Holding Trust

Roman knocked on the door to Ozpin's home again, only this time armed with a box of chocolate. Again Penny opened the door and frowned. "Today's not a good day, please come back tomorrow."

"Can I talk to Oz?" Roman asked, he was already starting to really hate this little girl, with her bright ginger hair.

"No. He is not feeling well." Penny said firmly keeping her hand on the door.

Roman scowled. "Maybe I can cheer him up then."

At that Penny paused shifting nervously, as much as she did not like this Romulus. She had tried everything, made all his favourite foods, got the fire going just how he liked it. Even collected all his favourite books from the library, but he still wasn't talking. The only thing she had gotten him to intake was hot chocolate. Maybe this soulmate could help, being a soulmate was supposed to help but she really wasn't sure. "Okay. But anything you see is completely confidential… he's having a bad day."

Penny allowed him in and Roman couldn't help but notice the house was different this time. Every window had been opened letting the light in, but it wasn't as clean. Dust had started to appear and there were rumples in the rugs that hadn't been there before. They walked deep into the house the marble floors had been traded out for maple. The colours grew warm and earthy, the light warmed the halls rather then reflecting through them.

They came upon a heavier door and Penny tentatively knocked before opening it. "Father Romulus is here to see you."

Roman was a bit stunned by the contrast. The room was still the same earthy tones but the curtains were drawn only letting a sliver of light through. Oz was curled up in a large green leather chair staring unseeing into the fire. Cupped in his hands was an empty cup of hot chocolate.

"Father." Penny called out softly walking over and taking the cup from him.

Ozpin started at the action and his eyes came into focus. "Oh hello Penny."

"Romulus is here to see you." She stepped away and Oz looked up at the other man. Blush flooded his cheeks as he wore only his housecoat. Ozpin stood and quickly tied it tighter around his middle. "Apologies for my appearance."

Roman smiled his most charming smile. "I like it, suits you." He offered his box of chocolates. "You seemed like a milk chocolate guy to me."

A smile pulled at Oz's lips. "Well you are not wrong." He set the box down on the coffee table and opened it after a moment picked out a caramel square and ate it with a purr.

Penny only just resisted jumping for joy, he was eating something! It was time for her to make a speedy exist. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

"Thank you Penny." Ozpin said and sat back down as Roman sat in the twin chair.

"She seems nice. Is she your steward or something?" Roman asked.

"Steward is a good word for it, she manages the house when I do not feel up to the task." Ozpin helped himself to another chocolate, they were of good quality but nothing special. He however did have a soft spot for sweets and a soulmate had brought them, which made the gesture even better.

Roman ate a chocolate, they were too sweet for his tastes but he needed a distraction to buy himself time to think. "Have you been working lately?"

"No. My company has many other research divisions. They don't need me." Ozpin's eyes fell to the fire. "No one does really, I don't even know why I am still here."

Juezz this guy just throws me bones without a second thought. "I don't think any of us know why we are anywhere." Roman said.

"That's one way to look at it." Ozpin said, he had thought of that too.

Roman stood picking out another caramel candy. "I don't know about you but I can think of something fun to do since we are here." He put the candy in his mouth and stole a kiss before Oz could respond. Roman couldn't help but purr as he parted his lips and teased the sticky sweet into Oz's mouth. Meanwhile he slid his hands down Oz's chest and pulled the robe undone.

Ozpin stood passing the candy back, his hands pushed Roman's jacket to the floor followed by his shirt. His hands trailed over the slim man before weaving into the dyed hair. The candy dissolved between them and Roman pulled Oz towards the bed. Oz's housecoat dropped to the floor as he sat back on the bed. Roman kissed his way downwards. Man I've had whores who were harder to get into bed. He almost paused in surprise as his lips found chiseled muscle, man he didn't let himself go.

Roman moved straddling Oz taking another kiss, while he stoked the other man to attention. Ozpin reached for Roman's belt and quickly removed the last articles of clothes between them. The copper eyed man was enjoying the distraction, touching someone made not thinking easier. "What do you want to do?" Oz moaned into the kiss.

