AN: Whoot. Back with another chapter. Not much to say here other than enjoy yourselves.
Chapter 82 - The Stowaway
Qrow Branwen reacted quickly when he heard his niece's scream. He bolted from his seat and immediately ran to the back of the airship. Qrow did not even bother grabbing Harbinger. He could easily just throw hands with whatever it was that was making Ruby scream. When Qrow opened the door to the cargo room, however, he was surprised to see that Ruby seemed to already have the situation in hand. She had Crescent Rose out, pointing the rifle barrel right at-
"Hansel?!" Qrow looked at the uncharacteristically terrified, shocked and blushing young man. Hansel Kobalt could only stammer in response to Qrow's address. His sandwich was still in hand as he stared right down the barrel of Crescent Rose. Ruby glared at Hansel with a look of utter embarrassment in humiliation.
"Explain!" She yelled indignantly. "Now!"
"I was…I was just trying to enjoy my sandwich." Hansel stammered. The barrel prodded his jaw at that response.
"Not that!" Ruby yelled. "Why are you here on this airship, in this cargo room, with me at this moment?"
"I…I didn't know you were going to be walking in here, I swear!" Hansel promised. "I was…honestly hoping you two wouldn't realize I was here until we arrived…wherever the hell it is you're going."
Qrow looked at both younger Huntsmen, back and forth. He pieced together what had happened to set Ruby off. If he was not responsible for defusing things between these two before it got bad, he might have actually laughed a bit at the absurdity of it all.
"Okay, okay you two, just chill. Ruby, drop Crescent Rose…why the hell did you even bring that to bed with you?" Qrow asked in bewilderment.
"...Just in case?" Ruby was still blushing, but lowered Crescent Rose and with it, the barrel of the rifle attachment from Hansel's face. Hansel surprisingly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fair," Qrow conceded, he then gave Hansel a hard stare, "and you. What are you doing here? Does Oz know you're here? Does Glynda know you're here?"
"N-no, neither know I'm here. I…kinda snuck aboard." Hansel muttered meekly. Qrow looked at Hansel in disbelief. He had known the kid to be brash, a bit disobedient and hot headed at times. However, to tell neither Ozpin or Glynda about his location? And to do something like stowing away?
"Hansel Kobalt, stowaway, never thought I'd live to see the day." Qrow sighed. "How did you even know this was happening? Which brings me to my previous question: what are you doing here?"
Hansel's face fell at that question. How did he know this was happening? The answer to that was found when his grandfather came to him when he was alone on Patch Island's beaches.
"Call me grandfather."
"Fuck no." Ichabod Crane shook his head at his maternal grandson's response.
"Still so damn pathetic, boy. It astounds me that someone who's apparently as strong as you can consistently make the most cowardly and weak decision possible." Hansel immediately shot to his feet at his grandfather's harsh words, glaring at the old man.
"Fuck you, old man. I don't want to hear ANYTHING about bad decisions from you of all people. Not after you let the rest of our family torment me for years. You promised we were family, that you'd always be there for me. Where was that promise when my family-"
"You already know the answer to that." Ichabod said calmly. Hansel marched up to Ichabod and grabbed his collar.
"You're right, I do, and I'm even more pissed off just thinking about it." Hansel snarled. "Get the fuck out of my sight old man. Today is NOT a good day to push me."
"Ah, yes, keep running from everything like you always do. That seems to be all you're good at." Ichabod countered calmly.
"I am not running! I've been in the fight for years now, whether it's training or hunting! You'd know that if you were actually present in my life like you promised you'd be!" Hansel snapped.
"No, you're running. You're running from your pain and more importantly you're running from your responsibilities to those who depend on you." Ichabod countered. "You're not strong. You were never strong. You're nothing more than a rabid dog, a berserker lashing out at the things he despises."
"I told you!" Hansel screamed in rage as his Flames of Purgatory began to appear around himself and the old man. "I don't wanna hear any talk of running from an old geezer who left me all alone! You don't get to act like a proper grandfather!"
At that moment, there was a flash of silver light that made Hansel recoil in pain. His flames vanished. He gazed at the palm of the hand that was holding Ichabod's collar. He glared at Ichabod once more.
"You really used your own powers on me, Old Man?" He demanded angrily.
"You grabbed my collar first, boy. You don't get to be angry about self defense." Ichabod calmly countered. Hansel glared at Ichabod.
