Prompted by zoe19blink: angst train: "thanks for nothing"- red beauty

It's the same routine. Belle fights with Gaston and storms to Ruby's for tequila shots, Chinese take-out and horror movies. They bitch about him flirting with other women, the way he talks with his mouth open and his incredibly small dick. Ruby will inevitably tell Belle that she can do so much better. Belle counters with a saucy smile and says "You mean like you?"

Within moments, clothes leave a map to Ruby's bed where they fuck each other's brains out.

And come morning, Ruby will make Belle pancakes, wondering if this is what love is. Falling asleep in someone's arms, giving little kisses to their jaw and making them breakfast in the morning. She'll blast Teagan & Sara, shake her butt and use the whisk as a mic. Just as she's bringing the smiley faced treat back to her room, she hears Belle on the phone. Gaston giving half-hearted apologies and Belle accepting them. She'll breeze through breakfast, kiss Ruby's cheek and race out of the apartment to "make up".

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Ruby tried to tell herself it'd end. It had to. Belle is a smart girl. She has to know that guys like Gaston aren't going to change. He's going to cheat again. He'll smack a waitress' ass.

And yet every time, Belle goes back to him. Ruby is left with a half-eaten plate of pancakes and a broken heart.

She laments on the dilemma to Mary Margaret over some wine after Belle misses yet another girls' night. Mary Margaret gives her a sympathetic smile and pats her hand.

"Sweetie, have you have ever considered that maybe you're part of the problem?"

Ruby nearly spits out her drink. "How can you say that?"

"You let her come back to you." Ruby opens her mouth and Mary Margaret raises a hand. "I did the same thing with Victor, Belle does it with Gaston. We forgive people who hurt us, in hopes that they'll change."

Ruby frowns. "But?"

"Victor never stopped cheating. I doubt Gaston will. And Belle…" Mary Margaret sighs. "I don't think she means it, but she's not going to leave."

"You did," Ruby mutters.

"I did, but it took a year and several people pointing out what I was blind to. It only takes one person to break a pattern."

Ruby lets Mary Margaret's words sink in. She tries to talk to Belle about Gaston, but she's never around. Another part of the cycle.

A few weeks later, Ruby is finishing the last touches of her outfit. A pair of silver hoops pair well with the crescent moon necklace hanging dangerously above her cleavage. A red bodycon dress shows off her best features. She's finally getting out of her funk. Mary Margaret and Ashley have invited her to go dancing with some new friends from work. Between sticky diner plates, studying for business school and thinking about Belle, she's had no fun. Ruby really needs tonight.

She's searching for her favorite black leather jacket when the creaky door to her apartment pushes open. Belle stands there, a bottle of Patrón in hand. She's also dressed for a night out. Evening blue blouse with a few buttons popped, a black flared miniskirt. Her chestnut brown hair is curled, mascara popping her blue eyes. She's absolutely gorgeous and looks equally miserable.

"Gaston stood me up," Belle complains, kicking off her ridiculous heels. "Went to the Rabbit Hole and of course, there he is with fucking Jacqueline."

Ruby's fingers grasp her jacket. "Oh."

"I need to drink. Where's that menu?"

Belle walks over to the kitchen, placing the bottle down and searching through the drawers. Ruby just stares at her, mouth agape. A part of her knows the pattern. She calls Mary Margaret and Ashley to say she won't make it. Ruby will dig out a copy of Nightmare on Elm Street. By the end of the night, a naked Belle will be in her arms.

She thinks of what Mary Margaret said. How it only takes one person to break a pattern.

"I actually have plans," Ruby finds herself saying. Belle looks up from the takeout menu drawer. "Mary Margaret and Ashley found this club that has a ladies' night. David and Thomas agreed to look after the kids. They invited me to tag along."

Belle frowns. "I'm not really in the mood to go out."

"Well…I am."

Belle raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I can't keep doing this!" Ruby blurts out. She sighs when Belle tilts her head in confusion. "I am sorry that Gaston is an asshole. I am sorry that you think he's what you deserve. But I deserve more than this too!"

Belle's mouth drops open. "What are you talking about?"

"This! Our routine! He cheats or lies and you come over here for me to comfort you. I drop everything."

"Isn't that what friends do? I did that for you when Peter cheated."

"Yeah, once. And then I dumped his ass."

"It's more complicated than…"

"Don't," Ruby holds up a hand, anger radiating through her veins. "I get that you love him. I get that it's hard. But did you ever stop to consider what this does to me?"

"I'm so confused."

"Of course you are! Because all you ever think about is yourself!"

Belle's eyes widen. The paper menu slips from her finger tips as her lip begins to tremble. Ruby fights to not give in.

"Thanks for nothing," Belle mumbles, storming towards the door.

"Don't run away because I'm finally standing up for myself!" Ruby calls after her. "You're using me to get back at him and you know that's not fair!"

Belle whips back around. "If this was such a problem, why did you wait so long to tell me?"

"I don't know, maybe because I thought it would end. But I realize that it's up to me to do so." Ruby pulls her jacket on. "I'm going out with my friends, my real friends. The ones that have been there for me. The ones that don't use me as a revenge fuck. Now get the hell out of my apartment."

"Fine!"

Belle storms out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind her. A picture next to it shakes then falls to the ground, glass going everywhere. Ruby groans and stomps to the closet, retrieving the broom and dustpan. Once it's safe, she retrieves the cracked frame and stares at the picture. Belle leaning into her shoulder, laughing at something happening off camera. Ruby smiling down at her with all the love in the world.

"Fuck that," she whispers, tossing it onto the nearby island.

The next morning, Ruby awakes with a pounding head. She let a cute girl buy her a few drinks too many. A lot of last night after she arrived at the club is a blur. Ruby vaguely remembers Ashley practically carrying her out of the club, calling them all an Uber. Mary Margaret must have tucked her into bed, because there's a couple of aspirin with a cup of water waiting on her side table. She downs them and heads into the kitchen, blinking a few times.

Belle sits there with a few takeout containers in front of her. Ruby takes a step forward, noticing they're pancakes. Belle extends a Styrofoam cup and Ruby accepts it, black coffee pouring down her throat. It's much needed solace after the night before.

"I can't cook like you," Belle mutters.

Ruby plays with the lid of her cup. "Belle, I can't…"

"I broke up with Gaston." Ruby raises an eyebrow. "For good."

"That's nice and all, but it doesn't change…"

"I've been a world class jerk." She sighs. "The truth is, I've had feelings for you, but I was just scared. I've been with Gaston since high school. A part of him felt safe, secure. But you…you were there for me when he wasn't. And I took that for granted."

Ruby nods. "What were you scared of?"

"Ruining our friendship. I didn't realize I already was."

Ruby bites her lip. "It's nothing that can't be repaired."

"Will you let me try?"

Ruby considers it. "It's gonna take more than pancakes and a cup of crappy coffee."

"I know."

Ruby settles in the chair beside her, removing the plastic lid. She won't let this become a routine. Belle has one chance to prove herself, to be the woman Ruby knows she can be.

And God, Ruby hopes she doesn't let her down.