#clover ebi is not bright

[bafflement]

Deaged Oz AU - School Daze

Tip blinked as his scroll pinged, he hadn’t been expecting a message, but maybe someone needed to get in contact with him? He flicked the notification open absently, wanting to get back to the conversation he was having with Qrow only to blink down at it in horror. What the hell? Why would he be enrolled in a primary school of all things? This had to be a joke, but if it was then it definitely wasn’t a very funny one.

But no, it very much seemed to claim that he, or rather ‘Wintertip Pine’ was now enrolled in the final year of an Atlas primary school. No, no this wasn’t funny in the slightest. He had a job to do, he couldn’t pause things to go and pretend he was an actual child. A chill seemed to run over him at the mental image that provided. Salem wouldn’t hesitate for a breath before burning it to the ground to get to him. After all, she’d done it before. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to force the imagery that bought up back into the depths of the wizard’s soul… he wasn’t going to think about the consequences to this, it was fixable. It had to be, he’d never survive, having to pretend to actually be the eleven year old his body currently resembled. At least it might grant Salem a moment of amusement before she killed him and anyone else close by? But James knew that, he had to know that attempting to place him in a school would just put everybody else in danger. Unless… was that why he’d fought so hard for his custody, to turn around and pull a power move like this? He wanted desperately to believe that James would never even think of doing something like this, but obviously someone had. If not him, then who?

Some of the shock and anguish must have shown on his face, because Qrow snatched his scroll out of his hand, looking worried. That worry turned to fury as he read the same message Tip had.

“What the hell is Jimmy thinking?” he snarled, almost dropping the scroll in his rush to reread it, hoping he was hallucinating. Looking up from it, he met Tip’s eyes and realised just how haunted they were at the moment. No, this was no hallucination. This was very, very serious. “Doesn’t he realise that you’re Salem’s main target? Dammit, Oz, you’ll be in danger and so will any actual kids caught up in this stupidity. No, we’re going to go and see Jimmy, right now.”

“I was about to suggest that meeting with him would be the best option.” Tip agreed, his voice sounding vaguely distant to his own ears. If this was something James had actually set up? Well, then, they might need to have a far more serious talk about boundaries. It was bad enough that he’d given him a tracker without his consent, but something like this? Putting actual children in danger for what, appearances sake alone? No, that was insupportable. James was a good friend, but if he was starting to think like that, then maybe it might be better to distance himself now. While he still could, for all the fact that the General held temporary guardianship of him and his brother both.

Oh no, what if he’d placed Oscar in school, too? He would be less of a target than Tip was, maybe, but only as long as nobody realised that they were brothers for all intents and purposes. That alone would make him excellent bait to all the wrong people trying to get to him through those he loved. He was just glad that Qrow was more than old enough to look after himself and that the others, for all they were still of an age to be Beacon students were technically fully accredited hunters now. They’d been trained well, he just had to have faith in their abilities.

“Qrow? We need to check, to make sure that Oscar hasn’t been subjected to the same thing. After all, James is technically his guardian, too.”

“If it’s Jimmy, which much though you know I don’t really get on with the guy seems less than certain.” Qrow winced though, arguing in favor of Ironwood wasn’t something he’d ever really seen himself doing but here they were. He seemed to be doing a great many things he was less than comfortable with, lately.

Tip grinned at him, briefly surprised. It was pretty clear he was very distracted by the notification, though.

“Oscar?” Tip asked softly, his brother looking up from his book in curiosity.

“Yes? What do you need?” Oscar asked, registering the serious look on Tip’s face and halfway rising from his chair. Tip shook his head slightly and Oscar settled back down, head cocked to one side.

“Nothing urgent, I just, did you get a scroll notification recently?”

Oscar blinked, looking down at his scroll in confusion, before shrugging. “No? Should I have done?”

“Not really, no.” Tip responded, sounding relieved. “Don’t worry about it.”

“… did something happen?” Oscar asked suspiciously. Tip shrugged back, trying to look nonchalant.

“Nothing urgent. It’s alright, I just needed to check.”

Oscar stared at him for a second before deciding that the blank face his brother wore meant that he was unlikely to get any more of a response tonight. It was always annoying when he did that, but if it was actually important he’d probably find out eventually.

Qrow gestured towards the door and Tip followed him out into the corridor and towards James’ office. This wasn’t going to be a fun conversation, but he dearly hoped that Qrow was right and James had not in fact done this. He was in charge of Atlas, with Salem almost at their doorstep. If he’d gone mad on top of everything else, well better not to think about that too deeply. At least the walk would be quiet. Winter was somewhere else right now, so she wouldn’t be here to witness the fallout. What she didn’t know, she couldn’t yell at him over. Right?

James looked up with a smile as Tip and Qrow entered, though that quickly fell away at their expressions. None of them said anything for a few seconds, staring at each other before Tip sighed, laying his scroll on James’ desk, the notification of his supposed enrolment fully visible on its surface.

“Explain.” Was all he said. James blinked at him before picking up the scroll. For a man that was usually rigorously self-disciplined, his feelings were laughably easy to read for once. Shock, followed by a sick sort of horror flashed across his face as he read the mail Tip had been sent. So it really hadn’t been him. But if it wasn’t James, then who was it? He was the only man in Atlas that had even the pretence of being Tip’s guardian, and Aunt Em certainly would never have enrolled him in a school, of all things. She knew better than anyone that he wasn’t actually a child. Besides, she was all the way in Mistral, how would she ever even have heard of the school in question. As some of Tip’s anger drained away, he vaguely recalled hearing the name of it somewhere before. It was probably even a very good school. He just wasn’t in any need of their services. Could this be Salem, hoping to lure him out? It felt different, though… no, something still wasn’t right.

“I… why is this an enrolment notification, Oz? You’re not actually a child, you don’t need to go to an actual school. Even if your next vessel… apologies, but it does have to be said, was an actual child that would be waived. In a school, Salem would know where you were, we couldn’t protect you. Why enrol yourself?”

“I didn’t.” Tip stated, voice still tight with fury. “And since you didn’t either, would you happen to know who did?”

“I can find out.” There was a dark tone to James’ voice now, eyes steely as he turned them back to the scroll. “Although, you may need to take certain tests and exams to test out of school, Oz. That might not even be a bad thing, really. It would provide more of a paper trail, give you more legal standing than you currently possess. Foundling, wasn’t it?”

Tip scowled at that, though he acknowledged that James was probably right. Besides, it wasn’t like foundling was particularly accurate anymore. He wondered if his records still stated that, considering his family and their likely reactions to that little detail, but that was less than important at the moment. What was important was fixing this, or at least making things as quick as possible. At least he could easily test out, even if it would take time he couldn’t really afford to waste right now. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to.

James tracked the request backwards, landing on a rather familiar name. He groaned to himself in annoyed frustration, but he had to admit this was probably at least partially his fault. After all, he had asked Clover to keep Oz out of danger, though this was not what he’d meant. A school, under other circumstances, would even make some sense. Except, of course, for Salem. Except that Oz, for all his physical age was chronologically thirty six. He sighed to himself at that, too. Why his records had been altered by over four years was something he was still unsure of. But then, even when Oz had been obviously all of fifteen in retrospect, the new head of Beacon, everybody had been so eager to believe his stated age. It was easier to think he just looked younger than he was, as opposed to admitting to themselves that Vale had likely actually lost the plot. Anyone else, in that position at that age, would have been an absolute disaster. Ah well, that was a thought for later. He summoned Clover to his office, a dark scowl on his face. This might almost be fun, though it was looking more and more likely that Oz was actually going to have to take those damn tests, At least they knew who to blame, now? At least it wasn’t Salem, so hopefully she didn’t actually know Oz was a kid, either. At least not yet, but then underestimating her was never a good idea, either.

Clover Ebi, ever punctual, strode into James’ office. His face dropped on noticing the acidic glare the General was shooting him, but he hadn’t done anything wrong to deserve that, surely? He was a good soldier and as far as he was aware, he hadn’t committed any acts against the orders he was given. Unless… was this about little Tip Pine? The General had ordered him to protect the boy and keep him out of danger though. The easy way to do that was to put the kid in school. Besides, weren’t children supposed to be in school?

As Ironwood started to yell at him, Clover looked more and more woebegone. He’d only been doing what he thought was right, but apparently that had been the wrong thing to do in this instant? He thought he was just following instructions… why had things suddenly become so much more complicated, and why was the youngest Pine boy always somewhere in the thick of things? Things weren’t meant to be this complicated… he missed the days when everything made sense.

Once he’d dismissed the downtrodden looking Clover, Ironwood settled back in his chair, staring at the scroll that Oz had left behind. He would have to get that back to him at some point, of course, but Oz’s scroll was the only one they had right now capable of interkingdom communication. He wished that Oz knew how he’d done it, but the boy had assured him it wasn’t replicable and he was loathe to deprive Oz of his own communication. It would be so useful, though. Ah well, Oz was nice enough to let him borrow it at times, not that he’d ever break his trust. Part of him still smarted under the idea that Oz had truly thought he would enrol him in a school without his permission, but from Oz’s point of view? Well, he was his guardian, after all… it made sense. If it hadn’t been for Salem, would he have actually done it? There was no way of knowing and he liked to think he was rather better than that, but then he would certainly have been tempted.

Speaking of, would Oscar be better off in a school, he wondered. The boy didn’t have the same excuses Oz did, though that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be a target. If only they weren’t brothers, if only Salem could be trusted to stay away.

Tip, several rooms away, couldn’t see Ironwood’s face as he mulled things over. If he had, he might have had even more second thoughts than he already had been regarding their friendship.

Making a decision, Ironwood resolved to ring the school in question. He didn’t really want to talk to them, but maybe his position as head of Atlas academy… and the Army… would be enough to get them to back down? It was such a silly issue, after all. What was one less student, compared to the danger they’d be in? Not, of course, that he would tell them that, though the mental image of the looks on the faces of the council members if they ever found out was rather amusing in itself. Clover might need to find a very deep hole if that happened, but then he might even deserve it at this point. Ironwood certainly wouldn’t be able to protect him.

He hit call.

The line was picked up by a helpful sounding young woman, who reacted rather predictably to the news that it was General Ironwood on the line. She sounded slightly overawed which was vaguely gratifying. Hopefully he could use this to get Oz out of the situation. It truly was rather ridiculous, after all. Oz was laughably unsuited for a primary school, he could probably pass the tests in his sleep. Not to mention exactly what the teachers would make of someone like him, he’d be their best student… but quite possibly also their very worst nightmare.

“General Ironwood? It’s an honour, sir, may I ask why you’re calling?”

“Ah yes, there seems to have been a mistake and my youngest ward appears to have been enrolled into your school. His name is Wintertip Pine, if you could remove him, that would be for the best.”

“Ah yes, I see his enrolment here. May I ask why you wish to remove him? The records state that he’s eleven, so he’s the right age for our school.”

“Tip is… rather too advanced for a primary school, I fear.” Ironwood sighed, uncertain just how to put it.

“I hate to tell you this sir, but the system won’t let us just unenroll your ward. He’d have to test out.” She really was sorry to say it, but it wasn’t like General Ironwood had been the first proud parent to try this stunt. Imagining him as a parent was rather strange, though. Poor boy.

Sighing, Ironwood arranged for the requisite test packets to be sent to Atlas. It looked like Oz would actually have to take the tests, but at least once it was done, he wouldn’t need to do it again.

Tip filled out the tests rather quickly, grumbling to himself. Thankfully, at this level, his way of writing probably wouldn't be noteworthy. He hoped.

He passed, of course, but that was hardly a surprise, as James said, he could take these in his sleep. He shouldn't have had to, but if it hadn't been Clover, then it might have been someone else. They had a point, the longer the paper trail went, the more proof he had that he was a legitimate citizen. Having more or less appeared out of nowhere according to the records, he needed all the help he could get in that regard.

Clover might need dealing with at some point soon, though. He wasn't actually a child and he really didn't appreciate this. He wondered if it might be an idea to take the tests to graduate high school, too, but as a physical eleven year old, that might gain him too much scrutiny. Besides, high school tests tended to be essay based and he was rather uncertain if he could word those in a way they would expect an actual child to sound like.

Ah well, he'd find out if he had to?

[chameleonwritess]

My sister: look at the bright side- at least Qrow’s going to have emotional issues forever

[uglyanswer]

☘️                   “we'll keep working on the problem we know we'll never solve.” @brokenclockwork​

[rwby-necro-au-archive]

For a fic idea, could we get an atlas gang angsty one? Like Ironwood is training Y. Winter and Y. Clover? -🐈‍⬛

Seemingly a million years ago…

Description:

Winter Schnee and Clover Ebi, both taken from home at the age of 10, both forced to leave their lives behind for what they were told was the greater good.

But why does the greater good feel so emotionally hurtful?

“You two are special, you get to keep your names.” The sector leader said monotonously.

And he’d be right, they were special. Most pursuers weren’t allowed to keep their names, let alone were they allowed to be trained directly by the General himself.

“Rejoice, the General himself wants to train you two. Keep your mouths shut, follow his directions, and be a good pursuer and he may just like you.” The sector leader continued as the two children walked down the hallway.

The hallway was long and cold, the floors were tile, a bright white color coating them. The walls mimicked the floors platinum white color, almost being disorientingly white.

At the end of the hall was a navy blue door, a piece of metal decorated the front, engrained in it were the words “General Ironwood”.

Both children’s steps were quick but quiet, attempting to not disturb the eery quiet that blanketed the sickeningly platinum white hallway. As they approached the door, the sector leader knocked hard and loud on the navy blue door.

Soon, the door opened, and there stood a man. He wore a similarly sickeningly platinum white uniform, it was littered with gold accessories and navy blue accents, he had dark blue eyes and jet black hair. He was General Ironwood.

The two children nervously looked up at the terrifying man.

“As you requested, Sir. Winter Schnee and Clover Ebi.” The sector leader stated coldly.

Ironwood nodded, “Thank you. Both of you, come with me.” His sickening sweet smile was mistaken for friendliness and care by the two children.

Winter was thrown to the ground, hard.

She was sobbing, hands over her head, and curled up into a little ball as her “training” with the General continued.

“Winter!” Clover cried out, he attempted to run up to her, but his attempts were quickly throttled out of existence. He was yanked up by the back of his shirt.

“Ebi.” The General snarled, clearly enraged by the young boys attempt at consoling his friend.

He seethed out a breath before his expression returned to that of false caring.

“Schnee made a mistake. Both you and her know what happens when pursuers make mistakes, they face punishments. But let me teach you another lesson,” he spoke calmly, too calmly.

Dropping the young boy, Clover landed on the tile floor hard, not having enough time to attempt to lessen the drop.

“Pursuers. Don’t. Help. Other. Pursuers. When. They. Get. In. Trouble.” Ironwood annunciated each individual word, his expression blank, with no sense of remorse.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes sir…” Clover mumbled.

Clover quickly left the room, followed afterward were the screams of the girl he attempted to protect. They had only been in this program for 3 years and the punishments had only gotten worse. They were only 13, what else could he expect from them?

“Tomorrow is another day.” Clover thought, trying to ease the pit he felt in his stomach.

He felt like he was going to vomit.

“I have a gift for both of you.” Ironwood spoke, cheer lacing his tone.

The two teenagers, now 16, looked up at him in excitement.

“Yes yes I know, how kind of me, aren’t I?”

The man reached behind his desk and pulled out two boxes, he proceeded to walk over and hand one box to each of the teens.

Clover opened the box, inside, was a gun.

“A gun?” Winter asked curiously

“Yes, a gun. A glock specifically. You both will be going out into the field soon, which means you both will start doing what you’re assigned to do, which is protect me. So I figured now was a good time to train you both. You’ll get something better once you’re more used to the weapon. Come on, I’ll show you to the training area.” Ironwood gestured forward as he opened his office door.

As the three walked down the hall, Clover kept eyeing the gun in the box. Was he really going to start using this thing? What did it feel like to fire it? He’d never used a gun before.

Soon, they arrived at the training area. Ironwood gave each of the teens a set of headphones to cancel out the loudness of the weapons. He lead them each to two different booths, located by each other. There was a space open in the front of each, and across from the booths were targets, shaped like people.

Ironwood began explaining how to hold the guns, both Clover and Winter seemed to take to holding the guns as easy as they took to the other strength trainings Ironwood had done.

The General instructed Clover to fire it first. He attempted to pull the trigger, but it wouldn’t fire.

Ironwood chuckled “You have to take it out of safe mode first. Here,” He temporarily took the gun from the teen and adjusted it, taking it out of safe mode before handing it back to Clover.

Clover aimed at the target again and steadied his breath, pulling the trigger, he let off a round with a loud BANG!

The recoil on the gun was so harsh and so unexpected to Clover that it recoiled back and hit him in the face. Clover sucked air in between his teeth and put a hand over the spot the gun had smacked him, square on the nose.

Ironwood harshly laughed at the boy in response “You’ll get used to the recoil, believe me, that’s nothing compared to what some other guns have.” He snickered.

