Break My Fall

He knows in his head that Clover Ebi is the leader of the Ace Operatives, and that he is, by everyone's standards, a man to be feared and respected as one of the highest-ranking officers in the Atlesian military. He leads with a confidence (and arrogance) that can only come from years of experience, from success after success, from having Lady Luck holding the door open for him with her foot every step of the way.

And yet, Qrow can feel nothing but pity whenever he looks at Clover Ebi. He has long since learned to look past the younger's mask of professionalism; Clover's emotions are constantly laid bare upon his face the moment one can notice the downwards quirk of his lip, the tension in his neck as he silently grits his teeth, the slight furrow in his brow which never seems to fade when he's anxious, even as he puts on a performative smile for his subordinates-

Qrow knows. It is easy for him to notice these things, he supposes. After all, every time Clover looks at Qrow, all of those signs of distress seem to fade away, the micro-expression more than enough to prove just how much the elder occupies his thoughts.

It is too dangerous to spend more time with him, Qrow decides. So, he decides to stop. He can stay strong on his own; he never needed anyone else before, and he doesn't need anyone now.

Back then, I had liquor-

He's going to be fine, he thinks. His fingers still reach for an empty breast pocket, though.

So, he stays away from Clover Ebi. He ignores the younger when Clover tries to broach the subject of that night, nor does he react when Clover makes him a fresh cup of tea while Qrow works on filing reports late into the night. He does not even acknowledge the younger man's offers to spend the night together, contenting himself to stalking back to his own bedroom, empty and alone, where he has made a little nest of blankets and extra clothes in which he can transform into a corvid and bury himself.

It is not enough to numb his headaches, his craving, his inadequacy- but Brothers be damned, he is going to try.

This silence between him and Clover, which extends onto missions and briefings and mealtimes, finally breaks after one particular mission. He ignores the telltale signs- the crackling of the air, the brewing, leaden storm clouds overhead, the hair rising upon his nape and the backs of his exposed arms. He thinks it shall be fine, for all they must do is clear out some Grimm; there are many beasts in this den, so the Ace Ops, Qrow, and Team RWBY are all going together whilst Team JNPR goes on the daily supply run, guarding the trucks. However, there is no greater mission, no thing to protect, no Dust supplies or water veins or anything to be cautious of- just a horde of Grimm and his blade.

Harbinger has never let him down, and he knows it shall not do so now. Mindless hunting has always been easiest for him.

Unfortunately, Qrow has never been good at remembering all the small details. Glynda has always said it was the liquor dulling his memory; perhaps she has been right all this time. There is no other way to explain the reason for which he so casually, so callously, agrees to accompany Team RWBY when they are splitting up their forces for a pincer strike.

There is no alcohol in his veins. His body aches, his Aura refuses to regenerate, and his world spins each time he moves too quickly.

And there is nothing to dull his Semblance.

The ramifications of this lead to only one conclusion, right at the end of the mission as the last Teryx lets out its final scream of protest before his scythe reaps it into ashes as it deserves.

Ruby is hurt. It is a completely avoidable accident; merely the breaking of ice, the crumbling of the land upon which she stands. She should have been able to jump away in time, but at that very moment, coincidence, luck, fate- whatever is guiding her future deigns it time to drain her of her Aura completely.

She is blue, icy, frozen to the touch, by the time they manage to pull her out of the water.

He should've stayed away.

I did this, he thinks as he carries her into the emergency room. I should've realized my luck would-

That night, he ensures that for a long, long time, his Semblance shall be quite dull indeed.