Part Twenty-Nine
The first day of Driver's Ed was not what Yang thought it would be. First, there was a fifty page PDF she was supposed to study. Second, there were actual lessons, she wasn't allowed to get into a car and start driving without a certain number of hours. Third, she was the only one there. She knew she was the oldest of the four of them, but she didn't think she was that much older.
None of this stopped her from being excited, however. Once she got her driver's license, she could get her motorcycle license, and then she would be in business. It had been a fantasy of hers since she was eleven and had found a hollowed out motorcycle in the garage when they were cleaning out. At first she'd loved the idea because it was her mom's, now she loved the idea because she would take that bike and make it do good things. She had no idea what, but she was determined to fix the imaginary rep on that bike.
But first her driver's license. Geez, put her in front of the wheel, already!
There were some cute girls in the class from different schools, but they didn't bother looking her way. Ah, well.
It was dark once class was over, the late January days still at their shortest. Once she packed up her stuff she went to the front entrance to see if Dad or Uncle Qrow were there yet. It was almost five so she figured they would be. What she wasn't expecting was Blake huddled by the heater of the front entrance, coat zipped up and staring out the window.
"Blake?"
Yellow eyes drifted up to her. "Oh. Hey, Yang," she said, uncurling herself and standing up. "You're still here?"
"Yeah, Driver's Ed. We only just got out. Why are you still here?"
"I was staying after for math. Even with Weiss and Oscar helping me, Honors Geometry is hard, and I tanked a quiz. Mom's had back-to-back clients and Dad said he was going to be late picking me up."
Yang looked out the front doors, and didn't see either her dad's car or Uncle Qrow's junker. "Looks like I'm waiting with you for a while," she said.
"Good," Blake said, before turning pink and covering her mouth. "I mean, I could use the company."
Yang felt the blood rush to her cheeks and her ears, but she managed to stay (relatively) calm. "S-sure. Glad I could help."
They both curled against the heater, deep in their coats and backpacks at their feet and it was… it was nice. Yang edged closer to Blake, to share body heat and all, and the other teen curled into her, and that was really nice. Yang could hear music faintly, and realized Blake had ear buds hanging on her neck. Today her cat ears were dainty wire things with tiny plastic stones to reflect the light, and there was the scent of ginger…? Yang started to lean in to better identify it before she caught herself - didn't want to be too pushy after everything Blake went through. But god she was hot, and so smart, and kind, and generous, and so brave to fight through her fears and…
Blake stiffened, leaned to the glass window and pressed her face to it.
"Yang! Tell me if you see a tall redhead in a black overcoat, down the driveway almost to the street."
Yang got up to her knees, then her feet to press herself to the glass. Her eyes traced down the parking lot to the driveway and towards the street. "Our side or far side?" she asked. "I don't see anything."
Blake sighed, pulling away from the window. "Just my imagination…"
Yang settled back down. "What do you mean?"
Blake looked at her, and her face was vulnerable and Yang wanted to punch whoever made her look that way.
"It's probably nothing," she said, looking away. "PTSD, probably. It's just… I keep thinking I see Adam."
Holy… "That must be terrible," Yang said, and her hands started to shake.
"I'm still talking to my counselor," Blake said, shaking her head, "He said it was natural. It's just… I know I'm seeing something that isn't there and that's… I know I sound crazy."
"... Not really," Yang said, sitting back next to her. "I mean, after the assault I kept remembering what happened. I'd wake up from dreams or I'd be putting dishes away and poof, I was in the alley again. My hands…" she looked down at them, willed them to stop. "They still shake sometimes, when I'm really keyed up, or I'm thinking about that night. I was starting to do pretty good, but then he sent those pictures out after Thanksgiving and…"
She looked up to Blake, saw her reach over and take her hands. "I'm sorry," she said. "I get so caught up in my own drama, I forget he hurt you just as bad."
"Hey, no. It's not 'just' as bad. He just broke an arm…"
Blake shook her head, pulling Yang's hands closer, cradling them to her chest. "That doesn't make it any less bad than what I went through," she said, leaning in. "If you're still hurting, then it's 'just' as bad."
And their faces were so close, and Blake's eyes were so bright and she was so beautiful and Yang's blood was on fire. She bit her lip, tried to tell herself to wait, because Blake needed to be healthy first before she said… Blake leaned in even closer, and it was lemon ginger, Yang realized, and wow they were so close what was she going to do if they kissed-
There was a tap on the window and both of them jumped, their eyes snapping to the window to see Dad there, smiling and gesturing to the front door to be let in. Yang got up, and no, her legs were not shaky, and she opened the door.
