AN: I apologize for being particularly horrible at writing long chapters. Also, Izzie14, I wanted to thank you for the kind reviews. I really appreciate them, so this chapter is dedicated to you!

Enjoy!

The sun streamed in through the window as Ruby opened her eyes. She went to sit up, but felt something blocking her arm. She looked down and saw Belle. Ruby's arms were wrapped around the smaller girl's waist. Whatever she thought as she laid back down. She decided to get more sleep, it was her day off, after all, but just as she was about to, Belle started stirring, and then she opened her eyes. "Morning," Ruby whispered with a smile.

"Morning," Belle giggled.

They laid there quietly for a few minutes, just looking at each other. Belle became more and more amazed with Ruby's eyes, and Ruby was amazed that her heart hadn't exploded yet. Belle realized then, just by looking at Ruby, why she'd been so nervous and excited around her lately. She liked her, and not just in a friend way. She liked her in a relationship way. She wanted to kiss Ruby and go on dates with her and hold her hand. She wanted to snuggle up close to her while they watched a scary movie. She wanted Ruby to look down at her with loving eyes while she squealed and hid her own face in Ruby's neck when the scary parts happened.

Ruby, however, had always known what she had felt for Belle, down to the first moment she saw her. She knew that she wanted to sweep that girl off her feet and kiss her, and she would have done it, too, if it wasn't for Rumple.

Rumple. That asshole. He'd never been good enough for Belle, though neither was Ruby, really, but still. He lied to her and hurt her multiple times. Belle didn't deserve that, she deserved to be loved and to be taken care of. She deserved the world, in Ruby's opinion.

Ruby was about to kiss her, she came dangerously close to, and then Belle's phone started ringing. Ruby could see that it was Rumple calling. What a prick. Belle didn't answer it, though. She just got up and asked if Ruby wanted to walk her back to her apartment so she could change into her own clothes, and then walk her to the library. "Yes," flew out of Ruby's mouth quicker than she intended it to, and she was momentarily stunned, but recovered quickly.

Ruby decided to quickly change clothes first and brush her teeth, and then they left for Belle's apartment. She decided to try something... she brushed her hand against Belle's, and the other girl blushed. Progress, Ruby thought.

When they got to Belle's apartment, she changed fairly fast and got ready, and then they went to the library, Belle wearing Ruby's jacket again. They were both in great moods, that is, until they saw Rumple standing outside the building. "Belle," he said as they approached, eyeing Ruby warily. "I tried to call you."

"Yeah, I know," Belle stated. She glanced at Ruby, silently pleading.

"Look, I... I know I've hurt you, but please, hear me out."

"No," Belle said as she started to unlock the door to the library.

"Look, Belle, I love you. Please," Rumple pleaded.

Belle ignored him and walked inside, followed by Ruby.

"Belle," he tried, but Ruby cut him off.

"Get lost, Rumple. She said she doesn't want to talk to you."

His calm eyes start to light up. "This is none of your business," he growled.

"It is, actually, because she's my friend and you won't leave her alone."

He tried to get past Ruby to reach Belle, but Ruby shoved him back. "Go," she warned.

"You have no involvement in this!" he yelled.

Belle spoke again. "Listen to her, Rumple. I don't want to talk to you. I'm not going to forgive you, so leave."

"But I love you, Belle!"

"If you loved me, you wouldn't have done those horrible things!" Belle shouted with tears in her eyes.

Rumple went to speak, but instead he sighed and walked off. Ruby watched him until he was out of sight, and then turned to Belle, but she wasn't there. "Belle?" she called.

She heard sobs coming from her office, so she ran up to it. Belle was sitting on the couch, tears streaming down her face. Ruby sat next to her and pulled her in for a hug, whispering, "It's okay," multiple times. Belle kept sobbing and apologizing. Ruby cupped her cheeks, making Belle look her in the eye, and said, "It's alright, Belle. He's gone now."

Belle nodded and her sobs slowed. "Th-thanks," she said, still looking into Ruby's eyes.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, and then Belle bit her lip and Ruby started inching closer to her face...

AN: Andddddd cliffhanger! I know, I'm bad, but I have to excite you guys somehow ;). No worries, the next chapter should be up within the next few days, so you won't have to wait long! And, look, this is the longest chapter! Yay!