Archive of Our Own

Atlas had always been militaristic, their streets filled with eyes and metal. Their military presence since the great war had been the strongest in the world.  It was always on the condition of safety and innovation. They were the technology leaders, they had to keep whatever they're working on a secret. Atlas might have been the city of the future, but you don't get to the top without safeguarding all your secrets with an iron grip. 

Even if you had a torrid history with the man above it all, it would still squeeze you until you couldn't breathe. Once team RWBY was stopped at Ironwood's feet and all things straightened out, Qrow could still feel the cold sting of Atlas' metal. 

James didn't look at him still, as if he wasn't there at all. Qrow always wanted to know what he meant to James and with every minute ticking away in Atlas where James just pretended like they were nothing more than colleagues, it was becoming apparent.

Two could play at that game. 

Qrow wasn't good at silence or filtered conversation but he was good at spite and pettiness, a good old Branwen trait. If this is how James was going to treat him, he'd get the exact same back. 

Even if it crushed every part of Qrow to pretend they were nothing. Even though every time he was anywhere close to James, all he wanted to do was reach out for him. Even though he still felt himself falling through the earth whenever he looked at James. 

Infatuation was an illness, and you can still carry on while sick. 

Qrow would have to start by getting his mind off James, something he hasn't been able to do since his Academy years. And then, luckily enough, Clover offered up just the opportunity he was looking for. 

It came after a night of training, the kids were sparing and Clover was doing as many push-ups as he could with Elm standing on top of his back, aura rooted onto his back. Qrow was sitting back and watching from a distance on the balcony above the door. The kids, obviously, marking their progress. Qrow never thought working out or sterile training like this worked well, nothing was better than the field and trial by fire. It didn't matter how many one-handed push-ups you could do, how big your arms got, how tight your shirt fit, if you couldn't hold your Aura against a truly unpredictable opponent. 

"ONE THOUSAND !" Elm yelled for the whole gym to hear. "Would you like to keep going, Clover? To beat your record?" Clover's record was over one thousand?

Clover laughed as he pushed up hard, grunting as he tried standing with Elm still rooted to his back. They made a perfect T for about three seconds before Elm flipped off of him, making Clover stumble just a bit. "No thank you, I think I'm going to cut the work out a bit short today."

Harriet sped over, completely leaving Yang mid-fight. " You ? Skipping a workout? Who's dead or dying?" She smirked at him.

"No one. I just thought I might do something rather than work on my off hours." Clover said. "My favorite bakery hasn't seen me in ages."

"If you eat too many sweets and skip too many workouts you will become soft, Clover," Elm protested. "We do not want to replace you."

Clover let out a short, joyful laugh that sounded like the snapping of a whip. "No one could replace me."

"I think I can," Marrow called, dodging Jaune's swipe of his sword. "You have to retire sometime old man." Jaune nearly fell onto Marrow, if he didn't dodge that too.

Clover grinned. "I'll be sure to tell James you're out for my job." He kicked off towards the locker rooms.  "Have a good night everyone, don't work yourselves ragged." He waved to everyone as he left, stopping in the doorway. 

He looked up at Qrow, who was hanging off the railing and he gave him a private smile that no one else could see. It felt softer and kinder than the one he was putting on for the crowd. 

"Hey little bird, did you want to come with?"

Qrow sat up suddenly, feeling his face light up. It took him a moment to be sure Clover was talking to him . "Little bird?" Was James just telling people? A perfect stranger knew one of his deepest secrets. He didn't even tell his niece until they were almost Huntresses. 

"Yeah, you. You looked like a bird on a wire." Clover said simply, his smile never wavering. 

"Oh."

Clover raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

Qrow snapped out of his trance. "Well, what?"

Clover chuckled a little. "I asked you if you wanted to come out with me tonight. From what I've seen all you do is watch them train and work. Do you have any fun ever?"

"Do you?"

 Clover's smile grew wider, like his calm composure started to chip away. "Fair point. My offer still stands." His stare was steady and bright. Qrow almost believed he actually wanted him to come. 

"Sure, why the hell not?" Qrow said. It was the perfect distraction, getting pastries with a very good-looking high-ranking Atlas official. It'll be just like with James. 

"Great, meet me in the courtyard in ten?" 

"Roger that, Alpha." Qrow gave him a little salute and Clover walked away shaking his head while smiling. 

