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Older RG Headcanon

Everybody has a bad coping mechanism. Oscar’s, when he becomes older, is smoking. Needless to say, Ruby hates it. Their occupation is already dangerous enough. Why is he endangering his life with those cancer sticks? Ruby makes it her mission to throw out every packet she finds and to put out every lit cigarette. 

But sometimes she doesn’t. Sometimes, she sees Oscar standing in the distance, back turned to her as smoke wisps in the air. His back is too straight, shoulders too tense, every fibre of his being screams stress and anxiety. It’s at these moments that Ruby sees that Oscar wants time to himself. 

Oscar knows it’s a filthy habit. He’s read the pamphlets Ruby shoves in his face, seen the ads on the cartoons, heard all the remarks made. There’s something about the process of mechanically lighting the cigarette and the hot smoke in his smoke that puts him at ease, watching the end turn to ash. There’s something about a Hero of Remnant and the Director of Mistrali Huntsmen Operations, a pillar of morality, smoking that made himself feel more ... grounded. Like he was just like everybody else. Human. 

Oscar makes sure to smoke only when he’s at his limit. He doesn’t want this to be a habit. Ruby deserves better than an addict for a husband. 

When the kids come around, Oscar puts the packets away. Swears himself off it. Sometimes his mind wanders back to the cigarette, sometimes his fingers twitch, his throat aches for that sweet drag. But no, he tries and keeps himself off of that. 

But when Ruby hasn’t been home from a mission in one week, two ... Oscar’s mind starts to race. She’s supposed to be back by now. Where is she? That familiar craving comes back. 

Perhaps one cigarette wouldn’t be too bad.