-xxx-

Clover got up early. He had a long shower and as he rinsed the soap bubbles from his muscled chest, he thought of Qrow. It was important to make sure he looked his very best. Today was the day. Today he was going to make sure that GORGEOUS DAMN IT WHY SO STUNNING man knew exactly what he was missing.

He'd spent all night pondering and somewhere, in the cold quiet between three and four am, it hit him.

Qrow wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to smiles and flirting and romantic dinners. This was a guy who'd been out on his own… out in the world living a hard and unforgiving life. He was someone who'd suffered, who drank to forget. Someone who had survived. It seemed so obvious when he thought of the sparring. Qrow had just relaxed so much when they fought. It was familiar to him, comfortable. It was his normal.

Qrow was used to things being hard. He was used to nothing going his way.

This is someone who is used to fighting tooth and claw for what he wants. When something feels too easy, how can you trust it?

Well, my gorgeous gothic delight, have I got a surprise for you.

Clover gave his reflection a confident wink.

Look out Qrow, because your gorgeous ass is mine.

-xxx-

The briefing started at 8:30 sharp. Qrow was on time but distracted. He watched Clover's biceps tense and relax as he ran through the mission allocations. They were so defined. Qrow knew the guy was strong but arms like that… it was just excessive.

How the hell am I meant to focus?!

"..and Qrow," Clover said, his eyes just flicking to meet Qrow's haggard morning gaze for a split second.

Wait, what? But he hasn't finished the assignments yet…

"…and I'll go with Marrow and Harriet. It's about time we got onto the grim that have been skirting the southern walls. Any questions?" Clover asked, pausing that perfunctory split second that all managers seem to have in common, "Alright then, good luck out there."

Qrow blinked.

Yang and Blake wandered over, smiling at a shared joke.

"Clover let you off the hook today?" Yang smirked.

"Seems so," Qrow mused, spacing out over her shoulder. Clover was laughing with Marrow about something; the boy's tail was wagging like crazy.

"Well, at least we've got something fun to do! Sphinxes and Manticores are always good to work up an appetite and it's beef tonight!"

Blake smiled, "It's meatloaf."

"Ugh! Oh well, I guess there's always dessert. Hey, are you with me?" Yang waved a hand in front of Qrow's face.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Well it looks painful," Yang laughed, "Come on! We can't sit around all day, we'll miss the transport out," she grinned and bounded off.

Qrow watched as Clover put his hand on Marrow's shoulder and guided him out of the room. Just before Clover walked through the door, he turned and gazed at Qrow with those perfect turquoise eyes, flicked his wrist in half a salute and was gone.

The day passed in a blur. It was nice to hang out with Yang and Blake. He always enjoyed Blake's quiet, no bullshit manner and Yang was… Yang. She really was Tai's sunny dragon. All joy and flames. They worked him hard and kept him distracted. Between the grim and the banter, the day flashed by. It was almost enough to stop him from thinking about Clover… but not quite.

Why did he allocate me to a different team? Why didn't he even talk to me?

But it wasn't like Clover had brushed him off… he'd given him that seven thousand watt smile and that cocky salute…

"Oh no, he's gone again," Yang said, "Qrow… Qrow… come back to me! Don't walk towards the light!"

"Ah, shut up…" he grinned.

They were walking back into the mess hall and Qrow could smell the meatloaf.

Yang looked at the plates and slumped in disappointment. Blake gave a tiny smile of I-told-you-so and went to sit with Ruby and Weiss, who were arguing about peas.

"Mint is disgusting," Weiss complained.

"But it's like eating peas after brushing your teeth!" Ruby enthused.

"My point exactly," Weiss said imperiously, prodding the peas on her plate as if they had just crawled out of a tar pit and died there.

Qrow looked across the room. The Ace Ops were at the next table, well… four of them anyway.

A deep, confident voice called out from behind him, "Look who's finally back."

Qrow turned slowly; Clover was standing behind him with a tray of dinner. He looked at the tray then back to Qrow again. "Meatloaf day. I guess my luck had finally run out."

"I kind of like it," Qrow said.

"What have I told you about punishing yourself?" Clover smiled, "Meatloaf is self-harm Qrow and you deserve better."

Qrow smiled in spite of himself. The little spark of joy flickered in his chest but then the doubt surged again, "Why did you send me away today?"

"How about you get yourself some… let's just call it food… and come sit with me?"

"Alright," Qrow marched off and grabbed dinner. He actually did like meatloaf. It reminded him of a huntsman he used to know. Great guy but a terrible cook… all except the meatloaf which was actually glorious. Funny how it's the little things that you remember.

Clover was sitting at a table by himself slightly away from the others. Qrow wondered if they should sit together… but he pushed the doubt down hard in his chest. He wanted to know what was going on a lot more than he cared about his laughable reputation right now anyway.

Clover looked up as he dumped his tray on the table and huffed into the chair.

"Long day?" he asked, green eyes twinkling.

"Long enough," he looked at Clover with accusing eyes.

"Hey, hey," Clover raised his hands in a gesture of peace, "I decided we should have a little space."

"You decided, huh?"

