We're really doing it.
A resounding thought that Ruby had repeated in her head so many times recently and yet, somehow, it never felt real. Her lustrous silver eyes watched half interested as the city blurred by on the other side of the window. Her standard red hoodie cloaking her, providing a semblance of security wherever she went, despite being a little too warm at the moment, with her shorts her only means of combating the summer heat.
There's the coffee shop, the boutique, I remember eating at that cheap fast food place all the time in high school with my friends. The office building that I'd walked by a million times, even when I was little, I was always curious about what kind of things they did, my imagination got away with me thinking of the possibilities, but it's just a few call centers and a small time law firm. I remember feeling really embarrassed when I learned that.
Familiar sights, all of them holding a fond nostalgia and a deep connection to something concrete; the place she had always known. She took the same route every day, a simple, uncomplicated life.
Ruby's eyes fluttered closed, her forehead still pressed lightly against the cool glass with late summer sun making her eyelids glow a bright red as its light passed through her skin and to her eyes. Her ears focused on the only sound she could hear besides the pop music that played only just barely audibly over the powerful purring of a large, old diesel engine.
A soft smile broke through her subdued expression as she felt the vibrations from the truck rattle through her body. What used to be loud and uncomfortable now felt comforting.
So much is changing. As her eyes opened again, she took in the view again, confronting something different, the edge of a new chapter… a different route than she'd taken before.
Her hand slowly reached out, searching with only touch, feeling the soft but worn fabric seating. Ruby didn't look away from the window, but kept extending her hand closer and closer to the driver's side.
That gap in the middle of the bench seat somehow felt so much larger than it should have. She wanted to turn, but at the same time, couldn't bring herself to look away from the city blurring by.
This is real, right? Nothing's changed, everything still looks more or less like it did my whole life. But no matter how many times I wake up, I still feel like I'm dreaming, even right now. I'll still see all the same places but-
A jolt.
Ruby felt like a bolt of lightning struck her hand, a powerful rush of emotion and sensation hitting all at once with hot intensity, before rolling waves of warmth washed through her body. A comforting heat embraced her hand, wrapping around it and interlocking through her fingers, holding her tight.
She couldn't help it, a smile of pure bliss lit up her face like the sun, and her cheeks tinted a rosy red. Her hand tightened around the familiar grip. A hand rough and large compared to Ruby's, yet, for all its strength, sweat and roughness, she didn't want to let go.
I'll still see all the same places, but my life will never be the same.
Ruby's smile diminished, only slightly, and her forehead pulled back from the window, her skin leaving a slight imprint from her natural oils. A soft sigh left her lungs, an involuntary reaction to her mind still struggling to grasp all the threads of thought in her mind.
"Having second thoughts?" A voice burned through the storm of emotions clouding Ruby's mind, speaking in unison with the tightening of the hand around hers.
Ruby's head rolled slowly away from the window. In front of them was a busy road cutting through the most popular shopping district in town, flanked on both sides by sidewalks bustling with foot traffic. A nostalgic smile pulled at her lips, and her gaze turned again, this time, to the only other person with her in that loud, fast moving truck.
Following the hand holding hers, a toned muscular arm with lightly tanned skin led to bare shoulders and cascading golden locks tied in a high ponytail that went all the way down to her lower back. Cargo pants and an orange tank-top just short enough to expose her abs gave her a practical but stunning outfit. Ruby couldn't look away, no matter how bright she shined.
"I was the one that suggested this," Ruby's eyes brightened, shimmering like liquid metal reflecting golden sun rays. "Honestly it still feels kinda like a dream though."
"I know what you mean, so much has happened, it's kinda crazy… okay, it's a lot crazy." An infectious laugh, so full of warm enthusiasm that Ruby couldn't help but snort out a giggle.
"Yang…" Ruby's words flowed so softly that she wasn't sure they could be heard over the engine, she wasn't even sure she wanted to be heard.
"What's up?" Yang's grip on Ruby's hand relaxed, letting cool air flow in between them, wicking the mingled sweat from their palms.
