This is my first fanfic in forever. Sorry guys. Lost inspration as there was no Red Beauty moments in any episodes. Finally got an idea for a story so thought i'd write it. Hope you guys like it. Belle never lost her memory in this by the way. Anyway, enjoy!

Ruby looked up from the counter when she heard the bell ring above the door to the diner. She didn't really need to look up, as she knew the time. It was the exact time Belle walked in every morning. She could smell the old books, roses and that smell that only Belle had. She couldn't quite figure out what it was but it was her favourite of the three things. She loved to watch Belle walk in. She was happy to see Belle in a blue dress today. She loved when Belle wore dresses. They suited her perfectly. Ruby grinned as Belle smiled shyly at her and then went to sit in her booth.

Belle always sat at the same booth. Ruby had now named it Belle's booth. If Ruby knew Belle would be there, she'd put the reserved sign on the table, taking it off a little before 8:30 so Belle wouldn't see it. Ruby was snapped out of her thoughts when she realised she hadn't taken the sign off the table. She walked to her and blushed deeply.

Belle smiled at Ruby as she walked in but stopped confused next to her normal booth. She frowned feeling a little sad that she couldn't sit there. Her hopes rose a little, thinking Ruby might of saved it but they slowly went away when she realised that was unlikely. She shook her head and sat down at a table.

"Morning Belle."

"Good morning Ruby."

Ruby felt her cheeks redden more and rubbed the back of her neck. She noticed that Belle's smile was smaller than normal but she thought she shouldn't ask as soon as Belle got there.

"I…your booth…" Ruby sighed as she realised she'd said Belle's booth. "It's reserved for you…" Ruby looked down sheepishly.

Belle couldn't help the blush and bit her lip when she heard what Ruby said. She didn't know why she was so touched by Ruby's actions but she was. In fact, her heart fluttered and she felt she had to thank Ruby so stood to hug her.

Ruby saw Belle's smile widen and hugged back tightly when Belle put her arms round her waist. Ruby's eyes fluttered closed feeling Belle's body so close to hers. She felt Belle's heart rate going quicker than normal but didn't really take it into account. The only things she could pay attention to were Belle's arms round her and the soft breathing on her neck.

Belle fell into Ruby's embrace and moulded into her. She loved it when they hugged. She thought their bodies fit together perfectly and she turned her head so she was breathing on Ruby's neck, just to be able to be closer to the taller woman.

After a few moments, Granny cleared her throat and they pulled away quickly, both blushing deeply. Belle sat in her booth and Ruby got out a pad and pen.

"Im guessing you'd like an iced tea and some pancakes. Am I right?"

Belle nodded. She felt that if she spoke, you'd be able to hear the disappointment in her voice that she had to stop hugging Ruby. She hadn't told her best friend yet but Rumple had visited her yesterday. He'd said he wanted her to stop being friends with the waitress. Of course Belle had said no and Rumple had given her a twenty-minute lecture on why Ruby was a bad influence. Belle had just wanted to cry the whole time. He was making her seem so evil and stupid. She wasn't like that at all. He said all she did was pick up a different man every night to sleep with and then never call again. She knew he was wrong. She was kind and sweet and beautiful. One time Belle had a nightmare, she was too scared to get out of bed so called Ruby. The waitress wasn't angry at all but actually came over and helped Belle get back to sleep. She stayed the whole night. She'd come over the next three nights as well, just to make sure Belle slept okay.

Ruby saw sadness on Belle's face and sat next to her in the booth. She lifted Belle's chin from looking at her lap and watched Belle look at everything but her, tears in her eyes. Ruby didn't ask what was wrong. She just pulled Belle into a tight hug. She felt Belle start to cry into her neck and rubbed her back softly.

"You don't have to tell me what's wrong until you want to. Just know im here for you, even when you just need a hug."

Belle felt safe in Ruby's arms. That if she cried, Ruby would comfort her. That if she was hurt, Ruby would take care of her. She felt like she could just be herself and not have to worry. Not be insecure all the time like round Rumple. So she cried. She heard Ruby's words and smiled slightly. She pulled Ruby tighter and cried harder, not wanting Rumple to stop her from seeing her best friend.

Ruby kissed the top of Belle's head without thinking. She blushed and looked to see Granny looking worried. Granny nodded to her, saying she could take Belle home, without having to actually say anything. Ruby said a silent thank you to her and slowly pulled away to look in Belle's eyes.

"Im going to take you home, okay?"

Belle nodded and sniffled. She said as barely a whisper "Will you stay with me?"

Ruby's heart broke a little. "Of course I'll stay with you. I will always be there when you need me, and right now, you need me."

Belle started to cry hard again and pulled Ruby back into another hug.

Ruby stood, bringing Belle with her. She walked so no one could see Belle's face but so they could still walk and she crossed the road to the library. She opened the door and smiled lightly at the fact Belle's crying had turned to just a sniffle again. Ruby closed it and took Belle's hand, taking her upstairs to her apartment.

Belle was glad Ruby was so understanding. If she'd cried to anyone else, she'd be mortified. She loved the feel of Ruby's hand in hers and she followed upstairs to her living room where they sat on the couch.

Ruby looked at Belle who had opted for a seat on the other end of the couch. She took Belle's hand again and smiled at her softly. She stroked the back of Belle's hand with her thumb gently, inching closer.

Belle didn't know why she had chosen so far down the couch. She wanted to be close to Ruby but felt she couldn't move closer now or it would be odd. She saw Ruby move up though. It made her blush slightly and gain the courage to move a little closer herself. She shivered at Ruby's touch on her hand. She wanted to be closer. To hug her and snuggle up like they had when Ruby had slept over to make sure she was okay.

Ruby saw Belle blush and move a little closer so got up and laid across the couch, her legs hanging off the edge of it.

"Come lay next to me Belle. You need a hug."

Belle blushed and smiled at her friend before lying down in the gap between Ruby and the back of the couch. She immediately felt better. To be that close to Ruby. Belle moved her hand cautiously to over Ruby's stomach, blushing heavily.

Ruby put her feet up and felt Belle's hand move. She looked down to see Belle blushing but looking comfortable. She was smiling. Ruby couldn't love anything more than Belle smiling. Love. Ruby tensed as she realised that's what she felt. She loved Belle.

Belle looked up at Ruby to see her expression confused and worried. Belle lifted herself onto one elbow and looked in Ruby's eyes. "Ruby. What's wrong?"

Ruby looked at Belle and panicked. "I…I have to go." Ruby pulled herself from under Belle's weight and ran through the door. She didn't know where she was going exactly but she had an idea.

Belle watched Ruby leave. Tears immediately came to her eyes and she couldn't move. She felt the tears start to fall and just sat watching the door. After a few minutes, she whispered, "You said you'd stay with me." Belle's tears fell harder and faster, causing her to cry into her knees.