Clover looked down shamefully, he felt stupid, he was supposed to be perfect from day one, not make stupid rookie mistakes.

The older man scoffed, “Oh relax, as I said, you’ll get used to it. Besides, your aim is already on point.” Ironwood crouched down to Clover’s leveled and pointed at the target which had one bullet hole right smack in the center of its head.

Clover stared at the bullet hole in awe, did he really just do that? He felt sick that he was able to do that, but the feeling was soon overtaken by adrenaline and excitement. He made Ironwood happy.

Ironwood instructed Winter to shoot next, Winter took similar steps as Clover did, but when she fired the weapon, she was prepared for the recoil. Her aim was slightly off though, but it still hit right in the head. The General clapped excitedly and congratulated Winter.

Ironwood put each of his hands on each of the teens shoulders, “Good Job, both of you. I knew you both would be best for this job. You two picked this up quicker than any other pursuer I’ve seen. I think you both deserve a bit of a treat, so how about we go out for dinner? I know quite a great and expensive restaurant we can go to.”

Winter and Clover excitedly looked at each other and hugged one another as they followed after each other.

“Clover?”

Clovers attention was snapped back to reality at the sound of his bosses voice, he turned around to look at the captain.

How long had he been staring out at the ocean, it was sunset before, now it must’ve been midnight.

“Sorry, was just thinking about something.” Clover chuckled

“What were you thinking about?”

“An old friend….”

“I see…”

Winter stared out the window of her apartment, peering at the ocean. “How beautiful….” She thought.

“Seemingly a million years ago we would’ve been watching a very different ocean with him.” She mentally noted, as much as she didn’t want to admit it, there were things about Atlas that she did miss. Like an old friend.

“I wonder how he’s doing.”

[courtclover]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑    𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒 .

LAYER  001:  THE OUTSIDE.

NAME:   Clover Ebi . 

EYE COLOR:  bright green / teal .

HAIR STYLE / COLOR:  styled like a belted kingfisher / light brown ; almost auburn in the sunlight at the right angle .

HEIGHT: 6′3″ .

BEST  PHYSICAL  FEATURE:    ARMS   ASS    C H E S T .

LAYER  002:  THE INSIDE.

FEARS:   losing friends/allies  .

BIGGEST  PET  PEEVE:  tomatoes in salads.

AMBITIONS  FOR  THE  FUTURE:   the world is better for generations to come  .

LAYER  003:   THOUGHTS.

FIRST  THOUGHTS  WAKING  UP: gotta run. gotta go.  got things to do .

WHAT  THEY  THINK  ABOUT  MOST:  James. the state of the kingdom. Salem .

WHAT  THEY  THINK  ABOUT  BEFORE  BED: gotta go to bed. got things to do tomorrow .

WHAT  THEY  THINK  THEIR  BEST  QUALITY  IS:  his optimism. doing the right thing .

LAYER  004:   WHAT’S BETTER?

SINGLE  OR  GROUP  DATES:   single .

TO  BE  LOVED  OR  RESPECTED:  loved .

BEAUTY  OR  BRAINS:  doesn’t matter to him .

DOGS  OR  CATS:  both .

LAYER  005 :    DO THEY…

LIE: of course he does .

BELIEVE  IN  THEMSELVES:   yes .

BELIEVE  IN  LOVE:    in a way , yes .

WANT  SOMEONE:  i meaaannn yeah 

LAYER  006:   HAVE THEY EVER…

BEEN  ON  STAGE:   yes .

DONE  DRUGS:   no .

CHANGED  WHO  THEY  WERE  TO  FIT  IN:   tried to .

LAYER  007:   FAVOURITES.

FAVOURITE  COLOR:    green  .

FAVOURITE  ANIMAL:   penguins & anything that swims .

FAVOURITE  BOOK:    maybe a cook book. a tea book .

FAVOURITE  GAME: m i n e c r a f t 

LAYER  008:   AGE.

DAY  THEIR  NEXT  BIRTHDAY  WILL  BE:   march 17th .

HOW  OLD  WILL  THEY  BE:    40 .

LAYER  009:   FINISH THE SENTENCE.

I  LOVE:  fishing .

I  FEEL:   content .

I  HIDE:  my feelings .

I  MISS:   argus .

I  WISH:  i had a cup of tea  .

tagged: i yoinked it oops  tagging: yoink it from me fellas

[twixtandshout]

First Lines Meme

Tagged by @anderazu​!

List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

I’m just gonna do ten, but here goes:

If Qrow put this much effort into all his fights, no one would have ever said he didn’t deserve to be a Branwen. (Heart Is Just Another Organ Meat; Raven Branwen & Team STRQ, Qrow Branwen/Clover Ebi)

Technically speaking, Team STRQ had homework they were supposed to be doing. Practically speaking, Tai’s “short break” from his books had turned into ten minutes of playing with his hacky-sack (”No, Qrow, that’s not a euphemism”), Qrow was contemplating murdering him, and the girls were just throwing the door open, dropping a plastic bag heavily on the closest desk. (Deleted scene from Heart Is Just A Kind Of Offal, Qrow Branwen & Everyone)

It wouldn’t get any warmer from here on out. In July, when James had reshingled the cabin’s balding roof, and later, when he replaced the rotting floorboards, the promise of cooler weather had spurred him on. Now, as the year wound toward its close, the scent of frost in the air and the bitter chill seeping into his scars made grim motivation. (Winter-Nights, Qrow Branwen/James Ironwood)

“Looking handsome, Wayne.” Qrow batted Summer’s hand away from his throat, blocking her from fiddling any more with his bow tie. “Don’t call me that,” he grumbled. “I’ll be getting enough of it at the party. You sure I gotta show up?” (Dark Knight, Man of Steel, Qrow Branwen/Clover Ebi)

Clover never spent much time in Mantle, even before the thirteen years he spent everywhere but in Solitas, but he can’t say he expected a better welcome. (Ace of Crows, Qrow Branwen & Clover Ebi)

The screams have quieted, but the fires are still going, casting grimm shadows across the walls as if this, too, is their hunting ground. Her own silhouette, skeletal arm wrapped around a dying man’s throat, fits right in. (Reforged, Ruby Rose & Qrow Branwen, Qrow Branwen & Taiyang Xiao Long, Yang Xiao Long & Taiyang Xiao Long, all of the previous & Ruby)

Clover wakes a castaway, marooned on the shores of consciousness. It’s… bright. Blue. He’s lying on the floor of the treasury antechamber. It’s coming back to him: he'd taken Charlie Bravo’s shift, he’d been looking for something. For – (As Long As You’re Still Burning Bright, Qrow Branwen/Clover Ebi)

“Clover? You in there?” Some thread of Clover’s consciousness surfaced from its fog. There hadn't been an alarm, he didn't think. He didn't hear James’s distinctive knock, so it probably wasn't an emergency, and if James or anyone else needed him outside of emergency circumstances, they would have texted his scroll. Clover groped for it and squinted, bleary-eyed, at the too-bright blur on the screen. (Leviathan Week, Clover Ebi &/+ Qrow Branwen)

Crow was going somewhere, crow thinks, but crow is woozy and pain shines-dull where it isn’t red-sharp. (Never Say Goodbye, Qrow Branwen & OC)

Being arrested, being processed from being arrested, and sorting out dorm bunks for eight kids was exhausting enough, so of course the diner Qrow stumbled into at this ungodly hour was packed. (Five Nights at Denny’s, Qrow Branwen/Clover Ebi)

Themes:

Looks like I usually start with either “Statement, making an observation. Punchline.” or “‘Dialogue!’ Response.” (There’s typically a punchline just past the bits I copied for this. How long it takes to get there varies, though.) POV shifts around, but it’s all an approximately over-the-shoulder 3rd, mostly past tense, couple presents. Qrow’s in all of them but that’s probably to be expected. Clover’s unconscious in most of his appearances.

I always struggle to put down a first line because I feel like I do the same thing every time? Sometimes I shrug and do what comes to mind regardless, sometimes I struggle a little more. I’ve recently drawn on the write-yourself-in method for a couple (1, 2, 5) but if I go back in to fix up the start it turns out just the same as usual (2). If I don’t, it winds up abstract and removed (1, 5). This is one area where my reliance on rhythm in sentence construction bites me, I think.

Favorites: 3, 6, 9

Tagging: @vivifrage Wanna give it a go?

[qrow-biwen]

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: RWBY

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Qrow Branwen/Clover Ebi

Characters: Qrow Branwen, Clover Ebi

Summary: If Clover is the sun, then Qrow is the moon. Clover causes good fortune, and Qrow bad, just like how the sun is warm and bright, and the moon cold and distant. He and Clover are opposites in so many ways - good and bad fortune, green aura and red aura, loving family home and harsh bandit tribe. What is the reason, Qrow wonders? Is it to serve as a cruel reminder of the life Qrow could’ve had if things had been different? Or is it just to taunt him with the possibility of love, a forbidden fruit that is held just beyond his grasp? ———————- 

Fic for Day 1 of Fair Game Week 2021 (aka the sun/moon prompt), in which Qrow has to tell Ruby and Yang a bedtime story that may or may not totally reveal his feelings for a certain man… who just so happens to also be in the room with him.

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Didn’t get a chance to upload a WIP of this one but here’s my fic for Day One of Fair Game Week 2021!

[aceghosts]

Fair Game Week 2021 Day 1

Prompt 1: Sun/Moon

Rating: T

Word Count: 5,124 Words.

Summary: Atlas is hosting their Annual Lunar Carnival. Qrow plans to spend his night in his room, much to his nieces dismay. However, an opportunity to get their Uncle to come to the Lunar Carnival comes in the form of the Ace-Ops Leader.

Warnings: Brief mentions of Alcoholism and Previous Toxic Relationships. (Let me know if I forgot to tag for anything.)

Ships: Main ship is Fair Game, but there is background Bumbleby and WhiteRose.

AO3 Link

             “UNCLE QROW!” Qrow Branwen turned around to find his nieces running towards him. In her hand, Ruby held a flyer, waving it back and forth with excitement. Qrow immediately recognized the flyer, considering the posters were posted all over the common areas. Qrow, Team RWBY, and Team ORNJ had arrived just in time for Atlas’ annual Lunar Carnival. Ruby shoved the poster into his hands, excitement in her eyes. Yang looked equally excited, a bright smile on her face. “You have to go! Yang and I want to go on the carnival rides with you! We had so much fun last time!” Ruby squealed in excitement.

              “Yeah, you have to go. There gonna have a Slingshot ride, and the last we rode one was awesome!” Yang pumped her fist as she wrapped her arm around her Uncle’s shoulders. Qrow frowned, remembering the previous times he and his nieces had gone on thrill rides. Due to Qrow’s semblance, thrill rides were either disappointing or incredibly chaotic. Around Ruby and Yang, thrill rides turned the adrenaline all the way up and threw away the knob. He remembered riding a wooden roller coaster with Ruby when she was a small child. The roller coaster jerked around corners, racing faster than it ever had before. Ruby loved every second, laughing and screaming, but Qrow knew he was going to wake up achy the next morning. Meanwhile, when Qrow rode the slingshots with Yang, they rose higher and came down faster. Qrow remembered one time where the operator joked with him that the seatbelt was broken and he spent the whole ride, clinging to the seatbelt for dear life, screaming.

              “And you can’t take your girlfriends because?” Qrow asked, raising an eyebrow.

              Ruby pondered for a moment, a pensive look on her face. “I think I could convince Weiss to ride them with me, especially if I win her a big stuffed animal prize.” Raising her arms to show off her muscles, Ruby said, “I’m pretty good at that hammer game.”

              “It’s the one ride I can’t get Blake to go with me on. It makes her sick.” Yang groaned, releasing his shoulders.

               Qrow shrugged. “Sorry, Firecracker. You’ll have to find someone else to ride with you. Why don’t you get Red to go on it with you?” He suggested, referring to Nora.

              Yang crossed her arms, glaring at him with suspicion. At that moment, she looked very much like Raven. “Why got hot plans tonight?”

              “Do you have super-secret mission?” Ruby asked, her eyes shining with excitement. “Do you have to sneak somewhere?”

              Qrow shook his head. “Sorry Kiddo, nothing that exciting. I’ll be spending the night in my room.”

              “Oh, come on. Don’t be a boring old man.” Yang teased, uncrossing her arms.

              “Newsflash, I am a boring old man.” Qrow retorted, smirking at the two.

              Yang and Ruby exchanged glances with each other. Qrow could tell they were plotting something; He and Raven had been the same way as children. “Fine, but next time, Uncle Qrow.” Yang finally relented.

              “Next time.” Qrow echoed.

--

              “I can’t believe Uncle Qrow wouldn’t come with us. He always used to go to amusement parks and carnivals with us when we were kids.” Yang said, shaking her head. She and Ruby were heading back to Blake and Weiss to meet up before the carnival.

              “I know!” Ruby exclaimed in agreement. “It would have nice to spend some time with him that wasn’t fighting Grimm or focused on Salem.”

              “Yang! Ruby!” A familiar voice called from behind them. They turned around to see Clover Ebi, leader of the Ace-Ops, walking towards them. Tonight, Team RWBY, ORNJ, the Ace-Ops, and Qrow were all supposed to have the night off for the carnival. They hoped he wasn’t going to send them on some last-minute mission. “Have you seen your Uncle Qrow? I wanted to ask him something.” Clover asked as he reached the two.

              “We just saw him ten minutes ago. What did you want to ask him about?” Ruby asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

              “I wanted to ask him if he was going to the Lunar Carnival tonight. I thought he might find going to the carnival fun.” Clover replied.

              Yang and Ruby exchanged glances, a mischievous plan forming between the two. Uncle Qrow did say he would ride some rides with them the next time he went. The two smiled at Clover, hopeful that he would be able to change their Uncle’s mind. “Uncle Qrow said he was going to spend the night in his room.” Yang answered. Slouching slightly in a manner reminiscent of Qrow, Yang imitated her Uncle’s gruff voice. “I’m just a boring old man, who doesn’t do anything fun anymore.”

              Ruby joined in, slouching like Qrow, and imitating his voice. “I’m gonna sit in my room all mopey and have no fun.” Yang and Ruby giggled, clearly making fun of their Uncle in good jest.

              Clover smiled. “It would be a shame for Qrow to sit in his room alone all night. I’ll see if he can talk him into going to the Carnival.” Clover said, before waving goodbye.

              Once he was out of sight, Yang and Ruby high-fived each other. If there was one person who seemed to draw Uncle Qrow out of his room, it would be Clover. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight.” Yang said.

              “I call first dibs!”

              “No fair, Ruby!”

--

              Qrow laid Harbinger on the table, a set of tools and cleaning supplies next to it. Lately, Qrow tinkered with Harbinger even more after he quit drinking. Working with Harbinger helped Qrow to focus on something besides the deafening thoughts in his head. He also spent a fair amount of time with Clover, usually on a mission or sparring with the other huntsman. An image of Clover surrounded by a bunch of faceless Atlas operatives at the Lunar Carnival materialized in his head. A part of him wondered what it would be like if he was there with Clover. Someone knocked on the door, jolting him out of his thoughts. Holstering Harbinger, Qrow wondered if it was Yang and Ruby, ready to plead their case again. Instead, Qrow found Clover leaning against his door frame, a self-assured smile on his face. “I heard you were planning on spending the night alone.” Clover remarked.

        “Anything wrong with that?” Some of us like a little peace and quiet.” Qrow replied, teasing Clover. He wondered if Clover had come here, seeking a sparring match. Qrow would have thought Clover would’ve already had plans tonight. Raising an eyebrow, he continued, “You know I thought Jimmy ordered us to take the night off.”   

        “True.” Clover replied, a slight shrug of his shoulders. “I came here to invite you to come with to the Lunar Carnival.”

        Qrow couldn’t help the intrusive thought in his head. He’s only asking you because he knows you have no one else. “You don’t have to take me pity on me. I’m sure you have other people to go with.”

        Clover pushed off the door, his arms crossing over his chest. “I’m not taking pity on you. I’m asking you because I want to go to the Lunar Carnival with you. There’s no one else I would rather go with.”

        A warm feeling enveloped Qrow. Maybe the desire to spend time with Clover wasn’t so one-sided. “What about your team? They must like hanging out with their fearless leader, sometimes.”

              Clover frowned. “Marrow’s going with some of his friends from the Academy. Elm normally goes to these things with her wife, and their friends. Harriet and Vine also have their friends. Now stop dodging the question and tell me you’ll go with me.” His smile returned, confident that Qrow would say yes.  

              “How could I say no?” He said, rolling his eyes with a smirk.

              “You’re going to have so much fun.” Clover said, a twinkle of excitement in his green eyes. Godsdamnit, it was so easy to get lost in those eyes sometimes.

              Qrow pulled the door closed behind him, locking it. “Lead- “

              He was cut off by an excited Clover grabbing his hand. “You’re gonna love it, Qrow. Atlas’ Annual Lunar Carnival is so much fun. Who knows, maybe it’ll help convince you to stay here or at least come visit Atlas.” Clover said with a wink at Qrow. Qrow could hear the unsaid part: Maybe, you’ll come to see me.

