sorry Qrow, my tits are leaking again."

"You can stay there." Ozpin reached over to their baby table and picked up a light mug. "Here."

"Thank you." Ruby pulled her dress off and gently grabbed a breast. With a little massage later she milked herself into the cup. "Why was I cursed to produce enough for two?"

"Cause you were meant to have twins?" Qrow asked, he didn't get it but he loved this. Either feeding Euclase or milking herself, there was just something about lactating breasts that made him want to put another couple babies in her.

Ruby mock glared at him. "No thank you, pushing out one was bad enough."

"Hey it might yet happen." Ozpin said after savoring his drink. "You're stuck with us now."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Ruby milked till the pressure was eased off of that breast. Then moved to the other. "Still I could do without this particular experience." She looked up to find the two watching her. "What?"

"Just something about that is really sexy." Qrow said, he wanted to suck on them. He wondered what her milk tasted like.

"Now you two look like you want to eat me." Ruby stopped for a moment.

Ozpin set his cup aside then reached down and scooped Euclase up. She mumbled but stayed asleep, he carried her over to her hand made crib and tucked her in. He then returned and slid onto the bed. "You know, I read that you should test what your milk tastes like so that if Euclase ever stops drinking it you can tell if something is off." Oz took the mug from her and set it aside.

"Ooo, I like that idea!" Qrow sat up and pet down over Ruby's shoulder. "We should test it for future reference."

"You silly boys." Ruby flopped down onto her back and Qrow leaned over and kissed her deeply. While Ozpin joined them, he kissed down from her collar over to her swollen heavy left breast. He licked pressing the flat of his tongue to the nipple and Ruby moaned loudly. They were more sensitive than usual and even a little teasing felt very good. He gently took the engorged nipple in his mouth and sucked.

It was odd for Ruby, when Euclase breast fed all she got was a warm and fuzzy feeling all maternal. When Ozpin did it, it made her heart flutter and her sex leak as the sudden pleasure sent her body into overdrive. Oz only sucked a few times, just enough to get a small amount of milk to let linger on his tongue. He purred as he drew away, swallowing slowly. "Strawberry tint, very rich. I really shouldn't be surprised."

Qrow drew out of a very wet kiss. "I wanna try~." Ozpin chuckled but got out of the way as Qrow kissed down her body to suck much more vigorously on her unmolested tit. Ruby inhaled sharply as her toes curled, she whimpered as she contained the cry of pleasure. However Qrow behaved and stopped when he had a little mouthful as well. He purred with a silly smile as he swallowed. "Wow, you're right Oz, best milk ever."

Ruby giggled at the two. "Now don't go getting any ideas! It's not for you. That said, Oz if you could be a dear and add the mugs milk to the jar I started this morning downstairs and let Rutile know I have another for the maternity ward? If Euclase can't drink it all it might as well go to a baby that needs it."

Qrow pouted and Ozpin chuckled at him. "Of course love." Ruby leaned up to meet him part way for a kiss. Then Oz put on a dress shirt, grabbed the mug and headed down the stairs. Lydia was still in the kitchen making what looked like would be spaghetti for dinner. He walked over to the fridge and pulled out the single liter bottle of milk that they had set aside when it turned out Ruby would be spending a lot of time milking herself. He poured the mugs worth of milk into it, the glass bottle was about full.

"Going to take it to the hospital?" Lydia asked, putting chopped carrots into the pan.

"Yeah best take it while it's freshest." Ozpin walked over and kissed Lydia's cheek. "Thank you… for yesterday. I haven't… done that in a while."

"Just don't make a habit out of it." Lydia said and waved him off. "Now get going, someone will be very happy to see that milk."

Ozpin nodded and headed out, he didn't bother to cover his left arm. For once he tried not to care about the bandages. He put the milk in a bag with a mild cooling pack in it and made the quick walk to the hospital. He did his best to ignore the stares as he walked through the white walls to the maternity ward. He scanned the nurses for a familiar face but it seemed Rutile wasn't there today. He wandered through the halls gravitating towards the sound of a baby crying. A woman was holding a maybe seven day old baby against her breast in a sitting area. Only she was trying to feed it from a bottle but the child wasn't having any of it.

Oz walked over and asked the brunette. "What is wrong?"

"She just won't take the formula! The nurse said they didn't have anything else and none of the others are willing to help me." She was a very small woman who looked too thin to have given birth so recently.

