#fairgameweek2020 fic | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

katcadecascade · 5 years ago

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Storybook for the Gods

Fair Game Week: AU/Freeday

God AU

Ao3

They say the gods left to become the stars in the sky.

They say the gods obeyed the Brothers Grimm, agreeing that humanity was a failure.

They say the gods died and their children are doing a horrible job.

Qrow says that everyone should just shut up.

It’s one thing for the world to contain monsters and magic but no. Humanity loves, hates, fears, and respects the new religions the left over gods have made.

The Remnant Gods as they’ve been titled.

Technically demigods as good old Oz would describe but that doesn’t change the fact that the chain of godhood falls onto their shoulders.

Qrow can only speak for Vale’s side of the story, the dominion of the great and powerful Odin where he bestowed powers to his own children as he goes on his own journey for research and wisdom.

But nowadays he goes by Ozpin, the only old god that didn’t abandon the new gods of Remnant.

Qrow can understand why the god changed his name. No one would think a scholarly dressed old man is secretly the god of Vale, wielding a cane and not a spear. Disguises are necessary now that civilizations are slowly rioting against the Remnant Gods.

Tensions are as high as ever what with mortal heroes rising and fighting in the name of their people and not in the name of any of the gods. Qrow can’t blame them, Hell, he was once one of them.

Not anymore ever since Oz saved his life.

If Qrow had to pick a god to owe a life debt with, Odin had to be the best pick of the batch. No way was Qrow going end up in servitude for Horus, that war god has been raging Vacuo’s deserts for centuries. He did hear rumors that Fuji was still a beloved god, distance as she was ever since she chosen a mountain as her vessel.

Another elder god is from the north but no one has heard a peep from him in nearly a millennium.

That is until today.

Qrow is a relatively a new asset of dear old Oz, just shy of having a decade’s worth of experience under his belt as Odin’s black bird. So he wasn’t expecting much when he was flying through a winter coated forest.

The mission for the year is to find this rouge Valkyrie, rumored to be harboring souls away from their designated afterlife. As the crow flew above the dark trees, looking for any sign of the whisky sparkles of souls detaching from their bodies, a sudden cold breeze hit his face and along with it, a scroll.

It’s not often paper mail is delivered this way, nature spirits keep to their selves or to nature gods. Somehow a winter spirit by the chill of it knew who Qrow worked for and on the edge of the rolled paper was a cursive address of ‘To Odin’

Ominous, not quite, suspicious, only to his birdbrain but curious, oh he definitively is.

Flying back to the cottage, miles away from the rest of the forest and small towns still growing, Qrow keeps the letter in his peak, its edges flapping wilding in the cold winds.

As if already aware, Oz is waiting at the doorstep. His arm up as Qrow took his landing with ease.

It took two attempts for the god to nab the paper from the bird having fun playing keep away.

“Very funny Qrow,” Ozpin chided, finally getting the scroll.

As he unrolls it, Qrow hops off and wills his feathers back into skin, a rush of shivers getting his bones into its original shape. He dusts off stray feathers out of his hair, “Got it from the northern winds. Do you know what that means?”

“Nicholas,” he answers, his eyebrows knitting together, “he needs us in Atlas immediately.”

“Wait us?” Qrow peeks over the god’s shoulder and sure enough the letter is asking for Qrow by his title, Muninn.

Now that’s pretty curious. Gods don’t often seek help from other gods of a different dominion. Usually they get it through their own pantheon and even that is a hassle.

Just look at what happened between Thor and Loki.

“A magical shapeshifter isn’t exactly a secret among gods,” Oz explained. “Making two in this new world is even more of a gossip.”

Oh yeah, he didn’t take in account of Huginn’s rogue status. Raven is probably making waves in Mistral right now.

Still though, there are only a handful of people Qrow introduced himself as Muninn. A few of them were Oz’ old friends but also two humans he and Raven befriended.

Last he checked, Taiyang and Summer are on a sea expedition in the Burning Ocean.

Yeah, Qrow decided not to go with them for obvious flaming reasons.

So now he’s pondering over on why the son of Atlas is asking for him and his patron god for a visit.

“We’re taking the express trip right?”

“You’re always so eager for a fast travel.”

“What, do you expect me to flap all the way to Atlas?” Qrow flaps his human limps.

“As amusing as that is, no,” Oz chuckled. He pockets the letter and holds up his cane, “Nicholas needs us now.”

The intricate clockwork mechanism in the cane’s handle winds up and it ticks loudly as a green light pulses between the weapon and its creator’s hands.

As rune circles appeared below their feet, Qrow giddily bounces on his feet.

This was always his favorite part.

A rainbow of colors consumes the god and the shapeshifter and all they can feel is pulsating brightness as their entire beings are flying through the sky.

In a matter of seconds, Qrow and Ozpin find their selves at the foot of a temple built upon the highest mountain of the northern lands.

Only the oldest of gods know of this place ever since the real Olympus was tarnished when their namesakes left. The ruins of Olympus only had one resident, a power older than most gods.

The last son of Atlas has the power of a titian but its strength is a mere tale since the old man rarely leaves the mountain peak. Qrow may not know the reasons but it must be similar to Oz’ own lifestyle.

Elder gods have increasingly become isolated from the world, leaving the Remnant gods with all the pleasures and pains of warding over humans. It’s a hassle really, getting devoted to or smiting usurpers or whatever. Again, Qrow can’t relate since his god chose to live in a cottage in the middle of nowhere.

This lonely damaged temple is Nicholas’ choice and honestly it is a nice view.

Ignoring the Olympians’ rumble, there is a grand stone staircase that curves into the mountainside, covered in chilly fog as it dives down. Beyond that is the view of the tundra of Mantle, a white slate with dots of cities.

Qrow is very tempted to go free falling into the clouds, feel the wind rush at him as his heart races. He can picture it now, falling as a human only to shift into feathers right as the world is nearing.

“It’s not the time for that Muninn,” Oz lectured, lightly whacking his cane at Qrow’s leg.

Muninn, he’s only referred to that title when they have company.

Tearing his gaze away from the clouds, the thrill of flying, Qrow looks at the only temple left standing.

Walking out of the temple of Atlas’ son are two men.

The tall one of black hair is easily recognized by his lighting blue eyes. James, the son of Zeus and is also a major stick in the ass according to Qrow.

“It’s good to see you, Odin,” James greeted but his tone is always so grim and serious. His eyes narrow at Qrow, “Why did you bring your pet?”

“Hey, I got invited by name,” Qrow huffed, straightening his back to have some sense of pride. It still doesn’t compare to James’ height but it’s the intention that counts.

Qrow doesn’t care if James is a demigod turned Remnant God, he can still match his speed no matter the wind pressure. Hell, James is not the only god to question Qrow’s power as a former mortal.

Speaking of mortals, Qrow notices the second guy, someone he distinctly recalls meeting at the piers of Midpass, “Wait, hold up, you’re that boat guy.”

A chuck passes through pink lips, lightening up his teal eyes, “That’s not my official title but yeah, that’s me.” The brunet holds his hand out, “I’m Clover, son of Poseidon.”

“Yep,” Qrow shakes his hand, “boat guy for sure.”

From the humble smile and adorable cheeks, Qrow innocently mistook this guy as mortal. He didn’t elude power like James or Oz and instead just came off as a regular fisherman.

A cute one at that since Qrow, day drinking with his friends, threw a bunch of flirts at Clover.

That’s probably why he didn’t clue in the fact that Clover suddenly appeared before them right as Summer and Tai were boat shopping for their expedition.

“I knew you were a pretty bird but I didn’t think you’d be the Muninn as well,” Clover winked.

“I’m just full of surprises,” Qrow shrugged off, “something Jimmy here can attest to.”

James grumbles, “Let’s go inside already, Nicholas has waited enough.”

Due to pride alone, James walks ahead with Ozpin at his side.

