Everything will be in Qrow's point of view. Everything. He might get a bit mushy sometimes, but 'tis only a man in love. Don't hold it against me if some things are wrong, I'm only a girl. I don't have a key or code to read a man's mind. Sheesh.

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Chapter 1: Bonding Over Drinks

Sitting in a corner of the run down bar at the edge of town, I down my third, fourth, maybe fifth shot of whisky. I'd forgotten by now. It could be more or less than what I think it is. Being a Hunter isn't all it's cracked up to be. 'If only I could tell my nieces that. But, how am I supposed to destroy all their hopes and dreams?' I signal the barkeep for another shot.

When he delivers them, I sigh deeply. 'Really, what's the point of drinking? My Aura just dulls, and eventually, nullifies the effects anyways.' I down the drink and look up to see a woman sit across from me.

"I hope you don't mind if I sit here. Everywhere else is full." She sits down, putting a high class, expensive bottle of vodka and a shot glass on the table. Her white hair is in a severe bun, and her glacial eyes seem to bore into me. I see the hardships that this woman has faced. I see, in each harsh line in her forehead, as it creases, the depth of her suffering. My heart bleeds for this woman, even without know who she is.

I clear my throat. "No problem." She pours the vodka in the glass and downs it immediately. I just push my glass away, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to continue my usual stupor-inducing drinking tonight. Who knows what could happen with this woman around. That's not to say that I'd rape her or anything, but the temptation on both of our sides might just have us waking up naked next to each other in a grimy hotel room, and as much as I might like that idea, she doesn't seem like the type.

After a very long moment of awkward silence, I finally speak. "So, what brings you to a place like this?"

She raises her eyebrow at me. "Is this where we engage in meaningless small talk?" She pours another shot and swishes it around patiently.

"I don't know. I've always drunk alone, ya know? I don't know how small talk is supposed to go."

She laughs at my honesty. "Well, for a first timer, you were doing well." She subsequently swigs the drink in her hand. "I'm here to drink my troubles away. Isn't it obvious?"

I rub my chin at her answer. "Not outright to an unobservant person, but I could tell." I sit back in my sit and put my hands behind my head.

"Is that so? How, pray tell, did you discern this of me?"

I'm kind of impressed that she can still think after three shots of that quality and proof of vodka let alone be able to enunciate such posh questions. "Your eyes, mostly."

A look of intrigue overcomes her. "What about my eyes?"

I sigh deeply. 'She asked for this psychoanalysis.' "Well, they're kind of soulless at first glance, ya know. It's like you think of the world and automatically assume that nobody cares. You're probably cynical and snarky beyond belief, and your eyes show that. You've definitely had a hard life. Someone forced you to carry the world on your shoulders, and you just can't seem to let that weight fall burden to someone else." Her reaction is priceless. Her eyes go wide, and a shocked curiosity fills her eyes.

Her mouth opens and closes like she doesn't know exactly what to say. Then, in a very small whisper, she say, "How did you know?"

That whisper carries the weight that crushes my heart. My smug attitude goes away and is replaced by concern. 'The alcohol must be taking effect. She's crying.' "Please don't cry. I can't stand a beautiful woman crying." I hesitantly reach for her, and when I get no resistance, I wipe the tears off her cheeks. This is the beginning of the best thing to ever happen in my life, but I just don't know it yet.

We sit there for hours, just talking about ourselves, our family, and inane little things that have happened to use throughout the day. We both stopped drinking after she had started to cry. I think she noticed the emotional consequences of continuing like she was. And when we part ways, I can't help but wish that it would have never ended, this most wonderful night. Deep down, though, I feel like we'll meet again. And this woman, whose name I didn't even know yet, would change my life forever.

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My week passes by in a blur. I do a few hunts here and there, but I'm essentially just bored throughout the entire week. I don't know why, okay I do, I think, but I've quit drinking so much. I'd go down to that same bar and have a shot of whiskey here or there, but it's not as extensive as it has been. Subconsciously, I think I'm just waiting for that same white-haired beauty to come strutting back in here.

I'm just sitting in my usual seat in the corner, nursing a shot whiskey, when I see a flash of white in front of me. I look up to see her. "I hope this seat isn't taken."

Her smile quickens my heart beat, causing me to react like an infatuated schoolboy. I give her a half smile in return. "Nope. Go ahead." I motion for her take the seat. "It's all yours." 'God, I sound ridiculous.'

She laughs, a real laugh not a giggle, and it's one of the most melodic sounds in the world. I have to force my eyes to stay open, lest I bask in it and look like a creep. "Thanks." This time, there's no bottle or glass in her hands, making me look at her questioningly. She realized what I was going to ask even before I speak. "Oh, well, I quit drinking after that night." Her hand goes up to rub the back of her head. "It was… life changing, to say the least." A little lopsided grin lift one side of her lips.

'I need to stop noticing all these little things about her.' "Yeah, it was." I pause for a bit before a realization hits. "You know, we never did tell each other our names. My name's Qrow Branwen. Nice to meet you." I extend my right hand in her direction.

"Winter Schnee, pleasure." She clasps my hand and gives it a firm shake, all the while smiling at me. Her eyes glisten with amusement, for me or the situation I'll never know, but at least they're not so haunted anymore.

I push my half empty shot of whiskey away before standing. "You know, I may be overstepping here, but would you like to go out with me?"

She looks kind of pleased and shocked all at the same time. I cross my fingers that she'll say yes. "Like a date?"

I nod softly. "Yeah, a date." I grin like an idiot at her.

"Sure, why not?" She stands up and walks to the exit. I'm still standing in awe at her saying yes, when she turns around and gives me a laughing grin. "Aren't you coming?"

I shake my head to rid myself of her lingering spell, but I have a feeling that this confounding feeling will never go away so long as I know her, and I'm going to make sure that that's for a very very long time. I walk toward her, and I have a funny feeling that everyone that we just left behind in the bar is laughing hysterically at me.