Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

When Clover receives his Soulmate Words, he’s heard all of the stories.

From the gentle tones of his mother to his friends’ excited flurry in the academy, Words just mysteriously appears on people’s skin. They represent more than just the moment you realize ‘hey this person is my soulmate!’

These Words marring his skin represent the best qualities of his soulmate, little insight to their personality or way of life or just a hint of what their bond can be.

You better wish on your lucky stars you’re right

Clover is absolutely thrilled when it first appeared on his arm.

He can’t wait to do so many puns with his soulmate.

But all of that joy and wonder has to be tamed because there is no time limit, no known clock that chimes when soulmates meet for the first time or for the nth time either.

He would know, his parents don’t have each other’s Words but they still love each other as such. His mom found her soulmate in an old crewmate, reunited after separate sea adventures from opposite ends of the world. 

So Clover has patience, has a clear head full of hope when he first saw the maroon words appear on his left bicep.

“You got your Words! You got your Words!” Elm sang loudly as they exited the training field.

“No need to scream it to the world, the academy no less,” Clover laughed, rubbing the script tenderly. He barely just noticed it, too much in a daze after sparring with his team partner as they wait for graduation day.

In the meanwhile, he just wants to train and study with Elm even if she’s not the most scholarly person there is. When they were first paired together he instantly knew that Elm would become his best friend, simply because of her hugs.

They both shared this light atmosphere of positively and now that is all on her face as she marvels at the newly etched Words.

Elm is bouncing on her feet, “This is awesome! Oh I bet they’re going to swept you off your feet, Cloves.”

He took another minute admiring the Words, “From the sounds of it, I think we might end up in an argument. Still, nothing to worry about, I’m sure everything will be okay.”

“Ah yes, the words of wisdom from Clover Ebi,” a slow clap grabs the two cadet’s attention.

“Morning Robyn,” Clover waves at the top student. 

Robyn Hill has to be the most unconventional valor Victorian of this year’s graduating class due to her massive sarcasm and sheer determination against the usual Atlas elitist. Honestly it’s a breath of fresh air to have her on the student board and get actual work done and not contribute to some elitist priorities on the dance budget.

“Look, look!” Elm waved using Clover’s left arm.

Clover sheepishly pulls his limb back as Robyn polity takes in the enthusiasm that’s being thrown at her, “Congratulates Fish Sticks.”

He laughs at the nickname, still new to him as supposed to anything luck related. The only reason Robyn bestowed this moniker on him is because she saw dozen photos of him winning the yearly fishing tournament.

Apparently that is much more nickname worthy than event with his semblance or not.

“Thanks Robyn, now all that’s left is to one day finding them.”

“Aren’t we all,” she shrugs, “but may I recommend something?”

“Sure.”

“Keep it on the down low,” Robyn taps his Words. It’s a friendly matter but her tone is serious, “You’ll get more than a headache if people press their luck.”

Clover and Elm blinked at each other, not even considering this.

It’s not taboo to hide Words and that was once a tradition in olden days and maybe still practiced around some old bluebloods too.

For Clover he grew up seeing the Words on his parents, learned how they didn’t say each other’s Words but that didn’t stop their own love. They kept it out in the open to remember their soulmates.

While his mom has found her soulmate, his dad still hasn’t found his other mate.

“Do you really think people would do that?” Elm asks and she taps her left foot, where her Words are found. It’s definitely an unexposed space since the academy requires her wear shoes unlike him whose wearing a standard sleeveless shirt.

Clover looks at his own Words, thinking deeply, “I’ve heard stories about that kind of stuff.”

“I’m not telling you this to scare you or make you doubt people,” Robyn said, crossing her arms. “You’re too trusting for that. I’m asking you to be smart, Clover.”

He nods, “You’re always doing what you think is right.”

A thin smile is pressed in her lips, “More like I’m protecting the truth.”

Clover remembers this moment, more often than out of every other moment of Robyn when she doesn’t show up at their graduation ceremony.

The rest of the academy is confused or furious or yelling how they’re right about Robyn’s character, how she’s just another Mantle kid worming their way into the upper crust. Despite all that noise, Robyn pursues her own path.

Protect the truth.

That’s admirable Clover believes as he ties a red bandana around his Words. Robyn’s advice proved its worth a few times in his officer days. A few people probed and tried to peek at it, either for curiosity or wanting to test fate.

He knew he was popular but he didn’t think people would go that far to claim him as their soulmate. Sure there were a few dates and serious relationships that just didn’t work out but the whole ‘saying his Words just to make him feel entitled to a liar’ was a huge blow to Clover’s love life.

It feels cheap and shitty and a mockery to his real soulmate. Whoever that person is, Clover wants to find them because he believes all the waiting will be worth it and they can have a life together. His soulmate is someone out there in the world, waiting or existing or doing whatever mundane thing they can do as monster attack villages.

You better wish on your lucky stars you’re right

What will he have to be desperately right about?

Elm tossed him a few ideas, some about debating if hot dogs are sandwiches. Harriet immediately demanded the conversation to end unless they want her to sock them into next week.

Becoming the Captain of the Ace Operatives certainly brought together a team Clover didn’t think he’d be leading.

