A/N Welcome back... dammit I need to learn to meet deadlines. Whoops?
Remember that one-shot I promised like a bazillion years ago? Well here's the plan, I ended up creating a neat canon-ish AU for it, and I want to turn it into a miniature fic rather than a massive one-shot. Hopefully I can have it published when this fic is done. It'll give me time to work on the beginning of my sequel, and sort of tide you lovely readers over for a bit.
This chapter was originally pretty dark, but I toned it down a bit. I feel like adding to the dark themes in this might start bordering on overkill. Still this chapter has its moments. Thank you ALL for reading, and enjoy.
[Trigger warning for self-harm implications in this chapter.]
Chapter 18. Coming Back
Continuing to together, side-by-side on the park bench, Ruby and Cinder relished in the warmth of eachother, and the calm glow of the late-afternoon sun. The river bank flowed gently several meters away, combined with the white noise of the city and the odd passerby.
It was a serene moment Ruby took to really reflect, but not on what Cinder had just spoken about Roman, rather, on herself.
She'd give the world just to see Cinder the way she is right in then and there. Not broken or hurt, or alone. Or where she felt unable to tell something about her past. No, she liked this Cinder a thousand times better. The real one who had been there all along, just blockaded by numerous emotional barriers she didn't deserve to begin with.
It was hard seeing Cinder like this, but slowly it morphed into endearment. The process wasn't easy, and for the most part, unforgiving. But now it felt like it was step-by-step going in the right direction.
Calmly without Cinder's knowing, Ruby lifted her head off of the warm comfort of Cinder's shoulder, and met perpendicular gaze with her. The older girl took notice and quickly turned away. As if hiding something.
She was too slow however, as the sunlight gleamed on her pale cheeks as she turned, reflecting lines of tears that felt like burning strikes in Ruby's sterling eyes.
Tentatively, she reahced out a bare palm. Placing it on the sharp shoulder of Cinder's jacket and trying to get her to turn back.
"Cinder... it's alright I'm here." Ruby said, with a hushed charm. "It's... always okay to cry a little."
"I-It's not..." A cold reply came. "Ruby it's not alright."
Cinder shuffled over and looked to Ruby, eyes pooled with unshed tears. Immediately the crimsonette was alert.
"D-Do you know h-how much it h-hurts? H-How much it h-hurts if I hadn't of met y-you? O-Of what things would be..." the ebony-haired girl sobbed out, hands trembling in fear.
Ruby felt her heart rate rise tenfold, her body almost cramping. Her mind stumbled for words, all but internally damning herself for her inability to react in these sudden situations.
"I'll always be here. Okay?" Ruby pulled her sleeve out from her jacket and wiped Cinder's tears away, "I'm here." She repeated. She would repeat it a thousand times to just put Cinder at ease.
There was so much more Ruby wanted to say, to express. She wasn't just 'there'. She's a part of Cinder. She wanted to shout out how she loves and cares for her. How far she'd go just to prove those things. How much of an amazing and beautiful person Cinder is. But for now, her awkwardness only alloted for another meek, "I'm here." To leave her lips. Despite it all, Cinder coughed on a sob and smiled. Giving Ruby a light embrace to show some form of thanks.
"Thanks, Red." Cinder hummed.
"Anytime, Cinnamon."
Cinder hastily pulled back at the utterance of 'Cinnamon', "W-What'd you just call me?" She said with an awry smile.
"It's uh, nickname?" Came the meek reply.
Cinder cleared her face and cackled with a soft hum, "You need to work on your nicknames, Red." She partly teased.
Ruby blushed and turned away, feeling silly. "How about Cindy?"
"God, no."
"Cinny?"
"Nuh-uh."
"Maroony?"
"Haha, what?" Cinder followed with more laughter. She pulled up from the park bench and slowly stepped away, cackling more and more.