"Finally here," Dad said brightly. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Oh, he did that on purpose he was going to suffer terribly for that. Yang huffed, crossing her arms. "What took you?" she asked.
"A debate on who would be picking you two up," Dad said brightly. "Got a text from Ghira, and things are running even later than he thought. Blake, want a ride home?"
"Y-yeah," Blake said, bright pink and standing up.
"Great," Dad said. "You can both sit in the back. That way I can watch everything you do."
Yang was going to kill him!
"Ruby!" Weiss yelled, giggling.
They were at Ozpin and Qrow's home, and Weiss chased after Ruby who had just grabbed the last cookie that Oscar had baked and Weiss was going to have vengeance!
"Too late, Weiss!" Ruby skidded behind the kitchen table and chomped onto the cookie. "Nom, nom, nom! It's mine!"
Weiss tackled her anyway. "But I loved the jam in those thumbprint cookies!" she giggled, reaching for the bitten cookie that Ruby held away. She was laughing again and she knew this was more befitting a child than the sophomore she was, but… It was fun.
"We have more," Oscar said. "I'd have to make the dough, though."
"What?" Weiss and Ruby said in perfect unison.
"You're always saying that cookie dough needs to chill!" Ruby accused.
Oscar held up his hands. "It doesn't technically need to. The longer you let the dough chill, the better the flavor. I've made thumbprint cookies without chilling the dough and it still comes out fine."
Weiss looked to Ruby and Ruby looked to Weiss. They smiled in unison and turned to Oscar. "Then we need to make some!" they said in unison.
"Ahh, oh… errrr," Oscar stepped back, nervous but smiling.
Weiss and Ruby burst out giggling.
"Sorry, Oscar," Ruby tried to catch her breath. "But it's just so fun to tease you!"
Oscar chuckled. "It's fine. Honestly, that's my favorite jam for the cookies, too, so you'll have no complaints from me on making more. I just need to look up the recipe."
"Don't you have it memorized?" Weiss asked, going back to the homework at the coffee table.
Oscar shook his head. "We're always making different cookies. After a while, it all blends together. Cream butter and sugar, more wet ingredients, then the dry, it's the same process but remembering all the different amounts for each recipe is a lot. Dad always says to have the recipe out anyway to double check." Then he gave a small smile. "Qrow said to check twice, measure once."
Ruby was giggling. "Good to know Uncle Qrow's being a good Dad!"
"My dad is Dad. Qrow is just my other dad."
"I'll help!" Ruby sang, already rummaging around the kitchen.
"No you don't!" Weiss called. "You interrupted our essay because of that cookie! You're going to get back here and finish it before either of us step foot in that kitchen!"
"But Weiss!" Ruby whined. "What about Oscar's homework?"
"I did most of it in study hall," Oscar replied as he pulled out a hand mixer. "I've been done for a while, while you two were doing your work."
"No fair!" Ruby collapsed dramatically down by Weiss. "If only Blake and Yang were here! It'd all be done by now!"
Weiss snorted. "Actually, if all four of us were together, I doubt we'd be as far as we are. How's Yang liking practice?"
"She hates the conditioning, but the actual practice part she loves." Ruby pulled over her notebook. "When does Blake get out of her counseling? Maybe we can call her."
"I don't know," Weiss replied, glancing over Ruby's notes. "Hang on, did you write this correctly?" she pointed to something. "I can't read your handwriting well enough to tell."
"Ehehehe," Ruby rubbed her head. "Not all of us can be calligraphers like you."
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Basic penmanship doesn't take much skill."
"No, just loads of practice," Ruby replied.
Snorting, Weiss offered a hooded look. "You just say that because you never write anything down."
"Don't need to when I remember it all! Besides, that's what autocorrect is for!"
"You have yours off so that you can always type in lowercase for aesthetic."
"Details!"
They giggled again and started to go over the essay and double-checking their facts and points, discussing how things connected to the modern day.
Weiss looked over to her phone when it buzzed.
Weiss. Text me.
She blinked. Whitley? He almost never reached out because of how buried he was under Father's thumb.
What's wrong?
The police are here.
Weiss stared at her phone. "Oscar? Can I use your dad's office?"
