Warnings: hints of suicide, character death, fire, and other emotionally heavy topics.

(Three months following the attack on Vale Station and Naomi's death)

Qrow could feel something was wrong. It was what brought him back to the city, flying as fast as he could to the house Naomi and Anna had shared. His gut told him something bad was happening, and he couldn't ignore it. Especially when it came to her. His muscles ached from nonstop flight, but that didn't matter now. His eyes scanned the streets below, looking for that familiar blue two-story home he had grown to know so well. He nearly froze when he caught sight of two fire trucks and an ambulance racing through the streets. It looked as though they were heading…

Don't turn right, don't turn right! The mantra echoed in his mind.

His heart froze when they did indeed turn down Anna's street. Qrow urgently flapped his wings, and continued tailing the emergency vehicles.

He felt the heat before he actually saw the blaze. No. Qrow dived towards the earth below, transforming and hitting the ground in a dead sprint. Anna's house was just ahead, but it was engulfed in a raging inferno. Firefighters were already struggling to put out the flames. A crowd of civilians had gathered on the roads and in their yards, with law enforcement desperately trying to keep them back. Cop cars littered the street. Their flashing red and blue lights illuminated the other houses. Everything seemed to freeze in his mind.

Qrow skidded to a halt beside one of the trucks.

"Sir! You have to get back! It's too dangerous!" An officer grabbed the huntsman's arm and tried to pull him away from the scene.

"Let go of me! My friend is in there!" Qrow shouted angrily. He wrenched himself out of the officer's grasp and started running towards the house once more. Two more officers caught the man, keeping him from moving any further.

"Sir! There is nothing to be done. We've already sent men in there, and… they haven't come back. All we can do is contain the blaze." The officer who spoke looked to be about Qrow's own age. There was empathy and understanding in his eyes. And sorrow.

Ashes and a few blackened support beams were all that was left. The home that Anna and Naomi had shared for a decade was gone. And now… So was Anna. It had taken four grown men to keep the ebon-haired huntsman from rushing inside. Qrow had sunk to his knees on the rough asphalt of the street, unable to move, and trembling with pent up anger and horror. The officer that had spoken earlier laid a comforting hand on Qrow's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," he began to say. The cop was taken aback when the huntsman fixed him with a glare that could have melted stone.

"You son of a bitch!" The officer found himself being lifted off the ground, Qrow's hands gripping his collar tight enough to cut off a bit of air. "I could have gotten her out! Why did you stop me?!"

"That's enough!" came a sharp cry. The two men assisting the first officer grabbed Qrow once more, while the third pulled said cop out of the huntsman's hold. They wrestled him back to the ground, holding Qrow down and keeping their hands ready above their weapons. Realizing what he had just done, Qrow looked around at each of the officers. An expression of anguish darkened his features. Tears were forming in the huntsman's eyes. She couldn't be gone. Not her. The policemen surrounding Qrow watched him warily, ready to act if he lashed out once more.

"Huntsman." Qrow looked over at the officer who spoke. The name badge on his uniform read 'Lowe'. "I'm so sorry. I truly am. But you cannot stay here. We need to get back to securing the area and checking on the other residents." Officer Lowe kept eye contact with Qrow, until the latter finally nodded. The officers then disbanded and went back to investigating the scene and calming the citizens.

All around him Qrow could see Anna's neighbors and friends, each of them staring at the remains of the house with heartbreak on their faces. He watched as the firemen began searching the wreckage for signs of the bodies of Anna and their fallen comrades. Bodies. Anna. No survivors. Anna. Too late. Anna. An icy grip on his heart, trembling in his limbs, tears now falling freely from his eyes. Echoes of her laughter reverberating in his mind. Ghosts of memories dancing before his eyes. Qrow sank to his knees once again. He felt exhausted, drained of energy and drive.

Is this how she had been feeling these past few months? Adrift in a sea of grief and hopelessness? And then another thought.

Was this her intent? Was this her way of breaking her semblance and seeing her wife once more?