"I was going to suck you off, but if you have something else in mind I'm all ears." Roman sucked in a breath as Oz cupped his balls.

"How would you feel about being buggered? I haven't got to do that in ages." Ozpin stroked up the smaller man's member.

Roman bit down as Oz stroked over the head of his member knowingly. He squeezed his eyes shut as Oz much larger hand stoked him. "I'm good with that, I only like it with condoms through. No barebacking."

"Works for me." Oz said, grabbing Roman by the hips and tossing him with ease into the middle of the bed. Roman sat up stunned by the casual display of strength, Oz prowled over kissing Roman long and slow while his hand traced up the green eyed man's thigh.

Torchwick sighed out a moan as Oz stroked and teased, he could feel the pleasure building. He had to hand it to Oz, the man knew what he was doing but that didn't change his plan, first he'd cheer Oz up then see about getting access to Oz's lab. From there it would be easy to smuggle Neo in to steal anything they could sell, then retire to Vacuo or maybe Mistral. Roman thoughts were cut off as he moaned again parting his legs as Oz teased down to stroke his perineum, as Oz pressed on it and stroked his cock in a tight grip he came with a small arch of his back.

Ozpin eased off and Roman rolled over. "You're a quiet one."

Well yeah, it's not like I like you. I'm only doing this to make you happy enough to get your walls down. "Just not the vocal type." Roman watched out of the corner of his eye as Oz fetched a condom and lube from his bedside table. "That's a shame, I like them loud." Roman gripped the pillow tightly as Oz started to rim him lightly.

"Are you alright? You've very tense." Ozpin shifted his attention to massaging Romans rear.

"Just been a while." Roman closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths trying to get himself to relax. The things he did for money, though to be fair he had done a lot worse in the past. Getting buggered by a handsome soulmate… well he'd be able to live with it.

"And this is where I do most of my work." Now dressed properly Ozpin at Roman's prompting was showing the man around his work.

Roman surveyed the mostly clean room, machinery and storage units he had no idea what they were for, a computer and… laptop. Bingo Roman thought with a smile. "Wow this is all really cool."

"It's nothing compared to the R&D section of Clockwork Enterprises. I mostly work on any idea I have till it's as assembled as I can make it then hand it over to them for completion." Ozpin said smiling, it was so nice having someone around. He walked over and pet the back of a finger over Roman's arm, the other man forced a smile upon his lips.

"Father- oh sorry." Penny opened the door and stepped out of the way letting James in.

James stopped still and looked between the two, particularly the spot where their hands met and glared at Romulus, so this was where he had been. "Ozpin we need to talk."

"Yes?" Oz was a little curious as to what about.

James ground his teeth but decided to just get it over with. "There was an attack on a Faunas and we have reason to believe that Ruby may be a target. Qrow and I would like to move Ruby in here for safe keeping, probably in the near future."

Ozpin's brows flew skyward, behind his coppery eyes was a worried thought about the Soulmate he had not spent much time with yet. He liked her and from their brief interactions the feeling was mutual. "Of course, she is more than welcome, I will make sure Penny has everything ready for her when she arrives."

Romulus's stomach turned, would Qrow come with Ruby? This was bad, he needed to work fast. "I'll put an ear to the ground as well then. Was there anything else General? Ozpin was just going to show me his latest project." He slid his hand further into Oz's, he could practically feel Oz's attention shift back to him.

"No." James bit out, his eyes flashing for a moment, there was something not quite right here. Why did it seem to bother him so much? Romulus all but clinging to Oz's arm, still it wasn't really his business and turned on his heel. "I will be in touch Oz." As he stormed from the house rage burned in his stomach. That this Romulus that no one really knew anything about was wheezing his way so easily into Oz's life. He clenched his metal first then instantly released it as the clink of metal on metal reached his ears.

