It was a few days after their first date and the first official magic practice. Ruby was kept busy at the diner but managed to get a free evening, after begging granny for it.
So there they were, on the beach again, on their second date. And a second magic practice.
"So is this what all our dates are going to look like?" Zelena sighed as green flames kept appearing and disappearing on her open palm.
"Well… I mean... I'm not complaining," Ruby smirked from the place she was watching the other woman. "But I guess it's not such a fun for you as it is for me…" If she was honest, she was really enjoying watching Zelena playing with the green fireball, sending it to the sea when she got bored and forming a new one.
"These are all childsplay. It took me a day to learn it, unlike Regina, who struggled with it," Zelena scoffed. "And now it's the only thing I'm allowed to do."
"Let's just sit down," Ruby gave her a bright smile and pulled her closer to the water.
They sat down on the sand and watched the water hitting the shore. Occasionally, when there was a strong wave, it came up to them and caressed their feet.
Ruby rested her head on Zelena's shoulder, letting the curly hair tickle her on her face.
"Ruby?" The other woman asked silently, eyes locked on the ocean.
"Hm?"
"Do you really think we are alike?" The brunette could tell from her voice that she was insecure, maybe even afraid, to ask this.
"I do. In some ways." Ruby sat up and moved to look at Zelena. "I actually think that many people in Storybrooke are similar to each other more than they think, in the way they used to behave. Many of us did bad things, back in the Enchanted Forest. But what we did in the past doesn't really define us now, we don't have to do it anymore. The life here is completely different, we don't have to fight for survival every day, we have food and running water and a safe place to sleep and candy and alcohol." She smirked at the last part. "But the problem is that we forget it. Many people forgot or they just don't want to remember, what it was like and what struggling made them do."
"I just can't imagine that you, such a kind and caring woman, did something remotely close as bad as I did…" She didn't look Ruby in her eyes, she found the sand grains more appealing to look at. Also more safe.
"Zelena," Ruby sighed and cupped her hand in both of hers. "I killed my boyfriend. I ate him. I didn't know I did it. I was in my wolf form and the animal took all the control. I have to live with that." She was talking about it like it was weather.
"But that's only one thing…" Ruby felt as Zelena tried to anxiously squeeze her hand, still afraid of rejection.
"No. I joined a pack and spent a lot of time as a wolf, hunting and scaring everything alive. It was really hard to resist the temptation, to not let the wolf took all the control over me, to learn to be the one in control."
Zelena sighed but didn't say anything.
"You will learn it too, to not let the dark magic control you, I promise," Ruby smiled and let go off her hand only to softly caress her cheek. The redhead leaned into the touch and her mouth corners turned up a little bit.
The brunette smiled at her and leaned forward slowly. Their lips touched in a soft kiss and they stayed that way for a moment until Zelena got tired of it and started to move her lips, kissing Ruby gently. The brunette didn't hesitate to respond and pulled the other woman closer to her, her fingers tangled in the soft red curls. She rested her other hand on her waist, as if to make sure she is not going anywhere.
The kiss deepened, Zelena started to lick and bite Ruby's bottom lip as she pushed her down on the sandy ground. The brunette let her, pulling her down with her, her hand still on her belly, just to be sure the baby is safe.
Zelena abandoned her lips soon and started to place kisses down her jaw, stopping on her ear. She nibbled at her earlobe and Ruby left out a heavy breath as she leaned her head to a side to give her more access.
That encouraged the other woman as she licked her earshell, humming satisfiedly at Ruby's reaction. Ruby shivered under her hot breath and a silent moan escaped her lips.
"Zelena…" Ruby tried to speak but whatever she wanted to say got forgotten with more kisses.
"Yes, Ruby?" Zelena hummed and led her way down the brunette's neck, placing kisses and sucking on the soft skin.
"We need to stop…" It was a whisper and despite to what she said, her hand shot to the red curls and she pressed her closer to her neck.
"You don't look like you wanted to stop," Zelena smirked as she sneaked her hand underneath the brunette's shirt.
"I - don't. But we - need to…"
"Why?" She smirked again as she gently scratched the tanned skin all the way up until she finally touched the lacy bra.
Ruby squeezed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pulled Zelena's head away to look into her eyes.
"Not here on the beach," She smiled sweetly a pressed a chaste kiss to the pink lips.
"Are you afraid to do it in public?" Zelena laughed but sat up.
"I don't exactly wish Regina or Henry to catch us here in flagranti, you know," Ruby grinned as she fixed her shirt.
"Fair point," Zelena grinned as well. "How about some more magic," she asked but it was more a suggestion than a question. Before she even finished the sentence, the sand grains started to dance in the air, forming patterns of all kinds of waves and spirals. They danced in the air, changing into more complicated ones, adding more and more sand.
"Wow, Zelena, this is amazing!" Ruby stared at it in disbelief.
The red head didn't look like she was listening to her, she was lost in her own thoughts, lost in her magic.
More and more sand was in the air, the patterns no longer visible in the amount of it.
