At least two weeks have passed from that unusual incident, and Winter was still keeping up her act…
At first Qrow was amused and impressed that his behavior hadn't cracked her up yet, even Ironwood, Glynda and Ozpin quite liked the show that was being performed by the two of them. But as much as he was entertained by her bad acting, it then started to become frustrating. Not a single thing he could say or do was able to break that barrier of hers, and that was beginning to annoy him.
He continued to tease her, saying things like 'You like me now' or 'You think I'm handsome' which she would reply with boring sentences such as, 'Yes, I like you as an individual' and other complicated sayings.
Although at one point, Qrow did come close to breaking her…
It all started when Winter was walking alongside General Ironwood, most likely speaking about Atlesian duties. While heading off to their desired location, Qrow just had 'happened' to have tripped the female operative, causing her to spill her morning coffee all over James.
Qrow could feel the dread in the air, hear her inhaling deeply, almost ready to snap at him. Until she exhaled slowly, turned around and spoke out, "You must be careful around these areas Branwen, I hope you didn't burn yourself during the accident." Winter reminded, a forced smile on her pained expression.
James never was fond of Qrow, so it was a sight to see the man eye wide and his jaw hanging out.
Even though his plan had backfired right back to his face, he was able to confirm that she wasn't as invincible after all, and if he were to somehow press the right buttons… He could crack her.
He felt his chest relax when he let out a heavy sigh.
This is pathetic… How long are you going to keep this up Ice Queen..? Qrow thought to himself as he continued to stare blankly at the time themed desk.
"Qrow are you listening to me?" Ozpin questions, his eyebrow raising as he sips on his daily coffee.
With a puzzled look, Qrow blinks away his thoughts, looking up as he slowly uncrosses his arms, "Uh yeah, a kid got scratched by one of his teammates?" He answers with a hint of confusion.
Ozpin lets out a disappointed sigh as he stands up and begins to demonstrate the seriousness of this issue with hand gestures, "That student had used all his aura and had been thrown against a tree on accident by his teammate! He's currently in hospital because he has a branch plunged into his stomach!" He exclaimed.
"Oh my mistake."
"Qrow!"
"What? I'm listening!" Qrow ushers, his hands in the air as he stares into the disbelief eyes of Oz, "I had a long day alright" He mutters under his breath, crossing his arms again like a child.
Ozpin rolls his eyes for the fifth time today as he returns back to his seat, his fingers folding over one another, "You mean a long day of trying to get Winter's attention?" Ozpin states, eyebrows raising mockingly.
Qrow snaps out all of a sudden, his eyes meeting with Ozpin's as his mouth hangs open. Not from the response he heard from him, but more so the fact that Oz would even bring that up. He began to say something when suddenly his sentence was cut from the ding sound of the elevator doors opening.
"Sorry we're late" James apologizes, rather looking disheveled as he struggles to fix his loose, red tie.
The avian narrows his eyes as he couldn't help but notice that Glynda was finding it hard to hide her crimson cheeks and that a light bruise was located directly on her exposed chest area through the cut out on her blouse. His eyes widen as both him and Oz turn to face each other, both sharing the same shock expression that emerges from their faces.
"They totally fucked." Qrow mouths as Ozpin's jaw widens even more.
Breaking up the silence, Ironwood 'coughs' and steps forward out of the elevator, "So what is the issue you two were discussing about?" James questions a bit too quick as Qrow already began standing up.
"A kid got stabbed by a branch, anyway I left my oven on. I have to leave before my apartment burns down." Qrow hums as he almost sprints into the elevator to escape this awkward situation.
"A kid… WHAT?!" Glynda shrieks like a banshee as Qrow pushes her out and presses a random elevator button, instantly clicking the closed door instantly option.
As the doors slowly closes, Qrow catches a glimpse of the fallen huntsmen Ozpin, his expression screaming out, 'don't leave me here!'.
Just to add to the fun, Qrow threw a wink before he disappeared into oblivion.
•○•
Letting out a relieve sigh, Qrow takes out his flask and downs it in one gulp. There wasn't much left in there anyway which surprises him. It was only 11 in the morning and he was so frustrated and stressed out that he drank it all already.
His thoughts were cut off suddenly when the elevator doors open, revealing none other than Winter Schnee herself.