He’s super happy to have Elm at his side. She’s reliable, stable and a joy and his best friend. Nothing would ever knock her down.

Then there’s Vine, reclusive but not shy. He just likes to speak when he feels it is the right time. Clover pairs him off with Elm immediately to see how they work together. Turns out, they get along rather well as they get closer.

Harriet is like fireworks, loud and big and fast to explode. Getting her to follow his orders was a bit of a challenge for the both of them. Either she gets impatient or he gets too passive for her liking. It takes months for them to settling into some stalemate and agree to keep things professional for the sake of the job.

Marrow is another breath of fresh air, boundless potential and skill and goodness. Clover is so happy to recruit him into the Ops before any other officer could displace the faunus to some job that would do nothing but damper Marrow’s career.

As for the Captain himself, things are going swell.

Clover is an all-around optimistic, hard-working, skillful student with a bonus of good luck. Sure with the name and the clover pin, that can be all what people see from him at a first glance. Impressions like those only make the guy strive for more, to prove that nothing about him is simple chalked up to luck.

The fruits of those labors end up being the trust of one General James Ironwood.

It happened after the Fall of Beacon

General Ironwood arrives to Atlas with a newly steeled and hardened determination in him, just a hair away from something that scares Clover.

He trusts his general, believe him on that but there is just something concerning to see how mere days after his arrival, Ironwood locks himself in his office. Only he or Specialist Schnee are allowed entrance.

His worry overcomes any disciplines when he enters the office to see Ironwood slumped over paper work and a glass of whiskey.

“When’s the last time you checked in with Doctor Grey?”

A ragged noise exhales from the man, his usual towering stature completely gone as he curls over the desk and paperwork, “Too long. She knows I’m avoiding her.”

“With all due respect sir, that’s a death sentence.”

Another heavy sound, an echo of a sharp laugh as Ironwood unfolds himself, pressing his whole back to the chair, “I don’t suppose you’re here to report about yesterday’s Grimm raids.”

“I’m actually here to report about Hill.” Ironwood’s whole body tenses. “No, good news, I promise,” he waits for his general to beckon him over. Clover sets his scroll on the table, displaying the news feed, “She’s running for the council seat.”

It doesn’t change the stiffness in Ironwood, not the reaction Clover was hoping for.

Ironwood sighs, muttering to himself, “She’s better than Jacques at least.”

Without missing a beat, Clover notes, “Sir, everyone is better than him. Captain Grif would be better.”

A real laugh rumbles from the man. He passes a hand through the rough scruff growing at his jaw. Clover has no doubt that a full beard will be in their future if the general stays on this path.

Blue eyes watch the Captain closely as he fixes his posture, “I wouldn’t think you’d be the one to crack jokes with your superiors, Ebi.”

“Only if I like them,” he nods, a slight smile brightening the mood.

That certainly pulls Ironwood out of whatever darkness is inside of his head, his eyes a little softer, “Thank you, I appreciate it.” With that his thinking face is back on, he’s been giving Clover this look often now and apparently now is the time. “Call your team here. I want to tell you all a story.”

Thus the Ace Ops, Winter, and Penny learn a terrifying story of a witch, a wizard, and four relics.

It is a lot to take in.

Winter is the one asking questions, as if prepared for this moment, “Who else knows this?”

“The other two headmasters and two of Ozpin’s companions,” Ironwood answered, “Glynda Goodwitch and Qrow Branwen.”

She spits, “That drunk?”

At the same time Clover blinks, “Of STRQ?”

Of course Clover knows about Vale’s top graduating team, they were amazing in their tournament debut. They were also a bit of a mystery as well since there has been less news about them in the coming years.

Not all huntsman teams have time for the limelight once they do mission after mission. It’s just that news from teams of other kingdoms don’t reach Solitas that much since its civilians prefer to debate about dust or politics.

But Clover remembers the highlight reel from STRQ’s battles, especially Qrow’s skill with that scythe. That man is a thing of beauty.

So it feels a little jarring to learn that his old celebrity crush is in the know of this secret war.

“Qrow is an experienced fighter and has done years of espionage for this very purpose,” Ironwood continues, “He’s the one who had the closet calls against Salem’s main forces and came out on top of it each and every time.”

Clover may be mistaken but it looks like the General is smiling.

“And these people are responsible for Beacon,” Penny said with her voice tense.

No one in this room has an idea on how to comfort the artificial warrior. She just learned her death was orchestrated by an unknown being with unthinkable powers.

He tries though, “Are you alright?”

The young girl blinks robotically, an accurate phrase but there are so much flickering emotions underneath her optics. She admits quietly, “I am not sure.”

Ironwood gains the room’s attention once more, “I know all of this shakes the foundation of our entire world history but I shared this you all because I trust you.” He gives everyone a meaningful look, “Now all I ask of you right now is to trust me on this plan I’m developing.”

Amity Tower project is certainly another thing to add to the long list of secrets.

Processing it all in one night is a major headache for Clover as he thinks of all of it. The satellite has an important purpose. It truly can reunite the world and its communication. On the other hand, Ironwood’s real intentions on revealing Salem are a big turning point.

Still, this is his General, Clover is loyal to him, trusts him with his life.

In the back of his head, a voice tells him to wish on his lucky stars that he’s right.

