Work Text:
James put his pen on the desk and turned back to the screen. Just one more appointment scheduled for today, and then his time would be his own. He sighed, shoulders sagging a little. Time to himself was always appreciated; time spent with Qrow was even better.
Their friends and colleagues were all surprised when they had told everyone of their marriage. Qrow had not wanted any kind of celebration — after the losses of the war it felt wrong, somehow. They were both relieved to have survived, and to finally formalise their relationship from its rather haphazard nature to something approaching a proper union.
James was happy to go along with whatever Qrow wanted. After the tribulations of battling Salem, all he desired was a quieter existence with the man he had loved for the last two decades. Leaving the military was the first step to setting his life on a steadier path; marrying Qrow followed soon after. Now he spent his days as headmaster of Atlas Academy, which no longer operated solely as a feeder into the army. It had taken some time to refocus the educational programmes to provide a more diverse learning experience, and James felt that at last, they were on the right track.
The buzzer on his desk sounded. "Ms Schnee is here for your four o'clock, James."
"Thank you, Stephanie. Please show her in."
The door opened and James' assistant ushered in his visitor. He half rose from his chair, but Willow waved a hand.
"No need to stand on my account, James.
"Thank you, Stephanie." She sat in the proffered chair, smiling up at the young woman.
"Anything else, James?"
"No thank you... I'll buzz you if we need anything."
She left the office and closed the door quietly. Willow put her bag on the floor and leant forward, her arms resting on the desk.
"Now then, James. I've read the documents, so shall we get down to business?" She smiled at him. "Or perhaps I should get us some coffee first?"
"Let me do it." He pushed his chair away from the desk and went to the coffee machine, hand rubbing at his hip as he waited for the water to heat.
"Is it still bothering you?" Willow's voice was sympathetic, and James half turned to speak.
"A little... it's this damp weather. When Qrow's here— well, he has a way of massaging it... it's never as bad." James coloured slightly, turning back to the coffee machine and busying himself with the cups.
"No need to be embarrassed... it's a treat to see you so happy with him, after all that's happened."
"Yes, well... we're all in a better place now, aren't we?" James opened a cupboard and withdrew a tin. "I even have some biscuits."
"I'll have to visit you here more often," laughed Willow. She accepted her cup, placing it on the desk before reaching for a biscuit. "Right then, let's look at these applications, shall we?"
Almost an hour later James bade Willow goodbye, and told Stephanie she could finish for the day. He rinsed the coffee cups, reflecting how fortunate it was that Willow had decided to invest so much of her money and time into revitalising the academy. They worked well together, and James could see the benefits of her input already. It gave him hope that the future would be an improvement on the past.
When he had to admit there was nothing more he could do at work, he shrugged on his coat and prepared to leave. On days when Qrow was at home, he was eager to finish his day. But Qrow was in Haven and not expected back for several days. Although he had lived by himself for many years, James found he had quickly become accustomed to sharing a home with Qrow, and now when there was only an empty apartment beckoning, leaving work promptly seemed pointless.
James smiled to himself, a husky voice in his head. Don't be an idiot, Jim. You need to look after yourself... if you're not around, where will I warm my feet at night?
Alright, Qrow. You win. I'm leaving now.
Qrow, in his casual way, had guided James to a better place. A place where he didn't work far into the evening, skipping meals to save time. A place where James knew someone cared about him.
It was a novel experience, and now James was accustomed to it, he didn't want to live his life any other way.
As he opened the front door, thoughts on what takeaway he felt like ordering, James' nostrils were filled with an appetising aroma. His brain, after a moment's confusion, registered the lights were on and there were noises coming from the kitchen. He put down his bag and approached cautiously, to be greeted by a smiling husband.
"Your face! Let me turn this down and I can say hello properly." Qrow squinted at the pan on the hob, then turned back to James. "Yes, it's really me."
James blinked several times and scratched his head. "But I thought— is everything okay at Haven? You didn't tell me—"
Then Qrow was kissing him, hands sliding inside his coat to pull him close. "Wanted to surprise you," he murmured. "And yeah, Haven's good."
James chuckled. "Your surprise certainly succeeded. I won't need to order takeaway now."
"Definitely not. I've made soup... it's spicy but not too spicy, and there'll be cheese dumplings too. If you're lucky."
"Qrow, my dear, dumplings sound wonderful. But you being here means I was lucky already."
Qrow snorted. "You old smoothie. Though I'll take the compliment." He raised a hand, cupping James' jaw and stroking a thumb across his cheek. "This should be ready in about twenty minutes."
James took Qrow's hand and kissed the fingertips. He grimaced and pulled away, rubbing his mouth.
"Chilli... I did warn you." Qrow grinned, turning him about and patting his butt. "Go and get changed; I've got dumplings to make."
James scraped the last spoonful from his bowl. "That was delicious, Qrow. One of your best."
Qrow wiped his mouth. "Especially the dumplings."
"Your dumplings are always good."
Qrow sniggered. "Yours aren't so bad either."
A confused look passed across James' face, then he smiled. He reached a hand across the table to clasp Qrow's fingers. "I've missed you."
"Well, I'm here now. Shall we stick this stuff in the kitchen and relax a bit? Maybe have an early night?"
James' grip tightened. "That would be good," he said, his voice gruff.
Qrow blew him a kiss and gathered up the bowls with a smile. He sensed James' gaze on him as he carried them carefully into the kitchen.
"Mmm, now I know I'm home." Qrow pulled James in for one more kiss, before allowing him to edge off onto the bed beside him with a groan.
"Qrow, that was wonderful, as always. Thank you." He pressed a kiss into Qrow's untidy hair, fingers smoothing the damp strands from his forehead. "What? What have I said?"
"I love the way you say thank you, Jim. I can't imagine anyone else doing that."
"Manners cost nothing, my mother often said." James stroked Qrow's hair idly. "We didn't see eye to eye about many things, but I've never forgotten that."
Qrow rolled onto his side and James slid an arm about him, tutting at the stickiness between them. "We should get this cleaned up, you know."
"Yeah... in a mo." Qrow nuzzled closer, tucking his head under James' chin. "Just enjoying the moment here."
James smiled. His old self—the one focussed solely on cleanliness, and order, and following the rules to the last letter—would have been horrified at this situation. Would have leapt from the bed to grab a towel, or stripped the sheets immediately. Now, it was different. Now, there was Qrow.
Despite all they had lost, and the difficult times they had been through, Qrow was here. In all his grumpy, irreverent, whimsical stickiness.
And James wouldn't have it any other way.