Clover follows with Qrow, as if he’s more interesting than an ancient Greek temple, “So you’re really Muninn? That’s amazing, there are so many stories about you and you’ve only been a god for a decade or so.”

“Technically I’m not a god,” he corrected before James could but in, “I just serve under Odin.”

“Not all the time right? I thought you’d be traveling with your friends.”

“Nope,” he popped, looking around the temple’s interior.

It’s all white pillars and high ceilings. The place has typical fancy architecture that scholars would die for even if there are some dust and dirt here or there.

Qrow continues, “If I went with them then their ride would definitely fall off the ends of the world or fall into the river Styx.”

“What does that mean?”

He ignores the concern from Clover as they enter the last room. It’s set up as an altar room where a stage is under a skylight. On the stage is Nicholas, the son of Atlas, and a pale woman with white, shimmering hair.

“Welcome all of you,” Nicholas nods with a sad smile, “I and Fria thank you all for coming.”

“Nicholas, is something wrong?” James immediately asks, the room dipping a few degrees colder, “This is about the storms in the west yes? I knew there is something coming from the horizon, I can feel it and-“

A heavy laugh stops the lightning god. Nicholas’ smile grows just a bit, “You focus too much on bad news, James.”

“Someone has to,” James side glances at Clover.

He shrugs, grinning innocently, “I just think you purposely give yourself dark clouds.”

“That was one time, Clover.”

“Yeah and it nearly flooded Athens.”

Qrow has twin instincts to laugh at James but also be terrified at the casual mention of how he almost flooded a populated city. These gods and their temper tantrums really are ridiculous, even more so if humanity suffers from it.

Oz taps down his cane, gaining everyone’s attention, “So why are we here, Nicholas?” His eyes shifted to Fria, “Although I’m starting to understand.”

The woman beams and suddenly a veil of frost coat her hair as she grasps Nicholas’ big hands. Her own hands are small and decorated with frostbite but their held hands brings a warm feeling to the room.

“We’re getting married,” Fria announces, a loving gaze on her fiancé as they nudge closer together, “but we want something more than that.”

“We plan to start a family,” Nicholas explains and now the tension in the room is back as the guests realized just who these parents-to-be are.

A child between these two would have the lineage of a titan, a being far superior to a god, and, from the looks of it, a winter spirit.

Qrow recognizes Fria now, her winter powers eluding off of her effortlessly. It is that same breeze that found him and that coldness still clung to him as he stares at the faery.

“That’s too dangerous,” James warns with a thunder in his core.

Clover grounds his cousin with a steady hand on his arm, “They know that and,” teal eyes trace over to Oz, “you asked for Odin to do something about this right?”

The wise god of Vale steps onto the stage, looking wearier than Qrow has ever seen him.

“You’re both giving up your godhood,” the old man said.

“We want to be human,” Nicholas corrects.

Qrow blinks, “Oh.”

That’s something he has never expected to hear. A titan and a faery want to become human to protect their future child from infinite power and consequences.

For Qrow he gave up his humanity to protect himself, well that’s what he claimed after Raven left him. He believed that working for Ozpin would further help humanity or so he hopes.

Muninn built up a name as an omen to malice but Qrow recently sees he’s a harbinger as well. Maybe it was the powers or some part of Qrow that amplified the moment he swore oath to Odin. There has been a trail of bad luck following him.

His only solution is to stray away from humanity, protect them from a distance as Oz has done.

Now before him are two ancient beings deciding to give up their powers and live in a world where humans are slowly thinking for their selves, where the gods are no longer their priority. Instead their priorities are their families.

That is what Nicholas and Fria want.

Oz nods gravely, “Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Wait what?” Clover questioned.

“Of course,” James bitterly concludes, “If Odin can grant power to mortals,” he gestures to Qrow and then James nervously gulps, “then he could do the reverse for his fellow gods.”

Okay, from that perspective that sounds terrifying, Qrow thinks, but this is Ozpin they’re talking about. The old man has spent eons making mistakes with humans and gods and other magical beings but has chosen to repeat for it all.

For some reason Qrow is one of the first things Ozpin saves and for that Qrow trusts him forever.

“I’m not that great and powerful,” Oz assures, smiling kindly at James.

James does the quietest relieved sighs.

“Or am I?” Oz notes humorously.

An angry noise comes out of James, his shocked and fearful face making Qrow laugh out loud.

Ozpin returns the conversation back to the couple, “I can do it but your powers will have to go somewhere because I for sure won’t take it for my own.”

“We thought of that,” Fria nods. “The sky is a fitting place to place winter and strength into it. I’m going ahead and naming it an aurora, after my mother.”

“It’ll be lovely,” Nicholas agrees and then the couple turns to Qrow, “and there’s one last thing too.”

With everyone’s attention on Qrow, he has the sudden need to fly away before something awkward or unfortunate happens, “Um, hi?”

“You’re Muninn, the Bird of Memory,” he announces and since Qrow blinks and points at himself, still confused, the son of Atlas clarifies, “We want to forget our godhood. You can take them away.”

“What?” He, Clover, and James practically yell.

“He can do that?” James baulks.

“You can do that?” Clover awes.

“I can do that?” Qrow nearly chokes on his spit.

Oz, helpful as he is, only shrugged, “Well that is a theory now.”

“Please,” Fria begs, walking over to the shapeshifter. Snowflakes trail behind her as she reaches Qrow and takes his hands into her cold ones, “We’re tired of this eternity we wait in and once we become humans we can actually start living.”

Her eyes look just like that tundra their temple views over, cold and clean and goes on for miles filled with emptiness. Fria barely reaches Qrow’s shoulders but there is an ancient power in her being that makes Qrow shiver.

It would be a mistake to think of her as human with the snow on top of her robes and how her hair is literally a mist of frost. Yet the gentle slope of her face reminds Qrow so much of his tribal Chief. Both lived a long life and now they want rest.

“I’ll do my best,” Qrow says, his voice barely trembling at this promise.

The winter spirit’s smile warms up the room, “Thank you, Muninn.”

The ceremony gets started immediately because gods can be impatient like that.

At the stage area, Ozpin stands as the holy figure before the couple, their hands held together. James and Clover stand on the side of Atlas’ son. The two were chosen to be here today because Nicholas trusts them to take care of their people.

Qrow is on Fria’s side of the stage and he still feels out of place. They only need him for his powers which aren’t news to him. Nearly everyone Qrow meets wants to use him for one purpose or another. But this is for a good cause, he remembers himself as he watches the couple share tender looks and words.

Their vows are of the typical stuff that happens in weddings, promises to love each other and all that jazz. Qrow quietly chokes up when they promise to die in each other’s arms.

The concept of death is different between gods and humans. If a god dies… well actually Qrow doesn’t know. Gods just become nothing, absolutely nothing but dust.

For humans, Qrow once wondered where he’ll go because the gods of death had different rules and jurisdictions and he doesn’t want to learn any of that since he’s pretty immortal at this point.

Nicholas and Fria finish their vows and Ozpin wraps it up.

With a tap of his cane, a brilliant light captures the room and if Qrow squints his eyes he can barely see how the colors are moving around Nicholas and Fria.

The light dims and with it, the chill of the temple disappears from the temple. Fria has pinkness in her cheeks and she buries her warm hands into her husband’s white hair. Nicholas himself looks almost bigger now that there is no more weight on his shoulders, a cursed pain that haunts his bloodline.

Human, Qrow realizes and accepts.

All of the colors are swirling above their heads, blues and pinks and purples dancing together until Oz sends it up high, passing through the open ceiling and to the dark sky above. The colors blanket the night and its stars.

They all stand witness to the first ever aurora borealis.

“Muninn,” Oz commands and waves him over to stand in his place.

Right, moment of truth, he thinks as he is presented to the newly wedded and human couple. Even without their magic, their eyes are still old and weary.

