Ruby

Penned by Katie, 23.

Miss you again...

Ruby sat at the edge of the bed, slowly rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Ambrose had been working the late shifts again. By the time he came home each night, Ruby had already fallen asleep. By the time Ruby awoke in the morning, Ambrose was too tired to even greet her. 

Their love had been tested over the years, they both knew that. The trials and tribulations of a siren and a werewolf. Tested over and over again by countless curses yet here they were, living a rather mundane life, working jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over their head. Not much had changed, it just seemed that in this land, nothing was trying to kill them. 

Yet now, as Ruby stretched, turning over to see her lover sound asleep on the bed next to her, she gave a soft smile. Her first instance had been to pick up the book by the side of the bed, gently turning the pages in the late morning light while she scanned across the words. 

After maybe an hour or two of reading, Ruby gave in, placing the book on the nightstand before sleepily stumbling towards the bathroom to start her day. She took care in how much noise she made, trying to brush her teeth and wash her face silently, cursing the pipes for banging as she turned on the taps. 

Returning back to their bed, she began brushing her hair, glancing down at her sleeping partner to ensure he was still breathing. The clock showed 13:00. She knew Ambrose had probably drifted off to sleep around 5am, so she took less care in how much noise she made this time round. Placing a wash on, turning the kettle on before returning back to bed beside him. Ambrose seemed to sleep through it all.

Ruby cursed herself for not waking him sooner, but as the day grew, and the time ticked away, she knew she would have less and less time to spend with him before he trotted back off to work again. Bringing the man a brew, she gently woke him with kisses, knowing it would be just over an hour until he had to leave for work again. 

Ambrose groggily woke, accepting the brew with a grin on his face while sitting himself up in their bed. Ruby snuggled closer to him as he turned the tv on, flicking through a few channels before settling on the news and weather forecast for the day. 

Ruby had been dressed for hours; hair brushed, makeup done, she had even made herself a little bit of breakfast. Although she felt well accomplished for a day off, completing the washing that needed doing and even taking a quick stroll down to the harbor and back, something in her mind felt empty. As if she was missing something majorly from her life.  

It was at this moment Ambrose had jumped up to begin getting ready for his next shift, pulling a towel from the linen closet before jumping in a quick shower. 

Ruby took this chance to change the bedding, trying to complete the task as quickly as possible to ensure Ambrose would have somewhere to get dressed once he had showered himself. Ruby had even got out his general hygiene products to ensure he could get ready with ease. 

Once the pipes had stopped banging, Ambrose stepped out of the bathroom, the steam surrounding him as his floppy wet locks stuck to the sides of his face. 

In passing, he had offered Ruby a forehead kiss, making her smile and blush slightly as he began to get ready. 

The sight of ice that had strewn itself across the fence outside had caused Ruby to pull her hair dryer out of the closet, patting the bed to have her other half sit in front of her while she attempted to remove some of the dampness before he had to leave for work. 

Ambrose had pulled his shoes and jacket on, kissing Ruby three times across her face and quickly ran out the door, keys in hand, to get to work on time. 

Once the door had shut, the silence filled their little apartment once more. Sitting cross legged on the bed, Ruby felt a tear drop down her face. 

It had been weeks since she had last properly seen her partner. Their shifts never quite aligned with each other well enough for them to spend any real time together. Yes, maybe Ruby would wake when Ambrose crept in the shallow hours of the morning, giving them an hour together before the tiredness overcomes Ruby once again, sending her back into a deep slumber, ready for her to wake the next morning for her shift. Or occasionally on their opposing days off, their paths would cross for a few more hours before one of them would fall sound asleep, separating them once more. 

Frustration began building up in Ruby. What could she do? Who could she talk to about this? How could she tell him that she was unhappy…

Ruby pushed the thought from her mind. In her absent minded moments, she had picked her nail beds raw, the smell of blood panging her senses as she walked to the bathroom to wash it away from her hands. 

Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her puffy red eyes and tear soaked cheeks seemed to shine on her face. She wanted to scream and cry at herself, tell her she was stupid for feeling this way, neither of them had control over their shifts. Neither of them had been in any position to quit their jobs, or find something that suited the two of them best. Ambrose had been in so many jobs over the last few months, it made her heart happy when he came home smiling to tell her about his day. Yet, in the back of her mind, she had hated where he had gone. How it seemed to get in between them when she needed him more than ever. The stench of his jacket when he came home from work. 

Tears began again, this time she watched it as it rolled down her cheeks, reaching for her phone as she opened Ambrose’s name. “Gods..” she sighed, placing it back down on the side. What could she say? ‘I need you to quit your job because I am sad?’ ‘I need you to be here for me’ ‘I need you…’ 

What if… What if they could go back to how they were, when they were first together. Working together, always in the same place, always completing the same kind of work. Always within arms reach.

@itlurkswithin

What if? Red never approached the devilish stranger in the bar…

Working a night shift in the tavern had always been one of Red’s least favourite past times. The odd gentleman would arrive, catch her eye for a few moments then they would disappear with one of the other girls within the bar area.

Red had seldom let herself bask in the thought of fornication before marriage, Granny had always been very stern on that matter and would she be damned if she ever broke the Rule.

Damned. The very definition of the word was her. The unfortunate gift of shapeshifting had been passed onto her from her parents. It often caused a ruckus within her life. For example, this evening Red knew she would have to sneak out for a few hours, fill all the cups with ale, borrow a man to take to a room then hop out the window once they passed out on the bed.

