The blizzard was unrelenting. However it had become a comforting background, a reminder that they could forget about the outside world. That at least for a little while it didn't have to always come back to Ruby leaving. As they sat together on the worn red couch together. The fire crackled softly as Qrow sat in a corner curled up with a book. Ruby on the other hand, had her sword in her lap. It was a simple long sword and it had served her well. She held it with one hand and was rubbing careful loving circles into the blade with an oil cloth.

Qrow often found his eyes wandering to the blade, to the obvious love she had for it. From where he sat he could see little nicks in the edge and could tell it needed sharpening as well. His gaze wandered through the small room to his own sword, Harbinger. He was a harbinger of bad luck after all, what else would he name it. Yet another warning to anyone he met or read his file that he was a danger. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the couch, maybe he shouldn't have agreed to her liking him. Liking him was dangerous, but then he had never met someone who had such an easy way to avoid his Semblance.

Qrow shifted, moving his feet out from under the blanket and put his book aside. "I've got a wet stone in my workshop if you want to sharpen her."

Ruby looked up with a soft giggle. "Her?"

The raven haired man felt his cheeks heat at her musical little giggle. "She looks like a her to me. Is she?"

Ruby's smile widened. "Yeah, she's Wilt."

"Wilt. Why?"

The silver eyed warrior looked back down to her blade. "Well, Oz would say that I bloomed with time. But a sword is a tool for killing, killing isn't nice or beautiful but I still wanted something to do with blooming. So Wilt, to die. To take a life." Her voice grew quiet as her expression fell.

Qrow moved over and hesitated his hand half raised, before he forced himself to breathe and gently put a hand on her shoulder. "I think it's a good name." He nodded over the couch at his scythe. "My one is Harbinger, I'm sure you can guess why."

A sad smile pulled at Ruby's lips. "Yeah, I can. Seems neither of us were very kind to ourselves when it came to naming our weapons." She pulled away and set Wilt and the oil cloth on the table. After a second of consideration she snuggled into his side, resting her head on his chest. "I never could understand all those bombastic names."

"Maybe they just believe in the… stories of Huntsmen. Rather than the truth, that it's just a job. One that will kill them someday. Or maybe they just took pride in their weapons… I do love Harbinger. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be like the Grimm Reaper. Life and Death her scythe was the inspiration for Harbinger." Qrow shrugged. "She's still the better Huntress but I needed something to hold into growing up. A dream I guess."

"I guess that was Oz for me. His 'The Long Memory', only I wanted something I could stab things with. I met the Grimm Reaper eventually, Maria Calavera but she had lost her eyes and wasn't fighting anymore. She taught me how to use my magic. I'm kinda sad I never got to see her in her prime."

Qrow worried his lip as he thought about what to say. How would she take his youth? Was it worth talking about? He knew about hers. "I started my life as a bandit, so I got hear about her as the enemy or as the amazing Grimm slayer. I didn't like being a bandit, so while my tribesmen were afraid of her I wanted to be like her. Eventually my parents sent my twin and I to Beacon to learn how to be Huntsmen or more how to kill Huntsmen. I took it as the chance to finally have my own life."

Ruby hmmed as she idly picked at a strand of wool in his shirt. "I think that happens to a lot of people when they go to an academy. It's a chance to become something new, to defy their history if they need too." She breathed deeply, savouring his scent. "You know, since we met I noticed you smell like pine. It's always been soothing but only now did I realize it's probably because Oz smelled like pine too."

The huntsman blushed. "Sorry, I don't mean to mind you of him."

"It's okay, I haven't told anyone else about what I had with him. It's kinda nice to be with someone who loved him too… I noticed one of the bowls ha on it. In memory of Oz." She looked down to the quilt they were wrapped up in.

"Yeah, I made that after that last battle. I saw him… go." Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

"You were there?"

"Taiyang texted me, just 'help' with coordinates. So I came and I helped, but I didn't want my Semblance to hurt anyone but I saw him go. I could tell that he was… relieved. After all this time."

"Yeah, we had hoped to share one last life but I think he was ready to go." Ruby twisted the edge of the quilt around her finger. "It's weird, usually I can't talk about him without bursting into tears but I've done so much crying the last couple days so maybe I've just run out of tears."

"Maybe our talking has helped move it from pain to just memory. It has been a long time." Qrow lifted a hand and rested it over her hand stroking the back of it with a thumb. "It hurts but I stopped weeping for him long ago. It's just been lonely without him."