"Why are you here? Why do you keep showing up in my life?" Hansel snarled.
"Well, in this case, I was here to tell you that the girl you're supposed to be responsible for has decided to partake in something suggested by Professor Ozpin that should hopefully give her more perspective in her role as a Silver Eyed Warrior." Ichabod admitted before scoffing. "But with your attitude, I don't think I want to."
"What?" Hanel had immediately picked up on who Ichabod was referring to. "No! She can't! It's too soon!"
"And who are you to decide that, hmm? You who had to be ordered to return to take on a new role, which you took on reluctantly."
"That's not…" Hansel trailed off.
"It's already done, the decision is out of your hands, boy. The girl will travel via private airship tomorrow in the afternoon." Ichabod told him. His expression then turned derisive once more. "Isn't this what you wanted? The responsibility is out of your hands, and now you can continue pretending you're fixing your problems?"
"Why you…"
"In fact, the girl could very well not even return if she fails." Ichabod coldly admitted. "So if she dies, all the better, right? Nothing chaining you down, so you can return to running to your heart's content. Lashing out at the world with your pitiful hatred for your very existence and regrets for being born."
"Shut it!" Hansel snapped, marching past Ichabod. Ichabod did not stop Hansel. He simply stood impassively.
"And where do you think you're going, boy?" Ichabod inquired curiously.
"None of your fucking business, Old Man!" Hansel yelled, stomping away from his grandfather, leaving the old man alone on the beach.
Hansel frowned slightly as the unpleasant memories ran through his mind. He then looked away with a pout.
"It doesn't matter how I knew." He responded indignantly. Qrow and Ruby both looked at Hansel in bewilderment. Neither had ever seen the young Huntsman act like this before.
"Okay," Qrow raised an eyebrow and sighed, "fine, I won't pry into how you knew we're here. At least answer why you're stowing away on the ship."
Hansel's pout remained at that question. He refused to look either in the face.
"...If I left the kid with a drunk like you, things would go wrong real quick. If this trip is as important as it's supposed to be, then I need to come along to make sure nothing goes wrong." Hansel proclaimed. Qrow glared at Hansel for that jab while Ruby briefly forgot her embarrassment and humiliation at Hansel having almost seen her breasts and sweat-dropped at Hansel's behavior.
It's amazing, I actually learn something new about him every moment we have together. New fact about him: he's VERY unintentionally transparent. She noted before her expression softened. He was…actually worried about me?
"Damn it, Hansel," Qrow sighed, "there is so much wrong with this situation, I don't even know where to begin. My immediate thought is to turn this airship around and bring you back to Beacon so that you and Oz can talk things out…"
"No!" Hansel interrupted in a tone of voice that caught both Qrow and Ruby off guard. Hansel realized he may have sounded far too out of character and then coughed, regaining his composure and trying to project the image of a detached man as best he could once more. "No. I couldn't ask you guys to delay your journey on my account."
"You should've thought of that before you decided to stow away on an airship, dumbass." Qrow shook his head.
"It's fine, Uncle Qrow." Ruby finally regained her composure. "I want to press on. Maybe it's not ideal that we have a stowaway…but the sooner we get to Avalon, the better. I wanna get this trial done…whatever it is, and I don't wanna waste any time whatsoever."
"Kid…" Qrow began before trailing off at the insistent look in Ruby's eyes. Qrow sighed, knowing that Ruby could be stubborn when she wanted to be. Just like her mom. "Okay, fair enough. You wanna get this done, I respect that. You heard the lady, Hansel. You get to stick around…but you bet your ass I'm going to report this to Oz the first chance I get."
That made Hansel wince. Qrow then turned his attention back to Ruby.
"We've had enough excitement for one day, get some sleep Ruby." Qrow then addressed Hansel once more. "As for you…I hope you know you're not sleeping in this room."
"N-no…" Hansel muttered meekly, rising from his spot to walk with Qrow. Before Hansel could get far however, Ruby's voice stopped him. Her voice was meek as well…but also oddly grateful.
"I can't say I'm happy about you involving yourself in this." Ruby admitted. "But I do know you're here for my sake…thank you. That…means a lot to me."
Hansel froze at this. He almost denied he was specifically here because he was worried about Ruby and was only here to ensure Qrow did not screw everything up. But all the advice he had received from others made him answer in a way he never imagined.
