Part Nineteen
Oscar thought he was okay with this.
His dad had spoken to him about the idea of him dating and Oscar had liked the idea. He knew his dad could be very lonely, and the idea of his dad going out and being happy was what Oscar wanted.
"Is it Mr. Qrow?" Oscar had asked.
And his dad's cheeks turned a little pink as he smiled gently. "Yes."
Given that Mr. Qrow had supported his dad and was one of the reasons he wasn't so lonely anymore, Oscar was perfectly fine with that.
On paper, everything was great, it was what he wanted.
In practice, however…..
It was little things.
Oscar was always picked up by his dad. It was their thing. Oscar liked being in the car as they drove home, talking about his day. Depending on what they were discussing, they'd go for ice cream, or go over to join Mr. Qrow and Ruby and Yang, or they'd just go straight home. Either way, it was his time with his dad. When they'd moved here and his dad got the job at Beacon, he'd explained, as he did every year before a semester started, that he didn't have as much control over his schedule and that Oscar needed to be prepared to just go home on the bus sometimes.
But even though he'd been explaining that for over four years now, it had never happened. And now it had. Every Tuesday and Thursday, his dad taught a 2:00 class. That ended at 3:15, and then the hour drive back, his dad wouldn't be getting home till close to 4:30. So Mr. Qrow would pick him up.
It should be fine. Oscar had been warned, several times, that his dad might not pick him up depending on semester schedules; Oscar wanted his dad to be happy with someone and not look so lonely; Oscar was fine with Mr. Qrow. It should be great.
But once the spring semester started, it wasn't fine. He didn't like that he wasn't getting picked up by his dad twice a week, he didn't like not seeing his dad till late in the afternoon, he didn't like being with Mr. Qrow without his dad, it was just… all wrong. There wasn't baking those afternoons, there wasn't time to go over his homework together, there wasn't time for Oscar to do what he usually did to help his dad after such a long drive, and Mr. Qrow was starting to do that as well. That was Oscar's job.
It was Oscar's job to know when his dad needed a hot bath, it was Oscar's job to get dinner if it was a painful day, it was Oscar's job to look after his dad.
But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, his dad came home and Mr. Qrow would help him to the chair, not Oscar. Mr. Qrow would gently rub his bad leg, not Oscar. Mr. Qrow ordered dinner, not Oscar.
And Oscar was getting resentful.
He'd come out of his room when he finished his homework and find Mr. Qrow sitting on the arm of his dad's chair, leaning over and kissing him. That was the part that Oscar was supposed to be happy about, he knew he was supposed to be happy about it, but he just scowled, made a lot of noise to interrupt them, and brought his homework over to check.
One night, after Qrow had left, his dad sat down with him.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "I thought you were happy for me to be seeing Qrow."
"I am," Oscar said, a touch sullenly.
His dad shook his head. "You're not."
Oscar rolled his eyes. "I'm fine."
Raised brow.
"Really, I'm fine. You deserve to be happy."
A heavy sigh and his dad heaved himself up and came over to sit next to Oscar, slinging an arm around him.
Even that made Oscar mad. That was something his dad only ever did to him, and now he was doing it to Mr. Qrow as well.
"Oscar," he said softly, "we are adjusting to a new normal. It's okay to not like things. It's okay to get irritated. When your mother and I married and moved in together, there were growing pains for it. Simple things like where shampoo was stored, or who did which chores, how to organize the kitchen. Going to college had an adjustment phase as well, especially since we were married and our classmates weren't. Even moving here, you and I needed time to adjust to all the small things. The climate, having to deal with snow, how to divide chores when we finally got this house. It's okay."
Oscar huffed. "It's not okay. This should be the best thing ever, and it's not."
They sat together quietly for a while before his dad spoke.
"I think that's something we all have to deal with. We all have a dream of how things should be or will be, but reality doesn't always match." A hand came up and ran through Oscar's hair. "I had an image in my mind of what married life would be like, what married life with your mother would be like. It didn't match reality. Even now, I have an image of what being with Qrow is like, and this time my reality is closer to what I imagine. But it's still not the same."
"I just…" He didn't want to share. He wanted his dad happy, but he didn't want to lose all the time he had with his dad. Oscar knew a little about Mr. Qrow, but if Mr. Qrow was going to be a part of their lives… how did that even work?
"It's alright, Oscar. This is new to all of us. Take all the time you need."
Oscar just sighed. He couldn't figure out how to be happy for his dad being happy, even though he wanted his dad happy. It was such a mess.
It was a week later when Oscar came out of the middle school to see Mr. Qrow there, that Oscar decided he'd had enough. He could see Mr. Qrow sitting on the hood of his car, like always, and Oscar just shook his head and got on the bus instead.