This small figment of doubt is uncomfortable but not unfamiliar.

Robyn embodied that feeling of seeking out truth not for the sake of doubt but for justice. She continues to do so as Clover, Elm, and Marrow are assigned to check up on her when Atlas elitist gets too prickly at her open speeches. 

“Fish Sticks,” she greets, “you’re not here arrest me for eating one of your kind are you?”

They find the politician and her partner Fiona in the market district where one aisle is dedicated to grill stands and frying stalls.

Robyn continues munching on her fried fish on a sewer as Clover ignores Elm purchasing her own meat stick.

“We’re just here on patrol,” he answered, side glancing at his operative.

“Yep,” Elm nods and licks off the sauce stuck on her fingers.

“Sure you are,” Fiona rolls her eyes, bumping hips with Robyn as the taller woman casually wraps an arm around her, resting a hand on her hip.

This is not a new development but there’s something a tad sweeter in Robyn’s face as she pecks Fiona’s forehead.

Mindlessly, Clover wonders if he’ll get something like this with his soulmate.

“We just wanted to say hi to an old classmate,” he excused.

The Captain does another sweep of the area and near the entrance he spies the rookie operative in a subtle but heated conversation with one of Robyn’s huntresses.

Marrow has been volunteering for more patrols in Mantle ever since encountering May Marigold. Clover can only speculate what’s going on since Marrow once confided to his captain about having two sets of Words.  

“Really?” Robyn held out her hand.

He rolls his eyes, “Really, Robyn.” Clover snapped his fingers, as if remembering at that moment, “Oh wait, I should probably tell you that someone did get arrested for throwing rocks at an airship.”

“I can’t possibly think of why someone would do that,” Fiona’s sighed dripped with sarcasm as her smile was sweet as wine.

“Speaking of airships, Captain,” Elm had her scroll out, titling the screen to Clover.

An emergency alert is sent to the Ace Ops, news about rouge hunters with no authorization or licenses for advance combat weapons. With their political climate Clover would assume it is one of the locals preaching about Robyn but this timed too well with the earlier notification of a stolen airship.

That is definitely a big issue since Atlas announced their embargo. Along with their knowledge of a certain Grimm witch it is better safe than sorry for the special operative team follows this up.

“Duty calls,” Clover salutes to the politician.

“Don’t go overboard Cloves,” she hollers back, only a hint of concern in her tone.

It’s nice to know she still cares for them, in her own little way but there’s nothing to worry about. This is the Ace Ops, they can handle anything, and nothing will catch them off guard.

So imagine their surprise when it is children, not at all dressed for the cold weather, wielding academy grade weaponry and a mystical looking lamp.

Once they’re all on the ground, the apprehended group in bolo cuffs, Clover slowly recognizes them.

Weiss Schnee is an obvious one but Yang Xiao Long’s solo battle at Vytal was the lead up to Penny’s dooming fight. It hurt to see these girls get manipulating into such tragic events, all of it rising to the fight for Beacon.

Speaking of that, the teammates of the late Pyrrha Nikkos has been once a hot gossip since the three of them were mostly unknowns or armatures to the world of professional grade swordsmanship.

There’s another boy with them, smaller than the rest and instead of any extravagant weapon he wields a cane.

Clover has heard the name of Ruby Rose in Penny’s reports from months ago and honestly it was adorable to hear her gush about this red hooded girl as her very first friend. An additional report went in depth for rest of team RWBY, leading to Clover’s knowledge of Blake Belladonna outside of her family of Menagerie’s power.

Somewhere it slips the Captain’s mind to remember the connection between Rose and Xiao Long and their uncle, Qrow Branwen.

What he does want to push out of his mind is the fact that Qrow is currently belly down with his arms cuffed behind and Clover shouldn’t be thinking at how attractive he is when he’s staring straight up at Clover from down there.

Yep, that’s not professional at all.

This is not at all the meeting Clover had in mind when presented with the possibility of meeting Huntsman Branwen. He’d imagine something a little classier in the academy or even dramatic where had to fight side by side in the nick of danger or something simple like accidently bumping into each other in a coffee shop.

Any of those scenarios lack the tension that comes from arresting someone.

The huntsman in question defiantly raises his head up, his red eyes glinting beautifully, “Hey pal, I’m a licensed huntsman. We just helped have everyone?”

If this wasn’t Solitas Clover would agree with him out loud but that doesn’t change how the rules work here. Between protocols and the political tensions, law and order is barely constraining the rising chaos that Clover and the General has been working on.

Mantle just needs to hold out a little longer as construction continues on the Amity Project.

Qrow’s concern for the kids are justified, a few even trembling in their cuffs as they’re herded into a transport.

“This is all a misunderstanding,” the huntsman gets to his feet and Clover has a closer look on the legend.

He looks so tired from everything Clover’s heard about his experience as a spy. That and it also could be jetlagged. None of that exhaustion affects how handsome the man is, his scruffy hair looks so soft.

Recalling the other illegal alert, Clover bluffs, “I take it a stolen airship is also a misunderstanding?”

Qrow takes the bait, guilty in his silence and scowl. His eyes dart over to the kids Vine is leading away.

“Huh, if that’s that,” Clover continues, places a hand at the small of Qrow’s back and is about to escort him too until he practically growls at Clover’s face.