"Yeah." Ruby pulled away and shook her head. "You mentioned a wet stone?"

"Yeah layer up, my workshop will be cold."

They got up together, Qrow pausing to fold up the quilt. They got dressed in the extra layers and Qrow took her hand as he opened up the door. Snow blew straight into their faces but they shouldered through it and Qrow shut the door behind them with a bang. It was so white that Ruby couldn't see anything, she squeezed Qrow's hand as he led them through the snow. She could barely see the shed as they came to it. Qrow flipped the latch and shoved the door open. They both crushed through it the wind buffeting them in the behind. They fell together in a tangle of limbs Qrow just catching himself in time to keep from completely falling on Ruby.

Ruby blushed as his body was pressed against hers, his hands by either side of her head. Qrow blushed and shoved himself up off of her and raced to the door, he closed it with another bang and dropped the bar across of it. "Gosh that storm just isn't letting up."

The silver eyed warrior got up and brushed down her cloak. "Is it always this bad up here? It's been two days at least now."

"Hmm yeah, around this time they can last. Cabin fever can get to be a problem but I can fly so when it gets to me, I just fly up above the cloud line to get some sun." Qrow stamped his feet to get the snow off.

Ruby looked through the full shed and whistled softly. "Nice workshop. I wish I had something like this."

Qrow shrugged and walked over to the weapon bench. "I needed something I could use to make anything that I might need for the house."

"Why haven't you fixed your bookshelf or table then?" Ruby asked following him over, she admired the tools many were of a very high quality.

"Up till you came I hadn't been spending much time outside. I only went out that day because my legs were getting twitchy, it was sheer dumb luck that I found you." Qrow picked out a wet stone. "Here it's new, I haven't had to sharpen my sword in a while."

Ruby stroked over the smooth mounted rectangle of stone. "Thanks, maybe since we are here already you should pick up whatever you need to fix the table and bookshelf. It will at least keep you busy, it's so strange to me to be in one place for so long I'm getting twitchy too."

"Sure, why not." Qrow shrugged, if he was being totally honest the reason nothing had been fixed was because he was feeling too down to care about any of it. Still if having things be fixed made her happy and gave him something to do for a little while there was no reason not too.

Ruby watched silently as Qrow gathered up materials. He already had pieces of wood that could be carved easily into new legs for the table and he grabbed a board to replace the broken one. She wondered how old he was, the grey in his hair was minimal and he moved just as easily as she did. They had the same lines around their eyes. Tools found their ways into his pockets and they met at the door again.

They stuck close together as they fought the storm to get back to the cabin, he fought with the door and Ruby ended up helping. They both shivered as they removed their coats. It hadn't been long so the fire still roared and Ruby zipped over to it grabbing Wilt as she went and plopped down before it. She set the whetstone on the ground and reapplied a little oil to her sword before sliding the edge along.

Qrow sat back on the couch and unloaded his gear. He then picked up one small piece of wood and started to carve it to make a new table leg. It didn't take much focus on his part so instead he ended up looking at her. The heavy wool clothes obscured her muscles but watching her move swinging her torso in a soft sway as she got into sharpening her sword. It was hypnotic in the best way, she was very good at it. Her hair tumbled free down her back a little darker and wet for the snow melting on it.

They worked in silence till Wilt was shining, Ruby washed the blade free of any metal debris and slid it back into its scabbard. "There, now that won't be bugging me. I always get anxious if I know she's nicked up."

"Afraid she'll break?" Qrow asked as he put the second table leg aside.

"Yeah, I've had her for so long now I often worry about it. At the same time I don't think I'd have it in me to reforge her." Ruby hugged the sword to her chest. "If nothing else she's a good memory."

The topic of Oz hung between them again. Qrow watched the fire light on her skin, making it seem warmer and not so pale. Qrow moved off the couch and picked up a hammer, he pulled the nail out from under a broken leg of the table. The broken wood made a dull thunk against the stone ground. The huntsman removed the books and put the new leg in the peg hole and then put the nail back in with a few sure hits of the hammer. His sigh was long before he spoke. "Maybe, maybe putting her down… retiring. Would help you move on."

Ruby's fingers dug into the leather scabbard. "I don't know how to live without hunting. My whole life has been defined by the war against Salem and after she was gone." Tears gathered in her eyes but she blinked them away. "After Oz was gone. It was the only thing I knew, it is the only thing I know. It's the only way I know to live."