--

              A nervous feeling overtook Qrow as the pair entered the Lunar Carnival. Around them, Qrow noticed a ton of Atlas personnel, students, and their families. The noise is so loud; he can barely hear himself think. Food Stalls surround them, selling a variety of different dishes: Ramen, Funnel Cakes, and some delicacies native to Atlas. Fairy lights decorate the top of stalls, giving each stall a warm glow. Qrow hasn’t been around this many people or this much activity since the Vytal Festival. He doesn’t remember much of the Vytal Festival; he was drunk during most of it. The only clear memories are the times spent with Yang and Ruby and watching team RWBY matches. Normally, Qrow liked to avoid large crowds, afraid his semblance might cause widespread destruction. He drew in a sharp breath as he looked around. “Qrow, are you alright?” Clover asked, his hand warm on Qrow’s shoulder.

              “I’m fine. It’s just….” Qrow searches for the right words. “A lot.”

              Clover looked around, releasing Qrow’s shoulder as a couple walks past them, beers in hand. His eyes widen as the realization dawns on him. “I’m sorry! I should have thought…” Clover trails off.

              Qrow laughs, touched that Clover is concerned for him. “Don’t worry. I think I’ll be okay.”

              Clover sighs in relief. A second later, he asks, “You’re thinking about your semblance, right?”

              Qrow nods, always amazed by how easily Clover seems to read him. Not that it’s hard. Qrow’s semblance is always on his mind. “Yeah, hard not to in a crowd this size.”

              Clover moves in front of him, their faces only inches away from each other. He swallows nervously, unsure of what Clover will do next. Clover’s hands reach up, gently cupping Qrow’s face. Qrow feels a pang of something in his chest; no one’s touched him this gently in a long time. “Don’t think about your semblance tonight. In fact, you’re going to pretend you don’t have a semblance. You’re just a normal man on a date with another normal man.”

              “A date? Is that what this is?” Qrow teases, smirking at Clover.

              “I thought was a given.” Clover teases right back, winking at Qrow.

              “Hmm…” Qrow pretends to think, a playful glint in his eyes. “Let’s go on this date.”

              Clover releases his face, and Qrow already misses his touch. “I bet you haven’t eaten anything yet. I’m taking you to the best food stall, and then, I’m winning you a prize at the carnival games.” Before Qrow can protest about the carnival games, Clover shakes his head, taking Qrow’s hand. “Nope, I’m going to win you the biggest prize available. Now, let’s go get some food. I know a friend who makes the best food around.”

              Qrow just lets Clover drag him along.

--

              “I think that might be the best meal I’ve had in a long time.” Qrow admitted. For most of his career as a huntsman, Qrow stayed at whatever lodging available. The quality of food ranged from passable to downright terrible.

              “Glad to hear it. Mercy seemed to really like you.” Clover replied, giving Qrow’s hand a soft squeeze. As she made their dishes, Mercy, a close childhood friend of Clover’s and one of the best chefs in Atlas, chatted with them, regaling Qrow with several tales about Clover as a child. Qrow quickly realized he and Clover had radically different childhoods.

              “True.” Qrow tilted his head to the side, noticing that Clover kept looking around. “You looking for something?” Qrow asked.

              Clover nodded. “I am. I’m looking for a specific carnival game.”

              “You aiming to show off?”

              “Well, you’ll let me know how well I did after I win you a prize.” Clover teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Found it!” He exclaimed, dragging Qrow along with him. As they drew closer to the stall, Qrow resisted rolling his eyes. Of course, Clover would show off at a horseshoe tossing game. He almost laughed at the irony of it.

              “I took you for more of a ‘throwing baseballs at milk jugs’ kind of guy.” Qrow teased in return as they stopped in front of the stall, hands still intertwined.

              Clover snorted. “I’m also a champ at that game. I also like the strength tester, lets me show off my muscles.” He finished with a wink.

              Trying to ignore the heat on his cheeks, Qrow asked “Any games you’re not good at?”

              Clover paused, thinking for a moment. “Any games involving hitting a target with a water gun.” He replied with a shudder.

              Before Qrow could ask about the obvious story behind Clover’s answer, the game owner, an older gentleman, turned to them. “Want to play a round of Horseshoe Toss? It will cost you five lien for one round.” The game owner asked with a pleasant smile.

              Clover released Qrow’s hand, fishing his wallet out of his uniform’s pant pocket. Immediately, Qrow missed the warmth of Clover’s hand in his. He chided the part of himself that yearned to hold Clover’s hand again. “This should be enough.” Clover said, handing the game owner the exact change.

              As Clover put his wallet back into his pocket, the game owner placed five horseshoes in front of him. “Your goal is to toss the five horseshoes onto the poles. Each pole is worth a set number of points. The lone pole in the back is the one worth the most points.” Set in a pyramid shape, several poles were sticking out from a wood board. There was a lone poll at the top, furthest away from the player.

              Clover took Qrow’s hand again, picking up a lone horseshoe with his left hand. Twirling the horseshoe around his index finger, Clover flirted, “I don’t think I’ll have a difficult time with my good luck charm.” Winking at Qrow, Clover tossed the horseshoe with an air of ease. The horseshoe landed on the lone pole, spinning as it settled.

              “Color me impressed.” Qrow said, slightly amazed. He remembered playing this with Tai, Yang, and Ruby at a carnival one time. Predictably, Qrow’s semblance messed with Tai’s throws, causing him to miss every toss. On Tai’s last toss, the Horseshoe spun out of control, bouncing off several surfaces. Ducking to the ground quickly, Qrow narrowly avoided a horseshoe to the face.

              “Well, prepare to be even more impressed.” Clover said, picking up the next horseshoe. The second horseshoe landed with as much ease as the first horseshoe on the lone pole. The third and fourth horseshoes followed in quick succession. The final horseshoe bounced off one of the poles of the tent before landing on the final pole. Qrow’s jaw dropped as the last horseshoe landed. Clover managed a perfect score, all while holding Qrow’s hand. Turning to Qrow, he asked, “So, did I make a good impression?”

    ��         A laugh of disbelief escaped Qrow. “How did you-?”

              “Practice.” Clover said, absentmindedly touching the horseshoe hanging from his belt.

              “So, what will your prize be?” The game owner asked, also in disbelief.

              “What do you want?” Clover asked Qrow.

              “Me?” Qrow asked, pointing to himself.

              “I told you I was going to win you a prize.” Clover said. Looking at the prizes, Qrow felt overwhelmed, paralyzed with indecision. The majority of the prizes were stuffed, Grimm and famous huntsman. Behind the Grimm and Huntsman, Qrow spotted a Kingfisher stuffed animal. After gaining his ability to turn into a crow, Qrow started learning about different birds and became fascinated with him. The Kingfisher reminded Qrow of Clover.

              “The Kingfisher.” Qrow said, pointing at it. Clover raised an eyebrow as the game owner went to retrieve it. Qrow shrugged, as he said, “It makes me think of you. Your weapon is named after the bird, and they represent good fortune.”

              Clover blushed. “Sounds like you’re pretty interested in birds. The next time we have an afternoon, we should go birdwatching, and you could tell me all about them.”

              “It’s a date.” Qrow replied. Raven mocked his interest in birds, believing it was silly and irrelevant. It was nice to have someone show an interest in it.

              The game owner returned, handing the stuffed animal to Qrow, who thanked him. The game owner looked between the two, a small smile on his face. “You and your boyfriend enjoy the night. Make sure you catch the Fireworks show later.”

              Clover jumped in as Qrow opened his mouth to correct the game owner. “Thanks, we will! You have a good night too!” Pulling Qrow away from the stall, Clover looked at Qrow with an infectious smile. “So, which game are we playing next?”

              Qrow looked around with a particular game in mind. Spying the particular game, Qrow grinned. “You might suck at wielding a water gun, but I’m pretty good at it.” He pulled Clover in the direction of the water gun game.

              Clover laughed. “I already have high expectations.”

              The two arrived at the stall a minute later, the game owner greeting them with a smile. “We are looking for one more player! Who will it be? Only costs five lien!”

              “Me.” Qrow replied, fishing his wallet out.

              As he handed the lien to the game owner, a man spoke. “And here I thought Ebi would be playing. After all, everything in life comes easy to him.”

              Qrow looked over to find a blonde man, sneering at Clover with an air of disgust. The man wore the same uniform as Clover, one of an Atlas Specialist. He clearly thought the title of Atlas Specialist made him special. Even Ice Queen wasn’t this insufferable, and she spent most of her time yelling at Qrow. “We gonna have an issue here, pal?” Qrow asked, distaste clear in his voice.

              The man raised an eyebrow, eying Qrow coolly. “Gods Ebi, your standards have really sunk. Where did you find this one? Fish him out from a dumpster in Mantle?”

              Qrow bristled, about three seconds away from punching this guy. Clover released Qrow’s hand, placing his hand on Qrow’s shoulder. “Knock it off, Ajax. We’re all just here to have fun. Besides,’ giving Qrow’s shoulder a comforting squeeze, Clover continued, ‘Qrow Branwen is a huntsman from Vale.”

              The game owner looked nervously between Qrow, Clover, and Ajax. “Are we going to have a problem here?” He asked nervously.

              “No.” Clover shook his head. Leaning close, he whispered into Qrow’s ear, “We can leave. Come back at another time.”

              Qrow shook his head. “Not a chance.” He growled. Clover moved back, looking at Qrow with concern. Handing Clover his prize, Qrow said loud enough for the jackass to hear, “I’m going to show him how to win.”

              Clover took the prize, worried about Qrow. However, he kept his mouth shut, trusting that Qrow wouldn’t start a fistfight at a carnival game. Qrow picked up the water gun, getting used to the water gun. Ajax glared at him before picking up his own gun. As the game owner explained the simple rules, Qrow focused on the target, ignoring the prick beside him.

              “GO!” The game owner announced. Qrow immediately pulled the trigger, water spraying out. It hit the target dead-on, the icon of a Nevermore racing towards the top.  

              Next to him, Qrow could hear Ajax whining. “Why isn’t this gun working?” He complained. Qrow looked over just in time for Ajax to look at the muzzle of the water gun and shoot him with water in the face. Clover snorted behind Qrow, trying to hide his laughter, and failing miserably. Qrow grinned, returning his attention to the game. His Nevermore reached the top, sirens going off that he had won.

              “You cheated!” Ajax complained, pointing his finger at Qrow.

              Playing dumb, Qrow pointed at himself. “Me? I don’t remember pointing your gun at your face.” Out of the corner of his eye, Qrow could see Clover wipe tears of laughter from his eyes.

              Afraid of a fight, the game owner interjected, “What would you like as your prize?”

              “Your turn to pick a prize.” Qrow said, taking the Kingfisher back from Clover.

              Clover’s eyes widened, looking touched and surprised at Qrow’s offer. “I’m impressed. I’ve never had a date win me a prize. Normally, I’m the one who does that.” Clover said, a slightly thoughtful tone to his voice. “I will take the Crow if possible.” He pointed towards a normal Crow amongst the Grimm and Huntsman.

              “You’re in luck! It’s my last one; I’ve been trying to get rid of it for a while.” The game owner said, fetching the Crow for Clover.

              “What can I say? I like crows.” He said with a wink at Qrow as he took the stuffed animal from the game owner. Behind them, Qrow could hear Ajax making a gagging noise. Shooting Ajax, a dirty look, Clover took Qrow’s hand. “Let’s go. We can have more fun elsewhere.”

              Qrow nodded. Throwing a look over his shoulder at Ajax, Qrow said, “I’ll make sure Jimmy, I mean, General Ironwood, hears about your winning attitude.” As they walked away, Qrow could hear Ajax start to freak out.

              “Are you really going to tell James?” Clover asked.

              Qrow shook his head with a laugh. “Nah. Next time, he’ll think twice about being an ass.”

--

              Clover and Qrow continued around the game stalls, Clover playing the rest of the games. He was a natural at them, winning everyone he played. Clover gave the prizes to the younger Atlas students, who watched him with wide eyes and shocked gasps. Qrow enjoyed watching him play, taking the opportunity to tease Clover. He liked seeing this side of Clover, someone who wasn’t all business.

              As they walked towards the rides, Clover asked. “Do you want to go on any of the rides?”

              “Doesn’t matter to me. Although, I think Ruby and Yang will get mad if I ride certain ones without them.” Qrow said, thinking of Yang and Ruby. Clover stopped in his tracks, a dawning realization on his face. Qrow stopped with him, looking concerned. “Uh, you alright?

              Clover laughed, shaking his head. “I think your nieces might have used me as a way to get you here. I mean, I was already planning to ask you, but- “

              Qrow laughed, relieved. “That sounds like them. What did they do?”

              “Nothing bad. Just that you were planning to spend the night alone, and they imitated you. Said you were an old man, who has no fun.”

              Qrow shook his head, smiling fondly. “That’s Yang and Ruby. Always getting into trouble.”

              Looking behind Qrow, Clover pointed. “I think I found our ride. How do you feel about the Ferris Wheel?”

              “Works for me.”

              “Great!”

              The line for the Ferris Wheel wasn’t long, or at least, it didn’t feel long to Qrow. He and Clover talked, joking, and subtly flirting with each other. Well. Qrow was flirting on his end. He felt pretty confident that Clover was flirting with him. They got into the cabin of the Ferris Wheel, sitting next to each other. They put their prizes next to them, out of their way. Clover sat closest to the window, which overlooked Mantle and the night sky. Qrow sat next to Clover, only a few inches between them. “Please keep all limbs inside of the vehicle.” The ride operator said before the door closed.

              The Ferris Wheel groaned, starting to move. Clover and Qrow sat in the silence, comfortable with one another. Qrow felt at ease next to Clover, a feeling he was rarely accustomed to. Qrow broke the silence first. “Thanks, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a carnival.”

              Clover looked away from the window to look at Qrow “I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying yourself. I’m having a lot of fun too.”

              Thinking about earlier when Clover looked surprised, Qrow asked lightheartedly. “I guess I’m a pretty spectacular date for winning you a carnival prize.”

              A hint of sadness flashed in Clover’s eyes. Qrow wondered what Clover had been, who had done this to him. A protective feeling swelled in Qrow over Clover. “You definitely rank at Number one.” Clover said, attempting to brush it off.

              “You want to talk about it?” Qrow asked, softly.

              Clover sighed. “I don’t want to bring down the date. I’m having a really great time.”

              “You won’t bring anything down. I want to know, but you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” Qrow said, taking Clover’s hand in his.

              Clover rested his head on Qrow’s shoulder, looking down at intertwined hands. Moonlight streamed into the cabin as the cabin rose higher into the sky. “I’m just…” Clover started, seemingly trying to sort through the jumble of thoughts in his head. “This might be considered petty compared to what your semblance does, but when your semblance is good fortune, people tend to expect things from you. In relationships, my partners always expected the best: perfect date nights, perfect gifts, for the relationship to be easy. They’d always get frustrated when life didn’t turn out easy.”

              “You didn’t. And it’s not trivial. You can’t be expected to bring everyone good luck all the time.”

              Clover looked up at him with a smile. “Thanks, Qrow. Most of those relationships were hollow, like I was to be used as a status symbol. To look pretty on some man’s arm and make their life go right.”

              Qrow frowned, his heart hurting for Clover. “But you?” Clover asked, taking his head off Qrow’s shoulder, moving closer to him. Qrow’s heart beat fast; he wondered if Clover could hear his heart thundering in this tiny, cramped cabin. “I don’t feel that way with you. I don’t feel like a status symbol; I feel like I’m a person when I’m with you.”

              “I feel the same way with you, Clover.” Taking a leap of faith, Qrow kissed Clover, hoping he wasn’t misreading anything. Clover instantly returned the kiss, deepening it. The Ferris Wheel cabin pulled to a stop at the top, the moon still shining bright behind them. Clover pulled Qrow into his lap, continuing to kiss him. Qrow straddled him, his hands coming up to cup Clover’s face. Clover’s fingers dug into his waist, keeping Qrow steady in his lap. The intensity of their kisses grew more passionate, desperate to feel each other. A moan slipped from Qrow’s lips as Clover moved to his neck, his teeth grazing at Qrow’s skin.

              BANG!

              Qrow tumbled backward, arms failing wildly. His heart stopped for a moment as time seemed to slip by in slow motion. Clover stopped his fall, his hands still on Qrow’s waist. Clover laughed, tears welling up at the corner of his eyes. Qrow could feel the heat on his cheeks, aware that he was probably bright red. He looked out the window to see fireworks going off with the broken moon in the background. “Help me up, would you?” Qrow mumbled.

              Clover continued to laugh as he helped Qrow back up into his lap. “Sorry…” He said, wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes.

              “Don’t. It was pretty funny.” Qrow said, sliding off Clover’s lap into the seat next to him. He rested his head on Clover’s shoulder, laughing at the situation. “I’d say, we should go back to making out, but this old man might have a heart attack.”

              Clover placed a kiss on his head. “You’re not that old.”