Oscar stepped out of the kitchen, flour dusted on his shirt. "Sure. Just don't mess with his notes or books. He's gotten another idea for a paper that he's researching."
"Thanks."
"Weiss?" Ruby asked as she got up. Weiss just shook her head. There was no point saying anything until she had details.
Can I call? she texted as she walked into the office. The desk was next to the window, the afternoon light spread across it and all the books opened with sticky notes and scraps of paper with various notes. As promised, Weiss didn't touch any of it, she just sat in the swivel chair and put her feet up on the window sill.
I wouldn't recommend it.
What's going on?
The three dots of typing appeared and Weiss settled in to wait.
And wait.
What kind of wall of text was she about to get?
Last week the police came. Father didn't let them in. They served a search warrant and took his computer. Father then contacted with his lawyers and to try to fight. Other computers were also taken. Father was livid. When he went to work the next day he found out his work computer had been taken as well…
Weiss stared, her mind awhirl. What?
...Father insisted that neither you nor Winter were to know under any circumstances…
Of course.
… The police are here now. Again. One is with Mother, but she's drunk and sobbing…
Weiss winced.
...The police are arresting Father.
"What!"
He's being arrested?
I believe that's what I just painstakingly wrote out.
Have you texted Winter?
… No.
Let me call her.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up!" Weiss hissed at the ring, but the phone went straight to voicemail. "Winter, you need to call immediately." She hung up and then called her sister's work phone directly. She reached the secretary.
"Hello," she greeted with calm politeness that she was currently not feeling at all. "I am Weiss Schnee, and due to a family emergency, I need to speak to my sister, Winter Schnee immediately. Is she available?"
The secretary demurred. "She's in a meeting with her managers."
Weiss bit her lip. "Forgive me for being so forward," she said politely, "but I must insist. Please interrupt the meeting and let my sister know I'm on the phone. She knows I'd never call like this if it wasn't important."
She could practically hear the secretary thinking.
"Please," Weiss repeated.
"I'll need to put you on hold."
"Of course."
The hold music was classical and Weiss didn't know what to do. She was so full of energy, she wanted to run and scream, but she had to stay still and composed until she got through to Winter.
I'm on hold. Winter is in a meeting. I've insisted on it being interrupted, she texted Whitley.
Father is making a scene. He's insisting on his one phone call now.
I bet it will be to a lawyer instead of family.
I wouldn't bet against you.
That actually made Weiss's lips twitch.
"Weiss. You interrupted an important meeting."
"Winter!" Weiss let out a huge sigh of relief. "Father is being arrested! Right now! Whitley's watching it!"
"What."
"Father is being arrested in front of Whitley right now!" Weiss hissed. Emotion was bubbling up in her. "Whitley is watching this. I mean, I know he gave us that message, but… Whitley is watching this! Mother is currently drunk, he says. Do I go over and collect him? There's no way he can stay there now, what do we do? Winter!"
She could hear the shock in the silence. She could almost picture her sister's mind working on overdrive the same way Weiss's was. When would Qrow get home? Another half hour at least. How long a drive for Winter? Twenty minutes if she left right now. Would the police still be there? How long a walk for her? Too long, she remembered that much. Who could get to her fastest?
Whitley! He may be a stuck up jerk after being under her Father's thumb, but he was still family! He understood, he didn't deserve this!
"I'm on my way," Winter said firmly. "I need to arrange for a few things here at the office. I'll be there in a half hour in the shortest time. More likely closer to forty minutes. You will not go there, Weiss. Not if Father is still there."
Weiss heard the door behind her but she didn't pay attention. "Winter!" she hissed. "We can't leave Whitley there like that! We need to be there now! If Mother's already drunk the police won't leave him in her custody. It's a miracle the police haven't called you yet. I'm closer, I can get there first!"
"Absolutely not, young lady," Winter repeated. "I will not have you seeing that. Whitley is enough and he shouldn't even be seeing it. I'm going to hang up now because I need to start arranging so that I can get there faster. I can't do that if I'm arguing with you."
"But Winter!"
"I'll see you shortly."
She hung up.
"Argh!" Weiss growled, squeezing her phone in her hand wanting to break it.
"Miss Schnee?"
Weiss whirled around in the chair, banging her ankle on the end of the desk. "Professor!" she stood up. "You're home early. Yes! Perfect! You have to take me home right away!"