“If you stupid arrest hurts my kids in any way, I swear-“

“They’ll be okay,” he squeezes Qrow’s shoulder, needing to assure him, “I see that they’re young and I promise nothing cruel would be placed on their heads.”

He doesn’t like the idea of arresting good intentioned civilians, children no less but that’s has been a pattern in Mantle. Robyn has putting a lot of her efforts in helping the youth get off the streets but in her recent reports there hasn’t been enough resources sent to Mantle to cover all her bases.

Qrow backs away from him, like nothing the Atlesian says will matter or is the truth. The look of fear and protective anger sent Clover’s way really gets him defensive. He wants to prove to Qrow that everything Clover is saying is worth trusting.

All of those thoughts are on the tip of his tongue until Qrow turns his back on Clover and calls out, “You better wish on your lucky stars you’re right.”

He walks into the transport without another care, doesn’t look back at Clover who is standing shell shocked as the rest of the world turns.

“Captain?” Someone calls but he’s too stuck in his own head with only one voice in mind.

You better wish on your lucky stars you’re right

Too many dreams are passing through his head, faceless and touchless needs of a person who could spend a minute or forever in Clover’s arms. It was only an idea, a concept, a possibility of ever hearing those Words and feeling this heavy feeling tugging at his heart and Clover can do nothing against this tsunami of joy and energy swirling through his skin.

All of his hopes and wishes in the physical embodiment of one Qrow Branwen.

Clover found him.

A harsh punch lands on his shoulder, waking Clover from his stupor as he yells, “Oh shit! Shit, oh my god, shit!”

“What is going on?” Vine questions carefully.

“He lost his marbles,” Harriet said in almost a song tone, touched with a dash of horror.

Elm, the one who punched him, punches him again, “Clover, what happened?”

“Elm,” he shakes her shoulders, “It happened!”

She lights up instantly, “No way, it happened, Clover it happened you found him!”

The three operatives stare at their captain and teammate busy rattling each other’s bones.

“Wait, you found your soulmate,” Marrow said and points at the departing prison transport, “the one you just arrested?”

Clover pauses, “Oh no.”

“Oh yes you did,” Harriet chuckled. It progressed into full blown laughter as Clover groans.

“I arrested my soulmate, shit.”

“Very smooth of you sir,” Marrow sticks out his tongue. He barely supports Harriet, still dying of laughter, who keeps leaning onto him.

Vine assures him with the most logical assurance, “Captain, he and the children did commit a crime. You did your job and that was arresting your soulmate.”

“I didn’t know he was my soulmate,” Clover massages his forehead, reliving the past few minutes. Then again, if he didn’t arrest Qrow then he wouldn’t have been prompted to be angry and defensive at Clover. That’s an upside that Clover can be okay with. “I have to make it up to him.”

It’s a little too late now as the streets have cleared and the Ace Ops’ own transport is ready for departure. Thankfully Marrow informed the officers to take Qrow’s group to the headmaster so now all the ops can do is sit in their airship.

“Yes but what if this happens again?” Vine asked as their ship took to the air.

“What do you mean?” Elm countered. She’s been doing that more often, confronting nearly everything Vine says. Something happened between them after their last two person mission a few weeks ago.

Harriet finally has air back in her lungs to remind them, “You heard the Ice Queen’s beef with the guy. He causes trouble everywhere he goes. Who knows, our dear captain may have to arrest him again.”

“And not for the bedroom,” Marrow unnecessarily adds.

“Do you want to repeat that again, Operative Amin?” Clover asks in his commanding officer voice.

“No sir.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Okay, all kinky jokes aside Clover is determined to not screw this up. He’ll have to make it up to him, Clover promises. He gets that chance a little earlier than expected when Ironwood messages him to meet with him after properly apologizing to Teams RWBY and JNPR.  

As one of their hosts, Clover had walked the Vale students to the official school side of the academy before Penny took the reins with gusto.

Back tracking to the lobby before the headmaster’s office, Clover walks in to see the General hugging Qrow.

Despite of the scenario of seeing someone intimately holding his soulmate, Clover’s not jealousy or envious, not one bit.

He trusts James Ironwood more than just a general or a headmaster. In the years as his Ace Captain, Ironwood slowly warmed up to having the fisherman and his optimistic nature around the office.

Hell, it took a while for Clover to accept the General giving him permission to use his first name. Calling his boss James is just a whole other side of the coin, it really made Clover see pass the white coat and metal to see how human James is.

Still that doesn’t help that Clover, caught off guard at the sheer sight that is James’ vulnerability, accidentally calls out, “General?”

James slowly pulls away from the other man. A fleeting emotion leaves his eyes as he stands straighter, a hand on Qrow’s shoulder, “Good timing Clover.”

“It is?” blinked Qrow.

Clover darts his eyes from his soulmate to his friend, not too sure about their history. He knows they worked together in the field for Ozpin so that must guarantee a solid foundation between them, something importance that Clover will probably never comprehend.

Again there is no major jealousy (maybe a smidge?) in Clover, just mere curiosity. He grew up knowing people can fall in love with someone other than their soulmate, as he mom explained.

While soul bonds are strong, actual years and experience of knowing a person can be just as incredible.