The silence was deafening, prickling up the back of his neck. Qrow looked out and the kids were staring at him, even Harriet had her eye on him as she whispered something to Vine. 

"What the hell are you looking at?" He asked, making eye contact with Ruby but making sure everyone could hear.

Ruby blinked up at him. "You're going out?" She asked, sounding unsure. Then she scrunched up her nose. 

Qrow sighed, deflating over the railing again. "Don't worry, ladybug, I'll be good. I got the boy scout to watch over me." He smiled at her. Ruby was put only slightly at ease. She worried for him and there was nothing he could say to change that. 

All he could do was go down the courtyard and prove to her he would be good. It is the actions of others we rely on most. 

There was a chill in Atlas despite an artificial atmosphere. Why on the brother's green earth they would simulate uncomfortable weather was beyond Qrow. It seemed like there was a trade-off on all the sights. If you want stunning visuals alongside amazing tech, you have to do it below freezing. 

"Do you own anything but combat gear?"

Qrow whipped around to face Clover. " Says the guy in-" he looked Clover up and down. He was dressed in a pair of well-fitting jeans, a long-sleeved fleece with a bubble vest over it. Everything was tight enough to show the definition in his arms and legs. Even his shoes, casual walking sneakers, were abnormally tight. "Oh, you changed?"

Clover laughed loud and bright.  It sounded like stars. "Of course I changed. Can't just go wandering around Atlas in the uniform. I'd attracted a lot of attention." There was a sly smile on his face. 

"I didn't realize I was going out on the town with an Atlas celebrity," Qrow said. "Let me go get my paper bag for being seen with important people." It was a cruel joke at his own expense, but Qrow had just stopped drinking. He hadn't learned to be nice to himself yet. 

Clover's expression suddenly became very serious. "I'd never ask you to cover your face with a paper bag." 

Qrow's face burned bright with embarrassment. "It-it was a joke."

"It wasn't very funny."

Qrow tried to laugh it off while keeping his cool. "We're going to what? A bakery? Shouldn't we get there before it closes?"

Clover looked at Qrow like he wanted to tell him something. Instead, he swallowed whatever he was going to say, evening out his mood. Qrow didn't like that he couldn't read Clover yet. "Yeah, it's a bakery. The best in the city," he said as he led the way. 

Qrow followed behind diligently. "Every bakery is the best bakery in the city. Just how every pizza place has the original slice." He watched Clover's lips twitch in amusement. 

"But this one is ," Clover swore. He pat his chest. "It tastes like childhood." The twinkle in his eye as he said that made Qrow want to believe it. "They've got this grape jelly roll that's more tart than sweet and it's tasted the same since I was little. That's something special." 

Qrow's mind seemed to shut down, he didn't think, just listened to what Clover had to say. This tiny, old bakery sounded like the most magical place in the world when Clover described it. 

"You grew up in Atlas?" Qrow asked, he didn't remember having that question. 

Clover's smile turned bashful, Qrow liked bashful. "Yeah, uh, I've lived my whole life up here," he gave a nervous chuckle. "I… I'm part of the Atlas Ebi's. We're nothing compared to the Schnees or the Marigolds but if I said the first time I met Winter was at school or this position, I'd be lying." He reached up to scratch the back of his neck. "I hope you don't look at me any different… I don't really participate anymore, you know?"

"Why would I look at you differently?" Qrow had met so many yuppy Atlas types and he was nothing like them. Hell, he had been trotting the globe with a Schnee in tow. 

Clover blinked at him, then looked away quickly. "Most people think I bought my way once they find out..."

"I've seen you in action. If I thought you were just a spoiled brat that bought your title you would have been fired already," Qrow said without much thought. He would have told James to pick a real huntsman. "But you've definitely earned your keep."

It might have been the uneven lighting of street lights and neon, or maybe it was the cold, but Qrow saw Clover's cheeks go red. Clover coughed, a puff of white came out, it must have been the cold. "T-Thank you, Qrow, that means a lot."

Qrow shrugged. "I don't believe in nepotism. You get what you deserve. Regardless of standing," He could hear the other kids at Beacon groaning with jealousy at team STRQ's missions and grades. He could hear their sneers about the Branwens, how they shouldn't be there if they couldn't afford to go. As if becoming a Huntsman was exclusive to the elite. "You secure yourself."

