May Fortune Guide Us
Two weeks both passed in the blink of an eye and over the course of what felt like a millennia. Either way he looked at it, Clover would have been hard pressed to say that those two weeks were anything if not pleasant, though; after all, he found that after two weeks of living with Qrow- two weeks of gardening each day- two weeks of taking turns with the dishes and curling up in that large, comfortable bed next to Qrow's nest… Clover could no longer deny the thought welling up in his heart, bursting at the seams, so utterly irrefutable.
He liked Qrow Branwen.
Perhaps 'liked' was too strong a sentiment; or, perhaps it wasn't strong enough. Two weeks had brought the two men closer than ever as they bickered over things to cook, how to decorate, and whose fault it was that the brambles continued threatening to take over their little flower patch. Qrow insisted it was Clover's good luck helping the weeds to flourish, whereas the knight asserted that Qrow's fae-inflicted misfortune was wilting the flowers, providing room for the thicket to grow. Neither man was being cold, for the words were always spoken with a smile, a teasing wink and a slight elbow in the side; they always laughed and teased, noses crinkling in amusement, crow's feet lining their eyes proving just how relaxed, just how comfortable, they had become with one another.
They had all the time in the world to do so, after all. Taiyang had decided to wait until the pathway up the mountain was finally drier, giving the girls surer footing for when they finally came to visit. All Clover and Qrow had to do during that time was fight off the Grimm who threatened to encroach on the shifter's humble abode, but even then the conflict was not something to fear; the duo very quickly realized that sparring was the perfect way to pass the time, for their fighting styles complemented one another perfectly.
Qrow truly was an excellent instructor. Clover felt his skills improving simply by watching the man, even without all of the tiny tips the shifter supplied so effortlessly, allowing the knight to perfect his own craft.
The only reason Clover even noticed the time truly passing upon that mountain at the south end of the isle of Patch was Harriet, the young captain communicating with him every few days. She was more than happy to stay in Vale, just as Clover had expected; her experience of this trip was more of a tall tale than anything, for the woman could not believe what Clover had been tasked to do. "Are ya truly workin' alongside that shifter there on the isle?" she continued to write upon the scrying scroll. "What in the world could honestly be stopping him from goin' back to school? What, Vale doesn't pay its folk?"
Clover rolled his eyes and chided her to not drink the crown's treasury dry each time, a reaction which always drew a bark of a laugh from Qrow. "Should I force James to pay for the liquor you're taking from me?" he teased constantly.
"My company is not to your liking, milord? That should be payment enough," Clover replied every time, his smile mirthful and true.
Qrow's eyes were always far too soft after this exchange. Clover tried not to dwell on this fact, along with the fact that Qrow Branwen had quickly become one of the most attractive individuals he had ever worked alongside.
Thankfully, at the end of two weeks, the fated day arrived at last. Qrow's home was sparkling clean, his expression a mix of trepidation and hope as he waited at the foot of the last leg of the path leading up to his home. The sun cresting over the top of the mountain was blinding, but Qrow was still focused solely upon the treeline below, waiting for three figures to emerge. "What if they met some Grimm?" he murmured to Clover, hand gripping his other arm anxiously. "What if something happened-"
"I'm sure they're fine," Clover soothed immediately, placing his hand upon Qrow's shoulder, squeezing gently. "You've stated their father is a strong Huntsman- to be a part of the guild, he must be. I'm sure they'll be fine."
To his surprise, Qrow instantly melted into Clover's touch, leaning his head briefly onto Clover's hand. "I- I know," he murmured, sighing. "I just-"
Suddenly, his eyes opened wide, his body language shifting so easily that it could've been a different man standing in the morning light. Clover felt his tension crumble as Qrow's face lit up, his smile growing sweeter than anything Clover had ever seen- those brilliant crimson eyes softening beyond measure, his normally-wicked grin growing gentle yet exuberant, his voice growing soft and tender as he knelt down, opened his arms, and called, "Heya, kiddos."
Two tiny bodies launched themselves into his arms. "Uncle Qrow!" "Uncle Qwow!"
Clover chuckled, watching the two girls he had seen in that little cottage giggle and squeal as Qrow pressed kisses against the tops of their heads while he scooped them up. He lifted his eyes finally to look at the third figure who had rounded the bend- the blond who Clover had seen earlier in the cottage as well. "Hey, Tai."
"You'll be alright with the girls?" Taiyang murmured, holding up a small satchel, presumably of the girl's belongings. "I'm off to a mission in East Sanus, so it'll be a few weeks."