"Hottie!?" Ruby called out to her, earning odd stares from some adults passing by. She bound up from the bench to catch Cinder. "Sweetie!?" She shouted again, smiling as she could clearly see Cinder was laughing too.
Seeing as she was going to be ignored, Ruby glanced down to a decent sized snowbank to her left, and in one fellow swoop; effectively scooped up a handful of packing snow and lobbed it at Cinder. Hitting the ebony-haired girl directly on her right shoulder.
Ruby cringed, wishing she hadn't done that. She watched with care as the latter girl halted, turned around, and gawked as she dashed for a snowbank too. Scooping up an even larger snowball and hucking it at Ruby, giggling all the while.
The cold projectile exploded on her arm, but that didn't stop her from getting another one and tossing it back with a sudden strength. Ruby missed, and Cinder took the opportunity to run at the scarlet-clad girl. As she ran she scooped up as much snow as her arms could carry, and charged at Ruby. Before the crimsonette could even follow up; Cinder dumped the massive heap on her head, making Ruby's red coat glitter with snow.
"Pfftt, Okay!" Ruby laughed while shaking off the snow, "You, pfft, win."
Cinder's ears picked up the sound of a quick win, smiling she continued to walk forward. Triumphantly so. Unbeknownst to her, Ruby was grinning too.
The redhead stealthily formed three small snowballs in her hands and stalked close behind Cinder. When it seemed like the ebony-haired girl's guard was down, she sprinted up behind her, pulled back her collar and dumped the snow down the back of her shirt.
"Ahh!" Cinder shrieked, jumping forward and fanning her back, "Fine, you win, Red, c-call me whatever you w-want!" She said, shivering. Repeatedly tapping her back to get the bitter-cold snow out.
"Heh... sorry." Ruby muttered, still she was grinning in victory, "Sorry -Cinduh."
The ebony-haired girl stalled and glared at Ruby. An incredulous look gracing her features.
"Too far?" The girl muttered.
Cinder nodded, "I'll give you twenty-four hours to figure out a good nickname. If you don't before then; none at all."
"Deal." Ruby accepted.
"Now-" Cinder outstretched her hand, inviting Ruby to hold it. The crimson teen gleefully obliged and entwined their cold fingers together, "Where would you like to go?"
"Y-Your place? I-I'm kinda cold now." Ruby followed her reply by placing her head on Cinder's warm shoulder.
"Sure."
Cinder purposely kept her reply short. Really she wanted to nearly suffocate Ruby with her affection. Ruby was gifted. A true angel at heart. Always knowing when, and how to cheer anyone up. She loves it. She loves her. And never wants moments like these to end.
######
As early evening arrived, the duo arrived back at Cinder's place, glad to find it still empty. Ruby was the first to step inside, shrugging out of her jacket and tossing it over the couch. Cinder followed by doing much the same, kicking off her salt-stained boots and pacing over to the kitchen.
"Drink?" She called over her shoulder, already reaching the fridge. Instead of answering, Ruby simply walked over and stood behind Cinder, both of them eyeing the contents of the refrigerator.
"Wow, there's like one of everything in here." A stunned Ruby said.
"Blame Mercury and his idiocy, he buys something, forgets he has it, then buys something else. I'll just start calling out what there is, and you tell me yes or no."
Ruby nodded, "Sounds sound."
"Iced tea?"
"Nah."
"Soy Milk?"
"No."
"Juice box?"
Ruby pondered that one, feeling a little childish, "Definitely."
Cinder turned around, "Guess I'll have one too."
The crimsonette tried not to giggle, "Don't you feel... I don't know, kiddish?"
"More or less, but Mercury's the one who likes them, so I couldn't care less. Now, c'mon, I got something I think... you might like." Cinder emphasized the word like with a wink, making Ruby blush and nearly drop her drink. She followed Cinder into the living room, and the ebony-haired girl forced her to sit down on the couch dramatizing her every move.
