-xxx-

Qrow lay in bed in the dark. It was nearly like sleeping.

He thought about the last few days. His missions with Clover. The looks Clover gave him, the reassuring hand that just found his shoulder, lifted his chin, clasped his waist…

He could tell Clover had been trying to take it slow… give him a little time after the kiss.

Hope he didn't take that 'intense' comment too seriously. Why do I have to have such a smart mouth!? Qrow grinned in the dark. Ok, not going to regret being a smart ass. There has to be a line, right?

His mouth kept him safe. It kept people at a distance. No one really knew when he was serious so he could say what he was really thinking and they'd shrug it off. It was just another weapon in his personal arsenal – another way to keep people he cared about as far away as possible.

Two weeks.

There was no way Clover would survive. In the two days since that amazing kiss he'd been nearly buried in rubble twice, thrown off a building, caught in a grim stampede and nearly hit by lightning. Actual lightning.

Qrow turned over and buried his face in his pillow again. All he could think about was the feeling of Clover's lips. The firm kiss still lingered, he could almost feel those calloused fingers stroke down his face and lift his chin…

Still sexually frustrated.

Would sleeping with him make it worse? If he follows me around like a love sick puppy (Qrow smiled a little too hard in the dark) then won't he be doomed anyway? Would giving the both of them a tiny hint of relief really be such a bad thing?

I could certainly use some damn sleep, he thought, pressing his hard-on into the sheets and sighing.

In a fit of frustration he leapt off the bed, throwing the covers everywhere. That's it. I'm getting up. This is bullshit.

He looked over at the clock. It was four-thirty. Must have drifted off for a little at least…

Only four hours until the briefing. Only four hours until I see him again.

It felt like a long time.

Qrow flicked a light switch and scowled into the bright light. He threw on some shoes and left his room. He wore sweats and a t-shirt to bed so he didn't even have to get dressed. Just walk. Find a rhythm in your steps. Walk and keep walking.

It was a good way to keep the demons at bay. He just let the rhythm of his body take him. He went around the corridors, sometimes hearing a faint snoring from someone's quarters. It was weirdly comforting after everything that had happened, the sound of other people, relaxed… fast asleep.

He found himself in the mess hall before long, empty metal tables gleaming in the moonlight which streamed through the window.

He turned his heels to go and a voice floated out of the darkness, "Can't sleep?"

Clover.

Qrow hesitated on the threshold. He considered just walking away. Probably better to get as far away from the guy as possible before he spontaneously combusts…

But he didn't. He just stood there. Clover walked out of a shadow beside the window, he approached slowly and sat on a table a few metres away.

Still giving me space. Why does he have to be so damn considerate?

"Didn't think you were the skulking in the shadows type," Qrow drawled, trying to make light of the situation. His chest felt like it was going to implode as the light hit Clover's face just so…

"I have a dark streak," Clover smiled.

"Oh yeah?" Qrow felt a smile tugging at his lips. Clover. Dark. What a heap.

"Yeah. I like horror movies and I dress up every year for Halloween," he nodded like this was absolutely conclusive.

Qrow shook his head, "I can't even tell if you're serious."

Clover opened his mouth in mock-offense, "I'm always serious! I'm super, super serious!"

Qrow just laughed. How can this guy make me feel so relaxed!? It's five am!

But as soon as his heart began to lift he felt it all come crashing down. Clover's face was so open, so welcoming, so GODDAMNED HAPPY.

I can't do this to him. I can't inflict this… me… on him. On his life.

"Well, enjoy the darkness then I guess…" he said, as he turned away.

He could hear Clover stand up behind him, "Qrow… wait…"

He hesitated, one foot over the threshold.

This is selfish. This is selfish. Don't punish him for being so good.

He felt the hand on his shoulder.

Don't do it to him, Qrow. You're enough of an asshole already.

"Watch it," he said, "I'm pretty sure if you touch me for long enough the whole of Atlas will fall out of the sky."

"Hasn't happened yet," Clover's voice was soft behind him.

"Yeah right," Qrow turned, guilt and self-loathing making him surly, "you've survived two days of being near me. Lucky, lucky you. Hopefully next time there's a storm you don't stand a foot to the left, hey? Hopefully next time there's some grim on the loose, you don't lose your footing at the top of a high building, hey!? And we can only damn PRAY that ne.."

"Stop it!" Clover's eyes burned with an intensity Qrow hadn't seen before.

The both were startled into silence.

Finally, Clover let his hand drop from Qrow's shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said.

Qrow looked at him and felt a flicker in his chest. Something more than sexual frustration, more than lust.

Oh no… I can't do this.

Qrow pushed the feeling deep into his stomach. That's it. I'm done.

He turned and Clover's hand grabbed his elbow. Qrow looked down, a full on war raging in his chest. Don't you want to live you cocky idiot!?

"You don't get it! What do I have to do to get rid of you!?" his voice was raised but in his heart, he just felt empty.

Clover smiled down at him, his eyes bright and his cheeks kissed with the first hint of a blush. He didn't let go.

"If you stop shouting, that might help."

What do I do…!? Do I tear my arm away? Kiss him? Fall on his perfect muscled chest and just fucking cry!?

From somewhere inside his smart mouth came to his rescue, "You like me shouting?" it said.

Clover looked at him with those perfect turquoise eyes, "Yes. I really like you shouting."

Qrow smiled in spite of himself, "You're a weird guy."

Clover finally let go of his elbow but his eyes still searched Qrow's face with worrying intensity, "It's been said." He gave a wry smile in return.