Clover wants to learn more about Qrow, he may now have his soulmate in his life but Clover still has to find him, like in a getting to know him kind of way.

“You asked for me, sir?”

The general nods and introduces, “Qrow, this is Clover Ebi, Captain of the Ace Operatives.”

“Yeah, we’ve met,” Qrow replies with his gravelly voice, “He arrested me.” Clover, reasonably, gulps as Qrow crocks a teasing eyebrow at the general, “Under your orders, Jimmy.”

“Right,” Clover needs to desperately fix this before he becomes too awkward, “I am so sorry about that.”

“Qrow,” James demands but not in his usual harsh tone, “how was I supposed to know it was you that committed a serious felony on my own military?”

“Jimmy, I do that all the time.”

James pinches the bridge of his nose, a characteristic that means he’s really annoyed, “Yes, I realized as I said it out loud.”

Clover struggles not to smile at this. It’s very cute to watch how teasing Qrow is and can get under James’ armor so easily.

This is the Qrow Branwen that wowed a young Clover, this charismatic and dry wit and cheeky smile that fits into this person who just so happens to be a fierce fighter and a loving mentor to eight kids.

Clover can’t wait to get to know his soulmate.

That dazzling smile is aimed at Clover, disarming every little thing from him as Qrow smirks, “See this is the problem with following orders.” He jabs a playful thumb at James, currently rolling his eyes, “Sometimes they aren’t the best or right thing to do.”

“I trust the general with my life,” he said, “but I see your perspective.”

It’s not just Qrow, Robyn used to constantly make jabs at him for staying in the military. Only after a real talk with her about their political opinions did they admit that they missed simply hanging out like when they were just teenagers.

“Whew!” The huntsman sighs dramatically, “For a second, I thought you’d be another Ice Queen.”

“I assure you I’m not as frosty as she.”

“You sure?” He eyes immediately go to Clover’s arms and for a hot second, he thinks Qrow can see pass the red bandana. “I could have sworn I caught you shivering back in Mantle.”

You better wish on your lucky stars you’re right

It’s right there on the muscles Clover has worked out for years not to impress people, know that, but because he just likes to stay in shape. But with the way Qrow is appreciating Clover’s assets, well, he’ll admit he has selfish needs.

Too many thoughts are demanding Clover’s focus, like flirting or bantering with Qrow or to simply rip off the bandana and scream out, ‘hey they’re soulmate!’

Instead he nearly chokes on his own spit, very lucky of him.

James saves him the effort of picking up his tongue, “As pleasant as it is to see you two getting along, it’s late. Besides, you both have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

That is exactly what Clover wants, a bit suspicious if James is reading his mind, he prompts, “Sir?”

“I’m assigning you both as partners for future missions.”

“Really?” They both asked in different tones.

Clover suppresses the urge to bounce up and down in front of his soulmate and general. That would be a little overboard.

Nonetheless he grins at Qrow, “In that case, I look forward to being your partner.”

And your soulmate, his heart screams.

Qrow hesitantly turns to James, “Are you sure about this?”

There’s a strong sense of caution radiating from him, no wait, there’s a flash of misery too. Clover can’t understand why.

“Absolutely.”

A defeated type of acceptance sighs out of Qrow, he halfheartedly shrugs, “Alright, I guess we’re partners.”

Clover has never been so happy. Well he would be even more so but the confused frown on his soulmate is really bothering Clover.

Is he doing something wrong?

Or is Qrow still mad about the whole arrest?

What if after everything Clover longed for, wished for, waited for, Clover isn’t enough to deserve his soulmate?

When people see Clover, they don’t believe a high ranking military office succumbs to insecurities. It just gets so exhausting to be believed to be absolutely perfect when Clover knows he’s far from that.

He played the game of life and people think he’s too lucky or cheating and no amount of battle experience or pains or nightmares will add into his favor. Now he found his soulmate and Clover wants nothing but to just say it out loud but the fear of what if lingers in his head.

It’s not that Clover is scared of revealing they’re soulmates, it’s just that he doesn’t want to mess this up or scare Qrow off. Or maybe Clover is also scared too. He doesn’t quite know how to describe it yet.

This is all too new and too fast to process in one night, especially with the embarrassment of arresting Qrow and then suddenly having him as a mission partner.

The days leading up to their first field mission are still not enough time for Clover to mentally prepare himself.

They all meet at the airship docks for departure where all of the kids are vibrating with a new energy.

Everything they’re doing is new, a mission with an expert team and they get the chance to try out new equipment in the field. Clover remembers that excitement, that endless surge of adrenaline combined with nervous jitters.

After years of experience, Clover has a better handle on his composure as a trained soldier, ready for surprises and such.

Then he sees Qrow in his new outfit and Clover almost walks into Marrow.

The grinning operative takes one look at Clover’s blushing face asks, “Do you think you can handle being in ship alone with him, Captain?”

“Yes I can. Also Marrow, one last thing,” he gives the rookie a stern look, “if you make one more comment, there will be a lot of paper work in your future.”

“You wound me sir.”

“Get to your Manta, Operative.”

“Yes Captain.”

Right as Marrow walks off, Clover’s soulmate approaches, “Man, I can’t remember the last time I was in a Manta,” he shrugs, “like legally.”