He got home and locked the door behind him, intent on not letting Mr. Qrow in. Oscar just wanted some time to sort all this out.
Naturally, within a half hour, Mr. Qrow walked in, a scowl on his face.
"That wasn't overly nice, kid."
Oscar frowned right back. "I locked you out."
"I have a key."
That surprised him. "Since when?"
"Just after your dad and I decided to be a thing," Qrow stood tall and crossed his arms. "Now are you gonna tell me why you're being so pissy? Or are you going to keep being childish?"
"I'm not being childish," Oscar gowled. "It's fine. Dad's finally happy and he should be."
"But you're not."
Oscar stomped away.
Mr. Qrow's long legs swung and suddenly he was in front of Oscar, blocking his way. "Oscar," he said softly, if still irritated, "you've been sulking and pouting since your dad and I got together. He's been worried about you and you're all he talks about. If you won't tell him why you're acting like a brat, then tell me."
"Don't call me a brat," Oscar growled back. "You don't know me."
"Of course not, you're too busy pouting to let me know you outside of being a friend of my girls and one of the best things your dad has going for him."
"Don't try and butter me up!" he shouted back.
Mr. Qrow rolled his eyes. "I'm not. Now stop avoiding the question. What is wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"Don't bullshit a bullshitter," Mr. Qrow said firmly. "I'm sure your dad's mentioned some of the stuff I've gone through, I know avoidance and evasion measures. I invented half of them. The more you avoid it, the more you're getting bratty, the more your dad is worried. It doesn't take a genius to see-"
"Stop acting like you know us!" Oscar shouted. "You weren't there! You don't know what it was like! You don't know what it was like when we came here! You don't know anything."
Mr. Qrow's posture changed. His arms uncrossed, and he slouched forward, running a hand through his hair. "You're right; I wasn't there."
"You don't get it! You just don't get it!" Oscar just kept shouting. "You didn't see him in the wheelchair when he came home. You didn't give him sponge baths because he couldn't take a shower or bath. You didn't help him get changed in the morning and listen to him apologize all the time that you had to help. You didn't watch Mom get angry and have Dad pull her to a room for the argument and then help Dad catch his breath. You weren't there so you don't know-"
Oscar choked on his own words, feelings that had been stuffed and buried surging forward and he could feel his cheeks burning and his eyes leaking. "No one was there! No one was ever there! Not when Mom got angry! Not when Dad pulled her away! Not when Gretchen's brother came over! Not when Dad escaped! No one was ever there but me!"
Mr. Qrow was kneeling down and slowly pulling Oscar into a hug. But Oscar wasn't really aware of that. He was too busy trying to hold back the tears.
"No one ever saw her when she was mad. No one ever saw Dad after. No one ever knew but me…"
A hand was rubbing up and down his back. "That's an awful lot for anyone to know. Especially a child."
"I didn't want to know…"
"It's okay."
"No it's not! Dad always thought I didn't know what Mom did. But I've always known." God the tears weren't stopping. "I knew what to say to make Mom not mad, I knew how to hide and let Dad handle it, but there was never anyone else there…"
"People like that, they make sure no one else ever is."
"It has to be me…" Oscar said quietly. "I never did anything. So it has to be me…"
"What has to be you?"
"I have to take care of Dad now. He spent years taking the brunt of it. I have to take care of him now just to make up for it…"
"He doesn't see it that way."
"No… he doesn't…." Oscar sniffed, trying to get his breath back under control. "But I have to make it up to him."
Arms squeezed around him and Oscar gave up and just cried.
Hands rubbed his back.
He was rocked back and forth.
Meaningless words that meant everything were whispered in his ear, and it was just like what his dad did that he cried even more.
Eventually, Oscar just sat back and scratched at his eyes. He was spent. He shook his head and looked over to Mr. Qrow.
Mr. Qrow ran a hand through his graying hair and offered a crooked smile. "So, you know your dad best. You've got a lot to teach me."
"I… what?"
"Oscar, you keep being there for your dad. That's not going to change. But," he reached out a long arm to place a hand on Oscar's shoulder, "you don't have to do it alone anymore. You've officially got back up, but you're going to have to train me to be really up to snuff."
Numb and exhausted, Oscar was still able to twitch his lips involuntarily into a smile.
"So, oh-master-of-all-things-Oz, where do we begin?"
It had started with a text.
I think I'll be needing help getting out of the car.
It was sent to both Qrow and Oscar, and they both looked at each other once they'd read the text.
"Okay, kid, how does this work?"
Oscar was worrying his hands a little, but he stood up to take charge. "Chances are something bumped into him or something. He'll probably need a bath just to loosen up. A heating pad."
