So here's the start to the RubySlippers fic I was talking about wanting to write, alongside Wolf's time of course. It's slow starting out since I'm just introducing the concept, but I hope you guys like it. We'll see how this goes. C: enjoy~!
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The sleepy little town of Storybrooke, Maine had been able to sleep easier; knowing that their long and drawn out curse had finally been broken by a powerful magic- true love's kiss. The residents remember that moment fondly. The surge they felt once that unmistakable beam of light coursed through them, and the happy- or not so happy- reunions that followed after.
For the small diner's waitress, Ruby, she hugged her Granny tightly and happily reminisced with her best friend Snow over a nice cup of coffee- along with the newly rekindled Charming family. She remembered being able to sleep fairly better those nights, dreaming of a second chance to prove that she belonged. Though, she did also sense an uncertain air approaching, and she couldn't tell what it was. The thought of someone worse then the queen waltzing in and taking lives again made the young she-wolf shiver. Everyone barely got their memories back; so many found something to fight for again... Picking up where their alter egos couldn't seem to reach. Ruby sighed and yawned loudly- she was probably just overthinking things again... 'There's no magic left here', she thought, 'nothing strange could happen..' She hoped and hoped and hoped to herself, as she finally closed her eyes and laid herself down to slumber.
...
The next morning, Ruby sleepily put on her apron, though she didn't feel like changing out of the clothes she had slept in that night. She looked in the mirror and brushed her hair down: straight and in front of her (though still with some red highlights left over); and adjusted her signature red-flannel shirt she had picked out after the other risqué-Ruby had started to fade. She yawned, stretched her arms out, and slightly pulled up her torn jeans. When she walked into the main room of the diner, she started to hear some commotion from outside- Granny was with them, absent from her place at the counter.
"Granny... What's wrong?" Ruby rubbed her eyes as she stepped outside into the sunlight, leaving the bell on the door to jingle.
Granny sighed and rolled her eyes, gesturing over to the building that had appeared overnight. "Don't you see that child?" Ruby tilted her head, and looked up at the sign hanging over the door. "Auntie's chicken and waffles, coming soon? What's that?"
Granny huffed. "It's a new diner, trying to take up our space." The now annoyed older woman explained.
"New diner? But how... We've been the only one here since the curse started." Red asked.
"That's what I wanted to know." Granny looked over the building once more. "How it even got here. No one should've been able to get in or out over the town line."
"Someone crossed the town line?"
"That's the only explanation isn't it? I heard the dwarves start gossiping about it... Then it only spread from there. I'm getting to the bottom of this right now." Granny stated firmly, as she boldly walked over and opened their front door, Red following behind.
"Granny... Granny careful!" Ruby whispered sharply and grabbed onto her shoulder as they walked in. The bell chimed, alerting that someone had walked in. 'Same as with Granny's', Red thought to herself and took a sniff. 'Even smells the same...'
The two were greeted by a tomboyish woman, who walked in from the back room and leaned over the counter. She had long and dark brown messy hair situated into a front ponytail, deep brown eyes, and wore a light blue plaid blouse with both sleeves rolled up to show her arms. "Welcome to Auntie's." She grinned cheekily. "I would ask what you need, but as you can see we're still under construction at the moment. Me and my crew here are still working out the finishing details." The woman pointed to a group of what looked like... Dwarves? But somehow smaller and cheerier- they definitely stood out wearing bright colors like that though.
Granny stood back, looking stern as ever with furrowed brows, as Red walked forward slowly. A small, gray dog took this opportunity to bound off up to Ruby and yip at her heels.
The woman laughed. "Easy Toto, easy boy..." She waved her hand to the dog and looked over to Ruby somewhat apologetically. "Sorry about him, he won't bite. He's just full of energy today for some reason."
"Wait... His name's Toto? I've only heard of that name once before." Ruby looked up at the brawny woman. "So... That means you must be-"
"The name's Dorothy, Dorothy Gale. One and the same." She smiled and clicked her tongue at Toto, making him jump up on the counter beside her.
