-xxx-
When Clover said thirteen days it had filled Qrow with dread. He just didn't trust the world… his semblance… himself. Things just didn't work out for him. Friends, lovers, colleagues… anyone he got close to either betrayed him or died.
That night he lay awake for hours, tossing and turning in tiny quiet movements, trying not to move the bedcovers too much in case he woke Clover.
I don't know why I'm being so damn careful… the guy sleeps like a log!
He could just make out Clover's face in the dark. He looked so peaceful.
It must be nice to sleep like that. To just lie down and let go of it all.
He still looked sexy, even with his mouth open.
I guess I am pretty far gone, Qrow smiled.
If Qrow had ever tried to imagine his perfect partner, it would not have been Clover. He never really had a type with guys so he hadn't thought about the 'perfect man'. No Mr Right. Just Mr Right Now. Plus, Clover's compliments, his endearing, concerned gaze… it was a bit awkward. Qrow didn't need a cheer squad! But those same compliments made him feel so good. He could tell Clover really meant it, too. He really admired Qrow, what he'd achieved, who he was.
It felt so strange to be seen. Really seen and just… accepted. Adored, even.
It wasn't something he usually got in relationships. He was used to being the chaser… the giver of compliments, the buyer of drinks, the desperate one…
It was… nice to be wanted. Nice to feel like he was worth pursuing. Worth going to all this effort for. And Clover had. Qrow had seen him struggling. He knew what it must have felt like when he said I love you and got nothing back but he didn't give up.
I would have given up.
But Clover didn't. He just changed tactic and came back stronger.
Maybe he was like that because he was so used to things working out… because of his semblance. He was so used to everything going his way, he just couldn't imagine that it might turn out different… but he looked so uncertain… so hurt when Qrow had been cold to him.
Maybe he makes his own luck.
Clover snuffled next to him and rolled over, his muscled back outlined silver in the light from the window.
Even his shoulders make me horny. Qrow laughed softly to himself. Maybe it's time I started to make my own luck too.
Carefully, slowly, inch by quiet inch, he rolled his body over and wrapped one arm around Clover's waist. He shuffled his hips forward until he could curl his body up against that muscled back and breathe the man in. Clover curled forward and his arm pulled Qrow's hand tighter,
'My tweety sweety…' he murmured.
TWEETY SWEETY WHAT THE FUCK!? Qrow was OUTRAGED. But also warm.
'I hate you,' he growled as he snuggled closer.
'Mmmmm,' Clover sighed happily.
Qrow tried to fume but he found that all the fears that had been swirling in his head had somehow gone and all he felt now was comfortable… and tired.
I'll kick your ass in the morning…
-xxx-
When Clover woke he was in a great mood. He practically leapt out of bed, stopping only to gaze down at Qrow's messy bed hair WHY SO HOT!? HOW SO HOT!? before skipping off to make coffee.
He had to get some of his excitement out before Qrow woke up properly. He wasn't sure how Mr I Hate Mornings would deal with a bouncing ball of boyfriend first thing.
Boyfriend. He's my boyfriend. Most eligible Batchelor in all of Remnant, huh? Kiss my lucky charms!
Clover did a little soft shoe shuffle in his boxers and felt like a total idiot. It was great.
And today was a rostered day off! They could actually spend time together… if Qrow ever got out of bed.
Why do you want him out of bed!?
Clover chuckled to himself and went to the kitchenette. He made the coffee just shy of strong enough to dissolve the spoon and sat it on the counter, hoping the smell would be enticing.
After several minor bouts of dancing, Qrow sat up sleepily. He reached over the side of the bed and grabbed the first thing he found, Clover's tank top. He pulled it over his head and threw the covers back. The top was so big on him it looked nearly like a dress and for some reason, the sight of him all scruffy and sleepy and wearing his clothes…
Wow.
I really do love him.
Qrow shuffled up and collapsed onto Clover's chest. Clover wrapped him up in his arms and just let the feeling wash over him. My boyfriend.
No. Don't dance.
Qrow groaned loudly into his chest.
"I made you coffee," Clover whispered into Qrow's soft, messy hair.
"MMMmmffffgggghhhh…" Qrow fell onto the nearest stool at the breakfast counter and took a long sip, "Ah… thank you," Qrow looked at him with those beautiful eyes and smiled, warm and open.
DON'T DANCE
After a couple more sips, Qrow blinked and looked up at him, his eyes narrowing.
"You called me tweety sweety last night in your sleep," the red eyes blazed, accusing.
"I did not," Clover said, trying to keep a straight face.
"How would you know if you were asleep?" Qrow asked; his voice low and dangerous.
No! He's got me! Escape before it's too late!
"Well… I'm still alive for one. If I had called you tw… uh… I'd be dead by now, yeah?"
"It's only because you're s.." Qrow started to grumble.
"And if I'm still alive, then you must have liked it!"
Ha! Touché!
Qrow stood and looked up into Clover's eyes, his sexy, gravelled voice rasped, "We will never speak of this again."
Clover's eyes watered. Do not laugh. Do not laugh. Do not laugh.
"No. Never again."
"Or it will be the last thing you ever do…"
"Last thing," Clover nodded, lips jammed firmly together.
"Good. Glad we got that sorted," Qrow sniggered a little bit.