That is mildly concerning but also kind of hot. Combine that with how the wind brushes Qrow’s hair and most of the weariness is slept off, Qrow walks with a new confidence.

Qrow narrows his eyes at him, “What are you staring at?”

“Appreciating the view,” he winked.

Oh gods why can’t Clover just be chill for one second, please.

The mission starts as well as it can be, a little tense or wary for the Grimm target as they travel down the abandoned mines.

Clover makes small talk with Qrow, probing for some lore of the great team STRQ. James never implied if the other three teammates were in Ozpin’s circle and Qrow doesn’t mention anything either. Instead he trails off about his isolation, a feat that must be heavy after growing up with such a close team that equaled to a family status.

It’s with a heavy heart as Clover imagines how his soulmate must have felt all of these years. It sounded lonely but Qrow eventually ended up with eight kids so that kind of shift in his life is a big one. Add in the fact that they’re soulmates and Qrow’s life will literally be a rollercoaster.

Clover only hopes that it’ll be a good change in Qrow’s perspective, he has to make sure of it. But first let’s see how they handle this mission together.

The Geist is found in their path, wrenching the small area to the point where Clover would’ve been crushed unless Qrow didn’t yell at him to stop.

“Thanks for the callout,” he said, kicking some rubble down the hole their target escaped through, “That could’ve been bad.”

“I wouldn’t thank me.” There’s a haunting in his deep voice, laced with resentment and shame, “My semblance brings misfortune. I can’t control it.”

He had that same troubled and miserable face Clover once wore years ago, back when he couldn’t figure out his semblance. It became an identity Clover didn’t want, moniker glued to his forehead because that is what people wanted from him.

Elm was one of the first people who didn’t give a damn about luck. She was blunt in the nicest way possible while and trained with him to make sure he knew that luck didn’t equal his worth.

“That so?” Clover took reference to the advice Elm once gave him, “Well hey, don’t beat yourself up about it.” With a cast of his hook, he threw a supporting beam down to create a new tunnel way.

Qrow is watching him carefully and for that Clover does his best smile, “My semblance is good fortune.” Because Clover is a weak man, he winks, “Lucky you, huh?”

The huntsman just stares, unblinking. Not the reaction Clover was expecting.

A beep from team Charlie forces Clover to walk ahead, missing the utter chaos inside of Qrow.

Meanwhile in his own head, Clover admits that maybe his phrasing could’ve been better. After all, bad luck has a different result than good luck.

Whatever Qrow’s upbringing is, something of a twisted light compared to Clover’s, is the reason there is a weight of self-accountability is on his shoulders.

That’s not good, soulmate or not, no one should blame their selves for each disaster or accident.

Clover notices how much distance Qrow is putting between them, a glazed look in his red eyes.

“Is there a reason you’re so far away from me?”

Qrow snaps out of his thoughts, almost like a flinch and that sight makes Clover’s heart ache.

“I uh, I just don’t want my semblance to…” He trails off, his mind a million miles away, “To interfere with the mission.”

“I highly doubt that,” he assures immediately.

“It already has,” Qrow seethes, grinding his teeth, “you almost got hurt.”

It hits Clover like a bullet. While he has his own fears and self-consciousness Qrow has his own dark clouds. Misfortune and bad luck must have been his identity, either self-proclaimed or given by others.

From the way self-loathing just waves off of Qrow, Clover decides to forget the pressures or expectations of them being soulmates.

Qrow feels alone in this and he needs to know that he’s not, he has eight kids and now he needs to know that he has Clover.

He can confess about them being soulmates another time when they both have a better headspace. Pushing Qrow too early in their partnership is probably not a good idea. They still need to get familiar with each other first.

An alert pulls them out of the tense air, the target is attacking.

The duo makes it to the heart of the dust mine where teams Charlie and Bravo are as the Ace Ops are engaging in battle. It’s little chaotic than usual as dust shards are being flung around.

Clover catches a stray one, “What will you do without me?”

In a totally professional manner, Clover tosses the dust to Qrow and dives off their platform with a salute.

Yeah he’s showing off, can he be blamed?

Everything goes smoothly as Harriet sucker punches the Geist. It gets even better when he sees Ruby out speed the speedster to catch the last dust shard. Now that is impressive.

“Lucky catch,” Qrow nods at him, his cape fluttering from the drop.

“No, I chalk that up to talent.”

He’s so used to hearing people dismiss his or his team’s success to luck that Clover almost automatically corrects them. Yet with Qrow, he knows it’s just banter, that it is not a real criticism or devaluation.

It’s just Clover and Qrow and their shared association with luck.

Clover has never felt so relaxed when joking about it.

The luck puns and such were just a habit Clover picked up, do the joke before someone meaner or ignorant says it first.

As sad as that sounds, Clover had Elm to cheer him back up. And look at her now, lifting Ruby on her shoulders like she used to do to Clover.

Well no, she still does that to this day, saying that he only weights like grapes.

It’s a compliment really, people like grapes.

(Don’t say the thing about dogs not liking grapes, only Marrow’s allowed to say that)

With a mission accomplished, they all excite the mine, striding confidently to the afternoon sun.