"Huh..." Clover said, suddenly stopping. Qrow only stopped because Clover did, following him completely. Then, he looked up and saw a tiny building with a yellowish lamplight against the hard blue light of the rest of the city. Compared to the surrounding buildings, it looked shabby and in disrepair. "We're here." He said as if he didn't even know. 

Clover reached out and pulled open the door for Qrow. He hated entering a building first, especially when someone was holding the door for him, but he pressed through the doorway anyway. The air inside was warm and smelled like butter and sugar. Qrow could feel the encompassing heat coming from behind the counter. If Qrow's childhood was filled with sugar and warmth, he could understand what Clover meant. 

Behind the register, there was an incredibly tall, thin, wisp of a man. Qrow thought the heat might be too strong, it might knock him over. He was old with the kind of wrinkles that made you think about your own skin's health. And when he saw Clover come in, his face broke into a smile that reminded Qrow of a basset hound's smile. 

"Clover! Where have you been?" He called in a scratchy pitch. His eyes fell on Qrow with little change in his expression. "And you brought friends!"

"You know I have to bring everyone who'll let me, Herb," Clover said, he reached his arm around Qrow's shoulder and shook him a bit. "This is my latest victim, Qrow Branwen."

Qrow nodded a little, he couldn't quite pull together a coherent string of words, his mind was so focused on the feeling of Clover's arm around him and the firm grip he had on his shoulder. "Hey."

Herb raised an eyebrow. "Chatty one, ain't he?"

Clover looked between Qrow and Herb and smiled. "Once you get him talking." He released Qrow as he clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "You got my rolls, right? Can I also get two dozen Grimm cookies, a cappuccino, and whatever this guy wants." He pointed to Qrow with his thumb.

Qrow came back into his body once he had to order, though he wasn't really paying attention to the selection. "Uh… one of those grape things and a coffee please…"

Clover nudged him with his elbow. "You can get whatever you want. I know the owner," he winked knowingly at Herb and then looked back at Qrow with the same giving look. 

Qrow shivered under Clover's intense gaze, it wasn't harsh or glaring. He just felt seen. "Uh, and one of those cinnamon sticks." 

"Thatta boy," Clover said, patting Qrow on the back. His hand stayed there for a moment, then he started to absentmindedly rub circles on Qrow's back. Eventually, Clover's hand found its place mid-back. "Actually, can you throw one of those in there for me too?"

Qrow was doing everything in his power to stay present, think of anything besides Clover's hand getting lower on his back.  "Two dozen cookies, rolls, cinnamon sticks? That's one hell of a cheat day."

Clover let out another bright laugh that lit up the air, Qrow took in a breath of that electrified air, and his lungs filled with its brightness. He felt so light then. "They're not all for me. I'm bringing them to the team tomorrow."

Herb gathered everything on the counter and rang it up. "Two thousand lien please." Clover reached into his pants pocket to pull out a couple of cards. Freeing Qrow of his torment. "The coffee and the jelly rolls, for now." Herb pushed the cups and two of the rolls forward.

"Right," Clover said with a smile. He took the bag of cookies and cinnamon sticks around his wrist so his other hands would be free for other treats. "Thanks again, Herb. I'll see you again when Qrow here'll need another fix." 

The sound of his name on Clover's tongue made his stomach rock. "Yeah, thanks."

Clover led the way back into the cold of the night. Atlas felt so much harsher than that shop. Qrow could have spent the rest of his life smelling flakey pastries and hearing Clover talk about said flakey pastries. When Qrow looked over at Clover, he was staring back expectedly. 

"What?" Qrow asked, holding up his coffee to his face, hoping the steam would cover his red face. 

Clover raised his eyebrow and nodded towards the roll in his hands. "Are you going to try it?"

Qrow looked down at his hands. "Yeah?"

"Come on!" He was bouncing like a giddy child. "You can't get my favorite thing then not try it right away." He was so excited to hear what he thought.

Qrow tried to contain his smile. It was hard when Clover was grinning and waiting. His eyes were shining in the Atlas lights.  "I dunno. Might just throw it out. Not really a fan of grape." 

"I'll tackle you to the ground before I let that happen," Clover promised. 

"Don't tempt me even more." There were days Qrow wished he could never speak, or at least the ability to think before he spoke. But he wasn't blessed with forethought, he just needed to deal with the consequences.

