Belle's heart was in her throat as she opened the door to Ruby's apartment.
"Ruby?" she called without an answer. "Ruby? Where are you?" Still no answer. The brunette took a deep breath as she closed the door behind her and went inside the living room where she found Ruby crying her eyes out on the couch.
"My beautiful Ruby, what's going on?" Belle asked anxiously and wrapped her arms around Ruby who was shaking like a leaf. She cuddled close and Belle tightened her grip around her and tried to comfort her as best she could. It broke her heart to see Ruby this sad. She cupped her head in her hands and made Ruby gently meet her eyes.
"Ruby please tell me what has happened. What's wrong baby?"
Ruby pulled away and dried her tears. She heard Emma's words spin around in her head.
"Emma was here.. She.. She kissed me," Belle's eyes snapped open and the brunette felt a nagging feeling in her chest. She knew she shouldn't feel threatened since Regina and Emma apparently had something going on but the brunette didn't want to say anything about that. Not since Regina had told her she was nothing more than friends with Emma, at least for now. But this made her head spin. And Belle wasn't the one to snoop, but at the same time, she wondered what the hell Emma was up to. But then again, that wasn't her business. Or was it?
Ruby was her business at least. She was her highest priority, even more important to her then Rumple. But the words that finally left Belle's mouth dripped of anxiety and jealousy, even if it wasn't her intent.
"And what did you do then when she kissed you? Did you kiss her back?"
"Of course not!" Ruby shot back.
Belle sighed and felt how her mind started to spin even more. She suddenly felt nauseous and sick to her stomach. She wondered if this relationship with Ruby was a good idea. It didn't feel like that, since Emma was still in the picture. Belle let out a big sigh and wondered what she should do. If she should leave or stay.
The first thing Regina did when they got home was to take Emma inside her house to clean her bloody arms. It all was done in silence, but as soon as the blood was gone, Regina let her fingertips glance over the wrists. Emma finally looked up and met her eyes.
"Please.. Don't.." the young girl said but Regina just shook her head and placed a kiss on each wrist.
"You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself Emma. Not a bit. You're beautiful."
"I said...don't," Emma growled and pulled away. Regina nodded and took a step back. She leaned over the counter and took a deep breath.
Regina thought about her sister. About how she had seen her cuts and how she had turned a blind eye to it. How she even had begged her to cover up her disgusting cuts. She felt terrible about it now and that was why she wanted Emma to know she was beautiful, despite her scars.
Emma studied Regina. She knew she just wanted to help her but Emma was so scared. She had never let anyone touch her scars like she just had done with Regina. And Emma felt so damn naked and exposed in a way she had never done before.
"Regina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you.." Emma said as the therapist turned around.
"I know you're not used to this, having someone caring about you like I do. But Emma, you have to start thinking about how you express yourself to other people, okay?"
Emma nodded a yes and stood up. She walked up to Regina and embraced her in a tight hug. When they parted Regina smiled at her and dried her eyes.
"I kissed Ruby today.." Emma said with a groan as Regina frowned. "I just.. I just lost control. And Ruby got really angry.. And she said she didn't want to see me anymore.. I just fuck up every chance I have ever had to be happy and trust me. I will fuck this… This, whatever this is.. I will fuck it up as well. Just.. Why can't you just let me die?"
Ruby would always freak out when Emma said something about suicide. But Regina didn't. She stood in front of her and Emma didn't know what to say or how she should react.
"You can be happy Emma. I know that. You just have to believe in yourself okay?" Regina said carefully and Emma merely shrugged.
"Don't tell me some therapist bullshit okay!? I had a chance to be happy. I looked forward to being a mother but I fucked that up as well, so, ugh just let me be!" Emma snapped and left the bathroom. Regina just followed after.
Emma ran outside but didn't get far before she felt a firm hand grab her arm, making her turn around.
"Regina please just.. Let me go. Just let me go, " Emma sobbed and those words broke Regina's heart. It had been exactly those words her sister had used when she had found her bleeding on the floor.. It had been her last words. So Regina froze in her spot, suddenly realizing what she was doing.
Could she really save Emma? Or was she a lost cause?