Speaking of sunniness, the knight, Jaune Arc has wide eyed and gushing over the Ace Ops. It’s like another Marrow is here. As everyone kind of walks in their own group, Clover heads to the General.

In the corner of his eyes, he notices that Jaune had dragged Marrow to a reclusive spot considering the site is beginning to be swarmed by military officers. He has half the mind to be concerned for the operative but his tail is wagging way too much to display any unease.

Clover marches over to the General and the head engineer of the Amity Project.

“Are you sure the limited resources won’t be an issue?” Ironwood presses. He’s been less paranoid and more worried since deciding to split supply resources between Mantle and the world saving project.

Whatever the Vale kids said to the General really changed his tune. Clover didn’t vocally approve of the plans neglecting Mantel, believing in James’ resolve about putting everything into the satellite, but now he feels pretty relieved.

Robyn and the rest of the civilians would be happy about their barriers finally getting reinforced.

“Si,” nodded Head Engineer Lopez, his tone can be labeled as robotic but right now it is bored as he checks a scroll of his supplies.

James opens his mouth to double check but shuts it promptly when Lopez tilts his brown helmet in a disapproving and annoyed manner.

The general bristle at that, standing a little straighter, “Good, I’ll leave everything to you and Doctor Grey.”

The engineer salutes and marches off.

Approaching, Clover stands with his hands folded behind his back, “Everything is a success sir, Lopez and Grey have the sharpest minds.”

“Agreed,” General Ironwood this eyes trailed up to stare at the to-be satellite. It’s only muted hope in him, more nerves than actual belief, never a good look on the exhausted man.

“Permission to speak freely, sir?”

He raises a brow at that, “Go ahead.”

“You’d put Grey on the project to avoid her, didn’t you.”

A twitch under that bread of his is the only indication that the general smiled. “Am I that obvious?”

“Using work as an excuse or distraction is a preferred tactic of yours.”

“I wasn’t aware you took notice of that, Captain.”

“I served you for years,” Clover nodded his head in Qrow’s direction, “I’m willing to bet he’s going to figure that out in a matter of days.”

Fondness softens the tension in James’ shoulders, “He already has by now.” His shoulders sink a little lower, “How is he?”

“Based off first impressions and one mission?” Clover mulls over a summery, “Qrow has been through a lot, either alone or taking responsibility over the others.” Darken eyes and bad luck flashes through his head. “I think partnering with him will be good for the both of us.”

Newfound alertness makes the general stiffen, “That so?”

Caught in that personal implication, Clover swallows up his nerves, “Just a thought, sir, the Ace Ops are an odd number.”

James eyes him carefully, “I did give you permission to speak freely Clover.”

True, Clover set himself up in this, and now to actually say it out loud, “I think we have things in common, more than I realized.”

For all the lucky comments and nicknames, it cuts a little deeper when people learned his parents aren’t soulmates and by that extension, people assumed that Clover is lucky to be born under such pretenses.

It’s an outdated and hypocritical way of thinking.

Not all soulmates get together, in the coming years it is less of a tradition to wait for a soulmate to find love and start a family. Yet that didn’t stop those people from talking and judging.

It certainly didn’t help that his father’s blueblood family disapproved of him marrying a Mantle girl who’s never said his Words.

Gods it was so awkward to meet his cousins in the academy. Clover’s so happy that Elm and Robyn were with him.

A cold hand is on his shoulder, it’s a gentle weight and temperature eases the old memories out of Clover’s head. It’s rare for James to show physical affection, especially outside of his office.

“Are you alright?”

“Fine,” he takes a breath, “just got lost for a bit.” Once the hand is off of him, Clover stands back into attention, subtly asking for a change in subject, “Is there anything else sir?”

James gives him a slight frown before returning to his generalness. He reports about a series of murders, active supporters of Robyn Hill. The people are reasonably in dismay and are not happy that only now is the military starting to help them, right when the damage has already been dealt.

No one likes the news of this and Clover almost wants to disagree with the General when he calls over Jaune and Ruby to tell them as well.

They’re so young, he proclaims, they haven’t even gotten their license and that’s planned for later in the day.

It’s a bit of a shame that Clover couldn’t attend the small graduation, already sent to Mantle with orders to speak with Robyn. Harriet joins him because she doesn’t want to deal with cake fueled graduates.

The Happy Huntress’ home base isn’t really a base. It’s a night club whose owner happens to be a friend.

Blood Gulch isn’t the most popular club but it must get by if the old building is still standing. Dark walls and metallic structure gives off old military base vibes, likely the intention to mock Atlas as there a bright neon name sign is plastered on top.

They knock at the door and a busty, dark skinned woman with curly yellow hair huffs at them like they’re the health inspector, “You’re cops right? You gotta tell me if you are! That’s like a law or something!”

“We are literally wearing our uniforms,” Harriet states dully.

“Yeah and I think you’d both be hotter if you took it off,” she winks.

From inside the club, someone shouts out, “Bow chicka bow wow!”

“Tucker?” Clover splutters while Harriet hisses the name, “Tucker!”

“Okay Kai, just let them in,” Robyn’s sigh is heard.

Kai rolls her eyes but complies. Not wanting to get between cops and hunters (she’d prefer that situation in the bedroom, she winks), the owner tends to her bar.