Not thinking, Qrow carefully presses the tips of his fingers on their foreheads.

As far as Qrow knows, Muninn can do two things: turn into a bird and kick ass.

He doesn’t quite know where the memory association came from but then again other gods can say the same thing with their gimmicks.

It can be through sheer luck or coincidence or fate that led Qrow to this moment.

Memory is not a title Qrow thought he would bare and yet here he stands, feeling something tingle into his bones as a light glows from Nicholas’ and Fria’s foreheads. Energy flows from them and into Qrow and it starts to do more than buzz his bones.

He can’t breathe as images are passing behind his eyes.

It’s the old world full of magic that no human could ever imagine where nearly everyone is a demigod and nature spirits thrived without fear of pollution. The world has colors Qrow didn’t think existed and now it lives on through his head, an honor and a chain.

Qrow blinks away new tears as the two ancient beings give up their lives to finally get some peace in their souls.

It is all over before he knows it. They wanted to forget everything from their godhood so Qrow tries his best as promised. He leaves things in there, the knowledge of old friends and the joys and grief shared.

Fria will know how she felt when she first felt summer, how Nicholas brought her a literal ball of heat. Nicholas will know how light he felt the first time Fria made him laugh, a rusty thing in his lifetime. They will both know how they fell in love, when the sun kissed the sky as they held each other in their arms as eternity passed them by.

Lastly it is this moment, the details of the other gods will be vague but their hope and relief that this is finally happening will stay with them until their dying day.

Qrow lets go, his face wet and heart beating achingly slow. While his eyes are blurry he sees how young Fria’s and Nicholas’ eyes are.

The couple blinks slowly but their smiles are wide, like they know what happened but he doubts that, he just took away their memories.

Ozpin and James handle their retirement plans, something about sending them to Athens where Pietro, the son of Athena, will smooth out the details.

“Are you okay?” Oz asks and steads a hand on Qrow’s trembling arm.

He tries to speak but his tongue is heavy. His whole body shivers with the weight of winter’s rage. Qrow bites his lip harshly, snapping himself back into stillness. He manages to get out, “I’m good.”

Oz frowns at the lie but doesn’t argue. Instead he walks over to Nicholas, Fria, and James where he readies his spell and a rainbow flies them away.

“Qrow,” Clover warns with great concern but he waves him off.

“I feel fine,” Qrow says before he collapses.

The son of Poseidon catches him easily, his muscles proving its worth.

Muninn is known for his elegance and raw power. Black wings hold the winds of old and can cut through the toughest of stones. Right now that warrior is a twitching, gasping mess who’s clinging tightly to the only person grounding him.

“Qrow, hey, look at me,” Clover carefully guides a hand through black hair, making their eyes meet. He rearranges their bodies, complexly supporting Qrow’s weight to cradle the shapeshifter in his arms.

Two lifetimes are running around in the bird’s head, too much energy with no outlet and they are literally squeezing Qrow’s own memories into a peanut shell.

Wow, Qrow really should have thought this plan through but he didn’t want to ruin two gods’ wedding day. He’s not that much of an asshole. That and he didn’t want to be smited.

Too bad his brain is occupied with tearing itself apart to even think of a resolution. He has two brain cells and they don’t belong here.

Literally, Qrow sees nothing but never melting snow that is casted upon men and beasts alike simply because they wandered into territory of the winter faeries.

Another memory takes the reins, this time Qrow is crushed with the weight of the sky as Nicholas attempts to save his father from eternal punishment.

It didn’t work. Nicholas stood numbly as Atlas’ body dispersed into atoms at the moment the moon shattered, thus starting a territory war between the sky gods.

Now that’s a story Qrow never thought he’d learn, it would be really cool if he learned this in a less painful, mind aching, way.

“Hey breathe with me,” a warm hand is pressed to his collarbone, heating the skin as Qrow’s heartbeat flutters.

With lungs on fire, Qrow barely registers the rawness in his throat.

Has he been screaming? The wails of agony from the grieving son of Atlas rings between Qrow’s eardrums.

It hurts so much, an intense drumbeat in not only his brain but the rest of his flesh and blood and he just wants it to stop.

But gods don’t get that luxury do they?

Humans can live and die and rest while gods just keep on going and going until infinity yells at them to catch up already.

Somewhere in the raptures, Qrow questions why exactly he gave up his own mortality.

“Qrow, I need you to focus on me,” a blurry figure begs and closes the inches between them.

Their foreheads meet and despite the bright light returning, all Qrow can see are teal eyes.

Burning sea salt takes over all sense of smell as well as the sudden loud crash of waves at the portside. The little sea village in Midpass suffers from near endless heat due to the enchanting fire that rides the seafoam.

Qrow’s sight of that ocean is torn away as a familiar, gruff laughter catches his attention.

On the wooden pier are other fisherman but three visitors are out of place. It is mind boggling and an out of body experience to see Summer and Tai walk around with a Qrow joking with them.

This was a month ago and yet this version of Qrow appears years younger, cracking a wirily smile at Tai as Summer throws a mock punch his way.

He can’t recall what he teased them about because this isn’t Qrow’s memory, it’s Clover’s.

When the trio is passing by, Summer voices her desire to on a sea voyage. Tai, being logical for once, points out that they don’t have a ship.

That’s when the son of Poseidon heeds this call, friendly introducing himself as an expert boatman or seller or whatever because Qrow, both present and past, is not paying attention to the dialogue.

Past Qrow is ogling the sheer amount of muscles the fisherman has while Muninn, the ghost of the future, feels everything Clover felt.

It starts with piqued interest in the trio, all eluding different personalities and loud friendship but the dark haired man is who really catches Clover’s eye.

As a god of the sea, water orientated powers comes to mind. So it feels kind of out of place to sense a person’s luck scale.

Maybe Clover got the luck thing from his other parent, that’s not uncommon considering a lot of Remnant Gods have multiple heritages.

Anyway, only a god with this type of power can see how bad luck just reeks off of Qrow and finding this out is really ticking Qrow off.

He knew it. He knew that he’s nothing but a bad luck charm. Qrow was right in his argument with Summer that he shouldn’t tag along. He didn’t to be the reason his friends drowned or burned to death.

A new feeling takes over. Its strong warmth pushes aside the misery inside the black bird. This fast heartbeat, breath leaving lungs, it all happened when teal eyes met red.

“So you’re an expert boat guy, huh?” Qrow had said with a bit of slur. The drinks in this town were rumored to be a High John favorite and he wanted to taste. The results ended up being this flirt and wink, “I just so happen to love seamen.”

“Oh my fucking gods, Qrow,” Tai seethed.

Summer and Clover are busy laughing, a breathless energy making Clover feel lighter than air as he blushes furiously. With each laugh, the ocean rumbles, something Qrow did not notice before.

“I am so honored to hear that,” Clover returned a blinding smile once the urge to barrel over laughing is settled.

“He’s better at this I swear,” Summer giggled, “Well actually no, he can be terrible at this too.”

“Brat,” hissed Qrow.

“No, no,” Clover shook his head with a grin, “I think you’re doing just fine.”

“You sir are one in a million,” Tai rolls his eyes.

“Huh, in that case, lucky you,” Clover winked to Qrow.

In that tipsy state of mind, Qrow beamed, practically preening at being called the opposite of what usual mocks him day in and day out.

That’s when Clover’s emotions shift a bit. There is flustered wonderment at seeing Qrow just simply smiling like this is the happiest moment in his life.

A sudden need to see more of that smile bursts in Clover, a selfless urge to be the reason Qrow smiles or at least keep this man in the world a little longer than death will plan.

Clover’s bundle of positively is conflicting with Qrow’s confusion on the matter. It’s a bit flattering to witness this but it is also a bombardment of sensations he doesn’t know how to unpack.

The fleeting images of Qrow and Clover in that perfect sunlight fades away. The world returns to the nightlight temple, the aurora coloring the sky.