              “How could I forget? We’re both old men.” Qrow teased.

              Clover shook his head with a smile, his hand finding Qrow’s. “The fireworks are beautiful, aren’t they?” He asked, resting against Qrow as they watched the fireworks.

              Qrow looked at the night sky, the fireworks bright and colorful against the silver light of the moon. He looked at Clover, his features soft and handsome in the light of the fireworks and the moon. “Yeah, they are.”

              Clover rolled his eyes, playfully. “I meant the fireworks.” He teased, a light blush on his cheeks.

--

              Once the fireworks stopped, Qrow and Clover continued to make out until the Ferris Wheel stopped. They ran out of the cabin once it stopped, holding hands like lovestruck teenagers and prizes underarm. As they walked around, debating which ride to ride next, a familiar voice cried out. “UNCLE QROW!” Qrow felt someone slam into his back, letting out an ‘oof’. Clover, sensing that Qrow might fall, steadied him before Ruby crashed into Qrow, hugging him. Qrow looked over his shoulder to see Ruby looking up at him, grinning innocently.

              “You came!” She said, releasing Qrow. Qrow and Clover turned around to see the rest of the team following behind. Clover smartly released Qrow’s hand, realizing there was a good chance his other niece might tackle him.

              “It’s a miracle you haven’t broken your Uncle’s back yet.” Weiss said, taking a sip of her boba tea with a Beowulf stuffed animal under her arm.

              Ruby stuck her tongue playfully at Weiss. “So, now that you’re here, that means you’ll ride some of the rides with us? There’s one called, Scrambler! It’s a pendulum ride what whips you around! We’ll have so much fun!” She squealed, grabbing Qrow’s left arm.

              “Uncle Qrow has to ride the slingshot with me!” Yang countered, grabbing his other arm. Clover wisely stepped back, giving them more room.

              “Yang, I called Dibs earlier! Uncle Qrow has to ride with me first!”

              “Alright. Alright.” Qrow said. “I’ll go with Ruby on the Scrambler first, and then, I’ll go on the Slingshot with Yang.”

              Releasing his arm, Yang asked, “Who’ll ride the scrambler with me?”

              Weiss pointed to her unfinished drink. Blake shook her head. “Sorry, Yang. I’ll go on most things with you, but I don’t think I want to go on that one.”

              Turning to Clover, Yang smirked mischievously. “Clover’s gonna ride with me.” She said, grabbing his arm.

              “OH! He can ride the slingshot with me while you ride it with Uncle Qrow!” Ruby exclaimed.

              Qrow mouthed ‘sorry’ at Clover, who shook his head in response. “I’m happy to ride with you, Yang and Ruby. We should head over before the lines get too long.” Clover suggested.

               “YEAH!” Yang and Ruby replied in unison, dragging Qrow along with them. Qrow looked over to find Clover smiling, looking happy. This was the best night Qrow had in a long time.

[jadekitty777]

The Thoughts We Carry

As promised, I had one entry near completion that I hoped be ready to post for @fairgameweek2021. I spent the last few days this week not getting enough sleep just to make the deadline (ssh I know it’s after midnight. Summaries are hard, okay?). I’m sorry I won’t have anything else ready in time, but I hope you all enjoy this one!

Day 4: Separation/Reunion

Dedicated to: @chiherah

Rating: K

Words: 6K

Summary: “I know everybody to some extent,” Qrow once told his nieces, and he hadn’t precisely been lying. At least, when it came to knowing other huntsmen in the four kingdoms, that is. Clover Ebi was just one of probably five-thousand examples. Yet, just as all shamrocks are clovers but not all clovers are shamrocks, all huntsmen are acquaintances but not all get to be friends.

That was why, upon arriving to Atlas, Qrow could tell there was more weighing on Clover’s mind than the Grimm addled streets of Mantle or Solitas’ fighter jet filled skies. More crushing, even, than the now-known threat of Salem on the horizon. A burden so great, it altered old routines and shadowed bright smiles.

And, as Qrow regarded the Aceops’ hasty roster change, he knew the solution to his friend’s plight was not one he’d need to seek, but one he’d need to bear.

Ao3 Link: The Thoughts We Carry

~

There were a few unanimous truths that came with being a huntsman:

The work was dangerous to the point most knew their future was beelining for a parking space in a graveyard.

Never falter in the heat of battle.

Keep bandages on hand because stemming an injury can extend a life from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Always know the best foods to forage in case civilization is too far or – worse yet – wiped out.

Pack light as work will require travel. It will require travel a lot.

Of all of them, the one Qrow was most familiar with was that last one. So much so, the towns he visited were just as much old friends to him as the people within them were. Vale and Patch were like playmates from primary school that were never forgotten no matter how much time had passed. Higanbaga was that party dude from university that always knew how to show him a good time. Atlas was that annoying classmate that he got stuck with one year on a group project and he was forced to put up with. And Mantle…

Mantle was that one struggling friend he knew could be doing better, if anyone would give it a break.

He felt that feeling in every swing of Harbinger, slicing through Grimm as he sidestepped potholes in the concrete and litter whirled up around his feet. Witnessed it when he peered through the city’s ever-present shadow to keep the kids in his line of sight, straining his ears to listen for the rest that shouts just blocks away nearly drowned out until they mysteriously stopped.

Despite knowing what it likely meant, he didn’t focus on it. He sheared through another Sabyr, and spun on his heels. Took in visual information in half a second: Weiss partially down an alleyway with Ren. Yang at his six. Blake a bit behind her. A Grimm leaping right for her.

His hand moved before his mind did, aiming Harbinger’s shotgun as Blake did the same with Gambol Shroud.

Another shot got it first.

A buzzing blast of green energy, not quite aura or dust, cleaved the beast in two. Similar shots rained from the sky, making quick work of the rest until the street was clear. The lampposts’ harsh red glows faded back to their calming yellow. From above, a drone expelling more green light rocketed up to the sky. As it hovered in the light of the moon and slowly floated down to ground level, its shape became more apparent and he could make out the features of a young girl with long, curling locks of ginger hair. Something about her was familiar.

It wasn’t until he heard Ruby’s choked gasp of “Penny?” that it clicked.

About a thousand questions rolled into his mind at once, but it was clear from the way his niece was suddenly bowled over by the enthusiastic android and the tears began to flow, that they’d have to wait.

After all, it wasn’t every day a cherished friend returned from the dead.

The other kids crowded around quickly, but Qrow couldn’t help but look to the one who lingered awkwardly on the sidelines, Oscar fidgeting with his cane the way Oz used to.

Something welled inside him that tasted a little like regret.

Not every day indeed.

~

It seemed ages before they started to make their way back to Pietro’s shop. Penny was deep in explanation on her miraculous revival, explaining how her memory chips had been recovered and her body repaired. In the back, Qrow let most of it float over his head. He wasn’t the only one.

“This is so… unexpected.”

He side-eyed Jaune, the blond’s face a mix of emotions that were hard to pin down. He couldn’t even begin to guess at what the other was trying to process. The joy of Penny’s return? The bitter unfairness it couldn’t happen for another that had been lost that day? The sorrow that Pyrrha now would never know that she hadn’t killed the android and could never make amends?

Whatever it was, it was definitely too much to handle on a regular day. Add two grueling battles, multiple aura breaks, and a long flight to Atlas on top of it all, it left little energy to deal with much else.

“But not unwelcome.” Qrow replied, catching his attention. “You don’t have to question the good things you get in life kid. You do that and you won’t stop to enjoy them.”

It was relieving it pulled out a small, but genuine, smile on the young man’s face. “That’s unusual advice coming from you.”

That’s because it wasn’t his.

Before he could think to respond, his sharp senses caught Ren tensing up. A sign he was detecting something.

His fingers were already halfway to his weapon when he heard it.

“Ah, and here I thought we had a problem. But it’s just Qrow again.”

His hand fell, a groan emitting from deep in his chest as he turned towards that painfully familiar voice. Sure enough, Clover and his poster squad of soldiers were heading their way. “Oh great, it’s you.”

“Salutations Captain Ebi!” Penny greeted with a salute.

"You know them Uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked. He could feel her curious stare burning through his cape.

"Yeah. They're Jimmy's attack dogs.” He scoffed at them. “Though considering we cleaned up this mess, they're more bark than bite."

Clover laughed, stopping just a few feet away. "You haven't changed a bit, have you?" He thumbed back the way they had come from. “Guessing you’re also the flyer of the unidentified Manta a mile west here, huh?”

“Uh, well,” He spluttered a bit, not sure how to explain that.

He didn’t have to, as the second-in-command spoke up for him, “I can’t believe you!” Harriet spat, quick in her temper as she was on her feet. “We almost deployed hostiles on that ship. You could have at least radioed in!”

“Well, see we woulda. ‘Cept our radio was on the fritz.” Yang stepped up beside him.

His other niece flanked his other side. “We didn’t mean to cause a stir, really.”

Qrow didn’t know whether to be proud of their synchronization, refined from years of getting out of groundings together, or concerned for their physical wellbeing as Elm’s eyes lit up with recognition.

“Oh Qrow, don’t tell me these are your cute little nieces!” She was in his youngest niece’s space almost instantly, shaking her hand with such enthusiasm Ruby looked a little dizzy. “I’m Elm. Qrow’s told us so much!”

“He has?”

“Oh yes, once he gets going, he can never shut up about you two. It’s endearing.”

He did his best to ignore the teasing nudges Yang gave him or the flush working its way up his neck.

“Wait, hold up a second.” Another of the soldiers interjected. “You’re the Qrow Branwen? You don’t look anything like what I thought you would.”

As his eyes met with the other’s, Qrow realized with a start he didn’t know him. “And you are?” He spat a bit harder than he meant to.

He felt a little bad when it made the Faunus shrink back a bit, his wagging tail slowing. “I, erm-”

“Oh right, you haven’t met. This is our newest recruit, Marrow Amin. He’s a bit fresh, but has been an outstanding addition.” Clover spoke up, clapping a hand on his shoulder like a proud father. It was the slight twitch at the side of his mouth that gave away he was trying very hard not to drop his smile.

The kid definitely didn’t notice, his tail wagging at full speed once again.

Qrow decided to shelve it for now.

Thankfully, the quietest member was quick to draw all the attention his way as Vine cleared his throat and spoke over them, “As pleasing as this reunion is, I believe taking this discussion away from the middle of the street would be more comfortable.”

“Right.” Clover nodded, straightening up. “The General is expecting our report and, though unanticipated, I’m certain he’d be happy to accommodate your arrival.” He tipped his head towards Weiss. “We’ll contact your sister on the way in as well. Lieutenant Schnee will be relieved to know you made it back safely.”

Despite the propaganda recordings still running on loop overhead, Weiss couldn’t hide her happiness. “That would be wonderful.”

“Sooo, when you say accommodate, you mean beds? And food?” Nora piped up hopefully.

Elm grinned. “Mess hall is always open. All you can eat!”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Oh, I like you.”

In the corner of his eye, Qrow could see Ruby shifting uncertainly. He rested a hand on her back reassuringly. This wasn’t what they’d hoped for. They had wanted to gather more information before they approached James. But it’d be suspicious not to take it and the last thing they needed was for things to go south when they were so close to the finish line.

They would just have to hope they hadn’t lost James’ loyalty like they had Leo’s.

“We could certainly use it.” He finally said. “Lead the way boy scout.”

~

Though sleep came fast that night, Qrow didn’t rest easy. Despite the exhaustion weighing him down, his mind refused to quiet, whirling over and over again on an anxious loop. James’ flawed plans for Amity if they didn’t tell him the truth. Oz’s deceits. The relic still resting out in the open. Salem’s unknown course of action.

Normally, when his brain was this busy, he’d drown it in alcohol. Let everyone else figure it out as long as he could get some rest from it all. But that wasn’t an option anymore. He wouldn’t allow it to be.

That was how he found himself dragging himself out of bed at the crack of dawn and wandering down the already bustling halls. Anywhere else, he’d say it would be weird to be walking past so many people so early; but Atlas had the majority of its’ facility and students on a strict military schedule. Something about how it taught basic discipline and the sleep regimen was good for promoting better health and performance.

It was a crime against sleeping in is what it was.

Despite the fact his last visit had been well over a year ago, Qrow had no trouble navigating the uniform halls, finding his way to the Ace-Ops��� quarters in record time. He knocked twice, only having to wait a few seconds before the door was flung open. The cartoon flamingos on Harriet’s pajamas seemed to mock the rest of the academy already starting the day.

It’s tactical, Clover had told him once when he’d questioned the special treatment.

Privileged, Qrow had corrected snidely, ignoring the multitude of night crews given the same benefits.

Sometimes it was just fun to see if he could get a rise out of Mr. Perfect.

Speaking of, a quick sweep over Harriet’s hairline told him he was nowhere in the room. He did spot the others though, seated around the dining table. Elm had her hair wrapped up in a towel and a piece of toast in hand. Vine was sipping on tea and scrolling through news. Marrow was giving him that same starstruck look from yesterday, a spoonful of cereal only halfway on its journey to his mouth.

“Boy scout ain’t here?” Qrow asked.

Harriet quirked an eyebrow. “He’s in the garden.”

On a Tuesday? That was new.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Guess I’ll be on my way then. See ya.” He gave her a nod of farewell, heading down the hall.

“Hey, Branwen!” He paused, seeing Harriet leaning out the doorframe, her stare almost challenging. “If you start antagonizing him, I’ll kick your ass.”

That was… also new.

He smirked. “Like to see you try speedy.”

She only scoffed. From within, he heard Marrow pipe up, “Hare! You can’t say that to-” The rest of it was cut off by the door closing, but he had a feeling it ended with ‘The Qrow Branwen.’

He started down the hall again, the foreboding that had been weighing on him since last night quickening his pace.

It didn’t take him long to get to the garden. Natural to Atas’ standards, the room was as grand as could be. Twice as large as the training facility, the greenery filled every inch of space, broken only by specifically designed pathways students or staff could traverse. Some ran to small manmade ponds with wooden bridges built over them where koi fish would swim underneath while others led to displays of delicately trimmed hedges shaped to look like animals. As there was no plant life in Solitas’ ecosystem, everything in the room had been imported. Desert roses from Vacuo, sage bushes from Vale, black pines from Anima. There were even some sunflowers he’d brought years ago from Tai’s little patch at home, still valiantly clinging to life among the rosemary bushes.

Practically on autopilot, Qrow went down the right-most path which wound along to the far side of the garden, where the trees grew taller and the branches hung down like arms reaching out for a hand, close enough for him to reach up and touch. There was one in particular, a lone willow, which had become a popular hiding spot due to its’ thick, curtain-like tresses. So much so, that it had become better known as the Kissing Tree. Though it was too early for anyone to be there now, more than once, he and Clover had stumbled upon a pair of students trying to sneak in a private moment between classes.

To say nothing of the numerous times when the tree was empty and Clover would always wink at him and say, “Looks like there’s room for two.”

The first time, Qrow had been too shocked to respond. Every time after, he’d wave him off and say, “As if you could handle me.”

Clover would laugh and they would continue on, sometimes to the exit.

But more often than not, it was on their way in to the pen.

Compared to the rest of the room, the five-foot, stock panel metal fencing was a bit of an eyesore. Doubly so with the glowing blue devices placed on every post that would activate if anyone without clearance attempted to enter. Hence why it was kept in the back.

But for Clover, it was the best place in the entire garden. Qrow could already see him to one side of the cage, sitting on a bale of hay, gently grooming a lop-eared rabbit resting in his lap while another dozen of various breeds hopped about his feet. The soldier was humming a peppy tune, so lost in his own world he didn’t notice Qrow at the gate.

“Annabelle’s eating your laces.” He announced as he tapped his scroll on the gate’s scanner.

Clover jerked a bit, but not enough to disturb Dumpling, who only thumped his back leg for his attention to continue. He rested one hand on the lop’s back, shooing Annabelle away with the other, “Lil’ menace.” Before acknowledging Qrow with a nod and a “Good morning.”

“Was looking for you.” He replied, shutting the door behind him.

The second he had, Jynx honed in on him like a missile, torpedoing across the pen in seconds to race excited circles around his feet. Clover watched the antics with a teasing smile. “Somehow, I only half believe that.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Qrow carefully stepped around the dwarf rabbit and as he made his way over, plucked a daffodil from the treat container kept on a high-mounted shelf. He sat beside Clover on another hay bale, Jynx wasting no time as she leapt onto his legs and flopped onto her side. So content she was, she didn’t even bother to lift her head when he offered the flower, just munched it down when it got close enough to her mouth. He rolled his eyes, running a hand through her soft, black fur. “Still lazy as ever.”

“She can’t help it if she takes after her handler.” Clover pointed out as he returned to his brushing.

“Making fun of yourself over there, boy scout? ‘Cause I ain’t the parent here. I’m the uncle who spoils her rotten.”

Normally, they’d go at it for a while like this, trading verbal blows that were about as harmful as throwing a handful of feathers at one another would be.

Today, it was clear his friend wasn’t in the mood when he only hummed and said, “I suppose.”