This was stupid, it was part of his body for pities sake, he should be used to it by now. Qrow's offer filled his mind again, if he knew what he was doing would it be easier to approach Oz? By the time he reached his car his mind was made up. Pulling out his Scroll he wrote a quick email to Qrow and attached several files that he always kept with him. His metal thumb hovered over the send button. Worrying his lip James took a deep breath closed his eyes and hit send. Little steps James.

Qrow was lounging on his couch, it was nice having a place of his own again. He did like all the travel but motels got old fast, and eating his own slop day in day out got pretty unbearable too. Outside of looking for the fanaus's family he had been making his flat livable again. Stocking up on food, cleaning, getting new furniture, even visited the temple to say hi to the high priestess. Qrow smirked almost purring at the thought, she had even given him free incense and tea when Qrow said he might be taking a client with prosthetics. It was only through sheer force of willpower that he wasn't burning any of it already, he loved the lavender scent.

His Scroll buzzed and he pulled it out of his breast pocket, the email was short but as Qrow opened the attachments he lurched upright… They were James medical files. "Holy shit." Qrow said and started to rapidly read. Partial spine injury , stood out. That always made things interesting but further reading confirmed that all of James male organs were still intact, albeit with some minor scarring. That's interesting, so the nerves probably haven't rewired to make up for that loss. Sure makes my job easier… Still seeing as he's intact why does he have such a hard time finding partners? Or maybe it's that he doesn't get that far.

Qrow poured a little rum from his flask into his lemon tea and sipped. I need more information, Ruby's had sex with him maybe she can give me some insight.

Speak of the demoness and she shall appear, Ruby bounced into his flat and pounced upon him before Qrow had time to turn. "Hello!" Ruby pinned him to the sofa. "Good afternoon?"

Qrow raised a brow. "Do you mean? Do you wish me a good afternoon or do you mean it is a good afternoon whether I want it or not?" Qrow paused trying to contain his smile. "Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular afternoon? Or are you simply stating that this is a afternoon to be good on? Hm?"

"All of them at once I suppose?" Ruby said grinning down at Qrow.

They managed to keep straight faces for all of five seconds before bursting into giggles. "Oh my Gods." Ruby laughed. "Your execution was perfect!"

"Why thank you." Qrow wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled happy into his chest. "So to what do I owe this visit?"

"I was getting bored and lonely at Patch." Ruby kissed his neck and played with his crooked cross.

"So you decided to steal some snuggles?" Qrow asked.

"Yup!" Ruby said and wiggled. "Plus Ozpin wasn't answer his phone and James's voicemail said he was driving."

"Oh so I've been demoted to the third option for snuggles now?" Qrow asked with a raised brow.

"Well you're the one who said I can't frisk you anymore." Ruby sat up pouting. "Not to say James wasn't good, but I am not a glass doll."

"Gentle was he?" Qrow asked.

"Yeah, particularly when I got his clothes off. Didn't seem to like me touching his metal side… or really even look at it." Ruby frowned.

"Well I approached him the other day, seems like I'll be picking up a client. Though I don't intend to charge him." Qrow measured Ruby's expression.

Ruby looked sharply at him and bit her lip. "Okay, why? And when?"

"I figured I'd touch base with him, he's your soulmate and I've worked with him in the past. We got to talking about his cultural differences and why he has so much trouble with Ozpin. I offered to take him as a client and I just got the okay from him." Qrow said.

"Hmmm, think I can sit in on a session?" Ruby asked.

"I'll ask him." Qrow worried his lip and said. "Hey Rubes, something came up a few days ago. I found a fanaus while on a hunt, she was in a really bad way and I think someone had abused her. The kicker is the last name she said was yours…"

Ruby paled and dropped down and hugged him tightly, Qrow returned the gesture stroking up and down her back. "It's okay, nothing will happen to you. I asked James to look into seeing if Ozpin will take you. It would be a lot safer then Patch."

"That's so creepy~." She shuddered, she didn't want to leave Patch but it wasn't the most secure place.

Qrow stoked up and down her back and looked out the window. "Speaking of Patch, I need to fill Tai in so we should head out soon."