Professor Ozpin stood there, leaning on his cane, eyes wide in question. "I'm afraid I need more explanation than that. Why are you in my office?"
"I needed to call Winter," Weiss said hurriedly. "Father's being arrested! Whitley's still there! We need to go get him! Mother's drunk, no one will leave him in her custody, we need to-"
Ozpin held up a hand again. "A moment," he said softly. "Your father is currently being arrested."
"Yes! That's why-"
"And your mother is drunk and unable to look after a minor."
"Yes, I said that already, we need to-"
"Do you want to see your father in handcuffs?"
Weiss froze. "What?"
Ozpin looked at her sadly. "You've been exhausted by this custody case and I remember some of the talks you and your friends have had about creating charges for Jacques to be arrested. Now he actually is. Do you want to see that?"
Weiss shook her head. "That part doesn't matter! I mean it does, but not now! Whitley- I know he's been a jerk and all, but… he has to have somewhere to go."
"And your father?"
"Can rot in hell," she said icily. "I've only seen him because of any legal document he's produced. I don't ever want to see him again."
Ozpin nodded. "I'll drive you there," he said. "But you need to understand, as long as your Father is still there I am not parking and letting you near him. You're focused on your brother, but don't forget that you don't want to see your father."
Weiss nodded, the details didn't matter. She raced to the living room and started hurriedly grabbing her books and notebook.
"Weiss?" Ruby asked, clearly surprised.
"I'll text you," she said in a rush. Book, book, where was the math book? She raced to the kitchen and grabbed it before stuffing it into her bag. "I have to go. Text everyone!"
"Text them what!"
"Come on, Professor!" Weiss said. "We need to go!"
"Dad!" Oscar said. "You just got home! If you're early that means you left early and need-"
Ozpin was hugging his son. "Call Qrow. Tell him my phone is dead and that Weiss is having a family emergency."
"Professor!"
"And tell Qrow that Weiss's mother might need Clover."
"Um, yeah, but, Dad-"
Weiss came over and tugged at Professor Ozpin's coat. "Come on!"
"Dad, take my phone! I can borrow Ruby's."
"As you wish."
They finally left.
When walking from her home to Tai's in the middle of the night, it had taken Weiss roughly two hours. The drive was closer to ten minutes. Ozpin turned onto her street and parked at the side of the road.
"Professor, why are we stopping here?"
"Distance," he replied.
Weiss looked to him. "But Whitley-"
"Weiss," he said softly. "You don't want to see your father. At the end of the street, we can't even see your home. That means we won't see him. Text your brother and see if your father is still there."
Of course, how could she not think that? Whitley, Winter is on her way. Professor Ozpin has driven me here, but we won't come if Father is still there.
Those damn three dots!
The police took Father away a few minutes ago. There are still policemen here trying to figure out what to do about me and mother.
I'm coming!
Ozpin pulled up to the curb two houses down from Weiss' actual home. Partially because if Jacques was still there he didn't want either he or Weiss observed, and partially because the last thing he wanted was to get in the way of the police.
With the engine off, Weiss went for the door and Ozpin relocked it.
"Professor!"
"Weiss," he said firmly. "You are not leaving this car until you calm down." He looked her right in the eye. "How do you want the police to see you? Flustered and demanding, or calm?"
"I know!" Weiss hissed. "I know…"
"Take a moment. Breath."
Weiss did so and it looked like a breathing exercise that she might have learned singing, but if it helped calm her down, Ozpin wasn't going to say anything. While she calmed, he eased his own way out of the car. He had left campus early today because his leg was bothering him worse than usual and the extra time in the car wasn't helping. He was too tall to let his leg be straight in a car and the bend always pressed the bone fragments into his kneecaps making the hour long drive ache.
Standing, he limped over to the other side of the car and waited patiently for Weiss. After another minute, she was able to come out calmly. "Let's go."
Ozpin nodded and though it was obvious she still had an excess of energy, she kept to his pace. Thankfully his height gave him long strides that didn't delay them too much.
There was still a cruiser in the driveway as Ozpin and Weiss came up. Weiss started to pull out her keys, but Ozpin stopped her, ringing the doorbell instead.
"Professor, I have a key."
"Always let the police make the move," he replied quietly. "Never surprise them, always appear nonthreatening."
Sure enough, an officer opened the door.
