Is anyone else thinking about the fact that this is, in all likelihood, the first time Whitely has even seen a Grimm from anywhere other than an extremely safe distance?

Like his sisters probably saw their first Grimm at ‘ground level’ when they already had training and weapons and had mentors to help them if they needed it and the grimm was probably some basic, low-level mook suited to their level.

But Whitley is alone, untrained, unarmed, in a dark, cramped room, and the Grimm is some mutated abomination that fucking talks and is currently three fucking feet away from him.

And he still had the presence of mind, the committment to finishing things, to GO BACK and activate the system before running.

WHITLEY. DID. NOTHING. WRONG.

The dads, and uncle, of Team OZPIN sat around the table in a drunken stupor. It was almost time for closing and Qrow has an idea to end the night with a bang.

Qrow: Guys, what’s your favourite sea shanty?

Cloud: *raises eyebrow* Sea shanty? Qrow, we’re nowhere near the ocean.

Tai: Aw come on, Cloud. *hic* Don’t get all “stormy” on us. *chuckles*

Cloud: *sighs* You and your puns.

Regis: Tai’s right, it could be fun and besides, what better way to end the night than a good old song with brothers in arms?

Ghira: I agree. In the spirit of brotherhood, sing away my good man!

Tai/Regis: Qrow! Qrow! Qrow!

Qrow: *hearty laugh* Alright, alright. I’ll sing... but only if you guys sing along with me.

Tai/Regis/Ghira: Yeah!!!

Cloud: *deadpans* No.

Qrow: If you don’t sing, you’re picking up the tab.

Cloud: *glares* ...you wouldn’t.

Qrow: *smirks* Wouldn’t I?

Cloud: *grumbles* Fine. You win.

Qrow: That’s the spirit! Now then.. how does it go? *ahem*

There once was a ship that put to sea

And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea

The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down

Blow, me bully boys, blow!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Tai: She had not been two weeks from shore

When down on her a right whale bore

The captain called all hands and swore

He'd take that whale in tow!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Regis: Before the boat had hit the water

The whale's tail came up and caught her

All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her

When she dived down below!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Cloud: No line was cut, no whale was freed

An' the captain's mind was not on greed

But he belonged to the Whaleman's creed

She took that ship in tow!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Ghira: For forty days or even more

The line went slack then tight once more

All boats were lost, there were only four

And still that whale did go!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Qrow: As far as I've heard, the fight's still on

The line's not cut, and the whale's not gone

The Wellerman makes his regular call

To encourage the captain, crew and all!

QTCRG: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go!

Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum!

One day, when the tonguing' is done

We'll take our leave and go! Ayyyy!!!!!! *all them do one last cheers*

From a far away table, Ruby, Yang, Blake, Noctis and Jaune all groaned with embarrassment.

Noctis: *faceplams* This the last time we’re ever taking them out for drinks

“Renny... what is this?”

“I’m sorry.”

Nora quickly forgot her own question when he said that. “Y-you’re sorry? For what?”

Ren put down the massive stuffed sloth he’d been holding. He was definitely starting to think that maybe it was a bit TOO big. “I... I know I’ve been... distant lately.”

Nora looked away, rubbing her left arm awkwardly. “O-oh really? I haven’t noticed...”

Ren looked down remorsefully. “I... I felt like I was becoming too open, too vulnerable... too weak. I saw how much stronger the Ace Operatives were than us. I thought it was because they didn’t let feelings get in their way. It made me think that if I started pushing you and everyone away would help me get stronger and be able to do what needs to be done, but it hasn’t. All it’s done is make me more conflicted than I’ve ever been... and hurt you.”

Nora looked at her childhood friend with wide eyes. It was so rare to hear him open up like this. “Ren... I-I know things are tougher now more than ever, but that doesn’t mean you need to make yourself stronger all on your own. We’re here with you. I’M here with you... We have each other’s backs, no matter what. That’s how we’ve made it this far. Why should we stop now.”

Ren looked up and met Nora’s blue eyes with his pink. “I’m... I’m so sorry Nora.”

“You idiot.” Nora quickly stepped up to Ren and wrapped her strong arms around him gently. “You don’t need to apologize.”

Ren hugged her back tightly. After a few seconds though, he pulled away and quickly captured her lips in a kiss, completely catching the energetic girl off guard. However, she soon kissed him back, almost melting in his arms from the sheer joy and peace she felt.

The kiss lasted a full five seconds, but Nora still thought it was too short as Ren slowly pulled his lips away. As Ren looked down to her and he asked, “I made some pancakes for you too. You want to go eat them before they get cold?”