"Anna…"

Qrow choked out her name, barely able to speak. His eyes sought out the cooling embers. He couldn't look away. Slowly, he stood once more. His feet began leading him towards the remains of the house, until he stood a hair's breadth from where the door used to be.

"Sir! You need to get back!"

The warnings of the firefighters fell on deaf ears. It was as if he were in a trance. He took a lurching step forward. Then another. And another. Ash started to coat his dress shoes and the bottom of his slacks, turning them a pale gray.

"This area is off limits to civilians!"

Qrow continued to ignore the shouting as he reached into his shirt and pulled out his flask. He unscrewed the cap, and took a long swig of the brandy inside before recapping and putting the flask away. Approaching footsteps faintly registered in the back of his mind as two of the firemen searching the area closest to Qrow made their way to the huntsman. They were speaking to him, but he could no longer make out the words they were saying. The memories were starting to assault his mind, each one consuming his consciousness before shifting into the next. One memory stood out in particular.

It was late springtime, the season starting to transition into summer. The flower patches Tai had been so carefully cultivating were now in full bloom, a beautiful reward for the blonde's hard work in the garden. The trees surrounding their humble home on Patch were green and vibrant. There was a gentle breeze in the air. Outside, guests had already gathered for the ceremony, in a small clearing a little ways from the house. Unfortunately, Qrow was away on a mission. But, Tai, Summer, Chase, Yancy, and even Dr. Oobleck, Glynda, and Professor Port had come together to help decorate. Their efforts were valiantly rewarded.

A white archway decorated with tropical flowers stood towards the north side of the clearing. Rows of simple wooden chairs adorned each side, creating an aisle for the bride to be to walk down. Beside the archways, two large vases sat, filled with a myriad of flora to match the other decor. Simple, yet breathtaking, which fit the two women perfectly. Many of Team CYAN's peers had come, as well as Naomi's parents, Serena and Jacob Vulkane. Everyone chatted happily amongst themselves, some mingling and getting to know new people; many others took the opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Summer was back at the house, looking after little Ruby, and getting Yang dressed and ready for her role of flower girl in Anna and Naomi's wedding. Glynda was there as well, finishing up the final touches on Naomi's elaborate attire. She would be the one wearing black (as always), while Anna had chosen to stick with a traditional white dress. Naomi's dress fit the woman perfectly. It had a corset top, with touches of glittering black stones adorning the layered skirt. A pair of matching sleeves adorned her arms, with a typical Vulkane cape completing the look. Anna's dress was a strapless gown, with a ribbon wrapped around the waist and tied in simple bow in the front. It came to a few inches above her knees. A sheer duster coat accompanied Anna's look, and really made it come together.

Anna and Naomi had no qualms about seeing each other before the ceremony started, so they had gotten ready together. Summer had helped style their hair, and done their makeup. Glynda had been the one helping out with their outfits. Naomi's hair was pinned up with her bangs left free to frame her face, with little jewel pins adorning her jet-black waves. Anna's hair was left down, and left alone to let her natural curls show.

"You two look absolutely beautiful," Glynda told them. She gave the women a beaming smile, looking happier than Anna and Naomi had ever seen. It warmed their hearts to have so many of their loved ones here, supporting them, and helping celebrate one of the milestones of their lives.

"Thank you, Professor." Naomi returned her smile, then glanced at her wife-to-be with unbridled tenderness, which Anna readily returned. This was it. This was really it! Anna could hardly wait.

"Hey love," the platinum haired woman said.

"Yeah?" Naomi replied.

"You know what's even better than the ceremony?"

"What?" Naomi chuckled.

Anna gave her fiance a devious grin and a wink. "The honeymoon phase, of course! Hehe. I hope you're ready." Anna accompanied her words with a crude gesture.

Naomi blushed furiously and rolled her eyes at her wife-to-be. "Don't be so crass. They'll be plenty of time for that later, love!" She couldn't keep back a giggle though, and she couldn't keep from smiling.

