Glynda sat up when he offered the sock to her, looking down at the tiny thing before taking it. She placed it on Michaelās tiny foot, knowing it would probably be removed shortly afterwards.
"ā¦I think youāre a very understanding man whoās had the wrong kind of people walk on him for too long," she said a bit sadly, pursing her lips. "Pleaseā¦ It was never your fault. I want you to believe that, if you can. You were never inadequate, and you never failed me. I was justā¦ Weak. I was always cowardly, and I let that hurt you too. I take full responsibility for everything thatās tried to bring you down while Iāve been gone. I have no excuse for not being here for you." "As for Jamesā¦ Yes, it was because it was easy. He offered me love, and because I already knew he had no interest in my secrets or exploiting them, I felt like I didnāt need to worry. I could be myself. My child could grow up without having to worry about discrimination in his own home, should he have turned out like me. It was secure. I never had to be afraid. So I took what was easy, instead of doing the right thing." "I donāt have the right to tell you I love you after what Iāve done," she said, resting Michael on the bed while she searched for his clothes. "But I want you to know that Iām sorry. Things never have to be the same as they were, but I would eventually like peace between us. Or justā¦ Closure. I donāt want this to haunt us forever, no matter what I deserve." She sighed, eventually finding Michaelās pants. Dressing him was difficult while she was holding a conversation, but she managed. āIām still a coward, you know? I want my guilt to stop eating me. And now that Iām alone with my son, I feel responsible for everything thatās happened. Like I could have done something. Maybe I could have saved him. Maybe if Iād never run out, by some kind of strange butterfly effect, the attempt on his life wouldnāt have succeeded. I could have simply avoided everything by never lying to you in the first place. But you never would have loved me if Iād introduced myself to you by saying āhi, my name is Glynda, Iām a wolf sometimes, want to get married?ā And maybe that would have been better.ā Her voice was cracking as she spoke. She was self-destructing, and the fact that she even considered how much she was hurting because of everything that lead up to this point only made her feel worse. It was pathetic. She knew she was stronger than that. She swallowed. āI know you would never hurt me. I thoughtā¦ I thought you would be disgusted. Itās already difficult enough for people to grasp the idea that the faunus exist, even though theyāve been here just as long. Youāre open to them, but even you make mistakes. As much as you try, it will never be perfect. And Iām not a faunus. Iām a wolf. My people are different. They donāt want to coexist, they want to be left alone. To humans, weāre basically animals. Ā āI felt like I wasnāt enough, and I started to be afraid. I let it sit for too long, and I couldnāt take it anymore. I had to leave. James wasnāt part of the plan. I was going to go home to my family. But he found me first, by accident. That was the first time I tried to leave, when he found me outā¦ And when he spotted me, I turned tail and ran back to you,ā she mumbled. āItās nothing new. Iāve always been afraid. Iāve never trusted anyone. Iām sorry I did this to you. I just need it to be over. This is pathetic.ā
Ozpin could not say anything, watching her as she dressed Michael, who squirmed a bit and kicked his legs in opposition to wearing clothes once more. He gurgled and whined, but gave in, allowing the pants to slip on over his legs and the shirt to cover his chest and belly, cooing as his mama picked him up once more.
He glanced up at Glynda, frowning slightly. His throat felt hoarse and dry, and when he opened his mouth, a weak little sound squeaked its way out. Oh how tired he was. How was he supposed to continue on like this? No longer did he want to be alone, but he was afraid. Would she leave again?
The man closed his eyes, stepping towards Glynda once more. Suddenly his arms were outstretched and he pulled her against him rather tight, squeezing her and the child against him. His arms trembled and he pressed his face against her, holding back tears.
"Why didn't you just tell me you felt this way?" he choked out, despite her just telling him this. She was afraid and ashamed of herself and her heritage, and rightfully so in this terrible world. "Glynda...I loved you, and hell, I still do.
"Please...don't go. Don't leave me anymore, Glynda. I can't handle this anymore. I'm so tired, I don't even know what to say other than don't leave anymore. I never left you. I love you. Even after you hurting me and you abandoning me and my cold words when you arrived, you still told me all of this. There has to be some merit to you yet.
"Let me in. Let us help each other and make up for old times."