"Hello," Ozpin greeted. "This is Weiss Schnee. She was visiting with my son this afternoon."
"Hello," Weiss curtsied. "I am concerned for my brother. May I please see him?"
The officer blinked, smiled, and opened the door further.
"I hear Mother upstairs," Weiss said softly. She turned to the officer. "May I see my brother?"
"He's upstairs in his room," the officer replied.
As they headed upstairs, Weiss helped Ozpin with the stairs.
"Thank you," he murmured.
But Weiss was already heading down the hall. "Whitley!" she cried out. "Are you okay?" And, like Ruby, she tackled her brother into a hug.
"Weiss," her brother said softly. He was stiff and pale, but slowly his arms came up to hug his sister. "Weiss. What's going to happen?"
"Winter's on her way. You're coming home with us!"
"I… I don't know…"
Ozpin stayed at the door, giving the siblings time, and leaning heavily on his cane to try and stretch out his bad leg more.
"I…" Whitley took a deep breath. "I'm…" and his voice wobbled.
Weiss was already teary. "It's okay to cry, Whitley. Father isn't here. He doesn't have to know."
"I can't cry…"
"You can," Weiss said, hugging him close again. "It's safe to."
And he cried. Ozpin locked eyes with Weiss and she nodded.
Good girl.
Ozpin stepped back, looking to the officer. "I believe that the siblings need a moment."
"I noticed," the officer said. "I'll keep an eye on them if you want to get going."
Ozpin shook his head. "I appreciate the officer, but I'll stay until the Schnee children are settled for the night."
The officer nodded.
Still, Ozpin glanced back at the emotional maelstrom going on, it might be better for him to give them some privacy. He hobbled down the hall and pulled out Oscar's phone. Oscar had worked the settings to prevent it from locking, and he opened the group chat between him, Oscar, and Qrow.
Schnee is gone. Weiss is with her brother now. Awaiting Winter.
The phone immediately rang.
"Qrow," he greeted, "I see you made it home."
"What the hell happened?" was Qrow's answer. "I get home to find Oscar and Ruby worrying themselves nuts- Yes, the two of you were going nuts- and have a garbled explanation of you leaving in a hurry with Weiss. What were you even doing home so early?"
Ozpin went through the details softly, with Qrow putting the phone on speaker so that he ended up fielding questions from all three of them.
"Alas," he finally said, "you three know everything that I know. I'll keep updating you."
"You better," Qrow grumbled. "Oscar and I will have a bath ready for you when you get home. I got some cream from the pharmacy that might also help."
Unlikely but the gesture was sweet. "Thank you," he said softly. "I'll text when I'm heading home."
"Be safe, Dad."
"I will."
He put Oscar's phone away and turned to go back down the hall to check on the siblings.
"Doctor Ozma," came a watery, hoarse voice behind him.
Ozpin turned around. "You must be Mrs. Willow Schnee," he greeted quietly. "I regret meeting you under such circumstances."
Willow was a mess. Red eyes from much crying, red cheeks from much drinking, hair askew, clothes rumpled with a robe thrown over it. She tottered over and her breath reeked of the tang of alcohol. "Are you here again?" she blurted.
Ozpin frowned. "I have never been here before," he replied.
"You'rre here frr another of my chhhildren."
He blinked. "I'm sorry?"
Tears were leaking from her eyes. "... ssshtarted with Winter. One classsh an' she changed… Then Weissssssh. Now y're here frrrr Whitley. You kidnap all my chhildrrren."
For the briefest of moments, her words cut through all of Ozpin's defenses. He could remember Salem and the divorce, decrying that he'd kidnapped Oscar from under her nose before using every lie she could think of to discredit him. The pain blossomed sharp and deep and Ozpin needed to close his eyes for a moment and let it wash over him.
"Mrs. Schnee, you are inebriated," he replied calmly. "I understand that it might seem that way to you, but I assure you, your children are quite capable of making their own decisions. They-"
"Ssshut up," she hissed between sobs. "I'm alone 'caussshe of you…"
Don't leave me here all alone! I need you!
Salem echoed around his mind, and Ozpin knew that today just wasn't going to be a good day. Still, he offered sympathy and compassion because alcoholism was a disease.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," he replied. "I have called for someone to be here so that you won't be alone."
"Not the ssshamme," she slurred, still sobbing. "My children!"
Ozpin heard a door downstairs and wondered if that was an officer or Winter.