He couldn't read Clover's face, perhaps he was panicking too hard for social cues. All he knew was the initial shock that melted into something else. Something soft .

"Just try it please?" There was no exasperation in his voice. Just a gentle nudge forward. 

Qrow wasn't used to gentle. He could feel Clover's soft tone in his bones, it made them feel hollow, like he didn't need to be a bird to fly. Qrow took a bite of the roll, still slightly warm from the oven. The bread itself was dense with butter and a light sweetness like honey. He would have been satisfied with just that, but the grape jelly stuck to the end and made Qrow pucker. It was a good balance though, the jelly cut through the bread's heaviness while the jelly made sure you didn't feel all the fat.

"Wow, that’s..." Qrow flicked his eyes over to Clover who's whole face was raised in anticipation. He smiled a little. "Okay, I guess."

Clover broke out into laughter, genuine full-bellied laughter. "You're a real jerk, you know that?"

Qrow chuckled along with him. "I've been called worse." 

"Well, now that I know you love it, then I guess we can move on," Clover took his roll into his mouth and checked the time on his scroll. "The nights still young," he fit his scroll in-between two fingers and took a big bite out of his roll. "We can eat these in a park, we could try to catch some local music. Or- you know what? I've shown you my favorite thing in the city, what's yours? We can do what you like."

Qrow was mid-sip of his coffee and nearly choked. "Oh, uh, I don't really know much about Atlas."

Clover's brow knitted together in confusion. "But… you've been working with James and Ozpin for years now. This isn't your first time in Atlas, is it?"

Qrow shivered and wished he had something to drink. It'd be easier if he was drunk. He could spill all his and James secrets and not have to feel the guilt behind it, if he were drunk. 

"No… I just normally came for business, to see Fria and… James," It wasn't a lie.  Clover didn't need to know all his messy details. Not now at least. "We never really went out on the town." 

Clover thought for a moment. "Well, I can show you Atlas, if you want."

All the blood in Qrow's body rushed to his head, making him feel lightheaded. "I'd like that." He looked between the bag of cookies and Clover. "What are we going to do with those?" 

He looked down at his spoils and shrugged. "We'll drop it off. I don't live too far from here." 

Qrow was going to faint. "Yeah, that makes sense."

Too far seemed to have a different definition in Atlas than in the rest of the world. Qrow was expecting a block or two but they ended up stretching twelve blocks away. If he didn't have his coffee, he'd be ready to crash by the time they made it to the tenth floor of Clover's apartment building. If Clover let him crash, on his couch or elsewhere. 

Clover tapped his scroll to the lock and it automatically opened, even playing a little tune to welcome them in. He immediately went to the kitchen island to put everything down. Qrow wandered in, taking note of everything he could see. 

It was smaller than he thought it might be, a straight line of a kitchen, a small breakfast nook right up against the couch and tv. The apartment wasn't dirty, if anything it was meticulously cluttered. Bookshelves were lining the walls filled with books, yes, but also with bits and bobbles. The lighting was warmer than normal Atlas lighting, like the shop they went to, yellowed and homey.   The tones were warm browns and cool blues like an old shipyard. To call it nautical themed would be too heavy-handed, though flags that normally hung on ships were being used as decoration with old rope tied in sailor's cross knots. The few dolphins also didn't help. But the bobbles were miscellaneous, not fitting any sort of collection. Small horns, crosses, and crescents. Wishbones, cat's eye and sapphires. 

An outside eye could call them meaningless or even trash. But to someone who tried everything possible to combat bad luck, they were familiar symbols. Qrow couldn't count the number of shamrocks he had hidden between books and other tokens. Horseshoes and malachite, stars, and red lanterns. Just a lucky man. 

"When you're born with a kitschy semblance, people tend to go one route with gifts," Clover said, unwrapping the cookies and setting them out.

Qrow let out a laugh, unguarded, he couldn't help himself. "You're telling the guy named Qrow."

Clover gave him a knowing glance. "You think Clover is any better?" 

"Yeah, I do actually," Qrow rounded the corner of his overstuffed couch, where he found a coffee table with a few sprigs of bamboo and a tv stand with white heather. "I'm surprised you don't have a crop of clovers, Clover." Qrow had on a shit-eating grin as he looked back at Clover. 