Qrow ever so slowly leans away from Clover just enough to have their noses brush up.

“What was that?” He asks.

With the couple’s memories, he felt drained but with Clover, he honestly feels better.

“I don’t know,” Clover admits, a blush setting on his cheeks, “I just wanted to stop your pain.”

Well it worked as his head feels less heavy. It’s somewhere in him still, the knowledge he took away from Nicholas and Fria. As for Clover’s memory, it probably wasn’t stolen at least that’s what he guesses.

“I didn’t,” a sudden horror is in his head, Qrow needs to check, “do you still remember how we met?”

“Of course,” Clover assures and he rubs his hands up and down Qrow’s arms.

“Cool, um what was all of that?” He swallows down the saliva building up in his mouth, “All of those feelings and stuff?”

Teal eyes go wide and his cheeks equally turn red, “Oh you would feel that too, um. It’s just my first impression of you.”

“…If this is about the seaman thing, I really could’ve said something better.”

A laugh surprises him as Clover’s chest shakes with each rumble, “It was one of the best pickup lines I have ever heard.”

“Okay that has to be a lie.”

“No really,” he shook his head, “You really impressed me.”

Scoffing, Qrow shifts out of Clover’s arm despite liking how it felt to be encircled by them, “Now I know you’re a liar.” He scuffles over to sit at the edge of the stage. Leaning back, Qrow rolls his neck to stare straight up at the skylight, “So that’s an aurora.”

The demigod takes a seat next to him, “It’s their last gift to the world.”

“Is it for the gods or humans?” Qrow asks. The memories of the gods have lulled itself to sleep in his head but flickers of a beautiful world with a full moon catches his breath.

Maybe they missed their old world and they wanted to put a bit of it back into reality.

“Well, why did you become a power?”

He snapped his head to the demigod, not at all seeing the connection.

Clover actually lays his back down, his arm crossed behind his head to watch the sky. He continues, “Was it for Odin or for something else?”

Only close friends of his know the reason. He and Raven were considered heirs for their Chieftain but after a tragic monster attack they lost most of their tribe. Ozpin was there to save those who remained and as their tradition, the twins owed him a life dept.

They unknowingly pled servitude to a hidden elder god, just their luck.

All Oz wanted was some company so Qrow easily agreed and traveled with him while Raven took care of their tribe. Along the way the god later revealed his true power and granted the twins immortality for their loyalties.

They became Muninn and Huginn, the Black Birds of Odin.

But Raven saw it all differently, not at first but gradually she grew to despise how Oz just isolated himself from the world. He could’ve saved the tribe before disaster struck.

Qrow had many disagreements with his sister but this was the pinnacle fight that changed everything. He picked Ozpin over the tribe that forced him to kill another kid to have a place in their brutal community.

To him, both gods and humans are alike through bloodshed and harshness and bitterness.

It didn’t matter to Qrow if he just ended up living a hundred years longer than fate planned. He wanted to get away from everyone, something he believed Ozpin once felt until they started taking initiative on saving other towns from monsters and chaotic magic.

“I used to think it was all for humanity, the good parts of it,” Qrow answered, “but seeing Fria and Nicholas, well, I didn’t think gods needed saving.”

He looks down at Clover, still gazing at the stars. Just like the first time they met, Qrow doesn’t see anything god-like in him, aside from the arms but his point still stands.

Curiosity takes over as Qrow asks, “Clover, would you ever do what they did?”

“I never thought to consider it until today,” he said, his voice soft and yet Qrow’s complete focus is on it. “Maybe if I met the right person,” Clover trails off and then teal eyes meet red again.

The memory of the ocean is at the edges of Qrow’s vision, enrapturing how stunning Clover looked in simple fisherman grab. That’s not something he’ll admit out loud, the amount of pockets are ridiculous.

Clover is undeniably handsome but he looks so human too, something that Qrow once was. The echoes of the demigod’s feelings mix in with his own, that sense of amazement at how utter goodness radiates off of him.

They may have met only twice so far and yet what is time compared to the immortals?

That and the single memories starts to bleed more than Qrow imaged. He felt Clover’s love for the ocean, its smell and feeling in his soul. How Clover was so charmed by Summer and Tai, instantly admiring their tenacity and enthusiasm for exploring.

The world looked different in Clover’s eyes. The same thing is said about Qrow.

In the memory, Qrow looked almost enchanting and not sleep deprived as he is normally. It’s weird to see himself look so human when he never appeared as joyful until he left the tribe.

Clover sits back up, “Qrow, I think you’re lovely.” He blinks at the sudden compliment and usually he won’t believe it but the glimpse in Clover’s head is convincing. “Meeting you just feels right to me, like it wasn’t just fate or luck that gave me the chance to see you again.”

His teal eyes are searching desperately for a reaction, any indication that risking his heart out will have a good outcome.

Qrow doesn’t know where this will lead, not at all as he drops a hand over Clover’s.

Not a lot can be said about the son of Poseidon, just lore and sea stories, but when he met the not-quite mortal Qrow was equally intrigued and wanting to get more of this fisherman.

He denied Summer’s teasing that it was a crush but now that he suddenly got invited to a wedding with Clover, finding out there’s more to his godhood and how kind he is, Qrow finds himself feeling very human.

Too long he spent his immortality alone, abandoned by Raven and Ozpin still keeping secrets. Summer and Tai were a drastic improvement in his life and now here he is, presented with something new and raw.

“Well,” Qrow settles, weaving their fingers together, “we have the rest of eternity to figure this thing out between us.”

#fair game week #fair game #fairgameweek2020 #qrow branwen #clover ebi #ozpin #my fic

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tinglecannon · 5 years ago

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Fair Game week sneak peak

I’m struggling so much to nail down one idea per day, and from there struggling more to write something I like haha. Writer’s block is awful. But! I will finish things for the week! It starts 3/16/2020 so there’s plenty of time!

This is a snippet from Day 1 prompt: Flirting/Semblance. I’d love feedback, enjoy!

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A few days after the event at Schnee Manor they sparred together.

Qrow wiped the floor with Clover. He was equal parts impressed and exasperated. Qrow was able to dodge and deflect everything Clover threw his way, weaved around attacks with the grace of a bird then knocked him on his ass effortlessly.

The fifth time it happened, before Clover got the chance to demand another round, Qrow placed a foot on his chest and pushed him back down. He leaned in close, resting an elbow on his knee and sporting a truly evil grin, and snarked, "What, can't keep up, Lucky Charm? How unfortunate."

Clover’s heart almost stopped.

#fair game #fairgameweek2020 #wip #my writing #fanfic snippet #I have rewritten this fic so many times already and I'm still not happy with it #let qrow be a flirt back! let qrow be happy dammit!

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misfortunesfortune · 5 years ago

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um, not sure how to announce this, but i’ve posted a fic for the first time on ao3.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23260237

meant to be a self indulgent write, but i decided to have it up for fair game week.

i should’ve looked over it more. hope you still find this a good enough read.

#qrow speaks #fic #fair game #fairgameweek2020 #qrow #clover #aaaaahhh..

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synvamp · 5 years ago

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First and Last - Chpt 2

Fair Game Week 2020: Day 7(2) - more MADNESS

What a cool week we’ve had! I am blown away by the amazing content - how frikkin talented are you!? And how could I leave you on Fair Game Week without a little fond farewell? XD Here is Chapter 2 of the beast for your viewing pleasure. You guys are the best!

So Qrow Branwen is a mature adult, yes? And we’ve seen him deal with flirting before… and even seen him cope just fine with a well-executed “Lucky you, huh?” So why, when Clover uses that exact phrase, does Qrow completely lose all composure? Well, despite having known for a *long* time that he’s bi, Qrow has never…. Uhh… well he’s never… he’s ummm… lacking in some experience when it comes to men. But lucky for him, Clover wants nothing more than to help Qrow discover this part of himself – at whatever pace he chooses.