In the quiet that followed, it gave him a chance to really look the other man over. Though he was prim and proper as ever, with clothes neatly pressed and boots shined enough to reflect the light, his face told the true story. Between the deeper lines under his eyes and slight graying at the base of his crew cut, Clover appeared as if he’d aged a decade overnight. Burdened by the weight of worlds’ most damning secrets.

Ones that he knew only got worse the deeper the hole was dug. Qrow felt so far under at this point, he wasn’t sure he’d find the sky again. And the worst part was, the only action he had left was to choose if he wanted to toss the next person the shovel.

Regardless of his convictions to be as candid and brusque as possible to his friends and family, the idea of burying Clover along with him was terrifying.

A quiet chattering drew his eyes back to Jynx. Her eyes were half-closed in blissful contentment, unaware and detached from the woes of her people. He rubbed a finger between her ears, the way he’d learned she liked all the way back when she was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. Back when she was so tiny, they’d almost missed her when clearing out the illegal dust testing facility deep in Mantle’s suburbs five years ago.

The mission had been a spur of the moment thing. He’d been tracing one of Salem’s subordinates when the Captain approached him. He still recalled how Clover had buttered him up as he explained that with one of their teammates sick, he was in need of a fifth and he ‘just couldn’t think of anyone more suited than Qrow’.

He wouldn’t say it worked or anything but, well, it just so happened the person he was looking for was also said to be someone of ‘scientific talent’. He’d taken the job completely on the merit of it being a potential lead, but if Clover wanted to shower him with compliments in the meantime, who was he to complain?

Next thing he knew, he was knocking a needle-wielding chemist unconscious and lifting guinea pigs out of overcrowded cages.

It took nearly the entire day to clear the facility. Most of the animals were either unaccustomed to being handled or traumatized from it, and it was difficult to recage them without risk of further injury. It was eventually left to the animal experts that had to be called in. Yet, despite the mission being technically fulfilled, Clover had been stubborn to leave, trying to find ways for them to contribute and becoming agitated if anyone tried to derail him.

Even at the time, when Qrow hadn’t yet known the younger huntsman well, he’d understood the behavior was unusual for the other man. It was hard to say if he simply became driven to assist, his soft spot for animals painfully clear, or if it was some mild form of Hunter’s Shock, the stress and horror of the situation putting him into a repetitive state.

Whatever it was, it was clear they were stuck there until the job was done.

So, mostly trying to look busy while staying out of the way, Qrow had found himself lazily strolling through the basement’s already emptied cage ring when his eyes, sharpened by years of looking down the barrel of a shotgun, caught the almost undetectable movement of hay breathing. Sure enough, brushing it aside revealed one of the smallest rabbits he’d ever seen – though she certainly had the loudest cry when he picked her up.

Like a mother responding to a distressed child, the Captain came running. Though his expression was quick to melt when he spotted them, easing into a smile for the first time that afternoon.

Lucky Number 13, Clover had cooed to her while Qrow cradled the shaking thing against his chest. He’d carried her the entire way back to Atlas, afraid she’d get lost or injured among the other hundred animals they’d rescued. At some point, she’d bonded with him.

“More like imprinted!” Tortuga had joked whenever the subject was brought up.

Keeping the rabbits after the mission hadn’t been planned, but Clover had managed to pull enough strings on Jimmy’s iron heart that the General had come out of it thinking he’d thought up the idea all along. The pen was made in record time and the recovering warren was introduced to their new home. Within days, each rabbit had a name, a toy, a bed and enough treats to hibernate a grizzly bear. Mostly provided by the Captain himself, though some of the other facility and students had donated to the cause.

They were officially presented as a wildlife addition to the garden – they were unofficially and more truthfully known as Captain Ebi’s pets.

Though the rabbits didn’t need constant care and the gardeners attended to their daily needs, Clover still swung by frequently, fitting them into a daily routine he kept to like clockwork. Monday and Friday mornings were given over to training. Tuesdays and Thursdays to team-building with the Ops through sharing or even making breakfast together. Weekends and Wednesdays were reserved for garden visits.

The reason for the change was obvious, but Qrow wasn’t quite ready to ask.

“So. Jimmy told you.” He stated instead.

Clover nodded. “Yeah. He did.”

“And… how are you doing?”

He’d been twenty years younger, when he’d been in Clover’s position. Barely graduated, when he took that first walk through the vault, Ozpin spinning grand stories and waving magic to life before his very eyes. He remembered how terrified he had been. He was just some feral kid from the forests of Anima who could barely figure out how his own Scroll worked. In what possible way was he up to the task of saving the world?

After being in the fold as long as he had, he quickly learned even people more capable than himself all tended to feel the gravity of the job.

Even someone as confidant and unshakable as Clover was not immune, his sigh long and drawn out. “Honestly? It’s a little overwhelming. I actually thought, that uh,” He laughed embarrassedly, “James had lost his mind.”

Qrow blinked.

Maybe the world really was ending.

“I woulda paid money to see that.” He teased.

Clover pinched him. “Oh shut up.” The lack of brushing made Dumpling start to fuss again, but rather than continue to pamper him, Clover set the lop back on the grass, before he lent back, letting out another of those long sighs. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how when I was a kid, I used to think the only way Atlas could possibly stay in the sky like it does was from magic. Then I grew up and the academy taught me different. It’s… terrifying, realizing how easy it’s been to lie to a whole nation’s worth of people.”

“Guess that means you agree with Jimmy’s plan then.” Qrow surmised.

“You don’t?” He challenged back, frowning. “We have thousands of people roaming these halls, none of them knowing that a few floors down lies one of the most powerful objects in the world. Don’t they deserve to know that one day they might be in charge of protecting it?”

Shifting uncomfortably, he averted his gaze, mumbling, “I never really thought about it. I trusted Oz to make those kinds of calls. And now he’s-” He felt his chest tighten, guilt a healed-over bruise pulsing on his knuckles. “Gone. Again.”

“I can imagine how lost that makes you feel.”

“I mean, I guess.” He grumbled, if only to save face.

But deep down, he knew Clover was right. Qrow wasn’t like him, or Oz, or James, or Summer or even Ruby. He needed someone to guide him on the right path. He screwed up things enough merely by existing – he couldn’t make it worse by trying to also make critical decisions.

Maybe it was that thought that made him add, “Starting to think I wasn’t cut out for this whole gig. All I’ve done is drag my nieces and their little friends into this whole mess and nearly got ‘em all killed. Isn’t really comparable to ‘restoring world communications’.”

“Yeah, I suppose being on the front lines at Haven and ensuring a relic didn’t fall into Salem’s hands is a bit more impressive.” Before he could even try to argue, Clover placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “We’ve all had to make some tough calls lately, but I know those kids were in good hands when one of the best huntsmen in all of Remnant was at their side.”

He could feel a blush creeping up his neck. “You’re just saying that because you’re completely starstruck with me.”

“I am.” The admittance was said with absolutely no hesitation, the man’s smile growing. “Qrow, some of my very best missions have been the ones I’ve gotten to go on with you. I admire you. Not because of your skill, but because you’ve never let the job change you. You scoff at your own fame and you don’t take missions looking at lien signs first. You do it for the right reasons, every time. I think that’s amazing.”

The blush was definitely on his face now.

Worse yet, the doubts and worries that had weighed on his mind for days now seemed to lighten, just a little bit.

Gods be damned, how did he always do that?

With no idea how to respond, he mumbled out a soft, “Thanks” hoping it came out more sincere than awkward.

“Anytime.” Thankfully, Clover backed off a bit, focusing back on the rabbits at his feet, picking up Bolt. Having gotten his name from how skittish he was, the cottontail took time to calm enough so he could be brushed.

Long enough for Qrow to compose himself before he spoke again. “So, how have things been otherwise?”

“They’ve been…” His shoulders fell, “Rough.”

Any doubts Qrow might have had before about the Ace Ops’ unannounced replacement crumbled right alongside Clover’s normally strong posture.

He shut his eyes, taking in a deep, bracing breath. As he focused on his friend once more, it was with all the unexpecting kindness he could muster that he asked, “Do you want to talk about him?” For a split second, Clover looked just like the rabbit in his lap – ready to sprint as far away as he could from danger. So Qrow quickly added, “You don’t have to, if you’re not ready.”

Silence blanketed over them like a snowstorm, cold and desolate. The kind of weather that blew in fast and came down slow, pressing everything into such an unnoticed hush most didn’t notice their homes being covered until they looked up and saw they were six feet under. That’s where Clover seemed to be now, stuck inside and standing at the front door, uncertain if he was prepared to create the unavoidable mess it would take to dig his way outside.

Only this time, Qrow had given him the shovel. He just had to use it.

Leaving the soldier to sort out his emotions, Qrow idly pet Jynx, fingers scoring through her sleek black fur.

And he waited.

His gaze drifted to the ring of Cypress trees that bordered outside of the pen.

And he waited some more.

When Clover finally did speak, it seemed a struggle, the words fighting their way out. “Can you imagine how it was for us that day, when we watched our own Knights turn on Vale’s citizens? It was like a nightmare. We didn’t know what had happened. No one did. Without James to explain – to speak for himself – the council started shutting down units left and right. The AKs, the paladins, even our Manta Flyers. We had to rip out billions of lien in automated equipment just so we could fly down to Mantle.”

As if he were a Flyer himself, Bolt suddenly leapt out of his lap, landing back on the grass below. He quickly crowded himself between Orion and Sirias, trusting the giant Altexs to protect him.

Clover just let him go, dropping the brush beside himself as he shook his head. “By the time we got there, the city was overrun. Normally, we’d have enough firepower to deal with it. But James had brought most of the troops with him. Even when they came back, none of them were allowed to deploy to the field until they got questioned. It was a mess. Students and soldiers were kept in lockdown. James was incarcerated. It was months before we learned anything. And every day the public was kept in the dark, every day people feared the other kingdoms would come for us, was another day Grimm surged to our borders.”

It was a familiar story. Beacon’s fall shook the world in a brutal way, leaving no Kingdom untouched. Borders closing. Grimm everywhere. The peace between nations suddenly balancing on a delicate string, just waiting for something to break it.

Yet of everything that had come after that one, awful night, it was the personal losses that struck the hardest.

“I kept telling my own team to just… hold on another day. That things would get better soon. But then-” Clover choked for a second, having to swallow hard. “We got a report of a nest of Centinels in the basement of an apartment complex downtown. We were still cleaning up some stragglers nearby, so I sent Harriet and Tortuga ahead. It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes before Harriet started radioing in. ‘The building came down!’ she kept screaming. I’d never heard her so panicked.”

Qrow sucked in a sharp breath and for a second, he was right there with the other huntsman. Except, for him, it was with a scroll in his ear and Oz’s grief-filled voice shattering his soul as the headmaster told him one of his closest friends wasn’t coming home.

The flash of memory faded as quick as it had come, but the heaviness in his heart stayed as Clover pressed on.

“She told us that some Centinel acid had melted through a supporting wall. Tortuga had been slowing the damage while Harriet tried to get all the occupants out in time. Any other day, they could have done it. If we weren’t all running on empty, I know they could have. Instead, they were only halfway through when suddenly, it all just came down. Harriet was outside when it happened.” Clover lent forward, hay crunching under his grasp as he clutched onto it. “The whole time I was running to their position, I kept telling her everything would be fine. I’d use my luck and we’d pull him out and he’d probably laugh at us for worrying so much. Never knowing it didn’t matter how much luck I had.” He chuckled. It was a hollow, broken noise. “He was already gone. The pathologists said he’d died instantly.”

Then that chuckle turned into a sob.

Knowing better than most that there were no words that made this part easier, Qrow did the only thing he could as he slid a hand along the other’s back and tugged him close.

~

It was a quarter to nine by the time they were getting ready to leave. Clover gave one last cursory check to the food and water while Qrow mentally counted the warren for a fourth time – they didn’t need another incident like when Snowblossom escaped and terrorized the lavender field. He’d finished his count by the time Clover was ushering him through the gate.

He’d finished it again when it locked behind them.

As they started around the first bend of the path, he almost couldn’t fight the urge to go back just to be safe.

Luckily, Clover was a great distraction. “So now that you’re in Atlas, what do you and your entourage plan to do?”

“Uh.” Was that a trick question? “Help with Jimmy’s pet project, obviously.”

“Besides that. It’s not like we’re going to work you all 24/7.”

Qrow wouldn’t mind if they did. At least, for him. Free time seemed… dangerous, when he’d used to fill it with taking shots at the nearest bar. Really, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn’t really do much else. When he was bored, he went to a bar. When he had a day off, he went to a bar. When he was looking to have fun, he went to a bar. When he didn’t want to see people, then he skipped the bar, got a six pack, and drank himself to oblivion.

Shit.

He was going to have to find a hobby, wasn’t he?

In the end, he shrugged, replying glumly, “Guess we’ll have to figure it out.”

“What about training?” Clover held up a hand in a gesture of peace as Qrow frowned at him. “Not you. The kids. There’s going to be a lot ahead for all of us and the sooner we get used to working together, the better. And, well, considering their age I’m sure some of them are still rough around the edges too.”

He snorted, but didn’t argue that fact. Really, all of them were incredibly skilled, but that didn’t mean perfection. Ren was still flaking in the stamina department. Weiss had to work on her spatial awareness. Jaune needed, well, everything. After years of being a combat teacher, it wasn’t hard to pick out the kids’ flaws. To say nothing of Oscar who, without Oz as a crutch, probably would be better off if they just shipped him into a witness protection program.

It was time that worked against them all. Ideally, it’d be best enrolling them back into school, were they could finish off their graduate programs and gain the wisdoms of various professors who could help them hone their talents. But, seeing as that wasn’t in the cards, he supposed getting some pointers from some of the best Atlas had to offer was a decent replacement.

“I’m sure they’d like that.” Qrow could already imagine how Ruby would bounce off the walls at the idea of getting trained by real huntsmen. As if he were chopped liver, or something.

(He could also already picture her waving his complaints away. “Uncles don’t count. You’re obligated to do nice things for me.”)

“Great! We can work out a schedule once you’re all a bit more settled.” Clover was practically glowing, as if he couldn’t wait to start penning things in on his calendar. Dork.

Yet, he’d take this much happier, lively Clover over the despairing, grieving one he’d just consoled any day of the year.

In fact, the air was so much lighter than it had been, as they rounded another bend and the willow tree came into sight, he was already preparing himself for the other man to drop his usual line, retort already on the tip of his tongue.

Yet, as they came level with it, Clover did something even more daring as he reached across the space between them and caught Qrow’s hand in his.

He stared down at this grand declaration, then up at Clover himself, meeting questing, hopeful eyes.

Heart racing, he curled his fingers over Clover’s, and despite the other’s rounded knuckles or his own lanky fingers, despite mismatched calluses and hairline scars, despite the rings or the gloves, they seemed a perfect fit.

Perhaps, Qrow wouldn’t be so bored in Atlas after all.

[bafflement]

Deaged Oz AU - Clover Gets The Braincell

"I know I messed up." Clover sighed, looking rather woebegone. "But I've been on all the worst missions for months now. The General told me to look after the kid, surely kids should be in school?"

"Tip isn't your normal child, Clover. You've known him more than long enough to have worked that out, surely?" Harriet sounded amused, eyes sparkling. But then, she'd known exactly who Tip was for awhile now. It was still rather surprising that Clover didn't, but then it WAS Clover.

"Children should be with other children. A school might keep him out of trouble." Clover wasn't whining, he really wasn't. At least that's what he told himself.

"Tip is a target, Clover, a massive one. There are people who would snatch him from a school... or destroy it... in a second. Really think about that for a second. You've told me he's familiar, just think about the why of that?"

Clover's eyes widened as he thought about Tip. About how he looked, how he acted... and the cane he used. He looked like a Schnee, yes, but he'd felt familiar for more than just that.

Harriet cackled as he started to swear. At least he got there in the end? Although he might have something of a point if she thought about it. Not that the kid should be in a primary school, but being around people more his physical age might help.

And there was always Titan Academy. The primary Hunters Academy of Atlas would certainly be far better protected that any primary school could ever hope to be.

[rwby-diaries]

Fairgame Week 2020

Day 6, Atlas Ball. A little twist on this prompt: instead of an Atlas Ball during volume 7, we have this: Vytal Tournament Ball at Atlas during Clover’s 2nd year (Atlas) and Qrow’s 3rd year (Beacon).

Cover art: line art by @bosiphas​ and color by @data-plays-viola​

Fic: written by @data-plays-viola​ with some dialogue from @lameclub​

Story art: @bosiphas​

Fic under the cut!!

The beat of the music and the bubble of conversation flows around Clover as he stands on the edge of the dance floor. Being around this many people is invigorating. He sees a flash of lavender out of the corner of his and then someone grabs his hand and pulls. 

“I saw a cute girl but she’s with a group, come dance with me so I’m not alone?” Comes a voice next to his ear. He turns to see his teammate, Lucy, looking at him with puppy dog eyes.