Ruby sat up and nodded, hugging herself her heart was still pounding. "Okay, maybe you can help me pack some things too."

Qrow followed her and kissed her cheek, the familiar feeling of his stubble against her cheek caused Ruby to let out a happy little sigh. "Sounds like a plan love."

Taiyang looked up from his flowers when he heard the rumble of Qrow's bike. He knew the sound anywhere, it was the herald of his doom, something the much younger man always brought with him. Upon seeing Ruby clinging to Qrow's back . . . more-so than usual made him frown.

Qrow pulled up in his usual spot and Ruby reluctantly pulled herself away from him and removed her rose painted helm. Tai instantly noticed how red her eyes were and zipped over. "You okay?"

Ruby jumped up throwing her arms around his neck, she shook her head and held tight. Taiyang held her and looked to Qrow.

"We've a problem."

Taiyang rubbed his temples after listening to Qrow fill him in. They were in Ruby's workshop and his daughter was tidying and packing things to help distract herself. "Soo, you want her to move in with Ozpin? Someone she barely knows." Taiyang didn't like this one bit.

"More importantly, James is always staying with Oz and I'm sure Oz doesn't manage that house all on his own. So hopefully she'll always have someone around ALL of the time. Which to be frank Tai, isn't possible here." Qrow put several paints into a box, he knew where everything was, had been in here many many times over the years.

As he put the box by the door Tai mulling over his words, Qrow noticed several brushes rolled across the floor and that one of Ruby's more sturdy work tables had been pushed back a few centimeters with scrapes in the floor. When he raised a brow in her direction, Ruby followed his gaze and blushed, thankful her father was too distracted to notice. She suck her tongue out at her former lover. Qrow shrugged and tapped his hip, causing Ruby to brush all the brighter.

Taiyang obvious to the exchange finally spoke up. "Fine, I don't like it but I don't see a better solution."

Ruby zipped up the bag holding her sketchbooks. "Well perhaps you could show me some self defense moves." Tai and Qrow turned as a unit to her as she continued. "Dad you're always trying to get me to learn how to defend myself, maybe it would be a good idea tomorrow to learn some basic things."

"Ruby, you'd need more then a few hours in one day to be able to defend yourself if you are attacked."

"I know but it would be a good start. I know we don't have any physical evidence that someone is going to come after me but I think it would really give me some more confidence if I could fight back, even a little." Ruby mumbled the last bit under her breath.

Thankfully Qrow seemed to have a idea of what she was thinking of. "Well what about if you know her a move or two that will enable her to run away. She doesn't have to fight an assailant, she just needs to buy some time to run away and call for help." Her former lover smirked over at her, something that looked a little like pride shining in his eyes. "It can't hurt to learn."

Tai grumbled at that, absently rubbing at his hip. "Yeah that's what you said when you suggested I start training Yang. My girl packs one hell of a punch."

His friend only grinned wider. "So it's settled then, tomorrow you'll teach Ruby something she can use to incapacitate an attacker and run away.

While Tai nodded, his thoughts already turning to the different moves he thought would be easiest for Ruby's petite stature, Qrow turned his attention back on James. Already he was planning his first session in his head for tomorrow, though while his mind wandered he watched Ruby tidy the remains of her unfinished works. Maybe it would be a good idea to have her join in on the sessions. He'd have to ask James about it first.

Tea that night was Tai's duck and noodle soup and key lime pie for desert. Both Tai and Qrow noticed the way the silver eyed woman spent most of the meal pushing her food around the bowl rather then actually eating it. Her eyes remained downcast for most of the meal as she thought about the Faunus Qrow had mentioned, laying in a hospital bed after someone had hurt her. She couldn't imagine it, she knew some people had the capacity to harm others but it was a foreign concept to her. Her mind kept rolling around the why's and who's when she suddenly straightened in her chair. "Qrow?"

"Hmm, what is it Ruby?"

"You said the Faunus told you my name. She definitely said 'Ruby'."

"Yeh, I was there. Why, have you thought of something?"