"Well that explains a lot actually." Ruby chuckled and went over to pet Toto. "I never thought you'd be here in Storybrooke though, or you know... Real..."
"And what makes you say that?" Dorothy tilted her head and looked Ruby up and down.
"Well I've only ever seen you in movies or books, so I just figured that... Well, I'm one to talk aren't I?" Ruby looked up at her and smiled bittersweetly, their eyes locking as she pet Toto's fur gently. "Never mind I said anything."
Dorothy nodded and quickly became mesmerized by Ruby's bright green eyes, as Ruby bore into her brown ones. The two chuckled light-heartedly as Toto yipped.
Granny cleared her throat and glared at Dorothy as she pulled Ruby away with a strong grip. "Excuse me. What do you think you're doing girl?" She took Ruby over to the door and whispered harshly, so the other woman couldn't hear.
"What? I wasn't doing anything... Just making friendly conversation is all." Ruby shifted her eyes to Dorothy quickly, and then back to Granny.
"Right... That seemed more like underhanded flirting to me. While that is sometimes a good tactic, we don't want to be off our guard around her." Granny arched an eyebrow at her granddaughter. "Honestly I don't quite understand your motives but-"
"Motives? Granny... I wasn't even thinking about the whole competition thing. And f-flirting? I just met her..." Ruby sighed and looked back over at Dorothy, who smirked at her. "I mean I wasn't meaning to make it seem that way."
"It doesn't matter if you meant it or not. Ruby, you need to understand that there's a fine line here that isn't meant to be crossed." Granny furrowed her brows again, sharpening her tone. "Do we understand each other?"
Ruby paused for a minute before nodding. "Yes Granny..."
"Good. Now I expect you back to work, you know our regulars come in quite early." Granny turned and pushed open the door harshly, making the chime go wild and Toto started to yip at it.
Ruby sighed and looked out the window, seeing Granny storm in and people start to pour in. She slowly went back to the counter and apologized to Dorothy. "Look, I'm sorry about all of that. She means well... She's just set in her ways."
Dorothy nodded and picked up Toto, putting him in her arms as she stood up straight; making her physique more apparent, as well as how tall she was. "It's alright, I understand." She looked on sadly. "She reminds me a bit of my aunt em. She used to own the place until she passed, so she handed it over to me." The dog yipped in defense. "And Toto of course." She chuckled.
"I'm sorry...I couldn't imagine it." Red looked up at her with slight puppy dog eyes.
"It's alright, don't worry about it. It isn't your burden to bare." Dorothy sighed.
The two looked at each other for a while until Dorothy broke the silence awkwardly, clearing her throat. "So uh- you're welcome to come by anytime. If you want to, that is..."
"Ruby." Ruby smiled warmly and nodded. "And I'd love to."
Dorothy smiled back and nodded. "Alright Ruby... I'll look forward to it." She finished awkwardly again.
Ruby chuckled, thinking about how cute she was, just trying to make small talk. "As will I. Dorothy..." She smiled and winked, as she turned and walked out the door, leaving Dorothy a bit flustered. 'I have to get back before Granny gets too mad...' She thought sadly as she entered the door to their diner- Dorothy watching all the while.
Toto looked up at her and yipped in suspicion. Dorothy quickly defended herself. "What? I wasn't doing anything wrong, that was innocent fun." Toto growled in response. "Hey, no back talk, or no food for you tonight mister." She held him in her arms slightly tighter and walked over to a table, setting Toto down and pouring him a bowl of kibble which he lapped up happily.
"You're lucky I spoil you. You know that right?" Dorothy sighed and crossed her arms, looking out the window and seeing Ruby happily at work.
For the rest of that night, neither could stop thinking about the other. Red and Blue. The she-wolf, and the village girl turned hunter.
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Well there it is, Chp 1. I hope it went well and I really hope you guys liked it. Also hoping against too much OOC ness ( plus, yay for toto making an appearance x3) . Please, review if you feel so inclined, letting me know how I did. I'm new to writing for this couple and I hope to work on their development smoothly. Thank you guys as always~