"I- I am a little nervous, if I'm being honest."
"It's okay. I'm kinda nervous too." Yang's focus never diverted from the road in front of her, but in that moment, all she wanted to do was look across the gap, to the woman who's hand was so tenderly in hers. Ruby's skin was so soft, no matter how often they touched, Yang just couldn't believe how soft Ruby was. Sometimes she felt bad, knowing just how rough her hands were, it couldn't have been the most comfortable for Ruby.
"We made it this far. I never let myself really believe we would, but we did." Ruby's thumb softly caressed Yang's hand with small, gentle strokes, and her fingers held just a little tighter. This is just the next step, and we're taking it together. We'll be okay.
"You're right, we got nothing to worry about." Yang's grin burned with confidence and optimism in open defiance of her or Ruby's apprehension.
Without even realizing it, Ruby mirrored Yang's expression, a swell of conviction raising in her chest. She's right. We got this.
"Hey, isn't that Summer's Bakery?" Yang glanced at the approaching building. A small place with big windows displaying pastries that looked too good to be real.
"Yep, but Mom's off today. They've been pushing her really hard there lately, so it's good that she can get some rest at- at home…" Ruby slumped in her seat, averting her eyes from the bakery as they rounded a nearby turn. I'm being selfish… but is that okay? I'm not sure I know anymore.
"Dad's working and my mom is still on her business trip," she knew what Ruby was thinking and feeling, something they had both struggled with the last few months. "So, we got the whole day to ourselves. We'll make the most of it, okay?"
"That does sound nice." A soft breath escaped her lungs, taking the edge of her anxiety with it. "I kinda wish we could just spend the whole day relaxing, but we're gonna be busy almost the entire time."
"It won't take that long." Yang rolled her eyes in time with the turning of the steering wheel as she pulled into a large, cluttered parking lot, flanked on all sides by three story cookie cutter buildings.
"And what do you want to do with the rest of our time, hmm?" Ruby's voice alone was so hot it could have melted steel.
"Cheap wine, cheap whisky, pizza and you. I think I've got everything I need for a perfect night." Yang spared a moment to glance over to the girl at her side, and her playful smile softened into a subdued awe.
Ruby slowly pulled her hood back, letting her her short, silky black hair tipped with crimson highlights flow out, swaying gently in the breeze from the cracked window. Her pale skin practically glowed in the late morning rays, accented with the warm red of her cheeks. None of though, no matter how beautiful, compared to the look of pure, unashamed fondness and unparalleled happiness that Ruby looked into her with. It made time nearly grind to a halt.
"Yeah," Ruby's voice was so gentle, but saturated with so much caring that it made them hit like lightning as she held her wide, sparkling eyes on Yang. "Me too."
The truck backed to an easy stop into an empty parking space. Yang was thankful that there was only one car in an adjacent spot, since pulling in the loaded long bed wasn't the easiest task.
With a violent shake, the diesel engine cut off, and the ever present roar stopped in an instant. Somehow, Ruby felt a little disappointed at the absence of the calming vibrations.
Reluctantly, the pair's hands parted, cool air rushed between them, filling the gap that in their hearts felt like a vacuum with the other's absence.
"Well, we're here." Yang let out a soft sigh, slumping back in her seat, staring forward at the numerous, cookie cutter buildings surrounded by a maze-like parking lot. It was a far cry from the familiar home she grew up in.
"Is it weird that I'm really excited to go in, but at the same time I'm kinda struggling to get my hand to open the door?" Ruby gave a soft, half hearted laugh, but looked to her big sister for reassurance as her shoulders slumped.
"I feel that way too, this is my first time leaving home, I mean, I've left plenty of places but it's alway been me, mom and dad." Yang ran her fingers through her sweat slicked bangs, while her other hand gripped the steering wheel tight.