Qrow replaced the other leg while he thought over a response. After all he had gone and done the same thing, his whole life revolved around the Grimm too. When the leg was replaced he leaned on the table and was content when it didn't break. "Look. I am in no position to say anything. But I've had a lot longer to be doing… the same thing. And look where I ended up. Alone, in a tiny cabin with no friends without much of a life. Don't get me wrong, I like the quiet but I still miss Taiyang and I'm sad I never met Yang or you earlier. I gave my life to the job and you can be damn sure it never gives anything back."

"Why did you leave?" Ruby asked and put Wilt on the table. She watched his frown deepen as he wet his lips, for a moment she was sure he wasn't going to respond. Then again he spoke slowly with everything he said.

"I...I had a crush on your dad." Qrow hugged himself pressing his fingers against his ribs. "Raven knew… my twin. Yang's mom. When she got pregnant with Yang and couldn't abort her, she got so angry at me. My fault, my Semblance. Everything was always my fault. Anyway, she refused to carry Yang if I didn't leave. So that my Semblance couldn't hurt her. As I said I had a crush on your dad and as far as I know he doesn't know. Raven promised not to tell him. So I left. She kept her word and I just got pictures." He nodded at the pictures on the mantle.

"Why did you not come back after she left?"

"And risk exposing Tai, Yang or eventually you to my Semblance? No, I didn't want to risk hurting you." Qrow shook his head and got up, grabbing his hammer. He walked to the bookshelf and set about removing the broken pieces.

Ruby watched him in silence, the fire cracking beside her. She had always found Raven to be the worst sort of person but to do this to your own family was something Ruby couldn't even begin to understand. That Raven had pushed him towards this sort of life, that he got lost in it out of fear for hurting his family. Tears threatened her eyes again. "Well." she croaked out, "Raven's dead and good riddance. She can't threaten you anymore."

Qrow stopped frozen for a second, the board limp in his hand. He hadn't known that, but he didn't feel anything. Not joy or sadness, not relief, just nothing. Raven had become nothing. He fixed the board and hammered it back into the rest of the self. "I guess… I don't know. Thanks for telling me."

"Do you still like my dad?" Ruby asked, climbing into the couch.

The red eyed man scoffed. "It's been nearly thirty years, no. I haven't thought about him like that in probably most of that time. I moved on."

"To hollow one night stands."

"Yeah." He drawled.

Ruby waited till he was finished with the shelf then got up and helped him put the books back on it. Their arms almost brushed as they cleaned up the floor, Ruby dusted off her fingers as she wondered just how long those books had been on the floor. "I would like to have a bath, or whatever you do here."

"Sawed off barrel and pitcher. Sorry." He saw her flinch. "Whenever I really want something more I just go down into town."

"No it's okay, do you have a pot we put on the fire for water?"

"Yeah."

Ruby felt awkward as he fetched out the bottom of a barrel about ten centimeters deep. A pitcher and a large cast iron cauldron that he set in the hearth and liberty filled with water. She found a cloth, towel and soap in the bathroom. When she returned he asked. "Do you want to bathe here or in the bedroom?"

"I'd feel bad to kick you out of your own living room."

Qrow waved her off. "Na I can read in the bedroom. Not a big deal." He got up and picked up his book. "Uh just call when you're done, I'll get rid of the water for you. Or heck might have a scrub down myself."

Ruby waited till he had closed the door behind him before getting undressed. The fire helped but bathing in a room without central heating was never any fun. She put her clothes on the couch and knelt in the barrel bottom. She poured a little of the now steaming water in the pitcher then upended it slowly over her head. "Oh good at least it doesn't cool too fast." She grabbed a very fine tooth comb and started to comb out her hair." Thankfully there were only a few knots and she finished quickly before pouring another load of water down over her head.

The huntress dipped the cloth in the hot water and rubbed a plain scentless soap into it. She scrubbed every inch of her body down, finally getting rid of the sweat from her walk. Even as her skin started to get goosebumps she felt better for being clean. She hummed as she cleaned, wondering just what to do next. There wasn't much to do in this cabin and they were getting to know each other. As she washed she eventually noticed the absence of a sound.

Ruby looked over her shoulder to the window and saw it had stopped snowing. Her heart dropped into her stomach. She could leave, go to town, go back to her dad. Leave this little depressing if homely cabin and it's equally depressed and yet homely inhabitant. Then again, she hadn't worked out why dad sent her to Qrow. They seemed very alike but that couldn't be all of it. She finished washing then stepped out of the catch basin and grabbed the towel. She furiously scrubbed the water off of her skin and wrapped the towel around her. Rather than race to get dressed she grabbed her Scroll of the mantle and curled up on the couch with the quilt.