"Oh you must be the one Rutile mentioned." Ozpin opened his satchel and pulled out the bottle of milk. "My wife has been sending milk to the hospital for the last week. Here. Do you have a cloth?"

The woman looked up at him, her eyes widening as she recognized him. However her baby kept crying so she pulled out a clean scrap of cheese cloth. "The nurse said I could try feeding her with this."

Ozpin sat down beside her and unscrewed the bottle, he folded the cloth and dipped it into the milk. He gave it a couple seconds to absorb the milk, then pulled it out. The woman set the bottle of formula aside and Ozpin reached over and gently pressed the wet corner over the baby's lips. Pressing down just enough some of the liquid seeped out. The infant stopped crying and latched onto it, a couple sucks later the milk was all gone and it started to cry again. Ozpin quickly wet the cloth again and returned it.

"Here can you take her? I can go throw out the formula and clean the bottle." The woman was just so happy her daughter was eating.

"I-I only have one good arm. If you point me to a sink I can clean the bottle." He saw the flaw with that right away, you needed a least one hand to soak the cloth as it was he had the bottle pinched between his thighs.

"Hmm, here I have an idea. Slouch a bit and can you move the arm at all?"

"If someone else does it." Ozpin did, moving the bottle and cloth out of the way.

"Okay." The woman got up and set her baby on his side against Oz's bad side. Then very gently moved the wrapped up arm to cradle her little girl. She was so small that even just Oz's wrist was more than adequate to keep her upright and safe. She them moved the bottle so Oz could pinch it again. He pulled out the soaked cloth and gave it back to the child. It sucked very happy. "Perfect. I will be right back." She grabbed her bottle and zoomed off.

Ozpin watched the little brown haired girl, taking the cloth when it was dry and soaking it in milk again. "You're mother is very trusting. I wish there were more like her."

Oz had to soak the cloth eight more times before she came rushing back. Only with her was Doctor Rutile. "Hey Doc!" Oz flicked his chin in greeting.

Rutile smiled and laughed softly. "Still playing bed I see."

Ozpin puffed his chest up a little. "What I can I say? Babies like me." He pulled the soaked cloth out of the bottle and gave it to the infant.

Her mother took the bottle and very carefully poured the priceless milk into it. There was even enough left to fill the bottle at least three times more. She put the glass lid on, it was filled with another cheese cloth to slow the rate of pour. She sat down beside Ozpin and Rutile helped transfer the baby over. She happily sucked the new milk down. Oz got up and flattened down his rumpled shirt. "Well Ruby will be happy to know her milk is appreciated."

"Oh yes, my milk never came and she's so fussy. When the milk started coming from outside of the hospital a week ago it was a heaven sent gift." The relief to have her daughter drinking so easily was palpable in her voice.

"Hmm. Well Ruby milks herself at minimum three times a day. The joke right now is she should have had twins. If you run out by… say seven in the morning? Euclase will have had her first feeding by then and Ruby always has plenty of extra. What's your name?"

"Jessica and my daughter is Alia." She looked up at him with warm brown eyes.

"Hey Ruby, I found the mother getting your milk. She can't produce, I can invite her over for say seven thirty tomorrow? It would save you having to milk yourself into a cup."

"Sure, it is much easier to just have Euclase breast feed."

Ozpin looked back to her. "Ruby wouldn't mind if you came over at say seven thirty tomorrow. We are just down the road and up into the mountain a bit. Skyline drive seven-oh-twenty-three big old fashioned house."

"Thank you, I'll be there." Jessica grinned.

"Come on Ozpin, I would like a look at your arm." Rutile gestured for him to go down the hall. When they were out of ear shot, she said. "That was very kind of you."

"Ruby hates milking herself, so she gets to have another mouth to feed so she doesn't have to milk as much. That woman gets to have a healthy baby, doesn't surprise me that she likes the milk. It's strawberry tinted."

Rutile's smiled widened. "Tested it did you?"

"Qrow too, I think we both have a thing for her breasts." Oz half purred just thinking about them.

Rutile did laugh as they left the hospital. Oz noticed and looked around. "I thought you wanted to look at my arm?"

"I can tell it's bleeding. So I don't need to look at it to know you've overdone it. Go home Oz, I'm happy you came by. However you have a newborn to see too." She reached up and patted him on a bicep.

"You're right, see you later Rutile." Ozpin headed home his thoughts filled with his daughter and lovers.