"Yes. I wouldn't want you to get sick of me now, would I?" he smiled warmly and Qrow did his best to try to remember that he was annoyed.

"I guess not…" Qrow muttered, poking his meatloaf. It was grey. Maybe Clover had a point.

"Why, did you miss me?"

"No!" Qrow said, far too quickly.

Clover laughed, "Well, I'm guessing that you haven't cleaned your quarters?"

"Amazingly, no. I hired a maid service and they sent this absolute hottie so I was kind of hoping that he would come b.."

"No way," Clover shook his head, "but nice try. In that case, if you're feeling lonely you could always swing by my quarters around eight tomorrow. I thought a night in might be nice."

"Tomorrow?"

"The day after today? Unless you can't wait of course."

Qrow glared at him.

"Alright then, I'll take that smouldering rage as a yes. See you tomorrow night."

And with that, Clover stood up, flexed that amazing ass of his and strode off.

-xxx-

Qrow couldn't sleep and spent a good hour prowling the barracks before dawn. He knew that he was hoping to meet Clover, hoping that he was also pacing the halls, hoping that he was out here… somewhere… maybe even looking for him.

But he didn't see anyone. The day passed in a haze of sleep deprivation and coffee. Clover sent him out with Juane, Ren and Nora this time. It felt like a favour of sorts because he could really use a distraction and Nora was… a hell of a distraction.

Today they got beef. Yang was thrilled and even shouted Ruby down when she tried to start a food fight, pleading with her to save it for one of the many days when they didn't actually have something edible.

Qrow couldn't focus. Clover wasn't there. He'd been there for the briefing, made an excuse about having executive meetings and vanished.

I bet he's doing some stupid massive romantic thing, getting things ready for tonight. What an idiot.

Qrow smiled to himself and thought about the soft pink glow that spread across Clover's cheeks when he was embarrassed. How can someone be so confident and so easily flustered?

Qrow went back to his room and had a shower; he put on a black shirt and jeans and just sat. Somehow, eight o'clock finally came around.

He learnt his lesson and waited until eight to leave his quarters. Even then he still hovered on the threshold of Clover's door, heart sputtering in his chest. Finally, he knocked softly.

"It's not locked," he heard Clover call from inside.

Qrow opened the door. Clover was lounging on the couch in sweats and a dark green t-shirt. He had a game scroll in one hand and a fight scene in full swing on the screen in front of him.

He was playing ninja warrior.

Clover glanced up at him and smiled, "Hey, come in, sit down. I've just got one more round."

Qrow did as requested. It was strange, being here in Clover's room. Not being the centre of his attention.

Qrow let his eyes wander. There was a landscape painting on the wall, a beautiful sweeping view of a green valley with steep peaks rising on either side. Majestic. Tranquil.

There was a couch, a TV, a bed, a bookshelf, a little kitchenette… everything neat and normal.

Qrow thought of his own room, which was a merciless black hole brimming with chaos.

This guy really has his shit together.

Clover delivered an epic combo, ending the match.

Show off.

Clover grinned and held the controller out to Qrow. "A little birdie told me that you are no push over."

"Well, you should always believe random animals that speak to you."

"I take it on a case by case basis," Clover grinned, "I bet Yang I could beat you. She has this ridiculous opinion that you're some kind of ninja legend."

"Well, I suppose I can't disappoint my nieces can I?"

"That's never going to happen."

Qrow looked at him.

He felt tightness in his chest and a smile welled from somewhere deep.

He kicked off his shoes and jumped onto the couch, "I am going to own you."

"That so?" Clover laughed, moving so there was more room.

They played for an hour or so, their talk becoming easier as the time wore on. Clover was actually better at ninja warrior even than Qrow, much to his delight.

"I bet you're cheating," Qrow laughed, as he got his ass handed to him yet again.

"You're just old."

"You did not just say that!" Qrow laughed and turned to poke Clover in the ribs.

Clover put down his scroll and wrapped his arm around Qrow's shoulders. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

"No, I think I'd fall asleep."

"Thanks," Clover chuckled.

"No, it's not you I just slept really badly."

"We could call it a night. I can walk you back to your room if you want," Clover's fingertips pressed even so slightly on Qrow's shoulder.

"It's dark."

"Yes?" Clover said.

"It's a long way."

"I suppose it is," Clover agreed.

"It seems like a bit of an inconvenience."

Clover put his hand on Qrow's cheek and kissed him. He just wanted to live in the smell of him, the taste of him. To just drink him in.

"I suppose you could just stay here," he said softly.

"If you insist," Qrow leaned forwards taking one slow and fulfilling kiss in return.

Clover turned and wrapped the slighter man in his arms, picking him up, pulling him onto his lap.

He felt Qrow's long fingers caress him, one hand tousling his hair and the other untucking his shirt, "Would you like to move to the bed?" Clover asked, smiling to himself as Qrow's fingers moved quickly onto his shirt buttons.

"Here is fine," Qrow breathed into his ear as he pulled Clover forward to pull the cloth from his back.

"Well," Clover mused, slowly taking his belt off, "Let's see if I can keep you awake then."

-xxx-