-xxx-
Clover knocked on the door lightly. He'd been trying to get a word with Qrow ever since they spoke on the dust transport… ever since that day, Qrow had been distant. When they talked he was brusque and avoided Clover's eyes. It was nothing like the man that looked at him over his unlucky cards so… open… so hopeful and vulnerable and GORGEOUS OH PRAISE THE GODS HE'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
Easy there, Clover. Just say hello. Don't break into a dance number on the man's doorstep.
Clover sighed. No answer again. He was just about to walk away when the door swung open. Inside was pitch black.
"Uh… hello?" Clover said into the darkness.
"Hey there soldier boy," Qrow's drawl floated out of the darkness.
"Hey… I just was just wondering what you were up to… Would you like to come a.."
"Yeah, no. I'm good without a babysitter tonight, ok? Thanks," the door started to close.
Clover stuck his hand out, stopping the door from slamming in his face, "What do you mean babysitter?"
The door stayed between them. Qrow's voice was quiet. Dangerously low. "I figured out why you're so nice to me."
Clover swallowed, "You did, did you?" he said, his voice coming out all wrong. He could feel the waves of a blush starting to rise past his collar.
The door was suddenly jerked open. Qrow stood there in grey sweat pants and a black t-shirt. The t-shirt was tight and clung to his chest just so… his hair was all messy.
Clover took a deep breath and his blush deepened a shade.
"Jimmy told you to babysit me," Qrow said, his eyes accusing.
For a moment Clover felt a wave of relief. Not as bad as he'd thought… He'd had a couple of conversations in the military of the don't-ask-don't-tell variety. Most of them ended with him watching an ass which he was once rather keen on, march away. He was not ready to have that talk with Qrow. Not tonight.
But Qrow did not look relieved. His eyes smouldered so dark with betrayal that they practically glowed.
Well, truth is always the best strategy, Clover told himself hopefully. "Oh, that. He told me to keep you close while you're here but I think babysit is taking it a little far," he tried for an endearing smile.
Qrow stared at him, eyes hard, "Of course he did. So… all that… meant nothing…" Qrow's eyes turned away.
"All… that?" Clover asked, his mind racing.
"Your little speeches. You really had me going there, hey?" Qrow suddenly looked tired, "Anyway, I have to get back to pondering the futility of my meaningless existence so if you could just..." he made a shooing motion with his hand.
"No! Qrow!" Clover said, a little startled by the volume of his own voice, "The General said to keep an eye on you, not to be nice to you!"
"So I got a little gratis, did I?" Qrow drawled, "Well, lucky me," he said, mockingly flicking his t-shirt in an imitation of Clover flicking his badge.
"But Qrow… I like you…"
"At ease, soldier boy, you're off duty. No need to go overboard. So, if you don't have any important message from Jimmy then goodnight."
The door closed firmly in his face.
Well, that went well, Clover thought as he rested his forehead on the cold metal of the door and sighed.
-xxx-
Another morning. Another breakfast with the team as they screamed, fought, ate and laughed. Qrow tried to get into the spirit of the thing but he just had nothing to give.
I really, really hate mornings.
He saw Yang and Ruby talking, their voices were low and they kept looking at him. He wiggled his fingers in half a wave and Ruby slowly approached, "Uh… Uncle Qrow."
"That's my name," he said.
"What are you doing?"
"I was just contemplating jumping out the window, actually."
"Oh. And going for a fly?" Ruby asked, half-smiling.
"…Yeah. Why not," Qrow said, shrugging.
"Just wanted to make sure everything was ok!" she said cheerily.
"Everything is sunshine and kittens," Qrow deadpanned.
"Ohhhh kaaaay well, that's great… uh…"
"Yes?" he said, just wanting the conversation to end. He loved his niece but he didn't want to drag her down into this funk. He tried to smile but it just made his chest hurt.
"I just wanted you to know we love you and we're always here for you!" she shouted in his face before running off. The rest of the team grinned awkwardly and smiled at him from the other side of the room. He waved back. The smile made it to his face somehow.
