Lisa adjusted her cap nervously, "Oh, Roman, your mother is coming this way." Then, hissing, "She's going to want to take photos of us."
Rolling his eyes, "Oh yes, how unnatural. Her youngest child and his long-term girlfriend just graduated and landed their preferred jobs. How dare she want to take photos."
His girlfriend narrowed her lavender eyes at him.
He offered plaintively, "Lisa, look, Ma knows she makes you uncomfortable. She's trying."
She softened, "I know, and she can't help her birth defect."
His jaws clenched, and before he could correct her again, he was tackled by his 6' 5" mother. Her green eye and the other pink one were wide and bright. "Oh, the runt of my litter graduated top of his class!" She started to push her baby's bright hair back, "Keep the hair out of your eyes. Those big greens are so handsome!"
Laughing and letting his mother fuss over him when he's even taller, father gripped her shoulder. Finally, dad slowly cleared his throat, "Congrats on the MD. Son."
Weaseling free of his mother, "That was a few years ago, Dad. I'm a psychiatrist now."
His mother pinched his cheeks, "A very smart one." She turned to Lisa, the love of her sweet son's life! And almost threw her arms around the young lady...almost. Instead, the very tall woman held her hands to her sides. Then, with warmth, "Congratulations dear, on your journalism masters. RoRo said you got a job at the Mantle Daily?"
Lisa looked everywhere but the mother's two-toned eyes, "I yes, Roman got me an interview through a buddy."
Roman scratched his cheek with his semblance, none of his friends ever wanted to deny him anything.
Fausta giggled, "Oh my baby always had a card up his sleeve."
His father, "He should start keeping knives up there." growling, "Working in a prison."
Fausta elbowed her husband in the ribs, "He couldn't take weapons in there anyways, Regulus."
He chuff, "Boy, you could have been a great Hunter, with a decent weapon. You chose-"
Roman snapped, "I didn't want to learn how to fight. I've a cane, it fits my profession and satisfies your insatiable need for violence."
"You can't talk everyone down, Son."
"Don't I know it, Torchwick." Roman leaned to his mom and kissed her on her cheek. "Lisa and I are going to meet my friend, see you at temple Ma."
Roman snatched his petite girlfriend by the waist, Lisa squeaked at the sudden change of direction.
Lisa whispered, "You know they mean well."
Roman huffed, tossing his graduation gown into the back of his car settling in the drivers seat. "I know Lisa. Ma's not the problem. She's confused, sure. But, of all my siblings, I'm the only one that isn't a hunter." Then, smirking, "Too short you know."
Lisa angrily crossed her arms, "Just because you are the shortest member of your family doesn't mean you are short!" Her eyes narrowed again, "Ooo you sneak! I meant your father."
He chewed his tongue, "Dad...yeah. I know he loves me and he just doesn't get that...Atlas's care for criminals is inhumane and I just..."
Lisa placed her hand on his thigh, "You want to make a difference. And we will! I'm a journalist and you're a Doctor. We'll make Atlas a better place." She offered him a smile when he pulled over to the park.
"I love you Lisa." He opened the car door for her.
her pale purple eyes brighten, "Well obviously. I'm amazing."
Roman chuckled when he knocked on a townhouse door. He had to admit the military did treat his dear friend well. Her spacious home of pale blues and pristine white. Carefully he took the wine glass from his beloved. Why would anyone give her merlot?
The special operative raised an amused brow as she laid out the cheese plate. "Thanks, Torchwick."
Lisa's cheeks went a faint pink, "Maybe I should take the white…cause hand gestures. I'd hate to ruin this lovely rug."
Winter shrugged, "It is military issued, so it'd just get tossed whenever I leave." Her pale blue eyes settle on Roman, "You're going okay to be working in prison? You are far too empathetic for your own good."
Pouring her a glass, "Winter, we've known each other most of our lives. Heck, you've even set up Lisa and me." not that Roman needed help there, just the Schnee was quicker to the draw. "My empathy is a good thing for a psychiatrist."
Sipping and, as always, hard to read, "Where did the boy go? Your parents dropped you off while they did a job for my father. All chubby fingers-"
Snapping, "I did correct your homework."
"Thanks for the A…Ron."
"Roman."
"Doesn't matter…staff." her lips twitched upwards
He chortled seeing that dark smile spread across her mouth. And it was the operative turn to laugh when Lisa knocked over the wine.
XXX
Feeling incredibly nervous with this first client. Roman saw the man fight and watched a few videos of his murders. His mother fought him a few times and had the scars to show it. He argued with his supervisor that it was a conflict of interest.
