Oh, whoops. I haven't updated this one-shot collection for a while. :' )
Well, to put it simply, I've been taking a break from writing and after taking a break, I lost my motivation to write so I'm barely writing anything recently. I used to write every day but now, I can't even write a sentence. It's really sad and it doesn't help that I've been feeling sad since the year started, but oh well. Enough of this unnecessary stuff.
Summary: Ruby tells Sapphire why he decided to pretend that he forgot Mirage Island.
48. The Truth
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Ruby pursed his lips, as he bit it. He paced around the cavern, back and forth, and repeated the process over and over again. He stopped in his tracks, letting out a forceful sigh. He then ran a hand under his hat, scratching his scalp.
He couldn't understand why he was like this. He knew things would end up terribly if he told her the truth, but...at least, she would know why he did that, right? He knew Sapphire would be kind enough to understand, yet why was he still nervous despite that fact?
He took a deep breath, shaking his head. How should he even start? Should he just drop the bomb? He knew there wasn't any other way, but still... He shook his head once again.
No. He couldn't just run from this, especially now that she's on her way here.
He chose to meet up with her today, where there weren't actually any plans for them to spend time together on this day, and he had to do what he planned to do whether he liked it or not.
His intuitions may not be as strong or as good as hers, but Steven suddenly calling all three Hoenn Pokedex Holders must've meant something. The meetup was supposed to be today, but he told Steven that it should be tomorrow for he had more important stuff to do. Steven asked why, but Ruby refused to give him the details, ending the call in the process.
Thankfully, Steven agreed but warned the boy to not postpone it again, and Ruby was left with no choice but to call Sapphire in the middle of her field research.
He placed a hand on his chest, gripping it. His lips formed a thin line.
Sooner or later, Sapphire will arrive and he had to tell her everything. He was nervous, but he knew she deserved nothing but the truth. Taking a deep breath, he tried to compose himself.
"Sapphire, I'm sorry for lying. I...I remember everything that happened on Mirage Island, especially our confessions—your confession. I'm—I'm sorry for lying. I hope you can forgive me," he said out loud, before exhaling from relief.
That sounded like a good apology. He would definitely stick to that.
"So, ya remember all this time?"
Ruby's eyes widened in shock. He turned around, only to see a depressed Sapphire. He gulped, his arms started trembling. He could see tears welling up her eyes, as she, too, was shivering.
Since when did...since when did she arrive and how come he didn't notice?
"Sapphire..." he muttered, trying to take a step closer to her but she took a step back, biting her lip. He stopped, not wanting her to leave. His eyes went away from hers, however. He could perfectly see the pain lingering in her own ocean-blue eyes, and it did nothing but to break his heart.
What had he done?
"Why did ya lie?" she choked, but her tone was demanding with a tad of hurt lingering in it.
Ruby inhaled the deepest breath he could take.
He had a reason but now that he thought about it, it was a petty one.
Here goes nothing, he thought, clenching his fists. "I was scared."
Sapphire bit her lip. She knew it.
"I know we're too young to start a relationship. I know we can always wait when we're ready. I'm willing to wait, but Sapphire, what if we break up? Will we still be friends? And what if we end up like our masters. I don't want—"
"Ruby, if we're willing, then we'll do whatever it takes to not let it happen," she spoke out of her accent, and Ruby knew he messed up so badly.
She only speaks outside of her accent if she's extremely mad, and he made her feel such a thing.
He couldn't help but blame himself. She was right. He never wanted to let her go, and if he was willing, he will find a way to not let it happen. His 'obsession for perfection' was just getting in the way, and he hated it. He should've thought this through.
It took forever for Ruby to reply, but before he could open his mouth, Sapphire turned around and started walking away. This alerted the Charmer. Acting purely on instinct, he grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"Ruby, let me go," Sapphire spoke, and as she turned around, she felt Ruby's soft lips gently pressing against hers.
Her eyes widened at this. What was going on?
Ruby kissed her deeply, hoping his burning emotions could reach her, and after a few moments, he gently pulled away, but his hand never left hers. He gasped for breath, as Sapphire stood beside him, stunned after what she just felt with him.
"I'm sorry," Ruby mumbled. He slowly moved his head forward, resting it on hers. The tears he was trying to hold back spilled from his eyes, falling in an unbroken stream.
He was and still a fool for hurting her like this. He should know better. The only reason why he joined Courtney was that he wanted to keep her safe; he didn't want to see her get hurt, and ironically, he was the one who hurt her in the end.
And it was all his fault.
"I'm so...so sorry..."
"I...know yer sorry," she replied softly, her warm breath colliding with his. It was enough to send chills running through his spine. His eyes went round, looking at her. He could see the sympathy in her eyes, and it was enough to calm him down.
Thank goodness she understood.
"I forgive ya," she continued.
Ruby had never felt so relieved in his life. He was lucky that she was a nice person, or else, she may not forgive him or worse: never talk to him again. And he wouldn't want that. He smiled weakly. "Thank you, Sapphire."
Sapphire didn't reply. She just gently removed her forehead on his and took a step back. She tried to remove his hand on hers, but he only gripped it tighter. She looked up and saw how soft and sincere his eyes were. Her heart thumped wildly at that.
"Is it..." he paused, taking a deep breath and ran his free hand through his hair. "Is it too late if I ask you to be my girlfriend?"