Chapter Text
Winter sighed looking down at the scene in front of her. Weiss laid on the counter of the makeshift bar.
"Well, this is a sight." She announced her presence making Qrow glance over his shoulder at her.
"Took you long enough ice queen." he said his voice a low gravel. "Princess here fell asleep waiting." he hooked a thumb in Weiss's direction who was slumped on the counter her head resting on her folded arms as she snores away. Winter pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at her sisters wrinkled dress and lack of propriety but the dry tear stains on her cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes brought out a softness in her chest and she relaxed a fraction.
"I appreciate you calling me." Winter said with begrudging kindness .
"Yeah." Qrow whispered not bothering with their usual banter.
Winter sighed again, "I don't know why she wandered in here in the first place"
"Regrets, usually." Qrow offered. Winter eyes him carefully, when his guard of wit and sarcasm was down he reminded her of the younger upperclassmen she once met in the arena, filled with charm and kindness, before wars, before whiskey.
She smiled at his back sadly, "and what are you regretting then?"
"Everything. Nothing. I let someone go, I thought they'd be happier without me, tried to save the world yadda yadda, and now I'm here. I sometimes wonder if I should have settled down and tried. But It's too late now." he shrugged.
She frowned and felt a small pang in her chest, often late at night when she settled down alone some of her those same thoughts came to her mind. In her strive to be like neither of her parents, her strive to be there for Weiss, she had isolated herself instead. Just her and a cold room. It would be worth it if only Weiss were happy but...
"I wonder the same thing sometimes." She finally admitted.
Qrow contemplated his drink for a moment, "well," he began, "if you feel like doing some regretting... Come for a drink sometime." he said. It settled in the air and Winter raised her eyebrows in surprise, deciphering his meaning.
"... I think I might." she offered slowly. He turned around a fraction and sent a cautious smile her way and for a moment she felt warm.
-end