Rating: M this chapter – but explicit (much) later…

Chapter 2 - You’d Be Mad To Hide Pecs Like That (A03 link)

#I am enjoying this random fic way too much #you guys have given me so much joy this week #all the love #fair game #fairgameweek2020 #fanfiction

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rwby-things-i-guess · 5 years ago

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As Within, So Without.

Day 5 - Hurt/Comfort

Summary:

“Why do you deny yourself heaven? Why do you consider yourself undeserving? Why are you afraid of love? You think it’s not possible for someone like you... but you are the love of my life.”

- “Reformation.” Warsan Shire

AO3 Link

@fairgame-is-canon’s resurrection staff theory and subsequent meta written about these two - subjects ranging from Fisher King parallels (post courtesy of @astraguardian), the Branwen revival cauldron (post courtesy of @theonceoverthinker), and the Halcyon/Kingfisher days tale have had my gears turning on this idea for awhile now. There are a few thematic threads (no pun intended, considering the outcome of the story) that I wanted to try weaving into one work. Although this is late for day 4, I do hope the read is enjoyable and that its ending note is a hopeful and maybe even healing one.

I know I definitely felt better when it was finished.

#fair game #fairgameweek2020 #clover ebi #qrow branwen #luckbirds #fic tag #staff of creation theory

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afoolforatook · 5 years ago

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Fairgame week day 4 - Soulmates

The prologue to my soulmates au...

I won’t pretend I’m not a little iffy and nervous about this one but...

I don’t tend to read or write soulmate aus... how about we let Fairgame help us unpack that a little.....

Tw: Canonical past character death (Summer)

Tw: Alcoholism mention

Tw: Loss of partner

Tw: Grief

Tw: Depression

Let me know if there are any tags I missed or that you’d like me to add. I’ll add more as chapters progress. Not really sure right now what all this will become.

#fair game #fairgameweek2020 #my writing #my fic writing #Our Relative Colors #I'll just be here #making dumb color theory references in the middle of my self projecting angst #I'm just the this is fine dog for a while #fairgameweek2020 fic

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chrisrainicorn · 5 years ago

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Fair Game Week Day 6: Atlas Ball

Posting a little late than usual but it’s for a good reason!

Ok so, my original plan for this was to make a comic of a short scene that I had in my mind, but when I was typing out the dialogue to plan it, I realized wow this is going to be so big and a pain to draw in just a few days, I wish I could just write it instead :/

And then I realized there’s nothing stopping me from doing exactly that lmao. So yeah, I wrote it, and it allowed me to go waaay further than I would go with the comic! So you can read that short fic under the cut (warning for extremely cheesy fluff bellow):

The music coming from the ballroom was dulled by the passing breeze flowing through the spacious balcony. It brought him an immediate feeling of relief, he was already getting sick of the same lifeless background waltz playing in an endless loop anyway.

Qrow leaned his elbows against the marble rails, it felt cold to the touch and he appreciated the sensation. He had ditched the coat on his way up already, and now away from being surrounded by Atlas elite, fake laughs, boring music and trays of expensive drinks, he had to have some serious self-control to not jump off the railing and fly away from there.

He didn’t though. His nieces had been so excited about the ball and helping him pick his clothes, not being there when they would want to leave would break their hearts. And it’s not like the event was that bad, but he could only cause a certain number of waiters to stumble and see nearby couples stepping on each other's feet during their dance for so long before feeling like he needed to get out of there.

Yet it seemed he wasn’t going to be alone for long.

“Getting some fresh air?” He had heard the footsteps approach, only turning to look at the newcomer after the question. Clover stopped by his side, leaning against the railing in a position similar to his.

“Yeah, you could say that.” His lips curled up as he spoke. “This kind of thing can get boring real quick.”

“Tell me about it.” He let out a sigh, throwing his head back. His hairdo was slightly messier than usual, a few strands of his bangs refusing to stay up like the others, maybe he had been dancing… Qrow diverted his eyes away the moment Clover spoke up again. “The kids seem to be having fun though.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled lightly. Before leaving the main area, he had caught a glimpse of Yang and Blake on the dance floor and he would bet they would stay there for a while. Jaune, Oscar and Nora had been obsessing over the huge chocolate fountain, and it didn’t take long for them to drag poor Ren into their taste testing. Ruby had been by Weiss’ side, trying to distract her partner from being that close to people she previously was associated with - she also needed some support to walk on her stupid lady stilts so guess Weiss was there for that too. “It’s good to see them loosing up a bit.”

Clover didn’t say anything for a moment, Qrow looked over at him, finding him staring in that way that made the bottom of his stomach cold. “Don't you think that you should be trying to loosen up yourself?”

“I am-” No he wasn’t, if the way he had already had messed with his hair, taken off his coat and rolled his sleeves up, and he still felt like he needed to escape from something meant anything. “These events aren’t really my style.” Not a lie. “What about you? shouldn't you be charming the guest down there instead of acting like you're on patrol duty?”

“Ah, well...” Clover took his eyes off him a bit too quickly. And it took Qrow one more second for him to realize he had just used the word charming to describe his ways. “You can only put up polite smiles for so long before you need a break. And it's not like there's a lot to do…” He drummed his fingers on the marble for a moment before continuing, “I'm not much of a dancer.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow, sending him a sideways glance. He could honestly imagine him as being a guy who would sweep people off their feet on a dance floor…

“Yeah.” Clover let out a bashful chuckle. “Good luck can get me to not trip on anyone's foot, but it doesn't make me good at it.”

“Well, that's hard to believe.” He scoffed.

“Why?” Clover gave him a lopsided grin. “Want me to prove it to you?”

“Hm, what.” He snapped his head back to his direction, Clover stepped away from the railing.

"C'mon, we don't need to go on the dance floor though, it would be a disaster." He chuckled as he took his arm in a swift gesture, turning him away from the snowy landscape beyond the balcony. And Qrow followed without a word, without thinking, without resistance, just blinking as he was led towards the middle of the open space.

The music was still muffled by how far they were from the actual ballroom, and the sudden thudding inside his ears didn't help. They stopped in the center of the balcony, only a few feet apart, Clover switched the grip he had on his wrist for an offered open palm, and he waited.

Only when he started to look unsure because of his lack of response, Qrow's brain decided to respond - after all, it was pretty rare to see the lucky charm himself to act unsure about something.

Clearing his throat, he adjusted his hand over the one that had taken his arm. Clover's smile brightened up in such a way it almost caused him to choke on his works before they even came out. Still, Qrow managed to speak up. "It sounds like it will be a disaster one way or another…” He grinned with an eyebrow tilt, as if he was just exchanging playful jabber before a mission instead of being pulled close for a dance. “I don't have any luck stopping me from stepping on your feet."

"Well, you'll have to endure my terrible rhythm.” His tone was light as his laugh as Clover watched his own hand settle against Qrow’s side. Their eyes met then. “So I guess we are equal."

Equal. He said it with the same tone as his lucky you at the mines - he could tell because that single line had bounced inside his head for too long. And, of course, he ended this sentence with a wink as well.

“We’ll see about that, Lucky Charm.” He managed to splurt before it got too awkwardly late to add something to the conversation, diverting his gaze down at the same second, watching their feet so he could at least try to avoid stomping on his shoes as they tentatively started to move to the rhythm of the far-away music.

"Let's not turn this into a contest for who will do worse, okay?" He laughed lightly, and Qrow lifted his gaze up instinctively just to watch. "With my luck, I might win that one."

"Of course." Qrow rolled his eyes. And in that second, they tripped on each other's feet, the weird thing was that he wasn't sure who was the cause of it.

"Sorry." Clover scrunched his shoulders, giving his hand an apologetic squeeze.