Clover lost it.
Qrow raged as best as he could, "Stop it! I'm a fierce warrior! Sweety at your peril!" but Clover was laughing so hard and it just made him laugh and it was just all too damn stupid for words.
After a very long and breathless minute, Clover got his voice back, "So… Fierce, would you like to hang out today?"
"Sure," Qrow shrugged his shoulders, a little smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.
"What would you like to do?"
"I don't know," Qrow ran one long finger around the rim of his coffee mug.
"We could go ice hole fishing? It's pretty awesome out there if you don't mind the occasional grim?"
"Uhhh…" Qrow blinked.
"I can see the enthusiasm is a little lacking… no ice hole puns though so I guess that's something."
Qrow smiled, "Nah, I was just thinking you're trying to get out of the bet."
"Get out of it?"
"Well… tundra, grim, icy death… if you make it through today, you're stuck with me, right?"
"I guess I am," Clover put his hand next to Qrow's on the counter. All he wanted to do was pick the man up and yeet him into bed. Why did he have to look so wide-eyed and beautiful ALL THE TIME!?
"So…?" Qrow asked, shrugging like it didn't even matter.
"So you make a good point. Maybe we should build a blanket fort? No one ever died building a blanket fort."
"Is that how you usually pick up? Dinner and a blanket fort? That's a little creepy."
Clover laughed, "Picky, picky… what would you like to do then? The ass is yours to command."
"Now I'm starting to get interested," Qrow lifted one dark eyebrow.
Clover leaned over and ran his thumb along Qrow's stubbled jaw. He loved the way his hair was just flecked with silver, the long dark eyelashes, his strong jaw, his burning red eyes… Qrow tilted his head, bird like and turned his cheek into Clover's hand. Clover stepped closer, leaning down and let his lips just brush Qrow's. Qrow's teeth nipped at his bottom lip and then one pale hand reached up to cup the back of his head, pulling him down into a passionate kiss. Qrow's other hand trailed slowly down Clover's chest, one sharp nail flicking a sensitive nipple and making him squirm. He could feel Qrow smiling into the kiss as he stroked Clover's skin lightly, making his whole body thrum. Clover leaned closer as Qrow's expert touch tripped over his stomach muscles, then one finger hooked into his waist band.
Qrow pulled away from the kiss, looking down, "Seem you've built a fort already," he grinned down at the tent in Clover's boxers. Keeping eye contact, Qrow let his hand dip below the elastic and Clover moaned and closed his eyes.
That's it. Yeets for you.
Clover wrapped his arms under Qrow's knees and went to lift him up.
"No! Wait!" Qrow shouted.
Clover froze…
"I haven't finished my coffee."
Seriously!?
Clover crossed his arms, "You get that bouncy butt into bed or I'll make sure you can't sit down for a week."
"Can't I have both?" Qrow drawled, biting his lip.
Clover turned slowly and stretched, making sure every defined muscle rippled as he moved. "Absolutely," he grinned, lifting Qrow effortlessly and flexing his sexy ass back to bed.
-xxx-
They spent the day just walking. They saw some of the sights, stopped in a couple of shops, ate when they were hungry and sat when they were tired. It was a normal, peaceful kind of day. True, Clover did nearly fall down a man hole but apart from that, it was… quiet.
It was so different from everything Qrow'd had before. It felt utterly foreign and yet so comfortable. Clover talked non-stop, telling Qrow all about Mantle. It turned out he was a bit of a history buff and he had a way of picking the best bits of a story so Qrow really enjoyed learning about all the little quirks that made this place unique.
When it started to get really cold, they'd ducked back to Clover's room to get something warmer on and now Qrow was buried in one of Clover's huge duffle coats. He knew he looked ridiculous but when he saw how Clover looked at him, what anyone else thought just didn't seem to matter.
Finally, the sun started to set and they found a park bench. Clover dusted the snow off and then sat, pulling Qrow into his lap. The sky was awash with pink and purple, the air crisp.
"Thank you," Clover whispered in his ear.
"What for?" Qrow asked, enjoying the heat of the strong warm arms around him.
"Just being here… spending the day with me. It was nice."
"Yeah, it was," Qrow didn't know what else he could say.
I feel like I've been waiting for this forever… I never wanted to be comforted but it made me feel whole. I never wanted to be held but it makes my heart warm. I never wanted to rely on anyone but now that I do… I feel stronger. I thought that this would make me vulnerable, weak… but I'm more certain now than I've ever been about anything.
"I…" Qrow started, and in his chest it was like a revelation, a secret he had kept even from himself. He had felt it building but he'd pushed it away, something to deal with another day… but it was here.
Ready or not.
"…I love you."
He leaned forwards and rested his forehead on Clover's, looking deep into those perfectly shaded green eyes.
The world stopped and for a minute, they were alone in a future which neither of them had ever dared to dream of.
"Say something," Qrow said, feeling a little flustered.
"I… love you so much. I just want to spend every minute with you. I want to dance with you and laugh with you and never, ever let you go…"
Qrow smiled, "Ok, you can stop now."
"I will never stop," Clover said, pulling his snuggly, ruffled boyfriend into a deep kiss.
Qrow melted into the embrace; I guess I can live with that.
-xxx-