"Do you have a picture of her? If she knew my name then maybe I will recognize her." Ruby stood from the table, slipping in close to Qrow's side. Taiyang watched the exchange in silence but the look on his face was thunderous. The idea of Ruby seeing pictures of a person hurt deliberately didn't sit well with him.

Qrow seemed to have similar thoughts as he pinched his face. "Ruby, I'm not sure that would be a good idea, for all we know her assistant was the one you mentioned your name. Hell it could have been random." He only sighed when she held his gaze, her eyes unwavering and filled with determination. "Okay. Just . . . they are not pretty."

Ruby only nodded solemnly while Qrow pulled out his scroll, flicking through it until he came to the pictures. He carefully slid the scroll towards her and Ruby almost wished she hadn't said anything.

The pictures were horrifying, the cuts and bruises took over most of the young woman's face. Her was a mix of red, peach and purple, her eyes sealed shut in sleep. The Faunus traits, namely the pair of brown ears drooped on either side of her head, bandaged and her fluff coated in red. The redhead pushed down the feeling of pile and studied the pictures, going from one to the next. There was something. . . familiar. Her mind traveled back the last few weeks, trying to remember where this face fit in.

The room was crowded with people, staring at her artwork, critics and admirers alike. She watched as one of her paintings was taken to another room to be packaged. There were a number of people inside, mostly Faunus as they carefully prepared all the pieces for travel. A face with smiling brown eyes caught her, her matching brown ears perking up when Ruby peeked inside. Ruby imagined the face on the pictures smiling, lifting a hand to wave at her sweetly.

"Qrow! I do, I know her!"

Qrow immediately took another look at the pictures, he knew most of the people Ruby had contact with but the face was unfamiliar to him. "How? Do you know her name?"

"No not her name but I know where I've seen her before. It was at the Gala, she was one of the employees helping to package pieces of art to be delivered."

The avian man grinned at her. "That's good news Ruby, really good. I can go to the council and ask for the list of employees who were working that night, she is bound to be on it." He then took a look at the time. "There won't be anyone there at this time, it will have to wait until morning but Ruby you may have helped me to find her family." He didn't ask if she was sure, the look in her eye was the only lead he needed and it was more then he had before.

While the two younger people grinned at one another Tai quietly took their plates to the sink. "Since there's nothing else you can do tonight Qrow why don't you stay here. I'll set up your old room for the night."

"Thanks Tai." Qrow smiled, sending a message out to team SSSN who we're still taking shifts in pairs to guard the Faunus at the hospital. After he got a response from the team leader he, Ruby and Tai retired into the living room where Qrow took a seat by the barren fireplace, reading one of the books Tai had stored on the other side of the room. Ruby sat by her father while he went on to explain some of the moves they would be practicing in the morning but every now and then when Tai wasn't looking she shifted her gaze to Qrow. Watching him as he read. Her heart took the pang of longing with a slight sting. Qrow would always be there for her, she just wished it could be different.

That night Ruby stared out the window, sleep was not forthcoming no matter what she tried. After visiting downstairs for a drink of warm milk and tossing on her bed several times the crimsonsette decided that sleep was too distant tonight. Her mind too awake with the images of the Faunus lying in a hospital bed, beaten and broken and the thought that someone out there had done that. That that person may be planning of something similar to her, it frightened sleep away. Even Zwei had abandoned her to sleep in Tai's room, she could have used a cuddle.

Then again just two doors down was a perfect cuddle buddy. Ruby threw off the quilt and tiptoed to her door before realizing that walking in the hall naked would be too suspicious. Quietly she opened a drawn and pulled out of the old shirts Qrow had left at their place many years ago. Ruby found them when she was washing the linens and after they had become lovers she couldn't bare to part with them. Occasionally wearing the old washed out shirts when she had been at her loneliest. It didn't really smell like him anymore after but it was a comfort she took pleasure in. It might have been a sharp steely colour once but now it was faded into a dove grey and Ruby always made sure to wash it with softener.