"What're you do-ing..." Ruby trailed off as Cinder neared. The ebony-haired girl leant forward, her knees slipping on either side of Ruby's, slowly sliding forward. She tossed her hair back and smiled at her effective straddle.
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Well, i-it looks like y-you're trying to kiss me?"
'Nice one Ruby, real smooth.'
"Very good." Cinder licked her lips. She placed both palms on Ruby's shoulders and forced her to settle deeper into the soft plush of the couch. One hand holding her down, an the other now cupping her hot cheek. With reduced speed, their lips met, and Ruby could feel that all too familiar tingle in the air. Each kiss with Cinder always felt like the first time. Always amazing and never redundant.
"You're... pretty... sweet." Cinder alliterated through the kiss, still forcing Ruby down.
"Mmnnhhgg..." Came Ruby's garbled reply. She hadn't been given a chance to speak, not with Cinder scraping her tongue over her teeth.
The crimsonette always loved the aggressive side of Cinder, but today she wanted to try her own thing. With their lips still locked; Ruby jostled to the side, foricng Cinder to lose the grip on her shoulder. Ruby mimicked the same action, practically slapping her open palm on Cinder's shoulder and twisting both their bodies around. Cinder's back landed by the armrest, eyes blinking at the sudden change of positions.
"Trying something new?" Cinder innocently asked.
"Y-Yes?"
"I'm waiting..." Cinder mused.
'She's too adorable to be the dominant one.'
With a confidence that'd yet to be mastered, the redhead loomed down onto Cinder, sharing soft much more gentle lip locking. Still Cinder wouldn't let her effort slip away. She caressed the sides of Ruby's thin waistline, hands going up past her ribs and hooking around her shoulders forcing Ruby to nearly go limp on top of her.
"No fair." Ruby whined removing her lips from Cinder's. She played into the girl's hand and really did go limp. Plainly laying on top of her.
Cinder tried not to laugh, "Giving up so soon?"
"Hmph." Ruby pouted, "I'll just stay here all day."
"That's alright, we'll just watch TV." The latter girl replied. She pulled her arm out, her hand searching for the remote.
"Looking for this?" Ruby displayed the remote. Waving it around to addle Cinder some more.
"Hand it over." The ebony-haired girl reahced up, but Ruby's 'placement' made her arm unable to bend to reach for it.
"No." Ruby said playfully, hoisting the remote higher.
Forming a quick plan, Cinder made a soft grin. She snaked her fingers along Ruby's right side, reaching the hem of her shirt, she paused. "Can I have it now?"
"N-No."
"Hm," Cinder tutted. Diligent fingers raised the side of her shirt, stopping at the pale inner curve of her abdomen.
"Now?"
"..."
Cinder took the silence as her final motive, her dexterous fingers traced the soft skin, and a mere second later, Ruby began choking back laughter. Cinder went further, tickling Ruby's side until the girl couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Ah! Okay, ahahah! Cinder s-s-stop! You, aha! W-Win." The crimsonette cackled, Cinder didn't remove her hand until she saw the remote slip from Ruby's faltering grasp. It landed on the floor, and Cinder internally glowered. The thin piece of plastic now out of reach.
"Ha-ha! You lose." Ruby ceased her laughter and went limp again. Still not letting Cinder get up. She started to laugh again, at the near pout Cinder had put on, "Are you... pouting? Ruby mocked.
"No..."
"You are~"
"In your dreams."
"Fine. If you're that mad I'll get off of you."
Cinder rolled her eyes and avoided looking at her. Ruby did as she said and rolled off, setting herself down on the floor, then standing up. When she did so, she tossed the remote to Cinder.
"Here." Her tone was still triumphant.
"Hm," Cinder grinned, "I don't feel like TV anymore."
Ruby dropped the remote, giving the grinning Cinder an incredulous look, "Really? You'll let all that effort go to waste?"
"Who said I'm letting it go to waste?" Cinder winked and pulled herself up. Ruby made a groan that sounded like a growl, glaring at her sly girlfriend.
