Little Red Ruby Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.
Summary: Scarlett had always been warned of a violent and murdering wolf that lived in the very same woods that she travelled through each day on her way back to her Granny's house, but she had never imagined that one day she would come face to face with the beast. Age old stories of interactions with the fated big bad wolf had taught her to be scared of the creature and what it could do to young girls like her, but a soft look of pain in the eyes of her unwilling attacker made the young girl wonder if there was more to the old tales of the big bad wolf than anyone could ever figure.
Pairings are Emma x Graham, and Mary Margaret x David, but mostly Ruby x OC.
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of the characters affiliated.
Rating is PG-13 for language, violence and a little sexuality.
Authors Note: I apologise for the wait, I didn't realise when I posted this on Sunday that I had a school project due only a few days later that would take up the bulk of my time. But I am back now, even though I have more schoolwork to be done, just this was so cute it had to be written as soon as possible. This is going to be the chapter that you are introduced to Ruby's love interest, so I hope you are all prepared for extreme and adorable fluff without it going over the top. I also hope that story Ruby is believable, I tried to write my story the best I could while maintaining her rebel image.
Spoilers include most canon plot points up until 1x07 "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter."
Inside Granny's Diner.
"And a hot cocoa with a dash of cinnamon for Henry." Ruby gave a smile as the young boy thanked her for the drink. Most children didn't even get a glance of acknowledgement from the rebellious-looking teen, let alone a smile, but then again Henry was a different kind of child.
When he showed his gratitude for her it wasn't because someone told him to or because it was the polite thing to do, Henry showed it because he actually felt grateful that she was looking out for him. That's what Ruby liked about the ten year old, he knew when he had something good. Not to mention that he was a sweet, caring, and creative kid that would protect his friends to the death if need be.
It was safe to say that Ruby loved Henry.
For that fact and fact alone, she found herself appreciative when Emma Swan decided to stick around to be there for Henry. Before she had known the woman, a deep hatred had emerged on the notion that someone could give the boy up willingly, especially since her own Mother had done that to her years ago. Fortunately, Emma was making up for it in how she treated Henry these days.
It was that reason that compelled her to add extra cinnamon to Emma's hot cocoa as well.
That... and the practically identical expressions on their faces as they took a long sip of the delicious beverage that concluded with a mutually appreciative and repeated. "Thank-you Ruby!"
Henry and Emma gave a small wave as they waited for their slightly redheaded waitress to disappear into the backroom of the diner to collect something for a customer before they started to converge their newest ideas and information on Operation Cobra.
A topic which basically consisted of Henry rambling on excitedly about ways they could help people remember who they were as Emma watched with a pleasantly maternal look in her eye.
"And so the creature that was stalking her in the woods happened to be the wolf! Which leads to a whole new story in the book, but it made Scarlett who she was." As Henry retold the story in his book, his actions grew wider and more outgoing until he stopped suddenly in mid-pose, suddenly very aware of the people watching him amused, his Mother included. "I've got it." He whispered.
"We can reunite Ruby with the wolf! That'll help her remember who she is really."
Emma paused for a moment, Henry's plans didn't always work out if she recalled about Mary Margaret and David, she didn't want Ruby to get hurt in any way over her sons ideas. "And just who is the wolf, kid?" She threw him a smirk to hide her conflict while thinking about who Henry could think was supposed to be the wolf. "Is it Jeff Baker?" If she remembered anything about being a teenager, it was how all the high school girls were supposed to be in love with their schools quarterback.
"Well, let's just say..." Henry stalled for a moment before a single word escaped his lips. "Lyra!"
Searching her mind for any memories of a Lyra that she was supposed to have met, Emma came up with nobody that she could remember and blurted out a brash. "Who the heck is Lyr-" Before she could even get her sentence out, she watched as Henry jumped up from the booth and ran past her.
Confused as anything, Emma turned her head in time to see Henry practically tackle a blonde teenager entering Granny's at full force. Preparing to stand up and rescue the girl from her son's grasp, the older blonde was surprised to see as the girl, Lyra, caught him with one arm and pulled him in for a big hug.
Watching again as Henry grabbed the teenager's hand and all but dragged her over to the table, Emma felt her heart swell with pride as the ten year old politely gestured for Lyra to sit before running to the other side to squeeze in with his Mother. "Hello." Emma offered kindly as she looked at the stranger.
"Hi! You must be Henry's Mom... He's told me so much about you!" The girl was sweet, Emma had to give her that and much like Ruby, she seemed to actually care about her son, she did appreciate that he had some people in this town that cared about his happiness.
"You must be Lyra, I'd love to say the same, but Henry hasn't said anything about you." Emma smirked at her son with a fake accusatory glance before looking back at the girl. She seemed nice enough.