"Hey, none of that," Ruby pulled Yang out of her head with a silvery voice, their eyes met and the younger sister's worry merged with the hope exuded by her expression. "The homes you grew up in will always be a part of you, just like the home with my mom will alway be my home. This place… we're making it home for us, but that doesn't mean we lose the ones we've had before. This is just… a home where we can be ourselves, together."
All Yang could do was stare into those expressive eyes, and lose herself in them. Her hand fell from the steering wheel and her muscles relaxed. Without even realizing it, she began to smile. She's been this way, since the day I first met her. Her heart is like nothing else I've ever seen in anyone. She doesn't shy away from her feelings, and she has this way of connecting with people, of expressing her feelings so purely that you can't help but get pulled into them, without even noticing that she's doing it. She could pull anyone up from a bad place. I guess that's one of the first things that made me… feel this way.
"Yang?" Ruby tilted her head inquisitively at her big sister.
"You're right, this the next step, but it's not like we're on the other side of the country, it's all right here. This place though, this is a space just for us." Yang smiled back at Ruby, and the handle of her door clicked and the door swung open. "You ready?"
Ruby gave a firm nod with a beaming, excited smile pulling at her lips. "Let's go."
The two sisters left Yang's big lifted truck, Ruby nearly missing the small metal step just outside the passenger door. Being considerably shorter than her big sister, Ruby found herself constantly bothered by the height of the vehicle. But it does feel nice looking down at everyone else on the road, it's like I'm riding in a tank!
"I've never lived in an apartment before… I'm excited." Yang gave a big, bright, bashful smile as she came around to the passenger side with Ruby.
"I've lived in my fair share, there's upsides and downsides." She couldn't help but smile right along with her girlfriend.
"Well," Yang's expressioned turned into a sensual smirk so hot it would have melted steel as she walked behind Ruby. "I know at least one upside."
"Oh, and what would that b- whoa!" Ruby instinctively recoiled as her feet were swept off the pavement, and her light body was pulled effortlessly against Yang's warm chest while she was cradled between incredibly strong arms.
Ruby relaxed and let herself be held like a rag doll by the larger and stronger woman. Compared to Ruby's soft, petite frame, Yang was a giant… a hot, muscular giant
"I love you too babe," Ruby spoke softly, the anxiety of their public affection slowly melting away and moments later she wrapped her own arms around Yang. "This is exactly what I was hoping for."
"Well it'll only get better once we're in our new place." The elder sister lovingly placed her little sister back on her feet and stepped back. After gazing fondly at each other for what felt both like mere moments and hours, the two made their way to the back of the truck and began unpacking.
Box by box, step by step, they emptied the meager contents of their shared lives from the bed of the truck and made their way up the stairs. It wasn't anything special, it wasn't anyplace special. It was just an apartment. Ruby was still in school so their finances relied entirely on Yang, who worked as a mechanic, but she made decent enough money for them to afford a decent place.
A quick turn of the key… "This is it. Home sweet home."
It was a bare and empty place with sunshine streaming in through the windows, shining off the fake wood floors and glowing against the walls painted eggshell white. Immediately upon walking in there was the living room with the kitchen close behind.
"Start unpacking, I'll bring the rest up." Yang set down her boxes which were much larger and heavier than Ruby's and immediately turned to grab some more.
"Wait, I can't let you do that. I should be helping carry things too." Ruby frowned, knowing she couldn't move as much as her sister could but still wished to help.
"Hey, we're a team now. Let me handle the heavy lifting alright?" Yang gave a reassuring smile. "Come on, the sooner we get done, the sooner we can set up the air mattress and sleep in the living room. I know you've been looking forward to that, you weirdo."
"Don't tease me! It's fun I swear!" Ruby huffed, her cheeks turning a warm pink as she got to work unpacking the boxes.
"Don't worry, I'm looking forward to it." The tall blonde winked and then, with one last lingering glance at her girlfriend, made her way down the stairs once again.
Ruby playful smile softened to a bittersweet look as she began unpacking the first box. This one was labeled fragile and it had so many things she cared about; pictures of her and her mom, a few figures from anime she liked, a plastic rose among other things. One by one she pulled out mementos of her life.