"You are upset and intoxicated," Ozpin said softly and clearly. "You need rest. In the morning, after your hangover, you'll be able to think with a clear mind and see-"
She slapped him.
Hard enough that his head snapped to the side and his glasses scattered off his face and clattered to the floor. He saw an officer coming down the hall and pick up speed. Ozpin merely stepped back against the wall.
"Okay, Mrs. Schnee, this isn't how I would have thought we'd meet," said… was that Clover? standing in front of Mrs. Schnee like a human barricade of muscle. "I'm a sponsor from Alcoholics Anonymous. I understand you're upset?"
The officer went right to Mrs. Schnee grabbing her hands and pulling them behind her, but she just sobbed uncontrollably, crying out for her children.
Clover glanced to Ozpin, mouthed that he had this, and Ozpin nodded, backing away down the hall to check on the siblings. He bent down carefully to pick up his spectacles.
Whitley was at the door, and Ozpin held up a hand. "You're mother is upset," he answered the unspoken question. "Someone is with her now."
Whitley was scowling. "I should-"
"No," Weiss said firmly. "Adults handle adult problems. It's not our job. That's how Father stops us from thinking, he buries us under responsibility that isn't ours."
"But-"
"I assure you," Ozpin said calmly. "Your mother is in capable and experienced hands. Let her be." He glanced around the room. "I assume Winter will be here shortly?"
"Yes," they both said.
"She texted," Weiss continued. "She just got off the highway. She'll be here in a few minutes."
Ozpin nodded. "I understand that everything has been difficult. Have either of you looked at packing?"
"Oh," Whitley said. "What… Clothes. Toiletries." He looked around, lost.
Weiss stood and put an arm around his shoulders. "I have some ideas. Let's get organized. Get your backpack and gym bag. Is your luggage where it usually is? I'll grab it."
Whitley nodded and Weiss took off. The boy looked to him. "My sisters hold you in high regard."
"I esteem them greatly and am honored that I have somehow earned their trust."
Whitley raised a brow.
"I believe your sister mentioned your backpack and gym bag."
"Oh. Yes."
Ozpin let Weiss through when she came back with a wheeled suitcase, and stepped further away when Winter came hurriedly up the stairs. She paused. "Professor," she greeted.
"Winter," he said softly. "Your family needs you, it seems."
She nodded and headed into Whitley's room. Given the crowd, Ozpin hobbled back down the hall, reaching up to rub his stinging face. An officer came over to ask questions.
Ozpin let out a heavy sigh. "I won't press charges," he said. "She's hurting and inebriated. I was merely a convenient target."
"It's still assault," the officer said.
"I will not press charges. Those children don't need to see their mother taken away in handcuffs as well."
"Still need a statement."
"Very well."
After going over it again, Ozpin headed down to where he could hear Clover. Mrs. Schnee was in her room, sobbing, but settled in her bed. Clover caught his eye and came over.
"Hey, hot prof," he greeted.
Ozpin frowned. "Please, Clover, no flirting. Save it for Qrow."
Clover gave a wan grin. "I'll tell him you said that."
Ozpin groaned.
"Seriously, Professor, you okay? I saw Willow there slug you across the hall."
"This would be where I say that only my pride was injured," Ozpin replied tiredly. "Her words were worse. But I'll talk to Qrow once I'm home."
Clover nodded. "Just so you know, this isn't how sponsorship works. You don't just call someone you know is a sponsor and have them come over. I came because someone obviously needed help but…" he shook his head.
"Then I apologize," Ozpin said softly, feeling all the weight around him.
"It's fine, you wanted to help." Clover took a deep breath. "Crash course on sponsors. It starts with going to an AA meeting. Willow there," he jerked a thumb towards her, "has never been to one and doesn't want to. At a meeting, you usually ask someone you admire, someone who's come through it and is doing okay, to be your sponsor. That's how Qrow got me. Tai had dragged him to a meeting or two and, sloshed off his feet, Qrow asked me to be his sponsor."
"I hadn't realized."
Clover shrugged. "Qrow doesn't remember. Willow there, I think she'd need a female sponsor. I'm way too flirty and banter too much to be a good match for her. I'll stay tonight and leave some numbers for her, but she has to want to stop drinking. Qrow knew he shouldn't be drinking, but it wasn't until his nieces broke through to him that he started working at it. You know how that went."