"It's alright." He brushed it off with a lazy shrug. Just some time ago, he would have said something like it wasn't your fault, or any other comment about his semblance instead. But he knew his dance partner would probably lecture him if he did that, so he just let it slide - they were both not perfect dancers, so it happens.

"Let's just try again then." They tried to match the rhythm of the waltz one more time. He was warm, Qrow noted. Or he was the one too cold from his time outside enjoying the Atlas icy wind. The contrast was jarring nonetheless, there was still an inch of space between their bodies but he could more than well feel the heat coming from the proximity - the touch he had on Clover's shoulder and palm might as well be burning.

Every time he took his eyes off their feet there was some kind of misstep, followed by apologizing chuckles and quiet affirmations about them being okay. He had imagined Clover being the type of person to charm people away on the dance floor, yes, but he hasn't actually considered he would do that with him. Well… he had, because he was the one imagining those kinds of things in the first place, but he didn't take it seriously! And he would have never guessed clumsy waltzing and sheepishly smiles as being part of his routine.

But here they were, not even on a dance floor but in an empty balcony just for themselves instead, taking overly careful steps while completely ignoring the beats of the background music, after a quick conversation that had consisted in, as his nieces would have put, a lot of gross flirting.

This was stupid. Because he had to admit those noisy brats were right. He couldn't deny anymore that that had been flirting. He couldn't pretend to not notice Clover's attempts to be closer. He couldn't just not say there was some real interest in there.

Especially with how he could feel Clover’s eyes locked on his face as they danced. He didn't know why he had been so hesitant from looking up from their shoes to meet them - they were adults for gods' sake! He was sure he was acting like a teenager right now.

Yet they were doing a slightly better job at keeping up with the music, until the point when it picked up as it arrived close to its end. Their steps became wider, and he was sure he was about to cause them both to fall when Clover decided to be risky and pulled him along for a swift spin.

He only noticed he had been holding his breath and had his eyes wide when they resumed to slow and steady side to side steps as the final and calmer seconds of waltz reached his ears.

"Looks like we're doing pretty good." Clover tilted his head knowingly, and Qrow finally relaxed and looked back at him.

He opened his mouth to respond, just to immediately trip on air and step on the edge of his shoe, making his leg bent in a weird way and bringing him down, exactly on the final note of the music.

He held back a curse as Clover held him in place, letting go of his hands to hold him by the waist with both his arms, pulling him closer and pressing their chests together as Qrow's hands instinctively acted to get a firmer grip, lacing themselves around his shoulders. The music in the ballroom faintly continued its endless loop. He let out a huff. "What were you saying?"

Clover dared to chuckle, and now they were too close, being able to watch the way his eyes curved with his smile and feel the puffs of air from his breathing. "I still think it went well."

"Hm, I didn't know stepping on feet and falling were part of a good dance now." His voice came out raspy and he had to clear his throat. They relaxed their position a bit, allowing Qrow to fully recover his footing, yet neither of them made a move to restore the previous distance they had between them. Clover’s arms were still around his waist and Qrow maintained his own around his shoulders, as if they had done this numerous times before.

"You know… I prefer that over any boring dance I just managed to go through it because of luck." Clover started, pausing for a second to run his tongue over his lips. “I had fun… with you. Can’t remember the last time I felt that way.”

Qrow let the single note escape after a moment of silence. “Oh.”

He had nothing else to say, because the implications from Clover’s words weren’t lost by him. He preferred a waltz full of missteps over a perfect one, he preferred to be with him.

“I… I had fun too.” He didn’t like how quiet he had sounded, so Qrow let go of a breath, letting out a chuckle before continuing. “Can’t remember the last time someone endured a full dance with me.”

“That’s a shame… You’re a good dancer, Qrow.”

“You have some messed up standards.” He had to hold back an incredulous laugh. “But, hm- Thanks, for all that.”

He had expected Clover to smile at his words, but not the way he had beamed, brightening up the entire balcony and making his heart skip a beat.

“Hm, what?” He was definitely not used to people staring at him like that, or holding him like that, or talking at him like that - just being with him like that. Gods, how long they had been flirting while hugging?

“You’re not dodging compliments anymore...” Clover’s words came out in a quiet breath, his eyes flickering all over his face.

“Ah.” He swallowed dry, he hadn’t even noticed… “Well- I guess... I know I would be up for a lecture if I did, so… yeah.”

“Good.” Clover’s smile was too close to a smirk now. “Because that means I can do that more often.”

Qrow just blinked, squinting at the smug, too confident, handsome bastard he had his arms around. He opened his mouth to speak. Nothing. Tried again right after, success. “... Why are you like this?”

“Like what?” He diverted his eyes for a second, Qrow could see he was holding back a bigger smile.

“You know-” He could feel his face burning.

“I don’t.”

“Clover...” It almost came out as a hiss.

“Qrow.” He bit his lip to contain a laugh.

“For gods’ sake- Just...” He let out a growl of frustration, bringing a hand to rub over his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.

“Yes?” Clover was having fun by seeing him get flustered, he could tell that very well.

“Just-” Stop? Keep going? What could he want?

What do I want?

He had the answer to that.

Taking his hand off his own burning face, he returned it to the back of Clover’s shoulder, sent a last challenging stare at the green eyes that shined a bit too mischievously for his liking, before closing his own, and pulling him in.

Clover kissed him back. Without even a split second of hesitation, not even giving a chance for Qrow to second guess his decision. And even if he knew that was probably the most probable outcome considering Clover's actions, it still blew his mind in the best way possible. It started just as clumsy as their dance. Maybe because he wasn't used to kissing someone who was smiling so much. What was the last time he did that anyway? What was the last time he was sober for it?

He only wondered that for less than a second, because that wasn't the time for it. And he didn't care. He was warm, Qrow noted. And he also sighed against his lips, and pulled him even closer, and breathed him in and tasted like mint and pineapples, he recognized the taste from the non-alcoholic beverages they had served downstairs.

They only pulled away when breathing became extremely necessary. Qrow kept his eyes shut for some lingering moments, he would think he was dreaming if he couldn't feel the warm puffs of air hitting his skin as Clover recovered his breathing.

And when he did open his eyes, he was rewarded by Clover's own staring back at him, with that softness that had taken him a good while to get used to, and now he didn't want to live without it.

"So, hm- another dance?" Qrow blurted. Because he didn't know what else to say in moments like these. Yet what he did know, is that he didn't want it to end.

Clover let out a quiet laugh, resting his forehead on his, the sound light and lively, just like the stare he had on him. "Thought you would never ask."

They got better as they went, there were still some missteps here and there. Yet, they paid no mind. That was what made their dances perfect, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

***

Hope you liked it! I might actually post this on ao3 later after I have more time to do some revising without having to worry about the deadline lol. So if while reading you found some awkward sentences, feel free to let me know! English is not my first language so it helps a ton! :D

#fair game #fairgameweek2020 #clover ebi #qrow branwen #rwby #my art #fics #my fics #sometimes i forget that im technically also a writer #bc it still feels too unreal lsdgj #i can type words and turn into a coherent story and people might like it? *screams*#still pretty happy with this for a first real try at fg

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rwby-diaries · 5 years ago

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Fairgame Week 2020

Day 5, hurt/comfort. We have this art piece and a fic to go with it.

Art: line art by @bosiphas, color by @data-plays-viola

Fic: written by @bosiphas and @data-plays-viola, edited by @lameclub

Fic under the cut!

It had been another long day. Another day of not knowing if Qrow was safe. Or at the very least, where he was. The General had told him about the letter Qrow had sent, loosely explaining what had happened in Mistral. General Ironwood had appreciated the update, but all Clover could care about was the news that he was on his way to Atlas. But that had been nearly a month ago. The letter had said they were taking the train to Argus, they would’ve arrived already if that was the case. Clover didn’t want to think about it, but something must’ve happened. And that worry tore him up inside. He could barely pay attention to the angry rambles of the General as they made their way through the halls of Atlas Academy.