"Zelena? Maybe you should slow down a bit… soon there's going to be a snow storm," It was said jokingly but there was a little awkwardness in it, as Ruby wasn't entirely sure if it's really just a joke.
She didn't react. In fact, it looked like there was even more sand, it almost seemed like there was a sand wall building.
"Zelena, sweetheart, don't let it control you! You are stronger than your magic!" Ruby stepped closer and put her hand on the other woman's arm.
That seemed to wake her up from her trance. She winked a few times and her arms fell along her body. But the sand was still there, it was still in the air.
"I can't…"
"Yes, you can!"
"But I don't want to…" It was a whisper, almost lost in the wind.
"You have to…" But it looked like Zelena was lost in her magic again. She waved her hand and the ocean got louder, breaking it's waves on the shore.
Ruby frowned. She wasn't really sure what she should do. This was different, new. Zelena didn't need her help to control her powers. She was in full control. She was just a little lost in it. The brunette understood it. It's hard to resist the temptation. But she couldn't let Zelena to destroy all she worked for. She knew she would regret it later.
She sighed and took a few steps back. This might be dangerous but it has to be done. It was the only thing she could think of. She had to take Zelena's mind of the magic.
Zelena was lost in her thoughts, completely focus on her magic and what was going on in front of her. She saw the sand and the water, ignoring Ruby. She noticed the big brown thing coming at her with the corner of her eye when it was too late.
Two giant paws pressed to her shoulders and pushed her to the ground. Zelena cried out as she fell, landing in the soft sand. She was ready to fight back but before she could realize what was happening, a big wolf was curling up on the ground next to her, nudging her with its nose.
The storm went quiet. The realization settled in as she recognized Ruby. She moved to rest her head on the soft fur and let Ruby to comfort her. The wolf wrapped its tail around Zelena's waist to keep her warm and started to purr.
Zelena let her tears run down her face, not caring about what she looked like and what would Ruby think about her anymore.
"I suck. I can never do this…" a quiet sob escaped her throat. "Regina is going to put that stupid cuff on my wrist and maybe she will even attempt to take my child because I'm too dangerous."
The wolf whined and licked her hand softly. Zelena looked up and smiled.
"You are actually not so scary, you know," she raised her hand slowly and petted the wolf between her ears. The wolf purred again and closed her eyes happily. "You are just a giant puppy who wants to cuddle," Zelena laughed as she continued to caress her.
The wolf looked up at her and stood up, taking a step back. Suddenly the tall brunette girl was standing there again.
Ruby smiled at her sheepishly and kneeled down in front of the other woman.
"You can do it. I believe in you. You just have to use your magic more often and to other things than making a few green flames, as much charming as they are," she smiled and squeezed Zelena's hand. "Besides, you're pregnant, your hormones are probably going crazy. Blame it on that," she grinned widely.
Zelena just sighed but nodded.
"So you think my wolf is a puppy, huh?"
"You certainly behaved like one."
"That was just because of you. But I can be dangerous too!"
"I can imagine," Zelena rolled her eyes at her.
"Well, the wicked witch looked like she was ready for some cuddling too."
"I probably am. This whole thing made me tired. I think I should rest a bit."
"Okay, let's go. Let me walk you home," Ruby jumped up and pulled her with her.
"Or I can just poof us, that would be much faster," Zelena grinned and tangled their fingers.
"You don't have to, it's just going to drain even more energy from you." The brunette looked at her worriedly.
"I can handle that." Before Ruby had time to react again, green smoke enveloped them and when it cleared again, they were standing in Zelena's living room.
"You were right, this was much faster," Ruby grinned at her. "But you need to rest now."
"I'm fine, really!" Zelena tried to protest.
"That was not a question," Ruby refused any other arguments and scooped her up into her arms, hooking one arm under her knees and supporting her back with the other. "Bedroom is upstairs?"
"Yes," but Ruby started to walk before she even had time to answer her. She found the room surprisingly fast and without a mistake and lay her down on the bed gently.
"Can I get you something to drink? Or some food?"
"No." Zelena shook her head.
"Okay. So can I get you anything else before I go?"
"Yes," she nodded this time, "I want you to stay here with me."
"Oh." The brunette looked surprised with this answer. "Okay then… I'll just… watch some tv or something…"
"No, silly. I want you to lie down with me." Zelena smiled at her and petted the empty spot next to her.
"Are you… sure?"
"Absolutely," Zelena winked at her and motioned for her to come to her.
Ruby smiled at her climbed up on the bed. She propped herself up against the pillows and pulled the other woman into her arms.
They stayed there for a couple of minutes, both silent and in their own thoughts.
"Thanks Ruby, I… really appreciate how you try helping me…" Zelena confessed while she was drawing circles on the brunette's stomach.
"I like doing that. I think you deserve it. So you don't have to thank me." Ruby smiled and pressed a kiss into her hair.
Zelena looked up at her, locking their eyes.