"Unfortunately." Ozpin let out another heavy sigh. "It seems that there has been a great deal of collateral damage in this house."
"Yeah, you included," Clover leaned in looking at Ozpin's face.
Ozpin leaned back, uncomfortable.
"Gotta say, Professor, I wasn't expecting you to handle that so well when I saw her slug you."
He shook his head. "She's not herself."
"How do you know? You ever met her sober?"
"No," Ozpin replied. "But it doesn't take much to smell the alcohol."
"Hm. Maybe." Clover leaned back. "You're a classy act, professor, as well as hotter than a volcano. Don't let Qrow disaster all over you. He'll never find someone so good again."
Ozpin gave a flat look. "I don't intend on letting Qrow go."
"Good." Clover ran a hand through his red hair. "I'm going to call some other sponsors who might be better for Willow. See if anyone's willing to try and drag her out of the bottle. Honestly? She might need an intervention as well."
"Let's see how she is without Jacques in her life first."
Clover shrugged, pulling out his phone.
He took a deep sigh, then Ozpin headed back to check with the siblings, sidestepping the officer. Whitley's suitcase was packed and closed, as was his backpack. His gym bag was in the process of being filled.
"That's enough," Winter was saying. "Anything else, we can collect as needed. This will give us time to settle."
"Whitley, you have to come with us to therapy. We're all going to need to talk about this," Weiss was saying. "And before you repeat anything Father said about weaklings needing therapy, I have some youtubers to recommend who have talked about needing therapy, even though they're successful."
Ozpin let out a chuckle he wasn't really feeling. "Instead of the internet, where people can pretend to be whatever they wish, perhaps Taiyang might be a better role model on why therapy is useful."
"No time," Weiss replied, "we'll be going to therapy tomorrow. I need recommendations for tonight if Whitley's going to be haughty about this."
"In that case," Ozpin said, "use yourself. After all, didn't you resist going to therapy?"
Whitley turned to Weiss. "You did?"
"No! Yes. I was surprised when it was suggested and thought that it meant other people!" Weiss was turning red. "That's how messed up I was!"
Whitley was smiling, and, Ozpin noted, he looked lighter. He'd accepted the change.
"We are all surprised when life deposits massive upheavals to our lives," Ozpin said gently. "We merely have to choose how to proceed when that happens."
Winter turned to him with her lips twitching into a smile. "Professor, you don't have to lecture us anymore."
Ozpin gave a more gentle smile. "But who's to say? There are two young Schnees here who may enter my classroom one day. I'd best be ready for either of them."
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Only if you teach at Yale. I plan on going there for my degree."
"That's still two years away. One day at a time," Winter said firmly. "Right now, we need to spirit Whitley away." She looked around. "We've spent enough time here."
"Is there anything else I can do?" Ozpin asked.
Winter shook her head. "We have things under control."
Weiss came over and hugged him tight. "Thanks for bringing me here," she said, eyes watery. "God, I'll be glad when this is all settled. I'm tired of my emotional defenses being tissue paper."
"Marathons do wear you down," Ozpin agreed. "I'll be departing then."
"Oh! I'll help you with the stairs," Weiss said. She turned to Whitley. "Be right back."
"Thank you," Ozpin said. "You don't have to-"
"Who's going to, the police?" Weiss rolled her eyes. "They don't know you."
Ozpin could only nod, face still stinging. Once down the stairs, Weiss walked him out to the driveway. She glared at it. "It's icing over," she growled. "I'll help you to your car. Just let me grab a flashlight so we can watch out for black ice." She ran inside then came back out. "The officer said they'd be leaving soon, once we had Whitley squared away and Mother was asleep. Thank you, for calling Mr. Ebi."
"Quite alright," Ozpin replied, stepping aside from some ice. "I'm glad I could help. Though your mother must make that final decision."
"We know."
Ozpin nodded. "You let us know if you need anything."
"We will." Weiss looked up and smiled her first real smile since Ozpin had come home to this surprising event. "Thanks, Professor."
"Look after Whitley," Ozpin said softly. "Give him time. He will not be where you are swiftly. It will take a great deal of patience."
"I will. Winter said we won't be in school tomorrow."
"Unsurprising."
They arrived at his car and Ozpin sighed at getting in. "Be safe, Miss Schnee."
"You too."
Ozpin sat in his car and watched Weiss head back before leaning forward against the wheel. Memories were hovering at the edges, weighing him down, but he brushed them aside again and took a deep breath. He texted he was on his way home and arrived to find Ruby was still there with Oscar and Qrow.