"You get on that," Qrow said, standing. "I'll order delivery. I'm crap at cooking and the two of us are going to pamper the hell out of him."
Oscar stopped, frowned, and thought it over. "Okay."
Qrow nodded to himself, glad he was making headway. Oscar was a great kid, but apparently even though he wanted Oz happy, he hadn't really thought about how that would change things for him. They were working on it. Qrow found the best parts where when he acknowledged that Oscar knew better, like their current situation. And it was true. Oscar had taught Qrow a lot about how to work around Oz's leg. Lotions, creams, where to massage and how to massage, where the focus of pain usually was, there was no doubt that the kid had been paying very close attention for years and had things down to almost a science. Qrow had taken to texting Mrs. Belladonna from time to time for tips on what to do for improvements, but Oscar always shot those down.
He still needed time.
Dinner was a decidedly unhealthy pizza with all of Oz's favorite toppings, and Qrow was keeping it warm in the oven when they heard Oz pull in.
"Get the bath going," Qrow said. "I'll help him out."
"But I should-"
"Oscar," Qrow said softly, "I'm bigger. I can pull him out and take his weight better than you."
And Oscar was back to scowling and sullenly went to the bathroom to get the bath going.
Qrow went into the garage to find Oz leaning his head against the steering wheel. He walked around and opened the door.
"Oz?"
"Sorry," he said softly. "It just won't move."
"I got you."
It was something of a performance, trying to help Oz get his legs out without bending painfully, and then yanking him up to get an arm around Qrow's shoulders. They left the cane and briefcase in the car and Oscar came scurrying out to grab it as Qrow helped Oz hobble into the house. "Where to?"
Oz looked at his usual chair, piled high with pillows and, more importantly, closer, then to the bathroom where the bath was running. He let out a sigh. "Bathroom," he said. "Better to loosen up first."
"Sure thing. Tell me what you need."
Oscar kept running around for various things, grabbing certain bath salts, getting pajamas and a robe, while Qrow stayed in the bathroom, and helped Oz settle first onto the lid of the toilet and then to help him undress more quickly.
"I'm sorry," Oz said softly.
"For what?"
Oz looked up from slipping off his belt. "I somehow doubt this is anything close to how you wanted to first undress me."
Qrow blinked, the idea of sex having been nowhere in his mind given that Oz was in his usual silent pain. "The thought hadn't even crossed my mind," he said. "Thanks for putting it there."
Oz gave a thoughtful hum.
"Gotta say," Qrow gave a crooked smile. "Now that we're discussing it, I do enjoy the view."
That actually got Oz to roll his eyes.
"Good muscle definition. Wouldn't have thought of you as toned, but I'm guessing you use a lot of upper body strength to make up for the leg?"
"That would follow," Oz said softly. Then he looked up. "I wouldn't ask this of anyone but…"
"You normally would struggle through taking the pants off alone?"
Oz looked away. "I've had to. I won't have Oscar do it, and there's never been anyone who could."
"But now I'm here." Qrow smiled, leaned forward, and gave a tender kiss. "You can relax, Oz. You've got back up now."
And Oz let out a gusty sigh, leaning his head forward to the crook of Qrow's neck. "Thank you."
After getting Oz into the bath for a good long soak, Qrow sat with Oscar.
"So how does this usually go?" he asked. "Do you eat now? Wait for your dad?"
"Eat now," Oscar said. "Dad… I don't know how long the bath will be. He's probably going to be massaging and trying to limber up his leg and that could take up to an hour. It's better to eat now."
"Can do. You get first slice."
It was about forty minutes later, when Qrow was going over Oscar's homework, that Oz hobbled out of the bathroom and went to his designated seat. Oscar was already moving over to gently start rubbing.
"Okay, Oz," Qrow said, sitting down across on the couch. "What happened?"
Oz let out a low hum, looking tired. "Stupidity," he replied with more bluntness than he usually offered.
"That's nice and vague."
"Sorry," Oz said. He reached out and rubbed a hand through Oscar's hair. "You know we're due for snow overnight."
"A good ten inches, the weather says," Qrow nodded. "I'm expecting a delay tomorrow, but the girls are saying snow day. It's supposed to end around midnight, two in the morning. Plenty of time to clean up."
Oz gave a wan smile. "Well, it's already snowing at Beacon. Earlier today they had spread salt and sand on all the walkways in a good thick layer. I didn't think of it, so I was walking at my normal speed to my two o'clock class."
"You fell," Oscar said, frowning severely.
"Not intentionally," Oz offered. "My shoes slid on all that salt and I went down."
"Ouch," Qrow winced.