"Well of course I'm here for your sake. I'm glad to help. We're gonna figure this out together." Hansel promised almost automatically, almost robotically. It was like he simply answered without thinking. Qrow raised a curious eyebrow at Hansel's response before leading the younger man out of the cargo room. Ruby took a deep breath, finally calming herself completely. She began looking through her bag, desperately trying to forget the fact that her teacher almost saw her topless. Ruby then frowned as she looked through the bag where she seemingly kept all the stuff she needed for nighttime.
"Now where in the world did I put that comic book? Did I leave it in the other bag?" She wondered. Meanwhile, Once Qrow and Hansel were outside the room, the older Huntsman gave the younger a hard gaze.
"I hope you realize how much you've been worrying both Oz and Glynda, kid."
"That's…" Hansel trailed off, frowning slightly, holding his hand up to the cheek Ozpin struck. Qrow sighed.
"He felt awful as soon as he realized what he had done, Hansel. Lemme guess…you've been ignoring his calls ever since?" Hansel looked away, refusing to meet Qrow's gaze. Qrow sighed. He sometimes forgot that for how cold and focused he was, Hansel was still young and immature, which meant he was prone to doing things like this. "I'm not gonna criticize you for this, because in your position, I'd be scared of getting further scolded too."
"...You would?"
"I would." Qrow was taken aback. This was the first time he had seen Hansel act his age. He looked like a teenager afraid of being scolded by his father. Qrow cleared his throat. "Anyway, I just wanna say I'm glad you're okay. If I didn't get pulled into helping Oz, I'd have gone after you. When you disappeared after your…argument, I was worried."
"...Does Glynda know we argued?" Hansel asked.
"...Oz has been putting off telling her for awhile because he knows he's in for it once he admits it to her." Qrow replied before groaning. "Fat load of good that's doing, it's just making a woman worry more about her son."
"I'm sorry, Qrow…I know I'm being rash."
"Rasher than usual." Qrow corrected, making Hansel glare at him. "I'm just saying kid, for all your moments of genius, you really do make some dumb decisions born of rashness."
"Should you be lecturing me on dumb decisions, Drunkle?" Hansel deadpanned.
"My point stands." Qrow glared at him. "You're making a lot of people worry right now."
"...I know. But I want to see this through." Hansel admitted.
"At least tell me why." Qrow ordered. Hansel took a deep breath.
"For the past few days, I've been told to take responsibility for myself and for others." Hansel sighed. "And well…"
"You're sick of it?"
"Yes. I mean, no." Hansel groaned. "I don't know. For so much of my life I've been content to just fight, win and survive. And now all of a sudden…there are people in my life who are looking up to me and care for me. People I'm responsible for directly. It's…different from the civilians I've saved during jobs. And it's also different from knowing Ozpin and Glynda care."
"You're conflicted." Qrow noted.
"Yeah, yeah I'm conflicted." Hansel sighed. "Nothing about this feels…normal or natural to me. I mean, I've lived so much of my life just…accepting the fact that fate dealt me a cruel hand in life. Sure, a few lucky breaks…but between my own family, the hate from most of the world, and the constant danger I'm in, my life just…just…"
"Sucks?" Qrow asked.
"Sucks," Hansel nodded in agreement, "and now…now I've been surrounded by people who depend on me for more than just…fighting. People like your niece. And…a part of me can't help but be frustrated because it feels…unnatural for me to have that. To have people who depend on me."
"Why does it feel unnatural?" Qrow inquired curiously.
"I don't know…it just feels like…I'm not supposed to have things like that. People who depend on me and care. People who look up to me. It feels…undeserved." Hansel admitted. "Not only that…but I've dedicated myself to something far more important than to be some…role model to a bunch of Huntsmen in training. So the idea of being more than just some…savage warrior…it just seems unnatural…and undeserved."
"Why would it feel undeserved?" Qrow raised an eyebrow. One look at Hansel gave Qrow the answer. He sighed. "You're not half as bad a man as you make yourself out to be, kid. Being rough around the edges doesn't make you a bad person."
"But it still feels unnatural for me to be some kind of role model." Hansel admitted.
"I'm sensing there's a but coming soon." Qrow noted. Hansel nodded.
"But in spite of all of those reservations…I'm minding it less and less every day. And I just don't know how to feel about it. On one hand, I'm losing my edge and that's dangerous. But on the other hand…it feels like I'm becoming the kind of man she and her classmates can look up to. And the feeling of that isn't…well, it's not unpleasant."