Before Qrow could respond, Clover walked over to the man, holding out his hand to take the satchel. "Sir Clover Ebi, Knight of Mantle. I'll be here to help," he said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Taiyang."
Taiyang's eyes widened, an immediate mix of confusion and distrust clouding his face. "And what is a Knight of Mantle doing in our little corner of the Kingdom?"
Qrow stepped forward. "Remember I said I had an unexpected guest? He's one of James' men- Oz sent for him."
The blond's brows raised. "Um… why?"
Immediately, Qrow flushed, the reaction causing Clover's face to heat up as well. "I-it's a long story, Tai. He's a guest now, it's fine."
At Qrow's assurance, Taiyang's expression relaxed, the man handing over the bag. "In that case, godspeed," the Huntsman laughed wryly. "These little goblins are loveable, but a lot."
"I'm a firecracker!" Yang screeched into Qrow's ear, causing the man to wince in pain as she bounced in his arms, her blonde curls shimmering in the sunlight. Ruby cackled in response, the gaps in her teeth showing beautifully, her thin brunette strands falling into her open mouth.
Chuckling, Clover nodded, bowing lightly to the other man. "Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine."
The three men exchanged a few more comfortable words before they finally parted, Clover and Qrow heading up to Qrow's home, the two girls waving goodbye to their father over Qrow's shoulder. Thankfully, there were no tears shed- only a simple, "Be safe, daddy!" which the two girls screamed over Qrow's shoulder, deafening the man further and causing Clover to have to bite back his laughter.
Eventually, the quartet found themselves situated in Qrow's kitchen, the two girls seated at the high chairs around the table. Qrow had put water over the woodstove, readying cups for tea; the girls took that time to stare curiously up at Clover.
The knight swallowed thickly, smiling clumsily at the girls. As an only child in his noble house, he never truly had a large family- the closest thing he had ever gotten to younger siblings had always been the pages and squires of the castle, all too focused on following protocol to be young and vulnerable to the knight.
Clover called to Qrow, "Do you need any help?"
Somehow, those words were the spell that shattered all of Ruby and Yang's hesitation, the two little girls pouncing on him.
"Are you a prince?"
"You look like a pwince."
"Where's your crown?"
"Do you have a castle?"
"Now, now," Qrow chuckled, prying the two children gently away from a baffled Clover. "Remember old King Ironwood? Clover's a mighty knight from Atlas."
Yang threw her hands up in the air. "Atlasin- Atla- Atlesian Knight!" she parroted excitedly, suddenly holding up closed fists. "Fight me-"
Immediately, Qrow swooped in, playfully boxing the little girl until he could sneak his arm around her waist, drawing her in to tickle her. Her cheeks grew ruddy as she became breathless with laughter, doubling over giddily. As she squealed, Qrow looked up at Clover, explaining ruefully, "Her father's a martial artist, and he's begun teaching her. She thinks she can take on the world now."
Clover squatted down, holding up his own fists playfully. "I look forward to when I can spar the best of the best in Patch," he said, expression solemn and earnest. Yang's eyes lit up in response, her grin sweeter than anything he could have expected.
"Aren't knights supposed to come in and sweep princesses off their feet?" Yang suddenly asked, leaning onto the back of her chair without restraint, tipping it off-balance as she scrutinized Clover from head to toe. "Where's the princess? Why are you here on Patch?"
"I'm here to… help your uncle," Clover mused.
Suddenly, Ruby gasped, shuffling up to Qrow with all the excitement in the world. "Are you a pwincess, Uncle Qwow?" Ruby asked, silvery eyes glittering brightly in the Dust-light.
Qrow immediately scoffed and backpedaled, straightening up with a wince as his knees cracked, the sound somehow resonating even over the sudden whistling of the kettle as the water finally came to a boil. "Of course I'm not, Ruby," he replied, leaning down to ruffle her short hair before heading to the kitchen counter to grab teacups. "What're you talking about? Princesses are supposed to live in castles and-"
Before he could finish his sentence, however, the elder somehow lost his balance, falling headfirst forward. Clover's body reacted before he could even think, years of training his reflexes perfectly preparing himself to lunge forward, his arms smoothly wrapping around Qrow's waist and shoulders. The shifter's breath rushed out of his lungs, but Clover paid it no mind, simply ensuring he had a sound grip upon the elder's body before righting him once again, straightening out the laces on his chemise.