In an instant her mind ran through all the fairy tales she knew to try to place the girl. She had gone through everyone from Rapunzel to Thumbelina before she realised she was staring.
Forcing a fake smile as Henry went on about how much he had missed Lyra and how she used to babysit him occasionally, Emma cursed to herself for getting so caught up in his idea about the curse. She was supposed to be the adult here. But so much had happened that she was starting to believe his ideas.
"Want to join us Lyra?" Emma was thrown out of her thinking by the kid's high-pitched voice inviting his friend to stay. A pang of jealousy rang through her for a moment, but just a moment, she thought they were supposed to be having a just the two of them thing, sort of like bonding time.
Lyra just looked at Emma. "As long as your Mom doesn't mind."
The blonde teenager could tell when she looked at Emma that the older woman clearly wanted to spend time alone with her son, alone being the important part. Which is why she was surprised when the woman answered with an enthusiastic. "If you'd like to, I don't see why not!" She had to give his Mother due credit on looking out for what would be the most enjoyable afternoon for him.
Although Lyra didn't think he'd really complain to some alone time with her, either.
"Great! I'll just go up and get myself a cocoa. We'll be hot chocolate buddies." That at least gave them some time to get plans for another alone day together, plus she'd rather head to the counter to order than order her drink at the table. At least one way gave her some privacy to talk with Ruby.
Heading up to the counter was easier to do than Lyra expected, although Ruby wasn't back yet and that probably had something to do with it. Drumming her fingers on the counter top as she waited, Lyra felt her heart beat a little faster in anticipation, she hadn't seen the other girl in what seemed like forever.
Minutes passed before the tell-tale clink of the brunette teenagers heels on the floor, Lyra looked up from inspecting her fingernails distractedly, coming face to face with a very surprised and shocked Ruby.
"Hi." Lyra offered weakly as she felt the breath stolen from her lungs.
Ruby just nodded her head and mouthed for Lyra to give her a second, before slinking down to the floor, her hands coming up to fix her hair and make-up. She had always worried about not looking her best.
Especially in front of Lyra of all people.
"Uhm, Ruby..." Lyra started off, peering over top of the counter with a worried look over her pale face as she stared at the girl on the floor. "What are you doing down there?"
"Looking for my contact!" Ruby lied through her teeth without thinking, with how long the two had known each other, they knew every fact about the other. She was desperate though, it had been an awfully long time since the two friends had gotten together for even a moment and it would be lying to say that there still wasn't some unresolved feelings that they had to sort out.
Unresolved feelings that were left better sorted out in private, just neither girl knew how to approach the subject without it feeling uncomfortable or look odd. Nobody was supposed to know about them.
The worried look on Lyra's face gave way into a shy smirk. "You don't wear glasses."
"That must be why it's so hard to find." Ruby quipped back quickly as she used the counter to pull herself back onto her feet and look at the blonde directly. "Hi." She grinned.
"Hi." Lyra repeated herself softly, her mind completely void of what she was even up at the counter for to begin with. Looking past Ruby at the colourful and cheerful chalk menu mounted behind the waitress, she remembered but just barely. "I-uh, I'm... I-" What did she even want?
"What can I get for you?" Ruby nudged her carefully towards what she was trying to say, sensing the clear shyness in her close friends voice. "Coffee, Cocoa, Me-" Ruby paused, screwing up her words just as bad as Lyra had, if not worse since people actually seemed to pay attention to when she spoke.
Lyra just stared for a second, her mouth dropping open in response. "Wh-what was that last one?"
"Tea!" Ruby all but shouted, as she reached feebly for the kettle resting underneath the counter and pulling it up to show the entire diner who were still staring. "I asked if I could get you some tea?"
As Henry burst into silent giggles beside her, Emma took on a concerned look and glanced over at her son who was still watching the two girls with clear amusement in his eyes and if she could count her intuitions right, a look of sheer happiness at the exchange that was going on.
"Henry... Who is Lyra supposed to be?" Emma asked him a tad bit alarmed as the two girls tried to look everywhere but each other. She had an idea in her mind but still felt her stomach drop as he confirmed.
"She's the wolf!"
Alright. So that may have been a little over the top in adorableness, I couldn't help myself after I got started with it. I know that Ruby is pretty out of character, I will admit that, but I hope that she isn't too far out of character that anyone gets upset. It also really did not solve the cliffhanger, but I figure that since she is in the show, everyone will be able to infer that she did not die in fairytale world. I hope that everyone enjoys.
Stay tuned for the third chapter of "Little Red Ruby Hood and the Big Bad Wolf."