I've always loved thinking about family dynamics in 'RWBY', and Qrow is a big part of that messy, affectionate chaos. In-universe, Qrow is their uncle, which means he
knew Ruby and Yang from a very early age — not as a formal guardian, but as the rough-around-the-edges relative who turns up unpredictably. There are hints and flashbacks scattered across the show that paint
him as someone who was around during parts of their childhood: little moments, brief visits, and the kind of family presence that’s more about sporadic protection than daily parenting.
For viewers, the first clear, on-screen interactions we actually see between Qrow and the girls happen once they’re older — teens or young adults — during the big Beacon-era storyline, where Qrow steps in publicly as a protector and a warning voice. He shows that gruff, sarcastic exterior but also
the deep-care beneath it, especially around Ruby. So, short version in story terms: he’s known them since they were kids off-screen, but the first time the show really frames his relationship with them in a major way is during the Beacon/mission arcs. I love how that slow drip of background history builds him from a mysterious relative into someone real and heartbreaking to watch.