unilaterallydisarming

Oh, I'm not as far from him as I'd like to be. I...I'm just not usually so...cold. And my family is...found family, that I've gathered here.

[He sighs softly.]

But I am sure I am capable of being that man, if I had been in his position.

I could use another hand. I'm trying to remember how to use my now dominant hand by making as many cinnamon rolls as possible.

[She laughs softly.] Mine is too, except for my parents. Someone from home was talking to Zerxus awhile ago and told him I'm so bad at being an only child that I adopted an entire news team, so it was about time I wound up with official siblings.

Do you stress bake too? I definitely don't mind helping with that, just let me know if you'd rather your cabin or mine.

That's...really quite something. I am glad that you've been able to find siblings here.

Though...[He offers a soft laugh.] I 'ppose that's what I'm doing. Please feel free to come to mine- I had it upgraded, and am quite proud of the kitchen.

It's quite nice, I think. But- if you're feeling shaky, I'll happily come to yours.

I really am fine. That was like a return to pirate quartermaster Maggie, my very first alternate Barge life, four years ago. Ruthless as hell, but loved her crew a lot. Coming back was easier this time around.

You can come to mine next time; I'll see you in a few.

I was still a vicar in the first alternative life. But it seems...also every time I get into a breach I'm in an relationship of some sort.

Thank you. I'll have some hot water ready- you have my cabin number?

Are you a Catholic priest in this life? Relationships normally forbidden?

Nope, just let me know where I'm headed. I'd offer to bring cookies, but sounds like we'll have alternate baked goods soon.

In my usual life, yes. I am a Catholic priest. And yes, I'm not supposed to have...romantic or sexual relationships.

I'm in 215. I'll leave the door open for you- the kitchen will be on the right hand side.

[Maggie will get to see the sprawling couch, the television and record player, before coming into the blue patterned kitchen should she walk right in- or if she knocks and is let in.]

"I'm a very conflicted Catholic these days, but that rule didn't make much sense to me even when I wasn't.

I'm right down the hall. Feel free to knock on 203 if you ever want company."

She does knock before opening the door to let herself in, calling out, "Hi," as she makes her way to the kitchen.

"It's for various reasons, I assure you." Oscar told her, smiling a little.

And he was glad to greet her, his hand sprinkled with flour. And he had a few streaks of flour on his face too.

"Hello Maggie." His smile was warm, and he looked- tired. He had been haunted by the breach.

"Kettle is warming up if you'd like tea. I've the coffee maker ready though."

He looked proud for having one.

She smiles. "I don't mind if you still want to call me Mags. A couple people do. And tea would be great, thank you."

"Tea then." He gestured for hr to sit, and over to the pantry.

"I have some tea in the pantry you can have in the teapot if you'd like." He invited her. And his expression softened.

"I haven't been called- Oz or Ozzie. So- if you'd like. You can."

She sits as directed, but tilts her head in surprise at the offer. "Are you sure? I know that life... wasn't what you'd want for yourself. I can get used to calling you Oscar if you'd rather."

"I've gotten used to being...well, called Oscar, without the Father title." He offered a gentle shrug, as he went to the pantry, and came back with some teas in the offering. They were mostly the herbal teas from the human village, and black teas, in a small basket for Maggie to select.

"But...it's up to you Mags, what you're comfortable with."

She selects a black tea, and instead of answering, asks, "How much do you hold onto, after breaches? Some people keep their families. Seems like you at least around the push people away sort, which I appreciate. It's... hard, to stop caring entirely at the drop of a hat. Even if we don't know each other in this life yet."

"My feelings tend to linger, even when I don't try to encourage it. Which includes romantic."

He shook his head, gently moving to take the tea back, and getting the full kettle onto the stove to boil. There was a full steel panel for that.

"I try to be gentle about it though. I still think of Fitz as a son, Norton as well. That was from my first breach. I try not to impose my feelings on people though."

He didn't like imposing on people.

"Fitz doesn't hold onto breach relationships much at all. And I've been dating him for years, so I would've noticed."

Maggie looks at Oscar as she says, "But I do, if other people are open to it. I've been collecting brothers left and right. Usually I'm the oldest sibling, even though in this life I'm younger than pretty much all of them. Big sister energy is too powerful for age to matter. Iris says I was born a pack matriarch, long before she turned me to a wolf."

She smiles. "You were my first older brother, Oz."

"He seems to go through most things in life in such a way. Like water over a duck."

His voice was gently amused, gently disappointed. Like he would be for a family member.

But he looked to to Maggie, and his gaze was soft.

"I have been an older brother before. But- becoming an older brother to an intelligent, fierce woman? A matriarch in all sense of the word? It would...truly be an honor for me."

He touched a hand to his chest. "It will take a little adjusting for both of us, I think."

"Fitz... will do almost anything for the people he loves. Loyal to a fault, if not quite in the same ways as me. But getting close enough to join that group can be a challenge." She isn't sure Fitz would ever be up for parental connections, regardless. But she wouldn't be with someone who wasn't loyal. It's one of her most valued traits.

Her smile goes soft and fond at the next thing he says. "Thank you. Even when you were hard on the rest of the world, you were a very good brother. I don't think adjusting will be hard, but I want to get to know you better in this life. And I believe I promised help in the kitchen. Make me tea, sure, but then put me to work."

"I would be surprised if many, if any would." He admitted. "From what he's told me of his life, he's been through quite a bit. And...honestly, I was ready to yell at the Doctor when he visited at one point. Fitz...it sounds like people have been...careless about him."

He shook his head. "I don't know how to be a father. A priest, yes, but a father to a grown man? I can only offer love, and hope it's enough."

His smile at least was directed at Maggie, nice and soft. "We can talk about what our lives are like. You know John, and Arthur and- that may help. And you can tell me about your life. We'll have some tea, and we'll get to rolling out some dough. How's that's as a plan?"

"Yes. There's a reason I wouldn't do more than sleep with him until I saw that he would offer enough emotional honesty and support to be a good boyfriend. But I think everyone who cares about Fitz should want to punch or yell at the Doctor sometimes. I definitely do."

But setting the topic of Fitz aside for the time being, she tells Oscar, "Sounds good. I don't know Arthur as well, but I love John a lot. And my world's fucked up in very different ways than yours, so I'll have to explain that along with the more personal things."

He nodded; good. Maggie deserved that at the very least, as respect for both of them. And he still empathized with the Doctor losing his memory, but he wanted to hit him repeatedly over the head with a bed pan for his carelessness with people and their devotion.

"I love them both well." His mind drifted to the love and devotion with the pair, but made sure he stayed focused.

"But there will have to be a lot to explain. For example...which is semi public...is I'm trying to stay sober. It is...due to something from our world that I became a drunk. But as my sister, you should know about it."

Maggie nods. "I'm... functionally sober. I'm not an alcoholic, but substances hit me much harder now that I'm a wolf. And since losing control comes with fangs and claws now, I gave it up."

She gives him a soft smile as she adds, "I do keep a stocked liquor cabinet for guests, so I appreciate the warning not to offer you any."

He nodded. He thought there would be some things that wouldn't work for being a werewolf.

"Thank you." He felt a mix of disappointment and relief. He ignored it. "John has been kind enough to stock my fridge with alternatives, if you want anything. I usually offer coffee or tea as is."

She smiles. "Thank you, but no need. I never turn down tea."

Then she tilts her head. "Is there anything you particularly want to know, about me or my world?"

"Perfect. Let's get the kettle on."

He smiled, about to do the kitchen puttering, but paused.

"Before that then- what...er, what is your world like? Is it more modern, I suppose then the 1930s?"

He thought so.

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