Next, was a box of Yang's. Her own keepsakes, her own past, a completely separate life. There were trophies, framed photos and an antique model truck. Ruby paused while she looked at the photo of her lover and older sister. She looked so happy growing up, with both her dad and mother by her side.
I can't believe we ended up here. What would they all think? Why would I even need to ask that, they would demand we separate. They would be disgusted. We would probably never be able to see each other again without losing everyone else we love.
"If we grew up together, maybe I wouldn't have fallen so deep in love with her." She felt her stomach become cold and tight and her smile completely faded. Maybe I'm messed up, maybe I am a freak… but I love the relationship we have now. I'll never be able to explain this to any of them, not even to my Mom. If I had never gone on that app, how different would our lives be?
"Thanks for dinner." Ruby mumbled, pulling her hood back over her head as she stood up from the small table.
"You haven't eaten much… again," Summer, who looked so much like her daughter it was uncanny, frowned from across the table. Her own meal was barely half finished. "You really should try to make yourself finish the plate, it worries me that you've been losing weight lately."
"Sorry Mom, I just don't feel that hungry. Must be the new meds." She sighed, her thin frame hidden under her baggy red hoodie. But Mom's attentive, she doesn't miss a thing.
"We'll need to talk to Dr. Blackwell soon then. If these pills are making you lose appetite then I don't think they're right for you." It hurt the single mother deeply to watch her only child suffer so much.
"I'll bring it up at my next appointment but I've only been on these ones for a couple weeks. I want to give it more time." Her voice had no light or energy, it was like she had to force out every syllable.
All Summer could do was watch helplessly as her daughter scraped away what remained on her plate into a container and threw it into the fridge, though lately, it was almost certainly going to go to waste. That didn't matter to Summer, however try as she might, she could feel her daughter slipping away and flashbacks of her little girl's darkest times came flooding back to the mother's mind.
Ruby turned and saw the look of impotent distress in her mom's mirrored silver eyes. Still, Ruby's own silvers were tarnished and devoid of the luster that they once held. She did her best to give her mom a reassuring smile but it felt like her lips were made of lead and her energy failed her, dropping what little progress she made in her smile back to a discontented, blank look.
With one last apologetic glance, Ruby slumped her shoulders and her head hung low as she left the kitchen.
Their apartment was fairly small, still it had two bedrooms. It didn't take her long to make her way back to her room where she closed and locked the door.
"I'm so pathetic. All I can do is worry mom. I'm barely able to handle school and I got fired from the only job I've ever tried. Fuck my life." Shaking her head to try and get a handle on her emotions she slowly reached for the light switch. Just the labor of lifting her arm felt like Sisyphus lifting the earth… except she wasn't strong enough and her arm limply fell back to her side.
It was dark, the setting sun barely letting in a glow of light through her window in the cracks between her blackout curtains. Ruby stepped forward, her feet hitting trash and clothes that littered her floor and unceremoniously flopped down on her bed. The springs creaked as her body hit the soft surface. With a few wiggles of her legs and toes her shoes fell off and she crawled into bed. Once under the soft, warm covers she kicked off her pants and underwear but left her hoodie on.
A soft, cool glow lit up the room as she clicked her phone on. The screen was cracked and it was a couple generations behind but it served her well as her primary escape from her life outside of sleep.
She typed in her password and started scrolling through apps, trying to keep her head above the proverbial water.
Beep
A message. She rolled onto her back with her phone suspended over her face opening her messenger app.
Alan- 'Hey Ruby. How are you doing?'
Ruby- 'I'm managing, I guess.'
Alan- 'You really need to get out more.'
Ruby- 'I barely have the energy to get out of bed. I don't know what I'm supposed to go out for.'
Alan- 'What about a date?'
Ruby- '…'
Alan- 'not with me, dumbass. I meant try a dating app. I think getting out of your own head would really help you. Since I moved away, I know you don't have a lot of people to hang out with your age. I don't think you've dated anyone since junior high and that lasted like two weeks.'