"Can't you just let me win?" She whined.
"Maybe..." The ebony-haired girl mused, "Maybe not."
"Whatever. Is there anything to eat? I'm starving." Ruby spoke, now wanting to switch subjects.
Cinder slipped her phone out of her pocket, "We could order pizza?"
"With what on it?" Ruby proposed.
"How about a bunch of toppings that's really bad for us?"
"I like that idea."
Cinder started punching in a number, "It's settled then."
As Cinder placed their order, Ruby sat back on the couch and contentedly watched Cinder pace around the room on her phone. Funny to think that not even twelve hours ago she was splaying a difficult story about her brother. The turnaround in her emotions was all Ruby needed to know that things are okay. Still, the fallout from such a story guilted her into thinking about other things. Despite being there, and helping when she could, Ruby hadn't really told Cinder things she wanted to tell her months ago.
About Summer.
Even thinking about it pushed her close to sorrow. The negative and positive memories shared an even take of her mind, but all of it she wants Cinder to know. It didn't feel right though. To burden Cinder with even more emotions. Ruby knows she's far from being a burden towards Cinder, but her own stubbornness held onto such outlooks. Remnants from who she used to be.
It poked and prodded at her. For some time since Cinder's revelation almost a month prior. More so because the red-letter day of Summer's death was coming up in just two weeks. A day Ruby had never attended, a day she spent alone in her room secluded from everyone else.
Maybe this time she would go. And not be alone.
Ruby shook the idea off, keeping it present, but not the focus. Her focus was to spend the rest of the evening with the oh-so beautiful girl next to her.
It wasn't before long that the pizza had arrived, with the fee paid and the delivery guy waved off, Cinder brought the pie into the living room. The two of them opened the box together, eyeing the steaming hot pepperoni-laden pizza before them.
"After you."
Cinder grabbed the first slice, "Oh you're too kind." She bit down on the greasy piece, "It's good."
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Ruby held back a laugh, poking fun at Cinder.
The older girl licked her lips and swallowed, "Might as well. It'll leave a nice taste for you when we kiss later."
"I... don't know what to say to that."
"That's what I was going for." Cinder got her last words in. Ruby simmered down and ate in silence. Call it a gift, but Cinder really knows how to shut someone up. Be it nicely or harshly -she could always find a way.
Hours later, into late evening, Ruby and Cinder still remained on the couch. After pizza, they settled on watching some Netflix original series with all the lights out. Cinder sat upright on the far left of the couch, with Ruby splayed out next to her. The crimsonette's head resting on her lap.
Cinder calmly played with the tips of Ruby's tresses, eyes focused on the screen before them. Unbeknownst to the ebony-haired girl, Ruby had drifted off into a light slumber. Dreaming a dream that had never come before.
######
"Yay! You're back!"
Two small grocery bags in hand, Summer wasn't even given a second before her daughter leapt off the couch and wrapped her the biggest embrace her compact size could offer. She set both bags down and planted a small kiss on Ruby's forehead.
"You stayed out of trouble?" Summer smiled down to Ruby, clad in her favorite choice of clothing -a pink, almost white, sundress. For one reason or another; Ruby always loved wearing them. Said she seen the models on TV wear them and wanted to be just like them.
Young Ruby brushed her black bangs away and gave her a small salute, "Yep!" She followed with a toothy grin. Silently, she watched her mother ponder for a reply, silver eyes looking into those of Summer's, which were a carbon-copy in terms of color. Her face had a sharp, but calming complexion. With onyx hair that faded to a deep gray at the edges and cream colored skin.
"You were fine all by yourself?"
"It was only ten minutes!"
Summer laughed, and Ruby did too, "Hm, that's what I wanted to hear." Summer shrugged out of her spring jacket and set it on a rung just to the left of the front door. Her shoes came next, gently slipping out of them and setting them on a tack inside the foyer closet. The rest of her outfit consisted of a cozy red blouse that flowed at the edges, with dark dress pants on underneath.
