When Ruby woke up in the next morning she felt disoriented. First thing she noticed was the dull ache in her abdomen which made her remember the events of last night. The next think was a warm body pressed next to her. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked at the scorching sunlight. When she looked around she realised she is in the cave and the fire has died down. She slowly turned her head to the side just to come in contact with a head full of gorgeous brunette hair. She looked down at the owner. Regina was sleeping peacefully so close near to her that her hand was gingerly grasping Ruby's forearm and her head was lying in Ruby's shoulder.
The wolf stiffened when Regina stirred a little. She was praying to god that Regina won't see her morning wood which was poking dangerously at her pants. Ruby tried to shift under from the sleeping princess only to be held on tighter. She didn't know what to do. But somehow she enjoyed the closeness of Regina's warm body if only her anatomy helped her a bit. When her bladder started protestsing Ruby had no other choice to wake Regina up.
Red slowly shook Regina by her shoulder. Regina stirred once again and slowly started to wake up. When she opened her eyes she quickly sat up straight realising how close she was with the soldier. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked everywhere but Ruby.
Red was a little taken back when Regina moved too quickly away from her. She cursed herself for frightening Regina. When she sat up she realised that her undershirt which was covered in blood was rolled up a little and her abdomen was visible with a white scars tied around her middle. Ruby slowly peeled of the white scarf and looked down.
"Wow you are completely healed" Regina looked at from her spot in the makeshift bed and exclaimed out loud when she saw the soldier's healed torso.
Ruby turned towards Regina and nodded. She inspected her wound just to see just the scaring which was healing slowly. Regina was distracted by the muscles rippling in the soldier's body. She wondered if it was all those training the wolf had made her so ripped or is it just the werewolf nature. She didn't realised she was ogling at Ruby until someone cleared a throat.
When Regina looked up she saw Ruby pulling down her undershirt and smirking at her. Regina rolled her eyes and turned around and stood up slowly. She would say frankly that sleeping in a cave floor in a makeshift bed in the middle of a jungle wasn't so bad as long as she has a magnificent wolf to keep company. But she wouldn't admit it aloud. She is after all a princess.
Ruby walked towards the horses and pulled out the bag containing food supplies for the journey and started preparing breakfast for herself and Regina. She started the fire again and pulled out a kettle to make some tea. Regina watched as Ruby pulled out the ingredients for the tea.
" Wait. What are you doing?" She asked suddenly when she saw Ruby doing it the wrong way.
"Ahm making tea?" Ruby asked confused. She has to admit it's a pretty tough job. And god she was bad at it. Regina shook her head " It's not how you make tea. Move aside I will make it." Regina gently pushed Ruby to the side and inspected the food bag for the ingredients she needed. Ruby watched from the side as Regina rolled the sleeves of her coat and her manicured fingered ghosted on each and every ingredients. She looked so cute when she was concentrated on something. The way she pulled out things and how her face bright up to realise the kitchen maids had packed things like she asked.
Ruby didn't know how long she was watching Regina cook for both of them. It was clear the Regina knew how to cook. It smelled delicious and the hungry wolf was now impatient. Regina placed the food she prepared in the makeshift bed before Ruby and sat down. She passed the meat she cooked in the fire and a cup of steaming hot tea along with some potatoes and vegetables cooked with some seasoning. Ruby was shocked to see what all things Regina made within a short time. Regina is a complete mystery. Ruby thought to herself. The more she started knowing her the more she liked her. After all she isn't like her father.
Ruby moaned in appreciation at the first bite. Her eyes closed and she was in heaven. Regina chuckled beside her .
" That good huh?" She asked smiling.
" Not bad" Ruby replied teasingly earning an eye roll from Regina. They ate in silence except the noises Ruby made on how tasty the food was. She sure will admit Regina is the best cook in the world. She wondered how she learned to cook this good being a princess and having hundreds of maids to take care of her.
They finished eating and Ruby checked on the horses to make sure the grass she gave them was eaten and they are well rested and ready for the journey.
Regina helped Ruby pack their bags again. Once finished they mounted in their respective horses and started their journey.
" How did you learn to cook?" Ruby asked when they reached a safe pace.
" Well I used to cook for myself and my mom taught me how to before she died " Regina replied shrugging.
"I am sorry you lost your mother. I know how it feels to lose someone so important in life" Ruby replied sincerely. She suffered it all along when her father died.
" It was hard. She wasn't just my mother. She was my best friend. We used to cook for father together since I was little. Even though there were a lot of maids in the palace she liked to cook for us from time to time." Regina memorised the sweetest things about her mother. She misses Cora even it's been so long.
Ruby felt bad seeing Regina hurt. She wanted to comfort her. But she was afraid it will make things worse. They moved on silently most of the time Ruby watching Regina who lost in thoughts about something.