"Indeed," Oz offered thinly. "One of my students saw and helped me up and get to class, but I don't usually sit down when I'm teaching. Add on that long drive home…"
"And it's a wonder you're moving," Qrow said. He looked to Oscar. "Does this happen often?"
"Not usually," Oscar said. "Dad usually knows better than to make me worry."
"I didn't-"
"Do I need to join him on campus to supervise him?"
Oscar offered an evil grin. "My dad does need supervision sometimes. He's so smart and academic, he doesn't think of the world around him."
"You two-"
"The type to walk into an open manhole cover?"
"Maybe."
Qrow chuckled with Oscar at Oz's expense. "So, prof," Qrow kept talking to Oscar. "What's next in taking care of the absentminded-professor?"
Oscar looked to his dad. "Rest," he said firmly. And he looked at his dad. "Snow means you're not going in tomorrow."
Oz let out a sigh that was almost a pout. "Of course."
"I'll get you something to eat," Qrow said, standing and heading back to the kitchen.
Qrow kept following Oscar's lead in tag-teaming Oz to taking proper care of himself. ("No, you are not going to the office to get some grading done, you aren't leaving that chair.") Oz did insist on looking over Oscar's homework and Qrow sat back to watch. It seemed it wasn't about going over the homework, so much as Oz teaching more critical thinking to Oscar in questions and making him explain himself. Qrow took some mental notes for the next time he needed to work with Ruby or Yang.
It was nearing nine when Oz insisted on Oscar getting to bed and Qrow finally looked out the window.
"Well, shit," he said.
Oz looked over, brow raised.
"I know you said it was snowing in Beacon, but it's been snowing here. For a while."
"Oh dear." Oz got up with more grace than he was showing when he first got home and walked to the window Qrow was looking out. "That's a fair bit of snow."
"I think the weatherman got it wrong. That's eight inches already, and we'll still be getting snow after midnight."
"Stay the night."
And thus, everything in Qrow's brain screeched to a halt. "What?"
Oz kept staring at the snow. "Stay the night. It's too dangerous for you to go driving now. Tomorrow's your day off, correct?"
"That's why I stayed as late as I did."
Oz nodded. "Then stay."
And Qrow swallowed, because he could just see all the trashy romance novels involving a couple snowed in and what that led to. Add on that Oz was in pajamas and his robe was open enough to show that collar bone off, and, well. Qrow did have a very creative imagination.
But he took a breath and reeled in his libido. They had kissed and enjoyed exploring touches, but Oz was still getting used to a touch that wasn't, in his words, painful or careless. They'd made a shit-ton of progress, yes, but Qrow always asked Oz where the line was and held to that line. Time in the shower could always handle the rest.
"Go let Oscar know, please?"
"Yeah," Qrow nodded, and used his long legs to get upstairs. He knocked quietly on Oscar's door.
"...What?" was a sleepy question.
He cracked open the door. "Weather's gotten bad. Your dad's told me I'm staying over. Don't freak out at seeing me in the morning."
Oscar was on his elbows, glaring sleepily at the door. "Fine."
Right. Still not okay with the dating the dad thing yet. Still, Qrow felt like he'd made headway. He came downstairs to see Oz, more mobile, had cleaned up some. Nodding to himself, Qrow grabbed some of the pillows that Oz had used and got ready to set up the couch.
"What are you doing?" Oz asked from the kitchen.
Qrow turned, an eyebrow raised. "Setting up the couch."
And Oz's face screamed gratitude, but he shook his head. "No," he said. "You'll be in my bed, thank you."
And thus, Qrow's mind stuttered to a halt again. "Come again?"
Oz merely raised a brow. "You're going to end up there eventually anyway," he said lightly. "Why not now?"
"Oz," Qrow said slowly, "my pants are tight enough. You're going to make me cum by dangling that in front of me."
Oz gave a soft laugh. "And without any dirty talk this time," he muttered. "Qrow, we both know I'm still adjusting to touch. Eventually I will have to get used to touch when it's not expected. We've been able to do a lot of that. Your arms around me, patting my knee, leaning into me, I no longer stiffen. But what happens when I wake up?"
Okay, that was enough to at least partially get through the arousal. (Oz really shouldn't be having this conversation with his rob slipping open, does he even realize? Probably not….) "So no funny business, just seeing what it's like to have someone next to you?"
"Yes," Oz said. "You're much larger than Salem, so I don't expect a problem but…"
"You'd rather know. I can work with that," Qrow nodded. But his pants were still tight and he was still throbbing. "I'll need to use your shower first."
Ozpin had to admit, he wasn't expecting that the first time Qrow would be in his bed wouldn't be after sex. He knew that they'd get there eventually, after more of the damage that Salem had done was healed, but last night, the opportunity arose and he went for it without really thinking about it. He just… didn't want Qrow to go home. So he extended the invitation and insisted.
