Okay, decided to write up a quick chapter before work. So here we go. Just an update. People may be surprised at this. But I have SIGNIFICANTLY cut my drinking out. Like I used to really enjoy it while I was in the army, but for the past few months, the only drink I've had was some mead for Yule. And the occasional Sam Adams after work. Other than that, I don't drink anymore. So I just replaced that with coffee, and honestly I feel so much better.

Winter could hear the birds chirping as she slowly opened her eyes. She didn't know why but she felt warm. She yawned a bit as she snuggled a bit into what she was sleeping on. The nice encompassing warm grasp of two arms wrapped aroud-

Wait...two arms?

She looked behind her slowly and saw that Jem was currently hugging her from behind as his head was on her back.

She blushed intensely. But there was a slight difference between the Winter of a few weeks ago versus the Winter of today. After all, when Alex had that talk with her, she found it was best not to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when he happened to be hugging you at the moment. So she decided not to wake him. Plus, she was far too comfortable to move away right now. So she simply laid her head back down on the makeshift pillow she had and enjoyed the feeling. While she was certain Jem did not intend to spoon her, she had to admit it felt nice. Not only did she feel warm, but she also felt comfortable, it was nice to be wanted. Her mind went through her memories of the night before. Jem and her stayed up late talking about everything, ranging from their home lives, to life in general. It was really amazing how much they had learned about each other when they let go of their preconceived misconceptions about each other. Jem figured that she was a hoity toity fancy girl who only had a soft spot for Weiss, but she indeed had a soft caring side for a lot of people, and that her appearances on the show hadn't really shown that side yet. Save a few times here and there. But then again that was to be expected considering she wasn't a major character in the appearances she did have.

Winter had learned that Jem while he could be silly, could also be deeply insightful. Never did she expect a man who looked like your stereotypical hillbilly to be fond of Philosophy and history. According to him, it was important for a man to study philosophy because it helped your brain to rationalize stressful situations and get past the barriers of life. Particularly he was fond of stoicism when it came to things that you couldn't change, so it was best not to worry about it.

But that was besides the point. She remembered at a certain time, both realized they had stayed up late just talking to each other. And both wanted to go to bed. Of course Winter ended up joining him in the tent, she claimed the reason being was that there was no room currently with the Ace ops in the cabin as well. Granted, Clover had actually volunteered to sleep outside because it was a beautiful night. But Jem didn't need to know that. Didn't stop him from reassuring her there would plenty of room in between them. But obviously he must have cuddled her sometime in the night.

She smiled a bit. This was kind of nice. Course knowing her love something would pop up soon like

"COCK A DOODLE DOO!" A rooster crowed as Jem shot up.

"What the hell? Where did that come from?" Jem looked confused as he was pretty sure there wasn't a chicken farm near here.

He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Completely oblivious to the fact he had been cuddling Winter in his sleep.

"Oh morning Winter, sorry did I wake you?" He said as she grumbled a bit at the sudden cold feeling she got when he leaped up.

"Oh no, I've been awake for a bit, just didn't want to get up." She said as she was enjoying that feeling.

"Ah I understand that, well, I'm going to make some coffee, you want some?" He said as she smiled.

Despite being annoyed at the warm encompassing cuddles going away, coffee always sounded nice.

Jem got out of the tent and prepped a small campfire not just for coffee, but also for breakfast. Winter sat up and stretched. Despite the fact it was something minor, she now had a strike against Elm. Even though Jem was unaware of the cuddles. They still slept in the same tent. If that didn't help give him a big hint, then she didn't know what would. Granted, she had a feeling she still had a lot of work to do, but as all great stories go 'Nothing worthwhile ever came from an easy life.'

"Oh good morning Elm!" And that put Winter on high alert.

She stuck her head outside the tent to see Jem sitting on a log still prepping the coffee, while lookin up at Elm who was currently wearing a sports bra and track shorts. Winter glared, if she didn't know any better, it was almost like Elm was trying to seduce Jem. But they just met, no way that could be happening.

"Good morning! I tried to sleep in, but couldn't. And it was warm enough I decided to go on a run through the woods. Its kind of nice to run without being worried about having to fight off Grimm." She said as she sat down next to Jem.