"Ladies! That's enough," Glynda interjected. "We've got little ears in the house." The witch motioned over to the toddlers who had wandered into the room, followed by their mother, Summer. Ruby was happily munching away on a cookie, dressed in a red and black skirt and tank top, complete with a red hood. Yang looked absolutely adorable in her white and yellow sundress. Her golden locks were pinned out of her face on either side by hibiscus hair clips. She held on to her little flower basket as if it were made of gold. She had an important job, after all! The brides looked on their adopted nieces with hearts full of love. At this moment, their world was perfect.

"Are you two ready?" Professor Ozpin's voice came from the doorway.

"We sure the hell are!"

"Anna, love, language," Naomi gently chastised.

"Woops." Anna rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I'm gonna take 5 for a quick smoke, that cool, love?"

Naomi sighed and nodded. "I'll go take my place. Don't keep me waiting too long, hun!"

Naomi gave the tattooed bride a gentle kiss before stepping out of the room. With that, the room dispersed. Summer, Glynda, and the two children made their way to the clearing. Anna, followed by the headmaster, grabbed her smokes and stepped out on the front porch, where they ran into Qrow.

"Look who finally decided to show!" she exclaimed, slapping his back in a friendly greeting.

"Glad to see you could make it in time, old friend," Ozpin greeted his protege.

Qrow simply nodded and took another swig out of his flask. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Oh dear. He sounded a little tipsy already. Anna felt herself wilt a little.

"Oz, could we have a minute?" Anna asked. She lit a cigarette while waiting for a reply from the headmaster.

The professor nodded, and walked further the porch to give the huntsman and huntress a moment to talk.

"What's wrong?" Anna immediately asked.

"Nothing's wrong," Qrow answered. He appeared slightly disheveled, but his stance was relaxed. The only thing worrying Anna was the expression on his face. He must have just returned.

Anna took a drag and then spoke again. "Rough mission?"

"Nah, nothing I couldn't handle." They were both leaning against the railing, but their bodies were angled more towards each other. Qrow took in the mercenary-turned-huntress's appearance. He gestured to her dress. "The look suits you."

Anna flushed lightly, but smiled up at her friend nonetheless. "Thanks, but I can't wait to be in jeans and a tank top. Naomi's the dressy one."

Qrow chuckled. "I know." He took another drink as Anna took another drag. She had almost finished her smoke.

They stood there for a moment, each studying the other, while thinking of something more to say. Something hung in the air between them, but Anna couldn't figure out what it was. That look was in Qrow's eyes again. He seemed...regretful? Sad? Anna just couldn't put her finger on it. The huntsman's gaze never left her, and it was starting to make her feel...well, not uncomfortable, but something.

"You look beautiful, Anna." Strange. Everyone had been saying that to her all morning, but why did this instance send a shiver down her back? Cause her to blush like a school girl?

"T-thanks," the huntress murmured. Anna finished her cigarette and put it out in the ashtray they had set on the railing. "Showtime. Everyone's a little further out back. Ready to go?"

Qrow couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She was radiant, shining with a happiness that only came from being surrounded by people she loved, and cherished. Instead of the usual red eyeshadow, she wore a shade of green to match her fiance's eyes. Her hair was left to its own devices, but it suited her. It was untameable. Like Anna was. Qrow felt a pang of longing in his heart, accompanied by a slight reddening of his cheeks. It was then that he realized what was bothering him so much.

Gods….I'm in love with her… The realization startled him, and Anna must have seen the change of expression on his face.

"For fuck's sake, I know something is bothering you, Qrow. You can tell me." Anna's voice was soft. Her eyes were looking at him with concern and affection. She took one of his hands in her own, and her touch was like wildfire. She had no idea...no idea what her touch was doing to him.

"Anna…" Qrow's voice came out in a choked whisper. Breathing became harder to do as she took another step closer, until they were only inches apart. She released his hands in favor of gently cupping his face.

"Hey," she spoke softly, "You'll always be a part of my life. Just because I'm getting hitched doesn't mean you'll never see me again. It just means our family got bigger." She smiled softly.