Clover smirked. “Course, Lucy.” He lets her drag him into the crowd. He sees the girl she’s talking about. Short, black hair that fades to red at the tips. She’s wearing a red knee-length red skirt and a sparkly black cropped tank. Exactly Lucy’s type. She’s dancing with 3 guys. One has fluffy blonde hair with his bowtie untied and hanging around his neck in a way that screams cocky. The second has messy green hair and very round glasses. He’s wearing two different colored shoes, which really sums up his overall disheveled demeanor. The last, in contrast, is very put together. Not a thing out of place, including his frankly impressive mustache.

Clover and Lucy casually dance closer to the group over a couple of songs. At one point, Lucy bumps into the blonde one. They both laugh, and the group kind of opens to invite Clover and Lucy in. The whole group is brimming with laughter and joy. Very few words are exchanged between the group, just a couple exclamations of ‘oh I love this song’ and the like. That’s fine by Clover, though. Sometimes it’s fun to just share space with people, laughing and goofing off as kids, something huntsmen and huntresses in training don’t often get to do. Suddenly, the girl that caught Lucy’s eye says, “I’ll be back in a second” before she flits off.

As she returns, the song changes dramatically to a slow song. Glasses guy and mustache guy pair up immediately, sharing small smiles. The blonde guy waves to someone off to the side. Following his line of sight, Clover sees a girl with shocking black hair glaring at the guy. He extends his hand and bows to her. She rolls her eyes but joins him. Clover shifts his focus and sees Lucy blushing, asking the girl she thought was cute to dance. Good for her.

That leaves Clover...not alone. As he turns to leave the group to their fun, he bumps into someone. It seems Lucy’s girl brought someone new to the group, and damn if he isn’t handsome. Jet black hair, bright red eyes, holds himself uncomfortably, like he doesn’t fit quite right in his skin, but it’s not off-putting. It adds to his appeal. And what an appeal that is. 

Clover shakes himself out of his reverie to speak. “So, looks like it’s just us. Any chance I could get a dance with you?” Clover says, tacking a wink on to the end.

The guy’s eyes widen. “Why?”

That makes Clover pause for a second. Maybe there’s more to the guy’s demeanor than just being uncomfortable. He shrugs it off with a quiet laugh. “Because you’re the most handsome guy I’ve seen all night, and I’d be a lucky man if you agreed to share a dance with me.” Clover smiles kindly.

He sputters for a second, glancing left and right to avoid his gaze. Cute. He finally makes eye contact with Clover and smiles a tiny and nervous smile, reaching out his hand. Clover grasps it firmly before pulling him in close, hoping to show his genuine interest by being perhaps a little too forward. Dancing with this mystery guy makes Clover feel like he’s floating on air, almost the feeling of his semblance taking over, but he knows that his semblance has nothing to do with this. As the music swells, he twirls the guy out, pulling him back in closer than before. It feels like there are two magnets in their cores, drawing them closer and closer. This is it, Clover thinks as the guy leans in a little, preparing himself for their lips to meet.

Suddenly, the guy freezes completely. Clover immediately eases up, putting some space between them. “Are you okay?” Clover asks, gentle concern in his voice. The guy pulls his hand out of Clover’s, and he lets him go. “Did I--Was I too forward? I’m sorry.”

“No, I... I wanted to,” the guy replies. “I just--I need some fresh air. I’m sorry.” He starts to back away, a tinge of regret in his gaze.

“Wait!” Clover cries out. “Can I at least get your name?” His voice holds a little bit of desperation. The guy pauses and looks like he’s almost going to say something, but he just shakes his head and rushes off.

Clover stands in the middle of the dancefloor, frozen and trying to process what just happened. The music swings into a different, fast-paced song. The little group they had begins to reform as Clover comes out of his slight trance. 

His eyes alight on Lucy’s girl and he’s filled with excitement. “Hey! That guy you brought over. What’s his name?”

“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” Her blonde friend says. 

Clover shakes his head.

“Well then, we can’t just tell you now, can we?” The guy replies, raising an eyebrow. 

Clover nods as his face falls in disappointment.

The girl that started it all giggles. “That gives you more incentive to find out, no?” she teases.

Clover tilts his head. “You think...?”

“Oh, he definitely likes you. He just needs a little time. I’m sure that won’t be the last time you see him.” She smirks. Lucy sure knows how to pick ‘em.

“Good luck,” the blonde guy says as they all get back to dancing.

“Never needed it,” Clover says with a smile, thinking of those red eyes.

Bonus: 

5 Months Later

Rayne is organizing his desk when he comes across his stack of photos from the Vytal Tournament Ball. “Hey Clover!” he calls out.

“Yeah?”

“Look what I found.” He waves around something small. “I forgot I took this.”

Rayne hands him a small picture of him and Qrow. The exact moment they met, as a matter of fact. “How did you take this?” Clover asks softly.

“I was taking a picture of Vivian and their date when I saw you. It was meant to be a joke, at the time. I saw you and immediately thought, ‘wow that’s fuckin’ gay, Ebi.’ So, I took a snapshot. But now...”

“Now you have a picture of the moment I met the love of my life.” The room fills with a reverent silence.

“Keep it,” Rayne says with a smile.

“Thanks.” Clover holds the picture delicately and smiles.

[scarlet-sumac]

Iron Blood, Ambrosial Skin

Characters: Qrow Branwen, Clover Ebi

Pairing: Qrow/Clover (fair game)

Chapter 6: Trepidation

==============================

You wake this morning, it’s bright, the sun’s rays seeming white instead of gold. The angle that it comes in through the gaps in the blinds creates thin bars of light, stretching across your bed, the floor, the legs of your desk.

You lift a pale hand to try and block off the light, but then give up and sit upright.

A quick check of the bedside clock tells you it’s six-thirty. And you sigh as a single thought drifts into your mind.

Clover

Dreamy, sweet, gentle Clover.

What did you do to deserve this?

read more

[whittled-duck-writing]

Are we doing previews for fgwe??? This is for day 3 fantasy au, and since I’m currently obsessed with the croaking webcomic, you get winged au shenanigans.

Also, read the croaking! No seriously, read the croaking. You won’t be disappointed. There’s himbo bird bois and lgbtq rep and plot. I binge read the series so far 4 times (15 yr old me is living, because winged au’s were my jam).

