“ latrine duty ?  funny you mention that.  i would be good at it, since i already have to put up with your shit. ”  grins.

          they chuckle richly in their amusement.  “ ahah, i’ll give you that.  i’ve already submitted to taking orders from you in the bedroom — so as much as i’m certain you’d revel in bossing me around, you’re right.  i couldn’t stand doing it elsewhere. ”

          “ you asked, ” they insist, crossing their arms and stepping towards her.  “ hm.  maybe i should start wearing white. ”

          “evenin’ ta myself ta do what, exactly? drink? or jus’ sit in a room alone w’ nothin’ but my thoughts fer company?” he doesn’t mean for it to come off as dismissive as it does, doesn’t mean the way his voice tightens in his throat or the way he almost flinches at the movement of her hand. does she know about the drinking? about the change he’s tried desperately to bring about since the last time they met? or does qrow only stand in winter’s life as a figure related in some way to ozpin? as an annoyance and irritation only important when ozpin’s involved? and now that the old man’s nothing but a memory, now that he’s hidden away in a kid’s mind - does she even care? no, why would he be suggesting he take a night off if she didn’t care in some way? there’s a beat, a sigh heavy on the senses as qrow finds himself looking to the ground again. “i don’t… think tha’s a good idea.”

          they pout briefly, but it doesn’t take long for that to shift into a playful smirk.  “ hmh… indeed.  black is an exquisite look for you. ”

          blinks.  “ wait — ”

          cinder smirks before snatching up their mug from the counter, smelling the sweet scent of the tea before taking a short sip and setting it back down.  their frame shifts to face her entirely, and they grab her hand with a gentle squeeze known only to winter schnee.  “ mm.  will you accuse me of being childish if i request something sweet? ”  fall asks, brow raised, playful smile present on their lips.  “ i am … aware that such flavors aren’t something you prefer. ”

          cinder giggles with a lightness to their voice they haven’t known in a lifetime, closing their eye and lowering their head to press a firm kiss to skin on the back of her shoulder.  “ there is no harm done, ” they murmur.  they watch her fuss with the tea and hot water in their mug as they speak, reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear in the process.  “ drinking black coffee every once in a while is by no means the most difficult thing i’ve done in our relationship. ”

          “ to be honest? ” they start, hovering behind her in the kitchen and placing a hand on her hip as they watch her make the drinks, “ i prefer tea. ”  they shrug, though their expression ( raised eyebrows, eyes flickering between her and the cup ) encourages her to pour the coffee into the matte black mug anyways.  “ i’m … not actually aware of how i would prefer coffee other than ‘ not black, ’ ” fall admits with a small smile.

    “how do you take your coffee?” winter murmurs, her back to the other and watching hot water fill the mugs in front of her. she leaves a half inch at the top of her own mug (a plain white thing, emblazoned with a cartoon penguin bought from a gift shop in a town near by) and falters, kettle hovering over cinder’s. “i’ve never asked.”