The huntsman couldn't move. His emotions held him frozen in place. Her words did soothe him a little, but the knowledge that within a few moments she would be happily married drove a stake through his heart. He didn't know how to deal with this. For six years, she had been just that, a friend. A fellow orphan that he had taken under his wing. And then, she had become family. But this… This development was so unexpected it caught him completely off guard. And now, here she was in front of him, touching him, not knowing that every action she took caused his emotions to swell and consume him. But she was looking at him expectantly, and every second he hesitated caused him to lose a little more resolve. She was happy. She was in love with Naomi. She had chosen someone else. He was just too late. He had already resolved himself to remaining alone, not wanting to risk another's safety due to his misfortune, so what difference did this make?

It just meant it would hurt more to do the right thing. He would not tell her how he felt. He wouldn't disappear out of her life either. He would just...learn to live with it. After all...wasn't it better to have her in his life in some fashion than to not see her at all?

Realizing she was expecting some sort of reply, Qrow answered her by nodding once more. His left hand rose to cover the corresponding one she still had resting on his cheek, as he smiled at the huntress. "Naomi's one lucky woman. I'm happy for you two, A-cakes. I really am."

Anna smiled again, and took a step away from the huntsman. "Well, I shouldn't keep her waiting any longer. Let's go."

The bride started to walk away, but hesitated before turning back to Qrow one more time.

"Just between you and me," her voice was audible to no one but him, "If you had asked, before… This could have been us…" She gave him one last wistful look before turning away and rejoining Professor Ozpin, who would be walking Anna down the aisle.

"This could have been us…"

The huntsman stood frozen as those words bounced around his skull.

"C'mon you old crow, you're gonna miss it!" Tai's voice shook the huntsman from his reverie, and Qrow pulled himself back to reality as he jogged to join the others for the ceremony.

Qrow was violently tugged from the past as a beam a ways in front of him began to move. Wait… Was someone trapped underneath? As if moving through sap, the huntsman moved closer to the disturbance, not daring to hope. Maybe he was just seeing things.

"Over here!"

"Look!"

The firefighters had noticed as well, and they rushed over to the burnt wooden post and started to lift it up. Underneath, Qrow could see movement among the ashes. A collective gasp escaped everyone in the vicinity as a feminine humanoid figure rose from the rubble, covered in ash and blood and dirt, and devoid of clothing. Qrow could scarcely breathe as he watched the figure struggle to her feet, assisted by the men. Dirty, ashen locks covered her face. He could make out faint traces of ink underneath the layer of dirt and rubble, before one of the firemen covered her in a blanket. "What.. the fuck.. happened?" a familiar voice choked out. Her eyes opened, revealing off-white colored irises.

In an instant he was by her side, holding her. "Anna! Thank the gods…" One hand cupped the back of her head; the other pressed against her waist. "I thought I...I thought you were…"

"Q-Qrow?" The woman looked up at the man holding her. "T-the fuck… Are you doing… Here?" She coughed violently, struggling to breathe amongst the soot.

"Shh, don't speak. Save your strength. I'm here." Qrow picked her up with ease and brought her to one of the ambulances parked on the street. One of the firefighters followed, while the others stayed behind to continue their search.

"She needs water and clothing," he told the one that had followed. He nodded as he motioned for Qrow to set the woman down so that the paramedics could tend to her. Relief flooded the huntsman as he observed the scene. They loaded her onto a gurney inside the vehicle, and set up an IV drip and a heart monitor.

"Sir, we're going to take her to the hospital. She needs treatment there. Are you coming with us?" One of the paramedics was waiting for an answer, watching Qrow expectantly.

"Yeah."

Without hesitation, the dusty old crow hopped into the back of the vehicle before the doors were closed. Soon, they were speeding off to the hospital. She was alright. She was alive. But gods...what had happened? Gah. That didn't matter right now. All that mattered was she was alive. And he was never going to leave her side again.