:Dad, why did you send me up here?:

Reception still proved too flaky to call, so she had to wait for him to respond. It was only a minute of her staring unfocused into the fire.

:I thought it would do you good:

:Why? I get he's like an older version of me, that.: She stopped, that never took a chance to be happy. :He's a lot like me.:

:I had hoped you'd notice that.:

:As a cautionary tale? Your way of telling me to retire and find a boyfriend? So I don't end up like him?:

:No Ruby.:

:Then why?:

:I thought he'd understand you and that you'd understand him. That you two could make each other happy. That maybe you both would want some of the same things out of life. That you both loved Oz in different ways and that if nothing else you'd be lonely together but might manage some conversations that would do you both good.:

:Make each other happy?: Ruby was trying to wrap her mind around that. It jumped to that her dad thought that Qrow would be a good partner to her. However that couldn't be right, there is no way he'd pick his own best friend for her… then again… that would make a distressing amount of sense.

:You two are alike. He's further down the path you share, but I think you have probably worked that out by now. From what I've seen of him over the years. He's your type. Yeah he's older but if you were going to find someone your own age that could even come close to understanding you. You would have found them by now. As I said, I thought you could make each other happy.:

:So, you're okay if I… well you know.:

:By all means baby girl. If you like him, I'd be happy as all heck if you two made a life together. If you do for crying out loud, get him off that mountain and back to see me.:

:I'll try, I get the feeling he's ready for a change.

Do you know he had a crush on you?:

:Yes. Summer knew and so I knew. You can tell him if you like, it was a long time ago and I am sure we are both over it.:

:Okay, I'm gonna go offer and if I like what he does we'll go from there.:

:Unless he forgot everything which I really doubt. You're about to be very happy and I'll look forward to seeing you both soon. Have fun.:

Ruby blushed scarlet, her dad of all people saying 'go forth and have good sex' was something she never imagined would happen. :I will bye.: She put the Scroll on the table and got up. She fixed the towel to be under her arms and wrapped around her middle. Butterflies rose up in her stomach as she walked towards the bedroom. She paused outside the door and looked out the window. She could see down the mountain path, but she had to know first. In the couple days it seemed like they matched up well, that their mannerisms were pleasing to each other. If the sex was bad, she could just leave if it was good… well she'd get to that bridge when she got there.

Qrow heard the door creak and looked up from his book. His throat closed as Ruby stepped into the room. Her bare shoulders and damp hair, how she worried her lip. He watched as her hands quivered for a second before she removed the towel, he sucked in a breath as his body got very on board with what she was offering just about instantly. He swung his feet out of bed and put his book aside. "Uhh, okay… you sure?"

"Yes." Ruby's voice was little better than a squeak. "We seem… good on a lot of things for each other. I did text dad and he said he sent me to look for you figuring that we'd be umm." Her chest flushed with her cheeks. "Uh be good like this together. So… I figured. Maybe if you're okay with it, we could try uhh the umm sex and if we both like it then. You know, go from there."

Qrow had to hand it to her, it was one way to learn most of everything that they didn't know about each other right quickly. They knew history, they were steadily learning likes and dislikes. All that was really left between them was sex. If they could please each other in a way that would help to sustain a relationship. The red eyed man could see her get more nervous as he thought it over. "Uh, yeah. Sure, uhm. Do you have a way you want it?"

Ruby picked her way over to the bed and crawled into it to get her feet off the cold ground. "I really don't know enough to know what to want. So you lead, dad mentioned that you uhh… would know what to do… really well."

It was Qrow's turn to blush. "Okay, just uh tell me if you like something a lot or don't. Communication is important for good sex and I am not a mind reader."

"Okay." Ruby bit her lip as he undressed. He wasn't wearing much in the way of layers, his turtle neck came off to show a lean muscular torso that looked like he still hunted whenever there wasn't a storm. The trousers and pants came off and Ruby blushed all the brighter, he was already excited and it was different then what she remembered but he looked very healthy.

"Probably should be under the covers, don't want to get cold feet."

Ruby blushed and shook her head to get her thoughts off of how pretty he was. She hopped off the bed and pushed the duvet back. The silver eyed warrior froze when his hands skimmed over her sides and hips. "Just go slow."

A long kiss lingered on her shoulder as he said with reverence. "As you wish."