Chapter Text
The Atlesian Knights and Paladins turned against the people they were programmed to protect.
The White Fang unleashed Grimm in Vale.
Salem's pawn stole the other half of the Fall Maiden's powers from Amber.
Beacon Tower fell.
And Ozpin....
“Mr. Branwen!? Where should we land?”
Qrow's eyes snapped open and he looked down at Patch... at his home. As he watched, there was a flash in the yard and a golden circle formed in the grass.
“In the gold! My brother in law got my message!” he shouted at the pilot.
Yang whimpered and Qrow shot a glance over his shoulder at her. “Hold on firecracker. We're almost in the clear.” he whispered.
As the air ship landed, Qrow saw Tai jump the porch railing and run over.
Barty and Port climbed out of the airship and Zwei poked his head out of Barty's bag, barking happily at the sight of home.
All four of them were filthy and they all smelled of ash, blood and death.
“Qrow? Are they?” Tai whispered, glancing past him at the air ship.
“Yang's hurt bad. Some White Fang asshole cut off part of her arm. Ruby's just unconscious but she's got Summer's power.” Qrow sighed.
Tai staggered a little and almost dropped... would have if Qrow hadn't caught him.
“Hey... they're alive. The girls are alive Tai. We haven't lost them. They're going to need you to be strong for them, okay?” Qrow whispered, hoisting Tai back to his feet.
“Yeah.” Tai whispered as the Atlesian medic's brought both girls out of the airship.
“Where would you like us to set the girls up Mr. Xiao Long?” one the medics, a young female, asked.
Tai shook his head, forcing himself to focus and said, “Follow me.”
Port glanced around the yard as Barty shifted from foot to foot. They were both nervous and felt like they were intruding, even though Qrow had insisted they accompany him and the girls to Patch.
“Come on.” Qrow told them, motioning them into the house.
Zwei barked again from Barty's bag and Qrow pulled the dog out to put him back on ground level.
“It's nice to see that Tai has kept the house so nice. Summer would have appreciated this.” Port said.
Qrow smiled sadly and whispered, “Yeah she would. Up the stairs and all the way back are two rooms. The one on the left is Tai's. The one at the end of the hall is mine. Both have showers that you're free to use. I'll see if I can find some clothes to fit you two so we can wash what you have on.”
“Thank you.” Barty muttered, still shifting uneasily.
Qrow squeezed the other man's shoulder and said, “Glynda told us to try to get some rest. Oz wouldn't have wanted us to burn ourselves out either. Losing him... is going to be hard on everyone... once it really sinks in.”
“Agreed.” Barty sighed as he stepped forward and embraced Qrow tightly.
“Barty. Let's go get cleaned up.” Port said gently.
Losing Beacon and Ozpin had hit Barty very hard because like many of Beacon's students, he had found a home and a new family there.
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When Tai came downstairs from making sure the girls were settled in and the medics had explained everything to him, the kitchen smelled of spices and rich broth.
“Who cooked?” he whispered.
“Qrow. He said that it just needs to simmer so he went to shower.” Port told him.
He and Barty were sitting at the table, nursing drinks and wearing clothes that Tai recognized as belonging to him and Qrow.
How Qrow had known that the biggest, baggiest clothes Tai owned would fit Port was beyond him.
A pair of Qrow's sweats and a too big shirt seemed to fit Barty well enough since he and Qrow were about the same size.
“How are the girls?” Barty asked.
“The medics said they'll pull through. Yang's on pain medication and antibiotics. Ruby is hooked up to some fluids and low dose antibiotics... just to be safe.” Tai told them, taking the lid off the pot.
“I used the last of the venison and carrots. Remind me to give you some lien before I leave again.” Qrow said as he came in.
Tai shook his head and whispered, “Don't worry about it. You brought my girls home. Just tell me what happened? The news was showing Atlesian androids attacking innocent people.”
“Remember how I told you about the girl that stole half of the Fall Maiden's powers?” Qrow asked, opening the laundry room door.
“Yeah.” Tai said, giving the stew a stir.
“Well, she apparently not only set up an alliance with White Fang but also infiltrated Beacon and put a virus the Atlesian computer systems. That virus turned the Knights and Paladins against us along with allowing her to broadcast whatever the hell she wanted. When Beacon tower fell... the broadcast cut off. The White Fang brought Grimm to Vale and the destruction drew more. A girl named Pyrrha Nikos tried to stop Fall Maiden but she was... killed. Ruby unleashed the power after seeing her die... she froze a gigantic dragon Grimm atop what's left of Beacon Tower.” Qrow said as he tossed his, Barty and Port's clothes in the washer.
“And Yang?” Tai asked.
“One of the girl's teammates, Blake Belladonna, used to be a part of the White Fang. Apparently her old partner... boyfriend... whatever... led the attack on Vale. She went to confront him and Yang went to find her. From what Blake said, Yang was trying to avenge that fact that the guy had stabbed her in the stomach. She went to punch him and he used his katana to...” Qrow whispered.
Tai nodded slowly as the back door opened and an Atlesian medic stuck his head in. “I'm sorry to interrupt but the General has asked that my team return to the city.” he said shyly.
“Tell Jimmy that Qrow Branwen will be back in touch when we need a ride back to the city. And let him know that we arrived safe in Patch with the girls.” Qrow told him.
“And that Taiyang Xiao Long says thank you.” Tai added.
“I will. Good night.” the medic assured them before letting himself back out.
A moment later there was a loud whirling as the air ship lifted off to return to Vale.
“I don't believe your neighbors will be particularly happy with you Tai.” Port joked lightly.
“Probably not.” Tai chuckled as Qrow ladled out bowls of stew for all four of them.
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“When are you three expected back?” Tai asked, flicking off the light in the living room.
After dinner, the four of them had retired to the living room where Port and Barty had promptly fallen asleep on the couch and in an armchair, respectively.
“Once we're rested... so probably in the morning. We were fighting all night and throughout most of the day. Port got a few hours of sleep sometime early this afternoon. I'm pretty sure Barty did too... Port wouldn't let him go too far. Losing Beacon was really rough on him.” Qrow whispered.
“What about you?” Tai muttered.
Qrow shook his head, not wanting to try to explain how he felt.
Beacon was gone... Oz was missing... Yang lost her arm and Ruby had her mother's powers.
He hadn't slept since just before the attack on Beacon began.
He had been asleep during Penny and Pyrrha's fight but had been woken up by Glynda when the broadcast had been hijacked.
“Qrow?”
Tai was crouched in front of him... he didn't remember sitting down... maybe Tai had forced him to sit down so he didn't collapse.
“I'm okay.” he muttered.
“No you're not. Come on. Let's get you to bed.” Tai sighed, grabbing his arm and pulling him up.
Qrow leaned heavily against Tai as they headed upstairs and to Qrow's room at the back of the house.
The room was mostly bare since Qrow wasn't around much but Tai kept it clean, just in case the other man showed up suddenly.
“Stay?” Qrow asked, collapsing on the bed.
He was tired... physically, mentally, emotionally.
“Yeah... I'll stay.” Tai whispered as he settled on the bed beside Qrow.
After Summer had died, Qrow had curled up on her half of the bed to make sure Tai would actually sleep and to be there for emotional support if he couldn't.
Now... it was Tai's turn to do the same for him.
“Thank you for bringing the girls home.” Tai muttered.
“They're my girls too.” Qrow yawned.
Tai smirked, pulled the blanket up over Qrow and tucked a pillow under his head.