Prompt 9: "I love you." (Snowbird)
Winter: *sitting at a bar, alone (the bar is closed), lost in thought, doesn't notice Qrow enter*
Qrow: Hey Ice Queen.
Winter: Qrow! I didn't think you'd be here.
Qrow: I could say the same about you. *smiles at her, then takes out his flask and drinks from it* I haven't seen you lately.
Winter: *doesn't look at him* That isn't an accident. I was…hoping to avoid you.
Qrow: *blinks* I think I should be feeling offended, but I'm gonna need some context first.
Winter: …
Qrow: *drinks again from his flask* So…why have you been avoiding me? Aside from the obvious answer, of course.
Winter: *impatiently* It's not about your semblance, Qrow! It's got nothing to do with it!
Qrow: *surprised and somewhat relieved* Okay…So, if it's not my semblance, then what is it? What did I do?
Winter: Nothing! You didn't do anything! It's that…I've…
Qrow: *waits patiently for her to continue*
Winter: *hesitates, then sighs* You know my sister's been staying with her friend Ruby lately.
Qrow: Yeah?
Winter: Well…I visited her, my sister I mean, and…Ruby told me about…*almost whispering* about your true relation.
Qrow: *eyes widen* Ah, that. *looks away, then says understandingly* I can see how it could make you uncomfortable. Being with someone nearly old enough to be your father-
Winter: It's not the age-gap that troubles me either.
Qrow: Then what is it? 'Cause I'm still not sure I get it, Winter.
Winter: *fidgets uncomfortably* I…
Qrow: *looks at her questioningly, worriedly*
Winter: I know about…I know about Summer…how she was…*trails off*
Qrow: My wife?
Winter: *softly* Yes.
Qrow: Ah…Now I think I get it.
Winter: …
Qrow: …
Winter: I'm so sorry, Qrow. And I know that saying 'sorry' isn't going to help and that you don't want my pity and I don't pity you, at all! I'm just…very sad, knowing what happened to her, and to you. And so…I'm very sorry.
Qrow: *looks from Winter to his flask, not drinking from it*…
Winter: *looks away, feeling ashamed*…
Qrow: Well, you are right. Saying 'sorry' doesn't do anything. *smiles wryly*
Winter: *stands up from her seat*
Qrow: Where are you going?
Winter: *stops walking* I'm leaving.
Qrow: Winter…
Winter: I don't want to hurt you, Qrow! I don't…I care about you, Qrow. Very much. I might even have developed feelings for you. And so, the last thing I want to do is to meddle with your grief.
Qrow: …What are you saying?
Winter: *sighs* Before Ruby told me, I thought you were a rude, crass, perverted drunk.
Qrow: To be fair, I was always a rude drunk.
Winter: Isn't 'always' a bit of an exaggeration?
Qrow: *shrugs and grins* Hey, I'm an ex-member of an infamous bandit tribe whose semblance is literally bringing misfortune wherever I go. I'm pretty damaged goods.
Winter: *can't help but smile* Fair point. *frowns again* But, after Ruby explained, I think I can understand now. Why you live the way you do. I don't agree with it, but I can understand it. Drinking, fighting, keeping your distance from everyone-
Qrow: Winter-
Winter: I get it! I do, truly, I do! You chose that life, and I'm not going to interfere with that choice! I'm not going to dictate how you should grieve or when you should feel better or anything! I would never stoop so low!
Qrow: Winter.
Winter: *tears forming in her eyes, voice cracks* So, if it's what you want, I'll leave you alone! *starts walking again, trembling hands clenched into fists*
Qrow: *stands and grabs Winter by the arm* Winter!
Winter: *turns around*
Qrow: *gently* I never said that's what I wanted.
Winter: *tears start running silently down her face, pulls her arm out of Qrow's grip but doesn't leave*
Qrow: *sits again and pats the seat next to him* Sit down.
Winter: *sits down, wipes at her eyes*
Qrow: *offers her his flask* You want a sip? A little numbing might do you some good.
Winter: *shakes her head* Drinking isn't going to solve anything.
Qrow: You're right. It doesn't do anything practical. *takes a swig* But it sure helps dull the pain. *looks back at Winter, who has calmed down* Look, Ice Queen. I get what you're trying to do. You're trying to keep your distance so I can mourn in peace. But let me tell you something: I've been keeping my distance from the people I care about for years. And it's a real pain in the ass at this point. I know it may seem hard to believe, but I don't like being alone. So, no matter how good your intentions may be, you leaving is the last thing that's going to help me right now.
Winter: Qrow…
Qrow: *holds a finger to her lips* I'm not finished. *takes another drink from his flask* Because I care about you too, Winter. Heck, I might even be in love with you at this point.
Winter: *blushes*
Qrow: I'm serious, Winter. You're a strong, mean, hot-headed, passionate, classy bitch who loves her sister and who's got more loyalty in her little finger than most people got in their whole damn body. And frankly, I love that. So, whenever we fight or bicker or kiss each other senseless or even just talk, I always find myself thinking 'Damn, I must ironically be one of the luckiest men alive to be with this woman'. And I hate myself a little less every time I'm with you.
Winter: But…What about Summer…? You…You loved her…
Qrow: *nods* I loved her more than anything.
Winter: Doesn't it still hurt to think about her?
Qrow: Of course it does. But it hurts a lot less than it did before. *smiles reassuringly at Winter*
Winter: *wipes away more tears* I can't be a replacement for the woman you loved.
Qrow: Whoever said anything about that?
Winter: …
Qrow: *sighs* Winter…I loved Summer, you know I did. I loved her so much that when she died, it killed me. I blamed myself for her death, and a part of me still does. And that part still loves Summer and will never let go of her…But there's also a part of me that's ready to move forward, that's learned to live with her death and that reminds me 'Hey, things are going to get better, you piece of self-loathing shit, even though you don't realize it'. And that part of me really likes being with you and wants to continue being with you.
Winter: Qrow…
Qrow: *smiles* So, if it's what you want, if you're willing to put up with someone as fucked-up as yours truly, I'll ask you not to leave me alone. *puts a hand over hers*
Winter: *looks at their joined hands, then back up at Qrow, hugs Qrow, crying* I love you.
Qrow: *hugs her back, chuckling softly and patting her comfortingly on the back* I love you too, Ice Queen.
Winter: *pulls away a little* You are really damaged goods, Qrow.
Qrow: *wipes some of her tears away* Believe me, I know.
Winter: But…*takes a few calming breaths* I don't think you're beyond repair.
Qrow: *smiles and hugs her again* I am so glad to hear you say that.