Qrow hesitated, it would be so easy to just lean forwards… just put his head on Clover's chest and let him kiss all the pain away. "Persistent fucker, aren't you?" he said.

"Yeah…" Clover shook his head, looking suddenly embarrassed, "I know I come on a bit strong… I'm sorry. I want you to know that I'm here for you in… all the ways but I don't actually want to hound you to the ends of the earth… so… if you don't want to take it any further… you can just let me know. I'm a professional. I won't make it a big deal."

Clover looked at the ground like it was the most interesting thing he'd ever seen. Yes, here is my heart, please, step on it.

"Further?" Qrow squeaked, regretting it instantly.

"Yes," Clover told the floor.

"Like…?" Qrow said. No, stop this! I'm leaving, remember!?

Clover looked up, his eyes twinkling, "Like when a man and a man like each other very mu.."

Qrow spluttered, trying to cough and laugh at the same time, "Ok. Yes. Thanks. I am a little bit old for the birds and the bees if you don't mind."

They looked at each other for a minute, Qrow memorising this moment. Memorising his face. It never did to let these moments pass when joy was fleeting and always, always gone too soon.

Finally, he spoke, "And what's with all the sass recently? I thought that was my schtick."

Clover grinned, sheepish, "I thought you might like it. You seem to get sick of the tin soldier trope."

"I… do like it," Qrow breathed, leaning in almost imperceptibly. He could feel the warmth of Clover's chest. Feel where his hand had rested on his shoulder… all the delicious thoughts that had swirled around in his mind for hours just came pouring out… he looked into Clover's eyes.

Now or never, asshole.

"What about you?" Qrow asked, his voice breathy, barely a whisper.

"What about me?" Clover asked, his eyes fixed on Qrow's lips.

"Are you the dinner and a movie type?" Qrow asked. He stopped breathing.

"You paying?"

"Just stop ok. It's weirding me out."

Clover laughed, "I don't know, I'm starting to like it."

"Ok, I'll pay! You really know how to make a guy feel special, you know that?" Qrow scowled, faking mad.

Clover looked at his dark, brooding face with a look that bordered on catatonic.

"You are so hopeless," Qrow laughed.

"Only with you," Clover breathed.

Fuck it.

Qrow lifted his hands around Clover's neck and pulled him into a kiss. He felt those rough hands close around his waist and pull them together. After that there was just lips, then strong arms picking him up and carrying him down the corridor.

"Put me down!"

"No," Clover said as he marched back to his quarters with his prize.

Oh well, I tried, Qrow thought as he melted into the warm chest and tried not to think about what he was going to do to the arrogant asshole as soon as the door had closed.

-xxx-

"So…" Yang asked, keeping it casual, "Where are you going?"

"Dinner. It's dinner time. I'm going to dinner," Qrow said, not meeting her eyes.

"With… Clover?"

Qrow turned sharply, glowering into her cool violet gaze, "Yes. He bet me that my misfortune couldn't ruin everything if he was around."

"And the best way to test that is dinner?"

"Yesssss."

"And that's why you spent 2 hours getting ready…"

"Haven't you got someone else to annoy?" Qrow asked, hoping his hair was still ok.

"Not really…" she grinned.

"OK WELL I have to go," Qrow said, scuttling out of that hell hole as fast as he could move.

-xxx-

Clover sat at the table, gazing out into the cold winter sky. Qrow was late but only a little. And for the first time, Clover wasn't worried. Last night was… OH GOD IT WAS AMAZING HOW DO YOU EVEN MOVE YOUR BODY LIKE THAT UGH…

Yeah ok. It was good, he laughed at himself nervously and covered his hard-on with a serviette. What a man.

The window was open just a crack to balance the heat from the blazing fire. As Clover gazed out across the swirling snowflakes, thinking about ass, a little black bird hopped through the window and onto the table.

"Awww look at you," Clover said softly, "Hey there little guy…" he laughed as he realised what type of bird it was. "Oh no! I think we've got our wires crossed; I've just fallen in love with a totally different crow! And if he sees us like this, who knows what might happen," he smiled and broke a bread roll in half, putting half on the table in front of the little bird, "but here… aww I can't be mad at you. Maybe we can have a little thing on the side… my Qrow can be a bit snarky and you are just SO CUTE!"

The little bird hopped onto the other seat and looked at him, head slightly tilted and little red eyes glittering.

In an instant Clover was looking into a completely different pair of glittered red eyes as the blush to end all blushes surged onto his face.

"I'm not cute," Qrow said pointedly, "but thanks for the roll."

Clover blinked. The blush deepened, "SO CUTE," he squeaked.

"Oh my god, stop it now," Qrow grinned.

After a little time, Clover regained the power of speech, "Well, I see that my humiliation is finally complete."

"It has been for quite a while, I'm afraid."

"Why must I fall for gorgeous, mouthy bad boys!? I'm a smooth guy!"

"I don't know," Qrow shrugged, just enjoying the moment.

"Well…. Uh…" Clover buried his head in the menu.

Qrow mulled over what he'd just heard. I mean, it wasn't a heart to heart… Clover was just dribbling crap at what he thought was a cute bird. It didn't mean anything.

…I've just fallen in love with a totally different crow…

His heart surged in his chest as he looked across the table at this, sexy confident guy… his ears were still bright pink.

He's fucking adorable.

This is not ok.

As he stared, Clover's eyes flicked up. He grinned like a total idiot then looked away.

UGH, Qrow's whole body groaned.

DOOMED.

-xxx-