Clover is a kingfisher and Qrow is a crow ofc.

~~~

If the regal slate blue feathers and astute eyes were anything to go by, Qrow was fucked, royally fucked. Sitting across from him in a hidden away safe house was one of the most striking individuals he had ever met and a member of the once noble Kingfisher line.

Though their royal duties were more philanthropic than diplomatic now, the Ebi’s still held a prominent place in society, and he had just kidnapped the crown prince. He would be having words with Ozpin when this was all said and done.

Qrow tilted his chair back, his black crow wings draping over the back and his eyes locked on the vibrant green gaze across from him. The man gave him a bright smile, relaxing into the chair he was currently tied to as if this were a normal occurrence for him.

[toysoldiers-rwby]

[SYT] 8. the lion’s pride

Show Your Teeth

Characters: Fiona, Winter, May, Robyn, Joanna Rating: Mature Tags: civilian casualties, self harm, angst Word Count: 6,042

Summary: Failure is a matter of perspective. Maybe five years from now May will see it differently.

Read on AO3

PREV - NEXT

A/N: gentle reminder that this is the prequel to Cutting Strings and takes place five years before that, so if yall wanna see Glade and Silvio all grown up read that! though... don't @ me. Imma draw some KDA!Happy Huntresses stuff to recenter myself now

After almost an hour of arguing, everyone was tired. Fiona was getting scared. Her ears were straining low, lips almost baring back in snarls but thankfully Joanna and Robyn was there to calm her down. Silvio made a face at the trio.  

A small breather before everyone started arguing the plan again. Thank the Goddess the apartment was soundproof.  

May and Winter was swept up in it at first. Yelling over Silvio, trying to get him to realize that he couldn’t just scramble the Military’s network. That May could sneak them into an airship and they could save as many miners as they can and keep the Grimm at bay. They all yelled and yelled until May realized someone wasn’t.  

Glade watched them, quietly behind their shades. Faunus ears just poking out of their hair. They tried to hide it but they were just as scared as Fiona.

So May quieted down and sat besides them. She stopped yelling, just speaking angrily. But the conversation just went around in circles so just watched, eyes carefully glancing to Glade from time to time. Eventually Winter noticed and walked towards them with a worried look.  

“If you have concerns, say it, Glade,” Winter said harshly but quietly. Fiona’s ears flickered at it but she was too busy trying to convince Silvio that hacking into his uncle’s unstable death robot was not a good idea.  

“Don’t talk as if you know me, Schnee,” Glade mumbled. They didn’t look up from the helmet in their hands. Their posture, voice, it was all hallow and defeated. Something about it irritated May more than the stupid argument.  

Glade might be reclusive but that doesn’t mean they were a mystery. If they were sneaking Silvio and Weiss out to be real kids, May and Winter kept a damn good eye on them. Their behaviors and mannerisms screamed rich blood. A Marigold’s fool hardy temper and a Schnee’s cold stubbornness, and unfortunately their combined arrogance. Carefully planned words, never saying anything they didn’t meant to but also in a way that meant too many things. And May has been dealing with rich assholes like Winter all her life…  

Winter who was always ready to sacrifice herself for her beliefs-  

“It doesn’t matter,” May said softly, still trying to grasp the realization. Whatever the Thief was planning followed Winter’s stupid self sacrificing white knight ideology.  

Glade flinched, closing their eyes and looking away, fingers faltering on the smooth surface of her helmet and the horns on it. May’s heart beat, once, angry. The adrenaline of the argument quickly returning. This time Fiona heard them, the little lamb’s attention snapping to the trio and abruptly stopping the argument.  

“What?” Fiona asked in a small voice. It broke May’s heart to hear her so scared again. It made Glade flinch even harder. They tried to get up but May shoved them back down. Fiona caged the Thief in from the front. The Thief bowed their head so low they could see their eyes were tightly shut behind those reflective shades. "What does she mean, this doesn’t matter?"  

“Glade already made a decision,” Winter explained. She sounded as furious as May felt. She practically leaned in and growled. “What’s your real plan?”  

“… One last game,” Glade said softly. They wiped the tears from their eyes and gave a sad glance over the shades. Their eyes were too expressive. Too hurt, conflicted, so damn scared. Even without those fucking shades, Glade mirrored May’s expression back at her. But May was too fucking angry to comfort the Thief. “If you two think you know me so well, guess my plan and I’ll stop it.”  

May’s heart dropped. Boiling anger froze for a second. Of course it was already in motion. Of course this manipulative idiot wouldn’t even give them a fair chance to change their mind!  

Winter looked around the room. Everyone with a personal connection with the Thief was in this room. “It involves all of us together,” Winter said quickly.  

“… Warm.”  

May’s mind raced for the next part. What would a lonely, kind brat do? What would Winter do to protect her? Besides taking on a fucking suicide mission solo.  

“You’d use any means necessary to protect us.” May said. They gave the group a sad smile, slowly taking off their shades and slipping on their helmet. Winter grabbed their wrist before they could run off. Fury and anger cracked with a kind of desperation May rarely saw.  

But they made no motion too. Instead they bowed their head in an apology. “Hot. Who have I been playing all along?”  

“… The Military.” May whispered again.  

Suddenly the window shattered, but it didn’t explode or fall to the the ground. It swirled into the apartment, surrounding the group. None of them heard the sounds of sirens and airships due to the apartment’s sound proofing. None of them noticed the Bullhead Aircraft Carrier with Glynda Goodwitch at the side door.  

Winter checked her phone and angrily shoved it into May’s hands with a shout. Once again, Glade sent a false message. One directly to Atlas’ Military Operators.  

Winter Schnee: Vigilante apprehended. Requesting immediate assistance.  

What…  

May looked at Glade who only hung their head. They ripped their wrist free from Winter only for hards of glass to circle them and trapped them in. Glade slowly raised their hands.  

Slowly dropped to their knees in surrender.  

“Good job, ladies,” Goodwitch said. Somehow her heels clicked on the bridge of broken glass. “Though I doubt General Ironwood or Dr. Watts would appreciate using one of the youngest scientist in the military as a bait.”  

No one spoke. Everyone too startled, too confused. One wrong word and the military know they’d been harboring a criminal. One wrong word and they’d make Glade sentence ten times worse. Goodwitch was too focused on the criminal that slipped through her hands countless of times to notice.  

Just… What?! May’s mind quickly spiraled into overdrive. She was the backup, the brains when Winter got too hotheaded and Fiona took on more than she could handle. She was the support but she could do nothing! She couldn’t use her semblance this time. The Bullhead with cameras would catch her. Goodwitch was too close and would be in the Field. Winter couldn’t sneak Glade off with her summons. Fiona couldn’t throw a smoke bomb… They couldn’t help their fucking friend!  

Because Glade planned it that way.  

I promise I’ll keep you all out of trouble, Glade said about two months ago. When their ribs were still broken after wrangling those twisted monstrous Grimm. After baiting real Huntresses into killing them instead of using trainees who probably would have gotten hurt.  

It took nearly the entire ride to Atlas for May to realize what Glade had done.  

The Thief turned themselves in and stagged it as a capture.  

Her body was on auto-pilot. It almost felt like an out of body experience with how her senses was dulled. It was like a movie May didn’t want to watch. By some miracle Goodwitch let Winter strip Glade of all the Dust. The Schnee kept that Ice Queen persona. The only crack in it was when Winter had to remove their helmet. It felt wrong. May wanted to scream, chest and throat squeezing tight as she could do nothing.  

For the first time they saw Glade’s face, it was heartbroken. That glimpse of beautiful sea-green eyes she saw once, so alive and playful was now completely bloodshot and fighting tears for the security cameras and countless of security personal.  

Winter glared lightly, struggling to keep that cool soldier appearance. It never cracked again as she slipped the necklace off. Strangers didn’t notice the lingering touch as Winter removed their earrings next. Embroidered with Dust, was removed next. Winter made a show of emptying her pockets before draping her coat around Glade’s form and buttoning it for some of decency.  

In actuality, May and their little group noticed how her hand lingered on Glade’s chest. Winter didn’t said anything about the fire Dust barbel in their tongue.  

The movie slowly grew into horror as Clover and Marrow passed them in the hall. Clover let out a proud laugh, patting Winter’s shoulder. “Congratulations on doing a Huntresses’ job! Maybe General Ironwood will move you up a year or two,” The man winked.  

Goodwitch rolled their eyes, “I can always set them free and see how you fair, Mr. Ebi.”  

“I’m sure General Ironwood would love that, ma’am.” Clover said with a grin. Marrow smiled bright, giving May and Fiona a thumbs up, tail wagging happily and enthusiastically at their… accomplishment.  

May wanted to throw up.  

This was wrong. This wasn’t how things went for their group. Since their teenage years, May and Winter was groomed into playing the rules. The right words, the right handshake, the perfect timed glare or smile. What’s the fucking purpose of all that when they ended up losing the game?  

Joanna was at her side, pressing into her shoulder. Not Winter. Comforting her. As her partner and girlfriend escorted their friend like a criminal.  

The horror show didn’t stop, May’s consciousness didn’t return until Joanna pulled her and Fiona into the bathroom. Until she found herself wrapped up tight in arms that was too warm, stronger than usual and not Winter’s.  

“It’s gonna be alright-” Joanna started but May cut her lie.  

“No it’s not!” May pushed herself free. She blinked back tears of stress and anger and… and betrayal. The brat they protected for months really just… threw it all away!? May found her scalp burning as her hands clawed through her hair, “How could they do that?!”  

“I’m sure they had a good reason-”  

“Good?! If it was good they would have talked to us about it!” May’s fist flew, shards of glass grazing her Aura protective skin and falling into the skin and ground.  

Fiona let out an angrily sigh, wiping away her own tears. “Getting mad won’t help them!”  

“They don’t want our help,” Joanna stressed. That made the younger trainee’s stop and glare at her. Joanna didn’t cower. Never did to Goodwitch and she wasn’t starting now with women several years younger than her. “They choose this guys. We need to respect that.”  

“Well… their a dumb shit!” May yelled, crossing her arms and puffing up. She could feel some shards of glass in the folds of her clothes but with Aura it didn’t matter. She could punch holes in the metal walls and barely feel it right now.  

The rest of their small break was filled with tense silence. The younger pair fidgeting with too much energy. The unknown of what they were facing was gathering and twisting into anxiety in May’s gut.  

All too soon it was time to play the role, Glade forced them into.  

Brilliant, semi-obedient soldiers.  

They rejoined Winter on the observers side of the interrogation room. Inside was former detective Hill and two licensed Hunters. The General himself and Goodwitch. The ‘criminal’ was cuffed to the table.  

“We’ll start with the basics,” Robyn said. Due to her heroic persona, she was able to keep her voice playful. The smile wasn’t an act and May could tell when Robyn grasp Glade’s forearm, her grip was gentle and kind. “What’s your name and place of birth?”  

“Aurora. Born outside of the four kingdoms.” Green.  

May scoffed. Of course it would take an official interrogation to get the bitch’s first name.  

“Details. First and last name,” General Ironwood. His stern voice was heavy and cause Glade to flinch and jump and suddenly there were scared again and May wanted to break this fucking glass too.  

“Aurora… Glade.” Green. May heard the room take in a soft and gentle gasp. Fiona let out a choked sob, curling into May’s side for a moment, grounding her. Robyn tried her best to hide her surprise but she was lucky General Ironwood was too focused on the criminal that jeopardized his kingdom and Goodwitch was too busy adding the information to her Scroll.  

The stray completely adopted their new short life with the rag tag group of elites and rats. Maybe… the months weren’t a complete waste.  

“Born in Menagerie.” Green.  

“Okay… harder questions.” Robyn mumbled looking at the list on her Scroll. She swallowed hard. “You raided your way across Anima over the past year?”  

“… Yes.” Green.  

Winter sighed, rubbing her temples, “Shit.”  

“You repeatedly snuck into the Argus base to steal information and eventually stole an aircraft to make your way to Atlas.”  

“I only snuck in to fix that stupid giant mech and the hard-light fence,” Glade correct, almost insulted, “Your tech is outdated and worthless to me. I made better shit out of trash. I did steal the airship though.” Green.  

May couldn’t help but smile, leaning in comfortingly while Winter and Joanna chuckled in surprise. The sound help May relax enough to see that Ironwood looked surprised and… even a little amused?  

“So…” Robyn didn’t look back at her Scroll for the question she was ordered to ask. She gave Ironwood a measured look, “You didn’t want the people of Argus to get hurt?” May’s heart jumped. That was the angle they needed. If Winter and the others would let her, she’d kiss her. Ironwood and Goodwitch raised a brow.  

Glade looked down at the table. At their joined hands, “I don’t want to hurt anyone. I did what I did in Anima to survive! The system is broke, it’s too slow! If I hadn’t done anything all those Grimm would be-”  

“Enough.” Ironwood said. His voice irritated May but to a lesser degree now. He was confused, probably just realizing they caught the wrong criminal. “Next question, if you would Ms. Hill.”  

“Are you responsible for the Grimm infestations?”  

“No. I’ve been hacking the system to make sure the recent Grimm reports in Mantle was made a priority so they would be delt with faster.” Green.  

May smiled returned but she was trying to squash down the hope in her chest. Glade was still dangerous. She just admitted to several crimes even if it was for good intentions. Ironwood won’t just let someone capable of hacking into the network roam free but… but perhaps Winter was right?  

Ironwood takes care of his assets at least.  

“Do you know who is?”  

“No.” Glade answered honestly again. At the green glow of Robyn’s semblance, General Ironwood sighed, rubbing his temples. With all the questions answered, Robyn’s hand slipped free from Glade’s. The Thief looked at the one-way glass then to Goodwitch. “But they are sending the Grimms to an SDC mine.”  

That caught Ironwood and Goodwitch’s attention.  

The odd group of rats and elites was dismissed so Goodwitch and Ironwood could talk to Glade in private. May gave them a worried glance. They weren’t in cuffs anymore but… the unknown scared her. May felt powerless, heart twisting as Ironwood finally lead Glade out sight.  

The group was tense, waiting in the mess hall. Eventually Silvio wandered in, taking a seat a small distance away from May, eating the meal they all skipped during the hour of arguing and interrogation.  

“Are… you okay?” May asked softly.  

Silvio sent a vicious glare at her, “No. My friend fucking played and betrayed me.” He was quiet, taking spoonfuls again before speaking. “Uncle knows Glade has been messing with his code and shit.” He mumbled nervously.  

“Glade’s too much of an asset for Watts to fuck with,” May quietly reassured, ruffling his blue hair. Silvio relaxed a little but the fear never quiet left his eyes. It made their table nervous.  

Slowly the other ‘Accelerated’ students walked into the mess hall, grabbing a drink and snacks, or a meal in Elm’s and Harriet’s case. The women laughed and cheered, sitting next to Joanna with a loud clap to her shoulder.  

“Congrats on catching the vigilante!” Elm said with booming voice. “Saved my skin there. I had so many people breathing down my neck just because they stole my old weapon.”  

“Haha… no problem,” Joanna mumbled, trying hard not to flinch. It came out horribly awkward but the other students didn’t know her well enough to notice.  

Harriet gave Fiona a smirk, “Didn’t know you had that spunk in you Thyme.”  

“That’s because she doesn’t like you,” Robyn huffed. A possessive arm slung over Fiona’s shoulder. Harriet made a disgusted face and Fiona relished in it, snuggling into Robyn’s side.  

May gave an irritated sigh. She could feel Winter tense up beside her. Just another thing she needed on top of all the conflicting and swirling emotion, hurt, betrayal, hope that Glade really will be okay and the fear that they will never see them again. Now to add to that, Envy. In Atlas, Winter was her family rival, partner and leader. They didn’t hide their relationship… it was just not the priority here. Their image was.  

“I’m going back to our dorms,” May said standing up.  

“Ugh, I don’t blame you.” Harriet mumbled, “How do you deal with that all the time,” The ace student mumbled gesturing to Fiona who had her head against Robyn’s shoulder. Fiona needed the comfort. But May needed it too-  

“We deal with it like this,” Winter said standing up and walking out. Harriet and Elm threw their heads back laughing. Oblivious as the couple made their escape, leaving poor Joanna to entertain them. At least Joanna gave her a small smile, so May didn’t feel too guilty.  

May and Winter didn’t know how long they had till Ironwood called the ‘Accelerated’ students into a briefing. She had a hard time relaxing into Winter’s arms as they cuddled on her bed. Was it always so cramp or were they just spoiled with all the space Robyn’s old and new apartment had?  

… The apartment Glade had given them.  

May groaned, burring her face into Winter’s neck and shoulder, “I can’t believe they did that.”  

“I can,” Winter mumbled. She grunted, May’s fist landing a solid hit against her ribs before May realized she hit her.  

“Of course you would, you’d probably do something worse,” May huffed.  

Winter hummed, pulling May up from her chest. She found cool lips on hers and… was so desperate to melt into them. May sighed into the gentle kiss. For a moment she truly felt like she was in the clouds.  

“Of course a Marigold would fail to see reason and logic,” Winter teased. The familiarity was nice, even if it was a little hallow. Another kiss soothed over May’s lingering pain and doubt. But only as long as they were kissing. “Good thing I have you to stop be from being stupid.” Winter mumbled onto her lips.  

Before May could say anything or even kiss the stupid knight back their Scrolls pinged. An alert from the great General Ironwood. May groaned as Winter easily sat them both up, even if May gave half heart attempts to push them back down. May caught a glimpse of Glade and Silvio as they left the meeting room. They didn’t look as scared but she didn’t like the scene. With a group of soldiers and Arthur Watts escorting in the genius pair in the direction of Research and Development department.  

May wanted to follow. Worry and fear lodged deep in her chest. Winter was the first one to take a step in their direction and May nearly sprinted after them but Joanna and Robyn stepped between.  

Robyn gave Winter’s should a tight squeeze while Joanna ruffled May’s hair. Their eyes said one thing May hated, pointed out something May noticed but didn’t really notice until she spent so much time in Mantle.  

They were all powerless in Atlas, the fucking greatest soul sucking kingdom.  

Ironwood and Goodwitch debrief the overqualified trainees. The mines and security reported no sightings of Grimm. Absolutely none in a place that harbors a lot of stressed out people where their lives were just one trip up from ending.  

If these mysterious villains were collecting Grimm from different continent, they probably could capture Solitas’ Grimm as well. A sudden overwhelming force would ensure less people would survive rather.  

So while they were building up a small army of Grimm, the Atlesian Military was slowly transport the civilians to a different mine.  

They couldn’t just send them home. No that would be bad for Atlas’ pocket. It would cause a riot. Some would fight to leave, others would fight to stay. Would their pay be deducted or was this a paid leave because it was forced? The other mine had less lien, so how would it affect their paycheck?  

It was scenarios Ironwood didn’t even think about until May and Winter asked them. Some part of May was worried at his lack of foresight. Most of her was pissed off. So in the end… maybe Winter was right, Glade turning themselves in was their the best choice they had.  

That thought haunted her as the days turned into a week. They underestimated how large the mine was. How many Faunus Winter’s stupid father stuffed into it. Atlas didn’t expect the financial desperation of the miners.  

The odd group of elites and rats watched as Harriet’s temper was starting to show. They were suppose to leave minutes ago but Fiona was worried so they stayed to watch. The argument escalated to shouts as the workers refused to leave.  

Less people in this mine meant more hours for those that stayed. More overtime. More lien. Better food, medicine, high chances of survival.  

May’s gut twisted.  

Even at the start of her transition, she was the pride of the Marigolds… even if it was just as a show pony. May put all those gold medals on the walls. She was the reason their names were in the papers. Building connections always started with the Multi-Champion May Marigold. Her family might not approved of her but they needed her and so she still had access to the family cards…  

Perhaps it was time to leave that too.  

May was in deep bored thought when she saw it. Things between the military, miners and SDC security escalated to the breaking point. Fiona was already running but there was no way she could make it in time.  

A Faunus with small odd horns, possible deformed or not fully grown, finally punched Harriet.  

SDC retaliated with a white hot burning iron.  

It was pressed deep into his face. For a moment May only heard the Bull Faunus’s yells and begging. Then a deep roar echoed within the mines. May could have sworn the ground echoed with it. Screams following and crowds of running out.  

In seconds the secret evacuation skipped riot control and went straight to Perimeter Defense.  

The following hours stretched on and repeated for next few two days. Screams. Falling rocks. Dust Explosions. And so, so many Alpha Grimm.  

Back to back fights, the smell of blood and Dust. This wasn’t their first dead body, wasn’t their first rescue mission, but this was the first time they couldn’t bury the bodies.  

May’s heart sank as her footing dig deep into something soft. She closed her eyes tight, whispering apologies and prayers as the young miner in her arms held on tight. The King Taijitu was smaller than usual, faster than usual, specifically chosen for the mines and it was gaining on her.  

Her friends yelled and yelled, Joanna and Robyn fired bolts to distract it but neither could get a good shot on its eyes.  

She heard the Glyph come to life behind her. Judging from the way the King Taijitu was lunging… May ducked. Winter shot forward and into the snake’s mouth. One of her rapier’s deep in its skull. Joanna used herself as bait and just grabbed those long talons, wrestling it still long enough for Robyn too shoot an an explosive arrow into it’s mouth. Joanna quickly closed it before it went off, containing the explosion as the Grimm hissed and thrashed.  

Then it turned to ash in Joanna’s hands.  

Fiona rushed out from hiding with the other miners, checking on the straggler’s ankle. It was deemed minor, at least until they got to the surface. Fiona lead the… the teenage miners back to the surface. The group followed as best they could with the flicking lights and Dust explosions that shook the mines. It was getting closer, a few rocks was shaken loose above them. May stumbled a few times but Winter quickly pulled her back up and didn’t let go.  

May stared at their hands. When was the last time they ate? Which restaurants have they been kicked out of and which can they bribed to let them back in? Has she ever seen Winter eat greasy as fuck fast food? Who was still keeping Grimm count and what exactly was that bet about? May was certain it was another movie date. A real double date.  

She continued to list the things she wanted to do, trying her best to ignore the burning her legs.  

She wanted to see Silvio and Weiss grow. She needed to help him with his first shot. She promised Winter a real dance during one of the Schnee’s stupid parties. She wanted to give Fiona back two years the Academy took from her. She had to get Robyn and Joanna in a really cute feminine outfit at least once.  