"...Yeah, you're definitely torn." Qrow acknowledged. Hansel nodded meekly.
"All I know, right now, is that I want to see this through. I…I want to make sure she heals from what happened in Thimble…as much as she can." Hansel admitted. "And…I don't know, maybe seeing this through will help me clear my own feelings on all of this up."
Qrow folded his arms as he took in Hansel's words. He really was torn between two very different extremes: ruthless warrior on a crusade against evil and mentor to future generations of Huntsmen. And for a boy who had known mostly loss and cruelty for much of his life, even with the kindness of Ozpin and Qrow sprinkled in, those two extremes were hard to reconcile.
"Look…you're right about me in many ways. I'm not qualified to give advice on a lot of things. And I certainly don't like to go around pretending I know everything." Qrow admitted. "But as someone who's been around for a bit longer than you…at least consider what I have to say."
"...Go ahead." Hansel sighed in resignation, knowing that Qrow would just start speaking anyway. Qrow took a deep breath.
"You've been through a lot, kid." Qrow told him. "And I get that because of all your experiences…you're not used to any of this stuff. For as good as Oz and Glynda were for you…it's still easy for you to get wrapped up in the belief you have to keep doing what you're doing to repay them. And I think in a lot of ways you do think that…even with Glynda, in spite of how much she loves you."
"I…" Hansel began before trailing off, knowing he could not deny any of that.
"And you're not bad for feeling that way, I promise. After everything you've been through, of course you're gonna have that mentality." Qrow sighed. "In a lot of ways, I'm no different. I was nothing before Oz gave me the mission I have. How you feel is not abnormal nor is it unique. There are many out there who feel like they're worthwhile if they're useful to others or trying to repay some kinda debt."
"But that's…that's not just why I'm doing this." Hansel tried to deny it.
"I get it, you're on the hunt to right some kind of wrong too…whatever that wrong is." Qrow acknowledged. "But the point is…you're not used to any of these emotions because so much of your life has been spent isolated in one way or another."
"...Is there advice sprinkled here, or are you just trying to depress me, Qrow?" Hansel asked softly but bitingly.
"Impatient little bastard, I'm getting to it." Qrow rolled his eyes before calming down from Hansel's biting disrespect. "Look…the point is, you need to learn what took me years to learn. That…it's okay to be someone people care about. And it's okay to care about them back. I think a part of you does want that, even though another part of you wants to deny it all and stick with what you're familiar with…because that's all you know."
"...Is that really your advice? That it's okay to accept all this stuff that a part of me doesn't want to accept? That doesn't feel like I deserve any of these good things?" Hansel asked softly.
"Yeah, it is. It's okay for you to be happy, Hansel. It's okay for you to let people in, and let them look up to you, admire you." Qrow told him. "And the sooner you get all this sorted out and realize that, the better off you'll be. You're not doing yourself any favors acting like all that is 'undeserved.' In fact, to be honest, that's the fattest load of nonsense I've heard in my life. You're way too good a kid to act like you don't deserve being surrounded by decent people who think you're cool. You don't have to be the Blue Demon 24/7. You don't have to close off your heart to everyone around you. You don't have to be alone."
"I…I don't know, Qrow." Hansel admitted. "Being a monster that most of the world hates and is afraid of...it's all I've known for so long."
"Well if that's the case, then consider this your call to action: learn how to accept the love of others, whether it's admiration or affection." Qrow told him. "Because we both know that Ruby doesn't think you're any of that. In fact, I could tell from that day in Ever After Forest she thinks the world of you. You're like a hero to her just like I was back when she was at Signal and even before that. Hell, I'm willing to wager none of your students think that. And you owe it to all of them to show that you acknowledge their candor and admiration and appreciate it. And the first step to acknowledging and appreciating that, is accepting it."
"It's…not like I asked for any of them to care." Hansel muttered.
"Hansel…when it comes to these kinds of feelings…you're not supposed to ask for it." Qrow gently told him. "They just…arise, and you acknowledge them, appreciate them, and accept them. Sure, there are more complicated matters that arise from letting people into your life. But figuring out how to handle and respond to each feeling and bond and how it relates to each person who's a part of your world is a big part of life. But you do have to let people in. We're social creatures. We can't live our lives alone. I may keep my distance at times because of my Semblance…but I would never shut my nieces or Tai out completely. I love the three of them too much to do that."