His supervisor agreed, "Unfortunately, Roman. You are the best fighter on my team. I've seen you move through mandatory training. You might be the best combatant even among the guards."
Roman spinning his cane, "Handcuff him to his chair and let someone who has not had a family member hurt by him treat him!"
"He's still too dangerous. And with your semblance, you can calm him down."
Roman recoiled, nearly dropping his unloaded weapon, "I- I've only used to sense or help people bring up their feelings. Not repress them… it's not healthy."
His supervisor glanced at the folder, "Well, he is in for life. If you break him, consider it a learning experience. If he is finally docile... I'd say good work."
Roman stiffened to avoid recoiling, "What you're suggesting is wrong...Sir."
Gently mentoring the young doctor, "What you learn here can help others in the future." handing the folder back, "Ultimately, the treatment plan is yours to develop."
Leaving his cane behind in his supervisor's office, even unloaded, it'd be a disaster if his patient got ahold of it. So, feeling into his semblance, he opened the door.
Giggling, "Oh, fresh meat?"
Roman chuckled, "The freshest. I literally graduated a week ago." he pulled up his chair and felt his client's delight tickle through his semblance. His eyes flicked to the scorpion's tail which was tied down similarly to the rest of the limbs.
"Oh, you must have drawn the short straw." more giggling and Torchwick gave a short laugh feeling the Faunus's golden eyes wander over him. "You fight...a lot."
"A helpful thing to know in a prison of the most violent criminals in Atlas." Roman ran his fingers through his bright orange hair.
More giggles, "My, those are pretty green eyes. Might have to pluck one out for my collection."
"Well, if you manage, Mr. Callows. Please place it with some orange silk. I fear my mother would hate to think of it without the familiar mop of this." He tugged at his own bright strands.
Tyrian laughed and laughed. "Well, boy, I think I might like you."
Roman relaxed, knowing his client trusted him.
xxx
The weekend came, and temple went. In the yard of his childhood home, Roman pulled his father's hat down to cover the old man's face as he shot his mother. Giving and taking as he wove through them. They taught him how to fight dirty. After all Grimm nor criminals care. He felt his father's ax crash through his Aura. Roman hooked the weapon sending it scattering. He heard a twig snap and knew Ma was tapped out as well, and he threw her into her husband. Roman leaned heavily on his cane, waiting to see if his parents would get up. They instead erupted into laughter.
The Torchwick family tradition. Go to Temple. Beat the crap out of each other. Eat lunch. His siblings and their respective spouses were littered around the yard with bruises and Lisa watched so prettily.
His father clapped him on his back, "I remember putting an ax in your hand the first time, and you cut yourself. Now look at you, you can beat up two of the best hunters in Atlas."
Roman muttered, "Maybe you shouldn't have put a sharp object in a three-year-old's hand.
His mother we an amused smile, "best non-military hunters...in Atlas while they are exhausted. So wash up son. I can't wait to hear about your new job."
Regulus offered his hand to Lisa, "Shall I teach you some self-defense dear?"
The short woman bounced on her toes, "Yes, please! Oh and can you tell me some about dust combos? I'm working on a story."
"Of course, short stuff." He offered up his cheek, "Now punch me."
It seemed that his girlfriend was finding some rhythm with his parents. The college debt was a struggle, especially since he refused to enlist like most graduates. Money might be tight, but not everything was a grind. Roman went inside to use the shower.
He was drying his hair when he entered his childhood bedroom seeing Lisa lying on his bed, flicking through a magazine. He snatched it and wanted to set it on fire. "I completely forgot about this."
She tossed it back inside the nightstand. "You didn't even hide it."
"My parents always respected my privacy..." He went over to his bag and heard his bedroom lock click. "Lisa we got to be downstairs." She hugged him from behind and he could hear her inhale deeply.
"You're so sexy in motion." her cheek nuzzled his back.
"You've seen me train plenty." looking his shoulder to see her purple eyes glitter excitedly, "You can keep it in your pants until we get home." She pushed him forward onto his bed.
"Quick question Roman, have you ever gotten laid in this bed?" She shimmied out of her pants and underwear in a blink.
Transfixed on her thighs, "I graduated highschool early and you know I lived in a college dorm until our apartment. I think this bed is too short for me now?"
"So that's a no?" She straddled him, rocking her hips over his towel.
Hand cupping her cheek, "I don't have condoms here, love."
"It's a safe time of the month and besides you are really good at pulling out." She leaned down and pressed her lips to his. She could only gasp as he flipped her over, pinning her onto her stomach. His fingers started to work their magic.
He purred in her ear, "You're going to be quiet while you take it."
She wiggled her hips spiritly, and he affectionately kissed her shoulder.