Ruby- 'Who'd want to go out with a depressed girl with no friends, no self esteem and a crippling addiction to avoiding life?'
Alan- 'Just give it a try for me, okay? Giving you this nudge is about all I can do from here. Please give it a chance.'
Ruby- '…'
Ruby- 'Fine. What app should I use?'
Alan- 'Honneybeez is supposed to be popular. Just try that one.'
Ruby- 'if I try it and no one likes me, we go back to doing normal normal stuff like playing trashy online games badly or talking about our favorite cute anime girls?'
Alan- 'Even when someone does date you I want to keep doing that stuff.'
Ruby- 'Sounds good. I'm going to install it now… wish me luck?'
Alan- 'You won't need it. Talk to you then!'
Ruby- 'Talk to you then.'
She sighed and closed the messenger. Debating on what to do, Ruby rolled back and forth in bed, frustration growing at the same rate as her stress. She opened the App Store and downloaded the app. Every moment that passed, all she could think was; This will be such a waste of time.
Despite that thought resonating in her head, she quickly made an account and chose the least unflattering picture of herself she had on her phone.
Next, a few simple facts; Lives with her mom. Has a GED. Bisexual. Enjoys anime, gaming and sleep. Favorite season is autumn. Zodiac sign is Scorpio. Am an only child.
Is that good enough. It feels so weird trying to sell myself here. What traits would I want in myself? What things do I like about myself? I haven't done much since junior high and my only friend moved away. How am I supposed to gate a date like this, I don't even look attractive. I don't have anything interesting to say or anything to really give in a relationship. Hold on, calm down Ruby, we're just talking about dating here, no need to let your imagination get out of hand.
Steeling her nerves, Ruby put on the finishing touches… and created her profile.
I guess I just start swiping.
One disinterested swipe after another, Ruby had no criteria or preferences. She was sure she'd get a bunch of men who were only interested in sex, she could have hookups if she wanted, it wouldn't be the first time, but it wasn't what she wanted in the moment. Then what do I want? It would be easier for me to kill time if I just had a bunch of casual relationships. Maybe that's all I will ever have, after all, it's hard to get bored when you're having sex but once that part is over, anyone will pretty quickly realize I don't have much else to offer.
More swipes, more profile she barely skimmed. Mostly lonely men of varying ages. She didn't put any filters on her profile. Maybe I'll end up with a sugar daddy, that's a viable career option right? It'll be hard for me to fuck that up and we'll know what's expected from eachother.
More swiping. More people with lives way more interesting than her own. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness reading some of the profiles; teacher, artist, account, manager, plumber. As soon as I tell them I'm a depressed, unemployed loser living off my mom they'll laugh me off. Of course they will.
She continued to swipe on the profiles, feeling a sinking depression gripping her chest. All these happy people looking for someone nice and normal. I don't have anything to offer. I'm mildly attractive, that's it. I can't even bring them over to my place. My mom will worry and I feel awkward, besides, if things take a turn for the bedroom I don't want my mom hearing me fucking some stranger I met online.
This was a mistake. I hate this. My therapist says not to compare myself to normal people but-
ding!
A sound pulled her from her thoughts and the screen lit up.
"I matched with someone?" She raised an eyebrow. She was so lost in thought she wasn't even sure who she had swiped on to get a match.
A prompt opened up to send a message and Ruby's eyes dully looked at her keyboard. What do I say? What do I want to say? I didn't get a good look at their profile, from the profile picture she's really pretty. What could she have seen in my profile that attracted her to me? Maybe she accidentally swiped right on me. That's probably it. Or maybe she's looking for a quick hookup, even if it's that, I should probably say something.
Ruby- 'Hey. Nice to meet you.'
