Finally, Qrow and Winter are in the same room for more than thirty seconds.

Day 4: Rendezvous/Meet Me

Winter let out a tired sigh as she pulled off her gloves and coat. It was a little past midnight and things had finally settled down enough for her to get some sleep.

Every available Atlas ship had been called to assist in Vale, evacuating civilians, delivering supplies, providing support against the grimm that were still approaching, drawn to the suffering of people who were still waiting to be moved. The last day had been non-stop for her and her soldiers.

At least Weiss was back in the mansion, away from the worst of the danger, though Winter wouldn't say that her sister was safe.

She was unbuttoning her vest when someone knocked on her door; she re-buttoned it and prayed that there hadn't been another disaster.

"Qrow," in her surprise she forgot to act indifferent.

But he didn't seem to hear it.

"Hey," his eyelids were low and his voice was rougher than usual, "can I come in?"

She nodded; poking her head into the hallway to make sure no one was around to see. Qrow didn't chuckle at that like he normally did, just trudged inside, clutching something in his hand.

"We haven't really had a chance to talk," they had seen each other plenty of times over the last twenty-four hours, but only from a distance. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," he lied as he sat in her desk chair and stared at the floor.

Winter frowned, her hand going to his chin and she tilted his head up to look at her, "talk to me."

He pulled away slightly and held up what he had carried in, it took Winter a moment to recognise it as the hilt of Ozpin's cane.

"Oh, Qrow."

She ran her fingers over the back of his head, through his softer-than-it-looked hair. Without looking up he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, burying his face in her stomach while she stroked his hair and back.

Both his niece's were badly hurt, the school that had been his home for four years was destroyed and now this? It was a miracle he hadn't completely broken down

"What do you need?" She asked.

"You," he said bluntly.

"You have me."

She didn't see it, but that got a small smile out of him. "Yeah, I do," he started pulling her shirt tails out from her pants.

Winter rolled her eyes but no move to stop him.

He made his way up her body by unbuttoning her vest and blouse, kissing the ivory skin as he uncovered it.

"Let out your hair."

She cleared her throat expectantly.

"Please, let out your hair," he added, trying not to sound impatient.

Winter complied, pulling out the pins and ties that kept her bun in place. She felt Qrow watching her and shook her head, her silky hair spilling out over her shoulders and back.

He stood up and threaded his fingers into it. He didn't know why, but when it was down and dishevelled it was irresistible to him. Winter sighed contently, her body relaxing at his touch.

"Things are going to get crazy," he said, stroking small circles with his thumbs, "I don't know when we'll see each other again."

She tried to hide it, but he saw fear in her eyes, "how's that different from the last time you left?"

He didn't have the heart to call her on it, it was easier to just pretend this was just like the other times, that he'd come stumbling back out of nowhere and they'd squabble for hours before inevitably falling into bed, exactly like they'd done less than two days before.

"Right," he tucked that perpetually stray tendril of hair behind her ear and kissed her.

Winter grabbed his lapel and pulled him onto the bed, trying to unbutton his shirt as his lips touched between her breasts.

She hadn't even got half of them when he moved lower and started removing her pants.

"You have no patience."

"Not when it comes to you," he pulled the fabric down a few inches, enough to expose her light blue underwear, "and you like it that way."

She was, of course, going to deny such a crude accusation, but he started rubbing her through the fabric and everything else became less important.

"I missed you," she said quietly, almost like she was afraid he'd hear it.

"I missed you, too."

Qrow played with the ends of her hair while she slept, enjoying the soft feeling on his fingers.

Sunrise was about an hour away, he should have left for Patch already, but couldn't bring himself to move.

He reminded himself that he had to check on the girls, and that Tai probably wanted to know what the hell was going on.

His fingers started trailing down her back, between her shoulders blades. He'd discovered early in their relationship that she liked being touched there and exploited it every chance he got.

"You're insatiable," Winter grumbled.

"That's not what I was doing, though I'm not saying no."

She rolled over, hair messy from sleep and sex. Moments like this were his favourite, when she was relaxed and free from the confines forced on her.

"They'll come looking for me soon," she said.

"How soon?"

"Too soon," she pressed her lips against his.

There was no intent behind it, nothing she was trying to convey, it was for the simple joy of kissing him.

"Are you going back to Atlas after this?" He asked

She nodded, not bothering to ask where he was going, either he didn't know or wouldn't tell her.

"I'll try to meet you there before things get too crazy."

"Whatever you're doing out there," she put her hand over his heart, "be careful."

He scoffed, "I'm always careful. You should be more worried about yourself."

After he left, she found herself staring out the window for a few moments, hoping to see him fly off.

Winter didn't see a crow, but she did see a blue jay.