It was the only way she could have some peace during wolfstime.

Red had already chosen a man for the night, one she could get drunk enough to leave before things got too serious. A lonely man, sparkling eyes, shaggy blond hair and a beautiful smile. He would do perfectly, she thought.

Yet Killian Jones seemed to have other plans for her, he knew of her little secret and often helped with her nightly escapes when she needed it the most. This time he needed a favour.

Catching her off guard, he took her by the arm, earning a stern look from the girl, and pulled her to the side.

“Red,” he sung, donning a mischievous smile. “Fancy another night together?” a small wink followed his words, offering Red the chance to roll her eyes before returning the favour.

“And what will it be tonight Captain? On the house or with silver?” Red had done this many times before, his protection for hers. Usually all he wanted was for her to spy on a blonde lady on the other side of the castle walls. One she could get close to as a consort for the Queen. But today, she could feel the bloodlust coarse through his veins, the hunger that painted his eyes though he tried to mask it so eloquently with that devilish smile.

“Should we go somewhere more… Private?”

A pang of guilt shot through her heart as Jones gestured his hands, bringing her attention once more to the cloaked figure in the corner. “Of course, Captain.” she nodded, “Let me finish my duties here first and then-”

“We must go now,” he shot, almost taking Red by surprise. “There is no time to dilly dally.” his face relaxed, blinking away the urgency. “What I have to propose to you is time sensitive, as you very well know.”

The air round the tavern had become cool; she knew the sun was close to setting, the familiar shiver was sent racing down her spine. “Very well.” she nodded, placing her jug down between his men, taking the hook within her hand and pulling him to the usual room they occupied.

It had only taken them a few strides, watching as all eyes rested upon the two as she led him away. There had been much speculation that the relationship between the Captain and Barmaid grew beyond the depths of prostitution. Yet today had been the first time in a while she had felt guilty for leaving too early, like she had been robbed of something she scarcely knew existed.

The door creaked shut behind them, ensuring they giggled much before both plopping down next to each other on the bed. “What is the plan for today?” Red had turned to him slightly, pulling her dress to allow for more movement.

“I need you to kill someone.”

Red stopped, shocked at his words. “Killian that was not in our agreement.”

“I know,” he added “But Red, I beg you. They are more of a monster than you and me together.” As he spoke he took her hands within his, a pitiful plea resting upon his face. “Please, Red. Please.”

Taking a moment to process his words, a concerned look washed over her face. “You know i can not kill him, Rumplestiltskin is too strong for me.”

Killian shook his head, releasing her hands and standing away from where she perched, placing his thumb and forefinger upon his temple. “It is not him i wish to see dead, not today anyway. This man.. This-this Beast!”

“Killian!” Red snarled, disappointment lacing itself upon her features. “There are no Beasts in this world.”

“I am sorry Red, I mean no offence.” He shook his head once more, taking a seat across the room from her.

“Who are they?”

Killian held his hands before her. “A creature from the deepest darkest depths of the ocean.” He tensed as he spoke, as if reliving a memory he was too afraid to speak of. “Their eyes darker than the ocean floor. Seeping into our society, pretending to be one of us.”

“Oh, Killian.” Ruby mumbled, shaking her head. “And do you believe me to be the same? An imposter that is trying to ruin a bloodline, create more monsters in her wake!?” Red had stood, taking a few steps to come closer before crouching before him. “Tell me more about them. Are you sure there is nothing I can do to take away this tempted fate of yours?”

The Captain looked down to where she had perched. “I will take you to see him. You are already in his trance, it seems.

“There is no time, wolfstime is upon us. I will not make it to a safe distance before I-”

“Oh to Hell with it!” Killian rose again, nearly unbalancing Red from where she perched. “Red, I beg of you to help me put an end to this creature's life. Even your Granny agrees. They are nothing but trouble!”

“Granny put you up to this?” Red stood now, her voice raised as a look of betrayal shot towards the man.

“Of course she did not! I know nothing of this species, I had to talk to someone and your Grandmother knows more than any. She has witnessed their wrath first hand. And so have you!” Killian had raised his voice, pacing before her like a man on a mission. “He killed your father.”

The words struck Red deep within her heart, almost causing her to fall back upon herself. “How do you know about my Father?” Killian stood before her, holding a hand to his mouth as if he had stepped out of line before his time. “Killian, my father was killed by hunters when I was a baby. Granny has always told me this. Her son was murdered by a silver tipped dagger. It is common knowledge.”

“No, no, NO! Red do you not see? These lies are here to protect you from yourself, they were made to protect you from your Mother but see how that ended? You buried her not far from here, no? I know things My dear friend, please, Please! Listen to me.”

Red stood back. Staring at this mad man before her. “Get out.” she spoke, her voice but a mere whisper. “Leave this tavern and do not return until this madness has left your mind.”

Killian stood, swaying gently as if knocked back by a hard wind, his mouth opening to say a word that never arrived. “I’m sorry Red.” His voice was meek now, quieter than before. “But this creature will kill you. Werewolves and Sirens are natural born enemies.” Carefully, he walked towards the door. “I will wait for you to get to a safe distance before I leave. But please think about what I have said.” Killian placed himself in the chair by the door, gesturing to the open window.

“How can I trust a mad man?” Red asked, tears stinging her eyes.

“Ask the cloaked creature downstairs.”