“I swear if I have to sit through one more council meeting like that–”

Clover walked behind the General, going through the motions, letting Winter respond to his agitated comments about the council meeting that Clover also hadn’t paid any attention to. But their attention shifted when Penny, who had also been in attendance, gasped.

“Yay! You’re here!” Penny chimed.

Clover turned around to see who Penny had addressed and nearly lost all composure. “Ruby, Yang?” Clover’s attention quickly shifted once more though, as he saw Qrow behind the group of kids accompanying his nieces. “Qrow.” Clover breathed out in relief and anticipation. He was here and in once piece. Thank the gods.

As Clover took a few steps forward to meet his family, he finally processed that they were all tied up in bolo ties. “What -” Clover put it together in his head. His team had been called in response to a disturbance down in Mantle after a stolen airship had been spotted. He’d have to give them trouble for that, they’d met Qrow on several occasions.

“Winter.” Weiss Schnee stepped out from behind Ruby, looking directly at her sister.

“Anyone wanna give us a hand with these?” A red-headed girl popped up beside her with her tied hands raised and wiggling her fingers.

“Who’s idea was it to cuff not only my husband but my nieces too?” Clover glared at the guards menacingly.

“You have 10 seconds to take those off before I start hurting you,” she threatened the two guards who had escorted the group to them. They quickly obeyed and darted to each of the kids taking their bolo ties off from their wrists, apologizing while doing so.

Clover walked to his nieces first, giving them both a quick kiss on the forehead, but wasting no time to continue on to Qrow. As he approached his husband, he could see it in his eyes. Something had happened, something bad. Clover looked down at Qrow’s hands and started to undo the bolo ties. “I’m glad you’re safe,” he spoke under his breath, letting the restraints fall to the floor. With Qrow’s hands free, they instantly entwined and Qrow squeezed Clover’s hand. “Same here.”

“Please, step into my office.” General Ironwood invited the group to follow him.

As everyone hesitantly followed the General with Winter and Penny, Clover and Qrow stayed behind for only a moment.

“We got your letter that you were coming by train 3 weeks ago. What happened?”

Qrow went quiet, a lot had happened. “We can talk later,” he spoke in a subdued tone. He couldn’t start talking about it now, there was too much. And if he was being honest with himself, there were things he wasn’t sure about telling Clover. Like what had happened at that farm, or what they had learned before it. But as much as Qrow didn’t want to, he would. Clover was the one person he’d never keep anything from.

As they headed into the meeting, only shortly behind the rest of the group, Clover went to stand up next to General Ironwood at his desk with Penny and Winter, though wanting to stay next to his family. Clover could still barely focus, only wanting to be alone with Qrow. He started to zone out, simply watching Qrow.

All of a sudden, Winter’s raised voice caught his attention.

“You stole an Atlas airship? What were you thinking?! You might’ve been shot down! How unbelievable irresponsibl–” Weiss interrupted her sisters yelling by hugging her.

Clover turned to Ruby. “You stole an Atlas airship?”

Ruby looked chagrined. “Yeah...”

“I don’t know if I should be appalled or impressed,” Clover smirked. His nieces had grown up since he last saw them. He wasn’t sure if what had made them grow up was a good thing, however.

Ruby started laughing and ran over to hug Clover tight. “I missed you,” she said into his chest.

“I missed you too, Sweetheart.” He exchanged a look with Yang who stayed put but silently expressed that she also missed him. When they parted, Ruby went back to where she had been standing before.

“But I cannot believe–” Winter said in a raised voice, startling Clover– “that you allowed this to happen, Qrow.”

“Try stopping my nieces from doing anything,” Clover said, raising an eyebrow.

“Your sister, too. This whole crew is unstoppable when they set their minds on something,” Qrow chimed in. He then turned to Ironwood. “Speaking of which, we have some important information for you that’s, uh… confidential.” At his last words, Qrow pointedly looked at Winter and Penny.

“Oh, is it about the Relics?” Penny said in an innocently curious voice.

“Or perhaps the Winter Maiden?” Winter followed in a decidedly snide tone.

Qrow’s eyes flitted to Clover before settling back on Ironwood. “You told them?”

Clover wanted to ask him the same question. These kids now knew about Salem, his nieces knew about Salem. His mind wandered again as the General talked about the Relic of Knowledge and his plan for Amity Colosseum, noting the skeptical look Qrow had when the General had brought out the lamp. What had happened since the Fall of Beacon? What had happened for Qrow to tell these kids about Salem. He hadn’t seen Qrow since the Fall, Clover hadn’t even known if he was safe, and now here he was with a group of kids, one who was even younger than Ruby. The few letters Clover had sent, Qrow hadn’t received since in Qrow’s last letter he expressed the same sentiment of hoping Clover was safe and in Atlas. Neither of them had known if the other was okay for such a long time, and Clover, although relieved, was anxious to be alone with him.

After the meeting ended, Qrow and Clover instantly found each other out in the hall.

“Hey, Lucky Charm.” Qrow’s voice right next to him startled him out of his thoughts. “Lien for your thoughts?”

“Just thinking about you,” Clover replied with a smirk as they followed behind the kids. Upon entering the small open space near the Generals office, they were met with the wall of chatter from a voice Clover recognized as Marrow’s.

“So, that was the second time I got banned. Then there was the third time when–”

“Marrow,” Clover called out in an authoritative tone.

Marrow jumped. “Hey!” Marrow turned around sheepishly, knowing they had messed up. “We’re so sorry for the mix up down in Mantle.”

Suddenly, Elm pushed past Marrow and went to shake Ruby’s hand. “I feel so bad, honestly! If we had recognized you sooner, we’d be laughing over a hot meal right now.” She vigorously shook the young girl's hand with a strength she wasn’t aware of.

“I understand,” Ruby replied in a shaky voice, letting her arm go weak as Elm finally stopped shaking it. “It can get pretty heated out in the field, and you were following orders.”

“I mean, you could’ve asked us questions first before cuffing us.” Jaune scratched the back of his neck while shrugging his shoulders.

“And you could have not stolen an Atlas airship,” Marrow snarked back.

“What they’re trying to say–” Clover interrupted before his team could dig themselves too big of a hole– “is that they’re sorry, and they’re excited to work with you.”

“Yeah!” Harriet said. “I’m looking forward to seeing exactly what you kids can do.”

“Not everything is a competition, Hare,” Vine said, exasperated.

Penny came up beside the group, “C’mon! Let me show you around campus,” she offered in a chipper voice.

“Alright, kiddos,” Qrow directed to the group. “Go have fun. Clover and I are going to head to bed.”

“Old man,” Yang teased, sticking her tongue out.

“Love you, Uncle Qrow! You too, Uncle Clover,” Ruby said as she hugged them both.

“Night Ruby, Yang.” Clover waved to Yang as Ruby stepped out of the hug.

“Don’t get into too much trouble,” Qrow said as the kids followed after Penny, all of them giving a wave to him as they left the area.

As Qrow and Clover walked past his office, Ironwood stepped out. “Qrow,” he called to him. Qrow turned to face Ironwood as he continued to speak. “I meant it when I said it was good to see you again.”

“Uh, yeah. You too,” Qrow replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

Ironwood stepped forward and hugged Qrow, who was confused at first, but then rolled his eyes with a smile and patted Ironwood’s back.

“Especially because now my best operative can be a little less… distracted in the field,” Ironwood said with a smirk, parting from Qrow.

Clover sputtered, a slight blush gracing his cheeks.

“Goodnight you two,” Ironwood said as he walked away from the couple.

“So, distracted, huh?” Qrow teased with a smirk as they started walking towards Clover’s room.

“I didn’t hear from you for weeks after a train ride that should have taken a couple of days, tops,” Clover replied, still blushing. “And… before that, after the fall, I tried sending letters but you never got them so I didn’t get a reply...” Clover paused. “I was worried.”

