Oz slowly entered his office and looked around. She wasn't in there. Where could she be? Did she not come?
He grew worried for a moment that she hadn't come till he realized that she of all people knew where his bedroom was. And that's where she would have gone. She wouldn't have waited for him in his office.
He pulled the lever and watched the staircase spiral down and he walked up them expecting her to be sitting somewhere waiting for him with that sweet smile on her face and forgiveness in her heart.
He didn't see her at first.
He looked around and noted the robe that was not his, thrown over his reading chair. There was no one in the bathroom.
He saw Orchid resting on the wall near his nightstand. Her gift to him was open.
Then he noticed the little lump, tucked under the covers.
He didn't have the heart to wake her up. He walked over and saw her sleeping face and smiled.
She looked so innocent in sleep.
Not like she did at the dance.
He remembered first getting a glimpse of her on the arm of the lithe handsome man who had accompanied her.
He had been more than ready to apologize but he couldn't figure out how to get close enough to talk to her.
She looked incredible, more than stunning, a vision in blood red. Her hair was straight and true as moonshine and her eyes held a sparkle that lit every corner of the room.
And when she danced, he felt like he couldn't breathe. There was no eye that hadn't looked at her as she spun and shook during that first memorable dance.
He saw the happiness in her when she looked at her dance partner, how tight she was pressed against him and he had to try and tap down on his jealousy.
He couldn't let anyone know about the special relationship he had with her.
So he had born with his jealousy and his tenderness as he watched her lift everyone's spirits. No one could resist her excitement and joy.
Not surprisingly, she had charmed James Ironwood.
Which Ozpin did not like one bit.
He didn't want to share her and would not share her especially with the General who had basically invaded his kingdom and more importantly was his friend.
He went to make himself his nightly cup of tea and was pleasantly surprised to see that she had already made him one.
He sat in his chair and sipped his tea, looking through her artwork.
When the cup was empty he changed into his pajamas and climbed into the massive bed, not pulling the canopy over to block out the light. Tonight he wanted to see the stars. Especially the one who had fallen into his bed.
He knew he should sleep on the floor. Proprietary required so but the opportunity was too great.
As he did, she woke up a little.
"Oz?" He leaned over and kissed her gently. "Hello, sleepy." Her eyes were half closed. "Is it morning?" He shook his head. "Good." She mumbled.
"Don't you want to go back to your room to sleep?" He asked. "No, but I will if you want me to." She replied, trying to sit up.
"I don't mind if you'd like to sleep here." She smiled sleepily and slumped back down.
"Why don't you want to go back though?" He asked her before she could fall asleep again.
"Because I won't sleep in my room. And I don't want to spend another night awake. I'm tired Oz, my love. I'm so tired. I can't tell you the last time I slept. Oh wait, yes I can. I got stabbed in the back through my heart the last time." She groaned.
He slid down under the covers and was filled with joy when she cuddled up with him. "I feel safe with you. I think I can sleep."
He wrapped his arms around her delicate body, enjoying her warmth in his normally cold bed. "Then sleep, Dahlia. You're safe here." He murmured and she tucked her head under his chin against his shoulder.
She mumbled something before saying a quietly "I love you." and falling into oblivion.
Oz smiled into the moonlight filled darkness of his room. He glimpsed the stars that somehow seemed brighter. "I love you too."
He whispered, listening to her breath slowly and counting each beat of her heart.
He closed his eyes content to sleep with the beautiful girl with hair like starlight and eyes like the deep sea, who charmed and dazzled everyone she met.
So this is what love feels like, he thought, happy to finally know.