AN: My first Once Upon a Time story... so ... sorry if it sucks :P
I listen as the door slams shut and echoes around the seemingly empty apartment. Unfortunately it isn't empty. There's one person in here besides me. And that other person isn't Mary Margret since I just sent her to jail. Marry Margret is in jail because I sent her there, because all the signs of Kathryn's disappearance all lead to her, even when I know she hasn't done anything.
No, that other person that is breathing is Ruby. Cheery, funny, outgoing Ruby. Though right now she doesn't seem like any of that as she walks out of what used to be my room but is now temporarily hers. It seems her time is up here as well as Mary Margret's is, for now.
Ruby spots me and quickly puts down the box she was carrying. "Oh, hey," is all she manages to think of saying.
I nod my head in acknowledge meant. I don't feel like I can even trust my own voice in betrayal of sounding weak.
"I'm just moving out. Granny gave me back the job. It seems like I might be the new owner of the place when she retires." I know those words are just trying to fill the very empty air. The air that is empty because Mary isn't here to fill it. She isn't here to make conversation with both of us.
Sighing I just nod my head and look past her towards the room that Mary is letting me share with her until Ruby moves out, ironically that seems like it's today.
"Hey, I'll just go," is what Ruby says not really waiting for an answer as she picks up her box and heads out the door.
My voice comes out of my throat before I can even process what's going on, "Don't go." That makes her stop, but she's already moving, like I'm only saying it to be nice. I have to say more, I have to say the dreadful words I have never spoken in my life, "Don't go, I don't want to be alone." I'm looking down at the ground like I'm speaking to it instead of her. I don't know why I want Ruby to be the one to comfort me, I'm not sure why I even called out to her. Maybe she'll just shrug it off like everyone else does when I ask them to stay.
Instead I hear the clatter of her high heeled boots that make her even taller than she already is. I feel like I'm about to burst. Ruby's so close I can smell her scent, feel the heat running off of her body. Something about her always makes me feel odd, and this oddity makes me nervous and scared. What do I feel for her? What's this feeling? It's almost so foreign that it seems scary.
I can feel my heart stutter as her hand lifts up onto my cheek. As she strokes the slightly chubby spot on my cheek, I can feel her smile down at me. I'm so tense right now, I bet a slight breeze could knock me over.
My breath quickens as she keeps rubbing the spot. I'm just praying to god that she doesn't hear the change of rhythm in my breathing pattern, but of course God is always against me. I look up to see her quirk her eye brow up and stop the movement.
"You know, with all that's happening right now, I'm sure you need a break," is what she says as she sets her hand down to her side. "Or at least, you need something to take your mind off."
Ruby's POV
"Or, at least, you need something to take your mind off. I'm sure sending Mare into prison has just got you stressed out." At the mention of Mare I can see the little lost girl in Emma come and rest herself in her eyes. I gently rest my hand on her wrist and say to her, "I can bring your mind off of everything, Ems." I was hoping to take away that lost little girl from Emma's eyes but the look still lingered. She looks so vulnerable right now. Like the mention of Mare makes her think she's striped of her safety.
I take her by the wrist and we make our way to the room I was using, which is hers.
As I place her onto the bed I can see she's visibly shaking. She seems so nervous. When has Emma ever been nervous? Never. Well, never until this moment.