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A knock on the door startled Qrow out of his thoughts. He was halfway across the room to get it when it swung open and Tai stepped inside. Qrow stopped in his tracks.
“Hey,” Tai said.
“Hey.” Qrow rubbed his head. He'd barely spoken to Tai since they'd left Patch. They hadn’t been on the easiest of terms lately. For the last few years, really.
Qrow missed him. Tai was his best friend. It was his own fault they were so strained now, but he didn't know how to even start to fix it.
Tai opened and closed his mouth. Qrow waited, but he said nothing.
“Are Yang and Ruby okay?” He asked. He was sure they were, but he couldn't think of any other reason Tai would be here instead of with them.
Tai startled. “Huh? Yes. Why?”
“I just…” Qrow waved his hand.
“Right.” Tai sat down on his bed. “... Ruby said you stopped drinking.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“Said you almost died, too.”
“She's exaggerating.” Qrow said weakly.
“You didn't mention that the last time we talked.” Tai's voice was deceptively cheery.
“I didn't think it mattered.” Qrow mumbled.
“You didn't think you almost dying was something I might want to know?” Tai said incredulously.
No. Yes. Of course Tai would want to know, if only because it meant the kids didn't have someone watching out for them, just another note in Qrow's long list of failures. He was so distracted he didn't notice Tai moving until he was right in front of him. He stiffened, but Tai's arms closed around him and he collapsed into him.
“I'm sorry.” Qrow whispered.
“Shut up,” Tai said. His arms tightened around him. “I can't lose you too.”
“You won't,” Qrow promised. If he tried he could almost believe it. “I swear.”