A/N Hello everyone! I know this isn't my usual fandom to make works for, but I figured I would branch out and RWBY has really gotten my attention. This is also on AO3, and my other stories will be posted here as well. There are two alternative endings to this story. Just to note this is a reader insert story.

Warning for suicidal content in each chapter.

Qrow felt his racing heartbeat like a loud drum in his ears as he ran to where he knew you would be. Guilt flooded his mind, berating his own selfishness on the matter. Something changed, awhile back, but he had never considered mentioning it to you. You didn't get on his back about his drinking and he wouldn't bother you with his own observations. Turned out you needed the words of encouragement a little more than he thought you did.

Sunset, or was it sunrise, that you liked the most? God dammit, he wished he paid more attention when you spoke to him. Qrow promised himself he would once he brought you back home. Whichever it was, you always spoke of how the reds, oranges, and yellows all blended together and how beautiful you thought it looked.

Dear Qrow,

I know you'll be confused, but that's alright. This was never your burden to bear.

It had seemed like any other normal day. Qrow decided to go visit you, as you didn't live very far from his family's house in Patch. After a day spent playing with his young nieces, he figured you would want to hear all of the antics that they got up to. He knocked three times. The first time was nonchalant, the second one was a little louder, and by the third knock he was practically breaking down your door.

Having known each other for years, he knew almost everything about you. He knew you enough to know you never left your door unlocked, even when you were home. Safety, you had called it, while he called it paranoia. At the end of the third knock Qrow jiggled the door handle, and felt his heart drop when it turned and opened with ease.

Qrow Branwen was familiar with many kick ass huntsmen and huntresses, whether he figured that out by watching them or by getting his ass kicked by them usually depended on their sense of humor. You had taken an instant liking to his snarky and sarcastic charm, but on occasion you were known to kick his ass in a training bout or two. Ever since Beacon, you two had practically been inseparable. Long story short, Qrow knew you could hold your own.

However, that didn't dissipate the sinking feeling in his stomach as he stepped into your quaint house. Much like Tai, you preferred a comfortable rustic look that much of Patch seemed to agree with. It was warm and welcoming when you were home, but Qrow found it eerie and unnerving this time. No lights, no sounds, no anything. It was completely silent.

I lo You're my best friend. I don't know if I ever told you that but no time like the present, right? Please don't be upset over this, I know I wouldn't be if I was in your shoes. You were always the stronger one. It's one of the things I admire most about you. For me, be strong. One of us needs to be.

His lungs burned from running so hard, but it was worth it if it meant getting to you in time. Qrow felt his legs falter for a moment as the overworked muscles practically screamed for him to stop. You had both lost so much in so little time, and he didn't want to think of what it would be like to lose even more.

After graduating from Beacon, you had become even closer friends with Team STRQ. When Raven, and eventually Summer, disappeared in their own rights you had been almost as hard as their own teammates. However, you always pushed off your own problems in favor of theirs. Qrow could barely remember a night that you weren't by his side, keeping him distracted from his pain.

He admired your strength, and even voiced it from time to time, but every time you brushed his comment off with a "Thanks, but I think you're the stronger one." He never thought too much of it. He should have.

Over time Qrow noticed a pattern. It developed slowly, from you telling him what your own teammates were doing in their daily lives, to you talking about them occasionally, and finally to you not speaking a word about them. He didn't want to pester you, but curiosity is a bitch. One drunken afternoon he finally got you to spill the beans.

Your team had been disbanded. He was shocked to hear this, especially when you sounded so heart wrenched while saying it. Drunk you explained that two of your teammates had gotten into a fight, and it kept escalating until the team was divided. The team leader didn't seem to care, and while you desperately tried to keep some of your only friends together she didn't seem to give two shits. The team "officially" disbanded months ago, and he had no clue.

In the morning he found out that you didn't remember anything from the night before, but that didn't stop him from being more attentive for the next few months. Qrow berated himself as he ran. He should have tried harder, he shouldn't have stopped when he thought you were alright. Sure you were looking a bit more tired and stopped going out of the house so much, but he never thought…no, he shouldn't make excuses. He could have clearly seen something was wrong if he wasn't waist deep in a bottle every night.

I want to see our favorite spot one last time. The sky is so beautiful when..well I've already talked to you a million times about that. It reminds me of your eyes. Never told you that either, but I always thought they were beautiful.

Promise that you'll play with the kids a little extra for me, I'll miss seeing them. You and Tai are raising them so well, I wish I could see what they'll grow up to be like. No matter what, I know they'll be amazing, just like their father and uncle.

So many emotions were running through Qrow's head, he could barely think straight. He knew what you were going to say in your letter. He didn't deserve it before, and he definitely doesn't deserve your love now, after he failed you so spectacularly. Qrow felt tears welling up in the corner of his eyes. He tripped and landed hard on the ground. Was this how you felt? Stumbling, falling, with no one to help you back up?

His fist slammed onto the grass as he cursed your teammates, and anything else that made you feel this way. Most of all, he cursed himself. Qrow suddenly stopped, and rose to his feet. He could imagine you in front of him, dusting off his knees, and he could almost swear he could hear you say "Stop beating yourself up. I know you won't believe me when I say you're wrong, so listen to this instead. Even if you're wrong, you can do better. Don't be hard on yourself for what you didn't do, strive to do better." You always knew what to say.

With a newfound resolve, and a vow firmly in his mind, he took off once again. The time was almost here, and he needed to hurry up. Qrow changed into his bird form to cover more ground, until he finally reached the cliff's peak. He transformed back into his human form, and stared in awe as he saw you standing there.

Your hands were clasped together in front of you, and your head was down. He could see you were nervous. Maybe you would step back on your own. Oh, how the world loved to prove him wrong. The previously clasped hands went down to your side and you took one last look at the sky. You jumped.

"No!" Qrow yelled, his throat dry and raspy from crying. He sprinted forward, trying to grab ahold of you before you were gone from his sight forever. Qrow reached out his hand, and watched you slip through his fingers.

I'll never forget you. It would be best if you forget me.

Love, (Y/N)