He rolled his eyes at him, not without a smile. "How original," Clover watched him for a moment as he wandered his apartment. A part of him wanted to see how far he'd go. Maybe he should give him a tour. Maybe he should show him- "So what do you like to do? Are you a museum kind of guy? What about music? This city never sleeps so if you name something, we can probably do it." 

Qrow stopped in the door frame that led to the bedrooms. His fingers were trailing absentmindedly across every bookshelf and its corners, they stopped on the inside of the frame. "I'm… I don't know, never really thought about it."

"What? You've never thought about hobbies?"

Qrow shrugged. "Guess I never had time."

"Well," Clover clapped his hands together. "How 'bout something uniquely Atlesian?" He asked. 

Qrow raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?" Clover was soaking in that yellow light that was so perfect for reading and relaxing and making you feel safe. 

Clover snapped suddenly pointing at Qrow. "I know the perfect spot for watching the northern lights." 

"I've seen the lights before," Qrow said. They were beautiful but once you see them across the large panes of glass in James' office, they lose their touch. 

"Not like this,” Clover assured him. He moved quickly to Qrow. He clapped his hands on Qrow's arms.  "Let me go get you a jacket. You're gonna need it." He could still feel Clover’s grip as he let go and disappeared into one of the back bedrooms.

Qrow almost followed him back there, just to see if his room was just as cluttered, just as welcoming. 

But Clover reappeared with something in hand. It was a heavy-looking bomber jacket, a navy color with white sleeves. Qrow felt his nose scrunch at it, and Clover must have seen it. "Sorry, it's the closest thing to your style that I had. I don't really do," Clover's gaze went from the tip of Qrow's toes to the top of his head. "The dark and edgy look." He held out the jacket for Qrow to grab. 

If he had more layers to put on he would have. Qrow snatched the bomber out of his hands. He had never felt so exposed. And something was still yelling at him that no, fewer layers would be better. 

An unforeseen consequence was that the coat smelled explicitly like Clover. There wasn't an old musty closet smell in it. The fabric was just endowed with the spices and mint and everything else that was just all Clover.

Clover looked at Qrow again, this time he looked like he couldn't get enough of him in his jacket. "Ready to go?" 

If Qrow had it his way, they'd be staying in. 

"Yeah, let's head out." 

They weren't walking across the city this time, just to one of the nearest train stations. They rode to the top of the line, the very last stop before you started going around again. The cars were clean and the same sterile light bearing down on them. Qrow wondered how the people of Atlas weren't blind. 

There were performers on every stop, playing their instruments, doing tricks with their semblances. Clover was right, this city didn't sleep. Everyone was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, some literally. It seemed the nocturnal Faunus had a special place in the never-ending city. They performed and they laughed, feeling truly comfortable in their city, even if by day the same city wouldn't be so kind. 

On the way, Clover talked all about the Ace Ops. He explained everyone’s semblance in detail and with such enthusiasm. He was gushing over Harriet’s speed and how she was the fastest speedster he’d ever seen. He marveled at Elm’s roots and how they grew stronger as she did. Vein’s arms didn’t just extend with his semblance, but could also expand into whatever shape he wanted. Clover posed a philosophical question with Marrow’s, pondering if he wasn’t a Faunus, would he still have Freeze as his semblance. 

“It is too late in the day for that kind of question,” Qrow replied.

Clover laughed as the train was coming to a halt. "Alright, we're here," Clover said, they were nearly the last people on the train. As he stood, his hand reflexively reached out, like he was going to grab Qrow's hand. But maybe Qrow was just projecting. 

The station seemed like an office building's private stop. "What the hell are we doing at a textile company?" The Marigold's emblem twinkled in the windows of the building. Did they have a monopoly on stars like they did combat strength fabric?

"We're not here for what's inside. We're here for the roof. And I've got an in," Clover winked at him and pressed on. If Clover wanted Qrow to keep up, he'd have to stop doing that. 

"Right. Clover Ebi of the Atlas Ebi’s?" Qrow recited. "What do the Ebi’s even do?"

Clover blushed suddenly. "Oh uh, we're exporters of fish native to Solitas. We're why you can get fresh sushi in Vacuo." He looked down, as if ashamed. "And I… got this connection on my own. The Marigolds are... abrasive, haven't spoken to them much since…"

Qrow was about to say something when they came upon the doorman. Clover was immediately distracted by schmoozing with him. He was a smooth talker for sure, Qrow never understood how you could be so good with people. But it didn't matter, Clover was, and they were given access to the building, he was even-handed a key.