After Qrow had alleviated himself in the shower and stripped down to his boxers and come to bed, Ozpin had just reached out and held Qrow. He felt the size, the strength, the differing curves, the different sound of breathing, and the warmth.
That was when he knew that being with Qrow would never be like with Salem.
There was too much care and consideration, too much attention and above all, softness. Oz hadn't realized just how hard the relationship was with Salem. There were still times, even now that he had escaped and been away, that he looked back and wondered if it was really as bad as he thought it was. Now, though… He knew there was no turning back.
And Ozpin loved it.
The partnership was balanced, it was discussed, it was revised, and it moved forward with say from both of them. With a say from Oscar as well. He had held Qrow close and fallen asleep more satisfied and content that he'd been in years. Idly, he wondered if the sex would be more enjoyable, but that was a fleeting thought. Mostly, he just enjoyed holding someone and knowing it was safe. Of that comforting weight on his chest and arms around his waist.
Waking up was also a different experience. Ozpin found that waking up, it was he who was being held. It was such a novel experience that Ozpin found himself lounging in it. Salem had been smaller than him and she didn't hold him. Indeed, by the end of their marriage Ozpin slept as far away from her as he could, even subconsciously.
But being held? Tenderly? Ozpin could feel the love all around him and he just… relaxed.
Yes, his leg was hurting after falling on it, but… it didn't matter. This… This was peaceful; this was contentment; this was… a dream. One he didn't want to wake up from.
Ozpin shifted, giving a deep, happy hum, and carefully eased his bad leg over Qrow's legs so that the slight elevation could alleviate some of the stress on his hip. Levering himself up, he gave a sleepy, lingering kiss to Qrow's lips and settled back down to just listen to Qrow's heartbeat. It lulled him back to sleep and it was the most heavenly feeling Ozpin had felt in a long, long time.
When Ozpin woke up again, he realized that Oscar had apparently been sneaky last night and unplugged his alarm. He let out a sleepy sigh at the annoyance of that, and started planning out his morning and rearranging when he'd take his morning medication, which stretches he should skip to get back on track, and making his to-do lists for the morning.
And he was still in Qrow's arms. Ozpin smiled to himself and gave another kiss to his partner. This was certainly something he could get used to.
Qrow gave a sleepy moan and Ozpin realized why he'd woken up. Qrow was clearly in the middle of a dream and was twitching. Ozpin didn't particularly want to move, but he reached across Qrow to grab his phone and turn on the flashlight to get a better sense of things.
He leaned over. "Qrow?" he asked softly. "Are you awake?"
"...ozzz…" and Qrow gave a sleepy kiss and a hand ran gently up and down Ozpin's back.
"Ah, a sexual dream..." Ozpin muttered. "Qrow, you're going to need to finish in the shower, I don't want to do laundry today." He reached out to turn on the light properly, but arms held tight, yet gentle around him, and Qrow gave another sleepy kiss.
Ozpin let out a low, happy hum, because he did like that Qrow dreamed of him, but he did have to worry about morning medication, stretches, and the work he wasn't allowed to do that night. He kissed back a bit more firmly, in hopes of getting Qrow to wake up, and something must have worked, because Qrow's eyes fluttered open.
"...Oz..? … good dream…"
Hips were starting to sleepily thrust. Ozpin gave an affectionate look, ran a hand up Qrow's face and into his messy graying hair, but reached over and turned on the light.
Qrow scowled. "Hhey!" he growled. "What?"
"It's morning," Ozpin, settling back into Qrow's arms. And he waited and watched Qrow's face as mental processes started to function again.
"Morning… fuck… what…" Qrow blinked again. "We didn't fuck last night."
"No," Ozpin said with a bright smile. "But I think we've made a significant step." And he leaned forward and kissed him.
"Jesus, Oz," Qrow muttered when he pulled away. "I woke up harder than carbon fiber. You're not helping." But Qrow was still smiling.
"Ah, yes," Ozpin said lightly. "The human male desire for a penis to penetrate something for friction."
Qrow choked. "Oz! You talking dirty doesn't help!"
Ozpin gave another happy hum and Qrow shook. The sex may not be what Ozpin thought of, or often desired, but seeing Qrow bothered? Knowing that he caused that? There was a certain delight in that.
Still, work to do.
He carefully sat up and pushed the sheets down, intent on stretching out his leg to start his stretches so that he could actually get out of bed. What Ozpin wasn't expecting was to see just how painfully hard Qrow was.
"Ah… I hadn't realized…"
"Sweet fuck Oz," Qrow grunted. "Lemme… Give me a sec… Shower-" He was struggling to get up, flushed everywhere.