Hansel thought over what Qrow said. He had to admit, the alcoholic gave damn good advice when he was sober. He sighed, knowing he at least owed Qrow an answer to all his advice.
"I'll…I'll think about it." Hansel promised. He then looked at the older man and said with complete sincerity, "And Qrow? Thank you."
"No problem, kid." Qrow said fondly. He then gave Hansel a grin before continuing to speak, "And with the heavy stuff out of the way, I've gotta ask, what do you think of Ruby?"
Hansel blinked in confusion. He looked at Qrow, visibly bewildered.
"What do I think of her? What do you even mean by that?" He asked curiously. Qrow smirked.
"You know what I mean. You're the first boy close to her age to see her in such a compromising state. So, does my niece do it for ya or what?" Qrow teased.
That made Hansel forget his frustration. He started stammering and sputtering, frantically waving his hands. His face turned as red as the cape Ruby wore. His voice almost went up an octave from sheer embarrassment due to being put on the spot for a very uncomfortable topic.
"N-no way!" He quickly denied. "Why are you even asking me something like that? I didn't look at her underboob, I swear!"
There were many things that surprised Qrow Branwen at that moment. The first was the cold, stoic and ruthless Hansel acting like a normal teenager for once, blushing at being asked a very embarrassing question. The second was that Hansel would actually use a term like 'underboob.' He always acted like he was above saying such things. The third thing that surprised Qrow, however, completely sent this conversation off the rails entirely. Hansel and Qrow were both drawn by a high-pitched squeak. They turned to the cargo room door to see Ruby Rose standing in the doorway. Her face was red and her expression was back to that mixture of embarrassment, mortification and humiliation. She had left to get a comic book she brought along to read herself to sleep. Instead, she got something worse: confirmation of something she did not want to accept. He saw.
"I…I…" Hansel stammered, realizing Ruby heard all of that. Ruby turned redder as the term 'underboob' echoed in her mind repeatedly. He saw. He saw. He saw. He saw! Then, without thinking, Ruby responded in a way that surprised even herself. She gave Hansel a disappointed look, turned away with a pout, and said something that made even Qrow wince due to the sheer brutality one single word could have.
"Pervert." Ruby disappeared back into the cargo room with an indignant huff.
"Wow." Qrow could only say in disbelief. He had never heard Ruby so coldly dismiss anyone like that. Especially with a word that was…frankly rather harsh at times. A few seconds pass. When he hears nothing from Hansel, he continues to speak, "Well congrats, Hansel. You're the first boy she's ever called…whoa!"
Qrow cut himself off when he saw Hansel's expression. Hansel Kobalt had taken many injuries in his life. Many of which brought him to the brink of death. However, for some reason, that single word coming from Ruby's mouth damaged him more than any blade, and it showed in his utterly defeated, slack jawed expression. He looked like his entire physical form was about to turn to dust in the wind. Hansel Kobalt just took emotional damage, and a lot of it.
"I'm a…pervert?" Hansel muttered in disbelief and utter dejection.
"Oh boy," Qrow sighed, grabbing onto Hansel's shoulder and dragging him away from the door. "Come on, kiddo. Let's sit you down, yeah?"
Meanwhile, inside the cargo room, Ruby was on her knees, red in the face, rubbing at her hair, grumbling and whining.
"He saw them, he saw them, he saw them!" Ruby whined quietly. "No one's supposed to see them until after I'm married. That's what Dad said. Then again…he was married twice…"
Just thinking about it made Ruby fall over completely. The girl rolled around on the cold floor, having a complete breakdown.
"Why did he of all people have to see them, it's not fair?!" She complained. "Ugh…maybe I should let Uncle Qrow turn the airship around and bring him back to Beacon…"
It did not turn around the next day. The airship continued onwards towards Avalon…
AN: Admittedly not much happened here. This is very much a "set up for bigger things' chapter while giving you some insight into Hansel's relationship with his grandfather. Needless to say, his relationship with his grandfather fucking sucks. I mean, I'm the freaking author and I'm actually asking what in the actual fuck is wrong with this family at this point. And I know how the freaking story is.
I hope everyone enjoyed this bridge to other plot lines. Read, review, favorite and follow. I'll see you all next time.