Things We Said
…with no space between us
Clover didn't find Qrow until later that day, as the sky began to bloom with the sunset and as the light began to fade. He first checked the mess hall, then the barracks, then the officer's mess just in case. He checked Team RWBY's room and the lounge they often used with Team JNPR, but no one was there with the rookies out on their own missions. He even checked the gardens, the agricultural hideaway he had shown Qrow weeks earlier, and Dr. Polendina's lab just in case Qrow had gone to tune up Harbinger.
No trace.
As he stepped foot into the large training room reserved for senior students and Huntsmen, however, he finally found the man he was looking for standing atop a large pillar, shattered targets torn to shreds on the ground, the barrel of Harbinger smoking and the scent of Dust and gunpowder in the air.
Wordlessly, he pulled out Kingfisher. Qrow turned, catching his eye- he slumped over, a bitter sadness in his eyes.
And then, the bout began.
As much as Clover didn't want to admit it, Qrow Branwen was a better Huntsman than he. It was a little terrifying to realize; Clover Ebi was the leader of the Ace Operatives. He was supposed to be the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the man whom all Atlas Academy students dreamt of conquering one day.
Clover could not hold a candle to the ease with which Qrow knocked his opponents aside, the feline grace in his long limbs as he deftly darted around whatever battle arena he found himself within. At first arrival, Clover had thought Qrow's battle prowess had dulled with age- but as the alcohol weaned out of Qrow's system and the clear, haggard withdrawal finally began to ease, it became clear that Qrow at his prime was indomitable.
So, Harbinger's blade locked with Kingfisher's pole for the nth time, and even Clover had to wince and desperately hold his ground, muscles screaming in protest as he tried to overpower Qrow. He couldn't. The entire bout was absolutely exhausting, his forehead dripping sweat down his temples, his body straining with every movement.
It was a little validating, however, to see Qrow's hair slicked onto his forehead from sweat, his determined eyes flickering with fatigue as well. Clover wasn't better than him, but he certainly was no pushover. It was better than Clover could've asked for.
The only reason he finally managed to gain the upper hand was likely his good fortune overpowering Qrow's misfortune, their Semblances interacting in the most pathetic way. Clover fired a round at Qrow, distracting him, then used Kingfisher's fishing line and knife-like hook to try and drag Harbinger away. Qrow dodged them all, but somehow, the large pillar behind Qrow decided to crack the moment Clover's Dust round landed. The jagged tear circled all the way around the base of the column before toppling on top of an unsuspecting Qrow.
Clover's feet moved before he even registered it, hands dropping Kingfisher and tackling Qrow to the ground, rolling away from the earth-shattering explosion of concrete and glass and Dust. He held Qrow's face to his shoulder, body flush against his own, wincing as shards of glass and tile struck his cheek and bared arms.
He barely felt it. He just needed Qrow to be safe.
Once the dust had settled, he sat up, helping Qrow to his feet. Qrow's face was ashen, his hand going to Clover's marred face. Clover smiled. "It missed everything important, don't worry," he murmured, feeling his Aura already knitting together the split skin.
Qrow looked at him incredulously, his callused hand cupping Clover's face relaxing in wry amazement. "That could've blinded you. You and your damn luck," he muttered. There was no animosity in it, though.
Quietly, the duo retrieved their weapons before Clover called in a maintenance crew to fix up the training room. Then, the two wandered outside, enjoying amicable silence despite their exhaustion.
As he finally regained his breath, Clover murmured, "James is doing his best to help."
"His best may not be what's right."
Clover shook his head. "He's weighed all the options, you know. This isn't easy for him-"
"I didn't ask if it was easy, I asked if it was right," Qrow spat. There was no real animosity to it, however; just regret, frustration.
Clover didn't know what to say. "…I'm loyal to James-"
"You should be loyal to the people you're fighting for-"
"-and the people-"
"No, they're not the second thought, that not good enough-"
"-and you."
Qrow sighed, but when Clover pulled him into a shadowy nook away from prying eyes and gathered him up in his arms, relishing in the feel of Qrow's warmth in contrast to the frigid air, he didn't pull away. All he said was, "You can't have it both ways, Clover."
…I know. He kissed Qrow, and that was that.