Ozpin doubted it would take long, given that Qrow wasn't forming coherent sentences. But it would take time to get to the shower. So Ozpin decided to help his partner. He put a hand on Qrow's chest to still him and arranged the wording in his head. Then, he carefully leaned forward to Qrow's ear, and said the dirtiest thing he could think of.
"Fuuuuuuuuck!" Qrow hissed as he finally found release.
Leaning back, Ozpin smiled at the happy satisfaction that Qrow was showing.
Sex, mechanically speaking, wasn't something that was interesting, but seeing that look on Qrow's face? Ozpin would be happy to do that.
"Dammit, Oz," Qrow said after a few minutes. "Sweet fucking Christ, I think I still need a shower after all that."
Ozpin shrugged. "It will give me time to stretch."
"Come with me to the shower and I'll stretch you wide open. Probably while stretching myself open. Sweet fucking Christ."
That startled a laugh out of him. "Alas, I'm not able to stand yet."
Qrow looked over, still hazy from his release. "What?"
Ozpin looked aside. "I can't stand yet. Sleeping often leaves me stiff in the morning. Especially if I forget my medication. I get too tense during the night trying to avoid any pain that I'm always stiff in the morning. I have a stretching routine to do to be able to move."
"And you fell yesterday."
Ozpin nodded. "I'm sore. Not as stiff as usual, but sore. Go take your shower. I'll probably still be stretching when you're done."
Qrow sat up, and reached over to stroke a hand down his face. "What do you need?"
And Ozpin's heart ached with love all over again. He smiled. "You smelling clean. Then, after breakfast… Can you help Oscar dig us out?"
Qrow leaned forward and kissed him gently. "Not a problem. You're going to have to walk me through your stretches. I'm definitely going to be helping you."
"You don't hav-" the demurral was automatic, but Ozpin stopped himself. He was bursting with love, so why was he denying himself the aid? Instead, he said, "I'll look forward to that. When we don't have to worry about digging out of what's likely over a foot of snow."
"Sure thing."
Qrow was almost in the bathroom when Ozpin called out to him one more time. "And Qrow? You're doing the laundry today."
Qrow stuck out his tongue and Ozpin let another laugh just bubble up.
Qrow was acting weird, and Tai wanted to know why. He'd been particularly self-satisfied for nearly two months, a smug smirk on his face and not diving into a tailspin every time there was an accident like upending a pizza to the floor or tripping over his own two feet. In point of fact, he seemed to not even notice, just kept on going like his "bad luck" (i.e. his disaster energy) wasn't even a concern. Actually, other than those two times the number of accidents surrounding Qrow had gone down considerably, and that was even more worrying, because Tai had no idea what a Qrow-Without-Disasters was like.
The girls had noticed it, too - Yang and Ruby asking why Qrow was always in such an above-good mood, and they usually noticed everything. Tai's first thought was to ask if there were any changes with the professor, but the girls both agreed that there hadn't been any changes.
It had gotten to the point where Tai texted Clover, asking Did You Get Laid?
Regularly, was the response.
Ugh. Yeah, I Know. But I Mean With Qrow?
No. No disaster since the last one. Why?
Tai mulled it over, because Qrow only looked this self-satisfied if he had been satisfied, and if it wasn't Oz he was at a loss as to who it was. He explained the dilemma to Clover.
Hell, he'd even asked, "Geez, Qrow, you act like you got laid or something."
And Qrow would only give a cocky grin and say, "Or something."
Hm. Let me come over. Maybe we can ambush him.
Tai and Clover met for supper at a diner downtown, a little out of Tai's way but he'd told Qrow he'd be working late to compensate.
"So let me get this straight," Clover was saying, "You think Qrow is seeing someone, but it's not the professor?"
Tai shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know for sure. He sure acts like he's getting some action, you know how smug he gets when he has it in his head that people are hot on him, but I haven't seen any change with Oz, and the girls haven't either. If it's not him then I don't know."
Clover thought for a moment, munching on fries. "Does it matter who he's seeing?" he asked. "If he's happy why should we care?"
"Because if he's seeing someone that isn't Oz then his Bisexual Disaster status will trigger and I don't want to bring that down on everyone when things are going so well," Tai said, resolutely straight-faced. "Has he called you?"
"No," Clover said, "Not since that thing with Yang a few months ago. How is she, by the way?"
"Much better," Tai said, biting into his hamburger. "Cast came off a little while ago, she has some scars on her arm from where the bone broke the skin, but she has full range of motion and is in physical therapy. Insurance covered everything, give or take. That they'll cover," he muttered bitterly.
Clover straightened. "That's right. The anniversary is coming up, isn't it?"
