Ruby awoke in a cool, dark room. She tried to focus her eyes but her head was spinning and she could only see blurs. Her shoulder felt as if it were on fire, though it had been cleaned and bandaged. She felt something brush against her leg. When she looked, all she could see was a golden-brown shape. It sat up, staring at her.
"Sammy?" She murmured weakly. Sammy trotted over to her, licking her face in greeting. She heard footsteps coming over to her. She looked beyond Sammy to see someone carrying something she couldn't quite see.
"You're finally awake," Ruby strained her eyes to see Envy sitting by her side. He was holding a cup of water which he held up to her lips for her to drink. "You're lucky Ed found me, even if he did pass out after we had you back here." When Ruby had finished drinking, Envy set the cup down and pet Sammy.
"Where's Ed?" Ruby asked. Envy looked over to another make-shift bed a few feet away. Ruby smiled.
"As much as he annoys me I couldn't send him out there with a monsoon due any time now." Envy looked back at Ruby, a slight smile on his face. Ruby closed her eyes as tiredness swept through her. Just before she fell asleep she thought she felt Envy kiss her cheek.
Ed stood up, looking around the room. He saw Ruby sleeping, a medium sized dog by her legs. He looked over into a corner and Envy stepped out.
"How is she?" Ed asked.
"She should be fine, but I don't recommend moving her for a day or two." Envy replied. Ed sat down next to Ruby, running his fingers through her hair as she slept.
"Can I trust you to make sure she's alright until then?" Ed stood up, looking hard at Envy.
"Like I told you a year ago," Envy replied, "I take care of my own kind." Envy held his gaze until Ed reached the door.
"I'll be back for her in two days, then." Ed opened the door. It was dark out by now, cool breezes gently sweeping the landscape. He ran out, closing the door behind him.
Envy sat down on the floor, petting Sammy and watching Ruby sleep. Sleep soon overtook him as the room fell silent.
Ruby sat up, throwing an old ball across the room for Sammy. Envy smiled, bringing Ruby some water. He sat down next to her and gave her the cup, continuing the game of fetch while she drank. Ruby set the cup down once she had finished.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Envy." Ruby gave Envy a brief hug.
"It's no problem." He replied. "In a few hours Ed will come back to take you to a doctor, and then you should be all better after that." Ruby slipped her hand into his. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing happily. She had grown attached to Envy over the past two days, and though she knew it was best for her to go with Ed, she wished she could stay in Envy's care at least a little longer. She looked up at him and saw sadness on his face.
"Are you okay?" She asked. He smiled at her, but his eyes deceived his sorrow.
"I'm fine," he said. "You should rest, you'll have to do some walking later and you don't want to fall down asleep." He helped her lay down, making sure she was comfortable. Ruby was soon asleep, Sammy sitting by her feet. Envy bent down and kissed her forehead, then her cheek. He sat up, a tear dripping to the floor as Ruby nuzzled her cheek against his. He watched her sleep for a while before he heard footsteps outside. He knew it was Edward, coming to take Ruby. He leaned down, kissing her lips in a gentle way so as not to wake her. The door opened and Ed walked in, walking over to where Envy sat by Ruby's side. He hadn't seen the kiss, though he knew Envy had feelings for Ruby.
"She's been recovering well." Envy said. Ed watched her sleep for a moment. "She's pretty," Ed looked at Envy who was also watching her sleep. Ed gently picked Ruby up, carrying her to the door.
"Thanks for taking care of her," Ed forced himself to say. He carried Ruby outside, kissing her forehead when she began to cough.