This is my gift to you Morgan 😊 @bowl-of-shortness
Have a wonderful winter friend 😊
Prompt: Family, meeting the parents.
... I think I hit the prompt idk... I'm sorry 😅.
It was all going to be fine.
.... Except it wasn't going to be fine.
And nothing was ever going to be fine again.
A hand took his and Oz was suddenly reminded that breathing was a thing.
"Hey, Oz if your really not up up to it I can just call and cancel." Said Qrow, the owner of the hand. Casting a worried look at Oz.
Oz cursed himself internally for allowing his anxiety to show in his face and worry Qrow.
Qrow who he knew was looking forward to this gathering for a week.
Who had spun him around and kissed him when Oz had agreed to join him.
Oz let his fingers brush Qrow's bracelets, bangles he called them. The cool metal helping to ground him to the here and now.
Qrow looked at him, crimson eyes warm and searching. Before pressing a soft kiss on his forehead, a greatfulness he could never deliver in words.
"Alright, we better get changed than. Rides coming in an hour."
Oz nodded, wordlessly heading to his room where his outfit was laid out for him.
It was nothing short of beautiful.
Oz tentatively put it on, it was suprisingly comfortable despite its regal apperance. Gently taking the bangles Qrow provided him and letting them fall onto his wrists.
It was grounding, and the jingling they made as he caught himself in the mirror. he smiled.
It was a far cry from the itchy monkey suits he had been shoved into as a child.
Perhaps... Perhaps he'd be okay.
Seeing Qrow dressed in his clothes made Oz do a double take.
His partner was beautiful, but right now he was radiant.
Qrow looked Oz up and down and whistled. Oz chuckled, letting him take his hand "you don't look too shabby yourself." Qrow smiled, a blush growing on his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah? I can clean up good. I'm just.. You look... Wow."
___________________________
Oz wasn't sure what to expect when the ship dropped them off in what seemed like the middle of the woods.
Qrow smiled his easy going smile and took Oz's hand, he didn't seemed suprised at all so Oz went with it.
"You sure? We can go back if you want?"
Oz smiled and kissed Qrows cheek, trust him to be worried.
He was terrified but he would do anything for Qrow.
Qrow nodded a little, kissing his forehead before taking him to a clearing where a bunch of tents were.
Oz knew without needing to be told who were Qrow's parents were.
Qormac Branwen was a very tall man, he towered over them both and yet when his eyes landed on Qrow he smiled with a softness in his eyes.
Qrow lit up like a Christmas tree and bounced over to his dad who picked him up into a loving embrace.
"Hey kiddo, it's good to see you again." Qormac said warmly "you doing alright? Been taking care of yourself?"
Qrow rolled his eyes but his smile never wavered "Yeah dad I have."
The shorter woman beside them, Merle Branwen cleared her throat looking at Qrow expectantly.
Oz at first thought she might be mad but there was a fondness in her eyes as she looked at her son and husband.
And Qrow easily wiggled out of his hands hug to embrace his mum who chuckled at his antics.
"Hello dear, your as wild as always" she smiled and Qrow poured which made Oz chuckle.
He almost regretted it because now their attention was on him.
Qrow grinned, running ovef and taking Oz's hand before wandering back to his parents.
Oz bowed his head at them both in respect "Greetings, Mr and Mrs Branwen, I'm Eira Ozpin but everyone just calls me Oz."
Oz tried to stop himself from shaking.
He was terrified that Qrow's parents would immediately be able to see that he didn't belong here.
To his suprise, Qormac put a suprisingly gentle hand on his shoulder and Oz looked up at him.
There was no trace of anger, nor disgust in his eyes. Not like Oz's own father in the times he had seen him.
A warmth that made Oz feel like he'd been cold his entire life and only now could feel the temperature change.
"None of that now, I'm Qormac and this is my wife Merle. We're happy you came Oz."
Oz tried not to let his shock show.
"I'm glad we got your measurements right dear, you look lovely." Said Merle with a smile.
One that reminded him so much of the man he loved.
"Thank you Mrs Bra-... Merle. Thank you Merle. I love it. But you didn't have to go to all this trouble."
Merle waved him off "none of that now love. Your our new son afterall, and I will have nothing but the best for my family."
He hadn't known them barely 5 minutes but they had already deemed him to be their son?
Oz felt tears prick his eyes and was glad no one mentioned it when he wiped them away.
Qormac softened and Oz wandered if he understood.
"Well, let's get inside shall we. We've got much to talk about." Said Merle, before a mischievous smile appeared on her face "and a few baby albums to share."
A full belly laugh that engulfed him in warmth, whetherf it was at the odd situation of Qrow's shreik he wasn't sure.
He let Merle take his hand and lead him inside with Qrow hot on his heels and Qormac not even bothering to hide his laugh.
It felt like home in a way Oz's never had.
Their was a piece of all the Branwen's in their home and part of Oz hoped he could leave his own mark in their.
Oz spent the hours cooing and awhing at baby Qrow pictures (To Qrows embarrassment), listening to childhood stories from Merle and Qormac.
Ate a hearty dinner of food he'd never had before but would now never live without. Finding himself slotted at the table without feeling out of place.
"And know, this isn't a one time thing." Said Qormac, as he took the dishes away and Qrow fiddled with the record player.
"Your welcome here whenever you want son."
Oz smiled back, he wanted to come back.
He didn't know how they both adored him so much but he was happy.
Qormac smiled, leaving the couple to stand togrther. With Merle having popped out to talk to some of the tribe.
"You did amazing" said Qrow, sweeping off his feet and into a hug.
"I didn't do anything" shrugged Oz and Qrow chuckled "you were yourself hun, and that's all you had to be. Told you they'd love you."
Oz hadn't believed it at the time.
"I love them too, and you I love you."
Qrow smiled, pressing play as the record began to spin and put his arms around his lover.
As both swayed and danced to the music.
Merle and Qormac's outfits:
With Qrow matching with his mum and Oz having a black dupatta like Qormac, to show he belongs.
To me this is the song that was playing while Qrow and Oz danced