Title: So Unaware of the World
Chapter: 4/?
Disclaimer: We've been over this. Not mine.
Pairing: Ada/Ruby
Notes: Originally, this was going to be a fanfic all on it's own, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought could come out of it. This is actually what inspired the whole fanfic to begin with, this little segment thing here, 's been written in my notebook for weeks now. Yes, the chapter's longer than usual…but a lot has to happen! Oh, and on another random note, spell check still hates Ruby!Speak. Silly spell check. Oh, last thing, the slash I promised? It's here :D
August 4th, 04: Sorry the next chapter is taking so long…I had it written, then scrapped it completely because we all know how obsessive I am over things being kept in character. I updated this one a bit, changed the last few paragraphs to make it make more sense because I, too, found it rather confusing, as to why Ada did what she did. Yeah, so, the next chapter should be up either later today or tomorrow, and hopefully the editing cleared some things up!
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"The Rainy Night"
She was playing the piano again. The chords from the piano echoed throughout the large house, not even the rain could drown them out. They had worked hard the entire day, building fences and such; she figured Ada would be too worn out to play tonight. Ruby squished her head between the pillows, though it wasn't doing much good. The melody taunted her, daring her to come down stairs, like the aroma of a freshly baked pie to the kitchen. She wanted to go. It was an argument she had with herself each time she heard the piano, though the result was usually the same. She'd get as far as the stairs, finding herself transfixed on just watching, not daring to approach Ada. But this time would be different. The piano would be gone tomorrow; it was her last chance to do such a thing. This was truly the last time the hymns would creak up the stairs and through the floorboards. Tomorrow, the piano would be gone, in exchange for hogs, chickens, a cow or two, and wheat, among other things that were more important during the winter than a piano. No, to these two, in their own ways, the piano ranked among the necessities. For Ada, it was her façade, crying was something she was ashamed of exploiting in front of anyone, even Ruby, someone who she had told all of her most personal secrets to. It had taken her awhile to warm up to her, but after a few weeks, she found it comforting to have another girl around, even one as quick witted and outspoken as Ruby, or maybe it was simply out of desperation.
After several minutes of fighting with herself, she snuck carefully out of bed, careful not to make much of a ruckus, and crept down the stairs. Even if they creaked, Ada was so lost in her music; she wouldn't have heard it, anyway. Peering between the poles, she could catch a glimpse of Ada, though only if she tilted her head a certain way, as corner of the kitchen wall inferred with her view. In that moment, everything about her was glowing. The one candle that lit the room seemed to highlight her in all the perfect places, from her delicate fingers, to the golden waves in her hair, to the ruffles in her nightgown. It seemed both of them could spend eternity like this.
But the point was not to watch Ada, it was to talk to her. Sitting there gawking at her wasn't getting anyone anywhere. It's not like Ada was aware of her watching, anyway. Even so, she stepped gingerly step after step, cautious not to let them creak. Once down the stairs, she crept through the room, seating herself a few feet away, close enough to smell the wax of the candle. She folded her hands in her lap, as if listening to a recital of some sort. She had come all this way to say something to Ada, yet had no idea what she wanted to say, or even how to start. Even with her hair in the way, she could clearly see how tear stained red her cheeks were. She had never gotten close enough to know that she was crying before, she had always assumed it, and her assumptions proved correct. There were too many thoughts circulating, something simple needed to be said. Said? No, she wasn't paying attention, the melody would carry her words away. Something needed done.
Ruby stood up slowly, standing behind her now. She wanting nothing more than to run her fingers through her hair, to braid it, and have Ada do the same to her. But that was much too direct.
Tea. Ada always boiled a cup of tea before she slept. Ruby carefully stepped into the kitchen, keeping her watch upon Ada, who was still lost in her music; the only visible movement was that of her hand reaching to turn the page. The pan was still upon the stove, and still hot, for the steam was still rising off of it. When had she had time to do this? Perhaps when the pillows were stuffed over her ears. She took a china cup from the cupboard, carefully pouring the tea from the pot into two cups. Anything could be discussed over a cup of tea.
She entered the room once more, setting her own cup down on the table before setting Ada's next to her music book. Ada stopped playing for a second, and turned to look at Ruby, who stood, dumbfounded.
"I thought maybe you'd like some tea, on account'a your damn pianah music is playin' long an' loud enough to wake up ah' grizzly bear," she quickly spat out, proving to her quick tongued nature.
Ada quickly rubbed her palms against her cheeks, only making them redder and adding to the sting, if possible. "Thank you…I suppose I should stop playin' now anyway, it's getting late, we've got lots of work tomorrow…" She stood up, taking her tea, and taking a seat across from Ruby, who had already taken her seat. Ruby sipped her tea, though it was still scalding hot. She watched Ada, blowing on her tea before sipping it, and setting it back down carefully, smiling at her at lack of conversation. Ruby looked her over, trying to find something that would strike up conversation. She decided to avoid the subject of the letters, as it always made Ada uneasy, which would defeat the purpose.
"Yer bracelets are pretty."
Ada held her arm out, shaking it a bit, letting the silver bracelets slide down her wrist, clanging together. "They were my mothers," she added, smiling slightly, despite her still scarlet cheeks and bloodshot eyes. Ruby raised her eyebrows, impressed, and smiled. She was glad to see Ada smile, at least something was accomplished.
"What 'ap'end to 'er?"