Clover guided him to the elevator then waved the key in his face. "Special roof access,"

"Feels like something we shouldn't be doing," Qrow said with a smirk on his face. "I thought you were a law-abiding citizen, boy scout." 

Clover grinned as he shrugged. "Nobody's perfect. Everyone's got a vice or two. One of mine just so happens to be trespassing." The elevator came and they stepped in. Clover took the key and flipped open a small latch underneath the panel of buttons. "Going up." 

"What other vices do you have?" Qrow wondered what it was like to think before speaking. 

Clover's face flushed again. Whenever he got flustered, he'd avoid eye contact, like if he didn't look up Qrow couldn't see how his ears turned pink. "I, uh, c-can't think of any off the top of my head." 

Qrow didn't want a real answer, but he thought it was very cute that Clover wanted to give him one. 

The elevator opened up with a ding, leading to the open air of the roof. They could see the entire city from the edge, but unlike James' office, they were amongst the other buildings. They were standing amongst the stars. Qrow was already captivated by the view, until Clover took him by the arm, pulling him towards the far edge. The wind whipped around their heads and Qrow pulled the jacket closer, a new wave of scent coming off of it. Clover took him by the upper arms and positioned him in the exact spot he wanted him, not dropping his hands.

"There!" He said, pointing upward with his chin.

Qrow looked up to the sky. Normally, the northern lights were flat in front of the windows of Atlas academy. But now, in this spot, the streaks of aqua and purple stretched completely above them, painting the sky in a river of aurora, stretching as far as they could see. The whole world was drenched in this natural beauty. Qrow flicked his gaze down at Clover, he was also bathing in the raining colors. 

When Clover smiled at him, his heart stopped. He was breathless at this altitude. Qrow didn't notice how close they were, he was too occupied by the lights, by Clover's grip sliding from his biceps to his forearms. The subtle pulling he felt, nothing demanding or strong, just an invitation if he wanted it. Qrow could lean into it. Qrow could be pulled forward.

Qrow's foot shuffled and they were so close. His heart was pounding against his chest, his breath was shallow, and Clover was leaning in.

And Qrow pulled back, narrowly evading Clover's kiss. He blinked down at Qrow, disoriented and confused. Qrow knew that look well, the expectation and the letdown.

Qrow's mind flashed with images of James, of their stolen kisses in the night, the one picture-perfect moment under a waterfall. Then, the glares at meetings, the accusations, the secrecy, the hoops he jumped through, all the grief he was put through. 

"I'm sorry," Clover whispered, squeezing his arms again. His voice was low and had a gravelly tone to it. He didn't move. They didn't move. Still in that tempting space. "I thought this was something else… I'm sorry-" 

Qrow leaned back in, closing the gap between them. Clover brought him in closer, one hand slipping to his waist and the other in his hair. There was no urgency to the kiss, Qrow might have been desperate, but Clover kissed differently than James. He was slow, setting a tempo that settled Qrow's neediness. He was soft, and kissed Qrow like he was something to be savored. Not something to be torn through. Kissing Qrow was the experience. There was nothing to get to. Clover already had what he wanted.

Clover was the one to pull away first, he didn't want to, but he couldn't stop smiling. It was hard to kiss a smile, not from lack of trying on Qrow's part. Clover touched his forehead against Qrow as he tried to steal one last kiss. 

"You really had me going there for a minute," Clover said, voice still quiet and just for him. "I thought our missions were gonna get very awkward."

Qrow laughed, light and thin, his head was still spinning. He still hadn't opened his eyes. If he opened his eyes it wouldn't be real. If he opened his eyes Clover would disappear and he would be alone and he would have dreamed it all. He was gripping onto Clover with shaking hands. Qrow couldn't let go.

"Hey," Brothers, Clover was so caring . "Are you alright? I didn't do anything to upset you, did I? If I did I'm-"

"No," Qrow said, a slight waver in his voice. He let out a breath and opened his eyes. Clover's brow was knit together in worry. "I..." Qrow laughed again, it wasn't funny, but he couldn't help it. "I wasn't expecting this tonight." It was all he could bring himself to say. 

Clover let out a chuckle. "Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting it either," he was smiling so wide at him. "You're…" his smile faded slightly. "You're shaking."

"It's cold," Qrow said quickly. "Not really used to Atlas cold like this."