Most mothers would think twice about leaving their daughters home alone, but Ruby was more than trustworthy and capable. Pretty remarkable for someone shy of seven years old. She had been left alone so Summer could make a quick trip to the store to pick up ingredients for today's festivities.
It was a rainy spring afternoon in Vale, the soothing pitter-patter of rain tapped on the roof, with the occasional 'swoosh' of a passing car in the background. Normally, Summer would be outside. Spending the afternoon in the comfort of the fresh spring air, with Ruby at her side. The rain voided such plans, so the usual 'rain protocol' was put into place.
Ruby loved the 'rain protocol'. Especially today when it was just her and Summer. The protocol consisted of one simple thing: if it rains on a Saturday, they'd get to bake cookies together. Simple as that. It was just the two of them, as her father Taiyang had taken Yang out to who knows where.
"Probably the arcade." Summer mused, "He likes being there just as much as she does."
Wherever they may be; Summer knew they're having fun, and she was okay with that. Evident early on with both her daughters, she could already tell who took after who more. Yang was much like her father, and Ruby was the spitting-image of herself. Only younger. Full of energy and ready to take on any task.
As Summer took a step forward into the hallway that led to the kitchen, Ruby copied her moves. Her arms tucked behind her back, giving Summer an innocent grin. The woman decided to play a game with her. Instead of continuing, she took one step forward, then two steps back. Still Ruby followed. Once she went to take another step; Summer growled and lunged out at her.
"Ahh!" Ruby screeched and giggled, taking off down the hallway.
Already feeling at home, Summer grabbed the grocery bags and cut through the modest living room next to the kitchen. She met up with Ruby, who was already sitting at the dining table, random sheets of paper and crayons scattered around her. The young girl perked up when she heard Summer enter the room.
"Mommy! Look what I drew," She jumped down from the bar-height chair and hoisted a drawing up as high as her small arm could go.
Summer set the bags on the counter and took the drawing from her hand, she scanned over it. A simple drawing of what looked like the sun, some grass, blue sky, and a small brown house all drawn with bright pastel colors. Summer raised an eyebrow, not entirely understanding it, "What is this supposed to be Ruby?"
"It's Summer! Like you!" She cheered, almost immediately falling into a laughing fit.
Summer joined in, "Well its very nice." She placed the drawing back on the table, "We'll put it on the fridge later, but for now-" She turned back to the bags on the counter, rummaging through one of them; she produced a bag of chocolate chips, "-who's ready to bake?"
"Me! Me!" Ruby cheered even louder. Running over to the counter. She stood on the tips of her toes to try and reach for one of the bags, "I wanna help!"
"Well, I need something to mix in, there should be a bowl in the cupboard over there," Summer pointed to a cupboard door next to the ones underneath the kitchen sink.
"Okay!" Ruby dashed around the kitchen island and met the cupboard door, she opened it and grabbed the first bowl she saw. "Got it!" She ran back to the island and set it on top. "Is that good?"
"Perfect." Summer nodded. She removed the contents of each bag and got right down to business. She wasn't going to deny it, baking with Ruby was one of her most cherishable acts. Yang had enjoyed it too, but her excitement couldn't compare to that of Ruby's. Maybe it was because she saw more of herself in Ruby. Still, it's was days like these where she was glad the weather wasn't favorable, and she could spend as much time as she wanted, doing exactly what she wanted.
She preheated the stainless steel oven and twisted back to the kitchen island. "First ingredient is-" She turned to Ruby, holding a whisk like it was a microphone.
"Flour!"
"Excellent, then-"
"Uhh..."
"Baking..."
"Soda!"
"And..."
"Cookies?"
Summer chortled, "No those come last Ruby. Next is, baking powder."
"Uh-huh." Ruby nodded. She placed her palms on the island counter to try and see the mixing action, being to short to actually get a decent view.
