Ruby was, to say the least, a mess. From the moment she'd left the cafe, she started running, her red scarf trailing behind her like a flag. How she managed to hold on to her hot chocolate without spilling was something she couldn't explain even to herself, and certainly not to her sister, who caught sight of her flying down the street leading to their house. Coming to a near screeching stop in front of the doorway, she was greeted by a very curious Yang.
"Whoa Rubes, what's the rush? You look like you were chased home by a pack of wild dogs or something." Yang smirked, although her gaze did drift back up the street, just in case her wild hunch had been right. With Ruby, nothing was entirely impossible.
"Gahhhh! Yang you have to help me I don't know what to do! I think I accidentally flirted with this cute girl behind the counter at the bakery next to the library, and I think she flirted back! What do I do? You know how to deal with this kind of thing, you're suave and cool, so you have to help me!"
Yang's smirk had become a cheshire grin by the time Ruby was done, much to the younger sister's dismay. "Oh great, you're just gonna soak in my torment aren't you. Dang it Yang, this is serious!"
Yang snickered, putting a hand on Ruby's shoulder as she shook slightly with mirth.
"Sorry, sorry. If she flirted back, that means she's interested, but are you? If you are, then I say go in guns blazing!" With this, Yang, patted her sister on the back and walked through the door.
"Good talk sis. let's do it again sometime." Ruby murmured, half serious. Yang had a point, and she was pretty sure she was interested. 'I guess all guns blazing it is', Ruby thought to herself. Making up her mind to go to the cafe again tomorrow, she walked over to the living room and made herself comfy the couch to enjoy the snacks she'd bought. All that worrying had left her starving!
Blake jumped slightly as a small tap on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie. Brown eyes met gold as Velvet smiled softly down at Blake.
"Looks like someone had a good evening. Who was little red rushing scarf? You two seemed to be hitting it off."
Blake smiled at Velvet, not surprised that her experience yesterday had been seen.
"Her name was Ruby. She came for a hot chocolate and some kisses." She replied, a smile playing at the edge of her lips, her voice trailing off wistfully. Velvet simply giggled, having heard what happened but wanting to ask Blake anyway. 'Coco will be sad she missed that' Velvet thought, as she walked back to the kitchen area.
The next day, Blake was half-surprised to see Ruby once again strolling through the cafe doors, dressed in black leggins, a slightly oversized pale pink t-shirt, and her seemingly ever present red scarf. but it was a pleasant surprise. Her lips curved into a grin that wasn't exactly the epitome of professionalism as she locked eyes with Ruby. Ruby immediately began to blush, much to Blake's amusement.
"Hello again Miss, Ruby, I believe it was? Welcome back to Cafe Scarlatina, how may I help you today?"
Ruby's blushing face perked up as she heard Blake address her, and she smiled a bit when she noticed Blake remembered her name. She took a deep breath, and then, blush leaving her face, she spoke.
"Hi again Blake I'm really nervous about being here right now because yesterday was so awkward for me and I don't want you to think I'm just trying to be a creep and come back just cause of what you said even though it's partially about that but I also really liked the hot chocolate and the cupcakes they were amazing and you're really pretty and I was hoping maybe we could get to know each other better!"
Ruby was panting as she finished her tirade, while Blake was surprised that anyone could say all of that in only one breath. 'She must be great at holding her breath. Wonder if she used to swim.' Blake thought idly, before noticing that Ruby suddenly looked very nervous and more than a little scared. It looked like speaking her mind had taken a lot out of her, and while it wasn't what she'd call rehearsed, it was heartfelt, and Blake decided she liked Ruby for it. Looking around and seeing no other customers at the moment, she decided that professionalism could suck it. Leaning over the counter, much to Ruby's surprise, she planted a kiss on her cheek. Ruby froze, and her face went as red as the scarf she was wearing. Blake's face went rosy as she realised what she'd done, but she sighed in relief as Ruby slowly recovered, her face a mixture of confusion and sheer joy.
"I hope you don't mind my boldness, but I figured you deserved something for coming all the way here and saying all that." Ruby slowly shook her head, not trusting her voice to work properly. Blake smiled, then looked up at the clock. "Early today, aren't you. Tell you what, I go on lunch at 12, which is only a half an hour away. If you'd like, we could spend the hour together?"
"Yes!" Ruby exclaimed, much to Blake's amusement, then took a deep breath, reining herself in. "Yes, absolutely. I'd like that very much."
"Then It's a date."
A date. The words sounded too good to be true, and Ruby let them replay in her mind for the next half an hour, as she sat at one the cafe's cozy booths. She could hardly wait!