She stared at the screen. A green light near the other woman's picture indicated she was online. Seconds turned to minutes but Ruby couldn't look away, her anxiety bubbling as she imagined the woman on the other side of the internet checking her account and realizing… there's no reason to talk to someone like me. My account is boring. I'm boring. I didn't put my occupation, I didn't put anything about myself. I even said I like sleep, if that's not a red flag I don't-
Yang- 'Hey there cutie, howdy dooty!'
She shook her head at that reply to see if she was still in reality, blinking in bewilderment at the strange response but somehow, it brought the smallest smile to her lips.
Ruby- 'Not much, just relaxing in my room. What about you?'
Yang- 'Same. Long day at work. Just took a nice long bath and I'm about ready to pass out lol'
Ruby- 'Sorry for messaging you so late.'
Yang- 'Don't be, if I wasn't wanting to kill a little time I wouldn't be online. It's like, my body is tired but my brain is restless, ya know?'
Ruby- 'I understand that. I stay up late a lot because of that. My sleep schedule is a mess.'
She cringed, reading her own messages over and over and over again. Her heart was pounding like she was in danger and her mind was screaming at her over every little detail.
Yang- 'I have to get up pretty much the same time every day and that time is way too damn early. I practically live off coffee. My blood has enough caffeine in it to kill a horse most days.'
Ruby- 'I really like energy drinks. I go through so many of those when I'm up late gaming. My best friend and I get way too into it and we end up ruining any semblance of a sleep schedule we had lol'
Yang- 'Sounds like a lot of fun. I haven't played many video games. I think I played some when I was a kid but I haven't played any in a really long time.'
Ruby- 'That's cool. I mean, it's hard to find time and not every game is gonna be fun for every person. By the way, do you like anime?'
Yang- 'Yeah, one of my friends tried to get me to play a game once, some kind of farming simulator she called it? I couldn't get into it. And no, I don't think I've watched any, maybe the really popular ones when I was a kid. I guess you're really into that stuff huh? That's cool, it's getting a lot more popular these days.'
Ruby- 'You just have to find the right genre of games. Farming sims and stuff are great but you kinda have to be in the mood for them. There's games for everyone out there so if you ever want I can recommend some titles based off genres you might like? And that's cool, anime is a lot like games in that there's a lot out there and not every title is for everyone. I like more… niche stuff but I can recommend some good places to start if you'd like, there's so many great ways to enter the anime fandom.'
She wanted to throw her phone out the window as she read over the deluge of words she rapid-fire typed and sent. She didn't realize it but she was holding her breath between replies and her brain was screaming at her to quit while she was ahead.
Yang- 'I'd like that. I've been wanting to try and get into something lately, kinda bored with the usual shows I watch.'
Ruby- 'I have a big collection of anime and manga. If you want to meet up sometime I could show you some I think are good places to start!'
She cringed so hard she almost dropped her phone. "What am I doing we literally just started talking, she's not going to want to meet up, damn it why am I like this?!"
Yang- 'That sounds good. Actually, are you from around here? I'm actually new to town. My family just moved here and I'm not familiar with anything. Maybe we could meet up and you could show me around?'
Ruby- 'Yeah! Of course! I've lived here my whole life so I know the place pretty well. My mom actually works at a bakery nearby and they make the best pastries and breads! There's an arcade I used to go to all the time and there's some good restaurants around here. Oh and the library is actually really good in this town.'
Ruby- 'Sorry, that's all stuff I'm interested in. What kinds of things would you want to do or look at?'
She felt her panic rising as she resisted the urge to send five more rapid fire messages, each excusing the last. Every letter she typed made her feel like she was dying and her anxiety felt as though it would burn a hole in her chest.
Yang- 'All that sounds really cool actually. I'm into trucks and engines and stuff. I'm a mechanic and I kinda made it half my personality lol and I especially love old engines and vehicles. I also like shooting so if there's a gun range around that'd be cool, it actually slipped my mind to look one up in the area.'
Ruby- 'Oh wow, that's really interesting. I've never fired a gun before, seems kinda scary honestly. I don't know anything about cars or trucks but I think there might be a place you'd like around here. It's a museum owned by the local car dealership.'
