Aftermath
Ruby Martinez
Prompt: You help Ruby move on after Olivia’s death.
Warnings: S2 spoilers, mentions death, & depression
The night of Olivia’s quince undoubtedly became the most traumatic night of your life when you witnessed your two best friends get shot. There was blood - so much blood - and you can still hear the strangled screams when you close your eyes at night. Upon hearing Olivia died, you broke down into tears, the never ending flow of sorrow returning everyday for weeks on end. However, though her death was devastating, you were beyond grateful to find out that Ruby survived.
You and Ruby were best friends at birth, since your mothers were close when they were younger. The two of you grew up together and you eventually developed a crush on him, though he never reciprocated the feeling. However, you were there for Ruby through it all - helping him plan dates for him and Olivia, along with her quince, perfect his elaborate plan to ask her out, and, eventually, helping him with his depression. He found it hard to grasp that fact that she was really gone, but you were by his side everyday so that he wouldn’t feel lonely.
One night, when the two of you laid side by side watching a movie, he turned to face you, his eyes sporting a sad twinkle. You returned the gaze, pausing the movie. “What’s up?” He shrugged, breaking the eye contact. “It’s just...” he let out a sigh, running a hand over his face, “I miss her so much. I think about her all the time, I don’t know how to keep my mind off of her.” You frowned, placing a comforting hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Ruby. It’s not easy to get over someone’s death - especially someone you loved. Just think about all of the good times you had with her. She was a beautiful girl and everyone knew that.” Ruby nodded, a small, sad smile on his lips. “I know,” he was silent for a minute, clearly deep in thought. “Do you think she would’ve wanted me to, you know ... move on?”
Your head snapped up at his words, confusion clouding your mind. He already had his eyes on someone new? “Well- I mean, yeah. She wanted you to be happy, Ruby, and if moving on makes you happy, then of course.” He nodded, fumbling with the blanket beneath him. Another silence settled itself upon the two of you until Ruby looked at you again a few moments later, biting his lip. “Y/N?”
“Yes, Ruby?” The brunette looked distressed, and the hand that still remained on his shoulder began to rub small circles into his shirt. He relaxed a bit. “I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been here for me since, well, forever. I just couldn’t imagine life without you.” A sad smile found it’s way to your lips, and you moved your hand to Ruby’s cheek, patting it in adoration. “Of course, Ruby. That’s what best friends are for.” It pained you to say it, but you knew he was thinking it. The two of you were best friends, nothing more.
“About that...” he trailed off, leaning into your touch, “I-I want...” he sighed again, his hand settling on top of yours, “I want us to be more. You know me better than I know myself. You’re so caring and thoughtful a-and beautiful and I just think that you’re the perfect girl for me - you always have been, and I’ve been too blind to see it. And I don’t want to be selfish, I loved Olivia, I really did, and her death hit me hard. But now I feel like the only way I’ll ever feel true happiness is with you. You’re my happiness. I need you, Y/N, now more than ever before.” Tears welled up in your eyes and you were thankful the room was dark. The words that tumbled past Ruby’s lips stunned you - you’d been praying for him to reciprocate your feelings for fifteen years, and now he finally had. “Oh, Ruby,” you cried, throwing your arms around his neck.
Ruby immediately embraced you, holding you tightly into his chest. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that for fifteen years. I’ve loved you for so long.” The boy smiled, nuzzling into you. “I’m gonna love you forever, Y/N.”