In this action, however, Clover had somehow forgotten the presence of Ruby and Yang; instantly, Ruby screeched, "You are a princess, Uncle Qwow! Cwover, are you a pwince?!"
Yang added brightly, her lilac eyes practically sparkling even in the dim light of the cavern, "Clover, you're really a knight in shining armour! Do you ride a horse too? Do you live in a castle? Do you go fight all the bad guys?!"
Chuckling, Clover released Qrow and nodded, an act which only elicited more excitement from the children. Yang was quick to climb onto the table despite Qrow's scolding, sitting right in front of Clover with an expectant gleam in her eye. Ruby, on the other hand, clumsily dragged her chair over so she could sit right beside Clover, watching him with eyes so wide and bright they could have replaced the moon itself, awaiting a story.
"Well," Qrow murmured, placing a tray of teacups and the pot upon the table away from Yang's reach, "let's hear your stories, Sir Knight." There was a bit of strain in his smile- a hint of loneliness.
Clover relaxed, smiling gently at Qrow. "How about you two tell your uncle all your adventures first? He would like to hear stories, too."
Instantly, the two girls lit up, turning their attention back to an unsuspecting Qrow just like that. Clover was content to prop his chin up in his hands as the children scurried over to their uncle, immediately chattering away at volumes that would've been deafening if not for the open window stealing away some of the sound; however, the way Qrow beamed at him over the top of their heads was evidence enough that Clover's little redirect had been appreciated.
The children were adorable. Clover found that he did not mind playing with the girls in the slightest. Just as predicted, they absolutely adored the garden; little Ruby was more than happy to hunker down in the dirt and pull what Clover (clumsily) identified as weeds, whilst Yang delighted in drawing water from Qrow's Dust-powered pump, filling up the watering can and spraying both the flowers and the hapless gardeners attempted to tidy up the garden. It was messy work, completely unlike anything he had ever been able to do in the halls of the castle; however, he soon found himself throwing away decorum, agreeing to their silly little requests without hesitation. There was no harm in making children smile, after all.
Qrow did not join them for these games they played, instead watching the tomfoolery with a careful eye out of the kitchen window. Clover knew it was because the man was cooking dinner, but as he caught those red eyes casting sorrowful gazes out at the two little girls more and more often, he realized just why Qrow insisted on staying inside. The truth of the matter, however, was gutting- the moment he understood just why Qrow was holing himself away, he longed to call out to the shifter to drag him outside to spend time with the children he adored more than life itself.
He didn't want to step past the magicked barriers when his nieces were around. He didn't want to attract the Grimm.
That thought itself was enough to break Clover's heart. The children were finally here; how cruel could fate be to not allow him even the briefest moment in the garden which he had spent countless hours over the past weeks trying to create?
However, Clover knew better than to call Qrow out on this behaviour. He knew that there would be no changing the shifter's mind, and there was absolutely no reason to rub salt in the man's wounds. Instead, Clover took to chiding the girls more often after he realized what Qrow was doing, insisting that they frequently run inside to keep their uncle company. It wasn't perfect, but the way Qrow's face melted so wholeheartedly every time he saw the children come into his home was enough to inspire Clover to keep doing it.
After a dinner full of teasing and laughter, a dessert with a few more helpings than what was probably prescribed, and what seemed to be absolute carnage coming from the small children's room as Qrow tried to get his nieces into nightgowns, Qrow finally joined Clover at the table. Without hesitation, Clover stood, pouring a small nightcap of liquor for the elder; Qrow accepted it with a weary, grateful grin, sipping on the drink as he sank into his chair.
"They're sweet children," Clover murmured, leaning his chin onto his palm.
Qrow shrugged, but the fond smile upon his lips was more than a little proud as he looked over at the closed door of his nieces' bedroom. "Their dad's a good role model," he replied.
"I would argue that it is more than just their father," Clover mused aloud. When Qrow turned to look at him, mouth falling agape slightly, the younger merely shrugged back, his smile feeling soft, comfortable, genuine. "You should give yourself more credit, you know."
Rather than smiling, or blushing, or thanking Clover the way the knight had hoped, Qrow's face merely fell, his expression growing troubled as he took another sip, then another, and yet another. Clover straightened up in his chair as he awaited the elder's response, feeling his heartrate slowly beginning to climb, his palms growing clammy against the linen of his breeches.
After what felt like an eternity, Qrow finally lifted his head, the words escaping his lips shocking Clover to the very core.
"I'm going to go back to work at Beacon."