"Here," Summer dragged a chair next to her for Ruby to sit in, "Better?"
"Yep."
"Okay, how many eggs do we need?"
The dark-haired girl made a face full of thought, "T-Two?"
"Good, now how much sugar?" She raised an eyebrow, almost as if she was testing her.
"The whole bag!" She shouted, reaching out for said bag.
"No no, only half a cup, remember? Silly."
Ruby made an odd face, "I'm silly!" She proclaimed.
The woman merely laughed at her daughters behavior, she threw in the remaining ingredients and began whisking them together. Ruby watched with wonder, loving every minute of her time with her mother.
Once the viscosity of the ingredients in the bowl were just right, she added in the chips and gave it one last stir.
"Ruby, you remeber where the foil is?"
Ruby nodded excitedly and left her chair, she reached the dining table again and grabbed the foil she had grabbed earlier, "I got it while you were gone, see?"
"Prepared are we?"
"Uh-huh." The girl smiled and resumed her previous spot.
Summer laid out the foil on a tray and immediately began placing small bits if the dough on it. When the tray was full, she paced over to the oven, and slid the tray in, smiling as it was already at optimal temperature.
"And for the finale; how long do they stay in for?" She held out the dough covered whisk to Ruby.
"Ten to Twelve months." Ruby proclaimed.
Summer almost dropped the whisk from laughter, "No silly. Minutes not months, you don't want to wait a whole year, do you?"
"No, that's for-ever!" The young girl erratically waved her arms.
"Ten minutes it is then." Summer nodded, and Ruby did too.
Those ten minutes felt like ten seconds. Ruby and Summer did a qucik clean up in that time, and now found themselves ready to take the deliciously-scented treats from the oven.
Summer slipped on an oven-mitt, she opened the oven and in one swift move, removed the tray and set it the counter next to it. "There," she stated. "Now remeber Ruby the tray is really hot so... don't... touch..." The woman trailed off. She looked over her shoulder, only to see no one. She swivled around, seeing Ruby at the tray. But it was too late, the girls hand brushed over the searing metal, "Ouch!" The girl reeled back, "Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!" Jerking her hand back and forth.
Summer was quickly at her daughters side. The girl's lip trembled, tears ready to shed. "It hurts." She moaned.
"C'mere," Summer picked Ruby up and set her on the counter by the sink, she took the girls hand and ran it under cold water to avoid blistering.
"Ruby I told you, you need to-"
"I'm s-sorry!" Ruby embraced her mother, wet hand and all. "I d-didn't m-mean t-to!"
"Hey, shh, don't be sorry. You were just excited is all." Summer hushed her, fully returning the hug.
"B-But-"
Summer let Ruby go, "Shh, it's fine. Just promise me you won't do that again?"
"I-I promise."
She gently grabbed Ruby's hand, "Does it still hurt?"
"A little. B-But like Dad always says, I'm a trooper!"
Summer, set Ruby back down, "You and your sister. Now how about those cookies, hm?"
"Yay!" Ruby's cheer was back in an instant. She took her spot at the table again and waited for Summer to dish out the treats. She was happy. Happy that she really did have the best mother in the world.
To which Summer always agreed to.
######
Silver eyes fluttered open. Still a little mesmerized, Ruby looked forward, coming in contact with the the soft glow of the TV. Without moving, she glanced up, using her peripheral vision to see Cinder's face still focused on whatever show that was on.
Ruby still didn't feel quite aware.
The dream...
"What was that...?"
the crimsonette wasn't exactly sure. Not once since Summer's passing had there been a positive dream about her. It was always the same reoccurring one. About how she died and the negative impact it had on her. But not this time.
Baking was the fondest memory she had of Summer. The dream was so vivid it almost seemed... real.
Ruby gave it deeper thought, placing the motive for such a dream on Cinder.
Maybe it was a sign. A sign that things would finally be okay.