"Yeah…"
"You doing okay?"
Tai sighed, running a hand through his blond hair. "Mostly, yeah," he said. "March is always hard. Last year we had Raven's bail hearing to distract us from everything, but even then the week of everyone was a mess. Qrow, too, because he was fighting with Oz back then." He hunched forward, suddenly not hungry. "Maybe that's why I'm obsessing," he said. "If I'm wondering about Qrow then I don't have to think about Summer. I'm still paying off the hospital bills. I'm down to like fourteen installments or something."
"So just over a year. That's not bad, all things considered."
"With interest rates I'll have paid her bills three times over by the time I'm done," Tai said, staring at his food. "That's what it feels like at any rate."
"Will you do anything?"
"Take the day off," Tai said. "Sleep on the couch, wallow in my misery for a day before I pick myself up again. That's how it's usually been."
Clover nodded. "How will you honor her?"
Tai shook his head. "The girls," he answered. "They're the best part of everything that happened. That weekend I'll take them up to the grave. Qrow, too, if he can stomach it. He always says he will, but then he doesn't."
"Do we know what he does?"
"No, but he doesn't drink; so I let him have his privacy."
Clover smirked. "Until it comes to his love life."
Tai grunted. "Who is he screwing?"
"Well," Clover said. "Let's ambush him and find out. Is he at your place or the professor's?"
"Mine," Tai said. "Oz works late, so he comes to pick up his son."
Clover signaled the waiter. "Then let's spring a trap," Clover said. "If nothing else I intend to shamelessly flirt with that very hot professor."
"Oh, my god, please take my status as the token straight guy into account when you do that."
They paid for their dinner and Clover followed Tai home. He saw the professor's car on the street, meaning he was still there. He parked in the garage and Clover was already out of his car and at the door, ringing it, leaving Tai to grab his briefcase and scramble out of his car.
"Why the hell are you here?" Tai could hear Qrow growl.
"Just came to check up on a friend. Tai and I were having dinner, and he said there was a high chance that a hot professor was here; so I thought I'd drop by and say hi, and maybe we could debate - what was the phrase? 'Carnal desires.' Please tell me his winter suits are just as tailored as his summer suits."
"Oh, my god I hate you."
Winning Clover smile. "You love me and you know it."
"Ugh, come on in and say hi," Qrow said, "But keep the flirting down or I make Tai throw you out."
"Fat chance of that happening," Tai said, moving to the kitchen table to put his work down. "Have you guys eaten yet?"
"Just finishing up now, Oz will be going home soon, anyway. And yes, before you ask, the girls both got their homework done. Winter already came by to pick up Weiss and Blake's parents just left."
"Look at you," Clover said with a smile, "Acting so responsible. Who are you and what have you done with our resident disaster?"
Qrow rolled his eyes. "I'm not always a disaster."
"And you don't always stand perfectly straight, either," Clover countered, tapping his chin. "You usually bother with posture when you're trying to impress someone. Don't tell me you have the hots for me again."
"Jesus I am not having this conversation," Qrow said, consciously slouching and moving into the living room. Tai saw his girls on the couch, Oz on his feet with his coat on, watching as young Oscar packed up his things. The professor smiled at the two additions to the house.
"It would appear that we are two ships, passing in the night," he observed. "I'll be taking my son home presently."
"That's too bad, professor," Clover said lightly, flirty smile on his face. "I still want to get to know you better."
"Oh, I didn't realize. Any friend of Qrow's family is of course a friend of mine. We can arrange to have dinner at some point, if you want. This semester I don't really have the schedule for lunch."
"Oz," Qrow said, rubbing his forehead. "He's asking you out on a date."
Blank stare, double blink, and then bright pink. Tai rubbed his forehead too, in sheer sympathy for Oz realizing he'd missed a beat. "... Oh," he said awkwardly. "I see…"
"Better get out while the getting's good, Oz," Qrow said quickly. "Clover's too much for sane people to handle."
"Oh, I don't know," Clover said, and Tai was debating on being darkly amused or sympathetically embarrassed, "I remember you 'handled' me pretty well, all things considered."
"Nope, that's it, we're done here," Qrow said. "Finish packing Oscar before this turns ugly."
"... I'm so confused," the boy said, and Tai covered his mouth to hide the grin.
"For now that's for the best, Oscar," the professor said, still a little pink in the cheeks. "Let's get going; Mr. Clover seems to have something to say to Mr. Qrow."
Tai walked them out and bid them goodnight, Oz turning and opening his mouth to ask something, before thinking better of it and getting into his car. Tai waved them off and went back into the house. "Girls," he said, "Can you two conveniently find something to do in your room?"