Yang- 'Hey, I have Wednesday off. Are you available then? I don't have anything else to do that day, but I understand if you have work, my schedule is a bitch.'
Ruby- 'No, I'm free that day! I'd love to meet up! Would you want to meet at one of our places, I'd understand if you wanna meet somewhere neutral though.'
Yang- 'There's a park nearby where I live, we could meet up there, the weather is supposed to be great anyway.'
Ruby- 'That sounds good! Yeah, just tell me the address and a time you want to meet!'
Yang- 'I'll give you my number and we can work it out there, this app kinda sucks for messaging, especially the stupid ads.'
Ruby- 'Sure!'
The pair exchanged numbers and without even noticing, through the anxiety and doubt, Ruby was smiling. She brought her knees to her chest and texted this random person she found online.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all. I'll probably fuck up the date but I don't know, I actually liked talking to her and she didn't seem to get bored of me. Hopefully this is the start of something good.
"That's the last of it." Yang dropped the final box off into their new apartment. Ruby had spent her time unpacking while she reminisced to herself about how she ended up in this unreal situation.
"I've put most of our stuff up already. It looks like we forgot coat hangers so I kinda just stuffed everything into our closet but I tried to keep it a controlled mess." Ruby blushed, knowing that Yang was well aware of her lack of skill with cleaning and organizing. 'Still, I really should try to get better. I want to take care of this space while Yang is hard at work.'
"Well, it's an exhausting day. I say we just blow up the mattress, get our blankets and cuddle up. I'll order pizza." Yang, without hesitation, went for the deflated mattress on the floor and immediately put her lips to the bed.
"Um, babe… ppf, you know we have a pump right?" Ruby barely held back her laughter as she pointed to the device right behind the mattress.
"… Well that blows." Yang snorted.
"Your puns will be the death of me." The little sister rolled her eyes as she got the pump and began inflating the mattress. It was a manual pump so she had to push and raise the plunger up and down but it was vastly more efficient in getting their bed set up. And no one has to pass out from trying.
"You look like you've got that handled, I guess food will be my job." She looked to Ruby with pure adoration. She didn't feel embarrassed for not thinking of a pump, instead she felt weirdly comfortable. I never feel bad for being myself around her. I think that's one of the things I love most about her.
Yang pulled out her phone. Contrary to Ruby's, it was a brand new model of an expensive brand with a case and a flawless screen. She unlocked it and opened the app, ordering their favorite toppings; one half olives, peppers and onions for Ruby and one half pepperoni, bacon and spinach for Yang. For dessert, chocolate chip brownies and for a drink, a two liter of root beer.
The elder sister turned to see Ruby's weak arms struggling with the last couple pumps as the pressure started to give a not insignificant resistance to the plunger. Still, Ruby threw her body weight into it and with one final push, she quickly unscrewed the hose from the bed and capped the opening.
"All set!" Ruby smiled proudly, patting the bed with her hand to affirm its integrity.
"Food should be here in like fifteen minutes." Yang turned off her phone and stuffed it back into her pocket.
"I'll go get the blankets, you can get yourself comfortable if you want." Ruby casually and carelessly tossed the plastic pump away on the floor.
"Well then hurry on up because I can't be at my peak comfy levels without you." The elder sister brought her knees up to her chest, her cascading blonde hair rolling down her back and shoulders and eye eyes looked unabashedly into Ruby's.
All Ruby could do was stare back into her lover's eyes, feeling like she was looking at something brighter than the sun but by grace alone left her eyes unburnt. She was stunning and brilliant in every sense of the words. There wasn't a single feature of the woman looking at her with such love that didn't make Ruby's heart ache.
"How did I get so lucky to have you?" Ruby's lips pulled into a tender smile as she fondly held the visage of her girlfriend in her gaze just a little bit longer.
"Must be genetic." Yang chuckled to herself.
"Yang!" Ruby's cheeks burned bright red as she covered her face but she couldn't help herself from laughing anyway. All she could do was shake her head, stupidly giggling to herself as she went and grabbed the blankets from a nearby box.