"And I smelled coffee, so I was wondering if I could get a cup." She said as Jem smiled.

"Yeah sure, I was just making some for me and Winter, but theres plenty to go around." He said as Elm turned to see Winter poking her head out of the tent.

"Oh good morning Mis...I mean Winter." Elm caught herself as she remembered they weren't at work.

"Good morning Elm." She said as she stumbled out of the tent.

So much for a nice morning to themselves.

"Wheres everyone else?" Jem asked as he looked around.

"Most of them are still sleeping." She said as she pointed towards the lake.

"I don't know how he can sleep so peacefully over there." She said as Clover was sleeping like a baby underneath a tree close to the lake while birds and small animals surrounded him.

"Damn, he looks like a disney princess right now with all the animals next to him." He said as he noticed a rabbit sleeping in Clovers lap.

"Its his damn semblance, guy has good fortune, so of course animals cuddle next to him." She said as she was a little jealous.

"Damn, good luck seems like it would be an awesome semblance to have." He said as Elm corrected him.

"Fortune, not luck."

"Eh, same thing, plus I don't know, Good luck seems to make more sense to me, actually now that I think about it...Clover...ooohhhhh his name and his semblance are references to the luck of the irish!" He said as it suddenly made sense.

Winter however looked confused.

"You just figured that out?" Jem didn't seem like he would miss that.

"Well to be honest, I don't watch the show for the clever names, I watch it for the kickass fight scenes." Which was completely reasonable in his opinion.

Jem poured everyone a cup of coffee. Winter and Elm each had one cup in a collapsible camp cup, while Jem poured the rest into a canteen cup he had from the army.

Winter looked over and saw that luckily at this time, Jem was too focused on his morning coffee to focus on Elm's abs. Seriously it was kind of weird. She may not have a lot of experience with guys, but she was certain that guys were attracted to very specific parts on a womans body. And she never expected Jem would be a guy into abs. Then again, she even looked over. And she could see why. Jem always complained about modern day bodybuilders having bubble guts, or they looked way too shredded to the point it didn't look good. Elm had that nice balance of showing muscle tone while still having enough fat to show a nice definition and contrast.

But she was suddenly distracted as she noticed another smell. Wait, how had she forgotten Jem was cooking breakfast.

"Dang, that smells good." Elm said as she saw, eggs, bacon and pancakes frying up on the skillet he had.

"Something about cooking on cast iron just seems to make it smell and taste better." Jem said as he shook Winter out of her stupor.

"Hey Winny, you want some?" He asked as Elm chuckled.

"Excuse me...Winny?" She said as she saw Winter had a blush of embarrassment over being called that in front of Elm.

"Yeah, its a nickname...ohhhh yeah I forgot...she technically your superior." Jem said as he realized this had to be hilarious to her.

"Yeah its just-" Elm started to say but Winter held a hand up.

"ONLY HE GETS TO CALL ME WINNY." She glared with the ice queen glare as Elm shut up.

"YES MA'AM!" She said not used to getting that glare.

"Woah...huh, yep, you and Weiss are definitely related." He said as that was impressive.

Winter grumbled.

She was honestly hoping she and Jem got some more time to themselves soon. Because Elm was really throwing her off right now.

"MORNING!" Nala yelled as she hugged the back of Jem's back as he fell forward a bit.

"Oof, morning Nala!" He said as he smiled at her.

"I smelled food! Can I have some?" She asked as he nodded.

"Of course you can." He said as he looked down.

"I mean I expected more people anyways, so good thing I made extra." He said as Winter and Elm looked impressed at Nala's speed.

"Wait you smelled food from all the way inside that cabin?" Elm asked as Nala pointed to her nose.

"Faunus! Duh!" She said as her tail was wagging.

"But then why isn't Marrow or blake also-" Suddenly he noticed Marrow was on the other log.

"Huh, speak of the devil." He noticed how everyone was walking over to the smell of the cooking fire.

Except one.

"Wheres Clover?" He asked as he looked back to where Clover was sleeping.

Only to see him currently petting a bunny.

"...Uhm...I'm gonna be here awhile." He said as he didn't want to disturb the smol creatures.

"...Damn, I'm not gay, but that is cute as fuck." Jem said as that was just adorable.