"You can't patch a wounded soul with a Band-Aid."

― Michael Connelly, The Black Echo

SIS-Doubts

Neo was awoken by a loud crashing sound coming from downstairs alongside some shouting that prompted Neo to rush out of bed as she discovered Ruby was no longer next to her.

Running out of her door and quickly down the stairs she discovered the cause of the commotion. Ruby dressed in only her long shirt and panties was standing in the middle of the hallway, her sword raised and ready to strike out at some invisible enemy.

Neo slowly approached Ruby with her hands raised up to show she was no threat, she was dressed similar to Ruby but wore a bright pink shirt, opposite to Ruby's dark red shirt.

"Ruby, sweetie it's Neo. You're safe, you're alright. Nothing is going to hurt you." Neo said quietly, her voice level and comforting.

"Neo?" Ruby asked, her voice soft and broken.

"Yes. I'm here Ruby. You're safe, do you know where you are?" Neo asked gently, slowly advancing forward with her arms up.

"I'm….I'm in Vale. There are White Fang everywhere. We need to hide. Now!" Ruby almost shouted but her voice could barely reach its old level, now it sounded like a whisper compared to its old tone.

"We're not in Vale, there's no White Fang anymore. We in Patch, do you remember? We're in our own house, remember? We left Vale to live by ourselves." Neo said patiently, her hand finally reaching Ruby's, gently taking the sword from her hands.

"I…we….I…" Ruby stumbled out before her knees grew weak and she fell down to the ground as she started to cry out.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Ruby kept repeating, unable to stop herself but as she was about to use her semblance to run Neo grabbed a hold of her.

"Where are you going?" Neo asked, her tone light and gentle.

"I can't be here, I can't be with you. I'm broken, how can I stay with you when I'm this broken? You can't marry me like this. I need to leave." Ruby said in a rush of words as she tried to escape Neo's grasp.

"I don't care. I love you Ruby and I'm staying right here with you. And if you truly think you can run away from me then you are sorely mistaken." Neo stated gently.

"But why? I'm broken." Ruby burst out in fresh sobs.

"You are not broken, we all have our scars but that doesn't mean I love you any less. And I plan on marrying you in two months' time, so don't you dare back out now." Neo said kindly, hugging the woman tighter.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I love you." Ruby cried into Neo's shoulder.

"I love you too." Neo said, not asking why Ruby was acting like this. It had happened before and it seemed the wedding didn't help her with her insecurities about their relationship.

Neo noticed that Ruby was soaked in sweat from her nightmare, she didn't even have to ask as she already knew what one she had based on the reaction.

"Let's go get you cleaned up and we'll go back to bed, ok?" Neo asked gently as she made sure Ruby was ok with moving.

Feeling Ruby nod into her shoulder she easily picked up the girl who had lost an almost unhealthy amount of weight and never put it back on, even within the three years of leaving Vale.

Neo carried Ruby up to the bathroom in their room and sat her down on the toilet as she went to grab a spare change of clothes for Ruby.

Grabbing a shirt and panties for Ruby she went back into the bathroom to help Ruby strip off her clothes and get her under the shower head to clean up.

Ruby just sat there allowing herself to be moved and directed by Neo as she was too numb to do anything else.

Neo washed the sweat off Ruby's body quickly before finally drying her body and dressing her again. After some time the pair returned to be with Ruby buried into Neo's body in whatever comfort she could gain from the smaller girl.

It wasn't until the next morning did what happen the night before sink in to Ruby, it was as if last night was all a dream for her when she woke up the next morning.

Ruby awoke early in the morning as she did every morning and she awoke with tears streaming down her face as she silently cried about what had happened.

Ruby looked towards Neo's peaceful face as her heart started to tear into two as she realised she wasn't good enough for her but as she tried to get up and climb out of bed she was pulled into an even tighter grip.

"Where are you going? Such a cute girl shouldn't be so sad in the morning." Neo teased gently.

"Huh?" Ruby said, confused at the sudden change with Neo actually being awake and her comment.

Neo smiled as she saw her plan work as Ruby was stunned giving Neo ample opportunity to sit up and wrap herself around Ruby.

"Whatever doubts or thoughts are in your mind. Push them away." Neo whispered gently into Ruby's ears as she rubbed soothing circles on Ruby's stomach.

Ruby nodded dumbly as she got lost in Neo's body and hands, letting herself relax against Neo.

"Now. What are the thoughts going through your head?" Neo asked once Ruby had relaxed enough, almost enough to sleep it seemed.

"I feel that I'm not good enough for you. I'm broken, I'm like this so often that I don't think you should have to put up with me." Ruby whispered.

"Why do you think that sweetie?" Neo asked gently, not stopping her hands in rubbing her stomach and hair.

"I keep having these flashbacks. It keeps happening more often and I'm afraid for that one time I go too far and hurt you." Ruby whispered brokenly.

"Oh sweetie. You'll never hurt me, and do you forget? I'm a trained Huntress as well, I highly doubt you can hurt me." Neo replied reassuringly.

"But…." Ruby tried to say but was quickly interrupted.

"No buts, although yours is very nice. You won't hurt me or anyone else that sleeps in this house." Neo said firmly but quietly.

Ruby just nodded dumbly as she listened to Neo's words, although not completely believing them they gave her comfort.

"Also if you think you can get out of marrying me now then you have another thing coming." Neo teased.

"That's true. You can be quite scary when you really want something." Ruby teased back softly.

Neo laughed heartily as she replied, "There's the other Ruby I love." Neo teased.

"Other? Are there more Ruby's I should know about?" Ruby asked.

"There's only you dear, I just love every side of you." Neo said lovingly as she pulled Ruby into a deep kiss.

Ruby gladly returned the kiss and pulled her into another shortly after the first ended before breaking apart as Neo said, "Now why don't we get a little more sleep before we need to get up?" Neo suggested.

"Aren't you meeting Coco, Emerald and mother in an hour?" Ruby asked.

"It's six in the morning sweetie, I'm not meeting them till nine." Neo replied.

"I'm sorry." Ruby replied, looking away.

Neo smiled softly, planting a soft, chaste kiss on Ruby's lips as she replied, "Never apologise for this sweetie, you can't help it. No one can, I love you and that's all you need to know. I'll help you always push away your doubts."

Ruby nodded her head returning the kiss as she pulled herself into Neo as she buried her head into her chest as Neo stroked her hair, pushing away every doubt.