The interior of the club is themed in typical sleek black bar tops and a large dance floor with electronic panels. It’s not often Clover goes to a club in their off hours as regular lights are on and not the usual raving colors.

Over at a table in the corner are the Happy Huntresses and an Atlas captain assigned to training cadets and lieutenants.

“Hey Ebi,” Tucker waves, his greeting hand accidentally showing off his cards, and shoots a wink at Harriet, “Hello Bree.”

“Speak to me again and your kid will be missing a father.”

“You would do that to poor innocent Junior?” Fiona gasp, a mouth covering her mouth.

Leaning on the wall, May shrugs, “Eh, I think the kid would be just fine.”

“Hey!” The father whines.

“Enough,” Robyn calls, setting down her cards. She glares at Clover, “If you’re the barer of bad news then you’re too late.”

The two operative glanced at Tucker, shuffling his cards. “Another murder,” his tone serious and stern for once, “I used to take Junior sightseeing in town. I can’t do that anymore.”

“So imagine how the rest of us feel,” May snaps, her eyes dart to Clover, “We’re safe from the Grimm but that’s not enough isn’t it?”

“The General has initiated more supply carriers and maintenance upgrades,” Harriet reported, “It’ll just need some time to get it all done.”

“And we will do everything in our power to catch the person responsible for all of these deaths,” finished Clover.

Robyn stands up, her hands flat on the table but everything in her posture screams anger, “Why now? Why did it take so many deaths to finally change things?”

Frowning, the Ace Captain can’t think of a way to respond to that. Maybe no real answer can justify the damage done. “I’m sorry it took this long to get Mantle the help it needs but things will change now.”

“And what makes you so sure?” The politician demands, “Ironwood may have a sudden change of heart but what does that make you? You defended him with he didn’t help Mantle before.” His former classmate regards him with a look a betrayal, “You just followed your orders, didn’t you.”

Harriet buts in curtly, “Hey we’re not some mindless drones.”

“Wanna bet?” Joanna smirked, her tall stature grandeur compared to the speedster even if she’s sitting down.

“Yeah, I wanna bet,” Harriet laughs hotly.

He quickly grabs his operative’s shoulder and warns, “Don’t.”

She huffs quietly, a tad ruefully as she takes a step back.

Returning his attention to Robyn, Clover says, “You have your reasons to distrust the General and I have my own to do the opposite.” Qrow’s snarky comments echo as he quotes, “But yes, sometimes his orders aren’t the best or right thing to do.”

That makes everyone in the room stare at him with wide eyes. At the bar, Kai fumbles with a glass she was whipping.

“Whoa,” Tucker awed and blinked owlishly, “Did you get laid by a rebel?”

“Is everything about sex with you?” Harriet complains.

“I’m a one trick pony and I won’t mind people riding me.”

“By the Brothers why are you even here?”

“It’s Uno night,” he gestured to the color cards, “Wash is away and so is my impulse control.”

It’s true. Captain Tucker is better behaved when Agent Washington is around. He and Agent Carolina are the only ones capable of getting their Reds and Blues in line.

“Yeah, I’m with Tucker,” Robyn agrees. She walks over to personally inspect Clover, her arms crossed and her eyes sharp, “Something’s different about you, Fish Sticks.”

Feeling a bit apprehensive of all the staring, Clover shrugged awkwardly, “It can’t be so hard to think I can think of my own and disagree with the General.”

So maybe it took listening to Qrow to even dare doubt James, Clover will admit that but that’s how conversation works. People can change other people.

“Wait,” Harriet’s voice was strained with dread, “You didn’t actually bone Branwen this fast right?”

“Harriet!” His voice nearly shrilled.

“Oh my gods you did.”

“I absolutely did not! We just met and we literally came from a mission.”

“You mean you haven’t had sex during a mission?” Tucker provoked with a smirk.

Robyn nods, “We all have done that at least once.”

The other huntresses nodded. From the behind the bar, the establishment’s owner asks to be invited.

“So,” Robyn begins teasingly, “Who is this Branwen?”

He absolutely has to be careful with his words, beginning with, “One of the Vale hunters who’ve come to help.”

“Didn’t we close our boarders?” May points out.

Not liking the calculating look from Robyn, Clover complies, “This was an exception.” He doesn’t elaborate on that no matter how hard she stares him down.

While her hands and semblance is a weapon, Robyn’s eyes are just as deadly. It was only after graduation did Clover find himself hurt by them.

“We’ll just have to wait and see, now won’t we Captain?”

That’s the best response he can get, better than the heated arguments the two would find their selves in when they were younger and dumber and pained to be against each other.

Time didn’t exactly heal their wounds, just gave them space to know that despite their conflicting views, they still look out for each other. Either though game nights like these or warning the other about it being kids pranking the supply trunks, don’t go after them or the route of robotic knights are taking is not passing this building known for hiding people breaking curfew.

He and Robyn used to train together, practice their individual styles. Now Clover dreads the day he’d given the orders to detain Robyn and her Huntresses.

Would he be able to do that?

Clover already unknowingly arrested his soulmate, how much more will he mess up the people he wants to be close to?

No he shouldn’t fall into those thoughts, they never did him any favors before and it won’t now.

It’s best to keep moving forward.