When she pulled it on, buttoning all but the two top buttons she felt marginally better. The shirt was much too big on her frame, the swell of her breasts peeking through the opening and the hem falling just past her knees but it felt right. Padding softly out of her room she bypassed Yang's door, heading towards the next room.

Even though Qrow kept his apartment in Vale, Tai had always insisted that the younger man have his own room in his home, should he ever want it. Qrow pretended to think it was ridiculous but Ruby knew he was deeply moved by the gesture. After Raven left, her dad could have kicked Qrow to the curb, instead he had kept his home open to the other man, never once blaming Qrow for his elder sister's rejection to her bonded mates.

Now Ruby padded to that same room, he had left the door open ajar but when she entered she closed it all the way. Qrow slept on his side, his back to the door and under the blanket, though he had kept the window open. Ruby tiptoed to the bed, sliding under the sheets and facing Qrow's back. There were a few thin scars running up and down the length of his spine but they just served to remind Ruby of his strength. She caressed over one particular line, her fingertips running up and down the healed puffed skin, smiling when she felt Qrow shudder in front of her.

Without warning he turned in the bed to face her, his eyes softly burning. "Hey. Couldn't sleep?" When she only nodded, a stinging of tears gathering in her eyes Qrow opened his arms. "Come here."

Ruby pushed closer to her Qrow, letting him engulf her in his arms and shuddering out the long teary breath she had been holding inside. Qrow always made her feel safe, no matter what. Maybe it was his devotion to her but she couldn't help burying herself deeper in his embrace, finally letting the fear she had been keeping at bay break through.

Qrow held on to the tiny woman in his arms as she cried silently against his bare chest. He hadn't missed the shirt she was wearing but it did bring some thoughts to mind, none of which he could act upon any more. Still his arms tightened around her, letting her hold him for as long as she needed. There was no way he was letting anyone hurt his love.

It was a little after midnight when Neo was reading a magazine in her's and Roman's shared safe house and the front door swung open and the devil himself waltzed in. He was wearing a large grin that always reminded Neo of a cat who had caught the canary. His black hair still took her off guard but she could not ever mistake those cunning green eyes of his.

"Ah Neo, perfect timing. Have I got the plan for us or what!"

Neo only signed over at her partner. "You'll need to tell me what the plan is first before I decide it's worth my time."

"Oh my dear, this will be worth it." Pulling his scroll from his coat Roman brought up a program, moving his little dual coloured partner to the side and passing over the scroll. "That is a map of Ozpin's home, complete with, you guessed it a way into his home lab. Where he just so happens to leave a laptop with a copy of ALL his projects. Both current and ones he hadn't started yet."

"So we are stealing a computer." Neo typed into her own scroll, turning the screen to show Roman.

Roman threw off his coat, he hated the thing. "That's just the beginning my dear. My plan is to smuggle you into his home and while I am distracting the goose, you will sneak in and nab the laptop. If I can get him to go elsewhere I will grab the nearest lot of valuables and together we make our escape."

Neo didn't like the plan, there were too many variables. " What about his caretaker?"

"Hmm, I don't think she will be a problem. She's nearly as small as you. Should be a snap to take care of." Roman leaned in closer to the ice cream lover. "Unless you don't think you could take her." His jesting had the desired effect, Neo sat up straighter, her eyes burning.

"I had handle some puny little girl. Just make sure you keep the old man occupied."

"Of course." Roman watched Neo's eyes, the melting chocolate brown and pale pink. He was reminded of the copper ones that matched the wisps branding his wrist and curled an ungloved hand around Neo's neck, swooping his lips down upon hers. He let Neo's mouth wash away the taste of Ozpin, enjoying the feel of Neo's smaller frame against his.

Neo wasn't sure if she wanted to kiss him back or punch him in the face so she settled on slamming her open palm against the green eyed man chest. Knocking him onto the arm of the chair. Roman huffed out a breath when Neo pounced him, keeping him underneath her, searching his face for a sign he wouldn't give.

It was their own little game after all and Roman always played to win.

Thank you too: wintermoon7 for you comment