Kootranova1- you're back! Are you ready to influence the development of my characters again? Cause I am!

Seriouslazy- welcome to my dumpster please don't mind me setting this aflame! *Wipes tear* You're weird too my man.

Luke- O.O you are correct I do. Thank you for pointing that out.

Brotien- dysfunction all around.

Oscar was relieved that Ozpin had taken charge of this mission. The headmaster had the experience to consider the next right thing. Oscar gritted his teeth at Ironwood being involved in something as precarious as time travel. The General may be tackless and, in the future untrustworthy. But right now? The military man still obeyed Ozpin with precision.

It wasn't all bad. Oscar had to agree on Atlas increasing funding in Grimmification research was clever.

At this moment, it was the plan before Oscar Pine that his stomach curdle. Capture and indefinitely detain Torchwick, move him regularly to keep him out of reach of his associates. It kept Roman alive and available for experimenting if they couldn't stop the Grimm pools from exploding. If you believe the psychologist whom, Oscar recently learned, was under James Ironwood's payroll. It was the safest thing for society. Oscar was to stay out of sight. If this failed, having someone who met with Torchwick somewhat regularly would be a boon.

Oscar clenched his jaw, and his nails bit into his palm as he saw familiar colors join Ozpin alongside the police.

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Red

Oscar closed his eyes and reminded himself it was the next right thing. He rationalized that students wouldn't be so quick to kill, and the whole town was scared of Torchwick. Police have had orders to shoot to kill for months. Even with the change in order...still, Oscar worried. He grabbed his hoodie and slipped out the window. He watched his friends move through alleys. Observing with contentment RWBY they had only been a team for a precious few months. Already they understood what the other needed silently. Ruby would make a few hand gestures, and they would disperse neatly.

Ruby never had that level of connection with RNJR. RNO, or as Neo loved to put it -RENO- operated almost as deftly. Despite hating each other when the women had to fight Salem, the three of them were lethal and protective. Neo rolled her eyes at Oscar after they pulled off a difficult mission.

-of course, I'd shield her dum dum. Killing her won't bring Ro back, and it'd just make you sad. I love you more than I hate her-

Ruby had shrugged and echoed the same sentiment, "You're my brother Oscar. I won't let your wife die. I might cut that pink hair off though"

Now Ruby flurried down alleys and pinned Torchwick to the wall. There were sirens, and the air smelled faintly of gunpowder. Then, in a high-pitched voice, "You're bleeding."

Torchwick couldn't stop himself from leaning his weight on her, "Astute, must be top of your class."

Ruby bit her lip worriedly, "Some of the cops want to kill you without trial."

"Of course, I'm too dangerous." He coughed, and Oscar could see blood splatter onto Ruby's face.

"Um Mr. Torchwick, do you have a safe house?"

Was the air heavy the scent of blood?

"Yeah, Red."

"Trust me, and I'll get you there."

Oscar watched them disappear in a melting of rose petals. An instant later, Ruby was back alone and covered in blood. She shook her head and tossed her scythe down the alley as she dropped to the ground. Oscar gripped his hair. Did that psychopath actually charm her? He remembered that the doctor who wrote the report may be biased. Was Roman a psychopath? Oscar suffocated in the no longer knowing.

Soon the police were upon the small girl helping her up and handing her her weapon. Although one officer nearly fell over while lifting Crescent Rose.

Oscar considered some of the safe houses he knew and went to the closest one. Getting there quickly, he opened the door for a mere slip of a woman to press a thin blade to his throat. Pink and brown his heart yearned for too long to see her so...alive.

A cough, "Neo, it's fine. He's...that guy."

Neo wrinkled her nose but dutifully stepped back.

Oscar managed to find his voice and offered, "I only did that to see if I could get a rise out of your brother." Torchwick was shirtless. Most of the blood was cleaned off. There were neat stitches in his shoulder and rose petals in his hair.

Barely able to steady his breath, "She used her semblance while treating your wounds."

Roman scowled, "You are a man of many talents. I don't need a medic anymore."

A clear get the fuck out.

Oscar shrugged, "I don't have any medical education." Not true, but his was a century or two old. Qrow flicked him in the nose once for suggesting cocaine. No, Oscar should not be offering medical advice.

"What I want to know is why Ruby was trying to help you."

Roman narrowed his eyes, "She didn't try. She did."

Neo fists on her hips, her nostrils flared out at Oscar.

"Yeah, I just smoked a pack of cigarettes." He quipped

The Torchwick twins blinked confusedly, and Roman spoke up, "You understand her?"

Oscar huffed, "I've kept tabs on Salem for a bit, and you two have fallen under the radar."

Roman flinched...he knew of Salem and was appropriately afraid of her.

It dawned on him his employer was purposely unveiling his expression. Here was a moment. A precious moment to earn trust. For the second time in his life and for the first time in hers. He told her.

"What I know of Salem and her associates is yours." Oscar paused.

Roman smiled at Oscar for taking a step in the dance, "I do not know if I can protect you. But, for information, I will offer what safety I can."

Oscar looked to Neo and combated the urge to touch her, "Cinder used magic to burn out your voice. She told you magic could bring it back. It's been her leverage."

Neo took her brother's hand, and he spoke so gently for her sake, "What we couldn't afford to lose."