"Dad! Bath is running," Oscar came out to grab his briefcase.
Qrow was helping him out of the car. "I'll help you get into the tub. Ruby's in charge of dinner. Clover texted that you got slugged?"
Ozpin sighed. "I'll explain as you help me get into the tub."
Qrow helped Oz strip down in the quiet of the bathroom as he explained the whirlwind of an evening that it had been. Qrow just sat by the tub as Oz had his bath, massaging his bad leg, and remembering that bitch accusing him of kidnapping, having had to speak to the police before he'd even left to make sure that there wouldn't be a kidnapping charge, and the long legal process of getting the restraining order in the first place.
"You shouldn't have had to go through any of that shit, Oz," Qrow said, running a hand through Oz's white hair. "No one should. I'm sorry that it all came up."
"I'm alright," Oz said softly. "Even a year ago, if anyone had said anything like that, I suspect that I might shut down. I'm still living in the moment, talking, interacting. I'm just… Sad. Tired. I have so many regrets from California. Staying with Salem as long as I did, accepting what she did without fighting back, not recognizing the signs for what they were, the list seems endless."
"Well, you're not there anymore."
And Ozpin turned with a sincere smile, if sad. "No. Now I have you." And he leaned forward to kiss him. Gentle and sweet, wet, soapy hands going into Qrow's hair. "I'm not sure I've ever been so glad to have met you as I am right now. I can't discuss these things with Oscar. Not now while he's still so young."
Qrow lightly kissed Oz and just hugged him. "He wants to know these details, you know."
"I know. When he's older. It won't be good to hear any of them and while he has no illusions about his mother, I don't want to ruin whatever good he has left yet." Ozpin sighed and kissed him again. "Help me up?" he asked tiredly.
"Of course," Qrow said.
Once Oz was sitting on the toilet seat and toweling dry, Qrow just leaned over and hugged Oz close. Because at that moment, all he wanted to do was be a balm over Ozpin's wounded soul. The same way he was whenever Qrow wanted that drink.
"What do you need?"
"Distraction," Oz replied, reaching for the pajamas that Oscar had pulled out. "I'll wallow in memories if I'm left to my own devices."
"Ruby and dinner will certainly keep you focused," Qrow offered wryly. Then he waggled his eyebrows. "Want me to be that kind of distraction tonight?"
Ozpin actually laughed. "A fascinating idea, but I won't be a good lover tonight. I'm not in the mood and I'm not even sure if my body would respond with how I'm feeling."
"Got it," Qrow said. "Sappy then? Snuggles and cuddles?"
Oz laughed again. "What, a romantic movie by the fire? I'll remind you, Mr. Branwen, that you and a couch can be a dangerous thing."
"Hey, you started it that time. A 'rarity you wished to enjoy' if I remember correctly."
And Oz hummed, eyes actually sparkling for a brief moment before he went quiet. "Still, a family movie. That might be a good idea."
Qrow smiled. "We'll let Ruby pick. Watch Oscar squirm if she goes for a chick flick."
Ozpin chuckled again before going quiet.
Qrow helped him stand to get his boxers and pants on, and Ozpin made a few test motions with his leg.
"Better. Now, what has your niece done for dinner?"
"Dunno," Qrow smiled. "Told her to surprise us."
Ozpin gave a flat look. "How experienced is she in the kitchen?"
"None."
Flat look intensified.
"Oscar's with her."
Oz's lips twitched.
Qrow hugged him close again. Whatever Oz needed. He'd do.
Author's Notes: And, thus, one of the antagonists is put to bed, never to be seen from again. I mean yeah, fallout is still gonna fallout, but the worst is now officially over for the Schnee family, huzzah! Whitley is finally in a safe environment, Weiss and Winter will look after him, they all get to heal, and there's room if Willow chooses to join them. That's left up in the air since we haven't seen the resolution to her arc in V8 and this was written in April when v7 had only just finished. We do see the different side of her, the one where she's drunk, which is a bit different from when she's sober or even just tipsy. Really, the scene kind of speaks for itself, there isn't much to talk about.
Also, Blake and Yang being uselessly in love. Between the fluff and the drama... eh. This one's actually pretty balanced.
Next chapter: One antagonist down; two to go, though I'm guessing it's obvious who's next.