"Well, then let's get you home," Clover said. A chill wracked its way down Qrow's spine. He wasn't sure he could move forward, at least not now, with his head spinning and heart shaking. "We're just a few stops from the Academy. I can drop you off."

Oh , Qrow thought. I guess not everyone puts out on the first date. Not everyone expected him to. 

Atlas Academy had its own stop as well, it filtered directly into the quad. When they reached it, Clover hung out of the train car, unafraid of it closing on him.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you back to your room?" He asked, holding out his hand to stop the door. 

Qrow shook his head, absentmindedly pulling Clover's jacket tighter around him. Clover smiled when he noticed. "No, I'm good. I think I can manage a few more elevators."

"Oh, okay," he said, looking him up and down one more time, trying to find any excuse to come with. He just wanted to make sure Qrow was alright. "Get up there safe, please."

Qrow's face burned up to his ears. "Y-Yeah, I will. You get home safe too."

Clover nodded at him. "Aye aye captain," he sent him off with a wink, pulling himself back into the train car. The doors were finally able to close, and the train departed. Clover was waving as he left.

Qrow held out a hand and watched the train go. He sighed and stayed there for a moment. Time couldn't reverse to bring Clover back to him. He couldn't wait there until the train made its full loop back around. He had to go inside.

The academy was strange in the dark. It always felt strange walking through a school at night, but with no one to fill the halls, it felt even worse. A creeping feeling like the empty halls of Haven. Though, during the day, plenty were guarding all the secrets hidden in the walls. Qrow just didn't like the silence. His thoughts were so much louder in the sober silence. 

Qrow kissed Clover on a rooftop under the northern lights. He flirted with him all night. Qrow's knees went weak and his heart was going to explode. Clover flirted back all night. He tried to kiss Qrow first . And not a single thing went wrong. 

There was no copper on his tongue or scream stinging his throat. All he felt was joy and giddiness. No one died, Clover didn't ask if he was an Ozpin spy, no one was pregnant. Everything was fine.

Qrow's room was on the second to last floor where the sleeping quarters were for professors and other high-ranking officials if they couldn't get home for the night. The elevator split the hall in two, when it opened, Qrow went left and heard his name from the right.

"Qrow?"

A pang of guilt spiked deep inside Qrow's stomach. He dug his fingernails into the cuffs of his jacket, pulling at them so the pressure and the tension might make them snap. There was a faint metal taste at the back of his throat. Qrow turned around to see James, his exhaustion visible on his face, his shock palpable in the air. Qrow could see his eyes so clearly. Oscar was standing next to him, The Long Memory extended and hands folded over the handle. When did he start standing so much like Oz?

"Uh, hey, Jimmy," Qrow said, he had his arms crossed over his body tightly, like he was trying to hide something. 

James looked at him up and down, eyes resting on the jacket. "I thought you'd be asleep by now." He said, as if he had any right to.

Qrow scoffed. "I was out with a friend. I didn't realize I had a curfew, General." He looked in-between Oscar and Ironwood. "Shouldn't he be asleep too? The kids fifteen, it's way past his bedtime."

"I was just…" James stiffened and his eyes clouded over, locked away behind his Mettle curtain. "I was informing Oscar about Fria's condition. We were about to go see her."

Maybe if Qrow punched James hard enough Mettle would shatter and never be usable. Maybe if Qrow begged hard enough, James wouldn't use it ever again. 

"At this time of night?" Qrow questioned. 

"We were training up until now," Oscar cut in. His tone was even, as a mediator, like Oz. "James has been trying to jog Ozpin loose since we got here." Oscar really thought he was helping the situation. 

So that's where you've been . Qrow was glaring at James, and James was staring at his jacket. 

It was always Qrow's burden to leave.

"I hope that works out for you guys," Qrow said, finally looking away from Ironwood and to Oscar. "Get some sleep so you can kick his ass in the morning." He turned away from them, putting up a hand to give a single wave. "G'night."

Oscar and James watched him disappear into his room. Then, Oscar looked up just in time to watch Mettle break under its own weight, noting James' posture change and overall mood. There was an itching at the back of his head.

"What was all that?" Oscar asked. He felt the heaviness of familiarity in that moment. Like there was more than met the eye, and he knew what was there. He just couldn't name it. 

James was still staring at the door of Qrow's room. "Just another sacrifice I had to make."