“Fuck!” May screamed, tucking into Winter’s chest as the wall burst open and everything was flying everywhere. It settled quickly. A Geist emerged between the group, possessing some rubble and metal and agitated Dust.  

“Shit…” Joanna lowered her weapon and gave the pair a desperate look. “We can’t-”  

“We got this!” May yelled back. As the Dust explosions was growing closer and longer and louder. The floor wouldn’t stop shaking now. Joanna didn’t look doubtful but frustrated. With a nod she scooped up one of the straggler into her arms and ran. Fiona threw them a scared glance, blinking away tears as May tried to sooth her worries with a smile and a thumbs up.  

The Geist didn’t try to follow the other. It looked right at Winter and let out a wail. It definitely sounded like how she was feeling right now.  

May stood close to Winter, bringing up a Field as two Beowolves were summoned from the Glyphs. Winter had to stand still to take careful control of her summons. One miscalculation and the Beowolves would bright too hard around the Dust and well…  

May wasn’t sure if she ever saw Winter eat grease fast foot. The kind that had oil covering your chin in one bite.  

It was probably a hilarious sight to see and May moved it to the top of her list-  

“Agh!” May hissed a hot sting making her Aura flare. She looked down, slamming the end of her staff into a Sulfur Fish. She looked around for the others. Those tiny things were cowards alone. Meaning a horde would be close… “Hurry up, Win.”  

“I’m trying!” Winter growled. The Beowolves were dodging back and ducking the Geist swings. Trying to find a place to latch on so their jaws could grab the Dust.  

May glanced at the floor, killing three more Sulfur Fish.  

Then another horrible noise. Loud hissing… as if the cold air was boiling. May turned towards deeper level of the minds. A twist of the Dust chamber and a full cartage of ice was loaded. May could at least create a barrier. A horde of Sulfur Fish would just melt it but-  

The hissing was a machine hiss. A… One of Watt’s prototype rounded the corner, grinding the horde of Sulfur Fish beneath taloned feet.  

“Incoming!” May warned grabbing Winter and shoving her against the wall. The mech barely had room in the cave and all it could do was hold the Giest in place. Finally the Beowolves grabbed the agitated Dust and ran deep into the tunnels. The pilot didn’t have room to punch the Grimm but it grabbed the mask face and struggled to squeeze hard enough to break it.  

It cracked and shed it’s possessions. Smart enough to retreat rather than die.  

The pilot sighed and the mech got to its’ feet. “Schnee, Marigold. Mines collapsing, jump on!” Winter created a Glyph under them, boosting their tired bodies onto the sleek and almost hot metal as it dashed forward.  

The best was definitely a double date. But was it a game night or movie night? May tried to remember, holding on to the unpolished seems in the armor. When her gripped slipped, just a little, Winter moved to pin her in.  

“How are you colder than a giant hunk of metal,” May mused softly.  

“Is that what you want to be asking yourself right now?” Winter scowled down at her.  

“We’re already a Grimm magnets thanks to our family and we’re trying to save people,” May frowned up her. Winter blinked a little surprised but sighed and relaxed a little.  

“Glade once told me our Aura’s have Dust like properties. Mine just… happens to be ice. Keep laughing and I’ll let you fall, Marigold.” Winter mumbled with a small pout.  

May only smiled, trying to ignore the bodies they were leaving behind. The bodies they wouldn’t be able to come back for.  

“Isn’t that from that Dust religion?”  

“If it grants them that much control over Dust, I’d become the most devote worshiper,” Winter drawled, tone flat. May raised a brow, something deep within her almost believed it.  

Their escape wasn’t an epic movie escape like in that fucking picture Glade put up during Weiss’ recital. Fire wasn’t at their heels, Grimm wasn’t prying May off the mech. No, they were all on the Bullhead and May was instead on the floor, to tired to hold up Fiona and Joanna’s weight on her.  

Robyn laughed, propped against Winter’s shoulder in the most public affection the group could give her on Atlas grounds. The Bullhead was barely off the ground as the explosions finally reached the top. Light crawled out first, followed closely by fire. Some bolts of lightning almost hit them before the structure finally imploded.  

When they finally landed, Marrow walked a crying father to the group. The miner gave a bright but broken smile, hugging his two daughters. Marrow’s tail wagged and he gave the team a thumbs up before trying to reunite the other survivors. If…  

May tilt her head back and took a deep breath of Solitas’s cold air. Just a debriefing and she could just… let the day hit her. She tried desperately to go back to her list.  

Fiona would look adorable in a suit. She wanted to play with that giant dog Tank a little more. She wanted to kiss Winter’s lips again. May and Robyn still had to get their revenge on the trio for the shopping trip.  

Just an hour more till she could feel guilty and sad and just cry for all those Atlas failed.  

May was about to walk off when Silvio’s stupid bright blue hair caught her attention. It was a surprise, the mech was his uncle’s project. But Author Watts wasn’t beside him. Instead it was Dr. Peitro.  

“That’s… unusual,” Winter mumbled beside her. Glade snuck them to Dr. Pietro’s clinic a few times but Dr. Watts hated Dr. Peitro.  

They watched Silvio climbed onto the mech and undid a few latches. He yelped, falling to his ass as steam almost hit his face. Winter and May chuckled and sneered at it a little.  

The pilot sighed, shaking their freshly buzzed head. Faunus ears flicked towards the group as they climbed out and helped Silvio up…  

Glowing bright blue eyes flickered towards them before cautiously watching the approaching General and Goodwitch.  

From the distance May couldn’t see the details but she knew the a machine’s LED lights anywhere. And they definitely had it bolted to the back of their head. Ironwood started talking and Fiona’s scared and horrible gasp confirmed May’s fears.  

The only real feature they had on Glade was their light-green hair. So the Thief was nearly unrecognizable. Ironwood completely stripped them bare. No Dust, stuffed in an Atlesian uniform, head buzzed down for that experimental tech bolted on their head.  

“Glade… Oh kid, what have they done to you.” Just before Fiona’s voice could completely break down Robyn had her in a hug.  

Joanna tried to comfort May the best she could but… but Glade was walking away. Everything about her was too controlled. At least until Glade threw a glance at their rag-tag family and their semblance faltered.  

For a split second they were completely scared. May wanted to scream as her semblance smothered her emotions to an almost eerie theatrical calm.  

May threw Joanna off, semblance turning on as tears finally slipped past.  

May went over her list again. A dance with Winter. A real double date with the Mantle Rats. Silvio’s first HRT shot… Getting the fuck away from Atlas.  

Getting Glade free from Ironwood.  

To back everything Atlas stripped from them.  

May’s chest was about to explode. She had to hold her breath just a few more hallways Her barrack door hissed closed behind her and she screamed. May punched the metal walls until her Aura broke. Until blood was dripping down. Until Joanna had to hold her down with Fiona crying and begging to stop into her chest.  

They had dinner in their room that night. It was the ‘students’ last trip back to the mines. Tomorrow they would all be sent back to Atlas with two weeks to recover and prepare for the new semester.  

Robyn and Winter kept glancing at each other the entire time. May didn’t even realize they disappeared during her outburst until Winter finally kissed her out of her numb angry haze.  

May sobbed into it, falling back and letting her girlfriend push her into the sheets. The familiarity was comforting. Cool lips kissing aware her tears. Strong arms pulling her into a tight hug and the smell of fresh air finally pulling her mind together.  

For her sake Winter tried to act normal. “Welcome back,” She whispered teasingly. It was a little too gentle. A little too forced.  

May sat up, hugging Winter onto her lap. It was usually the other way around but… “Your allowed to break too, Win.” May whispered.  

Winter and Robyn looked at each other again. Winter moved, sitting behind May and tucking her head into her shoulder and neck. May could feel her throat flex, jaw opening and closing as the words failed the Schnee for the first time in their lives. Winter gave Robyn a helpless look.  

Robyn cleared her throat, trying to even out her tired voice, “Ironwood… is rearranging teams.” Robyn explained. That’s right, May skipped the last debriefing. “Winter chose to graduate early- To keep an eye on Glade and Silvio.” Robyn quickly added.  

Winter’s grip on May tighten. Now she could feel some tears on her neck and shoulder.  

“The rest of us will be on a team.” Fiona finished softly. May swallowed. She reached behind her petting the stupid white hair she loved so much.  

That wasn’t fair.  

“Cool,” May said. She wasn’t Winter, she wasn’t strong but May could pretend to that everything was normal if it helped the women she loved, “We get to fuck a Huntress in her office.”  

Winter snorted out a broken laugh. It was honest so May let herself smile a little. “Your the youngest person to ever graduate from the Academy. How are we celebrate?” May asked.  

“Fireworks,” Robyn said immediately. “I heard rumors of springs outside of the walls not to far.”  

“Or we can go to Argus’ and hit the beaches,” Joanna said. Everyone hummed and sighed at the thought, “I think its still warm in some places in Vale.”  

The group kept chatting aimlessly about things they could do outside of Atlas for a week or two. No one tried to pull Winter into the conversation as she snuggled into May and cried softly.  

At least Ironwood takes care of his assets…

[spectralscathath]

Clover Ebi and the World's Luckiest Pie

Fair Game Week, Day 2: Date/Domestic

Clover Ebi is many things. He's Captain of the Ace Ops, he's one of Atlas's elite Huntsmen, a member of Ironwood's inner circle, a damn good poker player, and an all-round decent guy. He's charming, calm, cool under fire, has a semblance that can swing the odds, and even without that he has the skills and raw talent to back up his confidence. He's a catch, basically, and he knows it.

Now if Elm could stop laughing at him as he tells himself this, that would be great. It wasn't techically a date.

Ao3 Link

Clover looked at his reflection and held up a shirt in front of himself, wondering if maybe this one would work. He’d heard Qrow occasionally make the occasional pun, usually under his breath. Maybe one of his more casual t-shirts would work. After all, he didn’t have to be in his uniform all the time.

‘Born to fish, forced to work’ stared back at him, a gift from Elm that had been delivered with a suspiciously innocent grin.

He tossed that one aside too, slowly building up a pile on the bed. He wanted to make a good impression. He may have been a workaholic, but in his own apartment, he could tone it down, treat Qrow like a friend and not just a colleague.

He was amazed that the old spy had actually agreed to come over, but if Elm’s friendship had taught him anything, it was that there was no better way to get a visitor then to offer something home-cooked and delicious.

Which was why Elm was currently snickering at him from where she leaned against the door frame, since his luck only went so far when it came to cooking, and he wasn’t going to risk it. Not on something important like this.

“What, no fishing jokes?” Brown eyes sparkled cheerfully at him, Elm in her own casuals. A pastel lavender apron protected her cream sweater, her hair out of the usual ponytail and giving her a softer look. “How about this one?” she held up a tank top that said ‘sleeves are for nerds’.

“Absolutely not,” he laughed and grabbed it out of her hands. “He wears sleeves, in case you haven’t noticed. Calling him names doesn’t make a good impression.”

“I don’t know, flexing to assert dominance might up your chances,” she mused, flicking her bangs out of her eyes.

He snorted and threw the shirt back at her face. “This is a friendly hang out, Elm.”

“Clover, when you arrested him you ignored the very important Relic just so you could stand over him spinning your horseshoe.”

“But I looked cool, right?”

“You’re a show-off.” She grinned and started folding the pile of shirts tossed haphazardly on his bed.

“You’re one to brag, miss ‘jumped off Atlas for a dare’. It’s been what, ten minutes since you mentioned that?” He helped her set them aside in neat piles to be put away later. Order and cleanliness were important.

“Okay, so we’re both braggarts. Now do you know what you’re going to wear?”

“At this point I may as well wear my fishing vest and beanie.”

“Absolutely not.” Elm held up one of his white dress shirts. “Do you still have that green waistcoat?”

------

He hovered around his kitchen as he waited for Qrow to arrive, alternating between looking around his small apartment to make sure that it was neat and taking deep inhales of the divine smell of tonight's dinner. His scroll sat next to his speaker, smooth Mantle jazz filling the air as he kept throwing hungry glances at his oven.

He heard a knock on the door and scampered over to get it, feeling oddly nervous. Sure, he hadn’t exactly dated in a while, especially not since the Fall of Beacon, but he’d had plenty of on and off relationships and dates over the years. Perhaps he just felt somewhat rusty because of the year of throwing himself into his work as part of Ironwood’s inner circle.

He opened the door and felt his heart stutter a little bit. Qrow-

Wow.

Qrow had dressed up as well, it seemed. A dark red button-up, the same colour as his cape, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his usual rings adorning his fingers. His hair had been slicked back, which was a pretty good look if Clover did say so himself. He’d left the top two buttons undone, a necklace with a sideways cross hanging between the divots of his collarbones. Clover recognised the necklace as one that Qrow had worn when he’d first arrived in Atlas. It suited him.  

Clover felt incredibly glad that he hadn’t taken Elm’s joking advice to wear a shirt with a bad fisherman pun on it. “Hello, Qrow,” he smiled at him, green eyes bright.

Qrow gave him a once-over that Clover hoped was appreciative and tossed a careless smirk at him, a faint slouch to his shoulders. “So you can wear sleeves.”

“If I have to,” he grinned, his usual armband wrapped over the shirt. “And you went without the cape, I notice.”

“Unwillingly. Ren stole it before I could put it on.” Qrow rolled his eyes. “Brat.”

“You didn’t steal it back? I thought you’d be good at that.” He stepped to the side a little bit. “Come in, dinner’s just ready.” Elm had left simple written instructions because she clearly didn’t trust him.

Qrow slank in past him, looking around the place with some sort of look that Clover was used to seeing in a set of lavender eyes. Clover would put money on the bet that Qrow had just spotted everything shiny and/or valuable in his apartment, and also every single point of entry. “Nice place. I was expecting something spartan, I won’t lie.”

Clover smiled proudly and closed the door. “Well, I find that having a home I actually like being in is an excellent reason to not spend all night working.”

Qrow hummed in what was probably agreement before he snorted. “Wow. The fisherman aesthetic doesn’t just stick to the weapon?”

Clover followed his gaze to his fish tank, set against the wall and large enough that his little aquarium was bright and lively. He had the water heated to provide a comfortable temperature for his fist. Danios, Platies, Swordtails, and Tetras filled the waters, darting about the habitat he’d made for them.

“I like fish,” he shrugged innocently. He’d leave out the fact that he’d named each and every one of them for now.

“Okay, I have to ask, do you actually fish?” Qrow raised a brow.

“I do, actually. One side of my family are fishermen in Argus.” He looked at his bookshelf, the top row filled with pictures while books were stacked in the other three. “My mother’s side, specifically.”

“Huh. I’ve been there.”

“I heard.” He really hoped it was exaggeration.

“... I’ve been there other times besides that. Normally I don’t get caught.” Qrow’s eyes held a teasing glint that definitely caught Clover’s interest.

He grinned back and decided to take the obvious opportunity. “So I got lucky?”

“You’re a terrible person,” Qrow snickered, watching Clover’s fish swim around.

“You think I’m great.” He flicked his pin and hoped he was right.

Qrow looked at him like he was about to answer before the alarm Elm had set went off, cutting through the Mantle jazz with a demonic screeching. Both Huntsmen jumped and immediately reached for weapons they didn’t have, attention focusing on the sound.

Clover relaxed first and strode towards the kitchen, looking at the instructions pinned to the fridge to make absolutely sure before he turned off the oven and grabbed a tea towel, reaching in to grab the shepherd’s pie. He chanted ‘please don’t burn’ in his head as a mantra and mercifully, fortunately, fantastically, it came out totally fine.

He placed it on the stove top to cool, taking a moment to just bask in the awe of Elm’s cooking skills, before he turned to grab plates and crashed headfirst into a curious Qrow Branwen, who had been looming behind him to try see what the enticing smell of dinner was.

Their skulls knocked together with a loud clonk, both of them stumbling back from the impact. Clover swore as he stepped back, one hand coming up to touch his forehead as the other went behind him, just barely avoiding the pie.

Qrow tripped over the table, sending the cutlery, both glasses of water, and a candle that Clover really should have never even got out of a cupboard over the floor and himself. Water splashed, glass shards went everywhere, a table leg snapped, and one of the napkins caught fire.

Qrow lifted his hands from where they had been clutching at his forehead, took one look at the absolute destruction he was now the centrepiece of, and let out a long-suffering groan of existential weariness. He didn’t even bother getting up, even as water soaked into his shirt.

Clover stared, gobsmacked, before he panicked and started moving his hands in useless fussy gestures. “Holy shit are you okay? I’m so sorry I didn’t see you there- how many fingers am I holding up?” What if he’d concussed him?

Qrow blinked at him, looking rather done with the situation before he threw up a hand. “Help me up?”

A smidge of colour crossed Clover’s cheeks as he realised he probably should have led with that, clasping Qrow’s wrist firmly as he pulled him to his feet. “Sorry, I should have paid more attention.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Qrow pushed his soaking wet hair out of his eyes, the back having fallen out of his usual swoop to cling to his neck instead. “I have quiet footsteps.”

Clover gave him a cursory glance, checking for damage. “I have shirts you can borrow if you don’t want to stay in something soaked,” he offered, before he processed what he was saying. Qrow in one of his shirts? With their… specific sort of camaraderie?

Qrow quirked a brow at him before a wickedly sharp grin slashed across his face, one that deepened the blush painted across the bridge of Clover’s nose. “Sure thing, Shamrock.” Clover could see nothing but future disaster in those mischievous, beautiful eyes. Qrow continued like he wasn’t being an absolute hazard to Clover’s heart health. “Just point me where I’ll find them then I’ll help you clean up.”

Clover swallowed and kept his voice steady. “My room, just to the left of the main room. The door on the right. There’s folded clothes on the bed, you can borrow one of those if you need to.”

Qrow patted his shoulder, let go of his wrist, and sauntered off, stepping gracefully around the broken furniture.

Clover looked at the disaster that had been his table and made an executive decision that Elm’s cooking was and always would be more important. He fetched two plates and some cutlery, dividing the shepherd’s pie neatly in half before serving it up. He carried the plates out to his living room, setting them on his coffee table with the cutlery before fetching more water.

He didn’t know what Qrow’s story was with alcohol, but he’d said that he’d given up, so Clover wasn’t about to serve him some for dinner. That would be in very poor taste.

He waited for about a minute before he heard Qrow’s husk. “Hey, Shamrock, where do you keep your towels.”

“Linen cupboard, I’ll grab you one.” He got off the couch and made sure to get the softest one he had, rapping his knuckles on the bedroom door.

Qrow pulled it open and grabbed the towel, immediately rubbing his hair with it. Clover looked at the shirt he was in and wanted to go stab himself with Kingfisher’s harpoon, ‘fishing saved me from becoming a porn star. Now I’m just a hooker’ emblazoned over black fabric in swirly gold letters.

He should have put the puns away.

“Dinner’s ready?” He tried, feeling rather more flustered than he was used to.

Qrow smirked at him and strutted by with an absolute lack of shame, practically crashing down onto the couch as he grabbed a plate. “This smells fucking good. You make it?”

“Elm. My skill in the kitchen begins and ends with stews and boiling things. Even my luck can’t do everything.” He’d cop to it.

“I’m banned from cooking anything that isn’t breakfast foods or microwaveable. It’s nearly impossible to fuck up breakfast food.” Qrow took a big heaping forkful of the world’s luckiest pie and shoved it all into his mouth in one big bite. Clover couldn’t quite make out what the next words were, they got mangled somewhere between the cheesy potatoes and the meat stew, but he hazarded a guess that it probably involved appreciative swearing.

Clover did the same, and had a moment to realise that Elm had definitely outdone herself on his behalf, before he fully committed to clearing his plate entirely and buying Elm something nice.

Talk was dead. There was only them, the pie, and the fucking beautiful moment they were having with it. Before long, the plates were cleared, and Clover was left to stare at the fishing joke on one of his tops as it mocked him.

He’d had a mission plan. He hoped that the backup option of sitting on the couch wasn’t too far a step down. “I’m sorry again, about before.”

“Don’t worry about it, it was my semblance anyway.” Qrow rubbed his hair with the towel again, and Clover spotted a faint scar on his right bicep, something his longer sleeves usually covered. “The couch is comfier anyway. Better view.”

Clover  raised a brow. “Oh?” Did Qrow mean him?

“Your fish.” Qrow nodded at the tank. “They’re pretty cool. I have a dog at home. He’s Tai’s dog, really, but I’m part of the pack.”

“I’m glad that plan B worked out.” Clover had been a little too focused on the food to be worrying about fish or Qrow. But he was glad to know things still went well.

“Definitely.” Qrow picked up the plates. “I’ll help you clean up.”

“No, you don’t have to, you’re a guest.” Clover shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out later.”

“Later, huh?” Qrow grinned. “But we just had dinner.”

“But we haven’t had tea,” Clover wagged a finger at him with a returning smile. If nothing else, he was going to show Qrow his collection of novelty mugs. The other Huntsman would probably get a kick out of that. “Tell you what, you tell me about your dog, and I’ll point out each fish in my aquarium by name.”

Qrow barked a laugh and shifted so he was resting one knee up on the couch, turned attentively towards Clover as he lounged there like he owned the place. “Deal. So his name’s Zwei…”

-------

Clover waved Qrow off, still in the borrowed shirt, with his own soaked dress shirt under his arm, and felt like he could be floating with how light his chest was.

He dialled Elm the moment he'd closed his apartment door behind him, grinning like he'd just found a pot of gold at a rainbow's end. She picked up, just as quickly, and he could practically hear her massive grin over the scroll. “So, how’d it go, fearless leader?”

“I got a second date!” It was totally a date.

-------

Happy St Patrick's Day, everybody.

[erudite-rebel]

@courtclover​ sent:  "Hey Bart, I found this in your little dig down over there. Doesn't look like a Dust crystal?" It looks like a stone in Clover's hand and it's.../it's pulsing/ a bright green color!

---

“I - what?”

If the rock had been innocuous Clover would have been in trouble for just picking something out of the trench without documenting it or even being in there with his say so, and it was a lecture for later.

Instead Barty full on flinches, eyes almost comically wide as his heart ratchets up several hundred beats and adrenaline floods his system as he beholds whatever the hell that is is.

He has no smile to offer in return as he jumps backwards and out of his own trench, eyes on the stone because Dust doesn’t generally do that, and if it’s magical...

He dashed to his bag. “Put it on the ground GENTLY and come over here!” He’s fishing out his Geiger counter and dust scanner. “If that thing doesn’t end up killing us you are in so much trouble, Clover Ebi!”