Thanks kiddo.
Now to face the real trial of the morning. Clover.
Qrow shuffled to the briefing room and took up a seat as close to the back as he could get. He put his chin down and concentrated on being invisible. As always, Clover mixed the teams up and gave everyone their allocations. Finally, he got to Qrow.
"And that leaves…" he looked at his scroll as if it was a surprise, "me and Qrow."
What a shock! Teaming up with Clover again! What are the odds!?
"Why can't I go with my team, soldier boy?" Qrow asked slowly, anger building in his chest.
Clover looked up, he seemed a little flustered. It's a start.
"Because I need you. Your skills. I need your skills," Clover stammered.
"Which are what exactly?" Qrow asked, standing.
Clover looked at him for a long time, finally he said, "Just… come, ok?"
"Geez. Alright then. But if you do think of anything I'm good at, I'd really love to know," Qrow growled.
Clover looked hurt. Good, Qrow thought, letting a little streak of malice take a tiny bit of the pain away.
Clover had allocated them a patrol. Qrow groaned inwardly as they took a transport down to Mantle. There was no reason that they would need two huntsmen of such high rank for a job like this. The only advantage was that it would give them time to talk.
Qrow briefly wondered what cyanide tasted like.
Once they touched down and left the hanger bay, Clover made an attempt at conversation.
"So, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about how I handled the other night. I think I could have… done it a lot better."
"Urgh, I hate mornings. I'm not in the mood for your bullshit right now," Qrow said, rolling his eyes heavenwards and hoping to be struck by lightning.
He felt Clover's hand on his shoulder and turned, lifting his gaze to meet that of the taller man.
"It's not BS! Everything I said in the transport… I meant it. If you knew me any better, you'd know that I'm not the BS type."
Qrow looked pointedly at the hand on his shoulder. It dropped back to Clover's side. "Oh really?" he said.
"Yes! I mean come on, I can't even swear. You think I could lie to your face?" Clover said.
Qrow's mouth twitched in what could almost have been the shadow of a smile. "You do seem a little too good to be true," he mused.
"I'm not! I hate broccoli! I cheat at cards!" Clover said, looking far too deep into those OH GODS BEAUTIFUL eyes.
"Is that so?" Qrow said, trying to figure out if it was possible to accidentally be this much of a dork.
Clover shook his head, "Ok, look. If you just let me get this out, I promise I'll shut up."
Qrow just crossed his arms.
"I know I've made a mistake. I should have told the General you can take care of yourself! I know you don't need a babysitter, alright. You're a legend! And now I know that everything you've achieved was in spite of your semblance… not because of it. You're amazing…" Clover trailed off, trying to grab the last two words and cram them back into his face.
Qrow blinked, "Geez. How much does he pay you!?"
Clover took a deep breath, "I would hang around you and compliment you for free any day."
Qrow just looked at him, cynicism and hope chasing each other around his chest.
Clover tilted his head, all thinking face, finally he said "Look, I'll prove it. Meet me at the training room tonight at eight."
"The training room?" Qrow asked, a little baffled.
"Yes," Clover grinned, almost back to his usual self, "You don't strike me as the dinner and a movie type."
"Dinner and a movie!? Seriously, how much is he payin.."
"Stop it," Clover said, looking him dead in the eye. "I don't want to hear that one more time."
"Well, yes Sir," Qrow said, offering him a mock salute.
"You being narky with me, soldier?" Clover asked, just going with Qrow and his cynical banter for once, just to see how it felt.
"Yes Sir, Sorry Sir, I'll never do it again Sir," Qrow said sarcastically, fluttering those long, long eyelashes.
Clover's whole body froze. Well, not his whole body. One part still worked just fine.
Qrow looked at him, puzzled, "O… kay… then… I'll just continue patrolling then, shall I?"
Clover managed a nod.
Qrow walked off, waiting for the sound of Clover's boots as he ran to catch up. It took a bit longer than it should have.
What was with that look on his face? And why does he keep touching me? I mean… no one gets paid that much, right?
-xxx-