A/N: Thirsty!Clover is thirsty. Here's the supply run convo from E5. I thought it'd be interesting to examine from Clover's POV.

Leave a comment if you're reading along! I'd love to hear what you think :D

Cameo Lover

Remembering Pasts

Normally, Clover would've balked at the idea of being put out onto the long supply runs between Mantle and the build site. Usually they asked Vine to do it, since the man was more than content to simply meditate throughout the entire journey. The tundra didn't exactly offer the most eye-catching, scenic view, leading to an entire day of anxious energy and boredom if left alone.

However, with Qrow along, Clover found himself agreeing to take those missions on more and more.

He had made it his personal mission to find out what Qrow was interested in- after their quiet conversation in the mess hall, Clover was determined to find something for Qrow to do during the off-hours. He refused to ever see Qrow looking so lonely, so heartbroken, again.

So, he had asked around and scrounged up all the hobbies he could find. The man didn't really boast any creative talents, nor the interest in nurturing them. He was not a fan of mechanics, he found, as Yang was far more interested in taking a look at his bike than Qrow had been. He had taken the man ice-fishing when they both got time off for two days, but Qrow's bleak expression had been about as chilly as the waters themselves, so that was a no. But, Qrow did enjoy games of chance, he found. "I used to play cards a lot with my team," he recounted fondly when Clover first pulled out a deck of playing cards.

So, Clover decided it was going to be his job to teach Qrow every single card game he could. It would've been a perfect plan, too- the two of them battling it out over games of wits and deceit would've easily helped him lower Qrow's defenses, finally letting Clover in properly.

Unfortunately, unlike Qrow, he didn't have much practice suppressing his Semblance.

Qrow's expression as he examined his hand of cards was neutral, but Clover had long-since learned all of his tells- the frantic flitting of his eyes back and forth across his cards, the way he bit the inside of his cheek when it wasn't going well, the drumming of his fingers upon his knee. Qrow's hand was terrible, and Clover's hand was unbeatable, and there was no one to blame but themselves and their luck.

Finally, the older man sighed, calling up to Ruby and Penny seated in the front of the supply truck, "Everything going alright up there?"

"Just fine, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby called back brightly before her voice fell back to a quiet murmur, continuing her conversation with Penny.

Sorry, Qrow. Clover laid down his hand, smiling immediately as Qrow's eyes bugged out of his head. "I win again," he chuckled. "Maybe we should call it quits?"

Qrow merely sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose ashamedly. "Shut up and deal," the man growled, the anger in his voice sending shivers down Clover's spine, the younger man glancing sidelong at the elder. Qrow was looking bitterly at the side of the cargo hold, mouth twisted into a frustrated frown, brow furrowed yet again.

Gods, Clover wished he could get that frown off the man's face, with whatever means necessary.

He didn't act on those feelings, instead collecting the cards and laughing off Qrow's sour tone. As he gave the deck a quick overhand shuffle, he commented, "Your niece is sure one-of-a-kind, huh?"

Qrow replied, "They all are. Been through a lot together." His eyes fell again, the regret that had lingered on his face for so many of their conversations rearing its ugly head yet again.

Stop looking like that. It's not your fault, Qrow. "It's a good thing they had someone to look up to and get them through it," Clover said wryly. He finished up with the deck and began to deal the cards for another round, adding, "Not everyone is so lucky."

I know that I sure as hell wasn't at that age, Semblance be damned. Before he'd met James, he had gone through far too much loss. If only he'd had someone like Qrow to look out for him with that much care, the way Qrow did for those kids…

He heard Qrow sigh, the sound adding to the weight on Clover's heart. "I dunno about that," Qrow murmured. "…Thanks, by the way. For looking out for 'em. You and your team."

Clover rolled his eyes, making the two piles of cards for their hands neatly, methodically. What was Qrow even thanking him for? It was his duty to ensure that those kids were fit for Ace-Ops missions. It was honestly a bonus that they were actually strong and smart and kind-hearted, too- when he had heard that James was asking his team to help train the fresh Huntsmen, he had been dreading it.

Those kids had been nothing but a joy to teach, though, and he knew his team felt the same.

But the honesty in Qrow's words hung in the air. Clover could only imagine how rough it had been, being the only mentor they had throughout their battle against Salem. He could feel Qrow's gaze on him, a heat building up in his cheeks under the scrutiny.

"What good is saving the world without another generation waiting in the wings?" he said at last. "Hopefully, they'll leave Remnant better than we left it for them."

When he pushed Qrow's new hand towards him, the man let out a genuine laugh, eyes creasing fondly in such a way that Clover's heart skipped a beat. "Hm. Once upon a time, I'd have drank to that."

Clover frowned, realizing where the conversation had strayed to. "You shouldn't do that, you know."

Instantly, Qrow's eyes widened in panic. He played his first card and stuttered, "Do-don't- don't worry, I gave that up."

"I meant deflect a compliment." As Clover spoke, Qrow's eyes widened, the innocent surprise in them almost too much to handle. How has no one told him this before? Gently, he explained, "Those kids wouldn't be where they are without you. You've had more of an effect on them than you realize."

And Qrow could only smile and look away, his thoughts clear as day. I did something right? was written plainly on his expression, wonder and embarrassed pride evident.

Clover turned his gaze back to his cards, swallowing back the bark of a laugh that threatened to erupt. He was going to win again, for sure. But it was better to focus on the game, rather than where his thoughts kept straying to.

If Ruby and Penny hadn't been in the front seat- if there hadn't been a box of Dust between them- if they hadn't been in the middle of a mission… Clover's cheeks heated up, imagining the possibilities of what he could do to Qrow Branwen in the back of that truck to make him understand that he had indeed done all he could, and he'd done it well.