"Can I kiss you?" She whispered silently, suddenly afraid of rejection for some reason.
"I'd love that," the brunette smiled at her softly and leaned forward to taste Zelena's lips again. It was becoming her favourite taste and she couldn't get enough.
The red head pulled herself up to be in the same height as the brunette and tangled her fingers in the long locks, holding her close.
Ruby answered the kiss with the same excitement, letting her hand slide down Zelena's neck, tickling her with the gentle touch. She rested her hand in her cleavage, running her fingers and long the shirt's hem, teasing, making her take deep breaths.
Zelena's other hand wandered along Ruby's body, not being able to resist touching the young woman, wanting to touch every inch of her. She started to kiss her way down to her neck, licking and sucking on the soft skin again, making them both moan.
"I want you," Ruby shivered under the hot breath and those words, squeezing Zelena's arm as warmth spread through her whole body, ending between her legs.
"Are you sure?" The brunette whispered as she rubbed their cheeks together, trying to hold back and not to tear their clothes apart.
"Ruby - I need you…" Zelena bit down on her earlobe gently. That seemed to decide about what was about to happen next.
Ruby pushed her into the pillows and straddled her carefully, kneeling above her to leave enough space for Zelena's belly to not hurt her.
"I want you too, so much," Ruby breathed out before she closed the space between them and kissed her roughly, letting all desire out finally.
The kiss lasted for eternity and longer, getting fast and sloppy, with tongues and teeth everywhere and then slowing down again, while they were gently nibbling on each other's lips, with hands wandering everywhere, impatiently trying to touch as much skin as their clothes let them.
" - off," Ruby tugged at Zelena's shirt, not wanting to break the kiss for longer than it was necessary.
Zelena smirked and waved her hand, making their clothes disappear.
"That comes in handy," Ruby murmured and moved from the lips to trail kisses down the other woman's neck, to her chest and stopping on her boobs. She started to massage them, placing kisses on the pale skin.
Zelena's breathing was shallow and fast. Her breasts were more sensitive due to her pregnancy than usually and Ruby was really skilled with her hands and her tongue.
The brunette didn't stay there for long tho, she moved down, stopping on Zelena's belly. She caressed it with her fingers and kissed it gently.
"I want you. All of you, even with the baby." Ruby smiled at her, locking their eyes. They were silent for a while and then Zelena summoned her back up to her. There was no need for more words, so they just kissed, as a promise, as a thank you.
Zelena caressed Ruby's body, stopping at her boobs for a while, playing with them, teasing them, until she got impatient and let her hand fall between the brunette's legs.
Ruby took in a sharp breath when she felt the redhead's fingers between her folds and broke the kiss as she arched her back.
"Mmm, you're so wet…" Zelena hummed happily as she started to draw circles, spreading the wetness all around.
"So are you, I can smell it," Ruby moaned and pressed her more into the headboard and pillows and she began to kiss her again, holding her head with one hand and finally diving into Zelena's soaked folds with her other hand.
Zelena spread her legs even more, bending them in her knees to give Ruby more access. The brunette was kneeling above her, moving her hips impatiently, trying to get as much friction as possible.
There was not much teasing, both of them thirsty for the pleasure. Their kiss was sloppy and most of the time it was just their foreheads pressed together as they were bringing each other pleasure, riding each other's fingers.
Zelena circled Ruby's clit, making the woman groan.
"Please don't stop," the brunette breathed out. She sucked on Zelena's neck and shoulder, biting more than she should, but she couldn't hold herself back.
Zelena put more pressure, going faster, focusing all her attention on the brunette, wanting to give her the relief she needed so much.
And then finally Ruby cried out loudly, pushing herself into Zelena's fingers, trying to make it last as long as possible, thrusting her own hand deeper into her other woman.
Zelena moved her hips in circles, rubbing herself against Ruby's thumb, fucking herself on her fingers, too eager to wait for her to collect herself.
But Ruby felt her desperation and helped her ease it, helped her to bring her high, to her own pleasure, making her moan loudly and dig her nails into Ruby's back.
It took a moment for them to catch their breaths, to calm down. Ruby collapsed next to Zelena and pulled a blanket over them, resting her hand on her belly.
"Wow," Zelena breathed out, her eyes still closed.
"I know. It was perfect." She smiled and turned to look at her girlfriend. "You're so beautiful," she whispered and pushed a red curl out of her face.
"I'm exhausted and sweaty, don't be ridiculous," she laughed awkwardly.
"But you are sweaty because of the amazing sex we just had. Besides, you're always beautiful."
"Thank you," Zelena blushed and finally opened her eyes. "So are you," she smiled at the brunette and pressed a peck to her lips. "But now I'm really tired."
"You should take a nap."
Zelena narrowed her eyes at her and bit her lip.
"I'm going to stay here with you, don't worry." Ruby laughed and pulled her on her chest. "Just closed your eyes for a while, okay," she was already drawing circles on her naked shoulder.
Nothing ever felt as right as this moment, to either of them.