It was heartbreaking in a way he couldn’t really fathom to see Oakley sad about anything– for the longest time he’d assumed it was the same protective affection he felt for his sisters that inspired those feelings in him whenever he saw her out of sorts in any way. He was more or less inclined to believe that was true even as he sat there listening to her discuss her girlfriend’s abrupt departure and felt a profound urge to comfort her in any and every way he knew how– to assure her that it would be difficult sometimes but she would be happy again before she knew it. “It’s just… firefighter stuff,” Oz said after a moment, glancing towards the side table that all of his textbooks had been balanced on since the day he’d gotten them. “This is– you’re way more important than studying, so– you definitely don’t need to be sorry about interrupting me. You can do it any time,” He explained, smiling. Oz was the sort of person who would drop anything for his friends the moment they needed him but Oakley was certainly one of the few people in the world who could have needed him to straight up murder someone and he likely would have followed through with it if she needed that from him. It was an extreme example, of course, but indicative of just how much he cared about her.
He reached up to scratch at the back of his neck with his free hand, tangling his fingers with Oak’s with his other hand– it was almost reflexive to want to have physical contact with her in some way when they were together and there was no hesitation in the gesture– simply a desire to comfort her if he could. “You can stay in the guest room whenever you want, Oak. No one else is ever really here and I really don’t mind,” He continued, a frown returning to his features after a moment at the thought of knowing Oakley was sad and lonely and that he might do anything at all with that knowledge that didn’t involve helping make her feel better. “I don’t know if I’m an inspirational speech kind of guy, darlin’,” He teased. “We can be the best friend break-up club— like the breakfast club but probably with more alcohol involved. I don’t know… exactly what you’re goin’ through but I know that it really fucking sucks when you’re heartbroken and I’m here, okay? For… whatever you need. I could use the company too, y’know? I think my eyes’ll fall out if I study anymore for the next couple days and I missed you, so. This feels like a win to me.”
Oakley had never considered herself a selfish person, despite the selfish decisions she’d made in the past. In fact, she liked putting everyone else’s needs before her own, yet she’d failed to do so in the past few months. She’d worked hard on putting herself first, but those needs had been blinded by something she needed to work. “Crap,” she exhaled through slightly parted lips. She’d been so consumed by everything else that she’d totally forgotten about everything he was trying to do. “I’m the worst friend ever.” She felt bad for interrupting his studying, but there was no other place she wanted to be than with him. “How’s the studying going? I can’t remember the last time I studied for something. I’m sure you’re going to do amazing, though. You’re good at everything you do.” If he put his mind to it, Oz could achieve anything and she truly believed that. “If you need help studying, I can always help too. I didn’t get a full ride scholarship based off natural talent alone,” she grinned, feeling a bit better now that she had something else to focus on. “I promise I won’t make you do flashcards, but highlighting is a must.” Color-coding too, she failed to add.
Feeling his touch against hers was more comforting than she’d ever remembered. It was like a wave of relief had washed over her worrying body and left her in the wake of peace. “I don’t want to seem like I’m intruding,” she shrugged, eyes settling on his. “I should be used to being alone at night. She used to work closing shifts a lot and whenever she was getting in, it seemed like I was getting up for work.” Their schedules had never really aligned, which was why she’d taken any free time she had to spend with the woman. “Best friend break-up club,” she trailed off, liking the way it sounded. “I’m just tired of people leaving.” Not that her parents had left her by choice. “Bold of you to assume I’m going to let you start slacking off on your studying. I know that you want this and if that means pulling out the flashcards,” she teased, though she wasn’t above it. “Can I get you something to drink? I know this is your place, but I’m feeling like I should probably crack open that whiskey bottle right about now. I thought I got it for you, but I think I really just bought it for myself.” One glass wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? Maybe two? “I took the day off tomorrow. I think I put in almost seventy hours last week between the clinic, on-call, and the shelter.”