His throat felt painfully tight for her sake. Oscar took a moment to do what he did best. Picking up a rose petal off the ground, closing it in his fist, and with magic within him, he opened his fingers for countless of petals to pour out. Then, feeling the power two ancients gifted him, his voice came back to him, "Magic can do many great and beautiful things, but it cannot create what is no longer there."

Her hand to her neck, her eyes welled with tears. Torchwick pulled her sister into his arms and rubbed her back as she had started to shake and sob silently.

Oscar closed his eyes, remembering the silent confessions of her losses, her desperate wishes.

-I missing singing Oscar- Her shame, -I can't even say goodbye-

He opened his eyes. If he could have gone back farther, he would have. There was only so much the device could amplify his own semblance. He swore Neo wouldn't have to say goodbye this time. She had pulled away from her brother and looked at the shorter man. His eyes were soft and warm, full of understanding, "Oh Neo, I am so sorry your voice is gone forever."

He knew his open ache for her loss hurt her to see, and she couldn't pull herself away. She moved to him and wrapped her tiny arms around his waist, a silent way to say thank you for the truth.

Roman frowned, and Oscar put on a slight smirk.

After all, Neo was a fan...or will be.

XXX

Much later, Neo had gone out. She'd have to cover for Roman while he was recuperating. Besides, she needed air for a girl who mastered shatterable illusions. It took a toll when the thin thread of hope unveiled itself to be only dissipating shards of a mirage.

Torchwick's right arm is in a sling. He could do plenty with his left hand usually, but it had gotten dislocated, and so he lost a great deal of dexterity.

A knock.

"Come in."

He thought it would be one of his guys. It was a popular enough safe house of his. An unofficial gathering spot of his lieutenants.

He should have known it would be her.

"Why are you here, Red?"

"How are you standing right now?"

He gestured to a bowl of soup, "A man needs to eat."

"Both of your arms should be in slings!"

She walked him backward until he fell in his bed. She pointed at him sternly before seizing the bowl.

Scowling, "You are not going to feed me."

Unimpressed as she held the bowl out to him, "Fine here."

His left hand shook under the strain of holding a spoon. Ruby waited without an ounce of pity, nor did she move an inch to rescue him from his ego-induced humiliation.

He sighed, "Red, would you feed me?"

She huffed and gave him a sharp look.

"Please?"

Warmth filled her features, "Of course!" She chirped.

As he quietly slurped what she offered. He took her in. Her back stood straight, alert, she gave him her full attention, but she was aware of her surroundings and what may happen around her. "Why did you save me, Red?"

"We had orders to not kill you." she gestured to all of him. "Look at you. They weren't going to obey. Besides, if you were caught alive, I think you were going to be imprisoned without trial."

"I'm a vicious man, Red." He gave her a critical eye.

She chewed her lip, "Yet you protected me? Why."

"I've seen fools do foolish things and call it brave. You know your limits. I saw that on the night we met. You appraised my men and knocked the only guy who could have given you trouble first."

Cautiously, "You protected me because I can strategize?"

He shrugged, "Because the moment you looked at me, I knew you weren't going to fight me all out. You were going to buy time for reinforcements."

"You protected me because you respect me?" She beamed under the praise.

"I want you to face me one day, Red, and not hold back." His left hand found its way clumsily into her soft hair.

"You want a good fight!" Relief washing through her in finally understanding his intentions.

He couldn't explain why he felt misunderstood. He was speaking of fighting, "I- yes, Ruby. A good fight."

She giggled, "So we're friends?"

She really was too sweet, "Of course Red, friends."

"As your friend, I will stop you from doing bad things."

He chuckled. It was a cute thing for her to say.

"if-" she gasped and left him to blink at a few rose petals. His eyes refocused on her, crouching before his bookcase. Her voice was low in awe, "you have microstructure characterization of materials. I can't even get Beacon Library to order it for me."

"I have to evaluate my suppliers for quality. It's been helpful."

She flared her nostrils, "you're using science for your illegal activities."

"Well, I was going to say you're welcome to stay if you want to read it. But obviously, an esteemed huntress-to-be such as yourself would not offer comfort to a wounded criminal."

She eyed his bookshelf longingly. "You'd let me read your books?"

He shrugged and winced at the strain of his stitches. Ruby fluffed up some pillows and pressed his sternum firmly so he'd lay back on his couch. "You need rest...Mr. Torchwick."

"I'm 18, and you just saved my life. Roman is fine."

She eyed him carefully and realized where her hands were. Oh he has chest hair! She dissolved into rose petals and sat on a nearby chair, her face hidden by his book.

With a raised brow, "I waaaas hoping for conversation. For example what makes you interested in characterization of materials?"

"Oh um, in class, I'm experimenting with different aluminum alloys...so see if I can make crescent Rose lighter."

"Well, based on what I saw you do, there are certain gears that a 7000 series would be appropriate, but having that right next to your high carbon steel."

"Would erode it since 7000 wouldn't precipitate much."

He nodded and watched her chew her lip. Then, his chin gestured to his end table, "extra paper and pencil in there."

She squealed, "oh it's so nice to meet someone who likes metallurgy!"

Roman grinned, deciding it really was and concluded bookworm was a good look for her.

Also Rosewick week is coming up 10/31/2021-11/6/2021. Details on my tumblr: Desicat-AO3