A single tear slipped from Ruby's eye. She remembered a night like this from many months ago. When she ran from Cinder out of fear for not telling the truth about Summer. It was dejavu, but only to a certain extent. This time she didn't run; and instead she nuzzled closer to the ebony-haired beauty, feeling and overwhelming amount of comfort radiating from Cinder's body.
"Thanks Cinder." Ruby whispered with a gentle smile.
"Hm? Did you say something?" Cinder's saffron eyes glanced down at her.
"No, nothing at all."
######
Two weeks had come and went, and the day Ruby hated most throughout the year, was tomorrow. A Sunday of all days.
Ruby had been pondering her decision all week, she still doesn't want to go on Sunday, but she had a surefire plan for today. She wanted to go, but not alone. She promised Summer she'd come back -and this time not alone.
There was some guilt however.
She hadn't told Cinder.
Of course Cinder knew about Summer's passing, but that was about it. Nothing about who she was, what she looked like, nothing.
Ruby hoped to change that this evening. Cinder had shared enough, and now it was her turn. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
Currently she and Cinder were walking to the cemetery resting a decent distance from where they lived. They drove most of the way, but Ruby insisted on parking the car in a random lot and walking the remaining mile and a half.
They strode in silence. Ruby, clad in black jeans and a red hoodie, was a step ahead of Cinder, who was dressed in soft orange jeans and her Signal-High girls Volleyball sport coat.
The ebony-haired girl felt uneasy. Ruby's request to come her had been nearly out of the blue, but deep down she knew why. Most likely to see her mother. Cinder wasn't exactly sure as to why, but she'd stay by Ruby's side through this.
It was evening in Vale. The sun riding on the horizon and painting the sky a dull orange. The ground was wet from melting snow, and a fresh breeze blew around them.
Suddenly, Ruby stopped ahead of her. "Cinder?"
"Yes?"
"Remember how we said no secrets?"
"I do."
"I... want to show you... something." Ruby tried not to sound sullen.
Cinder met Ruby and placed a hand on her shoulder, "And you don't have to if you don't want to. Remember?"
"No, I... think this is a good thing."
"It's about your Mom, isn't it?" Cinder whispered, already knowing the truth.
Ruby took Cinder by the hand, but didn't give her an answer. Truthfully it wasn't just about Summer, there was one final burden she wanted to rid herself of.
Their walk took up another fifteen minutes, and finally they had come to their destination. The same place Ruby was forced to come to weeks before. The first time in years.
For Cinder it was new. Not the same cemetery Roman was laid to rest in! this one was much more serene and quiet.
They paced hand-in-hand to one plot in particular. A stone spread far from the others reading:
"Summer Rose/Thus Kindly I Scatter".
Cinder felt the grip on her hand tighten before slipping away entirely. Ruby stepped forward, tears already pooling in her eyes.
"H-Hey." She whispered.
Cinder met Ruby's side, still remaining silent.
"I wanted you to meet her," Ruby said, turning to Cinder, "I promised."
The ebony-haired girl didn't know how to react. Her own trips to visit Roman usually had her feeling more confused and upset than normal. But here, she was showcased in a completely different manner.
"I'm Cinder." Was all she spoke.
"She's the one I told you about Mom, the one I'm in love with? I-I said I'd come back." Ruby choked out. It was too much for her to handle again. She backed towards Cinder and buried her face in the taller girl's shoulder, sobbing softly.
"I came back..." She muttered.
Cinder stroked Ruby's hair, an attempt to hush her. Ruby pulled back, clearing her eyes with her sleeve. "T-This is the s-second time I've come to see her since she..." The crimsonette took in a shaky breath, "S-Since she passed. T-Tomorrow makes it the ninth year..."
Cinder went to embrace her again, Ruby more than obliged, sobbing softly into Cinder's shoulder. Not out of sorrow or regret, but rather the joy of seeing a promise to her mother actually fall through.
"Ruby..." Cinder hushed, "What have I always told you?"
"I..."
