“Hello, snow pea,” Qrow cooed, scooping her up into his arms. “Did you miss me?”

She nodded, pigtails bobbing up and down. “I missed you this much!” Her arms spread open as wide as they could go, and Qrow laughed.

“I missed you that much too,” he said, booping her nose. “Did you take care of mommy while I was away? She didn’t work too much, did she?”

“Nope, I kept her busy!”

“Should have known you put her up to it.”

Qrow looked up, smiling at the sight of Winter leaning in the doorway, shaking her head at him. “Someone has to make sure you don’t work yourself to death.”

“I helped!”

“You sure did, snowpea,” Qrow said, kissing the top of her head.

Winter strode over, and he wrapped his other arm around her, bringing her close to him. He was happy to be home, with his girls.

A loud cawing got his attention, and he opened his eyes, staring up at the open sky above him. He was suddenly very aware of the hard ground beneath him, and he sighed, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes. A recurring dream of his lately, him and Winter living together on Patch with a little girl.

Maybe one day, when Salem was gone. When he wasn’t busy keeping Ruby and her friends safe from a distance. Still, his heart ached. He missed Winter terribly, and wanted nothing more than to give up this whole thing and go to her.

But of course he couldn’t. And she wouldn’t be pleased if he did.