A/N: And here we are. I committed to keeping this in the canon but still absolutely DETEST this fight in canon.

Let me know what you think!

Cameo Lover

Unfortunate

I need to bring them both in.

Tyrian Callows, the serial killer behind all of the mysterious murders around Mantle, as well as the massacre at Robyn Hill's election campaign party.

Qrow Branwen, the Huntsman responsible for keeping their world safe after the Fall of Beacon by ensuring the Spring Relic didn't fall into Salem's hands.

How were these two men supposed to both warrant the same treatment?

Tyrian's hideous, leering grin was the perfect opposite to Qrow's lips, pressed into a thin line in determined, visceral grief. Golden eyes seemed almost pale grey in the darkened sky, the sunrise only a little ways away, while crimson looked like black obsidian, glassy from anger and unshed tears of loss.

But the grip on their weapons wasn't easing, and Clover had no choice but to face them both head-on. He had cuffs still stored in his pockets. He just needed to incapacitate them, not kill them.

Please don't make me kill you.

As Qrow lunged forward, however, slashing with Harbinger in perfect, elegant swipes all melding fluidly together into a dance of violence and pain, Clover had no choice but to use his full strength. How could he not? Qrow was looking at him as if he were the killer, and not Tyrian- as if he had been the one to hurt James and Penny and, by extension, Ruby- as if he had been the one trying to destroy the teetering semblance of peace they had built in their frozen kingdom.

I guess he does think of me as a killer, his brain quipped distantly as he darted between attacks from both men, tuning out Tyrian's sadistic cackles and focusing solely on Qrow's barely-restrained sobs. I'm part of what is hunting him and his nieces down. I'm part of what is trying to help James, and Qrow doesn't want that.

An idle thought flitted across his mind, quiet, broken. I'm not the person he thought I would be. I broke my promise.

He had promised to stay by Qrow's side, hadn't he?

He squashed that thought and all the ensuing guilt it built up. His duty was to stand by James, and if James deemed Qrow a threat, it was his job to end that threat.

The logical part of his mind screamed at him for his stupidity. Why aren't Qrow and I focusing on Tyrian? Why aren't we working together? Why is this happening?!

But then, Qrow's fist landed in his stomach, knocking him onto the cold, icy ground, leaving him panting with no air nor room to hate himself.

It was alright. Qrow hated Clover enough for the both of them. "Why couldn't you just do the right thing," Qrow screamed, gasping for air and voice cracking in desperation, "instead of the thing you were told?!"

Clover slowly brought himself up onto one knee, clutching his stomach. His Aura was out, and he could already feel the bruise blossoming on his stomach, every breath painful, indicating injured ribs. "Sometimes," he croaked in response, "the right decision is the hardest to make."

And he believed it. Time and time again, he had been given orders, and not all of them had led to happiness. At the beginning, he had fought back against it, but he knew now that nothing was done without a reason, without weighing the options.

Clover had hurt people he loved. Qrow wouldn't be the first.

…why did it hurt this badly to see Qrow's heart breaking?

He slowly brought himself back to his feet. "I trust James with my life!" he implored, looking at Qrow. "And… I wanted to trust you."

The older man didn't respond.

And then, out of nowhere, pain.

The darkened, cloudy sky faded into static, his vision blurring as he was forced to lean back, feeling cold steel in his flesh. Bones snapped, everything in his body screaming as one as he glanced down, barely unable to comprehend the sight of Harbinger's blade protruding from his chest, dripping with blood.

His blood.

But Qrow was standing in front of him, no blade in hand.

When the blade was finally withdrawn, the pieces clicked. Tyrian. Tyrian's behind me.

Either way, it didn't matter. His Aura was spent, and he stumbled forward, unable to remain standing. Only a few steps and he was down, lying on his back, feeling the heat of his own blood dissipate in seconds, exposed to the tundra's chill.

Distantly, he could hear Tyrian and Qrow scream, but all he could focus on was the buzzing in his ears. It was so, so cold- like the perpetual ice in his hands began to spread across his entire body, robbing him of every speck of warmth he'd ever felt in his life.

Then, Qrow was by his side. The man's face was twisted in shock and disbelief, unable to take in what he was seeing. He wanted to wipe away that heartbreak from the man's face and just make him smile, reassure him that everything was going to be alright.

We'll get through this together. This was my mistake. I shouldn't have turned on you, ever. I should've kept Tyrian under closer guard. I should've kept my emotions in check. But I didn't, and you're suffering for that, and it's not right.

Don't be sad. It was my error that's done this.

Who's going to help James now? I hope the Ace-Ops can take up the fight in my stead.

But if Tyrian's free, then it's my fault. Someone had to take the fall.

He didn't know what he actually managed to say out loud, the static buzzing in his head making his breathing impossible and his tongue thick in his mouth.

"James will take the fall," Qrow growled, eyes just as distrusting as they had been the day they'd met. Clover wanted to tease him. That's not what he had meant at all, but… it would be too complicated to change the man's mind.

Behind Qrow's head, a halo of light began to appear, clouds thinning out to reveal starry skies tinged with violets and magentas. The sun was rising behind them, and when Qrow turned to take a look, the glow from the new day reflecting off of Qrow's face turned his eyes into rubies, sparkling with tears and sorrow.

You're crying for me. Somehow, that made it hurt a little less. Qrow did care about him. You're going to have to fight without me, now. How will you manage it without me saving you? Good luck.

Something must've actually come out of his mouth, because Qrow turned back to face him, brow furrowed and lips drawn tight and eyes so vulnerable that Clover couldn't help but smile. Let me hold you. You're so warm, I'm right here, I'm still here for you…

Qrow didn't move, and Clover couldn't do much else but smile and cough out a chuckle.

The other man was beautiful still, despite it all- face cast in shadows, backlit by the rising sun, shattered heart on his sleeve.

I think I love you.

Qrow's lips shook. Did you not hear me? That's ironic.

It made sense. His Aura was gone. I guess… my luck finally ran out, too.

It was cold.

No matter what unfortunate parody of fate this all was, however, he didn't regret standing beside Qrow Branwen. His only regret was not standing by him till the end, but… as long as Qrow was alright, it would be okay.

-fin-