Ada continued to admire her bracelets, "oh, she died when I was born, I never knew her…" Ruby was surprised at first how calm she was about it. She never had a mother, either, so she understood having nothing to miss. She shouldn't be surprised then. Perhaps it was just because Ada was usually so uptight over everything, even things she didn't understand. It was those books she read, they gave her ideas, filled her head with different points of view on life, showing her what she didn't have, not that she lacked much. There was an odd silence, Ada, looking at her bracelets, Ruby, looking at Ada, and occasionally the bracelets.
"I have more upstairs, if you want to see them," Ada shrugged, breaking the silence. With that, she and Ruby climbed the stairs and made their way to Ada's bedroom. So much for getting up early. They had spent so much time working lately, it only seemed fair to take some time off for themselves. Ruby had been with her for a few months now, and the only activity they engaged in together was the farm work. There had been a few times where they'd talk over tea, when they did it would last all night, and the work the next day wasn't efficient due to how tired they were. Within all the hours they'd spend together, it seemed they knew everything about the other. They had spent every waking hours with each other, not once becoming annoyed with the other. Ruby was quick to say when something annoyed her, Ada was too nice about it, she wouldn't have said anything even if it had bothered her.
But there they were, Ruby seated on Ada's bed, Ada, rummaging through her vanity, trying to find something suitable, both impatient.
"Here, I found a necklace…" she sat down beside Ruby, who held her hair up for a moment so that Ada could clip the golden necklace around her neck. It was simple, just a golden loop with a single red stone dangling from the center of it. Ruby wrapped her fingers around the gem, and tilted her head downwards, trying study the treasure around her neck.
"I have a mirror, silly," Ada said, taking a hand mirror off of the nightstand, holding it up in front of her. Ruby squinted her eyes, scrutinizing every detail of the gem, yet still holding tight to it between her fingers, as if someone was going to steal the spectacle away at any moment. "It's a ruby," Ada added, pushing Ruby's hand away from the stone so she could get a better look at it.
Ruby's brow furrowed, "I knew that!" Ada shrugged, setting the mirror on the nightstand, then turned back to examine Ruby, who placed her fingers around the gem once more. Her hand dropped from the necklace to pick up the mirror again, observing every feature of adornment.
Ada leaned over, resting her head on her shoulder, focusing her eyes on the mirror. She had never seen Ruby so interested in anything as such, when she caught Ada looking into a mirror for any length of time, she'd usually just mock her. She turned her head slightly and pecked her on the cheek before resting her head snug upon her shoulder again, their cheeks pressed together, looking back into the mirror, smiling. "Look how pretty you are, Ruby…"
Ruby sat completely numb, the mirror nearly slipping from her grasp. She could feel her mouth begin to gape open, but with all the feeling in her body gone for a few seconds, nothing could be done to stop it. She pulled away from Ada slightly, the words of the words that couldn't be said clinging to her tongue. She had never been kissed before, even though all her childhood friends had been boys, it never went further than being a friend. But there was Ada next to her, the woman who she couldn't help but mock when they first laid eyes upon each other, yet who had stolen her heart at some point or another. It only seemed fair, she supposed, she had done enough for her, it only right that Ada take something from her. She leaned away enough to look Ada in the eyes. Ada turned her head, smiling warmly and looking at Ruby as well. Ruby pulled away completely now, realizing she had set the mirror down on the nightstand without being aware of it. At least the numb feeling was slightly gone.
Though Ada's expression was that of happiness, her eyes always hinted something differently. They were always sad, and longing for something, anything. The silence at that moment was enough that the raindrop's echoes could be singled out as they pounded against the window. Ruby bit her lip only slightly before closing her eyes and leaning forward suddenly so that their lips met, wanting to do so before she had a second thought. Ada closed her eyes, not flinching, absorbing it for what it was worth, and finding herself returning the favor. After a few seconds, she laid back on the pillows, letting Ruby crawl over top of her, deepening the kiss, and letting her tongue slide between her lips. Ruby ran one hand along her thigh, the other running up and down her shoulder, occasionally playing with the strap of her nightgown, tempting to pull it down, their lips only parting for short gasps of air. Ada felt Ruby's fingers along her shoulder, beginning to pull down the straps of her nightgown, yet she let it continue for a few minutes. Not since Inman had left had she felt such a sense of completeness, she wouldn't let it stop then. It had been the kiss she had kissed once before, not so long ago, and right beneath her. She would relish this, take it for what it's worth, and possibly it would happen again. But it felt like such a false completeness, she couldn't stand the thought of using Ruby like that, she had already taken advantage of her enough, or at least she thought.
"No," she whispered harshly, breathing deeply, sitting up abruptly, her shoulder colliding with Ruby's jaw, causing her to bite her tongue. She stood up, the force of it caused Ruby to slip off top of her. Her mind had nearly tricked her, all she needed was Ruby being caught up in her belligerent mind games deep within her uncontrolled instinct.
"Ada, damnit…" she called in just a ton above a whisper after her form in the doorway, rubbing her jaw, both visibly shaking as if they had been out in the rain. Ada swished her hand dismissingly in the air, dropping it against her thigh before disappearing behind the corner, not quite sure where she was headed.
She sat propped up on her elbow for a moment, as if she really thought Ada was going to come back, before burying her face in the pillow, the tears staining her cheeks the same way they stained Ada's when she thought of what she was missing. She clutched her hand tightly around the necklace again; at least she still had part of her. Ada and she weren't so different anymore, for she understood the feeling now, of having something for a few moments before it went away, not knowing if it would return the same way it left, or return at all.