-xxx-
Qrow had no intention of going to the training room to meet Clover. His mind was firmly in bed, in the dark, contemplating the void. His body opened the training room door and stepped through.
Damn it.
"You came," Clover grinned, Kingfisher slung casually over one shoulder.
"No shit," Qrow said, not mentally prepared for this at all, "So, what did you have in mind?" he asked warily from the door.
"Best of three."
"Really? You want to fight me?" Qrow said, sceptical.
"I want to kick your ass," Clover winked.
One eyebrow slowly rose and then Qrow finally smiled. He put one hand on Harbinger and felt the comfort of the cold steel in his palm, "Well, bring it on," he said.
After a few rounds, the world seemed like a better place. Qrow knew he was a good fighter but it was always nice to have a little confirmation. He enjoyed using his body so much. The comfort of sweat and steel, warming his muscles and making him feel like he was in control again.
Clover's moves were so graceful and fluid but he lacked the instinctual reflexes that took a fighter from good to near-psychic. In a lot more than three matches, Qrow wouldn't have lost at all if it wasn't for Harbinger slipping at just the wrong time and leaving him open to being trussed up like a damn turkey.
He struggled against the line as Clover unravelled him, "Finally, one to me," he grinned, sticking out a hand to help Qrow to his feet.
"I can't even tell if it's my bad luck or your good luck," Qrow sighed, accepting the hand and standing.
"Well…" Clover looked at him as if was weighing up his next comment, "It's like the General assigning me to you in the first place. Your bad luck IS my good luck."
Qrow felt relaxed, all the anger worked out of his system. He tried to be annoyed at the reference to Jimmy but instead, he smiled.
"So, you still on babysitting duty tomorrow then?"
"Yep," Clover smiled, "So you'll just have to look at my gorgeous visage a little longer."
"Just my luck," Qrow replied.
-xxx-
Qrow woke up late, his body feeling refreshed from his work out the night before. He had a two minute shower, threw his clothes on and headed to the briefing without breakfast.
At first he thought that Clover hadn't noticed him skulking in late but he looked up from his scroll just as Qrow sat down.
"Ah Qrow, you're here," he said, a little smile playing on his lips, "Not too sore after last night?"
Juane spat his coffee all over Marrow, who sighed, "Dude. Gross."
Qrow just about fell off his chair, "SPARRING WE WERE SPARRING THANKS CLOVER I'M FINE," he growled.
Clover had a little moment at the front of the room. Vulnerable Qrow – adorable. Cocky Qrow – flirtastic. Fighting Qrow – impossibly hot. But angry Qrow – just… wow.
He's SO cute when he's angry…
Somehow Clover managed to make it through all the team assignments for the day without staring at Qrow for too long. It was hard but he was a highly trained professional, after all.
And then there he was, at the very last team assignment, "And I'll.."
"Be with Qrow, right?" Yang asked, suppressing a smile.
"Lucky guess," Clover grinned.
"Not really," she replied.
"Ok then, let's move out!" Clover shouted.
After everyone had left, Clover was left with just his little thunder cloud. Qrow looked at him, those perfect red eyes smouldering, "Thank you for that. What I really need in life is my nieces gossiping about my sex life."
"I assure you that the thought that my comment could be misinterpreted never entered my mind," Clover said, furiously trying to keep a straight face.
Qrow's eyes widened just a little, "You did it on purpose!"
Clover leaned over him, "So what if I did?"
"Are you trying to annoy me?"
"Maybe a little," Clover grinned.
Qrow noticed just how close the other man was to him… just how his muscles moved underneath the criminally thin Specialist uniform… how he smelled…
"Uh… Why did you pick this mission?" Qrow asked, awkwardly.
"Time to talk," Clover said, looking at him with those stupidly green eyes.
"All you do is talk," Qrow managed, fighting the urge to lift his arms and pull the man even closer… just a little taste wouldn't hurt…
"All you do is brood and look gorgeous but you don't hear me making a big deal about it," Clover smiled.
A shiver ran down Qrow's spine and formed a warm puddle in his stomach. Say something oh for the love of ass say something! "Uh, you're kinda making a big deal about it."
"I'm really not," Clover grinned, "I'm a dramatic guy. If I was making a big deal about it, the whole of Atlas would know."
Qrow looked past the perfectly defined shoulder muscles to see Yang waving at him frantically from the end of the corridor, making thumbs up gestures. At least that's what he hoped they were.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that they know," Qrow sighed, "You should probably stop though."
Clover felt his chest contract. This was it. This was the moment that Qrow told him that he wasn't interested. This was the moment where he got the bitter sweet joy of watching Qrow walk away.
He tried to ask why but the words just wouldn't come. All he could see was the top of Qrow's head as he tucked his chin down, avoiding eye contact. This is it. This is it.
Why the hell did I try to rile him up? I've got it all wrong!
Finally, Qrow spoke, his chin buried in his chest, "My semblance. Don't underestimate it… we saw in the dust mines that you're not immune. I get that you're Mr Confidence and all but two weeks with me would really knock that out of you."
"Please…" Clover whispered, he didn't know what to say… his whole heart felt like it was going to climb up his throat and suffocate him… it has to be right… Qrow looked at him, his gorgeous red eyes were wide.
This is not helping…
"Please… don't say that. Don't bury everything you've done like it doesn't matter. What you've done for those kids, what you've done for this country… You're so skilled. You're so important to them… to all of us. You are so much more than just a semblance, Qrow. Don't ever forget what you've done… who you are."
Qrow just looked at him open mouthed with those wide, perfect OH GODS WHY IS HE SO BEAUTIFUL eyes.
Finally, he turned away, "Yeah, yeah. Just warning you."
"Very considerate," Clover said, he reached out a hand… he wanted to lift Qrow's chin… look again into those pained and beautiful eyes, "So… two weeks?"
"What?" Qrow asked.
"Two weeks. You said two weeks would change my mind. Do you want a bet?"
Qrow smiled nervously and shook his head, "You'd just use your semblance."
Clover leaned in, his lips close enough to puff warm air on Qrow's ear, "I will use everything."
Qrow turned, their faces so close their lips were nearly touching, "You're kind of intense, you know that?"
"Do you like it?"
"I… think I do," Qrow said, his gaze lingering on Clover's lips.
"So…" Clover tried so hard not to lean further… not to press his lips against Qrow's… "Deal?"
"And if I say no?"
"You know I'll just hang around anyway…"
Qrow smiled, "Well you're doomed either way then, I guess."
Clover finally gave in. He lifted his calloused hand and cupped that gorgeous alabaster cheek, lifting Qrow's chin, he kissed his lips. At first he was hesitant, gentle, then he felt Qrow's lips closing on his own, returning the kiss. He held Qrow closer, wrapping him up in an embrace, clasping his slim waist and feeling the heat of his body as they pressed together.
Down the corridor, Yang gave herself a high five.
Finally, they parted, dazed… breathless.
Doomed, thought Qrow, I am absolutely doomed.
-xxx-