With a playful smirk, Ruby dumped the blanket's over Yang's head, burying her in soft, warm fluffiness before immediately throwing herself at her lover, tackling them both to the bed. With a flurry of tickles, Yang burst out laughing, thrashing and kicking to escape the onslaught.
"I yield, I yield!" Yang laughed, trying to fight her way out of the blankets but Ruby kept shoving her around, wrapping her arms tight around her big sister so she couldn't escape while her fingers played at her sides.
"You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people, what say you in your defense!" Ruby held on even tighter as Yang's thrashing became harder to restrain.
"You'll never take me alive!" Just like that, Yang effortlessly overpowered Ruby and instantly turned the tables.
Yang's muscles were toned and large and that wasn't for nothing. Without being able to put up any struggle, Ruby found herself completely grappled by Yang with both her arms subdued with just one of her lover's hands. This left her other hand free to attack!
Ruby giggled and writhed but couldn't break free as Yang's touches hit every vulnerable point along her sides, under her arms and on her soft belly. Ruby's face turned red from laughter and her vision was blurred with tears and her cheeks hurt from the forced smile on her face.
"I surrender! Show me mercy!" She struggled and gasped but to no avail.
"Ooh? And what do I get if you spare you? You're the aggressor so I think I should get something." To emphasize her sheer dominance, Yang began to tickle even more furiously.
"A- anything! Anything please!" She cried between bursts of uncontrollable laughter.
"Anything huh?" Just like that, Yang stopped her offensive and released her unbreakable hold. "Well I have something in mind."
"What… would that… be?" Ruby spoke while gasping for air.
Without a word, Yang put her hands under her lover's arms and easily pulled her up into her lap where Yang looked down at Ruby's face. She couldn't help but admire the light in her little sister's smile, the warmth and shine of it made her heart feel like it was melting. Even as Ruby's breaths tapered to a steady rhythm, Yang just smiled and looked down into her eyes.
"I want a kiss." Yang spoke warmly and gently, her competitive and excited voice soothed just by looking at Ruby's beautiful face.
"You bested me… so claim your prize." Ruby giggled a little at how stupid she must've sounded, but she didn't care, it didn't bother her anymore. I don't have to be sorry for being myself. Not when I'm with her.
Without a word, Yang's rough hands gently fell onto Ruby's cheeks, brushing away strands of black hair from her face. Her thumbs tenderly caressed Ruby's soft, warm skin. Nothing felt as warm to Yang as when she got to touch Ruby, nothing felt so soft. The way her skin gave to the lightest touch, the smoothness of it, the warmth, she could lose an entire day just caressing her lover.
Slowly, Ruby raised her head, pressing into Yang's hands and feeling her heart beating faster. Ruby's blood felt like it was replaced with fire and electricity. She watched Yang's face get closer and closer until her girlfriend's warm breath washed over her skin, sending her heart into a frantic race. Locks of blonde hair tickled Ruby's neck as the distance between them was burned away.
The moment their lips met, they both felt the same thing. Pure, unbridled sunshine glowed through them. It was a feeling like nothing else. Without even trying, their eyes closed just so their other senses could absorb every detail of the moment they wanted to crystallize forever. Yang's lips were more rough and firm and her kiss was strong and passionate, as though it distilled Yang's strength and personality into a single point. She smelled nice too, a mix of diesel, oil and sweet fruits from her shampoo.
For Yang, Ruby's kiss was unforgettable. As soft and warm as her skin was, her lips felt unreal. They were gentle and delicate and had a hint of chapstick Ruby wore carrying the scent of vanilla. While Yang's kiss was passionate and strong, Ruby's was gentle and inviting, coaxing her partner's lips to press further, to engulf them, yielding completely to her.
No matter what happens from here on, no matter what we face… I want to face it with her. Nothing else matters to me. I'm in love with her, and unless she wants to end it between us, I'll stay with Yang no matter what or who tries to tear us apart.