...

They sat there silently for several long moments. Neither moved but Ozpins's gaze felt heavy on Oscar. Several times he swallowed and almost spoke but he couldn't find the words.

What was he supposed to tell Ozpin? That he time traveled? That he was from the future and would be the next reincarnation?

There was no way that Ozpin would believe him. Not without proof. The only sort of proof he had was that he knew the phrase to have Long Memory returned it to him. Even considering mentioning that he knew the truth of Salem made him sick to his stomach. Not because of Oz but because Oscar himself had betrayed the man. By not believing in him and giving Ruby the way to find the truth he had betrayed him. Unknowingly betraying his own father.

Ozpin was many things he had come to learn. But everything he did he had a reason for doing so. Whether that was keeping a secret or not telling them everything. It came from an experience that none of them could understand.

His hands shook at the thought of even attempting to explain. His mind trailed back to the loneliness that he had and still felt even now.

"What has you so frightened, Oscar?" Ozpin softly asked as if it wasn't the most loaded question in the world, "You haven't been here long and already I've seen you lose yourself to memories more times than I can count. Each time you seem to be gone longer than the last. Then there is the incident with James. Why are you so frightened of him?"

Oscar denied, "I can't tell you. You wouldn't believe me."

Ozpins's brow furrowed in concern and confusion as he questioned, "What do you mean?"

"History has a way of repeating itself," he replied cryptically.

Glazed eyes stared at nothing as he tried to reconcile his past with his present. His mind went replayed Ironwood shooting him. Over and over and over again.

If he allowed the man to get close again he would only be hurt. Better to keep everyone at distance.

Ozpin asked leaning forward, "Why won't you tell me? I can help Oscar."

Oscar simply shook his head his hand twitching. Unbeknownst his hands had raised up to his head and were tightly gripping his hair.

A sigh escaped Ozpin a moment later before he approached Oscar. He bent down and gripped the child's hands gently pulling them away from his head. Oscar refused to look at his father unable to find words any longer. There was so much that could be said. That should be left unsaid unless he wanted to find anger directed at him.

Ozpin rubbed soothing circles over the back of his wrist not yet releasing Oscar as he said, "Okay Oscar. I won't pressure you right now. You will need to tell me eventually what happened though. I just want to help you get through this. I can wait until you trust me a little more."

Unconsciously he leaned into Ozpin his aura weakly flashing over his chest seeking out the older man's. In response, the darker aura reached out. It soothed the ache in his chest and his body sagged. Only a few seconds later he was asleep.

The next few days Ozpin stayed close to him watching for any signs of what caused his panic. He had become careful about when he was talking to Ironwood so that Oscar didn't accidentally walk in on it again. Every time he tried to go off on his own he found he was followed, at a distance mind you, by whatever professors didn't have class. It didn't take long for him to feel trapped within the school.

At some point, he finally had enough and used the trick that Blaze showed him. It changed his ID to a guest ID. After ditching his tail twice he made his way to the docks and took an airship to Vale. Maybe he could find peace there if only for a little while.

...

It was official today sucked. Roman had woken up with a massive migraine and congestion. The moment Junior heard him speak the man kicked him out of the bar. He wasn't even allowed to have coffee first! So he had to go down the street to the crap coffee shop. Only to realize he had left his wallet on his nightstand. Not only did he have the start of a cold but now he couldn't even have coffee. Today was a shit fucking day.

So he spent his day wandering hoping to catch some information. While he had a network of informants sometimes it was better to do the leg work himself. Over the course of a few hours, he found... absolutely nothing. Even his street kids were quiet and that in itself never boded well for anyone. The last time they were quiet they had gotten their hands on volatile fire dust. Arsonist little shits he swore. It was as if the Brothers had decided to curse him for the day. It made Roman want to scream in frustration.

Instead, he grumbled and did another round through the streets. As he passed by unknowing civilians a flash of movement caught his eye. A child was moving in and out of the crowd with expert precision. If he didn't know all of the children in his employ he would have assumed it was one of the brats. His movements were natural enough to be ignored by those around him.

At first, he thought the child might be a new runaway or abandoned kid. Shaggy dark hair fell into the child's hazel eyes. He seemed to be on alert for something. Eyeing the boy closer now he realized the kid was wearing a Beacon hoodie. A hoodie that looked brand new even if it was big on him.

As if feeling Roman's eyes the boy turned to look at him. Confusion and uncertainty cross his face but not fear. By the Brothers, he looked young. If he had to guess no older than 10. What was he doing here all by himself? Another glance around told Roman that he wasn't with anyone. There was no way Roman in good conscience could leave him here. Not without ensuring that the kid wasn't a new street brat.

Pushing through the crowd he reached for the kid. Unexpectedly the boy turned his hazel eyes wide with fear. Roman was unable to stop in time and his fingers just barely brushed against his forehead.

Eyes blew even wider as if he had taken a hit of something. Light green aura flashed weakly over his body. A semblance activation? At that age? What was this kid a prodigy?

Before he could contemplate it further however the boy's entire body relaxed into unconsciousness and he fell towards the floor. Only instinct born from a life of thievery allowed him to catch the kid. Around the people continued about like there was nothing strange going on. Pressing a hand to the kid's chest he could feel the flutter of his heart but it was unsteady and weak. Something was desperately wrong here. Gently adjusting the kid he headed towards Junior's bar.