Qrow dropped the teasing and reached out to take Clover’s hand in his. “I’m sorry. After everything, there was… a lot happening. I wanted to send you something sooner than the one I sent Ironwood, but…”

Clover shook his head. “It’s okay. We were both busy. I had my hands full with the General, and you–” Clover smiled sincerely– “had your hands full with all those kids.”

Qrow returned the smile and they dropped into a comfortable silence, holding hands and occasionally bumping shoulders as they walked to Clover’s room. When they finally reached his door, the pair slipped in.

As the door shut behind them, Clover quickly pounced on Qrow, wrapping him in a tight hug. Qrow immediately wrapped his arms around Clover just as tightly. They stood there for several minutes, unmoving, and enjoyed the other’s warmth. It had been too long since they’d seen each other. Before everything, they did have a long-distance relationship. Qrow was on the missions from Ozpin all the time, and Clover was needed in Atlas, but they’d still be apart for no longer than a few months before they’d see each other again.

Clover squeezed Qrow a little tighter before parting from him slightly, only enough so they could be face to face. “A year is too long to be away from you, Pretty Bird.” He smiled softly.

Qrow leaned forward at the endearing name, resting his forehead on Clover’s shoulder with a heavy sigh.

Clover hugged him back in tighter, his eyebrows arching up in worry. “What happened?” he asked in a whisper.

“A lot.” Qrow pulled away from Clover and walked past him. “The kids know about everything now. I don’t know how I feel about them being a part of this, they’re still kids.” He looked out the window of Clover’s room, a stern look on his face.

Clover watched Qrow intently. “How did they find out?”

“Salem knows about Ruby, about her eyes.” Qrow looked down to the floor, thinking of Summer. “Ruby knows, too.”

Clover stayed silent, but his mind wandered to the same person, Ruby’s mother.

Qrow sighed again. “Ruby was heading to Mistral, with a couple of those kids. I was watching over them while they traveled – I didn’t want my semblance to get in the way of anything…” Qrow turned back towards Clover who still stayed silent but frowned at Qrow distancing himself because of his semblance.

Qrow continued. “But then Salem sent one of her lackeys after them, Ruby specifically.” Qrow paused for a moment, looking at Clover to watch his reaction. “Tyrian Callows, scorpion Faunus. He went after Ruby, so I stepped in. He, uh… lost his tail.”

Clover’s eyes widened. “You cut off his tail?”

“No, Ruby did.”

Clover once again wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or concerned. “Why?” he questioned. His niece was a fierce fighter, but she wasn’t cruel. She’d have a reason why.

Qrow hesitated at answering the question. He knew it would upset him. “He… grazed me with his stinger.”

Clover froze, his entire body tensing up. “...You were poisoned? Where?” He took a couple of steps toward Qrow.

Qrow could see the concern splashed over Clover’s face. “Across my stomach, right under my ribs,” he spoke in a hushed tone as Clover continued forward, closing the short distance between them.

Clover looked down at Qrow’s stomach, seeing the stitching in his shirt where he'd gotten cut through his armour. “Can I… can I see?” Clover looks up at Qrow, his voice shaking slightly.

Qrow frowned knowing that the state of the scar would show Clover just how dire the situation had been. But he showed him anyway, undoing the buttons to open his shirt. As he pulled the shirt open, revealing the scar, Clover sucked in a breath. The scar extended from the center of his abdomen to under his right ribs. The white scar tissue was still raised, and the area around it had small veins of white extending from the scar, most likely from the poison.

Clover clenched his jaw as he raised his hand to Qrow’s stomach. He brushed his thumb across the scar. “It healed poorly… How far were you from Mistral?” Clover looked up from the scar to Qrow who was watching his husband's hand.

“They were passing through Oniyuri when he attacked, but I don’t remember how long it was before we got to Mistral. I… Ruby told me I was really out of it after the poison set in. I barely remember anything.” Qrow pursed his lips together as he met Clover’s worried gaze.

Clover knew what that meant. Qrow had almost died, Ruby was almost kidnapped, and he wasn’t there to protect his family. He looked back down at the gruesome scar. “Qrow, I–”

“Hey, I’m alright. Ruby’s alright.” Qrow placed a gentle hand on Clover’s forearm of the hand that was still touching his scar.

Clover looked back up to Qrow, his eyes fixed onto his husband’s. “I just… I can’t lose you.” Clover raises his hand to Qrows cheek, brushing it slightly, before leaning his forehead onto Qrow’s.

Qrow shut his eyes and squeezed Clover’s arm. “You won’t,” Qrow promised softly, just loud enough for Clover to hear.

As they stood there, Clover started to realize, that was before they’d made it to Mistral, and Ruby had mentioned a train crash earlier. Something else had happened.

“What happened on the train?”

Qrow tensed at the question. The train crash that led to the truth about Ozpin. The truth Ruby isn’t sharing with Ironwood. Qrow wanted to tell Clover everything, secrets weren’t something he liked to keep. Hell, he’d hated the years he kept the Salem secrets from Clover before he threatened Ironwood to tell him the truth about Salem or he would. But this one, Ruby was right to play it close to the chest with Ironwood, considering the state of Mantle when they arrived. He trusted Clover with every inch of his being, but Clover being told the truth would put him in a terrible position. He’d want to tell Ironwood, out of obligation, but he wouldn’t, to protect his family first, and Qrow knew it. He didn’t want to do that to him.

“I… relapsed. Hard.” Qrow clenched his jaw, guilt washing over him remembering what had happened at that farm. Those Grimm had done a number on him, he hadn’t been that bad since Summer had passed, or since his tribe days. And as much as he knew Clover was supportive and understanding, anxiety built up in his chest. He felt like he had let him down like he’d let the kids down. Before Clover could respond, Qrow went on to explain further. “After Beacon, I started again, but then the train crash happened and Oz… disappeared, we got stuck at this farm.” Qrow paused but didn’t look at Clover, who only patiently listened. “It was abandoned, and these Grimm were under the settlement. They… I’d never seen anything like them. They drain your will to live and it was almost too late before we… before the kids realized. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what would’ve happened.” Qrow withheld that he knew he wouldn’t be alive if not for the kids.

Clover understood what he’d meant anyway. Yet another time he wished he’d been there to protect them. He could also tell there was something more to the story. He knew Qrow extremely well, he could tell when he wasn’t telling the whole truth. There was a lot of that when it came to Ozpin. Clover was just surprised it was happening again. But he trusted Qrow, and he knew how much he hated keeping secrets, especially from him. He also knew Qrow would refuse to lie, in any situation. So, he wouldn’t push any further. Qrow would tell him when he was ready.

Clover opened his mouth to offer words of comfort, but Qrow interjected before he could say anything. “I-I stopped already, though,” he clarified, wanting to make sure Clover knew that he was already back on recovery.

Clover gave Qrow an endearing smile and pulled him into another tight hug. “I’m sorry you had to deal with all of that on your own. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for you,” Clover spoke softly in Qrow’s ear.

Qrow could feel his body relax as Clover spoke to him. Gods what had he done to deserve someone like him? Qrow let himself melt into the hug, burying his face in Clover’s neck and feeling tears well up in his eyes. It had been so long since he was able to just let his guard down, and he could always count on Clover to make him feel safe enough to do so.

“I’m glad you’re safe. The girls too.” Clover squeezed Qrow before releasing Qrow from the hug so he could cradle his face between his palms. “I’m so proud of you, Pretty Bird.”

Qrow’s eyes drifted to the ground, but a small blush washed over his cheeks. His eyes slowly tracked back up as Clover held his position, waiting. “Thank you...” he whispered.

Clover pressed a gentle kiss to Qrow’s cheek. “I’m just glad you’re safe, here with me. I love you, Qrow.”

“I love you too, Clover.”

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