Winter is done with her military training, so it's time to say goodbye. Based on a comic by asksnowbird on tumblr.


This is Winter. I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving for my new assignment tomorrow morning. I….suppose this is goodbye, for now. I will see you when I return.

Winter gave her scroll a sad look after she finished her voicemail and hung up, staring at it for a few moments. It was selfish of her, not telling him in person that she was leaving so soon, but she didn't want to see the expression on his face after giving him the news.

With a sigh, Winter started to put her scroll away and go back to her dorm, when she heard a voice.

"WINTER!"

Eyes wide with shock, Winter spun around, trying to take in his sudden appearance. It seemed he got her voicemail and had listened to it.

"Qrow."

Out of breath and tired from running to the academy to find her, Qrow stopped in front of Winter, an angry expression on his face. "So you're just leaving?! The summer isn't even over yet!"

"Well, yes, but..." Winter's voice trailed off as she tried to figure out what else to tell him. There was so much she wanted to say, but now wasn't the time. Winter wasn't even sure when the right time would be, or if she would ever see Qrow again. "How did you find me?"

Qrow advanced, taking a step towards her. "But you said you were going to stay until you finished your training!" he said, ignoring the question.

"I did finish my training."

Qrow stopped, trying to take in Winter's words. No, it couldn't be. It was one thing getting her voicemail, but it was another thing hearing come from her own mouth. He could feel his heart skip a beat as the news sunk in. For some reason, the thought of Winter leaving Atlas to who knew where was something he never considered.

In fact, it was….

Almost terrifying.

Not wanting to let Winter know exactly how much he would miss her while she was gone, Qrow smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. "You owe me a fight when you return."

Winter raised an eyebrow and returned the smirk, relieved that his anger had passed, and was calm again. "Sure thing, 'Branwen.'"

Qrow opened his mouth and closed it again, trying to think of what else to say. But words alone wouldn't be enough to tell her exactly what was on his mind.

Without thinking, he stepped closer to Winter, until he stood nose to nose with her. Winter's breathing hitched a bit when she saw the look in Qrow's eyes, the way they dropped down to her lips and back up to meet her own eyes.

The next thing she knew, Qrow's lips were on hers, the kiss hard and possessive. Winter froze, stunned, but quickly recovered. As her eyes closed, she could feel one of his hands cup her cheek as her arms wound around his neck. Winter's body pressed against Qrow's and he had to resist the urge to pick her up and take her back to her dorm, peel off the layers of her starched, tailored uniform, and continue to show her just what she meant to him. Instead, he continued to kiss her, groaning a bit as her fingers trailed over his neck and gripped his hair.

After what seemed like forever, the pair finally broke apart, their breathing heavy. Qrow wrapped his arms around Winter's waist in an attempt to keep her close for just a little longer. Winter didn't mind; in fact, she found she enjoyed the contact. A part of her wanted more, wanted to feel his hands on her body, wanted his lips on her neck.

But Winter could wait.

Winter's blue eyes met Qrow's red ones and she smiled. "Happy? Once I settle in, I'll return for a visit."

"You'll come back to me?"

A small laugh escaped Winter. "Maybe if you write to me once in a while."

Qrow leaned in a bit closer and let his lips brush over hers. "Then how about another kiss to keep that promise?"

"Don't push your luck," Winter replied, her fingers playing with Qrow's hair again. If she kissed him again, she might do something crazy.

Like stay.

They held on to each other for another minute before Qrow finally let go. Winter reluctantly slid out of his arms and took a few steps away, giving him a salute.

Without another word, Winter was gone.

Qrow watched Winter walk off, hoping that she would turn and come back to him. But it was a foolish thought. The military came first. He knew Winter well enough to know that she wouldn't give up this opportunity for him.

Nevertheless, he would still wait for her.

"See you around….Ice Queen."