Fuck. Was the word that ran through her mind
A surprise look emerges on her face, her pupils dilating as she wasn't mentally prepared to meet him. And so early too… She hasn't even said her daily prayer to the gods to ask for a calm composure. Calming her drumming heartbeat, she inhales deeply, her expression relaxing as she walks in gracefully, pressing the desired floor and waits patiently for the doors to close.
They were at least an arm's length away from each other, yet for some reason, the elevator felt hotter than usual, even with the air conditioner on. Maybe it was because of his eyes focusing on her every movement… Those eyes, Winter swore they were always reading her, maybe even studying her to the point he would knew her every move. Maybe that's why he always knew which buttons to press that would cause her to grow furious in a millisecond.
Winter's breath stops as the jazzy elevator music played it's beat. Qrow crosses his arms and decides to break the silence first, "Winter.".
She swallows the invisible bolder, "Qrow".
"Aren't you hot in that suit?" Gesturing to her skin-tight uniform.
Winter's eyebrows twitch vigorously but soon she sighs, not in annoyance, but because he was right. It was a fucking hot day today, but as a special operative, she's always required to look her best, "I can manage." She replies professionally, maybe a bit too professionally because her response ended up making her sound like a robot instead of a normal human… God, she even placed her arms behind her back, like a robot saluting when told to.
Hearing her response, Qrow felt a sly smirk form on his lips, as an idea pops into his head that could possibly get a reaction that he wanted. And so, he began to fan himself, heavy breathing escaping his raspy throat, "It's getting awfully hot in here" He spoke out, emphasizing on the 'awfully'.
He pulls at his shirt, exposing a bit of his chest and Winter happened to have look at the wrong time.
She lost it, a blushed forms on her cheeks and Qrow was able to capture that moment at the perfectly right time, "So there's the Winter I know…" He whispers satisfactory, turning his body towards her, stepping forward as she stepped back.
Winter gulps, struggling to find something to say, "Y- You said it yourself. It's hot" She stutters as no sooner than later, she found her back against the metal wall of the elevator.
"There's an air con on Ice Queen…".
"There is?"
Qrow rolled his eyes, a smile appearing on his rough face as he places his hand against the wall next to her head, leaning in so close she could smell the whiskey on him.
Although the sight in front of him was a sight to see, he noticed that the elevator number started to become extremely close to her desired destination. A low grunt escapes his throat as he stood back, placing his hands into his pockets. He wanted to see more, and he was so close as well. So the fact that the doors were already an inch apart slightly disappointed him.
Then, his eyes flashed, another idea appears in his mind, so when the elevator doors opened, he quickly closed the doors and pressed all of the 20 or so floors and returned to his old position, "So Winter-".
"Are you insane Branwen?!" Winter retaliates, eyes burning with anger, soon widening at her behavior.
Qrow smiles, and Winter stutters.
Cracked her…
Leaning in so that his nose was pressed against hers, he whispered huskily into her ear, his hot breath sending chills down her back, "That was an impressing show, but there is only so much you can do before I break you Schnee…".
At this point, he thought she would give in when suddenly she placed her fingertips against his chest, pushing him away from her and looked him straight in his fiery, crimson eyes. Winter won't lie that a little part of her was almost willing to give up and give in, but luckily she didn't give in to her temptation. Even though she was really wanted to bring his mouth to her other questionable places…
Shaking her thoughts away, she met her eyes with his own, pushing him away even further, "Are you so sure about that Qrow…" Winter wonders, throwing Qrow off guard once again. "Are you positive that it wasn't I that broke you first?"
Qrow narrowed his eyes, laughing at her joke, "In what world do you think that you could possibly break me." He taunts back.
"One where I don't give into your satisfactions and you come running to me begging for my attention" Winter scoffed, "Honestly, you're like a child.".
"I'm 37!" He grumbled.
"You're on old child." Winter leaned in.
"Not. Funny."
Without warning, the air con had cut off unexpectedly, both turning towards the cooling machine that was the only thing keeping them somewhat sane at this point.
They both look back at each other, a worried expression painting their face, "Maybe… It will come back…?" Winter hoped.
A screeching sound from outside was all that could be heard as the ground shook violently and then… There was silence. The elevator had stopped moving.
"Oh fuck dusts".