Outcasts

Saving

Winter stumbled back onto the wall of her bedroom as her father ripped his palm across her face, back and forth.
"What did I tell you about passing your tests?!" he raged at her.
Winter looked down at her feet, refusing eye contact.
"I forgot to study. I was watching Weiss that night." she murmured.
Jacques took his left fist and grabbed Winter's jaw, squeezing and lifting her head, forcing eye contact. She shrieked in pain.
"Is that an what you call an excuse? Pathetic!" He roared.
He placed his right hand on her shoulder and threw her to the ground. Her pale limbs scraped the carpet as she made contact with the floor. She landed on her shoulder, whipping her head to the ground as well. Winter moved her hands to catch herself, but it only gave her more scrapes.
Jacques moved over to her fragile body lying on the floor and grabbed a handful of her hair. He knows that it is sensitive. It is the pain that would make her confess everything. Winter yelps and shakily makes her way to her knees.
"Stand up, you swine!" Her father scowls.
Winter looks up, eyes half open and blood running from her nose.
"I -" She starts to speak but he pulls even tighter on her hair, attempting to pull her up to his level.
He pushes her hair against the wall, pinning Winter in her spot. Her father says nothing, but takes his other hand and punches her in the eye. Winter winces but makes no noise.
"You're a disgrace!" He sneered.
He pulls his hand back to smack Winter in the side of the face when a familiar voice is heard from the end of the hall.
"Winter?" Qrow says, with his normal, brass tone.
Both Winter and her father turn their heads in the direction of Qrow's voice. Winter begins to shake in fear. He looks back at Winter and resumes his action. He smacks her back and forth once again. Winter starts to yell to alert Qrow.
"Winter!" Qrow's voice grows louder, realizing what is going on.
Soon, he bursts through the door to Winter's bedroom, shocked.
"Hey!" Qrow yells at her father.
Jacque drops Winter runs at him but Qrow is able to dough his large arms and grab Winter from the ground. They run for the door, not looking back. Qrow's hand on her shoulder to steady her. They throw themselves into his car and drive off. Winter looks in the rear view mirror and sees her father standing in the doorway. She looks away and exhales.
They sit in silence as Qrow drives aimlessly away from the house. Winter keeps the mirror of the visor down, attempting to wipe off any blood that stained her face. She eventually puts her head down, sadness and guilt overtaking her.
"Thank you, Qrow." She says, looking over to him.
His eyes stay facing forward. Winter moves her eyes down to her knees guiltily.
"I'm sorry." She sniffled.
Qrow pulls over to the side of the road and his wheels squeak to a stop. Qrow turns to Winter with wide eyes.
"Why are you sorry?" He asks.
He places his hand on her knee and here eyes shoot up to hers.
"You almost got hurt!" She shouts, tears beginning to sprout from her eyes.
"Winter, this isn't your fault." Qrow reassures, lifting her chin up with his hand. A pulse of chills run up her spine when he says her name. She looks into his eyes. They seem to be welling up too.
Her chest collapses with feeling. Tingles running through every inch of her body. Winter's finger's start to tremble, and her reflexes and urges get the best of her.
She grabs the collar of his shirt and presses her lips to his.
Qrow immediately moves his hands to the back of her head and neck, kissing her back. Chills and feelings flooding every crevice of both of their bodies.
Somehow, they pull apart. Winter sits back in her seat, looking down once again.
"Sorry." She giggles to herself.
"Don't be." He smirks.
Winter looks back up at him. He puts his hand on her face. Winter closes her eyes, then feels his lips on hers once again. He pulls away and they both grin.
"Let's get out of here." Qrow insists, putting his hands back on the steering wheel and pulling away from the curb. Winter falls back into her seat and puts her hand over her mouth, blushing.
"Take me anywhere." Winter breathed.