"I'm not going anywhere, okay? I just want you to know that."
"I-I know. A-And I love you." Ruby held on tighter.
"I do too."
The scarlet-clad girl shifted around so she stood parallel to Cinder. Her head resting on the girls shoulder. They both faced the grave.
"She was really awesome y'know." Ruby spoke up. "Always there. Always going out of her way to spend time with me and Yang. Even when we did the dumbest stuff, she was always there."
Even though Cinder's recollection when it came to a motherly figure wasn't really strong, Ruby's words really sunk in. A mix between what she never had, and what she always dreamed when it came to the mother she always wanted.
"I bet she was."
Ruby sighed, "I... did a lot of stupid... shit, after she passed. I wasn't myself anymore. Did I ever tell you why my hair is the way it is?"
Cinder shook her head, oddly that wasn't something she bothered to ask, "No, you haven't."
"I did as a memory for her. Her favorite color was crimson, so when I got old enough, I dyed it. Still do. But there was something else..." Ruby rolled up her sleeve, Cinder raised an eyebrow.
"When I got older, I started to blame myself for it. Didn't even leave my room, didn't eat or sleep, I just stayed there. I pushed everyone who cared about me away. Yang, my Dad, and three small group of friends I had. I started to feel numb, so I turned to hurting myself..."
Ruby stepped back and grabbed some snow from a nearby bank, she let it melt in her hand and used the runoff to rinse her right wrist off. The skin faded to a lighter pink, with lines hashed every which way.
Cinder almost choked, "Ruby... I..."
"Never noticed? I always hid it with makeup, I d-didn't want you to know... I thought if I told you too soon you'd think I was a freak and leave." Ruby pulled her sleeve back down.
"You're not Ruby. It doesn't matter, see?" Cinder gestured around them, "See? Nothing matters. We're here, together. You and me."
"T-Thanks, Cinder. Thank y-you so m-much..." Ruby latched onto Cinder again, trying not to cry. Cinder did however. Crying softly at having someone like Ruby in her arms. Someone who would go this far to show how much she cares. Go through emotional hell and then back again.
"T-There's one more thing..." The crimsonette let Cinder go, wiping her tears and those of Cinder, away. She dug into her pocket, and produced the burden she wanted to throw to the wind.
"This... was the knife I did it with. I..." the blade glinted in the dying sunlight. Ruby fiddled with it, flicking the blade in and out.
"Want to get rid of it?"
"Yes."
"Why don't we wait a bit. Let's just wait here."
Ruby leaned against Cinder again, "Sure."
"Thanks, Cinder..."
This was the way things were meant to be. There was loss and gain, and for the first time in a long time, Ruby really did feel okay.
######
When the sun had set, Ruby returned to the silver sedan. Cinder stood roughly fifty feet down the road. By this time the roads were dead, making what they were about to do, completely possible.
She said she wanted to get rid of it, and this was probably the best way. In the distance she could see Cinder set the closed switchblade on the road, and with a wave, gave Ruby the signal.
The crimsonette slammed the gas pedal. The tires screeched and the car took off. Cinder watched from the curb as Ruby drove the car right over the knife, shattering it's plasic enclosure with an audible 'crack'. She slammed the brakes and pulled the car to a stop. Before Cinder joined her, she kicked the remains of the blade into a nearby sewer grate. Grinning triumphantly, the ebony-haired girl ran to the car and traded places with Ruby. When the crimsonette got in beside her, they shared a quick kiss.
"No more?" Ruby pondered.
"No more." Cinder responded, giving Ruby another peck on the cheek before easing the car away.
"No more..."
A/N This was kinda a mixed bag if you ask me, but still, I like how it turned out. Facing more problems but inevitably beating them. Unfortunately there's only three chapters to this fic left! And I'm probably gonna cry when I see it go.
You and your support is utmost amazing. Thanks for reading, and if I don't update next week? Go ahead and call me a loser, lol.
Thanks again!