February Catch-All

[justoscar]

Who: Oscar Pine justoscar + Assorted
What: A log wherein threads for various plots will be gathered
When: Throughout February
Where: Clockhouse + Throughout Trench

Content Warnings: TBD

Comments

[justoscar]

"Yeah... I know."

People were always people-- wonderfully unique while simultaneously being painfully similar. Willow had her reasons, and Oscar had discussed them with her rather than leaping straight into judgements, but there were other factors at play as well.

"With everything that's been happening and keeps happening lately... I guess it's gotten hard playing Guidance Counselor to people who are older than me. I know Willow isn't much older than Jaune or Yang, but still. It's tricky right now."

[clocktowers]

"I can certainly understand that. It is a great burden, being asked to keep the peace."

He means, but does not say: it is a great burden to be a mentor, or to be looked to one even long before you're ready. A long time ago now, in what feels almost like another life, a young man had swept into Beacon Academy and watched the decorated professors turn to him for his command. He remembers it; he remembers its echo across a dozen lifetimes or more.

"I will try to keep the chaos to a minimum— at least what little I control."

[justoscar]

Like your vampire problems?

[He asked, in an pale attempt at making a joke. ]

... You know that I'd be willing to help you if you need it. Drawing blood and making it not weird sounds easy enough

[clocktowers]

[ He does not say I know, but it shows in the weary shift in his posture. ]

It is very kind of you to offer, Oscar. But I should not ask that of you. I have managed well enough thus far, using... alternate sources.

[justoscar]

[The admission was enough for Oscar to give Oz a tired look. He had ideas... but he would rather hear Oz say it instead of just plucking it from the space between them.]

...We both know you don't have that many alternate sources, Ozpin.

[clocktowers]

[ His expression is chagrined. Still: it's perhaps a kindness that Oscar hasn't gone prying into the messy emotional tangle he has so poorly tried to keep concealed between them.

He says, very carefully: ]

It is a... delicate situation, at present, and one still very much in progress. But I have had some... willing assistance... from Stanford.

[justoscar]

[-- the record scratch as Oscar processed this revelation was near audible in the silence that followed. Oscar made it a point to do his best not to pry or project, but it was impossible to hide the immediate notion of now being able to confirm Ford as a Monsterfucker.

He slowly drew a breath and cast Ozpin his most deadpan impression:]

I thought you of all preople knew better than to mess around with your Exes.

[... Congrats, Ozpin. Even the other half of your soul thinks this is Bad Taste.]

[clocktowers]

[ Now that's a low blow, and one he'll only tolerate from another of— him. A host, a partner, someone else cause up in the cycle.

Impatiently, he says: ]

I understand that we parted on difficult terms, in Deerington. But it's entirely possible to reach an understanding.

[ He says this like it's simple and doesn't mean all that much to him. The embarrassing flare of worry-and-hope says otherwise. ]

[justoscar]

[Yes, another of Him-- which Oscar, by all means, is.]

... You know I had Dipper calling me in a panic after that, right?

[He asked quietly, suddenly feeling very tired.]

What happened with you and Mr. Ford nearly messed us up, too. But, I was honest and upfront with him... And Dipper was willing to listen.

We should have both learned about lying after what happened in the mountains... And on the Whale.

[clocktowers]

[ Oscar's tone drops quiet and low, and he feels it like a shift in the air; he feels the drop through their bond. ]

It wasn't so simple as that.

[ But his shoulders drop with it. He looks away from Oscar, out to the quiet night. ]

But I am sorry, Oscar. For the burden it placed upon you.

[justoscar]

...I know.

[Because, this was Ozpin and Ford Pines. Nothing that either of them did could ever be described as 'simple. Oscar audibly sighed, also glancing out towards the night.]

The weight of this isn't something I can't handle. I just wish you would at least talk to me.

[clocktowers]

In truth, I don't know what to say.

[ It's more honest than he means it to be: wry, tired, a touch frustrated sparking through the bond. ]

He and I... I did something I thought necessary, though painful. It was a betrayal Stanford could not tolerate. [ He sets his jaw. ] Now— well. It isn't what it was.

[ Not yet, says the traitorous flicker of hope. ]

Even so, he saved my life in November. ... And he helped me willingly, more recently than that.

[justoscar]

[Catching the ebb of frustration, Oscar reached out and touched Ozpin's arm. With their complimentary blood types along with their bond, he hoped that it would be enough to settle the torrent of heavy emotions that had swept the both of them.]

It's never gonna be the same, [Oscar said quietly.] A lot happened, and everyone's different...

But, it's good that you have a start-- and that he's willing.

[clocktowers]

[ Oscar touches his arm, and he exhales a slow breath. He subsides, however slightly. ]

I suppose it is... a start. We will see what comes of it. Please do try not to worry overmuch, in the meantime.

I will be careful.

[justoscar]

[Oscar heaved a heavy sigh at those words, feeling a certain tightening in his chest at being bid not to worry. Unfortunate and painful happenings tended to follow those words...]

I'll do my best, but I can't promise that I won't.

....That's just part of what it means to be a team, though. Right?

[clocktowers]

[ Ozpin turns to him, finally, and his smile is one Oscar hasn't seen on him much lately: small, and fragile, and warm. ]

I suppose it is.