Both of them immediately straightened. "Why?"
"Because the men are going to talk gay sex," Clover said brightly without even batting an eye. "I assume that's something you're both just dying to learn about in miniscule detail."
"Ugh, no thank you!" Yang and Ruby both disappeared down the hall to their room, shutting the door.
Qrow was looking less than pleased, red eyes darting between the two. "I know a set-up when I see one," he said. "What's this all about?"
"Exactly what I told the girls," Clover said brightly. "We want to know if you're getting laid."
And there it was: Qrow pulled to his full height and smirked, even as he definitively said: "Nope."
"That's a bold faced lie," Tai said, crossing his arms.
"Then are you seeing someone?" Clover said, slightly over Tai.
That pleased grin again. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I am. I always told you I was hot."
"You are not that hot."
"Hot enough to turn the eye of a demi," Qrow said.
"A what?" was Tai. Then he shook his head. "Then who are you even seeing?" Tai asked. "It's not Oz, the girls would have noticed, but I can't think of anyone else it could be. Is it an old fling? Is your disaster energy acting up?"
Qrow went from smug to indignant almost instantaneously. "Is that what this is about?" he asked. "You're checking up on me 'cause you don't trust me?"
"No," Tai said, "But it's March, and none of us make good decisions in March. I'm just worried about you."
"You worry too much, Tai. I'm fine."
"I worry because I know what happens this time of year."
"Well this isn't one of those times," Qrow said, defensive.
"Then what's their name?" Clover asked. "We're not trying to pry - much - but we do want to make sure you're doing okay."
Qrow glared at both of them, eyes flicking back and forth, face utterly foul, but eventually he sighed and ran a hand down his face. "... gonna kill me for this," he muttered. "Look, it's Oz, okay? All the teasing from you and the girls, you get to lord it up and say you were right all along, okay?"
Tai sputtered, surprised and unsurprised in equal parts. "What? Why? Why keep it a secret?"
"Oscar," Qrow said. "Look, if the girls find out it's official they'll get a megaphone and shout from the communication tower downtown at full volume. Hell, I want to shout from the tower that we're a thing, but it's taking Oscar some time to get used to the idea, and we want to give him some time before coming out."
"That's… a shockingly mature decision coming from you," Tai said, still processing.
"Not shocking," Clover corrected, smiling, "Just pleasantly surprising." He stepped forward and slapped a hand on Qrow's shoulder. "Good for you," he said. "I'm glad you're happy. Please tell me the sex is a good as I think it is. An academic like him has got to have an entire library of research to experiment with."
Qrow shook his head, somewhere between smirking and wistful. "Hasn't happened yet," he said.
Clover and Tai both blinked. "Now I am shocked," Clover said. "Since when do you wait on anyone you're hot for?"
"Since I'm 'mature,' remember, asshole?" Qrow said, but there wasn't much bark in the reprimand. "Look, his ex did a number on him, and he only recently figured out where he is in the alphabet soup and…" he shrugged. "He's worth getting it right."
Clover put his other hand on Qrow's shoulder. "My work here is done," he said gravely. "You are now a fully mature, functioning adult." The image was ruined as his face split into a wide grin. Then he pulled Qrow in a massive hug. "Good for you," he said, "good for you. Enjoy it." He pulled back, smiling, and leaned in. "If you need any advice you know who to call."
"Yeah," Qrow said in a flat voice, "not you."
"He's all yours, Tai," Clover said, still smiling. "Keep me updated. I still reserve flirting rights!"
"Over my dead body!"
"No, over your spent body."
"Clover!"
But Tai was hugging him, too, the giddy pleasure of realizing his brother was happy finally blooming in his chest. "You had me worried," he said. "It's March."
"I know, Tai," Qrow said, hugging him back. "I'll make it this year. For the first time, I know I can make it."
Author's Notes: aaaaaand Clover again steals every scene he's in. He's just so confident and can say these things with a straight face he's delightful. He's also a great tool, he can identify the mature decisions Qrow is making and even calling him a functioning adult is a pretty huge step. Tai continues to be Best Supporting Character (TM) for worrying over Qrow and trying to do right by him, and we also realize March is a big deal for the family.
We also start to see that Oscar has some issues himself that he needs to work out. He's made a first step but it's not easy to trust his dad with basically anyone else. He's putting in an effort but he still has a ways to go. More on that later, but the next several months are kinda hard on him. For now we can see that Oz and Oscar can still fight for control. They don't share a body here, obviously, but Oscar can exert his control by telling his dad to take a day off - or even unplug an alarm to make his point. He's cute like that.
Next chapter: after two chapters of basically fluff, let's push that drama button and talk about March, Summer, and Xiao Long-Branwen angst.
